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Philippine Airlines will be installing a Thermal Scanner to be used for all incoming passengers at the LumbiaAirport.
This was rEvealed by Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula in a conversation with some members of media.
The mayor said that he was called by the station manager of PAL to ask if the city can provide the medical personnel to man the scanners and he readily agreed.
“We are willing to give them all the personnel they need to man whatever number of scanners they will install at the airport to make sure that we will be able to monitor and prevent the entry of A (H1N1) virus in our area,” the mayor said.
As of this date the Philippines has already confirmed that 14 persons were found positive of this virus though all of them are now recuperating. Two more patients in Tokyo who just came from the Philippines were also found to have the virus.
More than 13,000 have contracted the disease worldwide in 48 countries with 95 deaths.
Pandemic Alert level has continued to remain at level 5 primarily because of the low death rates which is less than 1%.
Pandemics in the past have taken the lives of millions of people through out the world and the World Health Organization is closely monitoring all Flu Viruses to prevent a pandemic from happening again.
The A(H1N1) virus started in Mexico which now registers 4,541 confirmed cases and 83 deaths. This is only second to the US which registered 6,764 cases but only 10 deaths. Canada recorded 921 cases with1 death.
Japan however is being watched closely because of its rapid increase of cases. Todate it has reported 360 confirmed cases but no deaths.
Although the death rate of this particular virus is low, WHO officials are worried that a new virus may mutate coming out of this present one that could become deadlier than its source.
The A9H1N1) virus is already a mutation from the Avian Flu Virus (H5N1) the Swine Virus (H1N1) and the Human Flu Virus, combined.
Lt. Gen Delfin N. Bangit, the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army recently visited the 4ID at CampEvangelista to exhort the men and women of the Diamond Division to support the programs of the AFP.
Bangit assumed the command of the Philippine Army recently after Lt. Gen Ibrado was promoted to Chief of Staff of the AFP.
In an address to the men and women of the division, Bangit recalled the time when he was assigned here in Cagayan de Oro as the G7 and later as Battalion Commander of the 53rd Brigade in Surigao. He was also the Club Manager of the Camp Evangelist Golf Club at one point when he was assigned here.
“I have always considered the 4ID as the producer of leaders after several of our former officers have risen to occupy higher positions in the military organization,” he said.
The CGPA likened the role of the army to a basketball game where the team has to play its best at the last two minutes to focus on nothing but victory.
“We are in the last two minutes of our game, in fact in the last minute,” he said. “Victory is already on sight and we must fight on to the finish, “he added.
“Just like in any basketball team, everyone is important. Not just the players themselves but including the ball boys, the towel boys, the water boys and even the cheering squad. Without them no team can ever attain victory” he said.
Bangit echoed the statement of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, a recent visitor in the city, who said that military modernization should put emphasis on the personnel rather than on the equipment. The defense secretary said that there should be more men in the military rather than supplying the few with a few modern equipment that could hardly be used.
Over and above this, the new commanding general likewise explained that he intends to maintain a lean HQ staff and increase the number of men and women in the field to have a stronger force.
In the same gathering Gen Bangit announced the imminent promotion of Maj. Gen Ricardo David, Jr. to a higher position in the Philippine Army.
“I cannot say yet where he is going but it is almost definite that he will be promoted because of his outstanding performance here at 4ID,” Bangit said.
David’s Deputy, BGen Restituto Abad is also being groomed for a promotion to a 2 Star rank, but not as 4ID Commanding General.
David Belongs to Class ‘77 of the PMA while Bangit and Abad were classmates and members of Class ’78.
Gov’t. to hold jobs, livelihood fairs on June 12 instead of parades
Instead of the usual parade of floats this coming June 12, the different agencies of the government will be holding jobs and livelihood fairs, nationwide.
This is the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to all government agencies and instrumentalities in keeping with the need of the times as part of the solution to the global financial crises.
Focused on the theme “Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan: Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan, (Bravery, Greatness and Industry: Towards True Freedom),” the celebration with will mark the 111th anniversary of the Philippine Independence on June 12, this year.
Meanwhile, assigned to make the arrangements during the “Kalayaan 2009 Events” at the national level are: Secretaries Marianito D. Roque of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), chairperson, Jesli Lapus, Department of Education (DepEd) and Ace Durano, Department of Tourism (DOT), co-chairpersons, Executive Director Vic Badoy of the National Historical Institute (NHI), vice-chairperson and all the cabinet secretaries as members.
In Northern Mindanao, Atty. Allan M. Macaraya, Regional Director of DOLE-10, said the Regional Kalayaan Job and Livelihood Fairs, said will run for four days: June 11-12, at the Provincial Capital Grounds and June 12-14, at the Car Park of SM Cagayan de Oro in Upper Carmen.
He said the activities will include the following: awarding of the PGMA scholarship grants by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), job openings for unfilled- up positions in selected local companies and product display and sale by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Free medical services by the Department of Health (DOH), the housing fair, on-line registration and basic computer literacy education, registration and screening of applicants for livelihood assistance/business counseling, also by DTI.
Green technology/backyard livelihood technology demonstrations by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), motor vehicle registration and driver’s licensing by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and acceptance of passport application by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Meanwhile, the 111th Independence Day Celebration started with the National Fl;ag Day launched last May 28th nationwide. Flag materials varying from tarpaulin, banners and posters have been massively displayed and distributed all over the region by the Department of Environmen and Natural resources. DENR Secretary Jose “Lito “ Atienza through Regional Executive Director Atty. Ernesto Adobo Jr. enjoined all government offices and institutions, academe and all sectors of the society to get involved in the celebration in respect and reverence to the Philippine flag.
Locally, the National Flag Day celebration was highlighted with wreath laying and mass waving of Philippine flags during the program last May 28, 2009 held at Plaza Divisoria. Officials from different national government agencies along with local government officials gathered for the commemoration. Ms. Dorothy Jean Pabayo, chairperson of the city’s Heritage Council shared the historical events of the city while Director Adobo of DENR-10 expounded on the celebration. Councilor Ramon Tabor gave the message in behalf of Mayor Constantino Jaraula. (With a report from Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, PIA-10 andPeri Madridano of DENR 10)
The administration bloc keeps on repeating and emphasizing that there will be elections in 2010. They say it at every opportunity.
Recently, after they announced the merger of the two admin parties, Lakas and Kampi, the president emphasized again that there will be elections in 2010, “hitting those who have raised the possibility of a no-election scenario amid Charter change initiatives that purportedly could prolong her stay in office.
Time and again statements like this comes out that makes one doubt if indeed there will be one.
For us, we believe that there will be elections in 2010. We are just not sure if it will be the same as that in 2004 where we elected a president, a vice president, 12 senators, congressmen and local officials.
While the president and her mouthpieces tell us that that there will be an election they have refused to elaborate on what type it will be while their cohorts in congress continue to push for charter change.
It is very clear that for some the elections in 2010 will be for members of parliament, for a unicameral body, which, in turn, will elect a prime minister. Some people think this will be the scenario.
The only way for these talks to end is for the president to tell her minions in congress to no longer pursue charter change but to concentrate, in stead, on more priority bills like the CARP extension and other more important measures. At the same time she can come out with a more definite statement as to the type of elections we will have in 2010 and her plans for life after the presidency.
Last week, newly installed commanding general of the Philippine Army, Lt. General Delfin N. Bangit was in town to visit his troops in CampEvangelista. The 4ID is one of the niggest units of the PA.
At this visit, Bangit has only been in office for about a week and already he is making the rounds. In fact, 4ID CG MajGen, Ricardo David, Jr. just came from Manila for a Command Conference and, that means, he just had a meeting with his CG and already he is here for the visit.
A lot of Why questions came up. At a time when you expect the new commander to be in his office reviewing plans for the PA and familiarizing himself with the group he opts to go to the field to check on the men.
4ID is not new to Generela Bangit. He was once assigned here holding various positions, that of civil relations (G7) and as club manager of the Camp Evangelist Golf Club. But the most important position he had was as Battalion Commander of the 53rd Battalion in Surigao.
I have seen the general from a distance when he was still the commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG). In one of the visits of the president here in Cagayan de Oro he was here too.
In fact, if I remember right, he was here when I had that rare privilege of having a1-on-1 interview with the president.
My impression of him is that he has a good sense of PR, able to mingle and touch base with people in various levels of society.
Bangit belongs to Class ’78 of the PMA. This means that a lot of his people under him were upper classmen at the PMA. David is one of them, who belongs to Class ’77.
This is something that has been going on lately during PGMA’s watch.
Yano came from Class’77 and his Vice Chief of Staff, Lt.Gen Carduso Luna belonged to Class’76.
Situations like this becomes a little odd because at the PMA, cadets call their upper classmen “Sir” and this goes on even when they are already in the service.
I covered the visit of Gen. Bangit and he was given arrival honors by Honor Guards and this is normally in the company of the CG of the unit he is visiting. At the end of the line they faced each other and they salute each other.
When this happened, I clearly heard Gen. Bangit say “Sir” to Gen. David.Bangit is a 3 Star General and David is only a 2 Star. Not only that, the 4ID is a unit under the Philippine Army and Gen Bangit, therefore, as CG of the PA, is on top of all units. Gen. David should, therefore be the one to say “Sir” to Gen Bangit.
But, that is the PMA and, I suppose, this is how it is in all military schools throughout the world.
How did this happen?
Well, rumors have it that Gen. Bangit will be the next Chief of Staff of the AFP. If this is true then this will have to happen soon because elections are coming.
General Ibrado, the current CS of the AFP will be retiring in March. Because of the legal prohibition of appointing people in government during election time, he will have to leave office be November, or before the election period starts.He too may follow the footsteps of his predecessor, Gen Yano, and be appointed as Ambassador even before he retires from the AFP.
Bangit is a personal choice of the president because he has had a complete trust in him when he was still PSG chief.
Many people want to lose weight.Most people wish they would exercise more and/or better to be healthier.Few do.It’s even entertaining to listen to overweight doctors explaining the importance of diet and exercise.
There are an incredible amount and variety of diets.Some focus on specific food groups.Some diets focus on an assortment of foods, and, limit the amount.The one thing they all have in common is exercise.
Numerous diets advertise that you can eat anything you want and still lose weight.That’s because they assume the ‘dieter’ will exercise.It’s a rare diet that says:“Eat what you want, as much as you want, do nothing, and, still lose weight.
Exercise is also common sense.It’s always funny to listen to people say they’re surprised how much better they feel so quickly after some simple exercise.Even a short walk, 20 minutes a day does an incredible amount of good for one’s body.
Increased amount of exercise has even more beneficial results.Of course anyone doing significantly more exercise than normal should see their doctor first.
Nothing in this column so far is revolutionary.No new information.It’s all obvious.Why should media be different?
Why do people think they can watch anything they want, and, believe it makes no difference in the way they think, feel and act?
Why?When we watch trash, we begin to think like trash.The sad part of this is nearly all of these shows could be great without the swearing, skin and immoral story lines.
A perfect example of trashy shows being considered acceptable are the medical mystery shows.Satan has the perfect touch.He takes the curious, mixes in evil, and, convinces viewers there’s nothing wrong. Such series can be credited for helping millions better understand science.
How sad that they have to include so many people sleeping around.It’s nearly always portrayed as normal.
The plots also push the envelope of evil.When one reviews the first season, plots are not as bizarre.The longer the show is aired, the more bold and evil it becomes.It seems they have to become more evil to keep their audience’s attention.
It’s the perfect example of Jesus’ point of sin being a trap (John 8.34).Those who choose to sin, eventually, cannot stop from sinning.Liquor, smoking, drugs, and evil media—they’re all the same!
It’s the rare drunk that says:“I like being totally out of control and having people embarrassed I’m around.”It’s the rare smoker that says:“I like smoking so much I don’t care who has to take care of me as I die.”It’s the rare ‘druggie’ that says:“I think it’s ok to steal and hurt all I love because I deserve to feel good.”
Yet, nearly our entire society says:“Watch, listen to and read what you want, you can always control how you act and think!”
Question:I heard that malunggay leaves increases milk supply -- is that true? Can I just take malunggay tablets?
Yes, eating malunggay leaves, as well as a variety of fruits and vegetables, does aid in increasing one’s milk supply. The Department of Research and Technology has stated that malunggay is a good source of calcium, a nutrient that stimulates breast flow. It is likewise rich in iron, phosphorus and vitamins A, B and C, nutrients that are all good for baby. Do ask you doctor about it.
However, the best way to increase breastmilk is still to nurse your baby more frequently. Milk production is on a supply and demand basis. The more your baby nurses from you, the more milk is produced. Building your milk supply thus simply entails you to breastfeed often.
Combine your malunggay intake with these other ways to help increase your milk supply:
1.Relax and reduce stress levels. Having a new baby can be quite taxing. Delegate tasks, put projects to the side until the breast milk supply is back under control. When nursing your baby, do so in a quiet room with no distractions. This is your opportunity to put your feet up for a few minutes and relax. The simple act of relaxing will encourage your milk ejection reflex. Nap during the day if you don’t get enough sleep at night.
2.Drink plenty of water. You need to keep yourself well-hydrated to produce milk. A good habit is to take in lots of fluids while baby is nursing so that you do not forget.
3.Make your breast readily available for baby. Co-sleep with baby at night so he can feed easily when he wants to. Wear baby in a sling during the day for anytime easy access to the breast.
4.Massage your breasts. Babies naturally knead the breast, triggering your milk ejection reflex. Take this cue and periodically massage your breasts throughout the day while in the shower or bath, or while baby is nursing. Rubbing down may signal to the breast that the baby is nursing more often, even if in reality he isn’t. The breast will increase supplu accordingly.
5.No to mix feeding or supplementing. Do not be tempted to give your baby formula to make him full after breastfeeding. Your milk supply will adjust to the demands your baby makes on it. If you satisfy his hunger with formula he will require less breastmilk and your supply will reduce.
6.Pump your milk. If baby is not able to take in all the milk available in the breast, try expressing milk after each feed. Removing as much of the residual milk in your breasts as you can will help stimulate your milk supply. Frozen milk, if stored properly, has a shelf life of up to 6 months.
7.Eat healthily. As well as needing plenty of fluids, your body also needs lots of nutrients to provide a nutritious meal for your baby. Taking in lots of fruits and vegetables can be good for you and for your baby.
Most importantly, smile! You're doing a great job, and your supply is still establishing itself. If your baby is putting on weight and having lots of wet nappies (8 or more a day) then your supply is just fine.
As of this writing, Game 5 of the Lakers-Nuggets Series is still on-going. At the other side of the fence, The King James and the Cavaliers just lost game 4 to the Orlando Magic.
At the Western Conference Finals, The Lakers and the Nuggets share a 2-2 standing while the Magic lead the Cavaliers in the East, 3-1.
By the time you are reading this, there are actually scenarios to consider.
There is a possibility that the Lakers and the Nuggets are playing game 7 as the Magic waits who to face in the Finals. Another scenario is that Game 1 could be just about to start between the Magic and the winner of the Lakers-Nuggets series if both series end in 6 games.
One of the scenarios could be that as the Lakers and the Nuggets are playing game 7, the Magic and Cavs are getting ready to play their game 7.
Will the Cavs get to recover from the pit as they are down by 3-1? Clearly, the Magic now has the upper hand in the series.
The Lakers and the Cavaliers seem to be the strong candidates for the NBA Final Showdown but with the Conference Finals going-on, no one can really say if the two teams will do get to meet in the finals.
The Magic and the Nuggets are clearly the underdogs of their series but there is still a big chance that it will be them who will meet each other in the Finals.
***
The Eastern Conference Final Series have just shown that the Cavaliers is Lebron James’ team.
The Magic has simply done a superb job in shutting the rest of the team.
Though King James has been scoring well in the series with 40 and 50 points performances, it is simply not enough to carry the whole team.
Before the series has started, I mentioned that the Cavs have the upper hand against any team that they are facing since the rest of the team has been stepping up. However, in the series against the Magic, I was proven wrong.
It just seems that the rest of the Cavs are not stepping up and they have been very dependent on the reigning MVP.
So what will it be? Is there still a chance for the Cavs to make it to the finals or shall be expect the Magic to be playing against the Lakers or the Nuggets?
Former Congresslady Liling Roa Celebrates Birthday at Roa’s Summer Home
It was like in the days of the late Oloy Roa, for his immediate family was there, political cronies, relatives and with Erica as the emcee of the night with her program and décor, so lavish and wonderful.
It was also the wedding anniversary of Ray and Bing Clavano with son Ryan flying in from USA to grace the occasion.
The feast was Fit for a King and a dance for all with the celebrant in the arms of her grandson Dr. Pedro Benedict Roa.
Liling is the only Lady Congressman the city has ever had and may have for several more years to come.
To Liling, The MINDANAO CURRENT wishes her happy returns of the day.
Celebrant cuts the birthday cake
Opening dance of the celebrant with her grandson Dr. Pedro Benedict Roa
Wedding anniversary of the couple Boy and Bing Clavano with son Ryan
Boyboy Roa’s family with wife Teyat, son Ryan and Lily Roa
Celebrant with son Wing wing and Anna Roa and family
The Celebrant with Gely Dayrit and Linda Velez, Carina Noble, Daylit Fabrigas, Tellie Velez and other guests
Q: I read about a new "amnesty" deadline in February 2010: what is this?
In the mid-1980's, a law was passed that granted permanent residence to persons who qualified under it. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 provided penalties for those who employed workers who were not authorized for employment under immigration law. But it also offered a path to legalization to "illegal immigrants" - in effect, a grant of amnesty-. The law provided a mechanism for those who were in the United States illegally as of January 1, 1982, to legalize their status. This included persons who had overstayed their nonimmigrant visas or otherwise violated it.
But the law required that your immigration violation or unlawful status was "known to the government". In many cases, applicants were not able to show this. And so many individuals tried to, but were prevented from, availing of - or even just applying for - the amnesty. Their applications were rejected, or were found ineligible.
A class action suit was filed in a Seattle, Washington federal court by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) involving claims by individuals who were unable to apply during the applicable period (between May 5, 1987 and May 4, 1988) or who were deemed ineligible for legalization under IRCA because of issues as to whether their unlawful status was "known to the government." The case was recently settled
The settlement agreement allows certain individuals who were unable to apply for legalization to apply now for legalization. Individuals who attempted, but were unable to file, an application under specific circumstances before must file a class membership application and an application for legalization on Form I-687 (Application for Status as a Temporary Resident). Application period is from February 1, 2 009 to January 31, 2010.
Thus, if you entered the US before January 1, 1982 on a tourist or student visa, for example, or as a domestic servant of a diplomat or officer of an international organization, and you worked without employment authorization or overstayed or otherwise violated your nonimmmigrant status; and you lived continuously in the US until the legalization application period in 1987 to 1988, you would have been eligible. The problem then was how to show that the government knew of these violations.
Under this agreement, status violations could have been in a manner known to the government if the documentation, or absence thereof, existed in one or more government agencies that taken as a whole would mean that the violation was indeed known to the government. For example, when a person in student status to maintain a full-course of study, or fails to report a change of address. These violations are hardly documented, but the government should have been aware of these.
If your legalization application under IRCA was rejected then because of "...known to the government issues...", this could be a second chance. It would be to your advantage to consult with a competent immigration attorney. Remember that you must apply by January 31, 2010. (More information about the application process may be found online at www.uscis.gov.)
But this settlement agreement is not a new legalization or "amnesty" program. Only individuals who meet specific criteria will be able to apply for immigration benefits under the agreement. Class members may prepare and file their applications themselves or they may wish to seek the assistance of a reputable attorney
The settlement also allows certain individuals whose applications were denied for certain reasons, to move to reopen their applications with USCIS for review under specified legal standards. In addition, the agreement allows certain individuals whose applications remain pending to alert USCIS to their cases.
(Mr. Roa grew up in Cagayan de Oro City, where he obtained his legal education and training. He practices exclusively immigration law in the United States and is based in ArlingtonVA.www.roalaw.com for more details.) The content of this column is for general information only, does not create a lawyer-client relationship and is not meant to constitute a formal legal opinion. It may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, sold, transferred or disposed of in any manner without the express written permission of Emeterio G. Roa III, who owns and retains all intellectual property rights over said contents.)
The trisikad is also known by other names such as “pedicab”, “tricycle” and “padyak padyak.” It is manufactured in small shops that are usually located within a poor neighborhood. What we are seeing in the trisikad is the typical Filipino virtue of “ayum-ayum.” It is the poor trying to make do with what is available in their very deprived circumstances in life. The trisikads are considered by some people as nuisance on the road. But subject to good rules and regulations they can provide good service to the community.
Two years or so ago I had on several occasions taken the trisikad and initiated conversations with the drivers and learned about their earning and work hours. They said that they are in the street 12 hours a day. They earn about P80 per day during the lean times and about P150 when the day is good. With this meager earning they would at least be able to buy food, their “pangtawid gutom” for the day for themselves and some dependents. I have not ridden them recently and I imagine that the fare must have increased and they probably earn a little more. But I am sure that this is light years away from the minimum wage.
Trisikads are there also because there is a demand for them. The ones who take the trisikad are usually poor people. They are needed by the poor. Poor people do a lot of physical activity during the day already. They do all the physical work at home and the kind of work they do for a living are usually very demanding physically. Many of them are undernourished. Walking after work hours is an additional exertion that they do not need. The cheap trisikad ride is a welcome respite for them.
The government should help the trisikad drivers make their form of livelihood more human, their working condition better and help them have a respectable place in our socio economic system.
The trisikad must already be in every town and city in the country and perhaps in every barangay and most sitios. There are probably tens of thousands of thousands of them in the entire country. In Cagayan de Oro the trisikads outnumber the jeepneys and probably the motorelas. Mar Roxas is featured on TV as driving a trisikad. “Mr. Palengke” now wants to be known as “Mr. Trisikad.” Mar Roxas is former Secretary of Trade and Industry and is very knowledgeable about the trade and industry situation in the country. His using the trisikad as an election gimmick is an indication that the trisikad has already become very widespread and important to the people.
Undoubtedly, the traffic problem that some trisikads pose need to be attended to. But it should not be resolved by getting rid of the trisikad altogether.
The trisikads may be disallowed from the main streets but they should be allowed to serve the neighborhood streets or certain side streets in the business areas. I would even recommend that certain streets should be exclusively given to them because some neighborhood streets are better served by the trisikad. The narrow streets of the low cost subdivisions are such kind of streets. The subdivisions’ neighborhood associations, Purok associations or Barangay officials might consider allowing only the trisikad to provide public transportation service within certain neighborhoods, especially the low cost subdivision neighborhood that have narrow streets. This means that no jeepneys and other motor vehicles will be allowed in the streets of these neighborhoods except those owned by the residents or except when the terrain is too difficult for the trisikads. This arrangement has many benefits for all concerned. A very significant benefit is that the streets in these neighborhoods will be safer because the trisikad, being light and slow moving, is the safest vehicle moving around the neighborhood. This is especially beneficial for the children who play in the streets and who need the streets for playing. (I have observed that most neighborhoods do not provide a children’s park where the children can play their patentero, badminton, ride the bicycle, etc…Even if there are parks the children will most likely prefer to play in the streets near their houses). If the neighborhood streets are freed of motor vehicles the parents will not have to worry about their playing in the street.
The trisikad is no smoke belcher. The neighborhood air will be cleaner. The residents, especially those who jog or exercise by walking around the neighborhood can worry less about poisonous fumes from the motor vehicles.
These are some of the benefits of making use of the trisikad aside from the big benefit of providing employment for the poor. The management of the neighborhood association will of course see to it that the services of the trisikads are up to standards.
The barangay officials can draw up certain rules and regulations for the trisikad service in terms of ready availability (they are strategically located), safety, cleanliness, aesthetics, observance of road etiquette, etc....The barangay officials can also help train them to give dignified and responsible service to the community.
Fr. Leo Pabayo is a member of the Society of Jesus
...A choice between ‘angels and demons’, CBCP official says
A conservative Catholic Church leader said that there is no room for neutrality in the fight against a measure promoting birth control.
Fr Melvin Castro, CBCP’s Commission on Family and Life executive secretary, called on the legislators to back up their call with optimum support and action.
He said lawmakers must make a decision: either they are with the good or evil. “It’s like a choice between angels and demons,” Castro said.
The RH bill is both a moral and ethical issue, he said, and its backers make a mistake when they consider it solely a matter of freedom of choice especially among women.
The priest stressed that the church has always insisted that the struggle to defend family and life is “part and parcel of the spiritual warfare that we are into”.
Clearly, Castro also said, defending family and life is to be on the side of light.
“Anything that weakens it becomes part of the forces of darkness. We beg our legislators to be on the side of light, of family and life,” he added.
The bill on maternal health care, now pending in Congress, requires the government to promote artificial family planning if it becomes a law.
The measure also will include sex education for students and advice on artificial contraception, which the church considers immoral.
The church is set firmly against the health measure but independent surveys show that over 80 percent of Filipinos, mostly Catholics, support artificial family planning.
Some bishops have said they will refuse communion and other sacrament to politicians who support the bill, set to deliberated on the floor anytime before they adjourn on June 5.
Others warn that the church’s crucial backing in the 2010 national elections will only be given to those who oppose the bill.
Reports said lawmakers will want to vote on the RH bill too before they go on their mandatory recess.
The bill will then go to the Senate and will be sent to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo if passed by both houses. (Roy Lagarde)
Vatican notes danger of wasting time with technology
The Vatican Press office Director has said that the Church's challenge in the era of Facebook and Twitter consists in presenting the profound message of Jesus without being sidetracked by technology's superficial aspects, says the Vatican spokesperson.
Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J. affirmed this as he referred to the "very beautiful message of the Pope for the World Day of Social Communications this year" that "touches a strategic and crucial point in the reality of the world of communication in rapid development: 'New technologies, new relations; Promoting a culture of respect, of dialogue, of friendship.'"
The Pope, Benedict XVI is challenging the youth to live their human and spiritual growth and commitment also in the communicative dimension of the new technologies, which has such a big place in the course of their days.
"Here too, in fact, the Christian faith must be 'inculturated,' present as a proclamation and lifestyle and style of relationships," Lombarde said.
"But it is not easy," he added. "The dangers of limiting oneself to play, of wasting time, of flight from reality and remaining on the surface of things, are there."
Lombarde says that the Pope, when he speaks to young people, insists on wanting to communicate solid, consistent and articulated content to them, which demands a commitment to be assimilated before it can be translated into life.
"So transmitting the substantial through the virtual is a wonderful challenge,” he affirmed.
Lomabarde said that we must not be victims of the fascination with the extraordinary technological successes, and we must continue to distinguish possibilities and limits, and at the same time continue to seek in profundity that solid soil of the vital relationship with God and others, [a place] to really build a culture of respect, of dialogue and of friendship," He added.
Hundreds of Manticao residents gathered in the streets of the town last May 14 and marched around town to protest the proposed loan amounting to 41 million pesos at by the Local Government Unit (LGU) headed by Mayor Lilibeth Jabla for the construction of the new modern public market.
The protestors, composed of WE ARE ONE organization, NGO’s, Youth sector, Religious, Farmers, Fisherman, professional and concerned citizens lead by Vice Mayor Bobby Lagrosas, former Fiscal Atty. Ceasar Rebuta, Rev. Renerio Dadolo and municipal Kag. Strella Jangao trooped to municipal public market waving slogan placards saying “PAGMATA MANTIKANHON ARON ANG LUNGSOD DILI MALUBOG SA UTANG”“SAAD NINDOT TAWO OT-OT”. “SAVE MANTICAO BROOM FINANCIAL CRISIS”
During the rally, Vice Mayor Bobby Lagrosas stressed that 80% of Manticao residents will live below the poverty line if the loan will be approved and he believes that all payments of stall rentals and other sources of taxes by LGU will increase and the poor people of Manticao will be affected.
The Vice Mayor challenged the majority members of SB and the chief executive to put into writing the feasibility study that must be followed and that the LGU loan will not be subsidized. He further said that for the feasibility study alone the LGU paid 1 million pesos.
“The resolution made by the Sangguniang Bayan to obtain the loan of 41 million from an Iligan bank is in violation of the law,” former Fiscal, Atty. Ceasar Rebuta said. He said that there was no proper public hearing and no special notice for every member of the SB on the urgency of the special session and that the said resolution was not referred to the committee before approval.
It was learned that the total loan payable is now 70 million pesos. The market is already realized and the LGU has no other choice but to increase all rentals and to subsidize the loan using more than 7 million coming from the 20% development fund and basic social services intended for the Barangay Development Promotion Technology in organic farming, livestock health care management, watershed management, construction and repair of Daycare Center, Gasoline, equipment maintenance and many others which are normally charged to the 20% development fund. All these will be sacrificed to pay the loan.
Jan Karina S. Lapena, the sixteen-year old multi-talented scholar of the Cagayan de Oro City Water District, was awarded Silver Medal during the commencement exercises of the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (formerly MPSC) for AY 2008-2009 held last April 03. Apart from the medal, Jan was also awarded Best in Science.
Graduating as the class salutatorian did not come as a surprise to those who know her. Aside from being a loving and responsible daughter to Elmer and Doris Lapena and being a consistent honor student, she was actively involved as officer of various school organizations like the Math Enthusiasts Club, Secondary Students Assembly and Hi-Y. Furthermore, this brainy beauty does not just excel in academics but in the arts as well. Jan has participated and won in poster making-contests sponsored by Philhealth and YMCA.
This exemplary young lady knows exactly how to make wise use of her time. When not busy with assignments and class projects, she reads books, writes short stories, paints, watches television or dabbles in more vigorous activities like soccer and basketball. Turning 17 next month, Jan is bent on pursuing a B.S. Chemical Engineering degree at XavierUniversity.
Four other COWD scholars graduated this year and they are Meare N. Guipetacio, Jay Miguel M. Alacha, Jade Kenneth C. Japuz and Charmaine Mae M. Mabansag.
For AY 2009-2010, twenty-six students will continue to avail of their free secondary education at MUST as scholars of COWD. The scholarship program is COWD's way of enabling our less privileged young boys and girls to have a brighter future by providing them quality education.
Camiguin Gov. Jurdin Jesus M .Romualdo, Regional Development Council (RDC-10) Chairperson, gave an upbeat prognosis saying that “More investments will pour in to spur more development for Northern Mindanao.”
Romualdo said this as he welcomed the RDC members and guests who convened for the 2nd quarter (82nd) RDC full council meeting at the CamiguinConvention Center, Mambajao, Camiguin.
A positive regional outlook, notwithstanding, Gov. Romualdo stressed the importance of providing more employment opportunities to increase incomes and improve living conditions in these challenging times.
SSS president Romulo L Neri, Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) for Northern Mindanao as well as Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) “steward”amplified on the global economic crisis, saying that the impact is more evident among poor countries in terms of fall in commodity prices, collapse of employment and drying up of capital flows.
Presidential assistant for Northern Mindanao Pacifico T. Pupos reported on the status of implementation of the CLEEP in the region.He said that as of April 2009, a total of 20, 522 jobs have been generated, which is short of target.Pupos stressed the need to intensify the CLEEP project field monitoring and submission of progress reports.
The council enjoined all agencies and LGUs to give full support to the series of Jobs and Livelihood Fair to be carried out on June 11-14, 2009 simultaneously with the 2009 Independence Day celebration. The DOLE-10-led activity will provide employment opportunities, especially to those affected by the economic slowdown.
Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro said his presidential bid now solely rests in the hands of the leaders of the merged party as the search for its official candidate begins in earnest.
He maintained he will continue to vigorously seek President Arroyo’s endorsement even if the political opposition repeatedly says that the chief executive’s open backing would be tantamount to a “kiss of death” to presidential hopefuls like him.
In stead, Teodoro advised all aspirants seeking the nomination of the ruling coalition and the President’s “blessings” not to be ashamed of making public their intentions because he said “there is no need for anyone to be hypocritical about it.”
“I have no reason to feel ashamed about my association with the President and her administration. To me, it is only proper that I seek her blessings, first and foremost, because she is my boss,” he said.
Teodoro today urged leaders of the ruling coalition to adopt “acceptable and democratic” methods in choosing the official bet of the administration in 2010 to give all aspirants a fair chance.
He however, expressed optimism that he will eventually secure the ruling party’s nomination given the groundswell of support he has been getting from coalition leaders who want him to be the administration’s standard bearer in the next year’s scheduled polls.
“My position is unchanged. I will join the process and will run for President only if endorsed by the party and President Arroyo,” said Teodoro, during Thursday’s national executive board meeting of Lakas and Kampi at the Manila Hotel.
“There should be clear criteria for the party’s endorsement. I just hope that much weight is given by the party to every aspirant’s qualifications, integrity and capability to competently lead the nation to greater heights,” the defense chief said.
On the issue that he did not fare well in previous popularity surveys, Teodoro explained he expects his awareness ratings to go up in the next surveys, specifically if already drafted by the administration party as its presidential bet.
I understand that some leaders of the party are anxious about my survey ratings. This is a concern that I am addressing. I am running for President not on sheer popularity but on basis of my conviction that I have what it takes to be the next leader of the country,” Teodoro said.
The construction of the boulevard along the Cagayan de Oro River has now started as the contractor has started pile driving.
The implementation of the initial phase of the city government’s “Boulevard Along The Riverbank” is part of the river bank protection project costing the city P10,713,669.99 million.
The concept of the river boulevard development was announced by Mayor Constantino Jaraula a few months ago which consists of a “promenade” from City Hall to the 5th Bridge, about 600 meters long and another from Toribio Chaves Street to J.R. Borja Street, about one kilometer long, to be known as the “Golden Mile.”
Included in this development plan is the construction of the LegislativeBuilding which will also house some of the city government’s offices.
Also expected to start soon is the construction of the new Amphitheater and the development of the multi story building at the back of it.
In another development, as the onset of the rainy season nears, the City Government is fast tracking the construction of five major drainage system projects.
City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula recently ordered key department heads at City Hall to ensure to put the implementation of the drainage projects into full swing in anticipation of the perennial floodings in the poblacion area during the rainy season.
Mayor Jaraula sees an urgent need for the improvement and rehabilitation of the city’s drainage network system in order to relieve the flow of water especially from clogged drainage surrounding the Divisoria area and redirect the same towards Cagayan de Oro River.
It has been observed in the past that the inadequate drainage system has greatly contributed to the overflowing of drainage and open canals along Divisoria area and other low-lying areas of the city.
Presently, three major drainage projects costing P4,903,812.75 million are now being implemented into three phases along Divisoria area, with current appropriation from the 20% Development Fund.
These are the construction of drainage along T. Neri Street from Burgos Street to Capistrano Street (Phase 1) amounting P2,208,396.13 million; construction of drainage along T. Neri Street from Capistrano Street to Apolinar Velez Street (Phase 2) costing P1,408,068.14 million and construction of drainage along T. Neri Street from Apolinar Velez Street to Corrales Street (Phase 3) totaling P1,287,348.48 million.
To further ease recurring street floodings in the poblacion proper, two major drainage system projects worth P9,258,746.30 million are also up for implementation.
These include the construction of drainage system along Hayes Street from Corrales Street to City Hall with a project cost P4,578,257.29 million and the construction of drainage system along Yacapin Street from Corrales Street towards Cagayan de Oro River amounting to P4,680,489.01 million.
Al in all, these projects have a total cost of P24.9M which will all come from the 20% Development Fund of the city.(With a report from the CIO)
Upper Left Photo, Cranes, bulldozers, graders, rollers and other heavy equipment work on the River Boulevard as construction starts at the back of the Tourism Hall at City Hall. The boulevard, which will be known as “The Golden Mile” is one of the priority projects of Mayor Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula. It will run from City Hall to the proposed 5th bridge at J.R. Borja Street. Photo by Ed Montalvan/PPA-CdeO. Lower Center Photo, P24.9M DRAINAGE PROJECTS GO FULL SWING. As the onset of the rainy season nears, the City Government of Cagayan de Oro is fast tracking the construction of five major drainage system projects at the poblacion area and a river bank protection project with a total project cost of P24.9 million.CIO
The Department of Health officially announced the first confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the Philippines. This was confirmed by Assistant secretary Nemesio Gako of the Department of Health in a briefing-update with local media.
A female traveler arrived in the Philippines on May 18, Monday, from the United States and Canada. A throat specimen was collected, and was tested at the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) on May 20, Wednesday, after she developed fever, sore throat and cough.
RITM confirmed that the specimen tested positive for the novel Influenza (A H1N1) on PCR using the primers sent by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
She was immediately started, on arrival, on Oseltamivir, and given supportive care. At this time, the patient is continuously being monitored. She no longer has fever or cough, but still has sore throat.
The DOH emphasize that there is no community level outbreak in the country and measures are being done by the government to prevent transmission, starting with the quarantine of household close contacts.
The family of the patient has been informed and advised about the situation. “We would like to thank them for their cooperation and willingness to comply with the recommendations of the DOH. They were advised to observe self-monitoring, home quarantine, social distancing, proper hygiene and respiratory etiquette procedures,” the statement said.
The DOH stressed that the discovery of this first case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the Philippines is something they have been preparing for and is a result of the collective efforts of both public and private sectors as well as the effective surveillance system which is in place.
The DOH has already notified the International Health Regulations (IHR) and will submit its official report in 24 hours.
Influenza A (H1N1) is currently affecting 41 other countries with 11,034 cases and 85 deaths. Thus far, the behavior of the virus is to cause generally mild illness and low mortality (<1%)>
“This development only shows the vulnerability of all countries to the threat of Influenza A (H1N1) which indicates that no nation and no government should be complacent. Thus, we continue to strengthen our systems for surveillance, early detection and management and effective response. We are also closely coordinating with the WHO, other agencies of government and the private sector to effectively combat the virus,” Gako said.
“Our stockpiles of Oseltamivir is currently sufficient at 1 million capsules and have been distributed in regional hubs all over the country. We would like to remind the public that Oseltamivir may only be dispensed and taken upon the advice of your doctor. Irrational use can result in drug resistance that caused the drug to become ineffective in the future,” he added
DOH assures the public that government is on top of the situation and everyone is advised to be vigilant. They further adiced that if a person has just arrived from an affected country and developed flu-like symptoms (or TRANGKASO) such as fever, sore throat and cough, to immediately consult a medical professional or call the DOH Hotline at (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002.
Here in Cagayan de Oro the DOH hotlines are (08822)72-74-00 and (088) 3100-0926.
To know more about Influenza A (H1N1), one can go to the DOH Website at www.doh.gov.ph
Bearing Witness to the Faith through the Digital World
VATICAN CITY, 20 MAY 2009 (VIS) - At the end of his general audience, celebrated this morning in St. Peter's Square, the Pope made a brief appeal for World Communications Day, due to be held on Sunday 24 May.
Speaking English, the Holy Father recalled how in his Message for the Day this year "I am inviting all those who make use of the new technologies of communication, especially the young, to utilise them in a positive way and to realise the great potential of these means to build up bonds of friendship and solidarity that can contribute to a better world.
"The new technologies", he added, "have brought about fundamental shifts in the ways in which news and information are disseminated and in how people communicate and relate to each other. I wish to encourage all those who access cyberspace to be careful to maintain and promote a culture of respect, dialogue and authentic friendship where the values of truth,
harmony and understanding can flourish.
"Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world! Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of God's infinite love for all people, will resound in new ways across our increasingly technological world!"
Read the complete message of Pope Benedict XVI in the Features area.
Protecting Press Freedom is synonymous to Protecting Democracy! Our community and our society can never be free if journalists are not free and they exist in fear and poverty.
Let us all support Press Freedom and, in so doing, strengthen democracy.
It may be clear that the reason Senator Manny Villar is being charged in the Ethics Committee for facilitating a budget insertion that benefited his company is because of his earlier announcement to seek the presidency. This happens to everyone who makes such announcements.
This is perhaps part of a process of checking the credibility and background of the potential candidate.
Whether he is guilty or not is another question. Just because the motive for the charge was political does not necessarily mean he is innocent.
Villar ought to realize that to avoid defending himself is not good for him. If he is really innocent as he claims to be then he should be able to clear himself of the charges. As the Bible say, “The truth shall set you free.”
To stay away from the hearings and listen only to the charges without explaining to the senators why he is not guilty is not doing him any good.
Bringing his case to media is also not a very good thing to do because it is not media that will pass judgment on him.
Villar may be using the case to gain the sympathy of the public, hoping to get the media’s support as well, and to get the people to his side. But as things come out now, people seem to have decided to wait and see how things will turn out and whether or not there is enough evidence to convict him.
As the case now goes to full trial with the senate committee of the whole, Villar needs to defend himself and show to everyone that he is innocent of the charge. Without such recital of evidence he will always be perceived as someone who used his position to gain benefits from government projects.
If he cannot prove this innocence then it will be better fro him to quit the presidential race because he may have the difficulty of getting himself elected.
Anticipating beginnings give us an opportunity to change.This school year shouldn’t have the same frustrations as the last one.Our kids may be going to the same school as last year, but, that doesn’t mean they need to have the same patterns as last year.
The first thing we have to do is evaluate.Evaluate the last school year or years.Did our kids participate in too many, or too few, extracurricular activities?How much family time did we have?Did we like our daily schedules?Was everyone home for at least 4-5 family ‘sit-down’ meals every week?
Another aspect of last school year that we have to evaluate, as we consider this school year, is media exposure.How much media did our kids see, hear and read?How often did they go to movies?How much time do they spend listening to music?Are they in the bad habit of reading tabloids rather than true news?
Decide as a family how many movies are appropriate each month.There may be some months where we watch more, but, every family should have a limit of about six movies at the theatre every year.Going more often than that merely means as Christians we’re watching bad movies.
We parents need to seriously discuss this with our kids.It’s the most important aspect of parenting.Exposing our kids to options, and, helping them create healthy decisions.Sometimes it means allowing them to make the wrong decisions.Parents must be careful when they use parental authority to over-ride a decision they ‘gave’ to their teen.
A student living at home should never come home and tell their parents what movie they watched.Before they see a movie, as long as they’re living at home, it must be discussed as a family.At the beginning of this school year, just make it a policy.
What about music?What, and, how much music are students listening to?Parents need to know.Ignorance is dangerous.Parental ignorance about what music their children are listening to will absolutely be detrimental to their children’s future.
What about TV?Most parents already know, but, just because it’s on ‘Disney’ doesn’t mean it’s good.Nearly all Disney shows promote single parenting.They also make nearly every child look smarter than their parents—actively promoting being disrespectful to parents.
It’s so easy for students to see a tabloid sitting on a bench or table, see a graphic or bold picture (Satan’s lure) and pick it up and read it. It’s sad that some base business people choose to appeal to man’s fallen nature.Their goal is money.Their eternal reward will be just.Praise the Lord that CdeO has great Newspapers like the Mindanao Current, and a couple daily’s as well.
Amos 5.4 “Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is.”
About 100 kids have signed up and started their training under the MILOChampionsAcademy at the PelaezSportsCenter last May 18, 2009.
With 6 events being implemented, the MILOChampionsAcademy is the Province’s and City’s newest training ground for future champions.
Events such as Basketball, Gymnastics, Swimming, Chess, Table Tennis and Taekwondo have started their 2 week training which is set to end on May 29, 2009.
The MILOChampionsAcademy is a summer sports program which is being implemented by local organizer Megs Llamera in partnership with the Misamis Oriental Integrated Sports Council under Gov. Oscar Moreno.
During the Opening Ceremonies, Mr. Oscar Cinco, Manager of the PelaezSportsCenter mentioned in is welcome remarks that it is only fitting that the MILOChampionsAcademy be held at the PelaezSportsCenter because it is known as the “Home of the Champions.”
“The PelaezSportsCenter is the venue where National Champions in Swimming and Boxing have trained thus the moniker Home of the Champions,” explained Mr. Cinco.
The MILOChampionsAcademy is still on its first year and hopes to become bigger as it progresses ever summer.
Coach Bong Gabales briefs the Basketball Clinic Participants of the MILOChampionsAcademy
BouncePass By John Montalvan
NBA Semis On!
The NBA Semi-finals or the Conference Finals are now going on.
It is down to four teams now, the Cavs and the Magic for the East and the Lakers and the Nuggets in the West.
As of this writing, the Magic has just beaten the Cavs at Cleavland and the Lakers beat the Nuggets.
The way I see it, both series are unpredictable as any team can advance to the finals.
The Lakers-Nuggets match-up seems to be very exciting as it is anybody’s ball game. I really think that this series will reach a game 7.
As for the Eastern Conference, it is also a level series since the Magic is said to be the only team to beat the Cavs at home this season and in the playoffs, the Magic also took the crucial game 1 at the Cavs home court. The Magic has also given the Cavs their first post season loss this season because the Cavs swept the Pistons in the first round and the Hawks in the second round.
So who will it really be? Who will be the 2008-2009 NBA Champions?
Personally, I am hoping for a Lakers-Cavs series in the finals.
The main reason really is because I want to watch the Lebron-Kobe match-up and I’m sure we will all be up for a show.
I’ve never liked Kobe because I think he’s a showboat and the match-up is a very nice thing to use as a gauge to see who really is better at this stage.
The Lakers may have a slight advantage but I really believe that if ever they get into the finals and meet the Cavs, it will be a long series.
It is most unfair to the people in the neighborhood where I grew up if I do not make a Part II of my article, Corrales where I lived. Besides, this is also to satisfy those, whose emails I got, asking for a wider perspective of the place where I lived: Corrales.
First. Let me introduce myself. I am the former Carmen Acero Marfori. Menchie to all of you my neighbors, friends and relatives. I am the daughter of the late Edgardo Marfori and Lilia Acero. My siblings are Rosario Maxine (Titos), Cagayan de Oro’s first Rotary Exchange student, Celeste Paula (Ayee), Cdo’s second Rotex, the twins Sylvia Mercedes (Bembem), Francisco Ramon (Ico), who were also Rotex students, and Fides Lilia (Desi). I am now married to Tony Avancena, the grandson of the late Chief Justice Ramon Avancena, and for Ateneanss of the sixties, the former Fr. Mondonedo’s nephew. We have two sons and three grandsons. We have made Davao our home for the past thirty six years, but we have business interests in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte. Most of all I am in Cagayan de Oro almost every month.
My neighborhood. I grew up in Marfori Compound. This compound ‘s borders were: Victoria St. (now Hayes), Corrales Avenue, almost up to the end of Dolores Street, and a part of Pabayo St. Almost a block. Since it was a big area, the children in Marfori Compound, of which I enjoyed the “ranking” of being the oldest, had a vast playground with all sorts of fruit trees that my grandparents, Dr. Jose Marfori and Snra. Carmen Neri de Marfori planted.
Lola’s big house was facing Victoria. It was an imposing white edifice. Our neighbors there were: from the corner of Corrales and Victoria streets were the Dadoles. Mr. Dadole was a politician who eventually became governor of Misamis Oriental. Mrs. Dadole was my mother’s co-teacher in the college department of the Ateneo de Cagayan. They had a beautiful daughter, Margot, who later became Mrs. Homobono Adaza . There was another daughter, if I remember right, named Lulu. The Dadole boys were a lot older than I. I used to get scared of them hanging around in the store of Joemac’s parents, Macmang’s Store. Pondol is the only name I can recall now. Below the Dadole’s big house, this is facing Corrales now, the Tabor’s used to have a studio “Mahattan Studio”. It was also their residence. The Tabor’s were a big brood. I remember their eldest, Cesar, who used to play good basketball. But it was Manoling who was the darling of the “Summer Leagues” in Cagayan de Oro. There was Monching, Luz, and the rest, whose names I cannot recall in my old age. Mahattan was the studio where we used to go for our school photos for the yearbook. It was also there where Louella Chaves’ beautiful photos were displayed in various sizes and poses. Remember? Remember Maeng? He was Manhattan’s “roving” photographer.
The Macmangs were next to Manhattan. I know Col and Mrs. Jaldon lived beside Joemac’s store. Joemac’s parents were Johnny and Gertrudes Pil. Mrs. Jaldon, Tita Flora, was Mama’s cousin. She was a Yamut. Her mother was an Acero.
Moving towards. the Victoria side, next to the Dadoles was the residence of Tito Badong and Tita Loring Olivenza. He was an army officer and later retired as a colonel from the Philippine Army. The couple was my grandmother’s godchildren. She was a Sabarre from Samar and he was from Luzon (I think).Their house was on the back part of their lot, allowing a big garden with tambis and other trees in the frontage of their property. Their children were: Tony, Cielito, the pianist, Nitz, Doralou (we used to call her Dayou), Sol, Titus, and Bembot. Sol was my classmate and we used to play a lot. I remember being entrusted to Dayou as we walked to school when I was starting school. After them was a compound of four or five houses of the Bual’s. The Bual girls were older, but I remember Tanting, their son who married my high school chum, Cora Cabading. There were two houses in front. One was occupied by the Paredes family. Mr. Paredes was an army officer from Luzon assigned in Cagayan de Oro. Mrs. Paredes just stayed home. They had an only daughter, Annabel, who excelled in school. Below them was where the Bual’s moved into from their house at the back. Correct me if I’m wrong. But I remember the Paredeses renting their place from the Bual’s. The second house at the back was rented first by Col. Cruz and Tita Lily and their family before they moved to their own house in the Maria Reyna area. Their oldest son excelled in school. I think his name was Albert. The girls were also my “walk-mates” to school. Inday was like Dayou, taking care of me as we walked to school. She was my “manang”. The other Cruz girls were Lillian, and Cely, and the two younger boys. They were such pretty girls. Their mom saw to it that they were always prettily dressed. The place they vacated, later became the home of Tito Aquio Pimentel and his second wife, Tita Mameng Vamenta. The house in front of them was a house that was rented out. There were so many occupants in various times. The occupants that I cannot forget are the Neri’s (Tito Nilo ba tu?). Rosalinda Neri, the thespian and Luisito used to live there. That is if my memory serves me right. All these houses were in front of Lola’s big gate. In front of the Olivenza’s was the smaller gate.
After the Bual’s was the Pimentel’s. That is where Tito Nene, one of the few Cagayanons who rose to national prominence (and has remained a senator up to now) grew up. He is the only neighbor who up to now enjoys national prominence. A national figure. A well-respected senator. I remember their white house, which during elections was headquartes for the Nationalista Party. Tito Aquio (Tito Nene’s dad) was Nationalista Party head then. During election time, we used to hear the “Magsaysay is my guy” jingle and even memorized it!
Most lively extravaganza was the celebration of Gigi’s birthday at Pearlmont hotel with parents Gonzalo and Trining Go, looking young as ever.
Gigi on her own bears the business streak of her parents and the night was in oriental setting with the special Chinese treats and program that made the guests in awe with the unforgettable night.
To Gigi, The MINDANAO CURRENT wishes you many happy returns of the day.
The celebrant
The celebrant with the her mother Trining
Celebrant with Son Martin
Gigi’s father Gonzalo with guests
C.U. Pres. Jun and wife Bing – daughters Oris and Ana with Trining
San LorenzoLadies Circle.
L-F Dottie Antillon, Dencvi Cabrera, Me, Lydia Tan, Lisa Limchu, Sol Tan, Loloy Medina, Susan Lao and Richard Lao
LourdesCollege Alumni. L-F Standing: Babes Escudero, Ling Guarin, Me, Quet Queja, Joy Lim and Kim Zaragoza. Seating:
Kalayaan Rotary and Bai-Lawanen. L-F Standing: Pinky Curilan, Roche Flores, Netnet Camomot, Nenen Aberilla, Cachor Layagon, Aleli Ramirez, Linda Costales and Emma Tan Seating: Kim Tan, Dolette Banzon, Pam Khu, Bronzon Khu
The Philippines has long been a victim of crimes committed by its leaders and people and this is the principal reason why it cannot get airborne a little bit towards advancement and prosperity. Forever we shall lag behind other Asian countries.
It will never progress! It has become a remnant of abuse, mismanagement and crimes. Many of our leaders do not mind anymore the sad situation because they are benefited by the system. The bad style of existence result in hunger and poverty to majority of its people.
When people cast their votes after being paid a certain amount of money; when politicians released millions of pesos to buy votes and when guns and goons begin to roam around to harass the citizens - - clearly a great betrayal of a helpless nation is taking place.
To many Filipinos, this is a way of life. It is part of Filipino culture and tradition. It has been going on for years and no one seems surprised anymore, much less touch the issue even for discussion. Our youngsters grow up with the belief that nothing is unusual because the style is practiced by the citizenry and leaders, thus it goes on in its usual ways.
Very soon a national elections will be held in the country. No one can figure out how much money the candidates have accumulated all these years to be spent in buying votes. To the Filipinos, it is “happy days are here again.” Some of these folks never realized that the practice to sell their votes would boomerang by way of unstoppable massive corruption, poor services and all sorts of irregularities.
Many of us never saw the fact that vote buying is the greatest sin of a nation. This naturally breeds disaster in our society since it is the beginning of corruption and thievery in the government. It is a foundation of malice and crime. Politicians spend mountains of cash to catapult themselves to power and once there would move heaven and hell to get back what they had spent. It is that simple!
How to stop this tragedy is nearly impossible. It would take all courage and determination to do it since it involve the whole nation, the entire citizens and more particularly the bad and the good leaders, as well the Church and civic leaders.
If there should be an attempt to put to an end once and for all this bad culture and habit, it must begin in the early days of schoolchildren. New Filipinos should be thought thoroughly the right thing to be done. The old ones should be garbage forever unless stricter laws can put them behind bars.
We can put to a halt this virus little by little if the government develops a determination to do it. Just stop vote-buying and the rest will follow. To begin with, put to jail at least the 50 most notorious vote-buying politicians, 50 most notorious political leaders, 50 most notorious senators, congressmen, governors and mayors. Believe me we shall have a very clean country populated by proud citizens.
What we put to jail and the electric chair are the petty criminals who steal small matters, while we put in the pedestal as honorable leaders the notorious ones and the undesirables that actually destroy our honor and integrity as a nation and people.
We shall build a more educated and respectable nation free from shame and criticism. Our youth will emerge as new honest boys and girls ready to take over leadership as time passes by. With this new development, the Philippines will shine in success and honor and will be respected by every country in the world.
Our illnesses ultimately have their roots in our damaged relationship with God that goes all the way back to our first parents. We were all born with certain disorder and weaknesses as a result of their sin, the original sin that separated mankind from God. We were like branches broken from the vine and were detached from our Creator, our ultimate source of life and health. The only one who could remedy this predicament of ours is God Himself. Thanks be to God, He did give the remedy. He redeemed and restored us to the vine through Jesus Christ and gave us His Holy Spirit and the Church.
New life is at work in us. In catechism it is called sanctifying grace and its healing effects on certain weaknesses of ours in body and mind we call actual grace. We need this grace to be able to live la good and happy life. “No more than a branch can bear fruit of itself apart from the vine, can you bear fruit apart from me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who lives in me and I in him, will produce abundantly” (John 15: 4-6)
Our number one effort in life, the number one thing we should learn therefore is how to be in touch with this new life and let it touch the weaknesses of body and soul that we have inherited from our sinful parents. This is the most important thing that we should educate our young in. Getting in touch with this new life is getting in touch with God Himself who is giving us this new life. He guides us and inspires us to do the right thing. The Gospel speaks of Him as the Light that has come in our world that has been darkened by sin. His enlightens us in so far as we open ourselves to Him. His enlightenment will help us in our pursuit of knowledge, one of which is to know the right treatment for our illnesses. Or he might respond with a miraculous cure that science and reason cannot explain.
Prayer, the reading of the Scripture, participating in church community life, receiving the Sacraments, these are our way of getting in touch with the new life at work in us. These should be a regular part of our life. These should be a regular part of treating the sickness of depression. God responds to our prayer and other spiritual exercises and can break into our intellectual prison of wrong thinking and our emotional prison of feeling rejected that bring about depression. Prayer nurtures our virtues of faith, hope and love that bear fruit in patience, peace, joy, steadfastness, etc…..
We are in the world of mystery when we talk about prayer. Prayer does help our health. But not all prayers bring about the health that we desire. In the Gospel there were sicknesses that the apostles could cure. But there were illnesses also, that they could not cure. One reason given was their lack of faith. Our Lord alone could cure all diseases and raise to life even the already dead.
A prayerful life is healthful to our body and mind. But it seems that God is also telling us to that we should not rely only in prayer for our healing but also avail of the services of the doctors and others in the healing profession.
Regarding the sickness of depression, the combination of the physical, the intellectual (correct thinking), the social and spiritual treatment of this sickness should be applied. Seeking such holistic treatment is really a form of prayer because God is at work in the other forms of treatment if done in his spirit. This seems to be the ordinary way by which his healing power is conveyed to us. When we pray for the healing of a depressed person, therefore, we should also pray that he gets the right kind of doctors or psychotherapists and counselors and the appropriate kind of treatment for his depression.
The Church teaches that suffering is not evil in itself. Christ’s suffering was the means He used to redeem us and to open the gate of heaven for us. The Church teaches that if we join our suffering to the suffering of Christ we will experience the healing power of his resurrection. What this means in practice is something that we need to consult Christian spiritual masters about.
“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” (John 16:20-21)
Fr. Leo Pabayo is a member of the Society of Jesus.
DOH belies plantation’s claim on invalidity of aerial spraying study
By Mark S. Ventura CBCP News
DAVAOCITY - Now, it is a battle of expertise following arguments raised by plantation owners that the study conducted by Department of Health (DOH) on aerial spraying is unfounded and should be rejected.
However, officials from DOH said that they are already expecting the negative reactions from banana plantaters over their impact study on aerial spraying that endangered the lives of many people.
Dr. Jean Lindo, officer of the Davao Medical Society said “while plantations have the right to reject it based on their bias, the people have the right to a healthy environment.”
The study dubbed as “Health and Environmental Assessment of Sitio Camocaan in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur”, conducted by Dr. Allan Dionisio and his team of experts who are mostly toxicologists whom the DOH commissioned, strongly recommended the banning of aerial spraying of pesticides and urged a shift to organic farming techniques.
“This research done by the doctors is a valid study no matter how much criticism the plantation companies make on the technicality of the research. In Community Medicine, we use our researches as a basis for community action. If the entry level research which we call Community Diagnosis can be used as a basis for intervention programs, the more we have a basis for using the research study of toxicologists because it is a very specific study,” added Lindo, who also teaches Community Medicine at the Davao Medical School Foundation.
WRONG PLACE OF STUDY?
Lapanday Agricultural Development Corporation Technical Committee Head Dr. Emily Fabregar wondered why Camocaan was identified for the study when there were other villages which were nearer the banana plantation.
She added that in a scientific study, a negative control area is the exact opposite of the area being studied in terms of perceptive characteristics. She was referring to the difficulty of the researchers in looking for a control area that is the Baliwaga community which was later found out to be near two mango plantations that use pesticides.
Fabregar also said that “there was a recall bias and that the study failed to address it,” referring to the interview with mothers of children who were reportedly ill because of aerial spraying. It suggested that there should have been a mention of a time reference for recall.
The technical committee also proposed that a follow-up study be conducted that will thoroughly assess the situation of communities near the banana plantations to cover a wider base of study sites.
Anyway, STUDY IS VALID
Meanwhile, Lindo argued that agribusiness plantations that raised doubts on the study should be happy that it was done in an area not so close to the plantation, otherwise this could have yielded more findings or higher occurrence.
“The study's positive findings of adverse effect already prove the extent of pesticide drift,” she said. The fact that Sitio Camocaan was not as close to the banana plantation only establishes drift. When you want to establish a drift, the researcher may opt to choose a community far from the said plantation, Lindo said.
Lindo also explained that the plantation group is speaking of an experimental study.
“The DOH study is not an experimental study. It is not the fault of the researchers if there is no existing negative control area since they have admitted that this is due to the extensive use of pesticides in Mindanao. In laboratory experiments, a negative control is technically possible,” she said.
“I challenge them to come up with their own study on safety. They owe the public. Now it is their turn to look for a negative control area,” she added.
She also said that the result of the study is still a positive finding and in medical research, recall can be used as a basis for establishing if the children have had symptoms associated with the aerial spray. And it is very clear that incident reference was being used, that is the time when there was aerial spraying.
“All studies will always mention limitations of the study. Since they insist on aerial spray, then they should make an unflawed study on safety of aerial spray. Proving that it is safe is not a responsibility of the DOH nor of the affected communities, but of these plantations,” Lindo said.
“The municipalities of New Corella and Carmen, Davao del Norte have used our studies in Local Government Unit (LGU) planning. Here comes DOH doing a study for the Camocaan community. This should be taken as a basis for community action and line agencies should be taking responsible action instead of criticizing the study,” Lindo said.
ON THE RESEARCH FINDINGS
Dionisio's team mentioned that their study was originally prompted by complaints of these Camocaan residents who sought assistance with Dr. Romeo Quijano, also a toxicologist.
Quijano's findings stated that skin diseases were ulcerated and non-healing and some of them developed blisters and pruritic lesions which they attributed to their exposure to pesticides from banana plantations.
Lindo said: “Dr. Quijano, as a researcher only did what was ethical, moral and responsible. He did not treat people as social laboratories. Following ethics, any researcher would always alert the community and proper agencies for intervention.”
Fabregar and her group commented that the study recommended stopping of aerial spraying even when there was no strong proof for such recommendation and there was failure to make a recommendation on what to do with the malnutrition.
“In the real world, there is admittedly an interplay of several factors. In fact, malnutrition may even make these children more vulnerable to the adverse effects of pesticides. Is Fabregar's group trying to say that we address the issue of malnutrition and people can continue to get exposed to pesticides? The point is, these children are already malnourished. Their exposure to chemicals will definitely worsen their health condition,” Lindo said.
The fight to ban aerial spraying grabbed attention anew with this DOH study that may strengthen a contested DavaoCity ordinance banning this method but earned the ire of banana plantations.
Lindo observed that in the height of the call to ban aerial spraying, the poor have become more vulnerable to manipulation whenever she sees farmers promoting the method instead. “I do not blame the poor who try to put up with the toxic shower.”
But she emphasized that “those who pollute have no conscience and they try to kill through structural violence, using all their resources and all forms of deceptive methods just to defend their polluting technology.”
Meanwhile, Jessibel Sanchez, executive director of Kaabay, a non-government organization working for community health and development said that "urgent attention should be given to this study which has clearly explained the long term effects of pesticides."
The study mentioned that 82 percent of respondents from Sitio Camocaan were indirectly exposed to aerially sprayed pesticides and 52 percent of whom experienced the signs and symptoms of post-exposure to chemicals such as eye pain, eye tearing, headache, eye redness, eye itchiness, dizziness and skin itchiness which are consistent of acute effects of pesticides.
Study results also said that “unusual neurologic and dermatologic conditions were observed among the Camocaan group such as severe developmental delays, chloracne and cutaneous lupus erythematosus, thyroid gland disorders which are warning cases of long-term exposures to pesticides”.
...for the 43rd World Day of Communications – May 24, 2009
“New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
In anticipation of the forthcoming World Communications Day, I would like to address to you some reflections on the theme chosen for this year – New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship. The new digital technologies are, indeed, bringing about fundamental shifts in patterns of communication and human relationships. These changes are particularly evident among those young people who have grown up with the new technologies and are at home in a digital world that often seems quiet foreign to those of us who, as adults, have had to learn to understand and appreciate the opportunities it has to offer for communications. In this year’s message, I am conscious of those who constitute the so-called digital generation and I would like to share with them, in particular, some ideas concerning the extraordinary potential of the new technologies, if they are used to promote human understanding and solidarity. These technologies are truly a gift to humanity and we must endeavor to ensure that the benefits they offer are put at the service of all human individuals and communities, especially those who are most disadvantaged and vulnerable.
The accessibility of mobile telephones and computers, combined with the global reach and penetration of the internet, has opened up a range of means of communication that permit the almost instantaneous communication of words an images across enormous distances and to some of the most isolated corners of the world; something that would have been unthinkable for previous generations. Young people, in particular, have grasped the enormous capacity of the new media to foster connectedness, communication and understanding between individuals and communities, and they are turning to them as means of communicating with existing friends, of meeting new friends, of forming communities and networks, of seeking information and news, and of sharing their ideas and opinions. Many benefits flow from this new culture of communication: families are able to maintain contact across great distances; students and researchers have more immediate and easier access to documents, sources and scientific discoveries, hence they can work collaboratively from different locations; moreover, the interactive nature of many of the new media facilitates more dynamic forms of learning and communication, thereby contributing to social progress.
While the speed with which the new technologies have evolved in terms of their efficiency and reliability is rightly a source of wonder, their popularity with users should not surprise us, as they respond to a fundamental desire of people to communicate and relate to each other. This desire for communication and friendship is rooted in our very nature as human beings and cannot be adequately understood as a response to technical innovations. In the light of the biblical message, it should be seen primarily as a reflection of our participation in the communicative and unifying Love of God, who desires to make of all humanity one family. When we find ourselves drawn towards other people, when we want to know more about them and make ourselves known to them, we are responding to God’s call – a call that is imprinted in our nature as beings created in the image and likeness of God, the God of communication and communion.
The desire for connectedness and the instinct for communication that are so obvious in contemporary culture are best understood as modern manifestations of the basic enduring propensity of humans to reach beyond themselves and to seek communion with others. In reality, when we open ourselves to others, we are fulfilling our deepest need and becoming more fully human. Loving is, in fact, what we are designed for by our Creator. Naturally, I am not talking about fleeting, shallow relationships, I am talking about the real love that is at the very heart of Jesus’ moral teaching: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” and “You must love your neighbor as yourself” (cf. Mk 12:30-30). In this light, reflecting on the significance of the new technologies, it is important to focus not just on their undoubted capacity for foster contact between people, but on the quality of the content that is put into circulation using these means. I would encourage all people of good will who are active in the emerging environment of digital communication to commit themselves to promoting the culture of respect, dialogue and friendship.
Those who are active in the production and dissemination of new media content, therefore, should strive to respect the dignity and worth of the human person. If the new technologies are to serve the good of individuals and of society, all users will avoid the sharing of words and images that are degrading of human beings, that promote hatred and intolerance, that debase the goodness and intimacy of human sexuality or that exploit the weak and vulnerable.
The new technologies have also opened the way for dialogue between people from different countries, cultures and religions. The new digital arena, the so-called cyberspace, allows them to encounter and to know each other’s traditions and values. Such encounters, if they are to be fruitful, require honest and appropriate forms of expression together with attentive and respectful listening. The dialogue must be rooted in a genuine and mutual searching for truth if it is to realize its potential to promote growth in understanding and tolerance. Life is not just a succession of events or experiences: it is a search for the true, the good and the beautiful. It is to this end that we make our choices; it is for this that we exercise our freedom; it is in this – in truth, in goodness, and in beauty – that we find happiness and joy. We must not allow ourselves to be deceived by those who see us merely as consumers in a market of undifferentiated possibilities, where choice itself becomes the good, novelty usurps beauty, and subjective experience displaces truth.
The concept of friendship has enjoyed a renewed prominence in the vocabulary of the new digital social networks that have emerged in the last few years. The concept is one of the noblest achievements of human culture. It is in and through our friendships that we grow and develop as humans. For this reason, true friendship has always been seen as one of the greatest goods any human person can experience. We should be careful, therefore, never to trivialize the concept of the experience of friendship. It would be sad if our desire to sustain and develop the on-line friendships were to be at the cost of our availability to engage with our families, our neighbors and those we met in the daily reality of our places of work, education and recreation. If the desire for virtual connectedness becomes obsessive, it may in fact function to isolate while also disrupting the patterns of rest, silence and reflection that are necessary for healthy human development.
Friendship is a great human good, but it would be emptied of its ultimate value if it were to be understood as an end in itself. Friends should support and encourage each other in developing their gifts and talents and in putting them at the service of the human community. In this context, it is gratifying to note the emergence of new digital networks that seek to promote human solidarity, peace and justice, human rights and respect for human life and the good of creation. These networks can facilitate the forms of co-operation between people from the different geographical and cultural contexts that enable them to deepen their common humanity and their sense of shared responsibility for the good of all. We must, therefore, strive to ensure that the digital world, where such networks can be established, in a world that is truly open to all. It would be a tragedy for the future of humanity if the new instruments of communication, which permit the sharing of knowledge and information in a more rapid and effective manner, were not made accessible to those who are already economically and socially marginalized, or if it should contribute only to increasing the gap separating the poor from the new networks that are developing at the service of human socialization and information.
I would like to conclude this message by addressing myself, in particular, to young Catholic believers: to encourage them to bring the witness of their faith to the digital world. Dear Brothers and Sisters, I ask you to introduce into the culture of this new environment of communications and information technology the values on which you have built your lives. In the early life of the Church, the great Apostles and their disciples brought the Good News of Jesus to the Greek and Roman World. Just as, at that time, a fruitful evangelization required that careful attention be given to understanding the culture and customs of those pagan peoples so that the truth of the gospel would touch their hearts and minds, so also today, the proclamation of Christ in the world of new technologies are serve our mission adequately. It falls, in particular, to young people, who have an almost spontaneous affinity for the new means of communication, to take on the responsibility for the evangelization of this “digital content”. Be sure to announce the Gospel to your contemporaries with enthusiasm. You know their fears and their hopes, their aspirations and their disappointments: the greatest gift you can give to them is to share with them the “Good News” of a God who became man, who suffered, died and rose again to save all people. Human hearts are yearning for a world where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and were identity is found in respectful communication. Our faith can respond to these expectations: may you become its heralds! The Pope accompanies you with his prayers and his blessing.
From the Vatican, 24 January 2009, Feast of Saint Francis de Sales.
On 31st May each year WHO celebrates World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce consumption. Tobacco use is the second cause of death globally and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide.
In 2008, the theme of World No Tobacco Day was Tobacco-Free Youth. Young people are aggressively targeted by the tobacco industry which spends billions of dollars each year marketing its products. To protect the world's youth from experimenting with tobacco and becoming regular users, the World No Tobacco Day 2008 campaign called for a ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
WHO created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and its lethal effects. Tobacco is the number one preventable epidemic that the health community faces.
Why use picture warnings?
Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death. More than five million people die from the effects of tobacco every year — more than from HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. It is the only legal consumer product that kills when used exactly as the manufacturer intends. Up to half of all smokers will die from a tobacco-related disease. Second-hand smoke harms everyone who is exposed to it.
Tobacco companies spend tens of millions of dollars every year turning new users into addicts and keeping current users from quitting. Through advertising and promotional campaigns, including the use of carefully crafted package designs, the tobacco industry continues to divert attention from the deadly effects of its products.
More and more countries are fighting back by requiring that tobacco packages graphically show the dangers of tobacco, as called for in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. They use the MPOWER technical assistance package developed by WHO to help meet their commitments under this international treaty.
Effective health warnings, especially those that include pictures, have been proven to motivate users to quit and to reduce the appeal of tobacco for those who are not yet addicted. Despite this fact, 9 out of 10 people live in countries that do not require warnings with pictures on tobacco packages.
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Warning people about its true risks can go a long way towards reducing tobacco addiction. Requiring warnings on tobacco packages is a simple, cheap and effective strategy that can vastly reduce tobacco use and save lives.
Now is the time to act.
The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2009 is "Tobacco Health Warnings", with an emphasis on the picture warnings that have been shown to be particularly effective at making people aware of the health risks of tobacco use and convincing them to quit. More and more countries are fighting back against the epidemic of tobacco by requiring that packages of tobacco show the dangers of the product's use, as called for in guidelines to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
NorMin top 20 importers pay P3.17B custom duties in ‘08
Top 20 export commodities rake in US$315.90M
A total of P3.17 billion in importation taxes was paid by the top 20 importers of Northern Mindanao, last year.
Data at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) show that P2.24 billion of the collection was on the value added tax (VAT), P858.50 million on customs duties, P66.55 million on excise tax, P2.85 million on energy tax and P26,342 on safeguard duties (SGD).
Atty. Abedin P. Macapasir, Customs Collector of BOC District No.10 based in Cagayan de Oro City, said the highest amount of such taxes was paid by Nestle Philippines, Inc., P1.66 billion, followed by Jetti Supply Distributors, Inc., P242.25 million.
The rest of the importers and the amount of import taxes they paid in 2008 are as follows: STEAG State Power Inc., P212.81 million, Holcim Phil., Inc., P193.82 million and Pilmico Foods Corp., P190.69 million.
Petronas Energy Phil., Inc., P153.36 million, RI Chemical Corp., P100.81 million, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., P63.14 million, Del Monte Phil, Inc., P59.24 million and Treasure Steelwork Corp., P47.59 million.
Elegant Chemical Alloy Corp., P16.61 million, Universal Robina Corp., Ph14.60 million, Mabuhay Vinyl Corp. P12.43 million and Tiara Commercial Inc., P11.54 million.
So far, only four of these importers paid the energy tax because they are into the fuel and petroleum business while only one importer was charged the SGD, Macapasir added.
Meanwhile Macapsir also announced that Northern Mindanao’s top 20 export commodities raked in a total of US$315.90 million.
“Such data already represent the combined figures of the export commodities from the region that were loaded at the Port of Cagayan de Oro and that of Manila,” he said.
Of these export commodities, Canned Pineapple Products valued at US$143.30 million continued to be first in the list, followed by the Philippine Crude Coconut Oil with $23.24 million.
The rest of the export commodities and their value were as follows: Desiccated Coconut, $13.70 million, Philippine Cane Sugar, $13.16 million Everyday Milk Powder, $10.42 million, Fresh Bananas, $8.15 million and Limestone Cement, $7.68 million.
Kiln Dried Wood Products, $4.98 million, Falcata Lumber, $4.32 million, Ordinary Portland Cement, $3.83 million, Frozen Shrimps, $3.18 million, Desiccated Coconut which was filed in Manila, $2.40 million and Copra Expeller Cake/Meal, $2.04 million.
Meanwhile, Macapasir said the top13 import commodities of the region was valued at P30.35 billion, last year, of which Foodstuff at P17.23 billion topped the list, followed by Minerals/Chemicals, P9.27 billion.
The other imports commodities and their value in pesos were Articles of Iron, P1.77 billion, Machine Parts Accessories, P363.35 million, Miscellaneous Items, P531.95 million, Electrical Machinery, P268.10 million and Paper & Paperboard, P226.27 million.
Articles of Plastic, P181.65 million, Ship, Boat and Floating Structures, P160.81 million, Textiles & Other Fabrics, P140.69 million, Motor Vehicle Parts, P51.90 million and Forest Products, P35.21 million. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, PIA10)
With record-high joblessness Workers’ bail-out necessary—EILER
With 34.2 percent of Filipino adults jobless due to the world financial crisis, the government must implement a genuine bailout for workers, especially for those who are going to be and have already been, retrenched, says Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (Eiler), Inc.
Eiler, started in 1975, as a church labor center and has been developed into a full-blown labor research and education institution in 1981.
The Social Weather Stations (SWS) disclosed lately, that 14 million Filipino adults, ages 18 years old and above are currently jobless, compared to Quarter Four (4Q) last year with 11 million.
Anna Leah Escresa-Colina, deputy executive director of Eiler said in a statement that the bailout should include emergency relief assistance to all displaced workers, a moratorium on taxes and a cap on prices of basic commodities.
“The government should ensure price controls on rice, food and other basic commodities as well as utilities. The removal of the 12% tax on basic utilities will also provide relief to workers, who can barely make ends meet with diminishing purchasing power,” explained Escresa-Colina.
She also said that Social Security System (SSS) for private sector workers, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth, formerly the Medicare) contributions must be put into proper use and that is, to create a contingency labor fund, which will help the workers to cope with the emerging economic crisis in the country.
The labor expert also said, there is urgency for the government to grant a legislated P125 across-the-board minimum wage increase to lessen the vulnerability of workers to the crisis and an increment of government spending on public services such as health and education.
Band-aid solutions won’t work
Escresa-Colina, earlier, has criticized the government's P100-billion resiliency plan avowedly intended to mitigate the impact of the financial crisis.
She said that instead of targeting the roots of the economic crisis, the government has resorted to repackaging economic programs that are incapable of absorbing the shock of crisis of this magnitude, and are rather aimed at safeguarding the interests of corporations at the expense of the country's workforce.
“Furthermore, aside from being a palliative solution, the resiliency plan may only put workers' rights on the line. That the government encourages companies to do cost-cutting measures such as forced leaves, overtime without pay, broken work time, shift reduction, rotation and forced retirement, all of which are culpable violations of the provisions of the Labor Code that ensure fair wages and incentives,” the labor expert said.
Long-term solution
Escresa-Colina, meanwhile said for the government to address effectively the perennial jobs crisis, the State must institutionalize sound strategic solutions for both agriculture and industry aimed at laying the foundations for a strong, self-reliant economy.
“This entails implementing genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization at the same time,” she said.
“Sustainable job creation will result from increased agricultural and industrial production and economic growth that will not be vulnerable from future global crises. For the short-term, government should exert all efforts in preventing massive retrenchments, protecting existing jobs and ensuring the fulfillment of decent work in every workplace,” she further explains.
Meanwhile, Eiler says that Government’s job-generating efforts are not enough to accommodate thousands of Filipinos going out of work.
This was their observation as 84 companies in Central Luzon got rid of their 15,000 workers.
Escresa-Colina said in a statement that the emergency employment opportunities, as stated in a Communiqué released by the Palace last February 9, is not enough to solve the problem of joblessness and massive layoff in the country.
The said Communiqué directs all agencies concerned to create 824,555 emergency jobs, including the 506,082 jobs from the Department of Public Works and Highways, 100,000 from the repair of classrooms of public schools and 27,000 for the Out of School Youth Serving Towards Economic Recovery (OYSTER) program.
“Apart from being short-term, the number of jobs created is not enough to provide employment to jobless individuals, even if we add up the 100,000 jobs in the business process outsourcing industry and the 400,000 job offerings overseas for the number of jobless adults in the Philippines now reach 14 million,” she said.
Based on the First Quarter 2009 survey of the Social Weather Station (SWS), unemployment rate rose to 34.2 percent this year.
In addition, 12 percent of the unemployed were reportedly retrenched from work while 13 percent “voluntarily” left their jobs.
The labor expert assailed Malacañang’s pronouncement about the latest independent labor survey, saying it’s a “mere perception”. She also assailed legislators who call the survey, “less scientific” compared to government data.
The Labor Department, through the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics, registered an unemployment figure pegged at 7.7 percent, 26 percent short of the figure from the SWS survey
“The extent of joblessness in the country has been sugarcoated since the government, in April 2005, decided to revise the definition of unemployment through Resolution No. 15 of the National Statistical Coordination Board signed in October 2004,” explained Escresa-Colina.
“Through the said resolution, the NSO used the International Labor Organization (ILO) concept of unemployment as those without work, seeking work and available for work. Prior to this, the National Statistics Office defined the unemployed as those without work and seeking work, as well as those without work and “not looking for work because of the belief that no work was available, or because of temporary illness/disability, bad weather, pending job application or waiting for job interview,” she said.
She added, even if the government set new parameters to define unemployment, it cannot be denied that more Filipinos have lost their jobs as an offshoot of the financial crisis.
“As the financial crisis set in early this year, unemployment figures shot up notches higher from the same period last year, with layoffs mostly coming from sectors severely affected such as electronics and semiconductors,” she further said.
Citing the BLES data, the industry sector suffered with a 121,000 drop in employment. In Region IV alone, where most industrial zones are based, total workforce was reduced by 29, 970. The electronics sector alone reported 16,537 job displacements, Escresa-Colina ended. (Noel Sales Barcelona-CBCP News)
World Health Assembly opens amid concerns of flu pandemic
The 62nd World Health Assembly opened in Geneva, as officials from 193 member countries began their annual review of the activities of the WHO and set new priorities for the future.
In her address to the Health Assembly, WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan noted that the world was facing multiple crises, including the current financial crisis and global economic downturn. In addition to this, it also faced the prospect of the first influenza pandemic of this century.
She said that the world today was more vulnerable to the adverse effects of an influenza pandemic than it was in 1968, when the last pandemic began. The increase in air travel meant that any city with an international airport was at risk of an imported case. Global economic interdependence amplified the potential for economic disruption.
Under these circumstances, it was vital to see that no part of the world suffered disproportionately. "We have to care about equity. We have to care about fair play," she said.
Dr Chan noted that 85% of the burden of chronic diseases was concentrated in low-income and middle-income countries, which meant that the developing world had by far the largest pool of people at risk for severe and fatal H1N1 infections.
She urged the international community to look at everything that could be done to collectively protect developing countries from bearing the brunt of an influenza pandemic.
The Director-General said she had reached out to manufacturers of antiviral drugs and vaccines, to Member States, donor countries and UN agencies, civil society organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and foundations to stress the need to extend preparation and mitigation measures to the developing world. The United Nations Secretary-General had joined her in these efforts.
With regard to the criteria for a move to Phase 6, Dr Chan said she had listened to the comments made by Member States during a high-level consultation earlier in the day. "As the chief technical officer of this Organization, I will follow your instructions closely, particularly concerning criteria for a move to Phase 6, in discharging my duties and responsibilities to Member States."
The Director-General said that concerns about a pandemic should not overshadow, or interrupt other vital health programs. She said that an effective public health response to threats depended on strong health systems that were inclusive, and offered universal coverage down to the community level. Adequate numbers of trained, motivated and compensated staff, as well as fair access to affordable medical products and other interventions were all required for an effective public health response to the current situation.
She urged delegations in particular to complete work under the item on public health, innovation and intellectual property. The International Health Regulations and the need to finish the job of polio eradication were all important issues.
Dr Chan also referred to the proposed program budget which will be discussed by the World Health Assembly, and said that "WHO is prepared to lead the response to a global public health emergency. Our services, in several areas, are strained, but we are coping. We need to be assured that we continue to function well, especially if the emergency escalates." (WHO)
Hunger is higher among the unemployed; those laid-off suffer the most
Social Weather Stations
The First Quarter Social Weather Survey, fielded over February 20-23, 2009, found hunger higher among the unemployed, and is especially severe among those who were laid-off from their jobs.
Total Hunger, or the percentage who suffered involuntarily at least once in the past three months, was 16.9% among families of the unemployed, or three percentage points higher than the 13.9% hunger among families of the employed.
Moderate Hunger, referring to suffering "Only Once" or "A Few Times" in the last three months, was 12.5% among families of the unemployed, almost three points higher than the 9.6% among families of the employed.
Severe Hunger, referring to those suffering "Often" or "Always" in the last three months, was 4.4% among families of the unemployed, or almost the same as the 4.3% among families of the employed.
16.7% of laid-off suffer severe hunger
Severe Hunger was a high 16.7% among those who were laid off, compared to 5.1% among those who voluntarily-left job, 4.7% among those whose employers closed operation, and 4.2% among those whose contracts were not renewed. No case of severe hunger was recorded among families of those who never worked before.
Moderate Hunger was 20.8% among those whose contracts were not renewed, 15.7% among those who voluntarily-left job, 14.5% among those whose employers closed operation, and 10.1% among those who never worked before
Total Hunger was 25.0% among families of those whose contracts were not renewed, and 22.7% among those who were laid off, 20.7% among families of those who voluntarily-left job, 19.2% among families of those whose employers closed operation, and 10.1% among families of those who never worked before.
Hunger by type of employer
Among families of the employed, hunger was lower among families of government employees, compared to those of the self-employed and private employees.
Total Hunger was 7.9% among families of government employees, compared to 11.7% among families of the self-employed and 20.4% among families of private employees [Chart 2].
Severe Hunger was 1.0% among government employees, compared to 2.4% among the self-employed and 9.2% among private employees.
Moderate Hunger was 6.9% among government employees, while it was 9.3% among the self-employed and 11.2% among private employees.
Survey Background
The First Quarter of 2009 Social Weather Survey was conducted over February 20 – 23, 2009 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±6% for area percentages). The area estimates were weighted by National Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2009 to obtain the national estimates.
The Social Weather Survey items on unemployment and hunger are not commissioned, but are done on SWS's own initiative and released as a public service.
The last leg of SMART’s fourth “Hot Summer Samahan” Barkada road trip finished here with more than 5,000 walk-in concert goers the other week.
“We have actually estimated for just 5, 000 but the people kept coming,” said Ms. Judee Caroline E. Dizon, Public Affairs for Northern Mindanao. The event was also promoting domestic tourism on the different cities where it stopped over.
While the close monitoring of AH1N1 influenza virus in different countries was going on, Ms. Dizon said that it was one of their major concerns that the event would push through but “the benefits are greater than the risks in this case,” she said.
SMART brought in different artists to entertain concert goers and provided games and “gimmicks” to the public.
The road trip event went to places in Luzon including Puerto Galera and Laoag City of Bulacan and in Boracay for the Visayas while it finished here for Mindanao. Road trips included visits to heritage tours and major tourist spots. The artists and the entire entourage also enjoyed this city’s white water rafting adventure.
Smart Communications Inc. continues to develop more affordable internet service products for every household to avail of internet service. This way, easier connection to families and friends even outside the country becomes more possible.
“We have a lot of projects that is geared toward getting the internet to the masses,” said Ms. Dizon.
“We are actually creating innovative ways of catering to Filipinos here and abroad,” she added
“We make things easier for our clients,” she added noting that the market for prepaid mobile services is also saturated.
SMART first created a broadband internet service product on post paid plan and evetually developed the product to be pre-paid which is called the SmartBro prepaid.
The prepaid product does not require monthly payments but depends on its operation on the loaded amount which works just like how a mobile phone does in making calls. This is more accessible to use since it requires no documents but identification cards and a minimum payment of P1,995.
Pueblo de Oro recently held the groundbreaking activity for its Forest View Homes main gate led by its VP-General Manager Rodolfo L. Meñes, AVP-Corporate Affairs Remedios C. Alejandrino and Product Manager Voltaire M. Flores and attended by their accredited agents and invited guests.
The maingate is just one of the amenities of FVH, which include well-lit concrete roads, underground drainage system, multi-purpose hall, landscaped park and playground, tablet fence, SM-Forest View shuttle service, and provisions for power and water and 24/7 security service.
(left-right) PODC VP-GM Rudy Meñes, AVP Corporate Affairs Remy Alejandrino and Product Manager Volt Flores pose with their shovels before the ceremonial groundbreaking.
First Quarter 2009 SWS says Adult unemployment at record-high 34.2%:
13% of them left old job, 12% were retrenched
Social Weather Stations
The First Quarter 2009 Social Weather Survey, fielded over February 20-23, 2009, found adult unemployment rising to record-high 34.2%, or an estimated 14 million, from 27.9% or estimated 11 million from the previous quarter.
The survey also found that of those unemployed, 13% voluntarily left their old job, while 12% were retrenched, consisting of 9% who were laid off and 3% whose previous contact was not renewed.
Unemployment has been over 20% since 2005
Adult unemployment in the SWS surveys has been 20% and above since May 2005, except for December 2007 when it was 17.5% [Chart 1, Table 1].
In the SWS data series which began in 1993, unemployment was below 15% until March 2004, and then ranged from 16.5% to 19.0% from August 2004 to March 2005.
Job history of the unemployed
Over the past four quarters, adult unemployment is dominated by those who voluntarily left their old work, and those who were retrenched – either by getting laid off or by not having their contracts renewed [Chart 2].
In the latest February 2009 survey, 13% of the unemployed left their old jobs voluntarily, 9% were laid off, 3% had their contracts finished and not renewed, and 3% said their employers closed operation. Six percent never worked before at the time of the survey.
SWS unemployment definition
The SWS data on unemployment refer to the population of adults in the labor force. This is because respondents in the standard SWS surveys are those at least 18 years old. The 1993-2008 figures are consistently based on the traditional definition of unemployment as not working and at the same time looking for work. Those not working but not looking for work are excluded from the labor force; these are housewives, retired, disabled, students, etc.
On the other hand, the official lower boundary of the labor force has always been 15 years of age. Formerly, the official definition of unemployment was not working and looking for work. However, from April 2005 onward, the new official definition has included the concept of availability for work; it subtracts those not available for work, even though looking for work, and adds those available for work but not seeking work for the following reasons: tired/believe no work is available, awaiting results of a job application, temporarily ill/disabled, bad weather, and waiting for rehire/job recall.
If the official definition is applied, the unemployment rate among adults 18 years old is 25.9% in the SWS February 2009 survey. It is lower than when computed using the traditional definition because the correction for those looking for work but ‘not truly available’ is much larger than the correction for those ‘actually available’ though not looking for work at the moment.
Survey Background
The First Quarter of 2009 Social Weather Survey was conducted over February 20 – 23, 2009 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±2.5% for national percentages, ±6% for area percentages). The area estimates were weighted by National Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2009 to obtain the national estimates.
The quarterly Social Weather Surveys on unemployment are not commissioned, but are done on SWS's own initiative and released as a public service.
The church-based election watchdog, Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), is open to the idea of holding a “national summit” for all non-government organizations involved in the campaign for credible 2010 polls.
The head of PPCRV made the statement amid the mushrooming of several groups all seeking for change in the country’s electoral system.
PPCRV chairperson Henrietta de Villa said a national summit could facilitate the setting of common direction for all groups also looking for change in the country’s political system.
“That’s a good idea so that we will have common direction... but without sacrificing the individual identities of each group,” said de Villa who also chairs the National Movement for Free Elections.
The former ambassadress to the Holy See added that having such a convention would show that many people are willing to sacrifice for genuine change in the government.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rene Sarmiento agreed with de Villa in saying it would be good to unite efforts all aiming for a clean, honest and credible elections.
“That is a good proposal to bring together the forces of good and I hope it will push through,” Sarmiento said.
But according to de Villa, politicians should not be allowed to join in the summit in order to maintain the non-partisan status of the various groups.
Over the past few weeks, several groups have been launched with almost same goals to initiate changes in politics, including the Task Force 2010, which is composed of first-time voters; Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno’s Moral Force Movement; and the Transparent Elections Movement.
Last Sunday, former Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman led the launching of Change Politics Movement seeking to get rid of vote-buying in the country.
A new group called "10@10 for 2010" convened by Fr. Robert Reyes was also launched Monday calling on everyone for a ten-minute silence of discernment for the 10 candidates one must vote for, starting from the position of president.
But unlike the "Change Politics Movement" the "10@10 for 2010" said it will not endorse anyone in particular. (Roy Lagarde- CBCP News)
Artist-Sculptor Eduardo Castrillo explained to a select group of media practitioners that there can be no backpedaling in the Heritage Monument of Misamis Oriental because there has been no final design of the edifice yet.
“This is a design in progress,” Castrillo said.
“There is a continuing research going on and we are in consultation with known historians and experts on the matter before the final design is executed,” he added.
It appeared in one of the dailies in the city that the project has been “backpedaled” because of the comment of a so called history columnist that questioned certain parts of the monument. Castrillo explained that the design shown at the tarpaulins is but a concept and that the final design is being discussed and deliberated upon.
“In fact, what you see is only the proposed front of the monument and the back is not shown there,” Castrillo explained.
Castrillo narrated that when he started he consulted Dr. Ambeth Ocampo of the National Historical Commission and a foremost authority on history. “Ocampo referred me to Dr. Antonio Montalvan of CapitolUniversity, who, he said, is the foremost authority on the history of the area,” he said.
“From the very start I have consulted Dr. Montalvan and passed on my ideas to him for comments,” he added.
Dr. Antonio J. Montalvan II is the Director of the Museum of Three Cultures of Capitol University. He is also the Director of Publications of the university.
“The KKK portion of the design has long been decided to be removed because the matter needed further research and study,” Castrillo said.
“But I welcome these comments from other parties and I am open to inputs, but to say that the project has backpedaled because of a comment is very unfair to me and my work,” he added.
The internationally renowned sculptor said that all his works are the products of deep research and study and try to depict the actual events and happenings of the subject matter. He claims that his projects are not just based on ideas and opinions but are based on historical facts found in national archives and in the internet.
“In all my projects that concerns history I make the necessary research and consultation before I execute the final design,” he said.
At the groundbreaking ceremony of the monument held last April 20, 2009, Castrillo explained that the monument will “herald the rich history and aspirations of the citizens of Misamis Oriental” and will “illustrate Misamis Oriental’s history, culture, natural wonders, values, socio-economic aspirations and dynamic transformation.”
He then envisioned the front of the monument to depict the Spanish Revolt and the Philippine-American War that is personified by Apolinar Velez and Nicolas Capistrano. He also wanted to include the famous natural landmarks and the Cagayan de Oro River and lush rain forest Mountains and terrain, the growing metropolis and the historic Saint Augustine Cathedral, a Kagay-an mother with a child signifying culture life of ethnic people and the healthy evolution, Filipino leaders who spearheaded the dynamic growth of the province and he outline of the province’s boundaries.
At the Left Side he envisioned to have the farmers indicating agricultural life of Misamis Oriental, a Maiden playing an indigenous instrument, early professional settlers from all over the country that contributed to the well-being and progress of the province.
At the Right Side he planned to show the noted leaders and statesmen that fostered the growth and gained the pride for Misamis Oriental citizens as they held the highest office in the National Government, the lower side will be the continuation of the CagayanRivers and the forests, and XavierUniversity.
At the Back will depict the Early Professionals, Commerce and Industry and the continuation of the CagayanRiver.
The sculptured base will display the official seal of Misamis Oriental and the bronze dedicational plaque and marker.
The monument is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year for the unveiling on January 1, 2010, in time for the 80th celebration of the anniversary of the province.
Photo above, Internationally renowned Artist-Sculptor Eduardo Castrillo, second from right, in an informal conversation with, from right. Danny Adorador of SunStar Cagayan de Oro, Maricel Casiño-Rivera of TV39 and the provincial Press Office and Mia M. Castrillo of The MINDANAO CURRENT. Photo by Ed Montalvan/PPA-CdeO
Perhaps it is already a principle that automatically happens that when a good project comes up there will always be an oppositor. This happens almost every time something new comes up specially here in our country.
Normally the opposition comes from people who want to be part of the project but are left out because they should not be there or could never be part of it.
A case in point is the HeritageMonument being envisioned by the province of Misamis Oriental which has earned the support of every sector as a good project which will depict the history not just of the province but the whole of Misamis which is now Northern Mindanao.
The Internationally Renowned Artist-Sculptor Eduardo Castrillo who is designing the monument and will be building it has taken pains to do research and studies of the region, coupled with inputs from renowned historians and authorities on the subject.
He is still in the process of making the final design and already there are pseudo experts who comment on the project just to promote themselves as knowledgeable of the subject matter.
The monument design is still in progress and the artist is still in the thick of making the final design. All that has been submitted to the governor is a concept that has already been approved. The final design will still have to be presented to the province when it is finalized.
It would be good for everyone to keep their comments at the moment so as to give the artist the freehand in working on his concept. To bother him now with unnecessary comments and criticism may just affect the project itself.
This is not the same with the PressFreedomMonument that he is also building. This design has been finalized and construction of it has started.
If the construction of the HeritageMonument starts without the final design presented to the governor for his approval is made then everyone would have the right to question it. But for as long as the design is still in progress let everyone keep his piece and leave the artist alone to design the project in peace.
Last Monday was exactly 365 days before election day of 2010 and already schedules are getting busier for us mediamen.
In a span of 3 days we were visited by 4 Presidentiables, all delivering their lines on why the country will be better off with them as president.
Of the four, 3 are from the opposition and 1 is from the administration. The administration presidentiable is Secretary Gilbert Teodoro who has now adopted the monicker“Gibo” to give him a better name recall.
While listening to Gibo talk about his plans and programs and his ideas, which, by the way, are all very impressive, it occurred to me that the best team the administration could put up is a de Castro-Teodoro tandem. Noli Kabayan is doing very well in surveys, at the moment, and Teodoro is a very straight and brilliant guy who should be holding a higher position. This is if elections were held today.
But analyzing the whole situation you would realize that de Castro cannot be sure if he will really end up as president. He may be enjoying the best survey ratings in the last few surveys but his lead has also been going down.
In the last survey Chiz Esudero is breathing down his neck and threatens to catch up with him.
Since Chiz has been going around the country in speaking engagements he is expected to continue to rise further.
Teodoro, on the otherhand has just tossed his hat into the ring and may not yet be registering in the surveys.
This reminds me of the election of 1992 where Ramon Mitra, who was then the Speaker of the House, was leading in all surveys going to the elections. Fidel Ramos was the Secretary of National defense and was not even close.
In the convention of the LDP Mitra, as expected, won the nomination by a landslide and became the official candidate of the party with Marcelo Fernan, the former Chief Justice as his running mate.
Fidel Ramos bolted the party and formed his own, the LAKAS Party, and the rest is history.
Teodoro has no plans of forming his own party, he said. In fact he categorically declared that his candidacy is anchored on his being chosen by the administration party through a convention or whatever process that will be adopted.
Not only that, the popularity of Ramos was very high at that time because he was one of the main characters of EDSA 1 which was still very fresh in the minds of everyone.
Gibo does not enjoy such popularity. His main weakness right now is his lack of exposure for the masa which he is now trying to improve.
I would expect Gibo’s popularity and survey ratings to start going up from here on. I would not be surprised if Kabayan’s rating would really be going down because he has not been hitting the road as compared to the others and if ever he gets into town it is usually on a low key and with a small group.
What if…THIS IS A BIG IF…the popularity of Kabayan starts to really go down and Gibo’s star starts to rise? The administration will have to rally behind Gibo then and he may end up as the official candidate of the party. The questionthen would be who his running mate will be.
Normally, the running mate will be one of the other presidentiables in the group and the sad thing is that other than Noli and Gibo they have no other to choose from.
I don’t think Bayani Fernando will be picked and neither would they get Dick Gordon. In fact, Gordon may not even agree to be a running mate of Gibo because he believes in himself too much.
The administration party may have to look at the senatoriables and ask any one of them to slide up.
This will be something very interesting to watch and a good topic for another column some other time. In the meantime let’s sleep on it and see how the cookie crumbles.
For a month we’ve been discussing ways to minimize our exposure to media during the summer months.While it involves a different strategy, taking the opportunity of the beginning of the school year also affords us the occasion to minimize how much media our family is exposed to.
