A celebration of the people, by the people and for the people.
This was the main direction of the recent celebrations of “Araw ng Biñan” from February 2 to 4, the first under the administration of Mayor Gel Alonte.
The three-day festivities commemorate three important events in the city’s history: the day Biñan became an official chartered city (February 2); the day the town was liberated from Japanese occupation forces during World War II (February 3); and the official date of Biñan’s establishment (February 4).
While the main theme of the festival remained unchanged – “Buhay ang Nakaraan, Sumasalubong sa Hinaharap” – Alonte’s administration has focused on celebrating and honoring the Biñanenses who made immense contributions to the city’s continued prosperity and stability.
No less than Alonte himself emphasized it in an exclusive interview with OpinYon Laguna: "Sa Lungsod ng Biñan, mamamayan ay kasama, mamamayan ay namumuno, at dito, walang kumpetisyon, lahat ay sama-sama at nagkakaisa."
Ordinary people honored
Aside from the usual slate of activities that had always marked each celebration of the Araw ng Biñan, one of the main highlights of this year’s celebrations is honoring the ordinary folk who displayed selflessness and civic volunteerism.
Ten individuals and groups who best exemplified these traits were given recognition at the very first “GEL Awards: Gawad sa mga Natatanging Galing at Epektibong Lingkod ng Biñan" held on February 2.
“Boluntaryong tahimik, ngunit tuloy-tuloy ang pagsisilbi” was how the city government described these individuals and groups who, through their silent acts, were able to make an impact to their community.
Biñan City Representative Arman Dimaguila, who served as the keynote speaker, emphasized that it was these small acts of quiet heroism that, ultimately, made a big difference not only to their communities but to their cities in general.
Particularly cited were the "Ilog Mariano Volunteer Group," who were honored for their efforts in alleviating the floods that hit parts of Biñan City last year.
"Kung wala ang sampung awardees natin, ang Biñan ay hindi magiging katulad kung ano ang sine-celebrate natin… Lahat ng contribution natin individually, ito ay sa inyo dahil ang araw ng Biñan ay pagkilala sa mga taga-Biñan, sa talento ng mga taga-Biñan, sa galing at epektibong paglilingkod sa ating lungsod,” he stressed.
Ordinary people given hope
But more that simply honoring the ordinary people who proved to be the real “movers and builders” of Biñan City, the 2026 Araw ng Biñan celebrations were also able to rekindle the hope of a better future for Biñanenses.
Two main events helped drive this point: the turnover ceremony for new housing units at Barangay Langkiwa on February 3 and the “HEAL 2: An Inclusive Medical and Surgical Mission” at the Biñan City Hospital on February 4.
Over 80 Biñanense families whose lives were disrupted by the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) were finally assured of a home of their own at the Meadow Housing Project in Barangay Langkiwa.
The housing project was a joint program of the city government of Biñan and national government agencies as part of the government’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) socialized housing program.
“Ang proyekto pong ito ay patunay na nagtutulungan ang pamahalaan at ng iba't ibang mga ahensya at komunidad at naging imposible ang pangarap ng makaroon ng tahanang masasabi natin atin. Isang lugar na puno ng pag-asa, seguridad, at mas magandang kinabukasan para sa bawat pamilyang Biñanense,” was how Vice Mayor Jonalina “Dada” Reyes put it in her message during the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the “HEAL 2” medical and surgical mission, in partnership with the City Health Office, City Gender and Development Office, and the Kalinga ng AnGEL Foundation, gave new hope to patients from low-income communities who availed of free medical services.
Mayor Alonte, whose work with the Kalinga ng AnGEL Foundation was shaped by his own personal experiences, said this medical mission is also part of his long-time advocacy – shaped by his own personal experience – to elevate the city's healthcare sector.
The city executive also bared that another key project of the city administration, the Biñan Cancer Center, is expected to open by the end of this year.
“In fact, ngayon pa lang po ay may mga gusto na pong makipag-partner sa atin, makapagbigay ng chemotherapy para sa mga pasyente natin. Dahil alam natin na pagdating po sa cancer, isa ito sa pinakamagastos, pinakamahal na gastusin. Walang pinipili, sabi ko nga, pare-pareho. Mayaman o mahirap ka, pare-pareho,” Alonte said.
Ordinary people take center stage
While staying true to its original goal of honoring the city’s past, the 2026 Araw ng Biñan celebrations ensured that it will be the ordinary Biñanenses who will be able to share the unique story of their city.
This was evidenced by such events as the JCI Biñan Photo Exhibit at the Historic Alberto Mansion and the "Art in Public Spaces Wall Mural Competition" at the Biñan City Hall, where students from various schools in the city were able to unleash their creativity.
Another event underscoring the importance of the ordinary Biñanense in preserving the city’s history is the “Tanda at Tala: The Biñan Memory Project, an Elder’s Oral History Forum” on February 4, where five Biñanenses participated in a lively public forum that served to impart and preserve the city's history for future generations.
Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office (BCHATO) head BJ Borja underscored the importance of spoken history, shared by ordinary Biñanenses, not only in remembering the city’s past but also in shaping its future.
“Naniniwala kami sa pamahalaang lungsod ng Biñan na hindi magkakaroon ng saysay ang kasaysayan kung hindi natin ito patuloy na isasayasay. Para maging importante ang kasaysayan, dapat lagi natin itong pinag-uusapan para hindi ito mamatay, so we make it relevant,” he said.
These events and more underscored the city’s main goal: a people united in preserving Biñan’s colorful past and creating its progressive future.
(With additional reports by Christian Magdaraog and Jeremy Rago)
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