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.

The CKC YSO at the Papal Mass

GMA news report on the CKC YSO

More about TSgt Diomangay and TOPS 2012

Outstanding Soldiers. TSgt Rolando Diomangay (standing 3rd from the left) with the other winners of the 2012 Metrobank Foundation Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS). This photo was taken during the presentation of awardees held at the AFP Officers' Club House in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. In attendance were AFP CS General Jessie Dellosa (seated 5th from the right) and Mr. Anecito Sobrepena Metrobank Foundation Inc. President (seated 6th from the right). (Photo courtesy of Pfc Marlon San Esteban and Faces, Places & Voices)

Read the whole article about the awardees. Check this link.

Calbayognon makes it as one of 2012 Outstanding Philippine Soldiers

LGU-Calbayog honors Angela Rubin

Calbayog's new achiever. Mayor Ronaldo Aquino takes time to pose with Ma. Angela Krizelle Rubin (3rd from the right) of San Joaquin National High School (SJNHS). Mayor Aquino presented Ms. Rubin with a Plaque of Commendation and a cash gift of Ten Thousand Pesos for being part of the Philippine Team which won First Place in the ASEAN Quiz Regional Competition in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Also in photo are SJNHS Teacher Warren Taperla, SJNHS Principal Renato Cagomoc,  Raymond Abelis (Coach of Ms. Rubin) and City Administrator Rosario Gonzaga. (CTIO photo)

From the Philippine Star: Phl wins 5th ASEAN Regional Quiz

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Team has emerged as champion of the 5th ASEAN Quiz Regional Competition held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Friday, besting 27 other contestants from 8 ASEAN states.

The Philippine Team grabbed a total score of 71 points. Cambodia came close with 70 points while Thailand scored 68 points.

The team, composed of fourth year high school students - Franchesca Anne Inacay of St. Albert the Great School in Dagupan City (Region I), Kristiyanne Paul de Pedro of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School (Region XII), and Maria Angela Krizelle Rubin of San Joaquin National High School in Calbayog (Region VIII) - bested 27 other contestants from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. (Read more . . . )

Coloma meets Philippine team for ASEAN Quiz in Cambodia

Secretary Hermenio "Sonny" Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office with Francesca Ann Inacay of St. Albert the Great School (Dagupan City), Maria Angela Krizelle Rubin of San Joaquin National High School (Calbayog City) and Krystianne Paul de Pedro of Koronadal Comprehensive High School (Koronadal City). (OP Photo)

Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) received on Tuesday the members of the Philippine delegation who will compete at the 5th ASEAN Quiz in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on August 1 to 5. (read more . . . )

Calbayog's new lawyers

Calbayog stude to compete in Combodia

The top three winners in the 5th ASEAN Quiz National Competition pose for posterity after receiving their medals and full scholarship certificates in any four-year course at Systems Technology Institute (STI) College. They are Francesca Anne C. Inacay (right) of Region 1, first place; Krystianne Paul A. De Pedro (2nd from left), Region 12, 2nd place; and Maria Angela Krizelle T. Rubin (left), Region 8, 3rd place. The contest was held on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at People’s Television (PTV) Studio 1 in Visayas Ave., Quezon City. The winners will represent the Philippines in the ASEAN Regional Competition in Cambodia in August 2012. (PNA photo by Johnny D. Guevarra) (Photo and text courtesy of balita.ph)

Calbayognon places 3rd in ASEAN National Quiz Bee

3 students from provincial schools win ASEAN quiz bee


MANILA, Jan. 26 — Three students from provincial schools will represent the country to the 5th ASEAN Quiz in Cambodia in August 2012 after they won the 5th ASEAN Quiz National Competition held Wednesday at the People's Television (PTV) in Visayas Ave., Quezon City.


The winners of the competition were Francesca Anne C. Inacay, a student of St. Albert The Great School in Dagupan City, Region 1, first place; Krystianne Paul A. De Pedro of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School, Region 12, 2nd place; and Maria Angela Krizelle T. Rubin of San Joaquin National High School in Calbayog City, Region 8, 3rd place. The three bested students from 16 schools nationwide during the competition.


The winners were given medals and full scholarship certificates in any four-year course at Systems Technology Institute (STI) College.


Fifteen regional winners participated in the National Competition spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd) Bureau of Secondary Education.


The contest was organized by PTV along with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Bureau of Broadcast Services (BBS), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and DepEd as partner agencies.


A project of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information, the ASEAN Quiz regional competition aims to elicit the spirit of healthy competition among ASEAN youth in a friendly quiz game that exposes them to history, social, cultural, political and economic developments in the ASEAN region. (PNA) DCT/FFC/LAM/MPC/mec


(this article was taken from the Bayanihan website)

SOS Children's Village in Calbayog says 'Salamat po' award is a gift

by Ninfa B Quirante


CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, January 25 (PIA)-- SOS Village, Calbayog City Director Emily Torculas said that she feels elated that the SOS Children’s Village has been recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).


SOS Calbayog City, along with Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) beneficiaries from Calbiga Samar, are two national awardees during the anniversary of the DSWD.


It was DSWD Region 8 Director Leticia Diokno who identified the awardees.


The SOS Children’s Village of Calbayog City was awarded as Best NGO under the Salamat Po Award and LGU Calbiga in the province of Samar for its model SEA-K KABAYAN or the SEA-K Level II livelihood program implementation, under the GAPAS award.


SOS Children’s village in Calbayog City is an NGO committed to a long term family care and education to orphaned, abandoned and neglected children.


“We are happy that our effort in building a loving home for every child has been recognized nationwide though we have eight villages all over the Philippines,” Torculas told PIA in an interview.


“It is indeed a gift as we are preparing to celebrate SOS Children's Village Calbayog 40th Foundation Day Anniversary this year,” she added.


Calbayog SOS Village has presently some 130 children under their Family Based Care program and 814 Children in 239 families under our Family Strengthening Program.


Awarding is scheduled on January 26, Thursday at the DSWD central office in Manila. (PIA 8-Samar)

SOS-Calbayog bags National Award

Eastern Visayas bags two 2012 DSWD 'Panata Ko sa Bayan' awards


TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, January 23 (PIA) -- Two Eastern Visayas entities are among this year’s “Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan” or “Panata ko sa Bayan” awardees who will be cited during the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) anniversary culmination rites at the said department's central office on January 26.


DSWD Region 8 Director Leticia Diokno identified the awardees as the SOS Children’s Village of Calbayog City as Best NGO under the Salamat Po Award and LGU Calbiga in the province of Samar for its model SEA-K KABAYAN or the Self-Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran Level II livelihood program implementation, under the GAPAS award. (read more ...)

9 young Calbayognon studes pass P-Sci entrance exam

91 East Visayans pass PSHS entrance exam


... The passers from Calbayog City Division include Barchita, Danilo Daguman; Callosa, Danella Trina Santiago; Faller, Nicolas Jr. Bracamonte; Mantal, Ma. Rosella Bernadit; Matranas, Regin Val Conise; Ricaplaza, Nicole Kyla Marie Serrano; Sumagang, Haj Cano; Tocayon, Anthony Castillon; and Tubal, Laurence Aliman.


(read the whole report)

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!

The artist named Florence Cinco

FLORENCE CINCO traces his roots to the small fishing village of Tinambacan Sur, Calbayog City. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Major in Advertising from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City. He climbed up the ladder of success through perseverance, hard work, sacrifice, service and deep spirituality.

His career as a full time missionary artist saw hi bag two national awards: Grand Prize in the Mixed Media Category during the 58th Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) Annual National Art competition in 2005; and the Grand Prize in the Sculpture Category during the 2004 Metrobank Art and Excellence National Art Competition.

He has also garnered numerous awards:

• Jurors' Choice. TANAW. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas National Painting Competition, Metropolitan Museum (2011)
• Jury Award. Embassy of India. Laos, PDR (2006)
• Honorable Mention. Sculpture Category. 58th AAP Annual National Art Competition(2005)
• Juror's Choice. Open Fine Print National Competition (2004)
• Outstanding Samarnon Award for exemplary achievement and contribution to Samar culture.

Now a seasoned artist who weathered the test of time, CINCO directs his energy to accomplish his life's mission and ideology - ART FOR SERVICE AND BLESSEDNESS. He has carried this ideology in his 13 solo exhibits and 45 group shows in various parts of the country and abroad like Singapore, Thailand, U.S.A., Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Laos.

In his works, he draws inspiration from supreme consciousness through meditation and service to humanity. He believes that an artist plays a great role in achieving change in society through his artwork. Thus, he works his way to share his ideology with all the artists in and outside his network. He is presently affiliated with the Renaissance Artists and Writers' Association, Maharlika Artists and Writers' Federation, Calbayog Arts Association, Visayan Island Visual Artists Association, Art Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Printmakers and the Society of Philippine Sculpture.

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Florence Cinco will have his 1st Homecoming Exhibit entitled "DINGKIT" which opens today at S.O. Cafe, Nijaga Street, Calbayog City

Bahandi Samarnon: Speech of Jobart Gomez

Emmanuele Jobart Gomez, a member of the Christ the King College Youth Symphony Orchestra received the citation for his lolo during the 1st Bahandi Samarnon Award. Here's the text of his speech.

MY LOLO JOSE, AS A FAMILY MAN
Jobart Gomez

Good evening to each and everyone of you.

Three weeks before this occasion, someone from the organizers came to the house of the great man Jose Cinco Gomez asking one of his children to share in public about his life as a father to Mr. Manuel Gomez, my father, as well as a father to my father’s siblings.

With the invitation, Tita Cecilia, Tito Antonio, Tita Virginia, papa Manuel, and Tito Remigio accepted it wholeheartedly and now I am in front of you ready to share what they have dictated me and also to represent officially the family of the great Jose Cinco Gomez. In my succeeding speech, please allow me to use only lolo Jose instead of the great Jose.

Lolo Jose, as my titas and titos would tell me, is a man of virtue, a man of courage, a disciplinarian, a generous person, and a loving father. He never neglected to snoop for a moment his sleeping children in each of their room before he slept. He always emphasized honesty and integrity. The late Tito Mariano, the third from the eldest, told his siblings about the following story: a man came from Brgy. Dagum who borrowed a small amount to lolo Jose with a piece of paper serving his property as collateral. Out of compassion, lolo Jose gave that man the amount he needed. Month came; the man came back asking for a little time to pay for the exact amount that man owed my lolo. What my lolo did was he tapped the shoulder of that man and gave back the piece of paper telling him not to worry disregarding the amount he owed.

A disciplinarian. When the church bell stroked at 6:00 o’clock in the evening, my titos and titas must be at the dining table on time. If any of them was not present during those times, he or she was locked up outside the house and fortunately, it was my lola who intervened for reconsideration.

The most painful blow on my lolo’s life, on my family’s life, was the death of his three sisters Josefa, Francisca and Trinidad who were captured in Bobon, Northern Samar

Refusing to reveal his whereabouts, they were tortured and killed by the Japanese soldiers

After the war, the leadership of my lolo Jose had illustrated had earned him an award. He was appointed Chief of Police by Mayor Pedro Pido until 1953.

He revived the Cecilian Orchestra which became the only guerilla band probably in the country at that time. With the revival, they had the opportunity to perform in Malacanang in honor of the former Philippine President Manuel Roxas. The group was renamed the Calbayog Cecilian Cultural Group.

Being a religious person, he composed songs for the masses with lyrics in English, Spanish and without charging even a single centavo.

Then came the Paligsahan sa Musika Songwriting Competition in 1974 and my lolo was the winner in the entire Region 8.

In my lolo’s life, not all were beautiful tunes and melodies. When he heard the verdict of his defeat in “Ahay” case against the Mabuhay Singers sponsored by no less than the former First Lady Imelda Marcos, he was stunned and aggrieved.

He was brought to Manila for medical treatment. His son Antonio, second from the eldest, and a medical representative at that time brought him to the best doctor at Far Eastern University and while undergoing treatment, my tito Remigio found him irritable and insisted in going home believing he would recover in Calbayog, a place very dear to my lolo and also to all of us.

With the permission of the doctor, he came home in January 1975 but early morning of February 2, the month he was born 63 years back like in the wink of an eye was the end of the beautiful song in Calbayog that was the life of my lolo Jose.

Whatever purpose this speech may serve from this day onwards, I pray that my lolo Jose’s love for his family, for music and most especially for his birthplace Calbayog City be remembered not only in memories but also in action: for the benefit of the greater good, of Calbayog City, and of every Calbayognon, young and old

Thank you everyone and mabuhay po si Jose Cinco Gomez, tayong pong lahat na naririto pati na rin ang mahal nating Calbayog City.

Once again, thank you and good day.

Bahandi Samarnon: Speech of Mayor Ronaldo Aquino

(Here's the speech which I delivered on behalf of Mayor Ronaldo Aquino during the Bahandi Samarnon Awards)

Another laudable undertaking by the Franciscan community
I am pleased to be part of this ceremony today which will honor one of the greatest sons of Calbayog. This awarding ceremony to be conceptualized and held at Christ the King College and in Calbayog City makes me proud both as a Christi Regian and as the Local Chief Executive of Calbayog. The City Government wishes the Award Committee all its best as they do the hard work of giving honor to all the deserving sons and daughters of Samar in many more years to come.

The Franciscan community should be commended for this worthy but challenging undertaking. Achievement Awards are so many that it runs the risk of being a commonplace. But in this case, in the case of the Bahandi Samarnon Awards, it is nice to note to have a group of Samarenos or Samarnon acknowledge the achievements of their fellow Samarnon. It should not take outsiders to acknowledge what good there is that is being done in Samar. It should not take outsiders to acknowledge what great achievers, what great people there are in Samar. When Chito Rono received an award from city government a few years ago, he expressed his gratitude by saying something like this: that receiving an award from your own hometown gives you that extra special feeling which is a notch above the feeling of winning during the usual film awards night. I guess the same thing can be said of this Bahandi Samarnon Awards. Before we look far and wide, let us look upon ourselves for examples worthy of emulation. There should be so many of them just lurking around.

A question of significance
Now a question: where can this Award find its significance? In this world characterized by political bickering, economic difficulties and what have you, don’t you think we should be looking at how we can help alleviate or reduce the incidence of poverty, maintain peace and order and provide decent jobs to our fellowmen? And let us not even start discussing about caring for the environment. That almost sorry scenario is exactly where this Bahandi Samarnon Award will find its significance. This is exactly where this activity finds its proper place. This ceremony calls for us to be able to do something good; or at least to manifest our ability to do something good out of the dire conditions. This is manifested by the life of the first awardee which the award committee has selected for tonight. He serves as both an inspiration and a call to action.

Let Jose Gomez live in us
Jose Cinco Gomez. No need to recall details about his life. No need to memorize the titles of his works. The name speaks for itself. But then, knowing his name and his person is not enough to honor to the man who has contributed much to the development of music in Samar.

It is proper that we honor Jose Gomez. It is proper that we respect the works of Jose Gomez. But after taking a close look at the life story of this man, he deserves more than just us memorizing the lyrics of “Calbayog”; more than just us tapping to the vibrant beat of “Kamote”; and more than just us being familiar with lively tunes of his Samareno folk songs. The life and times and the works of Senor Jose Gomez tell us two things: to be proud of our heritage; and to cultivate the hero in each of us. The times might have changed, but the call for us to be of service to our fellowmen and to be good sons and daughters of Samar remains. Like Jose Gomez, let us look beyond our mundane concerns in life. We have our own capabilities and abilities that can make a difference. Nobody among us is too small so as not to be able to do something for our beloved Samar.

Salamat ug maupay nga kulop sa atun ngatanan!

Bahandi Samarnon Award

The First Bahandi Samarnon Awarding Ceremony
August 5, 2011
Frs. David and Leopold Memorial Auditorium
5:00 PM

Conceptualized by the Franciscan community, the award is an undertaking guided by this vision:

“Guided by the Gospel values, the Bahandi Samarnon Award engenders a Christian community that celebrates humanity towards a better Samar.”

The award has as its mission the commitment to honor Samarnons with noble contributions, inspiring and empowering the people of Samar especially the youth to selfless endeavors and developing sense of patriotism, thus recognizing component and ethical individuals who integrate faith, life and culture for the advancement of Samar.

Raul Isidro's Impressions and Memories

By PAM BROOKE A. CASIN

June 13, 2011, 9:59am

from The Manila Bulletin

(Photo by PINGGOT ZULUETA)

MANILA, Philippines -- Swathes and washes of red, black, blue, and yellow mark the new suite of abstract paintings of veteran artist Raul Isidro. His works, also characterized by ephemeral impressions and wide breathing spaces rendered in his signature brushwork and wet-on-wet technique, promise to transport audiences into this dreamlike and Zen-like realm where the physical and the metaphysical meet in the wild and subdued palettes and forms the painter has used.

Titled ‘Andorra,’ Isidro’s latest foray into abstraction is a result of his recent sojourn in Andorra, Europe, where he, fellow Filipino painter Al Perez, and other artists from the world over were invited to attenda a two-week art camp sponsored by UNESCO.

A small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, Andorra is bordered by Spain and France. Known for its picturesque landscape and rugged, mountainous topography, Andorra’s natural marvels are the sole inspiration of Isidro’s exhibit of 17 pieces. In this show, Isidro masterfully reworks the physicality of Andorra and transforms it into a sort of “meditative boundlessness”—a world of his own.

According to Isidro, his canvases are his impressions and memories of the place. They are the end-product of the artist’s exposure to the varied sights and sounds he had encountered during his trip. A challenge to his strength and endurance, he says, his trip was, as traversing the steep topography of the land proved to be laborious.

Fortunately, for us, the journey is not of the corporeal one. Isidro’s viewers now are only left with beautiful and relaxing imagery and wistful versions of the rocky landscape and energized views the 68-year-old painter has conquered.

But while Isidro’s works are abstract, audiences won’t have a mind-boggling time deciphering the painter’s works. For example, the small pieces in the exhibit are apparent takes of the painter on water running through slabs of rock. One large piece in red is Isidro’s impression of a gypsy dressed in red, gyrating and performing in a sea of people; while the abstraction in black is the painter’s reminiscence of a mountain he has enjoyed looking at.

In Andorra, the artist has successfully re-framed the wonders of his travels in a visual feast meant to scintillate onlookers. Also, in the artist’s pictorial configuration, the visual experience is an act of transference. It is an exhibit that “takes us into the depthless versions of the beauty of the real environments that compelled the creation of the [artist’s] aesthetic encounters.”

But more than this transference of sorts is also the sheer ability of Isidro to allow his viewers to conjure impressions of their own and to fashion travels based on their experiences and memories. It is in this light that the painter and his audiences commune and meet, thus forging an exchange of truths and recollections espoused by the paintings themselves.

A graduate of Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas, Isidro claims Francisco Goya and Wilhelm de Kooning as his influences. He started teaching at the Philippine Women’s University in 1968 and became head of the Fine Arts department in 1977, and was awarded the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for Fine Arts in 1979. He recently had his 40-year retrospective at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

‘Andorra’ will be on view until June 21 in Galerie Anna, The Artwalk, 4/F SM Megamall A, Mandaluyong City. For more details, call 470-2511; visit www.galerieanna.com; e-mail galerieanna@yahoo.com.