ESCALANTE CITY@10 WRAPS UP FEBRUARY WITH CHARTER CELEBRATION

ESCALANTE CITY: The 10th Charter Day Celebration of Escalante City was staged last February 27-28, 2011. The two-day festivities were opened with a Holy Mass at Mount Carmel College sponsored by the City Government on the 1st day followed by the 4th Cheeri Dance Competition among elementary and secondary schools. Escalante Central Elementary School and Escalante National High School bagged the Grand Prize in their respective categories. The day was closed with the talent competition of the 10 candidates on Lin-ay sa Escalante at the public plaza for the selection of the top 3 slots that will compete for the best in talent during the coronation night the following day. A night cap was held with 13-Inch Band of Bacolod City lead the body-shake until the wee hours in the morning.
The 2nd day was highlighted by the three major activities namely, the Kasalan ng Bayan spearheaded by the City Civil Registrar in line with the National Civil Registry Month. It’s a unique wedding ceremony this time considering that Catholic Couples were solemnized by a priest at Mount Carmel Parish Church while the non-Catholic was solemnized by a pastor at the City Hall. Reception program was held at the Public Plaza. The afternoon were teemed with youngsters as the SK Federation managed an SK Afternoon of Dance Competition while at the Social Hall a skill Olympics was in progressed hosted by the PESO (City Public Employment Service Office). The winner for the Table skirting was Brgy Dian-ay, for the Make Over was Brgy Old Poblacion, Cake Decoration was Brgy. Balintawak while the best web page design was won by Edlem Deanon.
Mayor Melecio J. Yap, Jr., who was on official trip to Vietnam presented his i2011 Update on Selected Areas Update on Selected Areas on the State of the Local Governance of Escalante for CY 2010 which was was aired at 7:00 PM at the Public Plaza as Pre- Coronation highlights. The humble mayor in his stressed on the developmental projects that was accomplished and to be implemented. He also encouraged Escalantehanon to cooperate with the administration for more participative governance which he envisioned since day one of his term.

The celebration was topped with the coronation of the Lin-ay sa Escalante. Ms Cindy Aislyn Tolentino of Brgy Dian-ay representing Brgys Magsaysay, Tamlang, Binaguiohan and Dian-ay was unanimously adjudged for the crown with Ms Cristy Mae Mendoza of Brgy Mabini was the 1st Runner-up. Ms. Shiela Mae Agabon who represented Brgys. Buenavista, Rizal, Japitan and Langub was the 2nd runner-up. Ms Tolentino bagged also the Best in Talent, Best in Interview, Best in Production Number and Miss Natasha while Ms. Mendoza was the Miss Congeniality, Best in Swim Suit and Best in Evening Gown. Miss Agabon pocketed the best in Festival Costume while Ms Gigi Agsoy was the Miss Photogenic. Miss Rhea Agabon was awarded as Ms Ever Bilena.
The 2nd night was concluded with a party band, Route88 of Bacolod City, which left all the young and old alike in festive mood until the early hours of March 1.

CCRO CONDUCTS KASALAN NG BAYAN 2011

The Office of the City Civil Registrar of the Escalante City conducted the KASALAN NG BAYAN last February 28, 2011 at Escalante Central Elementary School Gym in celebration of the 10th Charter Anniversary of the City with the theme “Escalante 10: Celebrating a Decade of Triumph and Transformation”.
Acting City Mayor Hon. Ester M. Ampil with City Councilors congratulated the Ninety Four (94) newly -wed couples before their Parents, Principal Sponsors, and Relatives Mayor Melecio J. Yap, Jr. is in a working trip in the Republic of Vietnam and his full support of the activity. Together with the Acting Mayor Ampil were SP Virgie A. Pastor, SP Eddie P. Villalon, SP Noli F. Mendoza, SP Alfonso A. Francisco and SP Romeo B. Torres.
There were two venues for this year’s KASALAN, the civil wedding rite officiated by Acting Mayor Ester Ampil at the ECES Gym and the catholic mass wedding at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Church officiated by Rev. Fr. Jerry Sabado, O. Carm.
Regional Director of NSO Region V1, Engr. Norman R. Julag-ay and the NSO Provincial Statistics Officer of the Province of Negros Occidental, Engr. Fred S. Sollesta graced the said event. The Regional Director in his message emphasized to the newly-wed couples the importance of getting married either by License or Article 34. He further explained the requirements of Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) to foreigners who intent to marry here in the Philippines and likewise the effect of marriages that happened after the birth of the child which has a legitimizing effect on the child’s birth registration.
This endeavor is in line with CCR’s celebration of Civil Registration Month 2011 being held every February with a theme “Quality Civil Registration in Support of National Development Goal”, In this 80th year of celebration, CCRO held an ahead free civil registration inside the office last Friday, February 25, 2011.
Prepared by: THELMA G. FRANCISCO
City Civil Registrar
Escalante City
March 4, 2011