Press Release
January 17, 2010

Villar joins Sto. Nino festivities in Kalibo, Cebu

Nacionalista Party President Sen. Manny Villar participated in festivities of the feast of Sto. Nino in Kalibo and Cebu over the weekend.

"Taon-taon ay sinisikap ko talagang makibahagi sa pagdiriwang ng kapistahan ng ating mahal ng Sto. Nino. Ako'y natutuwa at nakasali ako sa selebrasyon dito sa Kalibo at Cebu. Ito ay maituturing na personal na panata," said Villar.

Villar joined the crowd in the ati-atihan parade and street dancing after hearing mass. The world-renowned Ati-Atihan Festival in the town of Kalibo in the province of Aklan honors the feast of Sto. Nino (the child Jesus).

From Aklan, Villar went all the way to Cebu and participated in the Sinulog Festival, another much-anticipated festivity in the country.

Villar and NP senatorial candidates Rep. Bongbong Marcos, former Rep. Gilbert Remulla, Adel Tamano, Gwen Pimentel, Susan "Toots" Ople, and Rep. Satur Ocampo were mobbed by the crowd while walking along Mango Avenue, along the route of the Sinulog parade.

"Our participation and continued celebration of religious and cultural festivals distinct to our country are truly a reflection of our uniqueness as Filipinos. This is also a testimony to our faith," added Villar.

Both the Ati-Atihan and Sinulog festivals, held on the third Sunday of January every year, figure prominently among religious festivals in the country.

In between festival activities, Villar led the oath-taking of regional and local members of the Nacionalista Party.

Villar also attended the celebration of the feast of Sto. Niño in his birthplace in Moriones, Tondo where he gave a big surprise to one indigent family in the TV program SOP of Channel 7. He gave the family a house and lot. "It's my way of giving back to the community where I started to dream," he said.

News Latest News Feed