Vol. XIX, No. 52 | Dec. 29, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015 by Pahayagang BALIKAS

>>‘PH most affected by extreme weather events in 2013’ - study Sharing Good News.. Bridging Communities Towards Development

Vol. 19, No. 52 | Dec. 29, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015

Southern Tagalog, Philippines

Php 10.00/copy

A proud member of:

Philippine Press Institute National Association of Newspapers Since 1964

 balikasonline@yahoo.com

 Smart/TNT: 0912.902.7373 Globe/TM: 0905.753.3462

TAAL, Batangas -- For the second time around, the Calacatchara Dancers of the municipality of Calaca in Batangas’ First District have regain the title of being the best Ala Eh Festival dancers in the recently concluded 5-minute festival dance competition at the front of historic Taal Basilica. The Calaca contingent led by Mayor Boogle Ona proved their prowess and excellence in dance competition following the Street Dance and Float Parade

> News.. P/2 ADVISORY ........................... Please be informed that our Globe lines were blocked. Our apologies for the inconvenience. For the meantime that our lines are being fixed, you may contact us at 0905.753.3462 or at 0912.902.7373. Thank you!

that ended the 7th Ala Eh Festival, December 22. Among those who witnessed the event were Governor Vilma Santos Recto, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Mayor Michael Montenegro and Msgr. Alfredo A. Madlangbayan, rector of Taal Basilica. Meanwhile, Calacatchara Dancers bring home the PhP150,000.00 prize and a Plaque of >>>TULAY....sundan sa P/2 Appreciation.| TEXT BY JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS PHOTOS BY: EDWIN V. ZABARTE & LOUIE HERNANDEZ

Our prayers for the early recovery of our esteemed columnist...

Business permit procesing system ng Batangas City, nasa City of Calapan na

p. 4

Pagsasapelikula ni Robin Padilla ng buhay ng isang convict, ayaw ipatuloy ni Mayor Halili

> INTER-ISLAND... P/2

> NEWS.. P/3

Visiting country’s first coal dome

p. 5

2 PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS

NEWS

Philippines most affected by extreme weather events in 2013, says new risk study

LIMA—Among 160 countries, the Philippines emerged as the most affected country by extreme weather conditions in 2013 such as intense floods, droughts and fiercer typhoons, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2015 by the Germany-based environmental think tank Germanwatch. Launched on Tuesday during the two-week United Nations climate change talks in the Peruvian capital, the study highlighted the extreme weather calamities such that magnitude of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 in the Philippines which inflicted over $13 billion in economic loss and more than 6,000 deaths. Haiyan was the strongest tropical cyclone on record to hit land. “This is a record-breaking catastrophe in 2013. The Philippines was severely impacted and that many people were struggling there for their lives,” said Sonke Kreft, author of the study. Kreft explained that the risk index analyzes the quantified impacts of extreme weather events both in terms of fatalities as well as economic losses that

has been gathered, adding that the study should serve as a warning that they are at risk for either frequent events or rare, but extraordinary catastrophes. “ This new risk index only revealed that poor and vulnerable countries like the Philippines are the least capable in protecting themselves. Climate negotiators in Lima must realize that there is a need to urgently address climate change in terms of reducing emissions, delivering financial and technology transfer to poorer nations,” Philippine Climate Change Commissioner Heherson Alvarez told Philippine EnviroNews. Alvarez added that while the Philippines is not a significant emitter, it has a “survival stake” in the outcome of the Lima conference leading to a climate deal in Paris in 2015. The report also noted that Cambodia ranked second as the most vulnerable country to extreme weather events followed by India. Cambodia’s ranking is connected with 2013’s particularly severe monsoon season, which induced heavy rainfall and widespread flooding throughout a country that was still recovering from

the damage of previous year’s floods, the report said. India, on the other hand, was the victim of Cyclone Phailin in October 2013, which was the second largest cyclone to ever strike in the country. Phailin slammed the coastline of the Bay of Bengal, leaving behind extensive flooding that destroyed US$4 billion of crops in the heavily agricultural-based country. Other countries in the top 10 are Mexico, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Pakistan, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Argentina and Mozambique. According to the study, more than 530,000 people died worldwide and losses of US$2.17 trillion were inflicted as a direct result of over 15,000 extreme weather events between 1994 and 2013. “The climate talks here in Lima can spur action in these vulnerable countries and facilitate international support,” Kreft said.| IMELDA ABAÑO

Dec. 29, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015

Inter-Island News Collated By RONALINA L. ELARMO

Business permit procesing system ng Batangas, nasa Calapan na CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro – Kasunod ng isinagawang Lakbay-Aral ng mga pangunahing opisyal ng Lunsod ng Calapan sa Lunsod Batangas nitong nakalipas na taon, pormal nang ipinatutupad ngayon sa lunsod na ito ang business permit processing system ng Lunsod Batangas. Sa ilalim ng bagong sistemang ipinatutupad, tiyak na malaking kaalwanan sa mga negosyante at mga nagpoproseso ng permits ng kani-kanilang negosyo. Mula sa dating 21 steps sa pagkuha ng business permits, ginawa na lamang itong tatlong steps upang makaiwas sa congestion ang mga aplikante. Ang proseso ay binubuo ng tatlong aspekto: File, Pay, at Release. Sa File, kinakailangang punan ang mga kinakailangang datos na nakapaloob sa Unified Registration Form. Ikalawa ay ang Pay na ibabase ang bayarin sa previous payments. Ang ikatlo ay ang Release na kung saan ay agad na makukuha ang business permit at tanging ang Business Permits and Licensing Officer at City Mayor lamang ang lalagda. Dahil dito, ang pagiging masigla at maunlad ng kalakalan ngayon sa lungsod ay resulta ng maayos na implementasyon ng mga polisiyang may kaugnayan sa kapakanan at kagalingan ng mga nagnenegosyo. Samantala, anumang kakulangan sa mga requirements sa pagkuha ng permit ay pahihintulutan subalit ito ay sisiguruhing makokompleto sa loob ng 365 days sa pamamagitan ng binuong Joint Inspection Team na binubuo ng City Health and Sanitation Department, City Treasury Department, City Legal Department, City Assessors Department, Zoning Office, Building Official Office at Business Permit and Licensing Office. Para naman sa taong 2016 ay hindi na kinakailangang magfill-up muli ng Unified Registration Form sapagkat ang mga datos ay nasa data base na ng City Government at kaunti na lamang ang kinakailangang requirements. Ang assessment ay ibabase sa BIR Income Tax Payment/Percentage Tax Payment.

...........................................................................

Mga bagong promote na kawani, nanumpa sa tungkulin ROMBLON, Romblon — Kabuuang 86 na miyembro ng Philippine National Police, tumanggap ng promosyon ang nanumpa sa kanilang bagong posisyon na ginanap kamakailan sa Romblon Police Provincial Office (RPPO) ground. Ang mass oath taking at donning of rank ay pinangunahan ni Provincial Director PSSupt. Danilo M. Abadiano kung saan dinaluhan ito ng mga halal na opisyal ng bayan ng Romblon at mga kapamilya ng mga pulis na nabigyan ng promosyon. Sa mensahe ni PD Abadiano sa harapan ng mga bagong promote na pulis, kanyang sinabi na ang nakamit nilang promosyon ay patunay ng kanilang mahusay na paggganap sa tungkulin at ang pag-angat ng ranggo sa kanilang hanay ay pagdagdag rin ng responsibilidad para mapangalagaan ang seguridad at katahimikan ng pamayanan. Sa pag-angat aniya ng mga ranggo ay panibagong responsibilidad ang haharapin ng isang alagad ng batas kaya dapat manatiling tapat ang mga ito sa mga sinumpaang tungkulin tungo sa isang serbisyong makatotohanan. “Hinahamon ko kayong lahat na mas lalo pang pagbutihin ang pagtupad sa inyong sinumpaang tungkulin, may disiplina sa sarili at huwag hayaang madungisan ang pangalan ng PNP,” pahayag pa ni Abadiano. Ang mga na-promote na pulis ay kinabibilangan ng 3 Police Superintendent (PSUPT), 1 Police Chief Inspector (PCINSP), 7 Senior Police Officer IV (SPO4), 1 Senior Police Officer III (SPO3), 32 Senior Police Officer II (SPO2), 17 Senior Police Officer I (SPO1), 9 Police Officer III (PO3) at 16 Police Officer II (PO2).|

...........................................................................

P4-milyong pananim sa Romblon, apektado ng bagyong Ruby NATURE’S WRATH. Rubbles are scattered around with a very large vessel flushed to the high level ground by storm surge.|I

MELDA ABAÑO

0905.753.3462 0917.807.9787 0912.902.7373

ROMBLON, Romblon — Mahigit P4 milyong halaga ng mga produktong pang-agrikultura sa lalawigan ng Romblon ang naapektuhan sa pananalasa ng bagyong Ruby. Batay sa isinumiteng ulat ngayong tanghali ng tanggapan ng Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) sa Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), may kabuuang P4,269,370 ang napinsala ng bagyo na kinabibilangan ng crops, fisheries at livestock. Sa pinakahuling tala ng OPAg, umabot sa P3,735,970 ang halaga sa mga napinsalang pananim, P165,000 naman ang nasira sa pangisdaan at P368,400 ang naapektuhan sa mga alagang hayop o paghahayupan. Ayon kay Provincial Agriculturist Geishler F. Fadri, ang kanilang mga nakalap na ulat sa iniwang pinsala ng bagyo sa agrikultura ay kagyat na ipararating sa Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka (Department of Agriculture) upang mabilis na matulungan ang mga apektadong magsasaka. Patuloy pa rin aniya ang pangangalap nila ng datus sa mga iniwang pinsala ng bagyo sa agrikultura sapagkat mayroon pang mga Municipal Agriculturist na naantala ang pagpapadala ng damage assessment report sa kanilang lugar.|

NEWS

Dec. 29, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015

PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS 3

Regional Science and Math Quest winners, kinilala ng pamahalaang lunsod BINIGYAN ng Gawad Pagkilala ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Batangas ang may 90 mag-aaral at guro ng high school mula sa pribado at publikong paaralan sa lungsod ng Batangas dahil sa pagkakapanalo ng mga ito sa 12th Regional Science and Math Quest. Ang kumpetisyon para sa Private Schools ay idinaos noong November 15, sa Holy Nazarene Christian School sa Tanza Cavite. Nanalo ang delegasyon sa may 19 kategorya kabilang ang TechnoQuiz G7 kung saan 1st place si Mark Dioneco Diaz ng Christ The Lord Institute, 2nd place,Impromptu/Extempo (Filipino) si Amazaiah Honey Rain Gonzales at 1st place si Michael Jay Escobar ng Saint Bridget College. Idinaos naman ang Science and Math Quest para sa Public Schools noong November 22, sa Tagaytay City National High School. Dito ay nagwagi sa may 27

kategorya, tulad ng Champion para sa Collage Making Contest Teacher Category si Redzon Kiel Santos ng Batangas National High School (BANAHIS); 1st place, Scrap Art Contest, Lovely Pagkaliwagan ng NAVERA National High School; Champion para sa Extemporaneous Speech, John Vincent Garcia ng Batangas State University at 1st place para sa 4th Techno Quiz, Johnnedel Pagsinohin ng BANAHIS. Naging 2nd runner up, at Best in Intelligence ng Lakambini ng Kalikasan si Haidee Flores ng NAVERA at nakuha ni Neil Xavier Gamara ng BANAHIS ang titulo bilang Lakan ng Kalikasan 2014. Napili din siyang Best in Formal Wear, Best in Casual Wear, at Best in Talent. Nakuha ng Batangas City Schools Division ang ikatlong pwesto sa over-all ranking sa nasabing kumpetisyon.| MARIE V. LUALHATI

BATANGAS’ BEST. Ang 90 mag-aaral at guro na kinilala ng pamhalaang lunsod na pawang mga nagsipaguwi ng karangalan matapos manalo sa 12th Regional Science and Math Quest sa Lalawigan ng Cavite .|

PALAKAT PHOTO ...............................................................................................................................................................

Pagsasapelikula ni Robin Padilla ng buhay ng isang convict, ayaw ipatuloy ni Mayor Halili

TANAUAN CITY, Batangas – Nanawagan si Mayor Thony C. Halili ng ng lunsod na ito kay action star Robin Padilla na huwag ituloy ang planong isapelikula ang talambuhay ng convicted na si Herbert “Ampang” Colangco.

Ani ni Halili, maaaring tularan ng mga kabataan, ang maling gawi upang makapagkamal lamang ng yaman at katanyagan. Pinakiusapan niya pa si Padilla na mas bigyang-pansin ang taong nakikibaka at inilalaan ang

sariling kaligtasan upang mapuksa ang kriminalidad sa ating lipunan. Ipinayo pa ni Mayor Halili na mas mabuti pang isapelikula na lang ang talambuhay ng alkalde ng Davao City na si Rudy Duterte na nilalabanan ang iba’t ibang uri ng ilegal na aktibidades sa kanilang lugar. Marami aniyang kababayan na gumagawa ng magaganda na pwedeng gawing pelikula na mag-bibigay-aral at inspirasyon sa mga tao. Matatandaan na naging kontrobersyal si Herbert

“Ampang” Colangco na isa sa 19 na high-profile inmates na tinarget ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) kamakailan. Siya ay convicted robbery gang leader na may sintensyang 12 hanggang 14 na taong pagkabilanggo mula pa noong 2009. Nadiskubre sa loob ng kubol ni Colanggo ang naturang mga pera, alahas, gadgets, opisina at music studio na kung saan siya ay nakakapag-shoot pa ng music video sa loob ng piitan.| BALIKAS NEWS TEAM

Peace & Order Update Collated By JACK L. AQUINO

ComAct and Batangas PPSC personnel together with JCI - Lipa during gift giving activity to the children of Sitio Hillview, Brgy. Antipolo Del Sur, Lipa City, Batangas, December 20, 2014.|

4 PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS

OPINION

Dec. 29, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015

On Christ's Call to Our Hearts Here is a translation of the address Pope Francis gave today before and after praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter's Square.  Dear brothers and sister, Good morning! In this first Sunday after Christmas, while we are still immersed in the joyful climate of the celebration, the Church invites us to contemplate the Holy Family of Nazareth. Today's Gospel presents the Madonna and St. Joseph in the moment in which, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, they go to the temple in Jerusalem. They do it in religious obedience to the Law of Moses, which prescribes to offer the firstborn to the Lord (cfr. Lk. 2,22-24). We can imagine this little family, in the midst of so many people, in the great courtyard of the Temple. They do not stand out to the eye, they can't be distinguished. Yet they do not go unnoticed! Two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, moved by the Holy Spirit, approach them and begin to praise God for that Child, in which they recognize the Messiah, light of the peoples and salvation of Israel (cfr Lk 2,22-38). It is a simple moment but rich in prophecy: the meeting between a young couple full of joy and faith for the graces of the Lord and two elderly people also full of joy and faith for the actions of the Spirit. Who brings them together? Jesus! Jesus brings them together, the youth and the elderly. Jesus is the One who brings the generations together. He is the source of that love that unites families and people, overcoming all mistrust, all isolation, every distance. This makes us reflect on grandparents: how important is their presence, the presence of grandparents! How precious is their role within the family and society! The good relation between youth and the elderly is decisive for the path of the civil and ecclesial community. And looking at these two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, we greet with applause all the grandparents of the world! The message that comes from the Holy Family is above all a message of faith. In the family life of Mary and Joseph, God is truly at the center, and it is in the person of Jesus. This is why the Family of Nazareth is holy. Why? Because it is centered on Jesus! When parents and children breathe together this climate of faith, they possess an energy that allows them to confront difficult trials, as shown by the experience of the Holy Family, for example, during the tragic event of the flight into Egypt: A hard trial. The Child Jesus with his Mother Mary and with Saint Joseph are the icon of the family, simple yet illuminating. The light they radiate is a light of mercy and salvation for the whole world, a light of truth for every man, for the human family and for individual families. This light that comes from the Holy Family encourages us to offer human warmth in those family situations in which, for various reasons, lack peace, lack harmony and lack forgiveness. Our concrete solidarity does not fail especially in the challenges of the families that are living in more difficult situations due to sickness, lack of work, discrimination, the need to migrate. And here we pause for a moment and in silence, we pray for all these families in difficulty. Be it difficulties of sickness, lack of work, discrimination, the need to migrate, be it the lack of understanding each other, as well as also disunion. In silence, we pray for all these families. [After a brief moment of silence, the Pope leads the faithful in praying the Hail Mary.] We entrust to Mary, Queen of the family, all the families of the world so that they may live in faith, in harmony, in mutual help, and for this we invoke upon them Her maternal protection, who was mother and daughter of Her Son. Angelus Domini…|

Ang Mabuting Balita Pinangalanan si Jesus PAGSAPIT ng ikawalong araw, tinuli ang bata at pinangalanang Jesus. Ito ang pangalang sinabi ng anghel bago pa siya ipaglihi.

Dinala si Jesus sa Templo Nang sumapit ang araw ng kanilang pagtupad sa seremonya ng paglilinis ayon sa Kautusan ni Moises, pumunta sila sa Jerusalem. Dinala rin nila ang sanggol upang ihandog sa Panginoon, sapagkat ganito ang nasusulat sa Kautusan ng Panginoon, "Bawat panganay na lalaki ay itatalaga sa Panginoon." Nag-alay din sila ng handog na ayon sa hinihingi ng Kautusan ng Panginoon, maaaring mag-asawang batu-bato, o kaya'y dalawang inakay na kalapati. May isang tao noon sa Jerusalem na ang pangala'y Simeon, isang lalaking matuwid, may takot sa Diyos at naghihintay sa katubusan ng Israel. Nasa kanya ang Espiritu Santo. Ipinahayag ng Espiritu Santo sa kanya na hindi siya mamamatay hangga't hindi niya nakikita ang Cristo na ipinangako ng Panginoon. Sa patnubay ng Espiritu, si Simeon ay pumasok sa Templo. At nang dalhin doon nina Jose at Maria ang sanggol na si Jesus upang tuparin ang ayon sa hinihingi ng Kautusan, kinarga ni Simeon ang sanggol. Pagkatapos, nagpuri siya sa Diyos,: "Ngayon, Panginoon, maaari na pong yumaong mapayapa ang inyong abang alipin ayon sa inyong pangako. Yamang nakita na po ng aking mga mata ang inyong pagliligtas, na inyong inihanda sa harapan ng lahat ng bansa. Ito po ay liwanag na tatanglaw sa mga Hentil at magbibigay-dangal sa inyong bansang Israel."

...............................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

Kapatid ng katapatan tuwing Kapaskuhan SA panahon ngayon, kinakailangan nating magkaisa para maisulong ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa panig ng Communist Party of the Philippines- New Peoples Army -National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). Ito ay sa dahilang maraming pagbabago na ang nangyayarisa buong mundo, na kung saan ang prayoridadng bawat bansa ay ang “survival”nila. Ito ay dala na rin ng masalimuot na pagpapaligsahan nila sa halos lahat ng aspeto – nandyaan ang tungkol sa interes nila sa ekonomiya, politika, teknolohiya, kalikasan, socio-cultural, at minsan pati na rin ang kanilang kapangyariahangmilitar. Sa mga sitwasyong kagaya nito, kinakailangan nating isulong ang usapang pangkapayapaan upang manatiling buo ang ating bansa sa gitna ng lumalakas na paligsahan ng mga bansa sa buong mundo. Ang kapayapaan sa ating bansa, sa totoo lang, ay madali nating makakamtan, kung magiging tapat lamang ang bawat panig sa mga isyu na pinaguusapan. Sa panig ng pamahalaan, ramdam ko ang katapatan nito na maisulong ang kapayapaan sa ating bansa. Maraming pagkakataon na pinagbigyan nito ang mga hiling ng CPP-NPA-NDF upang makamtan lamang natin ang kapayapaan sa ating bansa. Subalit, sa kabilang panig, marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nakararamdam ng kakulangan sa katapatan ng CPPNPA-NDF na maging matagumpay ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa ating bansa. Dito natin kinakailangan ang pagkakaisa upang pwersahin natin ang grupong ito na tuluyan nang itaguyod ang usapang kapayapaan, kung nais nating maging malakas ang ating bansa sa panahon ngayon na tayo ay nahaharap sa mga makabagong pagsubok, dala ng pagbabago sa mukha ng seguridad sa buong mundo. Ang sarap isipin na isang araw, tayo ay makikita na nagkakaisa, nagtutulungan, at ang mga isyung

mayroong kinalaman sa pulitika, at iba pang mga usaping na mula sa armadong pakikibaka ay pinaguusapan na sa isang demokratikong proseso na ang isinasaalangalang ay ang interes ng karamihan sa ating mga mamamayan, at interes ng ating bansa. Siguro, ‘pag nangyari ito ay matutuldukan na natin ang pagpapadala ng mga Pilipino na nahihiwalay sa kanilang pamilya na nagiging sanhi minsan ng pag-kakasira ng pundasyon ng pamilya.Napakasarap isipin na dahil sa ating pagkakaisa ay darating ang panahon na sa halip na tayo ang nagpapadala ng mga domestic helpers, tayo naang nag-aangkat ng mga helpers galing sa ibang bansa upang magtrabaho sa atin. Hindi ito malayong mangyari, sapagkat ang bansa natin ay tunay na may taglay na kayamanan. Tayo ang may pinakamagandang hugis ng bansa, at “strategic” nalokasyon natin sa buong mundo ay kaya nating maging sentro ng pandaigdigang kalakalan. Dagdag pa dito ang pagkakaroon ng bansa natin ng produktibong lupain at mga natural na kayamanan na tunay nating maipagmamalaki na tayo ay isinilang sa bansang ito, kaya nga tayo ay tinaguriang Perlas ng Silangan. Datapwat, ang kayamanang taglay na ito ng ating bansa ay nawawalang-saysay dahil sa higit na 40 taon na nating walang saysay na pagpapatayan, na kung saan maraming buhay na ang nasayang, maraming tao na ang naghirap, maraming pagkakataonna para sa ating bansa ang nawala, at higit sa lahat, ang karangalan natin bilang isang bansa sa mata ng buong mundo ay nawawalan ng saysay. Kaya ngayong papasok na bagong taon, ipanawagan natin sa grupo ng CPP-NPA-NDF na kanilang pagtuunan ng pansin ang kahalagahan ng pakikipagusap sa pamahalaan para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng ating bansa.|

........................................................................................................................................................ 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

Joenald Medina Rayos Staff Reporter: Melinda R. Landicho

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

Columnists: Gerry M. Zamudio | Atty. Jesus Dureza Atty. Ramel C. Muria | Atty. Jose Sison Benjie Oliveros Cartoonist Janlei Benedict G. Rayos

Ad rate: Commercial : P165/col. cm. Legal Notices:P130/col. cm Member:

Subscription Rate: 1 year- P1,000 6 months - P 500

Atty. Roberto Iñigo Sanchez Legal Consultant

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

Ronalina L. Elarmo Special Project Editor

Benjie de Castro Circulation In-Charge

Nicetas E. Escalona

Cecille M. Rayos-Campo Maryjean Rentosa

Lifestyle Editor

Official Representatives - Lipa Office Batangas League for Alternative Development & Services (BLADES), Inc.

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

Dec. 29, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015

OPINION

Tamang bayad sa right of way TUNGKOL ang kaso sa pitong may-ari ng lupa sa Bulacan na ang kabuuang sukat ay 62,426.50 metro kuwadrado. Noong Nobyembre 7, 1997, nagsampa ng kaso sa korte ang Napocor upang ligal na makuha ang right of way sa iba’t ibang parsela ng lupa na sakop ng apat na bayan ng Bulacan. Magpapatayo ang kompanya ng mga transmission lines at kakailanganin nitong maglagay ng mga kawad ng kuryente na gagamitin sa 500 KV Transmission Line Project nito sa Northern Luzon. Sangkot sa kaso ang PFI, isang kompanyang may hawak na malaking babuyan sa lugar, ang SDC at MRI na parehong real estate developer at ilang pribadong mayari ng lupa. Sa naging sagot ng mga ito, ang unang konsiderasyon nila ay kung magkano ang ibabayad sa lupa at pangalawa, kung ang layunin ng Napocor ay para sa ikabubuti ng publiko. Ang ginawa ng korte ay kumuha ng mga “commissioners” na mag-aaral sa dapat na ibayad sa lupa. Nag-inspeksyon sa lupa ang naturang mga commissioner pagkatapos ay nagsumite ng ulat sa korte tungkol sa karampatang bayad ng lupang kakamkamin. Gumawa ng desisyon ang korte noong Setyembre 17, 2001 base sa ulat na isinumite. Ipinagutos ng korte na kunin ang mga lupa mula sa mga may-ari sa halagang P600 kada metro kuwadrado para sa mga lupa ng MRI at P400 kada metro kuwadrado para sa ibang lupa sa interes na 6 percent hanggang maging pinal ang desisyon at 12 percent mula sa pagiging pinal ng desisyon hanggang sa tuluyan na itong mabayaran. Sinang-ayunan ng CA ang desisyon ng korte. Kinuwestiyon ng Napocor ang desisyong ito ng CA lalo at umasa lang naman daw ito diumano sa naging ulat ng mga commissioner. Kapirasong lupa lang naman daw ang kailangan upang gawing tirikan ng mga poste kaya’t ang dapat lang daw nilang bayaran ay 10 percent ng presyong umiiral sa merkado. Ito raw ay base sa

Section 3A ng RA 6395 at ng batas na nagsisilbing implementasyon ng RA 8974. Tama ba ang Napocor?  MALI. Totoong walang karapatang binibigay sa Napocor maliban sa hinihinging daanan o right of way at ang karapatan sa kabuuan ng lupa ay nananatili pa rin sa may-ari nito. Ngunit dahil maaapektuhan ng right of way ang mismong paggamit ng kabuuan ng lupa, dapat lamang na bayaran ito sa tamang halaga o sa tinatawag nating “fair market value”. Ang pagkamkam ng lupa ay hindi nangangahulugan na kukunin ang posesyon nito o na kinakailangan pa na angkinin ang titulo, tulad nito, itinuturing din na kinamkam ang lupang dinadaanan ng mga kawad ng kuryente. Sa mga ganitong kaso ng pagkamkam ng lupa ng gobyerno o sa tinatawag nating “expropriation”, ang sinusunod natin ay ang pagbabayad ng “market value”. Ang market value ay ang presyong umiiral sa merkado kung saan payag ang isang tao na bilhin ang lupa at payag din naman ang may-ari na ibenta ito ng kusang loob at hindi pinipilit. Kung kapiraso lang ng lupa ang kakamkamin ng gobyerno, ang dapat na bayad ay hindi lamang market value kundi pati rin ang danyos na aabutin ng may-ari (kung mayroon man), bawas ang halaga ng kung anumang benepisyo na matatanggap nila dahil sa pangyayari. Kahit pa sinasabi ng Sec. 3 A ng RA 6395 at ng RA 8974 na 10 percent lang ang dapat ibayad, hindi naman obligadong sumunod dito ang korte. Ang hukuman ang magpapasya kung magkano ang tamang bayad na dapat ibigay. Ikokonsidera lang ng hukuman ang mga ito ngunit sa huli, hukuman pa rin ang magpapasya kung tama ang gagawing pagkamkam ng lupa at kung magkano ang dapat ibayad bilang kapalit nito. (Napocor vs. Purefoods et. Al., G.R. 160725, September 12, 2008).|

........................................................................................................................................................

Everything you wanted to know about Pinoy politics but were afraid to ask the Left WHAT did the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan had in common in the 1950s? They all allowed the United States to build military bases in their territories. But in 1991, the Philippines kicked out the bases even if it remained an unabashed admirer of American culture. The expulsion of American troops from Subic and Clark was a legacy of the anti-imperialist movement which emerged in the 1960s until it gained nationwide influence in the next two decades. The Left was a prominent part of this movement that consistently exposed the treacherous puppetry of Filipino politicians and the meddling of the U.S. in our domestic affairs. More importantly, the Left successfully invoked the libertarian tradition espoused by the Propaganda Movement and the Katipunan to mobilize the people against the continued stay of colonial military bases in the country. As it waged battle against US imperialism, the Left also attacked the bankrupt state of Philippine politics evidenced by an electoral process dominated by dynasties and warlords, a corrupt bureaucracy that mutated into the pork barrel system which we detest today, and a repressive government that brutally protects the filthy interest of the ruling elite. Or in other words, a system of bad governance more accurately termed as bureaucratic capitalism – a state of affairs wherein public officials systematically use their position to accumulate wealth and other privilege. It isn’t enough to castigate the obviously immoral behavior of some recidivist plunderers and criminals in government. If it were a mere morality issue, the simple solution would be to launch a moral crusade which some well-meaning groups are already doing. But from the start, the Left has been asserting that the issue of corruption should be tackled comprehensively. The problem is not simply caused by mayors extorting money from the business sector, senators making deals with quick cash schemers, and presidents addicted to illegal gambling. The problem is the system that allowed these honorable thieves to assume public office. The root of the crisis is the political infrastructure which confers legitimacy to institutionalized robbery. But where did traditional politicians get their wealth? Young thieves can eventually become old porkers which give them plenty of opportunities to hoard a fortune. But political power across the country is still

retained by a few old rich families. What is the source of their economic power? To answer this, we shall repeat the question at the beginning of this article: What did the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan had in common in the 1950s? Land reform. But South Korea and Japan implemented it in just five years. They quickly smashed the feudal means of ownership that broke the economic and political privilege of their landowning classes. After land reform, both Japan and South Korea pursued the path of industrialization. In the Philippines, land reform was and is still a half-serious initiative. The world’s longest land reform program has failed to redistribute the family-owned farming estates of big landlords and foreign-owned corporate plantations. Rural wealth is still concentrated in the hands of despotic hacienderos which they use to win elections, harass or kill their enemies, and stifle dissent. The Hacienda Luisita massacre was not a case of peasant agitation but landlord hysteria from a family which does not want to give up their class privilege. This refusal to alter the status quo is a very violent kind of behavior. But the state sanctions this violence which is responsible for the human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, and other horrible crimes inflicted against the poor, the activists, and other truth seekers. The government then seeks to monopolize the use of violence in society by suppressing the idea, the yearning, and the actual organizing for change, while branding critical discourse and engagement as transgressions that harm public order. Then there are political forces, mostly allied with the party in power, which prefers to spread the illusory message of reconciliation by offering a so-called space for dialogue to end conflict in society. They misread the situation as a simple case of misunderstanding between individuals. It may be partly true but essentially wrong. What is raging in the islands is class struggle. Marx once eloquently wrote that the “history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggle.” The mainstream education apparatus has indoctrinated the youth with the poisonous thinking that history is made only by prominent individuals such as kings, presidents, and their glorified subordinates.

>>>PALATINO..... turn to P/6

PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS 5

Visiting country’s first coal dome LAST Saturday, while our GESTUVEO family clan was having its annual reunion at the Seagull Beach in Davao City, I had to quietly sneak out for a few hours so as not to miss a planned visit by our group (called the Nanding Boys to see for the first time the first ever Coal Dome in the country. When I was asked by Beth where I was going (no, she never suspects whenever I occasionally get "lost"..) I pointed to a dome structure glistening across the waters from our resort house at Punta Dumalag. The Therma South Inc. (TSI) of the giant power Aboitiz conglomerate is making its finishing touches to a power plant at Binugao, Toril in the southern boundary of Davao City about 25 kilometers away from downtown. From my resort house balcony, across clear waters on a clear day, a 300 MW coal-fired plant is fast rising and will soon be commissioned early 2015 or in a few months from now. Frankly, although Beth and I were hosting a rare annual family event, I did not want to miss the opportunity to take a peek at what's inside that huge dome. I had studied -- and visited-- other coal-fired plants and I was curious with that dome that I had been watching from a distance taking shape over the past 2 years along the shores of Davao Gulf.  NANDING BOYS --- The so-called “Nanding Boys” doing this “outing” is actually composed of a small group of close friends of Archbishop Emeritus Fernando “Nanding” Capalla who clustered around , welded by common friendship and high esteem for the recently retired Davao Archbishop “Nanding”. The power plant visit was made possible because Aboitiz top executive Manuel “Bobby” Orig is one of the Nanding Boys (but of course!) Joining us aside from Archbishop Nanding and Bobby were Aboitiz’ Davao Light Vice President Art Milan, Businessman Nilo Claudio; KarAsia’s Al Barreto and Gawad Kalinga’s Rene Rieta.  FIRST DOME -- At the briefing room, Jason Magnaye, who had a long and distinguished career in both the private and public sectors, is a prized recruit of TSI who now skippers the company division that handles the sensitive job of community relations (COMREL). He said the dome is the first and only coal dome in the whole country as of today. During our drive-through inside the huge dome, I learned for the first why the dome is a welcome and latest addition to a coal-fired plant. It is where “dirty” coal is securely stored, pulverized, and then fed to the boiler furnace that produces steam which in turn runs the generators that eventually produces power.  NO LONGER “DIRTY”--- For those of us who still remember watching those old western movies with coal-fed train engines, what stuck in our minds were the dirty-faced workers who continuously shoveled black coal to a furnace to keep the train engines running and the heavy black smoke coming out of the train smokestack. Well, basically this is the same principle, except that today, new technology has been developed to clean up the “dirty” coal and minimize the effect on the environment and comply with acceptable and allowable international standards of harmful sulphur oxide emission. A dust capturing device called an “electrostatic precipitator” does the job. Even the unloading of imported coal (possibly from Kalimantan, Indonesia) from the vessels docked at the private jetty will be using enclosed conveyors to the storage dome where after being crushed, the coal will be moved to the silos and fed to the furnace by gravity.  CAPTURING ASHES -- Other existing coal plants in the country store their coal supply in sheds like our favorite barangay “covered courts”. The TSI- Aboitiz plant at Binugao, Toril has adopted the latest technology of a dome coal storage plant to bring to the highest next level mitigating measures to protect the environment. The ashes are captured before they are released into the air and will be stored in a sealed 5-hectare ash land fill. We drove through the area that was being constructed and saw the ongoing matting to prevent leaks to our waterways. An early rehabilitation plan and protocols are already in the drawing boards for the "disturbed" area just to secure the future beyond the “plant life” period.  MARINE -- Even the limited volume of sea water that will be used to cool the plant will be returned back to the sea after passing through a cooling pond to maintain the normal temperature of the sea to protect marine life in the immediate vicinity of the plant, not to mention the possible enhancements that TSI will introduce to improve the marine conditions in the area.  BENEFITS -- It will be interesting to know that the some of the gathered “fly ash” will be used as raw materials for cement making and even hollowblock making for the livelihood program of the host communities surrounding the plant in the barangays of Binugao and Inawayan and other outlying areas. There will be close and sustainable engagement with the host barangays when the power plant gets operational. Benefits to the local residents and communities are assured and forthcoming with the reglamentary Social Development Management Project (SDMP) that will go full blast upon full operation. Although the plant will only need highly technical people of less than 200 to operate the hi-tech hub, the social corporate responsibility (CSR) thrust that is markedly already a trademark of the Aboitiz business empire will benefit the bigger community beyond its immediate environs. 

>>>DUREZA..... turn to P/6

BUSINESS

AMA-CLC extends free call center training to 4Ps beneficiaries in Batangas BATANGAS — At least 200 members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program here are currently benefiting from the free call center training provided by the AMA Computer Learning Center Inc., preparing them for possible employment in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. The free call center training which started last month is being conducted simultaneously in nine clusters of the province including Nasugbu, Calaca, Lemery, Cuenca, Batangas City, Lipa City and Tanauan City. Upon completion, beneficiaries will be endorsed to partner BPOs of AMA Computer Learning Center. Said training is part of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) interventions to provide opportunities for the indigent families to support their respective needs.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is known for providing various inter-

ventions such as employment facilitation and skills enhancement to household-

beneficiaries to improve their living condition and achieve self-sufficiency.| PIA-DA

MARKET TOUR. Ipinakita din ni Mayor Thony C Halili kay Secretary Pangilinan ang ating Bagsakan Section sa Palengke, Na syang pinagdadalhan ng mga Produkto mula sa iba't ibang panig ng Rehiyon na dinadala sa Metro Manila at mga karatig pook.|

................................................................................................................................................................

Amid typhoon threat, DTI holds Diskwento Caravan TANAY, Rizal — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here in cooperation with the local government pursued to hold the Diskwento Caravan recently amidst threats of Typhoon Ruby.

Although 27 exhibitors came out of the 43 expected retailers, total sales amounted to Php 276,812 in which ‘Noche Buena’ products were recorded as best-selling items in every marketplace.

Joanna Caldito of DTI Rizal’s consumer protection division said the caravan was such a success adding that one of the exhibitors’ even suggested to hold the event twice a week. Meanwhile, consumers clamored that future caravan be held in longer durations so that more consumers can opt for lower-priced basic and prime commodities. The Diskwento Caravan is a regular undertaking of the DTI aimed at augmenting non-wage benefits of wage earners and employees and cushioning the effect of the rising prices of basic and prime commodities on the consumers’ purchasing power.| CHARLIE S. DAJAO PRAYER TO ST. JUDE

Despite the claim of the government that the country’s economy is getting better and that the purchasing power of the Filipinos are getting higher, still, majority of the populace can only afford second hand clothing from different ukay-ukay joints elsewhere.|

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

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. Pahayagang BALIKAS | Dec. 29, 2014

Dec. 29, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015

<<<PALATINO....from P/5

Everything you wanted to know about Pinoy politics but were afraid to ask the Left Because of this biased framework, it rendered invisible the resistance of the weak which is the primemover of history. Fortunately, the Left provided an alternative narrative to view our past and present. Through this perspective, we could gain a better understanding of how our society evolved such as the impact of our colonial experience, the worsening pauperization in the provinces, the glaring inequality between the rich and poor, the feminization of migration, the attack on labor, the rapid destruction of the environment, and the erosion of our cultural heritage. Furthermore, the Leftist philosophy of history also emphasizes the value of the revolutionary struggle of the people in combating the many ills and evils in society. But the appeal to wage and resolve class struggle in the ballots is still persuasive. There are public intellectuals who acknowledge the problems identified by the Left but insist that elections, and only elections, will give us leaders who are destined to lead the nation to the road of prospe-

rity and lasting peace. Any other solution than electoral parliamentary democracy is deemed irrational, misguided, and impractical. The result is the perpetuation of a discredited system with semidemocratic trappings. Everybody resents this system; and everybody is aghast that we continue to be ruled by the same powerful and pampered clique of caciques or their dummies; but almost everybody among the chattering and twittering classes is willing to endure this suffering as they continue to hope that incremental reforms within the bureaucracy would spur a great transformation in the future. Everybody except the Left. The Left with its radical dreams and a progressive vision for a new future. The Left and its people power, welgang bayan, lakbayan, the boycott movement, the metro noise barrage, the collective actions in the urban and rural. Another people power? An emphatic yes, but this time, let us embrace its revolutionary promise to the fullest.| HTTP://BULATLAT.COM

.............................................................................. <<<DUREZA.. from P/5

Visiting country’s first coal dome VIGILANCE --- Although the new plant has a total capacity of 300MW, there is already approval of an additional 300MW more generating capacity that will be set up in the same site. This augers well for us Mindanao knowing that we are still badly lacking in power. A power plant that is “embedded” right here in our neighborhood will ensure sustainable development. But as we welcome this new facility, our advocacy for environment protection and well-being must continue without let-up. Vigilant citizen action is needed to see to it that power plants including

government agencies comply with our stringent environment regulations to protect us and Mother Earth from harm. We must not let our guards down.  [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]

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

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

Melinda Rodriguez-Landicho, Lifetimes Editor

LIFE TIMES

Dec. 29, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015

Ang 20 kandidata ng Search for Bb. Lunsod ng Batangas 2015.|

CITY PIO PHOTO ................................................................................................................................................................ <<<F.E.S.T...mula sa P/8

SOS Lipa’s Any Juan Movement Exhibit at SM City Lipa Batangas City Fiesta 2015, SOS Children’s Village Lipa in partnership with SM City Lipa conducted a four day exhibit last December 8-11, 2014 with a theme: Say YES! Every child needs a FRIEND! An advocacy awareness campaign which aims to generate awareness and publicity about SOS Children’s Villages advocacy with emphasis on its mission and vision thus, invite more friends and donors in the locality of Batangas specifically in Lipa City to support SOS as a childcaring organization providing long-term family-based care and family strengthening programmes. Present in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Mr. Johnald Lasin the Village Director, SOS managers and coworkers, Ms. Wendy CuetoBautista, the Public Relation Manager. Ms. Bautista, in behalf of Ms. Liza Dimaculangan, the mall manager and Mr. Johnald Lasin initiated the ribbon cutting. The exhibit featured important information about SOS Children’s Villages Philippines, including the organization’s mission and vision, guiding principles, history and success stories of some SOS children using different arrangements. The booth was totally completed in a child-friendly style as to apprise that SOS is a child caring organization. Christmas Balls of HOPE was also one of the main highlights of the exhibit, a fundraising campaign where an SOS FRIEND who wanted to visit the booth was encouraged to purchase ball/s that’s worth 50.00 pesos in such a way that they can be the SOS Children Ninong/Ninang this Christmas, thus grant a child’s wish and make their

dreams into reality. Selected SOS staffs became fundraiser too who pleased and invited mall goers to visit the booth every day, giving flyers and explaining the operation of SOS Children’s Villages in the Philippines. The SOS coworkers and SM staffs were the first to hang their Balls of HOPE, followed by diverse new and old SOS FRIENDS. Through the support of many passionate and committed sponsors/friends SOS was able to raise a total of 9,500.00 pesos out of the said activity. SOS CV Lipa got also very lucky to meet number of friends who enthusiastically said YES and signed up to become monthly committed givers starting up from year 2015. Five (5) SOS friends granted the listed wishes of the children and youths through their in-kind donations and had their personal visit to the village. One new friend commit their

family to give monthly supply of eggs to the children that will also start on January, 2015. One foreigner, got so enticed on the program of SOS and was eager to do a cover to SOS Children’s Village Lipa. A simple closing program was held on the last day of the exhibit where some selected SOS children surprised the audience with their astounding song and dance performances. Lucas Garcia the special guest and Karla Mae Rodelas a Family Strengthening Program beneficiary gave their unique and jaw-dropping rendition of the song “Sa Isang Pangarap” which inspired the SOS children to dream more and do better—become the best that they can be. Selected SOS kids showed up their thanksgiving dance number to the tune of “Thank You angBabaitNinyo” to the people who continuously and endlessly sharing their love

and support to the whole SOS family. The Fund Development Coordinator, Lean Rose Sandoval, extended her deepest appreciation and gratitude to SM City Lipa for saying YES in conducting the said event. Token of appreciation and certificate was awarded to SM City Lipa for their show of love and support in the successful conduct of Any JUAN MOVEMENT exhibit and Christmas Balls of HOPE, consequently recognizing them as one of the SOS loyal partners in this journey of building a childfriendly society and making a brighter future for the children. Seeing the initiative and courage of people to help and extend their hand was really a gratifying one! A lot of people say no like maybe a hundred, but even if one person said YES, we know in the end it’s all worth it!| LEAN ROSE SANDOVAL

lubos na pinaghahandaan Cultural presentations na lalahukan ng mga mag-aaral mula sa iba’t ibang paaralan sa lunsod sa ganap na 1:30 ng hapon. Pagsapit naman ng 3:30 ng hapon, ipaparada ang Sto. Niño papuntang Wawa. Isasakay ito sa bangka sa Calumpang River patungo sa pontoon bridge. Ang nabanggit na tulay ang gagamitin ngayong taon dahil sa pagbagsak ng tulay ng Calumpang noong Hulyo dulot ng bagyong Glenda. Kaagad itong susundan ng land procession sa mga pangunahing lansangan sa Poblacion bago tuluyang ibalik ang imahen sa Basilica. Kabilang pa rin sa selebrasyon ng kapistahan ang Batangas City ang Children’s Art competition sa January 8 sa SM City Batangas Event Center. Dito rin gaganapin ang Photo Contest at Children’s Art Exhibit mula January 11-16. Itatanghal naman ang pinakaaabangan ng mga kabataan na Battle of the

Bands sa ganap na ikapito ng gabi sa Batangas City Swimming Pool Parking Area sa January 9. Magkakaroon din ng job fair na tinaguriang Handog ni Mayor: Trabaho para sa mga taga-Lunsod Batangas sa January 10 sa Batangas City Convention Center mula alas-otso ng umaga hanggang ika-lima ng hapon. Highlight din ng kapistahan ang Grand Finals ng Barangay Caravan Videoke Challenge sa Batangas City Convention Center sa ikapito ng gabi ng ika-10 ng Enero. Gaganapin naman ang pinakahihintay na awarding ceremonies ng 2014 Gawad Pununlunsod: Patimpalak Pagandahan ng Sitio ng Barangay sa ika-12 ng Enero sa Batangas City Convention Center. Ang Bb. Lungsod ng Batangas 2015 Talent ay sa January 13, ala sais ng gabi sa Batangas City Convention Center na isang fund raising activity.| RONNA E. CONTRERAS

PA L A IS IPA N 1

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) W alang masama kung alamin muna ang mga bagay-bagay bago magdesisyon. Iwasan ang magpadalus-dalos. Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) Kung aabot sa sukdulan ang iyong pagtitimpi, makakabuting umiwas dahil masama ang mangyayari. Madali ang makipag-away ngunit masarap mabuhay nang walang kaaway. Pisces (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) Tiyaga at sikap ang sekreto ng tagumpay at kung ito ang palaging tataglayin, walang dahilan na maghikahos. Aries (Mar. 21 - April 20) Hindi masama kung kasing lawak ng langit ang iyong pangarap na kaunlaran sa buhay. Taurus (Apr. 21 - May 21) Panalangin ang iyong matibay na gabay ngayon. Ang labis na pagiingat sa pagkilos, paggawa at pananalita ang siyang dapat pairalin. Gemini (May 22 - June 21) Kung inaakala mong tama ka, gawin dahil malakas ang iyong ESP ngayon, maliban kung labag sa batas ng Diyos at tao ang pakay.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) Maganda ang iyong hangarin, ang kulang lamang ay implementasyon. Kung sisimulan gawin ang binabalak, tiyak may magandang resulta. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) Magiging mainitin ang iyong ulo dahil sa personal na suliranin. Huwag patulan ang biro o kantiyaw. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23) Masigla at nakakatiyak sa sarili kaya handang harapin ang anumang pakikibaka. Diplomasya ang kailangan. Libra (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) Magiging mapusok ka ngayon at kung walang self control, ihahatid ka sa kapahamakan. Huwag maniwala sa tsismis o sulsol. Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Nasa tamang daan ng kaunlaran sa buhay ang iyong nilalandas kaya ituloy ang ginagawa. Sagittarius (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) Mapaghinala ang minamahal. Mag-ingat sa pakikipag-usap sa iba dahil ang minamahal ay magiging selosa.|

16 20

21 25

Ms. Wendy Cueto-Bautista, PR Manager of SM Lipa receives the certificate and token of appreciation from SOS Lipa Village Director Johnald Lasin (far left) and SOS Fund Development Coordinator Lean Rose Sandoval. Also in the photo is the program host Chrizon Masangkay (far right)

36 37

39 PAHALANG: 1. Utal 6. Kipot 11. Umusok 12. Restie o Lloyd 13. Salin 14. Makatas na prutas 15. Kaibigan: pinaikli 16. Asarol 17. Sundalong Amerikano 18. Ms. Isidro 21. N ng NGO 22. Angkin 23. Bumibiyahe sa EDSA 26. Nakakulong sa kural 28. Imelda Marcos 20. Rason 32. Panghukay 34. Panghalik 35. Padyakan sa bisikleta 36. Aruga 38. Gunita 39. Makina 40. Pamamaga

26 28

35 38 40 PABABA: 1. Dalag sa Pampanga 2. Bumuti 3. Katay 4. Awit papuri 5. Nakaligtas sa Sodom 6. Siliman Univ.: daglat 7. Bayan sa Cavite 8. Sako 9. Babad sa yelo 10. Sama sa bahay 16. Pera 19. Panahon ng dilim 20. ___ Engkantada 23. Antala 24. Sira ng kamote 25. Sandata ng katutubo 27. Paghahabol sa korte 28. Ihabi 29. Palusot ng talunan 31. Sawi 33. Unang nilalang 35. Palayaw ni Pamela 37. Simbolo ng Argon 38. Tunog ng makinilya

> Wanna be featured here? Please contact us at 0905.753.3462 or 0912.902.7373 for inquiries.

F.E.S.T.

Ronalina L. Elarmo Special Project Editor

......................................................................... >>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS..., EVENTS..., SHOWBIZ & SPORTS...TRAVEL & TRENDS<<< Dec. 29, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015

ChriSMiles: SM Employees’ “Papasko” to Children THE employees of SM Lipa and SM Batangas made some 50 orphaned and indigent children happy as they were treated to a half day experience in the mall with fun games, rides, toys and grocery basket giveaways through the SM ChriSMiles project. Done simultaneously last December 22 in the two malls, children from SOS Children’s Village and Buklod Unlad ng Batangas Inc. were welcomed SM City Batangas employees give Christmas gifts to the by SM Lipa Assistant Mall children of Buklod Unlad ng Batangas, Inc. Manager Engr. John C. Mauhay and SM Batangas Mall Manager Rosalinda Gabriel. ChriSMiles is an initiative of the SM Supermalls’ human resources department, organized to put into action the Christmas message of SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy, who encouraged them to “make more people smile this Christmas. After all, the word SMILES begins with SM.” It was a day of happiness and fulfillment for SM Batangas and SM Lipa Mall Admin employees as they were able to share time and blessing with the underprivileged children Kids from SOS Children’s Village dancing with SM Storyland especially this holiday season.| Mascot “Lionel” at SM City Lipa

Batangas City Fiesta 2015, lubos na pinaghahandaan TIYAK na magiging lubos na masayang pagdiriwang ang nalalapit na Kapistahan ng Mahal na Patrong Sto. Nino sa Lunsod Batangas sa ika-16 ng Enero, patunay ang mga programang muling inihanda ng pamahalaang lunsod. Naging kick-off activity ang pormal na pagpapakilala sa publiko ng 20 kandidata para sa Bb. Lungsod ng Batangas 2015 sa pamamagitan ng isang motorcade na ginanap sa loob ng poblacion noong ika-27 ng Disyembre.

Isang press conference din ang isinagawa sa Batangas City Convention Center upang higit na makilala ang mga naggagandahang kandidata. Ang taunang Sto. Nino ng Batangan Fluvial procession ay gaganapin sa ika-7 ng Enero. Mula sa Basilica ng Inmaculada Concepcion, dadalhin ang Mahal na Patrong Sto Nino sa Batangas City Convention Center kung saan isasagawa ang Alay sa Sto. Nino

>>>F.E.S.T...sundan sa P/7

ANG mga kandidata ng Search for Bb. Lunsod ng Batangas sa kanilang motorcade sa Poblacion, Disyembre 27.|