Ilagan’s annual Mammangi Festival honors the city’s corn farmers and its main cash crop, while inspiring its citizens to look forward to better days ahead, as Mayor Josemarie Diaz exhorted everyone to work on attaining the “five pillars” of a livable city by 2030: survivability, sustainability, innovations, mobility and development.
The city of Ilagan, Isabela’s capital, is known for its Mammangi Festival, which celebrates the city’s corn harvest and pays tribute to its corn farmers.
During the first two weeks of August, the city once more came to life with colorful parades and harvest offerings. Started in 2011, the festival also features events like the vivid buoy parade and road-moving exhibitions executed by young Ilagueño artists wearing local ensembles made of indigenous materials.
Mammangi Festival made a grand comeback this year after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. After months of preparation and a week of final rehearsal, the festival officially started with the opening ceremonies of Tienda Ilagan featuring agri-ecotourism booths at the Ilagan promenade followed by a thanksgiving mass at the St. Ferdinand Church.
Mammangi eco-tourism booths
The Agri Eco Tourism Village offered visitors a closer look at “Understanding the Liveable City of Ilagan 2030 Vision,” with each participant highlighting their products and services. The booths also showcased each barangay’s creativity while displaying and selling its agricultural produce and other products.
Binibining Ilagan 2023
A day was also dedicated to the highly anticipated Binibining Ilagan 2023 grand finals and coronation night held at the Ilagan Sports Complex, which was hosted by former beauty queen Beatrice Luigi Gomez and GMA’s Carlo “Kaloy” Tingcungco.
After a colorful presentation, a towering beauty from Marana 1st, Kristine Joy D. Guzman, was proclaimed Binibining Ilagan 2023.
Bb. Ilagan Kristine Joy D. Guzman (center) and her court, from left: first runner-up Kris Chellsy Villar, Bb. Turismo, Sining at Kultura Kristine Kay Bautista, Bb. Agrikultura Justine Denielle Morillo and Bb. Ilagan second runner-up Frances Alteia Leaño.
Outstanding Ilagueños 2023
The second day was another exciting night for Ilagueños with the Barangay Night and awarding of Sikan Na Ilagan and Outstanding Ilagueños 2023 held at Ilagan Community Center.
Mayor Josemarie L. Diaz, Vice-Mayor Kiryll S. Bello and Sangguniang Panlungsod officials led the awarding rites, which gathered representatives from Ilagan’s 91 barangays. No less than Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano III and Vice Gov. Faustino Dy III honored the awardees with their presence.
The night was capped off by modern dance competition with five contingents joining the fun on stage. Singer Geneva Cruz and the comedic duo of MC and Lassy provided entertainment.
Street dance and showdown competition
The third and last day was also another a night to remember with the festival’s highlight — the Mammangi Festival street dance and showdown competition at the Ilagan Sports Complex.
Braving the late afternoon heat while still managing to dance gracefully in their colorful props and costumes bearing the corn harvest, NorthEastern 1 emerged champion, followed by Poblacion 1 and San Antonio 1.
Meanwhile, the showdown competition winners were NorthEastern 2, Poblacion 1 and NorthEastern 1.
Mayor Josemarie Diaz, Sen. Mark Villar and OIC Regional executive director Dr. Rose Mary Aquino lead the groundbreaking ceremony at Barangay Marana 1st. Joining them are the Sangguniang Panlungsod officers and Liga ng Barangay president Gaylord M. Malunay, OIC regional technical director for operations and extension Dr. Roberto Busania, and DA National Corn Program senior officer Rodolfo Panganiban.
Mayor Diaz (center) leads the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the city housing project. Joining him are the Sangguniang Panlungsod officials, from left: Jay Eveson Diaz, Perlita Gaoiran, City Vice Mayor Kiryll Bello, Antonio Montereal Jr., Evelyn Catolico-Diaz, Rachelle Garcia, Jessamyn Ligan, Antonio Manaligod Jr., Rolando Tugade and Lilian Bringas.
The Liveable City of Ilagan 2030
Diaz imparted to his constituents his dreams and aspirations for the city.
He reported to the people that he and the city council members have envisioned the city to be a more livable one by 2030. Various programs, projects and services must be undertaken to realize the goal.
“The present leaders of the city are guided by five pillars to attain the goal of a livable city, namely survivability, sustainability, innovations, mobility, and development,” he said.
On top of social services, health, entrepreneurial, education and disaster management projects, Diaz has also placed a premium on infrastructure program. He said the infrastructure development induces economic growth and reduces poverty in the country.
Grand concert and fireworks display
Every barangay who participated in the festivity received cash prizes from the city government.
Mammangi Festival 2023 was capped off by a grand concert featuring Celeste Legaspi, Dulce, Gino Padilla, Gigi De Lana and the Whiplash Dance Company. They were joined by top five choral winners and the street dance and showdown winners. As a fitting finale, a fireworks display like no other dazzled the crowd.
