In the quiet hum of the new year, the leaders of Santa Barbara, Iloilo—specifically from Barangays Duyan-Duyan and Sangcate—gathered for a Kamustahan. It was a time not just for reporting accomplishments, but for deep, personal sharing.

The questions posed were simple yet profound: “What moments from last year made you feel proud of who you are?” and “What does ‘success’ look like for you in 2026?”

What emerged from this circle was a tapestry of resilience, where infrastructure projects sat side-by-side with stories of healing, family reunions, and the quiet power of inner conditioning.

Barangay Duyan-Duyan: Service as a Personal Milestone

For the leaders of Duyan-Duyan, pride in 2025 was rooted in the tangible delivery of service—a testament to their commitment to their constituents.

Kagawad Jose Andrew Calugas found his proudest moment in seeing a difficult task through to completion. “I was able to finish my program in the barangay,” he shared, referring to the completion of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Under his leadership in the committee on environment, he navigated the paperwork and logistics to deliver this vital facility to every zone.

Looking ahead to 2026, Kagawad Jose envisions a more grounded form of success. For him, it isn’t about grand accolades, but steady growth: “Success for me is to see myself improving little by little and be more appreciative of all the small successes in life.”

Meanwhile, Kagawad Vangeline Magnaye found her joy in empowerment. As the committee chair for Women and Family, her highlight of 2025 was the women’s sewing training program. “I felt proud that I was able to help my fellow women have livelihood project,” she reflected. Her vision for 2026 remains selfless—her personal definition of success is inextricably linked to the “success of her committee.”

Barangay Sangcate: Healing, Home, and Inner Work

In Barangay Sangcate, the reflections took a deeply personal turn. The leaders spoke of overcoming illness, the warmth of family, and the transformative power of the Inner Conditioning Workshop (ICW).

Captain Annabel Simpao’s story is one of profound resilience. Her proudest moment of 2025 was personal survival: overcoming illness and receiving a negative biopsy result amidst financial struggles. Yet, even in her personal battle, she did not waver in her duty. She proudly noted the implementation of road concreting, the ongoing water system project, the new barangay signage, and maintaining a clean record with no suspensions from the COA.

Her prayer for 2026 is a balance of wellness and duty: “To maintain a healthy and benign status, be financially stable, and complete all proposed projects in the barangay.”

For Kagawad Devilla Suarnaba, pride was found in a spontaneous act of love—a surprise trip to Aklan to celebrate Christmas with her mother. “It gave me joy,” she said. She also celebrated the tangible blessing of a budget for her home extension. Her hope for 2026 is holistic: fulfilled dreams, good health, a happy family, and the simple, noble goal of being “a good citizen.”

Kagawad Maria Jocelyn Patriarca and Kagawad Elenita Sorongon both highlighted the Inner Conditioning Workshop as a pivotal moment in their year.

Kagawad Maria Jocelyn recalled the joy of strolling through the National Museum and Luneta Park after the workshop, as well as improvements made to her home. For her, success in 2026 is defined by peace: “No financial problems, no stress with my children, and a happy family life.”

Similarly, Kagawad Elenita cherished the memory of the workshop and the experience of eating real organic food at the CBE. Her vision for the future is clear: “Good health, more blessings, and successful plans in life.”

Finally, Kagawad Cristy Seneres offered a reflection that bridged the inner and outer worlds. Her 2025 milestones included completing the Inner Conditioning Workshop, joining the Mushroom Group, and managing her resources better.

Her definition of success for 2026 serves as a powerful closing thought for the entire gathering:

“Continuing to apply the tools from the inner conditioning workshop so that ‘stability’ isn’t just financial, but emotional too. Building my financial foundation to move from ‘a little stable’ to ‘fully secure’.”

The Ripple Effect

As the Kamustahan concluded, it was clear that for these leaders in Santa Barbara, “development” is no longer just about concrete roads or new facilities. It is about the road to recovery from illness, the foundation of a happy home, and the inner stability that allows them to serve better.

From Duyan-Duyan to Sangcate, the message for 2026 is unanimous: True success is when the leader is as whole and healthy as the community they serve.