Bago City Mayor Mayette Javellana officially declared the city’s first-ever Bugana Festival open as part of the city’s 60th Charter Anniversary during the Sinuriyaw sa Bago 2026 program at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center (MYTMCCC) on February 11, a press release from Bago PIO said.
In her message, Javellana emphasized that the Diamond milestone is more than just a chronological marker.
“Today, as we open the celebration of the 60th Charter Anniversary of Bago City, we do not only mark a number of years, we honor a journey,” the mayor stated.
She described the city’s 60-year history as one defined by “courage, sacrifice, and unwavering love for this land we proudly call home.”
This year, the city celebrates the first-ever Bugana Festival, representing an abundance of harvest, culture, and faith, as well as an “abundance of hope and love that flows from the hard work and strong spirit of every Bagonhon.”
Javellana highlighted the street dancing competition held Wednesday at the city’s major streets, calling Sinuriyaw a powerful expression of identity.
“Sinuriyaw is the dance of our soul. It is our joyful cry of gratitude, our collective heartbeat moving as one,” the Mayor said, adding that the Bagonhon spirit remains unbreakable and rises “joyful, resilient, and unbreakable” regardless of past struggles.
Six groups competed in the Sinuriyaw Street Parade, where Bago City DepEd was hailed as the champion during the awarding.
They were followed by the ABC and SK Federation (1st runner-up), I-Tech Senior High School (2nd runner-up), and the Bago City Employees (3rd runner-up). The Bago City Employees also secured the Best in Float award.
During the program, the official theme song of this year’s Bugana Festival was performed, alongside the sashing of the Diwata sang Bago candidates and the presentation of the Tribus that will compete in the upcoming Bugana Festival Dance Competition.
Additionally, Javellana declared a new era for the city. She urged her constituents to “dream bigger, to act bolder, and to serve deeper,” emphasizing that every action taken today is intended to live a better city for the next generation.
“Bago City is stronger. Bago City is more united. Bago City is rising. Bago City is better and brighter!” she declared.
The 60th Charter Anniversary celebration, themed “Better, Brighter Bago @ 60,” will continue with various activities until February 27.*
