(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)
Hi there! We are 2 days way to the City 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.
* * *
On Wednesday Calbayognons will once again to say thanks to the almighty through Nuestra Señora De La Natividad for the graces He has always bestowed upon Calbayog.
The day’s main event is Pontifical Mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Bishop Isabelo Abarquez will presided over the said celebration. This year’s hermanas mayores are Pheona Camille Ladrero – Robinson, Rizza Bernardo Suan and Hannah Pia Uyloan De Guzman.
* * *
I first did it in 2008 and I’m doing it again today. I would like to feature an old account, a very old account - 1912 to be exact – of the fiesta celebration in Calbayog. I got this from the September 1912 issue of the Eco de Samar y Leyte. It was written by someone who called himself “namatrun”. The copy I got was not a clear one and that’s the reason why there are blanks in today’s feature.
The account also mentioned the name of one Señora Trinidad Camilon. If one is to check the list of the hermanas pasadas in the Calbayog Fiesta souvenir programs, that name is the first entry in the said list.
* * *
Here’s that article entitled “An Patrun sa Calbayog”
“Masadya, maribhung, malinao an cadagatan, mahayag an langit, mapaua an adlao sama san daguay sin usa nga Angel, amo _______ san ca-adlauan sadto san mahal nga Patrona dinhe sa Calbayog nga guinsalinorog sadton 8 sini nga bulan. Ngatanan mga binohat dao nabuñog san cahayag ni Maria Santissima dida san adlao san iya pagcatauo. Tubtob san ante vispera, nag ticang an pag-abut san magcalainlain nga domoro-ong, labi na an Cat_____on. San mga balay, mga cadalanan nacarahibut an tauo guican sa magkalain-lain nga dapit. San visperas san aga, nag suot na an tauo dinhi sa ciudad nga tungod san cadamo, macuri magpaca-agui an mga caleza. San pag a las doce catapos pagpahibaro san linganay sa Catedral san mahal nga Patron. Pagcabuas an mga musico san Parroquia ug sa Ipao nag libot san bungto. Ug san pagcaculop, nag canta san visperas an _____ nga cura san Catedral R. P. Jose Diaznes. Pag ca aga _______, san may mga a las 4 nag Diana an mga musico nga _______ san pagtauagtauag sa Catedral, sin usa cadali napuno san maniringba san siapa nga misa san Señora nga may mga lima nga mga babayi lalaqui bata tigurang nga dinara-on sa pag _____ san mahal nga lauas ni Jesucrisdto. Ug hasta san a las 7 nga eguin repique sa misa Mayor, waray pahuway an tauo nga maniringba san damo nga capadian nga nagmisa. San mga a las 8 amo an eguin ticang san misa cantada nga dinoyogan san maranog nga Organo, sa Catedral paroc san Señor Obispo. An misa nga guin canta an guin ngangaranan Pedro de las Heras, an masabut ug bantugan nga organista si Sr. Malaquias Nonato, Professor san musica sa Seminario eguin paquita an iya quina-adman dida san pag doyog niya san organo, cay pacasiring namon dao nahimomotang cami sin Paraiso san pagbati namon sadto nga mga awit. An nagcanta amo an mga capadian sa Seminario nga alagad san ira cabatiran ug maluay nga tingog inabutan an mga maniringba sin cahinoclob. An nag misa an Cura san Catedral linoyoloyohan san mga ministros nga si D. Ignacio Arganda, Diacono ug si D. Ramon Codilla Subd. Catapos san Evangelio nag wali si P. Conrado Maga, Coadjutor sa Catedral.”
“An Señora opod an mga magtoto-on sa Seminario ug mga Seminarista, nag tambong didto san iya trono. Sugadman an mga Colegialas opod an mga Madres naray caculang. Catapos san misa, nagsugod na liwat an aringasa ngan ribhong, cay an mga estudiantes sa Colegio sa San Vicente nga guican sa Singbahan vinistihan sin mga cadete, nag ejercicio ug nag parada sira sa cadalanan nga nacalingao san mga tauo. Pagcacolop may mga a las 3 pinangolohan san Presidente Sr. Malaquias Nonato, nag tiroc an mga sacop san Sociedad Milagrosa ug nag buhat sin rumba, carrera de bicecleta, juego se anillos y Cintas canan bag-ong tubo mga hatag hasta magcalainlain nga premio. San pagca a las 5 guin himua an macaserendac nga Procesion nga inopdan ni P. Bonifacio Villora Cura sa Oquendo, linoloyohan san mga Seminaristas inopod man an Señora nga guin lilibutan san mga capadian. An carro matahum caupay, mapaua, tacos ug angay nga nahimomotangan sen mahal nga Patrona, halad san ma-abiabihon nga Hermana Mayor si Sra. Trinidad Camilon. An ira balay pono pono sin tauo ticang pa san tinicangan san novena nga guin solemne sa ira. Diri hicalimtan an camapuanguron san mga anac, labi na si Sra. Lolay ug si Loling nga uaray hingan san cahago, paglipay san ira mga dapit.”
“Sa tuig tuig ngatanan quinita nga an pagto-o sini nga bungto ug an ira pag alagad sa Dios nag titidogang la lugod, bisan con guin tatalingoha san iba an pag parong condao calayo, cay an ira an pag contra sa Dios ug pag supil san mga mahi___lo nga pamatasan, cay basi matumanan san ira mga maraut nga guinaui-an ug hunahuna, condi sa Dios uaray magtatamay, may adlao san pag panodia, cay polong pa nga an tinonto mo, intoy, sa lauas mo o-oli.” (namatron)
* * *
Patrun sa Calbayog. Tomorrow 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.
* * *
Fiesta performances: Onstage tonight at the Nijaga Park are Aiza Seguerra and Nyoy Volante. Tomorrow night it’s Sarah Geronimo at the Calbayog City Sports Center
* * *
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, September 6, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
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:
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:
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!
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.
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!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Heroes
(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)
Hi there! It’s a holiday! 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.
* * *
So today is the last day of yet another long weekend. Thanks to National Heroes Day. What’s that again? Ah, heroes. Surely, a good number of our fellow Filipinos - the young especially – would have nothing to say except that this is another reason for them to oversleep, do nothing or maybe do gimik with the tropa, and most importantly another reason not to go to school. Much has been said about how each one of us can be heroes in his own little way, and I guess I have to rest my case. My list of acerbic comments about the not-so-good deeds of people, myself included is quite long. In the meantime I guess I have to settle with Mariah Carey and her hit song, entitled (what else?) “Heroes”.
* * *
And indeed they did again. No need to elaborate on the question and answer portion at the Senate inquiry (I find Venus Raj’s Q & A more exciting). I forgot to take note of the name of the professor in Tony Velasquez’ TV talk show, but I do not disagree with him when he said among other things, that the President did not have to be present at the negotiating table during the hostage crisis. Yun lang!
At the height of the blame game, err finger-pointing game after the crisis (which is something normal in our part of the world), someone went online to say that the church could be among those to blame for the crisis. He said something about morals and values failing, etc. Now that is something else, a crisis in the making perhaps? I may not agree with what the guy said, but certainly it was a different take on the crisis. Whew! I’m wondering what he has to say about the senate investigation.
* * *
Anti-Dengue Days in Calbayog. A spin-off of the anti-dengue program of Calbayog was the holding of the People’s Day in Barangay Aguit-itan. As per reports submitted to the City Mayor’s Office, the said barangay qualified to be ranked as among the not-so-clean barangays of Calbayog. The People’s Day became some sort of a dialogue between the LGU and the people from the area. An agreement was reached. There will be no more vendors on the road leading to the pier, pigsty and pigs will no longer be allowed, those who are into fish drying (bularan) have agreed to relocate themselves, and the anti-littering ordinance will be strictly implemented by the barangay officials with Barannay Aguit-itan getting a hefty portion of the fines collected.
A week ago today, Mayor Reynaldo Uy, together with the Department managers and some city officials visited the said barangay. There were some improvements in the so-called dry-land portion. But the wet area is another story. It prompted mayor to form a multi-office task force to take charge of clearing the area of garbage (of all shapes and sizes, if I may add).
* * *
Patrun sa Calbayog. Today is the first day of the 9-day novena-masses in preparation for the fiesta of Calbayog in honor of Nuestra Señora de la Natividad.
This year’s hermanas mayores are Pheona Camille Ladrero-Robinson, Rizza Bernardo Suan and Hannah Pia Uyloan De Guzman.
The parish events on hand are the following:
Hi there! It’s a holiday! 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.
* * *
So today is the last day of yet another long weekend. Thanks to National Heroes Day. What’s that again? Ah, heroes. Surely, a good number of our fellow Filipinos - the young especially – would have nothing to say except that this is another reason for them to oversleep, do nothing or maybe do gimik with the tropa, and most importantly another reason not to go to school. Much has been said about how each one of us can be heroes in his own little way, and I guess I have to rest my case. My list of acerbic comments about the not-so-good deeds of people, myself included is quite long. In the meantime I guess I have to settle with Mariah Carey and her hit song, entitled (what else?) “Heroes”.
* * *
And indeed they did again. No need to elaborate on the question and answer portion at the Senate inquiry (I find Venus Raj’s Q & A more exciting). I forgot to take note of the name of the professor in Tony Velasquez’ TV talk show, but I do not disagree with him when he said among other things, that the President did not have to be present at the negotiating table during the hostage crisis. Yun lang!
At the height of the blame game, err finger-pointing game after the crisis (which is something normal in our part of the world), someone went online to say that the church could be among those to blame for the crisis. He said something about morals and values failing, etc. Now that is something else, a crisis in the making perhaps? I may not agree with what the guy said, but certainly it was a different take on the crisis. Whew! I’m wondering what he has to say about the senate investigation.
* * *
Anti-Dengue Days in Calbayog. A spin-off of the anti-dengue program of Calbayog was the holding of the People’s Day in Barangay Aguit-itan. As per reports submitted to the City Mayor’s Office, the said barangay qualified to be ranked as among the not-so-clean barangays of Calbayog. The People’s Day became some sort of a dialogue between the LGU and the people from the area. An agreement was reached. There will be no more vendors on the road leading to the pier, pigsty and pigs will no longer be allowed, those who are into fish drying (bularan) have agreed to relocate themselves, and the anti-littering ordinance will be strictly implemented by the barangay officials with Barannay Aguit-itan getting a hefty portion of the fines collected.
A week ago today, Mayor Reynaldo Uy, together with the Department managers and some city officials visited the said barangay. There were some improvements in the so-called dry-land portion. But the wet area is another story. It prompted mayor to form a multi-office task force to take charge of clearing the area of garbage (of all shapes and sizes, if I may add).
* * *
Patrun sa Calbayog. Today is the first day of the 9-day novena-masses in preparation for the fiesta of Calbayog in honor of Nuestra Señora de la Natividad.
This year’s hermanas mayores are Pheona Camille Ladrero-Robinson, Rizza Bernardo Suan and Hannah Pia Uyloan De Guzman.
The parish events on hand are the following:
- September 4: Confirmation at 9:00 am
- September 5: Clergy in Concert at 7:00 pm
- September 6: Parish Night at 6:00 pm
- September 7: Re-dedication of the Cathedral and Procession at 3:00 pm
- September 8: Pontifical Mass at 9:00 am
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!
Friday, August 27, 2010
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:
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!
* * *
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.
* * *
This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Death of a Bishop
Hi there! It’s another week and it’s Friday the 13th. Nope, no bishop died today. So, what’s with today’s title? You might want to ask. It’s the history buff in me again. Last Tuesday (August 10, 2010) we commemorated the 90th anniversary of the death Bishop Pablo Singzon, the first Bishop of Calbayog. Now that I have your attention, let me share what I got from some archival records. I already featured it in this column about two years ago. I thought I’d like to take a few moments of your time today as we recall some sad moments in the life of one of the leaders who have served the Diocese of Calbayog, in his case, the Catholic faithful in the islands of Samar, Leyte and the Marianas.
* * *
Sometime in 2008, while preparing for the Calbayog coffee table book, I received photocopies of the issues of the Eco de Samar y Leyte. I thought it was a bundle of issues only from 1911-1913. Later on would I find an issue dated August 14, 1920 and the English section contained an account on the death of the first Bishop of Calbayog. It’s the year (of the Bishop’s death) that made me wonder.
If one is to check the portraits of Bishops at the Bishop’s House in Calbayog (which many locales fondly refer to as the palacio), a plate beneath Bishop Singzon’s portrait states that he was Bishop of Calbayog from 1910 – 1922. And checking on his tombstone at the Cathedral, it stated that he returned to his creator in 1923. This obviously needs more checking. In the meantime, let me share with you (in its entirety) what I got from the Eco de Samar y Leyte.
That particular issue on August 14, 1920 had this as its headline in the English section: “MGR. PABLO SINGZON, FIRST BISHOP OF CALBAYOG DIED LAST TUESDAY MORNING”
Taking a cue from that headline, it meant that Bishop Singzon returned to his creator on August 10, 1920. Let me give you the details of that report 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)
* * *
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 weekend everyone! Ciao!
* * *
Sometime in 2008, while preparing for the Calbayog coffee table book, I received photocopies of the issues of the Eco de Samar y Leyte. I thought it was a bundle of issues only from 1911-1913. Later on would I find an issue dated August 14, 1920 and the English section contained an account on the death of the first Bishop of Calbayog. It’s the year (of the Bishop’s death) that made me wonder.
If one is to check the portraits of Bishops at the Bishop’s House in Calbayog (which many locales fondly refer to as the palacio), a plate beneath Bishop Singzon’s portrait states that he was Bishop of Calbayog from 1910 – 1922. And checking on his tombstone at the Cathedral, it stated that he returned to his creator in 1923. This obviously needs more checking. In the meantime, let me share with you (in its entirety) what I got from the Eco de Samar y Leyte.
That particular issue on August 14, 1920 had this as its headline in the English section: “MGR. PABLO SINGZON, FIRST BISHOP OF CALBAYOG DIED LAST TUESDAY MORNING”
Taking a cue from that headline, it meant that Bishop Singzon returned to his creator on August 10, 1920. Let me give you the details of that report 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)
* * *
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 weekend everyone! Ciao!
Monday, August 9, 2010
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:
* * *
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!
Friday, July 30, 2010
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!
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!
Friday, July 16, 2010
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
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,
* * *
Sarah Geronimo in Live in Calbayog! This concert for a cause will be held on September 7, 2010 at the
* * *
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.
* * *
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