MikeLigalig.com

By AUSTIN CONSIDINE
Published: July 9, 2006
The New York Times

Nobody is certain why the explorer Magellan went out of his way to visit the Philippines. Before he could record his memoirs, he was killed on the tiny island of Mactan in 1521.

One hopes Magellan also made it to Bohol, a 60-mile-wide island near the southern end of the Philippine archipelago, not far from where he died. Indeed, with its white sand beaches, the unspoiled jungles of the Loboc river valley, and the breathtaking Chocolate Hills, one imagines that things haven't changed all that much.

But that may not last. Over the last five years, this lush island â€" reachable by ferry from Cebu City (about 90 minutes) and domestic flights â€" has been grooming itself as a major ecotourism destination, with several new resorts that are beginning to attract snorkelers, divers and nature lovers.

The new resorts are clustered along Alona Beach, a spit of sparkling white sand surrounded by crystal-blue waters and a colorful coral shelf. At the high end is Alona Palm Beach (Alona Beach, Tawala, 63-38-502-9141, www.alonapalmbeach.com), a secluded 12-villa resort with a 4,800-square-foot pool that is separated from the beach by a coconut palm grove. Doubles start at $120 in low season, $150 in high season.

For those who don't need satellite television, there are still plenty of simple beachfront lodges like Isis Bungalows (Alona Beach, 63-38-502-9292, www.isisbungalows.com). Each room has its own terrace facing the sea, and a modestly priced restaurant serves Filipino dishes like spicy beef caldereta right on the beach. Rooms start at $38.

But even when the new resorts are filled to capacity, the beaches never feel crowded. Maybe that's because everyone is in the water. A spectacular coral shelf, which plunges 250 feet in some spots, is about 45 minutes by boat from Alona Beach. Snorkelers can view clown fish, barracudas and other species at the shelf's shallower plateaus.

Diving gear and classes are available all over Alona Beach. One outfitter is Philippine Islands Divers (Alona Beach, Danao, 63-918-335-0842, www.phildivers.com), which offers diving trips starting at $22 for a descent. Snorkel equipment, on the other hand, can be rented from locals, who paddle out to your boat (about 200 pesos, or $3.80, at 55 pesos to the dollar). But tread carefully: the reef is recovering from decades of destructive fishing practices.

Bohol is also excellent for watching dolphins. Some resorts offer their own guided tours, but you can also hire a captain on the beach for as little as 450 pesos.

After exploring the coastline, head inland for the thick jungles, home to the tarsier, a tiny, rare and endangered primate. Nuts Huts Resort (63-920-846-9162, www.groove-events.be/nutshuts), an affordable ecolodge, is located upriver from Loboc City. Even if you don't spend the night, stop by for the fresh food and stunning view from its dining terrace. Doubles start at 450 pesos, dormitory beds from 200 pesos.

No trip to Bohol, however, is complete without visiting the Chocolate Hills. One glimpse is enough to see why: It's a landscape as distinctive as the Grand Canyon or the Cliffs of Moher.

Go during the late afternoon and watch the sun set over more than 1,200 gumdrop-shaped hills, each formed by eons of coral buildup and erosion. Squint your eyes when the wind rustles their brown, grassy surfaces. You'll swear they are floating.

source: www.nytimes.com

Soren Andreasen, 33, a geology student from Copenhagen, with his 10-month-old daughter, Lucca: ''My wife is a nurse, and in Denmark, women can stay at home to take care of newborns for one year. So I took a few months off university, we rented out our apartment, and we just traveled around the Philippines for three months with Lucca and our 5-year-old son. It was a bit tough since Lucca woke up so early every morning because of the heat. I didn't necessarily want to be up that early. But when I went out and I sat there on the beach, it was amazing to be there so early in the morning, to see all those fishermen coming out as the sun was coming up, just me and my daughter. It was a beautiful place to be.'' As told to Austin Considine

source: www.nytimes.com

JG Summit airline business unit, Cebu Pacific (CEB), is now offering domestic to international flight connections from its domestic stations.  Passengers can save up to 20% on airfare and are offered the convenience of checking-through to their final international destination.

This new service is now available from most of CEB's domestic destinations and will be available for flights beginning November 12, 2007.  A passenger, for instance, can now fly from Bacolod to Bangkok, with Manila as a via point.  Passengers can likewise fly from their international origin to their final Philippine destination, via Manila or Cebu.   

Candice Iyog, CEB Vice President for Marketing and Product, said "We are very excited about our domestic to international flight connections because this will make our international destinations even more affordable for most of our domestic stations.  More importantly, this also means that we are making even more of the Philippines more accessible internationally." 

Aside from the discounted airfare, as part of this service, passengers can check their baggage through to their final destination, she said.

She added that this new offering is part of CEB's strategy to attain its target of carrying more than five million passengers this year. She further explained, "This product enhancement is a critical instrument to pushing for a more vibrant business and tourism industry in each and every city we operate in."

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

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

Top 9 Tubag Bohol Prolifics (November 19, 2007)

Happy         5020
ms da binsi       4255
Ginger       3751
Lorenzo       2814
C2H4       2777
Lycan       2703
Bambi       2079
grazie7y       1684
lumine       1658

Tubag Bohol Top 9 Topic Starters as November 19, 2007

Ginger         365
Lorenzo       334
Lycan       325
Barbaro       156
lumine       89
Fiel Angeli AraoaraoGabin       84
-<GEC348>-       68
buenavista       67
EL MUNDO       47

Tubigon is a small town pleasantly placed on the sea coast with high hills rising in rear. It is surrounded by a fertile country and has an abundance of good water a somewhat rare [item? article?] in this part of Bohol. There are few cattle and horses in this part of the island, however, the eastern part [containing?] most live stock which find shipment from the port of Ubay. Most of the houses of Tubigon are of nipa, but there are two or three good stone buildings, one the conventual building inhabited by the padre, a large bare building but occupying of course the best site of the town, and beside an unfinished stone church of handsome proportions. There are many cocoanut trees of course but the town is less pleasant and pretty than most on Bohol. The wide plaza is unattractive and the marketplace small, a line of bamboo sheds hardly more. There is the usual long pier -- in great disrepair -- to the end of which small boats can come at low tide; but there is no harbor. Cebu is distinctly visible.

The three important ports of Bohol, are Tubigon, Jagna, and Ubay. East of Tubigon the towns are small except Inabanga which lies in a flat coast and has not a good harbor (so reported).

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven/diary8.html

"Insurgents"

From the Philippine Islands and far East photograph albums, Duke University.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven/phil8.html

"House at trenches near beach occupied at opening of action as headquarters. Second Brigade, Second Division, Eighth Army Corps. (General F.V. Greene) Telegraph station of Signal Corps."

This house is probably similar to the ones that Scriven describes, but is most likely not on Bohol.  It clearly shows the effects of the American War.

From the "Fighting in the Philippines" photo collection by Tennyson F. Neely, Duke University Special Collections.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven

"Arms turned in by insurgents"

From the Philippine Islands and far East photograph albums, Duke University.

source: George Percival
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven

Bohol contains about <practically> two hundred and forty seven fifty thousand people; it is not rich and probably never can become so for the scanty soil hardly more than covers the coral rock below. Nevertheless it is a pretty island covered with palms and bananas and producing hemp, a little sugar, coffee, cocoa and probably valuable [dye?] woods. The people <of Bohol> seem wholesome and prosperous, they appear <larger &> better [nurtured?] than natives of the other islands and of a lighter skin. <The men are sturdy if lazy fellows &> the women are appear pretty and always very modest and <and better clad than those of other islands; they are very> religious, and certainly the churches show considerable wealth. They <There> are often magnificent churches of stone cut from the soft coral rock, large and architecturally <good> & the silver lamps and interior decorations are <often> surprisingly good <fine even magnificent> for this little lost island
but as an intelligent man vis

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven/diary5.html

"Covering the advance of Filipino insurgents"

Scriven describes the people of Bohol as protesting the occupation of the Americans, but not rebelling against the occupying forces. This photo depicts an aspect of the war that did occur between the U.S. Army and the "insurgents" who forcibly rebelled against colonization.

From "Scenes taken in the Philippines and on the Pacific" by J.D. Givens, Duke University Special Collections.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven

"American Soldiers Making Advance in the Philippine Islands."

From "Scenes taken in the Philippines and on the Pacific" by J.D. Givens, Duke University.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven

General Emilio Aguinaldo, leader of the Filipino rebellion.

From "Scenes taken in the Philippines and on the Pacific" by J.D. Givens, Duke University.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven

"C.G. 19th Inf. where Capt. E.B. Smith was killed"

From the Philippine Islands and far East photograph albums, Duke University.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven

"Signal Corps laying wire across river south of Fort San Antonio during advance, August 13, 1898."

George Scriven was part of the signal corps at various times during his Army career. Here, the changing role of the signal corps is evident. While they still used signal flags to relay messages, as Scriven describes in his narrative, they were also adopting other modes of communication, such as the telegraph, as is seen in this photo.

From the "Fighting in the Philippines" photo collection by Tennyson F. Neely, Duke University Special Collections.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven

From the Philippine Islands and Far East photograph albums, Duke University.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven

From the Edward Sharp Collection, Duke University.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven

Written By George Percival

Tagbilaran, Island of Bohol,
Philippine Islands, Sunday Morning,
March 25, 1900,
The Hospital.

I have been here, in the hospital I mean, sick with a fever six days now, and am beginning to feel really better this morning though weak. I seem to have had a pretty sharp attack of Dengue fever with a great deal of pain for two or three days and much weakness but thanks to skilful treatment and the great care of Dr. (Captain) C.L. Furbush, of the 44th Vol. Infantry, seem fairly in the road to recovery, which means a good deal to a man playing Robinson Crusoe -- with some two hundred others -- on this hitherto unknown island of the archipelago.
Still it is hard to imagine, as I write in the cool, well shaded room of the house we have

p. 2 is blank

{3}
taken as a hospital that the little command under Major Hale is as absolutely cut off from the world as is the case, without means of communication with the other islands, except by native's boat, with no transport of its own, no cables, simply provisioned for two months and tossed on the shore of an unknown island, to meet and control conditions of which no knowledge could be previously obtained and with two companies of infantry to protect, control, [mould?], overawe if necessary, a population of something like two hundred and fifty thousand natives who for nearly two years have lived under their own independent government. However, as I say, it is a pretty house -- this hospital -- in all but its name; surrounded by bananas and topped by [feathery?] palms it is a true lodge in a wilderness from our point of view, whereas from another it occupies a corner of a street that for cleanness and straightness might belong to a New England village, and on this bright Sunday morning, as the people return in groups from church, has the moral air of that great land, an [inner?] breath of peace and good will to men stealing out as it were over a sunshine and heat such as New England never felt. Indeed the groups returning from church are good to look upon, all dressed in their best, clean and sober minded, the men usually without hats and bare-footed, but wearing oftentimes a light coat, [otherwise?] the inevitable shirt and trousers, the women with bare feet as a rule, and perhaps [slippers?], with black shirts and over their heads a garment

p. 4 is blank
{5}
not unlike the head dress of the Breton peasants, with a stiff piece over the head like an Italian [illegible ] and a long white veil trimmed or embroidered at the edges, a picturesque garment, but goulish [sic ] as the shades of evening fall and a silent c[ ] comes moving down the street from vesper service.
The Bojolanos are a pleasant people, larger and of lighter color than the natives of other islands of the Visayas whom I have seen, and with more open and intelligent faces. They appear friendly and respectful but are very shy. The women are modest in appearance and prettier than others, they have finer complexions and their mouths and teeth do not seem as fouled by the use of beetle-nut; they are larger, too, with more curves to their figures and flesh on their bones than have the willowy, bamboo shaped houris of Panay. They seem very modest and unsophisticated too and Dr. Furbush is [authority?] for saying there is no venereal disease on the island -- pretty well for nearly 250 thousand people. Certainly it is a primitive Robinson Crusoe kind of an island in Arcadia now that the Spaniard has gone. But alas the snake has entered Paradise, small pox is rampant, and dysentery and fevers plentiful enough. Doctors there seem to be none, but a medicine woman or man here do their practices on the miseries of the sick. One little child dying of dysentery the doctor found with a green leaf tied to its leg, and its chest sprinkled with tea leaves. But what can they do for things, it is the best they have. This child died in spite of all the doctor could do, and he worked hard over it, and the poor mother almost a child herself was frustrated with grief for her first-born. The father, however, seemed stolid and indifferent, but it seems was [reproved?] for his callousness by the sympathy

p. 6 is blank

{7}
of neighbors, hard as it seems that these people are not heartless to their own as there is reason to believe the case with many of the Malays. In fact their lighter color, larger frames and well nourished bodies, well developed and rounded limbs seem to indicate a better type than the skinny monkey like inhabitants of Panay, and the quantity of clothing worn especially by women, the more graceful flowing garments and set of the clothes seem to indicate a nearer affinity to European ideas amongst the Bojolanos than elsewhere in the Visayas.

(These latter notes were added Tuesday March 27. I am still confined to the hospital: my ninth day, but I am much better and hope soon to cross the island to Tubigon, thence to Cebu by banca.)
See page 12

Now for a somewhat continued narrative of the occupation of Bohol by the forces of the United States which may be called the Passing or

The Collapse of a Republic
Towards the middle of March 1900 the United States had progressed so far in the road to actual possession of the new territory acquired in the East by the Treaty of Paris that our troops were occupying the attention of rebellious natives on five of the principal islands of the Philippine archipelago; we were in peaceful possession of a foot hold on two more in the extreme south, had captured the little island of Romblon by force of arms, and were about to occupy the Surigao district of northern Mindanao. But there remained some six or seven thousand
{8}
<other> islands <of> which we had seen only the shores and <mountain tops> and even in the Visayas where the struggle for independence had lacked the inspiration of the presence of the fitful Aguinaldo, intermediate and [illegible] though it was, only Cebu, Negros, and Panay -- besides insignificant Romblon -- had felt the hand and enjoyed the dollar of the American. But at this time great activity was shown
At this time the great, if somewhat ill defined original Visayas Military District occupying the center of the Philippine group appears to have been curtailed by the occupation from Luzon of the islands of Leyte and Samar, cutting them off from the middle group of the archipelago and leaving the Visayas composed -- from a military point of view -- of Panay, Negros, Cebu <& Bojol> since Masbate was at this time a kind of no man's land and Paragua and smaller islands did not enter the count.

*Now of Bohol nothing really was known, the few poor books on the Visayas, like the maps, gave valueless outlines of doubtful facts; visitors to the island were infrequent, and their information vague, and trustworthy guides were not to be found. The island had been shut within itself for more than a year, and it was known to have its own government, its own laws, its police and its church; and it was known to have maintained its people from native aggression from without and to have maintained its republican state within the greater native Republic <for more than a year. It contained about a quarter of a million of people.

{9}
other islands of which we had seen only the shores and the mountain tops; and even in the Visayas, where the struggle for independence had lacked from the first the inspiration of the presence of the fitful Aguinaldo only Cebu, Negros and Panay -- besides insignificant Romblon -- had felt the hand and enjoyed the dollar of the American. However great activity was being shown by our troops and the time for the occupation of the important outlying islands, hitherto unnoticed, had come. An expedition from the north had taken possession of Leyte and Samar, cutting them off in a military sense from the great middle Kingdom of the Visayas & reducing that ill defined district which [originally?] occupied the center of the archipelago to practically the four islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, and Bohol, in addition to Masbate (whose time had not yet come) and Paragua, and smaller groups that were a sort of No-Man's Land.
On Panay, Negros & Cebu, troops had for months been stationed and governments established; but Bojol was an unknown land, and on March 14, Major H.C. Hale with companies B & C, 44th Volunteer Infantry sailed from Iloilo on board the transport Elcano to take possession of the island and to protect its inhabitants. This expedition I had the privilege of accompanying in connection with certain work of my [illegible] corps.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven/diary1.html

"On the Way to Church"

From the Philippine Islands and Far East photograph albums, Duke University.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven/phil5.html

"Bill Battery outside of barracks in Tagbilaran, Bohol, P.I. This bill battery is famous throughout the Philippines for the work it has accomplished and the insurgents it has killed. Note how each bull has a Filipino keeper."

From the Philippine Islands and far East photograph albums, Duke University.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven/phil4.html

The U.S. Military Occupation of Bohol

1900-1902

by Norman Cameron

In what follows I've referred to "my grandfather" and to things that he wrote in a diary he kept, and I should probably explain who he was.

The Spaniards had sent friars; the Americans sent teachers. And they didn't waste time: they sent seven or eight hundred in the first year alone (1901-1902). The majority of these men and women - some with teaching experience, some without - came across on a steamer called the "Thomas"; my grandfather, then twenty-six, was one of them. His name, like mine, was Norman Cameron. After graduating from college in 1895, he had taught for six years in the public schools in Blacksburg, South Carolina, but up until 1901 he had never been west of the Allegheny mountains. In the Philippines, where he arrived aboard the "Thomas" in August 1901, he was assigned to teach school at Tagbilaran, Bohol. The war was still in progress when he got there and culminated just a couple of months later (on Bohol, that is). He remained at Tagbilaran till 1904, when he was reassigned briefly to the grade school at Tubigon. Throughout his sojourn on the island he kept a diary, which, though it runs to five volumes and covers two hundred pages in typescript, grows increasingly perfunctory as time goes on and as the novelty of his surroundings began to wear off. In March 1904, he left the Philippines, discontented and disillusioned by the fights that he'd had with the Bureau of Education in the islands. Back in the United States, he resumed his career, first at the Kalamazoo Teachers College in Kalamazoo, Michigan and later at the West Chester Normal School (now West Chester State University) in West Chester, PA. Somewhere along the line he acquired a Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania. While serving as the principal of the Baltimore Teachers Training School, in 1920, he met and married my grandmother, a 26-year old teacher trainee named Lula Sehrt. In 1928, he returned to the West Chester Normal School (with his wife and two children) and remained there as president for the next eight years, when he was ousted from the place for political reasons. He ended his career as superintendent of schools for the Garfield (New Jersey) public school system (1936-1941). In 1947, without warning, he died of a heart attack in Towson, Maryland. He was 72 years old.

------------------

From the sound of it, the island of Bohol was one of the last places in the world that you wouldn't want to invade. From a sightseer's point of view, certainly, it had everything -- had there been any sightseers: beautiful weather, beautiful beaches, interesting and ornamental old churches, a sparkling sea. It even had souvenirs: native mats and straw hats and exotic fruit. Its people were picturesque too, a handsome, hard-working, placable folk who were sometimes known as the "Chinamen of the Philippines," in part because they were (many of them) ethnic Chinese -- but also because their industry and their skill as traders were a source of envy. In 1898 the island had become its own country, and the people of Bohol had governed it with tact and moderation and shown a broad-backed self-reliance in rebuffing an invasion from Cebu. It was the sort of place that could make you wistful. And "Indeed," confessed George Scriven, thinking back, "if I were ever tempted to play Robinson Crusoe Bohol would be my island." All that was missing really, from a sightseer's point of view, was hard currency. All that was missing was an American owner.

In March 1900 two hundred men of the 44th U.S. Volunteers put ashore to try to rectify this oversight. But why it took them so long to get around to it is hard to say, for Bohol was, in fact, one of the last major islands in the Philippines to be invaded by American troops. Probably, this was a consequence, in part, of the island's small size. Bohol is only the tenth-largest of the archipelago's eleven big islands and its population and resources were known in 1900 to be modest. And unlike Panay or Cebu, it lacked a decent modern harbor. Lying well to the south, at the bottom of the jumbled heap of the Visayas, it was poorly situated to serve as a base for American troops; and except as the back door to Cebu it posed no threat to American arms. It was scarcely, therefore, a place to waste infantry, and the size of the force that was sent to invade it attests this.

The war in the Visayas had begun on the island of Panay, on February 11, 1899, at about the same time that the war around Manila began. But, as it slowly bumped south from Panay to Leyte and Leyte to Cebu, the Visayan front was never really central to the outcome of the larger insurrection and it has never received much attention. Even while the war was being fought, the Visayas were less accessible to American correspondents and harder to dispatch stories from, and Aguinaldo and his generals kept them focused on Luzon. But it wasn't simply that the press was looking the other way; the Visayas were regarded as a kind of sideshow even at the highest levels of the army's command. As late as March 1900, more than a year after the war had begun and about the same time that Major Hale and his two companies of infantry were deploying for their landing on Bohol, the Military District of the Visayas was still being treated by the VIII Army Corps as a "semi-autonomous" command -- as a kind of puzzling innovation -- and not as an integral part of the Philippine force. The best and most charismatic of the U.S. commanders, including Henry Lawton, Samuel B. Young and Frederick Funston, were all assigned to Luzon.

The general in command of the Visayas was Brig. Gen. Robert P. Hughes, a sixty year-old Civil War veteran and a long-time Inspector General, who'd served in Manila as a chief of staff to General Elwell S. Otis. He appears in photographs taken in 1899 as a slope-shouldered, slender, fastidious man with bad eyes, but he was not, I think, a seasoned commander. Nor has he been specially popular with recent historians, and his testimony before Congress in 1902 is sometimes quoted against him to make him sound more odious than he probably was. (He testified, disdainfully at one point, that the only things that Filipinos really wanted were "to go to cock fights, gamble and whet up their bolos.")

Whatever his shortcomings as a person may have been, he seems to have quickly developed a coarse but effective set of tactics for dealing with conditions on the islands he'd been ordered to subdue. These were brutal and direct, and descended in all likelihood from the ones that Sherman had fathered in the Civil War South; Hughes was later said by one of his soldiers to have "burned a path 60 miles wide from one end of Panay to another" -- from Iloilo to the sea. This was an exaggeration but not a joke, and the tactics it referred to set the tone for the coming campaign. Wherever Hughes's men met opposition they were likely to retaliate, often harshly and often against civilians: burning villages, destroying livestock and applying torture at will. They were dealing not merely with insurrectos but with "Indios" -- with savages -- and the rules of "civilized" warfare no longer applied. This, at any rate, was what they argued later on, when the torture and the burnings became a national scandal at home.

One of the most striking things about the George Scriven diary is that Scriven was clearly not this kind of man: not the sort of man it would have taken -- and who would have been required, in numbers -- to "burn a path" across Bohol. He seems from the first to have liked and esteemed Filipinos, and his diary shows a novelist's fascination with the details of their lives. Surprisingly, for an American, he thought them physically attractive: he describes them as "pleasant-faced" and dwells with obvious satisfaction on the women's appearance and dress. He found them civilized, too: orderly, industrious and in one case he mentions extremely refined. ("The manners and appearance" of the governor's father-in-law, he wrote, "would have done credit to a French noblemen of the old régime.") Nor was he a racial or political snob, and he shows a ready appreciation for the island's republican regime, calling Bernabe Reyes, the Presidente or governor, "a man of very superior ability and education." Overall, he remained untouched, to a remarkable degree, by the usual American arrogance and seems, as time passed, to have grown skeptical about the U.S. mission and its stated justifications. "A glance at the conditions found on... the island by our troops shows that we did not take over a mere lot of savages, or turbulent insurgents or ladrones, but a well-ordered, peaceful and self-respecting community capable of working out its own destiny, without aid from without..."

It would be interesting to know if these enlightened views survived and if his skepticism grew, or if familiarity and routine killed them off. Or if events on Bohol did. For the tentative but peaceful arrangement that Scriven describes didn't last very long. Or rather, it lasted five months, until August 31, when warfare broke out in the hills near the village of Carmen. It's hard to be sure what provoked this, but it's easy to believe, as the people of Bohol later claimed, that the bullying and misconduct of American troops had grown insufferable. On Luzon, in Tayabas province at about the same time, an American army officer was complaining at "the harsh treatment of natives generally and the failure of inexperienced, lately-appointed lieutenants... to distinguish between those who are friendly and those unfriendly... Almost without exception," he noted, "soldiers and also many officers refer to natives in their presence as `niggers' and the natives are beginning to understand what the word `nigger' means." [Maj. Cornelius Gardener, Report to the War Dept., quoted in the Manila Times, May 15, 1902, p. 5.]

Shortly after his arrival on the island, Major Hale had apparently re-outfitted the local militia as an insular police force, appointing a miltiaman named Pedro Samson commandante. In late August, Samson set off from Tagbilaran on a tour of inspection of the island's police posts. But instead of returning, he emerged a week later as the island's biggest outlaw, appearing in the hills around Carmen with a force of "bolomen" and threatening, according to the army, to seize the northeasterly port town of Ubay. A detachment of 27 men from Company C of the 44th U.S. Volunteers was sent to intercept him and on August 31 they encountered one another near Carmen. Samson and his men were inadequately armed, with bolos and a scattering of antique muskets; but they seem, too, to have trusted too much in the potency of the anting-anting: in amulets, often just scraps of cloth, that were thought to shield the wearer from harm. Whatever the reason, the American marksmen simply gunned them down. More than a hundred insurgents were killed; fewer than twenty escaped. The Americans, in contrast, lost only one man.

Filipino casualties were generally guessed at and only rarely recorded, but this appears to have been the most lopsided victory the American forces achieved on Bohol. It nonetheless frightened them, for as Scriven points out they were badly outnumbered by Boholans of fighting age, and they immediately called for reinforcements. These consisted of a company, possibly two -- but probably not more than a total of two hundred men -- from the 19th U.S. Infantry, a unit of the regular army that'd seen action on Panay and Cebu. They were led by Capt. Andrew S. Rowan, a hero of the Spanish-American war in Cuba.

Samson in the meantime had apparently regrouped and raised a fresh strain of Filipino patriots; it's always hard to tell from the American records and, indeed, from this point on the insurgents become far less visible: clashes are reported and "forts" are taken, but the Filipinos, for the most part, fade away -- into the mountains or the high grass. There's no further record of massacres.

Whether or not it was Samson they encountered, the 19th quickly saw action; on September 3, they came upon and scattered an outfit of insurgents in what are now known as the "Chocolate Hills," and from then through December, either alone or in company with the 44th, they fought a number of "minor engagements" in the island's interior, mostly in the mountains back of Carmen. Casualties were usually light and I am only aware that one soldier was killed, again a volunteer, on October 3. Later in the war, when the records for Bohol are more complete, they show that soldiers were considerably more likely to die of disease or alcohol poisoning, or to be shot for desertion, than they were to be killed by insurgents.

The interior, though not necessarily deadly, remained a sinister place for American troops. The army controlled the littoral -- more or less -- and had planted garrisons in a line that ran from Tubigon to Loay. Here and elsewhere along the coast its pretensions were backed by gunboats, and the gunboats were formidable. (I have no information on the "El Cano," but the gunboat "Annapolis," which was also in use at the time, mounted ten rapid-firing cannons, two machine guns and a howitzer. The largest of the cannons fired a 4-inch projectile -- an explosive slug that was fat as a man's doubled fists. And the "Annapolis" could come close in to shore: it's draft was a scanty twelve feet.) Inland, though, the island was essentially Samson's, and he taxed its inhabitants and stole or "requisitioned" supplies -- chiefly livestock -- as his army required them. It's hard to be sure how thorough his support was, or how substantial a force he commanded; its size must have fluctuated. (When he finally surrendered, with his force, I assume, at low ebb, 175 men put down their arms with him.) Still, I doubt that his imposts were popular, and some of the wealthier Boholans in time raised their own private armies in order to keep the insurgents at bay -- though this was commoner no doubt at the end of the war when they could tell what the outcome would be.

In January 1901, with companies K and L of the 19th Infantry now installed on Bohol and the dry season coming on, the fighting seems to have ceased and Capt. Rowan was recalled to Cebu. He remained there until April, when two more companies of the 19th Infantry (cos. I and M) were sent across to Bohol -- presumably to take the place of the 44th Volunteers, who after more than a year were about to be relieved and sent home. Gen. Hughes was still involved farther north, where Panay was on the verge of being pacified. But the consolidation on Bohol of the army's command, and the replacement of the volunteers by regular army troops marked the beginning of a grislier era. (Or what appears to have been a grislier era. It's possible that reports of earlier brutalities -- pre-1901 brutalities -- have been lost or covered up or have simply failed to surface. On the other hand, the evidence of American misconduct is sometimes sketchy, even for the later period when the 44th had already gone. In January 1902, for example, an army corporal came to visit my grandfather in his rooms at Tagbilaran, to get advice about applying for work as a teacher. Afterwards, the corporal talked for awhile about the conquest and in particular about "...the manner in which Lieut. Featers [of the 19th Infantry] shot `googoos'." "`Tis something terrible," my grandfather moaned, and left the rest, including the details, to speculation.)

But what is certainly true is that fighting resumed some time early in May. A tiny item in the New York Times on June 19 reported "an active renewal of the insurrection in the island of Bohol" and described the cause as the burning of an unnamed town by "Capt. Andrew S. Rowan of the Nineteenth Infantry..."; at which point, the paper glibly confided, "the people, inflamed with rage, rejoined the insurgent chief." The few historians who've bothered to notice Bohol have all agreed with this assessment: that it was thanks to the burning of Jagna that the fighting resumed; I'm more doubtful. But there is little question that from this point on a different sort of warfare prevailed and that villages on the island were often burned.

Jagna was apparently burned either on or shortly after the 14th of May. One of Rowan's men had assaulted a Filipina; her fiancé retaliated by killing the assailant, and things got out of hand. The army recoiled at first, and Rowan was suspended from duty -- though it's unclear why: whether Thomas C. Woodbury, the battalion commander, thought that Rowan had overreacted, or whether he thought it simplest, and most expedient, to placate the local population. But the burning of villages wasn't quite the same problem for everyone, and an editorial in the Manila Times voiced a widespread American view, and a sense of the injustice to Rowan, when it reminded its readers that the town that Rowan burned was only a collection of native huts, easily rebuilt for "no more than $150" -- implying that the victims were the ones who had overreacted. Besides, the editorial added, burning was an effective tactic for keeping the insurgents on the run. [Manila Times, Sept. 12, 1901, p. 4]

The editorial was probably right -- about the insurgents -- and the burnings in any case continued. In early June, portions of companies I, K and M were deployed on a "hike" up the valley of the river Loboc and encountered opposition in the plain between Sevilla and Balilijan on June 14. The next day they assaulted a group of forts and what the company returns -- a kind of monthly accounting -- described as Samson's "headquarters." One American was killed, four were wounded and the forts were captured. Samson escaped, but Sevilla and Balilijan were burned to the ground in reprisal. It must have seemed safer than letting them stand, but it was also, unmistakably, a lesson in the risks of collaboration. This time, though, there were no investigations and the combined populace of about a thousand got no solace from the American command. They were left to rebuild, or drop dead. The column then turned and climbed the foothills to the village of Bilar; and somewhere near Bilar, on June 17, the hikers and insurgents fought again. Another American was killed, making two men killed in the course of the expedition. This one was one of Rowan's, from Company I.

The fighting went on this way for much of the rest of the year. The Americans would send a party of men on a foray to the center of the island and the men would march inland and burn a suburb or two. And this would happen once a month. They might make contact with the enemy and confiscate some weapons; more often, though, they simply wrecked what they could, or what caught their eye. Butchering livestock (to deprive the insurgents of food) became a regular occupation -- though the damage that was done this way was steadily exaggerated. On October 19, 1901, towards the insurrection's close, my grandfather noted in his diary that "The `hiking' soldiers came back yesterday [from an excursion begun October 2] after having killed about 10 soldiers and every live animal for 20 or 30 miles." The rest of the tally is a little easier to credit: they'd "captured two cannon and some small arms and burned two towns."

Not all of the "insurrectos" who were killed, though, were always insurrectos, or killed in combat. Some were civilians who'd been executed. Others -- whether insurrectos or not -- had been tortured to death. The commonest form of torture was known as the "water cure," and it was so common that, on Bohol, toward the end of the war, people joked about getting it -- and then got it. It became, as its nickname suggests, a kind of liquid panacea, a cure for whatever you couldn't kill -- a cure for disloyalty, a cure for native "insolence," a cure for the insurrection -- that the army doled out like the shots for the small pox it also dispensed. Ostensibly, the "water cure" was used to elicit information. But the information it obtained was always suspect. And people died from it. Testifying before Congress in 1903, Lt. Grover Flint gave a sanitized but still vivid account of the way that it worked:

A man is thrown down on his back and three or four men sit or stand on his arms and legs and hold him down; ...a carbine barrel or a stick as big as a belaying pin... is simply thrust into his jaws and his jaws are thrust back, and, if possible, a wooden log or stone is put under his head or neck, so he can be held more firmly. In the case of very old men I have seen their teeth fall out, -- and I mean when it was done a little roughly. He is simply held down and then water is poured onto his face down his throat and nose from a jar; and that is kept up until the man gives some sign or becomes unconscious. And then... he is simply... rolled aside rudely, so that water is expelled. A man suffers tremendously, there is no doubt about it. [S. Doc. 331, 57 Cong., 1 Sess. (1903), pp. 1767-1768]

"...so that water is expelled" was a decorous way of saying "vomiting, atrociously." But sometimes victims didn't get that far; sometimes they just drowned. Or they talked -- they "spilled their guts" another way -- and they were executed anyhow.

The "water cure" and other tortures, along with the burnings, gave the army campaigns of the summer and fall an air of vandalism and of offhand, almost casual violence. But outside of Bohol the situation had changed, and the army was under pressure to bring the fighting to an end. Early in 1900, President McKinley had appointed a committee of civilians to administer the islands' affairs and in July 1901 this second Philippine Commission, headed by William Howard Taft, had been officially installed at Manila. It began to treat the islands like a colony, and less like a theater of war, "substituting," in McKinley's words, "the mild sway of justice and right" for "the extensive burning of the barrios... [and] the torturing of natives by the so-called `water cure'" that were more often the rule (and not McKinley's words at all). The Commission expected and wanted the war to be over. So, increasingly, did people back home, from all the usual, loud and conflicting persuasions.

And it was clear by then that the Filipinos could only stop the war from ending; winning it was beyond their grasp. Aguinaldo had been captured on Luzon in March and, except in pockets in the south, the insurgency there had collapsed. Resistance in the Visayas was sporadic -- but about to get lively on Samar -- and among the Moros, on Mindanao, it had only just begun. But the Moros and Samar weren't essential; Manila was what mattered, and in Manila there was a growing and potent sense of the war's futility -- certainly among the island's ruling caste. These ilustrados -- merchants and wealthy landowners -- had begun to see the advantages of cooperating with the Americans rather than fighting them. It was what they'd done with the Spaniards, after all, and they must have sensed that they could come to an arrangement that'd suit them -- especially since, as educated men with considerable influence among the people, they were the colonial government's logical partners and friends. The ilustrados' views and the political party they founded, the Partido Federal, began to influence people's thought and to undermine the continuing resistance.

Whether their views penetrated to Bohol is a question, but the insurgents on Bohol were having their own problems, including, most notably, an inability to win battles. Ever since the rout near Carmen the August before, they'd avoided pitched battles and, though their tactics are never described, it seems obvious that, like the Samar insurgents, they resorted instead to clandestine, or guerrilla, attacks. Still it isn't even clear how many of these they carried out and they seem to have accomplished very little. Their problem, their biggest problem was that they lacked firepower. They had a couple of captured Krags, but mostly their guns were old Springfields, a mid-century carbine that fired an improvised cartridge. And most of the insurgents probably didn't have these. When they surrendered, in late December, only about a quarter of the men had guns of any kind. The rest were armed simply with bolos, the Filipino machete.

Fighting from ambush or in defense of their strongholds, the Boholans showed a certain ingenuity and even learned to inflict some damage. More and more often, beginning in August, American casualties were reported as the product of "bamboo traps," pitfalls lined with sharpened bamboo stakes. These were apparently used as a kind of abatis to protect and fortify Filipino positions. Lt. Richard Wetherill of L Company was wounded in pit traps twice: the first time seriously when a stake pierced his ribs, and the second time, three months later, on a "scout" of the "insurrecto fortification called Balacguin" (back of Loboc) when another one skewered his thigh. This second incident made the front page of the Manila Times, which railed at the use of pit traps generally and described them as "devilish, inhuman and unwarlike." [Manila Times, December 10, 1901, p. 1] The article noted that the trap had claimed another two men, a Filipino "muchacho" or guide -- who was killed -- and Lt. George I. Feeter, who was wounded in the foot. This is the same "Lieut. Featers" who, according to my grandfather, "shot `'googoos'" and it seems plausible to suppose that the shootings, or at least some of them, were carried out in reprisal for the cut to his foot.

In August, the island's other scourge, Capt. Andrew S. Rowan, was returned to duty as commander of Company I and assigned to take charge of the station at Tubigon. Far from being chastened, he seems to have thrown off restraint and sent his company out to break heads. General Hughes in the meantime had moved successively closer, first to Leyte, and then in mid-September to Cebu. On October 31, Cebu's insurgents surrendered and Hughes prepared to pivot on Bohol. Things were picking up speed: Panay and Negros were pacified, Cebu had just surrendered. Samar, it's true, had flared up again, but by the beginning of November Samar and Leyte were no longer General Hughes's concern; they were part of another command. All that remained to him was to polish off Bohol.

Hughes wasted no time. On November 4, he landed 400 soldiers at Loay and immediately propelled them to the east and northeast, encircling the island from below. Columns of smoke soon began to rise inland. A certain amount of this was probably fore-ordained; Samson had rejected a peace offer just a couple of days before and the army, it seems, saw no meaningful alternative. Already, on November 3, according to my grandfather, the decision had been made that "more towns are to be burned." But under Hughes, the pace and intensity of the burnings picked up. By mid-November the plume of smoke from the fires that he'd set was visible more than thirty miles away on Camiguin Island. A whiff reached Manila on December 14 in a dispatch to the Times. "It is a little strange," the paper's correspondent wrote, "to be so near [at Mambajao] and yet so far from the seat of operations in Bohol. We could see the smoke of the burning pueblos there... but it is hard to get any definite news of the way things are going. However I hear that the island is pacified after 14 pueblos were burned." [Manila Times, December 14, 1901, p. 7] It may have been more than fourteen, it may have been less. On January 9, 1902 Bohol's civil governor reported that "during the war... 20 pueblos were... reduced to ashes." [A Pronouncing Gazetteer... of the Philippine Islands, Bureau of Insular Affairs, Washington, 1902, p. 371. My emphasis.] Some were probably burned twice. Garcia Hernandez was burned, Anda was burned, Inabanga was burned (and its police force was drowned) and the town of Jetafe was only spared by a fluke when two columns of troops, approaching it from different directions, turned away by mistake at about the same time, each assuming that the other'd light the match. This was how reflexive the burnings had become.

Torture of course was the army's other pacifier and its use, according to rumor, was authorized by General Hughes himself. It was certainly approved by Major Edwin F. Glenn (who replaced Hughes in time for Thanksgiving), and Glenn's subsequent court-martial -- which was full of the most ear-rattling accusations (aimed at both sides) -- makes it clear how routine the practice of torture had become by the end of the war. Prominent citizens were the first to be mistreated this way and General Hughes had hardly been around for a day when my grandfather reported that "the presidente and padre have been put through the `water cure' at the [General's] instigation..." (This was the mayor of Tagbilaran and not George Scriven's presidente.) At Inabanga, the presidente was killed -- "why I know not." At Loay, "they broke the arm of the padre... when they gave him `whiskey instead of water.'" My grandfather's tone was growing jauntier, and the presidente of Baclayon, with considerably less cause to scoff, joked abysmally that if they gave him the water cure--hah hah--"he hopes it will be beer, and then he will take it in the ears, nose and mouth."

Not everyone managed to stay so suave in the face of this onslaught and on November 7 the women of the island, in a scene from Aeschylus, sent a noisy--or silent--deputation to the army's HQ. Fifty women, including two Americans, pleaded with General Hughes to suspend the fighting "till they could get to the mountains to have their husbands come in." Surprisingly Hughes agreed. Or maybe it was only that he couldn't think how to say no. In certain ways, it's the most interesting moment in the whole insurrection, this quixotic little episode -- and one that's far less quixotic, in its way, than the rest of the war. It came to nothing of course. On the 8th Hughes reversed himself and sent his "hikers" out anyway. And the fighting went on. But it didn't go on for very long. By the end of November, the resistance on the island was beaten down and negotiations had begun between Samson and the American command. Hughes had departed on November 22 and been replaced by Major Glenn, a 46-year old lawyer and judge advocate who directed the negotiations. These dragged on for another month, as Samson sought dependable guarantees that he and his men would be amnestied.

Finally, on December 23, in the clear waning light of the winter solstice, the insurrectos surrendered. At 3 o'clock that afternoon, the former policeman and, now, General signed an armistice at Tagbilaran and swore allegiance to the United States government, renouncing, mostly for form's sake, his insubstantial tether to the larger Katipunan-led revolt. His men were disarmed, and that night at an army-sponsored fete there were speeches and a dance. The next day, each of the approximately 175 insurrectos took the oath of allegiance and agreed to pose for photographs. Many of them were children.

Bohol was now pacified, but the insurrection, though officially defunct, continued twitching for several months as partisans straggled in from far-off villages. A puzzling front-page item in the Manila Times, that purported to be based on a cable from General Wade at Cebu, reports another large surrender on January 15, 1902. "Three hundred and sixty-five insurgents," it contends, "came in and surrendered on the 15th instant at Tagbilaran, Bohol and took the oath of allegiance." But this figure is probably too large and seems more likely to represent the total of all the insurgents who'd surrendered on Bohol up till then. Certainly, my grandfather's diary makes no mention of a massive surrender and, in fact, his entry for the 15th begins "Nothing of importance." He only allows (the next day) that "In the past few days more googoos have been surrendering..." By this time, perhaps, the trickle of insurrectos had become too commonplace even to notice.

With the signing of the armistice, Hughes's 400 men had been recalled to Cebu. Four companies of the 19th Infantry remained in place to keep the peace: companies I, K, L and M, the same four units who'd been stationed on Bohol since April; and the government of the island remained in their hands. Civilians had been moving in since the summer, getting ready to take over functions that the army would eventually relinquish: teachers, engineers, telegraphers and surveyors. None of them, surprisingly, had been injured while the war was going on. But now that the war was over a civilian became the fighting's final victim. J. R. Hegg, the provincial supervisor, was on a tour of inspection of the island's roads when he was boloed in the mountain town of Batuanan in late January. His body wasn't finally recovered till nearly ten months later but the news of his death made its way to Tagbilaran very quickly and caused panic and outrage and came close, for a couple of days, to bringing on a recrudescence of the war. My grandfather strapped a gun on and drew up a will. Teachers were pulled in from the outlying towns. And rumors flew: Samson himself had ordered Hegg's death; Samson and his men were in arms again and had taken to the hills. Filipinos were tortured; it was the one way of handling things that everyone seemed to have faith in. The Manila Times, as usual getting wind of things late, urged a crackdown: "The quicker [Bohol] is pacified and pacified hard, the less blood will be spilled in the long run." [Manila Times, February 7, 1902, p. 1]

But the furor blew over surprisingly quickly, the panic subsided, and the invaders regained their confidence. On February 9, K Company, stationed at Loboc, left the island for good. The rebellion on Samar had grown fiercer and troops were being sucked from all around to strengthen the fighting force there; K replaced a unit on Cebu. Its departure left fewer than three hundred troops on Bohol, but from this point on there was less and less really for the army to do. On February 3, in the midst of the scare caused by Hegg's assassination, the first American-sponsored elections had been held on the island and Anecito Clarin, a respected landowner who was also an American favorite, had been voted the island's governor. Civilians began to take over. A Philippine police force, or constabulary, gradually assumed the army's responsibilities. The transition to civil government became official on Bohol on April 3, 1902 and a month later the three remaining companies of the 19th Infantry left the island for good. The regimental band had departed in April, playing "Dixie" into the wind.

source: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven/bohol-history.html

FOCAS Mindanao Area Manager Em Torrente (left photo) along with Ria GoTian of NEDA Central Office and Weng Dano of Landcare Project (not in photo) oriented some 30 participants on the basics of economic analysis of micro-enterprise, agribusiness and natural resource management projects on Oct. 23-24, 2007 in Casa Reyfrancis, Tagbilaran City.

Efficiency, growth, and sustainability - key words which used to reverberate only among corporate circles are now becoming the mantra of development workers. This comes after the realization that development projects, whether financed through local or foreign grant, have to adopt sound economic principles and practices in order to achieve growth and sustainability. This is much more of a norm for micro-enterprise and agribusiness projects which promise to generate employment and income increment to poor families in the countryside.

Thus, under the auspices of the Australian Agency for International Development - Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (AusAID-PACAP), the Bohol Focused Community Assistance Scheme 1 (FOCAS 1), has organized a training on Economic Analysis of Micro-enterprise, Agribusiness and Natural Resource Management Projects on October 23-24, 2007 in Casa Reyfrancis, Tagbilaran City.

The training was designed at providing participants with the knowledge, skills and appreciation (KSA) on financial analysis, including hands-on experience in evaluating cash flow statements and formulating recommendations for improving economic sustainability of FOCAS projects. Thirty participants have successfully completed the training. The said participants are FOCAS management committee (FMC) members themselves representing the government, non-government, community and the private sector working on three project themes, namely, enterprise/agribusiness development (FOCAS 1), eco-cultural tourism (FOCAS 2) and sustainable agriculture (FOCAS 3). A select team of resource persons from PACAP (Mr. Emmanuel “Em” Torrente), NEDA (Ms. Reina Elena GoTian) and Landcare Project (Ms. Maria Noelyn Dano) provided the necessary technical inputs and learning environment which truly enriched the participants. Management and administrative support were also equally provided by Ms. May V. Blanco (PACAP Provincial Project Officer for Bohol), Mr. Blair Panong (Senior DTI Specialist and FOCAS 1 Management Committee Chair) and Misses Mylove Cardinoza and Sol Virtudazo of the FOCAS 1 Secretariat.

The Bohol FOCAS program has been implemented in 17 municipalities (dubbed as most deprived based on 2004 LPRAP survey) and operationalized into 4 distinct but strategically linked themes namely: FOCAS 1 (Enterprise/Agribusiness Development), FOCAS 2 (eco-cultural tourism); FOCAS 3 (sustainable agriculture); and FOCAS 4 (water and sanitation). PACAP, which is now on its 21st year of countryside development work, commits to support a total of 26 FOCAS projects in Bohol or an aggregate grant of PhP 91.8 million from 2006-2009. (Sol Virtudazo/FTCP).

By John Paul S. Nistal
DOLE - Bohol

      A Seafarer’s family from Ubay, Bohol was all smiles and tears when they were proclaimed the winner for the regional search of the 2007 Model Overseas Filipino Worker of the Year Award ( MOFYA ) last November 09, 2007 at SM City Cebu. Members of 55- year old Eugenio Boiser Atuel Jr.’s family received a gold medal, a trophy, and P25,000 cash prize during the awarding ceremonies at SM City Cebu.

      Now on its third year, the search is focused on family relationships that are successful, stable, and intact even if one member is working outside the country. After the contest was launched in October, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ( OWWA ) received 18 nominations from Central Visayas. Thirteen of these are from Cebu Province, three fro Bohol and two from Oriental Negros. OWWA Regional Director Wilfreda Misterio said the search has been recognizing the achievements of OFWs and their families in managing the impact of overseas employment on family life.

      Atuel and his family scored 91.5 percent to earn the right to represent Central Visayas in the National MOFYA. The winner in this regional search will compete with the other winners from regions belonging to the same island cluster. Atuel, who will represent Central Visayas, will compete with Region 6 and 8. One winner each for Luzon. Visayas and Mindanao will be announced in the first week of December in Manila. These national champions will receive P200, 000.vacation trip packages, laptop computers and other prizes from Globe Telecom.

      But for the Atuel family, being one of the five nominees for Central Visayas is already an honor. The local government unit of Ubay, Bohol, nominated them for the search. Eugenio Atuel has been working overseas as a seaman and has climbed the ranks in his job for the past 31 years. He and his wife Corazon, 47, have been married for 25 years and bore seven children, each successful in their chosen fields. Aside from being a family man and breadwinner, Eugenio is also a family life apostolate member, organizer of a trisikad organization called Tapalodo, and sponsor of micro livelihood programs in his hometown. Eugenio, however, was not able to join the awarding because he is working overseas. His wife spoke on his behalf, saying that she and her husband continually strives to make their home a paradise for their growing family because they both recognized the importance of family.

      Other nominees include the families of Domingo Torrilla Tome and Edwin Fortaliza Cañete both from Talisay City, Miximino Cabudoy Bia and Charlie Lao Garcia both from Cebu City.

By Andy Nalzaro

Tagbilaran City Budget Officer Rosemarie Palma denied a report that she is planning to sue Tagbilaran City Councilor Zenaido Djngo Rama in court  for libel after the latter exposed that some offices of the city hall is allegedly selling softdrinks to its employees.

Palma in an interview with dyTR and Standard said that she only got irked of a news item that came out in a local weekly that she was not given a fair treatment when the writer didn't bother to get her side of the story.

Palma also clarified that  she will never entertain anymore  that issue for she has a clear conscience that her office is involved in selling softdrinks but she admitted that some departments of the city hall had stocks of softdrinks in their refrigeraoirs for their personal consumptions.

Meanwhile, Rama stressed that he will not  issue anymore statement about that issue.

He said that the it is only a mere small coin to him compared to his strong commitment to the development of the city. "Gamay ra man na, sinsilyo lang." Rama added.

Earlier, Rama told dyTR that he was hurt when he was singled out by some of his detraciors that he is using a refrigerator at his office for his own personal consumption but he clarified that he need only  it for the storing of an insulin for his medicine.

By Ric Obedencio

The Local Legislation training workshop conducted here last week by Office of Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera has generated an active participation and lively discussions among members of the Sangguniang Bayan chaired by Vice-Mayor Restituto Auxtero.

Herrera emphasized that the activity is not solely meant to teach the municipal councilors of the intricacy and nitty-gritty of legislation but to enhance their know-how by way of injecting some trends and updates in legislation. The training was closely coordinated with the Department of Interior and Local Government through Angelo Mahinay, municipal local operations officer.

The councilors, including ex-officio members representing the Sangguniang Kabataan and Liga ng mga Barangay painstakingly underwent four modules for basic Resolution/Ordinance drafting, Validity Test of a Valid Ordinance, Legislative Processes/Committee Meetings and Parliamentary Rules and Procedures. Those who participated in were aside from Auxtero were Kagawads Marcos Aurestila, Gershon Dulang, Epifanio Quimson, Virginia Item, Nomie Valmoria, Thomas Cornelio, Jose Wayne Evardo, Samuel Turtoga, SK chair Raymond Franz Auxtero, ABC president Eutiquio Avergonzado, SB secretary Pio Sayson, info officer Roldan Munalem and secretariat staff Lourliney Macariola, Esterlita Polestico, Jhuna Quimson.

One of the lively discussions was the way the committee reports of SB are treated in the presentation during the plenary session. The lawmakers of this town used to make the committee reports to undergo three-reading rule, said Auxtero. Herrera emphasized that there is no need for the committee reports, not even a Resolution, to process under the three-reading rule. He reminded the SB that strictly only the passage of an Ordinance that should passed through the three-reading rule under the parliamentary rules.

Both Auxtero and Mayor Juanario Item expressed gratitude for the holding of the training that benefits the councilors. Auxtero also thanked the visitors and resource persons -- Atty. Lahar Ayuban, VGO chief of staff; Dave Mar, head, special project/research unit; Michael Maslog and Ric Obedencio and support staff - for the job well done. Item welcomed the participants and trainers during the first day of the activity.

Herrera, who initiated the said training, expressed gratitude to Vice-Mayor Auxtero for inviting his trainers and staff to conduct the training aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the lawmakers in this progressive town. Also gracing the affair was Board Member Amalia R. Tirol to boost the morale of the training workshop participants.

Coming home after the Congress bombing that killed a fellow lawmaker, Cong. Edgar Chatto crisscrossed his district and challenged the new barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders whom he swore in during separate mass oath-takings in towns.

He assured them of his full support in their local initiatives, but not without also reminding them of the supreme responsibilities attached to their mandate in preserving peace, promoting social justice and community development.

The First District congressman separately inducted the incoming barangay and SK officials in Corella and Antequera on Friday before swearing in those in Baclayon, Balilihan and Dauis yesterday.

Chatto will officiate today the respective mass oath-takings of the new barangay and SK leaders in Sikatuna and Tubigon.

Himself a serious public servant, Chatto challenged them to serve with diligence, dedication and honesty worthy of the trust manifested by their constituents through the ballots they cast in the synchronized barangay and SK polls.

The barangays, being the smallest unit of government that includes the youth SK sector, can weaken its own structure or be rendered inefficient and ineffective if their leaders disregard right vigilance, Chatto hinted.

He did not spare the SK officials from his challenge, telling them to prove their worth as youth leaders and lead young citizens.

Once the Bohol head of the now-defunct Kabataang Barangay (KB) at age 19. Chatto expressed strong trust in youths with the right motivation and proper guidance.

Whether the present SK should be reformed or abolished for a more dynamic and effective set-up in the tradition of its predecessor KB, Chatto emphasized the need to preserve the core value of developing involvement of the young people in community development and governance.

His hope still springs eternal for the youths to enflame their senses of volunteerism, nationalism, idealism and commitment with or without compensation or honoraria.

Meanwhile, the congressman thanked the outgoing barangay officials who have worked with him hand in hand in delivering priority projects and basic services to the grassroots.

Chatto’s district covers 327 barangays, 312 of them in 14 municipalities and the remaining15 in Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol.

The First District towns are Alburquerque, Antequera, Baclayon, Balilihan, Calape, Catigbian, Corella, Cortes, Dauis, Loon, Maribojoc, Panglao, Sikatuna and Tubigon.

There are 203 new and 124 reelected barangay captains in the First District as a result of the barangay election last October 29.

Not less than 40 of them are women, a fact which for Chatto is an indication of greater public recognition of the capacity of the female kind in frontline governance.

Some 100 incumbent barangay captains serve their last term, which disallows them from reelection.

A number of them slid down to councilmen in the recent barangay election while majority have chosen to retire after their last term shall have expired on November 30 this year.

All re-electionist captains won in Balilihan, Catigbian, Corella and Panglao.

Across the district, most reelectionists in fact won.

Being in the forefront of government, the barangay leaders can become effective purveyors of development since by their direct contact with the people they can readily identify the priority needs of the community, Chatto said.

The restless solon always finds more times for barangay concerns even if he also regularly holds “People’s Day” at his residence in the city on Saturdays, attending to the needs of his constituents from all walks of life.

      Vital road work by asphalt overlay between Tagbilaran City and Corella has started at P17 million.

      Additional fund has been earmarked to fully improve the stretch that leads to interior Bohol towns, according to highways people who said the project is executed thru Cong. Edgar Chatto’s effort.

      Apart from linking to Catigbian via Balilihan, the Tagbilaran-Corella road cuts travel time to Loboc passing Sikatuna.

            The First District congressman has secured P30 million to complete the continuing concreting of the Sikatuna-Loboc road, which is an alternative eco-tourism route. Concreting of Corella-Sikatuna Road is now completed.

      The on-going asphalt road overlay from the city to the neighboring town is just one of the latest projects benefiting Metro Tagbilaran.

      More significant horizontal infrastructures in the First District are bound for implementation in 2008, Chatto said recently in a radio interview.

      Their fund requirements are itemized in the 2008 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which was just finally approved by Congress.

House Tourism Committee Chairman and First District Congressman Edgar M. Chatto took off for South America as Head of the three man Philippine Delegation to the United Nations-World Tourism Organization(UN-WTO) 17th General Assembly from November 22-30 this year in Cartagena de las Indias, Colombia. The delegation is expected to present Philippine Tourism highlights to drum up support for next year’s major global tourism gatherings to be hosted by the country.

In a letter dated October 23, 2007 signed by Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano addressed to UN-WTO Secretary General Francesco Frangialli based in Madrid, Spain, the Chatto- led delegation will also represent the country in the UN-WTO Executive Council Meeting where gobal tourism policy issues will be discussed. DOT Undersecretary Phineas Alburo and Planning Director Alan Canizal will join Chatto in the Colombia gathering.

It may be noted that in the June 2007 conference of UN-WTO in Tunisia, North Africa, the Philippines thru Congressman Chatto won the bid to host next year’s 6th International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities. On the same occasion, the year-end session of the UN-WTO Executive Council will also be held. In conjunction with these gatherings, the Philippine delegation will also convey the country’s readiness to host the Asia-Pacific Conference on Tourism Satellite Account(TSA).

In a recent budget committee hearing in congress, Secretary Durano expressed appreciation for Congressman Chatto’s diplomacy, statesmanship and expertise in dealing with international tourism partners which was instrumental in bringing to the Philippines these major tourism events. “Hosting these gatherings was an elusive dream of the Philippine Tourism industry as we failed to grab it in several earlier attempts.” Durano said. “It was only when we asked Congressman Chatto who is our ‘secret weapon’ to represent the country when we finally got it. I do not know how he managed to convince all other interested countries including China’s Minister on Tourism to support us instead of pushing their own bids.” Durano elaborated.

In a letter addressed to Speaker Jose de Venecia, Secretary Durano likewise lauded the Bohol solon for representing the country well in international tourism gatherings and events. In Tunisia, Africa, Durano said that Chatto’s insights as member of the five man panel of reactors created a strong impact among the over 500 delegates worldwide.

Cong Chatto for his part said that the House Committee of Tourism which he heads together with their Senate counterparts led by Sen Dick Gordon is supporting DOT’s effort to position the Philippines as a venue for international global gatherings to boost international tourism arrivals and project a good image of the country worldwide.

While in Colombia, Chatto will meet with key officials of UN-WTO and of countries sitting as members of the Executive Council. He will also confer with preparatory committees which will handle the three major 2008 UN-WTO conferences in the Philippines.

In a meeting with Pres Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently, Durano and Chatto expressed preference for Cebu as venue of the next year’s international conferences. Chatto said that side trips to Bohol and other destinations can be arranged to highlight the countryside attractions our country can offer.

The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) inaugurated another KALAHI-CIDSS project worth P1.103 million here. This time, it’s the upgrading and expansion of the barangay’s Level II waterworks system of barangay Tugas, in the municipality of Getafe.

It is a community sub-project of the Kalahi-CIDSS: KKB project or the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Delivery of Social Services: Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay that targets to directly benefit 164 households. Indirectly, it will also benefit residents in the island barangays, Pandanon and Nasingin.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Teodulo Romo Jr. and Getafe Mayor Theresa Camacho led the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the blessing and inauguration of the project on November 14 at Tugas basketball court. Assisting them were Provincial Board Member Ma. Fe Camacho-Lejos, Levi delos Santos of the DSWD-7 field office representing ARD Regional Project Manager Ma.Evelyn Macapobre, and Lemuel Joseph Camacho of the Barangay Affairs Office of the Capitol representing Governor Erico Aumentado.

Municipal Councilor Raymundo Torrejos, who represented Vice-Mayor Cary Camacho, together with barangay captain Mansueto Suello, PPT chair Anecita Openia, PPT/BAC member Merlina Mejias, and Municipal Councilor Antonia Gucor hosted guests during the event.

KALAHI-CIDSS granted financial assistance of P661,075 for the project. For the local counterpart, the barangay contributed cash of P80,000 and in-kind worth P140,379, while the municipal government released P60,000 and in-kind contribution worth P62,480. The community, for its part, had come up with in-kind contribution worth P99,000. The local counterpart summed up to P441,859.

The sub-project includes the construction of spring box, ferrocement cylindrical reservoir, piping works, pipe drains, air vents, thrust blocks, pipe supports and metered faucet stand to upgrade the barangay’s waterworks system.

Works on the project started on July 1, this year and was completed on October 30.

It is a community sub-project of the KALAHI-CIDSS:KKB project, a poverty alleviation program of the national government implemented by the DSWD.

It is implemented at field level in close collaboration with the community and partnership with local government units at the provincial, municipal and barangay levels. (AV-PGMA)

By June Blanco

Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado recently distributed checks worth a total of P.55 million to five new cooperatives as part of the province’s poverty reduction program.

The Bohol Poverty Reduction and Management Office (BPRMO) under Antonieto Pernia organized the cooperatives and trained its members in different skills to make their respective projects viable.
The administration of Aumentado and Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera allocates a lump sum in the budget for training, capitalization and other activities to give additional or alternative livelihood to the Boholanos in the effort to put Bohol among the top provinces in the country in 2010 from its lowly ranking of Club 20 member â€" the 20 poorest provinces â€" when Aumentado first assumed as governor in 2001.

The move is also in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 10-point legacy agenda that includes employment. It does not however mean job openings by labor-intensive companies alone but employment through entrepreneurship.

The five cooperatives received P110,000 each.

They are the Tambangan Loay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) in Barangay Tambangan and the Tangcasan Sur MPC in Barangay Tangcasan both in Loay town, and well as the Sta. Cruz Dagohoy Bohol MPC in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Dagohoy town. With the amount, they intend to establish consumer stores.
On the other hand, the Guingoyuran Dimiao MPC in Barangay Guingoyuran and Cambayaon Dimiao MPC in Barangay Cambayaon both in Dimiao town intend to put up consumer stores and procure farm supplies and inputs.

The BPRMO also monitors the cooperatives it assisted in order to enhance their strengths and support them in their weaknesses even as it continues to organize and develop more cooperatives.

By June Blanco

A total of 1,044 clients were served during the two-day mobile services November 9 and 10 at the Capitol organized by the Bohol Employment and Placement Office (BEPO), a satellite of the Governor’s Office under Gov. Erico Aumentado.

Top on the list were 580 applicants for passports with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), 256 applicants for renewal of their licenses with the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), 172 applicants for authenticated birth, marriage, death certificates and other documents with the National Statistics Office (NSO) 13 applicants for enrolment with the Philippine Health Insurance (Philhealth), 12 new applicants for transactions with the Social Security System (SSS) and 11 applicants for franchises with the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Aumentado said the mobile services drastically cut the expenses of Boholanos who no longer need to go to Cebu City or Manila especially to get passports, renew professional licenses and franchises, get authenticated civil registry documents and others.

In effect, the mandate of the BEPO, he said, is also to reduce poverty.

Aumentado however dreams of the day when the Boholanos no longer need to go abroad or big cities in the Philippines to apply for a job, hence, he is laying the groundwork for such opportunities by inviting investors to Bohol.

Following his recent meeting with Hanjin President and CEO Kang-Rock Lee in the latter’s office in South Korea , Aumentado will meet officials of the National Power Corp. (NAPOCOR) and National Transmission Co. (TRANSCO) to negotiate for more power for Bohol.

Hanjin, he said, intends to establish a shipyard in Bohol that will employ at least 30,000 welders, among others, provided that the province can produce 200 megawatts (MW) of power for its requirements.
As such, Aumentado is urging youngsters to learn welding.

Meanwhile, BEPO Head Romulo Tagaan said his office also facilitated the recruitment for call center agents for assignment in Cebu by SYKES yesterday and today at the Chow King Restaurant at the Island City Mall (ICM), as well as the recruitment for domestic workers for Hongkong on November 20 and 21.

It is also organizing a local and overseas jobs fair on December 1 at the ICM Activity Center . Job applicants are advised to pre-register at BEPO, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bohol Provincial Extension Unit or any municipal Public Employment Service Office (PESO). Applicants will be given registration cards which will serve as gate pass at the venue.

On the other hand, skills registration is ongoing this month for the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd.’s shipbuilding project at the Freeport Zone in Subic Bay in Zambales.

Urgent jobs are available for welders, electricians, heavy duty crane operators, pipe fitters, data encoders, human resources assistants, warehousemen and others. A recruitment team will come to Bohol on a schedule which BEPO will announce later.

For clarifications, applicants may visit BEPO or call (038) 501-9847 or (038) 411-3544.

Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. â€"John 3:14-15

In March 1918, Albert Gitchell, an Army cook at Fort Riley, Kansas, was diagnosed with the flu. Before the year was out, it had spread around the world, killing perhaps as many as 40 million people. This highly contagious virus became a pandemicâ€"a global epidemic.

One physician reported that patients would rapidly show flu-like symptoms, develop the worst type of pneumonia he had ever seen, and then suffocate within hours. Fortunately, the influenza disappeared as mysteriously as it had begun. But doctors remained baffled by its cause and were helpless to find a cure.

Ancient Israel also suffered a devastating plague, but they knew its cause and asked Moses for a cure. They were ungrateful and complained about God’s provision of manna. In righteous anger, God sent serpents whose poisonous bite left a lethal wound. He then told Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. All who looked at it were healed (Num. 21:1-9).

Centuries later, Jesus spoke of this as a symbol of His death on the cross: “Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).

Have you trusted Jesus to heal your soul? â€"Dennis Fisher

Our Lord took death upon Himself
On that cruel cross of pain,
And those who look in faith to Him
Eternal life shall gain!  â€"Johnson

Look to Christ today, or you may be lost forever.

We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. â€"2 Corinthians 6:11

A boating magazine reports that Serenity, Time Out, Serendipity, and Reel Time are some of the most popular names for boats. Not long ago, I saw the name Living Large on a boat in a Grand Haven, Michigan, marina. I’m not sure what that meant to the boat owner, but to many people, “living large” means to own the best possessions, to take the most exotic vacations, to buy whatever you want, to live life extravagantly.

That kind of life, however, doesn’t bring true purpose or satisfaction. Followers of Jesus Christ are to live large in a different way, as seen in the example of the apostle Paul and of his co-worker Timothy. Paul told the Corinthians, “Our heart is wide open” (2 Cor. 6:11). The King James Version puts it like this: “Our heart is enlarged.” They had given their wholehearted affection to the people, just as a father does to his children as he wraps them in his arms. Now they wanted the same response. So Paul requested, “Now in return for the same . . . you also be open” (v.13).

A large-hearted person shows his affection with his words and actionsâ€"freely and generously. As believers, let’s live large today and freely welcome and embrace others in love. â€"Anne Cetas

Love through me, Love of God,
There is no Love in me;
O Fire of Love, light Thou the Love
That burns perpetually.  â€"Carmichael

They do not truly love who do not show their love.  â€"Shakespeare

source: www.rbc.org

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. â€"Psalm 20:7

In August 2004, Hurricane Charley brought fierce destruction to areas of Florida. During the storm, 25-year-old Danny Williams went outside to seek protection in one of his favorite places, a shed under the protective branches of a banyan tree. But the tree fell on the shed and killed Williams. Sometimes, the places we look to for security can be the most dangerous.

The prophet Isaiah warned Judah’s King Hezekiah of this truth. Hezekiah was a good king, but he repeated the sin of his father Ahaz by seeking security in an alliance with an alien power (2 Kings 16:7; Isa. 36:6). Instead, he should have been encouraging his people to trust in the Lord.

By seeking help from Egypt, Hezekiah showed that he had failed to learn from history. Egypt had been anything but an ally to Israel. Hezekiah had also forgotten Scripture. Amassing horses for cavalry units was against the divine constitution for the king (Deut. 17:16).

Ultimately, Hezekiah did seek help from the Lord (Isa. 37:1-6,14-20). And God miraculously annihilated the invading Assyrians (vv.36-38).

Judah made the mistake of valuing the strength of Egypt over the living God. May our trust always be in the name of the Lord our God (Ps. 20:7).
â€"Marvin Williams

Trust in God and you will know
He can vanquish any foe;
Simply trust Him day by day,
He will be your strength and stay.  â€"D. De Haan

No life is more secure than a life surrendered to God.

source: www.rbc.org

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. â€"Philippians 1:21

Sir Francis Bacon said, “I do not believe that any man fears to be dead, but only the stroke of death.” Woody Allen said, “I’m not afraid to die. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

It’s not death that’s so frightening. It’s the dying that scares us. As Paul faced imprisonment and the prospect of dying in a jail cell, he shared his view about life and death: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). What a perspective!

Death is our enemy (1 Cor. 15:25-28), but it does not possess the finality that so many dread. There is something waiting for believers beyond this lifeâ€"something better.

Someone has said, “What the caterpillar thinks is the end of life, the butterfly thinks is just the beginning.” George MacDonald wrote, “How strange this fear of death is! We are never frightened at a sunset.”

I love this paraphrase of Philippians 1:21, “To me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dyingâ€"well, that’s better yet!” (TLB). During our physical life, we have opportunities to serve Jesus. But one day, we will actually be in His presence. Our fear will melt away when we see Him face to face.

That’s the “better yet” the apostle Paul is talking about!
â€"Cindy Hess Kasper

Death?â€"Christ said not death;
He called it sleep;
A vast awaking, a new day breaking,
A bright way taking, with visions deep. â€"H. Frost

For the Christian, the fear of death will give way to the fullness of life.

source: www.rbc.org

[God has] placed the sand as the bound of the sea. â€"Jeremiah 5:22

Not a year goes by without a natural disaster causing chaos somewhere in the world. Floods, hurricanes, and tsunamis destroy lives, homes, and livelihoods.

No one would argue that the seas have a “right” to violate their established boundaries and crash across the coastline. In fact, people agree that disaster occurs whenever the sea breaches the shoreline. God Himself has “placed the sand as the bound of the sea” (Jer. 5:22).

God also established boundaries for human behavior. Yet not a day goes by without countless violations of His commands, resulting in disastrous physical and spiritual consequences. Amazingly, we often argue that we have the “right” to violate these boundaries.

In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, God’s people had stepped out of bounds, using deceit to become rich and refusing to defend the needy (5:27-28). The result was disaster. God said, “Your sins have withheld good from you” (v.25).

Within creation there is inherent order. Violating it has inherent consequences. God in His kindness simply and lovingly communicated to us the order of things so that we can avoid those consequences. We are wise to know and to stay within His prescribed boundaries.
â€"Julie Ackerman Link

Lord, keep us on the narrow way,
Where no corruption, woe, nor evil can destroy,
Where Your right hand defeats the worldly fray
To lead us into Your eternal joy.  â€"Mollon

Disregarding God’s order leads to disorder!

source: www.rbc.org

In preparation for the Bohol High School Class '47 diamond reunion in Tagbilaran City next year, a core group led by Flora Borja Libay, with other classmates residing in several states in the U.S. have signified to attend the mini reunion in Las Vegas on Friday and Saturday in a selected hotel.

The following alumni confirmed to attend the reunion: Los Angeles - Feliciano Magsakay, Priscilla Varquez-Baser, Gloria Torralba and Flora B. Libay; Tulsa, Oklahoma-Leoncia Curva; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-Antonio Torralba with his wife, Baby Torralba; Colorado Springs-Petra Ochavillo-Ruiz with children, Boy and Manholl Ruiz; Danville, Illinois-Francisco Aparece and Susan Aparece; Las Vegas-Teofilo Digal.

Planned activities: First day - Arrival by plane from their home states; checking in same hotel and Fellowship Dinner and seeing a show; Second day - will be the get- together socials and program planning for 2008 Diamond Reunion.

Libay is slated to be in Manila before January 25, 2008 to attend the Golden Sacerdotal Anniversary Celebration of Msgr. John Pernia for his 50 years in Holy Priesthood and will be with Msgr. Pernia's brothers, sisters, relatives and friends in Manila.

After the affair, Libay plans to proceed to Tagbilaran City by February 2008 to plan with BHS Class '47 reunion committee. (Flora Libay/Brigida B. Garay)

By Ariel Fullido
The Bohol Chronicle

All roads lead to the CPG Sports Complex this Saturday, November 24, as the 20th edition of the prestigious Alturas Drum & Bugle Corps Showdown brings together for one spectacular day the best drum corps in the region.

Billed as the greatest show in town, this year's showdown features eighteen contingents in a competition contested in three categories: Category A for more seasoned drum corps most of which are outside Bohol; and Category B and C for high school and elementary drum corps, respectively.

Listed in alphabetical order, the contingents in three categories are Category A: CVSCAFT-Tagbilaran City Campus; Don Vicente Rama Memorial High School, Cebu City; Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School; Pilgrim Christian College, Cagayan de Oro City; Saint Augustine Club, Carmen, Cebu; Salus Institute of Technology, Cebu City; Category B: Immaculata High School, Baclayon, Bohol; St. Agustine Institute, Sagbayan, Bohol; Tabuan National High School, Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol; and Category C: Cogon Elem. School, Tagb. City; Duero Central Elem. School; Loon North Central Elem. School; Loon South Central Elem. School and Tagb. City Central Elem. School.

The prizes to be awarded are as follows: Category A: Champion, P70,000 cash prize plus 48-inch trophy; First Runner-Up, P50,000 cash prize plus 42-inch trophy; Second Runner-Up, P40,000 cash prize plus 40-inch trophy; Category B: Champion, P60,000 cash prize plus 44-inch trophy; First Runner-Up, P50,000 cash prize plus 42-inch trophy; Second Runner-Up, P40,000 cash prize plus 40-inch trophy; Category C: Champion, P60,000 cash prize plus 44-inch trophy; First Runner-Up, P50,000 cash prize plus 42-inch trophy; Second Runner-Up, P40,000 cash prize plus 40-inch trophy.

A three-thousand-peso cash prize plus trophy will also be awarded to the drum corps in each category adjudged as Best in Production Design, Best in Instrumentation, Best in Choreography, and Best in Rhythm and Dynamics. For all categories combined, a cash prize of P1,000 plus trophy is awarded to the Best in Uniform, Best in Discipline, Best in Parade Impact, Best Corps Major, Best Corps Majorette, Darling of the Crowd, Best in Entertainment, Most Colorful Corps, Best in Boholano Ambience, Best in Synchronization, Best in Jingle, and Miss Alturas Showdown.

In addition, handsome trophies are awarded to the Liveliest Corps, Most Elegant, Best in Projection, Most Promising Neophyte, Neophyte of the Year, Most Impressive Neophyte, and Most Inspiring Corps.

published by the Bohol Chronicle

Two Boholano judges were elected as national officers during the election of the Philippine Trial Judges League, Inc. (PTJLI) held last Saturday at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City.

The two Boholano judges were Judge James Stewart E. Himalaloan of the Municipal Trial Court of Loon who was elected national auditor and Judge Leo M. Lison of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Dauis-Panglao who was elected director representing the Visayas.

Judge Kaudri L. Jainul was reelected national president while Judge Danilo M. Tenerife was reelected executive vice president.

Some 14 judges from Bohol attended the 12th biennial convention of the PTJLI. They were Judges Himalaloan, Cecilio Dangoy of the Municipal Trial Court of Calape, Maria Elisa E. Ochoco of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Cortes-Antequera-Maribojoc, Helen T. Cabatos of the MCTC of Tubigon-Clarin, Daniel Jose J. Garces of the MCTC of Ubay-Pres. Garcia, Ciriaco Z. Bautista of Candijay-Anda, Jennifer Chavez-Marcos of the MCTC of Valencia-Dimiao, Lindecita C. Arcamo of the MCTC of Lila-Loboc, Alejandro Canda of the MCTC of Loay-Alburquerque-Baclayon, Lison, Olivia M. Mende of the MCTC of Bilar-Sevilla, Samuel A. Biliran of the MCTC of Carmen-Batuan, Salud C. Migriño of the MCTC of Balilihan-Sikatuna-Corella, and Jorge D. Cabalit of the MCTC of Catigbian-San Isidro-Sagbayan.

Ramiro Community Hospital, the leading healthcare facility in the province, located at Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City is now a Wireless Internet Hotspot.

As part of their continuing service of providing Quality Healthcare to the Boholanos, Ramiro Community Hospital has installed nine Netgear Wireless Internet Access Points running at 108 MBPS and five Dbi Omni Directional 2409 Antennas to boost its wireless internet coverage.

Doctors holding clinic in the hospital can now check their emails, surf the net anywhere in the hospital through their notebooks or PDAs as well as medical representatives and out-patients waiting for their appointments with the doctors. In-patients as well as visitors can also access the internet in their own private rooms without going to internet cafes.

WIFI internet cards are available at the Information Counter and the Billing Section.

The hospital is in the process of constructing its website.

This WIFI connection is another project installed by Sonjay Microsystems Computer Sales and Services located at 20 G. Visarra Street, Tagbilaran City. Tel Nos. 411-4970/501-7450.
   
-- press release
Bohol Chronicle

By Ric V. Obedencio
The Bohol Chronicle

Stakeholders of the multi-million dollar seaweeds industry mostly located in the northernwestern part of the province urged authorities concerned to strictly enforce the waste disposal management to avoid pollution in said area where most of the seaweed plantation and Double Barrier Coral Reef are located.

The participants, composed of private and business sectors, government agencies and seaweed growers, processors and traders, who participated in the workshop of the Bohol Agricultural Value Chain (AVC) study came up with this recommendation during the Development Plan Workshop held here recently.

The activity was sponsored by the Provincial Government of Bohol and the Local Government and Development Program (LGDP) funded by the Australian Aid and conducted by the Strategic Development Center-Asia.

It tackled four areas of concern that must be planned out and implemented within the three-year period (2008-2010). These were the a) investment plan; marketing plan; human resource development; policy/enabling environment under the seaweed sub-sector.

Under the 4th area (policy/environment), participants pushed for the stern enforcement of the environmental laws on waste disposal by the government agencies concerned.

The group found that seaweed growers are, not only facing the problem of mounting used synthetic or plastic straw for tying seaweed seedlings, but also the use of chemical for the seaweed harvest.

The Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed the use of "sodium hydrochloride" (in powder form) that is being used to soak the newly harvested seaweeds prior to drying.

Regulation of the use of this chemical before drying the harvest has not been enforced, the participants said.

Some island seaweed growers expressed fears that these chemicals after their use might found their way to the deep sea in the form of effluents that are potential pollutants.

Earlier, barangay captain of Hingutanan island, off Bien-Unido town, said that remnants of plastic straw used as ropes are stockpiling up to almost a ton everyday during harvest season. Worse, he said, some of those solid wastes are dumped by growers themselves to the sea near the channel between Bohol and Leyte provinces because it cost them a lot to transport them to the mainland about an hour by motorized banca.

LGDP in tandem with the PGB said that the Bohol AVC is an important action in marshalling and promoting the optimum utilization of the resources in Bohol.

Aside from seaweeds, other sub-sectors include rice and hogs, which were also tackled during the workshop using the same four areas of concerns.

The Bohol Chronicle

Seventy-two percent of the Boholanos could hardly get rid of the illegal numbers game swertres as this game of chance has given them some gainful income, in one way or the other.

This surfaced during a random telephone text survey conducted by DYRD's top rated "Tagbilaran-By-Nite" program last Friday.

Majority of those who favored the illegal numbers game said they are being "entertained" on the thrill and excitement on the results of the game which is openly aired on television and on radio stations.

In fact, some of the respondents said that the income derived from swertres is enabling them to provide daily "baons" to their children.

The remaining 28% who called for the abolition of swertres said that since this is an illegal activity, thus, it should be terminated.

Likewise, the daily betting has caused laziness to many since they put their hopes in the gambling activity which makes one "very unproductive," Some are just idle in their homes hoping to win in the daily lottery.

Asked to comment on this, City Mayor Dan Lim who is suspected to be in close ties with some swertres financiers said that the inconsistency of government should be stopped. He cited that lotto is being legalized while the same results are being taken as the basis for the ushered swertres.

However, he denied receiving protection money even as reports said that at least two top barangay officials are swertres financiers.

Observers said that the campaign against swertres in the city is rarely noted compared to the towns which gave rise that Mayor Lim has allowed the numbers game to proliferate.

The Chronicle earlier found that the daily gross of swertres operations totals to P1.2 million with some six to 10 financiers controlling the operations province-wide.

Concerned residents question why the police can not apprehend these financiers to stop their operations here. Some sectors suspect that some policemen are receiving protection money from the swertres operators.

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

The existence of "simple evidence" that a policeman has committed procedural lapses in making an arrest may be enough to establish culpability of his administrative charge.

This was the statement made by National Police Commission (Napolcom) prosecutor Atty. Maximo Lasaca during an interview with the Chronicle.

Unlike criminal cases, Lasaca explained, administrative proceedings require much lesser validation of evidence.

If there is prima facie evidence that a policeman committed "a serious breach of procedure" in making an arrest then he can be penalized, he said.

However, the four operatives of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) being accused of carnapping and are facing administrative charges said they can prove that the eight vehicles they seized during operations here were stolen.

P/Insp. Doroteo Tolentino, PO3 Jason Galimba and PO2 Eddie Marohum of the TMG regional office submitted their counter-affidavits during the pre-hearing conference Friday at the Napolcom Bohol field office at Camp Dagohoy.

One other accused TMG operative, PO2 Edwin Santos, did not show up during the said conference which was presided by Napolcom-7 hearing officer Atty. Aloha Peñaranda.

Although the three TMG operatives present admitted they did not possess an "Alarm Sheet" when they seized the vehicles of complainants Handel Sarabosing and Isidoro Manalo, the policemen said the vehicles were in fact verified to have been stolen from their original owners.

The group's affidavit noted that the vehicles of Sarabosing and Manalo, as well as the 6 others seized, were in the TMG's master list of "hot cars".

The vehicles were also in a list of stolen vehicles at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Results of laboratory tests at the TMG's regional headquarters likewise showed that the engine and chassis numbers of the two vehicles have been tampered, the group claimed.

The vehicles of Manalo and Sarabosing were among four vehicles shipped to the TMG regional headquarters in Cebu.

Four others remain at Camp Dagohoy after its owners petitioned for a court order before their vehicles can be brought by the traffic operatives to Cebu City.

The TMG men face possible dismissal from service, other than the criminal liability resulting from separate complaints filed in court, if found guilty.

Hearings are scheduled on November 27 and December 11.

MOTION TO INHIBIT

PO2 Marohum manifested during the pre-hearing conference that they will file a motion for inhibition against Napolcom-7 Director Atty. Bernardo Calibo.

According to PO2 Marohum, they have agreed to file the motion as they consider that the complainants are also Boholanos.

By Ric V. Obedencio
The Bohol Chronicle

In an apparent bid to save faces and the farmer-beneficiaries, the Pilar-based National Irrigation Administration (NIA) pledged to recommend for the termination of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the agency (NIA) and said beneficiaries on land leveling to make them productive.

During the recent dialogue held at Pilar NIA office, NIA representative Engr. Olimpio Galagala, irrigation superintendent, told the farmers that he would recommend to NIA officials for cancellation of the said contract of affected beneficiaries.

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

On farmers' demand to reduce the irrigation service fees, Galagala made no categorical answer since this is a national policy that is beyond his domain.

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

In an exclusive interview, Timon expressed disgust that the invited officials snubbed them. He said that the officials belittled the farmers in a dialogue wherein it's the only venue to air their grievances.

Invited were Gov. Erico Aumentado, Representatives Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Adam Relson Jala.

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

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

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

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

The farmers also urged NIA to rehabilitate the canals at Capayas irrigation dam in Ubay town since these are already below the rice fields as result of the rehabilitation.

As this developed, the farmers-beneficiaries is set to hold another round of "People's Conference on Dams in Bohol" at Ubay Cultural Center, Ubay Bohol on December 8, 2007.

Invited are Gov. Aumentado, Sangguniang Panlalawigan through Vice Governor Julius Herrera, the three congressmen, NIA officials of Pilar, Ubay and NIA Provincial office, Provincial Agriculture office.

Also expected to attend the forum are Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Representative, Concerned Japanese Groups on Japan-Official Development Assistance (ODA), and other concerned groups and professionals.

Anchorage, Alasca - A Roman Catholic religious order has agreed to pay $50 million to more than 100 Alaskans who allege sexual abuse by Jesuit priests, a lawyer for the accusers said Sunday.

The settlement with the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus is the largest one yet against a Catholic religious order, said Anchorage lawyer Ken Roosa, who called it "a great day" for the 110 victims.

"These are people who were altar boys and altar servers and altar girls," Roosa said. "These are people who tried to tell their story and in many instances were beaten or told to shut up and told, 'How can you say such things about a man of God?"'

The settlement does not require the order to admit fault, Roosa said. None of the priests was ever criminally charged.

The settlement announcement is premature because some issues need to be finalized, said the Very Rev. John Whitney, provincial superior of the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, which covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

"When those issues are resolved we will be available for a more complete discussion of the matter," Whitney said in a prepared statement. He described the settlement announcement as "premature and detrimental."

Roosa said issues involving the plaintiffs had been resolved. The only issues that remained were with the religious order's insurer, he said.

Roosa provided The Associated Press with an e-mail sent Friday from Dick Hansen, the lawyer representing the religious order. It reads, "This e-mail will confirm that a settlement has been reached. ... The settlement calls for $50,000,000 to be paid to the plaintiffs/claimants in exchange for releases of all claims against the Jesuit defendants."

In the e-mail, Hansen says he's glad to "put this matter to rest." Hansen did not immediately return a call from the AP seeking comment.

The sexual abuse allegations involved 13 or 14 clerics and spanned nearly 30 years, from 1961 to 1987, Roosa said. The children's ages ranged from 5 years to teenage.

"Despite all this, no Catholic religious leader has yet to admit that problem priests were dumped in Alaska. For our clients, this settlement represents a long overdue acknowledgment of the truth of their stories of abuse, stories that until today were largely denied and belittled by apologists for the abusers," Roosa said.

The Catholic Church first was notified of the Alaska cases of abuse in 2002, Roosa said.

source: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/11/18/church.abuse.alaska.ap/index.html

Mag heart-to-heart talk... 

By DAVID N. GOODMAN
Associated Press

In another blow to the Motor City's tarnished image, Detroit pushed past St. Louis to become the nation's most dangerous city, according to a private research group's controversial analysis, released Sunday, of annual FBI crime statistics.

The study drew harsh criticism even before it came out. The American Society of Criminology launched a pre-emptive strike Friday, issuing a statement attacking it as "an irresponsible misuse" of crime data.

The 14th annual "City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America" was published by CQ Press, a unit of Congressional Quarterly Inc. It is based on the FBI's Sept. 24 crime statistics report.

The report looked at 378 cities with at least 75,000 people based on per-capita rates for homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and auto theft. Each crime category was considered separately and weighted based on its seriousness, CQ Press said.

Last year's crime leader, St. Louis, fell to No. 2. Another Michigan city, Flint, ranked third, followed by Oakland Calif.; Camden, N.J.; Birmingham, Ala.; North Charleston, S.C.; Memphis, Tenn.; Richmond, Calif.; and Cleveland.

The study ranked Mission Viejo, Calif., as the safest U.S. city, followed by Clarkstown, N.Y.; Brick Township, N.J.; Amherst, N.Y.; and Sugarland, Texas.

Quote from: Glen on November 19, 2007, 08:41:42 AM
Hoy naglinog napod sa ato kuyawa naman ni oy!

Normal ra ni Gem. Basin part ra sa cycle sa nature. Akong gf naay yuta sa Uptown, basin magsilingan ta someday. Make your house earthquake-resistant kay didto mi mamakwet.

Quote from: st. agnes on November 19, 2007, 09:09:37 AM
Ric Obedencio--- ako ni sya kauban sa AUDIO-Bohol before... maayo ni sya nga tao...

Agnes, si Fiel Angeli Arao-arao ang president sa AUDIO karon. Si Ric is active gihapon sa AUDIO.

Quote from: C2H4 on November 19, 2007, 10:14:49 AM
Ms GLeN,

Si Ginger ug si Admin,

murag kahibaw na sila asa mapalit ning kisspirin

atong pangutan-on

Kini si Ethyl, she owns a pharmacy in the U.S. so didto ta mamalit ug kisspilit ug yakapsul niya.

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

A contractor of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (BHIP-2) is filing charges of theft against the chief of the Ubay PNP who is allegedly involved in the pilferage and robbery of P20-million worth of heavy equipment in Ubay town.

Aside from the criminal complaint, Ubay police chief P/Supt. Eduardo Saavedra is also facing administrative charges for grave misconduct and serious irregularity in the performance of his duty filed by Bohol PNP Director P/SSupt. Edgardo Ingking at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) regional office.

The case stemmed from a series of pilferage and the eventual loss of 11 heavy equipment stationed in barangays Bulilis and Himbabauran, Ubay town.

The heavy equipment were owned by SCP Construction, one of the contractors building lateral canals of the BHIP-2 (Bayongan Dam).

In his affidavit, SCP Construction administrative officer Engr. Ismael Malagar identified two of the suspects as Ciriaco Bulilis and Anita Felisilda. Both are residents of Ubay town.

According to Malagar, the first theft happened sometime in July where the suspects allegedly cut-up and stole parts of the parked heavy equipment.

This incident was followed by major thefts of body parts of the said equipment.

These incidents were reported to the Ubay police station headed by Saavedra, according to Malagar.

However, Malagar claimed there was no sincere action of Saavedra regarding the incidents.

On October 20, Malagar received a text message that one of their equipment, a Kawasaki KLD 95 pay loader was again cut up by unidentified persons.

The pay loader's parts including its bucket, hydraulics and cylinder booms were reportedly loaded in a boom truck in barangay Himbabauran, Malagar said.

He immediately informed police provincial director Ingking regarding the relayed information.

Ingking called up Saavedra instructing the latter to seize the stolen parts and apprehend the suspects. Ingking asked for immediate reports of Saavedra's action.

Instead, one SPO2 Ferdinand Vergara of the Ubay PNP was sent by Saavedra to respond to the incident.

When Malagar went to the site on said day, he was surprised that the parts and the equipment where already gone including the suspects.

After being informed of the development, Ingking ordered for a vehicle alarm to all police stations to apprehend the boom truck carrying the stolen equipment parts.

According to Malagar, despite the report that the equipment were stolen, Saavedra allegedly had a "lukewarm attitude" towards the incident.

In a separate affidavit, Vergara stated that when he responded to the scene, he saw several armed men together with the suspects. Vergara said he could not arrest them as he did not have a back-up.

According to Vergara, he was later told by Saavedra to allow the suspects to leave with the stolen parts as these were "justified payments" for rental owed by SCP Construction to the lot owner where the equipment were placed.

Malagar told the Chronicle that the amount of the stolen equipment amounts to some P20-million.

ADMINISTRATIVE CASE

In his affidavit, Ingking said that sometime last August, Malagar informed him of the alleged series of illegal cutting and pilferage of metal body parts of several heavy equipment owned by SCP Construction.

Ingking said he briefed Saavedra to prevent such illegal activity from happening again and apprehend the suspects.

According to Ingking, he also learned that SCP Construction was indebted to the lot owner where their equipment were located.

In order that the lot owner can collect payments from the contractor, "they found interest in claiming ownership of the [said] heavy equipment by cutting them into small parts and sold as metal scraps," Ingking said.

Last October 20, Ingking was informed of another major theft and that the cut-up parts were loaded to a boom truck.

"I gave Supt. Saavedra specific instruction to seize all stolen properties… and give immediate feedback," said Ingking.

But instead of receiving a feedback from Saavedra, the provincial PNP director received a call from Malagar informing him that the boom truck loaded with the metal parts including the suspects have already disappeared.

"With this inaction by Saavedra, it came into my mind the possibility that he must have been involved in conspiracy with the suspects," Ingking stated in his affidavit.

In confirming his suspicion, Ingking interviewed Vergara who revealed that sometime in July, his assistance was already sought by SCP Construction about the pilferage of their equipment.

Vergara said he discovered that those responsible for the theft were Ciriaco Bulilis, alias Gakong, allegedly a representative of the lot owner, Juan Bulilis.

He revealed further that after the incident, a certain SPO1 Danile Sayson, a policeman assigned in Bien Unido town together with a certain "Dondon" approached him with Sayson introducing "Dondon" as the "new cutter" contracted by the lot owner.

Vergara was allegedly told by Sayson not to interfere with the cutting of parts of the heavy equipment of SCP Construction.

He also said that "Dondon" also approached PO1 Joshua Limaco who introduced the former to Saavedra.

A few days after, Vergara was called by Saavedra and was told not to intervene or prevent any activities of "Dondon" as he already incurred huge expenses in his contract of cutting the metal parts of the heavy equipment owned by SCP Construction.

Vergara also narrated to Ingking that "Saavedra received an initial payment of P10,000 from "Dondon" after a conversation at the former's office.

According to Ingking, "In effect, the illegal cutting and pilferage of the equipment went on then came the October 20 incident in which Saavedra did not only fail to follow my specific instruction to apprehend the suspects, but also maliciously refused to carry out a lawful order from his immediate superior."

By Ric V. Obedencio
The Bohol Chronicle

Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan aims to enact the proposed 2008 annual budget before January next year.

This came after the SP tackled on first reading during its regular session last week the proposed 2008 annual budget amounting to P886,663,537.

Herrera, who chairs the powerful SP appropriations committee, issued the statement to fast track the approval of the annual outlay before New Year's Day even as he scheduled budget hearings that may commence next week.

The SP has taken note of the increase of the proposed budget by P93,093,497 basing from the 2007 budget worth P793,570,040.

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

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

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

As usual, the personnel services (salaries, wages) got the lion's share amounting to P374,142,453, higher than this year's P355,394,042 or 44.78%.

To keep the provincial operations sustained, the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) is pegged at P212,002,889, much higher than P170,359,340 for 2007 or 21.47%.

Capital Outlay, which has an allocation of P12,166,000 (for 2007), is decreased to P10,434,000. The proposed Non-Office allocation is hiked to P24,000,000 from P21,500,000.

Included in the proposed budget are the budgetary requirements, such as the 20% Development Fund, 5% Reserve Fund (Calamity) and Aid to the Barangays in the amounts of P160,084,769; P43,519,692; and P5,545,000, respectively.

There is a hefty increase of the 20% Development Fund in the amount of P160,084,769 from this year's P145,750,000. This fund is taken from the share of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

Gender and Development (GAD) also got a slight increase in the amount of P29,207,740 from P29,026,440 while Inter-Government aid had P5,487,606; Other Special Purpose, P5,460,000; and unremitted payable to Bohol Light Compny, P5,460,000.

The Provincial Government is largely relying on its share of IRA from the national government in the total amount of P800,423,845 or some 90% of the total budget.

Only a total of P69,970,000 as income is derived from local revenues/local taxes, which is slightly higher than this year's P64,820,040. The said amount (P69,970,000) includes tax revenue of P27,160,000; Non-tax revenue, P30,660,000; and other receipts, P12,150,000.

For the past several years now, Bologna City in Italy has been conducting a worldwide search for model individuals in their chosen fields of endeavor.

At stake are 25,000 euros for the winner and 10,000 euros each for two runners-up in the Premio Alta Qualita or High Quality Award. The winners also get a "symbolic object" as memento of the occasion. The winners can use the cash prizes to support their projects or activities.

To help Bologna pick the winners, it invites international jurors - mostly the chief executives of cities and provinces with which it has a "relationship."

Bohol is one such local government unit (LGU), along with Vaxjo, Sweden and Guntur, India, that was a partner in the International Council for Local Environment Initiatives (ICLEI) such that Bologna Mayor Sergio Conferatti invited Gov. Erico Aumentado to form part of the panel of jurors.

Aumentado declined last year and sent Provincial Planning Officer Juanito.

Cambangay instead. This year, however, Bologna did not take "no" for an answer so that Aumentado and Cambangay, now retired but appointed as consultant on Official Development Assistance (ODA), went to Italy in time for the selection of the winner from among three finalists, and are expected to be back in the Philippines tonight yet.

Conferrati, Aumentado and the rest of the jurors and the Italian President were also expected at the awarding ceremonies last Nov. 15.

Other jurors who confirmed their presence and who are also chief executives are from Fortaleza, Brazil; Guntur, India; Kharkiv, Ukraine; Ljubljana, Slovenia; Nantes, France; Nurnberg, Germany and Tuzla, Bornia Herzegovina.

The Premio Alta Qualità aims to highlight and promote experiences that express man's ability to aspire for a higher quality of life from the standpoints of knowledge, well-being and the advancement of civilization.

Persons of legal age from any country who have distinguished themselves in their fields of activity are eligible to be nominated for the award. The candidates must not be involved in the production or sale of weapons, or be implicated in criminal activities in general, in any way.

The jury is composed of representatives of organizations and corporations that express the many facets of society, such as institutions and associations from the worlds of economics, finance, science, sports, culture and information, as well as non-profit organizations.

With the 2007 edition, as in the last one, the jury was expanded to include the mayors of foreign towns and cities that have important cooperation and collaboration ties with Bologna. This is in order to broaden the scope of the award and strengthen the city's international relationships.

This year's finalists are Ilda Boccassini, an Italian magistrate who handled, among others, high profile cases against organized crime; Somaly Mam, Cambodian, founder of Afesip Association, a non-government organization helping women and children who are sexually or otherwise abused, and Roberto Saviano, Italian writer and reporter who exposed an alleged criminal organization believed to be already extinct - along with its operations and extent of its influences.

-- The Bohol Chronicle

published by the Chronicle

With the organizational assessment and design proposed by its Human Resource Management Office (HRMDO), the provincial government is set to formulate a re-engineering plan and change management strategy for a better Capitol manpower.

It will be anchored on an integrated change management framework of the provincial government, according to HRMDO Head Romy Teruel.

Teruel presented the organizational assessment and design that will introduce an organizational reengineering process at the Capitol during the meeting of the Management-Executive Team Monday last week.

The project is now on its phase 1 through the funding assistance of the LGDP and by second week of December, the HRMDO targets to start with the implementation of the reengineering plan.

It is part of the effort to achieve Governor Erico Aumentado's 10 in 2010 agenda.

In its timetable, HRMDO targets to come up with a draft of the reengineering plan to be presented to the governor, the vice-governor, the Provincial Board and the LGDP by middle of December, and it shall be finalized by January.

Through the project, the HRMDO will formulate a Provincial Government of Bohol Reorganizational Plan that will include a redesigned organizational and functional structure in accordance with Republic Act 7160, existing civil service laws and rules, and Local Budget Circular in consultation with the stakeholders.

The project covers 18 core departments and 14 satellite offices of the provincial government with estimated 70-80 employees per core department and the participation of external to the LGU stakeholders, according to Teruel.

It aims to achieve a strengthened government bureaucracy that is effectively responding to present and future development challenges, while continuously enhancing capacity for corporate governance.

The project involves audit and assessment of the provincial government's organizational structure and identification of factors that either facilitate or hinder the Capitol workforce in delivering their mandate.

It will also audit and assess the present organizational designs and structures, functions and processes of the provincial government based on its present mandates and development challenges as well as future opportunities or possibilities.

Based on the organizational audit and assessment, the HRMDO will validate and recommend an organizational design "suited to meet the strategic directions of the provincial government, and that the design will include a summary of the core functions of each unit or department, according to HRMDO.

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

There is no justification of a request made by City Mayor Dan Lim for a P15-million supplemental budget, says Kag. Zenaido Rama.

The councilor, who used to be an ally of the mayor, said the additional fund is "excessive and uncalled for."

Rama explained it was the mayor who declared that the supplemental budget would be primarily used for the repair and maintenance of city roads.

However, majority of the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) would not authorize the fund release since there were no details as to how it will be utilized, Rama said.

Lim had criticized members of the opposition-led Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) saying this is the first time his request for a supplemental fund has been derailed for almost two months now.

When the mayor aired his objections, Rama said, he sent a formal request to the mayor, through City Engineer Pianicita Castolo to furnish him copies of "all priority programs and projects of the city government and their corresponding program of works and estimates."

Rama said he asked for these documents as chairman of the SP committee on engineering and public works.

"The documents are necessary in the discharge of official functions of the committee and in the conduct of study over specific items in the budget," according to Rama.

TURNED DOWN

Mayor Lim, in reply to Rama's request, said he does "not agree that [the] documents [requested] are necessary in the discharge of official functions."

Doing so would "encroach into the responsibilities of the executive department," according to the mayor.

He added that Rama's request did not cite "any particular concern" that the councilor's committee seeks to address hence "I do not see any merit in the request."

Incredible though it may seem, it's been more than 20 years since the Father of Bohol Tourism Anos Fonacier set up his first cottages of the Bohol Beach Club and water is still scarce for Panglao resorts.

Trucks still ply to deliver water from the capital to this day while our development planners want to open an ambitious P3.2-billion Panglao Airport which could lure blue-chip business names like the Shangrila, the Marriot chain, the Ayalas, Lucio Tan and a host of silently prospecting big-time investors to Panglao. What kind of water system shall we offer them?

A super-prime island resort without adequate potable water? It is idiocy of the first order - because frankly "Back to Basics" is the ABC of business. One can live three weeks without food but only three days without potable water. What about a resort-island like Panglao?

The cynics are starting to opine that maybe a water system in Panglao does not offer the same juicy contract commissions as perhaps a multi-billion airport and land acquisition. Can you really blame people from being cynical?

Last Monday, that ray of light came when finally, the officialdom of Panglao led by Mayor Benedicto Alcala agreed in principle to the entry of a Cebu-based company which holds the reputation of providing water in several known establishments in the country including water-intensive golf courses.

This breakthrough in the negotiation for a supplier to bring in potable water to the resort island and at the same time address the waste water treatment concern came only after the Panglao officials came to the discussion table after they were invited by the Bohol Prime Movers Council chaired by Hans Schoof. Later in the day, an adhoc committee chaired by the Chronicle associate editor presided over the meeting between the Panglao officials and the water company. The council echoed the call for the Panglao LGU to open up their ears and listen to what has to be done in order to bring in water.

That it should take a private sector initiative to iron out a basic utility concern of the public sector is already a sad commentary of how misdirected our priorities have been through these years. But be that as it may. Better late than sorry.

The council heard that politics (as usual) was the stumbling block why the new leadership did not welcome the Cebu-based company when it was introduced by then Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan. That is how damaging politics is. No right thing can ever come if the ugly partisan politics will prevail. At least, now that the executive and legislative branches of the Panglao LGU belong to one political wing, we expect things to start moving. If it still won't, then let's put the blame solely on the Alcala administration.

Another hard lesson learned from this political intramurals is that the water supply from Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI) which has been offered way back five years or so was ignored by the previous administration. The water supply had to dwindle to its lowest level for people to take notice. It has been years that BWUI was ready to supply water to Panglao resorts but could not do so due to the acrimonious political squabble during the previous administration. Imagine that the water-pipes were already at the boundary of Panglao and Dauis towns for some time now. Lack of political will caused the water valve for Panglao to remain close until this precarious time (now) when the last drops are almost exhausted.

We cannot but note that indeed the entry of this Mactan-based company is providentially timely since BWUI would still be working out for a new water source outside its existing source in Corella town.

Still on the water problem, we hope Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim will also seriously execute his promise to construct a waste water treatment facility in order to clean the outflow of the new drainage system before waste will be dropped into the clear blue seas off Tagbilaran port. We are all eagerly waiting for Mayor Lim's timetable on this water treatment facility. While we believe he will do this, the residents are awaiting on how fast he wants this project done. It is basic that every project needs a timetable.

It would be nice if it would have a commencement and completion target dates like the Agora rehab work which, the mayor said, is targeted for completion specifically by April next year.

TRANSPARENCY AND POLITICAL FRIENDSHIP

The public was surprised to hear Mayor Dan Lim lambast his bosom friend Atty. Victor de la Serna yesterday over the airlanes. We know how these two personalities had moved in the same wave length on certain issues. Both vocal and hard-hitting - they mince no words when they want to stress their points.

Only recently, they were on the same boat launching mountains of mud against Rep. Edgar Chatto, who admittedly was bloodied but politically survived the devastating assault.

While the color of their language may just have entertained people, let's admit that the substantive part raised the level of debate to higher grounds.

Yesterday, however, during the weekly commentary radio program of the mayor over sister radio station DYRD, Mayor Lim sounded defensive against insinuations made by his friend (then?) that funds are being misused at the City Hall. Even without categorical words, Mayor Lim implied that the visit of De la Serna to City Hall to request for a "summary of budget and expenditure" betrayed expectations of their friendship. On the surface, it would appear odd actually as Atty. de la Serna is one of the legal counsels of the mayor.

But the fighting Mayor Lim forewarned his friend (then?) that he will strike back with ballistic missiles on whatever howitzer attacks de la Serna might wage against him. As we know him, Mayor Lim is not the type to be cowed by the bombastic style of a De la Serna. "No way, Jose", as they say.

But for his part, De la Serna expressed surprise why Lim had to over-react on his request for the summary of budget and expenditure when this is a public document which every resident is entitled to know. If he has nothing to hide, so, why then make a fuss out of his request which he dutifully coursed through the office of the city budget officer.

-- The Bohol Chronicle

By Papiasa B. Bustrillos/Social Welfare Officer III

A travel clearance is a document issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to a minor who is below 18 years of age traveling abroad alone or with someone other than his/her parents. A minor traveling abroad with either or only one parent is no longer needed. The travel clearance is issued as a measure to prevent child trafficking.

Requirements for application of travel clearance are duly accomplished application form, photocopy of the birth certificate or passport of the minor, a written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel alone to a foreign country, photocopy of the marriage certificate of the minor's parents, and 2 colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last six months.

Parents, legal guardians or duly authorized representatives may file their travel clearance application at #21 CPG East Avenue, DSWD, Bohol SWAD team office, Tagbilaran City or call at Tel. Nos. 411-4991/ 501-9365.

press release

The Holy Name University Alumni Association-Tagbilaran, Inc., a non-stock non profit organization of alumni of the only Catholic university in Bohol announces the search for the HNU Alumni Diamond Jubilee King and Queen.

This is a project spearheaded by the new officers and members of the Board of Directors of the association, which is headed by its president Judge Suceso Arcamo.

The primary aim of the project is to raise funds to finance the association's various programs, specially the scholarship of indigent children of school alumnae and to help animate the Diamond Jubilee Alumni Homecoming on February 16, 2008.

Any alumnus is eligible to participate in the said search. Application forms and copies of the search guidelines can be requested from the Alumni Affairs Office or through egutierrez@yahoo.com. Participants are also required to pay a minimum qualifying fee of P 5,000.00, which will be counted as part of candidate's proceeds during the first canvassing. The deadline for the submission of the Application Form and the payment of the qualifying fee is on Nov. 29.

Any alumni batch or chapter may field a candidate for King and/or Queen. The first canvassing will be held on December 15, 2007 while 2nd and final canvassing will be conducted on February 6, 2008. The winners of the search and their court will reign as ambassadors of goodwill. They will be recognized during formal coronation ceremonies on February 11, will be presented to the Boholano community during the Diamond Jubilee Parade on February 12 and will be honored as special guests during the Alumni Homecoming on February 16. All candidates will also have a share of their individual gross proceeds on percentage basis.

For inquiries regarding the search, all interested parties may contact Ms. Eury Gutierez, Director of the Alumni Affairs Office, through 411.3432, 411.3764 and 501.9817 (local 110).

Boats of Sea Gypsies, in a Morning of Arrival
By Terence Krishna Lopez
published by bulatlat.com

Living in the island, I have grown accustomed to boats of all kinds. There are the fishing boats, the sail boats, the ships for cruising, ships for traveling, boats for diving, name it, I know it.

I have seen them in almost all shapes, colors, sizes, and textures. Indeed, I can no longer be surprised by boats. 

Until last Nov. 11, when, fresh from a magical journey in Camiguin Island and Cagayan de Oro City, I arrived in the port of Tagbilaran City with my eyes awakened by the sight of boats I will never dream of riding onto.

They are the boats of sea gypsies, or what we call, the Badjaos. From where I was standing, I saw them, on their boats begging for money from passengers who were gamely throwing coins into the water and watch the Badjaos dive after.

Passengers who were not tourists. Passengers who live too in the island. Passengers who can just get down and hand the coins to them by the bay.

I always knew this existed, but it was the first time for me to witness such a scene.

And as I clicked and clicked on my shutter, it felt something more profound than painful. It felt more poignant than a melodrama.

Women under, babies on top


Most of them are women. That’s what first caught my eyes. I counted them all, nine women, three men, seven boats.

I saw them diving for every one-peso or five-peso coin thrown by cheering passengers from the second and third level of the ship.

It was a moment when I wanted to tell myself, why can’t women just stay home and take care of the babies?

Then again, they are gypsies. Real ones. It wasn’t just a melodramatic scene from a movie. They are real. And that’s what made it even more painful.

And then, a few minutes later, I saw how horrifying it could go. Three boats, each sailed by a woman, each with a baby, each woman leaving the baby on the boat upon diving for a coin. And each time, the baby would move, along with the boat. I don’t pray, but those minutes, I said, if there is truth in the rumors about angels, I hope they come to these babies and protect them.

And yes, the passengers were not distracted by that. Of course, there were shouts like, ‘the baby! the baby!’ but nobody really stopped throwing coins into the water until it was time for everyone to leave the ship.

Boats of our life

As I left the Tagbilaran city port area that morning and witnessed the sea gypsies move away from the ship and find a dry place nearby, I knew I had to ask some questions.

From what I have gathered, the Badjaos used to be living only in Mindanao, as a tribe in the island. They are fisher folks who, over time, with the emergence of more sophisticated and commercial fishing, were displaced, thus the migration in the different islands in the country such as Bohol, Cebu and Manila.

Here in Tagbilaran City, they are always dismissed as just beggars or just badjaos, lower-class people, people who are ignorant and stupid. Often, their names are used by kids as a term of mockery or to demean other kids. For many of us, they are just people who are fixtures of the city, providers of colorful backdrop in the drama on the streets. They are mere characters meant to be given alms or totally ignored. 

Then again, I watch the streets and it is not only the Badjaos who beg. The streets of our cities are peopled by all kinds of beggars, bums and fixtures that spell altogether one thing â€" poverty.

And I was reminded by that American President who said two months ago, “The Philippines is in an Economic Renaissance.” (bulalat.com)

Cabaero: Fish and chips
By Nini B. Cabaero

What's curious about discussions on exploratory oil drillings in waters off Cebu and Bohol is the promise of a share of the revenue to the local government and compensation to the displaced fisher families.

While the displacement is already starting, the share of the proceeds is still a promise and the compensation to fishers is a matter under question.

In Cebu, those feeling the effects of the exploratory drillings for oil and gas by foreign companies are communities in Pinamungajan and Alonguinsan towns.

Fishermen complained that when the drilling started, their livelihood ended.

The Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. that is conducting the drilling has reportedly cordoned off areas. Marine security forces led by the Coast Guard and the provincial police have been called to protect the areas for drilling. Residents who try to bring their boats close to these areas are shooed away.

“The Coast Guard immediately meets us if we go near the drilling area,” said fisherman Fortunato Mercado in a Sun.Star Cebu report last Friday. The amount of fish they used to get in a day’s work has dwindled, he and other fishermen said. In exchange for the disturbance, some of them get rice rations distributed by local officials who have been challenged to address issues at their levels relative to the drillings.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said the town mayors should be able to handle the “discordant voices” in their localities. She said she believes Alogunisan Mayor Cynthia Moreno and Pinamungajan Mayor Geraldine Yapha would be able to address these problems.

But what is intended to empower might end up “dis-empowering.” There is a chance things would go the way of a single-focus approach towards a complex problem.

Their eyes are on the money. Local officials optimistically await the financial bounty from a successful oil or gas exploration, while fishers look forward to rice rations and additional financial assistance. Money chips in exchange for the fewer fish they now gather.

The fishermen, probably for lack of the ability to find other ways to fill their stomachs, tend to carry on a fatalistic attitude. As Mercado said in the same interview, “They (drillers) are already there. We cannot force them to leave. We only want to get just compensation.”

Asked for what “just compensation” meant, he said two sacks of rice and some money.

A pastoral letter by the Tagbilaran clergy on the oil drillings last July said, “The history of oil exploration is replete with examples of individual and corporate greed and insensitivity to the people in the locality.”

In the case of the fishermen, who would show them more sensitivity and tell them they cannot be adequately compensated for the loss of their livelihood with rice or chips?

There is this saying that goes “give a man fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. Well, he learned how to fish, but even that is being taken away from him.

A magnitude-3.7 quake hit Bohol province past noon Sunday, but state seismologists said no damage or casualty was reported.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake, recorded at 12:17 p.m., was tectonic in origin, and its epicenter traced northeast of Guindulman town in Bohol.

It was felt at Intensity III in Guindulman, at Intensity II in Jagna and Garcia Hernandez towns and in neighboring Cebu City and at Intensity I in Hibok-hibok in Bohol.

Phivolcs said it did not expect any damage or aftershock from Sunday noon's quake. - GMANews.TV

Kung Sud-ong Ko Man Ikaw
sinulat ni m. ligalig

kung sud-ongon ko man ikaw
piyongon ko akong mga mata
aron dili ako matusok
sa kasulaw sa imong pagtan-aw,
motago ang akong kalimutaw
sa hagdanan sa akong kilay
ug akong pilok moluklok
sa suok sa akong tilaok
kay wala na akoy masulti,
wala na akoy mabati
nga huni nga moalisngaw
sa akong kasingkasing
sa higayong makita ko ikaw

kung sud-ongon ko man ikaw
magtalikod lang ko
sa nagbansiwag mong hulagway
aron dili magisi ang samad
sa imong pagsalikway kanako,
aron dili matabas ang uwat
nga handumanan sa imong pagbiya,
ug aron dili na maukay
ang wala pa malubong
nga apdo sa kapait ug kasakit
sa nadubok tang kagahapon

kung sud-ongon ko man ikaw
dinhi lang ko sa halayo
sa imong nahimutangan -
magdungo, magbakho, magtikoko -
mamasin nga imong madamgohan
inig kahigmata mo ning kalibotan,
ang kalibotan nga nalubngan
sa sugilanong wala masugdi
apan gihandom ang kataposan

kung sud-ongon ko man ikaw
wala kay mabating tingog
gikan sa bintana ning mga mata -
dili ko sangpiton imong pangalan,
dili ko ihunghong imong apelyido,
dili ko ihagawhaw imong dagnay -
wala... wala... wala... wala...
wala kay madungog nga dahunog
gikan sa nadunot kong mga bukog 

Grace, where's the birthday cake for Ms Bambi's mother?

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

A Boholano lawyer was cleared of bribery and corruption charges by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC).

Lawyer Zomer Ochavillo, a legal officer of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), was one of three others who were entrapped by the NBI while in the course of demanding and receiving P200,000 from a certain Jocelyn Enriquez as downpayment for processing a license to operate a recruitment agency.

Ochavillo was found not guilty of conspiracy due to insufficiency of evidence.

The entrapment operation, last December 1, 2006, was conducted by the NBI after Enriquez and her American citizen business partner, Danny Kaszovits, disclosed to the POEA Administrator that certain government employees demanded from her P400,000 in exchange for assistance in processing the application for license to operate a recruitment agency.

Enriquez wanted to set up an agency for Philippine nurses to work in the United States of America.
She contacted a certain Ester Santiago who informed her that her relative National Labor Relations Commissioner Victoriano Calaycay could help in processing the papers with POEA.

Initially, Enriquez and Kaszovits met with Calaycay and one Dennis Gabionza who later brought Ochavillo and another POEA legal officer Atty. Augustus Hidalgo.

It was during the second meeting when the group allegedly asked from Enriquez the amount of P400,000 with P200,000 to be given as downpayment and the balance to be paid upon release of the license.
Enriquez revealed the arrangement to a cousin who happens to be a congressman and later went to report the incident to the POEA Administrator who referred it to the NBI.

The NBI coordinated with Enriquez for the entrapment of the respondents on December 1, 2006 at the Century Park Hotel coffee shop.

During the entrapment, Calaycay, Ochavillo, Hidalgo and Gabionza were converged in one table at the coffee shop when Enriquez joined them.

After handing over the P200,000 worth of marked money, Enriquez gave her signal to the NBI agents that the transfer was complete.

All the respondents were then apprehended and the marked money was recovered from Gabionza.
The four respondents were later tested positive of fluorescent powder specks and smudges on their hands.
The PAGC initiated an administrative investigation against the respondents who were charged with Direct Bribery, Corruption of Public Officials under Articles 210 and Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Section 3 of RA 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Calaycay was preventively suspended for 90 days.

During the hearings of the case, the NBI agents who participated in the entrapment also gave their testimonies.

The PAGC found Calaycay, Gabionza and Hidalgo guilty of conspiring with each other in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for asking Enriquez P400,000 as consideration for the processing of her license to operate a recruitment agency.

However, respondent Ochavillo was found not guilty of conspiracy due to insufficiency of evidence.
PAGC likewise recommended the dismissal of Calaycay and Hidalgo from service, with accessory penalties such as the cancellation of their eligibility, forfeiture of leave credits and retirement benefits and the disqualification for re-employment in government service.

No administrative sanctions were imposed on Gabionza as he is a private individual.

A word war between City Mayor Dan Lim and former OIC Gov. Victor de la Serna erupted yesterday when the former reacted sharply on the request for the "summary of budget and expenditures" of the city government.

The city mayor challenged de la Serna to substantiate and then file legal charges if he (de la Serna)  can unearth anomalies at the city hall after he requested City Budget Officer Rose Palma  to furnish him the summary statement of expenditures of the Lim administration.

De la Serna who is close personal friend of the mayor went to the city hall last Wednesday to request for the summary. However, he was refused by Palma who insisted that he formalize his request in writing. De la Serna, infront of the budget officer, made a hand written letter, but, was still denied  the document, saying that she cannot just release such document "without the clearance of the city mayor."

De la serna went home empty handed while telling Ms. Palma that "the public is your master, and not Mayor Lim."

The mayor said dela Serna's saying that he will "audit city hall" is an insinuation that there is malversation of funds happening at the city hall.

"Since you opted not to respect friendship, then let's stop respecting each other," the mayor said during his weekly radio commentary program "Katin-awan, Baruganan" over dyRD yesterday where he devoted half of his hourlong radio slot to comment on the visit of de la Serna to city hall last Wednesday.

He described de la Serna's approach as "witch hunting" as he drew the line between them saying "you can do your worst, and I'm here to defend myself."

Lim referred his letter to the city legal officer for appropriate opinion.
“As soon as the legal officer comes out with a favorable opinion, we will be too willing to grant your request,” the mayor said.

He expressed great surprise why all of a sudden De la Serna who is even one of the legal counsels, suddenly changed pitch towards him. He narrated that oftentimes after his weekly radio program, de la Serna would host breakfast at his residence where they shared views and opinions.

"When I favored your opinions, you said I was good," Lim recalled, citing past incidents like the closure of the BQ piggery in barangay Dao where de la Serna acted as the lawyer of the city government.

It may be recalled that Lim and de la Serna were on the same camp during the last elections in fighting against then re-electionist Rep. Edgar Chatto.

But, even this, Lim criticized de la Serna for the gutter language he used to attack Rep. Chatto and  even his  late father, Assemblyman Eladio Chatto.

He asked de la Serna to "stop putting too much dirt when he attacks people"
"You cannot do your style to me, because I will hit back at you," Lim concluded while declaring the "breaking of ties" with de la Serna.

DE LA SERNA REPLIES

Lawyer de la Serna, who is a bar topnotcher, expressed surprise why Lim reacted that way when the summary of budget and expenditure is a public document.

"If he (Mayor Lim) has nothing to hide, then why create a big issue out of this request?" de la Serna asked.
He was shocked when budget officer Palma refused him  the document saying that "it needs the clearance of the mayor."

"This comes strange to me as I don't get this attitude whenever I request documents from the provincial government," he said.

He denied having threatened budget officer Palma but admitted that she told her that the "public is her master and not, Mayor Lim."

Lawyer de la Serna said he will go back to city hall next week to demand for the said summary which is a public document.

"If I will be denied of the document, I will sue them on the basis of the anti-graft law and  violation on the  conduct of spending of public funds," de la Serna concluded.

--published by the Bohol Chronicle

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Police operatives caught red-handed the prime suspect behind a syndicate victimizing Boholano pensioners of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) of their pensions.

The suspect identified as Danilo Surigao, 52, a resident of Toledo City, Cebu was caught in the act of receiving P30,000 marked money from one Paula Peligro, 77, a pensioner from barangay Cansiwang, Guindulman town during an entrapment operation at the Development Bank of the Phil. (DBP) last Tuesday.
Following his arrest, several kin of other pensioners called DYRD’s “Inyong Alagad” program last Wednesday to narrate how Surigao victimized them with the same modus operandi of assuring the release of their pensions in exchange of getting half of the amount.

City Legal Officer Doni Piquero, upon instructions from City Mayor Dan Lim, proceeded to the city police headquarters to facilitate the filing of estafa and swindling charges against the suspect who bragged to have his top-notch lawyer from Cebu come to “rescue” him.

In the case of Peligro, the suspect demanded P92,500 saying he processed the back-pay claims of her deceased husband who is a PVAO pensioner.

In her complaint-affidavit, 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.

Estafa and swindling charges have already been filed against Surigao at the Regional Trial Court.

Users of a leading travel website has rated Bohol as one of ten "best spots you've never heard of" in a poll.

In an article by Reuters Life, the members of the travel website IgoUgo (http://www.igougo.com) voted Bohol, Philippines as one of ten previously-unknown tourist spots that are ideal vacation places.

The article cited the Visayan province as "one of the Philippines' secrets." The place was described as having "numerous natural treasures that lure visitors to its shores."

"Although people usually go to its highly urbanized neighboring island Cebu, Bohol holds a charm of its own makes it distinct from other Visayan islands," the article added.

Bohol was listed eighth in the poll.

The ten spots which made it to the list are:

1. Amarante, Portugal - a magnificent little city

"During my first time in Amarante, I found it such a nice town to visit, a pleasant 'discovery,' the only thing I could complain about was the weather... The lovely city is bathed by River Tamega and Amarante's beautiful architecture by its margins and green streets reflect on its water."

2. Sigulda, Latvia - a beautiful little town

"As the Gauja National Park gateway town closest to Riga, only 50 km southwest, Sigulda attracts its fair share of tourists, and deservedly so because it is one of the nicest small towns in Latvia. It is located on the banks of the Gauja river that winds through the forested hills."

3. Avebury, England - a Stonehenge alternative

"Avebury may be a lesser-known henge sibling to the massive stones of Stonehenge in the south, but it is certainly no less impressive. "Although Stonehenge's stones are so much bigger, the scale of the circle here at Avebury leaves the former well and truly in the shade."

4. Sorata, Bolivia - a mythical Shangri-La

"Bolivians mention Sorata (a small village of 2,000 people) as one of the most beautiful places in their country. They compare it to a mythical Shangri-La, placed in a narrow, faraway - almost lost - valley in the mountains. "

5. Camargue, France - for a Spanish/Gypsy flavor

"It's an unusual corner of France with many Spanish and Gypsy influences, worth a day or two for those who enjoy outdoor activities or a touch of the exotic ... The Camargue is a national and regional nature park of marshes and wetlands encompassing the Rhone River delta, just south of Arles."

6. Victoria, Argentina - the "City of the Seven Hills"

"Victoria is known as the "City of the Seven Hills" and the whole landscape is beautiful. The Parana Delta starts here, and goes all the way down to Buenos Aires."

7. Budva, Montenegro - on a dramatic coastline

"Budva is a 2,500-year-old seaside settlement about halfway along the dramatic Montenegrin coastline. The immaculately cared-for old town juts out into the Adriatic Sea on a small peninsula and is surrounded by tall stone walls."

8. Bohol, Philippines - one of Philippines' secrets

"Bohol has numerous natural treasures that lure visitors to its shores. Although people usually go to its highly urbanized neighboring island Cebu, Bohol holds a charm of its own makes it distinct from other Visayan islands."

9.Cuyutlan, Mexico - black sand, green waves, sea turtles

"The beach is the reason to come to Cuyutlan. It is long and wide with black sand and rolling waves ... the seafood is fresh, abundant, and inexpensive."

10. Perthshire, Scotland - in the heart of highlands

"Blair Castle, the ancient seat of the dukes and earls of Atholl, has been awarded five stars as a visitor attraction by the Scottish tourist agency, its highest award. The castle enjoys one of Scotland's finest settings."

IgoUgo.com touts itself as "the world's leading online travel community" with 350,000 members who share opinions and experiences on destinations around the globe.

The users of the website voted for the list based on their experiences, and reader comments accompanied each place.

source: ABS-CBN News

Mingaw ang mga bulak sa garden kung wala ang mga alibangbang nga magsapda-sapda sa kaapingan sa tanaman...

Quote from: C2H4 on November 18, 2007, 01:54:48 AM
Hehehe!

Chika ra to nako Mike oi, inquisitive pud ka ha, liwat kang Dong Bran

It's Mission Impossible, I'm an undercover agent...

I will infiltrate your network of undercover agents...

The scientist who led the team that controversially created Dolly the sheep is abandoning the cloning of human embryos in stem cell research.

Professor Ian Wilmut, of Edinburgh University, believes a rival method developed in Japan holds the key to curing serious medical conditions.

The new method creates stem cells from fragments of skin and could remove the need to use human embryos.

Pro-life groups opposed to the use of embryonic cells have welcomed the move.

But Prof Wilmut said: "We've not made this decision because it's ethically better.

"To me it's always been ethically acceptable to think that if you could use cells from a human embryo to develop a treatment for a disease like motor neurone disease, for which there is no treatment at present, then that is an acceptable thing to do."

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7099758.stm

Quote from: Bambi on November 18, 2007, 01:07:21 AM
Hi Mike,

Sorry, I came late to attend this TBB......May ladies choice ba? Basin way moguyod naho tawon.

While Sigbin will sing on that  "DEC. KARAOKE EB NIGHT".....pwede ba guyoron ta  ka? Way balibaray ha?  Please.......

It'd be my honor kung guyoran ko nimo Bambi.

Quote from: BlueAngel on November 18, 2007, 01:07:49 AM
hey Dai Bambi,
ohhh how glad i am nga naa diay koy kauban dre ai..,
hoi dai nawala na baya akong ininglish  mao im happy nga thru ds
ma train kog balik kafaiittt...

special tanx to Mike jud...

im here in Hessen...asa man ka pod?
asa man inyo sa Bohol pod??
ohh i stock you with questions...hahahaha sorry...nahinangop lang ko..

special you're welcome to blueangel...

Quote from: C2H4 on November 17, 2007, 03:09:40 PM
Ayyy, we will miss you Miss AsianFairy! 

But we also know, that you've been so busy lately, you definitely need a well-deserved break.

Mingawon ko nimo Miss A! You've been extremely kind to me as well...

*but my mission is still in full force*

Thyl, can you please PM me the details of your mission?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtvolNcPr70&feature=related

By Gary Valenciano

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijIkQO32QMo

The song we all love and long to hear...

Quote from: Rose Gardener on November 17, 2007, 06:37:52 PM
Hi ! a friend just emailed me a link to this site and i'm tickled pink to see that there is a forum where boholanos can gather and hang out. WOW ! You guys have done a wonderful job with this place...wish I discovered this sooner.

About me, I'm a born and bred Boholana currently based here in Houston, Texas. My mom instilled a love for plants in me and I grew up tending to her orchid collection. I love gardening and I collect Roses and other fragrant flowers. Yes, I have a sampaguita growing in my backyard here in Houston ! HA !

hope to have fun times here and get updates from home.

last visit :

September 16-20, 2007

Hello Rose, welcome to Bohol's most dazzling garden in the web.

From all of us who wish to know you more...

99 percent of women love flowers.
Bran, go for Roses.

Ang bulak makataktak
Sa padlock sa dughan...

By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
The Philippine Star

Taiwanese investors are looking at entering the local energy sector with close to $1 billion in potential investments, Steve Ruey-Long Chen, Taiwanese Economic Affairs Minister said.

In an interview at the sidelines of yesterday’s special meeting of the Philippine-Chinese Business Conference and the Chinese Philippine Business Conference at the Hotel Intercontinental yesterday, Chen said Formosa Heavy Industry has invested over $500 million while Taiwan Cogeneration International Corp. (TCIC) is expected to put in $400 million.

The half a billion investment of Formosa Heavy Industry is for the 500-megawatt power (mco) plant in Cebu and Iloilo while TCIC is planning to put a 300-mw plant in Subic.

Formosa Heavy Industries entered a joint venture agreement with Metrobank group subsidiary Global Business Power Corp. for the construction of a  power plant using clean coal technology.

The joint venture agreement completes the plans of Global Power to expand its power plants in Cebu and Panay in answer to the urgent need for more electricity in the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid.

Formosa Heavy Industries owns and operates over 14,000 mw of coal fired plants in Asia, mainly Taiwan, China and Vietnam.

The Formosa Group of Companies, a global conglomerate and one of the largest plastics and petrochemical companies in the world owns the Formosa Heavy Industries.

Meanwhile, TCIC signed a memorandum of agreement with Aboitiz Power Corp. (APC) to form a joint venture company and conduct a feasibility study for a coal-fired power plant in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The plant is expected to offer electricity to Subic Enerzone Corp., the electric distribution utility operator in the freeport zone. The Subic area continues to attract new locators â€" all of which will need to be supplied with electricity at a reasonable price.

By Des Ferriols
The Philippine Star

The country recorded a balance of payments (BOP) surplus of $1.19 billion in October reversing the previous month’s $95-million deficit, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday.

For the first 10 months of the year, the country had a balance of payments surplus of $7.849 billion, far above the official forecast of a $6.3-billion surplus for this year after 2006’s actual surplus of $3.77 billion.

Record remittances from around eight million foreign-based Filipinos, around 10 percent of the population, have boosted the country’s BOP and the peso, Asia’s best performing currency this year with gains of more than 13 percent.

Remittances are expected to climb towards the end of the year to pay for Christmas festivities and are expected to hit a new peak of $14.7 billion this year.

BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said the October surplus reflected the normalization of foreign exchange inflows after the market panicked over the fall-out from the crisis in the US’ mortgage sector.

“We’re just seeing the sustained foreign exchange inflows coming from overseas Filipinos, merchandise exports as well as net inflows of foreign direct and portfolio investments,” he said.

According to Tetangco, total inflows also reflected investment income generated by the BSP.

The September deficit brought the nine-month BOP surplus lower from $6.754 billion during the first eight months to $6.659 billion but by October, the year-to-date surplus surged anew to $7.849 billion.

Tetangco expects the full-year BOP surplus to reach over $7 billion by year end with the gross international reserve (GIR) lean at $32 billion.

By Edith Regalado
The Philippine Star

Isabelo Amper insisted yesterday he had nothing to do with the death of his 12-year-old daughter Marianeth, who reportedly killed herself by hanging last Nov. 2.

“I have not done my daughter any wrong. I am not guilty,” Amper told The STAR, adding that he is willing to face any investigation regarding the case.

He said he is not going anywhere and that he is making available all the other members of the family for any investigation.

“We are just here. We are not running away from anyone. The investigators could question us any time,” Amper said.

Marianeth, who was first reported to have committed suicide due to extreme poverty, was found in an autopsy to have lacerations in her genitals that could indicate rape.

Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte declared Thursday that the death of the young Amper would be the subject of a criminal investigation following the autopsy on her remains.

Duterte emphasized that the girl took her life not because of poverty but because she was troubled by the fact that she was sexually abused at a young age.

The mayor ordered Talomo police station chief Superintendent Matthew Baccay to conduct a thorough investigation of the case to find out who exactly perpetrated the crime on the girl.

Among the first to be called in for investigation was the elder Amper, since it took him four days to report the incident to the police and only when the family sought assistance for the burial of the girl from City Hall, which required the family to submit a death certificate.

Amper explained that he thought the record at the Davao Medical Center (DMC) where the girl was first brought for emergency treatment was already enough and that there was no need to report the incident to the police.

Baccay went to  the Amper residence at Yniguez Subdivision, Sitio Bugac, Barangay Ma-a to immediately conduct the investigation.

A brief re-enactment was also done at the house on the circumstances when the girl’s body was found hanging on a rope.

Baccay said the elder Amper and two of his sons were subjected to drug tests yesterday as part of the initial investigation on them. It was learned that the three were among the men living in the Amper house.

“Further investigation is ongoing and hopefully, we are going to get to the bottom of things,” Baccay added.

Amper lamented how the turn of events in his daughter’s death has affected him and his family, especially after the results of the autopsy were released.

He said he consented to the autopsy just to end all speculations surrounding Marianeth’s death, but he never expected that the media attention on their family, especially on him, would be too much that they no longer know how to handle it.

“This is too much already. This has filled us with shame. I do not have the will to face anyone anymore. We are so ashamed already,” Amper said.

“I feel so weak. I do not know what to do anymore with what is happening,” Amper said.

He said that at first, there was an outpouring of help and assistance from different groups and individuals but now, they have become the subject of continued harsh speculations, even by media.

By Paolo Romero 
The Philippine Star

First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo is expected to be discharged from the St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) today following a two-day check-up, his doctor said yesterday.

His doctor gave Arroyo, who underwent triple heart bypass surgery last April, a clean bill of health.

President Arroyo, who spent two nights with her husband at the hospital, also underwent a routine check-up but the results reportedly would be known only today.

She is scheduled to leave on Sunday for Singapore to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

Dr. Rommel Cariño, who was one of the surgeons who operated on Mr. Arroyo, said he can be discharged any time but needs to undergo another major check up six months from now and every six months thereafter for the rest of his life.

He said that based on computerized tomography scan and 2D echo examinations, the damaged section of Mr. Arroyo’s aorta shrunk, indicating that the wound was healing.

He added the First Gentleman gained five pounds but his cholesterol and blood pressure levels were within tolerable levels. Mr. Arroyo also underwent other tests, including blood sugar examinations.

The President left SLMC yesterday at around 8 a.m. to attend Mass with lawmakers and returned to the hospital after lunch.

Since his heart surgery, the First Gentleman has been visiting SLMC twice a week for physical therapy.

source: http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20071116126

By Jose Rodel Clapano
The Philippine Star

Joseph Estrada is in a fighting mood.

The former president said yesterday that his conditional pardon can not be revoked by the Arroyo administration unless he violates the conditions it set in pardoning him.

“We are ready, they can recall my pardon if I committed any violation. I am also ready to go back to jail, even to Muntinlupa, if they can prove that I am guilty,” Estrada said.

In an interview over radio station dzMM, Estrada maintained that he accepted the pardon granted to him last Oct. 25 by President Arroyo because he had lost hope in the justice system in the country.

Estrada said he is ready to go back to jail should Malacañang recall his pardon.

“I know that I would have lost even if I brought my case before the Supreme Court. I think it is impossible, but they will only revoke my pardon if I commit a violation,” Estrada said.

He said he would continue to block the threat of the Sandiganbayan, through Sheriff Ed Urieta, to confiscate his legally acquired properties even if it will mean putting him again in jail.

Urieta earlier said that he will move for the forfeiture of Estrada’s legally acquired properties such as his apartment units in Cubao, Quezon City, his vehicles and the rest house in Tanay, Rizal should the latter fail to pay the exact amount that he allegedy acquired through commissions in various government transactions and jueteng.

But Estrada said he belongs to a well-off family. He said his grandmother has an ancestral home in Laguna.

“Modesty aside, my family is quite well-off. We had the biggest house, a mansion when we transferred to San Juan,” Estrada said.

He maintained that he did not steal a single centavo from government coffers and emphasized that he ruled through “service and not greed.”

“I cannot face the public if I stole a single centavo from the government’s coffers. I was twice offered by the government, through then Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, to leave the country and no charges will be filed, but I did not leave because I cannot betray the more than 11 million Filipinos who voted for me in the 1998 presidential elections,” Estrada said.

source: http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20071116127

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA - Bohol

Sustainability of the local rabies prevention and eradication program rests in the fate of the World Health Organization proposal to the Bill Gates Foundation, the National Rabies Coordinator of the Department of Health said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) proposal contains not just Bohol’s program sustainability but the whole of the Visayan Islands as well, just as the national rabies team wishes to pilot the islands for its unique containment, which could be a positive point on the basic quarantine element.

National Rabies Coordinator from the Department of Health Raffy Deray told the Provincial Rabies Council members of the development during an assessment workshop at the Flamingo Room of Bohol Tropics Resort November 14.

It may be recalled that Bohol leaders got alarmed when reports surfaced about the rising dog-bite cases here in Bohol, one which catapulted the Central Visayas to the top of the country’s rabies watch-list.

The alarm was based on the fact that rabies and tourism may not go together and with the threat, no amount of tourism promotions may beckon tourists to come to Bohol anymore.

In response to the problem, the Provincial Rabies Prevention and Eradication Program was unleashed just as the local legislators instituted measures to keep the program off its legal problems. Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Agriculture chair led the provincial junta in an innovative crafting of an ordinance that would be passed ahead of the corresponding national law.

Dr. Deray earlier cited the Bohol Rabies Program as a bold move pointing out that the province has in fact gotten ahead of the national government, which has just wrapped up its finishing touches on the law and set-up its implementing rules and regulations as well before its publication.

With the Provincial Anti-Rabies Ordinance, which was passed recently, it also put into gear the P16M-four year massive anti-rabies program, which aims to get Bohol rabies free by 2010.

The ordinance puts the backbone for the four year implementation of a massive rabies prevention and eradication program but it still would entail sustainability funds despite the measures inset by the law and the implementers.

The program actually includes putting up standby funds for human and animal rabies vaccines, a continuing vaccination and registration program, stray dog elimination, information and education components, monitoring as well as quarantine services.

A little more than two months after the massive and simultaneous registration and vaccination program, Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz said only about 19,784 of Bohol’s 165 thousand dog population has been vaccinated, and some of them may have been loosed again.

Letting a vaccinated dog go astray and mix with the unvaccinated dogs could defeat the purpose as rabies can get back as soon as a vaccinated dog gets in contact with unvaccinated dogs, Dr. Lapiz explains.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency-Bohol

The electric consumers of the island of Cabilao would have to make do with what they have now: 6 hours of power, at least until the Small Power utilities Group (SPUG) of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) takes over.

This was the categorical statement given by Bohol Electric Cooperative I general manager Engr. Carlos Itable to Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez at the recent League of Municipalities (LMP) meeting hosted by Catigbian last November 7.

At the meeting, the Loon mayor was asking Boheco the possibility of extending more service hours for the island residents. The standard power service hour now is from 6:00 pm to midnight, Mayor Lopez told the mayors and the Boheco dads.

Sad as it may for Cabilao residents, there could be another way, stressed Boheco I assistant General Manager Engr. Virgilio Fortich, in a phone interview recently.

For Engr. Fortich, if Loon could actually subsidize the generation costs of the power, and the local officials agree with the terms, Boheco might be able to offer more, but it all depends on the agreements that can be forged.

Cabilao, an island separated from mainland Bohol’s western side is located across Sawang Pass, a few hundred meters from the transmission lines of Sandingan island of the same town.

Being separated by the body of water, the feasibility of installing a powerline across the navigational route in Sawang makes it not so feasible, so the Philippine Coast Guard turned the plan down, Engr.  Fortich said.   

Boheco operates a 150 kilowatt diesel power generator in the island, and the generation cost alone has run up to almost P12.00, explains the Boheco assistant general manager.

He said, generation costs for a diesel powered generation is still too high and the only way it could be sustainable is by connecting the island to the power grids’ transmission lines, Fortich said.

And because the island operates under the Electric Consumers’ Association concept, the association also puts up a bit more for the systems loss and so power rates in the island turn up higher, he added.

General manager Itable, during the LMP forum then said the Boheco is about to turn the island over to the Napocor SPUG, and by then, the Bohol power provider would recommend for the SPUG for longer operation.

Asked if this would translate to higher cost, Engr Fortich said SPUG can use a government subsidy to keep the prices down.

The plan to turn over the power generation in Cabilao to the NPC has also moved Representative Edgar Chatto to action to start the necessary paperworks, Boheco officials said.

Over this, Bolheco also said they are just into preparing for the Cabilao generator programmed maintenance schedule to get the equipment ready for the Christmas power load.

By Rainier Allan Ronda
The Philippine Star

The Philippines will host next week’s 33rd ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Ports Association (APA) Main Meeting that will be attended by representatives from nine of the regional group’s member countries namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will take charge of the arrangements for the APA Main Meeting that will be held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel from November 20 to 22.

“Participants from the APA member countries will again have the opportunity to collectively review the progress of the APA projects as well as decide on the essential issues and other common areas of concern affecting the member ports,” said Oscar Sevilla, PPA general manager.

The APA was formed to provide the ASEAN member ports with a vehicle for regional cooperation in port development, operations and management and to protect the interest of the member ports.

By Mayen Jaymalin
The Philippine Star

Filipino workers appear to be getting more sickly and prone to work-related accidents.

The Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), reported that compensation for work-related illness, injury and death is now costing the agency billions of pesos annually.

ECC executive director Benjamin Vitasa said in 2006 alone, the commission spent P1.94 billion for the payment of work-related medical reimbursements of government and private employees.

Last year, ECC imposed higher premiums so it would be able to pay for work-related compensation, he added.

Brenda Villafuerte, Bureau of Working Condition (BWC) director, said curbing work-related diseases and injuries remains a major problem for the government.

To curb work-related accidents, the DOLE has intensified inspection of commercial establishments nationwide to ensure compliance with technical safety regulations, she added.

In the first semester of the year, 16 percent of the 2,727 commercial establishments inspected were found to be violating technical safety rules, Villafuerte said.

Vitasa said the ECC is pushing for implementation of hazard control practices at workplaces and strengthening of rehabilitation programs for disabled workers.

“Compliance by employers and employees with safety and health standards will reduce the incidence of work-related illness, accidents and deaths,” he said.

Vitasa said a decline in work-related accidents would lead to a drop in ECC claims.

“Less compensation would enable ECC to focus on occupational rehabilitation opportunities for employment and self-entrepreneurship,” he said.

Vitasa said the ECC also extends special economic assistance to occupationally disabled workers through special training programs to equip them for re-employment or to put up businesses.

Happy Birthday, Emle

Birthday Poem
By Joanna Fuchs

Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Contemplate your blessings,
As your birthday nears.

Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there.

Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are.

Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA-Bohol

Quixotic amidst a lonely war against a wide perception of unstoppable windmill of illegal gambling activities here in Bohol, Police Provincial Director Edgardo Ingking said he puts into gear something which is “not your usual law enforcement process.”

But “not your usual law enforcement process” is not exactly going against the book.

For PSSupt. Ingking who has personally ordered a zero tolerance on illegal gambling especially on the illegal numbers betting game called swertres, card betting in tong-its and piyat-piyat, illegal cockfights commonly called tokis and tigbakay, it is putting the heat by using the book.

And by putting the heat, he means “application of lawful pressure on the officials and officers involved.”

I do not believe in the number of apprehensions we can make as an indicator of success, it should be a real stopping of the illegal gambling and we would like to ask for your support on this, Pssupt. Ingking appealed.

The topic on illegal gambling has hounded the radio lanes this week so much that Boholanos have heard of the exchange of dares between local civil officials and the police authorities as they pass the buck from each other.

City Mayor Dan Lim has earlier denied the allegations that he is a gambling protector, adding that it is the police’s job to stop swertres. Nevertheless, he lauded the provincial director’s stand even if he only half believes it could be successful.

At the Kapihan sa PIA, Thursday November 15, PSSupt Ingking reiterated his stand even as residents who know of some police officers’ involvement in the illegal games operation continue to mock the Bohol top cop with his tough talk.

“I believe this should not be easy for the provincial leadership, after all I somehow have gone to believe some of our police have been involved,” he admitted as the Department of Interior and Local Government provincial head Rustica Mascariñas listened.

Radio programs sharing the discussion on the issue receive text messages implicating local officials and police officers operating or collecting protection money from gambling operators and financiers.

Mascariñas explained that under existing laws, government officials and employees could get stiffer penalties when caught supporting illegal activities.

“DILG does not tolerate elected officials who actively involve in the operation of illegal games,” she stressed.
     
Asked how he would do about with his plan, Ingking said he intended to hit on the conscience of the town station commanders so they could lead a sincere pressure group to drive operations to a halt.

Ingking reported that he has just finished a command conference with the town cop heads and reiterated his zero-tolerance position for cascading to the ranks. He also accordingly solicited their support in coordinating local anti-gambling forum as posters on illegal gambling gets to be posted in public areas.

The posters, he said would contain ongoing police campaigns, establish a police contact line through phone or text so the people could report illegal activities.

To top it all, the police would format a police radio program so it becomes a direct inter-action between the Camp Dagohoy officials, the local police and the residents who aid or name officers involved.

By that, the people could immediately report illegal activities, the police to respond and react on allegations of irregularity while in the service and at the same time give the community a big role in crime prevention, Ingking explained.

“We hope our approach this time will succeed as I can assure you all of provincial leadership’s  seriousness, he closed with another appeal for community help.

By Evelyn Macairan
The Philippine Star

For almost 40 years, Rene and Dulce Saguisag stood by each other through thick and thin, parctically inseparable. For their eldest son Rebo, it was ironic that his parents “could not even be together for one second, for one final glimpse.”

Rebo said this in his eulogy after the funeral Mass for his mother yesterday.

Dulce was laid to rest at the Garden of Reverence of the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City shortly before 1 p.m. yesterday.

Her children, friends and other relatives wept as her casket was blessed and sealed inside a chamber built five years ago.

White balloons were released after her burial as a final farewell.

The boogie dance tune “In the Mood” was also played as a tribute to how Dulce lived a happy life and how she liked ballroom dancing.

Rebo said he received information that the doctors at the Makati Medical Center (MMC) had already removed the respirator tube from his father.

However, despite this development, Rebo said it was too late because his father was no longer able to see his wife one last time.

Saguisag’s neurologist, Dr. Victor Alvarez, revealed that Saguisag asked to be allowed to attend his wife’s funeral but his request was turned down.

“He wanted to attend but we told him and the family that there is a minimum requirement that has to be satisfied before we can allow that to happen,” he said.

Rebo recalled that in 1987 his mother had to take on the role as the family’s breadwinner because their father was a senator and only earned P14,000. She supported him and protected him all those years.

“Mama and Papa are one. Papa is what he is largely because of Mama. Indeed behind every great man is a woman. And the way she said goodbye practically sums it all up. In her lifetime, she has always absorbed the pain and troubles and all negative energies so that Papa could be what he is. And in their final moment together, my Mama died so my Papa could live,” Rebo said.

He said, “I also regret the fact that my father could not join us here today. Imagine what the rest of the family had to go through, preparing for my mother’s burial while thinking of Papa’s health.”

The Saguisag family asked everyone to continue praying for Rene who is still recuperating.

Pat Bernad, the eldest sister of Dulce, said that the family had portions of the wake, the funeral Mass and burial videotaped and that they would let Rene watch it when “he is ready.”

She said that while relatives would be returning to their respective homes, some family members would stay behind to give strength and support to Dulce’s children. They would also take turns in visiting Rene at the hospital.

She also gave assurance that despite the tragedy that has befallen their family, they would still push through with the planned family reunion that was being arranged by Dulce before her death.

Former President Corazon Aquino said: “We will miss Dulce and I pray that Rene will get better soon. We thank Rene and Dulce for all they have done for the country.”

Former President Joseph Estrada, Vice President Noli de Castro and Speaker Jose de Venecia’s wife Gina were also at the funeral.

The former social welfare secretary died in a road accident last Nov. 8 after the vehicle that she and the former senator were riding in was rammed by a dump truck.

The Saguisag couple’s driver Philip Calvario and their dance instructor Imelda Obong were also hurt in the incident.

Eight days since the incident, Rebo still asked, “Why do bad things happen to good people? It is so unfair.”

But he takes comfort in knowing that while he cannot physically be with his mother, he knows that she is in heaven watching over them.

“I somehow find joy in the fact that the last thing she did was something she really loved, and with someone she loved the most,” he said.

Quote from: emlegaspo on November 17, 2007, 08:52:53 AM
Hey, It is your birthday too?!
Oh wow.
Happy Birthday Mari!!!
Pila Emong Edad? (hehe I hope I spelt that right)

Emle, how old are you, by the way?

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency
Bohol Correspondent

Nursing students who pre-expose themselves to rabies by taking rabies shots may not be that safe after all.

Local health authorities have leaked about the proliferation of “questionable” vaccines in the local market.

Some of these vaccines, which have been brought for administration by dog bite victims in the animal bite and treatment centers in the province have traces of what practitioners would call as “having gone out of the cold chain” far too long.

Vaccines, which are procured outside the country goes through a long handling process and all along, it must be kept in refrigerated environment to keep the vaccines alive.

The vaccines noted here may have reached Bohol, through the black-market.

Alarmed health authorities theorized that these could have gone out of its refrigerated containers long enough to kill the virus.

Taking the vaccines out so they could not be declared as such saves a shipper a big amount for the higher costs of handling specialized medical cargo.

Current nursing curricula allows nursing students to take a subject in community health nursing, one which would actually immerse the students in real life community nursing. The immersion also exposes them to the risk of rabies as they could get dog bites.

To be exposed to the danger and still keep the threat away, students per-exposed themselves to the rabies virus by getting introductory shots to get immunities.

The question however now lies on whether the vaccines they used to pre-expose themselves are still effective, warns Provincial Health authorities during the recent Provincial Rabies Prevention and Eradication Assessment at the Bohol Tropics, Wednesday.

Sources at the drugstores also accordingly revealed that the vaccines were hand delivered to them by dealers who have the vaccines in paper bags with cold packs, and not in regulated containers.

Telltale signs that the vaccines went through the black-market is that the markings in the vial are of the Thai language, some of them have the red cross mark erased, confessed local authorities.   

“These are legitimate vaccines but to escape the taxes and other duties, some shippers do not declare them as vaccines and take them out of the cold chain for too long to ship them to the destination. In the process, a dead virus introduced into the body would not actually help the body get the immunities,” a medical practitioner shared in an interview.

Provincial Health authorities have accordingly notified the local Bureau of Food and Drugs about the concern, but Board Member Ma. Theresa Camacho-Lejos believe the concern merits an investigation by the provincial junta.

Camacho Lejos then said she will bring the issue up for consideration by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in their session Tuesday.

Quote from: grazie7y on November 17, 2007, 07:42:17 AM
Dear Mari,  here's your birthday cake I made for you.  It's a chocolate cake with coconut, almond and custard filling and iced with buttercream and then fondant.  The flowers I manually made for you with sugar gum paste!  I hope you like this!  I tasted it for you since you can not eat it hehehhe

Mari, kanus-a pa man ni nimo sliceson ning cake? Naglaway na mi. 

white butterfly, asa ka sa bohol karon?

For all those who sent me PMs (private messages) asking me, forcing me, raping me, requesting me to reveal the identity of GEC, I'm sorry to say that GEC is a mystery forever.

Whether he is a she or she is a he, we don't really know. I don't know either.

In the meantime, let us savor every moment that he or she is with us in Tubag Bohol...

Quote from: Mari on November 17, 2007, 01:15:38 AM
Imbis na naghilak nako, nakatawa na nua ko nimo Mike
ang hain man nga parte?

Mari, ayaw na ug hisguti
Ang bisan unsa nga parte
Ang labing importante
Nga naka-greet mi
Ug Happy Birthday...

Mari, ania kami
Andam moawit
Sa imong birthday
Unta human namo
Ug awit
Makapanihapon mi
Ug basin makapainit
Ok ra, bisag binignit
Kay kini sa tinai manggunit

Mari, ayaw lang pasagdi
Ang imong beauty
Kay bisan lapas nas baynte
Mura man gihapon ug disenuybe
Ang imong bililhong parte...

Dear GEC,

Today is Mari's birthday.

Happy, happy Birthday, Mari...

katulog na intawon, Mari...

Ako, yes. Dili matiwas.

Kamo pud?

Chinese espionage poses "the single greatest risk" to the security of US technology, a panel has told Congress.

China is pursuing new technology "aggressively", it says, legitimately through research and business deals and illegally through industrial espionage.

China has also "embraced destructive warfare techniques", the report says, enabling it to carry out cyber attacks on other countries' infrastructure.

A foreign ministry spokesman in Beijing denied any spying activities by China.

"China and the US have a fundamental common interest in promoting sound and rapid development," said Liu Jianchao, quoted by the Associated Press news agency.

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7097296.stm

The Philippines government says it has reached an agreement with the country's main Islamic separatist group on boundaries for a Muslim homeland.

Government negotiator Rodolfo Garcia said "demarcation" was agreed after two days of talks in Malaysia with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Officials say the deal in Kuala Lumpur could pave the way for a final peace deal between the two sides next year.

MILF has been fighting for decades over land in the southern Mindanao region.

Negotiators are hopeful that a permanent peace agreement can be sealed by the middle of next year.

The two sides did not disclose the shape of the new agreed borders, but the talks' Malaysian hosts said the territory would be greater than the present autonomous region in Mindanao.

Mr Garcia said the borders agreement was a "significant breakthrough".

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal told the AFP news agency his side hoped "to find closure to the centuries-old problem in Mindanao which various regimes in Manila have not solved".

Formal talks began in 2003 after MILF, which is thought to have around 12,000 members, signed a fragile truce with President Gloria Arroyo's government.

It is the largest of several Muslim separatist groups battling the government in the predominantly Catholic country.

Analysts say the Philippine and US governments hope a peace settlement with MILF could stop the Mindanao region becoming a base for militants linked to al-Qaeda.

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7096069.stm