The Cordillera Administrative Region Federation of Irrigators' Association (CARFIA) crowned Kalinga irrigator candidates as Mr. & Ms. CARFIA 2022 at the Supreme Hotel, Baguio City on November 24, 2022.
The CARFIA held its Search for Mr. & Ms. CARFIA on the night of November 23 as part of its activities during its 4th Congress where at least 120 farmer-members from Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga and UCRIS-Quezon, Isabela gather for updates, more partnership and fellowship.
Mr. Simplicio G. Agurin, 57, and Ms. Mary Angeline Lumas-i, 56, both of Tabuk City Kalinga, bested six other pairs of candidates, for the title Mr. & Ms. CARFIA 2022. Mr. Agurin is the president of the Laud Karayan Farmers Irrigators Association while Ms. Lumas-i is the secretary of Maledda Tannubong FIA.
This is the second time the federation held its search, the first one was held in 2018 when Hon. Remy Albano and his wife were crowned as the first pair of Mr. & Ms. CARFIA. Hon. Remy Albano is currently the Vice-Governor of Apayao, and president of the CARFIA and National Confederation of IAs (NCIA).
The first runners-up are from the province of Benguet, Mr. Loreto B. Buyaan of Mankayan and Ms. Mildred S. Parawi of Bokod. Both members of the Board of Directors of the Benguet Federation of Irrigators’ Association. The second runners-up are IA officers of Lamut, Ifugao, Mr. Bernardo Cadinga, president of the WAGUPI FIA, and Ms. Florence Belingon, treasurer of the Ajjang Tuwali IA. Ms. Ms. Helen L. Viado and Mr. Jimmy A. Bruno of Abra are the third runners-up. Ms. Viado is from Peñarubia and the Vice-President of the Abra Provincial Federation of IA while Mr. Bruno is from Lagangilang and the Operation Manager of the Eight Barangays of Lagangilang IA.
Meanwhile, Mountain Province candidates won the Best in Ethnic Wear, Mr. Joel Cadwising of Natonin and Ms. Rosalina Malafo of Bontoc, both of whom are BODs of Montanosa Federation of IA. The Apayao candidates who are both from Flora bagged the Best in Talent Award, Mr. Thomas Domingo, Jr., treasurer of Lagac-Sta. Maria IA, and Ms. Annaliza T. Reynon, secretary of Brgy. Allig FIA. The Popularity/Darling of the Crowd Award is given to the candidates from UCRIS-Isabela, Mr. Sherwin D. Eugenio of Mallig, Isabela and president of Holama FIA, and Ms. Ester I. Portante of Quezon, Isabela and treasurer of TALESSAM FIA.
The Board of Judges comprise of NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr., Administrative and Finance Division Manager Grace Fanged, Engineering and Operation Division Manager Raymundo Calusin, Institutional Development Unit Head Paulita Yagyagan, and Legal Researcher, Atty. Joahna Goyagoy.
Photo Caption: Irrigator-leaders from the six provinces of CAR including UCRIS-Isabela who are representatives to the Search for Mr. & Ms. CARFIA 2022 shine their brightest during the search and coronation night on November 23 and 24 at the Hotel Supreme Baguio City.