Bibingka, traffic for Mandaue fiesta

Bibingka, fireworks, heavy traffic and  the St. Joseph National Shrine highlighted yesterday’s Mandaue City fiesta.

Vendors of the city’s  famous sweet rice cakes enjoyed  brisk sales in their new outlet, the Garbo sa Mandaue Delicacy Center on  A. Del Rosario Street.

Thousands of Mandaue’s faithful flocked to St. Joseph the Worker National Shrine for the concelebrated Mass led by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

Pyrotechnics  worth  half a million pesos prepared  by the city government from Dragon Fireworks wowed thousands of spectators last night.

Palma in his homily stressed the importance of family unity by loving each other and devotion. He said the Holy Family of Jesus, and parents Mary and St. Joseph,  should  serve as an inspiration to all.

Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes and city officials  with Gov.  Gwendolyn Garcia attended the Mass.

In the City Hall grounds, people gathered to watch variety of shows, including that of Elvis Presley’s impersonator Elvis Stanley.

On Sunday evening, Mandaue crowned five winners out of 12 beauty pageant contestants.

Nicole Tuazon, a 21-year-old cum laude  engineering graudate from the University of San Carlos, was crowned Miss Mandaue 2012.

Her court includes first runner-up Daisy Rell Lopez, followed by  Jacqueline Pedotti, Maria Cassandra Yu, and Keena Mary Anne Sumido.

People from all walks for life, strolled in the plaza ‘s lighted gardens.

Out-of town toy vendors Stephanie and Julius de Guma of barangay Jagobiao  said they were  happy to do their trade in the poblacion.

Traffic enforcers were deployed on the streets to deal with heavier than usual traffic and closures of seven major roads. Police help desks were  set up. No major disruptions were reported to the police as of 8 p.m.