Vol. XIX, No. 50 | December 15 - 21, 2014 by Pahayagang BALIKAS

>>Typhoon Ruby brings Batangas Province in State of Calamity > News... P/2 Sharing Good News.. Bridging Communities Towards Development

Vol. 19, No. 50 | December 15 - 21, 2014

Southern Tagalog, Philippines

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BATANGAS’ FINEST. Philippine

National Police Director Alex Monteagudo, chief, Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development, challenging the graduates of Speacial Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) to be guardians of masses, being trained to serve and protect life and properties, not for personal gain and to terrorize people. Read full story on page 2.| BALIKAS PHOTO / JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

............................................................. BEST IN ACTION PHOTO. This entry that won the Best in Action Photo was taken during the "Rodeo a la Garciano", one of the highlights of the Kabakahan Festival, participated by rodeo enthusiasths from different schools and universities in Region IV including wranglers from Masbate. | SAMILO ROMMEL LAQUI

Intellectuals and Public Service

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50 pares sa ika-19 Buntot Palos Falls, na taon ng libreng Laguna’s hidden kasalan sa Batangas grandeur > NEWS.. P/3

> LIFE TIMES.. P/7

Virgin Oil & Misuari during my FVR visit

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NEWS

2 PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS

December 15 - 21, 2014

Typhoon Ruby brings Batangas Province in State of Calamity GOVERNOR Vilma Santos Recto announced that the Province of Batangas has been placed in a state of calamity, upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, last December 9, 2014. The state of calamity declaration, which was unanimously approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, allows access to calamity funds to address the needs of residents affected by Typhoon Ruby. Evacuees in 26 of the 34 cities and municipalities of the province number more than 5,720 families or 24,781 individuals. Gov. Santos Recto led the delivery and distribution of relief goods to families housed temporarily in a public school in San Pascual. Food packs were simultaneously transported to various evacuation centers in San Juan, Padre Garcia and Nasugbu, among others. While Ruby passed directly over Batangas, Gov. Santos-Recto said that there was not much destruction along its path as the storm had weakened with its interaction with the land masses and cold-dry air from the Northeast Monsoon. She

also emphasized that what happened again showed the power of prayer. Only one casualty was recorded, a man from Batangas City who drowned after being carried away by flood waters while crossing a spillway. All the affected roads across the province have been immediately cleared and already passable. Vice Gov. Mark Leviste likewise reminded the business sector that the prices of basic goods are “frozen” during the duration of the State of Calamity, as per Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act to provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels with respect to the supply, distribution, marketing and pricing of goods, especially during periods of calamity and emergency. Ruby entered Batangas through Laiya, San Juan on the afternoon of December 8, coursed along Batangas and Balayan Bay and exited to the West Philippine Sea on the morning of December 9. The post-Ruby evaluation conference held at the People’s Mansion was attended by Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, Chief of Staff Pedrito Martin Dijan, Jr., Prov. Adminis-

HEARTS in the face of calamity. After “Ruby” passed over Batangas, Gov. Vilma Santos Recto checked on evacuees in the Municipality of San Pascual when she led the simultaneous delivery and distribution of relief goods in various evacuation centers in San Juan, Padre Garcia and Nasugbu, among other local government units in the province, December 9, 2014. Batangas province was placed under a state of calamity to allow access to calamity funds for the needs of residents affected by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit).| LOUIE HERNANDEZ trator Joel Montealto, BM Caloy Bolilia, BM Fred Corona, BM Weng

Africa, Batangas PNP chief Jireh Fidel and various national

government agency heads and representatives.| VINCE ALTAR

Peace & Order Update Collated By JACK L. AQUINO

‘Trained to serve and protect..’ “YOU are trained not to for selfish motive, nor for personal gain or even to terrorize people; but you’re trained to serve and to protect life and properties.” Thus, this is how Director Alex Monteagudo, chief of te Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development of the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame challenged the graduates of Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) course at the Camp General Miguel Malvar, Batangas City, December 10. Monteagudo said that many not so good issues are hounding the Philippine National Police, but these will not cause the whole police system to stepbackward in cowardice but to pursue excellence and level up professionalism. He likewise congratulated the leadership of PSSupt. Omega Jireh Fidel, provincial director of the Batangas Provincial Police Office (BPPO) for coming up with the new batch of SWAT graduates. “We are inbedted too to the provincial government of Batangas headed by Governor Vilma Santos Recto, herein represented by Atty. Joel Montealto, Provincial Administrator, for the wholehearted support to the causes of the Philippine National Police, here in Batangas province. The SWAT Class 04-2014-RA4-Sandata is composed on special forces from different city and municipal police offices in the province and a few others from Lucena City.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

‘AT HOME’ AT EVACUATION CENTERS. Evacuees at the Batangas Sports Coliseum can’t hide the enjoyment of being pampered at the spacious sports complex turn evacuation center. With the basic necessities that are readily available, evacuees find a feeling of relief even in cases of calamities.| RUSSEL LALUCES

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Victim of hit and run found AT around 2:40 AM of December 14, 2014, a passerby saw the body of a man lying in the front entrance of STAR TOLLWAY going to Batangas City direction pressumably a victim of hit and run. The victim was identified as Leo Abujuela y Garcia, 53 years old, married, construction worker, native of Masbate and presently residing at Molino IV, Bacoor, Cavite. Accordingly, at about 2:00 AM of December 14, 2014, victim was accompanied by one (1) Reynaldo Dadiles y Caponpon, 31 years old, born on August 3, 1980, single, construction worker, native of Surigao Del Sur and presently residing at Sirang Lupa, Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna inside the LISP, Brgy. San Rafael, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Victim believed to be under the influence of an intoxicating liqour when they separate their ways. Reynaldo Dadiles stated that the victim told him that he will buy liqour and went outside the LISP. The vehicle that bumped the victim was unidentified. Afterwards, victim was brought to St. Thomas General Hospital located at Brgy. San Roque, Sto. Tomas, Batangas but declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. Cadaver lies at Bayrante Funeral Homes, Brgy. Pob 4, Sto. Tomas, Batangas.| JACK AQUINO

TANAUAN City Benchmarking Team composed of Mrs. Juanita Marfa (7th from left), Jacqueline Landicho (8th from left) and Regina Aala (9th from left) presents to Mayor Thony C. Halili (4th from right) and the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod the 1st Runner-Up plaque and certificate that the team won during the 3rd Global Benchmarking Competition held in Abu Dhabi, UAE on November 24-25, 2014. Also present are (L-R) Hon. Joseph Castillo, Hon. Ben Corona, Hon. Peming Magpantay, Hon. Angel Atienza, Hon. Eric Manglo, Vice-Mayor Atty. Jhoanna Corona, Hon. Marissa Tabing, ABC President Hon. Polmark Fajardo, and City Administrator Atty. Junjun Trinidad.| CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

December 15 - 21, 2014

NEWS

PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS 3

50 pares sa ika-19 na taon ng libreng kasalan sa Lunsod Batangas ISINAGAWA noong ika-10 at 11 ng Disyembre ang ika-19 na taon ng libreng maramihang pagpapakasal ng Batangas City Civil Registrar’s Office (BCCRO) sa Batangas City Convention Center. Ito ay isang proyekto ni Mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha na sinimulan noong taong 1996 na naglalayong mapagtibay ang pagsasama ng pamilya na syang basic unit ng ating lipunan. Ayon kay City Civil Registrar Josie Maranan, patuloy na itinataguyod nila ang programang ito dahil nais ng kanilang tanggapan na maikasal yaong mga matagal nang nagsasama. Prayoridad din nila na mabigyan ng “I DO.” May kabuuang 25 mag-asawahan ang ikinasal nina Reb. P. Diosdado Castillo at Reb. P. Nepomuceno Fruto, lingkod-pari pangalan at at mapangalagaan ang at katulong na lingkod-pari ng Basilica ng Inmaculada Concepcion, ayon sa pagkakasunod, sa kasalang bayan, Disyembre 11.| JUN MOJARES kapakanan at karapatan ng mga nangangailanganang pamil- effectiveness seminar at batang naging bunga ng kanilang pagsasama. Nagbigay naman ng sident Dondon Dimacuha at May 25 pareha ang ikinasal ni Mayor Dimacuha sa ya ang walang kakayahang family development session pangaral si City Legal Officer dating Pununlunsod Vilma gumastos para dito. na makakatulong sa kanila Atty. Teodulfo Deguito sa A. Dimacuha. Hinikayat niya nabanggit na mass wedding. Tulad ng tradisyunal na upang maging matatag ang mga bagong kasal upang ang mga bagong kasal na Ang CRO ang nag-asikaso ng lahat ng mga kailangang dokumento tulad ng marriage license at iba pang requirement wedding ceremony, nag- kanilang pamilya. higit na mapagtibay ang muling magpakasal sa karoon din ng subuan ng Dumalo sa nabanggit na pagsasama ng mga ito sa simbahan kung mayroong sa pagpapakasal. Bukod sa hindi na maabala ang mga magpapakasal sa cake, toast ng alak at pagkain pagtitipon ang kinatawan ng kabila ng mga hindi pag- pagkakataon. Sa ikalawang araw ng paglalakad nito, maraming mga nabibilang sa higit na ng kalamay na simbolo ng Provincial Statistics Office na kakaunawaan. isang matamis at maligayang si Gng. Rose Bagay kung saan Payo naman ni Civil mass wedding, 25 pares din pagsasama. Tumanggap din binigyang-diin niya sa Registrar Josie Maranan na ang ikinasal sa simbahan ng regalo at cash gift ang kanyang mensahe ang kaha- gawing sentro ng kanilang nina Fr. Conrado Castillo at Collated By RONALINA L. ELARMO mga ikinasal. lagahan ng kasal. Aniya, pagsasama ang Panginoon at Fr. Nepo Fruto. Kapwa labing walong Ang mga ikinasal ay bukod sa magiging legal ang ang palagaiang pagdadasal taong gulang ang pinakabata sumailalim sa marriage kanilang pagsasama, kasu- at pagtawag sa Maykapal. counseling, responsible nod nito ay male-legitimize Dumalo din sa nabanggit habang ang pinakamatanda parenthood seminar, parent din ang kanilang mga anak. na okasyon sina ABC Pre- naman ay sina Erlinda Roque, 54 taong gulang at ROMBLON, Romblon (PIA) — Nakatakdang pulungin sa Artemio Cusi, 56 na taong susunod na Linggo ng Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – gulang mula sa Barangay Romblon ang mga nagtitinda ng paputok sa lahat ng Sta. Rita Aplaya. Sila ay may munisipalidad sa buong lalawigan. 35 taon nang nagsasama. Ang hakbang na ito ng BFP ay naglalayong abisuhan ang Bagamat naikasal na sila mga ito sa mga pinapahintulutan lamang na uri ng paputok na sa huwes noon, nais anila na maaaring ibenta at paalalahanan na rin ang publiko na iwasan mabasbasan ng simbahan ang paggamit ng malalakas na paputok na makakapaminsala, ang kanilang pagsasama. maaaring pagmulan ng sunog o makamatay. Lubos ang pasasalamat Sinabi ni Acting Provincial Fire Marshall SFO4 Rizal M. ng mga beneficiaries ng Mindoro na dahil tradisyon na ng mga Pilipino na gumamit ng naturang proyekto sa tangmga fire crackers tuwing ipinagdiriwang ang Pasko at Bagong gapan ng Tagatalang Sibil at Taon kung kaya’t nagtalaga sila ng lugar kung saan lamang kay Mayor Dimacuha sa maaaring magtinda at pinaalalahanan ang nagnenegosyo nito “I DO.” Unang 25 pares ang ikinasal ni Pununlunsod pagkakataong ipinagkaloob kung anu-anong uri lamang ng mga paputok ang kanilang Eduardo B. Dimacuha sa Batangas City Convention Center, na maging legal ang pinapahintulutan o pinapayagan. bilang bahagi ng ika-19 na kasalang bayan, Disyembre kanilang pagsasama.| Layunin din aniya ng kanilang kampanya na mabigyang 10.| RUSSEL LALUCES RONNA E. CONTRERAS babala ang mga kabataan sa panganib na dala ng paputok at magabayan sa mga alternatibong pamamaraan sa pagdiriwang ............................................................................................................................................................... dahil ang mga ito kadalasang nagiging biktima ng paputok. Hinihikayat rin ni SFO4 Mindoro ang bawat Local Government Unit na magtalaga ng common fire cracker zone PALAWAN — Isang daan at apatnapung Mansalangan sa Barangay Sebaring sa kani-kanilang bayan upang maging ligtas ang pagpapaputok pinatuyung bahay-pawikan (sea turtle sa bayan ng Balabac. at maging ligtas ang pagsalubong sa bagong taon.| ........................................................................... shells) ang naisalin nitong kamakailan ng Kasama ng Navy at mga pulis ang mga tauhan ng Naval Force West ng mga tauhan ng City Environment and Philippine Navy sa Department of Natural Resources at Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Environment and Natural Resources. (DENR) at Palawan Council for Ang mga bahay pawikan noon ay CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro – Nangako ang punong lungsod Sustainable Development (PCSD) sa nilagyan ng formaldehyde, nakabalot na bibigyan ng prayoridad ang mga may kapansanan o persons Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa. sa plastik at nakabaon sa lupa. Bukod with disabilities (PWD) dito, Kasama sa mga sumaksi sa turn-over sa mga pinatuyo, nakakuha pa ng “Walang Person with Disability o PWD na maiiwan ceremony ay sina Vice Admiral pitong na buhay na pawikan sa sapagkat lahat ay tutulungan. Sisiguraduhin ko at ng aking Alexander S. Lopez, AFP, ang nasabing lugar. administrasyon ang welfare development ng bawat isa sa inyo”, Commander ng Western Command at Napag-alaman ng mga awtoridad ani City Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan sa ginanap na Deaf Commodore Manuel Natalio A na mayroong nagmamay-ari sa mga Awareness Month Celebration kamakailan. Abinuman AFP, ang Commander ng pawikan at nakahanda na para Ang selebrasyon ay may temang “Healthy Ear: Advocacy maibenta. Nakakuha din ng isang and Responsibility” na isinagawa sa Adriatico Memorial Naval Forces West. Ang mga pinatuyung bahay pawikan, rolyo ng panghuli ng pawikan o pukot School. Dagdag pa ni Panaligan, batid nito na libo-libong may pawang mga Hawkbill, ay natuklasan ng kung tawagin ang mga awtoridad sa kapansanan sa kasalukuyan ang nakikipagsapalaran upang pinagsanib na pwersa ng Naval Station nasabing lugar. Pinakawalan sa karagatan ang ILAN lamang ito sa 140 pinatuyong maitaguyod ang kanilang pamilya at kailanman ay hindi naging Narciso Del Rosario at ng Balabac hadlang ang kanilang disability upang marating ang kanilang Municipal Police Station habang mga pawikan matapos maidokumento bahay-pawikan na nasabat ng mga nagpapatrolya sa baybayin ng Sitio at matatakan.| otoridad sa Balabac, Palawan.| AFP mga pangarap. Sa pangunguna ni Panaligan at sa tulong ng NORFIL Foundation, patuloy na isinusulong ang karapatan at kapakanan ng mga mamamayang may kapansanan dito sa Calapan. Ayon sa Punong Lungsod layunin ng kanyang administrasyon na makapagbigay ng mga hakbang na magpapaunlad sa kakayahan at potensyal ng mga taong ito upang magkaroon sila ng pagkakataong makahanap ng trabaho o upang patuloy silang maging produktibo at kabalikat sa pagsulong ng kaunlaran. Ilan pa sa mga naging aktibidad ng nasabing selebrasyon ay ang Training for Persons with Disability, Training for Parents of Persons with hearing impairment, Sign Language Workshop, Exhibit of Finished Products, Arts and Craft Competition, Parlor Games, Poster Making, Film Viewing, Presentation and Coronation of King and Queen at ang opisyal na panunumpa ng mga naitalagang officers ng iba’t ibang samahan ng PWDs.|

Inter-Island News

Magtitinda ng paputok, pupulungin ng BFP

140 pinatuyong bahay-pawikan, nabawi sa Palawan

Kapakanan ng PWDs, prayoridad ng pamahalaan

0905.753.3462 0917.807.9787 0912.902.7373

4 PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS

OPINION

December 15 - 21, 2014

Intellectuals and Public Service I HAVE asked in another paper the question on how can we lure intellectuals to work in our public institutions. The question presents a valid point since intellectuals may only be the one who can make our dysfunctional governance system work. Of course, this proposition faces many complex concerns and issues. The first concern is on how we can identify an intellectual, first in our bureaucracy and second, in the society at large. Let us be reminded how Frank Lynch, S.J. described an intellectual. Lynch said that an intellectual may be defined as a person who has such a high regard for the thing of the mind, who places such a high value on the understanding of reality, that he is ever open to the modifying influences of new evidence, ever creating new syntheses for himself and others, new conceptions of reality, particularly reality that touches on basic human values. He further described an intellectual as humble, flexible seeker after truth who sees power and wealth as purely i n s t r um e nt al values and has no desire for them in and for themselves. The second concern is about the creation of opportunities that may entice them to work in our public insti-tutions. Considering the problems besetting the Philippine civil service system, it is difficult to invite intellectuals to work in government positions that can satisfy their financial and psychological needs. As long as patronage lord over our public institutions, government positions will continue to become spoils reserved for politicians’ qualified supporters. The third concern is about keeping talents and skills from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. The brain drain phenomena is not new of course. Third World countries continue to lose their best people to the lure of good life that First World nations offer. Aside from this, the failure of existing economic, cultural and political systems to ensure stable, peaceful and progressive future scare intellectuals and other people of talent and give them less motivation to work for the betterment of their community. This is a general concern that the Philippines need to address if we are to maintain and expand the invaluable human resources needed for nation building. The fourth concern deals with how the government manage the population and the existing right to knowledge development. Up to know, the number of young people who have no opportunities for higher education continue to increase. Increasing the period for basic education program will not likely resolve the failure of existing education system to assure equal access to quality basic and secondary education and to relevant higher education. The proliferation of information and communication gadgets cannot substitute to the requirement of accessible and relevant formal and informal education opportunities. Unless this concern is properly addressed, our country will waste invaluable human resources that our growing population generates. Finally, concern for incentives in addition to competitive salaries and benefits presents serious challenged to our policymakers and implementers. Salaries and benefits are necessary to keep intellectuals in their jobs but we need something more to keep them inspired and creating. Opportunities for personal and professional growth should be assured if we are to invite them to continue thinking, creating, innovating and working for the general welfare. A system should be adopted to make them feel that their work is necessary as it makes real differences in the lives of their fellow citizens. Unless we do this, our public institutions will lag behind and remain stagnant regardless of the efforts we put to reform them. We need to put the best of our people in the government so that we can have a public institution that can serve us better.|

Ang Mabuting Balita Ipinahayag ang Pagsilang ni Jesus NANG ikaanim na buwan ng pagdadalang-tao ni Elisabet, ang anghel na si Gabriel ay isinugo ng Diyos sa Nazaret na isang lunsod sa Galilea, upang kausapin ang isang dalaga na ang pangala’y Maria. Siya ay nakatakda nang ikasal kay Jose, isang lalaking buhat sa angkan ni Haring David. Lumapit ang anghel sa dalaga at binati ito, "Magalak ka! Ikaw ay lubos na kinalulugdan ng Diyos. Sumasaiyo ang Panginoon!" Naguluhan si Maria at inisip niyang mabuti kung ano ang kahulugan ng ganoong pangungusap. Sinabi sa kanya ng anghel, "Huwag kang matakot, Maria, sapagkat naging kalugud-lugod ka sa Diyos. Makinig ka! Ikaw ay maglilihi at manganganak ng isang sanggol na lalaki, at siya'y papangalanan mong Jesus. Siya'y magiging dakila at tatawaging Anak ng Kataas-taasang Diyos. Ibibigay sa kanya ng Panginoong Diyos ang trono ng kanyang amang si David upang maghari sa angkan ni Jacob magpakailanman. Ang kanyang paghahari ay pangwalang hanggan." "Paano pong mangyayari ito gayong ako'y isang birhen?" tanong ni Maria. Sumagot ang anghel, "Sasaiyo ang Espiritu Santo at mapapasailalim ka sa kapangyarihan ng Kataas-taasang Diyos. Dahil dito, ang isisilang mo'y banal at tatawaging Anak ng Diyos. Hindi ba't alam ng lahat na ang kamag-anak mong si Elisabet ay baog? Gayunma'y naglihi siya at ngayo'y ikaanim na buwan na ng kanyang pagdadalang-tao kahit na siya'y matanda na, sapagkat walang anumang bagay na hindi kayang gawin ng Diyos." Sumagot si Maria, "Ako'y alipin ng Panginoon. Mangyari nawa sa akin ang iyong sinabi." Pagkatapos, umalis na ang anghel.|

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.|

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Kaarawan sa Kapaskuhan ANG bawat bagay na nagaganap ay meron dahilan. Ayon sa mga nasusulat, everything has its own reason for being. Tila medyo philosophical ang pambungad nitong pitak ko ngayon hindi dahil naghahanap lamang tayo ng dahilan sa mga pangyayari’t inog ng panahon kundi dahil gusto ko iparamdam sa lahat na sa bawat dampi ng palamig at palamig nang simoy ng hangin sa ating pisngi ay hudyat ito na andito na nga ang Kapaskuhang Pilipino ngayon.  At kung bakit itinatag ang AFP sa panahon ng Kapaskuhan noon ay may kaakibat na dahilan ayon sa aking pag-analyze ng mga pangyayari’t kasaysayan ng ating bansa. Marahil nais ng mga ninuno nating tumatag nito na isapuso ng bawat Pilipino ang adhikain na patuloy tayong malaya’t gunitain natin ang kanilang kabayanihan at sakripisyo bilang handog sa atin ng pag gunita natin ng kapanganakan ni Hesu Kristo. Puwede naman nila gawin yun sa simula ng taon, sa tag-araw o di kaya sa tag-ulan pero kung bakit pinili nila ang Kapaskuhan para ipanganak ang AFP ay ayon sa aking analysis ay merong mas malalim na intensyon kung bakit itinuloy nila ito noong ika-21 ng Disyembre 80-taon na ang nakalipas.  Bago tayo pumalaot sa malapilosopiyang kaisipan ay nais ko na ipagpugay natin ang 34 na nagsitapos sa Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School. Sinuong nila ang 15-buwan na matinding training, sa loob man ng classroom o sa field instructions nila. Maliban sa basic military leadership, sumailalim din sila sa pagsasanay sa taekwondo, arnis, paggamit ng baril, map reading, pati na water survival kung saan hinulog sila sa dagat isang milya ang layo sa dalampasigan. Siyempre bago nito mabusisi muna silang sinanay ng mga tauhan ng 505th Search and Rescue Group ng PAF at ng PAFOCS.

Natutuwa ako sa mga bagong tinyente natin dahil sa tindi ng kanilang sakripisyo upang maging opisyal ganun din ang ipinakita nilang dedikasyon alang alang sa kani-kanilang mga ambisyon.  Sa panahon ng Kapaskuhan, nangingibabaw ang doktrinang kabayanihan. Dito mo makikita kung paano inaaruga ng mga kapatid natin ang mga kababayan nating may matitinding pangangailangan sa buhay. Nagkataon rin ba na ang Yolanda at Ruby ay humataw sa panahon ng Kapaskuhan? Mula sa hinagpis na idinulot ng dalawang yugto na ito ng ating kasaysayan ay lumitaw naman ang mga bayani mula sa hanay ng ordinaryong Pilipino. Hindi kaila sa atin na noong matapos wasakin ng Yolanda ang Kabisayaan ay tila ipinagdugtong tayo bilang isang bansa na bumangon at maglunsad ng post disaster operation initiatives. Nung una mga sundalo’t pulis lang ang nakikita natin na rumesponde. Pero sa kalaunan pati nga grade schoolers are nakisali na rin. Buong bansa ay bumangon at nagbayanihan na wala man lang isang pasimuno na naghudyat para tahakin ng karamihan ang iisang daan. Yes andun ang ating pamahalaan at mga pinunong bayan pero sa pangkalahatan ang taumbayan talaga ang siyang namayani noon. Malupit man na leksyon ang Yolanda pero di na natin kaya pang maulit ito. Ang pag ibig natin sa kapwa Pilipino, ang diwa ng kawang gawa, ang siyang bumuo muli sa nakakarami na manilbihan para sa kapakanan ng mga nasa bayang dadaanan ng bagyong Ruby. Hindi man nakita ang pisikal na anyo ng mga tulong na naiambag ng iba pero ang mga silent majority at mga netizens ay busy sa pagbibigay ng updates, pagpalaganap ng mga impormasyong nauukol sa disaster readiness, at maging sa pagpugay sa mga nagtaya ng sariling safety makapaglingkod lamang sa panahon ng sakuna.

>>>ZAMUDIO... sundan sa P/5

........................................................................................................................................................ A bilingual weekly newspaper of general circulation published by the BATANGAS LEAGUE FOR ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES (BLADES), INC., a corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Certificate No. CS201401804. Editorial & Business Office: The BLADES Centre, Purok 3, Brgy. Calicanto, 4200 Batangas City, Philippines  0912.902.7373 | 0905.753.3462 Lipa City Office: San Sebastian cor. San Vicente Sts.,Barangay 10, Lipa City, 4217, Philippines E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/pages/Balikas

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OPINION

December 15 - 21, 2014

Ipinapatay ang asawa NABARIL at napatay ang asawa ni Amy na si Val, isang opisyal na may mataas na ranggo. Sinampahan ng kaso sina Tino, Jimmy, Manny at Gerry dahil sa ginawa nilang pakikipagsabwatan sa isa’t isa upang mapatay si Val. Kinasuhan din si Amy ng parricide. Dahil sa ginawa niyang pag-uudyok at kapalit ng pera, nagawa ng kalaguyo niyang si Tino na patayin si Val. Nang sampahan ng kaso, inaresto si Amy at nakulong. Agad siyang nagpetisyon upang makapagpiyansa. Ayon sa kanya, mahina ang ebidensiya na magdidiin sa kanya sa kaso. Samantala, nang arestuhin si Tino, gumawa ito ng isang sinumpaang salaysay. Inamin niya na si Amy ang may pakana at nagplano ng nasabing pagpatay. Inamin din niya sa hukuman ang kanyang kasalanan. Sa paglilitis ng petisyon tungkol sa piyansa, ginamit ng prosekusyon ang testimonya ni Dencio, pinsan ni Tino na nagpahayag na narinig niya at nakita ang pagkainip, desperasyon at pagmamakaawa ni Amy kay Tino nang magtanong ito tungkol sa planong pagpatay kay Val. Ginamit din ng prosekusyon ang tungkol sa ginawang pag-amin ni Tino sa pakikipagsabwatan niya kay Amy. Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, tinanggap pa rin ng korte ang aplikasyon ni Amy. Nakalabas siya ng kulungan matapos makapagpiyansa. Kinuwestiyon ng prosekusyon sa pamamagitan ng kapatid na babae ng namatay ang tungkol sa ginawa ng korte. Ayon sa kanila, inabuso ng husgado ang kapangyarihan nito nang ipahintulot ang pagpipiyansa

ni Amy. Tama ba sila?  TAMA. Ang isang taong kinasuhan dahil sa isang mabigat na kasalanan na ang ipapataw na parusa ay habambuhay na pagkakakulong ay hindi dapat hayaang magpiyansa lalo at matibay ang ebidensiya laban sa kanya. Ayon sa batas (Rule 114, Sec. 1 & 2, Rules of Court), ang piyansa na ibinibigay ng akusado o ng piyansador ay pinahihintulutan bilang garantiya sa pansamantalang kalayaan ng akusado sa kondisyon na titiyakin ang patuloy niyang pagsipot sa paglilitis sa oras na ipatawag ng husgado. Hindi ito isang karapatan na ginagarantiyahan ng batas. Maaaring hindi tanggapin ang piyansa lalo at matibay ang ebidensiya sa isang grabeng kaso o ang tinatawag nating “capital offense”. Sa kasong ito, hindi naisaalang-alang ng husgado ang katotohanan na mismong ang pumatay na ang umamin at nagturo kay Amy bilang utak ng krimen o mastermind. Bukod dito, ang pahayag ng pinsan ni Tino na si Dencio na siya mismo ang nakakita at nakarinig sa mga aktuwasyon ni Amy ay sapat na upang patunayan na matibay ang ebidensiya na may kinalaman si Amy sa nangyaring pagpatay at siya pa mismo ang instrumento o pasimuno nito. Isang malaking pagkakamali ang ginawa ng husgado nang pahintulutan nito ang pagpipiyansa ni Amy. Dapat na ipawalambisa ang piyansa at arestuhin siyang muli. (Valerio vs. Court of Appeals, et.al., G.R. 164311-12, October 10, 2007).|

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Torture as official policy READING through the 500page Executive Summary of the report of the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program, one could not help but feel revulsion and alarm at the official, systematic, and brutal application of torture on detainees the US suspected of having links with AlQaeda and Osama Bin Laden. Worse, the CIA’s total disregard for the lives, much less rights, of these detainees and the arbitrariness of these acts are manifested by the fact that it does not even have an accurate, official accounting of how many persons were subjected to renditions, detention and torture (euphemistically called “Enhanced Interrogation Techniques”). The CIA counted at least 119 detained persons, of whom 26 were later discovered to be cases of mistaken identity or were wrongly implicated by rival tribal factions, personal enemies or detainees who underwent torture and were forced to point to somebody to be relieved of suffering. Those who were identified as having been detained without a clear basis included Sayed Habib, who was pointed to by a detainee who was undergoing torture,; Habib’s brother Shaistah Habibullah Khan; Ali Saeed Awadh, a case of mistaken identity; Modin Nik Muhammed who was pointed to because of a blood feud; Khalid Al-Masri who, after a “prolonged detention,” was determined to be innocent; Muhammad Khan who the CIA acknowledged later that they know very little of; Hayatullah Haqqani who the CIA concluded was “at the wrong place at the wrong time;” Ali Jan who was arrested merely for using a satellite phone; Mohammad Al-Shomaila and Salah Nasir Alim-Salih who were arrested based on “speculative” information. Worth emphasizing are the arrests of Abu Hudhaifa who was subjected to ice water baths and 66 hours of sleep deprivation before being adjudged as innocent; Haji Ghalgi whose arrest was used as “leverage” against a family member who was suspected of having links with Al-Qaeda; Nazar Ali, an “intellectually challenged

individual whose taped crying was used as leverage against a family member;” and Gul Rahman who died of hypothermia after being shackled and made to sit on the floor without pants only to be discovered later as a case of mistaken identity. The tortures that CIA detainees underwent were scientifically, and systematically planned and were first administered by a psychologist and a medical doctor contracted out by the CIA. The tortures included stripping the detainee naked, sleep deprivation through constant lighting with the use of strong halogen lamps, playing loud music, stress position such as shackling a detainee on a bar with his hands above his head to force him to stand the whole night, confining him inside a coffin-like box alternated with a small box, continuous intense interrogation, attention grasp, facial slap and facial hold, abdominal slap, banging the detainee against the wall, extreme isolation, use of insects, use of diapers, mock executions and mock burial, waterboarding (euphemism for water torture through pouring water continuously on the nose and mouth of the detainee to induce drowning), ice baths, water dousing, rectal rehydration and rectal feeding. All of these were administered not just to inflict pain but also to induce a sense of “learned helplessness.” The brutal, inhumane and yet systematic manner by which these torture methods were applied sends shivers, especially since these are still happening in a supposedly civilized and democratic world. One might say that because the torture that happened is being exposed today by the US Senate goes to show that these problems are being addressed and that the US is officially intolerant of torture. But at the time of the Bush administration, these “enhanced interrogation methods” were officially sanctioned, on the justification that the information that would be extracted using these techniques could save more American lives. - To be continued -

Benjie Oliveros

....................................................................................................................................................... <<<ZAMUDIO....mula sa P/4

Kaarawan sa Kapaskuhan Again, coincidence lang ba na sa buwan ng December nagyari ito?  Ang klarong nakita ko nung mga kahindikhindik na mga araw sa yugtong maituring na pagkabuhay ng disaster preparedness ng bawat sektor ay ang pagpasahimpapawid pataas ng diwa ng volunteerism sa mga Pilipino. Basta merong maitutulong lumabas ang karamihan sa kanilang mga comfort zones para makiisa sa buong sambayanang handang

talunin ang anumang lupit ng panahon gamit lamang ang ipinagmamalaki ko na Filipino spirit. Ito ang tamang tugon. Ipinakita natin na handa tayong dumipensa sa mga walang kakayahan mairaos lamang ang pakikipaglaban sa matinding epekto ng climate change. Hindi man nabasa ng iba ito sa talaan ng mga babasahin sa paaralan, natural na dumaloy ang kanikanilang civic duty sa kapwa Pilipino. Napakagandang expe-

rience ito kung ating bigyan ng pansin. Muli natin binuhay ang bayanihan. Na siya ring pangalan na ibinigay sa kampanya ng Sandatahang Lakas para sa tuluyang pagkapuksa ng problemang rebelyon sa ating bansa. Kinakailangan na natin tutukan ang pagpatatag ng ating depensa at seguridad ng ating bansa. Ang hamon noon ay muling nabuhay ngayon. Nagkaisa tayo noon. Kaya’t wala akong nakitang

PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS 5

Virgin Oil & Misuari during my FVR visit I WAS in Manila this past week and dropped by to visit my “boss forever” President Fidel V. Ramos at his 26th floor RPDEV office at Makati. I recall it was not that long ago that we last met.He was in Davao City the previous month for the BIMP-EAGA event where he gave a big boost to the regional gathering, not to mention his meeting with Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte that kept tongues wagging about the latter being a possible, probable -- but still adamant -- presidentiable.  VIRGIN OIL -- As soon as I stepped into his office, a hot cup of coffee, smelling familiar with a distinctive coco aroma was served. I used to get before in my previous visits steaming hot coffee with a splash of local brandy (Matador or Fundador) that instantly warmed the cockles of the drinker’s insides. But this new concoction was diffirent. I began to wonder. Before I could take a sip, FVR shoved to me a xerox copy of a March, 2012 issue of the Philippine Star with a caption: “Virgin coco oil boosts sexual activity -study”. Ah, now, that answered my curiosity. Just add a table spoon of virgin oil, he said nonchalantly. Virgin coconut oil or VCO for short, not only helps increase good cholesterol levels but also enhances sexual activity, wrote STAR author Ma. Elisa Osorio. She further wrote: “It was an interesting observation that 13 percent of the VCO takers experienced becoming sexually active during the whole durarion of the study”, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said. Obviously, 86-year old (but still active) FVR took fancy at this study result. And he is not only trying it out but also spreading the gospel. But I must confess though. I was not so sure whether he was interested in the good cholesterol increase or on the other benefit: as a sex booster. When I asked, he did not answer but his familiar grin however gave him away! (Hahaha! )  MISUARI -- During this visit, I was in the company of JACK MOTALIB a nephew of MNLF Chairman NUR MISUARI from Zamboanga City and another friend from Cotabato, LOWELL MACABANGEN. When they learned that I was on my way to visit the former president, they asked if they could tag along. It was propitious. They somehow gave some updates to FVR about some situations on the ground and about Misuari who had a standing warrant due to last year’s Zamboanga City siege. FVR welcomed getting the lastest info on “Ma’as” (the appelation Nur is referred to by those close to him). When Jack asked if he could take a phone call from “Ma’as”, FVR replied: “Just don’t let me know his whereabouts because I am bound to have him arrested”. Although FVR was saying it on a light manner, he was obviously setting the proper parameters of the phone call with one who was wanted by the law. Evidently, the nephew was contacting his uncle by phone and Misuari was waiting if the former president would take his call. We all know the lasting friendship and the long history that went between the two. Remember, they both got the MNLF Final Peace Agreement sealed and signed in 1996. But when the MILF’s comprehensive agreement for the bangsamoro was signed, Nur described it as “illegal” and vowed to oppose it. He also declared that the MNLF would revert back to its campaign for Mindanao independence. He then secluded himself in a secure place somewhere in Sulu with a warrant of arrest on his head. FVR got the phone from Jack where Misuari was on hold and then opened up with: “Hello Mr. chairman. How’s your health? I hope you’re okay. Don’t let them call you “Ma’as” anymore because it means “old”. We are not old yet, my friend”. There were initial exchange of pleasantries.  The conversation went on and of course I could not hear what NUR was saying on the other line. But there were moments when FVR listened for a long time and knowing NUR, he must have said a mouthful about his angsts and complaints. The former president listened patiently. After some exchanges, FVR said: “Mr. Chairman, we can still do many things together for peace and development in Mindanao as we did before. Let’s work together again for our people.” End of conversation. I was of course curious what was the answer of Nur to the invitation to continue to work together. I didn’t want to intrude by asking FVR but I could almost hear “Ma’as” promptly saying: “Yes, Mr. President!” Knowing how both have common vibes, I am confident they can still both get together and work for Mindanao peace and development -- just like old times.  [Atty. Jess Dureza is the president of the Philippine Press Institute, a national association of newspapers and served former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Gloria Arroyo. He previously served as chief government negotiator and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.] Send your comments to jessdureza@gmail .com]

.............................................................................................. dahilan kung bakit hindi tayo magkaisa ngayon. Kung pakikipagtuos nga sa mga bagyo nagkaisa tayo yun pa kayang interest na ng ating bansa ang nakatay? Hindi lamang dahil December ngayon kung kaya’t medyo may pagka philosophical ang pitak na ito kundi dahil ipinapaala sa atin ang pagkatatag ng ating Sandatahang Lakas, at dahil sa muling pagpapakita nating ng pagkakaisa’t bayanihan sa harap ng unos.

December din po ang graduation ng mga bago nating tinyente sa Air Force. Sila ang mga susunod na lider ng hukbo. Dinanas na nila ang sakripisyo sa pakiki-pagsanay, at ang direksyon ng kanilang propesyon ay manilbihan sa bayan. Tila pinagtugma tugma ng Maykapal ang ilang importanteng bagay sa buwan ng Disyembre.  Maligayang bati sa iyong lahat.|

BUSINESS

December 15 - 21, 2014

DA: More than PHL 500-M investments in poultry coming in 2015 .............................................................. PCAF tells Bicol agri sector to focus on pili as ‘climate-smart’ crop THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said 2015 will be good for the local poultry industry as more than Php500-million worth of investments in broilers and layers is set to come in next year. Agriculture Undersecretary Jose Reaño said majority of the investments will mostly come from local investors. “One of these investors is in media, one is in the feeds industry, one is an entre-

preneur looking for a new business venture, and one is already in the industry but will start to venture into layers,” the DA official said. While refusing to name the investors, he added that one will invest Php300 million; another for Php99 milliom; and the other is already in the layer business with Php179 million but will expand to Php179 million. “Let us just say that 80 percent of these investors are

new players, while 20 percent are old players. A foreign investor will also probably come in next year,” Reaño said. DA officials bared that the prospective foreign investor had already conducted a market survey. They said that they are looking at a billion-peso investment from the said foreign investor alone for next year. “The future really looks bright for the industry, even

for exports and egg processing. A lot of investors are going into the broiler business for meat; and into layers for egg production and processing,” Reaño said. “We have a vibrant poultry industry and it shows just how much confidence investor have in the agriculture business environment under the watch of Secretary Proceso Alcala,” he said.| PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

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Quezon completes WB-funded Rural Development Program LUCENA CITY — The provincial government of Quezon, through the provincial agriculture office, has completed the Rural Development Program for the province. It will become part of the Philippine Rural Development Program with funds provided by the World Bank. The project will become part of the Philippine Rural Development Program funded by the World Bank.

Provincial Agriculturist Roberto Gajo said that the positive results of the Mindanao Rural Development Program motivated Governor David Suarez to implement the same program in the province of Quezon. Gajo said the Quezon development program has four components. These are Investment in Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Plan (I-PLAN) ; Intensified Building Up Infrastructure

and Logistics Development (I-BUILD); Investment in Rural Enterprises for Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP); and Implementation Support (ISUPPORT). He said that previous focused group discussions centered on coconuts -being the primary products in the province- while there were other agricultural products that brought income opportunities to the people once

given attention and thereby developed. Gajo encourages farmers, traders and millers to develop cacao and coffee productions. Oji Reyes of Cocoa –Phil said that there is a big potential for cacao industry. Cocoa-Phil is already a buyer of high grade cacao that passes their quality test. Western countries are also importing cacao as the main component for chocolates.| PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

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GSIS pensioners, magagamit na ang UMID Card sa mga transaksyon PRAYER TO ST. JUDE O St. Jude, Holy Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, you are honored and petitioned by the universal Church, as the patron of desperate, hopeless and impossible cases. Pray for me. I am so very helpless and I feel alone. Intercede for me that Almighty God may bring swift aid where it is needed most. Come to my assistance in my great time of need! Pray for me that I may be given the comfort and help of Jesus. Most importantly, I ask that you pray that I may one day join you and all of the saints in heaven to praise God in consolation, rest and joy for all eternity. I will remember your prayers, O Holy St. Jude. I will honor you as my patron as so many have before me because of the graces God deigns to give freely at your request. Amen. P. BALIKAS | Dec. 15, 2014

MAGANDANG balita para sa mga pensioners na myembro ng Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)! Ayon kay GSIS Batangas Branch Manager Ces Ferreras, maaari nang makuha ng mga ito ang kanilang Unified Multi-Purpose ID o UMID card sa mga sangay ng GSIS. Sa card na ito, ipinatutupad ang one ID sytem o may common reference number ang mga myembro ng GSIS, Philhealth, PAGIBIG at SSS. Ito ang bagong card na na kanilang gagamitin kapalit ng kanilang dating Electronic (E-card). Ito din ay isang debit card. Simula naman noong December 11, nai-credit na sa UMID ng mga pensioners ang kanilang Christmas bonus. Ito ay katumbas ng isang buwang pension subalit hindi hihigit sa P 12,600.

Matatanggap naman ng mga aktibong myembro ang kanilang dibidendo bago matapos ang taon. Samantala, dahil sa pananalanta ng bagyong “Ruby” sa bansa noong ika-8 ng Disyembre, pinagpulungan ng Board of Trustees ng GSIS ang planong pagkakaloob ng calamity loan bilang ayuda sa mga miyembro nito na naapektuhan ng nasabing bagyo. Magugunita na noong buwan ng Hulyo, nagkaloob ng calamity loan ang nasabing ahensya kanilang mga myembro na lubhang naapektuhan ng bagyong Glenda na nanalanta noong July 16. Dahil idineklara ang probinsiya ng Batangas sa ilalim ng state of calamity noong December 9, hinihintay na lamang ng GSIS Batangas ang pag-apruba at guidelines mula sa kanilang

In the grace of our Lord, our dearly beloved...

Danilo C. Delos Reyes and

Elenita Ramos-Delos Reyes joined their Creator on May 20, 2014 and June 17, 2014, respectively. The beareved family request the pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of their souls. Pahayagang BALIKAS | December 15, 22 & 29, 2014

head office upang makapagapply na ang mga miyembro sa lalawigan para sa naturang calamity loan sa susunod na linggo. Ayon pa kay Ferreras, mula sa halagang P20,000, gagawin itong P40,000 upang higit na mapakinabangan ng mga myembro na nasalanta ng bagyo. Ang maaaring mag-apply nito ay ang mga aktibong myembro na residente ng calamity area, walang leave of absence without pay, updated ang pagbabayad ng premium at walang loan in default. Ang calamity loan ay maaaring aplayan gamit ang UMID card ng bawat myembro sa mga kiosk na matatagpuan sa iba’t ibang LGU’s.| RONNA E. CONTRERAS

Read our weekly soft copy at: issuu.com/ Balikasonline

PILI, Camarines Sur -– The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) has enjoined Bicol’s agricultural sector to focus on pili nut as a “climate-smart” crop that carries with it a limitless top-earning industry potential for the region. Soledad Bernardo, the PCAF’s Local Support and Coordination Division assistant chief, over the weekend here told the Philippine News Agency that she emphasized on this during the recent Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Council (RAFC) Summit held in nearby Nabua town and attended by hundreds of members from all over Bicol. The two-day summit also dealt with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community Integration and Streamlining Climate-Smart Agriculture, among other topics, involving the outlook of the region’s agricultural industry next year. Bernardo said the borderless agriculture transactions seen in 2015 should not intimidate Bicol farmers but they should rather be looked at as a challenge to enhance everyone’s business enterprises. “Our farmers should focus on pili nut because it is a climate-smart crop whose processed food products are now having a niche in the world market and are produced only in Bicol and nowhere else around the globe with limitless potential,” she said. Bicol farmers, she said, should take full advantage of the pili nut industry's enhancement program that the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) based here is currently implementing aimed at

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of late SPOUSES ANGELINA PUMARIS and CESARIO LONTOK who died intestate on March 5, 2010 and June 1, 2002, respectively, at Brgy. Subukin, San Juan, Batangas consisting of a parce of land situated at Barrio of Bataan, Municipality of San Juan, Province of Batangas, covered by TCT No. T-52976 with an area of 23,212 sq. m. has been extrajudicially settled by and among their heirs with Deed of Absolute Sale per Doc. No. 437; Page No. 88; Book No. VIII; Series of 2014 of ATTY. JESSIE M. PATRON, Notary Public. Pahayagang BALIKAS | December 15, 22 & 29, 2014

plantations' expansion and development of good practices in production, and finished product processing. In embarking on expansion of local pili nut production, DA-Bicol has been propagating and distributing thousands of quality pili seedlings for free to growers all over the region. Area planted to pili in Bicol as of 2012 was around 1,800 hectares for nearly 500,000 trees and, according to DA Regional Executive Director Abelardo Bragas, “we are working on a two-fold expansion eyeing to grow at least one million trees by the end of next year.” This year alone, he said, DA-Bicol had already distributed nearly 500,000 seedlings for free to farmers and landowners who have signified their intentions to participate in the industry enhancement program. The DA Regional Field Unit (RFU) is helping the farmers as well as landowners in the region into commercial production by way of planting more pili trees according to the standards in producing tree nuts for entry into the international trade for human consumption, he said. To ensure that the standards are met, he said, all plantations should be prepared and handled in accordance with good farming practices for tolerable microbiological quality and levels of aflatoxin and pesticide residues in pili produced in the region. Results of the latest study on farming practices and food safety conducted by DA’s Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), Bragas said, showed that pili nuts in Bicol are within standards for aflatoxin and were found negative for Salmonella, but are not within the standards for Coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The study was conducted in various municipalities in the region–Gubat, Bulusan and Bacon and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon province; Guinobatan, Daraga and Camalig) in Albay; and Naga City, Tigaon and Ocampo in Camarines Sur.| DANNY O. CALLEJA

Tawag na sa Pahayagang Balikas 0905.753.3462 * 0912.902.7373 para sa inyong pagpapalathala.

LIFE TIMES PA L A IS IPA N 1

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High-end property developer opens showroom at SM City Batangas

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December 15 - 21, 2014

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Melinda Rodriguez-Landicho, Lifetimes Editor

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39 PAHALANG 1 Abang 6 Lupang madamo 7 Sining: Ingles 9 Louie Ocampo 10 Lalawigan sa Kanlurang Visayas 13 Inisyal ng dating First Lady 15 Ayon kay (Waray) 17 Magkasa (Ingles) 18 Skills, Knowledge & Ability 19 Pangalang panlalaki 21 Addis ___ ng Ethiopia 23 Sulsol 24 Kupad 25 Lutong bigas 26 Banoy 27 Apelyidong Tsino 28 Tugi: Ingles 30 Kaibigan 31 Simbolo ngNickel 32 Pera ng Slovenia 34 Nora Aunor 35 Boss 37 Baboy: ingles 39 Singaw ng lupa

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PABABA 1 Pang-ukol: Ingles 2 Diwata 3 Lunan sa Indonesia 4 Infant formula milk 5 Grade: ikli 6 Paghahari ng kapangyarihan 8 Nilalang na tao ang katawan at mga kamay ngunit may mahahabang binti at hita ng kabayo 9 Buto sa lalamunan 11 Lambing 12 Estado sa Amerika 14 Magunita 16 Nanay 18 Ligtas 20 Buendia: singer 22 Sisidlan ng gamit 29 Batid 32 Tawagn ng magkakapatid 33 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 36 Morocco: daglat 37 Porma ng gamot 38 Inisyal ng dating First Lady

Sagitarrius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) – Taglay ang kasiglahan subalit madaling mapipikon at magiging mainitin ang ulo. Tampuhan at hinanakit ang mapapala kung hindi paiiralin ang pagkamahinahon at pagpapakumbaba. Capricorn (Dis. 22 - Enero 19) – Gugulatin ka ng isang kaibigan, kamag-anak o kasamahan sa trabaho. Kung ito ay ikakatuwa, ikakaligaya o ikakalungkot panahon lamang ang makapagsasabi. Aquarius (Enero 20 - Peb. 18) – Maganda ang palatandaan tungkol sa pag-ibig. Kung isang Capricorn ang makikilala, ngayon tiyak na magkakaroon ng relasyon a t malamang magkatuluyan. Pisces (Peb. 19 - Marso 20) – Tanggapin ang pagkakamali kalakip ang kaluwagan ng kalooban. Mahalaga ang magtiyaga. Aries (Marso 21 - Abril 19) – Walang taong hindi naghahangad ng kaunlaran sa buhay at upang matamo ito, baguhin ang mga maling paraan at patakaran. Taurus (Abril 20 - Mayo 20) – Kung may duda, huwag ituloy dahil tiyak hindi maganda ang magiging resulta. Kung tiyak ang gagawin, ituloy dahil positibo ang kalalabasan. Gemini (Mayo 21 - Hunyo 21) – Kung nagkaroon ng problema, alamin ang dahilan kung bakit nangyari at agad baguhin ang paraan upang hindi na maulit. Cancer (Hunyo 22 - Hulyo 22) – Nakapaligid ang mapagsamantala, mandarambong at mapagbalatkayo. Mag-ingat dahil ang mga ito ay malapit sa iyo ngayon. Leo (Hulyo 23 - Agosto 22) – Pairalin ang hinahon at pang-unawa dahil magiging malapit ka sa mga taong pikon at mainitin ang ulo. Virgo (Agosto 23 - Set. 23) – Ang paglilibang ay magdudulot ng kaligayahan ngunit iwasan ang labis na gastos. Mahalaga ang magplano sa bagay na gustong simulan. Libra (Set. 24 - Okt. 23) – Huwag gaanong maghangad kung alam na imposibleng mangyari. Scorpio (Okt. 24 - Nob. 22) – Taglay ang pambihirang talas ng isip na bagay gamitin sa pagsasaliksik. Makakatawag ka ng pansin sa kausap upang pakinggan. Magagawang makumbinsi kahit na makulit o makitid ang pag-iisip.|

RIBBON CUTTING for Empire East SM City Batangas Showroom. [Left to Right] Hannah Ruth Sison Bb. Pilipinas 2nd Runner Up 2014; Atty. Anthony Charlemagne Yu, President and CEO of Empire East Land Holdings Inc.; MJ Lastimosa, Miss Universe Philippines 2014; Hon. Emilio Francisco Berberabe Jr., Vice Mayor of Batangas City; and Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti, Bb. Pilipinas International 2014 led the ceremonial ribbon cutting at the launching of the company showroom, December 12.|

Buntot Palos Falls, Laguna’s hidden grandeur WHEN thinking of waterfalls to visit on a day tour from Manila, the province of Laguna will surely make the cut. This without a doubt because there are lots of waterfalls in the province that are all within reach from Metropolis. Pagsanjan Falls in Cavinti will always come to mind since it was one of the tourist spots that were developed and marketed for tourists ahead of the others that it was highlighted to us in our formative years in school. There is also the Taytay Falls of Majayjay, another famous one which may be smaller in size but beautiful and mesmerizing just the same. Aside from the two mentioned above, very few knows any other waterfalls in Laguna when in fact there are more. The lesser known Sampaloc, Batya-Batya and Buruwisan Falls of Famy; Ambon-Ambon Falls of Pangil; and Bunga Falls of Nagcarlan among others. Regretably, due to its proximity to Manila, we often overlook the province. We tend to explore and discover offbeat waterfalls and other spots in far flung provinces without knowing that Laguna hides more secrets and surprises. Surprises like the majestic Buntot Palos Falls! Situated in Laguna’s eastern town of Pangil, in the area known as Manila’s backdoor to Southern Tagalog, Buntot Palos Falls is a wonder waiting to breakout. Known to locals as Hidden Falls as it is hidden in the forested area of the southern range of Sierra Madre, Buntot Palos is translated as “Eel’s Tail”. Why it is called such? No one really knows.

A GREAT day hike destination from Manila! :)

MUDDY, rocky and sh*tty trail going to the waterfalls. One of the grandest ang highest boulders where the waters plunge waterfalls in the country, Buntot but please do it with extra care. and Palos Falls stands at 80 meters, with with the aid of your guide. There its water coming from the upper are also small basins tucked in the slope of Sierra Madre. The waters wall below the rock layers but going cascade against geometrically there means swimming in the deep beautiful wall, dropping to layers of natural pool. For added fun, try huge and hard rocks before flowing jumping off the waterfall’s wall into into a deep natural basin below and the deep side of the pool! :) So if you are looking for a dayinto the Pangil River that ends in trek out of Manila, consider Buntot Laguna Lake. But unlike the other waterfalls Palos Falls and be awed by its of Laguna, Buntos Palos is one of impressive grandeur. To go there the toughest to reach because it via public transport from Manila, requires at least two you can either take take the Sta. hours of trekking from Cruz (Laguna) bound bus from its two entry points – Cubao or Pasay, or the Infanta Pangil EcoPark and bound bus in Legarda. The former Barangay Balian. The goes to SLEX while the latter muddy and rocky trail traverses the backdoor that passes ascends to approxi- the towns of Rizal Province. If you are taking the Sta. Cruz mately 400 meters into a forest area where only bound bus, get off at end terminal, horses could traverse on transfer to a jeepney bound for rainy days. The two- Siniloan and get off at Barangay hour trek is relatively Balian Outpost. Register at the easy and non-technical, outpost and ask for a guide. Guide and a truly rewarding fee is at P300 for a group of at most one. A real trekker’s five people, no registration fee but they ask for donation. Alternatreat! The waterfalls may tively, you may also register and look small in landscape get a guide at Pangil EcoPark at stills but don’t be fooled P100 per person. Ideal time is to because it is a grand, leave Manila at 4Am or 5AM to massive and raging one. start the trek on or before 8AM, If you are brave enough, while the sun is not too harsh. try crossing the raging Expect to shell out not more than waters to the huge P1000 for this day trek.| ANGEL JUAREZ / WWW.LAKWATSERO.COM

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......................................................................... >>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS..., EVENTS..., SHOWBIZ & SPORTS...TRAVEL & TRENDS<<< December 15 - 21, 2014

‘Palaynon Tribe’ wins grand prize in Kabakahan Festival

THE GRAND PRIZE . The "PALAYNON TRIBE" of Quilo-Quio South Elem. School, one of the participants in the street dancing completion during the " KABAKAHAN FESTIVAL" marking the 65th Founding Aniversary of the Municipality of Padre Garcia, December 1. This photo won grand prize for the "on the spot photo contest" category.| SAMILO ROMMEL LAQUI