My Calbayog Diary

Sunday, December 05, 2010

toinks!!!

Here's my take on that DOT campaign. After listening to the DOT Secretary and the agency which did it, I think it made sense. As to the name Ronald instead of "Pilipinas", all I can say is toinks! Smile have a nice week ahead!

and yes, while we are into the issue, I might as well give you this which I got somewhere in the internet:

Happy Birthday Vice!

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Saturday, December 04, 2010

4Ps

I took these pix earlier today. Nope, there was no rally or parade. It's a gathering of 4-Ps beneficiaries. They converge at the Nijaga Park every Saturday(the "gathering" starts before 8 in the morning) and off they go (by batches) to the landbank office for their checks.

Friday, December 03, 2010

from celebrity hound to paparazzi

U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas was in Calbayog yesterday. Well, the celebrity hound (meaning me) failed to have his picture taken with the amiable diplomat. I got busy shooting pictures and yup I ended up as a paparazzi (that's simply 'a photographer' in Calbayog parlance). I would have wanted to call this blogpost as "I shot the Ambassador". Mr. Thomas is shown here with my friends Jennifer Sumagang-Allegado and Immabel Sidic. Yup, I shot the three of them, err, I took this picture.

Ambassador Thomas with the Calbayog media

U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas was in Calbayog yestarday to attend the IJM event and the turn-over of the U.S. and LGU - funded renovation of the CRESCENT facility in Barangay Payahan. Here's the shaky video I managed to take during Ambassador Thomas' media pull-aside.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

coffee and pizza at Ciriaco

Ciriaco Hotel is now open to the public. It's more of a soft opening 'coz the Presidential Suite, the pool and the spa are still under construction. A few days ago we tried their resto "Cafe Elsa". We settled for coffee and pizza. They have the usual machiatto, cafe latte, capuccino, expresso, etc. What caught my attention that night was their three-layer coffee (chocolate syrup, coffee and milk). I would learn that this is an "exclusive" product of the genesis hotel chain and the bistro resto groups (read: Italliani's TGIF, etc.); and it's the "most pricey" coffee on the menu. How much? Let's put it at over 100 pesos. The pizza had a generous sprinkling of mushroom and cheese. I am no pizza person so no judgement on that. As to the three-layer coffee, it was kinda sweet for me so I decided I had to settle for the reliable cafe americano or cafe mocha on my next visit. So how was it? If you are into a cool, quiet and well-lighted place for your dinner or snacks, then Cafe Elsa is for you.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Taragpo 2010

The tentative TARAGPO 2010 sked:

December 28, 2010:

Motorcade
General Assembly
Ratification of the new CKC-CSVP Alumni Association By-laws
Election of Officers

December 29, 2010:

TARAGPO Night at the Technical Building Grounds

This year's Taragpo is sponsored by the CKC High School Class 1990.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

150 years of the FMSH

The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart (FMSC) are celebrating the a150th anniversary of the Foundation of the FMSC Institute in Rome. The congregation in Calbayog (they are the sisters who presently occupy the house of the late Julio Cardinal Rosales), led by their superior, Sis. Jocelyn Leaño observed the event with a Thanksgiving Mass led by Bishop Isablelo Abarquez. The mass was followed by an exhibit at the Centennial Pastoral Center.

Here's the introduction read by Sis. Jocelyn before this morning's mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral:

"Good Morning sisters and brothers in Christ,

Last November 14, 2010 at the General House 'Asisium' - Rome, the General Superior of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Sr. Emmapia Bottamedi announced the opening of the Jubilee year for the 150th anniversary of the Foundation of the Institute. she urged every Province and Apostolic Region to adequately plan and celebrate the jubilee year of the congregation, bearing in mind their social and cultural reality.

This is an extraordinary event in the history of our FMSC congregation, a great time to rekindle the flame of the grace of our origins that leads the congregation to remember, to preserve and to celebrate. A time to make a thanksgiving resonate with joy and amazement by reviving the gift shared in the spirit of strengthening awareness of the mission entrusted tos us; and for the immense benefit received from Him; in His goodness, without our merit, from different countries, races, languages and cultures He called us to form a unique Family united in Christ.

Above all to renew ourselves spiritually, to increase the sense of belongingness to the Congregation, devotion to the charism, love to one's own vocation. Everybody builds and grows on the basis of faith that our founders Laura Lerox, Duchess of Bauffremont and Father Gregory Fioravanti, ofm with the first sisters in different ways have sought to convey to us.

So today with praise and gratitude to the Lord, we, The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Calbayog City Community, in participation to the whole congregation celebrates the opening of the Jubilee year for he 150th anniversary of the Foundation of the Institute, with the theme: "For 150 years in the steps of Divine Providence: from the gratitude of memory to the commitment of prophecy".

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez with the FMSC community in Calbayog led by the Superior Sis. Jocelyn Leaño (right)

Here are some pix i took at the FMSC photo exhibit at the Centennial Pastoral Center

That's me with Elma Magoncia and Sis. Jocelyn.

1st Sunday of Advent

It's almost Christmas. Today we observe the first Sunday of Advent. At the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the first candle of the Advent wreath has been lighted.