TACLOBAN CITY – The Samar Provincial Tourism Office has announced the 10 finalists for the upcoming Kuratsa Dance Competition on September 12 at the Samar Convention Center.

The finalists are Kultura D’ Balaug, Phoenix Hoopers, and Piktaw Manarayaw of Catbalogan City; NWSSU Kinetic Dance Company and CACO Iskolar of Calbayog City;Tribu Kat-bari of San Sebastian;Binhi-Dou of Gandara; Basey NHS SPA Sparks of Basey; Bonggas Casandiganon of Paranas; and SMNHS Synergy of Sta. Margarita.

The groups were chosen from online submissions after the provincial tourism office launched the contest to raise public awareness and appreciation for the traditional Kuratsa dance.

The initiative follows a viral video of Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan performing the Kuratsa during the Hermano Mayor’s Night of the Catbalogan City Fiesta, where she was showered with money in line with the traditional “gala.”

Winners of the competition will receive cash prizes: P30,000 for the champion, P20,000 for the first runner-up, and P10,000 for the second runner-up. Non-winning groups will each receive P5,000 as consolation.

The Kuratsa, a beloved folk dance of Eastern Visayas, is often performed at weddings, fiestas, and other special occasions. Mimicking the courtship movements of a rooster and a hen, the dance also serves as a means of community fundraising through the offering of money to the dancers.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Tourism(DOT) in the region is intensifying efforts to instill the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) in higher education institutions across the region, preparing students for careers in tourism and hospitality that highlight the country’s distinct cultural values.

The FBSE program, rooted in the Filipino values of maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-kalikasan, and maka-bansa, equips students with both practical skills and the right mindset to deliver world-class yet uniquely Filipino guest experiences.

More than 700 students from universities in Leyte, Samar, and Biliran have already undergone immersive training sessions facilitated by certified FBSE trainers.

At Leyte Normal University in Tacloban City, 63 senior Tourism Management students were trained by Emily Jill Nival, focusing on professional readiness for out-campus industry deployment.

In Calbayog City, 195 students from the Tourism and Hospitality programs of Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) also received FBSE training, with emphasis on guest engagement and value-driven service.

Baybay City, recognized nationally as the only LGU awardee for institutionalizing the Mabuhay gesture, continues to lead by example. A total of 201 Visayas State University (VSU) students—81 from Tourism Management and 120 from Hospitality Management—participated in training sessions led by Cyril Ignacio, reinforcing the city’s and the university’s reputation in service excellence.

Meanwhile, in Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) in Naval, 239 students (122 Tourism Management and 117 Hospitality Management) underwent FBSE training, also with Ignacio as facilitator. His sessions highlighted hands-on applications and the critical role of excellent service in encouraging repeat visits and positive guest experiences.

DOT-8 said the initiative not only strengthens industry-academe linkages but also ensures that Eastern Visayas’ next generation of tourism professionals enter the workforce carrying with them the hallmark of Filipino hospitality.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Biliran Electric Cooperative (Bileco) is set to fully energize Higatangan Island with power sourced from the mainland by December, marking a historic step toward reliable electricity service for the island’s residents.

The milestone project, known as the Higatangan Submarine Cable Project, was officially launched last Saturday with the presence of Bileco officials, Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina, and Naval Mayor Gretchen Espina.

Bileco general manager Engr. Gerardo Oledan said the project represents more than just infrastructure.

“This project is not just about laying cables beneath the sea; it is about laying the foundation for progress, for better opportunities, and for an improved quality of life for every household in Higatangan,” Oledan said, calling the project a symbol of “hope and a brighter future.”

The 4-kilometer submarine cable is expected to be completed within 15 to 30 days, depending on weather conditions. Once operational, it will end years of limited and unreliable electricity on the island, finally providing residents with round-the-clock power supply.

Mayor Espina welcomed the project but noted that accompanying measures must be in place to address possible issues once electricity becomes stable.

“When more households connect to electricity, the risk of fire incidents also increases,” she said.

The local government has already allocated funds for next year to deploy a firetruck or water rescue penetrator to the island. The Bureau of Fire Protection will also conduct fire safety training for residents.

In preparation for the expected growth in visitors and economic activity, law enforcers from the Naval Municipal Police Station, with support from the Philippine Army and Bantay Dagat, have been deployed to ensure peace, order, and security on the island.

Barangay officials from Higatangan’s two villages also joined the kick-off ceremony, underscoring the community’s anticipation for what many see as the beginning of a new chapter for the island.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)