The Calbayog Coffee Table Book Teaser

As reported, the Calbayog Coffee Table Book was launched last October 16, 2008. The launching program was part of the events slated for the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Celebration.

My friends Nelson Petilla and Dante Rosales made a teaser for the book. In a way it gives us a glimpse of the book that will try to present Calbayog history.

Here are some details of the book courtesy of Nelson:

Finally its here! A documentation and showcase of history and heritage of Calbayog that will instill pride among generations of Calbayognons is now in a book.

The book traces the beginnings of Calbayog’s history and explores its cultural, economic and political development as the premier city in Samar island and the center of the Diocese in Samar. It also showcase the beautiful natural tourist attractions that make it the Philippines’ only City of Waterfalls.

Features six major stories:
1. Calbayog’s social and economic history;
2. Calbayog as the Religious Center of the province;
3. The culture of Calbayog showing its music, theater & dance, literature, and visual arts;
4. Governance with its unique role as the only city in the entire island of Samar;
5. Its people who have propelled Calbayog to national prominence and have accomplished outstanding achievements; and
6. Calbayog’s Natural Heritage.

The book is hard bound with protective sleeve, contains about 200 full color pages and glossy photographs, 11×26 inches in full spread, and will be printed in limited (1,000) copies only.

I would have wanted to include the video that Nelson uploaded in YouTube, but I'm having a hard time uploading it in this blog post. In the meantime you may please check these links:

Nelson's Photoblog
YouTube

Peter and Lady

I was able to upload some pix taken during the wedding of Peter and Lady (Avergonzado) Lavendia.

Please check this link.

in memoriam Francisca Balza - Maglana

Mana Iday returned to her creator today. She was 78.

A Concert for SOS Calbayog

We would like to invite all Calbayogons, especially those based in Metro Manila to watch "Village Boys", a concert featuring International Tenor Dominique Moralez and Baritone Nonon Baang. This will be held at the Philam Life Auditorium, U.N. Avenue, Manila on December 8, 2008 (Monday) at 8:00 pm.

This concert will have SOS Calbayog as its beneficiary. It is organized and directed by Mr. Nonon Baang who is a professor at the UST Conservatory of Music. He is the brother of Mario Victor Baang, the Village Director of SOS Calbayog.

Tickets are priced at Php 500, Php 300 and Php 150 (for students, but with limited slots). For tickets and other inquiries you may call SOS Calbayog at (055) 209-37-98.

Happy Golden Wedding Anniversary Sir Pio and Ma'am Francie

Mr. Pio Santos and Dr. Francisca Palermo - Santos will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary today. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

in memoriam: Henry Julian Yrigan Esponilla

Ryan returned to his creator today. He was 40.

The CKC - Jose Gomez Orchestra in Concert

December 12, 2008
Matinee 3:00 pm / Gala 6:30 pm
Frs. David and Leopold (CKC) Auditorium

(Tickets are avilable at the CKC Bookstore)

Hello Milagrosinians!

Milagrosinians will once again troop to the campus of the venerable La Milagrosa Academy for this year's LMA Grand Alumni Homecoming dubbed as RAYHAK 2008. This year's host is SIYAHAN High School Batch 1984. The celebration is set to start at 1 pm tomorrow.

As of the moment, LMA still has to develop her website. I came across some links which you might be interested to check:
La Milagrosa Academy Alumni Registry
Names Data Base
Calbayognews.com

Ninoy Aquino's birthday, the stamps and Cory Aquino

(Photo taken from Inquirer.net)

Let me give you something that has nothing to do with Calbayog. Let me rephrase that, something from the Cory and Ninoy fan in me.

It's all over the news: Cory Aquino led today's launching of the Ninoy Aquino stamps. It was one of the events commemorating the 76th birthday of Ninoy Aquino. Let me share some news reports from various news agencies. Please check these links:

GMA News
Inquirer.net
Philstar

La Milagrosa Academy is 98 years old

La Milgarosa Academy will turn 98 years old today.

Today's Foundation Day celebration will include a Thanksgiving Mass to be presided over by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez; the blessing of the new Elementary Building; a Thanksgiving Banquet; and the Procession of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the school's Patron Saint.

Welcoming our 2000th Child

Let me share with you a front-page article from the October 2008 issue of SHINE, the quarterly newsletter of SOS Children's Villages Philippines:

"Welcoming our 2000th Child"

Without a husband to support, her mother was left alone with the responsibility to raise five young children. Her two older siblings, ages 10 and 11, helped their mother in selling fish. But this meager income could not provide fully their basic needs. Most of the times, they will only eat one full meal a day or sometimes not at all because they have no money to buy food.

This is the life of Annie (not her real name) before she came to SOS Children’s Village Calbayog. Her mother sought assistance from their community head, worried for her children’s health and future. In turn, their Barangay Chairman asked help from the Social Worker assigned. Series of counseling and visits led to the mother’s decision of placing her five children to an alternative family-based care while she looks for a decent living.

Annie is the 2000th child who found a new home here at SOS Children’s Villages Philippines. She was welcomed in SOS Calbayog last august 19, 2008 along with her four siblings.

Annie and her siblings found a new family in SOS Calbayog

This 8-year old girl adjusted easily with her new found family. She gained lots of friends and new acquaintances without difficulty. She is very friendly and courteous to everyone. Despite her past experience, you can feel a positive outlook on her. She is an active child who loves to play outside a lot. She is also respectful to her older siblings and is responsible in taking care of the younger ones. She is particularly close to her elder sister and her younger brother. Her SOS mother shared that Annie is very industrious, voluntarily doing some household chores like washing the dishes, setting the table and washing her own clothes. Also, she easily adapted to village practices like kissing the hands of the elders and observing village and house rules.

Together with the rest of her family, Annie goes to church every Sunday and joins in praying the Holy Rosary every night. She is observed to be a good follower if God, doing religious practices at all times.

Further, she was immediately enrolled in Grade 3 Elementary level because of her willingness to continue her studies. She does her school assignments without difficulty and wakes up on time to prepare herself for school. When asked what she would like to be someday, she immediately said, “I simply would like to finish my studies then later on find a job so I can provide my family abundant food and a decent house!”

The admittance of Annie and her siblings amplified the unique sense of mission of our dear father and founder, Dr. Hermann Gmeiner. Every child is given a new home in SOS, but the sense of belonging in a biological family is preserved by welcoming not only one child, but all siblings. Now, after 41 years, SOS Children’s Villages Philippines has given 2,000 children a new hope to succeed.

------------------------

There are other "Stories of Hope" from SOS Calbayog. Please check this link.

SOS Calbayog can be reached at (+63 55) 209-37-98

The Feast of Christ, King of the Universe

Today is the Feast of Cristo Rey.

Let me share the introduction read in today's 8:00 am mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. This introdction was taken from the Sambuhay Misalette:

The last sunday in the liturgical calendar of the Church celebrates Christ, the King of the universe. The Lord Jesus, through whom and in whom all things were made, embraces within his redemptive power the whole human race. He is the same "yesterday, today and forever." All times and seasons belong to him. He is the King of kings who reigns over "a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace."

The King is a shepherd who care for all of us and protects us. He is the firstfruits to whom everything is subjected. And Christ is the King who judges the nations on the basis of care and concern for the needy.

We are true subjects of Christ the King when we minister to the needs of the least in our midst, for whatever we do for them, we do for Christ.

Happy Birthday Mano Enteng!

Retired Judge Clemente Rosales will turn 75 years old today. Happy Birthday!

Peter and Lady

Peter Lavendia got married to Lady Alorro Avergonzado today. The wedding Mass was held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Reception was at the Julio Cardinal Rosales Hall of the Centennial Pastoral Center.

I am still waiting for some pix from the Romy Durmiendo, official photographer. In the meantime, let me share some pix which I got courtesy of Mariz Alorro - Ikeda.

Peter and Lady as they prepared for the pictorials

The newlyweds with the Avergonzado brood

The newlyweds with their bridesmaids and groomemen

JPICE celebrates Civil Engineering Week

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento was the guest of honor during today's program opening TTMIST's Civil Engineering Week celebration. The activity was hosted by the Junior Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (JPICE) TTMIST Chapter; and was held at the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center.

After opening program, Mayor Sarmiento led the oath-taking ceremonies for the new set of officers of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Calbayog Chapter.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he administered oath on the PICE-Calbayog officers. The officers include among others, Engr. Raul Yangzon (President), Engr. Romeo Santos (Vice President), Engr. Albert Doroja (Secretary), Engr. Corazon Buenaflor (Treasurer), Engr. Erwin Miano (Auditor) and Engr. Bethsabee Delgado (PRO).

The CKC-Jose Gomez Orchestra in Concert

12 December 2008

Matinee 3:00 pm / Gala 6:30 pm

Frs. David and Leopold (CKC) Auditorium

for Calbayog souvenirs

In case you need it, Calbayog arts and crafts / souvenir items can be had at KOLEKSYON. It's located at the Samar Island Cultural Tourism Gallery of the City Arts and Culture Office (at the Nijaga Park).

more images from Alay Lakad 2008

Here are some more pictures taken during alay Lakad 2008.

They're setting up the tree

The annual Light-a-Tree and Christmas "street" cafe opened early this year. The organizers decided that there will be only ten food stalls at the plaza this year and some of them opened last Saturday, minus the tree of course.

Yesterday, some members of the Rotary Club of Calbayog and some SAMELCO employees were at the Cardinal Rosales Plaza to prepare the area for the giant Christmas tree which has become one of the fixtures of Christmas in Calbayog.

Happy Birthday mommy Sabel

Mrs. Isabel Gomez - Hernandez will turn 102 years old today. Happy Birthday!

The Celebrity Hound with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap

As previously reported, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap was in Calbayog for the 60th Charter Day Anniversary. As usual, when a VIP comes to town the celebrity hound in me goes to work (read: pose for a picture). And this is it. And thanks to the Bolante issue, the Secretary's office has been dragged into the news, the more reason for me to treasure this picture (smile!)

Happy Birthday mama

Mrs. Victoria Ladrero - Ricafort will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Happy Anniversary Nick and Darling

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Nicholas Steven Alexander and Pheona Camille (Ladrero) Robinson. They will celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary today.

Let me once again share their on-site wedding video courtesy of Jason Magbanua

November 15, 2007

For their wedding pictures from Dino Lara, you may click on the pix below, or you may check this link.

Happy Golden Wedding Anniversary Mano Boy and Mana Basi

Mr. Joselito Gonzaga and Mrs. Basilisa Lim - Gonzaga will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary today. The couple are balikbayans from Orange County, Los Angeles. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

The CKC-Jose Gomez Orchestra in Concert

The CKC-Jose Gomez Orchestra will have a concert on December 12, 2008.

The concert venue is the Frs. David and Leopold Auditorium at the CKC Campus. There will be two performances on that day, a matinee at 3:00 pm and a gala performance at 6:30 pm. Proceeds of the concert will form part of the fund being raised for the repair of the auditorium which will serve as the future home of the orchestra.

For tickets and other details, you may get in touch with Arthur Dordines at (055) 209-12-89.

Happy Birthday Jehan!

Ms. Jehan Pilar Uyloan will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

memories of my ROTC days

Hey guys! (I mean the generation of males who had to undergo ROTC before graduating from college). Do you still remember your ROTC days?

Among my memories of those days were the endless formation and marching either - depending upon nature's mood - under the sun or the rain. It suddenly occured to me, it seemed like we seldom had overcast skies those days. Anyway, I can also clearly remember how strict officers can be during the inspection of uniform. Along that line I remember the (now) "classic" command said by an officer assigned to our group during one such inspection, "Those who are not socks, pull out!" Of course what he meant was that those who were not wearing socks had to pullout. No need to mention as to the amusement our group had upon hearing that line. It's an open secret that some officers are snappy as can be, but sadly, their (command of) English is something else.

Anyway, those happy memories of my ROTC days came to mind (who likes to recall sad memories anyway?), it came rushing back when I went to a local school and saw some announcements for the cadets / trainees. Take a look at the pix. Let me remind you to please don't take it serioulsy, let's say, consider it as a trip down memory lane.

"Robber shoes". Is that a brand? Or shoes that rob you?

. . . will be "dealth" accordingly. Okey, maybe an abbreviation of "dealt with".

Images from Alay Lakad 2008

Let me give you some pictures taken during last Saturday's Alay Lakad. As announced, Alay Lakad 2008 took a different route. Instead of walking the usual venue which is the Calbayog Airport, the participants walked around the city. Participants from Oquendo and Tinambacan were ferried in by the City's School buses. The events was capped by a Mass and a short program at the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center. Try to spot some familiar faces among the participants.

Some members of the CKC YDT Drum corps leading the walk.

TTMIST group

Some educators from DepEd

Calbayog Chief of Police P/Supt Lito Bigoy with the PNP contingent.

The OIC (Mayor) Councilor Noel Sermense with Councilor Sonny Salurio

City Administrator Arnol Trani with Dr. Teody Fortaleza