We celebrate the month long fiesta celebration at a time when we are still trying to come to terms with the changes brought about by the recent elections. Whether we are for or against its outcome, we cannot deny the reality that it has left us a divided and conflicted city. I hope that we take the time throughout this celebration to reflect on how we might have contributed to this situation. Let us then seek guidance from our beloved patron, St. Bartholomew, in healing the negativity that has since grown in our hearts and minds.

In light of this, we see this fiesta celebration as the perfect opportunity to better remind our people that although we differ in beliefs and principles, we are all Catbaloganons and should therefore embrace a common goal. By coming up with the theme, “Celebrating Culture to Mend Differences Towards a Unified and Progressive Catbalogan”, we are enjoining everybody to forget differences in politics and ideology and work with us for the development of our good city.

My best wishes and congratulations go to Mr. Ponciano Rosales, this year’s Hermano Mayor for leading a fiesta celebration that best captures the spirit of peace and reconciliation that we aim to spread. I wish him success in this particular endeavour and may it serve as a positive example to be followed by fellow Catbaloganons even after the celebrations have ended.