During 75th charter day rites

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines-Business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan will be officially proclaimed the "adopted son of Bacolod" today by Mayor Monico Puentevella in rites marking the Diamond Year or the 75th Charter Day of the City of Bacolod.

Pangilinan, as guest of honor, will address the people of Bacolod during the anniversary program at the public plaza at 5 p.m., following the Charter Day parade which will start at 1 p.m.

Accompanying Pangilinan are showbiz personalities Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, Aga Mulach and Ogie Alcasid, a City Hall press release said.

The Diamond Year celebration is one of the highlights of the 34th MassKara Festival, which opened on Oct. 1, and will culminate tomorrow, Oct. 20.

Also tonight, as part of the MassKara festivities, will be a grand reunion of all former government officials at the Government Center and the National Dancesport Competition at 7 p.m. at the Pavilion Convention Center.

Tonight is also the second night of the Electric MassKara at the Tourism Strip along Lacson St., where Electric MassKara Dance Parade starts at 9 p.m. while the MassKaraland party continues until late in the evening.

The four-night Electric MassKara runs from Oct. 17-20 at the so-called Tourism Strip, with the entire 18 blocks converted into one giant streetparty.

The streetdancing competition continues with the barangay category tomorrow, Oct. 20, where 20 barangays will battle for the crown. The schools category was held yesterday, Oct. 18, participated by 10 schools.

The streetdancing is the essence of the MassKara Festival, as Bacoleños take to the streets to dance to the music and drum beats, to celebrate life and its abundant blessings to their city.

This year's MassKara Festival revolves on the theme, "Rediscover and Celebrate Bacolod." The festival is run by the Kasadya Bacolod Foundation.

Meanwhile, other 'adopted sons' of Bacolod are business tycoons John Gokongwei, who was "adopted' last February, and Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. and Lucio Tan, "adopted" in previous years. (FREEMAN)