Mardi Gras in Olongapo

MANILA, Philippines - Mardi Gras, the annual three-day Oktoberfest festival in the former US Navy liberty town will be held starting today until Oct. 30 at the Olongapo City’s main business center along Ramon Magsaysay Drive.

Entertainment personalities and bands headline the various activities during the festivities sponsored by the Olongapo City tourism with the special participation of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), San Miguel Brewery (SMB), Ginebra San Miguel (GSM), Purefoods and Pagcor.

The project is under the auspices of the Metro Olongapo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MOCCI) to raise funds for the benefit of the local police force and other community projects of Olongapo.

Maui Taylor will topbill the GSM big night presentation on Friday together with the GSM Ledge and Fire Dancers Group while San Miguel Beer will contribute Bloomfields and Brownman Revival bands, and local musical bands from Olongapo.

Jake Vargas will be the featured TV personality of the SBMA participants backed up by the Ultimasia Band, composed of senior SBMA officers.

Pagcor Olongapo, on the other hand, will sponsor the Ms. Gay competition tonight which will feature swimsuit and talent contest.

This year’s Mardi Gras committee is chaired by Dr. Ben Apostol, with Mon del Rosario as vice chair. Aurelio Pineda Jr., MOCCI president and Olongapo City Mayor James J. Gordon Jr. are honorary advisers.

Olongapo’s Mardi Gras has been attracting tourists from Central Luzon and Metro Manila.