Biñan City, Laguna is all abuzz with excitement as it prepares for the three-day celebration of “Araw ng Biñan” from February 2 to 4.
The annual celebration marks three important dates 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).
With this being the first “Araw ng Biñan” under the administration of Mayor Angelo “Gel” Alonte, one sure question is: will there be any changes in this year’s celebration?
“Siyempre po, magkaiba tayo ng directions ngayong si Mayor Gel na po ang mangunguna sa ating pagdiriwang,” was how BJ Borja, head of the Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office (BCHATO) explained to OpinYon Laguna.
“Kumbaga po kasi, kung si Mayor [and current Representative] Arman Dimaguila po ang naging trailblazer para sa ‘Araw ng Biñan,’ si Mayor Gel Alonte na po ang torch-bearer. So iyon po ang challenge sa aming lahat: How do we move forward?”
Lineup of activities
While the theme of “Araw ng Biñan” – “Buhay ang nakaraan, sumasalubong sa hinaharap” – will remain unchanged, Mayor Alonte has entrusted Borja to ensure that Biñanenses will be more than simply spectators but active participants in the festivities.
“May bilin po sa amin si Mayor Gel. Sabi po niya, dapat daw po for this year, mas pasayahin, mas maraming activities, mas maraming participation,” he added.
“And since ito naman po talaga ang ating layunin sa pagdaraos ng ‘Araw ng Biñan, naging maayos naman po ang transition natin ngayong taon, na si Mayor Gel na po ang nangangasiwa, at full support naman po siya sa mga programa na inilatag natin para ngayong taon.”
This accounts for several activities included in "Araw ng Biñan 2026" that aims to foster more active participation of Biñanenses, particularly the youth.
These include the official launch of the GEL Young Leaders Academy on February 3, as well as the KGEL Community-wide Clean Up Drive in various areas of the city on February 4.
“Nariyan rin po ang ating first Galing at Epektibong Lingkod (GEL) Awards, kung saan bibigyang-parangal po ng ating lungsod ang mga volunteers – yung mga taong madalas in the sidelines, hindi po natin napapansin, pero laging tumutulong sa ating komunidad,” Borja added.
“Isipin po natin, tahimik lang sila, pero malaki po yung value ng ginagawa nila sa ating komunidad. Malaki po ang impact.”
Culture and history
This goes without saying that highlighting and promoting Biñan City’s culture and history will also take center stage, as had been done in the past.
Activities such as the JCI Biñan Photo Exhibit, the 9th Biñan National Choral Festival, 8th Biñan Folk Dance Festival, the "Ani ng Biñan" Art in Public Spaces Wall Mural Competition, and the "Tanda at Tala" Oral History Forum aim to introduce the city’s rich cultural and historical heritage to a new generation of Biñanenses.
“Dahil po ang buwan ng Pebrero, coincidentally, ay National Arts Month, nakipag-tie up rin po kami with 928 Gallery para sa kanilang itatanghal na 'Filipino Identity Through Art and Tradition' exhibit. Dito po nila itatanghal ang mga obra maestra ng mga kilalang pintor, mga National Artists, at iba pa,” Borja added.
Another highlight of past “Araw ng Biñan” celebrations had been the emphasis on public service through the inauguration of major infrastructure projects and “service caravans” spearheaded by local public officials.
This year will be no different, Borja said: alongside the expected inauguration of new buildings and other projects (which are currently kept under wraps, he emphasized), there will also be the “Tatak GEL Public Service Caravan,” the first under Mayor Alonte’s administration.
Continuity
For Borja, the main message of this year’s “Araw ng Biñan” focuses on continuity: the continuity of the city’s emphasis on socio-cultural development not only amid the change in leadership but also the rapid changes in the country’s social and cultural landscape.
“Nagbabago man po ang ating mga activities, kung paano po natin ini-implement yung mga activities, the intent is still the same,” he explained.
“Yung theme po natin na ‘Buhay ang nakaraan, sumasalubong sa hinaharap,’ it encapsulates the very essence of the celebration, which is to celebrate the historical milestones of the city. And we want to emphasize na if you're aware of your culture, you will begin to love it, and when you love it, you begin to safeguard it. Tapos parang magiging mabuti tayong mga anak ng Biñan. So we can take care of Biñan in the future.”
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