After a week of festivities, Manileños culminate their celebration of the 446th Araw ng Maynila today, June 24, with the coronation of Miss Manila 2017.
Manila Mayor “Erap” Estrada, who kicked off the celebrations last June 18, with a Grand Parade, will cap the celebrations with tonight’s Grand Coronation of the annual Miss Manila 2017. The beauty pageant will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
From Paris of the East to Global City
“The City of Manila has come a long way from being a ‘Pearl of the Orient’ and ‘Paris of Asia’ to a highly urbanized Global City,” the Manila mayor said. “Together, we celebrate our 446th Foundation Day with a vision of bringing back our beloved city’s former glory and beauty.”
From a cash-strapped city with an unpaid debt of P5.5 billion in 2013 when he assumed office, Estrada said, the city has fast regained its financial stability. This he credited to the cooperation and sacrifice shown by the Manileños.
“In the years to come, I am sure the City of Manila will continue to realize gains in economy, education, employment, health, and housing, among others, because we have proven that we can work together,” he added.
Established as a city on June 24, 1571 under the Spanish rule, Manila, back then, had become the “Pearl of the Orient” due to its central location in the Pacific sea trade routes and the “Paris of the East” for its exquisite beauty.
In 2012, the Globalization and World Cities Research Network listed Manila as a global city.
Since assuming office in 2013, Estrada has been working to bring back the beauty and old glory of the capital city through his P100-million urban renewal program and a wide range of projects and promotional activities.
To kick off the 446th Araw ng Maynila festivities, a Grand Parade was held from last June 18, Sunday. The parade was participated in by the different offices and units of the local government, as well as their private sector partners, and showcased their different programs and services for the city’s residents.
Last June 19 and 20, Estrada bestowed honors to outstanding city employees, teachers, judges, prosecutors, and policemen.
On June 21, the city held the annual “Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Awards,” which recognizes and pays tribute to Filipino artists who have excelled in the fields of architecture, painting, and fields of art and culture through the yearly
Simultaneously, the city government launched an outdoor exhibit called “Balik-Tanaw sa Maynila” along Roxas Boulevard. The three-day event (June 19 to 21) offered a “throwback” experience of what the city looked like during the early 19th century.
Fun and games
On Thursday, it was fun and games at the city hall as Secretary to the Mayor Ed Serapio led a fun-filled game of “Jack En Poy” for city hall officials and employees at the city hall quadrangle.
The Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), meanwhile, also lined up three activities for Manila’s elderly: a Zumba dance class at the Luneta last June 21, the Manila-Guam basketball tournament from June 19 to 21, and the “Gabi ng Parangal” last June 22 where Estrada honored centenarians, surviving war veterans, and the 343 incumbent barangay chairmen who are already senior citizens.
The mayor also cited top individual and corporate taxpayers in Manila at a ceremony held yesterday at the Manila Hotel.
Today’s festivities begin with a Thanksgiving Mass at San Agustin Church at 8 am, whih Mayor Estrada is expected to attend.
At 7 pm, Estrada will preside over the Grand Coronation Night of the annual 2017 Miss Manila pageant at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Estrada revived the pageant in 2013 in a bid to cement Manila’s place in the world map of tourism.
This year’s Miss Manila will serve as the ambassadress of the city and be involved in the city’s charitable projects as well as represent the country’s capital in various events and functions. With a report from Meryll del Rosario