The celebrity hound struck again (with Bayang Barrios)

St. Therese at the Poor Clares

The third stop of the Calbayog City visit of the Holy Relics of St. Therese was the Poor Clare Monastery. Bishop Isabelo Abarquez was on hand to give some reflection on the virtues of St. Therese for the faithful who have gathered together with the Poor Clare nuns whom Calbayognons fondly refer to as "Monghas". After the veneration, the relic was brought to Catbalogan where it will be venerated tonight until tomorrow morning.

The Holy Relics St. Therese at Consolatrix

After the veneration at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the relics of St. Therese was brought to the Monastery of the Sisters of Mary Consolatrix of the Eucharist which is located in Barangay San Policarpo. A good number of the faithful from Ipao were on hand to the listen to the reflection given by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez; and to venerate the holy relics.

Welcome Mass for the Holy Relic of St. Therese of Lisieux

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez presided over the Pontifical Mass which welcomed the Holy Relics of St. Therese to the Diocese of Calbayog. The faithful of Calbayog filled the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral where the Holy Relic was venerated until 1:00 in the afternoon. The Cathedral was the first of the various places of worship in which the Relic will be venerated during it visit in Samar and Leyte.

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez as he incensed the reliquary of St. Therese.

Monsignor Albert Songco as he delivered a message on behalf of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines.

St. Therese of Lisieux visits Calbayog

The Holy Relics of St. Therese of Lisieux arrived in Calbayog today. Calbayog City is the first leg of her 2-day visit to the Diocese of Calbayog. The relics was first brought to the City Hall Stage for the official welcome by both the Parish of Our Lady's Nativity and the City Government of Calbayog. It was then brought to the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral for the Welcome Mass and the Veneration by the faithful.

Some members of the Calbayog Biskers Association as they led the motorcade which brought in the relic of St. Therese.

On hand to welcome the relic were Monsignor Francisco "Jun" Cinco (on behalf of the Parish) and Mayor Ronaldo Aquino (on behalf of the LGU). Also on hand was Monsignor Albert Songco (representing the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines).

The Holy Relic being brought in procession to the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Mayor Ronaldo Aquino as he venerates the Holy Relic.

Monsignor Francisco Cinco as he led the faithful in prayer.

A Valentines' Day Concert

The Pilgirm Relics of St. Therese of Lisieux to visit the Diocese of Calbyayog

The Holy Relics of St. Therese of Lisieux will be in the Diocese of Calbayog on the 17th and 18th of February 2013

I shot them all

A week ago today, Rissa Hontiveros was in Calbayog. A presscon was held at Ciriaco Hotel. And as expected, my media colleagues took time to have their pix taken with the VIPs. This is the picture I took.

Dayun kam sa Calbayog

Calbayog's Tourism Destinations map as featured in the new brochure

The CKC Youth Symphony Orchestra goes to Ormoc

From the Vera Files: PNP vows to dismantle Samar’s two remaining private armies

CATBALOGAN CITY—As the start of the campaign period for the May 13 elections draws near, the Philippine National Police in Eastern Visayas is pursuing the remaining members of two partisan/private armed groups (PAGs) in hotspot Samar to ensure a “secured and fair elections.”

“Our main goal in this campaign is to make sure that it is really the sovereign will of the people that are reflected in the election results and not due to fear, violence and intimidation,” said Chief Superintendent Elmer R. Soria, Eastern Visayas police director.

The PNP defines PAG as a group of two or more persons being used by a certain politician or individual to sow fear or intimidation, possessing legal or illegal firearms to advance political interest.

In Samar, police identified the remaining PAGs as the Moloboco group and the Montealto group. The groups are allegedly funded by members of political clans in power. The province is among the 15 priority election watchlist areas of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

As early as last September, the PNP began moving to dismantle the two PAGs. (read more . . . )

Demolition of the dilapidated Calbayog Public Market

Let me share my raw videos which I took during the demolition of the public market

The celebrity hound struck again

Senatoriable Rissa Hontiveros was in Calbayog last Saturday. As expected, the celebrity hound was  on hand for a picture with the said celebrity.

New Team of Pastors for Our Lady's Nativity Parish

The new Team of Pastors of Our Lady's Nativity Parish was formally installed today. Forming the team are Monsignor Francisco Cinco III, Rev. fr. Niceas Abujuela and Rev. Fr. Roland Cajegas. Bishop Isabelo Abarquez delivered the homily during the Installation Mass which was held at the Sts. Peter Cathedral. The new pastors will be serving the parish until year 2017.

The Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Mike Aguilar after he read the appointment of the new Team of Pastors.

The new Pastors as they signed their appointment papers (l-r) Rev. Fr. Niceas Abujuela, Msgr. Francisco Cinco III and Rev. Fr. Roland Cajegas. Witnessing the signing is Rev. Fr. Mike Aguilar.

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez as he officially welcomed the Team of Pastors to Our Lady's Nativity Parish.

Rissa Hontiveros in Calbayog

Riza Honitveros was in Calbayog today. She was the only one out of the five Team PNoy Senatoriables who made it to their Calbayog engagement which was held at the Calbayog City Convention Center.

Mayor Ronaldo Aquino delivering his welcome message.

Congressman Raul Daza as he delivered his message

Riza Hontiveros as she talked before Calbayognons gathered at the Convention Center.