Tarlac festival pushes through amid virus scare: ‘Just bring your alcohol’

Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan (center) receives the P1 million check as cash incentive from the Tarlac government for being a “Seal of Good Local Governance” awardee. The awarding ceremony was part of the opening of the 4th Kanlahi Festival. MARIA ADELA CALAYAG

TARLAC CITY—The Kanlungan ng Lahi or “Kanlahi” Festival of Tarlac province pushed through despite fear that has gripped communities here because of the global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The week-long fest is a celebration of the cultural diversity in the province.

Gov. Susan Yap said holding the fest amid the health scare caused by COVID-19 gave the people of Tarlac an assurance that the local government is “on top of the situation.”

“We have to show that we can beat this [virus]. If I withdrew, people worry all the more,” Yap said in an interview.

Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap calls on the public to join and enjoy the Kanlahi Festival despite the COVID-19 scare. Yap said alcohol dispensers and hand sanitizers are provided as a precautionary measure. MARIA ADELA CALAYAG

The Athletes’ Village at New Clark City in Capas town has been designated as a quarantine zone for COVID-19.

“Come and join us here, let’s not worry just bring your alcohol and sanitizer,” Yap told the crowd.

The festival, which began on Monday (March 2) and will end on Sunday (March 8), features a Carabao pageant and race, motocross, paralymlpics, pyro- musical fest, painting contest and street dance.

As part of the celebration of the 4th Kanlahi Festival in Tarlac province, 12 dioramas are currently on display at Diwa ng Tarlac Convention Center. These dioramas depict the history of Tarlac. MARIA ADELA CALAYAG

During the opening day, officials of a city and eight towns that received a “Seal of Good Local Governance” were given P1 million check each as incentives from the provincial government of Tarlac.

These are Gerona, Capas, Moncada, Pura, San Clemente, Tarlac City, Sta. Ignacia, San Jose and Victoria.

Yap also unveiled 12 dioramas at Diwa ng Tarlac Convention Center that depict the history of Tarlac. Some of the dioramas include Casa Real de Tarlac, Capas Death Marchand Azotea de Tarlac.

Edited by TSB