Ms. Yap wins Mutia ng Baliangao 2011;1st Fluvial Parade a success

By PJTremedal, BND MisOcc-CIB/OCM

Baliangao, MisOcc – The young and beautiful granddaughter of the Yap’s clan in this shell capital of Misamis Occidental was crowned Mutia ng Baliangao 2011 recently during the 1^st Panginhas festival and Town Fiesta in honor of Nuestra Señora de Mt. Carmelo (the Lady of Mount Carmel) the towns patron saint.

Ms. Verilen Gem B. Yap is the daughter of Vice Mayor Agapito Yap representing Barangay Misom wins over ten (10) other candidates vying to be crowned as Mutia ng Baliangao 2011.Her court includes Ms. Marie Grace L. Parilla of Barangay Landing as 1st Runner-Up while, Miss Danika Anne Bueno of Barangay Tugas landed 2^nd runner-Up.

A scholarship to any college course for two semesters all paid for the winners will be part of the prize and prestige they received in joining the Mutia ng Baliangao of the 1^st Panginhas Festival and given by Mayor Svetlana Jalosjos

Mr. Remil Alum, Municipal Tourism Officer said in an interview of the Malindang Tribune said that this is the very first festival under this administration of Municipal Mayor Svetlana “Lana” Jalosjos not only to promote the potentials of Baliangao but to share it to the people of Misamis Occidental and the rest of the Mindanao and the whole country, that Baliangao is the next tourism hub and the shell capital of Misamis Occidental.

Meanwhile, during the fluvial parade conducted before the fiesta celebration last July15, 2011 with the presence of Governor Hermie Ramiro who came her way to join and witness the celebration and the attendance of the mayor’s family, her mother Ms. Lorna Pal, former Congressman Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos, Dapitan City Mayor Dominador Jalosjos, Jimenez first lady and Municipal Tourism Council Chair Mrs. Lina Limquimbo and other guests made the fluvial parade a historical event of Shine Baliangao.

“This is the first time that I witness such a beautiful fluvial parade” said an 85 year old woman who walks from his residence in Barangay Punta Miray where the fluvial parade started and the re-enactment of the advent of Christianity of Baliangao. Baliangaonons said that the 1^st Panginhas festival is their first festivities experienced in their whole life as residents.

In her message Mayor Svetlana” Lana” Jalosjos as she explain why the concept of “Panginhas” (sea harvesting). “Panginhas is synonymous to harvest, bountiful blessings as it is the identity of the peoples livelihood in gathering seashells that’s why chooses the word “Panginhas”

Today, we gather and harvest the treasures and the bounty of this town, to include our local products, marine resources, our town’s development and even our talents and beauty of our people.” She said.

During the search for the Mutia of Baliangao in the evening, artist from Manila invited by the Municipal Mayor and judges from the region and other distinguished guests graced the occasion.