Tongson: Himaya 2025 a festival of thanksgiving, milestones, unity

Himaya 2025 of Himamaylan City will be a week of thanksgiving, milestones, and unity, Mayor Raymund Tongson said as the seven-day festival kicked off on March 31, 2025, with a mass to celebrate the city’s charter day at the city hall lobby.

“This year’s Himaya will be all about thanking for the blessings we have received and celebrating our mutliple milestones regional and national milestones whille uniting as one Himamaylan,” said Tongson.

The city mayor added that the week of March 31 to April 6 will be filled to the brim with activities that will excite Himamaylanons and visitors alike.

“We know that Himaya is always on each Negosanon’s bucket list; that is why we have prepared daily events that festival-goers of all ages will look forward to, from the morning up until the evening,” said Tongson.

Honoring farmers, producers

“As we mark almost a year after the end of El Nino, we honor the resilience and determination of our farmers and producers through the agri-trade fare,” he said.

The first day of the festival, March 31, opened with the ribbon cutting of the Agri-Trade Fare at the refurbished Himamalan Public Plaza, while the Carabao Parade will start from the public plaza and will end at the fare venue.

On April 1, cooperatives and associations of farmers, fisherfolk, and producers will join the Rural-based Organizations Day, which will highlight one of the backbone sectors of the city.

Moreover, Farmers and Young Farmers Day will be held the following day, April 2, while the Fiesta sa UMA will mark the day six of the festival on April 6.

Himaya Queen, festival and arena dance competition

The candidates of Himaya Queen 2025 will kick off their journey with a fashion show and sashing in the evening of March 31 at the Public Plaza, followed by a special performance of Drag Race Philippines finalist Angel and the festival opening fireworks.

Talent and confidence will headline the public plaza on the eve of April 2 as the candidates showcase what they got in the pre-pagaent night.

The 2025 Himaya Queen will be crowned on Friday, April 4, at the public plaza, with special guests PBB Collab host Robbie Domingo, movie superstar Joshue Garcia, and Negrense actress Pau Dimaranan.

The much-awaited Himaya Festival Street Competition on April 6 will start at the Himamaylan City Old Public Market and will culminate with the Arena Dance Competition at the Himamaylan National High School (HNHS) grounds.

Star-studded week

The nights at Himaya 2025 will be filled with stars and up-and-coming artists and musicians.

PBB Gen 11 Big Winner Fyang Smith and fellow housemate JM Ibarra, Billboard Philippines Hot 100 charttopper Dionela, and DJ Loonyo are set to close Himaya 2025 with a fireworks display at the HNHS grounds on April 6.

From April 1 to 6, disc jocks and bands will surely entertain the nights in Himamaylan. Among the line-up are DJ Iyo Gaudite, Yuya Band, Infinite Ridge Band, Inch Band, DJ Greg, DJ Saint, Shift Band, DJ Kate, DJ Murphy, and HNHS Band.
Other activities

Throughout the week, Himamaylan will also be the host of various sector and industrial activities, such as the DepEd Day on April 1.

The Himaya Sundown at the public plaza will pre-game eager supporters for the Himaya Queen pre-pageant night on April 2.

Meanwhile, the Slay-Maya Drag Competition is set to wow locals and visitors on April 5 at the public plaza.

The two-day MRT Motorshow at the Himamaylan City Hall (April 2-3) will culminate in a competition on April 3.

The Sectoral Day will be on April 3 at the Brgy. 1 Gym while the Drum and Lyre Competition will be held at the HNHS grounds on February 4. A Motocross Competition will also be held on April 5.* (PR)