MATAG-OB, Leyte– Mayors in the fourth district are just too willing to work with their congressional representative, Richard Gomez.
By working with Rep. Gomez, it is their respective constituents that will benefit and not them, they said.
The mayors that are extending their willingness to work and cooperate with Rep. Gomez are Ramon Oñate of Palompon, Edgar Cordeño of Isabel, and Bernandino Tacoy of this town.
The three mayors, in a press conference on June 8, said that they have a form an alliance not to fight with the congressman but to promote and boost their respective tourism industries.
“We will stop politics, we will stop vendetta and we will buckle down to work and will try to help our constituents,” Mayor Oñate.
Oñate appeared recently before the House of Representatives after a complaint was filed by Rep. Gomez alleging that his dressing plant is causing ‘foul odors’ and putting up a waste disposal to a protected area.
Mayor Cordeño, for his part, reminded Gomez of his function as a legislator.
“Be professional enough in handling your position. As a congressman, you know your duty is to enact law, you’re not there to execute the law, you’re not there to interpret the law,” he said.
Mayor Tacoy of his town likewise made a conciliatory call to Rep. Gomez saying extending help to their towns will directly benefit the ordinary people.
“Help us….for the benefit of our constituents,” he said.
The three local chief executives disclosed that Rep. Gomez is giving them the cold shoulder and has not consulted them on projects or programs being implemented at their respective towns.
Gomez could not be contacted for his reactions on this claim of the mayors.
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) supports and helps promote local government units that are creating festivals that showcases their local history and culture.
But before they showcase a festival, this must be carefully studied and researched first to become reflective on their local tradition, culture, history, and way of life, DOT-8 Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said.
“Festivals are not just one big dance competition. It is actually a reflection of our culture, traditions, history, and way of life. So that is why we at the Department of Tourism, promote the development of festivals,” Tiopes said.
“But we also need to be pretty sure that whenever we do festivals we do a little research because we want to be sure that our own festival is reflective of who we are as people, our history, and of course of culture and tradition, and heritage, it is very important,” she added.
The tourism official added that to make sure that each festival is different from the others, it should build its own identity by having its own beat and dance steps that are reflective of what it wanted to convey to its audience.
“This is not just a playground demo but this is really something that has value to us,” Tiopes said adding that festivals are major events that encourage more people to visit a place making the festivity livelier and positively affecting local economy.
“Festival should not only be a display of dances but should be an anchor of culture and heritage and way of life,” Tiopes stressed.
Tiopes also lauded the LGU for doing cultural mapping that can also be used not only for creating a festival but also in creating and implementing programs.
“You can also use this in several other programs that anchors on who we are as people, history, way of life because we should be the first to appreciate ourselves of who we are and the place that we call home,” she said.
During the initial launch of the ‘Kananga Kaanyag Festival’, Mayor Manuel Vicente “Matt” Torres said that their festival was a product of a cultural mapping conducted in partnership with the National Commission of Culture and the Arts.
Torres said that Kananga is the only local government unit in the province that has conducted a cultural mapping assisted by the NCCA.
“The Kananga Kaanyag Festival is a result of an intensive and comprehensive cultural mapping of the municipality allowing us to create a festival that is culturally and historically accurate, showcasing the rich tapestry of our traditions and customs,” he said.
Cultural mapping is mandated under Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 wherein LGUs must need to identify and collect data on their respective local tourism, cultural heritage, traditions, history, customs that are unique to the locality, and other sociocultural practices.
Municipal Tourism Officer April Tanhueco, for her part, said that Kananga Kaanyag Festival features eight dance steps but as of the moment, only four are taught.
The dance steps names include ‘alimyun’ (fragrance) wherein the dancers’ hands move upward in a smelling-like position and lift in a spreading position and include a bouncing footstep of the right foot, the ‘hakot’ (flavor) depicting the carrying of local products placed over the right shoulders, ‘maanyag’ (beauty) consisting of side steps and spreading hand gestures starting from the right to left then both hand extended going from right to left then ending with hand clasped on the left chest, and the ‘abunda’ (bounty) which represents abundance which shows gratitude to the bountiful harvest of the town depicting by a cross step with hand gesture spread from one side to the other.
The dance steps were developed by local choreographers in partnership with the NCCA.
Six festival contingents competed in the street dance and ritual dance presentation held June 11 at Kananga Central School won by Familia Matahom for the elementary category, and Kanangahanong Mattahom for the secondary category. Both winners won P170, 000 cash prize. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
KANANGA, Leyte-‘Kanangahanong Matahom’ represented by Kananga National High School, and ‘Familia Matahom’ represented by Kananga Central of Kananga District 1 were declared as festival champions of the first ever Kananga Kaanyag Festival held at the Kananga Central School ground on Sunday(June 11).
Kanangahanong Matahom’s Gracel Lagancia was also voted as the Kaanyag Festival Queen.
Aside from the two major awards the Kananga District III also won minor awards such as best in street dance, most discipline, best float, and photogenic award receiving P10,000 prize from each of the awards.
Mayor Vicente Matt Torres disclosed that the Kaanyag Festival was a result of an intensive and comprehensive cultural mapping assisted by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
This way, he said, their festival will be accurate and will truly showcase the town’s history and culture.
Torres also commended the festival committee and all volunteers and the Municipal Tourism Council for the launching of the event which will be the official festival of the municipality.
Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes commended the holding of the festival.
The holding of the festival is part of the 73rd founding anniversary of the town which is on July 17. (LIZBETH ANN. ABELLA/ROBERT T. DEJON)
It’s becoming a common occurrence nowadays that certain people die of heatstroke due to the rising temperatures that we are experiencing in many parts of the country, a sad phenomenon that could actually be avoided if only we know how.
Heatstroke is a serious health problem that occurs when your body overheats and can’t cool itself down. This can happen when you are exposed to hot temperatures for long periods of time, or if you are active in hot weather without taking proper precautions. Symptoms of heatstroke include high body temperature, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and sweating that stops, and can lead to organ failure or even death if left untreated. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid heatstroke.
First, it is important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you. It is also helpful to wear lightweight, light-colored clothing that allows for good air flow. In addition, try to stay indoors or in the shade during the hottest parts of the day, and take frequent breaks if you must be outside. If you feel overheated or dizzy, take immediate steps to cool down, such as drinking cold water or moving to a cooler environment.
Another way to avoid heatstroke is to be aware of your own individual risk factors. Elderly individuals, young children, and those with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for heatstroke and should take extra precautions. In addition, medications such as diuretics and antidepressants can increase your risk of heatstroke, so it is important to consult with a healthcare provider about any potential risks before starting a new medication or during periods of prolonged heat exposure.
Above all, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heatstroke and to take immediate action if you or someone around you is experiencing them. This could involve calling for medical assistance, taking the person to a cooler area, offering water or other fluids, and applying cool compresses or ice packs to the person’s body. With proper prevention and prompt treatment, the risk of heatstroke can be greatly reduced, allowing you to enjoy the hot months safely.
The title above highlights the fundamental role that our food choices play in shaping our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Essentially, what we consume has a direct impact on our health and overall quality of life. It is no coincidence that nutritious foods are considered as “superfoods,” and they are viewed as components that provide immense health benefits to the body.
The food choices we make not only affect our physical well-being but also impact our cognitive and emotional health. Research shows that inadequate nutrient intake can lead to a decline in cognitive function, mood swings, anxiety, and depression, among other factors. Additionally, consuming unhealthy foods, such as those high in sugar and saturated fats, has been linked with increased rates of depression and anxiety in various research studies.
One critical aspect of nutrition that substantially impacts our health is the presence of different minerals and vitamins in our food. Mineral deficiency diseases, such as anemia and osteoporosis, can be prevented by consuming a balanced diet with adequate mineral content. Similarly, inadequate intake of Vitamin A can result in blindness, while vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy. Consuming a balanced diet rich in minerals and vitamins can, therefore, prevent such diseases.
The nutritional content of our food also plays a vital role in preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. In some cases, medical professionals may recommend specialized diets, such as the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet, to prevent and manage different health conditions. Such diets emphasize consuming foods rich in nutrients, such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean proteins while minimizing the intake of unhealthy fats and processed foods.
Eating a balanced diet can go a long way in facilitating and maintaining wellness beyond the physical. Nutrient-dense foods provide energy, enhance mood, and improve cognitive function. High-quality proteins, such as those found in lean meats, fish, legumes, and nuts, are critical components that help in the formation of neurotransmitters, which facilitate communication in the brain. Similarly, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and flaxseed are essential in the preservation of optimal cognitive function.
Beyond the physical and cognitive benefits, well-balanced nutrition can enhance our overall quality of life. Studies have shown that good dietary behavior patterns are associated with better sleep quality, reduced chronic pain, and an overall better mood. This further emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition as a critical aspect of holistic health and wellness.
What we eat then serves as the foundation for our bodies, minds, and overall well-being. Eating a balanced diet with adequate nutrients has numerous benefits, not just on physical health, but also mental and emotional wellness. As such, it is essential to make informed choices when selecting the food we consume, choosing high-quality proteins, healthy fats, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
We celebrated last Sunday a mystery of faith on the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The celebration is one teaching that could hardly be accepted by those who are indoctrinated in the teachings of non-Catholic sects. Many of those self-proclaimed preachers espouse the idea of cannibalism based on the literal interpretation of the sacred scriptures. Although we take the bible as a good source of divine revelation, we still need to heed the teaching authority of the Catholic Church in terms of understanding the word of God.
The bible itself is very explicit in admonishing us from making private interpretation of it. In our desire to know the will of God, we would better seek counsel from the Church that had been given the authority to teach on matters of faith. Going into individual interpretation is akin to every person imposing his own understanding about the laws of our land without regard to the authority of the Supreme Court. That is a sure prescription to chaos and conflict.
It was Jesus Christ himself who taught us about eating his body and drinking his blood in order to have eternal life. Unless we do so, we cannot share in the grace of salvation and the life everlasting. But many of us would wonder, as the people in Jesus’ times were troubled, how would we be able to partake of that body and blood. It is indeed mind-boggling so we need the explanation and teaching of the Catholic Church on the matter. Surely, the revelation and commandment is not literal. We are taught that the body and blood Jesus Christ was referring to was the very bread and wine that he and his apostles partook during the Last Supper that we commemorate every time we celebrate the holy mass. The bread and wine offered in the Holy Eucharist are transubstantiated into the body and blood of our Lord.
Here is where another distortion is made by false teachers and self-proclaimed non-Catholic preachers. There is no supper in the morning according to the twisted and misguided interpretation of these preachers. Verily, they willfully ignore the fact that the celebration is a commemoration of the event and not of the time. There is simply fixation of time before the Lord. What is morning here is evening elsewhere on earth. Our time of reference is a conventional one for man’s convenience. It does not bind God who is the Lord of mankind for all eternity. It only is incidental that that Last Supper took place during supper time. What is more important is the event where Jesus established the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist as His covenant with mankind, wherein he partook with his disciples the bread and wine which He proclaimed as his very body and blood.
It is the greatest gift to us all who believe in Jesus Christ and accept with great faith the mystery of his body and blood. It really requires so much faith for one to believe that the bread and wine offered at Holy Mass are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ upon consecration by the priest. What we see is still bread and wine in its physical form and appearance but it is in substance the true body and blood of Jesus Christ. We are blessed with this divine gift that allows us to share in the body and blood that gives us eternal life. We only need to have a strong faith and live in the belief on the mystery so that we may deserve to share in this great gift of life that is the body and blood of Christ. comments to alellema@yahoo.com
