Catanduanes Forum

A float at the Catanduanes festival a few years ago was criticized on this site for using live crabs in their display and an appeal to organizers of future festivals to outlaw the exploitation and inhumane treatment of animals in the festivities. This is quite right.

Virac firefighters got into hot water this week. They were called to a blaze a stone's throw from their HQ but were unable to respond. Someone had not filled one fire truck with water and the other lacked the Deisel to fire up the engine. Red-faced the impotent bomberos called on colleagues from other stations; but by the time they were able to respond the house was beyond help.
The building was occupied by elderly and paralyzed people; no one is reported hurt. The fire was caused by one of FICELCO's brownouts. A candle was lit, and this caused the fire.

As if we didn't suffer enough power cuts. Check local press this week for an open letter from Catanduanes Power Generation, Inc. for their explanation why we can expect even more this summer.

President Noynoy Aquino visits the island this Tuesday. He will inspect the new radar installation.

If you buy a shiny new motorcycle it is unlikely that you will be able to get a shiny new number plate. The LTO have no stock. They will give you a document to cover you should you get stopped at a check point, allowing motorcyclists to ride for an extended period on "For Registration" plates - which one assumes is legal.
It is unclear when numbers will be available.

I hear that the island's boys in blue confiscated a motorcycle and now cannot find it! Has anyone else heard this story?

I hope Catandunganons and all followers of this site will consider lending their support to Earth Hour 2012. Originally conceived by WWF in 2007 it is a scheme to raise awareness of our Earth. Around the globe people, governments and organisations will be turning out their lights for one hour tonight from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on 31 March.

Please participate in this gesture, tell your neighbours what you are doing and encourage them to do the same. Hold an Earth Hour Party!

For more information go to: http://www.earthhour.org/

There were two gasoline suppliers on the island: Caltex and Petron. A few weeks ago I noticed that they were operating a cartel. In other words they were cooperating on price-fixing. Thus denying the consumer the benefit of choice in a free market economy which usually results in lower prices. This is illegal in many parts of the world - I don't know about here.

I wish all Catandunganons a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Please look after your pets tonight. They do not understand fireworks and can get very stressed. Make sure that they are kept out of the way and in a safe place.

Just recently several light bulbs (energy saving - naturally) in the house have had to be replaced. More seriously at about the same time both UPS units that protect my expensive appliances (TV, hifi, computer) from harmful current spikes, have failed.
Is this just bad luck or have other members on the island experienced similar occurrences?

Thinking of buying a used car or motorbike, check with the LTO 1st to see if it is stolen & that the details match the official records:

Land Transportation Office (LTO) is an agency of the Philippine government responsible for improving land transportation services and facilities and implementing various transportation laws, rules, and regulations.

LTO’s Info-Text service will allow any person with a mobile phone to ask LTO about rules and procedures, and even data on certain vehicles.

To get vehicle details, text:

There are certain things that I cannot find on Catanduanes; or may be I am looking in the wrong places. This thread could be useful to share information on where to obtain goods and services.
For starters I should like to know where to buy the following:
Butter
Yogurt
Whole Wheat (brown) Bread

Wine:
I buy boxed wine at Arcilla's (north of Gogon Bridge). I find boxed wine quality more reliable than buying wine in bottles here. Does anyone know of other suppliers?

Is there anything you wish you could get on Catanduanes and is there a supplier you would like to share with the Forum?

Does anyone know what has happened to the automated voting machines? Presumably they are to be used again. In the meantime where and how are they being stored?

Good News Pilipinas » Vote for RP’s entry to BBC’s World Challenge 2010

We would like to ask the help of every Filipino to support the country’s lone entry to the British Broadcasting Corp.’s (BBC) World Challenge 2010 title.

Go to the following link for further details:

http://goodnewspilipinas.com/?p=13284

Please vote soon as the 12 November deadline approaches.

Its over halfway through October, the TV news has begun the countdown to Christmas which heralds the end of the year and the promise of a new, better one to come.
Although a new signed up member of the Forum I have lurked as an interested observer for a long while. If I may I should like to offer some suggestions for the future of the Forum.