PAGADIAN CITY, Jan 12 (PIA) – The Local Government of Pagadian City has prepared series of fun events to celebrate the Pasalamat Festival 2023. The streets of the city are now filled with colorful banderitas and lights to brighten the celebration.

Señor Santo Niño, the centerpiece of the Festival's fluvial parade, and the blessing of the statues and statuettes are performed after the concelebrated Mass, which will take place in the City Wharf area early morning on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Pagadianons may also watch the Festival Queen showdown live at Plaza Luz-Taclobo at 6:00 PM on the same day.

Meanwhile, the most awaited Pasalamat Street Dance and Ritual Competition 2023 is expected to happen on Sunday, January 15. The street dance and ritual competition which is a combination of cultural and religious dance related to the festival has 16 contenders. It will start from the City Rotunda to the wharf area at noon.

The celebration will be concluded with a Pasalamat Grand Party with celebrity guests, and bands and a Rave Party that will be held at the junction of Rizal Avenue and Pajares Avenue Near the C3 commercial center at 6:00 PM on the same day. 

Prior to this, other activities has been held such as the Tiktok & Video Competition, invitational Drag Race, PAGZUR Darts Tournament, TODA Day, AutoMoto Show, Chess Tournament, Mayor Sammy Co’s Cup 10-Ball Billiards, Inter-School Basketball League, Motorcross, Bangkarera-Sea-O-Rama Games, XC Circuit Race, 1st Mayor Sammy Co’s Cup Shooting Competition, Blessing of Sea and Fishing Vessels, Downhill Race, Daily Zumba, and Nightly Variety show.

A Jobs Fair for the Pagadianons was also held at the city covered court from January 9-10, 2023 in which a total of 253 applicants were hired on the spot.

The Pasalamat Festival is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January annually to pay tribute to the Patron Saint, Sr. Santo Nino.   (RVC/CCP/JAD/PIA-Zamboanga Del Sur)