Grand Fiesta marks rise of a progressive new Balaoan leadership
Balaoan, La Union- The municipality of Balaoan opens the new era of political leadership led by its first lady mayor Atty. Aleli U. Concepcion as the town celebrated its Annual Town Fiesta last December 2016 that was designed to surpass all past festivities of the town in pomp and glitter.
After months of preparation and pre-fiesta activities kicked off by the 16th Mayor’s Cup Basketball Tournament in October and the RambakBalaoan food and fiesta bazaar galore that followed, the town’s most celebrated five-day bash of the year officially opened in the early morning of December 18, 2016 with the Grand Civic Parade participated in by delegations from various sectors of the community led by the municipal government, barangay officials, national government agencies, academe, business and other organizations.
“This is a very special year for all of us, this being the first fiesta celebrations under my administration. We have carefully planned this affair that would rival all annual fiesta festivities of the town in the past and hopefully this would leave a lasting mark in the rich history of our town,” MMayorAleli Concepcion said.
Grand Civic Parade
As early as six in the morning, blue shirted participants to the Grand Civic Parade started pouring in around the municipal grounds and the surrounding streets to respond to the call of the municipal mayor for an early community civic walk this day. Barangay folks, street dancers, town muses and their entourages, and small children in band uniforms frenzied in arranging themselves following the order of the parade supervised by municipal marshals. Music of different genres and glittering costumes competed to attract attention of passersby setting the festive mood for the opening salvo of the five-day town fiesta celebration.
Starting off at seven in the morning with the parade of colors and the forces of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Bureau of Fire Protection, the kilometric long grand civic parade was led by the Municipal Mayor Atty. Aleli U. Concepcion, Vice Mayor Atty. Al-Fred O. Concepcion and members of the Sangguniang Bayan Nadine Joy S. Concepcion, Joanna Katrina L. Ledda, Michael D. Marron, Rogelio E. Opinaldo,Emiliana P. Portacio, Dionisio A. Directo, Herminia M. Ordinario and ABC President Aristedes F. Marron who all came in as early as 6:30 a.m. armed with high spirit and full excitement.
The parade took around two hours to complete after winding around the town’s longer traditional processional route passing through the streets, barangay and municipal roads where multitudes of spectators awaited in bated breath along the sides to witness
the parade.
Panagyaman Festival 2016/Street Dancing Competition
This year’s Panagyaman Festival showcased the town’s various products as depicted in costume and dance by street dancers clad in magnificent costumes and complemented by larger-than-life props from the seven public and private secondary schools in the community vying for the most coveted championship. The street dancers provided the lively tempo along the kilometric long civic parade that ended at the Manila North Road fronting San Nicolas of Tolentino Church for the preliminary rounds of the competition where they glided and showed their acrobatic skills while portraying the different local products and produce of the municipality that is a pride in all of La Union.
Each of the seven secondary schools showcased a local Balaoanproduct. Bungol National High School, Rice; Butubut National High School, Vegetables; Castor Z. Concepcion Memorial National High School, Fruits; Osias Educational Foundation, Tobacco; Paraoir National High School, Corn; San Nicolas Academy, Forest Products; and Sinapangan National High School, Sea Urchin and Marine Products.
The competition, which revolved around the theme, “Forging Ties and Unity in Showcasing the Different Products of Balaoan”, was composed of and was based on three judging phases – progressive dance, street performance and exhibition round.
The main event of the Panagyaman Festival was staged at the jam-packed Balaoan Farmers Civic Center with an estimated crowd of more than 3,000 people many even seen craning their necks in from outside the center’s three entrances and some stooping down from atop the stage roofing amidst the deafening beats of the drums and the lively rhythms of music. The event that lasted up to a little bit past noon time drew shrieks, shouts and thunderous applause from the awed audience who all smiled in a show of total approval.
Castor Z. Concepcion Memorial National High School again bagged this year’s competition in a back to back win after last year’s event. CZCMNHS started its winning streak way back in 2012 interrupted only once by the San Nicolas Academy which won the 2014 competition.
CZCNHS presented a choreographed characterization of the Fruit products of the municipality complete with magnified and moving images of products from the local orchards in all of the town’s barangays and a moving presentation of the lifecycle of fruit bearing plants until their maturity and fruiting.
Osias Educational Foundation placed second while Sinapangan National High School placed third.
Night of Fun and Booze and Ms. Gay Balaoan
The Balaoan Farmers Civic Center instantly turned into an arena simulating a live indoor concert complete with fun and drinks as revelers and visitors from neighboring places took advantage of a one night free occasion to indulge in booze and beverages amidst the blaring sound of live bands and the beauty pageant staged by the gay community during the Gabi ngMusika’tSerbesa(SMB Night) and the Ms. Gay Balaoan 2017 competition.
Town officials were seen mingling with ordinary folks in joy and laughter as the spirit of ice cold beverages permeated the air in the whole of the atmosphere of the civic center with no untoward incidents reported by the police.
The Miss Gay Balaoan 2017 stole the hours that night with their own version of a real local beauty contest only on a more modest spectacle with the whole of the night’s funfare lasting until the wee hours of dawn with just a couple of hours before the traditional early dawn mass started that morning.
Diether Jay Oblero IV was crowned Ms. Gay Balaoan for 2017 besting all of ten other hopefuls from the town’s active gay community. Ichiro Argayoso came in as first runner-up; Ella Acosta was second runner-up; Crisvin Ramos, third runner-up and Jimmy Pitaca, fourth runner-up.
The Ms. Gay Balaoan competition is an added special attraction being staged during the town fiesta for the gay community.
Elementary Schools’ Day
Combining the efforts of the different school heads under Balaoan District Supervisor, Mr. Adelino N. Urbano, Jr. and the support of the Local Government Unit headed by the very active Municipal Mayor, Atty. Aleli U. Concepcion, the morning of December 19, 2016 treated the community to the display of the talents of pupils from the elementary grades.
All of the town’s 21 public and private schools presented a variety of dance presentations ranging from ethnic, native, modern, zumba, Christmas and hip hop sounds during their performances in the morning at the Balaoan Farmers Civic Center until noon.
Mayor Aleli U. Concepcion gave a very meaningful message inspiring everyone to work together for a better Balaoan. The lady mayor and town officials rewarded the day’s performers with cash gifts.
Guest of Honor and Speaker during the affair was Mr. Virgilio C. Boado, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent addressing the crowd with a very inspiring message using a videoclip from the teleseryeAngProbinsyano which was easily recognized by the pupils.
Little Mr. and Little MissBalaoan
The second day of the festivities was aptly completed with the staging of the Search for Little Mr. and Little Miss Balaoan 2017held in the evening at the Balaoan Farmers Civic Center which likewise drew a huge crowd.
JharodhineShendel Louise Miniano won the most coveted title of Little Mr. Balaoan 2017. Jharodhine bagged all of the Special Awards, namely Best in Philippine Festival Costume, Talent, Summer Wear and Formal Attire. Alliah Jean Aguinaldo on the other hand was crowned Little Miss Balaoan 2017.
The first runner-up in the Little Mr. Balaoan event was Ephraim Balbalec, Jr. while MG Acibar was the 1st runner-up in the Little Ms.Balaoan. She also won the Best in Evening Gown Award.
Second runner-up in the Little Mr. Balaoan was Shawn DelvezButon, Raicco JacobChio Chang was 3rd runner-up while Josh Ian Arellano placed 4th runner-up. In the Little Ms. Balaoan, Ella Acosta emerged 2nd runner-up, Jan Chelsea Ominga came out as 3rd runner-up while Arabelle Grace Orfiano placed 4th runner-up. Ms. Ominga brought home with the Best in Swimwear Award while ArabelleOrfiano grabbed the Best in Talent.
The Special Award for Philippine Festival Costume was given to Alexa Bautista.
MutyangBalaoan
A young lass from ButubutSur stole the MutyangBalaoan crown to reign as MutyangBalaoan 2017 in the hotly contested competition of beauty and brains in the evening of the third night of the five-day celebration.
Ms. Katherine Joy Adona won the most envied award that night aside from the Best in e Evening Gown award. The Mutyang Barangay title was bestowed upon Ms. Glen Ray Andadi of Calliat while MutyangKabataan was Ms. Tracy Mae Obejas.First runner-up went to Ms. MaricarOlbinado while Ms. Ethel Ordono was 2nd runner-up.
One of the highlights of the pageant night was the mesmerizing lights showof the Alab Poi dancers.
Night of Dancing, Entertainment and Awards Night
The twin-night winding up activities devoted for the all the members of the community to co-mingle and exchange well wishes with fellow townmates, balikbayans, special guests and municipal officials started with the celebration of a night of dancing, entertainment and awards on the evening of December 21 at the civic center.
The event that was traditionally designed to give tribute to the members of the society from all walks of life by allowing them unhampered time to wind up and relax by dancing to their gusto with a live orchestra, amused by dance presentations from the different sectoral contingents and awed by celebrity entertainers, Ms. Janella Salvador this year, lasted until early dawn. Rudy Mac Orchestra provided unlimited live orchestra music throughout the night.
First District of La Union Representative Pablo C. Ortega was guest of honor and speaker during the night that opened with the welcome remarks from SBM Nadine Joy Concepcion. The night occasioned the awarding of the winners in the just concluded 16th Mayor’s cup Basketball Tournament. The night was highlighted by the honoring of the town’s outstanding citizens of for their distinctive contributions to community public service.
Town Achievers get feted
Balaoan farmer Alejandro Gatmen of Barangay Cabua-an led the list of awardees from the cross section of the community given recognition for their outstanding contributions to community public service by receiving the award for Outstanding Farmer during the fourth evening of the five-day fiesta celebration.
Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar was Ms. Lydia P. Mina of Barangay Masupe; Outstanding Barangay Health Worker was Ms. Adelaida B. Pichuelaof Barangay BaracbacOeste; Outstanding Police/Law Enforcement Officer was SPO1 Melody O. Lopez of Barangay Nalasin; while Outstanding Child Development Worker was Mrs. Elena L. Ordinado of Barangay Nalasin.
From the academic community, Mrs. Magdalena Navor, Head Teacher III of Napaset, was awarded the Outstanding Elementary School Administrator while Outstanding Elementary School Teacher was Ms. Eleanor C. Caberto of Pantar Sur.
In the secondary level, Mr. Joel Nava, Principal II of Castor Z. Concepcion Memorial National High School was awarded Outstanding Secondary School Administrator while the Outstanding Secondary School Teacher was Mr. Philip R. Navarette , Teacher III of the same school.
Mrs. Magdalena R. Navor delivered the response on behalf of all our community awardees.
The Municipal Clean And Green Barangay Awardees for the year occupying the 4th to 12th places were similarly awarded during the evening with Certificates of Appreciation and Commendation.
The 4TH Place was awarded to Barangay San Pablo. Barangay officials of Barangay San Pablo led by PB Pablo O. Areola Sr. receive the award. Barangay Bet-ang was 5th Place with the barangay officials led by PB MinardoOmo receiving the award. At hand to receive the award for the 6th Place were barangay officials of Barangay Ar-arampang led by Punong Barangay JeoffreyOrfiano.
The 7the Place went to Barangay Tallipugo. Punong Barangay Editha L. Ordinario and the barangay officials of Barangay Tallipugo received the award. Barangay Dr. CamiloOsias was 8th Place with the barangay officials led by PB Expedito Lopez receiving the award. At hand to receive the award for the 9th Place were barangay officials of Barangay Nalasin led by Punong Barangay Lydia Olivar.
The 10TH Place was Barangay Calungbuyan. Punong Barangay Rollidel R. Concepcion led the barangay officials of Barangay Calungbuyan in receiving the award. Barangay Butubut Este was 11th Place with the barangay officials led by Punong Barangay Loreto Valdez receiving the award. At hand to receive the award for the 12th Place were barangay officials of Barangay Patpata led by Punong Barangay Armando Lopez.
LGU wows them all
The local government of Balaoan led by its star dancer, lady mayor Atty. Aleli U. Concepcion stole the night in the dance presentations during the evening with their 1920’s inspired dance rendition complete with period cotumes and roaring 20’s beat that was participated in by the different legislative districts of the municipality, DepEd, Line agencies, Balaoan Market Vendors Association and tricycle route members from the Balaoan TODA.
Performers from District I opened the show with a modern dance presentation led by its district councilor SBM. Nadine Joy S. Concepcion followed by District II under SBM Michael D. Marron acting as the lead mentor of the group.
District III came in strong with soldier uniformed dancers led by district councilor SBM Joanna Katrina L. Ledda in a military training choreographed presentation complete with lighting and sound effects. District IV under the late SBM Federico A. Concepcion was next to perform with a modern dance interpretation.
District V danced their piece with their district councilor, SBM Emiliana P. Portaciowhile District VI was with SBM Herminia M. Ordinario. District VII was led by SBM Rogelio E. Opinaldo. In another modern dance number.The last to perform among the districts was District VIII led by district councilor SBM Dionisio A. Directo leading the pack.
The DepEd Elementary School teachers presented ball room dances in a medley of revival music from the 60s and 70s. The Secondary Schools teachers and administrators wowed the crowd with aRodeo inspired cowboy presentation and the combined group of the maket vendors association, line agencies and TODA entertained the revelers with a variety of dances and a lively rendition inspired by the tunes of the Hagibis.
RabiiDaguitiUmili
The five-day revelry came to its conclusion with the RabiiDaguitiUmili at the Balaoan Farmers Civic Center highlighted by the coronation of Mrs. Balaoan 2017 and her Royal Court and the awarding ceremonies for the top 3 model barangays in the Clean and Green Barangay contest for the year 2016.
Fr. Manuel Laviste gave the spiritual blessings for the night’s activities with ABC President and Ex-Officio Sangguniang Bayan Member AristedesMarron delivering the welcome remarks.
Mayor Aleli Concepcion led town officials in gracing the occasion. The provincial government officials present were led by Governor Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III and wife, Abono party list representative Vini Nola A. Ortega, Vice Governor AureoNisce, Board Member Carlo Castor Concepcion, Gary Pinzon and Paolo Ortega.
Mayor Concepcion gave a very poignant message of thanks to the new administration’s supporters and an exhortation for the people of Balaoan to further strengthen their unity for a continuing progress of the town.
Town vice mayor Atty. Al-fred Concepcion, who engineered the dramatic progress of the town for the past nine years, formally introduced the provincial governor who was the guest of honor and speaker for the night.
In his second official address to the people of Balaoan after the induction to office of the newly elected officials of Balaoan in June, Governor Ortega gave his sincere thanks for the overwhelming support he received from the people of Balaoan and vowed to continue supporting all development efforts of the new administration to make the town’s continuing progress.
Abono party list representative Vini Nola Ortega similarly expressed the same gratitude to the Balaoantownsfolks and aired an appeal to continue supporting her and her undertakings for the town.
The Members of the Royal Court of Mrs. Balaoan 2017 were crowned during the evening while the District Muses were given fitting recognitions. Mrs. Roselle MosterOlivar was honored as Mrs. Balaoan 2017; Mrs. Maritess de Sesto Galacio as 1st Princess; and Mrs. Roxanne Balo-as, 2nd Princess.
The night was capped by the electrifying performance of the entertainment group Hashtags that sent young girls and members of the gay community swooning and competing to get a glimpse or the eagerly get the attention of their favorite idols.
Barangay Calliat gets top Clean and Green Plum for 2016
PB Adriano Navalta is Model Punong Barangay
Barangay Calliat, in a back to back win from last year again grabbed the hotly contested title of Champion Model Barangay for 2016 in the town’s Search for Model Barangay for and bringing home for its village chief PB Adriano Navalta the most coveted title of Model Punong Barangay for 2016. Calliatwas also adjudged as Best in Food Production.
Town officials led by lady mayor Aleli Concepcion and provincial leaders led by La Union provincial governor Francisco Emmanuel Ortega and Abono representative Vini Nola Ortega in awarding the trophies and commendations to the Punong Barangays and officials of the top three barangays and the Hall of Fame awardees.
Second Place was awarded to Barangay Camiling headed by PBNatura, Jr. and the distinction as the Best in Health and Sanitation while the third place went to Barangay Bulbulala headed by ABC President AristedesMarron together with the recognition as the Best in Barangay Administration.
Barangays Sinapangan Sur, Butubut Norte and Pagleddegan received special citations for having been elevated to the Hall of Fame for winning three times consecutively during the past years.
The town’s 36 barangays were rated by an eleven man multi-discipline evaluation team chaired by Balaoan Municipal Agriculturist Gerardo Opinaldo during series of visitations made in all of the barangays from October to early December 2016 along the areas of barangay administration, agriculture, health and sanitation, over-all appearance of the barangay and beautification efforts. MSWDO representative Cecilia M. Castillo was vice chair of the team with members, Flory Ann Estioco, MLGOO; PO3 Cristina Olay of the local PNP; Joseph Lopez/Teddy Areola of the municipal health office; Prudencio O. Octavo, Jr, MDRRMO; agriculture representative Marvin Mark D. Marron; Kathleen May Ordinario, of the municipal tresurer’s office; Diana E. Garcia, SB representative; and Joy A. Estela from the municipal assessor’s office.
