ALAMINOS CITY—This city in western Pangasinan will celebrate its annual city fiesta dubbed 2008 Hundred Islands Global Homecoming (HIGH) from March 14-18 this year.

The festivity in honor of Saint Joseph, the city’s patronal saint, has for its theme:, “Baley Co, Aroen Co…Gali La” (My town, I will love it, Come on).

Mayor Hernani Branganza said the celebration will indicate “the strong resolve, overwhelming support and unwavering commitment of Alaminians all over the world in realizing a more sustainable, livable, peaceful, progressive and green city of the Hundred Islands.”

The city has lined up various activities for the celebration.

The celebration kicks off with the Grand Civic and Military Parade that include colorful barangay floats and the candidates for Mr. & Miss Little Hundred Islands 2008 on March 14.

It will be followed by the Drum and Bugle Corp and Drum and Lyre exhibitions in front of the Nepo Mart in the downtown area.

The Agri-Trade Fair will also be formally opened at C.P. Garcia St. along with the First Invitational Cyber Games Tournament at the Don Leopoldo Sison Auditorium (DSLA).
The Diocese of Alaminos leads on the same day some religious activities starting with the Blessing Rites and Prayers of the Archbishop.
A Thanksgiving Mass on March 19 at Saint Joseph Cathedral will be the culminating activity of this year’s religious celebration.
Highlighting the opening day celebration is the food feast by noontime at the San Jose Drive (SJD), going to Lucap Wharf, with the city government hosting.

Also known as the “Salo-Salo: A Pasasalamat of Business Community & City Employees”, the activity is the city’s way of returning the favor to the local folks in the barangays for their ready and warm hospitality, fiesta organizers said.
There will also be a ‘Grand Inihaw’ Festival and Eat-for-a-cause Project from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., again at SJD.
Sports activities are also on the schedule starting with the 4th Invitational 9-Ball Challenge on the 14th Invitational Chess Tournament coinciding with the 2nd Inter-Barangay Basketball Tournament on March 15.
The traditional Longanisa Festival Street Dancing Competition will like wise be staged anew.
Hundreds of Alaminian families will test their mettle in the ‘Laro ng Lahi’ during the Family Day celebration at the Plaza Marcelo Ochave.