Governor Migs and Tisha's wedding photos and video

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Miguel Dominguez!

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Distribution of ECCD horses

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 31, 2011) - Raquel Panal, PSWDO-ECCD (Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office-Early Childhood Careand Development) in-charge (3rd left), distributes five of the 10 horses provided by UNICEF to SNP (Supervised Neighborhood Play)workers Monday, January 31, at Sitio Cebuano in Alabel. The horses will be used by workers for their daily means of transportation in going to their respective Early Childhood learning centers or home base sites where hiking is the only means of mobilization. Sarangani has atotal of 110 SNP sites and serving 4,659 indigenous children with ages 3-6 years old mostly located in the hinterlands of the province.(Cocoy Sexcion, SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

ECCD horse test ride

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 31, 2011) - Worker Fely Grace Maguan,22, test rides a horse provided by UNICEF Monday, January 31, as partof its Early Childhood Care program which will be used for her dailyride in going to Malacutay SNP (Supervised Neighborhood Play) located in the outskirt barangay of Malapatan that caters 50 indigenous children. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Reading of the Memorandum of Agreement

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 31, 2011) - Raquel Panal, PSWDO-ECCD (Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office-Early Childhood Careand Development) in-charge, reads the memorandum of agreement to SNP workers before the ECCD horses were distributed to their caretakers.One of the conditions stipulated in the MOA states that SNP worker is entitled to own the first offspring of the livestock as the primary caretaker of the same with the condition that an SNP worker can own or take away the first offspring as the owner only upon the delivery or birth of the next offspring subject to proper coordination and documentation of the barangay captain and concerned Municipal Social Welfare and Development office personnel. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)

Dancers

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 28, 2011) – The Edenton Mission College contingent performs and won 2nd Place during the 4th Bangsi Festival street dancing competition Friday, January 28. Their cash prize is P 25,000. The festival is named after the town’s prime product, marinated bangsi (flying fish). (Abner P. Arzaga/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Photographers

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 28, 2011) – Participants of the 7th Maitum Safari Photo Contest pose with organizer and municipal accountant Beth Ramos Palma Gil (6th from left) during the culmination of the 4th Bangsi Festival celebration Friday, January 28. (Abner P. Arzaga/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sugba-sugba sa kadalanan

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 28, 2011) - Barangay Captain Linda Narte of Barangay Kalaong joins her constituents in grilling flying fish during the "Sugba-sugba sa Kadalanan" Friday, January 28, as one of the highlights of the 4th Bangsi Festival celebration. The festival is named after the town’s prime product, marinated bangsi (flying fish).(Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gensan Camera Club

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 28, 2011) - Dong Pading of Gensan Camera Club takes a break as he covers the 4th Bangsi Festival celebration Friday, January 28. Pading and other photographers from General Santos City, Sarangani and Davao City are competing in this year's Maitum Safari Photo Contest. The festival is named after the town’s prime product, marinated bangsi (flying fish). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)

Bangsi Festival street dancing champion

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 28, 2011) - Malalag National High School won 1st Place in this year's Bangsi Festival street dancing competition Friday, January 28. The group takes home the P30,000 prize. The festival is named after the town’s prime product, marinated bangsi (flying fish). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani Magazine

KORONADAL CITY (January 26, 2011) – Regional Director Olive Sudaria ofthe Philippine Information Agency reads "SARANGANI", the official news magazine of Sarangani province during the Mindanaw Solidarity Conference Thursday, January 21. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/TresBesana)

Philippine Medical Society of Northern California

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 26, 2011) – Dr. Herman Valle, head of mission of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California receives a plaque of recognition and appreciation from Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon for their full support and service to the province of Sarangani during the Grand Surgical – Medical Mission 2011 thanksgiving dinner at Family Country Hotel. (SARANGANI INFORMATIONOFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Mindanaw Solidarirty Conference

KORONADAL CITY (January 26, 2011) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon talks in behalf of the Provincial Government of Sarangani during the Mindanaw Solidarity Conference at Koronadal City. The Mindanaw Solidarity Conference was organized to positively respond to the common concerns on socio-economic and political issues. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

MinDa Chairwoman

KORONADAL CITY (January 26, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon listens to Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairwoman Luwalhati Antonino as they share ideas during the Mindanaw Solidarity Conference 1st leadership summit at The Farm, Carpenter Hill,Koronadal City. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 26, 2011) – Members and staff of Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. headed by mission director Dr.Benedict Edward Valdez (4th left) receives a plaque of recognition and appreciation from Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (3rd left) andthe provincial government of Sarangani for their contribution and as one of the major partners in the conduct of the weeklong Grand Surgical – Medical Mission 2011 at Provincial Capitol. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Sarangani Bay view

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 25, 2011) – A tourist takes a look at the Sarangani Bay early morning from Lemlunay Dive Resort’s infinity pool. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION

Kris dance

MALUNGON, Sarangani (January 25, 2011) – A lovely biya (princess) of the Tagakaolo tribe dances the Lepang, a kris dance or warrior dance. Even women of the tribe must know how to defend themselves in times of danger or when an aging tribal leader needs to be defended. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Coco White Sand Beach

GUMASA (January 25, 2011) – As summer is about to begin, Capitol employees play volleyball at the beachfront of Coco White Sand Beach on a weekend while the sun is about to take a dip at the horizon. Huge clouds like these reflect the sun’s colors dramatically contrasting the blue water and flakes below. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Grand medical mission serves 7,301 indigents

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 23, 2011) – The biggest medical-surgical mission here, with lead medical team from the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC) and Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. (MCFI) served 7,301 Sarangani indigents.

PMSNC and MCFI, composed of more than 200 doctors and medical staff, were invited by the provincial government to conduct the five-day medical mission. It so far served the biggest number of indigent patients in major and minor surgeries, dental services, pediatric, optical and general medical services.

“We have prepared for this in the past three years in order to accommodate as many patients in the province as necessary,” Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said.

The province started screening patients from farthest barangays in September last year.

“We are very grateful that we were given medicine and provided medical assistance through the provincial government,” teary–eyed Luzviminda Naharo, a beneficiary, said.

Solon and Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias welcomed the PMSNC medical team at General Santos City International Airport on January 15.

Among the 20 boxes of medical equipment and eyeglasses on board the plane were 14 boxes under the name of ophthalmologist Ron Enriquez.

“Perhaps our first challenge to help the people of Sarangani came right after we arrived at the Manila International Airport,” Enriquez said.

“But it’s good that we were able to make the Customs officials understand our passion to help and asked no more questions after some delays.”

Enriquez explained the team knows the rules in the Philippines and appreciate them doing their job, but said, “Please help us in delivering these services to them. Right now there are a lot of people in Sarangani already waiting for us.”

Enriquez desperately decided to cancel joining the mission after one of the boxes in his name was missing. The box contained 800 pairs of eyeglasses he intended to give to his patients. After knowing the incident, some staff of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan contacted the airport and located the box before the first day of the mission.

Three years ago, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary Jose Villanueva, provincial health officer Antonio Yasaña, and Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon went to Davao City to start planning the medical mission.

“We would like to thank our partners and volunteers who answered the call to bring help to our indigents in the province,” Yasaña said.

MCFI mission director Benedict Edward Valdez and PMSNC head Herminigildo Valle appreciated the leadership of the provincial government “in maximizing the effort to help their people”.

Volunteer nursing students from Brokenshire College of SocSKSSarGen, General Santos Doctors Foundation, Inc., also joined the mission.

Major surgeries were done at the Socsargen County Hospital in General Santos City.
“Thank you, Governor Migs, Congressman Pacquiao, mayors and volunteers and for making this medical mission very successful. Let us continue our partnership in helping our fellow Sarangans. Many organizations have expressed their willingness to join our next medical mission and our sincere interest to serve our people,” Solon said. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Token

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 22, 2011) - Glan Councilor and co-owner of Sarangani Highlands Resort Dr. Tranquilino Ruiz gives a photo frame of a Blaan lass to Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman as a token as Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Hermelo Latoja looks on during the consultative meeting of the Secretary with all local chief executives of Sarangani province as part of the Regional Convergence Roadshow Friday, January 21, at Sarangani Highlands Resort and Restaurant. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Greetings

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) - Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias and Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon greet residents as they arrive at Juanico Ville for a turn over ceremony of the Shelter Assistancce Project Friday, January 21, in barangay Lun Padidu. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Discussion

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) - OIC Governor Steve Solon talks with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman as Vice Mayor Jinal Panayaman listens at the turn over ceremony of the shelter assistance project. Sec. Soliman also had consultative dialogue over lunch with local chief executives of the entire province as part of the Regional Convergence Roadshow. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Consultative meeting

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 22, 2011) - Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman speaks at the consultative meeting with local chief executives of Sarangani province as part of the Regional Convergence Roadshow Friday, January 21, at Sarangani Highland Resort and Restaurant. With her at the panel are DSWD regional director Bai Zorahayda Taha, Acting Vice Governor Hermie Galzote and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Hermelo Latoja. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Certificate of Stewardship

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) - Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman awards the Certificate of Stewardship to one of the beneficiaries of Juanico Ville resettlement project, Friday, January 21 in barangay Lun Padidu. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Briefing

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) - OIC Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon briefs Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman during the turn over ceremony of the shelter assistance project Friday, January 21, at Juanico Ville resettlement area in barangay Lun Padidu. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Arrival in resettlement area

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) - Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Hermelo Latoja (3rd left) with Barangay Captain Alexander Figuracion (left) and Board Member Hermie Galzote (2nd left) escort Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman upon her arrival at Juanico Ville resettlement area Friday, January 21, for a turn over ceremony of the shelter assistance project. Sec. Soliman also had consultative dialogue over lunch with local chief executives of the entire province as part of the Regional Convergence Roadshow. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Secretary Soliman

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) – Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman delivers her inspirational message before community volunteers during the dialogue and interaction with her Friday, January 21, at Templado Beach Resort in barangay Malbang. Secretary Soliman ensured that her department will provide help and work hand in hand with Mayor Jose Zamorro on their core projects in Maasim. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner P. Arzaga)

SEA-K testimony

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) – SEA-K (Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran) community volunteer Ustadz Mohammad Saudi Tua imparts his testimony in the presence of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and to his fellow community volunteers how the project helps him a lot as he now raised 15 goats in his farm. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner P. Arzaga)

Mayor Zamorro and DSWD

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) – Mayor Jose Zamorro delivers his welcome address in the presence of DSWD officials and community volunteers of his town. The mayor expressed his gratitude to Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman for her countless projects and programs poured in Sarangani particularly in the town of Maasim. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner P. Arzaga)

Dialoge with Secretary Soliman

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) – Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman answers questions from community volunteers of the government’s three core program namely: Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KALAHI – CIDSS), Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) of the DSWD during the dialogue and interaction held at Templado Beach Resort Friday, January 21, in barangay Malbang. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner P. Arzaga)

A thankful 4P's testimonial

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) – A thankful 4P’s community volunteer Eden Pepito shares testimony how she was provided an assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) during an open dialogue and interaction with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman Friday, January 21, at Templado Beach Resort in barangay Malbang of Maasim. A widow and a mother of six, she recalled the hardships she had been through in raising her children. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner P. Arzaga)

Volunteers

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – A volunteer nursing student and volunteers from Red Cross join together in serving and helping the people of Sarangani by providing medical assistance during the conduct of Grand Surgical–Medical Mission in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc., Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, SocSarGen County Hospital and other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Surgical-Medical Mission

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon checks the condition of a patient after a surgical operation at Capitol gym during the five-day Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Provincial Capitol and SocSarGen County Hospital. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Red Cross volunteers

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon gives his appreciation and gratitude to the team of Red Cross volunteers in joining the Grand Surgical-Medical Mission by serving the people of Sarangani. Over a thousand Sarangani residents benefited from the mission. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Provincial Health Officer

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Dr. Antonio Yasaña, provincial health officer, gives his remarks and expresses his gratitude to the speakers and participants from General Santos City’s nurses and doctors who participated in the lecture given by Philippine Medical Society of Northern California medical team at Sun City Suites. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Minor surgery doctors

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Minor surgery doctors of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California take a souvenir photo with Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, representing Governor Migs Dominguez, at the Kasfala Hall during the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Maharlika Charity Foundation Inc., SocSarGen County Hospital and other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Medical lecture

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 21, 2011) – Dr. Thomas Feeney, Director of Education in San Francisco Heart and Vascular Institute Seton Medical Center and member of Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, gives a lecture about hypothermia to the medical students, nurses and doctors from General Santos City and Sarangani at Sun City Suites in line with the five-day Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Provincial Capitol. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc.

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) - Dr. Benedict Edward P. Valdez of Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. performs a surgical operation to a patient during the five-day Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Provincial Capitol. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

PMSNC pediatrician

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Dr. Ramon Ortaliz, a pediatrician from Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC), checks a child during the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission, assisted by volunteer-students from General Santos Doctors Medical School Foundation Inc. at the Provincial Capitol Monday, January 17. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Mission beneficiaries

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon greets the beneficiaries who were availing of the free surgical–medical services of the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Provincial Capitol. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Hospital visit

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 21, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon wears a surgical gown together with some US Army personnel in preparing to visit the operating room of SokSarGen County Hospital where major surgeries are conducted for the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission in partnership with the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, Provincial Government of Sarangani, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. and other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Doctor of Internal medicine

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Doctor of Internal Medicine Gene Balbuena of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California checks a patient during the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Capitol compound Monday, January 17. This five-day surgical-medical mission is in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. and other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Herniorraphy and Cheiloplasty

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 17, 2011) – Nursing student volunteers from General Santos Doctors Foundation, Inc. assist patients for herniorraphy and cheiloplasty operation at the Kasfala Hall during the first day of the Grand Surgical and Medical Mission Monday, January 17, sponsored by the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Incorporated, and the provincial government. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Minor surgery

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 17, 2011) – A surgeon does a minor surgery to an indigent patient in a function room inside the Kasfala that turns to be an operating room during the first day of the Grand Surgical and Medical Mission Monday, January 17, sponsored by the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Incorporated, and the provincial government. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Patients line up

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 17, 2011) – Screened patients for eye operation wait outside a conference room inside the Kasfala used as an operating room during the first day of the Grand Surgical and Medical Mission Monday, January 17, sponsored by the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Incorporated, and the provincial government. More than 200 doctors, nurses, medical staff and volunteer medical students joined the biggest medical mission in the province from January 17- 21. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Grand Surgical-Medical Mission Team

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 16, 2011) – Doctors, nurses and medical staff from the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California headed by Dr. Hernan Valle (4th right) together with Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias (center) and department heads take a souvenir photo as they arrive at General Santos City International Airport Saturday, January 15, for the weeklong Grand Surgical–Medical Mission in Sarangani on January 17–21. A total of 250 foreign and local doctors, medical practitioners, and volunteers will participate in the mission. The five-day activity will be composed of general medical, pediatric, general surgical services and dental services for free. This is in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc., and other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Board Member Tobias welcomes medical team

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 16, 2011) – Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias (center) together with some department heads of Provincial Capitol welcome the medical team from the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California at the tarmac of General Santos City International Airport Saturday, January 15. The team will spearhead the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at Provincial Capitol on January 17–21. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Acting Governor welcomes medical team

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 16, 2011) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) and Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias (right) welcome the medical team of Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC) at General Santos City International Airport Saturday, January 15, for the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Provincial Capitol from January 17 to 21. This mission is in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, PMSNC, and Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. together with other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)