Dekada ng Happy Cabuyeño sa Bagong Cabuyao
THE Local Government Code of 1991 requires a municipality to meet at least two of three requirements to become a city—a land area of at least 100 square kilometers, an annual income of at least P100 million, and a population of at least 150,000.
While the City of Cabuyao has a land area of only 43.4 square kilometers, in 2012, Cabuyao had a population of about 249,000 and an annual income of P906 million.
Having met two of the three requirements, then Cabuyao Mayor Isidro “Jun” Hemedes Jr. pushed for the cityhood of Cabuyao with then Laguna Rep. Justin Marc “Timmy” Chipeco and then Senator and now President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as proponents in the House of Representatives and the Senate respectively.
The late President Benigno C. Aquino III signed the Executive Order directing the conversion of Cabuyao into a Component City on May 16, 2012.
Cabuyao is the 142nd city in the Philippines and the 5th Component City in Laguna along with the cities of San Pablo, Calamba, Sta. Rosa and Biñan.
Now known as “The Enterprise City of the Philippines,” Cabuyao City is home to the Light Industry & Science Park I, the first privatelyowned industrial estate registered with the Board of Investments (BOI). It is home to 92 locators, including Procter & Gamble, and provides employment to more than 28,000 workers.
‘Make Cabuyeños Happy’
TO CELEBRATE the 10th Cabuyao
Cityhood anniversary, Cabuyao City Mayor Dennis Felipe “Denha” C. Hain and local government officials organized a series of activities from July 29 to August 5, 2022 under the theme “Dekada ng Happy Cabuyeño Sa Bagong Cabuyao.”
“We have been unable to celebrate Cabuyao’s cityhood for the past two years because of the pandemic. Now that we are in the new normal, many Cabuyeños have been stressed out over the past two years and we feel that it’s time to make them happy,” Hain explained.
He reviewed what happened during the past celebrations and decided to organize activities that would suit everyone. He also decided that the events would take place in the evening.
“We want the activities to be held at a time when everyone is available and that is at night. The activities will be very simple and happy like concerts, events. We want the people to just go there and attend the events so that they can feel relaxed,” Hain said.
Food Park, Bird Show
THE festivities kicked off on July 29 with the simultaneous openings of the Bagong Cabuyao Foodpark at the Cabuyao City Hall, Bagong Cabuyao Garden and Bird Show along FB Bailon Street in front of the City Hall, and the Bagong
Cabuyao Night Market in Barangay Poblacion Uno.
On the morning of July 31, Cabuyeños witnessed the Paseo of Marching Bands which started in Barangay Niugan and ended at the Cabuyao Town Plaza. By 7 pm, the Serenata ng mga Banda was held at the Town Plaza.
A thanksgiving mass with the theme “Misa Pasasalamat: Una Ang Diyos sa Bagong Cabuyao” was held on August 1 at the City Hall Grounds.
The evening of August 1 was the Grand Coronation Night of the Hari ng Toda 2022. Named Hari ng Toda 2022 was Reginald Elomina of BITODA. First runner-up was Paul Andrew Librada of MACATODA while Allan Jay Manaog of CMSATODA was named 2nd runner-up. Manaog also received the award for Best in Production and Formal Wear.
Gilbert Borral of BBTODA and MC Clifford Abella of CSVTODA were named 3rd runner-up and 4th runner-up, respectively. Borral also received the Best in Casual Wear award. Marcelino Gonzalez of HVTODA was named Mr. Congeniality while Leovino Quiohilag of SJBTODA was named Mr. Photogenic.
Gandang Nanay
CABUYEÑOS from all walks of life gathered at 8 am on August 2 at the Town Plaza for the Zumbagong Cabuyao. That evening was the Grand Coronation Night of Gandang Nanay 2022.
Pamela Amor of Brgy. Poblacion Tres was named Gandang Nanay 2022. Named 1st runnerup was Jovy Ann Cotoner of Brgy. Marinig. Cotoner was also named Ms. Congeniality and Best in Production.
Marianne Palisoc of Brgy. Sala was named 2nd runner-up while Maureen Acuña was 3rd runner-up. Acuña also bagged the Best in Casual Wear award. Named 4th runner-up was Ma. Corazon Malaluan of Bgry. Poblacion Dos. Ana Liezel
Toledo of Brgy. Banlic was named Ms. Photogenic while Maria Erika Marqueses of Brgy. Poblacion Uno was judged Best in Long Gown.
It was time for fur parents to show off their fur babies at the Pet Parade sa Bagong Cabuyao at the Town Plaza on August 3 at 8 am.
Hannah, owned by John Batalla, was the big winner of the parade as she was named the Best Dressed and Most Well-groomed pet. Coming in 2nd in the Best Dressed category was Snow White (Rafael Feliciano). Third was Vanilla (Kathleen Artamia) followed by Kimchi (Rosalin Atienza) and Fifi (Joemil Amerna).
In the Most Well-groomed Category, coming in second was Pomee (Eric Cruz) followed by Axel (Ma. Theresa Santiago), Vanilla (Kathreen Artamia) and Coleen (Kingkiyl Sena).
For the Pet Owner Look-alike Category, the winner was Fifi (Joemil Amerna) followed by Snow White (Rafael Feliciano), Vanilla (Kathereen Artamia), Coleen (Kingkiyl Sena and Kimchi (Rosalin Atienza)
The Indakabataan Dance Contest was held at 7 pm that evening. The League of Monsters was named the Champion with Inpecean Kru named 1st placer. Inpecean Kru was also named Best in 90’s Outfit. Ace Redefined was named 2nd placer while the People’s Choice Award went to Team Synergy.
The dance contest was followed by “Tunog Kalye – Battle of the Bands.” Imahinasyon was adjudged the Champion while Tao was named 1st placer. Imahinasyon was also named Best in Bass Guitar. The 2nd placer was Algorhythm. Algorhythm was named Best in Drums and Best in Lead Guitar. Best Vocalist was Fliftside Band while Majuice Band was named Best in 90’s Outfit.
Land Float Parade
THE Land Float Parade was held on August 4 with the City Hall as the Assembly Point. Brgy. Gulod was named 1st runner-up while Brgy. Casile and Brgy. Bigaa were named 2nd runner-up and 3rd runner-up, respectively.
The highlight of the day was the Variety Show which was held at the Town Plaza. Guest performers for
the evening were Parokya ni Edgar, Andrew E, This Band, Momoy Palaboy and Fingerplay.
The last day of the cityhood celebrations on August 5 kicked off with the “Araw ng Mga Empleyado,” a day dedicated to local government officials and employees. The theme of the activity was “Back to the 90s.”
In his remarks, Hain said he wanted to bring back the 90s because that was the time when Cabuyao was considered a very developed and prosperous municipality.
“Cabuyao was the first town in Laguna to open a cinema and the first movie that was shown then was Vilma Santos’s Anak. It was also in the 90s that we had our first Jollibee outlet. Cabuyao was very prosperous during those days, and it was known as the richest municipality in the country,” he recalled.
Progressive, affluent
NOW that it is celebrating its 10th cityhood anniversary, Hain said he wants Cabuyao to be known as a progressive and affluent city to attract more investors. He added that he wanted a Happy Cabuyao so that Cabuyeños would be proud of their city.
“I would like to acknowledge former Mayor Isidro Hemedes Jr. for pushing Cabuyao to become a city. At that time, my father was a member of the City Council, and I was barangay captain so in a way, we also contributed to this,” he said.
Hain added: “I never dreamed that I would be where I am today. I face numerous challenges and we have a long way to go. I have told you all repeatedly that I cannot do all this by myself, but I will be able to achieve our goals if we help each other.”
Local government officials and employees attended the event in their best 90s attire as awards were given out to the best dressed city official, barangay chairman and department head. Named the 90s Best Dressed City Official was Councilor Fe Humarang. The Best Dressed Barangay Chairman was Richard Algire while the Best Dressed Department Head was Evelyn Parala.
Thanksgiving
THE highlight of Cabuyao’s cityhood celebration was “Piging, Parangal at Pagkilala: Top Corporate Taxpayers Night with the Mayor” held at the Monochrome Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
In his speech, Hain thanked the corporations who attended the event despite the bad weather. He pointed out that while there are places in the country that are known for being tourist spots, for being mining sites and natural resources, Cabuyao is known for having very rich industries.
“You are all our friends, and this is why we are here to thank and honor you because if you did not decide to open shop in Cabuyao, we would not be where we are today,” Hain said.
He related that as a mayor, he always “asks himself three questions—what are my plans for Cabuyao? How will I achieve this? And what motivates me to do this.”
“The answer is simple. I want Cabuyeños to experience a new Cabuyao and that they will benefit from government resources. How will this be achieved? I know where we are headed and that is the I-HELP Program which covers industry, health, education, livelihood and protection of life,
property and the environment,” he said.
Priority
HAIN pointed out that industries remain his priority because he believes that the business sector will be the local government’s valuable partner in achieving the I-HELP program.
He added that he would be inviting corporate taxpayers to a meeting to discuss how the corporations can contribute to Bagong Cabuyao.
To speed up the progress of Cabuyao. Hain informed those present that he will be constructing more roads, especially roads that will lead to the Southern Luzon Expressway. This, he said, would attract more investors to the city.
“To our corporate taxpayers, the mayor’s office is open to all of you. Please do not think twice about approaching us as we will help you in any way we can. We can even play golf so that we have more time to discuss our plans,” he said, adding that the city government was willing to extend tax incentives once these goals have been achieved.
Honor roll
THE 30 companies that were recognized that evening were Procter & Gamble Phils., Inc.; Nestle Philippines, Inc.; Zuellig Pharma Corporation; Wyeth Philippines, Inc.; Asia Brewery Inc.; Ginebra San Miguel, Inc.; Nexperia Philippines, Inc.; James Hardle Philippines, Inc.; Concepcion Carrier Air-conditioning Co.; and Fast Services Corporation.
Also on the list are Nutri-asia Inc. (UFC Philippines); Advanced Molding Co. Inc.; Canlubang Golf & Country Club, Inc.; Concepcion Durables Inc.; Interbev Philippines, Inc.; Ampleon Philippines, Inc.; Interphil Laboratories, Inc.; Cygnus Industries, Inc.; Actimed, Inc.; and Automated Technology Phils., Inc.
Rounding off the list are Pepsi Cola Products; Ohgitani Philippines, Inc.; Alon Development Corp.; Wartsila Philippines, Inc.; Nippon Paint (Coatings) Phils., Inc.; Ciarmil Manufacturing Inc.; Excelitas Technologies Phils., Inc.; Pricon Microelectronics, Inc.; Ionics EMS, Inc., and Ebara Pumps Phils., Inc.