Youth Empowerment Through Scouting

I was a boy scout since elementary days in Saint Joseph College.  During our time, scouting is part of the curriculum and it is integrated in our physical education, health and music program.  Every month of October, we joined thousands of boy scouts all over Maasin in filling up the whole Anatalio Gaviola Plaza for the scouting rallies and camporal contests.

We experienced cooking and building fires including first aid and tree planting.  Knot tying is one basic skill which is very useful in our everyday practical life.   Troop formations strengthened our team building with other scouts.  There were games played also by patrols during scout gatherings.

When I was first year high school student, I applied to join the 6th Regional Jamborette in Sibulan, Negros Oriental near Dumaguete City.  I cried because I was declared unfit by a government physician to join the Jamborette.  I was diagnosed to have asthma which actually I don't have.  I was really very interested to go with the Saint Joseph College delegation joining the Southern Leyte Council contingent.       

With the support of my parents, we seek medical clearance from another government physician and I was given the go signal to go with the group.  That was year 1975 and amidst the big waves in crossing Cebu to Negros island, I was able to survive the first solid test of overcoming my seasickness.

Our tents were not ready made during that time and we had to build them.  We cooked food using firewood.  I survived the tests of outdoor life.  The whole activity was rocked by an incident, a scout from Cebu got drowned and died in the camp swimming pool.   Our contingent was safe though and we went home to Maasin full of pride, like soldiers going home from war.
 
When I was in the third year high school, I joined the 6th National Jamboree in Camp Capitol Hills, Cebu City.  The whole SJC delegation was booked at Subcamp Ancajas just very near the arena.  We cooked our own food, joined several camp activities including the very challenging adventure trail, and hiked several kilometers from the city to Lahug where our camp was situated.

We experienced New Year as we welcomed 1978 full of revelry in the camp.  The jamboree was also hit by a typhoon and we experienced flooding of our camp.    But we survived the nature's wrath and went home to Maasin safely.

In my 4th year in high school, even if I was already an officer in the Citizen's Army Training (CAT), I still joined the 1st So. Leyte Provincial Jamborette in December 1978 as staff.  It was held at Danao, Malapoc Norte.  We were facilitators in the different activities and did household chores in the camp official's quarters.  
There was a lull in my scouting when I was in college until my early professional days.  But in 1992 when I was elected Sangguniang Bayan Member (Municipal Councilor) I was elected into the Council Executive Board with the position of 2nd Vice Chairman.  After 14 years, I was back to Scouting! 

With Congressman Roger Mercado as the Council Chairman, we hold the 2nd Provincial Jamborette, also 14 years had passed since the first one when I was still a student.   It was conducted at the Capitol Sunken Garden.   The 3rd and 4th Provincial Jamborette followed until 1998 when then Gov. Rosette Lerias was elected as the Council Chairman and I was chosen the 1st Vice Chairman.

In 2001 I was elected as Council Chairman for Southern Leyte.  We hold the 5th Provincial Jamborette at Danao, this time called the Maasin City Forest Park.  After 23 years, Scouting is back at Danao!

As Council Chairman we sent contingents to the 12th National Jamboree at  Palo, Leyte in 2001, the 2nd National Scout Venture at Sorsogon City in 2002, the 13th National Jamboree at Mt. Makiling in 2004, the 3rd National Scout Venture at Cebu in 2005, the 4th National Rover Moot at Cabadbaran in 2005, the Centennial Jamboree in 2007 at Mt. Makiling, the 4th National Scout Venture at Camiguin in 2008, the 5th National Rover Moot at Davao City in 2008, the 6th National Rover Moot at Tumauini, Isabela in 2009, the 26th Asia-Pacific Jamboree at Mt. Makiling in 2009, the 14th National Diamond Jamboree at Mt. Makiling in 2011. I joined all these jamborees to give moral booster to our scouts. 

I attended two national jamborees in Mt. Makiling with my wife Chona and three sons.  During the national jamboree in 2004 we spent New Year and Chona's birthday in the camp.  The other one was the Diamond Jubilee Jamboree in 2011.  My sons attended the National Eagle Conclave that time. 

Two times, in the 26th Asia-Pacific Jamboree and the National Diamond Jamboree, I acted as sub-camp chief.  For the first one, it included delegations from other countries such as Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan and delegations from other regions.  In the second one, the subcamp included all Visayas contingents. 

During my chairmanship, the first batch of Rover Scouts, scouts aged 16 and above or college level, were accepted into the scouting movement in Southern Leyte through rover vigils and investiture programs.  First conducted were the Sangguniang Kabataan chairmen, then SK kagawads, youth leaders, then college students especially from Maasin City College.  Thousands of rover scouts were trained into the ideals of scouting.  They were oriented on the five rocks of life which blocks their way to success.  These stumbling blocks include irreligion, hambugery, alcoholism, gambling and womanizing.

We had institutionalized the Kab Olympics for the Kab Scouts who were grades one up to grades four.  It was held every year for the Charter Day celebration since 2003.  Hundreds of Kab Scouts all over Maasin City converged to play games with their parents.

We conducted Patrol Leaders' Training Course in all districts of Maasin City Division and in all districts in Southern Leyte Division.  Also, Basic Training Course were held for adult leaders all throughout Southern Leyte. 

V

We trained scouts for advancement.  After five years and after several jamborees that they joined, we produced five Eagle Scouts, the first in Southern Leyte.  Three of these were my sons - Mallory Samaco, Marton Samaco and Marlon Samaco - and Karl Pete Carrayo and Jefferson Dances.   

Maasin City and Southern Leyte Council hosted the 13th Regional Jamborette in 2008.  The first time a regional boy scouts activity was conducted in the province.  It again hosted the 7th National Rover Moot and the 1st One Visayas Jamborette simultaneously in 2010.  Again it was the first time the province hosted such big activities. 

I was elected Regional Chairman for Eastern Visayas Region which includes regions 7 and 8.  That was in 2009, when the Regional Scout Committee meeting was held in Maasin City.  I was reelected during the regional elections in 2010 at Siquijor and again reelected in 2011 at Northern Samar.  Other regional meetings I presided were held in Cebu City and Naval, Biliran.  

As Regional Chairman, the Regional Scout Committee was able to establish two new associate councils.  These are the Tacloban City Associate Council and the Siquijor Associate Council.  I also lobbied for their approval at the national level.    

I became an automatic member of the National Executive Board.  I attended board meetings and Annual National Council Meetings such as those in Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Makati, and Zamboanga.  I had several occasions of meeting Vice President and BSP National President Jejomar Binay.   Every time we met he called me giant killer because of what happened in the 2007 mayoral elections. 

During the Annual National Council Meeting in Zamboanga City, I made a presentation of Maasin City and Southern Leyte as prospective host to the National Rover Moot to some 300 delegates and scout executives from all over the Philippines. 

As Regional Chairman I hosted the woodbadge training for troop leaders in Maasin in 2009 where I was a trainee.  It was participated in by adult leaders from the entire region.  Probably I was the only incumbent local chief executive in the entire country who participated in a training so rigid and humiliating as the woodbadge for troop leaders.  During that time, I was not treated as mayor but as an ordinary adult leader.  We cooked our own food, slept in tents, hiked, jogged, went through obstacles and undergone training through sleepless nights for eight days.     

In 2011, we had conducted again the same woodbadge training at City Forest Park.  This time it was a back to back training for kawan leaders and troop leaders from all over the region.  Kawan leaders are for the Kab Scouts while troop leaders are for the Boy Scouts.

That same year I addressed to more than 200 scout executives, field scout executives, council staff members, and commissioners during the 52nd Annual National Scout Executives Conference at Bohol Plaza, Tagbilaran, Bohol.  I discussed our scouting programs in Southern Leyte Council and Eastern Visayas Region. 


   
We also recruited street children to our Neighborhood Scouting program.  These twenty-two boys were out-of-school youth and they were called bakal boys because they steal iron and steel for selling to junk yards.  Sixteen of them survived the training and had joined a provincial and a national jamboree.   They stopped their stealing trade and planted vegetables at the backyard of the BSP office to earn money.

These boys were enrolled in the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education.  They graduated on December 2011.  We are still hoping that some of these boys will get the Eagle Rank and become the first out-of-school youth in the whole Philippines to be advanced as Eagle Scouts.  

I received two national awards during two Annual National Council Meetings.  The first one at Dusit Hotel, Makati City on 2002, recognizing the donation of a camp site for the boy scouts at Danao and the numerous financial assistance given by the city government to the BSP.  The second one a Bronze Usa Award at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, Iloilo City in 2010 for years of exemplary service to scouting.   

In October 2011, the Golden Jubilee Jamboree was held at Camp Danao, Maasin City Forest Park.  Fifty years had passed since the BSP Southern Leyte Council was established a year after the province was born.  I'm very glad that I am very much  a part of scouting history in Southern Leyte and all throughout the country.  On my honor, I did my best to do my duty to God and my country.

Maasin Anti-Smoking Advocacy Movement (MASAM)

I declared an anti-smoking campaign on World No-Tobacco Day on May 31, 2009.  It was a Monday and during the flag ceremony I destroyed two reams of Marlboro blue seal before the employees of the city hall.  It ushered a formal declaration of a massive advocacy on the ill effects of tobacco smoking.  What followed were series of smoking cessation seminars in coordination with the Department of Health and the Bloomberg Foundation.

The Seventh day Adventists supported us in our seminars.  During their Visayas Youth Assembly held at Maasin City Forest Park, Adventists from all parts of the Visayas, including their pastors, manifested their appreciation on our political will to campaign our people against smoking.  The Church continued supporting our endeavors through their prayers and always inspired us to continue our cause for the good health of the our constituents.

All other religious denominations through the association of the different pastors in Maasin, showed their support by inviting me in one of their meetings.  They pledged their support by inspiring their church members to refrain from smoking.  The program also earned the support of the Muslim community through their imam. 

Of course the biggest inspiration came from the dominant Roman Catholic Church and religious organizations like Knights of Columbus and Gawad Kalinga who showed undying support to our advocacy.

Non-government organizations, civic clubs and private establishments helped us in our campaign by posting tarpaulins urging people to quit smoking. 

The Maasin City Jail became a smoke-free city jail, the first in Region 8 and probably in the whole Philippines.  It was not an easy task controlling smoking in a place where suspected criminals and convicts are housed.  At first inmates protested and threatened to stage a hunger strike.  I explained that it is for their own good.  Non-smokers suffered much the consequences in a congested prison cell.  Later the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP) Regional Director ordered that all jails in Eastern Visayas should follow the example of Maasin City.      

I campaigned on all city employees to stop smoking.  Certificate of non-smoker is required for all employees, permanent, casual or job order.  Those who could not quit right away were required to undergo smoking cessation seminars.  Cigarette in the city hall is very rare or none at all. Even people who transacted business at the city hall were barred from smoking in the city hall premises.  Employees wear badges "Serbisyong Walay Sigarilyo."

Maasin City College, owned and operated by the city government, is now the number one smoke-free college campus in Eastern Visayas and was awarded by the DOH.  Mere position of cigarette, match or lighter in the MCC campus is strictly prohibited.

Maasin City Forest Park at Sitio Danao, Malapoc Norte is declared as a smoke-free zone.  In one activity participated by delegates all over the country, during the Boy Scouts of the Philippines 7th National Rover Moot and One-Visayas Jamboree all participants, adult leaders and visitors were prohibited from smoking. 

Motorcabs' and pedicabs'  franchises were not renewed if they did not post No Smoking signs inside their vehicles.   Smoking is strictly prohibited in public utility vehicles and in public places such as plaza, market, terminal, schools, hospitals, clinics, restaurants and other covered places.  Public place is defined as a place where people converge. 

I was able to convince the management of the provincial hospital especially smoking doctors to refrain from their vices especially if patients could view them smoking.  Besdies the Province of Southern Leyte has passed an ordinance declaring the province as smoke-free.  A smoking area was also designated in the cockpit. 

Tobacco advertisements and promotions were prohibited.   Tarpaulins showing the ill effects of a smoker's body and campaigning people to quit smoking abound the streets and public places instead.

Maasin won its first Red Orchid Award given by the Department of Health in coordination with the World Health  Organization and the Bloomberg Foundation on May 31, 2010.  Red orchid is the most sensitive of all varieties of orchids.  When there's smoke due to pollution or cigarette, it withers.  Maasin City is one of the only five local government units awarded the Red Orchid which include Davao City, Balanga City, Talisayan in Misamis Oriental and Calauag in Quezon. 

The following year on May 31, 2011, Maasin City led all cities in receiving its second Red Orchid Award.  Davao City, Roxas City, Balanga City and Legaspi City also were awarded.  There were also 13 municipalities who received the Red Orchid, including Pintuyan and Naval, who conducted seminars and learned the techniques in Maasin.

During the awarding, I met Running Priest Father Robert Reyes, a staunch advocate of anti-smoking.  In his runs, he spread the word on the killer effects of tobacco.  We had conducted also our Takbo Kontra Tabako on May 23, 2011 one day before my birthday.  It was a run for a cause and all the proceeds were given as financial assistance to victims of tobacco-related diseases.   

There was DOH Caraga Region who conducted studies in Maasin.  Four municipalites of Biliran and two of Southern Leyte became recipients of our seminar-trainings.  The masteral students of Southwestern University from Cebu conducted their lakbay aral primarily to learn how effective the anti-tobacco program of Maasin is.  Nursing students from different schools made a survey on our people on the lessening or quitting of their smoking habits. 

I campaigned anti-smoking thoroughly to all barangay captains and other officials.  A Barangay Red Orchid Award has started with big prizes awaiting the winners in the urban and rural category.

The coming Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet in Maasin will be the first ever smoke-free EVRAA. Coaches, trainers and officials are prohibited from smoking to show good examples to their athletes. 

In a great show of political will and to show how serious we are in our anti-smoking campaign, I suspended all permits for the selling of cigarettes in the entire city.  

There is still a lot of room for improvement in our anti-smoking advocacy.  We do this for the concern of the health of our constituents especially the wives, mothers and children who are greatly affected by second-hand smoke.

Sakay-Sakay Festival

Since the time of our great-grandparents, flovial procession or sakay-sakay has been a tradition every January as part of the festivities of the Holy Child Sto. Nino.  The Sinulog celebration in Cebu welded its influence to Maasin since the original Sto. Nino image was brought by Ferdinand Magellan as a gift to Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana.  The sinulog festivities spread to the different parts of the Visayas and the whole country, including Maasin.

Sinulog celebrations in Maasin at the start were only limited to drum beats and dances at the church premises.  Then families began to celebrate the occasion in their respective homes.  Then clans organized panaaran or devotion to the Holy Child whom they believe to shower graces and blessings.

The Knighthawks organized street dancing contests along the streets of Maasin which culminate in dance presentations at the Anatalio Gaviola Plaza.  But due to finacial constraints it was stopped.  Without the Sinulog dance contests the flovial processions continued to grace the seas of Maasin every third Sunday of the year.  It was the official church declared feast day for Senor Sto. Nino and no longer the original January 15.

Then came the time when the city government revived the contests for Sakay-sakay with pumpboat and banca categories, icon decoration, and higante contests and later on dance presentations.

There a time when Maasin became a new city and it sent contingents to the Cebu Sinulog Grand Parade.  That was in 2001, 2002 and 2003.  However, there were clamors for improving the Sto. Nino festivities in Maasin rather than spending millions to Cebu City.  Thus the Sakay-sakay Festival was institutionalized as the premier religious festival in the city.  In fact, it is now the number one Holy Child Flovial Festival in Region 8. 

Takbo Maharlika Tungo sa Pagkakaisa in Maasin

A special run as Maasin is not along Maharlika Highway. Fr. Garnet Quirong, the parish priest of Maasin Cathedral systematically arranged a well attended run followed by a forum where all sectors were represented by about 500 more or less attendees. Bishop Precioso Cantillas, Mayor Maloney Samaco and PSS Allan Cuevillas, PD, Southern Leyte and his officers were in attendance. The mayor, the bishop, and everyone stayed for the whole duration of the forum. More than worth mentioning is the very inspiring talk of the Bishop which actually delved on his being a living witness of the TM advocacy. Probably the best forum of the TM. The Bishop and the Mayor requested the TM Team to come back especially for their students and their youth. A mass at Monte Cueva celebrated by Fr. Garnet capped the day. 1,738 kms now in moving to Lipata, Surigao Norte for the Mindanao Leg. - Taken from the Facebook of Takbo Maharlika Tungo sa Pagkakaisa.

First Term as City Mayor 2007-2010

June 30, 2007
Sat as City Mayor.  Inaugural Address at SP Maiden Session.  Send-off Gov. Mercado to Capitol.

July 2007
So. Leyte Anniversary Parade, Program and Luncheon. Launching Nutrition Month Celebration.  Courtesy Call of Employees at SP Session Hall.  Lanao E/S Turnover by Kinderhilfe.  Maasin City College Induction and Acquaintance Party.  First Flag Raising Ceremony at City Gym and Picture Taking with Employees.  DepEd Region 8 Anniversary Luncheon.  Hataw Exercises and Basketball Game.  City Employees vs.  Liga ng mga Barangay 40 uppers Basketball game at Canturing.    Inter-Local Health Zone Meeting at Parklane, Cebu.   League of Cities Fellowship at Traders Hotel, Pasay City.  Liga ng mga Barangay Lakbay Aral - Boy and Kris at ABS-CBN, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija at Central Luzon State University, Philippine Carabao Center, Fruit and Vegetable Seed Center, etc., Malacanan Palace Museum, DOST Compound at Bicutan, Taguig, and Corregidor Island Visit.  Nutrition Month Culmination at Cagnituan.

August 2007
Mayors Cup Open/Invitational Volleyball Tournament.  Opening Maasin-Carcar Friendship Tennis Tournamant. Mayor's Cup Billiards Tournament.  Katipung Maasinhon sa Sugbu Fiesta at Grand Majestic.  Special Friends and Senior Citizens Night. PTCA Federation Alay Lakad.  Awarding of EVRAA medalists.  Liga ng mga Barangay Night.  BSP Kab Olympics.  Pabulhon Agri-Aqua Trade Fair.  Trip na Trip Interview and Shooting with ABS-CBN.   Miss Maasin 2007 Pageant.  7th Charter Day Mass, Parade, Program, Luncheon and Anniversary Ball.  Inter-School Volleyball and Basketball Tournamenst.  Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Motocross, Badminton Tournaments.   Trisikad Race.  Airsoft Competetion. Red Cross Ballroom with Sen. Migs Zubiri.  Bayle Tibuok Kalibutan.  Alex Aroy vs. Arnel Tadena PBF Championship.  Street Dancing Festival.  BSP Regional Scout Council Meeting, Camp Capitol Hills, Cebu City.  Tunga-tunga Barangay Fiesta.  Hantag Barangay Fiesta.  San Agustin Barangay Fiesta.  Cong. Roger Mercado's Birthday at City Forest Park.

September 2007
2007 Milo Little Olympics at Cebu. Occular Inspection for proposed Ibarra National High School.  Inauguration of New Maasin City Division Office.  Welcomed 1st Diocesan Lay Ministers Congress.   Miss Macrohon Coronation.   Geothermal Plant Handover with Pres. GMA at Ormoc City.   Maasin City College Intramurals.  Turnover of Day Care Centers at San Isidro and Tomoytomoy.  Provincial Board Members League Regional Assembly.  ADB Disaster Training for San Rafael. Mantahan and Gawisan.  Bagtican Fiesta.

October 2007
Newly-Elected Officials Orientation Program at Cebu by DILG.  Government Procurement Reform Act Seminar.at Cebu by DBM.  Maasin District II Athletic Meet.  BP Patrol Leaders Training Course (PLTC) at Ichon.  Sto. Rosario Fiesta.  Brgy Tanods vs. Mayors Squad Basketball Game.  City Employees Week Celebration.  Lunas Fiesta.  Maasin District I Athletic Meet.  FOBI Anniversary.  Panan-awan Barangay Anniversary.   Barangay and SK Elections.

November 2007
Alliance of Cities Dinner with President Arroyo at Malacanan.  Awarding as Nutrition CROWN Maintenance Awardee at Manila Hotel.  Maasin City Division Meet.  Lib-og Barangay Anniversary.  Maasin City College Orientation.  Mayors Cup Boxing - Maasin vs. Cebu.   Mass Oath Taking of Barangay Officials.  Asuncion Fiesta.  Gov. Damian Mercado's Birthday.  Bato II Projects Inauguration.  Distributed Relief Goods at Maria Clara and Isagani.  Inauguration of CHU III Building.  Libhu Barangay Anniversary.

December 2007
Sitio Canlugok Fiesta.  Barangay Nutrition Scholars Training.  MCC Teachers Day.  Bato II Fiesta.  Matin-ao Fiesta.  Guadalupe Fiesta.        

First Half of My Second Term (Part II)

January 2011
2  Chona's Birthday and Distribution of Gifts at GK Josefina Village II at Barangay Combado
4  Went to Danao Forest Park with prospective zoo investors
6  Sto. Nino Barangay Anniversary
11 Meeting with IDEA NGO for the Deaf Mutes
14 Awarding for Winners of the Inter-Barangay Parol Festival
     Fiesta at Mahayahay and Manhilo
16 Sakay-Sakay Festival 2011
27 Inauguration of new Emcor Store
     Send Off for EVRAA Athletes
28 Local Legislative Awards with Maasin as Most Outstanding City Council of Region 8 and Hall of
     Fame Award
30  EVRAA 2011 Opening at Calbayog City

February 2011
1  State of the City Address during SP Session
5  Cebu CFI Community Cooperative General Assembly
8  Citizens' Anti-Narcotics Organization General Assembly
10 Meeting with NGOs and Private Sector on Anti-Smoking Campaign
11 Maasin City Run for the Heart
14-15  4th Maasin City College Day Celebration
16 DOLE Working Youth Program
     Distribution of Tanod Sticks and Toilet Bowls at Asuncion, Mambajao and Canturing
17 Meeting of College Presidents of Region 8 at Tacloban City
18 Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (CEDFIT) Seminar
19 1st Seminary Fund Run
21 Distribution of Tanod Sticks and Toilet Bowls at Mahayahay, Manhilo and Tam-is
22 Lecture on Anti-Smoking to Biliran Officials
     Distribution of Tanod Sticks and Toilet Bowls at Rizal, Cambooc and Hantag
23 Distribution of Tanod Sticks and Toilet Bowls at Pasay, Maria Clara and Isagani
24 Lecture on Anti-Smoking on Officials of Saint Bernard and Pintuyan
28 Hantag Barangay Anniversary

March 2011

1-5 Maasin Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association (MICAA)
2  Distribution of Tanod Stcks and Toilet Bowls at San Jose and Sorosoro
3  Distribution of Tanod Stcks and Toilet Bowls at Sto. Nino, Pansaan and Sta. Cruz
9  Arts and Culture Month Celebration - "Kanhiay ug Karon"
11 Metro Hi-Per Jobs Fair
15 1st Batch Barangay Newly Elected Officials Seminar
     Joint Session at Barangay Mahayahay
18 BSP Regional Key3 Conference at San Antonio, Northern Samar
21 Vegetable Organic Farming Culmination at Tomoytomoy
22 2nd Batch Barangay Newly Elected Officials Seminar
24 Meeting with New DepEd Regional Director
     Meeting with DSWD Sec Soliman at Ormoc
25 Run for the Philippine First Mass
26 MCC NSTP Graduation
28 1st Maasin City College Commencement Exercises
29 3rd Batch Barangay Newly Elected Officials Seminar
29-30 Red Orchid Award Evaluation
31 490th First Mass Anniversary at Limasawa

To be continued

First Half of My Second Term (Part I)

Here are the major activities I have attended, joined and undertaken:

2010

June 30 Oath-Taking at Provincial Capitol with Congressman, Governor, Provincial, City and Municipal Officials.

July
1   Southern Leyte Golden Anniversary Parade, Program, Luncheon, Awards Night and Socials 
5   Meeting with Dr. Edward Gaisano at City Sports Club, Ayala Center Cebu City
8   VSU and Univ. of Northern British Columbia Officials Occular Inspection at Hanginan
9   Awarding of 2010 EVRAA Medalists
13 Turnover of Greenhouse Project by Dept. of Agriculture at City Nursery
17 League of Cities Meeting and Elections,  Century Park Hotel Manila
21 Meeting with Metro Gaisano Representatives and Site Inspection at Terminal
23 Maasin City College Acquaintance Party
27-28 Newly Elected Officials (NEO) Orientation with Heads of Office at Sabin Resort, Ormoc City
29 CHED Evaluation for MCC Agriculture and Public Administration
31 Opening Women's Volleyball Tournament

August
2   Opening Salvo for 10th Charter Day and City Fiesta 2010
5   Turnover Nego-Kart and Starter Kit Livelihood Projects from DOLE
     Employees Night and Anniversary Ball
7   Cycling, Badminton and Darts Tournaments
     Liga ng mga Barangay Night and Coronation of Matron Queen 2010
9   Potpot Race, Opening Pabulhon 2010, Anniversary Mass
10 Charter Day Parade and Program with Mayor Alfred and Cristina Romualdez as Guests
     Concert at the Plaza and Fireworks Display
11-13  Open Basketball Tournament
12  BSP Kab Olympics
14  Sepak Takraw Tournament, Taekwondo Regional Tournament, PNP Shootfest
15  Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption, Pabulhon Street Dancing Presentations
16  PBF Featherweight Championship  Aguelo vs. Man-on
19  BSP EVR Regional Key3 Conference at Tacloban City
21  BSP National Executive Board Meeting with Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay
      Maasinhons sa Metro Manila Fiesta Celebration
26-27  Comprehensive Development Plan Formulation, Tacloban City

September
1  Civil Service Anniversary Mass
2  Maasin City College Board of Trustees Meeting with CHED Director Ortiz
3  Teachers Day Celebration
     BSP  Rover Vigil at City Forest Park 
6  Meeting with Dr. Gaisano and Metro staff at Cebu
7  Meeting at Philippine Reclamation Authority at Makati
    Committee Hearing on Maasin Economic Zone at Congress
11 BSP Rover Vigil at City Forest Park
14 Disaster Preparedness Launching by Smart, PBSP, World Bank and LGU-So.Leyte
     Market and Terminal Cleanup with Healthy City Enforsers
15 Meeting with Street Children for Neighborhood Scouting at BSP Office
16 Distribution DSWD Livelihood Checks at Lunas
17 Inauguration of New Mantahan Barangay Hall
20 Organization of City Arts, Culture and Tourism Council
21 Meeting with Prince Mall Owner and Staff
22 Comprehensive Development Planning at City Nursery
     Cleanup at Combado near City High School with Healthy City Enforcers
23 DOH Seminar on Rabies-Free Visayas
     Turnover of Watchtower by GTZ at Hapitan Beach, Manhilo
23-25  MCC Intramurals
24 Maasin Central School Brigada Eskwela
28 Turnover of Canlugok Extension Bldg. Classroom at Lunas Elem. School
29 Turnover of Brgy Hall and Stage at Sta. Rosa 

October
1  Launching Season-Long Vegetable Production at Libhu
    Pansaan Barangay Anniversary
2  PhilHealth National Registration Program at City Gym
5  Provincial Development Council Meeting
6  Opening Parade with Floats and Opening Program of City Employees Week  
7  Fiesta at Cantimog, Libhu
    Awarding of City Employees and Coronation of LGU King and Queen 2010
8  Beach Party of City Employees at Lola Edad
9  Lunas Barangay Fiesta and Coronation of Lunas Queen
12 Meeting with BSP District Coordinators for the One Visayas Jamborette
15 Nonok Sur Barangay Day
16 Maasin City Cooperative Development Council Summit
     Fiesta at San Rafael
20 Inauguration of Bridge, Classroom and Covered Court of Sta. Cruz
22 Opening 7th BSP National Rover Moot at Camp Danao, Malapoc Norte
23-24 Visited Rover Immersion Sites at the Schools San Rafael, Ibarra, Asuncion, TOPS, MCS, REYMS,
           Badiang, Manhilo, Malapoc Sur, Malapoc Norte.
25 Opening One Visayas Jamborette
26 In Camp Activities for National Rover Moot and One Visayas Jamborette Activities
27 Closing Ceremonies for 7th National Rover Moot and Continuation of Activities for One Visayas
     Jamborette
28 Closing Ceremonies of One Visayas Jamborette
29 Universal Children's Month Celebration and Distribution of Starter Kit Livelihood Assistance

November
2  Basak Barangay Anniversary
    Welcome for Galeon Andalucia from Spain at Port Area
5  Despedida for Galeon Andalucia
9  Cleanup at Port Area near GSIS with Healthy City Enforsers
10 Cleanup at Wet Market Area with Healthy City Enforcers
11 Inauguration of New MCC Rooms
12 Opening Maasin City Division Meet
13 Barangay Anniversaries at Libertad, Tomoytomoy and Lib-og
14 Free Live Show of Pacquiao vs. Margarito at City Gym
19 MCC Students Orientation
     Alay Lakad 2010 Walk and Program
     So. Leyte Inter-Town Amateur Boxing at City Gym
22 Contract Signing with Metro Hi-Per at SP Session Hall
25 Occular Inspection with PPA GM and Civil Aviation Authority at Guadalupe Port and Panan-awan
      Airport
26 Oath-Taking of Newly Elected Barangay and SK Officials
27 BSP National Executive Board Meeting with Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay in Manila
30 Meeting with New CHED Director Libertad Garcia in Tacloban

December
1  Turnover of HE Building at Panan-awan Elem. School
3  Fiesta at Hanginan I (Dagkutanan) and Sito Canlugok, Lunas
4  Metro Hi-Per Ground Breaking with Dr. Edward Gaisano at Terminal Area 
7  Bato II Fiesta
8  Guadalupe Parish Anniversary and Coronation
9  Regional Seminar-Workshop on Management of Drug Cases on Prosecutors and PNP at Danao Forest
    Park
10 Organization of City Literacy Council
13 Closed CheapNet Cafe for Violations
     Dinner with Atlanta, Georgia Councilors
14 Women Empowerment Seminar at Ampil
     Barangay Treasurers Seminar at Lola Edad
    Outreach Program at Bilibol
    Induction of Officers of So. Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Kuting Reef
15 Inter-Barangay Parol Contest Launching
     Associated Media of So. Leyte Christmas Party
16 Maasin City College Christmas Party
17 Christmas Gift Giving for City Jail Inmates
     BIR Christmas Party
     City Employees Christmas Party and Costume Presentations
19 Hilongos Fiesta Open Basketball Maasin City Game
     Wet Market Vendors Christmas Party
20 BJMP Christmas Party
     MEMCO Christmas Party
21 SP Christmas Party
23 Dongon Barangay Day
     JQD Group Christmas Party
     BSP So. Leyte Council Christmas Party
     Garbage Dumpsite Aides Christmas Party
     City Mayor's Office Christmas Party
24  Turnover of Acasia Covered Court
25  Ex-Barangay Captains Christmas Party
26  Knights of Columbus Christmas Party
      Traffic Enforcers Christmas Party
      Liga ng mga Barangay Christmas Party
      Class 79 Christmas Party
27 Fiesta at Bogo, Bato I, and Rizal
31 Knighthawks Christmas Party

To be contnued

Chona's 50th Birthday at GK Sta.Rosa

Maria Chona Maraon Samaco celebrated her golden birthday on January 2 with the barangay folks of the smallest and one of the most depressed barangay of Maasin City.  Barangay Sta. Rosa has 46 families and about 300 inhabitants and had houses built by Gawad Kalinga.  It was the first GK village in Maasin City, just 2 km of access road from the national road at Barangay Ibarra. Groceries and used clothing were given to the children, parents and grandparents.  Snacks were also provided.

Mrs. Samaco skipped the usual birthday bash to give Christmas presents to the poor and the needy constituents.  It was her simple way of thanking the Lord for letting her reach the golden age. 

Fun Runs and Marathons 2010-2011

Today is the 50th birthday of Chona, my wife and best friend.  We have been married for 23 years and lately, as part of our bonding, we joined fun runs and marathons.  We believe in the saying "The Family That Runs Together, Stays Together."

It kept us physically healthy, enabled us to win lots of friends and helped promote Maasin City everywhere we ran.  We have also organized fun runs in Maasin and attracted runners from other parts of the country. 

Here are the list of the runs and marathons that we have joined together:

Oct 31   Citigym Half-Marathon "A Halloween Run" 3K  Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City
Nov 7    Run for IT  5K  IT Park, Cebu City
Nov 28  Bonifacio Global City (BGC) Run  5K  Taguig City
Dec 5     Red Cross Run  5K  Ayala Center, Cebu City
Dec 11   Run to Build - The Sci Hi Fun Run 5K  SM, Cebu City
Dec 30   Run for Sta. Teresa de Avila 2  6K  Talisay City
Jan 9      Cebu Marathon  5K  IT Park, Cebu City
Jan 23    Argao Mud Run  7K  Argao, Cebu
Feb 11   Run for the Heart  6K  Maasin City
Feb 13   SM 2 SM Run  6K  SM, Cebu City
Feb 19   1st Seminary Fund Run  6K Pope Paul VI Seminary, Maasin City
Feb 26   Run with the Heroes  5K  Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga
Feb 27   EDSA Run  5K  People Power Monument, Quezon City
Mar 13   Family Back Pack Run Run  6K  Ayala Center, Cebu City
Mar 25   Run for the Philippine First Mass  6K   Maasin City
Apr 10   C24/7 Fun Run  5K Ayala Center, Cebu City
Apr 16   BSF Earth Run 10K  Bato School of Fisheries, Bato, Leyte
Apr 21   Bantayan Beachathon  5K  Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu
Apr 24   Run for a Child's Future  5K  APM Mall, Cebu City
May 1    Mayor's Cup Run for Change 6K  Parkmall, Mandaue City
May 21  1st Matalom Fun Run  6K  Matalom, Leyte
May 23  Takbo Kontra Tabako  6K  Maasin City
May 29  Greenfield City Clean Air Run  5K  Sta. Rosa City, Laguna
Jun 12    Freedom Run  3K  Maasin City
Jun 23    Olfener City Jubilaumslauf  5K  Olfen City, Germany
Jul 31     POGS Run 8K  Ayala Center, Cebu City
Aug 7    1st Maasin City Half Marathon  10K  Maasin City
Aug 14  iRun for Ormoc  5K  Ormoc City
Aug 28  Run for 100% Smoke-Free Environment  5K Talisay City
Sep 6    Takbo Laban sa Krimen  3K  Maasin City
Sep 11  ERUF Run 161 11.11.11  6K  Parkmall, Mandaue City
Oct 29  Metro Hi-Per Fun Run  3K  Maasin City
Dec 4   Red Cross Million Volunteer Run  3K Maasin City

Maasin City's Awards in 2011

Maasin City, Southern Leyte received many accolades in 2011.  It won for the second time the Red Orchid Award given by the Department of Health in cooperation with the World Health Organization and the Bloomberg Foundation.  The Red Orchid Award showed Maasin is the top city in the implementation of the smoke-free environment.  It bested Davao, Roxas, Balanga and Legaspi City, who were also awardees in the city category.

Maasin City also won the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Award bestowed on the national level by the DOH and the National Nutrition Council.  That means Maasin has topped the city category in Region 8 for three consecutive years, besting Tacloban. Ormoc and Calbayog.

Maasin also won regional awards in health such as number one in Anti-Leprosy, Anti-Rabbies, Healthy Lifestyle, and  smoke-free college in Maasin City College.  It was the most decorated LGU in the DOH Regional Awards among municipalities, provinces and cities in 2011.

The Maasinhon Trio won the grand finals of the Pilipinas Got Talent contest over ABS-CBN.  Andrew Sanchez, Bonie Salubre, and Licinio Lolo became instant celebrities in the national music scene because of what Presidential sister Kris Aquino called as "leadership and unity in Maasin and So. Leyte."  thru text votes.

Maasin Batang Pinoy athletes won 8 medals in the national games for children in Naga City. Mary Joy Calapre won the gold medal in girls' singles and she teamed up with Angelica Baluran for the doubles gold.  We have also won a silver in badminton and another silver in boxing.  Bronze medals were won in boxing, badminton and taekwondo.

Philippine Boxing Federation featherweight champion Adones Aguelo successfully defended his title by 4th round TKO over Jake Verano in Siquijor.  While ALA Gym sensation Prince Albert Pagara won all his 9 pro fights when he started his pro career in 2011, knocking out 7 of his opponents, 3 of these fights at the Maasin City Gym.

The Maasin City Police Station was awarded the Most Outstanding Police Station in the entire region.  That means Maasin is still the most peaceful city in Eastern Visayas.  

The Maasin City Council won for three consecutive years the Most Outstanding City Council award in Region 8 and the Hall of fame awards.  Vice Mayor Effie Abiera Sabandal also won an award as one of the Outstanding Vice Mayors in the Philippines by the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines. 

I was also awarded the Dangal ng Bayan Award by the Civil Service Commission in the Regional level together with Rolito Royeras, Jr. of the City Treasurer's Office.