dining with Francisco Colayco

Francisco Colayco, one of the country's authorities on financial management arrived today. He is in town to conduct a seminar on Financial Management dubbed "Pera Palaguin".

The City Government tendered a simple welcome dinner for him. In attendance were the City Officials headed by the City Mayor, some Department Managers and businessmen.

Mr. Francisco Colayco (left) with Mayor Mel Sarmiento and Landbank Calbayog Manager Cris Marco

Mr. Colayco with some City Officials

CSWDO OIC Tessie Mumar, LCR head Baby Queroljico, CHRMO OIC Asner Dean and CEEO head Bebot Beso

OIC-City Administrator Arnol Trani, CDAPRO head Dr. Teody Fortaleza and Engr. James Fortaleza

Mayor Sarmiento as he welcomed Francisco Colayco

Mr. Colayco delivering his short speech

Mr. Colayco with the City Officials. (l-r) Councilors Julius Mancol, Ver Porlares, Noel Sermense, Mayor Sarmiento, Councilors James Uy, Bombie Enriquez, Danny Bernate. In front are Councilors Susano Salurio and Virgil Clemens

Mr. Colayco with some businessmen

Chinese New Year at the Sam Tai Chi Temple

I was invited to the 13th Anniversary cum Chinese New Year Celebration at the Sam Tai Chi Temple. In case you're wondering where it is located, it's on the 4th floor of the Lim Guan Ko Building at Rosales Boulevard which many Calbayognon simply refer to as EC Marketing.

Ever the gracious hosts, Man Tiboy and Mana Iday Chan and the whole family - Alma, Vilma, Anthony, Jun & Andrea and Popot & Male - were on hand to make the guests feel welcome at today's affair. This was one visit though where I didn't stay long because of an appointment. With Popot's perrmission I managed to take some pictures which I am glad to share with you.

One of the many signages guiding the visitors to the temple

I didn't wear a red shirt, so I was made to put one of these red ribbon rosettes

Guests had to leave their shoes or sandals on the third floor and were made to wear slippers like the one shown on the lower right side.

Joss sticks galore

the view from the top

My group did a wedding two weeks ago today. The reception was held at the Centennial Pastoral Center. After the ceremonies (and while taking our late lunch) I managed to take some pix of the view of some portions of Calbayog as seen from the recpetion site and this is what I got:

That's Calbayog Pilot Central School. The one with the red roof is the Gabaldon Building where many Calbayognon spent had their early elementary years.

The bellfry of the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral

and yes, two towers in residential areas. On the left is that of Sun Cellular and the other one is that of Islacom

pamuring

Ash Wednesday or Miercoles de Ceniza "came early" this year. As expected, a good number of Calbayognon took time to attend mass and undergo the traditional pamuring. Masses were said in various chapels and schools. During the 5 pm mass, the Cathedral was filled with the faithful as early as 4:o0 pm. It has always been the way it is as far as I can remember. The crowd will more than double in less than forty days' time when the faithful will once again troop to the Cathedral for the kwaresma services. During today's mass, I heard one sierva sister comment about the faith of the Calbayognon. That statement reminded me of a line supposedly uttered by the first Bishop of Calbayog when asked why he choose Calbayog as the seat of the diocese: "... the faith of the Calbayogon is second to none ..."

Msgr. Leonardo Guadalquiver takes time to talk with some lay ministers and lectors at the sacristy as they wait for the signal to start the mass.

one thing though, the faithful never learned to fall in line during the pamuring.

Vocation Awareness Month

The Diocese of Calbayog through the Commission on Seminarians / Vocations today launched Vocation Awareness Month.

The activity commenced with a Mass presided by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. It was followed by a parade participated in by seminarians from ther Sts. Vincent De Paul Seminary and students from some Catholic Schools. The launching was capped with a symposium at the La Milagrosa Academy Auditorium

Fr. Andres Espiritu, head of the Diocesan Commission on Seminarians / Vocation (2nd from the right) with some seminarians as they lead the parade.

Congrats Councilor Ina

Councilor Ina Rabuya was reelected (unopposed, again) as BOD for the Visayas of the Lady Local Legislators' League of the Philippines.

some clean CRs in the City

I was supposed to publish this more than a week ago, but I got sick. Anyway, by this time, many Calbayognons are quite familiar with the new Calbayog landmark which is the Rawis Fair Market.

As the name of the place implies, there are stores in the area. What makes the place "extra" attractive is the presence of clean comfort rooms (or rest rooms). There are at least three in the area and I would like to feature one of the two located near the activity/program/stage area.

No description needed as to how clean these rest rooms are. And yes, they don't stink, the toilet bowls have flushes that really flush, and there is soap in the soap dish. One has to provided with his own toilet paper though. Considering all these, the 3-peso fee is not that bad at all. and yes, let's hope the management will be able to keep it that way in the many years to come.

Matobato Fiesta 2008

Baranggay Matobato held their annual fiesta in honor of San Rafael today. This year's hermano & hermana are Larry & Lina Antonio of Los Angeles, USA. The couple are active members of the Calbayog Association of Southern California. As Lina Bernardo - Antonio said, it's a fitting thanksgiving to God and San Rafael for the many blessings received by the family.

It also served as a mini-reunion for the Bernardos as the hermana was joined by her siblings, some who flew in from around the globe, to help in the preparations for the fiesta. Leading the pack is the eldest of the brood, Edna Bernardo of Matobato. Nila Bernardo - Suan of Mandaluyong City was joined by her husband Felix Suan Jr. Josie Bernardo - Bracamonte and Luis Bernardo came all the way from Brockville, Ontario, Canada. Lou Bernardo - Vallejo and husband Matthew Vallejo also came for the event, coming from West Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Various activities were held for the week-long merriment, including the traditional processions, novena masses, dances, and the various baranggay activities. Fr. Ferdie Figueroa officiated the mass along with Fr. Ric Pitogo, Fr. Erwin Rodriguez, Fr. Rodante Abegonia, Fr. Noel Abiertas and Fr. Salvador Cerbito, OFM. Seminarians from St. Vincent de Paul Seminary also joined in the celebration.

It was a blessed day indeed as the sun shown brightly despite the gloominess of the weather days prior the fiesta. As expected, guests were treated to the hospitality of the people of Matobato as visitors from Calbayog City and its environs came. The hermana opened the sprawling gardens of the Bernardos for the traditional reception. Guests flowed in until the early evening. Next year's festivities will be led by the Cepeda sisters.

in memoriam: Judge Senforiano Monsanto

Judge Nonoy Monsanto was laid to rest today.

He returned to his creator on January 16, 2008.

partying with the Prosecutors (and friends)

Atty. Edwin Gomez recently gave me copies of some pictures taken during Nick and Pheona's wedding reception at The Conservatory of the Manila Pen. This happened exactly two months ago today. (Yup two weeks before that infamous seige by Sen. Trillanes and company)

Pheona and Nick with (l-r) Nelly Ricafort, Randy Ricafort (with Juliana) Bernadette Cañada, Jeanette Cañada, Totit Cañada-Chu (with Danielle), Dennis Chu, Atty. Edwin Gomez, Atty. Chari Calalang, Arthur Dordines and Atty. Mario Quinit.

That's me (in gray) with Atty. Edwin, Atty. Chari and Atty. Mario

Me again with (l-r) Ivan Martinez, Ito Rivera, Atty. Edwin Gomez, Bernadette Cañada, Atty. Chari Calalang, Atty. Mario Quinit and Warren Taperla

when Albert got married to Marivic

I did my first wedding (for the year) yesterday. It was that of Albert Doroja and Marivic Trangia. The Wedding Mass was held at 2:oop p.m. at the St. James the Great Parish Church in Sta. Margarita.

Msgr. Anton Verzosa said the Mass with Msgr. Luis Llarenas, Fr. Toto Vivas and Fr. Boyboy Aquino as concelebrants. KITA Parish Choir of Calbayog provided the music during the mass.

Reception was held at the Cardinal Rosales Hall of the Centennial Pastoral Center.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento headed the list of sponsors which included Elvie Uyloan, Minda Pasacas, Ruben Adona, Ana Arejola, Jet Gan, among others. Voice Tag Band provided the music to which guests danced and jammed way past midnight.

I managed to take two pix during the affair. One is that of the couple being congratulated by Ruben Adona and (bottom) the groom with his bestfriend Michael Maribojoc.

that old homey feeling

I treated sir Nilo to snacks today. We decided to visit Cantina Bernardo (it used to be Bernardo's when I was in elementary). The store was in its usual self - no pretensions, only good food. There's something in it that sets the place apart from the rest, and that's not the airconditioning (or the absence of it). Sir Nilo summed it up by saying, "baga kit an nangangaun sa balay". I guess Calbayognons like that. Cantina Bernardo still gets a good share of the dining public despite competition from fastfood and other restos in the city.

It's always like this. Posters advertising a softdrink adorn the wall at Cantina Bernardo.

My favorite food combo: Pancit Palabok and Hamburger

down goes the tree

Indeed Christmas is over and so is Light-A-Tree 2007. Some employees got busy today to dismantle the giant Christmas Tree at the Cardinal Rosales Plaza. The food stalls are out and the area will be in its usual self again - kinda dark at night with a good number of lovers doing their thing directly beneath the statue of the Sacred Heart. Well, es la vida. In the meantime let's get back to work (or should I say, let's get back to the world of reality). See you again for food and drinks at the Plaza 11 months from now.

hay paputok, I rest my case

A friendly reminder. The text on the streamer should read: OPLAN PAALALA: IWAS-SUNOG. BFP Calbayog gave that friendly reminder to all Calbayognons as they got busy with the New Year's Celebration. That streamer was hung in front, err above the area along Gomez Street where temporary stalls were erected for what else, selling of firecrackers. Needless to say, the vendors raked it in days before the New Year. They always do.