A colorful and fun-filled Day Care Children’s Festival 2016 was held at the Municipal Covered Court on Tuesday, December 13, 2016.

Organized by Bayambang’s child development workers under the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of the LGU, the occasion was graced by no less than Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, Vice-Mayor Raul Sabangan, and Councilors Martin Terrado and Mylvin Junio.

MSWDO Head Lerma D. Padagas welcomed the VIPs and participants, together with Bayambang Day Care Workers Association officers led by their President, Marvin P. Bautista.

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In his speech, Mayor Quiambao affirmed the role of day care centers in protecting young children and helping them grow to their full potential. He reminded everyone of Republic Act No. 6972, “An Act Establishing a Day Care Center in Every Barangay,” and called upon parents and teachers to be good role models to their young wards.

Mayor Quiambao also led the induction of the newly elected officers of the Bayambang Day Care Service Parents’ Association.

The festival started with an early-morning parade featuring the drum and lyre corps of Liahona Center and Buayaen Central School as well as the floats of the reigning day-care beauties together with their respective escorts.

In the program following, a recognition rite was held to acknowledge the recent awarding of Certificate of Accreditation to the town’s day care centers by the regional DSWD office.

This was followed by a rousing performance by 5-year-old Nathalia Kate B. Paragas, who won first place in the singing category during last month’s municipal congressional and provincial Children’s Month Celebrations. A pre-schooler from Beleng Day Care Center, Nathalia Kate also won second place for Region I in the same category at the 24th National Children’s Month Celebration held at the Vigan Convention Center in Vigan City on November 26, 2016. She sang about day care education to the tune of Aegis’ “Sayang na Sayang,” hitting the high notes of the vocally demanding song with remarkable confidence, to vigorous applause from the audience. Bayambang also won 3rd place for Region I in the Draw and Tell category at the same Vigan competition.

After the winning song number by Nathalia Kate, Bayambang’s eight different day care clusters vied for the top prizes in the Christmas-themed mass dance competition. In dazzling red, white and green, the little ones charmed the crowd with lively moves performed in unison.

The afternoon was devoted to a grand coronation ceremony for the reigning day care beauties of 2016 as accompanied by their escorts. The royal ‘entourage’ was led by Ms. Day Care 2016 Marianne Grace G. Pinto of San Gabriel 2^nd and Mr. Day Care 2016 Knch Uno R. Lerma of Buenlag 1^st.

(Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs Office)