Libjo will represent Dinagat Islands

In Caraga regional level competition students from Albor National High School will represent the province of Dinagat Islands in the 28th National Quiz Bee for Science and Statistics.

Jefford Crispo will represent Statistics and Kenneth Ecle for Science. That is from the result of the 17 schools competing in the Division Level.

In the photo (left) Jefford with adviser Euzel Cabeza (middle) Kenneth Ecle and (right) Jefford Crispo

Photos from the 1st Governor's Cup

Pictures taken during the Sept. 29 game held in Libjo. Games are held 2 days on each town. (Photos by Euzel Cabeza)








LIBJO (green) and TUBAJON (blue) teams.








Libjo gym has comparable or much bigger than Surigao's provincial gym.








ANHS Dance Troop during the half time.

Dinagat Islands First Inter-municipality Tournament

Here' the result of the 1st Governor Jade's Cup Intermunicipality Tournament
September 1 to October 5, 2007. Team Standing as of September 30,2007

Team	Win	Loss
Basilisa	4	2
Cagdianao	2	3
Dinagat	2	4
Libjo	3	3
Loreto	3	2
San Jose	2	4
Tubajon	4	2
Libjo Team
Ramada	#5
Llamera	#12
Buenafe	#9
Taypa	#18
Oslob	#4
Lumpay	#7
Ecuben	#11
Davin	#15
Temario	#13
Manitas	#6
Mercado	#14

Malbacias Clan and Geneology in Libjo Dinagat Islands

Desendants of Eusubio and Liberato Malbacias in Barangay San Jose, Libjo, Dinagat Islands. And the geneologies of Malbacias brothers and their desendants.Video is taken by Greg Malbacias.

Renovation

For those who haven't visited Libjo for more than 5 years, this is one change you will notice when you're back here. The area where once the old municipal stage, open basketball court and rural health center stand was now renovated and a lawn tennis court, park and Legislative Building can be found. It is where Flag Raising and Flag Retreat ceremonies are being conducted. You can click the photos to have a closer look.

Panginhas

I remember when I was still in 4th year high school, during our 30 minutes recess period, my classmates agree to do pamokot (net fishing). Yes, we did! In that short period of time. While our male classmates do the pamokot, we females were just inside the baroto (canoe) on our school uniform and school shoes. Yes! In the middle of that deep dark blue sea! I somehow miss those adrenalin rush...has the canoe cupsized....im sure im dead, not because of shark attack but because my mother would kill me....but it's a lot of fun. "Panginhas" (collecting sea shells by the sea shore) is as much fun as pamokot. It is mostly done during very low tide except "saang" and "kuno" which can only be found at the deeper part of the shore. Sea shells like samong, aninikad, dayo-dayo, tamparong or suwaki(sea urchin), liboo(mud clam), tuway(sand clam), bayat(sea cucumber), or suga-suga(crab) are the various goodies you can find by the seashore

Saang, kuno ,aninikad and suwaki.








One tempting shoreline for "Panginhas" in Libjo.

Libjo Breeze and Fog

Have you heard of the a story during the world war Japanese airplane find difficult to navigate or could not find Dinagat Island because of the thick fog? It must be true. During early mornings in Libjo as far as Mt Pelhi and straight to Libjo bay area is all covered with fog. White thick fog until around 9 in the morning. That makes the place a little cooler. Mountain breeze as what they call it. It happens in the evening through the early morning. And it goes opposite direction in the midday coming from the bay going up to the land to the mountains. We call it sea breeze. We could not experience this is if we go inland or go somewhere in huge mainlands. In my opinion this is much pretty view compared to smog in Los Angeles California and Manila. This makes our temperature a little more moderated. When you are in the tropics this is not hot as you think. This could mean 75-85 degrees F all the time.

Reused Bottled Drink in Libjo

Aside from the few distilled beverages like gin and rhum (tanduay), empty bottles of beer and soft drinks are required to be returned to where you purchase it. If you are from other countries these sounds funny. You buy something and you were told to return it? What kind of merchandise is it? Never found anywhere else, right? It is called return for reuse. It is a good in the sense we are not dumping used bottles or throwing it in the garbage. It is not recycled or use for other purposes. It is really return for reuse in its original purpose. Was it a government regulation? No. It’s not. We don’t have rules like in the US to collect 15 cents if bottles or cans are returned in a particular state. In towns like Libjo in the Philippines reuse and recycle has no government enforcement. There is only a simple reason why people return bottles, ‘deposit’. Every time you buy a bottled softdrink or beer you are required to bring a bottle exchange or a money deposit. And you know why? Because bottles in the Philippine-market costs more than what is inside. Meaning, beer bottle is more expensive than the beer itself. Because of its reuse value. Stores in the other hand to order wholesale are required deposit or empty bottles. They have to make sure they have complete set to re-order. And that is why if you have experience traveling in the Dinagat Islands and had a chance to eat and drink I’m sure you’ll be serve softdrink in a plastic cellophane bag with a straw (repackage softdrink from its original bottle). Of course no deposit required. And that's 'Only in the Philipines'.

News: Six out of Mindanao's 27 governors are women

Mindanao has six women governors now, representing 22.2 per cent of Mindanao’s 27 provinces.

This is the highest number thus far, of women serving as governors in Mindanao.
Of the six, four are first-term governors – Maria Valentina Plaza-Cornelio of Agusan del Sur, Jum J. Akbar of Basilan, Corazon N. Malanyaon of Davao Oriental and Geraldine Ecleo-Villaroman of the new province of Dinagat Island. Read more ...

One-Year Anniversary LibjoLIVE!

Happy Birthday LibjoLIVE! It’s a big big ONE-year. Thanks Tony G for noticing. Yes, one year online and one year of service. We really can't believe it. It is like we just started posting the other day and now one year have passed.

We appreciate for everybody’s continued support visiting our site and participation in posting comments and tagging in our chat room. Thank you for making LibjoLIVE! a real community online. And we're looking to give you more.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you for your great support! Hope you enjoy your visit!

Mayor's 52nd Birthday Celebration

August 1, 2007 is the 52nd birthday celebration of Libjo Municipal Mayor Lamberto T. Llamera Jr. The celebration was held at the newly constructed Libjo Gym which serves as the gyms blessing at the same time. The occasion was graced with a cock fighting derby promoted by Councilor Jimmy Taasan and a boxing.

During the affair, the mayor also welcomes Dr. Vicente Soco who will be the new resident physician of Albor District Hospital in Libjo from now onwards. It is known that the mayor was given an ultimatum from the Provincial Government for the closure of the District Hospital had he failed to find a resident physician.

In the photo is the Mayor with his loving daugther Melody who rushed home just for the celebration.

Inauguration and Oathtaking Ceremony

Late photo update during the Inauguration and Oathtaking Ceremony of the Newly Elected Libjo Municipal Officials last June 30, 2007. Solemnizing Officer is Hon. Judge Leonora Edera.

Hon. Mayor Lamberto Llamera Jr. with his wife Dr. Fe Llamera and daughter Melody Llamera






Hon. Vice Mayor Romeo Villarosa with his son Jiji Villarosa








SB Members with their family; Hon. Rogelio Magpatoc, Hon. Frank Areglo, Hon. Jack Llamera, Hon. Felix Dacles Jr., Hon. Lourdes Creencia, Hon. Valerio Cabajes Jr., Hon. Jimmy Taasan, and Hon. Pascual Simbajon

Mud Crabs in Libjo

Among the family of crustaceans, Alimango (Mud Crab) tastes one of the best and in Libjo, these crabs basically grow in mangrove swamps. Its also known as Mangrove Crab, Muddy and Black Crab.

In 1980's to 1990’s, electricity in Libjo is available only for three hours, that is from 6pm to 9pm. After lights out, some of the townpeople hunt for the much sought crab by using spear (sapang) and flashlight since crab can easily be blinded by lights.

Three years ago, I convinced my cousins to go with me hunting for “alimango”. Our uncles were pessimistic about our female force but were amazed when we got a crab weighing 1 kilo. You can just imagine how loud our screams were!

These days, it’s not that hard to find some “alimango” if you feel like eating them since some are starting to culture it. One place which I know has ongoing business of this kind is Barangay Llamera where the price per kilo ranges from Php 130-150.

Muthja in 1984 and 2007

Muthja is our basketball team in Libjo way back 1984. Here’s our photo back then wearing the team’s uniform. We won the championship game that year. And in the next photo is the very same uniform my kids are wearing today 23 years later. I told my son, you know what you are wearing the same uniform they are wearing here in the previous photo. My son asked me and he said, ‘Are they still alive?’

Padala in Libjo Dinagat Islands

Padala in our own definition differs from standard courier and mail service. Courier in the Philippines is LBC, DHL or FedEx for international shipping and mail service is done by Philippine Postal Corporation or Phil Post. Our Padala operates in different way. Usually Padala is something sent through a friend, a relative or someone we know. Almost free of charge much more if it is dub ‘pa-padala lang’. Saving the cost for courier. Padala is a Filipino tradition. Padala from the States and from relatives from the Middle East. We can Google ‘Padala’ with lots of different results. One says ‘it’s the cheapest way to send money’. Other says ‘Gift delivery for the Philippines’. ‘Easier way of giving Pinoy goodies to relatives and friends’ and more.

In Libjo our version of Padala is described as delivery of various stuff. Stuff like letters, packages, orders or sometimes cash. For someone who does the job this is a career. Called transport handyman for times this individual live merely by tip (pang tricycle, snacks). And because they are considered trader they pay no fare. Looks like part of the crew but they are not. They help on the crew on daily task in the boat. The main job is they handle wholesale orders from the stores. They are very important person. Of course everyone knows them. But this is also sometimes a risky business. They are trusted to carry 10’s of thousand of cash. And when it involves cash it always has temptation and risk of being robbed. This business is based on trust and building it takes time. Besides they have to learn to survive storms, waves and be a shipper. Basically live in a boat. Padala mostly works in places where no courier operates or since it is cheaper than courier.

News: Tubajon Municipal Councilor Found Dead

A passenger pump boat named MB Sweet Merah capsized Wednesday dawn off the coast Nonoc Island dawn drowning one passenger -- a newly elected Municipal Councilor of Tubajon town, one missing, while eight others including its four crew members were rescued.

Reports said that while the pump boat was crossing the Surigao Strait, huge waves and strong winds caused the vessel to capsize.

Hours later, a passing motor banca rescued six passengers and four crew members of the ill-fated MB Sweet Merah.

Unfortunately, one of its missing passengers who was later identified as Tubajon Municipal Councilor Florencia Binongo Alinsunod, 68, a resident of Barangay Malinao, Tubajon, Dinagat Islands Province was found dead at the shore of Barangay Talisay, Surigao City.

Another passenger is still missing. Read more...

News: Army Says Ferry Passengers Safe

Forty one passengers, among them a child, of the stranded roll on, roll off m/v Shuttle Ferry 10 are now safe, according to rescuers belonging to the 30th IB Philippine Army based in Surigao del Norte.

Colonel Isidro Purisima, commanding officer of the 30th IB Philippine Army, said the troops coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard for the rescue operations that started Wednesday afternoon.

Asia Marine Transportation Corporation, which owns and operates the vessel, sought the military's assistance.

"The vessel, which has cargoes of nine six-wheeler trucks, one 10-wheeler truck including its 41 passengers--some bound for Pasay City in Manila others for Leyte, is now anchored one mile north of Rizal Island, Dinagat Islands Province," Purisima said. Read more...

Cassava - Staple food in Dinagat Islands

Did you know my favorite snacks cassava cake, tabirak (ginat-an), linidgid and puto are all made from Cassava? Did you know Cassava has lots of names? We know this as Jaba, kamuting kahoy, kamanting, balanghoy. But in other places they also have different names. Cassava is called mandioca, aipim, or macaxeira in Portuguese, mandio in Guaraní, maniok in Afrikaans and Rotuman, yuca or mandioca in Spanish, muhogo in Swahili,mogho in Gujarati, tapioka in Fijian, kappa or maracheeni in Malayalam, singkong or ubi kayu in Indonesian and Malay language, tugi in Ilocano, balinghoy in Tagalog, maniok in German, Danish and Czech, manyok in Haitian Creole, lumu in Kichwa, manioc in French, mannyokka in Sinhala, khoai mì, khoai sắn in Vietnamese, mianga in Kikuyu and cassave in Dutch.

Myth or not if you plant the cassava stem upside down will produce a poisonous crop. It might be true but one thing for sure, Cassava cannot be eaten uncooked. You know why? It contains free and bound cyanogenic glucosides which are converted to cyanide in the presence of linamarase, a naturally occurring enzyme in cassava. And if this is grown in during drought season will produce more of this toxins. High content of this toxin will also cause Paralytic Neurological disease if consumed in several weeks. But cooking is sufficient enough to remove the toxins.

Besides rice, camote and coconut in Libjo cassava is the main food grown most especially in the upland regions. Its mostly known as substitute to the rice diet.

And so the song says:
Boy: Inday bayle ta
Girl: Di ko ka kapoy
Among pamahaw balanghoy
Among pani-udto balanghoy gi puto
Among panihapon balanghoy gihapon

BTW I have good news, I’ve heard San Miguel Corporation is planning to setup plantation for this crop in the Island.

‘Good For’ Credit System - Libjo, Dinagat Islands

You wonder how credit system works in Libjo? We don’t have credit cards. People even don’t know what is Visa or Master card. We don’t even have advance banking like ATM (Automated Teller Machines). Credit (Utang) is so important and much more so if you don’t have cash in hand. And that happens all the time. We have what we call as ‘Good For System’. Most of the commerce in the Island is done by this method. Teachers, hospital and municipal staff everyone. This is usually done in stores and not by banks. A written piece of paper for items and goods borrowed, dated and signed. Some even use this paper note to pay workers instead of paying cash in advance. Including small stores getting goods from the larger whole seller stores (we call it Angkat-angkat).

Stores should have a good record keeping. They also maintain an excellent credit evaluation method. They should know whose good payer, whose bad payer and also maintains a credit limit. I believed this will only works in places where people know everyone.

Plain simple and easy. The use of this system is so convenient that you don’t need to carry cash or wallet for cards. All you need is a piece of paper enough to write down items to borrow and sign. Such a powerful piece of paper store requires printing name before the signature to clearly identify whose signing. Since some signatures are hardly recognizable. Why we call it ‘Good For’ System? Because the note always starts with the word ‘Good For’ in the top.

Typically credits (Utang) are paid in the end of the month’s works payday.

News: Green groups want DENR revamp in Caraga

“Manipulations by moneyed illegal loggers in getting legal documents such as log transportation and cutting permits from local DENR offices all over Caraga have been on going for years and must be put to an end," the groups said.

“Alleged illegal logging activities in Caraga do not only destroy our future but also deprive the government of revenues from these illegal loggers who pose as legitimate wood traders but are actually smugglers of (illegally) cut woods," the groups added.

Caraga, noted for its wood-based economy, is composed of five provinces namely Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur and the cities of Butuan, Surigao and Bislig. Read more...