By: Mr. Rols Burgos
San Nicolas Ilocos Norte – Another successful fiesta celebration has once again witnessed in Barangay 11 San Fernando, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, the ‘Allawagi Festival’ Year IV.
The five (5) days celebration kicked off with a Feeding Program sponsored by the Balikbayan Sisters Hazelyn, Ruby and Jenny Agustin from New Jersey, USA.
The feeding program was held in this Barangay owned Day Care Development Center with teacher Miriam Currimao with the 20 kids in the Nursery grade last October 24.
On October 25, a yearly Walkathon was held participated by the Barangay residents at 5:00 early in the morning led by the PNP patrol car around Barangay 11.
After which, a Sumba was conducted participated in by the Onse Sumbanatics as part of an early fun exercise for a well balanced lifestyle.
SK Chairperson Jake Dela Cruz likewise hold the traditional ‘Laro Ng lahi’ participated by the elementary grade pupils. Cash prizes were given to the winners of Tag Of War, Sack Race and Putukan Na’.
Same day in the afternoon was the conduct of a Mass officiated by Father Danilo Guevaras in celebration of the yearly Allawagi Festival every last week of October.
On October 26 was a Blood Letting Program conducted by the Mariano Marcos Memorial and Medical Center (MMMMC) in Batac wherein some of our residents and nearby Barangays donated their blood in addition to the Barangay owned Blood Bank in said hospital.
Secondary and College students also participated the Mobile Legend (ML) Tournament held in the afternoon until evening held at the Barangay Basketball Court where cash prizes were also awarded to the winners.
On October 27, a Livelihood Skills Training on Coated Peanut and Bamboo Shoot Pickles was also conducted and participated by the Women Organizations in the Barangay.
Concluding the fiesta celebration was the black buster ‘Trick Or Treat’ in celebration of the All Saints and All Souls day on November 1 and 2 respectively day which wasattended by kids from the Barangay and outside.
The Trick or Treat is a Halloween activity and a custom where children in costumes go door-to-door to ask for treats like candies and others.
Relative to this, every households were requested to participate of said activity where the participating kids were all happy and gay as they received plenty of candies and monetary.
Winners of the Most Fairy and Most Scary looks also received cash prizes both 5 years old and below and 6 years old and above categories. The Agustin sisters again sponsored the major cash prizes.
The ‘’Allawagi Festival’’ is a yearly fiesta celebration of Barangay 11 San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte and was started in 2019 by virtue of Barangay Ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Barangay headed by Punong Barangay Dominic B. Dela Cruz.
The Allawagi is an Ilocano word simply means a carpenter which builds houses, buildings and any kind of edifices. Aside from being a carpenter which is plenty in this Barangay, other talented gifted blue collar jobs can also be found in this Barangay.
PB Dela Cruz said that the Allawagi Festival comes from the name of the Patron Saint of Barangay 11 which is San Fernando.
St. Ferdinand is the Patron Saint of Spain, rulers, engineers and the Spanish Army’s Corps of Engineers.
PB Dela Cruz expressed his deepest thanks and gratitude to all the participants in the much awaited Allawagi Festival celebration most especially to the sponsors in some of the activities and likewise with the Barangay Officials.
