Makati to mark 344th foundation with grand parade on May 27

MANILA, Philippines - Makati City will mark its 344th foundation year on May 27 with a grand parade dubbed the “Cultural Presentation of the Makateños."

The parade will be held at 3 p.m. at Ayala Avenue, as part of a series of events organized to mark the city’s foundation day on June 1.

The parade will have over 2,000 participants consisting of students from the city’s public high schools, grade school drum & lyre and marching bands, and representatives from the city’s 33 barangays.

The "Cultural Presentation of the Makateños" will feature public high school students performing the different festivals in the country, including the city’s very own Caracol which will be performed by students of Bangkal High School, the current grand prize winner of the Caracol Festival.

Other performers include students of San Isidro High School – Ati-Atihan Festival, Pio del Pilar High School – Dinagyang Festival, Pitogo High School – Kadayawan Festival, Fort Bonifacio High School – Sinulog Festival, and San Antonio High School – Maskara Festival.

Those that will be adjudged as top five parade performers will receive P25,000 for first place; P20,000 for second place; P15,000 for third place; and P10,000 for fourth and fifth places.

Meanwhile, the traditional Flores de Mayo procession will be held on May 23.

Other events lined up for Makati’s 344th foundation day include the Miss Makati 2014 beauty pageant on June 5 at 6 p.m. at Makati Coliseum, and the Festival of Music Concert on June 7 at 7pm at Makati Coliseum.

A thanksgiving Mass will also be held in the morning of June 2 followed by the ‘Almusalan’ at the city hall quadrangle. - Mike Frialde