Women's Month Celebration in Calbayog

The DILG-Calbayog streamer announcing Women's Month 2010

In observance of Women's Month 2010, the City of Calbayog will join the Bantay-Abuso Network (BAN), WESADEF and other agencies and non-government organizations in a 7-part program this coming Monday, March 8, 2010.

The day's event will commence at 7:00 am with the registration at the Jogger's Court in Barangay East Awang. The Opening Program will follow at the City Hall stage at 8:00 am. Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Councilor Regina Rabuya and CSWDO Betty Jane Arnejo have been invited to deliver their messages during the opening program which will be followed by a motorcade.

The official opening of the Women's Multi-Services Fair will be held at the Jogger's Court after the motorcade. The said fair will offer various services like Health and Nutrition, Personal Care, Social Services, Advocacy, among others.

The Closing Program will be held at 4:00 pm. BAN member and Broadcast Journalist Eleen Lim and CSWDO Betty Jane Arnejo will deliver their messages. Invited to lead the distribution of certificates are Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Councilor Regina Rabuya and DILG Calbayog City Director Valente Bajet.

The days event will be capped by the Hataw Bayan to be led by SPO3 Gloria Arioja and Prose Bingayen.

This year's celebration is anchored on the theme: "Babae, Tagumpay ka ng Bayan!"

American exchange students in Calbayog

Mayor Mel Sarmiento yesterday received the four members of the Rotary District 7870 to 3860 Group Study Exchange which the Rotary Club of Calbayog is hosting. The four GSE members who are from New Hampshire are Chelsea Conaboy, Katie List, Amy Wheeler and Tony Gilmore.

Chelsea Conaboy is connected with the Concord Monitor, a daily newspaper in Concord, N.H. She writes mostly about environmental issues and about life and politics in nine rural towns outside Concord. She also writes often about the experiences of Asian and African refugees resettled in Concord.

Katie List has worked for the New Hampshire Democratic Party, the New Hampshire House of representatives and Hilary Clinton's New Hampshire primary campaign for president. She works primarily in political communications, focusing on research and media coordination.

Amy Wheeler works full time as assistant vice president for business development and branch manager for the first Colebrook Bank in Amherst, N.H. She also works part time as on-duty manager for Hampshire Hills Sports & Fitness Club in Milford, N.H. She volunteers as member of the board of directors of two nonprofits: the Nashua Pastoral Care center in Nashua, N.H. which helps people - primarily women and children - transition out of crisis into self-sufficiency; and the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce in Amherst, N.H.

Tony Gilmore is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and Brooks Institute of Photography. Though recently retired, he started a new business called World Digital Photography, which he hopes to use to expand his passion for photography.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with (r-l) Katie List, Chelsea Conaboy, Tony Gilmore (partly hidden) and Amy Wheeler.