The local townsfolk love to party in style. This was clearly evident during the People’s Grand Ball and Balikbayan Night held on the last night (April 8) of the week-long fiesta celebration, with the elegantly lit Public Auditorium serving as the grand ballroom.

Traditionally envisioned as a fiesta fundraiser, it attracted a huge crowd, including balikbayans, willing to plunk down a good deal of money to have a good time.

Observing a strictly formal dress code, the attendees danced all night long to the music of Don Podring Orchestra and Ding Malazo Orchestra. Even those who did not fancy the foxtrot and such were content to linger in the background, to see and be seen.

Of course, welcoming the partygoers and guests were Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao and Niña Jose-Quiambao who both looked dashing in Filipiniana finery. In his inspirational message, Mayor Quiambao expressed his pleasure at seeing everyone gathered together for the occasion and expressed his wish for everyone to pitch in to help make Bayambang the kind of hometown we all wanted it to be.

Soon, the First Couple, together with Vice-Mayor Raul Sabangan and the rest of the Sangguniang Bayan members, danced the Rigodon de Honor, to everyone’s delight.

The presence of Bb. Bayambang 2017’s grand winner Ray Ann Claire Magno, Miss Tourism Divina Marie Villanueva, and 2^nd Runner-up Nicka Abegail Corpuz further lent some sparkle to the evening.

Deep into the night, the serenade of first-rate balladeer Nonoy Zuñiga made the night even more special.

The affair also proved to be auspicious for the conferment of plaques of appreciation to special people who have been of big help to the town. The honorees are Rufino P. Romano who donated land intended for Rural Health Unit (RHU) III, the Barangay Government of Macayocayo for donating land intended for RHU IV, Josefino T. Matabang, Muriel Fernando Macatangay, and Jose S. Ramos for entering into a private-public partnership with the municipality, and again Jose S. Ramos and Judith Ramos for being good stewards as the town’s Hermano and Hermana Mayor.

The Grand Ball and Balikbayan Night Committee also surprised Mayor Quiambao with another plaque of appreciation for being “the architect of Bayambang’s fast-paced progress.”

A grand fireworks display ensured that everyone was kept awake and in celebratory mood even way past midnight.