Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Blessing Of A Semi-Residential House In Brgy. Abgao

Feb. 14,2012



Blessing of Semi-Residential House In Abgao
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-A blessing of a newly –opened 4-room semi-residential house in brgy. Abgao here was held recently.

The blessing was officiated by Rev. Margarito Soco.It was attended by Luz Verrano Mercado, her daughter Angela “Ghia” Verrano Mercado,Abgao Barangay Capt. Nacional “Nikko” Mercado and his wife,and some relatives and friends.

It is located a few meters away from the Villa Romana Hotel which on its adjacent side is the KINAMOT SA ABGAO RESTAURANT FACING THE SOGOD BAY AND CANIGAO CHANNEL.

ACCORDING TO OUR SOURCE THE DECISION TO CONVERT THE BUILDING INTO A SEMI- RESIDENTIAL HOUSE WAS KINDLED BY AN OBSERVATION THAT WHEN VILLA ROMANA HOTEL WOULD BE OVERCROWDED BY TEMPORARY LODGERS LIKE VISITORS,TRAVELLERS INCLUDING LOCAL AND FOREIGN TOURISTS ,SOME CUSTOMERS WOULD INEVITABLY BE TURNED DOWN AND WOULD JUST LOOK FOR OTHER HOTEL.

OUR SOURCE IMPLIED THAT ALTHOUGH THE NEWLY-OPENED SEMI –RESIDENTIAL HOUSE WAS INTENDED FOR RELATIVES,FRIENDS AND VISITORS,OTHER OCCUPANTS WHO CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED AT THE VILLA ROMANA HOTEL NEARBY COULD ALSO BE BROUGHT THERE FOR TEMPORARY LODGING.

AFTER THE BLESSING LUNCH WAS SERVED TO ALL THOSE WHO WERE PRESENT.

THE NEWLY –RENOVATED EDIFICE WHICH BEARS THE NAME OF ANGELA’S BED AND BREAKFASTS COULD BE CONTACTED AT TELEPHONE NUMBERS (053)381-0401; (053)570-8283.MOBLIE PHONE NO.0917-308-7986. EMAIL ADDRESS:ANGELAS_BNB@YAHOO.COM.(QUIRICO M, GORPIDO,JR.)

Congressman Mercado Plans To Convert Libas Into A Municipality

Feb. 14,2012


Mercado Plans To Convert Libas Into A Municipality
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Congressman Roger Mercado has a visionary plan to convert Libas in Hinunangan into a municipality.

He disclosed that Libas which is formerly the location of Southern Leyte Rehabilitation Project during the Marcos Administration, has a big area and that if converted into a municipality would become the first inland municipality of the province.He said it has the potential to become progressive in the near future.

He revealed h e has talked with the representative of DAR during a budget meeting of all heads agencies in the province about his vision of the aforesaid place.

He said that the Dept of Agrarian Reform is equally willing to distribute and divide the lands into square meters for free to the interested settlers who are also willing to settle in Libas.

The Congressman stressed that the survivors of the Guinsaugon Tragedy including those barriofolks from nearby barangays who were resettled in St. Bernard resettlement sites because their areas are also prone to mudslides, are the preferable candidates of the program.

He explained that each family settlers from the Guinsaugon Tragedy survivors could either be given 500 square meters or 1,000 square meters of lot, depending upon the size of the vast tract of land that DAR would be willing to distribute.

He pointed out that since the area is an agricultural land, the first livelihood for the new settler is to plant all kinds of agricultural products including the planting of fruit trees.Thier produce can be marketed in the neighboring municipalities and some of it are for family consumption.

Construction of concrete roads in going to Libas which start at St.Bernard, he said, is not a problem because an appropriation for the infra project can b e requested for funding.

However, he still needs to talk to St.Bernard Mayor Rico Rentuza of his grand plan for Libas and to DAR head Venirando Yap regarding the distribution of lots in Libas.

He further emphasized tha t the construction of the free housing units are also part of the program to be led by Gawad Kalinga, the Ayalas ,Lucio Tan, Humanitarian Institutions and some philanthropists.

Former St. Bernard Mayor Felix Lim and his daughter Joy Lim who is a councilor of the said municipality told the Congressman that he will announce the latter’s plan to the concerned survivors who were residing in various resettlement sites of St.Bernard.

When the Congressman’s plan would become a reality in the future, I would like to suggest that the vacated housing units in the resettlement sites be given to the poor families in different St Bernard barangays where these houses were located.
The priority are the poor families who lived in small houses built with light materials, dilapidated houses, those poor families who have just rented, and t hose who have no permanent residents because they could not afford to build their own houses.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

City Govt. Of Maasin Spends P7M Plus As Host City For EVRAA Meet 2012

FEb. 14,2012



City Govt. Of Maasin Spends P7M Plus As Host City Of The EVRAA Meet 2012
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.,

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The City Govt of Maasin has spent P7M plus as host city of EVRAA meet 2012 here from Jan. 29 up to Feb. 3,2012.
On Feb, 4, all the participating delegations have started leaving the place bound for their home cities and provinces here in region 8(Leyte and Samar) otherwise known as Eastern Visayas.
This was the disclosure of Maasin Mayor Maloney Samaco in an interview at his office at City Hall.
Samaco informed that the whopping amount was spent for uniforms of athletes,offciating officials and coaches; sports equipments,meals,repair of billeting schools where all the delegations were lodged; repair and preparation of playing venues, funds for transportation services, rental of multicabs and motorcabs to service the athletes, officiating officials and coaches, tarpaulin streamers use for the welcoming of all delegations in the entire region and postings of tarpaulin streamers in all strategic locations of the city about the implementation of smoke-free policy for the EVRAA meet.
The sports-minded Mayor who is also a sportswriter revealed that only the gold medalists of different sports games can participate in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa to be held at Lingayen,Pangasinan.He said that it’s probably during the second or third week of May of the current year.

He said that there are more than thirty who will comprise the Maasin delegation that he will lead.As it is, the group will compose of athletes,officiating officials and coaches.

He said that the games that the aforesaid delegation will be going to compete are swimming, volleyball, taekwondo,table and lawn tennis and arnis.

Asked when will be the next year’s EVRAA meet and who will host it,he said that some delegations have problems yet to be solved in hosting the sports competitions.

The Mayor implied that talks and discussions about it shall most probably be done at the Palarong Pambansa host city’s sports center named Don Narciso Ramos Sports Center.

He added that all the Superintendents who shall be leading the participating delegates to the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen,Pangasinan this coming May are the ones who will decide.(Quirico M. Gorpido,.Jr.)

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Leyte Province Is The Overall Champion In EVRAA Meet 2012

Feb. 8,2012


Leyte Province Is The Overall Champion Of EVRAA Meet 2012
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Leyte Province delegation, the biggest of all the participating delegations of the six provinces in region 8, otherwise known as Eastern Visayas, was the overall champion of this year’s 7-day EVRAA meet held here from January 29 up to Feb .3,2012.
Leyte Province’s championing with an overall total of 730.5(elem. 369;secondary 361.5) points garnered from various games(events) was announced by Rhodora Sison,Chairwoman of the Games Results, Records and Documentation Committee, during the recent closing ceremony held at TOPS grandstand.
The formations of the parading ten delegates were arranged alphabetically according to the events that the athletes were competing.
First runner-up was Eastern Samar with total points of 487(elem. 255; secondary 232).Second runner-up was Maasin City in the elementary level with a total score of 206.5. Fourth place was Ormoc City with a total score of 134.5.Fifth place was Samar with a total score of 88.5. Sixth was Tacloban City with a total score of 87.5.Seventh place was Southern Leyte with a total score of 60.
However, in the secondary level Ormoc City was the second runner-up with total points of 203.17.Fourth placers were Maasin City and Tacloban City with a tie scoring of 161.5.Sixth place went to Northern Samar with a total points of 90. Seventh place was Samar with a total score of 71.17

For the special awards category. Northern Samar delegation was chosen as the best in athletic uniform. Second place was Eastern Samar. Third place went to the Leyte Province. Southern Leyte was adjudged as t he most disciplined athletes. Second place went to Biliran delegation. The third place was Samar delegation.
An unidentified DepEd official has expressed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Congressman Mercado, Governor Damian Mercado, Mayor Samaco, the City Government of Maasin and DepEd Regional Director Yu for their full support to the success of the 7-day affair.
He said that it’s not enough to develop the physical aspect of the athletes but also the mind in order to produce world-class athletes.
“WE have a colorful closing ceremony with the arrival of Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez and his wife and City Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez”,Mayor Samaco exclaimed.
He also admonished all the officiating officials, coaches, trainors and sundry to forgive and forget in case they have encountered some problems and unfavorable accounts during the duration of the events.
Instead, “each delegation should focus in improving the performances of their athletes in preparation for your upcoming participation in the Palarong Pambansa to be held at Lingayen City,Pangasinan this coming May.
The Mayor also claimed that some colleges and universities are now offering scholarships to athletes. He further stated that the implementation of the first smoke-free policy of the host city is “intended to help extend your life span, for your family and children and for general health to all of us”.
Another DepED official has strongly advised all the athletes to practice, practice, practice and practice more because practice will make it perfect”.
Regional Director Yu said that the athletes are now having discipline and that EVRAA meet was a celeb ration of unity.”WE come together and crossing even mountains to be gathered in one place where we will experience the joy of camaraderie, friendship and sportsmanship”.
“There’s also a victory, the expression of good values and the grace of humility in accepting defeat”,she added as she officially closed the EVRAA meet 2012 by extinguishing the urn’s fire.
(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)

Sports Is The Only Activity That Can Unite Each Nation-Umali

Feb. 8,2012



Sports Is The Only Activity That Can Unite Each Nation-Umali
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte- Sports is the only activity tha can unite each nation.
This was the statement of guest speaker Tonisito Umali,Assitant Secretary of the Dept. of Education in his speech at the TOPs Grandstand during the official opening of the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA)meet here the host city of Maasin, the capital of Southern leyte province.
“Feel good and be recognized”, he told the crowd of athletes, officiating officials and coaches.”But you need to be good to be recognized”.
Umali who is also an educator and practicing lawyer in the Philippines and the USA,further admonished the 10 delegations to adopt and internalize a “serenity prayer”, which according to him he learned it from his father.
He uttered: “Lord let me learn to accept the things I cannot change, to give me the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.
Governor Damian Mercado and Congressman Roger Mercado have warmly welcomed the 10 delegations from 6 provinces. The delegations were also composed of some Mayors, Governors and Representatives in the entire Eastern Visayas otherwise known as Region 8(Leyte and Samar islands).
The Mercados have stressed the great importance of unity ,solidarity and teamwork among local and national officials in achieving some goals for the improvement and progress of the city and the whole province.
The younger Mercado was also hopeful that the participating delegations would make their 7-day sports activities more memorable; while the older Mercado has emphasized the importance of becoming as one in achieving excellence and success in the field of sports for the youth.
The congressman also strongly urged the delegations including guests and visitors to follow the first smoke-free policy of the EVRAA of the host cityi”This is to show to other people that we in the Eastern Visayas are one and united”, he said.
Maasin Mayor Maloney Samaco for his part claimed in his short speech that offi cials in the city and the provincial government were united, the reason why Maasin City is developing fast.
Samaco also reminded all the athletes and officials that “we are here to play for sports competitions and winning is only secondary, adding that “we are all champions”.
The sports-minded and sportswriter Mayor further confided that all the athletes of the Maasin delegation are below 18 years old.He was likewise hopeful that the rest of the 9 delegations’ athletes were also of the same ages.”Walang dayaan sa edad!”,he told the concerned officials.

Raising of Banners
The raising of the delegations’ banners has followed. Genis Murallos,OIC assistant School Divisio9n Superintendent, Mayor Samaco,DepEd Regional Director Luisa Bautista-Yu and School Division Superintendents were among t hose who hoisted the delegations’ banners .
Mary Joy Calapre,Batang Pinoy 2011,Gold medalist in tennis led the athletes oath of Amateurism while Cesar Veronque,Regional Sports Coordinator, led the oath of amateurism among officiating officials. City Tourism Officer Royeno Segovia,the EMCEE presented to the whole delegations 6 young Batang Pinoy 2011 athletes of Maasin City led by Mary Joy Calapre.
Calapre holding the lighted torch ran around the oval playground followed by her peers as each athlete passed on the torch to each other as they reached the grandstand.
Here the last athlete carrying the lighted torch passed on to Mayor Samaco who led the run towards th e location of the huge urn adjacent to the location of the EVRAA banner poles. The Mayor then lighted the huge urn and the crowd applauded.
A fifteen to twenty minutes fireworks show has dominated the Mantahan skyline as Dr. Yu officially opened the first smoke-free EVRAA meet 2012.
The 10 delegations were : 1)Southern Leyte-360; 2)Maasin Cityi-460; 3)Calbayog City-350; 4)Eastern Samar-600; 5)Biliran-320; 6)Leyte Province-600; 7)Northern Samar-600; 8)Ormoc City-420; 9)Samar-600; 10)Tacloban City-500.
Games to be competed and its respective venues: 1)archery-PNP Provincial Headquarters; 2)arnis-Abgao gymn; 3)athletics-Southern Leyte Sports Complex; 4)badminton-DILG gymn; 5)baseball-TOPS oval playground; 6)basketball-Asuncion gymn; 7)boxing-Maasin Bus Terminal; 8)chess-RKK Function House; 9)gymnastics-Tagnipa gymn; 10)sipa takraw-TOPS oval playground; alternate venue-Combado gymn; 11)soccer-SJC campus; 12)softball-Maasin Citiy Division office ground; 13)swimming-cacao mountain resort; 14)table tennis-Badiang covered court ; 15)lawn tennis-capitol tennis court; 16)volleyball-Southern Leyte Sports Complex; alternate venue-Bugo gymn for girls and Isagani gymn for boys.
In the evening officials of the ten delegations were treated to a welcome dinner at the city gymn where Umali the DepEd Assistant Secretary received a plaque of appreciation from Mayor Maloney Samaco.
Earlier there was a long afternoon parade of all athletes,officiating officials, coaches,delegations’ heads,including some mayors,Governors and representatives.The parade has started at the Anatalio Gaviola Plaza down to the Tomas Oppus Pilot School in brgy Mantahan.
ABS-CBN 2011 Filipinas Got Talent champion the Maasinhon Trio have entertained the crowd with series of songs during intermissions of the program.
Also present during the formal opening of the EVRAA meet 2012 were Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo,11,SP member Cesar Rey, City Councilors,Atty. Alberto Escobarte,PNP,reservists,some city dwellers and some media personalities.(Quirico M. Gorpido.,Jr.)

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Marquez,A Challenger,Failed To Show He Was The Better Fighter

Dec. 21,2011


Marquez, As Challenger,Failed To Show He Was The Better Fighter
by Ruel H. Espaldon,guest writer

If the third Pacquiao-Marquez were a non-title bout,I would have agreed with the opinion that Manuel Marquez won the fight. However,it was a title defense,so the challenger had a heavier burden to prove himself the better fighter inside the ring.

From its definition,a “challenger” is the one obliged to engage,test and breach the Bastille of the person he wants to overthrow. Hence,Marquez,the challenger,should have been the one engaging Manny Pacquiao.The role of the belligerent was with him,not with Pacquiao.

But it was Pacquiao who initiated most of the exchanges. No fort can be taken by anyone who doesn't go aggressively and consciously for the flag.

Marquez,the boxer, may seem to have won the match. But Marquez,the challenger,lost it.(ruelespaldon@yahoo.com)
(Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer's letters' section. Thanks to Ma'am Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc,Editor-In-Chief and Publisher Isagani Yambot).

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Maasinhon Trio Held A Concert At The Plaza

Nov.23,2011

In Gratitude Of Support
Maasinhon Trio Held A Concert At The Plaza
by Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City,Southern Leyte-The Maasinhon Trio who have just arrived a few days ago after their triumph in the singing competition in Manila held an evening concert at the Anatalio Gaviola plaza here during the recent Friday.

The singing trio whose group was formed sometime in the 1990s is composed of Bonifacio Leonor Salubre,Licinio Telen Lolo and Andrew Mori Sanchez. Their decisive participation in the Filipino Got Talent was anchored on the fact that ABS-CBN's nighttime program was a showcase of a wide variety of talents throughout the archipelago.

According to Lolo there were 500 participants from different places of the country who subjected themselves for audition at the ABS-CBN studio in Quezon City.

Nevertheless, the kind of selecting participants for the daily evening show was on how a group or an individual rendered his/her chosen song or whatever talent a contestant has for consideration.

He disclosed that of the aforesaid numbers,only 36 participants composed of either solo or team were finally chosen. And the local Maasinhon Trio was one of them.”There were only 6 participants either in group or individual who would vie in every show”,Lolo said.

The Maasinhon Trio upon their arrival en route to Tacloban airport were warmly welcomed by the Maasinhons and some Southern Leyteños who have given their full support during the Grand Final.

A Mass was offered on their behalf officiated by Rev Arniel Vallinas,Main Celebrant and Garnet Jhon Quirong Executive Pastor,OLAP-Cathedral. It was attended by supporters,friends and relatives. After their spiritual rendezvous inside the Spanish-built Cathedral there was a motorcade of vehicles loaded with fans.

Aboard the convoy of vehicles were also some City Hall employees and officials,Provincial Capitol employees and officials and some Couples for Christ members. The car where the Maasinhon Trio were on board has led the motorcade towards brgy. Ichon in Macrohon then back to the city plaza.

Majority of the songs that they have sung were originally rendered in vocal solo by its respective artists. But the Maasinhon Trio have made it more pleasantly cool and entertaining with the harmoniously blending of their voices to the great delight of the audience.

“Kining among mga kanta,amo ning halad kaninyo isip nga among pasalamat sa inyong pagsuporta kanamo”,matod pa ni Licinio.”Kung mohatag mi'g kuarta kada usa kaninyo dili gyud moigo ang among premyo”.(The songs that we are singing to you are a kind of offering as a sign of our profound gratitude for giving us your full support. If we give you money from our winning prize it would not be enough for all of you here.)

Some of the songs that they have rendered in trio were “You're Amazing”,”Forevermore”, “Guitara” and "Aso"(Smoke)both composed by public school teacher Cipriano Mikin,their original entry to the Bohol Music Festival held in 1996 in Tagbilaran City,“Somewhere Over The Rainbow”,Bituing Walang Ningning,Kay Ganda Ng Ating MusikA,Nais Ko,Wag Nalang Kaya,Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko,Say You Love Me,Dance With Me and Dahil Sa Iyo.

The Maasinhon Trio have also belted out solo love songs individually. When they told the audience that they are going to leave, the latter responded in the negative and instead requested for encores which the former dutifully obliged. Two local bands have also joined in the concert like the Hybrid Monkeys and Yawtakis who won second place in 2010 Leyte Idol Grand Final(band category) held in Tacloban City.

Actually,if we think of their recent winning the 2011 Filipinas Got Talent Third Season Grand Final,the Maasinhon Trio's championing is long overdue. It should have been earlier. This group which was formally formed sometime in 1996 when they were one of those who have participated in the 1996 Bohol Music Festival held in Tagbilaran City. The contestants were required to render original compositions from various Cebuano Composers. No cover, remake or imitating songs were allowed during the competition.

Nevertheless,their becoming a champion as fate would have it,needs a timing with the conception of a TV program the Filipinas Got Talent. It awaits a kind of show that's unique in some aspect of selection and participation from interested parties. The competition's judgment by selected judges was stiff that every participant must perform to the best of their ability. That’s why interested contestants should prepare themselves by rehearsing and practicing regularly for months to get a chance of being chosen as one of them during the final auditions.

WE are happy for the Maasinhon Trio. More power to you and more success. At last,they have finally found their niche,where their singing talent could be fully used meaningfully for a more productive endeavor.

A big thanks above all to the management of ABS-CBN for conceiving a program of talents so that talented Filipinos of various genres can show their wares to the televiewers worldwide for entertainment and enjoyment.

On the other hand,the province of Southern Leyte is one of the provinces in the archipelago where talents in singing and acting are found. However, what they've lacked is the proper venue for exposure in which they could be discovered to make their respective talents be improved and refined to its full potential of being either singers in recording companies or artists in theater or film.

Their being complacent for remaining in their respective places of birth or residency will just make their talents stagnant that would gradually retrogress into decay. What a waste of talents!

Earlier during the concert Maasin Mayor Maloney Samaco congratulated in his short speech the Maasinhon Trio for their triumph in the recent third season FGT Grand Final. After his talk ,photo sessions together with some City Councilors and the Triumphant Trio took place at the makeshift stage for posterity.
(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

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