MORE NEWS, IFUGAO

Search on for beauties in Ifugao town fiesta
By Jun Kindipan Dumar

LAGAWE, Ifugao-The search for the most beautiful native young women here is on as town officials prepared for the launching of its town fiesta on April 24.

Councilor Mariflor Dipia-o, committee chairperson bared requirements for applicants to the the “Search for Miss Lagawe: must be an Ifugao native and a resident of the municipality, must not be less than five feet in height and must be 18 years old but not more than 23 during the pageant.

Birth certificates are also required as proof of date of birth. Medical certificate is also required to reveal if the candidate is physically fit to join the event.
Married, pregnant, and single parents are disqualified to join said pageant.

Winners in the most awaited showdown of Lagawe beauties would be be entries in the “Search for Miss Ifugao June this year during the Ifugao Day celebrations.

“Candidate in this selection must agree that if selected as winner, she must abide by the rules and regulations governing the pageant and must agree to participate in other pageants requiring the representation of the municipality,” Dipia-o said.

Candidates who are interested to join the pageant should accomplish the following requirements: application form available at the office of the sanguniang bayan, medical certificate from RHU-Lagawe, photo copy of birth certificate (original must be presented) and photo copy of community tax certificate.

General criteria for judging are poise and beauty (40 %), wit for (30 %), talent (20 %) and stage presence and overall impact at ten percent.

Those interested, may contact councilors Dipia-o at 0918-232-9333 or Maria Tasha Habawel at 0926-616-5615.


Religious groups, PNP move to curtail illegal gambling in Ifugao
By Vency D. Bulayungan

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Religious and civic group in coordination with the police and the local government units here are now coordinating to stop illegal gambling in the province.

Fr. Valentin Dimoc, the Social Action for Development Council of the Catholic Mission said that gambling was minimized with proper coordination with the provincial government and the provincial police command.

“With the on going municipal fiestas, we observed that aside from games and amusements, gambling such as salisi, peryahan and some other activities were tolerated by some officials reasoning out that this is a source of funds for the town fiesta thus we have to come in to put a stop to all of these,” Dimoc said.

Gov. Teddy Baguilat issued a directive to all municipal mayors to prohibit gambling which includes salisi and peryahan, drop balls and others in the celebration of town fiestas.

Parish priest Marion Buyagawan said the move of the Catholic Mission to intervene in prohibiting gambling was not palatable to some government elected officials who wanted gaming during the Lagawe town fiesta dubbed Kulpid Lagawe on April 23-25. Kulpi is an Ifugao term which means rest after the planting season.

Buyagawan said the group was successful in stopping gambling with the help of concerned citizens.

Funds were raised to defray transportation of the operators who came as early as first week of April.

The group has to shell out P30,000 for the purpose and continued to raise funds for the prizes of the different activities for the town fiesta.

Buyagawan said donations are pouring in for the operators who are planning to open a foundation in order to raise funds for the next fiestas to come.

“This is the very reason why the municipal government allowed fund raising activities for the town fiesta,” he said.

Meanwhile, the religious congregation in the municipality of Kiangan also met and drafted an appeal to the municipal government to prevent the conduct of gambling activities in the forthcoming town fiesta scheduled on April 30 to May 3.

Parish Rector Samuel Maximo of Kiangan said different religious leaders in the town met to make a common stand against gambling.

In a letter signed by five pastors from the different religious sectors and the Catholic Mission, they appealed to Kiangan Mayor Jonathan Cuyahon never to allow the operation of gambling in celebrating the annual town fiesta.

The signatories claimed gambling is evil, illegal, it could disrupt peace and order and a bad influence on children or minors since they could steal money or anything o they could gamble.

The five pastors who signed the manifesto were Allen Munda of the United Church of Christ in Philippines, Marcos Battolon, Philip Dayag of the Christ is the Answer Church, Alfran Martin of the Channels of Jesus Christ Church and Arsenio Dulnuan of the Love of Christ Ministry.


Ex-Ifugao solon now farming in hometown

KIANGAN, Ifugao- Former Ifugao congressman and governor Gualberto Lumauig is back to farming in his hometown of Alfonso Lista this province.

During his visit to this historic town of Ifugao to pay homage to the late brother of his mother-in-law, Santiago Balajo, a decorated World War II veteran and also considered the oldest Ifugao war veteran, Lumauig said he is enjoying this new life -- farming.

Away from the tumultuous world of politics, one of his goals now is to be a successful farmer to help solve the problem of rice shortage.

He said he is now enjoying a rustic yet fulfilling life which he never experienced before while in politics.

Speaking from experience, Lumauig said adapting new technology and better farming methods can increase rice yield.

This can still be improved if a rice farmer is always mindful to the rudiments of how to improve his rice production.

The 200 cavans that can be harvested per hectare is achievable, but this requires the commitment of the farmer to apply the appropriate methods needed, he said.

To help the rice farmers maximize their production and inspire them to maintain their commitment, government assistance such as improved irrigation and financial assistance for capital are needed, Lumauig said.

Of course good governance is a necessary ingredient. With good officials, he added, a community could be developed for more progress citing Ifugao Gov. Teddy Baguilat as an example if the province wants to be better in the future.

Asked of any plan for a political comeback, Lumauig said he will wait until 2010. “Meanwhile I can concentrate on how to improve more in my farming. -- Dan B. Codamon