Basic Photography Workshop in Talakag

Photo credits to Den & Edison of Talakag Tourism Office

I felt honoured to have been invited to attend this workshop facilitated by the Talakag Municipal LGU and the Tourism Office.  The speakers (Karlo Jess, Roven, Justin, Eric and Jett) were from Xavier University, Development Communications Department.  They covered various topics from the origin of Photography, parts of the camera, and techniques on taking good photographs.  I have a Sony Digital camera that I just basically “point and shoot” but in just one afternoon, I have learned the fundamentals of Focus, Composition and Timing. The knowledge I acquired from this workshop has built up my confidence in Blogging and opened up possibilities.

The highlight of the workshop for me was the Photo Essay Activity towards the end.  We were sent out (with our XU DevCom mentors Mayen and Bianca) and challenged to take photographs applying the various techniques from exposure, metering, rule of third, symmetry, leading lines, pattern, texture, depth of field, juxtaposition, etc. and then tell a story using just 6 photos.  We had so much fun sharing and comparing our collection of photographs.  Below are some photos I took for consideration for the Photo Essay.  It's about the various people caught within the frame of one particular building in just half an hour.

I’m very grateful for this rare opportunity.  This workshop has really made me conscious now about taking photographs.  As the saying goes, “think before you click!”

A Talakagnon Is Amongst The Top 10 Social Worker 2015 Board Exam Scorers

Early this week, the results from the Social Worker Licensure Examination administered by the Board for Social Workers held July 29-30, 2015 have been released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

We are proud to see that KRISTINE ELLEN ACERET NGASO of Talakag, Bukidnon who graduated from Lourdes College in Cagayan de Oro City is among the top ten (10) highest scorers (see list below and click HERE for a complete list of results).

Congratulations Kristine and well done! 

Basketball Clinic in Talakag

My apologies for lagging behind with my blogging for the last 3 months, but life got in the way.  I’ve been away travelling but now that I’m back, welcome to my latest post.

Dayong Mendoza in Red

Dayong Mendoza, Assistant Coach for San Miguel Beer, was in Talakag today to conduct a basketball clinic as part of the LGU’s Youth Sports Programme.  He coached children at Elementary level this morning and continued with the High School level in the afternoon.  The clinic is aimed at developing young players’ basketball skills and techniques, thus raising the standard of our local basketball games in the near future.

Perhaps this experience will inspire them to maybe follow the footsteps of our very own famous Talakagnon celebrity, Bitoy Omolon, who also plays for San Miguel Beer.  Watch out Bitoy, some of these youngsters will soon be after your job!

Thanks to the LGU officials and staff who organized this event, and also to the Bighoop Foundation for their support and specially for inviting Dayong Mendoza and company.

Talakag Central School First Grand Alumni Homecoming 2014

Here are some photos from today's celebration.

 

Talakag Central Elementary School Reunion 2014

Its the 1st of April and the countdown begins towards the very first Talakag Central Elementary School Reunion.  Mark your calendars for the Alumni Homecoming on April 12 & 13.  If you graduated or (at some point) attended Talakag Central Elementary School, come visit your Alma Mater and reunite with your former classmates and schoolmates.  Its going to be a Summer to Remember!

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

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.