Taking advantage of the festive air during the Christmas holidays, the City Government of Tuguegarao and St. Peter’s Metropolitan Cathedral partnered with DTI Cagayan to mount the Pattaradday Ta Paskua Ta Cathedral Trade Fair which ran from 15-24 December 2018 at the St. Peter’s Cathedral Grounds, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Among the highlights of the fair where thirty-three exhibitors participated was the availability of coffee and bread and ready-to-eat treats after the mass for the parishioners attending the Misa de Gallo . Ready-to-wear items appropriate for the season were on sale as well as plants and other small decorative items.

During the opening program Rev. Father Bernard Corpuz, Parish Priest of St. Peter’s Metropolitan Cathedral, thanked the exhibitors for joining the fair and for taking part in the festivities on December 15, 2016. He encouraged the public and the mass goers to visit the booths after mass to check on the variety of products offered for sale. He also expressed his gratitude to the City Government of Tuguegarao and DTI Cagayan for making the fair possible. In closing, he lauded the administration of Cagayan National High School for their support to the activity through the conduct of variety shows every 6:00 in the afternoon to attract more spectators and buyers in the trade fair grounds.

Hon. Winnoco Abraham and Hon. Imogen Claire Callangan, members of the 7th City Council, represented City Mayor Jefferson P. Soriano during the opening program. In behalf of Mayor Soriano, City Councilor Callangan wished everyone happy holidays and urged the public to buy products in the trade fair. She highlighted that Ybanags celebrate Christmas like no other, as evidenced in the conduct of the fair and coupled with variety shows every night. Festive celebration is one of the traditions that Ybanags did not lose through centuries, according to Councilor Callangan. She also encouraged the millenials to speak in Ybanag because it is the identity of every Tuguegaraoeños.♦

Date of release: 4 January 2018