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Thursday, November 5, 2009

2010 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival Complete Schedule

2010 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival:"intheHallofFame"

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Branding the 2010 Dinagyang

by Ben Jimena, Hala Bira!, The Daily Guardian

IN a strategic planning by the core group of the festival triumviri, Dinagyang was given a makeover – a distinct character, truly symbolic of her most recent accomplishments and indicative of her prescient image as the country’s most important tourism event.

The session was done Saturday last week and attended by representatives of the Iloilo City Government, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI), and the San Jose Parish. It started with a module on getting everyone’s perception of what is Dinagyang – how one looks at the celebration based on personal biases and actual experiences.

They listed down every input and they agreed to a definition that Dinagyang is a “celebration showcasing Ilonggo culture in honor of Senor Santo Nino, the Child Jesus”.

The new definition was indeed a simplified and integrated version of the previous four-pronged description – a religious celebration of the devotion to Senor Santo Nino, a showcase of Ilonggo culture of excellence, a promotional vehicle for Iloilo, and a unifying element for the community to work together for the common good.

Since all participants have long been immersed in the conduct of the celebration, the module on the history of the festival was skipped to give way to a more important process of setting up the objectives for next year’s edition. Using beta cards to encode their individual propositions, the ideation activity resulted in seven specific objectives.

They set direction for the 2010 event to make the festival a cultural menagerie and exhibitory occasion, to get global attention, to live up to being the best tourism event in the hall of fame, to maintain its religiosity, to reach out for the marginalized and less privileged sectors, to continue as an economic driver of the City and to attain financial sustainability.

Objective 1-To make the festival a cultural menagerie and exhibitory occasion. Strategy formulation became a handy endeavor after setting up the seven objectives. It was easy for the group to think of ways to achieve the goals for next year. There were suggestions to underscore the gastronomic facet, the local foods – the gustatory attractions of the place; and the terpsichorean skills through new events like a culinary fest and dance competitions, respectively. The concept of a culinary festival would include cooking demonstrations and product exhibitions.

A Dinagyang arts festival is in the pipeline not only for dance but for other arts as well. There shall be a cheer dance or pep squad contest, dance sports, classical ballet exhibition, and contemporary hiphop/breakdance. A choral competition among local parishes is in the offing.

Objective 2 – To get global attention. The optimal use of the web was taken up making use of the website, and other internet facilities like the YouTube, Facebook, Twitters, etc. Partnership with the tri-media, networking with the Ilonggo communities abroad and the expat officials in foreign embassies were identified as effective exposures.

Objective 3 – To live up to being the best tourism event in the hall of fame. The installation of Dinagyang to the Hall of Fame of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) is a big challenge for the festival to show that she deserves the honor. Thus, it is imperative that Dinagyang lives up to expectations as benchmark and model for a well-managed event. It shall continue to be a trailblazer of innovations and active partner of development. It shall continue to be involved in advocacies such as the UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG) fight against poverty, global peace, climate change and other environment issues.

Objective 4 – To maintain its religiosity. There is a move to preserve her religious color by way of strengthening the liturgical organization through collaboration with other parishes, and enhanced conduct of the fluvial procession and other religious activities. A grand fluvial procession, which will start from several points of origin and converging in the city, to meet the embarking Santo Niño image will make the celebration a big community affair.

Objective 5 – To reach out for the marginalized and less privileged sectors. The corporate social responsibility was tackled with a planned outreach program which would mount the “Palamahawan ni Senor Santo Nino sa Dinagyang”, a feeding program for the poor children in various venues around the city. This is one way of reaching out for the marginalized and underprivileged sectors. There is a plan to provide scholarships for the Atis, the indigenous Ilonggos who were one of the primary inspirations of the festival. Tribe members shall be taught how to prepare for and respond to emergency and disasters calls. First aids and evacuation trainings shall be in the capacity building seminars.

Objective 6 – To continue as an economic driver of the City. The festival shall continue to be the breeding ground for young entrepreneurs by way of the Estudyante Negosyante event. Now on its 2nd year, the program encourages young students to set up small business enterprises selling marketable products such as souvenir items, t-shirts, foods, etc., during the festival and learning the ropes of running a business. There shall be a modified guideline for kiosk operation to incorporate additions provisions of garbage segregation. The Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Iloilo Business Club, and the Department of Trade and Industry shall be invited to sponsor trade fairs and exhibits and media promotions.

Objective 7 – To attain transparency and financial sustainability. The festival committee shall pursue various activities which would generate more revenues – more aggressive marketing of Dagoy dolls, selling of stage tickets and souvenirs, sponsors mardi gras, food festivals, leasing of kiosks, etc in order to sustain financial viability.

Official Name. The official name of the event is: 2010 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival. Take notice that the year precedes the title of the festival to distinctly standardize and differentiate her from the other festivities. The font used for the Year 2010 is Jokerman. The zero figures appear like wheels to represent the festival as an economic driver; on closer look the same figures are like eyes to indicate that the world is watching!

The font for the word ILOILO is Cooper BT, Dinagyang is mistral, and Festival is Algerian.

The Tagline. Tagline for 2010: “intheHallofFame”; font is Cataneo BT. It describes and exemplifies Dinagyang as a model example of a premier festival – a grand slam winner of ATOP’s Best Tourism Event – being the consistent top pick since the Best Tourism Practices Awards started in 2006 to the present. Most recently, Dinagyang was installed in the Hall of Fame during the 10th ATOP National Convention in General Santos City last October 3, 2009.

Two days later, Iloilo City became the first and the only LGU from the Philippines to be inducted into the Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame for Executing Strategy in the Palladium Asia Pacific Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is a singular honor for Iloilo City for attaining landmark achievements in using the balance scorecard in its governance system.

The Palladium Group Inc. and the Harvard Business Publishing are the major proponents of the Hall of Fame awards – an international recognition for both public and private enterprises which show breakthroughs in their operations after using the BSC system.

The honor was made possible by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia after it has elevated Iloilo City in the institutionalized status of the public governance pathway – a program with the city pursued to achieve its vision of becoming A Premier City by 2015.

Just a day apart, these double honors were earned by both Dinagyang and Iloilo City because of the successful partnership between government and the private sector. It is only fitting that the phrase be used as brand tag of the highest quality, “primera clase.” The phrase is interconnected without space between words to represent the bonded relations and partnership of people working together.

Colors for 2010 are Lavender and Gold – Lavender is a pale hue of Purple; while Gold is a deep rich Yellow. Purple is the symbol of imperial, royal or other higher rank; as an adjective it means elaborate in style.

Gold is a symbol of high quality or achievement. The two colors are visual complements which best represent Dinagyang as a highly acclaimed world-class festival.

source: www.iloiloviews.com

Thursday, October 15, 2009

12 tribes register for 2010 Dinagyang festival

City Tourism and Development Office head Ben Jimena said 12 tribes have already registered for next year’s Dinagyang festival.

Jimena said they are expecting 15 tribes to compete in the Dinagyang Ati Tribes competition and another 15 for the Kasadyahan competition.

This year’s problem on funding subsidy of tribes has already been addressed, said Jimena.

In this year’s Dinagyang festival competition, there were tribes which threatened to back out on the last day of the competition while there were others that rendered lousy performance in four staging areas to the dismay of the spectators.

Jimena added they are contemplating of increasing the cash prize for the winners. The said plan, however, will depend on the amount of sponsorship they will gather for next year’s festivities.

Meanwhile, Jimena said there would be new events in the 2010 Dinagyang festival. The festival should live by its name being in the Hall of Fame, he said.

The 2010 Dinagyang festival would be launched on today (October 16) with a motorcade and signing of the memorandum of agreement between the city government and the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI). The activity would also serve as thanksgiving for the 2009 Dinagyang festival.

The motorcade will start 2 p.m. at Plaza Libertad passing City Proper to Molo until Jaro via Diversion Road, La Paz and back to San Jose Church.

It would be participated by some Dinagyang tribes, IDFI, city government, City Tourism and Development Office, San Jose Parish, Iloilo City Tourism Commission and Department of Tourism 6.

The traffic would only affect portions from the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand until the San Jose Parish Church. The participants and the tribes would walk from the church until the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, said Jimena.

Jimena said the new events would include the dance sport, classical ballet, contemporary and cheer dancing competition.

Source: Maricar M. Calubiran, The News Today

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Iloilo City launches Dinagyang 2010

Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City’s premier tourism, religious and cultural celebration will heat up the center stage starting Friday October 16 for its local launching at the Freedom Grandstand.

Honoring Señor Santo Nino (the Child Jesus), Dinagyang is a festive merrymaking that prides of excellent folk choreography showcasing of Ilonggo heritage and culture as well as selling Iloilo as an ideal tourism and investment destination.

Signaling the start of Dinagyang season with the banging of loud drumbeats, a motorcade will kick off at 2pm from Plaza Libertad in City Proper rounding up the major thoroughfares of City Proper to Molo, going to Jaro via the Diversion Road, then La Paz and will end at the San Jose Church.

To make the IIonggo community aware that preparations for next year’s Dinagyang is underway, the motorcade enjoins the organizers, participants, and sponsors of Dinagyang 2009, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI), City Government, City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO), San Jose Parish, Iloilo City Tourism Commission and Department of Tourism (DOT6).

At the San Jose Parish Church, a 4pm thanksgiving mass will be officiated to give thanks to Sr. Sto. Niño for all the good things that happen to Dinagyang.

A program and press conference will follow at 5pm at the Freedom Grandstand.

The signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the hosting of Dinagyang 2010 will be led by Mayor Jerry Treñas in behalf of the City Government, Lee Chuan for the IDFI, and Fr. Achilles Secio for the San Jose Parish.

The MOA signing will inform the public of the plan and accomplishment of Dinagyang.

An accomplishment report of Dinagyang 2009 will be presented by IDFI vice-president Ricardo Andrada and treasurer Marissa Segovia.

The Dinagyang Festival Committee will also present the 2010 action plan.

To show recognition to all those who have supported Dinagyang all through the years, tokens of appreciation will be given to the sponsors, institutional partners, Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB), Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts Association (IHRRA), Iloilo Business Club (IBC), Rotary Club of Iloilo, participants and working committees.

After which, a thanksgiving dinner for the success of Dinagyang 2009 will be hosted by the IDFI.

Meanwhile, Dinagyang will invade Manila on its national launch on December 12.

The Pamukaw on December 18 and Opening Salvo on January 15, 2010 will give the first peek to next year’s tribe competition.

The Closing Ceremonies of Ayre Bayle Serye and Ms. Iloilo Dinagyang will be showcased on January 17, 2010; Opening of Dance Festival, Cheer Leading and Dance, Dance Sports, Classical Ballet Festival and Contemporary Dance on January 18-21, 2010; and Drum and Bugle Marching Band and Fluvial Procession on January 22, 2010.

The Kasadyahan Parade, Sponsors Mardi Gras and Luces in the Sky Goes International will unfurl on January 23, 2010.

The Dinagyang Ati Contest and Awarding Ceremony will highlight on January 24, 2010.

Source: (PIO)

Friday, August 21, 2009

MR. ZOILO J. PINONGCOS, JR. Profile


























School: Leganes National High School
Location: Leganes, Iloilo
Current Position: Master Teacher I
Field of Specialization: English with special training on ICT
No. of Years Teaching: 23 years

Mr. Pinongcos, as an Intel Teach National Trainers awardee, has conducted trainings for the Intel Teach Training Program at the national, regional, and division levels. The project helps teachers who have little or no computer experience acquire basic technology literacy skills and introduces them to 21st century approaches to teaching and learning. Mr. Pinongcos also serves as an ICT trainer for out-of-school youths and barangay officials in the town of Leganes. One of the innovative teaching approaches he developed is the “Barangay Ko Tipigan Ko” (I care for my barangay), a form of learning that promotes social and community awareness among the students in which they adopt a barangay and conduct an assessment survey on its strengths and weaknesses. The students then present their findings and propose solutions to the different problems they have identified in the community before LGU and barangay officials. Mr. Pinongcos is also an active Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Communion in the Parish of St. Vincent Ferrer, administering to the sick and the elderly every Sunday and feast days.

Source: Metrobank Foundation Inc.

Metrobank Foundation Names Outstanding Teachers for 2009

Eight public school teachers from the elementary and secondary levels, including two professors from the University of the Philippines-Diliman and University of San Carlos in Cebu, emerged as winners in this year’s Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers.

In this 25th year of the Search, Dasmariñas, Cavite, Olongapo City, Tulunan, North Cotabato, and Leganes, Iloilo produced their first awardees in the Search.

This year’s awardees for the elementary level are: Mrs. Lourdes L. Matan of Mag-Ubay Elementary School in Calbayog City; Mrs. Gemma G. Cortez of Dasmariñas Elementary School in Dasmariñas, Cavite; Mr. Benjamin M. Martinez of San Sebastian Elementary School in Tarlac City; and Mrs. Eva B. Imingan of Nellie E. Brown Elementary School in Olongapo City.

The awardees for the secondary level are: Ms. Shena Faith M. Ganela of Philippine Science High School-Western Visayas Campus in Iloilo City; Mrs. Rochelle D. Papasin of Philippine Science High School-Southern Mindanao Campus in Davao City; Mrs. Ma. Petra A. Romualdo of Minapan High School in Tulunan, Cotabato; and Mr. Zoilo J. Pinongcos, Jr. of Leganes National High School in Leganes, Iloilo.

For the higher education level, the awardees are: Dr. Dina Joana S. Ocampo of the University of the Philippines-Diliman; and Dr. Ramon S. Del Fierro of University of San Carlos in Cebu City.

“The Metrobank Foundation believes that by giving recognition to the outstanding qualities, achievements and contributions of our beloved educators, we promote a sense of pride in and provide inspiration to the teaching profession and to the rest of the society,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña. “For over 25 years, we have envisioned our awardees to serve as infrastructure for continuing excellence and to provide greater impact on their respective spheres of influence,” he continued.

The winners were selected from 173 nominees coming from various public and private educational institutions in the Philippines, of which 40 qualified as regional finalists. The regional finalists underwent interviews and teaching demonstrations before the members of the preliminary board of judges identified for each category, of which 20 were selected to become the national finalists. The national finalists then faced the Final Board of Judges for this year’s Search co-chaired by Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro and Muntinlupa City representative Congressman Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon. Also serving as judges were: Chairman Ricardo L. Saludo of the Civil Service Commission (CSC); Governor Miguel Rene A. Dominguez of Sarangani Province; Dr. Ma. Cristina D. Padolina, President, Centro Escolar University (CEU); Ms. Cecilia L. Lazaro, founding president, PROBE Productions, Inc.; and Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, President and CEO, Lamoiyan Corporation.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will confer gold medallions to this year’s awardees at Malacañan Palace on September 3, 2009. They will also be presented with plaques and cash amounting to Php 300,000 each during the formal awarding ceremonies at Metrobank Plaza in Makati, which will serve as the highlight of the 47th anniversary celebration of the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company on September 4, 2009.

This year’s winners will join the rank of 276 outstanding teachers, who have been honored by the Foundation for the last 24 years. They automatically become members of the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators or NOTED, an honor society of outstanding teachers committed to nurturing a culture of excellence and service among educators through professional development, publications, research, and advocacy in active partnership with government and non-government organizations.

Now on its 25th year, the Search bestows honor upon the teaching profession by according special recognition to teachers who manifest profound commitment to the development of the youth through exemplary competence, remarkable dedication to their work, and an effective educational leadership.

The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies chaired by Dr. George S.K. Ty. Over the last 30 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and College Scholarship Program. The Foundation also has a grants program that assists NGOs and government in the fields of education, healthcare, and the arts. Metrobank Foundation celebrates Filipino excellence and presents wellsprings of hope in the future of our nation.

source: Metrobank Foundation Inc.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Leganean Secondary Educator make it as regional finalists in Metrobank tilt

Four elementary and three secondary teachers from Western Visayas are among the 40 regional finalists in this year’s Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT).

For the elementary level, they are: Mrs. Milagros J. Derayo of Don Alfonso E. Espiritu Memorial School in Dao, Capiz; Mrs. Lucia B. Taytayon of Ivisan Elementary School in Ivisan, Capiz; Mr. Jonathan C. Glorial of West Visayas State University Integrated Laboratory School in Iloilo City; and Ms. Jocelyn E. Hedriana of President Manuel A. Roxas Memorial School South in Roxas City.

On the other hand, those who qualified in the secondary level are: Mr. Zoilo J. Pinongcos, Jr. of Leganes National High School in Leganes, Iloilo; Dr. Evelyn B. Cercado of Congressman Ramon A. Arnaldo High School in Roxas City; and Ms. Shena Faith M. Ganela of Philippine Science High School-Western Visayas in Iloilo City.

Out of the 173 nominations generated nationwide, 40 have been selected as regional finalists consisting of 8 teachers from the tertiary, 16 from the secondary, and 16 from the elementary levels. They will advance to the semi-final judging phase of the Search scheduled from July 15 to 17, 2009 at the Metrobank Plaza, Makati City.

The regional finalists will be interviewed by the preliminary board of judges identified for each category and shall conduct teaching demonstrations on their respective fields of specialization. From the 40 regional finalists, 20 national finalists will be selected, and later will undergo the final selection process by the Final Board of Judges during the third week of July.

“Out of the equally qualified and deserving candidates who were nominated across the country, we are proud to present the 40 regional finalists who stood out for their dedication to the highest standards of professionalism, competence, integrity, and their commitment to go beyond the four walls of the classroom through projects concerning their respective communities,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña.

Now on its 25thyear, the Search bestows honor upon the teaching profession by according special recognition to teachers who manifest profound commitment to the development of the youth through exemplary competence, remarkable dedication to their work, and an effective educational leadership.

For a complete list of this year’s Regional Finalists, please visit the Metrobank Foundation website at: www.MBFoundation.org.ph.

source: http://www.thenewstoday.info/

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Leganean Educator as finalists in 2009 search for outstanding teachers

Metrobank Foundation, Inc. proudly announces the provincial finalists for the 2009 Search for Outstanding Teachers.

One Leganean and five Ilonggo educators made it as provincial finalists for this year. They are Mr. Zoilo J. Pinongcos, Jr. of Leganes National High School in Iloilo; Mr. Jonathan C. Glorial of West Visayas State University Integrated Laboratory School in Iloilo City; Mr. Angelo G. Tanoy of Iloilo Central Elementary School in Iloilo City; Mrs. Ana J. Toledo of Iloilo City National High School in Iloilo City; Ms. Shena Faith M. Ganela of Philippine Science High School-Western Visayas in Iloilo City; and Prof. Ruben M. Gamala of the University of the Philippines Visayas in Iloilo City.

Other provincial finalists from Western Visayas are Mrs. Milagros J. Derayo of Don Alfonso E. Espiritu Memorial School in Dao, Capiz; Mrs. Lucia B. Taytayon of Ivisan Elementary School in Ivisan, Capiz; Ms. Jocelyn E. Hedriana of Pres. Manuel A. Roxas Memorial School South, in Roxas City; Mrs. Hildegarda R. Tongcua of Banga Elementary School, in Banga, Aklan; Dr. Evelyn B. Cercado of Congressman Ramon A. Arnaldo High School in Roxas City; and Mrs. Marian M. Eusoya of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, in Bacolod City.

All provincial finalists are required to submit supporting documents which highlight their outstanding qualities and competencies as educators as well as their involvements in their respective communities.

Ninety-nine provincial finalists were chosen from a total of 173 nominees nationwide in the elementary, secondary and higher education categories. From these provincial finalists, only 40 will be declared regional finalists, which will be further trimmed down to 20 national finalists. It is from these national finalists that the 10 awardees for the 2009 Search for Outstanding Teachers will be determined.

“The Search for Outstanding Teachers is one of the ways in which Metrobank Foundation advocates education,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña. “Through this search, we aim to provide models of excellence who can inspire teachers all over the country to be the best in their profession. We are now looking forward to honor the ten best educators in the country today,” he continued.

For 25 years, the Search for Outstanding Teachers has been honoring the teaching profession by according special recognition to teachers who manifest profound commitment to the development of the youth through exemplary competence, remarkable dedication to their work and effective educational leadership.

For a complete list of this year’s Provincial Finalists, please visit www.MBfoundation.org.ph.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer Holy Week Schedule of Services

Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer (San Vicente Ferrer Parish) schedule of Holy Week and Paschal Triduum Services.

Click the image to see larger view.

Wings! Online http://svfswings.wordpress.com/

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

FIESTA 2009 SCHEDULE OF MASSES

Parokya ni San Vicente Ferrer
Leganes, Iloilo


April 16, 2009
6:15am - Novena Mass
7:00am - Novena Mass

April 17, 2009
6:15am - Novena Mass
7:00am - Novena Mass

April 18, 2009
6:15am - Novena Mass
7:00am - Novena Mass

April 19, 2009
6:00am - Novena Mass
7:30am - Novena Mass

April 20, 2009
6:15am - Novena Mass
7:00am - Novena Mass

April 21, 2009
6:15am - Novena Mass
7:00am - Novena Mass

April 22, 2009
6:15am - Novena Mass
7:00am - Novena Mass

April 23, 2009
6:15am - Novena Mass
7:00am - Novena Mass

April 24, 2009
6:15am - Novena Mass
7:00am - Novena Mass
4:00pm - Procession
5:00pm - Novena Mass

April 25, 2009
5:00am - Fiesta Mass
6:00am - Fiesta Mass
7:00am - Fiesta Mass
8:00am - Fiesta Mass
9:00am - Main Concelebrated Mass
4:00pm - Fiesta Mass

Viva San Vicente!

source:Wings! Online http://svfswings.wordpress.com/

November 2008 Nursing Licensure Exam Result Updates

1. Complete list of November 2008 NLE passers.

2. Complete list of the Top Performing schools.

3. The top 10 November 2008 test-takers.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Leganes boat enthusiasts top Paraw Regatta 2009

Paraw enthusiasts from the town of Leganes emerged as winners in the recently concluded 37th Iloilo Paraw Regatta. Last year, the major winners came from Tigbauan and Sto. Nino Sur, Arevalo.

The first place winner in the Category A went to Orlando Demetillo of Camangay, Leganes. His entry Arlyn led the more than 40 participants in the sailboat race held Sunday in Iloilo Strait. Demetillo was last year’s third placer in the Category A.

Last year top finisher Rogelio Garreza came second with his entry Joseph 2. His entry Joseph 1 came 4th in the Category A while his entry Toto RJ came third in the Category B. The two sailboats were built by Federico Tantiado. Sailboat entry Piranha owned by Benito Gordoncillo of Camangay, Leganes came third. The sailboat was built by Winnie Demetillo.

Sailboat John-John of Honorato Espinosa was 5th in the sailboat race under Category A. The paraw was built by Henry Tanagras.

The first prize winner in the Category A received P14,400 cash prize; 2nd - P9,600 and 3rd - P7,200; 4th P6,000 and 5th P4,800. Painted sailboat owners received an additional incentive from the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation Inc. (IPRFI) chaired by Manuel Villa Jr. The 6th to 10th placers in the Category A also received cash prizes of P2,400 each.

In the Category B, the 1st place went to sailboat 2 Angels owned by Jayde Pauchano Sr. The sailboat was also built by Demetillo, builder of Piranha. The second place went to sailboat Kristine owned by Oscar Espinosa of Sto. Nino Sur, Arevalo. Espinosa was the 2008 top finisher in the Category B. Espinosa’s paraw builders were Henry and Jade Tanagras.

The first prize winner in the Category B received P18,000 cash prize; 2nd - P14,000; 3rd - P12,000; 4th - P9,600 and 5th - P6,000. They also received additional prize if the paraw is painted. For the 1st prize winner, the additional cash prize is P7,000; 2nd - P5,000; 3rd - P4,000; 4th - P3,000; 5th - P2,000 and P1,000 for the 6th to 10th placers. The non-winners in the category B also received a cash prize of P1,000 each.

source: Maricar M. Calubiran, www.thenewstoday.info

Friday, February 20, 2009

November 2008 NLE top 10 test-takers

The successful examinees in the Nov 2008 Nurse Licensure Examination who garnered the ten (10) highest places are the following:

1. 89.00 - JOVIE ANN ALAWAS - DECOYNA BAGUIO CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

2. 88.40 - JOHN PATRICK MORALES DIMARUCOT - CENTRAL LUZON DOCTOR'S HOSPITAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

3. 88.00 - GIAN KARLO TIMOG CUSI - BAGUIO CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
ERYCAR DEL MUNDO MANAOIS - PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA

4. 87.60 - FLORINA CONDE CORPUZ - SAINT DOMINIC SAVIO COLLEGE
ANGELICA AUBREY PANTIG MORLA - FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY-MANILA
JAMIE ANNE TOLENTINO TINIO - ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

5. 87.4 - ROBERTO MADRONA ASUNCION - ARELLANO UNIVERSITY-PASAY CITY
IRISA KRIYA TURAJA BIAG - SAN PEDRO COLLEGE-DAVAO CITY
MIGUELA MACUTO GABISAN - CEBU NORMAL UNIVERSITY
EDITA TE LIM - ARRIESGADO COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC.
ROSARIO LEI MOSQUEDA PASIMIO - XAVIER UNIVERSITY
ELAINE GRACE ESPERANCILLA PRAILE - SAINT PAUL UNIVERSITY-ILOILO
CATHERINE DURAN REYES - OUR LADY OF FATIMA COLLEGE-QC

6. 87.20 - GERONIMO CARILLO BURCE JR. - MABINI COLLEGE
JOANNE MAE FRANCISCO EVANGELISTA - SAN BEDA COLLEGE
CHRISTOPHER ALVAREZ IRORITA - SAN PEDRO COLLEGE-DAVAO CITY
PAUL DELFIN REYES JAMERO - FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY
HAZEL JOY AMARILLO JIMENEZ - UNIVERSITY OF BATANGAS
MA. CONCEPCION ASHLEY DELIZO MAPAGU - SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
MARIA CECILIA CASTILLO NAVATA - CANOSSA COLLEGE
FRANCIS IAN SABANAL PASCUAL - UNIVERSIDAD DE ZAMBOANGA
GEORGE GARCIA VEGA JR. - UNIVERSITY OF SAINT LOUIS-TUGUEGARAO

7. 87.00 - KATRINA ANDREA PAGDANGANAN ARCEO - NUEVA ECIJA COLLEGE
ROSE JEAN DUMABOC CAPIDLAC - SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY
CARLA MAE TENORIO CUISIA - SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY
MARY ANN ALVAREZ GARING - LYCEUM OF BATANGAS
MA. JOYA JIMENEA GENZOLA - COLEGIO DE SAN AGUSTIN-BACOLOD CITY
ROSE ANNE MIRANDA MUNGCAL - ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
PRETZEL ESTREMOS VICENCIO - BUTUAN DOCTORS COLLEGE
FAYE STEPHANIE YAO YU REMEDIOS T. ROMUALDEZ MEDICAL FOUNDATION

8. 86.80 - LYLANI MUTYA BALOTE - UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI
JAMAICCA RABULAN BANTING - DAVAO DOCTORS COLLEGE, INC.
GARRY JAY AVELINO DELFIN - ILOILO DOCTORS' COLLEGE
JOSEPHINE CELOSO ELVAS - FILAMER CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
VANITO DIOCSON ILANGA JR. - SULTAN KUDARAT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
MARIA EDNA CHARISE GODOY JAVA - MISAMIS UNIVERSITY-OZAMIZ CITY
HANNAH LEE ALDE PADILLA - UNIVERSITY OF SAN AGUSTIN
BRYAN MORELLA PERALTA - UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI
ROBINSON UY KAW SING - ILOILO DOCTORS' COLLEGE

9. 86.60 - MARY JUREM QUILAR ALCARDE - CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY
RUEL BOBADILLA ARZADON - SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
KARINA GENCIANE BANAYAT - OUR LADY OF FATIMA COLLEGE-QC
RYAN DANIEL RIVERA DABLO - UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS
MATTHEW WAYNE REAL CHANG - SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY
FRITZIE QUIATZON DELA RAGA - FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST COLLEGE
HIROMI BALAGUER FERNANDEZ - SAINT PAUL UNIVERSITY-ILOILO
JOSEPHINE FRANZ PAGULAYAN GAMMAD - SAINT PAUL UNIVERSITY-TUGUEGARAO
PAUL FABIAN ROBOSA GUMABAO - ARELLANO UNIVERSITY-MANILA
MAILA CARL MAJAM MORANTTE - COLEGIO DE STA. LOURDES OF LEYTE FOUNDATION, INC.
MICHAEL DOROTHY FRANCES GAER MONTOJO - ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY
CINDY MAE ALVAREZ NAÑOZ - ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA
GLENDA MAE MACAPAL OMAÑA - RIVERSIDE COLLEGE
RHEA JHOY PADINAY PANTALEON - SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
ROLLY MENDOZA POLICARPIO - ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
ARLETTE CASTILLO QUINAN - UNIVERSITY OF SAINT LOUIS-TUGUEGARAO
CRYSTAL MAE ABEJUELA SABELA - XAVIER UNIVERSITY
KATRINA ISABEL HUGO SANTOS - PHILIPPINE WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY-QUEZON CITY
SHIELLA MARIE GAMBOA SIMPLINA - SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY

10. 86.40 - JAMES ALTURA BAGUIO - SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY
MILJOYCE DALIGDIG CABATBAT - LYCEUM NORTHWESTERN
SARAH MAE CLEMENTE CAPULONG - ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
JOHCY ANGELEME FAUSTO DE LA FUENTE - CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY
RENANTE LAZARTE DIG-AOAN - BAGUIO CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
JAKE DESOR DIPUTADO - SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY
MARJORY BOQUIA EMPERIO - MISAMIS UNIVERSITY-OZAMIZ CITY
MARISSA RAPOSAS FERRER - LYCEUM NORTHWESTERN
ERIKA BAUTISTA GALANG - CENTRAL LUZON DOCTOR'S HOSPITAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE
FRANCIS GERWIN UY JALIPA - SAN PEDRO COLLEGE-DAVAO CITY
ANGELA GILDA BALTAZAR MENCIAS - UNCIANO COLLEGES & GENERAL HOSPITAL-MANILA
CARINA YABUT PACETE - OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY-VALENZUELA
JOY JENELYNN CHUA TAN - UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
FRANCIS DOLLENTE VILLANUEVA - SAINT PAUL UNIVERSITY-TUGUEGARAO

Source: Board of Nursing, Professional Regulation Commission

November 2008 Nursing Board Exam Top Performing Schools

PERFORMANCE OF RP NURSING SCHOOLS AS TO PERCENTAGE OF PASSING

A. WITH 100 AND MORE EXAMINEES

1. 99% - XAVIER UNIVERSITY

2. 98% - SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY

3. 97% - CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY (Iloilo City)
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
SOUTHERN LUZON POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE-LUCBAN

4. 95% - SAINT PAUL UNIVERSITY-TUGUEGARAO

5. 93% -PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA

6. 92% - REMEDIOS T. ROMUALDEZ MEDICAL FOUNDATION
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE-DAVAO CITY

7. 89% - ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
CEBU DOCTORS UNIVERSITY

8. 88% - UNIVERSITY OF SAN AGUSTIN (Iloilo City)

9. 87% - UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI

10. 84% - SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY

B. WITH 30 - 99 EXAMINEES

1. 100% - SAINT PAUL UNIVERSITY-ILOILO
FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF SAINT LOUIS-TUGUEGARAO

2. 98% - CHINESE GENERAL HOSPITAL COLLEGE OF NURSING & LIBERAL ARTS

3. 93% - MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY-MARAWI CITY

4. 92% - COLEGIO DE STA. LOURDES OF LEYTE FOUNDATION, INC
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY-P. PRINCESA

5. 90% - CEBU NORMAL UNIVERSITY (CEBU STATE COLLEGE)

6. 87% - BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY (BULACAN COLL OF ARTS & TRADES)

7. 86% - MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NEW ERA UNIVERSITY

8. 83% - LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA
MATER DEI COLLEGE-BOHOL

9. 82% - CAGAYAN COLLEGES TUGUEGARAO
EASTER COLLEGE INC
SAINT JOSEPH'S COLLEGE OF QUEZON CITY
UNIVERSIDAD DE ZAMBOANGA (ZAEC)

10. 81% - NOTRE DAME OF DADIANGAS COLLEGE

C. WITH LESS THAN 30 EXAMINEES


1. 100% - MINA DE ORO INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
PCU-MARY JOHNSTON COLLEGE OF NURSING
ST. BERNADETTE OF LOURDES COLLEGE

2. 93% - TRINITY UNIVERSITY OF ASIA (TRINITY-QC)

3. 89% - REPUBLIC CENTRAL COLLEGES
WEST VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY-LA PAZ

4. 88% - METROPOLITAN COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHONOLOGY
VELEZ COLLEGE

5. 85% - NATIONAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & ARTS-RIZAL

6. 83% - SAINT PAUL UNIVERSITY-DUMAGUETE
SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY (SAMAR S.P.C.)

7. 79% - AKLAN POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
COLLEGE OF MAASIN
PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY-BAYAMBANG

8. 78% - UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST RAMON MAGSAYSAY MEM MEDICAL CTR

9. 77% - STI COLLEGE-LAS PIÑAS

10. 75% - BLESSED MOTHER COLLEGE, INC
HOLY CHILD SCHOOL OF DAVAO
SAINT ANTHONY COLLEGE-CALAPAN

(List Released by the Board of Nursing, Professional Regulation Commission)

Check this link for the complete list of the November 2008 Nursing Board Exam Top Performing Schools or the Nursing Licensure Examinations (NLE) November 2008 Top Performing Schools.

November 2008 NLE result

Here are the Links of the November 2008 NLE passers. A1 A2 A3 B1 B2 B3 C1 C2 C3 D1 D2 D3 E F G1 G2 H I J K L1 L2 M1 M2 N O P1 P2 Q R1 R2 S1 S2 T1 T2 U V W Y Z

source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, January 26, 2009

Dinagyang Festival 2009 Drum and Lyre Competition winners

Elementray Level

1st Place - Alibango Elem. School(Alimodian, Iloilo)
2nd Place - Arevalo ES
3rd Place - Baluarte ES

High School Level

1st Place - Iloilo City NHS
2nd Place - Fort San Pedro NHS
3rd Place - Calinog NHS

Dinagyang Festival 2009 Sponsors Mardi Gras winners

Winner - Colegio de San Jose
Best in Street Dancing - Colegio de San Jose
Best in Descipline - Colegio de San Jose
Best in Float - M'Lhuillier

Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2009 winners

Major Awards

Miss Dinagyang Festival 2009 - Nathalie Grace Roberts
1st runner-up - Stephanie Juanitas
2nd runner-up - Marie June Bebing
3rd runner-up - Sheryl Mae Manalo
4th runner-up - Ruby Lopez

Minor Awards


Best in Swimsuit - Nathalie Grace Roberts
Best in Interview - Nathalie Grace Roberts
Best in Tourism Advocacy - Nathalie Grace Roberts
Best in Newspaper Gown - Nathalie Grace Roberts
Miss Photogenic - Stephanie Juanitas
Best in Evening Gown - Stephanie Juanitas
Best in Dinagyang Attire - Stephanie Juanitas
Best in Talent - Marie June Bebing
Miss Congeniality - Rapunzel Palma
Darling of the Press - Geline Antoinette Cabrera

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Dinagyang Festival 2009 Luces in the Sky Competition, Fireworks Competition

Champion: Dumagete City, DSS fireworks
1st: Iloilo City, scorpion
2nd: Laguna, futech fireworks

Dinagyang 2009 Festival Kasadyahan Dance competition winners

Minor Awards

Best in Street dancing: Tribu Saad of Leganes National High School
Best in Production design: Tribu Kasag
Best Theme Concept: Tribu Baylohan
Best in Choreography: Tribu Kasag
best in Perfomance: Tribu Kasag

Major Awards

Champion: Tribu Kasag of banate
1st runner up: Tribu Saad of Leganes National High School
2nd: Tribu Madia-as
3rd: Tribu Baylohay
4th: Tribu Toltolgan
consolation prizes:Tribu Jimanban

Winners of Dinagyang Festival 2009 Ati Competition

Major awards:

Champion: Tribu Paghidaet

1st: Tribu Bola-Bola
2nd: Tribu Ilonganon
3rd: Tribu Silak
4th: Tribu Himal-us

Special awards:

Best in Headress: Tribu Paghidaet
Best in Discipline: tribu Atub-atub
Best in Street dancing: Tribu Bola-Bola
Best Costume: Tribu Paghidaet
Best in Music: Tribu Paghidaet
Best in Choreography: Tribu Paghidaet
Best Performance: Tribu Paghidaet

Best choreography choreographer will receive new cellphone from PAGCOR.

SALVO OF A THOUSAND DRUMS, the Dinagyang Festival Grand Closing Finale

PROJECT: SALVO OF A THOUSAND DRUMS

RATIONALE: Dinagyang is drums. As the major instrument of the festival, it shall be given a significant exposure in the celebration by way of an event that highlights the drumbeats – the rhythm, the music of Dinagyang.

OBJECTIVES: The event is expected
• To emphasize the significant role of drums in the celebration
• To create an enhanced public awareness of the “other” highlights of the festival
• To encourage drummers to improve their craft
• To provide venue for specific artistic expression of drum music
• To introduce an innovation

DESCRIPTION: A GRAND DRUMMING PRESENTATION involving all the drummers/instrumentalists of the participating groups of the drum and bugle contest, ati tribes and other select groups as a finale number of TAMBOR TRUMPA MARTSA MUSIKA (TTMM) at the Arroyo Circle, Bonifacio Drive, fronting the provincial capitol.

The TTMM parade starts from Plaza Libertad with performances at the Freedom Grandstand and the Capitol Stage where after the presentation of the last contestant all the participants converge around the Arroyo fountain for the synchronized rendition of the contest piece. The presentation shall have a musical conductor. The majorettes shall be performing at the outer periphery with the instrumentalists. A thousand balloons may be released as climax to the performance.

ACTION PLAN
• Organize the drum and bugle committee with the involvement of DepEd – Province and City Divisions and the University of San Agustin to undertake the event
• Inform public and participants about the event.
o Make press release
o Call committee meeting with the contestants
• Discuss in the meeting suggestions for the activity
• Decide on a what musical piece to perform
• Designate an area around the fountain for each of the participating group
• Ati tribes and other drum groups may be invited to the SALVO
• Balloons may be sponsored by donors
• Conduct dry run of the activity
• Prepare and provide budget for the event

Friday, January 23, 2009

Ilonggos feast on biggest bowl of La Paz batchoy

Ilonggos yesterday feasted on the largest ever cooked bowl of Iloilo City's famed La Paz batchoy in a bid for a world record.

Around 1,000 residents and guests flocked to the La Paz District plaza where a giant stainless steel bowl was set up to cook the savory noodle dish.

The bowl measuring two meters in width and one meter in height and custom-made in Cebu City for P180,000 had a capacity of 3,500 liters. The broth alone reached 1,700 liters.

Joel Adrias, vice president for operations of the Deco's Batchoy, the original makers of the dish, said they expected to prepare 1,000-1,200 servings.

Three hundred servings were reserved for street and school children while the rest were served to guests and resident in the jampacked area at the public plaza.

“We are making history,” city tourism officer Ben Jimena told spectators and guests led by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias.

The dish is made from a mixture of meat broth and yellow noodles topped with slices of pork meat and innards, fried chopped garlic, spring onions, fermented fish paste (guinamos) and crushed pork cracklings (chicharon).

The popular dish which was first prepared in 1938 by Federico Guillergan Sr. inside the La Paz market from a mixture of broth, noodles, beef and pork. The menu later evolved to the present delicacy which has become the city's most popular dish, which is already available in franchise stores in shopping malls nationwide.

Federico Jr., who took over the business from his father, said his father had first jokingly called the dish as “bats” when asked by friends for the name of his concoction. He later added “choy” from the mixed vegetable dish “chopsuey” which became “batchoy.”

The preparation of the dish took almost seven hours from 2:35 a.m. to 7 a.m. and required six cooks.

The cooks used around 200 kilos of ingredients including beef, pork, innards, liver and garlic. The amount of garlic alone reached around 30 kilos, said Adrias.

The formal launching of the record bid started around 10 a.m. followed by the serving of the dish but residents waited for hours observing the preparation of the dish in the giant bowl and later lining up to be part of history.

“I'm excited and happy to be here. I regularly eat batchoy,” said John Christian Labto, 11, a resident of Barangay Gustilo in La Paz who was among the children given free stubs.

Edgar Sia II, Deco's Batchoy owner and president of the Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB), said they are eyeing to set a world record in the Guinness World Records for the biggest bowl of La Paz Batchoy.

He said they will send videos and documentation to the world record body and seek authentication of the world record bid.

“The La Paz Batchoy has always been identified with Iloilo and Ilonggos so we thought of this activity as part of the Dinagyang festival,” said Sia.

Organized by Deco's Batchoy and the ICVB, the activity is part of this year's celebration of the annual Dinagyang Festival.

The week-long festival culminates on January 24 and 25 with the world famous Ati tribe contest. The festival has been voted several times by tourism officers as the country's best festival.

Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta said the event is a big boost to Iloilo's tourism industry.

“A visit to Iloilo would not be be complete without eating batchoy,” said Trompeta.

Source: Nestor P. Burgos Jr., The News Today

Thursday, January 22, 2009

All set for world’s biggest bowl of La Paz batchoy

The table is set for the world’s biggest bowl of La Paz batchoy. The attempt at setting another world record in Iloilo comes within four days after players from Barotac Nuevo town made history for having played soccer for over 35 hours, two hours longer than the record set in Armidale, Australia.

The cooks, numbering six, will start preparations as early as 2 a.m. Thursday at the La Paz public plaza, Joel Adrias, spokesperson of organizer Edgar Sia II, told The News Today yesterday. The high-cholesterol soup originated in the La Paz district; hence the place of origin was appended to its name.

The cooks will ensure that the ingredients are mixed properly and are of the right proportion for that perfect La Paz batchoy, he said. They will also see to it that the ingredients are not overcooked.

The main ingredients alone–round noodles and pork innards- weigh more than 200 kilos, Adrias said. Spices are also added giving the batchoy its distinct taste.

Once ready, the ingredients will be cooked in a stainless steel bowl measuring two meters in diameter and stands a meter high.

The stainless bowl to be used is expected to arrive today from Cebu, where it was fabricated specifically for the occasion, he said.

It could hold 3,500 liters of water, though it will not be filled to the brim because the soup could spillover once it reaches boiling temperature, Adrias said. Instead, the kitchen staff will only fill it with about 1,700 liters of water. Once cooked, the contents will be poured into regular-sized bowls to be served to 1,000 to 2,000 orphaned and indigent children, local officials and their guests, and tourists.

The attempt, which is the first of its kind, is one of the special events in the week-long Dinagyang Festival, which formally opened Friday last week. Sia said he thought of the idea to highlight not only the La Paz batchoy, but also to stress that Iloilo is a place where one can enjoy good food.

“Iloilo is home to La Paz batchoy, and no other place can lay claim to this. The Batchoy is truly ours and only ours,” Sia said.

He noted that the batchoy has gained national recognition. An instant cup noodle already has a batchoy variant, and a fastfood chain has included it in its menu, Sia said.

By Ronilo L. Pamonag (The News Today)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Dinagyang Festival Tribes

Tribu Aninipay
Tribu Aninipay was founded by the Carado family in the year 2000. The tribe name is taken from a kind of grass which grows abundantly in a rocky and mountainous area in Panay where a certain tribe inhabits. The tribesmen then identified themselves as Tribu Aninipay due to the thick growth of grass in their area. The tribe has 48 warriors and 30 drummers with 20 support staff and they are presently managed by Randy Ramon Carado. Tribe choreographers are Martine Ilaud and Noel John Perez. The tribe was able to bag the 2nd place in the 2000 competition and they were also awarded the Best in Discipline on the same year. They were also the Most Colorful tribe in the 2003 competition. Last year, the tribe grabbed the Best Costume special award.

Tribu Atub-Atub

The tribe was founded in May 5, 1971 and was organized by Joaquin Santiago Sr. and family to show their devotion and reverence to the Holy Child Jesus, whom they believed to have unceasingly blessed them. It has a long list of achievements since it first joined the festival. It has reaped the Championship award for the years 1978, 1983, 1988, 2000, 2003 and 2004. It also garnered the 1st runner-up in the Aliwan Dance Competition in 2003. The tribe was again the Grand Champion for the 2nd Aliwan National Dance Parade Competition in 2004. Atub-Atub has also performed in the Independence Day celebration in Intramuros and at WOW Philippines best of the regions showcase. The tribe manager is Ma. Elena Santiago and choreographers are Ria Española and Butch Jamantoc. Atub-Atub is composed of 85 warriors and 35 drummers/musicians with 24 support staff.

Tribu Bantu
Bantu tribe was conceptualized and formed by husband and wife tandem, July and Carlene Gomez on July 24, 2003 and had its first performance in the Dinagyang Festival last 2004. The tribe got its name from a place in Africa which has an abundance of crops such as banana and has its people believing in spirits found in stones. The tribe has 60 warriors with 15 back up dancers, 40 drummers and 30 support staff dancers with July Gomez as the tribe manager, and Teofilo Zamora as tribe choreographer.

Tribu Binhi
Tribu Binhi which used to be known as Tribu Dagyaw-ta, was founded in 2003 by Brgy. Captain Saysay Roque, Rufino Villaflor, and Joel Aquino. Its members reside at Brgy. Rizal-Estanzuela and other neighboring barangays. Now, Tribu Binhi is composed of students from Melchor Nava National High School. The tribe is composed of 78 warriors, 30 drummers, and 10 support staff. Their manager is Rufino Villaflor, tribe choreographers are Eric Tagana and Alan Vinzon. The tribe got the 12th place in 2004 and 9th place in 2005.

Tribu Familia Sagrada
The tribe was founded in 2003 by Robmar Tan Buensuceso. It has 54 warriors, 30 back-up dancers, 42 drummers and 40 support staff. The tribe manager is Robmar Buensuceso and the tribe choreographers are Tope Ariete, Symon Panes and Tata Lanzar. The tribe won Best in Headdress in 2003; 3rd Runner-up in 2004 and was 6th place in 2005.

Tribu Himala
Himala tribe was founded in 1979 and was an off-shoot of Tribu Hamili. The founders are Danilo Edwin and Henry Drilon. The tribe has 48 warriors, 30 drummers and 50 support staff with Danilo Drilon as the tribe manager and Doni Anthony Drilon, as the tribe choreographer. The tribe got the 3rd place in 1996 and won Best Costume in 1981 and 1994.

Tribu Silak
Tribu Silak’s manager is Helen Deguma. Tribu Silak is made up of students from Iloilo City National High School and was originally called Tribu Lunok when it was organized in 1998 by the late Ronnie Baretta. It was 2nd runner up in the Dinagyang Festival 1998, 1st runner-up and best in choreography in 1999; 1st runner-up and best in performance in 2000; 1st runner-up and best in discipline in 2002 and 2nd runner-up and best in discipline in 2004. In 2005, they changed their name to Silak and garnered the best in choreography, performance and music awards. They were 1st runner-up in 2006 and 3rd runner-up in 2007. The tribe has 60 warriors/dancers, 40 back-up dancers, 50 drummers, 1 tribe leader, 13 props men, 1 banner bearer and 10 lifters. Choreographer is Rey Vincent Jaena, musical directors are Rustico Ledesma, Cris Sally and Alexis Puljanan. Costume designers are Nil Capinianes and Arthur Jusa. Tribe leader is Daves Gabion.

Tribu Molave
Tribu Molave was founded in 1979 by Jaime Canlas. It was previouslay called Tribu Barangayan and was changed to Molave in 1980. The name came from the Molave tree. The tribe has 72 warriors, 42 drummers/musicians and 30 support staff with Jaime Canlas as the tribe manager and Cayetano Leal as the choreographer. The tribe was champion in 3rd Runner-up in 1999, 2nd Runner-up in 2000 and champion from 2001-2002 in the Barangay Category. They also got the Best in Costume and Performance awards in the same year. They were awarded Best in Head Dress in last year’s festival.

Tribu Baryohanon
Tribu Baryohanon is being managed by Jona Dalton with Coriemer Vergara as choreographer. The tribe is based in Brgy. Bo. Obrero, La Paz and started joining the Dinagyang Ati competition in 2005. They are composed of 48 warriors, 15 dancers and 30 drummers with the Bo. Obrero barangay council as its support staff.

Tribu Kalubihan
The tribe was organized in 2002 and won the Best Headdress and Most Unique awards in the same year. There are 60 warriors with 1 tribe leader and 2 side leaders, 30 drummers and 53 support staff for this year. Tribe manager is Ronelo Juesca and choreographer is Shiela Montero-Kamiya.

Tribu Pana-ad
Tribu Pana-ad was founded in 1987 by Carlos Ebro, Jr., Melvin Villanueva, Mario Magno, Robmar Buensuceso and Vicbay Molina (deceased). The tribe name means a promise or sacred vow. The tribe has 60 warriors, 40 drummers and 25 support staff with Carlos Ebro, Jr. as the tribe manager and Mark Erfe as the tribe choreographer. The tribe was 1st Runner-up in 1998, Over-all Champion in 1999, 2nd Runner-up in 2000, 1st Runner-up in 2001, 3rd Runner-up in 2002, 2nd Runner-up in 2003, 3rd Runner-up in 2004 and was 1st Runner-up in 2005.

Tribu Pag-asa
Tribu Pag-asa was founded in 2002 by Andres Gomez, Jr. The tribe’s name means hope and their previous name was Kongo/Kanyao. The tribe has 63 warriors, 40 drummers and 20 support staff with Andres Gomez, Jr. as the tribe manager and choreographer.

Tribu Pari-anon
Tribu Pari-anon was founded in 2001 by Oscar Vijuan and was derived from the old name of Molo which was Parian. The tribe has 60 warriors, 30 drummers and 20 support staff. Tribe manager is Oscar Vijuan and choreographer is Eric Caton. They were 3rd Runner-up in the Open Category in 2001 and placed 2nd in 2002. They also got the Best in Music award in the same year. They were the 1st Runner-up and got the Best in Costume, Best in Headress and Most Unique awards in 2004 and was 3rd Runner-up and Most Colorful in Dinagyang 2005.

Tribu Ivatan
Tribu Ivatan hails from Batanes and has Joel Diasnes as its tribe manager. Tribe choreographer is Robert Lapating. The tribe has 90 warriors, 29 drummers and 25 support staff.

Tribu ni San Pedro
Tribu ni San Pedro is composed of students from Fort San Pedro National High School and is managed by their principal, Mrs. Belinda Dinopol. The name was chosen to pay tribute to the school and to represent the name of the foremost apostle and saint, who is believed by Christians as the keeper of Heaven’s gate. The tribe has 95 warriors, 55 drummers and 30 back-up dancers. They are being choreographed by Mr. Edwin Duero.

Tribu Ilonganon
Tribu Ilonganon, a term coined from the word “Ilonggo” which means a native of Iloilo, is the pride of Jalandoni Memorial National High School (formerly Lapuz High School.) Their entry name under Kasadyahan was Tribu Lapus-Lapus derived from the name of the district where the school is situated - Lapuz. They first joined the Ati competition in 2005 and was the 2nd Runner-up. In 2006, it was declared Champion of the Dinagyang Festival and got the Presidential Trophy; it was also awarded Best in Performance, Choreography and Choreographer on that same year. The tribe was again declared Champion in 2007 and won the Best in Performance and Costume awards. The tribe is composed of 50 warriors, 45 drummers, 15 lead dancers and 108 support staff. Tribe manager is Dr. Blesilda Floro and choreographer is Rommel Flogen.

Tribu Paghidaet
Tribu Paghidaet is from La Paz National High School, and was managed by Helen Deguma assisted by Ramil Huyatid and Celso Guion. The school has always been an avid supporter of the Dinagyang Festival and has joined the Kasadyahan for a number of years. The year 1999 was the school’s maiden year in joining the Dinagyang competition; they were the Second runner-up. In 2000 and 2004, they won 3rd Place, they were again Second runner-up in 2001 and garnered back to back Championships in 2002 and 2003. The tribe was judged as First runner-up and Best in Discipline in 2006 in the Kasadyahan Competition. In 2007, under the management of Azucena Falales, they were First Runner-up in the dinagyang Competition and garnered the Best in Choreography and Choreograper, Music and Street Dancing awards. The name was adopted because Lapazenians believe that the Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is the strong force that blows on the tribe’s sails. This year, the tribe has 55 warriors, 65 drummers and 65 star dancers. The choreographer is Ramil Huyatid assisted by Errol Jave Villalobos and Gerlyn Francisco. Tribe musician is Raymund Ferolino. The tribe is led by Ronel Francisco.

Tribu ANG TAGA-JARO
Ang Taga-Jaro is managed by Jesusita Agudo and Anthony Portugalete as tribe artistic director. The performers are the students of Jaro National High School. The tribe used to be called Tribu Salognon, Salog being the old name of Jaro. They had their maiden performance in 2004 and was 3rd runner-up in 2005 and garnered the Most Colorful Costume award. In 2006, it was Champion of the Best Tribe Competition with a special award of Most Educational/Informational Booth. It also placed 2nd runner-up in the Best Tribe Warrior category. It was declared 2nd runner-up in 2007’s Dinagyang Ati competition. The tribe has warriors/dancers, drummers, and support staff.

Tribu Hamili
Tribu Hamili was founded in 1969 by Francis Segovia. The previous name of the tribe was Sacred and was changed to Hamili in 1972 which means the same thing. The tribe has 48 warriors, 30 drummers and 20 support staff with Francis Segovia as the present tribe manager and Don Demetita as choregrapher. The tribe got the 3rd place from 1970-1974, they were declared champion in the years 1975,1976 and 1998, they won 2nd place in 1999 and 4th place in 2002.

Tribu Angola
The tribe’s previous name was Tribu Ambala. It was formed by Rodrigo Geraga in 1974. Ambala is the legendary cannibal tribe of Zambales. The founder wanted to depict them not as cannibals but as a tribe that gives honor to Señor Santo Niño. Then in 1989, the tribe’s name was changed to Angola. The tribe is composed of 65 warriors, 30 drummers and 25 support staff. The tribe manager is Rodrigo Geraga and choreographer is Roel Labto. Angola was 4th Runner-up in Dinagyang 2000 and they were the Best in Discipline in 2001.

President Barack Obama's inaugural speech

OBAMA: My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.