Images from the 60th Charter Day Opening Ceremonies

The 60th Calbayog Charter Day Celebration opened tonight at the Nijaga Park. Mayor Mel Sarmiento was on hand to deliver his welcome speech before a crowd which included Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao who was in town with some members of the SOS Philippines National Board of Trustees.

The CACO performers and the Calbayog Kahi-araan scholars under the direction of Jonas Lim did the maiden performance of "KALBAYOG . . . An Pag-Ilawod", the musical play depicts the history of Calbayog. It was capped with the city officials being part of the cast singing Joe Gomez' "Calbayog".

Councilor Julius Mancol, in his capacity as Chair of the 60th Charter Day Executive Committee declared the opening of the celebration.

The evening's affair was capped by the flying of the traditional lobo and a fireworks' display (And I'm still looking for better pitures on this one).

Here are some pictures from the event courtesy of Ruben Mawo of Silver Image.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento delivering his welcome speech.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino with (l-r) Councilors Ina Rabuya, Ver Porlares, Bombie Enriquez, Virgil Clemens, Danny Bernate and Noel Sermense.

(r-l) Councilors Charlie Boy Coñejos, Nonoy Pasacas, Julius Mancol, Sonny Salurio, Benjie Dean, Noel Sermense and Danny Bernate.

Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao (2nd from the left) with some members of the SOS Philippines National Board of Trustees.

That's me as the night's program host.

some scenes from the musical play

Councilor Ina Rabuya

Vice Mayor Onald Aquino

VM Aquino and Councilor Julus Mancol

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with VM Onald Aquino and Councilors Ina Rabuya and Julus Mancol

Councilor Julius Mancol declaring the Charter Day celebration open

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Aechbishop Fernando Capalla as they prepared to release on of the traditional "lobo".

Councilors Ver Porlares and Bombie Enriquez

Councilor Noel Sermense with Dr. Socorro Bohol and some SOS Philippines National BOT members

The City Mayor congratulating the performers.

Images from the Opening of the Agro-Industrial Fair

The Agro-Industrial Fair opened at the Nijaga Park today. On hand for the opening ceremonies were the City Officials led by Mayor Mel Sarmiento. Also present was DA-RFU-8 ARD Rufino Ayaso.

The program commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Afterwards the guests went around the various booths set-up for the fair. Later on, speeches were delivered by the City Mayor and Councilor Arturo Pasacas in his capacity as Chair of the Agro Fair Committee of the 60th Charter Day Celebration.

The agencies that participated in the fair were TTMIST, DepEd Calbayog City Division, the Diocesan Social Action Center, WESADEF, City Cooperatives Office, City Solid Waste Management Office, City Tourism & Information Office, City Social Welfare & Development Office, Philippine Coconut Authority, CAFC- 3 Districts, Techno Gabay, Calbayog Palayamanan, City Veterinary Services Office.

Here are some pictures from today's activity courtesy of Ruben Mawo.

Ribbon-cutting. (l-r) Councilors Julius Mancol and Ina Rabuya, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Councilor Arturo Pasacas and DA-RFU-8 ARD Rufino Ayaso.

The Calbayog Concert Chorus leading the singing of Lupang Hinirang

Councilor Arturo Pasacas as he delivered his message

Mayor Mel Sarmiento delivering his message

break muna! (or eleksyon na liwat?)

Streamers and billboards announcing the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary is all over the place. No problem about it, it's not everyday that Calbayog will turn 60 years old. On the other hand, if one is to take a closer look at some of the city's thoroughfares, there are other materials announcing everything or anything there is under the sun (well almost). Along with the usual streamers announcing what's showing in the local moviehouse or what sale there is in some local stores, two streamers caught my attention last weekend. And I made sure I took pix of these.

The first two pix below show the streamer at the Obrero rotonda welcoming Senator Chiz Escudero. The celebrity hound in me can't forgive myself for missing the chance of having a photo with another celebrity. Anyway, no problem with the visit, it supposedly had something to do with the budget hearing that the Senate is doing. Or so I heard (or read).

Now, what do you think about the following pictures? These show billboards that has none other than Bayani Fernando (okey, his face pix) and some MMDA slogan all over it. What was it for? Making his presence felt in Calbayog perhaps? Or is it making the MMDA felt in Calbayog? I saw this billboard attached to an electric pole somewhere between Matobato and Capoocan. Early campaigning? No, that's if you take the MMDA explanation seriously. What is it then? Perhaps one good expanation would be that the MMDA is about to us shop in Calbayog. Talk about expansion or branching out. So, what do you think? Or, if I may borrow that line from a doctor/teacher from one of the schools in Calbayog: "What is your think?"

Calbayog at 60: Day 2

Tomorrow is the second day of the set of events leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary. The events for the day are as follows:

8:00 am. Calbayog-Kahi-araan Seminar Workshop

7:00 pm. (Inter-school) Competitions on SIDAY, ISMAYLING & KURATSA at the Nijaga Park

Ongoing events:
- Agro/Eco Fair at the Nijaga Park
- Art Exhibit at I's Plant
- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum

Happy Birthday Bonbon!

Mr. Silvestre "Bonbon" Calvara will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Calbayog at 60: Day 1

The set of activities leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary opens tomorrow with the following events:

10:00 am. Opening of the Agro/Eco Fair at the Nijaga Park

2:00 pm. Opening of the Art Exhibit at I's Plant

5:00 pm. Opening of the Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar (A tribute to the late Senate President Jose Avelino). This will be held at the Calbayog Museum located on the ground floor of the Old Barracks Building

7:00 pm. Opening Ceremonies: Kalbayog . . . An Pag-ilawod at the Nijaga Park

Happy Birthday Edwin!

Atty. Edwin Gomez will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

The Blessing of Pets

Last Saturday's celebration of the Feast of St. Francis was capped by the traditional blessing of the Pets. The activity was held at the Christ the King College (CKC) Chapel after the Concelebrated Mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

I managed to take a few pix during the activity (thanks to my mobile phone, again).

Bro. Ariel Manga trying to take a pix of some pets brought to the chapel.

some students as they had their pets registered before the blessing

World Teachers' Day

Today is the 27th Sunday in the ordinary season. Today is also World Teachers' Day. Among the prayers in todays' masses were ones intended for those in the teaching profession.

I would like to share with you something which I got from the Sambuhay misalette (printed by the Society of St. Paul). This is part of today's introduction:

"... we celebrate today World Teachers' Day. Let this be a time for us to remember their important part in the ministry of the Church and in the continuation of the ministry of Jesus. Let our prayers for them express appreciation and gratitude for the countless ways they have touched our lives."

The intentions said in the Prayers of the Fauthful were also for the teachers:
- That those working in schools may be reminded of their vocation to be instrumental in bringing about God's Kingdom.
- That people may discover the many blessings and graces that come with the vocation of teaching.
- That all learning institutions dedicated to the pursuit of truth and justice may be blessed to guide their students to recognize God's presence in their lives.

May all our teachers have a meaningful World Teachers' Day celebation!

A dinner date in SoHo

Dining with the Mayor. After his presentation at the U.N. Side Event on the MDGs, some New York-based Calbayognons invited Mayor Mel Sarmiento to dinner. This was held at Cendrillon, that Filipino fushion resto in fashionable SoHo District.

In the picture with City Mayor are Boy Mancol, Mike & Gwendolyn (the Mayor's friends from New York), Charito Avelino, Loudette Avelino, tita Freda (Ladrero), and Guely & Olga Mancol.

something for my fellow Christi Regians

Tomorrow is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the ecology, a Roman Catholic saint who took the gospel literally by following all Jesus said and did. He is a saint every Christi Regian ought to know.

In Calbayog, (following tradition) the Franciscan community of Christ the King College will gather at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral for a Eucharistic Celebration.

The traditional blessing of the pets will follow at the CKC Chapel.

Let me share something which I got from www.americancatholic.org:

Who Was St. Francis? by Leonard Foley, O.F.M.

Francis of Assisi was a poor little man who astounded and inspired the Church by taking the gospel literally—not in a narrow fundamentalist sense, but by actually following all that Jesus said and did, joyfully, without limit and without a mite of self-importance.

Serious illness brought the young Francis to see the emptiness of his frolicking life as leader of Assisi's youth. Prayer—lengthy and difficult—led him to a self-emptying like that of Christ, climaxed by embracing a leper he met on the road. It symbolized his complete obedience to what he had heard in prayer: "Francis! Everything you have loved and desired in the flesh it is your duty to despise and hate, if you wish to know my will. And when you have begun this, all that now seems sweet and lovely to you will become intolerable and bitter, but all that you used to avoid will turn itself to great sweetness and exceeding joy."

From the cross in the neglected field-chapel of San Damiano, Christ told him, "Francis, go out and build up my house, for it is nearly falling down." Francis became the totally poor and humble workman.

Congrats Ronce

As it has done in the past, this year the CSVP Seminary had their Investiture Ceremonies during the Feast of their Patron, St. Vincent de Paul. Present during last Saturday's Eucharistic Celebration were two bishops namely, Bishop Isabelo Abarquez of Calbayog and Bishop Emmanuel Trance of Catarman.

15 seminarians from the Dioceses of Calbayog and Catarman received their cossacks, among them was Ronce Obong (so far the only one who hails from Calbayog City). Here are some pictures from the ceremony.

The newly-vested seminarians with Bishop Emmanuel Trance and Bishop Isabelo Abarquez.

The Seminarians from the Diocese of Calbayog with Bishop Abarquez, Fr. Noel Labendia, Fr. Andres Espiritu and Msgr. Luis Llarenas.

Ronce with bestfriends Johnjohn Abasolo, Tuwe Lunas and Muymuy Tan