Alyssa Mae R. Tolcidas
Inaugurated in 1983 by the late founder, Mr. Ronaldo Zabalerio, and Mrs. Loreta Cadavillo Galang, Ugat Lucena started as a social club which later evolved into the socio-civic organization we know today— Ang Tunay At Nag-iisang Ugat Lucena Mula 1983 (The One and Only Bonafide Ugat Lucena Since 1983).
Ugat Lucena is an aggrupation of well-meaning individuals who are:
- natives of Lucena City;
- with Lucenahin Roots; and
- honorary Lucenahins by affinity, friendship, and / or has rendered significant contributions to the city.
Its purposes follow:
- to strengthen fraternal ties, foster harmonious relationship and camaraderie among Lucenahins, and to participate in projects and activities that will benefit its members, dependents, and the indigent residents of Lucena;
- to maintain, promote, and ensure that socio-civic services are extended to the less privileged members of the society, particularly in Lucena City; and
- to inculcate among its members a high sense of loyalty to each other, stimulate their intellectual advancement, develop their sense of social awareness, and to hold meetings and social gatherings for the realization of such purposes.
Ugat Lucena is characterized by its annual Grand Reception Ball traditionally celebrated at the feast day of the city’s patron saint, St. Ferdinand, or at the latter days of May. It is a gathering of all Lucenahins including those who have migrated to other parts of the world.
The ball is a most formal occasion where Filipino culture is displayed in its most impeccable form for it takes us back in time where the ladies would wear their most beautiful Mestiza gowns and the gentlemen would wear their traditional Barong Tagalog, tuxedo, or white Chaquitillas.
The ball would commence with the reception followed by other ceremonies including the presentation of the traditional “Rigodon de Honor,” a patrimonial dance credited to the late Philippine President Manuel Luis L. Quezon. The dance would be led by the current president and lady president of Ugat Lucena together with their officers, members, and other principal gentlemen and ladies of quality.
It would then be followed by the coronation of the current year’s muse, who, by tradition, will participate in the city’s Sagala as one of its reynas or queens. This would be followed by the presentation of the “Cotillion” of the Kabataang Ugat Lucena with the newly crowned muse.
The ball would culminate with a night of dancing, music, and entertainment; but come twelve midnight, all will be asked to pause for a while as the chairman of the organization will make the traditional proclamation of the newly elected president and lady president for the following year. After that, the celebration would continue to the early hours of the morning.
This year, Ugat Lucena will celebrate its 33rd Annual Grand Reception on May 23, 2015, Saturday, 6:00 PM at Queen Margarette Hotel, Barangay Domoit, Lucena City.
This wondrous festivity aims to rekindle old familial roots, friendship, and camaraderie among Lucenahins through nightlong dances, music, and merrymaking — the proceeds of which are used for various charitable projects and activities of Ugat Lucena.
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/UgatLucenaOfficial/info?tab=page_info
http://www.lucenacity.gov.ph/tourism.php
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Philippine Peso