con't... (message board 53)

Name:   Juvy
Address:   Edmonton, Alberta T5P3M7, Canada
Email:   juvyjigs@yahoo.com
Date:   Oct.23,2007

Samar News, is'nt this great, kahit malayo tyo sa isat isa we still get the chance to know whats goin on in our beloved province…I really appreciate and thankful sa creator ng site na'to and to those who contribute… more power!!!

And to the Gov. of Eastern Samar, all the best for you and to your family, coming from your long time friend. More good projects sana for San Vicente or Catalab-an.

Name:   Andy
Address:   Tacloban City
Email:
Date:   23 October 2007

Para kan Mr. Morales relative han Intelligence Quotient vs Integrity Quotient nauyon ako tim siring Mr. Morales, hinaot unta nga mabasa tim comment hit at mga politiko labi na dinhi ha Samar nga magmata hira ngan makonsensya hira nga manhingkamot nga aydon nira it ira integridad as a person para maipakita nira ha katawhan nga mayda pa hira hini.

Manggud, duda liwat ngani ako hit ira Intelligence Quotient. Hinaot unta nga damo pa it sugad ha imo nga may mga komento nga sensible para it mabasa pareho ha akon maka pamalandong gihapon hit mga panhinabo dinhe tat rehiyon. Damo nga salamat.

Name:   Ronnie Legua
Address:   Brgy B Poblacion, Tarangnan, Samar
Email:   Home_leguaronniephil@yahoo.com.ph / info.legua11@yahoo.com.ph
Date:   October 23, 2007

Hello... the People there, of Samar & Leyte, Kumosta! kumosta! kumosta! Maupay nga adlaw ha iyo mga Egkasi ko Samarnon, ug Leytenhon. Kumosta kamo dida. Agod ada kita hiton maupay nga pamuroko, sugad man hit aton mga panlawas.

Oy!!!! an akon classmate ngayan, nga ada ha Samelco II, Kumosta! I hope you are still remember with me…hehehe!!! at sympreeee, an mga gwapito gwapita dida ha Samelco II, nga mga employee, Kumosta kamo dida. At sympree, kinukumosta, ko gihapon an Samar State University, Mabuhay kamo dida. To my Prof. Dr.Gorgonio Sablan, Dr.Ponciano Macapanas, Dr.Tomas Banez, Prof.Jose Panganoron, Dr.Ginaro Osias, Prof. Lydia Babalcon, Prof.Leah Longaza, Prof.Joy Araza, Prof.Lolita Cinco, at iba pa. To the Dean of College of Industrial Technology, Dr.Alex Cardoso at sa mga Friends ko, Ruben Rarugal, Bobby Montances, Jose Mabag, Ezekiel Quijano, Benidick Dino, Carlos Lebreja, Ambrocio Montallana, Jason Dacutanan, Jomay Dacutanan, Reymond Sale, Jenifer Dacles, Micheal Labini.

Friend Pagnabasa niyo ini Sulatan nyo ako sa e-mail ko ha!!!! < Info.legua11@yahoo.com.ph / home_leguaronniephil@yahoo.com.ph > Sa Family ko sa Eastern Samar, Sa mga Legua Family, Mengote Family, Kumsota kamo dida…Once again, Happy Happy Lunch time & take care everyone there.....""""""I LOVE YOU"""" all

Name:   Edgar Caceres
Address:   Newark, New Jersey 07104, U.S.A.
Email:   CEdgar51@aol.com
Date:   10/22/07

In the news article re "63rd Suluan Raid Celebration", Mayor Analiz Gonzales-Kwan was quoted to have said in her speech, re the Guiuan Airport a "classified airstrip"..."Logic points out according to Kwan, that MacArthur stayed in Guiuan first before going to Leyte because he already had Filipinos with him when he went offshore Palo beach. The President of the Philippines Sergio Osmena and Resident Commissioner Carlos P. Romulo, were with MacArthur upon landing in the gulf of Leyte.. "Where would they (Osmena and Romulo) come from if he (MacArthur) went straight from Australia" posed Kwan"…

Well Mayor Kwan of Guiuan; Gen. MacArthur along with President Osmena and Carlos Romulo and the rest of his Command staff, were aboard USS Nashville (CL43-a Light Cruiser) along with rest of the invasion fleet. It was Gen. MacArthur's command ship for his return to the Philippines. Those Filipinos…President Osmena, Carlos Romulo and President Manuel Quezon (exiled president before he died in New York of TB), along with a few selected Filipinos were all in the US... in exile to escape from the Japanese forces. A few hours after the initial landings in Red Beach (Palo), White Beach (San Jose, Tacloban City), they (MacArhtur, Osmena, Romulo and the rest of his staff) transferred to a landing craft and made the historic landing at Red Beach, Palo. They were DEFINITELY NOT WAITING at the Guiuan airstrip but in a light cruiser, USS Nashville, along the thousand of other ships of the invaison fleet... And they did not come straight from Australia... since the Philippine invasion fleet assembled in the Hollandia, Netherlands New Guinea.

Suluan was only one of at least three islands landed by elements of the 6th Ranger Battalion (US Army) the other two were Homonhon, Leyte and Dinagat, Surigao. These 3 islands were all in the entrance to Leyte Gulf…and Japanese forces in those islands had to be eliminated to prevent the untimely discovery the invasion fleet. The islands were taken by the same unit (6th Ranger Bn) made famous in the Cabanatuan POW camp Raid…made into a movie a year or two ago…the movie…THE GREAT RAID.

Name:   Tonyboy Morales
Address:   Catbalogan, Samar
Email:
Date:   Oct 21, 2007

Intelligence Quotient versus Integrity Quotient

Aptitude exams in the Philippines usually measure IQ. Intelligence Quotient? or Integrity Quotient? NCEE, for instance, during our time placed all of us in equal footing. You need to pass the exam to be accepted to a 4-year college almost but not quite similar to the GED in the states. When I took the NCEE exams, I prepared well like everybody else and believed in the integrity of the system until an incident happened towards the end of the exam, an assistant division superintendent entered our room and replaced the exam paper of his nephew who was among the examinees in my room. Garapalan and harap-harapan, the lady educator apparently answered all the questions for and in behalf of his nephew. His nephew was also probably caught by surprise when this was done but he could not protest. He became an unwilling recipient of an illegal dole out. He was just ashamed at the whole bruohaha. All of us in the room where stunned even the proctor who was a teacher. We were nonchalant while this was happening. That ended my belief in the credibility of public education.

The exam results came and we all expected him to top the exams having a Ph.D. holder (the lady educator has a Ph.D.) answer the exams for him. He only placed second sharing the spot with the class salutatorian. The topnotcher was the tenth honorable mention.

How could he fare better than the class valedictorian who was 4% below his grade? It is because of his aunt's intervention. His aunt has a very "relatively" high Intelligence Quotient (IQ) but very low Integrity Quotient (IQ). Well, even her intelligence quotient is not that superior considering that the exams were designed for graduating high school students and not for Ph.D. holders.

Flash forward. The good NCEE grade was temporary but the lesson on integrity is forever. What good is it to have a 98+ in NCEE when you can't pass the basic college algebra. What good is it to top the exam when you can't answer a basic grammar question. More than the intelligence quotient (IQ), we need to focus more on INTEGRITY QUOTIENT (IQ). That is what we need right now! We should demand that from our public officials

Name:    Virgie Oraye
Address:   Paranas, Samar
Email:
Date:   18 Oct. 2007

Mga igkasi ko Samarnon ngan mga igkasi ko Filipino. Karuyag ko ipaabot hit ngatanan nga akon mga igkasitawo nga diri pa urhi it ngatanan para bag-uhon ta iton aton mga nigatibo nga mga pamatasan ngan pangawi. Diri ini naghahatag hin maupay nga resulta ha aton ngatanan. Labi na hitun tawo nga atun nahisasabihan. Oo maaram ako nga kita nga mga Filipino may batasan nga... masyadong proud sa sarili na inaakala siya ay magaling pa sa magaling at ang pagyayabang na minsan wala sa lugar. At hindi natin namamalayan na nakakasakit na tayo sa kapwa.

Tungkol sa mensahe ni mang Tomas Natano ay sumasang-ayon ako. Dapat la nga tapuson na ini nga pantamay ngan paniinsulto kay kairo man hini nga mga kabataan. Dapat pa ngani nga ipagmalaki pa natun hira. Kaya itun akon masisiring ipinagdadako ko ini nga mga nagin top nga mga estudyante ngan pati liwat han mga estudyante nga habubo an mga score. Para ha akon top gihapon kamo kay ginpakita liwat niyo an iyo mga aram.

Alalahanin natin na ang kapwa ay tao ring tulad natin. Maupay nala nga kaburot-on ha iyo ngatanan.

Name:   Paul Jason Delovino Duran
Address:   Al Habtoor Engineering, Dubai, UAE
Email:   jazzonpaul123@yahoo.com
Date:   October 14, 2007

Kumusta it igkasi ko mga taga Basey dinhi ha Dubai! Salamat nala han tawo nga naghimo hini nga website dako gud ini nga bulig ngada heton mga taga Samar salamat. Kumusta nala han mga taga Basey!!

Name:   Tomas Natano
Address:   Nijaga St, Awang, Calbayog City, Samar
Email:
Date:   October 13, 2007

Hasta yana damo pa gud an tamayan san mga Samarnon. Bisan igkasi o dire taga Samar. Dire ako maaram kon kaawa o pagtamay, o insulto an iyo dire paghatag respeto han mga kabataan nga naka top han exam.

An iyo ba kasabot nga waray mga utok an mga Samarnon? Puro la bulay og o magluya an ulo? Husto na tama na, an iyo panamay ngan pan insulto. We must be proud that we are on the top, as Samarnon and Filipinos. Ngani an aton mga inadman waray gamit kay pag graduate ha Samar waray tatrabahoan nga mga establisamento. Ano an nihitabo an mag abroad.

Our labor force is already globalized, even before the term globalization, we already did it. Ngan we are respected, except for some moron desperate housewives whose rating are down. Lugod kitaa ta an aton katilingban kon ano an aton maibubulig para kita umuswag para han ngatanan. An akon pamulong, amo la.

Name:   Cherie Teves
Address:   Samar, Philippines
Email:   haiskulblues@yahoo.com
Date:   Oct 13, 2007

G R E E T I N G S!

I am a senior student from Maryknoll/Miriam College, Philippines. I am doing a thesis about the Balangiga Bells. Part of my study is to get documentations of claims, statements, position papers and resolutions on the Bells from US government as well as in the Philippines to provide an accurate basis for discourse analysis.

In this regard, I would like to request your kind office to provide me with available resources that I can utilize for the study. I hope for your positive response in this matter. Thank you and God Bless.

Name:   Ed Arias
Address:   MRB Condo, C-5 Rd., Taguig, NCR 1630, Philippines
Email:   arias.edgar@yahoo.com
Date:   10/12/07

I beg to agree to some observations posted herein that the result of recent NEAT exam where region 8 examiners ranked among the top 10 is realistic in any sense. But not to underestimate my dear fellow Samarenos, the teaching standard in our province is very far behind compared to other regions especially in the Luzon area.

What can we expect from an Agronomy major graduate teaching English subjects in several schools in our region. Just hope that DepEd officials in our region will look into it and that is the only time perhaps that NEAT results will be realistic.

Name:   Maricon Ala-Gerente
Address:   Ubanon, Catbalogan, Samar
Email:    sanilean@yahoo.com.ph
Date:   October 12, 2007

To: Eday, papa Elmer, and all my co boardmates in Tacloban City

Kumusta na kamo! its been,16 yrs pass by that we havnt communication to each other. Maaram ako, usa ka na nga guro ha Balangiga. Ano Eday, may asawa ka na! How about you papa Elmer! Pael told me, i think it was 3yrs ago na nakit-an ka niya dida ha Guiuan. Alayon nala pagbulig pangampanya it akon bugto dida ha Campuyong, yana nga tiarabot nga brgy eleksyon. Imo gud gin adman an imo gusto nga kurso, law. Ano man, i hope you are one of the atty of your town. Hi ate Lorie Llego, nurse na hiya ug may asawa na and she reside in Catbalogan, also her sister (Merci), usa na hiya nga engineer.

So much for this, kumusta nala mga bugto/patod ko ha Catb, Tac, Mla ug akon minayoyo nga asawa ug mga anak.

Lye Cinco, kindly send me your email add thru here coz i got your email but its not working. Extend my regards to all our friends out there. God bless.

Name:    Mr. Taft, Sam R.
Address:   Philippines
Email:
Date:   October 11, 2007

The numero uno reason why Samar's taking the "slow boat to China" in her trip to progress and prosperity's the deplorable if not horrible condition of her roads and highways. Potholes, small ponds and even river-like terrains dominate the roads of this place. Repairs and constructions are always on the move but they can't keep up with ever increasing and worsening state of these roads. It seems that the surface of Samar lands are soft and brittle that no amount of repair can make a good, smooth highway. But even in the Tundra, people can still build smooth roads or highways, temporary they maybe. Samar may copy their engineering methods of building highways.

Smooth highways are essential to the vibrant commerce and resilient but tortured riding public who suffer pains after a day trip. Opportunity cost's high and public resignation's endless that can only be eliminated with a decently build roads. Burden to the govt is heavy and help from the private sector's minimal since the goose that lays the golden egg can't expand due to poor road conditions. Transportation costs add to extra expense and hence retard profit, giving little taxes to the govt. Tourism industry suffers also when road conditions are poor.

If Leyte, Samar's neighbor, can build a good network of roads, why can't Samar do the same. Roads are the arteries of commerce and industry and when blocked, Samar may suffer a stroke.

Name:   Joseph P. Ogania
Address:   P.O. Box 3488, Riyadh, Central 11471, Saudi Arabia
Email:   
Date:   10.10.07

Kumusta ha ngatanan mga Taclobanon ngan Samarnon.....Musta na gihap ngadto han taghimo hine nga site…damo nga salamat ngan more power to you, idol.

Kun hino man makabasa hine nga akon message og nakilala ha akon, pag email la para magkaerestorya kita. Ha LIT ako graduate batch 1992....Damo nga salamat.

Name:   Juvy Regalachuelo-Quezon
Address:   Villa 109, Satwa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Email:   juvyrquezon@yahoo.com.ph
Date:   Oct. 10, 2007

Hello! Gusto ko lang po kilalanin ang pinagmulan ng Regalachuelo at Alle of Basey fr what I've learn fr my father. My Grandparents are Pablo Regalachuelo and Maria Alle. My Mothers' name Dionila Gacillos of Lawaan Eastern Samar. Anyone who knew this surnames please email me. Thanks. Mabuhay Samar!

Name:   Samar Surf
Address:   Eastern Samar
Email:   samarsurf@gmail.com
Date:   10/08/07

Samar Island. An island that presents lots of breath taking scenery to both its locals and visitors, Eastern Samar is blessed with countless spots ranging from sculptured rock formations, mighty mountains, beautiful cave system, pretty cool resorts, enchanting waterfalls, splendid stretches of luminous white sand beaches in clear waters and quiet unique surfing spots-scattered all over the island. It's a fulfillment of an infinite quest discovery and adventure to enthusiasts. No doubt, it's a paradise unexplored.

Located at the eastern cost of Samar island facing the Pacific Ocean in Eastern Visayas, it is bounded in the east by the Philippine Sea, on the north by Northern Samar, on the west by Western Samar and on the south by Leyte gulf. It has a population of 375,822 as of May 2001 census & a land area of 4,450 sq. kms. It has 23 towns and the main dialect is Waray-waray, Tagalog & English are also at times used.

With regards to its climate, it is rainy from Nov. to Jan. with dry from March to Sept. with Westerly winds locally called "Habagat". And because of its location, Eastern Samar is also considered as a SURFERS' haven in the Pacific. It offers lots of surfing spots to dauntless surfers.

www.samarsurf.com
or email us samarsurf@gmail.com

Name:   Sonia Lumiares
Address:   Maulong, Catbalogan City
Email:   odett_07@yahoo.com.ph
Date:   07-10-07

Hi dumbo,

Maupay nga aga, sorry yana ko la nabasa im letter dinhi ha Samar News, pasensya la kay diri ako maaram han email add han aton batch, kon karuyag nimo pasyada kana la ngadi ha Catbalogan, para naman kita magkirigkita. Taga diin ka ngay-an dumbo? Kay ano diri ka man naattend hit an allumni?, pasyada gad ngadi.

Kon karuyag mo ako makaestorya adi ak yahoo ID, it ak email amo gihap it ak YM. Kon karuyag gihap nimo, adi it ak cel nr, puede mo ako makontak para maihatag ko it im ngaran kanda Janina. 09064928365.

Name:   Fernanda
Address:   83 Independencia Street, Tacloban City, Leyte
Email:   thenita2wad@yahoo.com
Date:   October 6, 2007

Akon pangumusta ngadto kan Dr. C. Yong han Catbalogan, Samar, kon nakilala ka pa han hadto didto pa an Administrative Officer han CHO nga ikaw an CHO II, anak nga usa, nasiring man nga ada ka ha Catbalogan Memorial Hospital, an nag-istorya an tag-iya hin usa nga cafeteria han sakob han Dynasty, marasa mag serve hin lomi.

Ano an kinadto-an ni Dr. Hermilo Quintero, may ada nagsurat hin usa nga guestbook ug na-imention an adton anay, City Health Officer, 1978, aadto na.

Ayaw la kalibang hini nga e-mail address, kay hatag ini hin usa nga naghahatag hin mga mensahe. Nabisita ka pa ha Tacloban CHO? Nagluluto ka na han imo paborito nga crown ribs pineapple? Danay ka napaluto hin usa. Adto na hiya han iya ika duha nga kinabuhi 2005. Pagsurat ha? Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and your family in Catbalogan.

Name:   Esher Pasigan
Address:   Borongan, Eastern Samar
Email:
Date:   06 Oct. 2007

Please look into the on-going Level III water system project of Giporlos. I am just wondering if the good mayor is not violating any ethical standard for public officials by allowing the use of his premises like sleeping quarters and motor pool to some personnel of the contractor, E.M. PAULE CONSTRUCTION. It is common knowledge there that the lady executive and engineer are staying in his residence. Thank you.

Name:   Dumbo
Address:   Tacloban
Email:
Date:   October 5 `07

Hi Sonia Lumiares,

Una, damo nga salamat kan Ray hini nga website. Makaruruyag ini nga imo guin buhat para ha mga SAMARNON. Sonia, puede tagi ako hin email add for BATCH`85 thru here. Ka co-batch niyo ako. Damo nga salamat.

Name:   Fernanda
Address:   83 Independencia Street, Tacloban City, Leyte 6500
Email:   san24all@yahoo.com
Date:   October 5, 2007

An Tacloban nagdadara han ngaran. An Santo Nino Church, ika-upat nga narecognized ha Heaven. Kay ano nga ada ha ngaran Senor Santo Nino? An imahen nga aada sakob han simbahan, an Senor Santo Nino. An atbang, usa nga plaza, ayaw ibutang an basketball court ug volleyball net, kay kon may umaragi, naiigo hin bola. Usa ako nga naigo. An atbang nga plaza usa nga plaza han ngatanan, i-retain an maupay ug malimpyo nga lugar, kon tawagon Plaza Rizal. Ayaw pag diri kay maupay man ini nga sagdon.

Bulig ngada ha iyo nga kamo mangaro hin prayer petition ha san24all@yahoo.com nga an siyudad diri dangatan hin makusog nga bagyo. Ano an tahod nga ibubutang kon maupay an hatag nga mensahe. Ayaw ibutang an masina ha hunahuna. Usa nga tuminongnong han siyudad gin tagan hin spiritual gift. Mga waray-waray, ayaw pag-ulang, libre an paghatag hin sagdon para ngadto han tanan nga natoo nga may Diyos. Kay ano nag expand an charismatic movement into many different umbrella wings, nga diri man ito recognized ha langit? Help make Tacloban a clean and safe place to live. Greetings to all!

Name:   Maria Shirley Solayao
Address:   Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Email:   maria_solayao@hotmail.com
Date:   Oct. 4, 2007

Looking for Alfie Solayao. Possibly in Winnipeg, Manitoba? Also, looking for my mother: Curita Pido, possibly in her 50's living in Philippines.

If anyone has any information or knows their whereabouts, please contact me by email @ maria_solayao@hotmail.com Thank you.

Name:   Diomar Diaz
Address:   Alkhobar, Dammam 31491, K.S.A., P.O. Box 4258
Email:    diomar_diaz2000@yahoo.com
Date:   10-04/2007

Hi han mga taga Gandara labina mga taga Rural High School Batch 1994 og mga teacher musta kamo ngatanan kon hino makkilala ha akon e-mail address ko diomar_diaz2000@yahoo.com

Name:   Con A. Gerente
Address:   Oakville, Ontario
Email:   sanilean@yahoo.com.ph
Date:  Oct 4, 2007

Kumusta ha iyo mga ig kasi taga Samar. Damo nga salamat Mr. Ray for this web site ug kan Cesar Torres han iya mga messages han mga taga Catbaloganon. God bless.

Name:   Mr. Taft, Sam R.
Email:
Date:   October 3, 2007

I visited the great City of Catbalogan, the locus of my formative years and the site of my beloved Alma Mater, Samar High School or Samar National School. The change from High to National is a great achievement for a school that generates good and responsible graduates.

Honorables Antonio Nachura and Felimon Tandingco Jr lead the roster of successful graduates in the legal profession, not to mention the numerous brilliant graduates from other fields of endeavor. The City of Catbalogan must be proud of these alumnae who could possibly extend their helping hands toward their Alma Mater that needs revitalization in both physical and aesthetic aspects of the school.

When I visited Samar High, I still see the vibrant spirits among students and faculties. I also see the overcrowding of classrooms with young and ambitious students eager to succeed in life. I also notice the not-so-conducive buildings and play grounds to learning where facilities and environment must all be up to par.

The national and local govts maybe overburden with other responsibilities to help restore the past glory of Samar High. Clearly, it is the obligation of the graduates, past and present, to come to the aid of their Alma Mater. But together, they can surely revive the granduer that was once Samar High.

I don't know the quality of education students receive and the effectiveness of the faculty members, but I can see the state of the facilities that need various stages of improvement. These factors are essential to effectively educate the young people who are potential leaders of tomorrow like Nachura and Tandingco.

As an alumnus, it is my obligation to share my observations to all during my brief visit to the hollowed grounds of Samar High where I once walked and ran with innocence and freedom.

Name:    Tikbalang
Address:   San Jose, Tacloban City 6500, Leyte
Email:   ebisay2004@yahoo.com
Date:   10/1/07

For All the Lor Aseros,

Tama hi Mr. Santiago. Ha exam la maupay kitaon an kalidad han abilidad han kadam-a han aton mga eskwela ha region 8. I have been a teacher for 15 years now and as always whenever national achievement tests are conducted, the DEPED teachers and officials are moving mountains to influence the result of the same with the sinister end of painting a false picture that our school kids in the region are at par if not better than those in the NCR or other urbanized areas in the country.

Panginano na gad la dida ha iyo ha mga kahagrani kun matuod gud man nga magkarit it at mga eskwela nga bisan ngani usa la nga english sentence makuri makabalay. Di ngani, kay may internet access ka man, ikumpara it kalidad hit edukasyon hit Pilipinas sa Singapore o Norway. Pakadto ha www.nationmaster.com 

Diri nga nasiring ako nga di ak nalilipay hit achievement hit mga taga region 8, it ak karuyag ipasabot, panginano anay kun sadang ta ba ito ipamarayaw.

Name:   Peter
Address:   Davao City
Email:   peterlavina@gmail.com
Date:   Sept 29, 2007

Re Mar Roxas visit to Leyte, I read the name of the mayor, Roque Tiu. Must be related somehow to my mother who was born in Samar and partly grew up in Leyte.

How can I reach the mayor? Incidentally, I will link the news report in one of my blogs - http://liberalpresident2010.blogspot.com

Salamat!

Peter Tiu Lavina
Councilor, Davao City
http://ptlavina.wordpress.com

Name:   Ester Toami
Address:   Suginami-Takaido Nishi 3-15-15, Tokyo, Japan
Email:   k-toami@k4.dion.ne.jp
Date: Sept. 29, 2007

If anyone who can trace my uncle there in Carigara, Leyte. Please inform me. His name is Manuel D. Aljibe. Thank you very much.

Name:   Cesar Torres
Email:   Cesar1185@aol.com
Date:   28 September 2007

Just the Pictures of the Villareal Bayanihan Road~

I wonder if you would be interested in poor people from Villareal, Samar, doing something that was never done voluntarily before -- repairing and cementimg an 8-km provincial public road through Bayanihan or Tiklos.

The Villahanons in the homeland were mobilized. Those in Diaspora -- the Villahanon OFWs -- we resorted to massive use of the Internet and email to ask for contribution. The response was overwhelming. This encouraged the politicians to hop in. Even those whose reputations are questionable –  http://home.online.no/~m-gera/villareal/index.htm

The pictures are numerous. Unfortunately there are no captions. But the story is there.

The website was created by Mr. Ruben Gerardo in Norway, past President of the Filipino association there. He is quite popular in the Filipino community in Scandinavia and the European Union.

Salamat Ray. I know that you have published this enterprise here many times before. And I know that some Villahanons have questioned the process of administering this novelty.

Sigue la seguro. Padayon. Anyway, mayada man kita balaud.

Name:   Merr Inessa
Address:   Taga-este
Email:
Date:   Sept. 27, 2007

Para ine hit akon friend...hope iya ine mabasa...

ALAY KO SA PASKO

"Joy to the world", isang awiting pamasko
na nagbibigay saya sa damdamin ko,
pagkat hatid nito'y tamis waring biko,
kilig "to the bones" di lamang hanggang siko.

Empakto sa ngayon ay naglilipana,
mga kuru-kurong nakakapanghina
ngunit ako'y kampante't di ko minana,
ugali ni Eba sa tukso'y mahina.

Respeto ko sayo'y napakabusilak.
Ang katangian mo'y mistulang bulaklak,
makulay, maganda't humahalimuyak.
Mapalad ang iyong magiging kabiyak.

Oras ay limitado at mahalaga.
Mga lihim na saloobin dapat ibuga.
Ako ma'y meron, kaya ko bang talaga?
"Over my dead body", 'yan ay 'yong itaga.

Maraming balakid na namumutawi,
sa agos ng buhay huwag kang babawi.
Hamo't 'yong mararating ang Tawi-tawi,
gaanuman kalayo, di masasawi.

"Everlasting" yan ang pag-ibig ng Poon,
lalo't nalalapit ang pista ng hamon,
magalak, magpuri sa tuwa'y tumalon
pagkat malapit na rin ang bagong taon.

...uhmm, talasan na lang ninyo ang mga mata pagkat nasa loob ng tulang ito ang pangalan ng aking pinag-aalayan nito.