Vol. 20, No. 8 -- Feb. 23 - Mar. 1, 2015 by Pahayagang BALIKAS

Feb. 23 - March 1, 2015 | Vol. 20, No. 8 | Php 12.00/copy : balikasonline@yahoo.com |  0912.902.7373 | 0926.774.7373

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Philippine Press Institute National Association of Newspapers Since 1964

 JOENALD

MEDINA RAYOS

PRICES of basic commodities keep on escalating. Communities remain prone to both natural and man-made calamities. Society will need to change, reorganise and learn from this through the ability of “resilience”. Resilience has surfaced widely as a discussion point in various sectors of society. This is the reason why Shell is hosting once again on Thursday, February 26, Powering Progress Together Asia – an annual forum that gathers hundreds of thought leaders from business, government and civil society to discuss timely issues on resilient development. This year, the forum will focus on Resilience in an Urbanising World and the vital role cities will play in developing liveable and sustainable environments. This is a significant topic for Asia since it is the most populous continent, and home to over half of the world’s megacities.

>>>FORUM... turn to P/3

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Safe driving summit, slated in Batangas Int’l pilgrim image TO help address the increasing number of road accidents involving motorcycles, world’s leading motorcycle manufacturer is partnering with the local government unit for a two-day safe riding summit in Batangas City, March 7 and 8. As a head start of the partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed

formalizing the collaboration. Congressman Raneo E. Abu and Mr. Petro M. Aguirre II represented the 2 nd District of Batangas while Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI) and Honda Safety Driving Center representatives were headed by Mr. Yasushi Okamoto, president and general manager; Mr. Gene Paralisan, assistant vice-president for safety driving promotions; Mr.

Masakazu Kawai, adviser for business administration division, among others. Honda emphasizes that preservation of life and happiness of rider is their top priority to be able to realize the joy and freedom of mobility and a sustainable society where people can enjoy life. Mr. Okamoto believes that this

>>>SAFETY....turn to P/2

EXCHANGE OF COPIES. Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI) president and general manager Yasushi Okamoto handed to Batangas 2nd District Congressman Raneo E. Abu a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding which they sign as [LR] Honda’s assistant vice-president for safety driving promotions Gene Paralisan; Masakazu Kawai, adviser for business administration division, and Mr. Pedro M. Aguirre II look on.| BALIKAS PHOTO

People Power

of Our Lady of Fatima dadalaw sa Lunsod Batangas

BIBISITA sa Shekina Chapel sa Montemaria Pilgrim Site, Brgy. Pagkilatan, Lunsod Batangas ang International Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Fatima, Peb. 27 - Marso 1. Sa unang araw ay magsisimula ang mga aktibidad sa pagsalubong sa Mahal na Ina sa ganap na ika-4:00 ng hapon. May Banal na Misa sa ganap na ika-6:00 ng gabi. Sa ikalawang araw ay may dawn procession (4:00AM), veneration at adoration sa Blessed Sacrament na susundan ng Misa (9:00AM) at sa hapon naman ay may station of the cross at healing mass. May vigil din mula alas dyes ng gabi hanggang alas dose ng hatinggabi. Ang farewell mass sa huling araw ay sa ika6:00 ng umaga. | RONNA E. CONTRERAS

Panawagan ni Arsobispo p. 3 Arguelles na “PNoy, resign!” di inayunan ni Kardinal Rosales

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Mga magtitinda ng karne sa p. 4 Lunsod, umapela sa konseho p. 6

NEWS

Balikas

Panawagan ni Arsobispo Arguelles na“PNoy, resign!”di inayunan ni Kardinal Rosales HINDI inayunan ni Manila archbishop Mamasapano incident, hindi naman Romulo Tolentino de la Cruz, emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales aniya dapat humantong ito sa pagre- Bayombong Archbishop Ramon Villena, ang panawagan ng kababayang Obispo resign ng pangulo. Naval Archbishop Filomeno Bactol at Kasama nina Tagle at Rosales sina Davao Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Ramon C. Arguelles, arsobispo ng Lipa, na humihiling ng pagbibitiw sa pwesto Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma at Capalla. ni Pangulong Benigno Simeon Aquino. Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias. Ipinaliwanag pa ng mga ito na hindi Magugunitang ilang obispo sa pa rin katanggap-tanggap ang mga “Their pronouncements are their personal actions and do not reflect as pamumuno ni Arguelles na kasapi ng paliwanag at paghuhugas-kamay ni the official stand of the CBCP (Catholic National Transformation Council (NTC) PNoy sa kaniyang responsibilidad sa Bishops Conference of the Philippines)”, ang nanawagang magbitiw na sa insidente na ikinamatay ng 44 PNP-SAF puwesto si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino. members. pahayag pa ni Rosales. Ang pahayag na ito ng Kardinal ay “The NTC has strongly articulated Naging paulit-ulit ang panawagang that the President should step down. bilang pagsang-ayon naman sa naunang pahayag ni Manila Archbishop Luis ito ni Arguelles upang mabigyang-daan Recent developments have made this call Antonio Cardinal Tagle na bagama’t ang isinusulong na “transformation” even more urgent and imperative,” ayon nanawagan sila para sa “truth and government. Kasama ng obispo sa pa sa kalatas ng NTC.| accountability” sa nangyaring panawagan sina Zamboanga Archbishop ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Feb. 23 - March 1, 2015

Inter-Island News Collated By RONALINA L. ELARMO

Cacao seedlings ipinamahagi ng PCA sa mga coco farmers ODIONGAN, Romblon — Ang tanggapan ng Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Romblon ay nagkaloob ng 125,000 cacao seedlings sa mga magsasaka ng niyog sa limang bayan sa lalawigan. Ito ay bilang karagdagang pagkakakitaan ng mga magsasaka sa panahong hindi pa maaaring anihin ang niyog. Sinabi ni Hazel B. Noche, Coconut Development Officer, may kabuuang 125,000 na seedlings ng cacao ang kanilang ipinamahagi kamakailan sa limang barangay sa iba’t ibang bayan ng probinsiya ng Romblon. Ang mga napiling barangay ay pinagkalooban ng tig-25,000 piraso ng binhi ng cacao na kinabibilangan ng Bgy. Hinugusan sa bayan ng San Agustin, Bgy. Camili sa bayan ng Alcantara, Bgy. Tuminggad sa bayan ng Odiongan, Bgy. Sablayan sa bayan ng Romblon at Bgy. Danao sa bayan ng Cajidiocan. Layunin ng programang ito ng PCA na mapaangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng mga magsasaka ng niyog sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanim ng cacao sa mga bakanteng lupain o sa pagitan ng mga tanim nilang niyog. Hinihikayat ng PCA ang mga magniniyog na patuloy na isulong ang intercropping sa kanilang mga lupain upang lumago ang kita ng mga ito sa mga produkto ng kanilang bagong uri ng pananim.| ........................................................................................................

350 pares ikinasal sa sa Mass Wedding

SCHOOL BUILDING INAUGURATION. Pinangunahan ni Gov. V ilma Santos Recto ang pagpapasinaya at inagurasyon sa bagong tayong 2 Storey 4 Classroom VSR School Type Building sa Natu Elementary School at Balibago Elementary School, kapwa sa Rosario, Batangas, Pebrero 16. Personal niyang ininspeksyon ang mga school building upang masiguro ang kalidad nito, kasama sina Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, DepEd School Division Superintendent Dr. Carlito Rocafort gayundin ang mga Barangay Officials.| Batangas PIO

............................................................................................................................... <<<‘SAFETY’... from P/1

Safe driving summit, slated in Batangas program can initially start the change and prevent chances of more accidents in the future. “We recognize the rapid increase in the number of road accidents involving motor vehicles with which the leading cause of accidents are the driver’s lack of safety mindset and vehicles mechanical failure – thus we

need to foster a culture of road safety,” he said. The activities on the upcoming Safety Riding Summit includes seminars, lectures, learn-to-ride, and safety riding challenge, among others; the latter being the most important part wherein the HSDC will give a meticulous assessment

of riders in terms of their know-how, skills, and good practice. The summit will be held at the grounds of the Batangas City Sports Coliseum. This is Honda’s 2nd summit, the first was held last year in Virac, Catanduanes.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

SAFETY AT ITS BEST. Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI) assistant vice-president for safety driving promotions Gene Paralisan (2nd from left) led Mr. Pedro M. Aguirre II (extreme left), Batangas’ 2nd District Congressman Raneo E. Abu and Batangas City Councilor Armando Lazarte (extreme right) in a short tour of the facilities of HPI manufacturing plant in Tanauan City.| BALIKAS PHOTO

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro – Nabiyayaan ng pribilehiyo ang may 350 pares na magpakasal ng libre kamakailan sa isinagawang kasalang bayan o mass wedding sa municipal gymnasium ng San Jose. Ang naturang proyekto ay sa pakikipagtulungan ng pamahalaang bayan ng San Jose (LGU) at Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) o mas kilala na Pag-IBIG (Pagtutulungan sa kinabukasan: Ikaw, Bangko, Industriya ay Gobyerno) Fund. Ayon kay Guillermo Alegre, branch head ng Calapan Pag-IBIG Fund, ang programang ito ay nagbigay ng pagkakataon upang maikasal ng libre ang mga miyembro ng HDMF sa bayan ng San Jose, magkasintahan o kaya’y nagsasama bilang mag-asawa subalit hindi pa kasal. “Ito iyong I do I do Araw ng Pag-ibig, na pinasimulan noon pang 2012. Last year nagkasal kami ng 153 couples sa Palawan kaya gusto naman namin na dito ganapin sa San Jose”, sabi ni Alegre. Ang Pag-IBIG Fund Calapan branch ay nakakasakop sa lahat ng miyembro ng rehiyon ng MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon at Palawan). Bukod sa libreng kasal ay binigyan ng HDMF ng wedding ring at bulaklak ang mga ikinasal samantalang naging katuwang ang LGU sa inihandang pagkain para sa lahat ng dumalo.| ........................................................................................................

Ugnayan sa mga resort sa MIMAROPA, patitibayin pa ng DoH HANDANG palakasin ng Department of Health (DOH) ang kakayahan ng mga resort na rumesponde sa mga magkakasakit na turista at mapigilan din ang pagkalat ng karamdaman sa Mimaropa. Kabilang sa hakbang na ito ang pagbibigay ayuda sa klinik ng mga resort. Ito ang isa sa mga pinoproyekto ng DOH-Mimaropa dahil ang rehiyon ay ikinakampanya ngayon bilang Destination of Choice (o ang pinipiling destinasyon)ng mga turista. “Maraming tourist areas sa loob ng Mimaropa pero kailangan natin silang maihanda para lalo pang maging ligtas ang lugar. Kaya sinabi ko sa aming staff, this second week of March, mag-conduct na tayo ng summit kasama ang mga resort owner,” paliwanag ni DOH-Mimaropa Director Eduardo Janairo. Sa sandaling luminaw pa ang ugnayan ng kagawaran sa mga resort owner, sinabi ni Director Janairo na mapapadali na ang pagtunton o contact tracing ng mga turistang magkakasakit at ng mga makakasalamuha nila sa rehiyon sa pamamagitan ng agaran pag-rereport. Mahalaga ito sa pagkumpirma ng mga kaso tulad ng Ebola Virus o kaya ng Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Pero hindi pa man nangyayari ang summit, maganda na ang koordinasyon ng mga malalaking resort at mga lokal na pamahalaan sa regional office. Isang halimbawa ang contact tracing sa dalawang dayuhan na napaulat na nakasabay sa eroplano ng isang kababayang pumusitibo sa MERS-CoV. Napabalitang pumasyal diumano ang dalawa sa isang eksklusibong resort sa Palawan. Sa ulat ng pangasiwaan ng Dos Palmas sa DOH-Mimaropa, hindi sila nagkaroon ng ganung mga bisita.|

NEWS

Feb. 23 - March 1, 2015

Balikas

Delegasyon ng Batangas City, hakot-awards sa 12th Nat’l Science Quest HINDI nagpahuli ang dele- Sandra Flores, Vanessa Joyce gasyon ng Division of Batan- Borbon, Banessa Bagting, gas City sa 12 th National Noel De Castro, Kim Irish Science Quest na ginanap sa Magadia at Meryl Joy Pasig National High School Mendoza. Ginawaran din ng karakamakailan. Sa Secondary Level ng ngalan bilang Most OutstanPrivate Schools, tinanghal sa ding ASEP (Association of unang pwesto sa Impromptu Science educators in the (Filipino) si Michael Jay Philippines) Coordinator sina Escobar ng Saint Bridget Dr. Sacoro Comia, EPS College. Science ng Division of Unang karangalan din Batangas City at si Mrs ang nakamit ni Lea Mae Es- Lorna Alvarez, President ng peleta ng Carmel School sa Science Club Advisers Technoquiz G-9 habang si Association of Batangas City Jeremiah James Factoranan (SCAAB). Kapwa sila ng King’s Kids ang nanguna tumanggap ng plake para dito. sa Sci-Doku. Ang mga kinatawan naman ng Regis Benedictine Ang delegasyon ng na si Coleen Mae Ramos at lungsod ay binubuo ng 108 ang gurong si Ms. Timmy mag-aaral at guro. Ang mga Lopez ang nagwagi sa ito ang nagwagi sa Regional Science Quest na ginanap sa Collage. Sa Public Schools, nag- Tagaytay City noong uwi ng unang karangalan si Nobyembre 2014. Ayon kay Dr. Comia, Jowie Ann dela Roca ng Pedro S. Tolentino MNHS sa malaking tulong ang Science Quiz G-9; Noreen maagang paghahanda o Grace Asi ng Pinamucan preparasyon ng mga bata at NHS sa Extempo (Fil) at si coaches kung kayat marami Johnnedel Pagsinohin ng silang naiuwing karangalan. Batangas National High Buwan ng Hulyo pa lamang School sa Techno Quiz 4 th aniya ay nagsasagawa na sila year. ng environmental science Tinanghal namang kam- camp bilang pagsasanay sa peon sa Creative- Modelling mga ito. Ipinaabot ng delegasyon ang grupo ng mga mag-aaral pasasalamat sa ng Sto. Nino NHS na sina ang Shaina Acero, Reahlyn pamahalaang lungsod ng Villena, Mark Reglos, Ericson Batangas sa transportation Tag-at, Rona Goot, Jerryco at financial assistance na Manzano, Rhine Ferolino, ipinagkaloob nito. | Jessa Cleofe, Kyle Denise Eje, RONNA E. CONTRERAS ........................................................................................................

Panawagan ng NTC na ‘PNoy resign!’, kinontra ng ilang sektor “THE Entire government must step down.” Ito ang naging panawagan ng National Transformation Council na pinangungunahan ni Tatad. Taliwas naman dito ang pulso ng Batangueno. “Hindi ako sang-ayon. Mag-intay na lamang ng Presidential Election, iilang taon na e… so yung panawagan na bumaba na si P-noy sa pwesto ay hindi napapanahon o nararapat.” Pahayag ni Brother Bernard Mendoza, isang electorate. Sang-ayon naman kay Gng. Adelaida my ari ng Flower Shop, hindi dapat ang president ang laging pinagbubuntunan dahil aniya hindi lahat ng kilos at galaw ng mamamayan upang umunlad at magbago ay hindi lagi ang pangulo ang makakaagapay. Para din sa kanya, hindi solusyon ang pagbaba ni P-noy. Isa ding kagawad ang nagpahayag ng paniniwalang hindi dapat pababain sa pwesto si Pangulong Aquino dahil wala ring mangyayari at nalalapit na rin ang pagtatapos ng ng termino ng pangulo. Kahit ang ilan estudyante at propesyonal ay hindi sumasang-ayon sa panawagang ito. Binibigyang-diin nila na kahit na magpapalit- palit man ng namumuno kung walang pagbabago sa sistema ay walang pagbabagong maganap.| LAURICE AN CASTILLO / MEAFE DIMAYUGA Like us: www.facebook .com/Balikas

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Isinagawa kamakailan ang turn over ceremonies at signing ng mga dokumento para sa donasyon ng Honda Philippines, Inc. ng Wave Motorcycles sa Sto Tomas LGU (Sto. Tomas PNP at Traffic Management Section). Dumalo mula sa HONDA sina G. Gene Paralisan, Asst. VP for Safety Riding & Institutional Sales Division); Atty. Joseph Adamos, manager, Corporate Affairs; G. Joy Quiniquini, External Affairs manager; at Ms. Stephanie Kinkito, Corporate Social Responsibility supervisor. Mula sa Sto Tomas LGU: Mayor Edna Sanchez, Vice Mayor Ferdinand Ramos, Atty. Arth Jhun Marasigan, P/Supt Palaleo Addag, TMS Head Norman Puno at mga empleyado ng munisipyo.| ROMEL MARTINEZ ................................................................................................................................................................

BPHSCA scholarship qualifying written examination, itinakda sa Pebrero 26

UPANG masiguro kung sino ang mga Performance test upang alamin ang ngayong taon na samantalahin ang karapat dapat sa Batangas Provincial kani-kanilang interes sa larangan ng pagkakataong ibinibigay ng High school for Culture and Arts sining tulad ng music, visual arts, Pamahalaang Panlalawigan na bukod sa (BPHSCA) scholarship, muling mag- dance, theater arts at creative writing. libreng dormitoryo ay nagkakaloob rin kakaroon ng qualifying written Lubos naman ang pasasalamat ni supplies allowance, clothing allowance at examination ang lahat ng mga nag- Bb. Dulce Amor Abante, punong-guro meal and transportation allowance. aasam na maging iskolar sa darating ng BPHSCA, sa patuloy na suporta ng Para sa mga nagnanais na maging na ika-26 ng Pebrero, araw ng Huwebes, administrasyong Santos-Recto sa iskolar at sa iba pang mga detalye, sa naturang paaralan edukasyon partikular sa kanilang paa- maaring makipag-ugnayan sa Ang qualifying written examination ralan na nabiyayaan ng 2 storey-6 class numerong 980-1505 o magsadya sa ay isa sa mga hakbang sa pag-aapply room school building na malaking tulong Batangas Province High School for upang maging scholar ng BPHSCA kung sa kasalukuyang 124 na scholars. Culture and Arts, sa Provincial Sports saan ang lahat ng papalaring makapasa Nanawagan rin ang punong-guro sa Complex, Bolbok, Batangas City.| rito ay dadaan naman sa isang mga magsisipagtapos ng elementarya JUN MAGNAYE ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

<<<‘FORUM’... from P/1

Shell hosts forum on resilient development Observers maintain that in the next forty years, most of the world’s population will be living in urban environments. And this rapid spate of development can bring progress to millions of lives – but only if future cities are planned well to be resilient against natural and man-made shocks. Daily traffic congestion and power outages can cause immense damage to a modern city as much as any typhoon or earthquake. Cities are rising as we speak. The discussion on best practices needs to happen now, to ensure a sustainable future for the next generation. Powering Progress Together Asia 2015 will include four interactive sessions, namely: · Resilience: Current Thinking and

Go away from drugs.... Harness your talents at

Trends – creates a deeper understanding of resilience and urbanisation in the face of the stress nexus, with special focus on the challenges and opportunities for Asian cities; · Case Studies on Resilience for Cities – discusses how innovative and eco-conscious urban planning can transform cities into smart hubs for sustainable progress; · Resilience and Its Implications on Business - explores how resource scarcity is helping business work in collaboration to design strategies to be resilient; and · Inspiring Stories of Innovation and Resilience - shares stories of innovative disaster mitigation and management as well as rehabilitation in response to climate risks A diverse group of leading experts –

amongst others His Excellency Asif Ahmad (British Ambassador to the Philippines), Ms Saya Kitasei (Head of Resilience at Xyntéo), Glynn Ellis (Strategic Energy Advisor, Shell Corporate Strategy and Planning), Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox, Jr. (green architect and urban planning expert), Holger Dalkmann (Director at Embarq, a World Resources Institute programme on sustainable transport), Stuart Hawkins (Coca-Cola Director for Sustainability - ASEAN), Illac Diaz (Social Entrepreneur, Liter of Light) and Luke Beckman (American Red Cross’ Situational Manager and expert on disaster management) – will embark on the search for greater resilience through interactive presentations, interviews and panel discussions.|

* Rehearsals * Rentals * Tutorial *Band Service

D’ BLADES JAMM

We welcome home-grown bands, ................................................................................................................................................................ We also offer: students, amateur jammers. <<<TRANSPORTASYON... mula sa P/1 Photobooth Service for all occasions. Call: 0926.774.7373

Panukalang coal-fired power plant, tinututulan

BLADES Centre, Guades Comp., Purok 3, Calicanto, Bats. City For inquiries and schedule, Call of Text 0912-902-7373.

Balikas

OPINION

Feb. 23 - March 1, 2015

SAYING NO to doesn’t make an individual really a pro-active steward of the environment, as saying Yes doesn’t make one the other way around. These past few weeks, the issue on whether it is sane or not to allow the construction of the 600 megawatt coal-fired power plant in barangay Pinamucan Ibaba is already the talk of the town so to speak. Some sectors, particularly the Roman Catholic church led by Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles is very vocal in opposing the project as proposed by JG Summit Holdings, Inc. (JGSHI). There have been fora and other conferences where oppositors are widely campaigning that the government should not permit the construction of the said project due to some fear of environm e n t a l hazards that the power plant is thought to be bringing, from coal residues that may pollute the Batangas Bay and the smoke that it may emit in the air and may cause respiratory problems to the communities living around the plant site. Meanwhile, JGSHI is the mother company of the JG Summit Petrochemicals Corp. (JGSPC), the maker of polyethylene and other basic components in the manufacture of plastic containers and other heavy duty materials we commonly used in households and commercial enterprises; and JG Summit’s naptha cracker plant. Balikas’ sources revealed that the proponents has submitted the application for locational clearance at the City Planning and Development Office as early as November 2014. Such application is still pending while the proponent’s application for Environmental Clearance Certificate is also pending at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. As a matter of procedural requirements, the proponent has to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for which the granting of an ECC will be based. Such EIA includes the conduct of a public hearing where all stakeholders necessarily participate. However, in as much as the application per se is concerned, saying Yes or No to the project should not done overnight. It is but fair that all sectors must be heard. The oppositions must not just condemn the proposal and instantly judge that the project will be just the same type of project where issues of environmental ills hounded the industry in the past. One has to scrutinize first the nature of the current project as proposed – the technology that it will utilize, the handling of coal materials, the storage facilities, and the process which the power plant will run. Of course, the standards set by the government as lettered in the Clean Air Act and other prevailing regulations and laws must be looked into also. Nevertheless, justice must be based on fairness and transparency.|

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Ang Mabuting Balita Ang Pagbautismo kay Jesus NANG panahong iyon, dumating si Jesus mula sa Nazaret sa Galilea, at siya'y binautismuhan ni Juan sa Ilog Jordan. Pagkaahungpagkaahon ni Jesus sa tubig, nakita niyang bumukas ang kalangitan at bumababa sa kanya ang Espiritu na tulad ng isang kalapati. Narinig niya ang isang tinig na mula sa langit at nagsasabing, "Ikaw ang minamahal kong Anak; lubos kitang kinalulugdan." Ang Pagtukso kay Jesus Pagkatapos, sa kapangyarihan ng Espiritu, si Jesus ay pumunta sa ilang. Nanatili siya roon nang apatnapung araw, at doo'y tinukso siya ni Satanas. Doon ay may mababangis na hayop ngunit si Jesus ay pinaglingkuran ng mga anghel. Ang Simula ng Pangangaral sa Galilea Nang ibinilanggo na si Juan, si Jesus ay nagpunta sa Galilea at ipinangaral doon ang Magandang Balitang mula sa Diyos. Sinabi niya, "Dumating na ang takdang panahon. Malapit nang maghari ang Diyos! e Kaya magsisi na kayo't talikuran ang inyong mga kasalanan. Paniwalaan na ninyo ang Magandang Balita!"

Maging bahagi ng responsableng pamamahayag. Mag-e-mail ng inyong mga komento, suhestiyon, puna, reklamo, balita, larawan, o maging pagbati sa balikasonline@yahoo.com

CBCP online

Saying “YES” or “NO” to the proposed coal-fired power plant

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People Power IT is not about numbers although a very large one will be needed if it is to be used in bringing down a political administration. It is not about personalities although political and religious figures are often involved in it. It is not a mob gathering although it comes with people uprising and mass protests. People power is more than any concept that one may use to describe it. Sociologists and social psychologists may explain its context and motivation but they cannot say when it shall occur. In fact, nobody can truly say when or whether it will happen. It is complex. It escapes explanation sometimes. In spite of this, highly technical minds are not needed to understand it. After all, it is a thing of the people or one that appears to be so. Amidst the allegations that he is instigating the men in uniforms to stage a coup de’ tat, Former National Security Adviser Norberto B. Gonzales admitted that he and his friends in the National Transformation Council (NTC) are advocating people power. It is not a coup de etat, but people power according to him. His declaration triggered mixed reactions. Government supporters dismissed his statement and insinuated that he was out of his mind. Some critics ventured that he is working for a Binay presidency after Aquino’s demise from power or for the comeback of jailed former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Of course, there are those who are hoping to say the same thing in a nationwide telecast but couldn’t because they do not have courage or the opportunity to do so. Since then, different groups and individuals have come out in the open claiming that they, too, are advocating people power against the present regime. People Power is a political magic word in times of political turmoil. Many had wished that it be repeated

again after its successful second in 2001. The present administration rebukes Gonzales yet many of its officials could not deny that they worked for it, along with the failed coups of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, et al. against the PGMA regime. Supporters of Pres. BS Aquino III claim that calls for people power and the need for change are irreconcilable. They assert the anti-corruption efforts of the regime will go to waste should a new regime take over. They believe that Aquino is the best president that the Philippines ever had. They are missing the point of course. Calls for people power is not limited to finding a successor to Aquino. In fact, many idealistic, good and talented people can do the jobs of the Presidency better. There is abundant supply of energetic and idealistic leaders in our country which the present failed electoral system continues to bar from getting into the public service. In truth, the present system can only offer more of the same; it cannot offer something different. Only people power can offer new, better alternatives to our people. People power refers not only to the process of changing ruling regimes, but also to the hastening of the process of change in the economic, social and political fields. Far from being a mere event, it is a dynamic process of change. Inherent in it is the act of galvanizing the sentiments of people for better future so that they will be capable of transcending their self interest and of consciously demanding radical and longstanding change towards the common good. People power represent the collective will to move forward together and dismantle the political structures that hinder freedom and progress. Nobody can predict when it shall happen. Nevertheless, there are times when people power becomes the only clear possible future.| A bilingual weekly newspaper of general circulation published by the PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS, INC., a corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Certificate No. CS201401804.

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Contributors: Jack L. Aquino | Jessie delos Reyes Jerome Jay C. Sapinoso

Columnists: Gerry M. Zamudio | Atty. Jesus Dureza Atty. Jose Sison | Atty. Ramel C. Muria Benjie Oliveros Cartoonist Janlei Benedict G. Rayos Nicetas E. Escalona Lifestyle Editor Member:

Ronalina B. Lontoc Special Project Editor

Benjie de Castro Circulation In-Charge

Cecille M. Rayos-Campo Maryjean Rentosa Official Representative - Lipa Office Batangas League for Alternative Development & Services (BLADES), Inc.

Ang pangalang “BALIKAS” ay hango sa mga salitang ‘balik’ at ‘kalikasan’. Hangad ng pahayagang ito na maging kasangkapan sa paghahatid ng mahahalagang impormasyon upang maibalik ang dating anyo ng ating inang kalikasan.|

OPINION

Feb. 23 - March 1, 2015

Just do it! TIWALA lamang sa kanyang sariling kakayahan ang puhunan noon ni Michael Jordan bago sya pumalaot sa professional basketball kung saan kinilala siya bilang isa sa mga katangitanging basketbolista. Noong college varsity pa lang sya, hindi siya nakitaan ng ugaling tamad o di kaya ay naghahanap ng dahilan sa mga bagay na siya’y pumalpak. Buong puso niyang ibinuhos ang kanyang buhay sa larong basketbol at dahil sa kanyang disiplina, naging lider sya ng Chicago Bulls na nagkopo ng sunod sunod na championship sa NBA.  Tuwing meron akong naririnig na todo hinaing kontra sa gobyerno o di kaya sa kalagayan ng ating lipunan, si Michael Jordan kaagad and pumapasok sa aking isipan. Nagtataka tuloy ako kung ang mga puro reklamo ay gumagawa ng mga pansariling hakbangin para maiayos ang mga problemang palagi laman ng kanilang pangungusap. Marami rin ako nakikitang nagpapalipas lamang ng oras sa kanilang mga trabaho nang walang positibong ginagawa, at kung may ginagawa man ay hindi naman sa ayos ang layunin. Hindi na kailangang maghanap pa tayo ng ehemplo dahil sa halos lahat ng bahay pamahalaan ay meron tayong mga kawaning kabilang sa mga ganitong uri.  Instead na i-focus natin ang ating atensyon at energy sa pagiging pabigat sa nakakarami nating

kasamahan, bakit hindi natin gawing positibo ang ating mga ugali, gawain at pananaw? Ako’y naniniwala na ang bawat isa sa atin ay merong marketable trait kung kaya yung mga binanggit ko na mga kawani ng gobyerno ay tinanggap sa trabaho. Naniniwala rin ako na sila ay kinuha para magsilbi, or at least mag peform ng specific task na ayon sa mandate ng kanilang opisina, at hindi para lamang mag antay ng uwian. Suweldo lang ba ang importante sa mga taong iyon?  Pasensya na muna sa tono ng aking pitak na ito, mga kababayan. I find it unfair kasi. Hindi makatarungan ang kalagayan kung saan marami ang nagkakaundagaga sa paghabol sa deadline upang patuloy na maging progresibo ang isang proyekto o trabaho samantala ang iilan ay tila bang walang pakialam kung ma-delay man o pumalpak ang isang delivery ng resulta ng isang ahensya ng gobyerno. Meron pa dyan napag tinanong mo walang alam. O di kaya ay tamad lang mag isip.  Di ba kayo masaya kung buong tatag ninyong tinataguyod ng maayos ang inyong papel sa inyong opisina? Mas maganda po ang feeling na yung pag oras na ng uwian ay alam mo na merong valuable kang kontribusyon sa opisinang iyong kinabibilangan. At

>>>ZAMUDIO....sundan sa P/7 ........................................................................................................................................................

Could President Aquino escape accountability for the Mamasapano fiasco? WHEN former president Fidel V. Ramos was insisting that the ultimate responsibility for the Mamasapano fiasco lies with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, being the commander-in-chief, Malacañang responded by saying that Ramos should wait for the results of the investigation. The Board of Inquiry of the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced this morning, February 20, that the investigation is 70 percent complete. So should the Filipino people, not only Ramos, wait for the results of the investigation to be announced? In his first nationwide address on the Mamasapano fiasco, President Aquino denied knowledge of the details of the operation and blamed the former chief of the Special Action Forces Getulio Napeñas for not following his instructions to coordinate with all government agencies concerned, including the acting chief of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

But when news came out later that former PNP Chief Alan Purisima was directing the operations dubbed as Oplan Exodus and that Purisima and Napeñas regularly briefed President Aquino about the developments, the President was compelled to hold another nationwide address on the very same issue. This time, President Aquino admitted that the buck stops with him but again pinned the blame on Napeñas for lack of “operational awareness” and for failing to adjust the operations accordingly. As a sweetener, he announced his acceptance of Purisima’s resignation, but only after praising him for his loyalty to the president. Since then, more damning information have surfaced: 1. Purisima, after meeting with the president, ‘advised’ Napeñas to inform the PNP chief, the AFP and the DILG only when the military operations have begun. >>>PERSPECTIVE.....turn to P/6

Benjie Oliveros

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Panlalamang ay di pwede BAGO nag-epekto ang New Civil Code noong August 30, 1950, may kapangyarihan ang mister na ibenta ang pag-aari nilang mag-asawa (Art. 1413 Old Civil Code). Ito ang ibig gamitin ni Bert sa kasong isinampa ng asawa niyang si Mercy. Sina Mercy at Bert ay ikinasal bago pa magkaroon ng epekto ang New Civil Code noong Agosto 30, 1950. Noong ikinasal sila, maraming nakuhang ari-arian ang mag-asawa lalo ang mga parsela ng lupa sa kanilang kinalakhang probinsiya na bunga ng magkatuwang nilang sikap at tiyaga. Nalango sa tinatamasang tagumpay, nag-umpisang magpasarap-buhay at mag”gudtaym” si Bert. Hindi nagtagal, nakipaglive-in na siya sa kanyang kalaguyo at inumpisahang ipagbebenta ang kanilang ari-arian nang hindi nalalaman ni Mercy. Kabilang sa kanyang mga nabenta ay dalawang lote na malapit sa kanilang bayan, kalahating parte ng lote bilang 10375 kay Emilia noong Agosto 1951 at ang kabuuan naman ng lote bilang 7924 kay Pedro noong Disyembre 1951. Ang dalawang bentahan ay nangyari noong umiiral na ang bagong batas. Nang malaman ni Mercy ang tungkol sa pambababae ng asawa at iba pang kalokohan na ginagawa nito, hiningi niya sa korte na siya ang gawing administrador na mamamahala sa kanilang ari-arian imbes na si Bert ang humawak nito.Nang pagbigyan ng korte ang kanyang petisyon, agad nagsampa ng kaso

sa korte si Mercy para mabawi ang mga lupang ibinenta ng asawa kina Emilia at Pedro. Katwiran ni Bert, dahil hindi pa naman umiiral ang bagong batas noong makuha nila ni Mercy ang mga lupa, dapat sundin ang lumang batas na nagdidikta na ang asawang lalaki ang may karapatan na ibenta o idispatsa ang mga lupa kahit walang anumang permiso galing sa kanyang asawa. Ayon din sa kanya, legal naman ang nangyaring bentahan. Tama ba si Bert?  MALI. Kahit sabihin pa na hindi kailangan ang pahintu-lot ng misis sa mga transaksiyon ng bentahan ni mister, na binili bago mapatupad ang New Civil Code noong Agosto 30, 1950, hindi ibig sabihin nito na lubos ang kapangyarihan niya na ibenta ang lupa. May mga limitasyon ang kapangyarihang ito. Una sa lahat, hindi puwedeng maargabyado ang kanyang asawa at mga anak. Isa pa, kapag hindi alam ng misis ang nangyaring bentahan, malinaw at ipagpapa-lagay na may lokohang nagaganap laban sa babae. Ang mga ari-arian ng mag-asawa o ang tinatawag na “conjugal properties” ay pag-aari nilang dalawa at anumang bentahan na hindi pinaaalam kay misis ay malinaw na panlalamang sa kanya. Inaalisan kasi siya ng karapatan sa bahagi o sa mismong kabuuan ng kanyang parte kaya dapat lamang mapawalang-bisa ang bentahang ito. (Villacino vs. Dayon, 18 SCRA 1094)|

Balikas

Mamasapano and Rio Tuba ALMOST one month has passed since Mamasapano. Up to now, we are wasting precious time and missing opportunities. And we have already squandered precious gains. Yet we are not moving forward. Instead, bitterness, anger, grief, disbelief, divisiveness, hatred, blame, revenge still rule our hearts. And we are witnessing more polarization of our people. Worse, we hear the drums of war. I'm sad.  RIO TUBA --- That reminds me. When Mamasapano happened on January 25 , I was in Rio Tuba, Palawan. I headed a delegation from the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) to take a look at what a mine site looked like and how the community coped. Nickel Mining Corporation’s “JB” BAYLON and his team arranged the visit. It’s a barangay of Bataraza town, about 5 hours of land trip going south of Puerto Princesa. By the way, in the opposite direction going north are the famed resorts and havens Palawan is known for worldwide. The southern part hosts mining companies. Rio Tuba is home to Nickel Mining Corporation, owned and operated by the company of mining tycoon Manuel Zamora and Japan’s Sumitomo. The PPI officials wanted to see for themselves how nickel mining is done and how the operations of a “responsible” mining company impact on the environment, given the issues and concerns that are usually brought to the attention of the press. What we saw was impressive. Nickel, by the way, is a mineral that is used to make stainless materials that don’t rust. For instance, nickel is used for airplanes, engines, utensils or cellphones etc..  COMING TO PARADISE -- Before we arrived at the mine site, many of us journalists were bracing ourselves to see wastelands and mined out landscapes considering that Nickel Mining Corp. (US1.5 billion project) had been on the ground extracting for about 38 years since 1977. But we had a pleasant surprise. Instead of disturbed environments, we saw forests. I remember saying aloud: “I came to visit a mine site. Instead I came to “paradise.” Indeed, instead of gaping mine pits, we saw lush green vegetations and plants and trees and flowers on rehabilitated grounds. Nickel mining does not create kilometer wide craters and bottomless pits as we usually see in gold and copper mines. They scrape the topsoil and go only as deep as 20 meters down to extract the precious ore and then refill and re-contour the ground and restore the green cover with trees and vegetation.  CITY-LIKE AMENITIES -- Life is a breeze in such remote far-away place. Bataraza is almost the last frontier near Balabac Island at the tip of elongated Palawan where on a clear night, a promenader can see the shore lights of Malaysia from across the sea. The 15,000 or so Rio Tuba residents are living in city-like amenities in the middle of nowhere. Families of mine employees enjoy free electricity and free water. And who would think a De La Salle-supervised school operates in such far away place? Named after the late Leonides Virata, 1,300 pupils are taken cared of by about 56 faculty members. And guess how much each student pays for one whole year: a messly P300! Every classroom by the way has hi-tech LCD screens, IPAD enabled.  FREE HOSPITAL -- When I walked into the mine hospital, I saw on the bed getting an intravenous antibiotic treatment a fisherman from Balabac Island for an infected swollen foot wounded by a sea urchin days before. The level 1 hospital is manned by nine doctors, 33 nurses and gives free medical services, including medicines and treatment to all, including the IPs with an annual budget of about P90 million. It has ultra-sound facilities and can do surgeries with 100-bed capacity. In serious cases, it can airlift patients to Puerto Princesa with the company’s air assets hangared in a private airstrip nearby. Who would also imagine that about P1.1 billion (yes, billion) of social development projects for a 5-year period are enjoyed by 11 impact barangays and 22 other neighboring barangays in the province? Another P50 million annual royalties are also given to the IPs, the area being a part of the ancestral domain.  ENVIRONMENT -- Of the total mining tenement area of 5,265 hectares, only about 600 plus hectares had been “disturbed” by actual extraction for a period of 38 years of mining operations, and 280 hectares have been rehabilitated and now turning into mini forests. Its tailings storage facility or tailings pond where the waste is deposited has an area of 90 hectares. The feared acid emissions are addressed by massive limestone applications. We personally inspected the filtering and monitoring sites where mine wastewater are recycled and tested before they are released to the waterways. I recalled how Ms. GINA LOPEZ, a strong anti-mining advocate came swinging hard against Rio Tuba mine by showing an aerial video of the mining tenement that had wide reddish-colored spots from the skies several years ago. I wished she would come back and take another shot from the air today. I’ll bet, the color would be greenish this time with the ground rehabilitation work as a result. We were brought to a big pond where fishes were raised from mine waters recycled and cleared of harmful toxicity. The group enjoyed hauling in some fish catch with their bamboo poles with hooks. In my case, I did not catch any fish as I was angling for a sexy mermaid that I was told lived in the depths. She did not bite my bait. So, I had to content myself later looking at two-legged mermaids on dry land instead. The Rio Tuba visit was pleasant and enjoyable and instructive. I did not know that at that precise same time, that same day, a tragedy was happening in Mamasapano.|

BUSINESS

Feb. 23 - March 1, 2015

Mga magtitinda ng karne sa lunsod, umapela sa konseho LUNSOD BATANGAS – Dumulog sa Sangguniang Panlunsod noong Lunes ang mga magtitinda ng karne sa mga palengke ng lunsod upang i-apela ng umano’y malaking pagkalugi nila bunsod ng pagbibigay ng

business permit ng executive branch sa mga meat shop sa labas ng palengke. Ayon sa mga magtitinda ng karne, una nilang idinulog sa Tanggapan ng Pununlunsod ang mga meat shop sa labas ng palengke na

anila’y silang nagpabagsak sa mga lehitimong sa palengke nagtitinda dahil sa bagsakpresyo ng mga nagsisulputang meat shop. Sinabi pa ng isa sa mga kinatawan ng grupo nakailang lapit na nila sa Tang-

gapan ng Pununlunsod upang mapigilan ang pagbibigay ng naturang business permits sa mga meat shop owners. Ikinatwiran umano ni Atty. Reginald Dimacuha na hindi maaaring bawiin ang

mga nai-isyu nang business permit sapagkat wala naming umiiiral na ordinansa na nilabag sa pakapagbigay ng nasabing business permits. Dahil dito, tiniyak ng Sangguniang Panlunsod sa pangunguna ni Vice Mayor Jun Berberabe na pagsusumikapan ng konseho na mapagtibay ang isang kumprehensibong ordinansang magreregulate ng pagtitinda ng karne sa lunsod. Ayon naman kay Councilor Aileen Montalbo, chairman ng Committee on

Markets, sisikapin nilang maaddress ang bawat rekisitos sa ipapasang ordinansa upang matiyak na sa pagbibigay slusyon sa mga hinaing ng mga magtitinda ay mananatili pa ring business friendly and lunsod at ang lahat ay nasa ayos. Idinagdag naman ni Kagawad Alyzza Cruz na saasamahan nila ang mga magtitinda sa pagbabantay na hindi na makapag-renew ng kanilang business permits ang mga naisyuhang meat shops.|

JUDICIAL NOTICE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 1 BULWAGAN NG KATARUNGAN PALLOCAN WEST, BATANGAS CITY

RESCUE. Tiniyak ng mga

kasapi ng Sangguniang Panlunsod na pagsisikapan nilang maipasa ang isang komprehensibong ordinansa na magbibigay proteksyon sa mga ligal na magtitinda ng karne sa mga pamilihan ng lunsod.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

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Excellent Journalism in the Digital Age: PPI Holds Civic Journalism Workshop in Iloilo DWINDLING readership and circulation, ever-increasing competition for ads, readers going online for news and information—how can Visayas-based newspapers survive in today’s market? The answer may lie in civic journalism. Civic journalism can turn newspapers into powerful catalysts for community action, and thus re-engaging the community back. With the advent of internet and social media, newspapers should also not hesitate in using newer forms of media in reporting the news, including multimedia reporting. In order to attract readers and survive in today’s digital age, print journalists should consider multimedia reporting as the way to go. But what is civic journalism? How is it different from other kinds of jour-

nalism—or is it different at all? How can print publications also practice good multimedia reporting? These were the key issues discussed in the seminar-workshop, “Civic Journalism: Going Beyond Print”, from Feb. 19 to 21 held in GT Hotel De Leon, Iloilo City. The Philippine Press Institute (PPI), also known as the national association of newspapers, organized the seminar-workshop with support from Nickel Asia Corporation and Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation. Multi-awarded journalists Tess Bacalla and Stella Estremera joined PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino in discussing civic journalism and multimedia reporting issues in the seminarworkshop. About twenty reporters and editors

from PPI member-newspapers in Visayas participated in the seminar-workshop, which includes a write shop, field work, and critique. Select campus journalists also took part in the activity. The first leg of the series, also organized with support from Nickel Asia Corporation and Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation, was conducted last Nov. 24 to 27, 2014 in Batangas. About 14 print and campus journalists from Luzon participated in the seminar-workshop. Civic Journalism is one of the flagship programs of PPI, which seeks to help improve community journalism through training courses. Noted media critic and former Businessworld publisher Vergel Santos has been at the helm of PPI’s civic journalism seminar-workshops which started in 2002.|

................................................................................................................................................................. <<<PERSPECTIVE....from P/5

Could President Aquino escape accountability for the Mamasapano fiasco? 2. Purisima was, in fact, directing the whole operations even after he had been suspended. 3. The US financed the operations, provided the intelligence, and some US personnel were sighted participating in the operations. 4. President Aquino was in Zamboanga on the day of the operations and that he was informed about what was happening early in the morning. Worse, he was quoted in text messages ordering not for a full-scale rescue operation but for a “best effort” operation. Even without the results of the investigation, these

already clearly show the accountability of President Aquino. He short-circuited the chain of command; he put his “friend,” who was already suspended at that time, in command of the whole operations; he, at the minimum, consented to Purisima’s “advise” not to coordinate with the acting PNP chief, the AFP and DILG until the start of the operations; he sacrificed 44 SAF personnel to kowtow to US demands; and he was at the helm of an operation that turned out to be a massive political and military blunder and which cost the lives of 44 SAF men, 18 Bangsamoro

fighters and 2 civilians, displaced thousands of Moro people, and endangered the peace negotiations with the MILF. Far-fetched, though granting for the sake of argument that President Aquino was only knowledgeable about Oplan Exodus in general, and was not privy to the actual launch of the operations, then it becomes a question of competence. Why would the President not be on top of such a sensitive operation, involving more than a hundred elite police personnel, that would endanger the peace negotiations with the MILF

and the lives of so many SAF personnel and the people residing in the area. If indeed the operation was to net a high-value target, Marwan, should the President be left in the dark when it was finally launched? If this is the case, then the characters in movies depicting US presidents in the thick of sensitive military operations are much better. At least the president, in these movies, was asked to give the go signal before the actual launch of an operation or an attack on a high value target. “Mr. President” “It’s a go!”|

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE DECLARATION OF PRESUMPTIVE DEATH OF MARISSA RAZON SINAJON-PALBACAL RONALDO D. PALBACAL, Petitioner, SP. PROC. NO. 15-9857 x----------------------------------x ORDER A verified petition was filed with this Court by RONALDO D. PALBACAL, of Brgy. Cuta Central, praying that after publication and hearing pursuant to Article 41 of the Family Code, a decree be issued declaring MARISSA RAZON SINAJON-PALBACAL presumptively dead. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the Court sets the petition for hearing on March 25, 2015 at 1:30 in tha afternoon. All persons interested in the petition may appear in Court on the aforesaid date, time and place to show cause, if any why the petition should not be granted. The Branch Sherff is hereby directed to post copies of this Order together with the petition and its annexes in the bulletin boards at the main entrance of the Batangas Provincial Capitol Building, the Batangas City Hall, Hall of Justice, Batangas City for at least three weeks prior to the date to set for initial hearing. Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Batangas including the City of Batangas. Said newspaper must be chosen by raffle to be undertaken by the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Batangas City. Likewise let copy of this Order together with a copy of the petition be served to the Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City, Office of the Provincial Prosecutor and Local Civil Registrar of Batangas City. SO ORDERED. Batangas City, January 26, 2015. (Sgd.) FLORENCIO S. ARELLANO Judge I hereby certify that copy of this Order have been sent by registered mail to the petitioner, Atty. Cipriano U. Asilo, Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City, Local Civil Registrar of Batangas City and by personal delivery to the Office of the City Prosecutor, RTC-OCC, Batangas City. (Sgd.) GLENDA M. LACSAMANA-KING Branch Clerk of Court Pahayagang BALIKAS | Feb. 23, March 2 & 9, 2015

Tawag na sa Pahayagang Balikas Telephone No. (043) 417.1662 * 0917.521.9477 * 0912.902.7373 para sa inyong pagpapalathala.

Nicetas E. Escalona, Lifetimes Editor

LIFE TIMES

Feb. 23 - March 1, 2015

Burger craze, creating a personal brand   ETHEL

FARAON

ven cooking, like painting, is an art. The ingredients in cooking great food are the combination of love and passion. And knowing Batangueño, they are lovable and passionate that’s why they can create great foods which can satisfy hard to please their tummies. Trendy Burgers Every hungry appetite deserves better than a plain snack. Burger joints in Batangas City and nearby localities grew swiftly like an arrow. Today, almost every avenues in the city have their own burger joints that cater different varieties to satisfy one’s hard to please taste buds. Among the fastest growing burger joints in the metro are BG burger and GG burger. Grilling at its Best Bathan Grilled, BG burger as known is a home-based burger joint located in Pallocan East, Batangas City. It is just a small place, a housed in a garage turned into resto, yet has beautiful ambiance. It started grilling their original recipes last June 2014. Rhenz Arvie Bathan, BG owner, created his own beef patty recipes through experimenting and watching in YouTube. Far from his degree (BIT), Rhenz prefered to put up burger business not because he want it, he started this because it was just a “trip lang” for him. But when his recipes clicked on Batangueños taste, he decided to pursue the business. Their crews are friendly and accommodating. The service is good and they are customer-oriented indeed. They offer great burger with juicy patty and superfluous veggies. It seems pricey for other people but compared to other burger joints, their price is still affordable. Customers from A-C bracket are welcome to taste their burgers. Students, families and employees from nearby establishments are also some of their regular customers. Other patrons come from Bauan, Batangas and even Lipa City. Signature taste of BG burger smeared up across the city because of its being viral in social media. It will never be viral for nothing. BG is open from Tuesday to Sunday. They start serving their burger from 3 in the afternoon until 10 in the evening. So it is better to go there earlier to have seat reservation. Due to increasing numbers of customers they are planning of expanding their business into a larger and more accessible venue this year. Gooing Great Burger joint behind a gate, Good Grilled (GG) burger gained popularity in just eleven months of serving. Situated in Tolentino St., Kumintang, Batangas City, GG burger immediately became popular with its customers around the area. GG burger started on March 2014. It is a circle of friends business. Jeddu Alejandrino, one of the owners also made their original ingredient of burger patty. They attracted lots of customers because of their home-made burger patty. They serve made-to-order burger to assure its freshness. Yet patties take time before it grilled, customers are still willing to wait just to taste their extraordinary burger. Though the place is not spacious, its customers are still coming to try their burger. GG burger is open Monday to Saturday at 2 pm until 10 in the evening. Good Food Aside from burger joints, The Cali St., a little resto that offers wide variety of food is now engraving its name in the

............................................................................... <<<ZAMUDIO....mula P/5

Just do it!

mas masarap isipin na yung pinapakain natin sa ating pamilya ay galing sa ating kayod at hindi dahil tayo’y nagkasuweldo dahil magaling yung iba samantala tayo naman ay kumbaga tila kumbaga sa pelikula ay ekstra lamang. Ang iba kasi pumapasok sa trabaho pero hindi trabaho ang nasa isip. Bakit nga ba?  Sa aking simpleng paganalyze ang ugaling ito ay bunga ng isang matagal na proseso’t hindi ito kusa na lamang sumulpot na tila bang kabute. Ito marahil ay bunga ng maling values na either napamahal sa atin o di kaya ay impluwensya ng mga taong ating kahalubilo. Kasi po kung negatibong values ang ating nakikita, lalo na sa

food industry of Batangas City. Opened last November 2014, The Cali St. was known by their tagline “Eatin’ good food in your neighborhood. It became trendy in its neighboring establishments and houses. Elton Lontoc, one of the owners of The Cali, serves and cooks the food. Their recipes are originally made by the owners. The place is just a house along national highway in Calicanto, Batangas City. The location is accessible that’s why lots of people are encouraged to try their food. But because of its burger popularity, it is sometimes mistakenly called as a burgerhouse. Their burger is known for its line “95% pure beef

and 5% love. They cater fresh and newly cooked food. They serve great yet affordable food. The Cali St. serves from 4 in the afternoon ‘till 10 in the evening. If someone is craving for Mexican food, Little Mexico is a perfect place to be. It is one of the restaurant who caters Mexican food in the city. Little Mexico started on September 2013. A couple who loves Mexican foods owned the restaurant. It is located in De Joya Compound Alangilan, Batangas City. Yet far from big establishments, Little Mexico still gains customers and have their daily serving. Uncompromised authentic Mexican cuisine, Little Mexico serves foods which still pocket friendly. Great food started from a passion. Mirellis Diner began operating last January 2013. Paolo Angelo Loyola, owner of Mirellis, loves cooking. Because of that he prefers to put up this business. His recipes were originated from a club in Manila. Within two years of serving good food, Mirellis Diner was able to feed the tummies of people from different walks of life. They offer large semiFilipino -American food. They offer sizzlers, burger, grilled and fried food and omellete. Their prices ranges from affordable to pricey. Mirellis Diner is open 12 hours daily from 10 in the morning until 10 in the evening. Students and employees

PA L A IS IPA N 1

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mga kasama’t kaibigan natin, malaki ang possibility na maadapt din natin ito. Dito ko nakikita na kailangan habang bata pa ay kailangan nang positibong growth environment ang ginagalawan natin. Ang positibo o negatibong kaugalian ay nakukuha natin either mula sa pamilya natin, sa ating communities, paaralan o mga associates.  Sa 2016, eleksyon na naman kaya ito ngayon ang focus ng inyong mababasa mula sa akin. Sa 2016 importante na magpili tayo ng mga lider na positibo ang influence sa atin, or else wala na naman tayong gagawin sa loob ng anim o apat na taon. Instead of blaming, why not start doing? Just do it!

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PAHALANG 1 Malungkot: Ingles 4 Mataas: Ingles 8 Huni ng butiki 10 Gapas 12 Agad-agad 14 Pulseras na ginto 16 Uri ng kuhol 17 Maalwan 18 Unang nota 19 Ire 20 Pagpatay: Ingles 22 Size ng baterya 23 Walang bilang 25 Lahat: Ingles 26 SImbolo ng Barium 28 Hindi (Kapampangan) 29 Paibaba ng paa 31 Maliliit na hipon at isda na huli sa salakab 34 Kabisera ng Basilan 35 Una sa takdang oras 36 Kiribati: daglat 37 Bangka: Ingles 38 Sumbrero: Ingles

38 PABABA 1 Sagot sa usapan 2 Wari 3 Ina nina Oyo at Danica 4 Taludlod 5 Boy o Joel 6 Local Interconnect Network 7 Liquefied Petroleum gas 8 Pinakaloob ng bayan 9 Lapa 13 Hinuha 15 Ms. Thompsom, swimmer 20 Darang sa apoy 21 Pulbos sa panaderya 22 Minulan ng istorya 23 Umaasam 24 Pakpak ng eroplano 25 Sawata 26 Sisidlang luwad 27 Alasa 30 Gumawa ng malaking bangka 32 Asea Brown Boveri 33 Isang Zodiac sign

within the area are their loyal customers. It’s Coffee Break A cafe born from a dream. Officially started last December 2014, Jovita Cafe is now gaining popularity among coffee drinkers. Jovita as its name came from the owners’ mothers name. Jovita Cafe born from its owner’s dream of putting up a coffeeshop. Noel Perez, the owner of the cafe is a certified coffee lover. He decided to serve sandwiches and cake as partner for coffee. They also offer pasta, sandwiches, tea, soups and salad. Another thing which makes them popular is their bagel burger. Bagel burger is a kind of bread used by most hotels and restaurants in Manila. Compared to other coffeeshops, Jovita Cafe grinds their coffee as customers order their coffee. It is the reason why they maintain the quality and freshness of their coffee. Jovita Cafe is a perfect place to relax and hang out. It also serves as a round table for students. It is a good place for discussion whether be it about schooling, working or just anything. Its ambiance and peaceful location invites passersby to come in and try their coffee. Eating is a happy thing to do. But what makes it happier is when the foods that satisfy our appetite is originally and proudly cooked by our fellow Batangueños.

Pisces (Peb. 19 - Mar. 20) - Magiging maganda ang panahon kung iiwasan na masangkot sa hindi pagkakaunawaan. Isang nilalang na may lihim na pagtingin ang matutuklasan. Lucky numbers at color ang 1, 4, 30, 35 at Aquamarine. Aries (Mar. 21 - Abril 19) - Ang pakikipagtalo ay walang ibang pupuntahan kundi suliranin kaya dapat itong iwasan. Lucky numbers at color ang 6, 19, 39, 41 at Indigo. Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) - I-focus ang pansin sa maaaring pagkakitaan at hindi sa walang kabuluhang bagay. Kung may suliranin sa pera, maisasaayos nang walang hadlang. Lucky numbers at color ang 4, 22, 31, 40 at Jade Green. Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) - Isang surpresa ang naghihintay sa araw na ito. Maligaya at makulay ang romansa na maaaring mauwi sa kasalan. Lucky numbers at color ang 1, 6, 14, 31 at Strawberry Red. Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Ang naiisip na gawain ay huwag ipagpabukas. Ang kutob ay magkakatotoo. Lucky numbers at color ang 15, 23, 38, 41 at W hite. Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Ang panahon ay umaayon sa pagtuklas ng mga bagay na makakatulong sa trabaho o sa sarili. Magiging bukas sa mga bagay na makakabuti. Lucky numbers at color ang 19, 24, 30, 33 at Ivory W hite. Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - Maaaring maging katangi-tangi ang tulong ng isang kaibigan. Posible ang isang hindi inaasahang magandang mangyayari. Lucky numbers at color ang 2, 8, 32, 36 at Purple. Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) - Maisasaayos ng kamag-anak ang problema tungkol sa salapi. May suwerte ang negosyo. Katapatan ang hinahangad ng iniibig. Lucky numbers at color ang 16, 21, 33, 37 at Yellow. Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Magiging masigla ang paggawa. Subalit ang matinding kaligayahan o kalungkutan ay maaaring maghatid sa hindi magandang kalagayan ng kalusugan. Lucky numbers at color ang 8, 11, 12, 35 at Magenta. Sagittarius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) Simulan ang magtipid at mag-impok. Ang magneto ng pagkatao ay malakas at magagamit sa negosyo. Lucky numbers at color ang 1, 5, 10, 20 at Green. Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) - Ma-ging maunawain kung ang mga kasamahan ay mabagal kumilos. Ang taglay na karisma ay mabisang sandatang magagamit ngayon. Lucky numbers at color ang 4, 8, 11, 21 at Blue. Aquarius (Ene. 20 - Peb. 18) - Walang magiging balakid sa ibig. Madali kang mauunawaan at anuman ang iutos ay madali kang susundin. Lucky numbers at color ang 9, 26, 34, 37 at Jade Green.

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F.E.S.T.

Ronalina B. Lontoc, Special Project Editor

......................................................................... >>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS..., EVENTS..., SHOWBIZ & SPORTS...TRAVEL & TRENDS<<< Feb. 23 - March 1, 2015

Tanauan City Foundation Day activities, ikinasa The Man: Ex-Congressman/ Governor Mandanas AST Tuesday, we witnessed two important events in the province. First, we had the opportunity to witness the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Honda Philippines, Inc (HPI) and the 2nd District of Batangas represented by our friend, Congressman Ranie Abu. Nakatutuwang may ganitong magandang programa para sa mga driver ay riders ng motorsiklo. It always reminds me of the sad experience of my son, bagaman hindi motorsiklo ang kaniyangd ala nang gabing iyon, still, aksidente pa rin yun, at papaano pa kaya iyong mga malalagim na aksidente sa lansangan kung saan ay pag sala sa patay ang drayber ay sabi nga’y mabuhay man ay lumpo o tanungin. Ang naturang MoU na nilagdaan ay tumutukoy sa 2-araw na safe driving summit sa Batangas City Sports Coliseum, March 7 - 8. Ang ikalawa ay ang pormal an deklarasyon ni dating Congressman at Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas ng kaniyang desisyong tumakbong muli bilang Gobernador ng Lalawigan ng Batangas. Gaya ng dati, mainit na tinanggap ng mga nagsidalong media personalities at group leaders sa Press Conference ang deklarasyon ng pagbabalik-kapitolyo ni Ex-Governor Mandanas. Pangunahing baon niya sa kaniyang pagbabalik-kapitolyo ang kaniyang patuloy na kampanya na ibalik sa lokal na pamahalaan ang mga Internal Reevenue Allotments (IRA) na nasa pamahalang nasyunal na ngayon ay umaabot na sa mahigit P600 bilyon. Ayon kay Mandanas, kung mangyayari ito, walang magiging problema ang bawat lokalidad na hindi maisakatuparan ang mga proyektong higit na pakikinabangan ng mga mamamayan at bayan. Dala ang kaniyang slogan, PAGKATAO, HIGIT SA PARTIDO, taasnoong ibinahagi ni Mandanas ang saligan ng kaniyang pamamahala gaya ng Clean, Competent, Committed, Courage, Compassionate and Consistent.|

LUNGSOD NG TANAUAN, – Magdiriwang ang makasaysayang lungsod na ito ng ika-443 taong pagkakatatag at ika-14 taon bilang siyudad sa darating na Marso 10, 2015. Kaalinsabay nito, inaanunsiyo kamakailan ni Mayor Antonio C. Halili ang ilang aktibidad na inilaan ng Pamahalaang Lunsod para sa makabuluhang selebrasyon ng nasabing araw. Tatampukan ito ng Job Fairs, pagpapasinaya ng

“Tanauan City’s Wall of Arts” sa Marso 6, at higit sa lahat, ang pinakaaabangang “Parade of Lights” na aarangkada naman sa Marso 7, araw ng Sabado. Kamakailan lamang, kinilala ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Batangas, sa pamamagitan ng Sanggunian Resolution No. 030-2015, ang Parade of Lights bilang isa sa mga “landmark tourism activities of the Province of Batangas.” Ang Tanauan, bayang sinila-

ngan ng pambansang bayaning si Gat Apolinario Mabini at ng dating pangulo, Jose P. Laurel, ay itinatag ng mga misyonerong Agustino noong taong 1752. Ito ay ganap na naging isang lungsod sa bisa ng Republic Act No. 9005, o mas kilala bilang “An Act of Converting the Municipality of Tanauan Into a Component City to be known as the City of Tanauan,” na naratipikahan sa pamamagitan ng plebisito noong Marso 10, 2001.| G. LARESMA

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OCVAS personnel, sumailalim sa Quality Service seminar UPANG makapagbigay pa ng mas magandang kalidad ng serbisyo sa publiko, sumailalim sa Customer Service in the Government training at sa Personality Development seminar ang may 31 kawani ng Office of the City Veterinarian and Agricultural Services (OCVAS), Pebrero 18. Sa pamamagitan ng seminar na ito, inaasahang positibong mahuhubog ang pagkatao ng mga empleyado at mabibigyan sila ng sapat na kaalaman hinggil sa tamang pakikitungo sa kapwa partikular sa mga kliyente ng kanilang tanggapan.

Nagsilbing resource speaker at trainor si Rona Maranan ng Bringing You Excellent Superior Training and Consultancy (BEST). Ilan sa mga paksang kanyang tinalakay ay ang Basic Principles of Customer Service, 4C’s (commitment, completeness, consistency and communication); Steps in Developing Good Service Habits, at How to Handle Angry and Abusive Clients. Binigyang-diin din niya ang acronym na TODAY na tumutugon sa Transparency in all business transactions, Openness to hear

suggestions and feedbacks, Dedication to be on duty from Monday to Friday, 8-5PM and to extend if needed, Assurance of courteous, prompt and quality service at You, our clients deserve only the best. Nagkaroon din sila ng conflict at complains simulation at role playing exercise upang maipakita at magamit ang kanilang mga natutunan. Sasailalim din sa training ang ikalawang batch ng mga kawani ng OCVAS sa February 24.| RONNA ENDAYA CONTRERAS)

Share your Extras at SM malls NEW TERM, NEW CHALLENGES! Newly elected BMAP (Bank Marketing Association of the

Philippines) 2015 Officers & Directors are inducted by BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. From LR (seated): BSP Consultant Manong Max Edralin, BSP Director for Corp. Affairs Tita Fe dela Cruz, BSP Gov. Tetangco, Mike Villa-Real (President/Veterans Bank), Allan Tumbaga (Director for Industry Relations/East West Bank)). Standing: Yayu Javier (Elecomm Chair/Avanza), Estela Calderon (Director for Banking Code/Metrobank), Bennett Zerrudo (Secretary/Bancnet), Belen Lim (Auditor/Security Bank), Ann Ducanes (V ice-President/Chinabank), Carmina Marquez (Director for Programs/BPI) and Em Valdez (Treasurer/RCBC). Not in the photo are Jean Abiera Ibuna (Director for Banking on your Future/BDO), Janette Young Abad Santos (Director for Membership/PNB) and Peewee V illanueva (Director for Ways & Means/Landbank.|

SM invites its shoppers clean their closets and Share Your Extras with the less fortunate in this store based campaign. A joint project of The SM Store in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and SM Foundation, Share your Extras booths have been set up at The SM Stores at SM City Batangas and SM City Lipa where shoppers can donate their extra clothes or new pair of slippers until March 31. All donors will be entitled to a P50 coupon to be redeemed with a minimum P500 single receipt purchase of regular priced ladies’, men’s and children’s apparel at The SM Store until March 31, 2016. Many more less fortunate communities from DSWD accredited beneficiaries will receive clothes and slippers from the SM Store through the Share Your Extras campaign. Join SM in making a difference with the Share Your Extras campaign.|