AT THE MANSION. Senate President Manny Villar (l) poses with Bicol Mail Editor Joe Perez (c) and Director for Committee Affairs at the House of Representatives Lina Jones (r) during the dinner and awarding rites for the 2008 Sipag at Tiyaga national search for promising entrepreneurs at the historic Laurel Mansion in Mandaluyong City. Perez and Jones, a Bicolana from Daraga, Albay, were among the evaluators chosen by the Sipag at Tiyaga Foundation for the Bicol regional finalists to the national search.

WORLD-CALIBER RACING TEAM. The Camarines Sur Dragon Team sponsored by Governor LRay Villafuerte pose for a picture memento after creditably representing the country as the best performing contingent of the five teams officially carrying the Philippine flag at the 6th IDBF Club Crew World Championships and 8th Asian Dragon Boat Championships last July 31 to August 3 at Teluk Bahang Dam in Penang, Malaysia where the local paddlers emerged second in the 2,000 meters, third in the 500 meters and fourth in the 200 meters against a field of elite dragon boat teams from around the world.

GREAT WOMEN. Participants in the Current Good Manufacturing Practice training listen intently as Ms. Silvia C. Lopez, BFAD Food and Drugs Regulation Officer II, explains the revised guidelines on manufacturing, packing, repacking or holding food products. The training, held on 25 July 2008 at the Bicol Science Centrum, is part of the Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) Project of the Metro Naga Development Council.

WORLD-CLASS TOURISM PARADISE. White, powdery sand, exotic islets, towering limestone formations, caves and a host of other surprises make Caramoan a pristine paradise with an unspoiled and untamed charm.

POOH SI KAT FEVER. Comedians Pooh and Kitkat energize the crowd with their hilarious punch lines at the Regent Convention Centre last Friday, August 1, 2008. “Si Kat si Pooh sa Naga” is the first of a series of shows lined up at The Regent Hotel this season. Also scheduled to perform are the FHM Fashion Models featuring ten stunning and sexy models from Manila on September 13, Comedian Chocoleit in October and Wowowee Host Actress–Comedienne Pokwang in November –December 2008.

Coaches and sports leaders of Ateneo de Naga University underwent a one day coaching workshop dubbed “Coaching with a Difference” last July 26, 2008 at the Conference Room of the Madrigal Building for Social Entrepreneurship. The activity was organized by the Ateneo Athletics Office and was facilitated by Mr. Noli Ayo, University Athletics Director. The workshop focused on discussing the current state of the sports program of ADNU and to map the best direction to take to benefit more its student-athletes. Coaches shared the many challenges they encounter with the current sports culture in Bicol. Surfaced issues were the lack of regular tournaments and the absence of quality training for coaches. As a response, Coach Ayo committed to provide more exposure for their athletes and provide opportunity for the coaches to undergo benchmarking trip to Metro Manila where the sports culture is already very much established. This annual coaches’ workshop is just one of the several activities this year of the Ateneo Athletics Program that aims to promote growth of sports in Naga and in Bicol. For inquiries about Ateneo Athletics Program, contact the Ateneo Athletics Office at 473-8447 local 2072 or you may send e-mail at adnuvarsity@yahoogroups.com.

TULAY SA ALAMBRE. Inaabrasa ni Bise Alcalde Gabby Bordado si Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes na naging bisita kan Ciudad nin Naga kan nakaaging aldaw. Si Secretary Reyes bistadong dayupot na kaalyado ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo. Kan mga nakaaging bulan, sa mga okasyon na nasa luwas kan nacion si Alcalde Jesse Robredo, si Bise Alcalde Bordado man an nagsabat sa mga prominenteng personalidad na kritiko kan Administracion na arog ninda Senador Franklin Drilon, Conrado de Quiros, Jun Lozada, asin dating Presidente Joseph “Erap” Estrada. Alagad kan sarong Peñafrancia Fiesta, mismong si Presidente Arroyo an saiyang pig – alalayan sa Basilica Minore. An sabi ni Bise Alcalde Bordado, trabaho lang, mayong personalan.

JOSE V. COLLERA