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OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines – In a city reeling from the effects of devastating monsoon rains and a leptospirosis outbreak, dancing is a welcome sight.
Locals on Friday, October 25 attempted to break a world record for street dancing during the annual Mardi Gras festival.
Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino said about 16,000 people participated in “Galaw Gapo.” The number was higher than previous street dancing records — 10,000 in France and about 8,000 in Manila. The number would be enough to break the world record, said Paulino.
He said the funds generated by the Mardi Gras would be spent on dredging as well as desilting of rivers, which overflowed and caused heavy flooding in the city last September 23.
Bong Pineda, chairman of the Metro Olongapo Chamber of Commerce Inc., said the annual festival began in Olongapo in 1980, when Richard Gordon was the mayor.
Pineda sad that since then, Olongapo businessmen have organized the event numerous times.
Magsaysay Drive, where the Mardi Gras is traditionally held every year, is going to be turned into a vibrant place in the coming months, said Pineda.
“We’re talking to the city tourism department, and there should be events here every week to bring this place back to life. Olongapo is aiming to become a tourism destination also, and we will help the local government on that objective,” he said. – Rappler.com
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