>>Climate Change Action Plan, tampok sa workshop > News. ...P/3 Vol. 19, No. 18 | May 5 - 11, 2014 E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com Telephone: (043) 417.1662 Smart/TNT: 0912.902.7373 Globe/TM: 0917.512.9477 Php 12.00/copy
Sharing Good News.. Bridging Communities.. Towards Development
Philippine Press Institute National Association of Newspapers Since 1964
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20 workers get Kasunduan para sa libreng sine ng job on SM’s PWDs, nilagdaan ng lunsod at SM Labor Day Fair LUNSOD NG BATANGAS – Isang Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) ang nilagdaan kamakailan sa pagitan ng pamahalaang lunsod ng Batangas at SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. na magkakaloob ng libreng panonood ng sine sa humigit-kumulang 2,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) sa lunsod. Ang kasunduan ay alinsunod sa ordinansang ipinasa ng Sangguniang Panlunsod na
nagtatakda ng pagkakaloob ng libreng panonood ng sine sa mga may kapansanan. Base sa kasunduan, ang mga PWDs ay maaaring makapanood ng libre sa mga sinehan ng SM City Batangas tuwing Lunes at Martes. Lumagda sa kasunduan sina Mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha, Atty. Benjohn A. Maralit, presidente ng PWDs federation, Councilor Claudette Ambida
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IN celebration of Labor Day, SM Supermalls held its 6th nationwide job fair last May 1, 2014. At SM City Batangas, with 5,277 posted job vacancies from 42 participating companies, a total of 786 job seekers joined in the recently concluded job fair of which 20 were hired on the spot. No other than Batangas City Administrator Mr. Philip Baroja together with DOLE Batangas OIC Provincial Director Ms. Fredelma M. Tan and Batangas City PESO Officer Mr. Noel Silang graced the event attended by other project partners and SM Affiliates. Held in cooperation with DOLE and PESO, SM Supermalls Nationwide Job fair aims to bring employers together, lessen the inconveniences of job seekers and provide opportunities for gainful employment to our Filipino workers.|
A proud member of:
NEGATIBO sa Middle East Respiratory Syndrome - Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) ang lahat ng 16 Batangueñong pasahero ng Etihad Flight EY 0424 mula sa Abu Dhabi.
Ito ang ulat na inilabas ng monitoring team mula sa Provincial Health Office, Batangas Medical Center, PNP-Batangas, at Provincial Governnor’s Office noong Abril 25, 2014. Ang mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) mula sa Lalawigan ng Batangas ay kasama sa 483 passengers ng eroplano kung saan sakay ang nars na Pinoy na mula sa United Arab >>>SOCIAL SERVICES..sundan sa P/3 Emirates na napaulat na nag-positibo sa ................................................................................................................................ nabanggit na virus. Ang mga Batangueñong ito mula sa Batangas City, Lipa City, Sto. Tomas, Balayan, San Juan, Taal, at Calaca ay isinailalim sa isang laboratory test (mouth, nose, and throat swab), kasabay ng pag-precautionary quarantine nila mula Abril 19 sa Batangas Medical Center. Ang resulta ng laboratory test na ito ay karaniwang nakukuha matapos ang 48 na oras. Lahat ng mga Batangueñong pasahero ay naging negatibo ang laboratory test, at ang huling pag-uulat mula sa Reasearch Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) ay lumabas noong Abril 24. Ang MERS-CoV ay unang nadiskubre sa Saudi Arabia noong 2012. Ito ay isang “novel virus” na tinatawag ding Middle East version ng Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Kabilang sa mga sintomas ng MERS-CoV A total of 786 job applicants registered during the recently concluded job fair at SM ay pagkakaroon ng lagnat, ubo, hirap sa City Batangas.| paghinga, at pagdudumi.|
Sobrang maelya si bosing
Puregold’s Lipa branch FVR, Forever @ PPI! p. 3 faces conundrum ....................................................................................................................... Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the Postp. 4 p. 5 p. 6 2015 Development Agenda
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NEWS
Balikas
May 5 - 11, 2014
Puregold’s Lipa branch faces conundrum LIPA CITY—It’s less than a month to go before leading Filipino supermarket chain Puregold finishes constructing its branch here in Brgy. 10, one of 25 stores the company plans to open at this Year of the Horse. There’s a conundrum, though: Construction remains ongoing as of April 11 while the city council resolved that Puregold’s construction should be stopped given a Feb. 24 resolution, unless the Lucio Co-owned supermarket chain complies with the conditions of a special use permit (SUP) that the city government gave Puregold. Among the conditions of that SUP was constructing a road network near the soonto-rise supermarket to avoid traffic in a city that’s already saddled with vehicular management woes. But the proposed road network for the Puregold outlet, between H. Latorre and P. Laygo streets, already has narrow streets and local residents think there’d be no more spaces for Puregold to build the road network. The Lipa City Council had asked Mayor Meynardo Sabili, City Administrator Atty. Leo Latido and City Engineer Roldan Lopez to stop Puregold’s construction. This is because the mandated road network, as well as a pedestrian overpass, has yet to be done as provided for by the SUP the city government gave last Sept. 16, 2013. A foreman at the construction site, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said
construction is already “80 percent done” with Puregold’s building construction that started last Sept. 9, 2013 but was supposed to finish last Valentine’s Day. Puregold’s Lipa branch is being built inside a 4,223 square meter lot owned by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Lipa that was reclassified into commercial use by virtue of City Ordinance No. 02-2013. The construction project hit a snag after Lopez’s office, last January, ordered Puregold to temporarily stop construction unless the firm complies with the city’s SUP. Construction “resumed” last Feb. 4, said the foreman, and the Puregold branch is on its way to finish its construction this coming May. “No orders had been given to us to stop and if ever there would be a notice then we would follow,” the foreman said. And amid the Feb. 24 resolution of the city council, the city government has yet to issue a stoppage order to Puregold. The anonymous foreman also thinks that it would be difficult for them to construct the required road network at the back of the construction site. The nearby H. Latorre and P. Laygo Streets are already narrow and there’d be no more spaces for
Puregold to build the road network. “If ever we would construct a pedestrian overpass and access road, then Puregold would even have to pay landowners for the right of way. We’re not even sure if these landowners would agree.” A resident, Alvin Mondragon, agrees it would be difficult to build a road network at the back of Puregold as it would mean them losing a portion of their ancestral house, their garage and their Internet café business. Mondragon’s family owns a 1,000 square meter lot near Puregold. “We’re not yet advised (that they would construct a road network at the back). But if ever, then they (Puregold) would have to talk to us and they will have to pay for the right of way,” Mondragon said in separate interview. Puregold, however, doesn’t have to deal with Mondragon’s family alone as there are adjacent lots and lot owners near the area. An “alternative” solution, Mondragon thinks, is to make H. Latorre street a oneway route, or Puregold’s building has basement parking for customers. Lipa City’s Special Ordinance No.11-2004 provides that an SUP is included among the requirements for issuance of a business permit for commercial establishments. For Puregold, the conditions also include providing a pedestrian overpass in front of the supermarket, side parking area along P.
By MARLON A. LUISTRO / TFC
CONSTRUCTION still in full swing at the Puregold’s building at the corner of Gen Luna and P. Laygo Sts. at Barangay 10, Lipa City. The supermarket is being erected at the exact site of the former Motherhouse of the diocesan congregation Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Heart.| Laygo St. or basement parking; and compliance with Lipa City’s Investment Incentives Code, which requires at least 75 percent of its total employees are qualified local residents of Lipa City. Puregold must also accredit and prioritize local suppliers of Lipa City and give first option to Lipeño entrepreneurs in giving commercial slots in the supermarket. Last Jan. 23, the city council’s joint committee on public works and committee on housing and land utilization summoned Puregold representatives in a hearing to explain their side on the issue of not complying with the SUP conditions but Pua said Puregold missed the hearing as they were “busy with opening other branches.” Puregold’s nonattendance irked Pua: “What they did was a clear disrespect (to the authority of the Sangguniang Panlunsod) and a violation (of the ordinance on special use permit).” Puregold’s delayed project has also been the subject of jokes in social media and among Lipa City Hall employees who labelled
the project as “Purehold.” Another joint committee hearing was held last Feb. 24 (the date of the city council’s resolution). Puregold’s representative Kelvin Quan attended, and he explained Puregold cannot meet the said requirements and pleaded before councilors Pua and Patmon Monfero to allow them to operate the supermarket first before they address the traffic problems the establishment’s operation might create. Pua, however, is not convinced: “We’re not actually making it difficult for (Puregold to operate) but then they’re so defiant. We already advised them (of the requirements). We have already given them SUP but then they were the ones who don’t want to comply.”. “They want to operate first then will resolve the problem later? What if the problem is already there,” he said, adding that traffic within the Gen. Luna Street is already congested. Quan declined request for interviews by The Filipino Connection: “Apologies. We cannot give any statement yet as of this time,” he said via
text last Feb. 24, and even during the committee hearing itself the same day. In a Jan. 13 mail sent to Pua’s office, a copy of which The Filipino Connection was able to obtain, Puregold Price Club, Inc. appealed to Councilor Pua to reconsider the conditions stipulated under their approved SUP. “As stated on the SUP, we are required to provide the road network at the back of the supermarket and the pedestrian overpass in front of the supermarket. However, we would like to request you to allow us to complete our on-going construction and operate the Puregold Supermarket pending assessment of the possible traffic congestion,” Lalette Alea, site inspection and acquisition manager of Puregold Price Club, Inc. said in the company’s letter to Pua. Alea also promised to “fully cooperate” with Pua’s office to address the concerns, should any arise “when Puregold Supermarket is already operational.” Lucio Co’s Puregold, with over 150 stores nationwide, earned a net income of P3.96
>>>BUSINESS....turn to P/3
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Lucena City’s senior citizens go in style with ATM-like IDs LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Perhaps, the elders and senior citizens in this city have to bid goodbye to “cedulas” (residence certificate) and sometimes a fourth of a torso-sized identification card hanging in their neck when doing official business transactions with city hall. On Monday, old Lucena City folks transacted their business at city hall flashing their new, modern, ATM-style electronic poly-vinyl chloride cards (PVC). The city government’s Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) introduced the new identification (ID) card among senior citizens here to systematize the transactions and update their roster of elders.
Salome "Omeng" Dato, OSCA head, said they initiated the concept last month and vowed to complete the card distribution as soon as possible to provide convenience to the senior citizens. The first batch of PVC ID cards were given to the elder folk in Barangays Salinas, Ibaba and Ilayang Talim, Bocohan, Domoit and Isabang. Dato said the cards would soon be distributed to the elders in Barangays Ibabang Iyam, GulangGulang Cotta, Dalahican, and Ilayang Iyam where the city recorded the most number of senior citizens. Dato also explained to the senior holders the impor-
tance of the Senior Citizen ID not only for identification purposes but also as key to a host of various benefits and privileges for them under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act. “Ate Omeng” said the card holder as senior citizen benefits for discounts on public transport, grocery and medicines. The card also guarantees the senior citizen entitlement to discounts in a dining place or restaurant and several other establishments in the city. She said the senior citizen card is just one among many city government programs that provide services and appreciation for Lucena City’s older citizens.| PNA
May 5 - 11, 2014
NEWS
Balikas
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Climate Change action plan, tampok sa workshop LUNSOD BATANGAS – Upang matugunan ang problema sa climate change, isang workshop ang isinagawa ng pamahalang lungsod ng Batangas noong April 22 sa Batangas City Convention Center na naglalayong makapagbalangkas ng mga strategies at makapagbuo ng communication plan. Magugunita na ang lunsod ay napili bilang isa sa mga lunsod na kabilang sa 10 Asian Cities in Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN).
Peace & Order Update Collated By JACK L. AQUINO
Soldier, civilian killed by NPA rebels CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, LUCENA CITY – A soldier and a civilian were killed in an ambush perpetrated by NPA rebels yesterday at Brgy. San Juan, Casiguran, Sorsogon. Personnel of 31st Infantry Battalion dressed in civilian clothes and unarmed were attacked by more or less 15 NPAs while on their way to the Municipal Hall of Casiguran to coordinate the Medical and Dental Mission to be conducted at the said town, resulting to the death of Cpl Edison C Capital (Inf) PA and Mr. Anthony Habalo, an employee of Casiguran Water District and lifeguard of Brgy. Orok Spring Resort. In a separate encounter at Sitio Baliuag, Brgy. Burabod, Lagonoy Camarines Sur on the same day, another civilian was also hit on his arm and legs during the firefight. The wounded was given immediate medical assistance by the troops. At the encounter site recovered two (2) Cherry Mobile Cellphone, one backpack containing CNN personal belongings, one hammock, eight rounds of 5.56 mm, eight cartridges of shotgun, several empty shells of cal. 5.56mm and subversive documents. SOLCOM Commander Lt Gen Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo AFP said that the incident was a clear manifestation of NPAs blatant violations of the International Humanitarian Law. “Our soldiers are organizing and seeking help from different agencies to bring the basic services to our underprivileged fellows in the countryside but what they’ve done shows the NPA’s disregard on people’s welfare,” he stressed. “Ang mga kasundaluhan natin na nagsasagawa ng civil military activities katulad nitong medical mission ay mga “soft targets” kung kaya’t sila ngayon ang pinapatay nila ng walang kalaban laban. Pati mga sibilyan na walang kalaban laban ay nadadamay sa kawalanghiyaan nila,” Ordoyo added.|
2 NPA rebels killed in Bicol encounters CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, LUCENA CITY – Two members of the New People’s Army were killed in separate clashes between government troops and NPA rebels in Bicol region. Elements of 5SRC and 31st Infantry Battalion were doing a regular patrol when they encountered more or less 10 CNNs with amazons at Brgy. Lapinig, Magallanes, Sorsogon on Sunday. Firefight lasted for almost 10 minutes before the enemy withdrew towards northwest direction, leaving behind the dead body of their comrade identified as alias Nolan, Vice Platoon Leader of Komiting Probinsya (KOMPROB) SORSOGON. A certain Eddie G Albur, 45 years old, Brgy. Captain of Coco Cabitan, Bulan, Sorsogon, and believed to be a supporter of the rebels was also captured on the encounter site. Albur remains at the custody of the Philippine National Police for further investigation. The troops also recovered one Improvised Explosive Device (IED) with paraphernalia and other personal belongings. Meanwhile, another rebel named Virgilio M Olavides, also known as alias Rodel and a member of KOMPROB ALBAY also died after a clash that transpired between the government troops and some five NPA rebels on Monday, April 28, 2014 at Brgy. Matanglad, Pioduran, Albay. SOLCOM Commander Lt Gen Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo AFP said SOLCOM continues to intensify its military operation against the armed communist insurgents to totally stop all atrocities of the rebels. However, he still encourages those who are still walking through the road of insurgency to return to the fold of the law. Panahon na para magbagong buhay. Tayo ay bukas at handang tumulong para sa mga nais magbalik loob. May mga nakalaang programa ang ating pamahalaan para gumabay sa kanila at upang sila ay tuluyang makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay. Atin nang napatunayan na ang 40 taon na paghahasik ng karahasan ay hindi kailanman naging sagot sa mga suliranin na kinakaharap ng ating bansa. Ang tunay na pag-unlad ay atin lamang makakamit kung ang bawat isa sa atin ay maisasapuso at maisasagawa ang tunay na diwa ng pagkakaisa at bayanihan,” he stressed.|
Ang ACCRN ay isang proyektong sinusuportahan ng Rockefeller Foundation at ipinatutupad naman ng ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability. Ang ICLEI ang nangungunang samahan ng mga lunsod at lokal na pamahalaan sa buong mundo na naglalayong mag-promote ng local action para sa global sustainability. Ayon kay Ranel Dedikatoria, Program Manager, ICLEI Local Government for Sustainability Southeast Asia Secretariat, layunin ng ACCRN na
matulungan ang mga local government units na makabuo ng climate change resilience strategies o makapag-identify ng strategies para sa local climate change action plan. Sa naturang workshop ay nagsagawa sila ng scoping exercise o situational analysis sa kung ano ang mga programang ipinatutupad at kung ano na ang na-accomplish ng lokal na pamahalaan sa pagtugon sa climate change. Itinatakda ng Republic Act 9729 ang pagkakaroon ng lahat ng LGU ng climate
change action plan. Idinagdag pa ni Dedikatoria na ito ang una sa apat na workshop na kanilang isasagawa. Aanyayahan naman nila sa susunod na workshop ang mga kinatawan ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaang nasyunal. Dumalo sa naturang pagsasanay ang mga kinatawan ng iba’t ibang departamento ng pamahalang lunsod ng Batangas, pribadong sector at iba pang ahensyang bumubuo ng Batangas City Climate Change Core Team.| RONNA ENDAYA
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Trabahong lokal at overseas, patok sa job fair MGA domestic at overseas jobs ang inaplayan ng humigit-kumulang sa 400 kataong naghahanap ng trabaho sa job fair na isinagawa ng pamahalaang lunsod ng Batangas sa pamamagitan ng Public Employment Service Office (PESO) at nilahukan ng may 11 overseas companies at 43 lokal na kumpanya sa Batangas City Coliseum, Abril 30. Kabilang sa mga lumahok na kompanya ang AG&P na nangangailangan ng may 400 welders, mga indirect
workers tulad ng engineers, detailers at checkers upang magtrabaho sa kanilang expansion project sa Batangas International Port Yard. Ayon sa AG&P, mas madali para sa tulad nilang malaking kompanya na makapaghanap ng mga kwalipikadong indibidwal sa tulong ng job fair na isinasagawa ng Batangas City. Kabilang din sa mga kompanyang lumahok sa nabanggit na job fair ang JG Summit Petrochemical Corporation, Jollibee, Toyota
Batangas, SIDC, CDO, CocaCola Bottling Corp, Teletech, Bifido, Omanfil International Manpower Development Corp, Magsaysay Maritime, Inc, Krisalis Construction, Star Express at iba pa. Sinabi ni Atty. Reginald Dimacuha na kinatawan ni Mayor Eddie Dimacuha, na prayoridad ng lokal na pamahalan ang “people empowerment” sa pamamagitan ng pagsasagawa ng job fair na naglalayong makatulong sa mga mamamayan sa lunsod na magkatrabaho at mai-
angat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng kanilang mga pamilya. Natutuwa rin siya aniya sa suporta ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) at ng pribadong sektor sa gawaing ito. Ipinabatid naman ni PESO Manager Noel Silang na tatlong beses sa isang taon kung magsagawa sila ng job fair -tuwing Enero (City Fiesta), Labor Day, at bilang isa sa mga Foundation Day activities tuwing Hulyo.| RONNA E. CONTRERAS
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DOST CALABARZON,namahagi ng P1.1M halaga ng mga proyekto sa lalawigan ng Batangas MATAAS NA KAHOY, Batangas --Namahagi ng iba't ibang mga proyekto na nagkakahalaga ng P1,110,000 ang Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Calabarzon sa mga kooperatiba at samahan sa lalawigan ng Batangas kamakailan. Ang mga pinagkalooban ng proyekto ay ang Samahan ng Maggagatas ng Batangas Cooperative (SAMABACO) para sa pagtatayo ng central milk consolidation facility (P150,000); Silver Consumers Association mula sa Brgy. Hanopol Oriental sa Lunsod ng Tanauan para sa upgrading ng vermicomposting technology (P150,000); Batangas Seaweeds Farmers Association (BASEFA) para sa pagsasaayos ng seaweed industry nito sa bayan ng Calatagan (P150,000); E. Zobel Foundation Inc., para sa labeling at packaging ng complimentary food products nito sa Brgy. Real, Calatagan, Batangas (P350,000); Katipunan ng Magbubukid sa Hacienda Roxas Inc./CA Caisip Bignay Tea para sa pagpaparami ng male bignay tree para sa reforestation program sa bayan ng Nasugbu (P160,000) at Kabuhayan para sa may Kapansanan Inc. (P150,000) para sa pagpa-
CANON LAW SOCIETY CONVENTION. Naging tampok na tagapagsalita sa isinagawang pagtitipon ng kaparian na kasapi sa Canon Lawyers Society of the Philippines si Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto. Ang mga miyembro ng Canon Law Society ay nasa lalawigan upang isagawa ang kanilang ika-22 National Assembly sa Lima Park Hotel, Lipa City. Ang pagtitipon para sa taong ito ay may temang “The Filipino Laity and the New Evangilization. (Inset) Makikita rin sa larawan si Governor Santos Recto na humuhingi ng patnubay at dasal sa panginoon para sa sarili at buong samabayanang Batangueño.|
EDWIN V. ZABARTE paganda ng kalidad at produktong instant salabat sa bayan ng Cuenca. Sinabi ni Dr. Alexander Madrigal, hangad ng kanilang tanggapan na maisulong ang kabuhayan ng mga samahang ito batay sa millennium development goal ng pamahalaan kung kaya’t patuloy ang pagtulong nila at pagkakaloob ng pondo para
sa mga ito. Lubos namana ang pasasalamat at kasiyahan ng mga kinatawan ng lahat ng samahan at kooperatiba sapagkat
............................................................................... <<<SOCIAL SERVICES.... mula sa P/1
Kasunduan para sa libreng sine ng PWDs, nilagdaan na siyang may akda ng ordi-
............................................................................... nansa, City Social Welfare <<<BUSINESS.. mula sa P/2
Puregold faces conundrum billion in 2013, higher than the P2.72 billion the company profited in 2012. Puregold (which is listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange since 2011) hopes to open 25 new stores this year, and the firm needs a P3 billion capital to open those 25 stores. As of April 11, Puregold’s stock price is at P44.60.
Co is the Philippines’ tenth richest with US$1.9 billion, says Forbes magazine. His company’s sudden rise is owed to middle-class Filipinos’ rising consumption spending, not to mention that it competes with Henry Sy’s Shoemart which owns Save&More and SM Hypermart.|
malaking bagay ang naibigay ng DOST sa kanila upang mas mapaganda, maisaayos at mapaunlad pa ang kanilang mga produkto.| MPDC
and Development officer Mila Espanola at ang kinatawan ni Edgar Tejerero, presidente ng SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. Bunga nito, hinikayat ni Maralit ang mga PWD’s na magparehistro at lumabas upang malaman nila ang kanilang mga karapatan at magkamit ng mga kaukulang benebisyo. Ayon pa kay Maralit, higit pang isusulong ng
kanilang samahan ang pagiging produktibong mamayanan ng komunidad at pagpapalawak ng kanilang benepisyo upang maiangat ang kanilang kapakanan. Samantala, binanggit din ni Maralit na nagsasagawa na sila ng mga pagpupulong para sa selebrasyon ng Apolinario Mabini Week at sa paggunita ng National Disability Prevention week sa buwan ng Hulyo.| RONNA E. CONTRERAS
Balikas Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the Post2015 Development Agenda 4
OPINION
May 5 - 11, 2014
[Joint Message from Mr Ban Ki-moon, SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations and Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2014]
CBCP online
THIS year, the international community has a once-in-ageneration opportunity to prepare a long-term agenda for sustainable development to succeed the Millennium Development Goals when they end in 2015. Successfully implementingthat agenda will require thatall populations enjoy the fundamental rights of freedom of opinion and expression. These rights are essential to democracy, transparency, accountability and the rule of law. They are vital for human dignity, social progress and inclusive development. World Press Freedom Day highlights the importance of independent, free and pluralistic media to protecting and ........................................................................................................................................................ promoting these rights. Journalism provides a platform for informed discussion across a wide range of development issues – from environmental challenges and scientific progress to gender equality, youth engagement and peacebuilding. Only when journalists are at liberty to monitor, investigate and [HERE is the translation of brother (cf. Is 58:7), because criticize policies and actions can good governance exist. the Pope's homily at the they saw Jesus in every Evenas welook beyond2015,wemustconfrontcurrentgrave Canonization Mass of Sts. person who suffers and struggles. These were two threats to press freedom around the world. In many countries John XXIII and John Paul II in St. Peter's Square.] men of courage, filled with journalists and other media workers face systematic obstacles the parrhesia of the Holy to reporting the truth, ranging from censorship, arrest and At the heart of this Spirit, and they bore witness imprisonment to intimidation,attacks and even assassination. Sunday, which concludes the before the Church and the These outrageous abuses show that press freedom and the Octave of Easter and which John Paul II wished to world to God’s goodness and mercy. to Divine Mercy, are the glorious wounds of They were priests, bishops and popes of the twentieth human rights it underpins are extremely fragile and must be dedicate the risen Jesus. century. They lived through the tragic events of that actively defended. He had already shown those wounds when he first century, but they were not overwhelmed by them. For The United Nations General Assembly has unequivocally appeared to the Apostles on the very evening of that them, God was more powerful; faith was more powerful condemned all attacks and violence against journalists and day following the Sabbath, the day of the resurrection. – faith in Jesus Christ the Redeemer of man and the Thomas was not there that evening, and when the Lord of history; the mercy of God, shown by those five media workers.Governments and all those with influence must But others told him that they had seen the Lord, he replied wounds, was more powerful; and more powerful too now act on this condemnation by protecting journalists and that unless he himself saw and touched those wounds, was the closeness of Mary our Mother. other media workers.The United Nations stands ready to do its he would not believe. A week later, Jesus appeared once In these two men, who looked upon the wounds of part. UN bodies are already working together and with other more to the disciples gathered in the Upper Room, and Christ and bore witness to his mercy, there dwelt a was present; Jesus turned to him and told living hope and anindescribable and glorious joy (1 Pet partners under the leadership of UNESCO to create a free and Thomas him to touch his wounds. Whereupon that man, so 1:3,8). The hope and the joy which the risen Christ safe environment forjournalists and media workers around the straightforward and accustomed to testing everything bestows on his disciples, the hope and the joy which personally, knelt before Jesus with the words: “My Lord nothing and no one can take from them. The hope and world. joy of Easter, forged in the crucible of self-denial, selfOn this World Press Freedom Day, we call on all States, and my God!” (Jn 20:28). The wounds of Jesus are a scandal, a stumbling emptying, utter identification with sinners, even to the societies and individuals to actively defend freedom of block for faith, yet they are also the test of faith. That is point of disgust at the bitterness of that chalice. Such expression and press freedom as fundamental rights and as why on the body of the risen Christ the wounds never were the hope and the joy which these two holy popes critical contributions to achievingthe Millennium Development pass away: they remain, for those wounds are the had received as a gift from the risen Lord and which enduring sign of God’s love for us. They are essential they in turn bestowed in abundance upon the People of Goals and advancing the post-2015 development agenda.|
‘May these two new saints and shepherds of Gods people intercede for the Church’
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. Office: The BALIKAS Centre, Guades Comp., Purok 3, Brgy. Calicanto, 4200 Batangas City, Philippines 043.417.1662 | 0912.902.7373 | 0917.512.9477 E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com | www.facebook.com/pages/Balikas Lipa Office: San Sebastian St.,Brgy. 10, Lipa City Joenald Medina Rayos Publisher / Editor-in-Chief
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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.|
for believing in God. Not for believing that God exists, but for believing that God is love, mercy and faithfulness. Saint Peter, quoting Isaiah, writes to Christians: “by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Pet 2:24, cf. Is 53:5). Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II were not afraid to look upon the wounds of Jesus, to touch his torn hands and his pierced side. They were not ashamed of the flesh of Christ, they were not scandalized by him, by his cross; they did not despise the flesh of their
God, meriting our eternal gratitude. This hope and this joy were palpable in the earliest community of believers, in Jerusalem, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles (cf. 2:42-47). It was a community which lived the heart of the Gospel, love and mercy, in simplicity and fraternity. This is also the image of the Church which the Second Vatican Council set before us. Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II cooperated with the Holy Spirit
>>>EX-CATHEDRA..turn to P/6
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Ang Mabuting Balita Si Jesus ang Mabuting Pastol Kaya't muling sinabi ni Jesus, Pakatandaan ninyo: ako nga ang pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa. 8 Ang mga nauna sa akin ay mga magnanakaw at mga tulisan, ngunit hindi sila pinakinggan ng mga tupa. 9 Ako nga ang pintuan. Ang sinumang pumapasok sa pamamagitan ko'y maliligtas. Papasok siya't lalabas, at makakatagpo ng pastulan. Dumarating ang magnanakaw para lamang magnakaw, pumatay, at manira. Naparito ako upang ang mga tupa ay magkaroon ng buhay, ng isang buhay na masagana at ganap. Ako ang mabuting pastol. Iniaalay ng mabuting pastol ang kanyang buhay para sa mga tupa. Ang bayaran ay tumatakas kapag may dumarating na asonggubat. Iniiwan niya ang mga tupa, palibhasa'y hindi siya pastol at hindi kanya ang mga ito. Kaya't sinusunggaban ng asong-gubat ang mga ito at binubulabog. Tumatakas siya, palibhasa'y bayaran lamang at walang malasakit sa mga tupa. 14-15A k o nga ang mabuting pastol. Kung paanong kilala ako ng
Ama at siya'y kilala ko, gayundin naman, kilala ko ang aking mga tupa at ako nama'y kilala nila. At iniaalay ko ang aking buhay para sa aking mga tupa. Mayroon akong iba pang mga tupa na wala pa sa kulungang ito. Kinakailangang sila'y ipasok ko rin at papakinggan naman nila ang aking tinig. Sa gayon, magiging isa na lamang ang kawan at isa ang pastol. Dahil dito'y minamahal ako ng Ama, sapagkat iniaalay ko ang aking buhay upang ito'y kunin kong muli. Walang makakakuha ng aking buhay; kusa ko itong ibinibigay. Mayroon akong kapangyarihang ibigay ito at kuning muli. Ito ang utos na tinanggap ko sa aking Ama. Dahil sa mga pananalitang ito, hindi na naman nagkaisa ng palagay ang mga Judio. 20 Marami sa kanila ang nagsabi, Sinasapian siya ng demonyo at nababaliw! Bakit kayo makikinig sa kanya? Sinabi naman ng iba, Hindi makakapagsalita nang ganoon ang isang sinasapian ng demonyo! Nakapagpapagaling ba ng bulag ang demonyo? |
OPINION
May 5 - 11, 2014
Sobrang maelya si bosing - Unang Bahagi ANG lahat nang tao, maging kawani ng gobyerno o nasa pribadong kumpanya ay dapat alamin at huwag balewalain ang Anti-Sexual Harassment Law (RA 7877) na nagpaparusa sa kawalan ng respeto at mahalagang pagtingin sa karapatan at dignidad ng mga kababaihan sa kanilang trabaho o opisinang ginagalawan. Ang batas na ito ay naipasa noong Marso 5, 1995 at sangkot sa kasong ito si Bernie. Kasal na si Bernie at nagtatrabaho sa isang bayan sa norte bilang municipal assessor. Nagtatrabaho rin doon si Tess bilang senior bookkeeper at sina Margie at Nida naman bilang regular na kawani ng gobyerno. Noong Pebrero 2009, nagpadala ng sulat si Bernie kay Margie kung saan sinasabi niya na matindi ang pagkakagusto niya sa babae. Nainsulto si Margie at tinakot ang lalaki na ibibigay ang sulat sa misis nito. Pero nagawa ni Bernie na mabawi ang sulat at pinunit. Bandang huli, noong Marso 2002 ay nagpadalang muli ng sulat kay Margie ang lalaki. Inaambisyon ng lalaki na kunwari ay nag-date na sila at sinabi pa nga
FVR, Forever @ PPI!
In the United States, the adminis-tration decided to consider the bases pact an executive agreement, thus requiring no Senate approval. (sounds familiar?) The author of the article Why and How the USPhilippine Military Bases Agreement of 1947 Got Approved Stephen R. Shalom* noted: “That the United States had rushed massive amounts of military equipment to its bases in the Philippines in the six months before Pearl Harbor to no avail or that the impregnable British base at Singapore was quickly overrun by the Japanese Imperial Army might have suggested that foreign bases were hardly a guarantee against invasion and conquest.” On the other hand, the Philippines sent troops to Korea in the 1950s and Vietnam in the 1960s. Parallel to the negotiations for the retention of US military bases is the push for the enactment of the Bell Trade Act of 1946, which, among other things, contained the controversial “Parity rights” provision, which grants US citizens the same rights as Filipinos in doing business in the country, including the right to exploit the country’s natural resources and to operate basic utilities. The Roxas government then used the argument, which is still being used now, that granting parity rights to US citizens would attract more foreign investments and therefore, result in economic development. One of the most consistent in opposing “parity rights” was the late Sen. Claro M. Recto. The following are some of his arguments lifted from the Recto Reader and published by The Filipino Mind. “This parity clause, it need not be said, is grossly unfair. This is, indeed, the first instance in history where an independent nation has granted to citizens of another rights equal to those enjoyed by its own citizens.” “Parity opens the door to foreign direct investment. In fact, foreign investment constitutes the very motivation for parity rights.” “With foreign direct investments financing our industrialization, and with the economy passing gradually into foreign hands, not only shall we be poorer than ever but even our political independence would dwindle into insignificance.” “Inasmuch as profits and savings therefrom are the only sources of capital forma-tion, those profits that belong to foreign capital can not help promote our own capital formation; consequently, there is no increase in our capacity to produce.” “We remain, in the end, poor and underdeveloped, When foreign investors send home their income, capital, and savings, then we shall be back where we were before they were ‘attracted,’ perhaps in a worse condition, where we might even have to beg the foreign investors
>>>PERSPECTIVE..turn to P/7
>>>DUREZA..turn to P/6
Throwback to 1946, strengthening US stranglehold on the Philippines - Last Part FORWARD a few years later, Quezon was already dead and Manuel A. Roxas was elected as president. Roxas reportedly did not object to most of the proposals of the US regarding the retention of US military bases, which included that the United States would acquire the bases for ninety-nine years (article 29), that Clark Air Base alone was to cover 130,000 acres, that the city of Olongapo was to be totally part of Subic Naval Base, that U.S. authority would extend to the “vicinity of the bases” (article 3), that the United States would be permitted to use public utilities and all other facilities under conditions no worse than those applicable to the Philippine armed forces (article 7), that the Philippines could not give third nations base rights without U.S. approval (article 25), or that Filipinos were to be permitted to volunteer to serve in the U.S. armed forces (article 27). Roxas merely objected to two provisions: the establishment of military facilities in Manila and the provision granting the US military jurisdiction over all criminal offenses committed by US Armed Forces personnel. However, a few senators objected to the proposed military bases agreement. Senator Tomas Confesor declared that the bases were “established here by the United States, not so much for the benefit of the Philippines as for their own.” He warned his colleagues that “We are within the orbit of expansion of the American empire. Imperialism is not yet dead.” “Parity” and the bases agreement.” Confesor said parity rights and the bases agreement, “complement one another. In the first, we deliver into the hands of the nationals of the United States the natural resources of the country. In the second, we relinquish our sovereign rights over practically every portion of the Philippines, to the end that the United States may properly protect the investments of her citizens in this country.” Senator Alejo Mabanag stated that: “Fundamentally and in principle, I am opposed to the establishment of bases in our country because it constitutes an encroachment on our sovereignty. Not only that, while years ago military bases were considered good defenses, [in] this age of the atomic bomb, such bases are no longer sufficient defense. On the contrary, they are an invitation to attack.” The US-RP military bases agreement of 1947 was nevertheless passed by the Philippine Congress. The only concession the US gave was that it did not establish a military installation in Manila. The US dangled military aid to have the agreement approved. The Roxas government used this aid against the peasant unrest in Central Luzon.
5
THE other night, President Ramos literally was “a hit” all night to the nation-wide members of the Philippine Press Institute who gathered at the Trader’s Hotel in Metro Manila to celebrate its 50th year founding anniversary. He was 30 minutes early when he arrived at the hotel entrance already bantering with some well wishers (among them my colleague former Congressman Bert Lumauig of Banaue). When Atty. Raul Pangalangan, publisher of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and I came down to welcome him, he “welcomed” us instead. He was clad in his favorite barong, with the native Igorot material lining the seams and cuffs (calling his barong “igorotchi” which he described as much better than “Gucci”). ‘EX-PRESIDENT’ — FVR was in his usual jovial self. When I addressed him from the rostrum “Mr. President” he interrupted me by calling out aloud from his seat, admonishing me: “ex-president, ex-president”! (As if “somebody up there” would be displeased if he used that title — so I had to correct myself! LOL) He listened intently in his seat when Publisher Raul, in briefly introducing him, reminded everyone about the milestones during his presidency that many of us might have forgotten; like today’s cell phones and the landmark opening up of the Philippine economy made possible by his liberalization policy, the progress brought about by the military bases conversion; his being a “warrior for peace” due to his unprecedented peace initiatives despite being a soldier. ‘CON TODO AMOUR’— When he went to the rostrum to give his message, he first called on everyone to please stand up and warmly hug the next person “con todo amour” (with all the love). He said it’s in this light that we, as a people, value our country and should value each other. “Go ahead, embrace each other “con todo amour” because it is perhaps this way that you can convince our legislators to pass the Freedom of Information bill”, he quipped. To further demonstrate, he came down from the rostrum and brought up the stage a lady guest and showed everyone how to do it. (Naughty him, he got away with several kisses!) When he started his message, he first appeared as if he was looking for his prepared speech. He then reached down to his socks where his papers were tucked saying: “During the early days, this was where we hid our .45s and ammos”. (As expected, he would throw to the floor every page when done — which his aide would dutifully pick up and gather after his speech.) CREDIBLE, NOT RESPONSIBLE — He then turned serious and talked about the responsibilities of media and the basic need to be accurate, independent and accountable, hallmarks of a “credible” press. No, he preferred not to describe media as “responsible press” because it might sound all right at first blush. “But then, it may be relevant to ask: what do you mean when we say ‘responsible’? By whose standards or by what measures do we consider the press ‘responsible’? If you ask those in government or in politics, being a ‘responsible’ press may mean being less a critic and more a publicist. Being called a ‘credible’ press is better as ‘credibility’ is earned”, he said. SOCIAL MEDIA —Touching on the challenges posed by social media on the printed press, he noted: “Today’s social media, as a rule, falls short of this imperative (of veracity or accuracy). For example, one who finds a post in Facebook and immediately ‘shares’ or ‘reposts’ or ‘likes’ what someone else posted without verification falls short of this rigorous attribute”. WATCHING ‘WATCHDOGS’ —He related his natural affection for the press which started when he was still a young boy and his father, the former Foreign Affairs Secretary Narciso Ramos was himself a journalist having published the community paper, the Pangasinan News in Lingayen, Pangasinan in the early 1930’s. He called on media to continue addressing the challenges of press freedom, security and media killings, professionalization and capacitation, redress and self-policing mechanisms, among others. He welcomed PPI’s planned activation of press councils that would not only provide a grievance mechanism for the public but shall be an “ombudsman” of sorts to act as watchdogs to watch over the press. PRESIDENT AS ‘JUGGLER’ — He then described the difficult role of the Philippine president as a juggler who had to do balancing act in the air and keeping aloft “at least ten balls which are national problems”. He stressed: “More importantly, the President himself must never fall off from uncoordinated movements, panic or lack of focus — because the whole nation will also crash with him”. His message was clearly directed at President Aquino admonishing him not to falter while describing the difficulty and the complexity of being in Malacanang. And he asked everyone to help “plug” the holes in the ship of state lest the whole ship sinks with everyone on board. He talked of the common challenge for a higher quality of life for Filipinos; he traced our heroes’ defiance from Spanish rule — our early unspoken longing for freedom. He stressed that today’s clamor is for independence from poverty and bad governance. He concluded: “This is why — in a democracy — the country’s business is every citizen’s business, as it is the business of the press”. KAYA BA NATIN TO? — And in his trade-mark call, he asked, at the end of his speech in a booming voice: “Kaya ba natin ito??” The crowd
na “ang tamis ng halik mo”. Sa kabilang banda, nagumpisa naman ang pagkamanyak ni Bernie kay Nida noong Abril 5, 2002, sa isang okasyon ng pagreretiro ng isang kawani. Nagawa ng lalaki na ibulong kay Nida na hangang-hanga siya sa kinis ng kutis nito. Pinisil pa nga niya ng dalawang beses ang dalaga sa pagitan ng kanyang braso at balikat. Matapos ang ilang araw, nakatanggap ng text sa cell phone si Nida galing kay Bernie habang padaan siya sa harap ng kotse ng manyak. Ang nakasulat sa text ay “pauwi ka na ba sexy?” Pagkatapos nito, sa pagitan ng Abril 22 hanggang Abril 25, 2002, nakatanggap pa si Nida ng limang text messages galing kay Bernie. Ang nakasulat sa text ay “gusto kita”, “magdate tayo” “huwag kang magsasabi sa iba ng sinabi ko at nakakahiya”, “Puso mo pag binigay mo sa akin magiging napakasaya ko” at “nakatulog ako at nanaginip nang magagandang bagay tungkol sa iyo”. - Itutuloy
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By BENJIE OLIVEROS
Balikas
perspective
BUSINESS
May 5 - 11, 2014
6
Lucena City farmers embark DOLE, SM Malls partner in jobs fair for Labor Day celebration on organic farming trends LUCENA CITY, Quezon -– Joining the country’s trending agricultural methods and farming techniques, Lucena City farmers are beginning to adopt the now “in” organic farming. Lucena City Mayor Roderick “Dondon” Alcala said on Monday that farmer-trainees and agricultural workers who attended the Training Course on Organic Agriculture for Farmers of Lucena City hosted by the City Agriculturist Office are now eager to venture into this farming trend. Mayor Dondon Alcala expressed elation of the encouraging results as most Lucena farmers are now engaged in organic farming here and many more farm workers have been lured to join the “green trend.” The city mayor is also assisting the farmers in looking for more markets for the organic vegetables, fruits and crops to increase
farmers’ income. Alcala said the organic vegetables, fruits and crops may be sold in the nearby markets of Sariaya and other adjacent towns. The agri-products may be enhanced in better packaging and presentable form to ensure marketability. He encouraged more farmers and agricultural workers to avail of the agricultural training courses to learn more and prove these farm outputs are naturally grown and using organic methods and avoid harmful chemicals and pesticides. The mayor also explained that while organic vegetables may be sold at a higher price than the prevailing prices of common vegetables grown with pesticides, the consumers however are assured of fresh, natural and safe crops and vegetables and avoid certain chemical-borne diseases. Alcala said the mark-up price actually helps the organic farmers to earn extra income out of the organic agricultural method.| PNA
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THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in partnership with SM Malls, conduct nationwide jobs fair in celebration of Labor Day (May 1). Over 310,000 jobs are offered to qualified applicants. Photo shows applicants line up at North Edsa Mall Complex in Quezon City.|M. LLOREN
<<<EX-CATHEDRA...from P/4 <<<DUREZA...from P/5 E-learning program ‘May these two new saints eases research study of and shepherds of Gods people FVR, Forever @ PPI students and teachers intercede for the Church’
TRECE Martires City, Cavite, --Officials from the city government of Imus revealed that the introduction of elearning program last year in public elementary and high schools provided both the teachers and the students the advantage of doing research faster and accurate compared to the traditional learning methods. Dr. Lualhati O. Cadavedo, DepEd city education superintendent, said the eLearning program launched last December 12, 2013 was an initiative of Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi and his father, former congressman Erineo Maliksi. “Teachers and students can now avail of a free internet access (Wi-Fi) in their respective schools for their search for valuable information needed in their research study,” Dr. Cava-
dedo said. She encouraged the teachers and the faculty members to use computers, adapt and support the eLearning program initiated by the city government. Mayor Maliksi explained the project was implemented because he believed that through alternative and innovative means, e-learning can be a very useful tool to upgrade the quality of education among Imuseño students and the teachers as well. The e-learning is a partnership between the city government and the Philippine-Australia Distribution Services Limited, Inc. who donated LCD projectors, monitors and various computer softwares in almost all the public schools in the city.| PIA
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in renewing and updating the Church in keeping with her pristine features, those features which the saints have given her throughout the centuries. Let us not forget that it is the saints who give direction and growth to the Church. In convening the Council, Saint John XXIII showed an exquisite openness to the Holy Spirit. He let himself be led and he was for the Church a pastor, a servant-leader. This was his great service to the Church; he was the pope of openness to the Holy Spirit. In his own service to the People of God, Saint John Paul II was the pope of the family. He himself once said that he wanted to be remembered as the pope of the
family. I am particularly happy to point this out as we are in the process of journeying with families towards the Synod on the family. It is surely a journey which, from his place in heaven, he guides and sustains. May these two new saints and shepherds of God’s people intercede for the Church, so that during this two-year journey toward the Synod she may be open to the Holy Spirit in pastoral service to the family. May both of them teach us not to be scandalized by the wounds of Christ and to enter ever more deeply into the mystery of divine mercy, which always hopes and always forgives, because it always loves.|
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chorused : “Kayang kaya!” But he was not satisfied. Slamming with his hand the rostrum, he barked: “Napakahina ng sagot nyo dito!” Of course, the second call got a loud reply from the audience. PRESS AWARDS —He then presided over the awarding of the 2013 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards under the sponsorship of Coca-Cola Philippines. (He was looking for Atty. Adel Tamano, Coke’s Public Affairs and Communications Director who was in the Visayas and was able to send in only his video message.) After the program, he was literally blocked from leaving the hall by the journalists who swarmed around him. He gamely posed for souvenir pictures and “selfies” . He stayed and chatted for more than one hour after the program. STAYING POWER —Many members of the media who had covered him even during his incumbency commented that night about FVR’s “staying power”, despite his age. He still plays regular golf and prompts everyone to do push ups. He continues to hold sway at his lofty office complex of the RPDEV in Makati where he receives regular callers and mulls over with his stream of visitors current national and international issues and events, except during times when he is somewhere abroad sharing his expertise and experience on the global stage. By force of habit, he has a piece of paper in his pocket where his never ending schedules are listed (as if he is still president.) His old bulging wallet, held together with a rubber band, still has give-away copies of printed Philippine Navy Golf Club score cards showing his golf score of “80” with a teaser: “Can you shoot your age in golf or lower? Yes, FVR (at 85 yrs old ) has done it 8 times! Can Tiger Woods? No, lacks seniority!....” Then of course, he hands out discreetly, especially to the “seniors”, a yellow-colored pocket sized “Great Truths About Growing Old” which contains saucy data like “counting calories” when removing a woman’s clothes, etc. etc. (better left to be read in private than published here. hahaha!) When finally he was able to head for the exit door that night, he told the accompanying ladies who were persistent in asking him about his political plans: “Please, don’t vote for me. Baka manalo ako!” Then he flashed his thumbs-up sign and familiar grin. Someone shouted: “FVR, forever!” as he waived goodbye and headed for the stairs. (Nope, not the elevator, folks!)| Lawyer Jess Dureza is also the publisher of Mindanao Times and the current president/Chairman of the Board of the Philippine Press Institute. He also served as Press Secretary during the administrations of former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
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 Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Isang paglilinaw ang maaaring gawin. Kung masasabi ito ng maayos, iiral ang pang-unawa ng iba sa sitwasyon at malilinis ang pangalan. Sagittarius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) - Hindi umaayon ang panahon sa gustong mangyari. Kung may suliranin, huwag lubayan sa paghahanap ng solusyon. Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) - W ala kang dapat alalahanin kung may mga bagay na hindi natapos. Humingi ng tulong sa mga kasamahan kung gahol sa oras ang dapat tapusin. Aquarius (Ene. 20 - Peb. 18) - Sikapin kung ano ang magagawang tulong sa problema ng kaibigan o kasambahay. Huwag ipagkait ang tulong kung may paraan dahil darating ang panahon na siya naman ang makatutulong sa iyo. Pisces (Peb. 19-Mar. 20) - Umuwi na ng bahay at magpahinga kung sa tingin ay hindi na kaya ng katawan na magtrabaho. Mabuting magpahinga kung napapagod. Aries (Mar. 21-Abril 19) - Unahin ang paggawa ng mga mahahalagang bagay. Ang ilang gawain ay maaaring makapaghintay. Huwag hayaang maghari ang kasalukuyang depresyon.|
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Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) Magpasensiya kahit pikon at galit ka. W alang magandang idudulot kung paiiralin ang pagkabagsik. Kung hindi makapagpipigil may mangyayaring hindi maganda. Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) - Ang iyong pakiwari ngayon ay walang nakakaunawa sa gusto mong mangyari. Huwag mawalan ng pag-asa. Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Ihanda ang sarili na makinig sa problema ng kaibigan. Tiyakin na hindi ka madadala sa problema nito dahil wala kang magagawang tulong kapag nagkataon. Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Malamang hindi maiiwasan na mapaiyak sa mangyayari na hindi kanais-nais. Umiyak kung gusto, makapagpapaluwag ito ng kalooban. Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - Masaya ang buong araw dahil nakakatiyak ka na mahal ka pa rin sa kabila ng mga pagkukulang. Huwag lamang ang sobrang abuso dahil hindi sa lahat ng panahon ay mauunawaan Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) - Malamang yayain kang mamasyal ng minamahal, kamag-anak o kaibigan. Kung magkakataon, masaya ang kahihinatnan ng pagsasama.
............................................................................................................................... <<<PERSPECTIVE....from P/5
Throwback to 1946, strengthening US stranglehold in R.P. to keep their investments in the Philippines not to enrich us but just to be able to give some employment to our laboring class.” Well, the rest is history. The Philippines lagged behind its neighbors in economic growth, in real terms. The Philippines could not even build a decent bicycle out of materials produced in the country. The debate over the “Framework Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation” would not only bring back the US military bases that the Filipino people were able to kick out in 1991. Worse, it will allow the establishment of US military installations in and expand access of US troops, aircraft carriers, warships and submarines, fighter jets and drones, and war materiel to every corner of the country, including what the late president Roxas objected to, in the capital. In fact, reports reveal that the US has a military installation inside Camp Aguinaldo, the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Likewise, the moves to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution to allow foreign-owned corporations to penetrate every sector of the economy practically brings the country back to the time when US
businesses enjoyed “parity rights” in the country under the Bell Trade Act of 1946. The Laurel-Langley Agree-ment of 1955, which replaced it, made parity rights reci-procal, effectively limiting the rights that American busi-nesses could enjoy in the Philippines. There is truth in what a political economist once said: History does repeat itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. -Stephen R. Shalom got his Bachelor’s degree from M.I.T., his Master’s from Northeastern, and his Ph.D. in Political Science from Boston University. He began teaching at William Paterson in 1977. He is the author of The United States and the Philippines: A Study of Neocolonialism (1981); editor of Socialist Visions (South End Press, 1984); author of Imperial Alibis: Rationalizing U.S. Intervention After the Cold War (South End Press, 1993); co-editor of The Philippines Reader (South End Press, 1987), Bitter Flowers, Sweet Flowers: East Timor, Indonesia, and the World Community (Rowman & Littlefield, 2001); author of the text Which Side Are You On? An Introduction to Politics (Longman, 2003); and editor of Perilous Power: The Middle East &U.S. Foreign Policy. Dialogues on Terror, Democracy, War, and Justice by Noam Chomsky
and Gilbert Achcar (Paradigm Publishers, 2007). He is one of the co-editors of New Politics. He is the director of the Gandhian Forum for Peace & Justice. It is also quite a stretch to say that there are people who are stupid enough to choose to pursue a path with so many risks and sacrifices without an iota of hope and a good measure of certainty that their ideals of a better life for all could be achieved. Look at the those from the Left who are in the list of the military and the government’s most wanted – Benito Tiamzon, Wilma Austria, Jose Maria Sison, Luis Jalandoni, Connie Ledesma, Alan Jasmines, Tirso Alcantara, Jorge Madlos, or even the late Ka Roger Rosal and Tony Zumel – do you see any indication that they are enjoying the trappings of wealth, power and privilege? None at all. Do you picture them as blood-thirsty terrorists who kill for the sake of killing or for personal gain as the military is wont to portray them? The government and military even have to resort to filing the most absurd cases against them and violate their right to due process by shortcutting its own judicial processes to be able to justify their arrest and continued detention.
Do they appear as irrational people who are obsessed with a failed ideology? Why should they when they could choose a simpler, safer, more convenient life? One may or may not agree with their ideology or their way of pursuing their ideals but one could not deny that these people are doing it for a cause greater than themselves. Why should one be afraid if what they are trying to change is the current system where people get poorer, justice remains elusive and social inequities are getting worse every year? If there is no genuine opposition – not one that pretends to be but is only interested in getting a bigger slice of the pie – nothing would compel those in power to address the worsening poverty and immiseration. Only those who entrench themselves in power by the use of force, legal manipulation, and money and those whose power, wealth, and privileges are threatened by the ideology and struggle these people represent should be afraid of them. That is why they, who are in power, are doing everything to deny these people of their rights, liberty and capacity to pursue their aims.|
WWW.BULATLAT.COM
............................................................................................................................ <<<EDUKASYON.. mula sa P/8
Notice of Enrolment, ipinamahagi sa mga bagong iskolars ng Colegio ng Lunsod ng Batangas pagkakataong matupad ang kanilang pangarap. Sa mensahe ni ABC Pres. Dondon Dimacuha, na siya ring kumatawan kay Mayor Eddie B. Dimacuha, ay sinabi niya na ang tanging hiling ng pamahalaang lunsod sa mga estudyante ng CLB kapalit ng libreng edukasyon ay ang sila’y magsikap sa pag-aaral at maging mabuting mamamayan ng lunsod. Ipinaalam naman ni Dr. Fely Adarlo, Dean of Instructions, ang ilan sa mga accomplishments ng CLB gaya ng 1,557 graduates simula noong 2006. Nasa
90% nito ay may maayos na trabaho dito sa lunsod at mga karatig-bayan. Nasa 97% naman ng Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) graduates ay kasalukuyang nagtuturo na sa mga pribado at pampublikong paaralan. Ayon pa kay Adarlo, ang CLB ay may 147 professional licensed teachers mula sa 181 BEED graduates. Maipagmamalaki ng CLB ang patuloy na pagtaas ng passing rate nito sa Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET): 2010 73.58%; 2011 - 79.31%; 2012 - 88.89% at 2013 - 88.24%.
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May 5 - 11, 2014
Sumali rin at nanalo ang mga magaaral ng CLB sa mga academic competitions tulad ng PAUTAKAN na itinaguyod ng Dela Salle Lipa. Naging 2nd runner up ang CLB noong 2013, at champion naman ngayon 2014 sa kumpetisyong ito. Unti-unti na ring nakikilala ang mga mag-aaral ng CLB sa mga cultural at sports activities. Ipinamalas naman ng CLB cultural group sa mga incoming CLB freshmen ang kanilang talento sa pag-awit, pagsayaw at pag-arte.| MARIE V. LUALHATI
Pinoy recipes. Lutuing Pinoy Inkiwar
Coconut Curd Bring coconut milk to a boil in a saucepan and simmer gently over low heat. When oil starts to separate and solids begin to form. Regularly stir and scrape sides and bottom of pan to prevent from burning. Continue to cook and stir until curds turn golden brown. Drain curds from the oil and set aside. Serving Place the banana leaves at the bottom of the serving plate, and brush with oil. Spread the sticky sweet rice on the leaves and flatten evenly. Spread the coconut curds on the top of the sticky rice cake. Cooking Tips: You may use plain glutinous rice or brown rice or combinations. Soak the rice in water before cooking. Cook rice in rice cooker. Substitute sugar solids or palm sugar with brown sugar. Cooking without banana leaves, brush the pan with coconut oil. Brush some coconut oil onto your cooking utensils when spreading the sweet rice.|
A NATIVE Ilokano sticky rice cake dessert or meryenda, which is made of dudumen or an ordinary glutinous rice. Cooked in thickened caramelize coconut milk and curds. Ingredients: 3 Cups glutinous rice 1 Cup brown rice (optional) 2 Cans coconut milk 2 Cups palm sugar Latik 3 Cans coconut milk Cooking Directions: Sticky Rice Cake Wash the glutinous rice, set in a pot and add the water. When the mixture starts to boil, keep stirring to avoid burn. Cover and turn the heat down to simmer until the liquid is fully absorbed by the rice. On a separate pan over medium heat , dissolve the grated palm sugar in the coconut milk. Add the coconut curd (latik) and salt, continue heating the mixture under low fire for a minute. Keep stirring until half of the liquid has evaporated and thickened. Add in the cooked rice and continue stirring until very thick consistency.
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34 PAHALANG 1 Pera ng U.K. 5 Hinti patay! 10 Pulo 11 Lunana sa Maynila 12 Handaan 13 Mambabatas na Peter 14 Uri ng gulay 15 Timbangang gamit sa pangangalakal 17 Ugat ng puno na nakagagayuma sa tao at nagdudulot ng sakit sa kaaway 18 Yaman 19 Systems Biology Ontology 23 Russian chesser Mikhail 24 Pari o monghe sa Budhismo ng Tibet 26 Tanikala 28 Gamit sa kasal 29 Pambuli ng alahas 30 Sampung taon 31 Driver ng eroplano 33 Anumang may
33 35 kaugnayan sa Arabia 35 Labatiba PABABA 1 Uri ng maliit na paputok 2 Lunan sa Japan 3 Malay 4 Ibang anyo ng pumanaw 5 Brazil: daglat 6 Komposer na Restie 7 Hatak 8 Larong kompyuter 9 Simple 11 Tanghalan na pinagdarausan ng palatuntunan 16 Ruweda 19 Taguri sa santo 20 Kabisera ng Zimbabwe 21 Kamoteng kahoy 22 Talas 23 Tela sa pinilakang tabing 24 Dugong maharlika 25 magalang na tawag sa babae 26 Salat 27 Bitbit 32 Inisyal ng dating BisePresidente
>Wanna be featured here? Please contact us at 0917.512.9477 | 0912.902.7373 | 043.417.1662 for inquiries. Ronalina B. Lontoc, Special Project Editor
F.E.S.T.
......................................................................... >>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS..., EVENTS..., SHOWBIZ & SPORTS...TRAVEL & TRENDS<<<
May 5 - 11, 2014
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Coca Cola launches 4th Football Festival OCA-COLA Philippines in cooperation with Powerade, Makati Football Club, Alabang Football School, Alabang Country Club, and the NCR Football Association, “kicked-off” the fourth season of the CocaCola Football Festival on Saturday, at the Alabang Country Club.
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With approximately 230 teams and 3,500 players nationwide, Coca-Cola is “very happy with the response” that they received, since last year’s season only had about 2,700 players. “This proves the growing interest among Filipinos in football and it is something Coca-Cola Philippines would like to invest on so that in the long run, we could enjoin more people to take on more active, healthy lifestyles through sports,” said Guillermo Aponte, president and general manager of Coca-Cola Philippines. Coca-Cola believes that physical exercise is essential to healthy living. “Understanding what energy balance is–that is calories in, calories out—means knowing that the calories we take in, whether from a slice of cake, or a bottle of CocaCola, we should also be able to expend…” Aponte said, and that was the basis of the festival. The teams that compete at the festival simultaneously play on 22 football fields, following a 7A Side Football Format. Each team is limited to 7 players and only one team represents per club or school in the 11 different age categories. Winners get to take home championship trophies and medals, and last year it was the Green Barons, Miriam College, Xavier Football Club, Roxas Wildcats Football Club, Masbate
Coca-Cola through the Football Festival even the on-going Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars and the next Red Cross Million Volunteer Run is their advocacy to promote wellbeing is hinged on a global sustainability framework, which also involves women’s economic empowerment and environmental protection.| Football Club, Makati Football Club, De La Salle University, FC Sikat, De La Salle Zobel, Makati FC Elite, and Makati Football School who won in their respective categories. Besides the Football Festival, CocaCola is also sponsoring the ongoing Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars, and
upcoming Red Cross Million Volunteer Run this November. Globally, the CocaCola Company endorses over 280 healthy living programs in 115 countries. “Through our different programs and initiatives, we try to contribute in providing workable solutions to the current issues of today. That is our
commitment as a Company. At the same time, we also help educate and promote that regular exercise, paired with a sensible, balanced diet is a step closer to having an active, healthy lifestyle,” Aponte said.| LOUIS P. MORENTE | PNA
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Notice of Enrolment, ipinamahagi sa mga bagong Laguna hosts welcome dinner reception for Palaro delegates iskolars ng Colegio ng Lunsod ng Batangas IPINAMAHAGI ng Board of Regents ng Colegio ng Lunsod ng Batangas (CLB) at Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president Dondon Dimacuha ang Notice of Enrolment sa 320 mga bagong mag-aaral ng first year college sa CLB para sa taong 2014-
2015, sa isnag simpleng seremonya sa Batangas City Convention Center, April 21. Kasama ng mga estudyanteng tumanggap ng notice of enrolment ang kanilang mga magulang. Ipinaabot ng mga miyembro ng Board of Regents ang kanilang
pagbati sa mga magulang at mga mag-aaral dahil sila anila ang pinalad na makapasa sa screening at entrance exam mula sa 700 estudyanteng sumailalim sa pagsusulit. Anila ang mga ito ay makapagaaral ng libre at malaki ang
>>>EDUKASYON.. sundan sa P/7
PINANGUNAHAN ni ABC President Dondon A. Dimacuha ang pamamahagi ng CLB Board of Regents ng Notice of Enrolment sa 320 magiging bagong mag-aaral ng Colegio ng Lunsod ng Batangas para sa Academic Year 2014-2015.| CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Go away from drugs.... Harness your talents at
D’ BLADES JAMM We welcome home-grown bands, students, amateur jammers. BLADES Centre, Guades Comp., Purok 3, Calicanto, Bats. City For inquiries and schedule, Call of Text 0912-902-7373 to 74.
SANTA CRUZ, Laguna, May 4 (PNA) — Gov. Jeorge ER Ejercito Estregan personally led the rounds of inspection and tour on the sports venues and preparations in the 19hectare Laguna Sports Complex in Barangay Bubukal on Saturday and later hosted a welcome dinner reception for the 17 regional athletic delegates and officials. Game officials and technical personnel also witnessed for the first time the hands-on management of the Laguna governor who, despite a hoarse voice, played an eficient and dynamic role as host governor to the Palarong Pambansa 2014. Gov. ER welcomed and greeted the delegates together with his wife, Pagsanjan Mayor Girlie Maita Ejercito, at the special dinner reception they hosted at the Laguna multi-purpose Hall. He praised Department of Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, DepEd Calabarrzon Regional Director Dr. Diosdado San Antonio, Laguna DepEd Division Schools Superintendent Dr. Maritess Ibañez and the technical working committee for their hard work. In an interview with the Philippines News Agency here, some
athletes and sports delegation officials said they were awed of the hi-tech facilities and equipment like the digitalized basketball scoreboard and the time-keeping device touch pad for the swimming competition at the Olympic-sized pool. They were also impressed with the photo and documentation which use for the first time the drone-bearing camera or multirotor remote-controlled videocam for the aerial shots during the opening games rehearsal at the track oval and the dinner reception on Saturday. On Saturday afternoon, Governor ER took time out to personally hand the special tokens of clocsk, umbrellas and mattresses to some 2,000 heads and officials of the 17 regional athletic contingents at the new Laguna Sports Complex basketball covered court. The fully air-conditioned basketball gym has a seating capacity of 2,500 and is equipped with digital scoreboard system, two athletes’ dugout with shower rooms, security counter and a media room.| SAUL E. PA-A
Services Offered: * Rehearsals * Rentals * Tutorial *Band Service We also offer: Photobooth Service for all occasions. Call: 043.417.1662