Even amidst the scorching heat, the City of Valenzuela perseveres culture and tradition with a double celebration of the 262nd Mano Po San Roque Festival 2024 and Mother’s Day in Barangay Mabolo, on May 12, 2024.

Valenzuelanos have proven that not even the rising heat could cease the festivities of one of the city's most significant and vibrant feasts — the Mano Po San Roque Festival. In 2024, the San Roque Festival reached its 262nd year which inspired jam-packed streets in Barangay Mabolo to celebrate the momentous event.

Rhythmic drumbeats, streams of colorful buntings, clusters of stalls selling sweet rice delicacies, unified dances, and praises; Mabolo was filled with life and culture at the San Roque Festival. 

Kicking off the festivities with an energetic start, the Sayaw-Pasasalamat parade surged the streets with each barangay performing dances and chants while raising unique banners. As Sayaw-Pasasalamat means “dance of thanksgiving” in honor of the patron San Roque or St. Roch, this parade relived tradition with dances for people yearning to find true love and offering prayers for healing. 

Succeeding the parade was the concelebrated mass held at the San Roque Chapel. Aside from giving thanks for another year of Mano Po San Roque, the holy mass also honored mothers and mother figures this Mother’s Day celebration; recognizing their hardships and noble sacrifices for their families. Following the mass was the blessing of the recently acquired SWAT vans and mobile showers and toilets.

Concluding the week-long celebration, a solemn procession took place, ushering the San Roque image back to the chapel. A musical jamboree featuring bands and artists also livened up Barangay Mabolo as the final festivity of the night. Prior to the day of the Mano Po San Roque fiesta, several activities were also held in the barangay last May 3 to 11 to set the festive mood. Dance contests, pageants, singing contests, battle of the bands, and sagalahan were some of the notable events last week.

Witnessing the lively celebration of the San Roque Festival were Senator WIN Gatchalian, Mayor WES Gatchalian, Mayoress Tiffany Gatchalian, Bianca Manalo, Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, and city councilors including former Liga ng mga Barangay president and councilor Jonjon Bartolome; who’s also the hermano mayor for this year.

Upholding its vibrant culture and tradition, the San Roque Festival continues to be one of the most celebrated feasts in Valenzuela City in honor of  San Roque; the patron of the sick, invalid, dogs, and bachelors.

Mano po, San Roque! Pray for us!

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