Marikina City Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro called on Marikeños to rise up and be united amidst the challenges and adversities they may face as the city celebrates its 27th cityhood anniversary on Friday, Dec. 8.
Mayor Marcy Teodoro and Rep. Maan Teodoro
Coinciding with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the city conducted simultaneous masses at various parish churches around the city attended by Teodoro, his wife and Marikina 1st District Rep. Maan Teodoro, together with city officials, department heads, and city government employees.
“As we celebrate our 27th Cityhood Anniversary, I am calling our fellow residents of Marikina to continue to unite amidst challenges and adversities,” Teodoro said.
“I am also urging everyone to sustain our unwavering resiliency as Marikina residents are known as strong, resilient people. The close partnership of the community and the city government is the secret of our strong resiliency,” he added.
Grand motor parades were also held accompanied by marching bands which circled the 16 barangays of Marikina.
“Sa ating pagdiriwang ng atin 27th Cityhood Anniversary, ipinaaabot ko ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat sa mga matatag na Marikeño na gumanap ng mahalagang papel sa pag-unlad ng lungsod (In our celebration of Marikina's 27th Cityhood Anniversary, I wish to extend to you my heartfelt gratitude to all resilient Marikeños who have an important role in the prosperity of our city)," Tedoro said.
“Mula sa isang maliit na munisipalidad, malayo na ang ating narating sa siyudad ng Marikina. Hindi madali ang ating pinagdaanan upang marating ang kung ano man tayo ngayon—isang maunlad, mapayapa, at progresibong lungsod (Coming from a small municipality, Marikina has traveled far and wide to achieve this success. The journey was not easy for us to become who we are now -- a developed, peaceful, and progressive city)," he added.
The mayor also urged the youth of Marikina to contribute to the success of the city and continue its legacy and tradition.
“Bawat isa ay may mahalagang gampanin at bahagi. Ito ay isang hamon sa mga nakakabatang henerasyon na sundan ang kanilang yapak at mag-ambag sa ikakaunlad ng mahal nating lungsod. Isang bangka tayo sa Marikina, hindi tayo magpapatinag sa anumang hamon ng buhay na ating haharapin. Lahat ay kaya nating lampasan basta tayo ay sama-sama at tulong-tulong (Each of us have a role in the development of Marikina. This is a challenge for the younger generation to follow the footsteps and contribute to the prosperity of our beloved city. We are all in one boat here in Marikina and we will not be defeated by any challenges in life. We can overcome anything and everything as long as we are together and united)," Teodoro stressed.
Meanwhile, in her short message at St. Gabriel Parish in Marikina Heights, Cong. Maan acknowledged the tremendous effort of the men and women of Marikina to achieve the cityhood status of the once small municipality in the metropolis.
“Talagang ang araw na ito ay isang blessing mula sa ating Panginoon dahil ngayong araw pong ito ay naging ganap na siyudad ang ating bayan. Marami pong mga taong naghirap at nagpunyagi upang maisakatuparan po ang pagiging city o lungsod ng ating bayan. Sinimulan po ito ng nakaraang mayor pa po, at hanggang ngayon ay ating kinikilala pa rin (This day is definitely a blessing from God because on this day, our town became an official city. A lot of people have pushed hard and persevered to make Marikina's cityhood a reality. This was started by the previous mayor and until now, we still continue to recognize it),"Cong. Maan explained.
The lawmaker also expressed gratitude to all the government employees serving the city for their contributions that spurred progress and growth in the city.
Among the activities during the anniversary celebrations were the Christmas Shoe Bazaar and Banchetto located in front of the City Hall.
The mayor has also hosted a thanksgiving dinner in honor of shoe manufacturers and small, medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), acknowledging their huge contribution to Marikina’s local economy.
The guests of honor during the thanksgiving dinner were Cong. Maan, and former city mayor Del De Guzman.
Also held during the anniversary was the lighting of Marikina City Hall at the Plaza De Los Alcaldes followed by a Banchetto Concert.
Marikina's cityhood was enacted through Republic Act (RA) No. 8223, signed into law on Dec. 8, 1996.
RA No. 8223, titled "An Act Converting the Municipality of Marikina into a Highly Urbanized City to be Known as the City of Marikina," officially elevated Marikina's status to that of a highly urbanized city.
This legislation recognized Marikina's economic significance, particularly in the shoemaking industry, and acknowledged its rapid urbanization and population growth.
The cityhood also granted Marikina increased autonomy and access to more resources for local governance, providing a foundation for further development and progress.