Zone Officers Convention 2019: United for Best Manolo Fortich

People from every corner of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon gathered at the Municipal Gymnasium last Saturday, March 22 to proudly represent their zones for the Zone Officers Convention 2019. Zone officers from the twenty-two barangays of Manolo Fortich convened to celebrate the municipality’s achievements as part of the month-long Charter Day celebration. Various key personalities were present in the convention namely, Hon. Clive D. Quiño –the municipal mayor –together with his gorgeous first-lady Madame Rina Quiño–and the municipal vice mayor Hon.Miguel D. Demata. Also, Hon. Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba was there; the First District Representative of Bukidnon.

The convention was started with zone officers from different barangays taking their Oath of Office lead by Mayor Quiño, himself.After this, Mayor Quiño offered hisState of the Municipality Address (SOMA). This highlights the achievement of the Quiño-administration has done for the municipality. Mayor Quiño talked various projects such as the newly-built bus terminal, and school renovations across Manolo Fortich to name a few. However, what sparked my attention the most is his vision of what is yet to come. The mayor envisions an ecological and environmental conscious form of municipality by rehabilitating landfills located in Brgy. Alae as well as the administration’s conservation efforts of the Philippine Eagle species.

Finally, in-lined with the convention’s theme: “Working Together for Best Manolo Fortich,” Hon. Acosta-Alba sparked her audience’s love and loyalty for their Manolo Fortich through her message. She talked how her work as a congresswoman made her realize that it is with selfless public-service a nation would have a change to prosper; and that service to people should not be limited to officials but also extends to every individual community.Congresswoman Alba’s speech concluded the first part of the convention.

While waiting for the second part of the program, everyone was given the chance to see the exhibits each barangay has prepared. The exhibits showcased each barangay’s project and programs to promote a better quality of living. Also, these programs aim to promote peaceful community. The exhibits were made using materials that were indigenous to their places.

The second part of the program was where all the fun happened. Each barangay had competed in a talent-show. The central theme of the show was Disney musical. Some lip-synced and few performed live, the Disney stage was brought in Manolo Fortich as representatives of each barangays rendered their extravagant performances. Familiar original soundtracks as Frozen’s “Let it Go,” Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go” and the Oscar awarded “Beauty and the Beast” were performed in the stage enticing the audience to sing along; filling the gymnasium of bliss and a hint of nostalgia. Although the performers ranged from adults to even 50s it cannot be denied that by the show, their childhood was rekindled.

In the end, the ensemble from Barangay Lingion was announced to be the grand champion of the talent show. There were special awards given. Below is the final result of the talent show.

SPECIAL AWARDS:

· Best Costume: Lunocan

· Best Choreography: Lingion

MAJOR AWARDS:

· Non-Disney Based Performances:

· 3rd Placer: Mampayag

· 2nd Placer: Alae

· CHAMPION: STO. NINO

· Disney Based Performances:

· 3rd Placer: Agusan Canyon

· 2nd Placer: Sankanan

· CHAMPION: LINGION

The convention ended with people having smiles to their faces –which was great witnessing. Upfront, one might say that the goal of the convention was to convene and unite leaders from different zones in one place to establish connections and camaraderie. However, with mayor Quino’s SOMA, he effectively made it clear that there is a need to establish effective communications between the zone units and the municipal office. That it is with constant sharing of opinions and feedback we are able to form a government that is not indifferent to its people; ultimately, realizing the convention’s theme, i.e, we are “Working Together for Best Manolo Fortich” we envision for.