 The Merry Month of May in Lucena
by Toni de Villa
Festivities keep sprouting every May in most provinces of the Philippines. Lucena City, Quezon Province’s capital, boasts of its own
celebration patterned after the colorful and wild feasts of costumes and floats in the
West called mardi gras.
Mardi gras in this city is a
collaboration of the local government and private sector to boost tourism. It started in
1987 when two great men of this city, Euclides Abcede and Aguinaldo Abcede, breathed the
yearly festival. Its primary objective then was to reform the connotation that the area is
NPA-infested. Since then, it has not only become a project but a tradition.
The three-day celebration usually
starts on May 27 and ends on May 30, in time for the celebration of our patron saint St.
Ferdinand. Lucenahins and even those from neighboring towns enjoy the festive moment of
mardi gras. The main street of Lucena, Quezon Avenue is closed on these dates and Lucenahins,
even those from neighboring towns flock together for the “tyangge” which can be
found in the entire stretch of the main street. Live performances of local and famous
bands come together at night and who says beer floods in October? Men and women enjoy not
just beer but mostly food in every minor street you’ll see. Fashion keeps its spirit
alive as the Quezon Designers’ Assiociation of the Philippines (QDAP) partake in its
yearly showcase of their best of the best collection for the “sagala.”
But, the most awaited time happens on
May 28 or 29. Floats of participating companies and organizations start to build up in
front of Quezon Memorial Hospital and parade from this point to Perez Park (endpoint). Each float features a variety of
the culture in Quezon Province. Prominent is the production of coconut and
other local materials but most particularly one can’t miss to notice their
creativity. Not only this, an annual competition of floats makes this festival a sure-fire
for all the participants. Cash prizes are given away.
More than the glitz and glamour of
Mardi Gras in Lucena is the true essence of culture, camaraderie and harmony in the
locality. So, keep checking this website for more information on “Mardi Gras sa
Lucena 2004!”
Lucena
City is believed to have gotten its name to pay tribute to a Spanish friar Mariano Ganja
who used to live in Lucena Andalucia, Spain.
In the olden times, Lucena’s first names were Buenavista, Oroquieta and Cotta. But on
November 5, 1879
under the authority of “Orden Real Super Civil,” the name Lucena was proclaimed.
And due to its continuous growth and development, it has become a city on August
6, 1961 through the assistance of then, Senator
Lorenzo Taņada and the presentation of proposed law by Representative Manuel S. Enverga.
Under Republic Act. No. 3271, it was approved
by President Carlos P. Garcia. |
