BTECH Shines at Baliwag Municipal Christmas Ball 2016

Baliwag Polytechnic College (BTECH) participated in the Baliwag Municipal Employees' Christmas Ball on December 20, 2016, 4:00 P.M., at the Baliwag Star Arena, Baliwag, Bulacan. The party, dubbed A Magical Christmas, brought together hundreds of municipal employees from all departments of the Municipality. They were donned in magical costumes inspired by Disney characters, Harry Potter and other movies. At least eighty (80) members of the BTECH Administration, Faculty, Staff and Student body joined the ball.

One of the highlights of the party was the Christmas production number competition. For purposes fellowship, the municipal departments were grouped into six: (1) Economics and Finance cluster, (2) Baliwag Polytechnic College, (3) Social and Economic cluster, (4) Administration cluster, (5) Health and Social Services cluster and (6) the National Offices. However, of the six, only four (4) staged an entry. Eventually, the Administration cluster won as champions. BTECH placed second, but it was still a good finish.

BTECH's entry was a joyous Christmas celebration featuring Disney's well-loved characters such as Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel and Belle. The performance was totally riveting and winning. "It could have bagged the championship title," according to some observers, spectators and even other performers. So satisfied were the BTECH performers that they congratulated and hugged each other after the performance. 

BTECH Faculty and Staff also showed unity and camaraderie with the rest of their municipal co-employees as they spearhead the mass dancing. They even conquered the center stage where they danced their hearts out. "It was the best party ever," according to a BTECH faculty member.

To many, it was indeed a magical and unforgettable Christmas party at Baliwag, Bulacan. And that was because of the presence of BTECH.

Here are some of the photos grabbed from Facebook:

Disney Princesses, Ms. Jo De Vera as Cinderella, Ms. Esperanza Aduna as Snow White ans Ms. Tiffany Joy Gonzales as Belle (Photo: Esperanza Aduna)

Jennifer Cruz, Ginger Vasquez and Rochie Cruz de Guzman dancing Disney's Under the Sea. (Photo: Rochie Cruz de Guzman)

A Magical Christmas at Baliwag, Bulacan

The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, headed by Edgar Luna, brought to life the magic of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The Municipality of Baliwag, Bulacan, through the Office of the Mayor, hosted A Magical Christmas, the Baliwag Municipal Employees Christmas Ball last December 20, 2016, 4:00 P.M. at the Baliwag Star Arena, Baliwag, Bulacan.

The event was a perfect venue for the municipal employees to bond and showcase their talents, creativity and camaraderie. It lived up to its theme, A Magical Christmas, as the production, the costumes and the esprit de corps of the party goers brought in some magic. Everyone was happy and there was mass dancing and much revelry.

In their messages, Mayor Ferdinand V. Estrella and Mayora Sonia V. Estrella shared Christmas tidings of joy, hope and forgiveness. They also shared their blessings by adding more raffle prizes almost ad infinitum.

One of the highlights of the event was the production number competition. There were four presentations from the (1) Economics and Finance cluster, (2) Baliwag Polytechnic College, (3) Administration cluster, and (4) Health and Social Services cluster. The Administration cluster bagged the championship, while BTECH placed second.

Oh what a party! It was awesome! Here are some of the revelers.

With Akimi Santa Juana.

With Armie Verde.

With Heherson Cruz. 

Selfie with Budget Officer Ms. Josephine Tangol. 

Selfie as Prince Ferdinand.

From afar, Mayor Ferdinand V. Estrella shared messages of hope, love and forgiveness.

Stealing a shot at the BTECH table.

Donning a Prof. Severus Snape costume from the Harry Potter movie.

Groufie with Brainard Ardona and Dr. Emiterio Tiburcio.

BTECH faculty mass danced instantaneously. 

Enjoying the party, the BTECH faculty bursts into spontaneous dance moves.

Prof Severus Snape and Rubeus Hagrid.

Now, who's the real Harry Potter? Heherson Cruz and Brilliant Santos, both from the Mayor's Office, donned in Harry Potter costumes.

A selfie with a Municipal co-employee Ariel de Guzman from General Services Office.

BTECH Wins Inter-School Hip-Hop Dance Battle 2016

The BTECH Dance Crew proudly presented their trophy and certificate to the BTECH administrators. 

Baliwag Polytcehnic College (BTECH) Dance Crew wins the Baliwag, Bulacan Inter-School Hip-Hop Dance Battle 2016 held last December 16, 2016 at St. Mary's College of Baliuag (SMCB), Bulacan. The competition was part of SMCB's 104th Founding Anniversary celebration.

The activity aims, among others, at promoting self-expression, camaraderie, collaboration and discipline among students and educational institutions in Baliwag, Bulacan. BTECH also believed in same aims. Thus, despite the multifarious student engagements due to the Christmas season, BTECH sent its hiphopers to the competition.

There were at least five (5) competing dance acts from different educational institutions in Baliwag, Bulacan. BTECH won first place.

Congratulations to the BTECH Dance Crew members and their coach!

Glenn Mark Ramos (SMI)

Russel Mondelo (SMI)

Jerwin Reblora (SMI)

Jerome Ramilo (SMI)
Gilbert Rivera (SMI)

Mark Anthony Lorenzo (SHS)

Erica Adriano (SHS)

Vincent Equibal (SHS)

Judelito Añover (SHS)

Maicca de Guzman (SHS)

Coach: Analiza V. Verdillo

Why Baliwag, Bulacan should be the Christmas Capital of the Philippines

Julius Nathaniel Dimaapi of ACLC Baliwag street danced with his classmates during the PaSaKalye 2016. ACLC won as champions this year. Christmas Street Dancing in Baliwag, Bulacan dubbed as Pasko sa Kalye is a hotly contested annual Christmas event.

The Philippines, without doubt, celebrates Christmas season the longest in the world. The celebration here starts in September, heightens in December, and dies out only in mid-January. And where in the Philippines would you find the most 'Filipino' Christmas celebration? What should be the Christmas Capital of the Philippines?

One may surmise that it should be the City of San Fernando, Pampanga with its lavish Kapampangan feasts and giant lanterns on display in a colorful annual competition called Ligligan Parul. Or one may now consider Tarlac City, Tarlac because of its famed Belenismo, an annual hotly-contested nativity scene (belen) competition. Or Manila where all the fabulous Christmas sale happens.

Well, if a vigorous search is conducted as to where in the Philippines Christmas is celebrated in the most Filipino way, Baliwag, Bulacan will have an excellent chance of being chosen.

Like the rest of the country, Baliwag, Bulacan celebrates Christmas with much zeal and enthusiasm, that is, with lavish feasts, parties, decorations and light displays, gift-giving, Catholic masses and shopping from September until January. But here are some more reasons why Baliwag, Bulacan should be the country's Christmas capital. 

First, Christmases in the Philippines are really about Catholic holy days of obligations and the customs that go with it. These are like Sundays that Catholics must attend masses, and if possible, refrain from unnecessary servile work. Christmas, indeed, is one of the highest-ranking holy days. And it is customary among Filipinos that after attending high masses, they dropped by some makeshift stalls for a slice of bibingka (rice cake) or puto bumbong (sticky rice cake) and sip a cup of hot salabat (ginger tea). While this quaint and waning custom is generally 'Filipino,' the custom is still strongly alive in Baliwag, Bulacan. As early as August, enterprising Baliwagenyos start to sell bibingka and puto bumbong at the Heroes' Park and Glorietta near the famed San Agustin de Baliwag Church. Baliwagenos, from all walks of life, would not let the season pass without enjoying a slice or two of bibingka and puto bumbong.

Second. Whoever started the tradition of firecrackers and fireworks display in the Philippines during Christmas and New Year's Eve feasts is still subject to conflicting claims. What is certain, however, is that Baliwag, together with Bocaue and Santa Maria, all in the Province of Bulacan are the leading manufacturers of pyrotechnics in the Philippines. It is estimated that about 500 manufacturers are producing pyrotechnic products in the area. These manufacturers even participated in international pyrotechnics competitions. Of course, Baliwag, Bulacan have one of the grandest and loudest pyrotechnic display during Christmas and New Year's Eve feasts.

Third. Baliwag is the only town in the country which stages a grand street dance parade a few days before Christmas. Students of all levels paint the town colorful as they danced in the streets with much revelry to the tune of Kumukutikutitap, a Filipino Christmas song. Dubbed as Pasko sa Kalye (Pasakalye), the event is one of the much-anticipated segment of the Paskong Pasko sa Baliwag - as the Christmas season activities is collectively known. Paskong Pasko sa Baliwag draw thousands of spectators even from the neighboring provinces.

Christmas celebration in Baliwag is already an established festival. For more than a decade now, the Local Government Unit of Baliwag, through the Municipal Tourism Council and other agencies, had been promoting the Christmas season as one of the best times to visit the town. Paskong Pasko sa Baliwag, with all its sights, sounds and spells should make Baliwag the Christmas Capital of the Philippines.

Malapantasyang Pasko ang naging tawid sa pagdiriwang ng Pasakalye ngayong taon.

Students painted the town with colors and much revelry. Bukod-tangi sa Pilipinas, Congratulations sa mga Organizers.  

The Municipality of Baliwag, Bulacan Holds AIDS Council Meeting

The Municipality of Baliwag, Bulacan holds its first AIDS council meeting on November 29, 2016 at the conference room of Baliwag Water District, Baliwag, Bulacan. The meeting was aimed at initiating awareness on and stopping the spread of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV, when left untreated, can lead to the AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) disease.

Dr. Mary Joan D.J. Dinlasan, the Municipal Health Officer, presented an overview of AIDS situation in the Philippines and in Bulacan. The council then brainstormed on plans and programs designed to draw community awareness of the problem. The council agreed that Baliwag, Bulacan shall join the world in celebration of the World Aids Day slated on December 1, 2016.

The Baliwag AIDS Council is a conglomeration of key department heads of the local government unit of Baliwag, Bulacan, the Department of Education, Department of Health, Baliwag Polytechnic College, LGBT Community, among others. The council is chaired by Mayor Ferdinand V. Estrella. Councilor Madette Quimpo, the Chair of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Health, sits as vice chair ex officio.

BTECH Holds Symposium on Prohibited Drugs

Baliwag Polytechnic College (BTECH) conducted a Symposium on Prohibited Drugs last October 12, 2016 at the Baliwag Star Arena, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The activity was participated in by all students of BTECH. It was part of BTECH's participation in the nationwide effort to eliminate prohibited drug abuse in the country.

Atty. Robert John I. Donesa, the College President, in his opening remarks, shared real life vignettes about the adverse effects of the abuse and misuse of prohibited drugs on the person, the family, the College and the community. He shared real life stories of his classmates, colleagues and former students who used and abused prohibited drug and their sad endings.

Invited speakers from the Municipal Health Office and the Baliwag Police Station discussed the harmful effects of prohibited drug use and the government anti-prohibited drug abuse programs. The activity was organized by the Office of Admissions, Aids, Guidance and Other Services, headed by Mr. Raul Samson.

BTECH Celebrates National Book Week

BTECH celebrated the National Book Week 2016 on November 21, 2016, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Student Activity Area, Baliwag Polytechnic College, Baliwag, Bulacan.

The event was organized by the BTECH College Library headed by Ms. Karen Muga, in cooperation with the Education Student Council.

Atty. Robert John I. Donesa, BTECH President, in his remarks, encouraged the students to develop a love for reading, which is a very important skill in today's world. He said that everything he shares as a professor were not really taught in College but were from his readings. 

This year's guest speaker is Dr. Juan C. Buenrostro, Jr., a retired Chief Librarian of Baliuag University, Baliwag, Bulacan. He shared his vast knowledge about model libraries both local and abroad. Dr. Buenrostro is an advocate of library modernization and is knowledgeable on the future of designs of libraries.

During the program, BTECH College Library recognized the outstanding library users from all the Administration, Faculty, Staff and students. The program ended with a sumptuous lunch.

The College Officials with the guest speaker.

Dr. Juan C. Buenrostro discussed the features of modern libraries especially the conspicuous absence of librarians.

Dr. Juan C. Buenrostro, a retired University Librarian and author, discussed with enthusiasm, the futuristic designs of ideal libraries.  

Student Re-Orientation Seminar

BTECH conducted a Student Re-Orientation Seminar last November 14, 2016, 1:30 PM-4:30 PM, at SM Baliwag Event Center. It was participated in by members of the Administration, Faculty, Staff and Student Body from both College and Senior High School. The activity was aimed at re-orienting the students with the general policies of the College with emphasis, among others, on student discipline, library rules and regulations, important College policies.

The activity was also a good opportunity to get to know the members of the Administration, Faculty and Staff. The College President, Atty. Robert John I. Donesa, introduced the members of the administration and staff while the Deans, Program Heads and the Senior High School Principal introduced the members of their respective Faculty.

During the event, Dr. Emiterio L. Tiburcio, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, emphasized the value of discipline. He expressed disappointment over the students' habit of enrolling in very late. Atty. Robert John I. Donesa, the College President, on the other hand, encouraged the students to maximize their learning while at the College. While Atty. Ireneo Romano, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, challenged the academic community to be resilient and rise above many challenges that we will be encountering.

The event was organized by the Office of the Admissions, Aids, Guidance and Other Services (AAGOS) under Mr. Raul Samson.