JANUARY 18 – The 226 years of history of Santa Rosa in Laguna was presented by the contestants in less than 10 minutes through a colorful and vibrant street dance in today’s Sikhayan Festival 2018.
Sikhayan Festival, held every 18th of January, is celebrated in conjunction with Santa Rosa’s Founding Anniversary. Sikhayan, which stands for Sikap sa Kabuhayan, is an annual event celebrating the Rosenians’ spirit of enterprise that has, through the decades, fueled the city’s economic growth.
This year’s street dance competition was presented by eight (8) public secondary schools. The Grand Champion is the Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School, which also grabbed the Best in Costume Award. Aplaya National High School won First Place, Labas Senior High School secured Second Place. Pulong Sta. Cruz National High School earned the Third Place and Sinalhan Senior High School got the Fourth Place.
In harmony with this year’s theme, Biyaya ng Kaunlaran Tagumpay ng SIKHAYAN ng Mamamayan, the presentations of the eight schools centered on the different sectors that contributed greatly to what Santa Rosa is today – one of the most dynamic cities in the country.
Mayor Dan Fernandez said in his speech that every year the City makes sure that the people will participate and be part of the celebration mainly because it is for people. He said the people of Santa Rosa are the reason why the City holds its Sikhayan Festival every year.
In an earlier interview, Mayor Dan said, “Ang mga tao, sila ang dahilan kung bakit kami nagsisikhay sa pagseserbisyo at kung bakit nabibigyan ng pagkilala ang lungsod. We ended the year 2017 with many awardsat itinuturing kong pinaka-mahalaga dito ay ang Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG): Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaang Lokal. Dahil ito ay pagkilala sa ating pamamahala. Kapag mahusay tayong mamahala, ibig sabihin napaglilingkuran namin ng mabuti ang mga tao at lalong umuunlad ang lungsod.”
This belief was shared by Congresswoman Arlene B. Arcillas. She said in her speech during the celebration that the success of the city is born out of love and unity of the people serving the city and the people itself.
“Wala kaming paglilingkuran kung wala kayo. Kung wala kayo hindi aabot sa ganitong kaganda at katagumpay ang Lungsod ng Santa Rosa,” Cong. Arlene added.
The event was attended by Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas and members of the City Council; heads of city departments and offices with their employees; and Barangay Chairpersons and Sangguniang Barangay with their staff.
Guests include Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, Board Member JM Carait and Mr. Rosauro Sta. Maria, head of the Laguna Tourism, Culture, Arts and Trade Office. Guest artist is Kapamilya Star Joshua Garcia. The candidates for this year’s Ginoong Santa Rosa 2018 also performed during the event.
Aside from the SGLG, the other awards received by the City in 2017 include the Tourism Excellence Award for Local Government from the Department of Tourism on November 27, followed by the Silver Award on Environmental Compliance Audit from DILG on December 4 in recognition of the City’s contribution in rehabilitation and preservation of Manila Bay and its watershed.
In addition, the National Nutrition Council awarded the City its 2nd Year CROWN Maintenance Award during the National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony on December 12.
The City was also recognized as the Overall Best Performing City in 2016 and Santa Rosa Community Hospital as the Top Hospital Performance Achiever on December 14.
The City also received the Safe Haven Award from the Manila Times Philippine Model Cities on May 11.
Other accolades to include in its long list of recognitions are the City’s awards as finalist in 2017 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Award City Level 2 given by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for exemplifying commendable initiatives towards good governance reforms that promote trade and investments, and significantly contribute to local economic development; Recognition on 2017 ECCD Inter-Sectoral Dialogue; Best Supplementary Feeding Program Implementer from the DSWD Region 4A and the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification for some of its offices. (end)
*Published in print version (Voice of the South, Volume 13, No. 8)
