Hello San Estebanians, once again the most awaited and grandest barangay fiesta among the barangays of San Esteban has again hit its mark of success. Barangay Apatot is indeed a simple and humble barangay but yet very progressive. Despite of the present economic crisis of our country, still they were able to prove that above all hardships, camaraderie and the spirit of giving joy to everyone surpasses all difficulties. In so short a time at least enjoyment, excitement and laughter has replaced the worries of daily living by the people of Apatot. There had been several activities as their way of celebrating this year’s barangay fiesta. One of which is the Basketball tournament in 4 divisions, the 15 years old below boys, 15 years old below girls, 30 years old below and the Sangguniang Kabataan. For the 15 years old boys division the Sea Warriors made it as the champion composed by Amante Eligio, Jimmy Medina, Alvin Berzabal, Jaymar Eligio, Jomar Medina, Darwin Eligio, Melvin Eligio, Rodolfo Eligio, Elvin Vergara, Justin Cortado, Jose Cabradilla, Vincent Soriano and Simon Eligio; 1st runner-up was the team of Centro East and 2nd runner-up was the team of Centro West.

     In the 15 years old below Sea Warriors was the champion with its team members Jamaima Cortado, Roda Eligio, Melissa Eligio, Roselyn Toquero, Annalyn Castro, Jacky Bermejo, Marijo Quilaosin, Brenda Quilaosin and Roxini Baldeviso. For the 30 years old below, the champion was Sea warriors with team members Rodel Eligio, Rommel Eligio, Francisco Gamboa, Dennis Quilaosin, Pedrito Eligio Jr., Roderick Cañas, Joel Ofiana, Johny Eligio, Eulogio Baldeviso, Gerald Baldeviso and Gary Baldeviso, while the first and second runner-up was Apatot Sur and Apatot Norte respectively.

     For the Sangguniang Kabataan the De-Colores team was the champion with its team members Medardo Abad Jr., William Baldeviso, Edioson Ramoga, Zaldy Bermejo, Joy Cañas, Elord Cañas, Cristobal Cabradilla, Juanito Quilaosin, Roderick Varela, Randy Vidal and Richard Albayalde, 1st runner-up was the Emperador team and 2nd runner-up was Apatot Norte.

     There had also an exhibition between the Barangay Council and the Tanod which Mr. Harisberto Europa a Balikbayan who has been a former member of the Council played with the team of his former colleagues the Barangay Council. This exhibition game was won by the Tanods.

     There had also a basketball game between the BABBAKET and BABAKLA which gave a lot of laughter and cheer to everyone who has witnessed the game, the team of the BABAKLA made it as the champion with Felix Vergara Jr. aka “YAOMING”, Melario Bermejo Jr. aka “MAXIPEEL”, Leopoldo Dasalla aka “WHITEFEET”, Rolando Cadano aka “YELLOW FEET, Bryan Caceres aka “BAGDAD IRAQ”, Bryan Barney aka “DUGONG”, Marvin Caceres aka “LEBANON”, Marvin Taos aka “GUAPA”, the 1st runner-up was the Marker team and the 2nd runner-up was the Norte team.

     There had also been a swimming tournament in two divisions for 15 years old below champion was Simon Eligio,1st runner up was Flor Timoteo, 2nd runner up was Jaymar Eligio. For the 30 years old below division the champion was Dante Timoteo, Lorde Eligio was the 1st runner up and Ronnie Cabrarilla was the 2nd runner up. In the Marathon Dante Timoteo made it as the champion, Jeffrey Medina was the 1st runner up and Ronnie Cabradilla was the 2nd runner up.

     Another event was the siwit-siwit race with 2 pilots required; the champion was Jon-Jon Real and Reynaldo Eligio, Jessie Quilaosin and Carlos Quarto as the 2nd placers.

     In another event again Jon-Jon Real made it to the 1st place in the Rakit Race and Mario Flores garnered the 2nd place. For the local boat race, champion was Banca Eunice owned by Mr. Vladimir Maala and the pilot was Inocencio Quencio.

     For the Invitational boat race, champion was Mr. Edmund Caceres with Banca RNR owned by Butch Ponce. The prizes for the local and invitational boat race was donated by Mr. & Mrs. William and Bona Esperanza of Monterey Park, California U.S.A..

     On the eve April 24, 2005 was the Balikbayan Night, this has been the way of the Barangay Council to welcome the balikbayans and specially to thank them for their overwhelming support in this years barangay fiesta. The balikbayans who were present on this affair were Mr. & Mrs. Harisberto Europa, Mr. & Mrs. Bejamin Sabas, Mr Raul Sabas, Mr. & Mrs. Roger Corpuz and Mr. Kickevin Corpuz, Mr. & Mrs. William Sabas, Mr. & Mrs. Esmenio Sabas Sr., Mr & Mrs Esmenio Sabas Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Pedro Eligio, Miss Siony Europa, Mrs Belen Diga, Mr. & Mrs. Laurentino Udarbe, Mr. Dionisio Paesta and Mr. Reynald Cadacio.

     The main event for the Apatot Barangay Fiesta celebration was the Coronation of the Mrs. Apatot 2005 is Mrs. Rosario Mariano Elaydo with total votes of P300,014.00, 1st princess was Mrs. Elyn Europa Corpuz with P 232,517.75 votes, 2nd princess was Mrs. Cristy Enrado Ramirez with votes of P 151,190.00, 3rd princess is Mrs. Lorna de Asis Barcelona with votes of P 103,286.25 and 4th princess is Mrs. Yolanda Quati Gamboa with P 28,813.00 votes.

     The coronation was held on April 25, 2005 at 8:00 pm which was attended by all the balikbayans who especially came home for their barangay fiesta. The Hon. Mayor Armando Abad, Hon. Vice-Mayor Norman Mendoza, and SBM Dra. Florence Ramirez were also present. Also there was Dr. Rogelio Galat a supervisor from the Department of Education, Cong. Eric Singsong of the 2nd District of Ilocos Sur was the crowning guest on this affair, but due to unavoidable circumstances that his duties and responsibilities calls for him, Dr. Candonino Gazmen, came in the absence of the Hon. Congressman.

     A super variety show which has been like a mini-concert was held on April 26, 2005. Different talented groups came to entertain not only the people of Apatot because there have been audience who came from different barangays and even neighboring towns .

     At first these were supposed to only be the evening events on their barangay fiesta but there has been a special request by the locals of Apatot to have a search for Miss Gay Apatot and the Barangay Council immediately responded to the call of their people and ask me to organize the said pageant, Mr. Angelito Ordoñez and Brgy. Sec. Jimmy Valencia were my co-emcees on the night of the said pageant. The boards of judges for this search were composed by Hon. Riolita Balbalan, Vice-Mayor of the Municipality of Burgos, Ilocos Sur, Dr. Francisco Lopez, Mrs. Zorayda Mendoza wife of the Hon. Norman Mendoza. Mr. Esmenio Sabas Jr. and Mr. Miguel Bermejo. Board of Tabulators was composed by Mrs. Minerva Milliones and Mrs. Marissa Oandasan. The Miss Summer Gay Apatot 2005 was Rommel Raguaton aka Melay Quiray, 1st runner-up was Von Erwin Cabalona aka Judy Ann Santos and 2nd runner-up was Juliana Palermo of Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Once again I’d like to thank the Barangay Council of Apatot for having me as Coordinator for the Miss Summer Gay Apatot 2005.

     There has been the highlights on the Apatot Barangay Fiesta 2005 and the Apatot barangay council would like to thank their beloved balikbayans and barangay mates abroad who gave financial and moral support, and to their special donors here and abroad, and to all those in one way or another have contributed much to the success of Barangay Apatot Fiesta 2005.

     May I also congratulate the whole Barangay council of Apatot headed by their very active and responsible Barangay Captain Junard Eurupa, who has a remarkable leadership. And to everyone who has given effort for this fiesta celebration, it’s again another job well done. And we are looking forward to a grander celebration next years to come.

     There you have it everyone I hope for those who are far away from home, may this article bring you our warm hellos and embraces, you might not been with us, but somehow in deep thoughts you celebrated with us.

     To all visitors of the San Esteban website, come and experience our beautiful beaches and discover the inviting sceneries of our town, we have here resorts that will let you feel the comfort of your own home.

     This has been Rowena Sabugo Ricafrente reporting on “What’s Hap’nin Here” only on the 1st ever Municipal Website of Ilocos Sur, the San Esteban.com.ph.