Tagum’s ‘Love Festival’ opens

TAGUM CITY – True to its aspiration to be a City of People, Tagum launches its first ever Love Festival which defines love as a core value in respecting other people regardless of their age, gender, religion, and economic status.

Last February 3, Mayor Allan L. Rellon acted as cupid during the opening of the festival as he aimed his bow and arrow toward the LED wall where the official logo of the festival was revealed.

The said festival which would be celebrated every February is among the 16 newly-institutionalized festivals in the city which would reinforce the city’s moniker as the City of Festivals.

Among the events that will be held during the festival is the LGU celebration of the Civil Registration Month where activities such as free registration of marriages, births, and deaths of Tagumenyos, free seminars for couples, and a series of Kasalan will be conducted for the whole duration of the festival.

In the same context, Hon. Jimmy B. Boco, the Presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court of Maco,

Davao de Oro, and guest speaker for the launching event talked about “Love and Law” during his speech, juxtaposing love as an emotion and love defined by law.

In addition, civilians and city employees flocked around the heart icon at the Sunflower Garden as the City Government of Tagum brings its own version of South Korea’s Namsan Tower Lock where people leave love locks as their symbol of eternal love.

However, the city didn’t limit itself in defining love as an emotion shared only by couples for some activities also include a conference for youth focusing on avoiding heartaches and singing contest featuring love and happiness of family as a theme, among others.

These activities are in line with the festival’s central theme: “Love Shines

Life” which means that although love has varied definitions, it is part of the spices of life and should be celebrated in order to help people shine throughout their whole lives.

Love Festival is currently the 2nd festival to be celebrated this 2020 following the successful Taxpayers’ Festival in January and is expected to set the tone for the next 14 more festivals throughout the whole year.

Vinz Davo/CIO Tagum MAYOR Rellon led the “Pledge of Love” as a sign of the city employees’ commitment to love and uphold the rights of their fellow Tagumenyos.

Vinz Davo/CIO Tagum MRS. YHORA RELLON, the wife of Mayor Rellon left the first love lock at the heart icon located at the Sunflower Garden as a sign of their eternal love. Tagumenyos are encouraged to do the same as a sign of unity during the Love Festival.

Ziyarah Manalo/CIO Tagum THE MEMBERS of the 8th city council and some department heads joined the mob dance/zumba prepared by the organizers promoting healthy lifestyle as they move their hips to songs with love as the theme.

Neil Macla/CIO Tagum MAYOR Allan L. Rellon and Flordeliza Zulueta, the City Civil Registrar, pose for a photo opportunity with the winners of the game “Find Your Heart” during the launching of the Love Festival last February 03, 2020.