THE Provincial Government of Bulacan on Wednesday formally opened the annual celebration of Singkaban Festival 2021 by celebrating the activities using virtual event platform to promote Bulacan’s rich cultural heritage amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The weeklong activity was on its 2nd year online celebration due to global health crisis that has started on March last year.
With the theme ‘Paglingon. Paghilom. Pagbangon’, this year’s Singkaban Festival will evolve in instilling hope to all Bulakenyos and the will to move forward while remembering the legacy of the province’s colorful history.
Despite of heavy rains brought by Tyohoon ‘Jolina’, the event commenced with a Holy Mass held at the Nicanor Abelardo Auditorium at the Capitol Compound followed by ribbon cutting ceremony led by Governor Daniel Fernando and Dr Eliseo Dela Cruz, head of the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO).
Fernando said that one way or another, the human race will have to heal and move on from this pandemic.
“Magdiriwang tayo kahit simple lang kasi sa panahon ngayon, humahanap dapat tayo ng pamamaraan kung paano aalalahanin at ipagdiriwang ang mahahalagang bahagi ng ating kasaysayan. Itong Singkaban, ipinagdiriwang natin para maipaalala sa lahat, na lingunin ‘yung mga masasaya, baunin natin para magamit natin sa paghilom ng lahat ng sakit na iniwan sa atin ng COVID-19. Upang sa ating pagbangon, may matatag tayong pundasyon,” Fernando said.
The weeklong Singkaban Festival celebration kick off includes Singkaban Arc Exhibit, Bulakenyo Artists Art Exhibit, Museum Memorabilia Exhibit, and Bulacan Festival Costume Expo.
Meanwhile, the PHACTO will be putting markers on four built heritages in the province as part of the weeklong celebration.
Dr. Dela Cruz said, the four structures that will be marked includes the Simboryo ng Quingua located in Plaridel Bulacan on Wednesday September 8; Aguas Potables in the City of Malolos on September 9, 2021, 9:30 am; Himpilang Daangbakal of Guiguinto, Bulacan on September 10, 2021, 9:30 am; and Himpilang Daangbakal of Meycauayan on September 10, 2021, 11:00 am.
Fernando said that putting heritage markers will not only allow for the preservation of the cultural structures but will also permit the future generations to have a glimpse of the rich history of the province.
“Alam natin na sagana ang ating lalawigan hindi lamang sa mga likas na yaman kundi pati na rin sa aspetong kultural. Ito pong ating mga pamanang istruktura ay napakahalaga sa ating kasaysayan sapagkat sila ang ating piping saksi sa mga pangyayari sa ating nakaraan na lalong nagpalago sa ating yamang pangkalinangan,” the governor said.
The cultural structures that will be marked are products of research done by finalists of the SINEliksik Bulacan Docufest with the theme “Pamana ng Lahi, Yamang aking Ipagmamalaki” last 2018.
All other programs for the weeklong Singkaban Festival will also be held online through Facebook, Zoom and Google Meet.