Some Images from the 2nd Calbayog Tinapa 101 Cookfest

Here are some pictures taken during The 2nd Calbayog Tinapa 101 Cookfest.

This activity was held at the Calbayog City Convention Center last Saturday, October 11, 2014. Aimed at further promoting Calbayog's Tinapa and to encourage local culinary talents, the event was part of the Tourism Week Celebration which was embedded in the 66th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.

Mayor Ronald Aquino was on hand to welcome the various contestants and guests to the event which was particpated in by 14 schools and 4 local caterers. Also present were LGU's Department Heads Chat Gonzaga and Ruben Adona.

The Board of Judges included Marvin Martinez Manager of Hacienda Verde of Tacloban, Chef Leo Ebio, Jr. the current Sous Chef of Ciriao Hotel. and renowned Restaurateur Glenda Barretto.

(Some photos courtesy of Mr. Ian Baldomaro)

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.

SILG Mar Roxas at BFP Calbayog

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas arrived in Calbayog today. He was on hand for the blessing of the new Calbayog Fire Station which is located in Brgy. Capoocan (in front of the Hall of Justice). Present during the event were Rep. Mel Sarmiento, Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, the city officials as well as members of the local media.

Mayor Ronald Aquino with the local media as they waited for the arrival of SILG Roxas.

Mayor Aquino as he welcomed SILG 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.

Pili Tree Planting Program officially launched

Pili Tree Planting in Calbayog. Mayor Ronaldo Aquino (in black shirt) as he took time to pose with some stakeholders during the official launching of the Pili Tree Planting Program of Calbayog. The said program which was launched in Barangay Migara is a joint undertaking of LGU-Calbayog, DepEd Calbayog and the Barangay Officials and PTA Officers and members of selected barangays in the Happy Valley area. It is aimed at both for environment protection and to provide livelihood to the barangay folks in the said area. In photo with Mayor Aquino are (l-r) Tomasa Antivo (DepEd Calbayog District III Supervisor), Antonio Eloja (Palayamanan President), Arnold Jaraba (DepEd Calbayog EPS for TLE and EPP), Adela Ocenar (City Agriculturist), Atty. Fiel Almendra (DepeEd Calbayog SDS), Marto Calamayo (3D CUPS Ass't Director), Lorenzo Ras (OIC of CENRO) and the parent leaders from the Happy Valley area.

A BFP award for LGU-Calbayog

Calbayog. Mayor Ronald Aquino beams with smile as he received from Calbayog City Fire Marshal Insp Romeo Jaca the Plaque of Recognition which the Bureau of Fire Protection awarded to LGU-Calbayog City for its active involvement and constant support for the improved delivery of fire safety service in Calbayog. The LGU was cited during the 39th BFP Fire Service Recognition Day. In photo with Mayor Aquino are City Administrator Rosario Gonzaga, SFO2 Diosdado Callosa and SFO1 Walter Magbutay.

Mayor Onald's message during Taragpo 2012

Mayor Ronaldo Aquino was invited to speak before his fellow Christi Regians during this year's Taragpo Grand Alumni Homecoming. Here's the text of his message:

Maupay nga gab-i sa atun ngatanan.

Tuguti ako niyo pagpadangat san pagpasalamat san mga miembro san atun host batch yana nga tu-ig, an CKC Batch 1992, an grupo nga Kadasig. Akun i-guin kakalipay ini nga honor nga iyo guin hatag agud magin kaparte ak san programa sini nga atun tinu-ig nga katitirok. Sugad man tuguti ako niyo paghatag special mention san akun mga batchmates, an CKC Batch 1978.

Para san usa nga lokal nga ehekotibo, labot la san paghatag san basic services, an higayun agud maka-atubang ug makapahamtang ngada san iya mga nasasakupan (o constituents) usa san mga buruhatun nga angay tagan san atensyon.

Indeed, this part which CKC Class 1992 has given me tonight is a chance for me to be in touch with my fellow Calbayognons. Tempting as it maybe, I would have wanted to use this opportunity to give you an update as to what Calbayog is doing; as to where Calbayog is going; as to what good news and developments there are in Calbayog. But tonight, I am more than just the City Mayor speaking in front of you, I am a Christi Regian who is speaking with you tonight. Sugad san akun guinyakan san iba ko nga speaking engagements dinhi sa Christ the King (College), akun i-guin kakalipay nga magin usa nga Christi Regian; ug akun i-guin kakalipay an pirmi pakigduyog sa iyo ngatanan nga mga anak sini nga venerable nga institusyon, an Christ the King College.

Sugad san pirmi natun guin bubuhat kada Taragpo, kita mag kukumustahay, kita magre-reconnect, we will renew the ties that bind us together as Christi Regians. Indeed, if I may rephrase a line from a song, “… every road will lead back to you, Christ the King College…”

Sa usa nga bahin, yana nga gab-i kun matapos na an atun excitement paghinulat kun sino nagdaog san first prize sa raffle; kun matapos na an butlaw san Batch 1992 ug magtikang na an kalisang san Batch 1993, atun paki-anhan an atun mga kalugaringon: hain na kita nga mga Christi Regians? How far have we gone to help our alma mater? And along that line, How far have we gone to help our beloved city of Calbayog?

Indeed it is an honor and a pleasure to be with all of you, the special breed of Calbayognons who take pride in being the children of this venerable institution. In Calbayog alone, we take pride in the fact that a good number of thriving local businesses are ran by Christi Regians; that a good number of officials, managers and employees who run the affairs of the Local Government are Christi Regians; that a good number of respected community leaders are Christi Regians; and that many of Calbayog’s movers and shakers are Christi Regians. Kun atun pag-iinu-inuhon, kun magkaka-urosa kita ngatanan nga mga Christ Regians, daku an atun mabubuhat ngada san atun minahal nga alma mater Christ the King college, sugad man ngada san atun minayuyo nga ciudad san Calbayog.

Early this year, when the Franciscans informed me about their plans to use a portion of the campus for commercial purposes, I admit I had mixed feelings. As the City Mayor, it meant that the establishment of a midsized mall along Magsaysay Boulevard will change the skyline of Calbayog, it will show progress in Calbayog, along that line is the employment opportunity for our fellow Calbayognons; and the taxes that it will be adding to the coffers of the city. On the other hand, the Christi Regian in me told me that this development will forever change the face of Christ the King College. And then, I remembered the call which I made to my fellow Christi Regians during Taragpo 2011: Just like any learning institution there is, Christ the King College needs us her Alumni. Christ the King College needs the help of her Children. Our Alma Mater needs the help of the Christi Regians. An Christ the King College naniningkamot na madugngan an iya enrollment ug nanginginahanglan pa san mga dugang na pasilidad.

The Franciscans needed to raise funds for the maintenance of the school and for the other needs of the Franciscan Province in the Visayas. I believe that I did my part as a Christi Regian when I said yes and supported the proposed development. I believe that it was my own little way of helping my alma mater. You may not be aware of it, this gymnatorium where we are holding our party tonight is one of the positive results of that development.

Sugad san guin sering ko san nakalabay nga tu-ig, yana nga gab-i akon na liwat gin-aaro dida sa iyo akun mga igkasi Christi Regians an aktibo nga suporta san mga larang pagpakaupay san aton hinigugma nga Christ the King College. Ug kaupod na sana an pangaro san iyo suporta san atun damu pa nga mag-upay nga larang para san ciudad san Calbayog. To CKC Batch 1992, congratulations on a job well-done. To CKC Batch 1993, good luck for Taragpo 2013. Ug sugad man ngada san atun mga Silver Jubilarians, an CKC Batch 1987. Sa atun mga golden jubilarian, CKC Batch 1962, may you have many more fruitful years ahead of you.

Salamat ug maupay nga gab-i sa atun ngatanan!

Calbayog Chalet Inaugurated

Calbayognons investing in their hometown. Mayor Ronald Aquino as he took time to pose with some members of the Morallos and Remigio families. The occasion was the inauguration of the Calbayog Chalet. The structure is the first two units of the apartment complex which the Remigio family intends to put up in the sprawling Remigio property in Brgy, Balud, Calbayog City. In photo with Mayor Aquino are Ruby Remigio-Morallos, CKC President Bro. Ariel Manga, ofm, Fernando Mancol, City Budget Officer Geronides Mancol, Melvin Morallos, Oscar Morallos and Fr. Ronnie Asuero, ofm.

Payao and Gill Net Project launched

Mayor Ronald Aquino today led the Turn-over Ceremony of Payao and Gill Net Project in Brgy. Bantian, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City. The event was attended by Mr. Teodolfo Castañas (Bantian Barangay Captain), Engr. Rolando Ay-ay (Samar Provincial Director of the Department of Agriculture) and Ms. Adela Ocenar (City Agriculturist), among others.

Barangay Bantian the first beneficiary of the said project. The said Barangay was given 80 pieces of gill net and materials to be used in the making of payao. Payao or arong is a floating structure topped with coconut fronds or some other materials that attract fish to stay under it. Payao can be set both in shallow water and deep sea areas.

This help was given by the government to encourage those illegal fisher folks to stop their illegal fishing activities that destroy the fish industry. They are expected to do their part in giving care and attention for the betterment of the fish industry in Calbayog. This is also one step for the restoration of what was once the good fishing industry of Calbayog City.

In his message, Mayor Aquino asked the fisher folks to ponder as to where the fish of Calbayog has gone. He also noted that 20 years ago, Calbayog City was the number one supplier of fish for Manila. 20% came from the other parts of the Philippines and 80% from Calbayog. He also left a very promising statement that he would help the small fisher folks in every way he can. He also mentioned that in 2013, the local government will give a 1.5 million-peso budget for the purchase of boats and a long nylon line with multiple fish hooks, an implement locally referred to as “kitang” that will be given to the small fisher folks that would be a great help in their living. (Fidel C. Cagomoc / CTIO Intern)