Ending the 400th founding anniversary celebration on a strong note, the City of Valenzuela, led by Mayor WES Gatchalian, inaugurated Casa de Polo with guest of honor, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos; following the launch of the city’s coffee table book that highlights Valenzuela City’s history and progress over the past 400 years. Succeeding the launch was “Cultural Night”, a culminating program that showcases the flare of the city’s historical identity through fashion. These three significant events occurred at Casa de Polo, Barangay Poblacion, on November 26, 2023.

The eventful night marks the finale of the months-long celebration of Valenzuela City’s 400th founding anniversary celebration. The first event that transpired was the inauguration of Casa de Polo. After its blessing last November 12, the inauguration of the heritage-themed events space indicates its opening for all accommodations. The guest of honor, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, joined Mayor WES Gatchalian and the city council in unveiling the building marker of Casa de Polo.     

The inauguration with FL Liza Marcos is a nod to Valenzuela’s history and connection to the early Marcoses. For a brief background, from being a quaint municipality, Polo became an independent town on the 12th day of November 1623. Polo then became known as Valenzuela City; enjoined with the Metropolitan Manila in 1975 presided over by then Governess and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, and ultimately became a highly urbanized city in 1998.     

In his welcoming remarks, Mayor WES Gatchalian emphasized the significance of celebrating the city’s 400th founding anniversary and expressed his gratitude to the people who worked behind the successful series of celebrations. “Sa ating pagba-balik-tanaw, malugod ko po kayong tina-tanggap sa ating selebrasyon ng Valenzuela 400! Sa pamamagitan ng temang ‘kasaysayan at kaunlaran,’ samahan niyo po ako sa paglingon sa aming makulay na nakaraan, nang ang Valenzuela ay isa pa lamang bayan ng agrikultura; pagbubunyi sa aming kasalukuyan,  bilang isang hinahangaang, multi-awarded industrial city; at pagtanaw sa aming kinabukasan, bilang isang maunlad na liveable city. “  he said.

Mayor WES also believes as the city continuously progresses, the cultural landmark Casa de Polo shall be symbolic of the city’s pride and honor; connecting its glorious past to its hopeful future.

Alongside, the city also launched its first coffee table book entitled, “Valenzuela: History and Progress”. The book features a walkthrough of the city’s heritage; tracing back remarkable events from the old town of Polo to its gradual transformation into an urbanized city. It also offers a glimpse of the city’s unique culture such as food, art, customs, traditions, churches, and so forth. Showcasing life in Valenzuela, the coffee table book also highlights aspects of its local governance in terms of education, health, social services, and ecotourism. “Valenzuela: History and Progress” reflects the heart of Valenzuela; a narrative of its colorful and flourishing journey as a city. It is a compilation of shared stories and experiences that shall serve as memorabilia for the future Valenzuelanos.

Leading to the last and pivotal part of the event was Cultural Night. “Cultural Night” is a fashion presentation that pays homage to Valenzuela City’s history and cultural heritage as its theme.  The program showcased the works of the three (3) key designers of the fashion industry of Valenzuela City and of the country, namely: Michael Leyva, Robbie Santos, and Daniel Manila. The show exhibits three blocks, resonating themes of Polo (which exhibits the Pueblo de Polo’s agricultural background), Fatima (which showcases the vibrant culture and faith of Valenzuelanos), and Agos (which focuses on the city’s relentless pursuit of progress and “riding along the waves” of continuous growth and innovation).

Also gracing the event were Senators Grace Poe, Mark Villar, and Jinggoy Estrada, DSWD Undersecretary for International Affairs, Usec. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, former President Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Director of National Museum of the Philippines, Mr. Jeremy Barns, LGU department heads, members of the city council, punong barangays, judges, fiscals, delegates from Comelec, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and JCI among others.

Wrapping up the Valenzuela 400, the series of celebrations served as an inspiration for the Pamilyang Valenzuelano to work together in leading Valenzuela City toward a brighter and more progressive future. 

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