The Malabon City local government launched on Saturday, May 11, its “Malabueño Ako” song during the Tambobong Indakan Festival 2024.
The participants showcased interpretative, ethnic, and contemporary dance to the tune of the "Malabueño Ako" song, which they had prepared for the festival promoting the rich and colorful history of the city.
In line with the Malabon's 23rd Cityhood Anniversary and 425th Founding Anniversary, the festival started with a street dance parade with the theme “Kung Saan ang Tradisyon ay Dumadaloy sa Pagbabago’t Pag-ahon”.
The parade started at the Malabon National High School in Barangay Hulong Duhat.
The participants performed through the streets of A. Bonifacio, Gen. Luna and Rizal Avenue before they arrived at the Malabon Sports Complex.
In her speech, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval emphasized that promoting the culture and arts of the city is one of her advocacies.
“Isa sa ating mga adhikain ay ang pagyabong ng kultura at sining sa Malabon, kaya’t hinikayat natin ang mga paaralan at mga kawani ng ating pamahalaan na lumahok dito sa ating Indakan. Dito ay makakita natin ang mga makukulay na street dances mula sa kanila na nagpapakita ng ating pagiging tunay na Malabueño, na may isang makulay na tradisyon at kasaysayang ating maipagmamalaki kaninuman. Ito ay upang ipagdiwang ang ating 425th Foundation Day ng may ngiti at ligaya sa ating mga puso habang patuloy tayo sa pag-ahon dito sa Malabon (One of our advocacies is the promotion of culture and arts in Malabon, so we encourage schools and government employees to participate in our "Indakan" (Dance) event. Here, we can see vibrant street dances showcasing our true Malabueno spirit, with a colorful tradition and history that we can all be proud of. This is to celebrate our 425th Foundation Day with smiles and joy in our hearts as we continue to progress here in Malabon),” she said.
Meanwhile, Malabon City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete said that the festival aims to inspire the youths in the city cultivate their talents and strive for their dreams while embracing Malabon’s customs and beliefs
“Ngayon Tambobong Festival, nais natin isulong ang sining sa ating mga kapwa Malabueno. Nais nating bigyang inspirasyon ang mga kabataan na mas linangin ang kanilang mga talent at pag-igihin sa pag-abot ng kanilang mga pangarap kasabay ng pagsasabuhay ng mga kaugalian at paniniwala ng isang tunay na Malabueño. Ating ipinagmamalaki at payayabungin ang kultura, kasaysayan, tradisyon, at sining ng ating bayan (During the Tambobong Festival, we aim to promote arts among our fellow Malabuenos. We want to inspire the youth to cultivate their talents and strive to achieve their dreams while embodying the customs and beliefs of a true Malabueno. We take pride in and aim to enrich the culture, history, tradition, and arts of our town),” he said.
The city’s public information office said that the board of judges were Kalilayan Folkloric group artistic director Rommel Padilla Serrano, Valenzuela City Cultural Affairs and Tourism Department (VCCATD) Assistant Department head Jonathan Balsamo, Events, Television, and Digital commercial director and former professional dancer and choreographer Calvin Neria, University and college dance coach and trainer Jerry Paredes, and licensed Zumba, aeromix and dance fashion instructor Rommel Colobong Tongga.
Television actor and hashtag member Zeus Collins also joined the festival.
Performers from Tanghalang Bagong Sibol, St. Catherine Institute, and St.Therese of the Child Jesus Academy entertained the people with their special numbers during the event.
The city government said winners for the best costume received P20,000 each in the following categories: Ninoy Aquino Elementary School (elementary level), Potrero National High School (high school level), and Public Safety and Transport Management Office (government category).
Second runners-up in the dance competition received P60,000 each, including Epifanio Elementary School, Potrero National High School, and the Malabon Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (Group 8).
First runners-up that received P80,000 each were Ninoy Aquino Elementary School, Longos National High School, and the Malabon Philippine National Police (Group 12).
The champions of the Tambobong Indakan Festival 2024 that received P100,000 were Longos Elementary School, Malabon National High School, and PSTMO (Group 9) for the government sector.