when Bongbong came to town

Bongbong Marcos was in Calbayog last Friday. In his itinerary was a courtesy call on the City Mayor. Being present during VIPs' courtesy calls is one of the perks of my job which I enjoy the most. Anyway, as with the other instances where VIPs are in town, I was up on my toes for a photo op.

That's the star-struck me after my first close encounter with Bongbong Marcos.

The room was crowded and this was the closest I could get to have my pix with Bongbong.

That's me "feeling close" to Alfred and Christina Romualdez. Surely I got their attention, I was telling them about my nice exprience when I coordinated an event at Patio Victoria.

and on the City Hall grounds, a good number of people gathered to make usyoso of Bongbong and his entourage.

. . . and that's Bongbong's car (did I use the right term?). Whew! I'm drooling. I think I'll settle for a kia sedan.

A Centennial Book on Our History

I recently got hold of a flyer on the Coffeetable Book which will be published in time for the Centenary of the Diocese of Calbayog. I thought I would like to share with you the contents of that flyer and the appeal from the Bishop of Calbayog and the Centennial Book Committee for support to the project.

"Celebrating the 100th year of the Founding of the Diocese of Calbayog: A Centennial Book on Our History"

On April 10, 2010, the Diocese of Calbayog will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding as a Diocese. It was on April 10, 1910, when Pope St. Piux X issued the Consistorial Decree Novas Erigere Dioecesis that establshed the new Diocese of Calbayog covering Samar and Leyte islands, separate from the Diocese of Cebu.

For more than 300 years before this event, Samar island was administered by the Spanish missionaries - 173 years under the Order of the Society of Jesus and 134 years under the Franciscans - all under the Bishoperic of Cebu.

Bishop Pablo Singzon, a native of Calbiga who was Ecclesiastical Governor of the Diocese of Cebu from 1901 to 1903 was appointed as the first Bishop of the new diocese. Bishop Singzon chose the town of Calbayog in Samar which was the largest and most progressive town in the region, to be the seat of the new diocese.

The newly-erected diocese had 84 parroquias - 39 in Samar and 45 in Leyte. there were 35 priests in Samar (26 were Franciscans and only 9 were native clergy). In Leyte, there were 42 priests, all secular clergy. Bishop Singzon named Fr. Sofronio Hacbang as Provisor and Vicario General while Fr. Conrado Maga was named Secretaria de Camara y Gobierno. On May 2 - 4, 1911, Bishop Singzon convoked a diocesan Synod held at the church of Palo, Leyte.

And so,

--- the cornerstone for the foundation of the diocese had been laid.

Researching for our history
How it developed and how it transformed the lives of the faithful particularly Samareños in the last 100 years is the subject of an ongoing research.

A Centennial Book
In time for our centennial celebration on April 2010, we will publish the history of the Diocese in a coffeetable book.

We already have embarked on the project to research and write the history of the Diocese, tracing its beginnings not just to 1910 when it was erected but to go further back to 1596 when the first Spanish missionaries came to Samar to introduce the Christian faith to Samareños.

We truly believe that the centennial celebration of the founding of the Diocese can be viewed and appreciated more significantly if the church - the clergy and the laity understands its history.

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An Appeal from the Bishop of Calbayog:

Your generous support is needed
This cherished dream to document the growth of our faith in Samar will only be realized with your generous support for its publication.

Be part of history
May we, therefore, enjoin you to be part of our history, be part of our centennial celebration and be one of our Benefactors and Sponsors of the book.

Your names enshrined
Your names will be enshrined in the book and you will also receive free copies of the coffeetable book.

May the Lord reward your generosity and shower your family with bountiful blessings!

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

For more information, please contact the Centennial Book Committee:

Fr. Noel Labendia: +63 927-896-4252
Fr. Niceas Abejuela: +63 918-939-4637
Charo Nabong-Cabardo: +63 915-429-6113
Rene Nachura: +63 918-900-5048
Diocesan Chancery: (+63 55) 209-13-72/ Telefax: (+63 55) 209-30-12
Email: centennialbook.calbayogdiocese@gmail.com

The Centennial Celebration

Happy Birthday Fr. Intoy and Fr. Erwin!

Fr. Renato Piczon and Fr. Erwin Rodriguez will both turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday tita Cory!

President Cory Aquino would have been 77 years old today. Let me pay tribute to the late President through these videos of the historic speech she delivered before the U.S. Congress on September 18, 1986.

your YouTube URL

your YouTube URL

Happy Birthday Fr. Toto

Rev. Fr. Rolando Vivas, former Parish Pastor of Our Lady's Nativity Parish will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Anthony and Flor

Anthony Din (of Rosario, Northern Samar) and Flordeliza Jaropojop (of Trinidad, Calbayog City) will get married today.

Monsignor Leonardo Guadalquiver will preside over their wedding mass at the CKC Chapel. Reception will be held at the Julio Cardinal Rosales Hall of the Centennial Pastoral Center.

Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Unleashing catastrophe

Let me share with you the editorial of the Philippine Daily Inquirer last January 17, 2010
(Filed Under: Laws)

THE decision of the Supreme Court to reverse itself on the League of Cities case last December, after its original ruling had become final and executory last May, is a ticking time bomb placed directly under the rule of law. When it explodes, the first casualty will be the Court itself.

In the constitutional crisis that shook the country after more than a third of the members of the House of Representatives voted to impeach Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. in 2003, the role of the Court as final arbiter of legal controversies was vigorously affirmed.

At that time, we wrote in this space: “The mere fact that some of the country’s best legal minds ... could not agree on a single position on the issue at hand is not a sign of confusion. It is a sign that the law may be a demanding mistress, but it is not an exact science. It is also proof that, if the Supreme Court did not exist, it would be necessary to invent it. Top lawyers may argue about the constitutionality of an issue, but at a certain point somebody must step in and decide. According to the Constitution, that somebody is not the Senate or the House; it is the Supreme Court.”

But last Dec. 19, a slender majority of six justices voted against this very principle. The Court’s reversal of the original League of Cities decision violated the governing idea that “at a certain point somebody must step in and decide.” The Court had in fact already stepped in and decided on the fate of the 16 cityhood laws that were the subject of the case; they were deemed unconstitutional by majority vote on Nov. 18, 2008; a motion for reconsideration was rejected by majority vote; a second motion for reconsideration was denied by a tie vote. On May 21, 2009, the ruling became final and executory.

And yet the Court decided to open the case again. Justice Antonio Carpio’s withering dissent in the League of Cities case quoted the petitioners’ view that “[n]otably, respondents craftily phrased and titled their motions based on the Court’s last denial order or resolution, and deliberately avoided reference to the previous repeated denials by the Court.” It is a shame that enough members of the Court agreed to reopen the case despite such duplicitous conduct.

It is a bigger shame, indeed it is a cause for apprehension about the future of the high court itself, that enough justices voted to overturn the ruling.

The argument against revisiting decisions already deemed final and executory is settled consensus; it is a by-now-unremarkable part of the law of the land. Carpio’s dissent offers a vigorous restating of the Court’s previous rulings. “Well-entrenched is the rule that a decision that has acquired finality becomes immutable and unalterable, no longer subject to attack and cannot be modified directly or indirectly, and the court which rendered it, including this Court, had lost jurisdiction to modify it. The Court laid down this rule precisely ‘(1) to avoid delay in the administration of justice and thus procedurally, to make orderly the discharge of judicial business, and; (2) to put an end to judicial controversies, at the risk of occasional errors, which is why courts exist.’”

And yet the Supreme Court not only revisited the case; it reversed itself. This unfortunate series of events can only erode the people’s confidence in the rule of law, and undermine the credibility of the Court. We can, legitimately, ask: If there is no such thing as a final and executory ruling, can there be an end to legal and judicial controversies? If the Supreme Court declines to respect its own jurisprudence, can anyone expect the ordinary citizen to respect the Court’s rulings? If sheer majority rule, not the hallowed principle of facts and the law, determines the decisions of the Supreme Court, can the public stop itself from treating the justices as the politicians they have become?

Carpio’s dissent defined the stakes. “Such an unprecedented ruling would resurrect contentious political issues long ago settled ... Countless other decisions of this Court would come back to haunt it ... Such a ruling would destabilize not only this Court, but also the Executive and Legislative Branches ... Business transactions made pursuant to final decisions of this Court would also unravel for another round of litigation ... This Court cannot afford to unleash such a catastrophe on the nation.”

The bomb is ticking.

Images from Ms. Hibatang 2010

Part of the recently concluded Santo Niño de Hibatang Festival was the Search for Ms. Hibatang 2010. The said beauty pageant was held on January 11, 2010 at the J. Roño Park of Oquendo Poblacion. The event was handled by Jonas Lim and his team. Here are some pictures from the event. I got these courtesy of Totoy Mawo / Silver Image Photography.

Ms. Hibatang Jennylyne Sagadal Torcino (center) with 2nd runner-up Jasmine Baldomero Ortega (l) and 1st runner-up Jamaica Amor Garado.

Wacky Flores with the Sarakiki-Hadang Performers as they did the ritual dance which opened the pageant.

The candidates in their festival costumes.

The candidates in their Casual Attire.

That's me hosting the program.

The Board of Judges. (r-l) Mr. Alexander Alegria, Atty. Sherly Bohol, Dr. Emmy Daguman-Buendia, Ms. Agnes Corsiga, Ms. Leila Lentejas-Rosales

More judges. (l-r) Mr. Frederick Uy, Dr. Charisse Rueda, Landbank Manager Chris Marco, Mr. Al Julaton with Leila Rosales and Agnes Corsiga.

The swimsuit competition.

The Evening Gown competition

Councilor Mon Uy (l) and Councilor Jim Uy (r) giving the award to Ms. Hibatang.

Happy Birthday Fr. Bernard!

Fr. Bernard Comilan will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Happy Golden Wedding Anniversary!

Mr. Manuel "Noling" Lebario and Mrs. Segundina "Gunding" (Merencillo) Lebario will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary today.

Their wedding mass will be presided over by Fr. Dennis Espiritu at the San Roque Chapel in Barangay Dagum, Calbayog City. Reception will be held at The Venue in Barangay Payahan, Calbayog City.

Joper and Terry

Joper Conarco and Terry Salino will get married today. Their wedding mass will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Reception will be at the Centennial Pastoral Center.

Maupay nga Patrun!

Maupay nga Patrun sa mga taga Barangay Oquendo!

Happy Birthday Berna!

My cousin, Ms. Bernadette Magbanua Cañada will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

OMSRA Balik Oquendo 2010

Day 8 of the Santo Niño de Hibatang Festival. Happening at 7:00 tomorrow night at the J. Roño Park in Oquendo Poblacion:

• 3rd Balik Oquendo: Grand Alumni 2010
• OMSRA Night 2010 (Oquendo Metro Suburbs Residents Association)
• Awarding of Oquendohanons' Pride (50 Achievers)

Search for Ms. Centennial Lady

The Holy Infant Parish of Oquendo will be spearheading the coronation program of the Search for Ms. Centennial Lady. The event is a fund-raiser for the Holy Infant Church of Oquendo which is still in need of finishing touches.

The activity which will be held tomorrow night at the J. Roño Park in Oquendo Poblacion is part of the Santo Niño de Hibatang Festival 2010.

Mutya ng Hibatang

Onstage tomorrow night at the J. Roño Park in Oquendo Poblacion is the Search for Mutya ng Hibatang. 11 young ladies will vie for the title and cash prizes.

This beauty pageant is part of the Santo Niño de Hibatang Festival 2010.

Basilio and Leda

Mr. Basilio Villanueva and Ms. Leda Testor will get married today.

The wedding mass will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral with Fr. Armando Cagomoc as mass presider. Concelebrating with him are Fr. Pedro Peñaranda, Fr. Tito Voz, Fr. Lito Capeding and Fr. Bartolome Dumalag.

The wedding reception will be held at the Julio Cardinal Rosales Hall of the Centennial Pastoral Center.

Happy Birthday Msgr. Chiqui!

Monsignor Bienvenido Chiquillo, the Vicar-General of the Diocese of Calbayog will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

That's me with Monsignor Chiqui in Oquendo last Monday during the opening of the Santo Niño de Hibatang Festival. Said festival is being held in celebration of the 150th commemoration of the Feast of the Holy Infant Jesus, patron saint of Oquendo where Monsignor Chiquillo is the current Parish Priest.

Happy Anniversary!

Mr. Ernesto and Mrs. Emmy Abasolo will celebrate their 53rd Wedding Anniversary today. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Happy Birthday Msgr. Mulo and Bigboy!

Monsignor Romulo Montero and Prince Christopher Balza Dennis will both turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

That's Bigboy (left) with other members of the Brass section of the CKC-Jose Gomez Orchestra.

Happy Birthday Tita Freda!

Ms. Freda Ladrero will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

The Santo Niño De Hibatang Festival

The Santo Niño de Hibatang Festival officially opens tomorrow. The event, the first in Oquendo is being held to highlight the 125th commemoration of the feast of the Holy Infant Jesus as patron saint of Oquendo; and to undercore the importance that Oquendo - particularly Caybago and the Hibatang River - in Calbayog's history.

The 12-day event will include various socio-civic, cultural and religious activities, to be highlighted by the feast day on January 15, 2010.

Opening day events include the following:

• Ribbon-cutting at the arch in Oquendo bridge.
• The Session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod
• The State of the City Address of the City Mayor
• Opening of the Agro-Industrial Fair
• Opening of the Art Exhibit (Bato De Color)

Roi and Marian

Roi Pinat and Marian Trani Peñalosa will get married today. Fr. Erwin Rodriguez will preside over their wedding mass which will be held at the Holy Family Chapel of the Centennial Pastoral Center. Reception will be held at the Julio Cardinal Rosales Hall of the CPC.

Happy New Year!

Malipayun ug Mainuswagon nga Bag-o nga Tu-ig sa atun ngatanan!