COMELEC Dumaguete – Official Announcement 2014

/in

Republic of the Philippines Commission on Elections Office of The Election Registrar (COMELEC) Dumaguete City announcement:
Attention all voters: Resumption of registration is on May 06 2014. COMELEC Dumaguete offers the following services

  • New Registration
  • Transfer
  • Change of Entries
  • Correction of Entries
  • Reactivation
  • Inclusion of Registration records
  • Reinstatement in List of Voters
  • Updating Records
  • PWD’s
  • Senior Citizens
  • Validation

Local COMELEC offices will be open on Sundays.Satellite registration at least 1 per Barangay and upon request.

Any person who has not reached the required voting age or period of residence on the day of registration but will possess such qualifications on or before May 09, 2016, may register as a voter starting May 09, 2015.

Voters-Registration-validation-at-Commelic01

 

Steps for Voter Registration:

  1. Present valid ID to your Local COMELEC election Officer
  2. Fill- up and submit the appropriate application form
  3. Have your BIOMETRICS captured and take the oath

Get your Acknowledgment Receipt and you’re done.

Voters Registration, Validation and Updating of Registration Records is on May 06, 2014 to October 31, 2015

Modified Work week schedule:

Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Saturdays, same time, in selected barangays.”.

For more information visit the Commission on Elections Office of the Election Registrar Dumaguete City. COMELEC is located at Building 1, Fruit Market, Colon Street Dumaguete City

Email: comelec.dumaguete@gmail.com

Contact: (035) 422-1736

 

Sibulan yag-yag festival street dancing scene

Yagyag Festival in Sibulan

/in ,

The Yagyag Festival in Sibulan is based on the spawning ritual performed by the thousands of land crabs such as the “Cagang” (cardisoma carnifes) and “Alalasan” (episesarman singaparense) along the shores and riverbanks of Barangay Cangmating during the last quarter of the year.

The phenomenon alerts the barrio folks to prepare their covered bamboo baskets (Bakat), torches made of dried coconuts leaves (sulo), and banboo crab traps (pasgong) to move out to the spawning grounds to gather the crabs.

This offers a livelihood income for the barrio folks as they can exchange or barter it with farm crops from neighboring barangays, aside from it its providing delicious scrumptious meals in their respective homes.

The Roots of YagYag Festival

Sibulan yag yag festival in Dumaguiete

From that lasting tradition the Yagyag Festival was born, to preserve and honor the custom of harvesting crabs during the Yagyag or spawning season. The Barangay government initiated holding the Yagyag Festival, six purok composing Barangay Cangmating enter into a friendly competition with each other by depicting or imitating the movements of the crabs during the courting, mating and spawning process.

The movements dramatize the traits inherent in the Filipino’s unity, solidarity, heroism, and self sacrifice to preserve the community and the nation.

To commemorate this generous natural resource, the Barangay folks stage the Yagyag Festival where imitate the movements of the land crabs in lively rhythms. The festival culminates in a celebration of the cycle of life those windows Cangmating with nutrition and livelihood.

The YagYag Street-Dance Competition

Sibulan yag-yag-festival

Sibulan yag-yag-festival

The competition is widely awaited by residents of neighboring barangays, municipalities and cities because of the very colorful and unique presentations, the skills and the ability of the dancers, their creativity in portraying the crabs as well as the camaraderie displayed by all residents before and during the festival.

A salient feature of the festival is the imitation and mimicking of the land crabs characteristics by demonstrating through dance their unity and  solidarity by keeping close ranks and moving along a common agenda that propagating their kind and of protecting their young. Through this tapestry and choreography, the crabs have renewed their existence in this unending cycle of life.

Sibulan yag-yag festival street dancing scene

Sibulan yag-yag festival street dancing scene

YagYag Festival – a True Champion

The festival has been adjudged the National Champion of the 2003 best of the bests, WOW Philippines best festival and street dancing and the 2005 Sinulog de Cebu street Dancing Competition Grand Champion.

Check out our gallery of Sibulan’s YagYag Festival 2014

 

Pag Ibig Dumaguete

Pag IBIG Fund moved Office

/in

Pag Ibig Dumaguete

For Pag IBIG members who are paying monthly in their appointed time frame and haven’t seen or heard the announcement, the Pag-Ibig Fund Dumaguete moved to a new location.

The new office of Pag IBIG Fund Dumaguete Branch is located at Manuel L. Teves Street in Barangay Taclobo, at the back of West Elementary School.

For More Information and inquiries Please call Pag IBIG Fund Dumaguete Office.
(035) 225 7713

Pag-Ibig Office Hours:

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Front line Service)
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Receiving of Payment)

We are NOT the Pag IBIG Office!
All information are given by the correct office. For more information or concerns, please use the given information above!

.

LSVVE–6 Month Tourist Visa

/in , ,

For our foreign friends who might have heard the FALSE rumors or read some “wishful thinking” on various websites and internet forums, we feel some clarification about the Implementation of the Long-Stay Visitor Visa is needed.

Since 2013 long stay tourists can apply for a 6 month Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE), or how most foreign visitors call it, the 6 month visa. This is a good move of the BI. Plenty of long stay tourist stay in remote areas in the Philippines and travel in areas where no field office is located. They always needed to find a field office of the Bureau of Immigration and plan their travel according to their 2 month extension.

As of now (date article published), the 6 month Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension can ONLY be applied in the BI Main Office in Manila, Intramuros. Find below the content of the Memorandum Order No. RADJR-2013-007

Implementation of the Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE)

Pursuant to Memorandum Circular No, RAIDJR-2013-002, the following guidelines are hereby issued in connection with the implementation of the LSVVE:

  1. Applicability

    The LSVVE shall apply to all nationals.

  2. Extension of Tourist Visa

    Subsequent LSVVE’s may be applied for during the last thirty (30) days of the previously issued LSVVE or upon the expiry of a regular visa extension.

  3. Restriction of Extensions

    The approval of the Commissioner shall be required for visa extensions when the number of month applied for would exceed the 16-month limit.

    Foreign visitors with an accumulated total stay near the 16-month cap from the date of their latest arrival should be informed of the preceding restrictions should they apply for additional visa extensions.

    No LSVVE shall be issued to visa-required nationals whose stay exceeds twenty-four (24) month and thirty-six month for non-visa required nationals.

  4. Payment and Fees

    An additional One Hundred Peso (Php 100,00) as cost of the sticker visa shall accrue for the account of Bureau of Treasury.

    Applicable visa extension fees shall still be collected based on the schedule of fees for the entire six (6) month period.

  5. Implementation

    The initial implementation of the LSVVE shall be limited to the BI Main Office in Intramuros, Manila, until further notice.

 

Number 3 is very important. It states when reaching 16 month, one STILL need the approval of the commissioner. Due to some reasons, we would not speculate about, some might have gone away without writing a motion to get the approval of the Commissioner.

Regarding this topic we contacted the BI and asked the following (Q&A quoted from a longer mail exchange):

DINS: Does that means applicants still need to write a letter to the BoI to stay longer than 16 month?

Here is the clear answer of the BI

It would mean that the foreigner would write a motion for reconsideration stating the reason/s why he or she would like to stay here longer which would be upon the approval of the Honorable Commissioner.

A very clear statement, we believe.

Our advice to our foreign friends:

As a visitor, guest or permanent resident of the Philippines, stick to the rules. Visa Extensions or any Visa related issues should be processed by the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Immigration and not some unverified rumors published in confusing manner somewhere in the worldwide web. The rules, regulations and requirements are all public. For any questions get in touch with the offices in charge, in this case, the BI Head Office in Manila.

Do yourself a favor, stick to the rules to fully enjoy your stay in the Philippines. Those who spread all those wrong information, half-truths or special deals won’t surely be around to help you if something goes wrong.

Should you have any immigration-related queries, please do not hesitate to call the BI Helpdesk Hotline at (632) 524-3824 or (632) 524-3769 Trunk line: (632) 465- 2400, visit the BI website at www.immigration.gov.ph

pag ibig office logo

Pag-ibig- Fund organizing Libreng Kasalan

/in

Our site visitors from Cebu who want to tie the knot, have the chance to do that at a Libreng Kasalan (mass wedding) organized by the Pag-ibig- Fund. What day could be a better day for getting married than Valentines Day. Specially for the husbands-to-be the perfect date, as they never will forget the anniversary.

“Libreng Kasalan” (Free wedding)

On February 14, 2014, the Pag-ibig Fund is undertaking a “Libreng Kasalan” (Free Wedding) Project which is open to all Pag- ibig Fund members and potential members. This is already their 3th year in initiating a nationwide civil mass wedding. In this regard, may we seek assistance in disseminating this event and invite participants in your respective area. For this year, they are gathering and ready to assist 100 couples from Cebu City and Cities & municipalities in Cebu Province on first- come, first-served basis.

Libreng Kasalan of pag ibig Fund

Libreng Kasalan of pag ibig Fund

Requirements for New Couples

  • Marriage license (1 copy original &2 Photocopy each from Cebu City Local Civil Registrar’s Office)
  • Seminar
  • Birth Certificate (NSO-Original)
  • Cenomnar (original)
  • Cedula Cummunity Tax Clearance (original)
  •  Barangay Clearance/ Certificate (original)
  • Photo Copy of Valid I.D.
  • Parent’s Appearance (ages 18-24 only)

Requirements for Live –in Partners (5 years above) both at least 25 years old

  • affidavit of Cohabitation (article 34)- 4 ORIGINAL COUPLES
  • Birth Certificate (1 NSP original & 2 Photo Copies)
  • Cenomar (1 NSO. Original & 2 Photo Copies)
  • Cedula Cummunity Tax Clearance (1original & 2 Photo Copies)
  • Photo copy of Valid I.D. ( Present the Original)

Additional Infos about the requirements to join the “Libreng Kasalan”

  • Cenomar issuance must be within 6 months before the wedding date.
  • Marriage License is issued after 10 days posting.
  • Cebu City- LCR; Seminar is only Half day 7:30AM to 12:00 Noon or 12:30 to 5:00PM (Either Wednesday or Friday)
  • Dead Line for Submission of Documents; on or before January 31, 2014

Expenses for Marriage Contract to be charge by the Cebu City Local Civil Registrar:

Application: Php 100.00

License: Php 50.00

Seminar: Php 100.00

They can be contacted at tel. 415- 5002, 415-5003 or email them at cebusouth_med@pagibigfund.gov.ph and look for Ms. Portia V. Bacalso or Mr. Van R. Pepito or visit their office located at the Ground Floor of Pag- ibig Fund-WT Corporate Tower, Mindanao Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City

pag ibig office logo

William Ablong

Renewal of Business Permit in Dumaguete

/in ,
Read more

The Voice of the Philippines – Visayas Audition

/in

Dreaming of being Superstar, having outstanding singing talents, or just wanna have fun? Robinsons Place Dumaguete is the spot for you to be on Saturday and Sunday. The Philippines most popular reality singing competition “The Voice of the Philippines” announced earlier this week the schedule of auditions in the Visayas Region. The Voice of the Philippines Visaya Auditions are scheduled for this Sunday- January 11 and 12 – 2014

The Voice of the Philippines Visayas audition venues for both the Regular and Kids Audition. For The Voice Kids audition involving kids aged between 8-14 years old, you are required to be at the venue before 9:00 on Saturday, January 11, 2014. The venue will be used also for the regular audition scheduled for Sunday, January 12, 2014.

The-Voice-of-the-Philippines1

The Voice of the Philippines

What is The Voice of the Philippines

The series is part of The Voice franchise and is based on a similar competition format in the Netherlands entitled The Voice of Holland. The whole format features four coaches or judges searching for a batch of talented new artists, who could become the Philippines’ new singing superstar. The show’s concept is indicated by its title: The 4 coaches will only judge a singer hopeful termed by the show as “Artist” with only his/her vocal talent without prejudice to his/her physical bearing.

It’s with this concept that makes The Voice franchise rise above other known reality talent searches which airs in any known media platform such as The X Factor franchise, the Got Talent franchise or even the Idol franchise. The lucky Artists who have advanced from the audition round would be split into four teams, whom are coached/mentored by the 4 well-known personalities in terms of Singing which in the show, termed “Coaches” who in turn would collaborate with them and choose songs for their artists to perform. Only 16 years old and above can participate. (source:Wikipedia)

The Voice Kids Visayas Audition

The Voice Kids Visayas Audition

This year is the first time The Voice Kids holds auditions. The first open call auditions was held on November 23, 2013 at Metro Gaisano Pacific Mall in Mandaue, Cebu and was open to kids aged 8 to 14 years old.

In 2014, auditions for the Visayas, Mindanao, and Metro Manila will be held on January 11, 18, and 25 respectively. A separate audition for Luzon will be held on February 1. The show will air on Summer of 2014.It is still unknown if who will be the host and the coaches of the show.

Bureau of immigration - Annual Report

Annual Report 2014

/in

Bureau of immigration - Annual Report

Like each year, foreign nationals staying in the Philippines need to submit their annual report to the Bureau of Immigration. There is a new Annual Report Form, which can be downloaded here: ANNUAL REPORT .pdf NEW

Update Feb 05-2014: The Bureau of Immigration Office in Dumaguete can process “updated reports”. For more info one need to get in touch with the BoI

Submit Annual Report at the BoI in Cebu

While in the last years the annual reporting was possible in the Bureau of Immigration Satellite Office in Dumaguete, in 2014 is for the whole region VII –where Dumaguete belongs to- the Cebu office the only options.

If you stumbled upon this side from another Region, the picture below shows the offices of all regions, where one can submit the annual report form.

Bureau of Immigration Offices accepting the Annual Report 2014

Bureau of Immigration Offices accepting the Annual Report 2014

Press Release from the Bureau of Immigration

Foreign nationals staying in RP required to report at the Bureau of Immigration in person from January to February 2014

Foreign nationals are required to report in person starting this coming January 2014 up to the last day of February as a requirement for their continued stay in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration in an official memorandum circular says.

Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-007 signed by BI Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison last December 12, foreign nationals staying in the Philippines are required to appear in person at the Bureau of Immigration offices within the first sixty days of the calendar year. This policy is in compliance with the Section 10 of Republic Act 562 or the Alien Registration Act. The circular aims to strictly enforce compliance of the immigration law in the interest of national security, public safety and public order.

Foreign nationals are asked to bring their ACR Icard or paper-based ACR and accomplish an application form. Applicants can download the application form from the bureau’s website (www.immigration.gov.ph) or personally get a copy from any of the BI offices nationwide. An application fee of 310 pesos is required to be paid as part of the requirements for reportage.

Travel agencies, law firms and other entities transacting with the Bureau of Immigration are prohibited from accomplishing the application form or paying the corresponding application fees on behalf of their clients, except if they fall on the exceptions as stated in the Memo Circular SBM 2013-002.

Foreign nationals who are under 14 years of age or about 65 years old, imbecile, staying in a penal institution or confined in a hospital are not required to appear in person. Those who can show sufficient proof of physical incapability to report in person can likewise send a representative to apply.

Those who are outside the country are likewise not required to appear personally for as long as he pays the application fee within thirty days upon arrival. Other applicants whose appearance has been waived by the Bureau can just send their representatives.

Application forms should be duly notarized before the ACOs or heads of departments and divisions of the bureau. The Alien Registration Division has been tasked to strictly manage the annual report, particularly the reports submitted weekly by district field offices which are now required to report on a weekly and monthly basis the number of foreign nationals within their jurisdiction.

Download the application form for the annual renewal here:

ANNUAL REPORT .pdf NEW

Our advice to our foreign friends:

As a visitor, guest or permanent resident of the Philippines, stick to the rules. Visa Extensions or any Visa related issues should be processed by the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Immigration and not some unverified rumors published in confusing manner somewhere in the worldwide web. The rules, regulations and requirements are all public. For any questions get in touch with the offices in charge, in this case, the BI Head Office in Manila.

Do yourself a favor, stick to the rules to fully enjoy your stay in the Philippines. Those who spread all those wrong information, half-truths or special deals won’t surely be around to help you if something goes wrong.

Should you have any immigration-related queries, please do not hesitate to call the BI Helpdesk Hotline at (632) 524-3824 or (632) 524-3769 Trunk line: (632) 465- 2400, visit the BI website at www.immigration.gov.ph

Yolanda wash out house House in Tacloban city

Trip to Tacloban – 7 weeks after Yolanda hit Leyte

/in ,

Just before Christmas time we went with a bus load full of relief goods to Tacloban, Leyte. Thousands of schoolbooks and general school – supplies were delivered to various schools as well as construction tools which are shared between many people to re-build their houses.

All this was made possible by the generous donations of many people.

Horace B. Silliman

Silliman National Writers Workshop 2014

/in

Silliman University National Writers Workshop 2014 is the 53rd of its kind and the oldest creative writing program in whole Asia. The Silliman University National Writers Workshop is the only three-week long writers workshop in the country, devoted to helping writers hone their craft in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and drama.

53rd Silliman University National Writers Workshop

53rd Silliman University National Writers Workshop – picture source

Silliman University is now accepting applications for the 53rd National Writers Workshop to be held 5—23 May 2014 at the Silliman University Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers Village.

The Silliman University Writers Village

Silliman Writers Village

Silliman Writers Village

The Mary Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers Village is a gift by Atty. Enrique Sobrepeña Jr. and is named in honor to his wife. The donation for the creation of the Writers Village, located in Camp Lookout, in Bongbong, Valencia, was facilitated by former University President Dr. Quintin S. Doromal. Today, the site is the primary venue for the Silliman University National Writers Workshop, founded by Drs. Edilberto and Edith Tiempo in 1961.

The Writers Village, a project initiated by Silliman University President Dr. Ben S. Malayang III, is part of a long tradition of gifts to the University from the Sobrepeñas, avid patrons who have also helped keep the workshop alive as keen supporters through the years. The Writers Village is now home to writers of all persuasions. Its establishment helps promote the arts and culture at Silliman University and in the Dumaguete and Negros Oriental community.

Entry requirements for the Silliman National Writers Workshop 2014

Applicants need submit manuscripts in English before 15th of January 2014

Applicants for Fiction and Creative Nonfiction fellowships should submit three to four entries.

Applicants for Poetry fellowships should submit a suite of seven to ten poems.

Applicants for Drama fellowships should submit at least one One-Act Play.

Each fiction, creative nonfiction, or drama manuscript should not be more than 30 pages. The organizers advice to stay well below the 30 pages. All Manuscripts should be submitted in five hard copies, double-spaced, on 8.5 x 11 inches bond paper, with approximately one-inch margin on all sides. The page number must be typed consecutively (e.g., 1 of 30, 2 of 30, and so on) at the center of the bottom margin of each page. The font should be Book Antiqua or Palatino, and the font size should be 13.

Send your National Writers Workshop Application to

Department of English and Literature
attnt Prof. Ian Rosales Casocot, Workshop Coordinator
1/F Katipunan Hall, Silliman University
6200 Dumaguete City.

For inquiries, and further information about the Silliman National Writers Workshop 2014 send an to email silliman.cwc@gmail.com or call 035-422-6002 loc 350.