MikeLigalig.com

Two workers at the resorts owned by Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan were instructed to throw away the body of the victim who was raped and murdered three years ago.

This was the latest revelation by witnesses who executed affidavits affirming what they heard from one of the workers.

The cry for justice for Vivian Dumaluan, the incoming high school senior whose dead body was found lifeless about 50 meters from the Dumaluan Beach Resort on April 27, 2004 has become the rallying cry of the Lakas-CMD ticket in Panglao.

Vivian, a poor relative of the Dumaluan, arrived in Panglao from Mindanao to work as a nanny of the mayor's younger brother.

Her dreams of at least finishing high school as a working student came to a nightmarish ending when she was brutally killed in the worst political gimmick ever in the town's history.

Pingmay Dumaluan, the mayor's younger brother, has been implicated along with detained accused Narciso "Isot" Maghamil in the gruesome rape-slay case.

While looking for a place to be used for a "show" during the 2004 election campaign, a witness said Pingmay himself declared "amo ning duwa ni Manong (This is our game)."

Lakas said Panglao voters now have no reason to even consider voting for Dumaluan because he will be arrested immediately once he is named accused in the case.

"Like Maghamil who is now detained while the case is still pending, all the accused will be put behind bars when a new information is filed against them," Lakas added.

Lakas also revealed that aside from the rape-murder case, Dumaluan is also facing at least two other cases - one for non-filing of Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) when he was still vice mayor and another for late filing when he assumed as mayor. The cases carry an administrative penalty of dismissal and removal of office with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

In his SALN as mayor which was filed late, Dumaluan himself stated that his actual net worth amounts to P112-million, making him the richest mayor ever of Panglao.

After riding on the rape-murder issue in the 2004 elections which caused the defeat of then Mayor Benedicto Alcala, Dumaluan has instead been more involved in Maghamil's defense.

One of his first acts upon assuming office in 2004 was to throw out the police officers who were investigating the case when they were about to solve it.

The latest witness to come out revealed that it was Dumaluan's workers who carried the body to the spot where it was later found by villagers who joined the search.

"He voluntarily confided to me that he together with another co-worker, were the one who carried the dead body of the rape victim in Panglao resort where he works," the witness narrated.

In his affidavit supporting Maghamil's motion for reinvestigation, the mayor said that after learning about the discovery of Vivian's body, he went to the place.

The mayor testified that Vivian's face was on the ground while her two hands were positioned towards her back, "as if pulled backwards."

During the 2004 campaign, Dumaluan boasted that he will drag the body of the suspect around the town. The boast has remained unfulfilled.

The simple Vivian has turned out to be greater in death than in life.

Her death was Dumaluan's main weapon against Alcala that led to his victory in the 2004 elections.

After witnesses came out one after the other to tell the real story of the rape-murder case, the cry for justice for Vivian has become the main issue that will decide this year's election in Panglao.

The tables are turned this time however. In place of Dumaluan's hollow boast in 2004, this time it is Alcala and his slate who is strongly demanding for justice for Vivian.

Lakas urged the people of Panglao to vote for candidates who are not implicated in any criminal activity.

"Panglao voters should elect officials who do not have Vivian's blood on their hands," Lakas added.

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published in the Bohol Chronicle 5/6/2007

A disqualification petition was filed against third congressional candidate Adam Relson Jala at the provincial Comelec office last Friday bringing the number of disqualification cases to 20 with only a week into the May 14 polls.

Meanwhile, the candidacy of reelectionist Candijay Mayor Sergio Amora may be nullified together with his entire slate as their opponents filed a petition to nullify their certificates of candidacies (COC) at the Comelec.

It may be recalled that disqualification cases are also pending at the Comelec against two other 3rd district congressional aspirants, former Gov. Rene Relampagos and senior board member Dionisio Balite.

Jala's petitioner , one Emmanuel Lagura, a resident of Tambangan, Loay town, questioned the residency status of the congressional bet who claims to be a resident and registered voter of barangay Camayaan in Loboc town.

Lagura stated in his petition that Jala, son of outgoing Rep. Eladio Jala, is "publicly known to be actually residing at their family mansion in Makati City or Dao District, this city.

A copy of the young Jala's COC obtained by petitioner and filed on March 29, 2007, allegedly contained "a false statement" as it declared that the "period of residence in the legislative district before May 14, 2007 [is] 27 years and 9 months."

The petitioner further alleged that Jala "has never been an actual or legal resident of Camayaan, Loboc for he does not own a parcel of land at the said municipality" as evidenced by a certification obtained by the petitioner from the Loboc Municipal Assessor's Office.

Lagura stated further in his petition that, even the respondent's parents do not own a parcel of land at Camayaan, Loboc as seen in another certification from the Municipal Assessor's Office.

The petitioner alleged that "well-meaning residents of Loboc" are ready to prove that "there was never a time when respondent (Jala) slept at the said place" every time he is in Bohol from Metro Manila since "he stays at their residence in Dao (Tagbilaran City)."

A copy of PLDT's telephone directory was attached to the complaint to prove the Dao residence.

Under the Constitution, a candidate for the House of Representatives must be a resident of the congressional district where he is running "for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the election."

The petition quoted Gayo vs. Verceles, 452 SCRA 504 that the term "residence", as used in the election law, imports not only an intention to reside in a fixed place but also a personal presence in that place, coupled with conduct indicative of such intention.

On the other hand, Candijay Mayor Amora, running mate Arlene Caadlawon and candidates for kagawad Jimmy Busano, Benjamin Dotarot, Anecito Mapute, Aurelio Nalugon, Raul Piquero, Timoteo Pizana and Antonio Po are petitioned for their "void and falsified COCs."

The petition was filed by mayoralty aspirant Monina Camacho, running mate Ann Piquero-Dy and their candidates for councilor.

According to the petitioners, they discovered that the "COCs of the respondents were allegedly notarized in Tagbilaran City by Notary Public Rey G. Amora on March 28, 2007," which the petitioners claimed "is false because on that very day [the notary public] was in his law office in Candijay, Bohol, where he actually notarized the COC of the respondents."

Moreover, the petitioners claimed that the COC of respondent, Mayor Sergio Amora Jr., was notarized and administered by the notary public (Rey G. Amora) who is his brother, allegedly violating the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. The rule was promulgated by the Supreme Court which prohibits notarial acts for relatives within the fourth civil degree.

On the same day that the notary public subscribed the COCs of the respondent-candidates, he was in the town of Guindulman and his residence in Candijay, not in Tagbilaran City as registered in the COCs.

Moreover, the petitioners claimed that the notary public (Rey G. Amora) "has no notarial jurisdiction in Candijay, Bohol, which is under the territorial jurisdiction of RTC-Branch 51, Carmen, Bohol, because his notarial appointment was issued by the Executive Judge, RTC-Tagbilaran City whose territorial jurisdiction is Tagbilaran City and suburbs which is 100 kilometers away from Candijay town."

Petitioners also established in their petition that about 50 COCs from the towns of Anda, Alicia, Mabini, Guindulman and Candijay were subscribed by notary public (Rey G. Amora) in his office in Candijay town on March 28, 2007.

Accordingly, the notary public "has no house or office in Tagbilaran City since he passed the Bar since he has been holding office in his residence in Poblacion, Candijay."

With more than a week into the May 14 elections, three more disqualification petitions against local candidates have been filed at the provincial Comelec office.

"The COC of respondent Sergio Amora Jr. is doubly voided because he is the full-blood brother of Notary Public," the petitioners stated.

OTHER CASES

Other recent petitions were filed against Calape mayoralty aspirant Dr. Sulpicio Yu Jr. by one Diosdada Ytaoc for allegedly violating the provisions of the Fair Elections Act or RA 9006. Yu's advertisement in a local newspaper, which exceeded the allowed political print advertisement by the Comelec, was the subject of the petition.

Meanwhile, another disqualification case is lodged against former Gov. Rene Relampagos, who is now running for the 3rd district's congressional seat. The petition is based on the grounds of Relampagos' alleged failure to comply with residency requirements for an individual to run as member of the House of Representatives.

Likewise, another petition for disqualification is filed against a Sangguniang Bayan (SB) candidate in Guindulman town, Martin Lagura Jr., for lack of residency requirement.

Similar petitions for disqualification are filed against Getafe vice mayoralty bet Vicente Jimenez Torregosa and SB aspirant Victoriano Suello Jr. filed by one Asterio Suello.

Bohol electors are still awaiting resolution of the 16 other petitions now being reviewed by the Comelec en banc in Manila. The four recent cases will be brought to the Commission's central office this week.

Even the local opposition's stalwart, 1st district congressional bet Victor dela Serna, is left on his own resources to face the formidable two-term 1st district solon, Rep. Edgar Chatto.

Consistent frontrunner Loren Legarda came a day ahead of fellow GO senatorial bets Benigno Aquino III, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Sonia Malasarte Roco and Anna Dominique Coseteng and re-electionist Panfilo Lacson.

Surprisingly, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada also came with the opposition senatoriables to officially proclaim local candidates led by first district congressional bet Victor de la Serna, gubernatorial candidate Bobby Cericos, vice gubernatorial aspirant Freda Tirol, 1st district candidate for board member Mayor Yul Lopez and their municipal candidates. (Kit Bagaipo)

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published in the Bohol Chronicle

Boom Boom in gutsy win over Medina
By Joaquin Henson
The Philippine Star 05/07/2007

Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista survived a knockdown in the seventh round, a cut over his left eye from a headbutt, referee Robert Byrd’s misguided calls on blows below the belt and a durable foe from the Pampas to pound out a unanimous 12-round decision over Argentina’s previously unbeaten Sergio (Rocky) Medina at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas last Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila).

It was by far the toughest fight in Bautista’s career and he passed the acid test with flying colors.

Bautista, 20, started out strong and banged away at Medina’s body but Byrd threw him off with repeated warnings for low blows and a deduction in the fifth round. But the Candijay, Bohol, slugger dropped Medina on his back in the sixth in what seemed more like a slip then was forced to hold on for dear life as he was staggered by a right to the jaw and given an eight-count in the seventh.

Medina, 25, pressed his attack in the eighth, looking to finish off Bautista, but the gutsy Filipino refused to give up. In the 11th, Bautista uncorked a right cross that floored Medina in the middle of the ring. Medina never recovered from the fall and lost steam in the homestretch.

There was no question who deserved the verdict in the end. Judges C. J. Ross and Paul Smith saw it, 115-109, and Dave Moretti, 116-108, all for Bautista. The STAR scored it, 114-110.

ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer told The STAR from Bautista’s Las Vegas dressing room that heart won it for the Filipino.

"It was all heart," said Aldeguer. "Boom Boom fought with the heart of Manny (Pacquiao). Medina was tough. That’s what HBO wanted â€" a real test for Boom Boom. Medina is rated No. 6 by The Ring and you know how choosy The Ring is. Argentines are known for their toughness and Medina is no exception."

Bautista protested Byrd’s interference and said the referee forced him to change his strategy.

"I couldn’t sustain my body punching because the referee wouldn’t allow it," said Bautista in Filipino. "I was hitting Medina on the beltline but the referee was calling it foul. What made it more difficult was Medina kept ducking low so I couldn’t hit his body too much."

Bautista called Medina the toughest opponent in his career. He said his face was lumpy from Medina’s punches. A cut on his left eyebrow was the result of a wayward butt.

Bautista said although he never dropped to the canvas, Byrd was correct in calling a knockdown in the seventh.

"I was groggy," said Bautista. "He got me with a straight. It was a good thing the referee called a knockdown because it stopped Medina from attacking and gave me time to recover. But I never lost my head. I knew where he was. I kept looking at him. I tried to counterpunch. Luckily, I survived."

Bautista said when he was hurt and his legs turned rubbery, what kept him going was the thought of his family’s poverty.

"I couldn’t surrender," he said. "I remembered my hardship when I was growing up, the time a bamboo pole was stuck in my head when I was a kid bleeding and walking 30 minutes before reaching home to find someone to remove it. I remembered my poor parents. I couldn’t let them down."

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Headline in the pcworld.com

Symantec Corp. researchers Friday warned of an in-the-wild Trojan horse that poses as a Windows activation program to dupe users into entering credit card information in an attempt to reanimate their machines.

Dubbed Kardphisher, the Trojan is nothing much technically, reported Takashi Katsuki, a Symantec researcher. But its author has "obviously taken great pains to make it appear legitimate."

Once the Trojan's installed, it throws up an official-looking screen that claims the user's copy of Windows was activated by someone else. "To help reduce software piracy, please re-activate your copy of Windows now," the screen reads. "We will ask you for your billing details, but your credit card will NOT be charged."

Selecting "No," said Katsuki, shuts down the PC. "Yes," meanwhile, takes the user to a second screen where he or she is asked to enter her name and credit card information, which is then transmitted to the hacker's server. "This Trojan teaches us all a good lesson," added Katsuki. "Trust no one."

Details on the Trojan's bogus re-activation screens look legit, and it plays off real-world behavior by Windows. The Web site referenced on the first screen, for instance, is actually Microsoft's own anti-piracy site. And in some situations, such as after a user makes substantial hardware changes, Windows XP will demand reactivation. Microsoft, however, never demands any personal information, such as a credit card, during activation.

The newer Windows Vista, which is not targeted by Kardphisher, is even more likely to require reactivation. In fact, Microsoft patched Vista in January to quash a bug in the OS's anti-piracy technology that was erroneously telling users they needed to reactivate.

Would you favor the talked Microsoft-Yahoo merger? Read above and kindly vote. After registration, you're free to vote. It's the hottest news in Silicon Valley...

By Loy Palapos     

Multi-awarded educator, lawyer, administrator, and lately, public servant, this devoted wife and loving mother has succeeded to bridge the gap between the home and the office, proving herself best in both worlds. Always on the top three of her classes from elementary to post-graduate school, she epitomizes the career-minded woman whose home is the main source of her inspiration.

      It was high noon on November 7, 1947 when Nuevas was born to parents Victoriano D. Tirol, Sr., Founder and First President of the University of Bohol, and Iluminada Belarmino, both National Gintong Ama and Gintong Ina Awardees. She is the ninth of eleven children, all of them well-established professionals in their chosen fields, an extraordinary feat seldom replicated anywhere.

      She finished BSE (1967), Magna Cum Laude; MA in Education (1969), Magna Cum Laude, Ph.D. in Education (1971); Benemeritus, at the University of Santo Tomas; and Bachelor of Law (1884) at the University of Bohol. She passed the Philippine Teachers Examination in (1971), was one of top 20 of more than 1,000 examinees in the Schools Division Superintendent Exam (1974), and passed the Bar (1986).

      After finishing her Doctorate degree at UST, she was offered the job of Vice President of Agusan Colleges, while at the same time Dean of the Graduate School, until 1973. She came back to the University of Bohol and held various positions: Dean of Student Affairs, Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor of the Graduate School, while building up her career as an educator and administrator. She was designated Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Bohol in 1983, and later Acting Schools Division Superintendent of Siquijor, then was transferred to Toledo City.

      The call of home and family was irresistible. Dr. Montes opted to come back to UB in 1994 and was designated Vice President. Today, Atty. Nuevas Montes is Member of the Board of Trustees, Executive Director of the Family Care Center, and Vice President for Administration of the University of Bohol.

      Atty. Nuevas Montes has been a recipient of several awards and commendations, among them are: Outstanding Woman of Tagbilaran City; Most Outstanding Project Implementor on Health and Development; Plaques of Appreciation for Outstanding Achievement as Schools Superintendent; Plaques of Appreciation for Commitment to Reproductive Health, Recognitions for her Support to Tagbilaran Women’s Group (KALIPI), Devotion to Duty, and for Active Involvement for the Welfare of Teachers and Employees.

      Through her able Leadership as Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Tagbilaran City was a Regional Nominee, and National Finalist for Outstanding Sangguniang Panlungsod. The City also begged the Region 7 PAG-ASA Award for Most Outstanding Public Servants.

      Jas, as she is fondly called, is typical of Boholanos who are gifted and admired for their simple and happy nature. An educator of the first caliber, she is good at her job because she loves people. “I always think what makes the employees happy,” she says. “One time I thought that all the employees would get a cellphone thru the help of the University. “But she confides, “I am also strict, especially when it is about the students’ interest. I insist on quality service from our teachers and staff and am glad everyone complies. I like ‘coaching’ the employees. I have this habit of building persons...teach them, develop them, motivate them and bless them to move on to bigger goals when they are ready. That sometimes leaves me with a new set of staff that completes the same cycle. I’m happy with what I’m doing. As a seasoned school official, I temper my decisions with kindness. I’d ask myself...this maybe right, but is it also suitable?”

      Beyond her academic work, Jas is also in politics. “I’d like to call it governance instead of politics,” she suggests. When asked why she won twice as number one councilor of the city, she answers: “I just do my work quietly â€" no fanfare, and if possible, no radio interviews. I am very shy but I’m passionate when I support a good cause. I was glad there were so much to do in my Committee in the Council, such as education, health, family, women and children”.

      “I also have a very supportive family,” she continues. “My parents treated us their eleven children like they were their prized trophies, but they never spoiled us. My husband, City Prosecutor Adriano P. Montes is my avid fan. A classmate since Grade II, he and my children, Hara, a Nurse married to Jacob Sevilla, also a Nurse, Dasa, a Physical Therapist now in the United States, and Anne, who graduated from the Ateneo Law School and is now connected with PAO (Public Attorneys Office), are very supportive of my plans. That explains why I’m a free spirit. I even served the Public Schools before as Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Bohol, OIC Superintendent of Siquijor and Toledo City. I have an extensive exposure in different fields, which serve me well now. I get to try anything, anytime for the right reasons and that’s why I ran for Vice Mayor in 2004. I think that makes me lucky.”

      This brings to mind Atty. Montes’ topping the race for Councilors, and three years later, winning as Vice Mayor. Not just because she was just lucky, but more significantly because the Tagbilaranons find her well-qualified for the job, with a giftedness that is amazing and commendable. As a learned and a talented woman, she has brought to the City Council a new dimension of respect.

      The success of the Tirol family speaks well of the upbringing the children, and the discipline they derived from their parents. All 11 of them are Masters Degree holders, aside from having finished varied Bachelors Degrees. Ten have PhDs, one is a Doctor of Medicine, and four are lawyers, one of them the Regional Director of DepEd, Region VI. The third generation has followed the same pursuits, a living proof that Atty. and Mrs. Victoriano Tirol, Sr. have instilled in the minds and hearts of their offsprings the value of education. Not solely for self-upliftment, but for the general good.

      Meanwhile, Dr. Nuevas Tirol-Montes occupies her time with her responsibilities at City Hall. Even at the height of the election season she has her duties to perform, especially as Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Her job is her top priority, never mind if she misses a campaign sortie or two. This sums ups her dictum “to serve and not to be served.”

Cesar Cimagala, former Sangguniang Bayan member of Candijay, allegedly inflicted physical injury to a suspected political destructor of his sister Monina Camacho during the latter's political party proclamation rally at Candijay Public Market on April 30, 2007.

The victim was Luciano Piquero, 42 years old and a resident of San Isidro, Candijay, Bohol.

According to the victim, he was about to buy fish in the market at around 5:30 in the afternoon, when Mr. Cimagala suddenly came out  from the crowd, blocking the driveway en route to the fish stall causing him to stop his motorcycle engine.

With his goons around, Mr. Cimagala allegedly slapped him twice on his right shoulder, saying why he was yelling nuisancely during their rally at barangay San Isidro. When the said victim was about to react, Mr. Cimagala muzzled his mouth causing it to bleed.

The case has caught the audience' attention, thus allowing Mr. Piquero to escape from furhter harms.

The incident was clearly an irony to the Kampi's request for security force from the PNP against their alleged harassment threat from the local administration's political team.

SHE is the countrya's President, but she remains the dutiful wife to First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo who recently underwent open-heart surgery for dissecting aortic aneurysm.

As such, she set up temporary office at the St. Luke's Hospital, cut short her investment promotion trip to China to 12 hours only, and moved her visit to Bohol to inaugurate the P2-billion Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project Phase 2 (BCRIP 2) and the P64-million Jagna Roll on-Roll off Port Improvement Project from May 5 to May 9.

Gov. Erico Aumentado who Tuesday had dinner with the President in Malacañang said barring unforeseen circumstances, she will arrive in Jagna by chopper at 10 a.m. for a private meeting with Bohol leaders at the Jagna Central Elementary School (JCES), unveil the marker for the Jagna port, drive through the BCRIP 2 until Barangay Pangdan and back to the Jagna Cultural Center for the program, and have lunch at the town hall courtesy of Mayor Exuperio Lloren.

Aumentado said expected to be with her are Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Ryuichiro Yamazaki and Manila chief representative Hiroshi Togo of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), among others. To note, JBIC funded funded the project through a loan extended to the Philippines.

In the audience will be the mayors and some constituents of Jagna, Candijay, Guindulman, Duero , Garcia-Hernandez , Valencia and Dimiao - the towns traversed by Package 2 of the project undertaken by C.M. Pancho Construction.

By 2 pm, the governor said she will fly back to Cebu for other commitments while Yamasaki, Togo, Bonoan and the other guests will drive to Tagbilaran to unveil Kilometer Zero “ the marker for BCRIP 2" and speak during the ensuing short program.

This time, in the audience will be the mayors and constituents of Lila, Loay, Albur, Baclayon, Tagbilaran, Cortes, Maribojoc, Loon and Calape, which are traversed by Package 1 of the project undertaken by Hanjin Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd.

Meanwhile, Aumentado said, inauguration for the Bayongan Dam of the P3.2 billion Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (BHIP 2) has been deferred upon the suggestion of Malacañangââ,¬â,,¢s Protocol Office.
Although the dam itself has been completed, the water collected has not risen enough to the level that will allow its flowing to the main and lateral canals upon opening of the gate valve.

Besides, the ricelands near the main and lateral canals are still being leveled by the farmers, but are not yet ready for planting, hence the water from the dam, if released for the inauguration rites on May 9, will only be wasted.

The Protocol Office advised that the opening of the gate valve is the Presidentââ,¬â,,¢s main activity in inauguration irrigation projects. Considering the water level however, a May 9 inauguration of BHIP 2 will not be as impressive.

We failed to consider that because we believed that the rains we experienced already marked the advent of the rainy season. Since it did not turn out to be such, we will move the inauguration to after the election, perhaps in June,ââ,¬Â the governor said.

Meanwhile, the inauguration of the Welcome Center at the Tagbilaran City Tourism Port will be held earlier: at 10 a.m. today. On hand to lead the rites are Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Assistant General Manager Raul Santos who is the concurrent district manager. He was among those bullish for the construction of the Welcome Center , Aumentado added.

Among others, the Bohol Tourism Office, the Provincial Tourism Council will hold office at the center while the Department of Tourism Region 7 office will set up a soft office there too.

The Presidential Visit Committee headed by my Chief of Staff, Engr. Emmanuel Caberte will preside over the final meeting Monday at breakfast at the Bohol Tropics Resort. Expected at the meeting are key personnel of the Office of the President-Special Operations Group (OP-SOG) composed of Protocol, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to inspect the various sites to be visited by the President, he said. (June Blanco)

WHERE government salaries fail to make both ends meet for the more than a million government employees, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo personally led the launching of the Go Negosyo, Go Gobyerno aimed to help employees put up their own businesses to raise household incomes.

The government has also unveiled comprehensive non-wage benefits for the Labor Day celebrations, one which also includes raising by 10% the salaries of government employees and a micro-credit facility for the state workers.

Through the "Puhunang Pangnegosyo Para sa Kawani ng Gobyerno" program launched recently at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Manila, the President at the launching enticed government workers to start becoming micro entrepreneurs by availing of the newly opened credit window.

Calling the state workers the “pillars of power" in the community, she reminded everyone present that the government has allotted P1 billion in funding for the collateral-free livelihood loans to government employees, through employee cooperatives and employee associations.

With this money, those interested employees may avail of the loan as an individual or as an association.

The loans will be in the form of wholesale lending by government financing institutions namely: the PCFC, the Development Bank of the Philippines, the Land Bank of the Philippines, Quedan Corporation, National Livelihood Support Fund and Small Business Guarantee Finance Corporation with government employee cooperatives and associations as their retail institutions.

The facility offers livelihood loans starting at P5T given in cycles of three to six months with gradual increases in loan size based on repayment record, group or individual liability and bimonthly or monthly repayments.

The President said that the new loan facility is part of the "social payback" to the people after the government implemented radical revenue reform measures that have contributed to the lofty standing the Philippine economy is experiencing right now.

This as she said during the Labor Day rites that the comprehensive Labor Day package for government workers is the administration’s way of "bringing the benefits of a strong economy to every worker."

The President announced the package of benefits including the 10% salary raise starting July this year; a P5T free loan that could be had starting May 2, 10-month salary loan to be prepared by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System’s (SSS) intensification of its Flexi-Fund for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) which now covers informal workers.

Over this, she said an OFW Pension System is in the works, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is coming up with steps to decrease the cost of remitting cash to the Philippines.

At this, she reiterated that her national agenda is on to creating good paying jobs, stable prices and bringing the benefits of a strong economy to every worker.

The GSIS is also increasing its scholarship grants, lowering interest rates, restructuring housing loans, expanding hospitalization support, and improving its service via computerization, she said.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), for itself, will reserve P50 million for skills upgrading and bridging programs so that seafarers can become engineers and deck officers.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), for its part, will give funds for the Migrant Workers Scholarship Fund while the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) will henceforth remove escort services in airports and seaports.

And still for the OFWs, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will use 10 percent of its earnings to strengthen the campaign against illegal recruitment.

For the informal sector, the DOLE will set up a P50-million livelihood fund for the parents and family members of child laborers, in accordance with the principles of the International Labor Organization’s Child Labor Program, the President said.

The Pag-IBIG Fund, meanwhile, will release P6 billion worth of dividends to its members while another P30 billion, according to the President, will be reserved for loans for tuition and emergency medical needs.

Meanwhile, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said the "President’s Labor Day package exemplifies the fruits of tripartite consultation as applied to building a strong nation and a better future for us all."

Bunye, who is also the Presidential Spokesperson, pointed out that the "record of this administration in creating jobs, promoting skills, training, and securing industrial peace speaks for itself."

"The challenge is for every day to be a day of national pride and productivity for all workers, including our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). It is this noble challenge that inspires government to put together a package of new benefits and programs to meet our workers’ needs," Bunye said. (PIA)

IT could happen to any soldier who swears to lay down his life for his country. But when it happened to a simple Boholano maintenance worker earning his living in a hostile environment in Iraq, it becomes another alarming call for the government to open better job options here.

Another Boholano comes home this time in a box, a victim of a raging war of ideologies he may may very little to care about.

Life was nipped out of 36 years old Boholano Neciforo Idulsa who was one working as a security officer and finally as a maintenance man in an American facility right in the heart of Iraq.

Three days of continuous mortar and rocket fire into the heavily fortified Green Zone in Iraq finally had one rocket streaming into the zone and found Idulsa and three other foreign nationals in the open.

The Department of Foreign Affairs initially released a bulletin about four Filipino fatalities in the most recent Iraqi extremist attack, but confirmed the sole fatality Friday.

In a statement released shortly after the rocket attack, Foreign Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. said the lone Filipino fatality was confirmed by Chargé d’Affaires Wilfredo Cuyugan of the Jordan-based Philippine Embassy in Baghdad.

“After the media reports came out, Cuyugan called the department to confirm that, although four people were indeed killed in the attack, only one of the casualties was Filipino, the others being of different nationalities,” said Conejos in an Associate Press report.

Now, Boholanos await for the arrival of Idulsa's remains, the latest Filipino fatality while being exposed to dangerous working conditions in exchange for a better life for their families. Years back, a Boholano soldier, Myla Maravillosa also died while in active duty in Iraq.

The Idulsa family of Villa Aurora, Bilar has accordingly expressed their desire to have the remains shipped here in Bohol and not in Surigao where his family currently settles.

Asde from grieving relatives in Bohol, Neciforo also leaves behind his wife Teresita and three kids.

While in Bohol, Necie worked as a radio reporter in a Bohol station in 1997. He finally got the chance to work abroad and took on it as a security guard via an agency in Manila.

But Thursday morning, when mortar fire and rockets streaked across the Tigris River for three days, one errant rocket exploded just outside a tunnel and found the young maintenance man exposed to fire unconfirmed reports said.

But DYTR radio technician Hilario Idulsa, the slain worker’s brother confirmed the news after the station wired the Manila agency, which his brother was serving. The agency’s Liezl Roluna also confirmed the news to the victim’s radio workmates.

The slain Idulsa was then sent as a security guard to a US facility in Kuwait and then transferred to Iraq when his contract in Kuwait reportedly expired, sources said.

US embassy spokesman and Charge d’Affaires Daniel Speckhard was quoted as saying [Idulsa] was an integral part of the embassy community.

Reports cited the embassy as saying that Wednesday’s attack left it “with a profound sense of sadness and regret” over the loss of the Filipino.

When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo learned of the unfortunate incident, he was saddened and has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure the immediate repatriation of the remains and the delivery of due benefits to their bereaved families.

The DFA has also been directed to conduct a quick reassessment of the situation to determine if more OFWs there need or want to be repatriated.

The Idulsa death happened even as a travel ban to Iraq is in effect from 2004 and as Filipinos there are urged to take the safety precautions while keeping in close touch with the embassy in Baghdad.

US military camps across Iraq employ 5T-6T Filipinos, mostly as cooks and maintenance personnel.

Most of the Filipino workers were in Iraq before the Philippines imposed the deployment ban.

Despite the ban, many Filipino workers are believed to have slipped into Iraq through neighboring countries like Jordan, prompting the government to appeal to those countries to help block such passage.

Bunye said the ban on Filipinos traveling to Iraq would remain, but nationals who were already there were “urged to take necessary precautions for their safety” while keeping in touch with the embassy there. (rachiu/PIA)

HOPE springs for Boholano blue collar workers who may not have the money for the often costly certifications and assessments to be fully recognized to have the right skills needed for a new job offered through the electronic Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (e-TESDA) and the PGMA Free Assessment Services at TESDA (PGMA-FAST).

And if things run well, would be TESDA scholars and workers interested to go through the assessments and certifications process to gauge their skills and match them for a job or before getting the higher training can just breeze through the process for free, by surfing the net and going to e-TESDA.

Assessment is an important step to determine the level of qualifications of a student. This eliminates unnecessary subjects and gauges what higher courses the student or worker can still enroll, TESDA’s Dr. Fanny Opo hinted in a phone interview.

Moreover, assessment and certification makes job-ready individuals formally recognized â€" a useful credit when they apply for advance courses or work.

In Bohol however, while some people may have been aptly trained by the competency based training system adopted by TESDA, they still need to get the right certification and the skills assessment to get that paycheck and be listed in some company’s payroll.

With the development, the national goal of spurring as many jobs to fully beat poverty is also attained, observers have said during the Manila launching.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo personally launched in Malacanang the two TESDA programs.

With the ladderized trainings offered at TESDA, a skilled trainee may land a job and then access more training by tapping to the e-TESDA online free assessment and certifications after getting competency upgrades and training.

For example, a house and building wiring student may used to need P2T or more to get the assessment and certification before he can get his credentials to land him the job he needs, PGMA FAST makes assessments and certifications virually free for him, the TESDA officer in charge for the day explains.

This also allows worldwide access to the assessments that even the returning overseas Filipino workers, out of school youth and the persons with disabilities can just got to the nearest internet-café and get the government certification or assessment they have attained from work, reports said.

Before one can avail of TESDA courses, a student needs to go through assessment of credentials and qualifications.

This is part of the stringent procedure implemented to would-be TESDA students, sources at the government skills training authority bared.

And in the effort to provide its courses to more people, TESDA is giving the assessment and certification services, TESDA sources pressed.

With PGMA-FAST, even poor but deserving students and workers can avail of TESDA courses, thereby widening the number of beneficiaries. (rachiu/PIA)

THE Commission on Elections is optimistic that election-related cases filed with its provincial office will be resolved before May 14 elections.

This developed as four more cases of disqualification were filed last week, and the total now is 20 cases, said the Comelec.

All formal charges filed here were forwarded to Comelec in central office in Manila, which is in-charge of election-related cases.

Comelec said that a candidate Artemio Suello filed two separate cases against Vicente Torregosa and Victoriano Suello asking poll body to disqualify to run for councilor in the May 14 elections.

Former mayor Monina Cimagala Camacho, who is seeking reelection in Candijay, wanted incumbent Mayor Sergio Amora’s election results nullified at this early.

A certain Emmanuel Lagura of Loay wanted his fellow Lobocanon Atty. Adam Jala, son of Cong. Eladio Jala, disqualified for lack of residency.

Meanwhile, the Comelec said that some 3,265 “clustered” precincts located in mostly public schools are now in place.

It was expected that like the 2004 elections more than 80 percent of the 661,001 registered voters will cast their votes in next week’s polls.

It said that each political parties, party-lists, and independent candidates is entitled to two poll watchers for each precinct but only one may be allowed to do his job so that there’ll be no crowding.

The voting will start at seven in the morning till three in the afternoon, it said. (Ric Obedencio)

Tirol as “fake” vice-guv bet?

PDP-Laban trashed provincial board member Godofreda Tirol for being a “fake” vice-gubernatorial candidate of the Genuine Opposition even as the elections are eight days away.

PDP-Laban, under which Tirol runs, issued the statement during its radio program over DyRD last week that it dropped Tirol from being an opposition

PDP-Laban provincial chair lawyer Artemio Cabatos and Engr. Petronilo Sarigumba, who are gunning for board member of 3rd district and architect Bobby Cericos, who is contesting Gov. Erico Aumentado’s bid for reelection, hosted the party’s radio program.

The decision to dump Tirol was reached after her campaign posters carry the name of Gov. Erico Aumentado, by which ultimately abandoned Cericos as her bet for governor.

Earlier, news report said that Godofreda Tirol, wife of Victor Tirol, is riding two horses apparently to ensure her victory against re-electionist Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, runningmate of Aumentado.

Reports bared that Tirol is also on the posters of other gubernatorial bets, which she confirmed in her paid radio program she personally hosted last week.

Tirol’s campaign materials bearing the name of Aumentado will surely have a backlash. It said that her supporters will get angry of this kind of gimmickry thereby abandoning her candidacy in last hour will not be far-fetched, PDP-Laban stalwarts led by Cabatos said.

Tirol explained in her paid radio program over DyRD that it was not her fault that some gubernatorial hopefuls are bringing her as their vice-gubernatorial bet.

But PDP-Laban Bohol, a principled political movement, appeared to be not convinced with Tirol’s line of reasoning.

In a bid to clear the name of the Lakas-CMD party, Aumentado denied having any hand on Tirol’s posters bearing his name. In his campaign sorties with Herrera, the governor told his supporters not to believe in Tirol’s attempt because it is untrue. He stressed, however, that his only running-mate is none other than Herrera.

The governor described Tirol’s move to a bat or a proverbial “wolf on sheep’s skin.” He said that when a bat mixed with birds, it is a bird, when with in animals, it also disguises as animal, literally or figuratively.

The governor bared that that Tirol agreed not to run for vice-governor during a conference at the Governor’s mansion prior to the start of the local campaign. The conference was attended by congressmen Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Eladio Jala, Herrera, former governor David Tirol and his wife Amalia, who is seeking reelection as board member representing second district, he added.

Godofreda Tirol agreed to run for councilor in Candijay for she was groomed to run for president of Philippine Councilor’s League Bohol chapter. But Tirol broke the agreement, the governor said.

Former Boholano radio reporter killed in Iraq bombing
By Leo P. Udtohan

The Filipino contractor killed in a rocket attack on
the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq last
Wednesday is a Boholano.

He was identified as Niceforo Idulsa, 38, from Roxas,
Bilar town. Idulsa worked as a guard and later became
an office worker in a US military camp in Iraq for a
year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) didn’t divulge
the name of Idulsa until his next of kin are properly
notified.

Niceforo’s wife Teresita Agdol and two sons are in San
Jose, Dinagat, Surigao del Norte.

Vilma Idulsa-Realista, the victim’s sister said
Niceforo called her three times last week before his
death. That was last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
telling his woes and fears in Iraq. He is recounting
stories of how other Filipinos there were very much
aware of the dangers they face.

“We talked about his condition in Iraq. He shared that
his life is in danger in the hostile environment of
Iraq. It pains us,” Realista told the Post.

Niceforo’s brother, Hilario “Larry” Idulsa, a
technician of dyTR learned the incident last Thursday.
He was also saddened of his brother’s death. Their
mother, Matilde, could not hide her sadness of losing
a son.

It was agreed that Idulsa’s remains will be brought to
Bohol according to Realista.

Realista, who lives in Poblacion, Baclayon, went to
Manila last Friday to ask help from DFA.
It can be recalled that a Boholano soldier, Myla
Maravillosa also died while in duty in Iraq in
December 2005. Idulsa was the latest Filipino fatality
while being exposed to dangerous working conditions in
exchange for a better life for their families.

The DFA said last Friday that they has been
encountering difficulties tracing the consultant’s
immediate relatives because “some of his documents are
not current." It appears that Idulsa was an
undocumented overseas worker.

In response to the killings, Philippine President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called for a quick
reassessment of whether Filipino workers in Iraq
should return home.

Arroyo also ordered diplomatic and labor officials to
immediately bring home the body of Idulsa, her
spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said.

"The president is saddened at the news," Bunye said.

Despite the ban, many Filipino workers are believed to
have slipped into Iraq through neighboring countries
such as Jordan, prompting the government to appeal to
those countries to help block such passage.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers
Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr said in a press conference
on Friday that the Department of Foreign Affairs has
been encountering difficulties tracing the
consultant’s immediate relatives because “some of his
documents are not current."

The report even quoted a statement from the US embassy
in Iraq, saying Wednesday's attack left it "with a
profound sense of sadness and regret" over the loss of
Filipinos who "were integral members of our embassy
community."

Initial reports said all four contractors killed in
the attack were Filipinos. It was later clarified that
only one was a Filipino, two were from Nepal and the
other one came from India.

Conejos said the Philippine embassy in Iraq has
reported that Filipino fatality had been brought to a
mortuary in Baghdad. “We are just awaiting the proper
documentation for the body to be brought from Baghdad
to Kuwait, and from there, moved back to the
Philippines," he told newsmen.

“To start the documentation process, there has to be a
certificate of acceptance before the airline will
accept the body for shipment from Kuwait to Manila,
but we’re told that the US military is prepared to use
military transport from Baghdad to Kuwait, and from
Kuwait, commercial airline (to Manila)," he explained.
“We have to make sure somebody will receive the body."

Presently, Conejos said there are still 6, 000
Filipinos in Iraq. “Our assumption is that most of
them were already in place when the ban was imposed in
2004."

“Some of the Filipinos in Iraq work with big logistics
companies in Kuwait. There is always a convoy (and
the) drivers are Filipinos," he cited.

The ban on deployment of Filipinos to Iraq remains.
The offer for voluntary repatriation stands.

These people draw near to Me with their mouth, . . . but their heart is far from Me. â€"Matthew 15:8


A builder in California has come up with an innovative idea to sell his houses. He thinks that a good way to make a house more appealing is to have a family there when showing the house. So he hires actors to play happy families in his company’s model homes. Would-be buyers can ask them questions about the house. Each fake family cooks, watches television, and plays games while house-hunters wander through.

That type of faking may not do any harm, but think about the sham of the religious leaders in Jesus’ day (Matt. 15:1-9). They pretended to love God and piously made up a long list of rules that they and others were to obey. But this was only to make themselves look good. They even considered their rules just as important as the Law that came directly from the Lord (vv.5-6). Jesus called them “hypocrites” (v.7). He said their words sounded as if they honored God, but their hearts told another storyâ€"they were far from Him (v..

That kind of pretending goes on in people today as well. We look like good Christians on the outside because we go to church faithfully, follow some rules legalistically, and use the right words. We say we love Jesus, but our hearts may be far from Him. God wants us to be real. â€"Anne Cetas

God sees our ways and knows our hearts,
From Him we cannot hide;
External righteousness can’t save,
For He knows what’s inside. â€"Sper

A false front belies a true faith.

A brother of Panglao Mayor Doloriech Dumaluan has implicated him in the celebrated rape-murder case that took place in Panglao three years ago.

This means that with the rape case now on its third anniversary, it looks like the hangman's nose is slowly tightening on the neck of Mayor Dumaluan.

"Among ning duwa ni manong" was the frank assertion of a witness as he quoted Pingmay Dumaluan, younger brother of Mayor Dumaluan. Manong here referred to the mayor whom the witness identified in a statement he made to investigators days after the incident.

This latest chapter in the checkered political career of the controversial Panglao mayor came at a time when he is serving his six month suspension for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Mayor. He was suspended for using taxpayer's money in buying gasoline for his private cars. The suspension was served last Sunday after the Department of Interior and Local Government implemented a resolution of the Court of Appeals denying the petition for preliminary injunction filed by Mayor Dumaluan was denied for lack of merit.

As a consequence, V-Mayor Pedro Fuertes assumed office as acting mayor while number one councilor Nila Montero was sworn in as acting vice mayor. Montero is a Dumaluan ally.

The witness to the gruesome crime that happened on April 27, 2004 came out in the open to disclose the gory details of the plot to rape and kill Vivian Dumaluan, a cousin of the mayor. The witness, however, declined to be named for fear of reprisal from those he implicated in the sensational case.

According to his own confession of what he knew about the incident, it was the mayor's brother Pingmay Dumaluan who told him about the plot to rape and kill Vivian.

It was public knowledge particularly in the Bolod-Tawala-Libaong area that there is more than one suspect in the crime.

With the recent revelation of this witness, it would appear that Narciso Maghamil alias Isot is not alone in facing the consequence of the beastly rape-murder case.

In fact, people in the area are talking in whispers that at least five persons are involved.

It may be noted that two days before the rape incident, the witness was approached by Dumaluan's younger brother about the gruesome plan.

The same witness was also briefed by Pingmay that the rape-slay was part of an elaborate election ploy.

As told by the witness to investigators right after the incident, the election conspiracy was calculated to lay the blame on the opponent of Dumaluan (Doloriech) who was running for mayor at that time. Dumaluan was pitted against the incumbent who was then mayor Benedicto Alcala.

The rape incident was indeed exploited by the Dumaluan camp that Alcala blamed the rape issue to his own defeat in the Panglao mayoralty contest.

Now that the table is turned on Dumaluan, it is Alcala's turn to point an accusing finger to Dumaluan why he is playing deaf and blind in the quest for justice of the parents of the rape victim, Vivian Dumaluan. (Kit Bagaipo)

---------
Published in the Bohol Chronicle - 4/29/2007

Former mayor Joe Torralba has filed a complaint at the Ombudsman against the rehabilitate-operate-transfer (ROT) scheme adopted by the city government for the unfinished Agora building.

A similar complaint was also submitted at the Commission on Audit (COA), Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) according to Torralba during the candidates' forum for mayoralty bets, a joint undertaking of Station dyRD, dyZD and BCCTV.

The charges filed by Torralba was bared after incumbent Mayor Dan Lim challenged his opponent to sue him if he sees irregularities in the bidding process of the Agora rehabilitation plan.

Torralba said he does not question the decision to complete the Agora but his objection is on the manner the bidding process was undertaken by City Hall and the adoption of the ROT contract even without a feasibility study and COA appraisal.

The bidding was allegedly "rushed" to in time for the election ban, Torralba said.

In answering the former mayor, Lim pointed out that for nine years as city mayor, Torralba was not able to find means of finishing the Agora while the unfinished structure is highly questionable with almost P50 million already spent.

Mayor Lim said even city councilors allied with the former mayor approved the Agora rehabilitation scheme. The mayor clarified that he had to set aside other priority projects of the city as the public demanded for the completion of the Agora.

In turn, Lim accused Torralba of irregularities in the overpriced construction of the Integrated Bus Terminal and City Central Market and the new City Hall.

OTHER ISSUES

The city mayoralty candidates where also made to respond to questions and concerns during the forum.

Both candidates were asked to cite their accomplishments during their respective terms of office as city mayor.

Torralba cited the construction of economic enterprise projects such as the central market, bus terminal, slaughter house and motorpool with heavy equipment. The former mayor also mentioned the city park in barangay Cabawan, Sandugo Shrine, the Tagbilaran City Port which was undertaken with the national government, the concreting and asphalting of city streets and the institutionalization of the Cogon Night High School.

Lim, for his part, explained that his first three years as mayor was dedicated to improve governance and provide better services to Tagbilaranons. The provision of free uniforms for public elementary school students, healthcare support systems through the Blue Card and the Botika sa Katawhan and the adoption of multiple intelligence now started in day care centers in all 15 barangays.

The incumbent mayor noted that discipline have been established among city government employees while the city's revenue collections have improved during his term.

Torralba criticized Lim for not attending to barangay problems and for sitting on building permits and subdivision plans.

Asked to state his plans for the next three years, Lim said he will prioritize the establishment of socialized housing for poor families especially in barangays Cogon and Booy.

For his part, Torralba said he will approve pending applications for housing development and subdivision plans to complement the Uptown Tagbilaran housing, Muslim Village, Habitat Village, Capitol Valley, Teachers Village that were set up during his time.

Lim clarified that building permits were not approved because of deficiencies and most of the subdivisions in the city have not complied with basic requirements such as a drainage system but were allowed during Torralba's administration.

On their respective program for the city's peace and order and fighting illegal drugs, Torralba said he will give full support to the police and the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC).

In fact, during his (Torralba) term, the city police was adjudged as one of the most outstanding police force. Likewise, the CPOC had a similar recognition during his administration, Torralba said.

Torralba said he will appoint a Chief of Police who will go after illegal gambling and illegal drugs. He claimed that the city police during his time were in high morale and had a high crime solving rate.

Lim refuted Torralba's claim, however, saying that the peace and order situation in the city has improved and is much better in his term. The incumbent mayor rendered a lecture on the handling of intelligence funds which is being questioned by the Torralba camp. Lim said that the audit and liquidation of the city's intelligence fund is pursuant to COA guidelines and were, in fact, acknowledged by the COA chairman.

Torralba responded that he is questioning the "excessive" allocation of intelligence fund compared to the P800,000 during his term and not the process of its liquidation. (Kit Bagaipo)

-------------------
Published in the Bohol Chronicle - 5/2/2007

Reelectionist Rep. Edgar Chatto fielded questions and issues with his challenger, former OIC Gov. Victor dela Serna during the congressional bets' episode of the Candidates' Forum sponsored by Station dyRD, dyZD and BCCTV.

Both candidates were asked what would be the first bill they would file if elected/reelected as congressman.

Dela Serna said the first House bill he would file is for the abolition of the expanded value added tax (EVAT) which he says is burdensome and oppressive to the poor. Dela Serna said that the theory of taxation is to "tax the rich more to give to the poor."

Meanwhile, Chatto said his first bill would be to provide cheaper medicines to the public. In fact, Chatto said, deliberations are ongoing in Congress for cheaper drugs to address the high cost of medicines.

Asked to respond to allegations of corruption in congress, Chatto pointed out that a perceived culture of corruption in government has dragged members of the House into alleged graft and corruption. The congressman explained that funds for projects are funneled into the implementing agencies and not through the congressmen.

Chatto said he "vehemently disagrees with the accusations and denies any involvement" to the supposed corruption in Congress as regular reporting on the use of funds is made to the Commission on Audit by the implementing agencies.

Dela Serna further alleged that each congressman received P80-million in pork barrel allocations this year. He said these were used to fund the purchase of overpriced computer units, which has become the project of choice of congressmen.

On the issue of constitutional change, Dela Serna said that there is no need to alter the Charter. He said change is needed among government officials and not the constitution as attempted by the Arroyo government through Constituent Assembly and Peoples' Initiative.

Chatto agreed with dela Serna that a change in character of government officials is needed. However, he said the constitution must be reviewed in order to respond to the present and future needs of the country.

Dela Serna also questioned how Chatto voted for Con-Ass while he is telling the public that he is for constitutional convention. Chatto said that the main reason why he joined the majority of house members to go for Con-Ass was due to the controversy raised if the two houses of congress will vote as one or separately on the proposal to convert both houses of congress into a constituent assembly.

In connection with the issue of Charter change, the congressional bets were asked regarding their stand on foreign ownership when the Cha-cha pushes through.

Chatto said agricultural and residential lands must be protected in favor of the interest of Filipinos. However, if foreign ownership will mean additional investments to help the economy and mean job opportunities for Filipinos the foreign ownership issue has to be studied well.

Dela Serna, for his part, said he has no strong position for or against foreign ownership, however, he said that the interest of Filipinos must be given foremost consideration over foreign interest.

On the issue of anti-political dynasty, Dela Serna favors a no reelection policy for public officials. Dela Serna said that relatives of public officials, up to fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity, must be banned from holding public office.

However, Dela Serna noted that the present anti-political dynasty bill will not be passed by both houses of Congress as congressmen and senators are more interested to hold power and share it with their family members.

On the other hand, Chatto said he has no objections in passing the anti-political dynasty law, however, the term "political dynasty" should be properly defined in the law and should be adopted if ever a constitutional convention will be convened to amend the Charter. (Kit Bagaipo)

-----------------
Published in the Bohol Chronicle - 5/2/2007

The safety of tourists who are expected to flock this summer and fiesta month of May to the world famous Chocolate Hills and Loboc River Cruise is being demanded from authorities by the Provincial Tourism Council. (PTC).

The call for safety and precautionary measures was issued by PTC Chair Peter Dejaresco following the recent road accident involving a Korean tourist who was about to take lunch at the Loboc River Cruise last Sunday.

The Korean national identified as Ji Kyung-A, 36, of South Korea was hit by a speeding motorcycle while crossing the national highway to the Long River Cruise floating restaurant. He was with seven other Korean tourists who aborted their leisure river cruise and instead rushed the victim to the Ramiro Hospital where he was admitted due to his 12-stetch head injury.

Iyan Cainglet, a DOT accredited guide told the Chronicle that the tour of the Korean nationals was arranged by Alona Kew Beach Resort where the guests were billeted. He said the victim's head was profusely bleeding when his friends rushed him to the hospital. The guide failed to escort the tourists as he was with the Loboc PNP to record the incident.

Another matter of concern during this peak season is the Chocolate Hills complex where vans and cars are again allowed to park alongside the steep winding road leading the view deck and restaurant atop a hill.

Bernard Marasigan, operations manager of OceanJet fast ferry complained on the great risk of incoming vehicles since only one lane is left while the other side is occupied by parked vans and cars. He saw the traffic mess at the complex when he escorted some guests last Monday.

The PTC during an earlier request made with the Carmen local government requested that vehicles will be allowed at the complex just to drop-off their guests while a parking area be provided down the hill. Drivers will just be called once their guests will be ready for pick-up on their way out from the complex.

The PTC chair reminded the Carmen LGU and the PNP to strictly re-implement the agreement of not allowing vehicles to park alongside the hill to avoid accidents. He feared that if this will not be checked, vehicles which might encounter engine or brake problems will slid down the winding road hitting other incoming vehicles.

LOBOC's ACTION

Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan convened the town's police last Monday to immediately address the concern raised by tour operators after the incident.

During an interview over dyRD's top-rated Inyong Alagad yesterday, Calipusan said that two policemen are now being detailed at the floating restaurant's docking area to enforce a one-side parking policy.

A designated free parking area near the town's new public market is also provided to reduce the congestion in the narrow highway.

While some river cruise operators do not have parking spaces, Calipusan appealed to tour operators not to drop and pick up tourists near the docking area.

Calipusan pointed out that once the floating restaurants will be docking at the new port and tourist complex across the present docking area the congestion will be solved.

River cruise operators have not transferred docking to the new facility as the Bailey bridge going to the complex has yet to be repaired to accommodate big tourist buses.

According to Calipusan, funding, in the amount of P1.5 million, has been released for the bridge rehabilitation but the DPWH was not able to start the rehabilitation until election ban came.

Meanwhile, a motorcycle backrider was killed after colliding head-on with a tourist bus of NF Tours at the Tagbilaran City Port last Tuesday.

The victim, Leandro Ayade, 19, a resident of barangay Minol, Mabini town, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital.

According to SPO3 Joaquin Adayo, the victim was riding with one Jesus Bandoy, 23, of barangay Dasitam, Baclayon, owner of the motorcycle. Bandoy did not have any serious injuries while Ayade died on the spot.

The tourist bus was driven by one Wenceslao Escuadro Jr., 37, resident of barangay Salvador, Cortes town. He is now facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide. (Kit Bagaipo)

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Published in the Bohol Chronicle, 5/2/2007

GMA 7 Online News

One of four seafarers around the globe today is a Filipino, putting the Philippines in the big league of the world’s maritime industry, according to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga.

Salonga, who has been considered as one of the pillars in the Philippine maritime industry, noted statistics showing that remittances of Filipino seamen into the country have reached US$3.5 billion, helping stabilize the country's economy for the last 25 years.

"Last year alone, these remittances comprised 3.5% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is no mean feat considering that we only have 300,000 seamen of 82 million population," Salonga explained.

Speaking before this year's graduates of Bachelor of Science in Maritime Transportation and Marine Engineering at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), Salonga challenged the SBMA to rally the maritime sector towards competitiveness and productivity.

"What is now happening in the Subic Bay, especially given the huge personality of Hanjin and the modern container port, should convince everyone that the Philippines has now become a great maritime nation and power," Salonga said.

Based on records, he said, the principal avenues of transportation in the Philippines are the inter-island sea lanes, connecting the more than 300,000 ports and harbors [in the world] where 90 percent of commercial goods are being ferried.

Salonga said, “When you sail under foreign flags, work with sense of pride and obligation as Filipinos serve in a global context, not only for your loved ones but for the entire profession and the industry, so that the stamp excellence of Filipino mariners will remain our reputation."

The SBMA has urged the Global Maritime and Transportation School of the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, to study the possibility of putting up a similar school in San Narciso, Zambales.

If the school materializes, it would be the first of its kind in Asia, which could provide opportunities for PMMA graduates to hone further their maritime skills.

The Philippine maritime industry is expected to contribute about US$2-3 billion to the country's annual export earnings starting next year with its unprecedented growth in terms of productivity and job generation, Salonga earlier said.

Salonga cited the entry of South Korea's Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) (KSE:003480) with its US$1 billion shipbuilding facilities inside the Subic Bay Freeport and which is scheduled to produce 12 ships by June next year.

"Hanjin is not only the Philippines' biggest single foreign direct investments of 2006 but its entry can also be regarded as the single most dramatic development in our country's growth as the Asias new maritime powerhouse," he said.

As of March, Hanjin has already generated 6,900 direct and indirect jobs compared to just about 2,400 workers during the early stage of its construction in September last year.

It is projected to create as high as 30,000 jobs in a span of three years.

"That is why, we at the SBMA continue to push the development of the freeport zone not only as a tourist destination and logistics hub but also as a maritime industrial base," Salonga said.

He added that enormous maritime resources with highly knowledgeable and skilled human resources are needed to create wealth in maritime industry.

In addition to shipbuilding and ship repair, Salonga said, the country also has vast potential in the area of regional transshipment hub for Asia-Pacific operations.

"Singapore and Hong Kong with their lesser ports, earn US$20 billion a year from transshipments alone. Given our many well-endowed natural harbors like Subic Bay, the Philippines can do well or even better," Salonga said.

He noted that the Subic Port development project is about 92 percent complete.

"The time has come for us in the maritime sector to help shape the future of our country and the Filipinos by pushing the maritime industry to live up to its role as the new major contributor to Philippine growth and progress," he stressed. â€" GMANews.TV

Nothing. Bahong anso hinuon. Bisan asa lang mangihi nang mga driver sa easy-ride.

Having a personal email on your domain is a really smart way! Your email address reveals your unique online identity to the your message recipient. Instead of having a meaningless ID on your yahoo mail like r_at123@yahoo.com, you may have an easily memorable address like support@yourname.com, mike_perry@yourdomain.com, or anything that shows who you really are to the email recipient.

Having a personal email is really essential for people who do business! It looks much more professional to send messages via your personal email (on your company's domain) when communicating with your business partners, sponsors, and clients.

Having a personal email is also a convenience. Unlike the Google and Yahoo emails, you will be able to reach your personal email both via webmail access and via convenient mail clients like Outlook express, MS Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, etc. Also, the email address you have on your domain name will not show any ads which lower the speed of your Internet connection and lose your time. (source: siteground.com)



Visit www.mikeligalig.com for more details

It's a great idea to dedicate your website to your family! This is especially useful when some of your family members live at a distance and you see each other rarely. The website will help you unite your family and share interesting facts about each other's life.

On your family website, you may upload your wedding album, pictures of your newborn baby, sound files with your baby's talk, or any other information that might be interesting to your family. This will certainly help them feel closer to you.

Interested in having a family website? Write me at info@mikeligalig.com   We will work within your budget...

also, visit me at www.mikeligalig.com

Nia na pud ning mga taga-Manila: mga utok-bulinaw. That was what I thought after reading the news below. You know why? Countries in Asia are spending billions just to hire English teachers. And here we are in the Philippines doing the opposite: mga taga-Manila, mga utok-bulinaw. Kan-a nang inyong Tagalog oi!

I'm sorry if you're from Manila. Maybe you're not among the stupid Tagalog-speaking officials. But please do tell your officials in Manila that they are all stupid. You know what's another stupid thing looming? The NTC will tax websites in the Philippines. First time in the world. I will post the details later. Gi-highblood pa ko. Thanks!


From the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tutors ask SC not to make English primary education medium


Educators, including a retired Supreme Court justice, have asked the high court to nullify an executive order requiring the use of English as the principal medium of instruction beginning with the first grade.

In its 24-page petition for certiorari, prohibition with preliminary injunction, the Wika ng Kultura at Agham Inc. (WIKA, Language of Culture and Science), led by retired justice Isagani Cruz, said Executive Order (EO) 210 issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo "anti-poor and alienates Filipino school children from their Filipino heritage" and would make them "functional illiterates."

"The EO and the implementing order deprives school children coming from the lower socio-economic classes of the desired benefits in education for it has been shown that due to poverty, such school children receive very little public education, or a poorer quality of education than that available to rich families," the petitioners said.

Citing government and institutional studies, the petition said children in grade schools will learn much faster if they are taught in Filipino.

They also said the executive order and Department of Education (DepEd) Order 36 are unconstitutional.

EO 210 (Establishing the Policy to Strengthen English as a Second Language in the Educational System) was issued May 17, 2003. DepEd Order No. 36 contains its implementing rules.

Under the order, English should be used as the primary medium of instruction in all public institutions at the secondary level, relegating Filipino to being the medium of instruction in the subjects Filipino and Araling Panlipunan.

"The provisions of EO 210 and DepEd Oder No. 36 that English shall be taught as a second language starting with the first grade violates the above-quoted provisions of the Constitution since Filipino is actually only the second language in non-Tagalog areas. The EO thus subverts the present status of Filipino in non-Tagalog areas, and violates the constitutional injunction that regional languages shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction," the petition said.

They added the 1991 report of the Congressional Commission on Education recommended that the vernacular and Filipino should be the medium of instruction for basic education.

Because of this study, the education department implemented in 1991 and 1998 a program for the development of instructional materials in Filipino and, by the year 2000, all subjects except English and other languages were taught in Filipino.

By Stephanie Paterik
The Arizona Republic


SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- Back in the Philippines, Simeon Andagan had a family, a home, a degree and a management position at a top hotel.

He left it all behind because he could earn more money making beds for $10.50 an hour at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

The 36-year-old is among 300 Filipinos who landed in the Valley in October and will stay through May, mostly working as entry-level housekeepers and dishwashers.

The men and women provide an attractive alternative to workers from Mexico because Mexican laborers are seen as a high risk for overstaying their visas.

The Filipino workers come here because paychecks back home are small and opportunities are limited.

Valley resorts need them because they grapple with a severe staffing shortage in the winter and spring months, when millions of tourists spill into the state for sunshine, shopping and golf.

"My friends say America is a land of opportunity, a land of milk and honey, because there is a lot of work," Andagan said. "So many Filipinos are degree-holders, but they can't find work."

Seven Valley hotels, with the assistance of an international recruitment company, brought the employees here for the first time this year on seasonal employment visas known as H-2Bs.

The hotels say the international workers fill a void. Because unemployment is below 4 percent, they get few applications and have been forced to rely on temp agencies and even homeless shelters for labor.

But the new trend is to attend employment fairs in places such as the Philippines, Jamaica and Eastern Europe, where wages are minimal, jobs are scarce and workers are more than willing.

Family ties

Andagan earned a bachelor's degree in commerce with an emphasis in management and worked 17 years for a top hotel company in his native Philippines, an island nation of 84 million people off the southeast coast of Asia. At the Princess in Scottsdale, he knows laundry workers who were teachers, housekeepers who were advertising executives.

His hometown's economy is so depressed that the lowest job in America is more lucrative than the highest job there, he said. A month's pay in the Philippines was $500, which would not buy him a single night at the luxury resort during the high season.

Now, he makes $2,000 a month. In a matter of weeks, he worked his way up from a room attendant to a housekeeping supervisor. Like most of his co-workers, he works overtime, saves up and sends money to his family. His new bounty will put his 19-year-old son through college.

In exchange, he is giving up time with his son. Many workers left spouses or babies behind.

"I always call my son, every day," Andagan said. "I miss my family, the happenings every day. All of my friends are there hanging out every day going to Starbucks."

He doesn't go to Starbucks here, he adds, because it is more expensive.

The H-2B workers form a seasonal family to fill the void. They live together in apartment complexes, and hotel vans transport them to and from work. They walk to the grocery store or, on a special day, ride the bus to the Filipino market in north Phoenix. They cook for one another and fill local restaurants. This winter, they visited the Grand Canyon and traveled to Flagstaff to get a first-hand look at ice.

A path to citizenship

Valley resident John Bergmann brought the Filipinos to this foreign place.

Bergmann developed a passion for working with international employees when he was human resources director for Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa.

He left the resort to effectively open a branch for an international recruitment company called Delivering Human Innovation, or DHI, based in Orlando. He became a Phoenix-based independent contractor for the company last spring and believes it is the first of its kind in Arizona.

While Bergmann's service is still somewhat of a novelty, seasonal visas are not.

Arizona's largest hotel, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, has hired Jamaican workers for years through a Texas-based recruitment agency.

Hotels say they look for workers in English-speaking countries with service-oriented cultures.

The U.S. Department of Labor grants up to 66,000 H-2B visas every year, according to its Web site. But considering that those are parceled out among dozens of countries, they can be difficult for workers to obtain.

As a result, the visas are highly coveted.

"Some embassies feel they have sent enough workers over, so they are not going to approve any more," Bergmann said. "We recruit so heavily from the Philippines and have had such great success there, I think we know the well is going to dry up and we have to find some other good resources."

The rules of seasonal visas are clearly defined.

Hotels must advertise jobs in their own community first to ensure that American workers won't be displaced.

Before they arrive, international workers undergo drug tests and background checks and pay about $1,000 in processing fees.

Once here, visa-holders earn at least minimum wage and pay taxes. They can stay in one city for up to 10 months, and they can bounce between seasonal destinations for up to three years.

The workers must go home and reapply for the program after three years, or they can apply for a green card to stay in the United States. After that, they can apply for citizenship.

Virtually all the Filipino hotel workers are clamoring to "roll" to another property. Their Arizona jobs end May 31, when the heat drives hotel guests away. Andagan said many international workers see the seasonal visa as a path to citizenship.

"It's only my dream," he said of coming to America. "It's really hard to enter this country. When you go to the embassy, nobody can pass. Now, I'm here. This is it." He said he will stay as long as he is allowed.

Alfie Javier does not want to leave, either. The 25-year-old works as a restaurant server assistant at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, just south of Phoenix. He sends money to his parents in the Philippines and is trying to secure work at another Sheraton to prolong his stay.

"I only wish the program didn't have to end," he said in an e-mail.

Despite the Filipinos' success here, guest-worker programs are not without controversy.

Last month the Southern Poverty Law Center issued a report that said many foreign laborers were at risk of being exploited or abused because employers knew that they couldn't seek other jobs if they were mistreated.

The report said, among other things, that many workers were promised higher wages than they were paid or were given fewer weeks of work than promised. Its publication comes as President Bush and Congress are working to expand the guest-worker program as part of an overhaul of the country's immigration laws.

Filling a need

Bergmann says he spends much of his time making sure the workers are comfortable and happy.

Before they arrived, he was responsible for arranging visas and air transportation. He met the workers at the airport and helped them track down affordable housing.

Now that they are here, he regularly acts as a liaison between the workers and hotels, hosting meetings at each of the properties and talking with some employees one on one.

Part of his job is to listen to their concerns and to make sure they are doing well in their new, albeit temporary, home.

"They are so funny," he said. "They are quiet when their bosses are in the room, but the minute their bosses leave, their hands shoot up."

They flood him with questions: How do you get along with co-workers? How do you update a resume? How do you roll to another hotel?

The hotels, meanwhile, say they are thrilled with the new crop of workers, and most want to bring even more to town when the next high-season comes around.

The Princess, for example, will bring back its 45 Filipino workers, and it is requesting visas for 50 more.

The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa employs 80 Filipinos, more than any other hotel in the state, and hopes most will return.

It even added Filipino cuisine to its cafeteria menu and offers free Internet access to make the employees feel welcome.

"They're just terrifically upbeat, smiling, warm people," Managing Director Bruce Lange said. "They are several thousand miles from home, but we provide them with some outreach to make it as comfortable a transition as possible."

-------------------------
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Random Thoughts: First of A Series

For more than three years I was working as senior writer and assistant editor for the Bohol Chronicle. Being a journalist, I had to talk to people and get information from them - for you cannot know all the events that are taking place in your province. You need to rely on connections, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers.

My experience tells me that most people are always afraid to speak out (perhaps that was the way we were raised by the bastard Spanish centuries ago). People fear that any information coming from them would be used in the future against them.

I was often frustrated. There were stories that I needed to write for these stories were of paramount public interest, but no single soul would stand as source. In journalism you cannot use "I said," or "according to this writer"  in your news.

Looking back, I want to reiterate this call: Tubag Bohol. The world is listening. "We Listen"

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Thank you, Fiel, for this article! Hope to see you here everyday! All for the love of Bohol!

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The Chocolate Hills are probably Bohol's most famous tourist attraction. They look like giant mole hills, or as some say, women's breasts, and remind us of the hills in a small child's drawing. Most people who first see pictures of this landscape can hardly believe that these hills are not a man-made artifact. However, this idea is quickly abandoned, as the effort would surely surpass the construction of the pyramids in Egypts. The chocolate hills consist of are no less than 1268 hills (some claim this to be the exact number). They are very uniform in shape and mostly between 30 and 50 metres high. They are covered with grass, which, at the end of the dry season, turns chocolate brown. From this color, the hills derive their name. At other times, the hills are green, and the association may be a bit difficult to make.

Legend has it that the hills came into existance when two giants threw stones and sand at each other in a fight that lasted for days. When they were finally exhausted, they made friends and left the island, but left behind the mess they made. For the more romantically inclined is the tale of Arogo, a young and very strong giant who fell in love with an ordinary mortal girl called Aloya. After she died, the giant Arogo cried bitterly. His tears then turned into hills, as a lasting proof of his grief.

However, up to this day, even geologists have not reached concensus on how they where formed. The most commonly accept theory is that they are the weathered formations of a kind of marine limestone on top of a impermeable layer of clay. If you climb the 214 steps to the top of the observation hill near the complex, you can read this explanation on a bronze plaque.

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Note: This guest post was written by personal development blogger Scott Young. You can check out his website here.

Whether you’re heading into exams or haven’t seen the inside of a textbook in years, how you learn is going to have a big impact on your life. Unfortunately most people have pretty ineffective strategies for learning. Here are a couple tips for how to maximize the amount you learn so you can use more of it later.

1. Learn Holistically

    I wrote a popular article entitled, How to Ace Your Finals Without Studying, where I detailed a process I call holistic learning. Learning holistically is basically the opposite of rote memorization. Although most people usually sit somewhere between the extremes of holistic learning and memorization, I’ve noticed that particularly smart people who learn effortlessly sit far closer to the holistic learning spectrum.

    Holistic learning means relating everything you learn to things you already know. This creates an interrelated web of information. Trying to memorize everything and if your memory fails you, that information is unreachable. But by interlinking your web of knowledge, if one route becomes blocked another is accessible.

2. Visualize It

    You need to make the information you learn visceral. What this means is that you need to take the ideas you learn and translate them into your senses. As a predominantly visual learner, this means that I translate any complicated ideas into pictures in my head. If you think you are an auditory or kinesthetic (touch) learner, then you can translate ideas into those senses instead.

    Earlier I took a course on vector geometry which involved subspaces. Although a subspace is a clear mathematical concept, I had initially had difficulty grasping what it was. By translating the abstract idea of a subspace into a visualization of a flat grid going through three dimensions I had a model that I could work off for solving problems. Your visualization won’t be a perfect representation but a simplified model you use as a basis for solving problems.

3. Diagram It

    If you have difficulty translating an idea into your senses, take out a pad of paper and try to draw out how the ideas fit together. Learning history, I made a little picture which linked together all the different concepts I needed to know and drew a diagram for how they all related to each other. Diagrams help immensely in interlinking information and can often spur mental images, sounds or feelings to help describe it.

4. Metaphor It

    Another way to interlink ideas holistically and form mental pictures is to use a metaphor. When I read Machiavelli’s, The Prince, I used metaphors to link his ideas about statecraft to ideas about social and business settings. A good way to know whether you are using metaphors is if you use the words “like” or “as” when comparing two things (simile’s for you literary types). Programming languages are often built with these metaphors with abstract constructs being described as child, orphan, inheriting or pointing to.

5. Test It

    You can test your knowledge by using it to solve problems. Information you’ve learned but haven’t used is like disorganized iron filings on table. Putting a magnet will align these filings to a magnetic field and form an interesting pattern of lines. Similarly, information you actually use gets sorted and organized in a way so that solving future problems is easier.

    The best way to solve problems isn’t to continually solve the same problem, but to solve new challenges in different ways. Each run through of a problem will organize your knowledge a bit more, but running wildly different problems on it improves your creative problem solving skills and gives you the ability to solve complex problems in multiple ways. If you want to really understand computer programming, don’t just solve problems, try to solve problems in different ways and tackle problems you’ve never faced before.

6. Teach It

    Teaching your knowledge to someone else is about the best way to learn it yourself. The reason teaching works is it forces you to think holistically. While you may have memorized ideas inside your head, teaching someone forces you to relate the idea with different metaphors and images.

    If you really want to learn something, I’d suggest starting a blog and then just writing about the stuff you’ve learned. Whether you are studying courses or just trying to master a discipline, writing down what you know and trying to teach it to others will dramatically increase your own understanding.

7. When in Doubt, Link or Peg It

    There will always be some stuff that you simply have to memorize. When this happens, spending a bit of time to master link and peg systems for storing information can be invaluable. Dates, lists of information and specific rules or arbitrary ideas can all be stored with a link and peg system. Check out more about linking and pegging here.

About Scott Young:
Scott is a PBN blogger who writes about learning, goals, productivity and getting the most out of life. You can check out his blog here (subscribe here) or check out some of his other popular articles: Habitual Mastery (how to change habits), Double Your Reading Rate, How to Ace Your Finals Without Studying or Energy
Management.

source: ririanproject.org

"Love is not just a sentiment. Love is a great controlling passion and it always expresses itself in terms of obedience." - Martyn Lloyd-Jones

hi simplygen,

let's hope people from buenavista could read your posting here.
help us spread about this site.

share what you know. keep on posting. thanks indeed!

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ low fare leader and leading domestic carrier
has tied up with Malayan Insurance in offering TravelSure, a comprehensive personal
accident and emergency medical treatment insurance coverage for guests traveling
anywhere in the Philippines or in Asia, beginning April 25, 2007.
   
“We are launching this new product because we want to provide our guests with more
services that address their travel-related needs.  What’s new about this product is
that guests, who wish to purchase travel insurance, may do so, online right after
booking for their flight.”  Candice Iyog, VP for Marketing and Product announced.
   
“For this product, we are partnering with Malayan Insurance, one of the oldest and
most reliable insurance companies in the country today.  Once again, CEB is offering
another industry first with TravelSure and we hope that our guests will take
advantage of this product offering.”  Iyog emphasized.
   
Iyog added that TravelSure provides CEB passengers with protection from accidents
and medical services, recovery of lost travel documents and other travel related
concerns.  A complete list of product benefits and features are available online at
cebupacificair.com.   
   
CEB passengers aged 1 to 65 years old may avail of the TravelSure product. Its
premium is offered at P175 per insured guest, for 30-days coverage.  The premium is
exclusive of applicable government taxes and surcharges.
   
“We are happy to say that we are the only Philippine carrier extending this service
to its guests. This is further proof of our commitment to provide innovative
products and services.” Iyog added.
    More information on TravelSure is available online at cebupacificair.com or
through the TravelSure hotline at (+632) 242-8888.
   
Now in its 12th year, CEB has the youngest fleet in the Philippines at just one
year. CEB operates 14 brand new Airbus aircraft to its 20 domestic and soon to be 8
regional destinations with the addition of Taipei beginning June 13, 2007.

Eddie, an outspoken atheist, spent his entire life of 50 years denying the existence of God. Then he contracted a debilitating disease, and his health slowly deteriorated. As he lay in a hospice house awaiting death, Eddie was visited almost every day by some Christian friends he had known in high school. They told him again of Christ’s love. But the closer Eddie came to dying, the more it appeared he was not interested in God.

One Sunday, a pastor stopped by to visit. To everyone’s surprise, Eddie prayed with him and asked Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. A few weeks later, he died.

Eddie denied Christ for 50 years and spent just 2 weeks loving and trusting Him. But because of his faith, he will experience forever God’s presence, glory, love, majesty, and perfection. Some may argue that this isn’t fair. But according to Jesus’ parable in Matthew 20, it’s not about fairness. It’s about God’s goodness and grace (vv.11-15).

Have you waited such a long time to trust Jesus for salvation that you think it might be too late? Consider the thief on the cross, who put his faith in Jesus just before he died (Luke 23:39-43). Trust Jesus now, and receive His gift of eternal life. It’s not too late! â€"Dave Branon

It is a dangerous presumption to say, “Tomorrow,” when God says, “Today!”

Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. â€"Galatians 6:7


Orbiting our planet at speeds more than 4.5 miles per second is a growing collection of space junk. Nuts, bolts, and other discarded debris from space flights are presenting a real hazard to future spacecraft. Their sheer speed makes the tiniest object strike with the impact of a bullet. During one of the shuttle missions, a speck of paint created a pit a quarter-inch wide in a window of the craft.

One study revealed that there are 110,000 objects larger than 1 centimeter in orbit. Their combined weight is 4 million pounds! To avoid a space junk disaster, the US Space Command monitors orbiting debris for NASA.

Sinful choices create their own kind of junkâ€"unintended consequences. When Achan stole and hid forbidden booty, it cost him his life (Josh. 7). After King David committed adultery and murder, family discord followed (2 Sam. 15â€"18).

Do you have any “junk” in your life? Sin’s consequences have a way of accumulating. When we confess our sins to God, He promises to forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:9). For those we have hurt, we can seek ways of righting wrongs through restitution (Luke 19:1-8). The God of grace will give us wisdom in dealing with bad decisions from our past and help us to make good ones in the future. â€"Dennis Fisher


The law of sowing and reaping has never been repealed.

Please inquire for the word of the Lord today. â€"1 Kings 22:5


A Congolese man went to the BBC’s News 24 for a job interview. But a time-conscious producer mistook the man for a scheduled guest authority. He led the baffled but compliant applicant into the newsroom studio and fitted him with a microphone.

When the “on air” signal was given, the interviewer missed the look of panic on the man’s face, and the flustered job-seeker awkwardly bluffed his way through the questions. When the mistake itself became news, the network apologized for the error.

That hapless man wasn’t pretending to be an authorityâ€"he was mistaken for one. In contrast, Ahab, the king of Israel, chose to ignore the truth by seeking answers from false prophets who were posing as religious authorities. Ahab didn’t want to inquire of the Lord through the godly prophet Micaiah “because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil” (1 Kings 22:. The king had an aversion to the truth.

Sometimes we would rather hear the comfort of a lie than words of truth. But we need to get our counsel from advisers who believe that “all Scripture . . . is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). We can’t afford to let our desires cause us to exchange God’s truth for a lie. â€"Mart De Haan

When sin entices and allures
Its lies must be ignored;
The strength to gain the victory
Comes when we trust the Lord. â€"Sper

Better to hear the hard truth than a soft lie.

Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us? â€"Luke 24:32


In Acts 17, Paul went to Mars Hill to declare the truth of the resurrection. Many listeners gathered there were not spiritual seekers. Luke, who wrote the book of Acts, records that they spent their days simply wanting to discuss the latest new ideas, with little interest in acting on what they learned (v.21).

Too much information can be dangerous. All the ideas can blur together and become incoherent, leaving us unchanged by what we know.

Centuries ago, the historian Plutarch warned of the danger of living on a purely informational level. He wisely said, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”

The Christ-followers on the road to Emmaus would have agreed (Luke 24). As they grieved the death of Jesus, the risen Christ Himself joined them but hid His identity. He began instructing them on the ancient prophecies of those events found throughout the Old Testament. Later that day, Christ revealed Himself to them and then departed.

After Jesus’ departure, they marveled at what they had heard. The things He taught were not sterile facts but a fire that kindled their hearts with devotion for Him. May we likewise trust the Shepherd of our souls to kindle our hearts as we grow in His Word. â€"Bill Crowder

As we walk along the road of life,
We can sense that Jesus is there too;
As we read His Word and hear His voice
We will find He kindles fire anew. â€"Hess

You cannot start a fire in another’s heart till it is burning in your own.

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. â€"Isaiah 55:6


Money is a necessary part of living. Without it, we couldn’t secure the necessities or luxuries of life. But there are things money can’t buy. As preacher W. A. Criswell said, “Money will buy luxuries, but it will not buy spiritual power. Money will buy advancement and preferment, but it will not buy the recognition of God. Money will buy . . . favor and accolades, but it will not buy soul respect.”

The greatest goodâ€"so great that it is in a category all by itselfâ€"cannot be bought. If the entire human race were to bankrupt its resources in an effort to buy forgiveness of sin and eternal life with Jesus, it would be infinitely insufficient. All the wealth of the whole world cannot purchase the supreme blessing of forgiveness and heaven.

We’ll never accumulate enough riches to purchase a place in the paradise of God. But there’s good news! Salvation can be ours “without money and without price,” according to Isaiah 55:1.

Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? You need only to stretch out your empty hands in childlike faith to the Lord (John 1:12). Cry out to Him and confess your sin. “He will abundantly pardon” (Isa. 55:7). â€"Vernon C Grounds

I am redeemed, but not with silver;
I am bought, but not with gold;
Bought with a priceâ€"the blood of Jesus,
Precious price of love untold. â€"Gray

The faintest knock of faith opens wide the door to forgiveness.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. â€"James 5:16


Some things are irresistible. For me, it’s bubble-gum machines. I can hardly resist the urge to watch one of those colorful gumballs roll down the tunnel so I can pop it into my mouth. But without a quarter, those gumballs are locked up inside. You can be sure that as long as I have the right coin, I won’t pass up an opportunity to enjoy the mouth-watering treat.

Prayer is the quarter in your pocket when it comes to releasing the vast resources of God’s character and blessings in your life. The “muchness” of God stands in sharp contrast to the leanness of our souls, and without prayer we cannot begin to tap into the reservoir of all that He is waiting to bestow on us. When we long for a satisfying taste of His resources, prayer is essential.

James makes it clear that our prayer needs to be “fervent” and “effective” (5:16). God is not into ritual but reality. He wants us to avoid formulaic prayers in exchange for a persistent passion. We are to approach His throne of grace with a keen awareness of our need for Him.

As James stated earlier in his book, “You do not have because you do not ask” (4:2). The more we pray, the more we receive, and before long our lives will demonstrate the life-changing reality of the muchness of God. â€"Joe Stowell

The more we go to God in prayer
Intent to seek His face,
The more we’ll want to be with Him
Before His throne of grace. â€"Sper

Much prayer, much power; little prayer, little power; no prayer, no power!

When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction. â€"Proverbs 24:32


My father-in-law took a rocky, barren hilltop in Texas and transformed it into a beautiful homesite with a shaded green lawn. After removing thousands of rocks, he added topsoil, planted trees and grass, and kept it watered. Since his death, it has lacked his consistent care. Today when I visit and work around that house, battling the invading thistles, thorns, and weeds, I ponder the state of my own heart.

Am I like that neglected yard, or perhaps the field and vineyard described in Proverbs 24â€"overgrown with thorns, covered with nettles, its stone wall broken down? (v.31). The owner is lazy and lacks understanding (v.30), perhaps putting off today’s tasks for a more convenient time.

Along with the practical instruction about diligence in work, I find an application for the care of my soul. The thistles of self-interest grow naturally within me, while the fruit that pleases God requires constant weeding and watering through prayer, confession, and obedience to the Lord. Without these, the soil of my heart will become choked with the thorns of trivial pursuits and greed.

“Keep your heart with all diligence,” Solomon wrote, “for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). That requires constant care. â€"David C. McCasland

One little sin, what harm can it do?
Give it free reign and soon there are two.
Then sinful deeds and habits ensueâ€"
Guard well your thoughts, lest they control you. â€"DJD

The garden of our heart needs constant weeding and care.

Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead! â€"Ruth 2:20


At one end of the truck terminal where H. H. Lee worked years ago was a coal company. Nearby was a railroad, and each day several freight trains passed by. Lee often noticed that the owner of the company, who was a Christian, threw chunks of coal over the fence at various places along the track. One day he asked the man why he did this.

The man replied, “An elderly woman lives across the street, and I know that her pension is inadequate to buy enough coal. After the trains go by, she walks along and picks up the pieces she thinks have fallen from the coal car behind the engine. She doesn’t realize that diesels have replaced steam locomotives. I don’t want to disappoint her, so I just throw some pieces over the fence.”

That’s Christianity in action! The book of Ruth vividly portrays this principle of giving. When Boaz saw Ruth gathering grain behind the reapers in his field, he commanded them to leave some handfuls of grain for her. To her, this was a blessing from the Lord.

In the same way, the people whose lives we touch need to experience God’s love through our compassion and generosity. That’s why we should ask God to make us aware of opportunities to show kindness. â€"Henry G. Bosch

Do a deed of simple kindness;
Though its end you may not see,
It will reach like widening ripples
Down a long eternity. â€"Anon.

Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.

We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. â€"2 Corinthians 1:9


In J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional The Lord of the Rings, a simple, good-hearted hobbit by the name of Frodo Baggins is entrusted with a dangerous mission. Together with a group called the Fellowship of the Ring, he must defeat the forces of evil by returning a magic gold ring to the fires of Mount Doom from which it was forged.

Along the way, evil stalks Frodo. Battles are lost. Friends die. Reflecting on such tragedies, Frodo confides in his wise friend Gandalf, “I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish that this had never happened.” Gandalf replies, “So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All you must decide is how to use the time that is given to you.”

In the “fellowship of the cross,” a servant of Christ is also tested. Like Paul, we may feel crushed under the weight of circumstances (2 Cor. 1:3-11). The path seems too steep to climb. We wonder if there is a dawn beyond the darkness.

Though we may not choose our circumstances, we do choose whether to trust God (2 Cor. 1:9). Through the fellowship of the Son and the enablement of the Spirit, we can carry out our mission for God (1 Cor. 1:9; John 16:13).

Trust Him to guide you along the way. He offers wise counsel. â€"Mart De Haan

Then in fellowship sweet, we will sit at His feet
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will goâ€"
Never fear, only trust and obey. â€"Sammis

You can trust God in the dark as well as in the light.

[Moses’] eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. â€"Deuteronomy 34:7

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Sunset Boulevard tells the story of Norma Desmond, a former silent film star. When the talking movies came into fashion, she lost her audience. As an older woman, she longed for the glory of her past. In her mind, silent facial expressions alone made a good movie­â€"not dialogue. In the song “With One Look” Norma sings:

With one look I can break your heart;
With one look I play every part . . .
With one look I’ll ignite a blaze;
I’ll return to my glory days.

Because Norma lived in the past, her life ended in tragedy.

It’s been said that each life is like a book, lived one chapter at a time. If you think your most fruitful years are behind you, remember you’re writing a new chapter now. Learn to live each day with contentment in the present.

Near the end of Moses’ life, God showed him the Promised Land. Clearly, he had accomplished his mission in life. But he didn’t long for the miracles of his “glory days.” Instead, Moses was content to obey God in the present. In his sunset years, he mentored Joshua to be his successor (Deut. 31:1-8).

Living contentedly in the present has a way of making us productive for a lifetimeâ€"for God’s glory. â€"Dennis Fisher

I give my life to You, O Lord,
And live for You each day;
Grant me contentment as I strive
To follow and obey. â€"Sper

Living in the past paralyzes the present and bankrupts the future.

Using www.google.com I just typed the phrase "tubag bohol" and I was amazed that Google indexed our site next to no. 1.

Wow! We are growing that fast. Mind-blowing. Thank you for all your contribution.

We are building Bohol's most comprehensive open-source discussion site. We just launched Tubag Bohol barely a week ago, but Google had already put Tubag Bohol no. 2 in its page ranking. Thanks to Google engineers...

To be in the number one spot of Google's page rank? We will arrive there soon, God willing.

Register now... we are making history here... Absolutely FREE!

Using www.google.com, I just typed the phrase "tubag bohol" and I was amazed that Google indexed our site next to no. 1.

Wow! We are growing that fast. Really fast. Mind-blowing. Thank you for all your contribution.

We are building Bohol's most comprehensive open-source discussion site. We just launched Tubag Bohol barely a week ago, but Google had already put Tubag Bohol no. 2 in its page ranking. Thanks to Google engineers...

To be in the number one of Google's page rank? We will reach there soon, God willing.

Register now... we are making history here... Absolutely FREE!

Matunaw Ko Sa Kahayag Sa Imong Mga Mata
sinulat ni Mike Ortega Ligalig

matunaw ko sa kahayag sa imong mga mata
daw sama sa adlaw ang imong pagtutok kanako
sama sa x-ray ang imong tinan-awan
ug imong gianinaw ang nataran sa akong dughan
imong gisusi ang matag suok
kung nagtindog ba ako tupad sa imong pahiyom.

matunaw ko sa kahayag sa imong mga mata
kahayag nga milapos sa lihokan nga kangitngit
ug mipahawa sa nagkalanrakas nga kasaba

buot ko mutago sa kurtena sa kagabhion
magpasalipud sa bulan
ug motago likud sa mga bituon
aron maka-ikyas ako
gikan sa mga kamot sa imong mga mata
nga buot mohukas sa sapot sa akong kahilom

hunong na sa pagtutok kanako
kay basin ang kahayag sa imong mga mata
mahimong anino sa eskina sa akong damgo

By Karen Lema (Reuters)

MANILA (Reuters) - Bernadette, Claidel, Ted and Layne are relaxing after work with a few bottles of cold beer and some cigarettes in a bar beside their Manila office.

It's 8 a.m.

"After working the night shift, we are very stressed out and want to unwind," said Layne, who, like his drinking buddies, works as a call centre agent in the Philippine capital and who declined, like the others, to give his full name.

A booming outsourcing industry is generating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenues but many of its young employees are turning to caffeine, cigarettes and alcohol to deal with unsociable hours and demanding, sometimes abusive, callers.

"I worry when I go to the call centres that we are spawning a generation of chain smoking, coffee addicts or worse, chain smoking beer drinkers," Rosalie Montenegro, senior vice president of the Call Centre Business Group under Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) told Reuters.

Workers often deal with up to 70 calls during their 11-hour shift, and admit that while the work is not physically tiring, it's wearing them down mentally and emotionally.

Customers cursing and insulting them are all in a day's work.

Claidel said one client accused her of "stealing jobs from the Americans" while Bernadette said a caller from New York told her he thought Filipinos "live in trees".

"Physically, it is not so difficult because you are just sitting down, but it's a different story when you get cursed at," said Claidel, while munching bar snacks.

"No one from my family and friends has ever cursed me."

PALPITATIONS

The Philippines, with a large pool of English speakers and cultural affinity with the United States, is developing as a strong second to India in the global outsourcing market, employing 200,000 people, mostly graduates fresh out of college.

Total industry revenues jumped 50 percent to $3.6 billion in 2006 and the government estimates they could rise to $12.1 billion by 2010 as companies shift higher-earning jobs overseas.

While the hours are long, the pay is good.

Entry-level wages are around 13,000 Philippine pesos ($275) per month, nearly double the minimum wage, and can quickly rise to around 20,500 pesos, excluding bonuses.

Dondie, who works for a global outsourcing firm in Manila, earns triple what he was getting as a university employee. The higher pay means he's able to compensate his family for missing birthdays and celebrations because of work.

But the 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. working hours to service the U.S. and European markets is tiring and coffee and caffeine loaded energy drinks have become a staple on agents' desks.

"After ten months of drinking coffee, I had to stop because I was already having palpitations," Dondie said.

An open plan office full of twentysomethings creates a hectic social life and Jose Torres, who joined PLDT's call centre to deal with employee relations, said new graduates would always party hard, regardless of their occupation.

"It goes with the generation of people between 18 and 25 years old who comprise the call centre workforce," he said.

PLDT is trying to make sure staff at Ventus, its call centre operation, live healthy lives by building them a gym and spa and setting up dormitories close to its offices. But Torres said the workers were ultimately responsible for their own well-being.

"We have to understand that the world is a global environment operating on a 24-hour basis," he said. "You can let the system swallow you or you can organise your life."

sinulat ni www.mikeligalig.com

ayaw pangitaa ang akong mga balak
diha sa madugta nga mga papel
o diha sa madunot nga magasin
o diha sa magisi nga mga libro â€"

dili mo kini mapalgan bisan pa
ug langkaton nimo ang akong dughan

kay ang balak nga gitagik ko
alang kanimo kaniadto
nadugta na sa akong huna-huna,
nauga na sa tumoy sa akong dila
ug nalawos na sa mga ngilit sa akong ngabil,
ug natulog na sa tumoy sa akong mga tudlo.

mianhi ko sa Cebu
aron maglulinghayaw
aron magsuroy-suroy
naunsa ba hinuon
matag karon ug unya
gisunodsunod man ko sa kakulba
nga basin sa akong pagwagdoywagdoy
pagpaharuhay sa SM ug Ayala
basin ikaw akong makita
sa wa damha

kita unya magkatinutokay

mahimo kong estatuwa
ug mabato ka
ngano kaha?

ahh, dugay na man gud
wa na ta magkasinayranay sa usag-usa
human gitalikdan ta
ang pantalan sa atong kasing-kasing -
moadtoay ka man gud sa Amerika
maong naghiningalimtanay na lang ta

tan-awa, bisan asang suok
igmat akong mga mata
matag babayeng sama nimo’g buhok
o sama nimo’g bayhon
ako makahunahuna dayon
(bisan gatalikod ra sya)
ikaw mao na siya,
siya mao na ikaw

ahh, nabalaka akong naghunahuna
ana ug matinuod ang pagsalimuang
mobudlat seguro akong mata
mamula akong nawong
maluspad akong ngabil
maglisud dayon ko'g ginhawa
aha, basin makuyapan ko, puyra!
simbako, palayo lang unta!

ahh, ako nahasol
akong dughan gidumboldumbol
sa kabalaka, sa kahadlok
kay dili pa ako andam
magsugat ang atong mga dalan
kay basin imo kong paninglan
sa saad nga wa natuman.


sinulat ni www.mikeligalig.com

sinulat ni Dr. Linda Alburo


Ah, kadto bang nagluspad nga hinigugma
sa linuiban nga si Crisostomo Ibarra?
Matud pa ni Mama kadto siya sulondon
magsigeg kablit sa arpa, manggiulawon
laming motimplag hamonada, hinayon
moamin kada humag nobena, matinahuron
ug unsa pa dihang uban nga mgaâ€"un-on
nga karon malisod na natong ispilingon.
Wala na tingali nahibilin rong arpa
ug labihan kamaha; maglutog hamonada
ug unsa to, kalaay ba anang magsisgeg nobena?
Si kinsa lay gustong santosong kay atong paantuson.
Ang kinahanglan sa babaye karon
maalam molalik sa awit nga iyang tukaron,
maabtik mangitag idalit nga sud-anon,
molihok bisag wala pay bendisyon.
Kon naa pa ron si Mama unsa kahay iayng ikasulti?
Nga labaw pang na-anghing kaniya si Maria Clara, mirisi.


source: panitikan.com.ph

sinulat ni Dr. Linda Alburo


(Ang katunga sa mga tradisyunal nga balak
bahin man sa nagkalain-laing pagkapulak
ug sa pagwanglawos sa kanhi pulang mga bulak.

Karon kay puol-puol na ang samang pagpamulong
mangita gyud kon gbag-ong ikabudyong
samtang naghulat kanus-a motikungkong.)

Tinuod, kini diyang moabut og kalim-an
magsugod nagbalikbalik ang sud-an
kay daghan nang ginadilinglami-an.

Hait paminawon ang elektrik nga gitara
kay lagi na-anad ta sa huning Frank Sinatra
ug tungod kay promdi gimingaw sa karaang arpa.

Sa buntag modungaw samtang bag-ong mata
buot motugpa ang panan-aw sa lunhawang akasya
kanang walang masangit sa habog nga karatula.

Inigkagabii pod mohanggap unta sa sampaguita
sama ba adtong mibangaw sa kang Mamang arkada
apan unsa nang baho-a, di nauban ba nga serbesa?

Alang kanako, layo pa kaayong baklayon
ang dalan padulong sa Loyolang lungon
mangaway pa kog kinsay maayong sulngon:

Ga-i ko dihag dili makakanser nga hamonada
padungga kuno kog mananoyng Ave Maria
unya tamni kog malandong nga banaba
ug sa dili pa ko mopiyong, patagamtama
intawon kon unsay lami anang marijuana.

source: panitikan.com.ph

sinulat ni Marlinda Angbetic Tan


Si Mother Chang nagkanayon, daw nagkanta:
“Hagkap, kupti imo dagum
ngadto panapton kana hagkap ayo.”
Gilagnot nako ug gilubag,
sama ka aslum sa calamansi
ang akong nagkisdom
nga napulo-ug-usa-katuig nga nawong.

Akong gihugpong ang tabunong tanod:
kupkop nga buhok, kulot,
nagalili gikan sa kalo ni Santa,
bola nga tanod ang tumoy sa humok nga
puntil, sinirad-an og siper.
Nahimong nawong sa monyika.

Mipasidaan si Mother Chang:
“Hagkap, kupti imo panapton
amping gayu’t pala di hugaw kana!”
Akong gikumot ug gibira
kadtong akong Grade Tour nga proyekto,
gisapot sa awit nga “hagkap…hagkap!”

Monyika na gayud siya.
Mga sinaw nga butones ang mata, itom:
Ang mga aping, pinulahan sa lipstick;
pula, ginisi’ng gamosa sa ngabil.
Nahinuklog ako
sa kahibulongang nagpahiyum.

Sa pagkakita niya sa akong puntil nga monyika,
misidlak ang mga mata ni Mother Chang.
Ang bulawanong kawo niini midan-ag
diin kini nagtungtong
sa nagpatong-patong nga mga libro,
tapad sa akong bisekletang lapukon.

source: panitikan.com.ph

sinulat ni Mike Obenieta
(alang kang Raphael Gandalf Obenieta)

Bisan ang amang makakanta
bahin sa dili nako mabuhat: sirko-
balintong, salamangka, inigmat
ug ang pagpakidhat sa buta. Bisan akong taghoyâ€"
muna’s ginhawang’ pangugatâ€" wala’y kisaw
sa huyohoy, gitugaw ug gihuyop sa huni
sa panghupaw. Gani ang bungol
makalingi sa pagtambol sa akong kabalaka
samtang talinis ang mga torotot, nagpaabot
sa akong pagkalukapa. Ug dali ra pud tudloon
sa mga pungkol ang mga dapit diin nabiyaan ko
bisan sa mga bakol. Diin gitukmod ko
sa kahumok sa akong ilong sa pagsuong-suong
sa mga suok-suok sa kahapunon diin ang alimyon
sa dugo mao ra’y akong masimhot samtang
ang mga buwak nga tunokon gasugwak
gikan sa akong kamot.

Kining tanan akong gidawat, anak,
kining tanan akong gi-angkon sukad
gitugyanan ko’g katakus sa pagsapnay,
sukad ang kagabhion nagtugyan nako’g gahum
batok sa kalaay, katulogon ug urom
bisan pa’g ga-uwang ang mga iro,
gaalindasay kay giduyogan man
sa akong laylay.

source: panitikan.com.ph

sinulat ni Errol A. Merquita

ginabuslotan sa ulan
ang atop nga
hinimo sa sulirap.

Hinay-hinay’ng

ginapahumok sa mga
kadlawon ug kagabhion
ang mga bungbong nga
nagkaanam na og kadugta
sa tumang katugnaw.

Ug samtang ginakitkit
sa mga anay ang
nahibiling bagakay
sa salog, hinay-hinay’ng
ginaputos sa mga lawa-lawa
ang mga siradong bintana.

Ang kaniadtong
lig-on ug masadya
nga payag hinay-hinay
nang nangagum-og ang
mga tukod niini.

Ing-ana kining akong dughan
sukad imo kong giluiban.


Ahh, patya na lang ko!

source: panitikan.com.ph

sinulat ni Dr. Erlinda Alburo

(By the way, kon ang bakuko
wala na sa inyong bokabularyo
dalikyat ug pangutana kang Iyo Karyo
kay wala na karoy bakuko
sa mga bag-ong diksyonaryo.
Ug karon, sa akong balak.)

Tagasyudad na ko ron nag-inusara pagduaw
sa lapyahan dinhi sa amo nagpabugnaw
kay nagmahayay nanag-ilugay sa karang balay
human namo ikalubong si Nanay Biyay.

Kaniadto managsuon manglukso nianang bato
mosalom magtampisaw hangtud tingpaniudto
bisag manglagom na morag si Agta Kadyo
ug kon hapit na gain mosalop ang kahaponon
manguha mi dinhag daghang kinhason
magkalapok gud magkagukam og lukdo
sa bukong ngat punog aninikad ug bakuko.

Taudtauod nahupayhupay na kining dughan
pagsud-ong sa hapsay-linaw nga kadagatan
may batang babaye sa unahan nagpungko
balaybalay sa balas gihimoan niyag tapangko-
Unsang pangandoy ang iya dihang giluko?
May bata sab nga lalaki duol anang sakayan
nanghulbot man kaha siyag mga ulapihanâ€"
unsang paglaom ang iya unyang mapingwitan?

Human, gisukot ko ang kanhi kong yaya
kon kinsang ugod kadtong mga bataa
taga-silingang baryo kuno sa Canbanuaâ€"
si Ceclia kansang mama atua sa Saudi
ug si Joaquin kansang papa napriso pirmi

Sama kanako diay ang karaang lapyahan
Ang kanila usa usab ka dagpananâ€"
Ang bakuko, bulas u gang ulapihan
Maoy mga dulaan sa nagmingaw namong handurawan.

source: panitikan.com.ph

The Agora Building in front of BQ is a model of shame...

Tonight I decide to change the theme of our discussion site. There were program errors that crept into the previous theme. I think this is a better design. Let me know if you encounter any problem in accessing our site.

After registration, you can browse the HELP section. It should help us become more familiar with all the functions of this site. It's so easy to learn after you register.

Feel free to post your questions about Tubag Bohol, or if you have any suggestions, I'd be happy to see them posted here.

Thanks indeed! God bless us all,

www.mikeligalig.com

(fortwayne.com)- Their résumés are short, just a few lines, and they are grim.

Abandoned at 2. Lived on the street until age 7. Taught by his mother to steal for a living. In foster care until father got out of prison and abused him until he was 4.

There are bright spots. Studying violin. Skillful in drawing. Appeared in a detergent commercial.

And all are from the Philippines and counting on someone to adopt them, warts and all.

International adoptions are common in the United States. One organization, Hand in Hand, which has an office in Albion, has long helped facilitate these adoptions by bringing children to the United States on what was called a vacation. Once here, orphans would be paired with host families interested in adopting. Over a couple of weeks, the potential parents and child could get to know one other.

The vacation strategy helped potential parents deal with what was a grab-bag approach to adoption. In Ukraine, for example, people wanting to adopt had to go to the orphanage and choose a child out of a book. They were then introduced to the child and expected to quickly decide whether to adopt. There was never a chance to get to know the child, and the orphanages provided little information about the children.

By presenting the trip to the U.S. as a vacation, the hope was that children wouldn’t have their hopes built up and then dashed if they weren’t adopted.

In just the past couple of years, for example, 14 children were brought to Fort Wayne from Ukraine, and 12 were adopted.

Then, just days ago, Russia, one of the major sources for American families wishing to adopt, called an abrupt halt to foreign adoptions.

Orphans aren’t unique to Russia and Ukraine, though. They’re all over the world. Hand in Hand is also trying to find homes for Filipino children living in orphanages, and 11 will be coming to Fort Wayne this summer. In the next couple of weeks, the organization hopes to arrange for a host family interested in adopting each of the children.

There is one major difference between children coming from, say, a Russian orphanage and those from the Philippines. The Russian and Ukraine orphanages offered little information on the children, other than their ages.

The children from the Philippines, though, come with full backgrounds. The backgrounds are often sad and often include tales of being abandoned, living on the street, abuse and mistrust born of being abandoned, abused and rejected.

The descriptions aren’t completely grim. One 13-year-old boy has won awards for his art and appeared in a commercial for Tide. Another is studying the violin and performs dance. One has undergone counseling to deal with his behavior but is regarded as having good leadership qualities. Then there are the two sisters, both abuse victims, described as sweet and playful. The older one, 11, watches after her sister, 6. They want a mom and dad.

No one is trying to kid the children. Most are in the 11- to 13-year range, and unlike children who have come from Russia in the past, they know this isn’t a vacation. They are old enough to know this isn’t really just a trip to a day camp in America and have been told that the trip to the U.S. could result in their being adopted.

Many of the people who adopt these older orphans are people who have had children who are grown, says Vickie Truelove, administrative director for Hand in Hand in Indiana.

Truelove isn’t trying to kid the parents, either. Families that are interested will be given a 35-hour class in which they are made aware of all the problems that can arise, particularly when dealing with children who have lived a life of abandonment. Families also undergo a home study process.

That is why the organization is hoping to arrange host families by early May.

A wealthy Korean investor who visited the province recently said he will pour a huge investment here for various business enterprises.

Romeo Jong, of the Unique Interaction Co., who owns 60% of the country’s call center establishments, said he sees a big potential for business here in Bohol, particularly in Dauis town, just 8 kilometers away from the city.

The investor was here on a visit upon invitation of Atty. Ben Cinches, retired former National Bureau of Investigation regional director and now settling for good in Dauis town.

The Korean firm is eyeing to put up tourism related business interests like a retirement village complete with amenities and a mini golf course, a memorial park and call centers.

Mr. Jong met with some community leaders during his visit here and vowed to donate 15 units of computers for the barangays of Dauis.

He will be coming back with his staff and business technocrats to set up office as he felt confidence of the right business atmosphere of this island province now becoming the prime tourism destination in the country and the whole of Asia.

-----------
published in the Bohol Standard 4-29-2007

Two third district congressional bets are now engaging in a deep, cut-throat battle, filing disqualification cases against each other.

Former Gov. Rene Relampagos is again facing a disqualification petition filed at the Commission on Elections Tuesday.

It can be recalled that 3rd district board member aspirant lawyer Salvador Diputado has earlier filed a separate disqualification petition and perjury raps against Relampagos.

Petitioner Salvador Diputado, a lawyer and a candidate for provincial board member in the same district, cited an alleged “false material representation” in the certificate of candidacy filed by Relampagos when in item no. 9 of the COC on the question “period of residence in the legislative district before May 14, 2007,” respondent Relampagos answered “2 years and 2 months.”

Diputado, who is son-in-law to Relampagos' opponent in the 3rd district congressional race senior board member Dionisio Balite, cited in his disqualification petition that based on Relampagos' COC, the period of residence, was (allegedly) falsely stated.

But right on the heels of the Diputado petition, Relampagos through his lawyers, also filed a petition to disqualify candidate Dionisio Balite on the fact that his (Balite’s) certificate of candidacy was notarized by no other than his own son-in-law Salvador Diputado.

“Balite’s act in knowingly and willfully allowing his son-in-law to perform the function of a notary public is in direct, gross and blatant violation of Section 3 {c), Rule IV (Powers and Limitations of Notaries Public) of Supreme Court en banc A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, otherwise known as the “2004 Rules on Notarial Practice,” Relampagos said in his petition.

The rules states “a notary public is disqualified from performing a notarial act if he is a spouse, common-law partner, ancestor, descendant or relative by affinity or consanguinity of the principal within the fourth civil degree.”

The cut-throat contest of the two leaves lawyer Aleckoy Lim and congressman Boy Jala’s son, Adam Jala sprinting ahead unmolested by questions of their candidacies.

This week’s straw forecast showed Lim enjoying a big leap against all other three candidates for congressman in the third district.

Analysts say, Lim has established a non-traditional politician image, concentrating on a clean campaign, simply presenting what he can offer as Boholanos’ representative to Congress.

NEW CASE

The new case came after the Relampagos counter-petition, filed by another petitioner, one Wilhelmino Gamus, a resident and registered voter of barangay Canmanico, Valencia.

In his petition, Gamus cited that under the law, "a candidate for Congress must be a registered voter in the district in which he shall be elected and a resident therein for one year immediately preceding the election," as stated under Sec. 6, Article VI of the Philippine Constitution.

According to Gamus, Relampagos is not qualified to run as Congressman since "he is not an actual and personal resident of Poblacion Ubos, Loay for a period of one year," as evidenced by a certification of Poblacion Ubos barangay captain Pablito Solideo.

Gamus claimed in his petition that Relampagos "has no actual residence" in Poblacion Ubos, Loay since the house which he (Relampagos) indicated in his certificate of candidacy (COC) as his residence, located along 24 Poblacion Ubos, Loay, does not belong to Relampagos but to one Jescelo Adiong, as evidenced by a barangay certification attached to the petition.

A certification was also obtained by the petitioner (Gamus) from the office of the Loay Assessor that Relampagos "does not have actual landholdings in Poblacion Ubos or even in Loay town.

"In fact, the current registration papers of his motor vehicles at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) indicate his postal and residential address as 69 San Jose Street, Tagbilaran City, and not as Poblacion Ubos, Loay," the petitioner stated further.

"Instead the documents clearly show that he has not abandoned his domicile in Tagbilaran City, as required by law" the petitioner stated further.

RENE’S ANSWER

“For the second time his political detractors are giving wrong information in the latest complaint aiming to disqualify him in the congressional race,” former Gov. Relampagos said.

A question of residency instead should be directed to Balite if he had abandoned his house in Valencia town.

They owned a house in Loay, he said. Imee Adiong his wife, owns a house in Poblacion, Loay town which was donated to them by the late Judge Adiong, his father-in-law.

He further clarified that there are two lots in the property, one with their house and the other, a vacant lot.

The lot referred could be the one owned by Jescelo Adiong, his brother-in-law, Relampagos pointed out.

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published in the Bohol Standard 4-29-2007

In a democratic society, no one should have the monopoly of power.

THE spate of kidnapping attempt of teenagers in some municipalities has alarmed, not only the parents concerned, but also the Women’s Development Council (WDC), a non-government organization and GABRIELA, which stands for General Assembly Binding Women for Reform, Integrity, Equality, Leadership and Action.

Also, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Bohol chapter through secretary-general Marlene G. Estorosas voiced similar concern over the incidence, including the recent disappearance of two high school studes in a prestigious school in this city. Until now their wherabouts remain unknown.

Recently, Calape police station said that the alleged kidnapping of two high school students last week turned out to be a “false alarm,” P01 Edwin Fronteras said in an interview yesterday noon.

A second year high school student (name withheld) of Dauis, Bohol “alleged that on March 26, 2007 while she was at BQ Mall, Tagbilaran City she was forcibly pick-up by the suspect in a person of Gilbert Manago, 18 years old, single a resident of CPG East , Boholan, Tagbilaran City.” The victim was brought to the house of the suspect, according to the police records of the police.

The victim’s mother Patricia Nistal Loquinte, 53 years old, married, a resident of Songculan, Dauis told the police for record purposes that her daughter disappeared on March 24, 2007. Her daughter left home on that day and “failed to return home.” She was then wearing black T-shirt with maong pants when she disappeared. The case is still under probe, police said.

Estrella Taganahan Espinosa, executive director of the WDC based here, said her group is also following-up the case of the two lost students (names withheld), whose whereabouts remain mysterious since the disappear a month ago. It was learned by WDC that the case of the duo are being handled by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Following an open forum regarding the lost of disappearance of young kids held last week, Estorosas and Espinoza urged the sectors concerned to help solve the menace. Both women leaders said that parents should play a vital role as their duty in protecting their children.

Former Davao City councilor Luz Ilagan, the number two nominee of Gabriela party-list, was the guest speaker on said forum on women disappearance held at Matig-a Lodge recently.

Bohol, according to women’s groups, is both a point of origin and destination as far as trafficking in persons is concerned. Most of the victims are women and children who ended up in child labor and sex exploitation, they said.

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published in the Bohol Standard 4-29-2007

THE hugs and the tears of joy of patients beat them all!

Thus Dr. Federico Malubay of the Office of the President described the feeling of satisfaction and elation he and his fellow surgeons felt when removing the bandage from the eyes of patients they extracted cataracts from.

Team leader Malubay, Dr. Rene Catan, president of the Philippine Association of Medical Specialists (PAMS), Dr. Elmer Punzalan, a director of the Department of Health (DoH) and other volunteer doctors, nurses and paramedics conducted after-care on patients they operated on last March 24 to April 4 â€" the biggest surgical medical mission in the history of medical missions â€" at the Bohol Cultural Center.

The activity heightened the spirits of the patients â€" now with the gift of “God’s grace of light” â€" and allayed fears of some local surgeons who earlier expressed apprehension that they might be swamped with patients in case something goes awry at the medical mission.

Gov. Erico Aumentado thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through Malubay, Catan and Punzalan for conducting the medical mission, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chair Sergio Valencia through Regional Manager for Visayas and Mindanao William Medici for sponsoring it, and Francisca Baluyot, the governor’s consultant on health and hospital services as well as chair of the Philippine Gift of Life Foundation, for coordinating it.

The 1,603 Boholano eye patients who benefited from the 70th mission form part of the over 30,000 eyes so far saved from total blindness by Malubay’s team. The count does not include yet the 69 other patients who underwent major operations for goiter, clubfoot, harelip, myoma and others, or the 6,496 more who had consultation and treatment.

The hugs came from a 96-year-old woman who was blind for 15 years and a four-year-old boy who was blind since birth.

The hugs also strengthened his resolve to come back next year to do more operations â€" a declaration that drew applause from the crowd.

“The Office of the President wishes to spread and make available this cataract operation technology to the masses as the President’s expression of concern and care of fellow Filipinos, Boholanos included, who suffer from blindness in silence â€" unnecessarily,” said Malubay who is also Aumentado’s personal eye doctor.

The governor said aside from her and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo’s wishes for good health for the beneficiaries, they also wished Bohol peace, order and development. (June Blanco)

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published in the Bohol Standard - 4/29/2007

a posting from maximo, our member: help stop illegal recruitment in Tagbilaran

"mau! diri sa thailand.. naa kuno nganlan ug winston taga candijay, mangdala ug mga maestra adto sa thailand unya inig abot biyaan lang.(naa man pod noon naka trabho pro agi pod ug hilak) looy kuno kaayo ang iyang mga gipangdala ron. dagko raba kuno kaayo ang pangayu. unya grabeh kuno ang mga saad sa dindi pa sa tagbilaran. tinood ba na? kay looy pod kaayo gipangbailgya pa kuno ang kabaw; prenda ug basak ug yuta. unya na nanto jud!!"

Let us stop the illegal recruitment in Tagbilaran. Thailand Schools do not require any agency.

Please, tell the victims to come out now.

Tubag Bohol!

 Bangkok, Thailand - Si Nong Boy Ampong konsehal sa lungsod sa Guindulman dinhi sa atong probinsya.

Niadtong daklit nakong pagbisita sa atong dakbayan, nagkaestorya mi ni Nong Boy. Usa sa mga butang nga akong napangutana niya mao nga ngano wala na siya magpasubli isip kagawad sa Guindulman.

Napili si Nong Boy nga kagawad niadtong tuig 2004, ug karon hingpit na siya nakahukom nga motalikod sa politika bisan aduna pa siyay duha ka termeno (unom ka tuig) nga mahimo pa siyang mosalmot sa bugnong lugaynon.

Matud niya nako nga ang nahibilin nga katuigan sa iyang kinabuhi iyang igahin alang sa pagpangalagad sa Ginoo. Hinuon, makapangalad man gihapon siya sa Diyos bisan anaa siya sa politika â€" ang iya lang nga ihurot ang tanan niyang kusog alang sa pagsimba sa Diyos.

Kung kini mao ang nakab-ot nga hukom ni Nong Boy Ampong, makaingon ko nga dalaygon ang iyang tinguha sa kinabuhi.

Sama pananglit sa bana sa akong iyaan sa Anda nga si Herminio Tinio.

Karong eleksyona nakahukom usab siya nga dili na moapil sa politika. Si Yoyo Hermino nakadesisyon nga didto na siya magbugtaw sa pagpanguma.

Ang iyang gibuhat karon nagsige siya pananom ug kahoy ug prutas sa mga yuta nga sa dugayng panahon wa gyud tikara sa mga tawo sa Anda. Daghang nag-ingon nga sa moabot nga katuigan, inubanan sa panalangin sa Ginoo, dako kaayo ug kaugmaon ang pagpanguma ug pagpananom ug kahoy ni Yoyo Hermino.

Tungod sa kalit nako nga pagbisita sa Anda, wala mi nagkaestorya ni Yoyo. Apan diha koy nadunggan nga estorya nga ang kabaho sa korapsyon nga nagapanghitabo sa munisipyo sa Anda nakapaaghat usab sa akong uyoan nga dili na moapil sa politika. Kini ako pang tin-awon gikan kaniya kung magkahinabi kami pag-usab.

Kining duha ka tawo nga atong gihisgutan karon nagpalahi sa ilang mga tinguha sa kinabuhi. Si Nong Boy Ampong ug Yoyo Hermino Tinio, imbis hinuon motungab sa gahom, nagpahilayo sila sa tubod kay napalgan nila ang bag-ong daganasan sa ilang kinabuhi.

Sa lahing bahin, nahisagmuyo ko nga namalandong sa gibuhat sa uban dinhi.

Ang ubang politico ilang anak maoy gipadagan ug mayor unya ang amahan maoy nagbise-mayor. Ang uban asawa mayor, bana bise mayor. Ang uban anak mayor, amahan o inahan ang mayor. Ang uban kabit ang mayor, ang laki maoy bise mayor â€" unya pagkahuman, ang laki napoy mayor. Makalibog nganong naingon niini, ug makalagot.

Labing makalagot kung itukmod ang usa ka anak pagdagan ug congressman nga walay hanaw sa politika ug pamunuan sa lungsod.

Asa naman diay atong delikadeza ani? Magpabaga nalang gyud ta sa atong nawong? Bisan nakahibawo ta nga daghan ang kasukaon sa atong gibuhat nga pagpalangsad sa atong anak, magpadayon gihapon ta sa atong hinakog nga tinguha?

Bisang asa dapita sa kalibutan, dinhi lang ni sa Pilipinas nahitabo nga grabe kaayo ang kahakog sa gahom sa politika sa mga giingong alagad sa katawhan (kono).

Nabutaan, nahilo, nalipong, ug nahubog sa gahom nga dili na makamao manamin sa hagawhaw sa katawhan.

Na hala, pailad gihapon ta. Na hala, magpatonto gihapon ta. Na hala, magpahulga lang gihapon ta.

Maayo nalang gani kay si Nong Boy Ampong ug Yoyo Hermino Tinio dili pareha ni Hala.

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written by Mike Ligalig, The Bohol Standard

comment from Kris Nueva:

i like to read your article about philippine politics.i wonder nganong magpasubli pa man dili nila tagaan ug chance ang uban nga maka kupot ug katungdanan.tinuod nang uban gikan sa uyoan igsoon amahan anak pag umangkon naa sa katungdanan unya magpasubli pa gyud.i hope people now will vote wisely.kanang dunay huna huna sa mga pobreng mga lumulopyo dinha sa ato. salamat....

CALAPE â€" Incumbent Mayor Ernest Herrera’s archrival Dr. Sulpicio Yu in the mayoralty race in this town is facing disqualification charges filed before the Commission on Elections for violation of elections laws.

Petitioner Diosdada C. Ytaoc, of Calape, in her complaint urged Comelec to file appropriate information against Yu for violation of sections 4 and 6 of Republic Act 9006, or the Fair elections Act, relative to paragraph1 and 2 of Batas Pambansa 881, known as Omnibus Election Code.

The petitioner also asked the Comelec to punish Yu with one to six years imprisonment and to disqualify him to hold public office and deprivation of his right to suffrage if found guilty of the charges.

Yu’s violations arose from his campaign publication printed, which runs counter to the provisions of the aforecited laws, according to the petitioner. Yu caused the publication of his one whole page print ad in the weekly Sunday Post on April 1, 2007 and paid by his brother Engr. NelsonYu.

Ytaoc argued that this is a clear violation since the law provides that no such paid campaign print ads be published that exceeds more than one-half page in tabloid newspapers and one-fourth page in broadsheets.

Yu’s publication also bore no “political advertisement paid for” as required by section 4 of RA 9006, which appeared to be disregarded by Yu when he caused the said publication, the petitioner said.

Mayor Herrera earlier accused Yu, who was then the municipal health officer, of overcharging of ambulance fee when the latter charged patients of P400. Municipal Ordinance No. 97-09 provides only P200 of the said fee for payment of transporting patients from here to Tagbilaran.

Dr. Yu is also liable for failure to remit to the Treasurer’s office the collection of P400 ambulance fee in transporting patients to Tagbilaran.

Mayor Herrera is embarking on what he called “TREES” as his battlecry and platform of governance for development of Calape.

“TREES” stand for tourism & technology, reforestation, education, economy and security, he said, adding that these hopefully help reduce poverty of his constituency.

Under his official slate include Ruben D. Co, vice-mayor; and reelectionists councilors Edgar D. Co, Gerardo Cuadrasal, Gerardo Regalado, Teodoro Ruizol, Atty. Roldan Damalerio, Atty. Jose Jumang-it, and Eleuterio Zulueta and neophyte Antonio Tayabas. (RVO)

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published in the Bohol Standard - 4/29/2007

ANNE Mariquit “Kit” Derikito-Oppus underscored that health and education of Tagbilaranons and women concerns will be on top priority of her legislative agenda to sustain the city residents’ health that will redound to a healthy community.

Oppus, who is running for councilor under the ruling party, also emphasized that values formation, support for teachers’ training and support for parents teachers associations (PTA) should be first and foremost to correct the critical under-provision of these needs, or the lack of it.

One of the crises the city is facing is not much on poverty but in the social well being of the residents and providing health and education is the answer, she said. And the logistical provisions of these needs should be massive and sustainable to create an atmosphere of a healthy environment. And the only way to make this is through legislative measures that would allocate a hefty budget in the City Council where she is seeking a seat in May 14 elections, she said.

Oppus said that values formation must be taught in all subjects including math and science and support for training of teachers must be pursued since they exercise substitute parental authority. Strengthening of PTAs in the city as partners of nurturing the children is also essential.

Oppus, the wife of former city police chief Louie Oppus, also expressed concern over the plight of women. She said, once elected, she will craft a legislative measure providing livelihood opportunities, education and health care for women. Oppus said that regular consultations or ‘pulong-pulong’ on issues, such as domestic violence among women is also high in her legislative agenda and support for women in distress and the Bohol Crisis Intervention Center (BCIC) which is based in the city.

Health care services include strengthening the Barangay Day Care Centers, assuring them of sustained support such as logistics that may be derived from the Gender and Development (GAD) fund in the annual budget.

She also plans to initiate the launching of mass feeding program for school kids by introducing community milk feeding program in cooperation with the National Dairy Authority, the barangays health centers, the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Health (DOH).

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published in the Bohol Standard - 4/29/2007

German émigrés in Bohol are calling on Gov. Erico Aumentado and the police for the immediate prosecution of suspects in the killing of German national Helmut Malinka and wife Eutiquia Missiona who were murdered April 13 inside their residence in barangay Laya, Baclayon town.

The close-knit German community, led by Hans Schoof, called the couple's murder as a "dastardly act" which deserves the full attention of the entire justice system so that the criminals will be "made to suffer the penalty".

German émigrés in Bohol are calling on Gov. Erico Aumentado and the police for the immediate prosecution of suspects in the killing of German national Helmut Malinka and wife Eutiquia Missiona who were murdered April 13 inside their residence in barangay Laya, Baclayon town.

The close-knit German community, led by Hans Schoof, called the couple's murder as a "dastardly act" which deserves the full attention of the entire justice system so that the criminals will be "made to suffer the penalty".

Around 30 German expatriates, together with their families, attended the Malinkas' funeral rites last Sunday which was preceded with a motorcade starting from the couple's house in Baclayon going to Loboc Church.

The Malinkas were laid to rest at the Loboc Catholic Cemetery.

Schoof, in a statement during the burial rites, said that the loss of their friends (Malinka couple) is even made more painful "because of the tragedy that befell [the couple]."

He said the German community in the province is offering their commitment to work with the authorities and those in the private sector to ensure that the perpetrators of the double murder will be arrested.

The German expats also committed to work with the private sector in the province "towards a more harmonious relationship," according to Schoof, as "it is only through mutual respect and concern" that a peaceful coexistence is achieved.

Meanwhile, SSupt. Edgardo Ingking, in an interview with the Chronicle yesterday, said the police force is giving special attention to the case.

As far as their case against the lone suspect is concerned, the couple's house-help Virginia Saluta now in police custody, SSupt. Ingking disclosed that they have now gathered additional testimonies from the Malinkas' neighbors that would strengthen the case against the helper.

Presently, investigations point that the suspects who aided the maid in committing the crime are not from Bohol, SSupt. Ingking disclosed.

Police are now pursuing leads the helper's accomplice, SSupt. Ingking added.

Saluta is charged with 2 counts of homicide and robbery filed last April 18 at the Provincial Prosecutor's Office. The preliminary investigation is set on Wednesday to be presided by Provincial Prosecutor Macario Delusa. Saluta is presently detained at the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) in Camp Dagohoy.

SSupt. Ingking said that they are still awaiting results of laboratory tests of other physical evidences recovered at the couple's house.

The Malinkas were murdered early morning of April 13. Helmut was hogtied in his bedroom with 8 stab wounds with blunt lacerations to the head while Eutiquia was found in a separate bedroom also stabbed twice to the chest.

The house helper had claimed the robbers also tied her up before going after the couple. After having freed herself, she reported the incident to police.

Bloodstained clothes were recovered by police at the helper's quarters. (Kit Bagaipo)

Published in the Bohol Chronicle - 4/29/2007

In a survey conducted by the Holy Name University Research Center, "Bohol Poll" from March 17 to 26, re-electionist Congressman Edgar M. Chatto, garnered a net satisfaction rating of 82%.

In Tagbilaran City, Chatto's satisfaction rating was 83%, with 12% undecided individuals and only 3% not satisfied.

The same survey also indicated that Chatto is the voter's preference for Congressional representa-tive, with 73% over his challenger, lawyer Victor de la Serna, with 5% in the entire district.

Ten percent do not prefer any of them and 13% refused to answer.

In Tagbilaran City, Chatto was ahead of his rival with 78% voter preference, who trailed behind him with only 10%. Seven percent 7% do not favor any of them and 5% refused to answer.

The survey also pictured the preferences of the different age groups: those from 18 to 24 were 100% for incumbent Congressman Chatto, while none or zero for Congressional candidate de la Serna; Those belonging to ages 25 to 34, 72% were for Chatto, while only 3% for de la Serna; those from 35 to 44, 72% for Chatto and 4% for de la Serna; and those from age 45 and above, 64% for Chatto and 8% for de la Serna.

The preference rate of the ABC crowd was 70% for Chatto and 9% for de la Serna. The D crowd was 72% for Chatto and 4% for de la Serna. The E crowd preferred Chatto to the tune of 77% over de la Serna's 1%. Seventy two percent of male voters chose Chatto over de la Serna's 6%. Females gave 73% to Chatto, while only 3% were for de la Serna.

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Published in the Bohol Chronicle - 4/29/2007

Vote buying even in this predominantly religious province has reached to an alarming proportion which confirms observations from non-Boholanos that election here is getting very expensive.

A highly placed source told the Chronicle that some mayoralty bets are ready to shell out P2,000 per voter in order to ensure their victory in the May 14 polls. The funding mostly come from the wealthy candidates themselves while others are enjoying the financial support of their benefactors who have their own personal interests in the municipalities where they reside.

The Chronicle listed at least 14, out 47 towns where vote buying will become the "call for the day." In fact, a neighboring town of Tagbilaran is reportedly getting the budget of no less than P50 million to ensure the victory of a mayoralty bet.

During a random interview with their leaders, it was gathered that some mayoralty bets have considered election day over as they have computed their expenditures for vote buying.

The towns identified where money for vote buying is expected to literally overflow are Panglao, Dauis, Calape, and Tubigon for the first district, Inabanga, Bien Unido, Trinidad and Ubay for the second district and Loay, Guindulman, Carmen, Batuan and Loboc for the third district.

The congressional race in the third district is also considered "financially bloody" with last termer Rep. Eladio Jala reportedly spending his last cent to ensure the victory of his son, Adam who is running for the lone vacant congressional seat.

Congressional bet Alexander Lim who is running for the second time is rumored to be getting the financial backing of Mark Jimenez even as the Lim resources are reportedly full to fuel his campaign punctuated with his heavy postering even in the remote barangays.

BM Dionisio Balite, also running for the second time has the resources of the Bohol Institute of Technology backing up the campaign machineries while former Gov. Rene Relampagos who is leading in the survey is likewise prepared with his campaign kitty for this congressional derby.

Reports said that a congressional bet in the 3rd district has his cash kept safe at his residences in Manila and in the city over the years to avoid being detected on his bank accounts.

Reports on vote buying have alarmed even church leaders who are out to intensify their education campaign for voters not to be lured with few hundreds or a thousand pesos on election day.

The "financially bloody" mayoralty race are the ones in Panglao between re-electionist Doloreich Dumaluan and former mayor Benedicto Alcala; in Dauis, between Mayor Lulu Bongalos and Vic Migrino; in Calape, between incumbent Mayor Ernest Herrera and Simplicio Yu, all in the first district.

In the second district, massive vote buying is expected in Loay, between Mae Imboy and Bong Bullecer; Carmen, between June Budiongan and Boy Molina; Batuan, between Goring Pepito and Baby Dumagan; Guindulman, between Fe Piezas and Reynante Granada; and Loboc between Leon Calipusan and Fred Sarigumba.

In the third district, the towns of Bien Unido, between re-electionist Mayor Marianita Garcia and Niño Boniel; Inabanga, between Juno Jumamoy and Maximo Garcia; Ubay, between IC Besas and incumbent Mayor Eutiquio Bernales; Trinidad, between Judith Cajes and re-electionist Osias Flor.

Tagbilaran City which has 39,374 registered voters is likewise included in the areas where massive vote buying is expected between incumbent Mayor Dan Lim and former Mayor Joe Torralba.

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Published in the Bohol Chronicle -4/29/2007

I'd like to personally welcome Mr. Leo Udtohan as our latest Tubag Bohol member. I know that Leo would make a difference to our site. I have known Leo for many years, and his touch of friendship has always been lingering.

Leo has established a plethora of connections in Manila media such as GMA7, Inquirer, Philippine Star - and with his connections he had helped put Bohol in the map of global tourism.

Leo, hope to see you here everyday!

God bless,
www.mikeligalig.com

After the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War, the U.S. bought the entire Philippine islands. However, under the newly proclaimed independent government established by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, which was not recognized by the US, Bohol was governed as a Gobierno de Canton.

During the resulting Philippine-American War, American troops under Major Henry Hale landed in Tagbilaran and took over the island. He hired and outfitted Pedro Samson to build a police force for the island. Instead Samson took his troops and equipment into the interior of Bohol and began an insurgency.

After being massacred in their first battle, Samson turned to guerrilla tactics and influenced the interior of the island while Hale's forces controlled the outer edge and Tagbilaran City. In January, 1901, the fighting had reached a lull. In May, 1901 an American soldier was murdered by the fiancé' of a woman he had assaulted. In retaliation, Capt. Andrew S. Rowan,[11] the soldier's commander, ordered the burning of the town of Jagna. This infuriated the population of Bohol and reignited the insurrection.

At first Rowan was suspended from duty for this decision. But eventually support for burning villages increased in the military command. The burnings continued, usually as a reaction to collaboration. In addition, livestock was destroyed and prominent civilians tortured. Water cure was a commonly used torture technique. By the end of the fighting, American troops had burned 16-20 villages. Major Edwin F. Glenn, who had personally approved the tortures, was later courts-martialed for the crime.

Samson and his men surrendered on December 23, 1901 after being granted amnesty and taking a loyalty oath. The war largely ended at this time. However, a month later Samson had rearmed and ordered the killing of J. R. Hegg, the provincial supervisor. This inflamed passions and almost restarted the war. But war did not resume and the last American troops left in February, 1902.

On March 10, 1917, the Americans made Bohol a separate province under Act 2711 (which also established most of the other Philippine provinces). (wikipedia.org)

The earliest significant contact of the island with Spain occurred in 1565. In that year on March 25 (March 16 in the Julian Calendar), a Spanish explorer named Miguel López de Legazpi arrived in Bohol to look for spices and gold. After convincing the native chieftains that they were not Portuguese people (who raided the islands of Mactan in 1521), he made a peace pact with Datu Sikatuna. This pact was signified with a blood compact between the two men. [8] This event, called the Sandugo (one blood), is celebrated in Bohol every year during the Sandugo Festival. The Sandugo or blood compact is also depicted on Bohol's provincial flag and the Bohol provincial seal . [9]

Two significant revolts occurred in Bohol during the Spanish Era. One was the Tamblot Uprising in 1621, which was led by Tamblot, a babaylan or native priest. The other was the famous Dagohoy Rebellion, considered as the longest rebellion in Philippine history. This rebellion was led by Francisco Dagohoy, also known as Francisco Sendrijas, from 1744 to 1829. [8]

Politically, Bohol was administrated as a residencia of Cebu. It became a separate politico-military province on July 22, 1854 together with Siquijor. A census in 1879 found Bohol with a population of 253,103 distributed among 34 municipalities. [10]

Because of the Spanish colonial period, several municipalities in Bohol have names of towns in Spain like Getafe. This municipality is sister city with the Spanish city that takes its same name. In Getafe, a street is named Isla de Bohol (Island of Bohol), a unique name of street in Spain. (wikipedia.org)

According to the 2000 census, there are a total of 1,137,268 Boholanos or Bol-anon, as the residents of Bohol call themselves. The same census also states that Bohol has 209,588 households with an average household size of 5.41 persons, significantly higher than the national average of 4.99. The annual growth rate is 2.92%, higher than the national growth rate of 2.36%. With this growth rate, Bohol's population will double in 24 years. Life expectancy at birth is estimated at 68.19 for the males and 72.93 for the females for the period 2000â€"2005. [3] This is lower than that of Cebu but higher than that of Negros Oriental and Siquijor. (wikipedia.org)

According to the 2000 census, there are a total of 1,137,268 Boholanos or Bol-anon, as the residents of Bohol call themselves. The same census also states that Bohol has 209,588 households with an average household size of 5.41 persons, significantly higher than the national average of 4.99. The annual growth rate is 2.92%, higher than the national growth rate of 2.36%. With this growth rate, Bohol's population will double in 24 years. Life expectancy at birth is estimated at 68.19 for the males and 72.93 for the females for the period 2000â€"2005. [3] This is lower than that of Cebu but higher than that of Negros Oriental and Siquijor. (source: wikipedia.org)

Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. It is the 10th largest island in the country, securely nestled in the heart of the Visayas. [1] To the west of Bohol is Cebu, to the northeast is the island of Leyte and to the south, across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao.

Bohol is a popular tourist destination with its beaches and resorts. The Chocolate Hills, numerous mounds of limestone formation, is the most popular attraction. The island of Panglao, located just southwest of Tagbilaran City, is home to some of the finest beaches in the country. The Philippine Tarsier, considered by some to be the smallest primate, is indigenous to the island.

Boholanos refer to their island homeland as the 'Republic of Bohol' with both conviction and pride. A narrow strait separates the island of Cebu and Bohol and both share a common language, but the Boholanos retain a conscious distinction from the Cebuanos.

Hills dominate the island of Bohol. Two ranges run roughly parallel on the northwest and the southeast. An interior plateau is dominated by limestone hills. In Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan, these hills form near perfect cones in great numbers and are collectively referred to as the Chocolate Hills.

Bohol's climate is generally dry, with maximum rainfall between the months of June and October. The interior is cooler than the coast.

Bohol is the home province of Carlos P. Garcia, the fourth president of the Republic of the Philippines (1957-1960) who was born in Talibon, Bohol. (source: wikipedia.org)

Palihug Tubag mga taga Trinidad sa pangutana ni Maximo. Salamat!

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up. â€"1 Corinthians 13:4


Our flight to Singapore was delayed because of mechanical problems. The 15-minute delay turned into 30 minutes, then 60â€"and then 3 hours. The ground staff was scrambling to calm the crowd, but people were tired and soon became angry. As the night stretched on, the crowd began to turn into a mobâ€"screaming at the staff with harsh language. The pilot even came to offer encouragement, but the crowd turned on him as well.

As I watched the scene unfold, a Singaporean man standing beside me softly said, “Patience will be a much-needed virtue tonight.”

Life can be frustrating, even exasperating. Yet, many times impatience is just a reflection of our own self-centeredness in response to life’s disappointments. Real love is pictured in the Bible as self-sacrifice (John 15:13), and one demonstration of that love is patience toward others. “Love suffers long and is kind; love . . . does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked” (1 Cor. 13:4-5). It sets aside our personal agenda and seeks to model Christ.

Sound impossible? It is, if we attempt it in our own strength. But as we pray for help, God provides us with patience that reflects His loveâ€"even during frustrating circumstances. â€"Bill Crowder

When irritated and upset
Do you complain and gripe and fret?
Or is your life controlled inside
Because in Jesus you confide? â€"Branon

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. â€"Psalm 23:1


In her down-to-earth book More Than Sparrows, Mary Welch tells of her discussion about worry with a group of teenagers. Although they were Christians, they were as worried as unbelievers about the common things of life. As she lovingly listened to them, an unusual idea came to her for a game they could play. It went like this:

Instead of saying, “I’m worried,” stop and say, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Then add, “So I’m worried to death!” The students laughed at the absurdity of the idea, but they all promised to play this new “peace-of-mind” game.

Later, Mary received a phone call from a young woman who had been paralyzed by worry over an exam she had been dreading to take. She said, “I must tell you how the game helped me trust God today. As I froze with worry, I remembered to say, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd . . . so I’m afraid I’ll fail!’ Suddenly I felt the strangest peace of mind. I laughed at myself, then I took the examâ€"and I passed!”

Saying “The Lord is my Shepherd, and I am worried to death” is more than a mind game to point out the absurdity of worry. God can use this contradiction to bring us to a fuller trust in Him. â€"Joanie Yoder

Why worry when you can pray?
Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay;
Don’t be a “doubting Thomas,” rest fully on His promise.
Why worry when you can pray?  â€"Peterson
© Renewal 1977 Singspiration, Inc.

Worry is the interest you pay on borrowed trouble.

Remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye. â€"Luke 6:42


It’s a full-time job trying to get people to change. Oh, what a perfect world it would beâ€"if only other people would do what we want!

A plaque in our family room may hold the key to the secret of change. It’s in Dutch, but translated it reads:

Change the Worldâ€"
Begin With Yourself

Not what most of us want to hear!

Jesus told a parable about the problem of not seeing our own faults. He said, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye” (Luke 6:42).

Being able to see other people’s faults easily without ever noticing my own is not just an indication of hypocrisy. It can be a wake-up call that the problem in a struggling relationship may be me. Perhaps it’s my attitude that needs to change. Or I’m the one who needs to apologize. Maybe I’m the person who needs a humble spirit.

It’s a lesson some of us have to learn over and over. We can’t change others, but with God’s help we can change our own behavior. And when our attitude changes, it may seem as if others have changed as well. â€"Cindy Hess Kasper

To change can be a wonderful prospect,
Though often it’s met with resistance;
The transformation begins within us
And will take a lot of persistence. â€"Hess

How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. â€"Proverbs 16:16


Near the village of Gevas in eastern Turkey, while shepherds ate their breakfast, one of their sheep jumped off a 45-foot cliff to its death. Then, as the stunned shepherds looked on, the rest of the flock followed. In all, 1,500 sheep mindlessly stumbled off the cliff. The only good news was that the last 1,000 were cushioned in their fall by the growing woolly pile of those who jumped first. According to The Washington Post, 450 sheep died.

The Bible often refers to human beings as sheep (Ps. 100:3; Isa. 53:6; Matt. 9:36). Easily distracted and susceptible to group influence, we would rather follow the crowd than the wisdom of the Shepherd.

I’m glad the Bible also describes sheep in a positive way. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd . . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:14,27).

So the big question for us is: Whom are we following? One another? Self-centered shepherds? Or the voice and direction of the Good Shepherd?

Our challenge is to avoid the mistake of the sheep who blindly followed one another over a cliff. We must make it our daily purpose to ask ourselves: Am I listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd? Am I following Him? â€"Mart De Haan

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare. â€"Thrupp