AGAINST GAMBLING. Students of Universidad de Sta. Isabel in Naga City brave the rains to express their strong sentiment against all forms of gambling, including bingo games, a license for the latter being pursued by a local businessman who claims he has secured the blessings of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Board (Pagcor).

VOLUNTEERISM. Crewmen of Chin Po Tong Fire Brigade, 2006 Mayoral Awardees for community service, put out a fire that almost gutted the 3rd floor of a commercial building in downtown Naga early this month. Jonas Soltes

TINDAHAN NATIN INAUGURATION – Presidential son Dato Arroyo represented his mother President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the launching and inauguration of the Tindahan Natin outlets in Camarines Sur. Upper photo shows (left-right) NFA Manager-Edmundo Enrique, NFA Regional Director–Rogelio M. Macutay, Presidential Assistant for Bicol Affairs–Chito Monson, Naga City Mayor-Jesse M. Robredo, Mr. Dato Macapagal-Arroyo, Naga City Vice-mayor Gabby Bordado, DSWD Regional Director–Jim Rebustillo and DSWD Assistant Secretary-Rinand Maquiling during the launching ceremonies at Cararayan, Naga City. The outlets under the program will sell the weekly rice requirements to the 250 DSWD– identified family beneficiaries in their respective coverage areas at Php 18.00 per kilogram and vitamin fortified noodles at Php 5.25 per pack. Lower photo shows Pasacao beneficiaries attending the lauching ceremonies of the Tindahan Natin at the Pasacao covered court. boyetmsanchez

JAM SESSION. These youths enjoy whiling away the hours playing the guitars and violin. Parents should encourage their children play the musical instruments. Shakespeare said, “If music be the food of love, play on.” JOEY CO

NEW BRANCH OFFICE. Ms. Franz Canlas, Agency Manager of Pru Life UK cuts the ribbon during the formal opening & blessing of its new office located at Avenue Square, Magsaysay, Naga City. Assisting her is Vic M. Español Senior Vice President and GM for Marketing while Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo looks on. (Photo Below) shows officers of Avenue Square Management and friends from the Rotary Club of Naga with Adrian Romero VP for Luzon of Pru Life UK.

Regional Director Wilfredo B. Leaño, CESO II (standing) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) - Bicol, while discussing the agency’s target & accomplishments, and strategies with PARO Villaraza (who just assumed office on August 1, 2006), and the Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers (MAROs) of the province of Camarines Sur. The 2006 target for land distribution in Camarines Sur is 6,000 hectares out of the 15,000 hectares targeted for the Bicol region. JOEY CO

MASS & BREAKFAST WITH THE ELDERLY - Elders of Barangay Liboton, this city, were again treated to a Holy Mass and Breakfast by the Liboton Community Volunteers Association (LCVA), August 6, this year. In photo just after the joint affair are the elders and association members posing with Mass celebrant, Fr. Danny Vargas of the Peñafrancia Parish and LCVA president Tony Amparado, both seated, center. Among those who assisted the elders and guests were LCVA officers and members including Helen Juanillo, Sol Dadis, Remy Reburiano, Pina Pilapil, Romy & Lolit de Jesus, Mila Paras, Edna & James Amparado, and Tino Ranosa.

BOUNTIFUL HARVEST. Libmanan farmer Pepito G. Panis’ initial venture into hybrid rice variety was amply rewarded with bountiful harvest (top photo). He posted a yield of 287 cavans per hectare to win 3rd place honors in the recent Search for Outstanding Hybrid Rice Farmer, an incentive program of Governor LRay Villafuerte which aims to motivate Camarines Sur farmers to plant the hybrid rice variety because of higher yields and additional profits on their ricelands. (In bottom photo) Panis (3rd from right) and wife, Elisa pose with hybrid rice implements (from left) Lalaine Gavino and Tess Agnes both from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Ma. Rexie Jesalva, Supervising Agricultural Technician and Loreto Jaucian, Hybrid Coordinator of the Agriculture Office of Libmanan and Ma. Theresa Privaldos, also of OPA. S. NIEVES

MGA OFICIAL KAN AFP NAGCORTECIA KI ALCALDE ROBREDO - retrato hali sa wala si Col. Nestor Sadiarin, jefe kan 902nd Brigade na may base sa Labo, Camarines Norte, Brig. Gen. Napoleon Malana, Commanding General kan 9th Infantry Division na may base sa Camp Elias Angeles, Pili, Camarines Sur asin si Major Gen. Alexander Yano, bagong SOLCOM Commander. Sa tahaw kan lamesa si Alcalde Jesse Robredo asin Bise Alcalde Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr. na pigtawan ninda nin halaga na kaipuhan an presencia kan militar sa Bicol.