We have to begin and end with God always!

ENTERPRISING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL

By FR. ROY CIMAGALA

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

The good thing about problems and difficulties like what we are having now with the much-talked-about global financial crisis is that we can surface again an often ignored truth.

And that is that the human spirit can take on anything, even to the point of heroism and martyrdom. If one wills something, nothing from outside nor inside him can stop him from carrying out what he has decided to do. Much depends on how we use and turn our will.

This is how our spirit is. It has the capacity to be above the fluctuations, the ebb and flow of life, its unavoidable wear and tear. Though in our case, it is inseparably united to the body, it still can function according to its nature and rule the body. This is when we can talk of the spiritual man.

The problem is when we allow that spirit to be dominated by the law of the flesh, instead of having it the other way around. This is the challenge we have at the moment—how to make that human spirit rule the ups and downs of the flesh and the outside world.

As chaplain of a technical vocational school for boys, I clearly see the need to give a continuing and effective reason for the spirit of the boys to float and even take off. Their faith has to be nourished steadily.

This is a task that truly demands the art of brinkmanship. We have to go to the limits of reason and to other human devices to be able to infuse the needed hope and optimism to otherwise harassed souls.

It's also a very delicate task, because one has to enter into the interior life of the boys. One needs how to deal with their character and temperament, their psychological frame, their cultural upbringing, etc.

Given their youthfulness, the boys can be unstable and volatile, quickly alternating between buoyancy and lethargy, creativity and routine, razor-sharp interest and dulling indifference.

It's clear their spirit is not yet in full control of their own selves. They can easily be held captive by their moods and the fads and gimmicks outside. They are not yet with God's grace self-propelled. They have to be propped up most of the time.

Thus, we have implemented some kind of universal mentoring, that is, providing everyone with a mentor or a buddy with whom they can talk about all sorts of things.

But with the present global economic downturn where some of our boys now find difficulty in getting a job, there is great need to elicit in them their enterprising and entrepreneurial possibilities. Only those who work with faith and hope can survive any onslaught of trials.

For this, we have thought of pairing each one with a business mentor, no matter how modest the business may be. This is just to expose the boys to the real world of making business, of making money from any venture.

It's also a good way of snatching them from the claws of helplessness, always a threat to them given their background. It would be quite a blow to them if after all their sacrifices in trying to get some education, they'd see that everything just fell to futility.

Difficulties are actually challenges and occasions either to rise or fall, to win or lose. We should not allow these trials to just scare us. They should be confronted properly in a variety of ways.

One would be to generate an air of optimism. Everything that would contribute to making the atmosphere hopeful should be done. We have to be careful with our words and spontaneous reactions to negative developments.

This hope and optimism should be ably supported by a strong, solid spiritual life, first of all, and by practical plans and practicable strategies. There has to be a way of making more available quick and flexible retraining programs, for example, spearheaded by both government and NGOs.

The world nowadays is in faster flux. To effectively grapple with the challenges and possibilities, there has to be a tighter sense of solidarity and cooperation, a quicker transmission of ideas and translation of insights into action.

All of these should be deeply anchored on the true foundation of our life, God himself! Let's disabuse ourselves from thinking that with our cleverness and our resources, we can manage to solve problems. We have to begin and end with God always!

Kayaking in Negros Island, Philippines

"Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be." – Karen Ravn

Most of us ordinary mortals exists on a "routinary" lifestyle, a monotony of acts and deeds we have been so used to, that we don't even notice that this has become our way of life; and then we start to believe, that this is living life to the full.

To the more enlightened however, there is more to life than simply waking up getting dressed, for work, pay, exercise, come home, sleep, and waking-up the next day for more of the same.

For in between these ordinary activities, he squeezes a dream, crafts a plan and creates the time for the execution of something that would bring him out of his mundane existence to test his mental faculties and physical limits.  He starts to live on instincts, tests himself not against anybody, but alongside nature and its unpredictable temperament.

Among these rare breed are the outdoors people.  Living life on the edge every now and then, gives them a unique appreciation of what life is, how it should be lived and how the trappings of modern living, most of us think essential are irrelevant to life.  We know them as those who have an irrepressible desire for living simply, they are either insanely happy or serene individuals who we could only describe as "Way Kurat".

With these outdoors people are the Bohol Paddlers, a motley group of Kayaking enthusiasts under the umbrella of Paddle Philippines.  Aside from regular test of physical endurance and mental strength against the seas on their ocean touring kayaks; these people have a two pronged advocacy: (1) to help preserve the environment through the need of clean coastal waters for recreation use such as kayaking; (2) to promote tourism through kayaking.

Kayaking on the other hand is an eco-friendly water sports activity; that causes very minimal impact on the environment.  This, while allowing the paddler to reach into hitherto unreachable areas along the coast, in hidden coves and mangrove areas.  A kayak is the perfect man-powered touring vehicle on the water that could take you anywhere, akin to what and where a bike can take a rider on land.

By early June this year, the Bohol Paddlers would again take on a challenge that would test the limits of their endurance physically and mentally.  The group would take on the First circumnavigation by kayak of the island of Negros.

In 2001, it was Bohol the home province, circumnavigating it in 8 leisurely days.  It was during this time that, the dream to circumnavigate all of the islands of the Central Visayas, started; promoting the advocacies of the group was an essential part of that dream.

It took some time for the dream to materialize, as other worthwhile activities came-up; such as the montly "moonlight paddling" and the weekend "day paddles".  Finally on the 1st of June, 2007, the group took on Cebu and in a blistering pace of 50 kilometers average per day, conquering that island in 81/2 days.

Siquijor was the third island to be circumnavigated, taking the island in just 11/2 days, this was more like a weekend outing, than a quest for limits as the island had very friendly people and magnificent coastal rock formation, that could take away the pain of weary muscles.

Negros would be by far the greatest challenge that the group would be facing so far.  It is estimated that if the paddlers would take on the pace by which the Cebu circumnavigation was done, Negros would be completed in just 14 days, with a full days rest in Bacolod, starting from Dumaguete.  The circumnavigation core group would be Dok Doyet Dumaluan, Atty. Peter Mende, Angelo Ybañez, Junie Dumaluan, Jerome the paddler, Patrick Mahumot, Vincent Limpo, Joel Cagas, Ritchie Montanez and Glenn Oceña.

A lot of us may venture to ask, "Why?" and the paddlers answer to that question would be "Why not?".  The whole world as we know it now, was opened up because of these kind of people, intrepid individuals who dare to do what most people would not even dare imagine, to venture out and test their limits, to go into unpredictable and unknown territories.  They are the people who try to live life to the fullest.

A person will be called to account on Judgement Day for every permissible thing he might have enjoyed but did not. – Talmud

If I had my life to live over again, I'd try to make more mistakes next time.  I would relax.  I'd be sillier than I have been on this trip.  I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers and watch more sunsets.  I would have more actual troubles and less imaginary ones.  Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them.  In fact, I'd try to have nothing else, just moments, one after another…I would pick more daisies. – Nadine Stair (at age 89)

Political Parties and Political Interest in the Philippines

By Romy Teruel

Sunday Post Columnist

The marriage of  Lakas-CMD and Kampi political parties last week was described in many ways.  Some said it was a merger that ensures a political sweep for the party in the 2010 elections.  Others said it was a political suicide given the track record of the administration on issues like corruption. 

 The absence of key party leaders like former President Fidel Ramos, President Emeritus of Lakas-CMD, Congressman Luis Villafuerte, President of Kampi, Jose de Venecia, Lakas Founder, presidential hopefuls Bayani Fernando and Senator Richard Gordon was also viewed as cracks in the new political party.

 Ramos claimed many members were kept in the dark about the merger.  He said there was no consultation with the major stakeholders and the haste with which the merger was done signified a hidden agenda of some party leaders.

 On the other hand, former President Erap Estrada viewed the merger as a publicity stunt and will not have any negative effect on the opposition.

 While Bayani Fernando said he won't leave the party, he was disturbed that non-party members were being considered for the Presidential standard bearer like Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Vice President Noli de Castro.

 By all measure a bigger party as a result of merger will always be strong notwithstanding issues among the members. Thus it cannot be denied that the merger is a looming typhoon set to swoop upon the opposition who are up to now as divided as ever as they have been.  Unless the different political parties of the opposition can gather their acts together and field just one Presidential candidate, they will have a problem wresting power from the present dispensation no matter how divided.

 The worst that can happen to the opposition is when Senators Mar Roxas, Loren Legarda, Ping Lacson, Manny Villar. Chiz Escudero and Jejomar Binay would all be running for President.  If they run for President, Erap said he would also run for President.  How will they fare against the lone standard bearer of Lakas-CMD-Kampi?

 What differentiates Filipino politicians with those of other countries like the United States is that Filipino politicians are politicians first and party members second.  That's how the multi-party system came about in the Philippines.

 Expect more political parties being organized when the Presidential hopefuls don't win their political party nomination.  Everybody will think he can do a Ramos and become President of the Philippines even without the support of his/her political party.  They think they know the Filipino voters very well.  Filipino voters don't consider political party platforms and philosophy.  They look for the popular and the moneyed candidates when voting for a candiddate.

 On the local level, it is not yet clear whether the merger of Lakas-CMD and Kampi has helped Gov. Erico B. Aumentado on his Solomonic problem of who to anoint between Cong. Edgar Chatto and Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera as the Lakas-CMD-Kampi candidate for Governor in the next elections. Neither Edgar nor Julius has bolted the party. So they remain contenders for party nomination.

 What has helped the two perhaps is that whoever is rejected can always run in the opposition political party. After all the Presidential candidates will always be looking for their local candidates to run their campaign in the local level.

 This is proof that in the Philippines there are no real political parties, only political interests. And that's pathetic, to say the least. 

Farmer Awards in Iloilo, Philippines

The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU 6) on Thursday. gave recognition to outstanding individuals and farmer's cooperatives in Western Visayas whose efforts have contributed much in the high agriculture production of this region.

Ten individuals and three farmer's cooperatives were honored during the regional Gawad Saka ceremony.

Two of the awardees will compete for the 2009 national Gawad Saka Award of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Tomas Hautea, an outstanding fisherman in fish culture category, was one of the two awardees who qualified to the national search.

He is an undergraduate mechanical engineer and was into jeep conversion enterprise before he ventured into fishing.

Hautea started by leasing fishponds before he decided to purchase his own in Dumangas, Iloilo.

He now owns Retcem Bangus – Fish Farm and Hatchery which provides milkfish fries to farmers in Panay and Negros Occidental.

He is also an advocate of Coastal Resource Management (CRM) campaigning for the protection of mangroves that serve as dikes support and habitat for various fish species. 

Jobs in Mindanao, Philippines

PNA - The government's Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) has generated at least 20,522 jobs in Northern Mindanao, this was learned on Friday.

This figure came out during the 82nd Regional Development Council (RDC) 2nd quarter meeting at Camiguin Convention Center here.

But, Presidential Assistant for Northern Mindanao (PANM) Pacifico T. Pupos, Jr. saw the figure as "quite short of target."

Pupos said there was a need to intensify the CLEEP project in Northern Mindanao.

In response to his call, the council members enjoined all agencies of the government and local government units (LGU's) to extend their full and all-out support to the scheduled series of jobs and livelihood fair on June 11 to 14, simultaneously with the 2009 Independence Day celebration.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Northern Mindanao will lead the big jobs and livelihood fair on the said dates.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo put up the CLEEP project to provide employment and livelihood to laid off workers, both Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and domestic workers due to global economic clampdown. 

Philsaga Mining Corporation Donates to Filipino Farmers

The Philsaga Mining Corp. here has launched a P5.5-million rubber and banana plantation to help farmers augment their income from this land-lock province.

The local government unit and tribal leaders lauded the environmental and livelihood concerns of PMC management under its president Retired Army Col. Samuel G. Afdal.

The P2.78-million rubber plantation project, which covers about 150 hectares, requires the planting of at 500 budded rubber per hectare by about 1,000 indigenous people (IP).

Initially, at least 10,000 budded rubber RRIM 600 variety are currently stored at the company's nursery area ready for planting.

Agricultural experts recommended the RRIM 600, with a cost of P1.88 million, as the suitable species for Agusan lands.

Land preparation is now on going while the firm's P420,000 technology training program has also been set anytime next month.

Land preparation, planting and maintenance cost amounted to P2.3 million. - PNA

Scholarship in Cagayan Valley, Philippines

Cagayanos intending to hone their technical skills are invited to be part of President Gloria Scholarship Program (PGSP).

According to TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) Assistant Regional Director Belinda Labutong, there are still many slots available for those who may want to enroll short-term courses with institutions accredited by the agency.

She said for this program, Cagayan was granted 3,320 scholarship slots, 1,800 of which have already been filled up as of this month.

The list of scholars is expected to reach 2,140 next month, Labutong said as she urged the public to visit her office or the TESDA-accredited institutions if they wish to get trained for free.

Under the program, grantees, who must be residents of the province, jobless or not, are entitled to receive a training support fund which includes P60 pesos daily allowance and matriculation fee.

PGSP recipients, who, according to Labutong, are regularly monitored by TESDA personnel, may choose from the following pool of courses; automotive servicing, building wiring installation, consumer electronics servicing, commercial cooking, food and beverage service, housekeeping, front office service, bookkeeping, security service, computer hardware servicing, computer programming and call center technology. 

Davao City Ready to Fight Swine Flu on School Opening

The Department of Education (DepEd) here has assured that all schools are prepared and on guard against the A (H1N1) Influenza virus in time for the opening of classes on June 1.

DepEd regional director Susana Teresa Estigoy said the department released on May 6 a memorandum laying down measures against the novel virus.

The memorandum directs all public elementary and high schools to strictly follow the measures, Estigoy said.

The memorandum also directs all school officials to mobilize teachers, health and nutrition personnel, and alternative learning system coordinators to disseminate information about the A (H1N1) flu.

The information includes signs and symptoms of the virus, its mode of transmission, how it can be avoided, and national and sub-national referral centers.

Estigoy said although personal hygiene has been taught in schools for years, this will be stepped up in light of the virus scare. 

Philippine Army Helping Philippine Education

Don't look now, but soldiers from the Philippine Army's 19th Infantry Battalion based here have demonstrated that aside from fighting the rebels, they can also be utilized in worthwhile community activities like repainting and repairing school buildings in time for the opening of classes next month.

The soldiers, led by their commanding officer, Lt. Col. Roberto S. Capulong, have joined the "Brigada Eskwela," a program initiated by the Department of Education (DepEd) to undertake repainting and repairing old or damaged schoolhouses.

The launching of "Brigada Eskwela" was held at the Kananga Central School here last week.

The 19th IB soldiers repaired some damaged buildings of the Kananga Elementary School which they selected under the "Adopt-a-School" project. They also undertook repainting work and cleaned the school premises in preparation for the opening of classes next week.

Capulong said that through this undertaking, soldiers are contributing their share for a conducive and peaceful community. - PNA

Price Manipulation by Oil Companies

Poring into the cash sales of oil companies is improper, rules the office of the Solicitor General (SoCGen), handling the government its first trip in the dash to prove alleged price manipulation among big oil companies.  

The victory for oil companies was also a backslide for the Manila Trial Court who tasked government agencies to examine the books of giant oil firms accused of violations of the Oil Deregulation Law.

Citing provisions in the 1987 Constitution, the Administrative code and other relevant laws, Solicitor General Agnes Devenadera explained "the examination or audit of the books of oil firms is beyond the authorities conferred to the Commission on Audit (COA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Moreover, she argued that to demand compliance would be deemed improper and unjust.

This would then not bind the audit results of whatever the agencies find not legally binding, making the inquiry lame.

Last April, Manila RTC Branch 26 Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. ordered COA, BIR and BOC to form a panel that will look into the books of Pilipinas Shell, Chevron and Petron, which were accused of price manipulation, cartelization and other violations in the Oil Deregulation Law.

The companies denied all allegations.

Pampilo's order covers the "opening and examination of the cash receipts, cash disbursement books, purchase orders on the petroleum products, delivery receipts, sales invoices and other related documents on the purchases of the petroleum products" from January 2003 to December 2003.

As for COA, Devenadera said its mandate is limited to the auditing of the government or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations in accordance with Section 2 (1) of Article IX (D) of the 1987 Constitution.

The examination in the court order, Devenadera said, is not in any way connected with the assessment and collection of taxes, fees and charges due to the government neither to the enforcement of all forfeitures, penalties, and fines, such examination is beyond the limits of the BIR's mandate.

 

As for the BoC, an examination of the books of the oil companies, as importers, are provided and outlined in the Tariff and Customs Code, as amended by the Republic Act 9135.

 

If the court would compel the COA, BIR, and BoC to pursue the audit, Devenadera said that such action make the results of the audit legally non-binding. - Philippine Information Agency

No Swine Flu in Bohol

By Rey Anthony Chiu

Nothing on the health radar screen that should make Boholanos apprehensive about the dreaded influenza A H1N1, assured Dr. Greg Sodusta.

But for preparedness sake, local health authorities eye disease management trainings for rural health nurses and schools to arrest any eventuality of a disease infection spin-off, bares the assistant provincial health officer for Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot.

This is despite the continued efforts of the Department of Health to trace down persons who may have been in contact with the confirmed carriers in the country.

As of now, Bohol health authorities admit they are on the preparedness level just as Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital has opened its Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) isolation room for any reported swine flu case here, Dr. Sodusta bared.

On personnel, he said the Department of Health in Region 7 has updated its doctors in its rural health units on the management of infected cases.

We are planning, at our level to cascade the training the doctors had last week, to the rural health nurses and then to the schools which would be appropriate, we just await the funds, he said. 

 

For Boholanos who may have come from affected countries and who noticed usual symptoms within the period of personal quarantine, the GCGMH can provide the necessary management, he added.  

 

On Wednesday, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque announced that DOH confirmed four new A/H1N1 cases raising the confirmed numbers to six. 

 

The new cases are two females, aged 1 year old and 26 years old, and 2 males, aged 13 years old and 55 years old.

 

The infected children had history of traveling to Hongkong and the United States, which are known affected countries. The adults accordingly were exposed to a mother and daughter who tested positive upon their return to Taiwan.

Since there is continuous international travel and the number of affected countries continues to increase, the DOH has in place the pandemic preparedness and response plan and expanded its referral hospitals to all DOH Regional Hospitals and Medical Centers.

Over this too, Duque urged anyone who have traveled to affected countries or have been exposed to a confirmed case of Influenza A(H1N1) and have fever, cough, sore throat or other flu-like symptoms, to consult a health facility immediately. 

The DOH Hotline is (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002. People in the Visayas may use the DOH Hotline (032) 418-7636 and (032) 255-1591 while those in Mindanao may use the DOH Hotline (082) 227-2731. 

21st National Council Convention of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines

The upcoming 21st National Council Convention of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, will close Triennium 2006-2009 as GSP heads for Triennium 2009-2012.

      The gab will be based on the theme "Join in, Reach out, Change lives" adopted from the World Conference of the World Association of Girl Scouts recently held in South Africa.

      GSP-Bohol expects around 350 delegates from 95 councils all over the country to participate in the

      Negros Oriental State University (NOrSU) president, Dr. Henry Sojor, will be the keynote speaker during the opening of the conference.

      The convention will highlight the election of the members of the Central Board for the triennium 2009-2012 and amendments of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines Constitution and by-laws.

      The workshop topics include conscious development of peace, making planet Earth breathe better; succession planning, adolescent reproductive health, power dressing and effective communication, living life to the fullest, cyberspace, and GSP ways of work.

      Day 2 on May 26 will be the 69th anniversary of the GSP. The celebration will open with a mass and other religious services.

      Bohol Council also offers a special tour to participants to see for themselves what the country's top tourist destination has in store.

The Truth About Hayden Kho and Katrina Halili

By Boy Guingguing

Publisher, Bohol Sunday Post

Salacious is the apt description of this rare column. Because this is all about the combustible chemistry of two sex artists caught on camera in the act of making love. 

Coming from an aging gigolo, it makes sexual sense to delve sometimes into the realm of sexual fantasies if only to awaken a "paralyzed predator" which sent many women exclaiming Hesus, Mingo, dis-a man ka ana magpaliwat or loosely translated Jesus Christ Mingo, where have you inherited such well-endowed manhood. 

Anyway, the late Mingo was a neighborhood playboy who boasted of his women conquests. Another favorite one-liner after a tryst with his victim: Balik-balik go (Mingo), kay magihaw tag pis-an. Or please come back Mingo because I would be preparing chicken soup for you. 

Mingo must be a sexual athlete during his prime that many women were longing for her bedroom prowess as evidenced from the parting statement every time he made love with his lady love. That's according to him, however. 

But wait! Before we are lost in our own sexual illusion, let it be clear here that the meat of this column is all about the hurricane that Katrina Halili brought to this sex-crazed nation. 

Like the original Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans in 2005, the kind of storm that Katrina, the starlet, unleased, was as devastating not only to herself but to other women victimized by a sexual pervert named Dr.Hayden Kho.   

It was said that this "sick cosmetic surgeon" has a virtual library of sex videos  involving as many as 40 women. 

Out of curiosity, we downloaded a copy of the sex video to see for ourself if at all, it can arouse a "collapsing scaffold"  worn out not by overused but by the sheer impact of a deadly  ailment. But no, this little bulldog, just refused to wake up, apparently from its deep slumber.  

If you ask this BGlante who have seen the tape, our conclusion was that it was filmed for art's sake and for the exclusive consumption of the two people making love.  

But if a third party like Dr. Vicky Belo, who happened to be a former girlfriend of Dr. Kho, was involved in uploading the video in cyberspace, it was because she has a score to settle with her ex-boyfriend. It was confirmed that the relationship between the two cosmetic doctors was still in full swing when Hurricane Katrina came into the picture. 

So, hell hath a woman like Dr. Belo scorned by the love of her life. 

On the part of the doctor cum pervert, there's no argument that he is psychologically sick. 

How can you explain of one guy who advertises his sexual promiscuity. It even borders on the maniacal. 

Again, looking again and again of the sordid sex drama, Katrina is also equally liable for exhibitionism.  

We may be tolerant if her bedroom calisthenics was that of an innocent provincial lass. Demure, virginal, and that is excusable. But behaving like a veteran in bed? That's another story. A cursory look of the tapes not only showed that Katrina was aware that they were behaving  on cam, but she also showed signs of a sexual expert playing fire with a sexual partner equally in flames. 

To this BGlante, they are no better than a torero and a torera, a man and woman tandem paid to perform the sex act to ogling males who were out on pasture by their spouses in the guise of lakbay habal …er aral.  

Pardon this frank assessment of the sex video. In the first place , why did Katrina consented to have their love-making taped. She  also wanted to see for herself how she performed in bed? To our mind, the way she played her role in  the sexual combat left no room for doubt that she deserved the moniker sexy actress and she was one hell of a fighter when it comes to sex. 

If so, it was not farfetched to discern that she was no innocent nymphet after all, and  Dr. Kho could be just one of the men she was romantically linked. 

So, what lessons to be learned from l'afaire Katrina? Okay, to all the consenting women out there, if your sex partner ask for souvenirs in the form of a taped sequence of a "bedroom mazurka", just don't allow it to happen. It might end up in the Internet and lo! and behold, you are becoming an instant celebrity of the salacious kind. 

High School Reunion in Central Visayas Institute Jagna

By Joe Espiritu

There was a Grand Reunion of the Central Visayan Institute Alumni Association the recent week. This was attended by expats from the US particularly from the East Coast, West Coast and Texas. We can boast of having one from Europe. Do not count out Antiocho – did we spell his name right? – Lloren. He came from Europe but settled here for good. The rest were made up with locals, the famous near famous and not so famous. And the bums, yours truly included.

     Anyway, we should have had a sign on the Jagna Gym entrances paraphrasing (shades of Mrs Maria C Pajo) the sign to Dante's Inferno "Abandon all titles and honors all ye who enter here". This means forget who you are now, be what you were before, a student wrestling with syntax, despairing over physics experiments or trying to speak Tagalog with a Pangasinense accent. But it would be no need. No one was putting on airs... That is the CVI spirit.

     We could not say we had full attendance. This cannot really be attained. When the prewar alumni were called, the ranks were empty. There were few who answered for the 45 to 48 alumni call. When the 49 attendance was called we were surprised that only one hand was raised. Ours. Rip Van Winkle – er – Melquiades Abrea is still around but perhaps sleeping. Also Juaning Galagar Caseñas but she forgot her Skelan. She did not attend 

     As for the rest of our class we could either point to Pangas or the great cross in Kota, or to heaven for those buried out of town like Justice Bernardo Salas. And Magdaleno Rangas. They all have RIP after their names. We would not like to have the letters DOM on their crosses or tombstones. They were clean living citizens when alive not Dirty Old Men. Besides we have ladies among us too. After the 49 call there were again voices who answered.

     The CVI had come a long way. She had graduated the greats, not so greats average Joes, the mediocre, goats and bums. Presently, the bums were gone; they were a dying breed when the Drs Bernido took over. There are still goats but they can easily wear sheep's clothing. Oh, we had use for the bums. They turned out to be demagogues, charlatans, ambulance chasers, accountants who cook up ledgers to make companies in verge of bankruptcies appear thriving. Lawyers who cannot find their way to the courtrooms and whatever, some became politicians. An improvement? They are the people who make the world interesting.

     The CVI had undergone an evolution. As Central Visayan Institute, she thrived under Mr Fernando N. Pajo Mrs Maria C Pajo Pacifico Custudio, our beloved Guro Jose P Cavardo, who always challenged us to a fist fight when we inserted Visayan cuss words in Tagalog grammar. The CVI became CVC briefly, turning out elementary school teachers taking up inverted courses. Then she reverted to CVI once again until she became a foundation under the Drs Bernido.

     Under Dr Ma Victoria Carpio Bernido –  sorry Chris ladies first – and Dr Christopher C Bernido, the passing for the UP College Acceptance Test  UPCAT keep rising. While graduates of expensive high schools study specialized review centers to pass the UPCAT, a CVIF graduate takes it even shortly before graduation. And the CVIF passing average is high.

     One thing. For one whom finishes a course in UP, he will never lack employment. When employed, if  he starts at the bottom, he will never feel the bottom anyway. After UP he can become a college instructor then if he continues, a professor. When he becomes a lawyer, he will never become an ambulance chaser. The ambulance will chase him. Or a hearse. He could either become a scientist, technologist, politician  or a Communist. If he prefers.

     There may be other reunions but we may not be able to attend anymore we will be sporting an RIP but definitely not a DOM. 

Coral Reefs Degradation in Southeast Asia

By Joe Espiritu

    This week, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo went to Indonesia to attend a South East Asian conference in the conservation of the coral reef of the region. Those who attended were the heads of most South East Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, which owns the Solomon Islands. They all low within the marine, Indo Pacific Region.

     The purpose of th4 conference is how to protect the coral reefs of the region. Coral reefs are is a natural resource that we had taken for granted. Not only that they have been victims of illegal fishing practices but also prey to man's neglect. Previously, the natives were living in harmony with nature. They took only what they want from the environment in order to exist.  They made no permanent structures; they farmed only enough for food. 

     The coming of the white man changed all that. They built churches and other buildings, they cleared land haciendas, they cut down forests for timber, all in all they took much from the environment that Mother Nature was not given enough time to recover before fresh demands were again made. Coral blocks were made into bricks to make churches, fortifications and other buildings. Over the years, they introduced animals that overgrazed grass cover, used fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals used in modern farming.

     Then erosion set in. with no vegetation to hold them back tropical; rains washed out loosened soil and chemicals out to sea. Along the shores, salinity .fluctuated wildly and not only did the silt covered the coral strands, chemical poisoned them as well. With the dying of corals plus population pressure, valuable shellfish had disappeared. Marine bio diversity was threatened.

     For nations heavily dependent on marine resources for food, the situation is serious. The coral reefs are not only breeding grounds for organisms, which are among the first in marine life, they also act as fortresses for fish larvae and small fishes when threatened by predators. Not only that. They are also home for valuable shellfish. They are either utilized as food or are sold as collectors' items.

     The coral reefs around Bohol had been source of some valuable shells. Somewhere in the northern flats where sand islands appear only during low tides, lie the most precious cowries in the world. Long time ago this spot was visited by Evaristo Zambo, a University of the Philippines graduate from Mandaue City and Dr Paul Zhal Ph D, a Senior Natural scientist. Zambo asked Dr. Zahl not to reveal the location for the cowries found there, if shipped in numbers to collectors in Europe would drastically lower the price.

     Before 1817 only half a dozen of the Glory of the Seas cone, the deadly conus gloriamaris were known to exist. In that year, the famous British collector Hugh Cuming visiting a reef near Jagna turned over a small rock and found two side by side he recalled that he "nearly fainted with delight". When the reef vanished under an earthquake the world believed that the habitat of the gloriamaris disappeared. So famous were those shells that a writer Fanny Steele made a novel of these shells. They still value hundreds of dollars now. Another valuable shellfish that could be found in Bohol coral flats is the Leucodon cowry, the cypraea leucodon. This was found inside the stomach of a fish. 

     We have to protect our corals from chemical poisoning dynamite, and muro ami fishing and also from extraction of corals. Not only that. National and local laws must be passed to regulate the collection of shell fish. Today there are still fishermen who use crawl nets to haul up those specimens.

Philippine Cha-cha (Charter Change) Waste of Time

      We're just wasting the time of the nation.

      This was what Rep. Luis Villafuerte said to explain his decision to throw in the towel on his Charter change resolution. After causing the nation so much trouble, it came down to this.

      Of course, it was not because of Villafuerte's lack of initiative. The head of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino did everything to get the infamous bill off the ground. It is not dead not because of Villafuerte – but in spite of him.

      "This is now a terminal case. Let us remove the life support system and bury it," Villafuerte declared with some measure of eloquence to describe the fate of the bill that polarized the nation throughout its existence.

      The death of Villafuerte's Cha-Cha is more a credit to the fight waged against it by a curious mixture of people genuinely enraged by its stupidity and those who once pushed it for the same reasons that they oppose it now.

      As everybody knows, Villafuerte's bill was aggressively sponsored by his patron and all those who shamelessly played the fiddle with her while the Philippines burned.

      Today, only Villafuerte could summon the courage (or shall we call it temerity?) to send it to its burial ground. That's life. Defeat is an orphan.

      Villafuerte of course has little reason to sulk. This administration is known for its generosity to those who serve its purpose and there is no reason to doubt that he was treated differently.

      If there was anybody entitled to fume and rage over the late, unlamented Resolution 1109, it is the Filipino people. They had to channel precious energy and resources they have to fight the good fight.

      While Malacañang and its stooges danced the Cha-Cha using the people's money intended for other purposes, the Filipino people who fought back had to dig deep into their pockets to fight it.

      That it sapped the energy, strength and creativity of a nation, there was no doubt about it. Still it was one fight that had to be fought and won. The nation cannot afford to auction its future, if not sell its soul.

      It is a pyrrhic victory in more ways than one. We fought hard and long, spent so much in the process - and not get anything much in return at the end of the day.

      Still, a victory is a victory. This is one win worth taking credit for.   

Shabu Seized in Manila

Police confiscated P12 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested three suspected dealers, including a Chinese national, in a buy-bust operation in Binondo, Manila on Wednesday, the National Capital Region Police Office said Friday.

Superintendent Leo Francisco, head of the NCR intelligence operations unit, named the suspects as John Wu, 36, a Chinese national, Deron Teddy Mamao, 36, and Mangundao Amir Hussin Maundas, 28.

Maundas and Mamao are both natives of Marawi City while Wu is a frequent visitor to the country, according to Francisco.

Apart from the illegal drugs, police also recovered a black Toyota Altis and a silver gray Mitsubishi Outlander from the suspects.

Believed to be big-time dealers in Metro Manila, the suspects have been charged with drug pushing and possession of illegal drugs at the Manila City Prosecutor's Office.

The police, however, refused to divulge other details about the syndicate where the three suspects allegedly belong, saying they were still conducting follow-up operations.

Rice Husk as Source of Electricity?

Do you imagine the possibility of the mountains of rice husks stockpiled at the back of rice mills in the province to be harnessed into electric power? 

This question was posed by Bohol V-Gov. Julius Ceasar Herrera after he was informed  that there's a  plan of the national government to construct energy plants with rice husks as power source.  

He said that with Bohol  very much dependent on the Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project, power supply is subservient to  climatic conditions making the power situation vulnerable to erratic power supply. 

In the past weeks, Bohol suffered a series of blackouts, paralyzing major industries and commerce because of unannounced power outages. In most cases, the blackouts were blamed by automatic trip-offs of the interconnection.  

This prompted the vice-governor to propose a resolution urging the Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy (DOE) to pursue the plan of the national government in setting up power plants powered by rice husks across the country to augment the unstable power supply of the province.  

The measure may be tackled on Tuesday during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan where he is the presiding officer.  

Under his proposed resolution, Herrera said that  province is one of the eight provinces where these plants are to be constructed.  

Based on the study, rice husk power plants can generate between 1.5 and 10 megawatts. The technology is a viable energy source as used in Japan .  

In the  proposed resolution  rice husks can be produced as much as 20% of the paddy production. "In 2004, about 3.14 million metric tons of rice husks were generated of the total 14 million MT of rice produce and this translates to 1,600 giga-watt hour of potential energy that can light a highly urbanized city for a year."  

As an environmentalist, the vice-governor said the power project could help the growing concern over husk disposal that can harm the environment when they are  decomposed. When rotten, the husks emit greenhouse gases  contributing air pollution to the environment. He cited a finding that if rice husks are burned they discharge unfiltered smoke and toxic carbon dioxide that can help deplete the ozone layer.  

He added that it's about time to tap "our resources while there is still time to save our environment". (With reports from Ric Obedencio) 

Politics in the Philippines Election in 2010

By Joe Espiritu

    We should have been writing on the changes of flora and fauna in our environment but we seriously doubt that this would be interesting to our readers. The hottest topic today is politics. There are people who would ask us about the present local political situation every time we meet. It we do not always have up to date information, we would ask them in turn if we sense that the question is rhetorical. From this we learn a lot.

     Since the local political situation depends usually on the national scene, we would start from there... The administration is not yet firm on who would be the standard bearer. Though opinion pollsters rate VP Noli de Castro as a front runner, administration handlers are still open to Sen. Manny Villar. Villar had declared himself as an oppositionist. But since the opposition is not one solid body but a conglomeration of splintered groups Villar might form his own party or join the administration.

     Though Noli is an honest, plodding do gooder, free from controversy – except for the running gun battle with his comare Loren Legarda – he is less colorful than Villar. The latter, with his considerable logistics would make and ideal presidential candidate. Besides another opposition presidential aspirant Sen. Panfilo Lacson is after his scalp. Then there is another hopeful in the person of Sen Mar Roxas. If Villar jumps the fence, Noli would be left out in the cold and if his sympathizers object, then it will be the turn of the administration party to be splintered.

     Nearer home, we have no information on who will run for congressmen in the First and Second Districts. We can only speculate that Erico Aumentado would want his old post as congressman of the Second District. Rene Relampagos has three options. He could run as congressman of the First District, governor or mayor of the City of Tagbilaran. Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap is interested in the congressional seat of the Third District. He would be a formidable opponent of Boy Jala...

     The Edgar Chatto – Roberto Cajes tandem would be the administration gubernatorial candidate. That is; if Cajes agrees to play a second fiddle to Chatto. Since both were congressmen of different districts, equal in rank but different in localities, there would be an intense horse trading before the team will be formed. They will be opposed by VGov Julius Herrera and Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo. 

     By geographical considerations, they are evenly matched. Chatto and Herrera are from the First District while Cajes and Abapo are from the Second District. However, exposure-wise .Herrera and Abapo has the edge since they had been holding provincial offices. How to translate that advantage into votes is another story. The gubernatorial dark horse will be Cesar Montano. Never count this Baclayanon out. This multi awarded actor, director, producer had not earned such distinctions through acting alone but by using his administrative and managerial skills to produce successful projects.

     In Jagna, the contest boiled down into a three cornered fight between Fortunato 'Bicbic' Abrenilla, Joseph Rañola and Paris Macarayan. Capt Cipriano Madera has faded out of the picture. While Abrebilla attends to his political fences personally, Rañola has his Jagna Renaissance. Macarayan, who has recently come home fro abroad on the other hand, has his cadre of seamen working for him. Bicbic and Paris are both about to retire... Rañola on the other hand can simply move his operations within the reach so he could serve Jagna effectively if elected.

     Since Abrenilla would be the administration candidate for mayor, his governor would doubtless be Chatto. Rañola is for Cesar Montano while Macarayan would wait for one who comes to him. He seems to be sure of his assets. Since the starting gun had nit yet gone off, we could not say who has the edge. Partisan say they have but those are just speculations. The situation is still fluid. Logistics, campaign strategy and sustained effort would decide who will win. 

Jun Lozada Victim of Injustice

By Joe Espiritu

    For days now, the case of Jun Lozada had been in the top of the news. He had been out of public attention but this time he has been resurrected. The Senate shelved ZTE scandal temporarily it seems .pending resumption after more urgent business had been disposed. If no further political mileage could be gained from this case, chances are it would have died of old age. Some people had breathed easier after the Senate inquisition. When this case is again in the public attention, there would be people who would feel uncomfortable if not threatened.

     This started when the government proposed to link the islands by a broadband network. With this technology, orders, information and other important communications would e beamed directly to persons concerned even to those who are in the outlying places. In turn, the needs and aspirations of the people in the boondocks could be communicated directly to those who really matter. This would mean bringing government nearer to the people.

     One of the companies, which offered to furnish the required network, was the ZTE Corporation a giant technology company in the Peoples Republic of China. Another bidder was a company represented by a son of the former Speaker of the House. At that time Roberto "Jun" Lozada Jr was a consultant. It was not clear whether Jun Lozada was a retained consultant of the ZTE or he was hired for this particular deal only. Lozada claimed to be present when Comelec Chairman Abalos and a well connected private citizen, the First Gentleman brokered the deal. For a sizable consideration, he said. 

     What made Lozada decide to blow the whistle is debatable. He might have done it out of conscience or patriotism or out of pique having been left out in the cold on this deal. At any rate, there were people who would want to get their hands on Lozada. One group said to be identified with the administration wanted him to remain quiet while the other, particularly from the opposition dominated senate wanted him to tell the whole story... When he came home via the international airport, he was allegedly escorted by personnel identified with the administration around allegedly for his protection. Lozada claimed he was kidnapped and released only when the issue became too hot to handle.

     Lozada faced a Senate investigation. His statements were explosive but administration senators pointed out some inconsistencies. To the uninformed observers, which most voters are, the  ZTE bomb blew up like a dud. The only casualty was Comelec Commissioner Abalos. The investigation, if one might call it that ended inconclusively. Lozada was left off for the time being.

     Things were slowly dying down. The ZTE deal like the fertilizer fund scam starring Jocjoc Bolante appeared to be heading towards limbo. Then an administration henchman Mike Defensor accused Jun Lozada of perjury. To project himself as a martyr, Lozada refused to post bail. It worked. It firmed up his image as a persecuted whistle blower. The judge, who presided over his case refused to commit him to the city jail and was too happy to grasp at the technicality, which allowed him to release Lozada to the welcoming arms of the Senate.

     Does Lozada really hold damaging information that he has to be either discredited or neutralized before thing blow up? If he does not, why make an issue of the word of a disgruntled whistle blower? Did his accusers fail to predict the repercussions that would follow his arrest? Any amateur analyst could see that. There must be something bigger than what is apparent. 

Citizen’s Charter of Tubigon

Now in the making, the Citizen's Charter of Tubigon will be designed to empower the townfolk by promoting transparency and accountability in public service.

      Mayor Luna Piezas ordered each office in the municipal government to submit their respective share in the proposed Citizen's Charter on May 18 to the office of the Municipal Local Government Operations Office (MLGOO).

      Piezas tasked MLGOO Sharon Marimon to consolidate and package them.

      The presentation and critiquing is scheduled on May 22.

      The Citizen's Charter is designed to promote good governance and quality service to the public.

      It describes the key services of the municipal government for the benefits of its citizenry, and contains the step-by-step procedures for availing each service, the response time for its delivery, and the municipal officials, department heads and staff responsible for the service.

      It will include the list of requirements the clients must comply to facilitate service delivery.  

      Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007 mandates the formulation of the Citizen's Charter to improve the efficiency of government service.

      It essentially redefines public service by putting the interest of the public first and foremost as the end goal of government service delivery.

      ARTA seeks to establish an effective system that will eliminate bureaucratic red tape, avert graft and corrupt practices and improve efficiency of delivering government frontline services.

      It also mandates all government agencies and instrumentalities to deliver public service in the most efficient manner for the public's convenience.

      A project team has been formed, composed of municipal officials and department heads led by Mayor Piezas who convened a steering committee and task force for the purpose.

      The Steering Committee serves as a primary advisory body to the local chief executive in the overall direction and supervision of the Citizen's Charter Initiative.

      The Task Force on Citizen's Charter takes the lead in the formulation, writing and packaging of the Citizen's Charter. Crafting a Citizen's Charter is a big thing.

      Upon the mayor's instruction, the Steering and Task Force Committee conducted a special meeting on April 20 at the Mayor's office conference room, in coordination with Marimon and Human Resource and Management Officer Crisologo Emnace, to discuss the status of its preparation.

      On April 23, the concerned department and section heads presented their identified frontline services to the public.

      Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Noel Mendaña facilitated the activity.

      Marimon defined the frontline services and Mendaña presented the model Citizen's Charter that will serve as a guide.

      The frontline services being identified on per office basis will be the basis and focus of the Citizen's Charter that they will draft. 

Cebu Pacific Cheap Flights

News dispatched by Cebu Pacific Air.

We're introducing the 'Happy Hour' seat sale for all our domestic and international services. The one-way 'Go Lite' fares are sold at P299 all-in for all domestic flights and P599 for all international flights excluding Osaka, Japan!

The 'Happy Hour' seat sale is only available from 11:00am to 2:00pm and 5:00pm to 8:00pm on May 13 to 15, 2009. This is valid for travel from September 1 to 30, 2009. Promotional fares are non-refundable.

If you! 're taking an international flight, you just need to add government taxes to the fare; while domestic fares are all-inclusive.

This seat sale shows that Cebu Pacific will always be the best budget travel option for everyJuan as we offer the lowest fares in every route we operate.

'Go Lite' fares are for passengers traveling with no check-in baggage. Passengers with check-in bags just have to add P200 to the fare.

There are more than 100,000 seats available for this promotion. So hurry, log on to www.cebupacificair.com now! 

Project aims to sustain food security

Born with a green thumb, it's not hard to  explain why V-Guv. Julius Ceasar Herrera, is "going green" in discharging the function of the second highest elected provincial official while at the same time training his sights to the position of next Bohol governor. 

Recall any incidence where he is not at  home when agriculture is  the centerpiece of discussion. 

Whatever one calls it- green revolution, agriculture development or food security, to Herrera , they all mean the  same banana.  

For how else explain the fact when a scramble of chairmanships of committees in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the vice governor proved to his colleagues that being a "son of the soil", the committee on agriculture, should not be allowed to slip in his grips. 

There is only one explanation to this. He loves agriculture, nothing more, nothing less. 

A series of pictures in this paper showing Herrera tilling the soil is a manifestation of his penchant for food sustainability. 

Just like his mentor Gov. Erico Aumentado, Herrera preached the gospel of food security at the time that Bohol was threatened with a rice crisis. It was middle of last year that both officials scrambled to the drawing table to strategize the impact of the rice crisis. 

Immediately, the two top Bohol officials swung into action to put agriculture particularly increased rice production in its priority bloc to maintain Bohol's food security efforts as rice prices went sky high without any ceremony.

After all is said and done, there's no argument that agriculture is the main concern of the province and   nobody can hold a candle when  Herrera was given the task to handle the problem. 

GREENING OF BOHOL 

Green revolution may be a trite to some people let alone those who were mesmerized by its fancy objectives during the unlamented Marcos government. 

Undeterred by its copycat implications, Herrera pursued his own version of greening Bohol with renewed vigor and vitality.

During his birthday last April 21, Herrera made a symbolic launching of his greening program in coordination with the Sangguniang Kabataan  in his hometown in Calape. 

The SK program dubbed Sama-sama sa Kalikasan, went nationwide when it was launched here last April 1 with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the guest of honor. 

Herrera's initiative towards greening Bohol goes hand in hand  with the SK program which calls for the planting of all kinds of crops, vegetables, coconuts, orchards, etc. 

MAIN COMPONENT  

The main component of Herrera's platform of government is the seed distribution program which is now in full swing. 

With backyard gardening as the lynchpin of the program, Herrera is bullish about the prospect of inducing the Boholanos to engage in this productive endeavor in order to attain food sufficiency. 

"Can you imagine, if you no longer buy such ubiquitous vegetables like okra, kalamunggay,  eggplant, pechay, etc. or anything edible because you can just pick them in your backyard, is one typical Herrera exhortation every time he is in the different Bohol barangays evangelizing the importance of his project   

SEED SUBSIDY   

A cursory look of the figure indicating the strides of Herrera's backyard gardening program showed that the project is already promoted in  some 39 towns and more than 700 barangays. It is also in as many barangays that its seed subsidy 'have taken root".  

The recipient-municipalities are  Albururquerque, Calape, Corella, Loon, Maribojoc, Sikatuna, Tubigon, Bien-Unido, Buenavista, Clarin, Dagohoy, Danao, Inabangan, Pres. Garcia, Sagbayan, Ubay, Anda, Batuan, Bilar, Candijay, Carmen, Duero, Garcia-Hernandez, Guindulman, Jagna, Mabini, Sevilla, Valencia and Tagbilaran City.  

Rationalizing his flagship program, Herrera said the principal objective is to have food in every table by providing the seed requirements of those sold out to the idea of food sufficiency. The seeds include squash, eggplant, sitao, ampalaya, okra, kangkong, tomato and pechay.  

The vice-governor said gardening is the best way to cushion the impact of the economic crisis. He told officials why buy vegetables when everybody can grow them with effortless ease. 

He explained that by growing vegetables in one's backyard, a family maybe able to save the much-needed money for other needs. The vice-governor's simple arithmetic may be computed thus: if  a family  spends at least P30 daily for vegetables then that is something like  P900 per month or P10,800 per year. 

To Herrera, that's a lot of money, for a poor family. But with backyard gardening, this amount could be channeled to some other purposes.

Growing vegetables in backyards can give  a family savings in vegetable budget.   

Citing the irony that Bohol is considered the food basket of Central Visayas in  rice production, what is lamentable is that the province is importing its vegetables and fruits requirements from neighboring islands like Mindanao.   

To make the project felt in the barangay level, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has recently approved a resolution urging local government units of Bohol to make backyard vegetable gardening mandatory in every household.

 

Herrera authored the compulsory nature of backyard farming to stamp out his name in this signature project.

"It's about time to put substance to our call for backyard gardening on vegetables and other crops"., Herrera declared. 

In the resolution, the province is committed to  spearhead efforts towards the development of the agriculture sector considering that Bohol is an agro-industrial province.  

"The agricultural thrust of the province is intended to increase production, food security and sufficiency and raise incomes of the farmers using appropriate technology," the resolution pointed out.  

As for its mandatory aspect, Herrera is proud to announce that the municipalities of Alburquerque, Antequera, Catigbian, Mabini, Candijay and others towns have already adopted compulsive methods in carrying out the objectives of his pet project. (With reports from RVO) - Sunday Post

Project aims to sustain food security

Born with a green thumb, it's not hard to  explain why V-Guv. Julius Ceasar Herrera, is "going green" in discharging the function of the second highest elected provincial official while at the same time training his sights to the position of next Bohol governor. 

Recall any incidence where he is not at  home when agriculture is  the centerpiece of discussion. 

Whatever one calls it- green revolution, agriculture development or food security, to Herrera , they all mean the  same banana.  

For how else explain the fact when a scramble of chairmanships of committees in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the vice governor proved to his colleagues that being a "son of the soil", the committee on agriculture, should not be allowed to slip in his grips. 

There is only one explanation to this. He loves agriculture, nothing more, nothing less. 

A series of pictures in this paper showing Herrera tilling the soil is a manifestation of his penchant for food sustainability. 

Just like his mentor Gov. Erico Aumentado, Herrera preached the gospel of food security at the time that Bohol was threatened with a rice crisis. It was middle of last year that both officials scrambled to the drawing table to strategize the impact of the rice crisis. 

Immediately, the two top Bohol officials swung into action to put agriculture particularly increased rice production in its priority bloc to maintain Bohol's food security efforts as rice prices went sky high without any ceremony.

After all is said and done, there's no argument that agriculture is the main concern of the province and   nobody can hold a candle when  Herrera was given the task to handle the problem. 

GREENING OF BOHOL 

Green revolution may be a trite to some people let alone those who were mesmerized by its fancy objectives during the unlamented Marcos government. 

Undeterred by its copycat implications, Herrera pursued his own version of greening Bohol with renewed vigor and vitality.

During his birthday last April 21, Herrera made a symbolic launching of his greening program in coordination with the Sangguniang Kabataan  in his hometown in Calape. 

The SK program dubbed Sama-sama sa Kalikasan, went nationwide when it was launched here last April 1 with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the guest of honor. 

Herrera's initiative towards greening Bohol goes hand in hand  with the SK program which calls for the planting of all kinds of crops, vegetables, coconuts, orchards, etc. 

MAIN COMPONENT  

The main component of Herrera's platform of government is the seed distribution program which is now in full swing. 

With backyard gardening as the lynchpin of the program, Herrera is bullish about the prospect of inducing the Boholanos to engage in this productive endeavor in order to attain food sufficiency. 

"Can you imagine, if you no longer buy such ubiquitous vegetables like okra, kalamunggay,  eggplant, pechay, etc. or anything edible because you can just pick them in your backyard, is one typical Herrera exhortation every time he is in the different Bohol barangays evangelizing the importance of his project   

SEED SUBSIDY   

A cursory look of the figure indicating the strides of Herrera's backyard gardening program showed that the project is already promoted in  some 39 towns and more than 700 barangays. It is also in as many barangays that its seed subsidy 'have taken root".  

The recipient-municipalities are  Albururquerque, Calape, Corella, Loon, Maribojoc, Sikatuna, Tubigon, Bien-Unido, Buenavista, Clarin, Dagohoy, Danao, Inabangan, Pres. Garcia, Sagbayan, Ubay, Anda, Batuan, Bilar, Candijay, Carmen, Duero, Garcia-Hernandez, Guindulman, Jagna, Mabini, Sevilla, Valencia and Tagbilaran City.  

Rationalizing his flagship program, Herrera said the principal objective is to have food in every table by providing the seed requirements of those sold out to the idea of food sufficiency. The seeds include squash, eggplant, sitao, ampalaya, okra, kangkong, tomato and pechay.  

The vice-governor said gardening is the best way to cushion the impact of the economic crisis. He told officials why buy vegetables when everybody can grow them with effortless ease. 

He explained that by growing vegetables in one's backyard, a family maybe able to save the much-needed money for other needs. The vice-governor's simple arithmetic may be computed thus: if  a family  spends at least P30 daily for vegetables then that is something like  P900 per month or P10,800 per year. 

To Herrera, that's a lot of money, for a poor family. But with backyard gardening, this amount could be channeled to some other purposes.

Growing vegetables in backyards can give  a family savings in vegetable budget.   

Citing the irony that Bohol is considered the food basket of Central Visayas in  rice production, what is lamentable is that the province is importing its vegetables and fruits requirements from neighboring islands like Mindanao.   

To make the project felt in the barangay level, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has recently approved a resolution urging local government units of Bohol to make backyard vegetable gardening mandatory in every household.

 

Herrera authored the compulsory nature of backyard farming to stamp out his name in this signature project.

"It's about time to put substance to our call for backyard gardening on vegetables and other crops"., Herrera declared. 

In the resolution, the province is committed to  spearhead efforts towards the development of the agriculture sector considering that Bohol is an agro-industrial province.  

"The agricultural thrust of the province is intended to increase production, food security and sufficiency and raise incomes of the farmers using appropriate technology," the resolution pointed out.  

As for its mandatory aspect, Herrera is proud to announce that the municipalities of Alburquerque, Antequera, Catigbian, Mabini, Candijay and others towns have already adopted compulsive methods in carrying out the objectives of his pet project. (With reports from RVO) - Sunday Post

Pacquiao, NOT Arroyo, Can Unite the Philippines

Today, our very own boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, will once again take on the dreams and ambitions of our nation – a nation where millions of people wallow in utter poverty, a nation so divided, a nation beleaguered by corruption.

When the "Pacman" faces Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas today, he's not just fighting for himself as a boxer, but for the Filipino people and the country as a whole. 

As BBC News describes it: If Hatton loses, many thousands will sigh. If Pacquiao loses, a nation's heart will break. 

Millions of us Filipinos see in Pacquiao something to aspire to, because we see in him our hopes and dreams. 

In his early years, Pacquiao toiled in the streets to earn a living and to survive. This is why people can relate with the boxing superstar. 

As our "Pambansang Kamao" climbs the ring today, we will see once more the Army (the Philippine Army and the New Peoples Army) lay down their arms and call for a truce, even the Muslim insurgents in Mindanao . Crime will almost cease in the towns and cities across the country. 

Every human activity practically grinds to a halt as thousands gather around their television sets and movie houses to witness their hero carry their hopes and dreams. This phenomenon does not only occur in the Philippines . Filipinos all around the world always gather in anticipation of a big Pacquiao fight. 

A victory by Pacquiao in today's match would catapult him to the international boxing Hall of Fame. One of only two fighters who have won the championship title in six weight divisions.

As promoter Bob Arum said, "Pacquiao is a symbol of his people". 

President Arroyo calls Pacquiao "truly one of our nation's heroes who can unite us even in times of divisiveness". 

 "The Filipino people are the real source of my strength. My utmost intention is to unite the Filipino people through my efforts in boxing," Pacquiao proudly declared once. 

Recently named one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time magazine (officially outpolling US President Barack Obama), Pacquiao could become president of our country. 

After the Pacquiao fight, however, can we stay united as a nation? Will the "great unifying force" personified by the "Pacman" dwell among us?

Boys Rite of Passage: Circumcision

By Joe Espiritu

      A few days ago a group of boys scarcely in their teens underwent the rite of passage. This is a ceremony, which transforms boys into men... Hopefully. The foreskins in their peckers were cut off on preparation to – you know what. As hospital garb of patients, they wore loose T shirts to hide their fronts which are without briefs.

       They went away from the center proudly holding the T shirt fronts away from their wounded organs. Peer pressure made them smile to show they were brave. They must had been administered anesthesia or they would have been caterwauling in pain if they nobody was around. Watch out when the anesthesia wear off, They would be an ordeal to parents for a day or two.

       There was a time when the ceremony was strictly a pre teenage affair. A group of boys with a few centavos go to the village circumciser. He is usually an old man with a small bolo with razor sharp point. After negotiations, he would make the boy sit in front of him. There were no antibiotics or anti tetanus then. He first chews tender guava leaves, inserts the tip of his bolo upside down beneath the foreskin and with a wooden peg whacks at the bolo point.

       It usually takes two or three whacks before the foreskin is cleanly cut. If the boy is brave enough to observe the proceedings he sees his foreskin turns white first before it bleeds and falls away to the sides of his barangay chairman... Then the circumciser spits the masticated leaves on the bleeding organ and pronounces the ceremony over.

       Some wonder why boys have to undergo such pain. Others would like their ears cut off – no not this organ – than be named p-s-t P S supply the vowels... There are other cultures that forego circumcision. Some South East Asians, Europeans and those living in some parts of the Philippines who go through their lives uncut. The Jews consider this ceremony a part of their culture. Ancient Jewish warrior fights to death knowing that he could be identified as a Jew when captured.

       There are those who say that circumcision is done for hygienic reasons. We do not see any reason for it. There are those who say that uncircumcised guys smell like a boar in heat. This could be uttered in derision perhaps to discredit the guy with the girls. What girl would be friends with a guy under social stigma?

       This time, the circumcising team was led by Board Member Dr. Ben Molina and Board Member Trabajo. The people who did the honors were girls. Come to think of it, in the old days, when a newly circumcised pecker is seemed by a girl, it swells up like a ripe tomato. We assume that the ones who performed the ceremonies were the girls as they were the one wearing gloves. There was a man with them but he seems to be the driver. Besides, he did not have a small bolo with him or was chewing tender guava leaves.

       If the carabao cannot go to the mud hole, then the mud hole must go to the carabao. This non sequitor merely says the Dr. Molina and team did not wait for the boys to go to them but they met at places where the boys were told to be. In that way they went from barangay to barangay to do the honors. Thanks to them there will be boys who will be no longer called p-s-t you supply the vowels. 

Labor Day in the Philippines

Workers called for duty today, May 1, gets 200% more of his regular pay for the first 8 hours of work and another 30% of the hourly rate for the day when he works more, the local labor office says.

  Bohol labor office, through Teri Salas said May 1, traditionally celebrated as the international Labor Day is also a regular holiday in the country and has not been moved as practiced in other holidays. 

  And pursuant to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Memorandum Circular No. 1, issued March 2004, and citing Executive Order 203 as amended by Republic Act 9177, she said workers for the day, even if they do not go to work collect 100% of their pay rates.

  If the day falls on the workers' rest day and he is called to render duty, he collects 30% more of the 200% rate he gets for the day. He shall not be held for absence if he chooses not to work and can even collect 100% of his day pay, the law states. 

  Moreover, if the day happens to be the worker's rest day, and if he works and renders more than his mandatory 8 hours, he gets 30% of his hourly rate on that day. 

NPA Denies Philippine Masscre of a Family

The communist New People's Army (NPA) washed its hands Thursday off the gruesome massacre of a family in Gingoog City in northern Mindanao last April 9.

NPA North Central Mindanao spokesman Cesar Renerio blamed a paramilitary group for the crime and slammed the military for passing the blame on the NPA to win people's hearts and minds.

"We call on all peace and human rights advocates, the religious and well-meaning politicians to conduct an in-depth investigation to delve on the truth on who really are the perpetrators of this gruesome massacre," Renerio said in an article on the Communist Party of the Philippines website (www.philippinerevolution.net).

Renerio claimed members of the paramilitary group Bungkatol Liberation Front (Bulif) were the ones who massacred the Suarez family last April 9.

Killed were Manuel and Jocelyn Suarez and their children Jan Mark, 6, Bebi, 5, Along, 2, and Niño, two months-old. The incident occurred at Sitio Kamanikan, Malinao in Gingoog.