A Long Weekend for the Generals

It is going to be a long weekend for the Generals because our 70th Foundation Anniversary/Kalilangan Festival which falls tomorrow, Feb. 27, had been officially declared by Malacanang by virtue of Proclamation No. 1730 as Special Non-Working Holiday.

For the workers, since it is a special holiday,

If the day is unworked, the no work, no pay policy shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day even if the day is unworked.

If worked, plus 30 percent of the employee's daily rate of 100 percent shall apply on the first eight hours of work, and in excess of eight hours, plus 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day.

If the day falls on the employee's rest day and is worked, plus 50 percent of the daily rate of 100 percent shall apply on the first eight hours of work, and in excess of eight hours, plus 30 percent of the hourly rate.

I am reprinting herein the full text of Proclamation No. 1730:

MALACANANG
Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES


PROCLAMATION NO. 1730


DECLARING FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2009, AS SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAY IN THE CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS

WHEREAS, Friday, February 27, 2009, marks the 70th Foundation Day anniversary and Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City;

WHEREAS, it is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of General Santos be given full opportunity to celebrate the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDUARDO R. ERMITA, Executive Secretary, by authority of Her Excellency, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, do hereby declare Friday, February 27, 2009, as special (non-working) day in the City of General Santos.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 25th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine.


By authority of the President:


(SGD)EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary

By the Executive Secretary:


(SGD) JOAQUIN C. LAGONERA
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary

A Call for Nurses Interested in Rural Service

NARS program is a training-cum employment scheme wherein the hired nurse-trainees will be trained not only in providing basic health services to needy folks in rural areas but also in performing clinical functions under the guidance of participating hospitals and other medical facilities in areas where the nurse-trainees will be assigned.

The program aims to address the (1) glut in inexperienced nurses, (2) the proliferation of "volunteer nurses" working in hospitals without being paid, (3) promote health of the people, and (4) bring government services closer to the grassroots.

Unemployed registered nurses who are physically and mentally fit and willing to serve in their hometowns and who meet the following requirements may qualify for the training cum employment under NARS: a) with valid nurse license issued by the PRC b) not over 35 years old c) resident of the identified municipalities d) no nursing-related practice for 1-3 years.

To register, interested applicants may log on to http//www.nars.dole.gov.ph or visit the nearest Department of Labor and Employment Office in your place.

(This post is an excerpt of DOLE's "NARS to train inexperienced nurses in public health and clinical functions" article dated Feb. 17, 2009)

David Pomeranz And The Generals Celebrate Valentine '09 Together

World - class performer David Pomeranz and the Generals have one thing in common. We all have the love and passion for good music. In fact, we spent our Valentine's night together last Saturday as he staged his first ever concert in General Santos City.

Present during Mr. Pomeranz Valentine's concert in Gensan were big names in politics, business groups (name it and you have it!) prominent families and even from the media (bloggers included, of course). Seldom you see these people gather together in one venue but for the love of music and of David ( including Mr. Michael Wee of Grab a Crab) - they came in full force.

David Pomeranz repertoire included his hit songs and several fast beat tunes. He opened the night with the very popular Got To Believe in Magic and ended it with a rockin' and rollin' song. He also treated the audience with his keyboard and acoustic performances.

It was kinda nice of Mr. Pomeranz for allowing us to have our pictures taken with him and obliging to our request for authographs. He was a real trouper and because of that I'll give him a ten on a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of his performance as a concert artist.

Special thanks to the organizers, especially Mr. Michael Wee, for making the Generals' valentine worth remembering.

Cheers to all fellow Generals for showing to Mr. Pomeranz group how hospitable and likeable are we as inhabitants of the Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

A million thanks to Bariles, Grab a Crab and Ms. Marc's group for coming up with a unique blogging contest.

Very special thanks to the very lovable duo, Sheng and Kiyawster for the pics here.

To all of you guys, thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my valentine's day special, sparkling and splendid!

TMTR's Valentine

February 14 is a red letter day for everybody.

This is the day one can hear the sweetest "I Love Yous!"

coupled with the sweetest embraces and hugs.

Am writing this post to say my BIGGEST & SWEETEST "I Love You"

to the person who, for seventeen years, made each day of my life worth living for.

Thank you, partner!

My Gem Has Turned Into A Lady

I have always been proud of my baby, raffee.

For us, her parents and sisters, she is a star that keeps on shining

even if it is raining.

Sixteen years ago, her cries and smiles seemed like music to our ears.

A fragile baby that was a sight to behold. A gem so precious, one would want to hold forever.

Growing up years, made us parents prouder

as the gem in her shone brighter.

Lessons learned, lessons taught, made this baby of mine

A young lady so fine. . .