GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite “•Colorful activities were lined up at the city grounds to mark the start of the weeklong celebration of the 269th founding anniversary of the historic San Francisco de Malabon and the 2nd cityhood anniversary of General Trias, with this year’s theme “Gentriseno: Magkakaagapay sa Pagusad at Pag-unlad.” (Gentrisenos Moving Forward Toward Progress).
Mayor Antonio “Ony” Ferrer, together with GenTri Tourism Officer Michelle Pozas and Local Investment and Promotion Head Romel Olimpo, presented the programs for the weeklong celebration and spearheading the festival.
Ferrer said the event was made to promote cultural awareness, to celebrate the importance of “true blue Gentriaseños,” and to attract investors to the city and tourists to come and witness the festivities.
On Dec. 13, local officials led by Mayor Ferrer and Cavite 6th District Rep. Luis “Jon-Jon” Ferrer IV will lead the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of late Vice President and General Mariano Trias in Barangay Bagumbayan at 8 a.m.
After the Holy Mass at historic St. Francis of Assisi Church, 33 barangay captains will parade their respective entries at the 5th Valenciana Festival at the City Esplanade, where the valenciana dish will be judged by the best of the city’s ancestry, who trace their roots to the Spanish period.
In the evening, Team GenTri will light up the 15-foot-high Christmas tree, kicking off the Parol-making contest at the City Plaza.
On Nov. 29, 27 candidates were introduced for the Binibining General Trias pre-pageant and talent night at the Robinson’s Place GenTri activity center in Tejero. The coronation night was held Dec. 7 at the General Trias Cultural and Convention Center, with the winner taking a guaranteed cash prize of P60,000.
A costume parade will also be held at the Robinson’s Place GenTri activity center, with all entries must be made from recycled materials produced by the Nagkakaisang Kababaihan ng General Trias (NKGT) led by GenTri first lady Ms. Anne Ferrer for 33 representatives of every barangay.
“My One and Only Job Fair” for local and overseas employment is also set at Robinson’s Place GenTri activity center on Dec. 8. The band Aegis will also be live in concert at the GTCCC for free courtesy of Rep. Luis Ferrer IV on Dec. 10.
The GenTri Investor’s Day is also slated on Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Bayleaf Hotel Ballroom in Barangay San Francisco. Later that day, a gift-giving session for persons with disabilities is set at 2 p.m. at the Convention Center.
On the 2nd Cityhood Day, the Valenciana Festival, a street dance competition, and a Grand Parade of Floats will happen at the city proper after the 1 p.m. Thanksgiving mass to be officiated by Rev. Fr. Jun Poblete, Parish Priest of St. Francis of Assisi Church.