Halad sa Pasko 2009 opens tonight

Halad sa Pasko 2009 will officially open tonight at the Nijaga Park. The Opening Ceremonies will include production numbers by the CACO-ISKOLARS and the Rondalla Group. It will be highlighted by the lighting of the Christmas Tree and a grand fireworks display. Expected to deliver their messages are Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino and Councilor Julius Mancol. The opening program will be followed by the Lantaka competition; and the SIANO Concert at 9:00 pm.

Other activities slated during this annual Christmas Festival are the following:

• December 17: "Paangbit" (CKC Show) at 7:00 pm; Akostiks Concert at 9:00 pm
• December 18: "Riot sa Calbayog" with Pooh, Kay Brozas, Princess Ryan and Joseph Bitangcol at the Calbayog City Sports Center at 7:00 pm; VoyzTag Band / Akostiks concert also at 7:00 pm
• December 19: Pioneer 505 / Akostiks Concert at 7:00 pm
• December 20: VoyzTag Band / Akostiks Concert at 7:00 pm
• December 21: "Parokya ni Edgar Live in Calbayog!" at the Calbayog City Sports Center at 7:00 pm
• December 22: Share-a-Gift (gift-giving in some selected barangays; "Si Boloy ug si Podok: D Adbentyur" (a comedy play) at 7:00 pm; Akostiks Concert at 9:00 pm
• December 23: Share-a-Gift (gift-giving in some selected barangays; Seleksiyon 2 (Waray-waray Christmas songs) at 7:00 pm; SIANO Band in concert with Ghille / Gilay at 9:00 pm

Unless indicated, all the activities will be held at the Nijaga Park stage.

Halad sa Pasko is an annual project of the City Government of Calbayog through Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Mayor Mel Sarmiento and the Sangguniang Panlungsod thorough Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino.

One Visayas

Mayor Mel Sarmiento will lead the Calbayog City delegation which will participate in One Visayas Arts and Culture Exhibition. This is a showcase of the Arts and Culture of Regions 6, 7 and 8. It will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City, Cebu.

One Visayas aims to serve as a venue to foster Visayan cooperation, greater understanding and respect among the diverse (Visayan) people towards progress and development utilizing the gains of the Visayas in the arts, culture, history and tourism. The event officially opens this Sunday with President Gloria Arroyo as guest of honor.

Calbayog will have three presentations:

• “Inodoro”, a theater / musical production on waste water management (March 2, 2009)
• “Calbayog Lakub”, Pasundayag san Lokal nga Arte, Kultura ug Bahandi (March 3, 2009)
• The showing of 3 digifilms produced by the City of Calbayog through the City Arts and Culture Office (March 4, 2009).

Art Exhibit at TTMIST

As a support to local artists, Mayor Mel Sarmiento today visited the DAGAW Art Exhibit at the TTMIST AVR.

The exhibit dubbed as "TTMIST Dagaw, the Artist's Reflection" opened yesterday and has on display paintings done by student artists of TTMIST.

During his visit, Mayor Sarmiento was received by Ms. Sunta Bergado, Ms. Catherine Rodriguez, Ms. Marianie Joy Lacaba and some Dagaw artists.

The KITA Choir Christmas CD

(CD Cover designed by Ronnie Obong)

You are looking at the cover of KITA Choir's Christmas CD entitled "Pasko Na! Kanta Kita!"

This CD is a compilation of original Calbayog / Waray-waray Christmas songs composed by Boi Nicolasora, Ronnie Obong, Mawe Doroja, Nati Mancol - Biliran and Fr. Roland Cajegas. The CD will be officially launched via a concert tonight at the La Milagrosa Academy Auditorium.

For copies of the CD and other inquiries, you may get in touch with any KITA choir member or Mr. Bong Obong at (+63 905) 224-0933.

The CKC - Jose Gomez Orchestra in Concert

12 December 2008
Matinee 3:00 pm / Gala 6:30 pm
Frs. David and Leopold (CKC) Auditorium

Desiderata in waray-waray

I am pleased to feature Yoyoy Genotiva's Waray-Waray translation of Desiderata. Please check this link.