TO ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT of the Sibale Island and Sibalenhons,a group of Sibalenhons residing in Metro Manila have banded together to form Sibale Development Foundation, Inc. or Sibale Def. 
The group of  Sibalenhons  in Metro Manila who  formed  the  Sibale Development Foundation, Inc. (Sibale Def). Young and dynamic,  these  Sibalenhons wanted to help.

The  "Sibale Def"  which  stands  for  Sibalenhons  for Agricultural and Human  Development,  Livelihood Promotion and  Eco-Tourism aims  to  initiate  and undertake livelihood, socio-economic and agro-development projects that will benefit Sibalenhons. officers of Sibale Def are:M. Bong F. Fornal, President, a Cocofed Scholar and the proponent of Sibale Def; Mr. Boy Fabregas, VP-External Affairs and Spokesman who was a very active convenor; Mr. Boyet Cipriano, VP-Internal and Executive Director, equally active convenor; Ms. Amy Miranda, Secretary from Poblacion;Carina Fabregas, Treasurer and daughter of the incumbent Mayor of Concepcion; Joey Fradejas, Auditor, from Masudsud.

One of the banner that Sibale Def is implementing is the sponsorship of a college scholarship program to for the school year 2004-2005. The proponents of Sibale Def believe that education is a passport to a brighter future yet, many Sibalenhon graduates from high school still are not able to pursue college education as access to a college diploma is becoming too expensive.
 
Realizing this, Sibale Def would like to help poor-but deserving Sibalenhon students realize their dreams and help them chart stable future.

Another project being mulled is to provide employment to residents of Sibale through an agro-marketing development program where Sibale Def will facilitate the access to various market outlets for locally produced products to help improve the income generation and encourage production of localproduce. Agricultural production has not improved and even declined because there is no market for these produce.

The Foundation is also pursuing the island resort development project where a resort will be established along with a floating restaurant and a coffee kiosk Poblacion. These projects will employ local residents.
In Metro Manila, Sibale Def has created a Committee on Jobs and Employment primarily to baseline jobs and match these jobs with Sibalenhons who are wanting to be employed.
A huddle  at  Max’s Restaurant  in Makati City  of  the  core  group  to  form  the  Sibale Def.

Another  project  being mulled  is  a Micro-Lending Program  for  the  residents of Sibale  who would like to engage in business  but  does  not  have the necessary capital to start. Guidelines  on this Micro-Lending program is  now being refined  for  implementation  next year.

Sibale Def To Be Formally Launched in August
By Bong Fornal

THE SIBALE DEF,a newly formed Foundation by Sibalenhons, be formally launched on August 16, 7:00pm at Imperial Palace Suites, Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

Sibale Def Board of Trustees  in a  Board meeting with Mr. Bong Fornal (sitting farthest), presiding.

The  formal  launching was  arrived  at during a meeting of Sibale Def  held at Bacolod Chicken Inasal last June 15.  Initially,  the  launching was  set on July 19  but  apprehension  over short  period  preparations prompted the  Board to  move  it  to  August 16.  During the launching, the  set  of  officers  and  the Board  of  Trustees  will  be  inducted  by  the  Honorable  Governor  of  Romblon, Gov. Madrona who  will also deliver an inspirational talk. Some other guests who are being invited include Congressman Ylagan who will also deliver an inspirational talk, Mayor Merenciano Fabregas of Concepcion, Dr. Firmalo, and Mayor Lourdes Madrona of San Agustin, Romblon.

A fundraising campaign for the banner project of Sibale Def, the Scholarship Program, will be simultaneously done. Pledges of help and assistance will be asked from the guests and attendees.

Bong Fornal, Sibale Def President, is set to deliver and outline the history of Sibale Def and the programs it will undertake. Mr. Boy Fabregas, VP-External and Spokesman opens formally the program while Mr. Boyet Cipriano closes the program. Intermission numbers from talented Sibalenhons have been included.

Attendees will be required to chip in P150.0 per person except for students who will only pay P100.0 to defray the expenses to be incurred. Attendees, particularly the inductees will be required to come in formal or semi-formal attire.Program starts at 7:00pm.

Sibale Def sponsors this year's fiesta celebration

SIBALE DEF HAS TAKEN the initiative to sponsor this year’s fiesta celebration which is tentatively scheduled on December 13 at a venue still being decided.

Deo Fiedacan, one of the Trustees, tapped to spearhead the preparation as Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Cultural affairs. He will be assisted by Mr. Tani Abestilla, also a Trustee.

As initially discussed, the fiesta celebration in December will also include a Christmas party celebration for the Sibalenhons, a raffle promo for the Scholarship Fund, social hour and many other activities. Sibalenhons are exhorted to attend this important event and share the spirit of Christmas to other kasimanuas.

Sibale Def  Board Approves three  resolutions

THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES  of Sibale  Def,  in  its  first  order  of  business,  approves  three  resolutions  intended  to  formalize  procedural  guidelines  including  the  amount  of  membership  fees  and  dues  to  be  collected. 

Board Resolution No. 2003-001  prescribes  the  amount of  membership  and  dues.  As  approved,  the  following schedule of  fees  and  annual dues  will  be  in  effect  upon  approval of membership: Regular  membership: P 500.00;  Student:  P300.00. If  a  member will opt  for  a lifetime membership,  he  will  pay  no  more  annual  dues  but  he  will have to outpocket  P5,000.0.  Annual  dues  for  regular member  is  P 300.00  while  for  student  is  P120.0

Board Resolution No. 2003-002  provides  incentive to paid members who can bring
in and recruit  new members  to  Sibale Def.  The  incentive is equivalent  to 5% 
of  the membership  fee  including  lifetime membership.  The  incentive can  be  claimed after the new recruit  pays his membership fee.

Board Resolution No. 2003-003  provides  for  the  guidelines  in  the  formation  of  chapter organization  in  Batangas and Mindoro  where  many Sibalenhons  are believed  to  be  residing.  The  Sibale  island  will have  its  own  chapter.  A  chapter organization  will function as an extension of  the  Sibale Def  operations  in  the  area  and  a satellite  office  will be  established.  To  be  recognized  as  a  chapter, however,  it must  have, at  least,  25  members.  A  chapter  will  have  its  own  set  of  officers  as  follows:  Chapter Governor,  Vice-Governor, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor.  The  Chapter  Governor  sits as  an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees but  with no voting privilege.  Recognition of  any  chapter  will  need  a  2/3  approval  vote  of  the  Board of Trustees.
The  formation  of  chapter  organizations  will  be  handled  and  supervised  by  Mr. Val Cipriano,   Chairman  of  the  Sub-Committee  on  Chapter Development and  Accreditation

SIBALE  DEF  LAUNCHING  & INDUCTION  CEREMONIES

Imperial  Palace Suites, Timog Ave.,Cor.T.Morato Ave., Quezon City 

Programme

                    Registration         Amy  Miranda & Co.
                  Short  Prayer        Charity Fallarme
         Welcome  Address        Boy  Fabregas, VP-External Affairs
      Sibale Def  in Motion        Bong F. Fornal, President
       Intermission Number       Carling Fabregar
        Induction of Officers       Hon.Leandro Madrona Governor, Romblon
& The Board of  Trustees
            Inspirational  Talk       Hon. ELeandro Jesus  Madrona, Governor, Romblon
                                              Hon. Perpetuo B. Ylagan, Congressman, Romblon
               Short  Message       Hon.  Mering  Fabregas, Municipal Mayor, 
                                              Concepcion, Romblon
       Intermission  Number
            Closing  Remarks       Boyet Cipriano, VP-EA/Exec. Director
          Dinner/Social Hour 

Important:

Please come in formal attire or at least semi-formal

All attendees will be requested to chip in the registration fee of P 150.0 per person for non-students and P 100.0 for students. Officers and Members of the Board of Trustees who will be inducted will be requested to contribute P 500.00.

All attendees will be requested to pledge any amount for the Scholarship Program Fund Raising Campaign.


A Sibalenhon in the Operation IRAQI Freedom 
Reported by: Atty. Eufronio M. Fallarme. 

Of the Filipinos who served in the US Armed Forces in the operation to free Iraq from President Saddam Hussein's dictatorial regime, Ronald P. Fallarme of Seattle, Washington is one of them. Ronald is the third son of  Atty. Eufronio M, Fallarme of Concepcion (Sibale), Romblon and the former Ana-Tita B. Padlan of San Carlos City, Pangasinan, both of the Philippines.

Born in Paranaque, Rizal, Philippines, Ronald spent his early childhood years in Quezon City where his parents have their home. He attended his elementary and part of his secondary schooling at the University of Santo Thomas in Manila. He was in his second year in high school when his family immigrated to the United States. He continued his secondary schooling at the Roosevelt and the Shoreline High High School in Washington.

After his graduation from high school, he enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle where he finished and obtained his college degree. After finishing his college course, he was called for military training and was sent to the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas where he underwent extensive military training in the Rescue and Evacuation of wounded soldiers. He was the only trainee of a Filipino descent in the batches and he obtained second place in the overall training.

Upon completion of his training, he was sent to the McChord air base in Washington and assigned to the 446th Acro Medical Evacuation Squadron as a medical technician with the rank of Staff Sergeant. When the Iraq war broke out, his unit was mobilized and sent to Qatar as their base of operation. From there, they were sent to various countries, among which are: Oman, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, where they rescued and picked up wounded soldiers and brought them to the US military hospital in Germany for further treatment and ultimately to the United States.

After the cessation of the conflict with Iraq, his unit came back in the USA on May 19, 2003 to the waiting arms of their happy parents and love ones at the MxChord Air Base. His only sister, Mrs. Judy Ann Fallarme Cordova and her husband Damian tendered a welcome party.
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Sagip Dagat Cleanup Drive
Reported by: Boy F. Fabregas II.

Nag porba kamit bayanihan sa Sibale it kag Mayo. If there's a will, there's a way. From a distance, the Poblacion shoreline maybe a picture of clarity and blue water but take a closer look and you will see the evils that men do to the environment

Plastics and garbage litters the otherwise, spotless bases of our seawall. Occasionally you will see "brown objects" being tossed by enterprising bagaong in the area, a sign that some are still doing their thing somewhere in the wee of the night. As a prelude to our tree planting activity in Amantao, I talked to Owen Abainza, Moises Fababair and Wynard Fabunan, active civic leaders in the area, to initiate an activity that will involve residents in the area to have a cleanup drive, just to test the waters if they will cooperate.

Not only do they are willing to do job, they also bring along Bgy. Capt. Bien Ferranco to lead the operation Sagip Dagat.These people can make things happen in Sibale and they can good example for the rest of Sibale. Initially these volunteers need camizo chino and sunvisor caps. Please give a hand. Sibale Development Foundation is now accepting donations for this purpose.

Pagka-ado ig muyatan pag ato nakikita nak kita ay nagkaka-usa sa pagpaganda it ato Sibale. Waya it ibang mahimo it kina kung bukoy kitang mga taga Sibale mismo. Sa mga taga Sibale nak makakakita it kinang kodak, buko baga dapat nak ato imarako nak kita ay inggwa it mga kasemanwa nak inggwa it pagkaka-usa?

Sa mga nag-organize ag nag-iba raha sa buluhaton nak kina.. CONGRATULATIONS AG MARAMONG SALAMAT.... PAGKAGANDA RA TALAGA KA SIBALE AG KINA AY INGPAPATUNAYAN IT MGA BISITA HALIN SA IBANG BANWA! 
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Sibale Telecom Make Inroads in Wireless Communication
Reported by:  Limuel Cipriano

Masudsud, a fast progressing barangay of Concepcion(Sibale), Romblon has now its own Public Calling Office(PCO). June 17,2003, is the historic day for the people of Masudsud for in that day Sibale Telecom links Masudsud to the world of communication thru wireless connection. Just dial 0973020911 and enjoy wireless connectivity.

Using homegrown state-of-the-art technology, the wireless phone system can send and receive telephone calls very efficiently from the different parts of the world. Though it is a fixed mobile, it can also be converted into a portable mobile; meaning, it could be brought anywhere else in the barangay. But of course it will be done only at the most urgent reason since dismantling the aerial antenna is a sensitive task to do.

Prior to this development, Sibale Telecom is mainly relying on an outmoded equipment that most of the times was unreliable in making wireless connection due to frequent radio interference which mixed-up with the talking parties. To get rid of this unwanted irritants, Sibale Telecom considered underground laying of telephone wires from the signal source which is the majestic Mt. Banderahan in Barangay Dalajican. High capital requirement prodded Sibale Telecom to abondon the idea.

Barely a couple of months ago, Julius Fabreag, Rural Telecommunication Specialist and Chief Operating Officer of Sibale Telecom made tremendous breakthrough in the field of telecommunication. He contrived a device that is capable of deflecting signal and direct it at the area he wanted to. It is very effective that practically all areas in the island can benefit from it. Even the telecommunication engineers in the country were amazed at the creativity and ingenuity of Julius Fabreag.....Julius made his way, the Sibalenhon way.

The signal is so strong that is capable of reaching the coastal towns of Oriental Mindoro Tests are also under way to measure the signal strength in Banton, Simara, Calatrava, Odiongan and other areas. Possible expansion of services to those areas are being highly considered.

At present, there are three functioning units: two fixed mobile; Masudsud-0973020911 and Town Proper-0973283931 and one portable mobile-0973516151. Rodil Famarin, Liaison Officer of Sibale Telecom handles the portable mobile and at any moments notice, riding in his worn-out bicycle bring the wireless phone to the intended requested called party especially in the Town Proper. He could also bring it to other barangays by chartering a motorcycle. Today, exchange of calls from the Town Proper and Masudsud are almost a daily routine activity. 

The telephone system in Masudsud is named as Barangay Masudsud Wireless Phone Project and Public Calling Office. It was made possible thru the initiative of Diosing Atillano, the Barangay  Chairman when he requested Sibale Telecom headed by Limuel Cipriano, the Chief Executive Officer to pave the way to have it installed in the political base of  Diosing. This phone project is considered to be the milestone achievement of Diosing Atillano in the short period of time he handles the rein of governance of Barangay Masudsud. 

Since the project entails huge capital requirements, Sibale Telecom requested funding assistance from the generous heart of Mr. Edmundo "Moming" Paz, a Sibalenhon in California and from Dr. Eduardo Firmalo of Odiongan and the country's leading medical practitioner. Dr. Ed Firmalo visited Sibale on June 29, 2003 for a Medical Mission sponsored by Sibale Telecom and Sulong Romblon-Sibale Chapter. 

Barangay Masudsud Wireless Phone Project and Public Calling Office was inaugurated on June 30, 2003 with Dr. Firmalo as the principal Guest of Honor with many of the people of Barangay Masudsud witnessing the historic occassion. Thus, another project of Sibale Telecom comes to life....Masudsud Wireless Phone Project and Public Calling Office. Sibale Telecom.....Bridging the communication----gap! Serving people thru wireless connection...the Sibalenhon way!