break anay: Dennis Villegas pays tribute to Calbayog's PD Cab Drivers

Hi! I came across an update from the blog of Dennis Villegas. It was his tribute to Calbayog's PD Cab Drivers whom many locals refer to as "traysikel" drivers. I have featured below two pictures which I grabbed from his blog.

To check on the article, please click on the pictures or this link.

Happy Birthday mommy

Mrs. Nieves Tallon will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

we are famous (almost)

(This is my second feature in the 'I am famous (almost)' section of my blog. This is open to my blog visitors who happen to have pix with some celebrities or VIPs. You may email it to me at froiray@yahoo.com. Don't forget to mention the details like date, event, etc.)

When Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap came to Calbayog, the celebrity hound not only in me but in some employees of the City Arts and Culture Office went to "work". And by "work" I mean posing for a picture. And here it is.

The Date: October 16, 2008.

The Event: The Closing Ceremonies of the 60th Charter Day Celebration

Secretary Arthur Yap (or SACY) with Mayor Mel Sarmiento (in white), me (in front of SACY) and Allan Arejola. (seated l-r) Jopat Cinco and Analee Balane.

(standing l-r) Naty Mancol-Biliran, Eric Salurio, Delia Delgado-Ramirez, Jinjin Aguilar-Cinco, Sally Labian-Roleda, Josie Dordines-Aurea, Roselle Palermo-Esponilla, Wacky Flores and Jun Salurio.

a pleasant surprise

I you are a regular massgoer in Calbayog, by this time you must be aware of the preparations being made for the Second Diocesan Synod which the Diocese of Calbayog will undetake as part of its Centennial Celebration.

Yes, the Diocese of Calbayog will turn 100 years old on April 10, 2010.

Among the features of the synod (which is set in the first quarter of 2009) is the theme song entitled "Bungyod, Paki-usa" (words by Boi Nicolasora; music by Bong Obong).

I was pleasantly surprised to find online the lyrics of this song - AND - a link for one to have it as a phone ringtone (this one though, I believe is only for phone service providers outside the Philippines; and for a fee).

Please check this link.

Happy Birthday Yep-yep

Atty. Geffer Mancol will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Congressman!

Congressman Reynaldo Uy will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

googling Calbayog

I was "googling" (what a term!) for Calbayog and I came across a material about the city in the destinations section of Philippine Airlines website. It's nice to note about Calbayog being featured (short as the feature may be) in the site of one of the country's top airlines. However, after taking a close look (kumbaga reading between the lines, literally) I realized there was something not right in the feature. Alas, even "branded" companies can flimflam on their features.

Check this link.

the celebrity hound with Archbishop Capalla

As reported earlier, the National Board of Trustees of SOS Villages Philippines held their Annual Board Meeting at SOS Calbayog. The meeting was presided over by the Board President, Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao who happens to be a past President of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The celebrity hound in me made sure I had my picture taken with the Archbishop.

more Charter Day images

Hi! I was able to get of of another set of pictures taken during the Charter Day Celebration. Let me give you what I got from the Food Tourism Festival and the Photo Exhibit in honor of the late Senate President Jose Avelino.

Please check these links:

Food Tourism Festival.

That Man from Samar

images from the Agro Fair and Opening Ceremonies

Hi there! At last I got hold of some pictures taken during the opening of the Agro-Industrial Fair and the Charter Day Opening Program.

I'll be posting more pictures in the next few days. In the meantime, please check these links:

Agro-Industrial Fair

60th Charter Day Opening Program

Happy Birthday Ritchie

Mr. Ritchie Roño will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

on Raul Isidro

(photo taken from the Manila Bulletin website)

I got an email from my friend Vhijaya (Obong-Chu) last week yet (October 14, 2008 to be exact). Thanks to the Charter Day celebration I read it only today. It had something to do with a Manila Bulletin article on one of Calbayog's most successful artists - Raul Isidro. I thought I wanted to share it wth you.

Please check this link.

Happy Birthday Mayet

Maritess "Mayet" Balza will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Mana Chat

Mrs. Rosario "Chat" Gonzaga will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Calbayog!

Calbayog is 60 years old today! Happy Charter Day everyone!

Happy Anniversary Jim-jim and Ejae

Councilor Jim-Jim Uy and Ejae Uy will celebrate their 3rd Wedding Anniversary today. Congratulations!

siday: Calbayog - Mutya san Samar

In celebration of the 60th birthday of Calbayog, Yoyoy Genotiva gave me permission to feature a composition - SIDAY - in my blog.

CALBAYOG - Mutya San Samar

I
Inop ka nga syudad probinsiya san Samar
Natundan nga dapit ikaw nakalandaw
Bugtong nga Syudad ka nga amon minahal
Ngaran mo Calbayog, Katahom, Katin-aw.

II
Calbayog syudad ka, malamrag, hamili
San mga Samarnon ikaw pinalabi
Syudad nga natindog reyna nga pinili
Adton imo dagway matahom ug putli.

III
Calbayog Syudad ka san mga Samarnon
Syudad sadton lus-ay, matam-is nga hiyom,
Syudad sadton siplat nga may kahulugan
Nga nakakapukaw sadton mga dughan.

IV
Calbayog Syudad ka sadton kabukiran
Duyan san pagsirak, pagtunod san bulan,
An imo anino sadton kakurulpon
Daw ranggat san Perlas an imo katahom.

V
Calbayog Syudad ka sadton kagurangan
Nga ginsasalagan sadton kahayupan,
Adorno nga bukad sadton kakahoynan
Bukad san orkedya hymno an tigaman.

VI
Calbayog syudad ka daplin sa baybayon
Baybay nga may gugma sadton kablasanon,
Adton mga isda puno san paglaom
Grasya sadton kablas an imo kinhason.

VII
Calbayog Syudad ka ni Maria Clara
Bungto san magbaysay nga mga daraga,
Calbayog Syudad ka sadton mga Rajah
Natindog pag-ugop san iya konsensiya.

VIII
Calbayog Syudad ka nga dire kalimtan
Bisan diin dapit sinin kalibutan,
An mga nahirayo nga aton kabugtuan
Naturo an luha kon ikaw hinumduman.

Yoyoy R. Genotiva

Images from the Ten Outstanding Calbayognons awards ceremonies

Let me give you some pictures during the awarding ceremonies for the Ten Outstanding Calbayognons. The event was held at the Nijaga Park last night. (I got these pix courtesy of Ruben Mawo of Silver Image)

As to other details like the selection and messages, I'll be giving these in my next blog updates.

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento delivering his message

(l-r) Isidra Oriendo (Outstanding Punong Barangay), Marto Calamayo (Outstanding Agriculturist), Lourdes Matan (Outstanding Teacher) and SPO2 Genaro Nabual (Outstanding Policeman)

Mayor Mel Sarmiento (r-l) with Councilor Julius Mancol (Charter Day 2008 Execom Chair), Ruben Savellano representing Julio Co (Outstanding Entrepreneur), Dr. Socorro Bohol representing WESADEF (Outstanding NGO), Msgr. Francisco Cinco representing the Diocesan Commission on Health Care (Outstanding People's Organization) and Mr. Gregorio Urot, Sr. representing Biatungan Marketing Cooperative (Outstanding Cooperative)

Calbayog at 60: Day 8

Tomorrow is the 8th day of the set of activities leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.

Scheduled for the day is the launching of the Calbayog Coffee Table Book. This will be held at the Nijaga Park at 7:00 pm tonight. The second activity for the night is the concert of Gloc-9

Ongoing activities:

- Agro - Industrial Fair at the Nijaga Park

- Art Exhibit at I's Plant

- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum

Happy Birthday Irene

Ms. Irene Pastrana will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Images from the "That Man from Samar photo Exhibit"

"That Man from Samar", a photo exhibit paying tribute to the late Senate President Jose Avelino, aka the father of Calbayog City, officially opened tonight at the Museo de Calbayog.

Among those in attendance were the City Officials led by Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Mayor Fred Serrano of Sta. Margarita and the two grandchildren of the late Senate President namely, Jose Avelino III and Loudette Avelino.

Here are some pictures from the event courtesy of Ruben Mawo

Mayor Mel Sarmiento cutting the ribbon with Mayor Fred Serrano and Jose Avelino III.

Jose Avelino III delivers a speech as Mayor Mel Sarmiento and Loudette Avelino listen.

Mayor Sarmiento with Councilor Julus Mancol and Metrobank Manager Jerry Peroll

And here are some close-up shots of some pictures on exhibit.

Sen. Pres. Jose Avelino with his wife Enriqueta and President Elpedio Quirino.

Sen. Avelino (extreme right) at a Malacañang function with President Manuel Quezon (2nd from the right)

President Manuel Quezon greeting some guests which included Mrs. Enriqueta Avelino (to the President's left)

Sen. Avelino taking oath before President Quezon.

Sen. Avelino (right) with Preident Quezon and an unidetified official in Malacañang

The Avelinos at a Malacañang function with President and Mrs. Elpidio Quirino.

Sen. Avelino with Generalissimo Franco of Spain

Calbayog at 60: Day 6

Tomorrow is the 6th day of the set of activities leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.

Scheduled for the day is one of the big events of the Charter Day Celebration:

The Awarding Ceremonies for The Ten Outstanding Calbayognons which will be held at the Nijaga Park at 7:00 pm.

This will be followed by a performance of Jose Gomez Songs.

Ongoing activities:
- Agro - Industrial Fair at the Nijaga Park
- Art Exhibit at I's Plant
- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum

Happy Birthday Mana Bebot

Mrs. Nida Uy - Beso, the head of the City Economic Enterprise Development & Management Office will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Images from the Food Tourism Festival

The Foud Tourism Festival was held tonight at the Nijaga Park. The event is a component of the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Celebration.

Inspired by Iron Chef America (well, almost), the event saw some local caterers outdo each other in preparing and presenting traditional Calbayog fare which included escabeche, labtinaw, sinakugan and everybody's favorite - humba.

A huge crowd turned up for the event which was aimed at promoting local cuisine and the endless possibilites that one can do with it.

Let me share some pictures courtesy of Ruban Mawo of Silver Image.

The judges (l-r) Ciati Togonon-Irigon, Brenda Tan, Nida Beso, Celing Sarmiento and Boy Nicolasora

Ciati Irigon and Celing Sarmient with Ann Rosales of Ann's Catering

Mayor Mel Sarmiento checking on one of the competitors while waiting for the result

Chat Gonzaga of Rosario's Kitchen

Ruby Bartolome-Ayong and Ruth Bartolome-Enriquez of Mangroove Caterers

The crew of City Square catering

Nida Beso interviewing a crew of Ho Chow (Chinese) Restaurant

Calbayog at 60: Day 5

Tomorrow is the 5th day of the set of activities leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.

One event is scheduled to the held at the Nijaga Park:

7:00 pm. Calbayog Folkdances (Love Performance / Video)

Ongoing activities:
- Agro/Eco Fair at the Nijaga Park
- Art Exhibit at I's Plant
- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum

break anay: something new from Dennis Villegas

(A colorful Sarakiki-Hadang Streetdance contingent as seen from the lens of Dennis Villegas)

Let me share with you something from Dennis Villegas, his pix during his latest visit to Calbayog.

Please check these: link 1, link 2.