73rd IB 2nd Place in the Sarangani Swim Across the Bay

THE SWIM ACROSS SARANGANI BAY 2011 COMPETITION :: GLAN, Sarangani  - The first-ever swim across Sarangani Bay was on May 18, 2006, the first Sarangani Bay Festival, which was participated in by six teams.

“Now the event is on its 6th year in celebration of the Sarangani Bay Festival,” organizer Nemrod Butil said.

The province will celebrate the Sarangani Bay Festival on May 19 to 21, with the swim-across-the-bay on the second day (May 20) from 5:00am.

Swim-across-the-bay is a relay competition with team members both professional and amateurs swimming a distance of 15 kilometers from Tinoto Point in Maasim to Tango village in Glan.

To qualify, swimmers must be 14 years old or above. This year’s swimmers are mostly from Davao, South Cotabato, Koronadal City, General Santos City, Polomolok and local swimmers from Siguel and Maasim.

“This year, a new team from Kiamba (Sarangani) will join,” Butil said.

The idea to conquer the bay by human prowess was a brainchild of then swim manager Guiseppe Chew.

Chew described the race as “the longest open ocean marathon swimming competition in the country and probably in Asia.”

In the Philippines, related swimming competitions have been staged in Guimaras Strait (approximately 5km.), the body of water separating Guimaras and Panay islands, and in Samal Strait (5km.), separating Samal Island and mainland Davao.

Sarangani Bay’s biodiversity is twice richer than Carigara Bay in Northern Leyte, Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte, Bais Bay in Negros and Illana Bay in Northwestern Mindanao.

Sarangani Bay has been the passage for trade, businesses and social contacts with the Philippines’ Southernmost tip and neighboring countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei for hundreds of years.

But in particular, the bay provided a safe route to Sangils of Northern Indonesia and established trade and social relations with the Blaan natives of Glan some five hundred years ago.

“Sarangani is as old as our very own race, Malay. When Ruy Lopez de Villalobos happened to reach this part of the ocean in their search for provision in 1543, his chroniclers wrote Sarangani to mean ‘This is our territory’ or ‘We stop here’ according to the Indonesian language,” Dr. Tranquilino Ruiz II said. Ruiz is a known local historian of Glan, Sarangani’s oldest town.

Among journalists who have been covering Sarangani Bay Festival, now becoming the biggest beach festival in Southern Philippines, the most challenging yet fulfilling event is covering the swim-across-the-bay from start to finish.

Prizes for this year’s swim are P50,000, P35,000, P25,000 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes and trophies for major winners.
All teams finishers will receive P5,000 with medals. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

73rd IB Joins BRIGADA ESKWELA IN SARANGANI

Maasim, Sarangani – The nationwide Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week has just started last 23 May 2011. Several schools in Sarangani had their own kick-off on the launching of the program. Together with the different stakeholders, volunteers and the soldiers of 73^rd IB the Department of Education family contribute their time, effort and manpower services, and even resources in ensuring the public school facilities are all set in preparation of the opening of classes.

In Maasim Central Elem School, soldiers of 73^rd IB participated the Brigada Eskwela through classroom repair and roof painting. Three school buildings were repainted.”Usually, during Brigada Eskwela we are in need of manpower to work on the repair of our classrooms. We are pleased that the soldiers from 73^rd IB volunteered to help us without reservations,” Mrs. Torcino said, principal of the school. The principal had requested the soldiers a week before the activity started.

Meanwhile, in Datu Bali Elementary School, in Brgy Tinoto, the construction of a classroom had just started with the effort of the soldiers who have carpentry skills. “This classroom is part of Bayanihan concept – Adopt a Clasroom Program,  wherein we are asking literally any construction materials to the people we know,” LTC Espuelas said, Commander of 73^rd IB. Many responded the call and donated several materials for the construction of the classroom.

“I am in deep gratitude to the soldiers of 73^rd IB for their initiative to materialize the classroom. I never thought they plan this bigtime to finish this PTA project,” Mrs Quintana said, principal of Datu Bali Elem School in Maasim.

Together with the Parents Teachers Association of the school, each parents in that school also donated one or two hollow blocks as their contribution for the classroom.

The commitment of the soldiers of 73^rd IB is not only limited in maintaining the classrooms through cleaning, repair and repainting but also helps in building more classrooms. As part and parcel of their job, this Brigada Eskwela is a regular activity of the unit in support to the Department of Education. (1LT SOMBONG)

Blood Letting Activities "Dugo ko, Buhay mo"

“Dugo Ko, Buhay Mo” – A JOINT BLOOD LETTING ACTIVITIY OF 73^RD IB, PNRC GENSAN 1205th CDC

07 May 2011, 73^rd IB, St Tampuan, Kamanga, Maasim -  A joint bloodletting activity of 73^rd IB, Philippine National Red Cross – Gen Santos City Chapter, and 1205^th CDC with the theme “ Dugo Ko, Buhay Mo” was held in 73^rd IB headquarters. This activity marked as one of the noblest act the Army can offer aside from guarding the land territories in maintaining peace and order in Sarangani Province.

2LT Marvin Rosal, the Executive officer of the 1205^th Community Development Center, 12 RCDG, ARESCOM, together with more or less 60 reservists from Bravo Company and Gen Santos City participated on the bloodletting activity.

“ The bulk of the soldier’s life today is more on humanitarian activities and blood donation is one of it,” Maj Romasanta said on his welcome remarks.  Ms. Estella Dolendres,CSR Blood Services of PNRC Gensan was thankful and in deep gratitude for the soldiers who donated blood and their willingness to offer a part of their lives for the welfare of others. “I am very much indebted to the soldiers of 73^rd IB and the reservist for their selfless love in this bloodletting activity. Many lives will be spared because of their volunteerism,” Ms Dolendres said on her message during the opening program.

“It is a great help and honor to the soldiers that they will be donating blood today. This humanitarian activity where the soldiers are doing now is one of the noble and brave act of service they could offer to the people,” LTC Espuelas said on his message during the opening the program.

A unit briefing was followed after the opening program while other volunteers piled up for registration. The briefing was presented by Lt Fernandez, operations officer of 73^rd IB which emphasized the culture of peace concept approach of the unit.

A total of 25 soldiers donated blood with at least 450cc/bag were collected during the activity.#

 

GMA 7 Born To Be Wild and 73rd IB - A Call for Peace

The GMA 7 Born To Be Wild host Kiko Rustia and his crew together with the 73rd IB and local officials of Brgy. Amsipit, Maasim, SP visited the B’laan tribes. The program covered the B’laan Tribes  of Amsipit and their Mameng expedition in Sarangani Bay. Their program will be aired for the whole month of May, 11:45 in the evening every Wednesday.

Joint 73IB-PNP Conference

Joint 73IB-PNP Conference :: MAASIM, Sarangani Province 27 April 2011- the 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion hosted the Joint 73IB-PNP Conference purposely to know the situation in the respective area of operations. Every Chief of Police made inputs on the current situation and subsequently LTC Espuelas gave his guidance. 

Visit of International Monitoring Team

Visit of International Monitoring Team :: MAASIM, Sarangani Province - FIRST ADMIRAL MOHAMAD ADIB BIN ABDUL SAMAD Deputy head of mission visited the home of the Neutralizers at sitio Tampuan, Brgy Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province and welcomed by LTC Adolfo B Espuelas Jr 73IB Battalion Commader, Officers and Enlisted personnel of the unit. LTC Espuelas gave the visitors military honors and afterward delivered his briefing and tour around the camp. 

Platoon Sustainment Training

MAASIM, SARANGANI PROVINCE :: The 73rd Infantry Battalion conducted another training to continuously equip our soldiers additional knowledge to enhance their capabilities and to help the people in times of calamities.

Visit of Board Members of Sarangani Province

MAASIM, SARANGANI PROVINCE, April 13, 2011 :: The Sarangani Province Board Members visited the home of the Neutralizers at sitio Tampuan, Brgy Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province and welcomed by LTC Adolfo B Espuelas Jr 73IB Battalion Commader, Staff Officers and Enlisted personnel of the unit. LTC Espuelas briefed the Legislators of the province about the unit history and what the unit is doing in the entire province.

Medical and Dental Outreach Program, Feeding and gift giving Activities`

MALAPATAN, SARANGANI PROVINCE, 13, 14, 15, April 2011 :: The 73rd Infantry (NEUTRALIZER) Battalion in partnership with Indigeneous People Development Program (IPDP),  Provincial Barangay Affairs (PROBA), Kalinaw Sarangani Unit (KSU) and LGU Malapatan conducted Operation Sagip Tribu  at sitio Dlumay, Brgy Upper Suyan, Malapatan, SP. The team conducted community dialogue, mentoring, child friendly activities, Medical and Dental outreach program, gift giving, feeding and community assessment to address their problems.

Bravo Company, 73IB Change of Command Ceremony

Change of Command Ceremony :: GLAN, Sarangani (April 08, 2011) - LTC Adolfo B Espuelas Jr 73IB Battalion Commader, presided the change of Command Ceremony of 1Lt Aeron Gumabao  (INF) PA the outgoing Bravo Company Commander and 1Lt Rolly Destura (INF) PA the incoming Bravo Company Commander held at TPB Poblacion Glan, Sarangani Province.

Visit of Brigade Commander

Visit of Brigade Commander :: MAASIM, Sarangani (April 05, 2011) - COL GLORIOSO V MIRANDA INF (MNSA) PA, 1002nd Brigade Commander visited the home of the Neutralizers at sitio Tampuan, Brgy Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province and welcomed by LTC Adolfo B Espuelas Jr 73IB Battalion Commader, Officers and Enlisted personnel of the unit.

Change of Command Ceremony

Change of Command Ceremony :: MALUNGON, Sarangani (April 01, 2011) - MGEN JORGE V SEGOVIA AFP, Commander, 10th Infantry Division presided the change of command of BGEN RICARDO RAINIER G CRUZ III AFP, the outgoing 1002nd Brigade Commander and COL GLORIOSO MIRANDA INF (MNSA) PA the incoming 1002nd Brigade Commander at HQS 1002nd Brigade, PA, Sitio Pulatana, Malandag, Malungon,  Sarangani Province.

Visit of Brigade Commander

 Visit of Brigade Commander :: MAASIM, Sarangani (March 29, 2011) - BGEN Ricardo Rainier G Cruz III AFP, 1002nd Brigade Commander visited the home of the Neutralizers and welcomed by LTC Adolfo B Espuelas Jr 73IB Battalion Commader, Officers and Enlisted personnel of the unit.

UN officials' quick tour

 

UN OFFICIALS' QUICK TOUR :: MAASIM, Sarangani (March 29, 2011) – 73rd Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas, Jr. leads His Excellency Brian Bowler (left), with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy representative Abdul Alim and Augusto Rodriguez (right), also from UNICEF, to a quick tour around the battalion headquarters Tuesday morning, March 29, before the delegation headed to the province’s peace and development communities to interact with the communities. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

UN EXECUTIVE BOARD BRIEFING

UN EXECUTIVE BOARD BRIEFING :: MAASIM, Sarangani (March 29, 2011) – Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas, Jr. briefs the United Nations Executive Board headed by His Excellency Brian Bowler at the 73rd IB Headquarters during their joint field visit in Sarangani Tuesday, March 29, and to the other parts of the country. The delegation composed of representatives from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Program (WFP), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) seeks to have interaction with the communities of their project components in barangays Gasi and Lagundi in Kiamba town and barangay Kalaong in Maitum. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE) 

Maasim Municipal Women’s Month 2011

Municipal Women’s Month 2011:: Maasim, Sarangani (March 20, 2011) - LTC Adolfo B Espuelas Jr attended the Maasim Womwens Month at Municipal Plaza, Maasim Sarangani Province with the theme: Magna Carta ng Kababaihan Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad ng ating Bayan.

Feeding program at Brgy Mindupok, Maitum, Sarangani Province

FEEDING PROGRAM:: MAITUM, Sarangani (March 05, 2011) - 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion in partnership with US Army Civil Affairs Team and Kalinaw Sarangani Unit conducted feeding program and giving of hygiene kits to the community to promote health consciousness in Brgy Mindupok, Maitum, Sarangani Province.

Feeding Program at Brgy Burias, Glan, Sarangani Province

FEEDING PROGRAM:: GLAN, Sarangani (March 04, 2011) - 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion in partnership with US Army Civil Affairs Team and Kalinaw Sarangani Unit conducted feeding program and giving of hygiene kits to 500 children who were victim of twister at Brgy Burias, Glan, Sarangani Province.