NIA ACTING ADMINISTRATOR GUILLEN NOW AN ADOPTED SON OF IFUGAO TOWN

NIA Acting Administrator Eddie Guillen stands tall as adopted son of Mayoyao, Ifugao and given the name ‘Mapfu-ag’ during the Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw, this town’s annual fiesta, on April 25, 2023. He is joined on stage by Municipal Mayor Jimmy Padchanan, Jr., Sangguniang Bayan members, NIA-CAR officials, Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr., NIA-Ifugao Provincial Head Patrick Resurreccion and Engineering and Operation Division Manager Raymundo Calusin.

MAYOYAO, IFUGAO – NIA Acting Administrator Eddie Guillen is now officially an adopted son of this municipality after traditional adoption rites were conducted on April 25, 2023 at the municipal grounds in Brgy. Poblacion during the Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw, this town’s annual fiesta.

Engr. Guillen, who was the guest speaker of the event, was given the name ‘Mapfu-ag’. A clever and resilient ancestor, ‘Mapfu-ag’ is known for his intrinsic, genuine and strong sense of leadership, resourcefulness, commitment in pursuing the excavation and tunneling of Chaya Mountain to allow the water from the Liwo creeks to flow and augment the existing irrigation system servicing the Central Mayoyao Rice Terraces.

NIA Acting Administrator Eddie Guillen is garbed by Municipal Mayor Jimmy Padchanan, Jr. of Mayoyao, Ifugao with traditional attire, ‘linchug’ (bahag/g-string), ‘haleko’ (vest), ‘pahe-ing’ (rattan backpack), ‘fangig’ (bolo), and ‘kajang’ (hunter’s spear) during his adoption as son of the Municipality of Mayoyao with the name ‘Mapfu-ag’ during the Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw, this town’s annual fiesta, on April 25, 2023.

The adoption was based on a resolution of the Sangguniang Bayan ng Mayoyao and approved by Municipal Mayor Jimmy Padchanan, Jr., which states that Engr. Guillen deserves reverence for his willingness to visit the eMajawjaws beloved hometown.

Mayoyao Municipal Mayor Jimmy Padchanan, Jr. teaches NIA Acting Administrator Eddie Guillen the ‘tayew’, Ifugao’s ethnic dance, after the adoption rites. They are joined by NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr., NIA-CAR Engineering and Operation Division Manager Raymundo Calusin, and Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) headed by Dam and Reservoir Division Manager Carlo Ablan.

Engr. Guillen said that he is glad to be part of the Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw, an important occasion that gives importance to the preservation of cultural heritage and traditions, which does not only enrich the eMajajaw’s own identity but also contributes to our being Filipino.

As the celebration is also a form of thanksgiving for bountiful harvest, giving importance to the agriculture sector, the NIA Acting Administrator shared NIA’s present agenda in line with goal of the present administration.

“Bilang Administrador ng NIA na katuwang ng ating Pangulo Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., kami po sa NIA ay naniniwala na ang pagtaguyod ng mga proyektong pang-irigasyon ay hindi lang para sa patubig kundi pati na rin bilang isang oportunidad ng Wealth Creation para sa ating mga magsasaka, sa sector ng agrikultura, at sa ating lipunan,” Acting Administrator Guillen said.

He also assured that the NIA endeavors to increase irrigation projects for the Municipality of Mayoyao and the Province of Ifugao, known as an agro-cultural community.

“Sa ngayon po, hindi lang natin pinupursige na ang ating irrigation projects ay pang-irigasyon lamang kundi para na rin sa agro-tourism, power supply, flood mitigation at iba pang mga paraan na higit na makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.

As part of the traditional adoption rites, officials and people of Mayoyao, Ifugao dance around the adopted son, NIA Acting Administrator Eddie Guillen, after saying their prayer to the Almighty.

The NIA Acting Administrator also read the greetings and message of support from Senator Imee Marcos who mentioned of the historical and cultural significance of Mayoyao, as the last place of battle before the surrender of Gen. Yamashita, and with the Mayoyao Rice Terraces declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site and described as ‘Exceptional Living Cultural Landscape’. 

The Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw was also graced by Hon. Solomon Chungalao, representative of the Lone District of Ifugao, officials of NIA-CAR headed by Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr., and NIA officials from the nearby Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) headed by Dam and Reservoir Division Manager Carlo Ablan.

Photo Caption 1: NIA Acting Administrator Eddie Guillen stands tall as adopted son of Mayoyao, Ifugao and given the name ‘Mapfu-ag’ during the Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw, this town’s annual fiesta, on April 25, 2023. He is joined on stage by Municipal Mayor Jimmy Padchanan, Jr., Sangguniang Bayan members, NIA-CAR officials, Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr., NIA-Ifugao Provincial Head Patrick Resurreccion and Engineering and Operation Division Manager Raymundo Calusin.

Photo Cpation 2:  NIA Acting Administrator Eddie Guillen is garbed by Municipal Mayor Jimmy Padchanan, Jr. of Mayoyao, Ifugao with traditional attire, ‘linchug’ (bahag/g-string), ‘haleko’ (vest),  ‘pahe-ing’ (rattan backpack), ‘fangig’ (bolo), and ‘kajang’ (hunter’s spear) during his adoption as son of the Municipality of Mayoyao with the name ‘Mapfu-ag’ during the Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw, this town’s annual fiesta, on April 25, 2023.

Photo Caption 3: Mayoyao Municipal Mayor Jimmy Padchanan, Jr. teaches NIA Acting Administrator Eddie Guillen the ‘tayew’, Ifugao’s ethnic dance, after the adoption rites. They are joined by NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr., NIA-CAR Engineering and Operation Division Manager Raymundo Calusin, and Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) headed by Dam and Reservoir Division Manager Carlo Ablan.

Photo Caption 4: As part of the traditional adoption rites, officials and people of Mayoyao, Ifugao dance around the adopted son, NIA Acting Administrator Eddie Guillen, after saying their prayer to the Almighty.