Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie "Wes" Gatchalian and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led the inauguration of Casa de Polo events space in Barangay Poblacion on Sunday, Nov. 26, to wrap up the city's celebration of its 400th Founding Anniversary.

The city government also conducted several activities on the same day as part of the celebration on the same day.

According to the local government, the inauguration of Casa de Polol, a heritage-themed events space, indicates its opening for all accommodations/activities. The local government held the blessing ceremony of the facility on Nov. 12,  the city's Foundation Day.

In his welcoming remarks, Gatchalian emphasized the significance of celebrating Valenzuela's 400th founding anniversary and thanked the people who worked behind the successful series of activities for its celebration.

“Sa ating pagba-balik-tanaw, malugod ko po kayong tina-tanggap sa ating selebrasyon ng Valenzuela 400! Sa pamamagitan ng temang ‘kasaysayan at kaunlaran,’ samahan niyo po ako sa paglingon sa aming makulay na nakaraan, nang ang Valenzuela ay isa pa lamang bayan ng agrikultura; pagbubunyi sa aming kasalukuyan,  bilang isang hinahangaang, multi-awarded industrial city; at pagtanaw sa aming kinabukasan, bilang isang maunlad na liveable city (As we remember the past, I welcome you to our Valenzuela 400 celebration! With the theme of 'history and development,' join me in looking back at our colorful past, when Valenzuela was just an agricultural town; celebrating our present, as an admired, multi-awarded industrial city; and looking to our future, as a prosperous liveable city)," he said.

He added that as the city continuously progresses, he believes the cultural landmark Casa de Polo shall be symbolic of the city’s pride and honor; connecting its glorious past to its hopeful future.

First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, the guest of honor, joined the mayor and the city council in unveiling the building marker of Casa de Polo. The facility will serve as one of the historical landmarks in the city.

"For a brief background, from being a quaint municipality, Polo became an independent town on the 12th day of November 1623. Polo then became known as Valenzuela City; enjoined with the Metropolitan Manila in 1975 presided over by then Governess and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, and ultimately became a highly urbanized city in 1998," the city government shared.

It added that First Lady Marcos leading the unveiling of Casa De Polo's marker  is a nod to the city' s history and connection to the early Marcoses.

The launching of the city's first coffee table book called “Valenzuela: History and Progress” was also held during the event.

The book features a walkthrough of the city’s heritage tracing back remarkable events from the old town of Polo to its gradual transformation into an urbanized city; a glimpse of the city’s unique culture such as food, art, customs, traditions, and churches.

According to the city government, the coffee table book highlights aspects of the city's local governance in terms of education, health, social services, and ecotourism.

It is a compilation of shared stories and experiences that shall serve as memorabilia for the future Valenzuelanos, it added.

The city also held the “Cultural Night"  fashion presentation that showcased the works of the three key designers of the fashion industry of Valenzuela City and of the country that pays homage to Valenzuela City’s history and cultural heritage.

The local government said show had three blocks that exhibit the Pueblo de Polo’s agricultural background, showcase the vibrant culture and faith of Valenzuelanos, and the city’s relentless pursuit of progress and “riding along the waves” of continuous growth and innovation.

Present during the event were Senators Grace Poe, Mark Villar, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Director of National Museum of the Philippines Mr. Jeremy Barns, city government department heads, members of the city council, punong barangays, fiscals, delegates from Comelec, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other guests.