Several young talents and artists blossomed during the annual free art workshop, the Arts in the City: Valenzuela Arts Workshop 2025; which ran from April 21 to June 1, 2025, all throughout the summer. An initiative of the City Government of Valenzuela through the Cultural Affairs and Tourism Development Office, the workshop consisted of various training sessions such as singing, dancing, acting, piano, ukulele, classical guitar, visual arts digital painting, wall art painting, and photography.
These sessions were facilitated by professional and hands-on mentors who guided the young Valenzuelano trainees during the month-long workshop held at the Valenzuela City Academic Center for Excellence. For this year, a total of 1,070 Valenzuelano youths registered in the summer arts workshop while 27 mentors signed up to teach them the fundamentals of each art form.
The time has finally come for these trainees to showcase what they learned from the workshop at the culminating activity of AITC known as Recital Day, which will show different performances and visual art exhibits starting from May 29 to June 4. In the recital, various presentations from the departments of singing, acting, dancing, and instrument demonstrated each learner’s artistry and improved set of skills – not only practical skills but also personal skills such as confidence and determination. Meanwhile, the visual department also displayed their artistic masterpieces in their artwork exhibit
Running on its 18th year, the Arts in the City: Valenzuela Arts Workshop aims to enhance art appreciation among the youth, by providing opportunities for free training and unleashing their skills and potential prowess for any art form. Part of AITC’s goals is to ignite the passion of the young generation toward making art and encourage productivity.
On the other hand, the local government also featured the creativity of young Valenzuelano writers across the city through its Susulat Ako: 1st Valenzuela Storywriting Contest for the Youth which opened last February 3, 2025. This contest was open for participants from Grades 7 to 12 in public or private schools in Valenzuela City. A comprehensive writing workshop was also held before the contest proper.
Today, the contest yielded a grand winner who received a Php 20,000 cash prize, a laptop unit, and an additional Php 10,000 for his/her school; 2 honorable mentions who both received a Php 10,000 cash prize and an additional Php 5,000 for their respective schools. Further, there are 2 special awards which were granted as well namely the Mayor’s Choice Award and Best Effort Award.
Ms. Mikhaila D. Avendaño of Valenzuela National High School was crowned as the grand winner of the story writing contest, recognized for her remarkable piece “Ang Taling Hindi Maitali”. Meanwhile, Ms. Einjhelle Mishz Delos Santos and Ms. Beatriz Allondra M. Magallanes, both hailed from Gen. T. de Leon National High School, were awarded Honorable Mentions.
A revolutionary project of Mayoress Tiffany Gatchalian and the City Government of Valenzuela through the Valenzuela City Library, the “Susulat Ako” aims to develop the writing skills of the children and reflect their creativity and authenticity through their work.
With these two art programs that concluded, it is proven that the life of art – in all of its intricacies and forms — is well-thriving and continuously celebrated in the City of Valenzuela.
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Now on its third run, the largest Zumba party in Valenzuela City known as “Mega Zumba: Mag-WESxercise Tayo!” has brought Valenzuelanos up on their feet for an adrenaline-pumping Zumba exercise once again. The local government's annual free dance program headed by Mayoress Tiffany Gatchalian aims to promote wellness in the mind and body through a series of upbeat dance exercises facilitated by professional Zumba instructors.
Mega Zumba 3 offered leveled-up Zumba dance segments this year by having a special guest — actress, model, and Zumba advocate Ina Raymundo — take the stage and lead the fitness dances along with Zumba instructor, John Carlo Rasay. Just before the break of dawn, about 2,500 Valenzuelanos of all ages hailing from different barangays showed up with their colorful outfits, filling up WES Arena with vibrant energy and movement.
Aside from free Zumba and fitness training, the participants also received various giveaways such as weighing scales, tumblers, tote bags, shirts, and towels to commemorate this special event; encouraging them to keep an active lifestyle in the long run.
On the other hand, the new season—Valenzuela Olympics 2025 has officially kicked off to showcase the talents of athletes in the field of sports once again. Retired PBA player and former MVP Asi Taulava, NLEX Road Warriors Power Forward Jake Pascual, along with Valenzuela homegrown athletes Angelica Faye Rosales, Xandres Ragusta, Gedrick Ranses, James Maliwat, Dale Ortega, and King Ahron Diama, led the symbolic lighting of the cauldron, officially rolling down the competition between the athletes from each barangay.
This year’s Valenzuela Olympics features some well-known sports categories from the previous year, along with the addition of new sports disciplines. Among the sports included are basketball, volleyball, billiards, table tennis, chess, darts, badminton, lawn tennis, obstacle sports, the newly included E-sports featuring Mobile Legends Bangbang (MLBB), among others. Representatives from various barangays will compete in these categories.
Surrounded by the enthusiastic young athletes from their respective barangays, this sporting event aims to determine which participating barangay will excel and claim the prestigious crown. In total, 33 barangays from the city have sent their best athletes, who will test their skills, face their rivals, and strive for ultimate victory.
Mayor WES Gatchalian, present in the opening ceremony, reminded everyone of the significant ideologies a Valenzuelano athlete should live by—Dream, Believe, Achieve. Conversely, in his message, he urged everyone to unceasingly hone their talents while utilizing the provided sports facilities of the local government. “Itinayo po ang WES Arena para sa ating mga atleta. Itinayo po ang pasilidad na ito para maging tahanan ng mga pangarap, tahanan ng mga atletang Valenzuelano. Ginagawa po natin taon taon itong Valenzuela Olympics para ipakita ang galing ng ating mga atleta sa bawat barangay,” he said. [The WES Arena was built for our athletes. This facility was built to be a home for dreams, a home for Valenzuelano athletes. We hold the Valenzuela Olympics every year to showcase the talent of our athletes in every barangay]
The local government continually develops initiatives like these that encourage all families in Valenzuela to commit to an active and healthy lifestyle. This is while the city continuously hones the talents of the youth in the field of sports.
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The city government allocated approximately PhP 49 million to acquire 40 new motorcycles and 25 brand-new police vehicles. These additions will bolster the Valenzuela City Police's mobility, enabling faster response times and reinforcing law enforcement presence throughout the city's streets and neighborhoods. This initiative is a critical step in strengthening the city's public safety framework and ensuring swift action against crime, thus making Valenzuela a more liveable city.
Alongside the vehicle turnover, Mayor WES Gatchalian introduced ValPLEX, a pioneering initiative designed to expedite the release of vehicle license plates. Implemented in coordination with the Office of Councilor Sel Sabino-Sy and in collaboration with the LTO, ValPLEX aims to eliminate long delays in the issuance of license plates for motorists. Initially, the initiative focused on government-owned vehicles and is now extending its services to the Tricycle Operators and Drivers' Association (TODA) in Valenzuela City. During the launch, 2,761 license plates were successfully distributed to TODA members, marking a milestone in the program’s rollout.
Mayor WES shared the city government's aspiration in turning the city safer and more secure through its Valenzuelife campaign. He hopes that every Valenzuela family will have peace of mind in living in the city and be given a life free from any danger. “Binibigyan po natin ng prayoridad ang peace and order [sa lungsod ng Valenzuela]. Sana po ay dumating panahon na kapag tinawag na Valenzuelife, ay panatag po ang loob ng ating mga anak na galing sa eskwela at mga asawa na galing sa trabaho na sila’y ligtas–na kapag sila’y naglalakad man sa looban ay hindi sila nangangamba dahil visible ang ating kapulisan,” He stated. [We prioritize peace and order in Valenzuela City. We hope that there will come a time, when we say Valenzuelife, our children coming from school and our spouses coming from work are ensured with security—that when they walk in the neighborhood, they will not be worried because the police forces visibility]
Further demonstrating the city’s commitment to social welfare, the local government also handed over seven (7) Chikiting Food Patrol vehicles to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). These vehicles, funded by incentives from the city's Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award in 2023, will be deployed to various barangays to support the city’s K to 6 feeding programs and combat child malnutrition. By bringing nutritious food directly to young beneficiaries, Valenzuela continues to uphold its mission of promoting health and well-being for all its residents.
The event was graced by key government officials, including Senator Francis Tolentino, LTO Chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, LTO-Valenzuela’s Jhonny Dog-e, DILG Valenzuela Director Sudi Valencia, Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, City Councilors, Valenzuela City Chief of Police PCOL Nixon Cayaban, CSWDO Chief on Social Welfare Operations Dorothy Evangelista, and Valenzuela City Transportation Office Head Jay Valenzuela.
With these initiatives, Valenzuela City continues to set the bar for innovative and proactive governance, ensuring a safer, more efficient, well-serviced, and liveable community for all its residents.
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The City Government of Valenzuela launched “This is the life, Valenzuelife,” a liveability initiative that demarcates future projects the current administration has in store for Valenzuela City. The Valenzuelife launch took off with a grand celebration accompanied by live performances by special guests such as Maki, Alyssa Muhlach, and Meiji Cruz at the Valenzuela City People’s Park Amphitheater.
“This is the life, Valenzuelife!” underscores the beauty of living in Valenzuela — from its quality and inclusive education, the ease of doing business, housing projects, social welfare initiatives, peace and order advantage, to recreational parks and open spaces, to name a few. These projects are focused on infrastructure and programs that enrich the quality of life of Valenzuelano.
During the launching, Mayor WES Gatchalian officially introduced “This is the life, Valenzuelife!” through a video encapsulating all the projects that Valenzuelanos can look forward to in his administration. These include the new Finance and Legislative Center, the three new Valenzuela Academic Center for Excellence, the Children’s Park, the Jardin de Memoria, and the soon to open Valenzuela Health Medical Center, among others.
Aside from laying the groundwork for these projects underway, the launch of Valenzuelife also sets the tone and inspiration for the type of governance that will be evident over the course — which is to boost local tourism, improve the living conditions of the city, accelerate programs, and provide more reasons to stay in Valenzuela City.
Valenzuela City has come so far — from once a quaint provincial town during colonial times, the City is now regarded as one of the country’s highly urbanized and globally competitive cities; a growth that is very apparent because of the leadership of the local chief executive who took a progressive direction for the City.
THE NEW AND SOON-TO-OPEN PROJECTS
Government Facilities
The New Finance Center
The New Legislative Center
The New People’s Center
3S Center Veinte Reales
Education
3 New Valenzuela Academic Center for Excellence in Barangays Mapulang Lupa, Marulas, and Gen. T. De Leon
New Uniforms for Elementary and High School
Newly Rehabilitated Child Development Centers
Newly Rehabilitated Alternative Learning System (ALS) Center
Valenzuela City Technological College (ValTech)
The New Central Kitchen
Health, Cleanliness, and Orderliness
The New Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital with Annex Building and Multi-Level Parking
Valenzuela Health Medical Center
Balai Banyuhay
63 New Dump Trucks
Valenzuela Boardwalk
Social Welfare
DotBot
Tapcart and Negocart
Parks and Events Spaces
Museo ni Dr. Pio Valenzuela
Paw Park
Skate Park
Casa de Polo
Dalandanan WES Events Space
Lawang Bato Events Space
WES Events Space Canumay West
Valenzuela Children’s Park
Peace and Order
Swat Vans
New Electric Police Vehicles for PNP Valenzuela/Go Green Valenzuela
New Motorcycles for Police
New Streetlights and CCTV
The Valenzuela Quick Response Center
Disaster Preparedness
V-ALERT
2 New Mobile Shower
33 New Fiber Boats
33 New Fire Trucks
2 New Mobile Water Filtration
Housing
Disiplina Village Arkong Bato
Progreso Village Marulas
Sports Facilities
WES Arena
WES Aquatic Center
Jardin De Memoria (Memorial Park)
The local government distributed 33 fiber-made rescue boats—one for each barangay—to strengthen the city's rescue response during storms and floods. This initiative ensures that every barangay in Valenzuela is better prepared whenever major flooding occurs. Additionally, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (VCDRRMO) acquired two mobile water filtration trucks to provide safe drinking water to affected areas during calamities and disasters.
Each barangay received a rescue boat, equipped with two paddles and two life jackets to ensure safer operations during emergencies. The fiber material was specifically chosen for its durability and resistance to damage, making the boats reliable for high-risk operations such as retrieval, flood monitoring, and evacuee rescue. The local government hopes that the equipment will serve the community for many years to come.
The mobile water filtration trucks can hold up to 1,000 liters of water and are intended to provide potable water to evacuees during typhoons and floods. These trucks will be strategically deployed to evacuation centers and communities experiencing water shortages, ensuring accessible clean water for those affected by natural disasters. Meanwhile, two mobile shower units, one for each district, will be deployed to supply clean water to communities. This initiative serves as the local government's immediate response to the water scarcity issues caused by last year's extreme heatwave, attributed to global warming.
During his speech at the turnover and blessing ceremony, Mayor WES emphasized the importance of being adequately prepared for crises. He stated, “Ipanalangin po natin na sana ay hindi natin magamit ang mga ito (rescue boats). Gayunpaman, kung sakali mang magkaroon pong muli ng matinding bagyo ay handa na rin tayo, kahit papaano. Ito pong 33 fiber glass boats ang pinaka gamit na gamit sa tuwing may rescue operations po ang mga barangay po sa ating lugar.” [Let us pray that we won't have to use these rescue boats. However, if another severe storm hits the city, we are prepared. These 33 fiberglass boats are the most utilized equipment during barangay rescue operations.]
In addition to the turnover of rescue equipment, Physicians for Peace Philippines extended support to the city by allowing students from Valenzuela City Technological College (ValTech) to use their mobile biomedical van for prosthesis production studies. This partnership provides students with hands-on experience in prosthetics manufacturing, addressing the growing need for accessible rehabilitation services within the community. Over the next two years, students will have access to the van, potentially paving the way for Valenzuela City to establish its own prosthetics specialization program.
The event was graced by Physicians for Peace Philippines Chairman Dra. Josephine Bundoc, Dra. Marilyn Liwanag from the Valenzuela City Health Office (CHO), VCDRRMO Head Dr. Arnaldo Antonio, Liga ng mga Barangay President Councilor Mario San Andres, and Punong Barangays.
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