TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Despite the pouring rain, residents of Barangay San Julian recently celebrated their 37th Barangay Fiesta and 2nd “Nateng Festival” recently.
According to Punong Barangay Benazer Diasen, the Nateng Festival started on 2019 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to cancel previous celebrations because of strict lockdowns and for the safety of everyone.
She continued by saying that their barangay council passed a law requiring each purok to plant five different kinds of vegetables (nateng), including malunggay “moringa,” and that the purok with the most attractive garden will win a prize.
“Part of the criteria is the beautification, cleanliness, proper segregation of waste, especially diyay panagmula iti vegetables ket maawardan tapnu mai-annatuk iti pannaka selebrar iti Nateng Festival,” she said.
Diasen added that San Julian used to be regarded as Tabuk’s vegetable basket when she was younger, and that she would like to continue that tradition for her barangay and subsequent generations.
In his statement, Mayor Darwin Estrañero praised the barangay for their festival, saying it will inspire the next generation to try gardening and advertise Tabuk as an agricultural city.
Vegetables, he continued, provide a variety of advantages, including a healthy lifestyle and economic value for both the city and their barangay.
“Sapay kuma ta daytuy nga panang-selebrar tayu daytuy festival tayu ket maysa encouragement kadatayu nga agmula iti nateng, not just for our personal consumption ngem para metlang iti pagsapulan,” he said.
