Naga City BNS wins Regional Nutri Quiz for second straight year

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec 13 (PIA) —- The Nutrition Communication Network (NUTRICOMNET) Bicol once again sponsored a competition among grassroots workers to ascertain the skills of barangay nutrition scholars (BNS); this is now on its third year.

Eleven finalists representing the provinces and cities of the region competed in a two-hour, two-level rounds of the Nutricomnet Regional Nutri Quiz held at the Pacific Mall Legazpi City last December 5.

For two straight years, the finalist from Naga City was declared winner. Marilou Jimenez of Barangay Carolina won a microwave oven as the champion; Mary Jane Macapagal of Brgy. Tugos West District, Sorsogon City got a turbo broiler as first runner-up while Eugenia Paa of Brgy. Lupi, San Fernando, Camarines Sur earned a rice cooker as second-runner up.

All finalists gained P1,000 each as finalists to the annual nutria-quiz. They were Karen Ortega Cortez, Brgy. Poblacion, Guinobatan Albay; Babelyn de Luna Ibias, Bgy. San Antonio, Labo, Camarines Norte; Ederlina L. Avila, Bgy. Ibong Sapa, Virac, Catanduanes; Rey Lofamia, Brgy. Abucay, Pilar, Sorsogon; Edvit G. Balang, Brgy. La Anunciacion, Iriga City; Aura Jane Toledo, Brgy. Pigcale, Legazpi City; Emily Atienza, Brgy. Bay, Ligao City; and Marsha Boqueo Bondoy, Brgy. Visita, San Miguel Island, Tabaco City.

Finalists from Masbate province and Masbate City failed to attend the contest due to inclement weather in their area.

The contest was a battle of wits among provincial and city winners who currently served as BNS. The questions asked, centered on the important role they play in the delivery of health and nutrition services at the grassroot level. These services are intended to improve the living conditions of family members especially infants and children.

The conduct of the Nutricomnet Bicol Regional Nutri-Quiz year 3 was a collaborative effort of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Bicol, National Nutrition Council (NNC), Commission on Population (POPCOM), and the inter-agency Nutricomnet.

Philippine Information Agency regional director Eduardo A. de Leon, who chairs the network, said that the annual event is a friendly competition designed to test the current skills of BNS. Questions asked in the quiz were related to their jobs.

Dr. Alejo S. Aralar, head of the family cluster of the DOH, announced that the department will continue in collaborating with the endeavor as it is beneficial to the barangay workers.

The members of the board of judges in said event was chaired by Dr. Aralar, with HBC-DWZR Managing Director Czechs Baldo, KBP Albay chair Edgar Barrameda, S&T private sector representative Purita Balean, Ph.D., and FBN-DZRC production Manager Jess Magayanes as members. (AAN-PIA 5)

Army's 903rd Infantry Brigade celebrates 2nd founding anniversary, honors civilian and military personnel

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, December 13 (PIA) -- A colorful celebration which started with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Fr. Benny Furo , parish priest of the Parish of San Juan Bautista, marked the 2nd founding anniversary of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, 9th Infantry Batallion Philippine Army (PA) based in Barangay Poblacion, Castilla, Saturday, December 8

Deputy Brigade Commander, Col. Audie Delizo GSC (INF) PA welcomed the participants, guests and awardees during the opening program.

The occasion according to him was a celebration of the brigade for the attainment of peace and development along the countryside and a gesture to extend honor to the awardees, the people who supported the brigade attain its mandate.

Col. Felix J. Castro ,Jr. INF (GSC) PA Brigade Commander assisted by Col Deliso presented and awarded the plaque of appreciation to the 15 civilian awardees comprising of Governor Raul R. Lee of the province of Sorsogon; Gov. Rizalina Seachon Lanete of Masbate ; Ms. Tina Monzon-Palma of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., Sagip Kapamilya; Mayor Olivia Bermillo of Castilla ; Mayor Enrico Z. Capinig of Aroroy , Masbate ; PSSupt. John Cornelius A. Jambora, Philippione National Police provincial director of Sorsogon; PSSupt. Heriberto O. Olitoquit, PNP provincial director of Masbate; Municipal Councilors Jesus M. Agarap and Joey Bitancur and Barangay Captain Antoino Ortiz, all of the local government of Castilla.

Other awardees included Dir. Maria Eileen A. Jose, PAMANA Coordinating Unit for Luzon and Visayas, Vince Nato, chief of staff, Office of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Ms Irma A. Guhit, information center manager, Philippine Information Agency; Mr.Andy Espinar, president, Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters sa Pilipinas , Sorsogon Chapter and Mrs. Cristina J. Racelis, provincial tourism officer, province of Sorsogon.

Col Castro expressed his gratitutde to the awardees who he said were instrumental in supporting the brigade become the 2nd top troop in the country last year and for this year based on their community involvement and overall performance specially in promoting peace and development in their area of assignment.

He also presented the military awardees with Sgt. Gerardo A. Timple as this year's recipient of the Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal with eight others ; TSG Luisito C. Rodriguez and 80 others receiving the Military Merit Medal (MMM) and SSg. Jose Sincua and 41 others together with SSg Rico S. Guban of the 74 6606 (Inf) PA and 7 others of the 96 MICO receiving the Military Commendation Medal (MCM).

In his inspirational message Col. Castro said the brigade intends to pursue the peace and development goals of the government under the "bayanihan spirit" enjoining everyone especially the community to become relentless in the pursuit of attaining peace and extending peace through development programs and projects.

He thanked all partner agencies, local governments and the community in the realization of several programs and projects which were implemented and now providing the community the benefits of a better quality of life from schools, roads, scholarships and medical missions that he said will help secure the future of the people in the community.

He also stressed the importance of shared partnership and the support of the local government of Castilla through Mayor Bermillo for the lot donation given to the brigade.

The celebration was also graced by the Himig Kapitolyo who provided the Christmas serenade during lunch entertaining, guests and the people in the community.

A Christmas party was also held in the evening for the brigade which was graced by members of the media community here and people from the nearby barangays of Castilla town. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Rotary Club sponsors 'Search for 10 Outstanding Students of Sorsogon'
by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, Dec 13 (PIA)-- Twenty students in the secondary and six students in the tertiary level vied yesterday here at the Sorsogon City Social Hall(SCFH) in the biennial "Search for the Ten Outstanding Students of Sorsogon (TOSS)."

The students were recommended by their corresponding schools based on their academic accomplishments, competitions won (provincial, regional, national, and international ), and the personal profile of each student. These were submitted to the RCMS for final screening, validation, and shortlisting.

Twenty students from the secondary emerged as finalists while six students from the tertiary were qualified for the final interview.

The final selection process for the 10 outstanding students was based on the 70 percent academic/ and extra-curricular school accomplishments while 30 percent was based on the personal interview conducted individually by the five members of the panel of judges.

The criteria for the interview was more on the communication skills, fluency, articulateness, manner of presentation or introduction of the finalist, their potentials, and visions as expressed in their answers.

Members of the board were made to question the finalists and the students were to answer each question within a specified number of minutes.

Seven winners from the secondary emerged as winners with the corresponding ranking: first, Yves Tracy S. Calleja of the Sorsogon National High School; 2nd, Eiza May B. Balaguer of the Holy Spirit Academy of Irosin; 3rd, Megan Joy A. Guela of Bulan National High School; 4th, Julliene L. Valenzuela of St. Louise De Marillac College of Sorsogon; 5th, Franco Avelino Hilotin A. of Magallanes National Vocational High School; 6th Jade Nicholas Fabella of of AG Villaroya Technological Foundation Institute Inc.; and 7th Ruby Jean C. Diaz of the latter school.

The first two top positions in the tertiary level were bagged by the Computer communication Development Institute (CCDI) Melvin John N. Frivaldo and Jason L. Castillo, while and the third place went to Juvylyn I. Giga of Sorsogon State College, Bulan Campus.

RCMS president, Anthony Bravo said that this search for the outstanding students of Sorsogon started two years ago and in support of the month - long celebration of the Sosogon Festival, the founding anniversary of the city of Sorsogon, this search is a fitting gesture to honor students who will lead the way to be emulated as the word "sosogon" connotes.

Members of the board of judges were composed of Gen. Ireneo Manaois, city administrator, Sorsogon City ; Msgr. Gerry del Prado, parish priest of Our Lady of Fatima Parish; Dr. Danilo L. Despi , Sorsogon City Schools Division, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent; Irma A. Guhit; Information Center manager, Philippine Information Agency; and Dr. Jean Paullete Salilima-Go, CHED-RO V Education supervisor II for Communication and Humanities, who served as chair of the panel.

The competition was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Metro Sorsogon (RCMS) in cooperation with four endorsing agencies, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), National Youth Commission (NYC), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) office here.