Recently the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that over 1.5 million voters nationwide have registered for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections as of January 21, according to a GMA Network news report. Take note that the registration process will officially end today.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…
Over 1.5 million voters have registered for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) as of January 21, data from the Commission on Elections showed.
Based on the latest figures released by Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco, there are 1,530,317 who have processed their registration through the regular process, while there are 8,651 who registered through the Registration Anywhere Project.
The latest figures bring the total number of registrants to 1,538,968 for the 2023 BSKE. Of this, 931,256 are new registrants.
Most of the new registrants are 15 to 17 years old with 442,330; 18 to 30 years old with 397,323; and 31 and above with 86,818. The voter registration will end on January 31.
In an interview with reporters, Comelec Chairman George Garcia reiterated that there will be no extension of registration period for the 2023 BSKE.
However, they will accommodate those who will be lining up to the Comelec registration sites until 5 p.m. on January 31.
“Kung pagdating ng alas singko sa bawat registration sites ay may nakapila pa, kukunin po lahat ng pangalan ng nakapila, at sila ay patuloy pa ring irerehistro,” he said.
(Those who are in queue by 5 p.m. will still be accommodated in all registration sites.)
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this new development? Are there lots of people in your local community who wanted to get registered for this year’s Barangay-SK elections but still have not yet registered for some reason?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
It is official! In case you missed out on the news, the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will take place not this year but on October 2023 as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., signed the law of election postponement, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported. The Barangay and SK polls were originally scheduled to take place this December.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed a law postponing the December 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
Republic Act (RA) No. 11935, signed by Marcos on Oct. 10, postpones the Barangay and SK elections on Dec. 5 this year to the last Monday of October 2023.
“There shall be synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which shall be held on the last Monday of October 2023 and every three years thereafter,” the law reads.
Under RA 11935, the term of office of the Barangay and SK officials will commence at noon of Nov. 30 following their election.
“Until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, all incumbent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials shall remain in office, unless sooner removed or suspended,” it added.
Barangay and SK officials who are ex officio members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, or Sangguniang Panlalawigan will continue to serve as such members in the Sanggunian concerned until the next Barangay and SK elections unless removed.
The amount necessary for the implementation of RA 11935 will be taken from the appropriations of the Commission on Elections under the General Appropriations Act and/or supplementary appropriations.
“If any portion or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect,” RA 11935 reads.
All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations which are contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of RA (11935) are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
RA 11935 is a consolidation of House Bill No. 4673 and Senate Bill No. 1306, which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines on Sept. 28, 2022.
Last month, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said they are considering moving the dates of filing the certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2022 Barangay SK elections pending the decision on proposals to postpone it.
The COC filing for the 2022 Barangay and SK elections was initially set from Oct. 6 to 13.
Comelec will comply
In a statement on Wednesday, Garcia said Comelec will comply with the law postponing the BSKE.
“As I have said before, the Comelec shall comply with the law. I have conveyed the Comelec position with regard to postponement of the BSKE to the legislature and the President and I trust that such position was duly noted and considered,” he said.
“With this law, the legislative and the executive departments have seen fit to postpone the Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE) to October of 2023,” he added.
For added insight, posted below are digital copies of Republic Act Number 11935.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you eager to vote for your barangay and/or SK officials this year? For you, does the postponement of the polls to October 2023 make sense?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
If the national authorities do not approve any postponement, then the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) should push through on December 5, 2022 from 7AM to 3PM as set by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the voting period during the Dec. 5, 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In Resolution No. 10831, the Comelec said, the counting and canvassing of votes and proclamation of winning candidates shall immediately take place after the closing of polls.
Unlike in the last May 9 National and Local Elections which was automated, Comelec Acting Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said, the BSKE will be manual.
“The difference between NLE and BSKE is the manner. Practically, the personnel involved and equipment are just the same. The difference is the machine and ballot. This is manual,” he said in an interview last month.
The Comelec this week said that the Chairman George Garcia said that the printing of ballots and other election documents for the BSKE will start in September.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this new development? Do you believe that Congress will make moves to postpone this year’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections? How interested are you right now to vote in the barangay polls? Do you think your current barangay and SK officials need replacing?
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of interviewing a top official of the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan in relation to a Philippine News Agency article about Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar’s statement that includes the Sangguniang Kabataan’s role in the national government’s COVID-19 Crisis campaign. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
COVID-19 Crisis: PCOO Secretary Andanar expresses optimism in youth’s role in assisting the government’s fight against COVID-19
While delivering his opening remarks during the third COVID-19 virtual town hall meeting held yesterday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar prodded youth leaders – specifically the Sangguniang Kabataan or youth councils – on helping the national government in its campaign on combatting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“I am confident that our country in the future will be in good hands with the current SKs (Sangguniang Kabataan or youth councils) and youth leaders we have today. May you continue to shine your bright light to the immediate generation behind you and just do everything to beat this virus together, to heal and to rise as one,” Secretary Andanar said in the PNA.gov.ph article.
Among those who attended the virtual town hall meeting were members of youth councils and youth organizations. It was organized to keep the stakeholders updated as the nation struggles with COVID-19. To date, many thousands got infected and lots of communities nationwide were quarantined to reduce the risk of further infection. Along the way, a lot of people lost their jobs and their income, and families are relying on whatever relief goods their respective barangays and/or LGUs could provide to them.
In reaction to Andanar’s statement above, Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) chairwoman Mariel Angela Tumang expressed gladness since she and her fellow SK Kagawads had been doing their parts to protect their constituents from COVID-19 as well as the economic downturn involved.
“I’m glad with Secretary Andanar’s statement. As a youth or as a youth leader, I think we have played a big role on this pandemic. We did our best to provide something, even small things for our Contituents. We’ve started on giving hygiene kits, giving Hot meals like champorado and arozcaldo on every houses in mission areas and giving them Relief Goods,” Tumang stated.
I tried to get Barangay Baclaran SK chairwoman Rachel Garcia’s reaction to Andanar’s statement but she has not replied as of this writing.
Sangguniang Kabataan already working
To put things in perspective, the SKs around the nation have been working on local campaigns related to COVID-19 in their respective communities for the past few months as the barangays and local government units (LGUs) worked in accordance to the rules and standards issued by the national government and its units. Check out my exclusive local community articles about the COVID-19 campaigns done by the Barangay BF Homes SK and the Barangay Baclaran SK. Check out the pictures below.
Barangay Baclaran SK chairwoman Rachel Garcia (black t-shirt) and companions handing out free items to local constituents for their safety from COVID-19. (photo approved for publishing by Barangay Baclaran Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman Rachel Garcia)
Barangay BF Homes SK chairwoman Mariel Tumang handing out hygiene kits and fliers at one of the local communities. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang)
Barangay Baclaran and Barangay BF Homes are located within Parañaque, the city with the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Metro Manila. Parañaque’s city government has been struggling with containing the China virus and, as of this writing, their number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is HIGHER than Las Piñas and Muntinlupa city COMBINED!
Speaking of Parañaque, Muntinlupa and , I am inviting all of you to join the South Metro Manila Facebook group where you will find lots of updates about the three cities, updates about related local communities, business and commercial updates, the occasional overseas updates and Christian worship. Being part of the FB group will also help you engage with others from the different cities and local communities. Visit the South Metro Manila group now at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673/
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation,NO to plagiarists and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Suicide is defined as the act or an instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally (source – Merriam Webster Dictionary). For so long has suicide affected societies worldwide and left a lot of families very hurt.
What is disturbing in the survey of the WHO on the said topic is that the age-group of 15-29 years saw suicide as the 2nd leading cause of deaths in 2016. To break down the 2016 statistics, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people aged 15-29 among both genders and the females. Among the males, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death.
While varied organizations and researchers have their own definition of the age group for youth, the Jesus Global Youth Day organizers defined it verbally as below the age of thirty, which I personally witnessed during the 2019 Jesus Global Youth Day held here in the Philippines. As such, the 15-29 age group would be counted as youth at least in this article.
Back to the topic at hand, the menace of suicide affecting youth right down to the local level of Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City made its presence felt when I interviewed Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) chairwoman Mariel Tumang twice in 2019.
During the first interview (published here), she told me that suicide among the youth in the local community was present not just in the form of committed suicide (confirmed death) but also in the form of thoughts (suicidal thoughts or suicidal thinking) inside the minds of young people.
Then, months later, in another interview Tumang confirmed to me that a tragedy happened when a 21-year-old man living in the depressed community of Masville hanged himself to death because he broke up with his girlfriend (click here). The victim was a loss not only to his family, his friends and the neighborhood, but also for the economy (note: he was already working in the private sector). Tumang stated that their definition of youth is 15 to 30-years-old.
Along the way, Tumang and her SK kagawads (Youth Councilors) attended seminars on dealing with suicide through the aspect of psychology and behavior. Whatever topics and skills they learned, they made ways to make their community youth aware of it by holding seminars locally.
The sad trail of youth suicide also goes a long way back in the form of archived news reports. In January 2014, a 16-year-old boy killed himself inside his house in Cebu City because of his failure in school (click here) and his school adviser confirmed to his mother that he would not be going to fourth year high school.
On April 2016, a 15-year-old girl was found dead hanging from a mango tree (click here) in Talisay City, Cebu. According to the archived news report, a suicide note was left behind by the victim (a stay-in student of a school) and she reportedly told one of her superiors she wanted to kill herself and no reason was given. Before the tragedy happened, her superiors at school found it disturbing that she (the victim) was very silent. Included in the news report was a police officer who revealed that the victim lost her father to insurgents while her mother (who was then linked to another man) was later killed in a vehicular accident with her live-in partner.
What cause young people to commit suicide? There are several factors related to society, economics and psychology. Here are the factors I narrowed down.
Failure to deal with fear early in life
Depression
Physical abuse
Loss of purpose
Peer pressure
Gender confusion
Lack of parental guidance or counseling
Being misled by pop culture or online trends
Internet addiction
Being misled by fake news or distorted news
Getting bullied
Being misled by rumors
Living with negative vibes in his/her local environment (note: in the Philippines, most barangay youth councils have presence in economically depressed communities dubbed as developing communities)
Shame or embarrassment
Being misled by those living with unbelief
Temptations
Obsession with people, images and things they idolized
Becoming addicted to something dangerous
Being trapped by religious traditions, rituals and other restrictions
Having selfish desires or very high expectations
Lack of focus on the Lord
While taxpayers’ money is being spent by government bodies of different levels to develop the youth and help prevent suicide, I honestly believe that the menace of suicide can be solved more effectively by having the youth realize their true purpose as creations of God. It is by having faith in the Lord that young people can truly become strong, stable and more knowledgeable with their lives. It is by having a personal relationship with the Lord that the youth can truly move forward with. If the youth can be educated to reject all forms of hindrances that prevent them from truly establishing faith in the Lord, they would be better off and youth suicide would be reduced dramatically.
Sadly, government programs for youth development remain insufficient to bring the youth to God, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
What I noticed is that the Christian faith and spiritual approach to solving and preventing youth suicide is missing among the key development programs of barangay youth councils.
Ironically in 2019, in the city of Parañaque specifically, there were barangay youth councils that organized their own beauty pageants featuring local homosexuals as candidates which most likely added to the suicide factor of gender confusion. This is sad because not only was taxpayers’ money most likely used to fund such events, it gave the youth the false message that homosexuality is legitimate. In truth, homosexuality is an abomination and certainly Satan loves it when people are fooled into believing that homosexuality is good and accepted as normal in society. Let’s read a holy scripture confirming that homosexuality is wrong and evil.
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 (NKJV)
As a whole, 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 made clear that people trapped by sin will never make it in God’s kingdom. As such, the youth today still have time and opportunities to turn away from sinful behavior, submit themselves to Lord Jesus for forgiveness, accept Him as their Lord and Savior to start a new life with dedication to live under His holiness. This is the good news that the youth, whether they are still trapped by the darkness of unbelief (read: atheism and secularism) or religion (read: idolatry, wrong theology, traditions and rituals) should know.
To help the youth understand their true purpose in life as God’s creations, they should be taught with the following holy scriptures (apart from teaching them they need to be born again as written in John 3: 3):
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, will all your mind, and with all your strength.
Mark 12: 30 (NKJV)
If you then were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3: 1-2 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 (NKJV)
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Colossians 3: 5-7 (NKJV)
By becoming Christian, the young one can start a new life free from the sins and youthful lusts of the past. As part of getting reformed by Lord Jesus, the new life youth should learn to strongly reject the many form of lust like gratifying sensual cravings (example: losing his or her virginity in exchange for sexual pleasure), desiring the forbidden (example: taking illegal substances), longing for evil (example: bringing down other youth to bring yourself up just to feel good and proud), and engaging in experiences that are contrary to God’s will. These are emphasized in the holy scripture below.
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2: 22 (NKJV)
The Christian youth living the new life should learn to conduct himself or herself in an exemplary manner. This is expected because once someone gets born again, he/she is under the Lord and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit. Because really, under the watch and care of God, age does not matter and this also means being youthful as a Christian is NOT a disadvantage. It also does not matter if people will find Christians a peculiar people because this is expected. Learn from the next holy scriptures.
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4: 12 (NKJV)
The LORD has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death.
Psalm 118: 18 (NKJV)
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special peope, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2: 9-10 (NKJV)
Conclusion
I believe that involving Lord Jesus in the lives of the youth will spare them from suicide and all other factors that lead to self-destruction. I honestly believe that no amount of taxpayers’ money spent and no sophisticated government program can be more effective on preventing youth suicide (and suicide in general) than emphasizing faith in the Lord, believing in His Word (with the Holy Bible as the main reference) and applying biblical lessons in life.
Please take note that the dreaded presence of secularism is still in the minds of many government officials (note: there is a so-called separation of church and state in the 1987 Constitution).
If the youth realize their true purpose as creations of God, then it would be great not only for the local community but also the whole world. An enlightened youth, as children of God, definitely would not even think about suicide nor give the devil any room into their lives. The youth should realize how essential it is for them to study the Word of God (the Holy Bible) and prioritize it as their ultimate authority among all reading materials. With the Lord on the youth’s side, the menace of suicide and Satan can be defeated and the youth can grow in holiness as they grow into adulthood. Christianity, not feelings or earthly matters, should be embedded into the minds and hearts of the youth. Because really, everybody needs Lord Jesus and the youth need Him. With more youth believing and trusting in Jesus, cases of youth suicide will be much smaller!
As such, I highly recommend that Christian teaching (complete with studying the Holy Bible) should be included more in youth development programs and suicide prevention programs of youth councils. The youth who are spiritually unsaved must be taught the truth that they need Lord Jesus and have faith (not religion) in Him.
At this point, I’d like to reach out to the unsaved youth reading this…if you seek salvation and are ready to submit yourselves to the Lord, and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then pray this simple prayer in sincerity from your heart:
Dear God,
I believe that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross to pay the penalty of my sins. I believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that He is alive! Right now, I call on the name of Jesus. Jesus, come into my heart. I receive You as my personal Lord and Savior. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me by the power of Your blood. Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life! Help me now to follow Your plan for my life. Amen.
Congratulations! You are now a child of God! Praise the Lord and always be faithful to Him! No more darkness in your life caused by unbelief or religion (and the idolatry, traditions and rituals that come with it). Your new life under the Lord has truly begun!
From this point on, acquire for yourself a copy of the Holy Bible (New King James Version is recommended), study it and apply its many lessons in your life no matter what situation you are in right now. I also recommend you to join a church of born again Christians near you and find your place in the spiritual family. Worship the Lord together with them and remember that each of you has a personal relationship with Him. That personal relationship with God is strictly off-limits to everyone, even to your family.
The Holy Spirit is in you and you are now a new creation! You are a youthful Christian right now, and you can keep growing spiritually for the rest of your life. Remember that God loves you and He is definitely happy over your conversion.
As a new and young Christian with the Holy Spirit in your heart, never allow yourself to get involved in youth movements that involve unbelief, religion, idolatry, traditions and rituals because those are not holy. The only youth you need to get involved with are your fellow Christians (those who got born again like you), and the only reference of authority you need is the Holy Bible. Once you get involved in a new Christian church, you can always ask the pastor if they have a youth ministry you can join in.
In ending this piece, feel free to enjoy these Christian praise-and-worship YouTube videos plus a few ones featuring the model Christian youth herself, Sadie Robertson! Hallelujah!!!
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Sharing this Christian piece means spreading the good news of the Lord to others. It can help you save the unsaved souls out there.
2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections postponed!
Next Barangay and SK polls to happen on December 5, 2022
Did your local community print media news publication neglect to inform you of the hot news about the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections?
According to the release of Philippine News Agency (PNA), Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act Number 11462 (titled “Postponement of the 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections Act”) which effectively postponed the polls originally set for May 2020. The act was signed in ceremony at Malacanang Palace on the afternoon of December 3.
Those who witnessed the signing were Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Marcos, Negros Occidental 4th District Rep. Juliet Ferrer, Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
During his keynote speech, Duterte said that the republic act signed is vital in relation to “realizing meaningful and lasting reform for the good of our nation.”
Effects of RA 11462
Apart from postponing the May 2020 polls and setting December 5, 2022 as the new date to hold the elections, incumbent village executives and officials of the youth council will remain in office until their successors have been duly elected or unless they have been removed or suspended.
Given the new date of the Barangay and SK elections, the new set of barangay and SK officials who get elected in December 2022 will take office on January 1, 2023.
Subsequent village and youth council polls will be held on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years after.
Background
During his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 22, Duterte asked Congress to pass a measure suspending the elections set in May 2020, to give village officials more time to finish their programs and projects.
The Senate and the House of Representatives on November 12 ratified the bicameral conference report of their consolidated measure on the postponement of the twin elections.
This is the third deferment of the village and youth council’s elections since 2016.
Reactions
As soon as the PNA release of this development came out, I reached out to the officials of Barangay BF Homes and their Sangguniang Kabataan for reactions. So far, they have not responded to my inquiries. If ever they respond, I’ll post the reactions right here.
Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos posted via her Facebook page on December 4 the following words: Thank you, Mr. President! And we hope this will be the final postponement of Barangay and SK elections, so that in the future, barangay elections will be regular and predictable – one year after the national elections. Barangays are the government’s frontline, and their officials need security and support to deliver government services to the people.
The candidates during the late stage of the Mutya ng BF Homes.
About a month ago, the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) and its personnel pulled off something pleasurable which its constituents enjoyed. I’m talking about their beauty pageant called Mutya ng BF Homes.
Held on the evening of October 19 at the Phase 1 gym along Pilar Banzon street, BF Homes subdivision, Parañaque City, the Mutya ng BF Homes was, in my view, nicely organized and it had a touch of class. Organizing aside, the decorations were eye-catching and the lighting system was of high standard. The BFSK headed by chairperson Mariel Angela Tumang accompanied by SK Kagawads Alma Galindo, Roselyn Regis, Jerry Dalmero, Kelly Haboc, Irene Juanico, Anne Gabrielle Corre and Stephanie Sebullen plus SK secretary Darrenz Fabros and SK treasurer Jefferson Ching.
The Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) kagawads and their chairperson on stage.
The pageant showcased sixteen candidates composed mainly of ladies from the developing communities and a few from private subdivisions of BF Homes. Previously I wrote about the screening of candidates which was held at Barangay BF Homes hall along Elsie Gatches street (and NOT in the Barangay BF gym which a certain BF Homes community print media publication claimed in its pretentious and unprofessional front page story) which I personally attended (check out the videos of the screening I posted on my official FB page plus the pictures in my article) From the screening to the pageant itself, I can say the BFSK is dedicated to realizing its special event.
Who were the winners? Declared as Mutya ng BF Homes 2019 was Charity Dawn Jamon of Target. Other major winners by category were Maria Carla Ret of Masville (Tourism), Samantha Danielle Samooc of Clinicville (Parish), Aira Kate Kawit of J. Estrada 1 (1st Princess) and Blessed Joy Catugda of Governor Santos (2nd Princess).
On the other categories, declared as Best in Swimwear and in Casual Wear was Jamon of Target, while Best in Production Number, Evening Gown and Sunduan went to Samooc of Clinicville. The winners received varied prizes from the sponsors as well as honors related to their respective titles.
Nothing like being called as the award winner.
Charity Dawn Jamon won the Best in Swimwear award and posed with the BFSK.
Apart from the showcase of the candidates per category through the night, the BFSK itself performed a few times on stage to the delight of the many spectators who cheered a lot. Along the way, SK Kagawad Alma Galindo sang to the delight of the audience. She proved that she is as talented as she is pretty.
More on the audience, there were a lot of youth present and they enjoyed the event. There were also guest appearances by City Councilors Binky Favis and Tess de Asis (who on stage confirmed she participated in beauty pageants during her youth), Barangay Kagawad Cielo Lazatin with husband Alfred (former Barangay Kagawad) and more.
The candidates on stage.
Ultimately, the successful organizing of the Mutya ng BF Homes proved that the BFSK can deliver a fun-filled event apart from engaging a large number of community youth with seminars, sports-related events and other activities. The BFSK is clearly moving forward with its independence from Barangay BF Homes. Also I encourage the private sector stakeholders reading this (note: watch your back for those sleazy, unethical and irresponsible local community print media practitioners who ripped off my South Metro Manila articles and used key details for their publishing without my consent. They think they can fool you into advertising with them) to take a close look at the BFSK for possible sponsorship of their upcoming events and activities.
The year is not yet over but I personally congratulate chairwoman Mariel Tumang and the kagawads and officers of the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan for what they achieved since they took office in mid-2018. The SK system of the Philippines, as we know it, is modernizing a lot since it was reformed and its results are being realized in the BF Homes community.
Watch out for what the BFSK can pull off in twenty-twenty.
Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) kagawad Alma Galindo announced the remaining activities and events of the year.
The BFSK will organize the Calamity Preparedness seminar on November 1, the Financial Literacy and Micro Business seminar on November 10, the Self Defense and Drug Awareness Campaign seminar on November 16, the Poster Making activity on November 23, the Sports Clinic activity on November 24 and the Sportsfest (Chess and Badminton) on November 30. All these events will be done at the Phase 1 gym along Elsie Gatches inside BF Homes subdivision.
On December 1, a Sportsfest with swimming lessons will be held although the venue has yet to be finalized. On December 14, the BFSK will organize a Miss Gay event at the Phase 1 gym. On December 22, the BFSK’s special campaign Waste Wise for Rice will be held in the developing communities of Masville, Estrada 1 and 2, Sampaloc Site 1 and 2, Governor Santos, Lagoon, Dela Rama, Target, Clinic and Ipil Site.
Finally, on December 28, the BFSK will organize the Year-End Katipunan ng Kabataan at the Phase 1 gym which was described to be something exciting.
The BFSK is on a roll and has been successful in attracting and engaging youth from around the barangay. Considering how much they achieved, imagine what BFSK chairperson Tumang and her team could pull off in twenty-twenty.
To learn more about the BFSK, visit their FB page right here.
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To others reading this, if you are dissatisfied with print media and you want your community/organization/business to be featured on this website, please contact me locally via mobile number 0905-3350831 or via email at Carlo.Carrasco@gmail.com
We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenoris still available in paperback and e-book format. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
This past Sunday, a general meeting of the Barangay BF Homes Assembly took place at the 2nd floor of the barangay hall along Elsie Gatches street, Parañaque City. Barangay chairman Paolo Marquez, who has been serving since the middle of 2018, led the reporting of achievements and discussion of recent developments. The general meeting was done in compliance with the order of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Seated at left were Barangay BF Homes Kagawad Sheryll Ortonio-Gonzales, Chairman Paolo Marquez, Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson Mariel Tumang and Kagawad Cielo Lazatin.
On the topics of health and emergency response, Marquez announced that a total of 427 ambulance services were rendered over a 3-month period while basic services rendered were at around two thousand transactions handling over one thousand and five hundred recipients. The barangay currently has two ambulances – one of which is a modern vehicle made possible by the office of then District II Representative Gus Tambunting – and the captain announced that the local residents’ access to use an ambulance has improved lately.
On general barangay transactions, Barangay BF Homes handled over sixty thousand transactions and processed over 13,400 cedulas (community tax certificates) since January this year. Such transactions were processed by a team in a small office at the ground floor of the barangay hall.
The captain also announced the issuance of a new ID card for barangay residents that will not only identify them properly but also be accepted by the local banks. The barangay launched a new system that records significant information of the residents like their names, addresses, contact numbers, social security numbers and more. The new ID card uses new technology that can be read by scanners and make electronic verification happen.
The barangay captain shows the new ID card for residents.
On the topic of gender, it was announced that the barangay caught forty children or minors who violated the existing curfew laws. What Marquez and his team noticed was that there were several children, who came from depressed communities, who deliberately violated the curfew to get apprehended and take advantage of the cooler interiors of barangay hall which they found more comfortable to sleep in even for just a few hours. In response to this trend, the captain announced that the barangay has coordinated with the local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to take curfew-violating minors into their own facility.
When it comes to crime, there were four cases of gambling and theft, twenty-two cases of physical injury, one case of rape and one case of the use of a minor as a drug courier.
On the topic of violence against women and children there were thirty cases of physical violence recorded plus three cases of psychological abuse and nine cases of economic abuse.
What struck people during the meeting was Marquez’s announcement that after carefully examining the physical evidence of a pregnant woman who got abused by a man she was involved with, he had the man arrested. The barangay captain stressed that his administration is aware of the delicate condition women experience when they are at least four months pregnant and they strongly oppose any form of physical abuse that affect them.
On the environment, Marquez said that the barangay has personnel working in coordination with the City Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) on declogging waterways and creeks, including those located near Presidents Avenue and Pergola Mall.
Parañaque District II Representative Joy Tambunting (left) took time out from her busy schedule to appear in the general meeting and delivered some updates to the constituents.
On the topic of dengue, it was announced that Barangay BF Homes has one hundred and eighty cases recorded. The barangay captain said that his team will continue to perform fumigation by means of fogging which involves the use of a motor-powered machine that generates smoke (sourced from a specific chemical targeting mosquitoes). The use of misting or liquid spray, Marquez stressed, is not too effective on public places due to the rainy season. Such spray is effective only inside the household. Dengue is spread by mosquitoes (carrying the dengue virus) by means of biting a person’s skin. Barangay BF Homes is taking the dengue problem very seriously and, as I wrote before, they took action ever since. It is notable that in Parañaque City as a whole, dengue cases increased a lot this year with 1,702 cases (January 1 to September 14) recorded versus the 1,174 of the same period a year before. Paranaque is also the 4th highest ranking city in the National Capital Region (NCR) with dengue cases recorded.
Interestingly, Marquez explained that there are four strains of dengue virus and among them are two strains that can affect a person only once respectively (as the person becomes immune to the two strains after infection).
When it comes to stray dogs, the barangay now has a dog pound and already they turned over to the Parañaque City Veterinary Department ten dogs. Loose dogs are a long-time problem in the community, even inside BF Homes subdivision. Many times before, I encountered such dogs while traveling along Aguirre Avenue. It’s nice that the barangay has a facility and the personnel to get rid of the loose dogs to make the streets safer for both motorists and pedestrians.
On barangay zoning, Marquez reiterated that due to the reform under Republic Act Number 11032, the barangay no longer has the responsibility to issue business clearances and all business owners will have to go straight to city hall to apply for their respective business permits. In the old days, business owners had to apply for a business clearance at the barangay and once they receive it, only they could they go to the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) at the city government for the biz permit. This reform from the top is clearly a relief to the barangay which previously had to set up several computer units and printers to process all the applications of the many, many businesses of Barangay BF Homes each time the businesses are due to secure new permits.
More on zoning, it was announced that there were 126 construction permits issued and 84 permits for renovation and 24 permits for demolishing.
Regarding barangay livelihood, a total of seventy-four students have enrolled for cooking, caregiving and food-and-beverage courses. Future courses about carpentry and basic electrical work will be held very soon. Captain Marquez stressed the importance of carpentry as there is a good demand for carpenters and higher-than-average daily wages await them. As such, he encouraged manual laborers and other job seekers to take enroll in the carpentry course.
The birthing and lying-in center of the barangay will be renovated very soon with expansion in mind. The physical work on the center will take place sometime in 2020. On urban poor matters, the barangay organized off-site activities serving 2,368 residents and they organized feeding activities that served 4,750 people.
The barangay lupon reported that it has a total of 98 crime cases and 68 civil cases. A total of fourteen cases were dismissed while sixty-six were settled.
The Others
Early during the meeting, Parañaque District II Representative Joy Tambunting visited and announced that her office is working closely with the barangay and together they have new infrastructure projects in development. The working relationship between the barangay and the office of the congresswoman was described as harmonious.
Later, barangay kagawad Sheryll Ortonio-Gonzales announced that the gender committee successfully organized events they planned such as the “Bida ka Mars” activity and a seminar for violence against women and children. Barangay kagawad Cielo Lazatin reported that a donation drive of the barangay is ongoing and the committee on nutrition made a lot of progress. For her part, Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) chairperson Mariel Tumang said her team just accomplished successfully a youth camp in Laguna province that very weekend. She also highlighted the accomplished events that attracted community youth in great numbers such as the Linggo ng Kabataan event (which attracted more than 300 participants), the Mutya ng BF Homes pageant (which drew a large audience and helped the BFSK’s Facebook page likes double), the Waste Wise for Rice drive and varied seminars.
Barangay BF Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson Mariel Angela Tumang gave the assembly updates. On the foreground was SK Kagawad Alma Galindo.
The general meeting ended with Marquez’s closing remarks stressing that the barangay and its teams of personnel need the cooperation of the stakeholders – the businesses, the residents and community organizations – to realize continued services and make progressive change happen. Subsequently the members of the assembly and guests were served with catered food.
Under the leadership of captain Paolo Marquez, Barangay BF Homes is taking its public service seriously. What will happen in the next several months going into the year of twenty-twenty should be interesting.
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To others reading this, if you are dissatisfied with print media and you want your community/organization/business to be featured on this website, please contact me locally via mobile number 0905-3350831 or via email at Carlo.Carrasco@gmail.com
We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenoris still available in paperback and e-book format. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
The twenty-five applicants with some coaches and handlers waiting for the screening results to be announced.
Yesterday afternoon at the hall of Barangay BF Homes along Elsie Gatches street, Parañaque City, the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) organized a screening of many pretty ladies which resulted a selection of sixteen candidates for the Mutya ng BF Homes beauty pageant which is set to happen on October 19.
Specifically there were a total of twenty-five ladies from around the barangay – including a few from the private subdivisions – who applied and took part in the screening which was done by a panel of three which includes BFSK chairperson Mariel Angela Tumang, Raymond Sison and Chrize May Arañez. SK kagawads Alma Galindo, Jerry Dalmero, Kelly Haboc, Irene Juanico and Stephanie Sebullen were present and helped around.
The panel composed of Raymond Sison, Chrize May Arañez and BFSK chairperson Mariel Tumang.
Each candidate was asked why she wanted to join, what would she do if ever she wins the Mutya title and other questions. After the Q&A, each candidate was asked to do a beauty pageant walk so that her confidence and precision could be tested. Below are pictures of a few candidates for your viewing.
When all the applicants were screened, the panel analyzed carefully behind closed doors which sixteen candidates should be selected to compete in the October 19 pageant. Out of respect to the BFSK and the candidates themselves, I’ll keep their names hidden and let the organizers have the honor to do the revealing. To make things clear, I don’t work for any print media-based publication (note: I’m working in industry right now) and I’m free to blog to inform and entertain readers online.
Afterwards, all the sixteen candidates were oriented about the conditions on participation, what is required, what pre-pageant activities they should participate in and the like. Since the screening ended, the countdown for the October 19 beauty pageant has begun!
The selected sixteen candidates along with the BFSK.
For more information about the fast-approaching Mutya ng BF Homes, visit the BFSK’s Facebook page now.
Author Carlo Carrasco 