a Wedding and a Blessing

I recently got hold of two sets of pictures from Joselo Co. It's that of the wedding of Vani Gabon and Aileen Magno and the other one are the pix taken during the blessing of Studio 8 Photo Shop.

(Sept. 6. 8:00 am) Blessing of Studio 8

(Sept. 6. 3:30pm) Wedding of Vani and Aileen. The couple with my group - Franco, me, Warren and Lemon.

For more wedding pix, please check this link.

For more pictures during the blessing, please check this link.

Dinner for the DepEd Secretary

DepEd Calbayog will tender a Dinner for the Secretary of the Department of Education.

Dubbed as "An Affair to Remember with DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus", the dinner and program will be held at the Division Office Conference Hall at 6:00 pm tonight.

13th National Seafarers' Sunday

"Lord, protect and guide our seafares"

So goes the reply to this Sunday's Prayers of the Faithful (at least for the masses which used the Sambuhay misalette printed by the Society of Saint Paul). The prayers included intentions for the Pope and the Pontifical Council for the Apostleship of the Sea, the Priests and Religious and Lay People who assist the seafarers, the government officials overseeing the maritime industry and the young people / students hoping to become future seafarers.

The celebration reminded me of a good number of Calbayognons who work in various shipping companies and whose emails informed me that one of their means to lessen their homesickness is to check what's happening back home through this blog.

Part of this Sunday's introduction is this paragraph (again from the Sambuhay printed by the Society of St. Paul):

"We celebrate today the 13th National Seafarers' Day, with the theme Filipino Seafarers: Leading Global Maritime Service. We honor and pray for thousands of Filipino Seafarers serving in the international and domestic maritime industry. In spite of many trials and difficulties, may they continue to be worthy ambassadors of our country and effective messengers of Christ by carrying within them the richness of our Filipino traditions and Christian culture."

Back to today's Prayers of the Faithful. There is one prayer that I would like to include in this blog. Hopefully to inspire a good number of our fellow Filipinos who earn their living as seamen .Here is that prayer:

"That our seafarers may accomplish their work with professional skill and a sense of responsibility, and remain strong in times of temptation and loneliness, drawing inspiration from our filipino values and Chrisitan faith."

Have a blessed Sunday everyone!

Birthday Greetings!

Gwyn Salinas, one of my regular blog visitors (who is currently based in Iceland), together with Ging, Mitch, Yolly, Boi and kids (Norvell, Nichole and Nathan) would like to extend birthday greetings to their aunt, Damiana Suson Llever. Ms. Llever will turn a year older today.

The Celebrity Hound with GMA-7's Emil Sumangil

Emil Sumangil, one of the field reporters of GMA-7 was in Calbayog a few months ago. I did not go out of my way to get info as to why he was in town or how is it to work for a giant network, I just made sure I had a picture taken with him. And here it is (after months of waiting), Emil Sumangil, me and Irene Pastrana.

Happy Birthday tita Emmy

Mrs. Emerita Felices - Abasolo will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

I'm Famous (almost)

I have decided to add this "new feature" in my blog. I call it "I'm Famous (almost)".

This is open to my blog visitors / readers who happen to have picture(s) taken with some celebrities or VIPs. In case you've got one, and are willing have it published, do email it to me at froiray@yahoo.com. Please don't forget to send the details of the picture(s): captions, date / name of event when the picture was taken, etc.

Let me start off my first picture for this feature. It is that of some Rotary-anns (and me) who took time to have their picture taken with Nonoy Zuñiga when he came to town to attend the Hermana Night 2008.

Nonoy Zuñiga with (r-l) Mylene Roño, Rodgielyn Togonon, Lisa Sermense, Irene Pastrana and me.

Ms. Anyag 2008

I recently got hold of some pictures taken during the Search for Ms. Anyag 2008. I got these courtesy of Ruben Mawo of Silver Image Photography.

Above photo shows Ms. Anyag 2008 Luisa Granada with 1st runner-up Divine Yangzon and 2nd runner-up Jasmine Ortega.

For more images, please check this link.

in memoriam: Purita Basco - Varona

Mana Baby returned to her creator today. She was 86.

jamming with Nonoy Zuñiga

Two weeks ago, the 2008 Hermanas Mayores sponsored the traditional Hermana Night at the LMA Auditorium. It was almost the same with the previous hermana nights - the usual food, speeches, dancing and the kuratsa. And then, there was Nonoy Zuñiga and his brother Zebedee who both happened to be the brothers of Zoraya Macaraig, one of the hermanas mayores. And jamming was the call of the night. The Voice Tag Band - Boboy & Naty Biliran with Analee Balane and Nomel Pido - did jam with Nonoy and Zebedee.

Nonoy Zuñiga with Voice Tag Band's Analee Balane, Naty Biliran and Nomel Pido

I have uploaded two unedited videos which I took using my mobile phone (which explains sound and the not-so-good lighting condition).

Nonoy performing "Doon Lang" with Nomel Pido

"The Way You Look Tonight"

October 16, 2008, a non-working day in Calbayog City

It's official, Malacañang has declared Thursday, October 16, 2008 as a special (non-working) day in Calbayog.

Proclamation No. 1624 dated September 17, 2008 and signed by the Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita was received (via fax) today by the City Mayor's Office.

The 38th SOS Foundation Day Celebration

I was at the SOS Children's Village the other day. They had a simple observance of the village's 38th Foundation Day. The afternoon's program was the recognition of their local sponsors and some village staff.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento who is the President of the SOS Calbayog Board of Directors was on hand with Mrs. Vicenta Refamonte the Assistant Village Director and SOS Board member Vir Tomnob.

The local sponsors who were acknowledged were Mrs. Isabel Hernandez, Mrs. Ana Arejola, Mr. & Mrs. Gil Lentejas, Mr. Esteban Ygbuhay Sr., Mr. & Mrs. Jose Uy, Engr. Lito Rosalado, Mrs. Carolina Baring and Ms. Rebecca Reyes.

The wards of the the village prepared intermission numbers for the program.

One important announcement, sponsors are very much welcome. You may call up (+63-55) 209-37-98

Some of the local sponsors with Mayor Mel Sarmiento

Some village staff who were given recognition

Let me give you some unedited (phone) videos of the intermission numbers presented by some wards of SOS Calbayog:

SOS Children's Village Calbayog celebrates it's 38th founding anniversary

SOS Children's Village-Calbayog will be observing its 38th Founding Anniversary today.

As stated in the invitation, "the affair is a simple gathering which will give recognition to the people behind SOS throughout those salient years."

The 2-part celebration is anchored on a theme "Peace is the Way".

The morning activities will include a Thanksgiving Mass at the Dagum Chapel followed by a Motorcade around the City and it will be end with Parlor Games (laro ng lahi).

The day's events will be capped by the Recognition Rites which is set at 4:00 pm.

The CKC - Jose Gomez Orchestra

A week ago today, some members of the CKC-Jose Gomez Orchestra were invited to perform during the Search for Ms. Anyag 2008.

I managed to take videos of the group while rehearsing their numbers. Please bear with the video and sound quality, I took it using my mobile phone (again).

"More"

"Sometimes when we touch"

working and having fun

Today's blog title was what came to mind when I reviewed this pix which I took (with my old mobile phone, again). It's the City Mayor posing with some CACO employees before the start of the Streetdance Exhibition (which happened on a Sunday).

In the photo are (l-r) Jonas Lim, Jinjin Aguilar-Cinco, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Sally Labian-Roleda, Josie Dordines-Aurea, Analee Balane, Roselle Palermo-Esponilla and Warren Taperla.

An NBN-4 reporter interviewing the City Mayor.

Young Japanese tourists taking time to pose with some Sarakiki-Hadang Performers.

and here's a video clip of the Sarakiki-Hadang performers as they moved out of the TTMIST grounds to join the parade around the city . . .

some images from the Fiesta Pontifical Mass

The highlight of the recent fiesta celebration was the Pontifical Mass which was presided over by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez. The Bishop Emeritus, Msgr. Maximiano Cruz and more than 30 diocesan and religious priests concelebrated in the said religious service. The cavernous Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral was jampacked with the faithful Calbayognon and their guests.

Only three of the four Hermanas Mayores, namely Minda Tabones - Llamas, Marie Acuesta - Sauz and Zoraya Zuñiga - Macaraig made it to the celebration. Lor Obong - Fresnedi was in the U.S. for an urgent business.

At the end of the celebration, the istandarte was handed over to the hermanas nominadas - Prima Yangzon - Fortuna, Ideltudes Romano - Alegria and Venancia Yangzon.

I got too excited about the event, I remembered to take only a few shots towards the end of the acitvity. I'll be sharing some more pictures the moment I get it from the official photographer. In the meantime please bear with what I've got.

The Knights of the Altar leading the faithful in singing the synod theme song

Bishop Abarquez with Fr. Andy Pacoli (back to the camera) as they did the synod theme song.

Minda Tabones - Llamas as she delivered her thank you message

The Bishop as he incensed the image of the Patron Saint.

Happy Birthday Raul

my friend Raul A. Rosales will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday BoyNico, Sally, Bong and Alex

Mr. Roberto "Boi" Nicolasora, Salome "Sally" Roleda, Reynaldo "Bong" Obong and Alex Calipes will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

more images from the fiesta parade

As with the previous fiesta celebrations, this year's fiesta parade was held at 7:00 am yesterday. The participants were advised to be at the assembly area - the front of the City Hall and the Cathedral - at 6:00 am.

And the area looked like this around six in the morning . . .

... soon it would be filled with color, thanks to the uniforms of the various school drum corps

the parade participants as they waited for the announcement to start the parade.

Waiting for other guests to arrive. Mayor Mel Sarmiento (standing) with (l-r) VM Ronald Aquino, Councilors Ina Rabuya, Ver Porlares and Sonny Salurio.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with VM Ronald Aquino and Engr. Arnol Trani.

Mayor Sarmiento (in white) with (l-r) the hermanas mayores Marie Acuesta - Sauz and Minda Tabones - Llamas, Councilors Danny Bernate, Ina Rabuya & Ver Porlares and VM Ronald Aquino.

. . . and here are some pix of the crowd which turned up for the activity

in memoriam: Felicisimo G. Sabenicio, Sr.

Mano Esin, the former mayor of the Municipality of Santo Niño returned to his creator today. He was 84.

in memoriam: Lucita Irigon - Tarrayo

Mana Inday Tarrayo returned to her creator today.

Happy Birthday Mana Ina

Councilor Regina Rabuya will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

in memoriam: Soledad Cagoco - Rosales

Mana Soling returned to her creator today. She was 86.

Images from the Hadang 2008 Streetdance Exhibition

Let me give you some pictures I took (thanks to my old mobile phone) before the start of the Grand Streetdance Exhibition.

The activity was held at the TTMIST ground earlier today. The event commenced with the participants parading around the city in the middle of the day (yup, at past 1 pm). I will be posting some more (and better) pictures. In the meantime let me give you the pix as the participants prepared for the parade.

Images from the Fiesta 2008 Parade (2)

Here's the second set of pictures I took during the fiesta parade. The participants are from the various public and private high schools of Calbayog.

San Policarpo National High School Drum Corps

Trinidad National High School Drum Corps

Rafael Lentejas Memorial School of Fisheries Drum Corps

San Joaquin National High School Drum Corps

La Milagrosa Academy Drum Corps

Calbayog City National High School DrumCorps
CKC YDT Drum Corps