. . . naughty or nice

Hi there! It’s another weekend. Nope, today’s title is not about Christmas or about Santa Claus coming to town and knowing who’s been naughty or nice. Let me start with what I usually end my column with – my line for the day. And today I am pleased to quote the controversial DOH Secretary Espie Cabral. You know the issues on condom, lollipops and the AIDS problem and how some quarters reacted to it. Back to the quote, “If you can’t be nice, at least be careful” That’s what I heard the secretary say on TV when asked about the latest controversy that she is into. I do not disagree with what she said. If data are indeed accurate, the numbers of Filipinos positive with HIV is increasing; and that what’s bothersome is pa-bata nang pabata ang karamihan sa kanila. Okay, some quarters call for abstinence. Suddenly I remember what I featured in this column many weeks ago. Those figures which a friend of mine told me were about young Filipinos and their faith. That according to a study conducted by a leading Catholic University (in Manila), only 49% of today’s young people believe in God. Let’s take it from there. If can’t make most of them believe in God, how can we make them abstain? (How is that different from behaving?) And let’s not even start discussing about the grown-ups, I mean their faith and their behavior or outlook towards that thing I’ll simply refer to as S.

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Let me give you some local news I managed to collect yesterday.

Calbayog achievers. Congratulations to all the twelve participants from Calbayog City who won in the various competitions in the 7th National Science Quest and Fair held on February 3 - 5, 2010 at Tabaco National High School, Tabaco City.

Milaner Oyo-a, a science teacher from the Rafael Lentejas Memorial School of Fisheries was the National Champion in the Science Investigatory Project (SIP) Teacher Category. His entry entitled "Cafe de Mango" won him the 1st place. He bested the 26 contestants from the other regions all over the country.

Hadz Sumagang, a Grade 4 pupil from the Calbayog City SPED Center got the 2nd place in the Water Patrol grade 4 pupil category. He was coached by Mrs. Chona Arpon, MT II from Calbayog City SPED Center.

Gerald Malabarbas, a science teacher from the San Joaquin National High School ranked 5th in the Science Intervention Material (SIM) Competition.

Other winners in the same nationwide events are the following:

• Peach Gem Pacquiao and Albert Alfonso - their investigatory project entitled "Camistea" was the 8th finalist for the team category. They were coached by Michael Pernia of the Binaliw Elementary School.
• Mary Josephine Co. Her project Water Recycler ranked 9th finalist in the Physical Science category. She was coached by Mrs. Haidee Salurio of the Calbayog City SPED Canter.
  Julian Alvarez from the Calbayog City National High School ranked 9th in secondary level Science quiz. His coach was Joy Saldaña.
• Joan Padilla from the Calbayog City National High School ranked 8th in the secondary level chemistry quiz. She was coached by Calick Arieta.

The Calbayog City delegation was headed by Mrs. Edna Subito, DepEd Calbayog ES-1 for Science and Health.

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Celebrity Chef in town. Chef Tristan Encarnacion was in Calbayog yesterday. He was part of the group of resource persons who came to town for the Regional Seminar on Culinary Arts and Entrepreneurship. The event was held at the Socio-Cultural Center of the NwSSU.

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The San Joaquin National High School (SJNHS) in Barangay San Joaquin is 42 years old today. Among the events slated for this celebration are the Literary-Musical Contests, Recognition of honor students, Super Quiz Bee and the Search for Mr. & Ms. SJNHS 2010 which will be held tonight at the Lazaro Tancinco Gymnasium in San Joaquin.

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The Samar Island Pharmacists Federation, Inc. (SIPFI) is calling all pharmacists in Samar to attend the National Convention of Pharmacist which will be held on April 7-9, 2010 at the Leyte Park Hotel. The said convention will be hosted by the Region 8 Pharmacists Association, Inc. For details call or text: 0908-737-8835.

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