ANGELES CITY — The Barangay Balibago stretch of MacArthur Highway pulsated with the vibrancy of color, music, and gaiety as street dancing opened the city’s signature festival Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan (TTKD) 2026 on Oct. 23.
Leading the festivities were Mayor Carmelo “Jon” B. Lazatin II, members of the city council, JCI Angeles Culiat, TTKD chairperson Jean McTavish-Mandap, and event partners, including Hausland, Converge Fiber, and San Miguel Beer.
More than an event that brings people together through music and merrymaking, TTKD carries a significant part of Angeles City’s history—a story of resilience, recovery, and the strength of Angeleños following the double whammy inflicted upon the city in 1991 – the US Air Force abandoning the then-Clark Air Base which occupied for over a century, and the devastating eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
The opening ceremony formally commenced with the invocation, Philippine National Anthem, and JCI Creed, followed by messages from TTKD chairperson McTavish-Mandap, Converge, and Hausland. The official candidates of Mutya Ning Angeles 2026 were also presented during the program.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the premiere of “Origins of Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan,” a mini-documentary produced by the Angeles City Information Office in 2026 through the initiative of Mayor Jon. The documentary features insights from CDC Chairman Edgardo Pamintuan Sr., who served as mayor in the immediate aftermath of the eruptions, journalists Caesar “Bong” Lacson and Jojo Due, cultural advocate Cecile Yumul, and Mayor Jon, revisiting the origins and deeper meaning of the festival.
Through personal accounts and historical perspectives, the documentary seeks to preserve the story behind TTKD and remind Angeleños that the festival emerged from a community’s determination to rise above adversity. Its significance goes beyond the music, dancing, and festivities—it reflects how the people of Angeles City turned a difficult chapter in their history into a celebration of unity and hope.
In his message, Mayor Jon emphasized the importance of remembering the real story behind Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan, particularly the resilience of Angeleños in the aftermath of the Mount Pinatubo eruption. He underscored the need to preserve this history and share it with the younger generation so that future Angeleños will understand the meaning behind the celebration and the strength of the community that shaped it.
As TTKD 2026 brings residents and visitors together once again, the festival serves as both a celebration of the city’s vibrant spirit and a reminder of its shared history. By keeping the story alive, Angeles City continues to honor the courage of past generations while inspiring the next generation to carry forward the same resilience, unity, and pride.
Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan is more than a party—it is a story of resilience that deserves to be remembered and celebrated by every generation of Angeleños. Angeles CIO