Ormóc Dakbayan sa Ormóc City of Ormoc
—  Independent-component City  —
Seal
Map of Leyte showing the location of Ormoc City.
Ormóc Dakbayan sa Ormóc Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°00′18″N 124°36′32″E / 11.005°N 124.60889°E / 11.005; 124.60889Coordinates: 11°00′18″N 124°36′32″E / 11.005°N 124.60889°E / 11.005; 124.60889
Country	Philippines
Region	Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
Province	Leyte
District	4th district of Leyte
Founded	February 26, 1834
Cityhood	June 21, 1947
Barangays	110
Government
• Mayor	Eric Codilla
Area
• Total	613.6 km2 (236.9 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	191,200
• Density	310/km2 (810/sq mi)
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code
Income class	1st class city

The City of Ormoc is a 1st class city in the province of Leyte, Philippines. The city's name is derived from ogmok, an old Visayan term for lowland or depressed plain. It is the first non-provincial city of the Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 191,200 people. Ormoc is the economic, cultural, commercial and transportation hub of western Leyte.

Ormoc City is an independent component city, not subject to regulation from the Provincial Government of Leyte. However, the city is part of the congressional district IV of Leyte together with Albuera, Kananga, Merida, and Isabel towns.

In November 1991, the Ormoc region was inundated by Tropical Storm Thelma (local name: Uring). Flash floods and landslides killed more than 6,000 people, mostly in Ormoc itself.

History[link]

In 1950, Kananga was created in 1950 from the barrios of Lonoy, Kananga, Rizal, Tugbong, Montebello, Aguiting, Tagaytay, Montealegre, Libungao, Naghalin, and Masarayao which all used to be part of Ormoc City.^[1]

Geography[link]

Ormoc City is a port city and is the largest city by land area in Leyte and second largest in Eastern Visayas after Calbayog City in Samar. Fronting Ormoc Bay, the city's terrain is mostly of gently rolling plains. It is bounded on the northwest by the towns of Matag-ob and Merida, in the north by Kananga, in the northeast by the towns of Jaro, Pastrana and Dagami, and in the south by the town of Albuera. High mountain ranges separate Ormoc from the eastern portion of Leyte. Numerous rivers and streams traverse Ormoc. Among them are the Bao River in the north, Pagsangahan River in the west, the Bagong-bong River in the south, the Panilahan River also in the south and the Anilao and Malbasag Rivers which border the eastern and western flanks of Ormoc City Proper.

People and Culture[link]

The natives of this city are called Ormocanons, with most being Cebuano speakers (or Kana, as Cebuano-speakers in Leyte and Southern Leyte are often called) together with the whole western part of Leyte island. The people relate more to neighboring towns and Cebu than to eastern Leyte itself. Ormoc boasted itself for being a Cebuano city.

Like most Filipinos, Ormocanons are predominantly Roman Catholic, and the city celebrate its annual fiesta in honour of the patron saints Saint Peter and Saint Paul on June 28 and 29. Other main Catholic holy days, including the local fiestas of barangays, are observed throughout the year. There is also a visible Muslim minority within the city and all over the island, evidenced by the occasional mosque in the cityscape, and most of them are Maranaos from Mindanao.

Economy, Commerce, and Industry[link]

Ormoc pier

Ormoc City's economic base is a good mix of agriculture, aquaculture, industry, tourism, and commercial services. Sugar cane, rice and pineapple are the bulk produce of the agricultural sector.

The city enjoys economic growth because it supplies the whole country of its power needs due to the abundant geothermal power resources in Tongonan and neighbouring Kananga town. Ormoc is also the gateway to the Leyte Industrial Development Estate in the nearby town of Isabel, home of the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Plant, the largest fertilizer factory in Asia, and the Philippine Associated Smelter and Refining Company, the country's biggest copper processing plant, among other industries.

The commercial service sector in the city is on the upswing. Banks, restaurants, cafes, night spots, and sports centers dot the city. There are sizable shopping centers in Ormoc City, among them Gaisano Riverside Mall, Gaisano Capital, BOSS (Brodeth One-Stop Shop), Yuvallos Hypermart, Ormoc Centrum, The Point Mall, and A-Mall. There are also many giftshops, videoshops, cellshops, pawnshops, bookstores, and whole-sale stores around the city.

Transportation and Communications[link]

Land and sea transport are available year-round. Ormoc Airport has direct flights to Manila. TV and radio networks broadcasting from Cebu reach the city. Internet connection is available through local and national ISPs like Globe broadband and Smart Bro. The city is served by telecommunication companies such as Ormoc Telephone Company (OrTelCo), PLDT, BayanTel, Globelines, Globe, Smart, and Sun Cellular.

Education[link]

Ormoc is the educational centre for western Leyte. It has a range of primary and secondary schools, both public and private. Tertiary education was originally offered by St. Peter's College of Ormoc, a Benedictine-run Catholic college and the oldest, followed by Western Leyte College [1], a private non-sectarian college. In the 1990s, the city saw the establishment of Sto. Niño College and the STI computer college. In the 2000s, tertiary institutions founded were AMA Computer Learning Center, Ormoc City School of Arts and Trades, San Lorenzo Ruiz College, SYNTACS Computer College, Ormoc City Institute of Technology (OCIT) and the Ormoc campus of the Eastern Visayas State University. Ormoc also has their own Chinese school which is Ormoc Se San School.

Tourism[link]

Tourism highlights include:

• Lake Danao is a violin shaped lake 3 km long at an elevation of 2,100 feet (640 m) above sea level. There are floating cottages, and boats are available for hire.
• Tongonan Hotsprings National Park is a valley of geothermal power source that can supply electricity to the whole region. The first geothermal plant to operate in the Philippines.
• Leyte Golf and Country Club is a golfing resort covering more than 80 hectares of semi-rolling terrain, located 7 km from the heart of Ormoc City.
• Pineapple Plantation lies in 210 hectares in rolling terrain located north of the city Brgy. Hibunawon. Ormoc's Queen Pineapple is famous for its sweetness, a favourite pasalubong, and the unofficial icon of the city.
• Centennial Park, located in the city, is a leisure and picnic ground for the young and old alike.

Awards[link]

Ormoc City is a consistent winner of the Cleanest and Greenest City program of the DILG from 1995 to the present. The Asian Institute of Management's study titled The Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2005 ranked the city first in 'infrastructure' and tenth in 'dynamism of local economy' among small cities of the Philippines. The city also garnered the 2005 Most Business-Friendly City award in the Visayas by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Barangays[link]

Ormoc City is politically subdivided into 110 barangays.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Ormoc City official website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code for Ormoc City
• 2007 Philippine Census of Population
• Local Governance Performance Management System

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Richard Gomez (born on April 7, 1966 in Manila, Philippines) is a Filipino actor, comedian, model, athlete, television presenter, and director. He is one of the famous actors in Philippine Cinema. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. He is one of ABS-CBN's contract actors

Biography and career[link]

Gomez was raised by his grandmother. Before his entry in show business, he worked in at McDonalds. His dream came true when his modelling career began. After modelling, he pursued an acting career. His mother is the screen siren of 60s Philippine cinema, Stella Suarez. His cousin is Stella Suarez, Jr. aka Pinky Suarez, who was adopted by his parents and raised as his sibling. His father has Spanish-Mexican blood.

He excels in sports like fencing and basketball. His movie career started when he was cast as the love interest of Maricel Soriano in the 1984 movie Inday Bote. His relationship with Sharon Cuneta was highly publicised during that time as well as with his former girlfriend Dawn Zulueta. He also had a relationship with Patricia Borromeo, a model, but his girlfriend died in 2002 due to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In 1998, he married Lucy Torres with whom he has a child. In 2002, GOMA transferred to GMA 7 via his first GMA show, Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw. His first GMA sitcom, Lagot Ka Isusumbong Kita aired in 2003 to 2005.

On May 1, 2008, Richard and Lucy celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary (April 28, 1998, St. Peter and Paul Parish Church, Ormoc City, Leyte).^[1][2] He is fondly called "Goma". He is an organizer for "Goma Cup" and MAD (Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga), a campaign against use of illegal drugs and a model of Bench with his wife and other celebrities. He was a Gold Medalist in fencing at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. Goma has his own restaurant called "FELIX" where he's one of the owners in Greenbelt 5 Makati. Richard is the host of the Philippine edition of Family Feud which aired on GMA Network. He is a GMA Network contract actor.^[3]

After his last movie Filipinas in 2003, Gomez makes his comeback in the indie film Bente which stars Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Iza Calzado. Gomez is planning to run for the congressman of 4th district of Leyte, but he was disqualified and briefly replace by his wife Lucy, after Dingdong Dantes replaces him as Family Feud host.

Gomez returned to drama in Claudine with Claudine Barreto aired on Channel 7.

Gomez returns to hosting via a new weekend variety show, P.O.5. aired on TV5 (formerly ABC 5). This was his returning to Kapatid Network after 17 years since his last appearance on his former sitcom, "Tondominium".

Gomez returns to drama with My Driver Sweet Lover formerly aired on TV5, with his co-stars Danita Paner and fellow former Kapuso star JC De Vera, with veteran actors Elvis Presley of the Philippines Eddie Gutierrez and Asia's Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales.

Gomez returns again to drama for TV5 for his former show Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak with his new co-star former Kapuso mainstay Arci Munoz and former beauty queen and current actress Ruffa Gutierrez was recently aired channel 5.

Gomez returned to ABS-CBN 2 after 10 years since his last teleserye Your Honor a first Pinoy courtroom drama in 2001. He is part of the new teleserye Walang Hanggang which began on January 16, 2012.

Goma returned to TV5 for his new game show, The Biggest Game Show In The World Asia with his main host veteran comedian Joey De Leon, this was goma's 2nd over-all game show hosting job since his last one Family Feud Philippines formerly aired on GMA in 2009. His new game show was launched around February 2012.

1990[link]

• Kapag Langit Ang Humatol
• Nagsimula Sa Puso
• Hanggang Saan ang Tapang mo
• Dahas

1991[link]

• Ang Siga at Ang Sosyal 1992
• Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin 1992
• Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit 1991
• Buburahin Kita sa Mundo 1991

1992[link]

Filmography[link]

Television[link]

year	Title	Role	Network
TBA	Palibhasa Tanghali	TBA	ABS-CBN
2012–present	The Biggest Game Show In The World (Asia)	Host in Malaysia	TV5
2012	Walang Hanggan	Marco Montenegro	ABS-CBN
2011	100 Days To Heaven	Tagabantay	ABS CBN
2011	Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak	Apollo Ortega	TV5
2010–2011	My Driver Sweet Lover	Delfin	TV5
2010–2011	P.O.5	Host	TV5
2010	Claudine Presents: Laya	Guest	GMA Network
2010	Family Feud Season 2	Host	GMA Network
2009	The Sweet Life	Guest	QTV
2009	Everybody Hapi	Johnny (guest appearances)	TV5
2009	Talentadong Pinoy	Guest Judge	TV5
2009	All About Eve	Frederico Gonzales	GMA Network
2008–2009	Family Feud (Philippine Edition)	Host	GMA Network
2008	Obra	Guest appearance	GMA Network
2008	Codename: Asero	Ibsen Abesamis/Agent Zeus	GMA Network
2008	The Sweet Life	Guest TV director	QTV
2007–2008	MariMar	Renato Santibañez	GMA Network
2006–2007	Captain Barbell	Viel Villan / The General	GMA Network
2006	Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas	Raquim	GMA Network
2005	Encantadia	Raquim	GMA Network
2005	Balikbayan	Guest Appearance	QTV 11
2004–2005	Forever in My Heart	Raphael Cruzado	GMA Network
2003-2004	Sa'yo Lamang: The Mayor Lito Atienza Story	Lito Atienza	IBC
1998–2008	S Files	Host	GMA Network
2002–2003	Lagot Ka.. Isusumbong Kita!	Ric	GMA Network
2002–2003	Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw	Waldo Sandoval	GMA Network
2001	Your Honor		ABS CBN
1999–2001	Richard Loves Lucy	Richard	ABS CBN
1995	ASAP	Co-host	ABS CBN
1994	Just Da 3 Of Us	Ricky	RPN 9
1993	ATM[disambiguation needed ]	Tony Boy	RPN 9
1989	Ang Tabi Kong Mamaw	Richie	IBC
1986–1997	Palibhasa Lalake	Goma	ABS CBN
1986	Blusang Itim

Awards and nominations[link]

Movies[link]

• FAMAS Award for Best Actor for Filipinas - Nominee
• FAMAS Award for Best Actor for Dahas - Won
• FAP Award for Best Actor for Dahas - Won (tied with Fernando Poe Jr.'s Kahit Butas ng Karayom)
• Gawad Urian Award for Best Actor for Dahas - Nominee
• Gawad Urian Award for Best Actor for Waiting - Won
• Gawad Urian Award for Best Actor for Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin - Nominee
• Gawad Urian Award for Best Actor for Saan Ka Man Naroroon - Won
• Gawad Urian Award for Best Actor for Nagsimula Sa Puso - Nominee
• Gawad Urian Award for Best Actor for Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit - Won
• MMFF 1995 for Best Actor for Dahas - Won
• Star Awards for Movies: Actor of the Year for Dahas in 1996 - Won

Television[link]

• Star Awards for Television 2009: Best Game Show Host "Family Feud Philippine Edition" - Won

Sports[link]

• 2005 Southeast Asian Games for fencing (Men's Team Épée) - Gold Medalist

External links[link]

• Richard Gomez at the Internet Movie Database
• Richard, Lucy Gomez celebrate 10th wedding anniversary, 05/02/2008

References[link]

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (March 2012)

Rodel Luis Nacianceno (born on November 1, 1981), better known by his stage name, Coco Martin, is a critically acclaimed Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino actor. He became famous for starring in many independent films,^[1] and was dubbed the Prince of Philippine Independent Films. He is also known for his portrayal of Ramon Lecumberri in the critically acclaimed television series, Tayong Dalawa^[2]

His Life[link]

Coco lives with his 70 year old grandmother who raised him. Coco has five siblings, three from both parents and two step siblings on his father's side.

Career[link]

Martin started out in ABS-CBN's talent agency, Star Magic, as part of the Star Circle Batch 9. He made his first cameo film appearance in the 2001 film Luv Txt where he was credited under his real name, Rodel Nacianceno followed by many independent films.

Since then he has appeared in several TV advertisements before breaking back into showbiz with his lead debut independent film Masahista for which he was awarded the Young Critics Circle Best Actor Award in 2006. He also starred in Kaleldo in 2006.

Early in 2007, Martin joined GMA Network, and appeared in several GMA TV shows starting with Daisy Siete. He also became a member of the boy-group The Studs. Martin was also seen in independent gay-oriented films, Daybreak and Jay where he earned his first Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In 2008, Martin returned to ABS-CBN and was cast in Ligaw na Bulaklak as one of the regular casts. In 2009, he starred in the drama series Tayong Dalawa where he won the Best Drama Actor in the 2009 Star Awards for Television. After Tayong Dalawa, he also starred in the afternoon soap opera titled Nagsimula sa Puso. In the same year he joined Star Magic.^[3]

In 2010, he became part of the cast of ABS-CBN's primetime drama, Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo and had his first leading role via Tonyong Bayawak. He also starred in his first mainstream film Sa 'yo Lamang^[1] and the primetime series, 1DOL. Martin also filmed another independent film titled Kinatay where he was nominated for a FAMAS Award for Best Actor.

In 2011, he lead the highly-acclaimed television series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.^[4] On May, Martin received the Dekada Award in the Gawad Urian ceremony.^[5] He was nominated for multiple awards for his portrayal as Alexander and Javier Del Tierro in Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, namely from the KBP Golden Dove Awards, Golden Screen Awards and Star Awards for TV.

Martin is set to do another ensemble series in 2012 titled Walang Hanggan, an adaptation of the 1991 film Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit.^[6] He will also release his second mainstream film with the working title 'Born to Love You opposite Angeline Quinto^[7] and another movie with Judy Ann Santos titled Love Will Lead You Back.^[8] Martin also signed with Regal Entertainment to do a film with Marian Rivera.

Filmography[link]

Television[link]

Film[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Coco Martin at the Internet Movie Database
• Coco Martin at Star Magic

This biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living people that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately. (May 2012)

Jovit Baldivino is the Batangueno male singer and winner of Pilipinas Got Talent (season 1).

Biography[link]

Jovit Baldivino came from a poor family living in Batangas. He used to sell “siomai” (fresh Chinese dimsum) at the market after his class to sustain his studies and to help his family. His only wish is to finish studies to be able to uplift their status in life. This is the reason why he joined the “Pilipinas Got Talent” hosted by Luis Mazano and Billy Crawford with Ai-Ai delas Alas, Kris Aquino, and Freddie M. Garcia as the chosen judges. Jovit believed that winning the two million pesos would make his dream come true.

Early life[link]

Jovit’s father, Hilarion “Larry” Baldivino, was born and raised in an upland barangay of Dalaguete – Barangay Caliongan, an agriculture-rich barangay, eight kilometers away from the town proper. In 1984, at the age of 21, Larry, accompanied by his cousin, Lino Limbaga, went to Manila to try his luck there. They stayed in Lino’s sister in Malate, Manila and worked in a bakery at Binondo. Larry felt in love with one of the bakery’s sales girls and later decided to live in his wife’s place in Batangas where Jovit was born and raised.

The Baldivinos and Limbagas of Caliongan are expected to be in full force in time for Jovit’s February-8 concert to welcome back and show their support. Jovit’s family is expected to be with him on that day and might take a visit to Larry’s homeland where Jovit’s last visit was that of May 2010 where he was able to perform a few songs in the place’s fiesta celebration.

Career[link]

It will be Jovit’s third time visit in Dalaguete and the first after winning the talent show of ABS-CBN besting 11 other finalists after getting almost half of the total votes. The half-blooded Dalaguetnon popularized a number of songs that include his winning contest piece in PGT (“Too Much Love Will Kill You”), “Faithfully”, “Carrie”, and Official Sound Tracks (OST) or theme songs of ABS-CBN’s soap operas such as “Mula sa Puso”, Guns and Roses’ “Dahil Mahal Kita”, and Angelito’s “Ika’y Mahal Pa Rin”.

Discography[link]

Studio Albums[link]

Filmography[link]

TV Shows[link]

Endorsements[link]

TV Commercials[link]

• Skyflakes Crackers (2010)
• Ulalam (2012)