TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan—The province of Cagayan winds up its weeklong celebration of its 434th founding anniversary during its Aggao Nac Cagayan celebration that ends today.
The 434th Aggao Nac Cagayan 2017 celebration started with a tree-planting activity conducted at the sub-capitol grounds led by Gov. Manuel N. Mamba, provincial capitol department heads, consultants, and employees to instill awareness on protecting the environment.
Archbishop Sergio L. Utleg, who led the thanksgiving Mass, also led the cycling enthusiasts in Cagayan from the towns of Sanchez Mira, Gonzaga, Gattaran, Tuguegarao City and Tabuk City in the province during the Grand Pedal Viaje that opened the weeklong activities.
The weeklong celebration ends today at the Basilica Minore of Piat in honor of Our Lady of Piat, one of the most venerated Marian images of Mary in the Philippines and is referred to as the “Miraculous Mother of Cagayan.”
This year’s theme is “Paddarafunan, Pabaruen ti Cagayan.” “Pabaruen” is an Ilocano term that means “to renew” while “Paddarafunan” is an Ibanag term meaning “gathering.”
“We want to show the natural charm of local culture, focusing on the development, marketing and promotion of the province history and heritage as well as its various indigenous products, lifestyle as pride of the place,” Mamba said.
Improved economy is the need to nurture culture and tradition, to bind the communities together and draw visitors to experience the province way of life, he added.
The governor said before his term ends, he visualizes a better Cagayan by implementing more projects in the province and to make Cagayan great again through collective efforts among the leaders and the populace.
“Let us vision for a better Cagayan for the future of the children and the next generations,” Mamba said.
Meanwhile, lawyer Mabel Villarica-Mamba, the better half of the governor and chairperson of the awards committee, said the first-ever Dangal ng Lahing Cagayano heightened the festivity by giving awards to outstanding Cagayanos who have excelled in their field of expertise.
Awardees were picked from the fields of government service, entrepreneurship, agriculture and fisheries, medicine, law, community development women empowerment science, technology and engineering, education, sports, music, arts and culture, broadcast journalism economics, peace and order.
Dangal ng Lahing Cagayano is the search for the outstanding Cagayanos who have contributed to nation-building and have served their community in an outstanding capacity, have helped contribute to the development of the province and were an inspiration to their fellow men especially to his fellow Cagayanos, Mamba stressed.
Among other Gintong Medalya awardees, Dr. Ronal Guzman was awarded for his expertise in Education and Public Service, Armed Forces 5th Infantry Division Commander Paul Atal for Peace and Order while Miguel Decena Jr. for Business and Entrepreneurship.
During the festival, 27 out of the 29 towns joined in this year’s trade fair. Each booth has displaced an agri-fishery products and modern technologies booth to promote their products that are mostly hand-crafted by the locals at the “Product and Technology Trade Fair” at the capitol grounds.
Mamba said the trade fair gives opportunities to the local government units to market their products as well as help local entrepreneurs earn for their daily needs.
The governor said there are many local products that the province could be proud of but local producers need assistance to infiltrate the market for their products to be sold.
Simultaneous conduct of Bloodletting was undertaken at Ballesteros District Hospital, Northern Cagayan District Hospital, Baggao District Hospital, Lasam District Hospital, Matilde Olivas District Hospital, Aparri District Hospital, Provincial Capitol Grounds, Nuestra Senora De Piat District Hospital and District Hospital which aims to provide continuous supply of safe blood to patients from the different parts of the province.
The first Linubian festival, a cooking contest where the main ingredient is cassava was lauded by visitors for its round big sizes making the town of Tuao as the winner with 1.75 in diameter, Baggao as second placer and Sta. Teresita town as third placer.Among the array of activities are Parada ng Cagayan Folk dances, Mural Design and Execution Competition, Cultural Presentation featuring Malaueg performing arts, Cultural Shows that showcase all the different talents from Cagayan each night, LAYAG ng Cagayan Lecture Series on the history and culture of Cagayan.
Other events included the Batang Cagayano Chess Cup, First Gabi na Pattaraday, Cagayan Quiz bee at UCV Greyhound gym, Gavi ng Pataradday, Paddarafungan Anna Pagarammungan, Rescuelympics, FUTUREArch 2017 Design Competition among architecture students, Animal Display that have showcase all purebred animals in Cagayan and will also give an opportunity to entrepreneurs to display and sell their livestocks at the Gaggayam, Night Market, Trading Post and Auction Center.
A big crowd gathered for the Gary Valenciano concert and the band Parokya ni Edgar perform at the Cagayan Sports Complex.