Sarangani Today: September 2013

Monday, September 23, 2013

Gov. Migs thanks Sarangani in turnover message

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2013) – Outgoing Governor Migs Dominguez delivers his final message to his constituents at the oath-taking ceremony of elected officials and turnover to incoming Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon. Dominguez thanked his constituents and lauded the “strength of its people, perseverance and the hardwork, (that) we’ve been able to perform with many challenges.” Dominguez was well on his way up the corporate ladder of the family-owned Alsons Aquaculture Corporation when politics and public service beckoned. He was a reluctant last minute candidate who happened to be at the right place and the right time. At 26, he ran for governor in Sarangan in 2004. He turned 27 during the campaign period and quickly shed off his corporate executive image to become one of the most effective young rising politicians in Mindanao by winning on a platform of good governance and committed public service. He won over a graft-ridden set of officials and gave Sarangani and its residents a fresh start. When he won for the first time in 2004, he became the youngest to be elected governor in the history of Mindanao and the second in the country. Educated in exclusive private schools and finishing his college with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree in Boston College, Dominguez saw how the lack of it in the province made Sarangani one of the poorest in the country. Marshaling his ability to draw support and grants from corporate entities and donor countries, Dominguez made education, or providing opportunities to have access to education, his priority. From being the bottom dweller in the National Achievement Test (NAT) for elementary and high school in 2006, Sarangani became SoCSKSarGen’s (Region 12) best performer by 2011, just seven years into his term. He found sponsors for 113 new schools from private sector partners. As an education reformer, Dominguez mentored and engaged Sarangani communities to rally with him in revolutionizing Sarangani education. He launched the Quality Education for Sarangani Today in 2007 that became the Galing Pook awardee for 2013. The Galing Pook Award is given in recognition of innovation and excellence in local governance. Together with his JEEP (Justice Enhancement and Empowerment Program) and Kalinaw Sarangani (Comprehensive Peace and Development Program), both also Galing Pook awardees for 2011 and 2009 respectively, the QUEST program shoved Dominguez into the Hall of Fame, one of the very few local executives to earn such honors and distinction. In 2009, he was appointed president of the Lakas-Kampi coalition at the age of 32, one of the youngest to hold such kind of position in a major political party. He turned the graft-ridden province into one of the best ran local government units earning the Seal of Good Housekeeping in 2011. Dominguez almost singlehandedly put Sarangani in the national map as investment and tourism destination by rallying residents, involving the participation of indigenous peoples in local governance and engaging armed combatant of Moro rebels in peace dialogues. He reached out to his political opponents to make Sarangani a better place to govern. In February, Dominguez was honored with a Devex Manila 40 Under 40 award for outstanding work in the international development community. The Galing Pook Foundation honored Dominguez with the first ever Jesse Robredo Leadership Award. Named after the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, the leadership award is conferred to incumbent mayors or governors who have shown effective, transparent, accountable, participatory, innovative and ethical leadership. Governor Dominguez is going back to private life when his term of office ends on June 30. He will leave behind a lasting legacy every Sarangan can and should be proud of. Dominguez has joined the board of Galing Pook Foundation and Synergeia Foundation, a coalition of individuals, organizations and institutions that aims to improve basic education around the country. For more news and updates, please visit the http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs turns over stewardship to Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2013) - Outgoing Governor Migs Dominguez turns over the key of responsibilities to Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon Saturday, June 29, witnessed by DILG regional director Reynaldo Bungubung. Solon is the grandson of the founder of Sarangani, the late Congressman James L. Chiongbian, and former Governor Priscilla L. Chiongbian, the first governor of the province who served three terms in office. The governor before Dominguez came to office was Atty. Miguel D. Escobar. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE) (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs thanks teachers, students

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 28, 2013) - Governor Migs Dominguez delivers his message after receiving a tribute and token from the students and teachers at Alegria National High School Thursday, June 27. The governor also thanked the people of Alegria for supporting his education reform program. Dominguez ends his three terms on June 30 with three Galing Pook Awards for excellence in local governance. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/> Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs, SMI turnover classdorm

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 28, 2013) - Governor Migs Dominguez leads the cutting of ribbon and turnover of a class dormitory at Alegria National High School Thursday, June 27, with Elvie Grace Ganchero (center) department manager for regional and provincial affairs of Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias, provincial administrator Vicente Camacho and provincial budget officer Leah Duhaylungsod. Beside the governor is school principal Susana Sumagka. The P0.5-million class dormitory was built by SMI and the provincial government. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ >Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Hinterland school pays tribute to Gov. Migs

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 28, 2013) - Teachers present a surprise number to Governor Migs Dominguez (foreground) during a program with the theme "Tribute to the reasons where we are now" held at Amado M. Quirit Sr. National High School in the hinterland barangay Kihan Thursday, June 27. The governor also turned over a class dormitory for teachers and students who live far from school. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani< /a>. (Russell L. Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

New classdorm for students and teachers

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 28, 2013) - The two-storey building at left is a P0.5 million class dormitory built by the provincial government in partnership with Sagittarius Mines Inc. for the teachers and selected students of Amado M. Quirit National High School. Classdorms around Sarangani is one of the innovations for education reform under Gov. Migs Dominguez who ends his three terms on June 30 with three Galing Pook Awards for excellence in local governance. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Russell L. Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Turtle hatchlings released in Maitum

MAITUM, Sarangani (June 27, 2013) - Provincial environment and natural resources officer Rolando Tuballes and Kiambing Punong Barangay Maria Doctor lead the releasing of some 99 Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle hatchlings at Mc Ian's Resort in barangay Kiambing on Wednesday, June 26, as part of the month-long celebration of Environment Month which culminates with a program at Alabel Gym on Friday, June 28. For more news and updates, please visit the http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Teachers, students thank Gov. Migs for education reform

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 26, 2013) - Teachers and students of Alabel National Science High School express their gratefulness to outgoing Governor Migs Dominguez during their tribute for the governor Tuesday, June 25. Governor Dominguez is winding up the final days of his three terms leaving behind high marks in education reform. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ >Province of Sarangani </a>. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Saturday, September 21, 2013

A token for Gov. Migs

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 26, 2013) - Outgoing Governor Migs Dominguez receives a token from the school principal of Alabel National Science High School during their tribute for the governor Tuesday, June 25. Gov. Dominguez also gave the check of his last salary to the school where he also gave his first salary way back July 2004. Governor Dominguez is winding up the final days of his three terms leaving behind high marks in education reform. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Song of tribute for outgoing governor

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 26, 2013) - Students of Alabel National Science High School(ANSHS) pay tribute with their song to outgoing Governor Migs Dominguez Tuesday, June 25, at ANSHS compound. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Teachers, students

The regional hospital in Cotabato breaks ground with Sarangani officials

COTABATO CITY (June 26, 2013) – Sarangani officials led by Congressman Manny Pacquiao (center), Governor-elect Steve Chiongbian Solon (4th left) together with Board Members Elmer De Peralta (3rd left), Alexander Bryan Reganit (extreme left) and Dr. Arvin Alejandro (extreme right) of Sarangani provincial health office pose for a photo with Cotabato Congressman Arnulfo Go (2nd right), Dr. Dimarin Dimatingkal (2nd left), hospital chief Helen Yambao (3rd right) and the hospital staff as they grace the groundbreaking ceremony of Cotabato Regional and Medical Center at Cotabato City Tuesday, June 25. The regional hospital will be expanded to 600 beds capacity through the construction of a seven-storey building and renovation of its main building which will be beneficial to nearby provinces like Sarangani. Just like Cotabato, Sarangani officials are unified in their thrust to improve the health system of the province. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Aiza Cruz/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Coaching for SarGen officials done by DAP

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (June 23, 2013) – Newly-elected top officials of Sarangani-Gensan (SarGen) headed by Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao (center), Governor-elect Steve Chiongbian Solon (3rd left), Vice Governor-elect Jinkee Pacquiao (4th left), Gensan Mayor-elect Ronnel Rivera (4th right) and Vice Mayor Sherlyn Bañas-Nograles (3rd right) receive the visionary framework for Sarangani and Gensan as one of their key results and output together with the academic board of Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) during their graduation ceremony Friday, June 21, of a five-day special course. It was a legislative and executive coaching program for newly-elected officials conducted by DAP at Sun City Suites. The program was meant for top-level executives and legislators who demand a more intensive and one-on-one capacity enhancement. This is particularly relevant to chief executives and legislators who wish to further strengthen their fundamental management and legislative skills, and strategic and analytical thinking. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Bon-Bon Quiño/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Graduates of legislative and executive coaching program

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (June 23, 2013) – Newly-elected Sarangani officials led by Congressman Manny Pacquiao (center), Governor-elect Steve Chiongbian Solon (partly hidden, center) and the incoming members of 8th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Sarangani headed by Vice
Governor-elect Jinkee Pacquiao (seated, center) together with municipal officials, staff and academic board of Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) pose for a graduation photo during their graduation ceremony Friday, June 21, after a five-day special course. It was a legislative and executive coaching program for the newly-elected officials of Sarangani and General Santos conducted by DAP at Sun City Suites. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Bon-Bon Quiño/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Newly-elected Malapatan officials take oath before Rep. Pacquiao

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 23, 2013) – Rep. Manny Pacquiao (right) administers the ceremonial oath-taking of the newly-elected and ex-officio officials of Malapatan during the celebration of 44th Foundation Anniversary and 8th Pakaradyan Festival of the municipality at the municipal plaza Friday, June 21. Congressman Pacquiao also officiated the oath-taking ceremony of Mayor Alfonso Singcoy and Vice Mayor Jimmy Bagit witnessed by Governor Migs Dominguez and Vice Governor and Governor-elect Steve Chiongbian Solon. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Bon-Bon Quiño/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

IPs install Vice Governor-elect Jinkee Pacquiao as “Blaan princess”

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 17, 2013) - Indigenous People (IP) leaders of Malapatan install Vice Governor-elect Jinkee Pacquiao, wife of Congressman Manny Pacquiao, as “Bae Tnabu Malfatan” (new princess of Blaan from Malapatan) during the Indigenous Peoples’ Day as part of the 8th Pakaradyan Festival and 44th Foundation Anniversary celebration in front of the municipal hall. The festival ends on Friday. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

It’s Environment Month: Have responsible eating habits

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 10, 2013) - Sarangani province has called to action for residents to be mindful of their food preparation and eating habits as the Environment Month celebration opened here Monday (June 10).

Observed every month of June pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 237 series of 1988, the celebration this year is themed “Think, Eat, Save” adapted from the United Nations World Environment Day on June 5 which underscored reduction of food wastage - a sequel leading to food shortage, hunger and poverty.

Environment regional executive director Datu Tungko Saikol, who graced the Environment Month opening salvo here, pointed out that the focus of this year’s celebration is “instilling consciousness to the various sectors from vendors, consumers to farmers on the importance of reducing food wastage.”

Saikol also advocated for more environmentally-responsible consumers by patronizing food grown organically or packaged using recyclable materials “to lessen waste dumped into landfills that generate methane, a relatively potent greenhouse gas.”

He cited the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization report that “1.3 billion metric tons of food is wasted every year where on a daily basis one every seven people of the world’s population goes to bed hungry while more than 20,000 children under the age of five die from hunger.”

These facts, Saikol said, “are grim reminders for us to prevent food wastage in farms, in markets, in kitchens, and on the table.”

He then linked it to Philippine scenario based on the International Rice Research Institute which reported Filipinos waste too much rice “resulting in losses worth more than P23 million a day or about P8.4 billion a year.”

The whole production chain of rice, he said, has expended a lot of energy and other resources causing environmental impact.

In feeding around seven billion people, it would take a great deal of the earth’s resources thus making it “the single biggest driver of biodiversity loss.”

“By now, we should realize that the earth is a living, breathing entity, not something that separate from us,” Saikol said.

On June 12, the LGU environment and natural resources office here will lead a tree planting in Bagacay, Alabel as among its lined-up activities for the Environment Month celebration. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a> (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani lauds environment exec

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 10, 2013) - Datu Tungko Saikol (2^nd from right), regional executive director of Department of Environment and Natural Resources, receives a certificate of appreciation during the opening of Environment Month celebration Monday, June 10, at the Capitol. From right are Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias, RED Saikol, Board Member Hermie Galzote, and provincial environment and natural resources officer Rolando Tuballes. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani gov’t workers celebrate Environment Month

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 10, 2013) – Government workers celebrate Environment Month in an opening salvo during the flag ceremony at the Capitol Monday, June 10. Earlier, a motorcade was participated in by local government units, PNP, students, barangay officials and private partners from Southern Philippines Power Corporation. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Russell L. Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani mangroves and SarBay focus of Ocean Month

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 31,2013) – Capitol employees join the mangrove planting and Bangus fry releasing in celebration of Ocean Month Friday, May 31, at Kawas beach. Volunteers planted 2,000 saplings and released 100,000 bangus fry into Sarangani Bay in coordination with the LGU Provincial Environment Natural Resources Office and Alcantara Foundation. Volunteers included members of the Philippine National Police, Kawas Youth Care and Sarangani Youth Organization. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani residents celebrate Month of the Ocean

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 31, 2013) - A resident joins other volunteers in planting mangroves at the marine forest in Kawas village Friday, May 31, during a planting and fish restocking activity to celebrate the Month of the Ocean. The event was organized by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Sarangani in partnership with Alcantara Foundation which provided mangrove seedlings and bangus fry as part of its "Seed the bay, Save the bay" environmental protection and preservation program. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Friday, September 20, 2013

Former war-torn Sarangani villages get peace centers

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 28, 2013) - Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Project turned over three buildings Tuesday, May 28, to Maasim villages which had experienced conflicts before. These are the Lumatil Multi-Purpose Hall with a cost of P2 million, Nomoh Community Peace Center amounting to P500,000 and the P1-million Datu Molod Community Peace Center of barangay Lumatil funded by PAMANA Project under the auspices of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). Usec. Jose Lorena of Bangsamoro Peace and Development Office of the OPAPP led the ribbon cutting and turn-over ceremony. From right, provincial engineer Jerry Belbider, OPAPP director Yusop Jake Paradji, Mayor Arturo Lawa, Bgry. Captain Bonie Jalil Sultan of Lumatil, Vice Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan, municipal councilors and Kalinaw Sarangani Unit program manager Jocelyn Lambac Kanda. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Teachers honor Gov. Migs

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (May 27, 2013) - Outgoing Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez gestures as he promises to continue supporting the education reform programs of the Department of Education and provincial government in uplifting the quality of education of every child by repeating his vow that "not a single child will be left behind". Some 3,000 teachers hosted a tribute program for the governor Monday, May 27, at Family Country Hotel and Convention Center. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Teachers inaugurate new division office

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 27,2013) – The division of Sarangani DepEd inaugurates its new building Monday, May 27, with Governor MigS Dominguez, Vice Governor Steve Solon, assistant schools division superintendent Donna Panes and retired DepEd regional director Deborah Adrales. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani union pays P5.1-M for members’ healthcare

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 27, 2013) – Sarangani Province Employees Union (SPEU) turned over Monday (May 27) a P5.1-million check to the Maxicare healthcare corporation as payment for the healthcare program of 653 members enrolled this year.

SPEU president Anacleto “Bobby” Saya-ang said the healthcare program forms part of the Collective Negotiation Agreement with the management team of Gov. Migs Dominguez comprised of selected departments heads and officials of the provincial government.

Based on the agreement, the provincial government granted the union P15.5 million which accounted for the 80 percent from total maintenance and other operating expenses savings last year of P19.4 million.

Part of the 50 percent of the total savings went to healthcare while the remaining 30 percent was provided to union members as monetary benefits.

According to Maxicare, the “premium quality healthcare” that they are providing “addresses the basic need for a comprehensive package that prioritizes” the well-being of their clients.

“We are improving the features of the Maxicare card that will not only serve as the member ID used to verify eligibility for availment of healthcare services but will also serve as a cash card through which reimbursements from Maxicare may be received by the member through electronic cash credits,” the company said.

As a health card, cardholders can use it as a card in Maxicare Primary Care Centers, or in any of over 950 Maxicare accredited hospitals and clinics nationwide.

SPEU was established in 2002. As of March, the assets of the union generated from the one percent contribution as monthly dues of its members from their salaries already reached P6 million deposited as trust fund intended for the retirement benefits of the members.

Saya-ang, who works at the Provincial Information Office, also concurrently heads the regional Public Sector Employees Alliance of SOCSKSARGEN (PSEAS).

His incumbency as president of the regional alliance, he said, has challenged him to “set economic directions uplifting the spirit of local unions to collectively pool the strength and have an alliance in bringing forward the name of PSEAS, filtering more economic benefits.” For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Check for Sarangani Capitol employees healthcare program

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 27, 2013) - Sarangani Province Employees Union president Anacleto "Bobby" Saya-ang (2nd from left) and union officers hand over the symbolic check amounting to P5,095,453 to MAXICARE accredited agents Ryan Alegado (3rd from left) and Catherine Java (4th from left) during the flag raising ceremony at the Capitol Monday, May 27. The fund is full payment of the health care benefits of 653 qualified members of SPEU with a coverage of P60,000 maximum benefit limit for each member as part of the collective negotiation agreement between the employees union and provincial government. Also in photo witnessing the ceremonial turn over are Provincial Administrator Vic Camacho and Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Greatest SarBay ever

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 26, 2013) – Low tide and moonshine bring Sarangani Bay Festival to a climactic night at midnight Saturday as tens of thousands of revelers in Gumasa Cove make it the biggest beach party in the Philippines. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Live web updates powered by SMART. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

SarBay 2013 looks greater than ever

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 25, 2013) – Tourists from all over Mindanao and around the world flocked at the white-sand beaches of Gumasa, Glan to party on since Friday (May 24) as Sarangani Bay Festival enfolds.

Award-winning photographer Cocoy Sexcion gauged SarBay this time as “(I think) this is the biggest and wildest beach party ever” as he compared that tourist count crowding the venue and nearby resorts are quite noticeable even in the first day where for the last seven years the crowd usually arrived at the culmination part.

“Even when it heavily rained early afternoon the first day, it never ceased the crowd from partying,” he added.

Several foreigners were seen around mingling with the locals.

SarBay kicked-off with the historic 15-kilometer swim-across-the-bay relay competition yesterday.

Simultaneous with the swim relay was the fun run for the environment of Smart Communications. Event organizer Eliodoro Alcaya reported around 500 runners finished the 8-km and 5-km races thru off-road and sloping trail that ended both with a 2-km beach run along the white, fine shores of Gumasa Cove.

A swim contest in Gumasa also drew a huge crowd. It was held in 500-, 300- and 150-meter races along the beachfront.

Organizer Ian Rodriguez said the race was conceptualized after the swim-across–the-bay which provided other swimmers another venue to compete.

Among the beach sports were volleyball, football, skim boarding clinic, jetski invitational challenge, and the sand sculpture which showcased the participants’ visual perception of the rich marine life of the bay.

Pinta sa Baybayon, on the other hand, was a body-painting competition that portrayed the artists’ combined skills and imagination to present in an artistic way the affluence of marine resources inhabiting the bay.

Also among the newest event of SarBay this time was the 30-km mountain bike ultra 3-men challenge where 30 bikers tracked rough terrains around Glan.

People thronged to the party zone Friday night particularly for the SMART and Talk & Text foam party and the beach party all-night long. For more news and updates, please visit the http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Live web updates powered by SMART. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Enjoy SarBay, save the bay

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 25, 2013) – More than the beach fun that SarBay Fest brings is its campaign to preserve the beauty of Sarangani Bay and the vibrancy of marine life that it breeds.

Amidst the festive mood, thousands of beach enthusiasts are reveling over scores of sports events and parties during the two-day biggest beach party in Mindanao.

Organizers estimate that the massive crowd now would surpass the 70,000 attendance last year.

Provincial environment and natural resources officer (PENRO) Rolando Tuballes is calling environmentalists at “heart and mind” to spare at least P20 from their pockets as contribution to rehabilitate mangrove areas in Sarangani.

With that little cost, mangroves can be bought in the main event area where buyer’s got to have their names printed in a tarpaulin for posterity.

“Yung mga tao na mga environmentalist at walang panahon para magtanim, this is their time now para maka-contribute sila. We will plant it for them.”

Buyers need not have to plant the seedlings themselves. Tuballes said his office will lead the planting in partnership with a people’s organization in an identified area in barangay Maribulan, Alabel to mark the culmination activity of the Ocean Month on May 31.

Mangrove rehabilitation has been a regular program in Sarangani where Tuballes reported around 500,000 mangroves have been planted.

PENRO targets around 50,000 hectares to be planted in the six coastal towns of Sarangani.

In some areas, what PENRO is doing is “enhancement” where seedlings are inserted in between mangroves. The nearer the space, according to Tuballes, the better “para ma-improve ang ecosystem natin.”

Actually, the seedlings which they got from a people’s organization are just for display particularly for this event. Whatever amount they could raise, they will give it to help the organization for its propagation program.

PENRO is also enforcing solid waste management in coordination with the local government during SarBay Fest. Tuballes is urging participants, traders and guests not to litter anywhere. Segregated waste receptacles are all over the place.

The festival aims to continuously pursue and encourage the young generations to shield Sarangani Bay while promoting it as an eco-tourism site.

The festival is a window to reveal the rich culture of Sarangani people and the historic stories that occurred around the bay.

The launching of Sarangani Bay Festival is mandated by Provincial Ordinance No. 2006-5-30, enacted March 2006 by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to inculcate on the stakeholders the importance for a continuous awareness drive of protecting the bay. It was authored by then Board Member Rommel Falgui.

The festival is also being held in consonance with the May 19 Provincial Charter Anniversary and in commemoration of May as Month of the Ocean.

The province was named after Sarangani Bay. The bay was believed to have been named also from Saranganing, a famous Sangil voyager who came from the coast of Indonesia and traded with the great Sultanate of Buayan, which is now General Santos City.

Sarangani Bay hosts rich resources including marine wildlife and the tuna capital of the Philippines - General Santos City.

Out of the seven turtle species declared by the Convention of International Treaties of Endangered Species as protected and endangered species in the world, five are found in Sarangani Bay. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Live web updates powered by SMART. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

NCCA ambassador Jerciho Rosales visits Sarangani

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (May 25, 2013) – Sarangani Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (3rd from left) and Glan Vice Mayor Vivien Yap (extreme right) together with Helen Lumbos (extreme left), president of Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association of Malungon, pose with Jericho Rosales (2nd from left), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Taoid Ambassador, together with Adel Suemith, NCCA head project monitoring, and Atty. Trixie Angeles (center), NCCA legal counsel, in their visit to Sarangani Friday, May 24. NCCA launched the National Heritage Month celebration in Glan and will hold one of its programs in the province on May 24–26 in line with the celebration of Sarangani Bay Festival with heritage clinics conducted by the National Committee on Historical Research, National Committee on Art Galleries, National Committee on Libraries and Information Services, National Committee on Museums, National Committee on Archives and National Committee on Monuments and Sites, and an exhibit. NCCA will also be visiting Lamlifew village museum for technical assessment of cultural properties for possible intervention projects. For more news and updates, please visit the http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Bon-Bon Quiño/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Kiamba entry wins sand sculpture contest

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 25, 2013) – Sand sculpture is one of the contests at Sarangani Bay Festival won by Kiamba. For more news and updates, please visit the http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Live web updates powered by SMART. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Open-ocean swim race is Sarbay Fest’s extreme sport

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 25, 2013) – The race from Maasim to Glan takes place in open sea won by the Dadiangas Torpedoes from General Santos City. The swim is the extreme sport of Sarangani Bay Festival, the biggest beach party in Mindanao held at Gumasa, Glan. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Live web updates powered by SMART. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATFION OFFICE)

Sand volleyball heats up SarBay Fest

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 25, 2013) – Sand volleyball is one of the highlights of Sarangani Bay Festival. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Live web updates powered by SMART. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Dadiangas Torpedoes rule SarBay swim again, break own record

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

GLAN, Sarangani (May 25, 2013) – The Dadiangas Torpedoes team 1 from nearby tuna capital General Santos City again asserted their supremacy at sea by crossing first the finish line of this year’s 15-kilometer swim relay competition Friday (May 24) and breaking their own record.

This time the Torpoedos team 1 clocked-in at 2:34:21, followed by Lady Pipay Team from Kamanga, Maasim (2:52:24) and Captain Rajik Kudarat (2:56:27) in the most grueling sport of Sarangani Bay Festival, the biggest beach party in Mindanao.

The swim started in Maasim and landed in Glan.

It was in 2007 that the Torpedoes set their first championship record of 2:50:15.

Team leader Nikita Dacera said the race this year was “easier compared to last time. Smoother ‘yung seas ngayon, hindi masyadong maalon and hindi ganun kainit kasi may cloud cover.”

“The risk,” he said, “aside from makainom ka ng tubig, is nothing.”

Asked on their game plan, Dacera humbly replied “we just swim our best, followed the spotter and communication between the teammates. Kasi kung hindi, mawawala kami. Kailangan namin ‘yung cooperation at teamwork.”

With the 2-minute swim switching requirement, the team executed about 15 relays.

Dacera said he also experienced joining open-sea competitions in Cebu and sometimes in international races but according to him Sarangani’s swim across-the-bay is “more fun kasi meron ng teammates. Kasi if we compare it with others, mag-isa ka lang. Here we have camaraderie at merong teammates na magcheer-on sa iyo. I would recommend it to other swimmers na magsali din dito.”

Torpoedos team coach Hurry Dacera said the team trained everyday whole year round. “But the senior guys, they just got back from Manila so the training that they got was not really solid. They just trained a couple of months.”

Two of the team members are studying at Ateneo de Manila and University of the Philippines while the rest are high school students in General Santos City.

The coach said the competition this year was “more relaxed, more organized and we have a very, very good boatman.”

He said, “this is a real challenge and it’s also a lot of fun. Compared to other competitions, this is more enjoyable.”

“In my opinion,” he said, “the risk is very low. It’s safe if you know what you are doing and I don’t recommend it to swimmers who are really not fit but I would consider it as low risk.”

He pointed out “it’s still a strenuous competition and you’re going to have to swim sometimes over big waves or against the current. After all it is a 15-kilometer swim so it is really strenuous as well.”

There are other open-water swim races like 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer laps but Sarangani’s swim-across-the-bay “is the longest in the country.”

Event organizer Nimrod Butil said unexpected teams got to excel this time except for the Torpoedos who have been the consistent champion. This is their 6^th win here.

There are supposedly a total of 10 teams to join this year but Butil reported a team from Marbel which also has been consistent in second place was not able to make it as two of its teammates are still in Hongkong.

Sultan team ranked 4th place (3:00:22) while Torpedoes team 3 (3:02:06), Torpedoes team 2 (3:10:39), Kidapawan Swim team (3:32:47), Kamanga team (3:36:58) and Tri Generals team (3:50:10), ranked 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th respectively.

48-year old Joy Co, the oldest in the race, said joining the swim-across-the-bay “feels great. I never thought that I would be able to do this. Another life achievement. We enjoyed the race.”

He said there are many competitive ways to enjoy the bay. “It is good. The bay is more majestic if you are swimming in the bay than just riding in the boat. You get a deeper view when you’re swimming out there to enjoy at the middle of the bay.”

Eleven year-old Alyssa Damasco from Kabacan, Cotabato was the youngest swimmer. She said the swim was “mahirapan kung sa part ko pero masaya.” She started to learn swimming at nine and has been joining pool competitions. This is her first time to join an open-ocean swim race. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Live web updates powered by SMART. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

All-girl band General Luna to rock SarBay Fest

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 23, 2013) – General Luna band will hit Mindanao’s biggest beach party on May 25 (Saturday night) here with waves of rock-based music. Local DJs Mau, Yancy and Lv from Davao City and DJ Moko from General Santos City will also be performing at all night partying in on May 24 and 25. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

All-girl band General Luna will rock SarBay Fest

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 23, 2013) – A quintet, all-female Filipino artist group General Luna will hit Mindanao’s biggest beach party here with waves of rock-based music, a genre which is largely male-dominated.

Local DJs Mau, Yancy and Lv from Davao City and DJ Moko from General Santos City will also be performing at all night partying in Gumasa, Glan on May 24 and 25.

What first comes to mind about General Luna is the fiercely dedicated patriot who fought with our heroes during the Filipino-American war or anything which relates to masculinity. Surprisingly, behind the rock band name, however, are girls playing a kind of music adored by many aficionados.

But more than the music they play, these girls show off both good looks and talent.

They make heads turn so to speak!

Nicole Asensio is the band’s lead vocals. Composing the rest of the members are guitarists Caren Mangaran and Audry Dionisio, bassist Alexis Montemayor, and drummer Bea Lao.

It has been always rock band for SarBay but this year, it will be all females who will be performing at 10:45 Saturday evening (May 25) in the “Concert at the Bay and Splash in the Sky.” (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

SarBay Fest is ready

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 22, 2013) – It’s all systems go this Friday and Saturday (May 24 - 25) for Sarangani Bay Festival 2013 – the biggest beach party in Mindanao.

This time, the festival area is expanded into a bigger, 5.9-hectare venue for the convenience of guests largely coming from Davao City, General Santos City and Sarangani’s towns.

The venue in Gumasa, Glan is between White Haven and Rosal beach resorts and a walking distance too from Coco Beach resort. For those who will bring tents, all three resorts have a designated tent city with a fee of P100 per tent area. Pitching tents at the festival area is prohibited.

Around 500 vehicle passes will be provided for the three parking spaces allotted both for vehicles and motorcycles. Barangay tanods will guard parked vehicles at fees of P20 each for cars and P10 for motorcycles.

Guests are advised to use the festival’s main gate for free entrance because entrance fees are collected at resort gates.

Smart and its prepaid brand Talk & Text are the co-presentors of SarBay Fest 2013. A part of their engagement is the provision of free wifi service during the festival with the deployment of Smarts’s Meow or multi equipment on wheels.

Lots of improvements have been considered this year, according to Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotions Center (STIPC), like the clear partitioning of the “prime area, novelty and food lanes and the drinking area” -- all facing the stage or party zone.

Performing bands and DJs for the sun-down to sun-up concerts and parties are all set too. STIPC said this time parties will end at five in the morning.

Organizers said food stalls that can serve a crowd of about 100,000 are segregated into a “prime area” which is composed of fast food restaurants serving steaks, grills, and others while for those with smaller budgets may dine along the “food lane” across the “novelty” lane selling souvenir items.

Investment officer Milbie Guiang-Daguro said there are around “70 sellers and exhibitors to meet (our) guests’ needs in terms of food, beverage, health and wellness, and other facilities.”

Aside from the fun and excitement, Daguro said the SarBay Fest also “gives everyone an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the blessings of Sarangani Bay - beautiful scenery, powdery sand, pristine waters, colorful marine resources.”

In its essence, STIPC said SarBay Fest is more than just the fun concept but pushes for its environmental campaign to preserve the bay. At the venue, mangrove seedlings will be offered at P20 each where the buyer’s name will be written in its tag and in the tarpaulin.

Seedlings will later be planted during the culmination of the province’s Ocean Month celebration next week with Sarangani’s non-government organization partners.

After SarBay Fest, Saguittarius Mines, Inc. will lead some 300 environmentalists to do a coastal clean-up in the venue. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Who can swim across Sarangani Bay in less than 3 hours?

By SERAFIN N. RAMOS JR.

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 21, 2013) – The open ocean swimming race from Maasim to Glan remains to be the much-awaited sports event in the eight-year history of Sarangani Bay Festival.

A total of 50 swimmers will again invade Sarangani Bay this May 24 to kickoff Sarangani Bay Festival, the biggest beach party in Mindanao. Will a team log the shortest time ever in the history of swim-across-the-bay?

2006 swim organizer Giuseppe Chew described the race as “the Sarangani Bay ultimate challenge.”

It has a distance of about 15 kilometers.

Governor Migs Dominguez said the swim challenge is “one way (also) of helping our swimmers to be able to compete not only in swimming pools but also in international swimming competition offshore.”

“This is not only about winning but also about finishing and conquering,” he added.

On May 18, 2006, only three teams out of six entries finished the first-ever swim across Sarangani Bay witnessed by thousands of spectators.

The Dadiangas Torpedoes of General Santos City (4:05:18 hours) won by just two minutes ahead of MJ Powerpines of Maasim (4:07:12 hours). The Maasim Swimming Team clocked in 4:57:26 for 3rd place.

“This is the longest open ocean marathon swimming competition in the country and probably in Asia,” said Chew.

“I really enjoyed it,” said swimming athlete Ergel Arcinas of the 2006 race. “It was hard on our part since the water was salty and the bay has a strong current. We are used to swimming in the pool.”

The following year, swim teams came from Davao City, Koronadal City, General Santos City, Polomolok, Maasim and the Philippine Navy.

The Gensan swimmers repeated their win and broke their own record that year (2007).

The swimmers finished in record fashion with the Dadiangas Torpedoes A successfully defending their title with a record time of 2:50:15.23 hours and received P40,000 for the top prize.

MJ Fighters B finished second (2:55:01.29 hours) and went home with P25,000 while the Tinoto Dolphins came in third to claim P10,000.

An all-female team from General Santos City clocked in 3:11:17.05 hours.

On May 17, 2008, 10 teams again raced from Maasim to Glan crossing Sarangani Bay in SarBay Fest’s most grueling race and between one of the bay’s narrowest points.

The Swim-across-the-Bay is a brainchild of former Capitol agriculture chief and marine biologist Giuseppe Chew who now lives abroad.

“I could still vividly remember well when I made my suggestion to the floor when we had our first meeting to conduct the Sarangani Bay Festival, everyone was laughing at me,” Chew said in an email. “The suggestion was almost killed if not for Board Member Art Lawa who supported and believed of my grandiose plan,” he said.

Chew said the Swim-across-the-Bay “turned out the best activity then and highly successful.”

He said it is “the longest open ocean swimming competition in the Philippines and probably in Asia.”

“Who would ever believe historic Sarangani Bay (mentioned in Pigafetta epic journal of Magellan's expedition), the deepest bay in the Philippines can be conquered with human prowess?”

“Even the local Coast Guard commander then did not believe it can be done when I called for a meeting to prepare for the medical emergency plan,” Chew added.

And the rest is history.

Davao tankers ruled the 2008 swim.

The Sta. Cruz Seafoods Inc. team of Davao City outclassed seven others in 3:17:05 hours. However, it did not break the record of Dadiangas Torpedoes (2:50:15.23 hours) who did not field a team in 2008. The official time: Sta. Cruz team - 3:17:05; South Cotabato - 3:20:14, Sultan Team - 3:21:24.

On May 29, 2009, 12 teams joined the swim. The standings: 1^st – Sultan Swimming Team (4:10:41); 2^nd - Sea Lions (4:11:47) and 3^rd – Tinoto Dophins (4:12:28).

In 2010, 1^st – Dadiangas Torpedoes (3:16:47); 2^nd – Sultan Team (3:22:18); and 3^rd – MJ Power Team (3:22:46).

Eventually, Koronadal City’s Sea Lions ruled the seas in 2011. Sea Lions with top swimmer Bonifacio Pagunsan crossed the finish line at 3:41:42. The Philippine Army’s Tinoto Pirates got the second prize (3:53:28) while Dadiangas Torpedoes bagged the third place (4:05:19).

In 2012, the Dadiangas Torpedoes ruled the race for the fifth time. They clocked in 2:57:40 hours, beating nine other teams to the finish line. However, it was seven minutes short of breaking their 2007 (2:50:15.23) record.

Second place was the Sea Lions with 3:02:52 hours, only 1 minute and 40 seconds ahead of Davao’s team GenSan View Resort (3:03:12 hours).

The 2012 race was one of the fastest, next only to the 2007 record.

Veteran Torpedoes member Lawin Dacera’s tip to swimmers? “Our game plan was pretty easy. It’s basically, go out there and swim hard, swim fast and don’t really care if you got last or first. Just have fun.” (Serafin N. Ramos Jr./SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)