Aringay is a sleepy town in the province of La
Union, Philippines. It is located in Northwestern Luzon. It is bordered by the
towns of Caba and Burgos in the north, Agoo in the South, Tubao and Pugo in the
Southeast and the foothills of the Cordillera central mountain range to the
east and the South China Sea to the west. The town’s economy is primarily based
on agriculture producing rice, tobacco and fruit crops.
Despite being described as a sleepy locality – quiet
and dull, it boasts of its esteemed history. It has never been that boring
whenever we talk of Aringay’s history. It has a highly regarded history of
people and even beauty title holder’s history.
In 1969, Aringay’s collective memory was centered on
a Filipina’s victory in Miami, Florida. She was crowned Miss Universe of 1969
and the people of the Philippines rejoiced about this conquest. Every newspaper
and magazine publication was triumphantly telling everyone that a Filipina
conquered the universe. Who would not be proud anyway?
But Aringay was much prouder because when Miss
Gloria Diaz arrived in the Philippines and after her courtesy calls in Manila, she then travelled to La Union, the home province of her father Jaime “Jimmy” Diaz to pay respect to the other half of her heritage. After a courtesy call to the Provincial
Governor, she was feted with a victory caravan in her father’s hometown,
Aringay, La Union. She was met by then Mayor Moises Dulay who by Aringay’s
history was the longest staying mayor of the town. Since then, whenever the
town would have its beauty pageant, there is always a reference to repeating
the feat of what Gloria Diaz had down in the world of beauty pageants.
Some Aringay beauties tried following her footsteps.
Sheryl Lou Dacanay Franco entered the semi-finalists circle of the Binibining
Pilipinas in 2001. She was crowned Miss Philippines-Water in the Miss
Philippines-Earth Beauty Pageant in 2003. She later represented the Philippines
in the Miss Tourism-World Beauty Pageant in Zimbabwe in 2004 where she won Best
in National Costume and one of the semi-finalists. Truly, Aringay is
underscoring the fact that it had beautiful girls of international beauty
caliber.
Just recently, debates on the new fame of the recently crowned Miss Universe Philippines Janine R. Tugonon grew rabidly. What is the point of the discussion? Balanga, Bataan or Aringay, La Union? There is
no point of discussion really. The Filipino people in general had its penchant
for owning everyone even if they slightest relationship with the person. Well, as
for Aringayeños, they accept the fact the Janine was born and grew up in Bataan as her mother hails from Bataan. That is a real fact. But Janine’s half of heritage is rooted down in Aringay since his father hails from the place. His father comes from the Dulay clan and a direct descendant from
former Mayor Moises Dulay who gave a grand celebration for Gloria Diaz after she
was crowned Miss Universe of 1969. Will Janine acknowledge this part of her
heritage? The Aringayeños hope so very much.
There
are already parallelisms being made. And what are these? Gloria Diaz father is
from the Diaz clan of Aringay. Janine
Tugonon’s father is from the Dulay clan of Aringay. Gloria is known for her wit
and intelligence. Janine is known for her ardor and intelligence. Gloria
competed in Miami Florida and Janine is competing also in Florida. Gloria came
out victorious. Will Janine repeat history after 43 years? The people of
Aringay hopes so and they are wishing upon the stars.
Photo Credits: Google Maps, Feelingphotographer.blogspot.com, gloriadiaz1969.tripod.com, juliusnoora.blogspot.com, nakupotheydidnt.livejournal.com, philippineheritage.com, infofashion.ro, skycrapercity.com, Ron B. Titular
I think si shamcey naman ung father side niya is from Bauang..
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