Mandaue fiesta celebration kicks off

CEBU, Philippines -  Raffle Draw.

The two-week celebration of Mandaue fiesta kicked off the other day with a motorcade led by Mayor Jonas Cortes and participated in by hundreds of city hall officials and employees and other residents clad in yellow t-shirts.

The motorcade described to be the longest so far, started at 1 pm at city hall grounds and passed through the city’s main thoroughfares and barangay roads including that of mountain barangays of Casili and Tawason.

The 15 finalists for Miss and Mr. Mandaue as well as contestants for Queen of Mandaue, Prince and Princess of Mandaue in their own floats also joined the motorcade.

 Candidates for Queen of Mandaue were treated to a free make-up courtesy of Angging’s Salon and Spa, which is owned by Aida Mananquil, the first runner-up.

The celebration is in honor of the city’s patron, St. Joseph.

The motorcade, accompanied by the AFP Centcom military band, ended at 5 p.m. followed by a Mass at the National Shrine of St. Joseph Church.

A short program followed at the city hall grounds which ended with a fireworks display announcing the start of “SMB Night” with a live band concert by Music Nuts.

The fiesta trade fair at the city hall plaza grounds was opened Saturday, April 24, 4 pm and followed by “Baile Grande” a night for senior citizens.

Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. with his wife, Virgie, a Mandauehanon, joined the celebration.

Davide, who resigned from his UN post to campaign for his son’s gubernatorial bid, asked hundreds of senior citizens during his speech to vote for the right persons so that “we will not suffer in the next three years.”

The nightly activities at the city hall grounds which will start at 8 pm include April 27 - Cooperative Night, April 28 – Celebration with the UC Chorus, April 29 – Talents’ Night of the Ms. Gay Carnival, April 30 - Dance Mandaue, May 1 – Showband showdown, May 2 - Super Moms, Mandaue Idol 2010.

May 3 – Mr. Mandaue 2010 selection night, May 4 – Ms. Gay Carnival 2010, May 5 – Coronation Night, Queen, Prince and Princess, May 6 – Miss Mandaue 2010 selection night, May 7 – Variety Show, May 8 – Happy Fiesta, May 8-6 -- Disco with IPI, May 14