Santa Marcela, Apayao - The Municipality of Santa Marcela, Apayao on Wed. May 28, 2025 began its celebration for its 58th Founding Anniversary and 21st Balangkoy Festival with Inter-barangay Basketball Sports tournament.
Said event is just part of the array of programs and activities lined up throughout the town’s biggest festivity this year, aside from the showcase of food and many local products.
The elimination round among the playing teams of each barangay was scheduled to start on May 8 until June 6.
Santa Marcela holds its annual founding anniversary in commemoration of its creation as a separate municipality on June 17, 1967, pursuant to Republic Act 4974.
This year’s theme, “Creator of Solidarity: Shaping A Sustainable Future Together,” highlights the municipality' and townspeople's shared vision and the collaborative spirit that propels the community forward, achieving profound success and another milestone in the town’s history.
As the municipality marks its more than 2 decades of Balangkoy Festival celebrations, Mayor Martinez recounted the conception of Balangkoy Festival in 2004, the town’s entry for the ‘one town, one product.’
‘’Due to the discovery of our idle lands, which no grain crops planted survived, later we tried Balangkoy (cassava), and they were able to grow. From that time, our cultivators planted more. Through the assistance of DTI-Apayao and DOST-Apayao, our plants have been processed and then produced the famous cassava cake and also other local food products and delicacies out of it, ‘’ relates the Mayor.
This year’s celebration runs from June 15 to 17, 2025, with exciting events. With all the programs prepared, Mayor Martinez invites visitors to come and experience Santa Marcela.
.png)
