Wake-uppers:
Scene: Happy June 12 Philippine Independence Day birthday to Engr. Jerome John J. Gabin, Siquijodnon by birth, but now Bol-anon by heart, who is counting his blessings and is thankful to God for his 48th year of existence, including the accolade he received as DTI Region 7’s (Central Visayas) Best SSF Provincial Coordinator from Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, for demonstrating the “Serbisyong Higit pa sa Inaasahan” in sustaining the implementation of the DTI-Regional Operations Group’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project and his daughter Cielo’s placing 6th in the entire country in the March 18, 2018 Civil Service Exam PPT – sub-professional level, the only top performing examinee from Visayas. He will have a simple “pahinungod” with wife Fiel, children Cielo and Renji, Mommy Lou, and Mama Wincie and other close family members in Siquijor.
Scene: At least 200 students from Barangay Booy in Tagbilaran City availed the “Libre Tupi” and school supplies a day before the opening of classes last Monday, June 4, for them to look “fresh and good.” It was the 8th year, according to re-elected Barangay Kagawad Clement Paulinel Ingking who organized the event.
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| The Miss Bohol 2018 candidates with Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto, Vice Governor Dioning Balite, provincial administrator Ae Damalerio and provincial information officer Totsie Escobia. Photo courtesy: Rey Tutas |
The 21 candidates who will be vying for the title of Miss Bohol 2018 were introduced last Friday, June 8, during the Kita ug Ang Gobernador with Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto and some members of the media at the Governor’s Mansion.
The contestants will compete for the crown in July during a coronation ceremony to be held at the Bohol Cultural Center, with the winner succeeding Pauline Amelinckx of Tubigon.
The early favorites were Miss Sikatuna Iris May Libres who is becoming a pilot, Miss Bilar Jesseth Nez Pasagad who is a petroleum engineer, Miss Jagna Roselle May Cuarto Acebes who is a magna cum laude graduate and Miss Dimiao Trixie Cahanap, the youngest of the batch.
Beauty pageant enthusiasts said this could have the most number of smart minds.
Other candidates are Hanjhen Julio (Balilihan), Wenna Mae Alo (Baclayon), Liahona Lane Lorzano (Clarin), Kristine Charrisse Enriquez ( Corella), Hannah Mae Cimeni (Dauis) , Erika Limbago (Loboc), Charysse Jane Roferos (Loon), Ma. Mediatrix Escabarte (Maribojoc), Johanne Benedict Labor (Sagbayan), Hazel Abrau (San Miguel), Faith Lucille Lumosbog (Sevilla), Raclaire Stephan Trigo (Tagbilaran City), Mae Paracuelles ( Talibon), Ma. Bethel Rose Rosco (Tubigon), Anasela Zarisa Gaviola (Ubay),and Chime Marie Pajo (Valencia).
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Tagbilaran Port features modern seaport facilities
Last Friday, Allen Doydora (of dyRD) and Dave Responte (of dyTR) tagged me along to visit the office of Port Manager James Galantao.
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| Tagbilaran Port Manager James Galantao says the Tagbilaran Port, which is one of the busiest ports in the country, features modern facilities. Leo Udtohan |
We’re there to inquire about MV Lite Ferry 12 which slipped from its dock and slammed into a concrete diviver at the Tagbilaran port last Thursday.
Tagbilaran Port, one of the busiest ports in the country, features modern facilities. The predeparture area is fully air-conditioned and fully covered, unlike before. It has met the world-class standards.
Crimes and accidents at Tagbilaran port can now be monitored and documented with the installation of 32 high definition closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras placed in strategic areas.
These cameras have a zooming capability of approximately 350 degree.
These cameras have a zooming capability of approximately 350 degree.
Galantao said that with the installation of the CCTV cameras, entry and exit of criminals can be monitored.
If a wanted person is spotted on the CCTV camera entering the port gate to take a vessel, he can be arrested at the passenger terminal.
Vehicular accidents, especially hit-and-run cases, can also be traced using the CCTV cameras.
The construction of the covered walk is almost done which will connect from the entrance to the new building terminal.
Initially, there will be a space, a “Behold Bohol” stop over where tourists can have a glimpse of Bohol.
“The port is just the beginning for more Bohol adventures,” said Galantao.
The renovation and rehabilitation works is Tagbilaran Port’s answer to the public's clamor for better port facilities and public service, and in recognition of the importance of the tourism industry.
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‘Sufficient teachers, but no enough classrooms’ in Bohol school
Students at Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS) were greeted with noise from an on-going construction of adjacent two classroom buildings during the first day of classes last Monday, June 4.
The backhoe drilling could be heard from the school’s gymnasium while some 1,200 Grade 7 students were waiting for their classroom assignments.
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| At least 1, 200 incoming Grade 7 students at Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School in Tagbilaran City, which has the biggest population in Bohol province, were waiting for their room assignments last Monday, June 4. Assistant school principal Melchor Daniel, Jr. said they have sufficient teachers but no enough classrooms . Some teachers were using lapel mic while teaching to preserve their voice. Leo Udtohan |
Overcrowded classrooms and a lack of school desks were the common problems reported on the first day of classes, according to assistant school principal Melchor Daniel, Jr.
“We have sufficient teachers, but no enough classrooms,” said Daniel.
He said the 4-story two classroom buildings will soon have 40 classrooms to answer their needs.
“The new buildings are still being constructed and I don’t think they can be completed anytime soon. Hopefully, this can answer our classroom needs,” Daniel said.
DCPNHS has the biggest student population in Bohol province. As of Monday, they have 6,000 students – and counting.
Daniel said they had to adopt the double shifting scheme to accommodate all enrollees. The first shift is from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, and the second shift is from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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| Engr. Jerome John Gabin receives the DTI Region 7’s (Central Visayas) Best SSF Provincial Coordinator from Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez. Contributed Photo |
Daniel said some classes have to be relocated to their makeshift classrooms or temporary shelters “because we simply can’t accommodate all our students.”
The school was likewise forced to refuse transferees, Daniel noted, and only accommodate old students who still have to enroll.
“Unfortunately, we are now refusing enrolment because of the classroom problem and we simply cannot accommodate everybody. Everybody wants to come to our school but we can (only) take in so much,” he said.
Meantime, teachers have to deal with 50-60 students per class, and even take on several classes.
There were at least 220 teachers at DCPNHS. Some teachers opted to use lapel mic during classes to preserve their voice and prevent fatigue.
At the faculty room, Grade 7 teacher Brigida Badlon was checking her lapel mic before proceeding to class.
Badlon, 39, has been using lapel mic in her classes for the past six years.
According to her, using lapel mic has prove practical and effective since it enabled her to overcome usual classroom noises and distractions like the clatter of students hustling through the hallway and sound from an on-going construction of classroom buildings.
“It helps me not to raise my voice and it relaxes me,” said Badlon, who bought her own lapel mic.
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