Ibos of Nabas: A Tribute to the Higante Nay Nany

By Maria Solita Zaldivar-Guzman

KALIBO, Aklan-It was only after Vice Mayor Stephen Zaldivar Bolivar posted on his Facebook fan page that I learned that the Higante entry of the Local Government Unit of Nabas for the Higante Parade was named after Maria Irao Carrillo-Zaldivar, fondly known as Nay Nany, and my grandmother.

Mayor James Villanueva Solanoy held Nay Nany, and her better half Tay Meding (Amideo Magallanes Zaldivar), in the highest regard. They were his trusted mentors in public service, seasoned coaches in life, and respected strategists in politics—people whose counsel carried both wisdom and heart.

This year’t January 15, 2026’s Higante contest  las carried the theme of showcasing each town’s famous delicacy. Nabas, of course, is best known for its phenomenal ibos, which are not only delicious but also meticulously and creatively made. It is glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and salt, wrapped in distinctive coil-shaped young palm or buri leaves, then patiently steamed.

While other municipalities also have their own versions of ibos, there is something about Nabas ibos that truly stands out. Its richer flavor, careful preparation, and its size, often made twice as big as the usual.

In our family, no celebration ever felt complete without ibos. Most gatherings required it to be brought by my cousins, Councilor Mark Parreñas Zaldivar and Sangguniang Bayan Secretary Kris Parreñas Zaldivar. It was never negotiable, never forgotten, a must-have not only for us, but for every guest who came. Ibos was tradition, memory, and comfort all rolled into one. And then it dawned on me that ibos was, in many ways, a part of Nay Nany herself, something we especially remember and deeply miss. A lawyer and retired judge by profession, Nay Nany served as the first female and longest-serving local chief executive of Nabas, holding office for 16 years. During her administration, Nabas gained prominence for hosting the 10th Provincial Jamborette at Camp Maria in Barangay Poblacion, then dubbed the best campsite in 1977.

It was also during her tenure that ibos became widely known, reaching not only different parts of the country but also the hearts of balikbayans. Nay Nany frequently traveled to Manila for political affairs, meeting with higher-ranking officials to advance the progress of Nabas. In her travels, she would always bring ibos as pasalubong, a simple yet meaningful gift. It was also offered as tokens to balikbayans and guests. Once you have tasted ibos, you never quite forget it. Its savory richness lingers, much like the warmth and care of the one who made and gave it, and the place it represents.

Nay Nany was the same. Like a cherished delicacy, she left an enduring impression that stayed long after the moment had passed. Her presence was comforting, her service sincere, and her influence profoundly transformative. In the end, the Higante named after her was more than a tribute to a delicacy. It was a tribute to Maria Irao Carrillo-Zaldivar’s long and barrier-breaking public service, a life devoted to service, guided by integrity, and remembered for the communities and lives she uplifted and the legacy she left in local governance and in the law. Like the ibos of Nabas, her legacy remains distinctive, deeply rooted, and unforgettable.

Congratulations, Pangibabaw Nabas, for winning Second Runner-Up in the Higante Contest! Viva, Nay Nany of Nabas!