1st International Conference and Exhibition on Business and Information and Communication Technology

By Roberto Cabardo

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated the organizers of the 1st International Conference and Exhibition on Business and Information and Communication Technology held in the Mediterranean Room of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel yesterday.

The President, who declared June as ICT Month, considered the ICT Congress as the centerpiece of the celebration. She also cited that for Filipinos, ICT means "jobs for our young people, a tool for mass education, and an instrument for good governance."

Likewise, she also reported that in the last four years of her administration, the ICT industry has created thousands of jobs. "In the first six months this year, the industry had already created 40 thousand jobs," she said.

Speaking to a thousand delegates from here and abroad, the President reiterated her goal of making the Philippines as global center for outsourcing and have quality citizens who are software developers, medical transcriptionists, call center agents and other ICT related workers.

To achieve this, according to her, means facing the second phase of her economic reform program that includes dealing with the shocking effect of the latest oil price hike, political bickerings, and graft and corruption. To recall, the passage of tax legislations in congress and other revenue generating initiatives are part of the first phase of PGMA's economic reforms.

Although she paid the political price of all the economic reforms she has done, the President appealed to the public to help the government's fight against corruption, prosecution of tax cases, investigation and dismissal of government workers who failed in the lifestyle check, and customs reforms.

Before ending her twenty-minute speech, Arroyo stressed the need for Filipinos to unite in facing the "daunting challenges of the second phase" of her economic reforms. 

New PNP Chief Jesus Versoza

 By committing to continuing what his predecessor has started, incoming police chief Jesus Versoza is now "bound" to push for the review and repeal of the controversial law on youthful offenders. 

  Versoza, who was police deputy director for administration before being appointed to replace Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Avelino Razon, has been quoted in previous interviews as saying he would continue what the general [Razon] has started. 

  General Versoza replaces General Razon, who retires at the mandatory age of 56, September 27.  

  Earlier, Razon, when interviewed by Bohol media openly admitted the PNP and the National police Commission is into a continuing advocacy for review or repeal of the juvenile justice law, "so we could address on the rise of youthful offenders. 

  He admitted that the police leadership has already made representations in Congress about the law. 

  "Ginagawa na po," Razon reminded the media during a press conference in Bohol last week. 

  As to the integrated police transformation program, which Razon implemented, cops believe it would be no big deal for Versoza who has been an exemplary police administrator. 

  He is one of the key personnel directly supervising the program that has elevated the sagging image of the country's police into number 6 best performing government agency, PCSupt Ronaldo Roderos said last week.  

  Versoza would be installed in simple ceremonies at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself officiating the rites, revealed Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.   

  "The President is precisely coming (back on the 27th) to officiate the turnover (ceremonies)," Ermita stressed. 

  Versoza will be the 15th chief of the PNP since its conversion on Jan. 29, 1991 from the now defunct Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police (PC-INP) under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to its present status as a civilian police organization. 

  Versoza, whose three-star rank is equivalent to lieutenant general in the AFP, is currently the deputy PNP chief for administration. 

  A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1976, he formerly headed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) after serving as director of PNP-Region IV. - PIA Chiu

POWER SHOOTING FOR THE COMPACT CAMERA PHOTOGRAPHER

FREE workshop titled "POWER SHOOTING FOR THE COMPACT CAMERA PHOTOGRAPHER" @ SM Cebu Trade Hall C.

 

Our workshop panelist is JAY ALONZO -- one of the country's leading Photography instructors. This FREE workshop by Cebu Photography Club is scheduled on September 28, 2008 Sunday, 9:30am to 12.00 noon. 

7th Asian Youth Girls’ 16-under Volleyball Championship

The Philippines will host the forthcoming 7th Asian Youth Girls' 16-under Volleyball Championship on October 11 to 18 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

A total of 12 countries have already confirmed their participation in this week-long event under the auspices of the Philippine Volleyball Federation and the FIVB (Federation Internationale De Volleyball).

The 12 countries are last year's defending champion, Japan, China, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Thailand, India, Singapore, Iran and the Philippines.

The top three finishers in the 7th Asian Youth Girls' (16-under) Volleyball Championship will represent Asia in the 2009 World Youth Girls' (18-under) Volleyball Championship in Mexico.

Supported by Shakey's, the RP team is composed mostly of Shakey's Girls' Volleyball League (GVL) standouts like Alyssa Valdez of University of Santo Tomas, Patty Orendein of La Carlota Bacolod and Janine Marciano of Assumption College.

PVF president Pedro Mendoza appointed Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., as chairman of the executive committee, Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan as the honorary chairman and Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan as chairman of VIP reception committee.

Pichay, who is the newest Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) chief, is also the president of the BAP-SBP and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

For inquiries, call the Philippine Volleyball Federation secretariat office at Tel. No. (02) 526-8438 for complete details.

PBA Sta Lucia Realty Can Be the Champion

"Why fix something that's not broken?"

This is the basically what Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez is harping on at the moment after keeping his Realtors intact for their defense of the PBA Philippine Cup starting Oct. 4 at the Araneta Coliseum.

"I think, on paper, we are still in the top four," said Fernandez, who sounded woozy over the phone because of jetlag from a long flight from the United States where the Realtors went through a conditioning and team bonding tour.

He said that he did not ask management to look at the free agent market in the off-season because he feels that he still has a complete team that was made better by the US trip.

"All the players are looking forward to defend (the Philippine Cup)," Fernandez said. By hook or by crook, as they say.

"It (repeating as champion) would be hard to do, but if you don't aspire for it, it's going to be impossible to do."

Fernandez puts Talk 'N Text on top of the list of the teams to beat, with San Miguel, after acquiring Mick Pennisi from Red Bull and Jay Washington from the Phone Pals, coming in a close second.

Surprisingly, the young Sta. Lucia coach sees Rain or Shine as a serious threat starting this year after the arrival of Gabe Norwood and Solomon Mercado from the rookie pool.

Purefoods, which the Realtors defeated for the crown last season, is also one of the teams to beat, having gone bigger with the acquisition of Paolo Bugia and rookie Beau Belga. The Tender Juicy Giants also added some smarts on the backcourt by tabbing Topex Robinson from Red Bull.

Fernandez said his team is about 70 percent in sharpness going into the last two weeks before the season opens and that he would be working to get his Sta. Lucia crew to 80 percent ready before opening day. (PDI)

Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton?

Looks like Manny Pacquiao has figured out how his March towards becoming a full-time promoter will run: Oscar De La Hoya first, Ricky Hatton next and then, if he's up to it, Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao, arguably the world's best fighter across weight classes , rattled off his choice of opponents in what is seen as a retirement parade, one that will kick off with the Dec. 6 bout against De La Hoya at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

In an interview with boxingherald.com during lulls in his training at Wild Card Gym n Hollywood, Pacquiao said he might take on British junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton next and then lure Floyd Mayweather Jr. out of retirement.

"That (a fight with Hatton) is a possibility," Pacquiao said. "If I win this fight (against De La Hoya), maybe Floyd Mayweather will come out of retirement looking for a big fight."

Hatton, who is preparing for his Nov. 22 fight against Paulie Malignaggi at Madison Square Garden in New York, told doghouseboxing.com that he is setting his sights on fighting whoever wins between De La Hoya and Pacquiao .

Hatton earlier told the Manchester Evening News that if Pacquiao pulls an upset, he is willing to face the Filipino superstar at light welterweight (140lbs), But if the American legend takes it, he will fight De La Hoya at welterweighter.

After the three matches, Pacquiao , who will turn 30 on Dec. 17, said he will move on to promoting boxing, just like the 35-year-old De la Hoya, who owns Golden Boy Promotions.

"It's my plan that after my boxing career, I want to be a promoter," Pacquiao told boxingherald.com. "I have a promotion coming up on Sept. 26 in San Diego."

Pacquiao's pronouncement practically slammed the door on the completion of a Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy, though the WBC lightweight champ earlier said he is willing to give Juan Manuel Marquez a crack as long as he is the promoter of the fight.

Meanwhile, a ringsidereport.com feature article said Pacquiao's only chance of winning against De La Hoya is scoring a decision and that not even his vaunted power punching "can hurt De La Hoya."

"The 'Pacman' must use his head movement to make De La Hoya miss with the jab, and then he can step inside.  When he gets inside, he cannot settle for one or two punches.  He has got to throw five, six, and seven punch combinations before he backs away," said the article.

"Pacquiao has got to throw a lot of punches when he has the chance to do so .  He has no choice but to outwork De La Hoya in this fight.  It is not likely that he will be able to score a knockout."

The article added that "trying to impress the judges will not be good enough, he (Pacquiao) has to leave them with no choice."

De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao Pay-per-view Telecast

Tickets to "The Dream Match" – the 12-round welterweight super fight between six-division world champion Oscar De La Hoya and boxing's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao – will go on sale this Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. ET/ 10 a.m. PT. 

Presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao will take place Saturday, Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.

Tickets are priced at $1,500; P$1,000; $750; $500; $250; $150, not including applicable taxes and service charges. Ticket sales are limited to two per person at each price level with a total ticket limit of four per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase atwww.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will be sold via Ticketmaster phones and website only. There will be no sales at MGM Grand or any Ticketmaster outlets.

The De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. TP, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

Proclaiming the Gospel by Roy Cimagala

By Roy Cimagala

If we have to get down to it, proclaiming the gospel is one central duty of every follower of Christ. After all, our Lord told his disciples just before ascending into heaven: "Go into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mk 16,15)

Though addressed directly to his disciples, we have to understand that these words are meant also, in varying degrees and ways, to all of us, members of Christ's mystical body, his Church. 

We just have to feel the unfading urgency of this command, and overcome whatever prejudice or obstacle still keeping us from undertaking this important work.

We should echo St. Paul's sentiments: "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel." (1 Cor 9,16) Like St. Paul, we need to relish the full weight with which Christ commissioned him to fulfill this task.

As in, nothing less than the plenitude of Christ's redemptive work should be made to bear on our sense of duty and mission. We are not just doing some simple job. It's the whole work of human salvation that is involved.

Thus, ever since Christ's command, the apostles started to preach the gospel. And from then on, the task has never ceased even up to now. Of course, the process is not just a human effort. The Holy Spirit, in a mysterious way, always oversees it.

Still, this indication needs to be understood better. Several reasons come to mind. For one, our human condition tends to easily fall to routine, to oversimplify and reduce, and to miss many essential parts of this mission.

Like, we have to understand that this business of proclaiming the gospel is not just some mechanical work of spreading God's word, in itself already a very important task, given our increasingly secularized culture. It goes much more than that.

The gospel is not just a body of conceptual truths that need to be given out in lectures or classes. It is presenting the mystery of the living Christ as he grapples with every human situation that we can find ourselves in. 

Proclaiming it is not just an intellectual affair. It involves our whole being, and it requires nothing less than our conversion, and not just our attaining knowledge and familiarization of Christ's words.

In other words, proclaiming the gospel requires our living it, that is, living the very life of Christ who said: "For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting." (Jn 3,16)

Proclaiming the gospel requires assimilating it, identifying ourselves with it, making it the flesh of our flesh. It should not just be a possession, a property that we can have and then dispose. It has to be our very own life.

We have to understand that it is Christ's gospel that brings us to eternal life, not our human knowledge alone, or our sciences, no matter how developed and useful they are to us. Christ's gospel has the full resources to bring us to our supernatural goal of communion with God and with everybody else.

The challenge we have in this regard is, indeed, enormous! Proclaiming the gospel demands everything from us. Unless we understand this well, I don't think we can go far in carrying out Christ's command for us to preach the gospel to every creature.

The consoling part is that Christ himself is eternally patient with us. He can wait until we slowly and hopefully effectively realize what is involved in this business.

At the moment, the big task to do is to relate the gospel to our growing body of human knowledge that seems to develop independently of the gospel, that is, of any relation to God.

Ideally, the gospel should inspire our pursuit of knowledge. Our sciences, for example, should also affirm the gospel. The big problem now is that while the gospel and our knowledge go in different levels, any relationship between them appears to be vanishing.

To effectively proclaim the gospel, there's need to show how it is relevant and crucial in every human situation and knowledge we may have, including the very mundane realities of our life.

It may transcend our human condition, but it has to immerse itself in our life and grapple with every aspect of that life. Otherwise, it's as if Christ himself failed in his redemptive work.

Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano

The CVSCAFT Bilar Main Campus tendered a welcome program for Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano, chairman of the Senate committee on education, culture and arts, and his party at the Farmer's Training Center last Sept. 13.

School administrators together with the faculty and employees gathered and warmly welcome visitors and guests.

In her welcome address, Professor Virgilia D. Tejada, CVSCAFT-MC, college director, pointed out that the senator is "a person whose heart is close to the education sector." She expressed high hopes that the senator's visit will pave way for further developments – the ultimate aim of which is for the approval in the senate of CVSCAFT's application for a university status.

Dr. Elpidio T. Magante, SUC President II introduced the honored guest and stated the purpose of the Senator's visit which was to conduct an ocular inspection of the college in line with the school application for elevation to university status.

Sen. Cayetano in his message shared the good news that CVSCAFT's application has passed scrutiny and approval by the House of Representatives and it is now forwarded for final action to the senate.

He vowed to work for the favorable endorsement of the application to Senate President Manny Villar and Cynthia A. Villar, chairman of House committee on higher and technical education.

CVSCAFT has pinned its hopes on the good senator's efforts for the birth of "Bohol Island State University " soon. 

Tropical storm "Nina" Iinternational codename: Hagupit

Tropical storm "Nina" (international codename: Hagupit) intensified as it moved toward the eastern coast of central Philippines last night, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed nine provinces under public storm signal number 1 as Nina's center was located about 490 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes at 10 p.m.

About 200 people were reported stranded in the ports of Virac and Tabaco City in Albay as of noon Saturday after the Philippine Coast Guard halted sea voyage there.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Nina was moving west-northwest at about 15 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of about 105 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 135 kilometers per hour.

Nina was expected to be 195 kilometers northeast of Virac by Sunday evening and 80 kilometers northeast of Casiguran, Aurora by Monday evening. It was forecast to be 90 kilometers north-northwest of Laoag City by Tuesday evening.

Public storm signal number 1 has been hoisted over the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Legaspi, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Western Samar and Eastern Samar.

The storm was expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.