(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)
Hi there! It’s another week. So, what’s with today’s title? Let’s say it’s a postscript to that day of the year which a good number of people were into last weekend, rainy as it was. I got the term from a CNN newscaster, and that how she referred to Valentine’s Day. Well, that term says it all. On the other hand, news had it that Valentine’s Day, or at least the business side of it - flowers to be specific - put into effect a temporary truce (a very short one, if I may add) between Hamas and the Israeli fighters. Now, I have one good reason to look forward to the next Valentine’s Day.
And Broken hearts syndrome? I was initially amused at a news report about that syndrome. But the explanation did make sense - stress level and love problems go hand in hand; and that it mostly affect people (women especially) between 30-50 years old; and that 9 out of 10 case heal in time. So, that gives one a reason to do the most impossible thing in the world – not to fall in love.
Times are hard, but blame it on cupid or l’amour, people still went out of their ways to dine, wine, or at least buy a bunch of flowers on that day of the year. I’m wondering how the Americans did it. After all, they are the originators of every celebration there is in an effort to give everyone all the reasons to splurge their money on.
But time must indeed be hard. Paris got the focus over CNN last week. Nope, it was not about the light show at the Eiffel Tower which many Parisians refer to as a monstrosity or the pyramid at the Louvre which Capt. Bizou Fache referred to as a scar of Paris in the Da Vinci Code. So what about Paris? (Pinahaba ko pa kasi!) Well, in addition to the couture fashion and the lights at Champs Elysees, scavengers are another sight to behold in Europe’s City of Lights. These people cited, among other reasons, that 100 euro or so pension or assistance they receive from the government is not enough. And on the local front, calls were made for company executives to have their pay cuts in the manner the the ordinary employees were made to earn lower wages, thanks to the economic crunch. The calls make sense, doesn’t it?
And what’s this? Don’t we have enough collisions of people and vehicles on earth? News had it that Satellites have collided in space. Whew! Whatever is next?
And indeed it’s election time. Expect a flurry of celebrities, VIP and politicos to go around town; and along that line expect loads of exposes, scandals and yes, the never-ending investigations.
* * *
Cebu Pacific will have its maiden flight to Calbayog this coming Wednesday. They have invited the city officials and department managers to cocktails at the Calbayog Airport.
* * *
Rural Bank of Calbayog turned 50 years old on February 7, 2009. How RB-Calbayog is and where it is going is best summed up by the speech that the bank president Nenuca Rosales – Santos delivered during the anniversary program. Let me share some parts of that speech:
“…When the original 11 incorporators led by (my late father) Hermenigildo Ras Rosales established the bank in 1959, nobody could have foreseen that in 50 years of its existence, the Bank would become the largest rural banking institution on Samar.
From an institution with the primary aim to promote balanced and steady development of its local farmers and fishermen, it never stopped to expand. It expanded in membership, mandate, geography, scope and, which is the most visible, in volume of operations. Today the Bank has four branches located at Oquendo, Sta. Margarita, Allen (in) Northern Samar and a moneyshop at the Calbayog public market.
Rural Bank of Calbayog City, Inc. is a clear testimony of the profound changes brought about by the decisions taken by our predecessors in the aftermath of the economic challenges and overwhelming thrust of providing financial assistance to the local farmers, fishermen and other small businesses in the late 1950s.
. . . as the financial crisis spreads across the globe coupled with the fall of a chain of rural banks in the Philippines, it becomes more apparent that the Bank continues to be a conservative player in the banking industry and at the same time identify areas for potential cost cutting and procedural streamlining and immediately test whether such changes have an impact on the organization.
The Rural Bank of Calbayog City, Inc. has done well, growing with the City, and at the same time contributing to the Province's development. Let us turn the current economic slowdown to advantage. We have a window of opportunity to develop our capabilities in an increasingly knowledge-based economy. We will take in hand the challenges in the banking, financial and corporate sectors to emerge as a stronger banking institution.
A sound, responsive and pioneering Bank as the Rural Bank of Calbayog City, Inc. certainly is - with its high accumulated reserves and a position that has never been stronger - did not just happen and could never be taken for granted. However, the splendid results achieved in the five decades would not be possible without the hard-working, competent and committed staff led by good management…”
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!
This is the on-line edition of my column of the same title which comes out in the Monday & Friday editions of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express, the first daily newspaper in Region 8. The title was lent to me by Ms. Mila Azanza a few years before she passed away. She used to write "Out In Calbayog City" for the Manila Chronicle. (My blogheader is courtesy of Nelson Petilla)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
That day of the year (again)
(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)
Hi there! It’s Friday the 13th, an eerie prelude to that day of the year which is almost there - Valentine’s Day, what else? Last Monday, I promised that I’ll try to write something about it today, and what do I have? The same rant that I’ve been saying the past so many years: What is it with Valentines’ Day that if one is into it, one is a hopeless romantic; and if one is not into it, one is frigid. Ah, l’amour! I rest my case. (Smile, it’s a weekend; and hearts day is just hours away!)
So love is in the air. Many claim (can I include myself?) that love makes one happy, glow, feel young, vibrant, and what have you. Suddenly, I’m tempted to ask, what about gay love? I had the luck (or is it unfortunate chance?) to be a guest in one of the shows of Jullie Yap Daza. In her intro for that night’s program I remember her saying something about special occasions (Valentines included) and the gay guys and their loved ones, or objects of affection (to say the least) which in the Philippine setting is usually the straight guy. Many will always appear just that - gay, happy - but during special occasions (like tomorrow?), he will be alone. Many will cry rivers. But then, in a few minutes (or hours perhaps) he is happy or at least smiling again. How do we call it? Survival instinct? Or coping mechanism perhaps?
And with Valentine’s Day comes the Prom season. Before it even hit the news on national television, some schools were already having proms for elementary students. And I call that kiddie prom. So what about it? I’m not questioning the money spent on the affair, it just that I don’t think it’s a case of starting ‘em young, it’s simply that’s too soon. And while we are into the topic, watch high school kids trying to dress up (and along the way act) like adults. All of us passed through that phase and we all have our own (happy or unhappy) memories of that experience. On the other hand, it bothers me that in some schools while students (and their class advisers) dressed to the nines, most teachers invited to the affair just don’t bother wearing the appropriate attire (how is that different from proper?). Ah, the difference between into the manner born and being not.
And in faraway Berlin. Move over Oscar night, after being snubbed many films (or oscar awarding seasons) ago, Leonardo Di Caprio finally got a trophy, not from the Oscars, but a more prestigious one if I may say, with no less that Mikhail Gorbachev honoring him for his contribution to the cause of the environmentalists. Needless to say, it seems like it’s the in-thing, I mean environmental causes, and hopefully it doesn’t end up as just another fad.
* * *
The Rotary Club of Calbayog is currently hosting the four members of the Rotary International District 7870 to 3860 Group Study Exchange. They paid a courtesy call on Mayor Mel Sarmiento last Wednesday. The group members who are from New Hampshire are Tony Gilmore, Amy Wheeler, Katie List and Chelsea Conaboy.
* * *
Makati Mayor Jojo Binay was in town. He made a courtesy call on Mayor Mel Sarmiento yesterday. Calbayog was in his itinerary in his second day in Samar. (As reported in this paper) he inked sister-city agreements with Catblogan, Villareal and Sta. Rita.
* * *
Wedding Bells. Zenen Santos will get married to Anabel Tayab tomorrow. The wedding mass will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Reception will be at the CKC auditorium.
* * *
Let me leave you with something to smile about this weekend.
A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.
For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.
In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside.
She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000.
He asked her about the contents. 'When we were to be married,' she said, ' my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.'
The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.
'Honey,' he said, 'that explains the dolls, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?'
'Oh,' she said, 'that's the money I made from selling the dolls.'
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!
Hi there! It’s Friday the 13th, an eerie prelude to that day of the year which is almost there - Valentine’s Day, what else? Last Monday, I promised that I’ll try to write something about it today, and what do I have? The same rant that I’ve been saying the past so many years: What is it with Valentines’ Day that if one is into it, one is a hopeless romantic; and if one is not into it, one is frigid. Ah, l’amour! I rest my case. (Smile, it’s a weekend; and hearts day is just hours away!)
So love is in the air. Many claim (can I include myself?) that love makes one happy, glow, feel young, vibrant, and what have you. Suddenly, I’m tempted to ask, what about gay love? I had the luck (or is it unfortunate chance?) to be a guest in one of the shows of Jullie Yap Daza. In her intro for that night’s program I remember her saying something about special occasions (Valentines included) and the gay guys and their loved ones, or objects of affection (to say the least) which in the Philippine setting is usually the straight guy. Many will always appear just that - gay, happy - but during special occasions (like tomorrow?), he will be alone. Many will cry rivers. But then, in a few minutes (or hours perhaps) he is happy or at least smiling again. How do we call it? Survival instinct? Or coping mechanism perhaps?
And with Valentine’s Day comes the Prom season. Before it even hit the news on national television, some schools were already having proms for elementary students. And I call that kiddie prom. So what about it? I’m not questioning the money spent on the affair, it just that I don’t think it’s a case of starting ‘em young, it’s simply that’s too soon. And while we are into the topic, watch high school kids trying to dress up (and along the way act) like adults. All of us passed through that phase and we all have our own (happy or unhappy) memories of that experience. On the other hand, it bothers me that in some schools while students (and their class advisers) dressed to the nines, most teachers invited to the affair just don’t bother wearing the appropriate attire (how is that different from proper?). Ah, the difference between into the manner born and being not.
And in faraway Berlin. Move over Oscar night, after being snubbed many films (or oscar awarding seasons) ago, Leonardo Di Caprio finally got a trophy, not from the Oscars, but a more prestigious one if I may say, with no less that Mikhail Gorbachev honoring him for his contribution to the cause of the environmentalists. Needless to say, it seems like it’s the in-thing, I mean environmental causes, and hopefully it doesn’t end up as just another fad.
* * *
The Rotary Club of Calbayog is currently hosting the four members of the Rotary International District 7870 to 3860 Group Study Exchange. They paid a courtesy call on Mayor Mel Sarmiento last Wednesday. The group members who are from New Hampshire are Tony Gilmore, Amy Wheeler, Katie List and Chelsea Conaboy.
* * *
Makati Mayor Jojo Binay was in town. He made a courtesy call on Mayor Mel Sarmiento yesterday. Calbayog was in his itinerary in his second day in Samar. (As reported in this paper) he inked sister-city agreements with Catblogan, Villareal and Sta. Rita.
* * *
Wedding Bells. Zenen Santos will get married to Anabel Tayab tomorrow. The wedding mass will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Reception will be at the CKC auditorium.
* * *
Let me leave you with something to smile about this weekend.
A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.
For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.
In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside.
She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000.
He asked her about the contents. 'When we were to be married,' she said, ' my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.'
The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.
'Honey,' he said, 'that explains the dolls, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?'
'Oh,' she said, 'that's the money I made from selling the dolls.'
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!
Monday, February 9, 2009
ISA and Calbayog
(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)
Hi there! It’s a new week and that day of the year is almost here - Valentine’s Day, what else? I’ll try to write something about it this Friday.
Late last week a news report was made about the pinoy poor (it’s kinda sketchy on my part as I did not get to hear the whole thing). Anyway, what caught my attention was that figures showed that supposedly a good number of the so-called hard-up Pinoys are spending less on food and more on telecommunication! Whew! How about that? Start taxing text messages and that figure is sure to go up.
Big deal about PGMA not being able to shake hands with Obama. It was reported that there were six other heads of states present in that breakfast event, and I guess there’s no report about them having a meeting or hand-shaking with the Obama. Well, there was Blair onstage with the President. Anyway, es la vida.
And another world leader figured in a shoe-throwing incident? Hmm, seems like we have a new trend, in protesting (?) if I may add.
* * *
The LGU recently hosted some officers of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA). The ISA through one of its core programs, the Public Governance System (PGS) conducted a one-day PGS workshop for Co-Convenorship at I’s Plant Hotel.
Mayor Mel Sarmiento gave a presentation on the City Development Strategy (CDS) and PGS experience of Calbayog. Present as observer / guest in the activity was Mayor Alita Rosales of Catarman. She was together with her Municipal Budget Office and Municipal Accountant.
Also in attendance were the LGU's Finance cluster which is includes as members the City Treasurer, the City Budget Officer, the BPLO head, the City Planning & Development Officer and the City Accountant; and the economic cluster the members of which are the City Veterinarian, the City Cooperatives Officer, the Market Director, the Environment Officer, the City Engineer, the City Information Office and the City Agriculturist.
The workshop was one of the series of activities the the ISA have undertaken with the City of Calbayog being one of the partner cities of ISA. As of the moment, Calbayog is ranked as a PGS-Compliant City.
A PGS-Compliant status is granted to a partner that has formally organized its internal and external stakeholders to be part of the governance process with clear deliverables and accountabilities that are captured in “scorecards” developed to monitor the institution’s journey towards its vision. Moreover, the partner has begun using its strategy map in planning and budgeting.
Here’s a short backgrounder on the ISA which I copied from the website (www.isacenter.org) ISA is a collaborative for sectoral leaders, public officials and citizens committed to good governance in all aspects and levels of life in society.
ISA works with sectoral leaders in raising the standards of professional and ethical practice as well as of social responsibility in their respective sectors.
ISA works with public officials in institutionalizing a public governance system, in partnership with multi-sectoral coalitions, for the long-term development of their communities and institutions.
ISA works with institutions to develop centers for leadership dedicated to the continuing training of citizens in the exercise of their civic duties and in their participation to serve the common good of society.
* * *
And here’s an update on the Wright - Calbayog 138 KV Transmission Line Project.
Last week, Mayor Mel Sarmiento received a letter from Mr. Arthur Aguilar, President and CEO of the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo).
Let me share some parts of the letter:
"This refers to your letter dated 20 January 2009, sent to us by Usec. Charito R. Elegir. We wish to inform you that we referred your letter to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). NGCP has taken over the transmission business of TransCo effective 15 January 2009, including the function of construction and expansion of the transmission system.
Considering that the project is part of the Final Determination approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission, we expect the completion of the subject line by year 2010."
* * *
And what’s this? A few years back we have heard some reports about stores or commercial establishments not giving some change to customers, like “wara kami sensilyo, dulce nala”. I understand something was done about it. Now, there is this money remittance service provider in the city, where a staff is doing something almost like that. How is that? It’s not the wara-kami-sensilyo-sanglit-dulce-nala kind of thing. Word has it that a good number of remittance recipients (am I using the right term? Maybe customer is more like it) would be told, “an butal ig load ko nala” referring to the A-load business that the employee is doing on the side. No question about doing some sideline, in times like these, we need it. But that point is that the “butal” that we are talking about here could be as low as 35 pesos to as high as 70 pesos. Try to imagine doing that to at least 6 clients in a day. No need to do the math.
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!
Hi there! It’s a new week and that day of the year is almost here - Valentine’s Day, what else? I’ll try to write something about it this Friday.
Late last week a news report was made about the pinoy poor (it’s kinda sketchy on my part as I did not get to hear the whole thing). Anyway, what caught my attention was that figures showed that supposedly a good number of the so-called hard-up Pinoys are spending less on food and more on telecommunication! Whew! How about that? Start taxing text messages and that figure is sure to go up.
Big deal about PGMA not being able to shake hands with Obama. It was reported that there were six other heads of states present in that breakfast event, and I guess there’s no report about them having a meeting or hand-shaking with the Obama. Well, there was Blair onstage with the President. Anyway, es la vida.
And another world leader figured in a shoe-throwing incident? Hmm, seems like we have a new trend, in protesting (?) if I may add.
* * *
The LGU recently hosted some officers of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA). The ISA through one of its core programs, the Public Governance System (PGS) conducted a one-day PGS workshop for Co-Convenorship at I’s Plant Hotel.
Mayor Mel Sarmiento gave a presentation on the City Development Strategy (CDS) and PGS experience of Calbayog. Present as observer / guest in the activity was Mayor Alita Rosales of Catarman. She was together with her Municipal Budget Office and Municipal Accountant.
Also in attendance were the LGU's Finance cluster which is includes as members the City Treasurer, the City Budget Officer, the BPLO head, the City Planning & Development Officer and the City Accountant; and the economic cluster the members of which are the City Veterinarian, the City Cooperatives Officer, the Market Director, the Environment Officer, the City Engineer, the City Information Office and the City Agriculturist.
The workshop was one of the series of activities the the ISA have undertaken with the City of Calbayog being one of the partner cities of ISA. As of the moment, Calbayog is ranked as a PGS-Compliant City.
A PGS-Compliant status is granted to a partner that has formally organized its internal and external stakeholders to be part of the governance process with clear deliverables and accountabilities that are captured in “scorecards” developed to monitor the institution’s journey towards its vision. Moreover, the partner has begun using its strategy map in planning and budgeting.
Here’s a short backgrounder on the ISA which I copied from the website (www.isacenter.org) ISA is a collaborative for sectoral leaders, public officials and citizens committed to good governance in all aspects and levels of life in society.
ISA works with sectoral leaders in raising the standards of professional and ethical practice as well as of social responsibility in their respective sectors.
ISA works with public officials in institutionalizing a public governance system, in partnership with multi-sectoral coalitions, for the long-term development of their communities and institutions.
ISA works with institutions to develop centers for leadership dedicated to the continuing training of citizens in the exercise of their civic duties and in their participation to serve the common good of society.
* * *
And here’s an update on the Wright - Calbayog 138 KV Transmission Line Project.
Last week, Mayor Mel Sarmiento received a letter from Mr. Arthur Aguilar, President and CEO of the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo).
Let me share some parts of the letter:
"This refers to your letter dated 20 January 2009, sent to us by Usec. Charito R. Elegir. We wish to inform you that we referred your letter to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). NGCP has taken over the transmission business of TransCo effective 15 January 2009, including the function of construction and expansion of the transmission system.
Considering that the project is part of the Final Determination approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission, we expect the completion of the subject line by year 2010."
* * *
And what’s this? A few years back we have heard some reports about stores or commercial establishments not giving some change to customers, like “wara kami sensilyo, dulce nala”. I understand something was done about it. Now, there is this money remittance service provider in the city, where a staff is doing something almost like that. How is that? It’s not the wara-kami-sensilyo-sanglit-dulce-nala kind of thing. Word has it that a good number of remittance recipients (am I using the right term? Maybe customer is more like it) would be told, “an butal ig load ko nala” referring to the A-load business that the employee is doing on the side. No question about doing some sideline, in times like these, we need it. But that point is that the “butal” that we are talking about here could be as low as 35 pesos to as high as 70 pesos. Try to imagine doing that to at least 6 clients in a day. No need to do the math.
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!
Friday, February 6, 2009
GILAS in Calbayog
(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)
Hi there! It’s another weekend and news had it that the ceasefire at the Gaza strip has ceased (any yun? Parang redundant?). Well, should I say it happens? As I have mentioned in this column many weeks ago, it’s about bad blood that predates Jesus Christ. There’s not much we can do about it, don’t you think? Okey, let’s see what Mr. Obama can do. If he will follow tradition, regardless if he succeeds to turn the American economy around or not, he will pursue peace in the Middle East as a legacy when he becomes a lameduck President.
And another year in college? (And yes, Spanish in high school?) I am no authority in coming up with policies on education (read: am just a lowly education degree holder. No doctorate degrees or what have you, but I can certainly speak better English compared to some Doctors I know. Oops, me and my mouth). I was not able to get the clear explanation as to the reason why the need to add another year in college. But if it is for the plain and simple purpose of being able to produce better students, I think we should go back to the basics, the foundation. A good number of my students (in college) do not know what a pronoun is. Do I have to include someone who pronounced neptune as “neptoone”? And then there are those who didn’t know that a declarative sentence is. And yes, I’m still looking for the 3 essays which showed how uninspiring the English of some college students are. I’ll feature these in this column as soon as I get hold of it. And yes, I have encountered students who get teary-eyed when asked to rise and recite in class. So, another year in college? Nah! As to the Spanish subject, hmm, sounds interesting.
* * *
GILAS in Calbayog. Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access to Students (GILAS) is a program of the Ayala Foundation. As the name of the program suggests, it aims at connecting the public high schools of the Philippines via the internet.The City government has tied-up with the said foundation and at the moment, we have 8 National High School in Calbayog connected via the internet. These schools are:
Hi there! It’s another weekend and news had it that the ceasefire at the Gaza strip has ceased (any yun? Parang redundant?). Well, should I say it happens? As I have mentioned in this column many weeks ago, it’s about bad blood that predates Jesus Christ. There’s not much we can do about it, don’t you think? Okey, let’s see what Mr. Obama can do. If he will follow tradition, regardless if he succeeds to turn the American economy around or not, he will pursue peace in the Middle East as a legacy when he becomes a lameduck President.
And another year in college? (And yes, Spanish in high school?) I am no authority in coming up with policies on education (read: am just a lowly education degree holder. No doctorate degrees or what have you, but I can certainly speak better English compared to some Doctors I know. Oops, me and my mouth). I was not able to get the clear explanation as to the reason why the need to add another year in college. But if it is for the plain and simple purpose of being able to produce better students, I think we should go back to the basics, the foundation. A good number of my students (in college) do not know what a pronoun is. Do I have to include someone who pronounced neptune as “neptoone”? And then there are those who didn’t know that a declarative sentence is. And yes, I’m still looking for the 3 essays which showed how uninspiring the English of some college students are. I’ll feature these in this column as soon as I get hold of it. And yes, I have encountered students who get teary-eyed when asked to rise and recite in class. So, another year in college? Nah! As to the Spanish subject, hmm, sounds interesting.
* * *
GILAS in Calbayog. Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access to Students (GILAS) is a program of the Ayala Foundation. As the name of the program suggests, it aims at connecting the public high schools of the Philippines via the internet.The City government has tied-up with the said foundation and at the moment, we have 8 National High School in Calbayog connected via the internet. These schools are:
- Calbayog City National High School
- Mag-ubay National High School
- Oquendo National High School
- Pilar Agricultural High School
- Rafael Lentejas Memorial School of Fisheries (Tinambacan)
- San Policarpo National High School
- Tarabucan National High School
- Trinidad National High School
Still to be connected are San Joaquin and Malaga National High Schools. Both schools are located in Tinambacan District.
On the last week of January, Mayor Mel Sarmiento together with Mario Deriquito and Dino Rey Abellano of the Ayala Foundation and DepEd officials led by Mrs. Edita Paculan met for the program dubbed as "Celebration of Gilas milestone in Calbayog City: Connecting 100% of Connectible Public High Schools". The said program was held at the DepEd Calbayog Conference Hall. After the messages were delivered, the GILAS School Recipients represented by Lolita Alera gave a message of commitment. Guests then proceeded to the Calbayog City National High School for a Tele-Conference (or chat, in internet lingo) with some teachers and students from the National High Schools in Pilar, Tarabucan and Mag-ubay. The same schools were visited by the guests after the Tele-Conference.
The importance of this project cannot be overemphasized. Students in the schools especially in Tarabucan, Pilar and Mag-ubay - barangays that do not have telephone connection - now use their school computers not only to encode their projects but as tools to research and explore the unlimited data that can be had via the internet.
* * *
Rural Bank of Calbayog City is 50 years old. Tomorrow’s celebration will include a Thanksgiving mass and a Dinner at the Centennial Pastoral Center.
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
welcome to my third blogsite
Hi! Welcome to my third blog spot.
In a few days' time, this will become the home of "Out in Calbayog City, Again" the title of my column for a local newspaper in Region 8.
My first blog www.calbayogcity.blogspot.com took a life of its own as it will be officially named "Calbayog City" and will serve as the temporary home of the Calbayog City website which as of the moment is out of the world wide web.
In a few days' time, this will become the home of "Out in Calbayog City, Again" the title of my column for a local newspaper in Region 8.
My first blog www.calbayogcity.blogspot.com took a life of its own as it will be officially named "Calbayog City" and will serve as the temporary home of the Calbayog City website which as of the moment is out of the world wide web.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Porn Bailout
(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)
Hi there! It’s another week and America has inaugurated her new President. Indeed, it’s business time (I mean for U.S. politics). How is that? Before (or during) the election, it was ‘yes, we can!’. Now it’s ‘we are in a crisis. We need to get our acts together'.
Seriously, many people have said many things about the so-called new era in American politics or at least the Presidency. It was what The Freeman said on its headline which I would like to quote, 'twas poetic as it was, well, realistic (read: not much romanticism): “... tracing the arc of history to a day many thought would never come, Barrack Obama was sworn in as America's 44th and 1st black President – and waded into a sea of trouble troubles. Obama's inauguration represents a milestone once unthinkable in a nation that has struggled with racial issues since its founding and where segregation was practiced in many southern state just decades ago. It took place outside the U.S. Capitol, which slaves helped build...”
Martin Luther King in his (1963) “I have a Dream speech” predicted (or is it hoped?) that a black American would make it to the highest office of the land in 25 years. He was two decades short. Just the same, it happened.
And the Obama inaugural speech? No Kennedy like, “... Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country...' or Roosevelt like, “... We have nothing to fear but fear itself...” Some observers were quick to say there was no rhetoric, other went to the extent of saying “forgettable”. But then it was realistic. It was not a something to inspire, but a call to work. In other words, walang pambobola, something we seldom get from a good number of Filipino politicians. (Oops, me and my mouth, err, my fingers. Smile, it's a weekend.)
* * *
And porn bailout? Times must indeed be hard. I dunnow if I should take this seriously, but surely it made me smile. News had it that the prime movers of America’s porn industry led by Larry Flynt (of the Hustler fame) is set to request the U.S. Congress for a 5-billion-dollar bailout. Whew! They wanted to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America by citing that when one is depressed or busy with stuff like home mortgage or looking for a job, one doesn’t do sex. (Again, smile, it’s a weekend!)Can we say the same thing about a good number of our Pinoy bros? Nah! We are economically challenged, but I don’t think this made many people sexually depressed, just look at the ballooning population, or the many children especially those who do not have much to do (read: economically challenged)
* * *
Somebody sent a comment on my (blog) report about Mayor Mel Sarmiento's SOCA 2009. It had something to do the AIM award. I thought I wanted to share it with you:“I’m beyond doubt swollen with pride that Calbayog City finished as one of the top performing small cities in the Philippines last PCCRP 2007. I was the researcher / enumerator for Calbayog. It was not a-piece-of-cake conducting the research! I had to frequently visit the respondents. (Other businessmen weren't that cooperative and accommodating). They did not realize that the research was favorable to our dearly loved city. It's depressing just having the thought of it. Nevertheless, what makes me glad and thankful is that there were a number of business managers who straightforwardly responded and answered the questionnaire. I’m looking forward to the next research this 2009. I am optimistic that Calbayog City would make it for a second time!”
* * *
Let me give you something to smile about this weekend. It's what a friend got from a Sunday sermon. We are all familiar with the term: KBL. Nope, it's not the political party. It's the way some of us Catholics are described in the way we carry out our faith: Kasal, Bunyag, Lubong. Let me give you the new term (should I say the English equivalent?) for that: HMD. Hatched, Matched and Dispatched.
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone!
Hi there! It’s another week and America has inaugurated her new President. Indeed, it’s business time (I mean for U.S. politics). How is that? Before (or during) the election, it was ‘yes, we can!’. Now it’s ‘we are in a crisis. We need to get our acts together'.
Seriously, many people have said many things about the so-called new era in American politics or at least the Presidency. It was what The Freeman said on its headline which I would like to quote, 'twas poetic as it was, well, realistic (read: not much romanticism): “... tracing the arc of history to a day many thought would never come, Barrack Obama was sworn in as America's 44th and 1st black President – and waded into a sea of trouble troubles. Obama's inauguration represents a milestone once unthinkable in a nation that has struggled with racial issues since its founding and where segregation was practiced in many southern state just decades ago. It took place outside the U.S. Capitol, which slaves helped build...”
Martin Luther King in his (1963) “I have a Dream speech” predicted (or is it hoped?) that a black American would make it to the highest office of the land in 25 years. He was two decades short. Just the same, it happened.
And the Obama inaugural speech? No Kennedy like, “... Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country...' or Roosevelt like, “... We have nothing to fear but fear itself...” Some observers were quick to say there was no rhetoric, other went to the extent of saying “forgettable”. But then it was realistic. It was not a something to inspire, but a call to work. In other words, walang pambobola, something we seldom get from a good number of Filipino politicians. (Oops, me and my mouth, err, my fingers. Smile, it's a weekend.)
* * *
And porn bailout? Times must indeed be hard. I dunnow if I should take this seriously, but surely it made me smile. News had it that the prime movers of America’s porn industry led by Larry Flynt (of the Hustler fame) is set to request the U.S. Congress for a 5-billion-dollar bailout. Whew! They wanted to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America by citing that when one is depressed or busy with stuff like home mortgage or looking for a job, one doesn’t do sex. (Again, smile, it’s a weekend!)Can we say the same thing about a good number of our Pinoy bros? Nah! We are economically challenged, but I don’t think this made many people sexually depressed, just look at the ballooning population, or the many children especially those who do not have much to do (read: economically challenged)
* * *
Somebody sent a comment on my (blog) report about Mayor Mel Sarmiento's SOCA 2009. It had something to do the AIM award. I thought I wanted to share it with you:“I’m beyond doubt swollen with pride that Calbayog City finished as one of the top performing small cities in the Philippines last PCCRP 2007. I was the researcher / enumerator for Calbayog. It was not a-piece-of-cake conducting the research! I had to frequently visit the respondents. (Other businessmen weren't that cooperative and accommodating). They did not realize that the research was favorable to our dearly loved city. It's depressing just having the thought of it. Nevertheless, what makes me glad and thankful is that there were a number of business managers who straightforwardly responded and answered the questionnaire. I’m looking forward to the next research this 2009. I am optimistic that Calbayog City would make it for a second time!”
* * *
Let me give you something to smile about this weekend. It's what a friend got from a Sunday sermon. We are all familiar with the term: KBL. Nope, it's not the political party. It's the way some of us Catholics are described in the way we carry out our faith: Kasal, Bunyag, Lubong. Let me give you the new term (should I say the English equivalent?) for that: HMD. Hatched, Matched and Dispatched.
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Family Feud
(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)
Hi there! It’s another week. Move over Richard Gomez, this is not about your TV game show; and also move over Brodett family, your bad blood is nothing compared to the bad blood between the (currently) warring factions in Gaza strip.
As I write this column, news had it that Israel is contemplating on a peaceful solution (?) as suggested by France and Egypt. Well, it has always been so since the time of Carter (why Carter? He’s the first U.S. President I remember seeing in the news). The volatile peace situation in that region will always be a main concern in U.S. Foreign Policy (along with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I guess. And yes, what happened to Bin Laden?). So whoever said or is still dreaming about that special friendship between Filipinos and Americans, don’t dream on, we will never be in their list of priorities, that’s if we take into consideration the shuttle diplomacy that they are into with regard to the current situation in Gaza. Not to mention official U.S. pronouncements, or the absence of it; and yes, it seems like practically every American prexy wanted to have a lasting peace in the Middle East as his legacy. I think I can say the same thing to Mr. Obama.
The bad blood which caused the latest war in the area dates back to biblical times. Sadly I did not take my theology class seriously so I don’t remember from which wife of Abraham came the Jews and the Palestinians (?). Anyway, the point is it’s a family feud which has been waging in the B.C. years and will continue beyond our lifetime. Do I have to add in that matters got worse with Israel (the country) being carved out of a chunk of land supposedly belonging to the Palestinians? Anyway, thanks to CNN and other TV networks, we get to see the hubris that is WAR in the 21st century, the century of the highly-civilized man. No need to imagine how it would have been in earlier times.
So my take on the issue? Yes, we can always resort to prayer. But then again, many must have been praying for peace in the region, so far, to no avail. Just wondering, when Hamas dropped bombs over (Southern) Israel, the world seemed to turned its eyes at everywhere but Israel, yup, the U.N. included. But when Israel started to do its thing, lo and behold, all eyes in Israel, the shuttle diplomacy, the calls to peace, and what have you.
And back here at home. Yes, the Brodetts. One branch goes on TV to make pakiusap about the release of an Alabang boy while another goes to the House to testify in the investigation (in aid of legislation, of course). Now that’s’ the way to wash one’s dirty linen in public, in grand style if I may add.
* * *
Let me leave you with something to smile about this week. It’s something I got via email (as usual): Tomato Story:
A Jobless man applied for the position of 'office boy' at Microsoft.
The HR manager interviewed him then watched him cleaning the floor as a test. 'You are employed' he said. Give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start.
The man replied 'But I don't have a computer, neither an email'.
'I'm sorry', said the HR manager. If you don't have an email, that means you do not exist. And who doesn't exist, cannot have the job.'
The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only $10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy a 10 Kg tomato crate. He then sold the tomatoes in a door to door round. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the operation three times, and returned home with $60. The man realized that he can survive by this way, and started to go everyday earlier, and return late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled everyday. Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, and then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles. 5 years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US. He started to plan his family's future, and decided to have a life insurance. He called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded the broker asked him his email.
The man replied, 'I don't have an email.'
The broker answered curiously, 'You don't have an email, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an email?!!'
The man thought for a while and replied, 'Yes, I'd be an office boy at Microsoft!'
Moral of the story:
Moral 1 : Internet is not the solution to your life.
Moral 2 : If you don't have Internet, and work hard, you can be a millionaire.
Moral 3: If you received this message by email, you are closer to being an office boy/girl, than a millionaire . . . (smile, just wanna wish you a great week ahead rrlr.)
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone!
Hi there! It’s another week. Move over Richard Gomez, this is not about your TV game show; and also move over Brodett family, your bad blood is nothing compared to the bad blood between the (currently) warring factions in Gaza strip.
As I write this column, news had it that Israel is contemplating on a peaceful solution (?) as suggested by France and Egypt. Well, it has always been so since the time of Carter (why Carter? He’s the first U.S. President I remember seeing in the news). The volatile peace situation in that region will always be a main concern in U.S. Foreign Policy (along with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I guess. And yes, what happened to Bin Laden?). So whoever said or is still dreaming about that special friendship between Filipinos and Americans, don’t dream on, we will never be in their list of priorities, that’s if we take into consideration the shuttle diplomacy that they are into with regard to the current situation in Gaza. Not to mention official U.S. pronouncements, or the absence of it; and yes, it seems like practically every American prexy wanted to have a lasting peace in the Middle East as his legacy. I think I can say the same thing to Mr. Obama.
The bad blood which caused the latest war in the area dates back to biblical times. Sadly I did not take my theology class seriously so I don’t remember from which wife of Abraham came the Jews and the Palestinians (?). Anyway, the point is it’s a family feud which has been waging in the B.C. years and will continue beyond our lifetime. Do I have to add in that matters got worse with Israel (the country) being carved out of a chunk of land supposedly belonging to the Palestinians? Anyway, thanks to CNN and other TV networks, we get to see the hubris that is WAR in the 21st century, the century of the highly-civilized man. No need to imagine how it would have been in earlier times.
So my take on the issue? Yes, we can always resort to prayer. But then again, many must have been praying for peace in the region, so far, to no avail. Just wondering, when Hamas dropped bombs over (Southern) Israel, the world seemed to turned its eyes at everywhere but Israel, yup, the U.N. included. But when Israel started to do its thing, lo and behold, all eyes in Israel, the shuttle diplomacy, the calls to peace, and what have you.
And back here at home. Yes, the Brodetts. One branch goes on TV to make pakiusap about the release of an Alabang boy while another goes to the House to testify in the investigation (in aid of legislation, of course). Now that’s’ the way to wash one’s dirty linen in public, in grand style if I may add.
* * *
Let me leave you with something to smile about this week. It’s something I got via email (as usual): Tomato Story:
A Jobless man applied for the position of 'office boy' at Microsoft.
The HR manager interviewed him then watched him cleaning the floor as a test. 'You are employed' he said. Give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start.
The man replied 'But I don't have a computer, neither an email'.
'I'm sorry', said the HR manager. If you don't have an email, that means you do not exist. And who doesn't exist, cannot have the job.'
The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only $10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy a 10 Kg tomato crate. He then sold the tomatoes in a door to door round. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the operation three times, and returned home with $60. The man realized that he can survive by this way, and started to go everyday earlier, and return late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled everyday. Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, and then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles. 5 years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US. He started to plan his family's future, and decided to have a life insurance. He called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded the broker asked him his email.
The man replied, 'I don't have an email.'
The broker answered curiously, 'You don't have an email, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an email?!!'
The man thought for a while and replied, 'Yes, I'd be an office boy at Microsoft!'
Moral of the story:
Moral 1 : Internet is not the solution to your life.
Moral 2 : If you don't have Internet, and work hard, you can be a millionaire.
Moral 3: If you received this message by email, you are closer to being an office boy/girl, than a millionaire . . . (smile, just wanna wish you a great week ahead rrlr.)
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone!
Friday, January 9, 2009
My New Year's Resolution
(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)
Hi there! This title was supposed to be for my column last Friday when I would have greeted you Happy New Year. Thanks to the holiday bug, it’s only now that I’m doing that and be able to share some thoughts on what else, but something that many of us are into this time of the year: new year’s resolution.
So, what’s my New Year’s resolution? After failing to make good the good number of resolutions I made many ‘New Years’ ago, I have decided that my new year’s resolution is not to make new year’s resolutions anymore (redundant ano?). Seriously, does it always have to take a new year for us to mend our ways? The not-so-good ways, if I may add.
Talking about not-so-good behavior. That brawl at the golf course. I dunnow who behaved badly, but surely a good number of media outfits and persons are having a field day on the issue. I just have one question. Is it one of the perks? Or an occupational hazard? I mean for the officials involved.
And feng shui and the forecasts for the year of the ox (?) and the lucky charms and everything in between. So what about it? I just can’t understand why many among us should get gaga over it. I’m still having a hard time looking at the connection between Filipino belief and tradition (or should I say Catholic faith?) and that of the Chinese. Well, the food of course is a different story. And yes, while we are into the topic, I’m sure many among us ended with rotten fruits after during the first week of January. Thanks (again) to that belief of collecting fruits in time for the new year. I’m wondering how the vendors came up with fruits that are out of season.
* * *
Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento delivered his 2009 State of the City Address last Monday. He did it during the first session of the City Council for the year 2009.
Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino presided over the session. In attendance were Councilors Rey James Uy, Ver Porlares, Julius Mancol, Danilo Bernate, Regina Rabuya, Noel Sermense, Raymond Uy, Susano Salurio, Arturo Pasacas, Jonas Montealto, Virgil Clemens, Florencio Enriquez and Charlie Boy Coñejos.
Also present during the session were the various Department Managers of the LGU.The City Mayor opened his report with some LGU highlights from year 2008. The highlights showed that it was a busy year for the LGU. The activities presented included among others, the following:
* * *
Wedding Bells. Richard Mejido (of Tacloban) got married to Mylenn Calang yesterday. The wedding mass was held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.
* * *
Let me leave you with the line that Mayor Mel Sarmiento said to cap his 2009 SOCA. It was a message that Finance Secretary sent him via text:
"Despite the generally unfavorable forecast, we are hopeful that 2009 will be better than expected if we continue to work hard, have faith in ourselves and pray together for our country."
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!
Hi there! This title was supposed to be for my column last Friday when I would have greeted you Happy New Year. Thanks to the holiday bug, it’s only now that I’m doing that and be able to share some thoughts on what else, but something that many of us are into this time of the year: new year’s resolution.
So, what’s my New Year’s resolution? After failing to make good the good number of resolutions I made many ‘New Years’ ago, I have decided that my new year’s resolution is not to make new year’s resolutions anymore (redundant ano?). Seriously, does it always have to take a new year for us to mend our ways? The not-so-good ways, if I may add.
Talking about not-so-good behavior. That brawl at the golf course. I dunnow who behaved badly, but surely a good number of media outfits and persons are having a field day on the issue. I just have one question. Is it one of the perks? Or an occupational hazard? I mean for the officials involved.
And feng shui and the forecasts for the year of the ox (?) and the lucky charms and everything in between. So what about it? I just can’t understand why many among us should get gaga over it. I’m still having a hard time looking at the connection between Filipino belief and tradition (or should I say Catholic faith?) and that of the Chinese. Well, the food of course is a different story. And yes, while we are into the topic, I’m sure many among us ended with rotten fruits after during the first week of January. Thanks (again) to that belief of collecting fruits in time for the new year. I’m wondering how the vendors came up with fruits that are out of season.
* * *
Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento delivered his 2009 State of the City Address last Monday. He did it during the first session of the City Council for the year 2009.
Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino presided over the session. In attendance were Councilors Rey James Uy, Ver Porlares, Julius Mancol, Danilo Bernate, Regina Rabuya, Noel Sermense, Raymond Uy, Susano Salurio, Arturo Pasacas, Jonas Montealto, Virgil Clemens, Florencio Enriquez and Charlie Boy Coñejos.
Also present during the session were the various Department Managers of the LGU.The City Mayor opened his report with some LGU highlights from year 2008. The highlights showed that it was a busy year for the LGU. The activities presented included among others, the following:
- the USNS Mercy ENCAP and MEDCAP in Samar.
- the visits of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
- the introduction of the weekly People's Day at the City Hall and in some barangays.
- the campaign to reassure the public about the availability of rice in the city and the region.
- the continuing Secure Tenure Program of the City Urban Housing Division.
Mayor Sarmiento also gave the Officials and the People of Calbayog an update on what the various Departments are doing with regard to the service they have rendered to Calbayog. This was done through the presentation of score cards of the various LGU Departments.
It should be noted that it was the same score card system which the City Mayor introduced to RDC-8 and was presented to President Arroyo during the RDC meeting in September 2008. The same was ordered to be implemented in various RDCs all over the country.
The City Mayor also included the various awards the recognition that the LGU received, foremost among which is the recognition from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) citing Calbayog as one of the Most Competitive Small-sized Cities in the Philippines.
Mayor Sarmiento cited a good number of projects for 2009. Some of these projects include the following:
- the completion of the Calbayog City Sports Complex (Gymnasium)
- the new Market
- Convention Center
- Landfill
- a new Park
While he ended his report on a positive note, he also noted the not-so-good forecasts for the year ahead. He called on everyone to join hands to work hard for Calbayog and for the country.
* * *
Wedding Bells. Richard Mejido (of Tacloban) got married to Mylenn Calang yesterday. The wedding mass was held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.
* * *
Let me leave you with the line that Mayor Mel Sarmiento said to cap his 2009 SOCA. It was a message that Finance Secretary sent him via text:
"Despite the generally unfavorable forecast, we are hopeful that 2009 will be better than expected if we continue to work hard, have faith in ourselves and pray together for our country."
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!
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