PP12 Sideligths: Waiting for the Ambassador

PP12 officially opened a week ago today. Here are some pictures taken before the arrival of Ambassador Thomas who was the guest of honor during the ceremonies.

The CACO ISKOLARS on hand to provide music for the Cultural Presentations.

The CKC Youth Symphony Orchestra provided prelude music.

Mayor Ronald Aquino talks with Lt Brian Weatherup while Governor Sharee Ann Tan talks with Monsginor Francisco Cinco as the waited for the arrival of the Ambassador.

The official receiving line (l-r) Monsignor Cinco, Gen. Loot, Governor Tan and Mayor Aquino.

(Photos courtesy of Joel Lagang for the CTIO)

Different nationalities participate in Pacific Partnership 2012

Tacloban City - Different nationalities have gathered in Calbayog City to participate in the conduct of Pacific Partnership 2012. (read more)

Samar Leaders set aside politics during Pacific Partnership 2012 Opening

U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas is joined by some officials as he faced the media after the PP12 Opening Ceremonies. In photo are (l-r) Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento, Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, Col Emmanuel Cacdac, Lt Gen Ralph Villanueva and Rear Admiral Cecil Haney. (Photo by Joel Lagang  for the CTIO)

Calbayog City - Politics was set aside for the first time in the province of Samar, this after political rivals in the said province gathered in Calbayog City for the opening of the humanitarian mission of the US Navy medical ship Mercy. (read more)

PP12: Fun Run

A Fun Run was held in Calbayog early this morning. The event was part of the Community Relations component of Pacific Partnership 2012. PP12 partnered with the Rotary Club of Calbayog for this event. Here are some photos which I got courtesy of Irene Pastrana.

PP12: Concerts at the Park

Calbayognons were treated to two concerts at the Nijaga Park last night. The concerts featured the True Faith Band and the front act by members of the Pacific Fleet Band.

(photos by Joel Lagang)

Our USNS Mercy ship tour (2)

Here's the second set of pictures which I managed to take during our tour of the USNS Mercy ship last Wednesday. As I stated earlier, it lasted approximately 30 minutes, 1 hour and 30 minutes short of the 2-hour tour as per advisory given to us. Anyway, we managed to see well-equipped hospital beds, some of the patients, the clean hallway, a poster which showed the ship's scheme of maneuver, and more posters of the facilities of the ship.

Mercy Mission going on in Calbayog

U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas (4th from the left) and other VIPs as they stood in attention for the exit of the colors during the Opening Ceremonies of Pacific Partnership 2012. In photo are (l-r) Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, Admiral Cecil Haney, Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento, Lt Gen Ralph Vilanueva and Monsignor Francisco Cinco, III. (Photo by Joel Lagang)

Calbayog City - The ongoing humanitarian mission being conducted by the members of a multi-national mercy mission led by the US government was welcomed by Sama officials. (read more)

Our USNS Mercy ship tour (1)

Our office together with together with some members of the local media was invited to tour the USNS Mercy Hospital ship. Here is the first set of pictures I managed to take during our tour

Needless to say, we were instructed to be at the pier at 12:00 noon, yes 12:00 noon for our 1:00 pm ship tour.

The set of guidelines for the ship tour. among other things it advised visitors that the tour will last almost two hours (ours lasted 30 minutes); it also advised guests to have their money exchanged to dollars just in case they'd be interested to buy some stuff in the Mercy store (during our tour that store was nowhere to be found)

Our group being given some sort of a briefing before the tour.

The USNS Mercy and the Japanese Ship Oosomi as seen from the Calbayog pier.

Yup, we took what they called the Band-aid boat in going to the Mercy ship.

. . . and indeed, the ship was huge