The beauty that is Iriga

Anyone who knows Iriga Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen understands why many celebrities take time off from their busy schedules to accept her invitation to visit the city during the Tinagba Festival.

Mark Herras, Jon Avila, Jericho Rosales, Ryza Cenon and Iya Villania were some of those who graced the festival this year and who experienced that “you are more than welcome” is not enough to describe the kind of hospitality that Mayor Madel and the Irigueños shower on their guests.

From the streamers hung prominently in the plaza that bear the names of the visiting stars and other guests, to the accommodations that were given to them at the posh Iriga City Hotel Plaza, Mayor Madel personally saw to it that the celebrities were given topnotch reception and treatment. The stars were welcomed at the airport, were escorted by security wherever they went and were given everything they needed to ensure that they had a good time in Iriga.

No wonder everyone was in high spirits from the start of the fiesta. People lined the streets as early as 7 a.m. to catch a glimpse of the stars who were paraded around town aboard character floats that were designed with fresh farm products.

Tinagba means first harvest offering. The festivity is said to usher in a good agricultural year which Iriga counts on since they are one of the biggest sources of rice and coconut in the country.

Celebrities performed song and dance numbers on the streets in front of the grand stadium near the old municipal hall. Singer Noel Cabangon was also flown in to sing the theme song of the city titled Beautiful City of Iriga which people sang along with proudly, almost reverently.

This year’s Tinagba Festival was dubbed Gayon Bicol Festival of Festival Showdowns. Nine contingents from nearby cities joined the competition. Masbate City’s Lapay Bantigue Festival was grand prize winner.

For the character float contest, the grand winner was Cluster 5 Kalikasan float from Brgy. Santiago, Sta. Elena, La Anunciacion, Sto. Domingo and San Juan.       

Irigueños are very loyal to their kind. Ask anyone about Iriga City’s most famous daughter, superstar Nora Aunor, and he can blabber Nora Aunor trivia as if these were part of the school curriculum. Many who live beside the railway where Nora used to sell water are more than willing to escort people to the exact spot where the superstar used to do business.

The people can be nostalgic but they are also forward-thinkers. Although they choose not to have bars and big malls in order to maintain a laidback lifestyle, developments in the city simply can not be missed especially by people who visit from time to time.

If some think that Iriga is some sort of a sleepy town with nothing to offer to tourists, then they better think again. Under the leadership of Mayor Madelaine, the Emerald Grotto, the GK Character Village and the Inorogan Shrine, to name a few, have become tourist spots. There are also many restaurants and bed-and-breakfast places people can choose from.

By daytime, the population increases as people from nearby cities and tourists go to Iriga for business, school and even sightseeing. Transportation is not a problem in Iriga, nor is water and electricity. Indeed, the basic amenities are in place and the only thing that visitors have to think about is to craft a well-planned itinerary so they can enjoy everything the city has to offer.

Iriga has two more major events coming up within the year: The Pintakasi Festival in June and the foundation day in September.

The Tinagba Festival concluded with the symbolic turnover ceremonies for next year’s Gayon Bicol event. Other celebrities who were present this year were Kristine Hermosa, Chynna Ortaleza, Angelica Jones, Rainier Castillo, Edu Manzano, Lito Lapid, Mark Lapid, Shirley Halili-Cruz and world famous dancer/choreographer Douglas Nierras.