The City of Ilagan formally launched the I-Corn Complex in Barangay Marana 1st during the twin celebrations of the city’s 11th cityhood anniversary and Mammangi Festival 2023.
Mammangi translates to corn farmer in the local language. The corn facility, an initiative of City Mayor Josemarie Diaz, is a tribute to all corn farmers.
"The rationale for the Mammangi Festival is us pushing for corn farming. For a time, farmers stopped planting corn because it was no longer economically feasible. After harvest, the farmers would bring their corn to the processing facilities and sell them at a low price. When the corn is processed into feed, the farmers buy them at a higher cost. A majority of the corn produced in Ilagan, especially in Brgy. San Antonio, is yellow corn, which is the variety used for livestock feed. It is high time to break this cycle,” Mayor Diaz said during a media conference with Manila delegates.
He said that the innovative, highly-technical facility is part of the city’s vision: “The Liveable City of Ilagan 2030: Adhikain ng Bawat Ilagueño.”
“So we came up with synergism with the I-Corn Complex. Now we will process the corn ourselves and become the producers than end users,” he added.
The Department of Agriculture-funded project -- with a P107-M allocation while the city government of Ilagan’s share is P92.2-M -- is also expected to provide comprehensive aid to local corn growers in Ilagan, Isabela, and surrounding provinces in Region 2.
Construction of the center in Brgy. Marana 1st started in the third quarter of 2022 and it is expected to be operational starting February 2024. The facility also aims to serve the corn growers of the entire Isabela Province in the processing of their corn harvest. It will cater to the needs of the farmers, fisherfolk, and other stakeholders. Its goal is to be a one-stop shop for all produce.
Another project that aims to make Ilagan a liveable city by 2023 is the JLD Village, a City Housing Project at Barangay Alibagu, initially intended for the 2,500 employees of the local government. Diaz and his fellow officials led the blessing and inauguration of the project which strictly followed the concept of the famous Filipino architect and urban planner Felino A. Palafox, Jr. Mayor JDL said he intends to duplicate said project in other parts of Ilagan. For now, the ready 100 housing units project consists of 32 Economic housing (Single Detached), 26 units of Socialized Housing (Duplex Type Housing), and 40 Units of Socialized (Row Housing).
Mayor Diaz was happy to note that his city is in the forefront of economic progress.
“From a struggling municipality back in 2016, we are now recognized as the best LGU in the entire Cagayan Valley Region. We did it in five years-time!" said Diaz.
Mammangi Festival 2023 and 11th Cityhood Anniversary celebrations
From August 1-13, 2023, the city came to life with colorful parades and harvest offerings by the farmers. Started in 2011, the festival also features much-anticipated occasions like the vivid buoy parade and road-moving exhibitions executed by youthful Ilagueño artists wearing local ensembles made of indigenous materials.
A grand comeback this year after a three-year hiatus due to the health pandemic, the festival officially started with the opening ceremonies of Tienda Ilagan on August 1 featuring agri-ecotourism booths at the City of Ilagan Promenade followed by a Thanksgiving Mass at the city’s St. Ferdinand Parish Church on August 7. The festival was originally set in the last week of May 2023 but due to weather disturbances then it was rescheduled from August 1-13, 2023, making it a back-to-back celebration with the city’s 11th Cityhood anniversary.
Mammangi Eco-tourism Booths
The Agri Eco-Tourism Village offered visitors a close look at “Understanding the Liveable City of Ilagan 2030 Vision,” with each participant highlighting their products and services. The booths also serve as a platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products, promote local trade, and invigorate the city's economy.
For Category A (Barangay booths), Western 1 was adjudged champion and won a cash prize of P100,000. Poblacion came in as first runner-up and pocketed P70,000. Chosen second runner-up was North Eastern 1 which got the P50,000 cash prize.
For the government agencies who joined (Category B), Iselco 2 was hailed the champ with a P50,000 cash prize followed by Isabela State Campus and Tesda which received P40,000 and P30,000, respectively. Meanwhile, all non-winning booths received a consolation prize of P10,000 each.
Binibining Ilagan 2023
The Monday festivity of August 7 was capped by the highly anticipated Binibining Ilagan 2023 Grand Finals and Coronation Night held at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex hosted by Miss Universe Philippines 2021 and Miss Universe 2021 Top 5 winner Beatrice Luigi Gomez and GMA talent Carlo “Kaloy” Tingcungco.
After a colorful presentation -- costume, swimsuit, gown and casual wear – and the grueling Q & A, a towering beauty from Marana 1st, Kristine Joy D. Guzman, 20, was proclaimed Binibining Ilagan 2023.
Her court included Bb. Turismo, Sining at Kultura Kristine Kay Bautista, 21, from Bliss Village; Bb. Agrikultura Justine Denielle Morillo, 22, from San Andres; 1st Runner Up Kris Chellsy Villar, 18, from Nagullian Sur; and 2nd Runner Up Frances Alteia Leaño, 21, from San Vicente.
Amid the sound and shouts from spectators rooting for their candidates, the night was livened up by a mini-concert by popular singer performer James Reid.
Barangay Night and Awarding of Sikan Na Ilagan and Outstanding Ilagueños 2023
August 8 was another exciting night for the Ilagueños with the Barangay Night and Awarding of Sikan Na Ilagan and Outstanding Ilagueños 2023 held at Ilagan Community Center.
City Mayor Josemarie L. Diaz, Vice-Mayor Kiryll S. Bello, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod officials lead the awarding rites, which gathered representatives from the City of Ilagan’s 91 barangays. No less than Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano III and Vice Gov. Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III honored the awardees with their presence.
The night was capped by a modern dance competition with five contingents joining the merry-go-round. Singer-actress Geneva Cruz and the comedic duo of MC and Lassy provided entertainment and laughter throughout the program.
Mammangi Festival Street Dance and Showdown Competition
August 9 was truly a night to remember with the festival’s highlight, the Mammangi Festival Street Dance and Showdown Competition at the City of Ilagan Sports Complex.
Braving the scorching heat of the sun in the mid afternoon’s parade, and still dancing gleefully and gracefully in their colorful props and costumes bearing the corn harvest, NorthEastern 1 emerged as the champion followed by Poblacion 1 and San Antonio 1 each receiving P100,000, P70,000, and P50,000, respectively, as prizes.
Meanwhile, the showdown competition winners were as follows: NorthEastern 2, Poblacion 1, and NorthEastern 1, receiving the same amount respectively, of the street dance contest.
Grand concert and fireworks display
Every barangay who participated in the festivity received project prizes from Mayor JLD. This year’s champion, NorthEastern 1, received a whopping P1-M worth of projects. Poblacion 1 got P750,00; Western 1, P500,000; and NorthEastern 2, P250,000, respectively, as first, second, and third runners-up.
Mammangi Festival 2023 was capped by a grand concert featuring Manila and local artists led by Celeste Legazpi, Dulce, Gino Padilla, and Gigi De Lana, together with the Whiplash Dance Company, Top 5 Choral Winners, and the Street Dance and Showdown winners. It was followed by another grand display, this time the fireworks, that could rival the beauty and excellence of international pyrotechnics.
Like the grandiose Bambanti Festival 2023, the comeback Mammangi was executed under the expertise of Festival Consultant and Overall Director Nilo Agustin.
Truly, the City of Ilagan was worth our visit by experiencing its thanksgiving activity for a good harvest and honoring its farmers who have been the real foundation of the city's economy through the years. We look forward to the city’s robust development in the many Mammangi Festivals to come.
Sulong pa, Ilagan!
#mammangifestival2023
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#cityofilagan #isabela
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#liveablecity2030
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