The First of May

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

Hi there! It’s another long weekend, thanks to PGMA’s holiday economics; and yes, we are 10 days away to the election. Nope, today’s title is not about the famous Bee Gees song which I happen to love very much. It’s just my way of highlighting the holiday that is Labor Day which is the reason why many of us (read: the working classes like me and some of you) can afford to oversleep this coming Monday.

Let me give you something which I always feature in this column each time Labor Day comes. 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 tomorrow (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.

On the other hand, we’re in for the merry month of May; ngan patrun yana sa Brgy. San Policarpo, the biggest barangay in Calbayog. Well, aside from May 1 being a time for us to salute the laborers, it’s also ushers in that time (or season) for house-hopping for feasting, drinking and what have you. Needless to say, 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 decor; made heavy by the loads of cholesterol and alcohol; and made especially more exciting every three years thanks to the election, which incidentally happens this year. Well, purists (and the like) will remind us that fiestas also mean novena masses and sponsors and what have you. But certainly, adding more spice is the election season (or is it seasoning? Smile! It’s a weekend). Hmm, happy days are indeed here again.

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Local news. PDEA is set to open its satellite office in Calbayog City. This after PDEA RO-8 Director Julius Navales formally accepted the office space offered by Mayor Mel Sarmiento. PD Navales was in the City last Monday for the simple turn-over ceremony which was attended by Mayor Mel Sarmiento. The program also included a ribbon-cutting at the future PDEA satellite office located at the Calbayog City Sports Center premises. Also in attendance were Calbayog PNP Chief PSupt Ramil Ramirez and Deputy Police Chief PSupt Nestor Valenzuela.

The City Health Office (CHO) on Monday conducted the Ceremonial Launching of the Pandemic H1N1 Vaccination in Calbayog City. The simple ceremony which was attended by Mayor Mel Sarmiento was held at the City Hall Stage immediately after the flag-raising ceremony. Dr. Eufemia Alcantara, DOH Representative gave the program rationale. The two personalities who received the voluntary first shots of the Pandemic H1N1 vaccine were CHO Officer-in-Charge Dr. Sylvia De Guzman, and Dr. Mario Casera, the former City Health Officer now with the CHO as a Contractual Service employee assigned at the Oquendo Main Health Center.

The official ballots for the May 10, 2010 election in Calbayog has arrived. Assistant City Treasurer Evelyn Junio on Wednesday (April 28, 2010) received 210 boxes containing the official ballots for the 210 clustered precincts in the two districts of Calbayog. The boxes are now stored at the City Treasurer's Office lobby. PNP officers have been assigned to provide security in the area.

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New CKC President. The Christ the King College community on Tuesday bid farewell to their College President Fr. Prisco Cajes, ofm. Fr. Cajes will be assigned to Davao. Taking his place as the new CKC President is the former Director, Fr. Mar Tubac, ofm. Fr. Tubac is expected to be in Calbayog next week.

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Sarah Geronimo in Live in Calbayog! Great Times Events and Tours owner and manager Salve Uyloan recently signed a contract with Mr. Vic Del Rosario of VIVA Records. This is for the concert of Sarah Geronimo slated on September 7, 2010 at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

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