Nueva Ecija capital marks 50th year

PALAYAN CITY, Philippines – Officials yesterday opened this city’s 50th founding anniversary celebration, which will run until Dec. 7.

Malacañang has declared Dec. 7 a special non-working holiday in this city to give residents a chance to celebrate and participate in the event.

Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas led the opening ceremony, which was highlighted by a mass and blessing of the newly renovated Plaza Concepcion.

The ceremony was followed by a caravan, a livestock fair, and painting and photo contests.

The committee for this year’s anniversary preparation is led by Cuevas’ husband, businessman Bong Cuevas, who said the celebration would be modest, considering the city was one of the areas in Luzon affected by the recent Typhoon Lando.