What's Up, Cebu!

Chronicling the Queen City of the South only means one thing - royalty. Not literally do I mean rich but this stunning place is wealthy of landmarks and a history's comfort zone.

After the coveted national press tilt in Ormoc City, we were given a chance to drop by in Cebu and stroll for at least three hours before taking our flight to Davao. Although we only get to see its beauty in a short span of time, I was already astonished with the vibrant atmosphere the Cebuanos were showcasing, and the influence the Spaniards left was truly worth our sightseeings.

It was Saturday morning, April 13th, when the three-hour wander finally began. It was a scorching hot day for a visit at Sto. Niño Church. The Spanish heritage site was spectacular inside, and out and I would like to commend how exquisite the enormous altar is. But it isn't just it. What's really up for the tour was the gorgeous grotto of Sto. Niño just resting inside. Get up close and personal, and pray.

The Spanish heritage doesn't stop there, just outside the church waiting for you to feel its ambiance is the spledid Magellan's Cross - with Koreans, literally! Aside from the huge cross placed at the center, what's really seeking my attention were these neighboring Asian tourists. Though I'd rather get some picture with the city hall right in front, where the whole controversial suspension  story of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia took place.

Before we arrived at the very end of our tour, some mall relaxation embraced ourselves. Hello, SM City Cebu! Well, off course, it was the bookstore I went right after I was inside. It was satisfying, the whole city extravaganza, the entire Cebu escapade. It was royalty.

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Nature Unmasked!

You can never say you have witnessed the true beauty of Ormoc if you will never visit the stunning Lake Danao.

Bonus! The National Schools Press Conference was already jam-packed that having a tour with nature is a plus!

My father during the crossing of the lake

The day after my event took place, the whole Davao Oriental family of delegates grabbed the time to relax with the grandeur and ecstasy Ormoc can offer - and it was none other than visiting the famed Lake Danao, where lush virginal rainforests are living quietly.

The visitation was super-sulit for we can really feel the ambiance that nature is conjuring - heartwarming cold breeze of fresh air. The sidetrip was unimaginable. As I observe the vast trees that surround the landlocked body of water, I somehow forgot that Ormoc was hit by a great typhoon some 20 years ago. It was as though these yamang lupa wasn't harmed at all because the entire area was absolutely intact.

The lush pine trees

Exhilaration! Thus the only word I remember when we started crossing the water to get a clearer view of the superb scenery. Amazing were the diverse species of trees and flowers situated within the forests. As I get a view with the pine trees, it felt like I was already at the City of Pines itself - astounding!

But what's the most important part of the travel to the lake was that the preservation and care of the people there was secure - something I would want Cateel's wealthy wildlife to have now that it is in the brink of danger after the aftermath 'Pablo' has left.

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Bringing Legacy

Stiff competition has commenced at Ormoc's earth during the just-concluded 2013 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) last April 7-12 where best of the best campus journos in the entire country get together to outwit one another, and it was nothing but priceless just to be part of such national event.

Placing as champion in Copyreading and Headline Writing Filipino (my event) during the regional tilt (RSPC) of Region XI at Panabo City last January 24-26 brought me at the haven of the Leytean city. It is such a great honor to imagine that you are bringing the legacy of not only your school, or your municipality, or even your province, but most especially your region, and to be given the opportune time to participate in such event is the least of the prize!

But even before we reach the land of the Eastern Visayas region, the unprecedented travel was already a great addition to the memoir of my entire campus journalism journey. My first flight almost didn't happen because of our late arrival at the Davao International Airport, late afternoon of April 6. We even became chance passengers bound for Ormoc City after we arrived at the Queen City of the South - Cebu.That occurrence, though completely tiring was already precious.

Even though I didn't place in the national tilt, I still get to travel, to compete, and most of all to make friends, and that's much, much better than winning. :D

Remember, there's still one more year for me to show off - and make the most out of it!

National Schools Press Conference

2014 NSPC Venue:

Pampanga (Region 3)

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Golden Jubilee: A Look Back

Grandeur and ecstacy. Exciting words. It is as though obnoxious problems were atleast nonexistent and pressing matters were left behind, nonetheless, nervousness came lurching around my stomach as to what would likely be the comeout.
People were frolicking under the scorching heat of the sun. Coupled with great excitement, each was extravagant to make this illustrious event a success - indeed it turned out one.

Sweats and tears were invested through the months. Productivity was honed as each threw a helping hand to make th biggest preparation possible. Ambiance is taking its time to a massive growth before the final date - October.
Communities around the globe, especially in social networking sites such as Facebook, seemed to be already preoccupied with nothing else but the feast before it was even framed.
Such organization upheld all the activities to make the three-day celebration last long. I seemed to have found the statement a fact - the Association of Cateel Maryknollians, Inc. (ACMI) was indeed behind the success of my Alma mater’s fiftieth anniversary, or should I say Maryknoll Academy of Cateel’s greatest milestone to date.

CORY FOR THE WIN?
It was as though another People Power Revolution materialized around the vicinity of Cateel Centennial Park as thousands of men and women paraded in yellow during the beginning of the Golden Jubilee celebration.
October 26 marked a yellow day as people in every aspect applauded in cheers for the institution’s golden harvest. It was as though late former President Corazon Aquino has visited the place for democracy campaign.
The Drum and Bugle Corp. members have showcased a spectacular series of performance in all-new outfits that fitted the occasion (dressed in a combination of black, blue, and gold).

THE FUN BEGINS
Cries of applause shuddered at every respect as Performing Artists from the well-anticipated MAC Dancetroupe showcased a hundred and ten percent performance, leaving the crowd astonished.
The Golden Jubilee cauldron was lit by the great fire ablazed in torches beared by ACMI officers after the well-rehearsed MAC Boy Scouts have successfully presented their Fancy Drill Exhibition.

FIESTA 101
Globetrotting was simply the word to describe in the exceptionally well-built kiosks which stood a mini barrio inside a school ground.
The scenery appeared to be a smaller version of the renowned Kadayawan Festival of Davao City - vivid, truly one of a kind.
Forty-six batches Maryknoll has produced tried to outshine each other as the spirit of competitiveness has mingled with the atmosphere.

More on MAC RiverViews Vol.10 No.1

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Despite the Hardships and Trials

Barely two months have passed when the massive Pablo (Bopha) aftermath has left a traumatic occurrence amidst a place typhoon-free then, yet fate seems to challenge it's people's strengths on how far they can go.

The wound the typhoon left merely became a scar to the Cateeleño people, nevertheless remained the emotional shock.

Families affected increased unfortunately due to yesterday's heavy rainfall which triggered vast flash floods among low-lying areas in remote barrios of Cateel, Davao Oriental, even including parts of Davao City wherein many fatalities are reported.

But regardless of the fact that Cateel nearly died out, still another concrete example as shown in the photo keeps on pushing the municipality's limits to strive hard in order for its residents to fully say "I survived..."

Photo credits: Mr. Aldrin Castro

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Photoshop Fun: Magazine Covers

It was hard for me to pass time during the massive destruction of typhoon Pablo (Bopha) with no Internet connections and at first, cellular phone signals. So, I made some mag covers from old photos stored in my laptop.

Feedback:

Can you rate these covers 1-5 so I can work on some improvements?

5 - Epic!

4 - Very Good!

3 - Acceptable.

2 - Hideous!

1 - TROLL - is this what you call a mag cover?!

I'll be waiting!

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iSurvive: 1-month Isolation from the Internet

It's been a month since I last involved myself in the wide wired world of Internet. 
Reason? Cateel, Davao Oriental is just plain isolated from Internet (signal?!?!).

Regional Schools Press Conference 2012 was moved on January 2013 (now RSPC 2012-13) in the hope that Campus Journalists around Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley would be able to join amidst such aftermath.

Yes, Pablo (Bopha) indeed made survivors much stronger. Hope our team can snag some wins in RSPC Davao.

(Go, Maryknoll Academy of Cateel team!)

[Photo Credits: Errol Kim Cabrera]

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