Uncover Calbayog video launched

A week ago today, the City Officials, Department Managers and Assistant Department Managers met at the I's Plant Function Hall. It was for a simple program which launched the "Uncover Calbayog" video.

Here's that video:

DOT conducts Orientation on Tourism Statistics Data Generation

The Department of Tourism (DOT RO-8) on Thursday conducted an Orientation on Tourism Statistics Data Generation. The event was organized by the DOT in coordination with the City Government of Calbayog through the City Tourism and Information Office (CTIO).

Invited to the activity which was held at the I's Plant Restaurant were local hotel operators. It was aimed at giving local hospitality business providers the knowledge on how to accurately collect and analyze tourism-related data.

Mr. Antonio "Toto" Cinco represented DOT RO-8 Director Karina Tiopes. Mayor Reynaldo Uy was represented by CTIO Linda Calesa.

Mr. Cinco discussed the following topics:

• Fundamental Tourism Concepts
• Importance of Tourism Statistics
• Tourism Situation by Numbers
• Eastern Visayas Tourism Figures

Also in hand was Mr. Rodel Balierbare. He discussed the following topics:

• STAT-STARRS
• Dealing with Supply-Side Tourism Data
• Dealing with Demand-Side Tourism Data.

Mr. Antonio Cinco as he gave his presentation.

Mrs. Erlinda Calesa welcoming the participants.

(photos courtesy of the CTIO)

Calbayog's stage play at One Visayas 2010

The City of Calbayog through the City Arts and Culture Office presented the comedy play "Inodoro" during the One Visayas 2010 Festival in Roxas City, Capiz.

The stage play was presented at the Villareal Stadium in Roxas City. In attendance during the performance were Antique Governor Sally Perez and Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, among others.

Inodoro's main theme is the call to protect the environment. It has for its cast the Calbayog Kahia-raan Scholars (CKSP) and was directed by CACO's Jonas Lim.

(r-l) Governor Capiz Victor Tanco, Antique Governor Sally Perez and CACO's Jonas Lim.

The cast with Govenor Perez and Governor Tanco.

(Photos courtesy of CTIO)

Calbayog participates in One Visayas 2010

One Visayas 2010 officially opened today at the Villareal Stadium in Roxas City, Capiz with former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as Guest of Honor. Paricipants from the three regions and 20 provinces in the Visayas have converged for the event which is aimed to showcase and promote tourism in Central Philippines. The 2nd One Visayas Expo is an event seen as the festival of festival in the Visayas and a one stop venue for tourists to experience the best of the Visayan Islands.

Calbayog City was part of the contingent from Region 8. Mayor Mel Sarmiento failed to make it to today's opening ceremonies due to some pressing concerns in the city. He was represented by City Tourism and Information Officer Erlinda Calesa and City Arts and Culture Officer Jonas Lim.

The CACO performers will be presenting Calbayog songs and dances dubbed as "Lokal nga Arte, Kultura ug Bahandi (LAKUB) on March 12 at 2:00 pm and the comedy play "Inodoro" on March 13 at 7:00pm.

Here are some pictures from this morning's opening ceremonies courtesy of the CTIO.

CTIO Erlinda Calesa (representing Mayor Mel Sarmiento) with Governors Sally Perez of Antique, Gwenn Garcia of Cebu and Victor Tanco of Capiz.

Sec. Gilbert Teodoro shaking hands with Ms. Erlinda Calesa.

Gilbert Teodoro with Governors Garcia and Perez and other guests.

Ms. Erlinda Calesa delivering the message of Mayor Mel Sarmiento.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Here's the One Visayas Expo 2010 Schedule:

March 11, 2010 (Thursday)

• 9AM – 11AM Pang Abi-abi/ Panabi-tabi (Opening Ceremony), Villareal Stadium
• 2PM Sadsad Visayas (Parade of Festivals) City Plaza to Villareal Stadium
• 6PM-8PM Pasundayag 1 (Region 6 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 8PM – 12MN Saulog Visayas (Concert at the Park) Villareal Stadium
  Sabor Visayas (Food Festival) Villareal Stadium
  Hugpong Visayas (Artists Reception) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 9PM Fireworks Exhibition (Villareal Stadium)

March 12, 2010 (Friday)

• 8AM-4PM Pandadyan 1 (Workshop on storytelling) Hall of Governors, Provl Capitol
• 8AM-4PM Pandayan 2 (Workshop B-boying) CapSU Main Auditorium
• 9AM-8PM Manggad Visayas Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 9AM-12NN Daha-daha (Region 8 Cooking Demo) Provincial Pavilion, Villareal Stadium
• 10AM-12NN Pasundayag 2 (Region 6 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 2PM-4PM Pasundayag 3: LAKUB of Calbayog City (Region 8 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 3PM-5PM Pag-ambitanay (Region 6 Outreach Performance) Host Municipalities
• 6PM-8PM Pasundayag 4 (Region 7 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 8PM Telon (Film Showing) Villareal Stadium
• 8PM-12MN Saulog Visayas (Concert at the Park) Football Field
  Sabor Visayas (Food Festival) Football Field

March 13, 2010 (Saturday)

• 8AM-4PM Pandadyan 3(Workshop on Technical Theater) CapSU Main Auditorium
• 8AM-4PM Pandadyan 4 (Workshop on Material and Technical Application and Manipulation) Hall of Governors, Provl Capitol
• 9AM-8PM Manggad Visayas Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 9AM-12NN Daha-daha (Region 7 Cooking Demo) Provincial Pavilion, Villareal Stadium
• 10AM-12NN Pasundayag 5 (Region 7 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 2PM-4PM Pasundayag 6 (Region 6 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 3PM-5PM Pag-ambitanay 2 (Region 7 Outreach Performance) Host Municipalities
• 6PM-8PM Pasundayag 7: Calbayog's comedy play "Inodoro" (Region 8 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 8PM Telon (Film Showing) Villareal Stadium
• 8PM-12MN Saulog Visayas (Concert at the Park) Football Field
  Sabor Visayas (Food Festival) Football Field

March 14, 2010 (Sunday)

• 8AM-11AM Pandayan 6 (Workshop on Hand Puppetry) CapSU Main Auditorium
• 8AM-4PM Cultural summit, Gerry Roxas foundation Cultural Center
• 8AM-4PM Pandadyan 5 (Workshop Film Appreciation/Visual Communication) Hall of Governors, Provl Capitol
• 9AM-8PM Manggad Visayas Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 9AM-12NN Daha-daha (Region 6 Cooking Demo) Provincial Pavilion, Villareal Stadium
• 10AM-12NN Pasundayag 8 (Region 8 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 2PM-4PM Pasundayag 9 (Region 7 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 3PM-5PM Pag-ambitanay 3 (Region 8 Outreach Performance) Host Municipalities
• 6PM-8PM Hinugyaw (Closing Ceremony) Villareal Stadium
• 8PM Telon (Film Showing) Villareal Stadium
• 8PM-12MN Saulog Visayas (Concert at the Park) Football Field
  Sabor Visayas (Food Festival) Football Field

RDC Chair suggests tapping of showbiz personalities in promo of EV's tourist sites

(This news item appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

TACLOBAN CITY — A top official of the Regional Development Council (RDC) urged tourism stakeholders to tap popular television and showbiz personalities from Eastern Visayas in the promotion of local tourism sites.

However, there’s a need to develop the destinations first before it will be prepared for better marketing opportunities, said RDC chair and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento.

“We have friends from showbiz industry that we haven’t probably took advantage of. Samar Island, for example, has three very powerful Samareños in the industry,” he explained in a recent media briefing.

Among the famous personalities who hail from Samar Island are Ricky Lo from Las Navas, Northern Samar; Chito Roño from Calbayog City, Samar; and Boy Abunda from Borongan, Eastern Samar.

“We have many natural wonders but we have to think of how are we going to package it and list down priorities. There should be a marketing person with full trust and confidence of all local government officials to help package the whole region,” he said.

Lo is one of the most highly respected and prolific entertainment writers, showbiz commentators and hosts in the Philippines today. He finished his grade school in his hometown of Las Navas.

Abunda is a journalist, talent manager and television personality. After the death of his father, he dropped out of school and later worked as assistant stage manager. After two years, he put up his own PR company. While doing PR consulting jobs for GMA Network, he tried television.

Soon, he became one of the hosts of Startalk, an entertainment talk show. In 1999, he subsequently moved to ABS-CBN where he currently hosts shows such as The Buzz, Private Conversations and SNN.

Movie director Chito Roño is a native of Calbayog City. Among the popular films he directed since 1986 were Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara, Bata, bata...Paano Ka Ginawa?, Dekada ‘70, Feng Shui, Sukob, Caregiver, and T2.

“They are there but what will be their role if we cannot offer something,” Sarmiento pointed out. The challenge, according to him is to upgrade existing tourism sites and set up facilities so that it will be ready for intensive promotion.

He stressed that the region has more advantage than other areas in the Visayas in terms of tour considering that all of the six provinces in the region could be reached by land from Tacloban City. (Sarwell Q. Meniano)

Noel Cabangon in Calbayog

Noel Cabangon and his band arrived in Calbayog this morning. He is in town for his one-night engagment dubbed "Himig Nating Pag-Ibig" which will be held at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

Tonight's concert is the highlight of Day 3 of "Hadang Festival 2009", the culture and arts festival which the City of Calbayog spearheads every first week of September.

Mr. Cabangon was met at the Airport by CTIO Linda Calesa and CACO Jonas Lim.

Noel Cabangon (left) with Jonas Lim and Linda Calesa.

Training on Meal Management and Food Handling

The City Government of Calbayog in coordination with the DOST and TTMIST has conducted a Training on Meal Management and Food Handling on June 16 -17 at the TTMIST AVR.

In attendance in the two-day activity were some members of the Calbayog Hotel and Restaurants Association (CAHORA), local caterers and students and instructors form TTMIST.

Resource persons included Engr. Rosella Gopo PSTD, DOST-Samar PSTC; Paula Huelar, SRS II, FNRI-DOST; Josefina Gonzales, SRS II, FNRI-DOST; and Regina Pagaspas, Sr. SRS, FNRI-DOST.

The following topics were tackled during the activity:

• Basic Nutrition
• Meal Planning / Planning a One-Week Menu Cycle
• Food Buying
• Food Storage
• Food Preparation
• Food Safety and Sanitation
• Food Costing and Cost Control

A cooking demonstration on Squash recipes was also undertaken.

At the Opening Program. (l-r) City Cooperatives Officer Cipriano Baldomaro, Dr. Remedios Tomnob, TTMIST President Socorro Bohol, CTIO Erlinda Calesa and Engr. Rosella Gopo.

Dr. Socorro Bohol delivering her Welcome Speech.

Mrs. Erlinda Calesa delivering a message on behalf of Mayor Mel Sarmiento.

Mr. Cipriano Baldomaro with the resource persons. (r-l) Engr. Rosella Gopo, Ms. Regina Pagaspas, Ms. Josefina Gonzales and Ms. Paula Huelar.

more pix from One Visayas

Nelson Petilla gave me permission to feature some of his "One Visayas" pictures in this blog. Here I go:

More pictures form Nelson's blog.

Images from One Visayas

As reported, One Visayas opened yesterday at the Cebu International Convention Center. Let me share some pictures which I got from the blog of Rey Abao - Dacalos

Calbayog City Mayor and RDC-8 Chair Mel Senen Sarmiento (2nd from the right) with Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Senator Mar Roxas, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and other officials during the One Visayas opening ceremonies at the Cebu International Convention Center. (photo from Safelight Photography's Photostream / Rey abao-Dacalos)

Opening Night at the Cebu International Convention Center (Photo from SafeLightPhotography's photostream / Rey Abao-Dacalos)

For related articles, you may check these links:

One Visayas is here (Cebu Daily News)

Film, dance highlight 3rd day of One Visayas expo

‘One Visayas’ opens in Cebu today

Let me share something which I got from the Manila Bulletin website. It's Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr's report for today's edition of the Manila Bulletin.

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — Representatives from 16 provinces in the Visayas will gather at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) starting today for the week-long, first-ever comprehensive exposition of tourism products, arts and crafts products, delicacies and specialties and cultural presentation in the event dubbed "One Visayas."

The event is aimed at further promoting the close partnership among the three Central Philippines regions, namely Region 6 (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Guimaras), Region 7 (Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental), and Region 8 (Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte).

"One Visayas," a brainchild of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, was launched in October last year when the heads of the three Regional Development Councils met in Cebu and began threshing out details to bring together the offerings of the 16 provinces under one roof.

The leaders of the three regions decided to establish "One Visayas" to acknowledge the cultural bond that connects the islands, despite being separated by sea waters.

The event, which carries the theme "One People, One Destiny," will feature the Visayas seven arts namely, architecture, dance, theater, music, visual arts, literature and film; arts and craft; tourism products, festivals and culinary arts.

The ambitious gathering was envisioned when Antique Gov. Salvador Perez, chairman of the RDC in Region 6, and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, chairman of the RDC in Region 8, and their tourism council officers met with Garcia at the Cebu Provincial Capitol to discuss "One Visayas."

"Let us make the Visayas a shining star in the entire archipelago," said Garcia, who also heads the RDC in Central Visayas.

Garcia said unity among residents in the Visayas can be achieved if the people themselves are aware of their heritage and appreciate their culture.

"When we are united and instill a sense of pride among our people that could turn to passion, it will make us aim for greater heights and development," Garcia said.

Sarmiento, for his part, said cultural tourism is an asset of the Visayas that should be enhanced. He used to head the arts and culture office of his town.

"I think Visayas should strengthen this, because we are fed up with always having to go to Manila. It’s very expensive, and people from Luzon have the tendency to be bias for Manila," he said.