Batchmates attended the 5th Caraga Mining Summit

Three Batch 98 Alumni participated in the 5th Caraga Mining Summit and Exhibition on April 23-24, 2009 at the Hotel Tavern Surigao, Surigao City with the theme, "Adopting Best Mining Practices through Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable and Self-Reliant Mining Communities".

Rennel Dalagan of DTI-RuMEPP facilitated the trade and exhibit booth of DTI as well as attended the discussion, Jessalyn Abonates of MRL Gold also took charge of their company exhibit, and Jun Piong of Surigao Chamber oversees and supervises the operation of the event as point person of the venue preparation.

The Caraga Mining Summit is a bi-annual conference of the mining sector in Caraga organized by the Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region and CREDO with the support of the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau. The event is sponsored by the Growth with Equity in Mindanao under the USAID. Cooperators include the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, the City Government of Surigao, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Provincial Mining Investors Assistance Center.

The event culminated with a 2-day Jobs Fair held at the Hotel Tavern Surigao where a number of job applicants flocked the venue to seek employment. The Jobs Fair was facilitated by the Department of Labor and Employment-Caraga Region XIII through the Surigao Local Offices and Public Employment Services Office.

Around 300 participants coming from the different areas of the region and country attended the conference with dignitaries that includes H.E. German Ambassador Delia Albert who shared the thrust of Germany's assistance towards the development of the region.


Rennel Dalagan and Jesalyn Abonates in the MRL Gold's booth


Jesalyn Abonates and Jun Piong in MRL Gold's booth


Jesalyn Abonates and Jun Piong at the foyer of the venue. (Ms. Abonates is the Star of the Event. Lol)

Girlie's Birthday

Last February 20, 2009 was Girlie Dejolde's birthday.

The invitation call was late and emergency that's why only few came. Some of the invitees already took their dinner. Fortunate for me who eats dinner very late so i was able to join in.

We dined at a barbecue grill somewhere along the Bilang-Bilang then went to Jannex to hangout and celebrate her birthday. In the crowd we saw Frederic Bonilla and his partner and in another table beside us the group of Rhea Abian and Elizaga.

Thank you for the treat ma'am and happy 70th birthday!

Maribel's Nightout

When anything else fails, the Batch 98 will not run out of an option...

Due to unavoidable circumstances where the supposed house party of Secretary Maribel Heider in celebration of her birthday last 31st of January did not push through (January 30 is her exact birthdate), we drove down to Bilang-Bilang's barbecue stands to look for our own version of a party. Almost all of us were hungry (assuming that we will be full during the party) that time.

After filling our tummy with enough barbecues, we had a one hell of a partee in Subangan (alert if there are eyebrows rising).

It was a blast of fun we did not expect. Not just ordinary chit chatting. There was a showdown in videoke scores, and most of all we all have a good laugh.

Sikreto/Confidential/Ssshhh: Pauline went ahead of us. There was this young fafa who picked herm up. Wahekhek!

Jessie Vargas, Pauline Alfante, John Philip Bullo, Rennel Dalagan, Ako, Girlie Dejolde, Florinda Caba, Karen Alinsunod, and Venos Monato. Taking the photo: Jade Ricablance. Anyone who would like to join?

It is not too late, our dear friends. Let's keep the numbers growing. Join us!

Next fellowship meeting would be this Friday Night, February 13, 2009. Venue to be identified.

Donna Galve weds Joven Requina

Batchmate Donna Galve ties knots and exchanged vows of marriage with Mr. Joven Requina of Brgy. Honrado, San Francisco, Anao-aon last January 24, 2009 at the City Cathedral, Surigao City.

The wedding was attended by more than a hundred guests, relatives, friends, and loved ones who witnessed their ceremony of marriage led by Fr. Almario Alcala, DCS. Provincial Vice-Governor Noel P. Catre, whom Mr. Requina worked before, was one of the principal sponsors.

The reception followed at the City Cultural Center in City Hall celebrated by a short program of customs and traditions.

From the SNNHS Batch 98, best wishes to you Mrs. Donna Galve-Requina!

SPUS Variety Show

With me, friends Girlie Dejolde and Florinda Caba and newly wed couple Donna Galve and Joven Requina joined forces last Sunday, January 25, 2009 in watching the Variety Show organized by the St. Paul University Surigao (SPUS) as one of the activities in celebration of the St. Paul Day.

Thanks to a co-officer in the SPUS Tertiary Alumni, Randy Retulla, for the VIP treatment.. he placed us in the front row.

The show was very entertaining. It was a mix of modern and folk entertainment. But we particularly like the preservation of the latter. We enjoyed the interpretative dance of 'Anak', the folk dances including tinikling among others, and the harana.

Well-interpreted Anak

One world, one voice

That's front row...

Not just SNNHS Alumni, SPUS by heart also

Nostalgia

Last Saturday, January 17, 2009, was a return to the alma mater where I earned my higher education, the Saint Paul University Surigao, for an invitation to the Tertiary Alumni Association Meeting. With me is batchmate Karen Alinsunod who even though didn’t have plans to attend and just happen to be there to get the requested docs from the registrar, I was able to bring her in.

As far as i can remember, 2005 was I guess my last step in the institution that I consider the foundation of who I am now. Even though I frequently pass by the SPUS compound, I just couldn’t find the time or purpose to drop by. And I terribly missed going there once again. More so when I learned that a familiar figure of the institution has returned, now SPUS President Sr. Merceditas Ang, SPC. She reminded me of my beloved boss, SNC Former President Sr. Marie Renee Javato SPC, to whom I served as a working student.

After some several attempts, the longing was finally given relief. Last Saturday was a renewed memory of acquaintances with the familiar faces of the faculty and staffs of the university. Together with Karen, I ramble around the facades and corners of the SPUS.

Devouring on the tasty bread at the canteen.

Picture with the classrooms i attended.

Karen posing at the lobby near the library and the Audio Visual Room.

Pose with the painted corner near the stairway.

Although the meeting was for another purpose, for me it seems a homecoming and the cozy welcome of my friends in the crowd made my homecoming warm. SPUS is a home to me.

Anyway, the tertiary alumni meeting was called to gauge strategies that would encourage the college alumni to actively participate in the annual homecoming and other activities of the university. This is to address the disconcerting incidence of college alumni not participating in every homecoming and other activities of SPUS because for some reason college graduates seems alienated. I was nominated for president (by Dr. Guerra and Mrs. Ariar) but I turned down the nomination in favor of being the chairman of the SNNHS Batch 98. But eventually, I was elected as Auditor together with Karen elected as representative to the College of Teacher Education.


After the tertiary alumni meeting, we personally pay a visit to SPUS President Sr. Merceditas Ang, SPC who have forgotten my face. Dean of Accountancy and Business Department Erlita Guerra accompanied me. The chit chat we had was an account of reminiscence. And i went out of the university warm-hearted and promised to visit as much as possible.


To those who feel the same nostalgia I had, tonight is very timely as SPUS organized a variety show starred by the institution’s premier talents. Tonight is the opportunity to look back and experience the Nicolanian/Paulinian spirit, whatever it is.

The variety show will run in January 22, 23, 25, at 7:30pm in SPUS Gym. Come, let’s watch!