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Calaca City Unveiled: 2023 - A Year of Triumphs and Transformation
2023 has been a fruitful year for the City of Calaca as it celebrates its first anniversary as a city. It has been filled with many firsts, as we launched several important programs and celebrated new festivities while relaunching old-time favorites.
Earlier in the year, the City of Calaca witnessed the launch of the 80-km Palico-Balayan-Nasugbu National Highway Street Light Project. This project was a collaborative effort between the City Government of Calaca and South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. (SLTEC), and it covered the boundaries of Calaca City on the national highway, stretching from Brgy. Sinisian to Brgy. Dacanlao. The project was made possible thanks to the unwavering commitment of the management team of SLTEC, led by Mr. Miguel Fernandez, its President and Chief Operating Officer.
The Corrida de Cavalos En Ciudad de Calaca, formerly known as Carrera de Paso, is an annual festivity that celebrates the historical tradition of the Calacazens. Since the 1840s, devotees and churchgoers have been gathering on their horses, which come from Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac, and nearby towns, to honor St. Rafael the Archangel. Over time, this event has become a significant part of the region’s history, and this is the story of how horse racing became an enduring yearly tradition.
Calaca celebrated its 16th CALACAtchara Festival during the town’s 188th anniversary with a ten-day event from May 1 to 10, featuring different activities each day.
- May 1, 2023: Green Power: Calaca City Agri-Fair Opening, Power of Dreams: Calaca City Job Fair Opening, Power Ride Adventure: Horseback Riding Opening, Lens Power: Photo Exhibit Opening, The Power of Story: Calaca Film Festival Opening, and Power Ride Adventure: Car & Motor Show.
- May 2, 2023: Barangay Power Up Challenge Day 1, and Barangay Night: Tok Tiyaga Challenge.
- May 3, 2023: Barangay Power Up Challenge Day 2, and Power Within: Miss Gay Calaca.
- May 4, 2023: Power Play: Inter-Barangay Basketball & Volleyball League.
- May 5, 2023: Empowered Women: Bb. Lungsod ng Calaca.
- May 6, 2023: Power Ride Adventure: Mountain Bike Fun Ride and Calacascope: Street Dancing & Exhibition.
- May 7, 2023: Color Power: Fun Run & Zumba, and Power of Light Float Parade.
- May 8, 2023: Power Pups Dog Show and One Barangay, One Product Distribution.
- May 9, 2023: Gawad Parangal 2023
- May 10, 2023: New Administration Building & National Government Center Groundbreaking Ceremony, and Araw ng Calaca: Mayor’s Night & Calaca City Rising: Higher Power.
Our humble city has been chosen once again to host the Regional Festival of Talents. The opening program was held at the Calaca Central School – DepEd Calaca City Sub-Office on June 28, 2023, and concluded on June 30, 2023. Dr. Marites Ibañez – CESO V, the School’s Division Superintendent, Atty. Alberto Escobarte – CESO III, Mrs. Loida Nidea, OIC – Asst. Regional Director CALABARZON, Division Superintendents, participants, and employees of the Calaca City Government headed by City Mayor Nas Ona attended the festival.
On September 3, 2023, the City of Calaca celebrated its 1st Cityhood Anniversary. The day began with a thanksgiving mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine & Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel, followed by a program at the City Auditorium. Esteemed guests such as Hon. Sen. Francis Tolentino, Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, Ms. Socorro Alicia Quirino, President of Mutya ng Pilipinas Inc., Dr. Virginia Akiate, CESO III, CHEDRO IV Regional Director, and Hon. Sofronio Ona Jr. were in attendance. Simultaneously, the CCGC (Calaca City Global College) celebrated its inauguration, which marked a significant development in education. The honorable and respected guests witnessed a heartfelt blessing and a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony for the occasion.
A new name has been introduced to celebrate the traditional homage to the city’s patron saint, St. Raphael the Archangel. The feast is now called Feria Octubre De Rafael (pronounced as fer-ya) and it celebrates the culture of the people with various events that Calacazens have always looked forward to. The opening event is the Caracol de San Rafael, held at Brgy. Salong seafront, followed by a fluvial procession. The festival features both secular and religious activities such as the Ginoong Lungsod ng Calaca, Senior Citizen’s Night, 1st City Mayor Nas Ona Cup Inter-Barangay Basketball & Volleyball League Awarding, Drum & Lyre Parade and Exhibition, Musikahan Night, and Mayor’s Night Concert.
The past year has been a fruitful one as we reflect on the greatness of our city. This shows that we are moving in the right direction. We hope to continue this positive trend in the coming years and turn our visions into reality.