Buglasan 2019 Marching Band Competition

The Elementary Marching Band Competition & the High School Marching Band Competition was held on October 15-16, 2019. View Gallery & Watch Video below!

Miss Dauin 2019

The search for Miss Dauin 2019 was participated by nine lovely ladies last September 08, 2019. Click here to read more, see pictures and watch the video!

Dumaguete City Sandurot Festival 2019 – Schedule of Events

The Sandurot Festival 2019 of Dumaguete City is one of the most awaited celebration. It will mark the 31st sandurot celerbation. Find Schedule here!

Tobacco Tax Increase

Tobacco Tax increase – House Adopts Senate Version

The tobacco tax will increase over the next yeasr frequently. The House agreed to the Senats version of the new law. See the full story here.

Guihulngan Fiesta Celebration Schedule of Events 2017

Guihulngan Fiesta Celebration Schedule of Events 2017

Guihulngan Fiesta is celebrated from May 14 to May 24, 2017. For more info please check the Schedule of Activities here.

Negros Island Region - NIR

Negros Island Region – NIR

Negros Island Region - NIR

The signature of President Benigno S. Aquino III under the Executive Order No. 183, s, 2015  which creates the Negros Island Region – or for short NIR – came faster than many expected.

As many times, we heard and read many different opinions over the last weeks and months about the Negros Island Region. Most of them really showed a lot of misunderstanding what that new built region really is.  One of the most common mistakes is the thought that Negros Oriental and Occidental will be one big province.

This is wrong! The two provinces will remain independent. They are NOT forced together.

While the words “region” and “province” should be self-explaining, it appears that they also get widely ignored. Both provinces will remain independent with their own provincial governments in Dumaguete and Bacolod. A region in the Philippines has no own government (with one exception, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). However, it does have a regional center which is not yet announced and once again all cities thrown into that are pure speculations.

Why a Negros Island Region?

Negros Oriental belonged with Cebu Island, Bohol and Siquijor to Region VII (Central Visayas) Negros Occidental was part of Region VI, the Western Visayas which consists of the provinces of  Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo.  Being part of this regions the piece of the money-pie which went to the two provinces on Negros Island was considerably smaller per head as it is supposed to be.

Funds were rather used for the cities on the main islands (Cebu and Panay) of each region than passed to Negros Island. Now the new formed Negros Island Region may or may not show more unity when it comes down to the funds. The NIR will heave a better position when it comes to public investments where our island felt short in the past.

For all who did not read the EO No.183, below a quote of it to get familiar with the content.

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 183

CREATING A NEGROS ISLAND REGION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, Article X, Section 4 of the Constitution provides that the President shall exercise general supervision over local government units;

WHEREAS, the administrative regions were established to promote efficiency in the Government, accelerate social and economic development and improve public services;

WHEREAS, Article X, Section 14 of the Constitution requires the President to provide for regional development councils or other similar bodies for purposes of administrative decentralization to strengthen the autonomy of units therein; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to further accelerate the social and economic development of the cities and municipalities comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental and improve the delivery of public services in the aforementioned provinces;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Negros Island Region

The Negros Island Region (NIR) is hereby created. The NIR shall be composed of the following provinces, including the cities, municipalities, and barangays comprising the provinces:

a. Negros Oriental; and
b. Negros Occidental.

SECTION 2. Negros Island Region Technical Working Group (NIR-TWG)

A Negros Island Technical Working Group, composed of the Office of the President (OP), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the representatives of the Provinces of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, is hereby constituted to form a Technical Working Group (TWG).

The TWG will formulate a Roadmap to put in place the institutional arrangements for the NIR by 2015-2016; recommend to the OP the preferred Regional Center; arrange the requirements for organizational development, staffing, and budgeting of regional line and regulatory agencies, as well as the imperatives for development planning and investment programming.

SECTION 3. Regional Councils

Notwithstanding the activities of the NIR-TWG, the following Regional Councils are hereby constituted and the following government agencies are hereby designated as the interim secretariats:

a. Negros Island Development Council – NEDA Secretariat;
b. Negros Island Peace and Order Council – DILG as Secretariat; and
c. Negros Island DRRM Council – Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as Secretariat.

SECTION 4. Funding

The funding for NIR-TWG shall be sourced from the implementing agencies of the NIR-TWG and the provinces making up the NIR, subject to the availability of funds and upon compliance with all existing applicable laws and budgetary, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.

SECTION 5. Role of Government Agencies

All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and government financial institutions, are hereby directed to extend their full assistance to the NIR-TWG in support of its functions and activities.

SECTION 6. Repealing

All orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability

If any provision of this Order is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions unaffected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Effectivity

This Order shall take effect immediately upon its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 29th day of May, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Fifteen.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary

source: Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines


The Negros Island Region will not be the “cure for cancer” and it will take time to see any positive effect. One thing is certain, it can be a big step in the direction of improvement. If that will happen and how long it takes is to this point only speculation and certainly depends on the “captains and their crew” to navigate the NIR into the (hopefully) correct direction.

Mabinay - Langub Festival

Langub Festival 2015 in Mabinay

The Langub Festival in Mabinay highlights the celebrations of the town fiesta. The word Langub originates from the local phrase for “cave”. Mabinay is well known as the cave capital of the Philippines with estimated 400 caves. 45 have been explored and seven are open to the public to visit. Thousands of spectators were lining the streets of Mabinay to watch the street dancing competition of the Langub Festival 2015. Eight competitors were showing their dances to the cheerful visitors and the watchful judges.

Langub Festival - Street Dancing

Many political “heavyweights” followed the invitation of Mabinay Mayor Ernie Uy to join the festival and enjoy the Showdown held at the Market. We spotted Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr, Negros Oriental Rep. George Arnaiz, Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, Sibulan Mayor Maning Diputado and many councilors from different towns and cities of Negros Oriental.



Mabinay - Langub Festival 2015

Langub Festival 2015 Clusters & Judges


Langub Festival in Mabinay

Langub Festival 2015 – Official Results

Street dance
1st Cluster#6 – Tribu Paabba
2nd Cluster#4 –Tribu Ati-a
3rd Cluster#1 – Tribu Dhagpas


Miss Dumaguete 2014 - Malka Shaver

Miss Dumaguete 2014 – Coronation Night

The Miss Dumaguete 2014 Coronation Night took place as on of the main-events of the 2014 Sandurot Festival. Once again the Dumaguete Convention Center was chosen as a venue, and once again the delay was extraordinary. The main task of the event was to find the successor of Lorraine Kendrickson -Miss Dumaguete 2013- who represented the City of Gentle People most successful at the Miss World – Philippines Pageant.

The “Who-is-Who” of Dumaguete was in full numbers present, completed with other VIPs of the national show- and business sector. Reading their names, glorious achievements and curriculum vitae plus all sponsors took more time than the seven candidates spend on stage to present themselves to the board of judges and the audience. Following a view pictures of some of the honorable guests of this event.

Finally it was time to start the Miss Dumaguete 2014 Coronation Night with the production number.

Miss Dumaguete 2014 - Production

Production Number Of Miss Dumaguete 2014 Contestant

Miss Dumaguete 2014 - Production

Miss Dumaguete 2014 Candidates in Swimsuits

“History repeats itself” must have been the theme of the swimsuit round. The candidates were wearing bathing suits which obviously reassembled the style of the 60s and reminded one of our team-members strongly of the beach wear his grandma was wearing back in the early 70s

Miss Dumaguete 2014 - Coronation Night

Miss Dumaguete 2014 Candidates in Gowns

The gowns were also held in a greyish silver, so it appeared, that the overall theme of the event-planner was more directed towards the 70s instead of the modern woman of the 21st century.

Miss Dumaguete 2014 - Gowns

Finally the show got to its highlight, the announcing of the different awards and the new Miss Dumaguete

Congratulations to  Malka Shaver

Miss Dumaguete 2014

Miss Dumaguete 2014 - Malka Shaver
Miss Dumaguete 2014 – Malka Shaver

 

PRC Mobile License & ID Release in Dumaguete

PRC Mobile License & ID Release In Dumaguete

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) conducts a Mobile issuing of Licenses and ID releases in Dumaguete City from April 24 to 25 2014 ( 8am to 5pm) at PESO Office, 2nd Floor Building 2, Public Market. Contact PESO Dumaguete Tel. (035) 226 3530 or 420 – 9114. The event is sponsored by the City Government of Dumaguete.

PRC Mobile License & ID Release in Dumaguete

PRC Mobile License & ID Release in Dumaguete

Requirements for Teachers

  • Duly Accomplished form
  • 2 pcs Passport sized ID picture Clear Close up
  • 1 Photo/ Xerox copy of recent professional ID card (back to back)
  • In case of lost professional ID card which is still current, the applicant shall submit notarized affidavit of loss and photocopy of Certificate of Registration.
  • In case of Destroyed professional ID card, the applicant shall surrender the destroyed card.
  • For married female professionals who will apply for Change of Status (COS), also fill up Pettion for Change of Status Form and attach original NSO Marriage Contract together with this form.

Requirements for Various Boards

  • Duly Accomplished form.
  • 2 pcs Passport sized ID picture clear, close up colored, white background, with out eyeglasses in complete name tag (Scanned picture are not accepted). Picture must be pasted on the form.
  • 1 photo/Xerox copy of recent professional ID card (back to back)
  • In case of Lost in case of lost professional ID card which is still current, the applicant shall submit notarized affidavit of loss and photocopy of Certificate of Registration.
  • In case of Destroyed professional ID card, the applicant shall surrender the destroyed card.
  • For GE, Customes, PEE, REE, architect, Landscape Architect and Interior Designer Submit Certificate of Membership from Accredited Professional Organization (APO)
  • For ECE submit valid IECEP ID or Certificate of Membership in Good Standing. Also fill up form for Conversion from ECE to Electronics Engineer.
  • For married female professionals who will apply for Change of Status (CSO), also fill up Petition for Change of Status form and attach original NSO Marriage Contract together with this form.

 Additional note:

Representative filling the application and claiming the professional ID in behalf of the Professional must present Special power of Attorney and any valid ID with Picture of the professional and representative.

Below are some pictures of the PRC Mobile License & ID Release in Dumaguete at Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Dumaguete.


baby-gabrielle

Dagpin Family back in Tacloban

Many Dumagueteños saw the Dagpin Family on a facebook post of Dumaguete Information Office and Hulagway ug Kasikas sa Dumaguete; a family from Tacloban which are victims of typhoon Yolanda and got shelter in Dumaguete with relatives. Emely and family were washed away by the storm surge and stood afloat for hours before they could rescue themselves. They found shelter in Dumaguete with Dante Capistran and his Family in Candau-ay.

family tacloban

The mother and 7 kids between 21 and 1.5 years old wanted to go home to Tacloban urgently, after the DepEd announced, classes will resume 2nd of December. Two of the daughters are finishing college and high school this year.

As we have access to the money of the fundraiser held in Casablanca Restaurant, we thought, this is a great opportunity to support a family and help them to get back on track. We also prefer to help individually instead of giving money to an organization, which needs to sit down in many meetings (and waste time and money) to discuss the design of the T-Shirt for the helping operation.

Dagpin Family  Totally wash out of Yolanda with Dante Capistrano

Dagpin Family Totally wash out of Yolanda with Dante Capistrano in the middle and his family took care while they were in Dumaguete

We first contacted Dumaguete Information Office on November 27th to get some more info about the family. However, they were of course multitasking as at the same time the new elected Barangay Officials celebrated their oath taking, and a Lechon is just better when it is fresh. Therefore, we could not get any proper information out of them, let alone anybody who could make a decision.  Multiple text-messages remained un-replied and those which were said something like: No, we can’t help them yet, maybe there are more refugees and we can get them out together. While we understand there are reasons for that, this “yes-no-maybe-but”-answers are just not good enough for us.

Meeting the Dagpin Family

After two days waiting, we decided to take things in our own hands and got in touch with the family. On Friday night 9:00 pm we met them in Candau-ay near the Barangay Hall to get a feeling for the situation. With them were their honorable, generous hosts, Dante Capistran and his Family.

The decision was done quickly, as we could see the desperation in their eye the second we met them. They looked a little bit as they could not believe us when we told them after 5 minutes, that we would take care of their trip back to Tacloban after they approached different local offices the previous days and did not receive any help. When we left 30 minutes later, they slowly realized that we are serious and a kind of happiness sneaked into their faces.

We drove from Candau-ay to the pier to check out the schedule of ferries to have different options. The family are no travelers and in this situation, we wanted to assure that all will work out perfect.

Early Saturday morning we got all finalized and told them, that their trip will start in the evening at 11:00 pm. After we purchased the tickets from Dumaguete to Cebu, we also bought basic school supplies for the girls, some food, milk for baby Gabrielle and some other urgently needed stuff.

Departure from Dumaguete

We met them again Saturday evening at 9:00 pm at the pier. Thanks to the announcement on the Facebook pages of Dumaguete Information Office and Hulagway ug Kasikas sa Dumaguete, they received additional relief goods. All was brought to the George & Peter Ferry, which left the Dumaguete pier at 11:00 pm, heading towards Cebu.

They arrived in Cebu at 6:00 am in the morning and after a quick breakfast, we purchased the tickets for Weesam Express to Ormoc. From there, they took the bus to Tacloban City. Sunday afternoon we received the text that they arrived safe in Tacloban.

We first contacted Dumaguete Information Office on November 27th to get some more info about the family. However, they were of course multitasking as at the same time the new elected Barangay Officials celebrated their oath taking, and a Lechon is just better when it is fresh. Therefore, we could not get any proper information out of them, let alone anybody who could make a decision.  Multiple text-messages remained un-replied and those which were said something like: No, we can’t help them yet, maybe there are more refugees and we can get them out together. While we understand there are reasons for that, this “yes-no-maybe-but”-answers are just not good enough for us. Meeting the Dagpin Family  After two days waiting, we decided to take things in our own hands and got in touch with the family. On Friday night 9:00 pm we met them in Candau-ay near the Barangay Hall to get a feeling for the situation. With them were their honorable, generous hosts, Dante Capistran and his Family.  The decision was done quickly, as we could see the desperation in their eye the second we met them. They looked a little bit as they could not believe us when we told them after 5 minutes, that we would take care of their trip back to Tacloban after they approached different local offices the previous days and did not receive any help. When we left 30 minutes later, they slowly realized that we are serious and a kind of happiness sneaked into their faces.  We drove from Candau-ay to the pier to check out the schedule of ferries to have different options. The family are no travelers and in this situation, we wanted to assure that all will work out perfect.  Early Saturday morning we got all finalized and told them, that their trip will start in the evening at 11:00 pm. After we purchased the tickets from Dumaguete to Cebu, we also bought basic school supplies for the girls, some food, milk for baby Gabrielle and some other urgently needed stuff. Departure from Dumaguete  We met them again Saturday evening at 9:00 pm at the pier. Thanks to the announcement on the Facebook pages of Dumaguete Information Office and Hulagway ug Kasikas sa Dumaguete, they received additional relief goods. All was brought to the George & Peter Ferry, which left the Dumaguete pier at 11:00 pm, heading towards Cebu.  They arrived in Cebu at 6:00 am in the morning and after a quick breakfast, we purchased the tickets for Weesam Express to Ormoc. From there, they took the bus to Tacloban City. Sunday afternoon we received the text that they arrived safe in Tacloban.

Emily, Nadine, Marianne, Marineth, Arianne, Sharmaine, Doreen, and 1.5 years old Gabrielle are back home, thanks to the generous guests of Casablanca Restaurant, the owner Gunther Sanin, Dante Capistran and his Family, and the effort of each and everybody, who send donations, prayers, relief goods and good thoughts from the heart.

Family Dagpin soon Back Home to Tacloban City

Waiting for the ferry to Leyte

May the smile of baby girl Gabrielle stand as a Thank You to all involved. Let’s send our prayers that the whole family will never experience anything like this again, so that the smile on Gabrielle’s face can last forever.

baby-gabrielle

We will keep in touch with them to know how they do and if the girls get through their schools successful.