All roads lead to the Pilgrimage Capital of the Country, Antipolo City, starting May 1, for the Maytime Festival activities.
The office of Mayor Casimiro "Junjun" Ynares III announced that the Maytime Festival 2024 officially starts on May 1 with the much anticipated street dancing, grand parade, and competition in the city proper.
Students wearing colorful Filipiniana costumes will dance on the streets to the tune of “Tayo Na Sa Antipolo” as part of the activities organized by the city government for the Maytime festival.
Each of the city’s 16 barangays and schools based in Antipolo, along with other private establishments are expected to have entries for the street dance competition.
Based on the program of activities released by the city government, the street dance competition and parade will kick off at 4 p.m. but road closures will start at 1 p.m. and will end at 8 p.m. on May 1.
In the advisory posted by the city government on its social media pages, the road closures may result in heavy traffic as dance participants are expected to fill the streets .
Participants will assemble at 3 p.m. at Sumulong Park in front of the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage as the parade of dancers accompanied by their respective group’s drum and lyre bands will occupy the roads before ending their street performances at the Ynares Center where the final dance salvo happens.
Starting at 1 p.m., P. Oliveros Street towards M.L. Quezon Street, Masangkay Street, General Luna, C. Lawis, Sto. Nino, J. Sumulong, portions of San Jose Street, Dela Paz Street and Carigma Street and portion of Circumferential Road will be closed until 8 p.m.
The opposite lane of the circumferential road will be utilized by motorists while the other half portion of the road going to the Ynares Center will be occupied by the street dancers and bands.
Mar Bacani of the city government's tourism office said various activities are happening all throughout the pilgrimage season from May to July to make the celebration a joyous occasion for tourists and pilgrims.
The city government has released the calendar of events for the Maytime Festival 2024.