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Samar stages Tandaya Festivals of Festival as it marks its 182nd founding day

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TACLOBAN CITY – Eleven contingents from various municipalities and cities in Samar province will be showcasing their respective festivals for the Tandaya Festivals of Festival on Sunday (August 6).

Calbayog City will play host to the province-wide festival competition, one of the highlights of the 182nd Samar Day celebration this August 11.

Tandaya Festivals of Festival showdown is scheduled at 8 am at the Northwest Samar State University and will be followed by a parade at 1 pm.

Competing contingents are Padaraw Festival of Tagapul-an, Manarabo Festival of Hinabangan, Makarato Festival of Matuguinao, Kagat Alimango Festival of Sta. Margarita, Hadang Festival of Calbayog City, Tinago Festival of Tarangnan, Banig Festival of Basey, Bangahon-Karabaw Festival of Gandara, Pahoy-pahoy Lulugayan Festival of Calbiga, Kinarawgan Festival of Marabut, and Manaragat Festival of Catbalogan City.

Winners for this year’s Tandaya Festivals of Festival will receive P500,000 for the champion, P400,000 for the 2nd placer, and P300,000 for the 3rd place.

Non-winners will receive P100,000 as a consolation prize.

The three top winners will perform their winning festival ritual dance during the Samar Day celebration parade in Catbalogan City this August 11.

Meanwhile, 11 local government units will be competing at the Parade of Floats competition on the Samar Day celebration.

These LGUs are the cities of Calbayog and Catbalogan, and the municipalities of Hinabangan, Matuguinao, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Matuguinao, Motiong, Sta. Margarita, and Sta. Rita.

Winners for the float parade will receive P300, 000 for first prize, P200, 000 for the second prize, and P100, 000 for the third prize, and the consolation prize of P50, 000 for non-winners.

The festival king and queen will also receive cash prizes of P10, 000 each for the winners, with 2nd and 3rd runners-up receiving P7,000 and P5, 000 each respectively.
Moreover, 18 lovely ladies from Samar province are vying for the most coveted ‘Mutya han Samar’ crown.

Crown at stake are the ‘Mutya han Samar’, ‘Mutya han Samar Tourism’, ‘Mutya han Samar Environment’, ‘Mutya han Samar Heritage’, and’ Mutya han Samar Youth’.
Winners will receive cash prizes.

Samar Day was previously celebrated every November 10 to commemorate the election of the first officials of the province, then during the martial law era, the celebration was moved to August 23 and in the late 1970s, officials change the date to August 11.

Malacañan has already issued Presidential Proclamation No. 284 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin declaring August 11, 2023 as a special non-working day across the province.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Calanoga to BISOC graduates: Be professional

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TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 238 police personnel from the Police Regional Office (PRO-8) graduated from their Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC) on Tuesday (August 1).

BISOC is a 60-day specialized training course designed to develop personal effectiveness and capability of police in handling internal security operations that could best help the police force sustain the victory in the campaign against insurgency and terrorism.
These graduates are to be deployed in the three Samar provinces to address these problems of insurgency and terrorism.

During the graduation, B/Gen Vincent Calanoga, the police regional director, urged the graduates to fight all forms of corruption, including threat and bribery, as it undermines the confidence of the public in the police, and to foster the culture of political inclination.

“I expect you to build and stand on your principles. Despite having responsive policies or programs and equipping you with sufficient trainings, our organization cannot fulfill its mission nor will it stand the threats of infiltration if you are too weak to yield to temptation, coercion, and intimidation,” he said during the graduation ceremony held at the PRO8 grandstand.

“Prove that you are worthy or deserving to be in the PNP organization and to wear the uniform which symbolizes being human rights defenders and duty bearers”, Calanoga added.

He also gave emphasis on prohibiting the BISOC graduates from seeking political intervention in the placements and reassignments of personnel.

Calanoga also assured the full support of the PRO8 to the BISOC graduates, particularly on the provision that they need when they start rendering their ISO duties.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

DPWH-Northern Samar First DEO joined the Catarman SPED Center in celebrating National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

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CATARMAN, Northern Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar First District Engineering Office was honored to be invited in the celebration of National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week at Catarman SPED Center.
The event centered around the theme “Persons with Disability Accessibility and Rights: Towards a Sustainable Future Where No One is Left Behind.”

The celebration commenced with a heartwarming intermission number performed by a talented differently-abled student, captivating the audience with her angelic voice and passion for music.

Administrative Officer V, Edwin S. Table, representing the Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Samar First DEO, took the opportunity to share an inspiring message that highlighted the importance of inclusivity, accessibility, and the empowerment of persons with disabilities.

In his message, Admin. Table emphasized the significance of creating a society where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Meanwhile, the district Office headed by District Engineer Mario D. Villena sponsored and distributed 50 packs of Jollibee meals.

The simple meals brought smiles and joy to the faces of the students while fostering a sense of camaraderie and appreciation. Following the distribution of the Jollibee packs, participants and guests engaged in a lively session of photo opportunities, capturing cherished memories of the event.
(ANALIZA A. PABIA, PIO ALTERNATE)

Jobless graduates

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Amid the increasing number of individuals acquiring advanced degrees in our country, many are left struggling to find suitable employment opportunities. This predicament of plenty of graduates without available jobs has become a pressing issue, raising concerns about the efficacy of higher education and the country’s ability to utilize its human capital effectively.

One of the primary reasons for the shortage of available jobs for Filipino graduates lies in the demand-supply mismatch. This disparity can be attributed to several factors, including the lack of alignment between academic institutions and labor market needs. In many cases, the curricula do not adequately reflect industry requirements and fail to equip students with the practical skills needed to excel in the workplace. Moreover, the rapid pace of technological advancements renders many traditional fields obsolete, leaving graduates with outdated qualifications. Thus, it is crucial for educational institutions to reassess their programs regularly and foster closer partnerships with industries to ensure that graduates are well-prepared to meet market demands.

The lack of job creation and the limited growth of the country’s economy contributes to this problem. Despite a resilient and promising entrepreneurial spirit among Filipinos, the overall landscape for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains challenging. Insufficient access to capital, burdensome bureaucratic processes, and the absence of robust government support hamper the growth and sustainability of businesses, limiting the number of job opportunities available for graduates. Multinational corporations often prefer offshore jobs due to lower costs, further reducing the chances for local graduates to secure employment.

Addressing the issue of graduate unemployment necessitates a comprehensive approach involving policymakers, academia, and private sector stakeholders. The government must play an active role in promoting a business-friendly environment, providing incentives for both local and foreign investments, and improving infrastructure. Additionally, academia should strive to strengthen the link between theory and practice through internships, industry partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities.

The private sector has a responsibility to engage in workforce planning, identifying skill gaps and collaborating with educational institutions to tailor programs that align with industry demands. By fostering this tripartite collaboration, the country can better bridge the gap between graduates and available job opportunities, maximizing the potential of its human capital and driving economic growth.

Cowardice amidst irregularities

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DOMS PAGLIAWAN

Cowardice is the lack of bravery or courage when confronted with challenging circumstances. It’s a person’s tendency to shy away from irregularities or aberrations. What are the underlying emotions, societal implications, and potential consequences associated with cowardice in the context of irregularities?

When individuals avoid confronting situations that deviate from the norm or expected patterns, that’s cowardice. Irregularities encompass a wide range of occurrences, including deviations from societal norms, unexpected behavior, and nonconformity. It is significant to note that irregularities can be intellectually stimulating, as they often challenge pre-conceived notions and invite critical thinking.

Succumbing to cowardice when confronted with irregularities can hinder intellectual exercise. The capacity to embrace and analyze irregularities encourages intellectual curiosity, fostering a deeper understanding of complex subjects. Moreover, emotional intelligence plays a substantial role in assessing irregularities. Cowardice may stem from emotional discomfort or fear of the unknown, hindering the development of empathy, adaptability, and open-mindedness.

This form of cowardice can exacerbate societal divisions and perpetuate social stereotypes. A society that discourages exploration and critique of irregularities becomes stagnant and resistant to change. By embracing irregularities and challenging established norms, individuals contribute to the evolution of societies in a manner that encourages inclusivity and progress. Thus, one’s ability to confront irregularities head-on fosters a culture of innovation and open dialogue.

Cowardly approaches towards irregularities can be far-reaching and detrimental. Reluctance to engage with irregularities narrows one’s perspective and limits the potential for intellectual breakthroughs. Additionally, I often tell my students about this, avoiding irregularities stunts personal growth and impairs critical thinking abilities. The development of open-mindedness relies on one’s willingness to embrace irregularities and challenge established beliefs.

To overcome cowardice in the face of irregularities, one must actively cultivate an environment that prioritizes intellectual diversity, encourages exploration, and welcomes alternative perspectives. Adopting an attitude of curiosity and empathy can help individuals confront irregularities with courage and discernment. Moreover, seeking out diverse sources of knowledge and engaging in interdisciplinary discussions can expand one’s comfort zone, enabling them to confront irregularities without fear.

When it comes to dealing with irregularities, cowardice hampers personal growth, societal progress, and intellectual development. Students equipped with intelligence and comprehension have the potential to overcome cowardly tendencies thus fostering an environment that encourages critical engagement with irregularities. By recognizing the emotional and societal implications, the consequences of cowardice become evident, emphasizing the importance of embracing irregularities to fuel intellectual curiosity, broaden perspectives, and encourage progress in both academia and society at large.

DOST bankrolls UST R & D project on Covid Oral Vaccine

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Dr. Paciente Cordero
Dr. Paciente Cordero

A yeast-based oral vaccine against COVID-19 receives funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Herein labeled as an ambitious research and Development (R & D) project, will be bankrolled by DOST through through the Philippine Council for health Research and Development, with a total budget of P4.4-million.

The R & D project conceptualized by the University of Santo Tomas-based (UST) research team on COVID vaccine will be headed by Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, an active priest-scientist, who returned to the Philippines under the DOST Balik-Scientist program. He is a visiting professor and teaches biological sciences subjects at the UST Graduate School.

In a capsule, the DOST-funded ‘ambitious R & D project “. . . seeks to tap Saccharomyces boulardii, a probiotice yeast that has already been approved for human consumption worldwide, as a vaccine delivery system mean to induce a person’s immune response.” According, the yeast S. boulardii is inexpensive and will translate into significant savings for the project and the country as a whole.

This UST-led R & D project aims “to develop an inexpensive vaccine that is shelf-stable at room temperature for easy storage and orally self-administered without the use of needles, syringe or health-care workers.” Further, the research team shall explore oral vaccine candidates’ efficacy using animals as models. Finally, results of the project could serve as reference in developing vaccines for other infectious diseases entering or are already in the country.

MY COMMENT:
This oral vaccine project may have come in late in the day, but I strongly support for its sustained funding. Who knows that the Philippines could be focal country for a ‘revolutionized vaccination program’ of the world and supplier of future COVID -19 oral vaccines!
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NEXT TOPIC : “LNG viability questioned by CEED Think-Tank Center”
SHARE S & T THOUGHTS through E-mail: drpacjr@yahoo.com.

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