PGMA in Calbayog

President Arroyo was in Cabayog today, at the Calbayog airport to be exact. It was where she boarded the chopper which took her to the Municipality of San Jose De Buan where she led the inauguration of some government projects.

from my files: some "presidential" moments

As I have always done in the past two years, each time the end of the year gets near, I check my files to look for something which I may have missed to feature in my blogs. And I did miss some pictures which I will place under what I call the "presidential" moments. These are pictures of PGMA with some Calbayognons, in this case the City Mayor and some City Officials and Department Managers.

May 12, 2009. "One Visayas Summit on Climate Change" at the Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort Hotel and Spa in Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan, Cebu. With the President are Calbayog Mayor and RDC-7 Chair Mel Senen Sarmiento and Cebu Governor & RDC-7 Chair Gwenn Garcia.

February 19, 2009. The 2nd National Convention of the League of Cities of the Philippines at the EDSA-Shangrila Hotel. Sharing some light moments with PGMA are Dr. Decoroso Balmes and Councilor Ver Porlares.

the celebrity hound with The President

Here's another picture of me standing close to The President. Thanks to Mayor Mel and Bonbon Calvara.

The last time I had this chance was during Charter Day 2006 when our group (headed by the late Boy Isidro) which helped prepare for the visit was given a photo op with The President. Sadly, I never got to see that picture, it's either the camera or the photographer or both were lost forever.

The President with Gov. Ben Evardone, Mayor Mel Sarmiento and well, me. I was so excited at the chance of being near the President I don't recall what they were discussing about when the photo was taken.

Images from the President's visit

Let me share some pictures which I got from various sources. These were taken at airport where the President met the passengers of the PAL Express flight and had cocktails with the officials and VIPs present.

We were at the airport three hours before the President's arrival. And this is what we saw at the tarmac - the President's helicopters.

As with the other guests, the Sarakiki-Hadang musicians who were invited to perform during the event had to undergo inspection bythe PSG.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he answered questions from the media

Officials on hand to meet the President (l-r) Councilors Ver Porlares, Danilo Bernate, Regina Rabuya and Julius Mancol, BM Roger Casurao and Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino.

BM Charlie Coñejos (3rd from the left) with Councilors Sonny Salurio, Nonoy Pasacas, Jonas Montealto, Virgil Clemens and Ver Prolares

President Arroyo with some officials at the Calbayog Airport Terminal (l-r) Mayor Mel Sarmienot, Sec. Gabby Caludio, Rep. Ann Tan and Governor Mila Tan

The President with the City Mayor and other guests as they await the PAL Express Aircraft

PGMA as she gamely posed with two young passengers

a foreign tourist is greeted by the President

PGMA greeting my friend Joselo Co

President Arroyo as she prepared to board the chopper for Brgy. Sto. Niño, Gandara. With her are (l-r) Mayor Sarmiento, Gen. Tabaquero and Sec. Ebdane

Happy Birthday Msgr. Basiling

Msgr. Basiling turned 98 years old today. He was among the concelebrants during the Pontifical Mass in celebration of the Feast of Our Lady's Nativity.

That's me with the monsignor after the Pontifical Mass

Last year during the Charter Day Celebration, in the words of Mayor Mel Sarmiento, it was Msgr. Basiling's meeting with President Arroyo that gave the Presidential visit the human touch. Here's a picture of that meeting.

PGMA in Calbayog

Calbayog City turned 58 years old today. The guest of honor was no less than Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

At least an hour before the President's arrival, the two main entrances to the city from Brgy. Carayman and Brgy. Lonoy were blocked to traffic. The annual parade started at 7:00 a.m. and was over in little over an hour. The motorcade route has been cleared off before 9:00 am.

The Presidential visit started with a meeting at the Calbayog Airport Terminal where Mayor Mel Sarmiento gave a presentation on the Development Plan for Samar Island. Present in that meeting were the Samar Governor Mila Tan, Congressmen Reynaldo Uy and Catalino Figueroa and a good number of Mayors from the various municipalities of Samar.

A motorcade brought the President to the city proper. Crowds lined the motorcade route which ended at the TTMIST campus. At the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center, the President delivered a speech before a huge gathering of City and Barangay Officials, teachers and the benefactors of the land titling program.

The visit was capped with a luncheon at the TTMIST AVR.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento delivers his report

PGMA gives her inputs on the report. With the President are (L-R) Congressman Catalino Figueroa, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Governor Mila Tan and Congressman Reynaldo Uy.

PGMA with some mayors of Samar

PGMA with (R-L) TTMIST President Socorro Bohol, Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino, Congressman Catalino Figueroa, Mayor Mel Sarmiento and Presidential Political Affairs Adviser Gabby Claudio

PGMA waves from the school bus with some students on board. The school bus is part of the SAKAY-NA project which the President launched during her visit.

The President with some educators. (L-R) TTMIST President Socorro Bohol, Mayor Mel Sarmiento and DepEd Calbayog Superintendent Editha Paculan (to the President's left)

PGMA cheering the Sarakiki-Hadang performers who gave her a dance of welcome

The President shares some light moments with TTMIST President Socorro Bohol. Partly hidden between them is Congressman Reynaldo Uy

Mayor Mel Sarmiento explains some ongoing projects in Samar

PGMA with (l-r) PA Vic Domingo, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, Congressman Catalino Figueroa, Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Mayor Mel Sarmiento and Congressman Marcelino Libanan

PGMA hands over a Certificate of Title to Mr. Lusanto Calesa, one of the land titling beneficiaries

Mayor Mel Sarmiento explaining to PGMA the details of the MOA between the LGU and OLPI. Looking on are (L-R) Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Fr. Cajes and Bro. Dennis Tayo of OLPHI.

PGMA takes time to talk with Msgr. Basiling Rosales

PGMA with Calbayog City officials. (seated L-R) Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Congressman Reynaldo Uy. (standing l-r) Councilors Benjie Dean, Noel Sermense, Juan Daguman Jr., Charlie Coñejos, Minda Pasacas, Niel Bryan Francisco and Ina Rabuya