Iriga's weapons of mass attraction

Filipinos in general are shy talking about their achievements. Whenever Pinoys extend hospitality, they almost always start with the disclaimer, “pasensiya na,” even when they offer their best.

Well, Iriga City has had so many feats under its belt in 2010 that Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen can’t help but talk about these with pride over lunch in Manila recently.

In March, Mayor Madelaine was bestowed the CEO Excel Award from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for her implementation of award-winning programs in Nature Conservation and Local Governance. She was in the company of outstanding chief executives including Charo-Santos Concio of ABS-CBN; Cynthia Mamon of Enchanted Kingdom; Ernest Cu of Globe Telecom; Mel Tiangco of GMA Kapuso Foundation; and Gilda Pico of Land Bank of the Philippines, among others.

Last September, the mayor was invited by the World Bank to Shanghai, China as a panelist in the Local Leaders’ Roundtable on Economic Transformations and Urban-Rural Relations at the 2010 World Expo.

Other awards  Iriga City received this year are the Outstanding Local Government Unit Award given by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) RO5; and the Department of the Interior and Local Government Award for Excellence in Local Government in recognition of the city’s outstanding performance in strengthening LGU capabilities.

Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen at the Shanghai World Expo.

But there’s more! Iriguenos who have brought pride to their kababayan are Former Commission on Human Rights Leila de Lima, now appointed Justice Secretary by PNoy; Conchita A. Ibarondo, named the 2010 Most Outstanding Teacher by the Metrobank Foundation and University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) alumnus Allan Abasolo, ABS-CBN’s Bayaning Pilipino for teaching poor children in a remote mountain school in Quezon Province.

Iriga’s academic community also made hay in 2010. UNEP was Grand Champion in the Voyodores Festival Street Dance Competition in Naga City as part of the 2010 Penafrancia Celebrations. University of Saint Anthony, meanwhile, won the Overall Championship (ROTC Category) in the Penafrancia Festival Military Parade Competition while Zeferino Arroyo High School of San Agustin, Iriga City won as Overall Champion in CAT-1 Category 2.

And just a few weeks ago, pupils from Iriga Central School won first place in two categories in the nationwide 2010 Palamatasan National Competition held at the University Theater in U.P. Diliman. These triumphs were in the Sabayang Bigkas and Cheerdance categories.

Last but not least, Iriguena beauties Katherine Dominique Lagrimas and Linda Backlund won the Miss Bicolandia title and placed fourth, respectively. Linda, as many know, joined Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition not too long ago.  

By December, the Iriguenos will have another reason to celebrate when their new city market opens. To add to the revelry, Mayor Madelaine has invited topnotch musicians Aiza Seguerra, Noel Cabangon, True Faith, Juris Fernandez and Rivermaya to hold a series of shows near the venue.

Choreographer-dancer par excellance Douglas Nierras says the good mayor succeeds in all fronts because she doesn’t lose sight of her priorities even in activities that are seemingly for fun. When she revived the Miss Iriga pageant, she stood pat that it won’t have a swimsuit competition.

Celebrities who have visited Iriga are all praise for Mayor Madelaine’s hands-on approach. She not only oversees every aspect of every activity, but entertains all the guests, making them feel welcome.

“Ngayon lang po ako nakakilala ng ganun ka down- to-earth na mayor. She is very simple and humble. Maganda ang displina at pamamalakad na na gingagawa niya sa Iriga dahil nakita ko mismo ang mga tao doon. I wish every mayor is like her,” says Jolina Magdangal.

Jolina also says Iriguenos are very warm. “Iriga city is beautiful and clean. I wish I would be able to visit all the tourist spots Ireguenos are proud of because they will most likely be beautiful.”

“She is very warm and accommodating. Iriga is a great progressive city that has maintained its cultural heritage. I loved the hotel we stayed in,” declares Jeffrey Hidalgo.

“Mayor Madel is very nice and intelligent. She loves people. She maintains a low profile and treats people equally.For her, walang mahirap at walang mayaman. We love her,” says Angelica Jones.

Indeed, with such a public servant, the city has nowhere to go but up. Viva, Iriga!