To mark Los Banos’ 400th anniversary, a week’s line up of activities awaits residents and tourists from September 14 to 20 during the 14th Banamos Festival.
The festival kicks off with the opening of week-long local expos, the Banamos Sale and the Barangay Booth Trade Fair to be held at the old municipal covered court starting September 14, Monday.
An evening of culture will grace September 15. Members of the town’s public schools are poised to host DepEd Night where students will stage Philippine folk performances.
Also part of the activities is a 1990’s themed dance contest, Bailamos, on September 16, 7:00 pm. Twelve groups from Laguna will vie to bag cash prizes of PhP 20,000 (first place), PhP 15,000 (second place) and PhP 10,000 (third place).
Declared a municipal holiday, bulk of the activities will unfold on September 17, the town’s founding anniversary. The day opens with a Civic Parade which starts at Olivarez Plaza, 6:00 am, and ends at the old Municipal Covered Court at 9:00 am. Following the parade are two simultaneous events: unveiling of the Los Banos Museum and the foundation anniversary program. The old municipal building at Brgy. Baybayin will be re-opened as the town’s museum. To lead the ribbon cutting ceremony is Mark Lapid, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
In the foundation anniversary program, Outstanding Citizens of 2015 winners will be announced under the following categories:
- Outstanding Citizen (Professional);
- Outstanding Citizen (Non-Professional);
- Outstanding NGO/ Civic Organization;
- Outstanding Public School Teacher (Elementary and High School);
- Outstanding Citizen for Sports Development;
- Outstanding Cooperative;
- Outstanding Municipal Employee; and
- Outstanding Barangay Official.
On the night of September 18, ten bands will compete at Himigsikan. Winners will receive PhP 20,000 (first place), PhP 15,000 (second place), PhP 10,000 (third place) and PhP 5,000 for the best original composition.
Everyone is invited to join the World Record Shower Fest on September 19, 6:00 am. According to the Municipal Tourism Office, Los Banos will aim to beat the world record of 350 people participating in a shower fest.
From world record to mass dancing, Los Banos will also host a series of Zumba sessions on September 15, 17, and 19 at the old municipal covered court. On September 19, the Zumba session will be led by Regine Tolentino, celebrity choreographer and dancer. Dubbed Zumbanos, this event starts at 3:00 pm. In the evening, 14 pageant candidates will vie for the crown, Miss Los Banos 2015.
The quadricentennial week concludes on September 20 with an inter-barangay sports fest, Palarong Banamos, 6:00 am; followed by a samba-themed street dance event, Bayle sa Kalye, 12:00 pm; and the closing program, Grand Revelry, at 7:00 pm.
More information on the schedule of activities is available at the Los Banos Municipal Tourism Office at (049) 530-2818.
