MAKATI CITY GRAND PARADE ON MAY 9 TO SHOWCASE FAMOUS PHILIPPINE FESTIVALS

The Makati Grand Parade on Ayala Avenue this Friday, May 9, will be a virtual sensory feast resembling the acclaimed Rio Carnival in Brazil, as it will showcase various festivals, including the world-famous Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City, and floats creatively designed to depict this year’s parade theme, “International Festival.”

This year’s parade promises to be the most spectacular in years with delegations from Makati’s sister cities and municipalities all over the country for the first time coming to join contingents from the city government, participating private companies and the barangays.

Mayor Jejomar C. Binay said the city government is proud to welcome delegates of the19 sister localities of Makati from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that have confirmed their participation in the Grand Parade, which is a major highlight of the month-long revelry leading to the city’s 338th Foundation Day on June 1.

“We are so proud to have our sister cities and municipalities joining us in the 338th Araw ng Makati celebration. Their presence is sure to add meaning, color and spice to our grand parade, transforming it into a splendid showcase of unique Filipino cultural traditions admired all over the world,” Binay said.

The mayor said major attractions include the performers of Tribu Paghidaet of Iloilo City, Dinagyang 2008 champion and second place, streetdancing category, in the recently concluded Aliwan Festival, and the Calesa float of Laoag City.

The Dinagyang Festival, now on its 40th year, is recognized as a world-class festival, while the Calesa is Laoag City’s most enduring traditional mode of transport.

To join the parade are the following sister cities and municipalities of Makati: Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; Batangas City; Dumarao, Capiz; Gen. Trias, Cavite; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Sigay, Ilocos Sur; Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; Palo, Leyte; Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Binmaley, Pangasinan; Rosales, Pangasinan; Gumaca, Quezon; Concepcion, Romblon; Sta. Maria, Romblon; Can-Avid, Samar; Zumarraga, Samar; Sorsogon City; Surigao City; and Iloilo City.

Other floats will be coming from Makati-based companies, including M. Lhuillier, Rockwell Center, Ayala Land, Inc., Insular Life Assurance Co., and Jollibee Food Corp., as well as from the Makati Gender and Development Council, and the six barangay clusters.

Other participants in the parade include the Makati Cycling Federation, Tribu Carlota with Groove Manila, and Makati-based companies such as Multinational Bancorporation and Amalgamated Development Corp., Metrobank, Loyola Plans, Cocolife, National Life Insurance Co., Rufino Pacific Tower/VAR Buildings, Inc., Pacific Star, Philamlife Tower, Social Security System, Megaworld Corp., Association of Makati Industries

The event will also feature clowns and mimes, bands, Higantes, unicyclists, stilt walkers, and other street dancers and performers, including Makati Caracol 2008 winners and Mananayaw ng Makati.

The city’s major partners in this event are Ayala Land, Rockwell Land, and the Makati Commercial Estate Association (MACEA), with the support of Jollibee Corporation.

Meanwhile, traffic on Ayala Avenue will be rerouted starting 11 am on May 9, Friday, to give way to the parade.

The city’s Department of Public Safety is advising motorists to take the following alternate routes:

Buses – to and from EDSA: take Gil Puyat Avenue; to and from Manila/Pasay: take Gil Puyat Avenue, left Tordesillas, take Zuellig Loop. Jeepneys – from JP Rizal: from Makati Avenue, left Paseo de Roxas, left Gil Puyat Avenue; Ayala/Washington: right Amorsolo, take covered canal, left A. Arnaiz, left EDSA. Return Route: Take Arnaiz Avenue, right Amorsolo, left VA Rufino (Herrera), right Washington; Ayala/Mantrade: right Dela Rosa, right Makati Avenue, right Arnaiz Avenue; Amorsolo/Crispa: right Amorsolo, left Dela Rosa, right Adelantado.

Light private vehicles coming to and from EDSA are advised to take Gil Puyat Avenue; to and from Manila/Pasay: take Gil Puyat Avenue, left Tordesillas, take Zuellig loop; From Ayala Avenue/Gil Puyat to Legaspi Village: right turn Ayala Avenue, right turn Amorsolo St., right turn covered canal to Arnaiz Avenue; From Ayala Avenue/Gil Puyat to Salcedo Village: take Gil Puyat Avenue, right turn Tordesillas St.; From EDSA/Ayala Avenue to Legaspi Village: take EDSA, right turn Arnaiz Avenue, right turn Paseo de Roxas; From EDSA/Ayala Avenue to Salcedo Village: take Ayala Avenue, right turn Apartment ridge, left turn Paseo de Roxas, right turn Villar St.

Source http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/news/view_news.jsp?news_id=1904