San Nicolas,
Ilocos Norte—For the first time in its history, Barangay 11 San Fernando in
this town launched its first-ever and official “Allawagi Festival” from October
19 to 27, 2019, with Brgy.11 chairperson Dominic B. Dela Cruz leading the event.
The Allawagi Festival is based on Barangay Ordinance No.
03 series of 2019, “An Ordinance Declaring Every Third Week of October Of Every
Year As The Official Dates In Celebration of The Allawagi Festival of Barangay
11 San Fernando, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte And Providing Funds Thereof”, which
was sponsored by all members of the Sangguniang Barangay including the chairperson.
The festival started with a walkathon as opening salvo
within the barangay at exactly 5:00 am of October 19, 2019, with hundreds of
residents participating. This was followed by a Zumba held at the barangay basketball
court.
On the same day, a simple program formally opened the
barangay fiesta with Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative director Engr. Elmer
Resurreccion leading the prayer followed by a message from former Brgy. 11 chairperson,
now San Nicolas councilor Atty. Luciano Caraang.
Mr. Dela Cruz led the hoisting of the barangay banner
with barangay council hoisting members also raising their respective sitio banners.
In his speech, Mr. Dela Cruz thanked his constituents for
a “well-participated walkathon during the first day activity”.
He also appealed to all participants for the ball games
and other events to maintain sportsmanship and camaraderie whether they won or
lost.
“Pasantaken tayo kuma iti nalinak ken naurnos a
pinagay-ayam ken pinag partispar ati naduma-duma nga aktibidades tapnu magun-od
tayo iti napintas ken naannayas a pinag fiesta,” the chairperson noted.
The two-day celebration featured “laro ng lahi,”
including Chinese garter, sack race, Maria went to town, kadang-kadang, tug of war,
putokan na, uod zigzag, kawayan race, huego de anillo, breaking the pot, 100-meter
and 200- meter runs.
Formal sporting events, meanwhile included basketball,
volleyball, badminton and chess tournaments.
On October 26, 2019, five pairs of mothers participated in
the “Allawagi Cookfest Competition” featuring banana blossom for snack followed
by a Mass in the afternoon led by Catholic Parish Priest Msgr. Leonardo Ruiz.
On October 27, 2019, the fiesta showcased the first “Allawagi
Bangkito- Making”, wherein carpenters and skilled workers participated to prove
that they deserve to be called ‘Allawagis’.
The fiesta’s highlight was the Search for Miss Gay
Millennial in the evening of October 27, 2019 held at the basketball court.
Twelve young LGBTs competed in production number, fantasy
costume, talent, casual wear, swimsuit and evening gown competitions.
Of the 18 corporate awards, four sponsors came from the
USA for Miss Maui, Hawaii from Sherwin Leigh Agmata;
Miss Honolulu, Hawaii from Mr. Noel & Richelle Corpuz; and two Miss
California from the brothers Sherwin and Seigfreud Jay Basilio.
Miss Gay Millennial 2019 Anson Gee received a cash prize
of PHP5,000; 1st runner-up An Layugan PHP4,000; 2nd
runner-up Gleneth Avelino PHP3,000; 3rd runner-up Sahwee Pascual
Tolentino PHP2,000; and 4th runner-up Jhelai Hernando PHP1,500.
Aside from the major awards, minor awards were also
awarded with cash prizes and bouquet: Best in Poise, Most Photogenic, Most
Exotic Beauty, Most Charming and Most Articulate.
Thousands watched the search as Brgy. 1 (Laoag City) kagawad
and businessperson Manny Morales, Alwin Dela Cruz, Fred Corpuz, beauty queen
Aslyn Joy Domingo and San Nicolas councilor Moera Joy Galing-Luna served as the
panel of judges. Ms. Galing-Luna served as chairperson of the board.
Laoag radio DJs Gina V. and Bernard Ver served as hosts
for the search.
Allawagi
During the
pageant, Mr. Dela Cruz explained fully in his welcome address the meaning of “Allawagi”
and how it became the name of their barangay’s official festival.
With the help of the teachers in the said barangay,
Allawagi Festival was chosen to be the name of the Festival because residents
of Brgy. 11 are skilled and talented workers in field of carpentry and are
excellent home-builders.
“Allawagi” means skilled workers.
Mr. Dela Cruz also pointed out that St. Ferdinand (San
Fernando) III of Castile, Spain which is the barangay’s patron saint was an
engineer by profession and became the Spanish King when he was only 18 years of
age.
Ferdinand was a great administrator and a man of deep
faith, he stressed
He founded the Cathedral of Burgos, University of
Salamanca, Hospitals and Bishoprics, Monasteries, Churches and Cathedrals
during his reign.
He died on May 30 after a prolonged illness and buried in
the habit of his secular Franciscan Order.
His remains were preserved in the Cathedral of Seville
and was canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671. His feast day is May 30th.
Mr. Dela Cruz also thanked his barangay council, his
constituents and all the sponsors “for their support during the fiesta for without
them, the nine-day celebration would not be possible and successful”.
But above all, the San Nicolas barangay chairperson “thanked
the Almighty for all the continuing blessings for the barangay and the people
as well”. (Lydia B. Butay)
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