The Local Government Unit of Bayambang once again lauded outstanding Bayambangueños in its prestigious Matalunggaring Awards at Balon Bayambang Events Center last March 31.

This year’s set of outstanding awardees includes Atty. Onofre P. Guevara (Law), Mr. Emiliano Reyes Santos, Sr. (Public Service), Dr. Liza Lanuza Quimson (Education), Mrs. Guadalupe Germono Zoller (Community Service), Ms. Asteria Perez Wilhelm (Humanitarian Service), Commodore Luzviminda A. Camacho, AFP (Military Service), Brigadier General Jovencio F. Gonzales (Military Service), Mr. Gerenerio Q. Rosales (Public Service and Education), Prof. Januario M. Cuchapin (Culture and Arts), Fr. Joseph Anacleto Mananzan, SVD (Spiritual Development), Engr./Lt.Cdr. Rudolfo Martinez Ferrer, PN (Military Service), Dr. Hubert H. Fernandez, (Medicine and Health Care), and Mr. Kenneth Mejia, CPA (Banking and Finance).

The event was attended by the town’s biggest names, including some the former awardees and the families and friends of this year’s awardees. It started with a musical performance by the Philippine Rondalla Serenata followed by a red-carpet parade composed of Mayor Niña Jose Quiambao accompanied by former Mayor, Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao, as well as the winners of the Binibining Bayambang 2023, and this year’s batch of Matalunggaring Awardees.

Moreover, the welcoming message was given by the town’s longest Hermano and Hermana Mayor of Pista’y Baley for three consecutive years, Dr. Nicolas O. Miguel and Dr. Myrna P. Miguel. According to them, the success of the awardees is the success of all Bayambangueños. “You are making a difference, you have made a name that is printed in the hearts and minds of every Bayambangueño,” they added.

Mayor Niña Jose Quiambao, in her speech, said that it is an incredible feeling that today’s generation of Bayambangueños have people such as the awardees as an inspiration. “To our Matalunggaring Awardees, you are our pride, our treasure, and our legacy forever,” she added.

Afterwards, the Matalunggaring Awardees of 2023 were presented and honored on the stage one by one, and each was also given a golden trophy that was inspired by the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

“This should serve as an inspiration to our Bayambangueños, to excel and to achieve something that will do good to the people,” said Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao during his speech, who is also a former Matalunggaring Awardee.

At the end of the ceremony, the Matalunggaring Dance Troupe performed “binasuan” dance, a folk dance that originated in Bayambang, Pangasinan that means “with the use of drinking glasses.”

In its fifth year, the ceremony was once again organized by the Chairman of Matalunggaring Awards Committee, Sangguniang Bayan Secretary Joel Camacho, and hosted by Municipal Tourism Officer and Bayambang Polytechnic College President, Dr. Rafael L. Saygo.