IRIGA CITY – We were in this tranquil and beautiful city with warm, respectful people last weekend for the Ms. Iriga 2009 beauty pageant together with colleague Ricky Lo, Jeffrey Hidalgo, BDO’s Senior VP Geronimo D. Diaz, and Atty. Raymond Fortun as judges. The very down-to-earth, simple and likeable mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen (who was at the helm of the event and all the fiesta activities) invited us and made sure our stay at her city was most memorable and without any hitch.

We chose, from among 22 equally beautiful, articulate, well-informed and intelligent aspirants (who truly impressed us and most of whom we think were better off than most of the contestants in national beauty competitions) Diane S. Necio as Ms. Iriga 2009; Rachelle P. Vargas, Miss Tourism 2009; and Joan Tampoco, Miss Rinconada 2009. First runner-up was Donna Ann Onate; while 2nd runner-up was Jessica Silva.

Special awards were also given like: Ms. Magic Hands, Rachelle P. Vargas; Ms. Appropriateness, Honeylin D. Cypres; Ms. Coactive, Chrislene F. Rempillo and Ivy S. Protomartir; Most Elegant (in long gown), Mica Jane V. Binas; Ms. Starmark Royale, Melanie A. Kaales; Most Emphatic Advocate, Stephen Lomoljo; Ms. CCDI, Sheryl S. Zorilla; Ms. BDO, Diane S. Necio who was also named Ms. PSLA and Ms. Photographers Choice awardee.

The pageant night program impressed us as well. It was fast-paced and well-organized so it was finished at the scheduled time, unlike most national beauty contests which usually run till after midnight because of unnecessary segments. And to think that the production people were all from the place, no one “imported.” What impressed us even more was learning that everything has Mayor Gazmen’s mark on it. She was the one who conceptualized and organized everything, we were told.

She said that this year’s search for Miss Iriga 2009 is a tribute to the unsung but everyday heroes like the policemen, nurses and doctors, janitors, lawyers, street sweepers, employees and the others. And this why she conceived of the candidates’ wearing animé costumes in a portion of the pageant.
There is no swimwear competition in the Miss Iriga beauty pageant. “We want to veer away from any semblance of exploitation,” Mayor Gazmen rationalized. Still, the candidates projected sexiness and elegance in their long gowns.

By the way, the program was hosted by Drew Arellano, and that’s why he wasn’t seen on “Unang Hirit” last Thursday and Friday. Drew, as usual, proved to be an effective host and was game enough to become part of a production number that brought out onstage all the 22 candidates.

P71-million City Hall

Upon our arrival in this city, we paid a courtesy call on Mayor Gazmen in her office at the one-year-old city hall which she was proud to say cost the city government just R71-million but looked like it’s worth much more. She herself toured us around the building, taking pride in showing us the various offices.
Iriga City has a number of trademark sites to see and Angie Baylon of the City Tourism Office brought us to some of them, one of them was awarded Gawad Kalinga Character Village, which is one of the major attractions of the city, with its vegetable and flower garden, a farming training center courtesy of GK Shell Farm Institute. From atop the Village, one could enjoy a magnificent view of Mt. Iriga.

We also visited their own City Public Library which hangs on its walls a picture of the tourist attractions and some historic events and popular persons from the city. The library has its own café, a wi-fi area with personal computers for free Internet surfing. The library provides a relaxing ambience which is very conducive to reading, especially with its sofas and big narra tables and chairs.

Too bad we didn’t have enough time to visit the other tourist attractions of the city, like the Emerald Grotto, and the Heritage Museum which is supposed to be the first and one of its kind in the Philippines. It is located at the Philtranco terminal, which has been declared by the National Historical Institute as a national historical site.

Awards, recognition of the City

Iriga City, among others, has been at one time awarded as the Cleanest and Greenest City of the Philippines. It was also chosen as Gawad Kalinga Champion in 2005; 1st place in the Outstanding Program Implementation on Philippine Plan of Action on Nutrition in the Bicol Region in 2006; DENR Saringaya Awardee in 2008; Best City Police Station from 2004-2007, and its chief of police, Col. Tomasito T. Clet, awarded by Best Chief of Police of the Year in 2008; National Champion in the 2008 International Organization of Folk Arts Dance Drama (Iriga Central School); Gold and Silver Medallist in the 2008 Hong Kong International Youth and Children’s Choir Festival (University of Northeastern Philippines Chorale); 1st place in the 2008 Regional Achievement Test (Iriga Central School); 2008 National Commission for Culture and the Arts awardee in Poetry (Kristian S. Cordero), and 2008 Brigada Eskwela awardee (Iriga North Central School).

If you haven’t been to this city, make time to visit one of these days. You won’t regret it.

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‘Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin’

Maxene Magalona takes a full circle as she stars in the sinenovela “Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin.” Her father, the late Francis Magalona, appeared in the original movie version of the film which starred Sharon Cuneta.

In an earlier telenovela version of the movie “Una Kang Naging Akin,” Maxene played the role which was also played by Sharon Cuneta.

This is the second time that Maxene played an original Sharon Cuneta starrer.

“First, it was difficult for me,” Maxene said. “I could not avoid comparing myself with the acting prowess of the megastar. I had to make a lot of preparation so that I could at least approximate her excellent acting. I was also nervous.”

But for the second time with “Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin,” Maxene said that she has the necessary self-confidence already. Without going away from what the role calls for, “I have to put in my own brand of acting. I am already well-prepared, and I can fully give justice to the role.”

In the original movie version, Jackie Lou Blanco and Ricky Davao were also in the cast. Now in the sinevola, Jackielou Blanco also appears.

If the answers of the stars are to be taken as the gauge, the family still rates as the priority of every Filipino. Asked if what in their lives they would not like to be taken away from them, they answered individually that it is their respective family.

“Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin” is part of the 59th anniversary celebration of GMA Network. It airs today, June 22 on GMA-7’s Dramarama Sa Hapon.

The sinenovela stars Patrick Garcia, Maxene Magalona, Glaiza de Castro and introducing Pinoy Sole Survivor JC Tiuseco in his first drama series.

Also in the cast are Jackie Lou Blanco, Nonie Buencamino, Emilio Garcia, Joanne Quintas, Jackie Rice, Rich Asuncion, Jace Flores and Lovely Rivero.

Maxene plays the role of Maureen Andrada, an adopted child who grows beautiful, kind-hearted, diligent and close to her father, Gilbert.

Glaiza plays the character of Gladys Andrada, the spoiled, rebellious and spiteful daughter who is mean to Maureen.

The gap, tension and competition between the sisters continue as they grow. Gladys does everything to get even with Maureen. Can Maureen endure all the pain inflicted on her by Gladys?

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for June 22, go to former Sen. Jovito Salonga, US-based actress Giselle Tongi Walters, Atty. Emily Padua of Pagcor, Mrs. Corazon Sandico, Atty. Paul Lim, Atty. Wowee Posadas, Evelyn Mateo, Pabiana Vinoya, Leo Laud, Singapore-based Doris Velasco, Jacquelyn Vargas, Virginia Viloria-Delmonte of Rhode Island, New York; Dahlia G. Sindingan, Rosalinda “Baby” Diestro, Esa Atienza, Brgy. Kagawad Ricky T. Laurenciana of Brgy. 116, Zone 9, Tondo, Manila; Mico Aytona of “Walang Tulugan” and Suzi Entrata-Abrera of GMA-7’s “Unang Hirit.” Belated happy father’s day to Erik and Erning Punzalan and Archie Reyes...