Lights, smoke and smiles filled the air at Rosmen Pavilion as the Santa Maria Water District (SMWD) celebrated its 33rd anniversary on September 18 in Brgy. Parada, Santa Maria Bulacan.

A mass officiated by Rev. Father Angelito S. Santiago of the Sto. Niño parish church in the said barangay kicked off the festivities which was attended by roughly 150 employees including the Board of Directors, led by Director Carmelita T. Francisco, who gave the program’s opening remarks.

The SMWD chorale, composed of Ma. Felisa Villegas, Ginabelle Datolayta, Jemma Zafe, Cyrene Ann Cruz, Vivian Policarpio, Kathleen Del Rosario, Moana Marie Agupitan, Janine Mariz Delos Santos, Julie Ann Canonoy, Israel Reyes, Ben James Guevarra, Ramon Halili, Ariel Largo, Ryan Bernardino and Benjie Dejumo, serenaded the audience during the mass, and also the opening part of the program when they sung the doxology and the national anthem.

A number of employees also won some prizes during the games officiated by the hosts, Alvin Policarpio and Regine Alfaro.

Meanwhile, a dance number performed by the new hires with a 90’s theme energized the crowd in the latter part of the program.

‘MILESTONES’

Several long-tenured employees received plaque of recognitions for the service award.

The recipients were Engr. Emmanuel Enrico A. De Vera, head of the Operations Department and Ariel N. Mariano, Water Resources Facilities Operator A, both for their 15 years of service; Maria Leonora Romarate, Manager of the General Services Division for 20 years and Mr. Rogelio D. Pangan, Water/Sewerage Maintenance Man A, for his 30th year in SMWD.

General Manager Engr. Carlos N. Santos Jr. praised the efforts of the awardees and also urged the newer employees to treat their jobs as privileges.

“Some of us will stay longer, but some of us will not. But at the end of the day, we should recognize that once in our lives, we became a part of SWMD, and that should make us proud,” he said.

‘BLESSINGS’

After the mass, Rev. Fr. Santiago blessed the new batch of service vehicles of SMWD.

The newly-blessed vehicles were six (6) motorcycles, four (4) Super Carry pick-up trucks and one (1) tricycle.

With the addition of these new vehicles, the SMWD now has 20 motorcycles, 10 tricycles and 18 four-wheeled vehicles, for a total of 48, which are expected to improve the operations of the agency.

‘RECOGNITIONS’

Another highlight of the anniversary was the awarding ceremony of the 12th SMWD Inter-Color Bowling Tournament held from February 20 to June 6, 2019.

Engelbert Lazaro won the most awards for males, emerging as the Highest Pinning Male, Highest Triple, Top One in Average, and Top Two in Singles and winning the Strike King award for most number of strikes. He also led his team, Red Bugatti, in winning the championship in Class A, the Highest Team Triple and the tournament’s overall title.

For the females, Cyrene Cruz topped the Average and Single standings and tied with Jane Cooper and Maria Leonora Romarate for most number of strikes. Meanwhile, Raquel Antonio was the highest pinning female.

The winning teams and players received trophies, medals and cash prizes.

‘Our Purpose’

In the closing remarks, GM Santos recognized all the awardees and the people behind the success of the event, he also reminded all the employees to put love in all their work rendered at SMWD.

“May I ask you a question, do you love SMWD? Because when we love someone or something, we always try to protect him/her,” GM Santos said.

“Our purpose is to serve. Remember that – to serve. Do not underestimate your contribution to SMWD, however small it may be,” he added.