La Carlota City – Vice President Sara Duterte may have missed attending the newly concluded Panaad sa Negros festival, but she was able to make it to the opening ceremonies of the Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota and Pagbanaag Festival of Hinobaan, both in Negros Occidental.
With fiestas and festivals resuming after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Duterte said “we are optimistic, because our country is on the right track in its post pandemic recovery.”
Duterte, who went to Hinobaan, the southernmost town of Negros Occidental, to attend its festival, and La Carlota City, where she was welcomed by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, and Mayor Rex Jalandoon, said the resumption of festival celebrations indicate that people are now happy and eager to face challenges that will come along the way.
The 41st Pasalamat cultural festival affirms La Carlota’s resilience, solidarity and thanksgiving, the vice president said, adding that “it is a moment to give thanks to the blessings we have receive, and to celebrate the diversity of our cultures.”
This event reminds us of the importance of community, coming together, to support one another, and working towards a better future, Duterte said.
In her speech at the opening of La Carlota Pasalamat festival, Duterte emphasized unity for every Filipino to work towards progress.
As a secretary of the Department of Education, she also urged everybody to make sure that their children are attending school, stressing that “education is the greatest equalizer.”
Duterte also called on parents to ensure that their children be shielded against all forms of illegal activities, especially against the use and selling of drugs, as well as being recruited by local insurgents.
Upon her arrival in Negros Occidental, Duterte also met with some mayors and congressmen of the province.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his wife, Liza, also sent video messages in line with the Pasalamat Festival celebrations. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds photos by Ronda Bhong Villalobos-RPN DYKB)