Bangalao Feburary 28, 2015

Banggalao - 1

Vol. 3 No. 02 | The Official Newsletter of the 3rd National Ecotourism Festival, Sta. Teresita, Cagayan

Feb. 28, 2015

Birds Park to rise in Sta. Teresita

By Benjie S. De Yro STA. TERESITA, Cagayan Mayor Lolita Garcia will asked the Sangguniang Bayan for a resolution to establish a municipal park on birds as an offshoot of the 3rd national ecotourism festival, February 24 -28 this year.

Garcia, an awardee of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)’s Iddu Award for WomenLocal Governance Category in 2014 said it’s high time to likewise honor the birds for their role and contribution to biodiversity in the municipality.

Initially, she has eyed the 13 various floats which depicted bird

...to page 4

ON THE RAMP. This carabao, in full masquerade regalia, and his master is all set to compete in another festival attraction called Carabao Fashion Show. (RIZZALYN M. MERCADO)

Special Report

Business world ecstatic over Bakong (Conclusion)

Economic potentials

“Swerte-swerte lang ang pamumuhay ng aking mga mamamayan. Swerte pag di nadaanan ng bagyo ang Business and Investment Forum which pananim at malas kung nadaanan”. introduced to the business world a This was Mayor Lolita Garcia newly-discovered water plant called summarized life of her constituents Bakong( Hinguana Malayana). in a presentation during the February The discovery of the plant was 11, 2015 Biodiversity –Friendly accidental as the chief ...to page 5

British investor sits as Diwata Pageant Judge

By Rizzalyn Mercado Mayor Garcia dwarfs giant “birds” as she delivers her 3rd festival message to the hundred of people who came for the national event. (BENITO DALMACEDA)

A British national joined his local counterparts as member of the board of judges in this year’s Search for

Diwata Ng Kalikasan Pageant.

The judge was identified as Trevor Taylor, the first locator of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority who owns and operates ...to page 6

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EDITORIAL

Springboard Macrocosm

T

he recent eco-tourism festival of Sta. Teresita has proven three things: it is not a question of how big or small your municipality is, imaginative planning and resourcefulness can spell the difference and, people will follow if they believe in a project determined to improve their lot.

What Cagayan’s youngest town did for the last three years should now serve as mirror to those willing to listen and learn from their own political blunders in the past. Who will lead a town except leaders they elected? Yet, how can leaders effect their desired change if people look the other way around? It will always takes two to tango because at the end of the day, it will be the people that matters most.

There’s no other way but that. As the local government unit of Sta. Teresita confessed, there will always be ways and means to bring forth development in the form of non-traditional practices and enterprises.

Acceptance of people on such undertaking is crucial to development.

They will know whether their local officials are honest or not. Afterall, it should be a government of the people, for the people and by the people - not only of the select few who should snatch the monopoly of borrowed power.

Surprisingly, Sta. Teresita was able to walk her extra mile along a road less taken. The choice of a festival highlighting one’s natural endowments is deserving of the people’s dreams and aspiration for an alternative way to be merry, earn and preserve. Nature will always be there if resident respect its existence and if people will finally understand that like them, the caves, lakes, birds and all the earth’s goodies are themselves creation of a supreme being. Nature is not vindictive, either as against man’s destructive nature.

Old resident of the town have realized how rich they are in terms of resources the last five decades. Why, the town was a former logging area and the lessons learned by them should now approximate efforts of saying ‘ never again’ to such unabated rape of the environment. A youthful barangay captain summed it all in an interview when he admitted to the local media that they” never did realize that we’re sitting on a goldmine.” Who would have thought that this town, shaped and nurtured by logging operations, would someday rise above its own political miseries and environment curses?

But the rub is that it has eclipsed other towns which two decades earlier were already ahead in tourism promotions as early as the 1990s. On hindsight, maybe, Sta. Teresita was pushed to its own limits; or have decided that it is unforgiven if local officials will relegate themselves to being lame ducks and leave the economic situation of their marginalized constituents to chance, or better, to the gods and goddesses who dwell in the mysterious karts of their mountains.

The festival has proven that now is the right time for Sta. Teresita to assert its eco-tourism capabilities. As Langston Hughes said, ‘ hold fast to your dreams, for without them, life is a broken bird that cannot fly.’

Congratulations Sta. Teresita! Long live the birds!

Editorial Board

Thelma M. Mercado Editor-In-Chief

Visiting Associate Editor Graphic and Design Benjie S. De Yro, PIA-2 Alvin delos Santos, PIA-2 Features and Research Rissalyn Mercado Consultants Mayor Lolita C. Garcia

Dir. Purita S. Licas, PIA-2

Bangalao is the official newsletter of the 3­rd National Ecotourism Festival with editorial office at the Mayor’s Office Sta. Teresita Municipal Hall, Sta. Teresita, Cagayan For comments and suggestion pls. contact number 0927-748-7799, email adress thelma_mercado@yahoo.com

Pasasalamat

Sa Aking Mga Kababayan, Magta-tatlong taon na pala tayo sa ating nasimulan nang hindi man lang natin namamalayan. Sabay-sabay din tayong nangarap, nagpunyagi, naningalang-pugad sa mga tutulong sa atin kaakibat ang taimtim at taos-pusong pagtingala sa langit na gawaran tayo ng bendisyon.

Tatlong taon na rin palang higit na taong napa-igting ang pagkabigkis-bigkis na parang walis at nagkakumpol-kumpol na parang kuhol. Sa gawaing ito, marami rin tayong mga pagsubok na pinagdaanan... mga hinanakit na tiniis , mga bagay na pinagtampuhan at mga kuntil-buntil na karanasan. Lahat ng ito para sa isang higit pang maunlad na pamayanan.

Mahirap ang ating sinusuong dahil nagkalat ang maraming ‘bakit’ at ‘ paano’ ngunit nagawa nating pakpak ang mga ito upang higit pa tayong lumipad at makita sa dako pa roon ang higit na maaliwalas na bukas para na rin sa ating mga mahal sa buhay.

Alam ng lahat na ginagawa ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan ang lahat ng pamamaraan upang maiangat kahit man lamang bahagya ang antas ng pamumuhay ng bawat isa sa atin higit lalo ang mga kababayan natin na naghihikahos. Gayunman, malaki ang aking paniniwala, sampu ng mga miembro ng Sangguniang Bayan, mga kawani ng ating bayan at kayo na aking mga kababayan, na sa nalalapit na hinaharap, mararamdaman na natin ang daluyong ng pag-unlad.

Magkagayunman, nasa ating mga sarili ang mitsa sa sulo ng pagbabago. Sabay-sabay sana nating sindihan ito at hawakan nang sa ganoon, magiging isang malaking siga ito ng pagsulong ng bawat isa sa atin. Hindi matatawaran ang ginagawa nating lahat sa tuwing sasapit ang ating festival. Kung nagawa natin ito sa nakalipas na tatlong taon, kaya-kaya na nating harapin ang darating pang mga balakid dahil naniniwala ako na ang takot ay nasa isip lamang.

Muli, hinihikayat ko ang bawat isa sa atin na magtulungan para sa ating nag-iisang bayan, kalakip na rin ang dalangin na sana, sa darating pang mga araw, babagyuhin tayo ng mga proyektong pang-kaunlaran at uulanin pa ng magandang kapalaran sa tulong na rin ng Higit na Makapangyarihan sa lahat.

Sa ngalan ng buong pwersa ng lokal na pamahalaan, tanggapin ninyo ang aming walang katapusang pasasalamat sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat.

LOLITA C. GARCIA, CPA Municipal Mayor

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One Liners By next year, expect the entire Kalinga province to throw its full support to Sta. Teresita. A sisterhood agreement in the drawing board. o0o For those who haven’t seen the caves of Sta. Teresita, don’t despair.

The Tabaco cave is the first cave visited by a Bombo reporter... for the first time in his life. o0o Jacques Deval was right. God loved the birds and invented trees.

Man loved the birds and invented cages. o0o For all the efforts of Nida Dela Cruz as an environmentalist for the last decade or so, she’s a personal nominee to the PIA Iddu Women Awards (Environment Category) 2015 next month in celebration of Women’s Month. I told her not to bring the birds of Sta. Teresita in Tuguegarao come awarding night.

They will be caged there. o0o If Management is doing things right and leadership is doing the right thing, then Mayor Lolit Garcia is guilty of all charges. o0o She knew that delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too. She’s guilty again. o0o

PIA Notebook

By Benjie S. de Yro Visiting Journalist

You can never please everybody.

There will and always be someone who thinks you did nothing. I have one word for them: Cast Aways! o0o I have something in common with American cavers Beatriz Farlan, David Veelik and Charles Nelson: It’s our third year of participating in the town’s national eco-tourism fest. o0o Mayor Lolit wrote history as the first woman-local chief executive in the country who made furniture from a water plant. Thank you Product Design Center of the Philippines. o0o We expect the officers and members of the Sta. Teresita Receptionists and TourGuides (START) to be very good at what they’re doing. They should. They were trained and are still being trained by Sierra Madre Outdoor Club (SMOC). o0o As a travel writer, I am asked what makes Sta. Teresita’s crack at eco-tourism successful. I answered: PM me. o0o Man should be thankful. He

can grow normally at more than seven inches tall in only a few years.

Stalactites must wait for a hundred year before it can grow an inch . o0o Bakong (Hinguana Malayana) belongs to the family of ginger. I didn’t know ginger can now be made into furnitures, fabric, bags and all kinds of art works. o0o A Nun from St. Francis Academy of Sta. Teresita said environment protection has been a part of their curriculum. I believe her. Nuns don’t lie. Those in the Senate do. o0o Personal: Let me thank the entire officialdom and people of Sta. Teresita for the accomodation they extended to us during the entire duration of the Festival. It’s difficult to mention names but they know who they are. Teresians are not warm and hospitable. THEY ARE VERY. Heavens allow, we’ll see you 2016 for the National Eco-Tourism Festival, Mountaineering edition.

Environment Laws and Policies in the Philippines (In the different periods of our history, the government has passed various laws and policies on environment. Either we are ignorant of the existence of such laws or by nature, we are a country of law breakers. Below are some of those laws we want to share with you in the hope that it might interest you to know more and become an advocate on environment protection. Just how many of them do you really know?-Editor) Presidential Decree (PD) 984 – Pollution Control Law PD 1157 - Philippine Environment Policy which undertakes environment impact assessment for all projects which may significantly affect the environment.

PD 1152 – Philippine Environment Policy which launches comprehensive national program on environment on protection and management standards of noise, air quality, water quality, classification of waste and waste management.

PD 1596 – Defines the framework for implementation of the environment impact assessment.

PD389 (PD705) - Forestry Reform Code. It emphasizes the sustainable utilization of forest resources.

PD 330, PD 953 – These are laws penalizing illegal cutting of trees.

PD 953, PD 1153 – Laws on treeplanting PD 331 – Laws requiring all public forest be developed on a sustainable yield basis PD 704 - Preservation of optimum productivity of fishery resources through conservation and protection PD 1015 – Banning operation of commercial fishing within 7 kilometers from the shoreline PD 1038 – Increases the penalties for illegal forms of fishing PD 1219 – Providing protection of coral ecosystems PD 1067 – Water Code of the Philippines PD 463 – Amended Mining Act of 1936 PD 984 – Pollution Control Law PD 825 –Prohibits improper disposal of garbage Courtesy of bio427.blogspot.com

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Lessons from birds By Thelma Mercado

W

e were surfing the net for additional data to enhance our articles in this issue when we stumbled upon these quotable quotes on birds and man that we decided to share them with you. They were culled from the hundreds that crossed our way. Share them if you must.

It’s impossible to explain creativity. It’s like asking a bird ‘How do you fly?’ You just do. – Jerome Dickey The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply beause they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings- J.M. Barnie In order to see birds, it is necessary to become part of the silence. – Robert Lynd

If mother bird teaches new birdlings to fly, why can’t parents do the same to their children - BSY We think caged birds sing, when indeed they cry. – John Webster God gives every bird its food, but he doesn’t threw it into its nest. – J.G. Holland Birds sing after a storm, why shouldn’t people feel as free to delight in whatever remain of them?

– Rose F.Kennedy There is nothing in which the bird differ more than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before.- Robert Lyrd

The bird dares to break the shell, then the shell breaks open and the bird can fly openly. This is the simplest principle of success. You dream, you dare and you fly. – Ismaelmore Ayivor

God loves the birds and invented trees. Man loved the birds and invented cages.Jacques Deval

The bird fly south for the winter, not because its cold, but because they have wings. – Jarod Kintz

Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly. – Langston Hughes

“What kind of bird are you, if you can’t fly?” said he, to this the duck replied, ‘what kind of bird are you if you can’t swim?’ and dived into the pond. – Sergei Prokofiev

Birds personify freedom captured through Elton John’s “Skyline Pigeon.” - PIA

Birds highlight

...from page 1

species along Bangalao Lake as initial display.

“The rest will follow. We simply want to emphasize to our people, particularly the young, the importance of the avian species and how they can contribute to their protection.

In an initial survey of birds among tourguides trained by the Sierra Madre Outdor Club (SMOC) in 2012, the group reported some 29 species composed of endemic and migratory species.

It was this same reason why the municipality decided to highlight birding as the theme for this year’s edition of the festival.

Two members of the WildBirds Photographers Association of the Philippines who were in town during the whole duration of the festival reported four new bird species after a birding activity the last three days.

The local chief executive wants the landscaped municipal park as the possible area for the planned Birds Park. Once established, it will be the first themed park of its kind in Northern Luzon. Unconfirmed reports claimed the municipality is on the process of preparing documents for its bid to be listed as one of the birding areas in the Philippines This year’s festival drew thousands of people since day one with foreign cavers as regulars.

“Birds” seem to protect EMB Regional Director Cesar S. Siador as he delivers a piece of his mind during the National Ecotourism Festival. (BENITO DALMACEDA)

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Business world ...from page 5 executive only bumped into it during the initial exploration and survey to identify ecotourism sites for the firstever National Eco-Tourism in 2013.

What happened next became the key to the decision of the municipality to turn the species into something profitable.

“All those years, we’ve been sitting on a potential livelihood source without us even knowing it,” a barangay captain told the PIA. Initial Moves Everything came into place as all doors knocked by Mayor Garcia, in her quest for assistance, virtually openedSierra Madre Outdoor Club and other local groups, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry(DTI), Philippine Information Agency(PIA)particularly, the Design Center of the Philippines(DCP) whose early attempts on Bakong has impressed not only the locals but likewise the members of the press.

“Studies made by the Design Center of the Philippines has proven that indeed, there is money in biodiversity,”Garcia said. Supported by her council led by Vice-Mayor Emmanuel Martinez and her staff, she went to work.

Meanwhile, DTI and DCP started the provision of trainings on Bakong for womenfolk and other interested individuals in the municipality as initiated by Garcia. The Bakong handicraft industry of Sta. Teresita was born.On March 2014, some 37 farmers and core shelter beneficiaries of Sitio Bangalao, Barangay Luga, along with teachers and local government employees organized themselves into what is now known as the Laguna de Cagayan (Bangalao Lake)Handicraft Association. The association is now on

Proud Mayor Garcia has introduced to the world products derived from Bakong.

the process of registration.

While DCP was into training the members on the different manipulations of the Bakong as raw material, the DTI and the local government unit started to procure equipment and machineries needed in the processing of Bakong plant like (name of equipment).

Simultaneously, the Deparment of Environment and Natural Resources conducted a training on biodiversity conservation to ensure the sustainability of a future enterprise.

The Sangguniang Bayan was likewise on its toes. Immediately, they passed an ordinance declaring whole area of the lake as protected.

This was followed by another ordinance “regulating the harvesting, cutting and picking of the Bakong plant without a permit.”

An interesting research was also initiated by the municipality to determine the best method of harvesting the leaves.

“We must always remember the essence of a community-based enterprises should be biodiversityfriendly,” Garcia said and added that for the Bakog enterprise to be sustainable, there must be biodiversity conservation.

Biodiversity conservation means environment protection, she added.

More Trainings needed Members of the association feel they still need more trainings in the

management-capacity building, that isand operation with additional tools and equipment to be purchased and to be able to participate in trade fairs.

“Help our small municipality of Sta. Teresita... small as we maybe, you can help us become big through your investment in our community,” Garcia appealed to her audience at Intercon Hotel as she assured the municipality is a business-friendly municipality.

Sta. Teresita was the former

Barrio Namunit of Buguey town until it became a separate municipality in 1963 through Republic Act 3728. It is the youngest and smallest town in Cagayan.

So, in the next few years, if and when you chance upon a chic-looking furnitureI, fabric, art work or gift items, chances are, that’s Bakong I’ve been talking all about.

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Ilocano legend trains budding local writers

IDOL. Dionisio Bulong (left in stripes) is a rich man. He will leave his treasure chest of Ilocano lifetime masterpieces to the young Teresians. (RIZZALYN M. MERCADO)

By Rizzalyn Mercado STA. TERESITA, Cagayan- This town’s most famous journalist –son spent a day of pushing pen with students and other groups to come up with winning Ilocano essays on environment and ecology.

According to Mayor Lolita Garcia, she thought of bringing Dionisio Bulong, Bannawag editor of 27 years to Sta. Teresita to share his knowledge and skills to his fellow-Teresians during the 3rd National Eco-Tourism festvial which

was held at MDRRM Center.

Bulong who was born and raised in Barangay Simbaluca held one of the longest editorship of the world-famous Iloco magazine.

Thirty students from the Luga National High School, Sta. Teresita National High School and Saint Francis Academy attended the Iloco journalism workshop held at the Base Camp.

The entry essay of Irene Dante of Luga National High School with the title “ Gameng ti Nakaparsuan, Takwaten ken Saluadan” was declared winner

by Bulong, followed by “Probinsiya A naparaburan ti Gracia” written by Josephine Sabalo of St. Francis Academy.

Consolation prizes went to the essays of Alyssa Langcay (SFA), James Byron Mari ( (STNHS), Lea Cacho (Luga NHS), Ayrah Serrano (SFA) and Rizaa Mae Borromeo (SFA).

The Mayor said she will continue to get in touch with other Ilocano writers to train the young minds of Teresian.

Bristist Investor ...from page 1 Jotay Resort in Sta. Ana. Earlier, Taylor bought his water sports equipment and facilities to the Bangalao Lake last year to literally test the waters.

He said he is interested in a possible joint-venture with the local government unit on watersports -related activities within the Bangalao Lake.

The Philippine Information Agency reported that the British is very much involved in environment protection and conservation and has been an advocate of tourism promotions not only for his adopted town of Sta. Ana but likewise the whole province of Cagayan.

With his rich experience in water sports and other tourism related events,

Taylor is an unheralded tourism arm of Cagayan, a report from www.pia.gov. ph said.

Two years ago, he launched a different kind of a fun-run where the lower legs of two-member team were tied up before the race.

“I plan to occasionally introduced unknown sports in this province to benefit the industry,” the site quoted Taylor.

“Great. It’s more than fun, “was how he described his stint as board of judges.

Mayor Lolita Garcia said the local government unit would be more than willing to partner with investors like him in the tourism industry.

One of the fulcrums of Northeastern Cagayan Tourism Development is Trevor Taylor (right) a British whose hearts belongs to the Filipino (BENITO DALMACEDA)

isip na pumunta para ma-experiene ang eco-tourism festival.

- Jovy Ragasa, CSU Gonzaga student Ang gaganda ng mga crystals pati formation, Iyong parang butiki which is, sabi ng tourguies sa cave na ito ay “gecko.” Na-appreciate o iyong itsura.

- Mischelle Ablangan, CSU Gonzaga

What they say . . . .

Interviews Mercado

by

Rizzalyn

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pero napapansin kong iyong mga stalactites at stalagmites, parang namamatay.

Okay ang Alilao Cave. Ganda ng formation. Saka iyong entrance ng cave, I didn’t expec na ganoon siya ka-challenging pagpasok. Kapag nasa loob ka na... super wow!

- Harlene Bautista CSU Gonzaga Nag-njoy ako sa Tangadan Cave. Parang nakulangang ako

M.

It was a pleasure to hob-knob people from all levels if only to peek into their most inner self. While I was literally thrown to a cool river by our visiting Editor, Benjie De Yro, I thought I would somehow share the wisdom of our visitors and guests.

To those who painfully read (if ever they did) my first issue, thank you.

You are giving me a brand new career of what I really liked mostwriting and relating to people. Here we go.

On Alilao Cave Mas maganda compared to the other caves. Ang stalactites at stalagmites ay okay pa rin. Nalaman kong maraming caves ang Sta. Teresita kaya hindi ako nagdalawang

Ang ganda. Iyong crystal lights, super kumikinang - Ferylle Anne Rodriguez, CSU Gonzaga Maganda ang Tangadan Cave

althought maganda siya. Masasabi namin sa mga tourguides, talagang tourguides na tourguides ang dating. Nagampanan nila ng mabuti ang tungkulin nila. Sa rescuer, dapat always ready ka.Always nagpapaalala. Cave ethics kailangan para mapanatili ang ganda nito. (The speaker was guided by Jacqueline Campano and Roy Belen Ramil accompanied by rescuers Arlyn Ilayat and Romnick Palor).

Maganda ang Tabaco Cave.

Naapreciate ko iyung dry cave niya.

Ayoko ko ng basang cave, Sana makita ko na ang iba bago kami aalis. -Manila resident.

Grabe! I’ve never seen beautiful cave like that in my life. Bibilhin ko ang isa. - Trade fair participant.

Guests and visitors pose before a cave model created by the Tourism and Museum Office of the Provincial capitol.

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Best Float 1st Runner Up 2nd Runner Up

Results of Different Contested Activities - Barangay Mission - Barangay Simbaluca - Barangay Caniugan

Winner Tunog Kalikasan Luga National High School Street Dance Competition Elementary Grand Winner Sunrays (Villa. Dungeg, Mission, Caniugan Elementary School Best Performer - Sunrays Best in Headdress - Zenith (Simpatuyo, Simbaluca, Luga Elementary School) Best in Costume

- Zenith

Street Dance Competition Secondary – Invitational Grand Winner Saint Francis Academy Best Performer Saint Francis Academy Best in Headdress STNHS Best in Costume Saint Francis Academy Festival Queen Baggao National Agricultural School Sta. Margarita Annex BEKI ng KALIKASAN 2015 - Clara Grande With special award Miss Popularity

Interpretative Dance - Teachers (Elementary & High School) DIWATA ng KALIKASAN 2015 Candidate #6 – ANGELICA C. TAMARGO Sponsoring Group - Sta. Teresita National High School 1st Runner Up - Diwata ng Lawa Candidate #5 RHENIERIENJOY JAVIER Sponsoring Group - Local Government Unit 2nd Runner Up– Diwata ng Kagubatan Candidate #8

QUEINCHIE S. TALBO

Sponsoring Group – Liga ng mga Barangay Minor Awards: Best in Indigenous Creative Attire ANGELICA TAMARGO Best in Diwata Attire ANGELICA TAMARGO Special Awards: Miss Photogenic and Diwata Look Candidate #1AIMEE BELEN Sponsoring Group – Transport Group Texters Choice - Candidate # 9 KRISTEL JOYCE P. TACAS Sponsoring Group – Saint Francis Academy Miss Congeniality Candidate #8 QUEINCHIE S. TALBO

1ST Runner Up - Vincent Nestor With special Awards: Best in Creative Costume Best in Fantasy Costume Best in Headdress Best in Quotation

Darling of the Crowd Candidate #2 BERNALYN T. MIRANDA Sponsoring Group DILG/PNP/BJMP/DAR/COMELEC

2nd Runner Up

CARABAO FASHION SHOW - Winner Barangay DUNGEG

- Jane Castillo

Beki ng Lawa - Erwin Espejo With special award Darling of the Crowd

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Results of Different Contested Activities CARABAO FUN RACE - Winner Barangay VILLA BANGKARERA INVITATIONAL Single 1st Robert Vertudez Jr. (Sta. Teresita) 2nd Alvin Somer (Buguey) 3rd Rowel Magara (Buguey) Doble Rowel Magara/Abraham Somer (Buguey) Rodento Malazzab/Alvin Somer (Buguey) Eddie Villena Jr/Freddie Campano(Sta. Teresita) SLOGAN CONTEST – SECONDARY Cave Filipino Andrea Marie Laguisan – STNHS Cave English Jessica Alta Mia – STNHS Environment/Kalikasan Alexis Bilag - SFA Lake English Mickaela Naval –STNHS Lake Filipino Jendrix Palma – LNHS Birds Filipino Jay Villarosa – STNHS Birds English Gladys Cabang – LNHS ESSAY WRITIING CONTEST –SECONDARY Major Prizes: 1. IRENE DANTE - LNHS 2. JOSEPHINE T. SABALO – SFA FIVE Consolation Prizes 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Alyssa Langcay - SFA Jules Byron P. Mari –STNHS Lea S. Cacho LNHS Eyrah Jahn Serrano – SFA Rizza Mae Borromeo - SFA

QUIZ BEE ELEMENTARY Winner – HANZ HENRICK S. INOVEJAS Villa Elementary School HIGH SCHOOL Winner – Jules Byron P. Mari Sta. Teresita National High School VOLLEYBALL INTER HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE Champion - Gonzaga National High School 1st Runner Up - Baua National High School 2nd Runner Up - Rebecca National High School 3rd Runner Up - STNHS BASKETBALL INTER HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE Champion - Gonzaga National High School st 1 Runner Up - Camalaniugan National HS 2nd Runner Up - STNHS MYTHICAL FIVE 1. Point Guard 2. Point Guard 3. Forward 4. Forward 5. Center

- Ronel Recolizado - King Viloria - Ruston Manaday - Jonas Capistrano - Eric Tapasan

Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ronel Recolizado Rookie (3 Points shooter champion) Ruston Manaday FUN GAMES Winners: Kadang-kadang Men : Erdie Tano Kadang – Kadang Women: Ofelia Pascua Kadang – Kadang Kids : Mark Anthony Baing Centipede walk Men :LNHS Teachers Centipede Walk Women: Luga National HS Tug of War Men : United Ilocandia (UI) Tug of War Women: Luga National High School

10 - Banggalao Below is the winning entry to the 2015 Iloco Journalism workshop essay writing contest given by Dionisio Bulong as part of the 3rd National Ecotourism Festival.

“Gameng ti Nakaparsuaan, takwaten ken saluadan�

Irene Dante – LNHS

Maysa la nga tema kadagiti tallo nga nagbalin nga tema ti 1st National Ecotourism ti nanumo nga ilitayo nga Sta. Teresita. Ania ngamin ti maited ti ecotourism festival?

Promosion ti turismo. Maysa a parambak a pangawis kadagiti taga-sabali a lugar tapno makitada dagiti parabur ti nakaparsuaan a kadagitoy laeng a nagdinamag.

Maysa a rason ti turismo nu apay a rumang-ay ti maysa a lugar.

Ramrambakan ti Nationa Ecotourism Festival tapno makaited iti pagwadan wenno inspirasion ken tapno maipakita iti panagtitinnulong ti tattao nga saanda lattan nga agdepende iti gobierno iti pannakapapintas ken pannakasaluad ti urnos ken talna ti lugarda. Ita maikatlo nga ecotourism festival ket iti pannaka tema na ket iti naduma-duma nga klase ti bilbillit nga makit-kita ditoy ilitayo. Kadagiti imparparada da nga floats, street dance Makita tayo dagiti naduma-duma nga pamayan tapno masaluadan tayo dagiti naduma-duma nga klase iti nilbillit

ditoy ilitayo. Ininaw dayta ti gobierno local iti pangidaulo ni Mayor Lolit Garcia,ken siempre, babaen ti inspirasion ti kaingungotna ni Board Member Romy Garcia.

Nagbassit nga ili ti Sta. Teresita.

Daytoy pay ket ti kabassitan nga ili ti Cagayan. Ngem pinaraburan ti nakaparsuaan ti uppat a pulo ket walo a keba ken maysa a dan-

aw. Kasla ketdi nairanta dagitoy a manglitop iti pagkuranganna no land area ti pagsasaritaan. Kas maysa nga theresian, napateg ti pannakisali tayo iti maikatlo nga National Ecotourism Festival ditoy ili tayo. Ipategtayo dagiti agkakaiduma nga biag ken buya nga adda ditoy ilitayo.

PANAGYAMAN

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The Local Government Unit of Sta. Teresita, led by Mayor Lolita C. Garcia, wishes to express its wholehearted thanks and profound gratitude to the following individuals and groups who have made the 3rd National Ecotourism Festival 2015 a successful event. Also, to those nameless and faceless individuals who were out there during the entire duration of the festival, we owe you one.

Naimpapuswan nga pagayaman mi Apo: Department of Trade and Industry Department of Tourism Design Center of the Philippines Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources Philippine Information Agency DATAJ Aquafarm Inc. - Simbaluca DDT Konstruct Inc. Cagayan Economic Zone Authorioty Cagayan State University Globe Telecom Sierra Madre Ourdoor Club Balincaguin Conservancy Provincial Tourism Office The Local Media of Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio Vice Governor Leonides Fausto Board Member Romeo S. Garcia Board Member Ramon Nolasco and Board Member Olivia Pascual Board Member Vilmer Viloria Mr. Dioniso S. Bulong Mr. Arthur Urata Liga ng mga Barangay Sta. Teresita Police Station Municipal Agrarian Reform Office MLGOO

Sta. Teresita District Jail Transport Group- Sta. Teresita Business Sector – Sta. Teresita Sta. Teresita National High School Saint Francis Academy Luga National High School Sta. Teresita District Schools Municipal Tourism Council Tour Guides and Rescuers Baggao National Agricultural School Sta. Margarita Annex Baua National High School Camalaniugan National High School CSU Laboratory High School Gonzaga National High Schoo Licerio Antiporda National High School-Dalaya Annex Rebecca National High School United Ilocandia Samahang Ilocano Police Officers, Army and Barangay Tanods Board of Judges during the 3rd National Ecotourism Festival The Owner/Manager of FCC Rosal Panciteria with Bukid’s Homestay Engr. Marissa Balubal, Lecturer of Solid Waste Management Mr Bonifacio Cuateros and Restituto Vargas, Lecturer of Disaster Management Southern Californians, Daniel, Betty, Charlie and Gerry

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Opening Day

Flash!

A young Cagayano researcher has undergoing a study Bangalao Lake in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan. The researcher who is an instructor of a local university in Tuguegarao said he wanted to be the firt Cagayano to conduct a through study of the identified bodies of water before others do. The instructor who requested anonymity teaches Environmental Engineering. – (Gene Baquiran, PIA-Cagayan)

Float Parade

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Float Parade

Float Parade

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Opening Activities

I think I shall never a true as lovely as a Bonsai

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Pageant for a cause

Diwata ng Kalikasan 2014 turns over the crown to Angelica C. Tamargo.

Crowned Diwata ng Kalikasan 2015 Angelica C. Tamargo (center) First runner up Rhenierien Javier (left), and Queinchie S. Talbo, 2nd runner up.

The top five Diwata ng Kalikasan Search. (L-R) Bernalyn T. Miranda, Rhenierien Javier, Anelica C. Tamargo, Kristel Joyce P. Tacas, and Queinchie S. Talbo.

Pageant for a cause

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Street Dance Showdown

Dance Sports competition

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Carabao Fashionista

It’s more fun in a Carabao run

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...Breaking the silence of the Bakong at Bangalao lake

Disaster Management Training

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Beki ng Kalikasan

Awarding of Street Dance Competition invitational

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