The 38th SOS Foundation Day Celebration

I was at the SOS Children's Village the other day. They had a simple observance of the village's 38th Foundation Day. The afternoon's program was the recognition of their local sponsors and some village staff.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento who is the President of the SOS Calbayog Board of Directors was on hand with Mrs. Vicenta Refamonte the Assistant Village Director and SOS Board member Vir Tomnob.

The local sponsors who were acknowledged were Mrs. Isabel Hernandez, Mrs. Ana Arejola, Mr. & Mrs. Gil Lentejas, Mr. Esteban Ygbuhay Sr., Mr. & Mrs. Jose Uy, Engr. Lito Rosalado, Mrs. Carolina Baring and Ms. Rebecca Reyes.

The wards of the the village prepared intermission numbers for the program.

One important announcement, sponsors are very much welcome. You may call up (+63-55) 209-37-98

Some of the local sponsors with Mayor Mel Sarmiento

Some village staff who were given recognition

Let me give you some unedited (phone) videos of the intermission numbers presented by some wards of SOS Calbayog:

SOS Children's Village Calbayog celebrates it's 38th founding anniversary

SOS Children's Village-Calbayog will be observing its 38th Founding Anniversary today.

As stated in the invitation, "the affair is a simple gathering which will give recognition to the people behind SOS throughout those salient years."

The 2-part celebration is anchored on a theme "Peace is the Way".

The morning activities will include a Thanksgiving Mass at the Dagum Chapel followed by a Motorcade around the City and it will be end with Parlor Games (laro ng lahi).

The day's events will be capped by the Recognition Rites which is set at 4:00 pm.

Treasure at the Catholic Cemetery

Nope, there is no digging for treasure at the Catholic Cemetery. I was there last Monday. There was not much people at the place, considering that it was Monday afternoon - the day and time when the local priest says mass for the departed.

Anyway, while waiting for my companion I went to the chapel and the history buff in me took a close look at what many of us took for granted or simply ignored - the arch at the main entrance.

So what about it? It is made of bricks and on the center it indicates the numbers "1885". It should be the year the gate or arch was constructed and in a way gives us an idea as to when the cemetery was opened. If the year indicated is accurate, the cemetery or at least the arch is 123 years old. How about that?

Well, considering its age, saying that the cemetery is overcrowded (with dead people, of course) is an understatement.

Calbayog Photos

Joselo Co of Studio 8 sent me a set of Calbayog pictures which I think I can use as header for this blog in the weeks to come.

In the meantime, let me give you something to make you feel homesick. Here's "Mooon, Stars and the Church", it's Selo's take on one of the sites that every Calbayognon should be very familiar with: the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

SOS Children's Village Calbayog

SOS Children's Village Calbayog will observe the 22nd Death Anniversary of their Father Founder, Dr. Hermann Gmeiner today.

Three major activities have been set for the commemoration namely, Mass, House Blessing and Admission.

The Mass is set at 3:00 pm and will be presided by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez. It will also include Baptism and Installation of the new mothers.

House Blessing will follow at 5:30 pm. The ceremony will include ribbon cutting, blessing proper, house endorsement, welcoming of the newly admitted children and presentation of sponsors and godparents.

The affair will be capped by a Program and Fellowship at 6:00 pm.

SOS is pleased to acknowledge the following house sponsors:
1. Capt. Delfin Lopez, President/ General Manager of HFS Phils., Inc.
2. Dr. Jocelyn Sison, Senior Manager, Safety & Quality Training of HFS Phils., Inc.
3. Ms. Yolanda Del Pilar, Senior Manager, Finance & Admininstration of HFS Phils., Inc.

The new Mothers:
1. Prescila S. Aquino
2. Dolores L. Baldomaro
3. Alona V. Cabug-os
4. Sandra V. Sabas

The newly admitted children for the new family houses:
1. Rossvelt Garcia
2. Jericho Garcia
3. Jhon Sairel Garcia
4. Rochelle Valentino
5. Joemarie Valentino
6. Janine Reyes
7. Jaioh Reyes
8. Jaiah Reyes
9. I-jay Reyes
10. Jainas Reyes
11. Jeriel Reyes

The Godparents and Sponsors:
1. Judge Philip Maglana
2. Atty. Aileen Maglana
3. Dr. Fe Montecalvo

Chinese New Year at the Sam Tai Chi Temple

I was invited to the 13th Anniversary cum Chinese New Year Celebration at the Sam Tai Chi Temple. In case you're wondering where it is located, it's on the 4th floor of the Lim Guan Ko Building at Rosales Boulevard which many Calbayognon simply refer to as EC Marketing.

Ever the gracious hosts, Man Tiboy and Mana Iday Chan and the whole family - Alma, Vilma, Anthony, Jun & Andrea and Popot & Male - were on hand to make the guests feel welcome at today's affair. This was one visit though where I didn't stay long because of an appointment. With Popot's perrmission I managed to take some pictures which I am glad to share with you.

One of the many signages guiding the visitors to the temple

I didn't wear a red shirt, so I was made to put one of these red ribbon rosettes

Guests had to leave their shoes or sandals on the third floor and were made to wear slippers like the one shown on the lower right side.

Joss sticks galore

that old homey feeling

I treated sir Nilo to snacks today. We decided to visit Cantina Bernardo (it used to be Bernardo's when I was in elementary). The store was in its usual self - no pretensions, only good food. There's something in it that sets the place apart from the rest, and that's not the airconditioning (or the absence of it). Sir Nilo summed it up by saying, "baga kit an nangangaun sa balay". I guess Calbayognons like that. Cantina Bernardo still gets a good share of the dining public despite competition from fastfood and other restos in the city.

It's always like this. Posters advertising a softdrink adorn the wall at Cantina Bernardo.

My favorite food combo: Pancit Palabok and Hamburger

inspiration in a restroom

with each milestone,

we make our place along life's journey . . .

we smile at how much we've lived,

loved and learned along the way . . .

we look ahead with the happiness

that only experience can bring . . .

In case you think that poem is inspiring, don't thank me. I had a pleasant surprise to read that poem the first time I dined at chowking Calbayog. Well, the framed copy of the poem is not exactly in the dining area but surprise - they hung it at the male restroom (okey, CR if you want)

And while we are into CRs, this establishment certainly has one of the better restrooms in town. But then, the floor can get wet (especially towards closing time), the faucet needs to be locked in place, and careful not to get near the hand dryer it's kinda sensitive.

The food is certainly good considering that it's Chinese fastfood (hmm, I wish Chinese food purists will love me for this). But I wish the crew can be more friendly and that's what I love Jollibee for.

the cross

I dunnow what the occassion was, but they lighted the big cross at the Centennial Pastoral Center last night. The last time I saw it lit was on the eve of the installation of the new bishop. I always find that lighted cross a sight to behold.

My apologies, I used my old mobile phone to take these pictures.

a new commercial area

I was at the Magsaysay Boulevard Extension last Sunday (on purpose) to take pictures of the new commercial center soon to open in the area. It's the Rawis Fair Market (RFM).

Magsaysay Boulevard Extension spans from Brgy. West Awang to Brgy. Rawis and Brgy. Carayman. It is dubbed as the new growth area for Calbayog. A few years ago, there was only St. Ignatius Memorial Park (near Pido Street). Today further south one gets to see RFM and other establishments in addition to the new houses built at the Narcisa Subdivision. Of course much still needs to be done on the area, but this is certainly a good start.

the changing face of Magsaysay Boulevard

Thanks to OLPHI and the Crown Building, the face of Magsaysay Boulevard is changing. For those who have been out of Calbayog for so long, OLPHI is within the Christ the King College Campus on the ground where old-timers used to play soccer (or is it football?).

Also worth noting is the Crown building where its biggest tenant is GLOBE Telecom. On the corner of Magsaysay Boulevard and Rueda Street is Mercury Drug (yup, one of the only two establishment in the city that accepts credit cards. But sorry, no American Express please)


It's truly nice to see business establishments make the area busy. But then, there are old habits that do not go off just easily. Some Calbayognons still dry shirts on the "center island" like this one (in this case, a shirt printing establishment):

the pink house

There is this structure which I believe not so many Calbayognons have taken notice of. It's what the former bishop fondly referred to as the pink house.

The structure located beside the Parish Rectory along Sen. Pres. J. D. Avelino Avenue is actually the renovated (or is it restored?) kauswagan center which is intended to serve as a retirement house for the members of the Calbayog Clergy.