Untouchable family /Pakpak beauty pageant

BULL’S HIT
Rudy Garcia

BAGUIO CITY -- Seldom do I go and watch beauty pageants but I couldn’t say no to a relative joining the recently held Miss Teen Baguio 2009 at the Baguio Convention Center. Before this, the last time I watched a similar event was when my daughter joined the Miss University of Baguio 2009 pageant.

She was then the lone bet of the UB engineering department. In comparison, the Miss UB pageant was a lot much better in terms of organization and handling of the show than the Miss Teen Baguio 2009. Sad to say but it was so disgusting to note how lousy the show was handled.

The show started at 9 p.m. from the usual 7 p.m. It was surprise we are Pinoys so eventually they followed Pinoy time. It was a good start but kapalpakan started at the bottom of the show and got worst during the announcing and awarding of winners. Some emcees were doing and saying lots of nonsense blah, blah trying to be papogi they often made mistakes.

The worst scenario was when the candidates, after being declared winners in some categories were stripped off with their titles right at the stage because of inconsistencies in their tabulation. If I were the parent of one of the candidates, I should have done the same like that man who pulled out his relative candidate from the stage while the awarding ceremony was going on.
Though the chairman of the board of judges, Troy Mencio tried to explain the kapalpakans the audience continued to shout “booh”. I wonder if the organizers became embarrassed. If not, they were thick-faced stupid nincompoops.

As expected, negative reactions flooded after the show. In fact, some of them told me their sentiments. I was also informed that a lady who was a member of the board of judges, walked out during the show. Perhaps this lady couldn’t stomach what was going on. Well, it is good to say nonetheless that the winners were deserving of their crowns and titles.

Congratulations. But to the organizers, staff and some of the emcees, please do better next time. We can’t afford to watch another lousy kind of event. Bale masuka lang kami. Right kabagis Abet Quilala? Trabaho lang, walang personalan!
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I wonder why Mayor Florencio Bentrez of Tuba, Benguet seems to be helpless in going after violators of laws. To start with, a certain Mr. De Castro sought the help of the Tuba municipal government in putting a stop to development and building of structures by the Balajadias on a certain lot or land he claimed was their property.

After presenting his documents and claims that the Balajadias’ didn’t t have building permit or fencing permits, Bentrez issued an administrative order urging the Balajadias to stop their construction. The latter ignored the order but built a fence and continued constructing instead. Another order was again issued but again was ignored by the respondents. A final order was then issued, but still the Balajadias seemed not to care in following the orders.

At this point, De Castro made a follow-up, but got the surprise of his life when the good mayor told him that he (mayor) could do nothing, and advised him (De Castro) to file the case in court. What makes it more funny, is when I accompanied De Castro to the office of the municipal governor at capitol building, in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Vice Gov. Crescencio Pacalso told us Bentrez could be “nasasaniban ng masamang espiritu.” He added “pwede daw tulugan ni mayor ang kaso ng walang building permit si Balajadia” Haha! ha! How funny these officials could be. Ay apo, agpanunot kayo met ah, haan nga itugtugawan yu laeng dagiti reklamo!

Attention, Mayor Bentrez, do you have any plan to take action against the Balajadias for their acts of defying your administrative orders? If none, then it’s a wonder why! But if you have, then I am sure you are not among those who are joining the magic group of pulpol-liticos.