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FRANKLIN N. CATEQUISTA

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FRANKLIN N. CATEQUISTA

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Franklin N. Catequesta, born in 1944 in Batad, Iloilo, began serving his town in 1965 as a clerk in the Mayor’s office and later held various leadership roles. He served as a Sangguniang Bayan member from 2004 to 2013 and again from 2016 to 2019, where he helped create local laws and supported public welfare. One of his major contributions was donating his own land in Cabagohan for a community dumping site, helping improve local infrastructure. Before becoming an SB member, he was also the Chief of Police, bringing his law enforcement experience into governance. His efforts in peace and ...
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PHOTO OF THE FIRST MASS IN BATAD BY ARCHBISHOP TEOFILO CAMOMOT IN 1956

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The black-and-white photograph taken on July 24, 1956, by Vinson Studio captures an important religious event led by a highly respected archbishop at the Batad Catholic Church. It shows the archbishop in ceremonial clothing, seated with devoted followers beside him. The background reveals a church made from bamboo and aluminum, symbolizing strength and faith in the community. The photo holds historical and spiritual value as it documents a rare moment of shared devotion and leadership during a mass celebration. Though slightly stained and faded due to age and environmental factors, it has been well-preserved by storing it away from light, ...
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TU-OB SANG BAROTO

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Tu-ob sang Baroto is a traditional coastal ritual practiced in Batad, Iloilo, and nearby towns to bless fishing boats and seek protection and abundance from sea spirits. Performed mainly on Tuesdays and Fridays, it involves burning herbs, coconut husks, and incense to create purifying smoke around the boats while offering prayers to ancestral and sea deities. The ritual reflects a deep spiritual bond between coastal communities and the sea, symbolizing respect, survival, and ancestral ties. Despite its continued practice, challenges such as youth migration, environmental changes, and modern influences pose threats to its survival.
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AMORPHOPHALLUS

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Amorphophallus, also called Yaoi, is an herbaceous plant endemic to rainforests where it thrives in moist, warm conditions. It produces a unique flowering structure with male and female flowers that bloom at different times to avoid self-pollination, and it emits a strong odor like rotten meat to attract insects for pollination. This rare plant has no leaves or fruit but produces seeds dispersed by birds after flowering. Found unexpectedly in Batad, its presence surprised local environmental officers and led to investigations on how it adapted to this new area. Conservation efforts by local and national agencies are ongoing to protect ...
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