MikeLigalig.com

A computer virus is alive and well on the International Space Station (ISS).

Nasa has confirmed that laptops carried to the ISS in July were infected with a virus known as Gammima.AG.

The worm was first detected on Earth in August 2007 and lurks on infected machines waiting to steal login names for popular online games.

Nasa said it was not the first time computer viruses had travelled into space and it was investigating how the machines were infected.

source: BBC News

Quote from: belleXTM on August 28, 2008, 09:38:34 PM
Thank you Sir Mike

Belle, ayaw lang pag-Sir nako for two reasons:
1. You were not my student, and I was not your teacher
2. You were not my worker, and I was not your employer

Using Sir is a remnant of Filipinos' hangover over Spain's regime.

By Rey Anthony Chiu

After successfully tapping sources to fund its P15M Municipal Health Center, Mayor Roberto Salinas now dared the Department of Health (DOH) to put up its "share" in the future operation of the structure the town would build starting next month.

After all, it was DOH who introduced in the town an innovative health program called the Leaders for Health Program (LHP), a joint project of the health department, Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business (AGSB) and Pfizer Philippines.

Since the Salubungan in 2003, the LHP was introduced by the DOH in the Visayas and Manila based doctor volunteers were immediately assigned to Catigbian and Bindoy in Negros Oriental, two Central Visayas beneficiaries, sources revealed.

Salinas implored the government health agency for help in the operation of Bohol's second town run hospital.

The LHP also empowered Catigbianons, led by local officials to think, feel and behave towards health as authorities developed leaders who champion for health in the community.

During the Commencement Ceremonies for Municipal Health Officers (MHO) held at Ateneo de Manila in Quezon City recently, Salinas found the chance to cast the challenge as he witnessed the granting of a masteral degree to the Catigbian MHO.

Dr. Evangelista earned the degree after 4 years of LHP implementation in Catigbian, as stipulated upon the program inception.

Two years ago, Mayor Salinas received from AGSB a certificate course in governance and so had two of the town's community health leaders: Marichelle Rulida and Virgilia Sequiña.

Salinas, with the community leaders attended the exercises marking the end of the LHP in the country.

The 4-year program also earned for Catigbian recognition of completion after program implementation since September 2004.

Moreover, the program also earned for Catigbian Dr. Evangelista, 2 years of work with the DOH DTTB program.

The town, in compliance with existing laws has put up local projects for community birthing centers.

The program also assured for the town technical support in the local health plan development and health services innovation as evidenced by the Sentrong Sigla certification and PhilHealth and TeleHealth program expansions, Evangelista said.

Recently, the town under Mayor Salinas entered into an agreement with the World Bank to fund its P15M health center, in its efforts to expand its health services.

The 2 storey hospital building is set to be erected next month, but the town still has to put up operational costs and medical equipment to assure its efficient operation.

By Rey Anthony Chiu

Winning the search in region 7, Garcia Hernandez now hopes to make it big as it competes for the country's best programs in Alternative Learning Systems (ALS).

ALS is a government initiative through the Department of Education to allow the country's out-of school youth to obtain certifications from the formal school despite their not being regularly enrolled in established institutions.

This would also offer a second chance literacy program for the marginalized who have been deprived of formal scholastic training due to inability and sheer effort to be in gainful occupation first rather than the schools, sources said.

Here in Garcia Hernandez, the administration of Mayor Myrna Schreurs gave a high priority for the ALS in attempts to peg a higher literacy rate for the town, admitted Cerina Cadenas, the municipal public information officer.

The move seemingly worked fine with the town winning the regional competitions for best programs.

Last week, a national evaluation team finished their validation of the local programs, this as Garcia Hernandez hosted the panel from Manila coming over to see for themselves how the town does the job, the town public information officer said.

According to Cadenas, the Manila based evaluators interviewed members of the Municipal Literacy Coordinating Council, as regards the ALS innovative programs and activities that the town leaders implemented here.

Moreover, she said the panel of evaluators also visited schools and barangays where the ALS is implemented to validate the interview data.

By Rammel Cagulada, CPA

The Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants-Bohol Chapter will conduct a seminar on Friday and Saturday for CPAs and non-CPAs that will cover the latest issues, concerns, development in Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS), and the newly-approved Republic Act 9504 or the National Internal Revenue Code as amended.

The two-day seminar will be at the Wregent Plaza Hotel, Tagbilaran City.

Updates on the new tax regulations and highlights of RA 9504 will be discussed by Arrnold Supilanas, CPA, the tax manager of Punongbayan and Araullo (P&A) based in Cebu City.

Supilanas is a product of Holy Name University under then dean, Dr. Jemma Jay, CPA.

Also during the seminar on August 29-30, Philippine Interpretations on IFRICs 12 to 15: Service Concession Arrangement, Customer Loyalty Programmes, The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate will also be discussed together with the revised PAS 1 or Presentation of Financial Statements, revised PAS 23 or Borrowing Costs and PFRS 8 or Operating Segments.

These highly sophisticated topics will be given justice by the 1997 CPA Board exams first placer and partner of Punongbayan and Araullo (P&A), Romualdo Murcia III, also a graduate of HNU.

Other topics to be handled by Murcia are the following; Revised PFRS 3 or Business Combinations, Revised PAS 27 or Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements, PFRS 7 or Financial Instruments Disclosures, PAS 32 or Financial Instruments-Disclosures and Presentation, PAS 39 or Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement, PAS 30 or Disclosures in the Financial Statements of Banks and Similar Institutions and PFRS 4 or Insurance Contracts.

Registration fee is pegged at P1,000 (with OR) per day inclusive of morning and afternoon snacks, lunch, seminar kit and certificate of attendance with CPE units.

Separate certificates will be issued per day and each certificate carries units for continuing professional education for CPAs for a total of 16 CPE units for two days.

CPE units are a must for PRC-BOA accreditation and CPA license renewal.

Interested parties may inquire for more information through cellphone number 0918-5220769.

source: Sunday Post

The Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) Bohol Chapter will be hosting the 9th IIEE Regional Conference at Bohol Tropics Resort on August 28-30, with the Theme, "Responding to Global Electrical Safety, Energy Efficiency and Environmental Protection".

IIEE invites all members and non-member electrical engineers to attend the conference to broaden their technical knowledge, especially on the New Electrical Engineering Law (RA 7920) and the Philippine Electrical Code.

The electrical engineering discipline is propagating electrical safety to lessen electrical hazards that may cause electrical-related fire like Ozone disco.

Contact number of IIEE are 411-3930, 5019732, 5010909, and cellphone numbers 09189259620, 09205280539.

Registration will start on August 27-28, from 8:00 a.m. onward.

source: Sunday Post

Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) based in Camp General Mariano N. Castañeda, in Silang, Cavite, a constitutive institution of the Philippine Public Safety College, has set the annual Cadet Admission Test for the four-year Bachelor of Science in Public safety (BSPS), a full scholarship Cadetship program, on October 19 from 7 a.m. to 12 noon in 23 testing centers nationwide.

PNPA director, PSSUPT Danilo Abarzosa, informed Bohol Provincial Police Director Edgardo Ingking about this in a letter dated July 9, 2008.

PNPA, pursuant to its constitutional mandate administers and controls the annual cadet Admission Test in the country.

Qualified for admission are male or female natural born Filipino citizens, with good moral character, single and with no legal obligations to support a child or children, aged 17-21 years old at the time of admission; must at least stand 162.5 cm (5ft 4 inches) tall for male and 157.5 cm ( 5ft 2 inches) for female; weigh not more nor less than five kilograms of the standard weight measurement corresponding to height, age and sex; at least high school graduate; must be able to perform the physical fitness exercises; physically and mentally fit for cadetship; no criminal, administrative or civil case on file before any prosecutor's office or any Court of Justice and other derogatory record/s and not a former cadet of PNPA or other service academies.

Application forms for the examination can be obtained for free at any police station nationwide.

Any interested individual may file his/her application together with all the required supporting documents and submit duly accomplished application form together with a self-stamped Window Envelope to the Office of the Registrar or mail to: The Director, Philippine National Police Academy, Camp General Mariano N. Castañeda, Silang Cavite 4129.

Filing of application for the October 19, 2008 exam started on August 4 until September 19.

Qualified applicants shall be notified through a notice of admission or for applicants who fail to receive such notice within a week before the date of examination, he/she may verify the status of their application at the website at www.pnpa.edu.ph, and www.ppsc.gov.ph for the list of examinees, place of examination and test requirements.

No walk-in applicants will be allowed to take the examination.

Interested applicants in Bohol are advised to go to the Police Community Relations Office of Bohol Police Provincial Office or call telephone number 501-0108 or 411-4343 for more information and details about the examination. (SPO2 Geronimo C. Conarco/OICPNCO, PCR Section/PIO)

source: Sunday Post

Bohol's capital city, Tagbilaran, will be the venue of the fourth biggest heart operation the country's history of heart program next year, courtesy of the provincial government, through the office of the provincial consultant for health and social services in partnership with the Philippine Gift of Life.

The administration of Governor Erico Aumentado sponsors the activity based on the thrusts and programs of Fancy Baluyot, consultant for health and social services.

Baluyot said it will be on January 26-30, next year, for which evaluation for heart patients will be done on October 10-11.

A target number of 30-40 patients will be operated and as per request of Aumentado, employees of the provincial government will, likewise, have an executive check-up as approved by the three drug companies, through the "heart to heart" free clinic which includes 2D ECHO, EKG, blood test and free consultations.

At least 65 percent of the prospective heart operation beneficiaries will be coming from Bohol, while 35 percent of the slot comes from the different provinces of the Philippines.

Operations will be done at the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) under the administration of Dr. Nenita Po and Anecita Bongcas.

Provincial Board (PB) Member Cesar Tomas Lopez, chairman of the PB Committee on Health, said that the said mission will be conducted by a team of renowned surgeons from the Philippine Heart Center headed by Dr. Ludgerio Torres and Dr. Florante Abad; Heart Foundation of the Philippines, through Dr. Francisco Dizon and Dr. Avelino Aventura; and the Philippine Gift of Life consultants.

The three previous operations were also done in Tagbilaran City in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

Other officials behind the program are Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera and Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr. with the assistance of Philippine Gift of Life, through its chairman, Dr. Ramie Cadag, who is also co-chair of Home Reach Foundation; Baluyot, its president and chief executive officer; and vice-president, Rev. Fr. Victor Bompat; Home Reach Foundation through, its chairman, Dr. Pepe Recitas; its director, Richard Uy; Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque II; and DOH Assistant Secretary Elmer Punzalan, office for special concerns; Bohol Representatives Edgar Chatto of the first district, Roberto Cajes of the second district and Adam Relson Jala of the third district.

It is also supported by the AFP C-130; Hildegardeans '89 thru its president, Joseph Alagon; and three drug companies.

Other people behind are Philippine Gift of Life Board of Trustees, officers and members, aside from Baluyot, Bompat, and Uy: Dr. Ramiro Cadag, chairman; Peter Dejaresco, corporate secretary; Engr. Albert Uy, treasurer; Gertrudes Ang, auditor; Rev. Fr. Ernesto Lagura, legal adviser; and Dr. Mary Ann Ruiz, Benjamin Ong, Dr. Teofilo Recitas, Dr. Edgar Lerias, and Joseph Alagon, a nurse by profession- -directors.

Aumentado serves as adviser, together with Bishop Leopoldp Tumulak, while the consultants are Drs. Ludgerio Torres, Aventura, Francisco Dizon, Santos Jose Abad, Florante Lomibao, Federico Malubay, Ma. Lourdes S.R. Casas, Edgardo Ortiz, Elmer Punzalan, Kazan Baluyot, and Julia Maape.

source: Sunday Post

By Sunday Post

The Bureau of Customs and the Mines and Geo-Sciences (MGB), both based in Cebu, were said to have expressed interest to take possession thru seizure proceedings involving 32 vans of manganese ore where one of the mining concessionaires claimed that they were extracted illegally from his mining site in barangay Katipunan Anda, Bohol. The shipment's value is placed at P6 million.

This developed after the raid on the Anda mine site by the National Bureau of Investigation last August 8 reportedly upon the behest of Domingo Chua, one of the mining claimants.

A certain Sofronio Simacio, believed to be the dummy of Anda Mayor Paul Amper was acknowledged as legal permit holder of the contested mine site by Task Force Kabukiran, an agency tasked to regulate the operations of quarry resources in Bohol. The task force was formed with Gov. Erico Aumentado as chair to check the alleged rampant extraction of mineral deposits in Bohol without the necessary mining permits from the provincial government.

The Anda raid triggered a bitter exchange of harsh rhetoric between Gov. Aumentado who sided with the legitimate permittee of the Anda manganese mine and the other mining claimant-- Chua.         

Chua accused Simacio whom he claimed to be protected by Task Force Kabukiran while the governor called the Cebuano names like-"illegal miner."
Chua fought back by accusing Simacio of theft of minerals.

Even before the raid was carried out, Simacio already shipped out sacks of manganese through the Clarin and Tubigon piers enroute to Cebu.

The 32 vans of manganese now at the Cebu International Container Port are awaiting shipment for China.

But with the alleged representation of Chua, the shipment was withheld by the Bureau of Customs while the MGB is set to take control of the cargo vans by issuing a seize and desist order possibly on Tuesday.

It was the MGB which issued Chua the mining permit to extract manganese in Anda.

But in a check with Rene Villaber, chief of the Bohol Environment and Management Office (BEMO), a custom official named Andre de la Cruz who was with an inspection team following the NBI raid on the Anda mine site, denied knowing about a hold order issued by the Bureau of Customs-Cebu.

What he knew according to Villaber was that the shipment was held in Cebu because it failed to pass the standard specification from their Chinese buyers. It was learned that the manganese was low in quality. It was Villaber's office that issued the transport order of Simacio to export manganese to China via the Cebu port.

Meanwhile, the Anda raid fiasco has reached the upper echelon of the government when a certain Custodio Ebora of Guindulman, Bohol reported to Pres.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of a "rampant smuggling of manganese minerals in Bohol for shipment to China and Korea".

According to the report, the mineral smugglers are waiting for the arrival of a 3,000 tonner barge to anchor at Candabong Beach in Anda to load 3,000 tons of manganese to China. The report said the cargo is valued at $ 360,000
At $130 per ton FOB barge Bohol.

Al letter detailing the alleged smuggling of manganese deposits was obtained by the Post from the BEMO. It also identified a certain Rommel and Ronald Santos of Lunwarren Corp. as handling the financing of the extraction of manganese.

Fully mechanized using back hoes and bulldozers, the Anda operations have employed more than 100 mine workers. With the NBI raid, the mine extraction in Anda was halted.

As for Chua, it was said that he blanketed the Anda-Guindulman area with mining claims covering 4,000 hectares. In neighboring Candijay, Chua has also mining claims totaling 200 hectares.

Public Announcement

Due to Ginger's difficulty in accessing her Ginger's account, she is now using Gingah as her display name, which is her new account.

Gingah is the same Ginger, one of the global admins of this site.

Please be guided accordingly.

God bless us all.

Macky,

To log in to Tubag Bohol Email, please proceed to http://tbmail.tubagbohol.com

With civilians arming themselves after their villages were attacked-some, threatened to be attacked-by Muslim rebels, there is now reportedly a shortage of firearms and bullets in Mindanao, sources said.

This has led to a bullish arms black market, where an M14 rifle is reportedly sold at P90,000, and an M16 Armalite rifle, between P50,000 and P70,000.

The .30 caliber ammunitions for Garand rifles, the standard issue to government militiamen, are in demand, too.

Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have attacked four provinces so far where local officials are against the inclusion of their towns or villages in the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity to be led by the MILF.

The attacks started after the Supreme Court stopped at the last minute the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the national government and the MILF defining the BJE. The MOA was drafted in secrecy, and affected localities are asking the tribunal to compel the government to make its contents public.

Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon has said that civilians may now be allowed to defend themselves with available arms in their possession. Licensed owners starting taking out their guns, especially during organized night watches. Cities and municipalities who are threatened by MILF attacks have put up check points and blockades.

This week, civilians who introduced themselves as members of the Ilaga said that they have resurrected the vigilante group, a 1970s anti-Muslim organization created by the so-called group of seven headed by Feliciano Luces alias "Kumander Toothpick."

Luces's face was splashed on the front pages of national dailies in the 1970s after he met with then President Ferdinand Marcos during the height of Moro war in Mindanao.

The tale that went around after the meeting was that Kumander Toothpick gave Marcos an amulet that would protect the bearer against bullets coming from assassins.

When Kumander Toothpick died, Norberto Manero took over the reins of the Ilaga and gained notoriety for killing Italian missionary Fr. Tulio Favali in 1985. Manero served time for the crime, but is now free after he was given parole by President Joseph Estrada.

World War II vintage rifles, such as the M1 Garand rifles, Carbine, bolt-action Springfields, 12-gauge shotguns, and Thompson sub machine guns are now being polished clean as villagers gear to defend their properties and lives.

In General Santos City, gun stores have reportedly ran out of shotgun cartridges. A politician known to maintain a private army has reportedly sent word that he is willing to buy an M14 rifle for up to P90,000. The military would not confirm that it's running out .30 caliber ammunitions.

Local politicians are no longer coy about residents arming themselves to ward off possible attacks by the MILF.

Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez said residents have the right to bear arms and urged them to be on guard. Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz has defended the decision of civilians to bear arms, saying they have the "right to self preservation."

North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol has locked horns with presidential peace adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. over requests for more arms and ammunition. ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan has reportedly beefed up his already strong security force.

One lawyer said he fears the violence may escalate and Mindanao could revert back to the religious war that killed thousands and displaced more than a million residents in the 1970s.

Many are hoping he is wrong. (Philippine News Agency)

I understand how you feel about this issue, Leo. And I'm glad that you laid out your deeper sentiments on this issue rather than used vague words to represent your reaction.

You and I are both in the media. You have known me as the lead reporter in unmasking this terrible rape of public funds. You and I can't change the situation, but at least we know where the people stand.

A random survey by DYRD this week showed that the Boholano community was shocked over this decision. The Talibon Dam Scandal has been an infamous fixture in the Bohol Chronicle headlines for more than a year. Our people are very much aware of the facts of the case.

To question the credibility of Sarigumba or any member of the Bacosh group to discredit the issue is illogical, an attack using ad hominem. Yes, we know that Sarigumba, Cabatos, et. al are not angels nor saints. But their being not saints nor angels does not change the fact that P200 million of public funds had been spent and wasted without our people seeing a single dam structure nor any physical evidence of a dam in Talibon.

We have to remember that the public had no idea over this scam until Sarigumba and the Bacosh group exposed it to the media. Who could have exposed this anomaly in behalf of truth?

Let me reiterate here, Leo, that Sarigumba, Bacosh, and those who exposed this shameful rape of public funds are not angels nor are they saints. But whoever they are and whatever they are, don't change the fact that P200 million had gone to the pockets of politicians (we know who they are) and NIA officials.

Had we waited for holy and clean men to expose this scandal, more millions of public funds would have been wasted time and again as NIA and the big guy over there have repeatedly requested for additional funds for this imaginary project especially during election period. We were blind over this scandal until imperfect men came out and exposed the Talibon dam scandal.

This issue can never be about Sarigumba's and Seroje's interests for it involves public funds, not the personal savings account of Seroje nor bankbooks of any Boholano officials.

Evil triumphs because good men do nothing.

By Kit Bagaipo
Bohol Chronicle

A motorcycle center along CPG Avenue was the latest victim of burglars who took away some P172,054 Monday night.

According to the City PNP Theft and Robbery Section, suspect broke into MSS-Cycle Trading, motorcycle display center, by forcibly destroying the roll-up door locks.         

The looted cash were collections since Friday last week that were supposed to be deposited Tuesday morning, said the motorcycle center's manager Oliver Monton in a talk with police.

It was the store's account clerk, Josep Bersano, who discovered that the locks of the roll-up door were destroyed around 8 a.m. yesterday.

Meanwhile, a lawyer residing in Torrero Private Road, this city was also victimized by burglars early dawn Tuesday.

A lone robber broke into the house of Atty. Erwin Ucat taking two cellular phones, a Sony Ericsson K800i and a Nokia 2600.

Police are still investigating on the two incidents as the suspects remain unidentified.

Quote from: EL MUNDO on August 27, 2008, 03:05:38 PM
pareha ra na sila oy... weather weather ra pud na.,...mga kawawang nilalang, naghahangad ng kasaganaan sa buhay pero puso'y namamatay!!!!

Excuse me, Leo. You don't know what you are talking. I handled this story for nearly two years.

Have you been to the ghostly Talibon Dam?

An estimated 27 million Americans have thyroid disease, and more than half are undiagnosed. Frequently misunderstood, and too often overlooked and misdiagnosed, thyroid disease affects almost every aspect of health.  Taking care of it with good nutrition is a smart step in the right direction. Here are some superfoods that research has shown can nurture a healthy thyroid, as well as some ones to avoid.

Coconut and coconut butter, or more commonly known as coconut oil, has been used as a food and medicine since the dawn of history. Unlike saturated animal fats found in meats and dairy products, coconut butter is a raw saturated fat containing fatty acids which the body can metabolize efficiently and convert to energy quickly. Research also shows it helps to regulate thyroid function.

Kelp is a stellar, nutrient-dense sea vegetable. It is also known as Laminaria and contains a natural substance that enhances flavor and tenderizes. Kelp works as a blood purifier, and promotes adrenal, pituitary and thyroid health. Its natural iodine may help normalize thyroid-related disorders, like overweight, and lymph system congestion.

Turkey is one of the leanest protein foods and is low in calories, making it an excellent healthy food choice. Turkey also contains selenium which has been shown to inhibit cancer development, improve the immune system, and aid in the metabolism of our thyroid hormone.

Thyroid patients should avoid the consumption of goitrogens, substances that suppress the function of the thyroid gland, and which can also cause an enlargement of the thyroid. Goitrogens are in foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard, kale, turnips, and canola oil. Soy and peanuts also include goitrogens and should be avoided.

Both copper and iron are so important for thyroid function, so thyroid patients should take time to make sure they’re getting enough in their diets. Foods such as organ meats, oysters, clams, crabs, cashews, sunflower seeds, wheat bran cereals, whole-grain products, and cocoa products are all rich in copper.  Foods like leafy green vegetables, beans, shellfish, red meat, and poultry are high in iron.  Complement your iron intake with adequate amounts of vitamin C from foods such as citrus fruits, red berries, tomatoes, potatoes, and bell peppers to help maximize your body’s iron absorption efficiency.

Juice can actually be considered a natural water source and provides the body with protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that can be absorbed quickly and efficiently.  Fresh juice also contains necessary enzymes, and pigments such as carotenes, chlorophyll, and flavonoids.   

Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables provides numerous nutritional advantages that are extremely important to weight loss.  In addition, diets containing a high percentage of uncooked foods are significantly associated with weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and lower blood pressure. 

Your appetite finds a raw foods diet more filling. Cooking can cause the loss of up to 97% of water-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.  Since uncooked foods such as juices contain more vitamins and other nutrients, they are more satisfying to the body, so it does not feel starved for nutrients. This means the metabolism will keep running efficiently and keep your weight loss efforts headed in the right direction

Juicing kick-starts your body's digestive process and enables quick absorption of high-quality nutrition, which can result in increased energy. This is one of the great advantages of achieving weight loss through improved nutrition.  Fresh juices, combined with a well-balanced diet will provide you with the energy needed to burn more calories, fat, and provide you with the fuel you need for physical activity.

However, juicing does remove the fiber from these nutrient-dense foods. So be sure to include an appropriate amount of fiber-rich foods in your daily diet.  Juicing should be a complement to a well-balanced healthy diet, not a substitute.

So with a little planning and creativity, juicing could enhance your well-balanced diet and add some zest.  The internet is a great resource for juicing recipes and information, and with the realization that raw foods and juicing is a great health boost, books and magazine articles are touting the benefits and offering recipe ideas. (PLR)

Organic food is food that is free from all genetically modified organisms, produced without artificial pesticides and fertilizers and derived from an animal reared without the routine use of antibiotics, growth promoters or other drugs. Once only available in small stores or farmers' markets, organic foods are becoming much more widely available.

Organic foods have been shown to improve your immune system, help you sleep better, shed the excess weight more easily, and improve your blood work just to name a few.  Organic food can boast intense, realistic flavors, and a higher vitamin and mineral content.

And though logically it makes sense to consume a diet based on organic foods, some worry about the cost. But with careful planning and preparation, going organic is actually quite affordable. And, the peace of mind knowing you and your family are consuming foods that haven’t been treated with pesticides or genetically altered is worth the extra money spent.

The pesticides used by conventional farmers can have many negative influences on your health, including neurotoxicity, disruption of your endocrine system, carcinogenicity and immune system suppression. Pesticide exposure may also affect male reproductive function and has been linked to miscarriages in women. Additionally, conventional produce tends to have fewer nutrients than organic produce.

On average, conventional produce has only 83 percent of the nutrients of organic produce. Studies have found significantly higher levels of nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and significantly less nitrates (a toxin) in organic crops.

So it’s a smart idea to buy and eat organic produce and free-range organic foods as much as possible for maximum health benefits.  In addition, the knowledge that you’re supporting the organic foods industry that is dedicated to protecting the environment by steering clear of harmful pesticides and chemicals that can result in the loss of topsoil, toxic runoff and resulting water pollution, soil contamination and poisoning and the death of insects, birds, critters and beneficial soil organisms should help you feel even better. (PLR)

Dear Friends,

I just read this thread today. There are technical issues that I may not be able to explain fully here. But I am doing the best of what I can do to iron out the site bugs.

Rest assured that God is with us to help us sustain this website.

By Kit Bagaipo
Bohol Chronicle

The loss of more than a hundred million pesos in government funds is already substantial legal basis in order to prosecute five National Irrigation Administration (NIA) officials who were cleared of graft charges by the Ombudsman.

This was the statement made by lawyer Artemio Cabatos, one of the complainants in the much publicized alleged anomalies attending the Talibon Small Reservoir Impounding Project (TSRIP).

The complaint was dropped by the Ombudsman due to "lack of substantial legal basis".
Cabatos said that since the Talibon irrigation project was conceived in 1998, it already had a fund outlay for its completion in the sum of P165 million.

"The said appropriation was exhausted, but the project was less than half accomplished. What does the Ombudsman mean by 'lack of substantial basis?'" Cabatos questioned.
         

In 2004, the project's manager and now provincial irrigation officer, Engr. Calixto Seroje together with 4 other NIA officials, were investigated by the Ombudsman Graft Investigator which found prima facie case against them.

"We expected the case to be elevated to the Sandiganbayan, which has jurisdiction over the case," Cabatos stressed.

The Ombudsman's dismissal of the criminal action, according to Cabatos, was not only improper but has also "put under serious doubt the integrity in government service and the capacity of government to dispense justice…"

"The only ground for the dismissal was lack of substantial legal basis, a ruling that was penned by an Ombudsman graft investigator that contradicted that of another graft investigator's finding of prima facie case," he pointed out.

"If there was prima facie evidence in 2004, why was it lost in 2006?" Cabatos asked.

According to Cabatos, "the people's right to information and to protection against grafters clearly appears to have been schemingly violated."

The Boholanos Against Corruption, Oppression and Social Harassment (Bacosh), the main complainant of the case, represented by Cabatos, has filed a motion for reconsideration at the Ombudsman last Friday.

Meanwhile, a radio survey conducted over dyRD's Inyong Alagad aired the public's condemnation of the Ombudsman ruling.

Some 17 listeners of the top-rated radio program said they did not agree with the decision while saying that they believe there were anomalies in the irrigation project.

Nobody among radio listeners said they agree with the Ombudsman's ruling.

By Jes Tirol
Bohol Chronicle

Bohol During the Spanish Period
Part 9. Punishment for Deserters of Military Draft

Proem

Our present day laws requires all male citizens reaching the age of 18 years to undergo military training. However, this requirement is hardly implemented for the reason that the government can not afford the expense of conducting military training.

However, during Spanish times in the Philippines, there was such a thing known as quinto or five.

Spanish Quinto

The word quinto means five. All male Filipinos from ages 18 to 25 were qualified to be selected for the yearly military draft known as quinto. The exempted where those who were married and those who were the sole bread winner of the family.

All those who were qualified were listed for every town. Only one out of every five will be taken in for military service. That was why it was called as quinto. The selection was by drawing of lots.

Penalty

The penalty for dodging the quinto was the following: 1) An imprisonment for six (6) months to be assigned at hard labor in a public works project. 2). To pay for the expense of the search, capture, and transport of the fugitive. This is the most burdensome part because you would not know how much will be the amount.

Why would some Boholanos try to evade the quinto? It is because you have an uncertain future. You would not know where you will be assigned and you will serve the military as long as you are physically fit. After your service in the military you do not have any pension or any means of support. To be selected as a quinto was considered as a kind of "life sentence."

Maybe it was the reason why during Spanish times many Boholanos would try to marry early in life. A married man was not included in the quinto.

An Example

On May 9, 1856 there was a call for quintos. On October 8, 1856, the governor of Bohol, Don Guillermo Krikpatrick implemented it. On October 14, 156 the notice was publish at the Ubay, Bohol Town Hall.

Two of those who were selected dodged the military draft. They were: 1) Anselmo Cutamura, single, 21 years old, and a fisherman. He was a naitve of Talibon, Bohol but already a resident of Ubay, Bohol. 2) Fausto Duran, single, 25 years old, and a fisherman. He was a native of Maasin, Leyte and already a resident of Ubay, Bohol.

When these two people did not report for enlistment, the Gobernadorcillo (Mayor) of Ubay, Bohol, Don Vicente Buyser was ordered to bring their parents, relatives, and teachers to come to Tagbilaran, Bohol to explain the desertion. They were given one month to produce the two before they will be declared as fugitives.

Pedro Cutamora, the father of deserter Anselo Cutamora informed the governor that his son escaped to Maasin, Layte and he do not know where was his particular location.

Jose Duran, the father of deserter Fausto Duran informed the governor that his son asked permission from the Gobernadorcillo to go to Maasin, Leyte because he wanted to participate in the quinto drawing of lots at his native place. However, he did not go there but instead went to Baybay, Leyte because actually he did not want to be a solider.

Comment

The imprisonment of six (6) months and assigned in hard labor in public works seem to be a light penalty. However, the provision that you will pay for the expense of the search, capture and transport is very heavy if you are caught. In all probability you and your parents could not afford to pay the cost and you will rot in jail until you will be able to pay.

During that time, a Boholano can be easily identified because all travelers from Bohol must have a passport. If you arrive in another province without a passport, a Boholano will be arrested. Maybe Fausto Duran thought that he had an advantage because he was from Leyte and he escaped to Leyte. If he would change his name, he will still have the disadvantage of not being legally married because he must have his name verified in the Baptismal Book.

By the Bohol Chronicle

The clamor for tighter security and protection at the world famous dive spot, Balicasag Island, may not be possible as far as permanently deploying a patrol boat of the Philippine Navy is concerned.

This development surfaced even as Capt. Honorio Robert Balanon Jr., commander of the naval forces in the Visayas committed during the meeting of the Prov'l Development Council (PDC) last Thursday to transfer the patrol boat from the City Port to Balicasag.

The Navy official inspected Balicasag last Friday and found no port where the Navy patrol boat can be stationed.

The request for a patrol boat to be stationed in Balicasag came strongly from the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) in a bid to protect the area against coral destructions and keep safe the dolphins off the nearby Pamilacan Island.

Gov. Erico Aumentado and Rep. Edgar Chatto supported the call for the navy boat's deployment at the Balicasag Island during a luncheon discussion at the Bohol Tropics last Thursday.

The brief discussion to protect the corals as well as the dolphins in Panglao and Baclayon seawaters triggered a top-level meeting which is scheduled in Manila with General Manager Mark Lapid of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and Philippine Navy Admiral Golez in attendance.

This Manila conference will discuss the present status of Balicasag as a naval reserved area which raises queries on the legal implications as to the imposition of control as far as preservation and other tourism-related activities in the area are concerned.

By Ric Obedencio


The Bureau of Customs (BoC) is alarmed over the export of manganese from Bohol, said Engr. Rene Villaber, head of the Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO).

Apprehensions brew after the recently controversial seizure by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of manganese extracted in Anda town.

Both Gov. Erico Aumentado and Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera assailed the act of the NBI. The raid was not properly coordinated with the Task Force Kabukiran (TFK).

Aumentado created TFK to curb indiscriminate illegal logging and quarrying in the province so the environment may be preserved and protected.

The vice-governor lamented that NBI's inappropriate action has contributed to the growing public outcry and distrust to the government because of abuses. In attaining a certain degree of success in whatever government project or activity being undertaken for the people, government agencies should put their acts together, he said.

Villaber told Sangguniang Panlalawigan environment committee chair, Board Member Alfonso Damalerio II that a group of BoC operatives rushed to Anda town to monitor the reported manganese shipment from the province. He confirmed that the minerals are exported to China. But he could not estimate the volume.

He said BoC's action was an offshoot of a letter it received from Malaca�ang on the reported exportation.

Villaber bared that BoC is apprehensive because the manganese shipment particularly those made by traders Lang Warren and Domingo Chua did not pass through BoC's procedures. He said that BoC tried to inspect the said export.

Villaber has provided the BoC with all the documents supporting Anda manganese mining operated by a certain Sofronio Simacio, reportedly the brother-in-law of Mayor Paulino Amper.

BoC's suspicion on the reported shipment was bolstered when they saw a large barge bound for Bohol at the time of their inspection but only to learn that the barge was heading Garcia-Hernandez town where the large-scale limestone mining is located.

Bohol also is exporting limestone.

He said the governor was also worried that some 120 workers and their families might be affected.

The governor pointed out the permittee (Simacio) has the proper documents in manganese mining and if there are some lapses stipulated in the Environmental Compliance Certificate and other regulations they must be rectified but not to cancel the operations.

The raid was reportedly prompted due to the overlapping of areas claimed and mined.

Simacio's mine area is said to be overlapping with that of Chua. Chua allegedly commissioned the NBI to conduct raid for the alleged encroaching of his claims. But it was also reported that the raid was carried out because of trade competition between Warren and Chua.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan strongly questioned the seizure of his truck loaded with assorted cut trees while traversing the national highway in Bilar town last Wednesday.

Seized from his truck were some 900 board feet of gemelina and mahogany wood bolts.

The mayor's truck was impounded by authorities of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who were holding a meeting in Bilar town at the time of the apprehension.

While he admitted that he had no papers to support the transporting of the items, the mayor said he was willing to pay the penalties to be imposed by the authorities.

Statement of the Loboc mayor came after he allegedly pointed out "switching" of wood and sudden change of inventory by the DENR personnel.

His allegations were based on the fact that the first report signed by the DENR team indicated in writing that "all gemelina and mahogany wood bolts are dead."

However, when the mayor proceeded to the area where his truck was impounded, the new inventory stated that the seized items were "freshly cut trees." He questioned why the same forest ranger Tertuliano Lamantas signed both the first and second reports which were indeed conflicting.

A Xerox copy of both reports furnished to the Chronicle showed conflicting entries of its inventory. The first report stated that the seized items were all dead. The mayor was surprised to read in the second report that the trees were "freshly cut."

The mayor hinted of a political motive behind the impounding of his truck since a forester involved in the apprehension or inventory of seized items is the brother of a defeated vice mayoralty bet in Loboc town.

When interviewed by the Chronicle, acting CENRO Eusalem Quiwag said he will hold his comments on the mayor's statement as he expects an investigation to be conducted by PENRO Nestor Canda regarding the case.

By Ven Arigo

Many are languishing behind bars because of the utter lack of public lawyers to assist poor prisoners who cannot afford the price of private counsels.

Lawyer Persida Rueda-Acosta, national chief of the Public Attorney's Office (PAO), is hopeful to steadily address this concern after finding such a condition obtaining at the Tagbilaran City Rehabilitation Center (CTRC) on Friday.

In a surprise visit to the city jail with Rep. Edgar Chatto, Acosta committed to initially appoint at least four more PAO lawyers here to assist the poor jailed court litigants.

She was accompanied by the congressman to the government jail in the city.

The lady PAO chief in the country "sidetripped" to the isolated city Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility before she was to speak as honored guest of the Holy Name University (HNU) College of Law.

She particularly spoke in the honoring of HNU"s all lady new lawyers during a ceremony led by the school's law dean, Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo, Jr., at Metro Centre.

Chatto himself introduced Acosta, who is a close peer and classmate in the Ateneo law school.

Acosta thanked Chatto, a member of the justice committee in Congress, for strongly supporting the bill strengthening PAO.

According to a city jail officer, many inmates have no legal counsels while PAO lawyers are gravely limited.

PAO Tagbilaran District Office lawyer Julius Cesar admitted that he alone is handling over 200 cases.

The PAO lawyer assigned in Talibon is in hardest situation in being assigned to over 700 cases, he confided.

On the average, Cesar said there are only five PAO cases disposed or decided in courts in a month.

These would already include those settled thru plea bargaining.

Dedication to service is probably the compelling reason of a lawyer to work with PAO because the office cannot afford tempting salary.

Under Acosta are 1,048 public attorneys and 852 support staff nationwide, but the number is far below the necessity.

Presently, there are only 8 PAO lawyers in Bohol and, according to an insider, one is planning to resign.

In the HNU law school affair, Acosta gave application forms to the new lawyers who may be interested in the challenge of PAO mission.

The PA national chief also brought along with her a doctor who rendered free medical examination and consultation to the city jail inmates. Free medicines were distributed to the prisoners.

Acosta, an International Gusi Peace Prize awardee, inspired her limited men in Bohol to keep treading the road less traveled---the defense of the rights of the poor and marginalized sectors.

By The Bohol Chronicle

The Ombudsman has dismissed criminal and administrative cases for graft and corruption against Gov. Erico Aumentado and three others filed by a lawyer in 2003 for alleged purchase of goats at too high a price.

In a nine-page-resolution, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer I Cynthia Maturan-Sibi of the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas dismissed the criminal aspect of the case on June 30, 2006 for lack of merit.

In a 10-page decision, she also dismissed the administrative aspect of the case on the same date, similarly for lack of merit.

Both were reviewed by Director Edgardo Canton, recommended for approval by OIC Ombudsman-Visayas Virginia Palanca-Santiago and approved by Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro on June 26, 2008.

Aside from Aumentado, named as respondents were then Officer-in-Charge Arnulfo Apalisok of the Bohol Poverty Reduction Management Office (BPRMO), lawyer Antonio Amora, then provincial administrator and Engr. Edwin Vallejos, provincial general services officer.

The case stemmed from the provincial government's purchase of 480 heads of does worth P720,000 or P1,500 each and P120 heads of bucks for P540,000 or P4,500 each.

BPRMO had bought the hybrid goats to provide alternate livelihood project as support to beneficiaries in 40 barangays to augment their income.

Lawyer Artemio Cabatos, human rights advocate and chair of the Boholanos Against Corruption, Oppression and Social Harassment (Bacos) filed the case. He presented documents showing that Nutrimart Enterprise submitted a quotation, tendered a bid and eventually won as evidenced by Purchase Order No. 169 signed by Vallejos and Amora as Aumentado's representative.

Apalisok signed the inspection and acceptance report, noted by Vallejos. Again Apalisok and Amora representing the governor signed the disbursement voucher while Nutrimart Enterprises issued an invoice reflecting the amount of P1.26 million.

Cabatos claimed that the amount the government paid was too high compared to the fair market value, and even higher that the prevailing market price per kilo - a transaction "manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government, violative of Sec. 3 (g) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act."

The order for Apalisok to submit a counter-affidavit however was returned to the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas unserved - the respondent had died.

In his counter-affidavit, Aumentado said the case was filed "purely for political purposes" - the allegations being similar to the cases Cabatos filed with the same office regarding the alleged overpricing in the purchase of 6,000 certified Sasso F1 two-month-old chicks or hybrid breeder stock also procured by BPRMO.

The timing of the filing of the goat case was also politically suspect as it was filed a few days before the May 10, 2004 elections and yet, Aumentado said, he went on to win overwhelmingly against his opponents in that political exercise.

The governor said the purchase of the goats was above board as it was neither suspended nor disallowed by the Commission on Audit (COA).

He said the need at the time for the 600 hybrid goats was urgent. In a letter, Apalisok had requested him for the immediate release of funds for the same considering that the project was a component of the provincial government's peace and order program, the beneficiaries being the 41 rebel-influenced barangays in Bohol, and the aim was to bring them back to the folds of the law.

Aumentado said the purchase was done through competitive bidding in accordance with the Rules on Procurement set in Sec. 356 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Nutrimart Enterprises had won, its bid lower by P66,000 than Besas Agrivet, and by P48,000 than the quote of Dr. Egos Agrivet.

Aside from failure of the complainant to show concrete evidence that the price of the 600 goats were supposedly exorbitant, the price of a native goat cannot be reasonable compared to the price of a hybrid one.

And, he pointed out, he had not signed any of the documents in the questioned transaction, having delegated such authority to his co-respondents in order to unburden him of his multifarious duties being concurrently the chair of the Regional Development Council and the Regional Tourism Council, as well as

president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines at the time.

By Ven Arigo

A young Boholana lawyer has distinguished herself as the only Filipina to be conferred the degree of Master of Laws in International and Comparative Law by the National University of Singapore (NUS), one of the world's 20 best law schools.

Mercedes Fama S. Baluyot also earned the rare distinction as one of NSU's "World Scholars for Lawyers" from 56 countries.

Proud mother Francisca Baluyot, president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Gift of Life (PGOL) and provincial government consultant on health and social services, and elder sister Dr. Mary Ann Ruiz witnessed her graduation and degree conferment.

The 27-year-old lady lawyer has been connected with the Castillo, Lanan, Tan and San Jose law firm based in Makati City after graduating with honors at the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law and hurdling the bar examinations in 2004.

She finished as a cum laude her UP pre-law in English and Languages.

While pursuing her NSU masteral scholarship, Baluyot excelled in the academic sessions on the common law legal system in Singapore, human rights law, international environmental law, international investment law, state building and international administration, law and economics for lawyers, international comparative law on evidence and proof, arbitration of investment disputes, and biomedical law and ethics.

Baluyot had been a consistent honor student since her elementary years at the Bohol Wisdom School here.

She pursued her secondary education at the St. Paul's College in Manila and handled the campus publication at a budding age of 12 as its youngest editor.

During the same time, Baluyot won in editorial writing regardless her being the youngest also among the competing high school publication editors in Metro Manila.

Wit is in the blood because her elder brother, Kazan, is a specialist doctor reaping recognitions in medical research.

Her brother is a UP alumnus, too. Both are third generation Baluyot products of the country's foremost learning institution and state university.

Their father, the late Col. Many Baluyot, was also a lawyer alumnus of UP while their grandfather, Ambrosio, was a pioneering graduate of the UP College of Agriculture.

Fama and Kazan still enjoy their single blessedness.

By Boy Guingguing
Publisher
Sunday Post

In Bohol, the name Domingo Chua is synonymous to massive claims of mineral deposits. From Buenavista to Anda, Chua practically blanketed a wide swath of areas believed to have yielded enormous mineral deposits, with mining claims. His control of the mining business has soared to "Imeldific heights" (when she was still alive, he used to namedrop the name of Dona Josefa, mother of the late dictator Marcos) as if its naughty equivalent is-- this is mine, this is mine, this is mine. One time, two years ago, there was even a published report that the Cebuano concessionaire owned 2/3 of Bohol's mining claims. Of course, he denied the insinuation.

But Chua's dominance of the mining trade may never be the same again. A recent incident first week of this month turned the tables on Chua's mining claims when he ran smack with Task Force Kabukiran, chaired no less by his kumpare Gov. Erico Aumentado.

This developed after the recent raid by the National Bureau of Investigation involving a manganese mine in Anda last August 6. The Anda operations which were at the behest of Chua led to speculations that there's more than meets the eye to the incident.

While the protagonists notably Gov. Aumentado and the mining claimant (Chua) traded barbs over the airlanes as to who was on the right track, the public was also treated with the spectacle of two close friends in fighting mood.

How would you describe the governor telling a radio audience that Chua was an illegal miner? Did it mean that they have already burned their friendship bridge behind? In retaliation, Chua fought back by saying that as a legitimate claimant of mining sites in Bohol, he was virtually ganged up by the group of the governor. By company, Chua meant, V-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, Rene Villaber of Bohol Environment and Management Office (BEMO) and Provincial Police Director Eduardo Ingking, vice chair of Task Force Kabukiran. The governor and Herrera was reported to have balked over reports that it was Chua who engaged the police services of the NBI in raiding the Anda mines.

Reading between the lines, Chua hinted that the governor was part of the gang which are out to drive him out of his mining claims. Harsh words, if you ask this Bglante.

For the benefit of doubting Thomases of Chua's mammoth mining concessions, it is an open secret that he holds a sizeable chunk of Bohol's mining deposits under the small-scale mining scheme. But no longer when he tangled a web of other claimants backed up no less by a powerful political group. The Anda incident brought to the surface that Chua has finally found his match in Anda Mayor Paul Amper who was believed to be the real power behind the permittee of the manganese mine in Anda. A certain Sofronio Simacio stood as the permit-holder whose mining claim encompassed with that of Chua. In Anda, he was known to be the dummy of Mayor Amper. The Amper group is backstopped by the governor's camp after it acknowledged that it has the legitimate claim of the Anda mine site.

Already millions of pesos worth of manganese deposits were already shipped out to China and Korea in the mine site contested by the two claimants.

Why is Chua so confident of owning scores of mining sites in Bohol?

Boasting his connection in the corridors of power, Chua is said to have mining claims all throughout Bohol because he knows "to push the right buttons where it matters most".

But with the governor now taking a direct hand through Task Force Kabukiran in going after his illicit mining operations, Chua will have to count on his powerful benefactors if only to maintain control of his mineral landholdings.

But for God's sake, he cannot also afford to mock the governor's clout in the high councils of government.

The task force was formed to police Bohol's quarry deposits including manganese, the new "cash crop" of choice among enterprising Bohol miners. That explains the mad scramble for supremacy of mining claims.

For the moment, nobody is claiming the upper hand as to who is in control of this sunrise industry. But with more and more mines yielding tons of precious mineral deposits, there's no telling that Task Force Kabukiran will have its hands full including thwarting Chua's bid to make full use of his monstrous mine holdings every step of the way.

By Loy Palapos
Bohol Sunday Post

The May 2007 elections brought some changes among the hierarchy of leaders, both national and local, and with them a lot of differences in governance. In Carmen, internationally famous for the Chocolate hills as a wonder of nature (although hundreds of them are shared by Batuan and Sagbayan), the changes are more observable. A visit to the Municipal Building, which is peculiar for its promontory location, shows in-house renovations resulting to more comfort and aesthetic balance; but more noticeable is the pavement surrounding the entire building, with the on-going installation of tiles replacing the usual cemented walkways prevalent in other municipalities.

Meeting Mayor Manuel Del Rosario Molina (MDM) in his office for this interview, after not seeing him for a year, showed me another wholesome patch of protocol.

The receiving clerks stationed adjacent to the Mayor's Office were warmly accommodating, requesting us to wait for a few minutes (for the Mayor was still busy attending to some guests ahead of us), while giving us current newspapers to occupy our time. When we were finally admitted to his office, I saw a man in his best elements, and clearly evolving into a real leader the town has learned to respect and admire.

Earlier, we passed by the Public Market, and witnessed the on-going cementing of roads around it. A chat with a restaurant owner made me realize that what Mayor Molina told me right after his election at the helm of the interior town has taken shape: the road repair, more serviceable water system, improvement in the peace and order situation, health care, livelihood, and increase in revenues.

Unquestionably committed to his job, which he has given the same dedication while in the private world of business, Mayor Boy Molina has proven true to his words.

LMP: Unsay imong labing dako nga accomplishment as Mayor of Carmen?
MDM: Atong gituman ang saad sa mga tawo sa Carmen adtong campaign period nga atong sulbaron ang water system. On-going ang process and transaction kay joint venture man ni sa SALCON sa Tagbilaran. Joint venture in the sense nga ang Carmen dili mogasto bisan usa ka piso. Ang amo lang i-counter-part kining existing nga water system karon.

LMP: Private ni siya?
MDM: Private ang developer. Kining Pilipinas Water Resources.

LMP: Unsaon nga bisan wala mo'y gasto, naa man gyoy magamit alang sa mga expenses when it comes to private business?
MDM: Mao na among gibutang sa MOA nga ang among counter-part mao ang among existing nga water system, ang pipeline ug kanang reservoir.

LMP: Pila man ka-barangay ang nasakop aning recent water system?
MDM: Duha ka buok sa Central, kining Poblacion Sur ug Poblacion Norte. Kadtong mga barangay nga gusto makabaton ug water system, moduol lang aron pabutangan ug reservoir duol sa ilang barangay.

LMP: Tagpila man ang agreement sa inyong MOA?
MDM: Ang ilang gi-offer is between 1-10 cubic meters sa tubig. Ang 10 cubic, equivalent sa 500 grams. P15 per cubic meter.

LMP: Pila man ang bayad kada buwan sa pamilya nga mo-avail ana?
MDM: P56 ang minimum. Pero dili ta makagarantiya ug 24-hour supply.

LMP: Asa man ang sourcing ani?
MDM: Ilang na-identify nga ang Carmen naay underwater. Kanang gihimo nga reservoir karon gibutangan nila ug sandbag nga mo-filter. Pero ang mogawas nga tubig sa Carmen lubog lang gihapon.

LMP: Dili ba di-ay madala sa filter?
MDM: Sayop man kuno ang pagbutang sa filter. Pag-abot sa tag-init, anhi ra kutob ang water level. Supposedly, ingon kadtong mga Engineers sa Pilipinas nga ma-utilize unta kadtong naa sa ubos pero wala man matunong ang reservoir.

LMP: But it can be corrected. Unsa man ang target date?
MDM: Ilang gipasalig nga kon aduna nay authorization sa Mayor, mo-sign na sila sa contract nila. Mga 3 weeks to 1 month, pero ang SB ang mohatag sa signal. Before 2008 ends, madayon na ni.

LMP: How about sa construction side?
MDM: Wala pa ta'y nahimo sa construction gawas sa atong gi-plano nga parking area ubos sa Chocolate Hills. Ang yuta ana gipanag-iya sa LGU Carmen. Naundang lang ang development kay pagtan-aw sa titulo, agricultural pa ang nakabutang. So nangayo mi ug permit sa DAR ug DENR. By the time nga ma complete ni, amo nang hinay-hinayon ug sugod.

LMP: Pila may capacity anang parking space?
MDM: Sa buses lang, 30-50 na.

LMP: Panagsa ra ang lungsod nga free sa insurgency problem. How is it solved in your term?
MDM: Under control na siya sa military kay sige man mi ug meeting. Naa pa man ang kampo, pero wala pa man poy reports. Kon naa man gali, minimal lang kaayo.

LMP: Kumusta man ang agriculture side? Considering that Carmen is one of the producers of rice, lately naa man ta'y shortage. Wala bay problema ang Carmen along that line?
MDM: Affected ang Carmen tungod sa global warming. Wala man ta kahibawo sa climate changes. Mao nga giingnan nato ang mga Barangay Captains nga maghimo sila ug impounding areas para sa tubig. At least, makahawid ug pila ka semana.

LMP: How about health?
MDM; Kalooy sa Dios, dako-dako na kita ug na-miyembro.

LMP: Kanus-a ma-kompleto nga ang tanang barangay maapil gyod?
MDM: Ang among target is kada tuig, magdugang mi more or less 500 members sa Phil Health.

LMP: Let's talk about the Chocolate Hills. When I asked you the same question before, you said that there's a possibility nga ma-privitize. Is it still the same stand right now?
MDM: Privatization is far from realization kay maayo naman ang kita karon. Gisakaan na nato ang entrance fee, P25 na. Kon peak months, mo-over 1 million ta kada buwan.

LMP: Pila ang kubra sa una?
MDM: P10 lang.

LMP: Naa man kaha gihapo'y kuwarta nga na-accumulate gikan sa unang administrasyon?
MDM: Wala kay matod pa sa Committee on Tourism sa Province, wala man kuno sila'y nakita. Ang report pod diri kay negative man.

LMP: Now that you are the one at the helm, nakamatikod ba ka nga it's profitable?
MDM: Profitable kaayo. In fact records show nga dako kaayo ang income sa Choco.

LMP: Pila ang staff nimo didto?
MDM: Including ang in-charge, 27 in all.

LMP: Unsa nga month ang peak?
MDM: Buwan sa Mayo gyod. Ang income ani will go to projects like the renovation and maintenance. Maghimo ta ug building nga lain sa parking area para sa mga souvenir shops. Ang mahibilin na lang sa ibabaw, kadto ng restaurant ug hotel.

LMP: Unsay lain nga projects that you initiated during your term?
MDM: Gipa-guwapo nato ug samot atong Municipal Hall. Aduna pod ta'y renovation sa Choco Hills gihapon. Kon mosulod ka sa right wing, naay coffee shop. Para pod na sa mga non-smokers. Kadtong restaurant sa taas, for smokers to nga lugar. Ang mga tindahan ibalhin na sa ubos para fair ang competition. Mo-supply pod ang lungsod ug shuttle bus nga mao'y sakyan pasaka ug panaog. Apil na kana sa entrance fee. By 2009, i- increase namo ug P50 ang entrance.

LMP: Wala ba ka'y plano to put up other activities aside from sight-seeing to make the tourists stay longer?
MDM: Gi-tagaan ko ug assignment ni Ambassador Chan nga kon mahimo, aduna po'y agricultural showcase. Kanang naay magdaro, magtanom ug mag- ani. Makita gyod ni sila sa mga turista aron dili lang ang Choco Hills ang ilang ma-focus. Mutabang siya pangita ug investors.

LMP: First class municipality ba ang Carmen?
MDM: Second pa.

LMP: Kanus-a man ni ma-first?
MDM: Pagkakaron, wala pa mi plano. Gi-interview ko sa radio station sa Tagbilaran kon kanus-a kuno mag-open ug night operation ang Carmen kay naa na man ang Loboc. Ingon ko, kon mahuman na ang parking area sa Choco, mo-operate na ang Carmen at night. Mangita mi ug paagi. Gi- encourage gani nako ang mga balay sa duol nga magbutang sila ug duha o tulo ba ka mga kwarto para sa mga backpackers. Dili na kinahanglan ug aircon kay bugnaw man ang Carmen kon gabii.

For me, the more widely accepted achievement of Mayor Boy Molina has something to do with the Chocolate Hills Complex. For several years, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the governance of the Municipality of Carmen have been at odds with each other. No less than Board Member Corazon Jamisola-Galbreath has been adamant for some reforms, and possible privatization, the latter first gaining adherents in the business world.

The adverse reaction to the previous management of the Chocolate Hills Complex was its registration of negative earnings since the LGU took over its operations.

The clamor was justifiable. The entry collection alone was a big amount. Adding the profits from its restaurant, rooms, and other rentals, there should have been a positive balance. And the Provincial Government, as previously agreed on, would have had its share of the next profit. Which did not happen… therefore resulting to an aghast Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Mayor Molina showed me the record of his one-year operation of the complex, which amazed me. After subtracting the expenditures, the margin of profit varied in the one-million peso mark per month, with May posting the highest at two million pesos.

So, privatization is not the answer to the problem. It is good management. And Mayor Boy Molina, a product of private business, who knows his assets and liabilities, is a superb Chief Executive.

The benefits advocated from eating such a diet seem endless: lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, eliminating cravings, preventing overeating, purging the body of accumulated toxins, balancing hormones, maintaining blood glucose levels and reversing degenerative diseases.

Followers of a raw diet cite numerous health benefits, including increased energy levels, improved appearance of skin, improved digestion, weight loss and reduced risk of heart disease, just to name a few. Proponents believe that enzymes are the life force of a food and that every food contains its own perfect mix. These enzymes help us digest foods completely, without relying on our body to produce its own cocktail of digestive enzymes.

There can be some side effects when you are first starting a raw foods diet. Some detoxification effects may be experienced as your body attempts to shed some toxicity. This may include occasional headaches, nausea sensations and mild depression. If these symptoms persist, you should seek the help of somebody who is experienced with detoxification symptoms.

Following a raw food diet means that you have to carefully plan your meals to make sure you don't fall short of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. In some instances it might be appropriate to consider taking dietary supplements, especially when just starting out.  You'll need to invest in some appliances so that you are able to prepare the food, if you don’t already have them available.  A durable juicer, a blender and a large food processor make raw food preparation a breeze. You may also want to look into purchasing large containers to soak sprouts, grains and beans, as well as for storage. A durable juice extractor for your fruits and vegetables.

The smoothest way to begin a raw foods lifestyle is to slowly transition into it. Try starting off by eating approximately 70 to 80 percent raw foods in your diet. Have fruit and salads throughout the day and a cooked vegetable meal with a salad in the evening. This should help make the transition easier on your body and hopefully lessen side effects associated with detoxification.
This is an emotional time as well, so you should allow yourself plenty of time to make the switch.  Journaling during the process can help. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling the positive effects of a healthy, detoxifying raw foods diet. (Public Label Article)

Macrobiotics devotees believe that food and food quality affects our lives more than is commonly thought. It is thought to affect our health, well being and happiness.  They focus on moving away from processed foods, and moving toward more natural and more traditional methods of food preparation. They claim it is better to choose food that is less processed, more natural, use more traditional methods of food preparation for themselves and their family.

Macrobiotics emphasize locally-grown, organically-grown whole grain cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruit, seaweed and fermented soy products, combined into meals according to the principle of balance between yin and yang properties, rather than scientific dietary guidelines.

Macrobiotic diets follow the idea of Yin and Yang. Cereals, fruit, beans, nuts and vegetables, and rice make up the main part of the diet and are considered neutral and are naturally balanced in terms of Yin and Yang. Foods which are either extremely Yin in nature or extremely Yang in nature are eaten very rarely if at all. Very Yin products include coffee, tropical fruit, sugar, soft dairy products, vegetables, alcohol and honey.  Very Yang products include poultry, meat, firm dairy products like hard cheeses, and eggs.   

The macrobiotic diet is high in natural, unprocessed foods, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables. It is low in saturated fats, whilst providing the essential fats. Food should be organically grown and eaten fresh. The Macrobiotic lifestyle also governs how food should be prepared. No microwave should be used - rice must be cooked in a pressure cooker. Food should be eaten and chewed slowly, in a relaxed manner.

Low-fat high-fiber diets are also believed to play a role in preventing some types of cancer. And the macrobiotic emphasis on fresh, non-processed foods may be beneficial to those dealing with certain food allergies and chemical sensitivities.  Followers assert that the balance and harmony of the macrobiotic diet and lifestyle create the best possible conditions for health. They claim that the diet yields many positive health effects, including a general sense of well-being, and some studies actually show that people on the diet have a decreased risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer. (Public Label Article)

Experts say there are two basic categories of foods that can be considered "keeping it off superfoods" because they fill your tummy without piling on the calories: fruits and vegetables. And the nutrient that gives fruits and vegetables that ‘staying power?’ Fiber. So, if fruits and vegetables are the "keeping-it-off superfood groups," fiber may well be the "keeping-it-off super-nutrient." 

Protein is another super-nutrient. It's becoming more scientifically accepted that protein may help to curb appetite. Protein also offers staying power, and can slightly boost your metabolism in the process.  But it’s imperative that you choose your proteins wisely, because like all other foods, if you’re eating more than your body needs, it’ll show up on the scale as a gain, instead of a loss. 

The following superfoods are smart, low-calorie choices that will benefit your weight loss efforts: 
Green Tea - Researchers suspect that the catechins (helpful phytochemicals) in green tea may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and mildly decrease body fat. So indulge in either a hot cup or a nice tall iced glass of green tea.

Broth- or tomato-based soup â€" Soups can help reduce hunger before meals and increase your feeling of fullness. 

Low-calorie green salads - Having a low-calorie salad â€" which is not defined as one that’s loaded with croutons, high fat dressings, and cheese - as a first course can help you feel full, thereby reducing how much you eat with your main course.  Wisely choose your ingredients, and its high fiber content can be the key to helping you fight cravings later in the day.

Yogurt â€" Including dairy products as part of your healthy diet may promote your weight loss efforts.  Choosing a light yogurt may help you fight off hunger pangs due to its combination of protein and carbohydrate.

Beans â€" A great combination of fiber and protein, beans help you feel full longer, which means they may work to curb your between-meal appetite.

Water â€" Water is your body’s lifeblood, and you should be drinking it through your day. It’s a great no-calorie beverage, and you can get it by drinking unsweetened tea, flavored unsweetened mineral water, regular water with lime or lemon, or even in your cucumber.  In addition to helping flush toxins from the body, it can also help you feel full.  So when those hunger pangs strike, try drinking a glass of water before grabbing that snack.

High-Fiber, Whole-Grain Cereal - Whole grains in general help boost fiber and the nutritional value of your meal.  One of the easiest ways to give your daily diet a whole-grain boost is to have a bowl of higher-fiber whole-grain cereal as breakfast or a snack. (Public Label Article)

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a healthy diet as one that Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.  But just what minerals and nutrients are vital to our health and well-being?  Consider these nutrient-dense foods when you’re looking to improve your vitamin and mineral intake.

Vitamin A is needed for good eyesight and optimal functioning of the immune system.  Cod liver oil, dairy products, sweet potatoes and dark green leafy vegetables are all great natural food sources of vitamin A.

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, is imperative to the body’s ability to process carbohydrates.  Whole grain breads, cereals and pastas have high amounts of thiamin.

Riboflavin, or B2, can be found in fortified cereals, almonds, asparagus, eggs, and meat.  It’s used in many body processes, including converting food into energy and the production of red blood cells.

Niacin, also known as B3, can be found in lean chicken, tuna, salmon, turkey, enriched flour, peanuts, and fortified cereals. It aids in digestion and also plays a key role in converting food into energy.

Vitamin B6 can be found in fortified cereals, fortified soy-based meat substitutes, baked potatoes with skin, bananas, light-meat chicken and turkey, eggs, and spinach. It’s vital for a healthy nervous system, and helps break down proteins and stored sugars.

Vitamin B12 is needed for creating red blood cells, and can be found in beef, clams, mussels, crabs, salmon, poultry, and soybeans.

Citrus fruits, red berries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, red and green bell peppers, cabbage, and spinach are all loaded with vitamin C, which is vital to promoting a healthy immune system, and making chemical messengers in the brain.

Vitamin D can be found in fortified milk, cheese, and cereals; egg yolks; salmon; but can also be made by the body from sunlight exposure. It’s needed to process calcium and maintain the health of bones and teeth.

Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant and is essential to your skin’s good health. Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, almonds, hazelnuts, and vegetable oils like sunflower, canola, and soybean to get this vital nutrient.

Folic acid can be found in fortified cereals and grain products; lima, lentil, and garbanzo beans; and dark leafy vegetables. It’s vital for cell development, prevents birth defects, promotes heart health, and helps red blood cells form. Pregnant women need to take special care to ensure they are getting enough of this for themselves and their developing baby.

Dairy products, broccoli, dark leafy greens like spinach and rhubarb, and fortified products, such as orange juice, soy milk, and tofu are all loaded with calcium. Like vitamin D, it’s very important in helping to build and maintain strong bones and teeth.

Organ meats, oysters, clams, crabs, cashews, sunflower seeds, wheat bran cereals, whole-grain products, and cocoa products are all high in copper, which aids in metabolism of iron and red cell formation. It also assists in the production of energy for cells.

Iron can be found in leafy green vegetables, beans, shellfish, red meat, poultry, soy foods, and some fortified foods.  It’s needed to transport oxygen to all parts of the body via the red blood cells.

Potassium can be found in foods like Broccoli, potatoes (with the skins on), prune juice, orange juice, leafy green vegetables, bananas, raisins, and tomatoes. It aids in nervous system and muscle function and also helps maintain a healthy balance of water in the blood and body tissues.

Red meat, fortified cereals, oysters, almonds, peanuts, chickpeas, soy foods, and dairy products are great dietary sources of zinc. Zinc supports the body’s immune function, reproduction capabilities, and the nervous systems.

Protein is the main component of muscles, organs, and glands. Every living cell and all body fluids, except bile and urine, contain protein. The cells of muscles, tendons, and ligaments are maintained with protein. Children and adolescents require protein for growth and development, and adults need it to maintain cell integrity. It can be found in foods like beans, milk and meat.

The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous system. Complex carbohydrates are the best choice for a stable blood sugar level. Whole grain breads and cereals, legumes, and starchy vegetables are all good complex carbohydrate sources.

Essential fatty acids play a part in many metabolic processes, and there is evidence to suggest that low levels of essential fatty acids, or the wrong balance of types among the essential fatty acids, may be a factor in a number of illnesses. Good sources are fish and shellfish, flaxseed, canola oil, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts.

Though this list is far from complete, it gives a good base of knowledge on which to build a healthy, well-balanced diet. (Public Label Article)

Flushing the fat? As crazy as the concept might sound, the Fat Flush Plan can help you reshape your body while detoxifying your system. This low-carbohydrate, three-phase diet regimen was created by nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S.

Phase 1 of the plan, called The Two-Week Fat Flush, lasts 14 days and is designed to jump-start weight loss. Phase 2, The Ongoing Fat Flush, helps you continue to lose weight, and Phase 3, The Lifestyle Eating Plan, focuses on maintenance.

The Fat Flush Plan was designed to increase metabolism, flush out bloat and to boost the fat burning process. At the core of the plan is the commitment to promote a balanced lifestyle and encourage simple healthy habits that seem to have gone by the wayside in our modern and hectic everyday life. Every aspect of each phase of the plan is focused on accomplishing this goal: helpful essential fats, amounts of protein, antioxidant-rich vegetables, moderate amounts of fruits, calorie-burning herbs and spices, cleansing diuretic beverages, exercise, journalling and even sleep are addressed.

The Two-Week Fat Flush is based on an average of 1,100 to 1,200 calories daily, and is designed to jumpstart weight loss for dramatic results. It will transform your shape by accelerating fat loss from your body's favorite fat storage areas - your hips, thighs and buttocks.

The Ongoing Fat Flush is the next step for those individuals who have additional weight to lose but who also want to pursue a more moderate cleansing program and enjoy a bit more variety in food choices while still losing weight. This part of the program is designed for ongoing weight loss, with approximately 1,200 to 1,500 calories each day. This is the phase that will be followed until you reach your desired weight or size.

The Lifestyle Eating Plan is your maintenance program for lifetime weight control. This phase offers over 1,500 calories daily, providing a basic lifelong eating program designed to increase your vitality and well-being for life. You’ll add up to two dairy products and up to two additional friendly carbs. Phase 3 friendly carbs include more choices from a variety of starchier veggies and nongluten hypoallergenic grains. Foods are always introduced one at a time to make sure there are no allergic reactions and you’re your body tolerates the food well. (Public Label Article)

Life has a way of getting the best of us some days.  Whether it’s working too many hours, shuffling your kids all over town for their activities, taking care of your household, or dealing with personal or family matters, stress can take its toll on you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  But there are simple steps you can take to combat stress, starting with the foods you eat. 

Avoiding caffeine and alcohol is a good start when life’s particularly stressful.  Stimulants and depressants like these can both zap your energy and rob you of the fuel you need to successfully cope with tension.  Sugary foods should also be avoided as well, as they cause your blood sugar levels to spike then dip rapidly, which can in turn make your energy levels spike and dip at the same rate. 

However, there are several superfoods out there that provide you with the energy and nutrition your body needs to keep stress in check

Asparagus, which is high in folic acid, can help level out your moods. Folic acid and vitamin B are key players in producing serotonin, a chemical that gets you into a good mood. 

And though we may hear negative things regarding red meat, it’s actually a wise dinner option for a stressed-out family. Beef’s high levels of iron, zinc and B vitamins not only help get you into a good mood, but help you stay there as well.  Your local butcher can help you select lean cuts for the healthiest options

Milk really does a body good. Chock full of calcium, protein, antioxidants, and vitamins B2 and B12, it helps strengthen bones and promotes healthy cell regeneration.  Paired with a healthy whole-grain cereal choice in the morning, low-fat milk is a great way to start your day and arm yourself to do battle with the stressors that await you.  Cottage cheese is also another great dairy choice, and when coupled with a fruit that’s high in vitamin C, it helps the body battle free radicals that run rampant during your most stressed periods. 

Almonds are also an awesome choice when it comes to arming yourself against stress.  They’re high in magnesium, zinc, as well as vitamins B2, C, and E and unsaturated fats, all which are great warriors against free radicals, which have been shown to cause cancers and heart disease.  (Public Label Article)   

We’ve all had days when we didn’t feel like we were ‘on our game.’ And as we age, both our bodies and our brains grow old as well.  By making smart food choices though, we can preserve our precious gray matter longer and improve brain function.  Here are some brainy choices for keeping our noggins in tip-top shape.

Blueberries have been shown to shield the brain from stress, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.   Research has also shown that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills. 

Avocados, though considered a ‘fatty fruit,’ contribute to healthy blood flow and decreased blood pressure, lessening the chances of developing hypertension, which can lead to a stroke.
Deep-water fish, such as salmon is a wise, freshwater fish choice.  It’s abundant in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are essential for healthy brain function.

Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E, an important vitamin needed by your brain to stave off declining cognitive functions. Cashews, peanuts, walnuts, sunflower and sesame seeds and almonds are all great choices. 

Whole-grain breads, brown rice, and oatmeal also contribute to a healthy brain by reducing the risk for cardiac disease.  By promoting a healthy heart and improved blood flow, the brain is sure to thrive via excellent oxygen and nutrient delivery through the bloodstream.  Complex carbohydrates also supply the brain with a steady stream of glucose that enhances brain function. It's important to avoid simple carbohydrates often found in junk food because the glucose gives the brain a short-lived sugar high, often followed by a crash that makes you feel hungry and tired.

Freshly brewed tea also has potent antioxidants, especially the class known as catechines, which also promotes healthy blood flow. Since black teas do contain caffeine it’s important to use it sensibly. 

Dark chocolate has powerful antioxidant properties, contains several natural stimulants, which enhance focus and concentration, and encourages the production of endorphins, which helps improve mood. Again, moderation is the key. (Public Label Article)

When the goal is rejuvenating the body, mind and spirit, the method should be smaller, more frequent snacks and meals.  This will help keep energy levels on an even keel, and regulate your blood sugar levels to avoid spikes and dips. When you choose the right combination of foods, your body gets the much-needed boost it needs to sustain itself properly, even through those slumps later in the day. So dump those high sugar junk foods and reach for the following foods and get that boost you need.

Any fresh fruit, especially with skins or seeds like peaches, apples, pears, oranges, and strawberries, is a great source of vitamins and fiber. In the summer you can choose a peach and get plenty of dietary fiber, niacin (vitamin B3), potassium, beta carotene and vitamin A, plus high amounts of vitamin C. Niacin is important for providing energy for cell tissue growth. Along with regulating fluid balance, potassium helps maintain the electrical stability of the cells of your heart and nervous system and is important for cell and muscle growth. Vitamin B12 plays a role in red blood cell formation, nerve function, and metabolizing protein and fat.

Dried Apricots and Almonds combination provides a high amount of vitamin A, iron protein and dietary fiber. Both foods are low in cholesterol and sodium, and apricots are a great source of potassium, which is important in regulating your body's fluid balance. The vitamin A in apricots contributes to healthy vision, bone growth, and reproduction, and helps fight infection.

Raisins are a healthy, low-fat, low-cholesterol, and low-sodium snack with significant amounts of potassium, phosphorus, copper, and iron, and when mixed with low-fat yogurt, you also get riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin B12, as well as a high amount of calcium, which is needed not only for strong bones and teeth but also plays a key role in the normal functioning of the heart and other muscles.

Baby carrots and sesame sticks are a tasty treat that will provide significant amounts of beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6, iron, potassium, copper, and fiber. Beta carotene helps protect against diseases like heart disease and some cancers. 
Vitamin A is important for healthy skin, for better night vision, and to fight infection and respiratory ailments. Folate, or vitamin B9, is essential to human life, helping to form red blood cells and break down proteins, and playing a key role in cell growth and division.

Peanut butter on some whole grain crackers is an excellent source of protein, iron, niacin, and fiber. Peanut butter on celery is a classic snack, has great staying power, and the celery is stuffed with numerous vitamins, minerals, and is high in fiber.  Low-fat string cheese is a good quick source of protein and calcium. They come in easy-to-carry individual servings and you can add a piece of fresh fruit for extra fiber.

The human body can last weeks without food, but only days without water. The body is made up of approximately 55 to75 per cent water. Water forms the basis of blood, digestive juices, urine and perspiration and is contained in lean muscle, fat and bones.

As the body can’t store water, we need fresh supplies every day to make up for losses from lungs, skin, urine and feces. Water is needed to maintain the health and integrity of every cell in the body, keep the bloodstream liquid enough to flow through blood vessels, help eliminate the by products of the body’s metabolism, helps to flush out toxins, regulate body temperature through sweating, lubricate and cushion joints and carry nutrients and oxygen to the body’s cells, just to name a few. Drinking refreshing, clean water plays a major role in reducing the risk of certain diseases.

The loss of body water through urination is greatly increased by the ingestion of decaffeinated and alcoholic beverages. These drinks have a diuretic effect, meaning they stimulate the kidneys to excrete more urine. Not only do we lose water, we also lose water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin B (thiamine) and other B complex vitamins. For every caffeinated or alcoholic beverage you drink, you need to add an
additional glass of pure water.

A diet containing lots of fruits and vegetables will supply about 4 cups of water per day. Even with a diet high in fruits and vegetables, it is still necessary to drink an additional 6 to 8 cups of water per day to supply enough water to meet the body’s daily needs. For every caffeinated or alcoholic beverage you drink, you need to add an additional glass of pure water.
Dehydration occurs when the water content of the body is too low. This is easily fixed by increasing fluid intake. Symptoms of dehydration include headaches, lethargy, mood changes and slow responses, dry nasal passages, dry or cracked lips, dark-colored urine, weakness, tiredness, confusion and hallucinations. Eventually urination stops, the kidneys fail and the body can’t remove toxic waste products. In extreme cases, this may result in death.

Approximately six to eight glasses of a variety of fluids can be consumed each day. More than eight glasses may be needed for physically active people, children, people in hot or humid environments, and breastfeeding women. Less water may be needed for sedentary people, older people, people in a cold environment or people who eat a lot of high water content foods. - Public Label Article

Kami sauna magsungka kay mag-iwag ra ug lamparilya kay wa man mi kuryente sa balay. Kadugayang sungka manimahong anuos ang ilong tungod sa binuga sa de-gas nga lamparilya.

By Kit Bagaipo
Bohol Chronicle

After dragging on for four years, the complaint for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against five National Irrigation Administration (NIA) officials in relation to their involvement in the questioned Talibon Small Reservoir Impounding Project (TSRIP) has been dismissed by the Ombudsman.

While awaiting for graft charges to be filed in the courts, the Ombudsman ruling struck the complainants by surprise.

According to the 24-page decision signed by Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, the complaint lacked substantial legal basis to be given due course.

Respondents of the case were Regional Irrigation Manager Alexander Reuyan, Bohol Provincial Irrigation Officer Calixto Seroje, NIA regional finance manager Jesusa Sibonga, Small Reservoir Irrigation project officer Eduardo Daniel and senior accountant Victor Echavez.

The Boholanos Against Corruption, Oppression and Social Harassment (Bacosh) however filed a motion for reconsideration on Friday assailing the ruling of the anti-graft body.         

In its pleading, the group said that the decision "has effectively doused cold water on the people's faith in the capacity of government to rule under the pale of law with justice and respect for the sovereign people."

Bacosh accused the Ombudsman of bowing down to pressure from "powerful officials" who are involved in the case.

Two years ago, a NIA Fact Finding Team who investigated the issues raised by Bacosh regarding alleged irregularities in the release of some P165 million for the Talibon SRIP.

The project, which had an approved budget for contract of P243 million was reported half-completed even with only 4 visible structures and civil works that were not covered by duly-approved programs of work, as alleged by Bacosh.

Calling the decision "a strange verdict", Bacosh stated in its motion that an audit formally done in December 1998 by NIA and COA showed that the project was about 50% accomplished and yet P165 million was already exhausted.

The anti-graft watch group also questioned why Graft Investigation Officer Sarah Jo Vergara penned a resolution on June 22, 2006, two years from the filing of the complaint against the NIA officials, recommending the dismissal of the case "for lack of substantial legal basis".

Bacosh likewise noted the resumption of civil works on the questioned project through fresh funding even with a pending complaint in the Ombudsman.

"The questioned project, mysterious in itself, was shrouded with mysteries from the finding of prima facie evidence until the resolution of dismissal…"

According to the complainants, from the finding of a prima facie case, proper charges should have been filed in court to allow the respondents clear their names after they have been indicted in the Fact Finding Team report.

The respondents likewise succeeded in causing the release of fresh funds for the project's resumption.

"Now that the project is on-going, albeit a new funding, there is already an excuse for saying that the complaint on this project 'looks substantial legal basis', suppressing the fact that this case centers on the P165 million outlay which was exhausted without the project being completed," the motion stated.

By Kit Bagaipo, Bohol Chronicle

Five officials of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) were cleared of graft charges by the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged anomalous construction of the Talibon Small Reservoir Impounding Project (TSRIP).

The dismissal of the case came two years after a NIA Fact Finding Team evaluation report found prima facie
evidence against the respondents for irregularities in the implementation of the questioned project.

Named respondents were Regional Irrigation Manager Alexander Reuyan, Bohol Provincial Irrigation Officer Calixto Seroje, NIA regional finance manager Jesusa Sibonga, Small Reservoir Irrigation project officer Eduardo Daniel and senior accountant Victor Echavez.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Boholanos Against Corruption, Oppresssion and Social Harassment (Bacosh) represented by former NIA project manager Petronilo Sarigumba.

Sarigumba alleged in the complaint that P165 million have been released and exhausted for the project when at least three audit reports in 1998 showed the project to be only 50% completed.

The approved total project cost is P243 million based on a revised program of works approved by the NIA in April 2000.

The 24-page resolution, signed by acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro last June 26 2008, dismissed the charges "for lack of substantial legal basis".         

The resolution, which was prepared by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Sarah Jo Vergara since June 2006, dealt on the purported misappropriation of funds in the project implementation.

Based on the NIA Fact Finding Team report, the project was said to be questionable due to the fact that there were varying amounts of expenditures reported by the project field office, the provincial management office and the regional office.

According to the Ombudsman resolution, it "sees that the variance does not actually prove that there are unaccounted funds…"

Quote from: simplylee on August 25, 2008, 09:47:33 PM
Mike, daghan kaayong salamat sa imong kakugihan. You are a blessing!!

ot: nang regards si Mr. Joe Caberte ug Sharon(taga Calape classmate nimo sa Silliman)
     ako tong giinvite si Sharon mopamember ani

Ate Lee, kumusta pud ko ni Sir Joe. He was the principal sa Bohol Wisdom School. We were classmates sa HNU Law School. I hope nahuman na niya ang law.
Sharon is working at the Vice-gov's office. She's a good friend of mine. I was able to attend her wedding in Calape 3 years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc5I0HpjX_U

GMA News. This video was uploaded by Nestor Daarol.
MILF disturbing a peaceful Mindanao.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go0fiiZOyLg

Remember the dreaded ILAGA group in Mindanao?

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

MILF attacking towns in Lanao del Norte.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ustx9mbF0_M

May our God show mercy to our country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxc-9S6vs5o

MILF-initiated war in Mindanao. Video Uploaded by Nestor Daarol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2M03khvWwk

War in Mindanao. Video is courtesy of Nestor Daarol

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

Nestor Daarol provides this video on Danahon Double Barrier Reef.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc1xeCMUakY

Video courtesy of Nestor Daarol of DYTR, Tagbilaran.

Some avatars may have disappeared. I am still fixing this error.

The solution to this problem is adding more RAM for our Virtual Private Server. We'll add RAM in the near future.

Nakurat nalang akong amigo sa dihang sa pagkabuntag gitawagan siya sa iyang uyab ug giingnan nga dili na siya patawagon ug wala nay communication.

Wa intawon katingog akong amigo kay lagi sa pagkagabii ana, puro "I love you" ug "I miss you" ang gitilok nga mga pulong sa ilang panaghinabi sa telephone sa wala pag mag-goodnight. Unya pagkasunod adlaw, nalain naman ang templa sa babaye.

Ang babaye pud wala lang pud mangutana o mo-clarify. Midretso lang pud ug ratatat sa akong amigo. In other words, gi-itsapuwera akong higala sa kalit ug daklit nga higayon ug naglibog intawon siya unsay hinungdan.

Akong usa ka amigo nga Thai ug classmate usab sa klase mihimo ug imbestigasyon pinaagi sa pagtawag sa babaye aron suknaon kung unsa ang hinungdan sa iyang hinanali nga desisyon. Ug didto nahibaw-an sa akong amigo ug nahibaw-an namo nga diay ang babaye nasuko ngano nga nawala ang iyang pangalan sa Hi5.com (mura pud ni ug Friendster or Myspace social networking site) pero sikat sa Thailand ang Hi5.

Tungod sa technological error, nawala ang account sa babaye pero wa intawon pud kahibawo akong amigo kung ngano kay lagi error man to sa Hi5.com nga website.

Inosente akong amigo sa pagkawala sa name sa iyang uyab didto sa Hi5 network.

Dili unta sila magkabuwag kung nangutana lang unta ang babaye kung nganong wala na iyang ngalan sa Hi5 ug wala unta siya makabungat ug mga masakit nga pulong batok sa among amigo.

Walay perfect nga technology. Usa ni sa mga angay natong tugkaron. Dili unta ta magdali-dali sa atong mga desisyon kung wala pa ta kapangutana o kaha makadawat ug ensaktong impormasyon.

Mura ni sa estorya sa usa ka asawa nga labihang tagawtaw ug nag-wild na sa balay kay ang iyang bana dili motubag sa cellphone ug sige lang ga ring. Kaingon ang asawa nga nag-iring-iring na ug lain iyang bana.

Wala siya kahibalo nga nadisgrasya na diay ang sakyanan nga gi-drive sa iyang bana.

Quote from: B:) on August 25, 2008, 06:22:42 AM
duna na bay limit kung pila ka oras dinhi? kay sa kadugayan nakong ming in and out sa mga topics, unya ming click ko laing thread ang migawas kay na sign out ko ug ahat and only registered members kuno ang maka open, shalan!
Kuyawa gud ani. Sus unsa kaha explanation ato?

Hi Beth, it is not a limit of one's stay in Tubag Bohol. A registered member is automatically logged in for 60 minutes as this is the default duration period of the browser. If you check "logged in forever" "or always logged me in" during log-in, your browser cookie won't expire after 60 minutes.

Beth, I had sent you an email regarding this matter.

Herewith I am attaching a screenshot of the Logged Area with the default browser cookie of 60 minutes. Below is the option "Always Logged In"...

By Ric Obedencio

Even if the number of cases this year may be lower than last year's, the deadly dengue brought about by mosquito aedis egypti bite has killed at least three as of last count.

According to the Provincial Health Office the fatalities were Renz Joseph Parede, 5 years old and resident of Panggangan, Calape, Bohol; Carin Carlon, 4, of Cabilao Island, Loon, Bohol; and Josh Jander Libres, 3, of barangay Cayacay, Alicia, Bohol.         

PHO through statistician Merlyn Nemenzo said that most of the victims are children ranging from five and 14 years olds.

There was already a total of 115 who are affected by the disease, PHO said. Forty cases have been documented during the month of February; March, 8; April, 12; May, 11; June, 6; and July, 5.

It will be recalled that more than 1,600 cases have been reported in 2007 that surpassed previous year's record.

You're welcome, Bran. God bless you.

Youtube videos posted in Tubag Bohol are now viewable. The errors, which had caused the disappearance of videos, have been repaired.

There are 130 plus video sites that are supported by this feature, including Youtube, DailyMotion, MetaCafe, YahooVideos, GoogleVideos, Guba, and many, many more.

No need to copy the embed code. Just copy the direct URL/web address of a particular video.

Enjoy watching the videos you like...

Have you heard of the 17th-century theologian Samuel Rutherford? Perhaps it’s time to resurrect his faith-inspiring memory.

Rutherford, a member of the council that wrote the Westminster Confession, was imprisoned because of his beliefs. While in prison, he wrote this soul-strengthening letter expressing the joy that sustained him through his trials: “If God had told me some time ago that He was about to make me as happy as I could be in this world, and then had told me that He should begin by crippling me in all my limbs, and removing me from all my usual sources of enjoyment, I should have thought it a very strange mode of accomplishing His purpose. And yet, how is His wisdom manifest even in this! For if you should see a man shut up in a closed room, idolizing a set of lamps and rejoicing in their light, and you wished to make him truly happy, you would begin by blowing out all his lamps; and then throw open the shutters to let in the light of heaven.”

When the candles that light up our darkness are blown out, let’s rejoice that God is throwing open shuttered windows and pouring in the sunshine of His love.

Like Samuel Rutherford, let’s “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8 ).  â€" Vernon C. Grounds

- from Our Daily Bread

Dear Friends,

All avatars got lost during file migration from host to host. Feel free to reupload your avatar. I'm sorry for the lose and inconvenience that this may have caused thus far. It was unexpected.

God bless us,

Mike

I supposed not to post anything as I am still fixing some errors in the site, but this topic I can't remain silent.

If the rapist can do it to a grandmother, let alone a 90 year old woman, then he will do it against any woman.

This man must be put out of society and be imprisoned for the rest of his life.

My Dear Friends,

I can't open PMs yet. So ayaw sa ko iPM. If it's urgent, send me an email at mike@tubagbohol.com. Also, please empty out your PM. There is an urgent need to repair a database structure.

Quote from: mae_flor on August 20, 2008, 01:17:28 PM
inig open sa site, dili man TB mugawas, lain kono nga site

We have to wait for another 48 hours to complete the DNS propagation. We changed the nameservers.

In the meantime, please tell our friends to browse the site through proxy browser. Visit: www.gyub.com and from there, browse TubagBohol. Thanks.

Quote from: mae_flor on August 20, 2008, 01:11:53 PM
Dili lagi tanan makasulod

What do you mean "dili tanan makasulod"?

You're welcome, Mae. Also, please report to me if you encounter increase of speed in browsing or a slowdown of browsing speed of the site.

I am expecting that the site would run faster at this time.

Quote from: mae_flor on August 20, 2008, 01:00:25 PM
temporary pa gihapon ni?

Hi Mae, I can't answer your question at this time. It all depends on the progress of my troubleshooting work.

Hi Angie, welcome back.

We'll just enjoy this borrowed opportunity to browse the site while I am still fixing some problems. As you all know, the site is growing bigger and bigger and it requires more server resources. Migrating the database of the site was a pain the neck. That's why it is very important to me that you'd notify me or post in the help and support section any problem that you'd encounter now or in the future.

Praise be to our God the Father through Christ Jesus, our Lord, who sustains us day by day.

Mike

Dear Friends,

Just an update. We had a major problem in our site. By and by, we were able to fix it and put things back to normal. But you may notice a lot of changes. These are just temporary. Our database has errors on it. I notice that our avatars have disappeared. Don't reupload any avatars at this time as I have not completed the repairing process.

Should you encounter any error in browsing the site, please copy the message error and please email me the name of topic/thread where you encounter the error. Send email to mike@tubagbohol.com.

Also, don't send any PM at this time. I will empty out PM database tomorrow. If you have important PMs, please copy them to your email.

There are other technical issues in the site but I am working on them to put things back to normal.

God bless us all,
Mike

As you have noticed, Tubag Bohol experienced two long outages today and yesterday. We have a serious problem. In fact, TB was suspended by its host due to huge consumption of server resources. I will not elaborate the details here since they may sound too technical for the rest of us.

Tubag Bohol will be shut down any time today, tomorrow, or the next, next day to facilitate the file migration process. But this is just temporary.

We are upgrading our server capacity to accommodate TB's heavy traffic. We are moving from Purok Uno to Purok Kwatro.

Special thanks to Asianfairy and Orchids for helping us making this necessary upgrade possible.

All for the Love of Bohol Province,

Mike

Maklaro ang mga mata nga way tulog. Murag nagchika whole night. Unsaon kining panagsa ra magkita ug magkabagdoy-bagdoy.

Jun, may the Lord Jesus keep you safe on your travel back to Saudi. Ayo-ayo kanunay ug enjoy your trip.

Philippine News Agency

One more hurdle and public school teachers could increase their take-home pay by P9T, one that would put them at the same level with the country’s cops and soldiers pay.

The last barrier, said Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli Lapus is the House of Representatives.

Lapuz, along with DepED authorities have been lobbying for the approval of House Bill 4734, which authorizes public school teachers to be compensated an additional one-time increase of P9,000 within three years of its becoming law and another P3,000 every year thereafter.

The bill’s Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 2408, has been passed on second reading, Lapuz reported.

"The welfare of teachers and the benefits due them are foremost in our priority," Lapus also reiterated.

"DepEd gives its full support for the approval of House Bill 4734 and Senate Bill 2408 because we have always been cognizant of the need to improve the lot of our teachers," Lapus said.

When Lapus assumed office at DepEd in 2006 he immediately worked for the updating of teachers' service records (SR). 

For years, teachers complained of unauthorized deductions in their contributions with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) because of discrepancies in the records of DepEd and GSIS. 

Just 6.6 per cent of the SRs remains unencoded though already submitted to GSIS.

Last year, DepEd paid about P1.7 billion in arrears representing government shares in GSIS contribution for teachers.

DepEd explained the arrears resulted from the increase in GSIS premium from 9.5 per cent to 12 per cent for the period from July 1997 to December 1998.

Another P862 million was released to cover employees' compensation insurance premium adjustments when the GSIS increased the premium from P30 to P100.

DepEd also released P400 million last year to partially settle unpaid loyalty pays, step increments and other entitlements of DepEd personnel especially teachers. This is in addition to the P388 million released to cover PhilHealth premium adjustments because of the increase in premiums from P100 to P112.

In November 2007, DepEd signed a memorandum of agreement with Gawad Kalinga, Pag-Ibig Fund, and some pioneering local government units to undertake an affordable housing program for its more than 90,000 teachers who do not have their own homes yet.

Ang mga hulagway nga nakuha ning dapita, wala tuyua, mugna lamang kini sa handurawan sa kodaker.

Wa man untay problema seguro kung kuoton kay bagahe ra man ang gikuot. Kining taga pier cautious lang gyud...

Ate Lita, Ginger, and my mother at the house of Gemma and Joe in Tagbilaran.
They are packing gifts for kids at school.

Kay dili man kaha ipakuot, dili nalang pud...

Sa una namong panagkita didto sa dakbayan sa Sugbu... circa 2008 A.D.

More SM Eyeball picture...

Look at Hazel's bottomless smile...

Taghuwat sa sila ug smile kay wala pa maluto ang gitak-ang...

SM City, Cebu. TubagBohol dot Com Eyeball, July 2008 (flashback)

[mp3tube]3efc4fe98658be19edaf634b14dfe2fe[/mp3tube]

Sa dihang mamalandong ko sa mga higala nga wala na nako makita, maghandum ko nila with this song: "My Heart Will Go On."

Dili ko segurado ug orchids ba ni. Basin kalachuchi ra ni.

From a movie scene...

[mp3tube]dc426a0b7907d748bfe14cbced141563[/mp3tube]

Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart

Love conquers all. When we love our friends, we forgive their mistakes and we accept their uniqueness.

Pareha ra na sa husband and wife or mga uyab. Bisan makakita ta ug defect sa atong uyab, but love man lagi, padayon gihapon ang pagmahal ug pagpangga because "love keeps no records of wrong."

Anyone may start a family thread preferably in any of the Bohol town board in Tubag Bohol.

I will start mine soon...

More from Beijing Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

Percussionists Performing at the Beijing Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. Photo is courtesy of boston.com

Artists in China at the Beijing Olympics 2008 Grand Opening. Image courtesy of boston.com

Olympic Fireworks Displayed at Beijing Opening 2008. At the Nest Stadium. Photo courtesy of boston.com

Chinese in Space Suit at Olympics 2008 Opening. Image courtesy of boston.com

Chinese Drummers During the Opening of Beijing Olympics 2008. Photo courtesy of boston.com

Chinese Dancer Performing at Beijing Summer Olympics 2008 Opening

Swiss Knife, a gift by Ate Lita (Edelweiss) of Tubag Bohol. I'll be careful at the airport next time. I should keep it inside my checked in baggage.

Most scams are perpetrated by Filipinos victimizing Filipinos. Dog-eat-dog world.

Quote from: bol-anon nga cebuano on August 07, 2008, 11:29:53 PM
according to the novel da vinci code, it's true.

Anyone can write a novel and create controversies all for the sake of money and fame.

It's either we believe what the Bible says or what a novel claims.

Quote from: ms da binsi on August 09, 2008, 10:45:50 PM
I am so happy that someone dig this thread. i love reading it fron the beginning...nalibat na ko but i am so happy, very happy that i myself be one of the "Who's Who of Corella" one day.

Ako pud Belle nalipay ko nga kahilakon nag-reflect sa mga kaliwat ni Sir Felix Daray. Akong mga kaliwat wa gyud ikita ug ikaila. Nailo si Mama when she was still 6 months old. Nag-search pa ko kinsay akong mga kaliwat nga Ortega, Salinas, Anunciado, Dela Pena, ug Perez.

Quote from: grazie7y on June 05, 2008, 03:37:53 PM
Naa ko dre sa California, Sir Felix but I graduated college at the University of Mindanao but that's not where i met Rose Ann Bayron.  We were working together in a project in South Cebu.  Thank you, Sir Felix!

Grace, akong work sauna duol among office sa University of Mindanao sa Bolton Street eskina sa Bonifacio Street. Tiglabay ko sa UM kay inig sakay sa Jeep paingon sa Bajada didto man maghulat atbang sa Rose Pharmacy. Duol sa Victoria Plaza, likod sa Durian Hotel akong boarding house sauna. circa 2000 -Sept 2002

This is a temporary transition. One of us was harassed by an intruder through profile access. We were swamped with African email scams because of profile access.

Profile access will be granted to those who have stayed for so long in TB. We will restore the permission as soon as we are able to prevent the flooding of scam emails.

This is the reason. Thank you.

Eva Mae Peligro and Felix Gudelosao III. Taken in the Philippines

Thank you Els for organizing this visit to Jez's family. It really makes a difference when we know that our friends are standing behind us during this sorrowful time.

Salamat pud kaayo ni Gemma (Glen) nga walay hunong ang iyang paghandum sa mga kahigalaan ilabi na ning panahon sa kasub-anan sa pamilya ug banay ni Jez. Thank you so much Gem.