Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin Turned Helper Boy

Vice Mayor Yabyabin with his daughter. 

Back in the old days, servants were already in place among households. We have "aliping sagigilid" and "aliping namamahay". These days, "alipin" has evolved into houseboy or helper. Funny thing is, regardless of social status, when it comes to public service, Ibaan Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin turned "boy helper" during Mutya  Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates' pictorials held at Himamawo Spring located at Brgy. Malainin last May 1.

Unfortunately, we were not able to take photo of Vice Mayor Yabyabin doing the photo ops chores, but everyone in the location, specifically the candidates, can attest to that.

While spectators and others have their eyes burning staring at the candidates, Vice Mayor Yabyabin went down the spring's stairs to provide a hand and acted like the candidates' Personal Assistant (PA) while they're busy posing for the camera. Not much get to notice it since all eyes were on candidates. But standing next to him, I got a bag of appreciation for what he has done.

Since Himamawao Spring is covered with lush trees around, sun light hardly passes through were the pictorial is being held. And in any photo shoots, light is very important. To augment that, a reflector is needed to catch the sun light and have it directed towards the subject of the photo shoot.

Vice Mayor Sixto and Mayor Toreja on their way
down to Himamawo Spring.

The camera man came to shoot without anyone with him. So he's left with no option to ask somebody to hold the reflector for, to help him out, and to make things easy for him and for the candidates as well. At first, a youngster did the job. The boy had difficulty capturing the sun light with arms shaking out of fatigue. But he was able to finish the first three sets of the shoot. After which, the group changed location and decided to have more sets of the shoot at the water falls just adjacent to the spring.

The youngster who have been holding the reflector went gone with the crowd. And guess what, Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin volunteered to do the reflector stuff. And there it went on, Vice Mayor Yabyabin also got himself a shaking and dead beaten arms running after the sunlight and directing the latter to the candidates.

Vice Mayor Sixto sharing light moments
with Mayor Toreja before the start of
the pictorials.

The Vice Mayor came with his wife and daughter. But instead of attending to them, he acted more like a father to the candidates and stripped himself off of his public office title just to make things run as smooth as they can be.

For almost an hour, he was the camera man's boy helper and the candidates' PA at the same time. Although standing next to refreshing spring water with cool nature's breeze, doing the job can still be a stubborn one when you can't move your arms around. The light should remain still or the candidates photos will turn into a bizarre canvas with half-baked lighting effects. And for sure, the candidates won't like it, much more for those waiting for their photos.
Now, had his phone not rang, he would not have asked anyone to replace him. Luckily, Mun. Coun. Rodel de Castro extended his kindness and did the job a little more before the end of the photo shoot.

The pictorials ended well. Everyone was exhausted. And at this juncture, giving credits of appreciation to Vice Mayor turned "boy helper" is commendable. Respect for the Vice Mayor is appropriate.

Himamawo Spring: Ibaan's Hidden Treasure

Himamawo Spring's water directly coming from the hill.

The municipality of Ibaan, Batangas is basically an agricultural area. Most of the people here get their means living through farming, and this is evident by a wide acre of land dedicated to agricultural products. Although there’s only a little sign of industrialization and commercialization in the area, they can still be admired for being able to protect their natural resources since there are still remaining rivers that free flowing around the municipality.

But one of the things that the Ibaaños can really be proud of is its water spring, the Himamawo Spring, which can be found in south west of Barangay Malainin, near Soro-soro mountain.

Down hill path during
spring season.

Path to Glory

Himamawo Spring is actually six kilometers away from the town proper (3 kilometers from town proper to Barangay Malainin and another 3 kilometers from main barangay road to the spring itself) and sits peacefully in the heart of the tropical rain forest in Sitio. From barabgay road, it can be reached through a motorcycle or any four-wheeled vehicle. But of course, the traditional way cow-pulled sledge is still the best way to get there for you to have a better view of wonderful agricultural landscape including sugarcane plants, lush bamboo trees, and Indian mango trees lined up on both sides of the road leading to Himamawo Spring.

The landing porch before the spring itself.

And more importantly, make sure your camera lens won’t miss some herds of cattle chatting with white tagak birds in the middle of the field littered with balatong, kibal, kadyos and others. During rainy days, the rough rode rubbished with green sharp kugon and talahib grass can be some real pain on back. But comes summer, the path can be as clear as a combed field.

Upon reaching the entrance of the tropical rain forest, real adventure begins as you traverse through an almost 140 degree down hill path in the middle different wild fruit-bearing trees with their giant roots standing magnificently, providing shade from the sun alongside the way. After an almost 10 minute walk down, you’ll land on a constructed flat form with some 10 – 15 steps down to the spring itself. It’s about time that you take off your shoes and clothes and revitalize yourself with the cool, clear, sweet, and refreshing spring water.

Himamawo Spring has been helping Brgy. Malainin's
farmers in nurturing their agricultural plants.

Cradle of Life

According to Mr. Fredo Magnaye, a barangay councilor in Barangay Malainin, the Himamawo Spring has served its purpose for almost 100 years. It has been the source of life and potable drinking water to the people of barangay during the earlier times. As early as around 1908, people would fetch water from the spring using bungbong, and then bring them uphill either by carrying them on their shoulders or by balagwit.

Aside from being a source of potable water, farmers leaned heavily on the said spring to water their agricultural plants and as drinking water for their cattle. Although years have passed and people began using deep well and faucets as a source of water, the spring remains vital to the lives of the people living near and around it either for household or agricultural use.

Water wall has been constructed on the water's path
which results to a natural swimming pool.

Trapping Water In A Box

Since the water flow freely from the spring itself, a big portion of the water runs through until it reaches the San-an river. In order to make a good use of the water and to provide full enjoyment of this nature’s gift to the people, in 2007, walls were built around the spring together with stairs from the flat form leading down to the spring itself. Two breakwaters were also built to trap the water. And once they are filled with water, a natural swimming pool is then made.

Adjacent to the spring,
a water fall is beaming
with life.

The Himamawo Spring boasts one small and one big spring which provides a greater surge of water. To provide direction to the water, biniyak na kawayan was originally placed at the mouth or main source of the spring water itself. But due to its poor characteristics, people decided to use PVC pipes instead.

Spring water is really a great wonder of the nature. In the face of industrialization and commercialization, it’s hard to find one. And Barangay Malainin is truly blessed for having the Himamawo Spring. Hopefully, as I cross my fingers, the people and the elected officials will do their part in keeping and protecting this marvelous hidden treasure of Ibaan.

___________________
Special thanks to Sir Fredo Magnaye, Sir Romy, and to the people of Barangay Malainin.

(Note: This article was first written and published at multiply.com back in 2008. It is being updated which include photos taken during the Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates' pictorials at Himamawo Spring last May 1, 2011.)

Mutya Ng Ibaan Candidates Send Himamawo Spring At Boiling Point

Mayor Danny Toreja (center) with Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012
Candidates on hot swim wear.

In April 29, 1912, Tuguegarao almost melt when it registered a record-high 42.2 °C (108 °F) temperature which was considered as the hottest temperature ever experienced in the Philippines.

This afternoon, the record almost went into oblivion when Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 candidates stormed Himamawo Spring at Brgy. Malainin to have their photo ops and pictorials in preparation for next year's 180th Ibaan Founding Anniversary Celebration.

Candidates getting ready for the shoot.

The travel leading to Himamawo Spring was already a crucifying experience with dust and bones jockeying for a place in everyone's flesh and blood. Himamawo, with its cold and refreshing water, hidden in the bush at the other end of vast agricultural field, for a long time has been the source of life around. But on this faithful day, with the coming of sexy and gorgeous Mutya Ng Ibaan candidates, its water level almost dropped dead, almost sending it to boiling point.

Mayor Danny Toreja with (from
left) Vice Mayor Sixto Yayabin,
Coun. Rodel De Castro and
Munting Tubig Brgy. Chairman
Domingo Acebo

That might be too much of exaggeration to say. But had you've been at Himamawo Spring, aside from the fact that the local government is conserving and promoting the latter, the prickly body heat that the candidates bring among spectators can only be perfectly tamed by the spring's arctic water. And had everyone took the plunge, smoke will definitely blur our vision of the glamorous candidates.

It's every girl's dream to be the "Princess" in a fairy tale story. The Royal Wedding in England just reached its conclusion and all single ladies will always have the cravings to start a new fairy-tale-tailored-romance with their "Prince".

But this time, it was the other way around. Every man surrounding Himamawa Spring watching the Mutya Ng Ibaan candidates move like a butterfly and float like a feather on their dazzling skinny one-piece and two-piece swim wear felt like a pauper and as a commoner yearning to be noticed by the Royal Highness Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates.Not a man in the place will or can deny this. That can be seen on their burning eyes (including me. hehe).

The forces behind the photo shoot.

The Candidates


Unfortunately, candidates from Brgy. Matala, Brgy. Tulay and Brgy. Lucsuhin didn't make it. They failed to join the group due to some work, academic and personal commitments. However, despite it all, the rest optimistically grabbed the opportunity to show their body curves -every lady's source of envy.

Municipal and Barangay officials
with the Candidates.

At around 8:30am, they, together, either with their parents, friends or PAs, assembled at Ibaan Municipal Hall where they we're met by Ms. Myla Soriano, Vice-Mayor Sixto Yabyabin and some Barangay Chairmen who provided their transportation. The candidates came with their make-up on, ready to take on DSLR camera flash bulbs. And since they'll be at Ibaan's source of pride and natural wonder, they're all geared up with swim  wear covered with the most comfortable linen they can suit their body with.

The enticing Himamawo Spring.

By 10:00am, engines went roaring in the middle of humid and dusty road en route to paradise that have been waiting for the candidates for a lifetime. Setting foot on Himamawo Spring's fertile territorial ground, still keeping a bag of decency in their pockets, the candidates were at first hesitant to reveal their skin with spectators' eyes on them.

But when the man on camera started mapping the shoot location, and with words of encouragement from their company, the company went out their way to everyone's delight and astonishment. And after a couple of body jerkings figuring out the most striking pose they can make, the rest was a hassle-free photo shoots as if everyone is enjoying great music in a rave reggae beach party.

The water is trapped with a water wall that results
to a swimming pool like scenario.

The Shoot  

The shoot was done in three locations within the vicinity of the Spring. And for every location, the candidates were allowed to make three poses. During the first set, they were directed on how they should conduct themselves. At least to give them some pointers or hint on how they can take advantage of their assets and what they can show. On the next two sets, they were given the freedom to pose the way they can project how sexy and seductive they are, and to prove their worth as daughters of Queen Hera of Mount Olympus.

The first set was done at the stair steps kissed by the Spring's water sweets. The second was done at the water wall the runs across the center. And that is where we're able to see the reasons why men can afford not to have women by their sides and the motive that pushes men to their stupidity. The candidates were alluring. One can even take five straight shots of jigger full of Ginebra San Miguel jigger without water or finger foods by simply looking at them. They were in control. They were sizzling and oozing with revered beauty.

Mutya Ng Ibaan Candidates all set to set the Himamawo Spring
at boiling point.

The third set was done at the falls located at the other end, almost adjacent to Himamawo Spring itself. The candidates went "dare devil" striding the dicey rocks that lead down the falls. And just like in the second set, although still with little directions, they were granted all the freedom, time and space in the world in creating a scene for themselves. And as DSLRs went rolling, perfect images of Ibaan sexy and fair ladies registered like Monalisa on a pure and untainted canvas.

Watching them simply brought back to Greek Mythology's goddesses of charm and beauty back to life! And even without fire, living creature in the area began smoking, holding their pounding hearts up to the end..up to the last minute of the photo shoot.

Well, I guess, literally, Himamawo Spring did went boiling and smoking.

But much more with any other words we can say, we congratulate the Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 candidates for their bravery and for a job-well-done. You gals rock! You turned the heaven and earth upside down.

Click to read related story on Himamawo Spring.