Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

It Is Unconstitutional

There is a rift existing between Dr. Emilio Yap of Manila Bulletin Today and Mr. Lucio Tan of the Philippines Airlines. Due to this rift, Manila Bulletin Today is banned from loading in the Philippines Airlines. So that copies of Manila Bulletin Today newspaper are loaded in Cebu Pacific Airlines.

In the provinces, cities and towns not being served by Cebu Pacific, Manila Bulletin Today newspapers do not reach. In Aklan, copies of Manila Bulletin Today arrive late in the afternoon everyday because Cebu Pacific has no flight from Manila to Kalibo in the morning while all kinds of newspapers are circulating after the arrival in Kalibo via PAL flight in the morning.

While the Manila Bulletin Today circulation is reduced, the rift between the two businessmen is also depriving readers of what Manila Bulletin Today conveys to its readers. The rift also has impeded advertisers of Manila Bulletin Today from servicing their millions of clients, while possible buyers of goods and services advertised in Manila Bulletin Today are deprived.

PAL’s non conveyance of Manila Bulletin Today for distribution to its readers is an infringement of press freedom. This is unconstitutional. PAL must be compelled to load and transport Manila Bulletin Today for distribution to the subscribers and buyers.

For Men Only

“MOVE” means Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere. This is an organization composed of men determined to intensify the campaign against gender based violence in the barangays.

In the words of MOVE Aklan President Franklin Quimpo, in 2005, there were only 45 cases of violence recorded in Aklan. This year, more than 300 cases are recorded involving women and children.

Franklin Quimpo of MOVE Aklan has 35 male advocates to stop violence against women. They conduct advocacy activities that will promote women’s rights and curb cases of domestic violence against women. Quimpo and Engr. Lou Santamaria were guests during the Saturday, November 29 Kapehan sa Aklan where they explained to the tri-media the purposes and activities of MOVE.

However, is there no violence committed against men? It was only on Thursday, Nov. 27 when a man was murdered by still unknown culprit. While MOVE’s main objective is laudable, it is discriminatory. Why not include persons of all sexes?

Paint Black Soot

Mr. Abraham Diestro of the Kalibo Ati-atihan Management Board suggested to the participants of Ati-atihan Festival to “paint themselves black”. Mr. Terence Toriano of the Office of the Mayor of Kalibo informed this writer.

According to Diestro who is the co-chair, Committee on Tribal Participation, KAMB, “the original Ati is black. It is a tradition that the participants of the Ati-atihan Festival only sported black soot, and this is emphasized in the contest rules”.

Diestro cited some tribes who wore magnificent costumes but did not get enough points to win top prizes in the contest because they used colored paints and not soot. As a reminder for non-Aklanons, the Ati-atihan is a festival for pilgrims devoted to the Sto. Niño, a revelry for both local and foreign tourists. “It is not a showcase of dances that are choreographed”, added Diestro.

A Sin To Predict KO

Alex P. Vidal sent this e-mail to EF which reads: Like in his previous fights, Manny Pacquiao refused to predict the outcome of his 12-round non-title duel with 10-time world champion Oscar De La Hoya on December 6 in Las Vegas, Nevada. “It’s a sin to predict a knockout win”, said Pacman.

“Only God knows who will emerge victorious, so it’s a sin to say that it’s De La Hoya or me who is going to win by knockout,” quipped the 29-year-old reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion.

Pacquiao, an underdog in the showdown dubbed “Dream Fight”, said “he will only do his best to make the people happy” but vowed “to surprise the Filipino people.”

It was Freddie Roach, owner of the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, who had repeatedly predicted that the five feet and six inches Pacquiao will demolish the five feet and 11 inches De La Hoya in the ninth round.

De La Hoya, 35, parried Roach’s diatribes and shot back that the fight would not reach the ninth round as he is going to stop the Filipino heartthrob in the fourth round.

Pacquiao said even if both of them have trained hard for the multi-million matchup, nobody can predict who will win by knockout. De La Hoya had said whoever connects harder first wins the bout.

Meanwhile, after a late breakfast together with his wife Jinkee at his Palazzo apartment on 3rd Street, Los Angeles last week, Pacquiao watched inmates of Cebu provincial jail dance in the youtube together with brother Bobby.

Pacquiao praised the dancers clad in orange uniform for their discipline and quickness saying they could have been excellent sportsmen if they were not in jail.

If he is not in gym, Pacquiao plays dart inside the apartment together with Bobby, boxer Vernie Torres, and other members of Team Pacquiao.

Pacquiao, who grabbed the WBC 135-lb bauble with a ninth round disposal of Chicago-based David Diaz on June 28, said he has no problem scaling to the 147 pounds, the weight limit of his duel with De La Hoya, as he was weighing at 151 lbs. He is expected to easily make the weight limit on December 5, a day before the fight, while De La Hoya, who was last reported to be at 145 lbs, claimed he is a natural welterweight and considers his current weight as “not a problem.” /MP