This week’s milestones: May 5 to May 11
May 6, 1899
The first election of an alcalde or municipal mayor to lead a township in the country through public vote happened in Baliuag, Bulacan province. Municipal heads used to be appointed by the King of Spain through the Philippine governor general. Baliuag was the first municipality established under the American regime. In May 1899, the people of Baliuag were gathered in the Saint Augustine Parish Church to choose candidates based on the qualifications established by the Americans. After the election, Francisco Guerrero was elected mayor. The election results were announced under General Field Orders No. 8, which were published in English, Spanish and Tagalog. The Americans authorized Guerrero to appoint councils and officers required for the appropriate administration of municipal affairs.
May 8, 1967
By virtue of Republic Act No. 4867, signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos, Davao was divided into three provinces— Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental. In 1965, Rep. Lorenzo Sarmiento Sr. reintroduced the Veloso bill, authored by Rep. Ismael Veloso of Davao’s lone congressional district, in the House. The bill, which was later passed by both the House and Senate, sought to divide the Davao region into three provinces. On July 1, 1967, the three Davao provinces went into operation as independent provincial governments.
This week’s festivals
MANGGAHAN FESTIVAL (Province of Guimaras Facebook Page)
Manggahan Festival (May 3 to May 22)
The Manggahan Festival, held in the province of Guimaras, is an annual festival that features what are described as the sweetest mangoes in the country. One of the festival’s highlights is the Mango-Eat-All-You-Can, in which attendees must consume as many mangoes as possible in 30 minutes. This event is one of the top tourist-drawers for the island province. In this year’s festivity, the provincial government prepared activities such as sport competitions, concerts, beauty pageants, chorale competitions, streetdance competitions and cooking competitions. The Manggahan Festival will also coincide with the province’s anniversary, which will take place on the final day of the festival.
DARAGANG MAGAYON FESTIVAL Street performers from Daragang Magayon Festival 2016 Legend showdown in Legazpi City, Albay province on March 28, 2016, Monday. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA / INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON.
Magayon Festival (May 1 to May 31)
The Magayon Festival is a monthlong celebration honoring the province of Albay. This celebration is based on the traditional tale of Mayon Volcano, which tells the tragic love story of Daragang Magayon and Panganoron, whose deaths gave birth to the volcano. Every year’s celebration features a dramatic reenactment of this tragic love story. Other activities during the festival involved exhibiting Albayanon’s culture, promoting agricultural products and showcasing local talents. This year’s festivity includes Agri-Fiesta 2024, the first paramotor show, series of Local Government Unit Night and Miss Magayon 2024.
Compiled by: Nathalie Grace Adalid, Inquirer Research, Sources: Inquirer Archives, Albay Provincial Information Office Official Facebook Page, Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress at the Beginning of the First Session of the Fifty-Sixth Congress, with the Reports of the Heads of Departments and Selections from Accompanying Reports Ebook, tpb.gov.ph, albay.gov.ph, lpp.gov.ph, guimaras.gov.ph, pna.gov.ph, nro11.neda.gov.ph, coa.gov.ph, officialgazette.gov.ph, nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com
