GIFT GIVING ON HER BIRTHDAY

by: Rey Tupal

A different kind of celebration was tossed by Mrs. Fe Tupal – Madamba on her birthday last December 9, 2007. Her birthday was on December 13 but she opted to celebrate it on an earlier date with the kids.

Instead of a typical food-eating and party drinking, the celebrator threw a big party to the kids of Poniente, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte. The celebration was full of fun and merriment; not even the rain could stop the kids to flock in front of Tupal’s residence in sitio Tuya-Tuya, and all the kids around received toys and special gifts from Mrs. Fe Madamba. Before the gift giving, parlor games were played by the kids (and adults alike) and prices were given to the individual and group winners. Not just the young ones were able to enjoy this moment but all adults too. Nobody went home without anything.

Ate Fe conveyed that it was self fulfilling to see everybody especially the kids wore a big smile after receiving a gift. This was her first time to do this and she hoped to do it again next year. She also expressed special thanks to Mr. Vic and Mrs. Nene Villaverde (Lucban, Quezon), Mr. Yoyoy Tan (Davao), Mr. Boy Misolis (Davao), Ms. Nelly Niu Benemerito (Naga, Cebu), Mrs. Lorna Enano Rosa (Davao) who incidentally paid us a visit and consequently helped us during the gift giving. Special thanks also to Sarah Tupal and her company who untiringly made efforts to register out all the kids, to Cacan Gesta – Peligrino, Mano Boy Gesta and family who helped us facilitate the party to run it smoothly and to all who in one way or another made this noble act came to reality.

Click below image for more photos . . .

GNSHIans bag awards National STEP-SDC

GNSHIans bag awards
National STEP-SDC
By: Apple Mae Bonite

“STEP: Upgrading Skills, Improving Lives” was the year’s theme during the 6th Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs of the Philippines-National Skills and Development Competition (STEP-NSDC) held at Davao City last November 19-24, 2007.
The competition was joined by estimated 2,400 delegates with their coaches representing the 16 Regions namely: Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, NCR, CAR and CARAGA. The Gigaquit National School of Home Industries representatives were luckily one of the national contestants.

But before concurring the nationals, they have represented our school to the different levels. After winning to the Division level, they again represent the Division of Surigao del Norte to the Regional STEP-SDC held at San Francisco, Agusan del Sur last October 21-24.And fortunately, got the first places and gone to Davao City to represent the CARAGA Region.

This was the third time for the Wedding Cake Decorating and AM Radio Assembly to defend its place and the second time for the Construction and Upholstering a Stool. It was also the first time for the Photographic Printing and Pumpkin Pie Making to join the Nationals.

And with God’s grace, GNSHIans made it again. Here are the winning skills, the student entrepreneurs, their coaches and their places:

Skill: Construction and Upholstering a Stool
Contestant: Mark Joe Sebial Mr.
Coach: Jonathan Telen
Place: 6th

Skill: Golden Wedding Anniversary Cake Decorating
Contestant: Joa Kristel Pingal
Coach: Mrs. Ma. Linda Enario
Place: 7th

Skill: Photographic Printing
Contestant: Cherald Jun Joseph Tabigue
Coach: Mr. Danilo Galve
Place: 8th

Skill: AM Radio Assembly
Contestant: Elmer Bano
Coach: Mrs. Jasmin Yujoco
Place: 13th

Skill: Pumpkin Pie Making
Contestant: Ma. Flor Binag
Coach: Ms. Ma. Pamela Puliran
Place: 13th

Congratulations! We’re so proud of you!

Gigaquit Parish Hosts Halloween Disco ‘O7

Gigaquit Parish Hosts Halloween Disco ‘O7

By: Jojo M. Patosa

Saint Augustine Parish of Gigaquit spearheaded by Rev. Fr. Jun A. Balberia, DCS together with the Parish Youth Formation Team launched the first ever Halloween Disco and Party ’07 on the eve of All Souls Day.



Before the party started, Michael Jackson’s “GHOST” video was presented that left the audience in trembling and shocking mood. Extreme dancers and the Sajao Gigad dancers of GNSHI showcased their dancing prowess that bedazzled the audience.



Another highlight of the party was the scary Halloween costume contest in which eight contestants showcased their scariest projection that fits to their costume. Artemio Galgo Jr. the representative from San Isidro Chapel was adjudged as first place winner and brought home the prize at stake which was sponsored by Hon. Mayor Carlos M. Egay, Sr. & Dr. Elvira Egay and family.

Personalities like Board Member Atty. Carlos A. Egay, Jr. together with his beloved wife and Dr. Elvira A Egay graced the affair. Everyone enjoyed the party and danced ‘till they dropped. The disco ended at 2:30 dawn.

Click below image to see other photos . . .

Message from the Website Team: GOL Volume 3

Marajaw na Pasko sanan bag-o na tuig sa tanan mga Higakitnon!

First of all, the website team would like to thank all those who sent their kind words which really inspired us to continue the efforts to bring the latest updates that concern Gigaquitnons around the world. The following are some of the beautiful comments we received . . .

Fri, 7 Dec 2007 14:14:21 +0800Bottom of Form
textfield : dhadai
textfield5 : charr...
ka cute pud sa website
sa ggaq8,,,
wid mtchng video link pa..


Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:35:53 +0800
textfield : Grace Roa Gonzalez
textfield5 : Congratulations!!! This is wonderful!!!
I am very proud of being a Gigaquitnon and of all of you for a job
well done.
Keep up the good work !


Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:23:30 +0800
textfield : Kandy Whitehead
textfield5 : I am a friend of Grace Gonzalez. I live in Las Vegas. I visited Gigaquit with her in July. I loved your town. It was the favorite part of my trip to the Philippines. Everyone was so friendly and made me feel so welcome. Gigaquit was so beautiful. I\'m so impressed with your website. It is first class all the way. I\'ve seen websites in the United States that can\'t even compare with how professional and informational yours is. It brings back fond memories of my trip. Congratulations.


Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:55:58 +0800
textfield : Rudy P. Nasi
textfield3 : D I L G
textfield5 : Hello fellow gutgots!
CONGRATULATIONS! just visited our website and finds it very informative
even this early in its launching. I hope u continue this project to
let our fellow gigaquitnons abroad and locally, informed of whats going
on in our town thru this medium. CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK!


Date: Oct 3, 2007 9:32 AM
Subject: Gigaquit Online::Contact Us
To: emilcan@gmail.com
textfield : Marcial B. Pepino
textfield3 : Mayfield Inn & Suites
textfield5 : I would like to appreciate the website team of GCC,and i would like also to take this oppurtunity na kumusta kamo tanan did on,Mabuhay ang Gigaquitnon..greetings from manny pepino ,edmonton,alberta,canada


Date: Aug 23, 2007 8:35 AM
Subject: Gigaquit Online::Contact Us
To: emilcan@gmail.com
textfield : cheeryl
hello world ...nice website keep it up!!!


Also, we would like to thank our first-time contributors Ms. Apple Mae Bonite, Mrs. Analiza Libago, Bgy. Captain Loreto B. Laurena, Kagawad Ma. Elena Veyra, Mr. Brady Eviota and Mr. Jojo Patosa.

We don’t want to pretend to be professionals. We consider ourselves as all amateurs and all Gigaquitnons need not be afraid to get involved in sharing their stories with the website team. For as long as your message can be understood it is fine.

If you notice some changes in Volume 3, it is because we made some major modifications as follows . . .
1. The section “Contact Us” has been moved inside the website team box, to consolidate these two related matters.
2. We placed a box “Support Us” for those who wish to advertise in our website and extend financial support to the different projects of GCC.
3. We added more details in “About GCC” so our fellow Gigaquitnons could understand better our organization that manage Gigaquit Online.


Hope you continue to enjoy reading our website. Looking forward to the New Year 2008!

Merry Christmas to all!

GOL Digest Volume 3

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

A year had passed already since the idea of creating a Rotary Club-type of organization for Gigaquitnons was born. At this time, the Gigaquit Civic Club is still a small group but we are pleased with the way things are taking shape even though all that needs to be done to achieve that dream of a modern and prosperous Gigaquit is still a long way to go. But we at GCC recognize that this need not be a daunting task. As the question goes . . . “how do you eat an elephant”? The answer is . . . “eat it one piece at a time”! Don’t swallow it at once as that would be impossible! Likewise, GCC’s vision cannot be achieved overnight. It will take years, decades . . . perhaps a lifetime? Many of my colleagues are in their mid-30’s and we sometimes say . . . Gigaquit Online was achieved within one year . . . so if we have one major project every year just think how many things we could have achieved when we reach (God willing) 70 years old!

One interesting motto is that of the United States Marines. It goes like this. . . “Always Outnumbered But Never Out Fought”! This is something that members of GCC can identify or relate to because we are few but seemed able to deliver somehow. In fact, many committee meetings involve only 3 to 4 persons at a time. Seldom does a quorum is at full strength. So what made the U.S. Marines able to perform as such with fewer numbers? Are they superior to the other soldiers? Maybe proper recruitment and selection are big factors. And so do discipline and rigid training. But another very important factor that is not often mentioned is equipment and logistics.

Just like the Marines, GCC’s target of at least one major project a year cannot be achieved by sheer “grit” alone. We need support and assistance. The soldiers perform well in the field due to the numerous units that are involved behind the scenes. There are many who love our town as much as GCC-members do . . . perhaps even more. These are the ones we at GCC count on. We know they will rise up to the challenge in time. They can contribute through any of the 3 T’s . . . Time, Talent and/or Treasure.

Many Gigaquitnons share our cause and are actively or soon will be actively helping in several GCC activities. We therefore conceptualize the GCC Volunteers corps in order to achieve teamwork among them. For now, we are forming the GCC Hometown Volunteers that is made up of Gigaquitnons residing currently in the mother town. With them, the Manila-based GCC can implement the projects more effectively.

Regarding our Scholarship program, the GCC Education Committee has already started initial discussions in order to thresh out the details of the mechanics. We hope and pray that we will hear not only interests from those seeking assistance but also from those who wish to support this endeavor.

Christmas is a season of giving. But we hope that among Gigaquitnons, the spirit of Christmas will not just be seasonal, but rather, a continuous disposition.

Mabuhay an mga Gigaquitnons!

Steven A. Egay
GCC President