GMA-7's Mav Gonzales as she reported on the CKC Youth Symphony Orchestra. (01-14-14)

Abner Mercado's news report on the CKC-YSO

Sharing with you a news clip containing the report of ABS-CBN's Abner Mercado on the Christ the King College Youth Symphony Orchestra and other artists as they prepare for the Papal Visit.

Some CKC-YSO members in the news report of GMA-7 Reporter Dano Tingcungco

The CKC YSO at the Papal Mass

GMA news report on the CKC YSO

in memoriam Fr. Cantius Kobak, ofm

Taragpo 2013

All road will lead to Christ the King College today. Christi Regians will gather for the annual Alumni Homecoming. This year's event is spearheaded by CKC High School Batch 1993.

The CKC Youth Symphony Orchestra goes to Ormoc

Mayor Onald's message during Taragpo 2012

Mayor Ronaldo Aquino was invited to speak before his fellow Christi Regians during this year's Taragpo Grand Alumni Homecoming. Here's the text of his message:

Maupay nga gab-i sa atun ngatanan.

Tuguti ako niyo pagpadangat san pagpasalamat san mga miembro san atun host batch yana nga tu-ig, an CKC Batch 1992, an grupo nga Kadasig. Akun i-guin kakalipay ini nga honor nga iyo guin hatag agud magin kaparte ak san programa sini nga atun tinu-ig nga katitirok. Sugad man tuguti ako niyo paghatag special mention san akun mga batchmates, an CKC Batch 1978.

Para san usa nga lokal nga ehekotibo, labot la san paghatag san basic services, an higayun agud maka-atubang ug makapahamtang ngada san iya mga nasasakupan (o constituents) usa san mga buruhatun nga angay tagan san atensyon.

Indeed, this part which CKC Class 1992 has given me tonight is a chance for me to be in touch with my fellow Calbayognons. Tempting as it maybe, I would have wanted to use this opportunity to give you an update as to what Calbayog is doing; as to where Calbayog is going; as to what good news and developments there are in Calbayog. But tonight, I am more than just the City Mayor speaking in front of you, I am a Christi Regian who is speaking with you tonight. Sugad san akun guinyakan san iba ko nga speaking engagements dinhi sa Christ the King (College), akun i-guin kakalipay nga magin usa nga Christi Regian; ug akun i-guin kakalipay an pirmi pakigduyog sa iyo ngatanan nga mga anak sini nga venerable nga institusyon, an Christ the King College.

Sugad san pirmi natun guin bubuhat kada Taragpo, kita mag kukumustahay, kita magre-reconnect, we will renew the ties that bind us together as Christi Regians. Indeed, if I may rephrase a line from a song, “… every road will lead back to you, Christ the King College…”

Sa usa nga bahin, yana nga gab-i kun matapos na an atun excitement paghinulat kun sino nagdaog san first prize sa raffle; kun matapos na an butlaw san Batch 1992 ug magtikang na an kalisang san Batch 1993, atun paki-anhan an atun mga kalugaringon: hain na kita nga mga Christi Regians? How far have we gone to help our alma mater? And along that line, How far have we gone to help our beloved city of Calbayog?

Indeed it is an honor and a pleasure to be with all of you, the special breed of Calbayognons who take pride in being the children of this venerable institution. In Calbayog alone, we take pride in the fact that a good number of thriving local businesses are ran by Christi Regians; that a good number of officials, managers and employees who run the affairs of the Local Government are Christi Regians; that a good number of respected community leaders are Christi Regians; and that many of Calbayog’s movers and shakers are Christi Regians. Kun atun pag-iinu-inuhon, kun magkaka-urosa kita ngatanan nga mga Christ Regians, daku an atun mabubuhat ngada san atun minahal nga alma mater Christ the King college, sugad man ngada san atun minayuyo nga ciudad san Calbayog.

Early this year, when the Franciscans informed me about their plans to use a portion of the campus for commercial purposes, I admit I had mixed feelings. As the City Mayor, it meant that the establishment of a midsized mall along Magsaysay Boulevard will change the skyline of Calbayog, it will show progress in Calbayog, along that line is the employment opportunity for our fellow Calbayognons; and the taxes that it will be adding to the coffers of the city. On the other hand, the Christi Regian in me told me that this development will forever change the face of Christ the King College. And then, I remembered the call which I made to my fellow Christi Regians during Taragpo 2011: Just like any learning institution there is, Christ the King College needs us her Alumni. Christ the King College needs the help of her Children. Our Alma Mater needs the help of the Christi Regians. An Christ the King College naniningkamot na madugngan an iya enrollment ug nanginginahanglan pa san mga dugang na pasilidad.

The Franciscans needed to raise funds for the maintenance of the school and for the other needs of the Franciscan Province in the Visayas. I believe that I did my part as a Christi Regian when I said yes and supported the proposed development. I believe that it was my own little way of helping my alma mater. You may not be aware of it, this gymnatorium where we are holding our party tonight is one of the positive results of that development.

Sugad san guin sering ko san nakalabay nga tu-ig, yana nga gab-i akon na liwat gin-aaro dida sa iyo akun mga igkasi Christi Regians an aktibo nga suporta san mga larang pagpakaupay san aton hinigugma nga Christ the King College. Ug kaupod na sana an pangaro san iyo suporta san atun damu pa nga mag-upay nga larang para san ciudad san Calbayog. To CKC Batch 1992, congratulations on a job well-done. To CKC Batch 1993, good luck for Taragpo 2013. Ug sugad man ngada san atun mga Silver Jubilarians, an CKC Batch 1987. Sa atun mga golden jubilarian, CKC Batch 1962, may you have many more fruitful years ahead of you.

Salamat ug maupay nga gab-i sa atun ngatanan!

Grace Padaca in town for symposium

Governor Grace Padaca, Governor Ed Panlilio and Governor Rosette Lerias will be in Calbayog today. They are the main speakers at the the "Kaya Natin Ito" symposium at Christ the King College and at the Northwest Samar State University (main campus and San Jorge campus).

Calbayog's new lawyers

Pasko: An Belen sa Christ the King

This is still part of "Pasko / Belen" series". Here are my pix of the "belen" at Christ the King College. This one was set-up near the entrance of the San Damiano Chapel.

A message for Educators and Christie Regians

Last October 28, 2011, during the celebration of the the 25th Anniversary of the Spirit of Assisi at Christ the King College, Mr. Pio Santos and his wife Francie were given the Bahandi Samarnon Award as Outstanding Educators. Mr. Santos delivered an acceptance speech which paid tribute to the teachers and personnel of Christ the King College. He reminded everyone the first and foremost teaching is a vocation. He also paid tribute to Christ the King College and how it helped mold many generations of Calbayognons.


Here's the text of that speech:


... honored guests, members of the faculty and other school personnel, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.


We will be the biggest liars on this globe if we will dare say that we have not been deeply touched or emotionally overwhelmed by the wonderful gesture bestowed on us by the Christ the King College community.


Never, even in our wildest dreams, did we ever expect that we will be accorded such a distinct and signal honor as what we are receiving today. For the two of us and for the members of our family, this is a momentous day. It is a day to be treasured and remembered by all of us until the last breath of our lives.


This evening's event is supposed to be a recognition of what we have done or what we have contributed in making CKC into the fine institution of learning that it is today. And CKC believes that it is payback time. We are however, of firm belief that while it might be true that we have done something for the growth and development of CKC, we cannot also ignore the fact that we were not alone in the task of educating the young; that the teachers and the other school personnel have also contributed immensely in transforming CKC into an excellent academic institution. It is not a one-man job, it is a team effort. If nothing can be done without God, then nothing can also be achieved without the cooperation of the teachers and the other school personnel.


Thus what makes this evening's affair so meaningful and doubly significant is the fact that the accolade bestowed on the two of us by CKC silently includes also the members of the faculty and the other school personnel. While the plaques that are given to us are personal in nature and the citations written on them are meant for us, behind those inscriptions are also etched the recognition by this institution of the work and cooperation of the teachers and personnel; it is a recognition of the collective pleasures, the triumphs, the joys and the little disappointments that we, the teachers and personnel, have all shared together. These plaques symbolize our collective friendship, camaraderie and companionship. These plaques and citations are not only meant for the two of us - these are intended for all of us - for our shared victories and defeats, for our laughter and tears.


And so for all these shared experiences - 

• we thank you Lord, for the moment that gave all of us the opportunity to be in CKC and to work with the students as they embark on their journey of life; on their journey of faith and on their quest for knowledge, their search for truth, justice and peace.

• we thank you Lord, for giving all of us the chance to be in the place where many young people experience their first real contact with the Church; their first entry in a Catholic school that teaches them to try  to live more by faith, hope and love than by value of consumer society.

• we thank you Lord for CKC and the chance to learn that teaching is more than a job; that it is more than a means of putting food on the table; that permanent employment and a good pay are not the only motivation for becoming a teacher.

• we thank you Lord for CKC - for exhorting us that teaching is not just a profession, but a vocation. It is a ministry, a calling from God.

Finally, on a personal note, may I, on behalf of Francie and all the members of the family, extend to the CKC community - to Rev. Fr. Marcelo Tubac, OFM, President of the College, to the religious and lay administrators, to the members of the faculty, to the rank and file personnel and the students and parents, my heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude.

We trust that everyone of you will find us worthy and deserving again of your trust and confidence.

Thank you, good night, god bless all of us. Mabuhay Christ the King College!

Rehearsing for the Concert

As announced, the CKC Youth Symphony Orchestra did a concert yesterday at the Cebu Grand Convention Center. There was a matinee at 4:00 pm while the gala was at 7:00 pm. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma was among those who attended the gala performance.

I'll be posting some pictures of the concert as soon as I get hold of these. In the meantime, let me share the pix I took during the rehearsal.

(And for the night's repertoire, please check this link)

The CKC Youth Symphony Orchestra goes to Cebu

And here's the concert announcement from the Cebu Daily News.

The CKC Youth Symphony Orchestra goes to Cebu

Keeping in touch

A meeting of friends. That's the best description I can give to the meeting held at the CKC President's Office last October 15, 2011. In photo are (l-r) Andrew Marvin Aquino, Councilor Ina Rabuya, Mayor Ronaldo Aquino,  Rev. Fr. Marcelo Tubac, ofm, Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento, Engr. Arnol Trani and moi.

Bishop Abarquez on The Spirit of Assisi

Part of the recent birthday celebration of Fr. Mar was an "Evening Praise and Thanksgiving with St. Francis". It was capped by an exhortation on "The Spirit of Assisi". Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez gave that exhortation.

Patrun sa CKC

Let me give you some pictures taken during the feast day celebration at Christ the King College. I got these from the CKC FB account.

Rev. Fr. Marcelo Tubac as he led the Franciscan community during the mass which was held in front of the statue of St. Francis located on the CKC monastery grounds.

As with the previous St. Francis' feast day celebration, the blessing of pets was held after the mass.

Feast of St. Francis

Here's something that should be very familiar to all Christi Regians out there. The Franciscan community of Christ the King College will be off for a holiday today. It's the feast of the Patron Saint of ecology, Saint Francis of Assisi.

(poster taken from this site)