PAPATAG is now registered with SEC

After around 3 years of actively serving the Palapag community through various cultural and artistic programs and activities, the Palapag Culture and Arts Guild (PAPATAG) Inc. is now duly registered with the Philippine government's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

PAPATAG's application for registration and all other required documents for a non-stock corporation were sent to the SEC in Mandaluyong, Manila last March 2009. After accreditation, the Certificate of Incorporation bearing the SEC official seal was signed by Mr. Benito A. Cataran, Director of the Company Registration and Monitoring Department of the Commission, on April 21, 2009.

PAPATAG is also properly registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). This registration with the two government agencies is expected to give PAPATAG actual chances at gaining legal access to government support through various means, including financial grants and fundings for various cultural projects, after the appropriate accreditation procedures of the concerned government bodies.

However, with or without these government financial support, PAPATAG as an organization has proven its independent fiscal and managerial competence in planning, organizing, and implementing quality and effective cultural and artistic projects that truly serve the Palapag community through the years.

PAPATAG members attend Festival Management Workshop

Three members of the Palapag Culture and Arts Guild (PAPATAG) Inc. attended a 3-day Festival Management Workshop sponsored and organized by the Provincial Tourism Office and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) last April 1-3 at the Ibabao Hall, Provincial Capitol Building, Catarman, Northern Samar.

The PAPATAG members were Cecil Calvo (head, Vicual Arts Committee), Kenneth Deananeas (member, Visual Arts Committee), and Jeremy Evardone (head, Theater Arts Committee). Along with them was another delegate sent by the Local Government Unit of Palapag, Mrs. Flora Sabalza, the Municipal Tourism Officer. The official invitation for the workshop was originally sent to the LGU, but was also open for interested individuals or non-government organizations.

Here are some of the pictures taken by staff members of the Provincial Tourism Office:

Part of the workshop wherein the participants from Palapag interact

with other delegates from the Second District of the Province

PAPATAG delegates actively participate in the discussions

The delegates from the Second District of Northern Samar,

with Ms. Josette Doctor (Provincial Tourism Officer)

and Mr. Jaime Antonio (resource person from the NCCA)

The participants of the workshop, together with

Ms. Doctor, Mr. Antonio, and some Provincial Tourism Office staff

The workshop was aimed at educating and training the local tourism stakeholders in the appropriate and effective planning, organizing and management of local festivals in every municipality of the province, that would eventually lead to the conceptualization and actualization of a provincial festival reflective of the distinct Northern Samar culture and tradition.

The most important inputs from the main topic presented by the resource person from the NCCA, Mr. Jaime B. Antonio, were the framework for understanding local culture and traditions, and the basic concepts on planning and management that relates to festival organizing.

Mr. Antonio also stressed the importance of cultural development policies, programs, and activities of both the local government and the non-government institutions in relation to local festivals and tourism management. He pointed out, and the participants agreed in unison, that no tourism development could be fully achieved without cultural development; suffice to say that scenic spots and beautiful sights were not enough to boost local tourism.

PAPATAG was the only non-government cultural organization that was able to participate in this Festival Management Workshop.

Harana sa Plaza Part 2!

The Palapag Culture and Arts Guild (PAPATAG) Inc. succesfully held Harana sa Plaza Part 2, a free Valentine concert featuring local artists in Palapag, with the special participation of Viva Hot Babe Maui Taylor, on the night of February 14 at the Palapag Gymnasium.

The show was co-sponsored by Congressman Paul Daza of the first district of Northern Samar, Mayor Ricardo Daiz, Vice Mayor Noli Moslares, and the Local Government Unit of Palapag.

However, prior to this, the members and officers of PAPATAG had some serious thoughts whether to go on with the show, considering (first) that Maui Taylor's brand of entertainment was not reflective of PAPATAG's wholesome and non-sexist orientation, and (second) that the major show sponsors were politicians and PAPATAG was careful not to be indetified with any political camp. But after ample deliberations, the positive outweighed the negative, and PAPATAG decided to organize the free concert, which was a sequel to the first Harana sa Plaza held in February last year.

The following are some of the snaphots taken during the show:

Local musicians Norberto "Bentoy" Ponce, Jun Olchondra and "Balete" Verano

Young singer Charlito Senolos, Grand Champion of the 2008 KARANTAYAW

Pre-fiesta Amateur Singing and Dancing Competition

Another budding local talent, Madonna Potot

Local vocalist Elaine Capate (left) and Che Durens (right) from Catarman

Another Palapagnon who performs in and out of Palapag, Mr. Paul Go

The special guest, Viva Hot Babe Maui Taylor

Ms. Taylor, having fun with the show's sponsors

Members of PAPATAG, the organizer of Harana sa Plaza Part 2

Ms. Taylor, posing with some of the show's sponsors

The show started at around 7:00 in the evening with front act performances of local talents singing both popular and local love songs. Maui Taylor arrived at around 9:00 o'clock and performed for about 30 minutes, sending the crowd into a kilig frenzy and lots of laughter. After this the concert and jamming continued until around 12:00 midnight.

PAPATAG assessed Harana sa Plaza Part 2 to be a huge success in terms of quenching the Palapagnons thirst for entertainment, as well as in the overall management of the event. This was also PAPATAG's first major activity for 2009.