GANTIMPALA AGAD AWARD, DEP-ED PASSERS, AND THE TNHS FUND-RAISER

Kalinga-Apayao State College was one of the sponsoring agencies for this month’s first-Monday flag ceremony last September 1 at the Provincial Capitol. When our Director for Administration and Finane Rosalina Gunaban, and Board Sec Perfelia Buen called up to inform me of the MC task, I said yes (as if I had a choice, heheh) – knowing I would be able to gather juicy bits of info at the Capitol.

Civil Service Commission Director Nerissa Canguilan, a woman with a graceful aura around her, bestowed on District Engineer Leo Mustard the CSC Gantimpala Agad Award.

The Gantimpala Agad Award is a component of the Mamamayan Muna Program of CSC. Its primary goal is to give instant recognition and reward to government officials and employees who have rendered prompt, courteous, efficient and honest service, as well as heroic acts in the course of duty.

September, by the way is also the Civil Service month – and this month marks the 108^th year of the Commission.

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Congratulations to Mrs. Pansy Aquino and Mrs. Natividad Bayubay for having passed the Dep-Ed exams for superintendency. That’s two, out of the many who tried their luck. Schools Division Superintendent Norma Brillantes made the announcement.

Looks like there’s going to be a change in the occupant at the most coveted office at the Dep-Ed Division Office of Kalinga soon.

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My eye caught DTI’s Grace Baluyan in the flag ceremony gathering, wearing a barong in a lovely shade of green. On the other hand, I saw another female head of office who badly needs a hair treatment.

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The TNHS chorale, under Rizaldy Grindulo and Maribel Bravo, gave an excellent performance of the National Anthem and the Provincial Hymn.

Ruby Belgica, also of TNHS, brought along her dancers for a two-set ballroom presentation.

KASC’s cultural dance troupe, under choreographer Cyrila bawer, held the audience in awe with their “Segseg” performance.

Good thing we have teachers who efficiently train students, otherwise programs would be plainly boring – and remember that programs always rely on schools for additional color.

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Madam Remely Battikin of the Provincial Engineering Office (she prepared the program) still exudes that calm and confidence that I used to observe when she was still with us in KASC.

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Atty. Gelacio Bongngat, Provincial Administrator – when it was his turn to speak in behalf of the Governor – surprised me with his commanding presence – and he is young, take note.

Guru Press, through Gary Damian and Elizabeth Busacay, had a time with him later in the day – the output from which shall be featured next issue.

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Let’s go to TNHS. One parent commented on the canvassing process done for the fubd-raising activity in that school. After the simultaneous counting, each year level was called one after the other to announce the cash on hand. The first-year adviser then announced the total amount they had, followed by the second-year adviser, up to the fourth-year.

The parent’s issue was that to prevent the raising of doubts, the organizers could have simply asked all year levels to simultaneously post the respective amount counted.

The parent said, “If you’re going to call one year level after another, a smart-ass could simply add a little amount to top the previous announcement.”

TNHS people have to admit that, indeed, it is a legitimate argument.

Of course, nothing of the sort may have happened, in fairness to the organizers, but as we Tabukenos are fond of saying: “Tapnu koma awan ti agdiskumpliyado (so that no one may entertain doubts).”

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Bannawag, the premier Ilocano magazine, featured in its Sept. 8 issue the Sipag at Tiyaga awardees of sen. Manny Villar. The article shed spotlight on the 9 awardees from the north (Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras) – that’s 9 out of 16 winners nationwide.

Of course, Marie Saclag and Regina Madio were there in the article.