ARAW NG MAYNILA 2013 The City of Manila is celebrating its 442nd ''Araw ng Maynila'' (Manila Day) on June 24,

2013, a special non-working day. Manila, the nation's capital, is one of 16 cities and one municipality that make up Metro Manila. Manila has 16 districts: Binondo, Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port Area, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Andres, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa, and Tondo. ''Araw ng Maynila'' recalls Manila's rich, colorful past and its culture and heritage. It pays tribute to companies, officials, and individuals who contributed to its growth and progress. This year's activities include awards to ''Ten Outstanding Manilans'' to recognize their exemplary achievements in various fields; ''Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan,'' honoring Filipino artists; and ''Diwa ng Lahi,'' for an individual who has dedicated his life to promoting Filipino culture on stage, radio, cinema, or television. Other activities are a search for cleanest barangays, medical and dental missions, thanksgiving Mass, a job fair, art and photo exhibits, and a sports festival. Araw ng Maynila was first proclaimed by then Vice Mayor Herminio A. Astorga on June 24, 1962, and has since been observed annually. Historically, the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the country's first Governor-General, founded the city on June 24, 1571, and declared it ''Most Distinguished and Ever Loyal City.'' It was called ''Intramuros'' (Walled City) and later, ''Ciudad del Feliz Romero'' (City of Happy Travellers). During the American era, Manila also became known as ''City of Festivals'' due to the Feasts of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Sto. Nino in Tondo, Nuestra Senora de los Remedios in Malate, and Birhen de Loreto in Sampaloc. Today, it is a global city known for the arts, commerce, education, finance, healthcare, media professional services, research and development, tourism, and transport. It has 33 international sister cities. The Manila Bulletin, led by its Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Emilio T. Yap, President and Publisher Atty. Hermogenes P. Pobre, Executive Vice President Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Cris J. Icban Jr., Business Editor Loreto D. Cabaes, Officers and Employees, congratulate the City of Manila, headed by Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and Vice Mayor Francisco M. Domagoso, its City Councilors, Officials, Employees, and Residents on the occasion of the 442nd Celebration of ''Araw ng Maynila,'' and wish them the best and success in all their endeavors. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!