Negros Festival: Sagay City’s 16th Sinigayan Festival 2012 Opening Today

Sagay City will open the 5-day Sinigayan Festival 2012 today.

The opening day will feature the 16th Sinigayan Float Parade Competition in

the morning participated by the barangays of Sagay City. This year’s theme is "Food First."

Gracing the occasion are; Governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr., Vice-Governor Genaro "Lim-ao" Alvarez, Congressman Alfredo "Thirdy" Marañon (2nd Dist., Negros Occ.), Provincial Board Members Dr. Miller Serondo and Salvador Escalante together with Mayor Leo Rafael M. Cueva, Vice-Mayor Kent Javelosa and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Sagay City, Primitivo Bong G. Rivera - President of the Sinigayan Foundation Inc.

Mayor Rafael M. Cueva welcomed all guests, friends and visitors to Sagay City "to have fun with their families." In recent years, Sagay City has prominently made a name for itself as an emerging tourism destination. It has been a favorite "Lakbay Aral" site for many LGUs because of its government projects and environmental protection programs which are worth emulating. "With hard work and commitment of our leaders and people, we have transformed our city into an interesting place to visit, relax, learn and enjoy," Mayor Cueva said.

Sagay City boasts of its Sea, Sand and Sights at the 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve; its Carbin Reef, a 200-hectare marine sanctuary with its unique, tongue-shaped sand bar, clear blue waters, virtually clean environment which offers a lot of exciting marine adventures as well as the sharing of learning process. And of course, Museo Sang Bata Sa Negros, a children’s main museum is a place of fun, activities and learning too. For LGUs scouting for Lakbay Aral destination, Sagay City is an option.

Sagay City’s projects are solid testimonies of a strong political will showcasing worthwhile government programs geared towards progress and development. Their Dairy Farm with high breed milking cows is a favorite place for kids to experience manual milking and a sampling of yummy fresh cow’s milk. The City is also proud to have one of the most modern slaughterhouses in the region which is of international standard. Sagay City Public Mall is a convenient and comfortable place for both local enterpreneurs and the buying public as well.

Its Sea Port located at Barangay Old Sagay will soon operate and will surely open its doors for more business opportunities. Sagay City Piggery is a hygienic and well taken cared of hog breeding farm for dispersal. These and many other city projects, are Sagay City’s pride.

On top of all these, their native cuisine is delicious; cooked in their own unique Sagaynon way with a wide variety of succulent fresh sea foods. One can experience Sagay breeze and history as they take a couple of hours trip on board a floating raft at Himogaan River Cruise.

Major accommodation facility is managed by the City Government, Balay Kauswagan, with hotel amenities to make the tourists’ trip hustle and worry free.

Balik-Sagay 2012

The City Government of Sagay in partnership with Sinigayan Foundation are inviting Sagaynons residing in different places here in the country and abroad to come and join their 3rd Balik Sagay at the 16th Sinigayan Festival on March 15-19 2012.

The Sinigayan Festival is the city’s way of preserving and promoting the appreciation of their rich heritage by showcasing the vibrant colors of their culture, the ingenuity and creativity of their people and the abundance of their seas and land. Last year, the Association of Tourism Officers through its annual awards program, "Best Tourism Practices Award 2011" conferred the 15th Sinigayan Festival as Second Place for Best Tourism Event - Festival City Category. This national recognition highlights their advocacy and commitment to the environment and promotes strong community involvement in their activities and festival villages.

Balik Sagay Program chaired by City Councilor Victoria S. Uychiat has marked March 17 as a special day for this memorable reunion with friends, families and kasimanwas all eagerly waiting for all to come home. The Sagaynons urge the public to join them in this joyful celebration as they renew ties with their fellow Sagaynons and keep abreast with the latest news and developments of their City as well as the opportunity to share their joys and blessings to their beloved kasimanwas.*