Mammangi Festival 2023 is a grand festival like no other replete with colorful, joyous thanksgiving activities for a good harvest of corn and honoring the corn farmers who have been the real foundation of the City of Ilagan’s economy through the years.
James Reid with the Bb. Ilagan candidates.
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A grand comeback this year after a three-year hiatus due to the health pandemic, the 2023 edition which was also held in time for the city’s 11th cityhood anniversary, featured various activities such as the showcase of agri-ecotourism booths by the city’s 91 barangays which were divided into 4 clusters, namely Centro Poblacion Cluster, Northeastern Cluster, San Antonio Cluster, and Western Cluster.
It was followed 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/Miss Universe 2021 Top 5 winner Beatrice Luigi Gomez who did a remarkable job as pageant host together with GMA talent Carlo “Kaloy” Tingcungco. 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.
Singer Gino Padilla is joined by fans on the stage
Another exciting night for the Ilagueños was the Barangay Night and Awarding of Sikan Na Ilagan and Outstanding Ilagueños 2023 held at Ilagan Community Center. 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.
Finally, the festival’s highlight, the Mammangi Festival Street Dance and Showdown Competition was also held at the city’s massive Sports Complex. It was capped by a grand concert featuring Manila and local artists led by Celeste Legaspi, Dulce, Gino Padilla, and Gigi De Lana, together with the Whiplash Dance Company, Top 5 Choral Winners, and the Street Dance and Showdown winners.
Celeste Legaspi and Dulce (first row, 2nd and 3rd from left) joins the Ilagan Chorale and other performers.
Another grand display, this time the fireworks, that could rival the beauty and excellence of international pyrotechnics, immediately followed.
Meaningful celebrations
Mammangi translates to corn farmer in Isabela’s local language which is Ibanag. The festival therefore is pushing for corn farming to further put the province’s hold as the Corn Capital of the Philippines.
Internet sensation Gigi de Lana happily receives a portrait of her drawn by PWD foot artist Mark Agcaoili after the night’s grand concert which had her for the finale.
This year, the City of Ilagan put up its vision on a higher level with the tagline, “The Liveable City of Ilagan 2030: Adhikain ng Bawat Ilagueño.” To jumpstart this, Mayor Diaz and his team, together with Senator Mark Villar, formally launched the I-Corn Complex in Barangay Marana 1st.
“From a struggling municipality back in 2016 we are now recognized as the best LGU (local government unit) in the entire Cagayan Valley Region. As such, we are in the forefront of economic progress." Diaz said during the groundbreaking ceremony.
The innovative facility, which is expected to be operational starting February 2024, aims to serve not just corn growers in the city but also 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.
Mammangi Eco-tourism Booths
A grand comeback this year after a three-year hiatus due to the health pandemic, the Mammangi 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.
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.
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 led 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.
Street Dance and Showdown Competition
August 9 was 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.
Like the grandiose Bambanti Festival 2023 in January this year, the comeback Mammangi was executed under the expertise of Festival Consultant and Overall Director Nilo Agustin.
What a way to celebrate! Congratulations, the City of Ilagan for the grandiose twin celebrations. We look forward to the city’s robust development in the many Mammangi Festivals to come.
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