Culture Shock

I added a new continent on the list of places I've been to.
It's a wonderful opportunity - not quite expected, and quite beyond my wildest dreams - although it's not actually a dream.
I guess I've traveled enough already that traveling to new places does not really come as a surprise. I'm just glad to be around.

Anyway, somebody flew me in to one of those northern countries that didn't ratify the Kyoto Protocol, but which accounts for almost half of the greenhouse gas emissions that's' causing global climate change....

I'm supposed to be on holiday.

It's funny because I have quite determined that work for me was like attending school. Right now, I feel like I'm missing my classes.. and I'm a little worried on how I would catch up.

So anyway, I'm here. And it's been great.

Except that I can't get over feeling unwell about all the excess and over-consumption that I see around. And frustrated that I can't seem to do anything about it... not even talk - for propriety.

Or I'm probably not supergirl.

See you around.

Going to Market

Despite the chaos that is associated with it, I find it pleasant passing through the Baguio marketplace - or probably any market place.

I guess it presents for me something that is not in other places where I was during the day - a point of human contact with all the complexities that are in the many stories of the people that are either just passing by, like me - or who are there for a purpose.

In Baguio, the market is small enough such that there is a strong chance you would bump into someone you know. And you see other people bumping into other people that they know, it makes you smile somehow - here, the world is indeed small.

But there are also various other dramas in the market. Little and big kid vendors that go around insisting that you need another plastic bag even if you don't. Vendors with competing sing-songy voices calling you out. Buyers of varying character... there is so much life, so much color in the market. And so much evil too -- cheating, stealing... people clutching their bags tight on the lookout for snatchers. Policemen hover. Drunken men pass by causing trouble.... These are also part of life, and part of the colors of the market.

You got to try watching people sometimes when you pass by the market...

Bokawkan Road Traffic and Country Music

I was muttering how I had made the effort to go to the office very early and I was rewarded with a queue for the jeep at the jeepney turning point and very slow traffic at Bokawkan.
The young jeepney driver was playing country music and after a while, I actually found myself having a pleasant ride, if only I cast my eyes away from the front window that showed the long line of cars, trucks and jeepneys.. and just listen to the music.
It was actually nice.
But I still ranted about the traffic when I got to the office. :)

Muslim-Christian Dialogue Summer PRogramme

THE PEACEMAKERS' CIRCLE FOUNDATION, INC.

and the U.P. INSTITUTE OF ISLAMIC STUDIES

* *

with the support of the

U.S. EMBASSY Manila



are pleased

to announce the launching of its

INTERFAITH

PEACEBUILDING

INSTITUTE

on

*April-May 2008 *

through its

pilot programs on

* *

MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE

FOR NATION-BUILDING



This is a live-in capacity-building program composed
of three progressive
training modules that will run for five consecutive
days. Each module is
designed to help prepare peace activists and
would-be
practitioners/ promoters of Muslim-Christian Dialogue
for the endeavor of
building mutually respectful and harmonious
collaborative relationships
between Muslims and Christians in grassroots
communities, and helping to
enable them to participate in promoting social
change.

* *

*Module I*:

INTRODUCTION TO MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN DALOGUE

(April 20-24, 2008)



*Module II*:

BUILDING BRIDGES OF MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING

(April 27-May 1, 2008)



*Module III:*

GRASSROOTS MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIP- BUILDING

(May 4-8, 2008)

* *

The program is free-of-charge (inclusive of board
and lodging at the
University Hotel in U.P. Diliman for Modules I and
II). Thirty (30) Muslim
and Christian participants will be selected from the
military/police forces,
local government units, non-government
organizations, the academe, the
religious sectors, and the media. Commitment to
attend Modules I and II are
requirements for selection. Invitations to apply for
the program will be
sent out by November 15, 2007.



Anyone interested may send name and contact details
to The Peacemakers'
Circle through: e-mail address:
peacemakerscircle_ uri@yahoo. com; fax number
920-4618; or contact Orlan at telephone number
920-7622. *Thank you!*



Program Secretariat:

THE PEACEMAKERS' CIRCLE FOUNDATION, INC., Rm. 105
PhilDHRRA Partnership Center,
59 C. Salvador St., Varsity Hills 1108, Loyola
Heights, Quezon City, MMla.

Global Xchange Program Applications for 2008

GET READY FOR THE MOST CHALLENGING

SIX MONTHS OF YOUR LIFE!

Nine young Pinoys. Nine young British.

Six months. Living and working together 24/7.

Two countries. Outside your comfort zone.

One life-changing experience.

Are you up for it?

Global Xchange gives young people from the Philippines and the UK a unique opportunity to live and work together, develop and share valuable skills, and make practical contributions to disadvantaged communities in both countries faced with challenging situations.

You can be one of the nine Filipino volunteers of the 2008 Global Xchange Programme.

• 18 – 25 years of age (must NOT be younger than 18 or older than 25 between March and September 2008)
• Male or female
• Medically fit to undergo an active 6-month volunteer work
• Completed at least high school or secondary education
• Willing to do fundraising
• Willing to live and work with a British counterpart in a modest accommodation in a host family setting within a disadvantaged community in the Philippines and in the UK
• Flexible, open-minded and with a genuine commitment to learning
• Sensitive to the needs of others and can work within a team
• Can commit a minimum of 6 months (consecutive) to do 3 months of volunteer work in the Philippines and 3 months in the UK, and time to attend preparatory training

The following requirements are downloadable from www.vsobahaginan. org.ph.

• Application Form
• Personal Reference Form
• Professional Reference Form
• Parental Consent Form

Important reminders:

• You can send your Application Form via e-mail to gxp.fv@vsoint. org or via fax to 02-3762160. The other requirements need to be submitted by regular mail at: Global Xchange Programme Secretariat- VSO Bahaginan, Unit 505 Pacific Corporate Center, 131 West Avenue, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
• Please indicate the code (GXP Application – Your Surname) in the subject line of your e-mail or outside the envelope for regular mail
• Personal and professional reference forms should be sent in sealed envelopes
• Please use the cover letter of the reference forms to inform your referee about Global Xchange

Deadline for submission of application is on November 18, 2007. Only applications received on or before the closing date will be screened. Short-listed applicants will be invited to an Assessment Day scheduled in November 28/29, 2007. Training and fundraising activities start in January 2008. Exchange proper will commence in March 2008.

For inquiries, please send an e-mail to jayneil.ancheta@ vsoint.org or call 02-3746450 local 12.

“GO COUNTRY IN BANAUE”

“GO COUNTRY IN BANAUE”

The annual Oktoberfest celebration sponsored mainly by the San Miguel Beer Corporation will be held in Banaue with the purpose of enhancing tourism in the said municipality. The Ifugao Provincial Government in partnership with the Banaue Hotel & Banaue Youth Hostel and the Local Government Unit of Banaue prepared series of activities with the “Go Country in Banaue” concert featuring professional folk and country bands and the winner of the weekly amateur folk and country band competition as the focal event.

The said celebration will start off with a massive information drive on the first week of October in the different colleges and universities, local government units, other concerned agencies, and business establishments through a caravan to be participated by the sponsors and participating agencies and establishments. The caravan would be traveling to the northeastern part of the Cordillera and some municipalities of Nueva Vizcaya to encourage local bands to audition for the weekly competition. Winners will have a chance to be featured as front acts during the main concert aside from the cash prize that they would be receiving.

The “Go Country in Banaue” concert differs in that it will be presenting country songs which is the music genre of the Cordillerans aside from their indigenous music. This activity primarily aims to discover and develop local talents in the entertainment industry. It also aims to promote Banaue and the Banaue Hotel as the future premier destination of the North by institutionalizing the Oktoberfest celebration as part of the annual activity of the province.

Local amateur bands interested to join the weekly competition may contact the resident manager of Banaue Hotel, Ms. Ma. Zenaida Quinahan at the following numbers: (074) 386-4087 or 09184441931. Tickets for the “Going Country in Banaue” concert which will be held on October 27, 2007 at the carpark of the Banaue Hotel can be bought from the following ticket outlets:

Reference: Robie Halip

You Know You're From Baguio If... - Add to the List!

Help build up the 2nd list of "You know you're from Baguio If.." (If you're from Baguio, you've probably already received the first list in your email. Now here's your chance to add to the list.)

Click on the link below, press edit at the top of the page, and then add your thoughts:
http://mybaguiodreams.com /community/index.cgi/You_Know _You%27re_From_Baguio_If_.. .Part_2

Check out the other "activities" that you can also do at the Baguio Comunity Encyclopedia in www.mybaguiodreams.com.

Pass on and invite your friends to join the fun. :)

Sanctuary: My Baguio Dreams is Out!

Sanctuary: My Baguio Dreams is Out!

My Baguio Dreams is Out!

Inquirer.net
Breaking News / Infotech

Baguio's centennial memories placed online
By Vincent CabrezaNorthern Luzon Bureau
Posted date: September 29, 2007

BAGUIO CITY -- Everyone's fond memories of the summer capital will be collected for posterity online.
A firm that has been advocating Internet technology-based approaches to education, has opened a website that is dedicated to old Baguio recollections, in honor of two centennial celebrations coming in the next two years.
The only city built by the American colonial government at the start of the 20th century will commemorate its centennial on Sept. 1, 2009, while the Teachers' Camp, another US colonial-era institution, has marked 2008 as its red-letter year because of its 100th anniversary.
The online diary acts as a Baguio "wikipedia" for www.mybaguiodreams.com, which is administered by Elmer Soriano, president of Thinklab.
A wiki is a program that allows anyone to contribute entries to an online encyclopedia.
Soriano said his Baguio community encyclopedia allows every resident to build up a definitive history of Baguio, using anecdotal accounts as foundation for illustrating how Baguio was generations before 2007.
The city was designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, and was established in 1909 by a city charter drawn up and reviewed by top American lawyers of the period.
Soriano said he set up the site after realizing that almost every generation has a story or two to tell about visiting Baguio.
It had always been easy to get Baguio's frequent celebrities to share a nugget or two about the city.
President Macapagal-Arroyo, a perennial visitor, often recounts how husband Jose Miguel Arroyo courted her in Baguio.
Mr. Arroyo's family owns a Baguio vacation house, which is a stroll away from the presidential Mansion, where Ms Arroyo spent her vacations with her father, the late former President Diosdado Macapagal.
"There seems to be so much talent in Baguio, but it seems that this talent is not harnessed to help build up the city. We have bar topnotchers, chess whizzes, top bands… so much energy in Panagbenga (the annual Baguio Flower Festival), but for the rest of the year, it is as if that energy goes down," Soriano said.
"I thought it would be wonderful if we were able to harness all that creativity, passion, talent on a weekly or even daily basis," he said. "I think that as we approach our centennial, it would be great if we could re-enchant the next decades by articulating our dreams and by unlocking our collective imaginations, then creating the city that [we] hope for."
Even tragedy breeds lasting Baguio stories, Soriano said.
Former senatorial candidate Sonia Roco, the wife of the late Sen. Raul Roco and who survived the 1990 earthquake here, could not help but return to the city to overcome her trauma.
Mrs. Roco's last public visit to the summer capital was during the campaign period this year, and it led her back to the Nevada Square, the site of the hotel she was staying in when the earthquake struck on July 16, 1990.
This early, the website has been receiving contributions "from strangers," Soriano said.
He said they are drawn to key themes posted by Thinklab.
It marked out categories for the interesting taxicab names, and "the best place to bring a tourist friend."
But it is a profile ladder called "You know you're from Baguio, if…" which has intrigued online contributors.
Like American host and comedian David Letterman's "Top 10 List," this item has been receiving humorous and nostalgic responses, Soriano said.
One entry poked fun at the fact that in the 1970s, the only grocery store known to residents was Sunshine Grocery, and that school supplies could be bought only from CID Educational Supply, which has since broken up into smaller supply stores, all named Cid.
Entries also refer to the city's social history.
Some contributors said a person grew up in Baguio if his or her idea of a walk was strolling up and down Session Road for hours.
The central business district used to be limited to the road spanning the city market and Luneta Hill, where the Pines Hotel once stood. Nowadays, it is the SM City Baguio that looms over the city.
Another entry defines a Baguio old timer by the fact that he or she effortlessly speaks English with "no colegiala" twang and would never wear Baguio-labeled bonnets or shorts in public.
Soriano's site also offers a chance for residents to discuss Baguio's future.
Photographs comparing today's Session Road to European streets have been posted, apparently to ignite discussions about a proposed pedestrianization of downtown Baguio.
Session Road businessmen are opposing the proposal of former city architect Joseph Alabanza to convert Session Road into a pedestrian mall with trees and outdoor cafés.
Soriano also linked up galleries of top Baguio destinations, as well as the music video "Suntok sa Buwan," performed by the band Session Road. The video shows clips of old Baguio.
He said he has no personal advocacy regarding how Baguio could evolve.
"I just believe that if more people get engaged in the discussion, the best ideas will simmer to the top… The [Baguio online] community takes a life of its own," he said.


©Copyright 2001-2007 INQUIRER.net, An Inquirer Company

Poetry, Passion, Politics and F. Sionil Jose by Clarice "Melon" Bautista

I think I am a fan of Melon, a very admirable friend of mine. I have posted many entries with her as a reference -- and I did so without permission. But here, I do it again. :)

_________________

Poetry, Passion, Politics and F. Sionil Jose by Clarice "Melon" Bautista

All ye poetry lovers and poets alike should shoot me but wait.
Having been trained in Journalism school not to mince words and master the 1H and 5Ws in writing, I used to really believe poetry was a waste of precious time. It couldn’t say things as they are and as straightforwardly as possible and it hides true meanings in figures of speech such as allegory, hyperbole, simile, to mention a few.
The next thing I knew, I confused it with prose. Thus, the more I stuck to the journalistic canons, that of the ABC in expressing, and not impressing as I was told: Accurate, Brief and Concise. Period.
I just couldn't get it. Say for instance, if a guy thought a woman is pretty and her eyes are beautiful, why compare her to a flower and her eyes to the moon, the sun or the stars?
Why waste so many words?
And I also hold this now not-so-secret assumption in my mind and I am deeply sorry now that this may sound hilarious yet offensive to some: the men, specifically, those who appreciate, write or read poetry to the love of their lives (e.g. friend, fiancée, wife or mother) must be gay. What I mean is that, why accessorize the simplest ‘I like/love you’ with so many adjectives?
Or if you ever feel mad, sad, or glad, why can’t you say it clearly?
Then I began to associate it with going to an opera concert where all notes are sung in falsetto which to me, at first, was another completely incomprehensible art form.
Until I obtain a copy of the lyrics of the Three Tenors Pavarotti, Carreras or Domingo, I would be truly certain they were, in fact, singing and not hyperventilating. (Now I plead guilty of malicious mischief vs. Classical Music so I could still post bail, plea bargain, or maybe, just maybe, the judge would be kinder and only allow me to render community service, by sweeping the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ halls with a G-Clef tied to my neck for a year in between flats and sharps!)
Or, so I assumed.
And how I laughed at the theatrical way the words (they can dance, scream, sigh, smile or laugh, they say) are crafted and the rhymes sounded.
Not that all poetry should rhyme I learned later.
I also notice that compared to the other literary pieces, it is one with the ever two, three, four or five-stanza way of presenting itself on paper---and with lots of spaces, too. How does one in his or her right senses but read it with rise and fall of eyes, nose, tongue and voice?
Now you can picture why I liken it to theater this time.
Like theater, poetry, to me then, lives in a completely make-believe world on-stage which can only be recited by a few aficionados and not really anchored on reality and something that I can truly say is empirical.
It is like art for the sake of art- meaningless, only aestheticized (pardon for the improvised term) words that do not accomplish anything substantial, except, amuse a limited audience for a brief time. (Am sure legions of Art lovers/enthusiasts, dead or otherwise, would like to hang me in a gallow like Saddam for crimes against Humanities :)
Call me a complete idiot or barbaric but that was before my ‘Eureka' moment, my ultimate enlightenment.
I admit I graduated from UP’s Humanities Division and supposedly the bastion of everything about the Arts and Letters but I think that shut-eye (as ever the Sleeping Queen) and a closed mind (and heart, mostly) got the better of me during my Arts Appreciation classes better known as Humanities I & II in college and even prior to that in high school as the integrated MAPE (Music, Arts and Physical Education).
Well, I had my share of nursery rhymes taught by my mother as early as I was two years old. But those are, of course, very elementary and memorized I did just for the sake of the candy or the cents after my repartee.
How devastatingly and despicably a disservice could I ever be?
To a dignified form of expression that has saved more souls than I never thought possible, here, please accept my deepest, sincerest, humblest apologies. Lest I die and be forever etched in infamy as persona non grata of my generation and those long reposed in their graves-grandfathers , grandmothers and great guardians of humanity and all its history.
My journey to poetry appreciation began when I got to know passionate (and deeply political) men, who, surprisingly, loved poetry that they can bite a bullet at one point.
Am talking about, for one, Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero.
Rizal, a man of many talents, whether with words or with handiworks and who donned many hats during his lifetime - poet, sculptor, engineer, agriculturist, polyglot, youth leader, eye doctor, writer, debater, martial artist, teacher to name a few, for me, next to Christ, wrote the best ‘Adios’ charge to go about doing good.
I began researching on many valiant men, who, were at some point shaped or influenced by a poem --- or a lyrical taunt/encouragement using the fiercest, most moving words that fueled their heroic acts (Nazareth’s Christ, America’s Col. Sullivan, Ireland’s Michael Collins, Scotland’s Sir William Wallace).
Voila, I was in fact, discovering one of my life’s greatest frights!
These men, whose hearts were bigger than their heads, had such appetite for the poetic expressions, were actually objective realists!
Add to that the Samurai warriors of Japan, who, aside from their ‘bushido’ (the Warrior’s Code), simultaneously learn about poetry, crafts, literature, sword-making, among other things.
That got me into thinking, poetry, indeed is a language of passion (tantamount to sound character), of power (equal to positive influence/example) , and of politics (to lead by servanthood) that shaped—and it still does, the history of nations.
It is not after all, just flowery words or unintelligible mumblings.
And in his advanced years, I have my very own octogenarian living hero of Philippine Literature whom I fondly call, Sir F. Sionil Jose* to thank for!
He opened up my eyes to a better grasp of such great poets such as Robert Frost, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and Robert Browning—men of deeper thoughts and wisdom and armed with words even mightier than the sword.
This, my Filipino generation truly groans for a Renaissance first, a Revolution next!
____________ ___
* Tears At Twilight – An Interview With Francisco Sionil Jose is published in the 2nd issue of the Unbound -Start Thinking Magazine. You may avail of copies at the B-Room, Crossroad 77, Mother Ignacia Cor. Scout Reyes Sts., Quezon City or you may address e-mails to inquiries@thinkunbound.com .

Philippines: State of the Nation Address July 2007

I got this from the mail. I am refreshed by my friend's response: Hope for our country --- in spite or despite of _____.

"Happy" reading anyway.


-----------

Hi!

At the end of the day, we are still Filipinos!
No ifs, no buts, no excuses...

Praying this inspires us to outdo ourselves (not always the "government" to outgive itself).

Clarice "Melon"

State of the Nation Address: SONA 2007

|Written on July 23rd, 2007 by nick | Posted in Government |

Philippines, July 23, 2007 - The following is verbatim copy of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s State of the Nation Adress for 2007. Held in front of the 14th Congress with Manny Villar as Senate President and Jose De Venecia as the speaker of the house for the fifth time.
Thank you. Thank you very much Speaker De Venecia, Senate President Villar, other newly elected leaders of both Houses, congratulations to you, Senators and Congressmen and Congresswomen. Vice President De Castro, former President Ramos, Chief Justice Puno, our host Mayor, Mayor Sonny Belmonte, other government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, ladies and gentlemen.
We meet here today to inaugurate a new Congress after a fresh election. I congratulate every elected official, from municipal to provincial to Congress on hard fought and successful campaigns.
Tapos na ang halalan at pamumulitika; panahon na para maglingkod nang walang damot, mamuno nang walang pangamba maliban sa kagalingan ng bayan, and to govern with wisdom, compassion, vision and patriotism.
Hangarin kong mapabilang ang Pilipinas sa mayayamang bansa sa loob ng dalawampung taon. By then poverty shall have been marginalized; and the marginalized raised to a robust middle class.
We will have achieved the hallmarks of a modern society, where institutions are strong.
By 2010, the Philippines should be well on its way to achieving that vision.
With the tax reforms of the last Congress, and I thanked the last Congress, we have turned around our macroeconomic condition through fiscal discipline, toward a balanced budget. Binabayaran ang utang, pababa ang interes, at paakyat ang pondo para sa progreso ng sambayanang Pilipino!!! Maraming salamat ulit sa nakaraang Congress.
We have been investing hundreds of billions in human and physical infrastructure. The next three years will see record levels of well thought out and generous funding for the following priorities:
First, investments in physical, intellectual, legal and security infrastructure to increase business confidence. Imprastraktura para sa negosyo at trabaho. Isang milyong trabaho taon-taon.
Second, investments in a stronger and wider social safety net - murang gamot, abot-kayang pabahay, eskwelang primera klase, mga gurong mas magaling at mas malaki ang kita, mga librong de-kalidad, more scholarships for gifted students, and language instruction to maintain our lead in English proficiency. Dunong at kalusugan ang susi sa kasaganaan.
Third, investments in bringing peace to Mindanao; in crushing terrorism wherever it threatens regardless of ideology; and in putting a stop to human rights abuses whatever the excuse.
We pay tribute to the fearless fourteen who were savagely massacred at Tipo-Tipo trying to pursue a peaceful and progressive Philippines. We will not disappoint their hopes. We will not waste their sacrifice. We will not be swayed from the course we have set in this conflict for peace with justice throughout our land.
We have created a Philippine model for reconciliation built on inter-faith dialogue, expanded public works and more responsive social services. These investments show both sides in the Mindanao conflict that they have more at stake in common; and a greater reason to be together than hang apart, including being together isolating the terrorists.
Imprastraktura ang haliging nagtitindig hindi lamang ng kapayapaan kundi ng ating buong makabagong ekonomiya: mga kalsada, tulay, paliparan, public parks and power plants.
Last year I unveiled the Super Regions - Mindanao, Central Philippines, North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, Luzon Urban Beltway and the Cyber Corridor - to spread development away from an inequitable concentration in Metro Manila. Hindi lamang Maynila ang Pilipinas.
The Super Regions was not a gimmick for the occasion but the blueprint for building a future.
In Mindanao, our food basket, I said we would prioritize agribusiness investments. And I am happy to see that the latest survey in June shows the hunger rate has sharply gone down nationwide. We have done that.
The Departments of Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, and Environment and Natural Resources will devote 30 percent of their program budgets to Mindanao. DAR will move to Davao.
Dapat maging daan sa tagumpay sa agribusiness ang reporma sa lupa. Done right, reform will democratize success, as Ramon Magsaysay and Diosdado Macapagal envisioned. We must reform agrarian reform so it can transform beneficiaries into agribusinessmen and other agribusiness women.
Sa gayon, dadami pa ang mga tampok na magsasaka gaya ng mga nagwagi ng Gawad Saka, sina Ananias Cuado ng Comval at Demetrio Tabelon ng Butuan; at Nelson Taladhay ng Sultan Kudarat, pangunahing agrarian reform beneficiary ng 2007. We also have outstanding farmers from the other superregions, like Joseph Fernando and Heherson Pagulayan, Nestor Bautista, Joseph Lomibao, Arturo Marcaida, Peter Uy, Arturo Pasacas and Glenn Saludar.
Sa anim na taon nagtayo tayo at nag-ayos ng patubig para sa isang milyong ektarya sa buong bansa - pinakamalaki sa matagal na panahon.
Magtatayo tayo ng mariculture o palaisdaan sa dagat. Isa rito ay ilalagay natin sa Sibutu. Hiling ito ni Nur Jaafar.
Para sa buong bansa naglaan tayo ng P3 billion para sa tatlong libong kilometro ng farm to market roads. Sanlibong kilometro sa Mindanao. Gawa na ang tatlong daan.
The road and RORO network has cut the cost of bringing agribusiness products from Mindanao to Luzon. A 10-wheeler used to pay P32 thousand from Dapitan to Batangas. Now it pays P11 thousand. Fresh fish that cost P20 thousand a ton to move, now travels at P14 thousand.
Construction is criss-crossing Mindanao: Dapitan-Dakak to bring Cely Carreon’s paradise closer to civilization; Sibuco-Siraway- Siocon-Baliguian ; Dinagat Island Network, a baptismal gift for Glenda Ecleo’s new province; the 66-kilometer Manay-Mati section of Davao-Surigao; and Maguindanao- Lebak, Sim Datumanong’s brainchild when he headed DPWH.
We want better airports, new bridges and ample energy for Mindanao’s rising economy.
The Dipolog and Pagadian airports will be improved by year’s end. Also the Cotabato airport. No doubt eagerly awaited by Au Cerilles, Rolando Yebes, Digs Dilangalen, Ros Labadlabad and Victor Yu, and Mayors Evelyn Uy and Sammy Co.
Last July 10 we inaugurated the P1.7 billion, 900 meter bridge in Butuan, built on the initiative of Mayor Boy Daku Plaza, near the P4 billion second-generation flood control project that we also built. The first was built by my father after the great Butuan flood of the 1960’s. Kailangan ipagtanggol ang kapaligiran at mamamayan sa sakuna.
In Agusan del Norte, I hope Edel Amante will be happy with our plans to pilot micro agribusiness in Jabonga.
On July 8, Ozamis Airport opened, bankrolled partly by Leo Ocampos, Aldo Parojinog and Hermie Ramiro’s congressional fund. Now, that’s the kind of pork that has good cholesterol.
At that occasion the MOU was signed for the Pangil Bay Bridge that will connect Ozamis to Lanao del Norte and Iligan. As urged by Bobby Dimaporo, I declared Mt. Inayawan Range a protected nature park. On Mayor Lawrence Cruz’s recommendation, I instruct DPWH to build the Iligan Circumferential Road.
In 2001, we opened a solar plant in Cagayan de Oro. Still, Mindanao faced a 100-megawatt gap by 2009 out now a 210-megawatt clean coal plant in Phividec will fill that gap. We count on Oca Moreno and Tinex Jaraula to continue providing a good investment climate.
We thank Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Migz Zubiri for sponsoring the Biofuels Law in the last Congress. We now have 160 thousand hectares of jatropha nurseries in Bukidnon and 30,000 in General Santos. Jatropha is a 100% substitute for diesel, with only 5% of its emission.
Mindanao’s energy challenge lies not in generating power but in power lines. Terrorists target transmission towers. We must resolutely apply the Human Security Act. This act was first filed by Johnny Enrile in 1996, 3 years after the first World Trade Center bombing, 4 years before the Rizal Day bombing and 5 years before 9/11. He ably crafted the final Senate version with Senate President Manny Villar and Nene Pimentel.
Let’s now go to Central Philippines, our tourism super region:
* We protect its natural wonders and provide the means to travel to those wonders.
* For Boracay, the leading overall destination, the Kalibo Airport is now international with an instrument landing system as we said last year. Next is an P80 million terminal on request of Joben Miraflores.
* The Aklan-Libertad- Pandan Road, waiting for Japan to approve the contractors, will connect Boracay to the nature park we declared in Northwest Panay Peninsula. We are improving other Panay roads and building the road from the Iloilo Airport which we inaugurated in Santa Barbara to Iloilo and the Metro Radial Road that Mayor Jerry Trenas asked for when we inaugurated the airport, Art Defensor conceived the airport when he was governor, Governor Neil Tupaz midwifed its delivery when we inaugurated the airport, I said …
* Iloilo connects to Guimaras via Jordan Wharf. We thank Congress for the P900 million oil spill calamity fund to save the environment of Guimaras. I thank once again the previous Congress. It is back on its feet. The other side of the island will connect to Bacolod soon because we started building the Sibunag RORO Port last May on recommendation of Governor, now Congressman, Rahman Nava.
* Bacolod-Silay Airport, near the nature park we declared in Northern Negros, is completed and just awaiting the access road requested by Monico Puentavella.
* We awarded the contract for upgrading the Dumaguete airport as I reported to George Arnaiz last week.
* Boracay investors are expanding in Palawan, whose Tubbataha Reefs we declared a nature park. After the Puerto Princesa-Roxas Road last year, we opened Taytay-El Nido in March. The P1 billion Taytay-Roxas section is ongoing. San Vicente airstrip and Busuanga Airport are under construction. And Mayor Hagedorn is reminding us to work on the Puerto Princesa terminal.
* Under construction are airport aprons of the surfing edens: Governor Ben Evardone’s pet project in Guiuan and Lalo Matugas’s home town in Siargao.
* A 100-megawatt energy gap looms in the Visayas in 2009. The Korea Electric plant in Cebu will plug in 200 megawatts only in 2010 so there’s a one year gap. Meantime three power barges will supply 100 megawatts and the Panay diesel power plant will increase its run from 70 megawatts to 100.
* In Central Cebu, we proclaimed a nature park. From Cebu, the top destination for foreign tourists, they can easily radiate to other destinations. Optimism is infectious, and opportunity irresistible. Progress follows progress. Someone, even government, just has to get it started.
* Going south, Cebu connects to Tubigon and on to Ubay, Jagna and Panglao through the Bohol Circumferential Road that we inaugurated last May 9. The local government has acquired 85 percent of the land for the international airport on Panglao Island, now a tourism destination of its own.
* Ubay links to Maasin RORO Port which was completed last October. Now I hope there will be more divers for Mian Mercado.
* Jagna RORO Port opened last May 9. It will connect to Loloy Romualdo’s Mambajao in November, and on to Guinsiliban, the gateway to Mindanao.
* Going north from Cebu City, we take the North Coastal Road to Daanbantayan which was recommended to us by Gwen Garcia. Heavy traffic will ease when the P1.2 billion Mandaue-Consolacion Bridge opens. This will be good not only for Malapascua tourism but also for Nitoy Durano’s industrial city of Danao.
* Daanbantayan, Benhur Salimbangon’s home port, connects to Naval, Maripipi, or Esperanza, which started construction last May. We aim to finish all three RORO Ports next year.
* Esperanza will link by road to Aroroy in 2009. I’ll be there with Lina Seachon and Tony Kho for the inauguration. Please invite me.
* Last May, I switched on the lights of Masbate in a Palace ceremony. But the long-term solution will come next year when a new power plant will serve half a million customers on the beautiful but isolated island of Masbate.
* From Aroroy we can go to Claveria, whose RORO ramp is under construction. On to Pasacao where RORO operations started in 2002. That’s Bong Bravo of Claveria. This brings us to Bicol, including Mt. Isarog Park.
* Mt. Isarog feeds the Bicol River. For the next three years we are funding the Bicol River Basin and Watershed with the World Bank at $15 million for irrigation, flood control and water conservation. For Bicol, we have given P7 billion for the Bicol Calamity and Rehabilitation Effort, that is the biggest one-time calamity fund release in our history. At last, Bicol is getting its rightful share.
And, so is the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle:
* We are building 1,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads; 200 are done. Ngayong tapos na ang election ban, pinapaspasan ang trabaho para sa nalalabing target.
* Halsema Highway from Mount Data to Bontoc and the Tabuk-Tinglayan Road are being built. If you look the chart, there is something incomplete in between.
* So that the Cordillera LGUs can build more of their much-needed roads, I ask Congress to require companies to pay directly to the LGUs their share of the natural wealth. I hope, Governor Dalog hears that.
* Nagtatayo tayo ng mga paliparan para sa mga produkto ng agribusiness.
* Noong 2005 nagka-airport sa Baler. Sunod ang airport sa Casiguran. At kalsada sa pagitan.
* There were no takers in the bidding for to upgrade the Batanes runways so ATO will get it done before the end of the year with the support of DPWH and Governor Telesforo Castillejos.
* Joe de Venecia and Mayor Nani Braganza are asking for an airport in Alaminos. Will do.
* The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority and the private sector expanded the San Vicente naval airstrip, so we don’t have need to build Lallo.
* Sa Lallo naman mayroon tayong inaprobahan na agribusiness ecozone. Ang mga agribusiness ecozone ay payo ni Pangulong Ramos. Chief Justice Puno, I am happy to see you here. It is the first time that a Chief Justice attended.
* The Tarlac-La Union Toll Road will be advertised for private sector BOT bidding this August.
* Poro Point’s international terminal started construction early this year. The Bagabag airport is being lengthened. We are spreading the cheer across the political spectrum from Vic Ortega to Caloy Padilla. Inuuna ang bansa, at itinatabi ang politika.
* Some towns in Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Isabela are included in the geo-hazard mapping we have done for 700 cities and towns all over the country to protect the environment.
* The Bangui Bay Wind Power Project which was put up when Bongbong Marcos was governor, is now expanding. Sa paggamit ng hangin, nababawasan ang kailangang langis sa enerhiya.
And now the Luzon Urban Beltway, our top magnet for industry and investment:
* This quarter we start the P5 billion Mt. Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project that will protect San Fernando City, Sasmuan, Guagua and my home town Lubao from flooding.
* The Subic-Clark- Tarlac Express Road is in its final stages. This first-world road will cut travel time between Clark and Subic from two hours to 30 minutes. Gagawa tayo ng interchange sa Porac, bayan ni Lito Lapid.
* Last Thursday with Dick Gordon we inaugurated the container port that will make Subic together with Clark one of the best international service and logistics centers in the region.
* Clark airport got its approach control radar in April. It now has 50 international flights and 50 cargo flights a week, the second busiest after NAIA. We want more airline service centers there. Now, speaking of NAIA, I’m sure everyone wants to know about NAIA Terminal 3. The ceiling that fell wasn’t the only thing in danger of falling. There are more serious dangers from construction and structural defects. We cannot risk the grim consequences of a major earthquake. But NAIA is accelerating the remediation, completion and opening of the terminal. Public safety comes first.
* Since public safety comes first, I ask Congress to create the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
* Last year, I said we would connect North and South Expressways through C-5. Ginagawa na ang C-5 bandang Katipunan. Kausap na ang UP para sa bagong daan patungong Commonwealth, na kasulukuyang pinapalapad at North Avenue. Sa kabilang dulo ng Mindanao Avenue, binibili na ang lupa para sa bagong daan mula Barangay Talipapa hanggang Malinta at tuloy sa NLEX. Sana bumawas ang trapik pa-North Manila.
* We just broke ground to continue the Skyway up to Alabang. In a year the fast train from Caloocan to Alabang will be serving thousands daily. From Alabang to Santo Tomas the South Luzon Expressway is currently being widened. And by March, Ricky Reyes SLEX will reach Batangas Port.
* The Coastal Road to Bong Revilla’s province is finally under construction. * Our investment in vital infrastructure is already bearing fruit, such as the $1-billion Hanjin shipbuilding facility, said to be the largest in the world, and the $1-billion Texas Instruments microchip plant in Clark. Maging ex-OFW at ex-tambay kapwang nakahanap ng trabaho sa mga malalaking puhunan na ito.
* As we build industry, we must ensure people have clean air to breathe. We have closed 88 firms for polluting the environment. Gaya ng sabi ko, una ang kaligatasan ng publiko.
* We proclaimed a critical habitat within the coastal lagoon of Las Pinas and Paranaque.
* Maynilad’s new owners have invested P7 billion to bring clean and, at last, running water to Paranaque, Parola and elsewhere. Manila Water did a similar P2 billion project for Antipolo.
* Gumagawa tayo ng septage tank sa Antipolo sa halagang P600 million na maglilinis ng sewage bago ito dumaloy sa mga estero, gaya ng tinayo ng Manila Water sa Taguig at sa San Mateo.
* Matapos ang maraming taong usapan, ang ating administrasyon ang nakapagsimula ng Flood Control Project sa Kalookan, Malabon, Navotas at Valenzuela (CAMANAVA).
* On energy, Luzon needs 150 megawatts more by 2010. This is covered by the 350-megawatt, $350 million expansion of the Pagbilao plant by Marubeni and Tokyo Electric, part of their $4 billion that constitutes the biggest Japanese investment in Philippine history.
* We count on the Governor Raffy Nantes and the people of Quezon to somehow to reduce the cost of electricity. I ask Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act for open access and more competition.
The Cyber Corridor encompasses centers of technology and learning running the length of all the super regions, from Baguio to Clark to Metro Manila to Cebu to Davao and neighboring areas.
The Philippines ranks among top off-shoring hubs in the world because of cost competitiveness and more importantly our highly trainable, English proficient, IT-enabled management and manpower.
IT ability won for Warren Ambat of Baguio City High the most innovative teacher and leadership award in Cambodia last February, topping contestants from 70 countries, congratulations to our contestants, women.
Information technology will help the BIR bring in more taxes in the coming months. Its Revenue Watch Dashboard will monitor revenue collections in real time from the national level down to the examiners. The LGU Revenue Assurance shares information between the BIR and the LGUs to uncover fraud and non-payment, before heads would roll per Danny Suarez’s Attrition Law.
While our strength in contact centers is well-established, we are now focused on growing the higher value-added services, including accounting, legal, human resources and administrative services.
And, so that no Taiwan tremor can cut off our cyber services from their global clients, PLDT and Globe are investing P47 billion in new international broadband links through other regional hubs for redundancy in our cyber space.
The business services sector has become the fastest growing in the economy providing 400,000 jobs compared to 8,000 in 2000. By 2010 the forecast is one million jobs earning $12 billion, the same amount remitted by our overseas Filipinos today.
On Safety Net and Education
Last year I said that in today’s global economy, knowledge is the greatest creator of wealth. Mahusay na edukasyon ang pinakamabuting pamana natin sa ating mga anak. Yun din ang tanging pamana na ayon sa batas kailangang ibigay sa bawat mamamayan.
This year, we are investing more for education: P150 billion, P29 billion more than last year.
And, last year government and private sector built 15,000 classrooms instead of the usual 6,000.
Noon, isang libro bawat limang mag-aaral. Ngayon, tig-isang aklat na bawat grade schooler.
One third of our public high schools now have Internet access, with private sector support.
We have a scarcity of public high schools but a surplus of private high schools. So instead of building more high schools, we give more high school scholarships - 600,000 scholars this year.
For College, we launched a P4 billion fund for college loans, to increase beneficiaries from 40,000 to 200,000.
And for teachers, we have created more than 50,000 teaching positions. But we have to improve their training.
Benefits, too. Salamat, dating Senador Tessie Oreta at dating Congressman Dodong Gullas, na di na kailangan ng mga guro maghabol sa Maynila ng sweldo at pension. Pinoproseso na sa rehiyon sa regionalization ng payroll.
Teachers and all other national government employees get a raise effective end of this month.
Sa TESDA, bukod sa mga sariling kurso nagbibigay ito ng mga scholarship sa vocational schools: P600 million noong isang taon, P1 billion ngayon. May P1 bilyon pa ang DOLE.
We are investing P3 billion in science and engineering research and development technology, including scholarships for masters and doctoral degrees programs in engineering in seven universities. Upgrade know-how and learning, and Filipino talent is unbeatable.
Proof is biochemist Baldomero Olivera of the University of Utah who was named Scientist of the Year by the Harvard Foundation.
In the International Math and Science Olympiad 2006 in Jakarta, Robert Buendia of Cavite Central School and Wilson Alba of San Beda Alabang won the gold. Congratulations, guys. Six Filipinos bagged the awards at the Intel Young Scientists Competition in New Mexico last May: Ivy Ventura, Mara Villaverde, Hester Mana Umayam and Janine Santiago of Philippine Science High; Melvin Barroa of Capiz National High, congratulations, Melvin; and Luigi John Suarez of Benedicto National High. Congratulations naman. Last week Filipino students topbilled by Amiel Sy of the Philippine Science High dominated the Mathematics
World Contest in Hong Kong. Congratulations, Amiel. Congratulations Philippine Science High School. Earlier this month Diona Aquino of the Presidential Management Staff won with her team from UP the Youth Innovation Competition on Global Governance in Shanghai.
Ito ay malaking kunsuwelo sa atin. We have spent more on human capital formation than ever in the past. Why? Because if government of the people and by the people is not for them as well, it is a mockery of democracy.
May malaking pag-angat ang kalagayan ng maralita, gaya ng trabaho, pag-aaral at pagamot. Look at the chart on new poor fare.
Sa unang pagkakataon, gumastos ang Philhealth ng higit P3 bilyon sa paospital ng maralita.
Noong 2001 sinabi kong hahatiin natin ang presyo ng gamot na madalas bilhin ng madla. Ngayon sampung libong Botika ng Barangay ang nagtitinda ng murang gamot. Ang paracetamol na tatlong piso sa labas ay piso lamang sa Botika ng Barangay. Ang antibiotic na binibenta ng mga pangunahing parmasya sa P20 ay P2 lamang.
Kaya sa isang survey, halos kalahati ang nagsabing abot-kaya ang gamot, kumpara sa 11% noong 1999.
So we can spread this even more, I ask Congress to pass the Cheaper Medicines Bill that was almost enacted in June. Almost is not good enough. Let’s help Mar Roxas, Ferge Biron and Teddy Boy Locsin give our people meaningful, affordable choices, from abroad and here in the Philippines.
I also ask Congress to pass legislation that brings improved long term care for our senior citizens. Asahan natin si Ed Angara.
Si Noli de Castro na isa pang kampeon ng senior citizens ay namumuno ng ating programa sa pabahay. Congratulations, Noli. The low interest rates for housing are unprecedented. Naglaan ang Pag-IBIG ng P25 billion na pautang, six times the amount when we started it in 2001. P50 billion pa ang ilalaan hanggang 2010.
On Terrorism and Human Rights
We fight terrorism. It threatens our sovereign, democratic, compassionate and decent way of life.
Therefore, in the fight against lawless violence, we must uphold these values. It is never right and always wrong to fight terror with terror.
I ask Congress…I urge you to enact laws to transform state response to political violence: First, laws to protect witnesses from lawbreakers and law enforcers. Second, laws to guarantee swift justice from more empowered special courts. Third, laws to impose harsher penalties for political killings. Fourth, laws reserving the harshest penalties for the rogue elements in the uniformed services who betray public trust and bring shame to the greater number of their
colleagues who are patriotic.
We must wipe this stain from our democratic record.
Ngunit pangunahin pakikibaka pa rin para sa karapatan ang pagpapalaya ng masa sa gutom at kahirapan.
Together with economic prosperity is the need to strengthen our institutions of government. Let’s start with election reform. We have long provided funds for computerization. We look forward to the modernization of voting, counting and canvassing.
We can disagree on political goals but never on the conduct of democratic elections. I ask Congress to fund poll watchdogs. And to enact a stronger law against election-related violence.
We must weed out corruption and build a strong system of justice that the people can trust. We have provided unprecedented billions for anti-graft efforts. Thus the Ombudsman’s conviction rate hit 77% this year, from 6% in 2002. We implemented lifestyle checks, dormant for half a century. Taun-taon dose-dosenang opisyal ang nasususpinde, napapatalsik o kinakasuhan dahil labis-labis sa suweldo ang gastos at ari-arian nila.
Firms who were asked for bribes in taxes, permits and licenses dropped from one-third to one-half. Contract bribes are also down. Graft won’t be eliminated overnight but we are making progress.
In Conclusion
What I have outlined today is just a sampler of our P1.7 trillion Medium Term Public Investment Program. How will we fund all these? P1 trillion from state revenues, with tax reforms and firm orders to BIR and Customs to hit their targets. P300 billion from state corporations. The balance from government financial institutions, private sector investments, local government equity and our bilateral and multilateral partners.
Our new confidence and momentum for progress have imbued our foreign relations, with the ASEAN Summit last year and the coming ASEAN Regional Forum, with increased assistance from our allies and with continued support for our peace and security efforts in Mindanao.
We were able to strengthen our economy because of the fiscal reforms that we adopted at such great cost to me in public disapproval. But I would rather be right than popular.
Our fundamentals are paying off in huge leaps in investment. Anim na milyong trabaho ang nalikha sa anim na taon, most in sustainable enterprises. Sa lakas ng piso, bumagal ang pagtaas ng bilihin.
It is my ardent wish that most of the vision I have outlined will be fully achieved when I step down. It is my unshakeable resolve that the fundamentals of this vision will by then be permanently rooted, its progress well advanced and its direction firmly fixed with our reforms already bearing fruit. All that will remain for my successor is to gather the harvest. He or she will have an easier time of it than I did.
They say the campaign for the next election started on May 15, the day after the last. Fine.
I stand in the way of no one’s ambition. I only ask that no one stand in the way of the people’s well being and the nation’s progress.
The time for facing off is over. The time is here for facing forward to a better future our people so desperately want and richly deserve.
Uulitin ko: Hindi ako sagabal sa ambisyon ninuman.
But make no mistake. I will not stand idly when anyone gets in the way of the national interest and tries to block the national vision. From where I sit, I can tell you, a President is always as strong as she wants to be.
Pagpalain tayo ng Diyos at ang dakilang gawaing hinaharap natin. The state of the nation is strong. Inyong lingkod, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas.

Smart Bro Ought to Be Sued

That's probably the most polite way I could put it.
(Believe me, other victims suggest far more violent means).
If you're not yet a subscriber, it's not worth your thousand, really.
At least dial-up allows you to send email.
For Smart Bro --- and the nerve it has to proclaim itself "Pambansang Broadband" -- a simple email with a 600 KB attachment takes 4 hours! As in 4 hours! to send!
I wish to say I am glad I am not alone:
The Smart Wifi Chronicles
Is Smart Bro Broken?

But this is one really big screw up.
Sigh.

I'm not supposed to rant here -- swear. But it was just so stressful. Sorry

I hope Smart cleans up its act.
Sigh.

Of Rainfalls and Flower Floats

It has started to rain here in Baguio. Quite early, my folks think. Last Sunday was the year’s first rain for me. We were being treated to a meal at Baguio Country Club then and it was wonderful watching the rain while enjoying the ambience of what still makes people from the lowlands or all over come back to Baguio. A Korean movie Clark Kent and I recently watched had this line: “Does the rain fall in drops or in threads?” It seemed like the rain was falling in threads during that time, but what do you think?

Baguio Country Club had its Flower Festival entry float parked front of the main entrance. It was pleasantly surprising to see that the flowers used for the float were not yet wilted or dried --- the cut flowers have actually lasted the week or more since they were tacked, glued and arranged to make what was one of the more eye-catching floats during the parade --- although it cannot be helped to compare it to Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach – because there was indeed a Horse (although not real) attached to a carriage like structure. I’m surprised that it didn’t win any award in the float contest though.

More next time.

Ciao.

Of Health and The Baguio Flower Festival

Hi Igan,

I’ve been reading through your blog and I celebrate with you for the last pair of meds that you have to take. Hurrah! Here’s to good health!
However, I’m in the middle of a cough and colds spell, actually - my second in a span of two weeks. It got me concerned because it might mean my immune system is weakening – I’m having infections right after I get rid of them. Not very good indeed --- and it’s always unpleasant to have the virus. I’ve been taking my own advice of water therapy – that is drinking lots of water --- and, although it is not my practice, as I try to avoid taking in medicine as much as I can – I took a cough capsule in the hopes of having relief for the night -- I still haven't gotten it though because I'm still barking like a dog every now and then as I write this.
I ought to be writing you more stories --- quite a pity because there are stories to tell and I just don’t take the time to sit down and write. Just recently, for example, The Baguio Flower Festival was held (It ended last Sunday, March 4) and Baguio was quite in a flurry of usual activities --- parades and trade fairs etc. I’m getting tired though, so I guess I’ll have you in on the details next time -- how' that for "bitin." :)

Ciao.

Ground Hog Day

It's been colder here in Baguio than it was in December or January --- Recently, Benguet farmers requested for a state of calamity to be called because frost has destroyed their crops... However, it gets very hot during the day.

I have just recently learned of America's Ground Hog Day, a day to determine whether winter will last six more weeks or if spring will come early - depends on whether a certain groundhog (and did you know, i recently learned that's the woodchuck) could see it's shadow during that day. Apparently, the ground hog (Punxsutawney Phil, officially) saw it's shadow this year.

And I learned of an old movie that goes by the title of that American Holiday -- tells the story of a man who lives the same day over and over until he becomes a transformed person in the end.

Anyway.... I got a nice read in my mail recently: Paradigm Shift. Get it from:
http://sanktuwaryo.blogspot.com/

Have a nice midweek.