MikeLigalig.com

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 22:14:00 08/08/2010

British pop star Robbie Williams has married his US actress girlfriend, newspapers reported Sunday.

The singer, 36 -- who recently rejoined the British band Take That -- has tied the knot with Ayda Field, 31, at his mansion in Los Angeles.

Newspapers showed pictures of marquees set up in the grounds.

"At last, Rob is happy. That's what you want for your kids and this is the happiest I've seen him," the singer's father Pete said, according to the News of the World.

"Ayda is so beautiful and so delightful and so lovely and just so right for him. They are brilliant together."

He added: "I don't have any grandchildren yet. Rob's will be my first. I'm pleased he's going to start a family. I can't tell you, I am just so very pleased for him. He might end up a stay-at-home dad -- you never know. But I think he'll always do his music."

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Comedian Redford White succumbed to brain and lung cancer Sunday morning. He was 54.

True to his calling as a funnyman, White took his final bow, not with tears but with laughter.

Friends who visited him at his Quezon City home last week, recalled that the comedian was in a jovial mood.

“For the first time, we saw him laughing heartily,” said frequent movie and TV costar Ces Quesada.

His colleagues remember White, or Cipriano Cermeno II in real life, as a “quiet, unassuming fellow.”

Director Wenn Deramas, who worked with White on “Kokey,” one of his last TV shows on ABS-CBN in 2007, said the comedian was always “quiet, sitting in a corner and reading books on the set.”

“Buddy en Sol” costar Eric Quizon described White as a “dedicated actor [whom] everyone admired.”

Although he wasn’t rowdy, White was “a fun coworker … [who was] always ready to collaborate,” Deramas added.

A native of Cebu, White shot to fame as a cafeteria waiter on the IBC 13 sitcom, “Iskul Bukol,” which ran from the late 1970s to the early 1980s.

Quesada said the comedian first worked with the comic trio, Tito, Vic and Joey, and director Bert de Leon.

“I actually discovered him,” De Leon told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview. “I spotted him at the old Broadcast City. I learned from the staff that he was an aspiring comedy writer from Cebu.”

De Leon sensed that White had talent and asked him to do a scene with the late comedian Bing “Mang Tim-I” Angeles. They clicked instantly.

“People in the studio kept laughing,” he said. White’s screen test eventually became part of an episode of “Iskul Bukol.”

“His real name, Cipriano, was hard to remember. Joey [de Leon] and I thought of the screen name Redford White instead,” Bert de Leon said.

He added that White “never changed at all. He remained painfully shy and soft-spoken” even after he became famous.

“I feel bad that I didn’t get to see him. Bert and I were supposed to visit him this week,” Vic Sotto told the Inquirer.

Quesada, who worked with White for five years on the RPN 9 sitcom, “Buddy en Sol,” in the 1990s, agreed: “Red was never the type who sought to be the center of attention. He was playful and funny on camera, but he was a tad serious off-camera.”

Like the best comedians, Dolphy and Vic Sotto, Redford wasn’t a boisterous clown in real life, she added.

The “Buddy en Sol” family, led by costars Quesada and Quizon, assistant director Boots Plata, and talent manager Dolor Guevara, visited White at his home last Tuesday.

“We kept laughing,” Quesada said. “He was cheerful. He was in high spirits. I remember it was the first time we ever saw him laughing out loud. But it was also painful because we knew it would be the last time we would see him.”

Quizon described White as “a truly honest and good man. He was my comedy partner. My Sol. Together, we made people laugh and smile. I couldn’t have done it alone. He was a man who believed in his craft and valued his work. Today is one of the saddest days in my life.”

Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) head and fellow comedian Leo Martinez, who also directed “Buddy en Sol,” visited White last Tuesday.

“He seemed ready to go,” Martinez said.

Friends said White fought a valiant battle with cancerâ€"an illness he kept secret even from his closest friends.

In the social networking site, Twitter, comedian Gabe Mercado wrote: “He kept his condition secret, even from close friends. I didn’t even know he was ill.”

“He was a very private person,” Quesada told the Inquirer. “He’d rather hide on the sidelines. In press conferences, he’d hardly talk. He was very shy.”

The Internet was flooded with poignant messages from colleagues.

Actress and TV host Ruffa Gutierrez said on Twitter: “Woke up to sad news … I will cherish our ‘Kokey’ days and remember you with a smile.”

Also on Twitter, Mercado called White a “mentor … who had tremendous respect for his craft … [he was] perhaps the most generous man I knew.”

Singer Gary Valenciano said on Twitter that he “felt bad about [White’s] passing … I had wonderful moments with this man.”

By Marinel R. Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer

"His death was unexpected," said actor Ricky Davao, whose father Charlie succumbed to colon cancer on Sunday morning. Charlie was 75.

"I was shocked with the news. He earlier showed signs that his health was improving," said Ricky, who was in Cebu at the time of the interview. "That's why I risked leaving and going here for work." Ricky later boarded a 3 p.m. flight to Manila.

Charlie, who was known for portraying character roles in the movies and TV, passed away at 11:30 a.m. at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. His cancer was detected in 2009.

"Before he died, I was able to speak to him on the phone. My daughter said he kept nodding his head while I talked," Ricky told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. "Although I feel bad that I wasn't there with him, at least my siblings and children were all by his bedside."

Ricky said arrangements were still being made for Charlie's wake and burial rites.

Malou Choa-Fagar, "Eat...Bulaga!" producer and one of Ricky's close friends, related: "Ricky said the doctors earlier informed the family that Charlie could go anytime. This was why they arranged a gathering of friends last Friday. The event was very private--strictly for family and friends. No reporter or TV crew was allowed."

Among those who paid Charlie a visit at the PGH were actors Tirso Cruz III, Eddie Gutierrez and his wife Annabelle Rama, and nephew Edu Manzano.

Congresswoman Lani Mercado said she would have visited Charlie, too, if not for an engagement in Dagupan City. Lani became close to Charlie when they worked together in the suspense-drama series "Saan Darating ang Umaga" in 2008. "I think (Senator) Bong (Revilla, her husband) and I were one of the first people to know about his condition. We helped him when he first got hospitalized at the PGH," said Mercado.

Mercado said she last spoke with Charlie early this year at the wedding of one of the late actor's children. "I saw that Tito Charlie had lost so much weight already. But during the ceremony, I saw in his eyes that he was truly happy," said Lani, who was one of the principal sponsors in the wedding. "I always bump into his son Ricky in showbiz gatherings. Ricky told me that since he and the family knew of their Papa's illness, they would take one day at a time. They knew na may hangganan ang lahat (everything has its end). I hope he was able to prepare himself emotionally for his Papa's passing."

She added: "I offer my prayers to Tito Charlie's family. He was a great loss. I remember telling him to visit Bong's father (Ramon Revilla Sr.) when the latter had a stroke so they could reminisce about working together for Imus Productions. I never thought mawawala na siya (that he would be gone soon)."

Sexy actress Ara Mina considered Charlie one of the most professional actors she worked with. "Kapag ka-eksena mo madadala ka talaga (You would be affected if you were in the scene together). He was also like a father to me. He was very caring," she recalled.

Born Charlie Dabao in Iloilo City, he went to Manila in 1954 to study. He juggled being a commerce student at the University of the East and working as a commercial and print ad model.

Charlie, who would later become known for his roles as an antagonist in the movies and TV, landed his first major role in the film "Isinumpa" (Cursed) in 1959. Among his most memorable films were "Kaming Mga Talyada" (1962), with Juancho Guttierez and Jose Mari Gonzales, and "Trudis Liit" ("Little Trudis," 1993), with Vilma Santos.

He was also part of "Palengke Queen" with Nora Aunor in 1982; "Pedro Tunasan" with Lito Lapid in 1983; "Get Victor Corpus: The Rebel Soldier" with Rudy Fernandez in 1987; "The Rape of Virginia P." with Alma Moreno in 1989; and "Volta" with Ai-Ai de la Alas in 2004.

On television, he worked with Claudine Barretto in "Mula sa Puso" on ABS-CBN in 1997. He was also part of "Darna," "Rosalinda," and "Totoy Bato" on GMA 7. Charlie was last seen in "Saan Darating ang Umaga" on GMA 7 in 2008.

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Singing sweethearts Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez are planning to tie the knot soon.

The news was confirmed by Alcasid who told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that “details regarding the ceremony are still being finalized.”

A source close to the couple said that December has been eyed as the wedding month.

One thing’s for sure, Megastar Sharon Cuneta is one of the ninangs, as she announced in her “Mega Drama” concert last Saturday night.

Alcasid also bared plans to ask singer Lea Salonga to perform at the ceremony.

Alcasid said: “I am extremely happy and blessed.”

Alcasid ended his marriage years ago from his first wife, former Miss Australia Michelle van Eimeren, who has remarried in Australia.

Alcasid did not discuss the details of the annulment of his marriage to Van Eimeren when he confirmed his wedding plans with Velasquez.

By Nancy C. Carvajal
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The father of popular singer and actress Sarah Geronimo was assaulted inside the parking area of the ABS-CBN network’s ELJ Building, in Quezon City, at around noon on Sunday, police said.

The officer on case, PO3 Ranilo Mendoza said Geronimo's father Delfin, 55, was shaken by the attack at 12:50 p.m. but he got away without injuries.

Mendoza said a suspect in the attack, Paulino Mercado, 43, has been arrested and placed in police custody. He said the suspect who claimed he had a gift from a beauty product company was waiting for the actress' father at the parking area.

Police said the suspect used a stun gun on Geronimo’s father who was able to escape from the suspect and seek help from the security guard who arrested Mercado.

Police said they were investigating the motive of the assault.

Agence France-Presse

Australia's poshest department store has offered to settle a 33 million dollar lawsuit brought over the alleged sexual harassment of a publicist by its former head, a report said Sunday.

David Jones has offered Kristy Fraser-Kirk "less than a million (Australian) dollars -- or about three percent of what she was hoping for" to settle Australia's largest sexual harassment claim, the Sun-herald newspaper reported.

The top-end department store was not immediately available for comment, but the Sunday Telegraph revealed that Fraser-Kirk had filed a harassment complaint against a former colleague when she worked for an Australian police force.

"I discussed ... in an informal meeting ... how (he) was occasionally invading my personal space and discussed that he please be made aware of that," she told the paper of the incident.

The claim led to the policeman involved being transferred to the highway patrol, the paper said.

Fraser-Kirk last week filed papers in the federal court claiming 37 million Australian dollars (33 million US) in punitive damages against David Jones and its former chief executive Mark McInnes over his alleged unwelcome advances.

Tragedy in a Wedding in Turkey
Agence France-Presse

A groom accidentally killed three relatives at his wedding in Turkey on Sunday when he fired into the air with an assault rifle in celebration, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Eight other people were wounded at the incident at the village of Akcagoze in the South Eastern province of Gaziantep.

The groom unleashed a volley of rapid aerial shots with an AK-47 rifle to celebrate his nuptials, but quickly lost control of the weapon and accidentally raked the guests with bullets, the report said.

His father and two of his aunts died in hospital.

The groom was arrested.

Turks are notorious for breaking out into gunshots to celebrate weddings and sports victories, a practice that has caused many deaths and which authorities have so far failed to curb.

Tagbilaran City is the venue for this year’s paper and pencil test for the upcoming Career Service Professional and Sub-Professional Examinations, said the Bohol Field office of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

With the examinations set on October 17, 2010 (Sunday), the CSC in Bohol is now accepting applications for the upcoming examinations.

According to CSC Bohol Director Cherith Nissi Asis, the deadline for filing of applications is September 1. 2010.

Applicants need to accomplish the CSC application form, which can be downloaded from the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph, or can be secured from the CSC Bohol Field Office in Dampas.

Four identical passport sized pictures with full name tag and taken at least three months prior to the examinations are also needed.

Pictures that are computer generated and digitally altered are not allowed, also said Liezl del Rosario, CSC information Officer. The said is true with scanned or photocopied pictures, she added.

Applicants also need to present a valid identification card, which should have the applicant’s signature, birth date and authorized issuing agency head.

A photocopy of the identification card also serves as a reference for room examiners during the exams days.

An examination fee of P350.00 is also collected from applicants.

For inquiries, call 501 7046. (racPIA-Bohol)

The private prosecutor in the Marlene Garcia-Esperat murder case has urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately serve the warrants for the arrest of alleged masterminds of the crime.

Lawyer Nena Santos, a personal friend of Esperat who is collaborating with government prosecutors in the case, said that no arrest has yet been made on Osmeña Montañer and Estrella Sabay despite the issuance of arrest warrants for them on February 4.

Both the national and regional offices of the PNP were furnished the arrest warrants, Santos disclosed in the sidelines of an international conference on "Impunity and Press Freedom" in Makati City late last week.

The warrants were issued by Cebu Regional Trial Court Branch 7 where the murder case against the two alleged masterminds was lodged on February 1.

The accused are officials of the agriculture department's regional office in Central Mindanao. Montañer is the department's finance chief while Sabay is an accountant.

"I am afraid we will end up prosecuting the case without the masterminds," Santos said.

Of the hundreds of cases of journalist killings in the country, only four have identified masterminds. The Esprat case could be considered a landmark because the alleged masterminds had been identified and charged before the court.

The Esperat murder is one of only two cases of journalist killings successfully prosecuted, the other one being that of Pagadian City broadcaster Edgar Damalerio who was gunned down in 2002.

Suspects question case
Esperat, a journalist for the weekly Midland Review, was gunned down inside her house in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, while having dinner with her family on March 24, 2005.

Probers believe she was believed killed because of her exposés on the fertilizer scam.

Sabay and Montañer have earlier questioned the issuance of arrest warrants against them, citing that their case with the Tacurong Regional Trial Court for the same incident was already dismissed on Aug. 31, 2005.

However, Judge Simeon Dumdum upheld the issuance of the arrest warrants saying his court has jurisdiction of the case per Supreme Court directive transferring it from Tacurong to Cebu.

In October 2006, the Cebu RTC Branch 21 convicted four perpetrators of the Esperat killing, in a record trial speed for a case involving a slain journalist.
Sentenced to life imprisonment were Estanislao Bismanos, Gerry Cabayag, Randy Fernandez-Grecia and Rowie Barua.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has welcomed Dumdum's decision, saying it means a lot for the speedy prosecution of the people behind the Esperat murder.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippine, an IFJ affiliate, had listed some 91 journalists and media workers killed in the country since 1986, 54 of which happened during the incumbency of President Arroyo.

A study done by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility showed that 90 percent of those killed tried to expose government corruption. Ryan D. Rosauro

By PERSEUS ECHEMINADA
The Philippine Star

Tilapia, a voracious freshwater fish, has invaded Taal Lake in Batangas and is now threatening the tawilis, the world’s only known freshwater sardine, an environmentalist warned.

Romeo Trono, country executive director of Conservation International, said the introduction of tilapia in fishpens in Taal Lake has disturbed the marine sanctuary of the tawilis that is largely dependent on algae. Tilapia also thrives on algae.

But what disturbed the environmental group is that aside from feeding on algae and other food in the lake, the giant tilapia, also known locally as plapla, has also been feeding on schools of tawilis and their fries, driving the rare freshwater sardine out of the food chain.

"The tilapia is a predator fish; it feeds on tawilis and unless conservation efforts are undertaken, the tawilis would soon become extinct," Trono told reporters in an environmental forum in Quezon City.

By RUDY A. FERNANDEZ
The Philippine Star

It’s simply called e-AgriteK.

It stands for Kagalingan sa Agrikultura Tungo sa Kabuhayan, Kasaganaan at Kaunlaran, an electronic system that will provide stakeholders in the farm and fisheries sectors with tools to produce higher yields and earn more profits, particularly in research and development.

To put e-AgriteK in motion, the Department of Agriculture is tapping experts from the agribusiness and information technology sectors to help the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) launch the project.

BAR director Nicomedes Eleazar said member-institutions of the BAR-coordinated National Research and Development System for Agriculture and Fisheries, including state colleges and universities, non-government organizations, and the private sector, will be tapped to help ensure the program’s success.

e-AgriteK will be carried out nationwide with institutional assistance and support from the Agricultural Training Institute, Agri­business and Marketing Assistance Service, and Information Technology Center for Agriculture and Fisheries.

By SANDY ARANETA
The Philippine Star

The Sandiganbayan has denied the motion to quash the graft charges against a provincial official of Western Samar who, together with Gov. Milagros Tee Tan and five other local executives, are facing eight counts of graft for the alleged anomalous purchase of electric fans and assorted medicines and goods worth over P16 million.

Associate Justice Jose Hernandez of the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division, who penned the resolution, branded as "dilatory" the motion to quash filed by provincial administrative officer Rolando Montejo.

The Sandiganbayan said Montejo filed his motion to quash only after the 30-day prescribed period.

Associate Justices Gregory Ong, who chairs the Fourth Division, and Samuel Martires concurred with the five-page resolution.

Aside from Tan, Montejo’s other co-accused are Damiano Conde, provincial treasurer; Romeo Reales, provincial accountant; Maximo Sison, provincial budget officer; Aurelio Bardaje Jr., general services officer; and Numberiano Legaspi, record officer and inspector of the General Services Office.

Agence France-Presse

Four soldiers were killed in an ambush by communist guerrillas in the eastern island of Samar, the military said Tuesday.

New People's Army (NPA) gunmen shot the troops near the town of Motiong on Monday after luring them to the area by first attacking a family home.

Impoverished Samar, the Southeast Asian archipelago's third largest island, is a hotbed of the 39 year-old Maoist insurgency. An army division of around 10,000 soldiers is based on the island.

The Department of Health and the Provincial Health Office declared an outbreak in Calamba City, Laguna Monday afternoon after more than 500 people reportedly fell ill because of typhoid fever.

Aside from Calamba, the disease was also reported in Los Baños and San Pablo City.

The Provincial Health Office earlier reported a total of 241 cases of typhoid fever in 13 villages in Calamba from February 25 to March 1.  Some 75 patients were taken in at the 50-bed J.P. Rizal Memorial District Hospital within this period.

Some patients had their own mattresses and slept on the hallway while others occupied chairs and tables inside the hospital chapel because of the lack of space.

At the Calamba Doctors Hospital, the number of typhoid patients has already reached 86.

Residents said they suspect that the contaminated water supply caused the outbreak.

Officials of the Calamba Water District, however, said that their water is clean and the tests have proven that the supply is negative for bacteria.

Three villages in Angeles City, Pampanga were submerged in floodwaters after a two-hour downpour, ABS-CBN Regional Network Grup reported Monday.The report said floodwaters in the villages of Pandan, Sto. Cristo and Sto. Entiero rose as high as four feet as of 8 p.m. The rains started at 6 p.m.Most oThree villages in Angeles City, Pampanga were submerged in floodwaters after a two-hour downpour, ABS-CBN Regional Network Grup reported Monday.

The report said floodwaters in the villages of Pandan, Sto. Cristo and Sto. Entiero rose as high as four feet as of 8 p.m. The rains started at 6 p.m.

Most of the streets in the villages, including McArthur Highway, were deemed impassable to light vehicles.

Commuters, mostly students and employees, were stranded because of the flood. They waited for almost three hours to get a ride home. - abs-cbn

By EDITH REGALADO
The Philippine Star

DAVAO CITY â€" Two miners were trapped inside a tunnel that caved in Sunday afternoon at the gold-rush site in Mt. Diwalwal, Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

According to Southern Mindanao regional police commander Chief Superintendent Andres Caro II, the cave-in occurred at around 3 p.m. inside a tunnel of the Bulbscor Mining Corp. in Purok 4, Barangay Diwata in Mt. Diwalwal.

Caro said the incessant rains for the past few weeks have caused landslides in certain portions not only of the mining site but also in other parts of Compostela Valley.

"We have issued warnings on landslides and floods with the onset of the rainy days and Mt. Diwalwal is one of the areas to be highly prone to such disasters," Caro said.

By MANNY GALVEZ
The Philippine Star

DINGALAN, Aurora â€" A group of Japanese, Korean and Filipino investors are eyeing a P120-million cable car project in this coastal town, which could help promote the province as an investments and tourism haven and perk up the local economy.

Businessman Romeo Callanta, chairman of the RC Electric Corp. (RCEC), told The STAR that the cable car project will be the first of its kind in the country and will be similar to the cable car line in the Hong Kong Ocean Park.

Callanta, a consultant of Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and local partner of the foreign investors, said they are eyeing to install the cable car along a nine-kilometer area in this town, through an aerial cruise with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean as backdrop.

"This will officially be the first commercial cable car project in the Philippines and this will be located in Aurora," he said. He said there is an existing cable car project at the Tagaytay Highlands but this is used exclusively by golfers.

The Philippine Star

BIÃ'AN, Laguna â€" Police arrested three carnappers, including the leader of the dreaded Atienza gang and nine drug pushers during a series of anti-criminality operation here, Monday.

Police Superintendent Mafelino Bazar, Biñan police chief, presented to Biñan Mayor Marilyn ‘Len Len’ Alonte-Naguiat, the arrested suspects identified as Jonathan Atienza, tagged as the leader of the gang, with his two cohorts, Alejandro Almeria and Junar Emeterio, both residing in Calamba City.

Bazar said the gang was responsible in a series of carnap­ping activities in Calabarzon. They are also suspected as suppliers of shabu and marijuana to various street users from different barangays in Calabarzon.

An ordinary joyride among friends Saturday night turned into a tragedy after their vehicle crashed into a concrete electrical post in Famy, Laguna. The road crash killed five teenagers and injured seven others.

The victims' Mitsubishi Adventure (VDZ 701) was a total wreck after crashing into the post along a highway curve in Barangay Batuhan. It was learned that the driver from the municipality of Mabitac took the vehicle without his parents' knowledge to meet "textmates" in Sta. Cruz town.

The fatalities were identified as Irene de Leon, Kristine Joy Abusejo, Ruben Gagaring and Jarried Ira Dalhag. They all died on the spot.

The fifth fatality named Jenalyn Dalay expired at a local hospital.

Those who survived the tragedy, meanwhile, were identified as Jake Canlas, Jonathan Canlas, Rodolfo Solapco, Arjay Agarao, Jondi Enriquez, Mark Corsillano and Mark Bermudez.

Solapco, the vehicle's driver, said he tried to steer clear of a dog that crossed the highway. By doing so, he veered too much on one side and failed to compensate the oversteering.

Police, meanwhile, said they will be filing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and physical injuries against Solapco. - abs-cbn

By JAIME LAUDE
The Philippine Star

The skeletal remains of an Army enlisted man and his civilian friend, who were abducted by suspected communist guerrillas in Quezon on May 23 last year, were exhumed in the outskirts of Mauban town the other day.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr., Army spokesman, said the skeletal remains of Pfc. Eriberto Eclevea and his friend, Richard Cortizano, were dug up in a shallow grave in Barangay Cagsiay 3.

Elements of the Army’ 1st Infantry Battalion were able to trace the grave with the help of rebel returnees.

"This again is a clear proof of the NPA extra-judicial way of killing well-meaning people," Torres said.

By CELSO AMO
The Philippine Star

LEGAZPI CITY â€" Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has ordered the forced evacuation of 124 families in two villages in Libon town, as a hillside there could erode anytime.

This, as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council’s landslide advance monitoring team found cracks on the hillside in Puroks 2 and 3 in Barangay Burabod, about five kilometers from the Libon town proper.

The hillside was also found to be sitting on a fault line.

"This is in line with our policy of zero casualty," Salceda said.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan placed the province under a state of calamity last Feb. 21 after continuous rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides.

Thirty-four elementary and secondary school athletes training for a regional sports meet were brought to a hospital after suffering from symptoms of food poisoning in San Jose, Antique province.

The victims experienced abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting after having juice drinks in tetra packs, which authorities said were already expired.

Of the 34, two were discharged from the hospital while 10 others who felt nauseous will possibly be allowed to go home Monday.

The athletes gathered last Wednesday at the Antique National High School to train for the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet from March 13-17. - john mark guda, abs-cbn

Ten high school teachers in Pampanga were allegedly duped by a man who posed as an employee of ABS-CBN and sold them tickets to watch and participate in the noontime game show “Wowowee”.

The victims were identified as Solina Dizon, Marina Nucup, Marilou Timoteo, Lucila Pineda, Irma Reyes, Edwin Lapid, Remedios Borja, Aileen Guinto, Juneth Salas and Amante Del Val, all teachers of Pampanga High School in San Fernando City.

The victims sought help from authorities who immediately launched a manhunt for the suspect identified as Larry Sibug, alias “Boy” of Purok 4, Barangay Quebiawan.

"The money can't be returned to the victims, the suspect will be charged with robbery," said Police Officer 3 Armando Arceo.

Sibug, 20, did not resist arrest and named a certain Frederick Viñas, reportedly a staff of “Wowowee”, as the person behind the operation. - abs-cbn

Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked a police outpost in Sagay City Friday night.

Eight armed men reportedly barged in to community police action center in Barangay Vito in Sagay City in Negros Occidental Friday 6:30 p.m.

The armed men took the M14 rifles of two members of special civilian active auxiliary who were then manning the outpost.

A police report said the suspects looked like fishermen in the area.

The report said that the suspects fled using a pump boat. It also said the armed men had a blocking force that was set up in other parts of the barangay. - abs-cbn

By CHARLIE LAGASCA
The Philippine Star

TUGUEGARAO CITY â€" The construction of another international airport is set to start this year as part of the national government’s continued efforts to transform this country’s northernmost part into a world-class tourism and business investment destination.

Jose Mari Ponce, administrator of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), said that the construction of the airport, with an initial funding of P5-billion, would be a joint venture between CEZA and a multinational private firm with technical and supervisory assistance from the Department of Transportation and Communications.

The airport, which would be similar to that of the Diosdado Macapagal Airport in Clark Field, Pampanga, in terms of technology and capability, would be co-financed by a Spanish bank through an open credit scheme, Ponce said.

"It is a priority for CEZA to build the airport this year to complement the rapid development of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport," said Ponce, also the CEZA’s chief executive officer.

Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes said he welcomes the Sandiganbayan probe on his alleged patronage of a mining firm that was given preferential treatment by the provincial government.

Reyes and an official of the local mining board are facing charges before the anti-graft body for allegedly granting undue favors to a mining company operating in the province.

Saying the charges were issues that have already been answered before, Reyes denied the accusations, citing the strict monitoring and regulatory system practiced by the local government to ensure that opportunities for graft and corruption are eliminated as far as mining activities in Palawan are concerned.

In a statement, Reyes said all mining-related activities have to pass the close scrutiny and approval of a multipartite monitoring team composed of people from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, a non-governmental organization, the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and the Environmental Management Bureau. - philippine star

Fire broke out and engulfed a wet and dry market before dawn Saturday in Gingoog City.

Bayan Patroller Erwin Rana reported that the blaze occurred at 12:45 a.m. at the Agora Market located at Barangay 20, Gingoog City.

Rana estimates that the fire damaged at least a hundred stalls of meat, fish, vegetables, rice, eateries, a barber shop and clothing stores.

Arson probers are looking at faulty electrical wiring as the cause of the fire.

No one was hurt in the incident. - abs-cbn

Philippine police said Saturday they were investigating the possible involvement of 2 politicians in the bombing  of a provincial airport in Mindanao on Thursday that left 2 people dead.

"We requested our partners from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other intelligence agencies to conduct manhunt operations against the (politicians)," Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa told reporters.

The "human bomb" attack on Zamboanga airport may have been linked to a failed assassination attempt last year on Governor Sakur Tan of nearby Sulu province, Verzosa added.

Tan was among 24 people injured when a man carrying a backpack loaded with explosives and another man were killed in a blast outside the passenger terminal shortly after Tan had stepped off a plane.

Verzosa said police want to question three people including two of Tan's political rivals, Temogen Tulawie, known by his nickname Cocoy, and Moamar Askali.

A former mayor of Compostela town, Cebu province was killed in an ambush on Monday night.

Senior Superintendent Erson Digal, Cebu provincial police office director, said motorcycle-riding gunmen ambushed former Compostela town mayor Joselito Reynes while on board his vehicle in Barangay Estaca around 10 p.m..

Reynes served as the town's mayor from 1980 to 1986. He was elected councilor from 2001 to 2010.

Digal said Reynes was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Police have yet to determine if Reynes's killers were hired guns.

Compostela town's Mayor-elect Joel Quino believes that the motive was politics.

Quino said Reynes's was his campaign manager in the May 10 elections.

The mayor-elect is currently in dispute with his rival, former mayor Ritchie Wagas.

Quino's proclamation has been suspended by the Commission on Elections due to an elections complaint filed by Wagas. - ABS-CBN

The government is considering cutting a UK-wide scheme offering free milk to under-five-year-olds in nursery or daycare, the BBC has learned.

UK health minister Anne Milton set out the proposals in a letter to Scottish public health minister Shona Robison.

She said there was no evidence the scheme improved health and it was too expensive to run.

Instead, the government was considering increasing the value of Healthy Start vouchers for the poorest families.

The Department of Health confirmed the details of the letter but said no final decision had yet been taken. - BBC

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posted by wblaza in an ABS-CBN news

Regarding Wowowee's Willie Revillame:

I can't forget that incident more than 15 years ago na may sinampal kana balikbayan sa club at Hindi ka nakilala. Of course balikbayan eh. Dahil Hindi ka Lang Niya kilala sinampal mo na kaagad. Buti na Lang may kamaganak palang military general. Anong ginawa the next day nag sorry ka in public. Yabang mo talaga hang gang ngayon pala. Kaplastikan lahat nag ginagawa mo sa wowowee.

PDI - Aside from the issue with its pilots, PAL is also dealing with disputes with its flight attendants and ground employees.

Flight attendants have threatened work stoppages in protest of PAL’s policy of forcing the cabin crew to retire at the age of 40, when all other PAL workers are allowed to work until the age of 60.

Ground employees are also protesting PAL’s plan to outsource 2,600 jobs initially also as part of cost-cutting efforts.

“What I see here is we have set the tone of the way other labor issues can be settled so we expect [PAL] to follow the mold of dialogue and to be more open-minded,” Velasco said.

This is in praise of folly. Shame on you, Gloria.

Maraming salamat po, Gloria.

By ABS-CBN

Various activist groups on Friday urged the National Food Authority to file court charges against former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap for authorizing the over importation of rice from neighboring countries.

In a statement, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Bantay Bigas and the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid ng Timog Katagalugan (Kasama-TK) said Arroyo and Yap are equally liable for allowing the over importation of rice in 2004 and 2007, which cost Filipino taxpayers some P171.6 billion.

In 2004, the Philippine government imported 900,000 metric tons of rice despite lacking only 117,000 metric tons of the food staple. In 2007, the agriculture department and NFA pursued the importation of 1.827 million metric tons of rice despite having a lack of only 589,000 metric tons.

Bantay Bigas held a picket outside the NFA office in Visayas Avenue and blamed the rice trade liberalization policy for the so-called "flooding" of imported rice in the country.

In his first State of the Nation Address, President Benigno Aquino III alleged that rice imports in recent years were much more than what the country actually needed.

He also blamed excessive importation of the staple for the NFA's debts, which he said ballooned to P171 billion in 2009 from only P28 billion in 2003.

NFA chief Lito Banayo earlier said that inventory of NFA warehouses nationwide yielded rice stocks that could feed the country up to the end of the year. He said in some warehouses, rice stocks have only been rotting.

The rice agency is now looking at selling old stocks at a bargain to help trim its debts and reduce its reliance on government subsidies.

KMP spokesman Antonio Flores said the NFA should impose a 6-year moratorium on the importation of rice and instead pursue measures that would increase domestic rice production, stop land use conversions of rice lands and assure irrigation for more than 3 million hectares of lands devoted to rice production.

Instead of reducing rice lands, he said the government should promote and increase rice lands devoted to rice and food production.

For her part, Soriano of Bantay Bigas urged the government to increase the buying capacity of NFA to 25% of the total domestic produced palay by local rice farmers to stabilize rice prices and ensure good dividends for rice farmers.

Soriano said that while NFA is mandated by law to buy 10% of locally produced palay from farmers, the authority only managed to buy 1% while the rest of the NFA funds are allocated for unbridled importation of rice.

She said the NFA should increase not only its buying capacity, but also the price of palay per kilo. At present, Bantay Bigas wants the NFA to procure palay at P 15 per kilo, instead of spending taxpayers money to rice importation at the expense of Filipino farmers and consumers.

Bantay Bigas said rotten rice should not be distributed to poor Filipinos, saying the poor do not deserved rotten and unsafe rice for consumption.

Do you still remember, in your grade 1 days, reading "henny penny, this is henny penny..."? what a stupid Philippine education we have.

I talked to an American friend and he told me he was already reading Mark Twain in the fourth grade as required by his school.

Can Filipino kids read Mark Twain in the elementary grades? Of course, we can.

thanks islander and hubz. mura man ug nisudlot ang mata anang isdaa. i haven't seen it in bohol.

Naa pa bay manggama ug nigo aron pabayloan ug humay? Well, based sa kanta ni Max Surban - Didto Sa Layong Bukid

nakakuha ug isdang tambasakan? unsa ning tambasakan sa Bohol? wala mi ani nga isda.

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By Nancy C. Carvajal
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Businessman Celso de los Angeles, who has been charged with several syndicated estafa suits for defrauding rural bank depositors billions of pesos in deposits, was arrested, booked and detained, on Tuesday afternoon at the Quezon City Police District, based on the order issued by a judge from Ormoc City, the city's warrant chief said.

Chief Insp. Edgar Enopia said the former mayor, who has been diagnosed with throat cancer, was arrested at unit 1703 of the Cathedral Heights residential complex, (not inside the St. Luke’s Hospital, as reported earlier), along E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City at 12:30 p.m., based on an order issued by Judge Clinton C. Nuevo of the Ormoc City Regional Trial Court Branch 12, dated June 28, 2010.

No bail was recommended by the judge.

De los Angeles was garbed in a loose Ralph Lauren blue pajama when arrested. A tube was seen jutting out from his shirt. He was texting his lawyers while inside a room of the warrant section inside the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal, where he was taken after his arrest.

(Another judge hearing one of the estafa cases against Angeles allowed him to stay at the Cathedral Heights residential complex, which is adjacent to the St. Luke’s Medical Center Complex, on his petition that he needed to be near the St. Luke’s hospital and at the same time, be isolated from other sick people, who could give him infection.)

De los Angeles, founder of collapsed business empire that included rural banks, pre-need firms, a credit card company and a car financing firm, had been diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils in April 2009 and has been undergoing treatment.

By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net

Authorities confiscated from a balut vendor P10 million worth of high-grade cocaine bricks in a buy-bust operation in Quezon City past midnight Tuesday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said.

PDEA Director General Dionisio Santiago said 44-year-old Noel Montes was arrested after he was caught selling two bricks of cocaine to an undercover anti-narcotics agent.

The arrest was conducted along N.S. Amoranto Avenue corner Mayon Street in La Loma.

Santiago said the cocaine was among those that were dumped by a Chinese vessel off the coast of Samar last December 2009.

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Reports reaching the Department of Foreign Affairs identified the suspected drug mule as Icoy Bethlehem Mamontong.

Lieutenant General Atitep Panjamanon, head of the Thai Narcotics Suppression Bureau, held a news conference on Monday in the Thai capital to announce the arrest of Mamontong.

The same reports also quoted the Bangkok-based The Nation newspaper as saying Mamontong was "arrested at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport upon arrival from Lima, Peru."

Mamontong, 32, was allegedly "hired for $4,000 to deliver the drugs to someone in Vietnam," the same publication also said.

As of this writing, the DFA has yet to comment on Mamontong's arrest.

The foreign office has been warning Filipino travelers against acting as drug mules in exchange for huge sums of money from illegal drug syndicates.

By Jes Tirol
Sundry Column, Bohol Chronicle

Proem

The term K-12 refers to 12-years of basic education before entering college. President Noynoy Aquino or P-Noy announced during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that he favors the K-12 system of education. Our present educational system consists of 6-years elementary and 4-years high school or K-10.

The Philippines is one of the two countries in the world with K-10 education. Most countries are K-12 and a few are K-11.

Basing upon your experience, is there really a need for K-12? Do you think you are less educated because you only had K-10?

My Experience

I studied Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in college (BSCE). The Philippines is the only country in the world that requires five (5) years to finish any Bachelor in Engineering degree. All other countries require only four (4) years.

I studied Masters in Engineering at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand. The student population was international. Do you think the Filipinos, with five years in engineering were superior to the students coming from other countries? The answer is a big NO! In fact we were very far behind.

The reason is that the 4-year engineering curriculum from other countries contained only engineering subjects. In the Philippines, the 5-year curriculum consists of two (2) years cultural subjects and only three (3) years in engineering subjects. So the Filipinos are actually one year behind.

Our classmates from other countries always asked us, "What took you too long to study too little?" We told them that we studied social science, history, Filipino, political science, etc. It totaled 72 units (now reduced to 54 units) or 24 three (3) units subjects. All of our foreign classmates were aghast of the waste of time and effort.

They then asked, "So what lessons did you study in high school?" We answered that we also studied the same subjects in high school. Our foreign classmates encountered these subjects in high school and no longer repeated in college. In college they only studied the professional subjects.

You can now see why our 5-year engineering curricula are no match to the 4-year curricula in other countries.

We Have No Depth

In our educational system we study Filipino and English from Grade 1 to college. Many lessons in the elementary are repeated in high school and then repeated in college.

For example, in the First Year High School today, the mathematics lessons are a little of everything. The curriculum consists of a little arithmetic, a little geometry, a little statistics, and a little algebra. If a student stops, he ends up with learning nothing at all. When I looked at the Fourth Year High School mathematics, the same subjects were repeated but with addition of some trigonometry and analytic geometry. The student will graduate in High School without mastering any mathematics but everything is partial in form and content.

When I investigated further the High School Curricular format, I found out that it is good. It is only the actual implementation by DepEd that leaves plenty of things to be desired.

I told the Principal Teacher in UB Loon Institute, where I am now the President, that we will not follow the recommended DepEd way of implementation. We should strive for depth and not breath. If we teach algebra in the First Year, it should be all algebra and teach it completely. If the student will stop, at least he already knows how to use algebra. When we teach geometry, it should be all geometry and completed, and so on.

A Sad Encounter

A few days ago I encountered an engineering professor studying a Grade IV arithmetic book. I thought he was studying to help his child studying at the VDT Advanced Learning Center. It turned out that he was teaching mathematics for Second Year Bachelor of Science in Commerce. The required teaching syllabus in college is the same as the Grade IV arithmetic at VDT.

I told the professor, why are you teaching them Grade IV arithmetic? Why not teach them Trachtenberg Arithmetic? It is very useful in business courses. He replied, my students could hardly understand these kind of arithmetic, how much more the Trachtenberg Arithmetic. Oh, what a sad state is our educational system in!

Comment

If the additional two (2) years in basic education is just a repetition of the present situation, it will end up as useless. Increasing the number of years is not the priority but the total change of the way the subjects are taught. The emphasis should be in depth and not the fragmentation of the subject. Our 5-year Engineering curricula do not produce better engineers than the 4-year curricula in other countries.

Would a lawyer today agree that he will be taught the Civil Code from Articles 1 to 50 in the First Semester, then Articles 51 to 150 in the Second Semester, then Articles 151 to 200 in the First Semester in the Second Year and so on until Fourth Year? How about doing it also for the Criminal Code? I am sure the lawyer would not agree.

Believe it or not, that is how mathematics, science, English, Filipino, etc. are being taught from Elementary to High School and College. Everything is partially taught!

Nothing is mastered by the students because by the time he reaches 4th year he already forgot what the starting lesson was four years ago or even ten years ago.

By Bohol Chronicle

The prices of fish in the province are relatively higher compared to other provinces.
This observation was confirmed by visitors who compared notes to prices of fish in the neighboring provinces of Cebu and Negros Oriental.

Reports reaching the Chronicle bared that no less than 70% of the fish catch in Bohol seawaters are sold to Cebu buyers which leave meager supply of fish for the locals to buy from wet markets and supermarkets here.

The law of supply and demand now dictates the prices in the local market.

A check made at the City Fish Terminal at causeway drive likewise revealed that another reason for the prices of fish to go high is the presence of several middlemen.
         
From the fishermen, the products will pass through three layers before it will arrive at the markets.

In fact, this high selling price of fish at the local market is proven with the huge bulk of consumers who would take time early in the morning to buy at the fish terminal at the Causeway where the prices are lower.

Vendors interviewed at the fish terminal told the Chronicle that the case of "danggit," wherein fishermen price it at P60/kilo. This price at the fish port will almost double at P110 when sold at the local market since it will still have to pass through three layers of middlemen.

Published by Bohol Chronicle

Newly elected Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap who was former NFA administrator and agriculture secretary during the Arroyo administration appeared to be in hot water amid the clamor to investigate the "midnight rice importation."

Rice Watch and Action Network, a coalition of farmers and NGOs, called for an investigation of a "grand theft" of the people's resources.

NFA chief Banayo, for his part said "paper trail" should be conducted so charges could be filed in 30 to 45 days against the culprits.

This rice importation was highlighted during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of Pres. Benigno Aquino III last Monday.

Reacting to the expose' of the President, Rep. Yap told the Chronicle the "NFA only imports the volume of rice as recommended by the inter-agency committee on rice and corn."

"The decision to import is not dependent on one person," Yap stressed.         

He said the members of the committee include representatives from the National Economic Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Agriculture statistics, Agriculture policy and planning group, Department of Science and Technology, and Pag-asa, among others.

Yap further said the recommendation is studied and approved a second time by the NFA council which counts for its members, among others, the farmers representative, the Department of Finance, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The former NFA administrator and agriculture secretary urged the government to re-visit the recommendations of these agencies to see if there was an over-importation or not.

"These agencies are in a better position to explain their recommendations through the past years," Rep. Yap said.

Yap recalled that in 2008, that was the year of global food price crisis while in 2009, the country lost a million tons of rice due to typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng.

Yap said the council did not adopt the recommended 3.2 million metric ton rice importation. Instead the body approved of 2.3 million metric tons. He further said the role of NFA is to fight off price and supply speculation, in the market.

The solon said it could have been better if these facts were taken into consideration before declaring a rice over-importation.

Bohol Chronicle

Ninety percent of the rice stocked in the local bodegas of the National Food Authority (NFA) are imported while a very minimal part comes from the local farmers.

NFA-Bohol Manager Peng Evasco bared this figure last Thursday amid an impending probe on the reported "midnight rice importation" during the Arroyo administration.

A check made by the Chronicle last Thursday showed some 35,758 bags of rice are stocked at the NFA bodegas for the month of July.

The three bodegas of the food agency which can accommodate up to 100,000 bags of rice are located in Carmen and Ubay towns and the third one at the NFA provincial office in Mansasa district, this city.

The confirmation of no less than 35,000 bags of rice at the local NFA bodega came as reports revealed that another two million bags of imported rice will be arriving at the NFA regional offices based in Cebu City until the end of this month.

NFA Regional Director Danilo Bonabon likewise confirmed that the present stock inventory of rice in NFA bodegas in Central Visayas would reach 2.6 million bags, aside from the expected 2 million bags arriving this month.

However, Bonabon said the stocks
are also to be distributed to Eastern Visayas, Dipolog and Pagadian cities in Mindanao since Cebu has better port facilities. He clarified that for Central Visayas, NFA needs to maintain 800,000 bags for a month or 35,000 bags a day in the various warehouses.

The rice inventory followed in a wake of allegations by the new Aquino administration that the bags of rice were rotting in NFA warehouses due to over importation by the past Arroyo administration.

Newly appointed NFA chief Lito Banayo said some P100-million imported rice was purchased shortly before former Pres. Gloria Macapagl Arroyo ended her term last June. He disclosed the government issued a permit to import some 20,000 metric tons of rice estimated at P100 million through the government owned Philippine International Trade Corp. (PITC) in late April or early May this year.

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Deaths from dengue in Bohol already reached seven as of last week, according to the statistics at the Department of Health here.

One death has been recorded in each of the towns of Tubigon, Calape, Loay, Baclayon, Ubay, San Miguel and Garcia-Hernandez.

The reported death from dengue in Tagbilaran City would have made it eight.
DOH, however, still has to update the statistics in the city either today or Monday.

DOH also disclosed that almost all towns in Bohol recorded dengue cases, yet remains mum on the declaration of an outbreak.

Dengue cases in the province has escalated to a total of 793 from January to July 16 this year at the onset of rainy days, data of the Provincial Health Office showed.

In its initial report, PHO said that a total of 597 are confirmed cases while 190 cases are said to be suspected.

Aside from this city which has a total of 169 cases, the highest dengue incidence is in the town of Garcia-Hernandez with 47 and one death. The towns of Loon had 40 cases; Maribojoc, 35; Dauis, 34; and Carmen, 28 are among the highest so far.

The Maribojoc and Dauis data were as of July 28, while Danao and Carmen were as of July 16.
         
Alburquerque had 23 cases; Alicia, 8; Anda, 1; Antequera, 21; Baclayon, 21; Balilihan, 12; Batuan, 10; Bien-Unido, 5; Bilar, 9; Buenavista, 1; Calape, 27; Candijay, 3; Catigbian, 13; Clarin, 4; Corella, 1; Cortes, 22; Dagohoy, 11; Danao, 8; Dimaio, 17; Duero, 1; Guindulman, 7; Inabanga, 5; Jagna, 27; Getafe, 8; Lila, 7; Loay, 21; Loboc, 6; Mabini, 7; Panglao, 12; Pilar, 9; Sagbayan, 8; San Isidro, 1; San Miguel, 18; Sevilla, 4; S-Bullones, 11; Sikatuna, 1; Talibon, 22; Trinidad, 10; tubigon, 12; Ubay, 12; and Valencia, 12.

Dengue cases posted a highest record of 1,679 cases from January to December 2007 and the death toll reached to 16, PHO's ten-year (2000-2009) record showed. During the 2007 upsurge, total cases recorded in the municipalities reached to 1,195 and Tagbilaran City contributed 483 to the total.

Eight human fatalities of the total 623 cases in 2009 and 145 cases and five deaths in 2008 were documented.

Bohol experienced 231 cases and 3 deaths in 2006; 1,113 cases and 21 deaths in 2005; 283 cases and 5 deaths in 2004; 365 cases and 3 deaths in 2003; 289 cases and 2 deaths in 2002; 712 cases and 5 deaths in 2001; and 70 and zero death in 2000.

PHO, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reymoses said last week his office is calling for a continued practice of the 4 o'clock habit in the afternoon of cleaning up the stagnant water to destroy the mosquitoes' life cycle. What the PHO can do is to just remind and call on the public for keeping up and sustain the said practice of 4 o'clock habit because it cannot do otherwise as there's no law forcing the populace to do the upkeep, Cabagnot said. (with reports from RVO)

By Bohol Chronicle

The Hukbong Mag-uumang Bol-anon (Humabol) head Ruben Sabior has been blamed by certain elements as having knowledge about the attempted slay try on Talibon Police Chief Domino Pelecio by two armed men last June 26, 2010.

The police chief suffered a wound but escaped death. The attack was believed to have been inflicted by members of the Sparrow Unit of the New People's Army. Humabol said however, that the attempted slay could have been spurred by a personal grudge as well.

This came after the government had declared that the province as free from insurgency elements.

A letter with a black ribbon was sent by a group identified as "Tinud-anay nga nangandoy sa kalinaw sa Bohol" to Sabior (address in Bagacay) left at the residence of Rey Abaniel, Chapter leader of Humabol in TTFA, San Vicente, Talibon Bohol.
         
The letter alleged that it was Sabior who decides to inflict punishment on reported "informants of government" and warned Sabior and his allies that death will hound them "if they continue to support the activities of the Sparrow unit."

Humabol fears for the safety of their leader as they claimed that even under the new Aquino regime the Operation Bantay Laya II is still in progress. Such a group, Humabol, said "does not make a distinction in operating against the armed component and militant activists" who operate for reforms in the open.

By Bohol Chronicle

Participants in the recently-concluded Sangguiang Kabataan National Congress 2010 held in Panglao island are in quandary because of the failure of its president Jane Censoria Cajes to present the financial statements during the affair.

In their e-mail message sent to Bohol media outlets, they said, "Sa kanyang talumpati kanina sa Panglao Island Nature Resort (PINR) sa harap ng mga kabataang Pilipino, na nagtiisniis sa mala-impiyernong venue ng proper program, ni katiting ay hindi niya binanggit ang tungkol sa status ng financial statements." (In her speech before the SK members held at the Panglao Island Nature Resort, Cajes, SK national president, did not mention anything relative to the status of the financial statements.)

They claimed that since the last National Congress held in Subic, they already demanded for the financial report which Cajes failed to present, and up this time when the same annual event was held here.

These alleged unaccounted money include (a) PhP10 million provided in 2008 by presidential fund; (b) PhP10 million given in 2009 by DENR; (c) financial statement (FS) of 2008 regarding congress in Cebu; (d) FS of 2009 congress held in Subic Bay; and (e) FS of National Convention and launching of Sama-sama Para sa Kalikasan held in Bohol.

The participants also insisted that Cajes should likewise render her report on the donations coming from the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Department of National Defense and other private donors such as The Bar.

CAJES' REPLY

SK Pres. Cajes said the financial statements are ready.

The SKNF has commissioned an external bookkeeper and auditor who checked, verified, and helped the federation to prepare the financial statements. All documents (receipts, invoices, vouchers) are intact and they are in proper order in the custody of our office.

Cajes produced a certification from an accountant identified as Maria Annabelle Honculada certifying that the SKNF has commissioned her to perform bookkeeping and auditing/accounting of the funds of the federation and their respective disbursements and expenditures to constitute the Financial Statement of the federation.
         
On the request that it be published in Facebook, Cajes said she's afraid the website is not the official venue to publish such official documents.

In her two-page statement issued, Cajes retorted saying the malicious accusations spread thru e-mail were plain and simple political black propaganda.

She suspected that the derogatory statement posted in Facebook was orchestrated by people or group who are desperately opting to start chaos, since the congress that has recently been concluded was a tremendous success.

Answering the allegations hurled against her, Cajes said "I have never hidden anything from the people, most especially the SK sector which I am serving with all the best I can".

The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) passed a resolution declaring an all-out war against all forms of illegal numbers games, including swertres.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, council chairperson called for a motion to declare an all-out war against these illegal numbers games.

The region-wide campaign will kick off momentarily following the formal adoption of a united stand from among the provincial governors of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Or. and Siquijor.

Although some skeptics could not imagine for swertres to be gone for good, the regional leaders believe that as long as the local government units in their respective areas will declare a serious campaign against swertres, then, this illegal numbers game will end.

It was mentioned that if the mayors and governors will not declare swertres as clearly illegal and should be stopped, then the campaign will fail.

"It should be the LGUs who will wage this war," Gov. Garcia stressed.

The RPOC-7 members approved the resolution in mass motion, making it the third all-out-war policy next to all-out-campaign against communist insurgents and illegal drugs. - bohol chronicle

Forty years after they left the College of the Holy Spirit (now Holy Spirit School) portals for high school and thirty-six years for college, the members of CHS elementary batch'70 and high school batch '74 held a grand reunion last July 22-24, 2010.         

The gathering formally started on July 22 with a Eucharistic Celebration at Dauis Church followed by a Welcome Dinner and Fellowship Night at Café Lawis. The jubilarians were welcomed by their batch-mate Richard Uy. While they all had moments of reminiscing to share, formal messages were given by Yoyoy Nini and Josette Mendoza Sangria, to represent classmates who had to cross continents to attend the affair and class president Acor Relampagos Gonzaga. Parting words were given by Myrna Balani Torrefranca. The program was emceed by Servando Abaya Jr.

On the second day the, batch-mates motored to Sagbayan Peak for lunch and more bonding moments among themselves. They capped the day with the Loay river night cruise & firefly watching.

On the third day, they visited the HSS campus before going to the Bohol Beach Club Resort for beach fun and wrapping up of the 3-day gathering.

The hidden agenda behind the recent attacks perpetuated by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Panay Island towns is simply to strengthen their position before the insurgents enter the peace negotiating table by projecting that they are still a force to reckon with.

This was disclosed by police regional chief. CSupt. Samuel D. Pagdilao recently after an encounter last Friday between policemen based in Capiz that resulted in minor injuries to three policemen and a civilian, the burning of L-300 van loaded with cigarettes in Leon, Iloilo and the harassment of Philippine Army detachments in San Remigio town in Antique province and in Igbaras, Iloilo.

Pagdilao said the resurgence of NPA activities in Western Visayas is a clear manifestation that while the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, both political wings of the New People's Army, are interested in the probable resumption of peace negotiations between the government and their group, the recent attacks on government troops and civilian targets were carried out to fortify their position before they join the negotiating table.

At the same time, Pagdilao ordered all PNP unit commanders in Western Visayas to brace for the resurgence of New People’s Army (NPA) atrocities in the light of the recent show of belligerence of communist rebels against government and civilian targets. - PNA

If you haven't been well-trained in CPR and you see someone having what appears to be a heart attack, just doing chest compressions to help keep the blood flowing can be as effective as CPR that includes mouth-to-mouth breathing, new research claims.

Two new studies, appearing in the July 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, found that when bystanders were instructed by emergency dispatchers to give either standard CPR, which includes mouth-to-mouth breathing, or chest-compression-only CPR, survival rates were similar between the two techniques.

Experts hope that by simplifying the procedure and removing the mouth-to-mouth contact that more bystanders might be willing to attempt CPR.

"Bystander CPR can double your chances of survival, but the biggest thing is getting more people to try it. Only one in three people who need it get bystander CPR," explained the lead author of one of the studies, Dr. Thomas Rea, medical director of the Emergency Medical Services Division of Public Health for Seattle and King County in Washington. "If we can make it less complicated, it may enable more people to perform CPR."

Rea said that rescue breathing can be difficult, especially for someone who isn't trained in the technique. Even in people who are trained, but don't often have the chance to practice rescue breathing, it can be hard to do. - Health Day News

Mao ba kini ang nahitabo ni Sharon Cuneta?

Zimbabwe has demanded apologies from three Western diplomats for walking out of a burial ceremony on Sunday for President Robert Mugabe's sister.

German, US and EU envoys left after Mr Mugabe attacked Western nations, saying they should "go to hell" for interfering in his country's affairs.

US Ambassador Charles Ray said he had left the ceremony because he was "very disappointed" in Mr Mugabe's conduct.

He had, he added, nothing to apologise to Mr Mugabe for.

Sabina Mugabe, the president's younger sister, died in the capital Harare at the age of 76, five years after suffering a stroke. - BBC

Keep your financial records current. Keep a filing system and create folders for items such as receipts, tax returns, billing statements, bank statements, credit reports, etc. Keep everything in one designated place so it is easy to find when you need it. - find out more: http://www.getthebestinfo.com/Article/Simple-Household-Budgeting-Tips/1306

The teenage daughter of former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has split from her fiance for a second time, weeks after getting re-engaged.

Bristol Palin told People magazine: "It's over. I broke up with him."

She said that fiance Levi Johnston had told her on the day they announced they were engaged again that he might have fathered a child with another teenager.

Miss Palin, 19, and Mr Johnston already have a baby son; they first separated last March, shortly after the birth.

The Palin family rose to prominence when Republican presidential candidate John McCain plucked Sarah Palin, then governor of Alaska, from relative obscurity to be his running mate in the 2008 election.

During the campaign, it was announced that Miss Palin, then 17, was pregnant and that she would marry Mr Johnston, an unemployed former high-school hockey player she had met at school. -bbc

A worker at a Connecticut beer distributor shot eight co-workers dead and wounded at least two others before killing himself.

Officials said the gunman had been caught on video stealing from the company and was to be sacked.

The shooting occurred at Hartford Distributors in Manchester, about 10 miles (16km) east of Hartford.

The shooter was identified as Omar Thornton, 34, a recently-hired driver for the company.
Theft accusation

Two injured people were taken to a local hospital and were "expected to survive", a police statement added.

Manchester Police Chief Marc Montminy said that in a meeting with management and union representatives, Mr Thornton was told he could resign from the company or be sacked.

Mr Montminy said the shots had begun as Mr Thornton was being escorted from the building, the Hartford Courant newspaper reported.

"He was being brought in to look at a videotape about what was going on," Teamsters union official Christopher Roos told the New York Times newspaper.

"That was it. He was going to be asked questions. This is what happened afterwards." - BBC

Saudi Arabia's telecoms watchdog has called on telecoms firms in the country to block the messenger function on Blackberry handsets from Friday.

The watchdog said the ban would last until the state's three mobile phone operators "fulfil the regulatory requirements it has requested".

But the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) did not reveal what these requirements were.

The United Arab Emirates threatened on Sunday to ban some Blackberry services. - bbc

Meat from the offspring of a cloned cow entered the food chain last year, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said.

The FSA said it had identified two bulls born in the UK from embryos harvested from a cloned cow in the US.

Both bulls had been slaughtered, but meat from one had entered the food chain, the FSA said.

The finding comes after a British dairy farmer said on Monday he used milk from a cow produced from a cloned parent. - bbc

source: PNA - The Iloilo Business Club (IBC) here is keen on monitoring the developments on the canceled flights of the Philippine Airlines (PAL), especially in Iloilo City.

IBC executive director Leah Lara said that the business community here wants to make sure that the problems will not affect the flow of economy and business transactions significantly.

She said that potential investors were worried if their flight schedules are suddenly canceled or rescheduled just because there are not enough pilots to man the plane.

Lara said that this type of problem in the aviation could send a wrong message in the business world. It is bad for business, she said. The world business community will be watching the development in the country's air transports, she said

Air transport is very expensive and people are mostly traveling for business purpose, Lara said. "I don’t think PAL can compensate these losses in business opportunities," she said.

Meanwhile, Lara also lauded the initiative of the national government for stepping in to address the PAL flight cancelation and its problems with their pilots.

At least 19 domestic flights were canceled since Saturday as PAL pilots resigned en mass, recently.

Eight flights were canceled on Sunday, including a Manila-Iloilo-Manila (PR147/148) route. While a Manila-Iloilo-Manila flight (PR145/146) which was scheduled to depart for Iloilo at 4:20 p.m. was rescheduled to 6:30.

Become totally absorbed in the moment by performing acts of such utter selflessness that you forget yourself. Consider this scene at the hospital in Baidoa, Somalia, in 1992: A CBS News crew could hear the rat-a-tat-tat of automatic weapons fire in the marketplace, only a hundred yards away. Within minutes, bodies were thrown onto the floor of the makeshift emergency room run by an American group, the International Medical Corps. - read more at http://www.getthebestinfo.com/Article/Seizing-the-Moment--Selflessness/38

What scientists believe happens is that when we live entirely in the moment, we free up the brain to think visually by turning off parts of the brain that drain energy away into neurotic and anxious thinking.
find out more at http://www.getthebestinfo.com/Article/Seizing-the-Moment--The-Reality-of-Being-in-the-Moment/37

Jon Niednagel, Director of the Brain Type Institute in California and an expert in how the brain works to regulate mental and physical performance, says, "Happiness will come when we're more or less just perceiving life, enjoying it, and relaxing." - find out more at http://www.getthebestinfo.com/Article/Seizing-the-Moment--Live-It/36

The Office of Senior Board Member Dionisio Balite bared that the preparations are underway for the 34th National Milo Marathon slated on September 12, 2010 at the Island City Mall.
         
About 8,000 runners are expected to slug it out in the big running event of the year including 21 kilometer, 10K, 5K and 3K, said Balite.

Enthusiasts are required to submit 300 grams Milo empty pack for 21K and 10K plus P500 for registration fee. For the 5K run, what are needed are 300 gram Milo empty pack, Xerox copy school ID; and another 300 grams Milo empty pack plus Xerox copies of school ID and birth certificate for the 3K run.

Registration is now going on a first-come-first-served basis at the Bohol Institute of Technology-International College and Office of BM Balite at New Capitol Building 2nd floor along Marapao St., Tagbilaran City.

Meanwhile, Manga National High School , Manga district here is the beneficiary of some 160 pieces of Milo shoes, Balite said. - bohol chronicle

FOLLOWING impressive knockout victories over their foes this month, world champions Nonito Donaire Jr. and Fernando Montiel are scheduled to face each other in November.

According to a report on Philboxing.com, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, said Montiel will be fighting Donaire in November but the venue is yet to be finalized this week.
         
Donaire, who is currently the interim World Boxing Association super flyweight champion, hasn't fought an elite fighter since his fifth-round stoppage upset over Vic Darchinyan in 2007.

The 27-year-old Talibon, Bohol native is ecstatic about his upcoming bout and believes Montiel is the best opponent for him.

The Miami Heat's decision to sign the veteran Eddie House on the 29th of July has completed their squad and set to start the season. Eddie House signed a 2 year deal with the Heat and is all set to be in the running to bring the championship home.
         
Many speculated that after bringing in King James along with Chris Bosh, it wouldn't be possible for the Heat to come up with a strong roster, as they had spent much already. However, this was proved wrong when an experienced veteran of the game Eddie was added.

Eddie, like other players has signed the Heat on a minimum contract of two years according to their liking. Players like Eddie would also be happy with this, the reason being the fact that players like Eddie would be playing with the three All-Star.

The Philippines suffered heavy losses in the on-going 2010 Guinness World Series of Pool 10-Ball Challenge on Friday after Dennis Orcollo and Antonio Lining lost their respective assignments at the Mal Taman Aggrek in Jakarta, Indonesia.
         
Orcollo yielded to England's Darren Appleton (8-3), while Lining bowed to Japan's top seed Naoyuki Oi (8-6). Both Filipinos were unbeaten going into the final 16 round.

Lining was actually leading over the Japanese early in their match, 5- 2, but an error by the Filipino from a rushed approach in the 8th rack saw Oi return to the table and chain 3 consecutive racks.

University of the East shrugged off University of the Philippines' spirited challenge to escape with a 59-54 victory and finally barge into the win column of the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Red Warriors lost a commanding halftime lead in the third period but leaned on ace scorer Paul lee's hot shooting hands to bail his team out of trouble to win the collision of two squads that entered the game with similar 0-4 slates.

Lee, still battling an injured right foot, came up with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals to power the Recto-based dribblers, who have been struggling this season after losing of the core of last year's team that reached the finals against Ateneo.

The Philippine Sports Commission is leaving it all to the Philippine Olympic Committee to decide who goes to the Asian Games in November based on its P30 million budget for the Nov. 12-27 competition in Guangzhou, China.

"The PSC has no say on the selection of the athletes. We just finance the Games as we see fit," said PSC chair Richie Garcia after attending the POC general assembly on Wednesday.

The country sent 233 athletes, who won four golds overall, in the 2006 Doha Asiad.

The POC earlier hinted at sending about 300 this time with the inclusion of the dragon boat teams and the possible qualification of women's softball and women's basketball.

On Wednesday, USA Basketball will announce the finalists for the 2010 FIBA World Championship
team. The announcement comes on the heels of six-day training camp in Las Vegas that ended with the USA Blue/White Scrimmage.

The announcement will come via teleconference with Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Jerry Colangelo. The conference is scheduled to take place at 12:30pm PST.

A lean but mean nine-member Philippine delegation launches its ambitious quest for the gold as it plunges into action in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) slated Aug. 14-26 in Singapore.

Wearing the national colors are tennis' Jeson Patrombon, taekwondo's Kirk Barbosa, swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Khing Lacuna, basketball's Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Cris Michael Tolomia, Jeron Teng and Michael Anthony Pate and power lifter Patricia Llena.

"It's really hard to predict medals in the Olympics," said Mark Joseph, RP's YOG chef de mission and national swim association head. "Our first goal would be to get the athletes to advance to the semis, then to the finals, for a shot at the medal. Just getting to the YOG has been a long journey for these nine brave, young athletes."

Andy Murray, playing his first event since splitting with coach Miles Maclagan, struggled with his serve throughout.

The Scot made just 42% of his first serves, well below the figure normally expected of a top player.

But Falla could not take advantage as the Scot won 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 to set up a semi-final clash with Feliciano Lopez.

Murray revealed that he felt better after his win over Falla than in the previous round when he needed three sets to beat America's Tim Smyczek 6-1 4-6 6-2.

It was another exhausting, exhilarating experience for the bikers, fans and enthusiast after long days of practice and trailing in preparation for another chance to join a challenging bike race competition, the KIA Iron Legs Road Bike Race, took days before it emerged.

From the city to the rural island of Panglao and going to the madness of a mountain top where the Chocolate Hills nestled, KIA Motors Bohol with the Junior Chamber International Bohol Sandugo and the Bohol Provincial Police in celebration of the Bohol Sandugo July festivities on July 24 and 25, 2010 accelerated their annual roadside concoction.

The 3rd KIA Iron Legs Road Bike Race battled hills and low lands with the 1st Leg of bikers on Saturday, July 24 that took off route starting from the City Plaza Rizal of Tagbilaran to the Island of Panglao and back. The heat of the bike race competition continued on its second day for the 2nd Leg with the usual starting point the city of Tagbilaran stretching to the mid-distance and hanging hills along the side road going to the Chocolate Hills of Carmen town. Cash and Trophies were awarded to the winners in the afternoon of the competition's final day. - source: Bohol Chronicle

Bohol Chronicle: The top seeded Tropang Texters in the season-ending tournament, get the first crack at claiming a finals berth as they take on the Alaska Aces in the opener of a suspense double header at the Araneta Coliseum.

Talk 'N Text goes to the 4 p.m. encounter still in high spirits, thanks mainly to its gripping 82-81 win over Alaska in Friday's Game 5.Jason Castro provided the game-winner that capped the Tropang Texters' comeback from an eight point deficit in the final five minutes and gave them the lead for the first time in the best-of-seven series, 3-2.

One positive thing going for Chot Reyes and his team has been the steady plays of import Shawn Daniels the past two games.

With a replacement in Omar Sneed on standby, the burly Daniels has chalked up double-double numbers in Games 4 and 5 and was responsible for intimidating the Aces' two potential game-winning shots.

The Tropang Texters claimed Game 5 with top gun Mac-Mac Cardona not contributing a single point behind a 0-of-6 stint from the field in 25 minutes.

"Our No. 1 priority is to make sure we match Alaska's energy and intensity because we're sure they're going to come at us really hard from start to finish," said Reyes.

I hope this program would be duplicated in other areas of the country. This innovation will change the way we treat our garbage.

By Ramon Tulfo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

WHAT HAPPENED to the farm-to-market road project of President Gloria that was funded with P7 billion?

The implementors of the project were then Agriculture Secretary and now Bohol Congressman Art Yap and his deputy undersecretary, Jess Paras.

Reports received by this columnist say some mayors were offered P20 million for the project, minus 40 percent for kickbacks for the “people upstairs.”

Barangay captains were offered from P500,000 to P3 million, depending on the size of their turf.

If the reports are accurate, this is 10 times worse than the P728 million fertilizer mess. (actually 3 billion pesos worth of fertilizer scam)

US actor Charlie Sheen has been sentenced to 30 days in rehabilitation after he pleaded guilty to assault in a domestic violence case.

His wife, Brooke Mueller Sheen, had told police he had put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her during a row on Christmas Day 2009.

He denied the claims, and more serious charges were dropped in a plea bargain.

The 44-year-old was put on probation and told to undergo 36 hours of anger management.

He was told to attend the Promises Treatment Center in California, which specialises in drug and alcohol addiction.

By Julie M. Aurelio, Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A PUBLISHING firm has charged University of Manila president Dr. Emily de Leon with violating the intellectual property law.

In a four-page affidavit filed with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office last week, Elizabeth Ocampo of Wiseman’s Books Trading claimed that De Leon allowed the school to make unauthorized copies of four textbooks being published by her firm.

Ocampo said she would file a separate civil action for damages against the school, adding that her company lost at least P500,000 due to the unauthorized reproductions.

In her complaint, Ocampo said that the school “religiously ordered” four criminology books from 2005 to 2008. These were Forensic Photography for Criminology Students and Practitioners, Revised Police Ethics and Police Community Relations, Police Operational Planning for Criminology Students and Practitioners and Fire Behavior and Arson Investigation.

Cebu Daily News: THE 1st Cebu International TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) conference will be held on Aug. 12 to 15 with the support of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Central Visayas.

Anchored on the theme “The English Language: The Power to Connect,” the event will bring together internationally and nationally renowned speakers and a wealth of abstracts from over 100 educators worldwide.

Topics will include, among others, second language acquisition theories, teaching English to international students, professional issues on educational standards, and alternative approaches and latest trends in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and English for Specific Purposes.

The conference is organized by the Asian EFL Journal and the Cebu Hub for English Language Excellence, an association set up to establish Cebu to the world as the prime destination for learning English.

from the Philippine Daily Inquirer

A MEDIA practitioner was murdered in front of her family when she exposed the so-called “fertilizer scam.” Former Solicitor General Frank Chavez filed a case against those involved but failed to bring them to justice.

A Rotarian in the person of Joc-Joc Bolante is widely perceived to have been recruited and used by another Rotarian in the person of former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo to siphon off fertilizer funds into the 2004 presidential campaign of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The whole operation was consummated with the help of other Department of Agriculture officials.

Do you know how much the fertilizer fund was? If you don’t know, you better ask Edgardo Angara. But don’t bother. All in all, it amounted to about P3 billion. Correct?

Prosecute those involved in the fertilizer scam. This citizen looks forward to seeing them behind bars.

â€"MANUEL B. CORDOVA,
77 Lopez Jaena St.,
Singalong, Manila

How to sleep: Sleep Tips

    * Try to go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Do not take naps after 3 p.m.
    * Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol late in the day or at night.
    * Get regular exercise. Exercise during the day--make sure you exercise at least 5 to 6 hours before bedtime.
    * Make sure you eat dinner at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
    * Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. If light is a problem, try a sleeping mask. If noise is a problem, try earplugs, a fan, or a "white noise" machine to cover up the sounds.
    * Follow a routine to help relax and wind down before sleep, such as reading a book, listening to music, or taking a bath.
    * If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes or don't feel drowsy, get up and read or do something that is not too active until you feel sleepy. Then try going back to bed.
    * If you lay awake worrying about things, try making a to-do list before you go to bed.
    * Use your bed only for sleep and sex and not for other activities, such as reading, watching TV, or listening to music. Remove all TVs, computers, and other “gadgets” from the bedroom.
    * Physical activity may help promote sleep, but not within a few hours of bedtime.
    * Avoid large meals before bedtime.
    * See your doctor if you think that you have insomnia or another sleep problem.

By Christian V. Esguerra
Philippine Daily Inquire

Kris Aquino will find true happiness, but not where she’s looking.

This is not a stargazer’s prediction; it is the counsel of one of the most trusted spiritual advisers of the high-profile and controversial TV celebrity.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas pulled off a surprise toward the end of his homily yesterday during a Mass commemorating the first death anniversary of President Corazon C. Aquino, the incumbent President’s and Kris’ mom, who is the family’s true superstar.

Bishop Soc said, addressing Kris: “Your beauty and talents are not yours; they are God’s. Remember, all of these things shall pass. You will find your real happiness, as your mother did, not by being in the limelight, but being the spotlight lighting the face of Jesus.”

Not something that members of the congregation at the La Salle Green Hills gymnasium expected to hear, the words caused a perceptible stir.

Villegas was a key figure during the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, alongside then Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.

The Lingayen-Dagupan prelate has since been known for close ties to the Aquinos, especially Cory.

By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net

A leader of a car theft group was killed and his cohort arrested in a pre-dawn shootout with police in Makati City Monday, a police spokesman said.

Ivan Padilla, the leader of the group tagged as responsible for stealing the vehicles of former foreign affairs secretary Roberto Romulo and Derek Ramsey Sr., was pronounced dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Makati after sustaining gunshot wounds, said Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr.

Cruz said one Mark Inducil was also arrested by authorities.

The two suspects were spotted by authorities on board a stolen Toyota Vios (ZAP-355) at around 5 a.m. Monday along General Luna Street, Barangay (village) Poblacion.

When accosted, the two engaged policemen in a fire fight, leading to the death of Padilla.

Cruz said Padilla was facing charges of car theft for stealing the car of Romulo in Taguig City last July 26 and the vehicle of Ramsey Sr., the father of actor Derek Ramsey, in Tagaytay City.

from the PDI

Boy Abunda was mum on reports that Aquino and Padilla would receive P1 million each a day (the money Willie Revillame threw away) as talent fee for the new show. “Kris has a contract with ABS-CBN,” Abunda explained. “It is possible to amend that contract, but I am not privy to those details. That side of her career is handled by Deo Endrinal. I take care of her endorsements.”

When Aquino arrived for the “Win na Win” rehearsal on Friday, Padilla was having a haircut, said the source.

The same source added, “Pokwang and Mariel started calling her Ate, but Kris told them, ‘Kris na lang. Don’t call me Ate.’”

By Bayani San Diego Jr., Emmie G. Velarde
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Kris Aquino had laughed off the pregnancy rumor, her friend Boy Abunda told Inquirer, “but she was a bit irritated.”

Abunda said Aquino, who came home on Friday from a three-week vacation in the United States, wondered how the rumor started.

One possibility, Abunda offered, was Aquino’s new advocacy, the campaign against cervical cancer. Her participation required a visit to obstetrician-gynecologist Greg Pastorfide for some tests; maybe she was sighted at the clinic, Abunda added.

He also said Aquino kept a detailed chart of her menstruation cycle and that, on July 18, while in Orlando, Florida, with sons Josh and James, she got her monthly period.

Abunda met Aquino at the airport early morning, and she gave him a long interview that covered the pregnancy rumor. The interview was to be aired on at least four Kapamilya shows: “The Buzz,” “SNN,” “Entertainment Live” and “TV Patrol.”

Police have played down fears that allowing parents to check if someone with access to their children is a sex offender may cause vigilante attacks.

The scheme known as "Sarah's Law" was proposed after the murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne 10 years ago.

A Home Office pilot is being extended to eight more forces in England.

Chief Constable Paul West of the Association of Chief Police Officers said it was "realistic" to think people would keep information to themselves.

The scheme was piloted in four areas in England from September 2008 and will be expanded to the whole of England and Wales by spring. -bbc

Article 2, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution

Section 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.