MikeLigalig.com

Hebrews 12:7

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

Proverbs 3:32

For the LORD detests a perverse man
but takes the upright into his confidence.

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.

The Filipino. We're quite the cookie, aren't we?

Tough but sweet.

There's something you may give,
To a friend and a stranger too;

It seems that when you give it,
It's given back to you.

This gift is worth a million,
But doesn't cost a dime;

It's lasting in effect,
But doesn't take much time,

This simple little gesture
Can make the day worthwhile;

It's just as good as sunshine;
It's what we call a smile.

Words and actions are the factions
that make or break our day.
And thoughts are the things
from whence they all spring.

To be the best we can possibly be,
to grow, and learn in every adversity,
and not lose the success that's ours to be
requires control of our thoughts explicitly.

Never doubt the possibilities to be,
and obstacles will never become a reality.
We create our own success you see
but only with a positive mentality.

Think

If you think you are beaten, you are;

If you think you dare not, you don't;

If you'd like to win but you think you can't,

You can almost be certain you won't.

If you think that you'll lose, you are lost,

For out in the world you will find

Success begins with a person's will;

It's all in the state of the mind.

If you think you're outclassed you are;

You've got to think high to rise.

You've just got to be sure of yourself

Before you can win the prize.

Life's battles don't always go

To a stronger or faster man;

But sooner or later the person who wins

Is the person that THINKS they can.

- Anon

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
when he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst, that
You Must Not Quit.

- C. W. Longenecker

The Benguet State University (BSU) has completed the training of core groups of women in the province on the technology of producing noodles out of vegetables to further increase livelihood opportunities in the area.

Dr. Violeta Salda, in-charge of the 10-million vegetable noodle factory here, said the women trainees were from Buguias, Mankayan and Atok towns which are the biggest producers of temperate vegetables in the province.

She said that due to the nutritious noodles the BSU produce, "the demand has greatly increase that the women associations can take the initiative for their own production so that they can have additional source of livelihood."

She also said that the production process will be through the women's Rural Improvement Councils (RICs) which have been active in pursuing various livelihood opportunities for women in the area.

Salda said that the expanded noodle and similar products became possible after the BSU had perfected the process to produce noodles and pasta not only out of squash but also with pechay, cabbage, carrots and other indigenous vegetables.

Records show that farmers in the area have combined harvest of more than 2,000 tons of fresh vegetables daily. (PNA)

Besides Microsoft Corp., Google Inc. and possibly AOL LLC have also cut access to their instant messaging services to citizens of countries deemed hostile to the United States. But it's unclear how effective those measures will be at preventing access.

Microsoft confirmed late last week that it had stopped offering its Windows Live Messenger service to users in Cuba, Syria, Iran, Sudan and North Korea.

All five countries are subject to trade embargoes overseen by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a division of the Department of the Treasury.

A Google spokesperson also confirmed that it bans the download of both Google Talk, its instant messaging app, and Google Earth, its satellite mapping software, to Sudan, due to "U.S. export controls and economic sanctions regulations." - Eric Lai - of Computer World.com

The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), popularly known as Pag-ibig Fund has already branched out in Tagum City, Davao del Norte to cater and serve the members in the region.

The Tagum City office will processes the applications of Pag-ibig Fund members in Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and other areas in the northern part of the region.

Housing developer Lemeul Podador of RJP Village in Tagum City said with Pag-ibig office in the area, the members' applications can be processed faster and conveniently.

Meanwhile, Ramon Ortiz, vice chairman of the Organization of Shelter and Housing Developers (OSHD) of Davao announced that Manila-based real property builders are expected to open new projects in Davao City this year.

Ortiz said during the Davao Business Forum that Globe Asiatic is among the property developers in Manila that will open a project in and outside this city.

He said they are optimistic about the real property business in Davao City considering that many those who want to buy houses like to relocate here. - PNA

By Leonardo V. Micua
Philippine News Agency

The US$ 2.2 million grant of the Korean government for the construction of Dagupan’s Seafood Processing Plant will not come in the form of cash but in equipment and infrastructure.

This was clarified on Thursday by Dagupan City Agriculturist Emma Molina who said during the KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas) Forum here that construction of the project will definitely start on July 2.

Although the equipment for the plant will come from Korea, these must be compliant with Philippine specifications, she said, pointing out that a Korean contractor will build the project and complete it after 10 months.

The contractor won in a public bidding conducted by the Korean government in Seoul although a local contractor that will employ skilled workers from the community where the project is located, will still be needed.

Although the negotiation for the project took for sometime, Molina denied it is not delayed and it is well within target schedule approved by the City government, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

By Mike Crismundo
Philippine News Agency

CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, May 26 (PNA) -- The attempt of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People's Army (NPA) to attribute human rights violations to the Philippine government is a cover to mask their record of killing people, according to a top military commander in Mindanao.

“Unknown to many peace-loving people, part of the dark schemes and dirty strategies of (CPP founder) Jose Ma. Sison is for the Philippines to be tagged in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and even in the international community, as a notorious human rights violator,” Maj. Gen. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, commanding general of the Philippine Army’s Southern Mindanao 10th Infantry (Agila) Division, said on Tuesday.

In fact, Mapagu said the CPP has turned “brutal” as shown by its notorious records.

In the area of responsibility of the PA's 10th “Agila” Division, Mapagu said a consolidated report since 2004 alone listed a total of 98 atrocities that were committed by the CPP/NPA -- 60 liquidations, 16 abductions, and 22 cases of arson.

“Their notorious records show that they not only murder people, but ensure that communities are impoverished forever. By sabotaging the economy, and creating fissures in the government ranks, they intend to make the government weak until they could achieve their plan to establish a Maoist-inspired dictatorship,” Mapagu stressed.

Around seven million people in the UK are involved in illegal downloads, costing the economy tens of billions of pounds, government advisers say.

Researchers found 1.3m people using one file-sharing network on one weekday and estimated that over a year they had free access to material worth £12bn.

The Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property (SABIP) warned it may be hard to change attitudes.

The government says work must be done internationally to tackle the problem.

Intellectual Property Minister David Lammy said the report put into context the impact illegal downloads had on copyright industries and the UK economy as a whole.

But he added: "This is not an issue confined by national boundaries and I am sure that other [EU] member states and their copyright industries will find this report of use in the development of policy." - BBC News

By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Sports Writer

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are heading back to the NBA finals after dispatching the pesky Denver Nuggets with a 119-92 victory in Game 6 on Friday night.

Bryant had 35 points and 10 assists and got plenty of scoring help from Trevor Ariza, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom as the Lakers shot 57.3 percent from the field to avoid having to play a Game 7 in the Western Conference finals back at the Staples Center.

They will finally get some much-needed rest after playing every other day for a grueling two weeks.

These Lakers, who are headed to their record 30th NBA finals and are seeking their 15th title, are a more grizzled group â€" but also more bruised and battered â€" than the one that fell to Boston in the finals last year.

"Now we're in a place where we didn't get the job accomplished last year," Bryant said. "Hopefully we will this time."

Important Reminders for New Applicants of Philippine Passport

    * Applicant (18 yrs. old & above) should be physically present on the selected pick-up date for the signature & thumbmarks on application form.
    * Mother or Travelling companion (if mother is abroad ) of minor applicants (17 y.o. and below) should be present during pick-up of requirements for signature & thumbmark on application form.
    * Verify first all the information on application form before signing. Name (unless with change of status), birthday, birthplace, and parents' name on application form should exactly be the same with the Birth Certificate from NSO in SECPA.
    * If application is rejected by the DFA due to reasons like wrong/incomplete requirements, under the look-out-list, has a pending case/memo, double passport, discrepancies, et al, documents will be returned with the partial refund. An amount of P400 is deducted from the payment as courier & handling fee.
    * Upon delivery, any authorized representative may receive the passport provided the applicant's authorization letter is presented with the applicant's ID and the representative's ID (both IDs must be valid, w/ picture & signature). If applicant is a minor, any of the parents or guardian can authorize.
    * Applicant (18 yrs. old & above) should be physically present on the selected pick-up date. A "print out" of the accomplished on-line application form will be brought during the pick-up date where the applicant will affix his signature and thumbprints.

NOTE: DFA has the right to request for additional requirement/s deemed necessary to process the passport application.

IMPORTANT: Only applicants are allowed to enter the DFA. A companion is allowed if the applicant is a senior citizen, a minor or disabled.

source: www.passport.com.ph

Important Reminders for Renewal of Filipino Passport

    * Applicant (18 yrs. old & above) should be physically present on the selected pick-up date for the signature & thumbmarks on application form.
    * Mother or Travelling companion (if mother is abroad ) of minor applicants (17 y.o. and below) should be present during pick-up of requirements for signature & thumbmark on application form.
    * Verify first all the information on application form before signing. Name (unless with change of status), birthday, and birthplace on application form should exactly be the same with the passport to be renewed.
    * Signature on application form should be the same as the signature on passport to be renewed (lagda ng pinagkalooban / bearer's signature). For female w/ change of status from single to married, applicant must affix 2 signatures i.e. as single and as married.
    * If application is rejected by the DFA due to reasons like wrong / incomplete requirements, under the look-out-list, has a pending case/memo, double passport / no record, discrepancies, et al, documents will be returned w/ the partial refund. An amount of P400 is deducted from the payment as courier & handling fee.
    * Upon delivery, any authorized representative may receive the renewed & old passports provided the applicant's authorization letter is presented with the applicant's ID and the representative's ID (both IDs must be valid, w/ picture & signature). If applicant is a minor, any of the parents or guardian can authorize.
    * Applicant (18 yrs. old & above) should be physically present on the selected pick-up date. A "print out" of the accomplished on-line application form will be brought during the pick-up date where the applicant will affix his signature which should match the signature on the passport for renewal and thumbprints.

source: http://www.passport.com.ph

REQUIREMENTS FOR LOST PASSPORTS

    * Personal appearance is required.
    * Notarized Affidavit of Loss.
    * If the lost passport is still valid, please submit Police report.
    * Submit same documents required for first time passport applicants.

source: DFA

REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL OF PASSPORT TO MRP

Brown Passport or issued prior to 01 May 1995

    * Personal Appearance is required.
    * Old passport and photocopy of passport pages 1,2,3 (amendment). The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.
    * Supporting document with complete middle name and Original ID.
    * Three (3) colored photos of the applicant taken against a royal blue background & no shadow. Applicant should be in decent attire with collar & sleeves and in dark-colored shirt. Photo must be studio taken & of good quality, and must have been taken within the last six (6) months. Photo size: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Facial image size: About 3cm-tip of head to chin; with 8-10mm head clearance from top edge. Ears and forehead should be visible. Wearing of accessories, colored contact lenses or eyeglasses, with name/name board are not allowed. DFA has the right to reject photos that do not comply with specifications and international standards.
    * Birth Certificate from NSO in Security Paper (SECPA) or Negative Birth Record from NSO if born 1950 & below

Green Passport or issued after 01 May 1995

    * Personal Appearance is required.
    * Present passport and photocopy of pages 1,2,3 (amendment) inside and back cover.
    * The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.
    * For illegitimate minor, personal appearance of mother is required.
    * Three (3) colored photos of the applicant taken against a royal blue background & no shadow. Applicant should be in decent attire with collar & sleeves and in dark-colored shirt. Photo must be studio taken & of good quality, and must have been taken within the last six (6) months. Photo size: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Facial image size: About 3cm-tip of head to chin. Ears should be visible. Wearing of accessories, colored contact lenses or eyeglasses, with name/name board are not allowed. DFA has the right to reject photos that do not comply with specifications and international standards.

For Seaman, original Seaman's book and photocopy of data page, and page with latest Philippine departure & arrival stamps by Philippine Immigration.

For married women, who want to use surname of their spouse:

    * Personal Appearance is required.
    * Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO OR CTC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.
    * Certificate of Attendance from CFO (Commission of Filipino Overseas) if married to a foreigner (color green).

For Minors (below 18 years old):

    * Personal appearance of minor with both parents or mother .
    * Personal appearance of minor with mother (if minor is of illegitimate status).
    * Personal appearance of mother (if minor is 7yrs old & below).
    * Passport of person traveling with the minor, original and photocopy
    * Photocopy of Birth Certificate

If traveling with father only

    * Marriage Certificate of parents
    * Affidavit Of Support and Consent from the mother, if child is (8yrs old & below)
    * Original ID w/ signature or passport of mother

If minor is NOT traveling with either parent:

    * Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance
    * Affidavit of Support and Consent indicating the name of the traveling companion and the relationship to the minor

If both parents are abroad:

    * Affidavit of support and consent indicating the name of the traveling companion and the relationship to the minor (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General)
    * Special Power of Attorney designating the representative by name and authorizing him/her to apply for a passport on behalf of the minor in their stead (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General).
    * Certified True Copy of parents' passport (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General)
    * Original and photocopy of the passport of person traveling with the minor.
    * Original valid ID w/ signature or passport of the authorized representative.

If illegitimate, traveling with father

    * Affidavit Of Support and Consent from the mother
    * DSWD Clearance, original & photocopy
    * Original ID w/ signature or passport of mother

LIST OF OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

    * Marriage Contract
    * PRC / IBP ID
    * Land Title
    * Driver's License
    * Government Service Record
    * Old SSS-E1 form or digitized SSS-ID
    * School Form 137 or Transcript of Records
    * Other documents that show full name and birth details of applicant and/or citizenship
    * Voter's Registration Record
    * Baptismal Certificate
    * Seaman's Book
    * Income Tax Return (Old)

source: DFA and Passport.com.ph

REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST TIME PASSPORT APPLICANTS

    * Personal Appearance is required.
    * Duly accomplished application form.
    * Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO); for born 1950 & below, Negative Birth Record from NSO & Joint Birth Affidavit from Two Disinterested Persons if no record from NSO.
    * Three (3) colored photos of the applicant taken against a royal blue background & no shadow. Applicant should be in decent attire with collar & sleeves and in dark-colored shirt. Photo must be studio taken & of good quality, and must have been taken within the last six (6) months. Photo size: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Facial image size: About 3cm-tip of head to chin; with 8-10mm head clearance from top edge. Ears and forehead should be visible. Wearing of accessories, colored contact lenses or eyeglasses, with name/name board are not allowed. DFA has the right to reject photos that do not comply with specifications and international standards.
    * Original ID i.e. Senior Citizen's ID, Voter's ID, digitized government-issued IDs like SSS, PRC, BIR, Driver's License, original school ID (for students only) AND original supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship (Please refer to the list below)
    * If late registered, submit 2 original supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship prior to date of late registration.
    * NBI Clearance (not required if presenting 2 digitized Identification Cards.)
    * Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar if BC secpa is unreadable
    * MC secpa of parents if Last & Middle name are foreign sounding (Chua, Ong, etc)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

For married women, who want to use surname of their spouse

    * Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO and Certified True Copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar if MC secpa is unreadable
    * Certificate of Attendance from CFO (Commission of Filipino Overseas) if married to a foreigner (color green).

For married women who would like to revert back to their maiden name

    * If already widowed: Death Certificate of the deceased husband and Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.
    * If marriage is annulled: Certified true copy and photocopy of the first page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on annulment and NSO-issued Marriage Certificate with the annotation on the annulment decree;
    * If divorced: Certified true copy and photocopy of the first page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on divorce authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate where the divorce is obtained and NSO-issued Marriage Certificate with the annotation on the divorced decree.

For Minors (below 18 years old)

    * Personal appearance of minor with both parents or mother .
    * Personal appearance of minor with mother (if minor is of illegitimate status).
    * Personal appearance of mother (if minor is 7yrs old & below).
    * Passport of person traveling with the minor, original and photocopy.

If minor is NOT traveling with either parent:

    * Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance
    * Affidavit of Support and Consent
    * Personal appearance of mother (if minor is 7yrs old & below).
    * Passport of person traveling with the minor, original and photocopy

If traveling with father only

    * Marriage Certificate of parents
    * Affidavit Of Support and Consent from the mother, if child is (8yrs old & below)
    * Original ID w/ signature or passport of mother

If both parents are abroad:

    * Affidavit of support and consent indicating the name of the traveling companion and the relationship to the minor (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General)
    * Special Power of Attorney designating the representative by name and authorizing him/her to apply for a passport on behalf of the minor in their stead (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General).
    * Certified True Copy of parents' passport (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General)
    * Original and photocopy of the passport of person traveling with the minor.
    * Original valid ID w/ signature or passport of the authorized representative.

If Illegitimate, traveling with father

    * Affidavit Of Support and Consent from the mother
    * DSWD Clearance, original & photocopy
    * Original ID w/ signature or passport of mother

For Muslim applicants

For those whose births were registered:

    * Please refer to requirements for first time passport applicants.

For those whose births were not registered:

    * Late registered Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO).
    * Original and photocopy of Voter's Affidavit or other supporting documents indicating date and place of birth and citizenship, identity and tribal affiliation.
    * Certificate from the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA).

For converts:

    * Submit annotated Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA)
    * Court Order granting change of name
    * Shari'ah Court Order
    * OMA Certificate of Conversion

LIST OF OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

    * Marriage Contract
    * PRC / IBP ID
    * Land Title
    * Driver's License
    * Government Service Record
    * Old SSS-E1 form or digitized SSS-ID
    * School Form 137 or Transcript of Records
    * Other documents that show full name and birth details of applicant and/or citizenship
    * Voter's Registration Record
    * Baptismal Certificate
    * Seaman's Book
    * Income Tax Return (Old)

Source: DFA and Passport.com.ph

Please the article by following this link: http://www.inform.websiteuniversity.org/Article/The-Need-for-Silence-in-a-Noisy-World/7578

By Rey Anthony Chiu, PIA

huge amount poor patients can use, from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) remain untapped.

The charity amount is one coursed through PCSO fund allocations in the form of endowments to hospitals with at least 25-bed capacity, says department assistant manager Rubin Magno.

Magno, who sits at the PCSO Fund Allocation Department revealed that not many of Bohol hospitals availed of the sum which could be useful in times of financial grip.

These endowment funds can be used for treatment, out-sourced diagnostic examinations if the beneficiary medical institution does not have the necessary equipment that the patient needs or procuring medicines when the hospital pharmacy runs out of the specific medicine an indigent patient needs, Magno explained.

The fund should help indigent hospital patients who would otherwise shy from their health care benefits due to fiscal concerns, he added.

Seeing this gap, PCSO wants to get to these people and thus put in the funds, he said during the recent 10th leg of the PCSO Summer Charity Caravan held in Tagbilaran last week.

In Bohol, only three hospitals here yet accessed the PCSO endowments, relatively few, noting the number of poor residents who would get a stab at free hospital benefits, care of the PCSO, records show.

Of the three, PCSO named Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) in Tagbilaran City, Congressman Teodoro B. Galagar District Hospital (TBGDH) in Jagna and Maribojoc Community Hospital (MCH).

He added that PCSO has put in P1M for GCGMH, P.5M for TBGDH and P.4M for MCH, amounts which can be replenished as soon as the hospital submits its liquidation reports, Magno explained.

He also pressed that the endowment amounts would be readily filled as soon as the hospital sends in the liquidation. This opens the possibility that a hospital could get millions if it hastens its fund replenishment processes, he stressed.

The funds, which can also be accessed by private hospital with complete facilities, can be had as soon as the hospitals with at least a social worker submits the application letters to PCSO coursed through Chairman Sergio Valencia.

The application letter would also need an enclosed project proposal for the funds soon to be accessed and a few days processing, he bared.

By Douglas B. Hontanosas

The TBTK 2009 Schedule of Activities from July 14-26 is already prepared in earnest.

From the Boholano balikbayans’ appointed meeting with President Gloria M. Arroyo in Malacanang Palace in the nation’s capital of Manila on day one, to the subsequent social functions calendared in the days thereafter. Many of which are held in Tagbilaran City,Bohol, the venue site of most TBTK activities. So also in the neighboring municipalities as Baclayon, where an International Derby is to be held. Panglao, where the Boholano European community will present their DREAM show at the Panglao Island Resort and in Calape where the Miss Bohol International Beauty Pageant will take place in their 7,000 seat capacity Sports Center, respectively.

Be that as it may, the dates of July 20 and 21, a Monday and Tuesday, will be the most awaited by our Boholano brothers and sisters who have their own medical and health concerns. Those who can’t afford to seek treatment with specialist medical practitioners or in a private tertiary hospital. For topnotch doctors, surgeons, dentists, nurses, and other medical practitioners from hospital institutions abroad will be coming to Bohol as part of the TBTK delegation. They will spearhead the two-day Medical-Surgical Mission lead by a Boholana physician based in California, Dr. Anita Cal-Jackson, the incumbent Chairperson of the Tagbilaran Association of California(TAC) and the designated Coordinator, International TBTK Medical Surgical Mission 2009. To be held at the newly refurbished Tagbilaran Puericulture and Maternity House, Inc.

Dr. Jackson’s staff will be accompanied by a Maxillofacial Surgical team headed by Dr. Theodore Micholoff from St. Martin de Porres and Makati Medical Center, the Boholano-couple physician from New York, Dr. Teofilo”Pepe” Recitas and wife Diane, representing the Home-Reach foundation, as well as Mrs. Fancy Baluyot and staff of the Philippine Gift of Life and the Provincial Health Office under Dr. Rey Moses Cabagnot.

The TBTK Medical-Surgical Mission will be bringing with them specialized equipment and free prescriptive medicines to the Boholano patient-recipients. The TBTK Chair, Mrs. Betty Veloso-Garcia, a Nurse by profession and is connected with the New York Downtown Hospital, as well as her nurse daughter Maribeth, will also be present to administer to the needs of the visiting Medical Corps who will be billeted at the Metro Center during their Bohol stay, as well as to monitor the progress of the humanitarian undertaking.

Dr. Anita Jackson-Cal is calling on all overseas Boholano medical practitioners to take part in this laudable project and do their share in alleviating the plight of our indigent patients in the Province of Bohol. To the rest of our Paisanos, they can contribute financially or give whatever material support for the intended project that is considered one highlight activity of the TBTK 2009 Global Homecoming.

By Rey Anthony Chiu, PIA

Members of the Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO) in Bohol say that Danao has indeed braved the way and pioneered in establishing a new niche for tourism in Bohol.

Far from the usual destinations where tourists see beautiful and amazing features, Danao dips one into an outdoor experience that tests his body strength and stamina against the natural forces of nature, all along, learning how it was then at a time when the place sheltered the rebels under Francisco Dagohoy.

Extreme eco-adventures in Danao include the country’s highest and longest (to date) zipline, 100 meter or 60 meter rappels, root climbing, bouldering, kayaking, rubber tubing, spelunking, river trekking, historical tours and village interaction.

“Here, we allow the guests to be filled with nature experience,” says Anna Loinda Saluan, town tourism officer designate, adding that it is precisely what EAT Danao means.

Danao is not for the weak hearted and soft willed, says AUDIO president Ric Obedencio, who took the liberty of documenting his members’ experiences.

And it is definitely exciting, agreed AUDIO members who had their skills enhancement and personality development workshop in Magtangtang Eco-Adventure Park April 23-24.

Working on ways to enhance and develop information officers’ skills to make tourism promotion agents for their respective towns, or government development writers, the AUDIO Bohol used the Danao experience as jump-off experience for the workshop.

After logging hours on write-shop inputs, members gathered details for their feature articles by experiencing extreme adventure.

AUDIO members took on the famed suislide here; a traverse 300 meters up and at least 900 meters far to get their minds into a working mode.

And just as Danao puts up this kind of high for tourists, the country reaped another international tourism accolade, it being the most popular and well-liked travel destination in Asia.

In this year’s World Travel Fair held in Shanghai, China, the Philippines won over popular public vote over other destinations participating in the fair.

“In spite of the global financial crisis, things continue going our way,” the President said as she cited some very encouraging developments that have raised the Filipinos’ optimism about the future of the country.

BOHOL Gov. Erico Aumentado led officials and guests in inaugurating recently the newly-finished P53-million Pitogo Feeder Port in the island municipality of President Carlos P. Garcia off Ubay town 125 kilometers northeast of Tagbilaran City .

Started when he was still a congressman, Aumentado who is into the second year of his third term as governor, admitted that the project incurred delays because the contractor had to find the correct type of boulders to build the all-weather port with.

The project affords the islanders with a sturdy and decent docking port that allows two trips to Ubay in the mainland and another two trips going back at only P50 one way from each passenger.

Mayor Tesalonica Boyboy thanked Aumentado for the project â€" started during the incumbency of her predecessors including her father, former Mayor Fernando Boyboy.

For his part, Aumentado told the islanders during the inaugural program held at the town gymnasium that the provincial government is ready to soil stabilize several roads in the island including the Aguining-Pitogo Road ; Popoo-Tugas road and the Pitogo-Aguining road.

and what will you say?

If You Were Dr. Hayden Kho, What will you Do?

By Ric V. Obedencio

The fate of cetaceans, such as dolphins and whales, in the Visayas seas, including Bohol , is worth watching as these marine mammals are caught by fishing gear and slaughtered by fishermen at sea.

This appears to be the grim set-up of the marine mammals plying at Bohol sea particularly in the northern part of Mindanao sea, which surfaced during the two-day training workshop on Marine Mammals Conservation and Stranding Response held on May 14-15, 2009 at Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center in this city.

“In most cases dolphins are caught in nets and they are chopped into pieces,” said Lemnuel V. Aregones, a doctor of philosophy and assistant professor, Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology of University of the Philippines , Diliman, Quezon City .

Aragones, who works with monitoring of these mammals in Tanon Strait (between Cebu and Negros Oriental for many years) and elsewhere also revealed that regions 6, 7, and 8 in the Visayas “are consuming dolphins and whales.”

This situation is aggravated by the fact that a lot of cetaceans are either beached (dead on shore) or merely stranded (alive) considering that Bohol is a “hot spot.” It (hotspot) means more sightings of cetaceans or frequenting here are evident.

Based on the studies, there have been confirmed 28 species of marine mammals in the Philippines , or about i/3 of the world’s more than 70 known species. Twenty six of these are cetaceans (19 small, 7 large; 20 toothed whales and dolphins (odontocetes) and 6 baleen whales (mysticetes).Most of these species are also spotted in Bohol seas, including the blue whale, the largest animal on earth with more than 30 meters in length.

The “hot spot” tag for Bohol boosts the multi-million tourism on whale-dolphin watching along the seas off Pamilacan island. Mayor Alvin Uy of Baclayon town, where the island belongs, said that despite the stranding more and more visitors are flocking the island for whale-watching.

Stranded mammals documented

BFAR and DENR and other agencies concerned have documented several strandings of whales and dolphins in different areas during the first quarter of this year.

Three wounded dolphins were beached in the towns of Valencia , Jagna and lately Baclayon. All were buried by officials concerned. Another one survived in the shores of Suba, Anda town, said a workshop participant. In Talibon sea, several dolphins were on mass stranding or “lost” in their navigation to the surprise of the fishermen since the area is not the passage of these mammals.

Fisherman Romeo Quicho of coastal barangay Catarman, Dauis town narrated to this writer that he saw a pair of dolphin that came near his boat while he was fishing sometime in April at Dauis sea. He said one of them was injured that looked like a gunshot wound. He fed the dolphin with fish he caught and the dolphin never hesitated to eat it. He said the dolphin might have been weak because it sustained a wound that he cannot anymore catch to feed so it got hungry.

Aragones was the main resource person of the training along with Dr. Mariel Buccat-Flores of Marine Mammals Conservation Ocean Adventure; Crescencio Pahamutang of the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Bohol; Numer Candado, representing director Andres Bojos of BFAR-regional office; Adelfa Salutan, action officer of Coastal Resource Management of Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO); and Leonarda Vallejos BEMO-Coastal Law Enforcement Council (CLEC).

Causes of Stranding

Aragones cited at least six possible bases why the occurrence of mammal stranding. He said marine mammals run aground because they may be ill, malnourished or intoxicated.

They may also be physically wounded by predators such as cokie cutter shark. “Any injury from a predator may be serious enough to weaken the animal to the point that it is no longer able to support itself and consequently seek shallow water to rest.”

Another cause could be human activities, including collision of vessels that may cause their instant deaths, or struck by harpoon, gunshot or got entangled in fishing nets.

Other causes include “complex topographic conditions and increment weather”; “errors in navigation and judgment”; and “tight social bonds.”

These animals, scientists said, have a strong social bond because they are social animals. “When the mother falls ill and comes ashore, the calf will follow her and vice-versa,” said Aragones. When a “dominant individual” or “bull” is stranded, “the rest of the pod stays with it, stranding themselves in the process.”

Need to Respond

Aragones said there is indeed a necessity to respond for the welfare of the individual animal. “Helping a stranded marine mammal is an issue of individual animal welfare.”

It is also imperative to save the mammal for moral and ethical grounds aside from “conservation benefits” and “scientific knowledge” that may be gained from them and understanding them more.

Because humans are the “most destructive species” on earth that tend to destroy to destroy the habitats of the animals, “Therefore, we have a responsibility to mitigate our destructive impact. Helping these animals when they are injured or ill, either from human-inflicted or natural causes, is something we can and should do.”

Aragones said that only one percent (%) of survivorship in rescuing the marine mammals in the world but three percent in the Philippines .

The effort to rescue and save marine mammals in distress is also anchored on Republic Act 9147, or known as “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.” It is the policy of the State “to conserve the country’s wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainability” and to promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity.

Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle has been moved to a "safe house" as she prepares for Saturday's final.

One judge, Piers Morgan, confirmed that she had become so "distraught" at negative media headlines this week that she almost quit the ITV show.

He said the singer from West Lothian was now relaxing with one of her closest friends from Scotland.

A former psychologist for Big Brother said she should be withdrawn from the contest to protect her mental health.

The 48-year-old church volunteer from Blackburn became an international sensation after her performances attracted millions of hits on video sharing websites.

But she is reported to be feeling the pressure, apparently losing her temper with tabloid reporters in the lobby of a hotel in North London.
   
Speaking on BBC Radio, Mr Morgan said he did not believe she would quit the show.

"She had a rocky moment a couple of days ago when she woke up and saw some very negative headlines and suddenly felt the pressure of world attention," he said.

"You have to remember this is someone who has gone from complete anonymity to global stardom in the space of six weeks. - BBC News

American Idol bosses have refuted allegations of vote fixing after fans were shown how to "power-text" for this year's surprise winner, Kris Allen.

Show sponsor AT&T sent employees to two Allen supporter parties in Arkansas where they provided phones capable of sending 10 text message votes a time.

But TV network Fox dismissed the claim, saying: "In no way did any individuals unfairly influence the outcome."

It added voting procedures were closely monitored by independent adjudicators.

'Technical enhancements'

"Fox and the producers of American Idol are absolutely certain that the results of this competition are fair, accurate and verified," a statement said.

"Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol. We have an independent third-party monitoring procedure in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process."

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that AT&T staff brought more than 80 mobile phones to Allen parties during the final performance night last week.

One fan said she voted for Allen 10,840 times on one of the free phones provided, despite American Idol rules forbid "power-voting" using "technical enhancements".

AT&T's mobile phone network is the only one on which Idol watchers can cast votes through text messages, and voting usually incurs a charge.

While AT&T bosses admit their staff did show fans how to vote for Allen, they maintain the extra votes did not hamper other finalist Adam Lambert's chances of success. - BBC News

A mother has been reunited with her son, 27 years after she claims he was kidnapped, after her sister saw him on the social networking site Facebook.

Avril Grube, 62, who lives in Poole, Dorset, says she was given custody of her son Gavin Paros after her marriage to a Hungarian man broke down in 1982.

His father, who died in 2006, had visiting rights but took him to Hungary and Ms Grube has not seen him since.

But Mr Paros, 29, met his mother this week after being found on Facebook.

Ms Grube, who was only discharged from hospital a week ago, said: "I would love it so much to have Gavin back living in Britain."

She and her sister Beryl Wilson, 59, who lives in Liverpool, had spent years trying to trace their relative, even contacting the Hungarian Embassy and taking their case to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Ms Wilson told BBC Radio Solent: "[Mr Paros' father] had visitation rights, he said he was going to the zoo or somewhere and when he didn't arrive back we found out he had taken him back to Hungary.

"My sister was devastated, her health suffered.

"I tried everything... but no-one wanted to know."

In March, Ms Wilson typed her nephew's name into an internet search engine and could not believe it when his Facebook profile came up correctly showing he had been born in Liverpool and naming his mother.

"I was so relieved, it took me 27 years but I never gave up," Ms Wilson said.

He had not logged into the site since October last year and did not respond to initial emails, but after Ms Wilson messaged his children Mr Paros emailed back.

'On cloud nine'

Ms Wilson said: "My sister would phone him on a Sunday and speak to him through an interpreter.

"She is just absolutely on cloud nine.

"They have been hugging, really, really happy.

"At Christmas my sister had a stroke, she suffers from angina, diabetes and chronic nose bleeds... but it is very important that now is the time she spends with her son because she is not a well lady."

Plasterer Gavin, who turns 30 on Saturday, is now married with three children and had also been trying to trace his family for the past five years. - BBC

By Fr. Roy Cimagala
Chaplain
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)
Talamban, Cebu City

It seems that we from time to time need to have an outsider to tell us some unpleasant but undeniable truths about ourselves.

In a way, this phenomenon is understandable, since on the average we tend to see only what we like to see among ourselves. Our objectivity-subjectivity correspondence can be way below perfect. It can even get an F-mark.

Recently, I've been having some email exchanges with an American who has been reacting to my columns. I will not mention his name, but his opinions have given me fodder for thought and reflections. I think his views are worthwhile sharing.

Since he has been courting a Filipina mainly through the Internet, though he also has been here for a while precisely to see the girl, he has been quite fascinated by what he discovered in the Filipino woman.

When I told him that many Filipinas are simple in character and pious,this was how he reacted:

"That 'simple' statement, while accurate, does not begin to do justice to who she is as a person. She is an extraordinary example of something that I have discovered about the Filipina personality-the unique combination of hyper-femininity and strength of character and dignity of personality that I can only describe as remarkable.

"American women tend to be either (1) very feminine and weak, or (2) very aggressive and anti-feminine. Filipino men are blessed, if you don't mind my saying, with extraordinarily special women."

When I read that part of his comments, I had to do a double take. I know the observation is at best cursory, but I feel there's a lot of truth contained in those words. They touched an open issue about what I feel is an imbalance between the Filipino male and female especially in relation to faith and religion.

I don't think there could be much question about women being more active than men in this most intimate aspect of our life. Any random look at churches, prayer meetings, religious activities would reveal that women clearly outnumber men. They lead by a mile.

I was amused one time when I joined a Good Friday liturgy. My friend, the parish priest, only asked the men to kiss the cross during the celebration. When I asked him why, he simply said that that was about the only time men can be seen to be dominating the ceremony. Usually they take the role of extras.

This, to me, is kind of unfair, since in the last analysis it is the men who become priests, bishops and popes, and who preside in the ceremonies, not the women.

Of course, that observation may be true not only here but also all over the world. It would seem that religiosity is determined by the X-chromosome. This, to me, is of course nonsense, since religiosity is more a spiritual phenomenon than a biological one.

This does not mean that the sex factor has no effect on our religiosity. It has, but it's more on the way we express or manifest it. It has nothing to do with causing or determining it.

Perhaps what's more correct to say is that our religiosity appears to be stranded in the biological or social level. It has not yet entered into its proper medium, which is our spirit, with the intelligence and will as the main faculties.

It appears stuck in the emotional level, and thus men could truly be far behind the women in this field. But it should not be so. A challenging task awaits the clergy and others to correct this anomaly.

I remember that as a kid, I saw only women busy praying at home or in church, while the men just took care of fighting cocks. I had never seen a man making a novena, or a public penitential act. During the homily at Mass, the men automatically went out of the church to smoke or something.

I'm afraid this phenomenon is reflective of the primitivism of our sense of religion. It's still stuck in the sensitive level, in the sensational and the instant-result mentality. It refuses to grow and develop into a truly spiritual concern that goes beyond the purely human and natural.

It's about time we rectify this irregularity. The Filipino male is in urgent need of some drastic transformation!

a forwarded email

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his five-year old son waiting for him at the door.

"Daddy, may I ask you a question?, the son asked. "Yeah sure, what it is?" replied the man. "How much do you make an hour?"

"That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?" the man said angrily. "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"

"If you must know, I make P50 an hour." "Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down.
Then the son said: "Daddy, may I please borrow P25?"

The father was furious, "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don't work hard every day for such childish frivolities."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

"Are you asleep, son?" He asked. "No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.

"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier", said the man. "It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the P25 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. "Oh, thank you daddy!" he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

"Why do you want more money if you already have some?" the father grumbled.

"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.

"Daddy, I have P50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

City Kagawad Danilo Bantugan strongly denied last Monday that he went to the residence of the city barangay chairman whose house was raided by police operatives amid campaign against the illegal numbers game of swertres.

Bantugan took exception on the report that he was at the site where the raid was conducted last May 15 at the residence of Mansasa Barangay Captain Manolo Blanco.

He said that what he received was a phone call from City kagawad Oscar Glovasa narrating about the raid and the query regarding the issuance of a search warrant by a Cebu judge.
       

BANTUGAN

Bantugan clarified that his conversation with Glovasa was not meant in anyway to disrupt the raid. During an interview, he stressed that as a lawyer, it is part of his profession to attend to calls and queries on legal matters.

However, he considers cases on illegal gambling as like other cases where he, as a lawyer can become a counsel. "It is only drug-related cases I would decline to handle," the city kagawad said.

The statement of the city lawmaker was issued after he was reportedly perceived as one of the two lawyer kagawads who went to the residence of Blanco.

The public perception rose high after the city mayor publicly announced in his weekly radio program the day after the raid that he will provide the arrested barangay captain "the best lawyer," explaining that he will "not abandon a friend (Blanco)."

Blanco is one of the barangay captains identified and supported by the city mayor.

The raid resulted with the seizure of more than half a million pesos inside the residence of Blanco and assorted tally sheets used in the illegal numbers game operations.

The early morning raid surprised the barangay captain as the raiding team was composed of operatives from regional intelligence division (RID) based in Cebu City.

Col. Melvin Buenafe, told reporters that the PNP designed such raid after the regional PNP command heard of alleged protection extended to big-time swertres financiers from the local officials and the city police. - The Bohol Chronicle

Going on his third day as officer-in-charge of the city, Acting City Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso did not waste time in gathering the pressing needs of the city - from the complaints of bad roads, inefficient waterworks system to the call for transparency amid allegations of irregularities and financial improprieties hounding the mayor-on-leave, Dan Lim.

The city mayor is on a 27-day leave of absence purportedly to give Veloso an opportunity to look into the said allegations with the help of city executives.

However, some sectors even identified with the mayor view the decision of the mayor as a way to evade an impending suspension that could arise from 4 cases filed against him at the Ombudsman and the court.

For Veloso, he earlier said that he expects sensitive offices as the city treasurer's office and that of the city budget to be "sanitized" already even before the mayor left.
         

However, despite this, he assumed as acting mayor by operation of law and after the mayor personally informed him through a letter on his assumption as acting mayor effective May 24 until June 22.

Starting his assumption as acting chief executive last Monday, Veloso said among his main priorities will be to sit down with City Budget Officer Rosemarie Palma to discuss the city's total revenues against expenditures.

Also a concern is the number of casual employees being hired by the current administration. He said, this is under the direct supervision of City Administrator Walter Toston who is the concurrent Human Resource head.

PROGRAM OF WORKS

Today, Veloso expects to meet with City Engineer Pianicita Castolo, a much-awaited meeting as the latter had reportedly promised to provide the program of works for the controversial Gallares Street road concreting project.

Costing over P19-million, opposition lawmakers insist that the road improvement project is overpriced. For months now, City Kagawad Zenaido Rama had been asking for a justification on the project cost that is way beyond agency estimates.

Aside from the Gallares road project, Castolo is likewise expected to provide the scope of work and details of the city road rehabilitation project which has an approved funding of P53 million.

BLUE CARD

Also in the acting mayor's agenda is a report on the status of obligations of the city government to hospitals accredited under the Blue Card free hospitalization program.

It may be recalled that despite a budget of P4 million in 2007 exclusively for the Blue Card program, the city government owed the Gov. Celestino Gallares Regional Hospital some P1 million in unpaid hospitalization bills claimed by Blue Card patients.

"Aside from the status of payables, the program administrators until now have not complied with the reporting requirements as specified in the city ordinance," Veloso added.

The acting mayor also said he received numerous complaints regarding the inefficient supply of water in the Uptown and Belderol Street areas. - The Bohol Chronicle

Twenty-five million pesos worth of furniture for different public schools in Bohol are under close watch to avoid corruption.

Department of Education (DepEd) - Bohol Division Supt. Elpidio Jala said his agency is widening its eyes in tandem with the anti-graft civil society group Procurement Watch, Incorporated (PWI) to ensure the quality and quantity of deliveries.

The DepEd-PWI watch, also known nationwide as the Bantay Eskuwela, was launched in an apt ceremony at the Manga High School here, which is one of the three public schools in Bohol to pilot the vigilant crusade "fitting the pieces towards governance."

The two other pilot schools are the Cogon Night High School, also in Tagbilaran City, and Bugang Elementary School in San Miguel, according to Adonis Barraquias, chief of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariat of DepEd Central Office, and PWU-Bantay Eskuwela Project Manager Caroline Belisario.

The immediate monitoring target of the watchdog is the on-going P10-million furniture delivery to different Bohol schools using the fund allocated in 2008 and the P15-million allocation for school year 2009-2010.
         
Jala clarified, however, that there is no malice in the choice of the three aforementioned schools as pilot schools since they were picked at random from the DepEd Regional Office list of Bohol schools where furniture are to be delivered.

The present procurement program for Bohol school furniture includes 5,817 classroom tables, 11,534 chairs, 230 teacher's tables and 230 corresponding chairs for teacher's tables.

The school procurement reform watch launching was also witnessed by DepEd - Tagbilaran City Division officials led by Supt. Norma Varquez, and local civil society and private sector groups.

Jala welcomed the DepEd-PWI collaboration, citing that the government lost millions in the past to school furniture from Mindanao made only of bangkal, a tree of far inferior wood quality often used to make dead poor's coffins.

The Bantay Eskuwela will monitor the procurement and delivery of not just school furniture in the near future with the assistance of the concerned schools' Parents-Teachers Community Associations (PTCAs) and Bohol Association of Non-Government Organizations (BANGON).

It is a timely response to the findings of the Commission on Audit (COA) on the P33.8 million wastage due to substandard furniture delivered to the schools in certain provinces last year.

DepEd's allocation for school furniture nationwide amounted to P1 billion last year, and a great bulk of deliveries is yet scheduled this season or mid-2009.

Meanwhile, the yearly pre-class opening Brigada Eskuwela will start tomorrow with a caravan around the province.

Brigada Eskuwela is a one-week bayanihan program every year to repair and prepare the schools and their facilities for the next opening of classes.

The caravan will move out of the city at 6 a.m. tomorrow to Sierra Bullones at noon via Baclayon, Alburquerque, Loboc, Bilar, Batuan and Carmen. The formal program launching will be done in Sierra Bullones, the town being a Brigada Eskuwela national awardee.

The caravan proceeds to Pilar, Alicia, Ubay and Trinidad until it reaches Talibon and drives back to the city passing Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin, Tubigon, Calape, Loon, Maribojoc and Cortes. (Ven rebo Arigo) - The Bohol Chronicle

Dr. Hayden Kho, Jr., the controversial physician linked to the sex video scandal with sexy actress Katrina Halili was declared as persona non-grata in Bohol by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Prov'l Board Member Aster Piollo, chair of the committee on women and family affair of the provincial        

SP sponsored the resolution which was approved en masse by the provincial lawmakers during their regular session yesterday

The resolution expressed the Boholanos indignation for the immorality done by Kho in relation to the global exposure of the sex video with Katrina now in the U-tube worldwide. Copies of the SP resolution will be sent to the Malacañang, the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Another resolution was passed addressed to the Senate and Congress on the need to regulate the use of the Internet which has become the highway of scandalous video presentations such as sex video. - The Bohol Chronicle

a forwarded email

Can You Sleep while the Wind Blows?

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic . They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic , wreaking havocon the buildings and crops.

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received A steady stream of refusals.

Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him.

"Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man.

Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!"

The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm.

To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down.

Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

Lesson

When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?

The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm.

We secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God.
We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the middle of storms.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA

69 flags unfurled in the light morning breeze at the Plaza Rizal here Monday, as Bohol Provincial Government spearheads the National Flag Day activity Monday, May 25, 2008.

The 69 flags, all raised on poles bordering the Plaza del Principe was simultaneously raised by representatives of the Provincial Government Offices and National Government Agencies, to signal beginning of the 111th Philippine Independence Day celebrations as directed by the Interior department.

The Bohol flag raising activity also came four days ahead of the national simultaneous event.

The flag raising also opened up parallel activities coordinated by all local government units all throughout the province. 

In fact, the tricolors, now interspaced with the Bohol Provincial flag were also hoisted along the access route to the Chocolate Hills, in Carmen town here.

In the country, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo designated Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza to lead the national Flag Day celebration, him being the country’s flag czar.

According to Sec. Atienza, the government spreads the “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” flag theme and puts stress on “pagbibigay respeto at pagmamahal sa ating bansa.”

“Pilipinas Kong Mahal” the Flag Advocacy message is a good reminder for all in the midst of materialism and new technologies, now more than ever we need to enhance good citizenship practices by putting up our flags at home, giving value to the beauty of our natural resources, showing care for a clean and green environment and other practices, Atienza elaborated.

”This year’s theme echoes President Arroyo’s resolve to foster unity among Filipinos under a national symbol telling of an extraordinary country blessed by God,” Atienza said.

On the other hand, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said, respect and pride in the Philippine Flag are the core messages of Flag Day activities where all government agencies, units, schools, universities, embassies/consular offices abroad including private establishments are to display the Philippine tricolor in proper ceremonies.

Sec. Roque, the national organizing committee chairman reported that DepEd has issued circulars to pursue its campaign to educate the public especially in public and private schools to educate them on the proper use and display of the Philippine National Flag.

Similar directives from the Interior Office were sent to government heads to display the flag, streamers in all government buildings, schools, universities, hospitals, public restaurants, hotels, malls and banks.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA

Catigbianons led by Mayor Roberto Salinas and their local officials witnessed a meaningful ceremony upheld and cherished tradition of the police force Monday, May 18.

In a ceremony solemnized by the blessing of the police badge by Rev. Fr. Joselito Masula, residents were also made to understand that the police badge, pinned during the Badge of Honor Ceremony invests in the police the authority as law enforcers.

The ceremony reminds cops of their sworn duty to serve and protect and to instill in them the pride and honor of being one officer as vested by the people, a police officer explained.

The PNP Badge pinned on an officer’s left breast or nearest to his heart, symbolizes legal authority, and should remind cops to be faithful and dedicated to duty expected of them as public servants.

Being entrusted with the badge as worthy of a police officer serving and protecting the people from whom they derived their power and authority to enforce the laws without fear or favor, police officers also are tasked to oversee general welfare, ensure that peace and order mindful of their role as the protector of the weak, defender of the innocent, and advocate of human rights.

Himself a retired government peace keeper, Mayor Salinas said he salutes SPO4 Florencio Ibarra for keeping the tradition of police honor to seep to his men in the field.

As officers, they must wear their badge with honor, Salinas said.

Duty and honor now bind you to be faithful to the trust bestowed upon you by the people. Your badge reminds you to maintain the dignity of our character at all times and to strenuously enforce by example, a steady obedience to the laws of the land, Mayor Salinas said as he exhorted his police officers.

THE BADGE

The police badge contains the PNP Seal held bravely by Lapulapu, the first Filipino to defend the country against foreign invaders despite being inferiorly equipped.

Inside the Seal are the virtues of service, honor and justice, which should remind cops to always render the highest form of public service for fellowmen.

As such, police officers are called to serve the citizenry with the commitment of sacrifice and willingness to die in service of God, country and people.

By Joe Espiritu
Columnist, Bohol Sunday Post

    Despite a hand carried invitation, we failed to attend the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Antonio Salas Madera and Lourdes Galia Roldan. The reason; an old judo injury acted up. This happened on college. While allowing a beginner to learn the moves, we consented to be the dummy in the practice. The chap got carried away. Surprised that he could be able to throw a man bigger than him if he moves right, he decided o complete the shoulder throw. Unfortunately we had not expected it, half of our body slammed on the floor instead of the tatami mat. The back acted up from time to time ever since.

     Ah for golden wedding anniversaries. We were privileged to attend one with a close friend. There were speeches and toasting and suddenly my friend stood up and said: in my case it would be fifty years of agony and torture! Oh come on, after four children? He must be joking. However, my friend throws jokes with a solemn face that one will never know if he really means it. Probably he did not.

     Sir Tony belongs to the prominent Salas clan, which boasts of an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, Doctors of Medicine, Civil Engineers and many others. Lourdes is a daughter of Dalmacio Roldan one of those pre war teachers who graduated in Manila and sent by the government to teach in the Visayas. Both were Elementary School teachers. In his spare time Sir Tony writes history particularly the history of Jagna. He is one of the writers in the coffee table book Jagna at 375 Years. Being a historian, he is meticulous about his facts.

     When he read the article 'Maderas after 50 Years' he found dates not accurate. He was made a kagawad of the Jagna SB for 10 years instead of only four years... he was awarded Master Teacher of Mathematics on 1983 and not on 1988. His second daughter Niceas was promoted while another daughter Juanita a pediatrician was made to walk, fearing that she might be involved in a traffic accident as a pedestrian, Sir Tony wanted that corrected. Besides, being dubbed as a pedestrian does not speak much of ones intellect.

     Their marriage is a success. On teachers' salaries they manage to educate their children, Julie is a CPA, a real Certified Public Accountant, Necias an Industrial Engineer, Sylvia another CPA, Juanita, a Medical Doctor who is a pedestrian - er - pediatrician, Clarita a Civil Engineer and Flora a BSC and a Computer Programmer. We wonder how the couple did it. There must have been much skimping to make their offspring all professionals. Besides, the children must have enough brains to cope.

     To be together for fifty years s a feat. Some say marriage is a racket invented by men to get a servant, cook maid, yaya and a girl Friday with no salary, vacation leave and retirement pay. Others say marriage is a racket invented by women to give tem the right to place a ring on his finger. The ring in his nose will follow later. They do not believe in living happily ever after. Such a cynical view of life.

     The most poignant story we had read was that of Adam. Because of Eve, they were driven out of Paradise. Away from God's favor, Adam suffered hardships he had not met before while Eve bore him several children. They lived a long life and at the death of Eve Adam said; Wheresoever she was; there, was Paradise.

By Loy Palapos

Vibrant and full of life. All smiles, and at peace with her world. At 76, Mrs. Carmencita Dominquez-Arcay (CDA) is totally involved with community projects, and there is no way of stopping her from her usual daily grind. She wakes up early in the morning to do her “Taebo,” tends to her plants and talks to them. Greets the birds as if they are human beings. At nine, she is either in her office, or fulfilling some appointments. This septuagenarian is a lady on the go, while many of her contemporaries, or those younger in years, have decided to call it quits and lead life in the doldrums.

      This 30-minute interview took place last Monday. She was on her way to another gathering at JJ's Seafoods Village. There's no way of conversing with Mrs. Arcay a long time. She is always racing with the clock.


LMP: How young are you now?

CDA: I am yet 76 years old.

      LMP: I understand that you have been teaching. At what age did you start to         teach?   

CDA: Eighteen years old.

      LMP: At that time, what was the course that you finished?

      CDA: I finished ETC, Elementary Teacher's Certificate.

      LMP: And what kind of class were you teaching?

      CDA: I started with primary pupils.

      LMP: And where was that?

      CDA: In Plaridel, Misamis Occidental.

      LMP: Where are you from?

      CDA: I was born in Dansalan, Lanao, now Marawi.

      LMP: And where did you get this maiden name de Guzman?

      CDA: My father was a Philippine National Guard in Camp Overton, Iligan City. He was from Pampanga.

      LMP: So basically, you are a Pampangeña who became a Boholana?

      CDA: No, because my mother was from Bohol so I could still consider myself a Boholana. Her maiden name was Dominguez.

      LMP: So, you really wanted to be a teacher right from the start. You were studying somewhere in Mindanao, right? Now that you have retired from being a teacher, is it fulfilling?

      CDA: Teaching is a very fulfilling profession. My cause was to serve God through my fellowmen, and I began with the children.

      LMP: As far as your profession is concerned, were there any frustrations that you had when you were teaching?

      CDA: There were many.

      LMP: Like what?

      CDA: I spent my own money to buy school materials. It was in 1950.

      LMP: Oh yes, because you were teaching when the classrooms in those times were still inadequate, and there was no supply of classroom needs.

      CDA: Yes, they were inadequate. In fact, I needed to buy my own chalk because we were not supplied with chalks. All the school and visual aids for the children had to be purchased using my own money so that meant teachers like us in those times had very little savings. And some of my pupils were incorrigible.

      LMP: How much was the salary you received for the first time?

      CDA: It was around P100.

      LMP: But because of low prices, it was still enough during that time.

             By the way, I heard that you had an interesting love-life, that you almost married a Muslim who was very rich.

      CDA: That's the scary part. My parents arranged my marriage to a Muslim, without me knowing about it. When everything was ready, they told me it was for my own good, that the guy was handsome and wealthy.

      LMP: How did you react?

      CDA: I panicked. I ran away from home without telling anybody. I cannot marry a man I didn't know fully well, no matter how good-looking and rich he was. I cannot help but think that, because he was a Muslim, he can have more wives.

      LMP: Where did you go?

      CDA: It was timely. I was just informed of a scholarship grant to study Physical Education at the Rizal Memorial College. I packed my bags and, without telling anybody, boarded a ship for Manila.

      LMP: So how did you meet your husband?

      CDA: In Manila, I met Fabian Arcay there. There was not a long courtship. I did not like to go back home anymore.

      LMP: Why did you marry Fabian?

      CDA: Because he was a Boholano. I trusted him at once. When he learned that I went to Manila, he thought I was kidnapped. He found me in the dormitory of William Chiongbian, who was a neighbor in Mindanao.

      LMP:  Alright. So you got married, even without your parents.

      CDA: We had a civil marriage in Manila. The late Severino Estonina, who became a mayor of Panglao, was also there.

      LMP: How about the church wedding?

      CDA: It was held here in Panglao.

      LMP: So you realized that you married the right guy.

      CDA: Correct. Even if we were poor, I was satisfied with our love for each other. You know, we always told ourselves that Boholano joke “Bahala'g saging basta loving.” He was really a good man.

      LMP: Your six children are successful. How do you account for that?

      CDA: It is because I believe that God rewards those who are faithful to Him. I am grateful that God has given me what I have wanted. Until now, I believe that God still blesses me because I am still working. I even say that I am not “retiring,” that I am just “changing the tire.”

      LMP: You have worked with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) right? You were the Bohol Provincial Office Coordinator. At the same time, you have been very busy with a lot of things. Now, can you name some of the affiliations that you have or had? Let us start with your writing.

      CDA: During my teaching years, I wrote scripts for the different occasions, like Teachers' Night, and Christmas Programs, among others.

      LMP: Was this something because you were teaching P.E. and the P.E. teacher was supposed to be the one to coordinate, train and come up with all of those stage productions?

      CDA: During December, I wrote plays. These included The Creation, Adam and Eve, and the Nativity. During Lenten Season also, I wrote a play entitled “Ichi Homo.”

      LMP: That title, what does that mean?

      CDA: It means the sufferings of Jesus Christ.

      LMP: Is that Latin?

      CDA: Yes.

      LMP: So you really started liking stage productions and writing when you were still a teacher. And now, even if you are not a teacher anymore, you are still at it. What are your affiliations now?

      CDA: I am connected with the Association of Writers and Radio Announcers Foundation, Inc., LUDABE, Bohol Literary Arts Circle. The Compadres Club Incorporated's now our affiliate.

      LMP: Are all of these writing groups?

      CDA: Yes.

      LMP: What year did you retire from active teaching?

      CDA: 1998.

      LMP: That was 11 years ago.

      CDA: Yes, as a retiree.

      LMP: But you have mentioned that you are not retiring and that you are merely “changing tires” which means that you are still full of energy?

      CDA: Definitely. I would even get upset when I don't involve myself.

      LMP: Aside from that, what motivates you to be active until today? I have known a lot of retirees; they just stay at home, they don't do anything until they disappear to oblivion. But in your case, you are still very much around. What motivates you?

      CDA: Perhaps, I am driven with my motto which is to serve God through my fellowmen.

      LMP: So there you are. And you believe that when it comes to service, age doesn't matter?

      CDA: Yes.

      LMP: And you make yourself available for any kind of organization that needs your service. How about the Church, what are your affiliations?

      CDA: I am a member of the Catholic Women's League (CWL), Treasurer of all the different chapels around Panglao, Kinabuhing Malamboon, Marianology, and Couples for Christ. I am also a facilitator of the Youth for Christ. We have even reached as far as Talisay, Cebu.

      LMP: How would you picture your ordinary day?

      CDA: I wake up at around five o' clock in the morning and do the Taebo. It's a kind of exercise.

      LMP: Do you do that everyday?

      CDA: I usually have my schedule and that's twice a week.

      LMP: After exercise, what do you do?

      CDA: Just cool off. Afterwards, I take a shower. Then, after that, I prune my flowers and plants. I even talk to my plants because I believe that they also need someone who would talk to them.

      LMP: You're alone, you cook your food but you don't stay at home all the time.

      CDA: That is because I like to work.

      LMP: At what time do you usually go out of your house?

      CDA: It depends because I stay in the office.

      LMP: And where is your office now?

      CDA: It is in Mac Jac on the Green.

      LMP: The way I look at it now, you really enjoy life.

      CDA: With the grace of God. But sometimes, I would reflect and ask myself “Where are my children now?”

      LMP: Well, they have their own lives already. The consolation is that you know that they are living their own lives and that you are still on and you enjoy life and all the pleasures that go with it.

       So what is your dictum, your philosophy in life?

CDA: Just have faith in God. Never doubt Him.

      A busy bee… that's what Mameng Arcay is. To think that she is staying in Panglao, and many of her activities are in Tagbilaran City. Call it zest for life… whatever propels her to non-stop activities is remarkable.

      She stays alone… with all her six children living with their separate families. But this does not deter her from moving on; although there are times when, at home alone, she misses the noise and voices of her husband and kids. And sometimes, she asks herself… “Where are the children?”

      But instead of dwelling in life's inadequacies and wants, she takes the bull by its horns… with exuberant smile. After all, she understands everything is up to Him. She is only serving Him by serving the community.

By Romy Teruel
Sunday Post Columnist

The successful raid by the police of the suspected swertres operator that netted P586,715.00 last week tells us many things but let's just zero in on three: 1) that  swertres is very much alive in Bohol, 2) that for a genuine and meaningful campaign against illegal gambling the police must find every legal means to crack it, and 3) that there is so much profit in illegal gambling to attract people even in high places and power to have penchant for it.

Let me add a fourth.  In standing by his friend and political ally, Mayor Dan Lim is playing his biggest political gamble.

For that sum alone the police confiscated, there were 586, 715 bettors granting that each only placed a bet of P1. That is almost half of the population of Bohol.  If the bet was placed at P2 each, there were 293,357 bettors for that day only.  But let's be more conservative and raise the bet to P20 as one of my staff says as her highest bet when she was still crazy about swertres.  That would still be 29,335 bettors for that day and to one financier alone.  That's almost one-fourth of the population of Tagbilaran City betting on swertres.  Who says that illegal gamblers are a diminishing tribe? That number would still make us a city of gamblers.

One reason put forward by the proponent s of Small Town Lotto (STL) when they campaigned for its operation in the municipalities was that it would eliminate the illegal numbers game because then bettors will have outlets in the municipalities where they could place their bets, and these are legal outlets.  The police raid on the residence of Brgy. Captain Manolo Blanco of Mansasa in Tagbilaran City is proof that even if the outlets are a step away from the house of bettors, they would still bet on the illegal numbers game because there are coordinators who pick up their bets and deliver their winnings.

Col. Ed Ingking, the outgoing provincial director of the PNP in Bohol, said that there are 27 financiers of swertres in their watch list  in 34 towns employing 83 coordinators who are supported with motorcycles.  Seven of these financiers are in Tagbilaran City.

Now the courts in Bohol are mad because the search warrant  to conduct the raid was filed in Cebu City.  Indeed that is an indictment of the courts here in Bohol.  I asked Col. Ingking about it and he said that he would resort to any lawful means that would help him succeed in his campaign against illegal gambling.  Even his own men, Col. Ingking said, did not know at the beginning where they were going.  Only after he has collected their cell phones did he inform them of their mission.  And he succeeded.

I do not want to speculate but gambling lords having connections in  high places is an information that we learned in elementary.  So perhaps instead of asking the police, the courts should ask themselves instead.  Yes, why? If I were Col. Ingking I would have done what needed to be done s long as these are within the bounds of the law.

Now why would a Barangay Captain be so bold as to involve himself in illegal activities?  I'm sure his lawyer will help him convince the court about his innocence, although with the evidence on hand the only way to get out of it is to say that the raid was conducted illegally hoping that with the courts here being mad, they might, just might be convinced.

Is it the amount of daily take that blinds a person in high government post to throw his oath out of the window?  Col. Ingking said about 50% of the gross income is the earning of the financier.

And as we wrote at the beginning, Mayor Dan Lim is playing his biggest political gamble in his life by saying that he stands by his friend and political ally on this case.  As a friend to a friend, I salute Mayor Lim when he said he would provide a lawyer to the Barangay Captain. But as a politician to his ally, who is helping who and who is destroying who?

Lastly, an appeal to the people is in order.  We need every one's cooperation to eliminate illegal gambling.  The solution is simple.  Do not bet. No financier can last more than a month if there are no bettors.  No bettors, no illegal gambling.

General Motors and the US Treasury have improved the offer to GM's bondholders, as they prepare for the firm's move into bankruptcy protection.

Bondholders with $27bn (£17bn) of GM debt are now being offered the option to buy an extra 15% of GM shares as part of a proposed bankruptcy deal.

This is on top of the 10% they had previously been offered.

If bondholders back the new offer, it will allow GM to exit bankruptcy protection more quickly.

The US car giant is expected to apply for bankruptcy protection by 1 June.

GM said it had already secured the backing for the new offer from bondholders representing 20% of the bond debt.

Under its plans to reorganising its share base, the US government will take a 72.5% stake. - BBC

Two small islets in Bohol are in danger of being wiped out because of rising seawater level.

The rise of seawater level that endangers the Bilangbilangan and Malingin islands is attributed to global warming and quarrying.

The two islets are under the municipality of Bien Unido in Bohol Province. - Sun.Star Cebu

The management of the high-end Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa took exception to allegations that easy access to its beach front property was restricted.

This reaction came in the wake of reports that beaches along the Tawala row of resorts and restaurants did not allow the movement of  people especially in the long stretch of shoreline from the Alona area up to Eskaya.

In an interview with Erwin Bacquial, spokesman of the high class resort, there was no truth to reports that Eskaya was one of those establishments that restricted the movement of people in its beach area.

The same interview yielded a positive response to a Post query if it were true that Gov. Erico Aumentado was blocked at the resort's entrance by a security guard. The governor was not allowed to go inside the resort because the guard did not recognize him.

Since it was very unfortunate for the ill-fated guard not to know the governor, the provincial executive did not insist on going inside.

The incident, although it happened two years ago, did create a mild furor when the issue of beach  movements were  imposed by resort owners in the Alona area.

For committing the blunder of not recognizing the governor, the Eskaya management lost no time in terminating the services of the security agency. 

At the same time, the world class resort said that as part of its security concerns, it prohibited the movement of people during night time.

Since the high class villas are far from each other, the resort has made it a point to prohibit strangers from loitering in its beach front site during night time.

The Eskaya management said this restriction was requested by guests for fear that night prowlers may turn out to be bad elements who were out to kidnap them recalling the tragic incident that took place in Palawan several years ago. The Palawan incident involved the Las Palmas resort where guests mostly  foreigners were abducted by armed bandits belonging to the dreaded  Abu Sayaff.

In Bohol, the Eskaya resort  is the favorite hideaway of celebrities who wanted to enjoy complete privacy under a rustic environment.

Guests like Kris Aquino and family, Pops Fernandez, Claudine Barreto, John Lloyd  Cruz and many others who enjoyed the comfort and opulence of the place were recent guests.  Lately, the Filipina wife of Prince Jeffrey, brother of the sultan of Brunei, one of the richest monarchs in the world was Eskaya's valued customer.

A member of the exclusive “Small Luxury Hotels of the World”, the highest prized villa in the resort is the presidential suite which costs $500 dollars.

The name Eskaya refers to the known indigenous people found in the mountains of Duero and Guindulman.

Boutique style, the resort is known for its exclusivity. Architecture of the buildings which was done by Manuza and Associates is decidedly Filipino with a splash of modern amenities. The thatched villas or balay in the dialect, are significantly detached. These are built with sturdy construction materials, but the ample use of indigenous stuff for finishing like bamboo, cogon and wood are emphasized.

Since its opening two years ago, the resort was already featured in at least five glossy magazines not to mention the glowing accounts of broad sheet columnists who have visited the resort. The latest was a cover story of Lifestyle Asia Travel, a glossy magazine based in Manila.

The other night, Eskaya was featured in ABS-CBN travel documentary “Trip na Trip “hosted by Catherine de Castro. - Sunday Post

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA

Would selling the 112.5 MW Tongonan Geothermal Plant in Kananga,Leyte affect the generation side, which Bohol desperately needs to power its dream Panglao Airport?

As far as the National Grid Corporation (NGC) is concerned, Boholanos need not be wary of the privatization bid for the plant that supplies 80-100 MW for Bohol now.

Just this week, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) formally opened the packaged sale of Tongonan Geo-Power Plant and Palinpinon Geothermal Plants.

This PSALM did when it opened the notice of bids of both generating assets on an as is-where-is basis in their websites and in major papers early this week.

Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant is presently the biggest bulk power supplier for Bohol, which NGC estimates at about 80 MW, well above the peak demand of 54MW says Bohol Area Control Center Superintendent Noel Rara.

Located in Sitio Sambaloran, Barangay Lim-ao, Kananga, Leyte, Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant consists of three 37.5-MW units, which were commissioned in 1983 and has supplied Bohol since the Leyte Bohol Power Interconnection Project Phase 1 was completed.

On this, “‘the privatization side would hopefully not affect power generation aspect of the asset,” he said during a telephone interview Wednesday, May 13, 2009.

In fact, the move is seen as a way to maximize the power generation output the two geothermal plants are putting out, he added.

The move however would put many investors eyeing the Panglao Tourism Zone in their maps as the critical power demand for the airport and its complex alone would necessarily tip the scales for Bohol power need.

Many also see the privatizations as a potential stall for the LBPIP Phase II, commonly known as the Bohol Backbone transmission upgrading project set to put up the reliable line to Panglao and identified agro-industrial zones here.

On the notice of bidding, PSALM also puts up the 192.5 MW Palinpinon Geothermal Power Plant located in Valencia, Negros Oriental.

The PSALM Bids and Awards Committee has consequently invited interested parties to bid by submitting Letter of Interest (LOI) not later than 5:00 pm on 22 May 2009.

The bid submission deadline for the Visayas-based geothermal facilities is on 12 August 2009. 

“Minahal ko si Hayden.”

This was the statement of Katrina Halili at the start of a Senate committee hearing on the spread of videos showing her steamy trysts with controversial cosmetic surgeon Hayden Kho.

Teary-eyed, Halili said she had no inkling Kho’s “kiss and embrace were simply scripted.”

“Wala po akong malay na ang bawat yakap at halik ay scripted,” she said. “Buong-buo kong binigay ang puso at kaluluwa ko sa isang lalaking gumagawa pala ng sarili nyang pelikula.”

“Ang tanga ko, imbes na doctor, director pala,” she said.

Halili said the scandal brought shame to her and her family. The videos have been uploaded on the Internet and also being sold by video pirates in the underground market.

“Opo artista po ako. Trabaho ko po ang maghatid ng tuwa. Pantasya ng telebisyon at pelikula. Pero tulad ng iba, may pribadong buhay din po,” Halili said.

“Sa pagkakataon pong ito, dangal ko at dangal ng pamilya ko ang pinag-uusapan dito.” - Inquirer.net

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) is appreciative of the assistance of media and the public in the drive to ferret out misfits in the medical profession. Thank God the number of such misfits is miniscule!

The high and the mighty and many other sectors of society condemned Dr. Hayden Kho after his amorous adventures in the electronic media were exposed, even though the circumstances of his case have yet to be clarified. In such scenario, when a chorus of stentorian voices cry “crucify him,” heaven warns that before casting a stone, one should temper passion and prejudice and let wisdom, reason and objectivity prevail.

The PMA’s Commission on Ethics adopts the adage that even the condemned deserves justice. Dr. Kho was invited to have his “day in court” and the ethical case against him will be subjected to due process.

â€"DR. SANTIAGO A. DEL ROSARIO,
chair, Commission on Ethics
and Medical Practice,
Philippine Medical Association

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

Stakeholders sharing the resources Bohol Marine Triangle (BMT) resources now want to dialog with concerned agencies over issues and concerns that the three towns could not cooperatively address.

In fact, residents living in the cluster towns of Panglao, Dauis and Baclayon sharing the waters bounded by these islands have joined hands to address issues that would ascertain resource sustainability, as the recent consolidation workshop on the Local Regional Economic Development (LRED) for the three towns show.

Some issues however, like zoning, municipal water boundaries, environment code implementation and other related concerns are beyond the cluster level, admit sources during their recent cluster workshop here.

This too came as stakeholders engage in separate intensive private sector enterprise development delving on social capitalization for the BMT cluster towns to spur up local progress, admits Dr. Volker Steigerwald, program manager for the Private Sector Promotion, Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program fo the German Development Corporation (GTZ).

During the BMT Cluster LRED Consolidation Workshop, which opened at the Metrocenter May 26, 2009, Dr. Steigerwald also insisted the government should stick to its role as facilitator of development and regulator of all policies to equalize development and environment.

Towns sharing the triangle of sea each have crafted their own LRED plans which have involved massive community mobilizations to sustain the marine triangle threatened by tourism and commercial fishing over-use while enjoying the resource.

BMT, Bohol’s main tourist hub boasting of the best beaches, wealthy marine biodiversity, world class dive sites is also the home of communities strongly reliant on the resource while fast becoming a shared resource by investors whose tourism capitalization pose overuse issues threatening sustainability.

GTZ has been partnering with the government in private-public sector cooperation in capacitating communities bolstering their social capital by identifying and working on each strength and weaknesses while keeping the teeming marine triangle resources, said Bohol Trade Director Ma. Elena Arbon, while reorienting LRED to workshop participants on the LRED.

Clustering has been a method adopted to work on the strength of participation, expanding mindsets and opening up ares for teamwork between and among towns, Arbon explained, adding that there is a tendency to go parochial when a unit tackles issues alone.

Competing against many places in the country, BMT towns have agreed that their only way to edge out is to keep the teeming resource sustainable by judicious use, insists workshop facilitator Linda Paredes.

Calling one's wife ugly may soon be considered an offence under a Malaysian law that seeks to protect a woman both physically and emotionally.

One of the clauses proposed to be amended in the Domestic Violence Act 1994 pertains to emotional violence against women who are currently only protected against physical abuse, the Star newspaper said on Thursday.

Women's Development Department director-general Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur said emotional violence was a form of abuse that scars women deeply and lowers their self-esteem, dignity and self-confidence.

"It could be a case when a husband tells his wife she is ugly or humiliates her until she feels emotionally pressured," she told media at the end of a seminar on how to curb violence against women.

The government is in the process of bringing the proposed amendment to parliament. - Free Republic

news excerpt

The hearing eventually proceeded with Halili, 23, tearfully reading a statement on the ordeal she was now facing as a result of the scandal.

Speaking in Filipino, the actress gave thanks for the support that, she said, allowed her to rise from her mistake and the debasement that she had endured from Kho.

She said she was an actress whose job was to provide laughter and fantasy in television and in films, but that she also had a private life like everyone else.

“I loved Hayden,” she said, adding that her youth made it easy for her to be blinded that she would “own his heart.”

“But like all other relationships that started with a lie, this went nowhere,” she said.

Halili wept even more while saying that she did not know “each embrace and kiss” she exchanged with Kho was “scripted.”

“I gave my heart and soul wholly to a man who turned out to be doing his own movie,” she said, adding:

“I was stupid. Instead of a doctor, he was a director.”

Halili also said she had erred in loving Kho and in believing that he loved her back as well.

“He said I was his princess in his second world,” she said. “I was young; it was easy to make me believe. I am the victim here. Every day I am the victim each time the video is watched.”

She added that even if she were dead, the video would continue to play. - Inquirer.net

Press Release

The 6th Grand Reunion of the Jala Clan 1-10-12 will be held on May 30, 2009, at the Balilihan Sports and Cultural Center. The Balilihan Chapter headed by Cong. Edgar Chatto will host the one-day affair.

Preparations are now going on to accommodate no less than 2,000 members from all over Bohol, from all over the country. Members residing abroad are also coming home to grace the big event.

For inquiry, please contact the chapter coordinators in your areas or any of the following: Dr. Elpidio M. Jala-DepEd-Bohol-Chairman; Vice Mayor Nanie Maniwang-LGU Sikatuna-Vice Chairman; Dr. Bebot Pajo-Pague-Tagbilaran-Secretary or contact the Secretariat: 15-D Palma St., Tagbilaran City, Tel. No. 501-9027, Cel. No. 09282059622; or contact Cong. Chatto, Cong. Adam Relson Jala, Asec. Eladio M. Jala, FCB Pres. Argeo Melisimo, Judge Cecilio Dangoy, Msgr. Oscar D. Pajo-Albur, Rev. Fr. Severo D. Pajo-Albur, Rodolfo J. Angcla-Catigbian, Rodolfo Candia -Sagbayan, Bonifacia Cloma - Balilihan, Josephine Ahat The â€" Tagbilaran.

By LEO ARMANDO B. BONCALES

The University of Bohol has produced new certified public accountant and four midwives after her graduates successfully passed the May 2009 CPA Board Examination and April 2009 Midwifery Board Examination respectively.

The new accountant is Rita Guillano Oppus, of Cabacnitan, Bilar Bohol while the new midwives are Santa Vienna M. Butron, Roxanne A. Castro, Joybel R. Cajegas, and Mae Flor M. Lustre.
Cesar Edulan, CPA, is the dean of the College of Business and Accountancy and Delia Dano, RN, RM, MAED, is the head of the midwifery department.

The schedule of separate oath taking ceremonies will be announced later. 

Municipio Inabanga in Bohol is gunning for a place in the Guinness Book of World Records â€" producing the longest continuous hand-woven raffia fabric.

Gov. Erico Aumentado, Provincial Board member and former Mayor Josephine Socorro Jumamoy and incumbent Inabanga Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy led guests in the recent formal gallery launching at the town cultural center.

Aumentado also tried his hand at the loom set up in the gym itself. This loom had so far produced 1,119 meters of fabric 24 inches wide. The younger Jumamoy is targeting a minimum 1.6 kms â€" to be unrolled during the town fiesta on June 29 in honor of St. Paul the Apostle. The day also caps the first ever week-long raffia festival to celebrate the century-old industry.

Thousands of Inabangnons had jampacked the cultural center to witness the gallery launching. The Jumamoys, Vice Mayor Wenceslao Lao, the Sangguniang Bayan members, and employees and Team Inabanga had welcomed the visitors to include Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera, Board Members Corazon Galbreath, Ma. Fe Camacho Lejos, Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo, Jr., Assessor Edgardo Orig, Treasurer Eustaquio Socorin, Budget Officer Valeria Orig,  and other provincial dept. heads. National Sangguniang Kabataan President Jane Censoria Cajes also graced the occasion.

Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region Director Asteria Caberte who had helped the industry become what it is now gave a brief history of how her DTI family had nurtured and let it grow.

From practically just a pastime, she turned the informal weavers sector into a strong group now capable of accepting orders according to specifications including colors.

The guest list included other personalities from DTI-Bohol, the Departments of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Technical Education, Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Director Francisca Opog and other heads of national agencies, fashion designer Salvador Malto, some mayors, mediamen, investors and  constituents on top of tour agencies witnessed the event.

BACKGROUND

The raffia industry has been handed down from generation to generation. It has provided livelihood and has become a major income earner for the people â€" put food on their table and sending their children to school.

“What we are doing here today is not just showcasing what we can do but assuring the whole world that Inabanga can supply and make what they need,” he said.

He also announced that as of that day, the raffia roll has breached the 1,000-meter mark.
For her part, lawmaker Jumamoy who was responsible for making the loomweaving industry Region 7 ‘s best One Town One Product (OTOP) during her administration as mayor congratulated Team Inabanga under her son for the endeavor and initiative to be known as the municipality that wove the world’s longest continuous raffia fabric.

In his message, Aumentado said the industry as it is now is history in the making. It brings fame to the province and promotes the raffia industry worldwide.

The townsfolk also surprised the governor with a birthday bash. He just celebrated his birthday the day before the launch.

For his part, Herrera congratulated the Local Government of Inabanga for creating an avenue of even better employment and financial opportunities to the people.

Loomweaving was introduced to the Inabangnons during the time of Francisco Dagohoy, the leader of the longest running Philippine revolt. The woven fabrics were then used as sleeping mats and uniforms of the Boholano guerillas.

Over the years, the raffia weaving industry has gone a long way and has evolved several notches higher from the home. It has since been turned into lifestyle products highlighted in the gallery launching.

The gallery showcased exceptional skills and creativity of the weavers who have turned colored fabrics made into placemats, table runners, pillow cases, decorative rolls, customized hand bags, fashion accessories and other lifestyle products of world-class quality.

Through this acclaimed feat, the municipality of Inabanga intends to inform the consumer sector to include institutional buyers, exporters, and sub-contractors that Inabanga has the production capacity and variety of product lines of excellent quality. The municipality also wants to earn the distinction of being the anchor municipality producing loom woven raffia-based craft of world class quality.  With reports from Aida Osio - the Bohol Chronicle

An ordinary but industrious Bohol mountain household who has shared Rep. Edgar Chatto’s Bahay Kubo FAITH advocacy for food self-sufficiency in home level is now a model farm family in the country.

The Ordinario family in the upland barangay of Quinapon-an in Antequera is now in fact one of the five national finalists---and soon hopefully the worthiest---in the search for the Outstanding Farm Family of the Philippines.

Family head Catalino “Jun” Ordinario and wife Irene thanked the Great Provider and while encouraging more Boholano households to value backyard agriculture to sustain their own daily food needs and earn from extra produce for their children’s education amidst crisis.  The Ordinarios have five children.

While admitting that one just has to be industrious and diligent, Ordinario acknowledged the motivating drive of Chatto to spread the virus of Bahay Kubo FAITH as inspired by the message of the farm folk song Bahay Kubo itself.

Bahay Kubo FAITH is the congressman’s advocacy for backyard vegetable, root crop, fruit and animal raising, even freshwater fish culture, to ensure food self-sufficiency in household level.  FAITH aptly stands for Food Always In The Home.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Ricardo Oblena awarded the Ordinario family as Regional Outstanding Farm Family at Hotel Fortuna in Cebu City just last week.

There were two other regional awardees from Bohol, namely, Cyril Lobregas of Maribojoc as Regional Outstanding Municipal Agricultural Fisheries Council (MAFC) Chairman and Johnny Samson of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian as Regional Outstanding Artificial Insemination Technician.

The Ordinarios were cited “for their significant contribution to the agriculture sector and to the rural folk and for serving as model farm family” in Central Visayas.

National selection evaluators, accompanied by Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog, on Thursday visited the Ordinario household farm which the family calls a Bahay Kubo FAITH model itself.
Certain Ordinario home farm innovations were introduced by Chatto to his hometown of Balilihan and which have proved to be of worth.  Pureza, the congressman’s wife, had herself once visited the uphill Ordinario farm some eight kilometers from the Antequera plains.

The Ordinario family and Lobregas yesterday had separate courtesy calls on Chatto to whom they presented their respective awards.

The hardworking Ordinarios have successfully applied the Diversified Intensive Farming System (DIFS) and contour farming technology to its modest-size but precious farm lot.

They cultivated the area for vegetables, root crops, fruits, rice, animal raising, and even freshwater fish, shell and aquarium fish culture and high-value butterfly culture.

They use organic fertilizer produced from raising worms, a technology called vermiculture.  Cancer patients would occasionally go to their Bahay Kubo to learn their environment-friendly farming or buy totally chemical-free farm products.

Ordinario’s wife is the only Boholano grand slam winner in the country’s search for outstanding barangay nutrition scholar.  She bagged the grand awards in all the municipal, provincial, regional and national levels of the competition in a year. (Ven rebo Arigo) 

Gov. Erico Aumentado recently made the ground-breaking of a two-classroom school building for the Loboc School of Music in Loboc.

The ground-breaking and the inauguration of three other projects in Loboc last May 16 coincided with the birthday of Peregrina Aumentado, wife of Governor Aumentado.

Aumentado inaugurated three other projects of the provincial government, a school building in Camayaan National High; the restoration of the provincial road, leading to Cross Dako in Barangay Cambanse; and a bailey bridge, connecting Barangay Tigbao and Barangay Bagumbayan after the old bailey bridge was washed out during the 1964 flood.

These projects are joint undertakings of the Provincial Government of Bohol, the Local Government of Loboc, and Congressman Adam Jala.

The two-classroom building is located at the Loboc School of Music campus on top of the hill in Jimili-an, Loboc, Bohol. It will be funded at a cost of P1 million.

With this recent donation, the Loboc School of Music has now six classrooms, four of which were earlier donated by the First Consolidated Bank, Congressman Adam Jala and Undersecretary of Transportation Eladio Jala.

Aside from the school buildings, the Loboc Youth Education Association has received donations for musical instruments for the bands and musical groups that were organized by the association.

At present, the Loboc School of Music is offering classes in note reading and musical instrumentation.  To date there are 511 students of the project broken own as follows: Batch 1 in 2007 of 154 students, Batch 2 in 2008 of 198 students and Batch 3 in 2009 with 159 students.  The project has a total of 297 musical instruments distributed to qualified students.

Since the implementation of its Loboc Music Project, the Loboc Youth Education Association has already organized the Loboc Youth Ambassador Band, the Loboc Ambassadors Rondalla, Oy National High School Band in Barangay Oy, Camayaan National High School Band, Loboc National High School Band and PMI Loboc Academy High School Band.

The Loboc Youth Ambassadors Band is performing on Friday and Saturday nights at the Loboc Childrens’ Theater and on invitations.  The Loboc Ambassadors Rondalla is also performing on invitation.

The Loboc Music Project is a poverty alleviation project of the Loboc Youth Education Association, Inc (LYEA), a non-government organization, organized and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2004.

Its music project is supported by the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP), the First Consolidated Bank, LGU Loboc, Provincial Government of Bohol, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and many other donors and supporters.

LYEA aims to promote, develop and train the youth the art of music and the use of musical instruments, pursue an integrated scholarship program for the youth with music and use of musical instrument, and establish, maintain and operate a school of music in Loboc. - The Bohol Chronicle

Coinciding the announcement of the 13th executive order of 2009 that institutes automatic college scholarship for valedictorians and salutatorians, the governor also announced on Friday, 13 names of high school graduates who passed the screening for additional Carlos P. Garcia Scholarship this school year.

The list includes three from Tagbilaran City, three from District 1, four from District 2, and three from District 3- -making the total CPG scholars 154 in all.

Governor Erico Aumentado also made public, his apology through an ad for having mistakenly referred to the new scholars as all coming from Tagbilaran City when he announced them over his weekly radio program, Governor Reports simulcast in Tagbilaran-based radio stations.

Bohol Schools Division Superintendent Elpidio Jala chaired the selection committee for the CPG Scholarship.

The new addition to the list are Franz Sarabia, Rubielyn Karaan, and Katherine Calatrava from Tagbilaran City; Aaron Hora, Junimar Emit, and Jilian Jasmin from the first district; Eric Buyan, Alona Fe Ayeng, Marjun Milloria, and Lesterjun Trazo of the second district; Jeremie Jacob, Roselyn Jumawid, and Athena Ampit from the third district.

At present, there are 141 CPG scholars who are now in their second, third and fourth year in college. When classes starts this June, there would be 154 with the 13 additional scholars.

Aumentado intends to also reach out to all valedictorians and salutatorians of the 124 public high schools in the entire province, considering that most of them belong to “families at the border or below poverty line” who have no financial capacity to sustain their children’s college education.
As self-made professional himself, Aumentado- -a lawyer by profession- -made it through college because of scholarships.

“Niagi ko’g kawad-on. Busa, gusto ko’ng hatagan ni sila kay kahibaw ko unsa kalisod ang sitwasyon sa mga kabataan nato nga kabus nga buot mohuman og eskwela apan wa’y ikagasto ilang ginikanan (I experienced growing up in poverty. So I want to give them an opportunity, because I know how hard it is for these children who want to finish school but their parents can hardly afford it),” he said.

Aumentado explained that valedictorians and salutatorians can easily get scholarships, yet many of them still had to hold back their college education because they could hardly afford the miscellaneous expenses.

Through scholarships, Aumentado intends to produce more Boholano professionals, as a way of addressing poverty in the countryside.

On this, Aumentado issued Executive Order 13 on May 18, instituting the Governor’s Scholarship Program for Class Valedictorians and Salutatorians of Public Secondary Schools in Bohol.
Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay read the executive order over the radio program, Governor Reports, on Friday.

It aims “to enable and ensure that deserving public high school graduates from all towns of Bohol, especially those from families that do not have financial means, will receive a college education in a college or university”.

The EO makes valedictorians and salutatorians of every graduating class of public high schools in the province automatic scholars under the governor’s program.

They just need to submit a duly accomplished application form with the Office of the Governor; a certification from the high school principal that he/she graduated as class valedictorian or salutatorian or in some cases, attested by schools division superintendent of the Department of Education.

Then, the scholar and his/her parents or guardian will sign a scholarship contract with the Office of the Governor.

Aumentado’s EO 13 provides each scholar a grant of P5,000 every regular semester or a maximum of P10,000 per school year to partly shoulder the school expenses; the preference for summer job employment in the provincial government; and that “such financial augmentations the concerned municipal local government units may provide for the scholars coming from their jurisdiction”.

With 124 public secondary schools here, the provincial government provides P2.48 million for this.
The governor offered his development initiative program fund as initial funding to implement it. Then, its funding shall later be included in the regular budget of the provincial government, based on the EO.

Aumentado also said he will discuss the allocation of additional funds for the expansion of the provincial government’s scholarship program with the local finance committee before he goes to Seoul, South Korea for the 60th anniversary of Philippines-South Korea bilateral relationship and cooperation on May 30.

For their part, the scholars need to carry full semester load as prescribed in the course curriculum and complete the same within the prescribed duration of the course.

They can enroll only in a state college or any private college or university within the province and that they shall not transfer to another school, except for meritorious ground.

They also have to “maintain a general average grade of 2.0 or its equivalent, provided, however, that each subject shall have a grade of not less than 2.75 or its equivalent."

The EO also makes it clear that only meritorious ground can justify deferment of enrolment and that the scholarship grant can be terminated if the beneficiary obtains a failing grade in at least two major academic subjects, commits gross violation of the host school’s policies and regulations, and conviction by a Philippine court of any crime or offense involving moral turpitude. - The Bohol Chronicle

Press Release

Boholanos who have visited government offices in the past six months rated five top offices where they are most satisfied with in terms of services; and coming next to the top, is the Treasurer’s office of Loay, Bohol.

Of the 30 percent total respondents on the particular question in the Bohol Poll 2009 conducted by the Holy Name University Research Center, 28 percent said they were satisfied in the services of the Loay Treasurers office which is headed by Ma. Feliza Flores Dumayac.

Loay got a satisfaction rating of 3.7%, just three-point away shy from the top performer, the Governor’s Office â€" Capitol at 4%. Treasurer Dumayac said she was glad to hear the survey result but humbly refused to comment further.

Mayor Rosemarie “May” Lim-Imboy, when informed on the good rating of his municipal treasury services, said this could be the result of cooperation and her reformed policies introduced when she assumed office.

The lady mayor issued an order to all revenue collectors that they should observe utmost courtesy and must punctually remit their collections before 3 o’clock in the afternoon for them to avoid unremitted accountabilities that will affect the services of the local treasury.

The sound financial management experienced by the Loay local government today is also attributed to the wide experience of Mayor May Imboy being a business manager of her family’s enterprises before she become a public official.

Government employees also agreed to the HNU Survey result saying the high rating speaks of the determination of Mayor May Imboy’s governance to truly serve the public.

The HNU Research Center-Bohol Poll 2009 survey adopted the system used by the Social Weather Station (SWS), a respected survey group in the country with a minimal margin of error in accuracy.

By Jes Tirol
The Bohol Chronicle

Proem
The COMELEC has already given notice that Nov. 30, 2009 will be the deadline for filing the certificate of candidacy for the May 2010 National Election. So this early, the Filipinos are already agog regarding the election.

One controversial topic permeating the political climate is the intention of Ex-President Estrada to run again for President of the Philippines. The question is, is he qualified?

Constitutional Provision
Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution provides, “…The President shall not be eligible for any re-election.” Take note that the spelling “re-election” has a hyphen. Therefore it has a different connotation with the spelling “reelection” without a hyphen.

Logical Thinking
When I was studying engineering in the 1960s, the most popular algebra problem was the following: “Mary is 24 years old. Mary is twice as old as Ann was when Mary was as old as Ann is now. How old is Ann?” The answer is 18 years. If you are not careful with the relationship of the “is” and “was” you might get an answer of 24 years.

In mathematical logic you will analyze according to mathematical rules and the answer will be a consequence of the rules.

In the legal profession, the reasoning will be tailored according to a specific objective. The prosecution lawyer will arrange the data and reasoning to show that the defendant is guilty. The defense lawyer will also arrange the same or similar data to show that the defendant is not guilty. It is the judge who will determine the correct answer.

The situation of Ex-Pres. Estrada is debated by lawyers. It will be the Supreme who can provide the correct answer. Nonetheless I will try to analyze using my mathematical logic.

Is Pres. Estrada Eligible?
According to the lawyers of Ex-Pres. Estrada, he is eligible because he is not running for reelection. Former Justice Secretary Serafin Cuevas makes a distinction between a former president and an incumbent. President Estrada is coming from the outside; therefore it is not a reelection.

Senator Miriam Santiago said, “The applicable rule is, where the law does not distinguish, we should not also distinguish.” Since the law does not say former or incumbent president, then all those who had been presidents are not eligible to run again as president.

Reelection
Filipino English has already developed its own nuances. We say effectivity instead of effectiveness. We have aggrupation which comes from the Spanish “agrupacion.” We have “trainor,” the person who trains the trainer.

In the same vein, the words “reelection” and “re-election” has already its nuance. As intimated by former Justice Secretary Cuevas, reelection means an incumbent that run again and be elected to the same office.

Re-election
According to the Webster’s Third New International dictionary, the prefix “re-,” with a hyphen, indicates “again” or “anew.” It is used so that there will be no confusion to convey the meaning “again.”

For example the word “retire,” without a hyphen, means to withdraw or to stop. If you put a hyphen as in “re-tire,” it means to put again the tires, as in the tire of cars.

Therefore “reelect” refers to an incumbent being elected again to the same office. In the same manner “re-elect” means to be elected again. It covers all other situations that convey the meaning “again.”

I therefore beg to disagree with Senator Santiago. The Constitution already distinguished when it says “…not eligible for any re-election.” In the case of Pres. Estrada, it is to be elected again as President.

Therefore it is very clear that Ex-Pres. Estrada is not qualified to run for president because he will be running to be elected again as president. It is a situation that is covered by the term “re-election.”

After taking care of business at home, ALA boy AJ Banal tries to take a toehold in the international arena when he fights in the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez card this July.

Last Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum, Banal stopped former International Boxing Organization super featherweight champion Mbwana Matumla with only a second left in the second round, with a calculated powerful overhand left.

It was Banal’s first fight in Cebu City since he lost to Rafael Concepcion in his first attempt at a world title.

Now that he has another opportunity to show the fans in Las Vegas and around the world that he is one of the elite boxers, the 20-year-old Banal will once again be sent to train at the Wild Card Gym under the watchful eye of renowned Manny Pacquiao boxing trainer Freddie Roach.

“We’re taking the fight seriously. We will be sending AJ to train for six to eight weeks in LA,” ALA Promotions Michael Aldeguer said.

Aldeguer was planning to fly with Banal to Los Angeles yesterday.

Aldeguer said Golden Boy Promotions, the promoter of the fight, will be pitting Banal against a quality foe because the Mayweather Jr.-Marquez is a major card.

“Freddie’s always been there. He always watches AJ’s sparring and has high regard for him,” said Aldeguer.

As of the moment, Roach is busy training Amir Kahn for the latter’s world title bout with World Boxing Organization Andreas Kotelnik on June 27 in the UK.

“Although Freddie is busy, hopefully he’ll help out in AJ’s fine tuning. It will be important for the fight,” said Banal’s handler.

This isn’t the first time Banal has worked with Roach.

He trained at the Wild Card Gym in his preparation for the Boxing World Cup in 2007, when he knocked Mexican Jorge Cardenas in the third round.

On the other hand, ALA Promotions will be evaluating the future of Czar Amonsot after his lackluster victory over Morris Chule also last Saturday.

“We haven’t watched the video of the fight. We are worried and concerned with his performance.
We’re going to have a serious evaluation on him and give him a bit of time to evaluate himself,” said Aldeguer. “He wasn’t feeling well before the fight but we won’t use that as a reason. We give credit to Chule’s performance. Czar just didn’t jab and followed the game plan.”

After the unanimous decision was read, Amonsot was booed loudly. - The Bohol Chronicle

Jubenile Abellar came up with a double victory in the 2009 Congressman Cajes Invitational Motocross in Trinidad, Bohol.

Abellar of Power Sports Racing/Moto-Fix/PTT Lubricants got the top spot in the expert open against Dumaguete’s best Irwin Uypitching. Winsor Pamorca settled for third.

Abellar reaffirmed his dominance over Uypitching to rule the intermediate class, with Paolo Inoc placing third this time.

In the novice production, Jasper Davis emerged as the fastest followed by Michael Desbaro and Adam Uypitching.

Desbaro quickly bounced back though by edging out Reynaldo Ytac to rule the novice production class. Dario Labor wound up third.

Like Desbaro, Ytac did not go home without a champion’s trophy as he topped the all-Bohol showdown. Labor finished second, while Mark Lajor landed at third.

Ian Adlawan Reyes stole part of the show by lording ti over in the freestyle competition after he outclassed Jubenile’s brother Jovannie Abellar. - Press Release

Seventy-five mountainbike enthusiasts from 10 bike clubs fought for various awards in five categories in the Bilar Fun Ride, Fun Race on May 16, 2009 organized by the Sandugo Cycling Ventures.

The mountainbike race covered a 16-kilometer road and off-road race course starting from the scenic man-made forest at the Bilar-Loboc Boundary and ended at the Bilar Public Market. A large crowd cheered the riders who finished the race.

On hand to give the awards were Provincial Board Member Azon Galbreath, Mayor Fanuel Cadelenia, Vice Mayor Tata Palacio and Punong Barangay Dioscoro Ancog of Barangay Poblacion.
Joseph Rabida of Garcia-Hernandez won the top prize in the Open category with Roger Torreon of Talibon and Gabriel Nolasco of Tagbilaran City taking the Second and Third places respectively.
Completing the list of winners are:

Junior Category: First place â€" Victor Biongcog (Dagohoy); Second place â€" Kenneth Dapar (Batuan); Third place â€" Nicho Lumay (Batuan).

Senior Category: First place â€" Ben Olarita (Dagohoy); Second place â€" Adrian Arcamo (Tagbilaran City); Third place â€" Freddie Perez (Getafe);
Executive: First place â€" Marvin Mariano (Tagbilaran City); Second Place- Rey Bamboa (Baclayon);

Third place â€" Clark Pumares (Tagbilaran City);
Veterans: First place â€" Antonio Beronio (Duero); Second place â€" Jess Flores (Manila); Third place â€" Pablo Ancog (Batuan).

The race was sponsored by Tabel Enterprises, Bohol Bikes and Shop, Dadz Shell Super Service Station and Board Member Azon Galbreath.

Also supporting the event were Mayor Fanuel Cadelenia, Camille Bakeshop, Loboc Tour Park, Bilar Catholic Parish, Logarita Spring Mineral Water and Gela Abaya. (Judito Cabusao)

A forwarded email. Enjoy reading it.

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce .

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish  furniture. 

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object. 

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the row of oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it. 

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all.  That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick'

You lovers of the English language might enjoy this ..

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP.'

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ?  At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ?  Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?

We call UP our friends.  And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen.  We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car.   At other times the little word has real special meaning.  People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing:  A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. 

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP ! To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary.  In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used.  It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP.   When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP.

When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP.

When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so.........it is time to shut UP!

Newcomer Nisa Travellers Inn-L2K Tours has emerged as new champion of the Dao Commercial Basketball League (DCBL) 2009, 8th season dubbed as 4th Gov. Erico B. Aumentado Cup held recently at the Dao hard court.

The tournament officially opened on March 18, 2009 and officially closed on May 16, 2009, while awards were given last Wednesday.

Other winners include: 1st runner-up â€" Fatima Fighter Bus; 2nd runner-up â€" Alva’s Chicharon AMPC Spring Water. Other participating teams were Water Paradise-Budz and PMI Navigators.
Winners of the Inter-Purok:
(Super Senior): champion â€" Purok 2; 1st runner-up â€" Purok 1; 2nd runner-up â€" Purok 3.
(Senior): champion â€" Purok 3; 1st runner-up â€" Purok 2; 2nd runner-up â€" Purok 5.
(Junior): champion â€" Purok 2; 1st runner-up â€" Purok 4; 2nd runner-up â€" Purok 5.
(Midget): champion â€" Purok 2; 1st runner-up â€" Purok 3; 2nd runner-up â€" Purok 1.
Tournament’s Most Valuable Player is Chris Morallas of Travellers Inn-L2K Tours.

Major Sponsors: Gov. Erico B. Aumentado and Cong. Edgar Chatto.
Other sponsors: Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera; BM Yul Lopez, M.D.; BM Ae Damalerio; BM Josephine Jumamoy; BM Jose Veloso; BM Bienvenido Molina; Nat’l. SK Fed. Pres. Censoria Cajes; City Mayor Dan Lim; Vice Mayor Toto Veloso; City Councilors Edgar Kapirig, Lucio Balbin, Jinggo Rama, Edgar Glovasa, Nerio Zamora III, Edi Borja, Dandan Bantugan, Kit Oppus, Bebin Inting Edgar Bompat; Faro Cabalit, Ramie Alturas, Engr. Vieto Racho, YY Home Builders Depot, Baba Lim Yap, Bohol Quality Corp., Julies Bakeshop c/o Dr. Ed Escalona, Mr. & Mrs. Agustus Caesar Rara; Marineth Cornell; Rose Tabuno Inihaw; Dr. & Dra. Antonietto Ugpo; Dr. & Mrs. Bienvenido Omo; Julieta De La Torre; Engr. & Mrs. Cesar Maluenda; Mr. & Mrs. Renato Usares; Cong. Adam Relson Jala (3rd District); Mr. & Mrs. Erwin F. Bacquial;  THL Motors & Car Wash; Mr. & Mrs. Peter Snoore; Mrs. Natividad Estoce; Cellmart/ Doy’s Ktv Bar; Bohol Light Company, Inc.; City Fire Department; City Engineer’s Office Lighting Section Staff; Century Spring; TDC; Image Marketing; Peter Bansag.
Prov’l Administrator Tommy Abapo graced the opening of the league two months ago.

By Fred Fuertes

History repeats itself.
Reminiscent of the infant stage of Bohol’s oldest tournament â€" the Maribojoc Christmas Basketball League (MCBL), the rivalry of Goodah and Sesame, who will see action tonight at the Maribojoc Sports and Recreation Center, will be put to test as both tandems exchange the spheroid for this year’s Maribojoc Summer Basketball League (MSBL) crown.

It may be recalled that during the first three years of the MCBL, Kahayag and Exaltacion were perennial rivals. The former is Sesame’s older brother while the latter is Goodah’s version of the same.

Kahayag, however, dominated the crown for three straight years.
The thrill-packed game tonight is a repeat performance as both lorded it over the other in previous encounters outside this summer edition of the league (MCBL) which will mark its golden anniversary come 1910.

The Goodah players enter the sports center tonight with the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads. If they lose tonight, they will bid adieu to their desire to clinch the championship plum.
If Goodah wins, a rubber match will extend the sportsfest the next day. After all, as the old folks say: “Lingin man ang bola.”

Bood and Punsod stake their luck in the first game for a third place finish.
The cage hostilities blasted off May 10, this year. Ten teams vied for the coveted title. Three tandems went merry-go-round in the Midget Division. The tots, some of them, experiencing competitive basketball when they joined the 1st Bohol Community Children’s Games 2009, a project of the Philippine Sports Commission thru the intercession of Mayor Jun Evasco.

The junior aspirants for the title include Kalubihan, Lincod, Jandig, Bayacabac Cabawan, Anislag, Punsod, Bood, Goodah and Sesame St.

This season’s summer games, originally a brainchild of the then DepEd Mentor Tiya Ed Regidor, bank of the managerial skills of Commissioners Eduardo “Edtut” Tutor, Joel “Bobong” Valles and veteran player and coach Dodong Bangalao, UB-juniors bench mentor.

Sponsored by the municipal government thru the SK Municipal Federation steered by Councilor Albryann Redillas, the league carries the following prizes: Champion â€" P5,000; 1st runner-up â€" P3,000; and 2nd runner-up, P2,000; and 3rd runner-up â€" P1,000 plus trophies.
The MVP and Mythical Five awards will also be declared come final championship day. (with reports from Engr. Dongred Redulla)

Bohol Chess Development Center (BCDC) will conduct a three-day chess competition dubbed as “Tagbilaran City Active Chess Tournament” starting Friday at the TCCC Clubhouse located along E. Calceta St. this city. There will be two categories, all-student 20-yr old and below and the senior category.

Seven-round Swiss System Format will be applied with 30 minutes time control for every player to finish the game.  Top five winners in each category will be awarded with cash prizes.
“This is a good gesture for BCDC to conduct this chess activity for us enthusiasts especially the students prior to the opening of classes,” said Dauis councilman Pedro ‘Pete’ Honculada Jr.
Games will start at 2 p.m. Friday.

Expected to participate are top Boholano players led by National Master Elmer Sumngat, Candidate Masters Glenn Pardillo Jr. of Tubigon, Michael Teves, Ricardo Ocoy, Jing Saniel, Rufo Castro, Guindulman’s Jonas Golosino and Auxillo Olaer, Calape’s Edward Cubio and Donde Gallero, San Miguel’s Nelson Redulla, UB’s Genesis Apog, Philip Nuena, and Mark Pilongo, PMI’s Achilles Villamor, BIT’s PJ Caderao and junior standouts Michael Pagaran, Anthony Kyle Bantol of HNU and Taloto’s Jonathan Dumale. 

Registration fee is pegged at P50. (Renzkie Ligan)

By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Despite the law prohibiting cigarette advertisements, the number of young smokers has gone up, prompting the Department of Health to warn that tobacco-related deaths will continue to rise in the future.

The 2007 Global Tobacco Youth Survey (GYTS) conducted by the World Health Organization showed that one in every three Filipino teenagers aged 13 to 15 are already smokers, despite the existence of Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

The DOH has thrown the towel in having a new law passed before Congress adjourns next week that would require cigarette makers to use graphic health warnings to discourage smokers and would-be smokers.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he would appeal to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to certify the bill on cigarette graphic health warnings as urgent.

“If nothing is done, every other Filipino teenager would be smoking by 2011,” Duque said at a news briefing ahead of the observance of World No Tobacco Day on Sunday.

Duque said having prominent picture messages warning of the dangers of smoking on the front and back of cigarette packages would help discourage Filipinos especially the youth from buying cigarettes.

He said the government was spending an equivalent of $2.2 billion a year to treat patients with smoking-related illnesses, compared to the $26 million it was earning from cigarette taxes annually.

“That’s a lot of money that we’re spending just trying to reverse the progress of chronic illnesses like cancer, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases,” he said.

Text joke:

Pag nag-Hi sa iyo si Katrina Halili,
Anong sasabihin mo?

eh di, HAY-DEN!"

taga tigbao,

i will translate them all into english and bisaya for you. busy pa ko karon. wala pa gyud klarong internet connection.

i am coming up with an english-bisaya dictionary. this is one of my long-term quests.

aduy, have you read my PM?


-Ginger

The First Consolidated Bank will open its Roxas (Palawan) Branch on Monday, May 25, amid a blessing and inauguration ceremony attended by local government officials and officials of the bank.

Roxas Mayor Dennis Sabando and Elizabeth Sabando, president of the Federation of Entrepreneurs for Northern Palawan Development, will give messages of support to the bank from the local government and community, respectively.

FCB Vice president Joseph M. Lacea said the opening of this new branch will help bring the financial services of the bank in the northern part of Palawan.

Roxas Branch will serve the vast agricultural, fishing and tourism industries in the northern part of the province.

FCB has branches in Puerto Princesa City, Narra, Brooke’s Point and Quezon, but all of these are in the sourthern part of Palawan.

In addition to the branches, FCB will provide Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and electronic fund transfer and point-of-sale services in accredited businesses in Palawan, Vice president Lacea said.

FCB Roxas Branch is one of four branches that the bank will open this year. Earlier, the bank opened its Tagbilaran City Square Branch. The other new branches are FCB Bataraza Branch in Bataraza, Palawan; and FCB Lazi in Lazi, Siquijor.

FCB Roxas Branch is a full service branch, that can provide a variety of services such as savings, demand, and time deposits; foreign and domestic remittances; SSS collection and SSS Pensioners’ Remittance Program; commercial, industrial, and agricultural loans; motor vehicleloans loans; salary loans for public school teachers; loans for SSS pensioners, and loans for small and medium enterprises.

FCB has now 49 branches and nine marketing and promotional centers nationwide, making the bank one of the biggest private development banks in the country.

FCB is a private development bank with head office in Tagbilaran City. As a financial institution, it has contributed to the development of people and communities, both in the growth centers and the countryside. - Press Release

By ARIEL E. FULLIDO

It’s a big 3-Day Sale at Alturas Supermarket and Alturas-Talibon this coming May 26, 27 and 28, where up to 50% discounts are given away on great selections at the Home & Fashion Department.   

Alturas PR & Marketing Manager, Loy M. Palapos, said the sale blitz is conceived as a means of giving away discounts in time for the back-to-school season. Customers can also join the raffle promo during the sale and have a chance to win fabulous appliances. Prizes at stake are three (3) TCL TV sets with rack, three (3) Asahi Gas Stoves, two (2) Nikon Electric Fans, one (1) LG Mini-Component, and one (1) Samsung DVD Player.

A customer is entitled to one (1) raffle coupon for every cash purchase worth three hundred pesos (P300) at the Home and Fashion Department. The customer fills-up the smaller portion of the coupon with complete name, exact mailing address and signature, and drop it at any designated drop boxes located at the store entrances.

The cut-off date of dropping of entries is on May 31, while the raffle draw is on June 1, 3 PM, at Alturas Supermarket. A customer can only win once in the draw. In case of double win, the prize of lower value is forfeited in favor of the higher one. Prizes can be claimed within 60 days after the draw.

An Editorial of the Bohol Chronicle

To the majesty of the Law - even Kings and Presidents must bow.

Laws are there to create order in society; its absence spells chaos. Without laws, the world will belong only to the strong, Alfie. We cannot let that happen.

The recent case of the seizure of half a million pesos and illegal gambling paraphernalia in the house of Mansasa barangay captain Manolo Blanco, according to Melvin Buenafe of the Regional PNP Intelligence are enough evidence to nail the alleged big-time financier to the cross.

That being so, what is the nature of the aid of the City Mayor to provide a lawyer for Blanco and the presence of the two kagawads Oscar Glovasa and Dandan Bantugan in the residence of the accused (sic, allegedly acting as lawyers of a person â€" Blanco - who was not yet convicted) while the raid was ongoing?

Only the courts can say. But as far as we know, Rep. Act 9287 Sec 2 Paragraph K defines a protector or coddler as "any person who lends or provides protection or receives benefits in any manner in the operation of any illegal numbers game." Are the City Mayor and the two Kagawads therefore qualified to be called "protector or coddlers" of illegal gambler-operators and financiers?

Perhaps failing to review his Law books, the City Mayor earlier justified Blanco's alleged swertres involvement as personal and apart from his function as Barangay public official.

However, Section 5 on the Liability of Government Employees and or Public Officials states: "If collector, agent, coordinator, controller, supervisor, maintainer, manager, operator, financier, or capitalist of any illegal game is a government employee and/or official, whether elected or appointed, he shall suffer the penalty of 12 years and one day to 20 years and a fine of P3 million to P5 million and perpetual disqualification from public office."

The punishment appears harsher on public officials rather than on ordinary citizens probably because this criminal act represents an abuse of public trust on his position and the apparent advantages he may have used to perpetrate his illegal activity as swetres. If convicted, Manolo Blanco will face these most severe sanctions. Then, what about his protectors and coddlers? One may aptly ask.

Meantime, the Regional PNP Thursday filed charges versus Blanco at the City Prosecutor's Office. All eyes of the City will be on the Prosecutor's actuation on this case against the alleged biggest swertres financier who is - to every one's knowledge - getting support from a top-ranking public official. Will this result again on "motion to inhibit?" as in numerous other cases in the past? Should someone bring this abominable legal situation in the city to the Department of Justice or the Supreme Court?

Meantime, the Department of Finance is to shortly announce the resolution of the tax harassment filed by the BCRC against City Treasurer Visitacion Acero - for trying to collect taxes already paid for by us and for which City Hall had granted us permit to renew the business.

The City Treasurer, however, is set to resign Tuesday. The big question arises why she would resign when she is set to retire and get the full benefits, by then.

Her resignation will not take Acero off the hook. She has, however, that one chance to make a clean breast of herself and categorically state that she was only ordered to harass BCRC by public officials who have  a superior dominion over her and her functions.

Finally, the case against the City Mayor et al. on the ROT over the Agora complex and a deal termed as "disadvantageous to the government" and therefore to the city, could get a boost as soon as some of the whistle-blowers will shortly come out in the open that the deal was greased by "money used for the 2007 elections" enjoyed by certain high elected officials of the city.

The hand of the law may be long and justice may grind slowly in this country, but we have faith that at the end of the day the majesty of the law will be upheld and serve the ends of justice and truth.

We must all be watchful. Vigilance is the price of liberty.

An Editorial of the Bohol Chronicle

The City Mayor leaves his office for 27 days, burdened by the horrors of self-inflicted controversies since October - each one getting worse than the last.

The last straw - that apparently broke the camel's back - was last week's apprehension of his fair-haired Barangay Captain Manolo Blanco - caught red-handed with damning evidence as alleged "biggest financier" of the illegal gambling game.

It is an accepted fact â€" nationwide - that swertres cannot thrive in any site without the protection of high officials and the police.

Hiding behind the alibi of giving the Opposition (behind the ascension of Vice Mayor Jose Veloso as Mayor) a chance to prove allegations of graft and ineptness, the 27 days of Veloso will not prove if the Mayor is guilty or not. That is for the courts and COA to say.

After months of keeping City Hall Accounting away from the public, all "documents are now sanitized and we don't expect to discover anything new", Velosos aptly stated.

Vice Mayor Veloso can display his own brand of statesmanship by accepting the "succession" imperatives but he would be well advised to implement only ministerial functions already approved by the Mayor-on-Leave, to shed any possible stain on his person he might draw from his association with a discredited Mayor Dan Lim administration even if momentarily.

The City's Top Honcho's desertion of his Mayoralty post, unprecedented in city politics, will not deduct from the fact that he is facing four criminal charges in Court which the City Mayor will not solve by broadcasting his defense on radio or appearing shell-shocked from the missile-charges and retreating in his foxhole for 27 days.

It would be good for the City Mayor to use his 27 days to cure his delusion that the "Silent Majority" of the city is still with him. The credible HNU Research Survey showed the Mayor's acceptability rating at 50%, as the Mayor himself claimed yesterday. Is that a clear "majority"?
Any statistician worth his graphs will say that the other half is not on his side or at least does not have a positive opinion about him. It's still a 50-50% acceptability battle he must be made to understand.

Even Vice Mayor Veloso has a 41% acceptability rating. If the HNU statistics like the SWS and Pulse Asia has a 3% plus-minus margin of error, both of them are not really that far apart. Watch while the issues against the Chief City Executive mount by the week.

In a radio survey in Radyo Merkado over Station DYRD, 93% of Boholanos condemned the Mayor's solicitous legal and financial help to a nabbed illegal game financier (who is also a barangay official in Mansasa district) while most frown on the presence of the two kagawads Oscar Glovasa and
Dandan Bantugan  during the Mansasa raid by the Regional PNP.

It is true that politics is a perception game - but every day the City Mayor commits administrative and fiscal boo-boos and is daily weighed by people (we mean figuratively, of course) - and tested if found wanting. Unwittingly, he himself creates the own unflattering perception about his government.

"Let the people judge," is the Mayor's favorite dialogue. And so it has been.
There is also the forthcoming 2010 elections - and the people will likewise decide.

We understand that some civil society and anti-electoral fraud units will have their presence felt in Tagbilaran City and a few other towns in the province - color-coded as potential Waterloos for electoral uprightness. And hopefully, the automation should make cheating less easy to carry out. This would be good for the city.

The City Mayor often boasts that he is a warrior who can act confrontational. The truth is the deluge of damaging court cases and issues against him cannot make the City Mayor do otherwise. And we were not the least surprised by his announcement to "go on leave" at all.

With all the existing and forthcoming cases against him - the Mayor may have tried to preempt any "possible suspension"  due to his numerous cases and issues by talking about it in his radio show. That, too, will have no bearing on the outcome of his cases, either.

The rainy season is upon us early and TBTK (every four years reunion of Boholanos worldwide) is just around the corner this July. Our visiting province-mates will soon hear for themselves what has been actually happening in the city while they earned their keep abroad.

Meantime, while they decide on what is "perception" versus "reality" in the City, we sincerely wish the departing Mayor better health and "good bonding" with his family, as he said in his farewell broadcast.

Nobody wishes a fellow human being ill, even if we trade the most vicious blows in mortal combat over issues.

Burglars struck anew in Bilar town, carting away two century-old church icons, including “Ressurreccion” believed to be taken just after the annual fiesta celebration here, said the caretaker in an exclusive interview.

The caretakers, who declined to be named, asked authorities and the media to help recover the said icons. They asked authorities to monitor all exit points out of the province even as they expressed fears the icons might fall in the hands of unscrupulous antique buyers and collectors.

Police authorities here still are facing a blank wall as to who are the perpetrators of the latest series of robbery.

The robbery was the second theft incident in a month. The first was in Sevilla when a precious image in Sevilla town church lost to robbers, whose identities still unidentified. Walter Pondoc, information officer designate of this town confirmed this.

According to the caretaker’s account the “Ressurreccion” was supposed to be taken out after the fiesta celebration but only to know that the icon was gone.

The caretaker said that the icon was stationed at the church for the recent Holy Week celebration. They were told to take back the icon to their home after the fiesta last May 15.

They said that the icon was also some sort of “sentimental” on their part because it was taken care of by their grandparents since then they also take care of the image which is made of wood but the eyes are precious materials. (RVO)

The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) lacks facilities to conduct more credible blood testing on blood donors.

This was admitted by newly appointed OIC Administrator Nenita B. Briones during her first appearance before the NPC Bohol board of directors last Thursday.

She said that what the local PNRC has is only the IMX machine which can determine whether a blood is contaminated with Hepa B while the traditional “rapid test” can detect blood with HIV, Hepa C and syphilis.

Aside from this, the local PNRC lacks the other equipment to perform other blood testing activities.
Gov. Erico B. Aumentado, chair of the PNRC board of directors presented Briones during the board meeting which discussed among others the urgency to upgrade the blood testing capacity of the local PNRC.

Aumentado will personally bring to Red Cross chairman Sen. Richard Gordon the formal request to acquire RC-4 Refrigerated Centerfuge (with four blood bag capacity), refurbished Axym Abbot â€" for serological testing of blood diseases, automated weighing scale and tube sealer.

Once these facilities will be available, the local PNRC will now able to check human immuno virus 1/2, Hepa C, Hepa B and rapid plasma reagent.

Briones told the PNRC board that a general assembly is slated to be convened on June 5.
Briones assumed as the new Red Cross administrator vice Rita Requeron.

The new PNRC Bohol administrator who hails from Duero town has been PNRC chapter administrator in Cotabato City for 17 years. She has been in the Red Cross for 33 years.

She is a recipient of several awards and recognitions, the latest of which was given by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. - by the Bohol Chronicle

Korean Ambassador Choi Joong-kyung Friday presented to Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 7 Manager Modesto Membreve the feasibility study and detailed design for the improvement of the Malinao Dam in Pilar town.

Resident representative Kim In of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) assisted the ambassador in the handover rites held at the Tarsier Room of the Bohol Beach Club in the resort island of Panglao.

The dam is the main component of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 1 (BHIP 1). The study and the detailed design seek to increase the dam height by two meters that would automatically double the reservoir capacity from five million to 10 million cubic meters.

In his welcome message, Aumentado thanked Choi, Kim who signed with the governor and then NIA Administrator Marcelino Tugaoen a year ago the records of discussion whereby Korea will donate US$1 million for the conduct of the study and detailed design, President Man-Hwan Park of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for providing the funds and Dr. Kim Yung Jin and his team from the Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water) who conducted the study.

For his part, Choi who punctuated his handover speech with sentences and phrases in Tagalog and Cebuano said the funding and preparation of the study and detailed design are gestures of support and friendship especially now that the Philippines and Korea are celebrating the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations and cooperation.

The ambassador said his country especially remembers that during the Korean war, 112 young “sundalong Filipino” or Filipino soldiers valiantly fought side by side with their counterparts and sacrificed their lives to protect the freedom and democracy of Korea.

“We were good friends before â€" and that friendship has produced this tie-up â€" a combination of Filipino potentials and Korean development expertise,” Choi said.

He added that he had been to Subic where some 15,000 Filipinos work at the shipyard of foremost Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd. - by the Bohol Chronicle

By the Bohol Chronicle

The city government is perceived to have less effort executed to combat graft and corruption.
The latest Bohol Poll showed the net performance of the city government reduced from +9 last year to â€"7 this year. This, as far as “reducing graft and corruption” is concerned.

The results of the Bohol Poll were released last Monday while the city government was riddled with allegations of corruption mounting from the P6.3 million unliquidated cash advances as shown in the 2007 audit report of the Commission on Audit (COA).

The issue hugged banner stories in the local papers as city hall leadership withheld pertinent documents regarding the unliquidated cash advances. It took the office of the vice mayor to formally request the Commission on Audit in Manila to order the release of the supporting documents.

Only recently, Kagawad Oscar Glovasa, chairman of the committee on appropriations told his colleagues in the Sangguniang Panlungsod that the cash advances, including the P3 million of the city mayor were already liquidated. The statement of Glovasa came with a cover letter signed by City Accountant Kurt Bungabong.

The claim of cash advances already liquidated generated reaction from the minority bloc of the Sangguniang Panlungsod who demanded that a certification from the Commission on Audit be attached to authenticate the claim that indeed the said cash advances were already liquidated.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Tagbilaran City treasurer Visitacion Acero filed her retirement despite administrative and criminal complaints filed against her at the Department of Finance and at the Ombudsman, respectively.
A formal turnover is slated at mid-week to the newly designated city treasurer.

City hall sources told the Chronicle that City Assessor Linda Samonte was endorsed by the city mayor to succeed Acero. However, it was not known if Samonte will be approved by the Bureau of Local Government Finance regional offices considering that she is currently the city assessor.

The same sources said that Samonte was the personal choice of the mayor.

Acero's charges on alleged tax harassment was filed by the Bohol Chronicle Radio Corp. arising from her letter which alleged that the corporation did not pay their business taxes in the year 2003.

"This malevolent act and insidious, criminal scheme of the city treasurer is blatantly false," according to the BCRC as it produced in one of its annexes the official receipt of payment of business taxes for the year 2003 issued by respondent treasurer Acero herself.

"The treasurer is guilty of deliberately disregarding the truth, in order to wage a harassment campaign against the BCRC while citing that it was a pattern established since the time when the mayor was enraged at the media institution and eventually abandoned his radio program over dyRD.

In fact, the mayor claimed propriety on the tax harassment against BCRC as published in the banner story of a local paper "Lim warpath: Chronicle taxes."

The treasurer and the city mayor are now facing formal complaint for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act RA 3019.

Due to insistent public demand, this thread has been reopened. I will be watching this thread closely.

By the Bohol Chronicle

What started as a warning to the city mayor and two city councilors against providing protection to an arrested swertres financier, has now escalated into threats of a lawsuit and administrative charges aimed against the said three city officials.

City councilor Zenaido Rama vowed yesterday to file a complaint against City Mayor Dan Lim for his public statements signifying “support” to suspected big-time swertres financier and Mansasa Barangay Captain Manolo “Taran” Blanco who was caught in a lightning raid at his residence last May 15 by operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office-7.

Likewise, Rama said he received “reliable information” that two of his lawyer-colleagues, City councilors Oscar Glovasa and Danilo Bantugan, went to the residence of Blanco during the raid “allegedly at the request of the city mayor”.

“They have no business to be there, if it is indeed true that they went to the residence of Blanco during the raid at the mayor’s bidding. [Blanco] was arrested for his alleged involvement in illegal gambling activities in the province and the presence of two city councilors during his arrest would seem they were also lending their support to him”, Rama stressed.

Mayor Lim has declared a day after Blanco’s arrest over his weekly radio program that he will “help and stand by his friend” (Blanco) and in fact provided the suspected illegal gambling financier “the best lawyer” to help him in the ensuing legal battle.

The lawyer allegedly provided by the city mayor is Atty. Darryll Amante who was responsible for the immediate release of Blanco before he can even be brought to Cebu City since the search warrant issued against him originated from Cebu City Regional Trial Court Judge Sylvia Paderanga.

According to Rama, the acts and public statements of the city mayor are “clearly in defiance” with his mandate as a public official.

Rama pointed out provisions of Republic Act 9287, the law governing illegal numbers game, which defines “protectors and coddlers” as “any person who lends or provides protection, or receives benefits in any manner in the operation of any illegal numbers game”.

The city mayor has repeatedly stressed his opinion in public that the proliferation of illegal swertres can never be eradicated for as long as the legal draws of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office are not stopped.

Rama considers the mayor’s views as “tantamount to tolerating illegal activities” which are expressly prohibited by laws.

“Providing a lawyer to an arrested swertres financier and blatantly refusing to stop the illegal numbers game based on his public statements, the city mayor is criminally liable under RA 9287,” Rama stressed.

Moreover, Rama added that administrative charges can also be filed against the mayor which may warrant his disqualification from holding public office.

Rama challenged councilors Glovasa and Bantugan to explain their actuation in going to the house of Blanco during the raid.

“I heard Kag. Bantugan say during an interview over the radio that he went there (Blanco’s residence) after he got a call from Kag. Glovasa who sought for his support,” Rama said.

“Is it true that both councilors were at the residence of the said alleged illegal gambling financier? If it is true, then I condemn such act because they are duly elected representatives of the people of Tagbilaran and they should not be a party in any way to illegal acts. Even if they are both lawyers, they should draw a line between their legal profession and their responsibility as public servants,” Rama added.

Under RA 9287, a protector or coddler of illegal gambling operators bears a penalty of imprisonment of 16 to 20 years while any local government official who, having knowledge of the existence of the operation of any illegal numbers game in his jurisdiction, fails to abate or to take action, or tolerates the same can also be penalized with perpetual disqualification from public office.

Meanwhile, Blanco, while facing charges in violation of RA 9287, continues to serve as barangay captain of Mansasa as no administrative complaints have been filed against him.

In an interview over dyRD’s Inyong Alagad, City Local Government Operations Officer Mardonio Roxas said Blanco will continue to discharge his official functions since the case against him is still in court.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Gov. Erico Aumentado offers the Bohol Cultural Center (BCC) as venue for the Miss Bohol International beauty pageant which is part of the Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) in July.

The offer of the governor came amid reports that there are certain activities of the TBTK which are in need of proper coordination between the organizing group and the local government unit.

The offer came during a meeting with organizers of this year's hosting of the TBTK here, July 14-26.
The governor met with Liklik Gallares Schroder, Rose Soy, Betty Balatero and City kagawad Mariquit Oppus at the Capitol last week.

The meeting came as activities were already finalized.

Gov. Aumentado designated Prov'l Administrator Tommy Abapo Jr, to preside a meeting on Wednesday among the event coordinators and the chairmen of the various committees.
The governor wants the preparations to take off especially that Pres. Arroyo will formally welcome the Boholano balikbayans during a courtesy call at Malacanang on July 14.

OTHER TBTK ACTIVITIES

July 16: Mrs. Bohol International Canvassing and Presentation of Candidates; July 17: International Cockfighting Derby and Mrs. Bohol International Coronation and Ball; July 18: Spiritual Enrichment, Confirmation, Pilgrimage to Old Churches, Presbyteral Silver Jubilee; July 19:
Concelebrated Holy Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, Eco-Adventure Tour to Danao;  TBTK Committee Meeting;
July 20:Youth Activities, Medical Mission, Miss Bohol International Presentation and Press Conference; School Reunions of Holy Name University (DWC) and Univesity of Bohol (RPC); July 21: Youth Activities, Medical Mission, Miss Bohol International Talent Competition; School Reunions of Bohol Provincial Hospital School of Nursing, BIT International College, Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (Bohol High School). 

July 22: Bohol Day Celebration, Concelebrated Mass and Flower Offering at President Carlos P. Garcia Monument; Youth Activities; TBTK Meeting, TBTK Elections; TBTK Gala by Boholanos in Europe; July 23  Youth Activities; Miss Bohol International Motorcade, Cultural Show (Bohol’s Talents); School Reunions of Holy Spirit School (St. Joseph), Bohol Wisdom School, Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Technology (Bohol Trade School); St. Therese School; 
July 24: Youth Activities, Miss Bohol International Competition; July 25: Tree Planting; The Outstanding Boholanos Around the World (TOBAW) Awards; July 26: Sandugo Street Dancing; Recognition Night and Induction of TBTK Officers. 

Added attraction is the First Bohol Sandugo International Film Festival on July 25-31.
Registration to TBTK events opens on July 15 at Metro Centre Hotel, Tagbilaran City.  Early registration before May 30 will be discounted.     

By the Bohol Chronicle

"There is nothing I expect to find as far as evidences of charges filed against the city mayor are concerned during the 27-day leave of the mayor which will take effect tomorrow," said Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso.

He said that while he was quite surprised by the sudden decision of Mayor Dan Lim to go on leave, he could not help but entertain some doubts that the mayor might just be up to "something tricky and I would rather not dare fathom whatever his intentions really are as that merely entails a waste of time."

In a press statement issued yesterday, Vice Mayor Veloso said it will be the courts to decide on the various charges filed against the city mayor. However, he vowed that in the spirit of transparency, he will continue to expose issues of public interest.

Veloso said that with the city mayor's management style, he expected the sensitive offices of the accountant and treasury were already "sanitized" before he left city hall last Friday.

The statement of Veloso came after the city mayor, in his letter to the vice mayor dated May 22, 2009, stated he was voluntarily subjecting himself to "public accountability".  The mayor continued by saying "I am doing this to show to the people of my commitment to transparency."

Veloso laughed off the statement of the mayor which was just trying to impress on the people that he is for transparency when in fact it was because of his lack of transparency that caused the majority bloc to hold the supporting documents particularly on the unliquidated cash advances.

"If he is for transparency, why did the mayor not rule for the majority bloc to release the supporting documents of the unliquidated cash advances," Veloso asked.  It took the Commission on Audit (COA) Manila to order city hall to release said documents.

"Is this what the mayor calls as transparent," the vice mayor asked.
Lim continued saying in his letter "you are free to look into all the records and documents to your heart's content."

"I am not the court, Mr. Mayor," Veloso said while saying the public should not be fooled on this cheap gimmickry.

What the mayor should do is answer the charges filed at the Ombudsman which includes the P6.4 million unliquidated cash advances, the disadvantageous contract of the City Square and the environmental problem, Veloso stressed.

Veloso said that as he assumes as acting mayor effective tomorrow, he will uphold the mandates of the Local Government Code particularly Article 2, Section 456 which provides that the city vice mayor shall exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the city mayor in cases of temporary vacancy. This, however excludes the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss employees which can only be exercised if the period of temporary incapacity exceeds 30 working days.

The mayor started his letter saying "in the light of the relentless barrage not only against his person but also against the office that I represent, he arrived at the decision to take a leave from May 23 to June 22, 2009.

Vice Mayor Veloso vowed that he will uphold the tenets of good governance, as he allayed fears of the mayor that "manufactured evidences" will be done during his absence.

This leave of absence is just being done to "draw public perception in his favor," the vice mayor stressed in his press statement sent to the Chronicle yesterday.

"I could hardly decipher the mayor's consistency as to his reason of sacrificing his privilege to serve his constituents for nearly a month when all his reason for this leave of absence is clearly personal. Does it mean to say that he is willing to leave behind his people for personal reasons?" the vice mayor asked.

News announcement:

Cebu Pacific launches a 3-day seat sale starting now until May 29, 2009 with fares as low as P588 for domestic and P1,388 for international flights valid for travel from July 1 to August 31, 2009. We're allocating more than 200,000 seats for this seat sale.

A one-way ‘Go Lite’ fare of P1,388 is yours to fly from Clark to Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and Bangkok; Manila to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Shanghai, Singapore, and Taipei; Cebu to Hong Kong and Singapore.

We're also offering a P2,288 one-way ‘Go Lite’ fare for our Manila to Incheon (Seoul) and Cebu to Incheon, Busan, and Jakarta services.

For domestic flights, CEB’s one-way ‘Go Lite’ fare only charges P1,388 all-in for Manila to General Santos, Davao, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, and Dipolog; Cebu to Clark and Davao to Iloilo.

All other local destinations carry a one-way fare of P588 all-in.

Domestic fares are all-inclusive; international fares are exclusive of government taxes. Promo fares are non-refundable.

‘Go Lite’ fares are for passengers traveling with no check-in baggage. Passengers with check-in bags just have to add P200 to the fare. For details, visit www.cebupacificair.com

By Sunday Post

    More than P424,800 were lost in four separate robberies pulled off in Bohol last week.
    In Tagbilaran City, an employee of a fast craft company yielded some P400,000 in cash to robbers who held him up along Gallares street about 2 pm last May 18.
    The victim was identified as one Lester Perez, 26, an accounting clerk of Weesam Express based in Tagbilaran City.
    Information gathered by police investigators disclosed that Perez was riding a tricycle on the way to deposit the cash collection to the bank when the suspects struck near the Knights of Columbus church.
    The tricycle with body no. 0405 was forced to the side by a motorcycle with three men who were armed.
    The suspects aimed their guns at Perez and declared a hold-up, forcing the victim to hand over the money.
    Investigators learned that the loot represented the firm's collection for three days.
    The suspects successfully made good their escape aboard the motorcycle.
    Earlier that day, no less than the office of Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala was reported victimized by still unidentified robbers.
    Police reports said the robbery was discovered along with the Catholic church not far from it.
    Municipal employees found the office of the mayor was broken into as well as the treasurer's office. 
    Initial inventory showed that the suspects carted off with some P2,000 from the latter including P200 that represented the collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
    A cabinet in the mayor's office also yielded P1,400. 
    Meanwhile, still unidentified robbers made off with P6,400 in cash at the Panglao church.
    Alcala expressed outrage over the two burglaries and called for the relief of the town's police force.
    The mayor said he was surprised why the policemen were unaware of the heist when the two offices are near the police station.
    As a result, Insp. John Gano was replaced as Panglao chief by Insp. Junel Caadlawon.
    Caadlawon, who already paid a courtesy call on the mayor, formally assumed office last May 20.
    Alcala however was still dissatisfied as he pressed for the relief of the other members of the Panglao police force.
    In Catigbian town, a trader was victimized also by three men last May 20 in Barangay Baang.
    The victim was identified as one Miguel Mesiona, a businessman who owns a rice mill in the said barangay.
    According to accounts, the three men riding on a blue motorcycle arrived held up the suspect about 8:30 am Wednesday.           
    The suspects did not harm the victims but made off with not less than P15,000 in cash.

The translation was lifted from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edSfVKjpwJc
The commentary below was culled from The Tree of Liberty Forum

Here are some of the new laws that they were able to get passed while the people and media were/are focussed on the flu.

1 The use of "Plain-Clothes" police "agents" in investigations or situations when merited.

2 New Wiretapping Laws for listening to phone-calls and the interception of emails.

3 Internet monitoring and surveillance and "Identification" to try and to prevent felonious-acts. It is believed this is to prevent civil-protests and marches in the face of a possible revolution that appears to be right around the corner.

And the 18 of April IMF approved a loan of 47BLN ( think I got that right..Maybe Pesos?) dollars to deal with the crisis. This means if there was foreign debt before it is now huge and the people of Mexico will pay! The news did not even mention the risk of taking such a a loan.

4 The 17th of April President Obama came to Mexico to close a deal and help train the Mexican Military and secure the Petroleum Fields and Pipelines and complete the "Northern Command".

All this could have been opposed with marches and even violence from the drug cartels but due to the curious/opportune virus it was all squelched! The people did not hit the streets and were frightened in their homes seeing news reports every 15 minutes about how to avoid the Flu and every 2 or 3 hours major news reports focusing only on the flu.

This is nothing more than state sponsored terrorism and "Shock and Awe" doctrine. Remember the "Chupacabras" the "old Lady killer" and boogie-man? These are all links of the same chain.

I just merely present the information, You are free to believe what you will.

a forwarded email

MGA PILOSOPIA SA PAG-IBIG

1. “Kung hindi mo mahal ang isang tao, wag ka nang magpakita ng motibo para mahalin ka nya…”

2. “Huwag mong bitawan ang bagay na hindi mo kayang makitang hawak ng iba.”

3. “Huwag mong hawakan kung alam mong bibitawan mo lang.” -

4. “Huwag na huwag kang hahawak kapag alam mong may hawak ka na.”

5. “Parang elevator lang yan eh, bakit mo pagsisiksikan ang sarili mo kung walang pwesto para sayo. Eh meron naman hagdan, ayaw mo lang pansinin.”

6. “Kung maghihintay ka lang nang lalandi sayo, walang magyayari sa buhay mo… dapat lumandi ka din.”

7. “Pag may mahal ka at ayaw sayo, hayaan mo. Malay mo sa mga susunod na araw ayaw mo na din sa kanya, naunahan ka lang.” -

8. “Hiwalayan na kung di ka na masaya. Walang gamot sa tanga kundi pagkukusa.”

9. “Pag hindi ka mahal ng mahal mo wag ka magreklamo. Kasi may mga tao rin na di mo mahal pero mahal ka… kaya quits lang.”

10. “Kung dalawa ang mahal mo, piliin mo yung pangalawa. Kasi hindi ka naman mgmamahal ng iba kung mahal mo talaga yung una.”

11. “Hindi porke’t madalas mong ka-chat, kausap sa telepono, kasama sa mga lakad o ka-text ng wantusawa eh may gusto sayo at magkakatuluyan kayo. Meron lang talagang mga taong sadyang Friendly, sweet, flirt, malandi, pa-fall o paasa.”

12. “Huwag magmadali sa lalaki o babae. Tatlo, lima, sampung taon, mag-iiba ang pamantayan mo at maiisip mong hindi pala tamang pumili ng kapareha dahil lang sa maganda o nakakalibog ito. Totoong mas maganda ang kalooban ng tao higit sa anuman. Sa paglipas ng panahon, maging ang mga crush ng bayan nagmumukha ding pandesal, maniwala ka.”

13. “Minsan kahit ikaw ang nakaschedule, kailangan mo pa ring maghintay, kasi hindi ikaw ang priority.”

14. “Mahirap pumapel sa buhay ng tao. Lalo na kung hindi ikaw ang yung bida sa script na pinili nya.”

15. “Alam mo ba kung gaano kalayo ang pagitan ng dalawang tao pag nagtalikuran na sila? Kailangan mong libutin ang buong mundo para lang makaharap muli ang taong tinalikuran mo.”

16. “Mas mabuting mabigo sa paggawa sa isang bagay kesa magtagumpay sa paggawa ng wala.”

17. “Hindi lahat ng kaya mong intindihin ay katotohanan, at hindi lahat ng hindi mo kayang intindihin ay kasinungalingan.”

18. “Kung nagmahal ka ng taong hindi dapat at nasaktan ka, wag mong sisihin ang puso mo. Tumitibok lang yan para mag-supply ng dugo sa katawan mo. Ngayon kung magaling ka sa anatomy at ang sisisihin mo naman ay ang hypothalamus mo na kumokontrol ng emotions mo, mali ka pa rin! Bakit? Utang na loob! Wag mong isisi sa body organ mo ang mga sama ng loob mo sa buhay. Tandaan mo: magiging masaya ka lang kung matututo kang tanggapin na hindi ang puso, utak, atay o bituka mo ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng nangyari sayo, kundi IKAW mismo!.”

19. “Ang pag-ibig parang imburnal… nakakatakot mahulog… at pag nahulog ka, it’s either by accident or talagang tanga ka…”

(from a forwarded email)

NO TIME

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.....
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
'Your name I cannot find
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time'

A forwarded email

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas,
There was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'
There was silence..

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'

But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'

Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'

But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting..' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

'We have $10, who will bid $20?'

'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'

A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'

'What about the paintings?'

'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!'

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?'

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, SO THAT WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH IN HIM (JESUS CHRIST), SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE."

Bubble Tea
Tokyo Milk Tea Place (branches in SM North Edsa and Megamall)

1.) Dining Server - 18- 28 years old, Female, has experience in any food chain
2.) Restaurant Marketing Officer - 2 years experience in the same position preferably from food industry. 18-30 years old, female, graduate of any business course, capable to conceptualize, implement and monitor marketing campaigns.

Submit resume at Bubble Tea Store (SM North Edsa/Megamall) Tel: 927-2302 or email: bubbletea.hr@gmail.com

Marketing Sales person is responsible for building new client relationship, maintaining excellent customer service, and surpassing quotas through innovative marketing and promotional programs and sales leadership in the business-to-business services industry. The person is required to have verifiable marketing and sales experience in the commercial, industrial and institutional sectors, be a self-starter, and have a professional attitude. She must have the ability to contribute to the design and implementation of the marketing and sales program for this organization.

Preferably:

Female
At least 5'3" in height
Age between 24-34
Proficiency and fluency in English
Must have existing client base in the hotel industry
Customer service experience in a hospitality sales environment (2 years)

Please email your resume to jobs@conlinsgroup.com and jobs@conlinscoffee.com

By the Bohol Chronicle

Despite the promise of revenue shares to local government units and to provide more jobs to Boholanos, the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) believes the move to allow the entry of small town lottery (STL) would only bring more trouble in the province.

Bohol Police Director SSupt. Edgardo Ingking said the entry of STL to be operated by a private company and supervised by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) would only introduce a new kind of illegal numbers game that will be patterned and based on STL results.

The statement of Ingking came few days after the biggest swertres financier in the province was arrested last Friday. Barangay Capt. Manolo Blanco of Mansasa, this city was cornered at his residence where operatives from the regional intelligence division seized the amount of P586,715 together with tally sheets and cellfones used in swertres operations.

The raid was conducted amid reports that the city PNP has not proven itself in its war against illegal gambling. In fact, there is also no apprehension of big-time financiers of swertres in the city and towns as well, aside from the Blanco raid conducted by operatives from Cebu.         

RID chief SSupt. Melvin Buenafe said the Bohol PNP asked the assistance of PRO-7. Gen Federico Terte assigned the group of Buenafe to conduct intelligence gathering until they operated last Friday.

Ingking said he already submitted a position paper expressing his opposition to the introduction of small town lotto to the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).

"I don't honestly believe STL will help eliminate the existing illegal numbers game such as 'swertres', instead this will only worsen illegal gambling," Ingking stressed.

Illegal gambling financiers and operators would only exploit the legalized STL to device an illegal version, according to Ingking.

Town mayors in the province remain divided over the issue whether to allow STL to operate in their towns. However, several mayors have already declared their support to its entry as the local government units stand to benefit from its proceeds in the form of infrastructure projects and social programs.

The world of competitive facial hair
Jack Passion, ranking "full beard" title holder of the World Beard and Moustache Championships, gets a haircut at the Clip Joynte in Walnut Creek, Calif., in preparation for the upcoming championship in Anchorage. “People are gunning for me,” he says of his rivals. - LA Times

Man - As Seen by Man
Dying to Live Series by Bob Smith

When we look at the hurting, twisted lives around us, distortions of God's beautiful design for the lives of men, we hurt for them. That is because God has given us some understanding, through our relationship with him and our own experience, of what causes pain. Because we can see that only the Lord Jesus can save them from destroying themselves, we long to impart his redemptive, healing word to their hurting hearts. But in doing so, we wonder what place psychology should have in our thinking and in our approach to men's problems. And it seems to me that men, in attempting to alleviate men's problems and hurts apart from God, have made one futile attempt after another to break through to the central causes of human problems. The result is that secular approaches usually end up merely rearranging symptoms, for the world has no truly remedial answers.

A Christian friend of mine, after getting his Master's degree in psychology, sat in my office one day and said, "Well, I sure learned one thing. Now I see how bankrupt psychology is." And he proceeded to tell me about all the problems it couldn't handle. As far as he could see, the only valid uses for psychology were to help the counselor understand human behavior, especially neurotic behavior, and to teach parents how to raise their children. These insights are not insignificant, but understanding the problem doesn't necessarily remedy it.

At this point I would like to make eminently clear that I am not against psychology. I am for anything that can truly help people be free from their hurts and hang-ups. The Lord knows, and so do I from what I see, that this poor, bleeding race needs all the help it can get. So I'm happy to acknowledge those areas where psychology can really help. But on the other hand, neither do I want to place any unfounded confidence in the practice of psychology. I am not a psychologist, nor can I claim to be any kind of armchair expert on the subject. But in my office I have sat across from too many people, emerging from a psychological or psychiatric counseling experience, who have been badly bruised in the process. They are often more confused than enlightened more burdened with guilt than free, and far more desperate for peace than they were before they sought help.

As I indicated earlier, many psychologists have been evaluating results and reevaluating the validity of their approaches and methods. In my reading I have come across several psychiatrists who have a genuine honesty and humanitarian desire to help people. And in some cases this desire has caused them to revise or reject some of their traditional approaches and to be openly critical of their own field. So if they can take a position of critical analysis without being considered harsh and judgmental, I think we Christians should be allowed the same position, even though we are admittedly biased in favor of redemptive Christian truth. We need to keep the value of psychological approaches while recognizing their limitations, and the greatest limitation psychology has is its lack of truly remedial answers; for the most part it gives no credence to biblical truth about the fall of man, the flesh, and the reality of satanic forces, to say nothing of the redemptive value of life in Christ.

Value--And Limitations

I think secular psychiatrists are of all men most to be pitied.

They get all the pain and problems laid on them, but they don't know what to do about them or where to take them. That must be utter frustration. So we are not being condemning, just factual, as we try to analyze where real help lies. We need to recognize that there is limited value in psychology and that value lies basically in helping us to understand ourselves Psychologists have studied human nature and have tried to understand why we behave the way we behave, or misbehave the way we misbehave, whichever it is. So we need to use whatever advantage that offers. But we need to recognize that usually they don't know what to do with us after they find out what's wrong. Many times the best they can do (being just factual and honest) is to say, "Well, you poor guy, I feel sorry for you. Go home and try to learn to live with yourself. I don't envy you the process. But go ahead--have fun, if you can." We need to recognize value as well as limitations and then remember that we who know Christ are not stuck with the limitations of psychology.

Let's look briefly at a few of the major schools of thought in the fields of psychological counseling. Our idea here is not primarily to put these disciplines down but simply to be able to retain what is truly valuable and discard what is not genuinely therapeutic. We need to recognize a false basis for counseling when we see it and to see how we have all been influenced to some degree by these philosophies. We want to be able to discard any false approaches and seek, instead, a proper basis of counseling.

Here is a layman's view of some of the psychological approaches--probably oversimplified but with the results amply verified by my own observations.

Freud's Approach

Freud seems to have led us to the conclusion that we can excuse any aberration in our behavior by blaming others: our parents, a repressive religious background, and/or other early influences. Psychoanalysis is the proffered answer, which may go on for years but which never seems to accomplish more than a holding action. Often the recommendation is release of repression which only increases the problem.

I remember clearly one situation in which a man having marital difficulties had been advised by his psychiatrist to have an affair with another woman. I had to try to help him at the end of the line, to be free from the load of guilt acquired by his adulterous action. Here, at least, Freudian psychology compounded the problem, rather than solving it. So it appears that looking back into the past and seeking escape from its conditioning influences--Freud's way--is a dead-end street; the result is permissiveness, the backdrop of our permissive society. This approach leads to denial of personal responsibility or ability to change to better conduct. This is not God's way.

Men or Mice?

B. F. Skinner offers another way: that of conditioning man's behavior by training his responses through punishment and reward. His view of man is apparently that he is nothing more than an educated animal who can be manipulated, bred, and controlled by other men. Behavior modification is demonstrable with mice and rats, no doubt, but are we mice or men? Who is to regulate the behavior of the men who regulate other men's behavior? And according to whose standards of behavior?

Non--Directed Counseling

Then there's Carl Rogers' approach, the verbal-mirror method' in which the counselor simply reflects back the Counselee's statements without affirming or denying them, Admittedly, there is some help rendered by simply listening to the counselee's tale of woe, but unless some constructive direction is offered, the value of such counseling is nonexistent or at best short-lived. Rogers' approach assumes that man has within himself all the resources he needs to solve his problems; he only needs a verbal mirror to help him see himself. No outside help from God and his Word are needed. The futility of this approach is patently obvious in light of the Christian view of man.

A Grain of Truth

We can see the fallacy in each of these philosophies because we understand something of the truth of God. But we need to recognize that in some ways Freud is right--our past can condition us so that we express the hurt that it inflicts. So he has a point--up to a point. But in Christ we are not stuck with our past history. When Christ comes in, he comes to redeem the life, to make all things new. So if I revert back to "I am emotionally disturbed because my father was a bum," I'm not counting on Christian truth. You recall God's Word in 2 Corinthians: "...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God..." (2 Cor. 5:17-18a, KJV). Sometimes we stop too soon in this verse. There is a conjunction after "all things have become new." It adds "and all things are of God." Why are all things new? Because God is in the picture now. Since I have Christ, he is the mediator in my life. Now that I have been reconciled to God through Christ, I have a new source of strength from which to operate. So now I don't have to be stuck with my past history.

This truth is very important to me personally. I come from a broken home. My dad was an alcoholic, was unfaithful to my mother, and deserted his family when I was in my teens. Now, that could mark me for life either one way or the other, couldn't it? Well, it did mark me for life; I learned some very valuable lessons from my dad. Unfortunately, they were all negatives, but I still learned from them how not to go. Difficult or ugly things in our past can affect us either way. We can be conditioned either negatively or positively, depending on how we react. I learned how not to live from my dad. I got some pointed moral lessons from seeing the devastation his conduct produced in our home, and I wasn't even a Christian at that time. Even in the non-Christian world we don't have to be stuck with the negative effects our circumstances bring us, but as Christians, this is all the more true! Christ, living and reigning in us, makes all things new! We have a clear basis for rejecting much of the Freudian system on the simple Christian premise of ~ Corinthians 5:17.

Now, let's take a look at Skinner's approach: Skinner is also right up to a point. Man will respond to the stimuli of punishment and reward, and a lot of people operate on that basis. There is even teaching on punishment and rewards in the Scriptures, isn't there? But these aren't the only stimuli that God uses--not even the main ones. Man is much more than an animal; he is made in the image of God! And this, by the grace of God and the power of the life of Christ in us, is much deeper motivation than Skinner could ever employ with rats in a maze. We aren't just rats in a maze; we are men! So, though Skinner has a certain basic premise that is right, we have to reject his approach, too, because he, like Freud, doesn't have the whole picture together.

As for Carl Rogers, he is right, as far as he goes. He emphasizes that bombarding a person with well-meaning advice violates his personality by preempting his power of choice. And that has certainly been done many times. Giving advice is like applying Band-Aids to cancer, and it is to be avoided by all means because it ends up merely treating symptoms. But Mr. Rogers fails to recognize that an authoritative Word from God isn't just well-meaning advice. The Bible gives us life-and-death instruction on the way God designed the world to operate, particularly the way he has designed man to function. In that inspired Word, God teaches that even he, sovereign God that he is, will not violate our power of choice. So we have to observe that same rule in counseling and refrain from telling people what to do. God lets us choose, but he also warns us that we will inherit the results of our choices. This is the approach we must take in a counseling ministry. Though we can learn from Carl Rogers, as well as from Freud and Skinner, we also see that God has something to offer that the non-directed approach leaves out: the application of redemptive truth.

The Greeks Had a Word for It

Hamartia, however, is not the only word used for sin in the New Testament. Several other words each give a different dimension to the concept of sin. Here are some of them:

Ase'beia: "Godlessness"--living and acting as though God didn't exist, or if he does, we owe him nothing. Ruling God out, refusing to give to God the thanks and worship due him. Romans 1:18 illustrates: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness [asebeia] and wickedness of men who . . . suppress the truth."

Parakoe: "Disobedience" resulting from a refusal to listen--being inattentive to what God has to say. Romans 5:19 illustrates: "For as by one man's disobedience [parakoe] many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous." (Also compare Heb. 2 1-3.)

Paraptoma: "A blunder," or deviation from the right, failure to act in accord with the standard. Galatians 6:1 illustrates: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass [paraptoma], you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness."

Parabasis: "Transgression," conscious crossing of a divinely appointed boundary, trespassing into areas clearly proscribed. Romans 2:23 illustrates: "You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking (parabasis] the law?"

Anomia: "Lawlessness," deliberate disregard of God's laws by acting contrary to them in a spirit of rebellion. 1 John 3:4 illustrates: "Every one who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness [anomia]; sin is lawlessness" (i.e. hamartia is anomia).

Hettema: "Defeat," failure to appropriate available resources, thereby accepting failure as inevitable. 1 Corinthians 6:7 illustrates: "To have lawsuits at all with one another is defeat [hettema] for you...Hebrews 9:7 illustrates: "..taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors [agnoema] of the people."

Agnoema: "To err through ignorance," not necessarily willfully but through thoughtless heedlessness.

Apistia: "Unbelief," challenging the truthfulness of God and failing to act on his trustworthiness 1 Timothy 1:13 illustrates: "...I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief [apistia]...

Though this by no means exhausts the list of terms in the New Testament which describe and define sin, we can begin to see not only what sin is and does but how it relates to God.

The Savior's Word

Before we leave this study of sin, we must hear directly from the Lord Jesus himself. Since he is the Savior from sin his should be the final word on the subject. In his earthly life and ministry as recorded in the Gospels, our Lord, while not directly unfolding a doctrinal treatment of sin, nevertheless revealed (1) its nature and reality and (2) his consciousness of being victor over it.

In the Gospel of Luke our Lord illustrates the nature of sin in the story of the Prodigal Son:

    And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, "How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare but I perish here with hunger!" (Luke 15:14-17).

By this story Jesus shows us what sin is: going out from the Father's house and living a life remote from God, with everything that means in terms of loss, poverty, and uncleanness. But Jesus declares his victory over sin in these words spoken to a paralyzed man: "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven" (Matt. 9:2); and he also says, "For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?" (Matt. 9:5).

Jesus is fully aware of the alienating power of sin, but at the same time, he is wholly conscious of the overcoming grace and forgiveness of a loving heavenly Father whom he represents in his earthly mission of redemption. This redemptive 'mission is clearly reflected in the announcement of the angel to Joseph about the coming One: "...and you shall call his name Jesus [Lord God/Savior], for he will save his people in their sins" (Matt. 1:21).

Who Else Can "Fix Sin"?

A simple and beautiful example of the Lord's ability to handle the sin problem is the following story of a young man who clearly understood about sin and the Savior. A basic test of the worth of a religion is what it teaches that God has done to "fix sin," according to Jim Mexican, a twenty-year-old Navajo Indian. Jim used the question about "fixing sin" to defeat representatives of a false religion. The story comes to us from Gordon Fraser, director of Southwestern School of Missions at Flagstaff, Arizona:

    Jim Mexican came to us a year ago as a new believer. He is a Navajo, 6' 1" tall, twenty years old. He attended a government school for five years but admits: "I fool around all time-- not learn enough English." He started studying his Bible avidly, and we could hear him downstairs at 5 A.M. sounding out his words.

    A few months after he came to us, he walked into the office and said, "Want to go to reservation--see my auntie--These fellows go two by two always bodder her--want to chase them off."

    We felt that Jim would be no match for these carefully trained cultists, but we finally yielded to his insistence and let him go for the weekend. We prayed and worried some, but Jim was back on Monday wearing a wide grin.

    "How did you make out, Jim?" I asked.

    "O.K. I guess. They went away and left my auntie alone. I don't think they come back."

    "But what did you tell them?"

    "I ask them one question."

    "What was that? Usually you have to argue a long time be fore they leave."

    "I ask them, 'How you fellows fix sin?'"

    "That would be a rather difficult question for them to answer. What did they say?"

    "They say, 'Start out right, live clean life, obey the law of the gospel, just stop sinning, and you be all right.' I tell them' 'Too late, I already a bad sinner. Get in jail five times in six months. How you fellows fix sin like that?'"

    "What did they say to that?"

    They jump in pick-up truck and slam door. They say crazy Indian, don't know nothing. "They go away mad. I just laugh at them."

With renewed perspective on sin and its devastation it seems to me our response should be "Hallelujah what a Savior"--and a life of grateful cooperation with the saving work of Jesus Christ in us and through us. "For if while we enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." (Rom 5:10)

The Psychology of Sin
By Bob Smith

Understanding the concept of sin is basic to our understanding of ourselves, our insight into the problems that surround us in the world today, and most important of all, our knowledge of God. Through such understanding we are enabled to grasp the reason behind man's basic insecurity with its accompaniment on one hand of overwhelming feelings of inferiority or, on the other hand, the bluff and bluster of man's colossal conceit--the cover-up for insecurity.

As we understand sin, we also begin to understand man's insatiable quest for knowledge, originally God-given, which has become a misguided attempt on man's part to prove his own fancied self-sufficiency. "You will be as God" was the promise, the lying insinuation of Satan. Yet we are not independently self-sufficient as God is. God is still waiting patiently in the wings, still sovereign, still the author of life, still the great supplier of all our needs, still longing for us to come to our senses and acknowledge our utter dependence on him. In spite of all attempts to bolster our coming of knowledge, we still seem to ego through the know inherently that we have made a moral overdraft on our account, with insufficient funds to cover the debt--and that no amount of mere knowledge or intellect will supply the deficit. Man's ever learning and yet never coming to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. We know so much but understand so little. Yet we find it so hard to admit our spiritual poverty.

Old Testament Concepts

First let's consider the Old Testament words referring to sin. One of the Hebrew words for sin that is most frequently used is chatah, which means "to miss the right point" and describes those who have lost their way--who even with the best of intentions are still off the track. Another word, shalah, means "to err," that is, doing that which is not done--that which is unacceptable conduct. Two other words have the sense "to rebel"--the Hebrew pasha and marad.

Right away we can see that the Old Testament idea of sin recognizes a standard of acceptable behavior (specified by God) from which men depart. It's an easy step from there to an attitude of rebellion which brings with it a sense of guilt. Feelings of guilt are caused by departure from God's norm, attended by a sense of opposition to God, who has authority to call us to account.

In addition there is also the idea of acting in some degree of ignorance, implying a clouded mind incapable of assessing the consequences of unacceptable actions. Beyond this, the Hebrew concept of sin also includes the idea of uncleanness: Sin makes men polluted and unfit for fellowship with God, who is spotlessly holy.

   So in the Old Testament concept of sin * we have these ideas:

   Sin is missing the right point.

   Sin is unacceptable conduct.

   Sin is rebellion against authority.

   Sin contains an element of ignorance.

   Sin makes unclean.

       * Much helpful material for this chapter has been gleaned from Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. G. Kittel and G. Friedrich, 8 vols. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1964-72).

Dying to Live

The net result for man is an uneasy sense of guilt and frustration--a sense of alienation from God and fear of facing him in life or in death. It's easy to see that these factors describe the common state of mankind, reflected by the unrest of his heart in the presence of God and the sense of frustration and futility which is our common lot.

It is not much of a step from this sense of futility to the current phenomenon of flagrant deviation from required norms and the ultimate repudiation of every norm--the swamp of moral relativism in which much of the world lives today. Our understanding of sin should give us insight into the current trends of thought and life if we are to supply genuine answers to the real needs of real people.

The Rock of Truth

In the midst of the confusion brought about by relativism, the revealed truth of the Bible tells of a God who sovereignly reigns, and against whose authority man only breaks himself. It is no wonder, then, that the Bible makes a valiant effort to show man the folly of missing the right point, whether in rebellion or in ignorance. No wonder it reveals the antidote to sin and guilt with pleading power and shows us how to be free from that feeling of dread which makes us want to flee from the greatness of God and our ultimate accountability to him.

But the sense of sin and guilt also has its useful side. Guilt is to the soul of man much like pain is to the body. It can be used by God to show us that we have violated not just human standards of conduct, the mores of man's making, but rather we have violated God's norms. The relative weight of sins in man's view is not the question--instead, we are "missing out" through life s frustrations because we have missed the point of God's plan. The true sense of sin and real guilt are God-given to lead us back to a right relationship with him. Thus the question is not how we missed the point, whether guilt is incurred through a mistake or in conscious rebellion. The result is still the same: guilty feelings and a sense of uncleanness, which must somehow be removed. In sinning there is always an element either of bad judgment or of outright rebellion which must be dealt with by God.

For example, at the beginning of the race, Eve was deceived and sinned while Adam sinned willfully: "...and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor" (1 Tim. 2:14). Note that Eve is called a transgressor even though she was deceived. To set aside guilt, from whatever cause, requires the same atoning sacrifice even though outright rebellion may make us more culpable, for guilt is the debt incurred by acts of sin and somehow the debt must be paid off.

The Truth about Consequences

In the Scriptures the original pair is a picture preview of us all. We can all be trusted to act and react the same way they did. The consequences of sin are being lived out in our own experience in the same way as in the experience of the original pair. Looking from their experience to our own, we can discover these consequences:

   An attempt to "cover up."
   A tendency to shift any blame off ourselves.
   A sense of guilt and unacceptability.
   A desire to escape the consequences of our wrong acts.
   A drive for knowledge to bolster our ego.
   Attempts to pit our vaunted intellect against the knowledge
   Operating from our own mind set and/or sensual drives.
   Minds beset with the cold power of doubt, with its attendant insecurity.
   Rejecting of any idea of uncritical obedience to revealed truth about God.
   Flaunting of God's sovereign authority.
   Being stuck with our own stupidity

   Falling heir to all the frustration and futility of life without God, which is in reality the "walking death" inherited from Adam.

   Living in a world of illusion.

       Finding all the wrong answers to the right questions because we fail to see that, "...the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6), and "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (Prov. 9:10)

   By believing the lie, we become slaves of the one we obey--dupes subject to Satanic power and influence.

   Finally, we become God's critics.

Writing about the Genesis account of the entrance of sin into the race, Gottfried Tuell declares:

   The narrator [of Genesis] consciously emphasizes the demonic nature of the thought which derives from doubt, which strives fanatically for knowledge and which for the sake of it tears down everything that would hamper it. He gives us to understand that a kind of alien power comes over the man who sins, which he must obey against his better judgment because it convinces him by its assured manner and its correspondence with his own feeling.

   Because man seeks to be wise irrespective of God's authority, because he seeks to penetrate behind the thoughts of God and to anticipate them, because he not only wills to do this but is able to do so within certain limits, a sphere of mistrust is opened up in which it is possible and tempting for man to renounce the attitude appropriate to him as a creature, to regard the creator with criticism and to think and act as himself God, unhampered, and responsible only to himself. *

       * In Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, 8 vols., ed. G. Kittel and G. Friedrich (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1964-72). Used by permission.

Tracking Down the Greek

Our understanding of the psychology of sin can be further enhanced by examining the unfolding pattern in the history of Greek thought, leading up to the ultimate usage of the Greek words for sin in the New Testament. The most commonly-used word for sin in the Greek New Testament is hamartia and its related forms, used some 217 times. The use of this one word, traced through the golden age of the Greek philosophers, is like a floodlight on the patterns of worldly thought, not only in ancient Greece but in today's thinking as well.

Aristotle defines hamartia as, "A missing of virtue, the desired goal, whether out of weakness, accident or defective knowledge." His definition involved no concept of guilt. Not until this word was used in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament was it invested with the idea of being an offense against God. In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, the revelation of God was added to man's wisdom as expressed through the Greek philosophers.

The biblical view of sin is not found in classical Greek, for in Greek thought there was no sense of man expressing enmity against God in his refusal to yield to God's authority and do his will. Hamartia, in its classical Greek usage, covers everything from crime to harmless faults. It includes:

   Artistic and intellectual defects.

   Technical and hygienic failures.

   Errors of judgment on the part of legislators.

   Political blunders.

   And finally, ethical failures mistakenly performed in good faith, but done through non-culpable ignorance.

In Aristotle's definition, virtue was not an absolute, but it was the mean between two extremes. Any deviation from that mean, to either extreme, was considered hamartia.

Hamartia, then, was doing that which is not intellectually or technically correct in accordance with the Greek mores. There were no moral implications connected with hamartia, since a man deviating from the mean was simply acting out of the inescapable ignorance to which he was bound. No real sense of guilt was inferred. In this view all guilt was derived from ignorance, but since ignorance is a limitation of human existence imposed by fate, man deserves no blame.

The Tragedy of Greek Tragedy

The meaning of the Greek tragedy is anchored in this concept: Human guilt follows from the limitation of human knowledge--not as personal, moral guilt, but as guilt given with existence itself. Man acts in ignorance, with unforeseeable consequences for which he is not responsible. All he can do is accept the consequences of his ignorant error. The result: tragedy, with no remedy.

Socrates based his work of instruction on the principle that ignorance is the root of all evil. It follows that for the Greek philosopher right understanding will lead to right action; the man who really understands and knows, acts rightly. And, of course, behind this assumption stands the belief that man is basically good.

In all this we see the background of more modern thought: The view that wrong actions of men stem from ignorance which can be removed by education, thus avoiding any thought of personal responsibility or guilt. Solon, another Greek philosopher, put it this way: "According to the immanent laws of developing reality, according to the law of time, the bad withers and the good flourishes and establishes itself." Or, putting it all together: It's inevitable that things will get better and better, education will produce right behavior, and man (being basically good) only needs to learn and he will behave.

The factor obviously lacking in this philosophy, from the Christian view, is the will of fallen man by which he expresses his defiance of God and His Word.

Sin in the New Testament

Hamartia achieves a moral and spiritual meaning in the New Testament by a dual process in which (1) words first employed about the natural and physical realm of life are eventually transferred into usage encompassing the moral and spiritual realm, and (2) God takes these words and invests them with still deeper meaning as they are employed by him in the biblical revelation of truth.

We can discover some of this added meaning by examining both the derivation and development of the words themselves and then by viewing their usage in the context of the New Testament. Before we do this, though, we want first to look at the etymology of hamartia. In Trench's Synonyms of the New Testament, we discover that the derivation of this word is a bit obscure and uncertain, yet there are certain intriguing possibilities. The first of these is the conjecture that hamartia may derive from marpto, "to grasp." If marpto is coupled with the letter alpha, the sense is negated, and we have hamartia, or "a failing to grasp." Another possibility is that it may stem from meros, meaning "part" or "share," from which a negative verb was formed meaning "to be without one's share, to miss out."

While these possible derivations are interesting, the more certain meaning is derived from an observation of the use and scope of the word in Greek writings, especially in the New Testament Trench summarizes his own understanding of hamartia by the statement: "Only this much is plain, that when sin is contemplated as hamartia it is regarded as a failing and missing the true end and scope of our lives, which is God." Thus hamartia signifies "missing the mark," being the exact opposite of the Greek word for "hitting the mark, to attain, to achieve." Trench adds that in secular Greek this word is used of a poet who selects a subject which is impossible to treat poetically or who seeks to attain results which lie beyond the limits of his art (Aristotle, Poet, 8 and 25).

It appears obvious that if sin truly involves missing the point of our life and existence, then an understanding of sin should drastically alter our whole approach to life, particularly our attitude toward God, for no one really wants to miss out on anything good, especially when it involves missing the whole point of one's life and reason for being.

As we look now at New Testament usage, with this definitive research data in our minds, the light of clearer understanding should break through regarding the deep significance of "sin" as revealed in God's Word. The starting point in this part of our investigation is Romans 3:23: "...since all have sinned [hamartanein] and fall short of the glory of God." The addition of the words, "fall short of the glory of God," is helpful confirmation of the sense of "missing the mark" implicit in hamartia. Add to this our Lord's words in John 8:24: "...for you will die in your sins [hamartia] unless you believe that I am he." Here we have the fatal consequences of sin declared and the remedy offered--in the Son sent from the Father to redeem man.

To summarize the far-reaching effects of sin implied or pointed out in the uses of hamartia in the New Testament the following charts may be helpful.

In this charted form, we have summarized over sixty of the more than 200 occurrences of hamartia in the New Testament. It's remarkable to see what a clear overview it gives us to list the occurrences of this word under these headings. If you were to review the remaining references to hamartia, using Greek Concordance, you would undoubtedly learn even more about God's view of sin and its effects in our lives.

In the Beginning
By Bob Smith

Sin is a vastly misunderstood subject. If we should ask a hundred people at random what sin is and what it does, we would get a hodgepodge of answers. Most of the answers would probably revolve around the idea that sin describes everything I like to do, and everything I like to do turns out to be illegal, immoral, or fattening. Many have the idea God is "that old killjoy" who makes me feel guilty any time I'm having fun. Nothing could be further from the truth. God loves us and hates sin because it hurts us.

Who Started It?

To gain initial perspective on the problems sin has imposed on the race, we need to see how it all began and where it led. Wouldn't it be interesting to hear from the original problem pair on the subject? Their explanation of the matter might be something like this:

I AM EVE

(A short, short story with a long ending.)

"I am Eve. And I'd like to explain what happened .

"We were really very happy, Adam and I. He was a wonderful man--my man, with a grace and glow about him that called forth the love and devotion of my heart. And Eden was something else! Everything anyone could want, we thought, including God himself, who filled our lives with his presence and gave us everything we needed to make life full and happy.

"But then something happened...

"One of God's most beautiful creatures (I found later it was a disguise; he is really very ugly) came to me with a suggestion. He said, 'Is it true that God told you not to eat from every tree in the garden?'

"You know, until he brought it up I never thought much about it, but now I saw that God was really holding out on us! There was this one tree in the middle of the garden from which God had said we were not to eat.

"So I replied, 'You're right, there's that one tree whose fruit God told us not to eat, or even to touch. He said we would die if we ate it.'

"'But you won't die,' he said. 'God knows when you eat it you'll learn something and you'll be like God.'

"Now that made sense. I'd already noticed that the fruit looked good to eat. It was beautiful to see. I could almost taste it. Such luscious beauty was bound to taste great. And besides, didn't God want us to discover and explore the garden? After all, it was our domain!

"So I tasted it! I even shared it with my husband; I shared everything with him because God had made us one.

"But then I had some second thoughts because suddenly I felt insecure and naked. And Adam had somehow faded. He had lost that glow of manhood I loved so much.

"So we went and hid--and I learned to sew fig leaves.

"We learned something all right--at least the shining beast spoke the truth about that. But what we learned we could have done without! That beautiful, deceitful creature did us no favor. Before, we were perfectly at ease with each other and with God. We had nothing to feel ashamed about,

In the Beginning no insecurity. Now we were haunted with that vague uneasiness we both hate.

"But why should we be uncomfortable before God? He's the one who loved us and made the garden so great for us to live in!

"Want to know how I got out of line?

"Well, I hate to admit it, but I'm an emotional creature, and I just indulged in a bit of emotional rationalization. I knew God had said, 'Don't eat of that fruit,' but I let my own senses convince me that I knew better than God, and of course, I had some help from that lying, insinuating beast!

"Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being emotional. After all, God made me that way. But to make judgments against what God says is more than a simple emotional hang-up--it's spiritual suicide.

"And you know what? I never once checked with Adam. I just assumed he would do what I wanted and caught him in the same web of deceit.

"What have I learned?

"Well, first, God wasn't fooling--we died! He means what he says and has the sovereign right to make it stick. And I guess, since he made us, he has a right to make the rules.

"Oh, in case you wondered, we didn't die physically that day, but we sure found out we were uncomfortable about God, both emotionally and spiritually. We sensed our separation from him. We died that way. We began to feel out of step, frustrated, and exposed. More than that, we began to inherit aches and pains in bodies that were now exposed to all sorts of ills. We knew evil all right--in bodies that began to die, and in souls and spirits that were dead, cut off from the life of God!

"What else did I learn? We became the slaves of the one we obeyed--that lying beast! And we were sent out of that perfect place, our home, to taste the futility of messed-up lives in a mixed-up world.

"I was fooled. And what a fool I was!"

I AM ADAM...

"I am Adam, and I'd like to add a word here.

"It wasn't really Eve's fault. Eve was fooled, but I wasn't. I just stood there and let her get taken. Why did I do it? I was just plain willful! God had explained about the tree, but I just flat-out rebelled! And talk about a fool--I knew the score and still fell for that lying insinuation, because I wanted to.

"It wasn't enough to have 'all this and heaven, too.' I had to defy authority. So I'm the one to blame for the fix we're in. You can lay it on me for all the blood, sweat, and tears. I messed it up. I introduced all the evil--the hatred and inequity and pollution--the nature of sin in the race. Before, we only knew good and knew nothing of evil. Now we've got the whole bag, and who needs it?

"By the way, in case you think it's big of me to admit it; it wasn't always that way. When God first asked me about it, I blamed him! I said, 'This woman you gave me, gave me the fruit.' And Eve said, 'The beast beguiled me.' This was the original buck-passing act.

"I'm telling you this so you can be more of a man than I was. At least, don't blame your wife. And don't blame God!

"Can you imagine? God came looking for me! I clearly remember him saying, 'Where are you, Adam?'

"Not that he didn't know where I was, but he wanted me to find out where I was--with him.

"Know what I found?

"He still loved me!"

But God, Who Is Great in Mercy

God showed his love to Adam and Eve, even while he was declaring what the consequences of their sin would be. (Sin always has consequences, as we will see in some detail in the next chapter.) God gave them hope, as they cowered ashamedly before him, telling them of the "seed of the woman," who would bruise the serpent's head. He was referring to the coming Savior who would defeat the adversary, Satan.

When God had finished questioning the guilty pair (not accusing them), he made garments for them out of skins to replace their self-made coverings. The skin clothing provided by God pictures the righteousness God supplies through the shedding of blood, given to take the place of man's self righteous attempts at cover-up.

The Long Ending

The rest of the story is the subject of the whole biblical record and is summarized in passages like this one from Romans 8:

This, then, is what has happened. Sin made its entry into the world through one man, and through sin, death. The entail of sin and death passed on to the whole human race, and no one could break it for no one was himself free from sin....

Adam, the first man, corresponds in some degree to the man who was to come. But the gift of God through Christ is a very different matter from the "account rendered" through the sin of Adam. For while as a result of one man's sin death by natural consequence became the common lot of men, it was by the generosity of God, the free giving of the grace of the one man Jesus Christ, that the love of God overflowed for the benefit of all men...

For if one man's offense meant that men should be slaves to death all their lives, it is a far greater thing that through another man, Jesus Christ, men by their acceptance of his more than sufficient grace and righteousness should live all their lives like kings!

We see, then, that as one act of sin exposed the whole race of men to God's judgment and condemnation, so one act of perfect righteousness presents all men freely acquitted in the sight of God. (Commentary on man's fall from Romans 5:12-19 by the Apostle Paul, Phillips New Testament.)

This description of the antidote to sin's problems provided in Jesus Christ, when added to the verses just before these in Romans 5, tells the wonderful story of God's remedy for sin's devastation in the redemptive grace of the Lord Jesus:

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.

While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man-- though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life (Romans 5:1-2, 6-10).

We are reconciled (restored to harmony again) to God by Christ's death--and saved (rescued from present and future futility) by his resurrection life! That's what God has done about sin! We are restored in our relationship to God as we receive Christ and the value of his death and rehabilitated as we keep drawing by faith on his indwelling life! This is a program secular counselors cannot offer, for they neither understand it nor believe it. Only a Christian counselor can offer these redemptive values to a world in trouble.

Preview of the Process
By Bob Smith

Perhaps you have sensed the possibility that you may have already been involved in a sort of counseling ministry without being aware of it. You probably don't think of yourself as a counselor, and yet there may have been times in your life as a Christian when someone has talked about his problems or struggles with you, and you perhaps thought of a verse of Scripture that could throw some light on the situation. Or maybe you simply listened and empathized with him, feeling helpless but wanting to help. Perhaps all you could do was to encourage the person in his faith, reassuring him that God is to be trusted. If you've been in this sort of situation, you have the idea. The desire to counsel is there, within you, but you may not know how to go about it. Before we go any farther, I'd like to whet your appetite with a simple outline of the process of effective counseling.

First, let's observe that there are at least two types of counseling we may encounter as Christians:

    1) The informal kind, growing out of an established, ongoing relationship.

    2) The more formalized situation where we are counseling someone whom we may not know at all but who has come to us for help.

Many of this second type grow out of our teaching or leadership ministries, such as teaching a Bible class or acting as discussion leader or advisor to any of the various groups in

A Simple Procedure

We need to approach a counseling ministry with some basic principles in mind. Here are my suggestions:

    1) Listen--with compassion. Help them be at ease. Identify with them.

    2) Ask God for wisdom to discern the real problem.

    3) Highlight the net results of the alternative courses of action on a factual, non-judgmental basis.

    4) Apply Christ's "Formula for Freedom" (John 8:31-32).

    5) Help them discover the Lord's alternative to failure.

    6) Don't tell them what to do; leave the decision squarely on them as to which way they choose.

    7) Remind them they will live with the results.

    Pray with them and for them.

First--Listen!

The counselor's first assignment is to be a good listener. This means that the first twenty to forty minutes of an interview will usually be listening--with an occasional leading question or a gentle nudge to get them back on the main track. We must consider our counselee the most important person in our program for the time we are together. No preoccupation factors are permissible! How do you like pouring your heart out to someone who isn't paying attention?

With Compassion

If you are mentally or emotionally "out to lunch," you are absolutely no good to your counselee! Compassion is "feeling with," and unless they sense our empathy, they might as well talk to a brick wall. That doesn't mean we are to say, "Oh, you poor thing! You've really been wronged." Sympathy of this kind is probably the last thing they need. They just need to know we care.

Help Them Be at Ease

It's very hard to unload our innermost feelings and problems to anyone, especially to one we may have never seen before. Our counselee doesn't know if this character in front of him is going to scold him, scathe him, or scald him. He usually has a well-developed guilt syndrome--so he fears the worst. What he really hopes for is to be loved and understood, at least--maybe even helped!

So, when our counselee first enters the scene, we should seek a way to help him relax. Usually he will say, "I don't know where to start." So we can take the pressure off by saying something like, "Well then, why don't you let me start? I'd like to tell you about me: I'm just here to help; I don't have any magical powers; I'm no psychologist; I'm just God's man (or God's woman); and if I can, I want to help you find out what he can do for you. And I've found out he can do plenty! He's the One to whom I look for help. Now, why don't you start by trying to state the problem, as you see it, in one sentence?"

Or perhaps you see them sitting on the edge of their chair and say, "You look all tensed up. Won't you sit back and relax?" Or you might offer them a cup of coffee, or compliment them on their clothes, or hair style, or whatever good feature you observe.

Identify with Them

Somehow, and as early as possible in the interview, you must let them know you share the same frail. fallible humanity. This is not hard if you look for an opportunity, because you do share a common, fractured human nature. Let them know it!

Ask God for Wisdom

As you listen--pray. For apart from your discernment of their real problem (which may or may not be the one they state) there is no way you can help. We don't want to end up just treating symptoms; we'd like to see God use us to cure the disease! Our genuine dependence on the Wonderful Counselor at this point is crucial.

Highlight Results of Alternative Courses

An objective appraisal of the results of their present course and a projected look at the changes the Lord's way would make can comprise a rather attractive package. This assumes you can present this on a totally redemptive, non-condemning basis. Counselees don't need or want a scolding. But they will usually welcome a constructive proposal which holds the promise of better days ahead.

Christ's Formula for Freedom

How simply and concisely our Lord put it: "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:31-32). In 20th-century American language the Lord Jesus is giving us four simple points:

    1) "Just keep doing what I'm telling you."

    2) "Then you'll be learning what it's all about" (a disciple is a "learner").

    3) "You will know the truth." (You won't be just drifting in a swamp of opinion, but you'll be anchored to reality.)

    4) "The truth will set you free."

And freedom is what everybody's looking for! The word in our day is "liberation": women's liberation, gay liberation it's even a favorite word of the communists! But, to alter the lyrics of an old Negro spiritual, "Everyone who's talking about liberation ain't liberated." A telling example of this fact is the inscription we see in marble on many college and university campuses: You SHALE KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHAKE SET YOU FREE.

In that context, the idea is apparently that education is liberation. But this word about liberation is true only if we keep it in the biblical context. It is only our response to the Liberator himself, the Lord Jesus, that results in true liberation. Education literally means "to lead out." If our education relates to learning how Christ can "lead us out" of our problems and hurts, then education can result in liberation. This is the kind of education and liberation we need to employ as Christian counselors. Incidentally, freedom is not just "doing as I please" but rather, being what God designed me to be--an important distinction to make in our counseling.

Help Them Discover

There's an old rule of pedagogy that says, "Don't ever tell your students what they can discover for themselves." This is a good approach to counseling, as well. But help them discover what?

The Lord's Alternative to Failure

What counselees need is to find the way the Lord has made to handle their present dilemma. Incidentally, he always has a way; he is never stumped on a problem. That's nice to know.

Usually the ones seeking help are already sick of the way they've been handling things. So, quite often, their hearts are conditioned to respond if we can give them a reasonable alternative to their "status quo." (Status quo, in case you've forgotten, is Latin for "the mess we're in.")

Don't Tell Them What to Do

Giving advice is a trap counselors fall into rather easily. I have learned, the hard way, to avoid this temptation. Usually, when someone asks for my advice, I tell them, "It will be worth every penny you'll pay for it--zero."

But what do we mean by "giving advice"? It's like this. Someone tells you their situation and asks, "What do you think I ought to do?" This question is invalid on two counts: It is shifting the responsibility for decision off them and onto you; it ignores the right of Christ to exercise his Lordship in their life. And invariably, when we mistakenly tell people what we think they should do, it boomerangs. They come back later and tell us, "I did what you advised and it didn't work!" Then what do we say?

So, we don't give advice.

Leave the Decision Squarely on Them

Jesus is Lord, and our counselees should be taught to ask him what to do. We must be careful not to usurp our Lord's prerogative to be what he designs to be to every Christian-- our Lord Jesus Christ. As counselors, we can help them see what he has said in his Word, in specific commands, or promises, or in terms of broad operating principles. This is our p]ace of ministry.

Remind Them They Will Live with Their Choice

If there is resistance to God's Word and will, we need to help people see the obvious fact: They are stuck with the status quo. If there is compliance, we have the joy of sharing in their new-found liberty and pointing out the bright prospect God has for them through his redemptive grace. Thus, we can encourage and help them to keep on trusting the Lord.

Pray with Them and for Them

This is many times the most profitable time we have with them. I've found it very heartening to have another Christian bear us up before the Lord in prayer. It does two things: It brings the Lord directly into the action on a very realistic basis; it places their dependence (and ours) squarely on the Lord's ability to handle the situation. But when you pray, make it a genuine placing of the real issues squarely before the Lord with no fancy phrases--just straight talk.

So much for our approach to a formal counseling interview. But these same principles apply to the informal counseling opportunities; the basic difference in procedure is the time element. With the "friendship" kind of situation we have the luxury of waiting for opportunities to speak, and moving at a more leisurely pace.

Now--The Hard Part

A Christian counselor must be a man or woman of the Word of God. We must know specific truth to apply or we cannot prescribe in accord with Christ's "Formula for Freedom." Generalities won't do; we soon find that out. If we splash some neat little Christian cliché on them like, "Just pray about it" or "Just turn it over to the Lord," we are offering them only frustration and defeat. So we must do our homework, being lifetime students of God's Word. Counseling is a one-on-one teaching ministry of applying the truth to life--so it demands a clear knowledge of the Word of God and how it applies to life's problems. It also demands speaking the truth in love. We cannot let our desire to be popular keep us from "leveling" with them about their problem. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it also heals. And if we believe our Lord in John 8:31-32, it's the only way to real freedom. We must be willing to risk friendship and popularity, if necessary, to help them. Otherwise we're not acting in love.

On the other hand, we can't just plaster Scripture verses on them like biblical Band-Aids in callused unconcern, without compassion.

In addition to what we have reviewed on counseling procedures and knowledge of the truth, we need a basic philosophy from which to operate. I'd like to propose that our biblical approach to counseling be something like this:

We believe that: ALL HUMAN PROBLEMS AND HURTS ARE SOMEHOW A CONSEQUENCE OF SIN. SO WE MUST APPROACH A COUNSELING MINISTRY WITH SOME UNDERSTANDING OF SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES--THEN APPLY THE REDEMPTIVE TRUTH OF GOD TO THE PROBLEM.

The beginning of that understanding necessary for a fruitful counseling ministry is only possible if we seek to understand the problem--and the problem is sin. So we need to grasp the psychology of sin, or how sin affects our souls. I think you'll be amazed at the change in your own understanding and attitude toward sin (and God) as you follow the action of the next chapters. Unless, you're afraid to look!

A Ministry of the Saints
By Bob Smith


The Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman Christians:

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me" (Rom. 15:1-3, italics mine).

This word of instruction tells us that Christians who are strong (speaking of those who are resting in the sufficiency of a strong Lord) ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. This is another way of saying we need to "bear one another's burdens." It says that our aim in life should be for each of us "to please his neighbor for his good, to edify him." That's some statement, isn't it? What a great world it would be if we all took that word seriously!

The word "edify" here is an interesting word in the Greek text; it is literally "home-building." But whose home are we to be building? Ephesians tells us that Christ longs to "settle down and be at home in our hearts through our faith" (Eph. 3:17, freely translated). Therefore, we are to be helping one another to make each of us a comfortable place for Jesus Christ to live. This is God's "home-building" program.

Paul, speaking to these early Roman Christians (who, you may remember, were fairly new in the Christian family), goes on to say: "I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another" (Rom. 15:14, italics mine).

Note the progression of ideas here: full of goodness . full of knowledge...able to instruct.

Full of Goodness?

The Apostle says to these relatively young believers, "I am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness..." In a recent speech, the President of the United States said he was persuaded that most politicians are good. Unfortunately, Mr. President, there is another, more authoritative voice, the Lord himself, who says politicians aren't good--and, of course, he includes not only politicians, but all of mankind. The Lord Jesus said, "there is none good but...God" (Mark 10:18, KJV). So how can we understand what Paul says to the Romans, "I am persuaded you are full of goodness"? According to our Lord, men are not naturally good--so where did they get this goodness? Paul is talking about the goodness God alone can give. It is part of the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law" (italics mine).

What does this say about Christian believers and their being qualified to counsel? It says that the counselor, first of all, has to be shaped-up himself. It says he must be in right relationship to the Lord, drawing on his goodness. Thus he will be a good person, or, to put it another way, a well-adjusted person. As long as I am part of the problem, I'll never be able to contribute much toward the solution. If I am mixed up, my counselee is probably going to be mixed up. Paul starts with, "I am persuaded that you are full of goodness." So, with us, the first step is getting our own head on straight, being sure that we have a good basis of operation in relating to our Lord--from which we are then able to help people.

Filled with Knowledge

The next step in the progression is: "filled with all knowledge." This means that in order to help someone, I have to know something. And Paul is clearly implying that I'm not to rely on my own puny wisdom for counseling. If I did that, I would feel sorry for my counselee, for then he would be shut up to the same hang-ups I have. But I have knowledge that comes from God through his Word. And Paul surely has in view the information he has just imparted in this letter to the Romans. For fourteen chapters he has laid out the basis of human problems--and the remedy. He expects us to use this information.

Able to Counsel

As we are obediently following the Lord's lead (full of goodness), and depending on his wisdom through his Word (filled with knowledge), then we are "able to instruct one another." Here is a significant statement relating to the subject of counseling. The key word here in the New Testament Greek is the word translated "instruct." It is a compound word made up of two parts: the Greek word for "mind" and a word meaning "to place." It is thus a word which means "to place in mind." Or to put it in more modern phraseology, we might say, "to lay to heart." It is usually translated "admonish" in the older English versions, a good translation if we understand what it means. Or, we could translate it "counsel," which would fit better into our modern concept of its meaning: you are "able to counsel one another."

The Greek word has two connotations, a negative and a positive. On the negative side, it has the sense of warning (and it is sometimes translated "warning" in the English text, but that brings out only half of its meaning). It also has, in the positive sense, the idea of encouragement. In practice, this means that when someone comes to us for help, we can confront him with the alternatives. First, we can show him what the end result is likely to be if he continues in the direction he's moving (if he's not obeying God's Word)--this is the warning aspect. Then, we can encourage him by clearly stating the Lord's alternative. Since he's unhappy with the situation as it stands, he may be receptive to the idea that there's a better way.

Both warning and encouragement are here: "Here is the way the Lord maps out for you. You can go that way; it's your choice. You're at the crossroads. You can go the way you're headed and ask for more of the trouble you've already experienced; you can also change your course and head in the other direction. What do you say? How about going God's way?"

That is a biblical approach to counseling--admonishing, or calling to mind. It is bringing the alternatives to light, presenting them, and leaving the choice with the individual. In this way we are able to help one another choose the right course of action, thus allowing the Lord to shape up our lives. Counseling is really just helping someone to live that abundant life which the Lord Jesus offers us.

But doesn't a person need to have special gifts to counsel? I don't think so, for Paul's declaration here is addressed to the brethren, the whole body of believers at Rome. There are spiritual gifts which are useful in counseling: discernment, wisdom, knowledge, exhortation, and so on; but here Paul is talking of a ministry for all Christians.

What Do We Say?

Where do we start? What must we learn in order to be equipped to counsel effectively? What, after all, do we have to say to people? In a key passage regarding the aim of Christian life and ministry, we read:

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning every man ["Warning" is that same Greek word for "counseling" or "admonishing." If we substitute counseling, it says something more.]..."counseling" every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within me (Col. 1:27-29).

Here in this expression of the purpose of God in our lives (his aim is to present every man mature in Christ) this word about counseling comes up again. "Him we proclaim, 'counseling' every man..." Notice here that the content of our counsel is Christ--"Him we proclaim." So we have a clear directive as to the focus of our message. What are we to declare about him? Is it not his indwelling presence and power? We are to proclaim Christ in you, the hope of glory. "Glory" refers to the fulfillment of our manhood or womanhood--only possible through an indwelling Christ. God is satisfied with nothing less than our complete fulfillment, and Christ living in us is the basis on which it is designed to take place; so Paul is dealing here with essential life in Christ.

It is significant that we find in this text the phrase "counseling every man and teaching every man," as the means by which that maturing and fulfillment are to be achieved. But this counseling and teaching is to be in all wisdom. We do not just decide we are the great reformer of the saints--starting to buttonhole each other and saying, "I know what you need; you've got to stop operating in the flesh." No, counseling is not going around "shaping up the saints," but it is operating the way God operates--in all wisdom, drawing on his available wisdom. This means a gracious, sensitive, and firm-but loving application of truth, not an officious, blunderbuss approach. Counseling in wisdom is obviously basic, for we see another passage connecting these two expressions: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish [counsel] one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Col. 3:16, italics mine). Counseling in all wisdom requires our being filled with the word of Christ. This is the word from Christ and about Christ. The apostle desires that this word may dwell in us richly. The word of Christ is that essential information which tells us of the person of Christ. It is not just doctrinal truth, but truth designed to relate us personally and directly to the living Lord who is able to fill our needs.

In both these references from Colossians notice that "admonishing and teaching" are coupled together. The use of these two words together is very significant. "Admonishing" is, as we have described it, calling to mind, laying to heart. "Teaching" is part of that process, since information must be given to form the operating basis for decisions and actions. So admonishing and teaching are a team; they go together. Our remedial and redemptive content is Christ and the word of Christ; the process is admonishing and teaching. Thus counseling becomes a matter of:

1) Learning to identify the problem from the word of Christ.

2) Knowing or finding the truth about Christ that will resolve the problem.

3) Helping our counselee discover and apply that truth.

4) Rejoicing together in the new-found liberty in Christ.

This may sound overly simplified, but quite often it's just that simple. This doesn't mean that every case will be decided in favor of the Lord's way, but many will respond to his redemptive truth. Even those who refuse the Lord's way at the time you present it may change their mind later, upon reflection, even though they may at first reject the proposed solution.

Wisdom and Power

But all the while, we need to be checking out our resources of available wisdom and power. Remember the key principle: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to c]aim anything as coming from us; our sufficiency is from God, who has qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant..." (2 Cor. 3:5). The new covenant is Christ in you, with all that means in available resources. He is the basis of any confidence we have that we can help people find answers to life's problems. But we need wisdom, that's for sure. And we have it in Christ. In a great word about wisdom, Paul says, "He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom..." (1 Cor. 1:30). Did you catch that? Christ Jesus has been made our wisdom. He is the source of our life and our wisdom--from God. And that source ought to be wholly adequate. Remember also that in Christ "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3).

But how are we to gain access to all this great treasure of wisdom? It's very simple really. James says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives to all men generously and without reproaching" (James 1:5). Now you have an unbeatable combination: the source and supplier of all wisdom, Jesus Christ, and the channel of access--just ask! God doesn't operate in the way we do. We say, "Hey, stupid, how come you don't know that?" God says, "I'm glad you asked, because I've just been waiting to tell you," which is enough to make us want to ask!

If there is anything a counselor needs besides wisdom, it's power; there is no helping people without wisdom and no changing lives without power. Have you found that out? Have you tried to change anyone lately? Sometimes you feel like trying to blast a person loose, but that won't work. Dynamite is a different kind of power, a destructive kind. But Christ, our redemptive resource, is called both "the power of God and the wisdom of God' (I Cor. 1:24). Operating in wisdom, God's power is able to put together the broken pieces--not fragment and destroy, as destructive powers do.

If the wisdom and power of God aren't enough, consider, "...we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16). To me that is a startling statement. It doesn't mean, of course, that we always act like we have his mind, or that we always use what we have in Christ. But it means we do have access to the same thought processes, the same wisdom that Christ himself has. We can, through the gracious ministry of our Lord, see each situation and problem from God's perspective and apply his redemptive solution.

We need to remember, of course, that God wrote the book on the subject of man and his problems--the Bible--the book that goes with man. It is fitting that he should give us the first book on psychology, for after all, it was he who invented the human soul. He, like nobody else, knows how we operate. So if we have him as our counselor and his textbook in our hands, we have inside information (pun intended) and, therefore, all that we need to engage in a counseling ministry.

This premise assumes, of course, that we have a dependent, not a "cocky" attitude and that we do our homework, using every resource God has made available to us.

Strength--But from Where?

"But wait a minute," you ask, "I'm often struggling with certain areas of weakness, and Paul says that it's the strong ones who should bear the iniquities of the weak. How can I Counsel someone if I'm weak in the same area?" The answer is: that it has very little to do with our own strengths and weaknesses. The strength we operate from is in Christ Jesus.. As I understand it, when Paul speaks of "we who are strong" (Rom. 15:1), he is speaking of those who are relatively spiritually mature, who have gained a degree of equilibrium. These are to bear up the weaker ones. Obviously, as the Volkswagen ad says--nobody's perfect. If we wait until we have arrived at perfection, we will never start. So, the word "strong" here is a relative term and is really referring us back to the strength that is in Christ, the power that comes from him.

Haven't you discovered that God will often bring you together with someone who is having the same struggle in which you have recently experienced his victory? It is not so that you can strengthen that friend, but so you can share the reality of God's strength in your common weakness. If we are rightly related to him, we are drawing on his strength; it isn't ours, it is a borrowed strength. You are weak, I am weak, we're all weak, since we all share the same frail humanity. That's one of the features which makes us suited to counsel. If we are up on a pedestal of spiritual superiority, shooting our thunderbolts of judgmental censure down on the poor peons below, then we are already out of the business. It is the recognition of the common humanity we share which makes us ready and able to counsel.

One of the first things necessary in counseling is to identify with the problem of the person before us. We must be able to say, "I've been there, too, but I have discovered an answer to my frailty in that particular area of failure, and I would like to share that answer with you." There is an old saying which says, "A Christian is just one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread." That's the idea; we don't preach ourselves, but Jesus as Lord, and thereby we offer the liberty that his Lordship brings--to us and to any who will let him be Lord.

Because we do identify with others in their weakness, there is no more demanding and draining ministry than counseling. This is partly because the Lord will get to you, the counselor, in the process (and show you where you are not making it). The counselor is always part of the target area in the Lord's character-building program, and that always takes an emotional toll. But in addition to that, we hurt with those who are hurting. It's part of the process.

All of this does not imply that we will always see the answers and that referrals are not sometimes indicated and necessary. There should be the recognition that our weaknesses sometimes limit our insight into truth and that we may find an area where we cannot help but someone else can. Making referrals and using other resource people is thus both valid and sensible. Conferring with other (perhaps more mature and more experienced) counselors is wise procedure, if for no other reason than to confirm the validity of one's own analysis and approach to the problem.