The 2010 Charter Day Awardees

One of the highlights of the 62nd Calbayog Charter Day Celebration was the giving of special awards and citations some to some personalities who have contributed their time and talents to the City of Calbayog.

The personalities cited that night were:

• Reynaldo Macaloyos Prudenciado, Jr. for being a 6th placer in the recent Certified Public Accountants (CPA) licensure board examination.
• Nemesio "Totoy" Baldesco, a tricycle driver from Barangay Matobato. For winning the Jimmy Y. Balacuit Special Award on Poetry in the 17th National Writers' Workshop held at the Mindanao State Univeristy in Iligan City on May 23-28, 2010.
• Ramon Carlo Baring for being a 10th placer in the recent Nursing licensure board examinations (held last July 3 - 4, 2010)
• "An Palayaman san Ciudad san Calbayog Program" for its success in providing food security to its beneficiaries and giving positive impact to Calbayog.
• The Officials and Personnel of PNP assigned in Police Community Precinct-IV of Calbayog for dedicated service in law enforcement. These are P/Insp Reynaldo P. Lim, SPO2 Joselito D. Serrano, SPO1 Tito Pallones, PO3 Andres B. Francsico, PO2 Erwin U. Beso and P/Insp Sotero C. Abrito, Jr.
• Rev. Fr. Marlowe Rosales, ofm. Bestowed the title as "Adopted Son of Calbayog" for his dedication and zestful service in developing the Calbayog youth comprising the CKC-Jose Gomez Symphony Orchestra.
• Lt Robert Salvan of the 20th IB PA and Lt Rodrigo Latonio of the 34th IB,PA for exemplary performance in the pursuit of peace in the Happy Valley area of Calbayog.
• Mr. Crisanto Pacho, Principal of the Migara Elementary School. For his courageous act in protecting his students during a raid of bandits in Migara last July 16, 2010.
• P/Insp Rolando Diaz and the personnel of PNP Community Precinct in Migara. for standing in the forefront in preserving peace and order in the Migara and Happy Valley areas despite limited resources and a smaller strength.
• SPO3 Joseph Sagadal for dedication to service. He lost three fingers during an assualt by bandits in Barangay Migara on July 18, 2010.
• P/Supt Nestor Valenzuela, Calbayog PNP Chief. For curbin illegal activities involving drugs, gambling and fishing. And for his diligent efforts to be of service to the people which contributed to the maintenance of peace and order in his areas of responsibility.

The citations were presented by Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento, Mayor Reynaldo Uy and Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino. Also on hand to congratulate the awardees were the members of the Sanguniang Panlungsod.

Here are some pictures of the awardees as they received their plaques from the City Officials

Nemesio "Totoy" Baldesco

Ramon Carlo Baring

Mr. Marto Calamayo representing the "An Palayaman san Ciudad san Calbayog Program"

Rev. Fr. Marlowe Rosales, ofm

Lt Robert Salvan

Mr. Crisanto Pacho

P/Insp Rolando Diaz

SPO3 Joseph Sagadal

P/Supt Nestor Valenzuela

Photos courtesy of Henry Puyat

Calbayog honors CPA Board topnothcer

Among the highlights of today's Independence Day celebration in Calbayog was the awarding of the SP Resolution commending Mr. Reynaldo Prudenciado, Jr. an accounting graduate from Christ the King College who placed 6th in the recent CPA Board Exam.

Photo above shows Councilor Julius Mancol handing over the copy of the resolution to Mr. Prudente. The awarding ceremony was held at the Nijaga Park stage. The evening's affair was also highlighted by the maiden performance of CACO's "Serapio: the Musicale" (Photo by Jinjin Aguilar-Cinco)

Tricycle driver wins national award on poetry

Let me give you a report which I received courtesy of PIA-8 and Eleen Lim of DYOG Radyo ng Bayan.


Tricycle driver wins national award on poetry
By Neil D. Lopido

Nemesio “Totoy” Baldesco, a tricycle “padyak” driver from Calbayog City, won the Jimmy Y. Balacuit Special Award on Poetry in the just concluded 17^th Iligan National Writers Workshop held at the Mindanao State University, Iligan City on May 23-28, 2010.

Baldesco was given with such meritorious award by the panel of critics from big universities in the country for his craftsmanship in his poem “Sikad” which talks about the life of a tricycle driver who takes pain in earning money just to feed his family and send his children to school.

The panel of critics who granted the said award were: Antonio Enriquez (Ateneo de Zamboanga), Leoncio P. Deriada (UP Iloilo), Merlie M. Alunan (UP Tacloban), Victor N. Sugbo (UP Tacloban), German V. Gervacio (MSU-IIT), Steven P.C. Fernandez (MSU-IIT), this year’s keynote lecturer, Lawrence Ypil (Ateneo de Manila University), and workshop director, Christine Godinez-Ortega (MSU-IIT).

Baldesco was the only fellow from Eastern Visayas. Along with him were: Bernardo Miguel from Calabanga, Camarines Sur; Paul A. Castillo from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila; Roberto Klemente R. Timonera from MSU-IIT, Iligan City; Gratian Paul R. Tidor, MSU-IIT, Dipolog City; Herminigildo M. Dico, MSU-IIT, Dumingog, Zamboanga del Sur; Jona B. Bering from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City; Jayson E. Parba, Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro City; Kyra Camille C. Ballesteros, Ateneo de Manila University, Taytay, Rizal; Romulo P. Pena, UP Diliman, Quezon City; Reynaldo A. Villaruz, Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion, Roxas City; and Anili F. Butcon, Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City.

The said writer has already received numerous awards from various award-giving bodies. In Eastern Visayas for example, the Ibabao Arts Council of Calbayog bestowed unto him the Poet Laureate Award of Calbayog in 2008 during the Siday sa Kahanginan Poetry and the Provincial Government of Samar proclaimed him Champion in the Oral Siday Competition held in 2004 during the Samar Day Celebration. While at the national scene, Baldesco received a Gantimpalang Ani Award for Poetry in 1994 from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and in 2007 the Gawad Komisyon Karangalang Banggit for Poetry by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).

As a traditional writer in Waray, Baldesco updated himself in contemporary writing through his active involvement in the annual Lamiraw Regional Creative Writing Workshop held in Northwest Samar State University ( NwSSU). His attendance in the Iligan workshop this year is a big leap in broadening his knowledge in poetry and literary criticism, especially in honing his craftsmanship.

Baldesco, 55, lives in Brgy. Matobato in Calbayog City, together with his writer-wife Ana and his children who are also artists in their respective fields. (PIA-8/Lamiraw)

Calbayog LGU cites EVRAA 2010 winners

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he congratulated the EVRAA winners during this morning's ceremony.

The City Government today cited the secondary and elementary students who won medals in the recently concluded EVRAA 2010. Mayor Mel Sarmiento was joined by Mr. Bobby Diomangay, DepEd Calbayopg PESS Supervisor in distributing the the cash incentives to the young achievers.

Winners in the individual category received 2,500 pesos (for gold), 1,500 pesos (for silver) and 800 pesos (for bronze) 800. Winners in the doubles category for 3,000 (for gold) 2,000 (for silver) and 1,000 for bronze). Group events winners received Php 3,500, Php 2,500 and Php 1,000 for gold, silver and bronze respectively.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento (6th from the right) with Mr. Bobby Diomangay (4th from the right) and the EVRAA 2010 medalists.

Here's the list of athletes who won in EVRAA 2010:

GOLD (Elementary)

• Joe Cris Otrara (Gymnastics /MAG)
• Denise Pauline Bernardo (Swimming)
• John Paul Abellar (Swimming)

GOLD (Secondary)

• Jemary Matan (Athletics /Discus Throw)
• Brylle Anthony Daguman (Tennis /SB)
• Romeo Francis Dimakiling (Tennis /SA)
• Romeo Francis Dimakiling Crossover Game
• Dale Jay Pepito (Tennis /Doubles)
• Rio Mikko Saplad (Tannis /Doubles)

SILVER (Elementary)

• Rudie Jaime IV (Athletics 1500m)
• Prince charles Calesa (Athletics / Discus throw)
• Joe Cris Otrera (Gymnastics / Floor Exercise)
• Joe Cris Otrera (Gymnastics / Team)
• Joe Cris Otrera (Gymnastics / All Around)
• Jeric Rosima (Gymnastics / Team)
• Zuriel Neri Tozon (Gymnastics / Team)
• Denise Pauline Bernardo (Swimming)
• Ryan Timothy Araba (Tennis / Doubles)
• Kent De Leon (Tennis / Doubles)
• Joy Tocayon (Tennis / Doubles)
• Neika amor Taripe (Tennis / Doubles)

SILVER (Secondary)

• Melfraim Bacunawa (athletics / Shot Put)
• Regina Corpuz (Chess / B2)
• Regina Corpuz (Chess / Team)
• Khezel Ballon (Chess / Team)
• Paulo Amita (Gymnastics / Team)
• Levie Caro (Gymnastics / Team)
• Jeffrey Militar (Gymnastics / Team)
• Brylle Anthony Daguman (Tennis / SB)

BRONZE (Elementary)

• Necko Bescoro (Taekwando)
• Shanelle Kyle Enguito (Taekwando)

BRONZE (Secondary)

• Julie Ann De Guzman (Badminton)
• Basari Abiden (Taekwando)
• Zyl Grace Cabasares (Taekwando)

RDC-8 cites Mrs. Lourdes Matan

A citation for an Outstanding teacher. Calbayog City Mayor and RDC-8 Chair Mel Senen Sarmiento hands a plaque citing Mrs. Lourdes Lauders - Matan for her achievement as one of the Metrobank Ten Outstanding Teachers for 2009. Looking on are Presidential Assistant Cynthia Nierras and NEDA RO-8 Director Junie GoSoco. Mrs. Matan will receive her gold medallion from President Gloria Arroyo during the awarding ceremonies at Malacañan Palace on September 3, 2009. She will also receive a cash prize of 300,000 pesos during the MBTC anniversary program on September 4, 2009.

The Ten Outstanding Calbayognons (TOC) 2008

The Awardees and the City Officials. (l-r) Councilors Charlie Boy Coñejos and Ina Rabuya. Mr. Greg Urot, Msgr. Francisco Cinco III, Dr. Socorro Bohol, Mr. Ruben Savellano, Councilor Julius Mancol, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Mr. Cipriano Baldomaro, Ms. Isidra Oriendo, Mr. Marto Calamayo, Ms. Lourdes Matan, SPO2 Genaro Nabual, Councilors Ver Porlares, Florencio Enriquez and Danilo Bernate.(photo by Joel Lagang)

The Awarding Ceremonies for the Ten Outstanding Calbayogons (TOC) 2008 was held last night at the Nijaga Park. The ceremonies commenced with the TOC 2008 Director Cipriano Baldomaro giving out the rationale and the selection process. Mayor Mel Sarmiento delivered a message. There were only eight awardees. As there were no nominees for Outstanding Youth Leader and Outstanding Employee.

Here's the list of the winners in the various categories:
- Outstanding Policeman: SPO2 Genaro B. Nabual
- Outstanding Teacher: Ms. Lourdes Lauderes Matan
- Outstanding Agriculturist: Mr. Marto Gonzaga Calamayo
- Outstanding Punong Barangay: Ms. Isidra F. Oriendo
- Outstanding Entrepreneur: Ms. Julio Co
- Outstanding Non-Government Organization (NGO): Western Samar Development Foundation (WESADEF)
- Outstanding People's Organization (PO): Diocesan Commission on Health Care
- Outstanding Cooperative: BIATUNGAN Marketing Cooperative

(For more images, please check this link)

A consul comes to town

The Philippine Consul to Milan, Calbayog's very own Peter Chan was in Calbayog.

Before he left for Manila, Mayor Mel Sarmiento treated him to lunch. They discussed a good number things which reflected their common desire to help Calbayog. I'll be giving out other details of that meeting in the days to come.

In the meantime, I am pleased to inform everyone that Mr. Chan gave his commitment to be of assistance to any Calbayognon who have problems overseas (yup, read that as any part of the globe). And this blog is more than happy to be part of service that the good consul will be providing.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Consul Peter Chan and Cathy Rodriguez

High School student honored

The City Government of Calbayog today honored Caryl Araiz Gerarcas, a graduating student from the Calbayog City National High School.

Caryl is one the 21 fourth year students (out of 1,223,465) who made it to DepEd's elite "Club 99+" after taking the National Assessment Career Examination (NCAE) last August 28, 2007. These students obtained ratings of 99%plus in all domain areas namely: general scholastic aptitude, technical-vocational aptitude and entrepreneurual skills.

As per DepEd updates, members of this year's Club 99+ are mostly products of the public school system. Of the 21 studetns who made it to the exclusive club, 8 came from national high schools, 4 were from regional science / science high schools and 1 was a product of a state university laboratory school. 8 students were from private schools.

According to DepEd Scretary Jesli Lapus, the NCAE was developed to assess the aptitudes of 4th year high school students and guide them in choosing an appropriate career path after graduation. Unlike the NCEE which was discontinued in 1994, the NCAE is used entirely for recommendation purposes in career guidance.

NCAE is currently on its second year. On the third year of implementation test results are envisioned to serve as prerequisite for enrolment in any four or five-year degrees in colleges and universities as well as two-year vocational or technological courses. An enabling law is needed to make the test an admisiion prerequisite.

Below are pictures I took during this morning's simple ceremonies:

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino as he read the SP Resolution congratulating Caryl

Caryl as she received the resolution from Vice Mayor Aquino and a 5-thousand peso cash gift from Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento

Caryl's mom saying a few words of thanks