Flash mob lights up 2025 regional S&T week in Roxas City

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — In a surprise yet lighthearted moment during the 2025 Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas delighted attendees by dancing with a flash mob at People’s Park.

The impromptu performance took place during the Sept. 10 fellowship night and awarding ceremony for “Siyensadya sa Roxas City,” a celebration of science and innovation in Western Visayas.

The lively rhythm of “The Gid Life in Roxas City,” a musical tribute to the city’s rich culture, seafood heritage, and laid-back lifestyle, inspired both officials to join the fun.

Mayor Dadivas opened the evening with a humorous tone, joking that DOST stood for “Diwal is Off Season Today,” referencing the city’s famed angel wings clams, which were unavailable due to bad weather.

His remark drew laughter from the audience and set a festive atmosphere for the evening.

The Roxas City government recently received a Grant-in-Aid from the DOST to support the development of a digital application, part of its broader goal to become a smart and digitally empowered city.

During the RSTW opening, officials launched the SAFE app—short for Sanitation, Accreditation for Food Establishments—which will be integrated into the One Roxas App.

The SAFE app is designed to assist sanitary inspectors in evaluating food establishments, including food carts, for compliance with good manufacturing practices.

The three-day RSTW aimed to highlight the vital role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in regional development and to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across sectors.

“We want science that is felt—science that transforms lives, that impacts, that helps local governments develop for the better,” Solidum said in his keynote address.

He added, “This is our desire: build communities that are not only productive but also resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible.”

The 2025 RSTW was organized in partnership with Capiz State University, the Roxas City and Capiz provincial governments, and Robinsons Roxas. (AGP/AAL/PIA Capiz)