MikeLigalig.com

A wooden ferry carrying about 100 passengers has sunk in the Philippines, with at least 22 people drowned and about another 30 missing.

The ferry Maejan was approaching Aparri in Cagayan province in the north of the country when its bamboo outrigger broke in heavy seas off Ballesteros.

Passengers panicked and some leapt into the sea, creating instability on the vessel, which then capsized.

Police said many survivors swam ashore and were found shivering on land.

"They panicked and grabbed anything like water container that will keep them afloat then jumped off the boat," Senior Inspector Alex de los Santos told the Associated Press news agency.

Among the bodies recovered late on Sunday was that of an unidentified one-year-old boy.

"There were no relatives. Most probably his parents perished with him," said Mr de los Santos.

Maritime accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago due to tropical weather, badly maintained passenger boats and weak enforcement of safety regulations.

Hundreds of people were killed in June, when a 23,000-tonne ferry - Princess of the Stars - capsized during a typhoon off the central island of Sibuyan.

Only 57 passengers and crew of the 850 people aboard survived the accident, making it the worst maritime disaster in the Philippines for 20 years. source: BBC

Let us know what your New Year's resolutions are.

Despite what many fears to be a looming global financial crisis, major Philippine business process outsourcing (BPOs) providers, mostly contact or call center operators, remain as among the top job providers in the country with their unabated recruitment of fresh Filipino workers and staff.

According to a survey conducted by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), at least 23 BPO providers are still hiring new personnel, mainly contact center agents as well information-technology and administrative support staff.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cited BPOs as the one of the major contributors in her Admistration's job-generation program. Under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Philippines had emerged as a BPO top global destination, second only to India.

The President attributes the rise of the Philippines as a top BPO destination, owing to the Filipinos' world-class skills and proficiency to speak and write in the English language.

"A number of BPO providers are drafting additional staff on account of expansion, while others are requiring fill-in personnel due to attrition, or the loss of employees," TUCP secretary-general and former Senator Ernesto Herrera said.

Among the firms enlisting hiring a new workers are Aegis PeopleSupport Inc., Affiliated Computer Services Inc., APAC Customer Services Inc., Convergys Philippines Services Corp.;

Dell International Services Philippines Inc., Deutsche Knowledge Services Pte. Ltd., eTelecare Global Solutions Inc., Hinduja TMT Ltd.; HSBC Electronic Data Processing Philippines Inc. and ICT Marketing Services Inc.

JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. Philippine Customer Care Center, NCO Group Inc., NuComm International Inc., PeopleTalk Contact Solutions Inc., Stellar Global Solutions Inc., Synnex-Concentrix Corp.;

Telephilippines Inc., TeleTech Holidngs Inc., Telus International Philippines Inc., VXI Global Solutions Inc., West Contact Services Inc. and WinSource Solutions Inc. are all likewise still looking for new staff.

Herrera cited the case of APAC, which is recruiting 1,000 agents and support staff, including those meant for deployment to a new contact center Tacloban City.

He also cited Deutsche Knowledge Services, which is recruiting 900 financial, business and accounting associates to provide back office support to its global financial operations, as well as ICT Marketing Services, which is hiring 400 agents, including those meant for deployment to a new contact center in Cabanatuan City.

Most of the firms require only two years of college education or "some college (units)" to qualify for prospective agents. source: PNA

The ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Nigeria, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon stays.

This was the consensus reached yesterday (Dec 13, Saturday) during the meeting called by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with Philippine ambassadors to Middle East countries at the Sheraton Doha Hotel and Resort here on the first day of her three-day official visit to Qatar.

The President called the meeting to assess the situation in the five countries because of concerns over the safety and wellbeing of the Filipino workers if and when the deployment ban is lifted.

Assistant Press Secretary Romeo Montenegro explained that the President’s main concern is the safety of Filipino workers.

The five countries are in need of thousands of foreign workers but President Arroyo stressed that despite the numerous job opportunities, Filipino workers will not be allowed to seek employment in the five countries, particularly Nigeria.

The government will not compromise the security of Filipino workers, said Montenegro who added that the President had directed Ambassador Roy Cimatu, special Philippine envoy to the Middle East, to come up with an assessment of the situation in the five countries.

Cimatu’s report will be discussed this coming March during the review of the situation in the five countries.

As for Syria, the Philippines will formally open an embassy in Damascus this February under Ambassador Wilfredo Cuyugan to better serve the needs of the 15,000 OFWs in that country, 80 percent of whom are undocumented.  source: PNA

Thanks Balong for running this unique contest of yours. And congratulations to Gelyan.

By Lilybeth Ison
Philippine News Agency

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has ordered tight watch on movements of pork meat as a precautionary measure after the presence of the Ebola Reston virus, which is not harmful to humans, was detected earlier in two swine farms site in certain areas in Luzon.

In his order, Yap directed the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to ensure strict implementation of DA Administrative Orders No. 28 and 32 which covers guidelines on movement and slaughter of animals, wherein, animal shipment with no health certification and necessary shipping documents are not allowed to be transported and slaughtered.

The BAI was also directed to re-inforce the more than 50 veterinary quarantine checkpoints all over Luzon especially those filtering animal movement from the locations where the virus had been detected.

"I have ordered the BAI and the NMIS to coordinate with LGUs (local government units) in carrying out these directives, which I have issued as a matter of precaution although there have been no reports of unusual illnesses nor deaths in pigs following the resurfacing of the virus," said Yap.

Health and agriculture officials reiterated that the ebola reston virus recently discovered in two swine farms in Luzon "does not pose a significant public health risk." The virus has been shown to be non-pathogenic in the past, which means it is not harmful to humans.

Health authorities said the reston virus is entirely different from the three other Ebola subtypes, which are all potentially fatal to humans.

Unlike the Zaire, Ivory Coast and Sudan strains, the Reston strain has not been found to be fatal like the three other strains or to cause illnesses to humans in contact with the infected animals, they stressed.

It was first discovered in the Philippines 19 years ago among crab-eating macaques or monkeys then being exported by the Laguna-based Ferlite Farms to the Hazleton Laboratories in Reston, Virginia.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said here Saturday that the Philippine government is projecting only a minimal displacement of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) despite the financial crisis sweeping across the globe.

She told the jampacked crowd of Filipinos at the Sheraton Doha Hotel and Resort here Saturday evening (Dec. 13) that instead of retrenching its expatriate workforce, Qatar needs 37,000 more workers.

Hundreds of OWFs trooped to the President’s meeting with the Filipino community, so that the crowd spilled over from the Alghazal Room to the corridors of the hotel.

The 37,000 job openings, the President said, more than offset the displacement of Filipino workers in other countries. One thousand Filipino workers in Taiwan were retrenched recently, while 5,000 others are expected to lose their jobs.

As other countries cut down their overseas manpower requirements in the cusp of the global economic downturn, Qatar, on the contrary, continues to beef up its roll of foreign workers to fill the needs of its booming economy, she said.

Employers in Qatar and other Middle East countries prefer Filipino workers because of their diligence, trustworthiness, efficiency and skill.

The President attributed the preference of Qatari employers for Filipinos to the “galing” of the OFWs, adding that Filipino workers were well-liked by their employers.

"However, notwithstanding the continuing bright prospects for Filipino labor abroad, it’s always prudent to be prepared for the unexpected,” she said.

Thus, her administration has launched a P250-million Filipino Livelihood Support Fund to help displaced OFWs pursue their studies or engage in livelihood projects, she added.

The President assured the Filipino workers that her administration will do everything possible to help overseas Filipino workers, especially those in distress situations. source: PNA

As many as 1m people have been left without power in the north-eastern US after one of the worst ice storms in a decade crippled the electricity grid.

States of emergency have been declared in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and in parts of Maine and New York state.

Officials say the damage is extensive and it could take several days before all power is restored. Temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing.

At least four people are so far thought to have died as a result of the storm.

The body of a public works supervisor was recovered from a reservoir in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on Saturday, a day after he responded to a call about tree branches downed by the storm.

Meanwhile, a man in Danville, New Hampshire, died of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the generator he was using to heat his camper van. A couple also died in Glenville, New York, when a generator filled their house with the gas.

A severe ice storm in December last year was blamed for the deaths of at least 22 people in the central US. - BBC

By Cindy Hess Kasper
Our Daily Bread

I heard the screams long before I could see him, but as I wheeled my grocery cart around to the next aisle of the store, there he was!

With angry tears streaming out of squinty eyes, the little boy was shouting, “Gimme it!” His mom glanced at me for a moment. I won’t debate the merits of her actions, but, embarrassed and worn down, she grabbed the cheap trinket and tossed it into her cart.

I think I recognized that kid. He looked a lot like me. Yes, I’ve often been the willful child. And sometimes I’ve even pleaded with God, “Why not? Why can’t I have it?” On occasion, God’s given me what I wanted, but not because I wore Him down. No, I think He wanted me to see what happens when I put myself in charge.

What we think is best is not necessarily the best that God desires for us. In Isaiah 55:8, the Lord said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.”

In his book Days of Grace, tennis champion Arthur Ashe paraphrased James 1:5 when he wrote this advice to his young daughter: “Ask God for the wisdom to know what is right, what God wants done, and the will to do it.”

That’s just the kind of sincere prayer that God wants to hear from His children. 

By Dave Branon
Our Daily Bread

The word whodunit is actually in the dictionary. It means “detective story.” The most important whodunit of all time is the question of creation.

Some people wish the Bible said, “In the beginning, God wasn’t needed.” To them, it’s unacceptable to say, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1), or “Let Us make man in Our image” (v.26).

Instead, they believe that after an explosion of energy and matter, somehow an atmosphere conducive to life was formed. Then, single-celled organisms morphed into the exceedingly complex life forms we have today.

No need for God, they say, for it all happened naturally. On an earth and in an atmosphere not of anyone’s making, forces with a blueprint designed by no one joined together to place the earth perfectly for life to thrive.

What we do with “In the beginning God” is at the center of it all. We must either believe His Wordâ€"and everything His Word claimsâ€"or we must believe that our meaningless lives resulted from an accidental, mindless chain reaction. What a stark contrast to “Let Us make man in Our image”!

In the beginning. Was it God? Or was it chance? Our answer to this whodunit reveals whether or not we truly worship the awesome God of creation. 

After the Monetary Board placed four rural banks under receivership this week, and designated the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver, PDIC immediately deployed a sizeable number of personnel on field to undertake receivership and claims settlement operations. These banks are: Rural Bank of Paranaque, Rural Bank of Bais (based in Negros Oriental), Pilipino Rural Bank (based in Cebu), and Rural Bank of San Jose (based in Batangas).

As receiver, PDIC is mandated to gather and preserve the assets and liabilities of the banks as well as to control, manage and administer their affairs, for the benefit of depositors and creditors. PDIC is also tasked to promote and safeguard the interest of the depositors by providing deposit insurance.

In this connection, PDIC President Jose C. Nograles assured the depositing public that the Corporation will pay all valid claims for deposit insurance of depositors of the said four banks. He also clarified that the money paid out to depositors of a bank under receivership is insurance payment funded from the PDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund. PDIC subsequently tries to recover the amount from the bank, but it would only be able to do so after the bank’s liquidation. When the proceeds from the bank’s liquidation is not sufficient to meet its obligations, PDIC suffers a loss. Therefore, without the deposit insurance provided by PDIC, the loss would be borne by the depositors.

As a matter of procedure, PDIC conducts examination prior to payout. The speed of the payout will depend on the availability and state of bank records and the completeness of documentary and other requirements submitted by the claimants. It is also dependent on the number of deposit accounts involved. The aforementioned four banks have combined deposit accounts of over 64,000.

Subsequent announcements on the schedule of distribution of claim forms, submission, and payout will be made as soon as possible.

source: PDIC website

By Julmunir I. Jannaral, Correspondent
Manila Times

The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh has taken cognizance of the case of 15 sheikhs or pilgrim guides the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) in Manila has accused of human trafficking for their failure to bring back to the Philippines the 105 pilgrims under their stewardship.

Ambassador Muhammad Ameen Wali of the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Manila on Friday said he hopes the Department of Foreign Affairs will do something and help in tracking down the 15 hajj guides through the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah headed by Consul General Ezzedin Tago.

BY DENNIS POSADAS
itmatters.com.ph

Former Senator and Philippine climate change advocate Heherson "Sonny" Alvarez heads the Philippine delegation to the old Polish town of Poznan, where some 187 world leaders, joined by top scientists and environmental advocates, are converging for the 14th Session of the Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP-14) from Dec. 1-12 under the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC).

"Pursue a commitment on equitable technology transfer for mitigation of greenhouse gases and adaptation of human and natural systems to the adverse impacts of climate change Emphasize more concrete and improved incentives for financial and technology transfer to non-Annex-1 nations or developing countries like the Philippines," President Arroyo said to Alvarez via e-mail.

As a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, which was ratified by the Philippine Senate in 2003, the country is mandated to comply with a 50% reduction by 2050, subject to ratification by all member-nations. Presently, the Protocol only mandates a 5% reduction by 2012. On the other hand, scientists from the IPCC are calling for a 50-80% reduction.

"The goal of reducing carbon and greenhouse gases by 50% may be too conservative in view of the latest findings by climatologists that climate change conditions are deteriorating faster than originally estimated. For this reason, the Philippine position should help galvanize the policy of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) toward an 80% cut," the President said.

This is strange. It works in 99.9% computers.
Click this link: http://tbmail.tubagbohol.com

Ray, when you log in, just type bnc as your username, then your password.

Thousands of people in the Philippines have demonstrated against a move to revise the constitution, which they say could extend the presidential term in office.

Left-wing lawmakers and religious groups joined opposition protesters in a march through central Manila Friday, with police on high alert.

Supporters of President Gloria Arroyo have held public hearings in congress on amending the constitution. The president's opponents said the amendments would enable her to stay in office beyond 2010, when her six-year term expires. source: VOA

Senate Democrats and the White House failed to find 60 votes to end debate on a $14 billion auto bailout bill and bring it to a vote Thursday night, killing the measure for the year.

The 52-35 vote followed the collapse of negotiations between Senate Democrats and Republicans seeking a compromise.

"We have worked and worked and we can spend all night tonight, tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday, and we're not going to get to the finish line," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on the Senate floor before the vote. "That's just the way it is. There's too much difference between the two sides." source: CNN

Zimbabwe's central bank has introduced a 500 million dollar note, as the African country struggles to cope with the world's highest inflation and crippling currency shortages.

The half-billon note, worth about $US10 ($A14.89), was released on Friday, together with a 200 million dollar bill, which the central bank said in a statement was introduced for the "convenience" of the public. source: optuszoo.news.ninemsn.com.au

Security forces have foiled a plot by al-Qaeda-linked militants to set off bombs in  Manila and other major Philippine cities with the arrest of an alleged conspirator, the national police chief says.

Suspected militant Guiamaludin Edsrafil - wanted for multiple murder and attempted murder for his alleged role in bombings in the country's troubled south - was arrested on Tuesday in southern Cotabato city possessing some components for making bombs, police Director Gereral Jesus Verzosa said on Friday. - source: Link

The global economic crisis has slowed down the transport time for Philippines bound sea cargo shipments, making air frieght a faster and cheaper alternative, according to a local sea and air cargo carrier.

source: moreover.com

The Philippines telecoms regulator, the NTC has been ordered by a court of appeals to stop awarding 3G licenses. The ruling comes from an appeal filed by Bayan Telecommunications which had lost an earlier application for a 3G license.

“It is hereby declared a temporary restraining order enjoining the [NTC], its agents or anybody acting in its behalf, from resolving any application for and/or from awarding the one remaining 3G frequency bandwidth allowable for assignment to any applicant therefore or from executing or implementing any writ of execution, order, or resolution for the enforcement of such award, if any,” said the court.

Four out of the five available 3G frequency bands have already been assigned by the regulator to Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Digital Mobile Philippines and Connectivity Unlimited Resources Enterprises (cure).

Bayan had argued that the the process of awarding the licenses was flawed as the decision was based on a specific points based system, which the operator argued was not made clear in the tender documents. The regulator awarded the licenses to those operators who secured a high score on a 30-point scoring system.

Bayan is the largest wireless landline provider running on the CDMA platform in Philippines, and it is the majority owner of the second-largest long-distance backbone network. - source: CellularNews

The Vatican has updated its opposition to embryonic stem-cell research, in-vitro fertilisation and human cloning in a sweeping new document.

The Catholic Church also said the morning-after pill and drugs preventing the implantation of the embryo during pregnancy were "gravely immoral".

The rulings came in a Vatican document released to respond to scientific advances made in the past two decades.

Catholic doctrine says life begins at conception and must be respected.

Dignitas Personae (The Dignity of a Person), an Instruction of Certain Bioethical Questions, was issued by the Vatican's doctrinal body, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and approved by Pope Benedict XVI.

source: BBC News

Snow has blanketed parts of the US states of Louisiana and Mississippi, causing disruption and leaving thousands without power.

Up to eight inches of snow were reported in some areas, blocking roads and forcing offices to close.

In Mississippi some schools were shut, and forecasters warned of treacherous driving conditions.

The north-east of the country was also hit by winter weather, with a state of emergency in place in two states.

The snow in the Louisiana city of New Orleans was its first in more than four years.

It caused considerable excitement, with office workers taking to the streets to watch and photograph the snow.
Map

At a park in New Orleans' Uptown neighbourhood, Sara Echaniz, 41, took photos and dodged snowballs thrown by her son, three-year-old Sam.

"He didn't believe it was snow until it started sticking to the ground," Ms Ecahniz said.

Eight inches of snow fell in Amite, about 75 miles (121 km) north-west of New Orleans, a meteorologist said. In Mississippi, up to five inches of snow fell in some southern parts of the state.

About 10,0000 power outages were reported by Cleco Corp, one of Louisiana's largest power providers, and some flights at Louis Armstrong International Airport outside New Orleans were delayed.

Snow is rare in southern Louisiana, although more northern parts of the state see it about once a year.

State of emergency

Meanwhile in the north-east of the US an ice storm knocked out power to more than half a million homes and businesses in New England and upstate New York.

Governors in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire declared a state of emergency. Schools were closed and travel disrupted across the region.

source: BBC News

"Double your money in five years or three years" is the same scheme used in Colombia bank scandals lately. Although those banks in Bohol are legal, but such extravagant ROI is too good to be true.

You're welcome, Kuya Lindy.

Mayor Balong,

You can upload your avatar now. The error has been fixed.

It's better to send them a PM, Zel. They might not be able to read this post.

Indeed, Zel. I can see your beautiful face right here in Thailand.

Try it Zel if it works from your side. It works from my end here.

Dear Friends,

I have finally figured out the root cause of the avatar error and I found the solution. Now you can upload your own avatar from your computer.

The second option of having an avatar from another website (e.g. image host) can still be used.

God bless,
Mike

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2121071/how_to_convert_old_vhs_tapes_to_dvd/

How to convert old VHS tapes to DVD

Happy Birthday Sir Felix. Among pangaliya sa Kahitas-an nga aduna pay daghang birthdays nga imong saulogon sa umaabot nga mga katuigan.

Question of the Hour:

If you could address the whole world, what would you say?

An actor narrowly escaped death after slashing his throat on stage with a real knife, instead of a blunt stage-prop blade.

Daniel Hoevels slumped to the floor with blood pouring from his neck during a performance at Vienna's Burgtheater.

He was rushed to hospital with a deep slice to his throat which fortunately missed his main artery.

Austrian police are investigating whether the incident was a mistake or a deliberate attack on the actor.

"If the actor had put a little more pressure on the knife or even struck an artery, he would probably have bled to death on the stage," a doctor who treated Mr Hoevels, 30, told the newspaper Oesterreich.

The real-life drama happened last weekend during a performance of Friedrich Schiller's play Mary Stuart, about Mary Queen of Scots. - source: BBC

May her soul rest in peace. This is my first time to hear of Didith's name. There was a mention of Imelda Papin as one of her contemporaries. I know Imelda Papin.

The German finance minister has launched an outspoken attack on the UK government's plans to help pull Britain out of the economic downturn.

In an unusual breach of standard diplomacy, Peer Steinbruck attacked the UK's decision to cut VAT and raise the national debt to record levels.

Mr Steinbruck said the UK's switch from financial prudence to heavy borrowing was both "crass" and "breathtaking".

His comments came in an interview with Newsweek magazine.

"There is a broad international consensus that a fiscal stimulus is right thing for economies now," said a Treasury spokesman. - BBC

Top 10 Most Prevalent Threats for November according to Website Magazine.

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4.   Explorer32.Hijacker 1.62%
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6.   Rootkit.TDss.Gen 1.25%
7.   Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.gen 1.15%
8.   Antivirus 2009 1.08%
9.   INF.Autorun (v) 1.07%
10.   Trojan-Downloader.Generic 1.04%

For a list of antivirus protection tools, go to: http://antivirus.getthebestinfo.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0r_FbARIn8

This video brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Manay Tess for sending the Youtube link.

By Business Mirror

Phone giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) was recently issued a permit extending its franchise to operate and maintain the Bohol Municipal Telephone Networkâ€"a government project which involved the installation of public calling offices (PCOs) to 48 unserved municipalitiesâ€"until 2028.

The National Telecommunications Commission in an order dated December 4, granted the application of PLDT for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to operate and maintain the Bohol network.

This network is a project of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Municipal Telephone Project Office (MTPO), which involved the installation of PCOs in Bohol and a telephone exchange in Tagbilaran City.

This project is one of the MTPO projects offered for privatization and which was subsequently awarded to PLDT. 

The said agreement binds the MTPO and PLDT on the operation and maintenance of the network while its ownership remains with the DOTC. The network will be leased for 15 years, and after which, PLDT was given the option to purchase upon payment of the transfer price.

But PLDT filed in 2006 a request for arbitration with the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc. (PDRCI) for the termination of the financial- lease agreement between PLDT and DOTC. The phone giant also requested that the DOTC be directed to take over the facilities of the network.

For its part, PDRCI allowed the ownership transfer from the DOTC to PLDT, provided that the phone firm will continue providing for and serving the telecommunications needs of the people of Bohol.

Thereafter, a new agreement was signed between the DOTC and PLDT in July 2008. This accord gives the phone giant all the rights, title and interest on the facilities covering the Bohol network.

“There is a need for PLDT to continue operating the Bohol Municipal Telephone. It is for this reason that PLDT is praying for issuance of CPCN,” explained the phone company.

Philippine banana chips exporters are seeking the help of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in an attempt to force China to bring down stiff trade barriers against the entry of the snack commodity into the huge China market.

Ruben See, president of See's Food Manufacturing, said it has been very difficult for the country's banana chips industry to penetrate the huge China market for snack foods due to high tariff of around 30 percent being slapped on this processed food commodity.

"We're having a hard time getting our banana chips into China on a regular basis because of this high tariff -- it makes our prices too high for this market in the mainland," says See, who owns and runs banana chips factories in Bulacan and Davao.

China is one of the country's biggest markets for processed foods, including banana chips, slicing nearly 14 percent of Philippine total exports from January to July 2008. Processed foods took the biggest chunk at almost 50 percent of the total Philippine exports last year.

Export trade promotion chief Senen Perlada of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is now looking into the plight of the country's banana chips exporters, assuring them that definite steps will be taken to work out this problem with China.

"We're looking into this and will take all the necessary steps to solve this problem facing our local exporters of banana chips," says Perlada, who also heads the government's Export Development Council (EDC).

Perlada met with See and other exporters in Davao recently during a sectoral export planning workshop, asking them to come up with a formal position paper on this matter so that government can initiate moves to take it up with the World Trade Organization, if necessary.

With China now looming as the country's number one export market for processed foods, Trade Undersecretary Merly Cruz has high hopes the tariff barriers in the China mainland on selected Philippine processed foods would ease up once trade talks get underway. source: PNA

By the Bohol Standard

It is good news for commuters riding tricycles. Last Friday, a resolution was adopted by the city council reverting the fares for tricycles at P6 for the first five (5) kilometers.

The resolution, sponsored by SP Committee chairman on public utilities Atty. Butchie Zamora, thereby lifted the provisional authority granted for tricycles to raise the fares from P6 to P7 at the height of the oil price increase middle of the year.

Tricycle operation is under the regulation of the local government units pursuant to the 1991 New Local Government Code of the Philippines (RA 7160).

The lifting however, came as bad news for tricycle drivers.

Though the oil prices have drastically gone down, but the cost of spare parts remained high. Their income had not also improved to cope up with the spiraling cost of basic commodities for their day-to-day living.

The implementation of the fare roll back for tricycles was not yet known when to officially take effect. As of yesterday, the minimum fare of P7 pesos was still the rate collected by tricycle drivers.

By Sunday Post

Bohol’s three homegrown congressmen denied in strongest terms that they were among the recipients of the reported “payola” given to lawmakers after the impeachment complaint was buried with finality by the House of Representatives one early morning last week. 

The requiem of the impeachment rap triggered talks  that members of the justice committee including Bohol’s Cong. Edgar Chatto and  Roberto Cajes were invited to the Linden Suites in Pasig after the charge against the President was dismissed for “insufficiency in substance”.

Third district solon Adam Relson Jala, a deputized member of the justice committee voted to kill the impeachment when it was submitted in plenary Monday. He said they were required to submit a written statement why they voted against the impeachment. He promised to furnish the Post a copy of his statement.

Although no insinuation was leveled to congressmen who voted in the plenary, the young third district legislator still denied that money changed hands after the complaint was buried for good.

In the case of Cong. Chatto, he   denied the alleged payoff.

He said he was supporting any investigation conducted on the source of the information so he or she can  categorically name names.

The first district solon said any investigation  will clear the name of those not involved if indeed it was proven true.

He further said  his vote against the impeachment was based on careful evaluation of facts alleged in the complaint. The reasons of his vote was contained in the House journal.

As for Cajes, the same strong denial was in order.

He said that whoever made the accusation, he humbly suggested to name the congressmen/congresswomen involved, where and when, since this general accusation practically made all of them who voted for the justice committee report as suspects.

Chatto and Cajes were part of the 48 justice committee members who presided over the funeral of the complaint.

Several party-list representatives spearheaded a House investigation of the alleged payoff.   

Written By Loy Palapos
Sunday Post

      Two years as City Legal Officer must have been quite a learning experience for Atty. Doni Donguiness Piquero (DDP). When he came to City Hall to take over the position vacated by Atty. Handel Lagunay in 2006, he already had a bagful of exposure to the local justice system for his 10-year private practice and as Provincial Head of ELAC (Environmental Legal Assistance), aside from his teaching stint at the Holy Name University, where he is a graduate both in AB-Philosophy (1989) and Law (1995).

      He is married to Mildred Gementiza-Piquero, an educator working at the Bohol Schools Division Office of the Department of Education. As a husband and father, he has earned his spurs well. It is in his profession as a Lawyer that he finds many challenges which have motivated him to be at his best all the time. Being the Legal Officer of Tagbilaran City, he sometimes finds himself the target of tri-pronged questions which he tries to answer the best way he could without being accused of prejudice nor discrimination. He understands the situation he is in… where he cannot help but be involved in some political innuendos.

LMP: How long have you been working as the Legal Officer of Tagbilaran City?

DDP: I was appointed City Legal Officer in July 2006. This is my second year.

LMP: Was it part of your plan to work at City Hall?

      DDP: Actually, I was connected then with ELAC or the Environmental Legal Assistance Center. In 2006, I told our Executive Director that I would go into private practice because the financial aspect of ELAC was not good at that time. Then, Mayor Lim asked me how long had I been practicing Law and if I am interested in working with him. It was an opportunity and a challenge, so I grabbed it.

LMP: Have you no regrets?

DDP: None at all. I enjoyed it because of the challenges.

LMP: What were the problems you had?

DDP: More on sacrifice. I have less time for my family and myself.

LMP: What takes most of your time?

      DDP: Mostly, preparation of meetings, research and appearances in court. I’m also allowed to engage in private practice which is also stated in the Local Government Code. I have the go-signal of the Mayor to practice privately.

LMP: Is there no conflict?

      DDP: There are limitations. Like, you cannot represent cases where the opposing party is the government.

      LMP: Since becoming the Legal Officer, have you handled more public than private cases?

DDP: I see to it that I limit my private cases.

LMP: Which is more challenging, private or public case?

DDP: I think each case has its own challenges.

LMP: How many cases have you handled involving the City Hall?

DDP: More than twenty cases already.

LMP: How did you do in those cases? Your batting average.

DDP: More than 90 percent.

LMP: That’s a big accomplishment. The drainage controversy, where do you come in?

      DDP: As of this time, there is no case filed against the City, so we are not involved. Regarding aspects like the environment, I’m involved in the acquisition of 23 hectares of lands in preparation for the waste water treatment facility.

LMP: Is that public land?

DDP: Most of them are private lands.

LMP: How many owners are involved?

      DDP: For the solid waste management, more or less twenty owners. For the waste water treatment, almost forty.

LMP: What did the City do, through you, in order to acquire these lands?

      DDP: I helped in the preparation of the resolutions which will authorize the City Mayor to purchase the lots.

      LMP: Is that already done?

      DDP: If the owners will consent to our proposal, then, it will be done. But if there are land owners who will not agree, then we will be forced to file a case for expropriation.

LMP: Therefore, the negotiation is still on?

DDP: Yes. Nothing is final.

LMP: How many owners have voluntary sold their lands, so far?

      DDP: Not yet. Although last year, there was a meeting with the land owners and majority of them were willing. No one objected to the proposal.

LMP: Are these lands being used or are they idle lands?

DDP: Only a few portions are used as residential areas.

LMP: Is there any opposition to the acquisition of the land?

      DDP: There are those who oppose. But if the government will really use this for public purposes, then the government can exercise its power over them.

      LMP: Is that something which emanates from the Mayor or it still has to go through the legislative body?

      DDP: It still has to pass through the legislature. With respect to the purchase of lands, there was already a resolution approved by the SP, granting the Mayor authority to purchase.

LMP: When do you think this will materialize?

DDP: This week. I’m already preparing the letters for the land owners.

      LMP: Comparatively, if you assess the pro and the con, are most of the people for this project? Is that the way you look at it?

      DDP: Most of the people are for this project. For one, this will improve our environment, will solve the problem on waste water, and solve our solid waste problem.

LMP: What role does the Barangay Captain play?

      DDP: The Barangay Captain is the one who will explain to the people the importance of the project because he is in close contact with the residents. Also, he will assist us in negotiating with the land owners.

      LMP: One subject in the past weeks during the rainy season, which reached the headlines of some newspaper is the clogging of some solidified cement which were placed in the manhole of San Jose St. so that it will not be useful. What is the update of that now?

      DDP: I’m not aware of it. If ever that is true, that may be done by people who are against the move of the Mayor to open the outfall and place the Mayor in the bad light.

      LMP: The latest controversy is about this case with the Commission on Audit. What is the status now?

      DDP: As far as my office is concerned, there are no complaints filed against officials who were not able to liquidate their cash advances. I supposed that some of these cash advances were undertaken by some agencies involving, let’s say, a big activity. Probably they have a hard time gathering all the documents that would support their liquidation.

      LMP: Is there a law which specifies the period of time for the supporting documents to be prepared for any cash advance? There are many who say that this always happens in the government bureaucracy, so there’s nothing to declare war for.

      DDP: I’m not very familiar with the COA guidelines, but I think after several cash advances, if you’re not able to liquidate, you cannot anymore make any cash advance. COA will then send you a letter and give you an ultimatum to liquidate. Otherwise you will be asked to refund the amount you cash advanced. If they cannot do that, that’s the time the COA will file a case.

      LMP: Would that be discretionary on the part of COA as far as the time element is concerned?

      DDP: Yes. Let’s say for example, if one is involved in a seminar and his attendance is approved by his Head, so there is a supporting document for that and you are allowed to withdraw in advance an amount that will be used to finance your travel and all. I think there is no problem because the amount is withdrawn or used for a legitimate activity if duly approved. The only problem is for you to liquidate. Some public officials could not produce some of the supporting documents, that’s why some could not liquidate immediately. These cash advances were made because there were activities that were duly approved. These were not just taken for no reason at all.

LMP: How does this affect your office since there are officers in City Hall which are targeted by some people?

      DDP: Personally, I see it as politically motivated. Because if they would want to know if there is really a big amount of money involved, all they have to do is go the Accounting Office or to the COA and look at the records rather than go to the media and press.

LMP: From your own point of view, would you rather brand it as a fishing expedition?

      DDP: That is how I view it. It’s more of that rather than a real investigation. COA reported that there is nothing anomalous. They just said that this is not a good accounting practice because if you have unliquidated cash advances, it will not look good as far as your financial aspect is concerned.

      LMP: Politics is definitely involved since you work with the City Mayor. How do you distance yourself?

      DDP: My position is highly confidential and this is founded on the trust and confidence of the Mayor. If he does not trust me anymore, then I can be kicked out anytime. So I cannot get away from this political squabble.

      LMP: So far, in two years time have you been a target of this kind of squabble? If the Mayor was targeted through you, how did you handle the situation?

      DDP: There are a few incidents along that line. As long as I do my job in accordance with my mandate, I think there is no problem. As long as I do not do anything that is illegal, I won’t be having any problems with these attacks. It’s part of the territory. I know that as long as I’m here, I’m vulnerable to any of these attacks because I am considered as the alter ego of the Mayor, and I am prepared for that.

LMP: How is your relationship with the Chief Executive?

DDP: I think I have no problem ever since I started here.

      LMP: Trust begets trust. Does that mean that you also have a full trust and confidence from the Mayor?

      DDP: I have been living in Tagbilaran City for more than half of my life, and I’ve never seen a Mayor as dedicated and as honest like the one at the helm now.

      Atty. Doni Piquero has gained enough maturity in dealing with ticklish situations. There may be moves to faze or intimidate him, in a position where the less astute may succumb to pressures. But his 12 years in lawyering has proven its worth in making him a reasonably steadfast individual who shares the Mayor’s concern for good service.

      For him, honesty is still the best policy; thus, his retorts to queries are still as candid as any legally-oriented mind could be. He may believe in white lies, but that’s not the crux of any important matter. More significant to him is his self-esteem in assessing even the most excruciating legal scenario. He knows his codes to live by, the philosophy of his existence, his desire to be of service to the community no matter how trivial it could be.

      He knows that admiration, respect, and honor are not given free. They are to be earned. Starting off with self-respect as a human being, he knows the route he has to take in order to be a part of progress and development, not for himself but for the entire community.   

By Roc Obedencio

Bohol Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera started the ball rolling by scrutinizing the items of each department/office proposed annual outlay of the provincial government during marathon hearings on the 2009 provincial budget to the tune of more than PhP1,024,489,000 last week. 

Herrera said the appropriations committee he chairs first delved on health sector calling heads of the Provincial Health Office and the ten-devolved hospitals to be able to justify and defend their respective allocation for next year.

The hospitals who hurdled the grilling during the hearing held on Dec. 2 and 4, 2008 were Maribojoc Community, Provincial Hospital in Talibon, Cong. Galagar Memorial, Catigbian District, Francisco Dagohoy in Inabanga, Candijay Municipal and PHO.

Hospitals of Cong. Natalio Castillo Memorial in Loon, Cong. Simeon Toribio Memorial in Carmen, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Municipal and Clarin Municipal are expected to defend theirs this week.

Among the committee members who attended the budget hearings held at SP conference room include vice-chairperson Amalia Tirol and committee members Ester Corazon Galbreath, Josephine Socorro Jumamoy and Jose Veloso and senior board member Cesar Tomas Lopez.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has initially approved on first reading the proposed provincial budget for 2009.

The said annual outlay is higher than this year’s (2008) and 2007 in the total amount of PhP886,663,537 and PhP793,570,040, respectively.

Gov. Erico Aumentado, in his message, said that the annual budget aims to provide access the people to all basic needs and services.

He also pointed out that the provincial government also tries to improve the organizational and human resource capabilities and the investment and environment climate and increase agricultural productivity.

Enhancing tax collection, tax rates upgrading and upgrading hospital fees/charges and revenue generation are among the priorities of the budget, he added.

The annual budget is mainly sourced out on Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) in the amount of PhP880 million or 90% of the total budget. Other sources include estimated total revenues in the amount of PhP77,250,000 or 10%, said the governor in his budget message.

As usual, the personnel services (salaries, wages) got the lion’s share in the total amount of PhP409,817,033, higher than this year’s PhP374,142,453, and PhP355,394,042 in 2007.

To keep the provincial operations sustained, the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) are pegged at PhP242,714,824, higher than PhP212,002,889 for this year, much higher than PhP170,359,340 for 2007.

Other important items in the budget include Capital Outlay with an allocation of PhP8,342,500; Provincial Development Initiative program, PhP33,300,000; Development Fund, P176,000,000; Calamity Fund, PhP47,689,297; Annual Aid to barangays, PhP5,545,000; Loan amortization, PhP 4,046,000; Aid to National Government Agencies, PhP5,527,606; Gender and Development, PhP28,107,740; Special Purpose, PhP9,160,00; Rice Accelerated Program (RACER) program, PhP32,329,000 and lump sum for salary increase, PhP22,000,000.

There are more than 4,000 new businesses that have been registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Iloilo Office for this year.

DTI Iloilo Director Wilhelm Malones said the new businesses that have been registered with them are mostly into services like information and communication technology (ICT), travel and tours, and restaurants.

The DTI official noted that every year, there is an increasing trend in business registrations and this is also because of the help of the local government units in encouraging small businesses to register with the DTI.

”Last year, there were around 3,900 new businesses that have been registered. We are convincing the business owners to register with the DTI. It only costs around P1,500,” Malones contended.

He said that many small businesses that have been registered with the DTI were encouraged by the Magna Carta for Small Enterprises because of their access to financing institutions due to their having legal personalities. source: PNA

     The string of gigs here and abroad in just barely a year, the Loboc Youth Ambassador band has fast gained a celebrity status in the live entertainment industry.

      Just a year ago, this group of students from various elementary and high schools in Loboc composing the band could hardly play any musical instrument.

      Under the innovative training of Rene Balbin, the band’s training director and conductor, these students have been transformed into a musical group who can really play a repertoire of classical music, Broadway hits, and local folk songs.

      Now, the Loboc Youth Ambassador band is performing live every Friday and Saturday evening at the Loboc Children’s Theatre.

      On invitation, the band also performs on weddings, graduations, motorcades, birthdays, fiestas, anniversaries, parties, and other social events.

      Last October 14, the Loboc Youth Ambassadors Band, fresh from its concert tour in China, presented a special show for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her Cabinet at the Malacañang Palace.

      The Loboc Youth Education Association, Inc. (LYEA) is a non-government organization, organized and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2004.

      Its officers are Argeo Melisimo as president, Engr. Isidro Digal as vice president, Raymond Cal as treasurer, Manuelito Varquez as secretary; and Mayor Leon Calipusan, Lawyer Eladio Jala, and Antonio Acuna Jr. as directors; while Balbin serves as executive and training director.

      LYEA aims, among others, to promote, develop and train the youth in the art of music and in the use of musical instruments; and establish, maintain and operate a school of music in Loboc. 

source: Sunday Post

By the Sunday Post

      The 702nd Community Defense Center conducted medical missions last week in coordination with the 802nd Infantry Brigade and the local government units of Mabini and Batuan.

      The activities were undertaken through the effort of 2Lt. Raulito Tago-on, officer-on-charge of the 702nd CDC and the 802nd IB under the command of Col. Raoul Reyes.

      Representing the group of Reyes were Maj. Eduardo Malig-on, CMO officer; Col. Joseph Sevilla, commander of the Technical Service Brigade, AFPRESCOM, AFP; Col. Armando Dancel of the Philippine Army, group commander of the 7RCDG ARESCOM.

      The soldiers conducted the joint medical missions in barangay San Jose, municipality of Mabini on December 1 and in barangay Rizal, municipality of Batuan on December 2.

      The free services included surgical and medical consultations, dental, circumcision, haircut, and reflexology. Free medicines were also distributed to the indigenous residents in the two barangays.

      The activities benefited around 1,000 indigent patients, enough for the mayors and other public officials of the two towns to express gratitude to the Reservist Medical Team, 802nd Infantry Brigade and other volunteers for their unselfish cooperation in the accomplishment of such humanitarian endeavor.

      The current thrust of the Philippine Army under the RRFD Plan focuses on developing the Reserved Force Components to support the Internal Security Operation (ISO) and to participate in socio-economic development activities and other non-traditional roles.

      On this, the group of reservists plays a vital role in CMO activities through organized reservist teams such as medical professionals for MEDCAP or legal reservists for legal services and continuing efforts for the readiness against disaster relief and rescue operations.

By ONAD MUNALEM

      Talibon Mayor Juanario Item reportedly got irked upon learning recently that the San Agustin-Zamora Bridge has collapsed to the riverbed beneath after a ten-wheel dump truck carrying gravel attempted to pass through.

      Right after receiving a call informing him of the incident on Tuesday noon last week, Item immediately sent an investigating team barangay Zamora to check it.

      The mayor also requested a police team to conduct a separate investigation.

      Zamora Barangay Captain Prima Tautjo said it’s the second time that the bridge had collapsed, causing inconvenient to farmers in bringing their produce to the market as it is the only shortest and most direct route to the Poblacion area.

      The bridge was connecting the Poblacion area and two more barangays other than Zamora.

      Municipal Engineer Nito Flores rushed to the site for an ocular inspection and assess the damage.

      Flores’ team saw the bridge totally wrecked and a ten-wheeler dump truck plunged in the river below with the rubbles.

      Flores interviewed the village chief and barriofolks nearby, while the municipal information officer took photos for documentation.

      Tautjo explained that she strongly prohibited heavy vehicles to cross the bridge, while finishing touches on the bridge was still going on.

      In fact, the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) has assigned an employee to watch it to ensure that no heavy trucks could pass through, the village head said.

      She added that she only allowed light vehicles like motorcycles.

      However, while the construction workers were having their lunch break, they heard a noise that sounded like something heavy splashing onto the river coming from the construction site.

      The workers and the residents nearby rushed to the site and realized it was a ten-wheel dump truck loaded with gravel that tried to cross the bridge, but ended up plunging on the river below after the bridge collapsed.

      Tautjo further expressed lament on the incident as their barangay would be celebrating fiesta in January and the bridge served as the shortest and the safest route to the commercial area of the town.

      The municipal engineer’s team learned that the dump truck was hired by the barangay to deliver four truckloads of gravel and it was owned by the Sarmiento Construction, the company that constructed the Zamora Dam.

      The truck driver and his helpers were immediately rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment of the slight injuries they sustained. - source: Sunday Post

Agora will always be part of my childhood memories. Sa gamay pa kong bata, dad-on man ko kanunay ni Papa sa Tagbilaran. Suki ni Papa ang BQ kay ang mga police makautang (automatic deduction sa Camp Dagohoy).

Mahal man mokaon sa BQ sauna. Mao ang Agora maoy madali-dali ug kadangpan panahon sa paniudto. Mag-aso-aso pa to ang mga dagkong kaldero nga gilutoan sa tinuwang isda ug linat-ang baka. Tulo-tulo gud ang singot inig human ug paniudto.

Dinhi pud sa Agora mi tigpaayo ug sapatos. Diha toy naglaray nga mga mangayohay ug sapatos sauna.

Daghan kang mapalit sa Agora kaniadto. Nagpunsisok ang mga bagang duot sa katawhan sauna nga maghuot sa gamay dalan-dalan sulod sa Agora.

Kahinumdum ko mahapon dihay daghang magluto ug "hot cake" ug barbeque. Pwede ra pud ka molingkod sa daplin sa dalan ug manihapon ug barbeque nga sapnayon sa linutong puso humay. Ug samtang nanihapon ka, daw mga lansijang ang mga motorsiklo nga magsaboy-saboy sa imong tungod.

Daghan pa ko ug buot handumon sa Agora... apan mosakit ang akong dughan diha sa pagbisita sa mga panid sa nangaging mga katuigan sanglit wala naman si Papa.

Loon is first pilot site of Buhay Dagat
By Adam L. Saligumba

      The Municipality of Loon’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) in barangay Cabacungan, Cabilao Island figured prominently the other week when it was chosen as the first pilot site of the Buhay Dagat, a joint project of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD), Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), Marine Protected Areas Support Network (MSN), and Bluewater Consultancy.

      More than 35 participants, mostly members of the Nagkahiusang mga Mananagat sa Cabacungan (Nagmaca) took part in a 6-day Reef Ranger Training of the Buhay Dagat conducted on November 19â€"25, 2008 in different venues in Loon.

    The Buhay Dagat is a Community-Based Tourism project in a Marine-Protected Area, the name derived from the words buhay na dagat (living sea) and hanap-buhay mula sa dagat (livelihood from the sea). The objective of the project is to add a livelihood component in the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) process through a community-based enterprise, thus, contributing to poverty alleviation in the coastal area.

      The project aims to provide a viable livelihood opportunity for people directly involved in the monitoring and management of MPAs and provide an excellent motivation for their continued involvement in their protection.

      The project also aims to make Marine Protected Areas learning venues for tourists who need to be educated about the coastal environment and the concept of responsible tourism.

      The specific objectives of the Buhay Dagat are: promote environmental awareness through a highly educational and experiential activity; protect enhanced and well-managed sanctuaries from negative impacts of tourism; provide livelihood for stakeholders engaged in MPA management; and develop unique tourism products that communities can operate and to establish linkages with potential markets.

      Only 10 marine-protected areas from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are selected for the project based on the following site-selection criteria: 1. There is an established MPA with effective management being implemented; 2. Willingness of the community to engage in coastal tourism and the presence of stakeholders that can be involved; 3. Receptiveness and support of the LGU through counterpart funding; 4. The site is safe and secure from political unrest/insurgency, criminality and environmental disasters; 5. The site has great potentials for coastal tourism (accommodations within 30 minutes traveling time, accessible by land and boat, has available infrastructure,  has other nearby attractions); 6. Current bio-physical status (well-preserved eco-system, high biodiversity); 7. Readiness for tourism; 8. Suitable for snorkeling at least six months in a year; No threats from logging, mining, pollution and uncontrolled development; and 10. No hazards (rip currents, boat traffic, surf, and hazardous marine life).

    The fish sanctuary in Cabacungan, Cabilao, a marine-protected area (MPA), easily passed all the criteria and was selected as the first pilot site of the Buhay Dagat. The seawaters in Cabacungan is internationally known as having one of the best dive sites in Asia.

      The reef ranger training was conducted by a technical team from the Manila-based Bluewater Consultancy. The team was composed of training director PCSSD Commissioner Louie F. Mencias, Chen Mencias, Alex Amable and David Tajan. Ms. Chona Kapawan, PCSSD Executive Assistant represented Undersecretary and PCSSD Executive Director Cynthia Carrion.

      The training culminated on November 25, 2008 at the Baluarte Beach Resort in barangay Pantudlan, Cabilao where participants received their certificates of completion and took their oath-of-office as Reef Rangers of the municipality of Loon.

      Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter M. Lopez, MD, in his message, lauded the PCSSD and the DOT for the Buhay Dagat project which gives recognizance and importance to marine protected areas and their stakeholders. He also congratulated the new reef rangers and exhorted them to be always vigilant in the protection and preservation of the reefs and marine sanctuaries in the municipality. He assured them of the LGU’s continued support such as the provision of diving paraphernalia like snorkels and other gear.  - Sunday Post

By Onad Munalem
Sunday Post

The new Bureau of Fire Protection building is now up for inauguration this month after the finishing touches were finally completed.

It was Mayor Juanario Item who requested the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) presided by Vice-Mayor Restituto Auxtero to allocate and release P148,000 for the concreting of the approach to the fire truck garage and fencing of the perimeters of the Bureau of Fire Protection office.

Works on t he concreting and fencing were started in August and completed at the end of November.

The BFP led by SFO3 Ricardo Garcia, municipal fire marshal, expressed gratitude to the LCE, and the SB for the realization of their projects.

The BFP used to hold office at the Municipal Hall building since 1982.

During his stint, the late mayor Gaudencio Artiaga provided a 344-square-meter lot near the municipal cemetery in barangay San Jose where the BFP can construct their own building.

The construction of the BFP building started during the leadership of Mayor Item.

The funding of the project came from the BFP central office amounting to P450T and another P100T from the LGU through the efforts of Mayor Item.

Amid the projected losses as a result of the unprecedented drop in the prices of crude in the international market, major oil companies said it remains confident of the Philippine market.

Randy Johnson, country manager for Chevron in an interview, said that while they are estimating to incur P1 billion losses due to oil prices volatility, this will not be a hindrance for them to push through with the projects in particular for the ethanol.

"As far as capital investment is concerned, we will continue to invest in the infrastructure for ethanol (despite the rough times)," Johnson said.

Since the company had been doing business in the Philippines for years, Johnson said they are already faimiliar with the market.

Johnson noted that when prices of crude goes up during the months of March to June, and it hit US$ 140 per barrel in July, there had been predictions that it will further go up to US$ 200 per barrel.

But Jonhnson said "nobody's been successful predicting this game" after prices started to go down in August and at the moment has hit the level of US$ 40 per barrel.

Asked if they will cut on spending in order to manage the projected lossess, they will incur by the end of this year, Johnson said they are.

"When you lose that much money, you do what you can. We have to be very careful with our operations (for next year) and to cut where we can," added Johnson.

Aside from the investment for ethanol projects, Johnson said they are also looking into other possible ventures in the country. However, he refused to give further details.

source: PNA

Many successful businesses in the country belong to families who have toiled for years to sustain a tradition of enterprise.

A couple's thriving business in piña weaving in Bacolod City has shown that entrepreneurship is, indeed, all in the family.

Reycon, which stands for Reyes and Conanan, the family names of the founders of the piña weaving business, began in Kalibo, Aklan in 1996.

But it was in Bacolod where young couple Khrystian Reyes, 31, and Ruby Gealom-Reyes, 29, were able to find their niche. Other family members are manning the branches in Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao.

Reyes said she and her husband started on their own enterprise in August 2004. But before that, they were already supplying piña cloths to Bacolod-based designers John-John Ditching and Lourdes Lipa.

After joining the trade fair at Robinsons Place Bacolod in 2005, they set up a trader's outlet in the city and operated for almost two years, and closed down in late 2006. "We wanted then to focus on production," Reyes said.

At their factory in Taculing Village in Bacolod, they set up a factory and residence where the piña cloths that come from the Reycon's main base in Kalibo are adorned with embroidery and other ethnic designs by three locally-hired workers.

"Our main product is barong. The bags and shawls are our additional lines," Reyes said.

Business has been good, so far, because Reycon's is the sole supplier of piña cloths in Bacolod. However, she admitted that they have marketing concerns. "You really need good sales talk to be able to sell these," she said, as piña cloth is obviously more expensive than other materials used for barongs. A cut costs P6,000, and made-to-order barongs are priced even higher.

Reyes said government officials in Bacolod and Negros Occidental have become a steady clientele for their quality piña barongs.

Female balikbayans are also drawn to piña shawls, she said.

Piña barongs, however, are not popular for exports because barongs are first and foremost, a Filipino outfit, she said. In 2005, when Reycon's was a top seller in the Negros Trade Fair, her mother-in-law, who is based in Kalibo, got orders from a European buyer who fashions curtains out of piña cloth. "But that's it. For barongs, it's not the case. It seems it's really just for Pinoys," Reyes said.

source: PNA

A two-year old boy died few hours after a fire engulfed him when the spilled kerosene exploded inside their house in Barangay Poblacion, Magpet in North Cotabato, around 7:30 p.m., Monday.

Killed was John Row Gamboa of Sulang Subdvision in Poblacion.

According to Gerry, father of the burnt victim, his son tried to reach the kerosene lamp, which he placed on top of their dining table. But it slipped into his hands and fell on the floor. It immediately caught fire engulfing the child.

The father tried to save his son but the fire also engulfed him. He, however, survived and got only minor burns on his hands and chest.

They rushed the child to the Kidapawan Doctors Hospital, Inc., but were advised to transfer the victim to the Burnt Intensive Care Unit of the Davao Medical Center in Davao City.

The child expired while on his way to the hospital in Davao City.

The Magpet Police later learned the lamp has kerosene and a gasoline, which caused flash fire when the fuel spilled on the floor.

Diesel oil is considered a hazardous fuel.

Kerosene lamp, according to police, should only be operated with kerosene or lamp oil, and diesel oil should only be used outdoors and “with great caution.”

source: PNA

Quote from: calle on December 10, 2008, 03:01:06 PM
i personally don't believe this... sorry ma sano ug sana...

Calle, you can search in Google for the term "origin of Christmas" and you'll get the same results from Wikipedia to many other historical websites.

A big commercial firm based in Dagupan City has discarded its colored plastic bags in favor of colorless, transparent plastic bags as its own way of helping the country minimize global warming which is now being blamed for climate change.

Dagupan City Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, president and chairman of the board of the retail giant CSI Group of Companies, said the transparent plastic bags can be re-used and recycled, whereas the colored plastic bags can not be re-used and re-cycled.

She told newsmen in an interview that her firm, which operates shopping malls, supermarkets and superstores in Dagupan, Pangasinan, La Union, Baguio and Ilocos Sur, adopted the technology she learned when she and another official, Councilor Librada Reyna, visited University of Sto. Tomas last year.

Both officials were told that colored plastic bags, which is used by all supermarkets of CSI, can not be recycled and re-used whereas the colorless, transparent plastic bags can be recycled and re-used.

Fernandez, a leading businesswoman in Northern Luzon, explained that her company is identified with its green color, seen in plastic bags it gives to customers.

However, she discarded these colored plastic bags in favor of colorless, transparent plastic bags which can be re-used and recycled as her company's contribution to the continuing drive to minimize pollution which is the reason for climate change.

source: PNA

With six weeks before taking office, President-elect Barack Obama is having one heck of a honeymoon, a new national poll suggests.

A new CNN poll gives Barack Obama a 79 percent approval rating in the way he's handling the transition.

Nearly eight in 10 Americans questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey out Tuesday morning are giving the president-elect the thumbs up when it comes to his handling of the transition.

Seventy-nine percent approve of Obama's performance so far during transition, with 18 percent disapproving.

Obama's approval rating is 14 points higher than the approval rating for President-elect George Bush in 2001 and 17 points higher than President-elect Clinton's rating in 1992, CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said.

Obama's current approval rating is also more than 50 points higher than President Bush's current approval rating, which now stands at 28 percent --- with 71 percent disapproving of the way Bush is handling his job as president.

source: CNN

By Jeff Coen, Rick Pearson and David Kidwell |  Tribune staff reporters

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested Tuesday for what U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald called a "political corruption crime spree" that included attempts to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Blagojevich and Harris were named in a federal criminal complaint that alleged a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy aimed at providing financial benefits to the governor, his political fund and to his wife, First Lady Patricia Blagojevich.

Blagojevich was taken into federal custody by FBI agents at his North Side home Tuesday morningâ€"one day shy of his 52nd birthday.

The arrests dealt a tumultuous blow to Illinois government, at once raising questions about the leadership of the state and the fate of the open Senate seatâ€"which the governor alone has the power to fill under the state law.

A wage increase of P15 was approved on Tuesday by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) for minimum wage earners in Western Visayas.

During their meeting in Cebu City, the RTWPB-6 signed Wage Order No. 17 for the granting of a pay increase that will take effect on Dec. 25.

"In the spirit of Christmas, why not grant the workers an increase," Labor sector representative Wennie Sancho said.

Sancho said the issuance of a new wage order is timely because oil prices are going down, making it easier for employers to adjust to a wage increase.

The P15 increase will set the minimum wage rates in Western Visayas at P208 to P250, from only P193 to P235 under Wage Order No. 15.

Under Wage Order No. 17, non-agriculture workers will receive P240 to P250, while non-plantation and plantation agriculture workers, P208 and P218, respectively.

source: PNA

The Greek-owned bulk carrier “M/V Captain Stefanos” and its 19-man crew, 17 of them Filipinos, have been freed by their Somali captors on December 8, according to belated reports released today by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The vessel, hijacked in the Gulf of Aden last September 21, is reportedly on its way to Italy and from there proceed to Greece, the home ground of its shipping principals.

DFA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Claro Cristobal said the Filipinos are “in good health” and their repatriation to Manila is underway.

With the release of the Stefanos, 91 Filipinos on board six different vessels hijacked off the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden at various times this year are still in the hands of the attackers, Cristobal said.

As a procedure, the DFA does not confirm the all-too known practice of the pirates to release their victims in exchange for multi-million dollar ransoms -- shouldered mainly by the principals.

source: PNA

Filipino boxing hero Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao today paid a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo upon his arrival at the country fresh from an impressive victory against Oscar de la Hoya in Las Vegas, USA.

After attending a thanksgiving mass at the Quiapo Church, Pacquiao met the President at the Music Room in Malacanang where they had a brief conversation.

Accompanied by his entourage which include Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit" Singson and Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella, the boxing champ recounted to the President his match with de la Hoya.

He thanked the President as well as the nation for their prayers.

After their conversation, the President presented the traditional cake prepared by the Palace chefs.

The cake was designed in such a way to make it look like a red boxing glove adorned with a World Boxing Council (WBC) championship belt.

Queried about his reported political plans, Pacquiao declined to provide any details to mediamen.

"I don't want to discuss politics right now. I'm focused on my boxing career," he told reporters . - PNA

Roman pagans first introduced the holiday of Saturnalia, a week long period of lawlessness celebrated between December 17-25. 

During this period, Roman courts were closed, and Roman law dictated that no one could be punished for damaging property or injuring people during the weeklong celebration.  The festival began when Roman authorities chose “an enemy of the Roman people” to represent the “Lord of Misrule.” 

ach Roman community selected a victim whom they forced to indulge in food and other physical pleasures throughout the week.  At the festival’s conclusion, December 25th, Roman authorities believed they were destroying the forces of darkness by brutally murdering this innocent man or woman.

source: Link

Thanks Raquel. In the future, we'll change the background using any of Bohol's famous places.

Dear Sojourners,

I am just experimenting in putting up an image of the Chocolate Hills as background of our Tubag Bohol site.

What do you think of it? If many won't like it, I will remove it.

Let me hear from you.


Sincerely,
Mike

A young Chinese woman was left partially deaf following a passionate kiss from her boyfriend.

The 20-something from Zhuhai in Guangdong province arrived at hospital having completely lost the hearing in her left ear, said local reports.

The incident prompted a series of articles in the local media warning of the dangers of excessive kissing.

"While kissing is normally very safe, doctors advise people to proceed with caution," wrote the China Daily.

The doctor who treated the girl in hospital was quoted in the paper explaining what had happened.

"The kiss reduced the pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out and caused the breakdown of the ear."

The chorus of warnings was echoed by the Shanghai Daily, which wrote: "A strong kiss may cause an imbalance in the air pressure between two inner ears and lead to a broken ear drum."

source: BBC

Clear seawaters in Boracay. Photo by Paragon of Flickr.

Only in Boracay, Philippines. Photo by Gep of Flickr

“Ang Gakit ni Noebong ug Ubang mga Sugilanon”, a book on Cebuano fiction by Satur P. Apoyon, former Davao City bureau chief of the Philippines News Agency (PNA), was launched by the Davao Writers Guild, Inc. and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on Saturday afternoon here.

The 5 x 8.5-inch 96-page book contains l3 of the more than 60 published short stories in the Cebuano language.

Apoyon has churned out the 13 stories since l955 up to mid-2008.

Aside from the lead story, the rest of the contents are “Mga Gutom”, “Dili Alang Kang David ang Baboy-ihalas”, “Ang Jihad ni Hadji Aribani”, “Ang Sakit ni Mystica Brillante”, “Ang Tinagoan ni Pocholo”, “Ang Dagon ni Atorni Agaton”, “Ang Magtiayon sa Bakilid”, “Gumikan sa Iyang Baroganan”, “Anak sa Wakwak”, “Timawi”, “Si Baldo ug ang Manok ni Mano Tasyo” and “Si Bandoyong ug ang Kataposang Lasang”.

“Ang Gakit ni Noebong” (The Raft of Noebong) is the modern version of Noah’s ark in Biblical times. Noebong’s family and some livestock were saved by the huge bamboo raft when the futuristic deluge came to pass in the upstream of the northwestern borders of Davao City with North Cotabato and Bukidnon following severe forest denudation and climate change.

The all-Cebuano anthology could be the first of its kind in Davao.

University of the Philippines (UP)-Mindanao Professor Ricardo de Ungria, DWG founder and president, has recommended the book project to the NCCA for funding.

De Ungria is the current chairman of the NCCA Literary Arts Committee and also heads the Subcomission on the Arts toward the next two years.

De Ungria, in his inspirational talk at the launching program, encouraged provincial writers to compile their works for eventual submission for funding to the NCCA through his committee.

Aside from “Gakit”, “Davao Harvest II”, a multi-authored book by DWG with funding support by NCCA, was also launched in the same occasion held at the newly inaugurated Museo Davao along Magallanes St. here.

The NCCA was represented in the twin launching program by Mylene Urizza, in-charge on visual and literary projects of the commission based at Intramuros, Manila.

Among the DWG stalwarts who graced the affair were multi-awarded English and Cebuano fictionist Macario D. Tiu, Don Pagusara, Tita Lacambra Ayala, Aida Rivera-Ford and Josefina C. Tejada.

source: PNA

A new group of Filipino professionals, most of whom are coming from Mindanao, will leave for Australia in January 2009 to pursue post-graduate studies in various Australian universities.

Sixty-six scholars, with 42 coming from Mindanao, were awarded the Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) through the long-term training program of the Philippines-Australia Human Resource Development Facility (PAHRDF). Four of these are recipients of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)-Carnegie Mellon University Scholarship.

The scholars will pursue post-graduate studies in the areas of human resource management, financial management, public administration, public policy, peace and conflict studies, and educational leadership.

“Human resource development is critical in helping Philippines’ achieve its development goals,” Titon Mitra, AusAID Minister Counsellor said during the two-day pre-departure briefing held here recently.

Noting the importance of investing in human resource development, he said that the scholars should be able to use the trainings to the development of their individual organizations, communities and the country in general.

The pre-departure briefing was conducted recently here to help scholars prepare for their training programs and orient them with living and studying in Australia, as well as understanding the conditions and requirements of the scholarships.

For 2008, the first batch of 38 scholars left for Australia last January and the second batch of 42 scholars left last June, with 24 coming from Mindanao.

About 80 Filipinos are awarded Australian Development Scholarships annually.

The PAHRDF is a P2.3-billion, five-year program of the AusAID which aims to assist partner national and local government agencies, academic institutions and private organizations to address key organizational needs through short-term and long-term human resource development programs. - source: PNA

About 40 doctors and nurses from Michigan, USA will hold a three-day medical mission on January 26 to 29 next year, according to Kiwanis Club of Davao City lady president Eleonor H. Madiclum.

Madiclum said preparations are now in full swing for the medical team arrival and final planning meeting on Dec. 15 at the Davao Medical Center (DMC) here.

He said the January activity will be the fifth year that Michigan doctors have been conducting free surgical operations in Davao City as a way of sharing their blessings to the Davaoeños.

Led by Van Ong, Oscar and Debbie Ong, whose families are from Davao, in coordination with the Kiwanis Club of Davao City, the group has donated hospital equipment like X-ray machines, dialysis machines, hospital ambulance and other surgical equipment.

“Michigan doctors are really happy and ready to share their medical expertise to our doctors here in Davao, Madiclum said.

She said donation of hospital equipment came from the World Medical Relief Inc., Great Ladies of Kiwanis Club of Cosmopolitan Detroit (counter parts of Kiwanis Clubs in Davao City, Division 7 & .

The medical mission will include heart by-pass operation, cranio facial, Gyne, thyroidectomy, hernia, cataract and cleft palate.

There will also be a neuro consultation and emergency medical system (EMS) training at the rehabilitation clinic for one day on Jan. 10. - source: PNA

The city government of Dagupan will make the nutritious "malunggay" (Moringa oleifera) as a signature vegetable, and effect its entry in the One Town, One Product (OTOP) concept.

Dagupan City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina said the city near the sea has a very marginal soil best suited for the planting of malunggay.

Molina said malunggay is called a wonder vegetable because of its high nutritional content.

The city’s marginal soil is not suitable for rice farming but only for vegetable gardening.

Dagupan has only 219 hectares devoted to rice farming, all of which are rain-fed.

Molina has asked City Councilor Alfredo Quinto Sr. to sponsor a resolution in the city council seeking to make malunggay planting a must in all households to provide every family source of nutritious food.

Quinto said the leaves of malunggay can be dried under the shade and pulverized to be mixed into any food, like table salt.

The leaves are the most nutritious part of malunggay, although its fruit (pod), seeds and flowers are also edible.

Molina spoke to newsmen during a break at a seminar on organic farming sponsored by her office, the Department of Agriculture and the City Waste Management Office on Tuesday. - PNA

More Filipinos are expected to benefit from the government initiative for the poor with the full implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Law.

The Department of Health (DOH) has assured the public of the reduction of medicine prices with the full effect of Republic Act No. 9502, otherwise known as the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 and its implementing rules and regulations (IRRs).

One of the effects of the Cheaper Medicines Act is the release next month of a price control list which includes some 25 drug categories, among which are medicines for hypertension, diabetes and cancer, DOH Undersecretary Alexander Padilla said.

He added that the DOH is on the process of reviewing and identifying the drugs that will be included in the price control list.

He also said the department is studying the possibility of importing drugs which are scarce locally, particularly those for cancer treatments. He also admitted that since the IRRs of the new law took effect, more generic medicines are now entering the country.

Padilla said the new law has also required manufacturers who hold drug patents to make generic counterparts or equivalents of their patented products.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Capiz continues to serve more Capiceños through the sale of cheaper medicines in the various government hospital pharmacies in the province.

source: PNA

Police authorities have intensified operations against a band of sea pirates believed as those behind the strafing of a docked cargo vessel in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, on Monday night.

Sr. Supt. Abdulrakman Aplak, Sultan Kudarat police mobile group director, told reporters that the captain of MV Ramona FM of Villa Shipping was wounded and undergoing treatment at a local hospital in nearby Lebak town.

The boat which arrived from Manila and Cebu was to unload cargoes on Tuesday when gunmen on board two motorboats fired rocket propelled grenades and automatic rifles.

“The boat captain was injured in his leg when shrapnel of the grenade hit the deck at past 11:45 p.m.,” Aplak said, as he declined to identify the victim, pending ongoing police investigation.

Aplak said the boat captain had received extortion letter from still unidentified men demanding bunker fuel and protection money.

However, the captain ignored it but did not employ security personnel to guard the vessel while docked at Kalamansig port.

source: PNA

These are some girls you don’t want anywhere near your home. A gang of 16 and 17 year old British girls blew up a home over an argument with a boy, killing an innocent neighbor.

Charlotte Anderson called police claiming a group of teenage girls were causing problems outside her home. Apparently Charlotte and girls were arguing over a boy.

Later, the group of trouble making teens returns, are seen pouring a purple liquid inside the home through the letterbox and then the house blew up. The girl they were trying to harm was injured and taken to the hospital, while an innocent neighbor, Emad Quereshi was killed during the explosion. - source: DangerousFemaleBlog

Faced with a mountain of debt and shrinking advertising revenue, the Chicago-based Tribune Co., which owns the Los Angeles Times, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday.

The company made the move as a way to restructure payments due to banks and other creditors following the sale of the company to real estate magnate Sam Zell last year, sources said.

Tribune's Board of Directors has approved the action filed in federal court in Delaware, the Los Angeles Times said.

According to the paper, the Tribune Co. had about 300 million U. S. dollars in cash on hand, enough to make a 70 million dollars payment due Monday. But Tribune executives were unable to strike a deal with lenders to restructure the rest of the company's debt.

A 512-million-dollar payment, related to Zell's highly leveraged buyout, is due in June. Tribune is reportedly counting on selling the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field to cover that bill. The projected value of the Cubs and Wrigley Field is estimated at around 1 billion dollars.

Advertising revenue for Tribune's eight daily newspapers and 23 television stations, which include KSWB-TV in San Diego, has fallen sharply over the past year and is expected to keep falling in 2009, the newspaper reported. - PNA/Xinhua

An Indian woman has given birth to her first child at the age of 70 after receiving IVF treatment, newspapers quoted her doctor as saying yesterday.

Rajo Devi, who married 50 years ago, gave birth to a baby girl on Nov. 28 after in vitro fertilization (IVF), said Anurag Bishnoi, a doctor at the Hisar fertility center in Haryana state.

"Rajo Devi and (her husband) Bala Ram approached the center for treatment and the embryo transfer was done on April 19," he was quoted by Xinhuanet as telling the Hindustan Times. "Both the mother and child are in good health."

Bishnoi claimed Devi was the world`s oldest mother.

Another 70-year-old Indian was reported to have given birth to twins via IVF in July this year, while a 66-year-old Spanish woman had twins in 2006.

Devi`s husband, aged 72, had also wed his wife`s sister after 10 years of his first marriage did not result in children. His second wife also failed to become pregnant.

It was not clear whose egg and sperm were used in the successful treatment.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will honor on Wednesday outstanding Filipino individuals and organizations all over the world for their exceptional achievements or humanitarian efforts that give form and substance to Filipino excellence and the time-honored values of humanity, cooperation and unity.

The simple ceremonies to be held at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang will also mark the opening of the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and the International Migrants’ Day (Dec. 10).

The awardees were evaluated by Philippine consulates and embassies prior to the final selection by the technical committee.

The Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas is a biennial event institutionalized in Dec. 1991 by virtue of EO 498.

# The four awards categories are: ‘Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino’ Award conferred on Filipino associations or individuals for their exceptional or significant contribution to Philippine reconstruction, progress and development;

# ‘Banaag’ Award given to Filipinos whose contributions have significantly benefited a sector or community in the Philippines, or advanced a cause of overseas Filipino communities;

# ‘Kaanib ng Bayan’ Award accorded to foreign individuals or organizations for their exceptional or significant contributions to Philippine reconstruction, progress and development, or whose contributions significantly benefited a Philippine sector or community, or advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities; and the

# ‘Pamana ng Pilipino’ award conferred on overseas Filipinos who, in exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino, have brought honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.

The recipients of the ‘Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino’ Award are Tobias Enverga Jr., (New York); Laurence Ligier, (Toronto); Association of Philippine Physicians of America, (New York); Filipino Women’s Association United Kingdom, (London); and Stitching Kapatiran, (The Hague).

On the other hand, to receive the ‘Banaag’ Award are Alexander Asuncion, (Riyadh); Patricia Bernabe, (New York); Angeles Carandang, (Chicago); Mary Aida Casambre, (Hong Kong); Esperanza Derpo, (Abuja); Lamberto Garcia, (Seoul); Eleanor Ho, (Taipei); Joseph Magdalena, (Riyadh); Santiago Muzones Jr., (New York); Dr. Antonio Noblejas, (Wellington); Lilian Overs, (Toronto); Adelina Philipsen, (The Hague); Filipino Korean Spouses Association (Seoul), Philippine Community Council of New South Wales, (Sydney); Philippine Nurses Association of America, (New York); and United Filipino Council of Hawaii, (Honolulu).

Meanwhile, the ‘Kaanib ng Bayan’ Award will be given to the Catholic Medical Mission Board, (New York); Children’s Chance NY, (New York); and Heetens Helpgood Center Philippines, (The Hague). The recipients of the ‘Pamana ng Pilipino’ Award are Amelita Besa and Romeo Dorotan, (New York); Bayani de Leon, (New York); Carlos Esguerra, (New York); Federico Hizon, (Singapore); Libertito Pelayo, (New York); Dr. Teresita Ramos, (Honolulu); and Engr. Nilo Villarin, (Washington).

source: PNA

Positive developments in the US enabled the Philippine peso to hit a one-month high at 48.31 Tuesday.

At the Philippine Dealing System, the unit opened at 48.38 but hit its highest during mid-trade as investors note improvement in US stocks.

Traders said investor’s risk aversion was lessened after US President-elect Barack Obama vowed to increase infrastructure spending to address the current economic turmoil in the world’s largest economy, which is also affecting economies worldwide.

The local currency’s lowest trade for the day stood at 48.56 before closing at 48.55.

Tuesday’s closing is better than Monday’s 48.60 finish bringing the day’s average at 48.42, stronger than day-ago’s 48.71.

Volume of trade also improved after reaching $ 696.22 million from the $ 639 million a day ago. - source: PNA

Sony has announced plans to cut 8,000 electronics jobs - 5% of the division - as well as shutting 10% of its manufacturing sites.

The company said the jobs would be cut by April 2010 but did not say in which countries the staff would go.

Sony said it had been trying to reduce production because of the downturn but warned it still had to do more.

The news came as Japan said its economy had shrunk between July and September by much more than initially estimated.

The Cabinet Office said the economy had shrunk at an annual rate of 1.8% in the quarter, compared with its original estimate of 0.4%. - BBC

America is losing its position at the centre of the internet, according to a new study.

The survey by communications analysts TeleGeography Research, based in Washington DC, shows a rapid growth in internet capacity around the rest of the world over the past year - particularly in Latin America and Asia.

As a result, America's traditional role as the internet's traffic policeman is drifting away as other parts of the world become less reliant on it.

"The US used to be a primary hub for many regions," said Eric Schoonover, a senior analyst at TeleGeography. "A lot of data still comes through the US, and a lot of content there is served out to other countries … but its importance is declining, though it has by no means gone away." - source: Guardian UK

Scientists in Austria say they have found a basic form of jealousy in dogs.

The Vienna-based researchers showed that dogs will stop doing a simple task when not rewarded if another dog, which continues to be rewarded, is present.

Writing in the journal PNAS, the scientists say this shows a sensitivity in dogs that was only previously found in primates.

The researchers now plan to extend their experiments to look at co-operative behaviour in wolves.

The experiment consisted of taking pairs of dogs and getting them to present a paw for a reward. On giving this "handshake" the dogs received a piece of food.

One of the dogs was then asked to shake hands, but received no food. The other dog continued to get the food when it was asked to perform the task. - BBC News

A US military F-18 fighter jet has crashed into a residential area of San Diego, killing three people on the ground and injuring the pilot.

The San Diego Fire Department described the scene of the crash as "a heavily populated area" near Interstate 805.

TV footage showed plumes of white smoke rising from several houses.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the jet had crashed as it prepared to land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and that the pilot had ejected.

The crash occurred two miles (3.2km) from the base, it added.

Personnel from Air Station Miramar, famous for its role in the movie Top Gun, have been dispatched to the crash site to investigate.

The Marine Corps said the jet, a two-seater F/A-18D Hornet, had been on a training mission with only one pilot on board.

Mayor Jerry Sanders and a military official sent out their condolences to the families of the victims, whose identities have yet to be released. - BBC

A man accompanied by the housemaid of a supposed robbery victim made the mistake of reporting the incident to the local police only to end up being tagged as rob suspects themselves.

It was a lesson they learned too late for Rommel Carmona y Mag-asa, 35, married and a resident of Kabangkalan, Sevilla town and Arlene Maduramente y Rafonel, 36,  a resident of Tayong, Loay town. 

Subsequent police investigation showed that although married, both were carrying a romantic liaison. 

The same police report showed that  the supposed robbery victim was identified as Erna Tan, a cashier of the local branch of the Development Bank of the Phils. She resides along Hontanosas St., Tagbilaran City. The rob try took place morning of Thursday.

In her narration to responding policemen, the victim said she was inside her room when she heard some commotion outside. It was at this point that she got out of her room. Then two bonnet-wearing men, lunged into her and one of them tried to stab her. She was able to parry the knife blows but not without wounding her left hand. She was able to gain possession of the knife and then shouted for help.

But while the house owner was confronted by the suspects, the housemaid identified as Maduramente was already tied in her back in the kitchen of the house.  A piece of cloth was also placed in her mouth by the suspects to prevent her from shouting.

Further police investigation indicated that no amount of cash was carted away by the robbers but only the cellphone and  passbook of  the house helper.

Then  the robbery made a different twist when the sweethearts showed up in the police station to report the incident.

Police investigators sensing inconsistencies in the narration of the crime succeeded in having the male suspect admit to the robbery. Police also later found out that the house helper was an accessory to the crime after she admitted of having an affair with one of the suspects.

Local policemen are still looking for the other suspect who barged Thursday into the Tan residence. 

source: Sunday Post

A 20-year-old young man was brought to the hospital after he was shot by his own grandfather who thought he was an intruder.           

The victim was identified as one Aldwin Galorio, a resident of Barangay La Hacienda, Alicia town, Bohol.      
Police investigation revealed that the shooting incident took place about 3 o’clock dawn last Dec. 1.           
The victim was entering the home of his grandfather when he was shot by the latter who thought he was an intruder.           

After the shooting incident, the victim was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.         

Fortunately, the injury sustained during the shooting was not serious enough to claim the life of the grandson.           

The grandfather took care of all the hospital expenses related to the treatment of the victim.         
Meanwhile, an elderly farmer was killed after he was attacked by another farmer with whom he had a previous spat.           

The victim was identified as one Pastor Balaba, 64, a resident of Barangay Basiao, Garcia Hernandez.           

The violent incident took place in front the suspect’s residence about 6 am last Dec. 2.           

The suspect was identified as one Asterio Ranay, 47, a resident of Barangay Taboan, Garcia Hernandez.           
Investigators learned that the victim was tending to his carabao near Ranay’s home when a previous misunderstanding between the two was revived.           

The heated argument deteriorated into intense anger prompting the suspect to attack the victim with a sharp instrument.           

Later that same morning, the suspect voluntarily surrendered to the police station and yielded the weapon used in the killing. source: The Sunday Post

The coliform level at the controversial drainage outfall has reached to 24 million colonies, far higher than the previous lab test taken few days after its opening which registered only at 2,000 colonies.

The closure of the drainage outfall is non-negotiable, declared Gov. Erico Aumentado yesterday after he received the results of the latest laboratory test released last Friday by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) offices which were alarmed on the rapid increase of pollutants at the seawater fronting the Tagbilaran City Port.

"The closure order of the drainage outfall should be issued by the DENR within this week, otherwise heads will roll at the DENR," the governor warned.

The latest DENR lab test came from water samples taken by the composite team dispatched by DENR Secretary Lito Aitneza following the governor's recommendation to close the drainage outfall.

The water samples were taken from three areas: the water from the outfall registered 24 million colonies; the seawater fronting MR Restaurant at the port area registered 2.4 million colonies and the area near Bohol Tropics Resort Club at 2,400 colonies.         

"All the results are alarming," confirmed PENRO Nestor Canda during an interview with the Chronicle yesterday.

The governor, upon learning of the latest lab test results called DENR Reg'l Director Leonardo Sibaluca to read the lab test results upon reporting to his office tomorrow.

"I can not tolerate further increase of coliform level in the seawater," the governor stressed as he expects the closure order of the drainage within this week.

INTERIM SOLUTION

The "close-open" solution which DENR Sec. Atienza earlier said is very pallative in nature as it will still bring the pollutants to the seawater once the drainage outfall will be opened, according to the governor who convened an emergency meeting yesterday with PENRO Canda.

The meeting discussed the interim solution to the problem since it will take long before the waste water treatment facility can be constructed.

Details of this interim solution could not be known until series of discussions can be made with the experts, the governor said.

However, he reiterated that the closure of the outfall should be ordered soon.

Gov. Aumentado noted that if only the city mayor could have complied with his commitment to put up the waste water treatment facility simultaneous to the drainage project, then all these problems could have been avoided.

CONFUSING THE PUBLIC

There is a continued media campaign to confuse the public on the real situation at the drainage outfall, diverting the people from the issue on what really are the reasons why this drainage problem came into our midst, the governor said.

The Booy Barangay council passed Resolution No. 2008-0211 "urging the city mayor to close the sewerage outfall as soon as possible, citing to instill the preservation and restoration of its water resources and for public and environmental safety."

The Booy council likewise stated that the "livelihood is threatened for the reason that customers stopped patronizing Caingit Beach because of the foul odor and visible darkening of the seawater due to pollution caused by waste from the illegal connection."

The resolution was signed by the barangay officials led by Barangay Captain Eutorgio N. Telmo, Jr.

Earlier last week, the Caingit Fish Vendors Association likewise issued a manifesto demanding the closure of the drainage outfall due to the severe decline on sales at their respective stalls right at the famous Caingit Beach in Booy district, this city.

Dr. Cyril Tallo, a hospital chief in the city, was one of those residents in the area who called dyRD's top rated "Inyong Alagad" program to air his complain on the foul odor coming from the outfall.

Despite these two resolutions and feedbacks coming from residents near the outfall, news reports coming from a local radio station (not dyRD) continue to mount a "counter report" that there is no foul odor in the area near the drainage outfall. - source: The Bohol Chronicle

Boholano movie actor-director Cesar Montano seems to be testing the grounds for a possible gubernatorial bid in the 2010 elections.

This surfaced as series of meetings were conducted last week among his probable leaders down in the district and municipal levels. He hosted lunch at his Baclayon residence last Wednesday where some political figures were seen including Prov'l Board Member Yul Lopez whose name surfaced as a probable bet for congressman in the 1st district.

Meanwhile, five names remain to be in the "gubernatorial" list for the 2010 presidential and local polls after three-termer Gov. Erico Aumentado will end his nine-year "high performing" term as chief executive of the province. Perceived to run for governor are Vice Gov. Julius Herrera, Rep. Edgar Chatto, Rep. Roberto Cajes and former Gov. Rene Relampagos.

Montano was earlier reported on his home TV station ABS-CBN to have interest to run for governor of the province. He has been noted to be heavily plugging Bohol's campaign for votes in the global search for "7 new wonders of nature" on his weekly top-rated TV show "Singing Bee."         

As reports on Montano's possible gubernatorial bid surfaced, a random telephone/text survey was conducted yesterday by dyRD's top rated weekly program "Radyo Merkado" asking radio listeners if they are favorable for showbiz personalities to run for local positions in the province, mentioning in particular, Montano as a probable gubernatorial bet.

Of the 63 respondents, 81% are agreeable, mostly saying, "there is nothing wrong to try the services of a non-traditional politician." Some even ventured to say that Montano is qualified "sensing his heart to serve the Boholanos after seeing him assist the victims of the mass food poisoning in Mabini town."

Of the 19% who disapproved showbiz personalities joining local politics, 68% said "experience as a public servant is necessary for one to run for governor being the chief executive of the province." - source: The Bohol Chronicle

The Tagbilaran City Square, formerly the Agora Public Market quietly opened its doors last week with only 30% of the stalls occupied.

After 14 long years, the once "white elephant" right in the heart of the city is now transformed into a commercial center with shops, mostly pawnshops.

Despite prevailing criticisms and questions on the award of the rehabilitation contract of the former Agora public market - being disadvantageous to the government - the contractors of the City Square has opened its doors to officially start business operations.

Ko Beng Sum, the president of the Tagbilaran Business Center consortium, promised that the edifice, which is on its finishing touches, will be completed in time for Christmas. The area occupied at the ground floor is 30% of the entire two-storey building or about 60% of the ground floor area.         

"Consider this as our Christmas present to the Tagbilaranons - a modern business center worthy of pride and honor," Ko said during a press conference yesterday.

Ko said the rehabilitation of the former Agora into the City Square was "painstakingly planned".

"It is quite easy to construct and operate rather than rehabilitate and operate," according to Ko, whose consortium will be operating the business center for a period of 25 years.

He disclosed that just to complete the rehabilitation, the contractors "underwent a lot of nightmares how to maximize the existing structure of the former Agora".

While the finishing touches will be made, the business center is ready for occupancy.

According to Ko, the present occupancy rate of the City Square is only 30 percent, which is far way below than the consortium's targeted occupancy rate. Reports said the rental rate is relatively high while a 10-month deposit was required from the interested occupants.

Former OIC Gov. Victor de la Serna , during a radio interiew said the deal between the city government and the consortium is very disadvantageous to the ctiy governemt since the annual payment required is only P5 million, or whichever is higher compared to the groos sales being generated. The edifice was already done with the basic structure when the Lim administration decided to rehabilitate the project as it was creating a "huge monster" in the center of the city's commercial district. - source: The Bohol Chronicle

A lone assailant shot and killed a former driver of ex- Bohol Gov. David B. Tirol in broad daylight right at the office of the former governor, in front of the University of Bohol along Ma. Clara, st., Thursday afternoon.

The victim, identified as Henry Calihat, 37, a resident of barangay Libaong, Panglao was on his way to the second floor of the law office of the former governor when the unidentified gunman trailed him and shot the victim's head who died on the spot. He was supposed to attend a court hearing that same day he was gunned down.

The murder happened in the populated street of Ma. Clara past 12 noontime last Thursday.         

City PNP operatives theorized that the murder could be related to some cases the victim had been involved.

Calihat was out on bail after he was arrested for robbery in Panglao and was supposed to attend a preliminary hearing of a land dispute case at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, police said.

PO1 Selvan Palacio of the City PNP's criminal investigation section told the Chronicle that carpenters who saw the incident could not identify the suspect. - source: The Bohol Chronicle

BBC: Adding nuts to a healthy diet may help release people from a dangerous combination of health problems.

Up to 25% of people in the UK are thought to have "metabolic syndrome", which includes obesity and high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

A Mediterranean diet of vegetables, fruit and fish plus daily nuts boosted health in more than one in eight at-risk volunteers, a Spanish study found.

The research was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine journal.

Happy Birthday, Cion. Padayon sa imong pagpamulak diha sa tanaman sa mga damgo ug pangandoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZLB3aUhZBc

Dela Hoya-Manny Pacquiao Round 7

continuation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2npW5dXrtZM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXB13_gy2ak

Michael Buffer's Introduction on Pacquiao-Dela Hoya Match

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRof5OLII44

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a4bmg-WYG4

3 National Anthems in Pacquiao-Dela Hoya Fight

Pacquiao will earn a guaranteed $11 million, while De La Hoya was expected to make at least twice that by the time all the pay-per-view revenues are totaled up. - AP and Yahoo

By TIM DAHLBERG, AP Boxing Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP)â€"The end for Oscar De La Hoya on this night came as he sat in the corner after the eighth round, his left eye swollen shut and his face bruised by punches Manny Pacquiao seemed able to land almost at will.

The decision to call it a night was easy. The decision to call it a career may be a lot tougher.

“My heart still wants to fight, that’s for sure,” De La Hoya said. “But when your physical doesn’t respond, what can you do? I have to be smart and make sure I think about my future plans.”

Pacquiao gave De La Hoya a lot to think about by beating and battering him around the ring for eight rounds Saturday night before De La Hoya declined to answer the bell for the ninth round. The domination was shocking enough, but the fact that it came at the hands of a fighter who just nine months earlier had been fighting at 129 pounds had to be even more troubling for De La Hoya and his legions of fans.

De La Hoya absorbed such a beating that he was taken to a hospital afterwards for what was described as a precautionary examination. The most popular fighter of his generation won just one round on one ringside scorecard and none on the other two against a smaller opponent who fought bigger than him from the opening bell on.

“We knew we had him after the first round,” Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. “He had no legs, he was hesitant and he was shot.”

Roach trained De La Hoya in his last big fight a year ago and said then that De La Hoya simply couldn’t throw punches when he needed to anymore. That was magnified even more against Pacquiao, who not only was as elusive as Floyd Mayweather Jr. but threw punches back that kept De La Hoya off pace.

“Freddie, you’re right,” De La Hoya told the trainer after the fight. “I just don’t have it anymore.”

If De La Hoya’s career is over, it will be the end of a remarkable story that began when he won the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona in 1992 and went on to become the biggest box office attraction in the sport. But while he sold tickets, De La Hoya hadn’t won a big fight in six years, and there were whispers long before the fight that he had nothing left.

He certainly had nothing against Pacquiao, who fought a lot bigger than he looked and who proved that speed was a lot more important than size against a fighter who at the age of 35 has seen his better days.

“That’s what we were focused on every day in the gym, speed, speed would be the key to this fight,” Pacquiao said. “I trained hard for this fight, and that’s why I deserve tonight.”

De La Hoya’s left eye was swollen shut as he sat on his stool after the eighth round and the ring doctor, referee and his cornermen discussed his condition. De La Hoya offered no complaints when his corner decided he had enough, getting up from his stool and walking to the center of the ring to congratulate the victor.

“You’re still my idol,” Pacquiao told him.

“No, you’re my idol,” De La Hoya said.

It was lopsided from the beginning, with Pacquiao landing punch after punch while De La Hoya chased after him, trying to catch him with a big blow. Pacquiao was winning big even before the seventh round, when he was pounding De La Hoya against the ropes in his corner and catching him with huge shots that knocked him across the ring.

De La Hoya remained upright, but with one eye closed and his reflexes seemingly gone there was no chance he was going to land the big punches he would have needed to turn the fight around. Ringside statistics showed Pacquiao landed 45 power punches in the seventh round to just four for De La Hoya.

“He’s just a great fighter,” De La Hoya said. “I have nothing bad to say about him. He prepared like a true champion.”

Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 knockouts) came up two weight classes to fight for his biggest purse ever, while De La Hoya dropped down to meet him at 147 pounds. Though De La Hoya (39-6) towered over Pacquiao and had a big reach advantage over him, Pacquiao had no trouble getting inside what few jabs De La Hoya threw to land his shots.

Pacquiao was credited with landing 224 of 585 punches to just 83 of 402 for De La Hoya.

The chairman of the Senate committee deciding whether to rescue the Detroit Three carmakers has said the health of the entire US economy is at stake.

Democrat Christopher Dodd said that letting Chrysler, General Motors or Ford fail would be playing "Russian roulette with the entire economy".

Failure would affect "almost every sector of the economy", he said.

He also severely criticised the US Treasury and financial institutions for their handling of the credit crisis.

"This is not about acting to save individual companies. If it were, I would let them fail," said Sen Dodd, who chairs the Senate Banking Committee.

With "hundreds of billions in outstanding debt obligations", he said the credit crisis would get a lot worse if the carmakers were not able to repay their debts.

Dear Friendster Members,

I notice that Friendster is sending thousands of garbage messages to thousands or perhaps millions of accounts. This occurs when an account has been hijacked by a script/malware. People would think it was you who sent those ***b*sh*t messages but of course it wasn't you - and you don't know that your account has been compromised. Examples of these meaningless messages have titles like "Hahaha" or "Is that you" or "I saw you in this video" - all embedded with evil links.

Friendster has to do something to stop this security hole ravaging its site.

It is enormously embarrassing when people are believing that you were the one sending those ***b*sh*t messages to them, but the truth of the matter is that you're completely unaware of such friendster disaster all this time.

By Gregg Keizer
ComputerWorld

More than 98% of Windows computers harbor at least one unpatched application, and nearly half contain 11 or more programs at risk from attack, a Copenhagen-based security company said today.

According to Secunia APS, 98.1% of the PCs on which its Personal Software Inspector (PSI) utility was installed during the past week sport one or more applications that have security updates available for downloading.

PSI scans Windows systems for installed applications, then compares their version numbers to the most up-to-date versions; if they're different, it makes note, then provides a link to the patch update. To gather its numbers, Secunia tracked the results of each user's first PSI scan.

Thanks Raquel for sharing the info. I'll visit the site.