TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office has completed a one-story, two-classroom building for Calsadahay Elementary School in Pastrana, Leyte.
The project, finished on October 3, 2024, benefits 141 pupils and their teachers, addressing the school’s classroom shortage.
District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura reported that the classrooms are well-ventilated and fully equipped with blackboards, electric fans, lighting fixtures, PWD (persons with disabilities)-friendly ramps, and comfort rooms to provide a conducive learning environment.
Calsadahay Elementary School principal Herbert Bingco expressed gratitude, highlighting the importance of the new classrooms for Grade 1 and Grade 2 students who previously had to use makeshift rooms. “These classrooms will greatly enhance our ability to provide quality education,” Bingco said.
The project, implemented through the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) and undertaken by BVC Construction, costs P4.96 million and demonstrates the collaboration between DPWH and the Department of Education in addressing classroom shortages nationwide. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
COMMENDATION. Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go received a commendation from Biliran Gov. Gerard Espina(center) and Rep. Gerardo ‘Gerryboy” Espina for all the assistance he extended to the province.The senator visited Naval, Biliran on Nov. 29.
(OFFICE OF SEN. BONG GO)
COMMENDATION. Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go received a commendation from Biliran Gov. Gerard Espina(center) and Rep. Gerardo ‘Gerryboy” Espina for all the assistance he extended to the province.The senator visited Naval, Biliran on Nov. 29. (OFFICE OF SEN. BONG GO)
TACLOBAN CITY – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval, Biliran, on November 29 to monitor the Malasakit Center’s operations. He also distributed aid, including grocery packs, to health workers and patients.
In his speech, Go emphasized the need to prioritize underprivileged Filipinos, urging healthcare workers to remain dedicated to their mission.
“Always prioritize our less fortunate countrymen who need government support the most,” he said.
As the principal author of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, Go explained that these centers aim to reduce the financial burden on patients, particularly the poor.
To date, 166 Malasakit Centers have served over 15 million Filipinos nationwide.
During the visit, Go’s team provided health workers with grocery packs, masks, vitamins, and sports equipment.
Hospital staff expressed gratitude for his efforts, including advocacy for their health emergency allowances during the pandemic.
Local officials, including Rep.Gerardo Espina Jr. and Governor Gerard Roger Espina, joined the event, earning Go’s appreciation for their contributions to improving Biliran’s healthcare services.
In a letter, the hospital management, led by Dr. Joyce Caneja, highlighted the Malasakit Center’s transformative impact, providing essential healthcare to patients battling chronic illnesses and requiring dialysis.
Go also called for continuous investments in the healthcare sector and promoted Super Health Centers, which provide primary care and early disease detection in remote communities.
With over 700 such centers funded, three are located in Biliran, including one inaugurated during his visit.
Later that day, Go met with local leaders, assisted indigent residents, and attended a year-end event for barangay officials in Metro Manila.
Known as “Mr. Malasakit,” he reaffirmed his commitment to serving Filipinos, saying, “Serving people is serving God.” (GAY GASPAY)
TOURISM ATTRACTION. Borongan City, headed by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, played host to the 10th Philippine kiteboarding tour from Nov.29 to Dec.1, boosting its campaign as a haven for adventure tourism. (FILE PHOTO)
TOURISM ATTRACTION. Borongan City, headed by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, played host to the 10th Philippine kiteboarding tour from Nov.29 to Dec.1, boosting its campaign as a haven for adventure tourism. (FILE PHOTO)
TACLOBAN CITY – The city of Borongan successfully hosted the opening leg of the 10th Philippine kiteboarding tour at Baybay Beach from November 29 to December 1, 2024.
The event, organized by the Philippine Kiteboarding Association (PKA) with support from International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), attracted around 50 participants from Ireland, Estonia, Spain, Germany, Lithuania, China, Thailand, and the Philippines, including local favorites from Boracay, Palawan, Puerto Galera, and Manila.
City Mayor Jose Ivan Agda celebrated the event as a milestone for the city’s sports tourism efforts. “This proves Borongan’s potential as a premier destination for sports and adventure tourism while showcasing our natural beauty,” he said. Agda also highlighted the city’s commitment to environmental protection, noting that 60% of its land area is rainforest.
The winners of the twin-tip racing categories included:
Novice Men: Victor Llanes (1st), Alex Lee (2nd), and a tie for 3rd among multiple competitors, including Toomas Krivonogov and Joe Tindog.
Grand Masters: Eddie Garcia (1st), Carlo Leongson (2nd), and Mariel Candava (3rd).
Masters: Doque delos Santos (1st), Louie Fernando (2nd), and Joseph Consul (3rd).
Women: Cyril Dacudao (1st), Triina Trei (2nd), and Iris de Silva (3rd).
In foil racing:
Men: Stefan Vance (1st), Ben Filed (2nd), and John Louie Non (3rd).
Women: Cyril Dacudao, Trine Trei, Irish de Silva, and Anika Shane Diaz.
Tourism officer-in-charge Rupert Ambil praised the PKA partnership, stating the event solidifies Borongan’s reputation as a hub for sports and tourism. “With this and our national surfing events, Borongan is becoming a premier destination for adventure seekers,” he said.
The city’s hosting of the PKA Tour underscores its growing prominence in sports tourism, further putting Eastern Samar on the map as a key player in the adventure tourism scene. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
UNITED IN SERVICE. Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla leads a barangayan activity in Leyte, joined by town Mayor Noli Ysidoro, Board Member Marie Kathryn Veloso, and mayoralty aspirant Jed Granados demonstrating that public service can unite individuals beyond political differences.
(PHOTO COURTESY
Amid political tensions
UNITED IN SERVICE. Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla leads a barangayan activity in Leyte, joined by town Mayor Noli Ysidoro, Board Member Marie Kathryn Veloso, and mayoralty aspirant Jed Granados demonstrating that public service can unite individuals beyond political differences. (PHOTO COURTESY
LEYTE, Leyte—The Leyte provincial government, spearheaded by Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla and the provincial board, conducted a successful barangayan event on November 25, 2024, in Barangays Tigbawan and Danus. The activity emphasized the spirit of unity and public service, transcending political divides within the province.
The barangayan highlighted a rare display of collaboration between political rivals.
Gov.Petilla and the provincial board underscored the importance of collaboration, setting an example for other local government units.
Leyte town mayoralty contenders, Mayor Noli Ysidoro of the Power Team and Engineer Jed Granados of Team Pagbag-o set aside their differences during the event. Their public camaraderie—marked by shared conversations and photos—demonstrated a commitment to prioritize the needs of constituents over politics.
Engr. Granados reinforced this sentiment during his speech, stating, “We are not here as adversaries but as partners, asking the people to decide who can best serve them.”
Similarly, 3rd district Board Member Marie Kathryn Veloso emphasized that public service should always put people first. “In elections, we merely seek the trust of the people. Our focus must remain on serving them,” Veloso said.
The barangayan featured the distribution of medicines and groceries to the local residents, alongside consultations with barangay officials to address pressing infrastructure concerns.
Board Member Veloso called for peace and respect among political rivals, particularly in the 3rd district. “Peace begins with how we treat those who differ from us politically,” she remarked. Veloso encouraged leaders to listen actively to all voices and promote genuine understanding.
In contrast to the harmonious barangayan in Leyte, Leyte, similar activities in San Isidro faced accusations of politicization.
Board Member Veloso was criticized by supporters of local officials, who alleged she overstepped her role. Veloso clarified that the barangayan initiative is funded and organized by the provincial government, independent of municipal authorities.
“As an incumbent board member, it is my duty to listen to my constituents’ needs,” she said, expressing disappointment at attempts to politicize the event. Veloso also criticized misinformation spread by troll accounts linked to San Isidro officials, reiterating that the barangayan was designed for service, not politics.
“Leyte is big enough for all of us to coexist peacefully,” Veloso concluded. “In the end, we all strive for what’s best for the people of the 3rd district.” (RGA)
The Yuletide season in the Philippines is a joyous and electrifying time, marked by festive lights, carols, and the warmth of togetherness. Yet, amid this cheer, the season often reveals the stark inequalities in society, as some revel in abundance while others struggle to make ends meet. This contrast compels reflection on how the true spirit of Christmas can be realized in a country of vast disparities.
Filipinos are known for starting the Christmas celebration as early as September, with radio stations playing carols and households adorning their homes with parols and twinkling lights. These traditions speak of a deep cultural appreciation for the season, yet the early and elaborate preparations can sometimes highlight the growing commercialization of what is supposed to be a spiritual and familial occasion. For many, the focus shifts to lavish displays of wealth, inadvertently sidelining the essence of generosity and simplicity.
Meanwhile, the season’s vibrancy brings out the best in Filipino ingenuity, seen in community-organized activities like Simbang Gabi, caroling, and Christmas bazaars.
However, these celebrations can also underscore the economic struggles of others. While some neighborhoods enjoy grand fiestas and well-lit streets, others face the harsh reality of dark alleys and empty tables. The disparity becomes glaring, especially in areas still recovering from calamities or grappling with poverty, where Christmas cheer feels more like a distant echo than a shared joy. Remember that Christmas of 2013, right after Yolanda devastated the city of Tacloban?
Another dimension of the season is the heightened sense of charity that permeates society. Companies host gift-giving events, local government units distribute goods, and individuals extend help to the less fortunate. While commendable, these acts often serve as a band-aid solution, momentarily alleviating hardships but rarely addressing their root causes. Real progress would involve systemic efforts to uplift the marginalized, ensuring that they can celebrate the season with dignity and hope beyond mere handouts.
Christmas, after all, is meant to be a season of inclusivity and compassion. To honor its true meaning, society must shift focus from extravagance to equity, ensuring that no one is left behind in the festivities. Prioritize sustainable programs that empower the underprivileged. The holiday spirit should be more than a fleeting sentiment, but a force for lasting change in every Filipino’s life.
When I hear someone scoff at the idea of collecting things—shells, beetles, stones, leaves, or butterflies—I can’t help but feel like they’re missing a secret handshake with the universe. It’s as if they’ve never stared into the intricate veins of a pressed leaf or marveled at the iridescent wings of a pinned butterfly under glass. To dismiss collecting as childish or pointless is to misunderstand the sheer joy, the beauty, and the significance of capturing tiny fragments of the natural world in a way that tells stories across time.
I still remember my first collection—a handful of mismatched seashells I found during a low tide along a beach. Each shell was a story, a whisper from the sea: a conch with a crack hinted at storms surviving, while a perfect spiral felt like it held secrets only the waves knew. My friends teased me for hauling a “bag of broken sea trash,” but I didn’t care. I arranged them on a wooden board, added a label or two, and pressed a sheet of glass over them. That board was more than a keepsake—it became my first personal museum, where each piece begged me to imagine the lives they had lived.
Collecting isn’t just about hoarding pretty things; it’s a conversation with history and nature. Once, I stumbled upon an unusual beetle during a hike. Its metallic green body caught the sunlight, shining like an emerald among the leaves. Later, I learned that it was a jewel beetle, a creature whose kind had been inspiring indigenous patterns and jewelry designs for centuries. That beetle wasn’t just beautiful; it was a key to understanding the world around me, a tiny ambassador from the realm of biodiversity. Each collected item has the power to transport you to another time, another place, another understanding.
And then, there’s the sheer artistry of it all. Arranging a collection is like curating a miniature art gallery. My friend, a proud butterfly enthusiast, creates displays that look like vibrant mosaics frozen in time. Monarchs in fiery orange, swallowtails in velvety black and gold—all meticulously pinned with precision. Every time he shows me his work, I feel like I’m stepping into a painter’s studio where the brushstrokes are made of wings. There’s a quiet satisfaction in making order out of chaos, in turning a random assortment into something meaningful.
But let’s not ignore the fun of it. Hunting for that elusive perfect stone or the leaf with the most intricate skeleton is like a treasure hunt. My nephew joined me once on a search for heart-shaped rocks by a River. His face lit up with every find, even when the “hearts” looked more like squished potatoes. To him, they were diamonds, and in his childlike wonder, I rediscovered my own.
On the flip side, collecting also teaches patience. Some treasures don’t reveal themselves easily. The butterfly won’t land where you want it to; the stone you seek might be buried under layers of dirt. And then there’s the time I spent hours arranging my dried leaves into a perfect gradient of greens and browns, only to have the wind scatter them just as I finished. Frustrating? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. These moments reminded me that beauty doesn’t always come easy, and that’s precisely what makes it precious.
Critics might argue that pinning a butterfly or mounting a beetle is cruel, a theft of life’s freedom. I see the point, but here’s where intent matters. A responsible collector respects nature, taking only what is abundant or already passed. An uncle of mine taught me this as he showed me how to preserve dragonflies. “Never catch one still alive,” he said. “Let it live its story first.” His words stayed with me, a quiet guide to balancing admiration with conservation.
The next time someone dismisses a collection as just a bunch of dead things under glass, I’ll simply invite them to look closer. Beneath that glass lies not just a beetle or a shell, but a window into the wonder and fragility of our world. Maybe what we need isn’t fewer collections but more people who see their value—because in preserving these tiny fragments, we’re also preserving pieces of ourselves.
