Call for 6th RAFI Triennial Awards is on

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, September 4 (PIA) --The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation (RAFI) is now accepting nominations for the 6th RAFI Triennial Awards to honor men, women, and organizations, who, through their efforts and selfless commitment, bring about change in the lives of the less privileged in various groups and communities in the Philippines.

The Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual is open to every Filipino, natural born or naturalized citizen, at least 30 years old, and of good moral character whose dedication to their profession has made significant contributions to the advancement of the well-being of fellow Filipinos.

The Eduardo Aboitiz Award for Outstanding Institution, meanwhile, is open to all institutions or organizations. They may be government organizations, non-government organizations, civic organizations, or people's organizations, which have been established for at least three years, with functional programs and work with other groups in bringing about comprehensive and responsible development.

The nominees should exhibit unending commitment and dedication to uplift the socio-economic condition of the poor and the marginalized sectors.  Nominees for each category will undergo an extensive screening process. The selection process starts when individuals and institutions are nominated for the RAFI Triennial Awards.

A search committee composed of representatives from the media, academe, business groups, and people’s organizations or non-government organizations, leads the short listing of nominees and selection of finalists, before the RAFI Board of Trustees selects the awardees.

The RAFI Triennial Awards was launched in Dec. 6, 1996 during the 39th anniversary of the foundation to commemorate the philanthropic, humanitarian, and holistic ideals of RAFI founders Don Ramon Aboitiz and his son Don Eduardo Aboitiz.

The award is conferred every three years. Winners of each award category will be given a trophy, cash prize of not less than P400,000, and the opportunity to travel in the Visayas and Mindanao to share their expertise and experience to various groups.

Nominations are also accepted from government agencies, non-government organizations, people’s organizations, civil society, academe, and the business sector. Self-nomination is discouraged.

Nomination forms should be submitted to: RAFI Triennial Awards Secretariat, 35 Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City, 6000.

Online nomination forms can also be accessed through RAFI’s website at www.rafi.org.ph/event/nomination-form. Or you can text nominee's full name, contact details, and name of the person nominating to 0933-5144005 (Sun), 0949-7643525 (Smart), and 0927-5768055 (Globe).

Deadline of nominations is on December 15, 2013. For more information about the RAFI Triennial Awards you may contact (032) 418-7234 loc. 109 and look for Cathy Margate or e-mail catherine.margate@rafi.org.ph, or visit www.rafi.org.ph/triennialawards or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph, or follow @rafiorgph on Twitter. (Hanna R. Aranas, RAFI/JCV/PIA)

Region X wins 1st runner up in the National Search for 2013 Idols ng TESDA

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Sept. 4 (PIA) -- The region X nominee to the 2013 Search for Idols ng TESDA was declared first runner up in the national level for the wage-employed category.

Chinet O. Mocorro of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), nominated in by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Lanao del Norte Provincial Office, was honored during the national awarding ceremonies held at TESDA Central Office in Metro Manila.

She received two trophies, certificate and P15,000 cash prize.

The "Idols ng TESDA Award" is one of the institutional awards given by TESDA annually to recognize skilled workers who have become successful individuals through tech-voc. These are the workers who are regarded as TESDA SPECIALISTA and have contributed to the development of their communities in a tech-voc way.

Mocorro was able to work her way to various levels of education despite financial difficulties.

After completing a Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology, she worked as a machine operator while studying Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. As an instructor, she was given a scholarship in Taiwan and completed Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at the Taipei University in 2012.

Her thesis on 'Indoor Energy Harvesting Using Photovoltaic Cell for Battery Recharging' was copyrighted by the Taiwan Government.

At present, Mocorro acts as the OIC of the Department of Electrical Engineering Technology (ELET) at MSU-IIT. She continues to inspire her students and the general public with her humility and positive attitude towards work.

The "Idols ng TESDA Award" also helps increase the level of public awareness and appreciation for tech-voc education as well as uplifts the self-confidence and morale of the Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates. (Honey Analou E. Dona/TESDA-10/PIA-10)

Mambajao kicks off town fiesta

By Jorie C Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, September 3 (PIA) – Camiguin’s capital town starts off with a busy week as it opened on Sunday, September 1, its 158th devotional fiesta celebration in honor to St. Nicholas of Tolentino.

As accustomed, the townsfolk prepare a nightly spree of dances showcasing different themes such as broadway or latin american dances, OPM night dances, arabic indian bolloywood dances, contemporary and interpretative dances, folk dances and robotics.

During the day, visitors are likewise entertained with various sports tournaments, fire and rescue drills, games, drums and lyre exhibition and with the cheap buys they may avail at the diskwento caravan.

The fiesta parade is also among the interesting activities awaited by the locals, participants trot around with a colorful display of unique umbrellas or hats. For this year, the town will showcase the eyewear parade, early morning of September 9.

Other events prepped up include the annual search for Ms. Mambajao, dance sports competition, mini olympics, fun run (pistadagan), ground demonstrations, and nightly street parties at the town’s parola wharf. (JCV/PIA)

City sends off Iligan Batang Pinoy Team

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, August 29 (PIA) --The city of Iligan sent off its team of athletes to this year’s Batang Pinoy (BP).

Mayor Celso G. Regencia urged the BP athletes, to be calm and stay focused in whatever games they play.

This was his message after a holy mass was offered at the Iligan City National High School gymnasium last August 26 before the Iligan team composed of 96 athletes left for Davao for the competition. City Sports Office spiritual adviser Fr. Ellah officiated the special mass.

Mayor Regencia added the abilities and capabilities of a player must be used in the right way for them to achieve their goals not only to attain medals but also to encourage other youth to get themselves involved in sports, rather than spending their time indulging in prohibited drugs.

"As parents, we should always guide our children towards excellence for them to have a bright and better future," said Regencia.

Batang Pinoy, meanwhile, is composed of students and out-of-school youth athletes ages 15 and below to compete in nine events on athletics, volleyball, table tennis, swimming, boxing, karatido, long tennis, arnis and taekwando.

The first leg of 2013 Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy starts in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, on August 27, where the best players will be chosen to compete in the national finals in Zamboanga City this coming December 3-7, 2013.

The second leg is scheduled on September 24 to 28 in Maasin City, Southern Leyte while the third leg will be on October 15 to 19 in Iba, Zambales.

Meanwhile, Executive Order (EO) No. 44, dated December 2, 1998, otherwise known as the Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy, serves as the national sports competition program for children and is envisioned to address the need for a grassroots sports program centered on values formation inherent in the practice of sports and play.

The Philippine Sports Commission along with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Leagues of Provinces, Cities, Municipalities and Barangays, on the other hand, work closely to address the needs of every participant. (Irma S. Boza, Iligan Web/ LVG/PIA-10 LDN)