ALFONSO LISTA, IFUGAO – – All roads lead to Barangay Sta.Maria at Alfonso Lista town in Ifugao starting on March 28 as villagers, barangay government officials and guests head to key sites of the barangay in observance of its annual barangay fiesta.
This early, barangay council officials- led by Punong Barangay Billy Gonsadan, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials- led by SK chairman Jerrymiah Bubod, and leaders of various non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) are busy preparing the different programs and activities lined up for the two-day festivity.
Sta. Maria Barangay Fiesta is one of the most-awaited events in this farming town.
Major activities are scheduled to be conducted at the town’s amphitheater.
“As always, residents of Barangay Sta. Maria are proud of the gains registered in the past twelve months and the barangay council recognizes the fact that this development should be attributed to their cooperation and contributions to all aspects of life,” Gonsadan told the ZigZag Weekly.
Gonsadan, also the ABC president and concurrent member of the Sangguniang Bayan, has been credited for the unprecedented growth and development in the barangay. He is one of the most promising and active leaders in the public sector of Ifugao.
This encourages ample support from many quarters to look forward attending the Sta. Maria Barangay Fiesta.
Major events are scheduled by fiesta organizers. Among them are literary, musical and dance contests. Basketball and volleyball games are also slated to draw the attention of the youth sector. A salient feature of this year’s fiesta is the search for the Festival King and Queen. Major prizes await the winners. Other awardees are the Festival King and Queen first runner-up, second runner-up, third runner-up and fourth runner-up. Joining them is the Tourism King and Queen fifth runner-up.
Other awards to be given include Ms. Congeniality, People’s Choice Award, Ms. Darling of the Crowd, Ms. Photogenic, Best in Production Number and Best in Creative Festival Attire.
Distinguished individuals in the private and public sectors shall be the members of the board of judges.
Key leaders in the religious sector are also taking part in the two-day festivity. They include pastors Merith Valdez and Delario Jamardre.
There are also fun-filled moments during a fun run and Zumba presentation. Of course, the fiesta is incomplete for it derives its strength on a thanksgiving service on March 28.
In attendance are Mayor Edralin Alipio and Vice Mayor Agapito Dominguez Jr.
It is fiesta time and people live their dreams. Visitors like to move around, take photographs, meet new acquaintances, sample native delicacies and do things at their own pace. Easily, this is the place to do so because residents are friendly and hospitable.
Don’t put all your bets on the Ammung fiesta just yet. Make way and find time for the Sta. Maria Barangay Fiesta!
Need to experience quality merry-making time on March 28-29? Get awesome, lots and lots of enjoyment when you attend the activities of Sta. Maria Barangay Fiesta. Organizers carefully lined up various activities to answer the needs of each sector-from the elderly to the young ones.
Barangay Sta. Maria is one of the fastest-emerging village in Ifugao. The sprawling municipal hall complex is situated here. Likewise, the public market and Alfonso Lista Central School- easily the front-runner of learning institutions in the primary level, are located at Barangay Sta. Maria.
The village has seven puroks and 11 sitios.
Notable achievements in the socio-economic spheres of life in the barangay have been credited to Punong Barangay Billy Gonsadan, one of the youngest village chieftains in Ifugao.
Today, Gonsadan is one of the most active councilors of Alfonso Lista. His pro-active stance at the Sangguniang Bayan has drawn widespread attention in the province.
Many are so focused on inept and incompetent public servants that they tend to forget that there are still a few others who are dutifully and faithfully serving the people at all times. One of them is Councilor Billy Gonsadan. With all the pains and difficulties of resolving key problems and concerns of the barangay, one’s worries can end up making life so miserable at the end of the day. Councilor Gonsadan makes sure that he is in touch with his constituents each day of the day, even during holidays and emergency situations. He is a hands down choice as one of the most outstanding punong barangays not just in Ifugao but, in the entire Cordillera Administrative Region.
During the fiesta get a chance to see the strong ties and cooperation among barangay government officials.
The Sta. Maria Barangay Council is also composed of Kagawads (councilmen) Jenette Almeda, Marlon Agbayani, Ryan Jayflor Valdez, Rogelio Rejelme, Ronnie Baddungon, Daniel Ballogan and Benita Baliwang. Jerrymiah Bubod is an ex-officio member. The barangay secretary is Rosanna Agtarap and the barangay treasurer is Ivy Ruthie Singel.
Services are also rendered by ten barangay health workers (BHWs), a barangay nutrition scholar (BNS), a barangay sanitary inspector (BSI), two midwives, a chief tanod (watchman) and a number of watchmen.
This early, Sta. Maria Barangay Council officials have immensely accomplished the objective of making the whole village an environment that encourages residents to grow through a level of social maturity. It is a manifestation that they are proactive rather than reactive in discharging their functions and duties.
Barangay Sta. Maria is the proud home of 5,469 individuals in 2019. There are 1,285 households and 1,493 family heads.
The barangay government also maintains a health station and day care facility.
All told, Punong Barangay Gonsadan and the other council officials are optimistic of implementing more projects for the barangay. Many are saying that these are all mere challenges. No matter what, challenges are meant to be overcome. For starters, its health station is in dire need of a sphygmomanometer (a gadget for getting blood pressure count).
It is a two-day respite or break for Sta. Maria Barangay Council officials and then it is back to work again to create competitive small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and thereby contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction.
From here, it is hoped that the Sta. Maria Barangay Council spotlight sustainability as a key component of its programs, projects and activities. For it shall broaden the gains of economic development in recent times.
Punong Barangay Gonsadan and his colleagues at the barangay council are there to look after the people’s well-being even beyond the merry-making moments on March 28 and 29. **By Anthony A. Araos
