This time, Alcala folk just want to have fun

ALCALA, Pangasinan — With SARS no longer in the picture, it’s now time for Alcala folk to have fun.

This town is finally pushing through with its fiesta celebration on May 22-26 in honor of its patron, the Holy Cross, now that the panic over SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) has died down.

Municipal officials decided to postpone the fiesta celebration traditionally marked on May 1-3 following the SARS-related deaths of Adela Catalon and her father Mauricio, who both hailed from Barangay Vacante here.

The Catalons’ deaths prompted health authorities to place Vacante residents under 14-day quarantine. The villagers hurdled the quarantine with no symptoms of the dreaded viral disease.

President Arroyo personally went here last May 2 to officially declare Barangay Vacante as SARS-free.

"It was the first time in the history of Alcala that our town fiesta was postponed," said Mayor Juanito Collado.

To make up for the postponement, the municipal government has lined up several activities for the fiesta, with the theme "Continued Sustainable Development of Alcala."

There will be a thanksgiving Mass, an acrobatic show and battle of the bands on May 22; parade and coronation of Mrs. Alcala and ball on May 23; grand finals of the amateur singing contest on May 24; Liga ng mga Barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan night on May 25; and the search for Miss Gay Alcala on May 26.

The town hopes to purchase a firetruck from the proceeds of the Mrs. Alcala popularity contest.