MikeLigalig.com

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2869784

I just can't imagine...

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2852560

not even think about it...

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2665221

A very old TV commercial...

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2818335

Inidoro ra gyud ato ani...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/962955/titanic_1912_original_video_footage/

Titanic builders told world newspapers that "Titanic is so big that even God cannot sink it."

Mortals should not mock God.

   1. Don’t wait for a revolutionary idea. It will never happen. Just focus on a simple, exciting, empty space and execute as fast as possible
   2. Share your idea. The more you share, the more you get advice and the more you learn. Meet and talk to your competitors.
   3. Build a community. Use blogging and social software to make sure people hear about you.
   4. Listen to your community. Answer questions and build your product with their feedback.
   5. Gather a great team. Select those with very different skills from you. Look for people who are better than you.
   6. Be the first to recognise a problem. Everyone makes mistakes. Address the issue in public, learn about and correct it.
   7. Don’t spend time on market research. Launch test versions as early as possible. Keep improving the product in the open.
   8. Don’t obsess over spreadsheet business plans. They are not going to turn out as you predict, in any case.
   9. Don’t plan a big marketing effort. It’s much more important and powerful that your community loves the product.
  10. Don’t focus on getting rich. Focus on your users. Money is a consequence of success, not a goal.

source: http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/05/loic-le-meurs-ten-rules-for-startup-success/#comment-1817994

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1475084&fr=&cache=1

What is yours?

St. Agnes, I think we need more shirts.

For those who want to order, can they contact you?

Macky Ferniz has not read this thread. I'm sure he will get one.

There are more TB members who have not been informed about our T-shirt.

Reported By Norman Sinclair, Santiago Esparza and Jennifer Mrozowski / The Detroit News

Detroit, USA - A 7-year-old-girl is being hailed as an "angel from heaven" and a hero for jumping in front of an enraged gunman, who pumped six bullets into the child as she used her body as a shield to save her mother's life.

Alexis Goggins, a first-grader at Campbell Elementary School, is in stable condition at Children's Hospital in Detroit recovering from gunshot wounds to the eye, left temple, chin, cheek, chest and right arm.

"She is an angel from heaven," said Aisha Ford, a family friend for 15 years who also was caught up in the evening of terror.

The girl's mother, Selietha Parker, 30, was shot in the left side of her head and her bicep by a former boyfriend, who police said was trying to kill Parker. The gunman was disarmed by police and arrested at the scene of the shooting, a Detroit gas station. Police identified him as Calvin Tillie, 29, a four-time convicted felon whom Parker had dated for six months.

Parker, who was treated and released at Detroit Receiving Hospital, is now at her daughter's bedside. She declined to comment Tuesday.

The drama began to unfold just before midnight Saturday, when Parker called Ford and asked if she and Alexis could spend the night at Ford's home.

"She said she had no heat and they were very cold, and I said , sure I'll come and get you," Ford said.

Ford said she drove her burgundy 1998 Ford Expedition to Parker's home on Dwyer. She said as Parker and Alexis walked up to her vehicle she saw a man on the porch, who she assumed was a furnace repairman. She said Alexis, who walks with a limp, slipped momentarily on the icy sidewalk and as she helped the girl up, she saw the man and recognized him as Tillie. He was holding a gun.

Tillie ordered them into the vehicle, cursed at the women and angrily told Ford to drive him to Six Mile Road, she said.

"He looked like he was enraged and didn't care what he did. I knew if we went to Six Mile, he would kill us," Ford said. Instead, she told him she needed gas and drove to the Fast Stop Gas station in the 5000 block of East Seven Mile Road, a station that requires customers to pay the attendant inside.

"I figured if he got out to pump the gas, I was going to take off," Ford said.

Instead, Tillie gave her $10 and told her put in $5 worth of gas.

Ford said she dialed 911 on her cell phone as she walked into the station.

"The first operator clicked off and I dialed again and told that operator a guy with a gun was holding me hostage with a mother and baby and threatening to kill us. I told her the name of the gas station and then she said they didn't have a unit to send."

Ford said she paid for $5 of gas and slowly returned to the vehicle, stalling for time as she handed Tillie the change. She said she kept stopping and starting the pump, hoping the police would show up.

"I told him I needed more gas and took money out of my purse and went back into the station," she said. The attendant, Mohammad Alghazali, 30, said he noticed Ford was crying and she told him what was happening. He called 911 as he heard shots coming from the vehicle.

"It was very scary. She (Ford) was scared and screaming when the guy was shooting. I was scared, too. I was on the phone talking to the police when he started shooting," he said

Parker told police that Tillie said Ford was taking too long

She said she pleaded with him but he pointed the gun at her and shot her in the side of the head. She told police she was shot in the arm as she lunged at Tillie.

Before Tillie could fire again, Alexis jumped over the seat between her mother and the gunman and begged him not to shoot her mother.

The police report said Tillie "without hesitation" pumped six shots into the child.

As police arrived, they saw Parker, covered in blood, running from the truck, screaming, "He just shot my baby."

The officers said Tillie came out to the vehicle holding a blue steel 9 mm semi automatic and dropped the weapon when ordered to do so. Officers said they found Alexis huddled on the floor under the steering wheel, covered in blood, surrounded by spent cartridge casings, a spent bullet on the floor and teeth on the seat. There were bullet holes in the windshield and blood inside.

Alghazali said a police car on a street nearby arrived in less than a minute after his call.

Marvin Bodley, a Detroit Public Schools attendance agent, spent two days at Alexis' hospital bedside and said it's miraculous that she's alive.

"What a courageous, courageous little girl," he said. "You see more bandages than child," he said. "It's a horrific sight."

source: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071205/METRO/712050396&imw=Y

Mothers: More Reasons to Quit Smoking
by Kimberly Beauchamp, ND

If moms need more encouragement to give up the habit, two new studies highlighting smoking’s negative impact on a smoker’s offspring may add motivation. The first study suggested that women who were exposed to their parents’ cigarette during childhood smoke have a higher miscarriage risk, while the second showed how infant sleep patterns were disrupted after their mothers smoked.

Many women choose to quit smoking during pregnancy, only to pick it up again once the baby is born. Doctors discourage nicotine use during pregnancy but not necessarily during breast-feeding. Most doctors and public health officials agree that for women who smoke, the benefits to the baby from breast-feeding outweigh the possible negative effects of smoking on the breast milk.

In addition to nicotine, cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 compounds, including more than 60 cancer-causing chemicals. Any one or combination of these substances could contribute to the ill effects associated with cigarette smoking.

In the first study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, 1,449 nonsmoking women undergoing infertility treatment answered questions about their past and present exposure to secondhand smoke. Miscarriage risk among women whose parents had smoked when the women were children was almost two times that of women whose parents hadn’t smoked. Women whose spouses smoked were also more likely to experience implantation problems, interfering with their ability to become pregnant.

The second study, published in Pediatrics, looked at the sleep patterns of 15 babies whose mothers smoked. The women were asked not to smoke for at least 12 hours prior to the test sessions. During the first session, the women did not smoke, their babies were fed on demand, and infant milk intake and sleep patterns were recorded. One week later, the routine was repeated, this time with the mother leaving the room for 20 minutes to smoke. As before, the babies were fed on demand and their behavior monitored.

After the mothers smoked, the infants spent significantly less time sleeping than when their mothers refrained from smoking. The longest bout of sleep was cut short after the mothers smoked, and the babies spent less time in active and quiet sleep. These findings are important, as growth and tissue healing take place during sleep. Studies have also shown that sleep disruptions may lead to learning difficulties and problems related to memory.

Some smoking mothers may choose to discontinue breast-feeding in order to curb the negative effects of smoking on their babiesâ€"a choice that Michelle Palmer, a certified nurse midwife in Rhode Island, cautions against. “I hope that women will see these results for what they are and make the choice to quit smoking instead of giving up breast-feeding, which is one of the most precious gifts of love and health that a mother can give her child.”

source: http://nutritionresearchcenter.org/healthnews/?p=145

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA - Bohol

Seemingly losing time in a crucial attempt to arrest the trending "renovations" that otherwise tend to destroy heritage structures in the end, Bohol's attempts to keep the efforts at bay gets its corner stone this week.

Sectors here have asked, what happens to an eco-cultural heritage tourism destination dream when disconcerted efforts by some sectors tinkering with culture and tangible heritage in the guise of preservations make Bohol lose its treasures instead?

The question came amid a flurry of activities here presented as efforts to restore, conserve and protect tangible and intangible heritage, but destroy the priceless structures in the end.

In attempts to institutionalize a culture and heritage preservation and conservation, Bohol gets a boost after formalizing the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage (BACH) Code this week.

"The Code would be the bible of all arts, culture and heritage efforts and hopes to guide sectors in dealing with preserving the tangible and intangible heritage as well as institute a common response in matters affecting these," cultural workers explained.

This endeavor is a major stepping stone in Bohol's historic process of crafting what would be the most helpful institutionalized policy for preserving and revitalizing our cultural heritage, a letter from the Office of Governor Erico Aumentado stated.

And in perfecting the draft code, Bohol hopes to draw lessons and insights from the experiences of cultural and heritage preservation as well as the crucial processes towards crafting heritage laws.

In this line, sectors here would gather Monday to listen to resource persons from key Philippine heritage conservation efforts to tentatively pen the local BACH Code.

Convened by the Province of Bohol's BACH Council, Office of the Center for Culture and Arts Development, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Culture and the Arts, the gathering will form the initial seminar series on the BACH heritage code development.

"This is part of the on-going education process in preparation for the crafting of the BACH Code," Aumentado said in his letter to the invited participants.

The two day seminar workshop which would be on December 10-12 at the University of Bohol Instructional Resource Center will feature a talk on the Ifugao experience of protecting the Banaue Rice Terraces and the epic Hudhud.

The seminar participants also get to hear a talk on the Vigan experience in preserving and revitalizing the city.

Finally, the seminar affords a venue for a comprehensive study on the first version of the BACH Code and a people's referendum workshop on the BACH Code by council members and stakeholders in cultural development.

Set to participate in the seminar workshop are BACH Council members, provincial officials, mayors and town cultural leaders, tourism and business sector stakeholders, academe and the Diocesan Commission of the Cultural Patrimony of the Church.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA - Bohol

Human rights education goes on the air starting Monday as Bohol peace advocates use the potent radio as tool for its ongoing advocacies.

Soon to hit the air lanes beginning December 10, Dennis Calunia of the Diocesan Social Action Center representing the Church, Alfredo Amora representing the media and Yvette Bede Matabalan of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) would be program hosts.

The program stakes the 7:00 to 8:30 pm timeslot at station DyTR AM.

The launching also coincides with the observance of the International Human Rights Week and in fact is set on the same day the whole world celebrates the International Human Rights Day.

"The program would basically be focused on human rights advocacies in line with the Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect of Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), says Matabalan of the PPOC, during an interview.

This is also a further cascading of the initiatives of the Local Monitoring Board (LMB) to evaluate on the observance by both the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines / New People's Army / National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) to the expressed agreements signed by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the NDF since 1992-1995, she adds.

But the program would also look into the four substantive agendas in the Hague Convention which covers human rights and international humanitarian law, socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and the cessation of hostilities, adds Bohol peace advocates.

Bohol is one of the country's only three provinces with an instituted LMB to check on the issues raised against CARHRIHL, Dr. Asteria Estoreon admits during the Kapihan sa PIA Thursday.

The LMB, according to her is a localized board whose main job is to gather and report complaints of atrocities otherwise seen as contrary to the CARHRIHL.

All of the above details hope to usher in the resumption of peace talks leading to a final end of the conflict that ahs been going on for more than three decades.

In Bohol, one of the key issues relating to the CARHRIHL is the reported human rights abuses by both parties and the employment of minors in the war.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA - Bohol

Three Boholano pugilists, two of them defending a title, threw in the fundamentals of boxing in a classic show of agility and stamina last week to earn for the country two world titles and another exclamation point in world boxing superiority.

Saturday last week in Connecticut, Talibon borne Nonito Donaire pounded Mexican challenger Luis Maldonado and dropped him to the canvas in a bid to retain the International Boxing Federation IBF flyweight division belt.

Last Sunday in Araneta Coliseum, Candijay-born Rey Boom-boom Bautista also blasted his tough Mexican opponent Antonio Meza for most rounds and drawing for him a unanimous decision to retain his World Boxing Organization Intercontinental superbantam weight belt.

Meanwhile, while fighting in a non title bout, Corella-born AJ Bazooka Banal, current World Boxing Organization Youth super-flyweight Champion rendered a show stealer in the Bautista-Meza spectacle when he scored a stunning ninth round technical knock-out over another Mexican Jovanny Soto.

The fights aired live over national televisions had most Boholanos glued to their sets to keep track of the boxing developments.

Donaire, who was on his first title defense lorded his ring superiority over Maldonado and showed why he was nicknamed Filipino Flash when his stiff left caught the challenger seconds into the eighth round.

Donaire improved his slate with 19 wins, 18 of which came in a row, boxing sources said.

On the other hand, Rey Bautista, who came to the ring without an idea of his opponent's arsenal survived a visibly tough fight and still got his reward for going the distance.

Fighting toe-to toe with the huge heart which had the home crowd on the edge of their seats, Bautista was lated quoted as saying, " I never knew exactly what his style was and he had already gained an advantage since he has seen me fight many times in the States."

Bautista who was humbled when he suffered a fist round knock-out loss against another Mexican Daniel Ponce de Leon admitted he was not rushing things up with Meza, stressing he had a lesson of patience and self control in his last debacle.

Bautista raised his record to 24 wins, 17 of them by knock-outs and 1 loss.

AJ Banal brought boxing to a higher level when he hit Soto with a barrage of crisp head and body shots. The Mexican however refused to refused to go down early.

Things changed in the eighth round however when Banal caught Soto with a right hook to the chin that sent the challenger to the canvas.

Banal now holds a 16 wins, 13 of them by knockouts, no losses and a draw.

As of presstime, Boholanos await the homecoming of the local boxing greats even as city mayor Dan Neri Lim is also expected to roll the red carpet for the local heroes.

Quote from: ms da binsi on December 07, 2007, 06:00:30 AM
          UNSAON KO NA LANG?
intawon tindog na sa imong paglum-lom, pag-luhod ug pangilyupo
"dakog-itlog" mikurog na ako sa kalami kay hadu-ol kana sa
sa tunga-tunga sa imong mga tuyo
basin pa kining kasing-kasing kong nagsubo
mohong-hong sa tago..........
"dakog-itlog" unsa na....ako ba maghubo?

maglain akong kabuhi aning maghubo... makamingaw...

St. Agnes, you ascend to the high clouds of Tubag Bohol
and we are inspired of your example.

May your saintliness help us remember the sanctity of Tubag Bohol friendship.

Join the platoon of Bohol heroes...

Quote from: st. agnes on December 07, 2007, 09:50:05 PM
Mike, naay kong sakyanan, pero not so sure if pwede ba mi ani mag overnight...

if pwede ra sa amo-a( with my bf) mag overnight, okay kaayo ang among sakyanan gamiton...

provided...

chip-in2x tas gas (wala na lage koy kwarta... student po ako... hehehehe)... sitting capacity sa amo car, 8-10 person, sikit-sikit lang...  Starex sya...

Dear Agnes,

As long as dili kariton atong sakyan, walay problema. Anad ko anang sakay sa rooftop sa sakyanan sauna dang syagit inig labay sa mga kabaryohan.

Quote from: st. agnes on December 07, 2007, 09:40:57 PM

Dear Santa of Tubag Bohol,

We are all excited to see you...

With love from all of us, little children of Tubag Bohol,
a to z 

Quote from: orChids on December 07, 2007, 03:48:14 PM
Hala..........naay santa?.........Ok ..this cards is for you Santa para di ka kalimot nako..Merry Christmas Santa!!


bahala mauwahi ko sa listahan basta di lang makalimtan ha santa?..

Gwapa ra ba kaayo ni si Orchids. You should see her mga taga Tubag Bohol...

Quote from: st. agnes on December 07, 2007, 10:02:38 AM
to finalize sa atong activity... mo suggest lang ko... sa akong part lang...

ON THE 30TH of December, 2007:

10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.   - Eyeball
                                      (no place yet)
11:00 A.M. -   1:00 P.M.   - lunch time
                                      (TB together- unsa man ni? KKB?,
                                      as in chicka galore - kon dili ma tamimi, no venue yet)
  1:00 P.M. -   3:30 P.M.   - Visit sa Orphanage
                                      (hope naa tay mga simple presents nga ipang hatag--nindot unta
                                       parihas sila tanan, para walay away, and this must be prepared na
                                       para dili ma consume ang atong time --- any volunteer? if okey ni
                                       akong idea..)....
3:30 PM    - 4:30 P.M.     - mamalit sa department store, unsay gamitonon, dalhon sa Anda for
                                      overnight
4:30 P.M                       - Departure for Anda
6:30 P.M.  - 7:00 P.M.     - Arrival nani sa Anda
                                      (don't know tama ba ni ako pag estimate sa byahe)
                                      (Coastal road lang ta age, kay nindot ang dalan,
                                       sa Interior bati, naay ongoing construction)
7:00 P.M.   - 8:00 P.M.    - Dinner
                                      (pag abot dayon manihapon? so naay host ani? hehehe)
8:30 P.M.   - 'till sawa     - party
                                      nindot sa party naa tay videokehan...
                                      kay mao ra ni talent showcase dili ma balibaran siguro
                                      (pwede nato e-MC si Paul? okay ka Paul)
                                      ( or even si Mari)
Morning                         - manguli na ta oi...
                                       aw! naa pay pamahaw ani?
                                       pwede sad ta age na sa interior ani...
                                       patay! calling Scott, mag prepare ta ani pagkaon? basin mo hapit sila sa Pilar.


so, mao ni akong suggestions nga flow sa atong EB... Suggestion lang ni ha....

We need two private vehicles for this. Maghuna-huna sa ta...

Quote from: Ginger on December 07, 2007, 09:14:51 PM
Kamao diay ka mo luto, Mike?

Fried eggs. Noodles. Ug dung-ag nga way anok.

Zel, kung makabana ka ug King, mo-apply lang ko nimo pagka-kusinero...

Nothing can kill romance faster than the word prenup. But with about one in three of all first marriages ending in divorce, and 50 percent of second or third ones hitting the skids, a prenup is smart financial planning, legal and financial experts say.

"Think of it as a business arrangement or as an insurance policy to help remove some of the emotion that's naturally involved," says Nancy Dunnan, a New York City financial adviser and author. "Marriage is not just an emotional and physical union -- it's also a financial union. A prenup and the discussions that go with it can help ensure the financial well-being of the marriage."

A prenuptial accord is a contract between two people about to wed that spells out how assets will be distributed in the event of divorce or death. Such agreements have existed for thousands of years in some form or another, particularly in European and Far Eastern cultures, where royal families have always made provisions for protecting their wealth.

source: www.bankrate.com

The Justice Reform Initiatives Support (JURIS) Project, one of CIDA's bilateral projects in the Philippines, is looking to hire a full-time Finance and Administrative Assistant, to be based in Manila.   Contract period will be six (6) months starting January 2008.

The JURIS Project  seeks to support the implementation of the Supreme Court's Action Program for Judicial Reform (APJR) and its Supplement, keeping in mind the critical problem of case congestion and delay.   The project will support access to justice by the poor, the fifth of the sixth components of the APJR, with the view of contributing to solving the very critical problem of case congestion and delay.

We are pleased to share with you the attached Terms of Reference for this project staff position, containing the scope of responsibility and qualifications for the position.

Interested applicants may send their curriculum vitae on or before Monday, December 17, 2007 via email to:   jurispro@pldtdsl.net.

Please share this information with your colleagues and network partners who might be interested and qualified to apply for this position.  Likewise, you may visit the PCCO website for other consulting / job opportunities postings.

ELSA BAYSIC - SUMIDO
General Manager
Philippines-Canada Cooperation Office (PCCO)
The Program Support Unit of CIDA in the Philippines

Oh, I hope I have an Internet connection by then.

Yes, GEC, Tubag Bohol has Santa Claus, so grab your XXXL T-shirt now.

Quote from: C2H4 on December 07, 2007, 01:12:41 PM
Ahahahaha!

Ambot lagi unsaon ni pagpasar nga dire naman ko sa TB nag eskwela! LOL

Oist si swakee kay mo bakasyon raba sa Michigan sa June puhon, puede June na atong EB para maka apil pud siya...

Maayo pud Thyl para sa May mo-apply na ko ug U.S. visa.

Quote from: grazie7y on December 07, 2007, 01:10:11 PM
Tama-tama, atong EB sa inyoha Maring dala na pod nang victory party for Ms. C2's passing the exams! 

Unsa nga exam ni Thyl? Thyl, i will give you a test. . .

I already sent a PM to Santa if I could post a thank you note here in Tubag Bohol for her generosity. Mo-post man gani ta ug bad news (murder, corruption, etc), unsa na kaha ang mga maayong buhat sa mga Bol-anon?

Quote from: C2H4 on December 07, 2007, 10:55:23 AM
Unsa man gud akong i-pm? ahahaha, wala ko'y alamag oi...

binuang ra tong Mike

if i want to know something nga wala mahibaw-i sa uban, i will ask ethyl about this.
i am sure that her encyclopedic understanding of many things will enlighten a seeking soul.

teng, tawaga si ethyl sa iyang mobile phone sa US.

Quote from: Ginger on December 07, 2007, 04:09:58 AM
I received an SMS from The Philippine Ambassador this evening.

the message: We have now confirmation from the Danish Foreign Ministry that Dulce Acedo's repatriation will be funded
                    by insurance of driver.

Praise God... Makauli na si Dulce. Thank you, Zel, for working this out.

Quote from: st. agnes on December 06, 2007, 11:08:34 PM
dili siguro black? maybe white?

suggestion palihug...

White is the best.

Daghan baya mo virgin diri...

Quote from: st. agnes on December 06, 2007, 10:44:27 PM
hehehehe... sure Ms. Ginger...

here.......

Agnes, this is beautiful indeed... great work of art...

Quote from: orChids on December 06, 2007, 10:39:49 PM
Ako mahlig jod ug hangyo........gawas sa itlog......wala bay lain nga padakuon?

mo-smile lang ko Aya... 

Agnes, this is beautiful. "We Listen" is enough sa ubos, so pwede na kuhaon ang Tubag Bohol nga gamay.

Cebu Pacific (CEB) will fly direct from Cebu to Bangkok thrice weekly, starting April 6, 2008, bringing to six its non-stop international services from its Cebu hub.

From Cebu, CEB currently flies direct to Hong Kong, Singapore, Incheon, Pusan and Taipei beginning December 14.  The airline’s thrice weekly Cebu-Taipei service has a year round ‘Go’ fare starting from P999 one-way.

CEB will also be flying a direct daily service between Cebu and Boracay (Caticlan) when it takes delivery of its second ATR72 in March next year.  It will also take its Cebu-Cagayan de Oro service from thrice weekly to four times weekly beginning January 9, 2008 and its Cebu-Davao service will become a thrice daily operation starting May 8, 2008.

The airline also announced an ongoing Cebu-Butuan P1 seat sale.  The seat sale and travel period for this promotion will run from December 4, 2007 to February 29, 2008.

From Manila, CEB flies to 11 international destinations while from Davao, it will have two non-stop international services beginning May of next year. It is still waiting for developments to make Clark its fourth hub.

Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and product, said that the airline is making flying so convenient that passengers from the country’s three main islands have more options available to them for their domestic and international travel needs.

“We are offering an unbeatable package of convenience, low fares, and the newest aircraft. We are revolutionizing travel in the Philippines and wherever we go, we are able to influence competing services and fares,” she said.
                                                           
CEB is the only airline flying from Cebu to Bangkok.  CEB will have a seat sale with a P999 one-way fare for this route starting from December 5 to 10, 2007 only and is valid for the travel period of April 6 to June 30, 2008.  The year-round ‘Go’ fare is pegged at P1,499 one-way.  Fares quoted are exclusive of taxes and surcharges.

“We will continue to expand our operations in our Cebu hub as the demand for air travel in the Visayas and Mindanao regions continue to rise. And we will constantly find ways to improve our operations as part of our commitment to make air travel more accessible and comfortable for all Filipinos,” Iyog added.

CEB recently added a 4th aircraft to its Cebu hub operations last November 3, 2007.

For flight schedules and bookings, passengers can visit www.cebupacificair.com, or call its call center at (032) 230-8888, (02) 70-20-888 or its ticketing offices and accredited travel agencies.

Francisco Dagohoy's camp was based in Danao.

Quote from: Macky Ferniz on December 06, 2007, 12:02:19 AM
I have seen this just now and sorry for this late reply. I am busy with work these days doing year-end routine.

Tubag Bohol is Gods blessing to the Boholanos all over the world.

Really, Boholanos are reunited through this web site and as I ponder, a thought of a new definition for Tubag Bohol as “the Heart of Bohol”. This web site gives me such a wonderful feeling I could not explain.

My dear friends, no amount gratitude can be told for unselfishly sharing your time, knowledge/ideas, laughter, music, photos and profound sentiments.

Simply I thank you for the genuine friendship I found only in Tubag Bohol.

Special thanks to Mike Ligalig for his dedication and sacrifices to keep this running.

Long live TB Community!

Macky, indeed you touch our hearts with your profound, beautiful words...

Agnes, I forgot to point this out: Tubag Bohol has a slogan: Tubag Bohol... "We Listen"

Zel, kahinumdum pa ka ani nga slogan: Tubag Bohol... "We Listen"

My choice is option Number 5 because of its simplicity. It is not heavy with graphics. Agnes, maybe the letter O in Bohol can be the Bohol map.

And instead of Be one of Us, we'll rekindle the first and still the only slogan of TB: Tubag Bohol..."We Listen"

Agnes, I suggest that Tubag Bohol and the url be in the same color.

Quote from: st. agnes on December 06, 2007, 09:28:12 PM
Mike, how about this? diko sure nahan ba mo...

#2

Agnes, okay na ni nga design. Ang problem kay sayop ang web url. Maghilak si mikeygatal ani.

Quote from: orChids on December 06, 2007, 09:19:55 PM
Unfair jod Bro ug hangtod Sweden a ka.....mag rally tanang taga Anda ana.......

Aya, sige lang kay naa may stopover sa Japan... 

Quote from: asianfairy on December 06, 2007, 09:05:21 PM
St Agnes, di pod ko makaatend sa EB pero gusto sab ko sa tshirt. Para maoy isuot puhon sa dakong EB sa june.

Mike, ipersonal delivery nang akoa ha. he..he..
Ilahos pod nato nang para Ginger. :-))

Bitaw..St Agnes salamat sa PM. Way problema bahin sa bayad. ako lang ipahatod sa akong amiga nga naa sa Tagbi diha nimo. Gae kos imong celpon para matawagan ka niya ug magmeet mo.

Thanks.

Hi to all igat and beautiful TB ladies!!
I enjoyed our chat last night!

Murag makaadto jud ko sa Sweden aning pormaha... 

Quote from: st. agnes on December 06, 2007, 07:02:48 PM
Naa naman tay design... okay ba ni?



sa ubos sa EYEBALL naa ang www.tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com

Agnes, murag strong color ra kaayo ang red for the word Tubag Bohol. Naay alternative?

Si Mari can design the T-shirt. Dia pa sa Bangkok nagparelax-relax.

Those who are living abroad, ipadala lang nato sa Post Office ilang T-shirt.

Agnes, kindly PM Delaguna, Atty. Handel Lagunay.

By Joe Espiritu
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post

We wish we could name names but since the persons involved would deny the story anyway, we have to print some of these as blind items. There is an intense jockeying for an advantageous position in the local Federated SK election. The handlers are campaigning actively for their charges. One candidate had been favored by some with political agendas. To think that they are using children for their own ends is quite disheartening. It seems as if the slate for the local posts had been made up. The outs had not yet made up their minds.

There are many graduating SB kagawads. Some may run for a higher post, some may take a three-year sabbatical. Those with higher ambitions, those who are not sure of their political clout may try to influence the election of ABC president and SK president. That would be a good political capital. It would be the case of mutual back scratching.

We hope that those kids will be left alone. Let them choose among themselves, who will be their representative to the SB. Let us not pollute their minds with all the trickery, vote buying, horse trading and general mayhem. Let us teach them statesmanship this early. Let us not defile young minds just for the sake of our selfish desires. If we have to introduce them to a political career, let us train them right. They are the hope of the country.

We wonder who will oppose Andrew Tadena for the ABC presidency. Mamerts had lost although all his kagawads had won. He should have been a good candidate for the ABC post. He can con national politicians to fund him for the position. Now we are casting around for some nut to give Andrew a run for his money. Ludy Sajulga would be another good material. However, he too lost like Mamerts. Why do we always back losers?

Long time ago, there were political conventions. Leaders from all barrios were asked to choose candidates for the local posts. Now we do not see any convention. A group of supposedly influential people merely decides whom to field.

They would choose who has the most logistics. This is no longer democracy. This is oligarchy. If one has no money, they cannot win an elective post. The opposition party in the past election decided not to splurge and they were clobbered for their pains. Perhaps they did not expect to win. Maybe just for the fund of it.

At any rate, 2010 is still a long way off but it helps to prepare. Hey Mac, there are those who never stopped campaigning even if he has hardly warmed his seat. The only fun in this political life is campaigning and receiving salary or honoraria or whatever one may call it. Now that Christmas season is about to start, there is an open season for politicians. They have to shell out donations and to get a part of their money back, they attend Christmas parties. What happens afterward is most of them are overweight though lacking in sleep.

Back to the SK. Please leave them alone. Their handlers should keep their hands off. We will give you the ABC to play around with but not whose minds are still tender. If we keep tampering with their world, we will never acquire politicians who love their country more than their pockets or their egos. That is not too much to ask.

By Boy Guingguing
Bohol Sunday Post Publisher

He knows that from the start he is waging a losing battle. But if perseverance is what it takes to keep the momentum going, he slowly reaps what he sows.

There's nothing more we can describe the persistence of Senior Supt. Edgardo Ingking, provincial director of the Bohol Philippine National Police, in his bid to stamp out the illegal numbers game called swertres.

Just like any skeptic including this Bglante about police campaigns against all forms of illegal activities, the latest Ingking drive was another of those much-publicized campaigns. Or so we thought.

But this time, we are confronted with a different kind of police leadership.

Although we find Ingking to be a man of several words, on the other hand, we were made to believe that he can match his words with unwavering commitment to make things happen.

On the surface, it really appears that the drive to eliminate swertres was just another publicity stunt to gain pogi points on the part of lawmen out who have nothing productive to crow about.

But not this latest Ingking caper. From where we sit, we feel that Ingking is serious in his bid to stop the inroads of swertres from being a social menace.

And there are tell tale signs that he is going to make it.

How else explain the fact that some financiers, coordinators and their cohorts are lying low for fear that Ingking would make good his threat to arrest those who defy his order.

From the field, we heard refreshing reports that indeed swertres have lost patronage from its usual takers. This is a good sign that Ingking was able to strike fear among those involved in the illegal numbers game.

We in the sidelines who are watching Col. Ingking do his thing, we can only applaud him for a job well done. After all, if there's a will, there's a way.

To those whose livelihood is affected, we can only say, that in this world of free men, there's no such thing as you can win 'em all. And be consoled with the thought that there's always a next time. So better luck-next time.

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

No reconciliation is in sight for Deputy Mayor Mariano Uy and City Kag. Edgar Kapirig as an attempt to mediate over their feud at the barangay level failed last Monday.

Uy has filed a complaint for grave slander with damages against Kapirig.

During their confrontation at the Poblacion-1 barangay hall presided by barangay captain Niño Racho, Uy narrated why he lodged the complaint against the city councilor.

However, Kapirig stood firm that he will not apologize to the deputy mayor and administrator of the Botika sa Katawhan.

Kapirig denied Uy's allegations that he spread around rumors of mishandling of donated funds for the Botika sa Katawhan.

The allegations were denied by Uy saying monetary donations for the Botika were minimal as most benefactors send medicines.

Uy also said the Botika could not be subjected to a government audit since it was initiated and managed by him, as a private individual.

The only counterpart of the city government, Uy claimed, is the building provided for the Botika. Likewise salaries of doctors, nurses and staff is shouldered by the city.

Uy said that just over a year after its operation, the Botika has given free medicines to over 7,000 beneficiaries in the city.

Uy targets to distribute medicines to 15,000 recipients in the next two years.

Kapirig, during last Sunday's mediation surprised the public when he bared that the controversy does not involve the Botika project but was triggered by a "third party" which he did not elaborate.

Both Kapirig and Uy are political supporters of Mayor Dan Lim who tried to mediate their conflict.

Kapirig's son, Michael, is running as city SK federated president. It could not be ascertained if the young Kapirig will still get the mayor's endorsement after the latter declared during last Saturday's "Mayor's Report" that he is with Uy in this controversy.

Press Release

The government's Techno-Gabay program, an information technology project for the farmers, had recently facilitated the formulation of a business plan and Science and Technology-based farm proposal to set as guidelines in the operation of FITS centers and make information services more farmer-friendly.

Staff of the Farmers Information Technology Service (FITS) center came up with the business plan and the technology-based farm proposal after the two-day planning workshop on November 20-21 at JJ's Seafood Village.          

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) conducted the workshop in collaboration with the Central Visayas Consortium for Integrated Regional Research and Development (CVCIRRD) and the provincial FITS Center.

The activity aimed to further fine-tune the operation of FITS center and make its facilities and services farmer-friendly to, eventually, fully capacitate the farmer-clients to maximize their resources and production.

Establishment of FITS centers is among the technology-oriented innovations in boosting the province's agriculture sector, implemented under the Techno-Gabay Program of PCARRD to bring science-based information and technology services to the end-users of the agriculture, forestry, and natural resources sectors.

PCARRD, lead implementor of Techno Gabay program, had released P700,000 to the provincial government represented by Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog, who is also the manager of ProFITS.

The fund was intended to support the various Techno-Gabay program activities in the province, including human resource development, capability enhancement and organizational development.

Aside from tourism, agriculture is the province's other main economic driver that the administration of Governor Erico Aumentado continually supports through partnerships and introduction of technologies or innovations.

Deputy executive director for Institution Development and Resource Management, Richard Juanillo and PCARRD Assistant Director Dr. Arturo S. Arganosa, together with Merivic Catada, the regional Techno-Gabay coordinator, were present during the workshop.

Techno-Gabay Program is one of the banner programs of PCARRD under DOST.

The program, with its network of research and development facilities and institutions in the country, envisions to help build a strong Philippine Republic by enhancing the information and technology service of the Local Government Units which are in the forefront of extension delivery.

The total number of FITS centers under the Techno-Gabay Program operating in Bohol have reached 32. Among them is the Provincial FITS (ProFITS) Center which is operated by the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO).

ProFITS serves as the nerve center of the Techno-Gabay Program in the province where the activities are orchestrated in order to achieve the objectives of the program.(Villa Inguito/PAO & BEGTZabala/PGMA)

Barely three months from its inauguration and groundbreaking, the Land Administration and Management Project 2 (LAMP2-Bohol) is set to distribute more 80 land titles in the pilot site in the municipality of Corella.          

It is in addition to the initial ten free patents released on the inauguration and groundbreaking day of the LAMP2-Bohol.

Of the 80 free patents, 56 were actually released with 39 claimants composed of 20 males and 19 females, during a ceremony November 29 at the Corella Public Market, in Poblacion, Corella. The remaining 24 titles were due for release to absent claimants.

Present during the activity were personnel from the Register of Deeds, LAMP 2, DENR and the local officials of the Municipality of Corella.

As this developed, Corella Vice-Mayor Epifanio Bolando said LAMP2 is the realization of his vision that people can have titled properties in a fast, easy and affordable way.

In behalf of Lawyer Carmelo Echica, Register of Deeds director, Administrative Officer Germanita Guidaben read his message emphasizing the significance of having a land title, "to keep it from possible loss or destruction, because acquiring another needs a court order".

The distribution of free patents gained positive response from the claimants which included Teofila Ahit of Barangay Tanday and Elpedia Fementira of Poblacion, Corella, who both applied in August this year, and Cresencio Daraman of Barangay Anislag who applied in September 2007.

All of them expressed gratitude to LAMP 2 for bringing the project closer to them and in facilitating their tenure.

More free patents will be released this month of December in the barangay level as the project progresses. (Andrew L. Soliva, IECAS/LAMP2-PPIO2)

By Loy Palapos
Bohol Sunday Post

The influx of tourists, foreign and local, indicates that the island-province of Bohol has, at long last, gained the consciousness of travelers from all walks of life. With tourism fast becoming the saving-grace of our economy, aside from foreign remittances from OFWs, after the agricultural sector hit below the projected target, investments in the tourism industry are shots-in-the-arm that could propel the province at decade's end.

One progressive company that has an ultra-bright future in the tourism business is Islands Souvenirs, with Jay Aldeguer as its President. As its name indicates, IS specializes in souvenir items for tourists and travelers. As a part of the Aldeguer Group of Companies, Islands Souvenirs has a steady climb in sales from its six outlets in Bohol. Manning the Bohol operations is Michael Moreno Dispo (MMD), a BS Accountancy graduate of Columban College, Olongapo City. How he came to Tagbilaran City as an Area Manager is a long story by itself, commencing with a purchasing job at Subic, and later transferring to Islands Souvenirs as a sales clerk. IS has now more than 50 outlets all over the country, with those in Bohol enjoying a lead, a justification of Bohol being dubbed Souvenir Island.

LMP: Was your first employment at Islands Souvenirs?
MMD: No. I used to work with the purchasing staff at a Taiwanese Firm in Subic, before transferring to Islands Souvenirs.

LMP: What was your first position at Islands Souvenirs?
MMD: I was a sales staff first, and then I became an Area Supervisor.

LMP: How many outlets of Islands Souvenirs do you have here in Bohol?
MMD: We have 6 existing boutiques.

LMP: How about the entire Visayas?
MMD: More than 30 na.

LMP: In Mindanao?
MMD: We have 4 boutiques.

LMP: In the NCR?
MMD: We only have 1. It's actually a franchise.

LMP: In Luzon?
MMD: We have two.

LMP: How many Islands Souvenirs outlets do you have in the whole country?
MMD; Approximately 50 plus.

LMP: What distinguishes Islands Souvenirs from other establishments selling the same items?
MMD: We are on top of the line when it comes to Souvenirs. We also focus on the quality of the shirts, and the designs.

LMP: You have your own staff in designing the shirts?
MMD: Yes. Our head office is based in Cebu. It's owned by Jay Aldeguer.

LMP: Is he related with this Aldeguer in boxing?
MMD: Yes. Mr. Antonio Aldeguer is the father. He owns the ALA boxing gym.

LMP: So Jay Aldeguer is the owner or the proprietor?
MMD: Yes. He's the current president of Islands Souvenirs. He's also a member of the Board in the Aldeguer Group of companies.

LMP: What other companies do they have aside from Islands Souvenirs?
MMD: Part of the Aldeguer Group of Companies are the USA Sports. They have Lualdi, a top of the line apparel for the ladies, and then Bisaya Espisyal, then there's Cebu TV, and Life for Long, the manufacturer and distributor of Penrox.

LMP: How did you become affiliated with Islands Souvenirs?
MMD: Actually, I applied for the position of Area Supervisor. They considered me since I already handled the operations of Subic for a year and a half.

LMP: What year was that?
MMD: 2004 to 2005. Then I transferred to Cebu in 2006. Last March, Bohol was turned over to me.

LMP: You mentioned about the quality of the products, how about it's price?
MMD: Sa price, Sir, medyo taas compared to other souvenir shops because you're paying for the quality of the shirt and the designs kasi. We have actually marketing strategies like our new campaign ad which is called 'My Bohol Trip', to boost the tourism of Bohol with the use of the souvenir shirts.

LMP: How about the outlets that you have in Bohol, are they doing well?
MMD: Yes. Actually this year, the sales dramatically increased based on our figures.

LMP: Does that mean that the tourism in Bohol is also going up?
MMD: Yes, definitely. Actually, Sir, the souvenir industry is still a cottage industry, a sleeping giant pa.

LMP: So, it still has not yet reached its full potentials?
MMD: Sort of. But it's nearly approaching the target, especially with the tourist's arriving in Bohol. Our sales increased because the tourist arrival in the Philippines and in Bohol doubled up every year; 20-40 percent increase every year. This survey of Bohol tourism shows that Bohol already reached the projection for this year. So, sumasabay din kami sa increase.

LMP: Can you again name the Islands Souvenirs outlets here in Bohol?
MMD: We have the Island City Mall Boutique, the Island City Mall Dept. Store, the BQ Mall, and the Sundry Shop of Metro Center. We also have the tourist spot outlets in Chocolate Hills, Hinagdanan Cave, and Blood Compact site.

LMP: Now as far as your products are concerned, don't you market it in a consignment basis?
MMD: We actually have a lot of marketing strategies. We don't only sell in department stores and malls, we also have institutional accounts in hotels and resorts. Right now, we are negotiating with Eskaya to customize and design a shirt exclusively for them. That's what we did in Shangri-La in Mactan. Jollibee is also a part of our negotiations. We're very active in festivals, and Jollibee has always been our partner in festivals like the Dinagyang and the Sinulog. We customize shirts for those festivals.

LMP: If there are any plans of expanding the business here in Bohol, where would it be?
MMD: We're planning to put up an outlet in Loboc.

LMP: Is it not there yet?
MMD: We have, but only a minimal, institutional lang. We're targeting to have a set of Islands Souvenirs boutiques in Loboc.

LMP: Possibly near the river?
MMD: Yes. At the docking area.

LMP: And when will that be?
MMD: We are still negotiating with the LGU of Loboc.

LMP: You mentioned that Islands Souvenirs here in Bohol is growing fast, what is the estimated percentage growth of your product sales every year?
MMD: We change products every year, and as we observed, we have increased by 5-10 %.

LMP: Do you have any problems in coping up as an Area Manager?
MMD: At first, when they turned over Bohol to me, there were problems with the operations, the relationship with our suppliers, and with our current partners.

LMP: How many employees are under you?
MMD: Here in Bohol, I have 15 staff.

LMP: Do you have your own accounting, your own auditing?
MMD: All of that are in Cebu. Our Head office is located there.

LMP: Are the people you have all Boholanos?
MMD; Yes, they all are. Because they already know the market. Sila yong magsasabi kung mabenta ba 'to, because they know what Bohol is about, anong meron sa Bohol. Alam nila kung ano ang dapat i- market.

LMP: What kind of manager are you?
MMD: I am more of a helping manager siguro. If ever my staff have problems or the outlets, I personally check them, talk to them.

LMP: As far as managing people is concerned, what have been the main problems?
MMD: So far, wala naman masyado, minimal lang siguro, like the attitude of some of the staff. Some of them are not yet mature enough for this responsibility or for the position. It's more of the training.

LMP: How often do you visit the outlets?
MMD: Everyday. Except for Chocolate Hills kasi malayo siya. I go there every week.

LMP: What do you believe is the reason why people buy your products?
MMD: Of course first, they want to have some souvenirs from Bohol. Number 2 they want to have quality shirts to share with their friends. Something na maipagmamalaki nila.

LMP: Does it follow that wherever is your outlet, it is depicted on the shirt?
MMD: Yes. Like in Subic, we have diving which is also depicted in the shirt, also the nature. For Cebu, the landmarks like the Magellan's Cross and the Lapu- Lapu Shrine. For Bohol, it's a lot. We have diving, nature, the country side tour, everything.

LMP: Aside from the shirts, what other products do you sell?
MMD: We have a lot of product lines aside from shirts. We have bags, accessories.

LMP: How long have you been with Islands Souvenirs?
MMD: 3 years already.

LMP: How long will you be staying with the company?
MMD: Probably 10 years or more. I'm happy with Islands Souvenirs. The job is challenging, you meet other people in other areas. This has been my first time in the Visayas.

LMP: how would you compare the people in Luzon and Visayas as far acceptance of Islands Souvenirs is concerned?
MMD: When it comes to selling the souvenir items here in Visayas, it's more kusog than in Luzon. Because naa sa Visayas ang daghan ug tourist spots. But when you say class na customers, naa sa Luzon. Everytime we have an analysis, mas malaki yong percentage ng mga Tagalog because they have a lot of pasalubong.

LMP: Are you planning to marry a Boholana? How do you describe the Boholana compared to the Cebuana?
MMD: Boholanas are soft-spoken. Cebuanas kasi are medyo talkative. They're both sweet though but that's the difference siguro.

LMP: What are the peak months of this business?
MMD: It's in the summer season and during festivals.

LMP: What are the principles that you follow in order to achieve more?
MMD: The best trait is not knowledge. Perseverance second na siguro yon, the best is attitude, towards your job, the people and towards your boss. LMP: What can make you mad?
MMD: Babae.

LMP: In what way?
MMD: Mga misunderstandings, jealousy.

LMP; What are you looking for in a woman?
MMD: Siguro patience lang. I'm the type of person kasi na mabarkada. Mahilig akong maglakwatsa. So siguro dapat yong girl has to be patient with me. LMP; What is your main goal in life?
MMD: I wan to help people through my job. I need not go to politics to help. I could do that by giving them jobs. Through Islands Souvenirs' projects and programs. I want to be involved in various projects in Bohol.

Michael M. Dispo has his hands full leading his staff of 15 in 6 outlets, and he has no qualms in professing that his job at Islands Souvenirs has made him a man fulfilled. He affirms that his superiors' trust has been a bullet-proof vest against companies wanting to pirate him. There have been some offers a less discerning man could not refuse, but his loyalty to his bosses who trust him well, and who have manifested their utmost confidence in his capabilities, is unwavering.

Still single at age 26, he is not in a hurry to get entangled in the marital knot. His Cebuana girlfriend can wait, and he has not closed his doors to more intimate discoveries in Bohol. He has found the Boholana sweet, soft-spoken and sympathetic; thus, the possibility of him permanently residing in Bohol and he himself becoming a Boholano is not remote.

He perceives a great future of the tourism industry in Bohol. He wants to be of help in realizing this dream. Customized shirts and accessories would be his contribution. That way Bohol would then become the tourist's Souvenir Island.

By Joe Espiritu
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post

A few days ago, Sen Antonio Trilanes and his co accused were brought to a Makati Regional Trial Court for a hearing. The former Navy senior lieutenant and several other soldiers were charged with rebellion. The hearing was not made as Trillanes and his group together with their military escort walked out of the courtroom and preceded to the Peninsula Hotel to hold a press conference. The presiding judge immediately issued a warrant of arrest citing Trillanes and company for contempt.

What happened seemed to be planned beforehand. The military escort joined the walk out and escorted them. They might have been waiting for the group from the Makati Regional Trial Court. As the group walked to the hotel, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, some members of the media and several others joined them. They forced their way into the hotel and there a bishop, a priest and some members of a militant group swelled their numbers. A marine contingent and a police special action force came to enforce the arrest. However, the military escort, which was supposed to be a custodial force, prevented the arrest and guns were about to go off.

With civilians around, the arresting officers consulted their higher authorities for further instructions. They did not want anyone to get hurt in case of resistance. A three PM deadline was given to the Trillanes party. Some people including a few members of the press left but several media personalities stayed. A tear gas canister was lobbed to force those not involved to leave but the media stayed put. It was not clear whether the media was forced to stay or they stayed of their own volition.

Whoever planned the move miscalculated. They expected people to beef up their numbers during the walk to the hotel. Perhaps they expected people to flock to them while in the hotel. There were no buyers. The great unwashed were not motivated enough so they would risk their necks for a very few. Or they are just tired of rallies and EDSAs and all that ballyhoo. At the three PM deadline, Trillanes decided to surrender. Several members of the media were handcuffed and were taken to the PNP headquarters in Bicutan, Rizal. Nothing was mentioned of Guingona and the two churchmen

Of course, the media came to join those who covered the aborted hearing. The media had to be there, that is their bread and butter. DILG Secretary Puno revealed that several appeals had been made to the media to leave Trillanes so that they would not hamper whatever action taken by the arresting officers. Still the media would not leave. Even after the teargas was lobbed.

Sec Puno has all the rights to ask the media to leave. Their absence will take away h wind for the Trillanes sails. There would be no propaganda mileage for him.

However, all true media practitioner lives only for a scoop, and exclusive reporting of news of the headline breaking variety. They may be kicked, punched, slapped, shoved around or even killed. But that goes with the territory. We wonder what the scenario would be if the arresting force met the Trillanes group on they way to the hotel. A gun battle might erupt and when the bullet leaves the muzzle of the gun, it does not discriminate between friend, foe or media man.

They may have been released from Bicutan with a reprimand, as technically, they may be guilty of obstruction of justice. Their equipment will be returned but first, they would be stripped of videos with inflammatory statements. The government would do anything to deaden the Trillanes propaganda. The reporters would refuse to have his scoop tampered or watered down. But that is democracy.

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Residents of Albur town who are opposed to the hosting of a cluster sanitary landfill project will stage a mass protest rally this morning at the Albur town hall.

The group, mostly composed of members of Hugpong Alburanon Nagpakabana (Hugalna) will be led by Vice Mayor Cirilo Jalad and Kag. Teodulo Pinlac.

During an interview over dyRD's Action Line yesterday, Pinlac said they hold the protest rally to dramatize their demand to stop the ongoing construction at the project site in barangay Dangay.

The group claims the landfill should not be constructed over an aquifer, like barangay Dangay which is said to be a source of water in said town.

According to Pinlac, Hugalna will not agree that Albur will host the garbage disposed from 13 towns.

Despite massive opposition from Albur folks, the landfill project has managed to get an approval and permit from the provincial and national agencies.

Last month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for the project. - www.theboholchronicle.com

The Philippines Canada Cooperation Office (PCCO) is looking for an individual who will be hired by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) as the  Policy Assistant for the Philippines Government-Development Partners Working Group on Decentralization & Local Government (WG - D & LG). 

A detailed Terms of Reference (TOR), containing the detailed scope of work and qualifications, is attached for your reference (and also posted at the PCCO webiste at www.pcco.org.ph).  Specific requirements for this consulting position are as follows:

    * University degree, preferably masters or doctorate level or equivalent, in social science or other relevant discipline
    * At least 10 years continuous work experience with international development organizations, national and/or local government sector
    * Familiarity with and extensive ability to network with senior officials of national government line and oversight agencies
    * Extensive knowledge and grasp of the changing context of decentralization and local government sector in the Philippines
    * Extensive experience in doing policy analysis
    * Very good analytical and communication skills, including strong writing ability on policy issues
    * Ability to identify key coordination issues and promote harmonization among key stakeholders
    * Ability to take initiatives and strive for results

This position will be on a short-term, part-time basis. A maximum of 40 days level of effort (up to 10 days in any given month) over a contract period of 5 months starting January 2008.

Individuals who are qualified and interested to apply for this consulting position must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).  Please refer to the specific requirements (as detailed above) and the attached TOR when preparing your EOI.  The EOI must be limited to 2 pages (maximum) only and must contain the following information:

a.  Complete name and current contact information (email address, telephone and cellphone numbers)
b.  related formal education and special training
c.  related knowledge and experience
d.  specific skills and know-how that will be useful in this position
e.  preferred daily professional fee (all-inclusive) in Philippine pesos
f.   Indicate availability starting January 2008

Please do not fail to indicate your preferred daily professional fee.  This quoted fee constitutes 20% of the committee's rating system (the other 80% will come from the review of the applicants' qualifications).  Preferred fee rates will not be negotiated and is subject to the mandatory withholding tax.

Please send your EOI via email on or before Monday, 17 December 2007, to:

         policy.assistant@pcco.org.ph  Subject:  EOI - Policy Assistant

Reminders:  Only EOIs sent via email will be accepted (we will not accept faxed or hand-carried applications).  A shortlist of successful candidates will be selected within one (1) week.  Only the shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.  A desk review of EOIs and CVs of shortlisted candidates will be undertaken by an Adhoc Selection Committee.  Interviews may follow.

We also need your detailed CVs.  For those already registered with the PCCO CV database, you do not need to submit your current detailed CV (just update online thru your personal account, if you need to). For those who have not yet registered with us, please do so online by accessing our website (www.pcco.org.ph) and submit a copy of your current CV to our registry.

Please pass on this advertisement to friends and networks who might be interested in this undertaking (or ask them to register with the PCCO online CV database).

We thank you in advance for your interest.  We look forward to receiving your EOI on or before the specified deadline.

ELSA BAYSIC - SUMIDO
General Manager
Philippines-Canada Cooperation Office (PCCO)
The Program Support Unit of CIDA in the Philippines

I just read this t-shirt discussion. I'm really surprised that Glen sent me a PM about this matter. Yes, Agnes, Santa Clara is coming to town.

Mike - Size: XL - ug gamay ra ang XL - XXL.

Quote from: C2H4 on December 06, 2007, 12:24:18 PM
Mike, what if pangag ang babae unya imong ingnon, "I like the way you smile"...ma ganahan kaha? or ma suko?

ahahahaha!

Girls love getting compliments, but guys...don't overdo it! Girls can sense duplicity as well, so be careful pud sa mga pag dayeg, ayaw palabii.

hhhahaha... kini si ethyl kay mangita jud ug lusot.

Teng, for Rule Number 3 nga makabugto ug garter, e-PM si Ethyl (c2H4). she knows many things.

Rule Number Two

Take time to appreciate her, especially the smallest details.

Ajaw ingon nga "you're beautiful". Avoid generalizations. Be specific. Women like details. Tell her: "I love your eyelash." Or "I like the way you smile."

Quote from: teng on December 06, 2007, 12:12:05 PM
ari bi ari bi tudloi ko Mr. Admin kay feel nako daghan na nasugamak nimo

Rule Number One:

Women long for a man who knows how to listen.

The world is full of talkers.

Teng, be a listener. Be a sympathetic listener.

Quote from: teng on December 06, 2007, 12:08:34 PM
ganahan man sab ta mag doctor ani kalakiha.....ahhehhe

teng, daghang mga ways unsaon ma-crush ang babae nimo bisan ug wala ka katunob ug school.

Quote from: C2H4 on December 06, 2007, 11:57:54 AM
Mike, kung ikaw mag caregiver, daghan jud mga girls magpa sakit sakit.

Hahaha!

OJT = on the job training

Nah, maoy gidangat. Basin akoy tabangon ug dad-on sa hospital, thyl.

I just need an OJT for caregiver. I spent eight months for this course.
It was a funny experience. I was just reading TIME magazines during lectures.

This is really funny... Filipinos gyud ta...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7532527329957206613

The Other Manny Pacquaio

By Jes Tirol
Columnist
Bohol Chronicle

Proem

Before the Senator Trillanes caper, there was a brewing controversy in the Civil Engineering Board Examination. The results were not released for being "Statistically Improbable."

No Anomaly

The Civil Engineering Licensure Examination was held last November 17-18, 2007 at seven (7) different places in the Philippines. The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) did not found any anomaly. The discrepancy they could find were two cell phones with 21 correct answers out of the 30 questions. It was a local incident. It could not explain why many obtained perfect scores in two subjects - Design and Hydraulics.

More than one hundred names are within the top-10 examinees. "Statistically Improbable," says PRC and orders a re-take of these two subjects (Design and Hydraulics) scheduled on January 12, 2008. No re-take is ordered for Mathematics.

More than one hundred names are within the top-10 examinees. "Statistically Improbable," says PRC and orders a re-take of these two subjects (Design and Hydraulics) scheduled on January 12, 2008. No re-take is ordered for Mathematics.

But what is meant by statistically improbable? If an examinee could obtain a score of 100% it is still statistically probable because that is the objective. What is statistically improbable or statistically impossible is a score of 110%.

Is It Fair and Morally Right?

The examinees have spent money, time, and effort to prepare for the Board Examination. Is it their fault if they encountered a very easy examination? If the computer and the examiners goof, is it fair and morally right to put the burden on the examinees and their parents?

Murphy's Law and Computerization

Thousands of questions are stored in a computer. The computer randomly selects 30 questions for the Board Examination.

Murphy's Law states, "If it is possible for anything to go wrong, it will go wrong." It is possible that the computer will select very similar questions that are easy and a rehash of previous examinations. During the November 17-18 Board Examination, Murphy's Law did occur.

The PRC could not believe the results. Very many got perfect scores. Instead of being happy that the examinees were well prepared and the schools were teaching well, the PRC chose to be the Devil's Advocate. PRC ordered a re-take even without any anomaly. Is "fairness" no longer part of today's vocabulary?

Warning Signs

In recent Civil Engineering Board Examination results, the First Placer usually obtained a rating of 98% and above. Within the top-10 places will be from twenty to forty names.

Now it is supposed to be more than one hundred names. PRC now calls it improbable.

It is already a warning sign that computerized examination in engineering courses are not good. Previously it was all written examination. Its defect was it took too long to release the results. A compromise was made, 40% written and 60% computerized. It was a good combination. (Note: The Bar Examination is all written and not computerized.)

Now that everything is computerized, even if you do not know how to solve the problem you can still guess the answer. A slight clue or "hearing" can give you the correct answer whether A, B, C, or D.

In my opinion it is time to go back to the combined written and computerized examination. A 30% written and 70% computerized examination is still alright.

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Gov. Erico Aumentado finally backs down to pressure from groups opposed to the Albur Cluster Sanitary Landfill as he requested for the suspension of the project's civil works.

The governor informed Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) general manager Robert Dean Barbers last Wednesday of his intent to stop ongoing construction at the project site in barangay Dangay, Alburquerque town.

This after residents complained on the turbidity of their drinking water blaming it on the ongoing works. Dangay is among the sources of potable water in Albur.

Aumentado expects Barbers to act on his request this week.

However, staunch oppositors of the project sees the governor's pronouncement as a temporary relief as this is only meant for the project's proponent and local officials to complete the information, education and communication (IEC) campaign to enlighten the people on the advantages of the project.

The Hugpong Alburanon Nagpakabana (Hugalna) is opposing the project not only for the lack of information drive to Albur folks.

The group said in a press statement that putting up a sanitary landfill is prohibited in areas considered as an aquifer, or a source of potable water, under Art. 6, Sec. 40 of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003).

To note, the United Nations Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Ecological Governance (EcoGov), the Holy Name University (HNU) of Tagbilaran City, the Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO) and the Tanggol Kalikasan have lined up their respective IEC campaigns this month when the new set of barangay officials shall have assumed office and settled in.

Aumentado said it is his wish and that of local officials to complete the information dissemination to ensure the acceptance of the project and its orderly and hassle-free implementation.

Under the plan, Albur will host the landfill for the Tagbilaran and nearby towns including Panglao Island. Being a small island and therefore environmentally fragile, Panglao by law cannot embark into a landfill project. Both Panglao and Dauis have been throwing their garbage at the controlled dumpsite in Tagbilaran City.

The dumpsite, however, as in all open dumpsites nationwide, needs to be closed with the full implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Clean Air Act.

EcoGov reports that while some local government units have been successfully operating sanitary landfills, the Albur case is a first of its kind in that it will "host" the garbage of 10 to 12 towns, Tagbilaran City initially included, for which it collects tipping fees.

The idea of a cluster was born out of the principle that the more towns contribute for its establishment of a landfill, the less expensive it would come out.

"Participating towns" stand to get shares from the landfill revenues.

Aumentado wants to complete the series of information dissemination, aware that those against the project can stage opposition rallies and negative IEC campaigns.

These spell trouble as what then Mayor Efren Tungol realized too late - the landfill became a political issue that led to his debacle in the last elections, the governor observed.

He also contemplates that key municipal and barangay officials be brought on a study tour to the United Nations-awarded sanitary landfill successfully operated in San Fernando, La Union. This way, they can help explain the advantages of the project and allay fears of the unknown spread by the project oppositors, he explained. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Only a public apology from City Kag. Edgar Kapirig can settle their feud, according to Deputy Mayor Mariano Uy.

However, until yesterday Kapirig refused to issue a public apology.

During an interview over Station dyRD, Kapirig said he would not ask forgiveness for a wrong which he has not done.

In fact, attempts by City Mayor Dan Lim to reconcile his two friends proved futile.

Kapirig said it was Uy who have blown up the whole thing as the latter publicized their rift through the media.

The city lawmaker even denied he knew anything about the cause of Uy's ire. He said he was "surprised" when the deputy mayor filed a complaint for slander with damages against him at the Poblacion-1 barangay hall last Tuesday.

Uy and Kapirig is scheduled meet tomorrow at the Lupong Tagapamayapa of Poblacion 1.

According to Uy, the city councilor lied when he claimed to have no knowledge as to the cause of their squabble.

During an interview with the Chronicle, the deputy mayor showed two drafts of a public apology that were supposed to be published in newspapers.

However, the statement never saw print as Kapirig allegedly withdrew it.

Uy said, the city councilor "maligned his honor and integrity" when the latter allegedly told several individuals that fund donations for the Botika sa Katawhan were mishandled.

Certain employees of the Botika sa Katawhan were also told by Kapirig of the misuse of funds, Uy alleged.

Uy said he is filing the complaint to clear his name as project director of the Botika sa Katawhan.

According to Uy, monetary donations to the Botika is minimal as most doctors in the United Sates who contributed to the success of the project give medicines, and not cash.

The Botika was borne out of Uy's solicitations to friends in the US. It turned out to be a success even just a year after its operation.

Presently, some 7,000 residents have already benefited of free medicines distributed through the Botika, Uy claimed.

He said, the accusations levelled against him could affect the Botika and its beneficiaries, as donors may no longer send medicines due to Kapirig's accusations.

The deputy mayor said, the generosity of Botika benefactors depends on his reputation.

Uy, during a radio interview yesterday asked beneficiaries of the Botika project to attend the hearing 9 a.m. tomorrow at Poblacion I barangay hall. Since the controversy affects the credibility of the project. The presence of the beneficiaries will manifest their support for the continuance of the Botika project. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

Experts will soon swarm the Malinao Dam in Pilar, Bohol to conduct a feasibility study and detailed design on its improvement.

This after the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) committed to give aid in the form of a grant for US$1 million to fund the year-long activity slated to start in two to four months.

Gov. Erico Aumentado, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) through Administrator Marcelino Tugaoen Jr. and KOICA Resident Representative Kim In Tuesday signed the records of discussion (ROD) for the conduct of the study in ceremonies held at the historic Tarsier Room of the Bohol Beach Club (BBC) in the resort town of Panglao.

"I have been working on this [KOICA grant]. The signing of the ROD is the first giant stride towards the realization of this project," Aumentado said.

Kim confirmed this, saying that the governor met with his boss Lee Hae-Kyoon at the latter's office in South Korea last October.

He said Lee instructed him to "work at once on his great mission" - the signing of the ROD and subsequent conduct of the feasibility study and detailed design.

To note, aside from the signing, Kim said his mission also involved water resources development using improved South Korean technology, and contribute to strengthen the relationship and cooperation between the two countries.

The Malinao Dam is a component of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 1 (BHIP 1). Its improvement, however, is part of Stage 3 of the project (BHIP 3).

"I am hopeful that this [signing] is just the beginning of a series of activities derived from the ROD. KOICA is South Korea's strong arm in helping countries needing its support," the governor said.

He expressed gratitude to Kim and to the delegation of experts led by Jung Kwansue from the College of Engineering of Chungnam National University and Cheong Yeong Shin of Hangyeol Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd., as well as KOICA-Philippines Program Officer Francis Afable.

For his part, Tugaoen said the signing symbolizes not only the prospect for more agricultural development but strong relations as well between the two countries plus the technical partnership of NIA and the South Korean experts through the support of KOICA.

Aumentado finds the BBC's Tarsier Room historic in that it was the venue of the summit between two heads of state - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on March 14, 2006 - the first ever such tete-a-tete held outside of Malacañang, or Manila, for that matter.-- www.theboholchronicle.com

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

At least P30,000 or a brand new motorcycle is being offered in exchange for votes in the coming elections for the Liga ng mga Barangay (Association of Barangay Captains) and the Federated Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).

Two newly elected barangay captains and two other SK chairmen in the city have uncovered the vote-buying attempts by candidates for the presidency of the barangay and SK federations.

Elections for the Municipal/City Federated SK is slated on Thursday while Municipal/City ABC elections will be on December 11.

The federated polls is said to be crucial for both the opposing camps of City Mayor Dan Lim and City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso as the elected presidents will serve as ex-officio members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).

The outcome of said elections will determine the majority of the SP which is presently perceived hostile to the Lim administration.

Out of 15 barangays in Tagbilaran City, 10 barangay captains and 11 SK chairmen are said to be allied with City Mayor Dan Lim.

The mayor is believed to be supporting the bid of Taloto barangay captain Faro Cabalit for the ABC. He is being challenged by an equally strong contender, three-term Poblacion-II barangay captain Glorivic Yap-Dela Serna.

Cabalit, a former ABC president, ran under the mayor's ticket in the May elections but lost. He was reelected for a third term as barangay chair last October 29.

Dela Serna, whose daughter Poblacion-II SK chair Alberto Manuel Yap Dela Serna is also eyeing the Federated SK presidency, is the bet of Veloso's camp.

One barangay captain bared to the Chronicle that he was approached twice by emissaries of supporters of the two candidates. The first offered P20,000 while the second P30,000.

The elections could still go either way as some barangay captains were promised by as much as P70,000.

Meanwhile, a candidate for SK federated president is also reportedly offering a brand new motorcycle to fellow SK chairmen in exchange for their votes.

Alberto Manuel will be pitted against Poblacion-I SK chair Michael Kapirig, son of Kag. Edgar Kapirig. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

The $1-million project review for the rehabilitation of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage-1 (BHIP-1) to be funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is being questioned by a former project engineer of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

KOICA has entered into an agreement with NIA and the provincial government last Tuesday at the Bohol Beach Club to conduct feasibility studies and detailed design on the improvement of BHIP-1 (Malinao Dam).

The agreement, which includes a $1-million grant from the Korean government, would only entail unnecessary expenditure for the government in payment for the loan, according to Engr. Petronilo Sarigumba, the whistleblower of the anomalous irrigation projects in the province.

According to Sarigumba, instead of engaging the Koreans to conduct a feasibility study on the Malinao Dam rehabilitation, NIA should dig up a previous project study made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The feasibility study has been approved by NIA and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Sarigumba claimed.

The viability of Malinao Dam depends on the development of its 15,000-hectare watershed area since the irrigation facility was built with a small reservoir which is primarily intended to store rainwater, Sarigumba stressed.

However, according to Sarigumba, only the infrastructure component of the Malinao Dam has been implemented while its watershed was left undeveloped until now.

Even with sufficient water coming from its sources, the Wahig and Pamacsalan River system, the dam will still fail if the watershed area is not developed as siltation will fill up its small reservoir.  -- www.theboholchronicle.com

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) has yet to conduct its probe on syndicates victimizing pensioners here.

Several beneficiaries and kin of pensioners of PVAO confirmed the existence of "fixers" who allegedly facilitate the release of claims.

Last November 14, one Paula Peligro, 77, resident of barangay Cansiwang, Guindulman and a survivorship pensioner reported to police a certain Danilo Surigao, 52, who asked for P92,500 as fee for facilitating the release of the back-pay for the former's deceased husband.

Surigao was apprehended in an entrapment by police operatives and was found in possession of marked money amounting P30,000.

PVAO legal and investigation chief Atty. Rolando Villaflor, in an interview with the Chronicle, said he already received the report of Bohol PVAO head Edgar Bayron.

He assured an investigation will be conducted here.

However, until now, several kin of PVAO pensioners are still concerned that fixers are still transacting claims in behalf of old beneficiaries.

Villaflor warned pensioners against fixers who introduce themselves as PVAO employees and offer assistance.

He said PVAO does not allow such transactions. However, he admitted that many pensioners are being victimized by fixers due to the promise of immediate release of claims.

Surigao was caught red-handed by police after he received the marked money from Peligro at the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Tagbilaran Branch.

Several kin of other pensioners called dyRD's "Inyong Alagad" program to narrate how Surigao swindled them with the same modus operandi of assuring the early release of their pensions in exchange of getting half of the amount.

Charges of estafa were filed against Surigao.

In her complaint, Peligro said that sometime in August 2007, the suspect went to her residence in Cansiwang, Guindulman and offered to follow up the back-pay claims of his deceased husband.

Surigao told her that he will get half of the amount that will be collected as payment for processing of her claim at the PVAO main office in Manila.

Since Peligro wanted to get the back-pay as soon as possible, she agreed to Surigao's offer.

The suspect asked for a photocopy of the victim's passbook, old age pension application of her husband and barangay clearance.

Surigao also asked Peligro to sign documents which she was not able to read and remembered that one paper was blank except that she was made to sign at the end portion of the paper which was also notarized by a certain Atty. Sipalay.

Sometime last week, Peligro was informed by Surigao that her back-pay claims has been released and was deposited at DBP-Tagbilaran.

Surigao told the victim that they will withdraw his share of the back-pay, half of the total amount plus P20,000.

However, through the advise of Peligro's daughter, Ruby Ann Licot, Peligro went to DBP without informing the suspect. She was accompanied by Licot to the bank and were surprised to learn that the back-pay was in the amount of P145,000.

The victim was also informed by a relative in Manila that when they processed their claims early this year, the documents they submitted were already complete. When the relative inquired if Surigao submitted on their behalf any documents pertaining to their claims, PVAO informed them there were no transactions made by Surigao at their office.

While at DBP, Peligro and her daughter were surprised to see that Surigao was waiting for them at the bank's guard house.

The suspect allegedly approached them and again asked for his 50% share plus P20,000.

Licot told Surigao that they were willing to pay him only P30,000 which the suspect initially refused.

Unknown to the suspect, the victims had already informed the City PNP and the BPPO regarding Surigao.

When the suspect agreed to accept the P30,000 (already marked by the police) at a canteen beside DBP, police apprehended him.

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Bohol Police Director SSupt. Edgardo Ingking remains optimistic to bust swertres operations saying it has been significantly curtailed since he declared an all out war against the illegal numbers game.

Since Ingking ordered a massive crackdown on swertres operators last November 7, police have arrested 15 who were engaged in the illegal numbers game.

The arrests, in coordination with the chiefs of police in the municipalities and the city, sent a warning to financiers and runners as betting is observed to have remarkably gone down in the past two weeks.

Here in the city, three bigtime financiers have agreed to quit following the arrest of their runners.

City PNP chief Supt. Abner Catalla said he will hold dialogues with new barangay officials to stop swertres.

Catalla said the remaining financiers have already been identified, most of their coordinators are conducting guerilla type of operations.

According to Ingking, the results of their anti-illegal gambling drive is "positive and promising."

Most of the financiers withdraw their operations after the chiefs of police in the towns had talks with them, Ingking said.

Accoring to Ingking, he does not rely on the present accomplishments of the Bohol PNP saying that his final benchmark of determining the success of the anti swertres campaign is its eradication.

Ingking said he urged all policemen in the province to be consistent with their public pronouncement of "zero tolerance" against all forms of illegal gambling.

Aside from swertres, the PNP is also apprehending persons involved in illegal cockfighting, locally known as 'tukis'. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

The unprecedented growth of tourism in the province captivated public and private tourism leaders in Baguio City and the adjacent provinces during the Regional Tourism Conference held at the Convention Plaza, Hotel Supreme in Baguio City last Thursday.

Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr. of DOT promotions and planning bureau keynoted the confab under his theme "Tourism Directions for North Philippines." He asked the regional tourism pillars of the region to closely look into how Bohol made it in the tourism map, both here and abroad.

In fact, NEDA Asst. Regional Director Leon Dacanay and Nativdad Sugguiyao of the Kalinga Provincial Tourism Council who were among the reactors of the forum said that Bohol's tourism boom can strongly be attributed to the

leadership of Gov. Erico Aumentado who made the "unprecedented lift" after he mustered support from the three Bohol congressmen and other local officials.

"If only we can adopt your governor (Aumentado)," they said.

The sudden increase in tourist arrivals in the province attracted the event organizers to invite Gov. Aumentado and Provincial Tourism Council chair Peter Dejaresco to speak on the "Bohol Experience" in the development of tourism.

Prov'l. Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr. represented the governor during the forum attended by some 200 tourism industry players, from both the public and private sectors of the region.

In his address, Abapo stressed that the direction of the provincial governance is to sustain the eco-tourism development of the province which the Aumentado administration considers as a "key to poverty reduction."

He cited the creation of offices at the provincial government which propelled the tourism development, namely, the Bohol Tourism Office, the Bohol Environment and Management Office, and the Bohol Investments and Promotions Center. The mission and vision of the province guided the development direction here. He cited the rapid improvement of Bohol's economic standing after it was raised from No. 7 in the list of "poverty stricken" provinces to No. 52.

For his part, Dejaresco cited the strong cooperation between the government and private sectors which was sealed some six years ago when the private sector got convinced on the seriousness and boldness of the provincial governance in promoting Bohol as a prime tourist destination.

The PTC chair recalled that the "inspiring experiences" of Boracay and Cebu guided the development of Bohol tourism after the council invited tourism practitioners from the two successful tourist destinations in the country.

Also cited was the bullish promotional efforts through international travel marts in Japan, Korea, Europe and the United States where the private sector actively participated.

The infrastructure support of the provincial government like the concreting of roads inspired the private sector to support the development thrust.

The success story of Bohol tourism was picked as a major highlight of the weeklong observance of the "3rd Wow Philippines Cordilleras' Best" spearheaded by DOT-CAR Purificacion Suanding-Molintas.

A tourism/trade exhibit opened the affair at the SM-Baguio City. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

There is an impending crisis of potable water in Tagbilaran City if new wells are not drilled in neighboring towns to meet the growing demand from consumers.

Water consumers from various points in the city have complained over Station dyRD after experiencing water service interruptions and low water pressure. Some areas could only be supplied water for a few hours.

Provincial Board Member Alfonso Damalerio II bared in an interview with the Chronicle yesterday that in a meeting with Bohol Water Utility Inc. (BWUI) manager Engr. Romy Robles, the latter admitted BWUI could no longer supply potable water to its concessionaires in the next three years.

This if they could not explore other groundwater sources other than the wells in the city and Corella town, Damalerio said.

The present scenario requires additional water treatment plants which would mean major investments on the part of the company supplying water to residents here.

Aside from Tagbilaran City, BWUI also supplies drinking water to a portion of Baclayon and Dauis towns.

The utility firm is also eyeing to serve Panglao.

Damalerio, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) committees on public utilities and environment, said BWUI could not keep on drawing from its wells in Tagbilaran and Corella as it endangers saltwater intrusion.

A groundwater survey conducted by the Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) shows that in Tagbilaran, the saltwater intrusion is now about 5 kilometers inland compared to only 1.5 kilometers a few years back.

Since 1997, Tagbilaran has drilled 16 wells and pumping stations with a drawing capacity of 13,000 cubic meters of fresh water per day.

This supply is augmented by 6 wells in Corella which draws another 10,000 cubic meters of fresh water daily.

The city's daily water consumption is at the rate of 19,000 cubic meters per day leaving only about 4,000 cubic meters for Corella, Dauis and a portion of Baclayon.

The water shortage, Damalerio said, is due to the economic boom in the city and the increased demand from business establishments and the growing population.

According to projections, the daily need for drinking water is expected to rise to 28,000 cubic meters daily within the next three years, Damalerio said.

"At this rate of ground water extraction, we would soon loose our aquifers and degrade our environment," according to Damalerio.

"This is a call for urgency," he said as he urged Bohol Water to stop over-extracting existing wells and start exploring other surface water sources such as the Abatan and Loboc rivers and the springs in Baclayon and Cortes.

According to Damalerio, three years is just a short time considering research has still to be undertaken before the actual drilling.

Likewise, construction of water treatment plants and the pipelines going to the service areas will not only take a huge amount of investment but will also take time.

During the Panglao Island Tourism Estate (PITE) meeting last Wednesday at Villa Alzhun, Gov. Erico Aumentado likewise called on public utilities to explore means of tapping ground water sources.

Aumentado has aired concerns regarding the inadequacy of power and water supply in Bohol especially with the influx of huge investments in the tourism sector. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

By Ariel Fullido

The Alturas Group of Companies once again expresses its benevolence and concern for the less fortunate Boholanos with the monetary donations of P124,460 to the three beneficiaries, the top-rated community outreach radio programs "Tagbilaran-By-Night" of DYRD/DYZD, Sunshine Home, and the Free Clinics.

Alturas top management headed by Alturas PR and marketing manager, Loy M. Palapos, turned over the P84,000 check to "Tagbilaran-By-Night" anchorman Jerry Pabi at the radio station last Friday. Bohol Chronicle Radio Corporation general manager Peter Dejaresco was present during the turnover.

A P20,000 check was also given to Sunshine Home, an orphanage managed by the Catholic Women's League (CWL) Foundation Inc., when the Alturas Group of Companies also renewed its commitment to help the street children.

The donated amount was also turned over last Friday to DSWD Provincial Social Welfare Officer Constancia Tuñacao; Sunshine Home Executive Director Esperanza L. Relampagos; and CWL Diocesan President Esperanza E. Bruñidor.

The remaining amount of P20,460 goes to the Free Clinics, an annual medical outreach project where thousands of patients availed themselves of free medication and consultation.

The P124,460 total donations were the bulk of the gross proceeds in the ticket sales of the highly successful Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps Showdown 2007, which was held last November 24 at the CPG Sports Complex.

The Alturas Group of Companies has to date donated hundreds of thousands of pesos to DYRD's "Tagbilaran-By-Night" and Sunshine Home. The donations are given annually and are used as monetary aid to helpless folks, especially those who turn to the radio station to seek financial assistance for their medicine.  -- www.theboholchronicle.com

The policeman accused of coercing a potential witness in the Vivian Dumaluan rape-slay case laughed off the allegations against him saying everything that transpired was in accordance with law.

SPO2 Dominie Ragusta presented the assailed statement of Gorgie Marcele and his mother as proof of his assertion that it was Marcele who is fabricating stories when he allegedly recanted his previous statement.

Marcele was presented in a press conference Thursday called by former Panglao Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan.

"That's good," Ragusta replied when confronted about Marcele's allegations.

The policeman said this will make way for the truth to come out.

Ragusta admitted that he was the one who prepared Marcele's statement based on his account.

Contrary to his allegations made during a press conference organized by Dumaluan that he signed the affidavit in a Cebu resort, Marcele's statement executed on Oct. 23 was signed in the presence of Senior Supt. Edgardo Ingking, Bohol PNP provincial director.

The statement was notarized by Prosecutor Eric Ucat of the Bohol Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

Ragusta noted that to prove further that the statement was executed by Marcele on his own free will, he was even assisted by his counsel, lawyer Elmer Balbin.

"That is not the usual procedure but he availed of the services of counsel so that his interest is best served," the policeman added.

Before signing the statement, Marcele was informed of his rights guaranteed by the Constitution under the Miranda Doctrine.

According to Marcele, 22, he is a native of Barangay San Vicente, Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur.

Marcele said he worked as a room boy at the Dumaluan Beach Resort owned by the former mayor at the time of the rape-slay.

Ragusta also presented a copy of the statement signed by Marcele's mother Estrella.

The affidavit, also dated Oct. 23, was similarly executed in the presence of Ingking and Balbin.

Like her son's statement, Estrella's statement was notarized by Ucat.

She was likewise informed of her Constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

By Ariel Fullido

Shoppers gear up for the holiday season with savings galore as the three stores of Alturas Supermarket, Plaza Marcela, and Island City Mall will hold the biggest Yuletide sale of the year on December 14, 15 and 16.

The 3-Day Sale offers big discounts of up to 50% on great selections at the department stores of Alturas Supermarket, Plaza Marcela, and Island City Mall, where tenant shops are also participating in the sales blitz with more hefty discounts.

On December 15, more discounts are in store for everyone as Island City Mall will extend its shopping hours until 12 midnight through the Midnight Sale, featuring the country's hottest pop/reggae band, Brownman Revival, in a concert at the mall carpark starting at 7 PM. Globe Kantabataan 2007 national champion, Suitcase 101; local reggae band, Estranghero; and Weeping Candle, the "Band Challenge" Champion of Island City Mall; will serve as frontacts. To watch the concert, just present any receipts worth P200 from any of the three stores of Alturas Supermarket, Plaza Marcela and Island City Mall, dated December 9 to 15.

The country's prime mover of reggae music, Brownman Revival will pump up the party mood drawing heavily on contemporary reggae acts such as Big Mountain and UB40 that never fails to leave the crowds winding and grinding their sweaty bodies to the band's euphoric party.

The band, which had already performed at the Island City Mall carpark last year, is behind the hits "Lintik," "Maling Akala," "Gusto Mo Pa," "Salarin," "Dahan-Dahan," and "Ikaw Lang Ang Aking Mahal" among others.

Other events during the 3-Day Sale at the Island City Mall include top local bands First Crew, Centerstage and Five Star live at the Activity Center at 3 PM on the first day of sale, December 14; GlaxoWellcome Magic Show at 4 PM and Freeway Fashion Show at 7 PM at the Activity Center on December 15; and the Grand Finals of DYTR "Hudyaka sa Kabataan" Bohol Star Quest, 3 PM at the Activity Center, December 16.

Bohol Quality (BQ) Mall, with its activities for the holidays, presents one of Manila's finest performers of all time. Hailed as the country's premier vocal group, The Company performs live at the BQ Mall Atrium on Dec. 22.

With their humble beginnings, the group composed of Moy Ortiz, Annie Quintos, Cecile Bautista, Sweet Plantado and Jay Marquez started out June 1985 as twelve alumni of the Ateneo Glee Club formed the "Friday Group" and eventually decided to call themselves "Company," taken from Stephen Sondheim's 1972 musical on friendship, love and marriage.

They started performing professionally as concerts backup vocal group for first-rate artists like Gary Valenciano, Kuh Ledesma, Martin Nievera, Louie Reyes, Celeste Legaspi and the likes.

The musical length of The Company embraces almost all forms of music genre, from Baroque songs to contemporary hits; from mainstream jazz to Filipino folk songs, and literally from Bach to Bacharach!

What makes this vocal quintet unique is that it specializes in acapella with modern and unconventional harmony, "vocal acrobatics" plus some interesting, often-times-humorous choreo-graphy make The Company performance a visual and aural treat for both the young and the young once.

Their main musical influences include The Manhattan Transfer, The Singers Unlimited, The Real Group, The Carpenters, Swing Out Sister, Pizzicato Five, Burt Bacharach, Take 6, First Call, Fifth Dimension, Jimmy Webb and Paul Williams. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

The deadline for the submission of application for the search of the HNU Alumni King and Queen has been extended indefinitely. Judge Suceso Arcamo, president of the HNU Alumni Association-Tagbilaran, Inc., bared that many alumni chapters and class presidents have clamored for more time to look for their respective candidates, hence the decision to extend was reached by the association's board of directors during a special meeting held Saturday last week.

Judge Arcamo also announced that chapters or batches may group together to support a common candidate or candidates for King and Queen. He renewed his call to all alumni batches and chapters to fully support this project. The proceeds of which will be for the various programs of the association, specially the scholarship of 10 promising and deserving students for the coming school year 2008-2009.

The association is supporting its first batch of four scholars, two of whom are enrolled at the College of Business and Accountancy and the other two are in the College of Education. (HNU-AATI)

By Fred C. Fuertes

Rev. Fr. Manuel Yana Mendez, the well-loved parish priest of the Birhen sa Barangay Church in Lindaville Subdivision, this city, marked Wednesday the 37th anniversary of his sacerdotal ordination in a simple way.

Minus the trimmings and fanfare usually associated with big celebrations, Padre Mao, as he is popularly known, celebrated Wednesday night his 37th year in the service to the Lord with a holy mass, fellowship dinner with religious leaders and a two-hour literary-musical program.

In his short speech, the subdivision's spiritual leader profusely thanked his parishioners for their sustained support and cooperation in all parish undertakings.

An articulate speaker and a homilist in his own right, Fr. Mao during the eucharistic celebration fondly recalled that he and his brother were both seminarians. People predicted that it would be the older brother who would pursue his priestly vocation.

They proved themselves wrong - the meek one left the seminary for good while the seemingly mischievous one finally served in the vineyard of the Lord.

Fr. Mendez further expressed his admiration for the spontaneity in the preparation for the activity, thanks to the concerted efforts of the Lindaville knights and CWL leaders.

''With the grace of God, I can depend on you,'' he concluded his brief talk.

Sir Knight Gus Pascual, head of K of C Council No. 9329 based in this subdivision, delivered the opening salvo.

The other speakers, who all heaped praises and admiration for the lovable clergyman, included CWL President Rose Esperanza, Sir Knight Teodoro Deligero and Fiscal Conrado ''Dodong'' Supremo, the parish's legal counsel.

Musical renditions came from talented members of the Lindaville K of C, CWL and Legion of Mary.

KC District Deputy Glicerio Jubac, a Loboc legislator, closed what Gus Pascual opened.

Sister Jean Lumanas masterfully steered the program as the night's master of ceremonies. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

Another batch of Consulate officers of China in Cebu visited Bohol this week to show their support and high regards to the province's only Chinese educational institution - Bohol Wisdom School (BWS).

Arriving last Monday were Consul General He Shijing with his wife Madame Yuan Qin, Consul Wang Xiulin with wife Madame Feng Shuilen and the Consulate Attache, Cai Wenzhi.

The welcome party comprising of the board of trustees of BWS hailed the guests to a lunch reception at the Metro Centre Hotel. In the afternoon, the visiting company made their courtesy call at the governor's office. After which, they proceeded to take the countryside tour as this was their first time to .

Governor Erico Aumentado joined them in dinner at Shiang Man Nou with the school board of trustees. The guests stayed at the Bohol Beach Club in Panglao.

Bohol Wisdom School played gracious host the next day, presenting a very warm welcome ceremony at the gymnasium. The Chinese guests were ushered into the venue to the tunes of Rosas Pandan and other lively Visayan renditions performed by host Kathleen Escobedo and by the Elementary Ukelele ensemble, respectively.

The entire BWS family waved Chinese flaglets in salutations as Consul General He Shijing officially turned over their generous donations.

Dr. Simplicio Yap Jr., acting BOT chairman cordially received the 62 boxes of Chinese books and dictionaries, and a Flatron computer for better Chinese instruction on behalf of the institution.

Administrative head, Maria Socorro Navarrete, expressed the school's gratitude for the support of the Philippine Chinese community to BWS.

The assembly sang their thank you followed by a Chinese dance and song renditions from the students. Before taking off, the Consul General and party toured the BWS campus with the administrative team and board of trustees. The officers saw the concerns of the Chinese instruction and promised more support from the consulate office in the future.

This fortunate visit by the Chinese Consulate officers has raised the fervor of BWS in promoting both basic and Chinese education to greater heights.

With the added teaching and learning materials, the academe is sure to improve its Chinese curriculum.

"I look forward to seeing Bohol Wisdom School grow. I hope the students will do well in their studies, living every day being better," the Consul General said in his message. -- www.theboholchronicle.com

Melecia U. Du, the grand matriarch of Du Ek Sam, Inc., will be celebrating her 80th birthday on Tuesday.

She both sits as the chairwoman of the board of Bohol's 'trusted appliance and motorcycle shop' - Du Ek Sam, Inc. and DES Marketing, Inc.

Fondly called "Ma'am Mening," this gracious lady, inspired with her husband Ek Sam Du, ushers a foundation to the building of a great company with several branches in the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Leyte, Panay, Palawan, Mindoro, Camiguin and in Bukidnon.

Last year, she was awarded as the "Most Outstanding Boholano in the field of Business."

As part of her birthday celebration, all branches of Du Ek Sam will be having a Red Day Treat for its valued customers.

A red t-shirt will be given free for every purchase of an appliance unit; while a red jacket is given free for every purchase of a motorcycle unit.

Furthermore, additional rebates will be given to customers paying their monthly amortization on that date.

The promotional drive is inclusive to all branches of Du Ek Sam and DES Marketing. - www.theboholchronicle.com

Ben, happy Birthday. God is good. All the time.

Murag way taga-Bohol sa list...

Long live, Macky Ferniz!

You are now a hero in Bohol.

Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us.

God bless.

Happy Birthday, Zel. May the Lord Jesus bless you more.

P2 million pesos a night. we can build houses for the poor.

(as posted by balong at http://tingog.maribojocbohol.com)

You do make a difference

A negative thought will only bring negative results!!

A teacher in New York decided to honor each  of her seniors in High School by telling them the difference each of them had made. She called each student to the front of the class, one at a time.

First, she told each of them how they had made a difference to her, and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon, imprinted with gold letters, which read, 'Who I Am Makes a Difference.'

Afterwards, the teacher decided to do a class project, to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a Community. She gave each of the students three more blue ribbons, and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony.

Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom,and report to the class in about a week.

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby Company, and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He  gave him a blue ribbon, and put it on his shirt. Then he gave him two  extra ribbons and said, 'We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like  for you to go out, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person, to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going. Then please report back to me and  tell me what happened.'

Later that day, the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had  been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his   boss down, and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius.

The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he  would accept the gift of the blue ribbon, and would he give him permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said, 'Well, sure.'  The junior   executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket, above his  heart.

As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, 'Would you take this extra ribbon, and pass it on by honoring somebody else. The young  boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school, and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects  people.'

That night, the boss came home to his 14-year-old son, and sat him down. He said, 'The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in   my office, and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me, and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius.
Imagine! He  thinks I am a creative genius! Then he put a blue ribbon that says, 'Who I Am Makes a Difference', on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon  and asked me to find somebody else to honor.  As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would   honor with this ribbon, and I thought about you. I want to honor you. My days are hectic and then I come home, I do not pay a lot of attention to you.

Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess. Somehow, tonight, I just wanted to  sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to  me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid, and I love you!'

The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he could not stop crying.  His whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his  tears,   'Dad, earlier tonight I sat in my room and wrote a letter to you and  Mom, explaining why I had took my life, and I asked you to forgive me. I was going to commit suicide tonight after you were asleep. I just did not think that you cared at all. The letter is upstairs. I don't think I need it after all.'

His father walked upstairs and found a heartfelt letter full of anguish and pain. The boss went back to work a changed man. He was no longer a grouch, but made sure to let all of his employees know that they made a  difference.

The junior executive helped several other young people with career planning, and never forgot to let them know that they made a difference in his life.....one being the boss' son.

In addition, the young boy and his classmates learned a valuable lesson, 'Who you are DOES make a difference'.

You are under no obligation to pass this on to anyone.... not to two  people, or to two hundred. As far as I am concerned, you can forget it and move on. On the other hand, if you want, you could send it to all of  the people who mean something to you, or send it to the one, two, or  three people who mean the most.

On the other hand, just smile and know that I think that you are important, or you would not have received this in the first place.  Who you are does make a difference, and I wanted you to know that.


Isn't this a wonderful story? I'm passing the blue ribbon to you, for who YOU are does make a difference, too.

May GOD BLESS YOU. Have an awesome day, and know that someone has thought about you today!

A prayer for today: Lord, Thank you for my friends and family who really do make a difference to me.

AMEN

Quote from: Bambi on December 03, 2007, 12:26:24 AM
   
     "TAPIGAN KO NA LANG"
     (ang gamay nga karne)

dakong kalipay ang gibati sa imong pag-sipot
bisan sa tumang kapunggot gabi-i ug adlaw kitang gipa-abot
sa akong kalibog mitu-o ako nga  dako gayod kanang imong
itlog......."dakog-itlog"
sayunan ka ug matod mo tungod ni-ini ikaw makabarog 
pagbunggat sa imong mga tam-is nga pulong di-in
tungod sa ka-anindot ug kalami ni-ini ako mikurog.....

gisulat mo, sa suok sa imong payag ikaw naglum-lom-
pastilan "Ondoy" ka swerte sa mga maanyag nga babaye sa hilom
abi gayod ni "Inday Bambi" nga siya ang maka-hapohap ni-ini
pero pagkadali mong nala-in, ikaw gabud-hi!......
nagpala-in ug mibalhin 

sa laing linya ikaw nagpala-in:" BOHOL BOL-ANON"....ako intawon tambagi
kay nabihag kas sa bulak sa dalunggan ug  sa ka-anyag ni "MARI"!
ibunggat ko kanimo, Amigo....
ayaw gayod dugaya ug lum-lom kanang imong "DAKONG ITLOG"...
kay basin pa ugma damlag kini mokalit lang ug "TOK-TOGA-OK"!

hangyo ko na lang, kalimti ang akong gidalit nga gina-ilogan nga
gamay nga karne ..........
... sayod ako nga daghan pang gustong mosim-hot ug  mopahit ni-ini
ilu-om ko na lang ang gibati nga kasakit sa imong dali nga
pagbudhi.

bambi, gitugkan ko ug hubag-hubag sa imong balak. makabuang...

pagka-tulukibon sa imong mga pulong, mr. eggs. kinsa bang balatian ang dili matandog sa mga pulong nga imong gisabwag dinhi.

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits.
Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to "schedule."

Philippine shares climbed Monday (26 Nov), led by Ayala Corp., tracking Wall Street's rebound at the end of last week.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 42.85 points, or 1.21 %, at 3,537.29. The index lost 2.9 % last week.

"The market is really oversold given last week's plunge. It was due for a technical bounce," said First Grade Holdings managing director Astro del Castillo.

Ayala Corp., the Philippines' largest conglomerate, led the rebound, surging 2.7 % to 570 pesos after falling 5 % last week.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. soared 4.8 % at 54.50 pesos after declaring a cash dividend.

Mining stocks Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. advanced 8.5 % at 0.51 peso, while GEOGRACE Resources Philippines Inc. rose 5.7 % to 1.86 pesos as metal futures prices continued to shine.

Gainers outnumbered decliners 80 to 23, while 50 stocks were unchanged. (AP)

source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/3567

Jackson, Miss. (AP) â€" Donnie Register has a new reason to be thankful he's married â€" police say his wedding band deflected a bullet and probably saved his life.

Two men walked into Register's shop at The Antique Market on Saturday and asked to see a coin collection, police Sgt. Jeffery Scott said.

When Register retrieved the collection, one of the men pulled a gun and demanded money. A shot was fired as Register threw up his left hand, and his wedding ring deflected the bullet, police said.

"The bullet managed to go through two of his fingers without severing the bone," said his wife, Darlene Register. "A part of the bullet broke off and is in his middle finger. The other part is in his neck, lodged in the muscle tissue. But it's not life-threatening."

She said she gives God all the credit.

Based on a memo from the Regional Director of Police Regional Office 7 dated September 6, 2007, the Deputation Orders issued to all the members of the PNP are hereby revoked immediately by ASEC Reynaldo I. Berroya of LTO. As a result of this, the authority of the PNP to assist the LTO in enforcing the national traffic laws (R.A. 4136) is thereby totally removed. In short, PNP can only investigate cases involving motor vehicles when there are violations other than the traffic laws, like when there is an accident involving death, physical injury or damage to property or vehicle theft only.

All other violations like, driving without licence and registration, reckless driving, violation on prescribed lights, wearing of helmets, traffic hazard, wrong turns, etc. are non-enforceable by the PNP anymore except when there are local ordinances penalizing the same. But PNP officers cannot even confiscate driver’s licenses for any traffic violation except those instances where the driver is involved in other crimes while in his vehicle. This situation, in effect, has rendered the PNP as toothless in the campaign against traffic violators.

In a meeting arranged by PSSUPT EDGARDO C. INGKING, the Provincial Director of Bohol PNP at his office with the Tagbilaran LTO Chief, Mr. Joel Maloloy-on on November 19, 2007, the latter confirmed that such revocation of deputation order is still in effect. Despite the offer of the PNP to help the LTO in enforcing the traffic law considering their very limited manpower that could not cover the entire province, it cannot do so because of such revocation.

The said meeting was initiated to specifically address the concerns about growing violations of traffic laws committed especially by drivers of public utility vehicles endangering the safety of the riding public like reckless driving, absence of signal and regulation lights and dilapidated vehicles. This also includes vehicles used in transporting our tourist putting their safety at stake.

Another concern is the rising number of youth motorcycle gangs in the province who are not only reported to be driving recklessly in our highways threatening the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike but also producing loud noise disturbing the peace in the community because of the intentionally redesigned mufflers of their motorcycles.

Much as the Bohol PNP wants to address these problems, it is totally helpless because of the revocation of its deputized functions by the LTO. Because of this, the Bohol PNP appealed to the local LTO Chief to convince the national LTO leadership to exempt Bohol in such revocation so the police, considering its presence in all the municipalities and city of the province, can actively help in the campaign against traffic violators and control the proliferation of youth motorcycle gangs.

In the meantime, all the police could do is to warn those who are caught committing traffic violations and record names of those members of the motorcycle gangs so the parents can be reminded of their children’s involvement in such gangs for their intervention. We are also appealing to the LGU, through its social services to assist us in this endeavor to discourage and eliminate this youth motorcycle gangs. Like any other youth gangs, this group is a cause for worry as it becomes a breeding ground for juvenile delinquency and criminal behavior.

                                          Prepared by:

                                          EDGARDO C. INGKING, CSEE

                                          Police Senior Superintendent, DSC

                                          Provincial Director

            To enhance massive participation to the series of activities for this year’s Candijay Foundation Day celebration, Mayor Sergio G. Amora Jr.  recently issued last Friday, November 23, 2007, an Executive Order No. 11-01, Series of 2007, declaring November 28, 2007 as A Special Non-working Holiday for the municipality of Candijay , Bohol.

            Every November 29 of the year has long been observed already as a Non-Working Holiday within the municipality, in commemoration to the founding day of both the Municipality’s town and Catholic Church. It had been conceptualized after the series of coordination meetings with the local officials, executives, barangay captains, local functionaries and other sectoral representatives that the celebration would be well-participated by the general public once the employees and students could be legally excused from their respective works or classes. Hence, came the consensus that the opening day will be declared another non-working holiday.

            This year’s length of said celebration will be shortened to three days only compared with those of the yesteryears due to austerity measures and other constraints resulting from the recently concluded barangay election. The activities will formally open on the 28th day of November and will end up on the last day of same month.

            The main activities to be conducted will cover the Floral Parade on the opening day which is to be followed with an opening program and a One-day Sports League on Inter-High School Basketball and Volleyball for the day time. A Talents Showdown by the respective talents from the four zones of Candijay District Elementary Schools will also be presented on the night of same day.

            On the 29th will be a Holy Mass to be solemnized at 6:00 o’ clock in the morning at Saint Joseph Parish Church , Poblacion, Candijay, Bohol . A grand parade which is to be participated by the delegates from the Local Government Unit, Department of Education, CVSCAFT-CCC, Liga ng mga Barangay, Federated Women’s Association, Senior Citizens and the general public. This has to be followed with the “ Battle of the Bulges” for the whole day time. On the night time will be the Candijay Secondary Schools Talents Showdown.

A Boxing Extravaganza on the 30th day of November 2007 will conclude the major highlights of the celebration#30. â€" Judith S. Villamor, MPIO Candijay, Bohol

Wa man nag-malong ning duha ka ladies. Tugnaw na ra ba.

By June S. Blanco

Bohol has excess power now, but unless new sources are tapped, a shortage looms in as early as three years.

Gov. Erico Aumentado who chairs the Panglao Island Tourism Estate Inter-Agency Task Force (PITE-IATF) Friday invited top officials of the National Power Corp. (NAPOCOR) and the National Transmission Corp. (TRANSCO) to give the lowdown on their respective expansion plans vis-à-vis the drastic need for power when the Panglao Bohol International Airport (PBIA) operationalizes in 2011.

“With the present production, Bohol is in for a serious problem when, aside from the operationalization of the airport, the big tourism industry players like the Bohol Regency Hotel and two Korean investors come in next year, not to mention the expansion of the Bohol Beach Club and other establishments,” Aumentado said.

The airport alone needs 20 megawatts (MW). The Bohol Regency Hotel that straddles Dauis and Panglao towns and starts construction in June 2008 will need power for its 250-300 rooms plus other facilities and amenities. The Koreans will invest in hotels, resorts, spas and golf courses, too, he bared.
NAPOCOR Senior Vice President Silvano Zanoria who flew in from Manila that day reported that Bohol ’s nighttime power demand today stands at 58 MW.

He pegs the production of the Bohol Diesel Power Plant (BDPP) at 18 MW, the Loboc Hydroelectric Plant at 1.2 MW, the Janopol Hydroelectric Plant at 2.5 MW for a sub-total of 21.7 MW.

The Leyte Bohol Interconnection Project (LBIP) contributes a maximum of 100 MW for a total of 121.7 MW. Less the forecast peak demand of 58 MW, the maximum reserve stands at 63.7 MW. Deducting the maintenance reserve, however, leaves a net reserve of only 50.96 MW.

Given the increasing demand, Zanoria said an immediate solution NAPOCOR can offer is the transfer to Bohol of land-based generating sets from Subic in Olongapo City capable of at least 160 MW.
Aside from attending the PITE meeting, Zanoria said he was to inspect that afternoon the foundation for the generating sets at the BDPP in Dampas District in Tagbilaran City.

On the other hand, Vice President Dominador Geonzon of TRANSCO reported that the company’s upgrading project will make more reliable whatever power NAPOCOR produces. TRANSCO takes charge of the transmission of the power generated by NAPOCOR.

Up in TRANSCO’s plans is the Bohol Backbone Transmission Project. Stage 1 comprises the stringing of a 138 KV transmission line from Ubay to Corella through high-tension steel towers. Being taller than coconut palms and most trees, trip offs will no longer be a problem because falling fronds, branches and other debris can no longer straddle the cables. A 69 KV tie line will also be installed from Dampas to Catigbian town.
On the other hand, an expansion substation will be constructed in Ubay and a new one in Corella.

At 2006 price levels, the project is estimated to cost almost P.4 billion. The feasibility study was completed last April and approved by the Management Committee two months later. The project is now for endorsement to the National Economic and Development Authority Infrastructure Coordination Committee (NEDA ICC).

Meanwhile, the governor announced the interest expressed by Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd. to establish a shipyard in Bohol . In his meeting with Hanjin President and Chief Executive Officer Kang-Rock Lee at his head office in South Korea last October, the latter said such facility would require at least 200 MW of power and at least 30,000 welders, among others.

As such, the PITE-IATF passed two resolutions â€" requesting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, TRANSCO and NAPOCOR to upgrade LBIP by tapping another geothermal power plant, this time in Southern Leyte, and requesting President Arroyo and NAPOCOR President del Callar to transfer to Bohol the excess power generator from Subic.

Aumentado is apprehensive with a coal-fired power plant. He said the former governor of Pangasinan said such plant in Sual has been wreaking havoc to the environment of the town and province.
He does not want Bohol to be similarly affected.

“After all, Bohol’s tourism is based on ecology, culture and heritage,” he said.

As Panglao Island takes on a new face with the airport and verticals (structures like hotels, etc.), some agricultural lands necessarily need to be converted into residential, commercial or industrial. To speed things up, the PITE-IATF also passed a resolution requesting Agrarian Reform Secretary to authorize Region 7 Director Datu Yusoph Mama to approve the conversion of land classification from five hectares to 100 hectares, but for Panglao Island alone, which is Bohol’s main thrust for tourism and in the light of the international airport.

On 24 November 2007, the ALIMANGO Multi-Purpose Cooperative inaugurated their multi-purpose buildings and fish pen project. These projects are designed to complement the implementation of Abatan river tour.

Guests during the inauguration were the Chiefs from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Former Board Member Billy Tongco representing Congressman Edgar M. Chatto and Provincial Board AA Damalerio representing Governor Erico B. Aumentado.

There were 200 peoples witnessed the inauguration, most of them members of the Cooperative. Ms. Mary Ann Jabines, municipal representative delivered a message in behalf of Mayor Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr. which is now in the United States of America for a mission â€" promoting Maribojoc as one of the tourism destinations in the province of Bohol.

These multi-purpose buildings were funded by DOLE, while the fish pen project was funded by BFAR, and the labor costs was shared by Ms. Alice Mosquisa-Leppner and her friends in London.

These multi-purpose buildings are opened for visitors this coming January 2008, in which, during that time live fish, live sea shells and live crabs, and fruits are available in the community restaurant.

Please come and visits at Sitio Abatan, Lincod, Maribojoc, Bohol, Philippines to find the natural wonder of the place and listen the experience of community on ways of protecting the natural resources inside the Community-Based Forest Management Area (CBFMA). It is about 11 kilometers from the City of Tagbilaran.

The Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary spans five hectares from the beachfront of the hotel property. It was formally established by the Lapu-Lapu City Council, filing it under City Ordinance 425-B-2006 last 26 November, 2006. The Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary program is the first of its kind in the country, and provides a good case study for eco-tourism that is co-managed through direct involvement of the community and private sector.

United States of America Ambassador Kristie Kenney officially launched the Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary, together with Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa General Manager Timothy Wright.

The Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary Stewardship Group is composed of the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Scotty’s Action Sports Network & Dive Centre, and Amores Charities, Inc., to share responsibility of protecting the fragile coral reefs of Mactan, Cebu. The agreement grants the Stewardship Group 15 years of stewardship rights and obligations for the management of the sanctuary.

“This partnership between Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa and the City of Lapu-Lapu strengthens our mutual commitment to be environmental stewards to ensure the safety and sustainability of our waters,” Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa General Manager Timothy Wright said. “We are fully committed to help protect and preserve the environment. It is our belief that responsibility lies not just in offering excellent quality of service-related products, but more so in being good, proactive stewards of the very environment in which we operate.”

In March 2001, Shangri-La Mactan received an ISO 14001 certification, the international Environmental Management System standard, awarded only to organizations which are able to show ISO 14001 compliance throughout all operations, encompassing environmentally-friendly and cost efficient practices that include installing energy-saving light bulbs, biodegradable cleaning materials, water restrictors, and sewage treatment facilities to prevent water pollution.

Furthermore, the hotel management and staff participate in coral recovery programs and monthly beach clean ups, in which staff with diving licenses fish out litter from the sea depth.

The Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary Stewardship Programme is an unprecedented step in eco-tourism, and the hotel looks forward to more activities that will have a positive impact in the community. Among its other projects geared toward environmental conservation are:

      • Operation of sewerage treatment plant

A sewage treatment plant was constructed to manage waste by means of processing waste to water and simultaneously providing water to irrigate its extensive landscaped gardens. This treatment process has decreased the consumption of water from the local water district resulting in less operational costs.

      • Coral recovery program

With the support of the Marine Development Department, loose corals are transplanted in the snorkeling area fronting the Resort's beach to regenerate coral life and construct a permanent coral garden abundant with fish. Through the efforts of Marine Development, coordination was made with the Lapu-Lapu city government to declare the areas fronting The Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary.

      • Operation of desalination plant

A US$1.4 million water desalination plant processes the Resort’s drinking water producing very clean, clear, good tasting supply. The plant production brought about a very significant decrease in water consumption from the local district. The facility is capable of producing an average of 900 cubic meters of water daily while the resort’s consumption is 800 cubic meters.

Contact:

Ms. Sharon R. Samarista, Director of Communications

E-mail: sharon.samarista@shangri-la.com

Belle, you have more worlds to conquer...

      The implementation of the proposed P10,600-million Bohol Integrated Water Supply System Master Plan can only be viable with the role of private sector.

      This was according to Governor Erico B. Aumentado after the presentation of the draft master plan Monday morning last week by Woodfields Consultants, Incorporated which was commissioned by the Local Governance Development Program or LGDP of the Australian Agency for International Development.

      The master plan will provide a total average daily production of 208,353 cubic meter that will benefit about 1,078,600 population.

      The necessary facilities to be established include a source facility, water treatment plant, storage facilities, transmission facilities, pump stations, power source development, land and right-of-way (ROW) acquisition, stored materials, equipment and vehicles.

      For the master plan to be feasible, Aumentado advised WCI to refine the details of the master plan in a way that it would identify the role of private investors in the implementation of the project for the purpose of economic internal rate of return.

      The governor wants the consultant to come up with more options.

      Aumentado also noted that the project will less likely become sustainable with zero interest as presented by WCI.

      The governor also said it would be difficult to gain support from NEDA with the concept of zero percent interest.

      He stressed the significant role of a private investor to implement the proposed water supply system master plan.

      Engr. Eduardo Santos, the president of WCI president said that Phase 1 of the project costs P10,512 million, while Phase 2 costs PP88 million.

      He said phase 1 covers the period 2010 to 2024 wherein the construction of major water facilities will be undertaken, and phase 2 covering 2025 to 2035.

      Construction will start in 2010 and completed in 2012. The initial operation will start in 2013, Santos said.

      Aumentado, for his part, said the provincial government “doesn’t have the necessary resources to back this ambitious project” and it would be hard to convince the national government with this concept. And, the AusAID, who will give the grant, “may not like it”.

      With private investor, “implementation will be accelerated, and the people will be assured of its sustainability”.

      On the other hand, WCI also needs to refine some details in water supply sourcing system.

      The project involves tapping selected river basin which include the Rivers of Abatan, Loboc, Manaba, Carood, Ipil, Inabanga, which can consolidate total net quantity of 7.91 cubic meter per second.

      On this, Aumentado commented that the Wahig River must also be considered as main source of water stock in Inabanga River, and Pamacsalan River as one large water source.

      As to the clustering of the rivers, NIA Provincial Administrator Calixto Seroje, commented that it won’t be feasible because Bohol has many inland bodies of water that will serve as sources of supply.

      In the proposed master plan, municipalities were grouped into clusters based on the source of water supply.

      It was proposed that Abatan River Cluster shall provide for the municipalities of Antequera, Catigbian, San Isidro, Sagbayan, Balilihan, Sikatuna, and Corella, while the Loboc 1 river cluster will supply for Loboc, Loay, Lila, Dimiao, Valencia, Alburquerque, Baclayon, Tagbilaran, Dauis, Panglao, and Cortes.

      Loboc 2 cluster will provide for Sevilla, Bilar, Batuan, Carmen, Dagohoy, Sierra Bulones, and Pilar, while Manaba cluster will be for Garcia-Hernandez, Jagna, Duero,

Guindulman, Anda, and Candijay.

      Carood river cluster will serve Mabini, Alicia, San Miguel, Danao, Ubay, and C. P. Garcia, while Ipil will serve Bien Unido, Trinidad, Talibon, Getafe, and Buenavista.

      Inabanga River cluster will serve Inabanga, Maribojoc, Loon, Calape, Clarin, and Tubigon.

      The project’s alternative schemes involve development and evaluation for each of the seven river clusters wherein each scheme will include source development, pumping system, treatment system, reservoir and sumps, transmission lines for the purpose of delivering required bulk water supply at the offtake of each municipality at a pressure of not less than 14 meters. (AV-PGMA)