RIP: Jocelyn Achas Villegas

It is with deep sadness that I write about the loss of a very dear friend on this blog. Joy, as she is fondly known by fellow Talakagnons, passed away earlier this week. The funeral will be held this Saturday in Talakag.

Joy served the LGU of Talakag, Bukidnon as Budget Officer since the late 1970s until early this year when she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

She will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with the family she left behind at this very difficult time.

Julie’s Bakeshop – Now Open for Business

Julie’s Bakeshop opened its branch in Talakag today. Throughout the day, the bakeshop personnel offered free bread and cake tasting opportunities to the public. In the afternoon, the children and passers-by were entertained by a performance from Julie, the Mascot.

Julie’s Bakeshop occupies part of the ground floor of the recently constructed commercial building owned by Ex-Mayor Amado Noble. This is situated beside Alex Noble’s residence and in the area where St. Benedict’s Pharmacy used to be before it was destroyed by that big fire in 2007.

This new bakeshop will now bring the total number of bakeries operating in Talakag to 8. Well its so obvious that Talakag residents are big bread and cake consumers.

Talakag Central School Library Is Open

This is it! It’s a dream come true for the pupils and teachers of Talakag Central School for they now have a very nice library that is well-stocked with 1,800 books and reference materials. These pupils may be in Talakag physically but they will now have the opportunity to travel in time and explore a different world through reading these books. This much needed school facility has been made possile by the generosity of donors through the BigHoop Charities, Inc. and HELP Foundation’s friends and families.

Today we witnessed the formal hand-over ceremony and opening of the Talakag Central School Library. It was such a news-worthy ocassion for both the school and the town that even ABS-CBN TV crew came to document the event. In attendance were Talakag Central School pupils and teachers, Bighoop Board Members and staff, LGU staff and distinguished guests including Dr Racoma (Bukidnon School Division Superintendent), Dr Ga (Talakag Central School District Superivisor), Mr Urbina (Talakag Central School Principal), Ms Maiatico (BigHoop In-country Director), Mr Felipe Bigcas (BigHoop President), Kagawad Factora, Kagawad Bigcas and Kagawad Taqueban (representatives from the LGU), Father Brigoli (St Joseph Parish Priest) and Pastor Rufino (General PTA President).

Special mention goes to the international guests of honour who travelled all the way from the USA Ms Kathy Parker, Ms Kathy Crosson and Ms Blanch Malankowski Smith. They all worked as US Peace Corps before, just like Ms Gerry Maiatico (mentioned earlier) and Mr Keith Hooper, the Founder of BigHoop Charities, Inc and HELP Foundation. They have volunteered to come to Talakag and worked hard in helping categorise and catalog the books and also in organising the successful library launch. This is also their way of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the US Peace Corps.

Acknowledgement:

Founder of BigHoop Charities, Inc and HELP Foundation
Mr Keith Hooper and, his wife, Ms Paterna Bigcas Hooper

Donors through BigHoop Charities, Inc. and
HELP Foundation

Library building renovation and books
Ayers family and friends “in memory of David Ayers”

Books
John and Mary Jan Crosson family
Ben and Carol Finch
Jolene Beckman
3rd Graders of Smith Center Kansas Elementary School
Dan Abrams family
Jessica Banthim family

US Peace Corps Returnee Volunteers
Blanche Malankowski Smith
Kathy Crosson
Kathy Parker
Gerry Maiatico

Library painting and decoration
Mr Jojo Rivera (BigHoop Artist and Trainor)
The Young Artists Club of Talakag Central School

Talakag Celebrates Farmers’ Day

For the very first time, Talakag celebrated Farmers’ Day over a 3-day period (August 17-19). The event was organised and sponsored by the Municipal Agriculture Office and the Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council. As usual it started with a civic parade, followed by an opening programme and cutting of ribbon to officially declare the event open.

Farmers from around Talakag gathered to exchange experiences and tips on successful farming. They also took the opportunity to attend seminars run by the Municipal Agriculture Office covering topics in line with this year’s theme “Ang Kakugi sa Pag-uma Maoy Pag-laum sa Lungsod”. Plaques of Recognition were awarded to Outstanding Farmers for 2011 while Plaques of Appreciation were given to Agro-Fair Exhibitors. Prizes were also awarded to winners of different game categories. Please check out the photos of activities below.

Dole's Fruit Cocktails and Various Vegetables for SaleRetired Teachers Association BoothMade to Order Bukidnon Dolls for SaleVarious Plants for SaleDel Monte Bananas for SaleBighoop Foundation Booth: Hamburgers, BBQs, Siomai & HandicraftsBighoop Women's Livelihood: Preparing Siomai for SaleDan Croft's Rabbits for SaleCatch the Piglet Game: The Winner Takes It Home

See the rest of the Booths below:

Korean Medical Mission Is Welcomed by Talakag Residents

A Korean group from Bethel Church, Korea were in town to conduct a Medical Mission organised by the Immanuel Mission Mindanao Churches led by Rev Eun Seo. They were assisted by the Local Government Unit.

Talakag residents gathered at the Town Plaza Covered Court to receive free medical and health services from Korean Doctors, Nurses, Surgeons, Dentists, Opticians and Pharmacists. Patients, whilst waiting for their turn, were entertained by Korean musicians, artists and dancers. Activities prepared for the children included balloon modelling, face-painting and picture-framing. Those in need of some pampering only were offered free Korean-style manicures.

There was something for everyone, from consultations, tooth extraction, surgery, free reading glasses and medicines, to free manicures, entertainment and even snacks.

Here’s a big thank you to our new Korean friends and we wish them safe journey back to Korea.

Saint Joseph High School General Alumni Homecoming Set for December 2011

For the Attention of Saint Joseph High School Alumni

SJHS will hold a General Alumni Homecoming over a three-day period in December here in Talakag, Bukidnon. So fellow SJHS alumni please mark your calendars and keep December 27, 28 and 29 free to attend this affair. For those who are now living away from Talakag, please come home for Christmas and take this rare opportunity to meet and reminisce with old SJHS classmates, schoolmates and teachers. The last General Alumni Homecoming was held in 2000 when SJHS celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

The following has been agreed at the recent Alumni Meeting held during the SJHS Foundation Day:

1. A Batch Representative will be appointed to help coordinate activities and disseminate information to its members.

2. Registration fee will be 5,000 pesos per Batch (NOT per person) to help defray some of the expenses for the occasion and raise funds for the school’s concrete fence and gate project.

3. The teams will be colour-coded and comprise the following:

White - Batches 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010
Gray - Batches 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011
Mint Green - Batches 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992 and 2002
Orange - Batches 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993, and 2003
Red - Batches 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994 and 2004
Green - Batches 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2005
Lilac - Batches 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996 and 2006
Blue - Batches 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997 and 2007
Yellow - Batches 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008
Pink - Batches 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999 and 2009

4. Proposed Program of Activities includes:

Thanksgiving Mass and Basket Supper
Sports Fest
Variety Show
Gabii sa Kabulakan (reviving the past style of Bayle)
Gabi ng Parangal

For further inquiries, please leave a message in the comments section below or contact any of the newly elected SJHS Alumni Association Officers:

President - Josephine Daumar Picut
Vice President - Roschelle Dagaraga
Secretary - Patty Aznar
Treasurer - Jean Suzette Macapayag
Auditor - Roniel Tinoy
Press Relation Officer - Ma Lourdes Santiago Cunningham

Please help pass this information on and invite your batch mates and other alumni you know to attend the SJHS General Alumni Homecoming. Hope to see and party with as many of you in December.

St Joseph High School’s 61st Foundation Day

St Joseph High School is 61 years old today but this is actually the very first time that the school celebrated its Foundation Day. I’m sure this is going to be the first of many. To mark this special occasion, the alumni were invited to join in the celebration. The day started with a mass, followed by a parade around the town. There was a short program at the school’s covered court with presentations from current students, in line with the theme this year “Reminiscing the Wonders of the Earth with Much Thanksgiving”; whilst selected alumni were invited to do the Invocation (Mrs Genelyn Bacarro Macapayag - Batch 98), Pambansang Awit (Mrs Jenelyn Heramis Galgnara - Batch 97), Opening Remarks (Mrs Ginny Alma Laguardia Cabasa - Batch 83) and the “History of St Joseph High School” (Mrs Ma Lourdes Santiago Cunningham - Batch 75).

After the program, the SJHS Alumni Association held a meeting and elected a new set of officers. By far the best part was catching up with old classmates and schoolmates during lunch. The celebrations continued in the afternoon with Sports and Games.

Check out the pictures below and see if you can still recognise your batchmates.