8 Magazine

15/06/2025

CULTURE: KANANGA KAANYAG FESTIVAL MARKS THIRD YEAR WITH GRANDER CELEBRATION, BIGGER PRIZES

The streets of Kananga in Leyte came alive during the third-year celebration of the Kananga Kaanyag Festival, the town's official cultural showcase.

At least six contingents joined this year’s ritual dance showdown held on Sunday afternoon, June 15.

In the school-based category, participants were Kananga II District (Mattswerting Kanangahanon), Kananga III District (Banay Alimyon), and Kananga I District (Kanangahanong Mattahum).

The open category included Tribu ni Don Mariano Lantawan Festival of Capoocan, Leyte, STI College Ormoc/Ormoc City’s Pundok sa Nagkahiusang Ormocanon, and Pundok sa Villabanhanong Manaragat.

In a press conference, Kananga Mayor Manuel Vicente "Matt" Torres thanked visitors and expressed his aspiration to present Kananga Kaanyag at national-level competitions such as Cebu’s Sinulog and the Aliwan Festival.

He also took pride in the town’s festival, calling it a "vibrant cultural heritage" and a product of "intensive and comprehensive cultural mapping" in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The finalists for Kananga Kaanyag Festival Queen 2025 were A***n Mae Cogay (Kananga II District), Shielo Sabornido (Kananga III), Pia Lovelle Omega (Kananga I), Eliana Gunabe Igamen (Tribu ni Don Mariano, Lantawan Festival), Ashley Marie Rojas (STI College Ormoc/Ormoc City), and Rea Joy Encienzo Cometa (Pundok sa Villabanhanong Manaragat).

One of the highlights of this year’s competition, in line with the town's 75th founding anniversary, was the increase in major prizes, with the top award for the ritual dance category rose from P200,000 to P500,000, while the street dance prize increased from P20,000 to P50,000, enhancing the competitive spirit of the contingents. I Photos by Moises Cruz via Ronald Reyes/SunStar Philippines

22/04/2025

: A stormy and rainy weather greeted Francis when he offered a public Mass before an estimated 500,000 people at the runway of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban.

“So many of you have lost everything. I do not know what to tell you. But surely, He knows what to tell you! So many of you have lost members of your family. I can only be silent; I accompany you silently, with my heart…” Francis had said in the homily.

UCA News:

Francis met and comforted survivors of deadly Typhoon Haiyan during his visit in 2015

20/04/2025

: 2 TACLOBAN VISUAL ARTISTS JOIN WORLD ART DUBAI 2025

Two members of City's KOLOR BANWA art group, Dante Enage and Keenan Garrido, joined 43 other Filipino at the prestigious World Art Dubai 2025 held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, United Arab Emirates ( ).

Their works are being showcased at the first-ever Philippine , under Spectro Lucid, a -based Art Gallery owned by Filipino art curator Carlo Garrido.

His Excellency Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, also met with the Filipino artists during the VIP Gala Night on April 16.

The exhibit runs from April 17 to 20. I Photos courtesy of Dante Enage/Kolor Banwa via Ronald O. Reyes

I via SunStar Philippines

20/12/2024

: Paytaca, the Philippines’ first Bitcoin Cash (B*H) wallet and payment solution based in Tacloban City, has partnered with Apex Super Club, the biggest nightclub in Cebu located at City Times Square, Mandaue City. The financial technology company is hosting an interactive booth display from December 18-21, 2024 at Apex Super Club where party-goers can explore and try the B*H-accepting vending machine, which is the first of its kind in Asia.

The exhibit at the Apex Super Club provides an opportunity for the public to experience firsthand B*H that can be used for everyday transactions. As part of the display, attendees can interact with the vending machine and learn about the potential of B*H in simplifying payments.

“The interactive display this December gives people the chance to see how easy it is to use Bitcoin Cash, and it’s the perfect setting to introduce more Cebu residents to the benefits of digital currency,” said Paytaca President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joemar Taganna.

“With Bitcoin Cash rapidly gaining popularity as a secure, low-cost payment method, this event is an important step in raising awareness and furthering the adoption of cryptocurrency in local businesses,” added Aaron JP Almadro, Paytaca Chief Marketing Officer. I Contributed photos via Sunstar Philippines

03/10/2024

: BAHANDI EASTERN VISAYAS TRADE FAIR IS BACK!

Explore the best of Eastern Visayas’ local treats and artisan products from October 3-7, 2024, at Mega Trade Hall 1, 5th Level, Mega B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

BAHANDI, a Binisayá term for treasures and wealth, is the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 8 brand for its Eastern Visayas Trade Fair since 1987, where tradition meets innovation.

This year’s trade fair features unique offerings, from native traditional delicacies, all-natural healthy options, and innovative food products, to wearables and homestyle items made by the six provinces of Eastern Visayas: Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar. I video from Bahandi Eastern Visayas Trade Fair via Ronald Reyes

06/08/2024

: Carlos Yulo, double gold medal awardee, 2024 Paris Olympics

Philippine Church is celebrating with the entire nation after the historic double gold medal win by gymnast Carlos Yulo at the Paris Olympics, causing euphoria across the nation.

I via UCA News

Carlos Yulo’s historic performance at the Paris Olympics is being celebrated across the Philippines

21/07/2024

: Catholics in the Philippines are elated after a 17th century cathedral, Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, was conferred with the status of a national shrine.

https://www.ucanews.com/news/maasin-cathedral-in-the-philippines-gets-national-shrine-status/105650

I via UCA News

A large number of pilgrims are expected to visit the 17th century national shrine

10/07/2024

: Let's Go Northern Samar 🎊🎉❤️

Catch Gigi de Lana together with Gigi Vibes Band on August 20, 2024 at Provincial Capitol Gym.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭:
𝐌𝐬. 𝐈𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐂. 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐱𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 - 𝟎𝟗𝟔𝟏 𝟑𝟑𝟖 𝟖𝟓𝟎𝟔

Kita Kits 😍😘💕😘

I via Enigma Events & Production, Inc.

09/07/2024

: PAYTACA ROLLS OUT CRYPTO-WALLET APP IN CEBU

Paytaca Inc., the first Financial Technology Application (FinTech App) developed in Eastern Visayas region, has successfully launched its Bitcoin Cash (B*H) wallet app in Cebu City on July 7, 2024.

“Starting with this launch, we hope to grow the marketplace and our network of partner merchants in Cebu from now on,” said Paytaca CEO Dr. Joemar Taganna.

He added that the use of B*H, though the Paytaca app, reduces payment processing and costs, “letting us offer an online marketplace with lower prices and fees than competitors.”

“We bring this benefit to every city we enter, including Cebu. Our POS app also enables fast, almost zero-fee B*H payments for brick-and-mortar stores, saving merchants from the fees associated with credit cards and e-wallets,” Taganna told Sunstar Philippines.

Aaron JP Almadro, Paytaca chief marketing officer, thanked the attendees and their Cebu partner merchants during the launching activity at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

“It was both scary and exhilarating to hold a launch at a new city, and Cebu, at that was on a whole different level. The team didn't know what to expect, but the Cebuano crowd was attentive and inquisitive,” said Almadro.

“It was fun introducing Paytaca to our new found friends and we look forward to being a partner in the drive for a truly cashless, decentralized, and seamless payment system,” he added.

As a mobile app that administers cashless payment transactions between a user and merchant, Paytaca is using a blockchain technology that guarantees a virtually tamper-proof recording of transaction.

Paytaca Chief Finance Officer Jomari Abellar was also amazed at how the Cebuanos "are welcoming and receptive to the idea of using cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin Cash, as a mode of payment for day-to-day transactions."

"We have not even officially launched yet in Cebu, but we have already onboarded several Cebu-based merchants. What amused me more was when I saw Cebuanos, young and old, installing Paytaca and trying to use it through our vending machine," he said.

After their launching in cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, and Cebu, Paytaca also aims to capture the market in Metro Manila and abroad, specially in countries in South America and Africa.

Almadro earlier said that they aim to be a payment option for utilities, banking transactions, and then large-scale businesses like commercial malls and convenience stores.

As the 2021 champion for the Philippines Start Up Challenge in the region, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Eastern Visayas lauded Paytaca "for its commitment to harnessing technology to create an ecosystem that empowers businesses and individuals alike."

In 2023, Paytaca bagged the Innovation Champion and Outstanding Trailblazer Award at the 1st Leyte GULF Business Awards by the Tacloban-Leyte chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at the Oriental Hotel and Resort in Palo, Leyte. (By Ronald Reyes)

Photo by Sunstar/File

08/07/2024

: PAYTACA BITCOIN CASH WALLET APP INVADES CEBU

Paytaca Inc., the first Financial Technology (FinTech) application developed in Eastern Visayas region, has successfully launched its Bitcoin Cash (B*H) wallet app in Cebu City on Sunday, July 7, 2024

"Starting with this launch, we hope to grow the marketplace and our network of partner merchants in Cebu from now," said Paytaca CEO Dr. Joemar Taganna.

Aaron JP Almadro, Paytaca chief marketing officer, thanked the attendees and their Cebu partner merchants during the launching activity at the Robinson Galleria Cebu.

They also looked forward to being a "partner in the drive for a truly cashless, decentralized, and seamless payment system."

As a mobile application that administers cashless payment transactions between a user and merchant, Paytaca is using a blockchain technology that guarantees a virtually tamper-proof recording of transactions.

Chief Finance Officer Jomari Abellar was also amazed at how the Cebuanos "are welcoming and receptive to the idea of using cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin Cash, as a mode of payment for day-to-day transactions."

"We have not even officially launched yet in Cebu, but we have already onboarded several Cebu-based merchants. What amused me more was when I saw Cebuanos, young and old, installing Paytaca and trying to use it through our vending machine," he added.

After their successful launching in the cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, and Cebu, Paytaca also aimed to capture the market in Metro Manila and abroad, specifically in countries in South America and Africa.

Almadro earlier said that they aim to be a payment option for utilities, banking transactions, and large-scale businesses like commercial malls and convenience stores.

As the 2021 champion for the Philippines Start Up Challenge in the region, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Eastern Visayas lauded Paytaca "for its commitment to harnessing technology to create an ecosystem that empowers businesses and individuals alike."

In 2023, Paytaca bagged the Innovation Champion and Outstanding Trailblazer Award at the 1st Leyte GULF Business Awards by the Tacloban-Leyte chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at the Oriental Hotel and Resort in Palo, Leyte. I Contributed photos via Ronald Reyes/Sunstar Philippines

08/07/2024

CALL FOR ENTRIES: TABONTABON 1-DAY MEN’S VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2024

The Tabontabon One-Day Men’s Volleyball League in Tabontabon town, Leyte, is now calling for entries for this year’s open invitational tournament for men on July 19 at the municipal gymnasium.

“The tournament is an inclusive, non-discriminatory event that welcomes men of all ages (except children below 12 years old) and abilities, creating a unique platform for participation, learning, and development,” said Ariem Cinco, tournament organizer.

Registration is open until July 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. The registration fee is P700.00, and the cash bond is P300.00. Major prizes and special awards will be given to the winners.

The teams shall register online through this link: https://forms.gle/VWkMjwQh4hpWakFbA, or through the page Tabontabon Ace Spikers.

Participating teams must submit their team photo upon registration online. The same photo will be shown in a team gallery. Non-submission of a team photo means forfeiture of the registration fee, and the team may not be allowed to play.

The cash bond will be returned to the participating teams after the closing program on July 19. It will only be returned to teams that attend the parade, solidarity meeting, and preliminary activities.

The registration fee is non-refundable. Walk-in registration on the day of the league, July 19, is not allowed.

The Tabontabon One-Day Men’s Volleyball League, a project under Cinco’s “CELLS: Cultivating Education for Love of Life through Sports,” will serve as a platform for teams to benchmark good playing practices, exchange experiences and expertise on the hard court, develop camaraderie among teams, elevate the standard of games in the region, promote inclusivity and non-discrimination among men of varied orientations, encourage physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle, provide a platform for talent discovery, strengthen community ties, and offer a competitive yet friendly and fun environment.

For more information, contact Ariem Venezuela Cinco at 09452378066.

06/07/2024

Get ready to be part of an epic event at Robinsons Galleria Cebu with Paytaca leading the charge into the future of finance.

Tomorrow, July 7, 2024! Don't miss out on this momentous event! 🚀

*H