Sometimes you can feel so at home in a city that you think of it the way you would a friend or family. Many songs even delve on such a fondness. Think Manila, I Left My Heart In San Francisco and New York, New York.
Well, we’re no songwriters but if we are, our subject would definitely be about Iriga in Camarines Sur. Though we go to the city many times a year, every visit still excites us as if it were our first.
It was the same for us a couple of days ago when we were in Iriga for its 42nd Charter Foundation Anniversary. Upon the invitation of our friend, the indefatigable Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen, we came ready for more colorful memories to bring home and carry with us long after we’ve left the place.
And did we get just that: Apparently, Mayor Madelaine made the festivities palpable to the point that it spilled out into the streets! Last Sept. 3, hundreds — maybe even thousands — of kids from the surrounding elementary and high schools competed in marching and majorette categories that had the Irigueños gawking at the costumes and choreography of the participating contingents for almost 10 hours.
But more than these skills, what was impressive about the whole competition was people’s dedication to the event. Apart from parading around town, each contingent had to wait under the scorching sun for its turn to perform before the audience and a panel of judges comprised of celebrities including Jolina Magdangal, Rocco Nacino, Nanette Inventor, Douglas Nierras and members of the press Isah Red, Dindo Balares, Jojo Panaligan and Almed Garcia.
Though sometimes one would see fatigue catching up with the contingents, the moment each of their turn comes, every member of the group straightens up, marches towards the center of the town plaza and gives it his all as if he were dancing for the last time.
The same enthusiasm went for the audience. Even nearing noon, when the sun was at its hottest, people stayed where they were just to catch the action. Some people even stood on tiptoe for hours just to take a peek over the taller ones nearer the spectacle. Others gave a blow-by-blow account to the rest who were unable to view the whole thing from their perch. It was such a communal experience that especially for that day, the Irigueños were formidable.
Surely, the mayor’s energy rubs off on her constituents. A few months ago, during the Ms. Iriga/Ms. Rinconada/Ms. Tourism Bicol 2010 held in the same city, we saw how Mayor Madelaine supervised the rehearsals even if it meant staying up until midnight (and up again at dawn the next day); giving her comments on the choreography, the pace of the programme, the production design — everything.
Yet through it all, she still delivers on her more important duties. In November, Iriga City will have a new marketplace to beat all others in her region in terms of function and design. Built like a piazza — complete with fountain, patches of orchards, an entertainment center and stalls for fastfood chains — it will surely make every Irigueño proud to be in a city that not only puts a premium on service but on beauty as well.
And like what Mayor Madelaine always says, when beauty is near, then cleanliness, orderliness and lawfulness can’t be far behind.
Here are the winners in the recent 42nd Charter Foundation Anniversary in Iriga City:
Best Marching PMT Unit (Boys)
First place — Eusebia Paz Arroyo Memorial National High School; Second — Buhi St. Joseph Academy Inc., Third — Baao National High School
Best Marching PMT Unit (Girls)
First — Buhi St. Joseph Academy, Inc.; Second — Sta. Monica Academy; Third — Eusebia Paz Arroyo Memorial National High School
Best Marching Cheermajorettes (Secondary)
First place — Holy Trinity College; Second — La Consolacion College; Third — Zeferino Arroyo High School
Best Marching DBC/DLC (Secondary)
First place — Rinconada National Technical Vocational School; Second — Holy Trinity College; Third — La Consolacion College
Best DBC-LYRE/Cheermajorettes Exhibition (Elementary)
First Place — San Isidro Elementary School; Second — Iriga Cenral School; Third — Baao West Central School
Best DBC/DLC Conductor (Elementary)
San Isidro Elementary School
Best Cheermajorette Leader (Elementary)
Iriga South Central School
Best DBC-LYRE/Cheermajorettes Exhibition (Secondary)
First -- Zeferino Arroyo High School, Second -- Rinconada Nat’l. Technical Vocational School, Third -- Holy Trinity College
Best DBC/DLC Conductor (Secondary)
Holy Trinity College
Best Cheermajorette Leader (Secondary)
La Consolacion College
Bravo to Iriga and the Iriguenos! Bravo to Mayor Madelaine! We shall return to the beautiful City of Springs which is also the beloved birthplace of the one and only superstar, Nora Aunor.