MikeLigalig.com

This video, a cornucopia of never-been-seen images, makes me emotional while watching it. Thank you so much, Ginger, for coming up with this collection of digital treasure that will be kept for life so long as the Internet exists.

Congratulations, Elsie. Enjoy your success and celebrate life's blessings.

Source

It was just a few weeks ago when Elsa Torrejon received the most devastating news of her life.

"It's breast cancer," the surgeon said. "We have to operate."

When she arrived back at work a few hours later to tell her boss the grim results, the 50-year-old single mother of two was still reeling from the diagnosis. "You never want to hear that word," Torrejon says, wiping away the tears that still slip down her face.

She couldn't imagine her world could crumble any further. But a few days later, it did.

In her darkest moment of need, her heartless employers decided to yank away her job as well.

A native of Lima, Peru, Torrejon has worked as an English and Spanish-speaking leasing agent for Weston Property Management since May. Her bosses, Geri and Doug McDonald, knew she was being examined for a suspicious lump in her right breast in December and adjusted her hours so that she could go through a battery of tests.

By Dennis Fisher
Daily Bread

In his book Teacher Man, Pulitzer Prize-winner Frank McCourt reflects on his 30 years as a teacher in New York City high schools. He used a variety of techniques in his English and creative writing classes, but one that seemed to surface again and again was the power of a compelling story to capture attention and encourage learning.

This method of instruction was used by the greatest Teacher of allâ€"the Lord Jesus Christ. The scholarly religious leader Nicodemus said to Jesus, “We know that You are a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). Yet when Jesus addressed the crowds that followed Him, He didn’t recite great truths of the Talmud. Rather, He spoke with the homespun style of a storyteller.

The parables of Jesus endure because they showcase matters of the heart. Through the story of the Pharisee and tax collector (Luke 18), we learn about God’s grace and forgiveness. And the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15) showcases God’s love for repentant sinners.

The inspired parables of Jesus teach us about Him and the life He wants us to lead. We too can use our faith-stories to point others to the ultimate Storyteller and Teacher, whose own life is the greatest story ever told.  â€"

Two children from the Indian city of Mumbai who shot to fame in the film Slumdog Millionaire are set to leave for the Oscars ceremony in the US.

The film has been nominated in 10 categories, and has already won four Golden Globe awards.

Slumdog Millionaire is a rags-to-riches story of a game show winner.

Its child stars, Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, from Mumbai's now world-famous slums, have already seen their lives change.

They have been enrolled into a school and have won worldwide recognition.

The film's British director, Danny Boyle, and its producers have said they will take responsibility for funding the whole of the children's education.

The child stars - both aged under 10 years - are now getting enquiries about working in Bollywood films. - BBC

A group of children with peanut allergies have had their condition effectively cured, doctors believe.

A team from Cambridge's Addenbrooke's Hospital exposed four children to peanuts over a six-month period, gradually building up their tolerance.

By the end the children were eating the equivalent of five peanuts a day.

It is the first time a food allergy has been desensitised in such a way, although a longer-term follow up is now needed to confirm the findings.

Peanut allergies affect one in 50 young people in the UK and commonly cause breathing problems.

But at their most serious, they can lead to a potentially life-threatening anaphylactic shock. - BBC

Tickets for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa have gone on sale as Africa prepares to host the contest for the first time.

Around 3m tickets are available for the 64 matches, which start in June 2010.

In the first sales phase, applications for tickets will be followed by a random selection draw in April.

Some 450,000 cheaper tickets are being reserved for South African residents of which 120,000 will be issued free to stadium construction workers. - BBC News

Senator Manuel Roxas II on Thursday dismissed the reported alleged protest of the Chinese government on the recently passed Archipelagic Baselines bill which treats disputed territories including parts of Spratlys Islands and Scarborough Shoal as a regime of islands under the Republic of the Philippines. "So what if they complain, we too should complain to them that their claim is affront to our sovereignty," Roxas said in a text message to GMANews.TV.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministry said the People's Republic of China has indisputable sovereignty over Spratlys Islands and its adjacent waters.

The Chinese government also said that "claims to territory sovereignty over Huangyan Island and the Nansha Islands by any other country are all illegal and invalid."

Roxas said the Philippines should defend its claims and its territory.

"Di ako papayag na mababawasan tayo ng kahit isang square meter. Gamitin natin ang UN, ang ICJ at iba pang [I will not allow that our territory will be reduced by even a square meter. We should use the United Nations, the International Court of Justice and other] fora to aggressively defend our claim," Roxas said.

For his part, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel said the China's "saber-rattling" does not help clarify the issues.

He said the countries claiming jurisdiction over the disputed islands should let UN settle the issue.

"We need not go to war over Spratlys. We only claim some islands that belong to us," Pimentel said in a separate text message. - GMANews.TV

Growing numbers of older passengers and ever longer flights mean the likelihood of health problems in the skies is increasing, US researchers suggest.

From blood clots to flu pandemics, both travellers and authorities should be aware of the risks - and seek to minimise them - a Lancet review urges.

An ageing population means passengers are boarding planes with existing health problems, researchers warn.

Extended flight times could also increase the risk to health, they say.

The review of the many studies into the health risks of flying found an overall association between air travel and venous thromboembolism (VTE), which occurs when a blood clot in a leg vein travels through the body to the lung.

Under pressure

The risk of VTE could be reduced by taking in plenty of fluids, walking through the cabin or changing position, and using compression stockings - although there was little evidence that aspirin was an effective preventative measure, the team wrote.

Spending long periods of time in a highly pressurised environment was also problematic.

Those with existing breathing difficulties may experience particular problems as a result of the reduced oxygen, while the expansion of gases in the body - as happens in the cabin - is risky for those who have recently had major surgery.

There have been anecdotal reports, the authors wrote, of bowel perforation and wounds bursting open.

In general, passengers should be able to walk a distance of 50m and climb one flight of stairs "without angina or shortness of breath" if they are to be deemed fit to travel.

Growing numbers of older passengers and ever longer flights mean the likelihood of health problems in the skies is increasing, US researchers suggest.

From blood clots to flu pandemics, both travellers and authorities should be aware of the risks - and seek to minimise them - a Lancet review urges.

An ageing population means passengers are boarding planes with existing health problems, researchers warn.

Extended flight times could also increase the risk to health, they say.

The review of the many studies into the health risks of flying found an overall association between air travel and venous thromboembolism (VTE), which occurs when a blood clot in a leg vein travels through the body to the lung.

Some 75% of air-travel cases of VTE have been linked to lack of movement while on board - although economy passengers are no more likely to develop clots than their counterparts in business, the review found.

Risk was at its highest in flights of eight hours or more, but one study found the risk started to climb at four hours, the Lahey Clinic Medical Center team, led by Dr Mark Gendreau, found.

New aircraft like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-LR could extend flight times to up to 20 hours - although the researchers noted that the improved cabin air quality and passenger seating on board should, in fact, increase some aspects of passenger wellbeing.

Under pressure

The risk of VTE could be reduced by taking in plenty of fluids, walking through the cabin or changing position, and using compression stockings - although there was little evidence that aspirin was an effective preventative measure, the team wrote.

Spending long periods of time in a highly pressurised environment was also problematic.

Those with existing breathing difficulties may experience particular problems as a result of the reduced oxygen, while the expansion of gases in the body - as happens in the cabin - is risky for those who have recently had major surgery.

There have been anecdotal reports, the authors wrote, of bowel perforation and wounds bursting open.

In general, passengers should be able to walk a distance of 50m and climb one flight of stairs "without angina or shortness of breath" if they are to be deemed fit to travel.

So close

Spending long periods in close quarters with others is also known to spread disease.

Several outbreaks of serious infections such as influenza, measles, severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and tuberculosis have been reported on commercial flights.

However, risk of on-board transmission, the researchers noted, is mainly restricted to within two rows of the passenger carrying the infection.

The benefits of grounding planes to halt disease were unclear, but "flight limitations might slow the spread of pandemic influenza by several weeks, thereby providing time for mass vaccination of the population and contingency plan setup," the researchers wrote. - source: BBC News

Dili pud tanan Belle. Kay naa baya pud vice-versa anang mga sala. Naay mga men grabe ang pride.

Women are prouder than men, but men are more lustful, according to a Vatican report which states that the two sexes sin differently.

A Catholic survey found that the most common sin for women was pride, while for men, the urge for food was only surpassed by the urge for sex.

The report was based on a study of confessions carried out by Fr Roberto Busa, a 95-year-old Jesuit scholar.

The Pope's personal theologian backed up the report in the Vatican newspaper.

"Men and women sin in different ways," Msgr Wojciech Giertych, theologian to the papal household, wrote in L'Osservatore Romano.

"When you look at vices from the point of view of the difficulties they create you find that men experiment in a different way from women."

Msgr Giertych said the most difficult sin for men to face was lust, followed by gluttony, sloth, anger, pride, envy and greed.

For women, the most dangerous sins were pride, envy, anger, lust, and sloth, he added. - BBC

Hi HK, just go to Profile, then Forum Profile Setting. You can upload your avatar from there.

Maayo unta ug mahatagan na ug hustisya ang namatay. God is just and He dispenses justice in His time.

Gisulat alang sa usa ka column sa The Bohol Standard

Akong amigo diri sa Thailand nagwala hapit kay gibuwagan sa iyang uyab gahapon sa Valentine’s Day.

Isip higala, akong gipaminaw ang mga yangongo ug pagmahay ngadto sa babaye nga mao untay natingban sa iyang pagmahal. Dili lang nako hinganlan akong amigo kay basin naay nakaila nga magbabasa.

Ako siyang giingnan, human niya giyagyag ang iyang mga kasakit samtang nagsakay mi sa sakyanan sa laing usa ka higala, “Gibuhat mo na ang tanan apan ang babaye nagmakuli man nga mamalik ang tanan. Dawata ang nahitabo. Normal nga maguol ka karon, apan molabay ra kining tanan. Tingali si (blank) dili gyud angay para kanimo. Basin adunay linalang nga naghulat kanimo nga takos halaran sa imong tiunay nga gugma.”

Gisulti ko kini sa English kay dili man to Filipino akong amigo. Sa akong paghubad karon sa atong pinulongan, dili malikayan nga manuyhakaw ug manglugmaw kining mga timgas pulong Bisaya. Padayon sa estorya.

Mao lagi, sayon ra man motambag ug molitok sa mga pulong nga makapahupay sa kagul-anan sa uban, apan kung kita na ganiy hingtungdan, ambot ug mahinumdum pa ba ta sa atong gipangsulti sa uban.

Mosinghag ra ba ning uban tambagan ug dayong ingon: “Tambag-tambag, labaw pug kang tambagonon!”

Kung sultihan ka ug ingon niana sa usa ka tawo nga nagmagul-anon, ayaw ikasakit kini nga mga pulong. Ang tawo nga naa nagping-it sa kasakit sa mga gumunhap sa kinabuhi dili makahuna-huna ug tarong ug mao makalitok usahay sa mga pulong ikahiubos ra usab sa iyang higala.

Lain-lain ang paagi sa atong pag-atubang sa kaguol. Ang uban moingon nga gamay lang ni nga problema bisan dako na kini alang kanimo. Ang uban magtuo nga labihang bug-ata sa imong suliran, apan alang nimo “chicken” lang kini.

Ang problema, madako ug magamay, pareha ra problema nga nagkinahanglan ug kasulbaran. Ang samad nga gamay kung dili tambalan mahimong matitanos. Ug nasayod na ta unsay lintunganay sa titanos.

Balik sa estorya sa akong amigo. Mao lagi to, gi-etsapuwera siya sa iyang uyab gahapon. Kaunom siya motawag aron unta mo-greet ug Happy Balentong apan wala siya tubaga. Gi-off hinuon sa babaye ang iyang cellphone. Migabii nalang wala motawag ug balik ang babaye. Sagol pangagho ug panghupaw ang mialisngaw sa tutonlan sa akong amigo.

Ug ang akong amigo nga naminaw sa estorya nakatug-an hinuon sa wa damha nga niadtong tulo na ka tuig ang milabay, sa adlaw sa Valentine’s Day pud, gi-impeach siya sa iyang uyab sa katarongan nga wala niya hisabti sa sinugdanan apan nasabtan na niya ang tanan karon. Dili na ko mohisgut ug unsa nga katarongan kay lisud na.

Madula-dulaon ang kinabuhi.

Asa pa hinuon tong adlaw nga gilantaw sa kadaghanan nga espesyal alang sa nagminahalay mao hinuon ang adlaw sa pagbangutan.

Dili baja pud lalim nga buwagan ka ug uyab sa Valentine’s Day. Wala nalang gyud kahuwat ug palabya ang February 14. Bisan nalang unta to sa petsa trese o kaha sa paghagtok sa petsa kinse. Naa gyuy mga babaye nga maldeta. Pwera lang sa mga buotan.

Happy Valentine’s alang sa mga maldeta nga rosas kansang mga tunok mitusok sa buko-buko sa buyog nga nahinanok na unta.

By the Sunday Post

Senator Loren Legarda, a top presidential timber, representing the Nationalist People’s Alliance, breezed into town yesterday as part of her barnstorming tour throughout the country to feel the people’s pulse in relation to her future political plans.

While in this city, the lady senator touched base with Bohol’s top NPC stalwart City Mayor Dan Neri Lim. It was Lim who arranged a one-hour radio interview over Station DYTR where she guested in the mayor’s weekly program “Ang Mayor Sa Dakbayan”.

Although she was careful not to make a categorical declaration to answer point blank loaded questions about her presidential dream, Legarda just played it coy  betraying her political plans in the process.

One thing that put her on the spot about her presidential aspiration was her virtual admission that she was a consistent survey top-notcher among presidentiables.

Asked if the template of the coming presidential election is all about change as what happened in the United States with the election of Barack Obama, the first Afro-American president, she cited the need for it.

Legarda said the call of the times is for change to take place coupled with hope.

Pressed to elaborate if she can be the epitome of change and hope for the country, the lady senator said it was possible because they are part of the political agenda. 

During the same interview, Legarda talked at length her advocacy about the environment.

Citing her unfaltering crusade for the environment, the senator was recognized of her advocacy in the year 2000 when she was named one of the Global Leaders for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum.

The topnotch senator was also at home with media colleagues in Bohol. She was a top rated broadcaster before she strayed into politics starting as senator.

Drawing from her vast experience as a journalist for 20 years, she commented on a pending Senate bill providing for the Right of Reply.

The bill authored by Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. defines the parameters of the citizens of the right of reply from any derogatory imputation by media.

While the Senate is sharply divided by the Pimentel bill, the journalist in  Legarda  said while she totally agree with the import of the proposed law, it should not in any way compromised with her position on the basic freedom of speech and information as enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

In her two terms as senator, Legarda was widely known as having authored and sponsored vital pieces of legislation geared towards environmental protection, promotion on entrepreneurship, protection of the rights of women and children, overseas workers and domestic laborers, proving better health services to the public, social justice, national unity and inculcating the value of nationalism and love of country.

Number of calories you burn by kissing for one minute: 26

GMA News.tv

A Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner has promised a vote-counting process faster than that of the United States in the 2010 polls, but on two conditions.

Online news site The News Today reported commissioner Leonardo Leonida said they will need P11.3 billion for automation, and rebels should not bomb cell sites.

"By midnight, we will already know who won," he said, adding, chances are big that Congress would be able to pass a supplemental budget.

Once Congress passed the proposed appropriations, he said, the Comelec will proceed with the bidding for the automation system.

So far, he said the single major obstacle to the computerization of the country's voting system is there is no budget yet.

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer

"Chemistry look what you've done to me," Donna Summer crooned in Science of Love, and so, it seems, she was right. Just in time for Valentine's Day, a panel of scientists examined the mystery of what happens when hearts throb and lips lock. Kissing, it turns out, unleashes chemicals that ease stress hormones in both sexes and encourage bonding in men, though not so much in women.

Chemicals in the saliva may be a way to assess a mate, Wendy Hill, dean of the faculty and a professor of neuroscience at Lafayette College, told a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science on Friday.

In an experiment, Hill explained, pairs of heterosexual college students who kissed for 15 minutes while listening to music experienced significant changes in their levels of the chemicals oxytocin, which affects pair bonding, and cortisol, which is associated with stress. Their blood and saliva levels of the chemicals were compared before and after the kiss.

If I were a dad at 13, 16 na akong anak karon. If tanan kaluha, 32 na akong anak. That's 5 basketball teams. Purok 1 vs Purok 2 Game 1 and so on and so forth.

Congratulations to Mr. Alfie and Ms. Chantelle.

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute, we read and write poetry because we are members of the human race, and the human race is filled with passion."

- Robin William, Dead Poet Society

Are you willing to donate your heart?

A 37-year-old pastor, working as a school principal, was shot dead in Ilocos Sur Friday night.

Senior Superintendent Virgilio Fabros, Ilocos Sur provincial director, said the victim, Dickson Uggay, was under suspension as principal of the Concepcion Adventist Academy of Del Pilar due to unliquidated funds.

Probers said Uggay, who was also into the buy and sell of lands, was shot with a caliber .45 pistol. â€" Cecille Suerte Felipe, Artemio Dumlao

CALAMBA CITY, Philippines  â€" An 18-year-old graduating student and her supposed boyfriend were shot dead at a park at the back of a hospital here Wednesday night.

Both victims, identified as Ronallie Calida, a student of Letran, and Elson Caguida, a working student of Dual Tech, were shot in the head.

Police said the victims’ cellular phones and other personal belongings were intact when a traffic enforcer found their bodies at around 6 a.m. yesterday. Probers also found the motorcycle the two were riding when they went to the park the previous night.   â€" Ed Amoroso, Philippine Star

Two US judges charged with taking more than $2m (£1.4m) in kickbacks from a privately-run detention centre have pleaded guilty to fraud.

Prosecutors say Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan took the money in return for giving young offenders long sentences to serve in the centre.

The deal allowed PA Child Care LLC and a sister company to receive extra government funds, they say.

The judges in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, have both been suspended.

They have pleaded guilty to honest services fraud and tax fraud.

The plea agreements provide for prison sentences of more than seven years. - BBC

I feel happy when I remind myself that life on earth is not permanent, and that eternity in heaven is my final home.

By Sunday Post

He has no impressive academic credentials to boast. He is even proud to be a college dropout but in the arena of fund raising for projects in his town, he has the gall (pun intended) to be a cut above the rest.

Short of calling it his own ‘bragging right’, Mayor Penny Digal of Sevilla is one town executive who knows how to use the power of persistence to maximum effect.

His tenacity to make things happen speaks for itself. When you happen to visit his small turf in the heart of Central Bohol, you can say without fear of contradiction, that there rules a mayor who knows his worth and capability.

To a newcomer, what greets the eye is a spanking municipal hall. Big and spacious to local standards, the new Sevilla municipal hall is a living testament of the mayor’s capacity to make things done.

Hampered by lack of funds as most other LGUS are in with fifth class status, the mayor found this as no hindrance. In fact, he considered it a challenge to push the limits of patience just to get what he needs. In some cases, one has to unload all the tricks in the bag to cajole the dispensers of favor what are due the local government in terms of projects.

In the case of Mayor Digal, he is just kulit to the max. Kulit as in bothersome to some national officials if one doesn’t know how to play his cards right.

But not Mayor Digal. With honesty and sincerity as the motivating factor coupled with down-to-earth disposition, no public official in the high council of government is so high and mighty to Mayor Digal. To the Sevilla mayor, they are just as vulnerable as any public servant to the incessant importuning of local officials, if one knows how to push the right button.

One of the mayor’s willing sources of his begging bowl is Marietta Tamondong of the Presidential Management Staff who provided the seed money of P1 million for his modern municipal hall. Then there’s no stopping from there his money making machine from churning out funding requests. From Gov. Erico Aumentado to Cong. Adam Relson Jala, there’s no let-up in his temerity to get funds. Thus, one term later of his colorful political career, he saw the rise of a municipal hall that has become the envy of his peers.

With the municipal hall now in place, he again cajoled Tamondong if it was still possible to release funds for his 13 barangays. He was not disappointed, .Through the Presidential Social Fund, the PMS is now obligating P100,000 for each of Sevilla’s 13 barangays whether for the repair of dilapidated barangay halls or farm-to market roads.

Has he gone bored of asking too much and too many? It seems that getting bored, let alone if it means money, is not found in his vocabulary.

In fact, he has found a new benefactor that will carry Sevilla to the pinnacle of municipalities as the most pampered in the eyes of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.

Cultivating Yap’s ambition to run for third district congressman, Mayor Digal has chosen a ringside seat to cash in of awaits Sevilla in the run up to the 2010 elections.

Not that he is being ungrateful to those he had curry financial assistance before. It is just that he is being practical and he apparently knows “how to strike while the iron is hot”.

And so it came to pass that one of the closest mayors the third district ever had to Sec. Yap is Mayor Digal.

Just how close can be attested to the fact that during the recent Sevilla fiesta, the agriculture secretary choppered to the inland municipality to greet Mayor Digal a happy fiesta. It was also during that festive occasion, that Yap had the chance to meet with third district mayors.

One eyewitness account was that third district mayors formed a beeline to engage the DA secretary a one-on-one huddle. Whatever they discussed, it was definitely not about the huge turnout of parishioners attending the fiesta pontifical mass.

When Mayor Digal was asked by one of his cohorts in the municipal hall what possibly was the topic during Yap’s one-on-one- conversation with each of the mayor,  with a twinkle in  Digal’s eyes, he can only mutter “your guess is as good as mine’.

Of course, the educated guess was that Yap was testing the choppy waters of the third district congressional journey. His body language and  pronouncements loaded with promises of more DA largesse flowing the way of third district mayors betrayed his intentions of   casting a moist eye to the third district congressional plum.

As for Digal, his town was the recipient of a P10.5 million fund assistance for his public market and a network of farm-to-market roads.

Not bad, for a mayor who knows how to pester the living daylights of those who holds the power of the purse in government.

Quote from: ihatekillers on February 12, 2009, 05:56:58 PM
i dont know kiamoy basta na discover lang ni nako when i was still in grade 5 cguro ko ato i see people aroung na dili d ay people. murag mag sunod sunod lang sa face sa lain tao ba. wala ko kabaw unsa ni pero i avoid lang jud nako kung pwede. basta daghan na na case na naa ko mafeel pero ako talikdan. Mao ni try ko ug hikap gud kay si bai gihaya pa iya ash ato na time wala ko naka adto pa them naay nitotok nako sa ako window 3 times jud and in the next day someone naay ni call sa ako name 3 times pud na layo sya... its bai's voice calling my name 3 time's  nakamata ko ug wala ko ka sleep mao to decide ko ug adto sa ila with ila neigbor then nagkaila naman pud me ani ni bai .. so g try nako hikap iya ID sa teletech nabuhian nako kay ni flash jud sa ak mata ang mga people around her .. gisakitan si bai ug nag -antos and i dont know unsa pasabot ato kay i cant see the faces of people if babae ba or lalaki


basta she is still asking for help.

i can explain this phenomenon. i believe that those who had passed away are given 40 days to stay on earth before they go to their final resting place waiting for God's judgment. basin naa pa seguro ipatan-aw ang Ginoo sa tawo nga mitaliwan na, only that dili na sila kaestorya nato directly. it is just my personal belief. there is no Biblical basis on this. i just pattern it with the Lord Jesus Christ. He stayed 40 days on earth before His final ascension to heaven.

Hi Am,

Nice to hear from you again. Thanks for reconnecting with us.

US and Russian communications satellites have collided in space in the first such reported accident.

A satellite owned by the US company Iridium hit a defunct Russian satellite at high speed nearly 780km (485 miles) over Siberia on Tuesday, Nasa said.

The risk to the International Space Station and a shuttle launch planned for later this month is said to be low.

The impact produced massive clouds of debris, and the magnitude of the crash is not expected to be clear for weeks.

There are thousands of man-made objects orbiting the earth, but this is thought to be the first time two intact spacecraft have hit each other, the BBC's Andy Gallacher in Miami says. - BBC

Investigators have blamed China's state TV for a huge fire that destroyed a hotel in Beijing, saying fire-crackers it illegally set off caused the blaze.

A firefighter died after inhaling toxic fumes and six people were injured in the fire at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel that raged for more than five hours.

China Central Television (CCTV) staged the fireworks display nearby to mark the end of Lunar New Year celebrations.

The hotel, which is under construction, was empty when the fire broke out.

The 44-storey building is located just a few hundred metres from CCTV's iconic headquarters - designed as part of the city's Olympic makeover. - bbc

UBS, Switzerland's largest bank, has reported a loss of 19.7bn Swiss francs ($16.8bn; £11.3bn) for 2008, due to write-downs at its investment unit.

The bank, which has been hit by bad debts that sparked the credit crunch, said it made a loss of 8.1bn Swiss francs between October and December.

UBS said it remained "cautious" about prospects and would cut a further 2,000 jobs at its investment arm.

The firm got a 6bn-Swiss franc bail-out from the Swiss government in October.

UBS was also told at the time that it could transfer up to $60bn of distressed assets to a fund supported by the Swiss central bank. - BBC

Most complementary therapies used by people with rheumatoid arthritis are not effective, a study has suggested.

The Arthritis Research Campaign looked at the scientific evidence available for 40 treatments.

Two thirds of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and a fifth of treatments for osteoarthritis were found to be ineffective by the researchers.

The Arthritis Research Campaign said it wanted people who used the therapies to know what evidence was available. - BBC

R&B star Chris Brown has been dropped from a chewing gum publicity campaign in the US after being quizzed by police over a complaint of assaulting a woman.

The singer, who was the frontman for Wrigley's Doublemint, has been suspended from all ads "until the matter is resolved", the company said.

Brown, 19, has also withdrawn from an appearance at a basketball match.

The star was released on bail in Los Angeles and withdrew from the Grammy Awards, as did girlfriend Rihanna.

Brown emerged from questioning an hour after the ceremony had finished. - BBC

Half of Europe's teenagers browse the web with no parental oversight or supervision, a survey suggests.

The research into the web habits of 20,000 14 to 19-year-olds across Europe found that 51% enjoy unfettered access to any and every website.

The MSN research also found that 29% of the teenagers it quizzed have suffered bullying while using the web.

It comes as the EU marks Safer Internet Day with pledges from 17 social sites to do more to protect younger users. - BBC

Kinsa kadtong magpaubos, ipataas, kinsa kadtong magpataas, ipaubos. Mopahiyom lang man ko whenever jaga-jagaan ang akong pagka-Bol-anon. I had sorrowful experiences in the past ani nga klase nga mga Filipino brethren nato.

Raise the banner, mga Bol-anons.

continuation from another story:
By the Bohol Chronicle

THREATS
With the continued denial of city hall to clarify public issues objectively like the refusal to release the list of unliquidated cash advances, public discussion over the airlanes will continue.

Instead of discussing the issues confronting the city, media is getting harassed and intimidated.
Radio personalies of dyRD  continue to get death threats through their cellular phones, the latest of which was received 6:15pm yesterday from cellfone number 69296751707 stating "prepare and pray: your days are numbered."

Threats were also received by Atty Alexander Lim  and Atty Victor de la Serna, lawyers of the case on the City Square contract,  as well as Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso, Kagawad Djingo Rama.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will start tracking down these cellfone numbers sending threats through their cell fones.

By the Bohol Chronicle

The city mayor of Tagbilaran is pursuing his harassment on taxpayers even as most businesses in the city are not being issued business permits arbitrarily at the mayor's sole discretion.

The latest to be victimnized is the Bohol Chronicle Radio Corp. which has remained vocal in discussing issues of public interest in the city.

"Unlike the mayor who answers back ligitimate issues with personal attacks, we are facing the issue squarely by filing an administrative charges against City Treasurer Visitacion Acero," according to a press statement issued by the corporation yesterday.  (see: separate story).

"We  were not surprise to receive this letter as we have heard of such letters sent to businessmen since last year," this was the initial reaction of  Chronicle which was in receipt of this so-called "tax assessment" letter from the city hall.

"We did not give that much credence to such actuations labeled at the city mayor until we personally received that kind of a letter last Jan. 26, 2009."

The letter, according to realiable sources at the city hall, "came from the top which the city treasuruer was ordered to sign."

The letter signed by City Treasurer Visitacion Acero was received after the Chronicle and its sister station dyRD-AM have closely been following up  issues involving the city government, namely: the city drainage problem, the P6.5 million unliquadated cash advances exposed by the Commission on Audit, the highly questionable P337M budget for this year and the the City Square contract described by lawyers as grossly disadvantagous to the city government and taxpayers.

In its press statement, the Chronicle showed evidences of business tax payments duly receipted by the city government, which  were issued by the city mayor since he assumed office in 2004.

Elsewhere in this issue is the publication of Mayor's Permits issued by Mayor Dan Lim and former
Mayor Jose Torralba to disprove the allegations of non-payment of taxes by the corporation.

"It's a blatant lie peddled by the city mayor during his weekly radio program yesterday," says a press statement issued by the corporation.

The mayor in his usual style of "attacking personalities" over the airlanes during his radio program yesterday  claimed that the Chronicle and station DYRD started to "attack his administration when we the media institution was assessed of its taxes paid to the city government."

"That was another blatant lie made by the mayor," the Chronicle reacted as it is of public knowledge that the mayor left his weekly radio program over dyRD in the midst of the raging issue over the city's drainage problem way back in October last year.

While the twin media enterprise quoted his flip flopping statements regarding the call to cut the illegal sewerage connections along CPG Ave. he started to criticize the editorial stand of the print and broadcast entities. 

Since after the drainage issue placed the mayor in a bad light due to his failure to properly manage the problem city, his attacks against the twin media enterprise came unrelentlessly. In fact, during a recorded radio program, the mayor asked the "public as a Christmas gift to him - to stop reading the Chronicle and cease listening to dyRD."

That was long before he sent  the "tax assessment" letter to BCRC.

In fact, he started issuing personal attacks over the airlanes against the Chronicle editors and dyRD radio commentators right after he left the Chronicle owned station late last year.

Ever since he assumed office, he  broadcast his weekly "Mayor's Report" over dyRD every Saturday until he decided to leave the station amid the raging drainage issue.

"Businessmen in the city should not be intimidated by the present city hall administration through their so-called tax assessment letters," but should  instead seek legal redress against harrassments and initimadation, the statement continued.

In fact, it is of public knowldege that majority of the city's establishments are not being issued business permits since the time when this mayor assumed office, a situation which one can never find in  other cities in the country.

HARASSMENT PATTERN
The letter came as a pattern on how city hall harasses the media.

In the case of blocktimer Kagawad Roberto "Batchoy" Alba, anchorman of the top-rated "Pulso," he denounced city hall for asking his sponsors to stop advertising in his public affairs program. His failure to pay the airtime cost effected a weeklong suspension of Alba's program sometine last year. However, radio listeners from abroad are now supporting the radio program which crusade for good governance.

"The withdrawal of sponsors came at a time when I was criticizing the city mayor," the radio blocktimer recalled, saying " city hall wanted to silence me." 

The blocktimer became a victim of an attempted arson at his residence in secluded barangay Tiptip, this city last Nov. 1, 2008.

The series of public discussion on various issues involving the city hall came as a prelude to this unfounded "tax assessement" letter addressed to BCRC, the corporation stated.
In fact, the letter came only now when public indignation against city hall activities have escalated over the airlanes.

"It is now becoming obvious to the public that harassment is the motive of this move of the city governemt which we are not cowed but instead will continue with our role as purveyor of truth,"  the BCRC statement concluded.

Even a pray over didn't stop a grief-stricken modern Romeo from poisoning himself.

A teenager who slept over with church mates after breaking up with his girlfriend was found dead Saturday morning in Tondo, Manila.

Police said Christian Peyra, 18, of 276 San Roque St., Bo. Magsaysay, apparently committed suicide by drinking a chemical for cleaning silver jewelry.

Senior Police Officer 2 Richard Lumbad of the Manila Police District said that at 2 a.m. Peyra told a schoolmate of his 15-year-old girlfriend about their breakup because the girl’s mother was against their relationship.

Peyra reportedly showed a small plastic bottle containing the silver cleaner and revealed his plan to commit suicide.

Then Peyra went to a compound at 154 San Roque St. where he and his friends sleep over for their regular Saturday jog.

One of the victim's friends, Josh Capili, 24, told the police that they were roused at 4 a.m. when Peyra screamed out his girlfriend's name. - Inquirer.net

Hinandum nga C2H4,

Bisan tuod ug ang mga lawa-lawa sa kalimot mitabon na sa imong kasing-kasing, apan pabilin ang imong pangalan nagsidlak diha sa mga panghupaw sa paghandum...

Happy Birthday, Thyl. Bisan tuod ug dili na ka makabasa ani nga mga pulong kay lagi wala naman pud mopatim-aw ang imong anino dinhi sa hataas na nga panahon, apan tim-os gihapon kong manghinaut nga makadungog bisan nalang sa imong igham.

Malipayong pagsaulog sa imong adlawng natawhan ug karong umaabot adlaw sa gugma.

Your search just got easier with Angie's List. What is Angie's List? Click Here Now to learn more...

Michael Phelps devastating picture.

The US swimmer Michael Phelps has been suspended from competition for three months after photographs were published appearing to show him smoking cannabis.

USA Swimming, the sport's governing body in the US, said no "anti-doping rule" had been violated.

But the federation said it wanted to send a strong message to Phelps because he had disappointed so many people.

Phelps won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics and has been feted as one of the world's greatest athletes.

The 23-year-old was caught on camera inhaling from a type of glass pipe which can be used for smoking cannabis. - BBC

By CNN

It sounds like the opening line to a bad joke. And this case was a bad joke -- for the Pentagon.

Chris Ogle of New Zealand was in Oklahoma about a year ago when he bought a used MP3 player from a thrift store for $9. A few weeks ago, he plugged it into his computer to download a song, and he instead discovered confidential U.S. military files.

"The more I look at it, the more I see, and the less I think I should be," Ogle said with a nervous laugh in an interview with TVNZ.

The files included the home addresses, Social Security numbers and cell phone numbers of U.S. soldiers. The player also included what appeared to be mission briefings and lists of equipment deployed to hot spots in Afghanistan and Iraq. Most of the information appears to date to 2005.

Premature births cost the UK an extra £939m a year, say researchers at the Oxford Centre for Health Economics.

Their study calculated what the costs would be for all the preterm babies born in 2006 over the first 18 years of their life.

They looked at healthcare, education and the costs to their parents of having to have more time off work.

And they say that more funding for research into ways to delay premature births could save £260m a year. - BBC

Commuters face more disruption and hundreds of schools are to remain closed after the heaviest snowfalls in 18 years hit parts of the UK.

South-east England was badly hit on Monday with delays on motorways and cancellations of trains and flights.

The snow has been moving northwards, with up to 12 inches (30cm) possible in the Pennines and eight inches in parts of Scotland and north-east England.

Forecasters say ice could also make roads hazardous in southern England. - BBC

The Australian government has announced a A$42bn ($26.5bn) economic stimulus package, targeting infrastructure and those on low incomes.

The country's Treasurer, Wayne Swan, said that A$28.8bn would be invested in schools, housing and roads.

Another A$12.7bn will provide cash support for lower-income families to be paid next month.

The government has halved its economic growth forecast for 2008/09 from 2% in November to just 1%.

"To support jobs in the middle of a severe global recession, the government must stimulate the economy in the most immediate manner possible," said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. - BBC

Google has lifted the lid on its first major upgrade to its global mapping software, Google Earth.

Google Ocean expands this map to include large swathes of the ocean floor and abyssal plain.

Users can dive beneath a dynamic water surface to explore the 3D sea floor terrain.

The map also includes 20 content layers, containing information from the world's leading scientists, researchers, and ocean explorers. - BBC

A 27-year-old man has been charged after a shoe was thrown at Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao during a visit to Cambridge University.

Police said the man, who has not been named, would appear before magistrates in Cambridge on 10 February accused of committing a public order offence.

The shoe was thrown at Mr Wen and he was called a "dictator" as he gave a speech on the global economy on Monday.

The premier, on a three-day UK visit, described the incident as "despicable". - source: BBC

The EU and Canada have warned that a clause in the US economic recovery package could promote protectionism.

The "Buy American" clause seeks to ensure that only US iron, steel and manufactured goods are used in construction work funded by the bill.

The EU ambassador in Washington said that if approved, the measure would set a "dangerous precedent".

The $800bn (£567bn) rescue plan package is under discussion in the US Senate this week. - source: BBC

Quote from: asianfairy on February 02, 2009, 09:14:37 PM
Mike, matod pas panultihon sa mga tigulang: There is no fire without a smoke and there is no smoke without a fire.

I will not be surprised if in the future a TB member/admin  will be sued for libel case.

Those who have not sinned can cast the first stone.

Cheers !!

I am just providing a voluntary and free public service to the Boholano community and the rest of the Filipino people of our country. With this forum site, it is my utmost hope that people would have an open avenue to express their thoughts and feelings.

But if in the course of doing this public service and in defense of people's freedom of speech I would be tried in court, I am willing to go to jail and spend the rest of my life in a dark prison house.

It saddens my heart to hear young people losing hope when God is offering hope to all.

The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously today to kill a bill that would have required all public places with restrooms to provide disposable toilet seat covers.

Rep. Paulette Beaudoin, D-Biddeford, said she sponsored the bill because she was concerned about keeping children healthy in public restrooms. She asked the committee to give the bill a fair hearing.

"I received a call from an angry gentleman saying that this is a ridiculous waste of time and money," she said. "My main concern is for children. If this bill keeps children from getting sick and saves money in health care costs, then we should provide this protection."

A few groups -- the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs, Maine School Management Association, and the Maine Restaurant Association -- testified in opposition to the bill, citing the high cost of adding the dispensers and covers.

And Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, provided written testimony that said she could not find evidence to support the belief that disposable toilet seat covers decrease the spread of infectious diseases.

"In one study of bacteria counts in bathrooms, toilet seats had lower bacterial counts than did the faucet handles on the sinks," she wrote. source: MaineToday

The California woman who astonished doctors earlier this week by giving birth to octuplets at a suburban Los Angeles hospital already has six other children, CBS News reported on Thursday.

The woman delivered six boys and two girls prematurely by Caesarean section on Monday, surprising doctors who had seen only seven babies in ultrasound images.

Officials at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in the Los Angeles suburb of Bellflower have declined to identify the mother or reveal if she received fertility treatments, which can increase the likelihood of multiple births.

There are no known cases of naturally conceived octuplets. - Reuters

May the Lord God bless Bulak and her upcoming baby. Nga unta luwas ang iyang pagpanganak ug walay mga kakulian.

Renowned US novelist John Updike has died at the age of 76, his publisher has announced. He had been suffering from lung cancer.

Updike won many top literary prizes, including Pulitzers for two volumes of his famous Rabbit series.

In about 50 books over half a century, he chronicled sex, divorce and other aspects of life in post-war America.

He once told an interviewer that his subject was "the American small town, Protestant middle class". - BBC

By Ven Arigo
Bohol Chronicle

City hall is hugely indebted to the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) for its Blue Card Program in the amount of almost P2 million, including collectibles way back in 2007.

This was confirmed despite the denial by an administration councilor in a Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) session that there was any payment demand letter received.

In fact, hospital chief Dr. Nenita Po formally wrote and asked the mayor to “process and tender payment” as early as December 4 last year.

The accounts receivables as of November 30 in 2008 had already reached P1.937 million.
The Blue Card debt originally accumulated to P2.146 million covering the unpaid bills from July to December in 2007 and January to May 21 in 2008.

The Blue Card Program, a pro-poor health care approach of the city government, was created pursuant to an ordinance co-sponsored by then Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes and Councilor Jose Antonio Veloso, now the vice mayor and city council presiding officer.

However, the program is implemented by the executive department headed by the mayor as the local chief executive.

Minority Councilors Zenaido Rama, Mariquit Oppus and Bebiano Inting earlier inquired why the just-approved 2009 city annual budget does not reflect the Blue Card expenditures for 2007 and 2008.

This is inspite of the program’s yearly allocation of P4 million.
According to an SP member, City Budget Officer Rosemarie Palma explained that the previous funds might have not been exhausted and simply placed in a trust fund.

Veloso said that if that would be the case, then there would have been no unpaid Blue Card bills.
The excess, if there was any, should have been reflected if indeed placed as a trust fund since the mayor himself said in his budget memorandum last year that trust fund entries should be stipulated.

The city’s confirmed failure to pay its debt to the GCGMH resulted in a recommendation to amend the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the Blue Card between the hospital and city hall.

State Auditor Marina Mascariñas recommended in her Audit Observation Memorandum to revise the agreement and include among its provisions that the city should be required to regularly deposit with the hospital a certain amount to pay the Blue Card bills.

The audit memorandum also demanded that the billing and social services sections of the hospital should be furnished a masterlist of the Blue Card beneficiaries.

The memorandum was rendered by the state auditor as early as June 4 last year.
Apart from the Blue Card, there are other social benefit projects funded out of taxpayers’ money and thus no city official can singularly claim credit for them.

These include the services to the senior citizens allocated with P2.5 million in this year’s budget, higher by over 500% as against last year’s P400,000 only.

The allocation for the senior citizens is a source of the city government expenses for free movie passes, birthday cakes and other gifts on occasions such as milestone anniversaries.
Uniforms, bags and school supplies to public elementary students in the city are also provided out of people’s tax.

The budget for the said items comes from the Special Education Fund (SEF), which is one percent of the annual real property tax collection.

By the Bohol Chronicle

The high performance rating of  Sen Francis Chiz Escudero in a recent  survey conducted by Pulse Asia was affirmed by Boholanos yesterday as they picked him as their presidential bet if elections were to be conducted tomorrow.

In the "performance rating," Escudero generated 78% followed by Sen. Loren Legarda , 76%. Sen. Mar Roxas,72% and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan with 68% .  Escudero and Legarda belong to the Nationalist People's Coalition.   

Sen. Escudero breezed into town last Thursday purposely to gather the pulse of the people on his talked about candidacy for President in next year's presidential and local election. He flew from Manila for a four-hour stay here then proceeded to Dumaguete City and Iloilo City.

From the airport, he proceeded to station dyRD for a live interview  over the top-rated Inyong Alagad program. Callers jammed the station's phone lines as listeners took turns to ask questions from the young senator.

During a random survey conducted yesterday by "Radyo Merkado" of dyRD, Escudero stood high as the favored presidential candidate. with 71.4% while Legarda pooled 21%. Only the names of the two senators were included in yesterday's radio survey, being both from the NPC under the leadership of business tycoon  Danding Cojuangco.

Of those who favored Sen Escudero, they cited his brilliance and  frankness as factors which generated strong appeal to the voters.

However, Sen Escudero said  the talked about presidential bid will remain a rumor until he will turn 40 in October this year.

A Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge in the city finds himself in the firing line after a class suit against the questioned contract of the City Square project landed on his court.

Meanwhile, three lawyers expressed shock on the "wanton and malicious personal attacks and verbal abuse by the mayor against the RTC judge."

The city mayor berated RTC Branch 1 Presiding Judge Teofilo Baluma over an order issued by the latter which bordered on accusations of bribery and intrusion into the local judiciary leveled against the city chief executive.

Last Monday, RTC Executive Judge Fernando Fuentes re-raffled the case against the City Square contract to Baluma after four judges previously inhibited from handling the case.

On the same day, Baluma released an order asking the parties (plaintiffs and defendants) of the case to submit their manifestations that they are submitting to his neutrality and impartiality in hearing the complaint.

A few hours after the case was assigned to Baluma, the city government filed a motion for his inhibition citing reasons that it is public knowledge that the city mayor openly criticized Baluma on the way he handled cases as Family Court judge which has “created an atmosphere of animosity between them”.

The judge was also said to have been “very vocal” during a radio interview that he will not inhibit from hearing the case if it was raffled to his sala, “bringing suspicion to his impartiality”.

In said order, Baluma revealed an incident in the past where the city mayor initiated his removal as Family Court judge with the help of the local chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) which had been alleged “recipients of unfavorable rulings” and “denied requests for favors”.
However, judicial auditors of the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Baluma finding his dispositions within the standards, rules, regulations and guidelines implemented by the high tribunal.

Baluma likewise disclosed that among seven RTC judges assigned in the city, he is one of possibly two, who is not receiving any honorarium from the city government since July 2006 when the mayor started questioning the way he handled cases in the Family Court.

The judge stressed that even without an enabling ordinance or resolution, monthly honoraria and dole-outs from the city government are being delivered to judges “chamber to chamber”.

MAYOR’S RETORT
The city mayor responded to the court order by withdrawing the motion for inhibition and writing a letter to Baluma.

He referred to Baluma’s order as “pathetic” and his court being “the weakest link” of the local judiciary.

In said letter, the mayor criticized the “uncharacteristic swiftness” of the order and “the unfounded and irresponsible allegations” in it.

The mayor accused Baluma of making himself look heroic that he is being deprived of monthly honoraria from City Hall “at the expense of fellow members of bench”.

“The court attempts to dignify itself at the expense of fellow members of the bench in its futile insistence to hear the case where other judges had inhibited themselves,” the mayor said.
Lim vowed to elevated the matter to the Deputy Court Administrator for evaluation.

source: The Bohol Chronicle

      Boholano boxing heroes, AJ Banal and Czar Amonsot, have to double-time as they face a battle tougher than those where they stumbled- -the upcoming “They are Back” fight this Saturday at the Island City Mall Park.

      The “free-to-public” bout is a joint venture of ALA Promotions and the City Government of Tagbilaran.

      The 58-round card will also feature some of Bohol’s promising fighters led by Ricky Sismundo who will collide with hard-punching Daryl Pucdol of Wake Salud stable and Along Denoy, former WBO Asia Pacific champion who will test the mettle of Aljun Salogaol of Cebu.

      Another exiting feature is the appearance of the young Rocky Amonsot who will attempt to steal the limelight from his more prominent brother, Czar. He will trade blows with provincemate Samuel Galinato of Jagna, Bohol.

      Banal and older Amonsot will be facing an acid test against Indonesian’s super flyweight champion, Nouldy Manakane and No. 2 Lightweight contender, Zoel Fidal.

      Banal stumbled in his previous clash with Panamanian Rafael Concepcion in the WBA Interim bantamweight championship, while Amonsot tried hard but failed to wrest the WBO interim lightweight title against Michael Katsidis of Australia.

      The 25-year-old Manakane is rated No. 4 by the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) and the IBF Pan Pacific and WBO Asia Pacific.

      He has fought the likes of World challenger, Hussein Hussein of Australia and WBO No. 1 Posuwan Promunsak of Thailand.

      The Boholano camp considers it that “what makes the dangerous Manakane record quiet interesting is the fact that he has never fought a Filipino patsy, nor has ever fought in the Philippines. He is undeniably a much-feared warrior who could give Banal a tough fight”.

      The highly-respected Temuzin Rambing, manager of Manakane said “Banal is mistaken if he expects to seek redemption at the expense of my boxer. Manakane will destroy him and end his career.”

      On the other hand, the much-awaited return of the colorful and crowd-drawer Czar Amonsot is likewise creating a lot of excitement.

      A known-to-be explosive fighter, the 23-year-old Amonsot will be facing another southpaw in Zoel Fidal, another tough Indonesian fighter who has fought in Thailand and Australia but had never fought in the Philippines yet, nor against a Filipino fighter which could also mean that he is being avoided and is a good trial-horse.

      ALA president Michael Aldeguer, on the other hand, is quite optimistic in the comeback fight of Amonsot, but warns that “Fidal is not a patsy and could derail his return to the ring. Amonsot should avoid being over-confident”.

source: Sunday Post

By Joe Espiritu
Sunday Post

So the Third Political District of Bohol political pot is starting to boil. It had been an accepted fact that the older Jala is going to replace the son. The Jalas are doing what they can to keep the congressional office within the family. Previously, the bother of Jala senior was supposed to run for his vacated post thinking that the Third District voters do not know his son from Adam â€" no pun intended.

However, the brother might not relinquish the post if he wins because once one is bitten by the political bug, there is no antidote. So what happened was the son campaigning with the company of his father. The irony will be; if the son will run against his father. Filial piety can go hang once infected by the political disease. An old saying states that politics knows no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests, self interest that is. We might add to the first phrase, no relatives â€" hey man, relatives are permanent so they say but you can disown the.

If the father against son contest might materialize, Rene Relampagos might try his luck again. Or it might be Dionisio Balite or any member of the Balite clan. Or then, if Fortunato Abrenilla finds Jagna too small a pond for him and the administration party will declare the Third District as a zona libre, he would also make a try. Market place rumors say that he is fielding his brother Theodore for the Jagna mayoralty post.. That might be a ploy of the Abrenilla opponents but it might also be true. There might yet be others.

The biggest name pushed for the Third District congressional post is Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap. Except for being a cabinet member, we do not know anything about him, locally that is, only this month and that information is his wife is from Loboc. His credentials is not a thing, which any voter can fail to notice. His clout is bigger than Bicbic Abrenilla’s though both are members of the administrative family, Bicbic occupies a lesser position being an Administrative  Assistant IV of the NEDA.

National exposure is a good political hay for any candidate, the question is how to translate that exposure into local votes. History has shown that a national position holds a kiss of death for any local politician. Esteban Bernido, a war hero , in law of the politically powerful Caseñas family of Jagna, several times Governor, several times Congressman. To clear the Bohol political field, he was given a job as a Housing Czar by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. He had not intention of coming back to the Bohol political field after that.

Then there was Danny Gaviola of Ubay when Ubay was once in the Third District. If we still remember it right, he was an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals. He tried for the congressional seat and did not make it. Then there was Juan C. Pajo, several times governor, Executive Secretary of Pres Carlos P Garcia oftentimes termed as the little President. He too ran and lost.

It could be that Sec Arthur Yap might break the jinx. However, he will have to  campaign actively in a manner which would circumvent not violate election laws. And he will have to resign his post when the files his candidacy. Since a political contest is unpredictable, anything can happen. He will have to take whatever risk encountered. Anyway, at the end of the PGMA government, he will have to leave his post unless retained by the successor. But that will be more remote than a Bohol Third District congressional post. 

A Benjamin Among Solomons
By Loy Palapos
Sunday Post

At the local Sangguniang Panlungsod and in any legislative body here and abroad, lawmakers brandishing their prowess (to the point of plain filibustering and unrestrained braggadocio) are a common sight. Oblivious to the negative comments of their colleagues and observers, one or two may find the English language as an impediment to their desire to fully express themselves. One may even realize (to the hearers’ horror) that fractured grammar does not make a great legislator.

In the above-mentioned realm, it does not follow that one who gets more mileage on the floor is the best, or that he who seldom takes the floor is a misfit. For although a session may reverberate with the words of those with stentorian eloquence, the really gifted may be the one who only opens his mouth when it is necessary. And with this, the ability to make the right decision.

The Solomons (or any who is convinced of his brilliance and wears his heart on his sleeves) may dominate the hall, but a Benjamin may be wiser than his veteran, or age-worn colleagues. Take the case of Atty. Nerio Dote Zamora II (NDZ), whom I had the privileged of interviewing last Tuesday, January 20, at the City Hall. At 32, he is the youngest among the elected Councilors of the Tagbilaran City legislature. Soft-spoken but perceptive, learned but not flamboyant... he embodies what a lawmaker should be: brainy and smart, without being bossy and over-bearing; young but experienced in decision-making beyond his years; boyish and easy to the eyes, but not a braggart for his physical and mental attributes; a newcomer and a Benjamin who knows his job better than some assertive Solomons.

LMP: Since you became a politician, including the time you became an SK Chairman, what were the problems that you have faced?

NDZ: When I was still with Sangguniang Kabataan, there were already a huge problem on economy and education. There were a lot of expectations. As we always hear it, the youth is the future, but even at a young age, the Sangguniang Kabataan is already exposed to the bad side of politics.

LMP: You were conscious that even during your time as a student leader there were already anomalies involved and you would like to change that. How successful are you as far as that outlook is concerned?

NDZ: I cannot really say how successful I am, but I am working very hard to bring change, especially now that the challenge is so big. Daghang mga tawo ang involved.

LMP: Would you consider it as a lifetime challenge?

NDZ: Yes! Even if I am not a politician, I would still do something about it. It has been my advocacy. I believe that we have to educate the young for them to be wise; wise in voting someone who is really capable for a position. Because if that person is capable, then he can deliver what is expected.

LMP: Did you feel that having been an SK Chairman has helped you now that you are in the Sangguniang Panlungsod? In what way?

NDZ: I have been oriented to the service and to sacrifice for the people. My projects before were focused on the youth, that is why right now, a make it a point to give a little contribution to the youth.

LMP: There are two opposing forces in the SP right now. How do you handle the situation?

NDZ: I always evaluate my decisions before I execute them. I take it from my father. Always think of what’s good for the majority. When you make a decision, be it wrong or right, always be responsible with the outcome.

LMP: Are you more of the feeling or the thinking individual? Which comes first?

NDZ: I’m more of the thinking individual. Think first, feel later.

LMP: One of the projects that you have is on solid waste management. What is the update of this project?

NDZ: It’s called Integrated Waste Project now. All the papers have been approved already. I think it’s already with NEDA because of the huge amount involved. The city is also asking for endorsement from NEDA. With respect to the land, it has already been identified and the budget has been approved.  The project is on the go.

LMP: What is the timetable?

NDZ: Maybe, within this year. I think it’s on the Top 5 projects of the Mayor.

LMP: Only a few people know that one of your concerns is the External Affairs of the city. There is this project giving some benefits to Senior Citizens, which the people readily accepted and for which they are really thankful. What are some of the set-backs of this project, since in politics, nothing is smooth-sailing?

NDZ: As far as I know, the project is very well. I haven’t heard of any bad feedbacks in the office. That is an indication, of course, that they like the privileges.

LMP: There are many Senior Citizens who applied here in Tagbilaran even if they are from neighboring towns. What do you do about it?

NDZ: I think as long as the city would still be able to give these privileges to as many Senior Citizens, then that would be good. We have to reward the Seniors for serving the city.

LMP: What are some of your plans for the coming election? Would you run for the same position or for a higher one?

NDZ: I still don’t have an idea what will happen that time. My priority now are the projects at hand.

LMP: Last week’s local papers bannered some ripples about the City Budget for 2009. Was there really an axe to grind by the opposition in the Sangguniang Panlungsod?

NDZ: The legislation of the City Budget went through the usual process. It was carefully deliberated on from the Committee Level, until it was tabled in the SP. After the Second Reading, there was no objection raised, and was passed unanimously. If there were a few ripples made public, these don’t have any basis. They were mere conjectures.

LMP: How about the issue on unliquidated cash advances?

NDZ: That has been taken care of. The SP had been supplied the list of those with cash advances, and most of those concerned have complied with the requirements. That’s water under the bridge now.

LMP: You are now at the SP. Just like a Benjamin (in age especially), compared to the Solomon-veterans did the feeling of not being equal to the responsibilities as a Legislator enter your mind?

NDZ: Definitely, No. I have prepared myself for the job. For 9 years, I was an SK Chairman, and you know what kind of exposure that could mean. Being a Lawyer also has its advantages in any Legislative body. And don’t forget, my father was a politician, and he was with the SP, and passed away with his political boots on. I learned a lot of things from him.

LMP: Being a politician you cannot help critics to go overboard. How do you react?

NDZ: I just don’t mind them. Of course I get affected by personal criticisms. But I just do my job, because we can’t avoid critics. They will always be there. Just do your job.

LMP: In the Philippine setting, the age of 30 is already more than marriageable. Why is it that until now, you are still single?

NDZ: It will come. I am hoping. But I think, not now. I’m not yet ready.

LMP: Your father passed away as a politician. Did he serve as an inspiration to you, to go on with he ahs started?

NDZ: Yes. He was and is my inspiration. I have a legacy to uphold and I should not negate that.

Atty. Nerio D. Zamora’s grandfather was a Barangay Captain of Taloto for several years, at a time when the “Kapitan” served and spent his own money, for there was no honorarium, nor compensation then. His father was Atty. Nerio Grupo Zamora, who was a post Edsa-Vice Mayor and a Kagawad until his passing away.

He was a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman for 9 years, just like his older brother before him. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT), and would have finished Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering (BSECE), had he not been persuaded to take up Law, which he finished at Holy Name University in 2003.

Atty. Zamora is well-equipped for public governance, not an accidental leader. Ask him why he is still single, and his eyes go chinky, his grin impish. He is serving the public… that’s his concern now. 

By JUNE S. BLANCO

Over 300 depositors of the collapsed Pilipino Rural Bank (PRB) in Bohol now see light at the end of the tunnel on the payment of insurance for their deposits with the scheduled meeting with top Philippine Deposit Insurance Company (PDIC) officials.

  Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado arranged the meeting with PDIC Executive Vice President Imelda Singzon amd Vice President for the Comptrollership Group Geronimo Ambe at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 5, at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City.

  The depositors, led by former Tagbilaran City Mayor Jose Torralba and businessman Engr. Abdon Añora, had sought Aumentado’s intercession so that they can finally be paid.

  Aumentado had requested Singzon to particularly bring Ambe â€" a native of his hometown of Ubay â€" in order to help explain clearly PDIC’s own payment regulations and documentary requirements especially to those who have difficulty understanding Tagalog.

  Ambe in turn, arranged for two more PDIC vice presidents â€" Teresita Gonzales of the Receivership and Liquidation Group I, and Lilian Cerna of the Insurance Claims Group, to go with him to Bohol on February 5.

  Ambe also said he invited more PDIC officials from Cebu and Negros who have met depositors in the same predicament there to attend the Tagbilaran meeting.

   PRB had attracted depositors because of its double-your-money-in-three-years scheme.

  Some retirees, hoping to live comfortably with their pension plus interest on their deposits, invested their benefits of over a million pesos in PRB.

  Others considered the scheme a means of increasing the capital for their businesses, hence, the investment in the rural bank.

  The PDIC had taken over PRB on December 12 last year, prompting local depositors to seek help from Aumentado who they consider knows which doors to open and who holds the keys to these doors.

By ANGELINE VALENCIA

      On the slogan “From Soil to Oil”, Petrogreen Commodity Holdings, Inc. intends to groom Bohol as the Jatropha capital of Visayas and Mindanao, considering the province’s strategic location that holds the edge in commerce and agro-industry.

      Boasting of 25-35 hectares of intensive nurseries in Guindulman, Petrogreen assures a stable and even strong technical groundwork for the Jatropha Propagation Project (JPP) in Bohol.

      Petrogreen Managing Director Poch Lamug urged Boholano farmers to get involved as the biodiesel and jet fuel markets continue to widen opportunities for jatropha oil.

      Moreover, Lamug cited the support of Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) Intensive Research and Development for JPP that had already spanned over two years as he hinted Bohol’s potential to even produce better variety of Jatropha in the future.

      Petrogreen operates nurseries and plantation sites of PNOC-certified jatropha in Sierra-Bullones, Duero and Guindulman.

      He also disclosed that oblivious to many, Petrogreen actually started establishing JPP in Bohol in the past few years yet and had already prepared 25 million seedlings as of December last year.

      Since September 2008 until the present Lamug’s group has been continuously transplanting to a total of 1,000 hectares plantation at the rate of 2,500 jatropha seedlings per hectare and with BPRMO’s partnership, will soon expand to over 3,000 hectares plantation.

      Of the hundreds of idle lands in Bohol, the provincial government and the environment department reserve sloping areas by above 12 degrees for jatropha plantations.

      About 370 farmers coops under the Bohol Poverty Reduction Management Office (BPRMO) had already expressed interest in joining the project with Governor Erico Aumentado’s chief of staff, Antonieto Pernia, as the project director.

      Many of them had already started processing documents necessary for their participation in the project.

      The town of Valencia is just one of the areas that has been surveyed conducive to jatropha propagation with its “favorable climate and weather conditions” and its “over 5,000 hectares of rich and fertile lands”.

      Though jatropha’s water requirement is minimal, the town’s abundant water supply will be necessary in the plant’s first six months, Lamug explained.

      The ancestral domain site of JPP in Guindulman also serves the best manifestation of “food and fuel co-existence”.

      Moreover, to the tune of P18 million to P25 million, Petrogreen will be establishing an expeller-extractor facility in Bohol that will process jatropha seeds to produce oil for the jet fuel and other markets, Lamug added.

By FRED C. FUERTES

      In an effort to bring the government nearer to the people, the local government unit (LGU) will start sending off a barangay caravan of health and dental services throughout the town.

      The year-end assessment and planning workshop conducted on January 15 and 16 at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall focused on this bold program.

      Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr. spearheaded the two-day activity with the assistance of Executive Chief of Staff Oscar Valles and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Ma. Nenita Chiu.

      Dr. Chiu told the Post in an interview Friday last week that the actual services that the barangay caravan will deliver include health and dental services, dog registration, vaccination and elimination of stray dogs, inspection of newly-constructed structures, inspection of business establishments, supplemental feeding for identified malnourished children, distribution of planting materials, issuance of senior citizens’ IDs, and distribution of leaflets and other reading materials.

      Dr. Chiu, who is a civil engineer by profession, further announced that the project- -to be implemented for the first time here, will extend the services through a caravan to the barangay level twice a week.

      There will be a trial period, though, for the LGU to assess its feasibility.

      In the assessment workshop, the 45 personnel led by the municipal government’s department heads reviewed the 2008 action plans, assessed the actions undertaken in the preceding year, identified met and unmet targets, and the difficulties that hindered the attainment of the targets.

      They also set goals and objectives for 2009 that each department of the municipal hall and satellite offices of the Mayor’s Office have to achieve in conformity with the Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) and the Comprehensive Development Plan, to formulate strategies and activities to determine LGU resources and capabilities and to formulate realistic and doable action plans for 2009 in line with the executive thrusts.  - Sunday Post

      Baclayon Mayor Alvin Uy vowed to solve, this year, the water supply problem in the barangays that the constituents have been suffering for many years already.

      The mayor said that the operation of Payahan reservoir will solve the water supply in barangays Montaña and laya.

      This year, the Municipal Development Council has allocated over P1-million worth of barangay projects including the development of a water source which got a chunk of P500 thousand.

      Another project that has been allocated fund from the 20-percent Development Fund is the solid waste management and the development of potential tourist spots in the town.

      Mayor Uy also considers the improvement of health services, especially that his wife is a doctor.

      The Philippine National Police also got an allocation for the construction of their annex building.

      Each of the 17 barangays in Baclayon got P50 thousand regardless of political affiliations of their village heads.

      Uy explained that his governance does not discriminate officials affiliated with other political parties.

      Also taken from the 20-percent development fund are the improvement of the public market and the distribution of free toilet bowl to households that do not have toilets yet.

source: Sunday Post

Ate, Please do share with us any pictures that would bring us closer to the memories of Aya.

Tubag Bohol Dot Com does not and will not tolerate personal attacks. All discussions must be focused on the subject matter, not to the poster.

Remember this is a public forum site. The whole world can read your posts. If you wish to address the issue to another level, use the PM feature of our site.

PMs are absolutely private. No one can access your PM. There has been misunderstanding on this matter. Truth to tell, I cannot access anyone's PM.

Again, we lock or edit threads that contain personal attacks which won't foster camaraderie and harmony among Boholanos and Filipinos.

Thank you for your understanding.

Mike

A 20-year-old Brazilian model whose feet and hands were amputated due to an infection has died in hospital.

Mariana Bridi died in the early hours of Saturday morning after struggling for weeks against the illness.

Doctors were said to have amputated both her feet and her hands and removed part of her stomach in an effort to save her life.

The hospital in Brazil's Espirito Santo state said she died from complications related to a generalised infection.

Mariana Bridi was said to have first sought medical help in December when she felt unwell. It was reported that medical staff initially thought she had kidney stones, before she was later diagnosed with a urinary infection, caused by a rare type of bacteria.

By the time this was detected, the 20-year-old model had developed the blood infection septicaemia.

Before her illness Mariana Bridi seemed to be in the initial stages of a highly successful career. She was twice a finalist in the Brazilian stage of the Miss World competition. -source: BBC

Jesus said to her: "I am the resurrection and the life. The person who believes in me, even though he dies, will live." - John 11:25

Quote from: hotandsunnybohol on January 23, 2009, 03:54:20 PM
The writer is obviously praising the subject. Thorough review of Jun Ayag's  achievements/accomplishments/drams are the same achievements of my sisters and no impact at all in the community. He is an example of a man who lives in delusion.

Your comment is extremely unfair. A personal attack like this will never be tolerated in Tubag Bohol Dot Com. Every person deserves some kind of respect.

Jun Ayag is revealing his real name here, and here you are attacking a person whom we highly respect, not just because of his achievements abroad, but because of his gift of friendship shared with us, and you launched your malicious attack against a fellow Boholano, cloaking your identity, which is so unfair and unethical.

Reveal your true identity, your real name, and let's see if you would behave the same way you did under the pseudonym "hotandsunnybohol." If you were true to yourself, unveil your identity and we will listen to your dark thoughts.

We know who you are and we know where you live (in the Philippines). 

Lifetime BANNED takes effect immediately without hope of lifting. No appeal. No explanation. The tirade was a blatant crime in Tubag Bohol Dot Com.

Note: All posts by hotandsunnybohol will be deleted permanently for these were malicious, libelous, and unethical. These words should only exist in an uncivilized society.

Senator Edgardo Angara on Saturday said he expects the approval by the Senate on third reading one of the twin efforts in hurdling the global financial crisis, which is the strengthening of the Home Development Mutual Fund or the Pag-IBIG Fund.

Angara said Senate Bill no. 2971 or the Pag-IBIG Fund Law of 2008 has been recommended and calendared for plenary approval on Monday.

"In these times of financial difficulties, by providing a boost to the Pag-IBIG Fund, not only do we help Filipinos better plan and provide for their housing needs, we also reap other economic benefits that go with a strong housing sector," he said.

"The housing sector plays an important role in providing jobs. From the data provided by the so-called shelter agencies alone, an additional 607,003 jobs are expected to be created this 2009," he added.

Angara, chairman the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, said that for every housing unit, at least eight jobs are created.

"These domestic employment opportunities, whether from housing construction, public works, mining, micro-finance, small-and-medium enterprises, agriculture, tourism, etc., will serve our people well in the coming year, when working abroad will start losing its luster, and outsourcing jobs we currently rely on will slowly shrink," he said. - PNA

The Navotas government has cited and lauded 10 companies for being the city’s top taxpayers during the 2008 fiscal year.

Praised for remitting their substantial tax contributions on time were Linton Incorporated, Philippine Beverage Partners Inc., Vifel Ice Plant and Cold Storage, Columbia International Food Products, Western Garments Inc., Frabelle Fishing Corporation, Purechem Corporation, D.M. Consunji, Inc., Ravago Equipment Rentals, Inc., and Via Marine Corporation.

The awards, honoring the city’s top 10 tax paying companies were presented to representatives last Jan. 15 or a day before the city’s 103rd founding anniversary.

Navotas mayor Tobias “Toby” Tiangco commended those firms for their continuing support for the city’s economic development.

“We truly appreciate not just the awardees but all the companies that are actively supporting the city because more than financial investment, they are the bloodline for massive employment of our residents on top of being part of nation building,” Tiangco added.

He also promised all the Navotenos and establishments investing in the city that he will continue instituting changes that would further improve the business climate in Navotas. - source: PNA

The P6.4 billion project that would connect the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) loop is expected to be completed and operational by May 2010 and would cover at least five stations and span 5.71 kilometers.

The rail link project would connect the LRT Line 1’s Monumento station in Caloocan City with the MRT North Avenue station in Quezon City in a bid to ease Metro Manila’s traffic problem, according to Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

Mendoza said that there is no problem in funding these projects because the national government has several private partners to finance the administration's infrastructure priority projects.

He also said that the completion of the 5.4-kilometer route linking LRT 1 and MRT 3 will definitely help ease the traffic congestion, particularly along EDSA from Monumento in Caloocan up to Taft Avenue in Pasay City. - source: PNA

The city government of Taguig reimposed its ban against the sale and serving of liquors and other alcoholic drinks in night spots.

Taguig Mayor Freddie R. Tiñga has ordered the city’s Business Permits and Licenses Office (BPLO) to strictly implement the ordinance through constant monitoring.

He clarified that the ordinance does not seek to intervene on business operations, but to curb alcohol-related crimes by regulating the sale and serving of liquors, particularly during unholy hours.

“Extended “happy hours” are now over for restaurants, bars, clubs and similar establishments in Taguig,” Tiñga said.

Tiñga said that after two months of giving leeway to these establishments in view of the Christmas season, City Ordinance No. 36, a local law that imposes curfew on the sale and trade of alcoholic drinks, once again took effect last January 15.

The city government temporarily lifted the said ordinance in November “to give way to the holiday season” which has now lapsed. Businesses now revert to the mandated operating hours. - PNA

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to dismiss the petition filed by former Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste, seeking to allow the conduct of a "special raffle" for his application for bail due to health reasons.

It can be recalled that Leviste was convicted of homicide and was sentenced to a jail term ranging from six to 12 years for the gunslay of his best friend Rafael Delas Alas.

Leviste asked the CA to conduct a "special raffle" to allow him to post bail as soon as possible while his motion to bail is pending.

The former Batangas governor argued that he could not stay any longer in prison because of the condition of his health.

The DOJ immediately blocked the motion, saying that granting the petition of Leviste would clearly show a "special treatment".

"That accused has just been convicted of the crime of homicide and to grant his motion for a special raffle will be conferring upon him a special privilege that is violative of the equal protection of the law clause of the Constitution," Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco argued in his ex-parte motion he filed before the CA.

He added: "It will be giving him a special treatment, a treatment that has not been enjoyed by other persons who are similarly situated like him." - PNA

With the success of the country's first ever elevated U-turn on the southbound lane of C-5 near Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City in easing traffic and reducing accidents in the busy intersection, construction of a second elevated U-turn slot on the northbound lane has shifted to high gear.

The completion of the southern elevated U-turn, which cost P350 million and six months to build in August last year, had greatly improved traffic flow in the area with the elimination of the left turn slot from Kalayaan to C-5 and from C-5 to Kalayaan going to Pasig and Pateros.

Traffic managers from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that the completion of the second elevated U-turn, also known as C-5 Kalayaan Interchange Project Phase II, would eventually close the C-5 and Kalayaan intersection and would further improve the flow of traffic.

The construction had its snags, however, as, like in the case of the northbound elevated U-turn slot, the construction of the southbound slot had slowed the traffic movement at the Pasig flyover to a crawl. - PNA

More than 50 pieces of vintage bombs were dug up at a construction site inside the compound of the United States Embassy along Roxas Blvd. in Manila on Friday afternoon, the police reported on Saturday.

With the discovery of the World War II bombs, US Embassy employees and visitors were immediately evacuated from the area. The construction workers were also ordered to vacate the premises for their safety.

Investigation conducted by the Manila Police District- Explosives and Ordnance Division (MPD-EOD) showed that the bombs were found at 6 p.m. Friday.

Bomb experts retrieved the pieces of mortar and artillery from the site of a new building under construction on the rear portion of the compound near Manila Bay. - PNA

By Karl Wilson

Nearly 30 years after work began on the Bataan nuclear power plant just north of Manila, Filipino taxpayers are still paying 155,000 dollars a day in interest on a structure that has never produced one watt of power.

Thelmo Cunanan, chief executive of state-run Philippine National Oil Co., said it had become the country's most outstanding white elephant.

"The fact that we are still paying interest on a project that is 30 years old and has not produced a watt of electricity should send at least one positive signal to the investment community," he told Agence France-Presse in a telephone interview.

The signal was that "If we enter an agreement at least we pay our bills. There were times when I thought: why should we? Why don't we simply turn our backs and walk away from it but that is not the way we Filipinos do business."

The Bataan nuclear power plant was a knee jerk reaction by former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos to the energy crisis of the early 1970s.

The oil embargo had put a heavy strain on the economy and Marcos saw nuclear power as the best way forward in terms of meeting the country's future power needs and lessening the nation's reliance on imported oil.

Construction began in 1976 and was completed in 1984 at a cost of 2.3 billion dollars.

The power station, 60 miles (97 kilometres) north of Manila, has been the centre of controversy from the day construction began.

When Marcos was overthrown by the so-called People Power Revolution in early 1986 a team of international inspectors visited the site and declared it unsafe and inoperable as it was built near major earthquake fault lines and near the Pinatubo volcano which at the time was dormant.

The first post-Marcos government of Corazon Aquino sealed the nuclear plant's fate for good when it banned the use of nuclear power and enshrined it into the Constitution.

Debt repayment on the plant is the country's biggest single obligation.

Successive governments have looked at ways of converting the plant into an oil, coal, or gas-fired power station.

According to Cunanan a South Korean company recently expressed an interest in taking over the nuclear power station and developing it as a commercial operation. But the provision in the constitution ruled it out.

Cunanan said it would be unfair to name the company but said the government has not ruled out converting the plant into a fossil fuel power station.

Some studies in the past have shown that converting the plant may be too expensive.

The plant itself has been maintained despite never having been commissioned.

A Westinghouse light water reactor, it was designed to produce some 621 megawatts of electricity.

Much of the technology used in the plant was early 1970s but modified following the Three Mile Island accident in the United States in 1979. source: http://www.energybulletin.net

Moderate alcohol consumption may protect against disabilities for healthy older adults, a new study showed.

People at 50 and older who drink alcohol moderately have 25 percent lower odds of being unable to carry out daily activities such as walking, dressing, eating, running errands or doing chores, according to the study conducted by the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The researchers collected data from a large, nationally representative sample over a period of years to look at the relationship between alcohol and physical disabilities. The findings were published in the January issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.

"What it's really telling light-to-moderate drinkers is don't worry, you're probably in good company, and you're probably going to get good benefits from this," said lead researcher Dr. Arun S. Karlamangla.

The researchers defined light-to-moderate drinking as less than 15 drinks a week with a daily maximum of five for men and four for women.

Study co-author Dr. Alison A. Moore, an associate professor of medicine in the geriatrics division, said the study included the number of drinks a day to eliminate people who binge drink. The daily consumption may be part of the protective mechanism, she explained. - PNA

Police in the Bahamas have detained two people over an alleged plot to extort money from actor John Travolta after the death of his son, officials said.

Jett Travolta, 16, died following a seizure at the family's holiday home on Grand Bahama shortly after New Year.

An ambulance driver and a female senator have been detained and questioned, police said, but no charges have so far been brought.

Authorities have not revealed what the alleged extortion involved.

Some media outlets suggested it was a threat to sell pictures of Jett's body if the actor refused to pay up to $20m (£15m), but later reports suggest that may not be the case. - source: BBC

By David C. McCasland
Our Daily Bread devotional

Each year, one of my goals is to read the entire Bible. While listing it among my New Year’s resolutions, I noticed a bookmark on my desk. On one side was a brief appeal for people to take in foster children. On the other side were these words referring to that appeal: “Don’t read it. Live it. Real children. Real stories. Real life.” The people who produced the bookmark knew how easily we absorb information without acting on it. They wanted people to respond.

Regular intake of God’s Word is a worthy practice, but it’s not an end in itself. The prophet Ezekiel spoke to an audience who loved to listen but refused to act. The Lord said to Ezekiel: “Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them” (33:32).

Jesus said: “Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt. 7:24).

How will each of us read the Bible this year? Will we read it quickly to achieve the goal of getting through it? Or will we read it with the aim of doing what it says?

Don’t just read it. Live it! 

Today I just got a Christmas card from Kuya Lindy Ticong, of British Columbia, Canada.

Thanks Kuya Lindy for the thoughtfulness.

From me and my family...

Hundreds of people in the Philippines are losing their jobs everyday as the global economy slows, Labour Secretary Marianito Roque said Friday.

Between December 1 and January 19, some 15,600 workers were laid off, he told local radio.

Over the same period, 19,000 others had their shifts or working hours reduced.

"Just for today it was reported to us that 458 people nationwide could lose their jobs," Roque said.

He said most of the job cuts were happening in the electronics sector, which has suffered from plunging global demand.

The sector employs 480,000 people and accounts for nearly 70 percent of Philippine exports. - GMANews.tv

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA - Bohol

  Would this recent Palace rigodon effect a good time for Visayans?

  The recent movement of key Palace positions has strategically placed at least two Cebuano speaking men and two more capable of understanding the dialect, close to where the action is.

  The shift involves Davaoeño Jesus Dureza, Cebuano Cerge Remonde, former Central Visayas Police Regional Director Avelino Razon and retired army chief Hermogenes Esperon who had a long military stint in Mindanao.

  To this, many see as an omen of times for Cebuano regions.

  The shift came as Former Press Secretary Jesus Dureza asks the President a lighter load and was consequently granted Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

  Dureza, who hails from Davao, was formerly the Press Secretary reportedly confided to Secretary Eduardo Ermita his wish to get a lighter load to attend to his ailing wife battling a kidney ailment.

  Dureza, graduate of the Ateneo de Davao placed 10th in the 1973 Bar Exams, scored 100 percent in Criminal Law â€" is taking over a post vacated by Sergio Apostol since February of last year.

  Meanwhile Presidential Management Staff (PMS) head Cerge Remonde assumes the position vacated by Dureza. 

  Remonde, a top Cebuano media worker headed the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas for six terms, used to head the Presidential Management Staff prior to his new job as Press Secretary.

  To replace Remonde as PMS head is Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Hermogenes Esperon Jr.; and to take over him as PAPP is retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Avelino Razon, presently the deputy national security adviser.

  The development also elates Visayans who realize that somebody whom they could easily rub elbows with is that close to the President. Getting that close also means these men could haggle with the President for more development projects in the region, they said.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA - Bohol

A no-show by invited cause oriented groups during the latest Local Peace Forum (LPF) last week failed to dampen the spirit of Bohol peace advocates. 

  During a recent interview, Capitol Peace and Order consultant, Romeo Teruel said the LPF would continue to find ways and opportunities where issues and concerns can be ventilated when the Provincial Peace and Order Council could not provide the venue. 

  Earlier, cause-oriented groups here led by Bayan through its legal adviser Atty. Artemio Cabatos wrote to LPF chair, Bohol Bishop Leonardo Medroso that [the cause-oriented groups] said it would be hypocritical for them to attend [to the invitation] when they do not trust the forum anymore.

  Earlier, Bishop Medroso invited anew the cause oriented groups to come to the forum and talk about certain issues, foremost of which is that the rebels who escaped Bohol during the height of passive military offensives are coming back and are using the cause oriented groups as cover. 

  On the issue raised by Bayan over the unsolved killings in Bohol, Teruel said the police are as good as the evidence they gather. 

  “if they do not trust the LPF, where else can they go?” Teruel asked. 

  “Rallies do not attract people anymore and these could not be effective if the issues they raise during rallies can not be solved by the local levels,” he said. 

  Over this, Teruel said Bohol is still accepting people who would want to finally return to the folds of the law.

  This is despite that fact that the country still has to get its national amnesty program sailing anew.

  “We still need to have a congressional concurrence,” he shared even as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has already pushed the amnesty for congressional action.

  The amnesty quashes away all [criminal] liabilities incurred by former rebels who are hailed to court for aggressions associated with their being rebels.

  “Anytime when the concurrence is given, it would just be easy as we have set up the mechanisms we need to keep the program operational, he added. 

  Over this, local peace advocates also hope that this year would be a year when the stalled talks resume just as Malacanang is keen on continuing the peace talks in Mindanao that has stalled after rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front committed atrocities to innocent Christians and Muslims last year.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA - Bohol

  WELCOME KAIBIGAN.

  The newly installed brigade commander of Bohol’s army unit is approaching peace in Bohol via another roadmap called Kaunlaran Ay Isulong Bayan Ibig Gumawa nga Aksyon Ngayon or simply KAIBIGAN.

  Kaibigan implements community development that jibes with the government programs and puts the military in active roles as they immerse and integrate their peace and internal security efforts in a community, sumps up Colonel Alex Albano.

  Albano, who was deputy commander for the 801st Brigade in Samar was instrumental in implementing the successful Kaibigan there, said they have been into helping communities build infrastructure and put up key development projects.

  But Albano would be filling in the leadership vacuum left by Col. Raoul Reyes who was lately engaged in brisk community development efforts with local officials or Team Bohol.

  Guesting the weekly Kapihan sa PIA and aired live over DyTR, Col. Albano of the army’s 802nd Brigade based in Carmen Bohol said Kaibigan should have no problems with Bohol especially with the cooperation of multi-sectors here.

  Col. Albano along with Capitol’s Romeo Teruel were the resource persons for the Kapihan segment on “Working for Peace in Bohol,” Thursday.

  Teruel, who sits as the point person for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in Bohol, said what is rare in the “Bohol experience” is that the peace campaign is not only relegated to the police and the military but is proudly led by the civil government.

  “This way, even with the change in unit commanders assigned in Bohol, the [peace] program sustains because it is the local governments who initiate it,” Teruel added.

  But with the way the brigade commander explained his roadmap, many believe that [kaibigan] would complement the initiatives already in place here. 

  Local peace workers have said former communist infiltrated barangays now cleared have been emboldened to resist the threat of another occupation and they want action right now.

  This as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been urging provinces struggling with insurgency problems to follow the Bohol template for peace.

  The president bared this after learning that Bohol has successfully reduced the number of rebels in Bohol in the last decade, a fact she also associated with the Bohol experience.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA

Wary of a glitch in Bohol’s rice production this cropping season, an aggie research facility head here urges farmers to report anything unusual about their farms.

This as the government through the Department of Agriculture and the Capitol distributed roughly 22 thousand bags of certified and hybrid rice to maximize on the harvest and stockpile a good buffer for the speculation of another rice crisis in 2009.

The 22,000 bags is just for this cropping season whereas last year, we distributed only 25,000 bags for the whole year, Engr. Eugene Cahiles of the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (BAPC) said.

At the onset of the cropping season, rains dumped all over Bohol for weeks and it may prove to be affecting the growth of the seeds or the general condition of the farms.

Engr. Cahiles aired this apprehension as he said the unusually too much water brought about by the cold front to the country may stunt rice growths or bring in other rice or farm maladies and affect farm outputs. 

Anything unusual in your farms, we ask you to report it to your respective municipal agricultural officers and farm technicians so the proper authorities can help, Cahiles urged.

Such is to make sure that Bohol could attain its vision of comfortable buffer stocks when the speculated rice supply shortage hits the country.

The BAPC has been urging farmers to switch to the higher yielding certified and hybrid rice varieties to cope up with the need of Bohol to get the most out of its very small patches of land formerly grown with the traditional varieties.

A hybrid and certified rice farm yields 3.5 to 6 tons per hectare while traditional rice yields much less, data from the APC shows.

A ranking Catholic bishop voiced opposition late Thursday to reported plans to revive the controversial Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

Manila auxiliary bishop Broderick Pabillo cited "potential dangers" resulting from the plant's operation to the health of residents in Morong town.

"So that plan must be studied very carefully really," Pabillo said in an article on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website.

Government earlier said the mothballed BNPP could be rehabilitated in at least five years at a cost of $800 million, and may help in meeting the rising demand for power.

But Pabillo, who heads the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Action-Justice and Peace, said there is much at stake with the project, first of which is the danger to local residents.

He also said a major concern is the geographical location, at the foot of Mount Natib, a potentially active volcano. - source: GMANews.tv

Cebu-based friends are:

Bol-anon Nga Cebuano
Kiamoy
Teng
Mochajava
?

The Philippines assumed this month the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) committee in Seoul, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.
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An article on the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph) said this development kicked off a six-month term as head of the 10-nation committee to meet with Korean investors and officials.

"As we become more integrated into one market of 567 million people, having one production base, one investment area where there is free movement of labor and capital, Korea can all the more benefit with increased markets and investments," Cruz told members of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).

The Philippine ambassador to South Korea, Luis Cruz, said the Philippines will focus on three major tasks during its chairmanship. - GMA 7 News

Up to one billion frogs are taken from the wild for human consumption each year, according to a new study.

Researchers arrived at this conclusion by analysing UN trade data, although they acknowledge there is a lot of uncertainty in the figure.

France and the US are the two biggest importers, with significant consumption in several East Asian nations.

About one-third of all amphibians are listed as threatened species, with habitat loss the biggest factor.

But hunting is acknowledged as another important driver for some species, along with climate change, pollution and disease - notably the fungal condition chytridiomycosis which has brought rapid extinctions to some amphibians. - source: BBC

Voters in the US city of Nashville have defeated a proposal to ban the use of all languages apart from English in local government business.

Supporters said it would have saved thousands in translation fees, and provided an incentive to learn English.

However, critics argued that it would discriminate against the nearly 60,000 immigrants in the city who did not speak English as their first language.

The "English First" measure was defeated by 41,752 votes to 32,144.

Had it passed, Nashville would have become the largest US city to take such a step.

But business leaders, academics and the city's mayor said it would give the city a bad reputation. - BBC

We at TubagBohol Dot Com are extending our deepest condolence to Balong whose uncle passed away today. He just got the news a minute ago and we are posting this sad news as we join him in his moments of grief.

Balong, what's the name of your uncle?

Barack Obama has been sworn in as US president for the second time in two days, because one word was given out of order during Tuesday's ceremony.

The Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, John Roberts, administered the oath again at the White House.

The decision to repeat the oath was taken out of an abundance of caution, an official said.

But Mr Obama joked: "We decided it was so much fun...." before adding: "We're going to do it very slowly."

In contrast to the first oath-taking, Mr Obama did not swear on a Bible and his wife Michelle was not at his side.

And instead of an audience of millions, only a few close aides saw the second attempt, with even journalists excluded from the Map Room of the White House. - source: BBC

US scientists say they have developed a cream which could for the first time prevent someone from becoming infected with genital herpes.

The virus is carried by half a billion people worldwide - the disease can be controlled, but it is hard to stop it spreading to others through sex.

This topical treatment, which has so far been tested only on mice, stops the virus from replicating in a new host.

The research appears in the journal Cell Host and Microbe.

The type-2 herpes simplex virus is sexually transmitted and can cause painful, fluid-filled blisters to develop.

It can also be passed from mother to child during childbirth, putting the infant at risk of brain damage and even death if left untreated. source: BBC

Cuts in air pollution in US cities over recent decades have added an average of five months of life to their inhabitants, research suggests.

The New England Journal of Medicine study matched air pollution and life expectancy statistics from 51 cities between 1980 and 2000.

Scientists found people living 2.72 years longer by 2000 - 15% of which they attributed to falls in pollution.

Studies have found poor air quality can worsen lung and heart disease.

source: BBC

Rey, murag wala pa tay contact diha sa Dumaguete. Maybe naa, pero wala lang nagpaila.

Article 2 - Philippine Constitution

Section 3. Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired in the manner provided by law.

Arctic air extended its grip Wednesday with below-zero temperatures stretching from Montana to northern New England and frost nipping the Gulf Coast.

A few ski areas in Vermont and northern Minnesota closed for the day because of the cold â€" 38 below zero at International Falls, with the wind chill during the night estimated at 50 below.

The temperature at Bolton, Vt., was 10 below zero and operators of the Bolton Valley ski resort feared that skiers could freeze if a lift malfunctioned, said spokesman Josh Arneson. "Getting people off a lift can take time," he said.

Schools from Iowa to Pennsylvania opened late so kids would not have to be out in the coldest part of the morning. Some schools closed.

The cold wave also bulged into the Northeast, abruptly dropping temperatures in New York state into the single digits and below zero â€" after Tuesday's readings in the 30s, the National Weather Service said. Thermometers read 8 below at Massena, on the St. Lawrence River, with a wind chill of minus 25 degrees. - Yahoo News