Tigtigan Terakan King Dalan (singing and dancing in the streets), or what is popularly called as TTKD by the locals, is one of the most awaited events during the month-long Fiestang Kuliat every October. The Angeleňos take pride in this festival as it is often tagged as the city’s version of the Mardi Gras and Oktoberfest. Two long nights of music, dancing, and merrymaking take place during TTKD. It is reported that thousands of locals and visitors alike join the TTKD celebrations every year. Although TKKD is a fun-filled celebration, what others don’t know is that the reason for the festivity is actually rooted from a calamity that happened in the city in the early ‘90s.
On June 12, 1991, the province of Pampanga along with other provinces suffered the devastation brought about by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The volcanic eruption has been so large that it is known as the second largest eruption of the 20th century. The effect became even more catastrophic when the eruption was followed by a typhoon that brought lahar to the low lying provinces surrounding the volcano. Included in the most affected areas is Angeles City in Pampanga.
Homes were destroyed, business establishments were damaged, and other livelihoods were affected and most families moved out of Angeles. The once busy city was like a ghost town following the twin natural calamities. However, even if such a disastrous event happened, the resilient spirit of the Kapampangans triumphed. In 1992, the local government, headed by City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan established first Tigtigan Terakan King Dalan in a fight to uplift the dampened spirits of the Angeleňos and to bring the city back to life.
The local government convinced the restaurants and bars affected by the devastation to open their shops and bring tables to the streets of Mc Arthur Hiway in Balibago for a night of singing and dancing to symbolize the city’s triumph against the calamity. Local bands and artists were also invited to perform at the event.
From a simple street festival, TKKD has evolved over the years and has become one of the go-to events in Angeles City every October. The 1.5 kilometer stretch is closed for two nights and is filled with tables, dance floors, booths, and stages. Visitors as far as Metro Manila come to the city just to experience this fun-filled event. Well-known bands and performers also join in the festivities every year.
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According to its organizers, this years TTKD generated 75,000 visitors in total.
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