SCRIPT

FIESTA EMPANADA 2017

June 25, 2017, 7:00 P.M.

Liezl: A celebration of good taste

Shan: A testament of good life

Liezl: This is a fitting celebration of the 10th Charter Anniversary of the

City of Batac

Shan: The skies are clear and the stars shine brightly. This is the night
we have all been waiting for.

Liezl and Shan: This is the Fiesta Empanada 2017 Dance Showdown

Liezl: Lets offer tonights event to our Almighty God from whom all
good things come.We will be led in an ecumenical prayer by:

1.

2.

3.

Shan: The Philippine National Anthem follows the prayer.

Ecumenical Prayer

National Anthem (Recording)

Opening Spiel

Shan: Good evening, Liezl!

Liezl: Good evening, Shan!

Shan: You look stunning tonight.

Liezl: Oh, thank you.

Shan: Yes, you look very pretty, well-dressed, and ahhh..

Liezl: What else

Shan: You look dry.

Liezl: Huh?

Shan: I say that in a positive way. As we know, yesterday was rainy, and
it literally rained on our parade.

Liezl: Indeed, but it was also an opportunity for us to see how persistent
and dedicated our dancers, choreographers, and even the viewing
public are. Many continued to dance even as the rained poured
hard, and the viewers stood their ground under their umbrellas.

Shan: Truly amazing! Lets give a big round of applause please for to the
fighting spirit and the never-say-die attitude of the Batacqueno.

Liezl: Meeting challenges is something our people do so well, and

amidst obstacles, we emerge victorious. On this day 10 years ago,
Batac made the difficult but glorious leap to cityhood.

Shan: It was a well-deserved recognition of Batacs stature as a strategic

hub of progress and development.
Liezl: Over the years, the City of Batac has lived up to that promise,
gaining the respect and admiration of many. And for good reason,
our city has been reaping various awards and recognitions in
governance, social services, and people participation.

Shan: Ciudad a Nalatak, Umili a Naragsak!

Liezl: There are a lot of reasons to proud of our city and even more
reasons to be happy.

Shan: And that exactly is what we will all witness tonight.

Liezl: To open this event, lets welcome onstage the Vice Mayor of the
City of Batac, the Honorable Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta.

Vice Mayor Opening Remarks

Liezl: Thank you, Sir. Indeed, Batac is a great city because of its people
who are brimming with talent and oozing with passion to excel
and to serve.

Shan: This year, we have nine contingents battling for the prize and the
bragging rights as Champion of the Fiesta Empanada 2017 Dance
Showdown.

Liezl: Nine contingents fighting for supremacy, but strongly united in

bringing pride and honor to our beloved city.

Shan: In a fitting expression of solidarity, we will witness a unifying

dance to be performed by all the barangay clusters.

Liezl: As a vibrant and dynamic festival, the Empanada continues to

evolve and grow. This year, a new Fiesta Empanada music is being
introduced.It was composed by a well-distinguished musician, Mr.
Jeorge Pastorin, and was performed by Ms. Coleen Mangabat.

Shan: Fellow Batcquenos, lets give it up for our contingents as they

perform as oneOne for Batac, One for our peoplein their
unifying dance.
UNIFYING DANCE

Liezl: What an exhilarating performance! Dancing looks very easy

onstage but it is really the result of sweat, blood, and long days
and nights.

Shan: And thats the reason why we want to give due justice to the labor
of our dancers, choreographers, all artists, and the officials
involved in preparing for this extravaganza. Tonight, we have 7
eminent individuals who carry on their broad shoulders the
weighty responsibility of evaluating tonights performances: the
Board of Judges.

Liezl: Our first judge is a cultural worker and writer. He is the Tourism
Officer of the Municipality of Paoay and President of the Tourism
Officers Association of Region I.

A round of applause please for Mr. Bernard Joseph Guerrero

Shan: Our next judge is the MMSU Nasudi Cultural Troupe Master,
Resource Person of the Dance Education Association of the
Philippines, and the Back-to-Back and reigning Champion
Choreographer of the Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival of Festivals

Ladies and Gentlemen, Batacs pride: Mr. Rowell C. Tagatac

Liezl: The Cultural Coordinator of the Department of Agrarian Reform

Ilocos Norte Provincial Office.

Nabara a sipsipat for Mr. Rommel Aquino

Shan: Also sitting in the panel is the Project Development Officer of the
Schools Division of Ilocos Norte. He was a delegate of the K________
Project in Japan in 2013 and participated this year in the 2017
Asia-Pacific Exchange in Thailand.

Lets give it up for Mr. George Emman Manuel.

Liezl: We are also glad to have as judge a MAPEH Teacher at the Davila
National High School in Pasuquin, and a choreographer of the Bac-
bacarra Festival.

Lets welcome: Mr. Henrieto Ridad

Shan: Our sixth judge is a school principal in the Paoay District. A

member of the Dance Education Association of the Philippines,
and a participant in international trainings at the Cultural center
of the Philippines, she is a nationally recognized resource person
on folk dance.

Ladies and gentlemen, am proud to introduce the dancing

principal, Mrs. Carmencita Debura F. Paz.

Liezl: Last but not least in this eminent panel is the Executive Council
member of the Committee on Northern Cultural Communities of
the National Commission on Culture and the Arts

Lets give our warm Batacqueno welcome to the Chair of the Board
of Judges, Ms. Fanny Kate Jose.

Shan: All well-respected and professionally accomplished. Thank you,

judges.

Liezl: We are all set. Let the 2017 Empanada Festival Dance Showdown
begin.

Liezl: Performing Group No. 1

Shan: Gorio is a healthy child. He loves physical activity. One day, Gorio
spent a lot of time dancing and playing, and so he became hungry.
 The child requested for food from Gayya, his mother. The problem
is, the child is finicky.

When Gayya offered Gorio a native delicacy, he did not even taste
it. When their maid cooked a food of Western origin, Gorio also
said No.

And so Gayya prepared the famous and well-loved Empanada.

Surprisingly, Goyyo liked it.. so much.

Overwhelmed by its savory taste, Gorio was curious how the dish
is prepared. Gayya then told his son the entire process of
preparing the empanada: planting palay and balatong, grating the
papaya, choosing the best egg, making the Ilocano longganisa,
pounding the bella-ay, and kneading the orange doughthe
iconic wrap of the Batac Empanada.

From then on, there was one food Gorio would always long for.
And this food inspired a grand and joyful event called, the Fiesta
Empanada.

Liezl: Brgys. Aglipay, Barani, Palpalicong, Ben-agan, and Valdez

Ladies and Gentlemen, Cluster 9

Shan: Performing Group No. 2

Liezl: Theres no place like home. That sums up the sentiment of the
balikbayan who come home after a number of years of working
abroad.

Eager and happy to embrace their loved ones and return to the
place where they grew up, they spend quality time with their
families by visiting historical places and landmarks like the
Marcos Museum, the Roman Catholic Church, and, not to forget,
the Batac Riverside to taste the well-known Batac Empanada.
 This delicious and nutritious delicacy is legendary in its appeal,
and phenomenal in popularity.

It has a savory filling of grated green papaya, mongo, chopped

Ilocano sausage or the longganisa, egg, and the crispy orange
dough that serve as its thin and crisp wafer made up of flour.

Intayon agraragsak para iti maikasangapulo a tawen ti Empanada

Festival, a magusgustoan tayo unay ditoy ken pati payen dagiti
balikbayan.

Shan: Brgy. Tabug, Magnuang, Pimentel, Mabaleng, and Colo

Gagayyem ken kakabsat, Cluster 5.

Liezl: Performing Group No. 3

Shan: Ni Batacqueno ket nagaget ken nalaing. Gapu iti kinagaget na,
kanayon a nawadwad iti apitna.

Ngem adda dagitay panawen a sob-sobra iti apitna wenno daytay

makunkuna nga overproduction. Maysa a dakkel a problema
daytoy ta agbulok ken maperdi dagiti nagrigrigatan na a produkto.

No man pay kasta, ti anus ken laing ni Batacqueno ket madi

matawaran.

Ita a rabii, gagayyem ken kakabsat, padasen tayo a sungbatan iti

dua a saludsod.

Kasano ngata a naaramid wenno nadiskubre ti Batac Empanada?

Ken, no adda social media idin, ana ngata a hashtags ti usaren ni

Bataqueno?

Liezl: Brgy. Naguirangan, Capacuan, San Mateo, San Pedro, and Biningan

Gagayyem ken pada nga umili, adtoyen ti Cluster 3!

Shan: Performing Group No. 4

Liezl: Iti laksid ti panagbalbaliw ti panawen, nataginayon ti Pamilia a

batacqueno dagiti tagipatgen ken kannawidan a mangidiat
kenkuana iti sabali a puli.

Iti Siudad ti Batac, ti pamilia ni Ilokano ket binukel ken binegket ti

ayat, tunos ken raem.

Annongen dagiti nagannak a patang-ayen dagiti annak nga agbalin

a naan-anay a taonadayaw, responsible, ken adda
panagbutengda iti Dios.

Maipasagepsep kadagiti babassit pay nga anak dagiti naimbag a

sursuro a kas iti panagdayaw kadagiti nataengan ken in-inauna
ngem kadakuada. Maiyadal pay ti kinapateg ti panagkakaarruba.

Napintas a naipagalad kadakuada ti panagmaymaysada a kas

pamilia nga agdaydayaw iti Dios babaen iti kanayonda a papan iti
simbaan tapno agdatonda ken taraonanda iti kararuada.

Ket kalpasan ti panagdaydayaw iti Dios, tiempon iti

panaglalanglangda a sibubukel a pamilia.

Paseten iti biag dagiti Batacqueno ti panagsasangoda a mangan iti

naidumduma ti nanam ken raman nga empanada sadiay Riverside
Empanadaan.

Ket tapno naun-uneg ti pannakaammoda iti kinasiasino ni Pamilia

Batacqueno, tagisam-iten dagiti nagannak nga ipasiar dagiti annak
iti lugar a nangmuli ti kinatao dagiti Ilocano. Babaen iti daytoy,
mapatibker ti pannakaam-ammoda kadagiti bannuar nga Ilocano
a kas kada Marcos, Aglipay ken Ricarte.

Ket manipud iti nagasat a tawen a pannakaipasngay ti Fiesta

Empanada, lalo manen a narikna ti panaglalangen dagiti pamilia
ken amin a lumugar. Ket ita a tawen, babaen iti daytoy a nalatak a
 piesta, manayunan ti naraniag a maris ti pakasaritan ti ciudadtayo
a nalatak ken dagiti umili a naragsak.

Shan: Brgy. Parangopong, Payao, Camguidan, Sumader, Quiom, and

Maipalig

A round of applause for Cluster 4.

Liezl: Performing Group No. 5

Shan: Batac has long been known as one of the most successful
localities. With its bustling industries and institutions, it was
known as a hub for progress and development. In addition to this
is the rich culture of its people.

But in 2001, its path to cityhood met a stumbling block. Republic

Act 9009, which amended Section 450 of the Local Government
Code, increased the annual income requirement for the
conversion of a municipality into a city.

The people of Batac never broke their spirit and made their loss
as an instrument for making positive changes. Everyone worked
very hard in their respective fields and performed well as they
tried to meet the annual income requirement. As modernization
took place, they continued to embrace their heritage by
supporting local businesses, just like the empanada sellers.

On June 23, 2007, Batac officially became a city. Though such

status was questioned many times, the people and their leaders
showed perseverance and never gave up.

Finally on April 12, 2011, the Supreme Court affirmed the finality
of the constitutionality of the cityhood laws, thus converting the
municipality into a component city in the Province of Ilocos Norte.
It was to be known as the City of Batac.

Indeed, the people of Batac never showed weakness. They united

as one and deserved what they now enjoy. The City of Batac
 affirms its greatness by uplifting the quality of the peoples lives
and by fortifying its rich culture. It is today one of the most
successful young cities in the country.

Liezl: Brgys. Baay, Bungon, Nagbacalan, and Dariwdiw

Fellow Batacquenos, lets welcome Cluster 1.

Liezl: Shan, we are halfway through the performances, but the

excitement is still building up.

Shan: Yes, Liezl. Kumbaga sa basketball, we are now in the halftime. And
usually, this is the time when cheerleaders do their stuff.

Liezl: In the City of Batac, we have a chief cheerleader who believes in

our dreams, boosts our morale, and leads by example.

Shan: Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable mayor of the City of Batac,
Engr. Albert D. Chua

MESSAGE MAYOR ALBERT D. CHUA

Liezl: Thank you, sir. Indeed, a city can only be as successful as vibrant
as its leader.

Shan: How truly inspiring! Listening to Mayor Albert really makes me

feel proud to live and grow in a city that always cares.

Liezl: And now, we are ready for the second set of performances.

Liezl: Performing Group No. 6

Shan: The City of Batac is truly the home of indomitable and spirited
people. The citys simple way of living has marked a legacy of
resiliency and sense of industry, resulting to undeniable
development and progress for the City of Batac.
 One day, a certain community is eagerly awaiting the celebration
of the Fiesta Empanada. Everyone is so eager to savour once again
the good taste of their delectable identity.

But because of climate change, their excitement was washed out

by a tragedy. A strong typhoon suddenly razed the place. The
people were alarmed and the people suffered. How can they cook
a delicious empanada during the festival without its main
ingredients? Because of the typhoon, rice grains, papayas, and
mongo were infested and rotten. As chicken and pigs died, there
was no source for eggs and no pork to be processed into
longganisa. How frustrating! The whole community was
devastated.

However, the people were strengthened by trials and

uncertainties. No matter how difficult, they once again planted
rice, papayas, and mongo, and raised more pigs and chickens.
Through their hard work, they bounced back successfully.

Rejoicing in their fast recovery, and as way of sharing their

blessings, they cooked Empanada and made delicious history once
again with their delicious and mouth-watering delicacy. The
community thus enjoyed their much awaited Fiesta Empanada.

The people savour the goodness of life and sweetness of progress

through the Empanada Festival.

Liezl: Brgys. Rayuray, Baoa East, Baoa West, Camandingan, and

Palongpong Lets give a big hand to Cluster 2.

Shan: Performing Group No. 7

Liezl: Two hearts on fire burning with love and passion. They united as
one and dreamed to experience all the pleasures in this world.
Unfortunately, fate was cruel and their sacred vows were blown
away by the wind. The husband was weak and fell into
temptation. He was attracted to a womanwho happened to be a
Lumpianada maker. The husband was so torn, to the point that he
 decided to desert his wife. But the wife was determined to win
back the heart of her husband.

She thought of a recipe that will surely win or captivate her

husband back. She gathered the local ingredients balatong and
papaya and produced a tasty delicacy. However, the effort she
exerted was not good enough because the Lumpianada, which is
the product of her husbands querida, is made of cabbage, carrots,
egg, and Longganisa. The wife had another idea for her original
recipe. She added egg and Longganisa and produced the
Empanada. She prepared it full of love and passion.

When time came for the husband to choose between the women,
he chose to go back to his wife.

The empanada with a secret recipe of true love thawed the

freezing heart of her estranged husband. Its ingredients, which
complement each other well to form a delectable delicacy,
reminds the couple to pour in the right amount of love, trust, and
loyalty.

In the end, the couple prevailed in savoring the sweetness of love

and the goodness of life.

Shan: Brgys.Baligat, Billoca, Quiling Norte, and Quiling Sur

Lets put our hands together for Cluster 6!

Liezl: Performing Group No. 8

Shan: The empanada tells us not only of Batacs prominence in the

Ilocano culinary field but also of how Ilocanos treasure the value
of family orientedness.

Once there was an old woman living with her two sons in a simple
barrio in Batac. She worked as an empanada vendor, pushing a
kariton. She endured the extreme heat of the sun just to earn a
living for her family. Despite the hardships of life, she remained
hardworking and industrious.
 Being the breadwinner of the family and believing in the potential
of her product, she tried her best to produce the best empanada.
Hers sons helpedin preparing the ingredients of her specialty.

They shredded the papaya together, ground the monggo, made

the sumptuous Ilocano longganisa, harvested the freshest eggs,
and most especially, prepared the unique bel-laay out of rice flour
and secret ingredients. Despite lifes ups and downs, they remain
united as a family.

One day when the mother was pushing her kariton, it rained very
hard. She got wet, and so was her empanada. It was a day of loss
and misfortune. The poor woman went home with nothing but a
heavy heart. Seeing their mothers lonely face, her children
thought of a way to cheer her up. They made a shelter for their
mothers kariton so that rain or shine, she will be able to sell their
sumptuous empanada. The mother was delighted and her
children were happy.

This reflected their love for each other. To them, the empanada
became a symbol of family orientedness, strong ties, and
unconditional bonding. The familys love is as thick as the bel-laay
of their famous empanada.

Liezl: Brgys. Nalupta, Cangrunaan, Ablan, and Ricarte - Cluster 8

Shan: Performing Group No. 9

Liezl: Adda ti maysa a pagtaengan, ket daytoy a balay ket nabukel

babaen iti panagaramid iti Empanada, kasta met dagiti aggigian
ditoy a pamilya nga isu iti mangidaldalan kadagiti trabahador.
Daytoy a pamilya ket addaan iti maysa a mayordoma a naanus ken
nagaget. Adda-an ti mayordoma iti maysa nga anak. Maysa nga
ubing nga adda iti tarigagay na a makasursuro no kasanu iti
agaramid iti Empanada. Gapu ta kasta la unay iti ayat na nga
agluto ket nakibibiang isuna kadagiti trabahador, ket inlimed na
iti nagannakna.
 Nangiburay met dagiti naayat a trabahador iti ammoda no kasano
iti agluto iti Empanada. Maysa nga aldaw, nangaramid tay ubing iti
bukod na nga Empanada, ket inparaman na daytoy kadagiti
nagannak na. Madi kinayat iti nagannak na daytoy nga ramid ket
binagbagaan da tay ubing. Ngem saan nga isu iti makalapped
wenno makaupay iti tarigagay na nga agaramid iti naimas nga
Empanad. Nagpanunot isuna iti naisang-sangayan a laok wenno
rekado a mangpaimas pay iti empanada. Gapu iti anusna daytoy
nga ubing ket nakapagbalin isuna iti Empanada a sarsaraken
dagiti pangraman iti nagannak na. Nakaim-imas nga Empanada!
Daytoy iti nangted ragsak, isem, ken ayat iti pamilyada.

Shan: Brgys. Callaguip, San Julian, Caunayan, Lacub, and Acosta

Ladies and Gentlemen, Cluster 7

Liezl: And there you have them, Ladies and Gentlemen, the nine
competing groups.

Shan: All your hard work and sacrifices have paid off. Good job, guys!

Liezl: After watching all the performances, I can truly say, it just keeps
getting better.

Shan: No way to go but up. Here in the City of Batac, we continue to

elevate and level up.

Liezl: And this reminds me of something that has really improved. Its
definitely one of a kind. The Photo and Art Exhibit, Sukisok: A Day
in Batac.

Shan: Truly unique and engaging. The exhibit makes us realize that
there is beauty and purpose in our every day activities here in our
city.
Liezl: And even ordinary routine looks captivating when captured in
photos.

Shan: Good job to the various photographers who shared their photos,
and special mention to the person, a sociologist from Mariano
Marcos State University, who conceptualized and helped put this
together, Prof. Herdy Yumul.

Liezl: I hope you all find time to visit the exhibit at the City Hall Lobby.
Its open until Wednesday, June 28.

Shan: At this point we want to fittingly recognize the people behind the
three songs used for the Fiesta Empanada.

Liezl: May we call onstage to receive their certificates of recognition the

following composers and singers of our city.

Shan: May we please call on

Mr. Jeorge V. Pastorin, Composer and Music Arranger of the

Fiesta Empanada Music, and the Traditional Empanada Music

A round of applause please.

Liezl: Mr. Charlemagne C. Angel, Singer and Composer of the Song,

Agbiag Ciudad iti Batac

Shan: Ms. Coleen Alodia T. Mangabat, Singer of the Fiesta Empanada

Music

Liezl: and Ms. Elaine A. Tinio, Singer and Lyricist of the Traditional
Empanada Music

Shan: Long live the musicians and singers of the City of Batac. Thank you
for making us feel the Fiesta Empanada spirit through your craft.

Liezl: Indeed, music is the language of the soul, and your respective
works has significantly contributed to the universal appeal of the
Fiesta Empanada.
Shan: In the past days we also held various activities and competitions
that showcased the remarkable talents of Batacquenos. And
tonight we are going to recognize the best of them all.

Liezl: We are glad to announce the winners in the

EmpanadaArt Contest

Shan:

2nd Runner Up - Entry #2 form Batac Junior College

Liezl:

1st Runner Up - Entry #1, also from Batac Junior College

Shan:

And the Champion of the 2017 EmpanadaArt Contest is

Entry #3. Its a Sweep for Batac Junior College!

Liezl: Congratulations to the winning artists!

Shan: They were drenched by the rain but their spirit was never
dampened. Here are the winners of the 2017 Fiesta Empanada Dance
Parade dubbed on its 10th year as the Parada EmpanaDekada.

Liezl: 2nd Runner Up

Shan: 1st Runner Up

Liezl: And the Champion of the 2017 Fiesta Empanada

Dance Parade is
Shan: The moment we have been waiting for is here.

Liezl: We are ready to announce the winners of this dance showdown.

Announce winners in the Dance Showdown.

Shan: 2nd Runner Up

Liezl: 1st Runner Up

Shan: And the Champion of the 2017 Fiesta Empanada Dance Parade
is

FIREWORKS

Spiel during fireworks:

Liezl: Batac Tumayaktak!

Shan: Iti tangatang ti Namnama ken Ayat, intayon danunen dagiti adu
nga arapaap

Shan: Tapnon agtultuloy a ti Ciudadtayo ket nalatak, ken datayo nga

umili ket napnoan rag-o ken ragsak

Shan: Batac Tumayaktak!

(Note: Wait til fireworks ends)

Shan: Once more, congratulations to all the winners. Kudos to all of you
for affirming Batacs legacy of greatness in cultural preservation
and artistic excellence.

Liezl: The City of Batac has just turned 10. We gladly anticipate more
milestones, more blessings, and a lot more reasons to celebrate in
the next 10 years and beyond.
CLOSING SPIEL

Shan: This has been the 2017 Fiesta Empanada Dance Showdown. See
you again next year in this joyful and meaningful fiesta as we
continue to savor good taste and good life.

Liezl: Agbiag ti Ciudad ti Batac! Agbiag ni Batacqueno!

Shan: God bless us all. Good night. ##