EARTH HOUR 2012 :: PROGRAMME

Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support the largest environmental event in history – Earth Hour.  

More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action for the planet. Without a doubt, it’s shown how great things can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.

source:http://www.earthhour.org/page/about/about-earth-hour

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February is Arts Month

‘Antigone’ on stage opens city Sining sa Barangay

Garbed in colorful Kimonos and waving the traditional hand fans as creative props, Teatro Guindegan artists of La Salle University took center stage on February 24, 2012 at B/Morales Gymnasium as they brought to life the story of “Antigone” in Japanese adaptation to open Sining sa Barangay, an 8-month community arts training program intended for the community youth of the 27 Barangays of the City of Koronadal.

Sining sa Barangay offers Panday Sining I and II, Likha Sining and the Sining sa Barangay Festival. The Panday Sining, a 3-day Trainer’s Training for Community Theater Artists from different public high schools, is a skills training-workshop that molds participants into a school-based/community artists capacitated in producing Community Theater and Improvisation Theater. The 2nd trainer’s training-workshop on Panday Sining II, scheduled between April to May 2012, is more on planning workshop with advanced training in community theatre.

Meanwhile, Likha Sining, a 3-day Community Theatre Workshop between March to September 2012, is intended for barangay youth or barangay high school kids to get a taste of the real theater world.

A Sining sa Barangay Festival will cap the series of workshops where participants are expected to mount a short drama on stage with the help of drama facilitators who are locally trained artists. The short drama piece will then be performed in the festival to showcase the voice of the community youth divided into two parts: the performance night and the awards night.

“Antigone”, then, was the first exposure of the participants to the art of theatre-making introducing them to a fusion of Asian and contemporary staging.

Sining sa Barangay is incorporated in the conduct of the Programang Bayanihan sa Mamamayan in the different barangays of the city with Mayor Peter B. Miguel signifying his full support to youth empowerment through Arts in his message during the said program.

The program holder, the Office of the Koronadal Investment and Promotions Center (KIPC) headed by Manager Gemma Amor E. Panza, had identified 8 public high schools as recipients of the program. The Koronadal Hinugyaw Dance Troupe, KIPC staff and Mr.Felimon Blanco of Teatro Guindegan are the organizers of the program.

                                                                                                                                        

By: Caroline G.Mariano                     

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Cakes for Dogs highlight Dog-A-Palooza

“DOG…the only creature on earth that loves you more than himself…” was inscribed in the big heart-shaped cake’s frosting served to 132 dogs present during the 1st Dog-A-Palooza last February 10 at the Rizal Park. An ordinary cake garnished with dog food made the occasion extraordinary with the message of renewed attention on giving importance to dogs as man’s best friend. Another big cake was enjoyed by 109 pet owners.

“A-palooza is a Norwegian word which means exaggerated party overnight. But here in the city of Koronadal, we launched the 1st Dog A-palooza to promote responsible dog ownership...”, City Veterinarian Dr. Charlemagne S. Calo said in his message.

Fun games like the search for the cutest dog, best dog kisser and earliest dog to arrive invigorated the spirit of friendly competition among dog owners. Ms. Prime Veñola brought home a poodle-bred puppy after winning the raffle. Free rabies vaccination and 50% discount for PARVO vaccine by Animal Saver Veterinary Clinic were among the medical services offered. Free giveaways such as dog food, dog shampoos and milk were also distributed. Meanwhile, 170 photos were printed for free for those who availed of the free photo booth shots.

During the opening ceremony, City Mayor Peter B. Miguel expressed his desire to acquire a dog for himself and be a responsible dog owner too. As the city government continuously intensifies its campaign for Huwag maging “IDO” or “Iresponsableng Dog Owners,” it is expected that with the conduct of the said activity, incidents on dog abuse, bites and rabies shall be given ample attention.                                                 

  more pix: click

By: Carol Mariano

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Bayanihan comes alive! More than a thousand faces smile in B/San Jose

With beaming faces and happy disposition as shown by their hopeful smiles, more than a thousand folks trooped early to San Jose Gymnasium on February 10, 2012 as LGU-Koronadal brought the City Hall services to Barangay San Jose through a program dubbed as Programang Bayanihan para sa Mamamayan (PBM).

As a true replica of a one-stop-shop, services ranging from Civil Service Registry down to cattle branding were brought by the City to the barangay - the most popular of which were the medical and dental services from the City Health Office.

Other offices mostly visited were the City Mayor’s, City Nutrition, City Comelec and City Civil Registry. Mayor Peter B. Miguel, playing the dual role as a mayor and as a doctor, juggled his way to a long queue of patients/clients from the barangay and also entertaining other visitors coming to San Jose for an audience with him. Although not a part of the regular services of the LGU, libreng gupit, pungos and baid( free haircut, tying of hair especially for kids and sharpening of tools) also took center stage with baid as the busiest nook until late in the afternoon.

Mayor Lina Montilla of the City of Tacurong graced the Opening Ceremony as a guest especially invited by Mayor Miguel. The City of Tacurong also conducts their City Hall sa Barangay in the same manner.

As the first barangay to play host to and beneficiary of this activity, B/San Jose was also supported by other chairmen of other barangays who also came to witness the conduct of the activity for their own preparation during their respective turns. Henceforth, this program will be made available to all other 26 barangays of the city throughout the year.

Some Sangguniang Panlungsod members came and also offered goodies to the beneficiary folks such as arroz caldo from Councilor Mark Lapidez and lomi from Councilor Rogelio Cadilleno. Libreng gupit was courtesy of Councilor Oscar Pagunsan. Councilors Floro Calixton, Jr., Erlinda Araquil, Reynaldo Millan, and Ester Catorse with some staff from the office of Vice Mayor Eliordo Ogena also witnessed the activity.

The barangay council of barangay San Jose headed by B/Captain Jaime Sunio was very thankful for the successful holding of the whole day affair and for the city’s services that were made available to San Jose constituents.

more pics: click

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PAINT THE CITY HALL RED

Red says it all for valentine!

And the City Hall lobby and the rest of the offices were donned with red heart decorations coming in tarpaulins, balloons and cut-outs as the city government of Koronadal celebrated Valentine’s Day this year.

A Photo booth was set up with employees enjoying a pose or two during their breaks. A “freedom wall” was also put up for those who want to express their sentiments and feelings on love and valentine. A giant red balloon arcade complete with red carpet served as centerpiece decoration and also a venue for more picture-taking.

Hooked by the ambience of the lobby, city hall visitors and clients did not let the moment pass without their own pictures taken all over the place.

Some of the offices also had their own simple gimmick like gift-giving, food and candies to the delight of their clients. Mayor Peter B. Miguel exerted effort to send a bouquet of flowers to each of his cabinet members despite his being out of the country on that day as he took off for Cambodia to represent the League of Cities of the Philippine (LCP) in an international workshop-conference for economic development.

Through the initiative of Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) headed by City Government Department Head (CGDH) 1 Hazel A. Lebanan, all city employees were made to wear red outfit on the said date that added more color to the gaiety.

By: Bic F. Manato

more pics: click

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