On May 15, 2012, the first leg of “Tour of Ilocos Sur” reached the Municipality of Cervantes before two o’clock in the afternoon after jumpstarting from the City of Vigan at eight o’clock in the morning. It was sponsored by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur, through the leadership of the Honorable Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, under the direct supervision of the Honorable Provincial Board Member Jose “Peping” Bunoan, Chairman of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Sports.

On the following morning, they started from Cervantes at seven thirty in the morning bound to Vigan City for the second leg.

Tour of Ilocos Sur contestants

The Sangguniang Bayan of Cervantes moved to its new home upon completion of the new Legislative Building, located north of the old Municipal Building. It was inaugurated with a modest ceremony before it was occupied. It was completed before the end of March 2012 and dedicated on March 26, 2012 by Pastor Eliezer “Allan” Danioan. A simple get together capped the affair.

On April 12, 2012 just before midnight, the new Miss Cervantes for CY 2012 in the person of Miss Hanna Jane B. Asuncion of Barangay Rosario was crowned by no less than the Honorable Mayor Clifford Patil-ao of the Municipality of Quirino, Ilocos Sur together with the First Lady of Cervantes, Mrs. Cresencia P. Maggay.

Incidentally, the reigning beauty who turned over the crown is her cousin in the person of Miss Harvi Asuncion Dalilis.

On April 11, 12 and 13, the people of Cervantes, together with visitors, balik-bayan, traders and guests celebrated the annual town fiesta successfully and peacefully.

During the three-day celebration, everything was relatively peaceful with no report of untoward incident noted. Thanks to the vigilance of the police force of Cervantes Municipal Police Station, with help of a team from the Philippine Army, 5ID, 53rd Recon Coy, and the Ilocos Sur Provincial Public Safety Company (ISPPSC). Kudos to the and thanks also to PSSUPT Noel Baguitan Amoyen, PNP Provincial Director, Bulag, Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

The Local Government, in partnership with ADFI, sponsored several scholars under the joint scholarship program, to help the under-privileged but deserving students finish their studies. Two (2) students from Cervantes are enjoying full scholarship in Davao, while the rest were studying in different institutions here in Luzon, mostly from Region I or CAR. Some were not in the picture because they were studying elsewhere, while those in the picture are studying at ISPSC-Cervantes Campus. Facilitating the meeting were Sir Melvin of ADFI and Ma’am Mary of the LGU.

Some of the ADFI Scholars during one of their meetings at the start of the school year.

First Gitlangan Market Day

June 8, 2011 had been another milestone in the history of Cervantes, particularly for the three southern barangays of the municipality because the market day was launched at Gitlangan.

Mayor Benjamin N. Maggay established the Comillas Market Day every Wednesday. While the market day was just on its weaning period, it was agreed that the first day would sponsored by Barangay Comillas North, while Barangay Comillas South would be sponsoring the second market day and Barangay Pilipil, the third, until the same shall be fully established and institutionalized.

Mayor Benjamin N. Maggay, during his speech, disclosed that the idea had been conceptualized nine months ago, after series of consultations with the concerned barangay officials, and it was on this day that the dream materialized. He further explained that this would be very beneficial to the three barangays as their fifty pesos could be used to buy their needs, whereas marketing in Poblacion would cost them additional expenses for their fares.

The affair had also been attended by ADFI Representatives, DTI Officials, Vice Mayor Paterno Dacanay of Mankayan, Benguet and the local elected officials, including the other Punong Barangays of the municipality.

Community Organizing at Barangay Aluling

The elected officials, project officers, department heads and selected personnel of the Local Government of Cervantes had conducted community organizing in the thirteen barangays for the past two weeks. The group was divided into three teams to attend to the barangays. The first barangay to be organized under the watchful eye of Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. (ADFI) was Barangay Dinwede West, which was held on May 20, 2011 and it was attended jointly by the three teams.

BPMH had also undergone the community organizing Assisi-style and the personnel had the occasion assessing themselves too, determining their needs and their expectations through series of workshops done in one day.

The community organizing, the baby step towards community development had been a fruitful success yielding positive results.

Miss Harvi Asuncion Dalilis of Barangay Rosario was crowned Ms. Cervantes 2011 on April 7, 2011 , in a search, which highlighted the town fiesta celebrations. Miss Kristine Joy Esquejo of Barangay Concepcion bagged the 1st Runner-up, while Miss Gemma Sacantiwan of Barangay Aluling also bagged the 2nd Runner-Up.

On March 30, 2011, the local government of Cervantes hosted the Stakeholders’ Conference, which was held at the Lepanto Hall of the Municipal Building. The aim of the conference is to prepare an action plan for the LGU on how to deal with poverty, utilizing the persons with disabilities (PWD) as a strategy. It has been observed that there are PWD’s in all sectors of the society and they could be of help also in uplifting the social strata given the opportunity. This is with the help of CBM/CBR Foundation.

Another highlight of the conference was the signing of pledge of commitment from the different invited stakeholders involving the NCIP, CBM/CBR, DILG, DepEd, DPWH, DOH, ISPSC, the different Punong Barangay, and some heads of offices who are directly involved in the mainstream of Cervantes PADRE (Poverty Alleviation for Development and Rural Economy) a pet program of Mayor Benjamin N. Maggay, which is also supported by the members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Cervantes.

Mr. and Miss Valentine 2011, crowned.

On February 14, 2011 the Local Government of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur celebrated Valentine’s Day and it was highlighted by the Search for Mr. and Miss Valentine 2011.  Mr. Daryll C. Bondad of the Municipal Treasury Office and Miss Leni Galuzo of the Municipal Accounting Office were crowned Mr. and Miss Valentine by the Honorable Mayor Benjamin N. Maggay and his better half, Mrs. Cresencia P. Maggay.

The search had been through an impromptu casting of votes with one peso per vote. Mr. Rosito G. Rafael chaired the search while Councilor Abraham D. Octaviano was the Master of Ceremonies, with the activity held at the Lepanto Hall of the Municipal Building.