Thousands flock to Capiz festival

ROXAS CITY – Tens of thousands of Capiceños joined this year’s Capiztahan festival, the first jointly organized by the local government and the private sector.

The festival from April 15 to 17 which marked the 110th anniversary of the foundation day of the province also drew foreign and local tourists and guests for the province’s famed seafood and to attend the festivities.

The festival, led by the the United Capiceños Foundation (One Capiz), kicked off on Friday with a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of the late President Manuel Roxas who died on April 15, 1948. It was followed by several activities including a trade and horticulture fair at the provincial park, a seafood fair at the People’s Park and a national cockfighting derby.

A concert was also held at the provincial capitol in the afternoon followed by cultural show at the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center.

On Saturday, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim led the unveiling of the Arnaldo Boulevard marker. This was followed by the Parade of Lights featuring floats depicting sea creatures in colorful lights.

Traffic ground to a standstill for hours along the Arnaldo Boulevard as thousands crammed along the streets to wait for the parade joined by beauty titlists Venus Raj and Isabella Manjon.