Our very dignified and dynamic Mayor, Hon. Armando V. Abad; our enthusiastic service-oriented, young-at-heart Vice Mayor, Hon. Norman V. Mendoza; active and gregarious members of the Sangguniang Bayan, our generous benefactors, supporters and sponsors here and abroad, officers and members of the Harana Atbp. 2006 headed by Dr. Florence V. Ramirez and Mrs. Lily A. Foronda, the members of the Board of Judges and Tabulators - with the Chairman, Mrs. Marites T. Valdez, my good friend Dr. Francisco Lopez, all contestants who participated in this annual festivity, our dear audience, friends, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

HARANA had evolved through the years. It has become a way of life not only to San Estebanians but to all the residents of the 2^nd District of Ilocos Sur. Its ultimate goal of developing the singing skills of individuals, on knowing their talents, expressing their experiences through songs and dances, exposing their socio-cultural prowess, and integrating the values of friendship, camaraderie, goodwill and sportsmanship among contestants had made HARANA a culture of excellence and globalization. HARANA had carve a legacy long to be remembered and cherished. HARANA had united our townspeople, regardless of religious and political affiliations, gender, age, and even education.

Iti HARANA isu ti nangted regta, ayat, karit, tured, kappia ken panagkaykaysa tayo amin saan laeng iti San Esteban no di ket iti intero a Segundo distrito ti Ilocos Sur.

Iti HARANA isu ti ruangan ken rangtay iti distansia iti nagbaetan tayo ken dagiti kailian tayo nga adda iti ballasiw iti taaw.

Iti HARANA isu ti tulbek iti panagliklik iti bisio para kadagiti agtutubo ta pinsaranta na iti kabaelan da nga mangipakita iti talento da.

Iti HARANA isu nangburay maris, nagan ken kultura nga naisurat iti bulong iti pakasaritaan iti San Esteban.

Dagitoy nga saguday, isu nangbiag ken nangparagsak kadatayo amin kada aldaw ti Sabado.

Saan koma a nagteng daytoy nga ballaigi ken progreso no awan dagiti personalidad nga nanginaw, nangbukel, nangimplementar, nangsuporta ken nangitandodo iti daytoy nga programa.

Special mention iti utek iti daytoy a ganuat nga isu ti “AMA ti HARANA” ni Dr. Galahad “Ben” Vergara Barcelona nga pimmusay itay nabiit. Kasta met ken Mr. Mario V. Racela nga original director iti HARANA. Iti kinasariritda, iti panagayatda, iti tibkerda ken iti nabaknang nga sirmatada, nagtubo, dimmakkel ken nagbunga iti adu ti HARANA…. Ammo mi a naragsak ni Dr. Ben iti kaadayo iti nagteng ti HARANA.

Daytoy ket dinanggayan ti kinaaktibo iti Chairperson tayo iti HARANA committee 2004 ken 2006, ni Dr. Florence V. Ramirez, ken iti Vice Chairman na ni Mrs. Lily A. Foronda, iti makaina, makamasa ken manangayat nga sagudayda ket isu ti nangpapigsa, nangisayangkat, ken nangsuporta iti panagtultuloy iti daytoy nga programa.

Of course, we would also acknowledge the support, concern and love provided by the municipal government for without them, HARANA would have not reach this BIG, gigantic popularity.

Credit is hereby granted to our past prestigious, competent and talented pool of judges who had given their time and expertise to bring the best talent to join in the finals.

Kudos is hereby granted to the officers, members, emcees, board of tabulators, dancers, choreographers, artists, utilities and others that made up the HARANA committee for their commitment, unending passion and helping facilitate in the operations and services for the benefit of the viewing public.

Kadakayo amin ti biag iti HARANA, adda kadatayo ti puso iti daytoy nga programa ket kadakayo amin nga adda talento na nga mangipagpartisipar iti daytoy nga addang. Saanyo nga bukbukodan iti talentoyon no di ket ipakita ken iburay tayo ta maindengan, maapresyar, ken maitandodo ket agbalin tayo a pagpannakkel iti ili tayo.

And to my staff who supported me all through the weekly contests, uray no nauyongak:

Ekong, Erwin, Dondar, Micol, Bong, Hyatt, Shayne, Rina, Criswell, Rio, Lubby, Pot, Cding, Yong, Pong, Arti, May, Josie, Teret, July, Titanic, Weng, Mamai, Benita, Jeffson, Jolex, Lotus, Maying, Chelsea, Pat, Chat, Vlady, Sonny, TGSE, Friends Forever, ACES dagitoy miyembro iti Peñas Sound System nga kanayon nga bugkawak aglalo no aglagto ti CD’s ti contestants wenno madi ti panagdengngeg ko, idaulwan ni Mr. Bernard Peña. Agyamanak man kadakayo amin and always remember this – do not put effort over needless things, nor spend time in vain, for sadness results when we fail, or are ashamed of what we have worked for.

Kakabsat Iti HARANA kukuatayo, para kanyatayo ken biagtayo.

Let us continue the night’s affair and be filled with entertainment and passion. Let’s all be merry and gay! Fill the nights with the air of Christmas, joy and laughter. Marvel the HARANA spirit! Explore the HARANA magic! Enjoy the HARANA fever! And FEEL THE HARANA TOUCH!

To all of you, may you be serenaded fully. May your trips be as luxury as HARANA could bring you. Mabuhay HARANA! Mabuhay San Esteban! Mabuhay tayong lahat!

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Special thanks to Manang Dee of Oregon for sponsoring my 3K attire for the Balikbayan Night on December 25, 2006.