EDITORIAL

I Love My God, And You?

by MEGS S. LUNN

Will you marry a person whose religion is different from yours?

The famous phrase, “If you don’t love my God, then you don’t love me”, is now a “word-of-mouth” among our teenagers and adults alike, especially the singles. Just how significant is our God to a relationship?

Just lately, I asked someone from afar who has a relationship with different beliefs. He said, “I think we respect each other enough that religion is not an issue between us. I don’t think we could come from farther perspectives – she and her family attend church regularly and through their participation, provide tremendous support to her community. I, on the other hand, am an atheistic Jew, but regardless, we respect each other and both believe that altruistic acts should be an important part of one’s life.”

It seems too good to be true, huh! But it is scary to hold on to that ‘altruistic acts’ as it is likewise, easier said than done. Let’s take the advice of my relationship/spiritual adviser who wishes to remain anonymous to all.

He told me to consider a spouse in the future only in your Catholic faith. With respect to my good spiritual adviser, I would not disagree with that point at all. He gave the passage in the bible, verse 2 Corinthians 6:14, the Apostle Paul says, “Don’t be yolked together with unbelievers.” While this verse probably refers to many interpersonal relationships, it certainly also refers to marriage.

Marriage is tough enough even in the best relationship. Marrying outside one’s faith adds on extra, huge burden from the onset. Marrying outside of your faith may or may not be a sin. Any priest can best answer this question. At best the Bible strongly discourages this practice. In 1 Corinthian 7:39 the Apostle Paul says, “A woman is bound to her husband as long as she lives, but if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord..” (This emphasis is from my spiritual adviser.)

It sounds like God is talking directly to us through this verse. To begin a marriage with such a disagreement of a core value concerning who Jesus Christ is in your life creates an immediate gap in one’s relationship to a non-believing spouse and risks compromising the believer’s Christian standards or may jeopardize one’s Christian witness to others. There is a beautiful verse in 1 Corinthians 15:35: “Don’t be deceived. Bad company corrupts good character.”

To paraphrase this verse—”Don’t be deceived. A non-Christian spouse is likely to make a believing spouse a less effective Christian.” When a husband and wife journey through their life together toward their heavenly home at their life’s end, which is the ideal journey in marriage? That ideal journey cannot occur when the husband and wife are on separate spiritual paths.

On the other hand, do not be concerned that you are not good enough for him or her, somehow inferior. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are made with extraordinary power to love and be loved. God has used us in so many ways to accomplish His will. We have dedicated our life to helping others who can’t help themselves. The fruits of our Christian walk shine brighter than those of almost anyone we know and are worthy of the respect and admiration of all who know you.

So, having a hard time to decide whether you will dump him because he has different religion or belief? “Let God.” It is only when we admit to God that we can’t, that God will show us that He can. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Solving Poverty

It is hard to believe and I can’t really believe that more than 50 percent of the Aklanon’s are living below the poverty level of living. But statistics show more Aklanons are in the state of being poor.

These poor people do not enjoy in their lives the basic requirement of a person to live a decent and normal life. They are short of food, so lacking of food nutrients, they live in houses that are congested or leaking. Their children go to school with inadequate diet.

When a family member got sick, they cannot buy medicine, cannot pay physician and laboratory fees.

To alleviate their state of living, the government is now implementing the 4P’s program through the local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

4P’s means “Pantawid Pampamilyang Pangkabuhayan Program”. The terms used are more dignified but actually the program is to dole out money to the poor to temporarily provide their basic family needs as the beneficiaries are provided cash monthly. The only qualification to join in that program is to be poor. And of the 17 municipalities of Aklan, 14 towns are participating.

Does their participation in the 4P’s program dignify them? Make them non honorable? No! they are burden of society. They are paid without working. They partly live on charity of the people via the people’s taxes.

This 4P’s program is violative of the principle: “Those who do not work must not eat”, and the saying: “no work no pay”. The program also violates the principle: “no pain, no gain”.

But why some of our people are so miserable and poor? My friends gave the causes of poverty as follows: 1. Idleness, 2. Greed, 3. Diseases, 4. Extravagance, and 5. Disaster.

Idleness is the act of moving slowly or aimlessly; or the spending of time unprofitably, unemployed or inactive.

Can a man in Aklan spend his time idling? Can he be inactive? An idle man in Aklan is “lazy”. An industrious man has no dull moment. And any industrious Aklanon can always make life interesting and profitable. Unlike an idle man, a lazy man who tends to become poor and dependent, an industrious person produces goods and services, useful to society, dignified and self supporting.

Think of the flowers we offer to our love one. Most of the flowers in the flower shops are imported. If you are diligent and ready to work, put up a flower garden, sell flowers and have enough money for the family need.

Do you produce the chicken meat and eggs you eat? Or you don’t eat them. Do you have poultry farms in Aklan? If none, then the chicken meat and eggs we are eating are all imported from other places.

Buying from outside our province drains out our money, after we spent it all for what we consume but do not produce, that promote and hasten poverty.

In the case of rice, sometimes I believe we produce inadequate quantity for Aklan. If we have enough rice, why is Mindoro rice coming into Aklan?

Do we catch enough fish in Aklan? If we have, then why are fishes from Capiz, Antique, and milkfish from Batangas are being sold in Aklan? Of the 17 towns of Aklan, 12 are situated in coastal areas with wide deep blue sea rich of marine resources. Fishermen from Capiz are more often apprehended for fishing in Aklan waters.

Aklanon fishermen and farmers can produce the above named commodities and reduce poverty incidence. That is if they are industrious.

We will discuss greed, diseases, extra-vagance, and disaster next week. /MP

Kalibo LGU Maga Pahayag Sa NSTC Conference

by Doniel B. Aguirre

Napilian ro munisipalidad it Kalibo nga isaea sa siyam ka mga LGUs para mangin presentor sa pagahimuon nga National Tourism Statistics Conference (NSTC) sa ika 16 – 17 it Pebrero 2012. Ro NSTC hay pagahiwatun sa Manila Diamond Hotel, Metro Manila.

Nangin dinapit nga bisita ro Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Consultant nga si Mr. Hiroshi Matsuo, kaibahan nana ro daywa (2) ka katapo it DOT Region 6 ku adlaw nga Biyernes, Enero 26 agud mangin coach sa pag-presentar ku kinse (15) minutos nga powerpoint presentation it “Basic Tourism Statistics System”.

Sa suporta ni Mayor William Lachica, nangin madinaeag-un ro nasambit nga aktibidad. Nagustuhan it JICA expert ro 15 minutos nga powerpoint presentation kapin pa ro pagsaysay nga ginhimo ni Ms. Rhea Rose Meren, Tourism Operations Officer. Magapakita kun mauno ka epektibo ro ginturo it JICA nga tourism statistics nga nakatao it madasig nga resulta sa pagtipon it mga impormasyon nahanungod sa turismo sa banwa it Kalibo.

Mag-uewas pa sa NSTC bilang joint project it Japan International Cooperation Agency ag Department of Tourism hay may pagahimuon man nga “technical exchange program” sa Malaysia. Ro magiging gastos sa pag panaw hay sabat man ku DOT ag JICA. Rong Technical Exchange Program (TEP) sa Malaysia hay pagahimuon man sa Pebrero 19 hasta it 25, 2012. Sa ron-dayang TEP ma-obserbahan ag ma-tun-an ro mga guina himo it nasyong Malaysia sa pag padaeagan ku andang Local Tourism Statistics ag Development Planning. May kahigayunan man nga maka-istorya ro anda idto nga local officials ag key personnel sa tourism.

(Sin-o ro gin pili nga maka sunod sa rayang pag adto sa Malaysia? Nakalipi eon baea si Mayor William Lachica? Kueang ro guin sugid.) /MP

Chiz Discloses 2011 PDAF Allocation

Some P900 million, or about 68 percent, of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s P135.5-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for 2011 was distributed equally to over 200 municipalities across the country for the improve-ment of their public markets.

Escudero said this is the first time he is able to provide funds under PDAF to help various municipalities since the previous administration. He promised to farm out his allocation to other local government units to finance their projects this year.

“Under the administration of former President Arroyo, I was an opposition and the PDAF allotted to me was never released. So, I cannot give anything to any of the towns, provinces or districts then. Now that my budget was released, I give funds to every municipality for the improvement of their public markets,” Escudero said.

In the spirit of transparency, Escudero also detailed the allocation of his PDAF, distributed to several regions to finance construction and repair of school buildings, improvement and rehabilitation of state universities, concreting and road repair, completion of a multi-purpose center and rehabilitation of a municipal hall, improvement of peripheral canals, and construction of river control projects, among others.

According to Escudero, each municipality in Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 4 (Mimaropa), Region 11 (Davao Region) and Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) received P500,000 to improve their public markets.

Central Luzon is granted the biggest release of funds among the regions, a total of P43.5 million for various projects in 87 municipalities of the provinces of Bataan, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac.

Escudero also gave Region 4B some P35.5 million for the benefit of all 71 municipalities of the provinces of Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan and Romblon.

Another P35.5 million was distributed equally to 71 municipalities of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay

In Region 11, all 42 municipalities of the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental equally shared P21 million in PDAF.

About P13.5 million was given to 80 barangays in Cebu City for the purchase of eight-seater passenger-type Isuzu multi-cabs, a project of the Department of Interior and Local Government in its Region 7 office. At the same time, Escudero provided P1 million financial assistance to the Cebu City Task Force on Street Children.

Educational institutions received P19.5 million, among them the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, P5 million for the construction, repair, rehabilitation and improvement of its various buildings; the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City, P5 million for the completion of a sports and cultural multi-purpose building; and Tacurong City Pilot Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat, P5 million for the construction of a cultural and sports center.

He gave P2 million for the construction of a school building of the Southern Luzon State University in Catanauan, Quezon; P2 million for the construction of a school building of the Kolehiyo ng Pantukan in Pantukan, Compostela Valley; and P500,000 for the improvement of classrooms of the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite.

Other projects that received a P5-million allotment each are for the construction of Cabanatuan City-Gen. M. Natividad Road in Nueva Ecija and the construction of the dairy multi-purpose building in Laoac, Pangasinan.

For the improvement of roads and canals, Escudero gave P4 million for the construction of the Laoag-Vintar Road in Ilocos Norte, and P3 million each for the construction of farm-to-market roads in Barangays San Antonio, San Jose and San Antonio in Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan; improvement of peripheral canals in Dagat-dagatan Area in Caloocan City; and the construction of River Control Project in Barangay Burabud II, Gandara, Samar.

To complete the Muslim Youth Multi-Purpose Center in Marawi City, the senator provided P2.5 million, and P2 million each for the construction, repair and rehabilitation of the Municipal Hall of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo and the concreting of the main road with canal in Barangay Irisan, Baguio City.

Another P1 million was allocated for the construction of the Pampano farm-to-market road in Mangatarem, Pangsinan, completing the P200 million maximum PDAF earmarked for the senator. /MP

Reason and Concern

by Ronquillo C. Tolentino

The View From The Pew

(First of two parts)

The article titled “The View From the Pew” is a story of former Monsignor Alex Acevedo Meñez’s love journey from the time that he had fallen in love. He filed a petition for dispensation from celibacy. He waited patiently for time until Pope Benedict XVI granted his petition from “all obligations arising from Sacred Orders, including that of celibacy”.

In his January 10, 2012 email, Alex sent me his story. He stated it’s not confidential and I can pass it on to others.

“Many have read it and say it’s a lovely story”, according to Alex.

This article fits as Valentine’s Day approaches.

“I have a story to tell and I would like you to hear it directly and personally from me. I wish to inform you that I have decided to file my Petition for Dispensation from celibacy. This is the technical formulation for the canonical process, which in ordinary terminology means I am leaving the catholic priesthood.

“This is the story of my journey.

“In July 2009, I asked my Bishop Jose Romeo Lazo, DD, and was granted, to formally and officially retire. It was the first step in my plan to eventually file my petition for dispensation from the law of celibacy, the law which forbids catholic priests to marry.

“In January 2010, my dossier with my Petition to the Holy Father asking for dispensation was formally submitted to Rome. I filed my petition in Los Angeles Archdiocese, California.

Why do I have to leave the priesthood?

“The plain, but not so simple, reason is I have fallen in love.

“Now, you either say “what’s wrong with that?!” or you say “OMG!!!”. You see “it’s complicated”. So let me explain.

“I was a priest almost 40 years. I was a good priest – in my conscience and in the overwhelming opinion of others, lay and some fellow priests. For those who know me, this statement is sufficient. But for many others who do not know me, may I say something more about myself. People say they come to me because they find peace and mercy. They like my masses because I say them with devotion. My homilies are catechetical as they are engaging. Like a double-edged sword, my homilies penetrate the heart and, at the same moment, are like sweet balm which soothes the weary souls. I have walked mountains and crossed rivers to visit far-flung barrios. I have organized a scholarship program which sent hundreds of poor children to school and some are now in college.

“I have held key positions (Vicar General, Pastor of the cathedral parish and of a rural parish, Seminary Rector, Consultor, Formation Director of the regional seminary). I did my post graduate studies in Rome and I have a doctorate degree in canon law. I have served the ministry with dedication and honor (with the title Monsignor given by Pope John Paul II in 1998). I did not take advantage in any way to secure my financial stability.

My bishop, the Most Reverend Jose Romeo Lazo, in recognizing the services I rendered for the diocese said in his letter: “these tasks were enormous but with your competence and leadership, you were able to make things happen as demanded by the offices entrusted to you”. Yes, I have served the diocese well. In all modesty, I have been really a good priest and people say so. I was truly happy as a priest and I loved being a priest.

“So you ask - why change path? Well, again, the reason is simple – I have fallen in love. But as you know, the discipline of the Catholic Church neither permit a married clergy nor am I personally comfortable being a married priest. I realize that at this time in my life and having fallen or being in love, I cannot be celibate for long. Well, yes, I may be celibate (because I keep the law not to marry) but I cannot be chaste – honestly unless you tolerate me to live a double life. But my love for her does not justify such hypocrisy. It goes against my conscience and her conscience, which is even more delicate than mine. My upbringing in decency and respectability does not allow it. Of course, it is not respectful of the woman I love and absolutely she will not have any part in that kind of arrangement.

“I think it would be easier if I explain it to you the way I would explain it to kids, given the chance

“Funny and perhaps surprising, if not strange, that at 62 years old – quite old, don’t you think – I have fallen in love? But I cannot marry the girl I love because I am a priest. And the law of the Church (Canon Law) does not permit priests to be married. But as you know, every law has an exception. In canon law, the exception is called a Dispensation. And this is what I am doing now.

I am writing a letter to Pope Benedict XVI, our Holy Father, to give me the dispensation so that I can be married. Wow – isn’t that great and fearsome, at the same time, to be writing to the pope! I am just praying that the pope, busy as he is, will have the time to read my petition and grant me the dispensation so that I can marry the girl I love and who loves me, too. But, of course, we both will not marry without the dispensation. You know that I have always been a good priest. I obeyed the rules, as I am obeying them now by asking for dispensation.

“As I have explained, and you know very well, the church does not allow married priests. And personally, I am not comfortable being a priest and married. So when I get married, I will not anymore say mass. And it makes sense because how will it appear when the child of the priest will run to him at the altar and ask for lunch money?

Anyway, when I will be married, I will be a lay person like everyone else who is not a priest. But you know that “the view from the pew” is also spectacular. And like you, I can Be Happy, Be Healthy and Be Holy as a lay person. In other words, I can still love God and God still loves me, like He loves you. Please pray with me that the Holy Father will grant me the Dispensation sooner than the usual time.

“Now, let us go back to adult talk. I am aware that to leave the priesthood is not easy. It means leaving a lifestyle I am familiar with, a function that I know so well, and losing the esteem of some people. I am concerned that I would be considered a failure. Some may say that I am displeasing God. Am I really? Celibacy is a law of the church and I abide by the law of the church by going through the process of dispensation. And we both want to remain loyal to the Catholic Church and our concern is to live our marriage in the grace of the Lord and with the blessing of the Church.

“In July 2008, I went back to the Philippines to consider my decision. I stayed in a house of prayer for priests in Tagaytay, where the climate is cool and the environment is quiet. For one year, I prayed over my decision and consulted with a wise and saintly priest. And I have decided. I have made a choice. I know that it is not whimsical or emotional. It is a decision which I believe is a fruit of intimate prayer, sincere reflection and intelligent consultation. I know that I will be happy with this new choice and in this relationship.

“Right now I am at peace and in love and secure in the knowledge that someone loves me very dearly. The only thing that hinders the fulfillment of this beautiful relationship is the law of celibacy. I am not against celibacy. Even if or when I will be granted the dispensation, I will still favor celibacy (so that priests will continue to struggle – I say this with humor). It has kept me a good priest and it has helped me have a healthy rapport with women, who otherwise were desirable. I do not advocate that the church should abolish it, even if in the future, I do not know what the church will do. Remember, celibacy is a law of the church. Most of the apostles were married and for many centuries catholic priests were not forbidden to marry. What the church will do in the future regarding celibacy is a contested guess. All I know is that I do not love Christ less by falling in love. Jesus knows how much I love Him still. Can I not love Jesus as a lay person? Can I not love Him and be married? And will Jesus love me less now that I am not a priest? After all, I have already served His church for 40 years as a priest. (to be continued next issue/MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Ni Tita Linda Belayro

Sumpa Sa Manggad Ni Yamashita

Abo pa guihapon ro nagapati nga ro manggad ni Yamashita hay owa pa guihapon makita. May nagapati man nga hakita eon kuno ogaling guina-tago pa ay basi bawi-on kana. Ro manggad ni Yamashita hay mga guin kulimbat ag guin looting ko mga tawohan ni General Yamashita nga guina kilaea nga “Tiger of Malaya” (Malaysia).

Isaea ra imaw ka General it Japanese Imperial Army ko ikaywang guerra sa kalibutan nga sa kada banwa nga anang guin eopig hay guin bo-oe nanda ro mga manggad it mga tawo. Nakaabot si Yamashita iya sa Pilpinas. Iya nana guindaea ag guintago ro kinaban-kaban nga manggad. Nag obra imaw it mapa agod madali nana makita sa anang pagbalik. Ogaling parabil matapos ro guerra, hadakpan imaw it pwersa it Amerikano, guin kulong ag dayon guin patay imaw. Owa it nakasayod kon siin nakatago ro manggad ngato kundi si Yamashita eang.

May mga buhi nga soldado ro nakabo-oe ko ratong mapa sa hawak ni General Yamashita. Apang andang bu-ot boe-on ro manggad ngato ogaling pagkasayod ko ibang soldado, nagpaeatyan sanda hasta naduea eon man ratong mapa. Sa kada makabuyot ko mapa, naga handum sanda katong manggad ogaling tongod sa kasueok it manggad, nauli sa paeatyan ro tanan.

Tumaliwan ro dinag-on. Owa eon it nabatian ko manggad ni Yamashita pati ko mapa. Isaeang ka arkitekto si Isagani. Mabahoe nga proyekto ro anang guina buytan. May adlaw nga, sakay sanda sa helicopter it kompanya. Padueong sanda sa mga bukid it Sierra Madre tongod idto ro proyekto guina patindog nga bakasyunan. Pagtugpa it helicopter, mabaskog ro tunog halin sa andang metal detector. Bangod kato, nagduda ro mga tawo. Basi may manggad sa guin tugpaan it helicopter. Guin umpisahan nanda it pagkutkot ko mga tawo ag tumambad ro kaban-kaban nga puno it alahas ag iba pang bueawan.

Nagsakit ro tiyan ni Isagani, busa nag usoy imaw it puno it kahoy agod maka ihi. Maangan angan, nakabati imaw it einupok halin sa anang mga kaibahan nga nagbaearilan tongod bu-ot ko sambilog hay anahon tanan ro manggad.

Pagbalik ni Isagani, tanan nakahandusay eot-a ro anang mga kaibahan. May hakita pa imaw nga mga toe-an it tawo sa palibot. Maathag sa anang paino-ino ro tanan. Ratong mga toe-an it tawo hay ana ko mga nauna nga bu-ot mag angkon ko ratong manggad ni Yamashita. Sa bulig ko mga taga runa, nakabalik si Isagani sa syudad. Uwa eon nana guina paino-inoha ratong manggad nga may sumpa. Daehon eon lang nana hasta sa eu-euobngan kon ano ro anang hakita. /MP

Fil-Cans Impression On Corona Impeachment Trial

by ALEX P. VIDAL

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Although most of them have been living in Canada for the past 20 to 30 years now, some Filipino-Canadians are very much aware of showbiz and political events in their native land in the Philippines; they are shoo-in in every no-holds-barred discussion about current events involving sports, entertainment, business, and politics.

They know that a showbiz matinee idol is a closet gay; that the former girlfriend of President Nonoy Aquino married a congressman; that a mestizo football player linked to a popular actress is a “mama’s boy”; that the daughter of a defeated presidential candidate has nixed the proposal of a former congressman jailed in Hong Kong for illegal drugs for a romantic reunion, among other juicy tidbits.

Here are some of their thoughts about the ongoing impeachment case against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona:

“It is a waste of taxpayers’ money because the main problem the Filipinos are facing today are poverty, unemployment, calamity, graft and corruption in the government, not whether the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is evil.” SAMANTHA ILUSTRE-FOUCH, 44, Fouch-Juab Realty general manager, Abbotsford, B.C.

“President Noynoy Aquino’s policies and programs to rid the government with undesirable characters must not end with the impeachment of Chief Justice Corona. The Bureau of Customs, DPWH, DepEd, PNP also need a major shake-up.” A CERTAIN “GENERAL”, 68, a former Army major and Vietnam War combatant, Surrey, B.C.

“The impeachment of Chief Justice will set a bad precedent because it is common knowledge that it was instigated by the President of the Philippines who does not see eyeball-to-eyeball with the Chief Justice. Who will stop every President at odds with the Chief Justice in the future to do the same thing?” RICARDO AMAMANGLON, 39, Thrift Store staff, New Westminster, B.C.

“No comment. My mother is a clerk of court (in Malolos, Bulacan) and she might not like my statement.”JOSEFINA PAGDILAO-TAMOR, 32, a nurse, Vancouver, B.C.

“(Chief Justice) Corona should be impeached because he is a thorn in the throat of the Aquino administration and he can never have a good working relationship with the executive branch.” RIZALITO GEMORA, JR., 30, Tim Horton staff, Burnaby, B.C.

“The political crucifixion of the head of the Supreme Court will give the Philippines a bad image abroad. It will scare the investors. This is purely a political maneuvering. Nothing more, nothing less.” REBECCA ANGELES, 54, a nanny and passenger of SkyTrain in Nanaimo Station, Vancouver, B.C.

“I will just watch Tom Cruise’ latest movie where he climbed the tallest building in the world in Dubai. I’m not interested about Philippine politics. Sorry, brod.” ALEJANDRO “ALE” SEVILLA, 48, a caregiver and member of security in the “Damayan Concert” for typhoon “Sendong” victims in the Philippines, Surrey, B.C.

“Hindi kita maintindihan (I don’t understand you).” AN ELDERLY MALE PASSENGER on corner Main and 12th Streets, Vancouver, B.C. /MP

UnionBank Storms Canada

Reiterates Corporate Vision,

Achievements Before Fil-Can Leaders

by ALEX P. VIDAL

Richmond, British Columbia — Executives of the Union Bank of the Philippines led by President and Chief Operating Officer Victor B. Valdepenas and Executive Vice President Genaro V. Lapez flexed their corporate muscles before leaders of the Filipino-Canadian community in British Columbia in a conference at the River Rock Hotel last January 10 even as they reiterated the bank’s corporate vision and achievements in information technology.

As “enabler of the customers investment needs in the Philippines,” the bank is prepared to assist on entrepreneurship opportunities, financial advise, and safe and reliable payments for beneficiaries or Philippine companies and organizations, said Lapez.

As seventh larget private domestic universal bank in the Philippines, Lapez disclosed that UnionBank has assets of P253 billion, deposits of P192 billion, and capital of P36 billion.

“We provide a wide range of commercial, retail and corporate banking products and services, including loan and deposit products, cash management services, credit and debit cards, treasury activities, and electronic banking,” Lapez explained.

SHAREHOLDERS

He revealed Aboitiz Equity Ventures or Aboitiz, is the major shareholders among owner stake-holders with 43.3 percent shareholdings as of Sept. 2011. Aboitiz is one of the largest conglomerates with interests in power generation and distribution, banking and finance, transportation and food, Lapez disclosed.

The Social Security System (SSS) follows 8with 21.5 percent shareholdings as of September 2011. The state agency manages the pension/social security fund of workers in private sector, wage earners as well as the self-employed.

Lapez said Insular Life Assurance Company is third largest shareholder with 16.1 percent shareholdings as of September 2011. It is the Philippines’ leading and largest Filipino life insurance company with asset base of P72 billion as of 2010, he added.

“Our diversified customer base allows us to tap into different growth segments and to cross-sell across each segment,” Lapez stressed.

INNOVATION

Valdepenas, who assured their customers they will continue to push for product innovation in cash management, debit and credit cards, business and trust banking businesses “to strengthen foothold in all market areas and gain competitve edge”. He emphasized they were the first Philippine bank to achieve the ISO 2700:2005 Information Security Management System (ISMS) Certification from TUV Rheinland.

The bank’s Technology Management Services (TMS) Unit is the first Information Technology Group among local banks in the Philippines to obtain certification for its specific ISO standard, boasted Valdepenas.

“We will intensify efforts in the management and disposal of our non-performing assets,” and the cost management will focus on technological advancements and business process improvements through six sigma initiatives.”

CERTIFICATIONS

Valdepenas vowed to continue to obtain ISO certifications in the different processes across all business segments. “Risk management in all processes must be enhanced continue to engage more of our customers and employees, and ensure that every UnionBanker internalizes and lives our UnionBank brand of smart banking.”

He added: “Our bank’s corporate vision is to become one of the top three universal banks in the Philippines, with a full range of financial products and services for which we shall be the acknowledged leader in service, innovation, value-for-money, conveniently accessed anytime, anywhere by delighted customers, for whom we shall be a dominant financial service portal, all enabled by bold, smart and self-driven professionals,” assured Valdepenas. /MP

Advincula Is New Archbishop of Capiz

by BIENVENIDO P. CORTES

Roxas City – The Most Rev. Jose Fuerte Advincula, Jr. Bishop of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, was canonically installed as the Third Metropolitan Archbishop of Capiz on January 11, 20l2. It was held at the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral, Roxas City. He was installed by the Most Rev. Giuseppe Pinto, D.D., the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines with Most Rev. Vicente M. Navarra, D.D., Bishop of Bacolod as homilist.

The first archbishop of Capiz was the late Most Rev. Antonio F. Frondosa, D.D. who retired in l986. The second was the Most Rev. Onesimo C. Gordoncillo, D.D., who served Capiz for 25 years.

Among the 40 church dignitaries composed of arch-bishops and bishops from different dioceses in the Philippines are Most Rev. Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales D.D., Most Rev. Jose Palma, D.D. archbishop of Cebu and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and Most Rev. Gabriel Reyes,D.D., Bishop of Antipolo.

The new archbishop of Capiz was born on March 30, l952 in Dumalag, Capiz. He finished high school at St. Pius X Seminary in l968 and philosophy at the same seminary in l972. He finished Theology at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary, Manila in l976; and MA in Education (Guidance and Counselling) at De La Salle University, Manila in l983.

On his ministry assignments, he served as Spiritual Director/Professor/Dean of Studies/Principal at St. Pius X Seminary, Roxas City, in l976-l983; Professor/Dean of Studies at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan, Ilocos Sur in l990-l993; Spiritual Director/Professor at St. Joseph Regional Seminary, Jaro, Iloilo, l993-l995; Rector, St. Pius X Seminary, Roxas City, l995-2000; Judicial Vicar, l996-2001; Papal Chaplain, June 12, l997; Parish Priet, Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Dao, Capiz, February 200l; and appointed Bishop of San Carlos City , Negros Occidental on July 25, 200l.

The 59 year-old archbishop of Capiz vowed to do his best as a ‘good shephered of his flock”. He appealed to all parishioners to help and support him in all his endeavor.

Parts of his installation activities were dinner held at the CAP Auditorium on Jan. 10 at 6:00 pm and luncheon held at the Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium, Roxas City for church dignitaries, guests and friends of the new archbishop. /MP

THE GOOD LIFE

Languages of Love

by MEGS S. LUNN

“A match made in heaven”, “an answered prayer”, “we meant for each other”, “love unc-onditionally”, and many more sweet nothings when two people fall in love.

“Always use your heart loving someone and your brain to help determine the next step in a relationship. You must recognize intellectually what is called “Red Flag” in a relationship. “Red Flag” is truly negative or hurtful action and words by either partner.

“Red Flag” must be identified and seriously dealt with in your mind to see if you should exit the relationship at a time. “Red Flag” exposes incompatibilities between two people who are more likely to worsen in time than get better.

Properly dealing with significant negatives early in a relationship is very, very hard because of what is called “The Tingles.” “The Tingles” are that amazingly wonderful, uplifting, emotional high we get when we first enter in a relationship often based on superficial feelings such as good looks, wittiness, fun to be with, great to talk to on many subjects, and whatever magnetism that makes two people drawn to one another.

This is the “love is blind” stage of a relationship in which the other’s faults or weaknesses are ignored or downplayed. You cannot spend enough time together laughing, teasing, talking lightly or seriously, touching, holding hands, and hugging. During that time our brain turns to the consistency and usefulness of mud. Your new partner is perfect for you! You believe this wonderful emotional experience will last forever! Unfortunately or fortunately, “The Tingles” only last a few months to a year with most couples allowing their relationship then to progress more realistically, with their hearts taking the lead and their brain re-engage to ensure a level of honesty as the love between the two grows.

“When love is truly felt by two people, nothing can separate them.” But it is incomplete just to love your partner, it is equally important your partner feels you love him as much as you do.

There are five commonly known “love languages” which are: 1) Acts of Service. 2) Gifts. 3) Words of Praise. 4) Physical Touch, and 5) Quality Time. Most of us have one or two of these “love languages” that innately allow us to feel the love our partner expresses. Most of us wish our partner needs to “speak” all five languages to feel one’s love.

ACTS OF SERVICE - a woman may be constantly cleaning her house, washing clothes and preparing quality meals as expressions of her love for her partner. If this is her “love language”, he will feel her love and be amazed at how hard she works to show her love for him.

GIFTS - a man may frequently give his partner flowers, candy and special items as his sincere expression of his love for her. If it is her “language”, she feels the love he is expressing through the gifts.

WORDS OF PRAISE - a man may say from the bottom of his heart: “I love you” or “you’re beautiful” or”what a wonderful meal” or “that job you did was great”. If this is her “love language”, she will feel deeply loved.

PHYSICAL TOUCH - a man may want to show his love by holding his partner’s hand regularly, putting his arm around her frequently, hugging and kissing her whenever he is near her or—in a committed marriage—have sexual contact with her. If this is her language, she feels the love he is expressing.

QUALITY TIME - a woman loves her partner so much she sets aside time regularly to be with him and ask him how his day was, or what does he feel about this or that concern, or what would he like to do. If this is his language, he looks so forward to their time together to feel her love expressed in her deeply felt concerns for him.

“When love is truly felt by two people, nothing can separate them.” …love like you never been hurt,” and “to be hurt is part of the package of being in love.” Feeling hurt is the absence of feeling loved. Even in good relationship, each person has both good and bad days. Stressful time maybe caused by problems in a relationship or caused by things outside their relationship. This negative period causes seemingly to love our loved ones less by doing inappropriate acts or saying words that hurt feelings to the other partner. But the strong, true love that is the basis of a good relationship will resurface again—especially if the “right” “love language” is utilized. The hurt you have now won’t make your future love for another man less strong.

Be it in a career, love life or family, the key to having a happy life is finding a balance. There could be a chance for unconditional love - selfless and pure. Happy Valentines to all our readers! /MP

Negative Filipino Values

by Ernesto T. Solidum

Noveau rich Filipinos who have the fortune of working overseas (and those who earn more wealth) flaunt their riches by investing in luxury cars, condos, mansions, beach houses all to satisfy their egos. It appears they are just living for themselves having forgotten their identity and the mission that God has willed for them.

These folks are the loneliest creatures in the planet. With increased poverty and deprivation of people around them, they found it troublesome to enjoy the safety and comfort of their homes. Criminal gangs proliferate in the rich neighborhood and exclusive subdivisions. What a price to pay!

Man is just a steward of God’s bounty. He never owns a thing. If you appropriate only these riches to yourself you destroy the basic information of trust. In short, you are selfish.

The world could be a better place if wealth is invested in ingenious and novel ways to create jobs and stability to many people. In 2011, some P18.7 billion was generated by our OFW’s. Think of the many economic opportunities if that money was wisely invested.

For instance, bicycle spare parts could be manufactured piece by piece in the Philippine foundry and metalcraft shops. Production specialization could be assigned to one factory owner to establish quality standard. Later, one factory owner assembles these spare parts to create a beautiful and durable masterpiece. This is how industrial revolution begun in the US, Japan, Germany, and other developed economies.

What appears to be our setback toward realizing industrialization in the Philippines is that we believed only on importation, nothing else. Our leaders seem innocuous to change and ingratiate themselves with the packaging or assembling type of industrialization where all spare parts are imported. This is the worst kind of deceit and formula toward ruin.

The basic reason why the Philippines is left out in the cold by our neighboring Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam is that we chose to supply labor than produce and sell the goods ourselves. We have long nurtured the idea that agriculture must be developed first before industrialization. The truth is that industrialization fires the engines of growth in developing the American frontier. Corn, wheat, and soybeans flour shed and fed the hungry world.

Agriculture is perceived difficult, unglamorous, unprofitable, and ugly. It faces a bleak future in the Philippines. This is the reason why Aklan State University has far fewer graduates each year compared to those in engineering, information technology, nursing and other courses. At the farm level, aging farmers may never be replaced by young ones because (they believe) income is not remunerative.

Really, it is disheartening that the cost of producing rice in this country is higher than neighboring countries. This is the reason why we always import rice, sometimes it exceeded of what we actually needed. Keeping domestic rice prices artificially low with imported rice is a disincentive among actual tillers to produce more and achieve self sufficiency.

Grain importation is not only expensive but wasteful. World Bank data according to Florencio B. Abad, Secretary DBM, only about 31 percent of NFA rice went to the poorest 20 percent of households and that it cost the Agency as much as P8.60 to deliver an equivalent of P1.00 of low priced rice. NFA’s obligation from previous Administration totaled P10 billion.

Notably Taiwan, Japan, and China have one of the world’s record production in rice simply because they follow recommended technologies and financially supported. More capital means they could buy hand tractors, harvesters, threshers, fertilizer, pesticides and other tools of the trade to implement scientific agriculture technologies. Unfortunately, this is just a dream of Filipino farmers. He may not be able to lift himself from the quagmire of poverty, hunger and deprivation in his lifetime, unless a miracle happens.

Industrialization can work wonders. It is a prime source of employment and foreign exchange. Solution to our transportation, smog and high cost of petrol could be the bicycle. So why not consider developing a public transport based on the bike? After all we have our trisikad for long. Why patronize a product that is expensive, hard to maintain and consumes a lot of guts? For all the accolades given by motorcycle fanatics, the machine has killed and maimed more people in this planet than those who died of cancer.

For the noveau rich guys think where to invest your money. A sprawling mansion in the countryside or SUV may be first priority. But will it benefit a lot of people or limited to you and your family alone? Are you aware of the hungry mouths and street children living in your neighborhood while you are living in your ivory tower? At least we must have our moral compunctions. Each of us have our decisions. It is never too late to make amends.

Believe and follow positive values to make life more meaningful and enjoyable. /MP

EDITORIAL

Revised Guidelines On Suspension Of Classes
Due To Disasters

President Benigno S. Aquino III has expanded the existing protocol on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government due to typhoons to include flooding, calamities and other weather disturbances in order to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives.

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said the President issued Executive Order No. 66 on January 9, streamlining and simplifying the procedures for the cancellation or suspension of classes in public and private schools and work in government offices due to calamities.

“This presidential issuance is an assertion of the State’s declared policy to institutionalize measures that will ensure the general public, including students and state workers, will be safe from needless hazards and that their lives and limbs will be safeguarded,” Ochoa said.

EO 66 sets the following guidelines in the cancellation or suspension of classes in public and private schools and work in government:

• Signal No. 1 - Classes at the pre-school level, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

• Signal No. 2 - Classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

• Signal No. 3 - Classes at pre-school, elementary, secondary and tertiary levels, in the affected area, including graduate school, as well as work in all government offices, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

President Aquino also directed the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to issue weather forecasts through various media outlets, including radio and television, not later than 10 p.m. of the previous day and 4:30 a.m. of the day of the intended cancellation or suspension of classes and work.

The President, however, said that in the event where there are classes and work in the morning and suspension of classes and work is only effective in the afternoon, PAGASA should issue the forecast not later than 11 a.m. of the said day.

Moreover, EO 66 provides that in the absence of typhoon signal warnings from PAGASA, the local chief executives shall implement localized cancellation or suspension of classes and government work in coordination with the weather bureau and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), particularly in flood-prone or high risk areas.

The local chief executives serve as chairpersons of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC).

EO 66 sets the announcements of the cancellation or suspension not later than 4:30 a.m. of the same day or not later than 11 a.m. for suspension of classes and work in the afternoon. The announcement must be made through different media outlets, landline communications and other technologies for communication within the community or locality.

In areas affected by disasters other than typhoons, classes in all levels in both public and private schools and government work shall only be cancelled or suspended upon the declaration by the President of a state of calamity on recommendation of the NDRRMC.

The concerned LDRRM Office must then be responsible for the announcement of the suspension of classes and government work in the affected areas in coordination with the NDRRMC through various media outlets available under the circumstances.
EO 66 tasks the NDRRMC to immediately inform the Office of the President (OP), through the Executive Secretary, of any or all cancellation or suspension of classes and government work in the affected areas.

President Aquino also directed government agencies directly involved in disaster risk reduction and manage-ment to maintain the operations of their respective offices to ensure the continuity of the delivery of public service. The heads of the concerned government agencies shall determine which of their respective divisions or units shall maintain its operations.

These offices are the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Departments of National Defense, the Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development, Science and Technology, Health, Public Works and Highways, and Education, among others, which operations the President or the NDRRMC may deem necessary.

The OP, through the Executive Secretary, shall have concurrent authority with the NDRRMC to cancel or suspend classes and work in government offices during disasters, the EO provided. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

C. Laserna Is Crowning Glory

At this time, there is a struggle for leadership in C. Laserna, the haven of settlers from other municipalities. There is a competition as to who can lead between Miss Togna and George Calaor on one hand and Mr. Andrewline Sualog on the other. I hope they will have a healthy competition that will redound to the best interest of both the settlers and the municipality of Kalibo and people.

The problem in C. Laserna is a several decades problem which Kalibo LGU officials together with the provincial and national attempted to solve. Yet, until today they are unsuccessful. Some officials are sincere to help the settlers and make Poblacion, Kalibo a conducive place to live in. However, some public officials are expert pretenders that they converted the problems to their strength and opportunities for their own personal interest and gain.

Some public officials wish to maintain the present state of C. Laserna and at the same time maintain it as their political strength. They do not care if C. Laserna is the hosts of beggars, source of troubles, and filth.

C. Laserna can be made into a wholesome place to live in if our political leaders will unite and transform C. Laserna into a community to behold. The people will certainly cooperate if the project is for their own best interest and of the community. I strongly believe C. Laserna will be the best and most sought place if a project is approved and implemented to:

1. Identify the present legitimate families/residents;
2. Design and construct multi-level buildings that can accommodate all the present legitimate dweller/families in C. Laserna;
3. Vacant spaces will be used as parks/plaza and even integrated school for the children;
4. Construct a boulevard along the river bank, in the inner side of it are shops and restaurants and other livelihood projects; and
5. Provide a management team and staff to manage C. Laserna specially the condominium.
This is a simple suggestion which can be improved further by LGU Kalibo with the assistance of urban planner.
The suggestion appears formidable but it is admirable and doable. Let us always remember that “all our dreams will come true if we have the courage to pursue them”.
I hope Kalibo Mayor William Lachica will pick up and consider my humble idea. I say Mayor, “you are only an attitude away from success”.
C. Laserna will be the “Crowning Glory” of an official or officials who converts C. Laserna into a wholesome place to live in.

C. Laserna Condo

The LGU Kalibo through the Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office can request Vice Pres. Jejomar C. Binay for funding for the construction of one or two multi level buildings to provide shelter to the families living in C. Laserna.

Vice Pres. Binay is the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. I am certain he will help Kalibo on this housing program if LGU Kalibo officials are sincere to make Kalibo the real worthy capital town of Aklan and a conducive place to live in.

If Kalibo is able to construct one or two 14 levels condominium, it may solve the shelter problem, save vacant spaces for other purposes, and improve peace and order among others.

The ground floor will be utilized for shops and offices for rent. If one level can house eight (8) families the two buildings will accommodate 248 families. Each occupant family will pay monthly as amortizing owners. The amount of amortization will be enough to reimburse the cost of building construction and affordable to the beneficiaries. /MP

Sen. Santiago Missing In Impeachment Trial

Sen Miriam Defensor Santiago, known for her quotable remarks, was absent in the first day of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona due to hypertension.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the presiding officer of the impeachment court, Santiago said she will be absent from the Senate starting Jan. 16.

“I am suffering from hypertension, for which I have been under medical supervision for over a week now. I am unable to discharge my duties because of attendant dizziness, headache and nausea,” she said.

The senator added that she will resume her duties as soon as her hypertension subsides./MP

Top Philippine Judge’s Trial May Impact Economic Reforms

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine Senate began the impeachment of the country’s top judge on Monday, January 16 in a case that could last months and distract President Benigno Aquino from a promised focus on lifting the economy and rooting out corruption.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona has vowed to fight to clear his name in a trial which has its roots in the bitter rivalry between Aquino and his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is under hospital arrest awaiting trial herself on charges of election fraud and corruption.

Corona, appointed by Arroyo, is charged with betraying public trust and violating the constitution. He is accused of bias in favour of Arroyo as she faced charges late last year and, among other things, of failing to disclose his assets and liabilities.

Ahead of the country’s first impeachment trial of a Supreme Court judge, Corona struck a defiant tone. “If you want me removed, kill me,” he told the ABS-CBN television station.

Corona attended the first day of trial at a packed session hall of the upper house of Congress, where senator-judges denied a defence motion to stop the trial.

Lawyers for Corona, who sat at the gallery with his wife, pleaded not guilty to all charges, arguing he has not violated the law or the constitution.

Outside the Senate building, groups for and against Corona held noisy protest rallies. “Jail Gloria, Convict Corona!” read one banner.

Aquino said he believed the evidence against Corona was strong.

“My expectation is that the Senate will examine the charges and decide based on the evidence to be presented, and I believe the evidence is strong,” Aquino told reporters at the opening of a handbag factory in his northern home province of Tarlac.

CHANCE FOR GUILTY VERDICT

Sixteen votes from the 24-member Senate are needed to remove Corona from office, a decision that would permanently bar him from public office.

Aquino can already count on 14 votes against Corona.

Analysts say that a guilty verdict would be a boon for the president, whose popularity remains high more than a year since he took office, but who has struggled to draw in foreign investment and carry out major reforms.

“I doubt Aquino’s reputation will be impacted much if Corona’s impeachment trial does not end in a conviction,” said Scott Harrison, managing director of security consultancy Pacific Strategies and Assessments.

“(But) if Corona is convicted, it will send a powerful message that Aquino is intent on weeding out corruption in government and that should resonate well with the public.”

DISTRACTION

The downside for Aquino’s government is that the trial could last as long as six months, focusing attention on the country’s dysfunctional politics instead of plans for investment and growth.

The government plans to spend about 142 billion pesos this year, mostly on infrastructure projects, to lift growth after weak spending dampened overall economic output last year.

While Manila has slowly reduced its overall debt load via innovative schemes, it has yet to gain major victories in its pursuit of big tax evaders and in improving tax collection.

The government has lowered its debt load to around 52 percent of GDP in 2010, from more than 70 percent in 2004, earning an upgrade from Fitch Ratings to one notch below investment grade. Moody’s last year raised its rating to align with Standard & Poor’s at two rungs below.

In December, S&P revised its rating outlook for the Philippines to positive from stable.
(Additional reporting by Rosemarie Francisco; Editing by Ed Lane) /MP

Developing Loyal, Loving, & Morally Upright Citizens

by MEGS S. LUNN

The Local Government of Kalibo under the leadership of Mayor William S. Lachica with the support of the Sangguniang Bayan will incorporate and institutionalize the Values Formation and Moral Recovery Program. This move is based on some provisions of the Local Government Code. It aims to develop morally upright citizens in the Municipality of Kalibo.

KAP OIC Head - Mr. Alex Mallasarte discussed to the members of tricycle operator, drivers and business owners the good values of loving their job and creating good relationship with their passengers and to follow the law consistently.

This communicates social transformation service as incorporated in the municipal regulatory functions. The tricycle drivers, operators, and franchise holders are obliged to attend an orientation seminar with the office of the Sangguniang Bayan of Kalibo. The advocacy on moral recovery program, which includes Maka-Diyos, Maka-Bayan, Maka-Tao and Maka-Kalikasan, is being managed by volunteers. These include NACPHIL president Pastor Julian Rodillas on Maka-Diyos (Pro-God), Maka-Bayan (Pro-Government), Mr. Alex Mallasarte of Kalibo Auxilliary Police (KAP) OIC Traffic Enforcer on Maka-Tao (Pro-People), and Ms. Chita Dela Cruz-Heap of Kool Earth, Inc. on Maka-Kalikasan (Pro-Environment).

NACPHIL signed a Memorandum of Agreement with DILG-Kalibo to partner with LGU Kalibo to help facilitate values formation on good governance, good citizenship, and advocacy in Kalibo and Aklan as a whole. They will inform, educate, and help the public, especially the tricycle drivers, to become morally upright citizens in their line of duty.

Every Tuesday from 2:00 in the afternoon onwards at the Sangguniang Bayan, tricycle drivers, operators, and franchisers, religiously attend this orientation seminar before their franchise permits are approved and released. It was suggested to operators to look for drivers who show concern for their passengers and for the public welfare. Should they be caught violating the law for three consecutive times such as on “no parking area, over charging, non-conveyance of passengers, the franchise permit will be immediately revoked”.

According to SB Sec. Diane Fegarrido, “the penalty is designed to generate funds and to adhere to the standard established by law to discipline drivers.

Government officials are expected to comply with traffic laws, rules, and regulations. They must demonstrate commitment and support to moral renewal and values formation activities. /MP

Negative Filipino Values

by Ernesto T. Solidum

Noveau rich Filipinos who have the fortune of working overseas (and those who earn more wealth) flaunt their riches by investing in luxury cars, condos, mansions, beach houses all to satisfy their egos. It appears they are just living for themselves having forgotten their identity and the mission that God has willed for them.

These folks are the loneliest creatures in the planet. With increased poverty and deprivation of people around them, they found it troublesome to enjoy the safety and comfort of their homes. Criminal gangs proliferate in the rich neighborhood and exclusive subdivisions. What a price to pay!

Man is just a steward of God’s bounty. He never owns a thing. If you appropriate only these riches to yourself you destroy the basic information of trust. In short, you are selfish.

The world could be a better place if wealth is invested in ingenious and novel ways to create jobs and stability to many people. In 2011, some P18.7 billion was generated by our OFW’s. Think of the many economic opportunities if that money was wisely invested.

For instance, bicycle spare parts could be manufactured piece by piece in the Philippine foundry and metalcraft shops. Production specialization could be assigned to one factory owner to establish quality standard. Later, one factory owner assembles these spare parts to create a beautiful and durable masterpiece. This is how industrial revolution begun in the US, Japan, Germany, and other developed economies.

What appears to be our setback toward realizing industrialization in the Philippines is that we believed only on importation, nothing else. Our leaders seem innocuous to change and ingratiate themselves with the packaging or assembling type of industrialization where all spare parts are imported. This is the worst kind of deceit and formula toward ruin.

The basic reason why the Philippines is left out in the cold by our neighboring Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam is that we chose to supply labor than produce and sell the goods ourselves. We have long nurtured the idea that agriculture must be developed first before industrialization. The truth is that industrialization fires the engines of growth in developing the American frontier. Corn, wheat, and soybeans flour shed and fed the hungry world.

Agriculture is perceived difficult, unglamorous, unprofitable, and ugly. It faces a bleak future in the Philippines. This is the reason why Aklan State University has far fewer graduates each year compared to those in engineering, information technology, nursing and other courses. At the farm level, aging farmers may never be replaced by young ones because (they believe) income is not remunerative.

Really, it is disheartening that the cost of producing rice in this country is higher than neighboring countries. This is the reason why we always import rice, sometimes it exceeded of what we actually needed. Keeping domestic rice prices artificially low with imported rice is a disincentive among actual tillers to produce more and achieve self sufficiency.

Grain importation is not only expensive but wasteful. World Bank data according to Florencio B. Abad, Secretary DBM, only about 31 percent of NFA rice went to the poorest 20 percent of households and that it cost the Agency as much as P8.60 to deliver an equivalent of P1.00 of low priced rice. NFA’s obligation from previous Administration totaled P10 billion.

Notably Taiwan, Japan, and China have one of the world’s record production in rice simply because they follow recommended technologies and financially supported. More capital means they could buy hand tractors, harvesters, threshers, fertilizer, pesticides and other tools of the trade to implement scientific agriculture technologies. Unfortunately, this is just a dream of Filipino farmers. He may not be able to lift himself from the quagmire of poverty, hunger and deprivation in his lifetime, unless a miracle happens.

Industrialization can work wonders. It is a prime source of employment and foreign exchange. Solution to our transportation, smog and high cost of petrol could be the bicycle. So why not consider developing a public transport based on the bike? After all we have our trisikad for long. Why patronize a product that is expensive, hard to maintain and consumes a lot of guts? For all the accolades given by motorcycle fanatics, the machine has killed and maimed more people in this planet than those who died of cancer.

For the noveau rich guys think where to invest your money. A sprawling mansion in the countryside or SUV may be first priority. But will it benefit a lot of people or limited to you and your family alone? Are you aware of the hungry mouths and street children living in your neighborhood while you are living in your ivory tower? At least we must have our moral compunctions. Each of us have our decisions. It is never too late to make amends.

Believe and follow positive values to make life more meaningful and enjoyable. /MP

Mayweather to Pacquiao: Step Up, Punk

Unbeaten US boxing star Floyd Mayweather threw down another provocative gauntlet to boxing rival Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday, Jan. 10 daring the Filipino icon to “Step Up Punk” in a posting on his Twitter webpage.

The dictionary defines “punk” as a “prostitute, a male homosexual, a young hoodlum, a youngster, any person regarded as inexperience, insignificant”. Aren’t these libelous statement?

Mayweather hopes to entice Pacquiao into accepting his challenge to meet May 5 in Las Vegas in a mega-fight showdown between the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters, one that boxing fans have wanted to see for years.

“Manny Pacquiao I’m calling you out let’s fight May 5th and give the world what they want to see,” Mayweather posted on Twitter.

The move comes as Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum is visiting Pacquiao in the Philippines to discuss who the Asian superstar should fight next and Mayweather awaits the June 1 start of a 90-day jail sentence on domestic violence charges.

Arum originally said that Mayweather was not among possible next foes for “Pac-Man”, listing Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez, Puerto Rican southpaw and Americans Tim Bradley and Lamont Peterson as candidates.

But that was assuming Mayweather was going to serve his sentence starting last week. Instead, a judge postponed Mayweather’s trip behind bars until after his already-booked May 5 fight.

“My Jail Sentence was pushed back because the date was locked in. Step up Punk,” Mayweather also tweeted on Tuesday.

Pacquiao, who has won 15 fights in a row over the past seven years, has told Filipino media that he wants the opportunity to fight Mayweather to be a top priority.

Mayweather, who squandered a chance to make a fight with Pacquiao earlier by seeking extraordinary blood testing measures, hopes to add pressure upon Arum and Pacquiao with his Twitter challenge.

But Arum has ripped Mayweather’s May 5 plan, saying he could secure $20 million more with the construction of a temporary venue in Las Vegas to stage such a long-awaited fight before more than twice as many spectators.

Critics see that and other moves as Arum wanting to avoid pitching Pacquiao, 54-3 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, against Mayweather, 42-0 with 26 knockouts.

Past near-deals for Mayweather-Pacquiao have fallen apart for years, sending both of them against different rivals with similar results.

But this time, both fighters are coming off controversial victories.

Pacquiao, a 33-year-old southpaw, won a majority decision over Marquez last November, giving him two wins and a draw over the Mexican but none of them by such a margin that Marquez claims he was wronged could be dismissed.

Mayweather, who turns 35 next month, won the World Boxing Council welterweight title with a fourth-round knockout of compatriot Victor Ortiz, but he landed the decisive blow while Ortiz was distracted after the referee had separated the fighters then said they could resume.

Should Pacquiao not be next on Mayweather’s hit list, “Pretty Boy Floyd” has been mentioned as filling the May 5 date with either US southpaw Robert Guerrero, 29-1-1 with 18 knockouts, or Mexico’s Saul “Cinnamon” Alvarez, the WBC light-middleweight champion who is 39-0 with one drawn and 29 knockouts. /MP

Vancouver Fil-Cans Celebrate ‘Ati-Atihan Festival’

by ALEX P. VIDAL

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Some 1,000 members of the Filipino-Canadian community here gathered at the Renfrew Community Center last January 7 to celebrate this year’s “Ati-Atihan Festival 2012”.

Organized by the Aklan Ati-Atihan Association of B.C. led by president Bobby Refol, Jr., the event reenacted “The Barter of Panay” directed by Aklan native Remy Adante.

Ati-Atihan means “to be like an Ati.” The Atis were the aboriginal inhabitants of Panay Island, where Aklan is found – they are short, dark-skinned and kinky-haired people.

Adante said, legend tells us that the celebration had its beginnings sometime in the 13th century with the arrival of a group of Malays from Borneo, headed by their chieftain Datu Puti.

‘STREET DANCING’

Refol and the Board of Directors led by vice president Don Molo, secretary Janet Hidalgo, treasurer Deuselo Tocol, assistant secretary Roy Motus, business managers Glenn Sucro and Guiseppi Martelino, PROs Neil Ingalla and Jun Oro acted as actors and actress in a short program followed by “street dancing” in the tune of drums.

They were joined by directors Jennifer Panado, Nonong Tordecillas, Lito Piano, Joy Tocol, Joan Ingalla, and Donalie Montoya.

Four “tribes” joined the parade: Altavas, Makato, Numancia, and Kalibo, Aklan’s capital town.

The cast acted like they were fleeing from the tyranny of Datu Makatunaw at home and were looking to buy some land where they can stay. They were welcomed by the natives of the place, headed by their King Marikudo and Queen Maniwangtiwang, who offered them the land they needed.

GOLD

In exchange for a solid gold hat or salakot for their king and a necklace for their queen, the Atis decided to give up their lands in the coastal area to the Borneans or Maraynon, as the Atis came to call them, and to move upland.

This transaction came to be known in Philippine history as the “Barter of Panay.” Before the Atis left, however, and in appreciation of the hospitality they received, Datu Puti ordered his people to paint and dress themselves like Atis and to hold a feast with their benefactors in celebration of their newly-established friendship.

This relationship was strengthened in the succeeding days when, as a result of strong monsoon rains wiping out hillside crops, the Atis came down to the lowlands to ask for food. The Maraynon who had a good harvest shared their blessings with the Atis.

The Atis danced and sang in gratitude for the help they received. Every year since then, the mountain people have come to ritually solicit food through song and dance. The lowlanders got into the spirit of this continuing friendship by daubing their faces with soot and dancing with the Atis. This annual ritual eventually developed into the Ati-Atihan folk festival.

RELIGIOUS

From a folk celebration, the Ati-Atihan took on a religious character after the arrival of the Spaniards in 1521 and the adoption by many Christianized Filipinos of the Santo Nino as their patron saint following the recovery of the miraculous image in Cebu in the year 1565.

The coming of the Santo Nino into the Ati-Atihan fiesta is said to have started with the intervention of the first encomiendero of Aklan, Don Antonio Flores. He made arrangements with Datu Malanga and Datu Manduyog to have their then existing native celebration be dedicated to the Santo Nino. With the subsequent adoption by the Aklanons of the Santo Nino as their patron saint, the celebration of the feast of the Santo Nino was made to coincide with the Ati-Atihan festival.

The Spaniards encouraged the Ati-Atihan festival despite its origins as a pagan ritual because, given the remoteness of native settlements and the difficulty of travel, the festival enabled the religious orders to reach out to the natives.

FLOCK

The natives would flock to the town center or cabecera, giving the Church an opportunity to indoctrinate them in Christianity. The festival offered religious processions, dances, music, and theatrical presentations to the people. Although it may be “sacred or profane blended together…it is highly doubtful that the natives were aware of the ceremony’s elaborate liturgical symbolism, but they evidently relished the pageantry involved.”

Thus, the original commemoration of a land barter and thanksgiving for the post-monsoon harvest has turned into a feast day for the Santo Nino. And since then, the image of the Santo Nino has become part of the festival, and to the shouts of “Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!!” were added the chant “Viva Senor Santo Nino!” Viva!!! /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Ni Tita Linda Belayro

Ro Baston Ni Moises

Mabuhay eon nga naduea si Moises sa anang banwa. Owa it nakakita kana kon imaw namatay o nag adto sa ibang lugar. Basta owa eon imaw makita pagkatapos nga mahilway nana ro mga Israelitas sa poder ko Paraon. Guin daea nana ro mga Israelitas sa eogta nga guin tog-an kanda.

Sa pagkahuman ko anang misyon, guin aywan nana ro mga tawo agod magdugaling. Abu eon ro mga dinag-on nga nag taliwan. Abo eon man nga nag bag-o. Ro lugar nga anang guin aywan hay nangin syudad. Makitid eon lang ro patag nga guina pahangeaban it mga karnero ag mga baka.

May isaeang ka soe-solterito, si Uzil ro anang ngaean. Isaea imaw ka bakero it mga karnero. Guina pabantayan kana ko sangka tawong may una-una ag guina bayaran ro anang serbisyo kada buean. Sa anang pagpasindong it mga karnero, may hapueot imaw nga baston sa hilamunon. Anang guin pueot. Sa anang pagpueot, habatyagan nana nga matsa may gahum imaw nga nagdapo ag nag kamang sa anang eawas ko gabii ngaron.

Tag naga pahuway eon si Uzil, may mga ilahas nga hayop nga bu-ot magsueod sa kwadra. Guin bo-oe nana ro anang baston. Pagkakita ko mga hayop sa baston, nagpaeagiw sanda tanan ag owa eon nagbalik. Umpisa kato, nangin kaibahan nana ro baston sa pagtoeog. Pagtaliwan it pilang adlaw normal ro tanan. Ogaling may gabi-e nga nagdamgo si Uzil nga may nagpakita kana nga isaeang ka magueang.

Guin dawat kana ro baston ag nagbilin pa kana nga usahon ro baston sa kamaeayran. Guin bilin pa guid kana nga depensahan nana ro mga maeoya ag ro mga guina pigos.

Si Uzil ro bag-ong Moises, sa makaron nga modernong panyempo. Paagi sa gahum ko baston, abo nga mga kaaway imaw nga maatubang. Paagi sa baston, makabulig imaw eabi guid sa mga makaeo-eo-oy ag guina pigos.
Si Uzil man ikaw? /MP

Man Proposes God Disposes

“The Story of Faith & Devotion To The Senior Santo Niño de Kalibo”

Man Proposes God Disposes


by LEOCEL C. ROMA

Everything is possible when one faithfully and devotedly believes. Faith and Devotion spice up life’s mystery and complexity. It is hard to totally uncover and discover the answers behind every interrogation of man.

Faith and devotion work in a very mysterious and amazing way for God disposes what man proposes. Funny, how can it turn a desperate heart into a hopeful one? And how does it iradicate every man’s misery by just merely praying?

I am just one of the many devotees of Senior Santo Niño de Kalibo and I can testify how faith and devotion truly work. I am a devoted catholic. I religiously attend the holy mass at the St. John The Baptist Cathedral in Kalibo. I constantly visit the image of Senior Santo Niño de Kalibo chapel where I faithfully and devotedly utter my prayers and thanksgiving. Believe it or not, all the humble prayers that I asked for had been granted in its due time and purpose.

When my husband married me, the late Lucio N. Roma on December 22, 1990, it was a positive answer to my prayer, the man whom God had destined for me. Indeed, love knows no boundary despite of the 33 years age gap. It bounded two hearts into one. I was 27 years old when I married a 60 years old man.

Three years after we got married, we offered petition prayers asking for a gift, a child. As a devotion, we annually joined the “sadsad” every Ati-atihan festival. We asked the Senior Santo Niño to bless us with even one child. But God did not just graced us one but we were blessed with three wonderful children.

After three years of waiting, we received the positive response on January 25, 1993. Our prayers were answered when I gave birth to my eldest daughter, Lea Niña. After one year, January 24, 1994 I gave birth to our second child, my son Leo Niño. I’m grateful with Senior Santo Niño for such wonderful gifts.

The year 1996 was so challenging for our family. It was on January 21 when my husband died. Lucio died of cardiac arrest. I was pregnant then with our third child. Two days after his death, on January 23, I gave birth to our youngest son named after my beloved husband. He was baptized Lucio Jr.

For 16 years, I am a single parent raising my three children who are academically competent and excel doing the things they love. I thank God for all these blessings. Until now, Senior Santo Niño continues to bless my family especially my children. God always answer our prayers. Despite the trials and bitterstrifes along the way, we continue our love and devotion to Senior Santo Niño with determination and perseverance.

I believe the holy child Jesus is guiding us always. /MP

Planes Offload 521 Passengers At NAIA

Some 521 passengers were offloaded at the Ninoy Aquino Inter-national Airport in 2011.

A report from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT)-NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons said those passengers were not allowed to leave the country last year because of spurious travel documents. In view of this report, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay reiterated his call for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to go through the proper and legal channels in seeking employment abroad.

“I appeal to our “kababayans” to go through the required process in seeking employment abroad,” Binay said. “And if you do manage to leave the country, there is a very high risk that government will not be able to extend immediate assistance, especially in times of need,” he added.

Binay concurrently serves as the presidential adviser on OFW affairs, chairman emeritus of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and chair of the Presidential Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment.

At the same time, Binay said the IACAT is expected to receive the recommendations of the Technical Working Group tasked to formulate clear-cut guidelines for offloading to ensure transparency and to prevent abuse. “These guidelines are intended to minimize gray areas in terms of implementation,” he added.

According to the report, about the 521 passengers offloaded in 2011, 30 were classified as minors, 316 as Tourist Workers and 175 as OFWs with irregularities in their documents.

Tourist Workers are those who “attempt to travel for the purpose of gaining employment abroad without proper documentation, attempt to go to countries where the Philippines currently has a deployment or travel ban, or provide spurious travel documents,” the report said.

Binay further said that the government aims to elevate the Philippines to Tier 1 status in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP).

According to the TIP, “a Tier 1 ranking indicates that a government has acknowledged the existence of human trafficking, has made efforts to address the problem, and meets the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards.”

The country is currently at Tier 2 status, defined as “countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standard but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards.” /MP