The City of Iriga is located at the heart of the Bicol Economic Growth Corridor and is one of the fastest growing cities in the region. It has evolved into an eco-tourism, agro-economic and educational hub with two big universities within the city. Surrounding the area are more than thirty natural springsĀ giving the city theĀ nameĀ āCity of Crystal Clear Springs.ā Iriga is alsoĀ referred to asĀ a “Character City” and its citizensĀ have earned the reputation of beingĀ warm, friendly, and industrious.
But that’s not why I was there …
Recently atĀ Singapore Management University, I gave a talk about Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), their families, remittance, and BeamAndGo. After the talk,Ā I was introduced to the Honorable Ronald Felix Y. Alfelor, the Mayor of the City of Iriga.
Turns out the Mayor and I share the same advocacy – fiscal responsibility and financial literacy. As a result, he invited me and the BeamAndGo team to aĀ visitĀ and speak with the Iriga’s business, education, utilities and healthcare leaders.
With the wind at our backs,Ā Albert Go (Marketing Director), JasminĀ Co (Business Development Associate)Ā and IĀ packed our bags andĀ headed toĀ Iriga for a 3 day, 2 night adventure.
On our first day in Iriga, we spent the afternoon talking withĀ a group ofĀ city leaders and business people, discussing the social issues that OFW families are experiencing. We presented the BeamAndGo platform as an agent of positive change and spent time fielding questions and exchanging ideas.
The gang is all here
The merchants, schools, hospitals and utility companies provided great feedback on implementation, concerns, andĀ adoption.Ā It was encouraging to see both theĀ private and public sector acknowledging the plight of OFWs and the willingness to work together on a solution. Love it!
Gawad Kalinga Character Village
On our second day, we were given a tour of Iriga’s Gawad Kalinga Character Village. This village was, and continues to be, the pet project of former Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazman.
Situated along the hillside facing Mount Iriga, the Character Village was built by the poor and less fortunate.Ā Those who participated in the building eventually became the residents. The village is clean andĀ well-maintained. And over the years, through the hard word of the dwellers, this community has becomeĀ self-sufficient. Power!!
The Steps of Gawad Kalinga Character Village
At the top of these steps is aĀ wonderful vista of Mount Iriga. I have a bunch of pictures of the view, but I think it’s better if you visit it yourself and enjoy the scenery with your own eyes.
A word about Madelaine Alfelor-Gazman: sheĀ is the former Mayor of Iriga and served that position forĀ 9 years, ending in 2013. During those years, she was responsible for much ofĀ the city’s progress. She is also a member of Kaya Natin and an avidĀ proponent of good governance.
When there wasĀ free time, there was good food …
C’mon, this is the Philippines, you knowĀ the food is going to be delicious!Ā We were lucky enough to haveĀ the time toĀ enjoy 3 meals a day and each meal was yummy: crispy pata, dinuguan, corned beef hash, pancit, manok inasal, kare kare, sisig, bulalo, inihaw na posit … these are a few of my favourite things!
masarap!
In one of our meals, we had the pleasure of tasting the Bicol speciality pinangat. I was already full before I had my first bite, butĀ the pinangatĀ was soooo good, that the taste of all that coconutty goodnessĀ made me hungry again.
By the end of the trip, the Mayor noticed that I had gained weight. And he was right!
So what does all that have to do with Hula Hoops, Ping Pong Balls and Tennis Balls?
On our last night in Iriga, we were invited to the surprise birthday partyĀ for the President of the University of Saint Anthony. We arrived a littleĀ late andĀ missed the surprise part, but we didn’t miss anything else …
Highlight #1. A group of very talented singers and dancers did an Iriga version ofĀ Your Face Sounds Familiar.Ā One word: Bondying.
Bondying relaxing! Couldn’t find a better pic, so this will have to do. I think this is from the movie The Little Big Boy (1989)
HighlightĀ #2. LechonĀ and home-made ice cream.
Highlight #3. Well-sung, really fun karaoke lead by ma’am Madelaine and Romy. While they sang, we danced.
Highlight #4. Three parlour games: the first game involvedĀ passing aĀ set of hula hoops through 10 of us, while we wereĀ holding hands; the second game was to shoot ping pong balls into a cup,Ā whichĀ rested on top ofĀ a person’s head; and the last game was a relay race where the participants had toĀ runĀ around aĀ chair whileĀ dribbling a tennis ball.
OurĀ visit to IrigaĀ was productive and the party was great way to endĀ the trip. To paraphraseĀ Arnold Schwarzenegger, “we’ll be back.”
Shout outs to Mayor Ronald Alfelor, former Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazman, Nenet Berina, Nona Santiago, Peter Lagyap, Lilo, and everyone we met at Iriga.
O baka may kilala kang nagpapanggap na single sa abroad kahit kasal na sa Pilipinas? Ginagawang libangan ang pagkikipag-chat sa iba hanggang sa mauwi na sa seryosohan?
