BINIRAY TODAY
Bantoanon devotees of San Nicolas de Tolentino in Metro Manila and nearby provinces gather once more at MataasNaKahoy, Lipa, Batangas for the 17th staging of Biniray to celebrate the feast day of their beloved patron. The affair will be highlighted by a mass in honor of St. Nicholas and the biniray proper. Social activities will follow which include the search for the Biniray ’99 couple, a raflle, and rites for the Biniray ’99 Awards.
More than five hundred heads are expected to attend this year’s edition of the annual celebration resulting from the Executive Committee’s intensified campaign for involvement and participation and the utilization of the latest communications media including the Internet.
The Executive Committee, headed by Mr. & Mrs. Rinzi F. Fadrilan, introduced innovations to the Biniray celebration: the Medical Mission and the Biniray ’99 awards. The Executive Committee has also set a Grand Tipon (General Assembly) for Bantoanons as part of its organizational development activities. This year’s leadership saw the need for Biniray to have a legal personality. This would help future leaders in raising funds for the celebration more effectively.
The Biniray, launched in 1993, has attracted more and more Bantoanons and devotees each year. The affair has not only become a venue for reverence to the patron saint but also for renewing and strengthening ties with fellow Bantoanons.
BANTON OBSERVES PATRONAL CELEBRATION
Banton observed its patronal celebration in honor of St. Nicholas de Tolentino last September 9-10 with same activities undertaken last year. The celebration, themed "Fiesta for Spiritual Renewal and Social Development", was led by the following fiesta officials: Poblacion Brgy. Capt. Johnny F. Fabic, chairman; Coun. Berlita Fajiculay, vice chairman; Romulo A. Faz, Sr., secretary; Danny Job Fabul, treasurer; Gresilda Fetalvero and Engr. Jerry Fadrilan, auditors; and Decoroso Fadri, press relation officer. The biniray and procession in honor of the patron saint highlighted the pious part of the celebration, while the crowning of the beauties served as the culminating social affair.
Chastine Fesalbon, the town fiesta queen, was given the title "Miss Banton 1999" while Nina Fajiculay and Claire Faigao, first and second princess respectively, were accorded the titles "Miss Biniray 1999" and "Miss Sports 1999", respectively.
The presentation and selection program for the Search for Miss Banton 1999, was held at the town’s Public Theater and Yagting Dance Garden and Basketball Court last August 21. Special awards were also given. "Best in Sportswear" and "Most Talented" went to Chastine Fesalbon. "Best in Gown" was copped by Claire Faigao while Nina Fajiculay was the "Best in Casual Wear".
Decoroso Fadri, chairman of the Beauty Contest Committee, Shirley Morada and Rosilly Fegalan acted as emcees while Romulo A. Faz, Sr. and Tessie Fajut served as the masters of ceremonies in the ballroom dancing that followed.
REGIONAL TEAM
REVALIDATES BANTON
by R.omulo Faz, Sr.
The regional Evaluation Team of Region IV on the Clean and Green project of the national government visited and revalidated Banton which was declared by the Provincial Evaluation Team of Romblon as the cleanest and greenest municipality in the province. The team, together with the provincial evaluation team members arrived at the municipality on August 19, 1999 and left for the provincial capital town early in the morning of the following day. Its stint in the municipality was spent in going around the town and visiting the barangays of Lagang, Tumalum, Hambi-an, Toctoc, Togbongan, Nabalay, Sibay, Libtong and Nasunogan. The team was headed by Dolly V. Masinag and Remedios Alejandro from the regional office. Joining them were Senia Oņas, secretary of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan - Romblon; Anita Gadon and Elsa Fabon who were not part of the provincial inspection team which adjudged Banton as the cleanest and greenest municipality in the province. In the evening, both the regional and provincial evaluation teams were entertained in a dinner and ballroom dancing. The affair was jointly managed by Mayor Patrocinio F. Ferrera, over-all chairman of the Municipal Clean and Green Committee; Dr. Aida Fetizanan, chairman of the Clean Committee; Mr. Simplicio Fabonan, chairman of the Green Committee; and Romulo A. Faz, Sr., president of the Banton Government Officials and Employees Association (BAGOFEA).
PROVINCIAL FEDERATION
OF TANODS ORGANIZED
by Romulo A. Faz, Sr.
The Provincial Federation of Barangay Tanods of Romblon was organized in Dapawan, Odiongan, Romblon during its election meeting held lat August 17. Attended by eight presidents of Municipal Barangay Tanods in their respective municipalities, the election meeting was conducted by C/INSP Jovito Formon de Villa who is presently Provincial Mobile Group Director. Elected officers of the Federation were Metrono Megallon (Romblon), president; Napoleon Firmalo (Odiongan), vice president; Pedro Urbina (Looc), secretary; Eduardo Abello (San Agustin), treasurer; Rudy Gadon (San Andres), auditor; Efren Fajura (Banton), business manager; Hipolito Hervacio (Ferrol), press relation officer; and Danny Lorenzo (Calatrava), sentinel. The municipalities of Concepcion, Corcuera, San Jose, Sta. Fe, Cajidiocan, San Fernando, Magdiwang and Sta. Maria did not send their representatives to the said meeting.
COA DIRECTOR SPEAKS AT CONFERENCE
By Romulo A. Faz, Sr.
A conference on auditing problems was held in the session hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at the Capitol Building in Romblon, Romblon last June 8. The conference was attended by heads of municipal, provincial and national government offices and agencies with Dir. Tito S. Nabua, Regional Director of the Commission on Audit in Region IV, as the speaker and discussant. Messages were delivered by Gov. Perpetuo B. Ylagan and Congressman Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona, while Vice-Gov. Jose Fonte had the welcome remarks. The other important numbers in the program were the opening remarks by Mayor Francisco L. Solis of Romblon, Romblon; presentation of participants and guests by SP Member Samuel R. Romero; and closing remarks by Ms. Concepcion M. Caldit, provincial auditor.
Mrs. Senia G. Onas, secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, acted as master of ceremonies. Meanwhile, Mr. Puentesor Fortu, former provincial auditor of Romblon, is presently provincial auditor of Oriental Mindoro and assistant regional director of the Commission on Audit in Region IV.
AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS
BLESSED
Romulo A. Faz, Sr.
Two completely finished agricultural projects of the municipal government of Banton, Romblon were blessed by Rev. Fr. Gines R. Boada, Yagting's parish priest, last June l0. Blessed were the town's public market and the Bantay-Dagat speedboat with the presence of government officials and employees. The blessing was followed by cutting of ribbon by Mayor Patrocinio Ferrera and Vice-Mayor Rolo Fainsan. The public market had a total construction cost of P l9l,5l8.44, while the speedboat cost P50,372.00. Now, both projects are open and ready for service. The speedboat is used in patrolling around the municipality's shores and in monitoring illegal fishing activities by transient fishermen within the territorial sea waters of the island-municipality.
PNP RETIREES AND OIC
HONORED
Romulo A. Faz, Sr.
Two recently retired PNP members and an OIC of the office of the Chief of Police of Banton, Romblon were honored by the Banton Government Officials and Employees Association (BAGOFEA) during its despedida and welcome party and dance held at the third floor of the Municipal Building last June 11. Honored were Police Inspector Benjamin Famatigan and SPO4 Gerardo M. Ibabao, and SPO3 Fernando M. Faigao as OIC of the COP's office. The retirees, who were following up for the release of their retirement pay, were represented in the occasion by their wife and daughter, respectively, while the OIC was conspicuously present and enjoyed himself much dancing. Mayor Patrocinio F. Ferrera presented to each of the retirees a Plaque of Appreciation. She appreciated them for having reached their retirement age and advised them to spend their money wisely with reservation for the twilight years of their lives. She likewise congratulated OIC Faigao but challenged him to do his level best for the general welfare of the island-municipality of Banton. For his part, the BAGOFEA president said that retirement is an enviable achievement record, sparkling fulfillment of one's dream, and a happy termination of his service in a public or private office. And to attain it, every public and private employee should take good care of his health by drinking liquor moderately, refraining from smoking, avoiding drug abuse, and avoiding spending the nights in gambling places. The dance happily ended at ll:00 o'clock in the evening amidst the enjoyment and satisfaction of all the attendees.
BANTON PARISH HOSTS DIOCESAN SYNOD
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INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED
Romulo A. Faz,Sr.
The country's Independence Day was celebrated in Banton, Romblon last June 12 with simple but appropriate, meaningful and colorful activities. The celebration was started with a civic parade around the town's main thoroughfares which was cooperatively participated in by government officials, employees, teachers, students and pupils from the different schools in the district, and wound up in the public plaza where some numbers on the program were staged. After an invocation was said by Mr. Aguinaldo Fietas, in representation of the parish priest, the national anthem was sung under the baton of Mrs. Leticia Fainsan, while Mayor Patrocinio Ferrera and Vice-Mayor Rolo Fainsan hoisted the National Flag. Thereafter followed the panunumpa sa watawat.
A floral offering was made on the foot of the Jose Rizal monument by BNHS students and beauties led by Dishabel Marie Fatallo, "Miss Independence Day"; Chastine Dayan Fesalbon, "Miss Luzon"; Lolita Faz, "Miss Visayas"; and Maria Glendy Faderon, "Miss Mindanao". The program was continued at the GLF Memorial Theater, which was composed of talks, creative, folk and modern dances contributed by the myriad elementary and secondary schools and government offices. Mrs. Glorita Fano, a faculty member of the BNHS, was the guest of honor and speaker who spoke with relevance to the celebration theme: "Ang Pangkabuhayang Kaunlaran sa ika sangdaan at isang taon ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas". Mrs. Majella F. Falquerabao was the master of ceremonies.
ROMBLON HEALTH PERSONNEL ATTEND SEMINARS
The health personnel in Romblon province: doctors, nurses, midwives, barangay health workers, and hilots attend seminars on their respective schedules starting February l999 to 2l May l999, inclusive, in Romblon and Odiongan towns. The seminar was under the Women's Health and Safe Motherhood project/program whose goal is to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. The objectives of the seminar were: l) to improve quality and range of women's health and safe motherhood service; 3) to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of health interventions through partnership among NGOs and local communities; and 4) to expand their knowledge. Banton was represented in the seminar by Dr. Aida Fetizanan, rural health physician; Mrs. Felome F. Fadri, public health nurse; Mrs. Tessie Fajut, Mrs. Herminia M. Ferrer, Mrs. Luningning Festin, Mrs. Benilda P. Famorcan, and Mrs. Lomelyn F. Fiecas, midwives; and by some barangay health workers and hilots. The seminar was funded by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, KFW-Government of Germany, European Community, and the Ausaid. Meanwhile, Banton was chosen as a pilot area of the project/program, for she has a renovated RMU Building in the Poblacion and another in barangay Nasunogan, whose construction costs were provided by the said project/program. -Romulo A. Faz, Sr.
1999
DISTRICT QUIZ BEE HELD
Jene Maloh Famadico
The winners were (in champion – first runner-up – second runner-up order): Science: Ralph Faderanga, BCS; Sedfrey Fadriquela, BCS; Wilmar Famadico, TLPS: Philippine History: Jomarco Fetalvero, BCS; Harold Festijo, BCS; Reynaldo Potot, TES: Mathematics: John Ernie Fonte, BCS; Jonalie Ferranco, BCS; Jennelyn Millare, LES; Spelling: Shiela Fababeir, BES; Jonalie Ferranco, BCS; Hariette Fabonan, BCS; English: Shiela Fababeir, BES; Issandra Fortu, TES; Jennelyn Millare, LES.
The wiining coaches were: Science: Cherry Fabellon, BCS; Florangel Fonte, TLPS; Philippine History: Yolanda Perez; BCS; Virgilio Faigao, TES; Mathematics: Demy Flores, BCS; Gemma Fadallan, LES; Spelling: Pershing Fabellon, BES; Elly Festin, BCS; English: Pershing Fabellon, BES; Jeremiah Fontarum, TES; Gemma Fadallan, LES.
The Math Olympiad for Grade III to Grade VI followed in the afternoon of the same day. Three contestants represented each grade in every school. The winners were (in champion – first runner-up – second runner-up order): Grade III: Karen Monica Fadrilan, Edward Fabrero, Eunice Faminiano; Grade IV: Alvin Familara, Alvin Reynoso, Eric Fabellon; Grade V: Mayflor Fabiala, Diana Rose Barluado, Aiza Famisan; Grade VI: Jonalie Ferranco, John Ernie Fonte, Reynaldo Potot.
The winners’ coaches were: Grade III: Clarissa Fabellon, BCS; Grade IV: Lina Fabonan, BCS; Jefferson Famadico, BES; Grade V: Demy Flores, BCS; Florangel Fonte, TLPS; Grade VI: Demy Flores, BCS; Virgilio Faigao, TES.
In the DOST competition, Reynaldo Potot of Tungonan under Virgilio Faigao was declared champion. Shiela Fababeir of Banice won the second place.
The one-day affair was managed by Cherry Fabellon and Melita Martinquilla of Banton Central School. Several committees were created to assist them in the varied activities related to the affair.
The Division Quiz Bee was held at Looc, Romblon
last Sept. 6.
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Marquis’
Who’s Who in the World has included a Bantoanon, multi-awarded Davao photographer
Evangelino F.Famarin. |