Outstanding Abaca Farm Family:

Bato’s model abacalero raised family of 11 through hard work

The winner of this year’s search for Outstanding Abaca Farm Family is from San Roque, Bato: Winnie R. Canieta, his wife Nenita, and 11 children, only eight of whom are alive to cherish the recognition given by the provincial government of Catanduanes during last week’s 2024 Abaca Festival.

“His life story is a testament to the extraordinary, dedication, and unwavering commitment to his family and community,” Municipal Agriculturist Eduardo Taopo Jr. said in nominating the Canieta family.

Winnie started as an abacalero at the tender age of 17, laboring tirelessly in the abaca plantation and often spending long hours out in the field to give his family the necessities of life.

After marrying Nenita and venturing into business in Manila, Winnie displayed his entrepreneurial spirit but this was cut short when his father had a stroke and he made the selfless decision to come home to manage the abaca farm in San Roque.

Through his perseverance, he was able to ensure that all his children received proper education. His acquisition of his own 8.5 hectares of abaca farm enabled him to build his own home and become a respected leader in his community.

He served nine years as barangay secretary and then another nine as barangay kagawad and was chairman of the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC) for 12 years, advocating for the welfare and empowerment of the youth.

Likewise, he once headed the Parent-Teacher Association of San Roque Elementary School and was Trustee of the CatAg Association, president of San Roque Irrigators Association, and the Farmers’ Association, among others.

As an abaca farmer, he harvests 3,000 kilos of abaca fiber and 1,500 kilos of copra every year and 50 sacks of rice each harvest. Winnie also produces 500 pieces of abaca twine each month and 400 kilos of abaca bakbak every week.

Adjudged 1^st runner-up was the family of Mr. and Mrs. Diogenes Torririt of Gigmoto while Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Piano of Baras was 2^nd runner-up.

The Torririt family also grabbed the Best Scrapbook award, followed by the Piano family and Canieta family.

Consolation prizes and similar plaques were awarded to the other entries: Mr. and Mrs. Roque Tulod & family of Bagamanoc; Mr. and Mrs. Richard de Leon & family of Pandan; Mr. and Mrs. Nilo Tarroquin & family of San Andres; Mr. and Mrs. Sabino Sapico Sr. & family of Caramoran; Mr. and Mrs. Fidel Todoc & family of Panganiban; Mr. and Mrs. Wilfredo Taoc & family of San Miguel; Mr. and Mrs. Roslin Tomaniog & family of Viga; and Mr. and Mrs. Pacifico Marquez Sr. & family of Virac.

Here’s the results of the other competitions:

Lakambini ng Abaca 2024- Stephany Mae Chi of Cabugao Bato; Lakambini ng Abaca Festival – Aviona Dass of San Andres, Bato; Lakambini ng Abaca Tourism – Mariegor Tumalin of Gigmoto; Lakambini ng Abaca 1st runner up – Hannah Lee Tanael of Baras; and Lakambini ng Abaca 2nd runner up – Lianne Elizabeth Duque of Virac.

Abaca Festival of Festivals Street Dance Competition: Champion – Municipality of San Miguel (P150,0000); 1^st runner-up – Municipality of Pandan (P120,000); 2^nd runner-up – Municipality of Virac

(P100,000); Best in Costume – Municipality of Pandan (P10,000); and Best in Moving Choreography – Municipality of Pandan (P10,000).

Festival Queen Showdown: Abaca Festival Queen 2024 – Erica Marie Chiva of Virac (P10,000); 1^st runner-up – Ysabelle Uchi ofPandan (P6,000); and 2^nd runner-up – Francene Quia Sarmiento of Bato (P4,000). The other queens who swayed their graceful moves on the streets and dancefloor include Krizza Dulay (Baras), Jian Lyn Alliah Tasarra (Caramoran), Messiah Ternida (San Andres), Cazandra Nicole Tasarra Sabdao (San Miguel), and Adrian Jassie Dominguez (Viga).

Abaca Patiribayan Contests 2024:

Abaca Handstripping Contest (Male category): Champion – Jeric Tanael of Baras (P10,000); 1^st runner-up – Reynaldo Marquez of Virac (P5,000); and 2^nd runner-up – Jonamar Ogalesco of Bagamanoc (P3,000).

Abaca Handstripping Contest (Female category): Champion – Marites Tiburcio of Baras (P10,000); 1^st runner-up – Eva Beo of Virac (P5,000); and 2^nd runner-up – Analyn Capistrano of Panganiban (P3,000).

Sug-ot Making Contest: Champion – Albert Colina of Viga (P5,000); 1^st runner-up – Mary Ann Llaneta of Baras (P4,000); and 2^nd runner-up – Estelito Sapico of Caramoran (P3,000).

Twine Making Contest: Champion – Jason Zuniega, Domingo Del Rosario and Romeo Zuniega of San Andres (P7,000); 1^st runner-up – Leonisa Clopino, Florida Vargas and Roman Francisco of Virac (P5,000) and 2^nd runner-up – Rebecca Teleb, Norma Dela Cruz, Armie Agarin of San Andres, Bato (P3,000).

Longest Abaca Fiber: Champion – Jason Tumanlao of Caramoran (P5,000)

Abaca Float Competition (LGU category): Champion – San Miguel; 1^st runner-up – Viga; and 2^nd runner-up – Caramoran.

Abaca Float Competition (Private category): Champion – ARDCI Microfinance Inc.; 1^st runner-up – Catanduanes Doctors Hospital Inc.; and 2^nd runner-up – Lucky Hotel and Resort.

1st Yakyakan sa Islang Catandungan: National Open Fishing Tournament: Single Heaviest Catch (25.14 kg. Pacific Sailfish) – Dominador Laynes IV of Chillax Pacific Anglers (P120,000); runners-up – Mac Blanc of Kasanggayahan Anglers and Bonifacio Esguerra Jr. of Alfonso Anglers.