Death of a Bishop

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend and we are less than a week away to the City Fiesta. I have decided that my usual acerbic comments about the world around me will have to wait until after the fiesta. In the meantime it will be about some fiesta events.

The novena masses have started, the City Hall has been given a facelift and some of you might have seen the mayor in the streets of Calbayog as he made rounds to check and ensure that the city (especially at the commercial area) is clean.

Tomorrow night Calbayog will be in for the annual Search for Miss Anyag. This will be held at the Calbayog City Sports Center. Confirmed as judges in the said pageant are Congresswoman Lucy Torres and Richard Gomez.

On Sunday, Bishop Isabelo Abarquez will preside over the confirmation ceremony of a good number of young Calbayognons the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

* * *

And what’s with today’s title? You might want to ask. Nope, no bishop died today. Last August 10, 2011 we commemorated the 91st anniversary of the death Bishop Pablo Singzon, the first Bishop of Calbayog.

The following item was supposed to have come out in the August 12 edition of this paper. But I did not make it to the deadline. This is my annual tribute to the first bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog. Blame it on the history buff in me and my interest in materials that are old, in this case a very old material dating back to August 14, 1920. It’s among the copies of the Eco de Samar y Leyte which I got sometime in 2008, as our team prepared for the Calbayog coffee table book.

That particular issue on August 14, 1920 had in its English section this headline: “Mgr. Pablo Singzon, first Bishop of Calbayog died last Tuesday morning”. Let me give you that old account which was written by someone who went by the name of “PLOPE”.

“It was a melancholic and sorrowful Monday at about six o’clock when our Illustrious Prelate Mgr. Pablo Singzon in the modest parlor of the Episcopal palace was attended by his familiars among whom was Dr. Tomas Gomez. His weary respiration and the paleness of his face moved the hearts of those who were present and caused them a painful feeling of separation. The pain of his sickness was becoming more and more painful which called him to stay in bed.

At 10:00 o’clock p.m. when Mgr. Singzon found out that he did not feel a better repose nor even a rest from the pain of his sickness in his bed, wanted to sit on a chair – the chair where he received the spiritual consolations last November when he was attacked severely by the same sickness. In this chair he decided to die. Tears that roll from my eyes prevent not my pen to communicate my pain!

When the clock knocked its eleven strikes Mgr. Singzon was becoming weaker and weaker. From the neck of our illustrious patient hanged a bead of rosary, the Escapulary of the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Miraculous Medal. Around him were his favorite Auxiliary Bishop Mgr. Sofronio Hacbang, RR. FF. Jose Diasnes, Teodoro Robredo, Luis Egeda, Dr. Tomas Gomez, RR. FF. Pedro Pampliega, Santos Saldaña, the Seminarians Bernardo Bacsal, Lesmes Ricalde, and behind the chair were RR. FF. Felix Sabenicio and Crispin Singzon. It was indeed a sorrowful occasion! All those who were present observed firmly to the patient and watched his movements whose weary and painful respiration cooled their hearts. Mgr. Singzon was not as active as he used to be: his activity, attention and application were changed: Mgr. Singzon was transformed struggling between the existence of life and death.

Mgr. Sofronio Hacbang his Auxiliary Bishop and who had never left him read the profession of the faith, the recommendation of the soul; whose voice in the midst of that tranquility and in the midst of that struggling pain called his attention to listen. Rev. F. Jose Diasnes neared to the patient by order of the Auxiliary Bishop to give him a confession. How great and how sublime is to die in the name of the Catholic Religion, though in the midst of pain.

The illustrious patient was losing gradually his movements the coolness of his body began to cover him with its veil, his paleness was becoming more and more pale. Then all those who were present knelt down with lighted candles before a crucifix near the patient and said the following words: “PROFESU ERE ANIMA CRISTIANA”

Mgr. Singzon gave up his last breath in the morning of the sorrowful Tuesday when the clock knocked its 3:20 strikes” (PLOPE)

* * *

In memoriam. Tomorrow we remember Bishop Sincero Lucero on his death anniversary.

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

Art

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend. Yes, today’s title was inspired by the recent controversy about some supposedly work of art. And this is also a continuation of the Bahandi Samarnon award in my Alma Mater Christ the King College

But first this which blew me away: an online campaign for Ernie and Bert to get married? Just what got into their minds?

And that art show at the CCP. What freedom of expression? It’s not a matter of freedom of expression. It’s regulating one’s freedom of expression. Okey, it’s a government agency, but 70% of those who financed it are Catholics. Ok, while we are into it, maybe the artist would like to consider coming up with similar work which will distort the images of Mohammad, Buddha, the Dalai Lama and other great religious leaders. I am no art connoisseur, but I do not disagree with F. Sionil Jose when he said “It isn’t art” when he referred to that CCP display which caused this much brouhaha.

* * *

Book Launching. The CKC Community will be hosting the launching of two new books by Fr. Antonio Maria Rosales, OFM. The books entitled “The Jesus’ Letters” and “My Son, Francis” will be launched at 3:00 pm tomorrow at the Frs. David and Leopold Auditorium at Christ the King College.

The CKC President Fr. Mar Tubac and the author Fr. Tony will deliver their respective messages. The CKC VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Florita Calesa will present her review on “The Jesus’ Letters” while Mr. Venancio Bajet, the Dean of the College of Teacher Education will deliver present a review on “My Son, Francis”.

The event will capped by cocktails and a performance of the CKC Youth Chamber Orchestra.

* * *

As I have earlier mentioned in this column, the late Jose Gomez was honored during the 1^st Bahandi Samarnon Awards. I thought I’d like to share some materials about the man which I got from Carl Bordeos. Here’s the first part:

“An American SVD Father referred to him as ‘The Music Man of Samar’ in a published article in the Leyte-Samar Studies journal of the Divine Word University (of Tacloban
City. An admirer was quoted to have referred to him as an ‘Immortal Communicator of the sweetest sounds’ to Calbayognons and Samarenos. A cultural worker called him a ‘genius’”

“Whatever accolade we may give to the most prolific composer of Samar songs, lest we forget, Jose Cinco Gomez was a Maestro, a fitting title to a great and humble man who consecrated his life to give every Calbayognon and Samareno music and pride.”

“Born on February 27, 1911 in Barrio Tabuk (now Obrero) of Calbayog City, Jose was the eldest among the seven children of Licarion Gomez and Benigna Cinco. His siblings were Conrado, Ricardo, Angeles, Josefa, Francisca and Trinidad.”

“He took his elementary and one year in high school at the Colegio De San Vicente De Paul (CSVP now Christ the King College. Formal education stopped for Jose in high school, but the process of informal education continued.”

“In his autobiography, he claimed that he was ‘interested in music since he was a child’ and was very much influenced by his father, brothers and sisters who often met together to have a family concert.”

“Both of his parents had musical training. His father while studying Surveying at Ateneo Municipal once conducted the Ateneo Band. His mother studied at the La Concordia College. It was his father’s hobby to play the piano after each working day, and the young Jose would tinker on the ivory keys. Seeing interest in music, Licarion provided him with a tutor, Sofio Camilon and further exposure came when he played at the CSVP as a banjo-playing character.”

“He once worked industriously at mastering an instrument that he borrowed from his cousin Antonio Gomez. Since the instrument lacked the pads for stopping the air, he experimented with many different kinds of materials as substitute for commercial pads. One of his solutions was to use animal skin. In order to keep the skin soft it had to be repeatedly immersed in water. So the young musician played with a pail of water at his side in which he would periodically dip the entire instrument. With his brother, he learned to prepare home-made bamboo reeds for the saxophone.”

“His interest expanded to musical arrangement and he pursued it with the aid of an old family victor phonograph. To identify the arrangement of each instrument on a particular recorded selection, he had his brother Conrado hold the adjustment lever of the phonograph to maintain the ‘slow’ speed while he took notes of his observations on paper.” (to be continued)

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This is it for now. Let m leave you with something to ponder about this weekend. From Harvey Fierstein: “Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.”

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Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!

On Jose Gomez and Christ the King College

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend. And what do we have? Forget about Bedol and Garci. Surely Senator Migz is still the news. As expected, he got cheers and jeers for his decision. Well, what’s our world without them? Anyway, let’s wait what’s next for the upper chamber with Koko Pimentel, more investigations and what have you coming up.

* * *

There will be a special event at Christ the King College today. It’s the Bahandi Samarnon Award. Conceptualized by the Franciscan community, the award is an undertaking guided by this vision:

“Guided by the Gospel values, the Bahandi Samarnon Award engenders a Christian community that celebrates humanity towards a better Samar.” The award has as its mission the commitment to honor Samarnons with noble contributions, inspiring and empowering the people of Samar especially the youth to selfless endeavors and developing sense of patriotism, thus recognizing component and ethical individuals who integrate faith, life and culture for the advancement of Samar. The first awardee to be honored (posthumously) is Jose Cinco Gomez. Here’s some info on the awardee as contained in the program flyers:

“On his centenary, Jose Cinco Gomez deserves a grateful celebration from his fellow Samarnons. The eldest among seven children, he was born on February 27, 1911. His parents were Mr. Licarion Gomez and Ms. Benigna Cinco.”

During World War II, he was one of those who fought for our freedom. As a result, his three sister were tortured and killed in Catarman, Northern Samar on March 7 – 9, 1944. He expressed his loss in a heart- breaking composition ‘In The Wink Of an Eye’. He also wrote 'An Kamote’ as that rootcrop saved many families from starvation during the war years.”

“Considered as one of the greatest composers of Samar folk music, he has written approximately 5,000 songs which he compiled in his ‘Shower of Musical Thoughts’.”

“Famous among his compositions is ‘Calbayog’, a song dedicated to his birthplace. It was written on August 5, 1955. Today, every Calbayognon proudly sing this composition after it was adopted as the local anthem of Calbayog City.”

Today’s awarding ceremony which will be held at 4:00 pm today at the Frs. David and Leopold Memorial Auditorium is a three-part affair. It begins with opening of the Exhibit on the Jose c. Gomez Memorabilia. The awarding proper will include performances by the Christ the King College Youth Symphony Orchestra. Speeches will be delivered by Dr. Francisca Santos (the Chair of the Bahandi Samarnon Award Committee), Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and CKC President Fr. Marcelo Tubac, ofm. A representative of the Gomez family will deliver an acceptance message. The event will be capped by a cocktail reception.

* * *

Still with Christ the King College. Good news to my fellow Christi Regians. The venerable institution experienced higher enrolment rate this semester. I’ll give you details in my next column.

I recently received a copy of the Institutional Memorandum which Fr. Mar Tubac issued for the Christ the King College community. It’s the 10-point Road map towards formulating CKC Educational Life Project for School Year 2011-2013. There are many points worth noting in that road map. And I will be featuring these in my forthcoming columns. For a “teaser” let me give you points number one and number two:

1. “That the first challenge for the Franciscan education today is how to offer the youth with clarity, creativity and audacity a new framework of relations with God, humanity and ourselves.”
2. That Franciscan education is called to integrate in creation the following perspectives of the physical world: scientific, symbolic and religious. It offers a vision which makes it possible to understand the world not only as the natural place of human existence, but also as an expression of love, wisdom, power, greatness and beauty of God, a world in which it is possible to encounter god as the foundation, and our brothers and sisters, helping them feel welcomed and loved.”

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This is it for now. Let me leave you with something to think about this weekend. From Henry Ford: “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”

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Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!

The way a mother cares for her only sick child

Hi there! It’s another weekend. And today’s title? That’s to underscore the 15th anniversary celebration of the St. Camillus Hospital in Calbayog City. It was the theme of the said celebration.

So, PNoy has delivered his second SONA. And my take on it? I’d rather that I let the experts, the feeling expert, the politicians, the grandstanders, the kibitzers and the like do the criticism. It’s their job, or should I say that’s what they are being paid to do, oops, me and my mouth. I’d rather focus on the red carpet moments. And surely they did not disappoint. Etta Rosales was correct in saying that it was a formal, big event. And that proper attire was the call of the day. But then, what do you say about those who looked like walking flower pots or vases with their colorful attire, accessories and what have you. And let’s not even start discussing about the jewelries and perfumes worn that day.

PNoy said a lot for a 53-minute speech. And certainly, PNoy was not campaigning when he said something like panahon na ngayon ng pagkakaisa, and the call to thank those who extend service in the government. What do you think? Or as one college professor (with a doctorate degree) in Calbayog had it, what is your think?

* * *

The Linis-Estero Program of Calbayog City will be launched today. It will be held at the Nijaga Park with the City Officials and various government and private offices and NGOs in attendance. This activity is an initial step aimed at cleaning and rehabilitating the Calbayog River.

* * *

Milestones. Congratulations to the Camillian community in Calbayog City. They celebrated the 15th anniversary of the St. Camillus Hospital last July 14, 2011. The day was highlighted by the Thanksgiving Mass presided over by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez.

A good number of Calbayognons are familiar with that story about how a bottle of wine resulted in having the hospital erected in Calbayog City.

In his speech (which I read for him), Mayor Ronaldo Aquino recalled that story and some of his recollection regarding the opening of the hospital. Here are some parts of his speech:

“... if my memory serves me right, I was the officer-in-charge when the hospital was inaugurated. Mrs. Imelda Marcos was among the VIPs present. Weeks after the inauguration, I welcomed the Ambassador and Fr. Galvani at the Mayor’s Office. Most of you must be very familiar with that wine story. Word has it that then Bishop Maximiano Cruz was trying to get some info on what wine to serve to the Papal Nuncio Gian Vincenzo Moreni who was slated to visit the Diocese of Calbayog. Enter Fr. Luigi Galvani, add in the late Msgr. Basilio Rosales and his sister Manuela, and we had the Camillians to Calbayog and then, this hospital. Certainly, that search for the correct wine has come a long way in serving the people of Calbayog and the people of Samar.”

“Tonight’s anniversary celebration is but proper. It’s time to pause and thank the Almighty. In our case, we thank Him for this ‘gift of the Camillian community in Calbayog’. It’s time for you to look at how much good you have offered to the people in the community you are in. And as you do that, do ponder upon the long road ahead, that road characterized by more service to the people. And yes, for you, the St. Camillus Hospital to have existed this long, you must be certainly doing something good.”

“But more than the stories and the socials and trivia attached with the history of the hospital, there is one important aspect that one has to look into – that through the years St. Camillus Hospital has cared for the poor-sick of Calbayog ‘the way a mother cares for her only sick child’. The Local Government Unit of Calbayog can attest to that. The hospital has become one of our partners in our effort to answer the health needs of the less-fortunate Calbayognons.”

“As we salute you on your anniversary, we look forward to more years of fruitful partnerships with St. Camillus Hospital and the Camillian community…”

* * *

Mang Inasal formally opened its branch in Calbayog. Congressman Mel Sarmiento and Mayor Ronald Aquino led the list of guests invited to event.

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Wedding Bells. Oliver Abrigo of and Janice Obong of Sta. Margarita will get married tomorrow. Msgr. Francisco Cinco III will preside over their wedding mass at the St. James the Greater Parish Church in Sta. Margarita.

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This is it for now. Let me give you something to think about this weekend. It’s from Erich Fromm: “Who will tell whether one happy moment of love or the joy of breathing or walking on a bright morning and smelling the fresh air , is not worth all the sufferings and effort which life implies.”

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Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!

Coming out

Hi there! It’s another weekend. Nope, today’s column has nothing to do with coming out, like closet gays and what have you going out in the open. How I wish I could write something about it soon. Let me rephrase that, I will write about it soon. Anyway, today’s title is more like literally coming out like Lintang and Zaldy.

So Lintang Bedol is out. While I don’t like his getup (the bullet proof vest, plaid shirt and shades) I do like his opening statement when he greeted everyone, “Hi! Kumusta kayo?” And I was like, showbiz?

And Zaldy Ampatuan too. He’s out of his cell and enjoying the comfort of a hospital bed. My take? Ahh, some guys have all the luck. Put it there.

* * *

The City Government of Calbayog will be spearheading the inauguration of the Calbayog Sanitary Landfill Project. The event has been set at 9:00 a.m. today. Invited to the affair are DENR Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje, Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento and National Solid Waste Management Commission Executive Director Emelita Aguinaldo, among others.

The Calbayog Sanitary Landfill Project is located in Barangay Dinagan, Oquendo District. The project was made possible through a grant from the Japanese Government. It has an area of 4.7 ha. for the lot and 1.7 ha. for the Design Landfill area. This is equipped with aerobic Sanitary Landfill facilities with a volume of 130,000 cubic meters and 180,000 cubic meters for the Landfill and earth cover.

* * *

The Western Samar Development Foundation (WESADEF) and the Japanese Embassy hosted the inauguration of the WESADEF Women Resource Center (WRC) in Barangay Rawis, Calbayog City yesterday.

Present during the affair were Japanese Embassy officials namely Economic Affairs Minister Akio Isomata and Third Secretary Shigehiro Matsuda.

In his message, Mayor Ronald Aquino thanked the Japanese government for the help it has extended to both WESADEF and the City Government of Calbayog. He cited the various grants / assistance which the Japanese Government extended to Calbayog which included among others, the technical assistance for the Sanitary Landfill Project, the Materials Recovery Facility in Barangay Payahan, and various office facilities for the Solid Waste Management Office.

Mayor Aquino also acknowledged the WESADEF as one of the LGU’s active partners in governance. He cited the new WRC as a facility which will go a long way in helping WESADEF’s clients who are beneficiaries of their various programs like the ones aimed at curbing the abuse of women not only in Calbayog but also from San Jorge and Sta. Margarita, as well as clients from the island towns near Calbayog.

The City Mayor also said that while the city aims for projects and programs meant to attract investors and to put in place an urbanized city where there is vibrant business and job opportunities, the city also needs partners like the WESADEF in its effort to combat the perennial problems on child and women abuse, human trafficking, among others; as well as advocacies on the care for the environment, youth development and literacy program.

* * *

Milestones. Congratulations to Mr. Marvin De La Cruz, Calbayog’s new CPA. The JPIA-Calbayog and Christ the King College tendered a Testimonial Dinner for him on Thursday last week.

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Mary Basco – Fulgencio. She will turn a year older today.

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Let me leave you with something to think about this weekend. From Tom Bodett: “The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”

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

No Smoking

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend. And what’s with today’s title? That’s to underscore the Calbayog City Ordinance which is to take effect a week from now: Ordinance No. 2011-10-018 aka An ordinance prohibiting smoking in public places, public conveyances, hospitals, schools, government offices and assembly areas. More details in my next column.

* * *

Rev. Fr. Marcelo Oliveros Tubac, OFM was installed as the Third President of Christ the King College last June 16, 2011.

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez presided over the Mass which preceded the Installation Ceremony at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

The Installation Ceremony was presided over by Rev. Fr. Roberto Bayaras, ofm, Custos of the Custody of St. Anthony of Padua. He was assisted by Dr. Francisca Santos, the College Registrar and Dr. Florita Calesa, the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The CKC Youth Symphony Orchestra provided the music service during the liturgical ceremony.

At the Fraternal Agape which was held at the Fr. David and Leopold Auditorium, messages were delivered by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez, Congressman Mel Sarmiento, Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and Rev. Fr. Roberto Bayaras, OFM.

* * *

In his message, Mayor Aquino commended Fr. Mar for his effort to make Christ the King College “shine again”. He also called on all Christi Regians to be one with the Fr. President in his programs and actions for CKC. Here are some parts of the Mayor’s speech:

“... I also hope that this occasion will serve to remind all of us to take pride in the fact that our alma mater is the oldest catholic school in Region 8. That fact is both good news and a challenge for our new President. I believe that he must have been fully-aware of this. Fr. Mar went to work many months ago. Proof to tell:

Aside from attending to the affairs of the school, Fr. Mar actively participated in the planning and holding of some alumni activities during the last quarter of year 2010. I was informed that he is in constant dialogue with the CKC personnel, making them fully-aware of the comings and goings of the school. And most importantly, he did what I believe his predecessors did not: he exerted efforts to get in touch – ONCE AGAIN – with the graduates of CKC. He urged and pleaded them to look back at their alma mater and to help in every way possible.

From our end at the LGU, Fr. Mar also exerted effort to be one of our active stakeholders. Foremost of this was his novel concept of LGU-CKC partnership which brought the CKC Youth Symphony Orchestra to some interior barangays of Calbayog. He also extended support with his suggestions for the 3-D Development Program of the City.

With a leader like that, we can’t ask for more. But I believe that he will be asking something from us: and that would be our cooperation; or at least being united with him in his efforts for this venerable learning institution; and one way or the other, for the City of Calbayog.
As a true-blue Christi Regian, I commit to helping the Fr. President in his endeavors to make (in his words) “Christ the King College shine again”.

And as the local chief executive of the City, we are committed to actively support all our partners whose programs are aimed at the betterment of our constituents and our city.

I call on everyone present to act as one for us to have once again the Christ the King College that many generations of Calbayognons are familiar with: a fountain of learning worthy to be proud of. A fountain of learning that Calbayog City will always be proud of.”

* * *

I recently met the former DOT Regional Director Norma Morante. She is now the Consultant on Tourism of the City of Tacloban. She represented Mayor Alfred Romualdez during the concert of the Christ the King College Youth Symphony Orchestra at Plaza Rizal.

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Wedding Bells. Carlo Galang and Ervi Silvano will get married tomorrow. Their wedding mass will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral with Fr. Iluminado Paulino as mass presider and Fr. Erwin Rodriguez as concelebrant. Their wedding reception will be held at the Calbayog Convention and Cultural Center.

* * *

Belated birthday greetings to Mr. Ciriaco “Tony” Tan. He turned 75 years old last Sunday. I hosted the program during birthday party which his family tendered for him at, where else – Ciriaco Hotel.

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

Random Thoughts

Hi there! It’s nice to be back. So what do we have? Let’s not talk about the renewal brought about by the Lenten Season, it’s the same case with the seasonal kindness and generosity that many of us (me included) are into during Christmas. Let’s look at the oil companies are blaming Libya for the rollercoaster ride that pump prices are into the past so many days. Like it’s only Libya that supplies us with oil? And as with the previous Labor Day observances, the labor sector is once again clamoring for wage hike. And then, there’s William and Kate.

So Prince William is getting married today to “a commoner but certainly from a family with means”. Or as one reporter had it, to someone from a non-aristocratic family but certainly a family of means. In other words to a rich girl. No question about it. Suddenly it occurred to me, a few years ago some articles had it that the chattering ladies (read: aristocratic or royals) of Europe are complaining about royals marrying commoners, that the royal blue blood of Europe is being diluted. Ah, what an existence. What if on top of their issues on blue blood being diluted they also have problems that many of us are into: rising fuel prices, low wages and unemployment? I guess that explains why the interest on the wedding, like some sort of a diversion from the harsh realities of life? Or plain and simple entertainment perhaps? Oh! What am I saying? Who wouldn’t like fairy tales?

Now as to whether the marriage will last, let’s start counting after Kate has given William two sons – the heir and the spare.

* * *

And what do you think these oil companies are doing? I dunnow the answer. Anything that has to do with numbers and economics simply make me throw up. Thanks to them, suddenly there are these “populist” programs about giving smart cards or assistance to the drivers and the like. No problem about it. But what does that make of the majority of us, the fixed income earners who pay taxes and are also affected by high fuel prices? I hope you see my point. I think I do not disagree with Dr. Benjamin Diokno when he said that those in charge of the economy should look further.

* * *

Going beyond Earth Hour. It’s never too late to report any good news. During the last Earth Hour event in Calbayog, Mayor Reynaldo Uy signed Executive Order (EO) No. 13. That E.O. enjoined all Calbayognons especially the business sector to observe the “No Cellophane No Plastics Weekend in Calbayog”. So far so good. That said EO received good feedbacks. The local stores did observe it. Some local bakeries went further, they have opted to pack their bread products in paper bags even on weekdays.

For its part the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution which enjoined all Calbayognons to make Earth Hour a nightly undertaking. More details on that resolution next issue.

* * *

Local events. Patrun buwas sa Barangay San Policarpo, the biggest barangay in Calbayog City.

Last Monday, Barangay Obrero celebrated its Charter Day. Events included a Thanksgiving Mass, Mass Wedding, Medical Mission and a sports fest.

The Calbayog East Central School (CECS) will have its 2nd Grand Alumni Homecoming on May 7. The event will be held at the CECS grounds. This year’s homecoming will be hosted by Batches 1970, 1971 and 1972.

* * *

The Social Scene. Belated Greetings to Arvee Najaro and Mae Ann Salazar. They got married last April 4. Their wedding was held at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Reception was at the Ballroom of Ciriaco Hotel.

Aya Lontao Nagata turned 18 last April 16. Her mom Berlita Lontao – Nagata tendered a coming-out party for her at the ballroom of Ciriaco Hotel.

Anna Katrina Resente turned 18 last March 8, 2011. Her parents Rene and Annie tendered a coming-out party for her last April 20 at the Ciriaco Hotel.

* * *

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

Kyong Hee Wat Tsai

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend. And yes, EVRAA 2011 ends today. The Closing ceremony is set a one o’clock this afternoon. It will be followed by the Paalam Night dinner at the NwSSU Oval. Before the grand party, all EVRAA delegates will be treated to a concert by the popular group AEGIS.

* * *

Just in case you’d like to know, today’s title is “Happy New Year” in Fookien. Anyway, as expected a good number of our kababayan got busy yesterday and the day before to prepare stuff in celebration of no need to say, the Chinese New Year. I’m tempted to refer to that day “that other day of the year” (you know, like the way I refer to Valentine’s day). We have our own set of beliefs as Catholic (Christian) Filipinos. What I do not understand is why many of us should go gaga abut this and that trinket and this and that ceremony for Chinese New Year. Es la vida.

* * *

Just a piece of trivia. Like any other sports events, there was the lighting of the friendship flame during this year’s EVRAA meet. It is always nice to observe that ceremony. I’m dreaming one day to see in the region the torch ceremony being done in the manner by which the Olympic cities did their Olympic flames. Anyway, it’s the history buff in me again. If my memory serves me right, that ceremony on the lighting of the Olympic flame first happened in Nazi Germany. Yup, it was supposedly Hitler who conceived the idea and the drama and flare of the ceremony. Well, at least there is something (kinda) nice that we can remember about that troubled man.

* * *

And my comments about the world around me? Thanks to the regional sports meet, I got tired thinking about what to say about what’s happening around me. But I did watch the news though. Anyway, my column would not be complete without some (opinionated) snippets about what’s going on.

Let me take some lines from The Professional Heckler:

Modernong Kahulugan ng Ilang Salita o Parirala

• Pasalubong: Bonus sa trabahong hindi pa nagagawa
  Halimbawang pangungusap: “Uy, General, mainit na pagbati sa inyong appointment! Bago po kayo magsimula sa inyong trabaho, heto po ang sampung milyong pisong pasalubong. Enjoy!”

• Pabaon: Bonus sa trabahong walang katiyakan kung nagawa
  Halimbawang pangungusap: “Uy, General, maraming salamat po sa inyong paglilingkod sa bayan. Heto po ang limampung milyong pisong pabaon. Pa-burger ka naman! Burger! Burger!”

• Set up: Kapag ‘di mo matanggap na adik ang iyong anak
  Halimbawang pangungusap: “’Tang-i*a kasi ‘yong kasama niya eh. ‘Nilaglag ang anak ko. ‘Ayun, na-set up kaya inaresto. Ukininam!”

• Plea bargain agreement: Ibang katawagan sa “Why not coconut?! Malay mo makalusot!”
  Halimbawang pangungusap: “Ombudsman, baka naman magawan natin ng paraan ‘tong kaso ko. Ibabalik ko ang one-third ng ninakaw ko pero dapat malinaw ang plea bargain agreement natin. Kailangang abswelto ang aking asawa’t mga anak na kasing-kakapal ko ang mukha.”
  
  * * *

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

Pakikisawsaw

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend and the streamers are all over the place announcing that in the next few days Calbayog will be EVRAA City.

It’s all systems go for EVRAA 2011. It’s the second time that the City of Calbayog will be hosting the said sports meet. Last Saturday, Mayor Reynaldo Uy met with the chairpersons of the various EVRAA 2011 committees for some final updates on the said event. And last Monday, he called on all employees and all Calbayognons to extend their support to the sports event.

All 10 Schools Divisions of Eastern Visayas have confirmed their attendance to the sports meet. The delegations will be billeted at various public and privates schools in the city. Biliran Division (at the Trinidad Elementary School), Calbayog City Division (Calbayog East Central School), Eastern Samar Division (Trinidad National High School) Leyte Division (Calbayog Pilot Central School), Maasin Division (San Policarpo Central School), Northern Samar Division (Calbayog City National High School), Ormoc City Division (Carayman Elementary School), Samar Division (San Policarpo National High School), Sourthern Leyte Division (Calbayog City SPED Center) and Tacloban City Division (Christ the King College).

EVRAA 2011 will officially commence on Sunday with the grand parade at 1:00 pm. It will be followed by the Opening Ceremonies at the Northwest Samar State University Oval. The day’s events will be capped by simultaneous welcome dinners at the various billeting quarters; and a fellowship dinner and cultural program for the officials and superintendents. The fellowship dinner dubbed as “Pagtigman” will be held at the Nijaga Park.

There will be 18 official events during EVRAA 2011. These are Archery, Arnis, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Football, Gymnastics, Softball, Sipa, Sepak Takraw, Swimming, Taekwando, Tennis, Table Tennis and Volleyball.

These events will be held in different venues namely the Calbayog City Sports Center, the Calbayog Cultural and Convention Center, Frs. David and Leopold Auditorium (at Christ the King College), La Milagrosa Academy Auditorium, NwSSU Campus, the new Calbayog Land Transport Terminal, Marju Krisel Resort Swimming Pool, Brgy. Carmen Covered Court, Calbayog City Joggers’ Basketball Court, Brgy. San Policarpo Covered Court and Calbayog East Central School.

To our athletes, the various committees and to Calbayog, let’s all put our best foot forward and ensure a successful EVRAA 2011.

* * *

And what is my column without my usual comments (opinionated as these maybe) about the world around me? Well, it’s sad that it took a bomb for PNoy to be so Presidential. I mean when he appeared on TV to make an official statement after the incident. Oops, that’s not my comment yet. Right after the event happened, while the police were trying to do their job, suddenly those who are not exactly friendly the President were up on their toes lambasting who else, but PNoy. Well, on the part of PNoy, or any President for that matter, such pakikisawsaw a.k.a. harsh words and criticism and what have are part of the job, or maybe more like occupational hazards. C’mon guys lets give it to the man, I mean the President and for the authorities to finish their jobs, and then go, I mean do the comments. I guess after the Luneta hostage fiasco, the police had learned to do its job. But on the other hand, when lives are involved, you can’t help but turn to God and afterwards, the government (I hope I can hear you say yes to that). I do not disagree with a TV anchor when he said something like Mr. President sana naman ang daang matuwid ay di puno nga karahasan.

* * *

This is it for now. We wish all athletes and officiating officials of EVRAA 2011 the best in forthcoming competitions. And to PNoy, we also wish you the best. Nice weekend everyone! Ciao!

Calbayog’s CRESCENT

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend and we are 5 days away to the Calbayog fiesta. Before anything else, Sarah Geronimo will be coming to Calbayog City. Her concert-for-a-cause dubbed Sarah Geronimo Live in Calbayog! will be held on September 7, 2010 at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

* * *

LGU news. Last August 23, 2010, after his visit in Barangay Aguit-itan and the Slaughter House, Mayor Reynaldo Uy attended the program of the International Justice Mission (IJM) at Marju Krisel Resort. A highlight of the activity was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the LGU and IJM.

Subject of the MOA was the CSWDO-operated institution known as Calbayog Response Center for Women and Children (CRESCENT-WC) which is located in Barangay Payahan. It can be recalled that the center was opened sometime in October of 1999 with then Vice President Gloria Arroyo as guest of honor. The center was aimed at enabling Children in Need of Special Protection (CNSP) and Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances (WEDC) resolve their problems and thus restore their normal social functioning through the provision of protective rehabilitative services.

The CRESCENT building is in need of repair. Thus, as stipulated in the MOA, the IJM shall provide support social services, which will include the following:

• The improvement of the facility for the total well-being of the admitted residents. The improvements of the building will cost Php 686,438.78.
• Provision of free legal services to victims of trafficking in person.

For its counterpart, the LGU shall execute the following:

• Allocate funds for labor, equipment rental and contingencies amounting to Php 136,823.24
• Assign the City Engineering Office as the Project Implementation and Management Team; and
• Continuously allocate funds for the maintenance of the CRESCENT-WC Building.

The LGU will also provide manpower and facility for the implementation and sustainability of the programs and services such as temporary shelter to address needs and problems of CNSP and WEDC to include victims of trafficking in persons; make provisions for the continuous awareness raising activities and advocacy campaign on anti-trafficking in person; allow the CSWDO to participate in the programs of the IJM; and accommodate proposals from the CSWDO on the delivery of basic services provided that such proposals are covered within the area of IJM’s program.

IJM is an international human rights organization which provides free investigative, legal and social work assistance to the urban poor especially cases involving child abuse and child sex trafficking in the National Capital Region, the neighboring provinces and Calbayog City.

* * *

Patrun sa Calbayog. The 9-day Novena masses in preparation for the feast of Our Lady’s Nativity has commenced last Monday.

On September 7, 2010, Bishop Isabelo Abarquez will lead the faithful of the Parish in the re-dedication and re-consecration of the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. This will be followed by the 9th day Novena Mass and the procession. The fiesta Pontifical Mass will be held on September 8, 2010 at 9:00 am.

Other parish activities on hand are the following:

• September 4, 2010: Confirmation at the Cathedral
• September 5, 2010: Clergy in Concert. This is a fund-raising activity for the Cathedral.
• September 6, 2010: Parish / WESTY Night
  
  * * *

Hadang Festival 2010. The annual Calbayog Festival of Art and Culture opened last Wednesday. Mayor Reynaldo Uy led the officials during the affair. Also present were the representatives of the Hermanas Mayores namely Freda Ladrero (for Pheona Ladrero-Robinson) and Mel and Josie Bracamonte (for Riza Bernardo Suan)

The Calbayog Concert Chorus serenaded the guests while the Sarakiki-Hadang Performers did the ritual opening number and the singing of the festival theme song. Councilor Julius Mancol, who is the Chair of the SP Committee on Arts and Culture welcomed the guests. Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino and Mayor Reynaldo Uy also delivered their messages.

The Opening Program was capped by the flying of the traditional lobo, the fireworks display and the opening of the Samar Island Cultural Tourism Exhibit.

* * *

Fiesta performances: Onstage tonight at the Nijaga Park is the CKC-Jose Gomez Symphony Orchestra.

Other performances / concerts on hand are the following:
September 4: IMAGO
September 5: Tropical Depression
September 6: Aiza and Nyoy
September 7: Sarah Geronimo

* * *

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

Calbayog’s Tri-District Program

Hi there! It’s another weekend. First things first: Sarah Geronimo will be coming to Calbayog City. Her concert-for-a-cause dubbed “Sarah Geronimo Live in Calbayog!” will be held on September 7, 2010 at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

* * *

So, what do we have? The best of both worlds characterized by two words – major, major and flimflam. In case you have been complaining about how Venus blew it, c’mon think again, there were 82 other ladies, 82. Now, on that sad event brought about by both a policeman and by many policemen going flimflam, I rest my case. But surely, as I wrote this, some Senators are having a grand time grandstanding (no relations to Quirino grandstand, I suppose. Oops, that’s supposed to be a joke). Anyway, our lawmakers will be busy grilling the concerned officers, in aid of legislation, of course.

* * *

The Tri-District (3-D) Program of Calbayog City. As reported, the City Government officially launched the Tri-District (3-D) Development Program about a month ago.

About three weeks ago, I featured the said program in this column and referred to it as Calbayog’s MDG. I would like to give you an updated presentation of some program details.

The 3-D slogan is DETERMINASYON: DALAN sa DAYUN nga kauswagan. The 3-D battle-cry is LET’S HELP-Calbayog City. It is an acronym which reads: L for legislative; E for executive, T & S for total support; H for health and humanitarian concerns; E for education, culture and the arts, environment, eco-tourism, energy and communication empowerment in governance; L for livelihood, land and housing; P for projects, production, peace and order, population development and partnerships

The 3-D Program in a way divides Calbayog into four districts through its four components namely Oquendo Key Program for Revitalization, Sustainability and Services (OK-PROGRESS) for Oquendo District, Tinambacan Upliftment of Socio-Economic Conditions (TUSEC) for Tinambacan District and Seven Hills Happy Valley Alleviation and Road Program (SHARP) and Calbayog Urbanization Program and Services (CUPS) for Calbayog District.

Its implementation will include Database Establishment and Data Gathering, Identification of Problems and Solutions to include Feasibility Studies, Strong Support, Determined Executive Action, AND People’s Participation.
The 3-D program components and its respective / identified programs are as follows:

• Health (Hospital, Medicines, Nutrition, Mother and Child Health Care)
• Education (School Bus, Scholarship, High School, Teachers, Classrooms, non-formal adult education and responsible parenting classes)
• Infrastructure (Power / Communication, Roads, Water, Irrigation, Warehouse, Solar Dryer, School Buildings, Mini Hospitals with Health Centers, Training / Demo Centers, Sports Facilities, Drainage, Intermodal Transport system)
• Agriculture (Grains, Coconut, Abaca, Rootcrops, Cash Crops, Vegetable, Aquaculture, Horticulture)
• Livestock (Pig Production / Fattening / Dispersal, Cow Production / Fattening / Dispersal, Carabao Production / Fattening / Dispersal, Goats Production / Fattening / Dispersal)
• Industries / SMEs (Food processing, Handicraft, Furniture, Ceramics)
• Power (Hydro-electric project)
• Environment (Anti-illegal logging, Anti-illegal quarrying, Reforestation)
• Peace and Order (Programs/ Drives against: Illegal gambling, Prostitution / Recruitment, Illegal Drugs, Illegal Fishing, Illegal Logging, Illegal Quarrying, Juvenile Delinquency)
• Disaster Preparedness
• Eco-Toursim
• Housing
• Arts and Culture
• Youth
• Intangibles (Moral Recovery, Capability Building, Administrative Reforms)
• Integral Components namely Gender and Development and Population and Development.

As of this writing, the planning workshops have been held for the punong barangays of Calbayog. Among the things done in these sessions were the identification of problems besetting the various districts of Calbayog; and the identification of proper projects or programs and the same were considered for funding and implementation. The results / data from the workshops have been presented to all the city officials and Department Managers of the LGU.

* * *

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

Update on the Calbayog City Hospital

Hi there! It’s another week. So what do we have? Well, there they go again. The Senate, or Bong and (was it) Ralph were mulling about Senate investigation on the PAL row and the MRT fare hike. I’m tempted to say what else is new. Anyway, I still need to check what legislation they are into with these investigation (if ever matuloy). And while we are at it, why don’t they investigate the bombing in Zamboanga, Alvin Padilla and his gang, and do we include CATS too? I mean, why are the tickets of that musicale priced as such? (Oops, don’t take this line seriously, just wanna make you smile this week).

* * *

I have decided to devote today’s column on one of the undertakings of the City Government of Calbayog, the establishment of the Calbayog City Hospital. I was able to get hold of the report given to Mayor Reynaldo Uy when he met with the representative of the Department of Health (DOH) RO-8 last July 20.

Present during the said meeting was the DOH team headed by DOH RO-8 Assistant Regional Director Dr. Minerva Molon. The team members were Dr. Exuperia Sabalberino, Dr. Perla Ernacio, Mrs. Nellosa Guarda and Engr. Jasper De Veyra. Also present were Dr. Sylvia De Guzman, Engr. Gil Lentejas, Mrs. Geronides Mancol, Mr. Jessie Montealto and Atty. Oscar Hugo, all members of the Ad Hoc Committee which was formed for the Calbayog City Hospital.
Dr. Molon updated Mayor Uy and the Ad Hoc Committee members on the evaluation on the application for Certificate of Need (CON) of the Calbayog City Hospital.

The criteria taken into consideration were the following: Bed to Population ratio. Travel Time. Accessibility. Strategic Location. Integration in the local hospital development plan.

Here are some initial findings as per report submitted to the City Mayor and the Ad Hoc Committee:

Criteria 1. Bed to Population ratio.
For its primary catchment area, the hospital being a level 3 application will have the (Samar) province as coverage area hence it will have a catchment population of approximately 1,438,000. As of the moment 340 hospital beds are available in the primary catchment area. The number of hospital beds are distributed as follows: Samar Provincial Hospital (100 beds), Calbayog District Hospital (75 beds), Gandara (10 beds), Bassey (25 beds), Tarangnan (10 beds), St. Camillus Hospital (25 beds), Calbayog Sanitarium Hospital (15 beds) and OLPHI (80 beds)

On the other hand, 350 beds are available in the secondary catchment area (and this would be the Northern Samar area). The hospitals in the area are Allen Hospital (50 beds), Biri (25 beds), Capul (25 beds), GB Tan (50 beds), NSPH (100 beds), Gamay (25 beds), San Antonio (25 beds), San Vicente (10 beds), Catubig (25 beds), Leoncio Uy Private Hospital (15 beds).

Total inventory of hospital beds is at 735, to include the approved PTC for 50-bed Samar Doctors.
The ideal bed-to-population ratio is = 0.511, which means that the province still needs 703 beds more. Calbayog's application for 25 beds passed the first criteria; and that applying for 50 beds would still be okey.

Criteria 2. Travel Time. At least one hour away from the nearest hospital. This was not met, with OLPHI, a level-3 hospital and St. Camillus Hospital.

Criteria 3. Accessibility. This was okeyed by the group.

Criteria 4. Strategic Location. The group visited the proposed site after the meeting at Marju-Krisel and a recommendation is forthcoming.

Criteria 5. Integration in the local hospital development plan. As of the July 20 meeting, only the City annual Investment Plan was received by DOH RO-8.

The following recommendations were presented by the DOH group and duly noted by the Ad Hoc Committee:

• The CON is approved, however there is a need to look into the clustering of the private hospitals in the proposed site.
• The possibility of the proposed hospital becoming a dumping ground of "indigent cases" which might be rejected by the private hospitals.
• The need for the hospital plan to be integrated in the City Development Plan for sustainability.
• Present budget is only for the construction of the hospital physical structure. Still needed to be looked into are manpower, equipment and service capability needs which cost bigger budget.

The group's report also included the "Case Mix of patients” admitted in the hospital in Cabayog City:

• Pneumonia
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease
• PTB
• AGE
• UTI
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Peptic Ulcer Diseases
• PUFT
• Bronchial Ashma

* * *

Obit. Tomorrow we commemorate The Most Reverend Pablo Singzon, the first Bishop of Calbayog. It has been 90 years since he received the gift of eternal life.

* * *

Sarah Geronimo Live in Calbayog! This concert for a cause will be held on September 7, 2010 at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

* * *

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

I missed you

Hi there! It’s another weekend. I was out of circulation again for the past two weeks. So Krizzie is coming home (for a new game show? Thanks god Willie is out), Noynoy has delivered his first SONA and yup, I’m doing my best to catch the CATS musical in Manila.

And what’s with today’s title? Nope, it has nothing to do with relationships (broken or otherwise). That’s my take on the SONA. It was the line that came to mind while watching P-Noy deliver his SONA. I missed the koala or the marsupial in the house (remember the masked whistleblower on the supposedly rigged PCOS result? Yup that star during those days dubbed as the biggest gathering of losers in the house). I missed Ms. Susano, and I missed the triumvirate of Sen. Madrigal, JC De Los Reyes and Nick Perlas. And yes, Mr. Cesar Flores too.

* * *

The Tri-District (3-D) Program (which was my topic in this column exactly two weeks ago) will be officially launched today. The launching will be held at the Calbayog City Sports Center. Mayor Reynaldo Uy will lead the officials invited to the event. Also expected to attend are the Punong Barangay from all 157 barangays of Calbayog, the Department Managers and their assistants as well as various representatives from the private sector.

If I may once again feature what I gave you two weeks ago, the re-implementation of the 3-D Program is one of the thrusts of the Uy administration. I fondly refer to it as Calbayog’s MDG, as it contains various components aimed at alleviating the economic condition of every Cabayognon; and it came to be years before that U.N. MDG program was officially launched.

The 3-D Program in a way divides Calbayog into four districts through its four components namely Oquendo Key Program for Revitalization, Sustainability and Services (OK-PROGRESS), Seven Hills Happy Valley Alleviation and Road Program (SHARP), Tinambacan Upliftment of Socio-Economic Conditions (TUSEC) and Calbayog Urbanization Program and Services (CUPS).

The components of the 3D program are Health, Agriculture, Livestock, Education, Environment, Infrastructure, Eco-Tourism, Housing, Peace and Order and Industries

* * *

Anti-Dengue Days in Calbayog. This program which was launched a week ago will continue today with the LGU employees led by their respective Department Managers and the city officials visiting their assigned barangays at 3:00 pm. They are expected to check on what they have started during their initial visits last Friday. As per initial info from the CHO, water samples collected from all the carline barangays tested positive for dengue larvae. The Anti-Dengue Days program was implemented through Executive Order No. 2 which was signed by Mayor Reynaldo Uy on July 22, 2010. It is aimed at reducing the incidence of dengue cases the number of which made Calbayog the 5th in the region.

* * *

Last Thursday, the officials of the Senior Citizens’ Federation of Calbayog gave a plaque of appreciation to Mayor Reynaldo Uy. The group thanked the Mayor for his efforts (while still congressman of Samar) for the passage of the Extended Senior Citizens Act.

It should be noted that then Congressman Reynaldo Uy was Chair of the House Committee on Senior Citizens which, together with Senator Pia Cayeatano’s committee was responsible for the passage of the Extended Senior Citizens’ Act of 2010.

* * *

Calbayog City has a new Chief of Police. Police Superintendent Nestor Valenzuela was installed in simple ceremonies last July 19, 2010 at the Calbayog PNP headquarters.

* * *

Sarah Geronimo in Live in Calbayog! This concert for a cause will be held on September 7, 2010 at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

* * *

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

Calbayog’s MDG

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend. And so much for failed relationships, jerks and closures (for now anyway). Yup, that’s if you still remember what I had in this column last Monday. And while we are into the topic, I’m so glad to hear a good number of friends react to that column. I still have a lot of it under my sleeves. For this weekend, I have decided to focus on one of the main programs that the new administration Mayor Reynaldo Uy will be implementing for the City of Calbayog.

Among the things that Mayor Uy cited in his inaugural speech was that his administration will be implementing the 3-D Program. Actually, re-implementation would be a more accurate term. The program was launched during his (Mayor Uy) last term and took off just a bit. Fondly referred to as Calbayog’s MDG, the program contains various components aimed at alleviating the economic condition of every Cabayognon (read: all districts of Calbayog). It came to be years before that U.N. MDG program was officially launched.

The 3-D Program in a way divides Calbayog into four districts through its four components namely Oquendo Key Program for Revitalization, Sustainability and Services (OK-PROGRESS), Seven Hills Happy Valley Alleviation and Road Program (SHARP), Tinambacan Upliftment of Socio-Economic Conditions (TUSEC) and Calbayog Urbanization Program and Services (CUPS)

More fine-tuning and updating are set for the program. Its implementation will include Data Gathering, Identification of Problems and Solution to include: Strong Support, Determined Executive Action, AND People’s Participation.

The components of the 3D program are as follows:

- Health (Hospital, Medicines, Nutrition, Mother and Child Health Care)

- Agriculture (Grains, Coconut, Abaca, Rootcrops, Cash Crops, Vegetable, Aquaculture, Horticulture)

- Livestock (Pig Production / Fattening / Dispersal, Cow Production / Fattening / Dispersal, Carabao Production / Fattening / Dispersal, Goats Production / Fattening / Dispersal)

- Education (School Bus, Scholarship, High School, Teachers, Classrooms)

- Environment (Anti-illegal logging, Anti-illegal quarrying, Reforestation)

- Infrastructure (Power / Communication, Roads, Water, Irrigation, Warehouse, Solar Dryer, School Buildings, Mini Hospitals / Health Centers, Training / Demo Centers, Sports Facilities, Drainage, Intermodal Transport system)

- Eco-Toursim

- Housing

- Peace and Order (Programs/ Drives against: Illegal gambling, Prostitution / Recruitment, Illegal Drugs, Illegal Fishing, Illegal Logging, Illegal Quarrying, Juvenile Delinquency)

- Industries / SMEs (Food processing, Handicraft, Furniture, Ceramics)

- Intangibles (Moral Recovery, Capability Building, Administrative Reforms)

* * *

Sarah Geronimo in Live in Calbayog! This concert for a cause will be held on September 7, 2010 at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

* * *

The City Government of Calbayog through the City Health Office, in coordination with the Leyte Family Development Organization (LEFADO) and the Philippine NGO Council (PNGOC) will conduct the Samar cluster meeting dubbed Up Scaling the National Response to HIV and AIDS through the Delivery of Services and Information to Population AT Risk and People Living with HIV and AIDS. The meeting will be held at 9:00 am today at Eduardo’s Restaurant. Mayor Reynaldo Uy has been invited to deliver the Welcome Message.

* * *

The Samar Medical Society will have their oath-taking tonight. This will be held at the function hall of St. Camillus Hospital. Mayor Reynaldo Uy, himself a doctor has been invited as the guest of honor.

* * *

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

In Dependence

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

Hi there! It’s a new week. And we are days away to a new administration running the national government.

The nation recently commemorated the 112th Philippine Independence Day. It’s that day in our history which gave us another reason to sleep a little longer today. So, what about it? Each time that day comes around, I am reminded of what my Soc Sci professor asked our class many years ago: for the Philippines, is it really independence (thus the independence day celebrations and stuff)? Or In Dependence on what other countries has to offer; on what foreign investors has to offer; on what the international financial institutions has to offer. I can clearly remember how our class debated on whether Filipinos should be doing things for themselves by themselves or do we need to have these foreign investors, foreign government, multi-national corporations making sawsaw in our economic affairs. I think the solution (no, its was the winning side’s answer) was that that the problems of the land of Juan De La Cruz has grown so big (can we use the term leaps and bounds? Don’t take that seriously, just wanna make you smile this wee) that it’s impossible for Juan De La Cruz alone to do it. So is that line of argument still valid today? I dunnow, the last time I had a serious discussion (with some friends, otherwise it would have been an argument) on the issue, I did not miss the line about the Philippines not being able to do it alone, it was simply rephrased to “in this era of globalization, the Philippines cannot afford to do it alone.” I rest my case. And let us not even start discussing how our national leaders are doing their job . . .

* * *

So, Noynoy is now President-elect. I like him, but please don’t say quitting smoking will lead to bad decisions. I’m hoping that Mr. Obama send his “Stop Smoking Kit” to the President-elect soon.

* * *

Local events. I’m writing this column on Saturday morning. The Independence Day events in the city will include a short program at the Nijaga Park stage. The Sangguniang Panlungsod will honor Mr. Reynaldo Prudenciado, Jr. the CKC accounting graduate who placed 6th in the recnt CPA board exam. Expected to be present are the SP members led by Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino and Mayor Mel Sarmiento who will deliver his Independence Day message. The day’s events will be highlighted by the maiden performance of “Serapio: the Musicale.”

New President for Christ the King College. Fr. Marcelo Tubac, ofm was formally installed as the new CKC President. The Turn-Over Ceremony was held last Friday during the Eucharistic Celebration at the CKC San Damiano Chapel. Bishop Isabelo Abarquez was present during the ceremony.

* * *

No Approved Therapeutic Claims. Nope, that line should read: Sec. Espie Cabral and her balls. The good secretary is into it again. I’m saying that line in appreciation to what she is doing. If only she can have a more aggressive campaign against smoking (I think I’ll have that in my next column). Anyway, what about this No Approved Therapeutic Claims chuva? (oops, sorry for that term, it’s so well, gay) it’s how some lawyers went to the extent of filing as graft case against the secretary for the simple reason that she ordered that that line printed on food supplement products - No Approved Therapeutic Claims – be translated to Filipino. I thought I wanted to share what a fellow blogger (www. heavenpurgatoryandhell. blogspot. com) had to say:

“…But let me commend Espie for sticking to what is right.

… The most recent stand of Espie regarding the voluminous herbal products that have plagued the local market is laudable. If you ask Filipinos if they know what "no approved therapeutic claim" means, I am willing to bet my balls that 8 out of 10 have NO IDEA at all. Espie's idea is simple and not even rocket science. Translate all the warning signs to Tagalog. Which means, that all herbal supplements or food supplements that carry the tag " No Approved Therapeutic Claims " under Administrative Order 2010-0008 must be translated to "Mahalagang paalala: (name of product) ay hindi gamot at hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit".

The day right after this AO was released, an herbal company went ahead to sue Espie. They said that it did not go through public consultation and Dr. Cabral had violated the law on graft.
Graft??!?!!? The lawyer of that herbal company probably is a nincompoop that probably has dementia and has been taking too many herbal agents that his/her brains have simply disintegrated. Dr. Cabral is right - you don't need to go through public consultation for a translation! You mean to tell me that if you have a sign that says NO PEDESTRIAN CROSSING, you will need to go through public consultation just to say BAWAL TUMAWID? Come on. Gimme a break. (I had to delete the next lines. It’s kinda not proper for a publication of general circulation). My fellow blogger ended his take on the issue by saying: “I have always said, and will state for the record - that there is no greater fool than the fool that is fooled by a fool.”

* * *

Sarah Geronimo in Live in Calbayog! This concert for a cause will be held on September 7, 2010 at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

* * *

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

Reynaldo & Jean Reni

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

Hi there! It’s another week. It’s nice to be back. For the Nth time this year, my column will not have my usual acerbic comments about the world around me. I thought it proper to devote it to two new Calbayog achievers. And thus explains today’s title. So, my congratulations to . . .
. . . REYNALDO M. PRUDENCIADO, Jr. of Barangay Guin-on, Calbayog City. He landed in the 6th place in the 2010 CPA Board Exam. He belongs to the Christ the King College BSA Class 2008-2009.

. . . and to the other young Calbayognon who did his city proud. Jean Reni Briones De Guzman of San Policarpo, Calbayog City is back. His team won major awards in the world’s largest pre-college science competition, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held in San Jose, California, USA last May 9 to 14. I thought I’d like to share with you part of the report by Kim Patria (for Yahoo! Southeast Asia):

Dealing with local environmental and health problems using materials found locally, four incoming college students from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) bagged multiple awards at an international science fair in California, May 14.

Marc Mapalo, 16; Jean Reni De Guzman, 17; Maria Clara Isabel Sia, 15; and Marc Arthur Jordan Limpiado, 16, who recently graduated from the PSHS Eastern Visayas Campus in Leyte, arrived on Monday bearing prizes from the Intel International Science Fair (ISEF) where more than 1,600 pre-college students from 59 participating countries competed

The team of Mapalo, De Guzman, and Sia bagged fourth place in the team competition with their study on red tide while Limpiado’s research on the antibacterial properties of seaweed extracts also took home fourth place.

“We wanted to provide solutions to the problems in the country using locally available materials,” Mapalo said, explaining how they used natural materials like clay, shrimp peelings, and malunggay seeds to clot algae in water.

Algae are microscopic waterborne plants, an excess of which covers water surfaces, depriving fish and other marine life of oxygen.

“Red tide is a problem in the Philippines,” Sia said, citing the case of Sorsogon Bay in the Bicol region which is frequently declared a red tide area.

Meanwhile, Limpiado, who probed how seaweed extracts can potentially kill bacteria, said his findings suggest that the antibacterial properties of Philippine seaweeds are comparable with that of the generic antibiotic amoxicillin mixed with acid.

Limpiado stressed that he used crude extraction by simply soaking seaweeds in liquid solutions, saying that more advanced processes of extraction like liquid chromatography could produce better results.

“My study could also be further improved to include antiviral applications,” Limpiado added.
All four students are enrolling this June. Sia will take up computer science at the Ateneo de Manila University; Limpiado and Mapalo enrolling in UP Diliman under the chemical engineering and molecular biology and biotechnology programs respectively; and De Guzman taking up biology in UP Los Baños.

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Local event. The City Government of Calbayog recently observed Farmers' and Fisherfolks Week. It opened during the flag-raising Ceremony last Monday. The event was undertaken by the LGU through the City Agriculture Office, in coordination with the City Agriculture and Fisheries Council (CAFC), the City Agricultural Resources Management Council (CFARMC) and the Regional Fishermen's Training Center (RFTC).

The staff of the City Agriculture Office led by Mrs. Adela Ocenar was on hand together with the members of the CAFC and the CFARMC. Messages were delivered by CFARMC Chairperson Nick Balili and CAFC Vice Chairperson Mike Pedrozo. They both called on all concerned to do their share to combat climate change which is one great factor that will affect the human food chain.

The activities included the Opening Program, the regular tabo at the Cardinal Rosales Plaza, the motorcade, the cooking demo (courtesy of RFTC-Catbalogan), "Tagisan ng Lakas at Diskarte" at Pantai Pingkit (Manguino-o). The culminating activity last Friday featured a showing of a video on Climate Change and the demo on the composting facility at the SOS Children's Village.

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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 week everyone! Ciao!

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.

* * *

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.

* * *

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!

Jean Reni De Guzman

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend and we are 17 days away to the election. So what do we have today? Forget about Goldman Sachs, that venerable institution is sure to weather the recent crisis (or investigation) to hit it. And that Iceland volcano disrupting travel plans. Just another proof how vulnerable we are when mother nature is in the mood to flex her muscles. As to some political issues this election season, oh well . . .

* * *

So, what’s with today’s title? You might want to ask. Having a name for a column title was the only thing that came to mind when I thought about ways to introduce Calbayog’s new source of pride.

A young Calbayognon will have the honor to represent the Philippines in the 2010 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) which will be held in San Jose, California, U.S.A.

Jean Reni B. De Guzman, a resident of Barangay San Policarpo and a graduate of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) - Eastern Visayas Campus will join seven other young people from Palo (Leyte), Tagum City and Cabadbaran City in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair on May 9-14, 2010.

The project which Jean Reni will be presenting together with his teammates Maria Clara Isable Sia and Marc Mapalo is entitled "Use of Natural Flocculants in Mitigation of Harmful Algai Blooms". To put it simply, their project has something to do with an intervention preventing the occurrence of Red tide as the algae aggregates and sinks at the bottom of the body of water (or something to that effect. My apologies, I'm poor with scientific terms and the like).

Jean Reni is 16 years old. He won the First Place in the 13th Intel National Science and Engineering Fair recently held in Quezon City.

* * *

Earth Day in Calbayog. The City Government of Calbayog through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) observed Earth Day 2010.
As per information provided by CENRO OIC Lorenzo Ras, Jr., the following activities were or will be spearheaded by the CENRO:

• Campaign for signatures in support of the "10 million signatures to improve Mother Earth Project".
• Information dissemination aimed at promoting awareness on the significance of Earth Day celebration and the call to protect Mother Earth will be conducted throughout all the barangays of Calbayog.
• synchronized tree-planting activity was done in the following areas yesterday:
  o Mangrove tree-planting in the coastal barangays of Tinambacan District.
  o Mangrove tree-planting at Barangay Rawis, Barangay Bagacay and Barangay Carayman.
  o Mangrove tree-planting in Barangay West Awang.
  o Coastal clean-up in Barangay West Awang.
  o Roadside tree-planting at the Diversion Road (Barangay Dagum) with the CENRO and the City Social Welfare and Development Office personnel.
  o Roadside tree-planting in Barangay Sinidman and Barangay Cagbilwang in Oquendo.

This year's Earth Day celebration is anchored on the theme: "HAMON NG PANAHON: CLIMATE CHANGE, 10 MILYONG SOLUSYON (Kilos na! Ngayon na!)"

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Wedding Bells. Congratulation and Best Wishes to Gerardo “Badz” Mendoza and Merry Jane “Jing” Bergonio. They will get married tomorrow. Fr. Dndon Paulino will preside over their wedding mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Reception will be at the Centennial Pastoral Center.

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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.

* * *

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

15 days and counting

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend. Yes, we are 15 days away to the 100th Birthday of the Diocese of Calbayog. Among the events slated for the celebration are the Priests’ Congress, the Calbayog Clergy Concert and the Diocesan Centennial Awards.

Holy Week is almost there so I have reserved my acerbic comments on the world around me after Easter. In the meantime let me give you some updates on Calbayog.

* * *

Local news. Last Monday, the City Government of Calbayog cited the secondary and elementary students who won medals in the recently concluded EVRAA 2010. Mayor Mel Sarmiento was joined by DepEd Calbayopg PESS Supervisor Bobby Diomangay in distributing the cash incentives to the young achievers at the City Hall Stage.

Winners in the individual category received 2,500 pesos (for gold), 1,500 pesos (for silver) and 800 pesos (for bronze) 800. Winners in the doubles category received 3,000 (for gold) 2,000 (for silver) and 1,000 for bronze). Group events winners received Php 3,500, Php 2,500 and Php 1,000 for gold, silver and bronze respectively. More than 20 athletes were present to receive their rewards. After congratulating the young achievers, Mayor Sarmiento also thanked the various local sports associations of Calbayog for the support they have given to the young athletes.

During the same occasion, the City Mayor called on the City Solid Waste Management Office and COMELEC Calbayog to form a team that will tear down campaign material that are posted or placed in areas other than the common-poster areas.

After the awarding program, the Mayor proceeded to the Handumanan conference Hall where he delivered a message during the opening of the Seminar Workshop on Disaster Management for the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) and the Disaster risk Management Office (DRM). The event was done under the auspices of the German GTZ program.

* * *

Last week the Calbayog City Water District sent an El Niño Advisory to various institutions in Calbayog. It called on all concerned to use water wisely.

"Calbayog City Water District is expecting significant reduction in its raw water supply in the coming months as a result of El Niño. We wish to assure our concessionaires that we are making necessary preparation and linkage with the concerned government agencies to manage the situation and minimize concessionaires' inconvenience."

"We must remain vigilant in preparing for the possible continuation of drought cycle. Thus, the CCWD Management appeals to the general public to CONSERVE AND USE WATER WISELY."

"We will provide the public with regular updates regarding the effect of El Niño on our operation and service delivery so we can better manage our water supply."

* * *

Calbayog City will observe Earth Hour 2010. The LGU through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office and the City solid Waste Management Office has prepared a 3-hour program tomorrow at the City Hall Stage. Various NGOs were invited to the event. Fr. Iluminado Paulino will lead the Opening Prayer. The officials invited to speak during the event are Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino, Councilor Susano Salurio. CENRO OIC and Earth Hour 2010 focal person Lorenzo Ras will give a brief talk on how to conserve energy. The SOS Youth will perform a Hands Play entitled “The Mission”.

* * *

Greetings. Congratulations and Best wishes to Bryan David and Gina Chambers. They will get married tomorrow. Fr. Bart Dumalag will preside over their wedding mass at the Holy Trinity Parish Church in Trinidad, Calbayog City. Reception will be held at Marju Krisel Resort Hotel.
Happy Birthday to Mr. Pio Santos. He will turn a year older tomorrow.

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

Bayang Magiliw

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

Hi there! It’s another week of work for ordinary mortals like me. And yup, we’re 19 days away to the Centennial celebration. The Pontifical Mass which we fondly refer to as the Centennial Mass will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral on April 10, 2010 at 10:00 am. Other events slated are the Calbayog Clergy Concert, the Clergy Sports Fest, the CKC Orchestra Concert and the Centennial Awards. More details in my forthcoming columns.

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For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

And what’s with today’s title, you might want to ask. I know that the title of the national anthem is "Lupang Hinirang". It (I mean today’s title) is my way of getting your attention. So what about the national anthem? Needless to mention about the brouhaha over the way Arnel Pineda belted it out in the latest Pacquiao fight. So Arnel has apologized. And then comes Christian Bautista saying something like every artist has the freedom to feely express himself, blah, blah, blah. Well, considering our (read: us, Filipinos) super, very short memory span, let it be put on record that Christian omitted something like two lines from the national anthem when he sang it in one event called a boxing match. In other words I guess he should be the last person to give any suggestion or comment on the issue on the national anthem, the NHI and whoever the artist-flavor-of-the-season is.

Is it really about artistic freedom? I think I found the answer from a fellow blogger (www.heavenpurgatoryandhell.blogspot.com) And here’s what I got from him and I do not disagree with him:

“What gets me is that while our artists claim "vocal liberties" at song renditions, the national anthem IS NOT some hot number that needs a vocal rendition or a make-over. It is a song that talks about the nation's pride. It is to be sung in a manner befit that of respect and dignity. Which is also why I can't get over the fact that these tone deaf fans are there to defend the artists rather than the song! It is not how melodramatic the song is sung, or how much heart is put into it, or how well we showcase the Filipino talent, but how the song should be sung because it is, after all, the Philippine National Anthem.”

“Once in a blue moon, we showcase to the world the Philippine National Anthem.”

“And sing with pride we must, even if it is a rowdy boxing match of a national boxing icon in the likes of Manny Pacquiao. Every time we raise that flag, we must rise to the occasion of respecting it, even if our government officials do not.”

“As a nation, we owe it to ourselves to make the statement that we are Filipinos.”

“And that we intend to make the world realize that there is one version, and one voice, and one tune to singing the Philippine National Anthem.”

“And this is our pride. It's all we have left.”

* * *

In town last Thursday were former Senate President Frank Drilon and Congressman Neric Acosta. They met with the Calbayog media after arriving from Catarman.

* * *

PGMA was in Calbayog last Friday. Well, at the Calbayog airport to be exact; and for a few minutes at least. She took the chopper at the airport en route to San Jose de Buan. As per OPS report, the President braved the stormy rains, to inaugurate several Kalayaan Barangay Program (KBP) projects consisting of two units of two-classroom schoolbuildings, two healthcare centers, and the barangay street lighting system. The KBP projects with the total cost of P4.7 million were funded by the President’s Social Fund. She also ordered the provincial government to immediately implement the road pavement project on the Lokiloan-San Jose De Buan provincial road.

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Belated birthday greetings to Archbishop Jose Palma. He turned a year older last Friday.

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