MikeLigalig.com

by Chicago Sun-Times

After months of debating where to go on his vacation, a friend finally settled on a trip to Asia: Bangkok and Hong Kong. But when he called his travel agent, he discovered the flights he wanted were all sold out. How about flights the day before? Or the day after? Sorry.

So he went three days later and had a great time. My friend's experience was not an isolated one. Travel to the Orient is booming. The Federal Aviation Administration forecasts that the biggest growth in overseas travel will be to Asia and the Pacific - an average annual rise of 8.4 percent to 21.6 million passengers

by Chicago Sun-Times

In a growing number of Chicago area classrooms, children are learning to read and write in much the same way they learned to talk - by trial and error, coached by an adult, motivated by their own interests.

They tackle reading and writing directly, rather than first learning the parts - letter sounds, prefixes, punctuation and so on. They read and write stories; they don't fill out worksheets.

The goal is to combat aliteracy, which experts say is as big a problem in the United States as is illiteracy.

By Chicago Sun-Times

Dear Diane:

My marriage of 32 years is headed for the divorce court.

My husband's eldest sister has had complete control over the family since the death of my mother-in-law 25 years ago. Her word is law. She is a troublemaker and a gossip. I had it out with her a long time ago, and we haven't spoken in years.

My husband looks up to his sister and says he can't hurt her feelings. He wants me to call a truce and invite her to dinner.

What choice do I have? I will not give in. COUNT ME OUT

Dear Count Me Out: If you won't give in, you've already drawn the battle lines.

by Chicago Sun-Times
October 13, 1987

President Corazon C. Aquino, in an extraordinary scene for a nation's leader, summoned reporters to her private residence Monday to show them that she cannot hide under her bed.

"This is my bed. It is impossible to hide under it," Aquino angrily told the startled reporters who watched her turn up the covers of her bed to reveal a solid platformlike wood base.

Aquino, who has been the focus of increasing criticism as being weak and indecisive in the face of military and political threats, was reacting to a popular Manila columnist's comment that during August's abortive military coup she had taken shelter under her bed.

Washington Post
January 29, 1987

Imelda Marcos bought about $2,000 worth of jungle boots, camouflage outfits, belts and other items at a military clothing store, the store's co-owner said today.

The wife of former Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos made the purchases in about 20 minutes Monday, said Douglas L. Boyer, co-owner of the Military Shop of Hawaii Inc.

Boyer said Imelda Marcos and an entourage of "about eight people" purchased the items. "It was a rushed sort of thing," Boyer said.

March 24, 1986
Chicago Sun-Times

The Aquino government has agreed for humanitarian reasons to pay the mounting hospital bills of the 93-year-old mother of deposed President Ferdinand E. Marcos, officials said yesterday.

Dona Josefa Edralin -Marcos, apparently unaware that her son fled the country almost a month ago, has run up a bill of $55,679 at the Philippine Heart Center, hospital Director Esperanza Cabral said.

The woman has lived in a penthouse suite of the center, a pet project of former first lady Imelda R. Marcos, for most of the last seven years.

Cabral said Mrs. Marcos's suite is off limits to most hospital employees. The suite has a living room, dining room and all the luxurious amenities you can ever dream of.

By Lucia Mutikani
Reuters

Economic growth cooled in the first quarter as businesses cut back on investment and restocked shelves at a slower pace, but stronger demand for automobiles softened the blow.

Gross domestic product expanded at a 2.2 percent annual rate, the Commerce Department said on Friday in its advance estimate, moderating from the fourth quarter's 3 percent rate.

While that was below economists' expectations for a 2.5 percent pace, a surge in consumer spending took some of the sting from the report and growth was still stronger than analysts' predictions early in the quarter for an expansion below 1.5 percent.

"There's nothing catastrophic happening, this is just slow growth and this underscores that the economy is on sound footing but nothing more," said Steven Baffico, chief executive at Four Wood Capital Partners in New York.

Futures for the broad-based S&P stock index pared gains after the GDP report, while U.S. Treasuries prices turned positive. The dollar extended losses against the yen and fell against the euro.

by Bloomberg

Samsung Electronics Co. (005930) overtook Nokia Oyj (NOK1V) as the world’s biggest vendor of mobile phones for the first time, ending the Finnish company’s 14-year run as the global leader, according to an industry study.

Samsung shipped 93.5 million handsets in the first quarter, 36 percent more than a year earlier, compared with 82.7 million for second-ranked Nokia, researcher Strategy Analytics said in a statement today. Demand for Galaxy smartphones helped Suwon, South Korea-based Samsung post first-quarter net income today of 5.05 trillion won ($4.5 billion), beating analysts’ estimates.

balong, it's Knicks vs Miami at Miami, Florida court for playoffs this saturday. basin motan-aw ka.

this is true, sensitive ra kaayo ta. halos tanang estorya nga dili maayo sa reputation sa Pinoy apangitaan ug debate.

this was in 1999: (tinuod bitaw ni)
The city council of Manila voted 3 weeks ago to ban all movies featuring
Claire Danes because the actress dissed the Philippine city in the
current issue of Premiere Magazine. "She is declared persona non
grata," councilor Kim Atienza tells the Associated Press. At Magazine
issue is Danes' public recollection of the months she spent in Manila
earlier this year while shooting scenes for Brokedown Palace in a
dilapidated mental hospital. The city "just f--king smelled of
cockroaches," she told Premiere Magazine. "There's no sewage system in
Manila, and people have nothing there. People with, like, no arms, no
legs, no eyes, no teeth.... Rats were everywhere."

The United States embassy in Manila and its affiliated offices will be closed to the public on Tuesday, May 1, in observance of Philippine Labor Day.

Regular services resume on Wednesday, May 2.

Big Bangus Fish

Boston vs Atlanta

Game 1 - Sun. April 29, Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Tue. May 1, Boston at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 - Fri. May 4, Atlanta at Boston, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 4 - Sun May 6, Atlanta at Boston, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Boston at Atlanta, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, Atlanta at Boston, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Boston at Atlanta, TBD, TNT

Indiana vs. Orlando

Game 1 - Sat. April 28, Orlando at Indiana, 7 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Mon. April 30, Orlando at Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 - Wed. May 2, Indiana at Orlando, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 4 - Sat. May 5, Indiana at Orlando, 2 p.m., ESPN
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Orlando at Indiana, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Indiana at Orlando, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, Orlando at Indiana, TBD

Miami vs. New York Playoffs Schedule

Game 1 - Sat. April 28, New York at Miami, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R
Game 2 - Mon. April 30, New York at Miami, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu. May 3, Miami at New York, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sun. May 6, Miami at New York, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, New York at Miami, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Miami at New York, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, New York at Miami, TBD

Chicago vs. Philadelphia

Game 1 - Sat. April 28, Philadelphia at Chicago, 1 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Tue. May 1, Philadelphia at Chicago, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Fri. May 4, Chicago at Philadelphia, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Sun. May 6, Chicago at Philadelphia, 1 p.m., ABC
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Philadelphia at Chicago, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, Chicago at Philadelphia, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Philadelphia at Chicago, TBD, TNT

Memphis vs. L.A. Clippers

Game 1 - Sun. April 29, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Wed. May 2, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Sat. May 5, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Mon. May 7, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD

L.A. Lakers vs. Denver

Game 1 - Sun. April 29, Denver at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R
Game 2 - Tue. May 1, Denver at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Fri May 4, L.A. Lakers at Denver, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Sun. May 6, L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Denver at L.A. Lakers, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, L.A. Lakers at Denver, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Denver at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TNT

Oklahoma City vs. Dallas

Game 1 - Sat. April 28, Dallas at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Mon. April 30, Dallas at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu. May 3, Oklahoma City at Dallas, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sat. May 5, Oklahoma City at Dallas, 7:30 p.m., TNT/R
Game 5 * Mon. May 7, Dallas at Oklahoma City, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, Oklahoma City at Dallas, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Dallas at Oklahoma City ,TBD, TNT

San Antonio vs. Utah

Game 1 - Sun. April 29, Utah at San Antonio, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2 - Wed. May 2, Utah at San Antonio, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Sat. May 5, San Antonio at Utah, 10 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Mon. May 7, San Antonio at Utah, TBD
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, Utah at San Antonio, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, San Antonio at Utah, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, Utah at San Antonio, TBD

You can also watch it direct at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-broadcast-of-pba-37th-season#

If you don't have Channel 11, you can Watch Free Live PBA Games
http://www.philstar.com/PbaLive

By Evelyn Macairan (The Philippine Star)

Do you think former United States President Bill Clinton is sexy?

The 65-year-old Clinton, the 42nd US president, is one of 182 contenders for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) “Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity” contest.

Among the prominent names in the male category are actors Sir Ian McKellen, Alec Baldwin, Tobey Maguire, and Woody Harrelson; singers Sir Paul McCartney, Bryan Adams, Jason Mraz, and Michael Bolton; Filipinos Raymond Bagatsing, Carlos Agassi and Philippine STAR columnist RJ Ledesma.

There are also 172 celebrities in the women’s category that include actresses Alicia Silverstone, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, Ashley Judd, Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, Christina Applegate, and Diane Keaton; singers Carrie Underwood and Colbie Caillat; and host Ellen DeGeneres.

Even Chelsea, the daughter of former President Clinton, is in the list.

By Ricky Lo
Philippine Star

Yes, it’s true: Sen. Chiz Escudero is filing for the annulment of his marriage to Tintin with whom he has been estranged for more than two years.

The couple has twin kids.

Chiz opts to keep mum on the matter, but somebody close to him confirmed that Chiz did make the decision after weighing the pros and cons.

“They have reached the point of no return,” said the Funfare informer.

By Cheryl M. Arcibal (The Philippine Star)

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has placed listed Export & Industry Bank (EIB) under receivership,  an official said on Friday.

Nestor Espenilla Jr., BSP deputy governor, said in an interview with ABS-CBN News that the Monetary Board decided to place EIB under receivership Thursday evening following information from Juan Victor Tanjuatco, EIB president, that the bank would be unable to service its maturing deposits.

“Based on that information, the MB has decided that the bank has severe liquidity problem and  invoked the Section 30 of the BSP Charter and placed the bank under the control of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.,” Espenilla said.

The BSP official said EIB has about 50,000 depositors holding some P14 billion in deposits.  He also said EIB has assets worth P25 billion and has 50 branches all over the country, most of which are located in Metro Manila.

“We don’t anticipate a disorder processing of the claims of deposit insurance of depositors from the PDIC,” Espenilla said.

Although the EIB has been having financial problems, the bank was negotiating a rescue package with the Sy-owned Banco de oro Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender, but the deal fell through.

Espenilla assured the public that the Philippine banking industry remains stable and that EIB is the country’s smallest commercial bank.

By Jelly F. Musico

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said on Friday the country can invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States if China will attack any Philippine military vessel amid standoff at the Bajo de Masinloc or known as Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

“We can invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty if China will make the error of firing at us and that is under the ambit of the Mutual Defense Treaty [that] any attack on any vessel of the contracting parties within the Pacific Area is an attack on the other,” Enrile said in a public hearing conducted by the Senate committee on foreign relations.

Senator Loren Legarda, chairperson of the committee, described the suggestion of Enrile as "very loaded statement," asking the Senate President if it was his interpretation of the MDT.

”I think that is very loaded statement that the U.S. will indeed come to the rescue if we are attacked. May I ask the Senate President if that is your interpretation?” Legarda asked.

Enrile answered: “It’s not my interpretation. It is the literal wording of the Mutual Defense Treaty.”

Under Article IV of the MDT, “Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes. Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations.”

”Desiring to declare publicly and formally their sense of unity and their common determination to defend themselves against external armed attack, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone in the Pacific area,” stated the MDT signed on August 30, 1951.

Enrile said that the Philippines could not ask the U.S. “to come to our aid, but if our vessels or our aircraft are attacked by any other power in the Pacific area, then we can invoke the treaty.”

If the U.S. cannot help the Philippines, Enrile said the treaty is meaningless and “better abrogate it.”

”We have to protect the interest of the country although the methodologies are different. The sovereignty over the areas must be ascertained,” Enrile said.

Enrile, however, clarified that he is supporting the position of President Benigno S. Aquino III to use diplomatic approach in resolving the standoff, which started last April 10 when Chinese vessels blocked a Philippines warship arresting eight Chinese fishing boats loaded with corals and live baby sharks at the Scarborough Shoal waters.

”The move of the Aquino administration to bring this to the international tribunal is a good move to show the world that we are peaceful-loving people and that we are not predatory state. We are simply trying to defend our state,” Enrile said.

The veteran lawmaker said legally, the Philippines has a good case “if this matter will be brought to the international forum.”

Enrile said if China will continue to refuse to settle the dispute under the ambit of the United Nations on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), “that means they have a weak position.”

If the situation in the Scarborough Shoal escalates, Enrile said the Philippines could not avoid internationalizing the issue.

”I’m in favor of diplomatic solution, but of course, we cannot avoid bringing this issue to our allies. They might be involved if something happens to their allies,” he said.

Enrile said that it is very important for the Philippines to have a united stand on the Scarborough Shoal issue, asking all the concerned government agencies to submit position papers that should be discussed with the lawmakers in an executive session.

”This is a national issue that requires national support to the President. There should be no deviation. There should be unanimity of all regardless of political affiliation. We must show to China that the Filipinos are one in this issue,” Enrile said.

Legarda supported the statement of Enrile as she set an executive session as well as a separate public hearing on the maritime zones and archipelagic bills when the Senate resumes session next week.

”What is important is that we resolve the Bajo de Masinloc issue in the most peaceful and comprehensive ways without compromising the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country,” Legarda said.

”All policies should emanate from the President and we support the President in his policies and statements and yes, we are in the right direction. It is rightfully ours. We have records,” she added.

University of the Philippines College of Law professor Merlin Magallona said the government should review the position of the Philippines to settle the dispute “in a peaceful manner.”

”The intervention of the U.S. will complicate the matter. The UNCLOS has very wide dimensions by which we can settle this dispute,” Magallona said.

During the hearing, officials of the Philippine Coast Guard, headed by commodore Gilbert Rueras, suggested to construct a new lighthouse at the Scarborough Shoal.

Rueras said a lighthouse was built in the area in 1965 but disappeared somewhere in the 1990s.

”It’s a good suggestion to operationalize all our lighthouses around the country, including the lighthouse at the Bajo de Masinloc,” Legarda said.

basin pud sa iyang kabata, gihaylo siya ug bisan unsa nalang nga estorya para mouban.

Mas ganahan pa ko motan-aw ug Amateur Singing Contest sa barangay kay aning American Idol. Honestly, daghang Pinoy nga kuyaw mokanta wala lay opportunity nga mosikat kay pobre.

By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

After two days of sizzling 36.2 degrees Celsius, temperature in Metro Manila on Thursday dipped to 35.2 degrees Celsius.

Weather observers recorded 35.2°C at around 2 p.m. at the Science Garden in Quezon City, following  brief rainshowers.

As expected, Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija recorded a higher 36.6°C, and Tuguegarao in Cagayan, 36.4 °C.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration blamed the searing heat on the ridge of the high pressure area which kept clouds from forming in Luzon.

Pagasa forecast that the country would have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms today.

by PNA

The extreme heat Tuesday, the hottest this summer at 36.2 degrees Celsius, proved to be too much for players who come from colder parts of the country.

Maureen Agudia, Cordillera Autonomous Region’s (CAR) beach volley player, was rushed to the hospital after experiencing what Red Cross medics described as symptoms of heat stroke right after losing their match against Region 6’s Juvi Vinson and Genevieve Dela Cruz.

Agudia was vomiting and complained of pains on the back of her head and said she could not move, prompting medics to rush her to the nearby Sacred Heart Hospital.

This was the summer heat’s first casualty in the Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) during the second day of the Prisaa beach volley tournament at the Azco Sand Courts here.

CAR lost to Region 6 in a close match, 21-19, 19-21, 15-7 which lasted for an hour.

”Due to the very hot weather, we delayed the game from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. but still Agudia gave in to the heat. I think that was the reason why she was nauseated and vomiting. If not for the first aid given to her, she would have collapsed,” beach volley tournament director Vangie De Jesus said.

She said the players from CAR are from the University of Cordillera in Baguio City.

by PNA

The Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan, has announced it is now accepting applications for the 2013 Japanese government scholarship.

The scholarship categories are undergraduate, research, and special training.

For undergraduate category, the applicant must have 16 years of formal education, has good academic standing, between 17 and 21 years old, has five years study in the fields of social sciences, humanities and natural sciences.

For research category, the applicant must have 16 years of formal education, has clear and feasible research proposal, has good academic standing, must be under 35 years old, and has about one and a half of five years study in the fields of social sciences, humanities and natural sciences.

For special training category, the applicant must have 12 years of formal education with good academic standing, between 17 and 21 years old, and has three years study within the scope of civil engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, telecommunication, nutrition, infant education, secretarial studies, hotel management, tourism, fashion, dressmaking, design, and photography.

These categories are open to all Filipino citizens who meet the requirements.

Application forms are available at the JICC Library in Manila, the Consular offices of Japan in Cebu City and Davao City, or may be downloaded from the embassy website www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp .

The deadline for submission of applications is on May 28.

The selection process is composed of several stages like document screening, written examinations, and interviews.

Only selected applicants at each stage will be notified for further instructions.

Since 1954, the Government of Japan has made education in Japanese universities and other institutions accessible to about 3,000 Filipino students through the Japanese Government scholarships.

by PNA

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he wants the Malacanang sa Sugbu, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s official residence in Cebu, to be turned over to the Cebu City Government.

Some groups, among them, the Bureau of Customs Port of Cebu, want to use the building after President Benigno S. Aquino III declared he doesn’t want to use it.

Rama earlier asked the President to turn over the building to the City Government so the latter can make it part of the city’s cultural heritage and landmarks.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), which used to occupy the building, has also appealed to President Aquino, through Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, to allow them to occupy the building after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit the city last February.

The earthquake caused structural damage to the building they are occupying in the port area.

But Rama instead offered a lot in the South Road Properties (SRP) for the BOC to construct their new building.

This earned criticisms from Rep. Tomas Osmena (Cebu City, south district).

Osmena, who is at odds with the mayor, said the BOC needs a building to transfer, not a lot in the SRP.

He said Rama must consider the safety of BOC employees and the people transacting business at the BOC.

”If the building is defective, why do you risk the lives of the people when they think they are not safe in their present location?” Osmena said.

Osmena said the SRP has no building and the reclaimed property is too far for the public.

Rama said it is normal for the congressman to oppose his idea.

by PNA

Former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmena has announced his transfer of voting precinct from Barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City to Toledo City, with four options to run for senator, congressman, governor or mayor in the May 2013 elections.

Sonny Osmena said he is also endorsing his nephew, Mimo Osmena, to run for governor, although the latter was busy preparing to run in Cebu’s first district.

Sonny Osmena said his brother and Mimo’s father, former Cebu governor Emilio “Lito” Osmena, did not agree with him.

He said he insisted because Mimo has a better chance of winning than Hilario “Junjun” Davide III.

Davide was a close second to Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in the last gubernatorial elections.

The former senator said that if both he and Mimo decide not to run for governor, he may support Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) if Garcia decides to run for governor.

”I can support Pablo John Garcia because there’s no bad blood between us. But definitely, I cannot support Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia,” Sonny Osmena said.

He said if he will not run for governor, his fallback positions are congressman of Cebu’s third district and Toledo City mayor.

That’s why he transferred his voting precinct to Toledo City, he said.

Sonny Osmena said there is a possibility that Lito Osmena will change his mind and let Mimo run for governor.

”I told him to forget about the first district. Give San Fernando Mayor Antonio Canoy a chance to become congressman. I also told Lito not to run for mayor of Talisay City because Rep. Eduardo Gullas is very strong. If you are looking for a challenge, let Mimo run for governor,” he said.

He said that Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. asked him to request Mimo to run for governor.

Sonny Osmena also urged the Liberal Party (LP) bigwigs that include LP President Mar Roxas and Sen. Franklin Drilon to conduct a party convention in Cebu, either in August or September, so Cebuano LP leaders can exercise their right to choose their gubernatorial candidate.

by PNA

Vice President Jejomar Binay has announced that Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has been included in the list of senatoriables under his United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Binay made the announcement in a press conference in Iloilo City.

Gov. Garcia, who left for Manila Tuesday, thanked Binay for her inclusion in the list.

Garcia later confirmed talking with the vice President last Tuesday, adding she felt honored being considered as a candidate for senator under the UNA party.

”Well don’t you feel proud about that? This should be an honor for Cebu,” said Garcia.

”We talked about very interesting developments with Vice President Jejomar Binay, and all of these will be unfolded in the next few weeks,” said Garcia, who kept to herself whether she will accept UNA’s offer.

UNA is a coalition between Binay’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party and former president Joseph Estrada’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) party.

Reports said the coalition is part of Binay’s preparation for a planned presidential run in 2016.

Garcia said her announcement of her political plans in 2013 may be sooner than July, as what she had promised.

Former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said Garcia is included in the long list of 18 potential Senate candidates under UNA.

UNA is still waiting for her response, which is expected in July during her State of the Province Address.

She was also endorsed by the National Unity Party (NUP) as one of their candidates for senator.

By PNA

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here said there is still a problem of graduates not being able to meet the requirements of the industry in the Davao Region.

DOLE Davao officer-in-charge of the technical support services Allan Baban pointed out the existing problem of mismatch of graduates’ skills to the requirement of the industry as they may be hired but not on the field that they graduated.

He said the concern on skills mismatch will be discussed thoroughly in a National Summit on Labor and Employment (NSLE) that is being prepared in the coming months for government, private sector, academe and industry to look at.

But the two young students from Davao are the exception because they were offered jobs even before their graduation last March and April.

The cousins, as DOLE called it, fall under RTH or "Ready To Hire" after graduation.

Jose Banzon III, 21, finished computer engineering last March and hired for his first job as software engineer in a company in Global City at McKinley Hills in Taguig with headquarters based in Connecticut, USA while Renel Jose, 24, graduated in April for a course on mining engineering and hired in an Australian-Filipino mining firm in Masbate.

The two were sent by their parents in Manila on separate schools to study on the field of their choice, stayed in separate dormitories and were on their own.

"Hard work, dedication, commitment and discipline" were shared by the cousins when asked what made them succeed in completing their education.

Jose said it is important that one must study well and understand with comprehension what is being taught in school as he gave credit to his rigid training in university and exposure to companies and his internship in foreign school at Chung Chou University of Science and Technology in Taiwan where he studied and was issued Single Chip Ability Certification.

He was also given the chance to work as teaching assistant while there for Summer of 2011. A Blue Knight in Davao from kindergarten to college, he graduated at the Ateneo de Manila University of the course he wished even when he was a kid.

Renel, a Philippine Science High School graduate here, also had his internship in the firm that hired him. He said his on-the-job training was an opportunity for him to show the company his ability and capacity as well as learned from them techniques and skills.

"It was maybe because of my performance that they called me back and asked me to report immediately," he said. He completed his course at the University of the Philippines in Dilliman.

Baban said not many are given such opportunity and the cousins were grateful for all the support as both proudly said they now belong to the newly hired Filipinos and become part of the country's employed labor force.

Both are happy and confident having jobs that fits well on the qualifications that they possess.

Meanwhile, he said jobs in call center are still in demand as this does not require specific field.

There is still a slim percentage for RTH vis-a-vis the number of graduates, he said.

On the other hand, he said on Labor Day come May 1st over 12,000 vacancies both local and abroad will be offered to job seekers in Davao Region.

Two jobs fair events will be held on that day where over 7,000 available jobs will be accessed at SM City Davao Entertainment Area and another over 4,000 vacancies at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall.

Baban said the vacancies come from 88 local and overseas employers who will be joining the jobs fair offering positions for local employment as call center agents, office workers, factory workers and skilled workers such as engineers while overseas employers need domestic helpers, construction workers, skilled engineers and nurses.

by PNA

Calls for support for American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez continued in Bataan with no less than Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III sounding the appeal during the street dancing exhibition of college students in the giant Bataan People’s Center at the capitol grounds here on Tuesday afternoon.

The mayor first announced in the big gathering that they have a provincemate in the American Idol search.

He asked the crowd if they watch the television program that the "kababayan" contestant entered and how many finalists are left. The audience roared, “Yes, Jessica!” and “Six!”

"This is a good opportunity for everyone to ask our friends and and relatives in the United States to vote for Jessica Sanchez," Garcia said, to which the crowd roared, “Vote for Jessica!”

The 16-year-old Filipino-Mexican singer belongs to the Bugay family of Samal and Orani towns in Bataan.

by PNA

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jessie Robredo insists that he has no plans to run for senator next year.

Pressed by members of the Iloilo media on his political directions, particularly on being wooed by various groups to run for Senate in 2013, the DILG secretary shrugged the notion as "not on my mind."

Robredo said he does not entertain the idea of running for senator since he is too preoccupied with the current thrust of the DILG.

He said he would rather work on making sure that DILG is focused on its mandate and that the government’s programs are correctly implemented.

He said as DILG chief, he aims to make sure that all local government units (LGUs) are compliant with the various programs of the national government including the need to receive a seal of Good Housekeeping which is a proof of good public service.

Robredo was recently here to attend various functions in the region, as well as lead in the nationwide disaster preparedness caravan of the DILG. He also met with local officials, as well as awarded projects and financial aids to several LGUs in the region.

hehehe. ang estorya nila gagmay ra kono ning mga chinese ug korea pud. example ana si hayden kho. kataw-anan ang mga comment sa mga nakakita sa iyang video scandal with katrina halili ug maricar reyes kay matud pa labihang gamatitoy kono ang kang hayden. ask Vicki Belo.

by PNA

Police have arrested a namesake of popular actor Richard Gomez who is suspected of drug pushing in a buy-bust operation in Purok 1, Barangay San Jose here Tuesday night.

Chief Inspector Alexander Aurelio, town police chief, said the 25-year-old suspect, of Purok 4, Barangay MS Garcia, Cabanatuan City, was included in the local police's drug watchlist.

The operation was conducted by SPO2 Ramos Reyes, PO3 Albrect Von Ferrer and PO3 Percival Ramos around 10:00 p.m. Tuesday after a few days of surveillance operation.

Recovered from the suspect were three plastic sachets of suspected shabu, a mobile phone, P1,000 marked money, two wristwatches, lighter and several pieces of automated teller machine and discount cards under different names.

The illegal drugs were brought to the police crime laboratory in Cabanatuan City while the suspect was detained by the Jaen police.

ang ginagmay nga away modako nalang tungod sa mga tabloid nga nag-fiesta. maayo pa sa ato sa purok kay kung mag-away, ang epekto ana dili na ka kapangayo ug kamunggay sa imong silingan. hehehe

What I know lang pud: Grabe daw ka-galante ang mga Japanese mahitungod sa jer-jer. Ihatag bisan unsay panguyoon. No wonder mga milyonarya ang mga Japayuke. Pwera buyag ning mga Chinese ug Korean, basin gi-discount pa ni. Paet.

I heard Amalia over a TV interview wishing Annabelle's death. Gi-fiestahan sa media outlets ang private wars nila.

by PNA

Widespread objection is heard over proposals to activate the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), even as legislators are divided on the issue.

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said the BNPP is an old structure and is sitting on a fault line.

Unfortunately, even if an area is declared as fault-free, there is no assurance with the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake that shook the province of Negros Oriental, which government seismologists said came from an undiscovered fault.

This means that wherever in the Philippines, nobody can tell if another undiscovered fault will shake the earth.

For his part, Rep. Pryde Henry Teves of the 3rd district of Negros Oriental said pronouncements from first world countries about nuclear power plants are creating confusion.

While first world countries are saying to go renewable energy, such as wind, hydro or solar, they are also building so many nuclear plants.

Teves said the United States of America is building 20 more nuclear power plants, and so with France and the rest of the world, and yet they are telling third world countries to go renewable when they knew for a fact that it costs more in terms of per kilowatt hour of electricity.

On the other hand, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito believes it is about time the national government open its minds in considering nuclear energy as a source of power to address the power crisis in Mindanao and in the country.

By Scott Stewart

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, released a message April 23 informing U.S. citizens in the country that it had received credible information regarding a possible attack against Nairobi hotels or prominent Kenyan government buildings. According to the message, the embassy has reason to believe the attack is in the last stages of the attack planning cycle.

The warning comes as thousands of Kenyan troops occupy much of southern Somalia. Along with a force of Ethiopian troops, local militias and a contingent of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops, the Kenyans are placing heavy pressure on the al Qaeda-linked Somali militant group al Shabaab in southern Somalia.

South Korean authorities accused him of enticing scores of South Korean men to travel to Manila between March 2007 and March 2008 to have sex with Filipino women through his “escort service” business.

Park allegedly charged each Korean man a fee of P75,000 to avail himself of an “escort

Note: Pila ra man kahay bahin sa Pinay out of the P75,000. Maajo lang ug naay P1K.

Langgam Gibarbeque

By Phil Daily Inquirer

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to deport a South Korean national arrested for allegedly operating a prostitution ring in Manila.

BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. identified the Korean as Park Jun Youn, 44, who was arrested on April 18 at his rented apartment along Debron St., Makati by operatives of the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU).

Park was arrested after the BI Board of Commissioners issued a summary deportation order against him for being an undesirable alien.

“He should be deported for taking advantage of the Filipino women whom he had exploited and lured to have sex with Korean men,” David said.

By PDI

China firmly rejects the Philippines’ proposal to bring the Scarborough Shoal dispute to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (Itlos), but the Philippines is not giving up.

The Philippine proposal is verbal, but Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario on Wednesday said the Philippines would send a formal invitation to China.

Del Rosario said Manila “would like to find a way to settle the impasse [with Beijing]” but at the same time uphold the Philippines’ “sovereignty and sovereign rights” over the shoal, located 124 nautical miles (223 kilometers) west of Zambales province.

by Joseph Pimentel

For Father Edwin “Edu” Gariguez, the environment of Mindoro  is worth dying for.

Gariguez, better known as Fr. Edu, has long been recognized as the man leading a decade-long campaign, which culminated in an 11-day hunger strike in 2009 to stop a large-scale nickel mining in Mindoro.

On April 16, Gariguez was recognized as one of six recipients for this year’s Goldman Environmental Prize (an award given annually by the Golden Environmental Foundation to ”grassroots environmental heroes from each of the world’s six inhabited continental regions”) for his commitment to saving the environment of the island just off the coast of Luzon and for “leading a grassroots movement against a large-scale nickel mine to protect Mindoro Island’s biodiversity and its indigenous people,” said Goldman officials in a statement.

The five other recipients are from Argentina, China, Kenya, Russia and the US. Each received $150,000 for his/her cause.

full story: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/34741/fr-edwin-gariguez-the-environmentalist-priest

by PDI

The Philippines detained 12 Vietnamese fishermen and their Malaysian-flagged boat for collecting endangered fish and sea turtles and poaching, an official said Wednesday.

The Filipino coast guard intercepted four fishing vessels in the Sulu Sea off the Malaysian state of Borneo late Sunday, but three escaped as the fourth was being boarded, fisheries bureau director James Perez said.

“Unfortunately we apprehended only one because the three other vessels resisted,” he told Agence France-Presse.

Officials found humphead wrasse, an endangered species of fish, on board the detained boat and about 50 sea turtles, including critically endangered hawksbill turtles, already dead and smothered in ice in its hold, he added.

by Associated Press

The US Supreme Court is questioning Arizona’s tough “show me your papers” law aimed at driving illegal immigrants out of the state, amid objections from the Obama administration that states have a limited role to play in immigration policy.

The court’s review of the Arizona law includes a provision that requires police, while enforcing other laws, to question a person’s immigration status if officers suspect he is in the country illegally. In the final argument of the term Wednesday, the justices will explore whether lower federal courts were right to block that and other key provisions.

The administration challenged the law in federal court soon after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed it two years ago. Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina and Utah passed similar laws, parts of which also are on hold pending the high court’s decision.

by PDI

China warned the Philippines on Wednesday not to “internationalize” the two countries’ simmering territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), as US and Philippine forces staged war games in the area.

China has been locked in a maritime dispute with the Philippines over the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, a body of water considered a potential Asian flashpoint due to the overlapping claims of several nations.

“Internationalizing this issue will only complicate and magnify the situation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters in response to a question about the current situation in the dispute.

by AFP

A Chinese naval ship is visiting Ho Chi Minh City, state media said Wednesday, as the US and Vietnam continue a separate week-long naval exchange amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea  (South China Sea).

The Chinese vessel, which arrived in Vietnam’s southern port city Monday on a three-day visit, will carry out “professional exchanges to share experience and foster friendly relations,” the official Vietnam News Agency said.

In central Danang city, the US and Vietnam are on the third day of pre-planned “non-combatant” naval exchange activities, which will include disaster control training aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Chafee.

By PDI

Three Filipino Americans have announced their candidacy for the California State Assembly in 2012.

Alameda Vice Mayor Rob Bonta (D), Lathrop Vice-Mayor Christopher Mateo (D), and Alameda County Status of Women Commissioner, Dr. Jennifer Ong (D) are all vying to become the first Filipino-Americans to win a seat in the California state legislature.

Bonta, a Yale Law school graduate, is a former Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco. Bonta is running against three other candidates to represent Assembly District 18 replacing Mary Hayashi (D), who has termed out.

Christopher Mateo (D), the current vice mayor of Lathrop, is among two candidates to replace Fiona Ma (D), representing Assembly District 12. Ma has also termed out.

Dr. Ong (D), who received her Doctorate in Optometry at UC Berkeley, is among four other candidates vying for the Assembly District 20 seat, to replace incumbent Bob Wieckowski (D). Wieckowski is running for re-election in District 25 due to redistricting.

By DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A 35-year-old Panama national holding a diplomatic passport has been taken into police custody after a 19-year-old girl accused him of raping her during a date in Makati City on Monday night, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Wednesday.

Erick Bairnals Shcks was placed in CIDG custody even as Panama’s ambassador, Roberto Carlos Moreno, interceded on his behalf and sought his release, arguing that the man was protected by diplomatic immunity.

But the head of the CIDG Women and Children’s Protection Division, Superintendent Emma Libunao, said the CIDG would release the Panamanian only after the Department of Foreign Affairs has verified his identity and given them the go-signal.

By PDI

A Filipino marine based in Camp Pendleton in San Diego, who was part of the worst civilian killings in Iraq is in the process of being discharged by the Navy.

The Associated Press (AP) reports the Navy has initiated dismissal proceedings against Filipino Sergeant Sanick Dela Cruz and Sgt. Humberto Mendoza, who were both members of a squad that killed 24 unarmed civilians â€" including women, elderly and children â€" in Haditha, Iraq in 2005 and lied about their role in the killings to military investigators.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus made the decision, and Dela Cruz and Mendoza were notified of the move Thursday, said Lt. Cmdr. Tamara Lawrence, a Navy spokeswoman, to the AP.

By PDI

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas, Jr. is set to experience a warm Filipino welcome when he visits Los Angeles in May.

The US Pinoys for Good Governance â€" Los Angeles (USP4GG-LA) will host an intimate reception for  Ambassador Thomas on May 10 at CBS Studios Center in Studio City, California.

The Office of the Ambassador reached out to the LA Filipino community through Loida Nicholas Lewis, organizer and chair of the USP4GG, and through Rocio Nuyda, secretary of the USP4GG Board of Trustees, to have interaction with the LA Filipino-American community.

by PDI

The Assistant Attorney General (AAG) of Guam is in hot water after an anonymously posted YouTube video revealed alleged racist remarks he made towards the local Filipino community.

The Philippine Consul General’s Office plans to meet with the Guam Bar Association to find out whether or not AAG Ben Abram’s remarks warrant an ethics complaint, according to the KUAM TV news in Guam.

“The AG (attorney general) expressed his apprehension that the video incident might create a propaganda effect and divert the focused determination of the AGO (attorney general’s office) to prosecute the concerned case with integrity and transparency,” said Philippine Consul General Bayani Mangibin in a statement to the TV station.

The uproar occurred when an anonymous person posted a video showing Abrams refuting an unnamed person’s remarks about sending transcription work to the Philippines.

“Their English is not good enough,” said Abrams. “I don’t think their English is good enough…I don’t like that idea at all… You’re dealing with a Third World country where English is a second language.”

Abrams, whose wife is a Filipina, said the remarks were taken out of context.

By Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday called for the immediate appointment of a qualified Philippine ambassador to China in light of worsening tension in the Panatag Shoal (internationally called Scarborough Shoal).

“We badly need a new ambassador. We are already at a lost at what do in dealing and conveying our complaint to China,” Escudero said.

When asked if he has someone in mind for the position, Escudero said he had none. (Note: To Escudero, be part of the solution, and don't be part of the problem. If you don't have a suggestion, you better shut up).

Nevertheless, the senator echoed Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario’s suggestion that whoever is appointed as ambassador to China the person should be a career official and not purely a political appointee.

By Agence France Presse

US and Filipino soldiers stormed a West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) island Wednesday in war games that took place not far from a real-life maritime standoff between Manila and Beijing.

The mock beachfront assault took place on the shore of Palawan island, facing the West Philippine Sea, where for two weeks Chinese patrol vessels have prevented the Philippines from arresting alleged poachers in the disputed waters.

Lieutenant-Colonel Rommel Abrau, operations officer of the Philippine Marines’ amphibious task force, said the exercise involving about 100 soldiers was a success.

by PDI

The Hong Kong government will be returning to the Philippines a shipment of turtles that was found to have been smuggled out of the country and seized by Hong Kong authorities last February.

Twenty Philippine pond turtles (Siebenrockiella leytensis)  and 16 Asian box turtles (Cuora amboinensis) were intercepted and confiscated in favor of the Philippines by Hong Kong’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said in a letter to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Jose Angel Honrado.

According to Nilo Tamoria, regional executive director of the DENR-National Capital Region, the turtles were smuggled from the Philippines to Hong Kong last February 8.

By PDI

Businessman and honorary consul to Peru Francis Chua on Tuesday denied allegations by an international airline that he was offloaded from the plane on Monday due to his unruly behavior.

“I categorically deny any untoward or inappropriate behavior that would have warranted my being offloaded from the Cathay Pacific flight from Manila to Hong Kong,” Chua said in a statement.

Cathay Pacific said it offloaded Chua because he refused to fasten his seatbelt and made a scene as the Hong Kong-bound aircraft taxied for takeoff.

By PDI

One of China’s most popular newspapers has warned of a potential “small-scale war” between Beijing and Manila as a result of their standoff at Panatag Shoal, or Scarborough Shoal as the area is known internationally.

The Global Times, in an editorial published in its Chinese and English editions, said over the weekend that “China should be prepared to engage in a small-scale war at sea with the Philippines.”

“Once the war erupts, China must take resolute action to deliver a clear message to the outside world that it does not want a war, but definitely has no fear of it,” the tabloid said.

By Yengo.com

His sexuality has been in question for who knows how long, so Simon Cowell, judge of Britain's Got Talent, once and for all said is he’d be out and about if he were gay.

The 52-year old well known TV mogul and television judge would not really mind admitting if he were gay. His mom won’t freak out and it won’t harm him, as he is quoted by an author of one of his unauthorized biographies entitled, “ The intimate life of Simon Cowell.” The thing is he’s not. He even said that whoever thinks he’s gay is seriously mad.

The fact is, in the middle of the loud speculations, no man had moved forward admitting that he was once with Simon despite huge financial rewards.

Published by Yengo.com

Controversial actress Gretchen Barreto is currently facing 'wild rumours' this time not of hers personally but of an immediate family member, her daughter. Rumours have it that her daughter with partner Tony Boy Cojuangco, Dominique, who is only 16 is pregnant.

At an interview, Barreto preferred to be questioned regarding her ABS-CBN primetime soap that was shot especially in Bhutan, 'The Princess and I' than be badgered about her private life. She reiterated that their efforts and the outcome of the making in Bhutan makes the series worthy of discussion. She was very evasive in clearing the controversy that could have ended the rumours.

By Yengo.com

It would have been a top secret but it came out in the open. The rift between Ara Mina and Christine Reyes is becoming really dirty.

The classic ST star has filed a libel case and grave coercion against her younger half sister Christine. Ara would want to keep it in the wraps but she couldn’t take it anymore according to her. She’s deeply hurt with the text and email messages that she gets from Christine. A few text messages is accusatory and threatening Ara of the debts she incurred and labeling her poor as a church mouse, social climber and as a passé star. Christine also allegedly say that Ara is hurrying her politician boyfriend to marry her so he can salvage her from financial pressures.

Ara is determined to pursue the legal case with the intention to teach her little sister a lesson.

Cebu Pacific Summer Promo

By Ben Cal
Philippines News Agency

The Philippines is “sitting on a mountain of gold,” with untapped hydrocarbon deposits estimated at $26.3 trillion, mostly found in the disputed Spratly chain of islands, more than enough to free the country from the shackles of poverty.

Brig. Gen. Eldon G. Nemenzo, deputy commander of the 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) based in Zamboanga City, made the discovery after researching on the amount of oil reserves of the country for his thesis when he took an advanced course at the Command and Staff College of the PAF in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

Interviewed by this writer last Saturday, Nemenzo confirmed the vast oil reserves of the Philippines in various parts of the archipelago, specifically the Reed Bank, the largest of them all, and the Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands called by the Philippines as the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

“The Philippines is like a blind beggar sitting on a mountain of gold. Within the country’s 200-mile Exclu¬sive Economic Zone (EEZ) are potential recoverable hydrocarbon deposits worth an estimated US$26.3 trillion. More than enough to lift the country from the centuries long morass of poverty and underdevelopment,” Nemenzo said.

Nemenzo, an F-5 jet fighter pilot, said the amount of hydrocarbon de¬posits in the country could be more than $26.3 trillion following the recent discovery of oil reserves in the Sulu-Celebes Sea which is within Philippine territory.

“But no sensible foreign investor would come in, because the government cannot guarantee a climate of security to underwrite their invest¬ments,” he pointed out.

The data Nemenzo gathered was supported by findings from other sources, including a report by China’s Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources, that the oil deposits in the Spratlys could reach 17.1 billion barrels.

This is more than the 13 billion barrels of oil deposits of Kuwait, one of the world’s top oil producers.

The Spratly issue has become a flashpoint following the discovery of oil underneath the sea in the ‘70s.

Tension has bubbled anew be¬tween the Philippines and China when Chinese fishing vessels were spotted at the Scarborough or Pana¬tag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea early this month.

The Philippines is claiming own¬ership of the Spratly islands, along with China, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
In 1978, President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Presidential Decree 1596 incorporating some islands of the Kalayaan to strengthen Philip¬pine claim over these mineral-rich islands.

Aside from oil, natural gas, min¬erals and polymetals such as gold, silver, iron and nickel are found under the sea - the Spratly is a rich fishing ground.

During the interview, Nemenzo stressed the need to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly by acquiring multi-role fighters (MRF) to de¬fend the country’s airspace and sea lanes.

He also cited the need for Filipino technocrats to be at the forefront as managers in running business con¬glomerates entered into between the Philippines and foreign companies drilling for oil in the Philippines.

“We should not be left in the dark in managing our resources,” Nem¬enzo said.

Last April 8, eight Chinese fishing vessels were spotted by Philippine Navy ships anchored inside the Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal).

The Department of Foreign Af¬fairs (DFA) insists that Bajo de Masinloc “is an integral part of the Philippine territory. It is part of the Municipality of Masinloc, Province of Zambales. It is located 124 nauti¬cal miles west of Zambales and is within the 200 nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Philippine Continental Shelf.”

DFA said the presence of the Chinese vessels were detected by a Philippine Navy surveillance aircraft during a routine patrol.

Two days later, a Navy ship the BRP Gregorio del Pilar went to the area and found large amounts of il¬legally collected corals, giant clams and live sharks aboard the Chinese fishing boats.

Navy personnel boarded the ves¬sels but they did not confiscate the marine products since there were Chinese “fishing vessels” in the area.

DFA said that “the actions of the Chinese fishing vessels are a serious violation of the Philippines' sover¬eignty and maritime jurisdiction. The poaching of endangered marine re¬sources is in violation of the Fisheries Code and the Convention on Interna¬tional Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)”

Bajo de Masinloc's chain of reefs and rocks is about 124 nautical miles from the nearest coast of Luzon and 472 NM from the nearest coast of China. It is also also within the 200 nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone and 200 NM Continental Shelf of the Philippines.

One of the earliest known and most accurate maps of the area, named Carta Hydrographical y Chorographica De Las Yslas Fil¬ipinas by Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde, S.J., and published in 1734, included Bajo de Masinloc as part of Zam¬bales, according to the DFA.

In 1792, another map drawn by the Alejandro Malaspina expedition and published in 1808 in Madrid, Spain, also showed Bajo de Masin¬loc as part of Philippine territory,” it said. “This map showed the route of the Malaspina expedition to and around the shoal. It was reproduced in the Atlas of the 1939 Philippine Census.”

“The Mapa General, Islas Filipi¬nas, Observatorio de Manila pub¬lished in 1990 by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey, also included Bajo de Masinloc as part of the Philip¬pines,” the DFA said.

by PNA

Bureau of Mines and Geo-Sciences regional office here claimed it has no knowledge or has not received any report yet from Claver-based Shenzhou Mining Group Corporation that one of its technical consultants has gone missing.

MGB Caraga OIC regional director Alilio Ensomo told PNA in an interview Monday afternoon that he has not received official report from the Chinese mining firm about the mining firm’s missing consultant.

Ensomo however confirmed he knew personally the missing Chinese national as reported by Surigao del Norte police.

“I think Mr. Rui Lei is technical consultant of Claver-based Shenzhou Mining Group Corporation” Ensomo said.

Ensomo claimed he only learned Lei was already missing through the media.

“I tried to contact and call the Resident Mining Manager of Shenzhou Mining Group Corporation many times but to no avail and I also tried to contact Mr. Jochrys Real who is one of the officials of Shenzhou Mining Group, but again to no avail”, Ensomo said.

By Aurelio G. Galacgac

New People's Army (NPA) communist terrorists ambushed and killed nine soldiers of the Philippine Army (PA) and a civilian around 9:00 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Dontogto, Tinoc, Ifugao, Mayor Lopez Pugong confirmed in an interview with the Philippines News Agency.

The ambush site is one of the far-flung areas in the town.

Pugong said the identities of those killed cannot be immediately obtained as other units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are now in the area to retrieve the bodies of their dead comrades and bring the injured soldiers and civilians to medical facilities.

He said the slain soldiers were among those long assigned in the province as peacekeepers and were being relieved by another batch of soldiers when ambushed by the NPAs.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), still has an undetermined number of members operating in some areas of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Lopez expressed sadness and is extending his sympathies to the families of the slain soldiers who, he said, had served the province well during their assignment.

by Yengo.com

A vacationing Filipino-American grandma reported of her horrible experience getting ripped off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) both flying in and out. 71-year old Evelyn Brazie who was travelling on a wheelchair alleged that flying in from New York, she was asked for some cash by the person who was wheeling her around.

Brazie was also made to pay three thousand five hundred pesos she considers as 'grease money' because the attendant who got her to pay was very secretive about it and did not give any receipts. The attendants later on claimed that she had overweighed baggage and she wondered why she wasn't told about it before she was made to pay. NAIA Manager Octavio Lina expressed his eagerness to conduct an investigations regarding the incident but clarified that airline staff are the ones who come into direct contact with passengers at check-in, not the airport officials.

Promo Ticket Manila to Jakarta

source: PNA

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad on Wednesday said hackers have defaced the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) website but assured the public that all important documents on the site are still safe.

He said the website, www.dbm.gov.ph, was defaced at about 2 p.m. Wednesday, the culprits are still unknown.

“Our initial findings indicate that all important data in the website remain intact. We are at present conducting a security audit on the site, which will remain offline until the audit has been completed and the necessary repairs are made. In addition, we have yet to establish the true identities of the parties or individuals responsible for the attack,” he said.

Abad explained that the department had a soft launch of their new website last week.

He said the new website was made to make it more user-friendly, navigable, and interactive for web users and visitors.

“It is fortunate that we shifted to the new platform, which presents fewer security risks than the DBM’s previous content management system,” he said.

Abad stressed that he announced the hacking to “alert other agencies to possible vulnerabilities in their respective websites.”

by Yengo.com

In an interview with the Queen of All Media, Kris Aquino, in her weekdays morning talk show ‘Kris TV’, Kapamilya actress-host Valerie Concepcion revealed that her boyfriend, PBA player Dondon Hontiveros, asked her hand for marriage before their ‘cool-off’ period.

According to Concepcion, Hontiveros already bragging about marriage even before their relationship holds a break. But the sexy actress stressed out that she’s not yet ready to be married. She also stated that she’s not sure if the marriage proposal was done to win her back or Hontiveros really wants it. Concepcion also admitted that she’s the one who requested for ‘space’ in her relationship with Hontiveros.

The biggest change in Tagbilaran: worst roads in all cities of the Philippines. This is the daily torment of city residents.

By Yengo.com

Sarangani Representative and reigning boxing champ, Manny Pacquiao, said that Floyd Mayweather was continually raising his price for a match against him because he’s scared of losing. According to a team member of Pacquiao, Mayweather admitted that he’s scared to lose because boxing is his only career, unlike Manny who is a congressman and considered a celebrity here in Philippines.

Sports analysts say that Mayweather’s undefeated record was not enough reason to raise his price for a match, and to some issues linked to him claiming that his past opponents were all hand-picked. Pacquiao has recorded 3 losses and 54 victories, plus having eight World Titles.

How about Lipovitan?

Nature's best. Nothing beats natural.

By Ven rebo Arigo

Misleading issues by those obviously wanting him out in 2013 have strengthened Gov. Edgar Chatto’s resolve to keep capitol’s purok power prosperity teams (ProTeams) where they are needed---and needed most.

The governor said he is committed to serve the people and no politically-charged or -misguided opposing moves can rock his public vow.

Barangay leaders in Carmen, a Third District town, maintained that development interventions brought to their place by the ProTeams are useful even if they were pulled out at the whim of their mayor.

They believed that Mayor Conchita de los Reyes has been made to mistake the province’s peace and development program for something that can affect her politics.

During his weekly Kita ug Ang Gobernador live broadcast on Friday, the Bohol leader declared his constant promotion of understanding, not division.

But this cannot prevent him from correcting misconceptions, intentional or not, because the province’s Countryside Development Program: Purok Power Movement (CDP-PPM) is founded in good faith, aimed at people’s good.

Of the province’s 1,109 barangays, 56 have been targeted as pilot areas for CDP-PPM interventions by the ProTeams based on criteria that include high poverty indicators and peace concerns.

For their parts, 802nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. John Bonafos and Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Director Constantino Paul Barot, Jr. pledged to keep their agencies’ essential roles in the peace and prosperity mission.

De los Reyes was reported to have barked at the police chief of her town and commanded him to get orders from her, not from the provincial PNP head.

Barot reminded of the law against the abuse of power delegated to the local chief executive over the police, or such an authority by deputation can be withdrawn.

The governor highly regarded a mayor as LGU ship captain, but for the local chief executive to tell the policemen not to believe their duly-constituted superior and obey lawful higher orders is intolerable.

Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva, chief of the Central Command of the Philippine Army, commended the peace and development efforts thru the CDP-PPM of the province which he likes to be replicated in other areas of the country.

The feedbacks he received from his men in Bohol have been so positive and encouraging, said Villanueva who himself met with the governor here yesterday.

OFFICIAL DATA ON POVERTY

While she had the ProTeams pulled out of her town, the Carmen mayor even went sarcastic in suggesting to have them instead brought to Balilihan, the governor’s town, because her place is already “progressive and peaceful.”

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) records on high poverty indicators however suggest that De los Reyes should rethink.

The DSWD National Household Targeting System (NHTS) survey on the high poverty indicators in Bohol ranks Carmen at 12th while Tagbilaran City is even in top 20. Balilihan is ranked 31.

The DSWD poverty map for KALAHI interventions also places Carmen at top 12th while Balilihan is at 27th.

The KALAHI is one of the national government programs to reduce high poverty incidence.

Chatto said he had then even asked the DSWD why his town has been excluded from KALAHI assistance because more national government responses to the needs of the LGUs are always welcomed.

The DSWD data have also become bases for the purok power interventions by the ProTeams.

Chatto said official records have been used to avoid the hit-and-miss consequence, which can usually happen to government programs which are not well planned.

Barangay officials, even teachers, thanked capitol for the water pumps for the puroks and the high school in Montesuerte, Carmen delivered thru the CDP-PPM and its ProTeams.

The barangay captain of Nueva Estrella in Bien Unido, a Second District town, cited the strengthening of their puroks, Botica sa barangay, dispersal of native chicken and other livelihood aids as initial ProTeam interventions.

The same interventions have brought a “big difference” to their community in Pangpang, Ubay, according to a barangay nutrition scholar.

Captain Mercia Denoso of Doljo, Panglao said the CDP-PPM and its workers are elemental to government’s warm presence in the smallest unit of the community.

CRIME FACTOR

According to the PNP, Carmen is also in the top 10 LGUs based on crime volumes, which explains why the peace and development program as integrated in the CDP-PPM brought the ProTeams to the place.

Barot said Ubay, Talibon and Trinidad, among others, join Carmen in this bracket, although Tagbilaran City remains Bohol’s “crime capital.”

There have been periods when Tagbilaran City contributed over 50% of the crime volumes in Bohol, Barot said.

While their town still has unattended concerns, some Carmenanons hinted that the city administration must have failed in curbing the city criminality so that their lady mayor wants power base at capitol in Tagbilaran in 2013.

JUDGMENT CALL: BOHOL’ GOOD

Being their top leader, the good of the Boholanos is his judgment call, declared Chatto.

On De los Reyes’ barb that it is Balilihan, not Carmen, that needs the ProTeams, the governor said they are not in a competition so they do not compare.

Chatto is not convinced in putting one up to make others small.

He rallied his fellow Balilinhons not to be discouraged by the insinuations belittling their gains and the attacks on his leadership of the province.

“It comes natural because I come from you,” said the Balilihan son.

The governor said what is supreme now is that “we serve one province and make Bohol the best way we want it to become.”

Bohol is strong in tourism and luring more investments, but their trickling effect down the barangays is not an overtime job and even the economists understand this, according to the governor.

Chatto said that is why such innovation as the CDP-PPM has been done to help secure inclusive growth that considers poverty index.

He reiterated a leadership that nurtures understanding, but which could at the same time not fear to right wrong.

The governor sounded firmer to sustain the purok empowerment as an approach to poverty reduction after the mission of the ProTeams was assailed by his political detractors even during lent.

Chatto said there are always good reasons for his silence and sound, and that even silence has a sound of its own.

While others may seem like facial whiteners for the political preservation of certain quarters to look fair, the governor said he has his own mind and he knows when to talk.

Chatto turned the issues around as an opportunity to serve more, a strategy for community growth and an empowered, peaceful, prosperous and happy people.

By Bohol Standard

Philippine National Police (PNP) authorities and communities here in Valencia town in Bohol bind further into a more cohesive force against crimes with the recent implementation of the Pulis Nyo Po sa Barangay (PnpSB).

Faced with a threat of more violent and sometimes well-armed criminals making its flung villages as lairs or escape routes, local anti-crime forces now stand a better chance of winning the peace with a police officer now part of the barangay force.

The program, according to Camp Dagohoy Police Community Relations Officer Antonieto Cuyos assigns a police officer as supervisor and regularly sits down with the barangay peace keeping officers and peace and order council to discuss strategies and pro-active measures against criminal elements.

An addendum of the Letter of Instruction on the organization of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPATS), the program is also implemented as one of the ten point agenda cascaded by PNP Chief Police General Nicanor Bartolome to all PNP units in the country.

Under the PnpSB program, Barangay Peace keeping and Security Officers or Barangay Tanods are joined by a police officer who will supervise the barangay in their anti-crime operations.

At the PnpSB launching here April 18, their Camp Dagohoy key officers marched to their assigned towns in Duero, Dimiao and Lila to orient Barangay chairmen and tanods on the mechanics of the program which had its first batch of trainings the week before.

According to Cuyos, PnpSB is a gesture of PNP commitment to pursue an effective community partnership in support of sustained barangay based anti-crime strategy, said PSupt Cuyos before a crowded ABC Hall in Valencia town.

“Through the PnpSB, policemen who add the barangays in their beats also act as conduits between his community and his office station or unit, while he holds office at the barangay in times a week,” PSupt. Cuyos explains.

“This provides a strong momentum to the community policing,” he told peace keeping officers while stressing LOI 22-09 Bayanihan or the directive mandating Barangay Peacekeeping Operations through the BPATs.

Attending the launch were chiefs of tanods, barangay chairmen of 35 town villages and local officials led by Vice Mayor Jorge Buslon and SB on Peace and Order Chairman Aristotle Cometa.

Highlighting the new program as a conglomeration of barangay security sectoral groups, the community relations expert stresses that community volunteers act as force multipliers under the PNP.

The designation as PSB supervisor is additional job of the police officer which he does over and above his present duties, he told policemen who shall make the rounds to their assigned barangay clusters.

When there, the police officer acts as the focal person monitoring the peace and order situation in his assigned barangay on 24-hour basis, so that he designs his personal schedule to serve, he instructed his local counterparts.

To the local officials, Cuyos also asked help in monitoring the police in the barangays to note that they visit their assignments at least once a week and at the same time, carry out police community based activities including engaging communities in dialogues and pulong-pulongs, meetings, house visits, give crime prevention and safety awareness lectures, hand in personal safety leaflets and other IEC materials.

The police, along with his local tanods identify peace and order issues and other public safety concerns including prevalent crimes, drug problems, health issues and disaster prone areas to better update town leaders for planning and legislative support.

The police presence in the communities also helps them provide immediate assistance in emergencies and disasters.

Even before the PnpSB, Valencia Vice Mayor Jorge Buslon publicly commended the towns police for sincere service in front of key Camp Dagohoy Officials.

PNP Valencia is worth commendable for its performance in the last few months, he said.

Speaking to represent Mayor Henrietta Gan, Buslon also stressed that attaining peace is impossible without progress. He also said neither can progress happen without peace.

VM Buslon ended his message by insisting that peace and progress can only happen when communities work with the police.

By: Rey Anthony Chiu

By the opening of the next school year in June, indigents from 29 towns in Bohol have something to look up to, this as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) assure them and some 6,343 families of a head-start in their kid’s education.

The more than 6000 families come from 17 towns which are included in the set 6 of the grants, revealed Aileen Lariba, regional information officer of the flagship social service program.

Speaking during the weekly Kapihan sa PIA, Lariba identified the 17 towns as Alburquerque, Antequera, Baclayon, Bilar, Corella, Cortes, Dauis, Dimiao, Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Loay, Loboc, Maribojoc, Panglao, Sevilla, Sikatuna and Tubigon.

For set 6, Tubigon gets the most number of family beneficiaries at 949, followed by Jagna at 882, Garcia Hernandez (469), Bilar (465) and Dimiao (435), according to the list which Lariba provided.

The 17 towns up Bohol’s town count as beneficiaries for this set to 29.

Also familiarly known in countries across the globe as conditional cash transfer, the 4Ps picks out through the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) the country’s poorest of the poor to selectively focus on the government assistance with attached conditions for compliance on their health and education.

Implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the 4Ps allows a family’s three schooling aged kid of 0-14 to get an educational assistance of P300. The parents also are obliged to send their kids to school 85% of the time to continually receive the government support.

Another assistance, some P500 is given to the family who has religiously attended the Family Development Sessions where key resource persons tutor family heads tips on health and nutrition, community living and cooperation.

It may also be recalled that the towns of Alicia, Bien Unido, Buenavista, Carmen, Inabanga, Getafe, Mabini, Pilar, Carlos P Garcia, Trinidad and Ubay were already included in the third set of the 4Ps beneficiaries.

Earlier on, beneficiaries of the towns of Guindulman, Candijay, Clarin, Duero, Lila, San Isidro and Valencia.

4PS also crossed over to Anda, Balilihan, Batuan, Calape, Catigbian, Danao, Loon, Sagbayan, San Miguel and then to Talibon, Tagbilaran City and then Sierra Bullones.

This then puts almost 50,000 poor Boholano families availing of the government assistance.

By RVO as seen on Bohol Standard

To start the ball rolling, Gov. Edgar Chatto has given the go-signal for the conduct of the 2nd Dolphin Festival next month by creating working committees through a memorandum order No. 1, series of 2012 he signed on April 16, 2012.

The governor said the presence of cetaceans in Bohol waters as “indicators of a healthy coastal environment” considering marine mammals visit here because of rich marine habitat and sufficient food supply.

“The existence of marine mammals in our municipal waters has made greater contributions to our tourism industry as well as in the province’s economy” that has generated additional income that benefited to local community and business sector.

The Dolphin Festival tentatively set on May 31, 2012 as part of the Month of the Ocean celebration next month aims at raising awareness in the conservation and protection of Bohol’s coastal resources, said the governor in his memo order.

Involved in the festival preparation include the provincial government through Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO), the Bohol Rescue Unit for Marine Wildlife (BRUMW) in partnership with Physallus, Path Foundation, the Coastal Conservation for environment Foundation (CCEF) and other national agencies such as the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of the DENR headed by Crescenciano Pahamutang and Nestor Canda, respectively.

The Memorandum Order has not only identified the committee composition but also defines their duties and responsibilities.

Among the committees created include Program, Physical Arrangement, Parade, Prizes and Awards, Security/Peace/Order, Food, Documentation, Publicity and Emergency.

Other participating agencies include Bohol Tourism Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Governor’s Office/Center for Culture and Arts, National Museum, Provl General Service Office, Phil Coast Guard, PNP Maritime, Office of Provincial Veterinarian, Phil Ports Authority, city PNP, BANGON, Padayon BMT, Phil Information Agency, EdCom, TARSIER 117, Provl Health Office and Medical Outreach Unit. (RVO)

By Yengo.com

How does one spend fourteen million pesos in three months and end up buried deep in debts after? Well, Lotto winner Dionie Reyes sure knows how to do it. He revealed that despite warnings and admonitions from his wife and family to live his life easy and spend his winnings wisely, he gave away money to friends and complete strangers, gambled away and drowned himself drunk to his heart's content.

And just when he found himself broke and sold his property to pay his debts, he had to have a heart surgery without a centavo on his hands and had to thank the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for shouldering the hospital bills. He says its a lesson learned the hard way and wants to warn lottery winners of his demise lest it happens to them, too.

By Ric V. Obedencio

THE provincial government has intensified efforts to save the Danajon Double Barrier Reef (DDBR) that lies off the northern coastal areas of 10 municipalities following a series of consultations conducted earlier in Cebu, Leyte and Southern Leyte that comprised the location of the reef.

Last week, it was the turn of Bohol officials on the briefing and presentation of the plan on Reef’ management body composed of coastal municipalities during a gathering that was called by the provincial government led by Gov. Edgar Chatto.

The provincial government and the Coastal Conservation for Environment Foundation (CCEF) presented to the body, including Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes and Talibon Mayor Restituto Auxtero and representatives of the towns concerned, the Danajon situation and the need for the Memorandum of Agreement between the stakeholders during the meeting held at the Governor’s Mansion.

The said MOA spells out the stakeholders’ duties and responsibilities and funds in running the management body over DDBR in carrying out activities, programs for the protection of the reef.

The meeting of the stakeholder-towns reminded the local government units lawmakers concerned to fast track the authorization by way of an approved Resolution authorizing their municipal mayors to sign the said MOA slated on May 18, 2012 in time of Month of the Ocean celebration this year.

Gov. Chatto was able to catch when the meeting was about to end and huddled with the officials and the CCEF representatives regarding the Danajon Reef issue.

DDBR is situated along Northern Bohol, southernmost of Camotes Sea. It has an approximate size of 94 km long on the east-west 9 to 25km wide covering about 695 coastal kms. Total area: 214,268 hectares; 3 big reefs: Cabul-an â€" Caubyan â€" 14,300 has.; and Dawajon from11 to 23 kms each; Calituban is inner part: Total area â€" 46,380 hectares.

It covers the coastal towns of Bien-Unido, Buenavista, Calape, Clarin, Inabanga, Getafe, Pres. CPG, Tlaibon, Trinidad, Tubigon, and Ubay, all of Bohol; Cebu --- Lapulapu city, Cordova; Leyte --- Matalom, Bato, Hilongos, and Hindang, Baybay City; southern Leyte â€" Maasin City

Its rich resources include, 40 islands/islets; mangroves, 5,250 has.; seagrass, more than 500 has.; man-made mangrove forest, 1,786 has.; hard coral species, 211 (205 of which are coral reef-building species); 6 seagrass species out of 16 found in the country (2004 Silliman University survey); Four (4) species of seahorse out of 7 thrive in the country found in Danajon, available data said. (RVO)

by Bohol Standard

The Social Security System (SSS) has cut down its interest rates and raised the maximum amount of its housing loans to help members gain wider access to decent shelter at affordable terms, a top official said.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. said members can now borrow up to P2 million, which is double the amount offered in the past, while annual interest rates were reduced by as much as five percent.

"The revised guidelines aim to align SSS housing loan programs to current industry practices. Our longer payment terms and fixed interest rates also make SSS loans competitive to lending facilities offered by other institutions such as banks," he said.

The new interest rates for individual members are pegged at eight percent per annum for loan grants of up to P400,000; nine percent for up to P1 million; ten percent for up to P1.5 million; and 11 percent for up to P2 million. Interest rates are fixed for a period of 15 years.

Employees, self-employed individuals and overseas Filipino workers with at least 36 contributions, including 24 months of continuous payment of premiums, and have no retirement or total disability claims can borrow. They and their spouse must have no delinquent SSS loans.

"We also increased the P300,000 limit on House Repair and Improvement loans to P1 million. Among those who will benefit are members whose homes were damaged by natural calamities and families who want to expand or renovate their house," de Quiros said.

SSS lowered its 14 percent interest rate to 11 percent for entrepreneurs and developers of subdivisions, condominiums and other residential properties. To be eligible, employers must have current contribution and loan payments and a record of profitability for the last three years.

"Applications for SSS housing loans are coursed through participating financial institutions. Interested borrowers of House Repair and Improvement Loans, OFWs and trade union members can apply directly at any SSS branch," he said.

The maximum term is 30 years for Individual Loans; 15 years for OFW Loans; 20 years for Apartment, Dormitory, House Repair and Improvement Loans; and five years for Development Loans. Borrowers aged 60 at the time of application will have a maximum loan term of five years.

By Rey Anthony Chiu as seen on Bohol Standard

Securing Anda’s becoming Bohol’s newest tourism destination is anchored on keeping peace and security of the place, that local officials believe securing their police keeps that dream going.

In the most recent turn of events, Anda Mayor Angelina Simacio said putting a new building for its town police is their biggest priority for now.

“We have just allocated P200,000 as our local counterpart apart from a lot which we donate for the new Philippine National Police (PNP) building,” she told members of the media during the recent out-of-town Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP), April 18, 2012 at the Anda Global beachfront resort.

Anda has submitted the request for the PNP to fund the construction of the new building, but Camp Dagohoy officials have temporarily shelved their request.

PSupt. Clarito Baja, Camp Dagohoy assistant provincial director for operations said that the PNP wants Anda to secure a Sangguniang Bayan Resolution formalizing the lot donation before the PNP brass could consider the town request.

Intent on realizing their request, Vice Mayor Paulino Amper committed to work with the town SB to comply with the requirement as fast as possible.

Located in the southeastern most part of Bohol island, Anda boasts of powdery untouched white beaches and secluded coves comparable to the best in the world which have opened up for high-end resorts and leisure investments.

We know we are groomed as the next tourism destination in Bohol and we are pushing hard to develop tourist destinations, she beamed.

Anda’s Lamanoc Island Mystical Experience has far stirred local and foreign tourists, and its dive spots are now getting into international dive circles.

About 100 kilometers from Tagbilaran, travel time to Anda is an hour and forty five minutes on paved roads along scenic coastlines of Bohol.

With a few beach resorts slowly stirring up local economies, Anda local officials shared that a stable peace and security in the town contributes greatly to the dream of opening its doors to more investments.

But distance also set assigned policemen in town at a certain degree of discomfort.

“We have about 10 policemen who do not come from the town, we have to host them so they would stay with us,” the lady mayor reasoned, emphasizing the need for a separate police office that would have some semblance of decent living quarters for its police men.

“We prioritized a separate PNP building where police can hold office in comfort,” she said adding that the present station at the side of the town hall is “too small and the men temporarily converting a town bodega mezzanine as their living quarters.”

Mayor Simacio, who bared that the town supplies at east three sacks of rice and a box of sardines for the police in town said they have to motivate the local police into doing their job of keeping Anda ready when the time comes.

She also bared that aside from the regular police, Anda also maintains an active Bantay Dagat team making sure they keep their seas perfect for the upcoming tourists.

By Bohol Standard

City Councilor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap joins the women of barangay Poblacion II, Tagbilaran City in celebration of the International Women’s Month. One of the highlights of the gathering was the distribution of gift packs to the women recipients of the said barangay. Kagawad Yap personally distributed the gift packs containing an assortment of goods to include rice, sardines, soap bar, noodles, coffee and sugar.

During the event, the number one City Councilor Baba Yap underscored the crucial role of women and expressed his appreciation and admiration for the diverse responsibilities that women undertake in the household from caring for family members to managing the home. Yap further acknowledged the women’s active engagement in the public sphere and their significant contribution to community development.

In addition to the gift packs, the women of barangay Poblacion II were treated to a day of fun, games and prizes intended to strengthen their unity, cooperation and camaraderie. At the closing of the enjoyable affair, the throng of women recipients from the barangay thanked Councilor Baba Yap for his generosity and for being a dependable public servant.

Yap also conveyed his gratitude to Poblacion II Barangay Councilors Eleanor Abella Camacho, Dr. Allan Ricardo Real and Roy Navea for their support in making sure that the event is a success. The councilor values partnerships and maintains strong alliances with local leaders in the barangay considering the latter’s crucial role in the development of the city.

This undertaking is one of the components of the “B.A.B.A” or “Building an Active Barangay Advocacy” project that brings government services directly to the barangays. The BABA project which was launched in barangay Taloto on February 25 features free services that include medical check-up and therapy, livelihood training, legal assistance and notarial services, veterinary care and dog vaccination, tanod capability enhancement and sports clinic.

Baba Yap’s brand of leadership characterized as pro-people and service oriented is marked by his hands-on approach of service delivery that flows straight to the people in the barangays of Tagbilaran City.

By RVO

Bohol may be lucky enough as Stephen Bryan Yu Bongcaras is the lone Boholano youth leader to have been chosen together with 160 youth leaders nationwide to participate in the 9th National Youth Parliament slated in May in Camarines Sur.

He will not only to represent the province but also the region wherein five of them from other provinces of Central Visayas have been slated to take part in the youth parliament, according to the sponsoring entity, the National Youth Commission in its press release.

Bongcaras, a resident of Uptown, Tiptip district, this city, is the son of Roberto Bongcaras and Ma. Rowena Yu Bongcaras, who are connected with the provincial government.

Stephen Bongcaras, a fourth-year in Nursing at Holy Name University, is a multi-awardee leader both as student and youth and the only member of the United Nations Population Funds Youth Advisory Panel or the UNFPA-YAP.

Among the colorful feathers in his cap is the Rotary Youth Awardee 2012. He is a recipient as Most Outstanding Youth Leader award of the Provincial HIV/AIDS Multi-sectoral Council.

This is not his first in attending big events for youth concers but also he has been one of the six delegates from Visayas to the International Youth and Volunteers Camp in Malaysia and only Boholano participant of the First Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health Philippines National Leadership Congress.

He is also elected as the National Focal Person of the National Council of Children and Young People on HIV/AIDS and he is a Master Trainer for youth Peer Education of the Philippines Red Cross and president of the Council of Presidents-Bohol Red Cross Youth.

The representatives were chosen based on their active involvement in the community, and service track record, awareness about youth issues and ability to present views and perspectives. The NYC, which is under the Office of the President, said the NYP is three-day convention wherein youth leaders can draft policy recommendation to address youth issues.” (RVO)

Published by Bohol Standard

Loboc Vice Mayor Louie Digal is the incoming president of the Rotary Club of Upper Tagbilaran.

His new post called him to the Rotary District Assembly in Ormoc City on Friday which was attended by fellow incoming club heads from other provinces.

Digal will replace outgoing club president Arnold Corsiga.

His involvement in civic groups has further fostered his ideals of service to the people, said Digal who is running for mayor of his town in 2013.

The last-termer vice mayor is also an honored first-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Rotarians are encouraged to foster the ideal of service as a basis for worthy enterprise.

They go for the development of acquaintance as an opportunity to serve; high ethical standards in business and professions; recognition of the worth of all useful occupations; and dignifying of each occupation as a chance to serve the society.

The “four-way test” of the Rotarians can guide to the things one thinks, says or does.

Digal said this test answers these four questions: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

Published by Bohol Standard

According to new Department of Health Regional Director Asuncion Anden, among provinces in the region, Bohol is in the forefront in attaining the Mid Decade Goals (MDGs) for health. She lauded the province’s leadership headed by Gov. Edgar M. Chatto for forging strong partnerships to make sure health remains at the top of the development agenda.

Anden, who replaced Susanna Madarieta, said this will be Bohol’s contribution to the nationwide objective of universal health care.

In 2011, DOH launched the Community Health Team (CHT) Mobilization campaign to guarantee that every family in the community is periodically visited and attended by health providers as part of government’s efforts to achieve this objective also tagged as Kalusugan Pangkalahatan.

The CHT Mobilization teams (CHTs) do nationwide door-to-door visit to reach all families, especially the poorest Filipino households, identified through the DSWD’s National Household Targeting System (NHTS). The CHT Mobilization links these families to social service providers, provide critical social services when needed, and deliver key health messages.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot said the Provincial Government’s adaption of a parallel strategy in the much-talked about Countryside Development Program â€" Purok Power Movement addresses the very same concerns.

The CDP-PPM’s distinctiveness lies in its all-encompassing intent, applying the same principle in all other fields such as agriculture, education, tourism, livelihood, among others.

Chatto for his part reported continued partnership with DOH for hospital facilities and equipment upgrade.

Just last week, DOH Sec. Enrique Ona inspected the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital and discussed the impending construction of a new 500-bed capacity modern regional hospital with Chief Dr. Nenita Moraga-Po. Upgrade for the province’s 10 devolved hospitals are also ongoing under the Health Modernization Program for 2012.

However, Chatto said leadership has not lost sight of goal to strengthen primary health care to ensure quality health services are provided to all Boholanos. This target also strongly backs up the tourism industry as rural health centers can become points of care for both domestic and international visitors.

The forum which was also attended by mayors led by LMP President Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes also became venue for LGUs to bring up concerns on health facilities in respective municipalities. The group also sought a resolution for health insurance coverage through Philhealth for NHTS-listed constituents.

Kalusugan Pangkalahatan under the PNoy administration seeks to address inadequate government subsidy for financial risk protection through expansion in National Health Insurance Program, limited access to quality health care facilities, and attainment of MDGs especially for Maternal and Child Health.

Anden also turned over to Cajes DOH funding form 2010 for Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Nutrition (MNCHN) for the LGUs.

Revenge of the birds?

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Watch Tagbilaran City Bohol 20 Years Ago

press release

Make your summer productive. Join the Basic Tour Guiding Course offered by the Bohol Powerhouse Scholastics, Inc. (BPSI). The 24-day training course is registered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Tourism. BPSI is an accredited Tourism Training Center by the Department of Tourism.

An applicant should be at least a graduate of any 4-year course, physically fit and not more than 50 years old. Applicants are expected to be fluent in the English language and/or any other foreign language. If an applicant claims to be bilingual, he should be fluent in both the English and another foreign language. A general aptitude (IQ) exam will be part of the screening process to be administered by a testing center, the cost of which will be shouldered by the applicant. Deadline of the exam is April 30, 2012.

Applicants should submit at the BPSI Office the certified true copy of the Transcript of Records or a copy of Diploma as proof of finishing a 4-year course, a duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking (the form can be secured from the BPSI office), certificate of good health issued by a government physician, birth certificate, 2 pcs. 2x2 and 3 pcs. 1x1 recent pictures (with collar and white background).

The training starts on May 14, 2012 until June 9, 2012 at the Bohol Powerhouse Scholastics, Inc. from Monday to Saturday. Deadline of requirements and training fee is May 4, 2012. The training is open to all interested individuals all over the region.

Once the applicants pass the course and have complied with all other requirements by both TESDA and DOT, they will receive a TESDA Tour Guiding Services National Certificate and a Certificate of Training/Completion which they can submit as part of the requirement for the Department of Tourism accreditation.

For any inquiries, please contact the BPSI office at 501-0398 or email bpsi_2007@yahoo.com.

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by PNA

CALASIAO, Pangasinan - Unidentified thieves broke into the regional office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here at dawn Monday, carting away a away two-layer safety vault which allegedly contained only P3,000.

A police report said the robbers barged into the Revenue Data Center (RDC) inside the BIR Regional Office building and carted away the safety vault measuring 2x3x1 and 1/2 feet from the office of Soliman Dabocol, head of RDC of the BIR Revenue Offices, presumably thinking it contained big amount of cash.

Investigation conducted by the Calasiao police showed the culprits gained entry into the BIR compound by climbing over an eight-feet high concrete fence after cutting the barbed wire on top.

Thereafter, they forcibly opened one of the sliding glass window located at the southern portion of the building to gain entry inside, then proceeded and opened the office of Dabocol.

The culprits were believed to have exited at the back of the BIR compound without being noticed by the guards.

Later that day, a phone call was received by the BIR regional office informing that the missing two-layer vault was discovered at the Calasiao Catholic Cemetery, at the back of the BIR compound.

by PLR

3D animation deals with electronically produced computer-generated 3D imagery used in motion graphics and digital special effects. In this case, the animator creates a design style or concept that tries to visually interpret and convey the required information using both new and traditional animation techniques.

The 3D animator will have to be well-acquainted with 3D animation applications and software, film and video production techniques, production processes, digital special effects, art and design movements and methodology, typography, styles of performance and dramatization, film and broadcast genres, technical scripting, health and safety regulations for the film and broadcast industry, and an understanding of budgeting and scheduling processes.

The job of the 3D animator is to design and realize original concepts, character and content creation. The animator, therefore, is responsible for devising and communicating creative ideas and accurate technical information. They have to provide the client with detailed estimates of costs, and work within the budget and schedule.

Each assignment will have different demands. So it is imperative that the animator should have a good knowledge and experience of animation software and broadcast processes, as well as a broad knowledge of technical scripting and digital technology used in broadcasting. The designer must be able to respond with innovative concepts and practical solutions for each assignment. The assignments may be of any kind, from designing a spinning top to re-creating mythical weapons.

To succeed in 3D animation, one must have a thorough understanding of computer-generated processes and applications to be able to achieve creative responses to design briefs within the restrictions of budget and deadline. He/she will be required to possess a passion for design, good communication skills and a good understanding of broadcast, special effects and character animation. Last but not least, he or she must enjoy working as a team member under pressure.

In addition to being able to demonstrate high standards of computer-generated imagery and animation techniques you will need to have a good knowledge of art and design movements and imagery, creative problem solving and innovation, and the understanding of how to deliver design concepts and processes.

By PLR

Wow, Charms are popular items these days. There are thousands of online businesses that sell Italian charms to all sorts of people who are interested in collecting or wearing charms as a fashion statement. We’ve dug through a lot of the offers out there and we found that charms of all sorts can be bought for reasonable prices if you look hard enough. Here are the 3 tips to find the coolest charms online.

1)Search for charms on multiple search engines. While this might seem a little obvious to most people, guess what? Different search engines produce markedly different results. For instance, everyone seems to love Google these days. Google is, indeed a remarkable search engine, but it’s not everything. A lot of new sites have a very tough getting a decent Google ranking no matter what they do. While it may seem weird to dub Microsoft an underdog, the MSN search results might return all sorts of charm related sites that you can’t find elsewhere. Search for “Italian Charms” on MSN and Yahoo, not just Google and you will find very different sites selling different types of charms than those on Google.

2)Compare designers. All charms are not created equal! What seems too good to be true usually is. Charms come from all sorts of designers, from the premiere designers in the world to the lowest quality imaginable. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Tiffany’s advertising a selection of charms. To say Tiffany’s products are different than other retailers’ is an understatement. Furthermore, some charms are made in China. Overall, expect lower quality in chinese charm bracelets than others. Pursue a good deal, but remember not all charms are created equal.

3)Find a local designer or distributor. Try searching for charms with a zipcode or city name. For instance “charms 90292” might bring a list of local charm retailers near you. You might want to inspect the charm before buying them and using the internet to find local retailers is a great way to do so. Don’t ignore the local merchants, a lot of them have websites too. Use the web for more than mail order shopping, there are a lot of people who use the internet to show off their wares that are only available in their stores.

By PLR

Moving into a new house can be quite an experience.  You are totally in a new zone, surrounded by new ceilings and floors near stairs in an entire new layout.  You want your home to look the best, so it's important to pick out the right kind of paint. Of course, in a single article, we can't show you absolutely everything that you need to know about moving into your new house, but we are going to try to give you some good tips on picking out a new house quality house paint.

1.  Match it.  By new house paint is arty difficult as it is in, and you definitely don't want to paint your house a second time. Make sure whatever kind of house paint that you buy matches up with your existing paint.  Maybe take a picture or find out exactly what kind of paint you have in your house right now so that when you go to the hardware store, you can show them exactly what you need.

2. Buy high-quality paint.  Take a look around at the different types of paint that are available for you to buy in the store.  You will quickly notice that paint varies in quality drastically and you generally get way you pay for.  Granted, you have to make sure that you're not getting ripped off and you really are getting a good deal, but if you are serious about making money on your house, try to buy the best type of paint that you can afford.

3.  Ask a professional.  It's okay if you don't know everything about home remodeling.  Some people do it for a living.  Builders, contractors, subcontractors and other home decorators might be able to give you some words of wisdom and help that you might not be able to get otherwise. Don't be afraid to ask.  Just ask them for a little help and you might be able to save yourself some time and headaches.

Of course, there's a lot more to say about house paint.  We can't have put everything in one article.  Visit our site to learn all about house paint today.

by PLR

Copyright 2006 Todd Harris

Proportion is a word often associated with another word for artists, stress.  But I’m here to share with you that it doesn’t have to be a stressful word. Can this really be true?  A simple way to warp speed techniques when measuring proportion?  Yes, I'm here to say that it is true.

Proportion…How big should the head be?  How long should the legs?  How long should I draw this line?  These are questions, we as artists, face everyday.  It doesn't matter what kind of artist you are...getting the most out of figure drawing with accurate proportions will explode your art to new levels. There are several tools and methods to help artists with proportions.  Without correct proportions, your figure will be inaccurate and lacking at best.

There are certain proportion formulas, such as the figure being a certain many heads tall, or the head of the figure being so many eyes wide.

I like to know these formulas and use them as a guide.  The human form being so individual you can never go strictly off of these formulas alone.  As an artist, it’s important to know these formulas to be able to recognize the deviations from the formulas in the model/subject you are drawing.

Measuring

Measuring is a little bit different for every artist.  It is a tool for proportions not to overlook.  Just as someone aiming a poolstick or firing a gun does it differently than the next person, so goes it for the artist.  Some artists, while measuring, will shut the left eye and some the right, while others will keep both eyes open (just never keep both shut LOL).  You’ll need to see what’s right for you.  Then, hold your pencil between your thumb and fingers with your fingers wrapped around the pencil.  Measure from the top of your thumb to the end of your pencil.  You can hold your pencil vertical or horizontal for this technique, keeping it at shoulder high.

Your measurement from your thumb to the end of your pencil may only be ½ inch, but on your drawing it could be an inch or more.  All of your measurements are comparative.  For example, if an artist wants to know how long a leg is, he can compare it’s length with the length of the subjects head.  Using the measurement method we discussed with the pencil, it’s easy to compare.

These simple methods, once applied, will soar your drawings, paintings or whatever you are working on.  The advice practice, practice, practice, coupled with masterful technique will help you advance your art quickly and masterfully more than anything else.

This is a brief overview on proportions and measuring.  For more information on proportions, measurements, drawing people or faces, and much more…Please email us at info@learning2draw.com.

by PLR

Stop for just a second, take a look around you and ask yourself if this is the quality of life you were hoping for. If you answered “No”, then my question to you is “why not?” “What are you doing to change your life?” Most people who have been asked what they’ve done to change their lives say “it’s no use because…..” and so it goes…. excuses.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. The first step in getting out of the rut is to stop making excuses and assume responsibility for the quality of your life. You can change your life situation today. How do I know? I know because others have done it. There will always be obstacles, but none that can’t be overcome. The only requirement is the desire to change. Mark Twain once said “It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog.” If your “want to” is strong enough, you can achieve almost anything you set your mind to.

The second step to getting out of the rut is step out in faith and, as the Nike commercial says, “Just do it”. There is no time like the present to change course. You might not succeed the first time, but you must keep trying. Success will come with persistence. Remember the old saying “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Don’t worry about making a mistake. Albert Einstein once said “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

So step out. Take a chance, and as William Durant, the founder of General Motors said “Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it.”