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MANDAUE CITY, Philippines - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said he would continue to support what used to be called the Kabayo Festival being held in Mandaue even if the event doesn?t carry his name.
In fact, he said, he did not want his name included in the event because it was practically a provincial government initiative now called the Governor Cup 2008.
?For us, we will continue to support the project of the Governor (Gwendolyn Garcia) and provide what we can for the success of the project,? Cortes told Cebu Daily News Monday.
?The province has contributed greatly to that, so I am not surprised that it was named after the governor,? Cortes said.
He said it was enough for the city that the Cebu Equine Owners, Breeders, and Sportsmen Association (Ceobsa) and the provincial government chose Mandaue City again as the venue of the outdoor event on Feb. 15 to 17.
Mayor Cortes said Mandaue would host a ?western-style? dinner on the opening day.
In the past two years, the horse show competition featured rodeo-style events, races, a market and a contest for the best-decorated tartanillas or horse-drawn carriages.
It has drawn horse enthusiasts from Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Ormoc, Dumaguete and parts of Luzon.
?Our interest is to promote Mandaue,? said Mayor Cortes.
The original letter of the Ceobsa requesting assistance from the Mandaue City government stated that the annual event ?will highlight the Mayor Jonas Cortes and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia Cup.?
However, organizers later changed plans after discussions with Capitol officials to hold the event as the Governor Cup.
The two-page letter signed by Jake Mendez, Ceobsa president, listed heavy equipment and personnel needed from the Mandaue City government to prepare the venue at the Mandaue reclamation area. A portion will be used for a race track and a parade.
Chief of Staff Lowella Caballero earlier said Mayor Cortes was a sports enthusiast and had asked her to attend to the needs of Ceobsa.
The Mandaue City Engineer?s Office will prepare a portion of the city?s reclamation area for the activities.
