Oh Martin!

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

Hi there! It’s another week. Forget about Manny Villar and the Senate hearing, (if I may borrow Capt. Smith’s line from the Titanic movie) it’s normal this season of the year (I mean the election season). I’d rather hear about Aling Dionesia dancing with her gowns and all.

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Which leads me to today’s title. It’s been weeks since Manny Pacquiao made Hatton fall asleep (violently, if I may say) and there’s still this issue boggling me. Yes, it happened to the national anthem again.

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The singing of the anthem it seems is the only event I look forward to during the Pacquiao bouts. Why did they not have Lea Salonga sing the anthem? News report had it that it was only she who did it properly (so far). I heard her do that during the visit of the Clintons. And I do not disagree with the news report. Nope, it’s not that I’m a Lea Salonga fan (I just happen to be familiar with all the songs from Miss Saigon. Smile! It’s the first day of the week!). Back to Martin. So what’s my take on the issue? Forget about freedom of expression and apologies, oh Martin! How could you?

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* * *

Foundation for a Clean Calbayog River. DILG-Calbayog in coordination with the City of Calbayog has put into action The Save Calbayog Rivers Movement. Its initial activity, the Save Calbayog River Technical Planning Workshop and Organization Meeting was held at the DepEd Conference Hall on May 9, 2009.

The activity was designed to encourage participants to provide support in saving the Calbayog River. It was aimed at making the participants realize the importance of Calbayog River in the lives of Calbayognons; re-establish the value of cooperation among the different sectors of society in cleaning the Calbayog River; clean, save and protect the Calbayog River; and organize the Foundation for a Clean Calbayog River.

The Technical Planning Workshop had the following activities

• Video Showing of “Salug”.
• The Mission to Clean the Calbayog River: A Call for Calbayognons.
• “Calbayog Ko Salug Ko”: The Values Calbayognons Must Have to Save the Environment.
• Action Plan Presentation and Critiquing.
• Organization of the Foundation for a Clean Calbayog River.
• Signing of Action Plan and Commitment of Support.

A good number of participants and guests coming from government, non-government organizations, people’s organizations and the private sector participated in the conference.

To ensure the sustainability of the program, the DILG Program Officer/District Officer shall monitor the projects and activities implemented by barangays in line with the provision of support to save the Calbayog River. A regular report shall be required from the barangays.

* * *

The first travel agency in Cabayog is now in operation. Great Times Tours and Events Calbayog branch officially opened for business on May 8, 2009.

The ribbon-cutting was led by Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino and TTMIST President Socorro Bohol. Fr. Mike Aguilar said the prayer of blessing.

Great Times Tours and Events Calbayog branch is located in Brgy. Capoocan, near the Calbayog Hall of Justice.

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The Calbayog Hotels and Restaurants Association (CAHORA) recently inducted their new set of officers. The event was held at the function hall of Marju-Krisel Resort in Brgy. San Policarpo. Guest of Honor and Inducting Officer was Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino.

Inducted as officers were Mark Aquino of Marju Krisel Resort (President); Dr. Vincent Rosales of 3-Gems (Vice President); Irene Pastrana of Mila's (Secretary); Eleanor Bernardo - Tingzon of Bernardo's (Secretary); Ruth Bartolome - Enriquez of Mangroove (Auditor); and Evageline Kho of Eduardo's and Lina Porcalla - Pido of Lyn's Garden (Business Managers).

* * *

Wedding Bells. Primitivo “Junjun” Planea, Jr. and Ruth Cabeling (both of Takut, Sto. Niño) will get married today. Their wedding mass will be presided over by the groom’s uncle Fr. Johnny Planea with Fr. Francis Uy and Fr. Eliboi Solis as concelebrants.

Ireneo “Jun” Germones will get married to Shiela Lasaca. The wedding mass will be held at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church in Brgy. San Policarpo on Wednesday. Reception will be held at the SPCS activity center.

* * *

The CKC - Jose Gomez Orchestra will have a concert in Catarman, Northern Samar. The event will be held at the Northern Samar Capitol Building on May 23, 2009, Saturday at 5:00 pm.

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

The merry month of May (2)

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend. Patrun yana sa Brgy. Bagacay, Nijaga (Palanas) ug Cagbilwang; ngan buwas sa Brgy. Obrero an patrun. Indeed it’s the merry month of May. What is it about fiestas it seems like it’s always the D-day, THE day of the year for many people? It has been discussed a good number of times. And if my memory serves me right, just before the imposition of Martial Law, a lawmaker (I dunnow if he was serious or was just trying to earn some media mileage) supposedly filed a bill making it a crime to celebrate fiesta. What if Martial Law was not proclaimed and the bill made it as a law. Now that would be very interesting, I mean the debate on the said bill.

To look at it simply (or simplistically, not so sure which term is more appropriate), the fiesta (celebration) is a time when the barangay folks meet and agree to clean and decorate the surroundings. Good. How I wish it ends there. Well, we still have to deal with the other cast members namely, the principal sponsor(s), the youth sector/leaders, the priest(s), the officials and/or politicians and yes, the various soft drink and liquor products which seem to pop out each time a fiesta comes.

The hermano/ hermana mayor more often than not always takes charge of the fiesta expenses (oops, sorry for the term) in the church or the cultural events depending upon his or her priority of things; I see it as a chance to show off either their gratitude for the blessings they have received or what money they have got (whichever comes first); on the part of the youth leaders, aside from cleaning the barangay streets which they will make dirty later with banderetas (which will be removed on the next fiesta or during a storm, again whichever comes first) they will also be having the mundane stuff like pop-dance contest, singing contest and horrors, Ms. Gay contests. (Yes, most of them call these cultural events). Needless to say, a good number of these young people also lead in earning money on the side (oops me and my mouth). And how does the fiesta connect with politicians? Kuratsa, and put it there! Fiesta (supposedly) is an affirmation of our deep Catholic roots (thanks, but no thanks to the frayles of many centuries ago?). So what about it? Fiestas mean novena masses and/or high masses with sponsors who offer money. (Again) Put it there. Do I still have to discuss about the drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and the streamers advertising it that flood the place during fiestas?

Ah, tradition! And yes, please don’t take what you have just read seriously, it’s a weekend.

* * *

Mayor Mel Sarmiento (3rd from the left) receiving a Plaque of Commendation from CSC Assistant Commissioner Anicia Marasigan - De Lima. In photo are Councilor Florencio enriquez, Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino, Mayor Sarmiento, Commissioner De Lima, CSC RO-8 Director David Cabanag, Jr., Dir. Marilyn Taldo and Dir. Michael De La Cruz.

The Calbayog Citizen's Charter was officially launched a week ago today. The event was held at the La Milagrosa Academy Auditorium. Mayor Mel Sarmiento and Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino led the LGU officials and employees in the activity.

The event was graced by Civil Service Commission (CSC) Assistant Commissioner Anicia Marasigan - Delima and CSC Region 8 Director, Atty. David Cabanag, Jr.

During the program, Mayor Sarmiento was given a certificate of commendation for making Calbayog the first city in region 8 to have launched its citizens’ charter.

In compliance to RA 9485, the charter puts together a comprehensive host of mechanisms, systems and programs that give teeth to government efforts to stamp out inefficiency and corruption in public service. It is a listing of processes in the local government unit. It shows proper process in availing of a specific government service. It also includes price listing of payments and correct procedures in maintaining ratings of services.

Also present during the event were Councilors Florencio Enriquez, Noel Sermense and Ver Porlares. Civil Service officials present were CSC Directors Marilyn Taldo, Michael De La Cruz, Rey Albert Uy and Emmanuel Fuentes.

* * *

The City Government of Calbayog through the City Cooperatives Office and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conducted a techno-demo on the Portable Micro Fish Smoking Machine. The event was held last Friday, May 8, 2009 at the I's Plant activity area.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento was on hand to welcome the participants which included Engr. Alfredo Apolinar and Dr. Dominica Sajonas, resource persons both of the Pangasinan State University (PSU); guests from the DOST; tinapa processors from Barangay Matobato namely Maritess Tapahan, Estring's Tapahan, Yayang's Tinapang Tagalog and Babe's Tapahan; 6 Calbayog Food Processors Associations; the Rural Improvement Center; TTMIST; and Barangay Saljag.

The activity was done in line with the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) program of the LGU. It was held to introduce and demonstrate the operation and utilization of a new design of smoking machine which is easy to operate, more hygienic, has control for smoke and temperature and is suitable for small-scale producers. Said machine which can be an alternative to the traditional smoking oven was developed by PSU with funding from the DOST and the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD).

* * *

The CKC - Jose Gomez Orchestra will have a concert in Catarman, Northern Samar. The event will be held at the Northern Samar Capitol Building on May 23, 2009, Saturday at 5:00 pm.

* * *

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

The merry month of May

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend; ngan patrun yana sa Brgy. San Policarpo, the biggest barangay in Calbayog. Well, aside from May 1 being just that, a time for house-hopping for feasting, drinking and what have you, the 1st of May (hmm, love that Bee Gees song) of course is Labor Day.

Just curious, why do we have to refrain from work (or labor if I may say) on the day that is designated for labor (redundant ba?). Anyway, if my memory serves me right, my soc sci lesson taught me that a good number of countries are into Labor Day today (May 1), save for some countries, the U.S. of A included (which celebrates Labor Day in September?).

Today’s commemoration stemmed from a picket or workers’ strike which was violently dispersed. And this happened in the country which supposedly stands for democracy a.k.a. the land of Uncle Sam. Be that as it may, the first day of May also ushers in the fiesta season in the country.

The merry month of May is always made colorful by the décor; made heavy by the loads of cholesterol and alcohol; and made especially more exciting every three years thanks to the election, which incidentally will happen in a year’s time. Yes, fiestas also mean novena masses and sponsors and what have you. Hmm, happy days are indeed here again.

* * *

A week ago today, the City of Calbayog received a check amounting to 9.750 million pesos from the Department of Agriculture. The amount represents the first tranche release of the 20 million-peso assistance for concreting / asphalting of the Brgy. Villahermosa - Brgy. San Jose Farm-to-Market Road. Said amount was committed by Secretary Arthur Yap made during the 60th Calbayog Charter Day celebration.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino who represented Mayor Mel Sarmiento received the check from DA-8 Regional Director Leo Cañeda. The turn-over was held during the PalayCheck Field Day Celebration & Farmers / Fisherfolk Forum in Brgy. Carayman.

* * *

Mayor Mel Sarmiento is expected to be back today from Rosario City, Argentina. He was invited by Rosario City Mayor Roberto Miguel Lifschitz. The City of Rosario played host to the 17th Congress of the Iberoamerican Center for the Urban Strategic Development (CIDEU) of which Mayor Lifschitz is the Vice President.

Mayor Sarmiento participated in two events during the Congress. First was the meeting of the Commission of Urban Strategic Planning (USP) of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). The second event where he was one of he speakers was at the intercontinental roundtable event which is part of the technical seminar organized within the framework of the CIDEU Congress.

Mayor Sarmiento’s expenses for this trip were paid for by the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Organization.

* * *

This is it for now. Let me give you something to smile about this weekend. It’s a list of definitions which I got via email:

• School: A place where Papa pays and Son plays.
• Life Insurance: A contact that keeps you poor all your life so you can die rich.
• Nurse: A person who wakes you up to give you sleeping pills.
• Marriage: It's an agreement in which a man loses his bachelor degree and a woman gains her masters.
• Tears: The hydraulic force by which masculine willpower is defeated by feminine waterpower.
• Lecture: An art of transferring information from the notes of the Lecturer to the notes of the students without passing through 'the minds of either'
• Conference: The confusion of one man multiplied by the number present.
• Compromise: The art of dividing a cake in such a way that everybody believes he got the biggest piece.
• Dictionary: A place where success comes before work.
• Conference: A place where everybody talks, nobody listens and everybody disagrees later on.
• Father: A banker provided by nature.
• Boss: Someone who is early when you are late and late when you are early.
• Politician: One who shakes your hand before elections and your Confidence after.
• Doctor: A person who kills your ills by pills, and kills you by bills.
• Classic: Books, which people praise, but do not read.
• Smile: A curve that can set a lot of things straight.
• Office: A place where you can relax after your strenuous home life
• Yawn: The only time some married men ever get to open their mouth.
• Etc.: A sign to make others believe that you know more that you actually do.
• Committee: Individuals who can do nothing individually and sit to decide that nothing can be done together.
• Experience: The name men give to their mistakes
• Atom Bomb: An invention to end all inventions.
• Philosopher: A fool who torments himself during life, to be wise after death
  
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  This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!