MikeLigalig.com

[mp3tube]52da37464926c7e00f4e5650679e2492[/mp3tube]

I Have A Dream by ABBA

Jessica Alba and boyfriend Cash Warren will soon be a fantastic three.

The couple is expecting their first child together in late spring or early summer, Alba's rep Brad Cafarelli confirmed Wednesday.

People was first to report news of the pregnancy.

Alba, 26, and Warren, the 28-year-old son of former Hill Street Blues star Michael Warren, have dated on and off since the fall of 2004, after meeting on the set of The Fantastic Four, in which she starred and he worked as a director's assistant.

So far, there's no word on how the impending addition may affect Alba's upcoming production schedule.

She recently wrapped filming on The Love Guru, opposite Mike Myers and Justin Timberlake, and is attached to star in the long delayed Sin City sequel.

She'll also be seen in the horror film The Eye, slated for release Feb. 1.

Alba also recently confirmed she was in talks to make her Broadway debut in a revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow, playing the role originated by Madonna in the 1988  production.

"Well, there's a rumor. Yeah, I've been asked to do it," she said last month on Live with Regis and Kelly.

source: http://www.eonline.com/news/article

By Sheila Crisostomo
Philippine Star

A non-government organization seeks the creation of a drug price regulatory board to ensure that medicine is within reach of the average Filipino.

The KilosBayan para sa Kalusugan (KBK) believes the Cheap Medicine Bill in Congress would not serve the interest of poor patients.

“The creation of a drug price regulatory board could be one crucial step in lowering the prices of medicine,” the group said.

“KBK is not very optimistic that the people will really have access to low-cost essential medicine through the much-boasted about Cheaper Medicine Bill.”

The KBK has been pushing for the lowering of drug prices, among other health-related advocacies.

It is hopeful that through a drug price regulatory board, the government will set a ceiling for the prices of medicine.

It sees a need for the Philippines to develop its own national drug industry, similar to what India and Pakistan did 10 years ago to become today’s leading source of medicine in the world.

“In the comprehensive and strategic sense, the Bill does not make any single mention about the need to develop our own national drug industry,” KBK said.

“Scientific research, development and manufacture of local essential drugs could not flourish given the present restrictions on trade and lack of government support.”

The KBK said the Cheap Medicine Bill has not addressed the fact that prices of medicine in the Philippines are very high and how they can be lowered.

“The KBK is disappointed that the Cheaper Medicine Bill did not tackle the problem,” it said. “The Bill is silent about the control of multinational corporations in the marketing, distribution and pricing of medicine.”

Spanish will be back as a subject in college.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is preparing an order to colleges and universities to encourage the offering of the Spanish language to college students.

Lawyer Julito Vitriolo, CHED deputy executive director, said a draft circular memorandum order will most likely suggest the move to higher education institutes.

An enabling law is needed to reintroduce the teaching of Spanish as part of the curriculum in colleges and universities, he added.

However, Vitriolo said Spanish can be offered as an elective to Liberal Arts students, especially those majoring in Foreign Service, International Relations, History and similar disciplines. - Rainier Allan Ronda, The Philippine Star

Dear Bran and Da Binsi,

We can put up an online store for Tubag Bohol Cakes and Cookies.

Seriously...

Count me in for Online/Internet Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.

Grace, you are really sweet. You make Lorenzo happy. You are such a blessing here in Tubag Bohol. May the Lord bless you.

The Arms of Love Children's Home on the Island of Bohol is located on about five acres of land near Tagbilaran City. The children's home ministry includes a facility that contains four distinct homes, each of which is designed to accommodate 12 children, a resident houseparent couple, and one resident assistant. Children began moving into the homes in January 2001. As of summer 2006, 41 children were living in the four homes and were being cared for by 18 full-time staff. A multi-purpose facility on the property includes staff offices, indoor recreational space, a common kitchen and dining area, computer lab, library and accommodations for visiting volunteers and short-term teams.

In addition to providing open recreational space, several acres of the children's home property have been developed as a farm that both generates income and provides food for the children's home. The farm raises and sells fish, chickens, eggs, goats' milk, sheep, mangos, pigs and various vegetables. The children living in the Children's Home participate in caring for the animals and crops.

In 2006, Arms of Love also began operating a "young adult transition home" in Tagbilaran City, where youth who have graduated from high school can reside while they pursue a further education at the University of Bohol. As of mid-2006, three of our children had moved into the "young adult transition home."

Arms of Love also owns a property in downtown Tagbilaran City, which is being used by the Vineyard church that is affiliated with the project. This building hosts regular worship services, contains additional office space, and is used as a base for compassion ministry outreaches, youth events, and other gatherings.

Future Plans

No new facilities are planned for our ministry in the Philippines. As of the fall 2006, our primary capital needs are (1) completing the interior of the fourth home, (2) purchasing a second bus for transporting the children, and (3) completing our purchase of the multi-purpose facility.

When fully-developed, we anticipate that we will be caring for a maximum of 48 children on the children's home property, plus an additional group of youth living in the downtown transition home while attending university and transitioning to adulthood.

source: http://www.armsoflove.org

Quote from: balong on December 09, 2007, 01:44:35 AM
kontento naman unta ko sa ahong kahimtang sa barko. bahala na ug usahay, perteng dagko-a sa bawod. di man pod kanunay. ang naka ingon jud sa ahong decision nga mo ambak mao ang chief mate nahong kauban. pareha nahong pinoy. pero tagalog sija. ang barko nga ahong gisakyan when i jumped ship international ang crew. gamay ra ming mga pinoy. 5 lang mi ka book. mga bisaya. ang chief mate ra maoy tagalog. mga poti ang kasagaran namong kauban niadtong barkoha. ang nahitabo gud imbis panggaon mi sa among chief mate kay pinoy man unta , gi daug daug man hinoon mi nija. unja maajo sija mo treat sa mga puti namong kauban. ang e assign namo nga trabaho lisod. unja sa mga poti gaan ra. okey lang unta ug ingon ana, pero siningkahan mi kanunay. kadugayan, nag sabot na mi sa ahong mga kaubang bisaya. unsa man bay, ato na lang ning itambog sa dagat si kalbo. gi danggaan man to namo ug kalbo kay upaw man. tinood nang injong ma dunggan  nga mga estorya nga usahay, naay ma missing sa barko. ahong giingnan ahong mga amigo, dili maajo ug ato sijang patjon, mas maajo nang atong pa antoson. ako lay bahala. polos minjo man gud tong ahong mga kaubang bisaya. unja ako ULITawo pa man. diha na man gud koy mga kaila sa states. sigi silang pangimbitar naho nga mag jump ship. dili jud unta ko gusto mo ambak kay maka daut man pod na sa record sa mga shipping agencies. pero sugo jud tingali sa kahigayonan. i made a choice. my destiny was waiting. ahong gi plano ug maajo ang ahong buhaton. ga pahibawo na ko daan sa ahong mga amigo sa states. aho silang gi sultihan sa ahong plano. poslan man nga mo bija ko ug trabaho sa barko, bilinan naho ug handomanan ang among chief mate nga kalbo. ma agwanta ra man gud unta to nahong singka. pero dihay kausa nga gi laparo ko. i vowed to myself, kinhangang maka bawos ko.

Balong, daw gikumot ang akong kasing-kasing nga nagbasa sa imong mga kaagi dinhi sa Tubag Bohol.

Monitoring stats for: http://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com
       
Day   Mon   Tue   Wed   Thu   Fri   Sat   Sun   Weekly
Total
Date   12/03   12/04   12/05   12/06   12/07   12/08   12/09
Outages   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Time on error   00:00   00:00   00:00   00:00   00:00   00:00   00:00   00:00
% Uptime   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0
Connect time   0.12   0.11   0.11   0.12   0.12   0.13   0.16   0.12

Outages- number of times we were unable to access this URL
Time on Error- the total time this URL was not available (hr:min)
% Uptime- the percentage this URL was available for the day
Connect Time- the average time in seconds to connect to this URL   

Data Courtesy Of www.internetseer.com

Big Mouth Sandwich

Recipe By     : Jo Anne Merrill
Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:30
Categories    : Copycat

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  pound         lean ground beef
   1      teaspoon      chili powder
     1/2  teaspoon      salt -- or seasoned salt
   2                    California avocados -- sliced
   1                    French bread loaf -- or long loaf
                        garlic salt -- to taste
   8      ounces        refried beans -- 1 can
                        shredded lettuce
   1                    tomato -- sliced
   2                    green onions -- sliced
     1/2  cup           cheddar cheese -- shredded
                        taco sauce -- optional

     1. Brown ground beef very thoroughly; drain well. Stir in salt and chili
     powder; keep hot.

     2. Halve, peel and slice avocados into flat slices.

     3. Split French bread in half lengthwise. Lightly toast cut sides under
     broiler.

     4. Place half the avocado slices on bottom half of bread. Sprinkle with
     garlic salt if using.

     5. Heat refried beans. Spread an even layer of beans over avocado, then
     spoon on browned meat.

     6. Cover meat with shredded cheese, then with shredded lettuce. Sprinkle
     lettuce with taco sauce if using.

     7. Cover with a layer of sliced tomato then sprinkle on the chopped
     onions. Place remaining avocado slices on tomatoes and sprinkle with
     garlic salt.

     8. Cover with top half of bread; cut into serving sized sandwiches.

Serving Ideas : Serve with warm tortilla chips and iced tea or beer.

NOTES : This sandwich speaks for itself as to how it got its name.

Big Bucket In The Sky Chicken

Categories: Polkadot, Menarea, Chicken
      Yield: 1 Servings

      3 c  Self-rising flour
      1 tb Paprika
      2 pk Lipton Tomato Cup-A-Soup
           -powder
      2 pk Good Seasons Italian
           -Dressing mix powder
      1 ts Salt
    1/4 lb Butter or margarine

  Moisten chicken in water. Place coating mixture in an oven roasting
  bag and shake until chicken is covered. Bake in 350 degree oven for
  about 40 minutes or until juices are clear.
 

Big Boy's Chicken Gravy

Categories: Copycat, Sauces, Chicken
      Yield: 1 quart
 
    28 oz Chicken broth
    1/2 ts Onion powder
      1 tb Chicken bouillon powder
    2/3 c  Bisquick

  In blender, combine broth, onion powder, bouillon
  powder and Bisquick. Blend at high speed, about 1/2
  minute or until smooth. Pour into saucepan and stir
  constantly over medium high heat, about 4 or 5 minutes
  until if comes to a boil, is smooth and thickened a
  bit. Serve at once. Can freeze up to 4 months.

Big Boy's Blue Cheese Dressing

Recipe By     : Gloria Pitzer
Serving Size  : 2    Preparation Time :0:05
Categories    : Salad Dressings                  Copycat

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  Cup           Sour cream
     1/2  Cup           Milk
   1      Cup           Kraft mayo
   4      Ounces        Blue cheese -- crumble
     1/8  Teaspoon      Onion powder

Use electric mixer to combine all ingredients until smooth. Tightly
cover and refrigerate.

Use within 10 days.

Bennigan's Onion Soup

Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Soups Vegetables
                Meats

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                        -----WALDINE VAN GEFFEN VGHC42A-----
     1/2  pound         Firm white onions -- sliced
     1/4  cup           Butter
   2      tablespoons   Corn oil
   3      tablespoons   Flour
   1      quart         Chicken broth
   1      quart         Beef broth
   8      slices        French bread
                        Swiss cheese -- shredded
                        Parmesan -- grated

Saute onions in butter and oil until onions are transparent, but not
well  browned. When tender, turn heat to lowest point and sprinkle with
flour,  stirring vigorously. Pour into Dutch oven and stir in broths.
Heat thoroughly and divide among 8 oven-proof bowls. Float a slice of
bread atop each serving. Mix equal parts of cheese to  smooth paste and
spread over bread. Place all bowls on oven rack 4" from broiler heat and
broil until cheese  melts. Serve at once. Leftover soup freezes well up
to 6 months.

Bennigan's Hot Bacon Dressing

Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Dressings                        Salads
                Meats

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      ounces        Bacon grease
     1/4  pound         Red onion -- dice fine
   2      cups          Water
     1/2  cup           Honey
     1/2  cup           Red wine vinegar
   2      tablespoons   Dijon mustard
   1 1/2  tablespoons   Cornstarch
   1      tablespoon    Tabasco

Place the bacon grease in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the
onions  and saute until the onions start to blacken. While the onions
are  carmelizing, in a mixing bowl place the water, honey and red wine
vinegar.  Using a wire whisk, mix the ingredients well. Add the
cornstarch and whisk well. After the onions have carmelized, add  the
Dijon mustard to the onions and stir together with a rubber spatula.
Add the water, vinegar, pepper (sic.) honey and cornstarch to the
mustard  and onions and mix. Continue stirring until mix thickens and
comes to a  boil. Remove from heat and store in refigerator until
needed. Note: To  reheat use a double boiler. I put the tabasco on the
ingredient list if  you like it. In differnt parts of the country
Bennigan's omits this  ingredient.

Benihana® Ginger Salad Dressing

As far as salad dressings go, this is one of the
most requested, and tasty. At the Benihana chain
of hibachi grill restaurants, you are served a
side salad before your meal that is doused with this
tangy, slightly sweet, fresh ginger dressing.
This Top Secret Recipes version of that dressing
is a real cinch to make, once you've got the ingredients.
Just dump everything into a blender, whiz it, and you're set.
Although this recipe is inspired by the many variations of
the clone recipe that are floating around (and that I have
received by e-mail), you should know that this is an
original never-before-published creation that comes closer
to the original product than any other version I have seen.
See what you think.

1/2 cup minced onion
1/2 cup peanut oil
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons minced celery
2 tablespoons ketchup
4 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed for
about 30 seconds or until all of the ginger is well-pureed.
Makes 1 3/4 cups.

Benihana Style Steak

¼ cup Uncooked rice
6 oz sirloin steak - boneless
1 tbsp Peanut oil
2 large Mushrooms - sliced
Salt
Pepper
Cook rice according to package directions. Set aside.

Heat griddle to 350°F and pour on oil to coat surface.
Sear steak on both sides. Cut steak into strips. Return to
griddle along with mushroom slices.

Turn meat pieces until done to preference. Season with salt
and pepper to taste. Serve with boiled rice and magic mustard sauce.

Makes 1 serving.

Benihana Magic Mustard Sauce

1 tbsp Sesame seeds - crushed & toasted
3 tbsp Dry mustard
2 tbsp Hot water
3/4 cup Soy sauce
1/4 Garlic clove - crushed
3 tbsp Heavy cream - whipped

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place sesame seeds in flat pan in
oven to toast. (about 10 - 15 minutes) Mix mustard and water
in a small mixing bowl until it forms a paste. Place in blender
with sesame seeds, soy sauce and garlic. Blend at high speed
for about 1 minute. Remove and stir in whipped cream.

Benihana Japanese Fried Rice

4 cups cooked rice
1 cup frozen peas - thawed
2 tbsp finely grated carrot
2 eggs - beaten
½ cup diced onion
1½ tbsp butter
2 tbsp soy sauce
salt
pepper

Cook rice following instructions on package (Bring 2 cups
water to a boil, add rice and a dash of salt, reduce heat
and simmer in covered saucepan for 20 minutes). Pour rice
into a large bowl to let it cool in the refrigerator. Scramble
the eggs in a small pan over medium heat. Separate the scrambled
chunks of egg into small pea-size bits while cooking. When rice
has cooled to near room temperature, add peas, grated carrot,
scrambled egg and diced onion to the bowl. Carefully toss all
of the ingredients together. Melt 1½ tbsp of butter in a large
frying pan over medium/high heat. When butter has completely
melted, dump the bowl of rice and other ingredients into the
pan and add soy sauce plus a dash of salt and pepper. Cook
rice for 6-8 minutes over heat, stirring often.

Makes 4 servings.

Ben & jerry's fresh georgia peach ice cream

Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Desserts                         Fruits
                Copycat

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      c             Ripe peaches -- finely chopped
   1 1/4  c             Sugar
     1/2                Juice of lemon
   2      lg            Eggs
   2      c             Heavy or whipping cream
   1      c             Milk

The best way to capture the elusive flavor of summertime. Ben and Jerry prefer
small peaches because they have more flavor and less water than the larger
ones. Combine the peaches, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and the lemon juice in a
bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, stirring the mixture every 30
minutes. Remove the peaches from the refrigerator and drain the juice into
another bowl. Return the peaches to the refrigerator. Whisk the eggs in a
mixing bowl until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 3/4
cup sugar, a little at a time, then continue whisking until completely
blended, about 1 minute more. Pour in the cream and milk and whisk to blend.
Add the peach juice and blend. Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and
freeze following manufacturer's instructions. After the ice cream stiffens
(about 2 minutes before if is done) add the peaches, then continue freezing
until the ice cream is ready. Makes 1 generous quart.

Baskin-Robbins® Ice Cream Cake

Traditional white birthday cakes are pretty boring
by themselves.  Scoop a little ice cream onto the
plate and I'll perk up a bit.  But, hey baby, bring
a Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake to the party and I'll
be the first one in line with a plastic fork.  This
4500-unit ice cream chain stacks several varieties of
pre-made ice cream cakes in its freezer, but I've
discovered the most popular version, over and over
again, is the one made from white cake with pralines
and cream ice cream on top.  So that's got to be the
version we clone here.  But don't think you're locked
into this formula - you can use any flavor of cake and
ice cream you fancy for your homemade masterpiece.
Just be sure the ice cream you choose comes in a box.
  It should be rectangular shape so that the ice cream
layer stacks up right.  Then you'll want to find a real
sharp serrated knife to cut the ice cream in half while
it's in the box.  And check this out:  That white stuff
that coats the cake is actually softened ice cream spread
on a thin layer like frosting, and then re-frozen.
After it sets up, you can decorate the cake any way
you like with pre-made frosting in whatever color suits
your festive occasion.  Voilà!  You've just made an ice
cream cake at home that looks and tastes like those in the
stores that costs around 35 buck each.

Cake
1 box white cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 egg whites

1/2-gallon box pralines and cream ice cream
4 cups (2 pints) vanilla ice cream
1 12-ounce container white frosting

Optional
colored frosting 
A sharp bread knife makes box slicing easy 

Ice cream on top of the cake, and all the trimming 

1. Make your cake following the directions on the box.
If you are making the white cake you will likely blend
the cake mix with water, oil, and 3 eggs. Pour the batter
into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees
for 30 to 35 minutes. This will make a thin cake for our bottom
layer.  When cake is done, let it cool to room temperature.

2. When the cake has cooled, carefully remove it from the
pan and place it on a wax paper-covered cookie sheet, or a
platter or tray that will fit into your freezer.

3.  Use a sharp serrated knife (a bread knife works great)
to slice the ice cream lengthwise through the middle, box
and all, so that you have two 2-inch thick sheets of ice cream.
  Peel the cardboard off the ice cream and lay the halves next
to each other on the cake.  Slice the edges of the cake all
the way around so that the cake is the same size as the ice
cream on top.  Work quickly so that the ice cream doesn't melt.
  When the cake has been trimmed, place it into the freezer
for an hour or two.

4.  When you are ready to frost the cake, take the two pints
(4 cups) of vanilla ice cream out of the freezer for 20 to 30
minutes to soften.  Sitr the ice cream so that it is smooth,
like frosting.  Use a frosting knife or spatula to coat your
cake with about 2 cups of ice cream.  Cover the entire surface
thoroughly so that you cannot see any of the cake or ice cream
underneath.  Pop the cake into the freezer for an hour or so
to set up. 

5.  When the cake has set, fill a pastry bag (with a fancy tip)
with white frosting to decorate all around the top edge of the
cake.  Also decorate around the bottom of the cake.  Use colored
frosting and different tips to add inspired artistic flair and writing on the cake, as needed.  Cover the cake with plastic wrap and keep it in your freezer until party time.

6.  When you are ready to serve the cake, leave it out for 10
minutes before slicing.  Cut the cake with a sharp knife that
has been held under hot water.
Makes 1 large cake (16 - 20 servings).

Tidbits

You may wish to use another flavor cake mix such as chocolate
or devil's food for this dessert - even low-fat cake mix works.
It's up to you. Just follow the directions on the box for making
the cake in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
You can also use any flavor of ice cream. Just be sure to get
it in a box.

Baskin-Robbins® B.R. Blast®

Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins' idea to franchise their ice
cream stores for rapid growth was so inspired that the
company's former milk shake machine salesman, Ray Kroc,
adopted the technique to successfully expand his new chain
of McDonald's hamburger outlets.
     Ice cream is this chain's staple. So this coffee drink,
unlike the Frappuccino made famous by Starbucks, requires
adding ice cream for a creamy texture and rich taste.
If you've got a blender you can clone either of the two
varieties of this refreshing coffee beverage. For
chocoholics bent on everything mocha, just add some
chocolate syrup to the mix. 

Cappuccino
1 cup double-strength coffee (see Tidbits)
1 cup milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 heaping cup vanilla ice cream
2 cups crushed ice or ice cubes

Garnish
whipped cream
cinnamon

1. Combine the strong coffee, milk and sugar in a blender
and mix on medium speed for 15 seconds to dissolve sugar.
2. Add ice cream and ice then blend on high speed until smooth
and creamy.
3. Pour drink into two 16-ounce glasses. If desired, add
whipped cream to the top of each drink followed by a sprinkle
of cinnamon.
Makes 2 large drinks.

Mocha
For this version, add 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup to
the recipe above and prepare as described.

Tidbits
Make double-strength coffee in your coffee maker by adding
half the water suggested by the manufacturer. Allow coffee
to chill in the refrigerator before using it in this recipe.

BAKED BEANS LIKE BOSTON CHICKEN

Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Copycat Side dishes

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  14       c            Dried Onions
                        Reconstitute in 1/4 c hot
                        Water 5 minutes
  24                    Oz-Jar Great Northern Beans
   1       c            Hunt's Ketchup
     1/2   c            Open Pit Hickory Flavored
                        Bbq Sauce
   1       lg           Can Baked Beans

  While onions are softening, empty jar of northern
  beans into a 4-quart baking dish or pan. Add pork and
  beans to northern beans. Stir in onion, ketchup, BBQ
  sauce and ham. Bake, uncovered at 350~ about 30-35
  minutes or until piping hot. Stir 2-3 times during
  baking. Refrigerate covered, to use in 1 week. Freeze
  to use in 4 months.

Bailey's Irish Cream

Yield: 1 Servings

1 c Light cream
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 2/3 c Irish Whiskey
1 ts Instant coffee
2 tb Hershey's chocolate syrup
1 ts Vanilla
1 ts Almond extract

Combine all the ingredients in a blender set on high
speed for 30 seconds. Bottle in a tightly sealed container
and refrigerate. The liqueur will keep for at least 2
months if kept cool. Be sure to shake the bottle well
before serving.
Makes 4 cups.

Baby Ruth® Candy Bar

Beneath the chocolate of Nestlés popular candy bar
is a chewy, peanut-covered center that resembles
Hershey's PayDay. To clone this one we'll only have
to make a couple adjustments to the PayDay clone recipe,
then add the milk chocolate coating. Even though the
wrapper of this candy bar calls the center "nougat,"
it's more of a white or blonde fudge that you can make
in a saucepan on your stovetop with a candy thermometer.

Centers
1/4 cup whole milk
5 unwrapped caramels
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

20 unwrapped caramels
1 1/2 teaspoons water
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 12-ounce bag milk chocolate chips

1. Combine all ingredients for the centers, except the
powdered sugar, in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir
often as the caramel slowly melts. When the mixture is smooth,
add 3/4 cup of powdered sugar. Stir. Save the remaining 1/2
cup of powdered sugar for later.

2. Use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to exactly 230
degrees, stirring often, then turn off the heat.

3. When the temperature of the candy begins to drop, add the
remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar to the pan, then use a hand
mixer on high speed to combine. Keep mixing until the candy
cools and thickens and can no longer be mixed. That should take
a minute or two.

4. Let the candy cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, or until
it can be touched. Don't let it sit too long - you want the candy
to still be warm and pliable when you shape it. Take a
tablespoon-size portion and roll it between your palms or on a
countertop until it forms a roll the width of your index finger,
and measuring about 4 1/2-inches long. Repeat with the remaining
center candy mixture and place the rolls on wax paper. You should
have 8 rolls. Let the center rolls sit out for an hour or two to
firm up.   

5. Combine the 20 caramels with the 1 1/2 teaspoons of water in a
small saucepan over low heat. Stir often until the caramels melt
completely, then turn off the heat. If you work fast this caramel
will stay warm while you make the candy bars.

6. Pour the peanuts onto a baking sheet or other flat surface.
Using a basting brush and working quickly, "paint" a coating of
caramel onto one side of a center roll. Quickly turn the center
over, caramel side down, onto the peanuts and press gently so that
the peanuts stick to the surface of the candy. Paint more caramel
onto the other side of the roll and press it down onto the peanuts.
The candy should have a solid layer of peanuts covering all sides.
If needed, brush additional caramel onto the roll, then turn it onto
the peanuts to coat the roll completely. Place the candy bar onto
wax paper, and repeat with the remaining ingredients. Place these
bars into your refrigerator for an hour or two so that they firm up.

7. Pour the milk chocolate chips into a glass or ceramic bowl and zap
it in the microwave for 2 minutes on 50 percent power. Gently stir the chips, then heat for an additional 30 seconds at 50 percent power. Repeat if necessary, stirring gently after each 30 seconds. Don't overcook the chips or the chocolate will burn and seize up on you.

8. Drop a candy bar center into the melted milk chocolate. Cover the
candy bar with chocolate using two forks, one in each hand. When
the candy is covered with chocolate, balance the bar on both of the
forks, one at each end of the candy bar, and tap the forks on the
top edge of the bowl so that much of the chocolate drops off.
Carefully place the candy bar onto wax paper and remove the two
forks. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, and then chill the
candy bars until firm.
Makes 8 candy bars.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1       pk           Yeast
     1/4   c            Water -- warm
   6       tb           Olive oil -- + extra for pan
   6       c            Flour
   1       t            Salt  (Optional)
   2 1/4   c            Water -- warm
                        -----TOPPINGS-----
                        SEA SALT -- OR KOSHER SALT
                        Pepper -- ground
   4       tb           Olive Oil
                        Chopped Rosemary and Thyme
   2       tb           Water

  Mix together first six ingredients and let rise 30 to
  0 minutes. Divide dough into 3 parts and place in 3
  olive-oiled pie pans. Dimple dough with fingers. Mix
  olive oil and water, brush tops with this mixture.
  Sprinkle on top: sea salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme.
  Let rise 50 to 60 mins. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25
  minutes. May dip in olive oil. Peggy also says if the
  herbs are dried to soak in water 10 minutes and then
  pat dry with paper towels.

Auntie Anne's Pretzels

Servings Size: 1

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 tsp Yeast, 1/2 tsp Brown sugar, 1 tsp Salt, 1 1/2 c Water,
4 c Bread flour, 2 tsp Baking soda, 2 c Warm water, 1/2 lb Butter,
2 Tbsp Honey, White sugar Brown sugar.
*********
Preparation Instructions: Mix yeast, brown sugar, dash of salt
and 1 1/2 cups water. Let sit for five minutes. Add bread flour.
Knead well. Let rise for about one hour. Grease baking sheet.
Mix baking soda and warm water. Take a piece of dough and roll
and shape into a pretzel. The easiest way to shape is to roll
into a rope, whatever size you prefer. Pinch ends of rope then
bring ends of rope to other side of circle. Dip pretzels in
warm water and baking soda mixture and put on baking sheet.
Bake at 425F for about 12 minutes. While still hot, brush
with melted butter and honey. Sprinkle with white and brown
sugar (approx. half and half mixture).

Arby's® Sauce

Although the beef sandwiches from Arby's would
be very hard to duplicate since they are made
from specially processed beef hunks, thinly sliced,
this fast food chain's barbecue sauce can be cloned
easily. Now you can whip up this slightly tangy
sauce to put on your own homemade sandwich creations,
even barbecued ribs or chicken.

1 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons water
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and cook
over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce begins
to boil, 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Remove the sauce from the heat. Cover and allow to cool.
3. Pour into a covered container for storage in your refrigerator.
Keeps for a month or two.
Makes 1 cup.

Arby's® Jamocha Shake

Okay, wash out the blender; this one's been
begging to be cloned for years now. Arby's
famous Jamocha Shake was one of the first frozen
coffee drinks to gain popularity, even before
Starbucks pummeled us with Frappuccinos. This
thick drink is actually more milk shake than
coffee drink, but if you like the original,
you'll love this easy-to-make clone that serves two. 

1 cup cold coffee
1 cup low-fat milk
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 cups vanilla ice cream
3 tablespoons chocolate syrup

1. Combine the coffee, milk, and sugar in a blender and
mix on medium speed for 15 seconds to dissolve the sugar.
2. Add ice cream, and chocolate syrup then blend on high
speed until smooth and creamy. Stop blender and stir mixture
with a spoon if necessary to help blend ingredients.
3. Pour drink into two 16-ounce glasses.
Makes 2 large drinks.

Arby's® Bronco Berry® Sauce

This sweet and spicy jelly sauce comes on the side,
in little 1.5-ounce containers, with Arby's battered
jalapeno and cheese Side Kickers. But, you know, you
ust never get enough of the tasty gelatinous goo in
those little dipping packs to use later with your own
home-cooked delicacies.  And isn't it odd that the sauce
is called "Bronco Berry" when there's not a berry to be
found in there?  Sure, the sauce is bright red and sugary,
but you won't find a speck of fruit on the ingredients list.
Nevertheless, the sweet and spicy flavors make this a
delicious jelly sauce that has many uses beyond dipping
quick service finger foods.  For one, use it as a side
for your next batch of lamb chops rather than mint jelly.
It would take more than just a few blister packs to perk
u that meal.

3/4 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
3 tablespoons pectin
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vinegar
50 drops or 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
dash cayenne pepper
dash garlic powder
dash paprika
1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced canned jalapeno peppers 

1. Combine all the ingredients except the bell and minced
jalapeno peppers in a small saucepan. Whisk well.

2. Set saucepan over medium/high heat, uncovered. Add peppers
and bring mixture to a full boil, stirring often.

3. Reduce heat and simmer sauce for 5 to 7 minutes, or until
thick. Remove from heat and let sauce sit for about 10 minutes.
Stir and cover.

4. Use sauce when it reaches room temperature or cover and chill
until needed.
Makes 1 cup

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1       c            Mayo
   3       tb           Bottled horseraddish cream
                        Sauce
   1       tb           Sugar -- or
   2       pk           Equal

  Mix all well. Keep refrigerated, tightly covered to
  use in 2 weeks. Do not freeze.

Applebee's® Tequila Lime Chicken

It's one of Applebee's top-selling signature dishes
and a big request here on the site. This tasty dish
combines the tangy flavor of the tequila lime marinade
with creamy southwestern-style dressing, and tops it all
off with a melted cheese blend. Just be sure you don't
marinate the chicken longer than the 3 to 4 hours, or the
citric acid in the lime juice may toughen the chicken.
The bed of crispy corn tortilla strips can be easily
cloned with crumbled store-bought corn chips, but if
you want strips like those served at the restaurant,
just follow the "tidbits" below. Serve this dish with
your choice of rice (Spanish rice is recommended),
along with some pico de gallo (you can find a recipe here)
or salsa on the side.

Marinade
1 cup water
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon mesquite liquid smoke flavoring
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon tequila

4 chicken breast fillets

Mexi-Ranch Dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons minced tomato
1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon minced canned jalapeno slices (nacho slices)
1 teaspoon minced onion
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
dash garlic powder
dash ground black pepper

1 cup shredded cheddar/monterey jack cheese blend
2 cups crumbled corn chips or fried tortilla strips (see tidbits)

1. Prepare marinade by combining marinade ingredients
in a medium bowl. Add the chicken to the bowl, cover and
chill for 2 to 3 hours.

2. Make the mexi-ranch dressing by combining all of the
ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well until smooth, then
cover dressing and chill it until needed.

3. When you are ready to prepare the entree, preheat the
oven to high broil. Also, preheat your barbecue or indoor
grill to high heat. When the grill is hot cook the marinated
chicken breasts for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until
they're done.

4. Arrange the cooked chicken in a baking pan. Spread a
layer of mexi-ranch dressing over each piece of chicken
(you'll have plenty left over), followed by 1/4 cup of
the shredded cheese blend. Broil the chicken for 2 to 3
minutes, or just until the cheese has melted.

5. Spread a bed of 1/2 cup of the tortilla strips or crumbled
corn chips on each of four plates. Slide a chicken breast onto
the chips on each plate and serve with your choice of rice,
and pico de gallo, or salsa. (http://www.topsecretrecipes.com)
Serves 4.

Tidbits

Crumbling store-bought tortilla chips is the easy way to
make the bed of crunchy chips that the tequila lime chicken
rests on. But, you can make tortilla strips like those served
at the restaurant by cutting a stack of eight 6-inch corn
tortillas in half. Stack the halves on top of each other and
slice the tortillas into thin strips. Fry the tortilla strips
in 2 cups of oil preheated in a large skillet for 3-5 minutes
or until crispy. Salt lightly and cool on paper towels to drain.

Applebee's 60-item menu is revised twice a year.
That means about 40 percent of the entire menu
changes on a regular basis. The other 60 percent
are items that are found on menus in all of the
Applebee's restaurants, and seldom ever change.
One item that has been on the menu for some time
now is this Oriental Chicken salad, which is
considered one of the restaurant's signature
items. The recipe makes one dinner-size salad
and can be easily doubled or quadrupled for
additional servings. This recipe comes from
the third book, "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes,"
but the dressing has been improved to more closely
match the current dressing served at the restaurant.


Oriental Dressing
3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons rice winevinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon sesame oil

Salad
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast half
2-4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup red cabbage
1 cup Napa cabbage
1/2 carrot, julienned or shredded
1 green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon sliced almonds
1/3 cup chow mein noodles

1. Preheat oil in deep fryer or deep pan over medium heat.
You want the temperature of the oil to be around 350 degrees.

2. Blend together all ingredients for dressing in a small
bowl with an electric mixer. Put dressing in refrigerator
to chill while you prepare the salad.

3. In a small, shallow bowl beat egg, add milk, and mix well.

4. In another bowl, combine flour with corn flake crumbs, salt
and pepper.

5. Cut chicken breast into 4 or 5 long strips. Dip each strip
of chicken first into egg mixture then into the flour mixture,
coating each piece completely.

6. Fry each chicken finger for 5 minutes or until coating has
darkened to brown.

7. Prepare salad by tossing the chopped romaine with the chopped
red cabbage, Napa cabbage, and carrots.

8. Sprinkle sliced green onion on top of the lettuce.

9. Sprinkle almonds over the salad, then the chow mein noodles.

10. Cut the chicken into small bite-size chunks. Place the
chicken onto the salad forming a pile in the middle. Serve
with salad dressing on the side.

Makes 1 dinner-size salad.

Applebee's original Blackened Chicken Salad quickly became
a favorite, encouraging this popular full-service chain to
create a low-fat version of the delish dish. While most of
the fat in the original comes from the tasty honey mustard
dressing, this version creates a dressing that tastes just
as good, yet has not a single gram of fat. Combine that with
fresh lettuce, shredded carrot, a little egg white, non-fat
shredded cheese, and a delicious Cajun spice blend which
generously coats chicken seared in light butter then grilled,
and you have a majorly munchable salad which is incredibly
easy on the waistline. Who says you need gobs of fat to create
a tasty meal?

Dressing
1/4 cup fat free mayonnaise
1/4 cup Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/8 teaspoon paprika

Chicken Marinade
1 cup water
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire

Cajun Spice Blend
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons light butter

Salad
8 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/2 cup fat free shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup fat free shredded cheddar cheese
1 large tomato, diced
1 hardboiled egg white, diced

1. Make dressing by combining ingredients in a small bowl.
Mix well by hand. Store in a covered container in the
refrigerator until salad is ready.

2. Combine water, lime juice, soy sauce, and Worcestershire
in a medium bowl, and stir. Add the chicken breasts to the
marinade, cover bowl and keep in refrigerator for several hours.
Overnight is even better.

3. When chicken is marinated, preheat a frying pan or skillet
(an iron skillet, if you’ve got it) over medium/high heat. Also,
preheat your barbecue grill to medium/high heat.

4. Combine the spices for the Cajun spice blend in a small bowl.
Sprinkle a teaspoon of the spice blend over one side of each of
the chicken breasts. Cover the entire surface of the chicken
with spice.

5. Melt the butter in the hot pan, then sear the chicken breasts
for 2-3 minutes on the side with the spices. While first side
cooks, sprinkle another teaspoon of spice over the top of each
chicken breast, coating that side as you did the other. Flip the
chicken over, and sear for another 2-3 minutes. The surface of
the chicken will be coated with a charred, black layer of flavor.
This is exactly what you are shooting for.

6. Finish the chicken off on your barbecue grill. Grill each breast
on both sides for 2-3 minutes, or until they are done.

7. While chicken is cooking prepare the salads by splitting the
lettuce into two large bowls. Toss in the red cabbage and carrots.
Mix the cheeses together, then top the salad with the cheeses
and hardboiled egg. Sprinkle the diced tomato on each salad.

8. Slice the chicken breast, across each breast in 1/2-inch-thick
slices. Spread the chicken over the top of the salad and serve
immediately with dressing on the side. Serves 2 as an entree.

As the seasons change so does the menu, at this
popular 1064-unit casual restaurant chain. You’ll
find this item in the “Low-Fat and Fabulous” column
during the summer months where it’s been a favorite
since 1997. As with any salad, the waistline violator
is the traditionally fat-filled dressing that’s
drizzled in gobs over the top of very healthy greens
(a tablespoon of dressing is usually around 10-12
grams of fat each). So if we can just figure out a
cool way to make the dressing fat-free, we’re well
on our way to making huge salad â€" four of them to be
exact â€" with only 12 grams of fat on the entire plate.
Most of those grams come from the chicken breast, while
the crunchy chow mein noodles pick up the rest. Just be
sure to plan ahead when you make this one. The chicken
should marinate for a few hours if you want it to taste
like the original. Get ready for some big, meal-size salads. 
1 cup teriyaki marinade
4 chicken breast fillets
Fat-Free Asian Dressing
2 cups water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons dry pectin
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
8 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
3 cups shredded red cabbage
3 cups shredded green cabbage
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup chopped green onion
1 1/3 cups crispy chow mein noodles

1. Combine teriyaki marinade and chicken breasts in a medium
bowl or resealable plastic bag. Marinate chicken for 3-4 hours.
2. Prepare the dressing by combining all of the ingredients
in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a
rolling boil while stirring often with a whisk, then remove
the pan from the heat to cool. When dressing has cooled, pour
it into a covered container and chill.
3. When chicken breasts have marinated, preheat barbecue grill
to high heat. Grill chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until
done.
4. Combine the romaine and iceberg lettuce, red and green cabbage
and 1 cup of shredded carrots in a large bowl with the dressing.
Toss well.
5. Divide the tossed greens among four plates. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of
green onions over each salad, followed by 1/3 cup of crispy chow
mein noodles.
6. When the chicken breasts are done, slice each one, widthwise,
into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle the sliced chicken breasts over
each salad.
7. Place a 1/4 cup pile of shredded carrots in the center of
each salad.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size â€" 1 salad
Total servings â€" 4
Fat (per serving) â€" 12g
Calories (per serving) â€" 575

Ah, if only kitchen cloning was an exact science.
While working on this one I saw the same bartender
make the drink two different ways on two different
days. Only after a firm grilling did I get her
admitting to her personal "improvement" to the chain's
secret recipe. The official clone includes the
ingredients found below. But if you want to add a little
pineapple juice -- as some independent thinking
bartenders are apt to do -- you might discover you
have indeed created a tastier version of this refreshing
smoothie. On that day the cloning gods shall be looking
the other way.

But, for heaven's sake, be sure your banana is soft
and ripe. This is a detail the gods won't ignore.

1 10-ounce box frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
1/3 cup pina colada mix
2 cups ice
2 ripe bananas

Garnish
whipped cream
2 fresh strawberries

1. Use a blender to puree the entire contents of the thawed
box of frozen strawberries.

2. Add 1/3 cup pina colada mix and 2 cups of ice to the blender.

3. Cut the end off end banana -- set these pieces aside to use
later as a garnish -- then put the bananas into the blender.

4. Blend on high speed until the ice is crushed and the drink
is smooth. Pour into two tall stemmed glasses, such as daiquiri
glasses.

5. Slice each strawberry halfway up through the middle and add
one to the rim of each glass.

6. Cut each banana slice halfway through the middle and add one
to the rim of each glass next to the strawberry. Top with
whipped cream and serve with a straw.
Makes 2 servings.

Don't even try to find this one on the menu at Applebee's,
because it isn't there; though it's the most popular soup
served each day at this huge restaurant chain.  This is the
first of several big-time soup clones we'll unveil here in
the next few weeks to help get you through the cold winter
months. And they're all a cinch to make. Just be sure you
have some oven-safe soup bowls for this one, since we'll
have to broil it a bit before serving. Under the gooey
melted provolone of the original version you get from A
pplebee's is a unique round crouton that's made from bread
similar to a hamburger bun. So that's exactly what we'll use
in our clone.

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 medium white onions, sliced
8 cups beef broth (Swanson is best)
1 cup water
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
5 plain hamburger buns
10 slices provolone cheese
10 teaspoons shredded parmesan cheese

1. Add 3 tablespoons oil to a large soup pot or saucepan
over medium/high heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté
for 20 minutes until the onions begin to soften and start
to become translucent. You don't want them to brown.

2. Add the beef broth, water, salt, garlic powder and
black pepper to the pan and bring mixture to a boil.
When soup begins to boil, reduce heat and simmer for
45 minutes.

3. To make the croutons cut off the top half of each top
of the hamburger bun so that the bread is the same thickness
as the bottom half of each bun. Throw the tops away. Now you
should have 10 round pieces of bread -- 5 bottom buns, and 5
top buns with the tops cut off. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Place the bread in the the oven directly on the rack and bake
for 15 to 20 minutes or until each piece is golden brown
and crispy. Set these croutons aside until you need them.

4. When the soup is done, spoon about 1 cup into an oven-safe
bowl. Float a crouton on top of the soup, then place a slice
of provolone cheese on top of the crouton. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon
of shredded parmesan cheese over the provolone.

5. Place the bowl into your oven set to high broil. Broil the
soup for 5 to 6 minutes or until the cheese is melted and
starting to brown (you may need to broil longer if you are
making more than one bowl at a time). Sprinkle an additional
1/2 teaspoon of shredded parmesan cheese over the top of the
soup and serve. Repeat process to prepare remaining servings.
Makes 10 servings.

Notes:  This is a great summer relish to serve with chips,
or even on a hamburger.

INGREDIENTS:
3 large tomatoes diced, 1 large onion diced
2 Tbsp. diced Jalapenos, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (diced)
2 tsp. Salt, 1/2 tsp. black pepper, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 Tbsp. white vinegar
*********
Preparation Instructions: Mix all ingredients together in
large container until well blended. Allow to sit for at least
6 hours, it is better if allowed to sit overnight.

Recipe By     : Mary Ann Housman (WW leader)
Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Copycat

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  12      ounces        Low fat ice cream -- softened
   1      cup           Low fat Cool Whip
     1/4  cup           Crunchy peanut butter
   1      package       Sugar free Chocolate pudding
   3      ounces        Grape Nut cereal

Mix together ice cream, Cool Whip, peanut butter and pudding.
Fold in Grape Nuts.
Spread in 8x8 inch pan and freeze.

A1-Sauce

Recipe By     : Gloria Pitzer
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Copycat Condiments

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  C             Dark Molasses
   2                    Green onions -- chop
   3      Tbsp          Coarse salt (kosher)
   3      Tbsp          Dry mustard
   1      Tsp           Paprika
     1/4  Tsp           Cayene
   1                    Clove garlic -- crush or
   1      Tsp           Garlic powder
   1                    Anchovy fillet; chop -- or
   1      tbsp          Anchovey paste
   6      tbsp          Fresh taramind -- or
   1      tbsp          Taramind extract
   1      tsp           Pepper
     1/2  tsp           Fenugreek
     1/2  tsp           Powdered ginger
     1/2  tsp           Ground cinnamon
   1      tsp           Powdered cloves
     1/2  tsp           Caradamen seeds
   3      drops         Tabasco
   6      oz            Rhine wine
   2      oz            Rose wine
   1      pt            White vinegar
   1      tbsp          Kitchen Bouquet
   1      tbsp          Postum Powder

Put all spices (except last 6 ingr.) through blender till fine powder.
Place over low heat with half vinegar and simmer 1 hr; adding rest of
vinegar alittle at a time as mixture is reduced in bulk. Stir in
tabasco, wines, kitchen bouquet. Cook 3 min to dissolve. Remove from
heat. Pour into crock or tuperware container (2qt) Let stand covered for
1 week. Then strain thru cheese- cloth, six times.
bottle and cap tightly. Keep refrigerated indefinely.
Freeze to keep for years.

By the Philippine Daily Inquirer
& Cebu Daily News

After sundown, tourists would travel by boat to Jandayan Island off Bohol and go diving to look at the luminous seahorses swimming among corals in the dark waters.

For over 10 years, the seahorses have thrived in the waters off Getafe town in Jandayan, along with fish, corals and other marine life.

The fisher folk and officials of Barangay (village) Handumon helped make this possible. They banded together to put up, manage and protect a marine sanctuary out in the sea since 1995 despite meager resources and little support from the national government.

The sanctuary has been adjudged the most outstanding marine protected area (MPA) in the country by the MPA Support Network (MSN), a multi-sectoral alliance of organizations seeking to protect the marine environment.

“To a large extent, they have shown that they were consistently managing their areas,” University of the Philippines' Marine Science Institute Professor Porfirio Aliño, MSN coordinator, said after the awards held at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City recently.

“You need to show that it has been sustained for a long time. It's quite a challenge if you think that it has been sustained for 20 years,” he added.

According to Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, the establishment of the MPAs has not been a priority because these are seen as constraints on the fisher folk's goal of maximizing fish yields.

“The finalists were able to shift this negative perception through practical and appropriate strategies,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by Dr. Mundita Lim, director of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau.

The MSN sees the MPAs, like the Handumon marine sanctuary, as crucial to protecting the country's dwindling marine resources.

After decades of illegal fishing, only five percent of the country's coral reefs are in excellent condition. On the other hand, only 30 percent of the original 450,000-hectare mangrove forests remain due to logging.

For the past 30 years, over 500 MPAs have been established in the country's municipal waters, but success in managing them have been “uneven,” according to the network.

Most MPAs have been hobbled by weak governance, weak law enforcement and prosecution systems, lack of funds, insufficient logistical support, conflicting interests and lack of coordination.

But still, there are some that stand out for their sustainability and good practices.

The 50-hectare Handumon marine sanctuary is part of a large barrier reef in the waters of Bohol, teeming with fish, seashells and thick mangroves, according to the MSN.

It was delineated and established in 1995, an act made official by a municipal ordinance passed three years later.

Its establishment came naturally for mostly seaweed farmers and fishers who, years earlier, set up their Kapunungan sa Nagkahiusang Mananagat ug Lumulupyo sa Handumon (Kanagmaluhan) to protect the area from poachers and illegal fishers and reverse the dwindling trend in the fish population.

The Haribon Foundation also set up a Project Seahorse Foundation in Handumon to protect its population of seahorses.

“At first, there was resistance,” said Elvira Buhol, president of Kanagmaluhan and village secretary of Handumon, who traveled by ship and plane from Bohol to receive the trophy and the P100,000 cash prize.

“Little by little, we managed to convince them by telling them that eventually fish will come back, and we wouldn't need to fish in the neighboring town's waters,” she added.

Posters on sanctuary rules were produced and fish wardens were trained on environmental protection.

Haribon trained the staff to make handicraft and eventually organize seahorse watching tours for locals and foreigners to finance the management of the marine sanctuary.

At least two percent of the earnings from Kanagmaluhan"s handicraft industry, supplemented by barangay and municipal funds, went to the maintenance of the sanctuary, according to the MSN.

Over the years, the fisherfolk and the village officials strongly enforced fishery laws and regularly undertook mangrove planting and coastal cleanups. They eventually turned the sanctuary into a marine research station.

The result was increased fish catch.

“After five years, the fish started coming back and there was no need to fish in other fishing grounds,” Buhol said.

The Sagay marine reserve in Sagay City, Negros Oriental, home to 60 genera of hard and soft corals, 107 fish species and giant clams, placed second.

The Twin Rocks fish sanctuary in Mabini, Batangas, which teems with a variety of reef fish and shellfish, placed third.

The MSN is composed of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, PAWB, Bureau of Local Governance Development, and the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Resources and Development.

Other members include Conservation International, UP-MSI, Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, WWF, Haribon, Pamana Ka Sa Pilipinas, Silliman University's Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, Community-based Coastal Resource Management-Resource Center, Mindanao State University, Xavier University, Tanggol Kalikasan, Resources Environment and Economics Center for Studies Inc.

“All these show that if people are united and have a common vision and they see themselves as stewards of the areas, they can sustain these sanctuaries,” Aliño said.

From elementary to high school I walked 6 kilometers a day. Lisud pa mangita ug tricycle sa Anda adto na time. Baklay buntag ug hapon paingon sa school. Balon lang ug luto sa tupperware para paniudto. Pero usahay mouli ug udto kay mohigop ug sabaw sa kamunggay sa balay. I was slim then tungod to sa walking.

By Jerry E. Esplanada
<a href="http://www.inquirer.net">Philippine Daily Inquirer</a>

The Department of Education on Thursday warned against the holding of lavish Christmas parties in public elementary and high schools nationwide.

Public school teachers should also "refrain from collecting contributions for such parties from their students," Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus said, adding that Yuletide parties "need not be extravagant."

"The usual school celebrations before the Christmas break should be as simple as possible," he emphasized in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.

At the same time, Lapus said he has reminded school officials to seriously consider cost-cutting measures when holding Christmas parties.

He said the DepEd has yet to receive reports of unauthorized collections from students by school officials.

Lapus also disclosed his department will hold a nationwide gift-giving program for indigent school kids on December 20.

"Once again, we will have Tuloy ang Pasko ng mga Bata where all DepEd divisions nationwide will distribute Christmas presents to poor kids," he said.

This year, "the department's target is two million children," Lapus added.

The DepEd reminded public schools anew not to force students to pay school fees in the form of "voluntary contributions."

The Philippines has recorded nearly 40,000 cases of dengue fever in the first 11 months of the year, the health department said Thursday.

The number of cases for the 11 months had risen 11.7 percent over the same period last year to 37,538, said the department's dengue programme coordinator Lyndon Lee Suy.

"Despite the increase, we have not touched the epidemic threshold," Suy said.

The department has said about 290 people had died from dengue fever in the first 10 months of the year, though Suy did not have statistics for November.

Health officials earlier this year warned of a possible epidemic of dengue fever in Asia. The World Health Organisation said in July that 2007 could be on a par with 1998, when nearly 1,500 people died in the region from the disease.

There is no known cure or vaccine to fight dengue fever, which is transmitted by a bite of the white-spotted mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

news.yahoo.com and AFP

Reuters - Cebu Pacific, the Philippines' biggest budget airline, expects to raise up to 12.45 billion pesos in net proceeds from an initial public offering early next year.

The company, a unit of conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc , plans to debut on the stock market in the first quarter of 2008, a company source told Reuters on Thursday.

Cebu Pacific expects to price its IPO at up to 95 pesos per share, documents from the securities regulator showed. The company plans to offer 72 million primary shares and 63.43 million secondary shares to the public.

The country's second-largest airline after flag carrier Philippine Airlines [PHL.UL], Cebu Pacific has benefited from an improving domestic economy, which has seen more Filipinos opt for air travel to criss-cross the archipelago and the region.

A large diaspora of overseas workers also provides a large customer base and Cebu Pacific has said it expected its total passenger traffic to reach 5 million this year from 3.5 million last year, rising to 10 million in 2013.

Local business contributes about two-thirds of its total revenue and capacity but the company, which flies to eight Asian destinations and plans to add four new regional routes soon, has said it expects regional revenues to grow 50 percent in five years from 2007.

Cebu Pacific has picked UBS as its sole international underwriter, bookrunner and lead manager. ING Bank and First Metro Investment Corp will be joint domestic lead underwriters.

news.yahoo.com

Manila (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Chinese automaker Geely Group Co. Ltd. on Tuesday said it plans to put up an assembly plant in the north Philippines' Subic Bay Freeport Zone, for the production of its affordable Geely cars line.

The company, through its local unit Geely Cars Philippines, said 2,000 units of its hatchback and sedan models will be shipped through Subic, for dealers and customers in Metro Manila and other places nearby, Philippines television network ABS-CBN News reported. The firm plans to eventually open 12 dealerships in the country by next year.

Source:
Business in Asia Today - Dec. 5, 2007
published by Asia Pulse

Quote from: stone 1 on December 11, 2007, 06:58:15 PM
jappy..ganahan unta ko adto Goodgiver-Orchids..i call you in short Goody-Orchy whew
pero Orchids sounds more..super-tropper


Dong Mike...,
hilfeeee...give me one chance gusto ko ibalik ako Username pero dli na pwede,
(as i check through my profile)...whaaaa

stone 1, are you the blueangel? you see, wa na ko kaila nimo kinsa ka. if you wish blueangel as your display name, finalize it and i will change your name now.

Dear All Members, Sponsors and Donors,

We would also like to REMIND you to attend our very first
Year End "ONLINE Meeting" on December 16, 2007 at 4:00 pm (Swedish Time).

We have created a Filipino Charity Forum for this purpose.

Steps on how to Join the Meeting:

1.  Please follow the link here: http://charity.wearefilipinos.com/index.php

2. Register! (Please use your real name as your User Name)

3. Log-in

4. Proceed to FGCA EB Category

5. Click Annual Meeting!

For those who are living outside Sweden, pls refer to this site for the current date and time
in Sweden.

http://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_SE.aspx


Agenda:

Scholar in Cebu

Fund Raising Project

Other Matters

See you all at the meeting!


Maria Nenita Frondell, Secretary, FGCA
www.filipinocharity.org

Quote from: orChids on December 11, 2007, 06:50:24 PM
I agree....... I will be the Orchids of TB.......for lyf!..

And for you, Orchids, let your fragrance spread all over our hearts and minds here in Tubag Bohol.

Quote from: Ginger on December 11, 2007, 06:50:13 PM
hahahahah fine with me...I love my name!

how about some salabat, Mike?

I love to hear the name Ginger. But let me call you, Hazel, on chat and over the phone.

Only under extreme circumstances will you be allowed to change display name.

Reason: as pointed out by Asianfairy - ma-confused ta kon kinsa ni siya or kinsa to siya. Apil na ko na-confuse. Naglibog na kon kinsa akong mga higala kay nangausab na ang ngalan. Exchanging of thoughts and feelings must be sealed with definite, accurate identity.

From now on, finalize your display name. As long as Tubag Bohol exists in the web universe, you can no longer change your identity. This is to preserve our intimacy as real friends.

For Ginger, she cannot change her name to "Luy-a". This is just an example.

Quote from: Glen on November 19, 2007, 06:41:22 AM
A surprise visit at the Provincial hospital. Kay naa daghan mga bata og tigulang nga masakiton mag spend og Christmas og New Year.
Kay makahinomdom ko sa una nga akung lolo nag christmas sa hospital pag bisita namo after christmas nanghatag ko og ginagmay sa iyang
room mate og mga silingan nga kwarto sos sangko jod sa atop ang ilang kalipay naho kay bisan kuno wala sila ma ilhi pero naapilan pod sila hatag.
Mora jod ko nakahilak sa kalooy nila...So I plan to do it again, random lang ba dile tanan.

Unya lets visit the Governor's office aron mosikat ang TB pa picture dayon sa governador atung e apil si GEC.

Ang ikatulo adto dayon sa radio station sama sa DYRD kinakusgan pod...Magpa pa on air mo great lang og pasalamat sa atung nabuhat.
Atung kusog pasalamat ni Mike Ligalig. Mao rani akung suggestions.


Naa bay member ani sa CONBUSAC?

Orphanage.
Street Kids.
Hospital Visit.
These are great acts of human love and kindness. Thanks, Gem.

Quote from: Ginger on December 11, 2007, 03:51:03 PM
nag re-upload naku. abi naku ang mug mahimong balde.

Zel, you make me smile.

Quote from: lindy on December 11, 2007, 02:52:08 PM
thanks mike...

Is this you, Lindy? Are they your parents?

We should always be proud of our Boholano heritage.

Quote from: ms da binsi on December 11, 2007, 01:48:50 PM
hala sigi dayun!!!

abtik kaayu oi!!!

ms da binsi, kanus-a nato isuroy nang imong t-shirt na "tubag bohol goes global"?

Quote from: orChids on December 11, 2007, 01:29:29 PM
Hehe......paghimo ug balak para sa mga girls sa TB Bro. (requestttttt)hehehe

Sis, mananghid sa ko sa commander-in-chief...

sinulat ni m. ligalig

giinom ko ang imong pahiyom
apan nahubog ko sa imong katawa

sa imong pagtalidhay
nasapnay ko ang imong buhok

ug mikapyot ka sa akong abaga
kay buot kang motagay
sa gikutaw kong kahimatngon

Dear Friends, I am reposting this PM of Bobby Estomata, with his permission.
We need to get in touch with Mr. Lajos, the tricycle driver who returned a lost bag with P73,000 cash in it.
----------------------
Hi Mike,

Hats off to Mr. Cecilio Lajos of Upper Calceta St., Tagbilaran City!

I would like to give Mr Lajos a simple gift:  five (5) sets of personal accident insurance at P25,000 per set.

Do you know where can I mail these? Or can I course these to you?

Thanks,


BOBBY ESTOMATA
World Class Health Insurance Agency
(032) 255.6262 - Cebu office
09228547111 - Sun Cellular

...next story is my friendship with Asianfairy...

daghan pa ko ug e-recall but I have to finish my exam papers sa.

more recollections soon...

Now, let me share with you about C2H4.

She was a perfect stranger to me. That was before she joined Tubag Bohol.

I don't remember myself reaching out to her (now I feel guilty; I should be the one who should have reached out to her), but I often read her comments (and i would think: "Hmmm, she writes well). Then there were afternoons (Thailand time and midnight for her) that she would send me PM (personal message), saying (I don't know if it was a grumble or whining): "Mingaw kaayo ang payag, Mr. Admin." And I would reply her with these words: "Please, don't call me Admin. Just Mike." I didn't know her and I kept asking myself: "Kinsa man kaha ni siya ha?" But one day I sent her a PM: "Tell me, what is your real name, C2H4." And the rest is history.

She was doing that all the time: sending PMs informing me (though I already knew) nga mingaw lagi ang Tubag Bohol. And I would say to her: "Bibo man, lahi man gud atong time zone." Usually, the European girls (led by Ginger and Asianfairy) would be feasting on Tubag Bohol at dawn time (work time for C2H4).

Looking back, I could say that ang magpugas ug friendship mag-ani ug friendship.

Si Ethyl ang nagpugas adto kay siya man ang tig-PM nako at first. It was Ethyl who planted a hybrid seed of friendship but we both are reaping the joys of friendship. I believe siya gyud ang nagpugas ug ako ang tigbisbis. How did I do that? Ako siyang gisungog sauna nga akong pangitaon every information about her. In our first chat at YM, I told her: "You live in --------, -------- . And your relatives are -----------." She replied: "Mike, you scare me to death. How did you know that? This is really scary." Until now I haven't told her how I happen to know something personal about her.

Today, we keep on exchanging many personal stories - bisan unsa lang. No need to scare her. Apil na ana ang mga secrets.

When I go to heaven, I will ask God nga magsilingan mi ug balay ni C2H4.

Just last week I received a message from a Bol-anon who has been browsing Tubag Bohol for quite some time.

She said that she did not register and join our discussion because it seems that everyone knows everybody and all appear to be close friends with each other.

I told her that my friends in Tubag Bohol were completely strangers to me before. I said that I haven't seen and touched most of them. The same with others: they have not met and seen each other personally.

Admittedly, she feels like an outsider. I told her that she should not feel that way because we welcome anyone that comes to Tubag Bohol and we don't discriminate anyone and that we just want to build stronger friendship and camaraderie among each other while we live away from our homeland Bohol.

This brings me to the question: why are we friends?

My answer to that is: he/she who sows friendships will reap friendship.

Let me cite one of the many models of a friendly Bol-anon. His display name is Lorenzo. When he first came here, he was totally a stranger to us. I remember that on his early days in Tubag Bohol he just kept on replying to comments though he has not been part of the thread and he relentlessly shared his thoughts on many topics. Now, he's a friend to all in Tubag Bohol. Why? Because he opened his world to us and we came in.

Whether you're online or offline, the principle is the same: ang magpugas ug panaghigala mag-ani ug panaghigala.

...more on this topic later... 

Zaritz, we're glad you've found us.

Welcome to our homeland in the web universe.

Dear Friends,

I've increased the avatar size to 20 % bigger than the previous setting.
If you have time, kindly re-upload your avatar so that you could avail of a bigger picture size in your profile.

Thank you,
Mike

Crime volume in Central Visayas from January to November 2007 declined by 35 percent compared to the same period of last year based on the record of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7).

PRO-7 Chief Gen. Ronald Roderos during the monthly 'Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis' (TSIP) Forum this morning bared that police efforts to curb crimes and maintain peace and order paid off.

Street crimes also decreased by 50 percent in the region, according to Roderos.

In a breakdown of index crimes reported in the whole region, physical injuries recorded from January to November 2006 were 2,714 which decreased to 1,828 compared to the same period this year, a decline by 32.6 percent.

For theft, recorded for the past 11 months last year was 2,635 which dipped to 1,857 or a reduction of 29.5 percent.

Robbery cases went down from 1,178 from January to November 2006 to 861 cases for the same period this year, a drop of 26.9 percent.

Murder cases also dipped from 558 in 2006 to 437 cases this year while the 229 homicide cases last year dropped to 195 this year and rape cases recorded was at 223 also declined to 151 this year. The comparative statistics were taken from January to November 2006 and the same period for 2007.

PRO-7 Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division Deputy Chief P/Supt. Melvin Gayotin who gave the breakdown of the crime volume per province and key cities from January to November 2006 and 2007 said that except for Siquijor Province which posted a minimal increase in index crimes from 29 to 39 cases, all the rest reported a decrease in crime volume of index crimes.

Cebu Province posted a decrease in index crimes from 2,270 cases to 1,802 or a 20.6 percent drop while Bohol had 871 cases down to 833 and Oriental Negros data revealed that from 533 cases, this went down to 423, dipping 20.6 percent.

Cebu City's index crimes also went down by 20.6 percent from 2,270 cases to 1,802 while Mandaue City had the biggest drop with 38 percent from 519 cases to 321.

Gayotin also revealed that the crime solution efficiency rate for both index and non index crimes in the region increased from 77 percent to 78.52 percent for the period from January to November 2006 and 2007 respectively.

For index crimes, crime solution efficiency rate was pegged from 66.31 percent in 2006 which improved to 67.54 percent for the past 11 months in 2007.

May the good Lord bring justice for Cora.

By Boy Guingguing
Publisher
Bohol Sunday Post

You would think that being that powered mad, nothing will stand in the way if political ambition is the name of the game?

This is where we are going to doff our hat when two power-driven ladies whose daughters were touted as having to slug it out in the coming elections for Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation.

Knowing Loay Mayor May Lim-Imboy as one lady who cannot take no for an answer, we were surprised that one day she appeared meek as a lamb when she was prevailed upon by an equally aggressive politician in Trinidad Mayor Judith "Baby" Cajes.

The result: the public billed as the audience of a spectacular fight to the finish of two rich scions was reduced to an innocent bystander of a so-so encounter.

Blame it to the skillful negotiating tactic of Mayor Cajes? Not at all, to our mind.

Or being the daughter of a congressman means too much firepower that the Lim-Imboys cannot match.? It cannot be that way, either.

Had a showdown was exposed to the full sunburn of a tit-for-tat spectacle, throwing the Lim-Imboy scion to the lion's den without putting up a fight is out of character for the wealthy clan. This BGlante don't think that the old rich Lim family would just sit in the sidelines and allow a certified war heiress to be bearded to her bare essentials.

Since the Lim-Imboys have the wherewithal to wage a down-the wire showdown, for God's sake, running for public office sans a fight is against the family's political religion.

So what stands in the way of a much publicized Imboy-Cajes one-n-one.

No we know that friendship which is an expensive commodity to some, is second nature to the Imboys and the Cajeses.

Believe it or not, as we said earlier knowing the character of Mayor Imboy, it would be impossible that plain friendship can shot down a well-entrenched ambition to grab the SK prized plum.

Yes, Virginia, the friendship of the two ambition-driven ladies torpedoed whatever pompous billing of a battle royale in the SK provincial federation race.

But wait, don't be discouraged with the outcome of the supposedly exciting match between the Cajes daughter and that of the mayor of Trinidad.

If plans do not miscarry, the Cajes scion may wake up one day that everything is not nice in the SK provincial federation presidency.

We have it from a good authority that the daughter of G-Hernandez Mayor Myrna Scheurs may be a power to reckon with in the SK presidency what with the backing of the Group of Ten and businessman Angelo Balili.

If this report has a ring of truth, then the Cajeses will have a real nightmare in the offing. Knowing Balili's

penchant for the underdog, the SK playing field will more or less be leveled with neither party claiming the upper hand.

Nobody knows from Adam about the Scheurs scion except that she too is a kid off the old block . But if reports from the field boosted the belief that the Scheurs daughter is supported by Cong. Adam Relson Jala, you better believe me that it's one hell of a fight.

With the built-in wealth of the Scheurs (according to reports they practically controlled the prime businesses of G-Hernandez) plus the solid support of the Group of 10, add to all this the financial muscle of Balili and Jala, what do you get?

It's foregone conclusion that the Cajeses of Trinidad will have to think twice that as far as the provincial SK federation presidency is concerned, you don't have the Torrens title as yet to claim the top plum -in a silver platter.

By Joe Espiritu
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post

While the province is planning a Bohol Integrated Water Supply System, Jagna has yet to develop her own water system so as provide some downtown barangays with potable water. Whatever supply the local waterworks have is barely enough for the market area and the few barangays immediately around the market site.

Farther, most barangays rely upon deep and shallow wells for their washing and personal hygiene and bottled water for drinking. Except for Pangdan, which has drinking water, which taste approximates that of the processed water available on sale, waters of most barangays are abundant in dissolved solids.

When a Boholano patient lands in a Community Hospital in Cebu City because of kidney ailment, the doctors there immediately conclude that the fellow comes from Jagna. This only goes to show that the water drank is hard water. Salty water is all right if the dissolved solid is sodium chloride, which the body can safely use.

Extra NaCl are passed out through the kidneys. However, if the dissolved solids are sodium or potassium carbonates, the drinker is in for trouble.

As we had written in our previous columns, a high ridge running from Laca to Lonoy prevents the waters of the Mayana, Odiong and Boctol watershed to flow down to downtown Jagna. Those waters feed the Alejawan river to the east and Manaba river to the west. Whatever waters are seeping to the lower barangays of Jagna must pass through limestone layers, carrying with it dissolved carbonates, sulfates and chlorides.

When those waters are boiled, crusts cover the insides of the kettles, pots or whatever utensils used for boiling. Chamber pots or arinolas constantly used would be encrusted with the same scab. And those crust have the same chemical composition as the stalactite and stalagmite of an underground cave. If those will build up in your kidney, you will be in trouble.

On the other hand, the waters of Tubod Ubos in Lonoy has less dissolved solids than those distributed by the Cebu Metropolitan Waterworks System. An analysis of a sample of the Tubod Ubos water brought to the Water Resource Center, San Carlos University, Talamban, showed that it could be safe for drinking even for those with weak kidneys. That is if those waters are kept free of biological contaminants.

The main problem in bringing the abundant Mayana - Odiong waters downtown is how to pass the Laca to Lonoy ridge. This mountain chain - let us call them mountain despite their low elevation - is not solid. To bore through them is not financially practical at this time. To lead the Tubod Ubos waters downtown, the flow may be routed through the depressions leading to Alejawan. SB Kagawad Engr. Jesus Acedillo was shown a topo map from the Water Resource Center sometime ago. There might also be seepages feeding springs in the seaward slopes that may be developed. The Tinakbasan, Kinagbaan spring would be an example.

There could be others.

The water in some downtown pumping station may be biologically safe for drinking if one has strong kidneys. There may be some who will say that some downtown folks had grown old without experiencing kidney trouble although their drinking water came from shallow wells. The reason is that the waters in the shallow wells came from aquifers, which were fed by local seepages. Those waters did not pass limestone layers. However, those wells had either dried up or gone salty because of the encroachment of seawater. This is the cause of relentless clearing of vegetation.

Modernization of Jagna water system is necessary because the municipality if fast growing. However, there may be other priorities but this will have to be addressed if Jagna is to sustain her growth.

Bohol will again host international delegations. This time, it's for the technical visit of around 300 delegates from 156 countries as part of the activities of the 6th United Nations-World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO) Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities that will be held on October 22-25, next year in Cebu.

The international event will gather for the first time in the Philippines key leaders of the tourism industry from at least 156 countries.          

On the same occasion, an Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar on Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA) will also be held.

This was according to House Tourism Committee chairman, Congressman Edgar Chatto upon his arrival from Cartagena de India, Colombia where he led the three-man Philippine Delegation to the UN-WTO General Assembly.

Chatto said that the world tourism event next year was officially launched in Colombia with WTO Secretary General Francesco Frangialli.

Chatto, DOT Undersecretary Phineas Alburo and DOT Planning Director Allan Canizal presented the necessary documents to Frangialli.

The Philippine delegation also presented to the UN-WTO Executive Council the highlights of next year's world gathering which is expected to draw over 300 delegates.

While in Colombia, the Philippine delegation held a coordination meeting with UN-WTO Deputy Secretary General Taleb Rifai, Regional Head for Asia-Pacific Mr. Xu Jing and Chief of the Conferences, Translation and Documentary Services Ms Dominique Bernardet to set the over-all framework of the two events which will be held one after the other in the same venue.

In June this year, DOT Secretary Ace Durano requested Chatto to represent the country with DOT Director Allan Canizal in Tunisia, North Africa for the 5th UN-WTO Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities and to bid for the second time, the privilege to host the international tourism event which the Philippines lost to Tunisia in an earlier bid that Durano personally filed in Spain.

Chatto and Canizal successfully secured the support of China who was the closest rival through Chairman Shao Qiwei of the China National Tourism Administration.

This led to the unanimous choice of the Philippines as the next host country.

Both Durano and Chatto believe that this is a rare opportunity of hosting a UN0-WTO event which puts the country into the center of the global tourism industry.

This will generate a bigger share of the Philippines in the world tourism market and also enhance investments.

Bernardet will be in the country early January next year to conduct site inspection of the venues for the big tourism event. -- www.boholsundaypost.net

By Joe Espiritu
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post

Last week, shoreline barangays of Bohol experienced nighttime wave lashing. Some houses were almost washed away while seawater was knee deep, approximately three feet, in some places. Maribojoc did report that on Wednesday midnight, waters flooded the port area. A 70 years old woman commented that she had never witnessed such flood tide in her entire life.

Homegrown weather observers commented that the waves were a result of a storm surge. This was denied by PAGASA scientists. Some also said that the waves were a result of offshore winds and high tide. This explanation was more plausible. A strong southwest monsoon was blowing at that time blowing the waters inland. Most of the people are not aware that the rise of seawater is due to global warming.

Ever since civilization has attained the Industrial Age, developed countries had been pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In the early stages, vegetation was able the scrub the air free of excess CO2. Ordinarily, the heat from the rays of the sun is reflected back to the outer space, thus cooling the earth before it will again absorb the heat of the next day. However, as forest cover was steadily depleted and more and more factories spewed more and more CO2, the atmospheric layer of the CO2 trapped the heat absorbed by the earth from the sun. This is called the greenhouse effect.

There may be other causes of the rise in sea level and movement. One is regional temperature. Movement often result as water densities differ, water always flow from high to low-density areas causing currents. Density dependent currents are seasonal. In the meantime, atmospheric conditions exert some force on the water movement. The Wednesday night flood was caused by high tide and strong southwest winds. The ocean sloshing also causes strong tidal movements. While Mediterranean Sea does not have any tides, the Bay of Fundy in Canada and the Gulf of Carpentaria in Australia has the highest tides in the world. On the average, the overall volume of the sea remains constant.

The rising of the global temperature caused the north and south icecaps to melt.

The waters released swelled the volume of seawater. Australian oceanographers observed that form 1993 to 2003, seawater rose at the rate of 2.5 centimeters or one inch per annum. In ten years, the sea lever rose 25 centimeters or 10 inches.

Since the rise is gradual, this is scarcely noticed. However, those living by the shore find out that the sea is approaching their doorsteps. The shorelines on which the fishermen had beached their boats had disappeared.

As early as 2005 the low-lying islands of Kiribati, a group of islands in the Micronesia is about to go underwater. Alarmed by the developments nations met as early as the middle 1900s and established the so-called Kyoto Protocol. From 1997 up to 2012, those nations agreed to reduce carbon dioxide emission by 5%.

Only the United States refused to sign the agreement. This time, experts say that the next two decades will be crucial. If the rise of global temperature is not stopped, there will be island nations, which will be under water. Their citizens would lose their nationalities.

The islets surrounding the province of Bohol may be in danger of going under. Most of the fisherfolks will move inland. Arable land will have to be converted into living space. Farm production would decline. The sad part is that we will feel the crisis slowly. Alarm will not set in until disaster at us staring at us on the face. Besides, we cannot exert our puny influence on industrialized nations to lessen their CO2 emission. Most of them are living in continents. As Charlie Brown in the Peanuts comic strip will say; "A hundred years from now, who will know the difference?" Not us, but those who will come after us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu-Xn6YTl7g

this is better...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn8XfKnDPlg

lovingly dedicated sa inyo tanan...

By Loy Palapos
Bohol Sunday Post

This corner thought that the plan of the Provincial Government to buy-back from Salcon the energy and water utilities which used to be operated by the PPUD (Provincial Public Utilities Department) is already a part of history. After the storm, the calm. Or, so it seemed.

As it turned out, it is still an issue. The City Mayor of Tagbilaran seems to be the only distinguishable ripple in a placid pond. Aside from a local Bar Topnotcher who still fusses over the incapacity of the local governance to push through with the plan that enjoyed tremendous media mileage for several months. The dramatic unfolding of the plot is akin to Emily Bronte's "not ending in a bang, but with a whimper." The denouement is still to unravel, so we are still in the midst of an on-going real-life drama nobody is sure whether it would end a comedy or a tragedy.

This was the perceived state of impasse when this writer met Engineer Maurito Ramirez Lim (MRL) at the conference room of the Cooperative Bank of Bohol, when we were a part of the audience to a talk by Angelo Palmones, the General Manager of DZMM, re the mediamen's responsibility in reproductive health.

Chairman Mau, as his colleagues in the BTMA (Bohol Tri-Media Association) would call him, graduated at the University of Bohol with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He worked at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and simultaneously was an Engineering Instructor at University of Bohol for some years right after graduation, until he transferred to the National Power Corporation where he was assigned at the Management Division of the Construction Department. At the same time he took up a Master's Degree in Public Administration. He worked at NAPOCOR for more than 20 years before his retirement in December 31, 1998.

A radio personality well-known for his cultural, social and public affairs commentaries on his DYRD and DYTR programs: "Kalambuan Uban sa Lacto Bacillus," "Banikanhong Haranista," and "Isyu-Por-Isyu," Chairman Mau is in private business after retirement. This brief interview took place before the start of a seminar on broadcasting last December 3 (Monday).

LMP: How do you find your world today?

MRL: A lot of things have changed after my retirement, like I am more concerned nowadays about social issues and concerns.

LMP: Did you not have much social concern when you were still with NAPOCOR?
MRL: The concern was already there; it still is, although more intense. But when I was working fulltime I did not have time to ventilate about various topics affecting the community. If I did that, I won't be doing justice to the agency I was working with, especially if I would use much of my time away from my job responsibilities.

LMP: What are the issues that you are ventilating now?
MRL: A lot, especially in my radio slot with Atty. Victor de la Serna. His dynamism in discussing concerns on air has rubbed off on me. I never felt this way before… I am more into the midst of things. The concern is deeper this time.

LMP: What's your side on the issue about Bohol Light and Bohol Water utilities?
MRL: During the election campaign, the Governor of Bohol included in his platform of governance that he will buy-back Bohol Light. Now that he won the seat again, it seems that he's not mentioning it anymore. That is the reason why every Friday during his Governor's Report, I always ask him questions about Bohol light. He must stand true to his words.

LMP: Were you against the privatization of the Provincial Public Utilities Department or PPUD before?
MRL: Because there were lapses of PPUD that time, most people were in favor that this must be undertaken by a private company.

LMP: With the buy-back scheme by the Governor, does it mean that something went wrong?
MRL: No. When it was still with PPUD, there were still some improvements; but we cannot control the minds of the politicians here. That's why eventually they sold it to SALCON. SALCON introduced some more improvements, which were well and good. These were necessary. But the Boholanos must be the ones to control the business and not some foreign investors. As it is we are in a situation where we have no choice, especially in the rates.

LMP: Where will the governor get the money if he were to buy-back the company?
MRL: This is a self-liquidating business and the banks are still open for loans.

LMP: There was an amount given to the provincial government from SALCON, but there were some issues saying that the money is already gone. What is your comment on this one?
MRL: What we knew was that there was 70-30 equity. Thirty percent for the province, seventy percent for SALCON.

LMP: Now if that's the case, why is there not a single centavo as dividend of this 30 percent share for the province? Would you say that the provincial government is not doing its best to get its share?
MRL: Most likely. The other side also claims that the result there is zero because there is no dividend for the province.

LMP: And you believe that this is a lucrative business? What is your basis?
MRL: If it is well managed, we will surely expect profit, but if it is carelessly handled, then there is a possibility of a zero dividend for the provincial government.

LMP: There are also people who would say that any business which is given to the government is most often than not a source of graft and corruption. If Bohol Light and Bohol Water will be given back to the government, would the same thing happen?
MRL: I still believe that it should be bought back, because it's for the sake of the people.

LMP: Can you imagine how this problem affects the underprivileged people?
MRL: It has been hard, of course. I feel what they feel. That is why the Governor must buy-back Bohol Light and Bohol Water. If he listened to Mayor Dan Lim last Saturday during the Mayor's Report, the Mayor said that he is just waiting for the final decision of the Governor. If the Governor is not really interested in buying back, then the Mayor will do it.

LMP: Do you think that the governor is no longer interested in buying back since he's not mentioning it anymore?
MRL: I think he is still in doubt because according to Atty. Victor dela Serna, he was requested by the Governor to draft a letter to SALCON about the buy-back. It was signed by the Governor, but until now there is still no reply from SALCON.

LMP: Do you think that the Governor is not doing anything about it anymore?
MRL: I can't say what's in his mind, that's just why every Friday during his program, I keep on asking him about the status of the buy-back plan.

LMP: Now, let's talk about the word war between the deputy mayor and the Kagawad Kapirig. Any comment about it?
MRL: I called up Chito Visarra in his radio program this morning. I also related to him the words of the Mayor last Saturday. He said that the two are like monkeys nga nag-ilog sa usa ka saging, but we are not sure sa quantity sa saging nga ilang gi-awayan.

LMP: There is an understanding that the Mayor is in dilemma with whom to side, because there are some very important things to consider, like the election of the SK Federation, for instance. The son of Kapirig might be sitting with the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Now, if he will take sides with Kapirig, that means he will be minus-two. Do you believe in that? (Update: in last Thursday's SK election, Kapirig's son did not push through with his candidacy as SK Federation Chairman for Tagbilaran City.)
MRL: I cannot comment on that. But we have to consider the interest of the other party also, that of Mario Uy. Both are good friends of Dan Lim, but I think the only problem there is pride. If they would just tone it down, then there's no need for any public apology.

Conscious of his role in influencing public opinion, radioman Maurito Lim deals on issues, not personalities. For instance, the aforementioned topics involved his friends. Yet, it does not mean that friendship is tarnished if issues are commented on, as long as these are dealt with objectively. This radio personality is still gaining ground in his craft.

Bohol in a different kind of color...

By Randy G

Photo By Anne M. Race

this is one of Bohol's secrets...

Photo by Marco Adrian Ador

By Sen Guingguing
Bohol Sunday Post

An old and dilapidated tote bag was left in a tricycle yesterday with the driver still going on with his daily grind to pick up and unload passengers unmindful that he has a P73,000 windfall at the cargo bay of his motor cab.

The same worn out bag was found by another passenger but never did he express interest to claim as his own because on the surface, there was nothing important inside owing to its ragged look.          

Until the mysterious bag was unzipped by the curious driver that he found to his surprise that it contained P73,000 and other personal belongings.

For two hours, the driver identified as Cecilio Lajos of Upper Calceta St., Tagbilaran City, went on with his daily chores until he decided to find out what was inside the bag.

The driver suspected that a passenger boarded his cab along CPG North Avenue near the Bohol Institute of Technology building and he must be its owner of the bag.

Also found in the bag was the name Arnulfo Divinagracia of Santo Nino Hills Subdivision in car registration documents.

An unidentified passenger alerted the driver about the bag lying idly in the passenger seat. The driver gave no special attention to the bag judging from its deceptive look. He just put it at the cargo hold at the cab's back unmindful that it was stuffed with cash.

When he found out that the shabby bag contained cash, he lost no time in turning it over to the Lost and Found Section of Station DYTR.

In an interview, the driver, said it was not uncommon that he used to return personal belongings left by passengers in his motor cab.

He recalled that that there was a time that at least five cell phones were left in one setting in his cab.

He said for 14 years as tricycle driver, never was there a time that anything valuable left in his motor cab were not returned to their rightful owners.

The honest driver has four children, the youngest of whom is still five years old. He hails from Libogon, Duero town.

The Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) is finalizing preparation for its takeover of the energy generation in the islands that will lengthen service time and reduce power rate there by almost half.

Rep. Edgar Chatto got the commitment of no less than Napocor Pres. Cyril Delcallar to effect the turnover of island power operation from the Bohol Electric Cooperative (Boheco) to SPUG early of 2008.

The “mercy mission” of SPUG, a Napocor division, will ease the burden of island power consumers who presently pay almost double the power cost of Boheco in mainland Bohol.

Chatto talked to Delcallar and Napocor Vice Pres. Boy Marcelo upon his arrival in Manila from the 17th General Assembly of the United Nations â€" World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Colombia, South America where he headed the Philippine delegation.

Boheco I and II General Manager Carlos Itable said in the recent meeting of Bohol mayors in Catigbian that the initiative of the First District solon is greatly beneficial to the living condition of the islanders.

Marcelo assured Chatto of the definite operation by SPUG within the first quarter next year, adding that the needed budget has been secured following Boheco’s submission of complete technical requirements.

The First District islands, which have as many barangays, to be covered by the subsidized, missionary electrification of Napocor thru SPUG are Pamilacan in Baclayon, Balicasag in Panglao, Cabilao in Loon, Mantatao in Calape, and Bilangbilangan, Ubay, Mocaboc, Batasan and Pagaspasan in Tubigon.

In Cabilao, for example, Boheco I charges P13 per kilowatt hour which can be reduced to once SPUG takes over. Power service time there is only six hours at night---or even shorter.

Even with the present cost, Boheco I has been subsidizing the power generation in the islands, making its operation hard to sustain, Chatto told the local media. -- www.theboholstandard.com

By Jes Tirol
Columnist
Bohol Chronicle

Proem

To be self-centered is to be inward looking, self-interested, or self-seeking. It means that Boholanos are now trying to assert a behavior that focuses on their self-interest.

Old Boholano Trait

Boholanos are known to be hospitable. They would give the best room in the house, the best food, or the best of everything to their visitors. The common folktale is about a family that serves fried chicken to the visitor while the members of the family dined on salted fish. This attitude is now slowly changing.

Tourism Industry

Ever since the emphasis on the tourism industry in Bohol, the self-centered behavior of Boholanos has emerged. The mentality of what can we get out of these tourists have emerged. Many Boholanos have now learned how to cash-in on tourism.

Whereas before, it was all expenses to the Boholano host and the visitors make all the enjoyment; nowadays the Boholano will just facilitate the movements of the visitors and let them pay their own way. This was an unthinkable idea up to the 1970s, but now it is very common even though there are still Boholanos who do not want their visitors to spend anything.

Spread To Other Aspects

In the 1960s, after we played basketball, we could go to any house or store and ask for drinking water. We could drink our fill to quench our thirst free of charge. Nowadays, the drinking water is already for sale.

Whereas before, the "palihog" was very common, nowadays it is practically gone. If parents have a son/daughter studying in Cebu or Manila, and someone is going there, the parents could request or palihog that money, food, etc. be brought along to be given to the son/daughter in Cebu or Manila. The person requested will go out of his way to deliver the goods to the son/daughter without pay. During that time, paying the palihog was unthinkable. Nowadays, if the palihog is done, the person must be compensated.

In former times when barrio headmen were still called Teniente del Barrio (Barrio Lieutenant) they usually call a hungos or gala to do public service work such as cleaning or repairing the road. The barrio was well cared even without expenses. When the Teniente del Barrio became Barangay Captain and became salaried together with his council, the attitude of the people changed. The barrio folks would no longer gather for a hungos. Why would they do it for free when the Barangay Captain and council are receiving salaries? Nowadays, the barangay or barrio could not be maintained without any expense.

Caveat

Cultural practices always change. My only caveat or warning is, the giving of money during elections. It was introduced in Bohol during the 1930 election. Only the voters who could not write properly were quartered and taught to write the names of the candidates. The price was P2. Nowadays, when voters are quartered, the price will be very high. Why can't we eliminate this undesirable social behavior?

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

For many, it was just a surprising turn of events when the city's Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation elected last Thursday barangay Dampas SK chairman Rammy June Alturas instead of Poblacion-1 SK chairman Michael Kapirig who came out an early favorite weeks before the polls.

Even when the rift between Deputy Mayor Mariano Uy and Kag. Edgar Kapirig hit the headlines, the younger Kapirig was still favored to win the polls as the official choice of City Mayor Dan Lim.

The feud between Uy and Kapirig, both close allies of the mayor, was blamed for the last minute change when the young Kapirig was ditched from the SK race on the day of election.

Alturas filed his candidacy for SK Federated president early morning Thursday while Kapirig chose to run as vice president.

Kapirig said in an interview with the Chronicle that he backed out of the race to honor a term-sharing deal with Alturas.

Out of 15 city SK chairmen, all of the 11 who were allied with the mayor, voted for Alturas.

Alturas's opponent, Poblacion-2 SK chair Manuel Alberto dela Serna obtained 4 votes.

A SACRIFICE?

Insiders at City Hall, however said that Kapirig was discarded when his father, Kag. Kapirig, refused to issue a public apology to Uy.

The mayor last week declared he is on the side of Uy, when the latter filed a complaint for slander with damages against Kag. Kapirig.

Attempts to mediate the two proved futile until the SK federated elections when the mayor's camp decided to drop the younger Kapirig.

Uy, in a separate interview, denied he had a hand in the eleventh hour decision.

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Two groups of five highway robbers were arrested in separate hot pursuit operations conducted by police.

The two groups, which owned up to 27 cases of cellphone snatchings and highway robberies had just victimized three women when they were cornered by police.

One of the victims, identified as one Christine Escobilla, 28, resident of Taloto District, this city, was plying Penaflor Street on board her motorcycle on the way home at around 9:50 p.m. last Saturday when all of a sudden two unidentified armed men riding a Honda motorcycle overtook her and grabbed her handbag.

In an effort to recover the bag which contained a Nokia 6610 cellular phone and P2,000, the victim chased the suspects until she sough the assistance of Taloto barangay tanods.

The chase ended at the vicinity of Dumadag Farm where the suspects were last spotted.

With the help of responding residents and barangay tanods, one of the suspect was arrested and identified as Rogelio Macalaging, 27, single and native of Alubihid, Misamis Oriental but was residing at Bingag, Dauis.

He was later identified to be the driver of the motorcycle. Further interrogation led to the arrest of the other suspect, Joseph Villaester, 26, resident of barangay Totolan, Dauis.

Recovered from the suspects was the handbag containing the cash and cellular phone.

According to police, the suspects, both ex-convicts, admitted to have perpetrated no less than 14 snatching cases in Tagbilaran City.

Confiscated from the two suspects was a 357 magnum revolver with 6 live ammunitions.

In Garcia-Hernandez, police also nabbed three highway robbers who victimized two ladies who were forcibly divested of their cell phones and personal valuables in barangay East Ubujan of said town.

The lady victims, identified as Ma. Betsy Galacio and Ma. Rowena Galindo were relaxing along the highway past 8 p.m. Wednesday when motorcycle riding men alighted and poked their handguns to them and started divesting them of their cell phones and valuables.

The suspects fled aboard their motorcycle.

With the assistance of one of the victims' brother, the Garcia-Hernandez PNP led by SInsp. George Cana, immediately responded by conducting a checkpoint infront of the municipal hall.

Minutes later the suspects showed up and were arrested by police. Recovered from the suspects were the victims' three cellular phones, a Sony i-Pod and a ladies wristwatch.

The suspects were identified as Charlie Caberte y Balili, Rudolfo Ombrosa y Caberte and Jessie Alfar y Cubrado, all residents of Poblacion, Pilar town.

The suspects were armed with a Colt 357 Smith and Wesson revolver with 3 live ammunitions and a caliber .38 revolver with 1 live ammunition.

The motorcycle, with license plate IL-1082 was later traced to its owner one Pepe Cubrado of Poblacion, Pilar.

MODUS OPERANDI

The 2 suspects arrested in Taloto admitted to have perpetrated 14 other snatching cases in the city victimizing mostly sweethearts in secluded and dark places.

According to the suspects, before snatching valuables from their would be victims, they hire motorcycles from motorcycle for hire shops here and later try to spot persons along the highway using their cell phones.

They would pass by their target and later come back already poking their firearm while immediately divesting the victim's valuables.

The hold-up takes just a few seconds as the suspects speed away from the crime scene using their rented motorcycle.

TANODS CITED

Other cohorts of the five suspects were likewise identified during an interrogation conducted by police.

Provincial police director SSupt. Edgardo Ingking attributed the success of the two operations to the immediate assistance of residents and barangay tanods given to police.

Ingking attributed the community response to the PNP's Oplan Sumpo Krimen launched a few months ago to address criminality in the province.

The provincial police chief said he will give citations to the Taloto barangay tanods for their accomplishment that led to the arrest of two suspects.

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Two separate shooting incidents resulting from gang wars here in the city already claimed one casualty with another injured.

Last Tuesday night, one Glen Maestrado, 21, was shot dead by a lone suspect while in a drinking session with five others that included his brother at Hi-Noon Restaurant along CPG Avenue, this city.

Maestrado was rushed at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Regional Hospital but later died due to the bullet wound on his neck.

He is said to be a member of one youth gang which the suspect is in conflict with.

According to police, the shooting incident was a retribution by the rival gang.

Last week, one Jay Ranas y Balate, 17, a contractual employee of Bohol Quality Mall and resident of barangay Tabalong, Dauis was also shot along CPG Avenue.

Ranas was standing infront of BQ Mall around 8:30 p.m. when the suspect, identified as one John Paul Ymbong, armed with a .38 caliber revolver, shot him.

The victim was hit in the abdomen and is being treated at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Regional Hospital.

Ranas and Ymbong are alleged to be members of rival gangs here, according to police.

Ymbong have previously been involved in past gang wars which also resulted in shootings, police said.

The City PNP is conducting follow up operations to apprehend suspects of the two shooting incidents.

Another form of "alternative education" under the Center of Continuing Cultural Exchange (CCCE) will be formally launched during the "Yam Gin" Festival to be held in the towns of Loboc and Corella from December 20 to 29, 2007.

According to CCCE Executive Director Marietta Biliran, similar to the (Department of Education-sponsored) informal course undergone by world-renowned People's Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, the new found educational method only occasionally uses the classroom for the course. The community and the place of work (i.e. farm) can become the student's laboratory to validate the theory in real terms.

The courses (mostly 25 students per class) will be conducted by an Asian expatriate teacher and a Filipino hiree which will ensure an integrated region approach to the study materials.

Loboc will have the "prep school" alternative, which makes large use of the child's family and community as "the bigger classroom" and in which culture, art and consciousness of the (natural) environment will be integrated in the learning process.

Corella on the other hand will conduct a four-year course, focusing on the agriculture, as compared to the purely academic courses in the regular high school.

Graduates in both courses will receive certificates of completion which is equivalent to the regular diplomas of the academic schools.

Scholarships can be granted to students who cannot afford the already reasonable "tuition rate" for the courses, according to Biliran who is also in charge of the "Yam Gin" Festival. Bohol will aim to establish two Guinness Book of World Records distinction for the largest ginger muffin Christmas Tree at the Loboc auditorium and the longest Ubi jam chain in Corella town at 7 p.m. on Dec. 28.

The festival which aims to develop agricultural products and awareness of the environment is an offshoot of the Philippines' commitment to the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations Organization. The Philippines has launched the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program and the Bio Fuel Act of 2007.

Aside from the seminar on the benefits of Jathropa Curcas propagation, a "Cycling for Clean Air" or the Clean Island Bicycle tour will be conducted by local cycling enthusiasts which include several town mayors on December 22 at 9 a.m. in Loboc.

Participants may bring their own bikes or rent them at Nuts Huts in Loboc (0920- 846-1559).

Giveaways like the Corella kinampay and Loboc fresh ginger will be given during the festival.

Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap and the senior officers of the Department of Agriculture are expected to grace the occasion.

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Albur, Bohol Mayor Jose Ugdoracion dispels reports that the Supreme Court has not acted on his petition for certiorari to overturn a decision of the Comelec en banc which nullified his candidacy during the May 14 elections.

Ugdoracion clarified that the high tribunal in fact required him to submit supplementary documents to support his petition.

The Supreme Court en banc, in a resolution dated November 13, 2007, required Ephraim Tungol and the Comelec to submit their comments on Ugdoracion's petition.

Ugdoracion was required to present "competent evidence of identity before the notary public considering that the petition lacks the material dates showing when the assailed judgment of (the Comelec)."

Loans need payments, but grants are free.

Gov. Erico Aumentado made this clarification Friday during his weekly program The Governor Reports simulcast live over radio stations here.

The governor referred to the reaction of Engr. Petronilo Sarigumba, a former project manager of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), on the US$1 million grant from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to finance the feasibility study and detailed design on the improvement of the Malinao Dam in Pilar town.

Aside from this error, Aumentado said Sarigumba, the supposed whistle-blower of an allegedly anomalous irrigation project in Talibon town, also erred in naming the project "rehabilitation."

Engr. Modesto Membreve, project manager of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (BHIP 2) and Engr. Isidro Digal, project consultant, who were guests during the program confirmed Aumentado's observation, saying the Malinao Dam has not been in a state of disrepair and therefore does not require rehabilitation.

Sarigumba said instead of engaging the Koreans in conducting a feasibility study on the Malinao Dam rehabilitation, which is a waste of government money for amortization, NIA should instead dig up a previous project study made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The governor however emphasized that there is no such JICA study.

Aumentado who personally negotiated for the grant with KOICA Executive Director Lee Hae-Kyoon last October at the latter's office in South Korea said JICA conducted studies on the Bohol Integrated Water Management Program, the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project Phases 1 and 2, the Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project Stages 1 and 2 and the Capayas Dam facility but not the improvement of Malinao Dam.

The KOICA grant, he pointed out, will include the review of previous NIA feasibility studies of the Small Water Impounding (SWIM) projects of Bonot-bonot in Buenavista, Hibale in Danao and Loboc Valley.

For his part, Digal said the study JICA financed previously was of the Wahig-Pamacsalan Irrigation Project. The study however found out that constructing a high dam across the Pamacsalan River in Abachanan, Sierra Bullones town was not feasible in that the foundation was not built for such height. Lowering the level will defeat the purpose as irrigation water will no longer reach the ricelands still in its service area but already quite far from the dam.

Besides, the karst soil will only quickly dry up whatever water is impounded, hence the decision to construct the Malinao Dam of BHIP 1 instead - that will also bring run-off water to the Bayongan Dam of BHIP 2.

Digal added that improvement of the Malinao Dam will enable NIA to irrigate virtually all of the lands in its service area even during the dry season.

"And this is not rehabilitation work! Nilo [Sarigumba] should know because he is a former colleague!" he said.

On the other hand, Membreve said critics have labeled Bayongan Dam as a white elephant.

"I beg to disagree. The dam is already 90 percent full with the water level at 49.5 meters as of yesterday (Thursday). At 52 meters, it will already overflow," he said. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

Bohol Wisdom School (BWS) prepares as it will represent region 7 to the Philippine National Chemistry Olympiad sometime in February nest year to be held in one of the major universities in Manila.

This after BWS sophomore student Kenneth Bolo drew an impressive third place win in the 2007 Regional Chemistry Blitz sponsored by the University of San Carlos Chemistry Department held last Dec. 1 in Talamban, Cebu City.

Kenneth, only 14 years old, was the youngest delegate of the 19 semi-finalists from allover Region 7.

Kenneth was welcomed as a walk-in contestant to the Bohol Provincial Eliminations held last November 24 at the Bohol Wisdom School Multi-media Center.

Despite not having formal Chemistry instruction as he is only in his second year in high school, Kenneth landed as part of the top 5 in the provincials along with others from BWS, BIT, and DCPNHS. He, together with fellow qualifiers Ma. Christine Atup and Clyde Bullecer, then underwent a week-long training under teacher-coach and BWS Science Coordinator Mrs. Josefina Narit.

The regional hunt involved two parts - a three round laboratory practicum test and a quiz bowl round. Only the ten best during the practical trials - including Bullecer and Bolo - proceeded to the final quiz in the afternoon. Kenneth although getting only few points during the first two easy phases of the contest, wowed the audience during the difficult round as he only placed two mistakes. Bullecer garnered fifth while Bolo landed third.

A BWSian in the person of Elirozz Labaria participated as semi-finalist and won Bronze in the Laboratory Practicums in last year's nationals held at the Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines.

Kenneth along with the first two placers will now undergo rigid lecture and laboratory trainings at the University of San Carlos (Center of Excellence in Chemistry in the Philippines), under the tutelage of the finest chemistry professors in the region. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

press release

The "Tatak Exclusibo Sale" kicked off yesterday at HBC located at the ground floor level of BQ Mall, this city.

The sale is giving up to 80% discount on favorite HBC products. The sale will be on until Dec. 17.

The favorite products include San San, makeup with vitamins; Body Recipe, naturally good from head to tow; Hortaleza MD, authority in skin care; VitaSoft, always feel like a baby; OHM, over-all hygiene for men; Hygienix, everyday confidence; Herbal Fresh, fresh smile health teeth; Cleanyone, a clean home for beautiful you; Implemus, stylish innovation and HBC Essence, beauty basics for your personal needs.

By Villa M. Inguito

The provincial government through the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) will launch the Techno Gabay Awards on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at CVSCAFT main campus in Bilar town.

Gov. Erico B. Aumentado is slated to grace the event together with Vice-Gov. Julius Herrera, Richard M. Juanillo, executive deputy director- PCARRD, Liza M. Quirog, provincial agriculturist, and Dr. Jose F. Quitazol, consultant on agricultural affairs.

The contest aims to encourage the different Farmers' Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers under the Techno Gabay Program of PAO to raise the level of their performance as they compete against other FITS Centers in various categories.

This also aims to enhance the functionality of all FITS centers; improve the level of commitment of the FITS Center staff operating in the province and increase the level of awareness of the public on the services of the FITS center and its functions.

The categories include Best FITS Center, Most Outstanding FITS Manager, Most Outstanding Information Services Specialist (ISS), Most Outstanding Technology Services Specialist (TSS), Most Outstanding Magsasaka Siyentista(MS), Best FITS Products, Best MS Farm, Most Creative Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Materials and Most Cooperative LGU. The contest will be participated in by all 29 FITS municipalities in the province.

CVSCAFT FITS Center will also be showcased with the different FITS MS products. Other FITS centers will bring products for display and for sale.

Several Information, Education and Communication materials or flyers will be distributed during the event.

Techno Gabay Program is one of PCARRD's banner programs to bring science-based information and technology services to the end users in agriculture, forestry and natural resources sectors. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

By Adam Saligumba

It was a grand slam of sorts for the local government unit of Loon when its Electronic New Government Accounting System (e-NGAS) brought home an award in each of the four categories given by the Commission on Audit during the 2nd e-NGAS Users' Circle Conference (for Visayas-Mindanao Area) held at the Sulu Hotel, Quezon City on Nov. 22, 2007.

Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter M. Lopez, M.D. announced this latest honor accorded to the LGU by the Commission on Audit in his message during the joint oath-taking of barangay and SK officials on Nov. 30, 2007 at the Loon Sports and Cultural Center.

The Plaques of Recognition were on the four categories: First Municipality to Implement the e-NGAS, Local Government Unit with the Most Updated Financial Statements, Local Government Unit with the Most Updated Budget Reports, and Local Government Unit with the Shortest Roll-Out Period.

Municipal Budget Officer Martina R. Lanzaderas and three personnel from the accounting department, namely: Teodomiro P. Coritico, Genara L. Comidoy and Charlene T. Peña received the awards in behalf of LGU-Loon at the said Sulu Hotel.

Loon and the municipality of Midsayap, North Cotabato both share the distinction as the first municipalities in the country to implement the e-NGAS, while the LGUs of Trinidad, Bohol and Trento, Agusan del Sur also share top billing with Loon as local government units with the most updated budget reports.

Quite relatively unknown to non-budget and non-accounting people, the e-NGAS is an accounting software developed by the Commission on Audit to replace the old government accounting system used by local government units and national government agencies. It ensures correctness, reliability and timeliness in recording government financial transactions, and in generating financial reports in accordance with the policies and procedures of the New Government Accounting System. It runs on Microsoft SQL Server environment with security features to insure adequate internal controls.

Through the e-NGAS, staff or personnel of any government unit or agency are provided fast processing of voluminous documents making it possible to process or file reports or records in a matter of minutes which would normally take hours or even days to process. The system also allows access of agency personnel to up-to-date information involving financial data or transactions.

The implementation of the e-NGAS in Loon was preceded by an awareness seminar on the system in December 2004 through the coordination of Loon municipal accountant Arnulfo Relampagos and Vicky C. Quejada, head of the Government Accountancy and Financial Management Information System (GAFMIS) Region VII. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines' low fare leader and leading domestic airline, offers P1 one-way seats for its Manila-Xiamen service.

The seat sale will run from December 10 to 16, 2007 and may be availed for travel from January 1 to March 31, 2008. The one-way fare is exclusive of government taxes and applicable surcharges.  The promotional seat sale is non-refundable.

"We are doing this to stimulate tourist arrivals to and from Xiamen. We want to encourage the Filipino-Chinese communities to visit their friends and relatives in Xiamen. We hope that the public will take advantage of this seat sale because fares to Xiamen can't get any lower than this." said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and product.

Iyog also explained that the best way to avail of the P1 fare is to book and purchase through www.cebupacificair.com, or call CEB reservations at (02) 70-20-888, CEB ticket offices and accredited travel agents.  The P1 fare is for immediate payment upon booking.

"We encourage everyone to book their flights now for the best availability of the P1 fares before the seats are sold out. Travelers who will miss out on the seat sale can still avail of our year-round 'Go' fares which start from P999 only," Iyog concluded.

Now in its 12th year, CEB has the youngest fleet of aircraft in the Philippines. CEB flies to 12 international and soon to be 21 domestic destinations with the addition of Boracay (Caticlan) beginning February 29, 2008.

Julai, daubi mi tanan sa imong gugmang nag-uros-uros.

By Kit Bagaipo
www.theboholchronicle.com

A group of municipal mayors are allegedly pushing for the ouster of Bohol Police Director SSupt. Edgardo Ingking resulting from his intensified drive against illegal gambling.

This was however denied by the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), through its president Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren in an interview with the Chronicle yesterday.

Lloren admitted that some mayors may have conflicting views on Ingking's strict implementation of the no cockfighting policy on days other than Sunday.

Ingking's campaign to ban cockfights found the support of Gov. Erico Aumentado who personally tasked Provincial Attorney Handel Lagunay to assist the Bohol police chief.

Despite stern warnings from Ingking, however, some towns are still allowing cockfights on several days of the week.

Some mayors, especially those who own cockpit arenas, were reportedly organizing the move to expel Ingking.

In Corella town, Mayor Vito Rapal cited an existing municipal ordinance which authorize cockfights on Thursdays. The barangay where the cockpit arena is situated also have an existing ordinance allowing the cockfights.

According to Lloren, the LMP will take up the concerns of town mayors regarding cockfights when the mayors' league meets on January.

By Ric V. Obedencio

Party-list Bayan Muna Congressman Teddy Casiño vowed to extend help to farmers seriously affected by corruption and poor service of huge irrigation dam facilities in the province.

This came after officials, including Bohol congressmen, snubbed to attend a dialogue in Ubay town yesterday called by concerned farmer organizations despite prior invitation.

Casiño, who arrived here yesterday to personally attend the forum, said that he would see to it what Bayan Muna party-list could do on the sad plight of the farmers, especially those whose leveled lands were unable to benefit from the irrigation.

In a mobile phone interview, Casiño said however that he could not yet give specific course of action to help the farmers depending on what would be the outcome of forum, wherein participants were grouped into workshop-like activities.

He added that he will not only look into why a lot of farmer-beneficiaries failed to avail of the services but also the “graft-laden” dam facility in Talibon.

Bayan Muna provincial coordinator John Ruiz, in a separate interview, said that nobody from the invited officials came to the forum.

Congressman Edgar M. Chatto sent his emissary a day before, Ruiz said. Gov. Erico Aumentado, he said, sent board member Beinvenido Molina but nobody from congressmen Adam Jala and Roberto Cajes being sent to the forum.

The National Irrigation Administration sent representatives but left after lunch for some commitments, Ruiz said.

Ruben Sobior, chair of the Hugpong sa Mag-uumang Bol-anon (Humabol) said in his press statement said that the forum tackled contentious issues on land leveling, no water service on some land leveled areas, Talibon impounding project and high irrigation service fee (ISF).

Pilar-based NIA pledged during the dialogue held on Nov. 5, 2007 at Pilar NIA office to recommend for the termination of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the agency (NIA) and said beneficiaries on land leveling to make them productive.

NIA representative Engr. Olimpio Galagala, irrigation superintendent, told the farmers that he would recommend to NIA higher officials for cancellation of the said contract of affected beneficiaries.

He also said that he will coordinate with other agencies concerned like the Department of Agriculture, wherein the NIA is an attached agency, in connection with his recommendation.

But the outcome of the dialogue was short of farmers’ contentment. The farmers-beneficiaries belonging to Alyansa sa Mag-uumang Benepisyaryo sa Capayas Dam () and Alyansa sa Mag-uumang Benepisyaryo sa Pilar Dam (ALMABEPDA) are dissatisfied since there is no assurance that what Galagala has said would be realized, said Eugenio Timon, chairman of the Mag-uumang Apektado sa Land Leveling (MALALA).

Timon expressed disgust that the invited officials snubbed them. He said that the officials belittled the farmers in a dialogue wherein it’s the only venue to air their grievances.

Timon also said he was dissatisfied with the outcome of the dialogue because they were not assured of commitments of NIA to resolve their predicaments, including the lack of water flowing to their rice fields.

He said his three hectares of land being leveled in Caluasan, Dagohoy, failed to avail of the services of the Malinao irrigation because the water did not reach his farmland. But for the past ten years since 1997, only about one and a half of his property has been served by water. His farms could only avail of water for about three days every 15-day, he added.

The same is true with land owned by farmer Rey Luchana, president of the ALMABEPDA. His land also located at Caluasan, Dagohoy town. Luchana said that only about two hectares of his 16 has. of land benefited from the irrigation facility.

Both farmer-leaders said that more than 1,000 hectares of leveled land of supposedly targeted 4,900 hectares had not been able to benefit from the irrigation.

Aside from ALMABECAD and ALMABEPDA, representatives of the Association of Concerned Filipino-Talibon (ASCOFIL-Talibon), Boholanos Against Corruption and Social Harassment (BACOSH) and PANAGBUGKOS Kontra K-4 also attended the forum-workshop.

By Ric V. Obedencio

Tricycle drivers and operators in the city belonging to Nagkahiusang Driver sa Bohol-Piston Tagbilaran chapter threatened to raise fares from existing P6.00 to P7.00 due to what they call “unreasonable” series of increases of gasoline and petroleum products.

In its press statement, NADBO-Piston through its chairman Miguel Pagsiat, said that the series of oil and petroleum price increases is already unbearable.

It said that there had been 18 increases at minimum of P5.00/liter being implemented from January to September this year, which can hardly make both ends meet.

Pagsiat said that aside from increase of oil prices, the drivers are shouldering the burden of unregulated prices of licenses, spare parts and other taxes.

It said that there is no more reason for the government and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) refuse to grant their demand for fare rates hike.

The drivers scored on the inaction of the national government led by Arroyo administration to implement the oil deregulation law and to make oil industry industrialized.

It also demanded for the implementation of the P125 across-the-board wage increase to all labor workers in private and public sectors.

It was not immediately known if the LTFRB would grant their petition for fare increase and when to start the implementation.

By Ric Obedencio

It appears that the race for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) provincial federated president, who will sit as ex-officio member of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan, would be a three-cornered fight between two congressmen and a municipal mayor.

This developed recently following talks circulated around that three aspirants for the top SK post are to slug it out. 

The latest to signify is Jake Jala, who was elected as municipal SK president of Loboc town. During the barangay level, he got 17 of the 26 votes and became SK chair in barangay Poblacion Sawang. But he has no SK kagawads since nobody dared to throw their hats.

Jake Jala is reportedly supported by congressman Adam Relson Jala, son of former congressman Eladio Jala of third congressional district. 

Earlier on, Jane Cajes, daughter of Congressman Roberto Cajes, reportedly wanted to become SK president, apparently to follow the footsteps of her sister Frances Bobbith Cajes-Auza, who served for five years after two SK polls postponement in 2005 and 2006.

In an interview, her father said yesterday there is no definite plan yet. This will be known next week, he said. But he confirmed that Jane Cajes was elected as SK municipal federated SK chair of Trinidad town where her mother Baby Cajes is the incumbent municipal mayor.

Earlier on, 17-year old Sandrena Naldoza Schreurs, daughter of Garcia-Hernandez Mayor Myrna N. Schreurs is slated to join the derby for SK highest post, said his father Vim Schreurs.

Also in separate phone interview, Myrna Schreurs said there is no final decision yet if her daughter pursues her plan. She said that the group of ten mayors in 3rd district has yet to decide. The family of Schreurs counts on the support of the mayors.

Sandrena, a first year nursing student, was uncontested in the recent municipal level SK election. She was also unopposed in the barangay level and became SK chair of barangay East Canayaon.

Two officials of PNP and prosecutor’s office confirmed the supposedly “key” witness had signed the statement on October 24, 2007 on what he knew on rape-slay of a young girl named Vivian Dumaluan in Panglao town days before 2004 elections.

P/SSupt Edgardo Casiguran Inking, police provincial director, said in a phone interview that indeed Georgie T. Marcele signed his sworn statement.

Marcele said he works at Dumaluan Beach Resort owned by then Panglao Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan,

In a separate interview, Prosecutor Eric M. Ucat told the Chronicle that indeed he was the one who notarized Marcele’s statement on the same date at Inking’s office, Camp Dagohoy in this city.

Marcele was accompanied by his counsel Atty. Elmer C. Balbin and his mother Estrella T. Marcele, who also executed a subscribed statement on the very same date and place. Her sworn statement was also notarized by Ucat.

Marcele, however, told a press conference that he will withdraw his sworn statement dated October 24, 2007. But until this writing no retraction has been made.

Mayor Dumaluan said he broke his silence apparently to defend his brother identified as Teofredo “Pingmay” Dumaluan, who was allegedly tagged as brain of the rape-slay. He presented Marcele, who is also known in his alias “Bono” to the mediamen during the press conference the other week.

SP02 Dominic Ragusta presented a copy of the statement that Marcele executed on October 24.

The policeman admitted that he was the one who prepared Marcele’s statement based on his account but that contrary to his allegations it was not signed in Cebu.

As proof of this, Ragusta noted that the statement was notarized by Prosecutor Eric Ucat of the Bohol Provincial Presecutor’s Office.

Ragusta noted that that the statement was executed by Marcele with the assistance of his counsel, lawyer Elmer Balbin.

-- The Bohol Chronicle

By Ric V. Obedencio

The imposition of more than 100% increase of entrance fee from P10 to P25 per head when viewing the famed Chocolate Hills at Buenos Aires, Carmen, has been opposed by various sectors. Some described it as “excessive.”

Provincial Board Member Ester Corazon J. Galbreath, tourism committee chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), expressed concerned over the said imposition, citing complaints she received from tour operators and guides.

During the special session last Friday, she questioned whether the imposition was duly approved by the SP last year.

But the SP was told that the increase of toll fee was already incorporated in the Municipal Revenue Code of Carmen town, hence the imposition.

Galbreath lamented that the toll fee should have been treated separately by lawmakers of Carmen considering that Chocolate Hills complex is partly owned by the provincial government.

For his part, Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, who presided over the session, stressed that cautioned the SP members, especially the review committee, that “they should carefully review the measures” before they approve them.

Herrera stressed that the imposition stands because the Carmen Revenue Code is already approved by SP.

Provincial Board Member Josil Trabajo said in a separate interview that he agreed with the vice-governor’s observation. Trabajo was former vice-mayor of Carmen town.

Galbreath said in an interview that the SP appeared to be “outsmarted” by Carmen lawmakers in inserting the toll fee provision in the municipal Revenue Code of Carmen.

The issue on management of the Chocolate Hills comlex, where the hotel, restaurant and viewing deck are housed, remained unresolved since the expiration of the contract between Carmen and province.

Under the contract, the provincial government got 30% and Carmen, 70%, of the share of incomes derived from the complex operations.

By Ric V Obedencio

Former environment secretary Angel C. Alcala emphasized that monitoring of the activities relative to the plan offshore drilling of oil deposits along Tañon and Bohol Straits must be pursued by stakeholders.
Department of Energy and NorAsia Energy Ltd, an Australian company had already conducted the seismic survey to find oil deposits along Bohol-Cebu channel a couple of months back.

The said survey has generated a howl of protests by people’s organizations especially the fishermen and non-government organizations for lack of transparency and environmental reasons. The project has taken toll to fishermen and tourist operators alike.

Alcala, chairman of PATH Foundation Philippines Incorporated (PFPI), a non-government organization espousing the integration approach of population and coastal resource management led discussants of the PFPI-sponsored National Dissemination Forum Integrated Population and Coastal Resource Management Initiative held at MetroCenter last week.

   This developed as the Justice and Peace Center (JPC) of the Divinity School, Silliman University, Dumaguete City joined the growing protests over the oil exploration and eventual offshore mining along the Visayan Sea that includes Bohol Strait.

In its letter-request addressed to Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, national president of the League of Vice-Governor’s of the Philippines (LVGP), JPC coordinator Engr. Trelly A. Marigza urged the league to pass a Resolution to investigate the impact of offshore mining in Visayan Sea and for an “end to these destructive activities.” JPC’s letter dated September 18, 2007 was received by LVGP through its secretary-general Jose Baldado, vice-governor of Negros Oriental during the LVGP seminar workshop in Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City the other week.

Alcala, who talked on Why Link Population and Coastal Conservation, was quoted in said letter as saying that, “Which are more important for the people in the long run, biologically replenishing (and sustainable) marine and coastal resources or limited, exhaustible, non-replenishing oil resources, if any?”
The inventory of marine or fish stock in certain marine protected areas in Bohol is useful in monitoring and eventually evaluation whether stocks are diminishing or not when or after the start of the oil drilling, he said in an exclusive interview.

And this could be used as evidence to file charges against the company or any agency directly involved in the oil mine operations.

JPC, quoting Constitutional provision Article II, section 6 that says “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthy ecology in accord with rhythm and harmony of nature.”
It also call on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Energy (DoE) to protect the natural resources from entry of destructive development aggression instead of being liberal in giving environmental clearance certificate ECC) and certificates of non-coverage (CNC).
Herrera welcomed the request but said they have yet to tackle the issue of oil exploration and subsequent mining operations.

He said the issue may not be decided by the league as a whole but it will be considered soon by the vice-governors of region 7 composed of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Former DENR Sec. Heherson Alvarez described it this way: “What does it gain a nation to short-sighted and merely think of money when an irreparable damage to the environment will cost human lives, health, and livelihood capacity of our farmers and fisherfolk endangering the food security of our people,” said the letter.

JPC cited a case in point that like in the past multi-national corporations paid their taxes not where the extractables are taken but to where their offices are located like in Makati City. These companies, after the area is drained of resources, would just left to destroy the endangered area and the people will be holding the empty bag.

JPC pointed out that it is not against development but development must be obtained in responsible manner and ensure sustainability of resources and the future of the country’s children.

“We stand opposed to destructive forms of development and progress that regards the short-term influx of investment and employment. We stand opposed to a development and progress that disregards and neglects the long-term negative impact of such development on both the environment and humanity.”
JPC wanted the government to find for an alternative for “black gold,” such as bio-fuel and ethanol production, that are renewable, sustainable and could reduce the dependency on oil but can accelerate the economic development.

It was learned that Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) placed Tañon Strait in top 10 major fishing grounds in the country, producing quality fish stocks such marlin and tuna. The area is also known for dolphins that attract tourists. It is an important source of food of millions living nearby and home of 60 marine sanctuaries and 80 others along Bohol-Cebu Strait.

By Lawrence Casiraya
www.inquirer.net

Call center operator Teletech reported it has surpassed its 15,000-headcount target and will open two more facilities early next year.

Maulik Parekh, Teletech general manager for Asia, said in a briefing Friday the company reached its target last month.

Teletech, based in Denver, Colorado, is aiming to increase this further to 25,000 workers by 2009, hinging growth on its expansion to more cities nationwide.

Six out of Teletech's 10 sites are located in cities outside of Metro Manila, including "lower-tier" areas like Lipa (Batangas), Bacoor (Cavite) and Cainta (Rizal).

The company will open two more facilities in San Fernando (Pampanga) and Sta. Rosa (Laguna) in the first quarter of 2008. These sites will have about 1,700 and 1,000 seats, respectively.

"We believe it's achievable," Parekh said, referring to the two-year target. "We haven't had issues on hiring people in locations we expand into."