METROPOLITAN
ILOILO
the first business newspaper in metro iloilo
TIMES
VOL. II ISSUE NO. 66
developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com
May 25 - 31, 2014 Php 12.00
John 12:25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATE Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - May 16 - 22, 2014
USD/PHP
43.8000
43.7949 43.7465
43.7500
43.7377
43.7493
43.7174
43.7000 43.6983 43.6500
43.6440
43.6000 May 16, 2014
May 18, 2014
May 20, 2014
May 22, 2014
DTI PRICE MONITORING Prime Commodities (April 2014) Prime Commodities (April 2014)
CANNED SARDINES Current Price INSTANT NOODLES Current Price
Paradiso (155g) Young’s Town Bonus (155g) Lucky 7 (155g)
12.15 Lucky Me! (55g) 13.25 Payless (50g) 13.75
PROCESSED MILK Current Price
7.10 6.30 Current Price
BREAD
Alaska Sweetened Filled 51.30 Milk - Condensed 300 mL Pinoy Tasty (400g) Alaska Filled Milk 37.00 Pinoy Pandesal Evaporated 370 mL Angel Filled Milk Evaporated 410 mL
37.00
(pack of 10 pieces) 22.50 36.80
DA PRICE MONITORING Processed and Manufactured Commodities (April 2014) Processed and Manufactured Commodities (April 2014)
Commercial Rice Regular Milled Well Milled Premium Special (Fancy) Sugar Refined Washed Brown Sugar Cooking Oil Lapad (bottle)
Current Price 38.00/kg 40.00/kg 42.00/kg 50.00/kg 46.00/kg 42.00/kg 40.00/kg
Meat & Poultry Pork Liempo Pigue (Ham) Beef Rump Brisket Chicken Fully Dressed Egg (Medium) Fish Bangus
Current Price
190.00/kg 180.00/kg
260.00/kg 200.00/kg 130.00/kg 4.50/pc
‘THREATENING BUT CONTROLLABLE’ 27.00
Current Price 120.00/kg
SUGARBOWL OF THE PHILIPPINES. Knows as the “Sugarbowl” of the Philippines, Negros Occidental is the country’s primary sugar producer. Photo by Jonathan Jurilla
Central market project is pro-people BY ELYROSE S. NAORBE
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 6 said that joint venture projects are purely pro-people. “Pro-people because people will benefit from it. Remember that forming JV is one way of creating job opportunities to the people especially if the JV projects are anchored or derived under the Local Development Plan of the region prior to the National Plan of the Government,” Gilberto Altura, Central market /p11
WHAT’S INSIDE business
Iloilo City moving to electronic economy 3
BY ELYROSE S. NAORBE
The Panay Electric Cooperative (PECO) assured its consumers that even though the power supply problem in Iloilo City is a little bit “threatening but it is still controllable.” In an interview of Iloilo Metropolitan Times with Engineer Randy Pastolero, VP for Operations, he stated that the series of rotating browouts occurred this month was due to the simultaneous shutdown of power plants that supply power to them. Pastolero further explained that out of 70 megawatts provided by the Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC), a coal-fired power plant in Barangay Ingore, La Paz owned by Global Business Power Corp. (GBPC) , they are only using 35 megawatts if the said supplier reduces its power supply. During reductions, PECO said
NEWS
Capitol execs face trouble over unaccounted rice seeds, fertilizers 4
they are buying 11 megawatts from diesel fired- power plant just to meet the needed supply in Iloilo City. Pastolero said that households can experience series of brownouts at around 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will occur again at 5 p.m. The data released by PECO showed that the power supply and services offered to consumers improved this year compared to last year. From January to May 20, 2014, the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) or the average number of interruptions that customers experienced was about 12,707, lower compared to last year of the same period with 14, 581. On the other hand, the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) or the average outage duration for each customer went down to 579.6582 in 2014 from 828.5582 2013. Threatening /p11
SPORTS
Mayor’s Cup 2014: USA fires off AP 11
Notebooks increase by P1 BY GLORIA CONCEPCION MORALIDAD
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 6 has issued suggested retail prices (SRP) for school supplies in advance of the opening of classes next month. The prices of notebooks increased by 75 centavos to P1 this year compared to last year, DTI-6 Information Officer Ruby Milleza said in an interview with Iloilo Metopolitan Times. Recent DTI’s price guide showed that composition notebooks as well as spiral and writing notebooks with 80 leaves range from P10 to P14.75. Pad papers with 80 leaves of Grades 1 to 4 range from P6 to P28.75. Intermediate pad papers, also with 80 leaves, range from P11.50 to P22.50. Crayons with 8-set range from P11.25 to P19.75, 16-set range from P22.50 to P37.75, 24-set range from P32 to P51.75. Pencils of regular size with 3pcs/ pack range from P9.50 to P23.50.
Pencil of Jumbo size with 3pcs/pack range from P24.75 to P30.75. Ballpens per piece range from P5 to P10.75, and 3pcs/pack range from P10.50 to P33. Milleza urged consumers to compare the quality of the products by checking the label of school supplies before purchasing. DTI noted that before buying notebooks and pad papers, one should take note of the number of leaves or pages, kind of material (book or bond), size and grammage of the paper, brand name or trademark, name and address of the manufacturer and country of the product’s producer. With crayons one should note the brand name and trademark, number of crayons inside its box, the word “non-toxic” which has passed the allowed toxicity level of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and country of producer. Pencils should be observed for their hardness symbol and ballpens for their tip classification. IMT
Netizens to BIZ Mayor Mabilog: ‘Answer us’
pulse
BY REYMAR LATOZA
Mila’s Hill
Mini Hotel Amenities
In Land Resort OPENS DAILY 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m. FOR RESERVATION : Call or Txt (033) 396 9698 09059347957
WEBSITE
Pasil, New Lucena Iloilo
Cottages
Pavilion
www.milashill.blogspot.com
EMAIL ADDRESS
milashill.inlandresort@gmail.com
Gazebo
“No smoking sa jeepney. Anhun ta ang mga drivers ga smoke man ya samtang ga drive?” Asking is a form expression. Expressing signifies freedom. Exercising freedom means participation. In a country like Philippines with a democratic setting, participation is essential. At present, the medium where we can ask to participate is no longer limited. The presence of social media allows us to sound off our thoughts. This new platform has subsequently become a dime a dozen. It has become possible for us to make our presence felt through social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram Our task is to maximize the upside of this relative empowerment of social media. Iloilo Metropolitan Times asked netizens: “If you have one ultimate question to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog what would it be? Netizens /p11
METROPOLITAN
the first business newspaper in metro iloilo
2
Western Visayas
May 25 - 31, 2014
developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com
Pnoy inaugurates largest solar plant
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL Beside having large sugarcane farms, this province is also now home to the country’s first large-scale commercially financed and commissioned solar power plant which was inaugurated by President Benigno S. Aquino III during his latest visit here since 2012. The President led the switchon, May 15, of the solar power facility which marked the start of its commercial operation sending off to the local grid at peak 13 megawatt for Phase 1 and 9-megawatt for the Phase 2. In his keynote speech after the switch on, President Aquino cited the San Carlos Solar Energy Incorporated (SACASOL) as a perfect example of taking responsibility to act in the face of growing climate risk whether in government or the private sector.
“This is a project funded by companies with a strong interest in renewable and clean energy investments and a project supported by the local government. With your help, we are proving to the world: even developing countries such as ours can do their share in reducing the risks posed by global warming. And we are doing this even at a time when the development of solar power plants remains more expensive than that of plants fueled by traditional sources of energy,” Aquino said. Meanwhile, SACASOL Chairman Jose Maria Zabaleta Sr. credited the strong support of the local government of San Carlos City where the solar farm sits on a 35 hectare field of saline soil, part of the San Carlos Ecozone. It has 88,000 photovoltaic
guimaras
Affected Sportivo Oil Spill Fisherfolks receive claims
After four months of the tragic M/V Sportivo Oil Spill, Seen Sam Shipping, Inc. distributed a total cash of P 1,861,720.00 to 790 claimants of oil-spill affected barangays last May 19, 2014 at Guimaras Provincial Covered Gym. Seen Sam Shipping, Inc Legal Counsel Atty. Joselito Lopez with Mr. Paraiso Casio distributed the claims to
the fisherfolks of Barangay Hoskyn, Dagsaan, Magsaysay, Montpiller, Rizal, Sawang, Sto. Rosario and Zaldivar. The distribution was assisted by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Task Force Sportivo. The shipping corporation likewise issued check refund for the operational
modules with 22 inverters with a total project cost of P1.9 billion on full equity financing. SACASOL President Jose Maria Zabaleta said that the fact that the project was built on full equity financing also speaks greatly of our partners, ThomasLloyd Group, who have been right beside the company in every step of the way
Aklan gov’t assures judicious use of taxes KALIBO, Aklan - Aklan governor Florencio T. Miraflores assured Aklan’s top taxpayers here that the taxes they pay are put into good use by the provincial government. Miraflores gave this assurance at the awarding ceremony of the 2014 Outstanding Taxpayers and Outstanding Municipal Treasurers held April 24 at the Provincial Capitol Lobby. The awarding of Aklan’s top taxpayers and municipal treasurers was one of the major highlights of Aklan’s celebration of its 58th anniversary as a separate province from Capiz. In the same activity, the province’ outstanding revenue generation task force composed of Philippine National Police (PNP) officers and employees from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office were also awarded. Noting the cool comfort offered by the spacious lobby of the new Provincial Capitol Building which served as the venue of the awarding, expenses of P D R R M C Guimaras, MDRRMC Buenavista and MDRRMC Jordan for a total amount P 329,966.75 Expected period of three months cleanup on shipping wreckage by Salvor Company will run from June to August. - PR
DENR releases P2-M community-based forest management project Model Upland Farmers Association (AMUFA) in Agcagay also of Jamindan town was given project support of P646,035 for the same project. The Aglanot Community Forest Association (ACFA) of Barangay Aglanot, Dumarao town was likewise awarded P788,355.00 for the 50-hectare coconut and fruit trees plantation project. Talabero said that RED Sampulna, during their 2nd Regional Management Conference in Capiz, personally handed over the said checks to the respective president of the said people’s organizations with Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, Jamindan Mayor Ethel Jinon and Dumarao Mayor Leslie Warren Benjamin. On the other hand, RED Sampulna said that the BCFMA is part of the national government’s effort in “greening” the country through the National Greening Program which aims to mitigate the impact of climate change and global warming. Sampulna said that the NGP, which seeks to attain sustainable
adequate reserves, but, of course, given the current economic momentum of the country, we cannot be content with present conditions; we also have to plan for the future,” Aquino added. Following the success of the Phase 1 of the solar plant, SACASOL will break ground again for the SACASOL II, an 18-megawatt facility, May 16, 2014, in La Carlota City.PIA
aklan
CAPIZ
ROXAS CITY, Capiz - More than P2-million support fund to the people’s organizations for the forest management project in Capiz was already released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Western Visayas DENR Regional Executive Director Jim Sampulna has already awarded the checks representing the funding support of the agency to the three People’s Organizations for the CommunityBased Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) projects, particularly in Jamindan and Dumarao towns. Capiz DENR Provincial head Valentin Talabero explained that the CBFMA is a 25-year contract with a people’s organization for livelihood and development. He disclosed that the Asosasyon sang Nagaprotehir sang Kabukiran sa Jamindan (ANAK-Jamindan) in Barangay San Juan, Jamindan was awarded P580,015 for the 25-hectare Forest Enhancement through Rattan Plantation, Agri-crops and Tilapia Culture while the Agcagay
Aquino said that the success of SACASOL fits with the administration’s goal of having a more diverse energy mix in order to meet the country’s needs for a more consistent energy supply. “For the year 2013, the average available capacity of the Visayas Grid stood at 1,678 MW. Average peak demand was at 1,390 MW. There are
h u m a n development and economic and ecological security, aspires to plant 1.5 billion trees in about 1.5 million hectares of public lands for six years starting 2011 until 2016. He also urged the public to have a shared responsibility in caring for Mother Earth by protecting the environment through tree and mangrove growing as the same can greatly help in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. PIA
Miraflores said the building is a manifestation that the provincial administration was very selective and judicious in spending the people’s money. For her part, Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, who joined Governor Miraflores in the awarding rites, told the awardees and others present that all Aklanons have the responsibility to pay taxes in order to get the right services and infrastructures. Awarded as Aklan’s top taxpayers for 2014 were Mary Luz P. Leong of Altavas; Emerald Dela Rosa of Balete; Smart Communications Incorporated, Banga; Jayner L. Demeterio, Batan; Alma C. Morland, Buruanga; Petron Corporation, Ibajay; Royal Four Seasons Corporations, Kalibo; Anita G. Rescate, Lezo; Ulysses E. Ruiz, Libacao; Loreto N. Gonzales, Jr., Madalag; Heirs of Asuncion Maravilla, Makato; DMCI-PDI Hotel Inc., Malay; Caluda I. Jayme, Malinao;
antique
Panay Power Corporation, Nabas and New Washington; Ramas Uypitching & Sons, Inc.,Numancia; and Mr. Aristotle Tirol, Tangalan. The top taxpayers hall of famers who were also cited were Mayor Teodoro V. Calizo Jr. of Balete; former Aklan governor Carlito S. Marquez, Banga, and HEVA Management and Development Corporation, Kalibo. Awarded Outstanding Municipal Treasurers were Dediosa C. Dioso of Malay, who ranked 1st; Elsa M. Tabuena of Kalibo, 2nd; Froilan N. Redison of Banga, 3rd; Angelyn A. Rubias of Tangalan, 4th; and Shirley T. Timbas of Makato, 5th. On the other hand, awarded Outstanding Revenue Generation Task Force were P/C Inspector Pedro H. Enriquez; SPO3 Greg F. Ginoy, SPO1 Arman I. Ibea, and PO3 Clemente B. Magtanum from the PNP; and Jethro Laserna, Donald Marquez and Roderick Urbano of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office. PIA
May 25 - 31, 2014
METRO BUSINESS
3
Iloilo City moves to electronic economy
BY REYMAR LATOZA
Aside from faster and easier business process, clients transacting through electronic system will also enjoy less cost. Recently, Councilor Lady Julie Grace Baronda filed an ordinance seeking to implement electronic payment (e-payment) system for financial transactions in the Iloilo City Hall. Baronda said business process will become more efficient and convenient for constituents and taxpayers as well as for city government employees and suppliers if the Iloilo City council will
approve the proposed ordinance. The e-payment system is intended for the collection of taxes, licenses and other fees as well as disbursement of payroll, government subsidies, payment to suppliers and other transactions of the city in furtherance of promoting good governance reforms. Baronda added the proposed ordinance would also strengthen the transparency in government transactions She hopes that the proposed ordinance will be approved soon and implemented by June next year. Iloilo City is a recipient of a
comprehensive computerization program of the United States Assistance for International Development (USAID) since five years ago and the city treasurer’s office, budget office, planning and development office and the business permit and licensing office are already computerized for easy access of data on business permits and licenses. An electronic payment system will eradicate fixers and enhance tax collection by ensuring the necessary mechanism and procedures employed to encourage taxpayers to pay and settle their tax obligations. (with a report from PNA) IMT
Saving behavior of Filipinos improves in Q1 BY REYMAR LATOZA
DOT-6 gears up for El Ňino BY GLORIA CONCEPCION MORALIDAD The Department of Tourism (DOT) 6 has been gearing and beefing up to brace the coming of El Niño this mid-year, assuring the public of their adaptive approach to the climate. “We will be giving out some notes of caution to travelers on how to best protect themselves from the heat. When we do that, we expect them to enjoy their vacation despite the hot condition of the places they are exploring,” stated DOT-6 director Atty. Helen J. Catalbas. Catalbas also noted the effects of El Niño in the tourism sector, like water levels will be affected in rivers and mountain grounds will be all dried up. Tourists who are going up for mountain climbing adventures should expect it not to be cooled up there and
the soil will be a bit ‘flaky’ because of the prolonged hot season. At the moment, she observed that Western Visayas is just experiencing a normal summer. When inquired if the region has an increased of tourist arrivals, Catalbas remarked that reports are being jotted down and are still going on. However, Boracay sent their report earlier and she noticed that there is an increase of arrivals this year’s first quarter compared to the year before. The dry spell might likely let its presence felt on June or July which may peak during the last quarter of 2014 and may last up to the first quarter of 2015 noted by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). IMT
Consumer protection framework approved
BY REYMAR LATOZA
A bank manager in Iloilo City disclosed that they have set up a help desk in their bank to cater their clients who have complaints after the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) approved the financial consumer protection framework. The framework intends to protect the bank clients by keeping their personal information private.
Setting up of customer help desks is part of the said framework which was approved along with the increasing number of number of cases of ATM fraud in the county. According to the Anti-cybercrime unit National Bureau of Investigation, ATM fraud is alarming. Also covered by the framework are the BSP-supervised financial institutions including remittance centers and pawnshops.IMT
Iloilo City has most number of poor families BY REYMAR LATOZA Nearly 13,700 households in Iloilo City are living in poverty, based on the most recent data released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region VI. Despite the relative developments, the city of Iloilo ranked first in the list of top 10 cities with the most number of poor households. The 2013 data of DSWD-6 showed that Iloilo City in terms of the magnitude of poor households has the highest number with 13, 621. Kabankalan City came in second with 11,272; followed by San Carlos City with 9,243; Sagay City with 9,001; Cauayan with 7,646; Cadiz
City with 7,585; Calatrava with 7,022; Sipalay City with 6,545; Carles with 6,230 and Himamaylan city with 5,765. According to the National Statistics Authority-NSCB Region VI, the recent annual poverty threshold or monthly family income in the region is at P7,890 (2012) from P7,030 (2009). The release of poverty statistics were made only every three years, 2006, 2009, 2012 and the next data point would not have come until a survey in 2015. “Poverty threshold is the minimum level of income deemed adequate to meet the basic food and non-food needs per month for a family of five,” a report of NSCB-6 said
Early this year, a 22-year-old government worker started to set aside 35 percent of her monthly salary as savings. Liez’l Lamasan, who has been working for almost 2 years in Iloilo City, belongs to middle income group. She is earning more than P 10,000 a month. According to her, she is saving for emergency, food and travel. “It’s very important to save some amount from your income. Saving means you are thinking of your future,” she said A survey of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the number of households in country with savings increased to 28.9 percent in the first quarter of 2014. The figure is higher by almost 2% from 26.2 percent in the previous quarter. “The percentage of households with savings increased among the middle- and low-income groups (earning below P10,000) but declined for the high-income group (earning above P30,000) from 67. 3% to 60.8 percent,” a report of BSP said. “The percentage of those that expected to save money in Q1 2014 increased to 38.3 percent from 34.6 percent in Q4 2013,” report added. Respondents nationwide said that “they are setting aside some amount as savings for the following reasons: emergency, health and hospitalization, retirement, education, and business capital and investment. “Among respondents with savings, majority have bank deposit accounts,” BSP said. IMT A letter, dated May 20, 2014, was sent by Iloilo Metropolitan Times addresses DSWD-6 Regional Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macaporbe asking her statement on this matter. As of May 23, the said department has not yet responded to the letter. Meanwhile, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 6, in an interview of IMT, said some households identified as poor in Iloilo City are not pure residents of the city. “They flee to Iloilo City because Iloilo City is a booming city. More opportunities and chances for them to survive in a progressive place” NEDA6 explained. In the region, the number of poor families is increased from 353,432 in 2009 to 353,431 in 2012. The poverty incidence, however, among the families decreased from 23.6 percent to 22.8 percent, higher by 3.1 percent to the national figure with 19.7 percent. IMT
BIR-6 tax collection rises 20% in Q1 BY REYMAR LATOZA The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region VI posted a 20.24 percent increase in tax collection for the first three months of 2014. From P1.56 billion in 2013 (Q1), the internal revenue collection in the region went up to P1.88 billion from January-April 2014. Iloilo City registered 27.78 percent increase from P922 million to 1.2 billion in the first quarter of the year. Meanwhile, BIR has remained upbeat to recover and reach its 2014 collection target in the remaining months before the year ends. “The BIR still believes that it will be able to recover during the remaining eight months,” the agency said in a statement. Last month, BIR collected P156.1 billion (nationwide), short by more than P20 billion from P176.14 billion April collection target. According to BIR, the low growth rate of taxes paid under the jurisdiction of the Large Taxpayers Service and
corporate taxpayers in the National Capitol Region affected their last month’s target. On the positive note, the posted collection increased by 4.78 percent or P7.12 billion from the previous year of the same period. For BIR’s operation and non operations in April were P 153 billion and P 3.12 billion respectively. BIR said “although the gross revenues of these taxpayers increased, these did not translate to tax revenues, as they enjoy some forms of tax incentives.” “In order to address this, it is imperative that the proposed administrative legislative measure, the fiscal incentives rationalization bill, be passed soonest,” BIR added in its report. The BIR is also gearing up for an intensified auditing of the taxpayer’s books to check the drop in their tax payments. Since January of the year, BIR failed to reach its collection target The collection target for 2014 is P1456 trillion.IMT
Robinsons acquires A.M. Builders’ Depot BY REYMAR LATOZA
Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. acquired 67 percent of the Visayasbased hardware chain A.M. Builders’ Depot. A.M. Builders’ Depot owned and operated 17 stores in Visayas including Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu and other key cities.
In a statement, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, company president and chief operating officer, said the acquisition will be a good addition to our retail portfolio as it will serve another segment of the fast- growing retail market of the country. Due to nondisclosure agreement, the acquisition price has not been declared yet. IMT
How do OFW families spend money?
BY REYMAR LATOZA Most families of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) spent so much on food,according to a survey of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) conducted in the first quarter of 2014. BSP said that 97 percent of 560 households in the country that received OWF remittances used it to purchase food. The survey also showed 68.9 percent or more than two-thirds of the OFW households spent part of their remittances for education. Medical payments were allocated by 62.9 percent and 45.9 percent went to dept payments. “The percentage of OFW households that utilized their remittances for savings rose to 45.4 percent from 41.6 percent in Q4 2013, the second highest percentage since the nationwide survey started in Q1 2007. Similarly, those that allocated their remittances for the purchase of property increased to 13 percent from 12 percent in Q4 2013. ” BSP said in a press release.
“Meanwhile, those that apportioned part of their remittances for investment and purchase of consumer durables and motor vehicle went down compared to the previous quarter’s results,” BSP added. 2014 Q1 OFW remittances The OWF remittances rose by six percent to $ 5.5 billion in the first three months of 2014, from $ 5.22 billion, the previous year of the same period. The land-based cash remittances ticked up 4.5 percent to $4.1 billion while money transfers by sea-based Filipinos increased 10.9 percent to $1.4 million. A report of BSP said “the robust cash transfers in Q1 were supported by the sustained demand for skilled Filipino manpower.” Large amount of remittances were from United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong. IMT
METRO NEWS
4
METRO
on the road
DOE The National Grid Corp of the Philippines has placed the Visayas on ‘red alert’ amid insufficient power reserves. Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said the ‘red alert’ stemmed from the shutdown of three major power plants, namely Cebu Energy Development Corp’s (CEDC) Cebu facility, Panay Energy Development Corp’s (PEDC) Iloilo unit, and Energy Development Corp’s (EDC) Leyte facility. The three plants have created a deficiency of 71 MW.
DOT President Benigno S. Aquino III is optimistic of hitting 10 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2016, as the government is working continuously to reduce the impacts of climate change on tourism the President said the country already welcomed 4.68 million international tourists last year, nearly 10 percent higher than the previous year.
SWS A recent Social Weather Stations survey shows the number of jobless Filipinos went down in the first quarter of 2014. joblessness dropped 25.7 percent, equivalent to 11.5 million Filipinos, compared to the previous quarter’s 12 million (27.5 percent).The survey shows unemployed was dominated by those who voluntarily left their jobs (11.4 percent or 5.1 million), while some were retrenched (10.7 percent or 4.8 million).
NEDA Increasing investments from employers to generate high-quality and remunerative employment is vital in achieving rapid poverty reduction towards inclusive growth, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).Balisacan said that while poverty incidence in the first half of 2013 has remarkably improved, more needs to be done to substantially reduce poverty and ensure inclusivity.
Capitol execs face trouble over unaccounted rice seeds, fertilizers
BY MONTESA GRINO-CAOYONAN
Two high- ranking public officials under the Provincial Agriculture Office of the Iloilo Provincial Government are both in hot water over unaccounted sacks of palay seeds and fertilizers. Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., ordered the filing of case against Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo for command responsibility and Rice Program Coordinator Carmelo Oren for failure to account all sacks of palay seeds and fertilizers given to farmers under the provincial government’s Rice Development Program since 2010. The governor’s order came after the recommendation of the factfinding committee headed by Susette
Mamon to investigate the alleged anomalous operation inside the rice research institute located at the ART Center within the compound of Iloilo District Jail formerly Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) in Brgy. Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo. Meanwhile, lawyer Dennis Ventilacion of the Provincial Legal Office said they will give proper due process for the two public officials to explain and defend themselves. He added both the two officials are still considered innocent unless proven guilty. Ventilacion added the charges they are preparing against the two officials may lead to suspension or dismissal from the service.
ICCON set, seen to promote tourism in Iloilo
BY GLORIA CONCEPCION MORALIDAD Comic conventions are not only for the gathering of artists, it is also for the gathering of potential tourists as well. Iloilo Comics Convention (ICCON), the biggest pop culture event in Western Visayas, is all set on May 30-31 at Central Philippine University, and is expected to bring artists all over the nation, boosting the tourism sector. ICCON President Jann Galino stated that there are Manila costume players who would be joining the cosplay event in Iloilo. The comicon’s digital comic book contest is also open nationwide, luring more illustrators and trotters to visit the province. “They would tap others and say, ‘Hey, let’s go to Iloilo!’ There are individuals who have not been here before, and they are asking me how and which hotel to book. Others are already searching for Iloilo’s attractions,” he beamed. At the same time, the said nonstock, non-profit organization has partnered with the Department of
Tourism who would be presenting at the event. Moreover, the agency would be handing out items and giveaways. Galino noted that when the convention boomed in 2012, attendees has been looking forward for it; even prompting guests and people from Davao and Cebu to come. “There are persons who do not know about Iloilo at first. When they have heard of Iloilo Comicon, they were asking themselves, ‘What is Iloilo?’ and ‘Where is Iloilo?’, all because of the event. It tapped a much larger community – the pop cultures,” he added. Furthermore, Galino cited his experience in 2012, when worldknown personalities were given a tour of the province by DOT. These notable guests took pictures of batchoy, barquillos, Jaro Plaza, Molo and more, and uploaded it on their websites and blogs in which their fans saw how beautiful Iloilo was. Galino said that the most common feedback he heard from the guests was how delicious Ilonggo dishes were.IMT
35% tuition hike in WV to start in June
DOTC Coinciding with the Road Safety Month of May stipulated in Proclamation No. 115-A, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act, which penalizes drivers who are caught driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.“Among other things, it limits the allowable blood alcohol level to below 0.05% for most drivers, “said Secretary of Transportation and Communications Jun Abaya.
CITY HALL
The City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) here launched “Bongga Bella”, a beautification project that will make the city among the most vibrant and colorful cities in the country.In the official kick-off of the 12th Fiestas in the City at SM Events Center, City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena said this beautification project aims to do up the city road network with the flowering shrub commonly known as bougainvillea.
May 25 - 31, 2014
On his part, Toledo respected whatever the recommendation of the fact-finding committee. He said despite he has no direct involvement on the alleged unaccounted farm supplies, but he understands that he has some liabilities over Oren’s irresponsible actions. “I admit I have trusted too much my personnel. Maybe those unaccounted supplies were not just properly documented. It’s just a matter of documentation errors,”he said. Toledo said he is ready to face the charges and willing to cooperate with the committee that will conduct
further investigation on their case. Oren, for his part, denied any irregularity in the implementation of the program. He said the reported unaccounted bags of rice seeds and fertilizers were not missing but were already given to the beneficiaries. He, however, admitted that some of those supplies were not properly documented during the distribution while others were stored at the Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC) in Brgy. Hamungaya, Jaro, Iloilo City. IMT
DOT-6 to push road shows in Singapore, Malaysia
BY GLORIA CONCEPCION MORALIDAD The Department of Tourism (DOT) 6 has planned to push their road shows in Singapore and Malaysia on July 7-12. In an interview with Iloilo Metropolitan Times, DOT-6 regional director Atty. Helen J. Catalbas noted that if they cannot forgo on the scheduled dates, it will be moved on to July. But the agency, together, with the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines will cogitate to see the shows through the arranged dates. Catalbas also said that on July 1215, there will also be a tourism event in Thailand as well. The road shows will consist of seminars, wherein tourism officers of the provinces in Western Visayas will be presenting before an audience of travel writers and bloggers, agents, filmmakers, and authorities of Singapore and Malaysia their respective tourist attractions. Moreover, there will be business-
to-business transactions between Philippine delegations and their connections to the two countries. In the evening there will be a cocktail reception with cultural entertainment Meanwhile, to instill tourism awareness in Iloilo City, the tourism department continues to undertake their weekly tourism academe on air over a local radio station in the city and will continuously produce promotional materials in line with their campaign: Experience First Western Visayas. Catalbas said that these are collateral materials to promote and contribute to delegates in conventions, visitors to DOT office and other travel agencies. The agency has a constant plugging on the radio in order to reach the grassroots of the city, the people of the barangays, to know the basics of tourism. DOT believed that the more these “grassroots” know tourism, the assets of Iloilo, and the attractions and culture of the place, the more they will be proud of their province and city.IMT
‘Honesty is an asset to tourism industry’
BY GLORIA CONCEPCION MORALIDAD
BY ELYROSE S. NAORBE Wether they like it or not, parents of more than 300 private schools in Western Visayas (WV) will pay higher tuition fees for this school year (SY) 2014-2015. The Department of Education (DepEd) allowed 311 private schools in the region to increase their tuition fees up to 35 percent. Among the 1,299 private schools nationwide that the DepEd allowed to increase their tuition fees for this SY, WV has highest number with 311, followed by Region 1 with 246, and Region III with 244. The DepEd has allowed tuition hike provided the schools should allocate
the 70 percent increase to teachers’ pay, 20 percent for improvement of school facilities; and 10 percent to return of investment or revenue. The education department also said that out of the 1, 477 private elementary and secondary schools that applied for tuition increase for this school year, only 1,299 have been approved while the remaining 178 have been denied due to their failure to comply with the requirements. On the Other hand, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said that in the region which also felt Yolanda’s destruction, 25 of the 78 private tertiary schools seek to increase their tuition fees. IMT
They say good works will not go unnoticed. Indeed. Two honest janitors at the Iloilo airport were honored by the Department of Tourism (DOT) for returning a bag amounting about P1 million in cash and were nominated by the agency for the Tourism Star Philippines awards. Rubilyn Dela Peña and Edgar Penit discovered a bag belonging to a foreigner at the airport’s pre-departure area and immediately turned it over to their supervisor last May 8. “What they did is a plus factor to making more Iloilo attractive to tourists, and if all our frontliners will be doing what they did - returning property and money belonging to tourists - then we have something special in this place of ours. It [honesty] is an asset to the tourism industry,” said Department of Tourism regional director Atty. Helen J. Catalbas. DOT’S Tourism Star Philippines
is divided into two (2) categories: (i) tourism front-liners and individuals who embody the true Filipino brand of warm hospitality, of going the extra mile in the service of tourists; and, (ii) local chief executives (LCE), a mayor or a governor, whose projects contribute positively to the tourism industry. The individuals’ category is open to all Filipinos who have direct or indirect contact with tourists and who may belong to one of the following: (a) travel agencies and tour operators; (b) tour guides; (c) tourist transport (tour buses, taxis,kalesas, etc); (d) accommodation establishments; and (e) individual service providers that may include entrepreneurs, government employees, policemen and others who do not fall under any of the mentioned sectors. An individual nominee must exhibit Filipino quality values of hospitality; flexibility, adaptability and creativity; honesty; professionalism; and promptness.IMT
May 25 - 31, 2014
METRO HEALTH
5
Stay away from energy drinks, doctors say In a new report, a large group of American doctors urge kids and teens to avoid energy drinks and only consume sports drinks in limited amount. The recommendations come in the wake of a national debate over energy drinks, which experts fear may have side effects. “Children never need energy drinks,” said Dr. Holly Benjamin, of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who worked on the new report. “They contain caffeine and other stimulant substances that aren’t nutritional, so you don’t need them.” And kids might be more vulnerable to the contents of energy drinks than grown ups. “If you drink them on a regular basis, it stresses the body,” Benjamin told Reuters Health. “You don’t really want to stress the body of a person that’s growing.” For the new recommendations, published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers went through earlier studies and reports on both energy drinks and sports drinks, which don’t contain any stimulants. They note that energy drinks contain a jumble of ingredients -including vitamins and herbal extracts -- with possible side effects that aren’t always well understood. While there aren’t many documented cases of harm directly linked to the beverages, stimulants can disturb the heart’s rhythm and may lead to seizures in very rare cases, Benjamin said. Recently, she saw a 15-year-old boy with attention deficit hyperactivity
might be helpful, too, because it contains sugar. But for kids who lead less-active lives, sports and energy drinks might just serve to pile on extra pounds,
fueling the national obesity epidemic. While she acknowledged that more research is needed, Benjamin said the safest thing to drink is water. REUTERS
“It’s a sin to eat asin” is the call to arms of an organization of multidisciplinary doctors’ and scientists’ groups focused on the prevention and control of high blood pressure, one of top five killers of Filipinos. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is one of the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system and one of the major risk factors in the development of stroke, the Department of Health (DOH) said. “Hypertension is both a burden to the families of the patient and to the government. In the Philippines, hypertension is afflicting the very productive segment of the population, those aged between 40 and 60 years old,” Dr. Romeo Divinagracia, cardiologist and president of the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH), told a health forum on Tuesday. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the risks for heart attack, brain strokes, and kidney failures, Divinagracia said. According to the World Health Organization, “normal” adult blood pressure is 120/80. When it is equal to or higher than 140/90, it is considered raised or high. “We want to reduce the prevalence and incidents of hypertension among Filipinos now,” Dr. Norbert Lingling Uy, former president of the Philippine
College of Physicians, said. Uy said treating hypertension and its complications are prohibitive. “Imagine the loss of productive lives and cost of dialysis for those with kidney problems due to hypertension,” he added. Limiting salt intake The physicians are urging the public to make some changes in their diet and lifestyle in the fight against hypertension. One thing they can do, said the doctors, is decrease their daily salt intake. According to Divinagracia, the total salt (sodium) content in the daily diet must be kept to 2.3 grams, or about one teaspoon’s worth. Endocrinologist Dr. Leilani Mercado-Asis said one way to control daily salt intake is to limit the amount you eat of dried fish, canned food, and food with preservatives such as hamburgers and steak. “The use of fish sauce, shrimp paste, and soy sauce while eating must be limited too. Another way of reducing salt intake is to prepare bland food for hypertensive people,” she added. Nephrologist Dr. Vicente Tanseco, Jr. suggested that people should learn how to eat food and delicacies “as is” without adding condiments. “No more additional fish sauce, shrimp paste, and soy sauce,” he said.GMA News
‘It’s a sin to eat asin’
disorder who came into the hospital with a seizure after having drunk two 24-ounce bottles of Mountain Dew, a soft drink that contains caffeine. The boy was already taking stimulant ADHD medication, and the extra caffeine in principle might have pushed him over the edge, according to Benjamin. “You just never know,” she said. “It’s definitely a concern.” Earlier this year, Pediatrics published another review of the literature on energy drinks. In it, Florida pediatricians described cases of seizures, delusions, heart problems and kidney or liver damage in people who had drunk one or more non-alcoholic energy drinks -including brands like Red Bull, Spike Shooter and Redline. While they acknowledged that
such cases are very rare, and can’t be conclusively linked to the drinks, they urged caution, especially in kids with medical conditions. US sales of non-alcoholic energy drinks are expected to hit $9 billion this year, with children and young adults accounting for half the market. Manufacturers claim their products will enhance both mental and physical performance, and were quick to downplay the February report. “The effects of caffeine are wellknown and as an 8.4 oz can of Red Bull contains about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee (80 mg), it should be treated accordingly,” Red Bull said in an emailed statement to Reuters Health. Benjamin said that for most kids, water is the best thing to quench their thirst. If they happen to be young athletes training hard, a sports drink
T E C H N O L O G Y
‘Flappy Bird’ creator to return with new game
MANILA - Mobile game developer Dong Nguyen has announced on Twitter that he is working on a new game to help people forget about his smash hit, “Flappy Bird.” The attached screenshot, which has been retweeted more than 1,600 times on the micro-blogging site, shows helmeted characters running through a gap in between two vertically aligned buildings. In an interview with CNBC, Nguyen described the game as a “man jumping from one building to another.” Nguyen’s latest announcement came days after he said that he plans to put “Flappy Bird” back in the App Store in August, albeit a “less addicting’
New Facebook feature lets friends get nosy
version with multiplayer options. According to Nguyen, the reason why he removed the game in the first
place was because of the attention he has been receiving since the game’s shot to fame. ABS-CBNnews.com
the Philippines, said the company is bullish about their latest product under the Microsoft brand. “With high-end technologies and apps, a seamless Windows Phone 8.1 experience and the first-ever dual Sim Lumia empowering people to connect on their terms, we believe the Lumia 630 Dual Sim is undoubtedly the best smartphone in its affordable price range,” said Holub. Powered by the Windows Phone
8.1 operating system, the company described the new smartphone as a mean device with quad-core processing and a ClearBlack 4.5-inch LCD screen priced at P7,990. Microsoft said the Lumia 630 Dual Sim also carries the same awardwinning design and features found on high end counterparts. The Lumia 630 Dual Sim provides seamless switching between two SIM cards to help users to manage their social activities more efficiently by separating calls and messages. For greater social media experience, the Lumia 630 Dual Sim has quad-core Snapdragon processor to delivers fast, uncompromised social experiences with Word Flow, Internet Explorer and social apps like WhatsApp, WeChat and Instagram. Aesthetics has been given importance as the smartphone showcases a new matte polycarbonate design with changeable shells available in bold new colors bright orange,
Lumia finally unveils dual SIM smartphone
Microsoft Mobile Devices, formerly Nokia, has unveiled a dual SIM handset for its Lumia line, promising an affordable smartphone experience for Filipino consumers. The mobile phone unit of software juggernaut Microsoft Corp. rolled out the Lumia 630 Dual Sim at the Bonifacio Global City last Tuesday night. Karel Holub, general manager of Microsoft Mobile Devices sales in
Facebook is letting friends pry. New “ask” buttons popping up in profiles of friends at the leading social network let people inquire about omitted information such as whether they are in romantic relationships or where they live. People can also prompt friends to reveal where they work; what schools they attended, or where they were born. Inviting people to nose into whether friends are available for love or where they can be found prompted online comments about the potential
to encourage flirting or even stalking. There was nothing requiring Facebook members to answer honestly, if at all. Word of the “ask” feature came with unconfirmed reports that the Northern California-based online social network is working on a selfdestructing message service that could challenge SnapChat -- which reportedly rejected a $3-billion offer from Facebook. Facebook on Monday declined to comment on what it referred to as “speculation or rumor.” AFP
bright green and bright yellow, in addition to matte black and white. The device suits well for gamers as it has Xbox games, Storyteller on the 4.5-inch screen, which offers better viewing angles and visibility in bright conditions. It also has integrated features including one swipe notifications from Action Center, the new Microsoft Enterprise feature pack, Microsoft Office, OneDrive, Camera, and HERE
Maps and Drive+. It can store huge amount of storage with memory expandable by up to 128 gigabits using a SD card that allows people to save and switch locations of pictures, videos, music, maps and apps with ease. The Lumia 630 Dual Sim will be available in the Philippines starting May 30 in bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, white and black. ABS-CBNnews.com
6
METRO OPINION
EDITORIAL
The Poor and Economic Development
“When the rich wage war it is the poor who die.” Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) French writer and philosopher.
T
he staggering P100 billion investment prospects and realized businesses in Iloilo City this year is so overwhelming that a simple glance at the figure could lead an Ilonggo to salvation. The investments circle around the industries of high-end real estates, malls, energy and leisure promising a new life worth living outside the busy mega-cities like Manila, Cebu and Davao. However, the recent data released by Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 showed Iloilo City leading among its counterparts in terms of the number of poor households. A total of 13,621 households are said to be poor in the 2013 report of DSWD 6. While National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 6 is quick in explaining that the figures could be attributed to the bigger number of people from nearby towns who go down to the city to seek for relief and convenience in life, the figures remain the same in essence and meaning. Looking at the nature of the city’s prospects, it is clear that every investment coming in is designed to devour the wealth of the upper level elite. The high rise condominiums and the healthy lifestyle industries are for the rich. The local officials and economic engineers may argue that eventually the poor will get to participate and partake of the influx of wealth. The fact remains, what the poor to get to hold and participate is merely on the mercy of the elite looking for household helps, sales ladies, janitors and carpenters. Subsistence is not equivalent to empowerment. It is along this line that the high number of poor households should be appreciated and not by offering lofty excuses. Poverty at any rate will remain despite the promises of economic greeneries if the investments are aimed at the rich elite and not at the poor majority employing them as major players instead of becoming passive recepients. Otherwise, the war among the rich caumoflaged as economic developement will ultimately murder the poor.
Rich man’s tax
I
n a recent article, Ta i w a n’s parliament took the cudgels for the low and middle income earners in their country by increasing the tax of the top 1.5 percent of the population. The increase is expected to generate billions despite the small percentage of the rich being taxed because it represents the top tier in money and wealth clumped in so small a number of people. With the recent move of the Bureau of Internal Revenue to tax the small businesses like the sari sari stores and ambulant vendors, it seems counter-productive a move from the BIR when the income gap of the rich
May 25 - 31, 2014
and poor in the Philippines is ever widening. The very reason Taiwan is taxing the rich is to narrow the income gap of the rich and the poor in their country. Taiwan do not have slums populated by the very poorest of our brothers, they do not have millions living below the poverty line, yet they take seriously the income gap of their rich and their poor. The ‘tuwid na daan’ mantra bespeaks of a better life at the end of the road which this administration is supposedly heading, yet addressing the income gap is not quite part of the plan. We have billionaires in the Forbes List who, despite their philanthropic and charitable activities, is still ought to pay higher taxes than the rest of us. The
wealthiest of Taiwan is in full support of the plan saying that despite their charitable works surpassing the tax hike, still it is important to impose a rate that would compel the rich to pay more if only to narrow the gap of the rich and poor in Taiwan. Is that patriotic or they are actually in the ‘tuwid na daan’ and not us? We have yet to see big time tax evaders go to jail under the pursuit of the BIR to clean up the taxation activities in the country. I would rather see one or two millionaire tax evader being jailed and pay the fine than my favorite balut vendor sa kanto pay taxes and issue receipts every time I buy penoy from him. It is awkward, and weird. Commissioner Henares is right in one point when she said that every business big or small should pay taxes but it does not necessarily imply to
impose the tax collection on small businesses now because it is the easier thing to do than catching millionaire tax evaders. I think the whole point of taxation in a country can be summarized, and diagnosed, when looking at the income of the rich and poor in that country. All taxation activities should be in the direction of narrowing the income gap of the rich and poor, better standard of living for the rest of the Filipinos will follow, a lively economy will flourish if the low and middle income earners have money to spend and the ‘tuwid na daan’ tomorrow will be achieved. Do we really have to tax manong balut vendor now? Can we not pursue first those programs that can narrow the income gap as the priority goal for us Filipinos? Taxing manong balut vendor might end my balut-eating days, after all.
loggerheads when several workers were caught in flagrante delicto cutting some trees along the Gen. Luna highway for the road-widening project. The spat was renewed after Councilor Joshua Alim questioned a so-called verbal agreement between the city and the DPWH where they supposedly agreed last month to uproot the trees, to be replaced with palms instead. DPWH resumed its road widening project two weeks ago a posteriori the agreement, after works were temporarily suspended as a result of the protest from the city council which was supported by the DENR by refusing to grant DPWH clearance. There really was no clear agreement, thundered Alim He hollered: “They assumed all the while that everything was okay when there really was no clarity on some things. With all due respect, daw naghaum-haum lang ang tanan that there is no problem at all. “The earlier agreement on the meeting’s venue was not followed, and I was not informed. When I arrived at the new venue, the meeting was already over,” he further stressed insisting he was not present during the April 29 meeting. Freda Mae Sorsano, reporting for Panay News recently, wrote: “DPWH’s Iloilo City District Engineering Office asked the City Council for a confirmation that indeed the legislative body had agreed to such an agreement. The DENR is requiring a confirmation
from the City Council before giving DPWH the green light to proceed with the uprooting of the trees. Alim convinced his colleagues to defer giving such confirmation. He also sought another meeting between city councilors and DPWH officials led by Regional Director Edilberto Tayao. He said he will raise several concerns.” “First time ko nakakita nga sa tunga madugang road space,” Alim said. “Kag kun mabuhin sila kahoy kag islan man gihapon sang kahoy, paano sila kadugang road space?” “Aside from Tayao, City District Engineer Rodney Gustilo and representatives from DENR and the Department of Agriculture will also be summoned to the meeting set on May 28. The trees, mostly pine trees and eucalyptus, were planted more than 60 years ago upon the construction of General Luna. In a previous interview, Tayao said the “best option” was to continue with the road widening. “Nagkaroon kami ng conclusion to push through with a win-win solution. Patuloy po ang project,” said Tayao. The regional director explained why it is advisable to replace trees on General Luna Street. “There are trees whose roots will grow big enough and possibly damage the pavement,” he said. “Tayao said the trees need to be removed because the road will be expanded by uprooting all the trees on the street’s center island and have that part paved instead of expanding on the sides.” It is said that deciding which
trees to preserve, and designing development around them often seems like a ‘chicken or the egg’ problem. Environmentalists suggests that the trees suitable for preservation must be identified before designing around them and the design strongly influences the selection of trees to be preserved. A preliminary evaluation of the trees to determine those that are suitable for preservation is seen as one way out of this dilemma. Environmentalists also suggested comparing information with conceptual site plans and identifying the trees suitable for saving, and modify the site plan to accommodate the desirable trees. Working out the details of grading and preservation for trees that will remain is seen as a final stroke. Environmentalists say in most cases the costs to preserve trees are significant. Costs accrue because the land dedicated for tree preservation is unavailable for building, structures, and techniques to minimize damage to trees require extra design and construction attention, and affected trees must be maintained to support long-term health. These costs will be borne by the public, whether through increased taxes to pay for trees in public rights-of-way, higher homeowner association dues, greater commercial rents, higher home prices or direct payment for maintenance. Trees should be selected carefully, keeping their value and contribution to the new environment in mind, it was further suggested.
Trees buttress Iloilo City’s beautification
“G
od has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.” John Muir
There are good reasons why we should preserve our age-old trees along Gen. Luna Street affected by road-widening project. Trees have helped beautify Iloilo City not only along highways, but also along the river and public plazas. It was said that Dr. Jose Rizal was infatuated with our old trees when he made a brief stopover in Iloilo City when he was exiled in Dapitan in 1896. Gen. McArthur was also awed with the old trees in Plaza Libertad when he visited the city after World War II. The late former National Press Club president and former sectoral Rep. Arturo Borjal, a many-time Iloilo City visitor, once told this writer Iloilo City has some of the oldest and most unique trees in the Philippines. “The city government as well as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Tourism must preserve those trees and should not allow progress and development to be used as excuse to cut them,” explained Borjal while looking at the lunok tree beside the city hall. City aldermen and the Department of Public Works and Highways recently were at
Developing study habits
I
t’s that time of the year again when we, parents, start to get busy with enrollment, buy books and school supplies, plan lunch food for school and plot schedules. However, for some parents, this is also the time to plan for after-school tutorials. Some parents go around looking for the best center that could miraculously make their children’s grades 90+ from last year’s 77 or 79. And of course, most centers promise to move mountains for them. Speaking from my experience as one who has ran a tutorial center in the past, these parents can be very demanding yet they have never taken the time to try and tutor their children. Their reasons would be a.) lack of time (which I think is more like, “I choose not to make time.”) b.) “If I tutor him/her, we always end up fighting.” c.) “My child listens and learns better if it’s another person who teaches him/her.” Whenever I hear these reasons, I would always answer them with my litany of reasons why their children have probably not performed well in the past. I mean, who should be the best person to teach a child if not his/her parent? If you as a parent, cannot be patient enough to conscientiously tutor your child every night in primary school, then how can you expect another person to be patient with him/her? I did an experiment with my sons to prove this. Admittedly, for the past 5 years I have not been so handson with my eldest son because of my
day job in a private school. When I left that job to do private practice last year, I took it as a challenge to tutor my 2 older boys. My eldest detested the idea at first which was acceptable and expected. Studies done with student achievers from Ateneo de Manila grade school students show that the best time to establish good study habits should be by the time our children are in their primary grades. If they are already in the intermediate grades, like my eldest who was already in Grade 6 at the time, the results will not be as good. However, I was happy to note that by the 3rd quarter, my eldest would already ask for my help. He also showed me his test results which have slowly but steadily started to improve. With my second son, who was at Grade 2 at the time I started to do my “experiment”, things were positive. Daily, after school, I would ask him to show me his homework notebook. I would make him work on his homework independently and then check them as soon as he is finished. Then I make him answer sample tests to review if he understood the lessons for the day. This was true for subjects like Math, English, Science and Filipino. With the other subjects I just asked him questions orally to check for understanding. His test results were consistently very good as well as his grades at the end of each quarter. During the 3rd quarter, I did not have to remind him for study time because it has become a routine for him already. When it was time for exams, I did not have to worry. I just needed to give both my sons time to study
on their own and when it’s time for me to ask them questions for review, they were ready. I was not the type too to demand that they bring home the highest grades possible. I know what they are capable of and I know that learning and understanding is not all about the grades. These are just numbers or letters anyway which can sometimes be relative to the teachers too. Ultimately, what I did has proven that the best tutor a child can have is his/her parent. My husband has played a major role too. During the times that I cannot come home early to tutor, he takes the lead and helps the boys. He has his own tutoring style which has also helped them become better. Another thing that we also considered is the way each of our boys learn. It’s important to know that each child has a different learning style. The eldest learns best by reading his lessons independently at first and then he asks questions if there are vague points. Then he allows me to make a reviewer for him or ask him questions orally. Our second son, on the other hand, learns best by answering reviewers or prepared answer sheets first and then asks me to discuss his mistakes based on the lesson for the day. Please note that my husband and I never did our son’s homework for them. They did everything on their own and we are just at the side to assist them. That way, if they get mistakes in their homework it reminds them to be more careful next time. Also, if they forgot to do their homework and got 0 for it, it’s their responsibility because
they did not check if they had copied everything in school. This way, we teach them to be responsible students. As to how much time each child needs on a daily basis, it’s best to stick to one hour of uninterrupted study time on regular days and at least 2 hours with hourly breaks of 15 minutes during exam time. Research has shown that this “parent-as-tutor” model include increased motivation and skills for the child and improved self-image for the parent. When I tutor my sons it’s like learning all over again but things are easier this time. I did not know Math can be such a walk-in-the-park until I tutored my eldest son. I am so proud of myself. I can also tell that my children have improved self-confidence and we can better relate with each other. Tutoring is indeed beneficial for both parent and child. Yes, you may say that things are easier said than done. My challenge to you now is – have you tried doing it for at least a week? I mean sincere and patient tutoring. You can spend an hour to open your Facebook account after dinner, why not spend this to tutor your child? You can spend an hour in front of the idiot box (A.K.A. the television) to lambast the characters of the latest telenovelas, why not turn that off and tutor your child? As they always say, if you want it, you’ll find ways to do it; if you don’t want it, you’ll find a thousand reasons why you can’t do it. Try it and see the change in your child. Who knows, patience has been within you all along, you just haven’t opened the gates for it to enter. Here’s to a wonderful school year ahead of tutoring and enjoying with your children! Cheers!
May 25 - 31, 2014
METRO OPINION
Destined to be a leader W
hile the current news in Philippines are dominated by controversies spawned by “Napolists”, unmitigated bullying of China against all claimants of resource-rich Spratly group of Islands, the Vietnamese violent protests against Chinese nationals, imposition of Martial Law in Thailand, and footnotes to the recently concluded World Economic Forum on East Asia held in Metro Manila, the majority of Filipinos are unmindful of contemporary events shaping their nearest neighbor - Indonesia. This is a country of 250 million people with a land area that is 6.35 times bigger than Philippines. Population density wise, however, there are only 131 Indonesians versus 354 Filipinos living per sq km of land. Indonesia’s GDP growth rate of 6.8% was only next to Philippines’ (7.2%) last year but its GDP (constant prices, national currency) per se was three times larger than that of our
country. With per capita GDP of $4,971, Indonesia outranks Philippines with only $4,339 but both countries are comparatively behind the ASEAN 5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore) average of $7,010. The next presidential election in Indonesia will be held on July 9, 2014 and the campaign period starts less than a month from now but the political fever is nearing epidemic stage. One man stands out among other rivals: Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi. Everyone I spoke to is enamored with this rising politician whose simplicity, humility, integrity, unblemished public service, and sterling accomplishments profoundly define the character of a true leader. The print and broadcast media follow him and deafening chants of Jokowi! Jokowi! break out whenever he makes the public rounds. Born on June 21, 1961, Jokowi obtained his engineering degree from the Faculty of Forestry at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. He started his career as
All about love
H
ow many entries were submitted to The Saddest Love Story contest? Eight stories were received from five contestants, so you can imagine some multiple submissions, and that’s very fine by me. The stories—at 2,500 words minimum to 4,000 words maximum—were a little longer than what Peter’s Prize is used to, which was 500 words maximum, but I am very glad to see that our participants are equally adept with stories longer than 500 words. Although, of course, I also see that more people have competed in our very, very short story contests in the past compared to this 2,500 words minimum challenge. What kinds of love stories were
submitted? Our contest guideline was quite clear. I said that we wanted to push Hiligaynon literature forward so it didn’t matter if it was a love story of a cat and a dog, or a man and another man, or a woman and a horse. Our top prize winner, “Emanuel,” is a gay version of “The Notebook” story, but this time the characters are dealing with amnesia instead of Alzheimer’s dementia. Our second placer, “Pinihakan,” is a “Brokeback Mountain”-type story between a nurse and a politician, and our third placer, “Ang Balay ni Mama Bidad,” is a story of the love for an ancestral house. Among the submissions, at least two stories were about love of parents/children: one leading from hatred to forgiveness [Ang Magamay], another from blindness to realization to gratitude-come-lately
Bus pa-Iloilo (2)
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asulat ko sa Bus PaIloilo ang pira ka handumanan katung dekada 80, nga matuod hasta sa paghingapos kang ika-20 nga siglo kag, mahimo rugyan pa gihapon ang mga bilin kadyang ika-2014. Bangud ano bala ang panahon kundi ang pagliwan-liwan kang mga hitabo, kag mahambal man gid, e, nga may pagbag-o kag pag-ugwad, parehas nga ginapindot run kadya kang mga bata kang maysarang ang andang sipal – pagsipal – samtang nagapungko imaw andang iPad ukon laptop. Nakasakay liwan ako sa bus paIloilo kadyang Enero pagbalik halin sa bakasyon kang Disyembre, kag kadyang Lunes lang kang ikarwa nga semana kang Mayo, pagbalik man halin sa bakasyon sa tag-irinit. Dao via Anini-y paagto sa Iloilo. Rugya ang pira ka mga pagbag-o/pag-ugwad: Sa banwa run ang Ceres! Nadura man ang bus nga tagaamun gid, taga-banwa. Wara run it Lolo/Tatay/Manong nga kilala nga drayber, kundoktor, tripulante, nga ginapadar-an kang mga nanay kang allowance kang andang estudyante sa kolehiyo sa Iloilo.
Wara nagalibot dyang bus nga Ceres sa bilog nga banwa, ukon nagatukad sa mga binukid nga baryo para maghulat sa aga samtang nagapanghusay pa ikaw kang buhok ukon nagapangalimog. Wara man nagahatud kun magabi-ihan ikaw. Bangud may puwesto run ang bus sa banwa. May terminal diin kamo maagto kag maghulat. Manan mo ukon mabanta kun san-o ikaw mag-agto, hay may Oras run – Iskedyul – ang biyahe pa-Iloilo: oras-oras. Wara run it paramuti ka mga mata. Kun mabayaan ikaw kang una, hulat lang hay maabot gid ang sunod. Indi mo run man kinahanglan magbugtaw kang agaaga nga kis-a una pa sa pamalu ka mga manok. Aga, hapon, pwede run makapa-Iloilo, nga indi magdiretso ukon hapit sa San Jose. Sa baybay dun gaagi!Kanamun nga mga taga-Dao, dya nagakahulugan nga via Anini-y. Kanami kang karsada kadya. Sementado. Ligwa. Nami ang ralantawun, ang seascape, bangud naga-biyahe sa karsada sa tunga kang bukid kag dagat. Halin sa banwa kang Dao, diretso sa baybayun nga mga baryo pasulod sa Anini-y. Maagyan ang Sira-an Hot Spring diin makita ang
property and furniture businessman before he ran for mayor of Solo in Central Java. During his term, he succeeded in transforming the city (population 550,000) from graft and crime-ridden status to rapid positive changes. Some of his accomplishments include the promotion of Solo as regional center of Javanese culture and tourism; provision of health care insurance program for all residents; improvement of public transportation through introduction of double-decker buses and railbus; creation of Techno Park which supported the Indonesian car project; prohibition of his relatives to bid for city undertakings; declaration of Solo as member of the World Heritage of Cities, and; yes, strict regulation on cutting down of trees along the main streets. Jokowi gained national prominence when he won the governorship of Jakarta (population 10 million) in 2012. So personoriented, he is often spotted visiting the poor and exchanging pleasantries with them while [Ang Bulak sang Mayo]. But there were also melodramas that included unintentional incest [Sang Nadula ang Bulan], love of a man of God [Gua-sulud-gua-sulud], and that often told story of a lover donating his/her heart to the surviving beloved [Pitik sang Kasingkasing]. Any great finds? Thanks be to God, yes! Our first prize winner is Michael de la Peña, who, like me, is also a writing nurse from Dumangas, Iloilo. Michael was the first winner of our monthly 500-words-or-less short story contest last year. He was also the second prize winner in our 2013 Love Poetry contest. Second prize winner is Norman Darap, another writing nurse who also placed second to my first prize Palanca for Hiligaynon Short Story [Si Padre Olan kag ang Dios] last year. Our biggest find, however, is
Nogas Island. Paborito ko man ang Punta Casay, diin ang pinakataas nga bukid nga amun nasakaan kauna kang bata. Sa baybay na kadya, nakaraan ako ni Auntie bangud nawili ako sa saylo-saylo sa mga bato. Ginapatihan nga mariit, basi kuno ‘mabugno’ ako kang mga kataw ukon kun ano pa nga mga tinawo kang dagat kag madura. Namian man ako maglubas sa Brgy. Dapdap. Pirme kami rugya kadya kauna naga-pamiesta. Nagapanaw lang halin sa amun baryo sa bukid nga bahin kang Dao. Tukad-dulhog sa mga baryo hasta makatamwa rugya sa karsada. Hay may taga-amun nga nakapangasawa rugya kag maysarang. Te, pirme gid gapanghagad. Bilog nga baryo gaagto para mamunsyon. Amo dya ang makabig nga isara sa mga outing kag adventure namun kauna. Nami man ang view pag-abot sa mga baryo kang San Joaquin diin isut pamalay. Kita mo gid ang asul nga baybay. Hasta maagyan ang nami nga mga beach resort nga dumduman ko, kang kolehiyo kami sa UPV sa Miag-ao, naagtunan namun dya bilang eskapo. Hmm, pahurum-hurum…Hasta makatamwa sa Tiolas, nga hasta kadya, ang lugar kang mga bandi para kanakun. Bawal run ang manok! I’m
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listening to their needs. When calamities such as floods and fires happen in Jakarta, he goes out for impromptu visits to comfort the victims and implement quick measures to alleviate their difficult situations. This populist “can do” attitude endears him to most Indonesians regardless of their wealth status, ethnic background, and religious affiliation. He belongs to the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle chaired by former President Megawati Sukarnoputri. When Megawati announced his nomination as the party’s presidential candidate last March 14, Jowoki’ popularity rose exponentially. Tired with the “old brand” of politics, Indonesians see him as the ultimate personification of a clean, honest, and wellendowed president that is able to lead their country towards rapid but equitable economic and technological progress. His nearest rival, Prabowo Subianto - a former army generalis way behind Jokowi who consistently shows double-digit lead over him in recent polls. Not bad for someone who
was named by Tempo Magazine as among the top 10 Indonesian Mayors of 2008 and to be awarded 3rd place in the 2012 World Mayor Prize for making solo “SoLovely”. Lately (2014), Jokowi was recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders. The rural and urban poor as well as the middle class Indonesians will surely catapult Jokowi to the presidency during the July race. His broad support will also come from the young techno-savvy voters who are unabashedly expressing their solidarity with him through the social media. Change, if you will, is what these young adults hope to happen in the Indonesian political landscape and style of governance. Indonesia comprises 42% of the entire 600 million people under the AEC 2015 integration framework. For the country to be regionally and globally wellconnected, Indonesia needs a leader who is not only good at making promises but able to “walk his talk” while helping ensure positive growth trajectory with equity among members of the ASEAN community.
Ma. Joji Tan, a teacher at UP High School in Iloilo. “Ang Balay ni Mama Bidad” is Ms Tan’s entry to her first official Hiligaynon literary competition. When I read her entry, I got really excited. There was no doubt in my mind that she was going to win, place, or show. With her encouraging win, we really look forward to seeing more Hiligaynon literary output from her, and The Peter Solis Nery Foundation is only very proud to “discover” another brilliant female Hiligaynon writer.
Right now, I have at least four books lined up for release this year, and that’s a lot for a language that most people still look down on as bakya. So, to answer the question, there will be no more story contests until next year.
Will you do another story contest? My foundation is committed to Hiligaynon literary contests. The question is only a matter of when, since our funds are limited, and we can only afford so much every year. Unlike most writing contests that leave their output to gather dust, I want our literary harvest to see the light of day in printed book forms.
But will you do another love story contest? Maybe not in the next three years. As I have said, our funds are limited, and we can only do a number of contests a year. Also, I have a vision of exploring various subgenre of stories like horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and so on. I also like to challenge people to write on specific topics so I have the idea of making contests for stories about Iloilo or stories set in Boracay. But then again, love is a wonderful, reliable subject that I wouldn’t mind going back on my word when the subject is love. Haha!
sure, kun nakasakay kamo sa bus kauna, laban-laban nakaimaw man kamo ka mga manok, sulug kag munga. “Bawal,” hambal kang kundoktor kang magpondo kag may nagsakay nga sangka laki nga may box nga dara sulod ang mga manok. Duro amun naagyan nga may dara nga pareho nga box. Indi gid pwede run. Mangara ang Inspektor! Nalipay gid ako sa amo dya nga hitabo. Luwas sa balatian, man hasta kadya, ga-overloading gihapon. Dukdukanay sa purungkuan kag agwanta tindug pangyaput sa barandilya sa tunga. Hay daw tanan gadali gihapon nga makapa-Iloilo, bisan pa sunod-sunod run ang lubas kang mga sarakyan. Mayad nga sa pareho ko nga pagsakay liwan sa dyang bus, sa front seat ako. Mahambal ko nga tawhay ang bilog nga byahe. Kapin pa kay wara man ako nag(a)dali, te okey lang bisan duro ang pondopondo: halos halin sa Dao paagto sa bilog nga Anini-y, pondo sa kada kanto sa pagnaug-saka kang mga pasahero. Kun may taboun ikaw sa Iloilo sa sangka takna nga oras, dapat gid mangaman ka mga sangka oras para indi ikaw ma-late. Luwas sa mahambal nga ginamaximize ang kita para makabawi sa mahal nga gasolina, kag sa oras
kag enerhiya kang mga trabahador kang bus, makabig man nga sangka pakigrelasyon sa mga pasahero kag komunidad dyang pagpondo kag pagpasakay bisan gutok. Pag-accommodate kang request para mapadayon ang mayad nga pagtamdanay, bisan liw-as sa pagsurundan kang sistema. Hay te, bisan nahambalan dun nga gutok, dukdok man gihapon mong hay nagadali. Pero hay, kag bisan pa, namayha ako mag-request nga magpondo anay para magbakal daad kang pinutos kang samlague kag kamunsil kang maglubas kami sa karsadahun kang Miag-ao kag Guimbal. Masakay pa liwan ako sa bus pa-Antique, pa-Iloilo. Lain man gid nga eksperyensya kumpara sa buta nga van ukon shuttle bus, ukon sa taxi, ukon sa pribado nga sarakyan. Sa tuod lang, bisan positibo ang pagkabig ko sa pagbawal run sa pagsakay/dara kang manok, nanaug ako nga ginapanan-awan sa pensar ang mga manok nga ginabitbit kauna kang kaimaw nga mga pasahero. Wara it kasubu, pero hay daw may naukab sa akun suruksuruk, kag ginsuhutan kang hangin, nga daw nagduyog ang akun panilag sa bilog nga palibot, kag nagtikang ako nga daw kulang sa animo.
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METRO AGRICULTURE
May 25 - 31, 2014
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PREPARING FOR EL NIÑO
El Nino is in everybody’s mouth now. With that spite of rains on the last part of April, everybody thought that finally rainy season is here and many already plowed their farms. But the wave of dry spell dried the already moist soil. Iloilo lowlands are mostly clay loam and a long spell without rains will make it difficult for farmers to till the land. Production period will definitely be delayed. Good for the watermelon farmers who are now ending their season happily because of the extended dry period. Meanwhile that there’s no rain and water from the irrigation canals, farmers need to find other sources of income and food. For rice farmers, the choices will be limited especially those who made their farms totally geared for mono-cropping. The dikes are small and probably grown with weeds that are quite tenacious and difficult to remove. Planting vegetables on small dikes is impractical because they will be disturbed when the farmer and his laborers pass through. If the farmer has not made provisions for a fishpond
where he can draw water in case of water stress later, he will not also be able to raise crops and grow fish. A mono-crop rice farmer therefore would have difficulties earning from the farm in case of drought or lack of water. Farming, be it crops or livestock, demands the use of water. Lowland crops like rice need several times more water than dryland crops. While some findings indicate that rice can optimally produce with intermittent water, our usual practice is to permanently provide water from planting to the time the crop is ready for harvest. Water management is most important in rice farming though. With intermittent irrigation, the rice plants are made to induce more tillers and thus more yield. With some planning and some investment however, a farmer can manage his use of water well. A rule of thumb is to provide about 10% of the area for water collection so that excess water can be channeled to it. This pond area should be about 2 to 2.5 meters deep and lined well with clayey soil to minimize leakage. Fish fingerlings like catfish and tilapia can be seeded and harvested when they are about 5 months old. Kangkong can be planted to be used for pig feed and also for sale. Azolla and duckweed can also be seeded and grown so that they can provide additional sources of feed for ducks and chickens and as fertilizer for rice and vegetables. When needed, water from this pond can be extracted and used to irrigate the rice field or to water the vegetables. The 10% area reduced from the rice area should pay for itself in terms of fish produced and for the water used to irrigate the crops.
For dry land farming, simple technologies like mulching and the use of thick organic matter to minimize soil evaporation will help conserve soil moisture and sustain plant growth. Farmers should also be encouraged not to burn organic matter as they not only help conserve soil moisture but also return essential nutrients to the soil once decomposed. When rice farmers learn of the climate forecast, they should plan their crop pattern to take advantage of the weather. For example if an El Nino is forecasted, they should opt to try a dryland crop like sweet corn and glutinous corn instead of the usual second crop of rice, especially if their farms are rainfed. They can also intercrop the corn with munggo so that they not only earn from an additional crop but also add to the fertility of their soils. It is also essential for farmers to plan their crop calendar. Once they have learned of the forecast, they can decide which crop to grow to take advantage of the climate. For example, instead of planting corn and sugarcane, the farmer can opt to
plant sorghum and cassava while in between these crops, they can plant legumes like munggo and soybeans then follow it with a crop of an early maturing camote or sweet potato variety. If dry land farmers plan for a long term crop, they should also think of a crop mix that will not only provide them with a sustainable income but also with nurse crops which provide initial income and can help sustain the growth of their main crop. Many coffee farmers in Mindanao use banana as nurse crop so that in the first three years, they not only earn from the banana but also their growing coffee can be protected from intense
heat. Coffee is a shade loving plant in its initial growing period and produce optimally under full sunlight. Farmers can also opt to grow cacao and papaya together with the latter being established first and in longer distance so that cacao can be established without crowding out the papaya in later years. This way, the farmer is provided with a better mix of income sources, mening he earns regularly from his papaya while getting a bigger windfall from his cacao. The farmer indeed can still beat El Nino and La Nina with planning and hard work that will be rewarded with better income and more food for his family.
Day Goodies with Clay Goodies BY GLORIA CONCEPCION MORALIDAD “I love to create beautiful things. I want to be in a business that I’m passionate about and where I can use my talents as well as skills effectively. It will be something unique and I know I can be good at it.” It was a statement by one young, brave soul who ventured in the business world, unfazed with the obstacles on her way. Optimistic. Motivated. Passionate. Ellen Rose Saturnino, 23 years old, is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of the Philippines Visayas. A self-professed blogger and YouTuber, Ellen is a party stylist who owns an online store called Clay Goodies Party Boutique that offers party styling, personalized party items, invitations, hand made polymer clay goods and trendy party supplies. As a kid growing up, clay dough was one of her favorite toys which she used to make figures with her dad. Later on, she found out about polymer clay, something that she could sculpt like clay dough but was preserved and created into something more useful. Back in college, her friends would get curious with some of her clay creations and they ordered for customized ones. Ellen saw that as an opportunity for a potential business. It grew from there. Being in business was what she really wanted. She was one of those kids who used to sell little things at school, from candies to little accessories just for fun. She’d like to think that she wanted to be her own boss. Taking up BS Management gave her the necessary skills to pursue that dream and passion.
Ellen started making clay items in 2009 and joined bazaars in 20102013. She started posting her work on her personal Facebook profile and when random people/customers started befriending her on my personal page, she decided to create a separate one for business purposes and later on a separate Facebook page as well. She didn’t really get to work on her business full time until 2013 when she was able to quit her job and put her business name legally out there. Ellen works from home. She checks her page in the morning or noon to reply business inquiries, then start working on orders if there is any or attend different meetings with clients scheduled within the day. Sometimes she sources materials for the orders at downtown Iloilo. When she gets home at night, she checks messages again and work at clay orders until around 12am - sometimes even until 6am. She still do housework in between if she needed to. You can say that she’s your typical night owl. Creative at night - she takes advantage of that. She usually work six days a week and have at least a day off. Ellen does most of the work alone. She gets help from time to time especially when she style parties or work on bulk orders. She deals with the management, marketing and financial side of the business. She noted that her business is still in the early stages and does not earn a lot, but she loves working on it. In order to tackle these obstacles, she said she should learn to communicate effectively, with laborers, clients & suppliers. Understanding finances(Budgets, Pricing, Expenses, Losses, Gains etc.) is also a must. Having good work ethics and being organized & be able to plan helps one become more efficient. Learning how
to multitask is one important factor. In order to stay focused and productive day-to-day, Ellen takes it easy. Though she works, she does it because I enjoy it. She tries her best to always love a project she’s doing. Passion and skill are her ultimate investments she said. “I try to separate time for work and other things. Sometimes both things overlap but I learn to multitask. It is tough but very worth it.,” she remarked. Ellen doesn’t really see herself successful yet. However, she have succeeded in finding a job that she loves and is looking forward to the day where she could be successful where she won’t have to introduce her name anymore. “My business is growing and I owe it to my family who has been very supportive with my decision to work on this full time. As well as to my friends who pushed me into pursuing my passion. And of course to every individual who has purchased, chosen and has recommended our products to others as well. I have to give myself a pat on the back too, for the hard work I have put into Clay Goodies,” she beamed. If she had pieces of advice to someone just starting out, she noted that if marketing has four “P’s” she have my own “five P’s” “PRODUCT, PLAN, PASSION, PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE. “Believe in your “PRODUCT,”, create a “PLAN of action” and don’t forget after plan A, you should always have a plan B,C,D and so on; be PASSIONATE; be PATIENT, it gets better, it doesn’t happen overnight; PERSEVERE, you’ll only get there if you work hard enough, even harder than the day before.” IMT
Candy Buffet set up, Balloons, Standee, Centerpiece, Main backdrop set up, pabitin, coloring stations, invitations and custom loot boxes byClay Goodies.
Ellen Rose Saturnino
Guest table and kids table are provided by our client’s caterer. Photo provided by our client, photographed by UnwindProductions
UPV beauty wins Mutya ng Pilipinas – Iloilo 2014 BY GLORIA CONCEPCION MORALIDAD Beauty with a purpose. She takes honor in the paramount of the pageant’s advocacy of beefing up tourism in the country. With all smiles, 21-year-old UP in the Visayas (UPV) graduate Froilene Villanueva was crowned as Mutya ng Pilipinas -Iloilo 2014 during the pageant’s coronation night on May 16 at SM City Cinema 7. Villanueva bested 6 other contestants for the title and will represent Iloilo in the 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas Pageant in August in Manila. In addition, she was also hailed as Miss Photogenic and Miss Amiga Salon and Spa de Iloilo and won Best in Swimsuit. First runner-up was nursing graduate Ritz Anne Sorianosos and Second runner-up was Netizen’s Choice and tourism student Caryl Gamuyao. Meanwhile, Lara Janeo grabbed Miss Friendship, Justine Rose Villareal Silayro in Best in Talent, Kariss and Lumangyao in Miss Interface. Orchestrated by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo, the search for the Mutya ng Iloilo, first in the province, is to represent Iloilo in the 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas Pageant in August 8 in Manila. Two Mutya ng Pilipinas winners are then conferred to Miss Asia Pacific Pageant and Miss Tourism International.IMT
The magnificent 7 all wearing an Eric delos Santos gowns
ChinChin Limsui and Babes Onglatco presented the Best in Swimsuit Award to Froilene Villanueva
Amiga Salon and Spa de Iloilo owner Sheila M. Draper presented the Miss Amiga Award to Froilene Villanueva
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METRO SPORTS
May 25 - 31, 2014
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Mayor’s Cup 2014: USA fires off AP
Pavia bags championship title in Guimaras arnis tournament
BY ELYROSE S. NAORBE
Despite of the limited audience present in the ball game, University of San Agustin(High School) basketball team is on fire as they dominated the play and overthrown the squad of Assumption Passi (AP) in the Mayor’s Cup 2014 held at Housing Gym, Mandurriao, Iloilo, posting the final score to 67-46. The first quarter started with an easy lay-up from USA but Assumption Passi fought back with an inside two. Seven minutes left in the first, AP requested a time out after a third personal foul committed by Barrameo (USA). Series of steal balls happened in the middle of the opening quarter which made both coaches keep on reminding their players to secure the ball. At 45 seconds mark, the score was 14-13 in favor of the USA but before the time ran out, a free-throw from AP posted the deadlock to 14 all.
Changes of the first five were observed in the lineup of USA in the beginning of the second quarter. One free-throw from Allomar (USA) added a score and through a power rebound coming from Villarba (USA) after his teammates missed in the charity stripe, he extended the score to a three point deficit. USA team ruled the hard court as
Central Market...from page 1 Division Chief, Project Development, Investment Programming and Budget Division (PDIPBO), NEDA-6 said. He added JV is a win-win situation wherein a government entity and a private sector can contribute money or capital for a joint undertaking. The government will serve as regulator of the business. “The ownership of the business will stay with the government, JV Agreements allow the private sector to take over the undertaking of the projects in its entirety after the government divests itself of any interest in the JV.” In case of the controversial central public market project, Altura said it is a joint venture between the Iloilo City Government, a government entity and
the sole bidder SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPMHI), a private entity. There are agreements and sharing between two involved partners. The parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets. JV is one of the modalities as a part of PPP. It is governed by the guidelines passed by NEDA through executive order 423 under the revised guidelines last April 2005 but the latest revision was made on May 2013. It is governed by PPP between government owned and controlled operation, finance and government entities.IMT
they came up with a 10-0 run. But AP breaks the momentum as they shoot the ball plus a bonus free-throw to close the lead 41-23 end of the half time. Aquino (USA) opened the third quarter with two points followed by a long two from Magbanua (USA). Triple team and strong defense was anticipated in the 5:42 minutes left in the quarter. But a double triple from AP able to wake up the team as they narrow the lead to 56-28. With 5 seconds remaining in the game clock, Tuvalles (USA) converted a beautiful three to draw closer up with a 26 point deficit and extend the gap to 59-33. A managing rebound in the fourth gives hope to AP’s coach as his white-shirted players launches a triple
Threatening...from page 1 Consumers, meanwhile, can experience an increase of power rate because the temperature greatly affects the power demands. according to Pastolero. “Heat changes the mood of electricity. Kung lamig ang temperature, gamay lang ang gina generate nga electricity sang aton mga electric powered devices or appliances unlike nga kung grabe ang init ga double time ang work
BY MONTESA GRINO-CAOYONAN Pavia arnis team bagged championship title in the ‘First Manggahan Festival National Invitational Arnis Tournament’ on May 14-15, 2014. Hosted by the Guimaras Provincial Government, the said tournamnet aims to promote arnis among the poeple in the province. Among 13 participating arnis teams, Pavia snatched 11 gold medals, eight silver medals and eight bronze medals Also, Casasai team of Cabatuan ranked second with eight gold medals, eight silver medals and two bronze medals, followed by IMAFP-Iloilo with five gold medals, two silver medals and outside the perimeter jumper. But USA could not stop from a great run as Grecia (USA) shoot an off the glass triple 65-38 in favor of his team. A power lay-up move by AP completed a three point opportunity. But the ball game was successfully ended as the USA secured their first win of their first game and defeated AP with an explosive 21 points lead.IMT nga gina generate just to meet the correct temperature,” said Pastolero. In order to save energy during this hot season, consumers should double check all their appliances like sealing of refrigerator doors properly and cleaning of electric fans to minimize power consumptions. “The PECO is doing its best to maintain the stability of power supply in the city,” Pastolero added.IMT
seven bronze medals Arnis is a Filipino martial art that uses stick in fighting. Tournament Director Prof. Richard Gabayoyo said around 170 participants from different regions had participated making the two-day event successful. Gabayoyo added it was the first time that arnis is included on the Manggahan sports competition since the game was considered as the country’s national sport. The director also said children who are into this kind of sport are commonly developing their sense of camaraderie, self-defense system and physical fitness. “Of course, through sports we could help youth avoid from bad vices”, he said. IMT
Netizens...from page 1
Here’s what they asked: “Aside from improving roads, bridges and other transportation facilities in Ilioilo which I usually see in your Facebook Page, what other projects can you come up with to alleviate poverty and unemployment in the city?” – Bhaby Aquino “San-o nya [Mayor Mabilog] masolusyunan ang mga ati diri sa Iloilo City nga galapta lang?” - Rebeth Aspera Other Facebook users refused to be named “The first bike fest was great! When is the next one?” “How Iloilo should promote their artists?” “Kamusta and tubig sang siudad?” “Anhun ta ang mga ga pilit bakal cellphone sa dalan? Bal-an namon nga gin kawat. Daw sa wala lang sa mga guards.” IMT
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METRO SPORTS
May 25 - 31, 2014
PBA Legends overthrow Guimaras All Star, 86-82 BY ELYROSE S. NAORBE Playing before an extreme crowd inside the Guimaras Provincial Gym, the three Legendary monsters, Kenneth “Captain Marbel” Duremdes, Vince “The Prince” Hizon and Jerry “The Defense Minister” Codinera together with their PBA Legends team were able to hammered Guimaras “Manggahan” All star in their exhibition game held at Jordan Guimaras, 86-82. The three legends are still full of zip in playing basketball proof that they dominated to rule the hard court over selected players of Guimaras. Duremdes opened the opening start with a triple but Guimaras all star returned by an easy two to close the gap to one point. Another three coming from Duremdes owes the crowd
followed by an inside two coming from Burri. A great block from Codinera gives an opportunity to Infante to shoot his own two. The momentum broke as all star bounces back for three points posting the score 10-11 in favor for their team. At 2:45 mark, Hizon converted a triple outside the perimeter jumper to extend the lead 11-19. A steal from Magallanes (All-star) resulting to an easy lay-up close the lead to 10 points. With 25 seconds remaining, another triple launches by Duremdes end the first quarter, 24-16. The second quarter became intense after a shot from Bayotas (PBA) followed by his teammates outside jumper which extend the lead to 21. A reverse layup from Cartel led the score to 27-43. Another big three triples from Hizon and one three from Bayotas also amazed the crowd. After a half court miss by Duremdes, the clock runs down posting the final score to 50-36. A three point head start by Hizon in the second half putting a show inside the gym but Ramos created an inside shot just to narrow the lead. Another three points was initiated by Hizon but again Ramos also created his own show by a back to back two points which forces the PBA legends to call for a time out. With 33 seconds left in the quarter, Sorongon (PBA) was called for a travelling violation but the legend came up with a huge run to have a 9 point deficit. Five minutes in the fourth quarter, the All Star dominated the court after a see saw game giving their team up to 6 points lead. At 3 minutes mark, three triples from All Star missed to close the lead, 76-83. Bayotas was fouled giving him a chance to three point play. A gorgeous move from all star and a steal to Padilla converting for an easy layup posted the score to 8582. After a call for a fourth personal foul committed by Codinera, an opening three to tied up the game and a
chance for an overtime was badly missed by All Star thus, giving the PBA Legends to won the game, four points deficit. “Maraming salamat sa suporta ng taga Guimaras lalo na sa City and Provincial staffs. It was a great event at masasabi ko lang pinkamasarap ang mangga ng Guimaras sa buong mundo,” Hizon said.