I’ve been the Director of two Barangay Fiesta features last April. The Romans named it “April”—“Aprilis” originated from aperire meaning to open most likely because it is the season in which buds begin to open; it was called Easter month by the Anglo-Saxons. In our old hometown San Esteban, it is the month when most of the Barangays celebrate festivals that connotes thanksgiving for the bountiful blessings they received. It is also the time when community folks share merriment that signifies unity, progress and harmony among them.   

One of these features is the Mutya ng Ansad Quest 2006, the highlight of the 2006 Barangay Ansad Fiesta. This pursuit aspired to serve as an avenue for the promotion of the Barangay’s wholesome environment and its agricultural industry. 

This search was an invitational beauty and brain contest open to all 16 to 21 years old ladies from our province. We had 7 contestants coming from Candon City, Santa Lucia, Santiago and Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur namely:

1.                            Gemma Manangan Gallandez from Balingaoan, Candon City. Gemma is a 20 year old 3^rd Year Nursing student of the University of Northern Philippines, Vigan City. She is the daughter of Mr. Amador and Lolita Gallandez. She gained the 1^st Runner-up and the Miss Intelligence title during the pageant.

2.                            Michelle Galanto from Alincaoeg, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur. Mitch is an 18 year old Hotel and Restaurant Management student of the Sea and Sky College, San Fernando City. She is the daughter of Mr. Eduardo and Estela Galanto.

3.                            Aprillyn Elefante from Busel-busel, Santiago, Ilocos Sur. April is an 18 year old 2^nd year Industrial Technology student of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College Santa Maria Campus. She is the daughter of Mr. Gregorio and Narcisa Elefante.

4.                            Mary Joy Gabuat from Poblacion Sur, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur. She is an 18 year old 2^nd year Education student at the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College Santa Maria Campus. She is the daughter of Mr. William and Prescila Gabuat. She won the Best in Evening Gown award.

5.                            Marie Kris Liad from Ambucao, Santiago Ilocos Sur. Marie is a 17 year old 2^nd year nursing student of the United Christian College San Fernando City. She is the daughter of Mr. Alfredo and Milagros Liad. She was the Best Performer in the Production Number.

6.                            Maria Alelie German from San Isidro, Candon City. Leng is a 19 year old stunner taking up Bachelor of Arts major in Economics and minor in Political Science at the University of the Philippines, Baguio City. She is the daughter of the Widow Amelia German. She believes that “In time, take time while time has to pass, for time has no time, when time is passed.” She performed Gymnastics skills that amazed Ansad folks and won the Miss Talent minor award. She obtained the Best in Tribal Costume in her “abel” decorated with feathers designed by Chivas, her talented make-up artist from Candon City. She was crowned the Mutya ng Ansad 2006.

7.                            Marinell Espanto Cuenca from Parioc 1^st, Candon City. Manell is a 19 year old college student. She is the daughter of Mr. Daniel Sr. and Marie Cuenca. She succeeded as the 2^nd Runner-up and the Best in Swimsuit in this show.

To plump for the finest candidate from each of the different minor awards, it is difficult enough, but to discern just one as the quintessence of intelligence, beauty and grace required the proficiency of the judges which are as follows:

1.                           Miss Rosario Sabugo Vergara, the 6^th Child of Brgy. Capt. Juanito Jr. and Daisy Sabugo Vergara. A 2^nd Year Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology student at Lorma College, San Fernando City. She is the SK Chairman of Poblacion and an Ex -officio Sangguniang Bayan Member in her capacity as the Sangguniang Kabataan Federated President.

2.                           Miss Estela Edralin Imperial, a principled woman functioning as the Court Stenographer of the 6^th Municipal Trial Court Santiago-San Esteban, Ilocos Sur. She was elected as the Auditor of the Court Stenographic Reporters Association of the Philippines, Ilocos Sur Chapter.

3.                           Miss Bernadette Robillard Castro, one of this year’s summer balikbayans from Canada where she works as a nurse.

4.                           Mr. Arman Adajar, an amiable Registered Physical Therapist. He is a Trainor’s Training Methodology Course Holder of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority and the General Manager of K Mart PX Goods located at the Candon City Supermarket. At present, he works as a Trainor/Instructor at the Prima Care Training and Development Center, Candon City.

5.                           Mr. Joeland Medina Castro, the humble son of the late Rogelio Castro of Ansad, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur and Mrs. Carmen Medina Castro of Iloilo City. He is a Registered Medical Technologist and employed as a Medical Technology Staff in Dallah Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

6.                           Mr. Mario Vergara Racela, the Chairman of the Board of Judges. He is one of the foundations as the Director of the famed Harana At Iba Pa in full swing in the year 1988. He was the organizer to break new ground and the Chairman of the first ever beauty and brain contest in the midst of young ladies from our town, the search for the NEW Miss San Esteban which started in the year 2002. He is also one of the Advisers and the writer of the News Bits column of the official website of San Esteban, the San Esteban Website, www.sanesteban.com.ph . 

The members of the board of tabulators are Mrs. Josephine Castro Dumlao, the Principal II of Ansad Elementary School (AES) and Miss Ayryne Leaño Elaydo, the charming daughter of our Municipal Engineer, Mr. Rosalino Favo Elaydo of Ansad, San Esteban, llocos Sur and Mrs. Cecilia Leaño Elaydo of Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. Ayryne works as a teacher at the St. Louis School Center, Baguio City.  

The event was hosted by Miss Rowena C. Caceres, the eldest daughter of Retired Rural Sanitary Inspector Edilberto Caceres and Thelma Caceres. Weng is a secondary school teacher in science, technology and computer at the Burgos National High School. She was assisted by our scriptwriter, Mr. Angel E. Ordoñez, son of Mrs. Felicitas Ordoñez. Angel is the School Librarian, Marching Band Trainor and a Faculty Member of the Santiago Institute. 

He who obtains a good deed should by no means overlook it. Hence, we convey our earnest appreciation to the following donors that in one way or the other facilitated in the accomplishment of this endeavour:

Mutya ng Ansad 2006 + Trophy – P 5, 000.00 + 420  - Mr. & Mrs. Florencio De Guzman and Family – P 2,500.00

1^st Runner-up + Trophy – P 3, 000.00 + 380 - Mr. Rogerico Edralin and Miss Isabel Vergara

2^nd Runner-up+ Trophy – P 2, 000.00  -  SPM Meljohn Versoza

Miss Talent + Trophy – P 1, 000.00 + 350 - Miss Estela Imperial

Miss Intelligent + Trophy – P 1, 000.00 + 350 -  Mr. & Mrs. Pedro Eleccion

Best in Swimsuit + Trophy – P 1, 000.00 + 280 - SBM Arnold Eala

Best Performer + Trophy – P 1, 000.00 + 280 - Miss Rosefe Elaydo

Best in Costume + Trophy – P 1, 000.00 + 280 - Mr. and Mrs. Elmor Castro

Best in Evening Gown + Trophy – P 1, 000.00 + 280 - Vice Mayor Norman V. Mendoza

Consolation Prize – P 500.00 x 4 – P 2,000.00 - Mr. Robert Guzman

Mr. Joeland Castro                                                                      P 1, 000.00

Mayor Armando V. Abad                                                                1, 000.00

Mr. & Mrs. Danny & Rachel Fernando                                        1, 000.00

SBM George Balmaceda                                                                    500.00

SBM Jose Eleccion                                                                              500.00

SBM Rogelio Arreola                                                                           500.00

Miss Angelita Arce                                                                                500.00

Engr. and Mrs. Rosalino Elaydo                                                       500.00

Mrs. Josephine Dumlao                                                                       500.00

Gerald Eligio & Kaye Benitez                                                             500.00

Mr. & Mrs. Rodel Pastor                                                                       500.00

Mr. & Mrs. Winston & Susan Europa                                                500.00

Miss Bernadette Castro                                                                      500.00

Mrs. Dolores T. Vergara                                                                      500.00

Mr. & Mrs. James Young                                                                      500.00

Mr. & Mrs. Aidan Fowler                                                                      500.00

Mr. & Mrs. Jessie Sumibcay                                                               500.00

Mr. & Mrs. Arnulfo Pilar                                                                        500.00

SBM Godeofredo Tabila                                                                      300.00

Mrs. Joan Casilla                                                                                  300.00

Mr. Marvin Ong                                                                                     300.00

ABC Pres. & Mrs. Eulogio Eleccion Jr.                                          200.00

Miss Olympia Elaydo                                                                          200.00

Mrs. Elsa Fernandez                                                                           200.00

Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Castro                                                                    200.00

Engr. Frank Tabilog                                                                            200.00

Mrs. Pepita T. Benitez                                                                         200.00

Mrs. Rizalina Esperanza                                                                    200.00

Mr. Alexander Eleccion                                                                       200.00

Ms. Gemma Castro                                                                               100.00

Mrs. Leonila Basquez                                                                          100.00

SBM Miranda                                                                                          100.00

SBM Florence V. Ramirez, M.D.

Miss Nilda Eleccion

Mrs. Annie Vidal

Ms. Bernadette Obille

     We thank you very much!

            I salute also the committee members for a job well done!

                        Chairman – Kgd. Sherwin A. Castro

                        Vice-chairman – Brgy. Sec. Armando Elaydo

                        Secretary – Miss Dwina Shane C. Pacpaco

                        Choreographer – Jumar Ea

                        Assistant – Reyn Carrido

                        Scriptwriter – Mr. Angel Ordoñez

                        Arts and Designs – Rynna Estraela

                        Director – Arturo Barrey (It’s me!)

            This competition  is a consideration of the look for a “natural beauty”, sense of style, poise and confidence, physical fitness and health, stage presence and carriage, how they wear the gown and not the gown itself, personal poise and grace, how well they articulate their views, their sense of independence, convictions, maturity and an understanding of issues around them. It was then the over-all impression that topped it all. 

            I had a wonderful time in our first meeting of my Aunt Diana Barrey Everitt from Phoenix, Arizona last March 25, 2006 at the Ramirez Beach Resort. We had a simple Barrey Family reunion where we met a lot of relatives from Pidigan, Abra and Puspos, Bantay, Ilocos Sur. It’s her first time to be here in PI after 57 years. This brilliant internet thru our official website was the primary tool that we met. She found my name last 2004 at the Harana At Iba Pa column, I was then the Director. She saw my surname to be BARREY, a perfect match with her maiden name and thought that somewhat there is a relationship. She then emailed my lovely friend ZAN and asked information about me. She decided to come here from then. This first acquaintance fortifies the idiom “rendezvous with destiny”.  

Hello to my Aunt Diana Barrey Everitt! May the good Lord bless and keep you and your family. My sweet regards to all our relatives there in Phoenix, Arizona. I hope and pray to meet them all soon!