Preparing for Typhoon Haiyan

With Eastern Visayas under threat by Super Typhoon Haiyan / Yolanda, Mayor Ronald Aquino earlier today convened the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council for a final coordinative meeting so as to prepare Calbayog for the onslaught of Haiyan. The Mayor's Office will serve as the command center for the CDRRMC.

The track of Haiyan / Yolanda as issued by www.maybagyo.com at 5:00 p.m. today.

The typhoon track issued by Weather Philippines at 1:30 p.m. today.

The Celebrity Hound struck again (with SILG Mar Roxas)

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.

Meeting the PAO Chief

As I have reported in an earlier blog post, PAO Chief Persida Acosta was in Calbayog. After a press conference at the Ciriaco Hotel my media colleagues took time to pose for some pix with the PAO Chief. Shown with me and the PAO Chief are (l-r) Ian Baldomaro, Jovan Ramonida and Aimee Catalan.

Covering Persida Acosta in Calbayog

Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Chief Persida Acosta is in Calbayog. We had a chance to interview her earlier tonight at Ciriaco Hotel. Among the issues discussed was the case of the former U.P. Collegian editor Ericsson Acosta.

PAO Chief Persida Acosta with (l-r) Elizabeth Lolarga of the Vera Files, Aimee Catalan of FilProducts and Dr. Erwin Erfe

More images from the PP12 Opening Ceremony

PP12 Sideligths: Waiting for the Ambassador

PP12 officially opened a week ago today. Here are some pictures taken before the arrival of Ambassador Thomas who was the guest of honor during the ceremonies.

The CACO ISKOLARS on hand to provide music for the Cultural Presentations.

The CKC Youth Symphony Orchestra provided prelude music.

Mayor Ronald Aquino talks with Lt Brian Weatherup while Governor Sharee Ann Tan talks with Monsginor Francisco Cinco as the waited for the arrival of the Ambassador.

The official receiving line (l-r) Monsignor Cinco, Gen. Loot, Governor Tan and Mayor Aquino.

(Photos courtesy of Joel Lagang for the CTIO)

Samar Leaders set aside politics during Pacific Partnership 2012 Opening

U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas is joined by some officials as he faced the media after the PP12 Opening Ceremonies. In photo are (l-r) Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento, Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, Col Emmanuel Cacdac, Lt Gen Ralph Villanueva and Rear Admiral Cecil Haney. (Photo by Joel Lagang  for the CTIO)

Calbayog City - Politics was set aside for the first time in the province of Samar, this after political rivals in the said province gathered in Calbayog City for the opening of the humanitarian mission of the US Navy medical ship Mercy. (read more)

Land Titling Program in Calbayog

Congressman Mel Sarmiento looks on as Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino shakes hand with one of the 225 patentees who benefited from the recent land titling program which was held in Calbayog City. The Handog Titulo Program is a joint undertaking of the City Government of Calbayog and the Office of Congressman Mel Sarmiento. Also in photo are DENR-8 RED Rogelio Trinidad and Fernandina Reyes of the Register of Deeds

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

The celebrity hound struck again

DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro was in Calbayog today. He was in town as the guest of honor during the 2nd (Calbayog) Education Summit for 2011. I'll be giving you more details about the visit in my forthcoming blog posts. In the meantime, let me give you something which I do on the sidelines when some celebrity or newsmaker is in town: "pa-picture".


ps. In case you're wondering about the background, it's one of the "SAKAY-NA" buses, which is part of the Education Enhancement Program that LGU-Calbayog and DepEd Calbayog is now known for. The same program has been replicated in a good number of LGUs and DepEd Divisions in Region 8 and in some parts of the country.

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.

Images from the Necrological Service

As announced, a necrological service followed the Funeral Mass for Mayor Reynaldo last Saturday at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Here are some pictures courtesy of Jan and Kim Fortaleza

Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz delivering a eulogy on behalf of the League of Cities of the Philippines.

BAYAN MUNA Partylist Representative Teddy Casiño.

Northern Samar Representative Raul Daza.

Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento

Board Member Eunice Babalcon

City Administrator Emerlito Montealto

Ms. Aika Uy - Delgado.