MikeLigalig.com

Unknown to many, there are still 55 open garbage dumpsites “illegally operating” in the province despite warnings issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its closure.

Although the DENR is closely monitoring these dumpsites, the biggest of which is the city dumpsite in barangay Dampas, the local government units should still be at the forefront of adopting means to eliminate open dumping of garbage.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (Penro) Nestor Canda, in an interview with the Chronicle said Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, no longer allow the use of open dumping.

Since its passage in 2001, the local government units were given eight years to comply with the waste management law.

“The extension for the implementation of RA 9003 expired in 2005 but sad to say, there are only a few municipalities that are pushing for measures to control their wastes,” Canda said.
The 55 open dumps still in operation, according to Canda, have been issued notices for compliance by the DENR.

“It is sad to note that most of the local governments are not complying or even adopting schemes to lessen the environmental impact of open dumping,” the local DENR official said.

Canda cited the towns of Jagna, Duero and Tubigon which are already enforcing strict implementation of waste segregation at the household level, recycling and composting of biodegradable wastes.

Wastes generated by these towns are lessened by at least 60 percent and only a small amount of wastes would actually go to its landfills or dumpsites, he added.

While there is a plan to build a technologically advanced solid waste management facility here in the city, the open dumpsite in barangay Dampas is facing threats of closure due to the mounting garbage problem in the city which produces a little over 100 tons of household, commercial, industrial, agricultural and other wastes.

Unlike Jagna and Duero which took initiatives to obtain technical knowledge on how to address their waste management problems, the city and other towns could only adopt controlled dumping.
A modern sanitary landfill project in Albur eyed to become the common waste facility of 13 neighboring towns is still in the process of construction even as the town’s residents strongly oppose the project.

According to Canda, they will continue to issue notices to local government units and allow them to comply with RA 9003.

Canda advocated that other towns also adopt the waste management scheme of Jagna and Duero.

“If only waste segregation at source is practiced in the household level, our volume of garbage brought to the open dumpsites is estimated to be minimized by about 20 percent,” Canda stressed.

For a start, Canda suggested that every barangay must adopt a common area for materials recovery and composting.

source: The Bohol Chronicle

“When things go wrong in a local government unit, its chief executive is expected to be at the forefront in finding solutions to the problem at hand.”

“Clearly, that’s not the case now with the waste disposal problem in the city,” asserts Dampas Barangay Captain Fredison Ingles who was found at the receiving end of being designated by the city mayor to solve the garbage problem.

This came on the eve of the city's 43rd Charter Day celebration last Tuesday where the city announced to the nation through a full page ad in a national daily that bannered the caption "Tagbilaran City, The Little City With Big Dreams."

The city mayor took a confusing step on Tuesday in addressing the dilemma by appointing the Dampas barangay captain to manage the city’s open dumpsite in Dampas.
In his radio program, the mayor told Ingles that he will be given two weeks to solve the garbage problem.

Barangay captain Ingles who laughed off the challenge said "if the mayor could not solve the problem with all his resources at the city hall, then, how can a barangay official solve such gigantic problem."

"Why give his problem to me?" Ingles asked, when "I don't have the expertise and the training on garbage management unlike Engr. Jimenez who has formal training on garbage disposal".

Putting aside the expertise of the city government’s trained solid waste management official, Engr. Edmund Jimenez, the mayor virtually gave the responsibility of the entire implementation of the city solid waste management program to Ingles.

Meanwhile, there were reports that Jimenez might tender his resignation or retirement from the city government amid this garbage issue which put his office in bad light due to lack of support to his recommendations.

He said the discussion on the matter in the local media embarrassed him being the person in charge of garbage disposal.

It maybe recalled that Jimenez and City Health Officer Antonio Porticos were barred by the city mayor to attend the session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod which was supposed to discuss the garbage problem.

"They have other important things to do," the mayor said in his letter to the vice mayor as presiding officer.

This move was met with skepticism by the Dampas barangay captain who openly admitted he does not have the technical competence to assume such task alongside with his official duties in the barangay.

In an interview with the Chronicle, Ingles said he is faced with a big dilemma as he cannot turn his back from his responsibility as barangay captain of Dampas where the city dumpsite is situated.
“The city executive should be mainly accountable for the waste disposal problem as the entire city throws its waste at the dumpsite,” he said.

The barangay chief said that he was shocked on the attitude of the city mayor of "turning his back" on a duty which is his since the garbage dumped in the dumpsite belongs to the entire city, and not just of Dampas district.

Ingles stressed that there is a specific unit in the city government tasked to handle the management of solid wastes. But, since the waste disposal facility is situated in Dampas, he will strive to deal with the problem.

Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso said the mayor is passing the responsibility of the garbage problem as things have gone wrong at the Dampas dumpsite recently, when instead the situation could have been decisively addressed by the city chief executive himself.

Veloso said the mayor’s move on the garbage issue can best be described as a “denial to take action to a very crucial environmental concern."

He said, instead of imposing a stringent policy on waste management, the mayor is starting a public perception of indifference towards waste disposal which should be everyone’s responsibility.

source: The Bohol Chronicle

The 2010 gubernatorial race is building up as three potential candidates hit the road to sway voters across the province.

At least three names have emerged as prospective gubernatorial hopefuls who have made no secret of their electoral preparations with less than a year into the May 2010 polls.

Making their political intentions clear â€" Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, Rep. Edgar Chatto and actor-director Cesar Montano are now busy wooing voters â€" whether through the traditional politician’s approach or a new tack to capture the hearts of the electorate.

Both Herrera and Chatto are competing to secure the support of barangay officials and barangay workers through their village-based assistance programs.

Montano is banking on his edge as a celebrity bolstered by his popular weekend television show “The Singing Bee” where he consistently acknowledge local officials and important personalities.
The three probable candidates have been seen working overtime â€" Herrera and Chatto spending more hours in out-of-town sorties while Montano, who used to come to Bohol on occasion is apparently allotting more than a few days honoring friendly basketball games every now and then in the towns.

Each gubernatorial hopeful have their own strategy in seeking the people’s votes such as conducting the usual “pulong-pulong” in the guise of holding consultations or being invited as guest in a fiesta or public affair.

During the “pulong-pulong” the potential candidates try to tackle the needs of the people and listen to their concerns. This “consultative assemblies” have become favorable to the barangays, a village official disclosed in an interview with the Chronicle.

If it is Herrera or Chatto who comes to grace the “pulong-pulong”, the barangay official said, they would expect assurances for swift access to government funding and support to a specific program or project of the local government unit.

“The promise for assistance to a particular project â€" whether financial or logistical support â€" can easily be guaranteed due to their position in government,” the source said.

Montano, a multi-awarded actor-director, already confirmed he is focused on launching his bid for governor after he announced that he declined the presidential appointment for him to become the country’s film czar.

The actor made his official pronouncement two weeks ago during a call he made to Bohol's top-rated radio program "Inyong Alagad" over dyRD.

Learning from his failed senatorial bid in the 2007 elections, Montano disclosed in an interview that he wants to run a “tight campaign” this time around.

According to sources, Montano is organizing basketball matches with fellow celebrities going up against teams in the towns and is also discussing his political agenda with some municipal mayors.

DOLE OUTS

This early, political observers could see that touching base with the communities with their individual crusade about priority projects and programs in the barangays is an approach adopted by both Herrera and Chatto.

But, like new generation politicians, Herrera, Chatto and Montano are also moving towards capitalizing on technological advancements such as the internet and mobile communications as a campaign platform.

Voters who want to get information about Montano, Chatto or Herrera can simply browse their websites through the internet.

Purportedly, one of the three potential bets for governor is distributing cellular phones as gifts to barangay captains in several towns of the Third District.

The cellphones would facilitate communication â€" a necessity especially among barangay officials, the potential bet for governor told the village leaders.

A barangay captain, one of the recipients of the cell phones, questioned the propriety of such generosity by this government official.

“But the cellphone is better than the novelty songs and dance numbers performed by politicians during sorties,” said another recipient barangay captain.

Herrera is wooing barangay officials by distributing t-shirts, raincoats, bags, whistle and cudgels to barangay tanods.

In whatever way they do it, the three gubernatorial bets are definitely getting ready for the 2010 elections and make sure that no stone is left unturned in the campaign trail.

source: The Bohol Chronicle

Coats-and-ties and gowns will be the order of the evening as ‘sanos troop to the Bellevue Hyatt Regency Hotel Grand Ballroom in Washington State “today” â€" for the all formal Gala Night Dinner and Dance of the Confederation of Boholanos, USA and Canada, Inc. (Conbusac).

The Philippines is ahead of Washington by 15 hours, so that 8 a.m. of Sunday here is still 5 p.m. of Saturday there that marks just the start of the highlight of the Sleepless in Seattle 2009 â€" the 13th biennial convention of the umbrella organization of all Boholano associations in North America.
Gov. Erico Aumentado will be the convention speaker. Conbusac through its President Carlos Cagaanan had invited him and First Lady Peregrina Aumentado to the event, hosted by the Bohol Association of Washington State, Inc. (Boawas) headed by President Nat Calacat and Vice President Mely Cagaanan.

Aumentado will update the Bohol-born as well as second and third generation Boholanos at the gathering on developments in the province including his pet mega projects like the circumferential road, the Bohol Irrigation Project, the Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project (LBIP) and upgrading of the province’s backbone power transmission line by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the upgrading of major Bohol ports and their inclusion in the Strong Republic Nautical Highway and the Panglao Bohol International Airport .

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had completed and inaugurated Phase 2 of the circumferential road and the irrigation projects as well as LBIP, and is expected to start Phase 3 that already have feasibility studies.

On the other hand, the notice of bidding for the airport is slated to be published on July 17, with the opening of bids â€" and possible awarding to the winning bidder â€" scheduled 43 days later as set by law.

Aumentado had instructed Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay to attend tomorrow’s meeting of the Manila International Airport Authority in Manila to ensure that the timelines earlier set are followed.

The governor takes pride in having unified the Bohol leaders so that the President does not hesitate to support local projects for which the former leverages the internal revenue allotment (IRA) for counterpart funds.

As such, he has invited her to inaugurate another 138 brand new classrooms in 68 newly constructed buildings in symbolic rites at the Bohol Cultural Center when the province celebrates its 155th foundation day on July 22.

The Chief Executive has confirmed her attendance to the event even as under the governor’s guidance, the Presidential Visit committee is including preparations for her possible stay overnight in the province.

The classrooms for secondary schools â€" some located in remote barangays and even in islets around the province, with some built by private contractors and others by the Philippine Army’s Engineer Support Battalion (ESBn) form part of the second batch of joint school building projects that the province entered into with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the President-Presidential Social Fund (OP-PSF).

Using the same strategy, he constructed new buildings, out-patient department, pharmacy and laboratory or wings for the Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital (GMPH) in Talibon town, the Cong. Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital (CSTMH) in Carmen town, among others.

For being the unprecedented patroness of Bohol’s socio-economic development that redound to the well-being and general welfare of the Boholano people, Aumentado will confer upon President Arroyo on July 22 the Datu Sikatuna Award of Excellence â€" the highest honor that the province gives to those who have helped the province much.

Meanwhile, the governor will also induct Conbusac’s new set of officers and crown Miss Conbusac 2009 during the Gala Night timed to coincide with America ’s Fourth of July celebration of independence from Britain.

Conbusac has alloted Sunday for a thanksgiving mass at the Kitchen Shelter Area of the Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah , WA , slated to be officiated by Msgr. Ignacio Reyes, vicar general of the Blessed Trinity Cathedral Parish in Talibon, Bohol â€" the seat of the Diocese of Talibon.

The Walk for Bohol 2009 and a picnic will immediately follow. The walk, the search for Miss Conbusac, the raffles, the Family Night and Gala Night dinner-and-dance and other activities are all fund-raisers for different projects that Conbusac is partnering with the provincial government to implement.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Find out soon as 10 young Boholanas â€" from this island province, across the country, and around the world â€" compete for the fourth crown of Miss Bohol International!

Support our young ladies! Don't miss the SMB Night, wherein the audience can vote for their favorite candidates and the Talents Night on July 21 (venues to be announced), and the Pageant Night on July 24, 2009 at the Holy Name University gymnasium.

Held every three years, the event gathers young women with talent, beauty, wit, and character to serve as Bohol’s ambassadors of goodwill.

In a more meaningful perspective, the event aims to promote camaraderie among these young women, instill in them the Boholano’s distinct love and pride of place, and develop social responsibility towards Bohol and its people.

Aside from workshops, lectures aimed at developing holistic personalities, the candidates will also engage in activities aimed at promoting awareness of Bohol's rich cultural heritage. 

Miss Bohol International is organized by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bohol Chocolate Hills headed by JCI Mem. Iris Pacaldo, the chapter's president, with JCI Mem. Vilma Yorong, MBI Project Chairman, and JCI Mem. Pureza Chatto, Pageant Coordinator.

For more information and ticket reservations, contact Ms. Yorong at 411-3544/501-9847 (BEPO office) and Ms. Chatto at 411-2965 (residence) or 411 4313 (First Flowers).

By the Bohol Chronicle

The unattended bad roads in the city particularly in the barangays as well as the alleged graft and corruption in the city highlighted residents’ comments as Tagbilaran City marked her 43rd Charter Day last Wednesday.

A random survey conducted by the weekly program “Radyo Merkado” over dyRD registered the most number of comments on bad road condition in the city which has long been promised to be attended to.

This, even as Gallares st., which is the city’s second busiest street recently completed a P19- million concreting project.

“What we see along Gallares st is just like a showcase of what is not reflective of the road condition in the totality of Tagbilaran, a respondent said who however appreciated the new lights along Gallares st. and at entrances of the city.

Aside from bad roads, respondents through phone calls and text said graft and corruption is heavily perceived in the present city hall management. This came after no less than four cases against the city mayor are pending before the Ombudsman.

These are the P6.4 million unliquidated cash advances, the grossly disadvantageous contract of the City Square between the city government and the consortium of contractors, environmental destruction due to the drainage/sewerage outfall at the city port and the tax harassment case filed against the city mayor.

The four cases are under investigation by the Visayas Ombudsman.

The other deplorable matters which registered during yesterday’s radio program were the tolerated illegal numbers game of swertres, unabated drug trafficking and some criminalities.
The poor salary scheme of city hall workers was likewise mentioned as well as the criticized existence of “task force,” and “monitoring team.”

The survey likewise generated appreciation for the improvement of street lights and the upgrading of the city’s public market particularly the Agora Market now City Square as well as the programs for senior citizens.

AWARDEES
The 43rd Charter Day celebration last Wednesday presented awards from the city government: Nazaria Matig-a Bantilan and Dolores Uy Yap, "Mothers of the Year"; Ong Guat, "Father of the Year"; Ricardo Brito, Juan Apostol, Ko Sum Beng, new investors; Fred  Ong and Marlito Uy, business trendsetters; Mariano Uy, outstanding community service; Hans Schoof, faithful supporter of the city; Visitacion Acero, Teresita Irig, outstanding career in civil service; Faro Cabalit, Reynaldo Calimbayan, Antonio porticos, Walter Toston, Rosemarie Palma, Piancita Castolo, dedication and efficiency in public service; Warren Yap, Jr., CPA board topnotcher; Kurt Bongabong, successful barrister while in public service and Auberto Ungay, model lungsoranon.

The celebration started with a diana and a thanksgiving mass officiated by Msgr. Jeffrey Malanog, vicar general.

The commemorative program followed at the city atrium led by Mayor Dan Lim and Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso leading the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Barangay captains and chiefs of offices and all city government employees attended the 43rd Charter Day program last Wednesday. 

A broad-winged poverty reduction and environmental protection project - poised to generate 24,000 jobs in the province - officially took off with the ceremonial sowing at the first planting site in barangay Canguha, Calape town with the very first jatropha seedling in the history of Bohol’s Jatropha Propagation Project (JPP).

Braving a heavy downpour in the first morning of July, Governor Erico Aumentado’s Chief of Staff and JPP project director Antonieto Pernia, and officials of Petrogreen Commodity Holdings Inc. made history with community organizers and field program officers of the Bohol Poverty Reduction and Management Office (BPRMO) in launching Bohol’s biggest poverty reduction program and uptrend environmental protection project.

Pernia, himself, sowed the very first seedling on the site of Canguha Multi-Purpose Cooperative - the chosen planters in the project’s first phase - leading other sites in 15 municipalities that comprise the first batch of jatropha growers, covering a total of 1,000 hectares of planting areas.

The symbolic sowing of the project’s first seedling signaled the start of massive planting on the sites of coop-growers in the first 15 towns, who have finished their land preparation.

Petrogreen was represented by its admin officer, Maricor Lawas and its officer-in-charge for operations, Barangay Captain Alfredo Datahan of Bayong, Guindulman.

In full force, officers and members of Canguha Multi-Purpose Coop gathered around to take part in the activity.

The heavy downpour prevented environment officials and staff of Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO) from making it to the venue.

Targeting 12,000 hectares of planting areas, JPP will open employment opportunities to 24,000 Boholanos, aside from helping reforest the denuded and idle lands.

The job opportunities that the project offers are expected to double during harvest season.
The Jatropha variety planted in Bohol will start bearing fruits upon reaching eight months old up to its 50th year.

The provincial government has forged partnership with the Philippine National Oil Corporation and Petrogreen Oil Commodity Holdings, Inc. for the establishment of the project.

Under a joint venture agreement, Petrogreen and PNOC will put up a P25-million expeller-extractor plant to process the seeds of the Jatropha fruits.

And, to protect the provincial government’s investment, the Capitol will be entitled to one seat in the Board of Directors in Petrogreen, while PNOC provides the technical and marketing assistance. (Angeline Valencia/PGMA)

The world renowned Lifemax whose product is hotly selling worldwide will have its pre-launching activity on Friday.

Paul Rogers, president and CEO from the United States will be arriving for the event together with Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, one of the business pillars of Lifemax in the country.

Likemax is known for its product "Mila," which is otherwise known worldwide as the miracle seed.  Mila seed has the highest and safest concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber and phytonutrients of any source in the planet. It is non-GMO and pesticide free. It is not food in itself, and not just a food supplement which is recommended for those on diet.

According to Roland Banquil, the company VIPs will be arriving Friday morning. From the airport, their will be a motorcade around the city to be followed by a radio visit.

The Lifemax executives will be meeting the Vismin core group at lunch at one of the Panglao resorts.

The product presentation and business opportunity talks will be at dinner time at Bohol Tropics Resort Club. Some 1,000 guests are expected. 

Dinner tickets at P200 only will entitle the 3 lucky participants to win roundtrip tickets to Hong Kong while 100 will receive P1,000 worth of giveaways.

"Lifemax" started its radio program over dyRD, 2:00-2:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, anchored by Roland Banquil.

The BPHSN Lives On Foundation, Inc., composed of alumni and staff from the erstwhile Bohol Provincial Hospital School of Nursing (1963-1985), in cooperation with Philippine Nurses Association â€" Bohol Chapter, will sponsor an Interactive Seminar on “Stroke: Home Care Management.”

Aware of the necessity of updating nurses in public health practice, as well as caregivers in the home setting, the organizers have called on balikbayan nurses, as well as medical practitioners, to share one another’s knowledge and expertise regarding holistic care of stroke patients.

BPHSN Foundation President Arsenia Bag-ao Bonite and PNA-Bohol Chapter President Emma Capirig-Auza have informed Gov. Erico B. Aumentado about this professional update.   Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo, in behalf of the governor,  has issued a memorandum to all municipal mayors, municipal health officers, chiefs of hospitals encouraging them to send their nurses on official business to this seminar.

Relatives and friends are equally invited to participate in this interaction which is geared towards informing the general public on the importance of holistic care-giving among stroke patients.   

A leading distributor of copiers in the country will open its Bohol branch on Thursday at the Save 'n Earn building, Tagbilaran City.

Top brass of Philippine Duplicators Inc. will be attending the blessing of Gestetner.
Leading the guests will be Manuel T. Heredia, Vismin regional manager.

Gestetner distributes copy printers, copiers, duplicators, velobind, electronic scanners, including supplies and accessories as well as parts.

Rev. Fr. Norbert Hessling, will officiate the blessing rites.

Supervisor Dennia Berondo and Idsil Dimas, account executive will welcome the guests during the affair.

Hildigardeans at the Great City of Houston
By MA-ANNABELLE VINALON- SUMAYLO

The Hildegardeans are the second pioneering graduates of the College of Nursing of then, Divine Word College of Tagbilaran, now Holy Name University. Twenty years have passed since their graduation and they successfully celebrated their platinum class reunion last June 19 to 21, 2009 in the great City of Houston, Texas, USA.

Everything is big in Texas; hence the celebration was equally gigantic. A huge turnout of about 150 attendees comprised of 35 Hildegardeans, nine clinical instructors and their families. Class advisers Margaret Pana-Faisal and Jevica Virtudes were the speakers of the historic event of gratitude and friendship.

The reunion officially launched, June 19, 2009, with mass and registration at The Lakes of Country Place Clubhouse. Western was the starting theme as representation of Texan culture. At this time election of new officers was held and they were sworn in by the outgoing vice president, Ma. Viven Flores- Monterde came evening at Gold Ribbon restaurant. The officers are: Annabelle Bantugan- Valdesanzo (pres); Velma Tibog- Hontucan (VP- U.S.); Loida Poquita- Aparicio (VP-Phil); Secretaries are Ma. Cristina Morilla- Veloso; Armi Garma and Ma. Liza Balabis- Balonda; Treasurers are Julia Uy- Ranis and Ma. Minda Campbell- Dehing; Ma. Luz Salvani- Redulla -auditor; PROs are Tita Llano- Borja and Glecilda Ortega- Baker; Sgt. at Arms Ande Tagimacruz and Victor Vincent Orion.

In the second day of the celebration, June 20, 2009, a grand gala was held at Marriott Hotel Medical Center with a local live band. The crowned Hildie Queen is Romana Cornell with dashing king Victor Vincent Orion. Luau party officially culminated the festivity at Adair Park on June 21, 2009. Invited guests were the alumni and friends who helped the celebration phenomenal.
In addition to the official activities, generous party invitations were hosted by Houston Hildies. Starting with pre-reunion welcome party sponsored by Boyax and Zipporah Orion, followed by scrumptious breakfast at Roel and Lissa May Gonzales’ home, and farewell pool party by Mike and Pinky Jao.

The success of the Hildegardeans Platinum Class reunion was made possible by the unselfish commitment of the Houston Planning Committee and their spouses spearheaded by Ma-Annabelle Vinalon- Sumaylo with Zipporah Fortich- Orion (Chairperson- First Day); Elizabeth Vergas- Halbert (chairperson- Second day); Emelita Chatto- Lomod (Chairperson- Third day); and Lissa May Asunto- Gonzales (chairperson- communications). Other members are: Julie Vitae Armachuelo; Boyax Orion; Ma. Theresa Penales- Jao; Juliet Tumanda- Cimene; and Edgar Loquellano.
The Hildegardeans Class ‘89 are looking forward to another grand reunion in July 2014 in celebration of their Silver Anniversary which will be held in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. We are calling all Hildegardeans around the world to attend the anticipated reunion and to join our Yahoo website by contacting Annabelle Bantugan- Valdesanzo at nabsvaldesanzo@yahoo.com.

Viva Hildegardeans!

Reserved Officers Legion of the Philippines (ROLP) Bohol chapter president and the concurrent national executive vice president for calendar year 2009-2010 Col. Joseph G. Sevilla JSC GSC (RES) PA informs members on the mid-year Visayas convention to be held in Bohol on August 1, 2009.

In behalf of the National President we are requesting ROLP member both active and retired in the military service, formerly CAT-1 and ROTC Commandant, Advance ROTC graduates, Association of Veterans Son and Daughter, Commission Officer who are not member yet and World War II Veterans to attend said activity this coming 01 August 2009 at President Garcia Complex, Tagbilaran City.

Registration will be at the headquarters of the 702nd CDC, 7RCDG, ARESCOM.
Some officers from the AFP General Headquarters are also expected to grace the affair.
Col. Sevilla expects members to take advantage of the opportunity and learn more with regards Retired and Reserve Force Development.

For more details and verification, visit Headquarters 702nd (Bohol) CDC, 7RCDG, ARESCOM, Camp Gov Esteban E Bernido, Dao District, Tagbilaran City in front of Bohol Provincial Health Office or contact the following: Col Sevilla JSC GSC (RES) PA cell no. 09084089866,  Col. Prisco V. Viñalon GSC (RES) PA and Lt Col Teofisto Cabagnot (RES) PA.

“Your presence is highly appreciated on this big event”, Sevilla reiterated.

The month of June is famous for weddings. Aside from great weather and planned summer vacations, the month is often associated with the goddesses of fertility, love and happiness.

“Love moves in mysterious ways” for seafarer Romeo Digal Dano of Sevilla, Bohol as he claimed Lynn Flores Cristino as bride in wedding ceremonies last June 20 at the Birhen Sa Barangay Parish Shrine this city.

The couple entertained their families, relatives and friends at the Sandugo Grand Ballroom of Bohol Tropics Resort, this city.

As the province is becoming famous for destination weddings, Johnwin Sim and Rachelle Uy, of Manila, exchanged marital vows in ceremonies last June 13, solemnized by Rev. Martin Sanders at the Amorita Resort, Panglao Island, Bohol. 

Boy Dumadag and Michael Yu of Blue Grass Project did the elegant floral arrangement.

JUNE BRIDES
Jackie Lou Buntia Patenio exchanged “I do” with Allan Fritz Balili Gudes on June 8 at the Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Sikatuna, Bohol.

Simultaneously, wedding banquets were held at the Sandugo Grand Ballroom of Bohol Tropics Resort and at the respective residences of the couple in Sikatuna town.

Joan Mijos Bastes exchanged “I do” with Faustino Loremia Arawiran, Jr. on June 18 at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Reception followed at the Metro Centre Hotel and Convention Center, Tagbilaran City.

Sheila May Ceniza Galendez sealed marital vows with Elizalde Asilo Tampon on June 22 at the Sta. Cruz Parish, Dao District Tagbilaran City. Reception followed at the Metrocentre Hotel and Convention Centre.

Rosalina Mindoro Limbaga tied the knot with Samuel Ibabao Anub on June 27 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Tagbilaran City. Reception followed at the Metrocentre Hotel and Convention Centre.

For assistance, contact Maria Leticia “Maleth” L. Zafra, of After Five Weddings and Events Specialist, cell nos. 09173040757, 09185576609, residence tel. no. 500-0674 and email add marialeticia_zafra@yahoo.com or afterfiveweddings@yahoo.com.

JCI Bohol Sandugo, an affiliate of Junior Chamber International - Philippines, A Leading Global Network of Young Active Citizens unveiled its marker at one of Bohol’s most visited tourist attraction, the “Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary” in Corella Town, Bohol.

After the unveiling, the club proceeded to Barangay Anislag in the same town to plant coconut trees.

The club would like to thank JCI Mem. Reginald Ong of BQ Mall Corporation, ADCE Builders, Mattwood, Boysen Paints and People’s Lumber.

The JCI Marker and Tree Planting activities were chaired by JCI Mem. Arch Dilo Evangelista and JCI Mem. Arch. Marvin Mariano respectively.

Present during the activities were Immediate Past President JCI Mem. and Board Member Alfonso Damalerio II, JCI President Gibyrlu “LJ” Lumayag, Jun Langcamon, Nelson Suaybaguio, Buzzy Budlong, Dominic Aparicio, Danny Reyes and Associate Member Matt Pana.

The First Consolidated Bank donated this week a lot to Societas Divinae Charitatis, Inc. as site for its community programs.

The deed of donation was turned over to Rev. Fr. Victor Bompat, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Charitatis by Corazon Cabrera, manager of FCB Cogon Branch.

The donation consists of a parcel of land in Tiptip, Tagbilaran City with an area of 6,000 square meters, valued at P6,000.000.

According to Reverend Father Bompat, Charitatis will use this as site for its formation house and chapel.

Charitatis was founded in 2003 in Tagbilaran city as a non-profit, non-government organization, to look after the spiritual and material needs of the less privileged, blind, deaf mute, handicapped, sickly and elderly.

At present, Charitatis runs livelihood programs that benefit the poor in the community, and operates a dormitory for the blind along Baguio Drive, Taloto, Tagbilaran City. The dormitory also houses the offices and center of Charitatis.

The donation is part of the corporate social responsibility of the bank which includes programs for health, education, and livelihood.

FCB has also donated a 2.4 hectare lot to the Local Government of Guindulman for the Mayuga National School in Mayuga, Guindulman; a 6,225 square meter lot to the Local Government of Alicia as site for its proposed Cayacay public school in Cayacay, Alicia; a 3,277 square meter lot to Barangay Bongbong, Ubay, which is now the site of its barangay hall and multi-purpose center; and a 323 square meter lot to the Diocese of Talibon, which is now the site of the chapel of Barangay Bongbong, Ubay.

source: The Bohol Chronicle

The Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) â€" Bohol Chapter has new set of officers for the fiscal year 2009-2010. 

Rammel B. Cagulada of Valencia town was unanimously elected as president for the current fiscal year. 

Other members of the chapter board are Cristifil Baluma, president-elect for 2010-2011; Leoncia Millanar, VP for membership development; Danilo Tabaranza, VP for professional development; Clarissa Baluma, secretary; Joseth Celocia, treasurer; Celsa Maturan, auditor, Maria Teresita Bitoy and Niña Acuzar, PROs; Gregorio Austral, Teresita Irig, Zenon Tumanda and Ammon Dennis Tirol, sectoral directors for education, government, public practice, and commerce and industry, respectively.

Meanwhile, the local chapter board is in the process of finalizing the activities lined up for the upcoming Accountancy Week celebration come July 19-25, 2009. 

PICPA will celebrate the event with the theme, “Live it Up…The PICPA Spirit”.
On the other hand, PICPA-Bohol thru the Cagulada administration congratulates some members of the organization who were awarded during the 43rd charter day celebration of the City of Tagbilaran on July 1, 2009. 

Reaping the special citations were Teresita Irig for Outstanding Career in Civil Service, Rosemarie Palma for Dedication and Efficiency in Public Service, Kurt Adolph Bungabong as Successful Bar Passer While in Public Service and Warren Yap, Jr. as CPA Board Topnotcher. (Maria Teresita Bitoy and Niña Acuzar, PROs)

While sustaining high yields and productivity levels, farmers and fisherfolk in Bohol should start thinking about marketing and processing in order to make farming/fishing a lucrative source of livelihood. 

Likewise, local political leaders must direct their support and resources towards value-adding in agricultural food production if only to push Bohol forward in its present stature as the food basket of the Central Visayas region. 

Such was the challenge given by Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap to Bohol’s agriculture sector in his keynote speech during the opening program of the Sandugo Agri-Fair last Friday held at the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center. 

As if alluding to the theme of the agri-fair activity “Isangyaw ug ipasigarbo and produktong Bol-anon”, DA Secretary Yap stressed the importance of concentrating on specific agricultural products such as banana, mango, ubi kinampay, abalone and oyster production, among others, that have vast potentials for attracting investors in the processing industry and bring investments into the province.

He also extolled the overwhelming support given to the agriculture sector by the provincial government executives led by Governor Erico Aumentado and Vice-Governor Julius Cesar Herrera, which he stressed as very crucial in view of the fact that the national government through the
Department of Agriculture have also intensified its commitments to the province by concentrating its support on agri-infrastructure projects like repair and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities particularly communal irrigation systems, post-harvest facilities such as flatbed dryers and multi-purpose drying pavements, fishports, and farm-to-market roads in lieu of “soft” initiatives  such as seed and fertilizer subsidies for farmers â€" to help shield the domestic economy from the effects of the global financial crisis.  These projects were implemented under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of Pres. Gloria Arroyo wherein DA Secretary Arthur Yap is the designated CLEEP Cabinet Steward for the province of Bohol.

Joining DA Secretary Arthur Yap in the opening program and ribbon cutting ceremonies of the agriculture trade and exhibits were Vice-Governor Julius Cesar Herrera, DA 7 Regional Executive Director Ric Oblena, NIA 7 Regional Manager Modesto Membreve, DA 7 Regional Technical Director for Operations Angel Enriquez, Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog, Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo, and Dr. Ronald Carating of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).   

The month-long agri-fair and trade exhibits include participants from the 18 municipal local government units and 20 private sector entities.   

It is being coordinated by the provincial government through the Provincial Agriculture Office headed by Liza Quirog with the Agricultural Training Institute of Region 7, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Carabao Center, SEARICE, Department of Education, BISAD, FISH Philippines, Department of Agrarian Reform, LIFE Foundation, PALM Inc., Philippine Coconut Authority, PHILSTARCH, Marcela Farms, PAFC-Bohol, the City Government of Tagbilaran, and DA-RFU 7 and its line agencies and bureaus.

Later in the day, DA Secretary Yap was joined by DA regional officials and Mayor Telesforo Balagosa and all Barangay Chairmen and elected officials during the ceremonial turnover of the farm-to-market road projects in the eighteen barangays of Lila town amounting to 3.6 million pesos. 

Each barangay received P 200,000 pesos worth of Farm-to-Market road projects wherein the local government unit has to counterpart 10 percent of the total project cost.   

The FMR is one of the projects under CLEEP which is also intended to generate emergency local employment at the barangay or municipal level and fuel the creation of other livelihood opportunities (GDagala, DA-RFU 7).

Members of DWCT/HNU High School Class 1979 highly anticipate the most awaited 30th Grand Homecoming. 

For about a year now, the group organizers are busy with the preparations of the homecoming which will be held this weekend, July 10-11. 

The grand celebration will officially kick off on Friday with a Holy Mass at 8 o’clock in the morning which will be held at the chapel on the 3rd floor of the HNU Main building. 

The group will proceed to Sikatuna town for the community outreach spearheaded by Jose Ellorimo, batchmate and barangay chairman of Poblacion, Sikatuna town.  The class members with their mentors will all gather for dinner and an evening of dance and fun at Saya’s Restaurant at 6:30.

On its second day, July 11, class members with their families will assemble at the HNU main building lobby at 9 a.m. to proceed to Panglao for the whole day of fun and surprises at the beach.
Registration for the 2-day activity starts at 6:30 in the morning of July 10 at the HNU main building lobby.  All class members are requested to come and join and make the occasion truly special and memorable. 

Registration fee is waived but donations are most welcome. 
For more information, please  contact Pureza Veloso-Chatto 09209049575/411-2965; Evelyn Clarin-Ibal 09192368003; Susan Paparon-Betanio 09163627650/411-4365; Henry Racho 09213617416; Cynthia Reyes-Ayco 09052548387/411-2076; Edi Borja 09297400555/411-5959/4115385.

By JES B. TIROL
Bohol Chronicle

PETITION FOR RETENTION OF GOV. BAÃ'OS BY BOHOLANOS

Proem
Last Sunday I wrote about the petition done by the Chinese in Tagbilaran, Bohol.  In this issue I will deal with the petition done by the Boholanos.

The petition for the retention of Bohol’s Politic-Military Governor Adolfo Martin de Baños was dated May 7, 1880.

The petitioners came from the towns of Tagbilaran, Dauis, Baclayon, Paminuita (now: Cortes), and Getafe.  I will write the names of the petitioner as best I can in deciphering the signatures.  I hope the reader can find the name of ancestor.

Reasons
The same reasons were made by the Boholanos and the Chinese.  However, the Boholanos gave more emphasis on the following: 1. Request to let Gov. Baños stay for a time similar to his predecessors.  He was yet one-half years in service compared to previous governors with 6 to 8 years.  2. He was managing well the quintos or military draft.  3.  He was constructing new school houses and houses for the school teachers.

Petitioners from Tagbilaran
The signatories from Tagbilaran were led by; 1. Gobernadorcillo (now: Mayor) Dionisio Largo.  2. Felipe Rocha.  3. Enrico Palacio.  4. Geronimo Olivaris.  5. Anataleo Barcinas.  6.  Tomas Doroy.  7. Fideleno Lumain.  8. Mateo Rocha.  9. Felipe Paunat.  10. Roperto Tugunon.  11.  Patricio Pusta.  12. Eugenio Tundag.  13.  Juan Diez.  14. Nicolas Bugas.  15. Manuel Caraan.  16. Matias Manlopig.  17. Antonio Zamora.  18. Faustino Sagui.  19. Tumas Jumamel.  20.  Feliciano Sale.  21. Fabiano Sale.  22. Estevan Butalid.  23. Jose Ramirez.  24. Timoteo Bomaat.  25. Francisco Maslog.  26. Flaviano Ramirez.  27. Pablo Lumutjang.  28.  Eduardo Dinsay (Quinsay?).  29. Leoncio Torralba.  30.  Juan Torralba.  31. Tomas Jalap.  32. Lucino Mend…(illegible)  33. Marcos Galab.  34. Marcos Fernia.  35. Eduardo Calceta.

It seems that the petition was spearheaded by Eduardo Calceta.  He signed at the lower-right portion of the paper and also wrote, Maestro de Escuela procedente de la Normal = School teacher coming from the Normal (The normal school in Manila managed by the Jesuits).

Felipe Rocha was the father of former Bohol Governor Fernando Rocha who was still 15 years old during that time. Mateo Rocha was the grandfather of Ex-City Mayor Jose Ma. Rocha. Estevan Butalid was the progenitor of the Butalid clan.  Flaviano Ramirez was the Directorcillo or Municipal Secretary of Tagbilaran.  Juan Torralba later on became a Governor of Bohol and Senator of the Philippines.

Petitioners From Dauis
1.   Gobernadorcillo Graciano Neri.  2. Policarpo Araneta.  3. Melchor Honculada.  4. Matias Bolotaolo.  5. Eulalio Clarin.  6. Vicente Aranas. 7. Rufino Rollorata.  8. Eugenio Opada.  9. Apolonio Araniego.  10. Gregorio Quicho.  11. Geronimo Luquias.  12. Antonio Francisco Pabalan.  13. Dionisio Araneta.  14. Ambrosio Usaraga.  15. Eugenio Romoc.  16. Luciano Huerbana.  17.  Narciso Bullecer.  18. Agustin Honculada.  19. Carpio Quijada.  20. Macario Cistir.  21. Tomas Luquias.  22. Rubio Rollorata.

Petitioners From Baclayon
1. Gobernadorcillo Marcos Realista.  2. Casimiro Villamor.  3. Baldomero Fernandez.  4. Antonio Ayaay.  5. Lorenzo Lomacang.  6. Tomas Ongcoy.  7. Basilio Villamor.  8. Gregorio Opus.  9. Mariano Opus.  10. Sebastian Ongcoy.  11. Thomas Bangoy.  12. Maximo Cutab.  13. Marcos Ladeza.  14. Ysidro (illegible).  15. Mariano Caballo.  16. Felipe Valero.  17. Bibiano Malo.

Petitioners From Paminuita (Cortes)
1. Gobernadorcillo Norverto Legan.  2. Vinancio Hangad.  3. Fulgencio Agunod.  4. Mariano Chato.  5. Candelario Ocon.  6. Juan Lingo.  7. Leon Supera.  8.  Ygnacio Abad.  9. Hilario Chato.  10.  Brigildo Namoc.  11.  Dionisio Congcong.  12. Juan Cosmod.  13. Carpio Parungao.  14. Eusebio Tabigui.  15. Rafael Buca.  16. Anselmo Ngoho.  17. Mariano Agunod.  18. Fernando Tabigui.  19. Mariano Dinga.  20. Antonio Congcong.  21. Ambrosio Onod.  22. Andres Ticona.  23. Ygnacio Yana.  24. Fausto Tambis.  25. Leocadio Cabalin.  26. Tomas Boctoto.  27. Antonio Ocon.  28. Amadeo Congcong.  29. Nicolas Tima.  30. Antonio Hobac.  31. Antonio Bermudo.

Petitioner From Getafe
1.   Gobernadorcillo Magdaleno Camacho.  2. Jose Camacho.
Comment
Maybe the petition did not reach on time to the Governor General in Manila.  The list of Provincial Governors of Bohol has the term of Gov. Baños as July 19, 1878 to 1880.  His previous assignment was Director of the San Ramon Agricultural Colony.  Therefore the petition had no effect on the reassignment of Gov. Baños to another place.  However, Governor Baños was reassigned to Bohol from Dec. 11, 1889 to 1892.

Reference: Varias Provincias: Bohol, 1861-1896, B-112, SDS-3839.  National Archives.

    An ex-convict may well be heading back to life behind bars after he was arrested for raping a housewife and killing her husband.
    The suspect was identified as one Jose Mara Jr., 33. He was previously convicted of robbery.
    Initial investigation conducted by the Dagohoy PNP revealed that the incident took place about 11 pm last June 30.
    Mara was alleged to have entered the residence of one Benjie Motoc, 25, a resident of Barangay La Esperanza, Dagohoy town.
    According to Insp. Cesar Cañete, Dagohoy PNP chief, Mara was alone when he carried out his assault on the couple.
    The suspect was armed with a gun and a bolo during the midnight attack.
    Mara raped the wife who was already preparing to rest for the night and was dressed in her sleeping clothes.
    The irate husband was unable to restrain himself and tried to defend his wife against the suspect.
    Mara however shot the victim and chased him and hacked him to death when he ran out of bullets.
    Motoc’s lifeless body was recovered the day after the attack.
    The wife, who was still in a state of shock, confirmed that the suspect succeeded in raping her.
    Mara was able to flee after the attack and moved from one place to another to evade arrest.
    The intensified manhunt for him however took its toll and he decided to turn himself in about 11:30 am last July 3.
    Mara surrendered to authorities in Bunacan, Tubigon town through the barangay captain whom he knows.
    The suspect was supposedly despondent after a break-up with his live-in partner.
    He was detained at the Dagohoy PNP jail pending the filing of appropriate charges against him.

source: Sunday Post

Kelvin Angelo Cupay of tigers and Dragons Martial Arts Club, Garcia Hernandez Dojo emerge as the best prospect from the east side of the province of Bohol in the coming 2009 Karate do Age group Championship slated to be held this July with pyramid.emic resort of Alona Panglao as sponsor in child sports development of the province.

“Angelo” as he is known to friends will be campaigning in the 8-9 years old category A division wherein he will putted against the best colored belts of the province in the said age category. Cupay is already a “yellow better” in karate do, in his young martial arts career which just started this April 2009, he already won a silver medal in the Booy Karate do last July 7, and a bronze medal in the 2009 Bohol Provincial Taekwondo Championship.

With Cupay at the helm, it is expected that the east karate do players will dominate the three man team championship for category 10 years old and below as he will be teaming up with dojo mate Christopher Paglinawan and Villan Cadelina of Jagna dojo. Expected to figure prominently from the east along with Cupay, Paglinawan and Cadelina are JY Castillo, Christian Abcede and Clark Abcede.

The Tigers and Dragons Martial Arts Club east dojo training are held regularly at East Canayaon, Garcia Hernandez and Canjulao, Jagna with Sensie Elmer Baquero, Bohol Karate Federation vice president as master instructor and Sensie Roel Gallego as training director. For more information about Tigers and Dragons Martial Arts Club east dojo or its main dojo in Tagbilaran City just contact thru txt or call Cell Nos. 0919-5771180 and 09292118971. (Renzkie Ligan)

Six of the Bohol Dolphins Swimming Club will be competing in the 2009 National Long Course Swimming Championships on July 23 to 26 at the Philippine Center of Excellence for Aquatic Sports Complex in Los Baños, Laguna.

They are Daphne Elizabeth L. Aseniero, (14) of Bohol Wisdom School, Ian Philip Docabo (10), Emma Alexandrite Duroy (11), Emma Sapphire Duroy (9), and Caedmon Rodriguez (10), all of Victoriano D. Tirol Advanced Learning Center and Francis Xavier Tibus III (10) of Grace Christian School.

They will compete with 902 others for the championship.  The winners of which, will have the honor to represent the country in three separate international competitions, namely: 3rd Asean Indoor Games in Vietnam, this October 2009, 25th Sea Games in Laos, Cambodia this December 2009 and 1st Olympic Youth Games in Singapore comes August 2010.

In the past months, PASA (Philippines Amateur Swimming Association) has been conducting swim meets (G-League Series) in the local and regional levels. 

Times achieved by the swimmers during the scheduled G-League Series and PASA, or FINA (Federation International de Nationale Amateure) in the same period were used as basis in determining the qualifiers for this national championship. 

In these competitions, the swimmers were placed in graduated time order, slowest to fastest to increase the level of competitiveness, as well as to improve every swimmers chances of achieving the qualifying criteria.

The Boholano swimmers under the Bohol Dolphins achieved qualification after competing in two separate PASA swim meets held in Cebu City Sports Complex, Cebu City last April 19, 2009 and Gov. Lorenzo Teves Aqua Center in Dumaguete City last May 16.

As per PASA scheduled series of competitions, there will be a forthcoming event this coming 12th of September 2009, and to be held here in our very own City of Tagbilaran.

The University of Bohol (UB) Rockets Swimming Team soars anew as the young tankers hauled medals in various events during the 1st Aquatic Sports Association of the Philippine (ASAP) Age-Group National Interschool Invitational Swimming Competition at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila last June 27-28, 2009.

Jo Lander Molina was awarded as the Most Outstanding Swimmer for 6-years-old-and-under-boys category after winning two gold and 1 silver medals. Felliesse Karyl Ibale also finished with 2 gold and 1 bronze medals in the 9-10 years old girls category.

Other winners are Jason Ginn Lopena with 3 silver medals and 1 bronze; Nathalie Deanne Fredensborg with 1 silver medal; and Arabelle Meraul Felisarta with 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Some 500 swimmers from all over the country representing 81 schools/universities participated in the historic event that gave swimming a fresh start, according to ASAP President, Atty. Ma Luz Arzaga- Mendoza. “We are providing a venue for young swimmers to develop their skills in a fun-filled environment that has characterized Philippine swimming.” The event was also graced by tankers that were members of the Philippine Swimming Team and some former Olympians.

Led by Coach Vincent Indig, 16 young swimmers from the Victoriano D. Tirol â€" Advanced Learning Center and UB Grade School Department made it to the national competition.

The team acknowledged with gratefulness the support of the UB Administration through Atty. Nuevas T. Montes; the UB Alumni Association, Inc. through the president, Atty. Jose V. Torralba; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rañola; La Estrella Beach Resort; Brig. Gen. Charly Holganza of the AFP; the Philippine Sports Commission through its Executive Director, Fr. Vicente L. Uy, Dr. Zia Managaytay, Veana’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning, former Gov. and Mrs. Rene L. Relampagos, Engr. and Mrs. Francisco Tubal; and Mrs. Elena T. Punzalan.

By Bobby C. Ticzon
People's Journal

Isang bagong silang na batang lalaki ang itinapon ng hindi nakilalang salarin sa Bacolod Bridge sa Amulung, Cagayan.
   
Sinasabing kasisilang lang ng biktima batay sa nakakabit pa nitong umbilical cord.
   
Sa ulat, isang residente ng Barangay Bacolod ang nakakita sa sanggol kaya’t mabilis na ipinaabot sa kaalaman ni Insp. Franklin Tabinggo, ng Bureau of Fire Protection.
   
Matapos makita ang sanggol na nakasilid sa isang plastic bag at wala nang buhay, kaagad na ipinagtanong-tanong kung may nakakakilala sa sanggol.
   
Ayon kay Tabinggo, bali ang balakang at basag ang bungo ng sanggol dahil sa pagtama sa malalaking bato na nasa ilalim ng tulay matapos itapon ng hindi nakilalang suspek.
   
Dahil walang umangkin sa bangkay ng bata, kaagad itong inilibing ng mga opisyal ng nasabing barangay sa  Amulung Public Cemetery.     

By Ed De Leon
People's Journal

PINAGTATAWAN lang ni Megastar Sharon Cuneta ang tsismis na ang kanyang anak na si KC ay mayroon ding sex video.     
   
Una, kilala ni Sharon ang kanyang anak.
   
May wastong pag-iisip ito at hindi gagawa ng makasasama sa kanilang pa-milya.
   
Ang mga ganyang sex video, nangyayari lang iyan kung ang mga taong involved ay wala sa wastong pag-iisip.
   
Kung nag-iisip ang isang tao, hindi siya papayag na malansi at makunan ng malaswang video.
   
Kung ang isang babae ay hindi sexually permissive, kung sinusunod niya ang utos ng Diyos na “huwag kang makiapid,” palagay ba ninyo makukunan siya ng sex video?
   
Kaya natural lang na pagtawanan ni Sharon ang tsismis dahil alam naman ni-yang pinalaki niya nang tama ang anak at hindi gagawa ito gagawa ng i-moral na ba-gay.

Isa pa, hindi lang naman nga-yon nagkaroon ng ganyang tsismis.
   
Hindi ba noon pa uso ang pasahan ng video sa cellphone na sinasabing may sex video rin si KC?
   
Noon nga sa Quiapo ay may ipinagbibiling DVD na may title na KC Concepcion Scandal.
   
Pero kapag pinanood mo, isang foreigner na babae ang nasa video.
   
Medyo hawig lang kay kay KC, pero hindi siya ito kahit na anong tingin pa ang gawin ninyo.
   
Katulad din ito ng sinasabing sex video ng isang female star na napanood nga namin sa Internet.
   
Hindi rin kami nabola nito.
   
Bakit ka maniniwala na ang sexy star ito, eh, hindi naman malaki ang boobs.
   
Samantalang  ang itsini-chika nilang star ng basu-rang sex video ay kilalang napakalaki ng boobs.

from the Bohol Chronicle news:

Two persons died after they were washed away by strong water current while bathing at the famous Mag-aso Falls in Antequera town last Tuesday.

The fatalities were identified as Nielmark Flores, 23, of Aliguay, Marobojoc town and Al Benson Lupos, 21, of Dauis town.

The two were enjoying the cascading waters at the falls when suddenly heavy downpour brought rainwater like flashfloods which resulted to strong current that could even wash away pumpboats.

It brought residents of the interior towns of Antequera and Catigbian down the coastal towns of Maribojoc and Cortes to conduct search and rescue operations since the day the two were reported missing.

Even a team from BOEX, a local group of adventurers led by Roy Pernia joined the search together with the group of Lt. Col. Mendez.

The bodies of the two victims were found dead on the third day of search and rescue operation. The lifeless bodies of Lupos and Flores were found floating at the river in barangay Toril, Antequera while Flores' body was recovered in Busao, Maribojoc town.

Antequera Mayor Cecil Rebosura received the suggestion from well-meaning citizens to install an alarm system at Mag-aso Falls whereby bathers will be warned of impending heavy drop of water caused by continuous rains in the area. The said warning system will signal bathers to keep off the falls and stop swimming in the area.

By Nel Alejandrino
People's Journal

Now it can be told na magkasamang dadalo sina Regine Velasquez at Ogie Alcasid sa kasal ng dating asawa ni Ogie, ang former Miss Australia na si Michelle Van Eimeren sa kanyang fiancé, fellow Australian, Mark Morrow, in November sa Australia.

Ogie has even agreed na maging member ng entourage sa nabanggit na kasalan. Si Regine naman will most-likely sing.
   
Surely, magkakaroon din ng kanya-kanyang papel sa kasal ang dalawang anak ni Ogie kay Michelle na sina Leila at Sarah.
   
O, sino ang may sabing ’di totoo ang kasabihang life is stranger than fiction?

World's Most Painful Bed

A Love That Never Fails


Lovers come and go, relatives come and go, children come and go.
Life is perishing, pains abounding. The youthfullness of the flesh come and go.
The words of friends come and go. Many friends betray other friends.

I say to you, there is One who is Never Changing.
I say to you that this Love is Eternal. Never Failing.

And this Love is in the Heart of Jesus Christ.

Who, despite yourself, your sins, your own iniquity,
Loves, Still Loves, and Will Continue to Love You.

Will you love Him back?

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

James 1:2-4

Quote from: Lorenzo on July 03, 2009, 03:47:41 AM
When there are things that trouble us, either it a physical object, a trauma, a situation at hand, or be it a spiritual problem, a strain, a battle in the faith, a temptation of the flesh etc, what are we told---what are we reminded about in regards to strength? How to overcome? What is the methodology? Provide the scriptural verse(s).


Come, let us discuss with one another. 

Good question. And deserves a response.

There are so many verses in The Holy Bible that reminds a faithful Christian to believe in the Lord's saving grace. One in particular is;

Be content with what you have, for God has said, "Never
     will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So say with
     confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid."
- Hebrews 13:5,6


And regarding trust. Trust in The Lord.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the
    Lord his hope and confidence.
- Jeremiah 17:7


Have you made The Lord Your Hope?
If you have, God Bless You!

Despite their repeated denials, rumors about John Lloyd Cruz and Ruffa Gutierrez’s hook up would not die down.

Cruz and Gutierrez flew to California, United States separately last week. Cruz was part of Star Magic’s 17th anniversary concert in the US while Gutierrez had spent her birthday there.

Their trips had triggered speculations that they were planning to meet up there. They did see each other in a party thrown in Los Angeles. Cruz was reportedly among the guests. Also present in the party were Gutierrez’s parents, Eddie Gutierrez and the feisty Annabelle Rama.

Before they left the country, Cruz had to assure Rama over dinner that he was not courting her daughter.

After the Cruz-Rama brouhaha had been settled, another intrigue regarding the real status of Gutierrez and the young actor’s relationship swirled. This time, the speculation is backed with evidence â€" a photo allegedly of the two entering a posh hotel in Beverly Hills. - abs-cbn.com

Actress and television host Ruffa Gutierrez celebrated a meaningful birthday in Los Angeles, California.

Ruffa, who co-hosts the morning show "Ruffa & Ai" with actress-comedian Ai-Ai delas Alas, held her birthday bash last June 30 at the CBS Studios in Hollywood with a fund-raise benefiting needy Filipino children.

As for her birthday wish, Ruffa said that she couldn't ask for anything more. She admits that meeting another prince, even not an actual one, won't be bad.

"Ang prinsipe naman at prinsesa ay nasa puso hinahanap yun. Di kailangan ang riches talaga. We don't care about material things, What's important is you're happy," Ruffa said.

"Hopefully, makahanap ako ng isang gwapong Pilipino para doon na ako sa Pilipinas at di na ako lumipad sa ibang bansa," she added. Report from Yong Chavez, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau correspondent, Los Angeles

A spokesman of President Arroyo admitted Friday that Mrs. Arroyo had breast augmentation 20 years ago but denied reports that the implants were leaking.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde earlier downplayed rumors that Mrs. Arroyo had checked in at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City to have her breast silicone implants removed and replaced.

"Kayong mga lalake, alam niyo naman tingnan kung ang babae nagpa-retoke. Res ipsa loquitur," Remonde told male reporters using a legal term that means "the thing speaks for itself."

He added: "Si Presidente ba mukha na iyong tipo ng babae na magpapaganun (Is the President the type of woman who would do that [breast augmentation])?"

The press secretary later changed his tune and admitted that Mrs. Arroyo did have breast augmentation 20 years ago but that the implants were not leaking.

Remonde said the President was declared in good health after biopsies were conducted on lumps found on her breast and groin.

"The result of the biopsy is negative. The President is in good health. You will see her moving around in the next few days. That's the best proof of her health," he said.

Arroyo, 62, checked in at a private hospital south of the capital Manila on Tuesday night after returning from two weeks of travel to Japan, Colombia, Brazil and Hong Kong. Palace officials said Mrs. Arroyo volunteered to quarantine herself after the trip despite relaxed Influenza A (H1N1) quarantine guidelines from the Department of Health. - source: abs-cbn.com

Abstract by Tanaka13 of flickr.com

Photographed by Bobby Henderson, on the actual rise of waters at Mag-aso Falls.

source: http://blog.venganza.org/17.php

<a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2529327-10685206" target="_top">
<img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-2529327-10685206" width="300" height="250" alt="" border="0"/></a>

Be an ESPN Insider, Click HERE to learn more...

By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Doing away with expiration dates for prepaid cellular phone “loads” might have been the better option than extending the cards’ shelf life, a party-list lawmaker has said.

Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino said in a statement Saturday that although the extension guidelines issued by the National Telecommunications Commission the other day provided some measure of relief to consumers, the agency should have compelled telecommunication companies not to put a deadline on cell phone credits.

“Increasing the shelf life of pre-paid loads is not enough to address the concerns of millions of subscribers,” he said. “The rationale behind prepaid expiration dates is that telcos (telecommunication firms) are dictating how consumers should use their load in order for them to rake in more profits. The loads should not have expiration dates in the first place."

Palatino said service providers impose a time limit on loads so that consumers would have to use them up faster and then buy more of the same. They should have the discretion to use up their prepaid minutes when they want to since they paid for this, he said.

“It is the consumers’ prerogative to choose to conserve their load and make them last. This is not like food or medicine that would spoil if they are not used at once,” he said.

The NTC on Friday issued guidelines extending the life of cell phone loads, with the expiration dates dependent on how much was bought.

The order came amid pressure from the Senate, which is investigating the practices of cell phone service providers after consumers complained that their prepaid credits were disappearing without their having been used.

Even Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile complained that he was a victim of what many refer to as “the vanishing load.”

<a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-2529327-10686104" target="_top">
<img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-2529327-10686104" width="468" height="60" alt="Get 1000's of Free Smileys Now!" border="0"/></a>

Get Thousands of Free Smileys

Click HERE to get them FREE

From the Purpose Driven Life Book:

You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren,

'Purpose Driven Life' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in
California .   

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said: 

People ask me, What is the purpose of life? 

And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. 

One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.

I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.

We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ's likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.

Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.

And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems:

If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness (my problem, my issues, my pain'). But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and other people.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her. It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.

So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do: II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.

Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.

Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.

Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free..

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?

Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.

That's why we're called human beings, not human doings. 

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.

Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.

Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.

Painful moments, TRUST GOD.

Every moment, THANK GOD.

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All o f the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums.  Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this?  It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Oranges, grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body..

While most people perceive the garbage problem as the sole responsibility of the city government, City Mayor Dan Lim gingerly shrugs people to reality by showing them a waste treatment facility is not the end all and be all to all problems here.

The mayor’s stand goes well with the national government’s programs on informing people about the wide-ranging impacts of the phenomenon and how their action can influence the pace of climate change.

The city government’s critics have recently feasted on the touchy issue pointing to the failure of the waste to put up on time the promised waste treatment facility in Taloto.

While doing this, most critics follow through with the continued use of the now supposed to be closed Dampas garbage dump by the enactment of a national law on the ecological solid waste management.

Now pitted in a serious “damn if you do and damn if you don’t situation,” Mayor Lim said “the environmental problem caused by the absence of a waste treatment facility is a minor one.

This he said as he compares the problem to “the slow but inevitable problem caused by the global warming phenomenon.”

Speaking to address city residents gathered at the City Hall Atrium during the 43rd anniversary of the city charter, Lim who sees the garbage problem not just as a tree but the whole forest however did not have to elaborate to be sounding self-righteous and accusatory.

Giving to the city people enough to think about, his pitch on the global warming phenomenon did touch on the real problem of simply dumping trash.

While the city government has a fairly efficient garbage collection system going, a causal look at the type of waste for disposal would reveal largely unsegregated waste lumped into garbage bags, all doomed to the dumps.

Over this, Provincial Environment Officer Nestor Canda, in radio interviews earlier bared the need for the people to practice segregation at source to keep the usable and recyclable waste from filling the dumps just as easily.

In his message too, Mayor Lim said “the garbage disposal problem aggravated by the irresponsible dumping of trash on the shorelines by illegal settlers is dwarfed by the projected rising of the seawaters to a level that would threaten not only the temporary shelters but of the very lives of the residents themselves, he said.

City residents, especially those on the coastal areas have seen enough of the rising level of seawaters recently, phenomenon that became just as alarming with the annual extraordinary high tides in June.

Even then, the mayor did not turn his back on the responsibility when he admitted “we still have to iron out the problems related to our solid waste facility.”

He topped all these by saying “some of the concerns that we face today need immediate response. The others can wait but they entail bigger, more complicated and more expensive solutions from the city in the future.” (PIA)

Cops can heave a sigh of relief now that the infamous Pangilinan Law is on the verge of instituted amendments.

The Pangilinan Law or Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 exempts criminal liability to persons below 15 years old.

This has also become controversial for law enforcements who are often situated at the receiving end of suits for performance of their duty to keep peace.

No less than Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno confirmed that it may not be long when Senator Francisco Pangilinan, the one who frontloaded the law submits his proposals to amend the very law he introduced.

Other than Pnagilinan who himself ahs seen the trouble his law has caused, anti-crime advocates and law enforcement groups have lobbied for the immediate introduction of amendments to keep the intent of the law above all else.

Speaking during a press conference at the Leqazpi Suite of the posh Bohol Tropics, Puno admitted that the law indeed has its loopholes.

Particular problems of the law surfaced in a celebrated case in Laguna where a student beat to death a high school kid. But since that student is below 15, the police had no choice but to release him.

However, in fairness to the sponsors of the law, Sen Pangilinan and the UNICEF, it also provides "diversion" and intervention" programs to be implemented by the DSWD.

However, criminal syndicates who have seen the huge gray area to circumvent the law have used minors as couriers or the hands in the commission of crimes, knowing these kids can easily slip because of this impediment

Over this, policemen who for duty sake accost minors more often than not find themselves entangled with the law and this has caused demoralization among the ranks, a local station commander revealed.

With the amendment, at leas policemen would fear no more, especially when apprehending or accosting minors. (PIA)

Also keeping its vision of transforming Bohol into a strong agro-industrial province, local authorities here put up a marketplace of ideas, technologies and products as well in an easy to find place.

Officially opened Friday, July 3, 2009 by no less than Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, the Sandugo Agri Fair is a month-long one-stop shop for agricultural ideas, technologies and yes, products at farm gate prices, organizers said.

This as the Department of Agriculture and its local counterparts cut the ribbons to open the Fair at the Bohol Agricultural Promotions Center grounds.

The fair aims to bring in a single location tech-help and allow farmers and sector stakeholders to market share ideas and technologies as well as showcase the best mari-culture from Bohol’s bio-diverse coastal areas and its hard to parallel farmlands.

Moreover, it also attempts to open up a web-based menu of services and information for farmer scientists, revealed Provincial agriculturist Liza Quirog during the recent Kapihan sa PIA Thursday.

The month-long market place at the grounds of Bohol’s biggest aggie promotion establishment brings to the city, resources for the idea-hungry farmer scientist the technology which should be available at his own bidding, she continued.

Aside from marine products like oysters and seaweeds, the agri-fair also brings in best farm produce and even showcases the best processed food products by a technology assistance center managed by the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she bared.

Quirog explained that with the annual fair, farmers and aggie authorities here wish to bring out to the mainstream markets these products as well as promote for its adoption by presenting leading technologies.

Lined up aside from the traditional display of fruits, vegetables, adoptable technologies, demonstration booths and farmer information resources are techno-foras and congresses.

Such include Oyster Congress for July 9, Seaweeds Congress for July 10, Cassava Congress on the 15th, Organic inputs producers Assembly on the 17th and Coconut forum on the 20th.

On the 21st, farmers are in for a rice genetics and seed banking forum, Banana Congress on the 23rd, Refreshers Training in Ube and sweet potato on the 27th, Oil Palm Congress on the 28th and Corn Congress on the 3oth. (PIA)

  Amid disheartening complaints of senior citizens being refused the mandatory discount from establishments, the Department of Finance (DOF) is now open to raising discounts from 20 to 30 %.

  In a position paper, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said the DOF supports raising the mandatory discounts as embodied in a Senate bill but cautioned lawmakers against giving the national government the responsibility of giving the sector a P1,500 monthly stipend, another provision of the senate bill.

  The Senate bill intends to provide additional assistance through a monthly stipend of P1500 to the more vulnerable senior citizens, but its also proposed to earmark VAT (value added tax) proceeds to fund the proposed monthly stipend.

  Beltran explained that saving portion of the VAT proceeds for this endeavor means P4 billion monthly revenue loss for the NG or about P53 billion loss in a year.

  “The most basic argument against earmarking of revenues is that it limits flexibility of government in budgeting its scarce revenues that misallocation of resources is not a remote possibility to take place,” he said.

  Aside from increasing the discount for senior citizens stipulated under Republic Act 7432, otherwise known as the Senior Citizen Act, and granting 20 percent discount to services and goods not covered by VAT, the proposed measure also wants senior citizens to be exempted from the payment of individual income taxes if their annual taxable income is not over the latest poverty threshold in the country.

  This provision, Beltran said, should be in line with the incentives included under RA 9504, otherwise known as the Minimum Wage Law. (PIA)

Homecoming Boholanos attending the biennial Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) are still urged to undergo self quarantine proceedings, in the absence of detection facilities here against the dreaded AH1N1 virus, says Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo.

In the same manner, locals who may be exposing themselves to the threat by mingling with homecoming relatives can just exercise the precautionary measures to keep them protected from the virus, according to Atty. Abapo.

This week, Bohol has seen the onset of a homecoming crowd from abroad intending to participate in the worldwide gathering of Boholanos to pool investors for locally identified projects for private sector funding.   

Homing Boholanos from countries contaminated with the dreaded and highly contagious swine flu could indeed be bringing in the virus if they do not follow self-guarantine procedures as suggested by health authorities, a mediaman hinted.

Stressing the self-quarantine as a national policy, which the Department of Health (DOH) has instructed, Abapo said it should be applicable to all persons coming from different places abroad and measures for locals.

Atty Abapo, who spoke for Governor Erico Aumentado in his weekly the interaction with the media continued on by saying even President Macapagal-Arroyo set the example and has to go through the procedure. President Arroyo, who came from a marathon state visits in Japan, Brazil and Hongkong checked out at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City recently without any signs that she was infected by A(H1N1) virus.

While stating not much of local monitors at the ports of entry, Abapo said there is no way Bohol could put up the monitoring system like the thermal scanner which is only installed in the country’s major airports and ports of entry from abroad.

Without the scanner to detect persons who may unwittingly carry the virus here, Abapo instead appealed for the honest observance of self precautionary measures suggested by the DOH as a way of keeping Bohol free from the virus.

He talked about covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, doing away from welcome hugs, constant and proper hand washing.

In fact, he also asked the listeners to be more wary about the threat of dengue. (PIA)   

Playing the advantage of attaining a record breaking sufficiency levels after decades of rice farming, local authorities hope to sustain the momentum and organizing all rice breeders for both hybrid and certified seeds come next, says Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog.

Now wanting to take a better grip at the adopted technological edge, she said an organized group sharing each other’s successes and failures can result to even better harvests for Bohol in the future.

On this, at the 2009 Sandugo Agri Fair, Quirog said they have deliberately scheduled rice genetics and seed banking forum to exactly keep the farmers in the loop on the developments and motivate them to enhance local rice into high yielding varieties.

In tandem with a Mindanao certified seed grower cooperative, the Department of Agriculture and its local counterpart along with Sangguniang Panlalawigan Agriculture Committee Chair Vice Gov, Julius Caesar Herrera would attempt to mold and streamline a local organization to keep track of and facilitate the exchange of technologies among town-based farmers.

With the aggressive campaign to make Bohol rice sufficient, the DA through the Agricultural Promotion Center and the local leaders pushed for more support through inputs and fertilizers which farmers can avail at low subsidized costs.

Coupled with the abrupt shift to high yielding varieties, farmers achieved flying productivity marks, one most growers are willing to duplicate if not top, this time while demanding for better seeds.

The development has also placed most local seed growers into experimenting on varieties that they can grow and keep for the future planting season.

In Bohol, we can assure that local growers can now supply the need for certified seeds but keeping the high seed standards can be enhanced when these people work together, Quirog reasons for the plan to pool these people together.

APC’s Eng. Eugene Cahiles has always insisted that going for the shift to hybrid and certified seeds alone would changce Bohol’s productivity positioning despite the sad fact that vast ricelands here are a rarity.

Agriculturist Quirog added that the aggressive campaign to momentarily shift to hybrid rice and then later grow certified rice has tilted the balance and earned for Bohol respectable position in the region topping rice production sufficiency at 113%.

Ad as soon as farmers saw the difference in productivity, many have opted to go for hone-grown certified seeds at least now that they know such are available with the help of an NGO: the South East Asian Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment, she said. (PIA)

Still fresh from winning his fourth NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant will be heading for the Manila later this month as part of a six-city tour sponsored by Nike.

Bryant will make his first stop in the Philippines on July 21 and thereafter proceed to Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan), Hong Kong and Shanghai and Chengdu in China, according to a statement from Nike.

The Lakers star has toured Asia every summer since 2006 and last visited Manila in 2007. In 2008, he went on tour as part of the USA Basketball team leading up to the Beijing Olympics, where he and other NBA stars earned gold medals.

This year’s tour, according to Nike, offers Kobe a chance to check back in with the young players he met on previous tours and meet up and coming players.

“I'm looking forward to returning to Asia to see the progress the kids have made since my last visit,” said Bryant. - Inquirer.net

If that is the case, it seems that DYRD Kiss FM is glorifying homosexuality. Makaduda.

By Daxim Lucas
PDI

Bowing to pressure from lawmakers, telecommunications regulators are set to compel mobile phone firms to triple the shelf life of prepaid credits amid persistent complaints of “vanishing load” from the public.

The rules, expected to be approved by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Friday, will also require telecommunications companies (telcos) to maintain a record of phone call details for prepaid users and make these available to them for free, upon request.

Industry watchers expect the new policy to have slightly adverse financial effects on the service providers which rely on the rapid turnover of their prepaid load business for a steady cash flow.

The NTC’s new policy came after the regulator and telecommunications firms endured a storm of criticism at the hands of senators and consumer rights advocates in recent weeks, caused by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s complaints of “vanishing load” in his prepaid account.

Class suit

A nonprofit group called COUP (Cellphone Owners and Users of the Philippines) has filed a class suit in the NTC against network operators with “anomalous” charging practices that lead to so-called “vanishing load.”

The Senate committee on trade and industry, chaired by Sen. Manuel A. Roxas II, spearheaded the probe of the consumer complaints, prompting the regulator to prepare a set of other rules that will clamp down on the activities of third-party “value-added-service” firms that send unsolicited text messages to mobile phones.

Under the new NTC rules, a prepaid load of P10 or less will have a three-day validity period, compared with the present policy of both Smart Communications and Globe Telecom of having credits in this bracket expire after only 24 hours.

At the highest end of the range, credits of P600 to P1,000 will have a validity of 180 days from the time they are loaded into a prepaid user’s account.

This represents a 200-percent increase in load shelf life from the present policy of Smart and Globe to have a maximum validity of only 60 days.

All load brackets

All load brackets in between these amounts will also experience increased shelf life, depending on the size of the credits.

“The expiration or validity of prepaid loads shall correspond to the amount of loads purchased,” said the NTC draft circular. “The higher the prepaid loads, the longer is the expiration or validity period.”

Under the new scheme, credits of P10 to P20 will be valid for 7 days; over P20 to P30 for 10 days; over P30 to P40 for 14 days; over P40 to P50 for 17 days; over P50 to P60 for 20 days; over P60 to P70 for 24 days; over P70 to P80 for 21 days; over P80 to P100 for 30 days; over P100 to P150 for 45 days; over P150 to P200 for 60 days; over P200 to P300 for 90 days; and over P300 to P600 for 150 days.

“The validity period starts upon receipt of confirmation of the prepaid loads purchased,” said the draft circular. “Call data records shall be made available to the prepaid users upon request free of charge.”

It also mandates that access to balance inquiry service through text messages shall be at no cost to the consumer.

“Violation of any of the provisions of this circular shall be a ground for the imposition of fines in accordance with law,” it stated.

Representatives of mobile phone firms have yet to reply to requests for comment on the new policy as of press time.

In filing the class suit, COUP asked the NTC to order telcos to stop collecting “illegal charges” for unsolicited messages and the “anomalous” push messages, spam, interrupted or dropped calls, missed calls, failed messages and other related consumer complaints.

COUP also wants the NTC to compel telcos to open their financial books to scrutiny and to provide a mechanism for reimbursing complainants for “illegal charges.”

At the same time, COUP asked the NTC to impose penalties and sanctions on erring operators.

Rodrigo C. Domingo Jr., one of the founders of COUP, said the group would file a separate case in the Quezon City RTC against the companies with major brands such as Smart, Globe, and Sun Cellular.

“Maybe within the next two weeks we will file a case at the RTC for them to refund the vanishing load of consumers,” Domingo said.

COUP is currently composed of lawyers, according to Domingo, but it is inviting consumers to become its members.

Membership is free and may be facilitated via e-mail. More information about COUP is available at its website http://coup.ph.

The beauty of faith is that tho we may stumble and fall sometimes, the power of a Saving Faith is what picks us up , dusts away the iniquity, and move towards the Goal which is Salvation in Jesus Christ.

When you enrobe yourself to Jesus Christ, there is no fallability. There is nothing that can stop or counter you, for the soul is complete in Jesus Christ. The Finisher of Your Faith.

He who has authority of all things, the choirs of angels, armies of seraphims, and noble Archangels bow before the name of Jesus. And all hostile powers quake before His Name.

The Alpha and The Omega.
The Beginning and the End.

Sacred Position of Parenthood


Mothers and Fathers, discipline your children to the Path towards God. Discipline them towards Righteousness, teach them to Fear God. And most of all, Love one Another. For a child learns from his Mother and Father.

The proper study of the Word of God is the very manifestation of the elect's soul claiming his eternal salvation, the reward of a Saving Faith. And a yearning to be with the Eternal Living God.

The words of the Holy Bible is the breath of the soul, from which is the very breath of God.

Holy, Holy are you who read and keep it to heart. For nothing can compare to the Word of God.

Man, Woman, all things are finite and come and go. Like the dusts of time.
But the Word of God stands Forever.

By Eric Sloan
Examiner.com

It should be no surprise that Manny Pacquiao remains the undefeated, undisputed pound-for-pound champion of the world according to major boxing publications. Tracking his every move, however, is the universal consensus number 2 pound-for-pounder and Pacquiao nemesis--Juan Manuel Marquez.

The only thing that will change between now and October 1st with respect to the number 1 and 2 positions is how creatively I can write this paragraph before Marquez's September showdown with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Unless of course, Junior suffers another rib injury that requires a few more months and a Pacquiao decision to heal.

By Edri K. Aznar
Sun Star Cebu

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is pushing for the proposed bout between pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to be a world title fight.

WBO President Francisco Valcarcel plans to sanction Pacquiao’s ring return as a world title bout, with Cotto defending his WBO welterweight title.

“I made a request to the committee to place Pacquiao in the number one position for the fight for Cotto’s title,” said Valcarcel in a report posted at BoxingScene.com. “I’ve already spoken to Bob Arum and agreed the fight will be for the title.”

If this would be sanctioned as a title fight, Pacquiao will be gunning for his seventh division title.

By Edri K. Aznar
Sun Star Cebu

A few months after his “final” fight in Cebu, Gerry Peñalosa will get to fight in front of home fans anew on Aug. 29 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

Peñalosa, who last fought here in February against German Meraz, is being billed to face either No.1 World Boxing Organization bantamweight contender Eric Morel or veteran Mexican slugger Jorge Arce.

“It depends on Gerry’s decision. Maybe he will have one or two more fights before he retires,” promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud told Sun.Star Cebu.

In his last fight, the 36-year-old Peñalosa failed in his attempt for a third division belt and was stopped by World Boxing Organization super bantamweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez last April.

Peñalosa has held world titles in the super flyweight and bantamweight categories and is currently ranked third in the WBO bantamweight class.

Headlining the boxing extravaganza promoted by Top Rank is International Boxing Federation light flyweight titleholder Brian Viloria, who will be defending his crown against veteran Argentine Luis Alberto Lazarte.

By Chito Aragon
Cebu Daily News

To show his love to his girlfriend, an accountant left a profitable job to join the Philippine National Police.

The sacrifice paid off yesterday.

Jason Arandia, 26 and a resident of barangay Pagsabungan, Mandaue City, was one of the 354 new police recruits, who took their oaths yesterday morning at the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) headquarters along Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City.

Arandia told Cebu Daily News that he joined the police force to fully understand the job of his girlfriend, who was just a month away from becoming a nun when she decided to join the PNP in 2007.

PO1 Roanna Icot, 26, could not stop her tears from falling when she saw his boyfriend perform rigid exercises after the oath-taking.

Icot stood beside Arandia during the exercises and wiped his sweat after.

“Nihilak ko kay naluoy kaayo niya,”said Icot.

Icot said she was first planning to become a nun.

But she later decided to become a policewoman when her older brother, also a policeman, was killed in an accidental shooting on March 04, 2007.

Cebu Pacific (CEB) now ranks 65th among world airlines in terms of having the most weekly flight based on the June 2009 OAG data online (www.oag.com).

“The improvement in ranking was a result of the airline’s sustained focus on offering the newest planes and the lowest possible fares to its passengers,” Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and distribution, said.

CEB, also Asia’s third largest low-cost carrier, serves 32 domestic destinations and flies to 14 cities in Asia with a total number of frequencies of 1,665 weekly.

Iyog said CEB is poised to further expand its reach as it takes delivery of more new aircraft. It has ordered 15 new Airbus A320 for delivery from 2010 until 2013 and is thinking whether or not it should exercise its option to buy five more.

By 2013, it should have a total of 27 Airbus aircraft and 10 turbo-prop ATRs, the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines.

CEB’s rapid rise to being the No. 1 domestic carrier, after making its maiden flight in 1996, was largely a result of its going all out as a low-cost carrier in 2004, offering low fares that other airlines serving the same area were forced to match.

“We are about 40 percent cheaper on average than the other airlines. So with low fares, new planes, and the convenience we offer by flying from four hubs â€" which allowed direct flights within regions and did away with flying via Manila â€" we in effect are offering what the people want and need,” she said.

The airline has also been innovative, starting with its in-flight fun games and later on being first in offering things such as etickets, online booking, and even cheaper fares when traveling without any check-in bag, among others.

CEB uses its four hubs â€" Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Clark â€" to fly a total of 1,401-times weekly within the Philippines and a total of 264â€"times weekly in Asia.

“We will continue to seek ways to expand and make more people fly. We have a great business model that has shown domestic growth despite the present global downturn. We are confident that our march to further growth will continue,” she said.

CEB carried 6.7 million passengers last year and expects to carry close to nine million this year. From 2010 onwards, the numbers should jump as more aircraft are deployed to serve an ever-growing list of destinations.

A few days ago, Prime Minister Mori was given some Basic English conversation training before he visits Washington and meets president Barack Obama...

The instructor told Mori Prime Minister, when you shake hand with President Obama, please say 'how r u'.
Then Mr. Obama should say, 'I am fine, and you?' Now, you should say 'me too'.    Afterwards we, translators, will do the work for you.'

It looks quite simple, but the truth is...

When Mori met Obama , he mistakenly said 'who r u?' (Instead of 'How r u?'.)

Mr. Obama was a bit shocked but still managed to react with humor:
'Well, I'm Michelle's husband, ha-ha...'

Then Mori replied 'me too, ha-ha.. ....'.

Then there was a long silence in the meeting room. 

Welcome, Carmel!  We look forward to interacting with you here in our various message boards. 

Different people have different perception. One man's meat could be another man's poison. A couple bought a donkey from the market. On the way home,a boy commented, "Very stupid. Why neither of them ride on the donkey?"Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey. He walked besides them. Later, an old man saw it and commented, "The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?" Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey.

Further on the way home, they met an old Lady. She commented, "How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman." The husband thus quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey. Then, they met a young man. He commented, "Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you." Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders.

It seems to be the only choice left. Later, on a narrow bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled. They lost their balance and fell into the river.. You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you. Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future.

Thus, do not be too bothered by others' words if our conscience is clear...

There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that "A speech will either prosper or ruin a nation." Many relationships break off because of wrong speech. When a couple is too close with each other,we always forget mutual respect and courtesy. We may say anything without considering if it would hurt the other party.

A friend and her millionaire husband visited their construction site. A worker who wore a helmet saw her and shouted,"Hi, Emily! Remember me? We used to date in the secondary school." On the way home, her millionaire husband teased her, "Luckily you married me. Otherwise you will be the wife of a construction worker."

She answered ,"You should appreciate that you married me. Otherwise, he will be the millionaire and not you."

Frequently exchanging these remarks plants the seed for a bad relationship. It's like a broken egg - cannot be reversed.

Many relationships fail because one party tries to overpower another, or demands too much.. People in love tend to think that love will conquer all and their spouses will change the bad habits after marriage. Actually, this is not the case. There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that "It is easier to reshape a mountain or a river than a person's character."

It is not easy to change. Thus, having high expectation on changing the spouse character will cause disappointment and unpleasantness.

It would be less painful to change ourselves and lower our expectations..

A person visited the government matchmaker for marriage, SDU, and requested "I am looking for a spouse. Please help me to find a suitable one." The SDU officer said, "Your requirements, please." "Oh, good looking, polite, humorous , sporty, knowledgeable, good in singing and dancing. Willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my leisure hour, if I don't go out. Telling me interesting stories when I need companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest." The officer listened carefully and replied, "I understand you need television."

There is a saying that a perfect match can only be found between a blind wife and a deaf husband because the blind wife cannot see the faults of the husband and the deaf husband cannot hear the nagging of the wife. Many couples are blind and deaf at the courting stage and dream of perpetual perfect relationship. Unfortunately, when the excitement of love wears off, they wake up and discover that marriage is not a bed of roses. The nightmare begins.

A man asked his father-in-law, "Many people praised you for a successful marriage. Could you please share with me your secret?"


The father-in-law answered in a smile, "Never criticize your wife for her shortcomings or when she does something wrong. Always bear in mind that because of her shortcomings and weaknesses, she could not find a better husband than you."

We all look forward to being loved and respected. Many people are afraid of losing face. Generally, when a person makes a mistake, he would look around to find a scapegoat to point the finger at. This is the start of a war. We should always remember that when we point one finger at a person, the other four fingers are pointing at ourselves.

If we forgive others, others will ignore our mistake too.

TRUST is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation.

A female telephone operator received a phone call one day. She answered, "Public Utilities Board." There was silence. She repeated, "PUB." There was still no answer. When she was going to cut off the line, she heard a lady's voice, "Oh, so this is PUB.Sorry, I got the number from my husband's pocket but I do not know whose number it is."

Without mutual trust, just imagine what will happen to the couple if the telephone operator answered with just "hello" instead of "PUB".

Press Release

The Tagbilaran City Football enthusiasts officially bonded themselves and organized the Tagbilaran City Football Club. The club is targeting over 500 members coming from the private and public schools. The club aims to promote and develop football in the city by organizing local tournaments and basic football clinics. The Tagbilaran City football players have already made an impact in both regional and national games. By formally bonding, it to hopes self-sustain and search potential grassroots players for future tournaments.

It is sad to note that Tagbilaran City, though considered a powerhouse in the region, has no organized club. Thanks to the active veteran players, the Tagbilaran FC was born.

The elected officers are the following. Joseph Magallaes, president; Tady M. Simpao, vice president; Bruce Sabala, secretary; Patrick Clariño, treasurer; John Fritz Abinido, auditor; Erwin Angalot and Karl Paumig, P.R.O.’s. Board of Directors are Dr. Christopher Awil, Dario Rosalejos, Alberto Lacang, Ned Sarmiento, Arnold Reigner Palban.

As its initial project, the club will be holding a basic football clinic for grade schoolers 12 years old and under. For more details, contact the following cellphone Nos. 0917-4332107, 09173041888, and 09275493782.

Members of JCI Bohol Sandugo, an affiliate to the Junior Chamber International â€" Philippines, a leading global network of young active citizen are all set for “2nd KIA IRON LEGS” and JCI R.A.C.E (Race for Adventure, for the Community and for the Environment) on July 26, 2009.

The bike race is aimed at promoting sports and endurance as well as promoting the tourism in Bohol. It is also aimed at hyping up the Sandugo Festival. The 60 kilometer stretch race route will be from Kia Display Center in Tagbilaran City to the world renowned Chocolate Hills in Carmen Town.

Taking the eco-cultural tourism route, racers can have first hand experience of wonderful sights while enjoying the ride.

The proceeds of the event will help finance the various environmental projects of the club particularly its “Think Green” campaign. - the Bohol Chronicle

1880: The Chinese in Tagbilaran Were Already Part of the Body Politic
By Jes Tirol
The Bohol Chronicle

Proem
During the Spanish era in the Philippines, the Chinese were prohibited in many aspects of society.  They were allowed only to engage in commerce and trades and crafts.  Despite the many prohibitions many Chinese managed to become rich in the Philippines.

Many Chinese in Tagbilaran, Bohol managed to become rich.  They eventually become part of the body politic in Bohol.

Esteban Butalid, the progenitor of the Butalid Clan in Bohol was a Chinese by the name of Kiozon.  He was the contractor of the construction of the Bohol Capitol Building in 1855.  Many Chinese obtained a Christian name when they were baptized and became Christians.  They intermarried into the community and could no longer be distinguished from the native residents, however, there where those who tried to retain their Chinese identity.

Petition for Governor’s Retention

In 1879, Governor Adolfo Martin de Baños was first assigned in Bohol.  He was able to have a good rapport with the people of Bohol.  When he was ordered to be reassigned to another place, the people of Bohol made a petition to the Governor General of the Philippines that Governor Baños be retained.  Among those who made a separate petition were the Chinese in Tagbilaran, Bohol.
The main argument in the petition were: a.) Previous Governors of Bohol had a tour of duty from six (6) to eight years.  Governor Baños was still one and one-half years in office; it is still too early for him to be reassigned.  b.) He was very active in the construction of school houses and the schoolteacher’s residence.  c.) He was widening the roads to six (6) yards in width. He ought to be retained to finish his projects.  d.) He was very active in the application of the quintos (draft for military service).

The Chinese Petitioners

The petition made by the Chinese residents in Tagbilaran on May 10, 1880 were signed and sealed by them.  However, some signatures are difficult to read.  As far as I can decipher, the signatories of the petition were: 1. Jose Palma Penga.  2. Fernando Reyes. 3. Yu Un Lao. 4. Co-Tiangco. 5. Tan Sun Co. 6. Pelemeno Lim. 7. Cua Ciu Jannes. 8. Ygnacio Sanchangco. 9. Victoriano Herrera. 10. Uy Tiao Yong. 11. Uy-Suico. 12. Antonio So Climaco. 13. Fernando Climaco. 14. Fernando Elisaga. 15. Yap Con Te. 16. Tan Sianco. 17. Jose Reyes Lim Sangco.

Notable among the signatories was Fernando Reyes. It was at his house where the Boholanos planned how to fight against invading Americans. He was popularly known as Insik Ina Uy. Before he married Micaela Dalmao of Tagbilaran, he was baptized as a Roman Catholic. His godfather was Alfredo Reyes, a son of Governor Bernabe Reyes who was the leader of the Boholano Republic. Insik Ina took a Christian name Fernando and the family name “Reyes” from his godfather.

Some Observations

I am not sure why some put their Chinese seal beside their signatures. Maybe it was an indication that they were not yet “Filipino” citizens. Fernando Reyes no longer had a seal.

Fernando Elisaga, Yap Con Te, Tan Sianco, and Jose Reyes Lim Sangco did not have signatures or rubrics but wrote their names in the Chinese characters. It was an indication that they were educated Chinese before they came to Bohol.

In my opinion, the reason why some Chinese became rich was that they were already well educated in China before they came to Bohol. They may not speak Spanish or Bisaya but their brains were already well developed. They were actually mentally superior to the Boholanos during that time.

A question could be asked, where are now the descendants of these Chinese residents of Tagbilaran? For example, the first to establish a movie house in Tagbilaran was a Chinese by the name of “Lee.” I no longer hear of any “Lee” in Bohol. How many of them returned to China or Hong Kong?

Reference: Varias Provincias: Bohol. 1861-1896. B-112 SDS-3839. National Archives. Pp. s-309-s-310b.

Palen couple marks 25 years of marriage
By GLENN LUMANTAO

I haven’t encountered any couple whom as dedicated and committed like Boy and Bebie to their marriage. Last Tuesday, I was lucky enough to witness the renewal of marriage vows between Juanito “Boy” Palen and Julieta Calacar Palen at the Quinoguitan Parish Church on their 25th year wedding anniversary.

It was a rainy day as typhoon Feria brought perennial rain showers and gloomy atmosphere. But nevertheless, not even typhoon signal No. 3 can hinder the celebration.
The reception followed at the Loboc Tour Park and Restaurant. A cozy place which serve good food and a green ambiance.

Boy and Babie are simple couple. They are living a very Christian lifestyle. Active in the church activities as well as in the community. The two is really a picture of a model couple.

Boy, 51, is the eldest of four sons of Gualberto and Ceferina Palen of Calunasan Norte while Babie, 48, is the 2nd daughter of the late Nicolas Calacar and the surviving Lawrencia Calacar of Candabong in the same town.

Boy is working as seamen abroad while Babie is serving as a barangay kagawad of Candabong. The couple is blessed with four lovely children, Rence, 23, a registered nurse, who is in now working at the East Avenue Medical Center, and “JR,” 21, a fresh nautical graduate. The two younger siblings are Roy Cesar and Julie Anne who are still in elementary.

THE LOVE STORY

The love story started by mere chance. One ordinary afternoon on March 30, 1982, Babie, on her usual way home from school took her uncle’s jeepney sitting at her permanent seat in front. Suddenly, a big guy politely asked permission to take the seat beside her. As the ride traveled for couple of minutes, approaching Loay town proper. Boy anxiously started the first move by asking the girl where she was heading to, as he also introduced himself like a typical gentleman. Until they parted ways as they reached their respective destinations.

The following day, Babie in her astonishment saw the guy approaching their house in Candabong. The courtship immediately started. The following day Boy visited again to continue what he was started. Finally on the fourth day, Babie gave her “sweet yes.” They became sweet lovers four days after they first met. Easy Girl? No! She just saw the sincerity of Boy.

Couple of weeks after, Boy went back to his work overseas. Although thousand miles away, the two strengthen their bonding through letter sending until the two tied the knot of marriage on June 23, 1984.

The rest was history. The four day courtship turned out to be an eternal love.
On his part, Fr. Roque Maguinsay, the former parish priest of Quinoguitan Parish Church, expressed his appreciation to the couple for being very active speakers of the Church marriage enrichment program.

The newly assigned priest Fr. Oliver Saligan, who was the main celebrant, also shared his thoughts as how Jesus Christ offered this life to the church, as how he marries   and loves his vocation as a priest, that’s how Boy and Babie exactly vow their commitment to love each other.

ONE AND ONLY LOVE

Loboc former mayor Federico Adarne, one of the sponsors, in his message called it “Gugmang Bugtong” (one and only love). That there is really such thing as love which is worth dying for. That it is better to stay single than not to have this kind of love.

The teary eyed daughter Rence, wholeheartedly expressed how thankful she is that God gave her parents like Boy and Babie. That even the father just spent a month or two every year at home, she still feels and experiences the oneness of the family.

It is indeed a one and only love because when we are about to wind up this article, we just knew that this is already a second renewal of vows since they already have it done in their 10th year anniversary in 1994. Now we are looking forward for the next renewal of their vows in the next 25 years as the couple promise their well wishers to have their Golden Wedding anniversary in 2034 if God will still bless them good health and the meaning of true love. Congratulations!

The days are rolling. And the Search for Miss Bohol International 2009 is fast approaching!
Set in July in time for the Tigum Bol-anon Tibouk Kalibutan (TBTK) celebration, Miss Bohol International invites young Boholano women in the province, across the country, and around the world to be part of the event, which is held only once in  three years.

Miss Bohol International aims to gather young women with talent, beauty, wit, and character to serve as Bohol’s ambassadors of goodwill. In a more meaningful perspective, the search aims to promote camaraderie among these young women and instill in them the Boholano’s distinct love and pride of place. 

As of press time, there are eight candidates preparing for the event. One of them is Ms. Paris Buslon who will represent the “Kaliwat Bol-Anon sa Illinois.” Get to know these young women soon in our future issues.

Application is still open; interested young women may reach any of the following members of the Junior Chamber International for more   information: JCI Mem. Pureza Veloso-Chatto (First Flowers Shop) through telephone numbers 411-2965 (residence) or 411 4313 (First Flowers), or through email address, pringles1216@yahoo.com; JCI Mem. Maria Vilma C. Yorong (BEPO), 411-3544 or 501-9847, and atv256@yahoo.com; or JCI Mem. Iris O. Pacaldo (China Bank-Tagbilaran) through ayetskie@gmail.com.

By Ariel Fullido

Island City Mall turned five years old last Friday, June 26, celebrating five unbeatable years of being the ultimate shopping, dining, and entertainment center in Bohol.

Anniversary activities had been lined up to mark the occasion, like the on-going 3-Day Sale until today, June 28, where up to 50% discount are given away on great selections at the Home & Fashion Department and participating tenant shops. 

Ely Buendia and Pupil performed live before a jampacked crowd last night at the Carpark, highlighted by a fireworks display. The Food Fest 2009, featuring the best of native Boholano delicacies, kicked-off last Monday, June 22, at the Lower Ground Level, and will run until today.

Other events were Island Singing Idol at the Activity Center, June 23; Grand Finals of Hunk & Babe 2009 at the Activity Center, June 24; EZ Dancing at the Activity Center, followed by Search for Cutest Baby 2009, at the Activity Center, and Kiddie Party (Puppet/Mascot Show & Games) at the Activity Center, June 25; and “Kwarta o Kaban” Game Show with Inday Rufing, at the Activity Center; June 26.

Yesterday, June 27, was the colorful motorcade in the main streets of Dao, Tiptip, Manga, Ubujan, CPG North Ave. and J.A. Clarin St.. The Grand Finals of Sexy Babes Dance Showdown 2009 also took centerstage at the Activity Center yesterday at 5 PM.         

Today, June 28, is the Outreach Program with Panaghoy Foundation, co-presented by Unilever, Dunkin Donuts, Grand Luis Lodge, and Mrs. Beth Florlian; while at 5:00 o’ clock this afternoon is the Calendar Girl Search for June at the Activity Center.

The 5th Anniversary Celebration of Island City Mall carries the theme, “Fab @ Five.”

Presidential Daughter Luli Arroyo-Bernas visited the town of Bien Unido last June 5, accompanied by her husband Luigi Bernas and Bohol tourism benefactor, Joel Uichico of Bezo Recreational and Aquatic Activities of Bohol. They were welcomed by Mayor Niño Rey F. Boniel who arranged the visit in coordination with the entourage of the Presidential Daughter.

A known scuba diving enthusiast, Ms. Arroyo-Bernas and company was staying a few days earlier in Panglao Island before proceeding to this northern municipality.

The object of the visit was to experience diving at the world famous Danajon Double Barrier Reef which is located partly in the municipal waters of Bien Unido and is reputed to be the only of its kind in Asia.

Mayor Boniel led the group to the dive site which is 50 minutes by boat from barangay Puerto San Pedro, the jump off area.

The group had an experience with rare species of marine creatures, hardly found in their previous underwater forays. They likewise noted the crystal clear water and the unique cave formations. After the diving adventure, the group hinted that they will make a return dive to further explore this pristine diving site.

Their stay was capped by a birthday bash hosted by Mayor Boniel in honor of Luli Arroyoâ€"Bernas, as the day was also her natal day. The mayor expressed his gratitude to Ms. Luli, her husband Luigi and to Uichico for finding time to visit the town.

According to him this will augur well to his effort to promote the area as among the new tourism destinations in this part of the province.

source: The Bohol Chronicle

The last batch of the nineteen eighties is geared up to hold its 20th grand reunion this year.
Set to be the vanguards of the eighties, High School Batch ’89 of Divine Word College (now Holy Name University) will hold their grand reunion on July 10, 11 and 12, 2009.

The 3-day affair is set to gather members of the batch coming from all over Bohol and all over the world.

Members of the batch now residing in the US, Europe, Middle East and from around Asia have confirmed their attendance. 

Joining the gathering as Guests of Honor are the teachers and mentors of the batch.
Also slated to officiate the Holy Mass on the opening day is Fr. Jerome Cayetano, SVD who was then the Chaplain of the students during those years.

Members of the DWC Batch ’89 led by its Club President Roderick Alvarez will start the 3-day celebration with Registration at 5:30 pm Siglem, Bohol Tropics on July 10. This will be followed by a fellowship (Luau) dinner party complete with a live band. Day 2 will find the batch touching base with Bohol’s best spots when they tour the province’s top tourist destinations. The tour will kick off with a Motorcade in the city’s main thoroughfares. In the evening, a formal dinner will be held at the Metro Center Hotel which will be opened with an anticipated Mass to be celebrated by Fr. Jerome Cayetano. Day 3 is Family Time at the Beach where batch mates will have the time to relax, unwind and simply enjoy each other’s company.

The Grand Reunion will coincide with the Sandugo Festivities which commemorates the Blood Compact between Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Rajah Sikatuna. It will also allow members of the batch to join the Tigum Bol-anon, Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) Homecoming which celebrates friendships and family bonding.

Members of Batch ’89 are invited to get in touch with Alfonso Damalerio at (0917) 304-2306 or Charlene Cheong-Tatoy at (0920) 917-0170 for more information.

source: The Bohol Chronilce

By FIEL ANGELI E. ARAOARAO-GABIN

The Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc. (BSFI) has set July 6 as deadline for the submission of entries of the Sandugo Streetdancing.

It is an open competition for all groups in the Province of Bohol and the City of Tagbilaran delving on “Panag-hiusa sa Kaliwat, Kalamboan sa Tanan" as this year’s theme.

A group must be composed of at least 60 and a maximum of 100 participants of any sex, including the instrumentalists who may participate in the dance, and the guidon bearer who carries the banner or placard identifying the group.

The choreography should include a ritual depicting Boholano dance customs, traditions, or way of life (blood compact, weddings, fiesta, etc.) or authentic use of foreign dance, idioms, and traditions.
In the use of foreign-based movements, the important criterion is authenticity based on cultural research.  Any musical instrument maybe used. A plus factor will be added on the use of indigenous instruments using indigenous materials. In the use of foreign music, authenticity in the use of such music to portray foreign culture must be observed. Because of this, the use of canned or taped music is allowed, but blended with live music.

On July 26 during the awarding rites at the CPG Sports Complex, the champion shall receive P200,000, plus a trophy, while the first and second runners-up will bring home P150,000 plus trophy and P100,000 plus trophy, respectively.

In addition, special awards and other prizes will be given.
Giving of subsidy amounting to P30,000 will be done immediately after the submission of entry form, the deadline of which is on July 6, 2009.

To protect the interest of the Sandugo Festival sponsors, the Streetdancing Committee reserves the right to disallow the participation of entries directly sponsored by companies/entities in competition with lock-out sponsors.

For inquiries, please contact Carmen C. Gatal or Dave Maulas at BSFI Office No. 038-235-5497 or 09177071637 or 09067357736. City Mayor Dan Neri Lim heads the BSFI with Mariano Uy, Deputy Mayor, is the executive director.

Josef Enerio Memorial painting tilt
Fiesta celebration in Bohol is unique from the rest of the Philippines because it is rooted even before the induction of the lavish Spanish fiestas.

As the womb of the archipelago’s shamanistic people, they welcome everyone, familiar or new faces, since celebrations are meant both as communion among their kind and as a way of thanksgiving to their “Batha-Allah”

This was the theme that the late Josef “Jojo” Enerio had in mind and was in the planning stage way back in October 2003 until his untimely demise in May 2004.

Although 5 years late in the implementation, this year the Jojo Enerio Memorial “Pinta fiesta” shall finally be launched on July 18, birth anniversary of the late Jojo, thru the cooperative efforts and initiative of JCI Sen. John Enerio, younger brother of  Jojo; Lucio Enerio-Lim Jr.,  a close first cousin and colleague of the late Jojo; and JCI Sen. Serge Osmena Valencia, a very close friend and colleague of the late Jojo, when he was one of the JCI Senate Directors of the Philippine JCI Senate when Chairman Serge was JCI Senate National President.

It is also a tribute to all Boholano artists, art lovers and patron of culture and the arts for them to show their talent and be discovered through the medium of the brush in interpreting the Bohol Fiesta!

COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. The Competition is open to all Boholano painters.
•   Boholano by birth or by choice.
•   Who have not previously held a solo exhibit.
•   No age limit.

2. The top three winning entries shall automatically become properties of the Organizer.
•   Grand Prize
•   2nd Prize
•   3rd Prize
The Grand Prize winner shall no longer be eligible to join next year's competition. All prizes are tax free.

3.  A contestant shall submit only one entry. He/She must portray how fiesta is celebrated in Bohol. Entries maybe done in Oil based medium on Canvas or Water media on Paper Works that use mixed media shall automatically be disqualified. Only original paintings are eligible.

4.  All entries should be of equal size in width and length and must not be smaller than 20"x20" or bigger than 30"x30" exclusive of the frame. All paintings must be framed with hanging provisions. No signature must appear on the painting nor on the frame.

5. The contestant is required to submit the following documents along with his/her painting:
•   Original entry form available at The Secretariat, Bohol's Pride Multimedia, John Enerio & Associates,  Aquaruis Press Bldg., Enerio Cmpd. cor Airport-Wharf rd., Ma. Clara St., Tagbilaran City.
•   Notarized affidavit attached to the original entry form.
•   Two copies of 2x2 (black-and-white or color) photo of the artist.
•   One 8'x10" (8R) colored photo of painting.

In line with the objectives of the competition to develop creativity, originality and artistic excellence, all entries must be original works wholly executed by the contestant. Entries which are copies of existing works in terms of composition will be disqualified even if they are rendered in a different style, medium or colors scheme, or even if elements have been added. Moreover, aside from being original compositions, the entries must not have been submitted to any other competition(s).

Three major prizes plus 9 consolation awards will be given away. 
For more details , one may call: 412-2588 / 0922-814-6203 / 0920-480-9552 / 0918-321-1051 / 0915-977-8430 or log on to: www.jetaboutbohol.com , email: eneriojohn@yahoo.com.  (ADG)

source: The Bohol Chronicle

America, Canada-based Boholano’s Seattle bound
By SHIRLEY ANN ENERIO-CAMACHO

Boholano leaders and members from North America to Canada will convene at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency Hotel from July 2-5, 2009 for the 13th Biennial Convention of the Confederation of Boholanos in the USA & Canada (CONBUSAC).

Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, with wife Greenie, will be the guest of honor and speaker in the event dubbed “Sleepless in Seattle 2009.” 

Hundreds are expected to attend coming from the various Boholano associations in the United States and Canada.

The long weekend event is hoped to raise enough funds to benefit some disadvantaged and less privileged Boholanos in the province through CONBUSAC’s various initiated and supported projects. 
The Carabao Gift Program, the Livestock Artificial Insemination Program, the Bundle of Joy, the various medical and surgical and humanitarian missions and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bohol SWAT team are among the laudable undertakings actively supported by the current CONBUSAC leadership befitting this year’s convention theme, “Boholanos Making a Difference.”
Carlos Caga-anan, incumbent CONBUSAC president with the Bohol Association of Washington (BOAWAS) president and vice-president, Nat Calacat and Mely Forones-Caga-anan, respectively, with their officers and members are now in the thick of preparations to warmly welcome all guests and visitors. 

The convention will not only provide a great and productive time for feast and peace-loving Boholanos to bond and to fellowship but most importantly to enjoy the beautiful sights of Seattle and to savor once more the unprecedented Boholano hospitality, a value and tradition that binds Boholanos worldwide.

Among the convention highlights, attendees will delight in the various activities lined up for the long weekend which will kick off with a sports competition on Thursday, July 2 and the final canvassing and talent night for the five young, beautiful and talented candidates vying for the  Miss CONBUSAC 2009 Beauty Pageant.

On July 3, an interactive meeting among the CONBUSAC members’ Council of Leaders will start the day and will be capped with an exciting Family Night, the highlight of which is the Awarding of the Ten Outstanding Boholanos in the USA & Canada, some various entertainment presentations and great music and dancing at the Grand Ballroom of the Bellevue Hyatt Regency Hotel. Surigao del Sur Cong. Florencio Garay, a native of  Panggangan Island , Calape, Bohol will be the keynote speaker.

On July 4, a meeting will be presided in the morning with no less than Gov. Aumentado expected to give his progress report to Boholanos while Ms. Betty Veloso-Garcia will invite Boholanos worldwide to join the “Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan“ (TBTK) from July 14-26, 2009 in Bohol, and the election of CONBUSAC officers for 2009-2011 and the drawing of winners for the Raffle for Bohol 2009. 

The awaited formal dinner and dance Gala Night will cap the third night of the convention which will serve also as the Coronation Night for the Miss CONBUSAC 2009 and the Inaugural Night for the new CONBUSAC officers.

Gov. Aumentado will be the keynote speaker and the inducting officer. 
This year’s candidates for Miss CONBUSAC 2009 are Miss Gwynne Masalta representing Texas under the Bohol Association of Texas, Inc, the Sandugo Society of Texas and the SANO Tennis Association; Miss Kara Mayol representing California under the sponsorship of the Tagbilaran Association of Southern California, Inc.; Miss Heather Navales representing California under the Boholanos of Southern California, Inc.; Miss Tessie LaMourea of Washington State representing the host BOAWAS and Miss Eveyln Jade Ticong of Canada representing Bohol Foundation of British Columbia.

On July 5, last day of the convention, a picnic is set at the park which will start with a Thanksgiving Mass to be officiated by Msgr. Nonoy Reyes, vicar general of the Diocese of Talibon, at the Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah, WA.

A special fund-raising event the first ever “Walk for Bohol” involving three categories: children, youth and adults will serve as the main highlight of the day.

The walkathon will not only provide fun and friendly competition among the participants and sponsors but it hopes to raise some funds to complement the other convention fund-raising activities.

After the long and promising long CONBUSAC weekend, some convention delegates will stay behind to visit the neighboring country of Vancouver, Canada to visit and to behold the famous Butchard Garden, a bonus attraction actively spearheaded by the incumbent CONBUSAC first lady, Mely Caga-anan. (PR/John Enerio Associates)

Members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and their qualified dependents may avail of benefits if confined with confirmed case of Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Based on Circular No. 25, series of 2009, hospitalization benefits are set at a maximum of P75,000 which includes room and board charges, drugs and medicines, X-ray, laboratory and supplies, as well as professional fee of doctors.

This benefit covers only cases with admission in hospitals designated by the Department of Health (DOH) and its referral centers for Influenza A(H1N1). Patients admitted in private hospitals may be covered as long as confirmatory tests were coordinated with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) or with DOH Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD).

Qualified health care workers (HCWs) who got infected with the disease may avail up to P150,000 worth of benefits provided that they are working in a DOH-designated hospital for Influenza A(H1N1), and they acquired the disease while performing their duties or caring for a patient with a confirmed case attested by DOH. Qualified dependents of HCWs who also contracted the disease shall be provided the P75,000 benefit.
PhilHealth members and dependents confined abroad due to Influenza A(H1N1) may also file for a benefit claim here in the country.
The benefit is applicable to all claims with admissions starting May 1, 2009.

By the Bohol Chronicle

As one of the highlights of the weeklong celebration of the 438th Araw Ng Maynila which culminated Wednesday, the City of Manila thru the leadership of Mayor Afredo S. Lim, launched a search for five Outstanding RTC Judges, five Outstanding MeTC Judges and five Outstanding City Prosecutors.

From among the 30 MeTC judges to choose from in this metropolitan area a Boholana was chosen as one of them, Judge Marlo Apalisok Magdoza-Malagar of Branch 5.

The awarding ceremony took place last June 18, at the Bulwagang Villegas of the Manila City Hall with Mayor Lim doing the honors in the presence of the search committee headed by SC Justice Lucas Bersamin, Judge Romulo Lopez, City Prosecutor Jhoseph Lopez, Retired Justice Artemio Tuquero, Executive Judge Sarah Alma Lim, and Atty. Rafaelito Garaybas.

Judge Marlo A. Magdoza-Malagar was appointed to the bench by President Arroyo, five years ago and the youngest appointed judge at the age 31.

She finished her Master of Laws with Honors, at the University of London, in England, as a Chevning Scholar, as Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Laws at the Ateneo de Manila, Pre-law Major in Political Science in University of the Philippines, Cebu City and High School and Elementary grades at the Holy Spirit School, Tagbilaran City.

She had been formerly connected with the Lazaro Law Firm in Manila, then with Casilan Law Office here in Tagbilaran, and then at the Supreme Court under SC Justice Jose C. Vitug.

She is the eldest daughter of Judge Pablo R. Magdoza and Margie Apalisok Magdoza and the wife of Atty. Leo B. Malagar and they have 3 sons.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Two heads of offices became "ghosts" when they failed to appear before city lawmakers during last Friday's session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, when everyone was expecting them to be present because of the pressing concern on garbage.

City Health officer Antonio Porticos and City Engr. Edmund Jimenez were barred from attending the session despite formal invitation issued by the city SP for them to shed light on the garbage problem at the Dampas dump site.

The gag order was issued by the city mayor as for him the two officials "have better things to do than honor an invitation that is at best an insult to them and the offices they represent."

The invitation for Porticos and Jimenez was decided during the session presided by majority bloc Kagawad Edgar Bompat. However, the invitation was denied by the mayor.

The mayor said "they have nothing more to say since they have already been subjected to trial by publicity and their appearance becomes moot and academic."

The issue stemmed from the mounting complaint of Dampas residents that the dumpsite was neglected causing the garbage to pile up like a "mountain" blocking the road at the dumpsite.

When checked by Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso at the site, it was found out that the bulldozer of the city government which is used to level off the garbage was out of service for two months already.

In fact, Dampas Barangay Captain Fredison Ingles and lady kagawad Aida Barafon led public indignation on the unattended problem at the dumpsite despite the frequent visit of the city mayor to the different barangays.

The mounting complaints led to the solution of the problem since it effected the repair of the bulldozer two days after visited by the vice mayor together with Kagawad Edi Borja, chairman of the health committee,  Kagawad Bebin Inting and  barangay captain Ingles.

The open dumpsite is a "social volcano" expected to erupt anytime considering that it is receiving no less than 100 tons of garbage daily.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Provincial lawmakers are stepping in amid mounting complaints against the government-owned Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) for delayed mails.

Provincial Board Member Aster Piollo asked fellow lawmakers to conduct an inquiry into the problem of delays in the delivery of mails sent through Philpost.

Piollo echoed the criticisms aired by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 50 Presiding Judge Dionisio Calibo who complained on the slow service of judicial notices and other court-related documents sent via the government postal office.

Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala likewise shared the same sad experience on the constant delays in the delivery of mail matters especially those connected with the municipal government’s official correspondence and notices for judicial proceedings.

According to Piollo, the Philpost should address their poor services as this does not only affect government operations but also those of private individuals who expect on-time dispatch of their mails.

Judge Calibo, who had a chance of calling radio station dyRD over complaints regarding the mediocre service of Philpost, said the post office should realize the urgency of mails pertaining to judicial proceedings.

The judge cited instances when court hearings are repeatedly postponed due to the absence of the parties of the case owing to their delayed receipt of the court’s notice for their appearance in a scheduled hearing.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) committees on public utilities and public accountability will be conducting the inquiry on the government postal services.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Complaints against draining unused cell phone loads are mounting as this remains unexplained by authorities concerned. There’s not even an office in the province to inquire from.

Aside from loss of loads, which refers to the “phone credits of prepaid subscribers,” unsolicited promotions have proliferated and remain unabated.

Promotions include: “1/2 Your Caller Ringtune Careless Whisper by Kris Lawrence has been renewed for P7 valid for 7 days. Need help? Text HELP to 2728 or call *888 for customer…Sender 2728.”

Another is: “A new hit from Chris Daughtry! Narinig mo na ba ang No Surprise? Well surprise ur friends w/ d caller ringtune! Txt GIFT <smart No> NOS to 2728. P15/15days. Sender 209,” “1/2 The Caller Ringtune, The Time of My Life by David Cook has been added to your jukebox. You have been charged P5 valid for 5 days. To stop this service an … (some txt missing) Sender 2728.”

A complainant, who declined to be named, said that concerned agencies such as the National Telecommunications Commission of the Department of Transportation and Communications should have investigated this and impose on the phone service providers stiffer penalties.

It was learned that a lot of subscribers are similarly situated but they cannot file complaints since no NTC office is based here.

The Department of Trade and Industry based here said that complaint such as this is beyond their jurisdiction.

But DTI said that a customer or user should first be informed of any promotion of a certain product or service without cost on the part of the prospective customer.

But a complainant said that what the service providers are doing and keep doing is that they send information of the product or service they offer to the cell phone holders and immediately impose on charges.

Even if a subscriber or cell phone holders refuse to avail of the promotion, they actually are “forced to good” to send response to the sender to avoid the charges imposed on them on a given time limit, a complainant explained. This is a kind of a racket and a form of abuse on the part of the service providers, he added.

In an interview, Vice-Gov. Julius Herrera hinted of calling the attention of and inviting the authorities of service providers in the province to shed light on matter. (RVO)

By the Bohol Chronicle

The city hall working force has been deprived of an estimated 30% across-the-board salary increase as mandated by three executive orders issued since 2007.

This was categorically cited by City kagawad Zenaido Rama during a privilege speech he delivered during last Friday's session.

He questioned why the city mayor is so "calloused" to look into the welfare of the city hall workers who have been expecting the said salary adjustments since three years ago.

Rama questioned why the mayor is very hesitant to implement the salary increases
when it is mandated by Executive Order No. 611 and Executive Order No. 719 duly signed by the President on July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008, respectively. Another executive order was signed this year mandating another salary adjustment for government workers.

For three years now, the city government rank and file has been deprived of these basic salary benefits which should be no less than 30% across the board or at 10% yearly (to include the latest executive order).

Reacting to Rama, Kagawad Oscar Glovasa, chairman of the committee on appropriations defended the mayor saying the city chief executive has the "heart for city hall employees as he announced the granting of a 10% salary increase this July and another this December."

Rama said that considering that three executive orders were already unimplemented, the increase should be 30% across the board and not just 10%.

The Bohol Light Company, Inc. (BLCI) has overcharged rates which excess fees should be refunded to its consumers, according to City Councilor Bebiano Inting.

The lawmaker of Tagbilaran City, substantiated his claims against the BLCI “overbilling” while a law grants the electric consumers the right to a refund for overcharging.

The BLCI has collected a metering charge of P0.2075 per kilowatt hour (kwh) which was not included in the unbundling rates as approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) per ERC Case No. 2007-122, Inting claimed.

The councilor, a certified public accountant, also exposed that the BLCI charge for systems loss is “beyond the cap allowed under ERC Resolution No.17, Series of 2008.”

The BLCI overcharging was uncovered while a number of electric consumers here comp-lained over DYRD’s top-rated program Pulso, which is hosted by uncompromising journalists Batchoy Alba and Ven Arigo, against the unbelievably high recent monthly billings.

One residential power client of BLCI from Lindaville Subdivision aired his complaint over his “usual” electric monthly bill of P500 more or less that has skyrocketed to as much as P9,000.

But an officer of the billing section of the power utility asked all affected consumers to go to their office and show the overcharged billings so that they may be reconciled.

Complaining consumers hit the power distributor for billing them based only on its meter readers’ estimate of the electric consumption for the month of the affected consumers.

There were meter reading periods for billing purposes during which the BLCI men could not enter the residential compounds since the occupants were out.

In such cases, the meter readers would merely estimate the power consumption for the billing month based on the previous or immediate past billing.

Inting will also have this investigated by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on public utilities, to which he furnished proofs of his observations.

Inting submitted to the committee excerpts of the ERC Case No. 2007-122 RC decision promulgated on March 27, 2008.

The copies reflect the proposed rates requested by the BLCI to ERC for unbundling of rates and the dispositive portion of the above case showing in detail what the ERC had only approved.

Apart from the P0.2075 metering charge per kwh collected by the BLCI despite its not being included among the ERC-approved rates, the charge imposed by the company for  systems loss is over.

Inting said that based on ERC Resolution No. 17, Series of 2008, the systems loss charge by BLCI should only be 9.5% and that it could even be reduced to 8.5% starting January next year pursuant to the same ERC resolution.

The BLCI submitted, however, its computation formula for the systems loss, but Inting told the SP public utilities committee that “it is obvious that it (the BLCI) should not go over or beyond the cap pegged at 9.5%.”

The councilor attached to his manifestation to the committee, which is chaired by Councilor Nerio Zamora III, his electric consumption for April billing period this year.

He asked the committee to take note of the P0.2075 per kwh collected by the BLCI on metering charge which is not part of the approved charges, and the systems loss charge “which is over the 9.5% cap if we multiply 9.5% from the generation charge plus transmission charge.”

Inting observed that, surprisingly, the generation charge was suddenly lowered as reflected in the most recent monthly billing.

Granting without admitting that the BLCI did overcharge, this alone that he lately noticed could be likely too telling, the city lawmaker said.

Inting is awaiting any action from the public utilities committee based also on the explanation from the BLCI. (Ven rebo Arigo)   

By the Bohol Chronicle

Provincial elections supervisor Atty. Eliseo Labaria urged those who are qualified to vote in the May 2010 elections to register at the Comelec offices in their areas.

Speaking during the monthly forum of the Bohol Tri-Media Association at the JJ’s Seafood Village last Wednesday, Labaria said while the deadline for voters’ registration is on October 31, the Comelec needs to have enough time to prepare the voters’ list, and distribute voters per precinct and determine the number of special ballots for the 2010 automated elections.

Aside from new voters and reactivation of records, the approved applications include reinstatement or transfer of records and change or correction of entries which is also being processed by the Comelec.

A voter with deactivated registration records cannot vote in the next elections and must apply for reactivation of records first, said Labaria.

The Comelec moved the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for those seeking elective positions to November 30 this year instead of January 2010.

The monthly radio forum is aired live over dyRD, dyTR, dyZD and replayed over dyDL-FM (Carmen).

By the Bohol Chronicle

Some 388 plan holders of Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc. here in the province may have better chances of getting back their investments from the shuttered pre-need company.

The Bohol investors’ group, mostly retirees and local businessmen, have suffered months of anxiety over their investments amounting over P300-million, since the Legacy group declared bankruptcy late last year.

Although they opted pursuing a civil suit instead of filing a criminal action against Legacy’s owner Celso delos Angeles, the investors in Bohol recently got an upperhand over more than 50,000 other plan holders when their nominee to handle the receivership proceedings of the corporate assets of the pre-need firms of Legacy was elected and approved by the Makati Regional Trial Court.

Lawyer Salvador Grupo told the Chronicle that while Legacy’s bankrupt pre-need companies owe some P1.1 billion in money claims of investors, the Bohol group has better chances of recovering their investments.

“Hundreds of Boholanos who lost their hard earned money following the collapse of the Legacy group could get back either in part or in full their investments,” Grupo said.

During an election conducted by the Makati RTC on who will represent investors in the receivership proceedings, the Bohol investors’ group nominated Gener Mendoza, considered an expert in handling asset recovery and claims.

Judge Reynaldo Laigo of the Makati RTC Branch 56 assigned Mendoza to represent the investors who want to directly recover their assets.

According to Grupo, the 388 investors may not get the amount expected of the double-your-money scheme used by Legacy to lure them, however, they will definitely get back their principal investments.

In its petition for insolvency, Legacy group was declared by Laigo as an “insolvent debtor” â€" which meant that the company had insufficient assets to cover all its obligations.

Judge Laigo likewise ordered Legacy group to produce an inventory of its assets and liabilities which will be used in the receivership proceedings.

However, according to Grupo, until now Legacy have not yet provided the inventory of its properties and other documents that would prove alleged multimillion assets of De los Angeles.

More investors of Legacy here in the province are also planning to join the civil suit against De los Angeles and his pre-need firms, Grupo concluded.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Fourteen persons mostly from Bohol were rescued, including two who were hospitalized, after their motor banca capsized off Cordova town, Cebu Tuesday afternoon.

One of the passengers had insisted on renting the MB Jan-Jan to ferry them to Cebu from Tubigon town on Tuesday afternoon because she had to catch a flight to Manila from the Mactan Cebu International Airport in the evening.

The boat left Tubigon at 1 p.m. Tuesday when it encountered strong winds and big waves, causing it to capsize in the Hilutungan channel around 3 p.m.

Four crewmembers and the 11 passengers clung to the capsized boat for almost 13 hours.
However, three of the crewmembers â€" boat owner-operator Cornelio Albura, 32, Mark Cabenes, 22, and Avelino Ojina, 35 â€" decided to get help and swam towards the nearest shore in Barangay (village) Suba-Basbas, Lapu-Lapu using a floating log.

The following day, at 3 a.m., divers at the Cebu Marine Beach Resort found the three crewmembers drifting and turned them over to Suba-Basbas barangay captain Gregoria Justiniane.

The 11 others who were left clinging to the capsized banca had by then drifted off the nearby village of Alegria, Cordova town, Cebu, where a fisherman rescued them.

Senior Police Officer 1 Ebenezer Cadelinia of Cordova police station said a fisherman using an outrigger boat found them.

The other survivors were identified as crewmember Samuel Rostata, 48, of Tinanglan, Tubigon and passengers Violeta Toston, 54, Getafe Bohol; Brian Gallon, 25, Loay, Bohol; Mary Ann Gealon, 37, Maribojoc, Bohol; Janeth Ordeneza, 42, Cagayan de Oro City; Jade Bacon, 25, Carcar, Cebu; Elizabeth Abrio, 39, Barangay Basak-San Nicolas, Cebu City; Julieta Garay, 50, Calape, Bohol; Felix Infanzo, 29, Inabanga, Bohol; Samson Bolido, 49, Iloilo; and Maria Roselyn Simbahon, 39, Loon, Bohol.

Because the outrigger could only accommodate two to three passengers, the fisherman decided to bring them to shore in batches, Cadelinia said.

He said they were not able to identify the fisherman because he had left when the police and the paramedics of the emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) arrived at the shore.

Gealon and Garay were brought to the Lapu-Lapu district hospital because they were in a weakened state.

The hospital recommended that Gealon, who was injured in her left arm, be transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, where she was reported to be in a stable condition.

The other survivors, who also bore minor wounds in their hands from clinging for over 12 hours to the rope on the capsized boat, were treated at the barangay health center in Alegria.

Cadelinia said they learned 10 of the passengers were part of those stranded at the Tubigon port bound for Cebu City.

Simbahon, one of the passengers, was the one who had insisted to go to Cebu because she had to catch a flight to Manila and a connecting flight to Qatar where her husband was waiting for her.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso demanded transparency behind the request of the city mayor for a P40.7 million supplemental budget.

Veloso who presided last Friday's session of the city lawmakers, was surprised to receive the request minus the particulars on where specifically the money be used.

City Kagawad Oscar Glovasa, chairman of the committee on appropriations who requested the matter to be considered as "special order of the day" presented the signed request of the city mayor for a supplemental budget amounting to P40,728,306.

During the session, Veloso reminded his colleagues on the city mayor's call for "transparency" which he repeatedly wrote when he notified the vice mayor of his supposed 27-day leave which he shortened to seven days last month.

Veloso said it has been agreed that request for budgetary allotments should not be hurriedly approved by the body but should instead exhaust time to scrutinize all budgetary measures in the spirit of transparency.

The vice mayor, as presiding officer,  said it would be prudent to have the matter referred to the committee on appropriations for further discussions especially that he noticed the absence of specifics on the outlined request.

The cover letter signed by the city mayor stated that the P40,728,306 was intended for the "maintenance of our city roads and barangay roads, the revamp/ expansion of city street lights and other necessary expenditures."

The vice mayor said the budget request was "so generalized that if we approve the request without further scrutiny and discussion, it was like giving the mayor a blank check for him to decide where and how to spend the money."

He cited as an example the request for P1.9 million for "calamity fund" when the city did not experience any calamity.

"We were also shocked for a budget request of P13 million for city street lights while the budget request for road repair was only P10 million," he stressed.

The vice mayor deplored the "sense of priority considering how deplorable our roads are and yet the budget request for street lights was more than what was requested to repair damaged roads in almost all parts of the city.

Veloso said he was particular on the  fund request for road repair as there was  no program of work attached which reminded him of the continued refusal of the office of the city engineer to provide the program of work of the P19 million one-kilometer concreting of Gallares street.

"We are extra careful in approving fund releases for road projects after the sad experience on the Gallares concreting where our request for a program of work was ignored until this time," the vice mayor stressed.

In fact, City Kagawad Zenaido Rama earlier expressed suspicion of a highly overpriced concreting project considering that per estimates issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), a kilometer concreting project would only cost P11 million (at most) while the amount spent for the one-kilometer Gallares concreting reached P19 million.

"If there is nothing to hide, why will they not release the program of work," Rama questioned.
Included in the budget request was P3 million for "payment of job orders, launching activities" with no specific details while P600,000 was sought for payment of honorarium and P150,000 for consultancy services. Both requests did not include particulars on who will be given said honorarium and fees.

Others included in the budget request were: P4 million for honorarium for purok tanods; P4 million for honorarium for purok health workers; P300,000 for water sealed toilet project; P1.5 million for financial assistance for indigent/crisis intervention; P830,556 for payment of interest and bank charges; P250,000 for documentary stamps;  P500,000 donation for Bohol Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IT'S SAFE); P300,000 for contractual services and P8,306 for bank charges.

The budget request was signed by City Budget officer Rose Palma who was present during last Friday's session. However, she failed to present supporting details of the budget request.

Kagawad Glovasa is convening the appropriations committee on Tuesday to discuss the budget request after he failed to have the budgetary request approved as "special order of the day" during last Friday's session. Kagawad Lucio Balbin, is the committee vice chair with Kagawads Bebin Inting, Edgar Kapirig and Edgar Bompat as members.

by Matthew R. Grizzle
RingTalk.com

TEN REASONS COTTO WILL BEAT PACQUIAO

10.) Speed- Even though this asset goes to Pacquiao, Cotto will know how use it in his benefit and counter; making it to his advantage; not the Pacman’s.

9.) Power- Pacman has tons of pop, but Cotto still has the advantage here, especially given his size advantage and body attack.

8.) Punch Selection- Cotto knows what to throw and when to throw it.

7. ) Size- No explanation needed here, Cotto is much bigger!

6.) Boxing Skills- As much as Manny has improved, he still isn’t as technically sound as the Puerto Rican.

5.) Defense- Cotto has very good and probably under rated defense. He will be able to parry Pac’s straight left hand with ease.

4.) Experience- Both men have significant ring experience, but I think Cotto’s will better suit him for this fight; mainly because of his fight against Shane Mosley.

3.) Respect- Cotto will show respect for Manny’s power instead of simply running in like an amateur a la Hatton.

2.) Will- Both men have great heart, grit and will, but Cotto has had to show it more often, and has no problem doing so.

AND THE #1 REASON WHY COTTO WILL BEAT PAC

1.) Ring IQ- Cotto simply understands the game slightly better; giving him the knowledge and know how to beat Pac.

      Pressed to a dead end, a recruiter who failed to sneak three minors along with six other recruits to Manila turned the blame on their mothers, who he said designed the ploy.

      The recruiter, Dionisio Anzano, who came from the same hometown of the recruits claimed the mothers of the minors made him believe they were already of legal age and accepted the cash advance of P1,500 for each of them.

      They all came from the same town, Getafe, with the same story. The three minors were from the island barangay of Nasingin.

      As they admitted it, the mothers said poverty forced them into the arrangement and with the hard life in the island, they said they find it hard to return the amount that they received from Anzano earlier as cash advances chargeable to their daughters expected wages had plans pushed as designed.

      Anzano and nine recruits, that included the three minors- -two aged 16, and the other 17- - were about to board Cebu Pacific (Flight 5J 616) bound for Manila on June 17 when the Airport  Aviation Group, led by Police Senior Inspector Donatilla Baya-Sotto, intercepted them.

      As the police intervention started to delay the flight, Sotto said she cleared the six other recruits of Anzano despite absence of documents such as birth certificates and others that might lead to their identities.

      Anzano, an agent of Bernardino’s Employment Agency that holds office in Sampaloc, Metro Manila, was only able to present his credentials, such as authority to recruit issued by DOLE and Getafe police certification that he was authorized to hire workers.

      In a joint inquiry on June 23 at the Capitol session conference room, the Provincial Board Committee on Women/Family Affairs chaired by PB Member Aster Piollo, and PB Committee on Peace and Order chaired by PB Member Ma. Fe Camacho-Lejos grilled Anzano.

      Anzano told the PB probe team that upon learning that the three girls were underage, he immediately sent them home, saying he does not want his trade to be perceived as illegal.

      He said he had been in the trade since early 1970s without hitches, he said.

      He admitted, however, that there were lapses in some instances, like failing to get papers from DOLE before proceeding to the hiring.

      The PB committees also found that the certification the Getafe police issued to Anzano was released without the knowledge of the signatory.

      SPO2 Celso Camacho Francisco, officer-in-charge of Gatafe police station, who said he was not around when Anzano got the clearance denied having issued it, hinting a forgery.

      Lawyer Gerry Guidaben of DOLE pointed out during the investigation that there’s no need for a recruiter to secure police certification to ply his trade.

      He said he only needs to present an authorization to the town mayor in coordination with the municipal Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

      Other requisites prior to any recruitment, a recruiter has to present the following an authority to recruit from DOLE, birth certificates of the recruit, contract of employment among others, Guidaben said.

      As this developed, the two PB committees investigating the issue created an interim task force and issued guidelines to tightly monitor movements of illegal recruitment.

      The task force, as proposed by Police Provincial Director Col. Eduardo Ingking, to closely coordinate with the agencies concerned such as the PPA and the airport, while it is securing a copy of the implementing rules and regulations of the RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law.

      The task force members include representatives of the Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, PNP, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Social Welfare and Development of both national and LGU, DOLE, PPA, Civil Aviation Administration and other agencies concerned.

      The investigating PB committees still have to come up with a recommendation or a plan of action to take on Anzano’s alleged violation of hiring minors. - Ric V. Obedencio, Sunday Post