CAN-AVID, Eastern Samar — What began as a cheerful initiative in 2017 under then-mayor Gil Norman Termino has now fully blossomed into a beloved Christmas tradition in this eastern town — the annual Giant Lantern Festival, a friendly competition that turns the plaza into a glowing playground of color, creativity, and community spirit.

Every December, residents of participating barangays pour their imagination into crafting massive lanterns made from recyclable materials such as plastic bottles, disposable cups, and old utensils, often combined with local indigenous materials.

The result: dazzling works of art that light up the town plaza nightly and draw crowds from Can-avid and neighboring areas.

“This gives light not only to our town but also to every heart of the people of Can-avid,” said Mayor Alicia Teves during the ceremonial lighting held last December 5. She added that the festival has become “a reflection of the strong creativity, unity, and vibrant culture of our town.”

This year, 13 giant lanterns are on display — each one unique, each one handcrafted by community volunteers proud to showcase their artistry.

The local tourism office is expecting even bigger crowds this holiday season after last year’s impressive turnout of more than 10,000 visitors. To make the nightly viewing more festive, local bands will also perform throughout the Christmas month.

The competition is judged in two rounds: the first immediately after the lighting ceremony, worth 60 percent of the total score, and a second round later in the season, worth the remaining 40 percent.

Generous prizes await the winners, courtesy of Eastern Samar public officials: P200,000 from 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan for the champion; P150,000 for the first runner-up from Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales; and P100,000 for second place from Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone.

Non-winning barangays will still receive a P10,000 consolation prize from Vice Governor Maricar Sison-Goteesan.

To support the participants, the local government also allocated P280,000 in subsidies to the competing barangays — one more gesture that keeps the tradition alive and growing.
With music filling the air, lanterns glowing brightly, and communities working hand in hand, Can-avid once again proves that Christmas shines its warmest when a town celebrates as one.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY —Actor, chef, and food storyteller Erwan Heussaff lent his support to Samar’s culinary heritage by exploring the province’s hidden food traditions in the much-anticipated “Secret Kitchens of Samar” journey, showcasing heirloom recipes, rare delicacies, and home-cooked dishes rooted in generations of history.

Heussaff’s involvement brought national attention to the province’s rich culinary culture—one that thrives not in commercial restaurants, but in humble homes and tucked-away kitchens where family stories and local flavors intertwine.

From slow-cooked specialties to regional delicacies rarely known outside their communities, the project highlighted Samar’s distinct gastronomic identity.

During his exploration, Heussaff met passionate local cooks who shared both their cooking techniques and the deeply personal stories behind their dishes. “Some of the country’s best flavors are found off the beaten path,” he said, reflecting on the unique experiences and heritage preserved in these home kitchens.

The Secret Kitchens of Samar tour took Heussaff to several key destinations:Catbalogan City, the province’s capital and cultural hub;Jiabong, renowned for its food heritage and traditional culinary practices; and Villareal, where family recipes and community cooking remain central to daily life

The initiative also aligns with Samar’s growing food tourism campaign under Spark Samar and One People One Samar, designed to promote local pride, attract visitors, and highlight the province’s culinary treasures on the national stage.

By sharing these stories and dishes, Heussaff reaffirmed that Samar’s secret kitchens hold flavors and heritage that deserve to be celebrated—and shared with the world.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY– Ormoc City is set to make one of its strongest showings yet in international sports as Leyte 4th district Representative Richard Gomez and his daughter, national team fencer Juliana Marie Beatriz Torres Gomez, lead a 19-athlete contingent representing the Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.

The Games, which will run from December 9 to 20, 2025 in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla, will feature one of Ormoc’s largest and most diverse athlete delegations—solidifying the city’s growing reputation as an emerging sports powerhouse.

Rep. Gomez, a former SEA Games gold medalist and a long-time advocate of sports development, is returning to international competition in Compak Shooting. He will compete alongside fellow Ormocanons Carlo Baltonado and Jed Rivilla, marking a rare instance of a sitting lawmaker participating as a national athlete.

His daughter, Juliana, will also carry the Ormoc banner as she competes in the Women’s Épée event with teammates Alexa Larrazabal and Ivy Claire Dinoy. Her participation continues the Gomez family’s legacy in fencing and reinforces Ormoc’s expanding footprint in the sport.

Ormoc’s remarkable presence at the 2025 SEA Games is widely attributed to the city’s sustained and strategic investment in athlete development—anchored on the SAPATOS Program (Support the Athletes in Pursuit of Accomplishing Life-Changing Opportunities in Sports). What began as a simple gesture of providing a young athlete with a pair of shoes has evolved into a comprehensive sports ecosystem. The program now supplies training support, equipment, mentorship, and long-term development pathways that have produced regional, national, and international champions.

With the leadership and continued support of Rep. Gomez and Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, the city has strengthened its sports infrastructure, upgraded facilities, and expanded access to professional coaching.

These efforts have transformed Ormoc into one of the Philippines’ most dynamic training hubs, nurturing athletes across a wide range of disciplines.

In addition to fencing and shooting, Ormoc will also field competitors in modern pentathlon and basketball—further showcasing the city’s breadth of talent and commitment to athletic excellence.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Biliran province has taken another step toward strengthening its natural defenses against erosion and flooding as the provincial government completed the 3rd round of its Bamboo Rehabilitation Program on Wednesday(Dec.10), planting 100 bayog bamboo seedlings in Barangays Agpangi and Sabang,both in the provincial capital of Naval.

The initiative, led by Governor Rogelio Espina and Provincial Environmental Officer Sofronio “Jun” Dacillo Jr., aims to build a continuous bamboo greenbelt along major river systems—an effort that supports both disaster resilience and long-term environmental sustainability.
Officials selected the bayog variety for its durability and suitability for riverbank protection. Known for its deep root system and strong culms, bayog bamboo helps stabilize slopes, reduce soil erosion, and minimize scouring around bridges and essential structures. It also acts as an efficient carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, while slowing water flow during heavy rains to lessen flood risks.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the program is designed to promote community involvement. Local residents and provincial workers—including job order and contract of service personnel—joined the planting activity to demonstrate a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to protecting Biliran’s natural resources.

Governor Espina said the seedlings serve as “guardians of our riverbanks and foundations of our green economy,” adding that the province is committed to expanding bamboo planting along all major waterways.

He also revealed that aside from the 100 seedlings planted this week, the province is currently propagating 3,000 more bayog bamboo seedlings for future transplantation.
Through the Bamboo Rehabilitation Program, Biliran hopes to inspire landowners, youth groups, environmental advocates, and civic organizations to participate in broader greening initiatives and help build a more climate-resilient province.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)