Ala Eh Festival opens! Batangas turns 431

   Lighting the Tanauan's giant Christmas tree. Batangas Gov. Vilma 

Santos-Recto led the lighting of Tanauan City's giant Christmas tree 

at the opening of the Ala Eh Festival Saturday night. With her were

Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Tanauan Mayor Sonia Aquino and Vice

Mayor Julius Cesar Platon.

Tanauan City —-The 431^st founding  of this province came in simultaneous celebration with the opening of the 5^th Ala Eh Festival in this city, this year’s festival host on Saturday morning.

The festival day started with a fun run at 4 p.m. followed by the formal opening ceremonies at 5 p.m., photo exhibit, trade fair, mass, lighting of the Christmas tree and entertainment programs.

Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, who led the lighting of Tanauan’s giant Christmas tree was the first governor who started the celebration of a province-wide festival right on Batangas’ founding anniversary, December 1.

       Tanauan City's giant Christmas tree is now lighted, illuminating the Ala Eh 

Festival that this city hosted this year.

“This is not just a celebration, this is not just fun and festivities, this also unites all the 31 towns and three cities of the Batangas province to showcase their products, share their good news, and stand as one Batangas!”  the governor said, thanking Tanauan city mayor Sonia Aquino for hosting the festival.

The festival,now on it’s 5^th year, transfers to towns and cities that will host the annual festival. It’s first venue was in Batangas city, at the provincial capitol grounds. (Mei Magsino, SLI)