Foundation Day

Barangay Guadalupe in Baybay, Leyte celebrated their 53rd Foundation Day on June 21, 2012. Formerly known as Otod, the most striking feature of this barangay is that everyone takes part in the celebrations. I was invited to experience the event a month earlier when I tagged along on the Nunez family reunion celebrated each May. I joined in on the fun when I visited Baybay again from 20-23 June.

I never tire of going to far-flung areas around the country. This particular area of Leyte is very scenic offering majestic views from the mountain tops to serene vistas along the shore. So this trip was a bonus of sorts. It offers me to laze around the bahay-kubo of the Vilbar family as well as unlimited access to the beach and brilliant sunshine as much as I can.

I was with June Recto carousing on the clear waters that morning  when they had a bangkerohan regatta. The fishermen in the area competed in a boat race... no, two races!!! The first banca race had the boatmen paddling furiously to shore with the winners taking home cash prizes and bragging rights to boot. The second race was much more interesting and fun. All the contestants had to paddle way off the shoreline to a designated spot where the starting line was. then they had to paddle to shore with nothing  but bare hands. That was a blast! some boats with uneven outriggers would go roundabout and the oarsman had to steer it in a straight line. By the time the regatta had finished it was time for lunch. I had no pictures to share as I was getting a tan at sea... hah!

Barangay Guadalupe is one of two in Leyte that celebrates its foundation day. For this Congressman Jose Carlos Cari is proud and he makes it a point to make an appearance together with his lovely wife Marge on the big day. On their part, the entire community goes all out in the preparations for the big celebrations. All six zones are well represented in a grand parade that's preceded by a group of bikers in the area, a few drum and bugle corps from the schools and various socio-civic groups who joined in on the parade. Notable were the Senior Citizens Association, the Gardeners' Club, the Women's Livelihood Project and all four religious denominations whose pastors/priests were present during the invocation.

Cong. and  Mrs. Jose Carlos Cari

The gymnasium was converted into a stage and disco area specially for the event. The women's livelihood projects were on display in a makeshift bazaar while intelligent lighting and mega woofers and speakers were hired for audio requirements and the free disco to cap off the evening. The dance number of the senior citizens brought the house down as they did a folk dance to start the proverbial ball rolling.

Senior Citizens Group

Minutes later, the Commemorative Plates were handed out to the posthumous awardees that have contributed greatly to the barangay's welfare, sometimes at their own expense. June Recto received the honors for his grandfather Laureano Nunez who was cabeza de barangay in 1945. It's urprising to me how the committee members were able to research that far back as to who the barangay's founding fathers were. Tita Linda was also on hand to receive the award for her grandfather who happens to be a close relative of the Rectos and the entire APDANS clan.

Tita Linda and June Recto

Some of the guests flew in from Manila and were ably rewarded to be in the company of some of Leyte's esteemed political families. A baranggay official seal was unveiled with the help of Mrs. Cari. and the barrio captain.

Unveiling the baranggay seal with Mrs. Cari

The plates were handed out by the incumbent baranggay chairman and the honorable Congressman Cari. 

June Recto accepting the commemorative plate 

Later on, he was joined by his brother Vice Mayor Mike Cari who also gave a short inspirational speech to further move the community to continue with their own initiatives. Congressman Cari actually has earmarked the amount of P700,000.00 for the improvement of the river channels within the baranggay.

the honorable Congressman Jose Carlos Cari

The honorable Vice Mayor Mike Cari

After the more serious part of the festivities it was fun all the way till past midnight. There was a feast of specially made lechon that was served at the day care center area.  There were cheers wafting in the air as other groups performed in a variety show and then the disco followed. I was tempted to go dancing except I was tired from the day's events. But I could hear the national anthem playing as the dancing signed off at around 2 a.m.

Kudos to the  baranggay chairman and his organizing committee as well as the members of his staff for a job well done. What a celebration it was... see you in December?