This time of the year, the entire stretch of MacArthur Highway along Balibago in Angeles City is closed off to traffic to give way to live band performances, DJs, food and merchandise booths, and street dancing.
But did you know that the loud and raucous affair started as a somber attempt at lifting the sunken spirits of Kapampangans post-Pinatubo?
In the early 1990s, the province of Pampanga was ravaged by the violent eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Lives were lost, homes were buried in lahar, and livelihoods were destroyed -- the turbulence of the times was matched only by the despondency of the locals forced to deal with enormous challenges.
One of the way conceived by the local government of Angeles City to get the people going, to make them excited anew, and to make them feel more optimistic moving forward is to stage an event now known as the Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan.
In Kapampangan, this event literally translates to: "playing music and dancing in the streets." It's a call to celebrate life and rebuild what was lost.
Since the dreary Pinatubo days of the past, Pampanga has risen from the ashes. Now one of the most vibrant economic, cultural, and political hubs in the country, Pampanga and the resilience of its people have managed to overcome what seemed to be insurmountable odds of the past decades.
It's something truly worth celebrating.
Today, the Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan remains as popular as ever. For 2018, the event is slated to be held on October 26 and 27. Whether it's your first time or if you have been religiously attending, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Gates open as early as 6 p.m., but nothing much happens yet at this early hour.
- The line at the gates pick up at around 10 p.m., when scores of young people begin arriving.
- The ticket to the event includes a complimentary beer. If you're not in the mood to drink, you can have it replaced with a bottle of water.
- There are several stages along the stretch of the venue. So depending on your musical preferences, you can switch from one stage to another.
- There are a lot of restaurants and food joints inside the venue, but note that prices are a little higher than usual.
- If you are keen to attend the two-day affair, there are several hotels in the area where you can stay for the night.
- Angeles City is a popular entertainment center with a very lively red light district opposite MacArthur Highway. Note that there will be a lot of foreigners who are likely to join in the festivities.
- Forget about bringing a car. Parking will be very few and far between.
- Police visibility is usually more intense than usual during the 2-day event, so security is not going to be a major issue. Occasional brawls between drunk party-goers may erupt once in a while, so watch out.
- Take advantage of the discounted merchandise and promos offered in the venue.
Have a clean and safe fun, everyone!
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Have you been to Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments section below.