OPTIMISM AMIDST CRISIS. An economic team from Malacañang’s Investor Relations Office led by Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr. (center, with microphone) conducts a year-end economic briefing at Avenue Convention Plaza, Naga City with a bullish forecast for Bicol. Others in the team (left to right): DTI Bicol Dir. Jocelyn Blanco, Dir. Gerelyn Balneg of NEDA, DOE USec Mariano Salazar, ASec Dennis Araullo of DA, Andaya, Dir. Teresa Habitan of DOF, Dir. Antonio Cintura of BSP and Exec. Dir. Renato Pizarro of RIO.

SUPPORT FOR TAX CAMPAIGN -- Four non-government organizations expressed their support to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for the realization of the tax collection goal and all other revenue generation efforts of the government. At right signing the support manifesto is Henry Buban, president of Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with the Albay Filipino and Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented by its President Virgilio Yu the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) regional chapter representative Severino Francia and Albay chapter president Liza Napili. (Alex Cal/PIA)

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER. President Dolores H. Sison of the University of Nueva Caceres confers the Distinguished Achivement Award for Government Service on Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, this year’s commencement speaker at the UNC’s 60th graduation rites.

SIMPLE PLEASURES. Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte again brought smiles to children’s faces when he visited Caramoan Central School last March 13, 2008 bringing with him school bags with basic school supplies and personally distributed them to the utter pleasure of the excited kids along with their grateful teachers and parents. The visitation is still part of the Barangay Assistance Program of the provincial government that has earned tremendous support and generated good will amongst the local government units and the general constituency of the province. AD Tuy/Dante Reyes MMEC

PALARONG BICOL CHAMPION. Basketball Elementary Division Team from Naga City won over Catanduanes in the Palarong Bicol held at Pili Bicol Stadium last March 17, 2008. The team will represent Bicol in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, in April 2008. Two players who came from the University of Nueva Caceres are Macmac dela Cruz and Julius Osabal. The other team members come from Naga Parochial School and Naga Central School I & II. Coach of the team is Loreto Antonio of the Naga Parochial School.

SINAKULO SA CANAMAN. Liwat binuhay ngonian na Miercules Santo sa People’s Center kan Canaman, Camarines Sur, ini sarong stage drama play na participado nin mga jovenes hali sa mga barangay digdi. Sa retrato si mga disipolos kaiba si Jesus sa lugar nin mga oliva antes siya dakupon kan mga soldados kaibahan si Chaipas asin mga kapadian. An nag-ganap na Jesis si Renato “Tonga” Morata kan 2003.