A city after my own heart

I was in Iriga last week to judge Miss Iriga where I sat as the chairman of the board of judges and to tape episodes for my show Boy & Kris. I remember visiting Iriga several years back but I really did not have the time to move around the city. So, on my second trip to Nora Aunor’s birthplace, I promised to visit as many places as I can and to savor the food and fun the city offers.

Iriga is a 32-minute plane ride from Manila. Landing at the Naga airport, we were met by a local band which played marching songs for our party. I was amused, confused and a bit embarrassed. Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo was in the same plane as I was and here we were, being welcomed by a drum and bugle corps and majorettes (from the University of Northeastern Philippines in Iriga) who were dispatched by my friend, Mayor Madel Alfelor-Gazmen of Iriga to welcome us. Another 30-minute road travel and we were at Lemar’s Hotel in Iriga City.

Iriga is not only the Superstar’s place. I discovered later that Iriga abounds with beautiful, intelligent women and alluring scenic spots that will instantly win you over. We did a pre-pageant interview with the 20 contestants of Miss Iriga, Miss Rinconada and Miss Tourism. I was impressed with the presence, confidence, humor and wit of most of the girls. It was a breeze for most of them. Others parried the questions of the judges (Ian Reyno of ABS-CBN, Leonardo Belen of Manila Bulletin, Rey Pumaloy, and Dindo Balares of Balita) with ease and poise. Bravo, girls!

Right there and then at the pre-pageant interview, I marked the strong candidates — Contestant No. 10 Rubyrose Tagum, Contestant No. 4. Glaiza Anne Bilas and Contestant No. 12 Margareth Cristel Cuba. During finals night, these three girls sparkled. They sashayed the runway in splendid gowns created by Iriga’s young designers. I was surprised to know that fashion is alive in Iriga and that there are young, bright, excellent and creative designers in the city. Mayor Madel had to forgo the swimsuit competition as many young girls and their parents avoided the beauty contest because of the swimwear portion. She is unrelenting in her desire to instill in the young the 12 core values Iriga city celebrates each month — cleanliness, generosity and kindness, patience and tolerance, decisiveness and persistence, truthfulness, respectfulness, industriousness, humility, dependability, resourcefulness, thriftiness and compassion. The pageant carried a fashionista theme with a strong environmental message. One gown worn by a contestant was made of fish scales, another was made of local shells, and still another, a mix and match of local materials. The designs were vogue, hip and edgy. Young designer Francis Hermogeno won the Best Designer award with his over-the edge design.

I also did the final question and answer of the 10 finalists. And Boy, they were witty. Contestant No. 10 Ms. Tagum who ended up being crowned Miss Iriga, studied at the Philippine Science High School and is now enrolled at UP Diliman. Contestant No. 12 Ms. Cuba graduated from UP Diliman and currently enrolled at the San Beda Law School. She won the title Miss Tourism and Best in Traje De Boda. Crowned Miss Rinconada was Contestant No. 4 Glaiza Anne Bilas.

Iriga which has a population of 100,649 is one of the safest and cleanest cities in the Bicol region. It is slowly becoming a hub for tourists not only because of its natural attractions but because of its smiling, hospitable people. It is a relaxing place to be in. Though restaurants are far and in between, you can still have a night cap with a delicious cup of coffee at Desny Grill. Desny also serves delicious barbecue.

Iriga has 33 natural springs one of which is Masosu in San Isidro district. The story has it that Masosu spring resort got its name from a local shell called “sosu” that was aplenty many years ago. In Masosu I tried cooking tinoktok, a local dish made of fresh crabs, young grated coconut, ginger, onion and garlic wrapped in banana leaves and simmered in coconut milk. It is a delectable dish. Rising some 4,823 feet above sea level, Mt. Iriga is an ecotourism park which offers not only a panoramic view of the entire Camarines Sur, but also home of Rafflesia Irigaense, one of smallest species of Rafflesia, the largest and rarest flower known for its disturbing smell.

The country’s oldest bus transportation Alatco later named Philtranco is also found in Iriga. Alatco was established by an American serviceman named A.L. Ammen. Memorabilia of the beginnings of the oldest transport in the country is housed at the Transportation Museum, inside an American plantation house type. There is also the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto which used to be a garrison during the Japanese time. In Illian Hill, I witnessed the Rinampo, a tribal dance of the Aetas.

Mayor Madel surprised us with a dinner atop a hill overlooking the city. We were serenaded by the UNEP (University of Northeastern Philippines) Chorale which has won choral championships outside the country. I have been to different places but Iriga will linger in my heart because of Ate Guy, Mayor Madel, the laing of Joy Lee, the tinoktok, the 33 springs and seven waterfalls, the kindness of its people and a lot more.