Chinese New Year at the Sam Tai Chi Temple

The invitation to the Chinese New Year Celebration at the Sam Tai Chi Temple is something I always look forward to every year. The said temple is located on the top floor of the Lim Guan Kho building along Rosales Boulevard. It is own by Tiboy and Iday Chan. Their kids were my schoolmates at the Calbayog Chinese School.


I forgot to take note of the explanations which Anthony Chan gave me regarding the images and the rituals at the temple. In the meantime, let me give you some pictures which i took during yesterday's celebration.

The Lin Guan Kho Building

The "wish candles" which guests lighted and placed at the temple altar

The Prosperity Cakes

And yes, you have to leave your shoes before entering the temple

Waterfalls at the Park

This is related to an earlier blogpost (please check this link). And in a way, ini nga blogpost dedicated sadto nga mga tawo nga magyakbot ug magyubit. Dire pa ngani tapos an proyekto, sige na an yaw-yaw mahitungod san "waterfalls project" sa Nijaga Park.


Neway,I have featured a picture which I got courtesy of Mr. Joel Madadong. I think he took this picture days ago when they tested the water pump at the soon-to-be-finished project. The said project will be officially inaugurated on February 14, 2012.

(photo courtesy of Mr. Joel Manadong)

Calbayognon places 3rd in ASEAN National Quiz Bee

3 students from provincial schools win ASEAN quiz bee


MANILA, Jan. 26 — Three students from provincial schools will represent the country to the 5th ASEAN Quiz in Cambodia in August 2012 after they won the 5th ASEAN Quiz National Competition held Wednesday at the People's Television (PTV) in Visayas Ave., Quezon City.


The winners of the competition were Francesca Anne C. Inacay, a student of St. Albert The Great School in Dagupan City, Region 1, first place; Krystianne Paul A. De Pedro of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School, Region 12, 2nd place; and Maria Angela Krizelle T. Rubin of San Joaquin National High School in Calbayog City, Region 8, 3rd place. The three bested students from 16 schools nationwide during the competition.


The winners were given medals and full scholarship certificates in any four-year course at Systems Technology Institute (STI) College.


Fifteen regional winners participated in the National Competition spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd) Bureau of Secondary Education.


The contest was organized by PTV along with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Bureau of Broadcast Services (BBS), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and DepEd as partner agencies.


A project of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information, the ASEAN Quiz regional competition aims to elicit the spirit of healthy competition among ASEAN youth in a friendly quiz game that exposes them to history, social, cultural, political and economic developments in the ASEAN region. (PNA) DCT/FFC/LAM/MPC/mec


(this article was taken from the Bayanihan website)

SOS Children's Village in Calbayog says 'Salamat po' award is a gift

by Ninfa B Quirante


CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, January 25 (PIA)-- SOS Village, Calbayog City Director Emily Torculas said that she feels elated that the SOS Children’s Village has been recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).


SOS Calbayog City, along with Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) beneficiaries from Calbiga Samar, are two national awardees during the anniversary of the DSWD.


It was DSWD Region 8 Director Leticia Diokno who identified the awardees.


The SOS Children’s Village of Calbayog City was awarded as Best NGO under the Salamat Po Award and LGU Calbiga in the province of Samar for its model SEA-K KABAYAN or the SEA-K Level II livelihood program implementation, under the GAPAS award.


SOS Children’s village in Calbayog City is an NGO committed to a long term family care and education to orphaned, abandoned and neglected children.


“We are happy that our effort in building a loving home for every child has been recognized nationwide though we have eight villages all over the Philippines,” Torculas told PIA in an interview.


“It is indeed a gift as we are preparing to celebrate SOS Children's Village Calbayog 40th Foundation Day Anniversary this year,” she added.


Calbayog SOS Village has presently some 130 children under their Family Based Care program and 814 Children in 239 families under our Family Strengthening Program.


Awarding is scheduled on January 26, Thursday at the DSWD central office in Manila. (PIA 8-Samar)

Vote for Calbayog City National High School

The Calbayog City National High School is one of the Ekolitrato finalists of the DepEd CSCA
ArtEskwela Ecocampaign. To vote for the entry, please follow the instructions stated in the picture below:

It's Tita Cory's Birthday

(I got this header from one the links at the abs-cbn website)

Cory would have been 79 today. The Cory fan in me tells me that once again I have to pay to this great lady. And for this year I have decided to feature an article entitled "In praise of Cory Aquino" which Anwar Ibrahim wrote in August 1, 2009. Please check this link.

SOS-Calbayog bags National Award

Eastern Visayas bags two 2012 DSWD 'Panata Ko sa Bayan' awards


TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, January 23 (PIA) -- Two Eastern Visayas entities are among this year’s “Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan” or “Panata ko sa Bayan” awardees who will be cited during the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) anniversary culmination rites at the said department's central office on January 26.


DSWD Region 8 Director Leticia Diokno identified the awardees as the SOS Children’s Village of Calbayog City as Best NGO under the Salamat Po Award and LGU Calbiga in the province of Samar for its model SEA-K KABAYAN or the Self-Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran Level II livelihood program implementation, under the GAPAS award. (read more ...)

Samar solon urges the public to support K + 12

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan. 22 (PIA) -- Staunch advocates of the education program K + 12 urged the public to give the program a chance even if it draws criticisms from the very teachers that are supposed to promote the program.


Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento of Samar’s first district said that K +12 is an answer to the low employability of our college graduates. (read more ...)

selebrasyon sa Baut

Images of the Santo Niño of various shapes and sizes were brought in by devotees during the Mass at the activity area of the Mondejares Beach Resort in Barangay Ba-ut. The said mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Bartolome Dumalag with Rev. Fr. Armando Cagomoc as concelebrant.

Guinbuhat yana nga adlaw an selebrasyon san kapistahan ni Señor Santo Niño sa Barangay Ba-ut. Ini usa nga tradisyon san mga taga Sabang nga ka-api san Parokya san Santissima Trinidad. An selebrasyon yana nga tu-ig guin pangunahan san mga apo ni Mayor Ronald Aquino.

Pepe and Nene

Peperion "Pepe" Labian Jr. and Teresita "Nene" Balbarona - Labian will celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary today.


They will renew their wedding vows during a Mass to be presided over by Rev. Fr. Roland Cajegas at the Poor Clare Monastery. Reception will be held at the Calbayog City Convention Center.

The DBM Regional Director calls on Mayor Onald

Mayor Ronald Aquino as he received DBM-8 RD Imelda Laceras during her courtesy call last Friday. Also in photo are City Treasurer Federico Resente, Jr., (back to the camera) City General Services Office Isagani Togonon and City Budget Officer Geronides Mancol.

Calbayog City hosts the 1st Philippine Councilors' League Provincial Convention

Patrun sa Oquendo

Maupay nga Patrun sa mga taga-Oquendo san ira pagsalin-urog yana nga adlaw san kapistahan ni Señor Santo Niño.

Patrun ni Señor Santo Niño

Guin salin-urog yana sa atun Parokya sa Calbayog an kapistahan ni Señor Santo Niño. An mga Hermanos Mayores mao an akun mga umangkon nga sira Cyril Sarmiento Uy, Lloyd Sarmiento Uy, Mark Lawrence Torrijas Sarmiento ug si Micah Tarrayo Sarmiento.

New PNP Chief for Calbayog

Calbayog has a new Chief of Police. Police Chief Inspector Eufronio Obong formally took over his post as the new PNP Chief during the Turn-over Ceremony last Monday (January 9, 2012) at the Calbayog PNP Headquarters. In attendance were Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino and PNP Samar Provincial Director Police Chief Superintendent Nolasco Bathan. 

Here are some raw videos which I took during the turn-over ceremonies.

PCInsp Elmer Cinco delivering his message

PCIsnp Eufronio Obong delivering his message

My pix of the new public market

As I have mentioned in an earlier blogpost, the LGU has formally inaugurated the new Calbayog Bus Terminal and Public Market complex. The complex sits on a 3.5 ha. property off Magsaysay Boulevard extension in Barangay Bagacay, Calbayog City. Here are some pictures I took before yesterday's program.

This is the new Public Market. The "dry section" is at the ground floor while the "wet section" is at the second floor.

Demy Dimaranan, Tony Tallon, Dr. Teody Fortaleza and Chu-chu Aquino as they took a close look of the wet section before the program.

The "wet section" of the new public market (pix up and below)

The "dry section" on the ground floor.

New Calbayog PNP Chief vows to crush private armed groups

by Ninfa B Quirante


CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- The newly appointed Calbayog City Police Chief vows to crush private armed groups, and end illegal gambling and illegal drug trade in this prime city of Samar.


In a report aired over Radyo ng Bayan-Calbayog, reporter Gene Navilon said that yesterday, Police Provincial Director Nolasco Bathan officiated the turn over of command from Police Chief Inspector Elmer Cinco to PChief Inspector Eufronio Obong at the Calbayog City Police Station.


“I warn the PNP elements who maybe protectors of illegal traders to shape up as the public needs the PNP not only to maintain peace and order, and prevent crimes but we also need their confidence in us,” Obong said.


Bathan challenged the new chief and members of the police force to persevere in the quest to preserve Calbayog City’s peace and order. (with Gene Navilon DYOG NBQ/PIA 8-Samar)

The new Public Market and Bus Terminal complex Inaugurated

Mayor Ronald Aquino led the City Officials during today's inauguration of the new Public Market and Bus Terminal complex in Barangay Bagacay. Rev. Fr. Julio Gaddi presided over a mass which preceded the inauguration ceremonies which was attended by the LGU Department Managers and the market stall occupants.

Mayor Ronald Aquino and Vice Mayor Rey James Uy leading the ribbon-cutting for the new Bus Terminal. In photo are (l-r) Rev. Fr. Julio Gaddi. Councilors Sonny Salurio, Ina Rabuya, Julius Mancol, Ver Porlares, Biboy Belleza, Nonoy Pasacas, Ronald Mark Aquino, Jonas Montealto, Virgil Clemens and Raymund Uy.

New Police Car and Firetruck for Calbayog

Five days ago (January 5, 2012), Calbayog City received a new Police Patrol Car and a new Fire Truck. Congressman Mel Sarmiento and Mayor Ronald Aquino were present during the blessing and turnover program. Rev. Fr. Armando Cagomoc led the prayer of blessing. Police Chief Inspector Elmer Cinco led the officers and men of PNP Calbayog in the said activity.

Congressman Mel Sarmiento and Mayor Ronaldo Aquino as they took time to pose with Fr. Armando Cagomoc and PCInsp Elmer Cinco after the blessing and turnover of the vehicles.

Waterfalls in the Park

Construction is currently ongoing at the Nijaga Park (it's the portion near the Rosales bridge). They are coming up with a replica of Bangon and another waterfalls. I suppose this has to do with Calbayog's tagline being the City of Waterfalls. But then their is Iligan which called itself the City of Majestic Waterfalls. So, maybe we can meet halfway about it. Anyway, here are some pictures of the ongoing project, so as to update you of what's going on at the plaza. I'll feature photos as soon as the project is completed.

Happy Birthday Msgr. Chiqui!

Monsignor Bienvenido Chiquillo will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!


Msgr. Chiquillo is currently the Parish Pastor of the Holy Infant Jesus Parish in Oquendo.

9 young Calbayognon studes pass P-Sci entrance exam

91 East Visayans pass PSHS entrance exam


... The passers from Calbayog City Division include Barchita, Danilo Daguman; Callosa, Danella Trina Santiago; Faller, Nicolas Jr. Bracamonte; Mantal, Ma. Rosella Bernadit; Matranas, Regin Val Conise; Ricaplaza, Nicole Kyla Marie Serrano; Sumagang, Haj Cano; Tocayon, Anthony Castillon; and Tubal, Laurence Aliman.


(read the whole report)

The Party's over

The belen at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

The longest Christmas celebration (which  proudly Pinoy, if I may add) officially ends today with the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany. 


During today's mass, the celebrant gave focus on the three words said in the Gospel these words that best sum up of what is expected of us and our belief in God or the newborn child.


" . . . they were OVERJOYED at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They PROSTRATED themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and OFFERED him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh . . ."

Opening Today: Bo's Coffee in Calbayog

Bo's Coffee will formally open today. Blessing and brunch is set at 10:00 a.m. Bo's Calbayog is located along Umbria Street, Calbayog City. In case you have a hard time knowing where that street is, the establishment is located in front of the old building which used to house the Calbayog Chinese School.


Here are some pictures I took when I visited the place yesterday.

Mayor's Ronald Aquino's first Presscon for 2012 (2)

Here are two more video clips which I took during Mayor Aquino's presscon last Tuesday.

Happy Anniversary to Mr. Ernesto and Mrs. Emmy Abasolo

Mr. Ernesto and Mrs. Emmy Abasolo will celebrate their 55th Wedding Anniversary today. Congratulations and  Best Wishes!

Mayor's Ronald Aquino's first Presscon for 2012 (1)

Mayor Ronaldo Aquino had his first presscon for 2012 last Tuesday (January 3,2012). Here are the first two clips which I managed to take during the said presscon.

Happy Birthday tita Freda!

Ms. Seigfreda Ladrero will turn a year older today. Happy birthday!

Bernie John and Leslie

Bernard John Hensler and Leslie Cabasares will get married today. Fr. Armando Cagomoc will preside over the wedding mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Reception will be at the Ciriaco Hotel.