Nov. 23 declared special non-working holiday in Angono, Rizal
By Nel Andrade
Workers in Angono, Rizal will have the chance to celebrate the town fiesta as Malacañang has declared November 23, Wednesday, the feast day of Saint Clement, as a special non-working day.
Angono Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon posted on her social media page, a copy of Presidential Proclamation No. 98 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin that declares the Higantes Festival as a “no work day” in the entire municipality.
During the morning on the feast day, a fluvial procession of St. Clement on a customized pedestal on a makeshift barge and decorated with flowers will be held along Laguna Lake.
Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon, a devotee of St. Clement, is expected to join the fluvial procession along with the mayor and other local officials.
Prior to the Laguna Lake procession, a concelebrated Mass will be offered at 6:30 a.m. at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish Church of St. Clement. Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani of the Diocese of Novaliches, along with Rev. Fr. Peter Ymari Balatbat, the shrine rector, and several priest of the Diocese of Antipolo will officiate the religious gathering.
Jubilant residents traditionally observe the fluvial procession or “pagoda” with the splashing of water as others dance on the street as the procession pass by.
Being part of the Higantes Festival 2022, the November 23 activities will also showcase dozens of ‘higantes’ dancing to the beat of the marching drum and lyre and brass bands.
Although festivities have now been allowed this year after two years of being shelved due to the pandemic, the local government continues to remind residents to observe government health protocols at all times.
Drinking of alcoholic beverages on the streets is also prohibited.
As what has been a practice in the past years’ celebration, a roving mobile lock-up facility awaits unruly drunkards.
The other night, the town witnessed the unveiling of a giant Christmas Tree that is made of thousands of plastic softdrink bottles.
The holiday tree was patterned after the “Nuno Sa Punso” or the old man or dwarf on a termite mound.
Senator Imee Marcos showed up Tuesday morning to personally greet the residents during the festival where she saw several higantes, including a “higante” version of her brother, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., dancing on the street.