Monday, September 8, 2008

The nail that sticks out gets hammered

By Juan Mercado

"The nail that sticks out gets hammered," the old proverb says.  And a corrupt oligarchy, in this country, pounds down to sleaze-level any official of integrity. They stick out.

Cagayan governor Grace Padaca and Naga city mayor Jesse Robredo, for example, had to run   gauntlets of smears and harassment to serve - and win, much later, recognition like the Magsaysay Award for public service. 

Today, this pounding is most relentless in President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's home turf.  In Pampanga, officials wage what the Inquirer aptly calls a "shameful and shameless" 3-R campaign.  

"Recount, Recall and Requiem" is the template for a furious drive to oust their 26th provincial governor:  Eddie Panlilio. Why? 
Because this priest-turned-reluctant-candidate dented Malacanang's patina of political invincibility. With citizen backing and a shoe-string budget, he  trashed, in  the last elections, provincial board member Lilia Pineda  and  Governor Mark Lapid   Both  preen  as  the  President's  moneyed allies.  

"Among Ed" fractured an unwritten rule: "Never touch the politicians' wallet." Chief Justice Hilario Davide, for example, led the Supreme Court to rule on the notorious coconut levy. That saw Eduardo Cojuangco unleash the congressional "Brat Pack" in a bitter attempt to impeach Davide. Only furious protests, by citizens and church groups, beat back Cojuangco's legislative gunslingers. .

Through efficient collection,  Panlilio  boosted government income  from  Pampanga's  number two political  feeding trough: quarry  taxes. (Jueteng is number one). A month in office, Panlilio surpassed the  P29.1 million  collected by  Mark  Lapid  in 2006. 

One can follow "smell of money" in the Provincial Treasurer's report on the collection track record: Governor Bren Guiao (1993-1994) P3.82 million.  The Mount Pinatubo eruption increased lahar in quarries.  Govenors Lito and son Mark Lapid collected P121.02 million, over the next 12 years. In contrast,  Panlilio  doubled  Lapid's collection  to P230 million  - in  just three years.

This record stood a corrupt elite on it's head.  More significant, it gave startled citizens a glimpse of the massive amounts that leached into politicians' wallets.  

"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example," Mark Twain notes. With a robust  P143-million development fund, Panlilio helped nine  understaffed and poorly equipped district hospitals - including , alas, the Diosdado  Macapagal Provincial Hospital. He shared with towns Capitol's  P37-million special education fund.. He periodically split   quarry revenues with towns and barangays.

Candor can turn the "annoyance factor" ballistic.  In October 2007, the President met with 200 officials of the Union of Local Authorities in Malacanang. Brown envelopes were handed out.  Panlilio confirmed he found P500,000 stuffed into his envelope received from a Palace staffer.  He deposited the shekels with the provincial treasurer. 

A furious controversy erupted.  Ironically, it swirled, not around "bribery" but on Panlilio's alleged indiscretion. "No one blushed," noted Cebu Daily News. "Even more telling, no one returned an envelope" - except Panlilio.  

Instead of hailing Panlilio, Pampanga officials clipped his powers. The provincial board granted mayors greater police powers over the quarry. It stripped P 45 million from the quarry reform fund in his budget. 

"Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?"  King Henry II fumed against Thomas Becket.  The archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170, stood firm against the monarch's abuses.  Henry's men cut Becket down at the altar. This became the theme of TS Eliot's work: "Murder In The Cathedral."

Today, a "3-R" campaign would rid Pampanga of this meddlesome priest. The third "R" stands for the first word in Requiem aeternam dona eiis Domini.  ("Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord")   Panlilio says little of this threat.  But he dons a flak-jacket in more exposed situations.  Men have killed for less, he knows.

The other two "Rs" stand for "recount" and "recall." The Supreme Court stopped the recount until it resolves an issue of abuse. Officials seek to gather 100,000 signatures - 10 percent of the province's voting population, to force a recall election of Pampanga's 137 priests, only 15 signed up.  

"This petition has partisanship written all over it," the Inquirer said. "But the brazenness is still breathtaking. Simply put, their "campaign" is both shameful and shameless. In Filipino, "nakakahiya, walang hiya!"

"Instead of recall, people should call for reform," said Pampanga's Bishop Pablo David.   Majority of the province's clergy support Panlilio.  "This is not about a person. It's about a whole moral crusade for good governance."

This is  a country starved for officials of integrity "who stick out."  Alongside Cagayan's Governor  Grace Podaca and Naga  City mayor Jesse Robredo, stands Pannlilio.  They provide proof to a dispirited people  that  integrity still exists. "Example is the school of mankind," Edmund Burke wrote. "And men will learn at no other."  

Malacanang meticulously distances itself from the "3-R" campaign. But would  Pampanga  officials   pound  "Among Ed" down to their sleaze level,  if  the kabalen in Malacanang  didn't wink?, "The voice may be that  of Jacob. But the hand is that of Esau." 

American Soldiers Join Combat in Mindanao?

A team from the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFACom) is flying to Sulu and Zamboanga City to investigate reports that American forces have joined local troops in combat operations.

"This group headed by Undersecretary Edilberto Adan will proceed to Zamboanga and Sulu to investigate the allegations,'' Brigadier General Jorge Segovia, acting chief of the Armed Forces command center, said at the Sulo Hotel press forum.
He declined further comment so as not to preempt the results of VFACom investigation.

An American soldier was reported hurt when Abu Sayyaf rebels attacked Philippine Marines in a logistics run in Patikul, Sulu, on August 30, but the military denied this. Four Marines were killed in the ambush.

"No US personnel was involved,'' Colonel Ernesto Torres, AFP public information officer, told reporters after the forum.
Zamboanga City Mayor Mannix Dalipe yesterday also wondered why the US forces had been allowed by the government to overstay in the city.

Segovia said he doubted that US forces had taken part in local combat, saying that the VFA prohibits this.

"They're more into humanitarian missions. But as far as engaging in combat, they're not involved,'' he said after the forum.
Besides, he added: "As a soldier and officer, I want the conflict to be fought by us. The military would not allow anybody to lead local operations.''

Panglao Island Water Crisis: Old Problem

If Panglao Island was an Academy, its officialdom passed the Pre-Finals Test last Friday.

Keeping their cool, though privately peeved by the political intramurals in Panglao politics, the prime movers Governor Rico Aumentado and First District Congressman Edgar Chatto convened the Panglao officials before scores of private stockholders, long agitated by the stalemate over the potable water issue in the island Paradise.

The backdrop was grim as the result so damaging if no decision was made Friday. It would have be prejudicial to the efforts to buttress Panglao's claim as successor to the famed Boracay and the P 4-Billion international airport project would have seemed to outsiders like a daunting task - given the fact that people could not even resolve the water issue.The clock was ticking - and time waits for no one.

So it was perhaps the fear of a business disaster and public relation nightmare - that Panglao officials led by Mayor Benedicto Alcala and Vice Mayor Pedro Fuertes finally buried the hatchet under the glare of media, the Provincial Officaldom and tourism stakeholders.

They blinked amidst this pressure - and the Sangguniang Bayan of Panglao was post haste assembled and decided the Panglao Potable Water Project will now go on with Competitive Bidding rather than Open Access execution at the soonest possible time.

Why it would take the iron fist of the provincial brass and an peeved public opinion to address a basic concern an issue in Panglao is an indictment against the parochial politics of destruction and nihilism of the island officials. The successful Friday consultation also proved, however, that they are not beyond redemption.

But after the press photo opportunity, the Final Test of implementation is still to be carried out.

Let's do the competitive bidding with utter transparency and meritrocacy in mind and filter out the bogus, fly-by-night pretenders. 
No other day must be lost hereafter - otherwise the sin of procrastination and sloth will be added to the previous list of parochialism, politicking and fighting for vested self interest. The people of Panglao and Bohol have had enough.

The time for final redemption of Panglao is about to begin.

THE SUBJECT OF WATER

With the inevitable progression of Panglao as a tourism magnet - with or without an international airport - the demand for water will indeed be tremendous. All the more we should act like paranoids in being jealous of and zealous over the protection of our water resources. A main natural resource of Bohol .

There is Imperial Cebu to watch out for, though we remain friendly neighbors in the Central Visayas. They need water badly and attempted to do a Bohol-Cebu Water Supply Project while eyeing with a covetous glare the lusty Inabanga River.

When Mactan needed white sand, they pirated barge-loads from Panglao and other Bohol coastlines in the darkness of the night. When they went on an industrial boom, we lost the islands of Tambulian and Malingao off Clarin town to quarrying for Cebu's needs. Water be next?

Bohol has to preserve the remaining water supply it has. We haven't even started the golf courses which will undeniably come into being in Bohol and uptown Tagbilaran City is just starting to grow exponentially.

We have poor yield of rice in Bohol because of inefficient, possibly graft-ridden dams, built on interest-bearing loans of a Japanese bank to be paid by the entire nation. There seems to be not enough water in the dams or the latter is used inefficiently - in both counts, government is largely to blame. 

The so-called Bohol Integrated Irrigation System supposedly covering 10,260 appears to be a monument of failure - considering the area being covered. Exoneration by our biased judicial system of some officials involved in some dam mess does not erase this fact - and an angry public knows.

After spending billions to construct them, the Malinao Dam in Pilar (supposed to service 4,960 hectares), the Bayongan Dam (San Miguel) for 4,140 hectares and Capayas Dam (Ubay) for 1,160 hectares may soon need additional millions of pesos in borrowed money to "rehabilitate" them.

Today, we are reckless with water usage because we have water in wanton abandon. And because there are eco-tourism projects like the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape Project that still tries to conserve water and soil. But for much further can we erode our water supply until the need becomes acute?Do we see a provincial Water Management Program good for the next ten years? If there is, do the people know there is one? - Editorial Bohol Chronicle

Rey Boom Bautista Will Fight in America?

After a successful and impressive defense of the belt he already tucked in for several years, WBO Intercontinental superbantamweight king Rey "BoomBoom" Bautista may see action underneath a scheduled Manny Pacquiao-Oscar de la Hoya fight on December 6, in MGM Grand Hotel in Nevada, USA.

In the "Night of Champions" card at the Waterfront Lahug, Cebu City, Saturday last week, Bautista demolished the ambitious Mexican challenger Eden "Anestecista" Marquez in the second round of the 12-round mainer to retain the title.

In a post fight interview, Bautista said he is looking forward to an undercard fight of the $100 million Pacquiao - Dela Hoya battle.
Bautista, who hails from Candijay, Bohol, hinted that fighting under the hugely popular epic clash of the world's most popular boxers was promised to him by his manager, Michael Aldeguer.

Bautista is now unbeaten in his latest three fights, after his devastating first round loss to Daniel Ponce de Leon in Arco Arena, Sacramento, California last year.

Unlike in most of his previous fights, the 22-year old Bautista who now totes a 26-1, with 19 stoppages, refused to trade blows in the first round with Marquez.

Keeping himself busy to avoid Marquez' strong and powerful punches, Bautista severally used his lateral movements running around the ring that caught some boxing fans by surprise.

The demolition came in the next round, when Bautista started strong and began fighting aggressively throwing wild punches to the face and breadbasket of the Mexican fighter who was already in trouble midway in the second.

Receiving barrage of punches from the Bohol-raised, the Mexican, for the second time around, was sent back to the floor with 1:08 seconds of the said round as international referee Bruce McTavish called it a halt.

In a post-fight interview, Bautista said the opening round was his experimental move and opted not to fight aggressively.
"Ingon man akong trainer nga magbantay lang sa, di lang sa gyud ta mosud og sayo kay wa ta kahibawo sa iyang style. Kusog man gud siya. (Heeding the advice of my trainer, I opted not to fight aggressively in the first round, but we should be careful because he is a powerful puncher,)" according to Bautista. The loss dropped Marquez' record to 16-4-3, with 12 knockouts. 

Save Balicasag Island from Environmental Destruction

The move to save Balicasag Island as a prime dive spot perceives expansion to preserve a wider area comprising what is called as the Bohol Marine Triangle (BMT).

A stakeholders' consultation workshop enters its second day today at the Bohol Plaza Resort where the various coastal concerns of the towns of Panglao, Dauis and Baclayon will be on focus.

Gov. Erico Aumentado, Rep. Edgar Chatto and BM Ae Damalerio representing Vice Gov. Julius Herrera opened the workshop yesterday attended by Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala, Dauis Mayor Luciano Bongalos and Baclayon mayor Alvin Uy, together with their respective vice mayors, town kagawads and baragay chairs.

Gov. Aumentado challenged the LGUs to be responsive to the need to preserve the marine resources in the area which were noticed to retain damages.

He vowed full support to the joint effort of the towns in addressing the alarm on marine destruction.
For his part, Rep. Chatto said he sees the BMT as the "people or stakeholders of the tourism activities in the area, and not the BMT as an office, thus everyone residing in the area has to contribute for the preservation of the marine resources."

The two-day workshop aims to establish a harmonized implementation of various policies governing activities within the seawaters of the three municipalities where Bohol's second tourism signature destination   (diving and dolphin watching) are situated, according to Provincial Tourism Council Chairman Peter Dejaresco who delivered the statement of purpose of the workshop bearing the theme "Harmonization Towards Enhancing Local Initiatives for the Protection of the BMT."

Panglao Mayor Alcala vowed commitment to the move. However, he admitted there was "no success story of the BMT, so to speak, under the stewardship of a group, prior the newly created Padayon BMT.

Dauis Mayor Bongalos and Baclayon Mayor Uy, outgoing and incoming Padayon BMT executives, likewise vowed support for the undertaking which called for an immediate "rescue operation" considering the underwater destructions noted in the area.

National Milo Marathon

The Home of the Tarsier and the world-famous Chocolate Hills shall turn green today when runners in green shirts take the streets of Tagbilaran City in Bohol for the staging of the 32nd National Milo Marathon leg.

Six runners, the top three men and three women finishers, will advance to the Milo Marathon national finals slated on Nov. 30 in Metro Manila.

While the centerpiece of this weekly foot race held in partnership with Bayview Park Hotel, Adidas and Department of Tourism is the 21-k qualifying race, the bulk of participants will come from the 5K fun run and the 3K age group race for kids.

The top 10 finishers in all categories will receive trophies, medals and cash prize amounting to P159,000.
Also on hand for today's early morning festivity is the cheerdance competition, which has become one of the major attractions in this island-hopping event.

Local race organizer lawyer Dionisio Balite has invited Gov. Erico B. Aumentado to fire the starting gun for that 21k race, Mayor Dan Neri Lim for the 5k, and board member Josil Trabajo for the 3k kiddie run. They will also be on hand to award prizes to all winners. A total of 5,000 runners registered for the event.

Nestle AVP Pat Goc-ong, meanwhile, is advising all participants to be at the starting area not later than 5 a.m. for the pre-race briefing and check-in. runners are also advised to wear their respective Milo shirts given to them upon registration for security purposes.
After Tagbilaran, the country's biggest and longest-running marathon goes to San Fernando City in La Union next Sunday for the 18th leg of the 2008 season. 

Tennis Rematch

The much-awaited friendly return tennis match-up between the rampaging Governor's Mansion and the well-known Capitol Centre Court Tennis clubs takes place today at the Mansion Tennis court.

Exactly one week ago, the visiting Mansion tennisters outplayed the Capitol players by winning six doubles games with only for setbacks and three draws. Tennis buffs here expect the Capitol invaders led by the ageless prexy Boy Lopez to bounce back and settle the score once and for all.

The host team led by its president Nick Lagura will welcome the visitors, including the fire-breathing provincial administrator Tommy Abapo for the "presidential game" this morning, according to the fiery Governor's Mansion spokesperson 3rd top dyRD reporter Fil Layao.

Best Taekwondo Championship

Around 300 of the country's top taekwondo-jins strut their stuff in the 2008 Adidas Best of the Best taekwondo championship today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

"This is a much awaited event because only gold medalists in national level competitions . . . are eligible to compete," said Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert N. Aventajado. He added Beijing Olympics veterans Tshomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero might also see action.

Other well-known Filipino national pool members who are expected to vie for honors are John Paul Lizardo, Alexander Briones, Jyra Lizardo, Alexander Briones, Jyra Lizardo, Criselda Roxas, Eunice and Elaine Alora, Lorraine Catalan, Carlos Padilla V and Manuel Rivero Jr.
The Philippine Sports Commission is also helping the tournament.

Congressman Manny Pacquiao 2010

By Bingo P. Dejaresco

Don't look now - but that appears to be the Pacman's game plan.
By May 2010 (election time), Manny Pacquiao , the world's best boxer today and WBC lightweight champion shall have fought (welterweight) boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya (December 6, 2008) and two others in 2009. That year 2009 - Pacman will announce his retirement from the bloody sport of boxing. By then he will have earned about P3 billion in just nine years of fighting.

Rumors have it - the Pacman who has been studying (textbooks, on the side) will run for Congressman of Saranggani in May 2010 - after failing in his first bid against politically-entrenched Darlene of the Custodio and Antonino clans of the First District of Cotabato in 2004.
This time, no Filipino can begrudge the Pacman's other ambition. After all, even today he has brought superlative honors for the country for winning 4 world titles and being adjudged today the best "pound for pound" fighter even by experts.

After retirement, Pacman will no longer be bothered about serving two masters: boxing career and his Saranggani constituency. Now, let us allow Congressman Manny Pacquiao this one chance to serve his country in another way.

At age 31, that is just right time to quit this strenuous sport - without having permanent injuries like Muhammad Ali's Parkinson's Disease today. He will also have his P3 billion as retirement kitty more than enough for even for three more generations of Pacquiao family - if he invests wisely and does not indulge in dangerous distractions like big-time gambling or financing criminality.

Besides Mommy Dionisia who just prays than watch TV fights of Pacman and other relatives want the favorite Cotabato son to retire in one piece. Wife Jinky (who will watch the De la Joya fight) will be pleased to have his man (at least) safe for the rest of their lives. And their sons - who Pacman will not allow to go boxing - will have enough stories to tell to forever idolize their super boxer-father.

In 2007, a psychic had predicted Pacquiao will be beaten in the year 2008 - long before talk of a Pacman-De la Hoya fight was even planted in anyone's imagination. This could be Pacquiao's Waterloo - even odds-makers believe he is the underdog – simply because De La Hoya (a natural welterweight at 147 pounds) is too big for Pacquiao (lightweight at 135 pounds).

In boxing, as in basketball, they always say that the Good Big Man will beat the Good, Small Man. Or will the unpredictable Pacman surprise everyone with a monumental upset in the Dec. 6 Las Vegas Nevada fight?

If Pacman loses, he can go back and fight the remaining best fighters in his weight class - and walk away into retirement - undefeated in the blaze of glory. If Pacman, wins - he can have his last two fights into a momentous scenario that will defy repetition at any time - give Oscar de la Hoya a rematch and egg Floyd Mayweather (the retired former best fighter) to move out of retirement and engage a classic winner-take-all do-or-die ring showdown that will break all existing box-office records.

In the second scenario, Pacquiao can go P5 billion richer . Imagine. Oscar de la Hoya, the brilliant boxer-promoter is revved up to fight the Philippine sensation for three reasons:  he wants to fight only the best boxers, Freddie Roach (Pacman's coach) insulted him saying "at his age of 35, Oscar can no longer pull the trigger" and to avenge the defeats of the immortal Mexican boxers (Marquez, Morales, Barrera, Diaz) by the Gensan Bomber.

If De la Hoya fights "at the center of the ring" that he promised, then the Pacman has a chance to unload his bazookas at close range; if he sticks his jab and occasionally engage Manny toe-to-toe, Oscar could get away with a decision. For a knockout, it can go either way.
Hat doffed, we commend Pacman for mapping his life strategy this way. Unlike poor former Filipino world champions like Luisito Espinosa and Rolando Navarette who are destitute after hanging their gloves. Our Bohol boxers like Rey Boom Bautista (congratulations, by the way) and AJ Bazooka Banal should take the cue from the Cotabato brawler in career and financial planning.

From June 2001 to June 2008 Pacman has amassed P1 billion from ring purse and another P500 million in product endorsements: Nike, SMC, Smart, Alaxan, PAL, among others. That excludes the TV broadcast of his fights locally. He has it made, by all standards.
His fight with De la Hoya in December 6 will just be his much awaited "date with history."

And with all the honor and pride he had given this nation - even we Boholanos would want to go to Saranggani - and vote him Congressman in 2010. Let's watch him put his purse where his mouth is.
Take a bow, the Honorable Congressman from Saranggani!

Starring Mylene Dizon, Eugene Domingo, and Tessie Tomas

Cinemalaya in Dumaguete presents '100'
Festival Closing Film, 8:00 PM
Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium
OPEN TO COMMUNITY SEASON PASS HOLDERS

Starring Mylene Dizon, Eugene Domingo, and Tessie Tomas. Written and Directed by Chris Martinez.. 

100 chronicles the last three months of a cancer stricken woman who has a list of things to do before she dies. Her list of tasks, mostly closures and practical undertakings, expands to the worldly and the spiritual as people close to her share her last days. The film examines the betrayal of the body, celebrates the senses and contemplates the end of life and how to live it. A light-hearted, briskly paced, youthful take on a classic subject, 100 stars today's most exciting performers—including TJ Trinidad, Ryan Eigenmann, Simon Ibarra, and others.

Martial Law in 1980s

Cinemalaya in Dumaguete presents 'Pisay'
10:00 AM
Audio-Visual Theater 1, Multimedia Center
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Starring Glecy Atienza, Carl John Barrameda, Rowena Basco, and Eugene Domingo. Directed by Aureus Solito. Written by Henry Grageda and Aureus Solito. 

Amidst the chaos of Martial Law in the 1980s, six teenagers in the top high school for the sciences discover themselves as they go through the joys and pains of adolescence. 

They were the top two hundred students from all over the Philippines who passed the examination for the Philippine Science High School , which was created for the purpose of giving an education highly enriched in the Sciences to exceptionally gifted Filipino children. Selected from the best and brightest from all over the country, they endure college-level courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics from their sophomore year onwards. 

Those who can make it are hailed as the future science and technology leaders of the New Republic, those who don't are deemed unfortunate victims of natural selection. They all learn however that they are neither isolated from the real world, nor are they exempted from living real lives. 

They find the world outside, erupting into the People Power Revolution in 1986 against the Marcos dictatorship, being replicated within the school as they struggle to graduate, contend with teachers, classmates, family, school officials, and a new classification to segregate students meeting the high standards of excellence from those who do not.

Starring Baron Geisler and Coco Martin

Cinemalaya in Dumaguete presents 'Jay' *
6:00 PM
Audio-Visual Theater 1, Multimedia Center
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Starring Baron Geisler and Coco Martin. Written and Directed by Francis Xavier Pasion. 

Jay is the name of the two protagonists in the film: one is living, the other dead. The living Jay (Baron Geisler) is producing a documentary of the dead Jay, a gay teacher who was brutally killed. As Jay recreates and examines the life of his subject, he intrudes into the private grief of the other Jay's family and he is drawn to the secret life and love of his subject. Warning: Do not believe everything you see as truth. This is the Best Picture winner of the 2008 Cinemalaya Festival.

Award-winning playwright and film director Chris Martinez

The Albert Faurot Lecture Series for Culture and the Arts Presents Playwright and Film Director Chris Martinez on 'The Independent Film Movement and the Resurgence of Philippine Cinema'
10:00 AM
Audio-Visual Theater 1, Multimedia Center
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Award-winning playwright and film director Chris Martinez, the Best Director winner in the 2008 Cinemalaya Festival, in discusses the impact of independent filmmaking on the Philippine movie industry. 

Starring Havy Bagatsing and Karl Eigger Balingit

Cinemalaya in Dumaguete presents 'Tribu'
6:00 PM
Audio-Visual Theater 1, Multimedia Center
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Starring Havy Bagatsing and  Karl Eigger Balingit. Written and directed by Jim Libiran. 

In the darker side of Manila, tribes of youthful gangsters roam the streets in search of quick fixes and precarious thrills. World-weary Tondo throbs to the beat of hiphop and freestyle gangsta rap, and to the scents and sensations of drugs and sex and violence. We witness this crepuscular underworld through the eyes of ten-year-old Ebet. We follow him as he witnesses the deadly lives of teenage gang members in Tondo and the events that lead to their explosive confrontation. The filmmaker employed real gang members in Tondo's ghettos as lead actors in this film.

Cinemalaya in Dumaguete presents 'Ranchero' Movie

Cinemalaya in Dumaguete presents 'Ranchero'
10:00 AM
Audio-Visual Theater 1, Multimedia Center, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Starring Garry Lim and Archie Adamos. Written and Directed by Michael Christian Cardoz. 

Ranchero unfolds in a small provincial jail in the province of Rizal, Philippines. And today is Ricardo's (Archi Adamos) last day behind bars. He and his close friend Miyong (Garry Lim) are tasked to cook rations for their inmates. The two friends spent the whole morning talking about Ricardo's plans when he gets out. After lunch, one of the kitchen knives is missing which calls the attention of jail officials. Not only will this delay the ration for the day, but also the freedom Ricardo and Miyong wish for themselves.

Cinemalaya in Dumaguete presents 'Kubrador'

Cinemalaya in Dumaguete presents 'Kubrador'
6:00 PM
Audio-Visual Theater 1, Multimedia Center
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Starring Gina Pareño. Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian. Written by Ralston Jover and Armando Lao. 

The movie chronicles three days in the life of Amelita (Gina Pareño), a kubrador or a bookie for the illegal numbers game jueteng. She continues to collect bets from her regular patrons every day despite a government crackdown on the game. Amelita returns to the streets and continues her illegal activities. She meets the parish priest, who informs her of a young neighbor's sudden accidental death. He asks her to collect donations from neighbors and friends. Then, a series of events turns her mundane existence into a perplexing game of life, luck and death. 

Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province

Cinemalaya in Dumaguete presents 'Donsol'
10:00 AM
Audio-Visual Theater 1, Multimedia Center, Silliman University, Philippines
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Starring Sid Lucero, Angel Aquino, Cherie Gil, and Jaclyn Jose. Written and Directed by Adolfo Alix Jr. 

Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as a sanctuary to a group of whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, known as butanding. In this film, Donsol is a place of refuge for the butanding but also a holding pen for lost and lonely people who wish for things they are no longer likely to get. Daniel (Sid Lucero) is a broken hearted man who meets an older woman, Teresa (Angel Aquino). The two share their miseries and discover that they like being together. Will their newfound bond be strong or will it be blown along with the amihan wind which signals the end of the butanding migratory visit to the small town? 

Cinemalaya Dumaguete City

Cinemalaya in Dumaguete presents 'Tulad ng Dati'
6:00 PM
Audio-Visual Theater 1, Multimedia Center
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Starring The Dawn and Ping Medina. Written and Directed by Michael Sandejas. 

Tulad ng Dati follows the current exploits of the Filipino rock band The Dawn, composed of Teddy Diaz, JB Leonor, Caloy Balcells, and Jett Pangan. It revolves around the character of Jett Pangan who is nearing his forties. Jett has lost his passion for music and life and entertains thoughts of retiring from the band. One night, Jett is assaulted by a burglar and goes into a coma. He wakes up with no memory of his life after 1988. He remembers that he is 20 years old and is at the peak of his career with The Dawn. Not satisfied with how things turned out with his life, he tries to change everything back to the way it used to be. 

Playwright and Film Critic Ed Cabagnot

The Albert Faurot Lecture Series for Culture and the Arts Presents Playwright and Film Critic Ed Cabagnot on 'The Basics of Film Appreciation'
10:00 AM
Audio-Visual Theater 1, Multimedia Center, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Award-winning playwright and film critic Edward Cabagnot discusses the basics of film aesthetics and maps out the ways to better appreciate the art of cinema. 

Theater Actor and Director Bart Guingona

The Albert Faurot Lecture Series for Culture and the Arts Presents Theater Actor and Director Bart Guingona on 'The Art of Theater Directing'
5:00 PM
Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium Stage, Dumaguete City, Philippines
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

The multi-awarded theater actor and director Bart Guingona lectures on the art and practice of directing theater.

Repertory Philippines presents Tuesdays With Morrie

Repertory Philippines presents Tuesdays With Morrie.
Matinees at 3:00 PM
OPEN TO STUDENT SEASON PASS HOLDERS
Galas at 8:00 PM
OPEN TO COMMUNITY SEASON PASS HOLDERS
Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines

This heartwarming and humorous play, based on Mitch Albom's best-selling novel about a career driven but emotionally closed sportswriter, Mitch (Bart Guingona), who reunites with an old college professor, Morrie (Miguel Faustman), after he finds out his former teacher is dying of Lou Gehrig's disease, and begins to spend Tuesday afternoons together, discussing life, death, relationships, feelings and everything else. Directed by Baby Barredo. 

Above and Beyond: The Photography of the Midnight Society Exhibit

Above and Beyond: The Photography of the Midnight Society Exhibit
Opens on September 12 at 5:30 PM and runs until September 30.
Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium Foyer Gallery
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

One of the strongest and most talented artistic barkada to graduate from Silliman University—composed of writers, chefs, and visual artists Kristyn Kay Maslog-Levis, Clee Andro Villasor, Quddus Ronnie Padilla, Eric Samuel Joven, Ian Rosales Casocot, and Ted Regencia—come together to share a common love for photography.

Silliman University Presents Leonor Kilayco

The Silliman Piano Festival Presents 
Leonor Kilayco
Gala at 8:00 PM
Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

The Negrense pianist Leonor Kilayco will be playing 3 Sonatas
by Scarlatti, Arabeske in C major and Scenes from Childhood Op. 29 by Schumann, Ballade Op. 47 in Ab major and Ballade in G minor by Chopin.

Silliman University Piano Festival Presents Rudolf Golez

The Silliman Piano Festival Presents 
Rudolf Golez
Gala at 8:00 PM
Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium
OPEN TO COMMUNITY SEASON PASS HOLDERS

The critically-acclaimed Juilliard-trained pianist Rudolf Golez returns to Dumaguete to play Prelude & Fugue in c# bk 1 by Bach, Piano Variations by Copland, Sonata in E major Op. 109 by Beethoven, Etude in c# no. 2 by Scriabin, and Berceuse and Sonata in b minor #3 by Chopin.

2010 Bohol Elections

If plans do not go haywire, the local opposition will put up a complete slate in 2010.

 This optimism was expressed by Chito Castillo who said "with what little I have" he can be of help in bankrolling part of the opposition budget for candidates who will run under his group.

 He said with 2010 a contest for presidential timbers, it's never remote that any of the opposition candidates will have to field their own ticket in Bohol.

 Except for Board Member Yul Lopez, the rest of the ticket will have to be identified yet but if the enthusiasm of party leaders was any gauge, it will not be farfetched that a complete opposition slate is tenable.

 Former governor Rene Relampagos is being groomed for another crack of the gubernatorial post but at the moment he is still "non-committal".

 He admitted however that he and Board Member Lopez are making the rounds in the towns to feel the pulse of the electorate.

 He expressed elation that the reception was encouraging and this could be his own springboard to seek another try of the gubernatorial post which denied him two times in a row.

 Relampagos was a two-term governor when he was waylaid on his third reelection attempt.

 For Lopez, his impressive showing in the last elections propelled him to gun for the first district congressional plum. He placed number one in the race for first district board members.

 All proteges of Castillo, the two were banking on the financial firepower of the son of the late congressman Natalio Castillo, Sr.

 The young Castillo admitted that his business in Manila is doing fine and this prompted him to share what little he has in terms of finances for any candidate he will support.

 He said his fiesta preparations in Loon today where he left no stone unturned in terms of table preparations was his way of thanking Mother Mary for all the blessing she has showered all these years.

Peace in Mindanao

By Romy Teruel
Sunday Post Columnist 

 So much has been said about the Memorandum of Agreement-Ancestral Domain for the Bangsa Moro people in Southern Philippines .  At this point there is no MOA to talk about anymore. By disbanding the peace panel that negotiated with the MILF, the government has effectively terminated any effort at negotiating peace with the MILF for the remaining part of the term of the Arroyo administration.  And even if it did not, the MILF has already concluded that it could never have peace agreement during the administration of Pres. Arroyo.

 Any peace negotiation must be worked out within the new policy of DDR or disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation.  Even the suspended peace talk with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Party-National Democratic Front (CNN) will have to be conducted under this framework.

 Reactions from both camps of the MILF and the CNN have been a rejection of this process.  This could only mean that more bloodshed can be expected in the future because, let's face it, both camps think they have a cause to fight to a successful conclusion.  If peace cannot be attained on the negotiating table then it must be fought in the battle fields.

 The CNN had already anticipated a protracted war when they launched their revolution to topple the duly constituted RP government.  The Moro fighters thought they could win their war for independence with conventional warfare.  But again almost two generations have passed and both are in nowhere near success.

 If wars can only be fought without killing civilians, all these would have ended long before.  But the collateral damage to civilians is far greater than the damage to combatants.  And so in civil strife like insurgency and rebellion, fighting will never end with victors.  At the end, if there will be any end at all, both protagonists will end up the losers.

 Pres. Arroyo already said that she would not be forced into signing any peace agreement at gunpoint.  She was referring to the rampage that MILF Commanders Kato and Bravo staged upon knowing that the signing of the MOA was stopped by the Supreme Court.

 When you are at the point of success, you don't rock the boat that would bring that success.  But Commanders Kato and Bravo thought they were doing the MILF good by throwing their forces against helpless civilians as if the sight of carnage will cow government into surrendering to their wishes.  They forgot that this is neither Nagasaki nor Hiroshima.  They killed and threw into evacuation their own people.  That is not acceptable.

 Kato and Bravo did not only rock their own boat.  They sank their boat with them.  When the MILF highest command refused to turn them over, they too sank with their renegade commanders.

   Now they only succeeded in calling from the grave the Ilagas who showed them in the 70s and 80s how the lowly farmer's weapon – the shotguns - can silence their M-14s, M-16s and RPGs.  Although I doubt those fully armed Ilagas published in the national daily a few weeks ago were the real Ilagas.  No Ilaga will publicize his presence much less boast of his prowess.  The genuine Ilagas of the 70s worked in silence.  That's why they were effective.

 The dissolution of the peace panel however should not end the efforts to look for lasting peace in Mindanao . Until such time that Congress can find ways to forge peace in Mindanao, (Malacanang is giving Congress that task now), local government units (LGUs) should be able to consult their own constituents both Muslims and Christians who now have good relations in their own localities on how to establish the environment of peace.

 LGUs must continue and succeed where the Peace Panel left off and failed. 

Mayor Declines Invitation at Budget Seminar

   Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim yesterday said no to an invitation from the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to attend the budget programming and planning workshop on Sept. 5.

   "In deference to the separation between the executive and legislative, I am constrained not to honor this invitation. The planning workshop is an internal matter that is best left for the (SP)," the mayor said.

  Lim added that his presence and officials of the executive department will "only disturb such deliberations."

  SP secretary Mansueta Sale wrote Lim last Sept. 2 to invite him to attend the workshop at the Bohol Beach Club.

   "It was unanimously agreed by the honorable members of the 10th SP to invite your presence during the said workshop," Sale said.

  She also requested the mayor to come during the opening program and deliver a short inspirational message during the occasion.

  At the same time, Sale requested the presence of city planning and development officer Eduardo Macalandag, city budget officer Rosemarie Palma and local government operations officer Mardonio Roxas.

  Their presence was intended to "assist and guide us during the whole process."

  The mayor however was in no mood to accommodate the invitation.

  He pointed out that the minority members of the SP "have repeatedly encroached into the performance of the functions and responsibilities of the executive department."

   "I will not allow any official or employee of the Executive Department to commit the same mistake," Lim stressed.

  He noted that many times in the past, department heads were on the receiving end of the verbal abuse by radio commentators identified with the opposition.

   "I won't allow them to go there and be humiliated and subjected to insults," he added. - Sunday Post

Municipality of Catigbian Medical Mission

Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas and local government officials join the Immaculate Concepcion Parish in hailing Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko Foundation Inc. (Kapwa) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for bringing to the interior town free medical and dental mission team.  

  Still struggling to elevate economic conditions of its people and at least raise health services, local officials have said they cant afford a medical mission now that the town is judiciously apportioning its resources for other equally prioritized need.

  The Kapwa free medical mission filled it all, Mayor Salinas was quick to point out.

   "It is with highest gratitude that we would like to relay our gratitude to the volunteers and the foundation for considering our town as a beneficiary," Salinas said in an interview.

  Three days before the free mission, the town witnessed two key health service infrastructure facility opening ceremonies.

  The affairs were blessing and capsule laying of the proposed municipal health center/ lying-in clinic and waterworks system in barangay Rizal. Both were envisioned to get the town closer to its dream of upgrading its health services.

  But even before the town folks could benefit from the activities, the medical mission team and volunteers put up the salvo and dispensed different services to 1,014 indigent residents.

  Catigbian Medical Mission is the Foundation's 6th mission in Bohol since the past years, sources said.

  According to the mayor, Kapwa services ranged from medical check ups, circumcision and excision, dental check up and extraction, optical services from refraction to handling out eyeglasses and blood typing and diagnostics.

  That day, hundreds of people with ages ranging from infants to the aged milled around Immaculate Mary Academy between 8-3 pm to avail of the free services, Salinas reported.

  Kapwa and PCSO teamed up with the local government to put up 43 volunteers, brough in medicines prepared the place and made the day for the town's health service-deprived.MAYOR Roberto Salinas and local government officials join the Immaculate Concepcion Parish in hailing Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko Foundation Inc. (Kapwa) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for bringing to the interior town free medical and dental mission team.  

  Still struggling to elevate economic conditions of its people and at least raise health services, local officials have said they cant afford a medical mission now that the town is judiciously apportioning its resources for other equally prioritized need.

  The Kapwa free medical mission filled it all, Mayor Salinas was quick to point out.

   "It is with highest gratitude that we would like to relay our gratitude to the volunteers and the foundation for considering our town as a beneficiary," Salinas said in an interview.

  Three days before the free mission, the town witnessed two key health service infrastructure facility opening ceremonies.

  The affairs were blessing and capsule laying of the proposed municipal health center/ lying-in clinic and waterworks system in barangay Rizal. Both were envisioned to get the town closer to its dream of upgrading its health services.

  But even before the town folks could benefit from the activities, the medical mission team and volunteers put up the salvo and dispensed different services to 1,014 indigent residents.

  Catigbian Medical Mission is the Foundation's 6th mission in Bohol since the past years, sources said.

  According to the mayor, Kapwa services ranged from medical check ups, circumcision and excision, dental check up and extraction, optical services from refraction to handling out eyeglasses and blood typing and diagnostics.

  That day, hundreds of people with ages ranging from infants to the aged milled around Immaculate Mary Academy between 8-3 pm to avail of the free services, Salinas reported.

  Kapwa and PCSO teamed up with the local government to put up 43 volunteers, brough in medicines prepared the place and made the day for the town's health service-deprived. - Rey Chiu, PIA

illiman Piano Festival Presents Ingrid Sala Santamaria and Reynaldo Reyes

The Silliman Piano Festival Presents 
Ingrid Sala Santamaria and Reynaldo Reyes
Gala at 8:00 PM
Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium
OPEN TO STUDENT SEASON PASS HOLDERS

Acclaimed pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria and Reynaldo Reyes returns to Dumaguete for their annual Romantic Piano Tour. They will be playing Concerto No. 2 in C minor Op. 18 by Rachmaninoff and Concerto No. 1 in b minor Op. 23 by Tschaikovsky.

Silliman University Cultural Affairs Committee

The Cultural Affairs Committee (CAC) is the arm of Silliman University, directly under the Office of the President, which is responsible for disseminating culture at its best—including the visual arts (painting, sculpture, design, and film), performing arts (music and dance), and literature—to Silliman University, as well as to the greater community of Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental. This school year, the working committee is under the leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Susan Vista-Suarez, who is also the University Cultural Officer.

This is the September issue of the CAC Newsletter. Here, you will find monthly updates to the cultural season of 2008-2009. This is in keeping with the CAC's goals this season to facilitate the dissemination of information with regards current and upcoming cultural events in the Silliman campus to the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of Silliman University. 

Our website, which contains more information about the whole Cultural Season of 2008-2009, is already up. You may access it by clicking on this link, or by copying this URL and pasting it on your browser window: www.geocities.com/su_culturalaffairs

If you wish to receive a copy of the Cultural Season 2008-2009 brochure, you may email us at cac@su.edu.ph or su_culturalaffairs@su.edu.ph. The brochure is available for a minimal price.

Cinemalaya: Tulad Ng Dati Movie

Starring The Dawn and Ping Medina

Written and Directed by Michael Sandejas

CINEMALAYA IN DUMAGUETE

SEPTEMBER 23, 6 PM

AUDIO-VISUAL THEATER 1

OPEN FOR FREE TO THE PUBLIC


Tulad ng Dati follows the current exploits of the Filipino rock band The Dawn, composed of Teddy Diaz, JB Leonor, Caloy Balcells, and Jett Pangan. During the second half of the 1980s, the band had risen to become the most influential musical rock group of the time. At the height of their popularity, their leader, Teddy Diaz is murdered. 

The remaining members decide to continue on with the music but eventually disband in 1996. In 2003, The Dawn reunited. Tulad ng Dati starts in 2006. It revolves around the character of Jett Pangan who is nearing his forties. Jett has lost his passion for music and life and entertains thoughts of retiring from the band. On a fateful night, Jett is assaulted by a burglar and goes into a coma. He wakes up with no memory of his life after 1988. 

He remembers that he is 20 years old and is at the peak of his career with The Dawn. Not satisfied with how things turned out with his life, he tries to change everything back to the way it used to be. The path he takes while finding his place in this strange new world proves itself to be a tough, emotional, and sometimes hilarious journey-accompanied by the celebrated music of The Dawn, both past and present.