111th Araw ng Kalayaan

The Municipality of Candelaria, Quezon complies with the directive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to display the Philippine flag in all public and government installations, from May 25, 2009 to date in line with the celebration of Pambansang araw ng Watawat and the 111th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. At the whole stretch of the national highway in poblacion, municipal offices and establishments and barangay offices the Philippine flag was displayed.

On June 12, Araw ng Kalayaan, the LGU conducted a simple yet appropriate program, to wit:

     I. Doksolohiya......Mga Piling Kasapi ng Association of Candelaria Municipal Employee (ACME)

     II. Pagtataas ng Watawat, Pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang,

          Isang Sulyap sa Kasaysayan ng Kalayaan at Pag-awit ng Himno ng Candelaria

     III. Pag-aalay ng Bulaklak sa mga Bantayog ng mga Bayani

     IV. Paglulunsad/Presentasyon ng Candelaria Mahal Ko, Pilipino Ako "Logo"

     V. Mensahe......Kgg. Ferdinand R. Maliwanag - Punong Bayan

It was attended by the municipal mayor and members of the sannguniang bayan, punong barangays, members of the sangguniang barangay and SK officials, municipal and barangay employees, school principals, teachers and students, veterans, NGOs, POs and spectators.

During the event, the logo of "Candelaria Mahal Ko, Pilipino Ako" program was also launched which aims to instill in the heart and mind of our people in Candelaria the love for our town and our country so that they will not be merely "program recipients and beneficiaries" but community assets. The logo depicts a coconut to highlight the town's primary product and major source of livelihood for its people. Candelaria, a first class town in Quezon Province, prides itself as the desiccated coconut capital of the world. It carries a jolly, smiling face that mirrors the state of being of every Candelariahin, happy, joyful and able to enjoy the simple things in life. Most importantly, it shows to the world that a Candelariahin professes love for his town and proud to be a Filipino.

Hundreds Benefit from Free Surgery in Candelaria

Candelaria, Quezon - A total of two hundred three (203) patients received free surgical operation and medical check-up in the 5-day Candelaria Surgical Mission sponsored by the Candelaria Health and Education Foundation (CHEF), Inc., the municipal government of Candelaria under Mayor Ferdinand "Bong" Maliwanag and the UST Medical Alumni Association headed by Dr. Renato Reyes, at the newly-opened Candelaria United Doctors Hospital here last April 24-28, 2009.

The free surgical operation was performed to patients with cyst and cataract and includes ophthalmology, local and general surgery and pediatrics.

"This free surgical mission is part of our continuing effort to serve our constituents especially those who cannot afford to have their operation done because of financial constraints, " Mayor Bong Maliwanag, whose wife is a doctor, said. He adds that this is the first time this large number of patients received free surgery in one medical mission.

"The operation was indeed very timely and helpful to us. I have long been suffering and even afraid I might already contracting a cancer but with this medical mission I can now go on with my life without being afraid of what's going to happen to me," enthused Hector Alcala, one of the beneficiaries of the medical mission who was operated on a cyst.

Other patients are equally grateful. Cecilia Alvis who was operated on thyroidectomy was all praise for the group. "I am very thankful to Mayor Bong Maliwanag and the group of Dr. Reyes for this surgical mission. I hope they will continue to conduct medical mission to help our poor kababayans who really cannot afford the high cost of having an operation."

Other organizations who helped in making the surgical mission possible are the Sputnik Club of Candelaria, the Rotary Club of Candelaria, the Rotary Club of Candelaria Circle, and other individuals with benevolent hearts.

Meanwhile, another medical mission will be conducted by a group of Candelaria doctors and volunteers from the United States. The group headed by philanthropist Alberto Alcala, will conduct the medical mission in February 2010.

These medical missions and other initiatives are under the "Candelaria Mahal Ko, Pilipino Ako" Program of Mayor Bong Maliwanag and the municipal government of Candelaria, Quezon.

Mayor Maliwanag launches "Candelaria Mahal Ko, Pilipino Ako"

Candelaria, Quezon - Mayor Ferdinand "Bong" Maliwanag and the Municipal Government of Candelaria launched the program Candelaria Mahal Ko, Pilipino Ako with the signing of Memorandum of Agreement with all private and public schools in the municipality, April 15, 2009.

"The program is our administration's thrust of going out of the box in serving our constituents in Candelaria. While we continue and unceasingly pursue our mission of serving our people thru good governance, transparency and accountability, we feel that we have to do more to our people and our town. The Candelaria Mahal Ko, Pilipino Ako, is a program that seeks to operate as a continuous meaning-making exercise, roused by series of programs and activities that shall run from March 2009 up to early months of the following year and in the coming years," explains Mayor Maliwanag.

"Candelaria Mahal Ko, Pilipino Ako" also aims to instill in the heart and mind of our people in Candelaria the love for our town and our country so that they will not be merely "program recipients and beneficiaries" but community assets. This program shall organize activities in an effort to generate a positive political culture manifested through responsible citizenship, volunteerism, active participation in the implementation of government programs and intelligent exercise of suffrage, among others. The program is a different approach to traditional politics because here we really will involve all sectors in transforming Candelaria into a better, if not the best, town in Quezon Province and the country ", Mayor adds.

Under the program, various activities will be undertaken. One of these activities is the signing of Memorandum of Agreement with public and private schools for the inclusion of teaching values that are consistent with the program Candelaria Mahal Ko, Pilipino Ako.

Other activities would be story telling contest on the history of Candelaria which will be participate by private and public schools. A choral competition on Himno ng Candelaria will also be undertaken to demonstrate the municipality's concern and thrust of engaging communal and social participation through choral competition.

It will also include the Pinakamalinis na Barangay Contest, which aims to maintain the cleanliness of the town and the caring and protection of the environment; and the Sampung Magagaling na Candelariahin and the Candelaria Young Leaders Summit. The former aims to honor the excellent performance and contributions of Candelariahins in their respective fields of endeavor. The latter, on the other hand, is a congress that shall bring together promising student leaders of the town to hone their leadership skills and potentials.

"Vote Ko To" Concert for the Youth will also be held to serve as a venue in conveying the importance of exercising one's suffrage rights, from voter's registration procedures to voting procedures in the precincts and a wise selection of candidates.

Also included in the program Candelaria Mahal Ko , Pilipino Ako will be the conduct of Mural Painting Contest, Poster Making and Logo Making contest, the review and reframing of the town's local history and its integration to history subjects offered in schools, creation of Public Information Office, tapping and involving Candelariahins abroad, creation of the Candelaria Cultural and Heritage Council, formation of functional local special bodies, promotion of barangay assemblies, livelihood training programs, gender development-gender sensitivity training, health and sanitation, and community organizing towards people empowerment and community development in partnership with non-governmental organizations.

-Sec. Arellano L. Abas-

Araw Ng Candelaria 2008

Maliwanag administration kicked off the 5-day celebration of Araw Ng Candelaria 2008 with this year's theme HALINA SA CANDELARIA, BAYANG MASAYA. A Thanksgiving Mass was held to bless the affair ensued with the Opening Parade with all sectors of society in their Filipiniana outfit, truly the people of Candelaria evoked the Filipino culture at its finest. The Agri-Trade Fair soon followed right next to the parade then the launching of Gulayan at Niyogan tagged as "Sa tamang PROCESO, MALIWANAG ang asenso!", together with Talakayang Agrikultura - a program to encourage Candelariahins to wellness and healthy living simultaneously aired live broadcast over DZEC 1062. The first day was concluded with a night of music and dances dubbed as Gabi Ng Candelariahin. One of the highlights of the commemoration is the instigation of the so-called Candelaria Health and Education Foundation (CHEF), a non-government non-profit organization that will uphold the public education and better health services. The distinguished kababayans to lead this worthy cause are Dr. Renato M. Reyes, Mr. Sotero B. de Luna, Mr. Danilo Garcia, Mrs. Zenaida Reyroso, Mrs. Ma. Gracia Nadres-Licup, Senate Secretary Emma Lirio-Reyes and Atty. Renato de Luna together with the other Board of Trustees Mr. Daniel de Gala, Mr. Panfilo Castro, Jr., Dr. Eric R. Punzalan, Dr. Ziegfredo A. Nacorda, Dr. Alfredo Cornejo and two(2) District Supervisors Thelma O. Magnayon & Noranda delos Santos . Coconut Tree Planting was another program revived in testimony to the recognition accorded to Candelaria, Quezon as the Desiccated Coconut Capital of the World. A mascot to represent Candelaria and the coconut industry in general was likewise born and was named by the Coconut Millers Association thru a name-giving contest participated by the Candelariahins, a whopping P30,000 pot money for its name COCO MAGNIFICO.

Another celebrated episode is the Ground-breaking Ceremony of the Candelaria By-pass Road Project by his ever dedicated Congressman of the 2nd District Proceso J. Alcala and the Flower Offering at the actual site of the signing of the decree founding Candelaria as an independent pueblo from its matrix towns Sariaya and Tiaong. Other events feature the original culture and tradition of Candelaria namely Street Dancing & Dance Showdown, the Search for 2008 Mr. & Ms. Candelaria, the Choral Competition participated by different schools and the Gabi Ng Kulturang Pilipino. Not to mention the presentation of the Coconut Product Innovators/Processors Awards for Handicrafts & Novelties that is given to a kababayan Mr. Benildo A. Belen of Brgy. Mayabobo. A successful Dental Mission and Teachers' Symposium also contributed to this year's affair. Two(2) noteworthy Seal of Excellence Awards and two(2) Certificates of Recognition, given by the Civil Service Commission have also been received by Engineering, Treasury and Local Civil Registry departments for rendering an exceptional service to the public via their PASADA (Public Service Delivery Audit) program. The Oath-taking Ceremony of the Federation of Parents-Teachers Community Association (FPTCA), the recognition of SPO4 Rafael A. Aguilar as an Awardee of Tunay Na Lalaki ng Quezon 2008 and the Awarding Ceremony for Mga Natatanging Samahan at Institusyon sa Candelaria were among the main parts marked on 5 August 2008 before the Gabi ng Kulturang Pilipino.

The tireless mayor Ferdinand 'Bong' R. Maliwanag though has unsurpassingly given his commitment to fully support his administration's goal for the betterment of Candelaria and its people, undoubtedly and significantly SERBISYONG MALIWANAG!

1st Year Anniversary of Maliwanag Administration

The Hon. Ferdinand “Bong” R. Maliwanag celebrated his 1st Year Anniversary in public service as Municipal Mayor of Candelaria, Quezon last July 02, 2008. Simultaneous blessing of a brand new municipal ambulance, two motorcycles, ten hand-held radios and the new Rural Health Building (RHU) highlighted the event. Aside from the numerous ongoing projects of the Maliwanag Administration, clearly, Mayor Bong selflessly dedicates himself to uplift the socioeconomic stature of Candelariahins.

Sagip Ilog… Sagip Buhay

The once renowned ILOG QUIAPO of Candelaria,Quezon finally got the much needed cleaning and rehabilitation initiated by the Local Government Unit last May 8, 2008. With the help and assistance of the PHILIPPINE AIRFORCE, BANTAY BAYAN and the CANDELARIA RESPONSE AND RESCUE VOLUNTEERS.

Not an easy task to embark on, considering the neglect it suffered for a long period of time. Pulling some strings was all the new Local Administration of Candelaria headed by the hard-working Mayor Ferdinand “Bong” Maliwanag has to do to make it a reality.

A very timely endeavor to answer the worldwide call of environmental protagonists for people to save Mother Earth or face the inevitable. With the enthusiastic participation of the citizenry and the relentless promotion of such significant endeavor, who knows one of these days, we might see once again the glory and beauty of the once famous… QUIAPO RIVER of Candelaria.

Candle Festival ‘08

Candle Festival is a five-day celebration from January 28 to February 2, which reflects the devotion of the people of Candelaria in “Nuestra Señora de Candelaria” also known as the Candlemas Virgin. It also offers insights into the magnificence of the culture and tradition in the locality.

The feast starts with the visitation of the image of Our Lady of Candles to the Municipal Government of Candelaria wherein employees, thru the supervision of every department heads, offer a one-hour vigil to Our Lady lifting their prayers and petitions. The youth also took their part as they perform a night vigil with Mama Mary.

Medical and Dental Mission, spearheaded by the Executive Committee of the Candle Festival 2008, in cooperation with different NGOs of the Candelaria ang Lakas ay nasa Mamamayan Council (CAALAMAN Council) attests the unwavering Filipino custom Bayanihan.

Marvelous displays (Barangay Float Parade, House and Establishment Decorations) and brilliant cultural presentations (Gabi ng Balikbayan and Street Dancing) show the artistic talent and religious faith of the Candelarians.