images from my old hometown

More about TSgt Diomangay and TOPS 2012

Outstanding Soldiers. TSgt Rolando Diomangay (standing 3rd from the left) with the other winners of the 2012 Metrobank Foundation Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS). This photo was taken during the presentation of awardees held at the AFP Officers' Club House in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. In attendance were AFP CS General Jessie Dellosa (seated 5th from the right) and Mr. Anecito Sobrepena Metrobank Foundation Inc. President (seated 6th from the right). (Photo courtesy of Pfc Marlon San Esteban and Faces, Places & Voices)

Read the whole article about the awardees. Check this link.

Eid'l Fit'r

Calbayognon makes it as one of 2012 Outstanding Philippine Soldiers

Death of a Bishop

This is my annual tribute to the first bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog. Blame it on the history buff in me and my interest in materials that are old, in this case a very old material dating back to August 14, 1920. It’s among the copies of the Eco de Samar y Leyte which I got sometime in 2008, when our team was preparing for the Calbayog coffee table book.

That particular issue on August 14, 1920 had in its English section this headline: “Mgr. Pablo Singzon, first Bishop of Calbayog died last Tuesday morning”. Let me give you that old account which was written by someone who went by the name of “PLOPE”.

“It was a melancholic and sorrowful Monday at about six o’clock when our Illustrious Prelate Mgr. Pablo Singzon in the modest parlor of the Episcopal palace was attended by his familiars among whom was Dr. Tomas Gomez. His weary respiration and the paleness of his face moved the hearts of those who were present and caused them a painful feeling of separation. The pain of his sickness was becoming more and more painful which called him to stay in bed.

At 10:00 o’clock p.m. when Mgr. Singzon found out that he did not feel a better repose nor even a rest from the pain of his sickness in his bed, wanted to sit on a chair – the chair where he received the spiritual consolations last November when he was attacked severely by the same sickness. In this chair he decided to die. Tears that roll from my eyes prevent not my pen to communicate my pain!

When the clock knocked its eleven strikes Mgr. Singzon was becoming weaker and weaker. From the neck of our illustrious patient hanged a bead of rosary, the Escapulary of the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Miraculous Medal. Around him were his favorite Auxiliary Bishop Mgr. Sofronio Hacbang, RR. FF. Jose Diasnes, Teodoro Robredo, Luis Egeda, Dr. Tomas Gomez, RR. FF. Pedro Pampliega, Santos Saldaña, the Seminarians Bernardo Bacsal, Lesmes Ricalde, and behind the chair were RR. FF. Felix Sabenicio and Crispin Singzon. It was indeed a sorrowful occasion! All those who were present observed firmly to the patient and watched his movements whose weary and painful respiration cooled their hearts. Mgr. Singzon was not as active as he used to be: his activity, attention and application were changed: Mgr. Singzon was transformed struggling between the existence of life and death.

Mgr. Sofronio Hacbang his Auxiliary Bishop and who had never left him read the profession of the faith, the recommendation of the soul; whose voice in the midst of that tranquility and in the midst of that struggling pain called his attention to listen. Rev. F. Jose Diasnes neared to the patient by order of the Auxiliary Bishop to give him a confession. How great and how sublime is to die in the name of the Catholic Religion, though in the midst of pain.

The illustrious patient was losing gradually his movements the coolness of his body began to cover him with its veil, his paleness was becoming more and more pale. Then all those who were present knelt down with lighted candles before a crucifix near the patient and said the following words: “PROFESU ERE ANIMA CRISTIANA” Mgr. Singzon gave up his last breath in the morning of the sorrowful Tuesday when the clock knocked its 3:20 strikes” (PLOPE)

LGU-Calbayog honors Angela Rubin

Calbayog's new achiever. Mayor Ronaldo Aquino takes time to pose with Ma. Angela Krizelle Rubin (3rd from the right) of San Joaquin National High School (SJNHS). Mayor Aquino presented Ms. Rubin with a Plaque of Commendation and a cash gift of Ten Thousand Pesos for being part of the Philippine Team which won First Place in the ASEAN Quiz Regional Competition in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Also in photo are SJNHS Teacher Warren Taperla, SJNHS Principal Renato Cagomoc,  Raymond Abelis (Coach of Ms. Rubin) and City Administrator Rosario Gonzaga. (CTIO photo)

A new deacon for Calbayog

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez ordained as Deacon Rev. Jose Novo Peru. The ordination ceremony was held during the Eucharistic Celebration held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral at 9:00 am today.

Rev. Jose Novo Calagos Peru was ordained as Deacon yesterday. Bishop Isabelo Abarquez presided over the ordination rites at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. (Photo courtesy of Sharon Dy-Balza)

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez with the Rev. Jose Peru and the members of the Peru family. (Photo courtesy of Sharon Dy-Balza)

That's me with Rev. Jose Peru and Sharon Dy-Balza

in memoriam Bishop Pablo Singzon de la Anunciacion †

Today we observe the 92nd Death Anniversary of first Bishop of Calbayog.

Date	Age	Event	Title
25 Jan 1851		Born	Calbiga Samur
24 Feb 1877	26.1	Ordained Priest	Priest
12 Apr 1910	59.2	Appointed	Bishop of Calbayog, Philippines
2 Jun 1910	59.4	Ordained Bishop	Bishop of Calbayog, Philippines
9 Aug 1920	69.5	Died	Bishop of Calbayog, Philippines

From the Philippine Star: Phl wins 5th ASEAN Regional Quiz

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Team has emerged as champion of the 5th ASEAN Quiz Regional Competition held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Friday, besting 27 other contestants from 8 ASEAN states.

The Philippine Team grabbed a total score of 71 points. Cambodia came close with 70 points while Thailand scored 68 points.

The team, composed of fourth year high school students - Franchesca Anne Inacay of St. Albert the Great School in Dagupan City (Region I), Kristiyanne Paul de Pedro of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School (Region XII), and Maria Angela Krizelle Rubin of San Joaquin National High School in Calbayog (Region VIII) - bested 27 other contestants from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. (Read more . . . )

DFA Release: Philippines Wins 5th ASEAN Regional Quiz

4 August 2012 - The Philippine Team, composed of fourth year high school students - Franchesca Anne Inacay of St. Albert the Great School in Dagupan City (Region I), Kristiyanne Paul de Pedro of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School (Region XII), and Maria Angela Krizelle Rubin of San Joaquin National High School in Calbayog (Region VIII) - emerged as Champions of the 5TH ASEAN Quiz Regional Competition held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on August 3, besting 27 other contestants from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The Philippine Team grabbed a total score of 71 points. Cambodia came close with 70 points while Thailand scored 68 points.

The competition had three rounds: the first round, which consisted of the True or False items (20 points), the second round, which consisted of the Multiple Choice items (20 points), and the third round, which consisted of the Fill in the Blanks items (40 points).

In the first round, the Philippine Team got a perfect score of 20 points. In the second round, the team got 19 out of 20 points while in the third round, the team earned 32 points.

The Philippines has been consistent in winning the ASEAN Quiz Regional Competition. In 2002 the Philippines won first and second places in the individual delegate category of the competition. In 2004, the country got the first place while in 2006, the Philippines won the second place. The Philippines won the first place again in 2009.

Interested secondary schools which may want to participate in the next ASEAN Quiz Competition may e-mail the Department of Foreign Affairs' ASEAN Secretariat at asean.philippines@dfa.gov.ph. ASEAN Quiz mechanics and related news are likewise available on the internet. END

mama's funeral

Mama was laid to rest today. Here are some pictures taken during her funeral mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral