Kalibo Celebrates Culture and Heritage with Inaugural Mercado sa Calle El Porvenir

KALIBO, Aklan- Last March 21, 2025, the Municipality of Kalibo opened its streets to a vibrant showcase of art, tradition, and local flavors during the first-ever Mercado sa Calle El Porvenir, a three-day cultural and food fair that ran until March 23. The event was held in conjunction with the 128th Commemoration of the 19 Martyrs of Aklan, honoring the province’s revolutionary heroes and their enduring legacy.

Taking its name from El Porvenir—the historical name of D. Maagma Street—meaning “the future” in Spanish, the event powerfully bridged Aklan’s storied past with its aspirations for cultural preservation and economic growth.

Vice Mayor Dr. Cynthia Dela Cruz, representing Mayor Juris Sucro, officially opened the event, emphasizing the significance of integrating heritage with development. “This is a celebration of who we are as Aklanons—our creativity, our resilience, our identity,” she said. “Through this initiative, we hope to inspire pride in our roots while building a stronger, more vibrant future.”

The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Kalibo LGU, the Kalibo Tourism Council, and culture advocate Anna India Dela Cruz-Legaspi of Heritage Arts & Craft. A milestone was also marked during the celebration as the Sangguniang Bayan of Kalibo officially declared D. Maagma Street as Legacy Lane, envisioned as a permanent cultural hub for both residents and tourists.

Over the course of the weekend, Mercado sa Calle El Porvenir came alive with art installations, live performances, traditional food stalls, and local crafts—offering a dynamic experience that celebrated Aklanon identity while encouraging local entrepreneurship.

The initiative not only revived a historic street but also sparked new energy for cultural tourism in Kalibo. The LGU has announced plans to make the market a yearly event, anchoring it as a key pillar of Kalibo’s cultural and economic agenda.

“El Porvenir means ‘the future,’” Dr. Dela Cruz reminded attendees. “And with this street and this event, we are carving a future that honors our past, uplifts our present, and inspires the generations to come.”