The Celebrity Hound struck again

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario Montejo was in Calbayog today. Mayor Ronald Aquino tendered a small dinner for him to which I was invited (at the last minuet). Anyway, the most important thing for the celebrity hound in me was this picture with the DOST Secretary.

The celebrity hound struck again (with Grace Poe)

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.

The Celebrity hound struck again

Mr. Tony Meloto, the founder of Gawad Kalinga was in Calbayog last Sunday. As expected, the celebrity hound made sure he had a picture taken with Mr. Meloto.

The celebrity hound struck again

That's me with Jay Taruc, host of GMA Channel 7's "Motorcycle Diaries". He was in town to shoot an episode for his Documentary program.

The celebrity hound struck again

As I have announced in an earlier blog post, Jamie Rivera had a dinner concert at Ciriaco Hotel on September 5. The following day she went to SOS to attend the inauguration of the SOS TechVoc Center. And as for me, each time a celebrity is around, expect me to do one of the things I enjoy most: piktyur-piktyur

The celebrity hound struck again

U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas arrived in Calbayog today. He was the Guest of Honor during the Opening Ceremony for Pacific Partnership 2012. 
And when a celebrity or a newsmaker comes to town, expect the celebrity-hound (read: me) to do what he does best, piktyur-piktyur. (Photo by Joel Lagang)

The celebrity hound struck again

Kamikazee was in Calbayog yesterday for the T-5 Concert. They called on Mayor Aquino and Vice Mayor Uy. And each time there are celebrities around, expect the celebrity hound (a.k.a. me) to do what he does best, piktyur-piktyur.

The celebrity hound struck again

Governor Grace Padaca arrived in Calbayog today. After her meeting with the City Officials led by Mayor Ronald Aquino, the celebrity hound (me) made sure he had a picture with Gov. Grace.

The celebrity hound struck again

Rey Valera  is in town for a Valentines' Day concert at the Ciriaco Hotel. Earlier today he paid a courtesy call on Mayor Ronald Aquino. And as expected, the celebrity hound (me) was there during the picture-taking moments.

The celebrity hound struck again

I arrived late for the concert earlier tonight. I did manage to catch some nice pieces by the three featured artists namely Baritone Andrew Fernando, Pianist Mary Anne Espina and Flutist Christopher Oracion. If there was something which compensated for my missing some concert highlights, it was the chance to encounter Renato "Nato" Reyes, the Secretary-General of BAYAN. And when a celebrity or a news-maker is close at hand, expect the celebrity hound to do what he does best: piktyur-piktyur!

The celebrity hound struck again

As I have mentioned in an earlier blog post, the officers and members of the Consuelo Foundation came to Calbayog to check on some projects. I made it to the ground-breaking ceremony for the Balay Consuelo and the Dinner at Ciriaco Hotel. I thought it was going to be just another night of free dinner (smile!) until the introductions were made and there he was - Señor Alejandro Zobel Padilla. I first came across that name when I read a book on the "Premio Zobel". Alex Padilla is the brother of Gerogina Padilla y Zobel. The brother and sister team together with Nenuca Sinjua, have been handling the Premio since 1985.

So much for the premio (smile!), for the celebrity hound in me, he was a Zobel and that was it. Seriously, his presence in Calbayog was a surprise. It's not everyday that you see a Zobel walking under that sun in Brgy. San Policarpo to check on some projects for the poor of Calbayog. 

Me with Mr. Alex Padilla and Ms. Patti Lyons, herself a popular figure in the philanthropy circles in Hawaii. Ms. Lyons is currently the Board Secretary of Consuelo Foundation (CF). A close friend of the late Consuelo Zobel Alger, Ms. Lyons was the first President and CEO of  CF.

The celebrity hound with SiAKOL

Some members of the SiAKOL band called on Mayor Onald Aquino yesterday. They were in town for the SMB night at Nijaga Park.

And where there are celebrities, expect the celebrity hound to be around (see pix below) . . . 

the celebrity hound with Alma Moreno

Councilor Alma Moreno was in Calbayog yesterday for a special meeting of the Samar chapter Philippine Councilor's League (PCL).

I know I am not a PCL member, but the celebrity hound in me told me to be at the Ciriaco Hotel and well, have my picture taken with Ms. Moreno.

Ambassador Thomas with the Calbayog media

U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas was in Calbayog yestarday to attend the IJM event and the turn-over of the U.S. and LGU - funded renovation of the CRESCENT facility in Barangay Payahan. Here's the shaky video I managed to take during Ambassador Thomas' media pull-aside.