Earth Hour in Calbayog

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

Hi there! It’s another week. And don’t tell me what’s in the news. I’m just wondering why suddenly the “mess” that is the Dacer and Corbito murder case. There must be something else brewing somewhere. Anyway, surely has some degree of excitement into it.

But first things first. About a year ago (April 2, 2008, to be exact) I wrote in this column something about Earth Hour. Here’s what I wrote (it’s the 5th paragraph):

“… Talking about the environment. Did you happen to hear about Earth Hour? (Silly question. Of course it was all over the news.) Anyway, Quezon City was among those that participated in the event. The night it happened, a friend of mine was at SM and lo and behold, there was darkness, it gave him time to text me and inquired if Calbayog participated in the event. Well, I understand no City or municipality in Samar participated in the event. And then it occurred to me. If turning off the lights is one way of helping the environment, and considering that Earth Hour happens only once a year and it lasts for only one hour, then the people of Samar have contributed more than enough of their share of helping the environment. How is that? Try counting the number of hours when Calbayog and the other municipalities of Samar (and Leyte, if I may add) were in total darkness with what else, but with the perennial blackouts which we fondly call brownout (and yes, have you ever wondered why we Filipinos call it brownout?). . .”

As it turned out, Calbayog participated in the event, on a small scale, if I may add. Anyway, it’s a different thing this time. Calbayog City is set to participate in Earth Hour 2009. Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino along with Councilor Sonny Salurio and CSWMO Head Reynaldo Gonzaga form the 3-man committee that Mayor Mel Sarmiento has tasked to come up with relevant activities and to coordinate with various agencies concerned with the event.

On the list of activities which will be held at the City Hall stage are the showing of the docu films "Earth Hour", "Switch" and "Panahon Na"; the ceremonial switch-off at 8:30 pm led by Mayor Sarmiento with the City Officials and Department Managers; Messages to be delivered by the City Mayor and Vice Mayor Aquino; and the reading of the pledge of commitment by Councilor Sonny Salurio. Presentations will be given by the SOS Children's Village and the City Arts and Culture Office. A concert of local bands will cap the event.

Other agencies which will be participating in the event are DYOG-Radyo ng Bayan, SAMELCO I, CCTV Channel 6, STI-Calbayog and Radyo Natin-FM. I’ll give you details of the event as soon as I have them.

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Indeed, you can never go wrong with caring for the environment. What about caring for the souls (you know, the believers of God, the faithful, and the like)? Well, that’s a different story, or should I say, the story is different with different priests. Oops, put it there, it’s the season of Lent.

In addition to the Mancao, Lacson, Dacer, etc issue, a news item caught my attention. That item said something like we now have a fewer junkies, thanks to the economic crunch. Let’s say due to the economic crunch and the short supply – thanks to the raids and what have you – shabu seems to be out of season. And that should be a good sign. On the other hand, some were quick to add – jokingly - that many have resorted (back) to marijuana. Well, talk about going organic or vegetarian.

News had it that a church in Manila, Baclaran to be exact has experienced higher mass attendance and more petitions. Analysts said that it always happens in times of crisis when people would normally turn to the heavens for help. I’m wondering if the same thing can be said in some churches in Samar. What am I into gain? Well, put it there, again because it’s Lent.

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The Inovejas and Isidro families observed the first anniversary of the passing of Mommy Luz Inovejas - Isidro last Saturday. They tendered a mirienda cena for relatives and friends at their residence in Brgy. Capoocan.

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Birthday greetings. Rhez Saplad, the editor of TTMIST’s The Courier will celebrate his birthday on Thursday, March 26, 2009.

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This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!