Makati celebrates 333rd foundation day

Makati City marks its 333rd foundation day with a week-long celebration showcasing well-known celebrities, bands in free concerts and other activities beginning tomorrow.

The anniversary celebration, under the slogan "Looking Up! Looking Ahead!" will officially be launched by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, to be highlighted by a mini-concert at the city hall quadrangle.

From Monday (May 26) to June 1, Makati residents and visitors will also be treated to great shopping bargains and promos at the Ayala Center and the Rockwell Center, a day-long community celebration and a Makati Grand Parade along Ayala Avenue.

"The foundation day celebration is a very significant event for all of us in Makati. We celebrate our progress as a community, especially Makati’s distinction as a financial and tourism capital, and a leader in public services. We celebrate the partnership between the city government and the private sector which has made this progress possible and meaningful to both residents and clients of the city," Binay said.

On Tuesday, retired Makati government employees are to be honored for their major contribution to the city’s development.

"Without them, we could not have transformed this former wasteland into a highly-developed urban and business center," Binay said.

The annual search for Miss Makati will be held in the evening at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, with 13 local beauties participating.

In the morning of May 28, a bar tour will be held around the city’s entertainment districts and will be followed by a free evening concert.

The local government has organized a "midnight madness sale" on May 30 at the Ayala Center’s store outlets which will be open from 10 a.m. to midnight.

A grand parade will also be held along Ayala Avenue in the afternoon of the same day. The activity will be followed by a street party along Kalayaan corner P. Burgos streets.

In coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the city government has prepared the city hall quadrangle for a "special passport service" wherein Makati residents and overseas Filipino workers can have their travel documents processed.

Also planned are community and family-oriented activities such as the holding of a tiangge, evening concert in parks and a fireworks display on June 1, the actual foundation day. – Jaime Laude