Ako si LAYA

May 31, 2026 One of my chickens fell ill, and despite efforts to save it, my mother had to make the difficult decision to put it down. It’s never easy to lose an animal you’ve cared for, especially one that has given us eggs and new chicks over time. I can’t help but feel it might be due to my lack of attention and care as a keeper. Still, there’s a quiet acceptance in knowing it’s part of farm life. Tomorrow, the chicken adobo will carry a mix of gratitude and sadness, honoring what it once gave us.

Blink of Life My mind often drifts back to that operating room. The ceiling lights above me felt like small suns too bright to stare at while the quiet movements of the doctors sounded like distant waves in a calm sea. I was lying there still and silent like a leaf floating on water letting the current decide where it would carry me. In that fragile moment a thought quietly slipped into my mind. Siguro kung moabot ang kamatayon murag usa ra ka iglap. A blink of an eye. One moment you are here breathing thinking making plans for tomorrow. Then in a single heartbeat everything can fall silent like a candle gently blown out by the wind. Didto ko naka-realize kung unsa ka mubo ang kinabuhi. The worries that once felt like mountains suddenly became grains of sand. Ang mga problema nga murag bug-at kaayo sauna karon mura nalang ug mga anino nga mawala kung mosubang na ang adlaw. Life I realized is like morning dew resting on a blade of grass beautiful and shining for a moment but gone when t...

Christian Jay Sope Laya: Historian, Cultural Advocate, and Public Servant of Alabel, Sarangani   Christian Jay Sope Laya is a distinguished local historian, cultural advocate, and researcher from Alabel, Sarangani Province. His dedication to the preservation and promotion of local history and culture has made him a respected figure in both academic and government circles.   He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Mindanao State University – General Santos City in June 2018, graduating cum laude. During his undergraduate studies, he was recognized for his outstanding research work, receiving awards for Best Thesis Presenter and Best Thesis in Qualitative Research from the Department of History, College of Social Sciences and Humanities of MSU – Gensan.   Following his undergraduate achievements, Christian pursued further education in the field of teaching, completing education units at Brokenshire College SOCCSKSARGEN, Inc. (BCSI). In March 2019, he succ...

Alabel: A City by Heart, A Vision for Generations By Christian Jay S. Laya Alabel, the capital of Sarangani Province, has long carried the dream of cityhood. But beyond the aspiration for a formal title, the municipality has already proven itself worthy of recognition through its track record of excellence, resiliency, and integrity in governance. As a grandslam awardee of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG),  the highest distinction for a Local Government Unit, Alabel has demonstrated consistency in upholding transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. Its stature was further solidified when it ranked No. 1 in Economic Resiliency under the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, standing tall as a model of strong local leadership. Over the years, Alabel has also received multiple national recognitions under both the Duterte and Marcos administrations, spanning healthcare, peace and order, anti-criminality and anti-illegal drugs campaign, agriculture, innova...

Municipal Information Officer Christian Jay Laya joins Sir Boy Cordua, Kuya Jesie, Kuya Armel, Mcrey, Mark Dane, and Sir Ferdinand during the kick-off activity of the National Fire Prevention Month on March 1, 2025, in Alabel, Sarangani Province. The event emphasizes the importance of fire safety awareness and reminds everyone that fire prevention starts with us.  #  

 Bionote: Lilibeth "Ybing" J. Salarda, MPA Lilibeth "Ybing" J. Salarda, MPA, is a distinguished public servant and community leader from Alabel, Sarangani Province. A proud graduate of Alabel’s public education system, she holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Bukidnon State University. Her extensive career in government service spans decades, during which she has made remarkable contributions to local governance, tourism, agriculture, and community development.   Ybing began her career as a staff member of the Municipal Accounting Office under the late Mayor Hernando L. Sibugan. She then took on key administrative roles, serving as Private Secretary to then Vice Mayor Vic Paul Salarda and later as Executive Assistant II under the Office of the Municipal Mayor.  In the early years of the Salarda administration, Lilibeth “Ybing” J. Salarda, MPA, was designated as the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) of Alabel, Sarangani Province. A dynamic le...

I Am... Capturing the Past with the Old Water Tank of General Santos City In this photograph taken in 2019, before the world was disrupted by the pandemic, I find myself standing before one of General Santos City's enduring landmarks: the old water tank. This iconic structure, nestled in the heart of the city, tells stories of yesteryears—a silent witness to the transformation of a growing metropolis. The photo, though simple, holds a profound connection to the past. It reminds us of a time when this water tank stood tall as a lifeline to the community, a testament to resilience and progress during its era. Its aged and weathered facade symbolizes the passage of time, yet it continues to be a beloved part of the city’s heritage. I captured this moment not just to document a place, but to preserve a memory—an ode to the history that shaped General Santos City into what it is today. As I stood there, gazing at the structure, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and nostalgia...