“We have the best grapes in the Philippines,” remarked Hon. Eulogio Clarence Martin P. De Guzman III at the UBAS Fest 2024.

The UBAS Fest 2024 at Barangay Urayong, Bauang, La Union on December 16, 2024 featured the UBASPA Cookfest and the PINAKA Contest. (UBASPA was coined after the names of the first four barangays [Urayong, Bagbag, Santiago, and PAyocpoc Sur] who offered grape-picking adventures in Bauang.)

The UBASPA Cookfest featured grapes as its main ingredient.

For the “PINAKA” Contest, various fruits and vegetables, and even goats vied for the heaviest title.

Present in the event were:
Urayong Barangay Captain Hon. Aaron O. Amistad,
Sangguniang Bayan Member (SBM) Hon. Bonifacio A. Malinao, Jr.,
Tourism Operations Officer Mr. Ricardo A. Navarro, Jr.,
Municipal Agriculturist Mr. Leodivico Verzola,
Municipal Vetrinarian Dr. Alan I. Gamueda,
Administrator for Operations Mr. Wilson Samuel C. Caluza,
and Municipal Mayor Hon. Eulogio Clarence Martin P. De Guzman III.

The following were the board of judges for the Cook Fest:
Ms. Pearley Bier Bautista – farm co-owner of L&D Citrus Farm, Naguilian Tourism Officer
Ms. Gracia C. Lomboy – owner of Lomboy Farms
Mr. John Paul F. Naoe – owner of Jaypee’s Bakeshop, recipe book author

The winners of the UBASPA Cookfest were the following:
3rd Place: 84.33% (Barangay Urayong)
2nd Place: 85.33% (Barangay Urayong)
1st Place: 86.66% (Barangay Bagbag)

The winners of the PINAKA Contest, led by Mr. Verzola, were the following:

Ampalaya (Bitter Gourd):
1st Place: Jose Olais (Brgy. Calumbaya)
2nd Place: Victor Damisil (Brgy. Central East)
3rd Place: Gilbert Graycochea (Brgy. Bucayab)

Talong (Eggplant):
1st Place: Gilbert Graycochea (Brgy. Bucayab)
2nd Place: Artemio Calica (Brgy. Ballay)
3rd Place: Carlo Supsup (Brgy. Sta. Monica)

Patola:
Gilbert Graycochea (Brgy. Bucayab)

Kamote (Sweet Potato):
Emma Sacando

Sitaw (String Beans):
1st Place: Roberto Aromin (Brgy. Central East)
2nd Place: Raymart Aromin (Brgy. Central East)
3rd Place: Victor Damisil (Brgy. Central East)

Kalabasa (Squash):
1st Place: Flora Corpuz (Brgy. Acao)
2nd Place: Roda Sabado (Brgy. Bagbag)

Mangga (Mango):
Flora Corpuz (Brgy. Acao)

Ube (Sweet Purple):
1st Place: Victor Damisil (Brgy. Central East)
2nd Place: Roberto Aromin (Brgy. Central East)
3rd Place: Simplicio Damisil (Brgy. Central East)

PINAKAMABIGAT NA KAMBING (Heaviest Goat), led by Dr. Gamueda:

1st Place: Flora Corpuz (Brgy. Acao, 32.3 kgs)
2nd Place: Rhezele Orpilla (Brgy. Urayong, 30.2 kgs)
3rd Place: Ignacio Calica (Brgy. Urayong, 30 kgs)

Congratulations to the winners and the participants!

May we all keep sustainably farming our abundant land of Bauang to bring about lucrative harvest in every season! We are proud to envision Bauang as the Vineyard City of the North in 2030.

Written by: Korina Esteban-Ma
Photographed by: Cris Jaime A. Balbuena