Heroes and Holidays

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! Sad to miss you again. Well, this time blame it on the forthcoming City Fiesta. Anyway, I should have mentioned this in my columns last week: Bye Beijing, Hello London. Well, I dunnow what surprises await us four years from now in London, but please, enough of the light and sound spectacle. Talking about that spectacle, the Chinese did a feat in showing how many centuries of culture and history in less that three hours of lights and sounds presentation (forget about the lip-synching and the supposedly faked or video-taped portions) what made me wonder is Chairman Mao. Needless to say, he is a big, no, giant figure in Chinese history. But alas he was nowhere to be found in that lights and sounds spectacle.

The last holiday observed last month was National Heroes Day. And from the looks of it, the commemoration of heroes was nowhere in the days’ (I mean the long weekend) itinerary for many Pinoys. Yet another proof of what has become of heroes: being relegated to the history books (some are lucky to make it to bank notes) and be an excuse - a good one - to refrain from work.

John McCain, how could you? In trying to steal the show from Obama, he picks Palin, a neophyte politician as running mate. Well, I like what Jay Leno said on the choice, “(it’s a good combination) Palin is pro-life, and he (McCain) is clinging to life”.

And Georgia. When Russia attacked Georgia, Bush was among those who showed indignation against the aggression. Everyone called for peace. You think the U.S. was honestly for it? In a way yes, otherwise, their energy program would be in peril. Huh? How is that? Well, if one is to take seriously the news from businesworld.com, everything boil down to the construction (or the loss of it) of oil pipeline in the region.

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Last Wednesday, some officers (and members) of the Region 8 Administrators’ League conducted a People’s Day at the City Hall Sala. The City Officials were on hand to for the activity.

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Hadang Festival 2008. The Festival formally opens with a Mass this morning. The ritual opening ceremonies will be held at 6:00 pm tonight at the Nijaga Park.

Later tonight, the Search for Miss Anyag 2008 will be held at the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center. This is a joint venture of the City of Calbayog and the Rotary Club of Calbayog.

Tomorrow night, the 2008 Hermanas Mayores namely Minda Tabones – Llamas, Lor Obong – Fresnedi, Marie Acuesta – Sauz and Zoraya Zuñiga – Macaraig will tender a dinner (the Hermana Night) at the LMA Auditorium.

On Sunday morning there will be the traditional fiesta Parade. This will be followed by the Grand Hadang Streetdance which will commence at one in the afternoon. After parading around the city, the various festivals invited to the event will do their exhibition at the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center.

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Wedding Bells: Vani Gabon will get married to Aileen Magno. Fr. James Roa will preside over the Nuptial Mass which will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral tomorrow. Reception will be at the Centennial Pastoral Center

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This is it for now. Let me leave you with something I got from the AD (or announcement) of a local school noted for its supposedly good English. Days to the opening of classes they ran an announcement in the local TV station informing everyone that enrolment is going on and it included this line: “We accept as early as 3 years old”. I think there is something not right somewhere.

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Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!