STA. MARCELA, Apayao – In every golden anniversary, there will always be unique stories to unravel. Although nowadays, we easily get routed by fancy stories from the social media, mystified by the latest photo uploads of our neighbors enhanced undeniably by camera 360, or get ecstatic by the insincere comments of strangers, still, there are certain narratives of old which do not simply appear. However, if unwrapped and told, they will be diamonds, treasured from generation to generations.
This is how Sta. Marcela Mayor Rolly “Idol” Guiang, a 2017 most outstanding municipal mayor in the Philippines awardee, desires to reminisce the past as they celebrate their Golden Founding Anniversary which coincides with the town’s “13th Balangkoy Festival” on June 13-17, 2017.
“We come and go as public servants. Generations to come might not remember us but I do believe that that sacrifices and efforts we made, the concrete examples we displayed will be etched in the hearts of our people,” Mayor Guiang said as they prepare for this once in a lifetime event in their locality.
Mayor Guiang invites all Iapayaos to witness this special occasion which he acknowledges as a celebration of bountiful and glorious blessings showered by the Almighty God in their 50 years of existence as a Local Government Unit.
“There is much to be thankful. The unity among the officialdom of Sta. Marcela, the full support of our people, the nonstop improvements in the locality, the protection and health of my family are wonderful blessings. And as the father of this municipality, I am blessed that it is within my term that we celebrate our Golden Anniversary. This comes only once in a lifetime,” Mayor Guiang expressed.
He also conveyed his utmost gratitude to Governor Elias Bulut, Jr. and Congresswoman Eleanor Bulut-Begtang for their full assistance in their aim to have a better progressive Sta. Marcela.
“Without them,” Mayor Guiang said, “Sta. Marcela will not be as prosperous as now. I am also indebted to the invaluable contribution of their father, the late Hon. Elias K. Bulut, my mentor who instigated real progress not only in this town but also to the whole Province of Apayao.”
The Municipality of Sta. Marcela has recently been into the limelight. Mayor Guiang is one among the 20 mayors of the Philippines who was awarded as 2017 most outstanding mayor. Also, out of 1,490 municipalities, 144 cities and 81 provinces from the country being assessed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), Sta. Marcela is just one who underwent tedious screening and successfully complied with the requirements and now belong to the only 306 qualified LGUs nationwide which have been conferred the “2016 SGLG: Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaang Lokal.”
The Golden Anniversary is highlighted with the unveiling of a monument dedicated to a golden hero on June 13, 2017 at Sta. Marcela Municipal Ground. On the same day, there will be parade, agro-tourism fair, championship for the inter-barangay basketball and volleyball tournament, drum and lyre competition, and balikbayan, retirees/senior citizen and business sector night on the first day.
There will be mass wedding and feeding program along with health awareness and medical mission on the 14th of June. The Street dancing competition will be on June 15 while the search for “Libnos ti Sta. Marcela” is on the night of June 17. The complete list of activities is posted at the back of this newspaper. BY GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN
