Honest employee cited

Honest employee. During yesterday's People’s Day at the Calbayog City Hall, Mayor Mel Sarmiento commended an employee of the Calbayog City Air Transportation Office. Mr. Leopoldo Jumaday, a security officer at the Calbayog Airport was cited for returning a bag left behind by a passenger. That bag contained approximately 400 thousand pesos in cash, jewelries, laptop and mobile phones.

Despedida Party

Judge Rosario Bandal will be retiring soon. She has opted for an early retirement due to health reasons.

Last night, she tendered a despedida party to her colleagues an friends. It was held at the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center. A good number of court employees turned out for the affair. Here are some pictures courtesy of Joselo Co (Studio 8).

Judge Bandal as she received a token from Executive Judge Reynaldo Clemens

Judge Bandal with Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Simmy Villanueva, Jun Togonon and Atty. Oscar Hugo

Judge Bandal with (l-r) Atty. Ferdinand Arpon, Atty. Noli Peñaflor, Judge Felipe Maglana, Atty. Aileen Maglana and Judge Myrna Clemens

Judge Clemens (in Barong) as he led his court employees in their intermission number

DepEd update

You are looking at the future home of the Department of Education (DepEd) Cabayog City Division Office. Said building will rise in Brgy. Hamorawon on the lot presently occupied by DPWH. I'll keep you posted on the progress of this project.

Congrats John-john

The Knights of the Altar Program (KofA) of Our Lady's Nativity Parish is pleased to congratulate one of its members - John-John Abasolo - for passing the Nursing Board Exam.

Welcome to the Christian world Blanche Thea

Let me give you something personal (again). I was one the sponsors in the christening of Blanche Thea, the first born of my friends Ronald Anasarias & Gladys Jaropojop. Fr. Rolando Vivas did the baptismal rites which was held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral this morning.

That's me and another sponsor Rey Oriendo (we were both late) with Ronald and baby Blanche.

now for the fun part. During the anointing with chrism, all four babies cried. It was some sort of a chorus of crying babies it made us all smile. I managed to shoot (on cp video) only a few seconds of that scene.

Happy Birthday Darling

my cousin Pheona Camille Ladrero - Robinson will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

the celebrity hound with The President

Here's another picture of me standing close to The President. Thanks to Mayor Mel and Bonbon Calvara.

The last time I had this chance was during Charter Day 2006 when our group (headed by the late Boy Isidro) which helped prepare for the visit was given a photo op with The President. Sadly, I never got to see that picture, it's either the camera or the photographer or both were lost forever.

The President with Gov. Ben Evardone, Mayor Mel Sarmiento and well, me. I was so excited at the chance of being near the President I don't recall what they were discussing about when the photo was taken.

Happy Birthday Mana Mary

Dr. Mary Basco - Fulgencio will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Mana Lily

Mrs. Emily Isidro - Andrada will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

almost famous (or something personal)

Let me get personal this time. Many people have their "15 minutes of fame". When the President came for her last visit, I think I had what I'll call my 15 seconds of fame. I was assigned to anotate the short program at the airport. I would have wanted to stand beside the President, but the PMS, the PSG and the Protocol people said NO. So I ended standing a few steps in front of the President. Thanks to some photographers present, I was able to grab copies of pictures of me doing just that - standing in front of the VIPs.

These pix were taken as Mr. Jaime Bautista was delivering his briefing on PAL services. Where am I? On the right side (with mic and script on hand) with some ordinary mortals.

Images from the President's visit

Let me share some pictures which I got from various sources. These were taken at airport where the President met the passengers of the PAL Express flight and had cocktails with the officials and VIPs present.

We were at the airport three hours before the President's arrival. And this is what we saw at the tarmac - the President's helicopters.

As with the other guests, the Sarakiki-Hadang musicians who were invited to perform during the event had to undergo inspection bythe PSG.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he answered questions from the media

Officials on hand to meet the President (l-r) Councilors Ver Porlares, Danilo Bernate, Regina Rabuya and Julius Mancol, BM Roger Casurao and Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino.

BM Charlie Coñejos (3rd from the left) with Councilors Sonny Salurio, Nonoy Pasacas, Jonas Montealto, Virgil Clemens and Ver Prolares

President Arroyo with some officials at the Calbayog Airport Terminal (l-r) Mayor Mel Sarmienot, Sec. Gabby Caludio, Rep. Ann Tan and Governor Mila Tan

The President with the City Mayor and other guests as they await the PAL Express Aircraft

PGMA as she gamely posed with two young passengers

a foreign tourist is greeted by the President

PGMA greeting my friend Joselo Co

President Arroyo as she prepared to board the chopper for Brgy. Sto. Niño, Gandara. With her are (l-r) Mayor Sarmiento, Gen. Tabaquero and Sec. Ebdane

The Rueda Street Walkway

I was at Rueda Street early this afternoon and I was able to take some pix on the work being done on the Walkway project. Bricks have been laid and some of the lamposts are in place. I'll try to feature pix with the lighted lamposts as soon as I have these.

Happy Birthday Bishop Boy

Monsignor Isabelo Abarquez, the Bishop of Calbayog will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

in memoriam: Mana Iday

Ms. Ignacia Lopez Cui returned to her creator today. She was 86. Her body lies in state at the Cui residence in Brgy. Capoocan.

nanu ini?!

Sign of the times? I first saw this attached to one of the trees at Nijaga Park. And I saw it again today. I thought I read BAYAN, it turns out to be BAYANI. What's that for? To promote nationalism? But Independence Day was celebrated almost three weeks ago; or for the American Independence Day perhaps? Aha! I think I have a name in mind.

Daily Manila - Calbayog - Manila flights

This is to correct an earlier blog update. Philippine Airlines through its new, low-fares unit PAL Express will be offering daily Manila - Calbayog - Manila flights starting July 15, 2008.

Flights from Manila to Calbayog will depart at the NAIA Terminal 3 at 5:20 am and will arrive in Calbayog at 6:40 am. Calbayog - Manila flights will depart at 7:10 am.