The community spirit shone brightly in the municipality of Candoni as children from various barangays took center stage during the Pabonggahan sa Barangay Haba 2025 dance competition.
Dressed in vibrant costumes and performing inventive choreography, each group proudly displayed their love for their hometown.
Kaunlad Pinoy’s (#133) first nominee, James Christopher “Kuya Choi” Napoles, was invited to present the award to the winning barangay, whose members erupted in cheers when their name was announced. For Kuya Choi, however, the highlight wasn’t just the moment of awarding — it was the opportunity to be part of a community he has come to know and deeply admire.
“This isn’t our first time here, and it won’t be our last,” Kuya Choi said quietly after the event. “Candoni has always been generous with their welcome, and we’re grateful every time we’re invited back. Candoni is like family to me.”
Kaunlad Pinoy, #133 on the ballot, previously visited Candoni during the Dinagyaw Festival in February, participating in the cultural celebration and engaging with local leaders and residents. Over time, what began as a visit turned into a bond, with the Kaunlad Pinoy team returning not out of obligation, but out of connection.
“We’ve seen how hard people here work, and how much heart they put into everything they do — from community events like this to their daily lives,” Kuya Choi added. “It reminds us why we started Kaunlad Pinoy in the first place — to stand beside those often overlooked and to help strengthen the roots they’ve already planted.”
The event was a joyful one, but also a reaffirmation of Kaunlad Pinoy’s commitment to small towns like Candoni — where stories of resilience and hope play out quietly every day.
“Our promise has always been simple,” Kuya Choi said. “We don’t just show up once and leave. We come back. We listen. And we continue to walk with them because real progress takes time, and it takes trust.”
In the warm smiles of the children, the applause from the crowd, and the unity of the barangays, that trust was alive and growing.