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.
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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.
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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).
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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 weekend everyone! Ciao!
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