Maupay nga Patron Calbayog!

Hi there! It’s Friday ngan besperas yana didi sa Calbayog. I’m back again, blame my absence on the fiesta. And since it’s fiesta I won’t be digging on issues (both mundane and relevant) today. I’ll just settle (for once?) with an enumeration of what has happened and what to expect in Calbayog this fiesta season.

The crowds have come to Calbayog. If you are into crowded streets and slow moving PD cabs (or tricycle) and yes even cars and motorcycles, then, Calbayog at this time of the year is for you (do I have to add that it’s hot? Like it’s 32 degrees Celsius as I write this). Where did they came from? I heard somebody ask one night after a performance at the Nijaga Park when people tried to rush back home.

This year, Calbayognons join the family of Vhijaya Obong – Chu in thanking the Almighty for graces He has bestowed upon Calbayog. Ms. Chu is taking the place of her sister Belinda Obong – Benedicto who enlisted for the hermanidad a few years ago, sadly she returned to her creator before this year’s celebration. Last night, the Hermana Mayor hosted the traditional Hermana Night dubbed as Gab-i san Pagpasalamat.

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For its part, the City Government is hosting the annual Hadang Festival which opened last Saturday. Mayor Mel Sarmiento delivered a speech thanking the private sector for cooperating with the LGU with the Festival’s activities. This year’s main sponsors include Universal Robina Corporation. Other sponsors include Jollibee and Globe Telecom.

Calbayognons and guests will be treated to the annual fiesta parade this morning where among the officials invited are Congressman Reynaldo Uy and Governor Mila Tan.

The Hadang Grand Streetdance will be held this afternoon. A good number of municipalities and barangays have confirmed their participation in the said event. They will perform in key areas around the city and do their exhibition at the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center.

As I write this column, I just had my picture taken with Bamboo, a few hours before their first Calbayog concert. Some nice points from the Bamboo concert. The tickets were priced at only 100 pesos each. It’s a result of both the LGU and the private sector moving together to make some difference. In this case, it's Honda Cinemar Traders through Mr. Tony Tan. The organizers were not after earning money but to make sure a good number of people get to see one of the country’s most popular rock groups and have fun this fiesta season.

This year's Festival is characterized by the presence of a good number of bands both homegrown and from Cebu and Manila, with Bamboo leading the list. Last Wednesday, Stagecrew performed at the Nijaga Park. On opening Night, Suburbia (one one Cebu's top showbands) did its gig. On fiesta night, Callalily will be the main performers.

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Tomorrow’s main event is the Pontifical Mass which will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral at 9:00 am. It will be the first for the newly installed Bishop of Calbayog, Monsignor Isabelo Abarquez.

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This should be it for today, an besperas sa Calbayog. Let me leave you with something to smile about this weekend. the second set of movie title translations I left you with last week:

22. Employee of the Month - Ang Sipsip
23. Resident Evil - Ang Biyenan
24. Kill Bill - Kilitiin sa Bilbil
25. The Grudge - Lintik lang ang Walang Ganti
26. Nightmare Before Christmas - Binangungot sa Noche Buena
27. Never Been Kissed - Pangit Kasi
28. Gone in 60 Seconds - 1 Round Lang, Tulog
29. The Fast and the Furious - Ang Bitin, Galit
30. Too Fast, Too Furious - Kapag Sobrang Bitin, Sobrang Galit
31. Dude, Where's My Car - Dong, Anong Level Ulit Tayo Nag-park?
32. Beauty and the Beast - Ang Asawa ko at ang Nanay Nya
33. The Lord of the Rings - Ang Alahero
34. Die Hard - Hindi Mamatay-matay
35. Die Hard, With A Vengeance - Hindi Na Mamatay-matay, Nag-Higanti Pa
35. Lost In Space - Mga Tangang Naligaw sa Kalawakan
36. Paycheck - Sweldo
37. What Lies Beneath - Ang Pagsisinungaling sa Ilalim
38. Cinderella Man - Bading si Cinderella
39. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Nag-trabaho si Charlie sa Goya
40. Blade Runner - Magnanakaw ng Labaha
41. Schindler’s List - Mga May Utang kay Schindler

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This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!