MikeLigalig.com

By PHOEBE JEN INDINO
Manila Bulletin

Bohol and six of the province’s towns are this year’s top recipients of the Grand Nutritional Awards (GNA) spearheaded by the Region 7 office of the National Nutrition Council.

The awarding ceremony was held in Cebu’s Parklane International Hotel and was attended by various health and nutrition officers in the region.

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto received the award for Bohol which was named most outstanding province in the region in terms of implementing a nutrition action plan.

Chatto attributed the success of Bohol’s nutrition action plan through the province’s strengthening of its regular feeding programs while venturing into new ones like dairy farming which is now being linked to local schoolss.

“Our institutionalized programs in nutrition like our feeding and vegetable projects with the help of the private sector have greatly help in reducing the malnutrition problem in Bohol,” Chatto said.

He also emphasized the importance of food productivity in the province which is linked to the agriculture and livestock sector.

A Boholana, Lidia Gabaisen, was also named this year’s regional Barangay Nutrition Scholar. Gabaisen comes from Barangay Celing, Antequerra, Bohol were she has invested in the raising of chickens to feed malnourished children in the neighbourhood.

Meanwhile, other GNA recipients in Bohol include the towns of Jagna, as the most outstanding municipality, and Calape, Talibon and Inabanga as nutrition honor maintenance awardees for consistently implementing nutrition programs in the last six years.

Tubigon, Bohol was also named consistent regional outstanding winner in nutrition while Valencia was cited as one of the three most promising local government units (LGU) in the region.

Other winners of the GNA include Toledo City, as most outstanding city, and Dumaguete City and Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental as among this year’s most promising LGUs.

By MALOU M. MOZO
Manila Bulletin

The Bohol provincial government, along with a local business group continues to support a proposal for the ambitious “Cebu-Bohol Multi-Access Friendship Bridge” project that would link the two major Visayan provinces.

The proposal, said Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, may be “ambitious,” but if realized, he said it would tremendously boost the economic activities in the entire region.

“Discussions on the so-called ‘super-bridge’ are still being studied. As for Bohol, we will always support this plan as something that will spur regional growth,” Chatto said, in a press conference during the Sandugo Trade Expo in Tagbilaran City recently.

Feasibility study for the project, a brainchild of then Bohol governor and now Rep. Erico Aumentado (Bohol, Second District) was started in May 2008. Said feasibility study on the proposal was awarded to Korean firm, Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), at a cost of $3 million.

Chatto pointed out that the proposed bridge project will complement both provinces, substantially improving transportation, tourism and productivity in both areas.

As proposed, the 90-kilometer bridge will link Cebu and Bohol through the towns of Cordova in Cebu and Getafe in Bohol and is expected to cost at least P20 billion.

The Bohol governor said if such big ticket project materializes, it will facilitate a more seamless flow of goods and support infrastructure such as power, telecommunication and other services benefitting both provinces.

He admitted, thought, that the “super-bridge” will impact rather negatively the region’s shipping industry although, he pointed out that “this will also allow shipping companies to re-think their strategies and consider serving other islands.”

by Manila Bulletin via PIA

The successful implementation of environment programs in the province has prompted an American-assisted project to give a rare “Learning Destination for Good Environmental Governance” award to Bohol during the latter’s 157th Foundation Day last July 22.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)- funded Eco-Governance Project gave Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto a plaque of distinction in recognition of the exemplary environmental programs adopted by several towns in Bohol.

Representing USAID, May Segura-Ybanez, cited programs implemented by such Bohol towns as Talibon, Jagna and Duero with a high degree of success worth replicating by other local government units (LGUs) willing to learn solid waste management, coastal resource management, and management of fisheries, and forests and forestlands as those which were started in Talibon and San Miguel municipalities.

Ten towns in Bohol benefited from the Eco-Governance Project, with local provincial government and municipal governments committed financial counterpart funds excluding personal commitments, Eco-Governance sources said.

The Eco-Governance team worked with the Talibon LGU in analyzing its Participatory Coastal Resources Assessment (PCRA) data, including a preliminary assessment of the state of its existing marine protected areas.

The project also included negotiations with LGUs near Talibon for the delineation of their municipal waters even as Talibon undertook coastal resource management projects which included the management and protection of Danajon Bank.

by PNA

On September 4, 1943, the Japanese-sponsored 1943 Constitution was signed and ratified in a general assembly two days later by 117 members of the Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI), the only political organization allowed during the Japanese occupation.

Hence, the Second Republic (1943-1945) was formally proclaimed, with José P. Laurel Sr. appointed as President and inaugurated into office in October 1943.

Laurel was highly regarded by the Japanese for having openly criticized the United States for the way it ran the Philippines, and because he had a degree from Tokyo International University.

Accordingly, the 1943 Constitution was recognized as legitimate and binding only in Japanese-controlled areas of the Philippines but was ignored by the United States government and the Philippine Commonwealth government in-exile.

On this same day in 1862, Rosalio Silos, musician, nationalist and a martyr, was born. He was charged for participating in the revolutionary movement and being a mason and was shot to death by firing squad on December 29, 1896.

Also on this same day in 1846, Daniel Burnham, an American architect who designed the cities of Baguio and Manila during the American occupation, was born in New York, U.S.A. (PNA)

by PIA-Bohol

Amidst seemingly heated opposition of the implementation of the helmet policy for motorcycle riders and their riders, PSSupt. Constantino Barot bared a 99.99% compliance among drivers in Tagbilaran City during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting in Guindulman Bohol, September 2.

Bohol was among the provinces which did not strictly implement the provisions of the Land Transportation and Traffic Rules of the country, says Land Transportation Officer Joel Maloloy-on, during the meeting.

He added that his men would lead the intensification of the drive to ensure safety for motorcycle riding motorists.

The implementation came more than a week after City Police chief Arcadio Jamora Jr. announced the instruction for his men to go for motorcyclists who operate motorcycles without helmets.

Motorcycle riders and back riders then must wear helmets while those engaged in habal-habal would provide for the helmets of their passengers. Children below ten years are also banned to ride motorcycles.

Oppositors of the implementation of the helmet policy said it would be an added burden physically and financially while production helmets available in the markets are sub-standard and would defeat the protection purpose it could afford.

Many also reason out that using full faced helmets can easily mask criminals who could conveniently slip through police checkpoints.

On this, LTO Maloloy-on said studies from the LTO central Office has debunked the correlation between criminals and full faced helmets.

On the other hand, supporters of the policy claim that helmets provide the necessary protection for drivers and backriders from accidents and causing undue injury to others.

The order also came amidst a growing number of motorcycles impounded for being operated without plate numbers, or motorcyclists flagged down for driving without licenses or expired licenses, with unregistered or expired registrations.

The orders also came following a saturation drive for the motorcycle riding criminals as included focus area fo the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS).

Under the policy, first-time offenders of the helmet policy pays a fine of P1,500.

Fines for second offense is P3,000, P5,000 on the third time, and P10,000 plus confiscation of the driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding offenses.

A newer Mandatory Helmet Law still has no Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) so that local traffic officers and its deputized agents momentarily use RA 4136, city traffic supervisor Samonte said.

Himuan na pud ni ug movie.

maklaro sa picture nga gahagwa-hagwa ra sila sa tubig.

an epitome of pensiveness.

nagpusnga basin pud ug naay gikuot sa ilawom.

Mura man ug gaduwa-duwa ra sila ug tubig ug walay kahadlok.

unsa ni, Ninja Turtle?

by Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Our Daily Bread

As a college student, I heard count- less engagement stories. My starry-eyed friends told about glitzy restaurants, mountaintop sunsets, and rides in horse-drawn carriages. I also recall one story about a young man who simply washed his girlfriend’s feet. His “modest proposal” proved he understood that humility is vital for a lifelong commitment.

The apostle Paul also understood the significance of humility and how it holds us together. This is especially important in marriage. Paul said to reject “me-first” urges: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition” (Phil. 2:3). Instead, we should value our spouses more than ourselves, and look out for their interests.

Humility in action means serving our spouse, and no act of service is too small or too great. After all, Jesus “humbled Himself . . . to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (v.. His selflessness showed His love for us.

What can you do today to humbly serve the one you love? Maybe it’s as simple as leaving brussels sprouts off the dinner menu or as difficult as helping him or her through a long illness. Whatever it is, placing our spouse’s needs before our own confirms our commitment to each other through Christlike humility.

truly, a picture paints a thousand words.

by Julie Ackerman Link
Our Daily Bread

We live in the woods, so we get very little prolonged sunlight in the summer. But we love fresh tomatoes, so I decided to try growing them in pots set in a few sunny spots.

The plants started to grow right away and really fast. I was thrilledâ€"until I realized that their fast growth was due to their efforts to reach out to the limited sunlight. By the time I figured out what was happening, the vines were too heavy to support themselves. I found some stakes, lifted the vines carefully, and fastened them in an upright position. Even though I tried to be gentle, one of the twisted vines broke when I tried to straighten it.

This reminded me that discipline must begin before character is permanently bent and twisted.

Eli the priest had two sons whom he failed to discipline. When their wickedness got so bad that he could no longer ignore it, he tried gentle rebuke (1 Sam. 2:24-25). But it was too late, and God announced the dire consequences: “I will judge [Eli’s] house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them” (3:13).

Being straightened out is painful, but being left crooked will ultimately hurt even more.

by David C. McCasland
Our Daily Bread

Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? Whether that question is posed during a business meeting, a church council, or a family discussion, it often springs from a sense of exasperation in trying to comprehend why someone has acted in a certain way. More often than not, the answer is a matter of perspective.

If we had been among the Israelites leaving Egypt after 400 years of slavery, we would likely have seen Pharaoh as part of the problemâ€"and he was. Yet God saw something more.

Inexplicably, the Lord told Moses to take the people back toward Egypt and camp with their backs to the Red Sea so Pharaoh would attack them (Ex. 14:1-3). The Israelites thought they were going to die, but God said that He would gain glory and honor for Himself through Pharaoh and all his army, “and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord” (vv.4,17-18).

When we simply cannot understand why God allows circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us, it’s good to remember that He has our good and His glory in mind. If we can say, “Father, please enable me to trust and honor You in this situation,” then we will be in concert with His perspective and plan.

by Albert Lee
Our Daily Bread

The Ironman Triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. It is not an easy feat for anyone to accomplish. But Dick Hoyt participated in the race and completed it with his physically disabled son Rick. When Dick swam, he pulled Rick in a small boat. When Dick cycled, Rick was in a seat-pod on the bike. When Dick ran, he pushed Rick along in a wheelchair. Rick was dependent on his dad in order to finish the race. He couldn’t do it without him.

We see a parallel between their story and our own Christian life. Just as Rick was dependent on his dad, we are dependent on Christ to complete our Christian race.

As we strive to live a God-pleasing life, we realize that in spite of our best intentions and determination, we often stumble and fall short. By our strength alone, it is impossible. Oh, how we need the Lord’s help! And it has been provided. Paul declares it with these insightful words, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” (Gal. 2:20).

We cannot finish the Christian race on our own. We have to do so by depending on Jesus living in us.

by Anne Cetas
Our Daily Bread

Just before our church service began, I overheard a young man behind me talking with his mother. They were reading an announcement in the bulletin about a challenge to read one chapter of Proverbs each day for the months of July and August. He asked his mom, “What will we do with chapter 31 in August since there are only 30 days?” She said she thought there were 31 days in August. He responded, “No, there are only 30.”

When it was time in the service to greet each other, I turned back toward him and said hello. Then I added, “August does have 31 days.” He insisted, “No, it doesn’t. There can’t be 2 months in a row with 31 days.” The singing started, so I just smiled.

This brief encounter made me think about our need to develop a teachable spirit, seeking wisdom beyond our own. In Proverbs 3, the attitude the father recommends to the son is one of humility: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord” (v.7). In chapter 2, he says, “Incline your ear to wisdom . . . ; search for her as for hidden treasures” (vv.2,4).

Knowing whether August has 30 or 31 days doesn’t matter much, but having a teachable spirit does. It will help us gain wisdom from God and others. Reading a chapter from Proverbs each day next month may give us a start.

Bedo, it's great nga naka-adto ka sa famous gym ni Freddie Roach. Kauban nimo imo family?

by Roy Luarca
PDI

Figure of speech or not, Manny Pacquiao’s message revealed his desire to hand Juan Manuel Marquez a vicious beating when they tangle on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I’ll let him (Marquez) eat his words,” Pacquiao said in Filipino during a television interview Thursday.

The normally cautious pound-for-pound king was reacting to Marquez’s insistence that he won their first two showdowns in 2004 and 2008, which ended in a draw and split decision for Pacquiao, respectively.

Marquez, who arrived in Manila early Thursday morning for the launch of the four-city, three-nation press tour of Pacquiao-Marquez III at the Quirino Grandstand Saturday, also warned he is ready to wage another war with the eight-division champion.

As if to back his claim, Marquez jogged and did stretching exercises minutes after checking in at the Manila Hotel, where his team, including the legendary trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, and promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank are billeted.

by Marvin Williams
Our Daily Bread

One Sunday at the church where I pastor, I invited three children to find several scrolls with Bible verses written on them that I had hidden in our worship center. I told them that once they found them and read the words aloud, I would give them a prize. You should have seen those kids! They ran, moved chairs, and looked under plants and in purses (with permission). Their search for the scrolls was intense, but exciting. Their diligent search and subsequent discovery of the scrolls led to joy in the children, affirmation from our congregation, and a renewed sense of the importance of God’s Word.

In 2 Kings 22â€"23, we read how King Josiah and the people of Judah rediscovered the joy and importance of God’s Word. During the repairing of the temple, Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law. It must have been lost or hidden during the reign of Manasseh. Then when the scroll was read to King Josiah, he listened and responded to it (vv.10-11). He sought further understanding of it (vv.12-20), and he led the people to renew their commitment to its importance in their lives (23:1-4).

Many today have unprecedented access to God’s Word. Let’s renew our commitment to “find” it every day and by our lives show its prominence.

by Dave Branon
Our Daily Bread

When I was a kid, I had a hero: Pete Maravich, a high-scoring basketball player who handled the ball like a magician.

Problem was, my desire to be like Pistol Pete blocked my satisfaction with who God made me to be. When I realized I could never play like Pete, I grew discouraged. I even quit my college team briefly because I couldn’t measure up to the Maravich standard.

Kids still do that kind of thing. They grow unhappy with who God made them to be because they measure themselves by their “perfect” heroes.

Christian singer Jonny Diaz recognized this and wrote a song called “More Beautiful You.” The song begins: “Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine; says she wants to look that way.” Some young girls wish they could be like Disney star Selena Gomez or another star the way I wanted to be like Maravich. Diaz sings, “There could never be a more beautiful you; don’t buy the
lies . . . ; you were made to fill a purpose that only you could do.” Diaz is saying what another songwriter said under the inspiration of God thousands of years ago: “[We are] fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14).

God made us the way He wants us to be. Believe it. There could never be a more beautiful you.

Hello Churtz, please send me a PM (private message) with your full name, address, and cellphone number so we will know how to contact you.

Andre Berto vs Victor Ortiz 1_4.mp4
Victor Ortiz Knocks Andre Berto Down

NEW: HBO Face Off - Floyd Mayweather vs Victor Ortiz
Face to Face: Mayweather vs Ortiz

ngano kaha wala sila magholding-hands?

by Mark Giongco
PDI

After 22 glorious PBA seasons, Alaska and its long-time head coach Tim Cone have decided to part ways.

“We have released Tim Cone as head coach of the Alaska Aces,” said Team Owner Wilfred Uytengsu Thursday during a press conference held at the Corinthian Plaza in Makati. “It came as quite a surprise to me when Tim asked me for his release last week.”

“We wish Tim well. We had quite a journey. I know there was never a 22-year partnership like this in the PBA,” added Uytengsu.

Joel Banal, who served as Cone’s assistant coach for many years, will take over the coaching reins for the Aces when the 37th PBA season kicks off on October.

Cone, who steered Alaska to 13 titles including an elusive Grand Slam in 1996, cited he wanted to explore other challenges as one of the reasons for leaving his beloved franchise.

by AFP

A vast rubbish dump in the northern Philippines which collapsed killing several people during super typhoon Nanmadol will be relocated, authorities said Tuesday.

The collapse of the Irisan open dump in the mountain resort of Baguio accounted for three deaths, one missing and one injured, said Olivia Luces, regional head of the civil defence office.

"The city government has decided to look for an alternative area for an appropriate dumping site," Luces told AFP.

"The settlers below the collapsed retaining wall will be evacuated."

Luces said the city of 253,000 people had been using the open dump, located on the side of a mountain, for decades and informal settlers later put up shanties below the wall that marked the lower edge of the dump.

Rescuers estimate some 1,500 tonnes of compacted rubbish slid down the mountainside after floodwaters eroded the base of the wall.

by AFP
by AFP

The Philippes on Tuesday ratified the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court, becoming the 117th country to recognise the world court's authority, the ICC said.

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"The Statute will enter into force for the Philippines on 1 November 2011, bringing the total number of States that have joined the Rome Statute system to 117," said the statement from the Hague-based tribunal.

The ICC, which came into force in 2002, is the first permanent world court tasked with prosecuting individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and

by AFP

The economy expanded just 3.4 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, well below the government's target of 4.5-5.5 percent and placing the country in familiar territory as one of the weakest performers in Asia.

Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga blamed a wide range of global factors for the slowdown, from growth of 4.6 percent in the first quarter.

"(The economy) was constrained by surges in world oil prices, triple disasters in Japan, slow recovery of the US and European economies, the social unrest in the Middle East and North Africa region, and adverse weather conditions," Paderanga said.

The slowdown meant growth for the first half was just 4.0 percent, from 8.7 percent in the same period in 2010, and means the government's target of 7-8 percent looks impossible to achieve.

"To attain the 7-8 percent growth target for 2011, the economy needs to grow by at least 10 percent in the second semester," Paderanga said, but at the same time pointed to a worsening international environment.

"Global downside risks could hamper our growth prospects."

by AFP

Albert del Rosario assailed Kristie Kenney, who stepped down as US ambassador to Manila last year, after she allegedly criticised the Philippines' revered democracy heroine, the late president Corazon Aquino.

"She (Kenney) was a dismal failure in helping the Filipinos defend our democracy. It would seem that she preferred to be favourably looked upon by the (Philippine presidential) palace," del Rosario said.

Del Rosario's comments, via text message to AFP while he was in Beijing, were in response to requests for a reaction about a leaked cable apparently sent by Kenney in July, 2009.

According to the Wikileaks documents, Kenney wrote that Aquino had been a weak, tarnished leader who did not do enough to fight corruption.

Aquino led the "People Power" revolution of 1986 that overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos, then served for six years as president.

Her son, Benigno Aquino, was elected president in July last year in a landslide victory, partly due to the outpouring of public sympathy for his mother after she died of cancer in August, 2009.

The comments from Del Rosario, a key member of the latest Aquino administration, about Kenney referred to what he indicated was her apparent desire to curry favour with the president of the time, Gloria Arroyo.

by AFP

Aquino, on a mission to secure billions of dollars in business deals, vowed to rid the Philippines of corruption and ensure foreign companies "are met with a level playing field" during a five-day visit.

"Investors will not any more have to rely on connections in order to set up shop; the rules will not be circumvented and the law will be followed, creating an environment that is stable and predictable," Aquino told a trade forum in the Chinese capital.

Aquino's visit, which ends Saturday, comes against the backdrop of increasingly strident Philippine accusations of Chinese aggression and bullying in their dispute over competing claims to parts of the South China Sea.

Aquino raised the sensitive issue in his meeting with President Hu Jintao on Wednesday, but his main focus was on improving economic ties, Philippine spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters.

"He mentioned that we have differences but these differences should not deter us from moving forward," Lacierda said.

The two leaders signed nine agreements, including a five-year economic plan that targets $60 billion in two-way trade in 2016, a six-fold rise from 2010, and at least $1.5 billion in two-way direct investment by 2016.

On August 31, 1907, Ramon Magsaysay, seventh President of the Philippines, hailed by his countrymen as the "Champion of the Masses," was born in Iba, Zambales from a blacksmith father and a schoolteacher mother.

Magsaysay graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce at the age of 25. By working as jeepney driver and mechanic during the day, he was so-called most endeared president who reached out to Filipinos even in remote barrios.

It was Magsaysay who opened Malacanang Palace to the people and declared that it was the palace of the people.

As president, he led a simple life -- not showy or materialistic. He did not buy a new car or have Malacanang renovated or even acquire properties for himself, citing people living in great deprivation.

Elected president of the Philippines in November 1953, with campaign slogan "Magsaysay is my guy" capitalized on his charismatic leadership. He created the President's Complaint Action Committee as his action line for assisting the masses where people found the courage to air their complaints as he allowed them to send telegrams to the PCAC free of charge.

Magsaysay broke down large estates and acquired land settlements for the people. Greater protection for tenants was provided for by the Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954. The prices of consumer goods were lowered.

Notably, it was during Magsaysay's presidency that the Huk threat finally came to an end with the surrender of Luis Taruc.

In line with his position as America's staunch friend in Asia, Magsaysay was the chief sponsor -- a move that would lead to the formation of the South East Asia Treaty (SEATO) Organization.

His active coordination with the Japanese government led to the Reparation Agreement, obligating the Japanese government to pay $ 550 million as reparation for war damages in the Philippines.

Magsaysay did not finish his term as president when his plane crashed in Cebu on March 17, 1957 after speaking before an educational institution in Cebu. He died at the age of 49.

source: PNA

churtz, what particular town in Bohol? Bood must be a name of a barrio.
There are Cagas in Guindulman, I think.

When is this? I missed it.

Belated Happy Birthday, Bran. God bless you always!

By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A 17-year-old girl from Agusan del Norte filed on Wednesday three casesâ€"acts of lasciviousness, child abuse, and rape, against a Catholic priest in Tubay town with the provincial court.

Leah (not her real name) accused Tubay parish priest Fr. Raul Cabonce of sexually assaulting and raping her several times while she was working under his care.

“I hope he will be imprisoned for his whole life,” she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview.
Leah’s ordeal began on June 2010 when she  got a message from the priest to see him at the convent.

Cabonce, she said, offered to pay for her tuition as a fourth year high school student if she worked at the convent.

Leah, who was 9th in a brood of 12, readily accepted the offer.

“My parents were too poor,” she said. “I wanted to be a doctor.”

On Sept. 16, 2010,  the priest made advances to her while she was cooking. Cabonce suddenly put his hand on her breast. Shocked, Leah said she backed away from Cabonce, who made light of his actions, even teasing her for being “too serious.”

A few months later, Leah’s situation at the convent worsened. One evening, Leah said she was summoned by Cabonce to his room. “There were guns in his bedroom. I saw three, two long firearms and one short,” she recalled.

The priest asked for a massage, she said. A few minutes later, the priest started groping her. When she protested and tried to leave, Cabonce forced her to bed and molested her despite her protestations.
Leah said the abuse was repeated several times the next month.  She tried to avoid Cabonce while at the convent.

“He would pretend to be holy and say Mass, but he was only wearing a mask. He is not a true servant of God. He only became a priest to gain money,” she said.

According to her affidavit, the priest forced her twice to give him oral sex. Cabonce, she said, was so violent that he made her gums bleed.

Leah recounted that every time she was in the bedroom, the priest made it a point to show her his firearms.

‘I will kill your family’

Once, he threatened her not to speak about the abuse. “He said, don’t tell this to anyone or I’ll kill your family,” she said. Cabonce also threatened her once with a knife.

Leah said she endured the sexual assaults because she wanted to finish her studies.
Last March, when the academic year ended, she finally left the convent and reported the abuse to her mother.

The militant women’s group Gabriela has put Leah under its care while she underwent medical and psychological exams in Manila.

Gabriela said there may be more victims like Leah, whose trust and poverty are being exploited.
Medico-legal findings from the Philippine General Hospital and from a team of health experts in Mindanao showed there was a possibility of sexual abuse.

Three psychological reports also revealed that the victim was harboring suicidal thoughts and was suffering from post-traumatic disorder.

In June this year, Leah tried to kill herself by slashing her wrists.
Anticipating that the priest had left the parish, Leah urged the Catholic hierarchy to investigate her
case. “I hope that they are not hiding him,” she said.

Cabonce is under the jurisdiction Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos.
Lana Libanan, Gabriela secretary-general, urged the Catholic Church to surrender Cabonce to authorities.

nugon man pud ni ikaon. sayang ang art.

Cute bitaw, made in china.

By Tina Santos
PDI

A bettor from Luzon won the jackpot prize of P142,859,048.40 in Wednesday night’s 6/55 Grand Lotto draw, hitting the winning combination of 09-01-06-40-16-35, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office said.

There were 34 bettors who got the consolation prize of P150,000 each for hitting five of the six-digit combination. A total of 2,025 bets got four out of six numbers and won P2,000 each; while 40,107 others won P150 for picking three correct numbers.

The highest prize on record that reached P741 million was won on November 29, 2010, by a New York-based “balikbayan” (Filipino returnee) who bought the winning ticket while on vacation in Olongapo City.

Every bet has one chance out of 29 million possible combinations to win in the 6/55 Grand Lotto.

The next draw is set on Saturday with a minimum jackpot of P30 million.

Nice photo, Bran.

Basin photoshop ra pud ni.

Dili pwede ug adto ni sa videokehan ibutang unya naay tagay.

Naghang pawnshop sa Bohol ang mangamay ni Manang.

makaturok pud ni ug lisang-lisang.

nangukoy ug ok-ok nga miloklok sa suok.

50% off, magyaka na ka sa salog.

basin mahimo napud ni sunod nga massage oil, pwede na pangshiatsu masahe.

Telebabad samtang nag-jingle.

Nagkaanam ka innovative ang estilo sa pagpayuhot sa ginadiling druga karon.

basin nasobraan ug kitkit sa asawa ang dalunggan ni manoy.

Things will improve, hopefully, in the coming days. Naay mga problema sa server nga giayo pa nako karon.

Please post your site problems so I'd know what to do. Thank you.

By Jhunnex Napallacan
Inquirer Visayas

Three people were killed Sunday when a fast craft caught fire while sailing to Cebu City from Bohol, according to a report received by the Cebu Coast Guard station.

M/V Island of Island Shipping Corp. was heading to Cebu when it caught fire at 12:10 p.m., said Seaman 2nd Aaron Cagiga of the Cebu Coast Guard.

He said two passengers and one crew member were killed. Their names were not immediately available.

A still undetermined number of people were hurt, Cagiga added.

Cagiga said Cebu Coast Guard sent a rescue team to M/V Island, which was located about four nautical miles from the Aduana port in Cebu City.

Cagiga said crew members of Seajet fast craft and a vessel of Lite Ferry, which happened to be near the vicinity, helped the passengers.

By Juaniyo Arcellana

Kerima Polotan Tuvera, former editor in chief of Focus Philippines magazine and the Evening Post newspaper, died Friday night after a lingering illness. She was 85.

Polotan won four first prizes at the Palanca awards, and also garnered prizes in the Philippines Free Press short story contest as well as the Stonehill award for the novel in 1961.

She was a regular panelist at the Silliman University Writers Workshop in the 1960s, and sometimes wrote under the pseudonym Patricia S. Torres.

Among her books, as listed in the Umpil Directory of Filipino Writers, were the novel Hand of the Enemy (1962), Stories, a Collection (1966), Author’s Choice (1972, essays), and Adventures in a Forgotten Country (1975, essays). One of her last books was The True and the Plain (UP Press), a memoir of childhood. The City of Manila also conferred on her the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan award.

Born in Jolo, Sulu in December 1925, Polotan was the widow of writer and newsman Juan Tuvera, presidential speechwriter during the Marcos years. They had 10 children.

According to Polotan’s daughter Kimi, the wake will be at the Funeraria Paz Sucat, inside Manila Memorial Park for at least two more nights waiting for kin to arrive from abroad.

Polotan Tuvera had suffered a stroke and was wheelchair bound for the last months.

A day before her death a former Focus literary winner, Romy Navarro visited her residence in Sun Valley Parañaque but just missed her. She had been taken to the hospital for a checkup.

According to a STAR deskman, Kerima was such a taskmaster at the Evening Post that she levied fines on the desk whenever a grammatical or factual error saw print in the paper.

Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima was livid after Germinal supporters took insensitivity to new heights, shouting taunts of "Fukushima! Fukushima!" at the Lierse custodian in Friday's 1-1 draw.

After the match, Kawashima was said to be in tears in the dressing room out of sheer anger because of the taunting, which appeared to be a snide reference to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant crisis in Japan.

"I can put up with most things, but not this," said Kawashima, who visited areas affected by the March 11 earthquake to support relief efforts during the offseason.

by PNA

Dennis Rodman vs. Shaquille O'Neal FULL FIGHT
more brawl

NBA 11.19.2004 Indiana Pacers - Detroit Pistons FIGHTING HD
Kaingon mo sa purokoy ra nga basketball magsinumbagay?

Okay ra ba imong connection Padz?

niagi pud ta ning maong yugto sa atong kinabuhi nga diin atong gipakaingon kaniadto nga ang babaye nga atong gipakamutya mao na ang mohatod kanato ngadto sa tumoy sa himaya, apan usahay ang mga damgo nahimong daman, ug kon walay giya sa pulong sa Ginoo, mahimo nga ang kangutngot sa dughan nga gisalikway maoy motukmod kanato ngadto sa bung-aw sa kamatayon.

by CNN

Even a little exercise â€" about 15 minutes a day - can translate to health benefits, according to an observational study from Taiwan.

Researchers from Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes found that individuals who exercised an average of 92 minutes a week had 14 percent reduced mortality compared with inactive people.  This extended to three more years of life expectancy, according to the study published in the Lancet.

The authors surveyed 416,175 people who self-assessed how much they exercised.   Participants were asked to recall the examples of exercises they did the previous month such as walking, brisk walking, jogging or running, which were categorized into inactive, low, medium, high or very high activity.

Most of the participants, 54% were inactive.  In the findings, 22% identified as low, 14% as medium, and 5% each for high and very high activity levels.

They followed up with participants after an average of eight years to calculate mortality risk and life expectancy for each category. Researchers found that even 15 minutes of moderate intensity exercise “had significant health benefits when compared with individuals who were inactive,” according to the study.

People who exercised had less deaths and less cancer-related deaths than inactive individuals.  “In Taiwan, if inactive individuals engage in low-volume daily exercise, one in six all-cause deaths could be postponed,” wrote lead author, Dr. Chi Pang Wen.

Nike brand is also promoted. Unintentionally.

ms islander, so far, wala man ko problema. i can access our site fast and uninterrupted. basin sa imong ISP diha.

Cheers, Bran! I just bought a bottle.

Changing the way we cook our food can have a dramatic effect on our health. If we make wiser choices with our food and the way we cook it, we can significantly reduce our risk of contracting cancer and heart disease.

click here to learn more here

Location: Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
source: PDI

by PNA

A 21 years old out of school youth has returned the missing P100,000 owned by a seaman from Ibajay, Aklan.

Nino Villanueva of Kalibo, Aklan turned over the bag containing cash amounting to P100,000 to the Bombo Radyo-Kalibo Friday.

The bag is owned by Chief Engineer Jose Aguirre of Ibajay, Aklan. The seaman in turn gave a small amount to Villanueva as token of his gratitude.

Villanueva said he decided to return the bag upon seeing the presence of the media patrol in the area. He said the bag was left behind by Aguirre.

Villanueva was named 'Huwaran ng Aklanon' by Bombo Radyo-Kalibo.

Share nalang mo ni Bugsay, Bai Hubs. Katunga ra pud sa screen ang mogawas sa iyang computer.

Quote from: hubag bohol on August 11, 2011, 07:36:44 PM
He he, daghang magpadingol-dingol ani, di moangkon unsay ilang astrological sign...

Naa diay mo-deny ug maglikay-likay ug tubag unsa ilang zodiac sign. hehehe

Eat all you can. hehehe

from a forwarded email...

The Worst Horoscope Of All Time

Aquarius (Jan 23 - Feb 22) You have an inventive mind and are inclined to be progressive. You lie a great deal. You make the same mistakes repeatedly because you are stupid. Everyone thinks you are a jerk.

Pieces (Feb 23 - Mar 22) You are a pioneer type and think most people are dickheads. You are quick to reprimand, impatient and full of advice. You do nothing but piss-off everyone you come in contact with. You are a prick.

Aries (Mar 23 - Apr 22) You have a wild imagination and often think you are being followed by the FBI or CIA. You have minor influence on your friends and people resent you for flaunting your power. You lack confidence and are a general dipshit.

Taurus (Apr 23 - May 22) You are practical and persistent. You have a dogged determination and work like hell. Most people think you are stubborn and bullheaded. You are nothing but a goddamed communist.

Gemini (May 23 - June 22) You are a quick and intelligent thinker. People like you because you are bisexual. You are inclined to expect too much for too little. This means you are a cheap bastard. Geminis are notorious for thriving on incest.

Cancer (June 23 - July 22) You are sympathetic and understanding to other people's problems, which makes you a sucker. You are always putting things off. That is why you will always be on welfare and won't be worth a crap. Everyone in prison is a Cancer.

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) You consider yourself a born leader. Others think you are an idiot. Most Leos are bullies. You are vain and annot tolerate criticism. Your arrogance is disgusting. Leo people are thieving bastards.

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22) You are the logical type and hate disorder. Your s***-picking attitude is sickening to your friends and co-workers. You are cold and unemotional and often fall asleep while doing it. Virgos make good bus drivers and pimps.

Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22) You are the artistic type and have a difficult time dealing with reality. If you are a male you are probably queer. Chances for employment and monetary gain are nil. Most Libra women are whores. All Libras die of venereal disease.

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 22) You are the worst of the lot. You are shrewd in business and cannot be trusted. You shall achieve the pinnacle of success because of your total lack of ethics. You are the perfect son-of-a-bitch. Most Scorpios are murdered.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 - Dec 22) You are optimistic and enthusiastic. You have a reckless tendency to rely on your luck since you have no talent. The majority of Sagittarians are drunks. You are a worthless piece of crap.

Capricorn (Dec 23 - Jan 22) You are conservative and afraid of taking risks. You are basically a chickencrap. There has never been a Capricorn of any importance.

mao niy naandan sa mga babaye, basta lami, mopiyong ang mata.

Fried Chicken, eating with style

Mura diay ni ug "Handumanan Sa Usa Ka Awit"

On August 10, 1898, Lorenzo Martinez Tañada, the longest-serving senator in Philippine history, with 24 years of service, was born in Gumaca, Quezon.

Tañada, often called as the "grand old man of the Philippine politics", dedicated his life to the untiring struggle for nationalism, independence and sovereignty in the country.

Notably, he was at the forefront of several battles that shaped the history of the nation, including the fight against the dictatorship and the dismantling of Subic Naval Base in 1991, which was the last American military installation in the Philippines.

He earned his college diploma and law degrees from the University of the Philippines and proceeded with his masteral degree at Harvard University. He also got his doctorate for Civil Law from the University of Santo Tomas.

On his birthday in 1986, Tañada received the Philippine Legion of Honor, the country’s highest award, from President Corazon Aquino for opposing the presence of American troops in the country.

He died on August 9, 1992 at the age of 93.

source: PNA

by PNA

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to issue a Watchlist Order (WLO) against former President and now Pampanga (2nd District) Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

De Lima said that she may soon order the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to place former President and now congresswoman Arroyo on its watch list.

The BI is an attached agency of the DOJ.

De Lima said that the watchlist may be out "in a few days."

De Lima said that she ordered the suspension of the issuance of the WLO due to humanitarian reasons after Arroyo was brought to the hospital for an operation in the spine.

"We are considering the WLO against the former president. Pero sinuspend ko muna because she was hospitalized," De Lima said.

However, De Lima clarified that if Arroyo is not a flight risk, all she has to do is to get clearance from the DOJ to show that she has the intention of coming back.

Mao nay giingon ug: "You say it best when you say nothing at all."

Mao niy pacifier sa bata

Wa ko kahibawo ug na-post na ba ni.

Pass. hehehe

Mahal na seguro ang bildo.

Pwede magbalon ug lugod kung domestic flight lang. But dunay mga airport nga strikto kaayo. Dihay kausa, wala nisugot ang airport nga magdala ko ug kalamay. Pwede man gud ning kalamay ug ihapak sa bintana sa eroplano. Pwede pud ang lugod nga gamiton pagpusa sa bintana. Unta dili mahitabo.

Naa seguro silay nahinumduman nga dili nila gusto mahinumduman pa.

Wala na bitaw mauso ning lugod karon kay daghan nang alternative nga pangbagnos sa dalikdik.

Hehehe. Walay dag-anan ang guard intawon.

from Cebu Pacific Newsletter

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) allots 500,000 seats in the 50% off seat sale to all international and domestic destinations from now until August 1, 2011 or until seats last. This is for travel from September 1 to December 14, 2011.

This is one of our biggest seat sales, with half a million seats available on our extensive network in the Philippines and ASEAN!

Book early and fly to any of our 16 international destinations on sale: Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon, Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Singapore, Shanghai and Taipei.

You can also visit any of our 34 domestic destinations including top tourist spots like Boracay, Cebu, Laoag, Clark, Puerto Princesa, Coron, Siargao, Surigao, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

LOVE LETTER FROM JESUS

 
from a forwarded email

Love Letter from Jesus

My little child, I love you. (John 15:9)



I have called you by your name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)



Before I formed you, I knew you.

And before you were born, I consecrated you. (Jeremiah 1:5).



You did not choose me, I chose you. (John15:16).



Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in good health,

even as your soul prospers. (3rd John 2).

Because you are precious to me, and honored, I love you. (Isaiah 43:4).



I have loved you with an everlasting love

and I will continue my Constant love. (Jeremiah 31:3).



How can I abandon you? My love for you is too strong. (Hosea 11:.



I love you so much that I hung on the cross at calvary.

I died for you, and if you believe in Me you will have everlasting life (John 3:16).



Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore?

Yet, even should she forget, I will never forget you. I cannot forget you.

See, I have graven you in the palm of my hands. (Isaiah 49:15-16).



For I, the Lord your God, am holding you by the right hand. (Isaiah 41:13).



I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD (Matthew 28: 20).

Do not let your heart be troubled, trust in me. (John 14:1).



I will help you. (Isaiah 41: 14).



When you pass through the deep waters, I will be with you.  Your troubles will not overwhelm you. The hard trials that will come will not hurt you. (Isaiah 43:2).



When you walk through the valley of the shadows of death, do not be afraid because I am with you. My rod and my staff will comfort you. I will lead you in the path of righteousness. (Psalms 23).



I will give you peace in the midst of a storm, not as the world giveth.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)



Peace I give which will pass all understanding and shall keep your heart and mind. (Philippians 4:7).



When you lie down do not be afraid, your sleep shall be sweet (Proverbs 3: 24).



My love for you will keep your dwelling safe (Psalm 4:.



Beloved my eyes are upon you and I will give you hope,

for I am merciful (Psalm 33:18)



You will have access to my grace

and rejoice in hope while sharing in the glory of my Father. (Romans 5:2).



I will give you joy and peace. The mountains and hills will sing,

and the trees will clap their hands before you. (Isaiah 55:12)



You may have sorrow now , but I will see you again,

and your heart will rejoice and no one will take your joy from you. (John 16:22).



Do not worry (Luke 12:9).



Even the hairs of your head have all been counted,

so there is no need to be afraid of anything. (Matthew 10:30).



The mountains may depart and the hills will be shaken

but my steadfast love for you will never end. (John 54:10).



Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

Come, I will lead you into solitude and there I will speak tenderly to your heart.

I will be true and faithful.

I will show you constant love and make you mine forever.

I will keep my promise, and you will really know me then as never before.

(Hosea 1:14,19-20).



I AM THAT I AM (Exodus 3:14).



I am the Lord your God. (Hosea 13:4).



Your Faithful Friend...

Jesus Christ, your Savior

This same creativity is in display with the innovations that are already being implemented. We have developed low-cost traps that kill mosquito larvae, probably contributing to the nearly fourteen percent decrease in dengue incidents; coconut coir fibers that are normally just disposed of have been used as a cost-effective way to strengthen our roads; we have landslide sensors that warn when soil erosion has reached dangerous levels; we have developed early flood warning systems for riverside communities. All of these are products of Filipino creativity.

DOST and UP have even teamed up to develop a prototype monorail system, which could potentially provide a home grown mass transport solution that would cost us as little as 100 million pesos per kilometer, much cheaper than the current cost of similar mass transit systems. The potential savings could result in more kilometers of cheap transport, decongesting our urban centers and allowing rural communities easier access to centers of commerce and industry.

Let me reiterate: These proposals were developed by Filipinos for Filipinos. Do you remember the time when we were unable to even dream of these kinds of projects? I am telling you now: We can dream about them, we are capable of achieving them, and we will achieve them. Isn’t it great to be a Filipino living in these times?

All of these things we are doing will be wasted if we do not do something to end the culture of corruption. To my colleagues in public service, from those at the top and to every corner of the bureaucracy: Do we not feel the pride that working in government now brings? That, now, we are proud to be identified as workers in government? Will we waste this honor?

I call on our Local Government Units: Those of you who are in the best position to understand the needs of your constituents can expect greater freedom and empowerment. But we trust that in providing for your communities, you will remain committed to the straight path, and will not lose sight of the interest of the whole nation.

For instance, there are some municipalities that want to tax the electricity transmission lines that run through their jurisdictions. Although this will augment local coffers, the rest of the Filipino people will have to deal with higher electricity rates. Let us try to balance the interests of our constituencies with that of the nation as a whole.

It is imperative that our programs remain in sync, because the progress of the entire country will also redound to progress for your communities. Let us do away with forward planning that only looks as far as the next election, and think of the long-term national good.

Ultimately, we have to unite and work together towards this progress. I thank the Congress for passing laws regarding GOCC Governance, ARMM Synchronization, Lifeline Electricity Rates Extension, Joint Congressional Power Commission Extension, Children and Infants’ Mandatory Immunization, and Women Night Workers.

Last year, Congress demonstrated their support by approving the budget even before the year ended. The timely passage of the budget allowed projects to be implemented more quickly. Tomorrow we will deliver to Congress our budget proposal for 2012. I look forward once again to its early passage so that we can build on our current momentum. We have already made progress, but we must remember: This is only the beginning, and there is much left for us to do. Allow me to present to Congress some of the measures that will bring us closer to the fulfillment of our pledge to the nation.

We aim to give due compensation to the victims of Martial Law; to grant our house help the salaries and benefits that they deserve; and to improve the system that awards pensions to our retired soldiers. We likewise support the expansion of the scope of scholarships granted by DOST to outstanding yet underprivileged students; the advancement of universal quality healthcare; the responsible management of the environment; and the formation of facilities that will ensure the safety of our citizens during times of great need and calamity.

Our agenda also includes the development of BuCor, NBI, NEA, and PTV 4, so that, instead of lagging behind the times, they will better fulfill their mandate of public service.

Not everything we want to do will be explained today, but I invite you to read the budget message, which contains a more comprehensive plan for the coming year.

Some of my critics say that I take this campaign against corruption personally. It’s true: doing what’s right is personal. Making people accountableâ€"whoever they may beâ€"is personal. It should be personal for all of us, because we have all been victimized by corruption.

What is wrong remains wrong, regardless of how long it has been allowed to persist. We cannot simply let it pass. If we ignore the crimes of the past, they will continue to haunt us. And if we do not hold people accountable, then they will do it again and again.

The truth is, we have uncovered so many anomalies. In PAGCOR, the previous management apparently spent one billion pesos on coffee alone. At one hundred pesos per cup, that would be ten million cups of coffee over the last several years. Where did all that coffee go? Who drank it? Perhaps we can find the people who consumed all that coffee and ask if they have been able to sleep in the last few years.

When the new Ombudsman, former Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, takes office, we will have an honest-to-goodness anti-corruption office, not one that condones the corruption and abuses in government. I expect that this year, we will have filed our first major case against the corrupt and their accomplices. And these will be real cases, with strong evidence and clear testimonies, which will lead to the punishment of the guilty.

We are aware that the attainment of true justice does not end in the filing of cases, but in the conviction of criminals. I have utmost confidence that the DOJ is fulfilling its crucial role in jailing offenders, especially in cases regarding tax evasion, drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, graft and corruption, and extrajudicial killings.

We are not leaving anything to chance; good governance yields positive results. Think about it: We have realized our promise of providing the public with the services that it needs and implementing programs to help the poor without

having to raise our taxes. This has always been the plan: to level the playing field; to stop the abuse of authority; and to ensure that the benefits of growth are available to the greatest number.

We have put an end to the culture of entitlement, to wang-wang: along our roads, in government, in our society as a whole. This will bring confidence that will attract business; this will also ensure that the people’s money is put in its rightful place: Funding for infrastructure that will secure the sustained growth of the economy, which will then give rise to jobs, and public service that guarantees that no one will be left behind. More opportunities for livelihood will be opened by tourism; the strengthening of our agriculture sector will ensure that every Filipino will have food on his table. We will invest on those who were once neglected. All this will create a cycle wherein all available jobs are filled, and where businesses flourish through the empowerment of their consumers.

I am aware that, until now, there are still a few who complain about our style of governance. But you have seen our style, and its ensuing results. You have seen their style, and, especially, where that took us. Anyone with their eyes open can clearly see which is right.

We are steering our government in a clear direction. A country where opportunity is available; where those in need are helped; where everyone’s sacrifices are rewarded; and where those who do wrong are held accountable.

I remember a woman warning me during the campaign: “Noy, be careful, you will be stepping on many toes.” Sometimes, I do worry about what I am doing. But I am heartened because you are with me, and we stand on the side of what is right.

I thank the priests and bishops who have continued to dialogue with us, like Cardinals Rosales and Vidal. Cardinal Rosales and I may not be the closest of friends, but I believe that he did all that he could to reduce the tensions between the church and the government. The election of Archbishop Palma, defender of human rights and of the environment, as head of the CBCP only bolsters my confidence that the state and the clergy will be able to engage each other in a positive manner. I likewise thank my Cabinet, who have sacrificed their personal comfort to fulfill the national agenda. I give special mention to PAGASA, who now truly delivers reliable advice and warnings during times of calamity.

And to those who may resist the change we are trying to bring about, this I say to you: I know what I must do, and my personal interests are nothing when compared to the interests of the nation. There are many of us who want what is right for this country; and there are more of us than you. To those of you who would turn back the tide of reform: you will not succeed.

To those who have chosen to tread the straight and righteous path alongside us: it is you who created this change, and it is you who will bequeath our success to your children. To the jeepney driver plying his route; to the teachers and students coming home from class; to the artists whose work inspires our sense of nationhood; to our policemen, our soldiers, our street sweepers, and our firemen; to you who work with honor, in the Philippines, in the oceans, or in other countries; our colleagues in government who stand steadfast with us, whatever province you come from, whatever party you belong to; every Filipino listening to me now â€" you made this happen.

You created a government that truly works for you. We still have five years left to ensure that we will not return to what once was. We will not be derailed, especially now that what we have begun has yielded so many positive results.

If you see a loophole in the system, do not take advantage of it. Let us not acquire through patronage what we can acquire through hard work. No more cheating, no more taking advantage of others, no more one-upmanship â€" because, in the end, we will all realize our shared aspirations.

Let us end the culture of negativism; let us uplift our fellow Filipinos at every opportunity. Why are there people who enjoy finding fault in our country, who find it so hard â€" as though it were a sin â€" to say something nice? Can we even remember the last time we praised a fellow Filipino? Let us stop pulling our fellow man down. Let us put an end to our crab mentality. Let us make the effort to recognize the good that is being done.

If you see something right, do not think twice â€" praise it. If you see a policeman directing traffic, coatless beneath the rain â€" go to him and say, “Thank you.”

If you fall sick, and you see your nurse caring for you, when she could easily be treating foreigners for a higher salary â€" say, “Thank you.”

Before you leave school for home, approach your teacher who chose to invest in your futureâ€"say, “Thank you.”

If you chance upon your local leader on a road that was once riddled with holes, but is now smooth and sturdy â€" go to him and say, “Thank you, for the change you have brought.”

And so, to the Filipino nation, my Bosses who have steered us toward this day: Thank you very much for the change that is now upon us.

The Philippines and the Filipino people are, finally, truly alive.

At times I wonder if the stories about some of our past stand-offs are true â€" that when cannons were aimed at our marines, they could only reciprocate by cutting down a coconut tree, painting it black, and aiming it back. True or not, that time is over. Soon, we will be seeing capability upgrades and the modernization of the equipment of our armed forces. At this very moment, our very first Hamilton Class Cutter is on its way to our shores. We may acquire more vessels in the future â€" these, in addition to helicopters and patrol crafts, and the weapons that the AFP, PNP, and DOJ will buy in bulk to get a significant discount. This goes to show how far we can go with good governance; we can buy equipment at good prices, without having to place envelopes in anyone’s pockets.

We do not wish to increase tensions with anyone, but we must let the world know that we are ready to protect what is ours. We are also studying the possibility of elevating the case on the West Philippine Sea to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, to make certain that all involved nations approach the dispute with calm and forbearance.

Our efforts to enhance the capabilities of our men and women in uniform are already succeeding. In the first six months of 2010, we had 1,010 cases of car and motorcycle theft. Compare that to the 460 cases in the first six months of 2011. Unfortunately, it is the one or two high-profile cases that make the headlines, and not the bigger picture â€" the fact that there is a large drop in car and motorcycle thefts, and that we have returned a higher percentage of stolen cars to their rightful owners.

And here is another example of positive change in law enforcement. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act was signed in 2003. Unfortunately, because the government did not properly implement it, only 29 individuals were convicted in a period of seven years. In just one year, we have breached that amount, convicting 31 human traffickers.

Perhaps, this is the “sea change” that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was referring to; and because of this change, the Philippines has been taken off the Tier 2 Watchlist of their Trafficking in Persons Report. If we had not been removed from this watchlist, the assistance we have been receiving from the Millennium Challenge Corporation, among others, would have been jeopardized.

Allow me to talk about jobs now. Our foremost pledge to the Filipino people was to create more jobs, and we have delivered. In April 2010, the unemployment rate was at 8%; in April 2011, it was at 7.2%.

To put things into perspective: We must all remember that the ranks of the unemployed represent a moving target. Every year, thousands of fresh graduates join the ranks of job hunters. Last year, the number of unemployed Filipinos in our labor force grew after many of our countrymen who earned a temporary living from election-related jobs â€" the people assigned to hanging buntings, the people tasked with clearing a path for politicians in crowds of people, the drivers, and other campaign staff â€" were laid off. But, despite all this, our results make our success evident: one million and four hundred thousand jobs were created last year.

Before, our foremost ambition was to work in another country. Now, the Filipino can take his pick. As long as he pursues his dreams with determination and diligence, he can realize them.

The number of jobs generated in our country can only grow from here. According to the Phil-Jobnet website, every month there are 50,000 jobs that are not filled because the knowledge and skills of job seekers do not match the needs of the companies. We will not allow this opportunity to go to waste; at this very moment, DOLE, CHED, TESDA, and DepEd are working together to address this issue. Curricula will be reviewed and analyzed to better direct them to industries that are in need of workers, and students will be guided so that they may choose courses that will arm them with the skills apt for vacant jobs.

Despite the demand for these jobs, there are still people who are being left behind. What do we do with them? First, we identified the poorest of the poor, and invested in them, because people are our greatest resource. Of the two million families registered with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, 1.6 million are already receiving their conditional cash transfers. Through the initiative and leadership of Secretary Dinky Soliman, we have been able to give much needed assistance to an average of more than 100,000 families per month. I am optimistic that we will reach our target of 1.3 million additional beneficiaries this year. With a compliance rate of 92%, millions of mothers are already getting regular check-ups at public health centers, millions of babies are being vaccinated against common diseases, and millions of school-aged children are now attending classes.

With these significant early results, I am counting on the support of the Filipino people and Congress to expand our Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Before the end of 2012, we want to invest in the future of 3 million poor families.

We are giving these poor families a chance to improve their lives, because their progress will be the country’s progress. How can they buy products and services from businesses if they do not have a proper income? When a poor father turns to crime in order to feed his family, who would he victimize, if not us? When people cannot properly take care of themselves and fall ill, do we not run the risk of getting sick as well?

We are laying down the foundations for a brighter future for the poor. For example, in the health sector: PhilHealth beneficiaries increased during elections, as the agency was used as a tool for dispensing political patronage. Today, we identify beneficiaries through the National Household Targeting System, to make sure that the 5.2 million Filipino families who benefit from PhilHealth are those who really need it.

Let us turn our attention to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. The politics there have been dominated by horse-trading and transactional politics. During national elections, whoever is in power in ARMM is free to manipulate the electoral machinery in his region, ensuring that non-allies do not get votes. That Mayor or Governor then demands payment for his services come the ARMM election, and it is the administration’s turn to manipulate the electoral machinery to secure the win of their candidate.

According to the Commission on Audit, in the office of the regional governor of ARMM, eighty percent of the funds disbursed were for cash advances that cannot be justified. If those funds had not gone to waste, a child could have gone to school. Instead, we built ghost bridges to reach ghost schools where only ghost teachers went to work.

We want ARMM to experience the benefits of good governance. And so, the solution: Synchronizationâ€" candidates in ARMM will run at the same time as candidates in other parts of the country. There would be less opportunity for them to employ command votes for political patrons. The result would be fairer elections. Thank you to Congress for passing the law synchronizing ARMM with the national elections.

And why do we need to postpone the elections? Because, in their desire to return to or retain power, many are prepared to engage in corrupt practices just to win again. Imagine if we had listened to the critics, and allowed the election to proceed under these circumstances. We would have perpetuated the endless cycle of electoral fraud and official abuse that has led ARMM to become one of the poorest regions in the country.

I do not doubt that the reforms we are putting in place will yield concrete results. When we talk about the straight and righteous path, we talk about that new road that was built in Barangay Bagumbayan in Sta. Maria, Laguna. When we say clean government, we are talking about the clean water that residents in Barangay Poblacion in Ferrol, Romblon now enjoy. When we refer to the light of change, we also refer to the electricity that now powers light bulbs in Barangay San Marcos in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. This is happening in many other places, and we will make it happen everywhere in our country.

Government agencies are now focused on realizing this; they are working together to creatively solve the problems that have long plagued our country.

Have we not had flooding problems, which we know are caused by the incessant and illegal cutting down of trees? The old solution: A tree-planting photo opportunity, whose sole beneficiaries are politicians who want to look good. They plant trees, but they do not ensure that the trees would remain standing after they leave.

One of the possible solutions we are studying is to make the stewardship of these trees beneficial to communities. They will be given coffee and cacao seeds to plant. While they wait for harvest, they will receive stipends for safeguarding the trees planted to mitigate flooding. We are looking at informal settlers, who are currently crammed into our cities, as possible beneficiaries of this program. We will be investing in the people, even as we invest in the environment.

Who could have thought that little over a year ago, we could accomplish this? Today, we dream; one day soon, these dreams will be a reality.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.; Vice President Jejomar Binay; former Presidents Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Chief Justice Renato Corona and the honorable Justices of the Supreme Court; honorable members of the diplomatic corps; members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; Local Government Officials; members of our Cabinet; members of the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police; to my fellow servants of the Filipino people; And to my beloved countrymen, my Bosses:

I stood before you during my inauguration and promised: we would do away with the use of the wang-wang. This one gesture has become the symbol of change, not just in our streets, but even in our collective attitude.

Over the years, the wang-wang had come to symbolize abuse of authority. It was routinely used by public officials to violate traffic laws, inconveniencing ordinary motorists â€" as if only the time of the powerful few, and no one else’s, mattered. Instead of behaving like public servants, they acted like kings. This privilege was extended to their cronies and patrons, who moved along the streets as if they were aristocracy, indifferent to those who were forced to give way and were left behind. Abusing privilege despite promising to serve â€" this is the wang-wang mindset; this is the mindset of entitlement.

They had no right to do this. The law authorizes only the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, the Speaker, the Chief Justice, and police vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances to use sirens in the fulfillment of their official duties â€" no one else. Yet the flagrant abuse we bore witness to prompts us to ask: if they felt it their privilege to flout the simplest traffic laws, how could we expect them not to help themselves to a share of projects funded by the Filipino people?

Do you want the corrupt held accountable? So do I. Do you want to see the end of wang-wang, both on the streets and in the sense of entitlement that has led to the abuse that we have lived with for so long? So do I. Do you want to give everyone a fair chance to improve their lot in life? So do I.

We have fought against the wang-wang, and our efforts have yielded results. Just this year, the number of Filipinos who experienced hunger has come down. Self-rated hunger has gone down from 20.5% in March to 15.1% this June â€" equivalent to a million Filipino families who used to go hungry, but who now say they eat properly every day.

As for business, who would have thought that the stock market would reach seven record highs in the past year? At one time, we thought that for the PSE Index to reach 4,000 points would be, at best, a fluke. We now routinely exceed this threshold.

Our once low credit ratings have now been upgraded by Moody’s, Standard and Poors, Fitch, and Japan Credit Ratings Agency â€" in recognition of our prudent use of funds and creative financial management. These improved credit ratings mean lower interest on our debts. Our innovative fiscal approach has saved taxpayers 23 billion pesos in the first four months of this year. This is enough to cover the 2.3 million conditional cash transfer beneficiaries for the entire year.

Let me remind you: in the nine and a half years before we were elected into office, our credit ratings were upgraded once, and downgraded six times by the different credit ratings agencies. Compare this to the four upgrades we have achieved in the single year we have been in office.

This was no small feat, considering that the upgrades came after ratings agencies have grown considerably more conservative in their assessments, especially in the wake of criticism they received after the recent American financial crisis. But while they have downgraded the ratings of other countries, they have upgraded ours, so that we are now just one notch below investment grade. Our economic team is hard at work to sustain the momentum. And allow me to share more good news from the Department of Energy: having rid the DOE of wang-wang, we have revived the confidence of investors in our energy sector. 140 companies, all ready to participate in the exploration and strengthening of our oil and natural gas resources, can attest to this. Compare this to the last energy contracting round in 2006, which saw the participation of only 35 companies. Just last Friday, a new contract was signed for a power plant to be constructed in the Luzon grid, so that by 2014, our country will have a cheaper, more reliable source of energy.

There is confidence and there is hope; the government is now fulfilling its promises. And I cannot help but remember a woman I spoke with during one of my first house-to-house campaigns. She lamented: “It won’t matter who wins these elections. Nothing will change. I was poor when our leaders campaigned, I am poor now that they are in office, and I will still be poor when they step down.” This is a grievance echoed by many: “Our leaders didn’t care about us then, our leaders don’t care about us now, and our leaders will not care about us tomorrow.”

Given the persistence of the wang-wang attitude, wasn’t their sentiment justified? This was the attitude that allowed helicopters to be bought as if they were brand new, but had in fact already been extensively used. This was the attitude that allowed GOCC officials, like those in the Philippine National Construction Corporation, to pay themselves millions of pesos in bonuses, even as they failed to render decent service and plunged their respective agencies deeper into debt. Before they stepped down from their positions, the former heads of the PNCC gifted themselves with two hundred and thirty-two million pesos. Their franchise had lapsed in 2007; their collections should have been remitted to the national government. They did not do this, and in fact even took advantage of their positions: the bonuses they allotted to themselves in the first 6 months of 2010 was double the amount of their bonuses from 2005-2009. Yet they had the audacity to award themselves midnight bonuses, when they had already drowned their agencies in debt.

To end the wang-wang culture in government, we employed zero-based budgeting to review programs. For this year and the last, zero-based budgeting has allowed us to end many wasteful programs.

For example, we uncovered and stopped an ill-advised plan to dredge Laguna Lake. We would have borrowed 18.7 billion pesos to remove 12 million cubic meters of silt â€" which would have re-accumulated within three years, even before the debt could be fully paid. We also uncovered a food-for-school program with no proper targeting of beneficiaries, and other initiatives that were funded without apparent results. All of these were discontinued, and the funds rechanneled to more effective programs.

The budget is the clearest manifestation of the straight path upon which we tread. I say to those who would lead us astray: if you will further disadvantage the poor, do not even think about it. If all you would do is to fill your own pockets, do not even think about it. If it is not for the benefit of the Filipino people, do not even think about it.

I wish we could say that we had completely eliminated the wang-wang attitude, but in some parts of our consciousness, it still persists.

It still exists in the private sector. According to the BIR, we have around 1.7 million self-employed and professional taxpayers: lawyers, doctors, businessmen who paid a total of 9.8 billion pesos in 2010. This means that each of them paid only an average of 5,783 pesos in income tax â€" and if this is true, then they each must have earned only 8,500 pesos a month, which is below the minimum wage. I find this hard to believe.

Today we can see that our taxes are going where they should, and therefore there is no reason not to pay the proper taxes. I say to you: it’s not just the government, but our fellow citizens, who are cheated out of the benefits that these taxes would have provided.

We are holding accountable â€" and we will continue to hold accountable â€" those who practice this culture of entitlement in all government offices, as there are still some who think they can get away with it. A district in Region 4B, for example, began a project worth 300 million pesos, well beyond the 50 million pesos that district engineers can sign off on their own. But they could not leave such a potentially large payday alone.

So they cut the project up into components that would not breach the 50-million-peso limit that would have required them to seek clearance from the regional and central offices. They tried to keep this system going. And often, since lump-sum funding was being used for the projects, no questions were asked about the plans or project details. They could have been spinning webs and they would have still been given the funds, so long as they knew someone in power.

Secretary Babes Singson did not let them get away with this. He removed the district engineer from his post, and suspended the awarding of the project in an effort to uncover other anomalies that may have happened. A thorough investigation of all those involved in the case is underway; we will blacklist all contractors proven to have engaged in foul play.

Because the project had to be delayed, Filipinos who would have otherwise benefited from them are still made to face unnecessary inconveniences.

These anomalies are not limited to Region 4B. We are putting an end to them. We are eliminating the patronage politics that had been prevalent in DPWH, and replacing it with a culture in which merit prevails. All projects must have work programs; we will require those involved in projects to submit well thought-out plans for consideration, so that each project complements the other. We have also instituted an honest and transparent bidding process to provide equal opportunity to interested contractors.

Because of this, we have already saved 2.5 billion pesos, and expect to save 6 to 7 billion by the end of this year. The most important thing, however, is that now, we can count on well-paved roads â€" as opposed to the fragile pothole-ridden paths that our people had grown used to. Once, we believed that the system in the DPWH was impossible to fix; but look â€" it’s possible, and we’re fixing it.

Even in agriculture, the culture of wang-wang once persisted. Before we came into office in 2010, the Philippines imported 2.3 million metric tons of rice, which was already a million metric tons more than the 1.3 million that we needed. We even had to pay extra for warehouses to store the rice acquired through excessive importation. How many years have we been over-importing rice? Many Filipinos thought that there was nothing we could do about it.

We proved them wrong in the span of a year. What was once an estimated yearly shortage of 1.3 million metric tons is down to 660,000 â€" that’s almost half of the original amount. Even with our buffer of 200,000 metric tons as contingency against natural calamities, it is still significantly less than what was once the norm.

Our success in this sector was not brought about by mere luck. This is simply the result of doing things right: using the most effective types of seedlings, and careful and efficient spending on irrigation. In the past year, we irrigated an additional 11,611 hectares of fields, not to mention the near 212,000 hectares of land we were able to rehabilitate. The result: a 15.6 percent increase in rice production.

We envision two things: first, an end to over-importation that only serves to benefit the selfish few. Second: we want rice self-sufficiency â€" that the rice served on every Filipino’s dinner table is planted here, harvested here, and purchased here.

Let us look back on the situations of many of our policemen a year ago. The average salary of a common PO1 in Metro Manila is around 13,000 pesos. Around 4,000 pesos or about a third of their salaries goes directly to paying the rent. Another third goes to food, and the final third is all that is left for electricity and water bills, commuting, tuition fees, medicine, and everything else.

Ideally, their salaries match their expenses â€" but this is not always the case. Those whose salaries are not enough would probably resort to taking out some loans. What happens when the interest piles up and they end up having to spend even more of their salaries? Will they still be able to do the right thing when tempted with an opportunity to make a quick buck?

This is why, this July, we have followed through on the housing promise we made in February. We were able to award 4,000 Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation. This is only the first batch of the 21,800 houses we will have constructed by the end of the year. Awarding our men in uniform these houses will turn their 4,000-peso rent expense into an initial 200-peso per month payment for a house that is all theirs. The cash they once paid for rent can now be used for other needs.

I hear that there are still more than a thousand houses left, so for our policemen and our soldiers who have not yet submitted their papers, this is the last call for this batch of houses. But do not worry, because this housing program will continue next year, covering even more people and more regions. The NHA is already preparing the sites for housing projects in Visayas and Mindanao, with an expanded list of beneficiaries that will also include employees of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Speaking of security, does enhanced security not also enhance our national pride? There was a time when we couldn’t appropriately respond to threats in our own backyard. Now, our message to the world is clear: What is ours is ours; setting foot on Recto Bank is no different from setting foot on Recto Avenue.

Mura man ug nauso na ning maghikog tungod sa pagbati nga giayran, gibabagan, o kaha gikalimtan. Bisan mga high school students daghan na naghikog tungod sa uyab. Seems alarming these days.

Dili diay pwede diri nga duha matulog nga magdulog.

Pawala sa laay samtang nagpaabot nga mosulpot ang tubol.

I never thought this kind of racket exists. Maayo nalang dili Pinoy ang mopalit sa video, kon dili foreign. Dili pa ing-ani ka weird ang mga Pinoy. But just the same, ang couple nga nagbaligya mga heartless na ni sila.

by AFP

A Philippine couple have been charged for making dozens of videos showing teenage girls torturing and killing animals, an animal rights group said Tuesday.

The videos were sold via secretive Internet chat groups to people overseas who wanted to watch the footage for thrills, said Rochelle Regodon, Asia campaign manager for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

“The videos just tear your heart out. This disgustingly cruel enterprise must be stopped,” Regodon said at a news conference where some of the clips were screened.

In the videos, girls wearing mini-skirts and high heels cut the ears off rabbits with scissors before being setting them on fire, burned a dog with a clothes iron and stood on puppies.

After PETA reported the crimes to authorities, police charged a husband and wife in the northern Philippines with animal cruelty, child abuse and human trafficking.

But the couple fled before being arrested, and PETA said Tuesday it was offering a reward of P100,000 ($2,300) for information leading to their capture.

Regodon said clients overseas could look at excerpts of the so-called “crush” videos online, then order the full-length clips by sending a money transfer to the Philippine couple.

Prices ranged from $80 for one video to $200 for three clips, according to Regodon.

She said the operation, which was believed to have existed for two years, was uncovered after someone in Russia contacted PETA with information about the videos.

The Russian informant, who had infiltrated the chat groups where “crush video” fans gathered online, posed as a genuine customer, according to Regodon.

The informant gained access to 68 short videos and enough information to help trace the organizers to the northern Philippine province of La Union.

Six girls aged between 12 and 18 had been coerced into the cruel acts after initially being lured to the couple’s home to work as babysitters, PETA said.

While this was the first “crush” video case in the Philippines, there have been many cases in recent years of police raiding operations in which girls and women perform sex acts in front of cameras for overseas Internet clients.

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) slashes fares from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, Brunei, Jakarta, and Saigon from now until July 29, 2011 or until seats last, for travel from September 1 to October 31, 2011.

Every Juan can fly with our fares as low as P1,288 from Manila to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) and P1,488  from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, Brunei and Jakarta.

Discover the unique sights and sounds distinct to ASEAN! Book your travels within the off-peak season so you can enjoy our trademark low fares and grab the best deals in accommodations and tours in our most popular ASEAN destinations.

This seat sale also covers discounted fares from Manila to Guangzhou as low as P1,488, and from Manila to Osaka as low as P2,088.

More destinations are also included in the seat sale as low as P488: from Manila to Naga or Legazpi, and from Cebu to Clark, Davao, Ozamiz, Pagadian and Surigao. P488 seats are also available from Davao to Iloilo.

Fly in from Manila to Tagbilaran or Roxas for only P788 seats, and from Manila to Ozamiz for as low as P888.

by PNA

Malacanang called on the public to pray for former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her recovery.

“We wish Representative Arroyo well. We hope that she will have a successful surgery and we ask the people to pray for her,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.

Reports said Rep. Arroyo is scheduled to undergo immediate surgery due to a damaged cervical spine.

Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes, Arroyo's attending physician at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City, said Tuesday that the former president was confined Monday due to a recurrence of neck pain.

Fortune teller fails to foretell his arrest
by PNA

A man claiming he has supernatural powers and can tell the future, failed to foretell his arrest after he went further and pretended to be a lawyer.

Arman Cuban, 48, who hails from Manila and a radio “block-timer”, was arrested by the police Sunday morning after his promise to fix a marriage problem wasn’t realized.

His arrest came after he allegedly swindled P45,000 from a woman who sought his help in solving her friend’s marital problems.

Seized from his possession were P112,000 cash, three cellular phones, bank books, herbal products and a media identification card.

Cuban admitted to his crime to reporters and pledged to give back the money as he asked forgiveness from his victims.

Cuban, who also placed an advertisement in a local tabloid, offered services such as fortune-telling, curing diseases and feng shui.

A criminal complaint for estafa will be filed against him.

Last July 11, the woman, who requested anonymity went to Cuban to ask his help in solving the problem of her nurse friend based in the United Kingdom.

She said her friend was about to be divorced from her British husband.

Having no kids, her friend wanted their properties equally split, she added.

”I saw Cuban’s ad in the paper. Although it sounded desperate, I sought his help just to resolve the problem of my friend,” she said.

She met with Cuban together with another friend in a mall.

Cuban then asked her P45,000 for 45 black candles that cost P1,000 each, saying he will use these for his prayers.

She asked Cuban whether she can just pay half, but he refused. She then paid Cuban last July 13 through the bank.

Cuban promised the problem will be solved after two days, she said.

When it didn’t happen, she kept on calling the suspect but her calls were unanswered.

Because she can’t track Cuban’s whereabouts, she went to another friend, who then pretended to be in need of his help regarding a land dispute.

Cuban, pretending he was a lawyer, texted back, asking them for P42,000.

The victim and a family friend sought police assistance in tracking Cuban down.

Cuban was arrested three weeks later, shortly after his radio show.

Cebu City Police Thief and Robbery Section Chief Rolando Pinili appealed to the public not to easily trust suspicious individuals like Cuban who promise they can cure everything.

”Nowadays, it’s important we must be careful on who we are going to trust,” he said.

 Extraordinary soldier. Maybe he needs counseling. War shock pa seguro. GF nabuthan.

by PNA

July 24 in 1917, Leonor Orosa Goquingco, National Artist for dance (1976), dubbed as the "Mother of Philippine Theater Dance" and "Dean of Filipino Performing Arts Critics," was born in Jolo, Sulu.

Her most ambitious work is the dance epic "Filipinescas: Philippine Life, Legend and Lore." With it, Orosa has brought native folk dance mirroring Philippine culture from pagan to modern times, to its highest stage of development.

She was later named as the Honorary Chair of the Association of Ballet Academies of the Philippines (ABAP), and is a founding member of the Philippine Ballet Theater.

She passed away on July 15, 2005 at the age of 87.

by PNA

On July 24, 1890, National artist for the visual arts Guillermo Tolentino whose works include the University of the Philippines (UP) Oblation and the landmark Andres Bonifacio monument in Kalookan City, was born in Malolos, Bulacan.

He sculpted the UP Oblation commissioned in 1935 by then University President Rafael Palma and originally located at the UP Manila campus in Ermita. It was later moved to the Diliman campus in celebration of the state university's 40th anniversary.

Tolentino completed his degree in fine arts in 1915 at the UP.

In 1919, Tolentino went to the United States to pursue further studies on a scholarship grant from Bernard Baruch of New York University's Beaux School of Arts. He graduated from New York University with honors in 1921.

He also traveled to Europe to visit renowned museums and art galleries in London and Paris. He then went on to study in Regge Istituto di Belle Arti in 1922.

Notably, Tolentino received national recognition for his work on the Bonifacio Monument, now a major landmark of Kalookan City.

Tolentino's winning design of the monument featured an obelisk with a bird of freedom perched atop of it. Around the monument's base stand life-size figures of members of the Katipunan led by Bonifacio.

Tolentino likewise designed the medals for the Ramon Magsaysay Awards as well as the seal of the Republic of the Philippines.

From 1953 to 1955 Tolentino served as the School of Arts' director of the University of the Philippines. He retired in 1955 as professor emeritus.

He died on July 12, 1976 at the age of 86.

labina na gyud seguro kung ang helper ing-ani ang panagway.

Di man maklaro ang dahon, Hubs. maayo unta ug naay closeup view.