Election 2010 aftermath

Natapos na ang election, at sa unang pagkakataon, maaga nating nalaman ang resulta!

Hindi ko alam kung opisyal na nagpahayag ng pagkapanalo ang COMELEC, pero ang aking pagkaka-alam, ang incumbent mayor na si Jean Moraña ang nanalo.

Eto naman po ang mga partial and unofficial results para sa bise-mayor at konsehal:

Vice Mayor: Gilbert Hermoso
Councilors:
1. Sergio Edquilang
2. Leonides Echon
3. Mario Sales
4. Penny Ednave
5. Romeo Fallorina
6. Roman Alop
7. Michael Molino
8. Vicente Echon

Source

Abangan po natin ang opisyal na resulta, pero mukhang sa ngayon, sure win na ang mga ito. :)

Kamusta naman ang naging experience ninyo sa ating automated elections? Kwento niyo naman sa comments!

Mga kababayan!

Meron po tayong isang munting survey na sana inyong masagutan. Eto po ay para sa darating na election sa May 10. Simple lamang po. Piliin niyo lang kung sino ang inyong gustong iboto bilang Mayor, Vice Mayor at mga Kagawad.

Sa May 1, Labor Day, ilalabas po namin ang resulta ng ating survey. Kung ano man ang magiging kalabasan nito, hindi po ito nagpapakita ng tunay na kalagayan ng mga nasa isipan ng mga taga-Candelaria. Generalization lang po to, at simpleng experimento.

Click nyo po ito para sagutin ang survey. Amin pong ikagagalak ang inyong pag-sali dito. Salamat po! Nawa'y maging mapayapa at malinis ang halalan natin!

Candelaria Holy Week

Hello!

Andito ako ngayon sa Candelaria. Kakatapos lang ng reunion ng aming pamilya. Kamusta naman ang inyong Holy Week?

Kung nais ninyo mag-share, sabihin niyo lang! Email kayo sa bakeneko14 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Balik trabajo na muli sa Lunes para sa akin.

List of Candidates: Candelaria, Zambales

Source: Know your candidates

Candelaria, Zambales Candidates

For Mayor

• Barrera, Bernard Polido "Dodoy"; (LP )
• Ebbay, Wilbert Español "Weng"; (IND. )
• Ecunar, Pedro Cleto "Pete"; (LM )
• Moraña, Jean Misa "Jean"; (LKS-KAM )

For Vice Mayor

• Ebuen, Jury Hermogino "Toman"; (LM )
• Edejer, Ilirmo Ebilane "Emi"; (LKS-KAM )
• Hermoso, Gilbert Austria "Bert"; (LP )

For Councilors

• Alegre, Jaime Echon "Rudy"; (LP )
• Alop, Roman Eding "Joseph"; (LM )
• Anamos, Nenita Imperial "Nitz"; (LM )
• Atrero, Purificacion Carloy "Podee"; (LKS-KAM )
• Baluran, Miguel Olmo "Mike"; (IND. )
• De Guia, Carlos Eclevia "Caloy"; (LM )
• De La Llana, Honorio Hebron "Onor"; (LP )
• Dominguez, Imelda Tabile "Mely"; (LP )
• Ebalo, Michael Espinosa "Mike"; (LKS-KAM )
• Ebilane, Virginia Encio "Bening"; (LKS-KAM )
• Ecalne, Avelino Echon "Binoy"; (IND. )
• Ecalnir, Isagani Hermoso "Gani"; (LP )
• Ecalnir, Xanzo Beda Acuavera "Juancho"; (NP )
• Echon, Leonides Eclevia "Pico"; (LM )
• Echon, Vicente Jr Villasan "Jun"; (IND. )
• Eclarino, Vicente Sr. Ecal "Vic"; (LKS-KAM )
• Ednave, Penny Ebilane "Penny"; (LP )
• Edquiban, Marcelo II Echaure "Mhar"; (LKS-KAM )
• Edquid, Rolando Ebilane "Rolly"; (LKS-KAM )
• Edquilang, Sergio Adriano Radam "Cros"; (LP )
• Elamparo, Adonis Quines "Don-don"; (LKS-KAM )
• Encina, Romualdo Edquilane "Bading"; (LM )
• Enciso, Teresita Edjan "Tess"; (IND. )
• Fallorina, Romeo Sagun "Rom"; (LM )
• Fontillas, Pastor Ecura "Totoy"; (NP )
• Hermogino, Merlina Ebialne "Andang"; (LP )
• Hipos, Romulo Gloriana "Mulo"; (IND. )
• Molino, Michael Ian Yap "Ian"; (LP )
• Movilla, Dante Edquilane "Dan"; (IND. )
• Sales, Mario, Sr. Dela Llana "Ayo"; (LM )

Sino ang iboboto ninyo? Comment kayo! :)

Call for posters!

Hello everyone!

I'd like to ask you guys to send me any official paraphernalia like photos, or scans of streamers and posters, of the parties you support if you have any. I'd like to post them here so that we have an idea who we could vote for.

I currently have Dr. Ecunar's party. If anyone has Mayor Morana's, Mr. Ebbley's, Mr. Barrera and the independents, please send them to me at bakeneko14 @ yahoo . com (remove the spaces). I prefer having the entire party in one banner/photo.

Thank you!

Through the eyes of another: Potipot

Mark Wiens of Migrationology.com writes about his first night in the Philippines.

My first night in the Philippines was spent on the tiny island. There was no electricity or development on the island and one could circumference the island in a matter of minutes. The water was wonderful, the air was clean, the sunset was beautiful, and all was calm and quiet.

What a welcome, eh?



Read more about his stay in Potipot Island, as well as his other adventures, in his blog at Migrationology.

We love Candelaria. We love Zambales.

Bhen Cervantes talks about his first trip to Zambales many years ago when his friend Mac del Fierro invited a group of his Upsilon brothers to visit San Antonio, Zambales for the Holy Week after their college graduation.

He goes on to say how it one of his most memorable weeks, recalling it with much relish.

His most recent visit was on the invitation of Jun Fain to Iba. Mr. Cervantes goes on to say how he loved the shoreline of Zambales, and says "It is beautiful indeed."

But what I like best about his missive is this:

"As a re-introduction, I am happy I can still catch semblances of the naturally beautiful Philippines before these parts look like everything else: traffic-laden, polluted -- ecologically and noise-wise, with posters, tarpaulin and buntings as well.

Why do we overdo? Let Nature be. The Philippines is fine. There is no need for malls and Manila franchises that make erstwhile naturally pretty towns into loud ugly cities.

I think this need to look and sound like Manila stems from the fact that most Filipinos have no regional pride." Source

I believe this. Not just for Zambales but for any town that isn't Manila. As much as I have affection for the busy metropolis, I cannot help but love more the quiet and peace, the less hectic pace of the provinces.

We as Candelarians should be proud of what we are. As much as we'd like to bring progress to our little town, we should not obliterate the heritage and richness of our past. I myself would love to see the remaining old houses restored, same goes for the Gabaldon schools, not just in our town, but in the entire province.

It would be nice if each town had a museum about its history, especially while we still have our grandparents and parents to tell us the stories.

We should take on projects that preserve and take care of not just the history, but also of the beauty of nature around us. It should also be a continuing project that leaders of Candelaria should take on once the previous term has passed.


Let's love Candelaria the way it should be.

Candlemas

A friend asked if churches here celebrate Candlemas. Curious, I did a search and guess what I found?

Candlemas is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. It's celebrated in most of Mexico on February 2. The date is directly related to Christmas, but in Mexico, it is seen as the end of the Epiphany season that began on January 6, known as the "day of the Three Kings."

In Spanish, it is Candelária. (Source: Wikipedia)

Maligayang Pasko cu mo yo halban!

Hope I said that right. God bless!

May kasiyahan dito sa may 7H. Meron din ba sa plaza? :)

2010 Candidates for Candelaria, Zambales

Here's the official candidates for the local government of Candelaria, Zambales.

Mayor Ecunar, Pedro Cleto
Vice Mayor Ebuen, Jury H. "Toman"
Councilors
1. Roman E. Alop (Joseph)
2. Nenita I. Anamos (Nits)
3. Carlos E. De Guia (Caloy)
4. Leonides E. Echon (Piko)
5. Romualdo E. Encina Bading
6. Romeo S. Fallorina Rom
7. Mario Ll. Sales Sr. Ayo

Mayor Barrera, Bernard Polido
Vice Mayor Hermoso, Gilbert A.
Councilors
1. Alegre, Jaime
2. Ecalnir, Isagani Gani
3. Dominguez, Imelda Mel
4. De La Llana, Honorio Onor
5. Ednave, Penny Penny
6. Edquilang, Sergio Cros
7. Hermoginio, Merlina Andang
8. Molino, Ian Ian

Mayor Morana, Jean Misa
Vice Mayor Edejer, Ilirmo "Emi"
Councilors
1. Atrero, Purificacion Podee
2. Ebalo, Michael Mike
3. Ebilane, Virginia Bening
4. Eclarino, Vicente Enteng
5. Edquiban, Marcelo
6. Edquid, Rolando Andong
7. Elamparo, Adonis Dondon

Mayor Ebbay, Wesley
Councilors
1. Enciso, Teresita Tess

Independents:
1. Baluran, Mike
2. Ecalne, Avelino Binoy
3. Echon, Vicente Enteng
4. Hipos, Romulo
5. Movilla, Dante
6. Ecalnir, Xanzo Beda Juancho
7. Fontillas, Pastor Totoy

Hello visitors!

I just want to send a shout-out to the folks who are visiting and posting message at our little chatboard here :) Pasensya na kayo kung hindi ako maka-reply, o kaya kung wala masyadong balita tungkol sa ating bayan. Susubukan ko mag-update ng mas madalas, kaso madalang din ang aking pag uwi kaya hindi rin ako nakaka-sagip ng balita.

Hello!

Resa
Michael Bulanday
M. Escalante
Rhenz
tedsr
cutelady eye

Sana po mabasa niyo to. Nagiisip ako na mag-start ng online forum for Candelarians, maybe somewhere where it would be easier for everyone to post their shout-outs, greetings, questions and the like. Please let me know if you're agreeable. Rhenz is also willing to host a site for us. Comment lang po kayo!

Another place to share stuff

We're at Tumblr too.

I'll be posting pictures, videos, comments and what not over there. If you have a Tumblr account, add it up and let me know if you'd like to be a contributor too. :)

News: Senator wants raps filed vs DENR, local execs abusing seashores

Senator wants raps filed vs DENR, local execs abusing seashores
via GMAnews.tv

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr on Monday called for the filing of cases against environment and local officials who have failed to implement the statutory ban on quarrying and mining along seashores.

Pimentel said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources should go after its field officials and local chief executives who have abused their authority by issuing permits to individuals and firms for the extraction of black sands and other minerals in areas that are off limits to mining and quarrying under existing laws.

"DENR and local government officials who have recklessly allowed these illegal and reprehensible activities should be held liable and criminally charged for flagrant violation of environment and mining laws," Pimentel said in a press statement.

He said the DENR should strictly implement the ban and impose sanctions on individuals and companies engaged in the activity.

He said the extraction of black sands on beach areas within a radius of 200 meters from the shores – known as salvage zone – destroys the natural protective barrier that prevents seawater from overflowing and causing floods in coastal villages.

"All mining and quarrying activities on seashore areas should be completely discontinued and banned because of the damage to the environment they are causing. Not only do they render the coastal communities vulnerable to natural disasters, they also cause degradation of adjoining agricultural lands because of the resulting intrusion of sea water," Pimentel said.

The senator made the statement after residents in coastal communities in Candelaria, Zambales and Isabela complained of black sand mining going on with impunity in their seashore areas.

He said in Zambales, a mining outfit, called Prime Picks Company, operated by a certain Roberto Go, has managed to engage in black sand mining despite strong opposition from the people.

The municipal council of Candelaria has sent a resolution to DENR Secretary Lito Atienza requesting him to stop the mining operation of Prime Picks.

Pimentel said mining malpractices like this justify the intervention of the DENR even if the issuance of small mining permits and certain environment protection functions have already been devolved to the local government units.

He made this observation in the face of the objections of provincial governors to a DENR order issued by Atienza requiring both big and small mining companies to secure permit from his office for exporting mineral ore to other countries.

Pimentel agreed with Atienza that there should be a mechanism by which the DENR should check and monitor compliance of mining firms with environment laws, the terms and conditions of their mining licenses and their tax obligations.

The new DENR order prescribes the guidelines for filing, processing and issuance of Mineral Ore Export Permit for transport and shipment of minerals outside the country. It aims to eliminate the undervaluation and misdeclaration in the exportation of mineral ores, like copper, iron and nickel, and to plug the loopholes in the collection of taxes from these materials.

Pimentel, principal author of the Small Scale Mining Act, said that with the issuance and implementation of the DENR order, the government will be able to effectively keep track of the movements of gold and other precious minerals especially from the Mount Diwalwal gold rush areas in Compostela Valley. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV

I had heard about the black sand mining during a recent trip home, but I don't know the details. It saddens me that people are willing to sacrifice the environment for their own financial gain. I hope this matter will be looked into and positive action be taken

Sen. Pimentel, FYI, is married to Bing Pimentel nee De La Llana of Candelaria, Zambales.

Conquer Zambales: The Sidetrip Travel Magazine Adventure Race

Sidetrip, a free quarterly travel magazine featuring new and exciting places to visit in the philippines, is hosting “Conquer Zambales: A Sidetrip Travel Magazine Adventure Race” this October 24 & 25. One hundred teams of two will complete various tasks in selected tourist attractions around Zambales. Each team must have their own car as a means of transportation around the province and must finish each task before moving on to the next.

Pre-registration is a must, and will end on October 20. For more deatails, please visit Sidetrip Magazine’s Multiply page. or check out www.conquerphilippines.com

This is a great opportunity for the province of Zambales to showcase its beauty to the rest of the country. I won't be able to join the contest, but I'm thrilled that Candelaria will also play a part in the race.

Crossposted: http://zambalesph.blogspot.com

More Cosme pictures

Mayor Jean Moraña distributes relief goods to residents of Candelaria, Zambales who lost homes and property during the recent storm, Cosme.



Pictures courtesy of waji722

Candelaria's Reefs

Just updated some of the codes in the site and while I was testing it, I came across this article about the recovering reefs of Candelaria, Zambales. It’s a very interesting read, mostly because I am not aware that our reefs were this extensive, nor was I aware that they were in that much danger.

Recovering Reefs Make a Splash: Candelaria Marine Sanctuary, Philippines

by Daisy Flores-Salgado and Toni Parras

Patrol boat on the shore of Candelaria Marine Sanctuary. Photo by Toni Parras

Introduction
Three young men were caught fishing illegally in the municipal waters of Candelaria. Their violation? It wasn’t their gear; the mesh size on their gill net was sufficiently large. Rather, they were fishing without registration, a mandatory and simple task that helps the town keep track of who and how many are fishing in their waters. In fact, they were not even from Candelaria, but from a neighboring town a few kilometers away. Imploringly, they asked the apprehending officer if they could register in Candelaria so that they could fish here.

"Why don’t you just fish in your own waters?" asked Pablito Echipare, the Bantay Dagat, or Fish Warden who had caught them fishing in clearly marked waters in plain site during the daytime.

"Because the fishing is much better here," replied the youths. "There are no fish in our waters."

"Well, then, why don’t you take care of your waters," posed the fish warden. "Why don’t you do what we are doing here?"

And what exactly are they doing in Candelaria that would entice fishers from other municipalities to risk arrest by openly partaking of Candelaria’s marine bounty? Residents have embarked on an initiative to save their waters and associated resources that has thus far proven successful.

Continue reading the article

As you can see, the article was written way back 2005. It would be interesting to find out what is the status of these reefs today. Candelaria is slowing coming into people’s awareness as a place to visit, and these reefs would be an additional tourist attraction.

It would also be great for the local government of Candelaria and its citizens to work together to help improve the town’s tourism industry and give its visitors a more memorable and worthwhile experience. We’re still trying to gain our feet from the recent devastation of the storm Cosme. Hopefully, we can take it from there.

Cosme aftermath

My sister's friend Waji posted pictures (taken by kanejdanna) about Cosme's aftermath in Candelaria. She was home for vacation and was celebrating with her family for a birthday and baptism when the storm hit. They were stuck at home for the entire day as it was very dangerous to venture out in the storm.

According to Waji, signals from the Philippines' major communications providers went down. Smart and Globe went first, then later Sun Cellular. Contacting people out of the town for help was impossible, as well as trying to get word from fellow Candelarians to see how they were doing.

The following day, Candelaria looked waaaaaay different. The electric cables were all on the ground. Big acacia and mango trees were on houses and establishments. The church, the school and the public library had some windows broken. Almost every corner you turn you'll see roofless houses. Some of the older structures looked like cardboard boxes on the ground. The town was, and I quote my mom, "extremely devastated".

These pictures were taken as proof to be submitted to the social works and community development to explain our town's need for funds to help our town rise again. The media had already shown how devastated Sta. Cruz (the town next to ours is) but they had moved past our town. Since the Chief of Police in our town conducted clearing operations on our highways very early in the day, the media who passed our town were not able to see how extremely devastated our town also was. That's why this album is an attempt to show our country, even the world, how lucky they are just sitting pretty at some place on this day when the super-typhoon hit our small town and made a lot of people homeless.

From: Bright Eyed and Bushytailed

Note: The main highway doesn't enter our town, so if you're driving a private vehicle and not taking the bus or any public transportation, you are very liable to miss the town proper.

Here's a few photos I got from Waji. Click on it to get to the album.



Cross posted:
Strangely out of place :: My LJ :: My Wordpress :: Zambales blog

Cosme in Candelaria

My mom sent a message that the recent storm, Cosme, uprooted several of the mango trees in our family's lot in Candelaria. This includes a huge tree that my grandfather planted fifty years ago that stands behind our ancestral house.

Years ago, another storm uprooted another tree, and they just propped it up until it took root again. I hope they can do the same for the other trees. I feel sad when I see suchs trees down.

Share your thoughts
I'd like to say thank you to those who visited and have found this blog useful for their trips to our town. For those who've been to Candelaria, if you have anything you'd like to share about your trip (experience, stories, pictures, vidoes, feedback about where you stayed, suggestions etc), feel free to let me know, and I'll put it here.

Not only will it be helpful for future visitors, it'll also help the townsfolk make your (next) stay better. Cheers!

Happy Fiesta!

The Candelaria Town Festival is set on April 4-7, if I am not mistaken. Everyone is invited to join in on the fun and celebration.

Updates to follow.

Discovering Putipot by Rheyda Hinlo and Medel Silvosa

Discovering Putipot
By Rheyda Hinlo and Medel Silvosa
Pinoycentric.com

Our quest for Putipot began when we started looking for a beach that was nice enough and near enough Manila for a weekend getaway. We also wanted it to fit our budget of P2,000 per person for the whole weekend and preferably somewhere we haven’t been to before. We were not just looking for any beach: we wanted one that was clean and uncluttered, preferably with white sand and clear water so we can check out the marine life.

We veered off from the usual choices such as Puerto Galera and the beaches of Batangas because we’ve been there a number of times. Pagudpud in Ilocos was far and the fare to and from Manila would already cost a sizeable portion of our budget.

Fortunately, a friend of ours suggested we go to an island off the coast of Zambales called Putipot. He asked, “Do you watch the local version of Marimar? Well, even if you don’t watch it, they shot the beach scenes in Putipot.” That got me curious. Well, if the TV crew thought it was a good place to shoot the teledrama, it was probably worth a weekend to check it out.

Google the words “Putipot + island + Zambales” and you get at least 442 hits. The Website ClicktheCity tells you all you need to know on how to get to the island. It’s good to read all the comments as it gives you the best tips on what route to take, what to bring, and how much things cost.

Read more