BEE HIVES. The City Agriculture Office(CAO) in Tacloban City says that climate change has dramatically affected the bee pollution in the city. CAO has put up a bee hives in Brgy.101, New Kawayan as part of its initiatives to increase the bees colonies. (PHOTO COURTESY)
BEE HIVES. The City Agriculture Office(CAO) in Tacloban City says that climate change has dramatically affected the bee pollution in the city. CAO has put up a bee hives in Brgy.101, New Kawayan as part of its initiatives to increase the bees colonies. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – The number of Tetragonula biroi, or native “stingless bees,” at the Tacloban Agricultural Crop Resources Hub (TACReH) in Barangay 101 has dropped to fewer than 30 colonies due to erratic weather conditions, the farm manager reported on April 11.
Introduced in 2023 with 40 hives or the structure where the bees lives, the colony initially expanded to 56 before gradually declining. Last year, only 31 colonies remained, and current numbers have now dipped below 30.
“The constant shifts in climate under Type II weather conditions — without a distinct wet or dry season — are unfavorable to the bees’ survival,” the manager said.
Tacloban City Agriculturalist Romeo Anade explained that the project began after a city employee attended a beekeeping conference. The initiative aimed to boost crop pollination and honey production in demo farms across the city.
Despite the name “stingless bees,” these small pollinators do have stingers, though their sting is mild — comparable to a mosquito bite. Still, they may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. The manager advised the use of antihistamines if stung.
To ensure the bees’ survival, farm officials discourage the use of insecticides, chemical sprays, and burning, which can suffocate the colonies.
“These bees are essential to the environment,” the manager added. “They pollinate our crops and play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem.”
Bees are considered the most vital pollinators, with one-third of the world’s food production relying on their activity.
While there are plans to expand the beekeeping initiative to other farms, TACReH officials say further studies are needed to assess feasibility and sustainability.
“We need to raise our pollinators, especially in farming communities. They help our flowers bloom and complete the pollination cycle,” the manager emphasized.
TACLOBAN CITY – Fifteen former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Samar have received financial assistance from the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as part of ongoing efforts to support their reintegration into society.
Each former rebel received P10,000 under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, which provides emergency aid to individuals and families experiencing extreme crises, including victims of calamities and those with limited resources.
Ten of the beneficiaries are from Oras town, assisted by the 52nd Infantry Battalion (IB), while the remaining five were assisted by the 78th IB based in Borongan City.
The distribution of aid took place in Oras and Borongan through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. The events were attended by 78th IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Francis Rosales and Major Leoden Bajado of the 52nd IB.
Military officials expressed hope that the financial assistance will support the former rebels as they transition back into civilian life. They emphasized that this aid forms part of the government’s broader efforts to promote peace and ensure that those who return to the fold of the law are not left behind.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the DSWD and the Philippine Army for their continuous support, sharing optimism for a peaceful and more secure future for themselves and their families.
Both military officers and DSWD personnel reaffirmed their commitment to providing former rebels with holistic support, including livelihood training, psycho-social services, and community reintegration programs, in addition to financial assistance. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Eastern Visayas has activated its “Lakbay Alalay” motorist assistance teams in anticipation of increased travel during this year’s observance of Holy Week.
In compliance with the directive of DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Regional Director Edgar Tabacon instructed all district engineers to mobilize assistance teams in key areas along primary national highways.
The deployment will run from 8 am on April 16 to 5 pm on April 19, 2025.
“The department ensures that our roads and bridges will provide safety and convenience to motorists and pilgrims traveling to churches and other destinations across the region,” said Tabacon.
He also ordered district offices to intensify routine maintenance activities on all national roads and bridges to ensure safe and smooth travel.
These activities include pavement and shoulder maintenance, regravelling, bridge upkeep, drainage cleaning, vegetation control, and the installation of informative and regulatory traffic signs.
District offices with ongoing infrastructure projects along national highways have also been directed to coordinate with contractors regarding work schedules and the placement of proper traffic advisories.
Tabacon emphasized the need for effective traffic management and strict adherence to construction safety protocols during the holiday rush.
Motorists are encouraged to follow the DPWH Region 8 social media page for the latest updates and travel advisories.
The “Lakbay Alalay” program is implemented in coordination with partner agencies, including the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units (LGUs). (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
SLAY TRY. Albuera mayoralty candidate Kerwin Espinosa said that the assassination attempt to his life could be due politics. Espinosa,47, was shot on his chest while he was in Brgy. Tinag-an on April 10. He was confined but later discharged in a private hospital in Ormoc City.(PHOTO COURTESY)
Attempt will not stop him from running
SLAY TRY. Albuera mayoralty candidate Kerwin Espinosa said that the assassination attempt to his life could be due politics. Espinosa,47, was shot on his chest while he was in Brgy. Tinag-an on April 10. He was confined but later discharged in a private hospital in Ormoc City.(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – Mayoralty candidate Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa believes that the attempt on his life was politically motivated, claiming it was likely due to his strong campaign stance against illegal drugs in Albuera, Leyte, a town once tagged as the drug capital of Eastern Visayas.
Espinosa, a self-confessed drug lord, said the shooting could have been carried out by individuals threatened by his vow to eradicate illegal drugs should he be elected mayor.
“You stepped on the toes of someone protecting their business. I’m not even sitting as mayor yet. You just failed to kill me. They even used a sniper—what cowards these people are,” he said in a Facebook livestream from his hospital bed just past midnight on Friday.
Espinosa is now out of danger after being hit by a bullet on his upper right chest while campaigning in Barangay Tinag-an, Albuera, on Thursday, April 10, at around 4:30 p.m. The bullet exited through the back of his upper right arm, according to a report from the Leyte Police Provincial Office.
He was discharged from a private hospital in Ormoc City on Friday morning and is now recuperating at home in Albuera.
In his video message, Espinosa claimed that the gunman and the vehicle allegedly used in the shooting were already in police custody. “The suspect was arrested right in Barangay Tinag-an, and the vehicle he used was found parked in one of the houses there,” he said, without providing further details.
However, Police Major Ana Armesa, spokesperson of the regional Philippine National Police, contradicted Espinosa’s claim, saying a manhunt operation is still ongoing. “As of now, our personnel are still conducting pursuit operations to identify and arrest the suspect, as well as recover the firearm used,” she said in a radio interview over DyVL in Tacloban City.
She said authorities are not discounting political motives behind the incident and have already identified a person of interest but declined to reveal more pending further investigation.
Espinosa was shot behind the stage of the covered court in Brgy. Tinag-an while he and his slate, “Bando Espinosa, Pundok Kausaban” (Espinosa Team, Reform Group), were holding a campaign rally around six kilometers from the town center.
His younger sister and running mate, Mariel Espinosa Marinay, suffered a graze wound on her left ear, while a minor—daughter of one of their councilor candidates—also sustained a graze wound on her left shoulder.
Despite the attempt on his life, Espinosa said he will not back down from his political bid and that divine intervention saved him. “My life is dedicated to sincere public service for all of you,” he said in Cebuano. “God is good all the time. He didn’t allow me to die. I was sent by the Almighty to return to Albuera to continue the plans of my father and serve the people sincerely.”
He also dismissed speculation that the shooting was staged: “Scripted? The bullet almost hit my heart,” he said.
Espinosa’s father, former Mayor Rolando Espinosa, was killed inside his jail cell at the Baybay sub-provincial jail on November 5, 2016, during what authorities then claimed was a shootout with operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Both father and son were previously tagged by former president Rodrigo Duterte during the height of his campaign against illegal drugs.
Espinosa is running against incumbent Mayor Sixto de la Victoria and Leyte Board Member Vincent Rama. He vowed to continue his campaign despite the attack.
His sister, Mariel, echoed his determination: “We’re not perfect, but our only desire is to serve with integrity. Even though we almost died, that won’t stop us. We will continue—for the town of Albuera, for truth, and for the people who believe in us. We will not retreat,” she posted on Facebook.
Col. Dionisio Apas, Jr., director of the Leyte Police Provincial Office, described the shooting as a “suspected election-related incident.”
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) condemned the incident, calling for swift action to ensure peaceful and orderly elections on May 12.
Comelec-8 legal officer Atty. Ma. Krishna Athena Elardo said a meeting with police and military officials has been set for April 15 to address election-related security concerns, including the attack on Espinosa.
“We condemn the shooting incident involving mayoralty candidate Kerwin Espinosa as we are promoting peaceful and orderly elections in the region,” she said.
Albuera has been placed under the “yellow” category by Comelec, meaning it is an area of concern due to previous election-related incidents and the possible presence of private or partisan armed groups.
JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA, ROEL T. AMAZONA
TACLOBAN CITY – The controversial demolition of the ‘La Pieta’ memorial park in Catbalogan City has now reached the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), following public uproar and calls for accountability.
This after former Catbalogan City councilor and lawyer Alma Uy sent a formal letter to the CBCP on Monday, April 7, calling for an immediate investigation into what she called a “desecration of a religious and historical site.”
“In behalf of the people of Catbalogan, we demand an investigation to uncover why the Church allowed a historical site—fraught with religious significance—to be commercialized and stood by while a business establishment destroyed the Pieta monument,” Uy stated.
The letter was addressed to Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP president.
Uy criticized the Diocese of Calbayog, the legal owner of the 1,300-square-meter property fronting the centuries-old St. Bartholomew Church, for allegedly permitting the demolition and entering into a commercial agreement without public consultation.
“The Church should be at the forefront of protecting historical religious sites. This responsibility should have been taken up by the Diocese of Calbayog; unfortunately, the opposite happened,” she said.
Also on April 7, the Local Culture and Arts Council and the Catbalogan City Tourism Council convened an emergency joint session, resulting in a resolution addressed to the CBCP, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The resolution seeks clarification over the demolition, which was reportedly carried out without permits from the city government.
Built in 1995 through the efforts of the Katbalogan-Metro Manila Residents Association, the La Pieta Park honored the over 4,000 victims of the 1987 M/V Doña Paz tragedy—recognized as the deadliest peacetime maritime disaster in world history. Many of those who perished were from Catbalogan.
Aside from its commemorative role, the site is also historically significant.
According to the Catbalogan City Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Information Office, the area once served as a cemetery during the Spanish colonial period and was known as the “plaza mayor.” In 2018, it was declared a cultural heritage site by the NHCP and designated an “open space” or park under the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
Uy also took issue with a public statement made by Fr. Noel Labendia, judicial vicar of the Diocese of Calbayog, who claimed that the Pieta statue was merely made of cement and not of marble, as some believed.
“What makes the Pieta monument of immense significance is not the material it is made of. It is the collective memory and emotions attached to it,” she said. “It is the symbolism that it holds which makes it precious to people.”
Prof. Jhonil Bajado, curator of the Samar State University Museum and Archives, echoed the sentiment in a social media post.
“The material is immaterial. As we enter churches to pray before sacred images, we care little whether they are made of wood, lime, cement, or marble. What truly matters is our faith.”
Relatives of Doña Paz victims have also condemned the demolition, describing it as a desecration of sacred ground where they had regularly gathered for annual prayers and commemorations.
Fr. Labendia earlier defended the Church’s decision, citing the park’s poor condition and lack of maintenance.
He confirmed that the diocese had entered into an agreement with Shakey’s Pizza to lease the property and redevelop the area into a mixed-use space. He said the business also committed to replacing the demolished statue with a new replica, potentially made of marble.
“The Diocese does not have the resources to develop or maintain the property. Despite the clamor now, no individual or group had formally stepped forward to invest in the upkeep of the park for nearly three decades,” Labendia said in a statement.
However, city officials, including Councilor Stephany Uy, have disputed this claim. During a city council session, Uy said the local government had made multiple offers during her tenure as mayor (2013–2019) to improve the park but was allegedly denied by the diocese.
City administrator Dennis Cosmod also said they had made minor improvements to the park in 2016 and 2017 and are now mulling legal actions, including asking the Shakey’s franchisee to restore the site to its original state.
The situation has stirred deep emotions in Catbalogan, with many residents questioning the lack of transparency and consultation in the process, as well as the future of other heritage sites in the city.
TACLOBAN CITY– The Kolor Banwa Art Group has once again placed the spotlight on Eastern Visayas’ creative pulse with Visualeyte 2.0, an art exhibition that boldly celebrates Leyte’s rich and diverse artistic talent.
Held to honor the evolving voices of the region’s visual storytellers, the exhibit brings together some of the most dynamic and thought-provoking artists in the province.
Participating in this year’s highly anticipated showcase are Kolor Banwa members Clint Gonzales, Aljun Alvarez, Archie Prisno, Kat de la Cruz, Hazel Llemos, Melchor Tagana, Myra Delima-Medalla, Philip Salem, and Dante Enage, as well as three guest artists in the name of Rico Palacio, Edmund Balan, Raul Agner—twelve artists whose distinct voices and visions shape the compelling narrative of Visualeyte 2.0.
This year’s installment offers an immersive visual journey—each artwork a doorway into the mind of its creator, unified by a shared commitment to authentic expression and cultural introspection.
A Mosaic of Creative Vision
Among the featured artists is Clint Gonzales, whose fusion of serigraphy and traditional painting techniques delivers urban energy with a deeply personal narrative. His pieces examine the intersection of femininity and modernity, echoing his graffiti roots. Kat de la Cruz explores synesthesia in her work, translating anxiety into color and form.
Her compositions feel almost audible—music rendered into vibrant strokes that challenge the boundary between sound and sight. Artists Hazel Llemos and Myra Delima-Medalla delve into the complexities of womanhood.
Through powerful visual storytelling, they convey themes of growth, identity, and feminine grace. In his “Binignit” series, Philip Salem marries cultural tradition with modern sensibilities. His use of local delicacies as metaphor—particularly for femininity—results in layered, textural pieces that are both familiar and forward-thinking.
Archie Prisno contributes works that push abstraction into figurative portraiture. His detailed line work—stripes, checks, and tracery—infuses female forms with complexity and elegance, creating a unique tension between structure and softness.
Environmental reflection comes through the work of Dante Enage, who illustrates ecosystems with geometric precision and vibrant color. His art serves as a visual call to preserve nature’s delicate balance.
Mortal Kallos, a series by Aljun Alvarez, evokes themes of mystery and fragility through levitating objects and aquatic motifs. The dreamlike quality of his work invites contemplation on transformation and vulnerability. With celestial aesthetics, Melchor Tagana offers a cosmic take on abstraction. Fluid water forms blend with space-inspired imagery, producing a vision that spans sea and stars, grounded in darkness and illuminated by ethereal light.
Raul Agner brings masculinity to the forefront with bold strokes and banig-inspired patterns. His work echoes heritage and strength, contrasting rigid geometry with expressive freedom.
Rico Palacio dives into surrealism, layering time, memory, and symbolism. His textured, collage-style compositions reflect on impermanence, offering viewers a visual meditation on life’s cyclical nature.
Finally, Edmun Balan captures the poetry of rural life through impressionist strokes reminiscent of Van Gogh. His depictions of daily provincial scenes shine with warmth, gratitude, and reverence for simplicity.
A Celebration of Vision and Identity
More than an exhibit, Visualeyte 2.0 is a testament to Leyte’s vibrant cultural landscape and its thriving community of visual artists. Each work resonates with introspection and ingenuity, reflecting not only individual journeys but a shared narrative of place, purpose, and passion.
Presented by Kolor Banwa, this showcase stands as a powerful reminder of art’s ability to transform perception, challenge norms, and unite communities through shared experiences and stories.
“This event paves the way for Leyteño artists to gain a platform on the national art stage.” said Melchor Tagana, the President of Kolor Banwa, emphasizing the broader cultural significance of the exhibition.
Present during the exhibit’s opening were some of the biggest names in the Philippine art scene, namely Tin Yap, owner of Nami Art Gallery, Raul Isidro, Juno Galang, Dr. Renato Cheng, sculptor Anita del Rosario, and environmental art activist AG Saño. Visualeyte 2.0 runs until April 16 at the Nami Art Gallery, White Plains Quezon City.(PR)
