MikeLigalig.com

"Rain or shine, the show must go on."

Intermittent rain showers since Day One of the novena did not hamper the church and cultural activities as the town girds for the annual town fiesta on Friday.

It's all systems go as thousands of devotees and fiesta revelers are expected to flock in this progressive town to pay homage to the most venerated Patron, Sr. Sto. Niño.

Local government officials led by Mayor Eutiquio M. Bernales and Vice-Mayor Constantino H. Reyes with homegrown second district representative Erico B. Aumentado will be at their best to welcome all guests, visitors from all walks of life including the balikbayans.

The Pontifical Mass at 9 a.m. will be officiated by Bishop Christian Vincent F. Noel, of the Diocese of Talibon. Close to 30 visiting priests are expected to join the liturgical rites, said Rev. Fr. Alfredo Amora, the new parish priest.

The holy mass will be covered live on air via dyZD - AM.
         

Meanwhile, for the first time in history in the celebration of town fiesta here, the novena and mass are held at 4:00 o'clock dawn except on vesper eve when the procession will follow. This morning schedule enables businessmen, teachers, office workers to attend the same without sacrificing their hours of duty, Fr. Amora explained.

The fluvial procession of the image of Sr. Sto. Niño at the municipal waters here is scheduled on January 27 (vesper) to start at 7 a.m. This is being coordinated by the Parish Pastoral Council, Phil. Coastguard-Ubay, PPA, PNP and the different religious organizations.

On the other hand, some observers praised the variety of presentations lined up for this year's festivities. Kudos to the solid unity of local government officials that motivated the private sectors to cooperate, mayor Bernales said.

The drivers of trisikad and habal-habal have their share of joining the fare through a Safety and Obstacle Competition with prize of P5,000 each of the winning driver plus a consolation of P500 to 10 non-winners. This was originally scheduled on Day One but postponed today.

The paddle boat racing (bugsay) competition was scheduled yesterday while the motorbike circuit race competition will be held at the PPA Complex on Vesper Day.

Municipal administrator and Ubay Sports Commission executive director, Atty. Dexter A. Bernales sponsored a two-day Table Tennis Administrator's Cup which were played last Saturday and Sunday.

The Open Basketball Tournament unfolded on the eve of Day One and the championship games will be played in the afternoon on Feast Day. This is being participated by five teams to include: UV Green Lancers, Ave Maria-USJR, Medallion Shipping Lines, Sinandigan Classics and the defending champion CPG team of Provincial Board Member, Engr. Gerry Cutamora Garcia.

Now on its 3rd straight year of staging, the Mayor Bernales Cup Open Tennis Tournament (sanctioned by PHILTA) attracted 34 tennisters from the different cities/municipalities of the country including the 16 top seeded players led by No. 1 seed and defending champion of the local tourney, Johnny Arcilla. The finals will be on Thursday at the newly constructed Senator "Migz" Zubiri Centre Court.

Senator Zubiri will be the guest of honor during the inauguration of said court on the following day. He funded the new tennis court with a counterpart of the LGU.

Other presentations during the novena were the Bohol Northern Star College/Bohol Northeastern Education Foundation, Inc. (BNSC-BNEF) with their Mr. and Mrs. BNSC Personality 2011 last January 21; The Holy Child Academy King and Queen Coronation last night; the Alturas Corporation and Du Ek Sam with their variety shows.

Highlighting the festivities will be the Search for Miss Ubay 2011 sponsored by the Ubay Rotary Club. Ten bevies of young ladies will take center stage at Ramon Magsaysay gym in the evening of Feast Day while the Ubay-ubay Grand Parade and Float Festival will take place in the early afternoon.

As a bonus to the fiesta celebration, the Holy Child Academy will have its Grand Alumni Homecoming on January 29. This will be a gathering of all graduates of the institution since its foundation in 1955 wherein Cong. Aumentado is among its products. (Wenny Reyes)

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