MikeLigalig.com

1. ACCOMMODATION
Arrangements for first-class accommodation have been made in advance..
"In My Father's house are many rooms ....... I am  going there to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2).

2.  PASSPORTS
Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates  without having proper papers/credentials and having their  names registered with the ruling Authority.
"Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life". (Revelation 21:27).

3.  DEPARTURE TIMES
The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travellers are advised to be prepared to leave at short notice.
"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority."  (Acts 1:7).

4.  TICKETS
Your ticket is a written pledge that guarantees your journey. It should be claimed and its promises kept firmly in hand.
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24).

5.  CUSTOMS
Only one declaration is required while going through customs.
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised  Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9).

6.  IMMIGRATION
All passengers are classified as immigrants, since they are taking up permanent residence in a new country.  The quota is unlimited.
"........ they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one ........ He has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:16).

7.  LUGGAGE
No luggage whatsoever is necessary.
"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." (1 Timothy 6:7).

8.  AIR PASSAGE
Travellers' going directly by air are advised to watch daily for indications of imminent departure.
"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

9.  VACCINATION AND INOCULATION
Injections are not needed, as diseases are unknown at the destination.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain....."  (Revelation 21:4).

10.  CURRENCY
Supplies of currency may be forwarded ahead to await the passenger's arrival.  Deposit your heart, mind, soul and life.
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:20).

11.  CLOTHING
A complete and appropriate new wardrobe is provided for each traveller.
"...For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of  righteousness...." (Isaiah 61:10).

12.  TIME CHANGES
Resetting of watches will not be necessary to adjust to the day/night schedule.
"The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp........ for there will be no night there." (Revelations 21:23,25).

13.  RESERVATIONS
Booking is now open.  Apply at once.
"........ now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

14.  CORONATION CEREMONY
The highlight of the journey is the welcoming reception and coronation which await the arrival.
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for  His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8 ).

IBM is in negotiations to buy Sun Microsystems for $6.5 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

If the deal happens, it would be one of the biggest consolidations in the computer industry since Hewlett-Packard merged with Compaq in 2001.

IBM would eliminate a major competitor if it follows through with the all-cash deal, which would be a big premium over Tuesday’s closing price of $4.97 a share. The deal would strengthen IBM’s hand against HP, which is now the largest company in the information technology industry, and it would be the largest acquisition in IBM’s history. - source: VentureBeat

In a suburb of Nairobi, Kenya, a group of international refugees has been singing songs that they hope will wake up their homeland. According to the BBC, the group Waayah Cusub has been enjoying extensive airplay on radio stations and television channels by using bold lyrics to address social issues. One of the musicians says, “We are not happy with what is happening back home; in fact we have recorded a thought-provoking song that we hope will bring our leaders back to their senses.”

Long before Waayah Cusub began using songs to call for an end to social pain and violence, God taught Moses to use music in a bold and provocative way. Knowing that His people’s sinful inclinations would distract them when they began to enjoy the prosperity of the Promised Land (Deut. 31:21), God told Moses to teach them the song of chapter 32. It is a shocking song of warning, designed to get the attention of those who would forget God and fill their lives with trouble.

Could our wise and loving God be repeating that strategy with us? Is there a psalm, a hymn, or a spiritual song that is calling us back to His faithfulness and amazing grace? What song might He be using to get under the radar of our natural defenses and renew our hearts today?  â€" Mart De Haan, Our Daily Bread

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. â€" Colossians 3:16

An upscale London department store launched a new gift card with the slogan, “The Gift of Self-Indulgence.” Throughout the store, signs, slogans, and even nametags called attention to the cards. According to one employee, sales of the gift cards during the first weeks of the promotion had been very strong, far exceeding company expectations. Generosity may prompt a person to give a luxurious gift to someone special, but too often we find it easier to purchase what we want for ourselves.

The prophet Ezekiel sheds light on an ancient city whose people suffered God’s judgment, in part, because they embraced a self-indulgent lifestyle. “This was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit” (Ezek. 16:49-50).

Historically, the Lord has dealt harshly with His people who became arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned (v.49). The antidote to the poison of self-indulgence is the desire to please God and serve others, not ourselves (Phil. 2:4).

Self-indulgence is a gift we don’t need.  â€" David C. McCasland, Our Daily Bread

She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. â€"Ezekiel 16:49

If you believe Rhonda Byrne, author of the bestselling book The Secret, “The shortcut to anything you want in your life is to be and feel happy now!” According to Byrne, this has to do with something called the law of attraction. If you think only about things that make you happy, she says, happy things will be attracted to you.

Sounds easy enough.

However, the Bible says that “the secret” to life is something very different. It has to do with “the law of the Spirit of life” that sets us free from “the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2), not with the “law of attraction.”

According to the apostle Paul, the most important thing to know is “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). To those who are concerned with happiness now, this is indeed foolishness (v.14). They do not recognize the power of God in what appears to them as weakness.

The Lord created us with a desire to know what is secret. In His wisdom, He kept certain things hidden in mystery for a time (v.7). But now, through His Holy Spirit, He has made them known. And the secret He reveals has nothing to do with having happy thoughts in order to obtain happy things; it has to do with having the mind of Jesus Christ (v.16).  â€" Julie Ackerman Link, Our Daily Bread

We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages. â€"1 Corinthians 2:7

Drink Less Caffeine to Improve Mood

Do you really need that third cup of coffee? Anxiety is a common symptom of depression. And too much caffeine can make you nervous, jittery, or anxious. So cutting back on soda, coffee, tea, and chocolate can make a big difference in your mood. It can also help you sleep better at night. - webmd.com

Try Low-Fat Carbs for a Pick-Me-Up

Serotonin is a brain chemical that enhances your sense of well-being. Carbohydrates -- when eaten alone without protein -- raise the level of serotonin in your brain. Low-fat carbs such as a baked potato, graham crackers, or pasta without meat may help lift you out of a blue funk. - webmd.com

Choose Foods to Boost Your Mood

Some studies suggest omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B-12 may help ease mood changes such as depression. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids. So do flaxseed, nuts, and dark green vegetables. Seafood and low-fat dairy products are good sources for B-12. Vegetarians who eat no meat or fish may take supplements. - webmd.com

There’s a connection between mind and body. A healthy diet not only fuels your body, but it also helps you feel better. Watching calories is important. So is limiting fat and sugar. Build your diet around plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help improve both your health and stabilize your mood. - webmd.com

Sometimes your pet really can be your best friend -- and that’s good therapy. When you play with your pet, you take your mind off your own problems. Also, when you take care of your pet you’re fulfilling a commitment to something outside yourself. Caring for others can be very therapeutic. - webmd.com

The American actor who was the voice of Mickey Mouse for 32 years has died at the age of 62.

Wayne Allwine had worked at The Walt Disney Co since 1966, starting in the mailroom before he became the voice of the famous cartoon mouse in 1977.

The Walt Disney Co said Allwine died of complications from diabetes, with his wife, an actress who was the voice of Minnie Mouse, by his side.

His voice can still be heard at Disney theme parks around the world.

Allwine also voiced Mickey in Mickey's Christmas Carol and Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

He won an Emmy Award in 1986 for sound editing on the NBC series Amazing Stories.

He was the third person to voice Mickey - following Walt Disney himself and Jimmy MacDonald.

Allwine once said: "Mickey's the real star.

"You know you just have to love the little guy while you have him, because he won't be yours forever."

He was praised by Walt Disney bosses, with Roy Disney, director emeritus for The Walt Disney Co, saying he gave Mickey Mouse "a heart and soul". - BBC News

 By Kelli Miller Stacy
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

The active chemical in marijuana promotes the death of brain cancer cells by essentially helping them feed upon themselves, researchers in Spain report.

Guillermo Velasco and colleagues at Complutense University in Spain have found that the active ingredient in marijuana, THC, causes brain cancer cells to undergo a process called autophagy. Autophagy is the breakdown of a cell that occurs when the cell essentially self-digests.

The team discovered that cannabinoids such as THC had anticancer effects in mice with human brain cancer cells and people with brain tumors. When mice with the human brain cancer cells received the THC, the tumor growth shrank.

Two patients enrolled in a clinical trial received THC directly to the brain as an experimental treatment for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive brain tumor.  Biopsies taken before and after treatment helped track their progress.  After receiving the THC, there was evidence of increased autophagy activity.

The findings appear in the April 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The patients did not have any toxic effects from the treatment. Previous studies of THC for the treatment of cancer have also found the therapy to be well tolerated, according to background information in journal article.

Study authors say their findings could lead to new strategies for preventing tumor growth.

Every year, high-school seniors apply to their favorite universities and then watch the mailbox for the letter announcing their acceptance.

It was different for teens in New Testament times. Jewish boys would often attend rabbinical schools until age 13. Then only the best and brightest would be chosen to “follow” the local rabbi. This small, select group of disciples would go where he went and eat what he ateâ€"modeling their lives after the rabbi. Those who didn’t make the cut would pick up a trade like carpentry, sheep-herding, or fishing.

Guys like Simon, Andrew, James, and John hadn’t made the cut. So instead of following the local rabbi, they were down by the docks, knee-deep in the family business. It’s interesting that Jesus sought out the men the local rabbi had rejected. Instead of targeting the best and brightest, Jesus offered His invitation, “Follow Me,” to ordinary run-of-the-mill fishermen. What an honor! They would become followers of the ultimate Rabbi.

Jesus extends the same honor to you and meâ€"not because we are the best or brightest, but because He needs ordinary people like us to model His life and to lovingly rescue people on His behalf. So, follow Him and let Him make something of your life!  â€" Joe Stowell | Our Daily Bread

[Jesus] said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” â€"Matthew 4:19

Thieves stole nearly $5,000 in sound and office equipment from a church in West Virginia, only to break in the following night to return the items they had taken. Apparently, the guilt of stealing from a church weighed so heavily on their conscience that they felt the need to correct their criminal behavior of breaking the commandment: “You shall not steal” (Ex. 20:15). Their actions make me think about the differences between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow.

Paul praised the Corinthians for understanding this difference. His first letter to them was biting, as he addressed issues of sin. His words caused sorrow among them, and because of this Paul rejoiced. Why? Their sorrow did not stop at just feeling sad about getting caught or suffering the unpleasant consequences of their sins. Their sorrow was godly sorrow, a genuine remorse for their sins. This led them to repentanceâ€"a change in their thinking that led to a renouncing of their sin and turning to God. Their repentance ultimately led to deliverance from their sinful habits.

Repentance is not something we can do unless we have the prompting of the Holy Spirit; it’s a gift from God. Pray for repentance today (2 Tim. 2:24-26).  â€" Marvin Williams | Our Daily Bread

I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner. â€"2 Corinthians 7:9

A popular song from the 1960s was titled “Getting Better.” In it, the singer considers his young life and happily declares that he sees things “getting better all the time.” It is a song of optimism but, unfortunately, without any real basis for that hope.

By contrast, the Bible warns us that we live in a world that in many ways is actually getting worse (2 Tim. 3:13). Daily we’re faced with increasing evidence to support that contention. So how do we respond to the realities of life in such a badly marred world? With empty optimism? With hopeless discouragement? The apostle Paul shows us how.

While imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote to the church at Philippi to offer them genuine hope in a broken world. He encouraged his readers by telling them that though life in this world is often hard and painful, for the Christian things will get better. He wrote, “I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil. 1:23). It is a reminder to us that we can face the difficulties of living for Christ now because one day we will be with Him in an eternal home of splendor and fullness.

Life can be hard, but one day when we see Christ it will truly get better!  â€" Bill Crowder, Our Daily Bread

I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. â€"Philippians 1:23

A teacher gave her class of second-graders a lesson about the magnet and what it does. The next day, in a written test, she included this question: “My name has six letters. The first one is m. I pick up things. What am I?” When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that almost 50 percent of the students answered the question with the word mother.

Yes, mothers do pick up things. But they are much more than “magnets,” gathering up clothes and picking up toys around the house. As willing as many mothers are to do such chores, they have a higher calling than that.

A good mother loves her family and provides an atmosphere where each member can find acceptance, security, and understanding. She is there when the children need a listening ear, a comforting word, a warm hug, or a loving touch on a fevered brow. And for the Christian mother, her greatest joy is in teaching her children to trust and to love Jesus as their Savior.

That kind of mother deserves to be honoredâ€"not just on one special day a year but every day. And that recognition should involve more than words; it ought to be shown in respect, thoughtfulness, and loving deeds.  â€" Richard De Haan | Our Daily Bread

Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you. â€"Deuteronomy 5:16

On the way home from a family camping trip, 6-year-old Tanya and her dad were the only ones still awake in the car. As Tanya looked at the full moon through the car window, she asked, “Daddy, do you think I can touch the moon if I stand on my tiptoes?”

“No, I don’t think so,” he smiled.

“Can you reach it?”

“No, I don’t think I can either.”

She was quiet for a moment, then she said confidently, “Daddy, maybe if you hold me up on your shoulders?”

Faith? Yesâ€"the childlike faith that daddies can do anything. True faith, though, has the written promise of God for its foundation. In Hebrews 11:1, we read, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Jesus talked a lot about faith, and throughout the Gospels we read of His response to those who had great faith.

When a paralyzed man’s friends brought him to Jesus, He “saw their faith,” forgave the man of his sins, and healed him (Matt. 9:2-6). When the centurion asked Jesus to “speak a word, and my servant will be healed” (8: 8 ), Jesus “marveled” and said, “I have not found such great faith” ( 8 :10).

When we have faith in God, we will find that all things are possible (Luke 18:27).  â€" Cindy Hess Kasper | Our Daily Bread

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. â€"Luke 18:27

When I rear-ended a truck with my nearly new car, positive thoughts did not immediately come to mind. I was thinking primarily of the cost, the inconvenience, and the injury to my ego. But I did find some hope in this thought, which I often share with other writers: “In every bad experience, there’s a good illustration.”

Finding the good can be a challenge, but Scripture confirms that God uses bad circumstances for good purposes.

In 2 Kings 5, we find two people who had bad things happen to them. First is a young girl from Israel who was taken captive by the Syrian army. Second is Naaman, the commander of the army, who had leprosy. Even though the girl had good reason to desire bad things for her captors, she offered help instead. Israel’s prophet Elisha, she said, could heal Naaman. Eager to be cured, Naaman went to Israel. However, he was reluctant to follow Elisha’s humiliating directions. When he finally did, he was healed, which caused him to proclaim that Israel’s God is the only God (v.15).

God used two bad thingsâ€"a kidnapping and a deadly diseaseâ€"to change Israel’s enemy into a friend. Even when we don’t know why something bad has happened, we know that God has the power to use it for good.  â€" Julie Ackerman Link, Our Daily Bread

Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. â€"2 Kings 5:15

By David Olive
BUSINESS COLUMNIST, The Star

In international tests of 15-year-olds, Canadian students rank fifth in math while U.S. kids place 25th. In literacy, Canada ranks third; American students rank 15th. America's dysfunctional immigration system â€" which dissuades many of the best and brightest foreign students and researchers from coming to America â€" will take years to fix, as will U.S. educational failings. We have an infrastructure of researchers, universities and independent research institutes such as the new Perimeter Institute in Waterloo and MaRS in Toronto that are dedicated to "pure" or basic research, and applied research that translates into world-class goods and services.

By Sallie James
By the Sun Sentinel

A 12-year-old girl who took her dad's car on a joy ride and initially refused to stop for police has been charged with grand theft auto at her father's request, police said today.

Police quickly spotted the girl Monday because she forgot a basic tenet of night driving: headlights.

The child disappeared with the yellow Nissan about 10:30 p.m. while her father was visiting her ailing 19-month-old sibling at Plantation General Hospital, said police Detective Robert Rettig. The ordeal started and ended in the hospital parking lot at 401 NW 42 Ave., Rettig said.

By the Sun UK

A man who twice beat his girlfriend got his punishment today â€" 60 hours working out at the gym.

The bizarre sentence was imposed by Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC on Richard Brown at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The judge had been told of the attacks carried out by Brown, an unemployed IT worker, of Hornchurch, Essex, on his mum-of-six ex.

As part of his penalty the judge ruled Brown must attend a gym three times a week for an hour for 20 weeks as “an activity requirement".

Brown had pleaded guilty to two offences of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Does prayer have any real impact on our world? Or is it merely a private conversation with God?

When a New Jersey couple learned that a man had been released from prison and had moved into their area, they started praying for him. Then they paid him a visit and opened their home to a weekly breakfast for ex-offenders like him. Now, 22 years later, the area’s most despised men have one place to go where they are welcomed and treated respectfully.

What would happen if we followed literally Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? What if we became known for approaching heaven on behalf of outcasts and disagreeable people?

In a scene recorded in the book of Revelation, the apostle John foresees a direct linkage between the visible and invisible worlds. At a climactic moment in history, heaven is quiet. Seven angels stand with seven trumpets, waiting. Silence reigns, as if all heaven is listening on tiptoe. Then an angel collects the prayers of God’s people on earthâ€"all the accumulated prayers of praise, lament, abandonment, despair, petitionâ€"mixes them with incense, and presents them before the throne of God (8:1-4). The silence finally breaks when the fragrant prayers are hurled down to earth: setting off a storm of “thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake” (v.5).

The message is clear. The prayers are essential agents in the final victory over evil, suffering, and death.  â€" Philip Yancey, Our Daily Bread

The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God. â€"Revelation 8:4

By Fran Lowry
The Heart Wire

The amount of food Americans eat has been increasing since the 1970s, and that alone is the cause of the obesity epidemic in the US today [1]. Physical activityâ€"or the lack thereofâ€"has played virtually no role in the rising number of expanding American waistlines, according to research presented at the 2009 European Congress on Obesity in Amsterdam last week.

The finding is contrary to the widely held assumption that decreased physical activity is an equally important driver of overweight and obesity in the US, said lead author Dr Boyd Swinburn (Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia).

If Americans want to get serious about winning the battle of the bulge, they are going to have to cut down on the amount of food they eat, Swinburn, who is director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, told heartwire.

By Lisa Girion
LA Times

After an emergency cesarean with her first baby, Ruby Wales was holding out for a vaginal birth with her second one.

With a toddler underfoot, the 33-year-old Mission Viejo woman wanted a faster recovery. But finding a physician to deliver her second child wasn't easy. Her first obstetrician turned her down flat. "She said, 'No -- no way,' " Wales recalled.

Once reserved for cases in which the life of the baby or mother was in danger, the cesarean is now routine. The most common operation in the U.S., it is performed in 31% of births, up from 4.5% in 1965.

With that surge has come an explosion in medical bills, an increase in complications -- and a reconsideration of the cesarean as a sometimes unnecessary risk.

It is a big reason childbirth often is held up in healthcare reform debates as an example of how the intensive and expensive U.S. brand of medicine has failed to deliver better results and may, in fact, be doing more harm than good.

"We're going in the wrong direction," said Dr. Roger A. Rosenblatt, a University of Washington professor of family medicine who has written about what he calls the "perinatal paradox," in which more intervention, such as cesareans, is linked with declining outcomes, such as neonatal intensive care admissions. Maternity care, he said, "is a microcosm of the entire medical enterprise."

the Daily UK

THE world’s hottest women are driving their fans wild with their lusty lesbian revelations.

In the last week Hollywood sex kitten Megan Fox saucily confessed that she enjoys girl on girl action.

And Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie admits she’s also shared a lesbian romp.

But they are not the only stars turning lipstick lesbians to grab the limelight. Here KATIE BEGLEY takes a look at the racy celebrities getting to grips with their feminine side.

FERGIE: Flirty Fergie skyrockets to the top of our chart after revealing she bats for both sides.

The 34-year-old may be married to Josh Duhamel, 36, but she can’t keep her eyes off the ladies.

She said: “Put it this way, I’ve experimented definitely, but I have never had a steady girlfriend."

Police said a teenager was hit by a pickup truck when she ran into a Tampa street to retrieve an iPod.

Tampa police said the 16-year-old was crossing the street Tuesday morning when she dropped the electronic device. She went back to grab it off the roadway, and that's when she was hit by the truck.

The girl was being evaluated after the collision to determine whether she had suffered a broken leg. She was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

The names of the girl and the driver weren't immediately released. - Wesh Orland

When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son. â€"Galatians 4:4

Why is being on time so challenging for some of us? Even when we start early, something inevitably gets in our way to make us late.

But here’s the good news: God is always on time! Speaking of the arrival of Jesus, Paul said, “When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Gal. 4:4). The long-awaited, promised Savior came at just the right time.

Jesus’ arrival during the Roman Empire’s Pax Romana (the peace of Rome) was perfect timing. The known world was united by one language of commerce. A network of global trade routes provided open access to the whole world. All of this guaranteed that the gospel could move rapidly in one tongue. No visas. No impenetrable borders. Only unhindered access to help spread the news of the Savior whose crucifixion fulfilled the prophecy of the Lamb who would be slain for our sins (Isa. 53). All in God’s perfect timing!

All of this should remind us that the Lord knows what time is best for us as well. If you’re waiting for answered prayer or the fulfillment of one of His promises, don’t give up. If you think He has forgotten you, think again. When the fullness of time is right for you, He’ll show upâ€"and you’ll be amazed by His brilliant timing!  â€" Joe Stowell - Our Daily Bread

Newly released patent applications from Microsoft have sparked speculation that it is to unveil a Wii remote rival at the E3 expo in Los Angeles.

An application was filed in 2007 for a motion controller, dubbed Magic Wand, that interacts with "a collection of sensors".

Microsoft says it will not "comment on speculation" about a possible launch.

Gavin Ogden, from gaming site c&vg.com, told the BBC that Microsoft needed to "jump on the motion sensor bandwagon".

"We thought they were going to show something off at the E3 Expo in 2007 - some sort of waggle stick - but nothing materialised," he said.

"I have no doubt they are going to try and do something, although it remains to be seen how they do it." - BBC

By BBC News

Excessive cola consumption can lead to anything from mild weakness to profound muscle paralysis, doctors are warning.

This is because the drink can cause blood potassium to drop dangerously low, they report in the International Journal of Clinical Practice.

They tell of the curious case of an Australian ostrich farmer who needed emergency care for lung paralysis after drinking 4-10 litres of cola a day.

He made a full recovery and was advised to curtail his cola drinking.

Another example included a pregnant woman who regularly consumed up to three litres a day for the last six years and complained of tiredness, appetite loss and persistent vomiting.

A heart trace revealed she had an irregular heartbeat, most likely caused by her low blood potassium levels.

Once she stopped drinking so much cola, she made a full and uneventful recovery.

The investigators believe these cases are not atypical and that many people risk problems due to their intake.

By Rey Anthony Chiu

Local officials see the hiring of 26 students for a restaurant here as starting countless job opportunities for Catigbianons in this time of financial grip. 

Both Mayor Roberto Salinas and Vice Mayor Necita Digaum agree that the ripple effects in the opening of Katigbawan Resto would definitely affect the town’s economic base and raise household incomes better.

The officials said this in time for the semi-hiring of 26 students who could also pick up food handling training that could land them jobs in the future.

Salinas, who admits he also shares a poor past said the students hired on a shifting basis would complement a regular restaurant staff of 6 and would be paid on hourly rates patterned after major food chains in the country.

On the process, they too earn enough to pay for their fares to school, and a little extra to possibly prop up family’s income by unburdening parents of daily expense needs, Salinas said. 

During the opening, restaurant manager Jocelyn Angcahan said that they patterned their hiring scheme with that on big-time fastfood chains by allowing students time for work and yet keeping them in school.   

The student waiters wear custom printed yellow with green collar and trim polo shirts, the traditional Catigbian green caps, black pants and leather shoes. They also stuck like sore thumb in an air-conditioned restaurant with function rooms and amenities in a largely agricultural town about 30 kilometers from the city.

The students, she said would be scheduled for duty after their school hours and would be rotated on a shifting basis, well enough to keep them off work during examinations and other school related activities.

The big thing here, Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas admitted “is that an investor has finally come to set a good example to people in food handling business here”.

By Rey Anthony Chiu

Armed with the solomonic formula Governor Erico Aumentado is fast becoming noted of, Bohol local officials here think the opposition forming to delay the road widening project for Panglao Airport access would soon be convinced to lie low.

The government road-widening project in preparation for the Panglao air facility whipped a potential headache recently for local officials who are pushing for the realization of the dream air facility.

Government public works authorities have proposed a four-lanes in lieu of the present two lanes to keep future traffic from potential bottlenecks.

Such a move however would require an additional road space for the main road and its shoulders, and may cause dislocation among private residents who have developed areas by the roadsides.

Residents of Dauis and Panglao towns however believe they would end up losing precious front yards or worse, their houses and developments when the proposed 4-lane road starts.

Preempting any of this scenario, residents have started organizing to lobby for a 2-lane instead of a 4 lane road project.

Feeling for residents’ plight too, Gov, Aumentado shared Friday that he has presented his compromise formula to the DPWH and the government agency has vowed to study his proposal.

The governor explained that he has presented to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane and Undersecretary Manuel Bonoan his proposal.

The Aumentado proposal is for the government to adopt a Subic-Clark Expressway-like highway which totals 9.1 meters of road development.

He said the design would be 6.1 meters of main roads for three lanes and 1.6 meters of road shoulders on both sides.

Interacting with the local media during the weekly Governor’s Reports, Aumentado said Provincial Engineers Edwin Vallejos is to meet the government units of Dauis and Panglao to settle the RROW acquisition anytime soon.

  Team Inabanga’s cage supremacy has proved once again that they are Bohol’s 2nd District’s kings of the hardcourt.

  It routed Ubay 109-94 in the just-concluded 2009 Second District Congressional Basketball Tournament held at the Trinidad Gymnasium as a highlight of the latter’s 54th Parochial Fiesta in honor of their patron, Saint Isidore, the Farmer.

  Spectators and supporters wearing white t-shirts and waving white balloons who came all the way from Inabanga jampacked the Trinidad gym to witness the heart-stopping most awaited finale.

  The marching tunes played by the Inabanga drum and bugle corps added flavor and enlivened the spirits of the players and spectators.

  Among the participants, Inabanga is the farthest municipality from Trinidad that actively participated in the congressional basketball tourney. It brought home a giant trophy and P50,000 cash to show for its court mastery.

  Coach Nick Cabañero said defense, unity, teamwork and conditioning of the players were the team’s winning assets.

  After the game, the team celebrated at the Jumamoy residence where the players expressed gratitude to sports buff and team manager himself, Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy, Vice Mayor Wenceslao Lao and all Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members for their undeniably all-out support.

  They also extend their heartfelt gratitude to Provincial Board Member Josephine Socorro Jumamoy for her encouragement and support that contributed a lot to the team’s success.

  To note, the Municipio Inabanga basketball team also emerged as champion in the recently-concluded tourney in Calape town where they bagged a trophy and P20,000 cash for their feat. - Sunday Post

     Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap braved the rain as he led town and barangay officials in the ground breaking ceremony for the completion of the P20-million Mabini Fish Port on May 10 in barangay Baybayon.

      Yap, getting known for his liberal scheme in dispensing multi-million infrastructure projects in the countryside, emphasized the importance of the fish port that will serve as the doorway for domestic and foreign investors.

      However, he lamented over the condition of the existing fish port that collapsed more than a decade ago which could have been used for vital trade linkages with the neighboring island provinces of Leyte, Surigao or Cebu if congressional allocations were only made to finish the project.

      “The Mabini Fish Port seemed hopeless until Secretary Yap took a new tack to save it,” according to Baybayon OIC Barangay Captain Romie Toong.

      DA secretary ordered to expedite the bidding process to start the project by middle of June.

      Yap also looks forward along with Mabini Mayor Stephen Rances to merge agro-industry and tourism to create tremendous impact of investments that will cater competitive advantages by boosting leverage on the town’s mainland and marine resources.

      He further said that the town has good agricultural and arable land suitable for rice, corn, banana, mango, coffee, vegetables and other cash crops.

      With this, he allocated P30-million for the construction of mini-dams under the Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) program of the Department of Agriculture.

        Yap earmarked another P3-million funding for the establishment of a Marine Culture Park along Cabulao Bay, the suitable nursery of marine life and the vital inland fishing ground of Mabini town where prawn, shrimps, mud and king crabs and grouper are found. - Sunday Post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3CHB9bIMr4

Woe to you, Bohol, your politicians are behind the illegalities of your land and people.

Why is the mayor so disturbed over the arrest of a gambling lord? Strange case of a city mayor.

Top rank announced yesterday that it has signed hard-punching ALA fighter Mark Jason Melligen, a junior welter now campaigning in Las Vegas. Melligen, a southpaw, has a record of 14-1 with 10 knockouts and boasts of a very good amateur background.

Bob Arum made the announcement yesterday and issued press releases to the media. Melligen outpunched rugged Ramon Montano at the Hard Rock Resort and Casino in Las Vegas last Friday night, winning an eight-round decision by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 the night before the Pacquiao-Hatton rumble.

“We were really pleased with Mark’s performance last weekend. He’s young, just 23, and he is improving every fight,” said Arum.

Melligen had over 200 amateur bouts. He was a two-time medalist at the Asian Games, and is considered as one of the top fighters at the ALA Gym.

Melligen had over 200 amateur bouts. He was a two-time medalist at the Asian Games, and is considered as one of the top fighters at the ALA Gym.

Melligen has been training in Las Vegas under the guidance of long-time Cebu resident Tony Martin. - The Bohol Chronicle

A major earthquake will strike San Francisco on Aug. 22. But the ground-shaking experience won’t be tectonic in origin.

The Bay Area will rattle for hours with the AT&T baseball park as the epicenter of the temblor and the fists of four Filipino punchers doing all the damage.

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum said his people is working on finalizing the pay-per-view card that will feature world champions Nonito Donaire, Brian Viloria and Donnie Nietes and the title hopeful Abe Concepcion.

“This is going to be a huge show,” said Arum, noting that the 45,000-seat AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, will be reconfigured to about 25,000 for the fight.

Arum was inspired to stage a promotion there after personally experiencing how Filipinos living in the Bay Area responded to Manny Pacquiao’s visit there last month to promote his bout with Ricky Hatton.

Arum said Donaire might relinquish his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight crown and attempt to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-fly belt of Jose Lopez of Puerto Rico.
In the other title fights, Nietes, holder of the WBO minimumweight diadem, will face mandatory challenger Manuel Vargas of Mexico, and Concepcion could finally meet Steven Luevano for the latter’s WBO feather title.

The identity of Viloria’s foes has yet to be decided, said Arum, stressing that a tough rival will be tapped to test the mettle the Hawaiian Punch.

Donaire and Viloria took the spot-light last month when they bested their respective foes at the Araneta Coliseum.

Arum said the AT&T Park has never hosted a boxing event.
The TV rights for the event is expected to be fought over by Solar Sports and ABS-CBN. - The Bohol Chronicle

The Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) announced yesterday that a national karatedo tournament will be held in Cebu during the second quarter of this year.

AAK Cebu instructors Shihan Jess Paredes (5th dan black belt) and Shihan Joy Rondez (5th dan black belt) said they are planning to hold the Milo National Karatedo Championships in Cebu City.
They said the event will be held either in July or August.

They said AAK clubs nationwide, including hombu dojo (general headquarters) AAK-SM Megamall, are joining the tournament.

Also, a two-day seminar on advanced Karate training and World Karate Federation (WKF) seminars for coaches and referees will be held at the Baseline Gym in Cebu City.

Rondez said they are also inviting other clubs in Cebu and Karatekas from Bohol and Dumaguete to join.

Paredes heads the Sports Karatedo Organization of Subangdaku, Mandaue City, while Rondez is head dojo master of AAK-Cebu City.

Both clubs are still accepting enrollment for the Milo Sports Clinic. - The Bohol Chronicle

AJ Banal scored a stunning second round knockout win over Mbwana Matumla in the main event of the "Tuloy ang Pagsubok" fight card last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Banal probed his Tanzanian opponent in the first round and landed enough body blows to get Matumla's attention. In the second round the Tanzanian walked into a powerful left and fell on his back.

He tried to get up but could not beat the count. Official time 2:59 of the 2nd.
Banal is expected to be fighting in the undercard of the Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Floyd Mayweather blockbuster match.

Czar Amonsot struggled against Morris “Virus” Chule of Kenya but won by a close unanimous decision.

The Kenyan landed with effective jabs and right hand leads in the early rounds as Amonsot looked sluggish and was unable to put punches in bunches. Chule was able to absorb Amonsot's head shots and landed clean counter punches.

The restless crowd tried to push Amonsot to stage a rally and expressed their displeasure on a few occasions. The Kenyan started to slow going into the 8th round as Amonsot was able to land punishing body punches.

Chule looked ripe for the taking in the last two rounds but Amoncot could not finish him off.
The scorecards read: 96-94, 97-93 and 97-93.

Jason Pagara continued the ALA Gym's winning streak over Indonesian boxers with a third round TKO win over Hero Katili.

The Indonesian could not exploit his height and reach advantage and Pagara easily managed to close the distance and land crisp combinations. In the second round Katili was pinned on the ropes and received a barrage of punches. - The Bohol Chronicle

THE ORIGINAL IS “Tígmò, Tígmò, Tigmúkoy”
Not “Tígmò, Tígmò, Agúkoy”
By Jes Tirol

Proem
One of the most popular Sugboanon Bisayan riddle is “Tígmò, tígmò, agúkoy úgmà ra ta mag-ásoy (Riddle, riddle, fiddler crab, we will tell each other on the morrow). The answer to this riddle is a dámgo (dream). If you analyze the riddle carefully, you will wonder how the fiddler crab (agúkoy) came into the equation.

Do you know that the original riddle was actually “Tígmò,tígmò, tigmúkoy úgmà ra ta mag-ásoy?”
In the 1850 Bisayan-Spanish dictionary of Fr. Juan Felix de la Encarnacion the Bisayan word tigmúkoy is defined as “enigma.” So the original riddle in English should be “Riddle, riddle, it is an enigma, we will tell each other on the morrow.”

How The Words Shifted

In your whole life, how many times have you used the word enigma? You are a good English conversationalist if you have ever used it ten times. So we can expect that the Bisayan equivalent would be also seldom used. During Spanish times and during the American era, only very few books were written using the Bisayan language. After a lapse of 150 years, the word tigmúkoy was forgotten and got replaced by agúkoy. It is a perfect rhyme and the connotation of being mysterious and humorous is still present.

The agúkoy or fiddler crab in English has a scientific name uca minax. It is a small crab found in seashores and marshy areas. Its body is from one to two inches wide and has a strange configuration. In the male of the species, one of its claws is very much larger than the other. When the smaller claw puts food to the mouth of the crab the act seems to imitate a man playing the fiddle, hence the name “fiddler crab.”

Which Claw is Bigger?

In humans, the most dominant is a right handed person. How about the agúkoy, which do you think is the dominant larger claw, the left or the right?

The answer is the left claw. However, here is the catch. The large claw is used by the male crab for amorous signaling to the female and for fighting other male crabs. If and when the large claw becomes detached, the other claw will grow larger during the next molting season and a new smaller claw will grow where the previous large claw had been.

So the former left-handed crab becomes a right-handed crab. So if you discover that most of the fiddler crabs in your beach has majority of left-handers, it means that your beach has plenty of food and well balanced ecology. If the fiddler crabs are mixed left-handers and right-handers, it means that food is scarce in your beach because the crabs had been quarreling with each other.
Accurate Time Clock

Do you know that the agúkoy has an accurate internal time clock? The agúkoy or fiddler crab will change its color in response to the low and high tide. When the tide is low, the carapace or shell of the crab will turn dark and during high tide the color of the shell becomes light. In Cordova, Cebu, I noticed that some will turn bright red or bright blue during low tide.

Even if you kidnap agúkoy and put them in your room away from shore, the color will change in response to the 12 ½ hour cycle of the tide. So if you are from an interior town in Bohol and loves to bathe at the sea during high tide, just kidnap an agúkoy and you will know when will be the high tide. The darkest color of the crab will always correspond to the lowest tide. The lightest color will correspond to the highest tide.

Back To The Riddle
I have already given you enough reasons how easy it was to shift from tigmúkoy to agúkoy. Whereas the word tigmúkoy means enigma, the agúkoy itself is an enigma. Just the same, in the context of the rhyme of the riddle, the word tigmúkoy should be the logical word because the answer to the riddle is a “dream.” It does not have a relation to the queerness of the agúkoy.

By LEO ARMANDO B. BONCALES

The University of Bohol and the University of Bohol Alumni Association, Incorporated  (UBAAI) will hold a grand alumni homecoming on July 20, 2009 at the university quadrangle.

Lawyer Jose V.  Torralba, president of UBAAI disclosed that  this year’s  grand alumni homecoming is in conjunction  with the celebration of Tapok Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK). The affair is  part of the yearly Sandugo celebration which will be held every month of July. As president, Torralba is calling all alumni of  Rafael Palma College and University of Bohol to participate in  this memorable occasion and reunite once again with former classmates in our Alma Mater. Registration is peg at P100.00  only. Any donation is much appreciated.

For more information you may  inquire from the UB Alumni Office at tel no. (038) 411-4321, Prof. Rene Real at tel .no. (038) 411-3523 or at cel no. 09164576504 and Dean Carol Belarmino at tel. no. 411-3484 local (832).

IDEA Philippines will hold a “Free Stay-In Orientation Camp” for deaf children aged 15 years and below and their parents/guardian this coming May 25-27 at the Dormitory for the Deaf, Loon South Central Elem. School.

Board, lodging and transportation expenses are also free.

For more information, call Maricris at (038) 411-5568/ 501-8890 or text at 09209388749.

Punta Cruz: “Top tourist attraction”
By FRED C. FUERTES

The Punta Cruz Watchtower, built by the Augistinian-Recollect friar 1,211 years ago, symbolize this historical, history-rich coastal municipality.

Historians and researchers say that the tower and the wooden cross beside the fortress were erected almost the same year.

Constructed out of stones and patterned after Spanish fortresses, the towering structure served as a watching place to warn inhabitants around the area when Moro marauders from Mindanao and Sulo who hit our shores to kidnap women and innocent children to be sold out as slaves back home.

Folklore, handed down from generation to generation, narrates that a group of fishermen were on their fishing expedition along Maribojoc Bay. Wonder of wonders, their fish net yielded a unique catch â€" a big, straight piece of wood.

They dragged the wood ashore, formed it into a cross, for they were already Christians at the time, and erected the same on the exact spot where it now proudly stands.

The cross, folklore reveals, served as the protector of the area’s populace.

When Moro buccaneers let go of their evil expedition, the inhabitants, warned earlier by the watcher atop the historical tower, implored the protection of the Holy Cross.

When the merciless invaders sailed over Maribojoc Bay, the sea turned into a large tract of land.  Having no other alternative, the raiding pirates disembarked from their sea vessels and went on their destination.

At this juncture, just like the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea, flooding waters mapped out the philandering pirates from the face of the earth.

Although perennially promoted by previous administrations, Punta Cruz attracted a handful of local and foreign tourists.

When Mayor Leoncio Evasco, Jr. came into the scene having been catapulted to the mayoralty throne by the Maribojocanons long hungry for a change, the former Davao City executive and a trusted ally of the dynamic city top brass â€" Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, created the Municipal Ecological, Heritage, Tourism, Culture and the Arts Council (MEHTCAC).

Evasco tapped the expertise of the Ramasola siblings headed by top Boholano painter and artist Ric Ramasola, and other local talents including musician-priest Fr. Oriel “Witex” Echavia.

Paul Gelig, a successful Manila-based businessman who is on import-export business and reportedly operating a chain of bakery shops in the capital city, and a close peer of the former priest during their seminary days, was designated as Maribojoc’s economic adviser.

Gelig then former a corporation along with his close kins and the Watchtower Corporation, Inc. was born which eventually won a bidding to operate a souvenir shop and later, a coffee shop to cater to tourists’ culinary needs as well as souvenir items they can bring home.

The Bohol Alliance of Non-Government Organizations (BANGON) later implemented a 20-month project entitled “Building Livelihoods and Enterprises of Sustainable Ecotourism Development in Maribojoc, more locally known as Blessed-Maribojoc.

An essential element of this project, which is funded by the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program of the Australian Agency for International Development (PACAP-AusAID), is the formation of the Punta Cruz Cultural Collective, a community-based theater composed of 20 members (students and out-of school youths of Punta Cruz, Guiwanon, Lagtangon, Bood, Dipatlong, Poblacion and sition San Juan in the port area) who successfully passed the audition conducted by Boholano movie director Gardy Labad last August a year ago.

After two presentations entitled “Ang Tawag sa Bantayan2, the dance-drama group caught the admiration tourism officials.  The dance ensemble was invited as Bohol’s representative to the Creativity Summit of KALAHI Cultural Caregiving focused on the UN Millenium Development Goals through World Theatre Week Workshops/ Showcases/Conference last March 24-29, this year.

The talented young Maribojocanons made waves in the capital city March 28 when they entertained audience at Clamshell I, Intramuros, Manila.  The now nationally famous dance group rendered the intermission number in yesterday’s historic event.

The Punta Cultural Collective is Maribojoc’s version of the internationally famous Loboc Children’s Choir and the Loboc Youth Ambassadors Band.

With the declaration yesterday of the Punta Cruz Watchtower Complex by the National Historical Institute as a Historical Landmark and installation thereat of a Historical Marker, the beautiful and historical watchtower and its environs can now be at par with other tourist destinations of the island-province.

By RAUL PHILLIP GATAL

Everything is set for the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran’s highly- anticipated event this Friday, May 22.
Dubbed Santacruzan 09, it will commence with a holy mass and floral offering at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, 3 p.m. followed by a spectacular and colorful procession of sagalas and angels around the city’s major thoroughfares and will be capped with a glittering Coronation Ball and Dinner Gala to be held at the Dagohoy Ballroom of Bohol Tropics Resort, 7 p.m.

Top notch entertainment and a reenactment of the Santacruzan are some of the evening’s highlights.

A star- studded line-up of notable society figures, showbiz icons and political heavyweights will be on hand for the coronation of seven distinguished women achievers, namely; the highly-respected philanthropist and jet-setting socialite Rose Soy as Queen of the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran; the beauteous and brainy Loay Mayor, Rosemary Lim- Imboy, as Reina Emperatriz; the charming lady behind Loboc’s popular Riverwatch floating resto, Tessie Labunog- Sumampong, as Queen of May.

Alona Tropical Resort’s Aya Montero will reign as this year’s Reyna Elena. The other queens are Yoradale Mae Bongato as Princess of May, Leah Genica Jabines as Queen of Angels and Jasmine Shania Tasker as Reina de las Flores. A bevy of beauty queens, models, and pretty charmers complete the line- up of sagalas and angels.

Club president Dr. Angelito Lechago and project chair Baby Bantol revealed that this annual fund-raising campaign will benefit the Rotary’s various socio-civic projects.

For ticket inquiries and reservations, contact Rotarian Mary Ruth Gango 09189795825. 
Santacruzan 2009 would like to thank Cion-Virge Café & Restaurant, Asahi Kanko Tours, Magokoro Skills Center, Inc., Alona Tropical Beach Resort, Lite Shipping, BCCTV, Panglao Tropical Villas, Riverwatch, Alona Vida Beach Resort, Coco Vida Bar & Restaurant, Le Panorama Restaurant, JJs Seafood Village, Bohol Vantage Resort, Dumaluan Beach Resort, RD Wedding Avenue, Island City Mall, The Bohol Chronicle and KISS 102.3 FM.

The Hildegardeans Class ’89 of Nursing of the Holy Name University, formerly the Divine Word College, will hold its Grand Platinum Reunion in Houston, Texason on June 19-21.

Equipped with an uncompromising value for life, the members of the class have pursued their respective paths in different places across the globe in respond to the calling of their profession.

Their reunion 20 years after leaving the portals of their alma mater will gather them once again during their Platinum Anniversary Gala Night at the Marriot Hotel Grand Ballroom at the Texas Medical Center on June 20.  Alumni ought to register on June 19 in Pearland, Texas.

A family picnic will follow on the 21st which is also open to their friends and reunion supporters at the Christina Adair Park.  The occasion will also serve as “Appreciation Day” for the success of the reunion.

The Hildegardeans batch, headed by Joseph Alagon for already five years now, is known for the priceless contribution of its members to humanitarian works here such as medical-surgical missions.

Alagon, a registered nurse now based in California, had in fact helped thousands of indigent patients in his home province in the past seven years.

He supported the four biggest heart operations in the Philippines which were all done in Bohol with patients who also came from other parts of the Visayas, Luzon and Mindanao.

The Bohol government, thru Gov. Erico Aumentado, has in fact lauded, recognized and honored the contribution of the Hildegardeans Class to the many humanitarian missions here.

Alagon happens to be a son of Philippine Gift of Life President/Chief Executive Officer francisca Baluyot, a former Red Cross-Bohol administrator regarded by many as the “Mother Terersa of the Philippine Medical Mission.”

Three years ago, a “yahoo group” of the Hildegardeans Class was initiated by Armi Garmi as a strong link that could connect 67 of the original 97 class members who have since then greeted and updated each other thru the cyberspace regularly. The group has kept locating other Hildegardeans members.

So far, some 30 Hildegardeans classmates and their families have confirmed to come to Texas for the reunion.  The said American state is now home to 10 Hildegardeans members.

Their class advisers, Margaret Pana-Faisal and Jevica Virtudes, will be the reunion guest speakers while a number of class clinical instructors are also joining the event.

Because of the lingering global economic meltdown, the Houston Planning Committee of the platinum reunion strived to keep the event cost down while at the same time generating funds.  Garrage sales were even held and fund-raising items sold on-line.  The committee thanked all donors and patrons.

Those who are interested to celebrate with the Hildegardeans members in their platinum reunion can contact Emelita Chatto-Lomod at elomod@yahoo.com.

Any information on the other class members not yet located by the planning committee can be fed to Zipporah Fortich-Orion at zafortich@aol.com or to Liz Vergas-Halbert at liz.halbert@ymail.com. - The Bohol Chronicle

Editorial, the Bohol Chronicle

The benefactors and beneficiaries of the P3-Million-A-Day Swertres illegal game in Bohol probably thought they were above the law.

This is because just a week earlier - the warning signals were fired. Region-7 Police Director Federico Terte gave the marching orders against the illegal trade and cited the "One Strike" policy over the heads of lawmen. Governor Erico Aumentado and the League of Municipalities declared war on the same.

But such has the lawlessness become in the city. They are now brazen enough to ignore the warning shots - precisely because they thought they can perpetuate the illegal activity with impunity. Because they thought they were above the law.

The Chronicle had postulated in its editorial what is already a National Fact of Life.  That Swertres can never survive in a place without the protection of some high officials and some policemen. That's true from Aparri to Jolo - stated without fear of contradiction.

So for the long arm of the law to reach the suspects, it had to be creatively done beyond the ambit of the city. It had to take a Regional Judge to issue the search warrant and the raid to be done by elements of the Regional Police (Intelligence Division) led by SSupt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe and elements of the Bohol BPPO led by S/Supt Edgardo Ingking to nail the alleged "biggest financier" of swertres in the city and province, a public official at that (barangay captain Manolo Blanco) in Mansasa district of this city.

None of the city judges and police elements led by city police chief Julius Gornez had the faintest idea the lightning raid would occur Friday. And it was best that it was so. Word flies in the city like a swine flu influenza, faster than one can say "swertres".

Caught inflagrante delicto with half a million cash and paraphernalia alongside a coordinator, the authorities should now throw the library at this financier and give him 16 years in jail, P5 million in penalty and perpetual disbarment from holding public office. Lawmaker as lawbreaker - if found guilty - is such a frigging shame.

The record of the city police head Julius "Silence of the Lamb" Gornez should be immediately put on notice to the office of PNP Chief Verzosa. S/Supt Ingking may have come to his own in this one and should re-establish his credibility that indeed he is not a "cop on the take". But they have to keep on pushing because there are other financiers out there or crooks angling to grab the share of the fallen Manolo Blanco as "Top Gun".

Everyone knows that the City PNP is under the direct supervision of the City Mayor. It should therefore come from the mouth of City PNP chief Gornez if his seeming reluctance (which led to the regional PNP involvement) was because he was constrained by the City Mayor to go hammer and tongs against a trade that is known to almost everyone who can say his own name in the city.

Last week, when the Governor endorsed the anti-swertres drive and challenged the City Mayor to have the city drive as a model, all the public got was a resounding silence from City Hall. Instead we hear the City Chief Executive say "swertres will not go away as long as lotto exists."

Now that the Big-Time Financier of the illegal game will be formally charged by Regional Police elements - who used a ton of intelligence before making their move - all the City Mayor can say is " I cannot abandon a friend (Manolo Blanco) and I will provide him the best lawyer."

Blanco is a protege and friend of the City Mayor - one of the 11 barangay captains in his political fold.

These are the facts of the case. You can draw your own conclusions.

By FRED C. FUERTES

Chairman  Ambeth R. Ocampo, of the National Historical Institute lauded yesterday the effective church-and-state relations of parish vicars and the municipal government headed by Mayor Leoncio Evasco, Jr.

The Inquirer columnist  was the main speaker during the unveiling of the historical marker and  declaration of the Punta Cruz Watchtower  as a  National Landmark at the Punta Cruz Watchtower Complex, Punta Cruz, this town.

Dr. Ocampo was introduced by Gardy Labad.

“The joint efforts of church authorities and the local government unit resulted to this successful launching of this project,” the NHI top brass stressed.

Earlier, Bishop Leonardo Medroso expressed the Church’s gratitude for this laudable project. The diocesan head accepted earlier  the historical marker of the Sta. Cruz Parish Church, also known as the San Vicente Ferrer Shrine Church after the eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Efren Dolauta, Fr. Johnson Ente and Fr. Oriel Echavia.

Jesuit Fr. Rene Javellana  of the Society of Jesus explained to the audience the historical significance of the Pnta Cuz Watchtower while  Executive Director Cecille Guidote Alvarez expressed her appreciation of the place which she have often heard before but “it’s only now  have I personally seen and felt the beauty of this historical tourist spot.”

Alvarez represented Chair Wilma Labrador of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Mayor Evasco welcomed guests and audience in behalf of the municipality while Punta Cruz punong barangay Faustino de la Cerna welcomed them in behalf of his barangay.

Later, Evasco read Sangguniang Bayan Resolutions expressing thanks and appreciation to Ocampo and Adopting Labad as a Maribojocanon.

The now nationally famous Punta Cruz Cultural Collective, under the tutelage of the then musical director Labad entertained the audience with their l5-minute presentation Tawag sa Lantawan which earned kudos at their Intramuros performance recently. (fcf) - Bohol Chronicle

By the Bohol Chronicle

The Tourism Act of 2009 signed into law by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Cebu on Tuesday is considered as an achievement not just of the Philippine Congress but the Filipino nation.

Arroyo and House Speaker Prospero Nograles lauded the audacity and hard work of its principal author in Congress, Rep. Edgar M. Chatto, and his co-authors including Nograles himself.

The House speaker likewise praised the members of the House panel to the Bicameral Conference Committee, in which a Senate counterpart panel also sits, who equally toiled to craft the final version of the law.  Chatto led the House conferees.

“I am delighted that the president finally signed the landmark measure which is an output of the collective effort of the House of Representatives, Senate, executive department and industry stakeholders for the benefit of the Filipinos,” said the Bohol solon while emerging from the Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort, Hotel and Spa in Mactan island in Cebu where the historic signing took place.

He said the law declares tourism as an indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and importance which ought to be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic growth and cultural affirmation.

Chatto generously cited Sen. Richard Gordon, who pushed for the Senate version of the law.  Both led the lawmakers in witnessing the law signing during the president’s meeting with her cabinet outside Manila.

It was the congressman from Balilihan who himself sponsored the committee report in the plenary debates that fine-tuned the tourism statute aimed at promoting the country as the prime tourist destination in Asia.

The law will upgrade the country’s level of global competitiveness thru a system of accreditation, standards-setting and classification, said Chatto, chairman of the tourism committee in Congress.
It will generate investments, foreign exchange and employment while keeping the mold and enhancement of the national pride.

Chatto said the law is a significant achievement not only of the national legislative and executive branches of the national government but also of the local government units and private sector.

He recognized the possibility of crafting a law in view of the urgent need to develop a national strategy for tourism development while giving due respect for the principle of local autonomy.

Chatto gave merits to the government agencies, private sector groups and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) in adding inputs to how the measure can institutionalize an effective multi-sectoral partnership.

The law empowers the Department of Tourism (DOT) by strengthening its attached agencies for more efficient coordination of functions and use of resources for tourism programs.

Private sector participation is institutionalized in the law as it also establishes the Tourism Congress, an assembly of representatives of all accredited tourism enterprises.

The assembly will serve as a consultative body assisting the government in the development, implementation and coordination of national tourism policies.

Chatto said “the private sector is indeed a crucial stakeholder in the business and I believe that its participation is indispensable since it frontlines the industry.”

By the Bohol Chronicle

The centuries old Simbahan ng Dauis and the Dauis Church complex were both declared as national historical landmarks during formal rites last night which was covered live over dyRD-AM.

Chairman Ambeth Ocampo of the National Historical Institute cited the significance in declaring the church and its complex as landmarks in history.

At the signing ceremony yesterday were Bishop Leonardo Medroso and Mayor Luciano Bongalos, NHI Chairman Ocampo, NHI Executive Director Ludovico Badoy and Fr. Val Pinlac, parish priest and rector.

Prior the signing ceremony, Bishop Medroso officiated at a Pontifical Mass at the church.
In his acceptance talk, Bishop Medroso expressed elation on the move of NHI as this will enhance the religious and cultural touch of the Boholanos.

During the same occasion, the book “A Technical Note on the Conservation of the Textiles” (NHI publication) was launched.

Rep. Edgar Chatto presented the certificate of completed projects.

Other dignitaries present were Cecile Guidote Alvarez, executive director of the NCCA and president of the UNESCO Int’l Theater Institute Philippines Center, Director Bambi Harper of the National Heritage Foundation, Inc., and Fr. Ted Milan Torralba, executive secretary Permanent Committee on Cultural Heritage of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

The fate of 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 the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Aragones, who works with monitoring of these mammals in Tañon 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 these cetaceans are either beached (dead on shore) or merely stranded (alive).

Based on the studies, there have been 28 species of marine mammals in the Philippines, or about 1/3 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 these incidents more visitors flock the island for whale-watching. - The Bohol Chronicle

The provincial government issued a statement regarding the complaint of a Japanese firm which wanted to participate in the bidding of the P168-million heavy equipment purchase.

Gov. Erico Aumentado said the bids and awards committee was not aware that Kyokuto Kaihatsu Kogyo Co., Ltd. is the principal of Kowa Tsusho nor was there information relayed that said company was represented by Kowa Tsusho.

His explanation was contained in a letter sent to  Shingu Nakajima, overseas group sales division of Kyokuto Kaihatsu Kogyo Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan.

In fact, he said, the group did not present any corporate profile of Kowa Tsusho or Kyokuto Kaihatsu Kogyo Co., Ltd. The information regarding the company was sourced out by the provincial legal officer through the Internet.

"You should not have the temerity to blame the provincial government officials concerned for the fiasco of your company's  purported intention to bid as there was no recorded evidence that the company informed the BAC  of their company's interest to bid for the dump trucks, fuel and water tankers," the governor said.

"The impression they created was that Kowa Tsusho was interested to bid for all the earthmoving brand new heavy equipments which means a total delay in the bidding process," he continued.

The governor explained that the issue is non-negotiable to the provincial government especially for Kowa Tsusho which failed to comply with the requirements of the bidding process or even had the courtesy to submit its corporate profile.

The statement of the governor came after Nakajima wrote a letter stating "his company is strongly dismayed at insinuations that put the company in a bad light" by casting doubts on its status as a global manufacturing and trading company.

The governor invited the company in future biddings assuring them of his administration's advocacy of transparency and accountability as well as fairness in dealing with the public and bidders for its projects and supplies which is his standard procedure during his 42 years in government service.

Boholanos all over the world now look forward to the grand reunion season: meeting with family and relatives, schoolmates and friends in their native island.

Registration to the triennial 2009 Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) is now in full swing. TBTK 2009 is slated July 14 to 26.   

Although registration forms have already been sent to varied Boholano groups in the Philippines and abroad, current TBTK Chairperson Betty Veloso-Garcia reiterates the invitation through the print and broadcast media citing discount privileges of early registrants up to May 30.           

The complete registration package includes: Lifetime Membership (preparatory to becoming a Voting Member), Event Registration and Program Kit, Admission to TBTK Gala, Admission to Mrs. Bohol International, Admission to Miss Bohol International, Admission to TOBAW Awards, Admission to Recognition Night and sponsored events like the Malacanang Palace visit and other receptions. 

Those who do not choose the whole package may register for the event in general and buy special tickets to particular activities.

Other events that balikbayans and their friends can attend or participate in include: religious activities, Sandugo Street Dancing, cockfighting derby, youth activities, tours and pilgrimages, school reunions, medical mission, TBTK  meeting, TBTK election of officers (for voting members only), cultural shows and exhibits, and many others.

Over-all coordinator is Liklik Gallares-Schroeder of Sacramento, CA who is now in Tagbilaran City (0916-342-3772). 

For registration, interested parties may contact Cora A. Simsiman of New Jersey (973-893-0392) or Rose Soy, Airport Compound, Tagbilaran City (0919-924-3161) or  Pureza Chatto, M. Parras Extension Tagbilaran City (0920-904-9575). - The Bohol Chronicle

By Bohol Chronicle

Dismissing reports of a “falling out” among its members and leaders, stalwarts of the city Lakas-CMD claims the party remains a formidable organization and will field its own mayoralty bet in next year’s elections.

Former city mayor Jose Torralba, chairman of the party’s city directorate, bared over dyRD’s “Inyong Alagad” there are no conflicts within the ranks of Lakas. Torralba likewise clarified his decision of yielding to City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso as “the most probable” candidate for mayor in the May 2010 polls.

Reports surfaced that Torralba and Veloso are odds following the party’s city directorate meeting Wednesday last week at the residence of the former mayor where the vice mayor was supposedly not invited.

The report was flatly denied and was believed as an attempt to rock the party members' relationship, a move engineered by some "insecure politicians in the city," Veloso said.

"How can I not be in the meeting when I was the one who proposed said meeting to ex-mayor Torralba," Veloso stressed while saying the public should be watchful of false news designed to create conflict between him and other party members.

City councilors Leonides Borja, and Lucio Balbin, also Lakas members, were apparently not in attendance in the said meeting. The two city lawmakers have sided with the Sangguniang Panlungsod majority bloc allied with the city mayor, every time the administration and opposition councilors locked horns on issues concerning the city government.

Wednesday’s gathering was in fact suggested by Veloso who also sent the invitations to Lakas members which included barangay chairmen.

Torralba said he would rather take an active role campaigning for the party’s ticket but not as a candidate. Torralba, who served a total of 15 years as city mayor, cites health reasons for abandoning political plans in the future.

By June Blanco
The Bohol Chronicle

The die is cast: the notices are already out.

And Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala is ready to demolish structures within the 20-meter salvage zone of the Alona Beach if the resort owners will not voluntarily do so by the end of the month.

Alcala said he had the notices sent by registered mail with return card to the owners of 12 resorts on the famed Alona Beach.

These resort owners â€" including two incumbent councilors â€" have been “a headache”, the mayor lamented.

Their sheer hardheadedness has caused difficulty for the town’s firetruck, garbage truck and septic tankers in passing through.

He has negotiated, cajoled, requested, reminded and directed these owners to demolish these structures, mostly seawalls, but to no avail.

During a recent meeting of resort owners at the JJ’s Seafoods Village in Tagbilaran City called by Gov. Erico Aumentado, however, Alcala sounded off his predicament to the body that included
foreign nationals who have chosen to reside in Panglao.

The participants pressed for the removal of the obstructions that prompted Alcala, as implementor of the law, to issue the notices.

Alcala also welcomed Aumentado’s offer of a bulldozer, if required, for the demolition of illegal structures set 15 days after the receipt of the notice â€" or around the end of this month.

The public clamor emboldened the mayor to act anew. To note, some resort owners had filed a mandamus case in an apparent move to pressure him into issuing business permits. But the mayor was adamant, saying that he had already given his word: no demolition of illegally constructed structures â€" no license.

The cases have dragged on for around a year now, he said, and have come to the point where the judge had requested for a status quo on the structures during their pendency.

Alcala said a temporary restraining order (TRO) would have been better as this expires after 60 days.

And the 15-day waiting period starts.

More secondary students will hold classes in brand new school buildings starting June this year, some passing through newly concreted or recently soil stabilized provincial roads after Gov. Erico Aumentado inaugurated some P26 million worth of infrastructure projects in a spree Friday and Saturday.

Aumentado led inaugural rites of school buildings at the Pablo O. Lim Memorial High School (POLMHS) in Barangay Marawis in Valencia town, Lonoy Heroes High School in Barangay Lonoy in Jagna town and the Camayaan High School in Barangay Camayaan in Loboc town.

He also inaugurated the newly-concreted Poblacion-Cabungaan-Lonoy provincial road in Jagna; another in Batuan town; asphalt overlay of the road leading to the Chocolate Hills in Carmen town and soil stabilization of a road in Loboc as well as the bailey bridge that replaced the foot bridge in Barangay Tigbao, also in Loboc town.

A joint project of the provincial government of Bohol and the Department of Education (DepEd) under Secretary Jesli Lapus, the school buildings cost only P780,000 each â€" way below the costing of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) or even DepEd’s Principal-LED projects.

Aumentado said the DPWH costing is high because it charges supervision fees at the levels of the district engineer and the regional and central offices at 3.5 percent each. The governor and Lapus had signed a memorandum of agreement where the provincial government implements the project, undertaken by local contractors or where there are no takers, by the Engineer Support Battalion (ESBn) under its commander Lt. Col. Ramon Evan Ruiz.

The school buildings have two classrooms, each at the standard floor area of 56 squares meters at eight meters by seven meters, fully painted inside and out, with electrical wiring, toilet with plumbing, and blackboards as designed by the provincial government.

“ONE STRIKE” POLICY

Chief Superintendent Terte warned that he would remove from their posts the police officers who fail to stop the illegal numbers game.

Terte visited Bohol last month together with PNP Chief Director General Jesus Versoza to inaugurate the new police headquarters in Batuan town and to attend the groundbreaking of the police headquarters in Balilihan town.

The apprehension of two swertres operators in the same area by a police team from another town or unit would mean the removal of the station commander, according to Terte.

The relief of two police chiefs in a province would result in the removal of the provincial police director while the relief of three provincial directors would also mean that the regional director would be axed, he added.

Terte also directed the police chiefs to coordinate with local government officials to make the campaign against illegal gambling a priority in their respective locality.

He called on all sectors, including some members of the media who have been giving tips and results of swertres over the radio programs, to help in the efforts to minimize illegal gambling.

COPS ON THE TAKE?

It was gathered by the Chronicle that swertres operations in Bohol alone could involve some P2 million daily.

Two former operators of the illegal numbers game disclosed that their daily operating expenses would always include “budget for payoffs” to certain policemen and officials as “protection money” that could range from P500 to as much as P3,000 on a day.

SSupt. Ingking has repeatedly challenged the public to report policemen who are involved in swertres as this would damage the credibility of the PNP while he denied receiving protection money from a swertres operator based in a northern coastal town.

The provincial director has vowed a more aggressive action against swertres saying policemen will face sanction if they fail to arrest swertres personalities in their respective jurisdictions.

Serious Penalty

Blanco will be charged for violating RA 9287, the law governing illegal numbers game, and could face stiffer penalties being an elected public official.

Under Sec. 5 of RA 9287, a government employee or public official caught as a financier or operator of illegal numbers game shall be meted the penalty of 12 to 20 years in prison and a fine ranging from P3 million to P5 million.

Whether elected or appointed, the public official will also be penalized with “perpetual absolute disqualification” to hold public office.

According to Buenafe, the gravity of the penalty will be determined by the court.

Sanction on City PNP

The raid of the PNP regional intelligence service came barely a week after officials of the PCSO urged the public not to patronize the illegal version of “Swertres”.

City residents, especially in barangay Mansasa, likewise aired over the radio their sentiments on the unabated illegal swertres operations wherein even children resort to stealing just to bet in the daily swertres.

Asked why the raid was conducted without the coordination of the Tagbilaran City Police Station, SSupt. Buenafe said they wanted to keep the operation confidential as much as possible as previous attempts had turned out negative.

Buenafe also said the regional command will undertake an assessment on City Police chief Supt. Julius Cesar Gornez. He declined to say however of any possibilities that the city police chief may be relieved or administratively sanctioned in accordance with the “one strike policy”.

“The regional headquarters always gives a freehand to local commanders to carry out their responsibilities, but in this case, the regional command initiated the raid due to reports that the illegal numbers game operation here is becoming worse,” he added.

Footnote from PCSO

The Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office (PCSO) is proposing to its top management to give citations and awards to government enforcers who can haul personalities involved in the illegal numbers game.

VisMin general manager William Medice hailed the accomplishment of the Recom-7 team who swooped down to arrest the barangay official engaged in the illegal numbers game.

The report on Blanco's arrest was immediately dispatched by PCSO to its top management including to Malacanang authorities.

Two weeks ago, Medice and other PCSO officials were in town for the diamond jubilee celebration. They noted down the proliferation of swertres in the province, particularly in the city.

Through the help of Dan Lim, swertres financier was released on a bail

The arrested barangay captain was released barely few hours after his arrest following the issuance of a release order issued by RTC Judge Fernando Fuentes.

The swertres financier was already at the City Port ready to board the 5:30 p.m. trip of Oceanjet to Cebu when the court order was served aborting his detention at the Recom-7 headquarters in Cebu City.

Col. Buenafe was shocked on the fast tracking of the court order but could not refuse the release of Blanco. However, the PNP official said that charges will be filed tomorrow against the barangay captain while he considers the evidences seized inside Blanco's residence as solid and heavy evidences to prove that he is indeed a financier of the illegal numbers game.

Atty. Amante, who spoke in behalf of the barangay official said he will file a motion to quash the warrant issued by Cebu Judge Paderanga. He questioned why it was not specified in the warrant the reason why it has to be issued by a court outside the province.

MAYOR DAN LIM ALL-OUT SUPPORT FOR AN ILLEGAL GAMBLER

"I will not abandon a friend," (referring to barangay captain Blanco), the city mayor said during his weekly radio program yesterday.

"I will provide him (Blanco) the best lawyer," the mayor stressed while he said that he can not stop the illegal numbers game if the national lotto will continue.

The friendship of the city mayor and Blanco was re-affirmed by the mayor himself who admitted that he positioned Blanco as a barangay captain in the city's coastal barangay of Mansasa.  Blanco  one of the 11 barangay captains identified with the city mayor.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Amid public criticism for its failure to catch the “big fish” in the intensified campaign against the illegal numbers game swertres, regional police operatives arrested Friday a city barangay captain identified as a “big time” financier operating all over the province.

A joint team from the intelligence branch of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) and the Bohol PNP seized cash amounting P586,715 and various paraphernalia used in the illegal swertres.
Arrested inside his residence was Barangay Captain Manolo Blanco, alias Taran, 50, of barangay Mansasa, this city. 

A certain, Arnel Pablo, 32, of Matig-a Street this city was also nabbed at Blanco's residence. He is one of the coordinators who had in his possession swertres tip sheets and tally sheets.

Blanco is said to be the biggest financier of the illegal numbers game in the province operating through networks in several towns with well structured coordinators particularly operating in the city.

He has been spared from recent arrests as police records showed that those "small fries" arrested are coming from the towns.

Past 7 in the morning Friday, elements of the PNP Regional Intelligence Division (RID-7) led by S/Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe and selected operatives of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) led by S/Supt. Edgardo Ingking conducted the raid at the residence of Blanco in barangay Mansasa which is said to be one of the major headquarters of the illegal swertres operations.

By virtue of a search warrant issued by Cebu City Regional Trial Court Judge Sylvia Aguirre Paderanga, the raiding team cornered Blanco confiscating the cash in different denominations believed to be proceeds from bets and the gambling paraphernalia.

In an interview with the Chronicle, SSupt. Buenafe bared they have been sending surveillance teams here since they received reports on Blanco’s illegal gambling operations.

“After our agents verified and found the reports positive, hence, we planned out the raid,” Buenafe said.

According to Buenafe, informants told them that Blanco have been operating for several years now not only in his barangay but almost covering the entire province of Bohol.

Earlier that day, two members of the raiding team intercepted one Arnel Pablo, who confessed to be an “usher” for Blanco, along V.P. Inting Street, this city.

Pablo was on his way to the residence of Blanco when the police operatives cornered him. Seized from his possession were cash believed to be proceeds from bets and a swertres tip sheet.

The raid is considered to be the biggest success so far for PRO-7 after Regional Director C/Supt.
Federico Terte ordered a region-wide crackdown against swertres.

Terte has warned provincial commanders and station chiefs that he will not settle for mere reporting but wants to see concrete results that would lead to the arrest of swertres financiers and coordinators not just “runners and ushers”.

In fact, the regional commander has adopted the “one strike policy” and threatening to relieve provincial directors and station commanders if they fail to eradicate the illegal numbers game in their areas of responsibility.

Blanco and the seized items that included betting sheets, tip sheets and tally sheets were immediately brought to Cebu City since the warrant issued originated from the Cebu City RTC.

By JUNE S. BLANCO
Sunday Post

Long been the envy of his peers, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado proved once more that he was one step ahead of his counterparts, when it comes to pushing the right button to produce foreign financial assistance.

The Bohol governor was known of his resourcefulness in international funding institutions like the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and lately the Korean International Cooperation Agency. These internationals agencies enabled Aumentado to generate funds either as soft loans or outright grants for his Bohol mega projects. . 

Now, the industrious governor has trained his sights to Australia, and guess what he got? P200 million in funding support to finance the rehabilitation of Bohol provincial roads.

According to the governor, Australia is Bohol’s No. 1 Official Development Assistance (ODA) funder for quite a time now.

  He  gave this observation after he signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF) that, including consultancy services, will run to some P70 million a year for the next five years or a total of P350 million in grant.

  On his first visit to Bohol, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith and Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero signed the agreement with Aumentado to improve provincial roads here in rites held at the Dagohoy Hall of the Bohol Tropics Resort.

  Up for first-salvo soil stabilization are the San Isidro-Libertad (Tubigon) Road; San Isidro-Catigbian via Caimbang Road that passes by the Catigbian District Hospital and the town’s public market, and the Mahayag (San Miguel)-Danao Road that passes through a steep ridge locally called the buko-buko sa anay or an emaciated sow’s spine.

  Smith said infrastructure plays a key role in the economic growth and development of a place, hence his government’s â€" through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) â€" penchant for rehabilitation and improvement of roads.

  He said improved farm-to-market roads reduce travel time, connects rural areas to urban centers, and because of easier travel â€" promotes tourism.

  Aumentado said these were exactly the criteria followed in selecting the provincial roads for improvement. San Isidro is a small agricultural interior town. After the project, it will be better linked to the coastal town of Tubigon that is nearer to Cebu, the region’s center, than the capital, Tagbilaran City is.

  He said developing the road to Catigbian also provides San Isidro with an alternate and shorter route to Tagbilaran.

  Meanwhile, historic Danao is the adventure capital of Bohol. It offers adventure tours and activities like riding the zip line, trekking, rapelling, kayaking and caving in the lair of local hero Francisco Sendrijas who took the nomme de guerre of Dagohoy.

  Dagohoy had led the longest successful revolt â€" 85 years â€" against dominion by the Spaniards. Legend goes that he used the amulet of the breeze or dagon sa hoyohoy, hence, Dagohoy â€" to escape from pursuers. Very light-footed, he is said to know all the nooks and crannies and therefore hideouts in the river, the caves and tree hollows, among others, that ensured his escape from friars, the Spanish soldiers and their minions.

  Capitalizing on the rich history and life story of Dagohoy, the town invested in the zip line ride that has breached the P1-million mark in income after only a few months of operation â€" and parallel eco-adventure activities.

By Sunday Post

Is ex-Mayor Jose Torralba testing the political waters for a mayoralty comeback?           

This question cropped up last week when Torralba summoned his prominent leaders to a meeting last Wednesday.           

The meeting, held at the former mayor’s residence, read like a who’s who of the political opposition in the city.           

Among those who attended the meeting were City Councilors Anne Marikit Oppus and Bebiano Inting and barangay captains Niño Racho, Glorivic de la Serna, Fortunato Cosap and Fredison Ingles.           

A source claimed that Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso, Councilor Zenaido Rama and Poblacion II barangay councilman Roberto Alba were not present.           

The three are the most vocal critics of incumbent Mayor Dan Lim and expected to figure prominently in the opposition line-up in the city.           

It was not known however if the three were invited but just did not show up for whatever reason.           

Councilors Leonides Borja and Lucio Balbin, who won under the Torralba-Veloso ticket in the 2007 polls, were also conspicuously absent from the meeting.           

Those who attended the meeting declined to reveal the agenda discussed during the gathering but indications point to another serious bid by Torralba for the seat he held for 14 years.           

According to a member of the group who declined to be named, it is only logical that Torralba be the one to call the meeting being the party chairman in the city.           

The source said the absence of Veloso and Rama should not be misinterpreted as a rift in the group.           

He however refused to comment on reports that Torralba and Veloso had a falling out just before the last elections when the latter virtually junked the former to ensure his victory when Lim’s reelection became apparent.           

The source clammed up even more when asked whether it was true that a heated confrontation occurred between a family member the former mayor and a special operations operative of vice mayor.           

Despite his defeat to Lim in 2007, Torralba continues to enjoy the respect of most of the Lakas leaders in the city, many of whom he personally handpicked and to whom he has dispensed political favors during his long reign at City Hall.           

On the other hand, many leaders are wary of Veloso who was the architect of the move to oust former Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes from the party and eventually unseated her in the elections.           

“If he was able to do that to Vice Mayor Montes, he can also do that by seizing control of the party from Mayor Torralba,” a Torralba leader warned.           

The leader said that since the defeat of the former mayor in 2007, Veloso no longer gave him prominence in the group.           

Although he has not formally declared his desire to run for mayor, Veloso is expected to challenge Lim because of the gubernatorial aspirations of his brother-in-law, Rep. Edgar Chatto.           

The problem is that while the political is already starting to boil, Veloso seems to have forgotten about Torralba who is the acknowledged leader of the political opposition in the city.   

By the Sunday Post

Maybe unknown to many of its clients, the collapse of the Rural Bank of Maribojoc was tied up to the botched deal to develop a multi-million subdivision project in Tiptip district this city.

The unfolding drama also soured the relations of two long  time business associatesâ€"Restituto Tan, the bank owner, and the Pinoliad siblings.

Spanning 40 years of  friendship, what once was an epitome of close friends doing business with each other, is now becoming the worst of enemies.

As close friends before, they are now locked in a bitter legal battle resulting in the filing of estafa by Tan against his former associates. 

The root cause of the legal skirmish was the plan to rehabilitate the rural bank of Maribojoc when it was found to be suffering from inadequate capital. This triggered the eventual closure of the bank..

The friendly relations broke up after the Pinoloadsâ€"Carlito, a CPA, Julieta and Eugenia, an architect, proposed to Tan to develop a four-hectare property in Tiptip.

As envisioned, the subdivision project was to sell houses and lots to interested buyers and made money out of it to cover the capital deficiency of the bank. 

In a letter complaint filed with the city prosecutor’s office, Tan accused the Pinoliads of having failed to remit reservation fees amounting to P450,000.

Pre-selling the lots, the respondents collected P15,000 for each subscriber-applicant. The breakdown of the amount is P7,000 for reservation fee and P8,000 for processing charges. As of last report, about 30 applicants were known to have parted with their money.

The role of the Pinoliads in the transaction was that of a joint venture partner taking into consideration Carlito’s profession as a CPA and Eugenia as architect.

During the initial stages of the project, it was agreed between the landowner (Tan) and  the developers (Pinoliad), that at least three to four units were to be completed in a month’s time.

The target number of housing units was 310 to be completed  in a period of  six to seven years  and scattered in the  four hectare property.

BETHANY SUBDIVISION

Christened  Bethany Subdivision,  there seemed to be no  problem from its inception to the  signing of the final agreement of the joint venture project.

What apparently was the wedge that drove the two parties apart was when the developer failed to fulfil their end of the transaction.

Meanwhile, Tan alleged in his complaint, while there was no dramatic accomplishments obtaining in the rawland, the respondents caused to have printed an official receipt to legitimize the collection of reservation fees. The businessman said he was not informed of the receipt printing but his name appeared in the document nonetheless.

ENTER PAG-IBIG FUND

Saddled with capital inadequacy of his bank, what looked like a “knight in a shining armor” came into the picture.

This came in the form of Joanna Legacy Homes, Inc., another developer, recommended by the regional office of Pag-ibig Fund as new partner of the Tans and the Pinoliads.

The recommendation carried with it the caveat that the Pinoliads as developer lacked the required qualification while the new partner, a company based in Mandaue City has an excellent track record as developer-builder of socialized housing projects of the Pag-ibig Housing Program.

As this developed, the Tans, the Pinoliads, Joanna Legacy Homes and Pag-ibig formed a four- party contract to undertake the project.

In the Memorandum of Agreement signed by the four parties, it was agreed that Tan would  receive a whooping P55 million representing the sale of the entire property courtesy of the new partner while the Pinoliads were entitled to P8 million as a second party to the undertaking. This means that by “sitting pretty”, the Pinoliads were entitled to a cool P8 million.

A provision was however stipulated to the amount due to the Pinoliads.

The new developer would give the amount of P8 million provided the Pinoliads would advance the amount of P500,000 upon the turnover of all original or certified true copies of documents related to the implementation of the Bethany Village Subdivision Project.

With this provision in the agreement, Tan was made to understand that his original partners would fulfill their part of the bargain.

He was wrong.

Despite repeated demands, the Pinoliads refused to turn over the documents in their possession prompting the new partner to back out.

In a letter dated January 22, 2009, Danilo Suarez of Joanna Legacy Homes informed the Tans and the Pinoliads that his company was rescinding the contract citing the failure of the later to fulfil their contractual obligations to the agreement:

   1. To turnover all original or certified true copies of documents related to the implementation of the Bethany Subdivision.



   2. To render an accounting of all subdivision buyers booked prior to the execution of the subject contract, as provided for under item No. 6.



SIDE OF PINOLIADS

In their own counter-affidavit which they filed before the city prosecutor’s office on May 8, 2009,Carlito, Eugenia and Julieta Pinoliad, denied most of the accusations of Tan in his complaint.

The Pinoliads said that the allegations were utterly false, without legal and factual basis, malicious and borne out of “his devious intent to deprive” us of the legitimate fruits of our professional; efforts and services, and our joint venture housing project.

They said that contrary to Tan’s allegations, the development of the subdivision was originally a joint venture project with the Pinoliads as co-ventures/partners.

The same joint affidavit indicated that the joint venture project was conceptualized by Carlito Pinoliad for the complainant, to help bail out the complainant and the Rural Bank of Maribojoc of which Tan is the majority owner, out of his financial crisis and his personal liabilities to the bank.

During the heydays of their friendship, aside from being the accountant of Tan’s businesses, Carlito was also made president of the shuttered bank.

The  bank one of the oldest in Bohol, suffered a major setback leading to its closure. It was affected also by the fall of rural banks affiliated with the Legacy Group.

Last week of January, it declared a bank holiday after suffering from panic withdrawals. The bank had since been  under receivership by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. The PDIC is now processing claims for insured depositors.

According to Tan, had the P55 million proceeds of the  Bethany deal materialized, the bank would have had enough cash to service panicky clients. All he needed at that time was only about P40 million and he would have been richer still  by P15 million.

Meanwhile, his former partners, the Pinoliads, would have enjoyed P8 million without sweating it out in the scorching Tiptip sun while Joanna Legacy Homes is doing its part of the four-party joint venture.

A suspect in the killing of journalist Bert Sison in Sariaya, Quezon on July 1, 2008 has been accounted for, police said yesterday.

Police said the suspect, Menandro Biscocho, surfaced at the provincial office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Lucena City last Tuesday, apparently sensing that a CIDG team was to serve his arrest warrant.

Biscocho and two brothers were tagged in Sison’s killing. â€" Cecille Suerte Felipe

By Artemio Dumlao
The Philippine Star

Still unidentified men fired three shots with a caliber .45 pistol at the house of an editor of the community weekly Abra Today before dawn Thursday.

Though unhurt, Marjorie Bandayrel-Trinidad, 25, news editor of Abra Today, believes that the attack was meant to scare her.

The news weekly is published by the Diocese of Abra and a member of the Catholic Media Network.

Trinidad said she earlier had received a death threat apparently because of a negative news item about an official of an electric cooperative.

Although no one was hurt, Senior Superintendent Charlo Collado, Abra police director, has alerted his men on threats to journalists in the province, once touted as Cordillera’s “killing fields.” Security has been provided to Trinidad and her family following the shooting.

Bangued Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian condemned the attack against Trinidad and urged police to speed up their investigation and stop such dastardly acts.

Remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) hit a record-high of $1.5 billion in March, bringing the first quarter total to $4.057 billion, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday.

Despite the record-high level, growth slowed to 3.1 percent from a year ago level.

The slowing growth compares starkly with the 13.7-percent year-on-year rise in remittances which reached a record $16.429 billion in calendar year 2008.

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have both warned that remittance flows that equate to 10 percent of the Philippines’ domestic economic output could shrink this year as host nations shed jobs because of the global downturn. - Des Ferriols, The Philippine Star

A German executive of a software company was shot dead yesterday morning by two gunmen in front of a residential building in Quezon City.

Police said Martin Kessler, 46, died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds he sustained from a handgun.

According to a police report, Kessler got out of his apartment unit at the LZL Apartelle around 5:45 a.m. and was on his way to his car, parked 50 meters away from the building.

The gunmen followed Kessler. One of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot Kessler in the head. When the victim fell, the two men approached the victim and shot him several more times. Witnesses said the suspects then walked away.

Authorities initially set aside robbery as a motive as the suspects reportedly did not get anything from the victim.

Police said Kessler and an American national own a software company operating in the Philippines, and the victim had recently fired six employees from the firm.

Investigators are checking if this report could be linked to Kessler’s death. - The Philippine Star

While waiting for our vessel, SuperFerry 5, at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal for our return trip to Cebu, I got an idea of why ship travel has been beaten (although the vessel we took was full) by the fares of the budget airlines. While we were waiting on the docks to load our motorcycles, I found that the passengers on the economy class section were literally herded in long lines just to enter the Super Terminal. We left the Port of Manila for dinner and when we got back, the lines were still there.

Get yourself an economy fare on any budget airline and you won’t get stuck lining up outside just to get inside the airport terminal. The time you spent just trying to get inside the terminal is more than enough time to fly from Manila to Cebu! Perhaps Manila and Cebu port authorities should change their “pila” attitude for economy passengers and believe me, travel by ferryboat will be less stressful!

- by Bobit Avila, Philippine Star

By Abac Cordero

Manny Pacquiao is unbeatable in the cockfighting arena as he is in the boxing ring.

Pacquiao emerged champion in his own “Pacman 330K Big Event” 7-cock derby last Wednesday and based on insider accounts took home at least P18 million ($375,000) in winnings.

Pacquiao’s MPBR Queen Elizabeth (named after his youngest child) entries posted seven victories in as many fights and emerged champion in the year’s biggest derby so far.

Of the P8 million purse, Pacquiao won P4.5 million while the rest went to his close friend from Ilocos Sur, National Security consultant Chavit Singson who posted six wins against a lone defeat.

It was almost 5 in the morning when the derby ended, and Pacquiao came out of the San Juan Coliseum probably as happy as he was when he came out of the MGM Grand last May 2.

Pacquiao’s adviser, Wakee Salud of Cebu, said the boxer won around P30 million ($625,000) during the derby. The amount was confirmed by another member of Team Pacquiao.

“Mahigit (More than) P30 million,” he said.

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Amen!'

Dr. Erlinda K. Alburo, director of the Cebuano Studies  Center, presented two papers on Cebuano language and a new dictionary during the first week of March.

The first paper was a lecture on “Cebuano Language as Heritage” as part of the week-long celebration of the first One Visayas Festival in Cebu City last March 3. A soft book-launching of the Dictionary of Bisayan Arts: Cebuano/Hiligaynon/Waray, compiled and edited by Dr. Alburo, followed the lecture. This book, published with a grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, is an expanded version of the Dictionary of Cebuano Arts  that came out in 2006. Both dictionaries contain only indigenous terms in arts, excluding loan words from English and Spanish.

The paper  “Riddling Riddling of the Ghost Crab: Literary Translation in Cebuano.” was presented during the Conference on “Translation in Asia: Theories, Practices, Histories” on 5-6 March in Singapore. The conference sought to convene scholars from the region and beyond who are working on various aspects of the study of translation across Asia in particular and focused on attempts to better understand and theorize how translation â€" as an ideological act, as an artistic endeavor, as an opening to unknown terrain â€" was understood and practiced within Asian societies during particular historical moments. It was organized by the Asia Research Institute and Department of Malay Studies at the National University of Singapore.

Author: Cebuano Study Center

Nothing is more important to a woman than knowing that you have a connection. It can be as simple as telling her that you were thinking about her, and missed her, nothing over-the-top, just honest and caring conversation.

Mansasa Barangay Captain Manolo 'Taran' Blanco was arrested today at his house after a raid by Cebu Intelligence Operatives with search warrants.

Reports said Blanco is the biggest illegal swertres financier in Bohol. The arrest has dire consequences on his status being a government official.

Police seized more than half a million pesos and swertres evidences at his residence. He will face 12 years of imprisonment and up 5 million pesos fine.

He will be disqualified to hold public office for the rest of his life.

The Cebu Intelligence Operatives did not coordinate with the City PNP nor with City Hall for the arrest of Blanco.

By ANGELINE VALENCIA

      Representing the legacy of the greatest Filipino warrior, Francisco Dagohoy, a monument stands tall at the entrance of Camp Dagohoy, as if a reminder to the provincial police force of a mandate so tall, only noble men can sustain.

      Coinciding with the Labor Day and Tagbilaran City fiesta celebrations on May 1, Governor Erico Aumentado and Provincial Police Director Edgardo Ingking unveiled the monument of Francisco Dagohoy- -the Boholano hero who waged the longest revolt against the Spaniards in 1744 to 1829.

      Aumentado noted that for so many years already, Camp Francisco Dagohoy never had any symbol that gave tangible honor to the Boholano hero whom the police headquarters was named after.

      “Today is a historic day for PNP-Bohol, and the province as well, for so long a time this camp has been dedicated to the memory of the foremost Boholano warrior, Francisco Dagohoy, did not have a monument of a man who led the longest rebellion in the country,” Aumentado said.

      Cebu-based Philippine National Police Regional Director Federico Terte was supposed to be the guest of honor in the ceremony, but he failed to catch up with the schedule of the fastcraft to Tagbilaran City.

      PNP Provincial Director Edgardo Ingking, instead, read a copy of his message sent through fax to the Bohol Police Provincial Office, during the program.

      Assisting Aumentado and Ingking in the unveiling ceremony were Center for Culture and Arts Development Head Enriqueta Butalid and Provincial Board Member Ma. Fe Lejos- -chairperson of the Provincial Board Committee on Peace and Order.

Press Release

      Its long history since being Rafael Palma College (RPC) then to University of Bohol now, the institution continues to gear up for grander pursuits, year after year.

      In fact, for SY 2009-2010, UB High School Department has designed a new program that reduced the number of school days per week and offers free tuition fees, making school easier for students.

      In the program, 50 freshman students can avail the scholarship and enjoy the shortened school week of only four school days/nights and an annual P5,000 worth of tuition fee from first year to graduation.

      UB High School Principal Myrna Garsuta said UB designed the program as a new innovation to help ease the burden of parents in sending children to school.

      It is on a first-come-served basis.

      Interested students may visit UB or contact Garsuta at cell No. 09203257587 or the registrar, Dahlia Melda Tirol-Magno at tel no. 411-3484. Classes starts on June 1.

      Meanwhile, true to its reputation as premiere molder of teachers, 60 graduates from the Teachers College Department and one psychology teacher of UB passed the recent Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) given by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).

      Dr. Carolina Belarmino, dean of the Teachers College Department, announced the following as the successful examinees: BEEDâ€"Hazel Acuña, Joseph Agbon, Marites Ale, Merry Joy Almusura, Rolita Arancon, Agnes Asoy, Rogie Avergonzado, Christian James Baguhin, Ramonita Bayron, Zenith Bongay, Analou Bonggot, Janice Bualat, Roche Cabujoc, Chona Dano, Miriam Daplin, May Ann Datahan, Jayvee Digal, Joni Marie Doblas, Evelyn Doble, Miraflor Doyag, Remellanie Felisilda, Kimberlyn Flores, Rudmalyn Gambe, Pete Roselyn Gulay, Roland Hinampas, Brenda Julio, Juvelyn Kudemus, Marie Paz Lofranco, Ma. Cecilia Lopos, Rosita Maliza, Aqua Nikka Monticod, Albina Naraja, Teejay Palac, Cherlyn Polbos, Mark Cyril Potane, Cristina Reyes, Ernil Sale, Zenith Sale, Jayson Sangarios, Irene Simo, Leonida Tape, Rowena Tugap, Bebie Turtoga, Ivy Vargas, Emalyn Villapaz.

      Others are BSED graduates- -Josephine Amba, Christopger Asilo, Ariel Betaizar, Calin Mar Bolofer, Mailyn Bontog, Dexter Borbano, Hyacinth Castro, Ronnel Hagopit, Marilyn Historia, Judith Limbago, Fatima Lloren, Rufino Lorejo, Chrislyn Maca, Julie Panerio, Myra Polinar, Mark Patrick Tiad, and Psychology Instructor Leah Wilfreda Pilongo.

      Since when it was yet Rafael Palma College (RPC), the institution has already gained the reputation as premiere molder of teachers until the present.

      In another feat, the UB College of Engineering and Technology produced four new mechanical engineers who passed the April 2009 board examinations.

      Engr. Liberato Lupot Jr., dean of the college, announced that the new engineers are Engr. Julius Broñola of Punta Cruz, Maribojoc; Engr. Jessie Peter Estapia Galanida of Tabuan, Garcia Hernandez; Engr. Mark Vincent Paul Claro Lakilak of Tagbilaran City; and Engr. Mariflor Reyes Wagas of Estaca, Pilar.

      To note, UB was the first university to offer engineering courses in the province, which most graduates now hold high positions different companies here and abroad. (Leo Armando B. Boncales, Michalle Wong Guillena)

By Sunday Post

Rep. Edgar Chatto’s compassion and concern for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress are again tested by his rescue of a Boholana maid from suffering in Kuwait.

The congressman caused the immediate return here of ill Lorna Oponda Ladaga against the stubborn demand of her Arab employer that she must first “repay” him P80,000 before she could get home.

The amount would serve as reimbursement for the expenses supposedly incurred by her employer in processing her working visa and “penalty” for unfinished job contract.

The 33-year-old OFW from Poblacion, Garcia-Hernandez began working in the Arab land just late last February, but two weeks later she suddenly started to feel constant pain on her abdomen.

Ladaga was accordingly diagnosed by a doctor there for “infection” traced to her caesarian operation here almost two years ago.  She could hardly do her Kuwait house chores for biting pain.

She begged to be repatriated for emergency treatment back home, but her employer trashed her plea until she could give him the amount he demanded.

Her husband Stephen thus sought help from Chatto, who had the migrant worker’s case immediately raised to the Philippine Embassy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwait thru the Department of Foreign Affairs and other concerned agencies.

The Boholana maid kept working even if the gnashing pain steadily swallowed her desire of staying there long obviously to earn for her family in Bohol.

She had to go upstairs as often as possible to serve her employer and his family who stayed on the fourth storey of their residential building.

Ladaga happens to have a sister-in-law, Sherlyn, who is also working as a househelp in Kuwait.  In fact, the boss of Sherlyn is a close relative to the employer of Ladaga.

Extremely worried of the pitiful condition of her brother’s wife, Sherlyn had to take care of Ladaga while herself begging the latter’s employer to allow her in-law’s repatriation in soonest time.

The Kuwaiti would accept P30,000 as an advance payment so that his poor and sick servant could return home, but on a term that he would then collect the P50,000 balance right from Sherlyn.

Ladaga’s husband wrote to Chatto for help, confiding that on his own he could not “redeem” his precious wife---and most precious mother to his child---from her master.

The congressman made known to the concerned Philippine government agencies his instant concern of having the OFW immediately flown back here for necessary medical attention before all efforts might be too late.

Congress recently approved on third and final reading the Chatto bill extending more protection to the OFWs, whose foreign earnings have helped their motherland’s economy afloat.

The said bill penalizes, either by suspension or dismissal from office, any officials or personnel of concerned government arms who are found negligent of their duties to protect the OFWs and secure their welfare.

Finally, Ladaga’s husband contacted Chatto’s district office here on Monday and happily, gratefully informed that his OFW wife had just gone home. (Ven rebo Arigo) 

By Sunday Post

     Time travel to the past and a touch of nostalgia? Try a caleza ride, the newest attraction in Tubigon.

      The Mayor Luna Piezas announced the municipality has six calezas that one can choose from for a ride from the pier to any part of the town.

      This is a way to reminisce the parada tradition as a means of transportation in the past, according to Piezas.

      “This time, it would be more beneficial, specially that we would like to boost the town’s tourism sector and encourage more tourists to visit our place,” the mayor said.

      Tubigon holds Tanda festival annually, that covers three major components- - Agro-Fair, StreetDancing and  Anyag sa Tubigon.

      The executive committee, chaired by Dennis Balbero, has come up with the idea of parading Anyag sa Tubigon winners down to the runners-up on a caleza during the fiesta parade.

By Sunday Post

     Tubigon celebrated its 190th foundation anniversary on April 25, with the theme “Public Servant: Agent of Change”.

      Mayor Luna Piezas led municipal officials in the activities that started with a holy mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Bing Husain at 8 a.m. in Tubigon Cultural Center.

      A parade, participated in by all LGU officials and employees, followed.

      All departments of the municipal government had teams for the sportsfest that included badmintoon, table tennis, and lawn tennis tournaments.

      A get-together-lunch was served at the JJ’s Foodstream and Restaurant, Tubigon.

      Mayor Piezas and Sangguniang Panglungsod members also held a short program.

      In the afternoon, municipal employees competed in ball games and parlor games.

      Municipal Budget Officer Marilyn Dalagan proclaimed the winners and awarded the prizes in a ceremony.

      Meanwhile, winners in the Bingo socials had the chance to stay overnight for two, and free breakfast and use of swimming pool at the newly-opened Monina Inn and Restaurant located at Centro, Tubigon.

By Sunday Post

      As a protocol prior, the Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP-2) conducted a Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal (RLTA) in Jagna for a systematic operation in the municipality.

      Jagna is among the recipient-municipalities of LAMP-2 under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

      RLTA is the process of information gathering undertaken by the barangays in a concerned town, the municipal government, purok officials or leaders.

      The social development staff of LAMP-2 guides RLTA.

      LAMP-2 sets the time-frame for RLTA in just one to two weeks upon gathering of data and other information pertaining to land ownerships.

      This also shows how active and cooperative the barangays involved in the process.

      The most important task of priority barangays deals with determining the number of potential and workable lots; and the participation of barangay officials.

      The number of potential lots refers to the total number of untitled lots as projected in the Cadastral Index Map (CIM) and from the validated record from the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) as to the lands’ status.

      In addition, the number of workable lots refers to the total number of agricultural untitled lots.

      This also excludes lots with disputes that have been registered in court, lots that still require segregation and/or subdivision surveys, and lots with absentee claimants for whom there are no known addresses.

      Meanwhile, Systematic Adjudication Field Office (SAFO) personnel in Sikatuna, Bohol hope to commence its operations by middle of this month after the project exits the town within this week.

      A group of researchers finished their two-month study on the reproductive status of a coral species at the reefs in Sapaw area, Mabaw and Manga marine sanctuaries- -all in Tagbilaran City, and part of Maribojoc Bay on Wednesday last week.

      The research team comprised of Dr. Alasdair Edwards of the University of Newcastle, United Kingdom; Dr. James Guest of the National University of Singapore, Singapore; Dr. Romeo Dizon, Ms. Kareen Vicentuan-Cabaitan,  Patrick Cabaitan and Robert Lambayan of the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute.

      They conducted the research from March 6 to May 6.

      They observe samples of 18 species including Acropora cytherea, A. hyacinthus, A. humilis, A. valida, A. muricata, A. sarmentosa, A. millepora, A.anthocercis and A. tenuis.

      Preliminary results showed that of the 201 total sampled colonies, two of unknown species are suggested to spawn in April. Another 11 colonies that included A. humilis, A. cytherea, A. tenius and A. spp. have already contained white eggs which are expected to spawn in April or May.

      Some of the sampled coral species contained no visible eggs, suggesting that these will spawn from May to June. Typically the colony will spawn after the next full moon.

      Coral colonies will spawn when eggs become pigmented which usually occur during a period of about three to ten days following the full moon, although timing can vary considerably from one site to another.

      Normally, most spawning activities happen within three hours after sunset, between 6.30 pm and 9.30 pm.

      The research study aimed to determine any similarity on coral mass spawning of the reefs in Maribojoc Bay to the coral reefs in Bolinao, Pangasinan.

      The study on coral reproduction status is crucial for the component local government units in the aspect of policy-making process and the development of management mechanisms that will lead to the restoration of degraded coral habitats along Maribojoc Bay.

      The research is in coordination with the City Government of Tagbilaran, Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO) and the Maribojoc Bay Executive Management Office (MBEMO).

      The UP-based Global Environment Facility-Coral Reef Targeted Research (GEF-CRTR) does research on coral reef restoration techniques and coral reproduction at sites around the Philippines.

      As part of the project, the UP-based research group has foreign collaborators, local students, and researchers who have been doing research on the timing and synchrony of spawning in corals around Bolinao, Pangasinan, according to UP Professor Emeritus Edgardo Gomez, coordinator of GEF Southeast Asia Center of Excellence,

      He said in 2006 and 2007, their group witnessed the mass spawning of corals near Bolinao during March, April, May and June.

      So they would like to compare if the same timing of spawning happens elsewhere in the Philippines and they have chosen the reefs around Tagbilaran City as potential sites for this purpose. (contributed by Jovenal G. Edquilag, ED-MBEMO)

The provincial board of Cebu has passed a resolution condemning Nievera's version of Lupang Hinirang. The board said he violated Republic Act (RA) 8491, or the 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, by "murdering" the national anthem.

According to Section 37 of RA 8491, the rendition of the national anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.

Section 20 of the law also states: "The rendition of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo."

RA 8491 prescribes that any person who will violate its provisions may be punished by a fine of at least P20,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year. - abs-cbnnews.com

Actress Carmina Villaroel shared that her husband Zoren Legazpi will try to pursue his dream of becoming a director.

In an interview, Villaroel shared that it has really been her husband's passion to direct more than to act. "Oo kasi talagang gusto niya at saka hilig niya talaga ang mag-direct. Sabi nga niya he is more of a director than an actor," Villaroel told ABS-CBN News.

As a wife, Villaroel said that she will always be there to support her spouse and that she is very enthusiastic about Legazpi's directing dreams.

"So very suppportive naman ako kasi nakikita ko namang may talent siya and very hard-working siyang tao. If he wants something talagang pinag-aaralan niyang mabuti, gumagawa siya ng paraan. 'Yon nagse-self study siya sa mga DVD, sa libro. Very hard-working, very passionate, very intense kaya sinusuportahan ko siya doon nang bonggang bongga," the actress said.

Villaroel said that she's really proud of her "honey" since she thinks he is a good director. "Para sa akin magaling siya. Parang pinupuri kita honey, pero talagang ganoon ang pagkapaniwala ko sa iyo," she said.

Villanueva also revealed that Legazpi has had a passion for directing since he was a teenager in the United States. "Kahit noong nasa Chicago pa lang sila, kahit noong mga teenager pa lang ay may production na sila. Nagvi-video na sila for [the] Filipino community. Nagshoo-shoot [and] edit sila kapag may debut o wedding. Silang mga [magka]kapatid nagka-camera, nage-edit naglalagay ng music. So hindi bago sa kanya 'yong mga ganito," she said. - ABS-cbnNews.com

By Abs-cbnnews.com

Actress Ruffa Gutierrez has denied rumors that she was the reason behind the alleged break-up of actor John Lloyd Cruz and his sweetheart, stylist Liz Uy.

Gutierrez dismissed the issue, saying she was not in any way connected to the hunk actor.

Although Gutierrez is currently not working on any projects involving Cruz, she had worked with him on the now defunct ABS-CBN hit series "I Love Betty La Fea."

"I don’t think there's anything to clarify kasi unang una tapos na 'yong 'I Love Betty La Fea.' There's really nothing to talk about kasi the last time I saw him was during the taping of 'I Love Betty La Fea,'” she told abs-cbnNEWS.com.

“He is not here [in the country and] I don't know where he is. And I think it's funny to be linked to someone who is not even here," the actress and former beauty queen added.

Gutierrez was reacting to e-mails that have circulated alleging that she was behind the Cruz-Uy split.

"I just think that people are just being malicious. How come no one is teasing me to Vhong [Navarro] or si Thou Reyes? Bakit hindi naman kami tinutukso ni Thou?" she said.

By ABS-CBNnews.com

Defeated British champion Ricky Hatton has admitted that he is still grieving over his shocking second-round knock-out loss to Manny Pacquiao last week in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Hatton said in a report by UK’s Daily Star that he remains devastated by the loss, his biggest in 47 fights.

“I didn’t think I could cry any more than after the Floyd Mayweather Jr. loss but I certainly have,” he said in the report.

Hatton’s first career loss was in the hands of Mayweather, who disposed him in the 10th round of their fight in 2007.

Pacquiao, however, gave him a much more savage beating last week when he knocked the Brit out in just two rounds.

“He knocked me down from practically the first punch he threw and I never recovered… Maybe if I had gone a few rounds I could have won but there was nothing I could do about it,” said Hatton.

Retiring?

The British star is expected to give a final answer to questions about his retirement when he opens his new boxing gym in Hyde on Tuesday.

Several analysts said that Hatton might as well hang his gloves after his loss to Pacquiao.

Even his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. said it's high time for the British boxer to leave the sport.

"I would suggest he retire. At the end of the day it's his decision," said Mayweather Sr.. "He tried twice. He failed twice. He lost to my son and to lose to someone below that, it's time to leave the ring."

The "Lupang Hinirang Brouhaha" continues... Thanks Martin Nievera...

By Reyma Buan-Deveza, abs-cbnNEWS.com

The mother of international singing sensation Charice has criticized the National Historical Institute (NHI) for dragging the name of her daughter into the issue of proper rendition of “Lupang Hinirang.”

“Kasi kung tutuusin, hindi naman sa sinisilip ko, pero mas madami ang kumanta ng mas palpak. Hindi naman palpak si Charice. Ang ginawa niya lang ay tinaasan niya lang at saka bumagal ng konti pero wala siyang palpak doon sa kinanta niya unlike doon sa kumanta na pumiyok pa,”  Racquel Pempengco said.

Charice, dubbed as the “most talented girl in the world” by popular US television host Oprah Winfrey, sang the country’s national anthem during the “Myx Mo” concert last year.

Following her performance, the pint-sized singer received an e-mail from the NHI reprimanding her purportedly because her singing of “Lupang Hinirang” was incorrect.

A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.  ~Irish Proverb

By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net

Manila, Philippinesâ€"The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has dismissed a confidential agent who was arrested last week by authorities while receiving P25,000 in cash from a woman applying for a dual citizenship of her grandson.

Immigration chief Marcelino Libanan identified the employee as Bonifacio Carreon, assigned at the bureau’s civil security unit.

Carreon was arrested in an entrapment operation by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation last April 30 inside a coffee shop in front of the BI building in Intramuros, Manila.

Alberto Braganza, BI assistant commissioner for intelligence and security, reported that Carreon was apprehended on the complaint of a certain Erlinda Santos of Pasig City.

Santos alleged that Carreon had demanded P80,000 in return for processing the her grandson’s application for dual citizenship.

Carreon received the total amount in three tranches but Santos said her grandson’s citizenship documents were never processed.

Later, Carreon allegedly demanded another 25,000 prompting Santos to report the matter to the NBI.

A Kenyan man has sued activists who urged women to deny their partners sex for a week as a protest against the country's political impasse.

James Kimondo told reporters outside the Nairobi High Court his wife had observed the boycott and caused him "anxiety and sleepless nights".

"I have been suffering mental anguish, stress, backaches, lack of concentration," he said.

It is unclear how many women joined the strike, which ended on Wednesday. - BBC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD3IxxclCxc

Maritess and Superfriends

Daily Flight Schedule of Zestair

Tagbilaran to Manila: 11 A.M.

Manila to Tagbilaran: 9:05 A.M.

Zestair Ticketing Office

2/F Airport Terminal Building
Telephone number: 038-412-0318 or 416-0452

Tagbilaran-Manila-Tagbilaran Flight Schedule Cebu Pacific Air

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By Amando Doronila
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Manny Pacquiao’s devastating knockout of British fighter Ricky Hatton last Sunday spawned a full-blown national controversy, not over Pacquiao’s undisputed boxing skills, but over the rendition by singer Martin Nievera of the Philippine National Anthem ahead of the fight.

The tempest over a song sidelined another issue that erupted after Pacquiao, in the flush of euphoria, announced plans to run for Congress, believing it’s timely to take another crack at politics after a humiliating defeat in the 2007 congressional election for the first district of South Cotabato because he is now at the new height of his popularity.

Whether or not his reentry into the treacherous terrain of the political arena would lead to his ruin, either financially or in terms of prestige, is the least of my concerns. Pacquiao knows best what’s good for him and in what discipline he excels most; but I’m not sure if he will feel at home in the company of countless dolts in Congress or be counted as part of their “honorable” circle. Maybe, at some point of their association, assuming he is successful in his fresh bid for Congress, Pacquiao, through osmosis, can mutate quickly into a rapacious predator of pork-barrel funds, sparing him the need to dig into his hard-earned prize money from boxing to gratify the gluttonous demands for patronage of his electoral constituency.

The controversy over Nievera’s interpretation of “Lupang Hinirang” reveals an aspect of the Filipino character, our people’s ultrasensitivity to nationalistic issues. It tells us never to tamper with our iconic nationalistic symbols, such as the anthem, which we take to heart every day of our lives, including when we start the working week with a flag ceremony in schools and government offices, or when watching the movies.

Nievera has been widely criticized for taking liberties in interpreting the anthem, a sacrosanct symbol. Nievera sang the anthem at the fight upon the request of Pacquiao, who needed it to boost his morale and fire up his Filipino fans in the arena. In the Olympics, national anthems are played in celebration after victory has been won on the playing fields, but in boxing the anthems are sang before the fight begins to rouse up aggression in the fighters fighting for national glory and honor.

The Pacquiao-Hatton fight was tremendously important to Filipino self-esteem, sense of national identity and pride. We have been starved of success in our national undertakings. We have failed more than we have succeeded in many of our national projects. The Pacquiao victory proved we are not a failed state, an economic basket case, as many of our critics are wont to classify us, and we are capable of achievement at the top, even if only in the brutal sport of boxing. In such a sport, the inspiration provided by the National Anthem is extremely important for our national pride. We have had a long-standing problem with our national identity as a people, but I don’t believe we have an identity problem and the problem stems from a self-inflicted inferiority complex.

The issue of Nievera’s interpretation of our anthem was succinctly expressed by the National Historical Institute. Its chair, Ambeth Ocampo, expressed a widely-shared view when he took Nievera to task, saying “‘Lupang Hinirang’ is not open to free interpretation.” A historian, Ocampo noted that Nievera started the anthem slowly, took on a martial beat in the middle, then ended on a sustained high note.

Ocampo pointed out that the manner in which the anthem is to be sung or played is defined by law. Section 37 of Republic Act No. 849, the 1988 Flag and Heraldic Code, provides that “the rendition of the National Anthem shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.”

Our anthem is march music borne out of a revolutionary struggle. It is the spirit of the anthem. Felipe composed the music as a march, commissioned by Emilio Aguinaldo for the proclamation of the Kawit Republic on June 12, 1898. It was originally titled “Marcha Filipina Magdalo,” and was first played by the San Francisco de Malabon Band. It was composed to fire up revolutionary spirit and resistance, to fight against all odds as the Kawit republic struggled for its life.

Nievera said he was told by many, including Pacquiao, “not to sing it slow.” They wanted him “to sing it like a march, the way it was written.” Ignoring those warnings, Nievera interpreted the song the way he understood it. He said that “from the deepest part of my heart I sang for my country.” He explained that he tried “to inspire a nationâ€"which was all I tried to do.”

Many Filipinos did not like what they heard. Many believed his tampering with or distortion of the arrangement of Felipe robbed the anthem of its martial context. The revolutionary spirit was lost in the alteration. It sounded as if the music was composed in a milieu of peace and tranquility when in reality it was composed amid one of the most turbulent periods of the Filipino people’s struggle for independence and national sovereignty. The period was the end of the Spanish empire and the advent of another colonial rule by the expansionist, imperial America.

Nievera’s explanations do not justify his alterations. Singers without a sense of history, who sing for their pleasure, strip historic musical themes of their meaning. I replayed the video of Nievera’s rendition to our staff or secretaries at the Inquirer who are in their 20s and 30s. They found that Nievera’s tempo failed to capture the military cadence that they were taught in school and they are used to singing during flag ceremonies. Singers who fail to capture this rhythm are isolated and are out of step with history.

By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Another win for the People’s Champ.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Thursday accredited boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s local political party, which is expected to bolster his political ambitions come 2010 elections.

The Comelec second division, chaired by Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, declared People’s Champ Movement (PCM) a legitimate political party. It will have jurisdiction in General Santos City and Sarangani province.

“We found nothing that would disqualify from registering the petitioner as a local political party and, hence, no reason to deny the registration of the petitioner,” Ferrer said in his ruling.

By Nancy C. Carvajal
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Here’s a new modus operandi by car thieves.

Police yesterday said car robbers, after forcibly taking the vehicles from their victims, would ask the victims to sign a blank paper which were then made into a “deed of sale,” which they could use to sell legally the stolen vehicles.

Inspector Enrico Figueroa, head of the theft and robbery section of the Quezon City Police District, said they discovered the new modus operandi by car robbers after a suspected carjacker was arrested on Tuesday.

“The car robbers asked the victim to sign a blank paper which will be made into a deed of sale because it would be easier for the robbers to sell the car without the buyer suspecting it’s stolen,” Figueroa said.

Figueroa identified the arrested suspect as Arnold Maneja, 41, of Quezon City.

A forwarded email

In the last few months, the importation of books into the Philippines has virtually stopped. (To those of you who frequent bookstores, I don't know if you've noticed.) The reason why is explained in this article by Robin Hemley, a University of Iowa creative writing professor currently on a fellowship in the Philippines.

If you have no time to read the article, the essence is that because the Bureau of Customs has decided to impose duties on the importation of books into the Philippines.

This, despite the 1950 Florence Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials (which you can see here), which the Philippines ratified in 1979. The preamble of the agreement states: "Considering that the free exchange of ideas and knowledge and, in general, the widest possible dissemination of the diverse forms of self-expression used by civilizations are vitally important both for intellectual progress and international understanding, and consequently for the maintenance of world peace...", an indisputable proposition.

Here's an excerpt from Robin Hemley's article (i shortened it a bit better if you can read the whole thing.) -

...Over coffee one afternoon, a book-industry professional (whom I can't identify) told me that for the past two months virtually no imported books had entered the country, in part because of the success of one book, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. The book, an international best seller, had
apparently attracted the attention of customs officials. When an examiner named Rene Agulan opened a shipment of books, he demanded that duty be paid on it.

The importer of Twilight made a mistake and paid the duty requested. A mistake because such duty flies in the face of the Florence Agreement, a U.N. treaty that was signed by the Philippines in 1952, guaranteeing the free flow of "educational, scientific, and cultural materials" between countries and declaring that imported books should be duty-free. Mr. Agulan told the importer that because the books were not educational( i.e., textbooks) they were subject to duty. Perhaps they aren't educational, I might have argued, but aren't they "cultural"? No matter. With this one success under their belt, customs curtailed all air shipments of books entering the country. Weeks went by as booksellers tried to get their books out of storage and started intense negotiations
with various government officials.

What doubly frustrated booksellers and importers was that the explanations they received from various officials made no sense. It was clear that, for whatever reasonâ€"perhaps the 30-billion-peso ($625 million) shortfall in projected customs revenueâ€"customs would go through the motions of having a reasonable argument while in fact having none at all.

Customs Undersecretary Espele Sales explained the government's position to a group of frustrated booksellers and importers in an Orwellian PowerPoint presentation, at which she reinterpreted the Florence Agreement as well as Philippine law RA 8047, providing for "the tax and duty-free importation of books or raw materials to be used in book publishing." For lack of a comma after the word "books," the undersecretary argued that only books "used in book publishing" (her underlining) were tax-exempt.

"What kind of book is that?" one publisher asked me afterward. "A book used in book publishing." And she laughed ruefully.

I thought about it. Maybe I should start writing a few. Harry the Cultural and Educational Potter and His Fondness for Baskerville Type.

Likewise, with the Florence Agreement, she argued that only educational books could be considered protected by the U.N. treaty. Customs would henceforth be the arbiter of what was and wasn't educational.

"For 50 years, everyone has misinterpreted the treaty and now you alone have interpreted it correctly?" she was asked.

"Yes," she told the stunned booksellers.

Throughout February and March, bookstores seemed on the verge of getting their books releasedâ€"all their documents were in order, but the rules kept changing. Now they were told that all books would be taxed: 1 percent for educational books and 5 percent for noneducational books. A nightmare scenario for the distributors; they imagined each shipment being held for months as an examiner sorted through the books. Obviously, most would simply pay the higher tax to avoid the hassle.

Distributors told me they weren't "capitulating" but merely paying under protest. After all, customs was violating an international treaty that had been abided by for over 50 years. Meanwhile, booksellers had to pay enormous storage fees. Those couldn't be waived, they were told, because
the storage facilities were privately owned (by customs officials, a bookstore owner suggested ruefully). One bookstore had to pay $4,000 on a $10,000 shipment.

The day after the first shipment of books was released, an internal memo circulated in customs congratulating themselves for finally levying a duty on books, though no mention was made of their pride in breaking an international treaty...

Appeal: Please forward this post to all your friends using Tubag Bohol's "send topic" option).

By Associated Press Writers Alexander G. Higgins And Eliane Engeler, Associated Press Writers   â€" 46 mins ago

Up to 2 billion people could be infected by swine flu if the current outbreak turns into a pandemic lasting two years, the World Health Organization said Thursday.

WHO flu chief Keiji Fukuda said the historical record of flu pandemics indicates one-third of the world's population gets infected in such outbreaks. Independent experts agreed that the estimate was possible.

In Mexico, the hardest hit country so far, high schools and universities opened for the first time in two weeks as the government's top health official insisted the epidemic is on the decline. All students were checked for swine flu symptoms and some were sent home.

"If we do move into a pandemic, then our expectation is that we will see a large number of people infected worldwide," Fukuda said. "If you look at past pandemics, it would be a reasonable estimate to say perhaps a third of the world's population would get infected with this virus."

Maetra: Class, karon mao ang Araw ng Kalayaan. Kinsay nakaila ni Andres Bonifacio

Pedro: Wa mi kaila Ma'am. Basin taga laing section na sya.