Catbalogan son who works with Pixar revisits kins

By NINFA BARCENA-QUIRANTE, PIA Samar
June 23, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  Nelson Bohol, who seems to be hugging the limelight these "Cars" days have rejoined siblings, kins and friends in his hometown in Catbalogan, Samar.

The 40 something animation artist from world class Pixar, USA took time out from guestings for the animation movie "Cars" premier in Manila.

In Catbalogan, Nelson or "Boy" to his friends and playmates rekindled his ties with the rural folks and even trekked to Pangdan, Catbalogan where he was joined by siblings Vicky Bohol (publisher of Samar Monitor) and elder sister Evelyn who is a banker.

The animation artist also visited Samar National High School in Catbalogan which he acknowledged was a great force that inspire him to excel. In return, this world class talent wants to "return" favors to the school and inspire young Samareños to excel in whatever field they choose.

Despite his global stature, his feet says sister Evelyn has remained solidly planted on the ground and still remembers his former neighbors and playmates.

As the guy recounted his journey to Pixar, he said he has met a lot of hardships and challenges and because of his determination, has beaten the odds and made it.

He would like to advise the young people of Samar to "keep swimming" one favorite line from the animation movie "Finding Nemo". In life, he said, many obstacles are bound to block ones way to greatness but if you are steadfast, you can overcome and be the guy you wish to be.

He added that "Finding Nemo" was one of the handiwork of a team where he was a part.  He humbly told PIA that he does not plan to take all credits, he was part of the team, he emphasized.

As a young child, he said, he started drawing Mickey Mouse and marvelled at how Disney movies were made, Yes, there was art in his blood and acknowledged that his late Dad was a painter. When he went to Manila to pursue his architecture degree, the more impassioned he has become with the animation craft. After graduation he was able to land a job as an animation artist from then he moved to America and the world opened wonders for a simple man with great talents named just "Boy".

Today, he would like to share his talent specially to Samar. This simple hunk who could qualify to be in the movies just entered and exited Catbalogan without the funfare that befits a famous artist.

Catbalogan Cable TV Media Advocates Nucleus (CCATMAN) President Ray Gaspay would have wanted to feature the famous "pixarian" in his TV show, but Gaspay did not notice him come and go.

New Samar Schools Division Superintendent assumes post

By ELI C. DALUMPINES, PIA Samar
June 22, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar – A New Schools Division Superintendent has assumed post at the Department of Education’s Samar Division Wednesday, June 21, following the reassignment of Mr. Teotimo Orbeso in Tacloban City to head the City’s Schools Division.

Dr. Niña J. Villalon officially assumed office as the new Schools Division Superintendent during the turn-over ceremony attended by DepEd Assistant Regional Director Atty. Alberto Escobarte and Samar Congressmen Reynaldo S. Uy (1st district) and Catalino Figueroa (2nd district).

Dr. Villalon, in her acceptance speech, stressed her primary commitment to understand, love and serve the people of the area where she is currently assigned.

She likewise vowed to “put others” in her agenda above herself and not to be possession-conscious but “serve the people out of love” while performing her duty as a public servant.

The new DepEd Division Superintendent, who hails from Oras, Eastern Samar, noted that her greatest test in her present assignment is on how to work with the people and on how to establish linkage with government officials in Samar.

Dr. Villalon served as the City Schools Division Superintendent in Maasin City before her assignment in Samar. She was credited for the successful implementation of the City’s health and nutrition program in her stint there as Schools Division Superintendent.

Meanwhile, Congressman Uy appealed to Dr. Villalon to exert efforts to totally stop the asking of money from teacher applicants by some officials in the division office and in preventing teachers from engaging in partisan politics during elections.

Uy cited the case in Pagsanghan town where the number of voters had been jacked up from 4,000 to 7,000 with the alleged collusion between the district supervisor and other school officials.

Catbalogan Police gets a new Delica Van from LGU

By NINFA BARCENA-QUIRANTE, (PIA Samar)
June 21, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar –  The Catbalogan Police Force received a brand new Delica Van to be used in its peace and order program from Catbalogan Mayor Coefredo 'Tekwa' Uy recently.

This, according to Chief of Police Carlos Vencio is an augmentation of existing two Delica vans, one double cab, two 200CC motorcycles and two motorized cabs; all used to maintain peace and order and plant policemen on strategic posts. Vencio was however, unable to cite a situation in which the police was able to apprehend criminals while crime is in progress through the vehicles given.

Chief Vencio acknowledged the full support of Mayor Uy through the provision of motorized vehicles, the police counterpart is the fuel, the chief added.

Similarly, Vencio reported that Catbalogan these days is generally peaceful and that crime volume in May was only 5 with 4 murders and one robbery. This early in June, crime was recorded at four where one was an index crime and three non-index crimes.

The chief also reminded the public to be careful and vigilant.

"This will be their contribution to our peace efforts," he said, "if they are careful!"

Crimes, he said are likely to occur during merry-making months when more people are intoxicated and are vulnerable to criminal acts.

He also cited that most crimes happen during lean months, when rural folks have more money to enjoy happy-happy.

The chief is calling to the attention of Cell Phone (CP) owners not to use their CPs in public, especially when they are alone and in dark alleys. He said that CP holders must not be alone because company discourages CP snatchers. They should always have company to discourage unscrupulous elements, the cop added.

Though the Catbalogan PNP official is satisfied with the LGUs attention, Vencio is still yearning for additional men. Ideally, he said, Catbalogan should have 84 PNP elements to make good the ratio of 1 is to one thousand. The town, based in the 2000 census has some 84,000 population but presently, Catbalogan police force is only 44 with three police officers.

MARHE expands advocacy network

By NINFA BARCENA-QUIRANTE, (PIA Samar)
June 20, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  The Media Advocates for Reproductive Health & Empowerment (MARHE) is expanding its coverage by organizing local chapters in the region.

Just recently, Samar MARHE was organized with Ms. Myra Tambor of DYMS as President. She is ably supported by two Vice-Presidents; one from the east, Roy Calvo from Radyo ng Bayan-DYES and Ray Gaspay -President of Catbalogan Cable TV Media Advocates Nucleus (CCATMAN) from this side of Samar.

MARHE aims to raise media advocacy a notch higher and develop Reproductive Health (RH) media champions in the region.

Ron Villas, training consultant, and Ma. Ester Espina, MARHE President were in Borongan for the organization. Some 20 media practitioners from the two Samar provinces assembled at the Pebbles and Tide Resort in Bato, Borongan, Eastern Samar for the purpose.

Participants were oriented on reproductive health, gender and development, preventing cancer, infertility management and other issues relative to RH.

Moreover, participants were also exposed to the ideas of gays and lesbians and more to treat these people as people beyond their so called sexual preferences.

It was also emphasized that information as regards RH is a right, such that the government should give it.

Media was also given the idea that resources on RH services are available if only LGUs are more concerned with RH other than infrastructure programs.

Espina proudly said that the last 2004 elections, politicians were suddenly asked by the media their plans for RH--that was one impact, they have had with their advocacy on RH she enthused.

It just proved, Espina added that the media picked up RH issues.

With the new sight and expansion, MARHE is optimistic that Filipinos will become more RH informed and can stand for their choice because it is their right!

Region 8 braces against Brontispa coconut infestation

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 19, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  A Regional Consultation on Brontispa Longissima or Coconut Leaf Beetle was held at the Ritz Tower de Leyte Tuesday (June 13) in order to thresh out some plans to contain the infestation in Allen and not to allow it to spread in the other areas of the Region nor in Mindanao nor in Sorsogon.

Presidential Assistant for Coconut Honorable Edmund C. Sana who was the guest during the Consultation, used to be the Undersecretary for Regional Operations of the Department of Agriculture before his appointment to his current position.

To date, there are already six barangays in the municipality of Allen that has been infested with Brontispa. It started in Barangay Looc according to Brgy. Chairman Glen Resuello. He said that ten coconut farmers with 400 coconut trees have already been affected in his barangay.

Barangay Chairman William Colcero of Barangay Lagundi informed PIA that 231 coconut trees of 6 coconut farmers have already been affected while Kikaguitman Barangay Chairman Leonardito Tagalog said 15 trees of 1 coconut farmer in his barangay have already been found to be infested with the Brontispa. The other barangays affected are Sabang I and Sabang II, and Kinahanan.

The barangays chairmen revealed that at first they were told to spray soap and water but they found out it was ineffective and so the Philippine Coconut Authority gave them chemicals which they injected on the trunk of the coconut trees. Before they inject, however, they first harvest the mature fruits.

Director Nierva said that the affectivity of the chemicals sprayed is from 3-4 months and the fruits are not supposed to be eaten until after the 6-months period is over. This is the reason why the introduction of predators called the airwigs is being recommended by the PCA. But these predators have to be mass produced, Director Nierva added.

It was learned from the Municipal Coconut Officer of Allen, Mr. Abelardo Gamba, that as early as October last year, it was found out that some coconut trees in Barangay Looc in Allen Northern Samar  was infested by brontispa or coconut leaf beetle. A coconut tree infested with Brontispa has young leaves which appear burned or scorched resulting from the feeding damage of the coconut leaf beetle.

Brontispa, according to PCA Regional Manager Ed Nierva, is an invasive pest introduced to the country, presumably in early 2004 via importation of ornamental palms. It caused great damage to seedlings and mature coconut trees and ornamental palms thereby killing the young spears and the whole tree.

The Quarantine Bureau is very important in the prevention of the infestation from spreading, PA Sana said and so the Philippine National Police, the local governments of Allen and the Province of Northern Samar, the DILG and the Philippine Information Agency are enjoined to help in the task force.

The action plan of the task force was presented and discussed with the conclusion that all effort must be exerted to contain the infestation in Allen and not to allow it to be spread to the other provinces in Region 8, to Luzon and to Mindanao.

Leyte gets a glimpse on how it is to be a tourist haven

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 16, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY   –  Leyte had a glimpse today on how it is to be a tourist haven.

One hundred six residents of various nationalities, 64 Filipino crew and 91 non-Filipino crew members came to Leyte aboard the World Luxury Residency Cruise ship which is being managed by the ResidenSea, a Miami, Florida-based company that offers sales, marketing, operations and administration services for special luxury properties on land and sea.

It was learned from Ms. Nadja A. Trinchera of Raja Tours Philippines, the group’s official Tour Operator in the Philippines that the passengers are called residents because they own the condominium they are occupying at the World (ship).

At the MacArthur Park Hotel, the tourists came in rubber boats reminiscent of the MacArthur Landing. They brought along not only their children and babies but also with their own food from the ship, from the coconuts to the salads to the barbeque which the ship’s crew prepared for them.

In hand to meet them were Director Karen Tiopes, Congresswoman Remedios Petilla, Vice Governor Mimyet Bagulaya, Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo Romualdez, Tanauan Mayor Roque Tiu who brought with him the award winning Bamboo Band from his town and PIA Director Olive Tiu together with the local tri media.

This is the ship’s maiden voyage to the Philippines and the residents themselves chose Leyte of the famous Leyte Gulf Landings where General MacArthur fulfilled his promise “I Shall Return.” Engr. Edwin Labanta of MacArthur Park Beach Resort really gave a festive ambiance to the Hotel with the waiters really dressed in navy uniforms just like when MacArthur came.

During their free day on Wednesday, the residents made some walked to the nearby MacArthur Shrine while some of them opted to just stay at the Resort. They also had the option to have a short city tour before returning to the ship before three o’clock in the afternoon.

Leyte is the port of entry of the ship which just had a port call in Hongkong four days ago and so immigration officials went on board the ship to check on the travel documents of the residents and crew. From Leyte, the ship will make port calls in Cebu, Boracay and Palawan before it goes to Manila.