MANAOAG-The 9th Galicayo Festival opened here on Friday to pay homage to the Lady of Manaoag whose apparition centuries ago inspired the people to build a shrine in her honor.

The three-day festival this year has for its theme “Alay ng Pasasalamat Kay Ina”, said Rufo Mangonon, chairman and event organizer of the Galicayo Festival 2007.

House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and wife Gina graced the occasion on Saturday, as they always did in previous celebrations.

“As in the past, this year’s celebration is again unique in spite of limited funds,” Mangonon said.

An added activity to the festival is the taping of GMA-7’s “Walang Tulugan with Mr. Showman” scheduled on December 8.

Some of the activities lined up for this year’s Galicayo include nightly band jamming from December 3 to 9, Outreach/Gift-Giving Programs, Street Dancing Competition, Fireworks Display, Rave Party, all on December 8 and Singing Contest on December 9.

“Galicayo is a purely Catholic-based celebration expressing the people’s gratitude and devotion to the Lady of Manaoag”, Mangonon said. –S. Moselina, CdD