Fiestas in the Philippines have become more than simply a way to thank God for a bountiful year, or a chance to rest from labors and have a good time.
Throughout the years, festivals have slowly evolved from a way to celebrate prosperity to becoming the magnets for socio-economic growth in the Philippines.
Laguna’s premiere fiesta, the Anilag (Ani ng Laguna) Festival, is no different.
Since it was first established in 2004, the Anilag Festival has become a showcase of Laguna’s “best of the best”: the best of its vibrant culture and thriving economy.
This and more Lagunenses and visitors can expect at the 2025 Anilag Festival, with the theme “Sama Sama Tayo sa Tuloy Tuloy na Saya sa Laguna,” from March 9 to 15.
What to expect
In a message to OpinYon Laguna, Pamela Baun, head of the Laguna Tourism, Culture, Arts and Trade Office (LTCATO), expressed her optimism that tourist arrivals for the 2025 Anilag Festival will beat their record of 10,000 to 20,000 daily visitors who participated in last year’s festivities.
Of course, there will be usual run of pageants and activities like the much-anticipated Ginoo at Binibining Laguna; the Trade Fair and Land Float Parade that showcases the best offerings of the province’s six cities and 24 municipalities; and, of course, various concerts, exhibits and shows featuring the best of talented Lagunenses.
“Ang highlight ng Anilag ay ang ating mga Trade Fair booths kung saan ipapamalas at ipapakita ng ating mga LGU ang mga ipinagmamalaking kultura, tanawin at produkto ng kanilang mga bayan. Isa rin ang Ginoo at Binibining Laguna pageant sa dinadayo at inaabangan ng mga tao ng dahil sa naggagandahan at nag gagwapuhang mga candidates,” Baun explained.
‘Kid-friendly’ Anilag
But what will make the 2025 festivities extra special, she said, is that this year’s Anilag Festival will be a “child-friendly” one.
According to Baun, the 2025 Anilag Festival will feature activities specifically geared for youngsters who are sure to enjoy the many sights and attractions that the weeklong fiesta will offer.
“Bukod po sa mga nakasanayan at inaabangan ng mga tao sa Anilag Festival, isa po sa ating mga naka-line up ay ang pagbabalik ng Little Mr. and Ms. Laguna kung saan magtatagisan ng galing at cuteness ang ating mga little kids ng Laguna,” the LTCATO head reported.
“Kasama rin dito, magkakaroon tayo ng Tamiya and Beyblade competition at Mobile Legends competition na alam namin ay aabangan at sasalihan ng marami sa ating mga kabataan at mga young at heart,” she added.
Looking back
This will also be an extra-special celebration of the Anilag Festival for Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, who will finish his term as governor this year.
For Hernandez, this year’s Anilag Festival is not only a showcase of the achievements of Lagunenses: it is also a showcase of the successes of his eight-point “Serbisyong Tama” platform of governance.
“Bilang Gobernador ng Laguna sa loob ng mahigit isang dekada, hindi nagbago ang aking pokus—ang mapabuti ang buhay ng mga taong nagtiwala sa akin upang tuparin ang kanilang mga pangarap at inaasam,” Hernandez said in a message to OpinYon Laguna.
“Ang Serbisyong Tama, na naging gabay ko simula 2014, ay sumasalamin sa aking di-nagbabagong paninindigan sa paglilingkod sa publiko. Ang Serbisyong Tama ay nagpapakita ng aking dedikasyon na dalhin ang mga serbisyo direkta sa mamamayan—upang maihatid ang tunay na serbisyong nararapat sa mamamayan,” he added.
Achievements
Hernandez, in his message to OpinYon Laguna, highlighted the various services and programs created during his administration to ensure the welfare of all Lagunenses.
Chief among them is the “Serbisyong Tama Caravan,” a program that aims to deliver basic health services to Lagunenses, particularly in the province’s rural areas.
Aside from this, the Serbisyong Tama Blue Car program has benefitted 386,125 cardholders as of 2023, who can now have access to free medical care at the Laguna District Hospitals network.
Also, apart from vastly improving services at the province’s nine district hospitals, work has now started at the Laguna Regional Hospital in Bay, a tertiary-level hospital that is expected to bring specialized medical services to all Lagunenses.
Meanwhile, in the education sector, the “Iskolar ng Laguna” program has enabled over 20,000 Lagunense youth to pursue their studies and achieve their goals for their families and their communities.
Over 36,048 beneficiaries also received livelihood assistance under the “Ratsada Hanapbuhay” program, where various sectors were provided with trainings and livelihood kits that enabled them to generate more jobs and economic opportunities for Lagunenses.
Under Hernandez’s administration, the provincial government was able to complete 1,463 infrastructure projects, including hospitals, evacuation centers, road networks, and the Laguna Provincial Extension Office in Calamba City.
The faithful implementation of the “Serbisyong Tama” platform has earned the provincial government various accolades from national government agencies, including the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“Ang mga ito ay patunay na ang ating pagsisikap na maghatid ng tapat, mahusay, at makabuluhang serbisyo sa ating mamamayan ay nagbubunga ng positibong pagbabago at patuloy na kaunlaran para sa ating lalawigan,” Hernandez said.
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