Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
Dec . 19 - 24 , 2016
Vanguard
2 dead , 40 in hospital from red tide toxins
By Miriam Desacada
TACLOBAN CITY – Some bad news for the Christmas season .
Health authorities here have confirmed the deaths of two residents in two separate towns in Biliran , while 40 others were rushed to the hospital due to red tide poisoning .
Boyd Cerro , chief of the Department of Health Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit , however did not identify the two fatalities , an 81-year old woman and a 13-year old boy , residents of Cabucgayan and Kawayan , respectively , both of Biliran province .
Thirty of those who were hospitalized were from Maripipi , an Island town of the same province of Biliran , after eating “ tahong ’ that drifted to the seashore of the municipality . Six others came from the Kawayan and four from Cabucgayan .
According to health authorities , the victims of the recent red tide poisoning are already safe from danger at the Biliran provincial hospital while still under observation . The Department of Health has appealed to the public , especially those who living in areas which the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ( BFAR ) has identified as contaminated with red tide not to eat shellfish unless the ban is already lifted .
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ( BFAR ) has expressed concern over the red tide hap-
Deadly shellfish in several bays in Samar and Biliran contaminated by red tide toxins
pening in Eastern Visayas which has already reported two fatalities .
BFAR said that the red tide toxins found some two months ago in Carigara Bay , Matarinao in Eastern Samar , in Maqueda in Catbalogan City , and Biliran waters have now spread to nearby areas such as Maqueda Bay , Villareal Bay and Carigara Bay .
Maqueda Bay is a major source of mussels for residents of different areas in Samar , including Jiabong , Catbalogan City , Motiong , Paranas , Pinabacdao , Hinabangan , San Sebastian , and Calbiga .
The mentioned areas also ship shellfish to Manila for export .
Meanwhile , another rich source of shellfish is Carigara Bay , Barugo , San Miguel , Leyte , and Capoocan town .
BFAR Regional Director Juan Albaladejo said that a
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family of seven from Cagutsan Village , Sierra Island in Catbalogan City were hospitalized after eating pen shell locally known as “ sarad .” The family was first brought to the Samar Provincial Hospital and then later to the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center .
To recall , two children in Samar in the months of May and July this year also died from red tide toxin .
It was learned from Cerro that residents of Kawayan and Cabucgayan consumed mussels which they bought from a village market . Two of their children suffered stomach pain and were hospitalized .
BFAR has asked local government units to assist in the information drive on the red tide . This includes the enforcement of shellfish ban , which strictly prohibits consumption , trading and transport of shellfish gathered from infested bays . #
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Chorale tilt attracts 9 towns from E . Samar
BORONGAN CITY , Eastern Samar ( PIA ) - The first ever Eastern Samar Christmas Choral Competition was held last December 19 , 2016 at the Mayor Luis Capito Cultural Stage , this city . The competition was conceived by the office of the congressman and the provincial government of Eastern Samar .
“ While I was contemplating on how we can nurture our culture peculiar to us as a province , what occurred to my mind maybe was the way we celebrate Christmas in this part of the country . This may not be so manifest in this initial event . However , I am sure this will attain its purpose as we do the succeeding events ,” Evardone said .
He added that culture is the best expression of our shared values . External influences may have diluted it but it is good to go back to tradition at least in the aspect of interpersonal relations and family ties .
In this year ’ s competition were 10 contestants from the different municipalities and one city . The competitors followed rules set up by the organizers . It was open to a singing group whether existing or to be assembled and / or whether school , church or any association -based in the municipality or a city or a combination , as may be appointed by the mayor to represent the municipality or city .
All members were residents of the municipality or city he or she represents . A minimum of 17 and a maximum of 27 members , inclusive of one accompanist and one conductor , constituted the chorale .
Three songs needed to be prepared by the competitors : Preparatory Song – An Waray-waray song ; Contest Piece – “ Simbang Gabi ” and
Cong . Cong . Ben Evardone
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
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Finale song – “ Ang Pasko ay Sumapit ”.
The criteria for judging were as follows : Stage Discipline – 10 %, Technique – 30 %, Musicianship – 30 %, and Performance – 30 % or a total score of 100 %.
The competition had three major prizes : Champion - P 50,000 , Donor : Cong . Ben P . Evardone ; Second Place – P 30,000 , Donor : Gov . Conrado B . Nicart , Jr ., Third Place – P 20,000 , Donor : Vice-Gov . Ferdinand Marcelo A . Picardal , and the consolation prizes of P 5,000 .
Donors were City Mayor Ma . Fe R . Abunda , Sangguniang Panlalawigan ( SP- Members ) Karen D . Alvarez and Annabelle A . Capito . A Plaque of Certificate of Participation was also given to the contestants .
The result of the competition were : Grand Champion - Eastern Samar State University ( ESSU ) Glee ; Second Prize – Municipality of Balangiga and the Third Prize – Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High ( ESNCHS ) School Teachers Chorale .
Cong . Evardone confirmed that next year ’ s competition will be represented by 22 municipalities and one city . Attendees in the event aside from the congressman were nine municipal mayors , the city mayor , two SP Members and two Sangguniang Panglungsod of Borongan City . #
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