Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro urged his constituents to continue being united and resilient as they did during the pandemic during Marikina's 27th cityhood anniversary on Friday.
The festivities coincided with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
"As we celebrate our 27th cityhood anniversary, I am calling our fellow residents of Marikina to continue to unite amidst challenges and adversities," Teodoro said, stressing their being "strong and resilient people."
"The close partnership of the community and the city government is the secret of our strong resiliency," he pointed out, urging the youth to also emulate the positive traits of their elders.
Grand motor and people parades, with music provided by marching bands, served to highlight the celebrations in the 16 barangays of Marikina.
In her short message at St. Gabriel Parish in Marikina Heights, Rep. Marjorie Ann Teodoro credited the efforts of residents to achieve their cityhood status from being a small town in the metropolis.
She also thanked the local government workers for their tireless service to the people.
Known as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, the festivities included a Christmas Shoe Bazaar and Banchetto in front of the city hall.
The mayor hosted a thanksgiving dinner in honor of shoe manufacturers and small, medium-sized enterprises, acknowledging their huge contribution to Marikina's local economy.
Also held during the anniversary was the lighting of Marikina City Hall at the Plaza De Los Alcaldes followed by a Banchetto Concert. Marikina's cityhood was enacted through Republic Act 8223, signed into law on 8 December 1996.
The legislation recognized Marikina's economic significance, and acknowledged its rapid urbanization and population growth.