Saturday, November 22, 2008

NO Place for PNP Personnel Misconduct


Aklan Police Provincial Office Officer In-Charge Police Senior Superintendent Clarence V. Guinto immediately take actions against alleged Misconduct of PO2 Ralston Candido, personnel of Kalibo Police Station to grade school pupil of Kalibo Elementary School.

PO2 Candido was relieved last week from Kalibo Police Station. He is reassigned at Aklan Police Provincial Office while his case is under investigation.

According to PSSUPT Guinto, the reported case committed by said PNCO will be investigated as soon as possible. If found guilty, PO2 Candido will be penalized under existing rules and regulations of the PNP.

The victim was allegedly handcuffed by PO2 Candido, when he knew that the project (lantern) of her daughter scheduled to be submitted that day to their teacher was allegedly taken by the victim and returned dirty which made her daughter cry, SPO2 Luzbella Isada, Chief, Women and Children Protection Desk of Kalibo Police Station said during their initial investigation.

PSSUPT Guinto warned that police misbehavior will not be tolerated under his term. (POI Nida L. Gregas, Deputy PIO, Aklan PPO) /MP

Funny Speaker

"Funny Speaker" by Lean Severino is just off the press. It is highly recommended reading for both public and private officials usually invited for public speaking.

Funny Speaker is a three–purpose book, a "fun-to-read" book, a book of "humorous materials" and a "how-to" book. It presents humorous punch lines, laughable quotes and witty quips which everybody will enjoy. It will teach a reader to write ordinary but funny story and deliver humorous speeches.

This book is highly recommended reading for speakers, emcees, comedians, teachers and broadcasters.

It is written by a two time National Champion in the Humorous Speech contest sponsored by Toastmasters International. The author is a comedy writer for various publications, an industrial engineer, a college professor, and systems analyst.

Want to be Humorous Speaker?

Buy "Funny Speaker"
by Lean Severino

Read everything You
need to be humorous speaker.

Available at Madyaas Pen Office
2/F, Sampaton Bldg., Mabini Corner Roxas Avenue, Kalibo, Aklan
Tel No. (036) 268-6238

Only P200 per copy.

Editorial

Rotary Four Way Test
Mr. Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, former undersecretary of Agriculture miserably failed the Four Way Test of Rotary. This conclusion is reached after hearing his testimonies during the Senate hearing of the P728 million Fertilizer Fund Scam. Bolante’s testimonies were made before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee made on Thursday, November 13, 2008.

The Four Way Test of Rotary Clubs is asked on the things people say and do.

Mr. Bolante is the suspected architect of the P728 million Fertilizer Fund Scam which the Commission on Audit (COA) Director Flerida Jimenez confirmed this fertilizer project has no system followed in the distribution to establish accountability. In the testimony of Ms. Jimenez during the House of Representatives hearing, she testified that the audit was mostly done at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Units. It was focused on the disbursement of fertilizer fund to congressional districts. On the other hand, the audit of the fund obtained by governors and mayors was handled by the COA local government auditors, Jimenez explained.

Bolante is said to have directed the distribution of the fertilizer fund to backers of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the last presidential election campaign in 2004.

Mr. Bolante is a top official of Rotary International. He was past president of a Rotary Club, a past district governor. At the time his visa was cancelled three years ago, he was top officer of Rotary International. One qualification of a member of a Rotary Club is his/her being a member of good standing in the community. Perhaps, the Rotary Club where Bolante belongs has done something on his membership by now.

The first test in Rotary is “Is it the Truth”? Many believed, Mr. Bolante lied when he was asked who vouchsafed him that he became undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture. He replied, “I didn’t know”. Is it the true answer? In the Philippine government, nobody can be appointed even to the position of a janitor with nobody recommending him/her. How much more of an undersecretary?

The second test is “Is it fair to all concerned?” Certainly, what was done of the P728 fertilizer fund was highly unfair to the farmers. That money is supposed to help the Filipino farmers raise food at reduced cost of production, but the way it was, it did not served the purpose. The Filipino farmers were taken for a ride. Here is a model, the P728 million fund for agriculture, how to skin further the depressed and disadvantaged members of Philippine society, the farmers.

“Well, it build GOODWILL and better UNDERSTANDING?” is the third test which Mr. Bolante failed miserably. His action resulted to bad-will instead of goodwill and enemies instead of friendship. His US visa was cancelled, was investigated in the US and now here in the Philippines.

And the fourth test is, “will it be beneficial to all concerned?” This is another failure. Because of Mr. Bolante’s action, several men and women were suspects of corruption. In Aklan, three officials were suspects who are Cong. Florencio T. Miraflores, Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo and Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo of the Ati-atihan town of Kalibo. Even if the Aklanons tend to believe they were not involved, their names were already destroyed in other provinces and cities of the Philippines and even abroad. Mr. Bolante’s testimonies before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee presided by Sen. Peter Alan Cayetano were depleted of truth, fairness, failed to build goodwill and better friendship and devoid of benefits to the group of persons concerned. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

GSIS Song On The Air Over TV

EF received a written comment about the GSIS Satellite office in Kalibo, Aklan. The comment is self explanatory which EF is delighted to share with his audience. The comment is as follows:

“Everybody at the GSIS ‘Hall of Justice’ falls in love as the melody of “My Song of Love, Love Me With All of Your Heart”. The melody and lyrics touched all hearts of GSIS clients waiting for their turn to be served by the very accommodating non-stop ever-caring services of ever-attentive, Mr. Ronie N. Abella of GSIS Aklan Satellite office. It happened noontime last November 4, 2008.

As GSIS security staff turned on the volume, the TV program hosted by Willie Revillame, all of us hoped and prayed this melody must be echoed to the hearts of Cong. Florencio T. Miraflores and Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, that they may fall in love too, to the sound of “Love Me With All of Your Heart, that’s all I want you to do, love me with all of your heart as I love you… for our kisses (cases), every hour, every summer, every winter and every fall…in every beat of our heart, h e a r t…!!!

We hope, higher authorities concerned may fall in love too, with all their hearts to recognize and commend the efficient services that satisfied Aklanon retirees most of whom looked “uninformed/tanga” but left the GSIS office with peace of mind after tenderly cared by GSIS-Aklan Satellite Office personnel/staff, despite inconvenience due to the damaged facilities by typhoon Frank.

This comment came from Ms. A. T. Baylon of Makato, Aklan.
On Boracay Media Summit
Commenting on his weeklong stay in Boracay Island, Johnny C. Nuñez, my long time friend, of Cabanatuan City wrote EF which I quote below:

“My weeklong stint in Boracay for the October 29-31 Boracay Media Summit sponsored by the Publisherss Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) in coordination with the Boracay Foundation Inc., the Aklan Press Club, Inc. and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) had been so energy sapping. I could still feel the nearly a week after I returned home.

Tiring as it was for us who were involved in the Summit secretariat, the three-day media event that was participated in by journalists from Cayagan Valley and the Ilocos regions in Northern Luzon to Jolo and Agusan in Southern Mindanao, proved to be very enlightening and inspiring to both the participants and sponsors themselves.
The Summit had for its theme “The Expanding Frontiers of Media in Promoting Tourism, Preservation of Culture and Protection of the Environment,” all component concerns of which are intimately intertwined with situations obtaining not only in Boracay but in most regions of the country.

The summit’s battery of speakers and discussions included Philippine Daily Inquirer publisher Isagani Yambot, former Education Undersecretary and now Philippine Star columnist Dr. Isagani Cruz, Bohol Congressman and House Tourism Committee chairman Edgar Chatto, Environment Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi, Dr. Alile Quirante of UP Diliman, NCCA Commissioner Elmar Ingles and Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, among others.

The speakers and discussants spoke on various subjects and pressing issues revolving around the summit’s theme, notably the recent Supreme Court decision declaring most of Boracay as forests land and not yet alienable and disposable which expectedly caused investors in the tourism paradise island to raise a howl. Other topics discussed included the fragile ecosystem of Boracay; the dynamic and happy mix of culture, environment and tourism in making Boracay what it has become; and media initiatives that should help promote these vital concerns.
Deserving special commendations from the summit delegates for the gracious hospitality and free hotel accommodations provided the participants are the members of the Boracay Foundation, Inc. under its president Loubelle B. Cann.” /MP

Vice Gov. Calizo Denies

Aklan Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo denied two things imputed to her. First she denied she has something to do with the alleged “Aklan Village Ghost Transaction” while she was the congresswoman of the Lone District of Aklan, and second, she denied she received P5 million out of the P728 million Fertilizer Fund Scam from former Under-secretary of Agriculture Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante in 2004.

Vice Gov. Calizo vehemently denied a news article published in the People’s Journal dated November 7, 2008, headlined “Probe Aklan Village ‘Ghost’ transaction quoted hereunder:

“The National labor Union urged Ombudsman Merciditas Gutierrez to probe the alleged purchases of telecommunication equipment by a fictitious barangay in the province of Aklan.

Dave Diwa, president of the National Labor Union, said the ghost purchases in 2004 were uncovered by the Commission on Audit.

“It would help the credibility of the Ombudsman if she looks into this matter. As it is right now, Ombudsman Gutierrez is being accused of ‘sleeping’ on ‘big-time’ cases pending at her office and this is one area where she can prove her detractors wrong,” Diwa said.

Citing the CoA report, Diwa said Barangay Patpatan, Kalibo, Aklan, was supposed to receive the communication equipment purchased from the priority development assistance fund of then Rep. Maria Gabrielle Calizo but the items and the barangay do not exist.

The government auditing office earlier released to the media a list of purchase orders for a total of P66.9 million it identified as ghost purchases.
These include PO No. 2004-03-034 covering the purchase of 20 sets of TAIT mobile radio, 17 sets of TAIT base radio, 18 sets of TAIT portable radio and one lot repeater system for a Barangay Patpatan in Aklan, for the amount of P2.9 million.

In the case of the purchases done by then Calizo, only the payment and transfer of 2.9 million to the supplier was verified by state auditors.” (by Paul M. Gutierrez)
And here is the denial of Vice Governor Calizo addressed to MR. Augusto B. Villanueva, Editor-in-Chief, Peoples Journal.

Dear Mr. Villanuea:

In the November 7, 2008 issue of People’s Journal, page 13, appeared a news item headlined “Probe Aklan Village Ghost Transaction”. Had your staff writer, Mr. Paul M. Gutierrez, bothered to get my side of the controversy, he would have readily known for himself the utter falsity of the allegations and avoided unduly and unfairly casting aspersion on my person and reputation as the former Congresswoman representing the Lone District of Aklan adverted to, and now the incumbent Vice Governor and Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Pan-lalawigan of Aklan.

For the record, I have not, during my entire tenure as Congresswoman representing the Lone District of Aklan in 2001-2004, allocated funds for the purchase of communication equipment such as the TAIT mobile radio, base radio, portable radio and repeater mentioned in subject news item.
I do not know nor was I made aware of the existence of such a project of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) at the time. If indeed funds were allocated and released for the above-cited purpose, the same definitely did not come from my congressional fund or allocation. The DOTC, as the implementing agency, would and should know were the funds came from, the identity of the recipients, who actually received the equipment, and should be in possession of the documents to prove the transaction.
Moreover, it simply baffles the mind that DOTC would allocate and release funds for the purchase of communication equipment intended for a certain “Barangay Patpatan” which is non-existent in the Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan.

For the sake of fair and balanced news reporting, I hope that this clarification find space and given the same importance and prominence in your widely read tabloid as the subject news item headlined “Probe Aklan Village Ghost Transaction”. This is signed by Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo.

In the case of the Bolante Fertilizer fund anomaly, Vice Gov. Calizo denied of receiving even five centavos out of it. It is true that her name appeared in the list of “recipients of the P728 million fertilizer fund”, as Cong. Gabrielle V. Calizo, but nothing was entered in the columns “practical release by data proponent” and “amount”.

In Aklan, two other public officials are included in the list. They are Cong. Florencio T. Miraflores alleged to have received P5 million and Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo for a lesser amount of P3 million.

The name of Vice Gov. Calizo was mentioned in the TV Patrol 6:00 o’clock P.M. edition as one of the top officials who benefited P5 million from the fertilizer fund anomaly.

This TV report was immediately denied. Quoted hereunder is the denial of Vice Governor Calizo addressed to ABS-CBN BROADCASTING CORPORATION:
Attention: TV PATROL
“Gentlemen/Mesdames:

In your November 10, 2008, 6:00 o’clock P.M. edition of TV Patrol, you reported on and showed footages of the list of “Recipients of the 728 Million Fertilizer Fund”. On one of the footages shown, my name was on top of the list. As reported and presented by TV Patrol, the conclusion arrived at by your viewing public can only be that I was a recipient and beneficiary of PhP 5,000.000.00 out of the 728 Million Fertilizer Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture through former undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante. While my name my have been on the original list, what you failed to report was that NO ACTUAL RELEASE was ever made to me as indicated by the very documents you have on hand at the time, as should have been done in the interest of fair, accurate and balance news presentation.

Suffice it to state, my good name and reputation has been unduly and unfairly besmirched by your selective and incomplete reporting of what has been now notoriously dubbed as the “Fertilizer Fund Scam”.

I would, therefore, appreciate it if TV Patrol can immediately exert efforts to correct or rectify this grievous error which has unduly and unfairly cast aspersion on my person by also reporting on the established fact that NO ACTUAL RELEASE of any part of the fund was ever made to me as indicated by the very annexes to the list of supposed beneficiaries in your possession. I refer to the attached list which I downloaded from your own website, abs-cbnnews.com.”

The names of Cong. Florencio T. Miraflores, Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo, and Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo are also included in the list of the Philippine Daily Inquirer who allegedly partook some amount out of the P728 million Fertilizer Fund Anomaly issued on Thursday, November 13, 2008. /MP

First Step To Recovery For Ati-Atihan Town of Kalibo

by E. Soviet Russia A. dela Cruz


Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo during the ribbon cutting of the Kalibohian Sa Gabii.
Kalibonhons participated the nostalgic "sad-sad" during the launching of the
2009 Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival called "PASARING".

Rev. Fr. Glenn Magpusao blessing the stalls & boths during the Night Market.

The Ati-atihan Town of Kalibo devastated by super typhoon “Frank on June 21, 2008, has undergone the slow process of recovery and rehabilitation with the aid in money, material, and services. The assistance came from kind-hearted individuals and people from the national and local government units and non-government organizations.

The Agri-Tourism Rehabilitation program of the Municipality of Kalibo in preparing to hold its annual celebration of its founding set for November 2, 2008, has adopted the theme: “Kalibohian Sa Gabii” coined to translate “Livelihood at Night” with the view to perk up the economy, promote cultural awareness and instill the duty and moral obligation upon its citizens towards the preservation of the environment.

To this end, the Municipality of Kalibo has caused to display to the public Photo Exhibits and film and video footages and artworks depicting the havoc wrought by the typhoon. It also caused to showcase the town’s produce and products thereby providing a venue for local farmers and producers to sell their products direct to the consumers. The said rehabilitation program is co-chaired by Hon. Lilian Q. Tirol and Hon. E. Soviet Russia A. dela Cruz, SB members of the Municipality of Kalibo and supported by numerous working committees from LGU-Kalibo and private volunteers.

The National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA), has donated the sum of P50,000.00 to LGU-Kalibo to help boost the success of the program envisioned. Furthermore, it facilitated the coming into town during the Founding Celebration of Mr. Joey Ayala, a noted environmentalist, activist, crusader and song writer, together with his band “Ang Bagong Lumad” which gave a concert and serenaded the community with rendition of popular hits and environmentally inspired songs. The performance of Mr. Ayala and his band highlighted the successful and well-attended evening celebration.

Mr. Joey Ayala, a day after a concert, conducted a free workshop on song writing to young and aspiring songwriters at the Kalibo Municipal Hall. Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo welcomed the participants, local composers and song writers. He urged them to write and compose songs that promote and advocate the preservation of our environment.

Aside from the assistance extended by NCCA, the events were also co-sponsored by La Esperanza, Judith’s Pension, San Miguel Corp. Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils. Inc. ABS-CBN, RGMA DYRU, CBIS DYYM FM, Madyaas Pen, Village Marketing, Boracay Foundation, Inc. and Hernani’s Mix and Match Restaurant. /MP

Roxas: Agri Sector Is “Sick”

Gov’t. Political Will VS
“Chronic Infections” Lacking
Senator Mar Roxas said last week that the agriculture sector remains “sick,” and drastic measures to improve governance in the Department of Agriculture (DA) are needed if the country is to weather the worldwide economic downturn.”

He said the government has so far failed to act on obvious “chronic infections” in the agriculture sector’s governance, such as the persistence of anomalous practices and lump-sum budgetary allocations which pave the way for the former. This, even if the Commission on Audit finds, year in and year out, irregularities in the disbursement of funds in the sector.

Our agriculture sector is seriously ailing because of the inadequate assistance of the government to our farmers. The money that was meant to help the farmers has even been stolen by those close to the administration, such as former DA Usec. Jocelyn ‘Joc-Joc’ Bolante,” he said.

We still have a food crisis and we still depend on imports. We have failed to help our farmers, and a major reason for this are the shenanigans in the DA,” he said.

According to the Ilonggo senator, even as Bolante departed for the United States in 2005, numerous anomalies in the DA continue to be digged up by the Commission On Audit (COA) which show the pervasiveness of corruption within the institution. Among the anomalous practices are the overpricing and wastage of farm inputs, irregular disbursement from and to government agencies and corporations, and irregularities in procuring supplies and equipment.

In 2005, for example, Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) program funds showed an excess of P123 million and used a list of beneficiaries with forged and fictitious names.

In 2006, P616.8 million was transferred to government-owned and –controlled corporations for projects which the CoA said DA agencies were capable of carrying out, and that the memoranda of agreement for these transfers did not require liquidation documents.

In 2007, GMA “Gulayan ng Masa” funds of P135.34 million for vegetable seeds and planting materials had no master list of beneficiaries in most regions nationwide. Also, P176.69 million worth of corn seeds had no master list of beneficiaries, and the seeds were observed not to be of high-yield quality.

Also in 2007, P389.2 million for farm-to-market roads was not implemented in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions IV, V and VII to XI, and P289.3 million worth of research and development projects of the Bureau of Agricultural Research lacked hard evidence of completion.
“With so many anomalies happening now, we don’t know how much in taxpayers’ money simply goes to officials in the government,” Roxas said.
“How will the people believe that the government is in control of the economic crisis if it is refusing to act on obvious ‘chronic infections’ in the agriculture sector like Joc-Joc and lump sum funds? he asked. Now is the perfect time to show political will,”.

Roxas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce noted that even though the price of regular rice has gone down from P38 per kilo in the middle of the year, it remained at P30/kilo, which is 20 percent higher than the P24/kilo price at the start of the year. Also, as of September, headline inflation stood at 11.9 percent year-on-year nationwide, while core inflation, or the price inflation of select items, stood at 7.5 percent year-on-year.

The Ilonggo senator recently twitted Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez for sitting on recommendation by her subordinates seeking to indict Bolante for graft in relation to his roles in at least two fund diversion scams in the DA. /MP

‘Pacquiao Sets Media Sales Records’

Sports Illustrated Hailed
For Featuring Pacquiao
by ALEX P. VIDAL
For the first time in its July 7, 2008 issue, New York-based Sports Illustrated, the world’s most prestigious sports magazine, featured World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao.

It described the Filipino world champion as “heavy hitter” in an Inside Boxing section story written by Pablo S. Torre. “Manny Pacquiao, the sport’s biggest little star, moved up a weight class and crushed David Diaz for his fourth title,” read the article’s sub-title.

“I met Pablo Torre and was impressed with the way he wrote the article,” observed magazine subscriber Joaquin Hagedorn, Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada. “He is not an ordinary writer, he finished a degree in Harvard.”
Hagedorn said, “to be featured in the Sports Illustrated is a dream of most world class athletes who have carved a niche in their respective fields. It means that an athlete is recognized and respected all over the world,” he added.

Torre described Pacquiao’s win over the 32-year-old Diaz as “easy and entertaining, and when Manny Pacquiao burst into his dressing room at Mandalay Bay after the fight night on June 28 as the new WBC lightweight champion, he leaped into the waiting embrace of a cluster of fans who know a bit about resounding championship clinchers.”

Torre reported that “to celebrate their own title”, some of the Boston Celtics stars led by Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce “alternated chants of Manny, Manny!’ and ‘Boston, Boston!’”

Boston Celtics is this year’s National Basketball Association (NBA) champion. The writer described the Pacquiao-Diaz fight as “totally unsurprising but awfully fan to watch.”

“For all the attention given to Pacquiao’s domination of Mexico’s best fighters (with wins over four Mexican world champs), his demeanor (affable outside the ring, almost joyful within it) and his nearly cut-like popularity in his home country, it is his relentless style that is helping to carry the sport.

“With the heavyweight division mired in mediocrity and fans diverted by the rising popularity of mixed martial arts, Pacquiao has set media-sales records with his aggressiveness,” wrote Torre.

Pacquiao, 29, a reservist in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), will next tangle versus Oscar De La Hoya, 35, in a duel dubbed “It’s Personal” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 6. /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Nightingale

Rong Emperador it China hay ma-ilaon magkolekta it bisan ano mang bagay nga owa it katuead. Ro anang hardin hay guina pangayaw it taga ibang lugar tongod una makit-an ro mga tumaeagsahong tanum nga indi nanda makit-an maskin siin.

Ro anang hardin hay guina estahan it isaeang ka pispis nga owa it tupong ro anang kasadya, kapin pa kon andang mabatian ro anang kanta. Owa guid maka sayod kara ro hari. Hasayran nana ka’t habasa nana sa libro nga guin sueat ko isaeang ka mahistrado nga nakabisita sa anang kardin.

Tongod kara, nagka interes ro hari nga makita rondoyong pispis. Magahaead it premyo ro hari sa kon sin-o mang makadaea kana ko rayang pispis. Ko olihi, may anang kusinero nga naga estar maeapit sa rayang hardin nga naka pamatuod ko royon nga pispis. Tongod malim-pyo ro anang tagipu-suon, ginhambae nana ro pispis. Naghinyo ro kusinero sa pispis nga buligan imaw sa hinyo it hari. Nagsugot mat-a ro pispis. Nagmunot ro pispis sa palasyo. Pag-abot sa palasyo, nag kanta eagi ro pispis. Ro tanan nga nakabati hay napa eoha sa kalipay nga indi nanda maintindihan. Mas malipayon guid sa tanan ro hari.

Umpisa kato, nangin kaibahan eon ro pispis sa palasyo. Kon abo ro problema it hari, anang guina kantahan, kon guina hapo ro hari, naga ugan ro anang pamatyag kon makabati sa kanta it pispis. Ro Nightingale ro nangin balsamo it hari sa adlaw-adlaw.

May nagbisita sa palasyo nga amigong hari, ro Emperador. May daeang regalo imaw nga isaeang ka hawla. Sa sueod hay isaeang ka pispis nga bueawan ro baeahibo ag naga tungtong sa seda nga alpombra. Guin yabihan ro pispis ag kumanta. Sadyaan guid ro anang kanta ag nalingaw guid ro hari. Guin butang guid sa may oeohan it katre ko hari agod madali imaw makatoeog. Imaw nga imaw ro guin obra it hari parabil imaw magkatoeog hay guina yabihan it guardiya agod magkanta.

Ko olihi, owa eon pag inatwa ratong Nightingale busa, eompad imaw ag bumalik sa anang dating guina estahan. Sa kabuhayon eon nga pagkinanta it pabalik-balik ko bueawang pispis, nabugto ro anang kwerdas. Guin padaea sa manog kaayad it relo agod kaadyon. Nag-andar ogaling, basag eot-a ro anang limog. Ka’t owa eon nakabati ro hari it kanta, amat-amat imaw nga nag-eoya hasta nagmasakit. Guin pahaum eon ngani ro anang kabaong ag haum man ro bag-ong magaboeos kana.

Sa pagkasayod ko Nightingale nga ma-iwat ro hari, nag-eopad imaw sa palasyo. Naghapon sa bintana ag kumanta. Ro kanta hay nakaabot sa nagatikha nga hari, ogaling golpe nga nagmukeat ro mata ko hari sa kalipay. Nagbalik ro anang kusog ag kolor ko anang itsura.

“Ea-um ko, guin aywan mo eon ako. Nabighani abi ako ko ratong pispis nga bueawan, ogaling pabalik-balik man lang ro anang kanta. Ikaw hay sayod kon ano ro akong problema. Iba ro imong kanta sa kada paniempo ag royon ro owa sa ratong pispis nga bueawan. Mahimo baea nga indi mo ako pag-talikdan?” paniguro it hari.

“Mahimo, ogaling tuguti man akong maka eopad tongod royon ro akong kalibutan. Maga bisita ako pirmi kimo bisan anong oras. Paga lingaw-lingawon ko ikaw ag paga patoeogon. Royon ro akong regalo kimo bangod mayad ka nga klase nga hari sa imong nasakupan”, promisa it Nightingale.
Pagsueod ko taga bantay agod tan-awon basi patay eon ro hari, hakibot imaw nga nagatindog eot-a imaw ag nagsinghan, “Mayad-ayad nga adlaw kimo!” /MP

Reaction From A Reader

FSCAP-Makato Chapter President
Tends To Resign
The Federation of Senior Citizen Association of the Philippines (FSCAP)–Makato Chapter president Rafael T. Baylon opts to resign his position to give chance for other active senior citizens to plan, design and implement programs that are responsive to the needs of a progressive family, community and country.

For a senior citizen to be “Huwaran at Yaman ng Bayan” they must hold the youth free of distorted values and destructive attitude to good moral values and ideal constructive attitudes. Mr. Baylon can not go against the trend of mendicancy. He hesitated to submit list of senior citizen members to avail of subsidy for the Office of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development. “How can they guide the youth for them to be assets for a happy family of a progressive community? By being mendicant?” He asked.

Mr. Baylon advised senior citizen members to let their children read Madyaas Pen being published to conquer poverty, famine, ignorance. Its publisher/editor Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente is chairman of Prov’l. Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC). He advocates youth to engage in farming as he used to train them while he headed high position in Agricultural Training Institute and former Bureau of Agricultural Extension.
Mr. Baylon celebrated Sr. Citizen’s Week by planting fruit trees, forage crops and vegetables together with some Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) members of Brgy. Tina, Makato, Aklan. He teaches them proper farming practices to conserve our soil and water and to prevent soil erosion, devastating floods and dust storm from mountainsides.

In his barangay, Baylon sponsored contest among youth in: Fish catching, buri bag making, husking nuts and many other household chores to develop skills needed daily at home, as one among the highlights of barangay fiesta. The youth enjoyed the affair and bring home the idea of developing skills to win the next year contest.

Baylon hopes the Mun. Social Welfare & Development Office may revise program to discourage mendicancy that tends to indolence. These are distorted values and destructive attitudes. By resigning his position, he can still be proud of being “Huwaran at Yaman ng Bayan”. (AT Baylon) /MP

A Millionaire Caregiver

(last of two parts)
We had been frequenting casinos that time. It’s a common gesture for the elderly to give their caregivers money. They would say they are satisfied with how they’re taken care of and that they feel the sincerity of the caregiver.

Filipino caregivers exude this characteristic because most of us really know how to take care of our own elderly. Of course, there are some who hope to find luck while taking care of a well-off elderly and be rewarded for what they have done. That is not only true of Filipinos but of other nationalities as well.

It did not occur to me, however, that he would reward me with anything because he was too frugal. But one day, Edward asked me if I wanted to receive a monthly allowance from him or include me in his will.
I told him to just put me in his will. I was not one to decline his offer. Alangan namang tanggihan ko di ba? [I would be a hypocrite if I said no.] He did not know he had left as much as $2.5 million when he died. He gave me 25 percent of the inheritance while he gave the rest to charity.
He Releases Gas
OF COURSE, a lot of caregivers hope to be rewarded for their services. Almost everyone wants that to happen. But not all elderly give allowances to their caregivers; it’s for them or their family to decide.

If one is a caregiver, he/she must be sincere and patient since the elderly already have memory lapses. They get easily irritated and are lonely most of the time. Sometimes, to make Edward happy, I cooked chicken adobo. He called it “bobo.” It became his favorite dish.

Other Filipino dishes he learned to love and which I cooked for him were pancit bihon, lumpiang shanghai, and sinigang. Edward’s staple food was a small serving of rice or oatmeal in the morning and steamed chicken and beans during full meals.

One time after a full meal of beans, he wanted to cut a branch of a tree on his front yard. I was behind, holding onto his belt to keep him steady while he climbed a ladder. And then he released gas.

I almost dropped him. I still fed Edward beans but his tree-branch cutting days were over. Still, caregiving is easier than office work where one have to be early everyday, dress up, rush things, and spend for transportation.

In my experience, caregivers need only to go to their workplace and leave after a week. It’s a practical and financially-rewarding job. Of course, there are sacrifices. A caregiver can only be with his/her family during weekends. The most one can do is call them. I go to work on Monday mornings and I go home on Saturday mornings.
He Knows He Will Die Soon
EDWARD might have known he would die soon as his physical condition worsened. His lungs had been retaining water. He had congested heart failure. He had cancer on the skin and face.

He must have felt his time was nearing when we were cleaning his sister’s grave. Soon after, we arranged everything for his burial. The costs for the burial were also included in his will.

We could not go to church on Sundays anymore. In his last days, the priest would come by the house everyday to give him communion. I saw him through his deathbed.

Edward died at the age of 89 at his home, where he wanted to be.
Coincidentally, my husband Gary was rushed to the hospital for appendicitis at the time Edward breathed his last. I could not be there for my husband because no one else was there to take care of Edward’s funeral.

Gary, with the care of my in-laws, recuperated without me by his side. He got out of the hospital just when Edward was about to be buried. Edward’s lawyer told me I received 25 percent of what he left behind. I didn’t know then how much he had or if he was rich because he held on to money with closed fist.
He Holds Money
WHEN I got the money Edward left me in 2003, I was surprised. It was worth P30 million. The money was that much by October of that year, I was able to buy five houses in Sacramento, California, and put them up on the market for lease.

When Edward was still alive, he wanted to give me his house. “Do you like this house?” he once asked me. “It’s up to you,” I replied. But his lawyer said the “will” was already done. “Besides, whatever you provided her would be enough for her to buy her own house,” his lawyer added.

I didn’t insist, I felt it was wrong for me to aspire for more. What Edward gave me was really more than enough. His house, worth $0.575 million, was liquidated and the rest of his money went to his church and other charity groups.

I consider myself really, really lucky that after all the hardships, Edward came into my life so suddenly. Although things did not come easy working for him, he gave me a good life.

I can help my family now. I can send my nieces and nephews to prestigious private schools. I can give my daughters a good life when I, myself, grew up in hard times. I never thought of owning houses in the US because I never even had a house of my own in the Philippines.

My mother used to wash clothes for a living and my father was an employee, so I have never experienced studying in a private school either. I have my two duplexes rented and earning well; the same with the two other houses. We are living in my third house.

Real estate prices, however, have gone down because of the recession. As the US dollar weakened, some tenants have been causing me problems since they pay late unless I charge them 5 percent penalty for the delay. MY time will come. I am 40 and my husband is 49. I still need to work hard for my family.

Yes, we are workaholics. My husband and I flew here in the Philippines together but he’s already back to work after a week stay. Our three daughters –Hazel, 19, my daughter from a previous relationship, and Princess, 13, and Reyna, 12, Gary’s daughters from his previous relationship– are used to not having us around the house. I’m usually out for 12 straight days. I also have a child patient who is dying of cancer of the lymph node. He is 14 years old. I have been helping in his medication since 2006.

When my mother is not with my children, we pay $50 a day care for the kids near where we live. I may build a foundation in Edward’s name for the education of street children in the Philippines. Maybe I can do that when my children, nieces, and nephews are done with their schooling. I still work because I help my siblings send their sons and daughters to school. All in all, I help send 14 students to private schools. The eldest of my scholars is in college while the rest are in grade schools and high schools. Supporting them financially for their education is the help I can give them. I advised all of them to take up nursing because that’s where the money is.

I would have wanted to study again and enroll in nursing but I am already doing so many things. So I just enrolled in a Certified Nursing Assistant course which is a step higher than caregiving.

If I completed CNA, I can work in a field nursing facility such as a nursing home and take care of six to eight patients. The salary is higher but the job is much harder. Itong liit kong ito lalo akong liliit. (I bet I’d get even smaller if I do the work of a CNA.) A caregiver is allowed to take care of one elderly. It’s a lighter load than a CNA’s but still earns big.

Job and money are always there for caregivers because the US will never run out of old people who need care. Today I’m living a good life, but I’m still a caregiver. /MP

PANAWAGAN

Ginapanawgan ko ro tanang Akeanon nga may cellphone nga magbulig ky Eileen Peralta, isaeang ka inungang Akeanon nga National Gold Medalist sa lawn tennis.

Agod magda-og ag mataw-an it full college scholarship it PAGCOR dapat makabooe it abu nga text votes. Ngani buligan naton si Eileen paagi sa text. Sundon eang raya agod mahuyap ro atong boto.

SPORTSIDOL(space)VOTE(space)G(space)EILEEN PERALTA send to 2299

Saeamat nga abu sa inyong bulig.
Carlito S. Marquez
Provincial Governor

STAC Health Literacy Program

by Joanna Reyes Tay, PTRP


The Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center Kalibo held its First Health Literacy Program (STAC Parents’ Training Program) last month at the Child Help Center of the St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Kalibo, Aklan.

The event was made possible thru the wholehearted support of the Rotary Club of Kalibo, Local Government Unit of Kalibo, Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo, Mr. Bebot Lao and ANHSAT Interact Club.

Five important and relevant topics were discussed by five interesting speakers namely: Rev. Fr. Glenn C. Magpusao, Ms. Prescy P. Magallanes, Ms. Crescini S. Roxas, Atty. Marienne Ibadlit, and Dr. Arnold I. Jayme. Topics discussed were the following: Raising Children With High Spiritual Values, Paren-ting Children With Disabilities, Basic Nutrition for Children, Rights of Children With Disabilities, and Common Diseases in Children.

Hon. Lilian Q. Tirol, SB on Health welcomed the participants. She briefly talked about the roles of the LGU Kalibo over the STAC program/project. Another highlight of the program was the meaningful sharing of Mrs. Cleofe Templonuevo, a STAC parent with a daughter affected with Viral Meningitis who recovered thru the help of STAC. Mrs. Gloria Solmirano, president of Rotary Spouses of the Rotary Club of Kalibo gave a very heart warming closing message.

There were 45 devoted mothers who made it to the event, 15 energetic STAC staff and volunteers and 17 guests from other STAC satellite centers and fellow Rotarians too.

The Health Literacy Program aims to empower parents of children with disabilities, to deepen their involvement in the treatment, monitoring and evaluation of their children’s progress, to develop their capacities so they can be effective advocates of the children’s rights. And most of all, to LOVE these SPECIAL KIDS unconditionally as Jesus loves us. /MP

Saturday, November 15, 2008

EDITORIAL


Gusto Mong Maging
Senador Ng Pilipinas?

ANG SARAP MAGING SENADOR! Miriam Defensor Santiago was featured in Correspondents last week. Maganda rin naman ang naidudulot ng pagiging prangka ni Senador Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Ayon kay Santiago, marami ang tumatakbong Senador dahil sa laki ng budget na ibinibigay sa kanila kada buwan.

Lumalabas na P35,000 ang suweldo bawat senador tuwing buwan, pakitang-tao lang sa milyun-milyong budget ng bawat senador. Kada buwan ay may Fixed Monthly Budget ang bawat Senador na humigit-kumulang P2 Milyon.

Sa opisina pa lang nila ay humigit-kumulang P500,000 ang budget nila sa Maintenance and Operating Expenses (rental, utilities, supplies at domestic travels) at P500,000 naman para sa staff at personal expenses. Kaya, para makaipon ang ibang Senador, kaunti lang ang staff na kinukuha nila. Nagtataka ka pa ba kung bakit mayroong mga ghost employees?

Bukod diyan, may P760,000 allowance pa sila tuwing buwan para naman sa foreign travel. At ang masakit pa nito, hindi na kailangan i-liquidate ang mga cash advances ng mga gastusing iyan kundi certification lang na nagastos ang requirement.

Heto pa, lahat sila ay Chairman ng mga komite sa Senado. Ang Committee Chairman ay tumatanggap din ng budget na sinlaki ng tinatanggap ng mga Senador na humigit-kumulang P1 milyon din! Hindi sila mawa-walan ng Komite sapagkat 24 lang ang ating mga Senador at 37 naman ang mga committees sa Senado. There’s food for everybody ika nga! Luma-labas na doble ang kanilang benepesiyo at dagdag pa kapag sila ay nabiyayaan ng Committee Chairmanship.

Sa P200 milyon na Budget para sa Pork Barrel ng mga Senador bawat taon, sabi ng iba awtomatikong may 10 percent na S.O.P. o kita ng Senador na P20 milyon. Ito ang por-siyento na ibinibigay ng mga kontratista sa mga Senador na nagbibigay sa kanila ng mga Infrastructure at Livelihood Project.

Bago matapos ang termino na anim (6) na taon ng isang Senador, kumita na siya ng P100 milyon sa Pork Barrel pa lang. Yung ibang Senador mas gahaman, hindi lang 10 percent kundi 20 – 30 percent ang komisyong hinihingi sa mga kontratista.

Pansinin natin na lang ang pagbabago ng buhay ng ilan sa ating mga Senador simula nang manungkulan sa puwesto. Kung dati ay simply lang ang kanilang pamumuhay, ngayon ay nakatira na sila sa mga eksklusibong subdivision, maraming bahay sa Pilipinas at abroad at mahigit sa lima (5) ang sasakyan.

Ngayon, nagtataka ka pa ba kung bakit gumagastos ng daan-daang milyong piso ang mga Senador sa kam-panya para sa isang posisyon na P35,000 lang ang suweldo tuwing buwan? Bawing-bawi pala ang gastos kapag naupo na! ANG SARAP MAGING SENADOR! ! ! Ganito rin ba sa Mababang Kapulungan (House of Rep-resentatives)?

After reading this, please forward it to as many of your friends and let the whole country know that election is more of putting ambitious people in position who are greedy of power, wealth and prestige than of public service... ang masakit pa, pera ng bayan pa rin ang gagamitin sa eleksyon maluklok lamang sila sa pwesto!!! (e-mailed by a competent source) /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer


Ambrosio R. Villorente
Lessons From US Election For Filipinos
by JOHNNY C. NUÑEZ
Guest writer

Despite our supposed homogenous political culture with the United States where Filipinos learned their art of politics and politicking and we have virtually copied their government structural framework and institutions, there seems to be a world of difference in how we practice politics from the Americans.

Compared to how we practice our politics, the American version is decidedly more mature and cultured. The just concluded presidential elections in the US paints a striking contrast to our own elections and should be instructive to Filipinos.

As was shown by television and wire reports, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain never engaged in ugly name calling and distasteful character assassination. Their supporters never engage in overt partisan violence, common sideshows in Philippine elections.

Obama and McCain traded sharp tirades and passionately defended their respective positions on various domestic and global issues but they never got any calling one another stupid and other derogatory names in a condescending and patronizing manner. As is well known to all of us Filipinos, long before the 2010 national elections, our presidential pretenders are already deeply engaged in vicious innuendos and insidious character assassination exercises to destroy one another.

The US voting system and mechanics were enviably systematic and efficient so that after a few hours following the close of voting, and despite the huge territory the US covers and the number of votes to be tallied, the results of the elections are already known. Our own Comelec (Commission on Elections) must learn how the Americans do it. Congress must craft the necessary laws and provide the needed support to upgrade our electoral system.

As has been demonstrated time and again, candidates in the US are true statesmanship and are candid to accept defeat. McCain said enough when he called Obama his "former opponent who is now my President." Here at home, no candidates, even the most nincompoop among them, never believe, let alone admit, they lost an election. Always, they declare, they have only been cheated of victory.

Like what McCain said on television, he as the losing candidate told his supporters, his loss in the presidential contest "is not yours but mine alone." Losing Filipino candidates, from the presidential down to the barangay council levels, always blame everybody except themselves for their defeats.

Filipinos have cogent reasons to welcome the incoming Obama presidency.
Records show that Democrats have traditionally been biased in favor of Filipino interests. The Philippines got its best deals with the US under a Democrat President than a Republican. No historian or political analysts has attempted to explain why such has been so. Hopefully, Barack Obama, a Democrat, should be similar unless of course the Dmocrats’ bias for the Philippines is one of the changes, he pledged to carry out.

One concrete case Filipinos can perhaps expect sympathy from Obama is the Philippine veterans equity bill long pending in the US Congress. The measure seeks to provide equitable pension benefits to Filipino veterans who fought under the US flag in World War II. Obama supported the bill in the previous sessions of the US Congress. There is no compelling reason why he should change his view on the matter now that he is President-elect.

I convey my heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Connie N. Helgens, the owner of Red Coconut Resort Hotel where I was billeted during the Boracay Media Summit. Connie, a Bicolana married to a French national, was most solicitous of my needs and comfort throughout my stay in her establishment.

For the successful holding of the Boracay Media Summit, I congratulate PAPI president Johnny Dayang, Presidential Assistant on Culture and NCCA Executive Director Cecil Guidote-Alvarez and Aklan Press Club president, Dr. Ambrosio Villorente. /MP

Kalibo’s Foundation Day Celebration


Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo and Vice Mayor Nilda Tambong during the opening of the Kalibohian, one of the highlights of the Foundation Day celebration.


Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo welcome speech during the Kalibohian Night.


Rev. Glenn blessing the stalls of night market.

On November 3, 2008 at Magsaysay Park, Kalibo concluded Kalibonhons’ Foundation Day celebration. A free environmental concert by Joey Ayala and his Bagong Lumad band sponsored by the Nationl Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Kalibo elected officials joined Joey Ayala in singing and performing.

Crowds forgot their worries and memories of the flood. They jammed with the ethnic and folk songs of the renowned environmental and cultural advocate Joey Ayala who also conducted a free seminar on song writing to building artists since the Municipality of Kalibo is looking for an official hymn.

Kalibo’s celebration of its Foundation Day began last October 30 with the four-day KALIBOhian sa Gabii where traders, farmers, business owners, hoteliers and restaurateurs participated in the first ever night market in the Ati-atihan town.

Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo enjoyed the concert with his wife and sons with the people of Kalibo. The concert was recorded to have one of the biggest crowds in the 4-day event.

Kalibo Launches Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival

Some 100 participants from 5 tribes woke up Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan when drums nd lyres reverberated on November 3, 2008 that marked the Kalibonhons triumphant break from the stigma brought by Typhoon Frank. It upstarted the memorable Environmental and Cultural Advocacy concert by Joey Ayala and his Bagong Lumad band.

Kalibonhons joined the Ati-Atihan tribes in the traditional "sadsad" at the Magsaysay Park, then proceeded to the Pastrana Park before heading back while spectators looked on.

Tribe members and revelers upon their return to Magsaysay Park were treated to a rare environmental and cultural music performed by Joey Ayala and the Bagong Lumad band.

The NCCA sponsored the concert to assist the rehabilitation of the tourism, business, and the environment of Kalibo. /MP

Kapehan Sa Aklan Discusses Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan


Kapehan Sa Aklan guests on November 3, 2008 are shown in the picture above who are (l to r) Noel Dela Cruz, Terence Toriano, Boy Tabares, Benny O. Tirazona, and Renne Enriquez. Those invited guests who were not able to attend were Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo, Hon. Lilian Quimpo-Tirol, and Rev. Msgr. Jose Dollete, Parish Priest of Kalibo.

The main subject matter discussed is the forthcoming Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival on the third week of January 2009. Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan is said to be the Mother of all Philippine festivals. However, it appears that Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board has not yet approved the 2009 Ati-Atihan festival plan. /MP

International Red Cross House for Frank’s Victims



A model house donated by the International Red Cross (IRC) for typhoon Frank’s victims is shown above under construction in Buswang Old, Kalibo. In the picture are IRC representatives: Almaz Terrese and Gunder Edstrom. This house will be turned over to Rafael Roldan, Jr. According to Ms. Arcely Pelayo, Aklan Red Cross Administrator, some 125 units of this house will be constructed for typhoon victims in Kalibo and another 125 units for Numancia. /MP

Roxas To Gov’t: Put Money On Agriculture, Save People From Losing Jobs


Senator Mar Roxas last week called on the government to act now to prevent foreseen mass layoffs of Filipinos both here and abroad as a result of the global financial crisis.

"Sa grabe ng krisis sa Estados Unidos, ay siguradong maaa-pektuhan ang trabaho ng ating mga OFW, ang exporting industries, at pati na rin ang mga nasa call center dito. Ang tanong lang ay – paano natin maiiwasan ang pinakamasamang epekto nito? (With the extent of the crisis in the United States, it is sure that our OFWs, exporting industries and even our call centers will be affected. The only question is – how do we avoid the worst effects of this?)" Roxas asked.

"Ngayon pa lang, dapat dagdagan ang tulong sa ating domestic industry, para hindi sila magsara sa kabila nitong napipintong financial tsunami. Huwag na nating hintayin na mangyari ito. Magsiguro na tayo na hindi ito mangyari (As early as now, there should be an increase in assistance to our domestic industry, so that businesses don’t close as a result of this impending financial tsunami. Let’s not wait for this to happen. Let’s be sure it doesn’t happen)," he said.

He noted that when the 2009 budget was first proposed by Malacañang in August, the crisis was not fully considered. "Nananawagan ako sa Pangulo na magpatawag ng multi-party budget summit kung saan, amyendahan natin, papalitan natin, i-realign natin ang bugdet sa ganoon malagay natin ang pera natin doon sa higit kailangan (I call on the President to convene a multi-party budget summit where we can revise and realign next year’s budget, so that we can place our money where it is most needed)," he suggested.

"Hindi maari ang pang karaniwang kalakaran na kaunti rito, kaunti doon, tapos wala naman tayong napapala. Mahalaga na may direksyon ang ating pondo. Dagdagan natin ang pondo ng agrikultura at ang ating mga magsasaka ang makasisiguro na may supply tayo para sa lahat, at hindi na tayo bibili ng bigas sa iba (We can’t go on putting a little money here and there, with nothing gained. It’s important to have direction in funding. Let’s increase funds for agriculture, and our farmers will ensure that there is enough supply for all, and we will no longer buy rice from abroad)," he said.

The Ilonggo senator also stressed the need to boost education spending, so as to provide students with the tools needed to get good jobs.

BIR Must Pursue Tax System Reforms

Senator Mar Roxas also challenged the commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to pursue tax reforms and allow for maximum collection of revenues for programs that truly benefit the people.

The new leadership should have an "iron fist and political will" that would improve on the administration of BIR Commissioner Lilian Hefti, whose resignation Malacañang confirmed.

Roxas urged the BIR to look at improving collections from present non-taxpayers, like many professionals and self-employed individuals, rather than continuing to "bleed our workers dry."

"We need someone at the helm who could maximize government’s tax collection efforts. Ngayong mayroon tayong hinaharap na financial tsunami dahil sa financial crisis sa Amerika, kailangang maging maayos ang pangongolekta natin ng mga taxes para hindi lumobo ang ating budget deficit," said Roxas.

The BIR had earlier conceded that it might fall short of its 2008 collection target of P854 billion due to the worldwide economic slowdown. But while Roxas pushed for rigid tax collection efforts, he warned the BIR against unfair collections to meet its targets, particularly the bureau’s interpretation of the coverage of Republic Act No. 9504, or the law which exempts minimum wage earners from income taxes and increases the personal exemptions of other workers.

The BIR has insisted on providing the tax exemption for income of minimum wage earners only from July onwards, and to exclude minimum wage earners who get extra allowances from their employers.

"I agree that we should maximize our collection efforts but there is no need to bleed the citizenry dry just to meet targets. Huwag na nating dagdagan pa ang paghihirap ng ating mga kababayan," he said.

Roxas has been pushing for the full implementation of RA 9504, to cover the months of January to June of 2008. He filed a petition at the Supreme Court for this, together with the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines. /MP

Bailout Success Helps Stabilize Boxing Business


by ALEX P. VIDAL

Now that the US Lower House has okayed in the second round of voting the economic rescue bill it had earlier junked and which was approved by the Senate, fears of decline in lucrative boxing business mostly in Las Vegas, Nevada, will now be smothered.

Business in boxing, which amounts to millions of dollars in prizes, ticket sales and promotional endorsements, had been shaken following the rejection of the same chamber in Congress of the proposed $700-billion financial industry bailout in September.

"When the US economy is sick, the economy of the world is also on sick bed. Sports and entertainment will not be spared," warned former Philippine education undersecretary and trial lawyers association president Salvador Britanico.

Although there is no direct parallelism in the Wall St. crash and the apparent thriving business in the fistic community, observers fear a volatile economy could slow down financial matters in the "red light" of sports.

The US Senate first drew the first blood by a wide margin of 74-25 thus the controversial measure that would save America from economic meltdown was thrown back in the House which concurred with its counterparts in the Upper Chamber.

The Senate and House approval came as the biggest boxing event in the United States this year kicked off its promotional tour in New York City last Oct. 2.

The House voted to concur with the Senate, which loaded the economic rescue bill with tax breaks and sweeteners designed to make the legislation more palatable to voters in the November 4 presidential and congressional elections, several hours after Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao held a press conference on Liberty island in New York City.

Both fighters are expected to break the records in ticket sales when they square off for 12 rounds on December 6 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Golden Boy Promotion chief executive Richard Schaefer estimated the ticket revenue at nearly $17 million, second only to De La Hoya versus Floyd Mayweather Jr. Some 33,000 tickets will be given to the fans to watch the fight on closed-circuit TV around Las Vegas, the boxing mecca of the world. Observers had earlier expressed reservations that if the economic situation worsened, it could derail the plans of US-based promoters to bankroll more mega fights scheduled in 2009.

The rescue package, which was immediately signed by Pres. George Bush, allows the govern-ment to spend billions of dollars to buy bad mortgage-related securities and other devalued assets held by troubled financial institutions. It is expected to allow frozen credit to begin flowing again and to prevent a deep recession. /MP

My Memories of Boracay Media Summit

This is a three-storey Red Coconut Beach Hotel started with two rooms 25 years ago, developed by a French man and his Filipino wife. They are Mr. Luc Helgens and Connie Helgens. The author is shown with her daughter, Clouds Lunn and the owner - Connie Nadal Helgens (center) in front of Red Coconut Beach Hotel, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan.


Ms. Virgie Sarabia, Boracay Foundation, Inc. Executive Director and Clouds Lunn.

Are you interested to know the best place to stay in Boracay? I humbly recommend to you RED COCONUT Beach Hotel at the center of the main white beach shoreline and Boracay. There are two resorts you will enjoy to stay. I was there. I stayed and enjoyed my stay there for free, courtesy of Boracay Foundation, Inc. Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente enjoyed his stay at Boracay Holiday.

I was billeted at Red Coconut Beach Hotel Gardenview, a peaceful retreat area after a long day of work during our BORACAY MEDIA SUMMIT. The summit with the theme: "The Expanding Frontiers of Media in the Preservation of Culture, the Promotion of Tourism, and the Protection of the Environment" was held on October 29-31, 2008 at Regency Hotel. Casa Pilar Beach Resort was the venue of the closing program on October 30 and the Kapehan Sa Aklan on October 31.

With the organizers, we started to tie loose ends on October 26, 2008. We finally checked out and left the island on November 1, 2008. Well, at least for me, I had another two days stay. I found Red Coconut an extension of our most awaited vacation. I enjoyed the generosity and persistent invitation of the owner, Ms. Connie Nadal Helgens.

Ms. Helgens is married to Luc Helgens from France. When they went back from Thailand, they found this piece of land in Boracay. They transformed it into their vacation house. Little did they knew that this little place nestled among beautiful swaying palms and surrounded with luxuriant native foliage became the most sought and wonderful retreat place to stay in Boracay. The simple abode started to be in demand with both local and foreign guests. It is always occupied. At first, the room cost P15.00 to P20.00 for a night stay. That was about 25 years ago.

Ms. Helgens reminisced, it was during Martial Law when she became depressed of the situation in Boracay island. The business slowed down because the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos then banned a brochure which stated something not good about the Philippines. But guests are guests. One day, a very important guest stayed in the resort. Ms. Helgens discovered he is a famous international writer, a German, named Jens Peter. He wrote a book about the Philippines promoting remote areas in the country. They became friends. She treated, served him with his favorite paella, encouraged him to write about Boracay. They sat and worked together, collated pictures and stories, and printed a book circulated around Europe. Because of the book, foreigners started to come again in Boracay island. Her business again perked up.

At the start, she has only two bedroom vacation house in 1983. Now, Red Coconut Hotel has 18 garden view aircon, deluxe and family rooms equipped with cable TV, mini-bar, telephone, hot and cold shower and a beautiful view of the garden. It was in 1986 when they decided to rent the lot at the front view. They finally bought the place in 1990 that became the Red Coconut Beach Hotel Frontview, complete with first class amenities, superior, executive and suite rooms with a spectacular view of the beach, the sunset, and a refreshing swimming pool, too. Most of the rooms boast a private verandah or balcony.

It offers beach front swimming pool, restaurant, diving center, bar, pick-up/drop off transportation, room and wake up services. Don’t forget to try and savor their Sizzling Hot Plate seafood’s delight, too. Their F & B Manager Albert and Residence Manager Mark Schnitzius will be very delighted to serve you with a welcome smile and a gracious unique hospitality to each and every guest.
Ms. Helgens reiterated that the island is a peaceful place to have your grand vacation and fond memories, too. The locals are warm and friendly. When I asked her why she and Mr. Luc Helgens chose Boracay Island as their home, she simply smiled and said, "this is where our hearts are."

The Boracay Media Summit was an experience. It added more wonderful memo-ries. When I came and met people like the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Luc and Connie Helgens, it is heaven. They offered their resort as a home to our Secretariat Committee and together with the collective effort and partnership of the Boracay Foundation, Inc. led by Pres. Loubelle Cann and her able hard working Executive Director, Ms. Virgie Sarabia, the Boracay Media Summit was indeed a success. The summit was held in partnership with the Aklan Press Club, Inc. led by Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, and the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc./MP

Boracay Media Summit–A Partnership*



* Welcome Speech Ms. Loubelle B. Cann – President, Boracay Foundation, Inc., delivered on the occasion of the Boracay Media Summit held at Boracay Regency Resort Hotel, Boracay, Malay, Aklan on October 29 – 31, 2008.

I am pleased to be with you at this Media Summit. I appreciate the immense benefits that this conference can bring to our island and in particular, to the further developments of Philippine Tourism.

I would like to thank our hosts and co-sponsors of this conference, the Pub-lisher’s Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI), the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Aklan Press Club, Inc (APCI), for organizing the event here. This is an important gathering, a milestone in the history of our cooperation. This will be a unique opportunity for all of us to see-up close-the considerable potential of Philippine tourism.

Boracay is blessed with its natural beauty, pristine water, and powdery white sand. It was voted as one of the top 10 best beaches in the world. As such, it is an ideal place to discuss the relationship among economy, culture and the arts, the envi-ronment, tourism and good governance. This is aptly captured by the theme: "The Expanding Frontiers of Media in the Preservation of Culture, the Promotion of Tourism, and the Protection of the Environment"

The media has a crucial role in the tourism industry and in its economic progress. Tourism is highly dependent on media. This is a fact. Why? It is in media’s reporting that travel decisions are made by people – even if these people have never seen the destination first hand for themselves. The media allow these travelers to see the place ahead of time through the write-up and broadcast. Once media present the place in a very develop-mental manner, definitely tourists will be captivated to visit such places.

The relationship between tourism and the media is vital and complex. The survival and growth of our country’s tourism industry depend largely on the reporting of various issues related to the industry by members of the media community. The media has a responsible role to play, then, in covering events which can impact heavily on the livelihood of travel destinations and their local population. When there is bad news or crisis the impact on tourism can be devastating.

Hence, it is impe-rative that once one provides information, he must be knowledgeable about the situation from which that information came. I learned that this is what we call RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM.

Responsible journalism is what the Boracay business community hopes for. Yes, Boracay and the people hope that this kind of responsible journalism will be consistently sustained in the media industry. We can help one another in producing honest and balanced information on events and situations that could influence the development of tourism.

Allow me also to emphasize that the tourism industry neither belongs to a specific place nor to a specific race. It belongs to the wider society… It is etched to become the industry that would evolve inevitably as the main force for economic growth not only in the future but NOW AND TODAY. With this I say that we all have a responsibility to under-stand the dynamics of the industry. Ladies and Gentlemen, is this not supposed to be one of the main challenges in this conference?

Tourism covers a whole spectrum of activities and involves a wide variety of stakeholders and policy-makers at various levels. Cooperation and synergy among people concerned is an absolute necessity, especially when the issue is how best to address the economic, social and environmental challenges of said industry.

And I say without fear of contradiction that Boracay, particularly, is a key player here because it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Philippines. Boracay is the destination. An under-statement is: Boracay only contributes 12 billion pesos annually to the national economy. To enable the island to continue existing and developing, we need to ensure its environmental sustainability, particularly in response to the effects of global warming and climate change. This is achieved by raising awareness and promoting better understanding on the issue of sustainable environment.

Tourism in the island has a long history and has become a growth industry. This is primarily due to the island’s natural beauty, pristine water, powdery white sand and a desirable climate. How these potentials will be used depends mainly on how our government would address the need for institutional change and the appropriate role of the private sector in the process. The partnership between government and the private sector is very important. But I think a third party should come in to make it more fair and sustenable. And this party is THE MEDIA. Dear Media-men, welcome to the new partnership.

On behalf of the Boracay Foundation, Inc. and the Boracay business community, I welcome you all to our beautiful island, Boracay. /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda


Ni Tita Linda Belayro
Benguet Lily

Simpleng dalagita si Lilia. Tongod nailo imaw it bata pa, nagtinguha nga mabuhi ag makatu-on paagi sa pagbaligya it mga bueak. Ro syudad it Baguio hay bantog sa mga bueak ag isaea si Lilia nga nakapoeos kara. Isaeang ka Igorota si Lilia ag anad imaw sa negosyo una sa Baguio. Ko olihi, nag-abo ro anang suki. Naka bo-oe imaw it puwesto sa tindahan. Guina adtonan eon imaw it mga negosyante ag ko olihi, guin tawag imaw nga Benguet Lily.
Kon may problema ro mga negosyante, mga guina eopig, guina abuso o guina loko, si Benguet Lily ro andang guina adtunan. Tongod bukas pirmi ro anang paead sa mga kubos, matsa anghel imaw sa mga tawo. Sayod abi imaw kon mauno ro pagiging pobre tongod haagyan man nana eon.
Isaeang agahon, may nagpaeapit kana nga magueang sa anang baraka agod magpakalimos. May mga pama eangdung ro mga taga runa nga negosyante nga indi nimo igasto ro imong buena mano. Ogaling, sa anang kaeo-oy sa magueang, guindawat nana ro anang unang kabakeanan. Pumanaw ro magueang pagkabaton it kwarta. Guinbilinan imaw it batong puti ko magueang. "Indi guid pagduea-on ra", bilin ko magueang. "Raya ro imong premyo kakon. Gamiton mo sa oras it kapigaduhan". Pag-abot it eleksyon, guintibyog si Benguet Lily nga magdaeagan it Alkalde kontra sa dating Alkalde.
Tongod palangga imaw ko mga tawo, nagdaug imaw, ogaling abo man ro anang intrigang naagyan. Bu-ot nga bakeon ro mga botante, bayluhan ro balota, padngan it iwag agod madali ro pagmani-obra sa pagdaya. Ogaling guin hap-an it mga tawo ro mga urna (ballot box) ag guin kandado sa andang alima. Natapos ro pag huyap it boto. Abo guid ro abante ni Benguet Lily. Sa anang pagdumaea sa andang banwa, abo nga mehora ro guin obra ni Benguet Lily. Nangin bukang-bibig ro anang pangaean sa Baguio. Kon ano kahumot ro mga kabueakan, imaw man ro kahumot ko anang pangaean.
Benguet Lily - simbolo it malimpyong pagkatawo, owa it dungis ag hantup nga pagpanerbisyo sa isig katawo. /MP

LEGAL NOTICES


Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Telesforo Dela Cruz who died intestate which consist of three (3) parcels of land located in Barangay Cawayan, New Washington, Aklan, are the subjects of a "Deed of Extra-Judicial Settlement of Estate" by his surviving heirs. The deed was executed before MCTC Judge and Notary Public, Ex-Officio, Arturo R. Carpio, New Washington and Batan, Aklan on May 20, 2008 as per Doc. No. 236; Page No. 48; Book No. XXXII; Series of 2008.

Madyaas Pen: October 25, and November 1, & 8, 2008
o0o
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Leon T. Talisay who died intestate which consist of two (2) parcels of land both located in Barangay Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan, are the subjects of a "Deed of Adjudication With Sale" by his surviving heirs. The deed was executed before Notary Public, Cyril A. Tagle, Kalibo, Aklan on October 28, 2008 as per Doc. No. 219; Page No. 45; Book No. XXXV; Series of 2008.

Madyaas Pen: November 8, 15, 22, 2008
o0o

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Quirico R. Repiedad who died intestate which consist of a parcel of land located in Barangay Puis, New Washington, Aklan, is the subject of a "Deed of Adjudication With Waiver of Rights" by his surviving heirs. The deed was executed before Notary Public, Pepito M. Iligan, Kalibo, Aklan on November 3, 2008 as per Doc. No. 177; Page No. 37; Book No. 193; Series of 2008.
Madyaas Pen: November 8, 15, 22, 2008
o0o
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Angela Macavinta who died intestate which consist of two (2) parcels of land both located in Brgy. Poblacion, Numancia, Aklan are the subjects of a "Deed of Adjudication With Partition" by her surviving heirs. The deed was executed before Notary Public, Niflem S. Meren, Kalibo, Aklan on August 6, 2008 as per Doc. No. 250; Page No. 51; Book No. I; Series of 2008. and Walfredo R. Dimaguila, Jr., Biñan, Laguna on Sept. 29, 2008 as per Doc. No. 210; Page No. 43; Book No. VI;Series of 2008.

Madyaas Pen: November 8, 15, 22, 2008

A Millionaire Caregiver


by RAMONA ALVIR as told to CANDICE Y. CEREZO
(first of two parts)
I WILL never forget Edward Fabish; he made me rich. Eight years ago, I was working as a stenographer at the Manila Prosecutors’ Office in City Hall, Manila.
When I left my job, my bosses –all prosecutors, my colleagues, and fellow stenographers never thought I would take the job of a caregiver. They said I was not the type.
An officemate warned me not to take the job of caring for the elderly because I might become intellectually obtuse. They learned three years after I set foot in the United States of America that I became a millionaire.
I didn’t know I was the talk of the town until I got back in the country. Someone told me people from my workplace were talking about my luck.
But what happened to me, changed their prejudices on menial jobs, like caregiving. I also never planned on being a caregiver.
I ARRIVED in San Francisco on December 13, 2000 after my husband, a Filipino born and raised in the US, petitioned me. I met him in the Philippines, though his family is based in the US.
Three days after arrival, I started working in my husband’s office. It was a temporary job. I could not get work in law firms. I didn’t have a US experience as stenographer or court employee. Then I heard from a friend that someone needed a caregiver. I applied for the job at once.
I started working "under the table," or without credentials. I earned $90 a day for staying five straight days in an elderly’s house.
On weekends, I took another caregiving job. I was rarely home during those days.
After three months, I was employed by a Filipino-owned agency where I got a higher rate at $145 a day taking care of another elderly woman. I was fortunate I found a much better salary.
The agency derives 5 percent income from each caregiver’s monthly pay. Caregiver also directly receives pay from clients before turning in the agency’s share.
My situation was better than other caregivers whose income is coursed through an agency. In other agencies, the cost of caring for an elderly is double its worth while in commission-based agencies, the cost is lighter on the pockets.
My service for the elderly woman was brief. The agency then assigned me the third elderly named Edward Fabish, my first male patient. The rate was $120 a day during weekends.
EDWARD was of German-Irish descent, a catholic like me. He was 88 years old who lived in West Portal, Bay Area of San Francisco. He was a railroad worker who did heavy, manual labor until he had a hip fracture.
I took care of him for four-and-a-half days a week with the rate of $170 a day.
I cleaned his house, gave him medicine, cooked for him, and washed his clothes. Though some of these chores were not required by the job, I did them.
My first week with Edward was difficult. He couldn’t accept his condition and would shoo me away. "I will jump from the window if you don’t let me go down by myself!" he yelled at me when I blocked his way at the top of the stairs going down to his garage.
"Go ahead, jump!" I yelled back. Though I never really meant what I said; I never moved from my spot. As a caregiver he hired, I was responsible for him. I would have to answer for whatever happened to him.
Edward was at the stage of denial. He used to be strong and able, judging from the framed photographs on the shelves and on the walls. Most of the pictures showed him in tip-top shape built through hard work. EDWARD never married, childless and with no relatives except his younger sister who was also with a caregiver. Their brother, the youngest died before them.
Aside from his hip fracture, he had a catheter, a tube attached to his side where his urine passed through. He had it when I started taking care of him until the day he died. Whenever I cleaned him, I also cleaned the catheter and the catheter bag.
Taking care of him also meant encouraging him to do the things he used to do, like gardening and driving. I got nervous with him driving. We almost had two accidents. But he wanted to drive despite his physical limitations.
Edward was not that difficult to take care of, but I must always be with him. He would have fallen several times had I failed to hold him up. Despite my being just above four feet, with Edward’s a few inches taller, I was able to help him walk or stand. If I went on an errand, I brought him with me – I walked beside him as he rode a scooter.
WHEN Edward’s sister, a spinster, died, he had my husband Gary and I lived with him since he had no one. I paid rent for our room because I didn’t want him to think I was abusing his kindness, that I was guilty of elderly abuse.
I also wanted to avoid the moment he becomes "goopy." The elderly tends to become "goopy," or start to lose themselves, suddenly changing attitudes.
Sometimes they would say their illness has returned, causing them pain. Sometimes it would come to a point where they would accuse you of robbing or taking advantage of them. From my experience, that’s how the elderly are. You really have to be patient with them.
Yes, there are many cases of elderly abuse in America. If you’re found guilty, you’re dead. If the elderly did not feel like eating, one cannot force him to eat. If one left or neglected him, dupe money out of him, verbally abuse him, one could be charged with elderly abuse.
That is because the elderly may not be able to report abuses done to them unless somebody, sometimes a fellow Filipino, reports it.
So I paid Edward $300 for monthly rent, shared in paying the water, electricity, and telephone bills. That time, my job with the agency became seven days a week. I rarely rested. Since I could not just leave him alone in his house, I brought him to family gatherings, usually hosted by my in-laws.
One day, the agency sent a reliever to take care of him on weekends. "I fired her," Edward said when I came home not finding my reliever around. He said he felt my reliever was not sincere and was after his money. That was how I ended up working 24/7 for Edward.
At night, whenever I slept in his room, I would be so exhausted I’d fail to notice I was already slumped on the floor. I would be so tired that the moment my back touches the floor, I would be in a long-deep sleep. I relied on alarm clock to wake me up.
One time, he heard me coughing. "If only I could sleep on the floor, I would have traded places with you," Edward said from his bed.
I told him not to worry since we Filipinos are used to sleeping on the floor. When he was about to die, he always wanted me beside him.
He got used to having me sleep on the floor at the foot of his bed. He wanted me beside him up to his death.
He got angry one time when he didn’t find me in his room to answer his demands. BUT Edward was thrifty. He didn’t buy anything for himself. With his extreme frugality, I never thought of him having money to spare.
When I started taking care of him, he had three pieces of underwear that had holes in them.
He didn’t even want to buy a recliner chair he needed to lift his swollen foot because he didn’t want to pay the $25 delivery charge! I paid for it instead so he could get that chair.
Aside from buying him food, I shopped clothes for him: long sleeves, pants, shoes, and underwear. When he got really sick, I brought him to the hospital. He was about to die and was already with an oxygen apparatus. Yet he wanted to go home because an aspirin would cost him $2. He even removed his oxygen mask and insisted on going to the bank to pay his taxes.
I didn’t know if he turned purple at the bank because he had to pay taxes. It surprised me, when he gave me $5,000 during the first Christmas we spent together.
"This is for the kids," Edward said. He explained he held on to it because he was afraid I would spend the money gambling.
(Continued next issue) /MP