Taga Ibaan Ako: Dinner At War

Taga Ibaan Ako: Dinner At War: "By Taga Ibaan Ako Everyday, I am at war -war against myself. I have to force myself to wake up early morning to meet my 7:00am work and bea..."

Taga Ibaan Ako: Dinner At War

Taga Ibaan Ako: Dinner At War: "By Taga Ibaan Ako Everyday, I am at war -war against myself. I have to force myself to wake up early morning to meet my 7:00am work and bea..."

Dinner At War

By Taga Ibaan Ako

Everyday, I am at war -war against myself. I have to force myself to wake up early morning to meet my 7:00am work and beat the day until 8:30pm. By 9:00pm, I have to go on board my radio program at BAY Radio 104.7 fm, deal with listeners' song requests whose genres go way out of my program format, answer and give advices on their queries about love and relationship problems and others. This will run until 12 midnight!

Returning home, I'll then carry my shoulders' weight until 2:00am or 3:00am going over my paper works, plus Taga Ibaan Ako facebook account. Good thing our company frees us every Friday. But not for me. I usually comb around Ibaan for stories or be buried again with other activities. And with all of those back-breaking drudgery, I always go hungry. But Friday night, my screaming tummy brought me at war's door. I had a wonderful dinner at GUERRA Family's residence at Brgy. Coliat 1, Ibaan, Batangas.

Their house's porch welcomed me with Sir Roger breaking the temporary silence with some light conversation. His son Donn Francis then bragged in with lengthy stories of his day's escapades. Mariedol on the other hand took a peek on us with blanket wrapped around her due to some flu that has been hunting her for the last couple of days. And yes, Rose threw me some smile glancing at us.

Little did I know, Ma'am Dolor was already preparing the table for me. Minutes passed and Donn led me inside the house then made a cordial introduction between me and their round table garnished with Ibaeno's favorites. I almost jumped on them with my throat screaming high and dry to have a taste of them.

I started with smoking pearl-white-rice pouring them fast on my plate. This was followed by shoveling my all time favorite sunny side-up fried eggs. But before anything else, I rinsed my throat with cold-sweating Coca-Cola Coke. Whew! I just got the right condition to go crazy with what they had for me!

Oh my God! Sinaing na tambakol! I don't think anyone will have the strength to resist its aroma. There were just two slices of them on platillo, but they're more then enough to treat me with a great tasting breeze of of real sea foods. No need for patis, it's all in there. A chunk of tambakol meat is just perfect to knock me off my feet.

I didn't let any minute pass without gorging on their breaking my jaw with another dish on the side. My tongue ran around my mouth lavishing bopis (though I'm not sure if it's really bopis, hehe). Whatever it may be, it made go "burp" once in a while.

I can't get enough of the dinner Ma'am Dolor prepared for me. The round table is quite small. But the tree entrees made it looks like a round table for King Arthur's Knights! The spoon and fork appeared like sharp-edge swords piercing through flesh to afford me the gift of life for my hungry rotting tummy. I was fully alive.

I don't know what magic spell they cast on they cast on me as I swallow spoon full of these gastronomic menus. The name Guerra never fail to ring a bell whenever they are mentioned around time. They have become a household name since immemorial being one of firsts to create a "name" in Ibaan in different fields -from politics to ordinary things.

But Sir Roger Guerra's family, together with his wife Ma'am Dolor, son Donn Francis, and daughters Rose and Mariedol, lives a simple life away from spot light. And the simplicity they have can be seen on the food they filled me with that night. There's not even any sign of grandness with their house. But there exists a bond among them that keeps them close to each other. Mutual respect among members of the family is evident. And the kindness in their hearts is more than enough to paint a portrait of a beautiful family close to being perfect.

No. This is not because they satisfied my glutenous appetite that night being dead hungry after a long day of trashing around Ibaan. I've seen and experienced their hospitality for number of times I've been into their place. I can basically vouched for their character. I am certain they've been reared the right way. The soft tone of their voices whenever I talk with them can definitely speak of what they're made of. Kudos to the family. And of course, to their great tasting sinaing na tambakol.

Finishing another glass of Coke, although it's not enough, "Thank You" is all I can say to Guerra family. I won another war over dinner.

Taga Ibaan Ako: Mutya Ng Ibaan Candidates Wrap Up Ibaan 179th Foun...

Taga Ibaan Ako: Mutya Ng Ibaan Candidates Wrap Up Ibaan 179th Foun...: "By Taga Ibaan Ako Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates laid down the curtain for Municipality of Ibaan's week-long 179th Founding Celebration as..."

Mutya Ng Ibaan Candidates 2012 Wrap Up Ibaan 179th Founding Celebration

By Taga Ibaan Ako

Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates laid down the curtain for Municipality of Ibaan's week-long 179th Founding Celebration as they set fire on stage during their presentation at the jam-packed Medrano Plaza, February 11. Mayor Danny Toreja led everyone in this once in a lifetime experience that brought thrills and excitement among the attendees.

All of Ibaan's barangay fielded one candidate in an effort to give a clearer picture of the town's beauty and elegance. They started with a production number, swinging booties on the beat of pop music.

One by one, they walked across stage on their way to microphone and introduced themselves before the roaring crowd as the latter cheer for their favorites. Sporting skinny shorts and rolled-up yellow "Iba ang Ibaan" shirts, they then took turns traversing corners of extended Medrano Plaza stage to post strikingly and reveal good-gracious body body curves and figure.

The night was filled with nameless faces but can do nothing but to express their admiration to the candidates. No questions were asked to the candidates since the event was made to tease Ibaenos and to expect more of them until the coronation night in February 2012.

Appreciation should also be in place for Sangguniang Bayan Member Councilor Juvy Mendoza since she's the one who took charge of Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Pageant.

The event was attended by different personalities including 4th District Board Member Rowena Africa, Sangguniang Bayan members, Barangay Chairmen, municipal and barangay officials and expectators from around municipality.

Performers include a kid from Brgy. Lucsuhin singing popular slow rock ballads (i.e. Faithfully by Journey and Always by Bon Jovie) and the KALIBAYAN Group.

Past, Present And Future

In his speech, Mayor Toreja thanked everyone for their cooperation to make the seven-day a one of a kind spectacle that ran from February 5 to February 11, Friday. According to him, the simplicity of this year's celebration is highly noticeable. There were limited activities that didn't bring much noise around town. This might be due to budget constraints. However, he spilled better reasons for such. He said this year's celebration is just the beginning, for there will be a 365 days countdown for Ibaan's 180th Founding Anniversary in 2012 which he promised to bring bang and glam set in grandeur. This will definitely showcase what are there to be found in Ibaan and what it has to offer, focusing on every barangay's products and specialties.

Moreover, he also mentioned that there will be a simple monthly celebration until February next year to remind everyone that the municipality is headed to its 180th year since 1832.

Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin on the other hand gave a recap of the week's activities. He said that there's one thing that should not be forgotten -that is to thank God Almighty for blessing Ibaan with great weather condition that allowed activities to culminate. He also assured everyone that his office, together with Sangguniang Bayan and employees of Ibaan Municipality will never stop thinking and executing plans and ideas to make next year's celebration an event to remember.

Meanwhile, BM Africa gave Ibaenos a glimpse of Lipa City's past by narrating some of the myths how the City was established. He encouraged Ibaenos to do their part in recounting the old Ibaan days and bring forth to present its history.

Batangas Provincial PIO Officer Jing Segismundo graced the event as a host/master of ceremony.

Photos Links for Mutya ng Ibaan 2012 and Ibaan 179th Founding Anniversary:

http://on.fb.me/fjGzOU

http://on.fb.me/e5RN8w

http://on.fb.me/fw1QT6

http://on.fb.me/i3BA2s

Mutya Ng Ibaan Candidates Wrap Up Ibaan 179th Founding Celebration

By Taga Ibaan Ako

Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates pulls down the curtain for Municipality of Ibaan's week-long 179th Founding Celebration as they set fire on stage during their presentation at the jam-packed Medrano Plaza, February 11. Mayor Danny Toreja led everyone in this once in a lifetime experience that brought thrills and excitement among the attendees.

All of Ibaan's barangay fielded one candidate in an effort to give a clearer picture of the town's beauty and elegance. They started with a production number, swinging booties on the beat of pop music.

One by one, they walked across stage on their way to microphone and introduced themselves before the roaring crowd as the latter cheer for their favorites. Sporting skinny shorts and rolled-up yellow "Iba ang Ibaan" shirts, they then took turns traversing corners of extended Medrano Plaza stage to post strikingly and reveal good-gracious body body curves and figure.

The night was filled with nameless faces but can do nothing but to express their admiration to the candidates. No questions were asked to the candidates since the event was made to tease Ibaenos and to expect more of them until the coronation night in February 2011.

Appreciation should also be in place for Sangguniang Bayan Member Councilor Juvy Mendoza since she's the one who took charge of Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Pageant.

The event was attended by different personalities including 4th District Board Member Rowena Africa, Sangguniang Bayan members, Barangay Chairmen, municipal and barangay officials and expectators from around municipality.

Performers include a kid from Brgy. Lucsuhin singing popular slow rock ballads (i.e. Faithfully by Journey and Always by Bon Jovie) and the KALIBAYAN Group.

Past, Present And Future

In his speech, Mayor Toreja thanked everyone for their cooperation to make the seven-day spectacle that ran from February 5 to February 11, Friday. According to him, it's highly noticeable the simplicity of this year's celebration. There were limited activities that didn't bring much noise around town. Everyone may think that this might be due to budget constraints. However, he spilled better reasons for such. He said that this year's celebration is just the beginning of the 365 days countdown for Ibaan's 180th Founding Anniversary in 2012 which he promised to bring bang and glam set in grandeur. This will definitely showcase what are there to be found in Ibaan and what it has to offer, focusing on every barangay's products and specialties.

Moreover, he also mentioned that there will be a simple monthly celebration until February next year to remind everyone that the municipality is headed to its 180th year since 1832.

Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin on the other hand gave a recap of the week's activities. He said that there's one thing that should not be forgotten -that is to thank God Almighty for blessing Ibaan with great weather condition that allowed activities to culminate. He also assured everyone that his office, together with Sangguniang Bayan and employees of Ibaan Municipality will never stop thinking and executing plans and ideas to make next year's celebration an event to remember.

Meanwhile, BM Africa gave Ibaenos a glimpse of Lipa City's past by narrating some of the myths how the City was established. He encouraged Ibaenos to do their part in recounting the old Ibaan days and bring forth to present its history.

Batangas Provincial PIO Officer Jing Segismundo graced the event as a host/master of ceremony.

179th Ibaan Founding Anniversary Calendar of Activities

The following are the activities scheduled in connection with week-long Ibaan's 179th Founding Anniversary Celebration from February 5 to February 11, 2011.

February 5 (Saturday)
10:00am Last day for submission of accomplished entries pre-registered form for PATIKARAN SA IBAAN -MPDC Office.

February 6 (Sunday) PATIKARAN SA IBAAN
5:30am - 5:59am Assembly
Registration for late registrants at Sierra Hills Subd., Sabang, Ibaan, Batangas
6:00am Start of PATIKARAN SA IBAAN

February 7 (Monday) Deadline for submission of entries for Theme andLogo making contest
Office of the Mayor
2:00pm Deadline for submission of application forms for Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012
Office of the Mayor

February 8 (Tuesday) Posting of entries for Theme and Logo Making Contest
At the front of Municipal Building

February 9 (Wednesday)
9:00am Deliberation of entries and selection of winners for Theme and Logo Making contest.
Presentation of Mutya ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates to Pageant Committee
Office of the Mayor

February 10 (Thursday)
8:00am - 5:00pm FREE PAP SMEAR at Municipal Health Office
1:00pm Briefing on Dairy Enterprise
Cooperative Development Orientation with MAFC Members and Farmers
MSWD Office

February 11 (Friday, Foundation Day!) PADYAK BRIGADA
5;30am - 5:59am Registration at Poblacion Barangay Hall
6:00am Start of the event.
7:30am THANKS GIVING MASS
St. James The Greater Parish
9:00am PARADE
Assembly and formation at Patio
PNP Patrol Car
Talaibon Mini Band
Municipal officials and employees.
Association of Barangay Captains
Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates
Sangguniang Kabataan Federation
Kababaihan Presidents
Barangay Health Workers
Day Care Workers
ERPAT Presidents
Department of Education
Private Schools
Market Vendors Association
NGO-Private Establishments
(Parade to be assisted by KABALIKAT)

10:00AM SALO-SALO SA BAYAN

6:00PM FOUNDATION NIGHT
Presentation of 26 Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates
Awarding of Winners (Theme and Logo Making Contest)
Unveiling of the Winning Entry
Start of Countdown (369 days to 180th Anniversary)
Variety Show (c/o of KALIBAYAN)