SAC (organic) store

It was a pleasant surprise to discover this little store tucked in a small corner of the Diocesan Pastoral Center (which many usually refer to as the youth hostel).

At the corner of Sen. Pres. J. D. Avelino Avenue and Licenciado Street (or directly in front of the spanking Centennial Pastoral Center) one will find SAC store. SAC stands for Social Action Center, one of the important programs of the Diocese of Calbayog.

They have organic products in the store. The ignoramus in me querried with the lady in the store about what organic is and was told that it's any farm product produced without the use of fertlizers.

The store opened in June of this year and had a good number of products newly-harvested from a farm in Brgy. Limarayun. The day I was there, they had squash and red rice for sale.

Another thing worth noting about the store is that it stands on "venerable" ground. Oops, it's the history buff in me that made me say that. One only have to look at the floor tiles. I believe that it dates back to the Spanish times. If we may review our local history, the renovated youth hostel was built around the same time that the old barracks building and the Cathedral were built

and they kept coming

I took these pictures early this week. It's still with the registration for the SK and Barangay elections. With the cramped office space of Comelec Calbayog, registrants spill out to Pajarito Street extension and at the City Hall compound.

Considering the number of those who took time to register, it seems that so much importance is being given to the elections.

And they have started doing their alignments. Word has it that vote-buying is not something unheard of in the SK elections. Well, es la vida. One observation though, try checking the wall near the stairs in the City Hall building (and yes, als the flagpoles near the stage), it's stained with black and violet marks which turned out to be the ink which the registrants used for their thumbmarks. The registrants used these spaces to clean their stained thumbs. What kind of leadership can you expect from people who can hardly manage their stained fingers.

vehicular accident claims 11 lives

Crowds gather outside St. Jude Memorial Service where the dead bodies were brought

At around 3.30 pm last Sunday, an izusu truck driven by one Fermin Raypan of Brgy. Panlayahan traveling northbound from Calbayog City, with Comelec registrants on board, ran out of control in the uphill pavement along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Cagsalaosao and swerved to the left lane and accidentally bumped a single “habal-habal” motorcycle driven by Alfie Lagrimas (of Brgy. Macatingog) with three backriders on board.

The truck ran-off the left pavement and turned on its left side. The habal-habal driver sustained injuries and was brought to the Calbayog Sanitarium Hospital. The two backriders namely Efren Efa and Joey Loberiano were brought to the Our Lady of Porziuncula Hospital (OLPHI). The third backrider, 65-year old Amparo Banciano of Brgy. Macatingog died on the spot.

Of the eleven riders on board the izusu truck, six died on the spot. They were identified as Junjun Francisco (16 yrs. old), Jordan Palatones (16 yo) Junmark Pugoso (15 yo), Sherwin Duha (15 yo), A Caspe. All five were from Brgy. Peña. The sixth victim to die on the spot was Ramil Cabig (26 yo) of Brgy. Dagum.

Five others were brought to different hospitals. Declared dead on arrival at the St. Camillus Hospital were Arjay Boy Arabis (15 yo), Reneboy Suarez (16 yo) and Amador Maribojoc (17 yo). Declared dead on arrival at the Sanitarium Hospital was Samley Ortega (15 yo). One victim, Joven Suarez (16 yo) was conveyed to Tacloban City but he died along the way. They were all residents of Brgy. Peña.

Twenty-eight other riders were injured and brought to different hospitals.
Nine were brought to the Calbayog Sanitarium Hospital, namely, Eduardo Gonzales (16 yo), Romnick Cellar (15 yo), Reynaldo David (16), Lope Caspe, Vermonte Mercader (14 yo), Darwin Lontoco (15 yo), Alfredo Evardone (16 yo), Salvador Domingo (16 yo), Franklin Saba (20 yo).

Five were brought to the OLPHI. They are the truck driver Fernan Raypan (28 yo), Junley De Jesus (15 yo), Edwin Punay (16 yo), Arnel Ronda (15yo), and Benedict Prasmo (19 yo).

The 14 victims brought to the St. Camillus hospital were: Jobet Maribojoc (15 yo), Arnel Verba (17 yo), Raymond Maribojoc (15 yo), Jomar Ronda (16 yo), Ruby Gotchave (16 yo), Jun Kenko (15 yo), Raymond Valero (15 yo), Ignacio borinaga 917 yo), Richard Dote (18yo), Christian Ibajo (15 yo), Lunico Pacasa (15 yo), Lester Mejares (15 yo), Giovanie Mahinay (17 yo) all residents of Brgy. Peña; and Ruby Carig (21 yo) of Brgy. Dagum.

The subject izusu truck is allegedly owned by Alfa Contractor named Esteban Fortaleza of Brgy. Payahan, Calbayog City. PNP Officer on the case is SPOIV Saturnino Getigan.

The 2007 GAWAD-SAKA Awards

the event: The 2007 Gawad Saka Awarding Ceremonies

the date: 12 July 2007

the venue: Malacañan Palace

the awardees: Councilor Arturo Pasacas and Family

the cash award: Php 125,000.00 (Php 100,000.00 from DA National Office, Php 25,000.00 from DA Regional Office #8)

The Pasacas Family

The Awardees with PGMA

The Pasacas Family with their escorts. (extreme right) Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento. (L-R) Tetchie Pagunsan, CAFC Chair Esteban Conchas and City Agriculturist Adela Ocenar

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with DA Secretary Arturo Yap (center), Sta. Margarita Mayor Fred Serrano (2nd from the left) and Tetchie Pagunsan (extreme right)

The awardees after receiving the cash prize from DA Usec Jesus Paras

The awardees' escorts were Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, DA Region 8 Executive Director Leo P. Caсeda, City Agriculturist Adela P. Ocenar, CAFC Chair Esteban Conchas, Lucena Mendoza and Techie G. Pagunsan.

On July 10, 2007 the awardees and their escorts attended an orientation/ briefing at the NAFC conference Hall from 9 am to 5 pm. The day's activity was capped by a Fellowship Night and the giving of the Cash Awards at the BSWM Function Room with DA Undersecretary Jesus Emmanuel Paras in attendance.

On July 12, 2007, at 3:00 pm, the awardees received their trophies from PGMA in Malacañan.

(pictures and other event details courtesy of Tetchie Pagunsan)

and they came in droves

As reported, the COMELEC is doing yet another registration. This time for a new set of young (and I suppose other unregistered) voters in time for the SK and the Barangay elections (in my opinion, the most boring of elections)

And it happened yesterday, when many young prospective voters came to the city in droves. These are images taken in front of the City Hall around lunch time when many registrants seem to be lost (maybe in anticipation for lunch). They were scattered at the City Hall stage, the driveway, the familiar Mabolo Tree, at the central portion of the City Hall, and even under the shade of the candle / indian tree. No need to imagine how it would have looked (or felt like) in the cramped Calbayog Comelec office.

the City Treasurer's new office

City Treasurer Rene Resente and the cashiers recently moved to their new, more spacious and well-lighted office. It's an extension of the CTO located at the central portion of the City Hall.

The Samar Provincial Board Members take their Oath

My apologies for the very late posting of these pictures. As reported, seven members of the Samar Provincial Board participated in the Oath-Taking Cermonies at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Calbayog City.

Here are their pictures

Board Member Tommy Bolastig

Board Member Eunice Babalcon

Board Member Rogelio Casurao

Board Member Renato Uy

Board Member Charlie Coñejos

Board Member Pamy Merino - Fortraleza

Board Member Nancy Rosales

the Proposed Calbayog City Walkway/ Seafood Market

Let me share with you some pictures / illustration of one of the beautification projects of the LGU, the proposed Calbayog City Walkway / Seafood Market. This will be on Magsaysay boulevard (the area which ends at the Calbayog River).

Mayor Mel Sarmiento takes oath before PGMA

PGMA with Mayor Mel Sarmiento. In attendance during the ceremonies were (R-L) Mrs. Orange Sarmiento, sons Javier Senen Sarmiento and Jody Senen Sarmiento

Images from the 2007 Oath-Taking Ceremonies (3)

Here are group pictures taken after the ceremonies

The officials singing "MAGSARANGKAY"

(L-R) Board Member Roger Casurao, Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Board Members Tommy Bolastig, Eunice Babalcon, Pamy Fortaleza and Nancy Rosales, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Councilors Ver Porlares, Noel Sermense, Ina Rabuya, Benjie Dean and Julius Mancol

The City Officials of Calbayog

(seated L-R) Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento and Councilor Regina Rabuya

(standing L-R) Councilors Raymund Uy, Benjie Dean, Virgil Porlares, Jonas Montealto, Susano Salurio, Arturo Pasacas, Danilo Bernate, Noel Sermense, Julius Mancol, Ver Porlares and Jim Uy.

The City Officials with Congressman Reynaldo Uy

Flashing the "L" sign for Liberal

Images from the 2007 Oath-Taking Ceremonies (2)

Here are the pictures of Congressman Uy, Mayor Sarmiento and Vice Mayor Aquino taking their oaths

Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino delivering his Opening Remarks

Part of the crowd that witnessed the ceremonies

Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino takes oath before Carmen Punong Barangay Amelia Cabral. Holding the bible is Mrs. Lina Aquino. To her left is son Mark and wife Ella.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento takes his symbolic oath

Congressman Reynaldo Uy takes his oath before Executive Judge Roberto Navidad. His son, Councilor Jim Uy holds the bible

Congressman Uy delivering his inaugural speech