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2017 TTKD: Street Party to Commemorate Pinatubo Eruptions

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On the last Saturday of October 1992, a stretch of MacArthur Highway in Barangay Balibago was closed, traders were allowed to sell food and local bands were called in to perform. The first Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan (Singing and Dancing in the Street) was born and the street festival has remained the same for 25 years to symbolize Kapampangan resiliency.

This year is the 25th celebration of TTKD, and to make it more distinctive from the past events; participants were given a chance to grasp ash spewed out by Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. This feature of TTKD which they called “Pamangasnang lahar,” is the act of smearing people’s faces and arms with volcanic materials. The act has been symbolic since it’s done to bridge the gap between millennials, foreigners, and the natives. For them to experience a bit of the disaster that befell the city as residents struggled after Pinatubo’s eruptions, as well as the closure of the Clark Air Base when the American troops left and how the Kapampangans overcame it through courage and hard work. 

TTKD, dubbed as the biggest street party in the whole country is an annual music and beer party that celebrates Angeles City’s triumph over tragedy and it is regarded as the local version of Mardi Gras of Rio de Janeiro or Octoberfest of Germany. Nonetheless, TTKD specifically highlights the culture, arts, and history as it aims to showcase the local food, talents, and performances of different artists from the city because it is important to engage the youth and the foreign visitors for them to have a deeper understanding on what the essence of the TTKD is. 

The special occasion was opened on the 27th of October through a Giant Tocino boodle fight, which highlighted the best Kapampangan culinary and international cookery. Booths and food stalls as well as people dancing on the streets covered the whole stretch of the venue. In addition, more than 300 police personnel were deployed in the event to assure the safety of the party-goers. 

TTKD also continues to attract foreign visitors and boost tourist arrival as it caters a large number of audiences. As a matter of fact, it is an event that is much anticipated by students of HELP Clark. 

“It was fun and entertaining. A lot of performances were shown, and not just a mere performance but spectacular ones performed by great entertainers.” Haley 27 years old (ESL student, Singaporean Team) shared about her experience in TTKD. “I was able to relieve my stress in a great way”, she added.

Another student Nicky, 32 years old (Vietnamese) also joined the event and according to him, “The crowd was astonishing; everyone is having a good fun.” He also said, “I was so excited because it’s my first time to join an event like TTKD. The food was also amazing, I tried the Kapampangan sisig and it was great. I really enjoyed going to the event.”