TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog party-list Representative Yedda Romualdez expressed gratitude for the successful Tingog Summit 2025, where over 500 partners and volunteers from 210 Tingog Centers across the country gathered at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo, Leyte on February 6, 2025.

Romualdez described the three-day summit as an opportunity to amplify voices and strengthen partnerships, reaffirming the party’s commitment to serving and empowering Filipinos.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners and dedicated Tingog Center staff. Their hard work has been instrumental in reaching more people in need,” she said.

The event, now on its second year, recognized the contributions of staff and volunteers while celebrating Tingog’s accomplishments.

Romualdez emphasized the party’s unwavering mission, stating, “Tingog Partylist will always be dedicated to serving the Filipino people with integrity and compassion.”

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Another son of House Speaker and Leyte 1st district Representative Martin Romualdez is entering politics, this time under the Tingog Party-list.

On Saturday, February 8, Andrew Julian Romualdez was officially introduced as the first nominee of Tingog party-list during the party’s national summit held at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo, Leyte.

The young Romualdez replaces his mother, Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, as Tingog’s first nominee. However, both Andrew Julian and his mother were absent from the event, which gathered over 500 organizers and staff from across the country.

It was unclear why Yedda Romualdez was replaced as the first nominee, as she was instead listed as the party’s sixth nominee.

The party has not provided any official explanation regarding this shift.

Additionally, Happy Calatrava, Rep. Yedda Romualdez’s sister, was named as Tingog’s third nominee, while incumbent party-list Representative Jude Acidre remains as the second nominee.

At 24 years old, Andrew Julian Romualdez now joins his elder brother, Ferdinand Martin Jr., in the political arena.

Ferdinand Martin Jr. is running for Tacloban City councilor, marking the first time both siblings are seeking elective office.

Meanwhile, Speaker Martin Romualdez is seeking his third term as Leyte’s 1st District Representative in the upcoming elections.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Kathreen Kaye Dacanay of Borongan City made history by winning the first-ever Miss Universe Philippines Samar Island title, bringing pride to her hometown and supporters.

A former Miss Pintados winner, Dacanay outshined 11 other candidates representing different localities across the three provinces of Samar Island.

With her victory, she now advances to the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant, where she will compete for the chance to represent the country at the Miss Universe competition in Thailand.

Aside from winning the crown, Dacanay also received several corporate awards, including Miss Erase Skin Care; Miss Allure Studio Aesthetic Clinic; Miss JD Printing Services; and Miss Mardon’s Coffee Shop.

Dacanay will join two other candidates from Eastern Visayas in the national pageant, namely, Angela Cabel – representing Tacloban City; and Yoshabel Lebico – representing Basey, Samar.

The Miss Universe Philippines Samar Island court is composed of 1st runner-up – Marriane Insigne (Dolores, Eastern Samar); 2nd runner-up – Jhyry-ross Yboa (Catbalogan City, Samar); 3rd runner-up – Catherine Wardle (Daram, Samar); 4th runner-up – Kristine Llanete (Zumarraga, Samar); and 5th runner-up – Merylene Diega.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)