ATI’s Farmer Field School

Bountiful harvest displayed in the One-Town-One Product booth during the 2008 Aklan Day Celebration. (MP file photo)

Secretary of Agriculture Arthur C. Yap will be the guest of honor and speaker during the graduation program of the graduates of the Farmers’ Field School (FFS). The graduation ceremonies will be held on April 24, 2009 in the Amphitheatre, Aklan State University, Banga, Aklan.

Some 725 rice farmers will be awarded their Certificate of Completion of the Season – Long Rice Production Course according to Dr. Allan V. Alimodian, center director, Agricultural Training Institute, Banga, Aklan.

The FFS graduation program is one of the highlights of the 53rd Aklan Day Celebration.

The 725 rice farmers come from the eight municipalities of Aklan. They studied rice production in all stages from land preparation to harvesting on site during the dry cropping season in December 2008 to April 2009, reported Dr. Eden Bautista of ATI.

Dr. Benny A. Palma will welcome the graduates, guests, and visitors. Dr. Alimodian will present the farmer graduates whom ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot will confirm their graduation.

Sec. Yap, Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, and Cong. Joeben T. Miraflores will distribute the certificates to the graduates. After this, Gov. Marquez and Cong. Miraflores will deliver their messages. DA Regional Director Larry P. Nacionales will introduce the keynote speaker and guest of honor Sec. Arthur R. Yap who is expected to discuss food security program.

Testimonies of the importance of the FFS and what they learned in training will be given by Laverina I. Nacabuan of Lilo-an, Malinao and Joniel G. Quisoy of Buenavista, Nabas, Aklan.

William B. Castillo, Aklan Provincial Agricul-turist will deliver the closing statements. /MP

Yap Orders Audit of DA Post Harvest Facilities

RICE HARVEST, photo above shows a farmer carrying a load full of newly cut rice stacks to his bamboo mat where he prepares it for threshing in Sigma, Capiz. Rice farmers in Capiz rely on their 3rd crop of the planting season where they could gain more income from the usual 2 crops planting season. (PINOY GONZALES/ PNS)

Secretary Arthur Yap of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered an internal audit of all postharvest facilities put up by the various DA offices and attached-agencies in keeping with the sweeping reform program that the agency is implementing. This audit will ensure better monitoring of its inter-vention programs and more judicious disbursement of funds to local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs).

These postharvest facilities comprise flatbed dryers, tramlines, cold chain facilities, fish ports, shredders, slaughter houses, and bagsakan or drop-off centers. They are all meant to pare post-production losses that cut into the profits of farmers plus other stakeholders and spell the more efficient and cheaper delivery of goods from farms to markets.

Yap assigned Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup to head the internal audit team that will start assessing and validating these postharvest projects following the Lenten break.

"The DA is conducting this internal audit of its postharvest facilities to spell greater transparency," Yap said. "This is in keeping with the reform measures that we have put in place for a better monitoring of our intervention programs meant to boost farm production and a more judicious downloading of public funds to farmer-beneficiaries via our program partners like LGUs, NGOs and POs," he added.

This DA reform program is the linchpin of government efforts to correct systemic lapses that have earlier affected the implementation of its food security and sufficiency initiatives.

Yap said such reforms are topped by the creation of national and regional monitoring teams to conduct "periodic field validation and rapid appraisal" of the DA’s intervention measures under its banner program Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA), and the adoption of rigid guidelines on the release of funds to NGOs, POs, and LGUs.

For better coordination with the Commission on Audit (COA), the new guidelines issued by Yap last year already contained provisions of COA Circular No. 2007-001 on fund releases to NGOs and POs, and of COA Circular No. 94-013 on similar releases to LGUs. /MP

EDITORIAL

Lenten Reflections

by Dr. Raphy Tayco

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

When you lose, don’t lose the lesson….

Follow the three R’s:

1. Respect for Self,
2. Respect for Others, and
3. Responsibility for all your Actions.

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.

When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

Spend some time alone every day.

Open your arms to change, but don’t give up your values.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. And saying NO is sometimes the kindest choice.

Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.

Share your know-ledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.

Be gentle with the Earth.

Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before. . .

Remember the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Ask yourself the question
"Would you run?"
after you read this!!!

Imagine this happening to you...

One Sunday morning during a church service; a 2,000 member congre-gation was surprised to see two men enter . . .

Both covered from head to toe in black and carrying submachine guns.

One of the men proclaimed, "Anyone willing to take a bullet for Christ remain where you are."

Immediately, the choir fled...the deacons fled...and most of the congregation fled....

Out of the 2,000 there only remained 20.

The man who had spoken took off his hood... He then looked at the preacher and said, "Okay Pastor, I got rid of all the hypocrites . . .Now you may begin your service. Have a nice day!"

And the two men turned and walked out.

See, too deep not to pass on…

It’s funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world is in the condition it is today. . .

Funny how we believe what the tabloids say...but question what the Bible says...

Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says.

Funny how someone can say "I believe in God"... but still Follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes" in God).

Funny how you can send a thousand ‘funny jokes’ through e-mail and they spread like wildfire...but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, you think twice.

Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace...

But the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and work place.

Rtn. Bing Santamaria forwarded this:

"WISE OLD MAN"

A man of 92 years, short, very well-presented, who takes great care in his appearance, is moving into an old people’s home today.

His wife of 70 has recently died, and he is obliged to leave his home.

After waiting several hours in the retirement home lobby, he gently smiles as he is told that his room is ready.

As he slowly walks to the elevator, using his cane, I describe his small room to him, including the sheet hung at the window which serves as a curtain.

"I like it very much", he says, with the enthusiasm of an 8 year old boy who has just been given a new puppy.

"M. Gagné, you haven’t even seen the room yet, hang on a moment, we are almost there."

" That has nothing to do with it ", he replies.

"Happiness is some-thing I choose in advance. Whether or not I like the room does not depend on the furniture, or the decor – rather it depends on how I decide to see it."

"It is already decided in my mind that I like my room. It is a decision I take every morning when I wake up."

"I can choose. I can spend my day in bed enumerating all the difficulties that I have with the parts of my body that no longer work very well, or I can get up and give thanks to heaven for those parts that are still in working order."

"Every day is a gift, and as long as I can open my eyes, I will focus on the new day, and all the happy memories that I have built up during my life."
"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw in later life what you have deposited along the way."

So, my advice to you is to deposit all the happiness you can in your bank account of memories.

Thank you for your part in filling my account with happy memories, which I am still continuing to fill…

Remember these simple guidelines for happiness.

1. Free your heart from hate,
2. Free your mind from worry,
3. Live simply,
4. Give more, and
5. Expect less.

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

That Comfort Room
Smells Sweet

"Kon owa ako mamatay sa bala, mamatay ako sa baho". (If I did not die because of bullet wound, I will die of bad odor.) This was the remark of an old lady just after World War II.

That old woman happened to pass by the side of an "Antipolo" toilet with more human waste of highly objec-tionable odor, air pollutant.

Antipolo toilet is a kind of comfort room. It is outside the main house, connected with three pieces of bamboos that serve as bridge or link the house to the comfort room like shed. To avoid exposure of waste and prevent hogs from entering to catch and savor the dropping waste, it is fenced.

But today, the style and construction of comfort room has greatly improved. It has become the principal component of a house even adjacent to or part of a bedroom used as dressing and even powder room.
It has septic tank as storage of human waste, connected to the sewer for excess water to drain. The room is of cement with either tiles or marbles and with toilet bowls to provide ease and comfort during defecation.

To drain the waste toward the septic tank, one just flushes the water tank. Constant cleaning with water and detergent is done to maintain pleasant smell at all times. Comfort room is important part of the house to maintain and sustain its excellent cleanliness and pleasant smell. If not, the entire house is a hell of a place to live in.

In Kalibo, the toilet on the south part of Pastrana Park, Martelino Street throws highly obnoxious odor anytime throughout the day and night.

In its regular session, Hon. Madeline A. Regalado related her experience to the Sangguniang Bayan members. While she was attending a graduation program being held in Pastrana Park with the grandstand used as stage under it are located comfort rooms for men and women.

While the program was going on, another guest told Hon. Regalado what she is smelling. Regalado was greatly embarrassed at that moment being one of the top officials of Kalibo.

It is hard to believe that toilets in the center part of Kalibo smells bad and stinks in all seasons. Kalibo is the capital town, the people of which deserve pleasant place to stay. Pastrana Park is a place of attraction, the centerpiece of arts and culture. The executive officials must do something to restore its splendor and freshness for Aklanons, Kalibonhons, guests and visitors to stay longer and to enjoy their stay. Who will spend time to stay in a malodorous place? Kalibonhons do not deserve bad smell, its officials must work to reverse the situation. /MP

Capitol Announces 10 Outstanding Aklanons

Photo above shows members of the Selection Committee for Outstanding Aklanons after their review, analysis, and deliberation of the qualifications of the nominees. They are (l to r) Atty. Diego M. Luces, Sumra dela Cruz-Rojo, Darren Mae Esto, Engr. Lorna Cawaling, Dr. Gabriel Delfin, and Engr. Roger M. Esto. Not in the picture are Dr. Reinalda Magdaluyo, Rev. Fr. Joebert Villasis, and Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente.

The 10 awardees are Marcial H. Arac-Gov’t. Service, Ellen B. Dioso-Nursing, Teodorico T. Haresco, Jr. - Business, Alberto R. Quimpo-Public Service, Remo T. Alindato-Labor Law Practice, Pedro Ike I. Inserto-Military, Edsel T. Custodio-Foreign Service, Lolito Sta. Maria Tumbocon-Posthumous, Jonathan R, Salvador-Science and Technology, and Nilda B. Tambong-Doctor of Medicine. The awards will be given during Aklan Day, April 25. /MP

Villar Pushes Irrigation Fund Review

Sen. Manny Villar last week pushed for a review of the implementation of the law modernizing the agriculture and fisheries sectors which mandates a 30 percent share of the national budget for irrigation projects.

"Republic Act 8435 is a landmark legislation that should equip our country to achieve food security. We should see to it that the law is being implemented to the letter," Villar stressed.

In filing Proposed Senate Resolution No. 897, Villar urged the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food to review the implementation of RA 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997 as amended by RA 9281.

Under Section 112 of the amended statute, the law requires an initial budget of P20 billion for the first year of its implementation and a continuing annual appropriation of P17 billion thereafter until the year 2015 which is an increment to the annual appropriated budget of the Department of Agriculture.

Section 111 states that allocation and disbursement of 30 percent from said amount must be allocated and disbursed for irrigation projects.

"This law was amended specifically as the govern-ment’s response to develop and reform the country’s agricultural industry. It is lamentable that it cannot be fully implemented due to funding problems," he said.

Villar noted that the Philippines has a total rice land area of 4.1 million hectares and according to the figures culled from the National Irrigation Admini-stration (NIA), only about 1.43 million hectares are irrigated either through national, communal or private irrigation systems, the same irrigation systems that were designed and developed in 1963.

Based on the December 2007 figures from NIA, irrigation in large tracts of farmlands especially in major rice-producing areas including among others Region III which has 229,627 hectares, Region II with 273,201 hectares and Region XII with 209,548 hectares of farmlands respectively, are yet to be developed and provided with adequate irrigation systems.

"Although it may be a welcome progress to put in funds for the remaining unirrigated farmlands, it is however, cheaper and far more realizable at the shorter term for the government to focus its investments on the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the existing irrigation systems than build new ones," Villar believes.

NIA reported that irrigation systems covering about 368,000 hectares of the 1.43 million hectares irrigated rice lands in the country are defective and that its restoration would cost government an estimated P22 billion.

"This translates to 368,000 hectares of waterless and unproductive rice lands and if pegged at 80 bags yield of palay per hectare, this would amount to a reduction of about 29.40 million bags of palay production per harvest. This is not good considering the 2008 rice crisis," he said.

Villar lauded NIA for the rehabilitation of irrigation facilities covering around 47,000 hectares of rice lands that need re-irrigation in 2006.

He pointed out however, that NIA still needs P6 billion a year to fund the rehabilitation or remaining defective facilities to put back these idle rice lands into production.

"Agricultural sector accounts for about one-fifth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, while over one-third of the population is employed in agriculture or agriculture-related industries and the continuing weak and limited investments support by the government to this industry sector doesn’t speak well of the policies and objectives by which the law was principally drafted," he said. /MP

Chiz: Deception By Insertion

Sen. Chiz Escudero said, the stimulus fund package culled from the 2009 budget could be used for other purposes beneficial to the administration through insertions.

"That’s why I have always touted the impor-tance of transparency and even triple checking so that we will not be deceived by such terms like ‘double budgeting’ or ‘insertion’," Escudero said in a statement.

"It is important to know who inserted what and how much to prevent wastage and determine culpability for any misappropriation," he added.
Escudero noted that by vetoing the transparency provision in the P1.415-trillion budget, President Arroyo’s administration is no longer required to give a breakdown of lump sum allotments to different agencies.

"Now that the 2009 budget is passed, we should be more vigilant to prevent scams and shenanigans involving the use of government funds," he said. The government said, the stimulus fund package of at least P50 billion is designed to enable the country to ride out the global economic crunch.

Escudero questioned the lack of discussions on the proposal, since some of the funds for the package were taken from the executive department’s budget.

"We have seen the creation of the Property Development Assistance Fund that primarily included the diversion of almost P20 billion in proposed spending for debt services and agrarian reform to increase allocations for public works, local governments and Congress.

"We have to remember that this is an election year. And worse, it might also be a cha-cha year. We have more than enough reasons to make sure that this budget is spent for the right reasons," Escudero said.

ON CHIP TSAO’S APOLOGY

The government should make a negative example of Chip Tsao by pursuing the filing of a damage suit despite his purported apology. Let us also be reminded by his racist diatribe of the graver problems confronting our heroines in Hong Kong. These are:

1) The 127 Filipinos, 94 of them women are languishing in Hong Kong jails as of the last report of the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Senate.
2) Our consulate in HK needs more personnel to attend to the welfare and distress calls of 157,000 Filipinos there.
3) The current assistance fund for Filipinos there is sorely insufficient to provide aid and succor to Filipinos.
It is not enough for the government to ride on the crest of the tempest generated by one unfounded insult. Indignities more painful than what was caused by the wholesale slander of our people need to be addressed as well.

ON RISING OIL PRICES

We should start exploring alternative and innovative ways of providing cheaper fuel through research and development. I urge the oil companies to invest on this as a public service to their customers and make it an essential part of their corporate social respon-sibility agenda. /MP

Roxas, Legacy Victims Sue Celso, Other Legacy Officers

Senator Mar Roxas last week promised he will protect the welfare of victims of the financial scam of discredited businessman Celso de los Angeles as he blamed the Arroyo Administration for coddling him and allowing his scam to victimize thousands of hapless citizens.

Roxas made the commitment as he and six victims of the Legacy scam filed a case of syndicated estafa against De los Angeles and 19 other board members and directors of the dissolved Legacy Consolidated Plans, Inc. (LCPI) before the Makati Prosecutors’ Office. Roxas vowed he won’t abandon legacy victims.

Syndicated estafa is a non-bailable crime.

Roxas, chairman of the Senate committee on trade and commerce, joined the six Legacy pre-need plan holders in suing De los Angeles and his cohorts after a short march and a rally in front of the Makati City Hall attended by almost a hundred Legacy victims.

"Today, I stand with you to fight against the criminal acts of Celso and the government that has protected him and others like him," Roxas declared angrily before leading the group of complainants in filing of the case.

"I will not abandon you! I promise to stop this grand scheme to mislead our people! I will fight especially for the right of the poor robbed of their future by this thievery! I will continue to stand up and expose the shenanigans of Celso and others like him! Let us jail all those who continue to abuse the rights of our people!," he promised the Legacy victims and members of their family who joined him in the short rally.

In leading the list of complainants, Roxas represented six of the Legacy victims who are Jovita "Nanay Beth" Calleja, Aurora "Nanay Au" Soriano, Arlene Basco, Corazon Villon, Lolita Duria and Antonio Evangelista. They all executed a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) for Roxas to represent them in the case.

The six Legacy victims lost a total of PhP705,101.40 in premium payments because of the collapse of the Legacy pre-need companies following the exposure of De los Angeles’ financial mismanagement, wanton abuse of company funds and a convoluted financial scheme that lured thousands to invest billions of pesos in a Ponzi-type business operation.

Named as respondents in the complaint were Legacy owner De los Angeles, his wife Maria Concepcion delos Angeles, son Niccolo Martin delos Angeles, Purita delos Angeles, Victorino delos Angeles, Christine Limpin, Madeline Cobbarubias, Norman Tiongson, Ignacio Soliba, Ladho Chugani, Ricardo Solomon, Arcatomy S. Guarin, Elvira P. Garcia, Cecille Invencion, Monina Vierneza-Dio, Edgardo Marasigan, Elvira Nebre, Teresita Tica, Josefina Castaneda, and Agnes Santiago.

Roxas said, "De los Angeles and his cohorts are liable for syndicated estafa, which the Revised Penal Code defines as the deliberate misuse of funds generated from the publics committed by five or more people. He said there was clear deceit and mis-representation by the respondents as shown by the fraudulent and deceiving financial products and promises of highly unusual and irregular returns, like the double your money scheme, with no intent to pay the policy-holders."

"It had also been established during the Senate hearings into the Legacy plight that De los Angeles and his partners misappropriated the funds for the planholders, with evidence presented to the committee pointing to millions of pesos being diverted to De los Angeles’ personal benefits and other non-company related expenses, such as yacht repairs, utility and medical bills and his own campaign expenses during the 2007 elections", Roxas added.

"The respondents evidently conspired and confederated with one another to achieve a common purpose, which is to mis-appropriate and convert the pre-need funds for their personal benefit. The totality of the circumstances as previously narrated clearly shows that they are united in this criminal design. The fraudulent scheme could not have been perpetrated without the knowledge, direct participation, and cooperation of all the respondents who are all officers of the Legacy Group of Companies," the complaint stated.

It likewise alleged that "the funds of the pre-need companies were commingled with the funds of other companies belonging to the Legacy Group of Companies" to the det-riment of planholders, whose investments were used for purposes other than that for which they were invested by the policy-makers.

"Legacy funds, like all other pre-need funds, are held in trust on behalf of planholders. Such funds were disbursed by Celso de los Angeles with grave abuse of confidence," it added, stressing: "The intricate and elaborate organizational structure of the companies coupled with the existence of interlocking officers and interrelated services show that the Legacy Group of Companies is a vehicle intended to illegally amass funds from the public without drawing suspicion that these funds are actually intended to be converted to personal and other uses of herein respondent Celso Delos Angeles and his cohorts." /MP

As Golf Bids Inclusion In Olympic Events

Tiger Woods: A One-man Stimulus Package

by ALEX P. VIDAL

CHICAGO, Illinois-He has been described as "The King" by no less than his tormentor in last year’s U.S. Open in San Diego, California, Rocco Mediate.

"He’s the man, he’s the king, he’s it," Mediate, who pushed Woods to 91 holes, was quoted by Sports Illustrated in its March 2 issue.

Mediate added: "Our Tour’s cool, bit it’s really cool with him. I guarantee you that he wins (the Accenture Match Play).

Mediate is among those excited watching the 33-year-old Woods play again at the Accenture Match Play Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club near Tucson, Arizona after eight months of hibernation when he underwent surgery for reconstruction of his knee.

Mediate and his fellow Tour pro players Robert Garrigus and Rich Beem believed that Woods, who appeared in a video footage of the game’s governing bodies that submitted a bid in February 2009 to the International Olympic Committee to include golf in the 2016 Summer Games, remains to be the Tour’s biggest attraction, calling him "something of a one-man stimulus package."

"We’re going to bring some fans back," said Beem, winner of the 2002 PGA Championship.

In the video’s opening footage, Woods pumped his fist. He told the audience in the closing scene that "he could not think of a better sports to make an Olympic event."

"Having the Number 1 most recognized athlete in the world playing our sport certainly is something that makes (it) even more attractive for the Olympics," declared Ty Votaw, the PGA Tour VP who doubles as the executive director of the International Golf Federation Olympic Golf Committee.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Woods’ comeback is expected to generate other business opportunities despite the demise of his endorsement deal with General Motors.

"On his bag, he will carry the logo of AT&T, the company that spon-sored his tournament outside of Washington, D.C., over the Fourth of July," Damon Hack wrote. "Nike, which manufactures Woods’ clubs, balls and apparel, is also planning to release a new commercial timed to his comeback at the Match Play.

According to Hack, the company has launched commercials to coincide with Wood’s victories, including at the 2005 British Open and at last year’s U.S. Open, his final tournament before undergoing surgery to rebuild his left anterior cruciate ligament.

Cindy Davis, president of Nike Golf, quipped: "We look at Tiger as if he’s making history every time he tees up. We do everything we can to capitalize on that energy."

WOODS’ RETURN A MUST

Circumstances sur-rounding gold and the world beyond seem to cry out Woods’ presence, added Hack.

"The economy is tanking. The best player in baseball admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. Golf sponsorship has become more risky amid falling television ratings and tightening purse strings," he explained.
"Even in the calm after football season and before the basketball post season, golf has had trouble making a dent—until now."

Tommy Roy, executive producer for golf at NBC Sports, said: "To me, when you have what is going on in the country, people escape their troubles by watching sports story we have going right now."

"He’s so likable in the way that he plays, it sucks you in," Roy concluded. /MP

Philhealth, DOLE and TESDA–Aklan Sign Partnership With PNP Stations

The Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) agreed with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Aklan, Philhealth and TESDA to conduct beneficial project for the out-of-school youth and disadvantaged workers in the Province of Aklan.

A memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed among the three government agencies and three municipal police stations of Madalag, Libacao and Balete in the presence of their respective heads. The signing ceremony was held on March 2, 2009 at Aklan PPO Multi-Purpose Building, Camp Pastor Martelino, Kalibo, Aklan.

The MOA will provide meaning and fulfillment of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating disadvantaged workers (TUPAD) and out-of school youth identified by the local government units of the three municipalities.

In the agreement, TESDA will provide trainings and education to the target beneficiaries; Phil-health will provide big discounts, DOLE jobs to disadvantaged workers and out-of school youth. The PNP will identify, recruit and give briefings to identified beneficiaries of TUPAD following the template of PULIS OYSTER and monitoring of the project in their respective area of respon-sibility (AOR). (by PO2 NIDA L. GREGAS) /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Tita Linda Belayro

Ro Mangunguma Ag Ro Pato

May isaeang ka mangunguma nga bukon eang it duro ro anang mga tanum nga tinoean-on, abo pa guid ro anang mga alila nga kasapatan. Sa tanan nga alila, ro pato ro anang paborito tongod imaw kana ro naga ta-o it itlog adlaw-adlaw. Guina paeobog pa nana ngani sa mahumok nga dagami agod indi mapusa ro itlog pagkaguwa sa buli ko pato. Ana pang guina iwagan kon gabi-i agod indi ig takawon. Bangod imaw man lang ro isaeang naga pangabuhi, guina bilang nanang matsa onga nana rondayang pato.

Isaeang adlaw, bu-ot nanang tun-an it pag eopad rondayang pato kapareho it mga pispis. Tongod ro pato hay may pakpak, ana kunong tun-an ro pato kapares man ko mga pispis. Isaea pa, bu-ot nana nga maka adto man ro pato sa ibang lugar ag maka paniid sa pagpangabuhi it ibang pispis.

Guin daea nana ro pato sa mataas nga bukid ag idto nana guin paeopad. Naka eopad man ro pato. Guindaea nana sa mas mataas-taas pa guid nga bukid ag guin buhian ro pato nga nag eopad ag tumugpa dayon sa ubos. Sa pangatlo, guin daea nana sa pinakamataas nga bukid ro pato agod maka eopad it maeayo. Guinpakita man ko pato ro anang abilidad sa pag eopad. Nag-oli ro daywa nga malipayon bangod natu-man ko mangunguma ro anang handum.

Apang isaeang adlaw, hakibot ag nasubo ro mangunguma nga hakita nana ro anang pato nga ga-oy nga ga-oy sa pagbinaktas pauli. Guin panisgan nana ro pato nga ham-an it nagbinaktas ay kaantiguhan man imaw mag-eopad.

Ro tawo hay guintaw-an it abilidad ag talento bilang regalo katon it Diyos. May mga telento man nga guinturo katon bilang dugang sa orihinal nga talento nga doeot it Diyos. Ogaling ro tawo hay naga katak an mag gamit ko mga talento ngara. Ro iba katon hay naga pakaeomo paagi sa pagpinangayo, owa naga pahueas, ag naga pangabudlay. Ro talento nga owa guinagamita, sa olihi hay maduea man. Kon aton ra nga gamiton, naga daea katon sa kauswagan ag maka bulig pa kita sa atong isig katawo.

Kilaeahon naton ro atong talento. Gamiton naton sa kamaeayran agod mangin malipayon ro Diyos nga nagtao katon kara. /MP

Hongkong Writer’s Remark Is ‘Recessionary Racism’

After warning the public, particularly overseas Filipinos (OFWs) about ‘recessionary racism’, Senator Manny Villar expressed dismay over the comments of Hong Kong-based writer Chip Tsao regarding the Spratlys Islands and OFWs.

"There is no other possible label for such comments but racist. It is unfortunate that there are still people like Chip Tsao who think in such a manner. Our OFWs in Hong Kong , particularly the domestic helpers, do not deserve such racist remarks. They are well-educated, hardworking and decent people who should be accorded with respect and admiration," said Villar.

Thus, Villar cited that a long-term approach or strategy should be implemented in order to bring back as many OFWs to the country and give them equal or even greater opportunities than they would find working abroad. "Most OFWs are forced to seek the proverbial greener pastures overseas and escape parched lands at home, straying from their families and loved ones in the process."

The former Senate President added, "The racist remarks of Chip Tsao also contained veiled threats to our OFWs in Hong Kong . The country’s stand on the contested Spratlys islands should not have a direct bearing on our countrymen working abroad. Our labor offices overseas should really watch out for racist remarks or attacks against our OFWs."

Last week, Villar issued a warning against the increasing incidents of so-called recessionary racism in Europe and the Middle East, where there is a large concentration of OFWs. He cited that there is growing resentment and hostility towards migrants and foreign workers in various countries amidst the on-going global financial crisis.

According to Villar, "We need to prepare our OFWs about the possibility that they may be subjected to such attitude or treatment that can be described as recessionary racism and those who have experienced such should inform our labor offices. OFWs though should have a healthy attitude and peaceful approach when such incidents occur."

The total global deployment of OFWs last year surged to more than 1.376 million in more than 190 host destinations worldwide. According to the Philippine Overseas Em-ployment Administration, a total of 1,376,823 OFWs were deployed worldwide last year, representing a growth of 27.8 percent compared to the 1,077,623 OFWs deployed in 2007. On a daily basis, some 3,772 documented OFWs were deployed globally last year. /MP

EDITORIAL

Ride In Vehicle With Red Plate?

Malacañang issued Executive Order No. 239 Organizing the Operation Plan (OPLAN) Red Plate. It organizes six national government agencies into "Task Force Oplan Red Plate".

The six agencies are the Ombudsman, Land Transpor-tation Office (LTO), Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the Commission on Audit (COA).
The task force is organized to implement auditing and accounting laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the use of government motor vehicles according to the purpose for which a vehicle is issued to a government office, public officials and employees.

Billions of pesos are lost by the government annually because of the misuses and abuses of government vehicles in terms of purchases of spare parts, repair, fuel, lubricants, lost of lives, damage to properties and even salaries and allowances of drivers. Judicious implementation of E.O. No. 239 may enable the government to save about 1.5 percent or about P7 billion yearly out of unauthorized use of government motor vehicles.

There are several good accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations approved and in place since 1953 or 56 years ago. The observance of those laws, rules, and regulations by those who are issued government vehicles "For Official Use Only" will minimize if not totally stop abuses. The head of office is issued government vehicle to improve his mobility, ease operation, and improve work productivity. The ordinary government employee except the driver has remote access to government vehicle.

COA Circular 75-6 dated Nov. 7, 1975 regulates the use of government motor vehicles, aircrafts and watercrafts. This COA Circular mandates that all, government vehicles must be marked "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY". Are government vehicles properly marked? Any government vehicle before it leaves the garage must have a "trip ticket" which is duly signed by the authorized officer of the office. The trip ticket must show the vehicle plate number, name and signature of driver and passengers, destination, purposes of travel, and date issued among others.

The trip ticket issued shall be displayed on the windshield or in another conspicuous place on the vehicle.

Government officials who collect transportation allowance are not entitled to ride in government vehicles as per PD 733, Section 14. Should a government official who is collecting transpor-tation allowance rides in a government vehicle, a corresponding proportionate reduction to his transportation allowance shall be made.

COA Circular No. 84–238 issued on Nov. 6, 1984 prohibits the "use of government transportation by the spouses, children, relatives, friends of officials. Is this prohibition followed? Only God knows. Government motor vehicles shall not be used for fetching officials and employees from home to office and back home.

EO No. 418 dated Aug. 13, 1990 bars the use of government vehicles on Sundays, and holidays, out of regular office hours, outside the route of officials and employees authorized to use.

After a trip is completed, the government motor vehicle must be parked in office garage. Parking in houses or residences is highly prohibited during non-working hours and in the evening.

Can the Oplan Red Plate Task Force comply with this jobs? And crackdown in the misuses and abuses of government motor vehicles? Yes, provided the concerned officials will cooperate, obey the accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations. This is a matter of honesty and integrity. Why abuse the people’s resources entrusted to them?

The rule is simple. Paint the required markings and the office where the vehicle is issued. Obtain trip ticket for every official travel, refrain spouses, children, relatives and friends from riding in government vehicle except for good reasons, park the vehicle in office garage after each official trip.
Atty. Allen S. Quimpo in his remarks in the recent Kapehan challenged bureau-crats, members of the tri-media and the general public to be vigilant and assist the Oplan Red Plate Task Force implement the Executive Order on the crackdown, the misuses, and abuses in the utilization of government motor vehicles.

Mr. Valtimore Conanan wishes all those concerns will comply with the laws, rules and regulations in order to avoid apprehension and lose of face. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Is Your Rice Farm Irrigated?

This morning, April 1, Aklan river is flooded brought about by the rain one day before, March 31, Tuesday. The rainfall was unusual. It dropped in the season of lent, summer.

But the farmers were glad, the rain came. It revitalized the rice painfully growing due to drought on the rice paddies of the Aklan valley. The cracks in the ricefields were partly filled up by rain water.

However, the rice paddies are expected to dry again in 24 hours because of strong heat with temperature at 32 – 34 degrees Celsius.

While the water in the rivers system of Aklan continuously drains to the ocean unimpeded, the farmers particularly the Aklanon, could only hope the water could be harnessed to produce electric power, direct its course to paddy fields for irrigation, and prevent soil erosion.

Water experts estimate the water in the rivers system of Aklan is enough to irrigate all its land devoted to agriculture, produce electric power enough for the needs of Aklan, Antique and Capiz, and employment will be available to all Aklanons. Hence, food of high quality at low production cost and provincial industrialization hastened.

But no government officials before and now has appreciated the advantages of water resources development for agriculture and industry in Aklan. Previous set of government officials had encouraged for example the construction of golf course designed for the entertainment and pleasure of other people.

8 Million Liters Water

In rice production alone, one hectare rice crop needs eight million liters of water during its life, according to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) based in Los Baños, Laguna. If this quantity of water is measured in cans, it is equivalent to 400,000 big or five-gallon kerosene cans. How can the rice farmers supply this required quantity? The only way is to construct irrigation dams and ditches where water can be drained to the farmers’ field.

Further, the IRRI found that in 100 grams of fresh plant leaf, 88 grams are water, while 12 grams are dried leaf material. If this dry leaf material is burned, it will produce 1.5 grams of ash. What is left of 100 grams, is only 1.5 grams.

If there is a lack of water, food plant manufac-turing is decreased. Water, air and light are needed in plant food manufacturing and water is the limiting factor. Water carries the plant food like minerals and carbohydrates to the different parts of the plant.

Water cools the leaves like perspiration cools human body. Growth is greatly retarded without water in the leaves as pores close. Water cannot pass out and air cannot enter. When temperature is too high, and there is no water, leaves of plants dry up. It wilts and eventually dies. Take note that water taken up by rice plant is lost through evaporation. In view of it, there must be always water in the paddy where there is rice crop growing. Without water, the erect leaves will droop and eventually die.

If agriculture is the twin of tourism development program of Aklan, the repair of existing irrigation system and construction of new irrigation projects are the cardinal rule. The neglect of irrigation system is neglect in agriculture.

Nation of Servants

Do you believe the Philippines is a "nation of servants?" Of course, we Filipinos do not think so.

However, a certain Chip Tsao, in his column published in the Hong-kong magazine said the Philippines is a nation of servants. This opinion illicited outrage among the Filipinos in the Philippines and in Hongkong where around 130,000 are working OFWs.

True, Hongkong employs thousands of OFWs but they are honestly doing thier jobs. However, Chip Tsao has belittled them. He forgot that without these Pinoy OFWs, Hongkong economy might collapse.

Calling Philippines, the nation of servants is racial discremination, a national insult, degrading a country.

While the Hongkong magazine has apologized for the offense of its writer, Chip Tsao has kept silent. Millions of OFWs are demanding apology from Chip Tsao who is now banned from entering the Philippines. Our government should file diplomatic protest to the Hongkong government against this national shame inflicted by Chip Tsao. /MP

Tearful XIX Martyrs Commemorative Program

by TERENCE T. TORIANO

Tears clouded the eyes of the audience during a commemorative program, Monday, March 23, when members of the Kalibo Council for Culture and the Arts (KCCA) performers dramatized the events leading to the deaths of the only Katipunan group members outside Luzon, the XIX Martyrs of Aklan.

Calixto Iban, a descendant of Candido and Benito Iban, thanked Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo through a text message for giving importance to the descendants. He lauded him for a great comme-morative program.

Calixto Iban said, he found Mayor Rebaldo approachable and down-to-earth while exchanging stories about their ancestors during a luncheon at San Lorenzo College hosted by the Municipality of Kalibo after the comme-morative program.

Rebaldo acknow-ledged that the event would not have been successful without the support of all facets of the community from the government to the private sector.

Noel de la Cruz, supervising administrative officer, Office of the Mayor, congratulated the various committees that handled the commemorative program as new innovations are introduced such as Honor Guards composed of Navy ROTC Cadets from Aklan Polytechnic College, and Army ROTC Cadets from Northwestern Visayan Colleges which assisted and made the 112th XIX Martyrs Commemorative celebration comparable to any national historical event affairs./MP

Oplan Red Plate to Save P7 Billion

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued recently E.O. No. 239 directing six government agencies namely: Om-budsman, Land Trans-portation Office (LTO), Philippine Infor-mation Agency (PIA), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission On Audit (COA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to compose the Task Force called Oplan Red Plate.

At the weekly Kapehan on March 28, 2009, on hand to discuss the plan and mechanics of implementation were representatives Mr. Valtimore Conanan (LTO), Ms. Evelyn Ejar (CSC), and Ms. Venus Villanueva (PIA). Mr. Jose C. Cabarles – COA State Auditor V and PSupt. Maghari of the PNP, although invited did not attend.

The Executive Order covers all government motor vehicles used in the discharge of official functions within normal working hours and places within the area of responsibilities with Travel Order issued by authorized head of government office, Mr. Valtimore Conanan under-scored the need of strict compliance to the use of government vehicles. The vehicle must be duly painted with the sign: "For Official Use Only", trip ticket duly signed, posted conspicuously on wind-shield of the vehicle stating name of office, names of driver and passenger(s), places of origin and destination, estimated distance, gas need, and dates of travel.

Failure to comply with these requirements can be ground for administrative sanctions that include suspension or dismissal from the service. Office motor vehicles should be in its garage after the completion of travel.

Crackdown on soaring expenditures on gas and maintenance expenses by government personnel has been attributed to the callous use of official motor vehicles for personal gain. They are conveniently used for transport of family members to and from school, use in shopping, in pursuit of personal hobbies, business among others in flagrant violation of existing auditing and accounting policies, rules, regulations, and laws.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo targets a minimum of 1.5 percent reduction in operating cost of all government agencies by reduction in the con-sumption of fuel and oil on unnecessary travels, misuse of government motor vehicles. This reduction will reach P7 billion annually if honestly implemented. Prominent in the agenda are lowered consumption of electricity, restrictions on unnecessary travel.

All citizens are enjoined to report violators under this directive by submitting a confidential report addressed to either Ombudsman and COA or any member of the Oplan Red Plate Task Force. Necessary documents include pictures of the vehicles parked in unlikely places, absence of trip ticket duly filled up, posted on the windshield, date, time and place where it happen, name of driver/passenger(s), and office where the vehicle belongs. Any means to convey report such as by text messaging with supporting facts is acceptable.

Atty. Allen S. Quimpo challenged Oplan Red Plate Task Force, bureaucrats, the tri-media and the public to be vigilant and assist in the apprehension and prose-cution of cases against the misuse of government vehicles regardless of their status in society. It is very appalling that only the small fry like the office driver shoulders all the brunt of the charges while the head of office is not involved. This is ridiculous if not plain hypocrisy.

Integrity, transparency and commitment to the ideals must be inculcated in the minds of our public servant since public office is a public trust. It should be noted that the law governing the proper use of government motor vehicles was passed in 1953. We cannot afford to have it posted like a paper tiger with no teeth concluded Ms. Ejar. /MP

Matt Monro, Jr. Visits Kalibo

Matt Monro Jr., and Rotary Club of Kalibo President Megs Lunn

in a motorcade around Kalibo.

Matt Monro Jr., the son of the famous singer of his namesake who popularized the songs like "From Russia with Love," "Yesterday," "Born Free," "Walk Away," and many other hits visited Kalibo on March 18 to promote his forthcoming concert at the ABL Sports Complex, Estancia, Kalibo this April 18, 2009 dubbed: Matt Sings Monro.

The concert will be conducted for "a cause" and it will benefit the Stimulation Therapeutic and Activity Center (STAC) that accommodates and conducts therapies for the differently-abled children to make them adjust normally in dealing with other children of normal abilities.

Monro, in an interview with LGU-Kalibo’s Ka-Tribu Radyo, expressed his deep concern on the welfare of the differently-abled children. He lauded Mayor Raymar Rebaldo as the Municipality of Kalibo manages STAC that serves differently-abled children in Kalibo as far as those provinces of Antique and Capiz.

Mayor Rebaldo exhorts everyone to attend the forthcoming benefit concert because it will not only help the differently-abled children but to enjoy listening to the songs popularized by his father and the songs Monro, Jr. himself popularized. /MP

WITH OR WITHOUT RECESSION

‘Medical Professionals’ Limitless Opportunities in US’

by ALEX P. VIDAL

AURORA, Illinois — Gemma Esmalla-Kosanam of Igbaras, Iloilo, Philippines already holds a masters degree in nursing she obtained from the University, of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. Not contented, she pursued a higher education and will soon finish her doctorate in management and leadership in the Catholic-run educational institution.

"My goal is to become a corporate nurse executive, a chief executive officer," beamed Kosanam, 38, married to Indian national Venugopal. "With a doctorate degree, it is easy to go to the academe."

She credits "strong family support", her husband in particular, who is "on board" while she sets sights on a personal goal as "life-long learner" pursuing "limitless possi-bilities to where they will take me as long as I can continue to explore."

Kosanam, nurse manager and chair of the employee reward and recognition team at the Resurrection Health Center, is the latest medical professional from the Philippines to voice her opinion over the growing concern among Filipino immigrants in the United States saddled by employ-ment uncertainty and tormented, in one way or the other, by on-going recession.

ECONOMIC CRISIS

She said those employed in health care "are in the better position to survive the economic crisis because we are in the age where we badly need health care."

Since there is baby boom and growing population of elderly in the United States even in the next 10 to 15 years, Filipino nurses and physical therapists will continue to be in demand, said Kosanam, a former teacher in the University of Iloilo, Iloilo City, Philippines.

Kosanam emphasized that Filipino nurses in particular have big contributions in health care in the United States as they were able to solve the dilemma in shortage of nurses and thus became the "quick fix" solution to the problem.

"Filipino nurses or Asian nurses in general are known to be hard-working and abiding probably because of our eastern culture," Kosanam explained. "They can be molded into whatever they need; they constitute as bond aids to the ailing health care dilemma in the United States."

Recession will not affect hiring of nurses, she said, as employment opportunities depend on geographic location. "Generally, the bias or discrimination is not as dominant but only in few areas," she admitted, referring to "isolated" cases where Asian nurses are dislodged in hiring priority and promotion.

Kosanam was clinical instructor in the Philippines. She confirmed there is still overwhelming number of nurses in the Philippines waiting for deployment in hospitals abroad.

NURSES EXODUS

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed earlier that at least 15,000 nurses and other medical professionals are leaving the Philippines each year for better-paying jobs abroad, threatening the country’s health infras-tructure. WHO officials called it a serious situation for the Philippines.

The number is reportedly more than any other country, with the United States, Great Britain and Australia as main destinations.

WHO country rep-resentative Jean Marc Olive estimated that the exodus is expected to persist until 2015, with annual demand for medical workers in the United States and Europe estimated to be 800,000.

He urged the Philippine government to "look into the needs of the health workers" and adopt plans to convince them to stay.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque acknow-ledged the problem, estimating that 85 percent of the country’s nurses have left the Philippines, where four in 10 people live on two dollars a day or less.

Medical workers started to go overseas in large number when the country’s mass labor export program begun in the 1970s.

Filipinos living permanently in wealthier countries, and temporary overseas workers, sent back a record 10.7 billion dollars to their families in the Philippines through the formal banking system last year, the central bank said.

QUALITY NURSES

Kosanam said despite the demand for more nurses abroad, the Philippines shouldn’t be lenient in producing quality nurses. She observed that, more often than not, some newcomers in the United States do not have sufficient clinical expertise as many of them came from not-so-prestigious and mediocre nursing schools.

She exhorted nursing school authorities to see to it that their nurses possess genuine accreditation. They should obtain their qualifications through honest means.

"They should build nursing schools to produce quality nurses Kosanam counseled.

She admitted there is currently "retrogression" in the hiring of foreign nurses in the US as the federal government regulates the quota for working visa. "The delay (in the issuance of working visa) is due to security reasons which is only temporary," she quipped.

Kosanam hailed Pres. Obama’s $20 billion health stimulus package which provides $40,000 in incentives (beginning in 2011) for physicians to use an EHR; creation of HIT Extension Programs to facilitate regional adoption efforts; provision of funds to states to coordinate and promote interoperable EHRs; development of education programs to train clinicians in EHR use and increase the number of healthcare IT professionals; creation of HIT grant and loan programs; and acceleration of the construction of the National Health Infor-mation Network.

FOUNDATION

A product of Jose Ma Gepuela Scholarship Foun-dation based in San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines, Kosanam sends to Western Visayas nursing schools six students -her younger sister Sarah Esmalla, who is now in Dubai; Christine Emalla (University of San Agustin), Charlene Marie Uy (University of Iloilo), Mary Joy Esmalla (University of San Agustin), Sandra Mae Esmalla (West Negros College), and Mark Steve Esmalla (University of Iloilo).

She draws inspiration from Gepuela, she said, who was known as "Tito Nino", an orphaned from Igbaras town, Iloilo who ventured into real estate and became a millionaire. She said she was merely adopting Gepuela’s favorite motto of "if you give, it will come back to you a hundred folds."

Before he died, Gepuela appealed to his scholars "to continue my legacy and start your own family", Kosanam, a mother of five-month-old Syla "Sol", concluded. /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Ni Tita Linda Belayro

Si Makaspar Ag Ro Mga Amô

May isaeang ka tawo nga guina hingaeanan kay Makaspar sa sangka lugar sa Panay. Naga estar imaw kaibahan ro anang asawa sa kagueangan. Abo guid ro andang tanum nga saging. Ro anang kasagingan hay guina pangayao it mga amô. Ko una bukon pa sanda it apektado ko mga amô. Ogaling ko olihi hay owa eot-a it habibilin para kanda.

Isaeang adlaw, samtang naga kinaon it saging ro mga amô, naghinyo si Makaspar nga pabinlan man sanda para andang kan-on. Guin hibaygan eang imaw it mga amô. "Ikaw ro nagtanum ko mga saging ogaling naga kahueogan nga ikaw man ro maga kaon ko prutas?" Pangutana ko mga amô.

Sa anang kaakig, nag obra imaw it mga patibong ag guina pana pa nana kutob sa anang makita, ogaling sige pa guihapon nga binalik ko mga amô ag mag kinaon it bunga it saging.

Nag paino-ino it ideya ro mag-asawa. Agahon pa, napukaw ro mga amô tongod sa pagtinangis ko asawa ni Makaspar.

"Ay! Patay eot-a si Makaspar. Owa eon it ga tanum it saging kara. Dali kamo mga kaeapit-baeay, tan awa ninyo ro anang eawas ay indi eon ninyo imaw makita.

Habatian ko mga amô. "Namatay kuno si Makaspar. Mayad ron ay owa eon katon it ga inga. Maka pagusto eon kita". Dali, maadto kita ag tan-awon ro patay. Sirado ro mga bintana ag puetahan. Sumaka sanda sa hagdanan sa likod it baeay ag umagi sa makitid nga puetahan. Hakita nanda nga naga tinangis ro asawa ni Makaspar.

Nalipay it duro ro mga amô tongod owa eon it maga inga kanda sa pagkinaon it saging nga bukon it andang tinamnan. Owa sanda makasayod nga buhi si Makaspar ag pahito man lang rato ko mag asawa.

Ka’t tanan nga mga amô hay una eon sa sueod it baeay, golpeng sinarhan ko babaye ro puetahan. Golpeng mang bumangon si Makaspar. Bino-oe nana ro sanduko sa anang katreng guina eogban ag guin pang tigpas nana ro mga oeo it mga amô.

Imaw man ro inobra ko anang asawa. Tanan ro mga amô nga hakulong sa sueod it baeay hay hapatay.

Umpisa kato, owa eon it nagkinaon ko mga saging ni Makaspar. Nagkabuhi it malinong ro mag asawa. /MP

Mabilonhons Commemorate Gen. Francisco Del Castillo Heroism

Mabilonhons comme-morated the heroism of Gen. Francisco Del Castillo on Monday afternoon, March 23. It was held in the Gen. Francisco Del Castillo Elementary School named in his own with a simple program and cultural presentation.

Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo was the Guest Speaker. He narrated the life and death of the very first Katipuneros outside Luzon, Gen. Francisco Del Castillo and the XIX Martyrs of Aklan, to his audience who are young children of barangay Mabilo.

Local historians cited the present location of the elementary school in Brgy. Mabilo, Kalibo as the rally point of the Katipuneros before their march toward the Spanish Garrison at the Martelino St. corner Arch. Reyes Street at the Pastrana Park.

Although Gen. Francisco Del Castillo is from Bohol, he was proclaimed hero due to his selfless acts as leader and as the organizer of the Katipunan in Aklan along with his good friend, Candido Iban. /MP