CWC CELEBRITY VISITORS. This extreme sports facility envisioned and implemented by CamSur Gov. LRay Villafuerte has consistently lured in a veritable “who’s-who” in the world of sports and showbiz with uber-hunk actor/entrepreneur/philanthropist Diether Ocampo and beautiful actress Kristine Hermosa as its latest celebrity guests a few days before the New Year. Also sighted within the CWC vicinity around the same time were celebrity couple Manu Sandejas and Agot Isidro, coverboy Zanjoe Marudo and Alaska basketball coach Tim Cone. JMTS/JVILLAREAL-MMEC

VISIONARY. Metroactive magazine, a leading sports publication, featured CamSurGov. LRay Villafuerte on the cover of its latest issue with an accompanying cover story and other related sidelights inside. Gov LRay and his CWC decidedly, the centerpiece attraction in CamSur, singlehandedly propelled the province to national, and even international prominence in such a short period thus upgrading Bicol Region’s standing from 9th to 7th rank in the top 10 list of hot tourism sports in the country today. JMTS/MMEC

Members of the steering committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) project intended to restore food security in typhoon-affected areas in the Bicol region through the provision of agricultural inputs and technical assistance go over the agenda for the first meeting held in Legazpi City on January 8, 2008. At the presidential table (right to left )- Arantxa del Val Hurtado, representative of the Spanish Agency for International cooperation which provided the funds worth P14M; Kazuyuki Tsurumi, of the FAO, the implementing agency ; Sally Lee, governor of Sorsogon which is one of the four recipient provinces; and Dr. Jose V. Dayao, regional executive director of the Department of Agriculture. Shown standing is Dr. Jaime G. Montesur, project team leader. Also in photo in checkered polo is Alfredo Rillo, regional administrator of the Philippine Coconut Administration. To his left is Arcadio Cruz (partly hidden) another FAO representative. Emily B. Bordado - RAFIDS

DISCIPLES OF ART AND CULTURE. Officers of Naga-based Developmental Institute of Bicolano Artists (DIBA) enjoy their post New Year dinner at Lolo’s Bar with big plans for 2008. Shown in photo from right (clockwise) are Beda Priela, Al Ubaña, Letty Ong, Remy Castro, Fr. Goyong Gaite, Fr. Louan Jarcia (partly hidden), Atty. Jun Sales, Lilibeth Guysayko, Joe Perez, and DIBA chairperson Amelita Zaens.

ARTIST’S SOLO EXHIBITS. Shown in photo above 4th from left is artist Troy Christopher “Yatoy” Carretas, who held his first solo art exhibits at Chateau Nouveau Gallery and Restauran at Cabangan, Legazpi City last Dec. 8. Other in photo (from left) are: Prof. Teresita Rementeria, DPWH 5 Asst. Director Oscar Cristobal, Msgr. Honesto Moraleda, Dr. Merle Bootan, Mrs. Susan Victoria-Carretas (the artist’s mother), Rawis Brgy. Chair Ma. Lorna Cristobal, Gerard Logjes, Hillmer Ballesteros and Dr. Rossana V. Barcenas. Shown at the back are the paintings of the artist. (FPN.)