New facilities mark weeklong Araw ng Maynila celebration

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza announced yesterday the official calendar for the weeklong celebration of the 435th Araw ng Maynila with the theme: "Mahal Nating Makasaysayang Maynila, Puso’t Diwa ng Bansang Dakila."

This year’s celebration will have daily inaugurations of new city facilities and parks.

The first to be inaugurated today, Monday, June 19, at 10 a.m., would be the new Universidad de Manila building and campus, formerly the City College of Manila, on Arroceros street to be followed by the inauguration of the new Manila Educational Center at the People’s Botanical Park also on Arroceros street tomorrow, Tuesday, June 20, at 10 a.m.

On Wednesday, June 21, 10 a.m,. the city will inaugurate the much awaited and redeveloped Remedios Circle in Malate.

The new Seafarers Shed and Plaza Salamanca along TM Kalaw would be inaugurated on Thursday, June 22 at 10 a.m.

This would be followed by the Gabi ng Parangal ng Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan (Manila’s Outstanding Artists Awards) at 6 p.m. at the Bulwagan Antonio J. Villegas of Manila City Hall.

On Friday, June 22, 10 a.m., the new Plaza Rueda along Taft Avenue would be inaugurated to be followed by the testimonial dinner and awards night for this year’s Outstanding Manilans at the Centennial Ballroom of the historic Manila Hotel, 7 p.m.

On June 24, Saturday, Manila’s 435th Foundation Day, a Thanksgiving Mass would be held at 7 a.m. at Remedios Circle in Malate. This will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros and at the Rajah Sulayman Monument in Plaza Rajah Sulayman in Malate at 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., respectively.

A luncheon with the city’s barangay chairmen would be held at the Manila Hotel.

A concert by the Manila Dance Scholars would be held at 7 p.m. at the Plaza Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate.

The climax of the celebration will be a grand fireworks display at 8 p.m. at the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard.