METROPOLITAN
ILOILO
VOL. II ISSUE NO. 51
the first business newspaper in metro iloilo
TIMES
developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com
February 2 - 8, 2014 Php 12.00
Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATE Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - Jan 25 - 31, 2014
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Jan 27, 2014
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CITY QUEENS. Iloilo City boasts Ilongga beauty in the persons of the Miss Dinagyang 2014 MichelleMarie Monte(C), and fiesta queens Cezrry Marie Angela Ledesma Penecilla Geluz of Jaro (L) and Glea Marie Baylen of Arevalo (R).
1st Q Big 3 up BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN
The Iloilo City Government will be wrapped-up with three series of main events on the first quarter of this new year. This includes the recently concluded Chinese New Year, Jaro Annual Fiesta and Paraw Regatta on the second Sunday of February. City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said that they have prepared programs for these three events including security plans as they were expecting more dignitaries to come over during the duration and highlights of these occasions to make sure that everyone is safe. The Chinese New Year covered the China town along Iznart Street, Jaro Fiesta covers the whole district of Jaro while the Paraw Regatta will be at the Villa beach in Arevalo district here. Senior Supt. Ruperto Floro, officer-in-charge city director of Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) said more than 1, 000 uniformed personnel will be deployed around the 1st Q /p11
Mila’s Hill
BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA
The Freedom Grandstand will soon leave its post to give way to the restoration of the sunburst park. City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said that they plan to acquire the whole Mulle Loney complex and make it a government space or government center. Mabilog said that there is a possibility to move certain structures to bring back the original heritage site. Sunburst park is the one in front of the postal office, where the Freedom
More PPPs with Tsinoys BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The Iloilo City government has been recognizing the presence of Chinese-Filipino community here especially in the implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) program. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said more PPP projects have been materialized through these ChineseFilipino businessmen apart from
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Grandstand is now located. “For its beauty to come out and restore the heritage building, we will have a forum to ask for the opinion of the residents”, he said. Mayor Mabilog added that they will ask the people if they will agree with the plan of restoring the park and transfer the grandstand to another area. “We will hear all sides and take its advantages and the disadvantages”, he further explained. Freedom Grandstand/p11
Gazebo
more investors had already invested in the city. Among these popular projects are the world-class Dinagyang Festival, Paraw Regatta and Chinese New Year. Mabilog said more PPP projects are being eyed for this year such as the development of Central Business District (CBD) which covers the central market, JM More PPPs /p11
‘EXPECT ASSERTIVE 2014’
BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA
The year of the Wooden Horse is a very aggressive year, with the first six months full of money and the next six months of scarcity. This is the forecast of the renowned Feng Shui master Marites Allen during Renowned Feng Shui Master Marites Allen shares her visit in Iloilo City. her expertise during her visit at SM City Iloilo. Allen said that there the year unstable. Although fire can can be possible reduction of resources also mean hope to others, it will also perhaps on the wood and agriculture cause problems. sector and people will easily get hotAllen also discussed about the tempered due to the characteristics Malacañan Palace, which is situated of the Horse which is “masipain”. on the southwest part, an area full “This is a year where one can of arguments. President Benigno make it or break it or even reaching Simeon Aquino III was born on the the point of stepping on others”, she year of the Rat, which is one of the explained. conflict zodiacs on the year of the She said that the year is full of Horse. fire being fed by the wood and one “I hope we won’t have huge element of metal. No water and quarrels and arguments so let us all earth elements are present making pray for our country”, she added. IMT
METRO NEWS
2
METRO
on the road
Dinagyang fire reaches P25M damage BY REYMAR LATOZA
The Dinagyang fire damage has reached nearly P25 million, based on the latest data of to Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). Eleven commercial establishments along Iznart Street, Iloilo City were burned by fire on the eve of this year’s 2-day highlights of the Dinagyang Festival, January 24, 2014. The blaze lasted for almost four hours. According to BFP, the fire started from LGG Hardware and Cycle Parts at around 7 p.m. and the heavy wind triggered the blaze to spread and engulf other establishments namely Ledi Supermart Bldg, Motorcycle Parts, EZ Marketing, Yankee General Merchant, JB Lucky Trading, Mercury Money Changer, Iloilo Eng Hong Commercial, Yuka Store, CPT Pharmacy, and CPT lotto outlet. Nearby municipalities augmented after the city fire troops struggled to contain the fire. Water retailers also helped when firemen ran out of water. Fire Supt. Jerry Candido, city fire marshal said they have obtained specimens from the incident area. “We heard explosions before the fire totally blasted off which we believed caused by paint canisters and pyrotechnics that were kept, “ Candido disclosed. No injuries were reported in the said incident.IMT
February 2 - 8, 2014
Panayanon seeks 3-peat win
BY REYMAR LATOZA
Back- to-back champion Tribu Panyanon is aiming to win next year’s ‘Ati’ dance competition to get the grand slam title in Dinagyang festival. Tribu Panayanon and Pintaflores hoisted the championship trophies after they stood out from all the competing groups in the 2- day highlights of the 2014 Iloilo
Dinagyang Festival. Iloilo City National High School’s (ICNHS) Tribu Panayanon defended its crown after being hailed as grand champion in ‘Ati-ati’ dance contest. The said tribe also nabbed eight trophies for Best in Discipline (Opening salvo ) Best in Performance (Opening salvo), Best in Choreography, Best in Choreographer, Best in Music, Best
The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST - PHIVOLCS) in collaboration with the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) will establish a local tsunami warning system in some highly-susceptible coastal zones in Western Visayas. This announcement was made by Engr. Angelito Lanuza, Project Leader of the Establishment of a Cost-Effective Local Tsunami Early Warning System for Selected High-Risk Coastal Communities of the Philippines (TeWS) during the conduct of Capacity Building and Orientation on Community-Based Tsunami Early Warning System in Anini-y, Antique. In a statement, Lanuza highlighted that Project TeWS aims to develop a local tsunami warning system directed at cautioning selected communities prone to tsunamis. Likewise, the project initiates capacity-building activities at the barangay and municipality level to include orientation on earthquake and tsunami concepts, familiarization of tsunami hazard maps and preparation of tsunami evacuation plans. The Project TeWS involves development, fabrication and
installation of low-cost yet efficient tsunami detection sensors that will help in monitoring of tsunami events. These detection sensors are likewise equipped with tsunami warning sirens. The detection system consists of three (3) types of sensors: dry, wet, and ultrasonic sea level sensor. PHIVOLCS devised a model of a simple detection set called “wet and dry sensors”. The design of the instrument is anchored on a principle that when a strong earthquake occurs and tsunami is generated, the seawater will recede and will be observed along the coastal areas. The “dry” sensor is immersed underwater so that when the seawater recedes, the instrument will detect that the water “disappeared” and will then send data to the monitoring center. The “wet” sensor, on the other hand, is placed in a coastal area, at various elevations above sea level to detect incoming waves. Once the tsunami waves hit, the sensor will become “wet” and will send signals to the monitoring center. The ultrasonic sea level sensor, on the other hand, was designed by ASTI which developed the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). This is positioned at the top part of the pole. When a strong
Tsunami warning system in WV soon
in Musical Director, Best in Costume Design and Best in Costume (Opening salvo and ‘Ati’ dance competition). “I want a best show, so our audiences deserve to see the best performance,” Tribu Panayanon choreographer Romel Flogen told Iloilo Metropolitan Times. First runner-up was Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial High School (JNHS), winning Best in Costume (Opening salvo), Best in Discipline, Best in Headdress and Best in Performance. Other winners were Tribu Salognon (Second runner-up), Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School (Third runner-up), and Tribu Baybayanon of Melchor L. Nava National High School and Calaparan, Arevalo (Fourth runner-up).
Panayanon is the defending champion in the Aliwan Fiesta, a national cultural event held every year in Manila. In a report of Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said that Tribu Panayanon will travel to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada and Tribu Ilonganon will be going to the United States to promote the city’s tourism event. On the other hand, Pintaflores of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental bested other 10 contesting groups in Kasadyahan Regional Cultural competition. Pintaflores showcased folk tale of Princess Nabingka and the flowers.The name is derived from the Spanish term ‘Pinta’, which refers to tattoo, and Flores, flowers. IMT
earthquake has been noted, the ultrasonic sea level sensor will detect any significant rise and fall in the sea level. The data from the detection system is transmitted to the PHIVOLCS Data Receiving Center and can be viewed through a personal computer. Meanwhile, the Local Government Units (LGUs) can Pugaro Alerting .TsunamiWarning Siren Station located view the data in in Brgy. Pugaro, Dagupan City (DOST-PHIVOLCS) Anini-y, Antique while one tsunami warning their respective Disaster Risk Reduction Management siren will be installed in Oton, Iloilo. Currently, the TeWS Project has (DRRM) Operation Centers through a visualization tool developed by ASTI established seven (7) tsunami detection that is attached to the system. As such, sites such as in Subic Bay, Lingayen the LGU can activate the Alert System Gulf, Batangas Bay, Manila Bay, Albay Gulf, Bislig Bay, and Saranggani Bay. in case a tsunami is detected. In Region VI, the detection site and (DOSTVI-LMLamasan*with reports tsunami warning siren will be installed in from PHIVOLCS)
Her Majesty Queen Cezrry Marie Angela Ledesma Penecilla Geluz Jaro Fiesta Candelaria - 2014
A majestic and grandiose grand coronation night marks the reign of Jaro Fiesta Queen 2014 Cezrry Marie Angela Ledesma Penecilla Geluz. A 23-year-old nursing graduate is ready to take her crown and throne on February 2, 2014. “As a fiesta queen, I want to serve as an inspirational role model for the younger people, children and even the older one,” Her Majesty Cezrry said. A demure and soft-spoken Cezrry was born in Saudi Arabia and despite growing up in the US, she proudly claimed of possessing positive Filipino characteristics. “I am hard working, diligent, passionate and creative,” Cezrry said. Cezrry, a middle child, has two brothers studying abroad. Her mother, Cherry Ledesma and her father, Zesar Ledesma have been supporting her plans and decisions the entire way. She said her mother who is working as nurse inspired her to enroll in the nursing school. “Im inspired of her passion on it so I decided take up a nursing course. I truly love helping people,” Cezrry said. “Enjoy every moment, and be happy of what you are doing,” she said when asked of her philosophy in life .
METRO BUSINESS
February 2 - 8, 2014
3
ILOILO-GUIMARAS FERRY TERMINAL PPP NO MORE
Everything is in place and there is no more legal impediment on the construction of the new and modern ferry terminal building at the Parola area in Iloilo City. Iloilo City Administrator Norlito Bautista said the terminal project is under a joint venture with the city government and not a public private partnership (PPP) as reported earlier.
Double Dragon Properties offered as a partner in the joint venture agreement approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod through a city ordinance. The corporation will build the terminal costing more than P135 million and will also operate and maintain the ferry terminal. Bautista said the joint venture was reviewed and assessed by the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and found to be beneficial to the city government here. Double Dragon will pay the city government a percentage from the proceeds of the terminal and will likewise develop a park beside the terminal building and a city mall to serve the needs of boat commuters from Iloilo and Guimaras. PNA
Duty Free Iloilo inagurated BY MARY PAULINE BALMES The first Duty Free Philippines (DFP) Iloilo shop was inaugurated at the Iloilo International Airport, just recently. “We decided to put up a branch here because we realize that the open skies policy enabled other airlines to go from abroad direct here and other parts of Western Visayas”, said Mr. Dino Belmonte, Deputy General Manager for Operations. DFP Iloilo offers a wide variety of basic products such as liquors, whines, cigarettes and chocolates since its soft opening a few months back. Belmonte said they are working out to attract more foreign and local tourists and expand the business before the year ends. “We also intend to put up in the departure area to add up our services little by little such as fashion dresses, clothings and cosmetics. We are also thinking to put up outside the airport. We are considering other areas here but no concrete plans yet,” he added. Belmonte said DFP supports the thrust of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to augment the service facilities of this international airport. “What is important is that
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and DOT6 Atty. Helen Catalbas and other dignitaries during the official opening of Duty Free Iloilo. we would be able to make a good has also enhanced tourist experience impression to the passengers coming here in Iloilo City as well as in from other countries”, Belmonte said. Western Visayas,” she said. DOT Regional Director Atty. Aside from the locals benefiting Helen Catalbas said the DFP has from it, Catalbas said it will also be an opened doors of opportunities for the added experience for balikbayans and Ilonggos. foreign and local tourists when they “DFP has provided local come to our region to enjoy other employment for the Ilonggos. attractions. Majority of the employees of Duty DFP is open 4 am to 8pm Free are from the province of Iloilo. It everyday. IMT
Dinagyang committees lack cooperation
BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Despite the success of the Dinagyang Festival this year, Tourism Officer Ben Jimena said that there are still lapses and problems that need to be addressed. Jimena said that the primary problem encountered was the lack of coordination and cooperation in some aspects between the working committee and the other participants. He said that there have been lapses on the crowd control due to failure to organize and orient people on how to facilitate. “Some took for granted the jobs given to them”, he said. He also cited the sponsors’ lack of coordination with the marketing committee in putting up streamers of their companies. He explained that the streamers should have had the sign of the Iloilo Business Club (IBC), the committee in charge of promotions and marketing. Rules of performances were also not thorough followed especially on the Kasadyahan part. Jimena said that there have been lack of information and some par ticipants did not follow the instruction. “ W e have new par ticipants in our Kasadyahan
and it seems like they were not properly oriented. There are rules that need to be followed especially on the time given for them to perform”, he added. Other problems include garbage and seat assignments. Jimena said there should have been a seat-plan layout so that the spectators will know which side of the stage they are positioned. “It’s like putting to luck the whole operations”, he exclaimed. Jimena suggests that the city should have disaster preparedness plan that will immediate address accidents during the event as well as assure safety of the audience and participants present. “Next time the committees need to see to it that the participants are properly brief beforehand and should never take anything for granted”, he stressed. Overall, Jimena said that the two-day event was a success and will continue to evolve in the coming years.
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February 2 - 8, 2014
METRO AGRICULTURE
Problems are Opportunities (3): Raise Chickens for Eggs and Meat
Another of Yolanda’s aftermath is the sudden disappearance of a table essential: the ubiquitous egg that’s good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And when they appeared, they have become expensive and unaffordable to the lower consuming class. This problem however is an opportunity for those with a small space especially with a small area that can produce enough grass for forage. You can then raise a few heads of chickens for its meat or if you have the right breed, for eggs. If you have a small space in your front or backyard and are also engaged in small gardening where you raise plants for aesthetics or for food, chickens are an essential part of your system. Their manure is the most ideal organic fertilizer you need. Breeds to raise: Depending on your interest, you can choose from the many breeds available. If you have an interest for game fowls whose offsprings you can fight or sell
to cockfighters, they are most ideal in the Ilonggo setting where cockfights are popular event and many earn from raising a few heads right in the yard. For decades now, Iloilo and negros are known as the game fowl center of the country where people go to buy quality game fowls, even those raised by small breeders and backyard raisers who breed to sell at a lower price. Many of the residents of Villa Arevalo and the municipality of Oton engage in small scale game chicken raising for livelihood. While the stags or the cockerels are sold, the extra pullets and the eggs often go to the household pot o nourish the ever demanding nutritional requirements of the children in the family. It is said that in Iloilo, it is more profitable to raise game chickens than pigs. Yolanda had wreaked havoc on the gamefowl industry of Western Visayas while other typhoons have destroyed thousands of roosters in Luzon to the point that the demand for cocks and stags have practically doubled. For dual purpose breeds, meaning, for eggs and meat, there are foreign breeds which were once imported by private individuals and by government but a few had remained mainly due to acclimatization problems. There also exotic breeds like the Egyptian, Kabir, Sasso and other but they suffered the same fate. Local breeds or the native chickens have endured several centuries of culture as they are part of the home or farm system. They subsist on feeds that they can forage and from table scraps thrown to them. But their basic weaknesses are that they are slow growers and become broody after only about 8 eggs laid.
Lately, there had been renewed attention of oriental chickens, particularly, the aseel or popularly called jolo. Jolo breeds are often used for naked heel fighting or locally known as “pauwak” where roosters are fought for one hour 30 minutes and those that are still standing up and pecking, win. However, the merits of the jolo breed goes beyond its prowess to withstand beating for one hour and a half. These are extra large chickens where the cocks weigh between 2 to 4 kilograms while the hens weigh from 1.5 to 2 kilograms. They are foragers and can subsist on limited and poor feed availability. Given a free range, they can scrounge around eating almost anything edible, from fresh tender nutrient rich plants, to worms and insects which are sources of proteins and amino acids for them. They are also fast growers where at 50 to 60 days old, they can be slaughtered and would yield about 1 kilogram of meat. Their biggest asset however is their hens’ capability to
sit and hatch well. They are also good mothers and are fiercely protective of their brood. However, when hungry, they will also kill and eat their own hatchlings. Like native chickens however, they become broody or stop
5 laying eggs and start to sit on their eggs when they have laid about 12 eggs. Like all breeds, the farmer should strive to improve the jolo breed continuously. If he wants to improve it for egg laying, he can identify good layers in the flock and breed them to white leghorn males who are often passed in the streets as excess broiler chickens. White leghorns are known to lay as much as 320 eggs per year and in one spurt, they can lay up to 50 eggs before stopping for a few days then backl again. (to be continued) Pic-1: Jolo x White Leghorn pullet already laying eggs daily. One spurt can produce 30 eggs Pic-2: A sister which is about to lay eggs too; Pic-3: Pure white leghorn cock bought from a street vendor who passed it as broiler and fast growing. Its genes will be passed to the offspring to produce more egg-layers at 3/4 WLH and 1/4 Jolo
The year of the Wooden Horse BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Chinese, among other Asian citizens, have remarkably influenced Filipino’s culture and way of living. From food, burial, words used and sari-sari store, to Feng Shui, even the natural-borne Filipinos are following the Chinese beliefs. Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year and Spring Festival, is the most significant of all the traditional Chinese holidays. The event is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar, the day of the second new moon after the day on which the winter solstice occurs, unless an intercalary eleventh or twelfth month in the lead-up to the New Year, which will make the New Year fall on the day of the third new moon after the solstice. This year, the Chinese New Year falls on January 31 and will last until February 18, 2015. The ChineseFilipino community is all set to celebrate and welcome the Year of the Wooden Horse. Along with the celebration, Chinese then follow certain beliefs that will bring them good Feng Shui. Feng means wind and shui means water, which according to the Chinese culture are associated to good health. Thus good Feng Shui means good fortune and bad Feng Shui means misfortune. Another popular Chinese culture that was injected to the Filipino culture is learning the Chinese Zodiac. Chinese Zodiac is based on the twelve year cycle with each year relating to an animal sign. The twelve animals include Horse, Sheep (Ram), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar (Pig), Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon and Snake. Chinese believed that the years represented by the animals affect the traits of people in the same manner as the sign of zodiac of western civilizations. On her visit in Iloilo, Ms. Marites Allen, the only British-Filipina Feng Shui expert to be conferred the Master in Feng Shui by the International Feng Shui Association (IFSA), said that the year of the Horse will bring strong temperament as the Horse is known for being hot tempered. Ms. Allen also gave forecast on the different animal signs. This year, 2014 is the year of the Wooden Horse. According to Ms. Allen, Horses will have good prospect luck and abundance of relationships. A horse is very attractive to its opposite sex; he/she will have excellent wealth but have to look out on his health because health energy is very low. For the people under year of the Snake, this year will be an irritable year and full of obstacles. However, Ms. Allen said that because there is a blessing from heaven, all the obstacles will be overcome. In terms of relationship, a snake’s partner feels claustrophobic. A Snake’s health is good but the energy is low. The luckiest sign of the Zodiac this year is the Year of the Sheep. People born under this zodiac are considered the star of the year. Allen said “If it’s your good year, make the most out of it” for it only happens once in every 9 years. A sheep is ultra magnetic in terms of relationship, wealth point is good, health and success is excellent. However, Allen warned that luck will have no effect if the house and the office are in bad Feng Shui. Those who are born on the year of the Monkey are considered lucky in business and money. Monkey is victorious in all pursuits but health and success luck needs enhancement. There will be obstacles but Monkeys can overcome them. Money, business and spiritual matters are glowing for people born under the Year of Rooster. However, a Rooster needs to watch his health for health point is low and a Rooster’s relationship can be stressful. It will be a challenging year for the people born on the Year of the Dog. According to Allen Dogs will have cash flow problems and success luck is low. In order to get through, Dogs must align themselves with allies and friends. People born on the year of the Pig might get cheated and mugged. Although wealth luck is low, relationship, health and success luck is strong for a Pig. Allen advised Pigs not to borrow nor lend money. 2014 will be a very busy year for good prospects for people born on the year of the Rat. Success and wealth luck are low but health and relationships are excellent. Ox has very strong success luck but Allen warned about betrayal and physical danger. Health and wealth luck for an Ox is very strong. Money luck is good for people born on the year of the Tiger but should also be careful about betrayal and danger. Relationship luck is good but not long-lasting, wealth luck is also good but health and success luck is very low. Something big is in store for people born on the year of the Rabbit according to Allen. Relationship, wealth and health luck is very good but health is very low and stressful. For those born on the year of the Dragon, wealth, health and success luck is good but relationship can be grumpy and quarrelsome. To fight bad Feng Shui, Allen suggests everyone to get lucky charms to balance the omens. She said that one should make sure to buy charms that are in harmony with the Feng Shui. “It is not good to make a mess out of one’s life”, she disclosed.
METRO OPINION
6 EDITORIAL
Gratitude ratitude turns what we have into
“G
enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” - Melody Beattie A year has passed us, and we could not help but look back to all that has been for the organization - the roller coaster ride of events from the setbacks that we need to face in our birth pain stage to the little things that we have tried to achieve every step of the way – all these made our journey more and more exciting. This day, marks the beginning of another year for us here at Iloilo Metropolitan Times. As we celebrate our first year anniversary, allow us to extend my deepest gratitude to each and everyone who have generously shared their knowledge, resources and understanding in our endeavour to deliver business-tourism and developmental news to each and every Ilonggos here and abroad. First and foremost to our bosses, who if not for them, this organization would not have existed. Their encouragement every step of the way are our ray of hope to continue doing our best. Thank you. Second, to our ever dynamic team of whose dedication and perseverance are the support system of the organization. Our scarcity in human resource did not hamper us to continue doing our best in delivering up-to-date and unique stories about people, places and events to the whole Ilonggo community reaching as far as the whole Western Visayas region. Thank you. Third, to our clients and advertisers, for believing and still considering Iloilo Metropolitan Times as promotional medium of their products and services despite of its weekly circulation. Even our micro, small, medium entrepreneurs deserve to be noticed. Thank you. Last and definitely not the least, our dear readers and netizens for being critical, for appreciating our work, for actively participating especially in our social media discussion and for understanding our imperfections as newbies in this business. Rest assured that these shortcomings will be our motivation to improve this craft. Thank you. Paolo Coelho once said that life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. As we continue to journey another roller coaster ride of events this year, may we continue to become agents of change in this society by giving developmental news a chance while being critical about the current situation of the community. Our deepest gratefulness to each and everyone!
Math is worth dying for!
( N o t e : This is the content of the speech of Dr. Herman Lagon, outgoing president of the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines-Iloilo Chapter, Inc. and assistant principal of Ateneo de Iloilo-SMCS High School Department, during the Elimination Round of the MTAP-Metrobank math Challenge Elimination Round held January 17 at the Iloilo City Elementary School. The Final Division Round will be held this January 30-31, 2014.)
February 2 - 8, 2014
Greetings. This is a special, rare assembly where the most intelligent mathematicians in their respective schools are converged to slug it out for the much coveted price and bragging rights as the best mathematician in iloilo City. But before we proceed to the frying pan of the competition, let us pause for a while and reflect about the very core of the day. Is math worth dying for? Why is it that MTAP, the DepEd, Metrobank Foundation our parents, our teachers, our schools, and our classmates are investing so much time, logistics, and effort for this discipline that, as far as most people believe, is so abstract, challenging, hard, and sometimes intimidating?
I invite everyone to let go of your school affiliation or competitive nature for a while and ponder on these questions. Why math? Is it really worth it? Is it really worth dying for? Does it make sense at all? Is math really a necessary torture machine for students for the sake of their intellectual well being? Last Wednesday (January 15) was our card day and seven of nine parents that I met all pointed to math as the culprit for their ward’s drop in the General Average Grade. In the same day, a former parent of ours also posted on facebook this note “hmmm. Another day had passed and i did not use algebra once... Interesting...” These may be just funny notes to some but they are serious points to think about. But my reply to the FB post is simple... I thought of and said: What would civilizations be without math? How would buildings, roads, bridges, and schools be efficiently and effectively constructed without it? How would we understand the laws of nature or the evolution of man and the universe without math? How are we to make calculated business decisions, investments, and transactions without math?
Will the invention of generators, refrigerators, televisions, cellular phones and ipads and the discovery of atomic structures, DNA, black holes, and medicinal cures be possible in math’s absence? Can we make wise choices without the use of available numerical indicators? Is it possible for cars, boats, or planes to be invented without the use of math? How are we to make decent weather or research, feasibility projections in the absence of empirical data? Imagine a world with no calendars, timepieces, calculators, computers, radars, satellites, currencies, ATMs, scales, rulers, thermometers, transistors, cables, electronics, and other measuring tools. Imagine a world full of uncertainties, inconsistencies, subjectivities, superstition, confusion, oblivion, stupidity. My point is, math does make sense. It helps make things make sense. Math is seen and done on a daily basis. We can breathe math as we know it. Math empowers people. It gives us a way to make better choices, and avoid gullibility. It trains us to be critical, creative, and analytical thinkers. It teaches us to be obsessed with accuracy, precision, and with a culture of healthy skepticism. It is the only language that most people of the world
can understand. Some say that because it is a discipline so pure, it might even be the language of God when he created the universe. Hence, math is a way of life, and we cannot escape from it. You are all in the right track boys and girls, dearest math educators. Continue loving and living math for our country needs you. Our country needs engineers, architects, mariners, technicians, technologists, accountants, economists, doctors, businessmen, statisticians, inventors, researchers, educators, analysts, and scientists, among others, who use math as the language of their profession. As myriads of evidences show, the countries that have more mathematicians are the ones progressing not just economically but on their way of life, on how they deal with people, with the environment, and the community they are in. So dearest young mathematicians, good luck to your journey. Always remember to love math for it will surely love you back twofold. Good luck with the test. And yes, math is worth dying. Better yet, it is worth living for. Thank you so much.
thought o f presenting this matter when I heard reports that comedian actor and television host Vhong Navarro filed a case for serious physical injuries. Under the Revised Penal Code, the crime of physical injuries is a crime against persons with five articles provided therefor starting with Article 262 – the article on mutilation – up to Article 266, the article on slight physical injuries. A law student can easily distinguish one kind of physical injury from another. For instance, if he or she finds a medical certificate the healing period indicated therein is nine (9) days or less, he or she can easily say that the injury sustained by the victim is a slight physical injury – the crime to be charged against the offender. If the medical or medico-legal certificate indicates that the healing period of the injury sustained by the victim is ten (10) days or more, he or she can easily say that the crime committed by the offender is a less serious physical injuries. However, if the healing period indicated in the medical certificate
of the victim is more than thirty days, the crime to be charged is a serious physical injuries. This is the essential distinction of the three crimes, in consonance with common sense. As the healing period increases, the gravity of physical injuries sustained by the victim, committed by the offender, increases. In an instance where one is apprehended for a crime committed, the arresting person or officer may unavoidably inflict some physical injuries reasonable enough to subdue the person resisting the arrest. The physical injuries sustained by the arrested person must appear to be slight only so as to merit some justification on the part of the person or officer arresting, otherwise the physical injuries inflicted will not be ably justified. In the case of Vhong Navarro, if he was apprehended by his offenders for a crime of attempted rape, the force inflicted upon his person appeared to be more than enough, more than what can be ably justified by his offenders, considering the number of persons who purportedly arrested him. Further, there appeared
to be some procedural lapses on the part of the arresting persons. If indeed the crime was committed by Vhong Navarro, the security personnel in the area where the crime happened must be duly informed of the situation, who in turn will call upon the police officers who have the jurisdiction in the area to pick up the arrested person. But this did not happen. This fact will only help bolster the allegations of the comedian actor. Historically, when there was no law on anti-torture, the crime of physical injuries was usually used to charge the persons who perpetrated the crime of torture to extract information, usually being done by the investigating police or the military. **** HOLED ASPHALT ROAD. I presume the Department of Public Works and Highways heard the plea of this column to make some repair of the holed roads in Cabatuan, Iloilo, other than the area it is overlaying with asphalt, because the road users in the area no longer find most of the holes in the road. For this, I have to thank the DPWH. But I think the public also deserves to
know from the DPWH if the policy of P-Noy has already changed in regard to asphalt overlay, because, P-Noy once said that he no longer wanted any asphalt overlay. **** DAP. Last November I wrote an article on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). Recent developments revealed that the Solicitor General urged the Supreme Court to dismiss petitions praying to declare as unconstitutional the DAP. The reason stated was simple: there is no more DAP, hence the petitions become moot and academic. Nonetheless, even if there is ‘extinction’ of DAP, the Supreme Court is not bound to dismiss outright the petitions. The SC may still continue hearing the case, deliberate on the issues presented, and discuss the constitutionality of the DAP. But with this development, to a certain extentt, the P-Noy administration has saved its face from any unfavourable judgment it may receive from the SC. **** Happy fiesta to the people of Jaro! Our Lady of Candles, Pray for us! # Send feedback to: arnoldcares@yahoo.com
PHYSICAL INJURIES I
February 2 - 8, 2014
METRO OPINION
BLOCK 25 ON FIRE! L
a s t January 24th, at around twenty minutes past seven in the evening, a fire erupted in Iloilo City’s Chinatown district, disrupting the momentum of Dinagyang Festivities and turning eleven business establishments into ashes in a conflagration raised to General Alarm by the Bureau of Fire Protection. That prime real estate situated at the center of Calle Real was called Block 25 decades ago and is home to some of the city’s oldest FilChinese business families. These old rich mostly owns that triangular prime property that is smack right in the center of Iloilo City and was the face
of our once glorious city as the Queen City of the South. The apex of Block 25 nettles the intersection at Plazoleta Gay while its triangular base is bounded by Aldeguer Street with Iznart and J.M. Basa Streets forming the line segments on each sides. The triangle is teeming with big and small shops and has no intersections except for a narrow footwalk traversing from Rose Pharmacy at JM Basa through Mr. Cow Restaurant (formerly Aldo’s) in Iznart Street. There are similar footwalks crisscrossing the block but over time it might be blocked or built upon as space became scarce. After the Dinagyang fire of 2012 which razed three barangays and the Sinikway fire
in Mandurriao district which posed great risks for everybody, firefighters included, due to its geographical difficulties, Block 25 may be one of the most fire hazardous place in the city. Due to constant reconstruction and renovation, exits are now blocked making firefighting inside the block a very difficult thing to do. Add to that the risk of death and injuries to the residents of the area due to lack of exits and lack of fire hydrants in the city proper. The higher rate of hazards in the area may be a bane to the city’s quest to relive the glory days of the iconic Calle Real. Some old buildings being restored is found at Block 25, historic, beautiful and exposed to the threat of fire.
LOVE ABOVE ALL I
What will you miss most when you retire from the workforce in March?
s Peter Solis Nery romantic?
In so far as I have a dreamy vision of the world, I am. But you also have to understand that I am the kind of person who substantiates his ideas and beliefs. I think; therefore, I am. Furthermore, I say; therefore, I do. When, for example, I think and say that I am successful, I work at it and try hard to pile up evidence that I am. So that nobody can disagree! Now, to a more common understanding of the question, let us ask again: Does Peter Solis Nery believe in love above all? I think and believe that I do, and I am all out to do things that will prove it. Like how? It is hard for me to brag
because I tend to follow it up and make it happen. Even what starts as a joke, I usually take and turn it around so seriously. For example, when people ask me why I am retiring from my Nursing career at quite the young age of 45, at first, I flippantly replied that I was giving up my glorious Nursing career in favor of love, of simply becoming a good husband. Three months before my last day of work, it is no longer a joke. I seriously believe now what I’ve been saying in jest all the while. It is truer now than five months ago that I seriously just want to live simply as a loving husband, spending quality time, making moments with the person I married. And in so many ways, that is like the romance that I see in the feel good movies of old.
If you just want me to give a romantic answer, I guess that I can say that it would be the people that I work with. After all, I’ve really gotten close to many of them in the last seven years. But if I have to be very honest, the first thing that I will miss, or at least, the first thing that I will truly feel will be my loss of income. As a registered nurse in California, I earn between $75,000 and $80,000 a year; but the work and stress that it entails, I definitely will not miss. After seven years on the job, I really see that I am not built to be a nurse for a long time. I am a really good nurse, and a decorated one, mind you, but because I am a perfectionist, and a stickler for the rules, and a confessed overachiever, I tend to overdo the already overwhelmingly
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In our pursuit to ease Iloilo City from traffic congestion and restore the glorious days of old Iloilo with programs such as restorations of old buildings and no-vehicle days, it is imperative that we included the implementation of stricter zoning, building and fire laws at Block 25 to lessen the existing hazards. The fire last January 24 show the naked truth about the sad state of our zoning, building and fire safety laws implementation. The move should come from the city government’s inspectors. For a long period of time, inspectors have not set foot inside Block 25. Boarding houses, storage rooms, illegal constructions and direct violations of the Fire Code are being committed in Block 25 as of the moment. Creating a composite team of zoning,
building and fire inspectors to enter Block 25 will be the best first step towards averting disaster in the future. Block 25 is a ticking time bomb, with millions of pesos worth of property at stake to be burned to ashes and lives endangered to be trapped. Let us act now or we may lose Block 25 to the ranging inferno. Footnote: A former reporter of a radio station approached me last Dinagyang and offered apologies for being used as instrument for the unethical way the former station handled the issues against this writer last year. After transferring to another station, the reporter finally broke free the truth of how they handle things inside. All this writer can say is ‘the truth will set you free’. Well, apologies accepted, let us move on!
demanding job so that I end up stressing and burning myself out. Surely, you will think that because I am so self-aware, I can manage my stress and “not work very hard.” But, you see, it is not in my nature to slack down. I don’t want to be a mediocre nurse, or a mediocre anything, for that matter.
today. You must remember that we have no children to feed and send to school, we already have a fully paid house, and a fully paid car. I’m not fond of luxury items, especially in clothing and food. I don’t care if I have to be reduced to an oatmeal and garden salad diet for the rest of my life. My weakness is entertainment, but personally, I am now ready to give up theatre and cinema attendance in favor of a life retired from a stressful job. And I am pretty sure that I can survive without buying any more books and movies. Right now, while I begin packing my music, videos, and library collections for the move, I realized that if I don’t live to 93, I may not even have the time in the world to enjoy watching, reading, and listening to everything that I have amassed. Now, tell me, doesn’t my retirement sound like something to look forward to?
What do look forward to? Oh, the romantic idea that I will be retired at 45!, that I will live a life that most people can only dream about, that I will make real in my life the fantasy lifestyle that I have only admired in the movies. And I don’t care if I retire poor and penniless! I mean, sure, there’ll be a palpable loss of income, but it doesn’t mean that I will have to starve and be homeless. With a few lifestyle changes on my part, I’m pretty sure we will get by far better than the average working American
Dagyaw sa Antique Project (Day 2), An Organizer’s Story C
ulasi, Antique: We woke up with the dawn that Sunday of January 05 for a walk toward the sunrise at the boulevard. It is a stretch of tiled pavement adorned with calesa-typed benches and customized lounge of wooden table and chairs at the back of the town’s public market, facing islets and islands: Malalisun and Batbatan. The sea was calm. Small boats rested on the shore; no fisher folks with nets and catch. By the seawall, a father and daughter clutched to each other. Where’s the mother? We did not ask. We have heard enough stories. One by a family of 9 from one of the islands: the mother and her two young children died with the storm and flood. The father relocated to a shack in the backyard of a relative in town with the remaining children, whom he eventually ‘distributed,’ people said, to
those who cared. We walked to this boulevard for a ‘morning ritual’ prayers of thanksgiving and petition led by Nene Faith, our eldest. My 35th birthday. I’m not one for ‘drama’ and so it was touching, to say the least, for this life that has given me so much. Always, I say: ‘Gracias ala vida’ (Thanks to life). This is a composition of the Chilean musician Violeta Parra in the 60s, popularized by folksinger Joan Baez, and arrived to me via YouTube in the rendition of Argentine singer Mercedes Sosa. It was an overcast sky and not for long, drizzle dropped. We headed back to Maida’s place, our local host and coordinator, my high-school pen pal. After breakfast, the Dream Team at personal grooming, this scene at the bedroom: Maida reading aloud one of my letters in my high-school handwriting (very clumsy) in the ‘I Love You’ fold (fashion of our
time!) in a scented stationery (of course!). We shared giggles and laughs as we congratulated ourselves for an enduring friendship, that was to say, um, we are like ‘endangered species’ and to the millennial generation – drool! Anyway, fast forward. This time, back at barangay Janlagasi for the 2nd and last day of the project. We came ahead of the scheduled time. At the one- room barangay hall, Dr. Heath Motley of the United Nations Chiropractic Center-Manila treated more patients. At the chapel nearby, Pearl Joy and the rest of the Dream Team facilitated the capacity-building seminar on psychosocial and mental health support services for the community leaders. In between assisting and translating for Dr. Motley and checking out the animated conversations at the chapel, a birthday surprise: Grace, member of the Dream Team who is a god sister, lined up the children for their
cupcake gift (they were the ones who ended up eating them, of course) and candle blowing. I admit, t’ was sweet it got me crying. You have to understand that this project is my first ever attempt to celebrate my birthday. Story of my life (sniff, sniff)J I remember this clearly too: the responses of the residents. I do not want to sound patronizing but really, the project was a success. It gave them the venue to come together as one community, to listen to each other’s stories and to map shared experiences and sentiments toward concrete actions. The psychosocial support offered them a framework, a way of thinking in making sense of what happened, as they grapple with a sense of powerlessness, in feeling neglected by our government, being a small barangay in a small province of a region that is not considered to be the center of the tragedy. Their feedback affirmed
us, psychosocial support services being not that popular yet in this part of the country, especially coming from a volunteer group like ours without institutional support or mileage. It was more than enough for me to see Pearl, our youngest (her joke, of course, that she remains to be my scholar), in action, and be comforted by the fact that she is very qualified for the job, and passionate at that, that the more she is determined to finish her MS Psychology, on schedule. Typhoon Yolanda enlarged our circle of kin and friends, (re) connected the south and the north of Antique, continued the timeline of my friendship with Maida beyond Facebook, and strengthened our sense of community that included our donors, personal friends in Manila and abroad (Canada, US, New Zealand) and made this into “a circle with no end” in our effort to actualize care and service. Again, many thanks, and until then!
A message from
Anuel S. Bonite
OIC-Office of the Assistant Regional Director
ILOILO DOCTORS’ COLLEGE BASIC ELEMENTARY DEPARTMENT: “Committed To Lifelong Learning In A Caring Environment” BY REMS ROBERTO Committed to continuous improvement, Iloilo Doctors’ College Basic Elementary Department (IDC-BED) is one of the friendliest elementary school where teachers-students relationship is a high priority of the schools’ administration. IDC-BED system of collaborative learning is dedicated to the creation of sharing knowledge that places special emphasis on developing the total person imbued with the necessary knowledge, skills, and Christian values. The interaction among
faculty, students, and members of the professional community is the mechanism that makes the school a learning organization. For fourteen (14) long years now, IDC-BED has been an academe of smart, intelligent, talented, God loving pre-schoolers and elementary students in Iloilo City. According to Mr. Philip Tolentino, IDC-BED has only 32 students when he made his entrance as the schools’ coordinator in 2006. It increased double during school year 2007 making it to 78 students. And every year thereafter, Tolentino’s unique approach of mixing Montessori and Traditional teaching program as consisting of three broad phases: exercises for practical life, sensory education , and language activities. IDC-BED teachers and administration also put emphasis on belief in sensory learning: Children learn more by touching, seeing, smelling,
tasting, and exploring than by just listening. The child’s work as a purposeful, ordered activity toward a determined end is highly valued. This is where the school excels and remains to be one of the best Elementary and Pre-School in Iloilo City today. To date, IDC-BED has a total of 17 teachers, and 348 students from Pre-school up to Grade Three (3). Because of the full support continuously given by the President, Dr. Rolando Padilla Sr., the schools Administrator, Ms. Elena Alejandra R. Isada, the Board of Directors, IDC-BED aims on garnering 400 students for the next school year. With another Grade level (Grade Four) to be opened next year, no doubt that they will achieve this number of students with flying colors! By providing quality and
excellent students, Tolentino further believes that they should provide the students with opportunities to develop themselves spiritually, intellectually, socially, morally, and physically. Also, IDCBED students are being honed with the skills in thinking, speaking, writing and other communicative means of developing their ability to react intelligently to mass media and other situations. Lastly the teachers are very well oriented to instill among the students desirable attitudes in understanding oneself, people, races, places and times through opportunities of living harmoniously with others, thereby promoting a keen sense of self, family, community and country; and Instill among students the value of service for people, country and God.
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BY REYMAR LATOZA
METRO SPORTS
February 2 - 8, 2014
Batang Pinoy National Finals 2014 kicks off
Over 2500 delegates from different parts of the country battle it out in the 2013 Batang Pinoy National Finals 2014 which kicked off recently at Panaad Park and Sports Stadium, Bacolod City. A total of 1,594 gold, silver and bronze medals await the winners of the said event. Athletics has the most numbers of medals with 106 each for gold, silver and bronze. Swimming has 60 medals each for gold and silver and 120 for bronze. Dance sports has 60 each for gold, silver and bronze medals; wrestling, 45 each for gold and silver, and 90 for bronze; karatedo, 42 each for gold and silver, and 84 for bronze; and arnis, 38 each for gold and silver and 52 for bronze. Arnis and athletics are set at Panaad Park and Sports Stadium oval; badminton, Pohang Badminton Court; basketball 3-on-3, Bacolod Tay
Tung High School; boxing, Bacolod Arts, Youth and Sports (BAYS) Center; chess, Bacolod Government Center Masskara Hall; futsal, Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center (NOMPAC); Gymnastics (cheerdance), University of St. La Salle (USLS); karatedo, Robinsons Place Bacolod; lawn tennis, Montevista Tennis Association courts; sepak takraw, University of Negros OccidentalRecoletos; swimming, Panaad Park swimming pool; table tennis, Lopue’s San Sebastian courts; taekwondo, Bacolod City National High School; volleyball, USLS College covered court; and weightlifting, SM Transport Hub. Basketball, cycling and triathlon will have no qualifiers and all the players will compete in the finals. Batang Pinoy was ‘designed for in-school and out–of-school children ages 15 years old and below had in a way denied this sector the opportunity
to develop basic athletic skills required for making of a sports champion.’ It was conceptualized in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department
of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Leagues of Provinces, Cities,/Municipalities and Barangays. The Philippine Olympic Committee and National Sports Associations,
both non-government entities and internationally recognized authorities in different sports, shall run and oversee the technical management of the event.PNA/IMT
contributed big impact in our local economic. The city government is really recognizing them in terms of providing economy, revenues, jobs and livelihood to our local Filipino businessmen”, he said. Iloilo Chinese-Filipino Cultural Association (ICFCA) chairman Felipe Uygongco of La Filipina Uygongco Corporation said they have strengthened strong PPP with the city government as they actively participating and support all the programs of the government especially
by paying right taxes. Friday last week, the ChineseFilipino community had celebrated their 12th year Chinese New Year at the China town along Iznart Street here. TV actress Kim Chiu was there special guest. Uygongco said they prepared week-long events prior to the highlight celebration last Friday. The last activity-related event is on February 15 wherein there will be a competition for Tinagan Martial Arts/ Wushu. IMT
Freedom Grandstand ...from page 1 Mabilog stressed that he is willing to let go of the plan if the disadvantages outnumbered the benefits; nevertheless he is determined to pursue the plan. “For us to move forward and to grow, we have to take risks. We should
not always be just on status quo or else we won’t grow and there will be no change”, he disclosed. Mabilog further declared that if the plans are calculated well, developments will flow in to the city.
1st Q...from page 1 metropolis during these occasions. Floro said these policemen will help secure the occasion, conduct foot patrol, visibility and roving patrol especially during night time to discourage lawless elements from doing their modus operandi. The city director added some uniformed policemen will be posted as VIP’s back-ups (Very Important
Person) while others will be acted as covert personnel for intelligence purposes. The higher command of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) here has also ‘standby’ force at the headquarters in case of emergency. IMT
More PPPs ...from page 1
Basa Street and Aldeguer Street. The mayor stressed around 12, 000 Filipino-Chinese are now living in the city of which, 80 percent of them are engaged into retail businesses while others are into trading, manufacturing, banking, services, hotel, utilities, vending, real state and transportation. In fact, Mabilog said the city taxes collected this year has increased into 40 percent and majority of these taxes came from the different businesses of these Chinese-Filipino businessmen. “They (Chinese-Filipino) had
February 2 - 8, 2014
METRO SULTADA
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CANDELARIA 7 COCKS DERBY:
SHOWCASE OF THE WORLD’S BEST ROOSTERS AND ROOSTERMEN of his produce every year, especially event drew close. At being conditioned at his farm. Other his breeders where buyers seek for the very start, they Americans have brought in their his champion lines of Sweaters and formulated their roosters last year yet and are already Gilmores, which had come from the rules so that in the staying at the hotel owned by the best US breeders, particularly Mr. event they become manager. While most of the Americans Carol Nesmith who have specialized champion, it will are also adept at preparing roosters, on his brand of Sweater fowls. Much not be difficult to they prefer to leave their show at the talked about in the cocking circles is divide the prizes hands of the local handlers who they the 226 line, named after a famous and the money won. realized are much more skilled in the rooster with a wing band number 226. They also decided art of preparation for the Philippine The world’s foremost cockfighters Mr. Abello however debunked the tale not to have bias fights, particularly for the Candelaria and cockfight aficionados once again of the 226 in one of my conversations when the time for derby. had trooped to Iloilo Coliseum starting with him. He said that like the legend selecting the final January 29 until February 2, 2014 of the Sleepy Hallow, the tale of the team to be fought to witness one of, if not the world’s 226 rooster and the line named after Bet takers at the ringside and part of the ringside crowd. came. With their best international cockfight derbies. him just grew and grew as the story seemingly hopeless and suddenly with pooled resources As of press time (January 31, 2014), spread. Adding fuel is Mr. Abello’s a nice position, sometimes with the and their objective criteria, they were the first set of participants totaled 43 continued victories able to select the in the pit using very best roosters to his sweaters who show and prevailed looked very much and became colike the 226 rooster. champion. Like the This year a previous years, strong team has each day of the emerged from the Candelaria is a story municipality of that has to be told, Dingle. Headed sometimes again by its main man, and again. These Lito M., this are stories of men, group is composed roosters and the of seamen and fights themselves. businessmen A knifeman tying the knife prior to fighting. Each competitor Pit managers referring to Mr. Johnny Jalandoni the whose pastime is Totong, the sentenciador with his has a dream and total bets evened up. big time cocking. son during a break in his work as entries while the second set which is each is confident that this year is his, help of a hit by the opponent, he gets Coming from back to back winnings referee. scheduled January 31 registered 67 As of press time, it is too early until the moment of defeat. And each in his own flurry of punches that hit in recent derbies, they requested to be entries for a total of 110. defeat is a realization, a learning and his opponent in a fatal spot. He pecks pitted against the biggest names in the to predict who will be this year’s While pot money is at a commitment to return next year for twice and is raised in victory by the cockfighting world because they said, champion since the first set of 43 P50,000.00, the guaranteed prize of entries had produced only two perfect another try. Each fight is hard fought sentenciador! they want their bets called. P5million had been put up to attract Expect the Big breeders participants to this yearly event. compete on their second set to be However, in the words of General own, fielding more exciting. This Manager Mr. Luis Chito Tinsay, cocks of their set will be composed guarantee or none, the Candelaria 7 own breeding and mostly of out of Cock International Derby had always putting up the pot town competitors been a beacon for the world’s best and the individual who bring in their because of the prestige attached to the bets solely. Many roosters so that they name of having become a champion however form can fight in the two at the Candelaria. A champion not elimination friendships and days only has bragging rights but also has partnerships. The and if qualified, will the potential for business of selling 2010 story of go to the finals on all his stocks similar to that he fielded the San Miguel the third day. At 67 in that derby. It is said that previous group titled PBC entries, about 20 of Candelaria champions have become Emerald is a case in these are foreigners, money making machines in terms of Coliseum General Manager Mr. Chito Tinsay taking point. This group mostly Americans Friends Alexis Evident, Alloy Armentia and sales of their farm’s cocks, stags and over to call and even the bets so that his visitors will not of friends banded while some will also Glenn Cabarang enjoying the event and catching breeding materials. regret placing a big bet on their rooster. by their common come from other up time. Take the case of the famous Mr. and the outcome unpredictable. Often, desire to compete in the Candelaria Asian countries, mainly from Malaysia 4 points, an indication that indeed, Nene Abello. Having been champion a rooster gets hit first, get smashed and pooled their roosters and resources and Indonesia. Mayor Jesry Palmares the competition is tough! We’ll see several times in the past twenty years, up by the opponent, yet never giving to form a team of about 15 cocks which of Passi City is said to have invited by Saturday how many more perfect Mr. Nene Abello can sell out most up, continuing to hit back even if was trimmed to the final seven as the an American team whose roosters are scorers will prevail.
IGBARAS: Nature and
IGCABUGAO CAVE in Barangay Igcabugao is 14 kilometers away from the town proper. It is a downhill walk on a rocky track where tremendous rock formations frames the way to the cave. One can relax in the cool and clear waters of Igbolo Creek nearby. The chambers inside the cave are eerie and immense. Lanternequipped guides will take one to a pool of clear but extremely cold water. Although there are other caves in the area such as the Passi Cave, Bat Cave, Bais Cave and Lapusan Cave. MOUNT NAPULAK is the highest mountain in the area measuring 1,200 feet above sea level. Its shaped reminds one of a woman’s breast where massive coral rock as big as a onestorey building sits on peak, providing an eye-catching view of Iloilo and portions of the Antique Province. The trails getting to the mountain exposes the area’s virgin forests and abundant wildlife.
Adventure to Remember
BY BOMBETTE G. MARIN PHOTOS BY RODGE JABOR AND DAVE SOLLORIN IGBARAS, Iloilo is an old town that is full of fun with varied recreational activities that is sure to delight visitors of all ages and interests. It is brimming with outdoor adventure with popular attractions such as cascades, caves, mountains and the rare flora gardens. These attractions are at your disposal when visiting the area. NADSADJAN FALLS in
Barangay Passi is one of the most visited attractions by local and foreign tourists. The falls is 100-feet high that pour into a cauldron-shaped natural swimming pool. There are other popular falls in the area such as Guiritsan and Sampanan. To get to the falls from the town proper, take a tricycle to Barangay Passi and go for a 45 minute trek along the river to reach the majestic falls. Visitors are advised to arrive early morning and visit the Municipal Tourism Office to arrange trip to the falls.
RAFFLESIA GARDEN in Barangay Igcabugao is a popular campground with for local tourists because it has some of Iloilo’s richest series of exceptionally beautiful forested mountains, from lowlands to highlands, large enough to preserve the integrity of the town’s ecosystem. It is home to the world’s largest individual flower, the Rafflesia. These natural attractions will give tourists the possibility to discover the natural beauty of Igbaras in many different ways. Igabaras is nature at its best and can give everyone an unforgettable experience. Igbaras is bounded on the north by the Municipality of San Remegio of the province of Antique; east by the Municipality of Tubungan, Iloilo ; west by the Municipality of Miag-ao, Iloilo; south by the Municipality of Guimbal, Iloilo. It has a total land area of 15,245 hectares subdivided by 46 barangays. To get to the, one can take a jeepney at the Don Benito Q. Acap Sr. Southern Iloilo Perimeter Boundary Terminal in Barangay Mohon, Oton, Iloilo. Metered taxis are also available at the terminal. For more information, please contact Engr. Wilfredo “Boy” Delgado-Municipal Tourism Officer at (033) local 104- 5184022 or at 09209643404.
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