RPOC MEETING. Tacloban City Mayor and Regional Peace and Order Council(RPOC) chairman, Alfred Romualdez, led the second quarter meeting of the council on Tuesday(May 28) where security concerns of the region were discussed. Also in photo are DILG Regional Director Arnel Agabe and PNP Regional Director B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid. (ALFRED ROMUALDEZ FACEBOOK)
RPOC MEETING. Tacloban City Mayor and Regional Peace and Order Council(RPOC) chairman, Alfred Romualdez, led the second quarter meeting of the council on Tuesday(May 28) where security concerns of the region were discussed. Also in photo are DILG Regional Director Arnel Agabe and PNP Regional Director B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid. (ALFRED ROMUALDEZ FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Peace and Order Council of Eastern Visayas (RPOC-EV) convened for its 2nd quarter meeting on Tuesday (May 28) here in the city.
The council, chaired by Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, discussed the region’s public safety status, jail management, insurgency, preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE), and the overall peace and order situation.
The council also touched on the updates on the anti-drug situation, retooled community support program (RCSP), support to the barangay development program (SBDP), and the enhanced comprehensive local integration program (ECLIP) were also presented.
During the meeting, the council reviewed the status of canine units in the region, issues related to the old Bagacay mines, and reports by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Navy (PN) concerning the presence of Chinese vessels.
Resolutions creating a special action committee on anti-illegal drugs and requesting the support of local government units in the organization and functionality of K9 teams in their jurisdiction were passed and approved.
Among those who attended the meeting were co-chairs B/Gen Reynaldo Pawid, police regional director, and Major Gen Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division and Interior Regional Director Arnel Agabe, the council’s head secretariat. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
TACLOBAN CITY – This year’s fiesta of the city will showcase the highly anticipated ‘Parade of Lights’ and a dance drama presentation on June 29.
This was disclosed by Ma. Lumen Tabao, the officer-in-charge of the City Tourism Office during a media conference held on Tuesday (May 28).
Tabao said that the Sangyaw Festival will kick off on June 1, with one of its major highlights being the Parade of Lights, set to illuminate Tacloban’s downtown area.
The parade will include both a float category and a dance drama presentation, adhering to recommendations from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
With 12 confirmed participants and the possibility of three more, the Parade of Lights promises a dazzling display of creativity and cultural pride, Tabao said.
Participants will be screened by the Leyte-Samar Heritage Society, Incorporated with the farthest contingent will come from San Jose, Northern Samar.
Each participating group will receive a subsidy of P100,000.
Prizes for the float competition include P500,000 for the champion, P300,000 for second place, and P200,000 for third place.
Consolation prizes of P20,000 will be awarded to other participants.
The dance drama presentation, to be held at Tacloban’s Balyuan Amphitheater, offers prizes of P200,000, P150,000, and P100,000 for the top three, with a P20,000 consolation prize for others.
Logistical preparations are being finalized with the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) and the Traffic Operation Management Enforcement and Control Office (TOMECO). A security plan will be presented by the PNP to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.
The city is optimistic about surpassing last year’s tourist arrival count of 300,000.
The city observes its annual fiesta on June 30 in honor of its patron, Senior Santo Niño. (GOLDA MEIR C. CABIDOG, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)
TACLOBAN CITY– The head of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Eastern Visayas said that they are optimistic that several of their lined up big ticket projects for the region would be completed before the end of the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2028.
The President’s mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, is from Leyte who include House Speaker Martin Romualdez among the province’s five congressional representatives.
Engr. Edgar Tabacon, the regional director of the DPWH for Eastern Visayas, disclosed that they have several big ticket projects that they hope to be completed before the end of the term of the Marcos administration.
For this year, the DPWH in the region was given an allocation of P58.6 billion, which is not enough to finance these big projects as these are also to be used for the construction or maintenance of their other projects like roads and bridges, health facilities, and schools, among others, Tabacon said.
Tabacon said that the release on the funding of these projects are being done by phases reason why these projects are delayed or behind their schedule of completion.
“(But) we are hopeful that considering that our current House Speaker is from Leyte and we have a President who is also considered to be a son of the region, these big- ticket projects or at least some of them would be (completed) by 2028,” Tabacon said on Tuesday during a media conference sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency.
Among these big-ticket projects now in various stages of construction are the causeway project in Tacloban with a budget allocation of P4.5 billion; Tacloban by-pass extension, P3.8 billion; Tacloban-Palo diversion road project, P3.8 billion; Basey (Samar-Maydolong (Eastern Samar) project, P2.74 billion; and the Samar Island Medical Center at P3.8 billion.
Also in the pipeline is the ‘total’ rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway in the region which needs an allocation of more than P29.7 billion.
Projects that were started before the start of the Marcos administration like the Leyte tide embankment project are also seen to be completed under the current administration, Tabacon said.
The Leyte tide embankment project was started during the Aquino administration and continued during the Duterte administration but has only managed to cover a length of 19.5 km out of its projected length of more than 38 kms covering the towns of Palo and Tanauan and Tacloban City.
The project was conceptualized after these three areas were heavily devastated by storm surges when Leyte was pummeled by Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in November 8, 2013.
Its total budget requirement was placed at more than P9 billion with funding released at only P3.8 billion so far. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
GRAND WINNER. The contingent from Barangay 110-Utap was declared as the winner in this year’s grand Santacruzan in Tacloban City on May 30. (Photo courtesy)
In Tacloban City
GRAND WINNER. The contingent from Barangay 110-Utap was declared as the winner in this year’s grand Santacruzan in Tacloban City on May 30. (Photo courtesy)
TACLOBAN CITY – The contingent from Barangay 110-Utap was declared the grand champion of the 2024 Tacloban Grand Santacruzan, a yearly religious pageant, besting eight others.
As grand champion, Barangay 110-Utap received a P50,000 cash prize. They also won the best lantern and most disciplined special awards, and secured first runner-up in the ‘Reyna Elena’ pageant, earning an additional P8,000.
Other winners were Barangay 43-B Quarry, 1st runner-up, winning P30,000, along with ‘Best Sagala’ arch and best in Reyna Elena Arch.
Barangay Paseo de Legazpi was named as 2nd runner-up, winning P20,000, and 2nd runner-up in the Reyna Elena pageant, earning P5,000 while Barangay 37 (Reclamation area) was adjudged 3rd runner-up, winning P15,000, and the top crown in the Reyna Elena pageant, earning P10,000.
Barangay 99 Diit was 4th runner-up.
Non-winners in the Santacruzan competition received a P5,000 consolation prize, while participants in the Reyna Elena pageant received P1,000 each.
Acting Tacloban City Tourism Officer Ma. Lumen Tabao noted that this year’s edition has more participants compared to eight in last year.
The city government provided a P30,000 subsidy to each of the nine participating villages, which included Barangays 43-B Quarry, 37 Reclamation Area, 65 Paseo de Legazpi, 25 Paterno Extension, 35-A Pampango, 6 Sto. Niño, 100 Utap, 99 Diit, and 23-A Burgos.
The grand Santacruzan is an annual event marking the culmination of Flores de Mayo, a tradition of the Roman Catholic Church held in honor of Queen Helena and her son Constantine’s quest to find the True Cross in Jerusalem. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Graduation ceremonies are once again taking place everywhere, from kindergarten to graduate school levels, marking a milestone in the lives of parents and children. This is a time of transition, growth, and new beginnings, as children prepare to take their place in the world and parents prepare to watch them soar.
For parents, it represents the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to providing their children with the best possible opportunities for success. From the moment their child is born, parents dream of the day they will see them walk across the stage, receive their diplomas, and embark on a new chapter in their lives. Graduation is a tangible symbol of their child’s growth, development, and achievements, and it validates their efforts as parents.
On the part of children, graduation is a time of reflection, celebration, and anticipation for the future. It marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, as they prepare to venture out into the world and pursue their dreams. Graduation represents the culmination of years of hard work, late nights studying and overcoming challenges, and it serves as a testament to their resilience, determination, and perseverance. It is a time to acknowledge their accomplishments, bask in the glow of their success, and look ahead to the endless possibilities that lie before them.
The significance of graduation extends beyond just the ceremony itself. It is a time for parents and children to come together and celebrate their shared journey, reminisce, and imagine the possibilities of the future. It is a time for parents to reflect on the joys, challenges, and lessons learned along the way, and to feel a sense of pride in their child’s accomplishments. It is also a time for children to show appreciation for their parents’ love, support, and guidance, and to acknowledge the sacrifices made on their behalf.
In many ways, graduation is a rite of passage that signifies the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a time for children to spread their wings, take their first steps into the world, and begin to carve out their path in life. For parents, it is a time to release their children into the world, knowing that they have equipped them with the tools, skills, and values needed to succeed in life and become productive members of society.
In the history of music, there was an era when songs were crafted with a great sense of artistry, melding melodious tunes with evocative, meaningful lyrics. These compositions, often characterized by their simplicity and emotional depth, resonated deeply with listeners, creating an enduring legacy that continues to be revered. The works of artists such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel, to name but a few, encapsulate a time when music was not merely a form of entertainment but a vehicle for storytelling, reflection, and emotional expression.
As can be observed, the lyrics of yesteryears were rich in poetic beauty, often weaving intricate narratives or exploring enduring themes such as love, loss, and social justice. Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” is a prime example, a song that poignantly questioned the status quo and became an anthem for the civil rights movement. These songs were not just heard; they were felt, offering listeners a glimpse into the artist’s soul and the pulse of the era.
In stark contrast, much of today’s popular music seems to prioritize style over substance. The lyrics, often repetitive and shallow, lack the depth and introspection that once defined the genre. Instead of telling a story or conveying a meaningful message, many modern songs seem content with catchy hooks and infectious beats, aiming to dominate airwaves and streaming platforms rather than stand the test of time. The transition from the poetic to the banal shows a broader cultural shift towards instant gratification and superficiality.
The musicality of contemporary songs often pales in comparison to the rich, acoustic arrangements of the past. Where once a simple guitar or piano sufficed to complement the poignant lyrics, today’s productions are frequently dominated by heavy electronic instrumentation and synthetic sounds. This emphasis on loud, fast, and often overwhelming auditory experiences overshadows the vocal and lyrical components, reducing music to a mere background noise rather than an immersive experience.
The fast tempo and relentless beat of many modern tracks also cater to a different kind of listening experience. The rise of digital platforms and the decline of the album as a cohesive art form have encouraged artists to produce singles designed to capture immediate attention. This shift has resulted in music that is often more about creating a momentary buzz than offering lasting artistic value. The ephemeral nature of such songs contrasts sharply with the timeless quality of the classics from previous decades.
This is not to say that all contemporary music lacks merit. There are still artists who strive to maintain the integrity of their craft, producing work that harks back to the golden days of meaningful music. However, they are increasingly becoming the exception rather than the norm. The commercial pressures of the music industry today often stifle genuine creativity, favoring formulaic and marketable content over innovative and heartfelt compositions. Sadly, even our local contemporary compositions have already adopted this trend, deviating from the style the Waray classics of old had espoused.
Reflecting on the past, it is clear that music was once an art form that demanded and deserved careful listening. The melodies and lyrics were crafted with meticulous care, resulting in songs that could evoke a wide range of emotions and provoke thought. Today’s music often sacrifices these qualities in favor of mass appeal and instant success. This is a loss, not only for the art form but also for the cultural and emotional richness that music can provide.
Even though the landscape of music has evolved significantly, the longing for the melodious, meaningful songs of the past remains strong. These songs serve as a poignant reminder of what music can achieve when it is created with sincerity and depth. Surely, it is worth remembering and cherishing—the timeless classics that continue to touch our hearts and souls.
