'Kapihan sa Aklan' has a new home

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

After spending close to two years in Kusina sa Kalibo Restaurant, the weekly Kapihan sa Aklan held its maiden forum in a new venue for the local media and people from all walks of life to discuss relevant issues in the society.

Kapihan sa Aklan managing director William Arguelles said that since its launching on March 23, 2008, the weekly forum has gained recognition in Aklan and across the country for institutionalizing the no-holds barred discussion of a wide range of topics.

"Every Saturday, over a cup of coffee and pandesal, the Kapihan hosted a number of politicians, non-government organizations, businessmen, doctors, engineers, teachers, health workers and government officials," Arguelles said.

With the enduring support of Aklan Press Club, Aklan Media Forum and the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI), Arguelles thanked the management of Kusina sa Kalibo owned by Jesus Lim for the excellent accommodation and partnership during the weekly media forum.

"In the Kapihan, the audience are not necessarily the media practitioners, there are tricycle drivers, out-of-school youths and oldies participating in the wider discussion of issues affecting the community," Arguelles stressed.

Over the weekend, the media practitioners in Aklan and the Mass Communication students of Northwestern Visayan Colleges, in full force, gathered once again, this time, in Smokehauz Restaurant along Goding Ramos Street owned and managed by Engr. Santos David, to tackle the growing micro small medium enterprises with the Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. and the Department of Trade and Industry representatives.

Joining the Saturday discussion were Aklan Press Club president Dr. Ambrosio Villorente, former Vice Governor Ronquillo Tolentino, Dr. Gabriel Delfin, Secretary to the Sanggunian Odon Bandiola, Madyaas Pen columnist Ernesto Solidum, Bombo Radyo Kalibo assistant manager Jomer Soriano, CBIS Hot FM anchorman Roben Laserna, Conrad Indelible of RGMA DyRU Super Radyo, Arnel Arrieta of Radyo Boracay, Jethro Laserna of Aklan Media Forum, Aklan Headline publisher Che Indelible, Jun Ariolo Aguirre of Hala Birada, Joselito Edwin Ramos of Philippine Information Agency and Lito Motus of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Tourism Council.

In the words of PAPI president Johnny Dayang, the Kapihan sa Aklan is the uninhibited and free-flowing swapping of views that aims to gauge public sentiments and feel the real pulse of the people and will serve as a feedback mechanism for the government to enable it to strengthen the delivery of vital services to the people and forge stronger and closer rapport.