Joseph Digest by Goshen Land Inc.

Storm surge and housing migration BLUE PRINT.

Inspired by their sweat

Dancing lights of Baguio Three hour

BAGUIO-MANILA Drive Nears

HOW TO GET FIT in the midst of a busy schedule 1

PANAGBENGA

through Joseph Digestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes

Goshen Land Investment Properties Joy of Personalized Homes How an entreprenuer sees Venice

What it takes to send money back home

Dancing Lights of Baguio by Joseph Fernandez

How an entreprenuer sees Venice by Annabelle Bangsoy

Cordillera’s Natural Resources by Ramon Dacawi

When coaching is a blessing by Annabelle Bangsoy

Storm surge and housing by Kristine Mae Gacer

YESTERDAY’S DREAM by Karin Bangsoy

How to get fit in the midst of a busy schedule by Joverlyn Espejo

15 Three hour BaguioManila drive nears by Harriet Dale Sagorsor

d r e a ms

Overseas Filipino Workers

Their dreams always go back home

PHOTO FROM M. AGPAOA’S FACEBOOK WALL

Goshen Land CEO- President Alexander Bangsoy teaching OFWs in Italy on investment and financial literacy through his free entrepreneurship seminar.***JD

Maribel Agpaoa inside her work space in a Kuwait hospital.***JD

At Goshen land, we believe that to dream is free. Here are some OFW’s dreams:

many Filipino’s working abroad. It is what fuels them to work harder.

Nerissa Lacbaen, an OFW in Singapore is particularly looking forward to good things this year because she has decided to spend for herself this year by purchasing a condominium at The Courtyards. She grew up in the squatter’s area near the Convention Center in Baguio City and she remembers living in fear at the possibility that the city demolition team would destroy the barong-barong (simple hut or cabin) she called home. She had always wanted to own a house and through Goshen Land she hopes to achieve this dream soon at the age of 27.

Maribel Agpaoa has been a nurse in Kuwait for a number if years. She hopes for continued health and happiness for herself and for her children. She looks forward to prosperity through Goshen Land’s properties as she juggles her hospital duties and her responsibilities as a Goshen Land Sales Referrer.

“Seeing their families and being together with them is a dream.” Tholitz Quindara Sardena, another OFW, hopes to finally spend some time with his family soon. This dream has gone unfulfilled for years since he went to Qatar in search of greener pastures. Seeing their families and being together with them is a dream shared by

A new year has come and along with it are hopes and dreams held dearly by all of us. Some think, of it as a clean slate, a chance to start over again. Some see it as the culmination of years of hard work, a chance to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Others see it as a beginning, a chance to grow and do something differently. However we see it, 2914 will surely hold something good for all of us, and along with this hope is the perseverance to live our lives with purpose and meaning. ***Flynn Ayugat, JD

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Rose Garden attraction

JOSEPH FERNANDEZ

The Dancing Lights of Baguio

Most of things in life are not free, but Baguio res-

idents get a spectacular treat every night at the Rose Garden with the glow in the dark colorful moving water paints soft hues. Rising and fulling geysers delighting watchers. The Rose Garden fountains have attracted regulars who just gather around the fountain at night with family and friends especially during the Christmas and summer seasons and enjoy the show. The Rose Garden fountains, located at the west side of Burnham Park were designed with three different concepts. The Veteran’s Fountain, located at the far edge of the garden has a small flower-like layout composed of six nozzles that surround a central nozzle that radiate a water scene that delights weary senior citizens. The second concept known as the Reflection Fountain, located in the middle of the three fountains has ten nozzles that follow a straight line

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and it jets out water that seem to be constantly rising and falling in varied rhythms. The third concept is the Youth Fountain where water rises and dances with different colors. It is a sure delight for kids because of its awesome variations. The fountains were constructed by a Korean firm that also made government funded fountains in Ilocos. The fountains at the Rose Garden are lighted with LED lights to lower energy consumption.

“Baguio residents see a spectacular treat every night at the Rose Garden.” The Rose Garden fountains are part of the Php 30 million Burnham Park master development plan presented by the University of the Cordilleras. It was approved by the City Council to boost the city’s tourism appeal. ***Joseph Fernandez, JD

Afford ko na:Goshen Land Investment Properties Democratizing the access of ordinary Filipinos in the locality to investment properties defines Goshen Land’s heart of service. This 2014, we are offering limited Goshen Land investment properties for locals as Baguio’s property values are poised to go up once the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union-Expressway (TPLEX) gets completed in 2015. Once the TPLEX opens, the Manila to Baguio travel time will be cut in half which will spawn greater economic activity in the city and nearby towns. This is why Goshen Land encourages you to avail of its investment properties while still affordable and available. You could choose from investment lots and investment commercial and residential units. For now, an investment lot downpayment goes for a low of Php 6,000 monthly. Instead of spending this amount for non-earning spending extras that you can do without, why not start planting this amount to a Goshen Land investment lot so you could harvest its fruits then use your gains to get more Goshen

ed. Real estate prices increased tremendously from Php 8,000 to Php21,000 per square meter. The connector road now being constructed at EDSA to connect the North and South Expressways and the TPLEX for faster travel from Northern to Southern Luzon is a breakthrough for Luzon’s local economies. Trade and tourism demands for food, housing and services will increase. Faster access to Baguio through a three hour ride from Manila because of the TPLEX and a seamless access of Southern Luzon to Baguio through the connector road will surely drive up real estate prices in the city. And it is slowly happening now. Take for example a lot around the Green Valley area in Dontogan barangay, Baguio. It’s a bit far from town but in 2012, its land value was Php 850 per square meter and slowly increased to Php1500 per square meter in 2013. This scenario is also repeated along Kisad Road where property values are slowly appreciating by 33 percent. In 2012, Kisad road lots commanded a price of Php

Land investment properties? As Goshen Land opened the way for ordinary Filipinos to own investment properties, those who availed of it are already looking at a return on investment even before they could fully pay their Goshen Land Investment Properties. Why? Because their Goshen Land Investment properties which were carefully selected for their top earning potential in premium locations are increasing in value through time plus the transport access developments in Luzon are increasing real estate prices in the North.

60,000 per square meter and increased to Php 80,000 per square meter in 2013. This is the reason why Goshen Land is offering affordable investment properties to locals, to the probinsiano, to the ordinary Filipino. And yes, hindi tayo agad nagkakaroon ng malaking pera. Goshen Land Investment Properties understands this so it offers “cup of coffee and cake prices” for their daily and monthly installments. “Tingnan mo, baka magulat ka, kaya mo pala.” Goshen Land investment lots are coveted for their strategic and premium locations because they are carefully selected for their top earning potential. This is because we believe that the probinsiano, the ordinary Filipino, the OFW toiling bravely in a foreign land deserve better.***Annabelle Bangsoy, JD

“Tingnan mo, baka magulat ka, kaya mo pala.”

This happened in Alabang and Calamba when the Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX) was complet-

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Spectators came ready for the Panagbenga street Parade with their beddings. At 4:06 am, our photographer caught them sleeping overnight on the Session Road sidewalk while waiting for the parade to start.

The Panagbenga Flower Festival from Joseph Digest’s eyes

The yearly Panagbenga Festival always transforms Baguio’s main streets with different sights, each with a story to tell. Here’s what Joseph Digest saw during the two-day festivities.

A photo essay by Joverlyn Espejo and Joseph Fernandez.

At 4 am, public school kids get dolled up for their Panagbenga Street Dancing Parade.

At 5 am, the Session Road sidewalk is already packed with children in tow for them to watch the parade at 8 am.

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The Panagbenga Flower Festival from Joseph Digestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes [continued from page 6]

All dolled up and ready for the parade.

At 7 am, policemen do the rounds of warning spectators of pick pockets and snatchers.

Here they go! At 8 am, bands start blasting their horns leading the parade.

A highschool dancer from Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) dances with gusto as she skillfully balances her indigenous lagba or native basket on her head during the Panagbenga Street Dancing parade. [ JOSEPH DIGEST | APRIL 2014 ] 7

Making time for health

How to get fit in the midst of a busy schedule Tired and busy at work. These have always been the reasons why people with a hectic work schedule cannot exercise. Nowadays, there are lots of ways to be physically fit and most of them are free. One of the easiest is to run or jog. Running is an excellent form of exercise. It improves strength, endurance, cardiovascular and bone stability. It can also improve body and mind coordination.

Running gives Goshen Land Project Architect Ryan Gumaya more time to enjoy life, family and friends. ***JD

In the summer season of 2011, Architect Ryan Gumaya, Goshen Land Project Architect, started to run. “At first, it was about me reducing my cholesterol level to a safer and normal level. He adds, after satisfying the doctor’s advice, “I realized that

running is not just a physical activity but also a test for the runner’s mental toughness.” Gumaya said.

Running however is not a

walk in the park. It challenges the lungs, knees and feet so a good motivation helps. “I think every run I do gives me a stronger body to live a little longer than a smoker. More time to enjoy life, family and friends.” Architect Gumaya said, about his running motivation. Architect Gumaya works in the office eight hours a day but manages his time and makes time to run.

On weekdays, he runs every other day after his work and on weekends, he runs a longer distance early in the morning. He also believes that stretching is very important before running. Stretching reduces injuries, muscle pains and improves performance. Gumaya stretches his body for 10 minutes before jogging to prepare his lungs. Since he lives near the mountains, Architect Gumaya loves to run up to Mt. Cabuyao and at Camp John Hay. He also joins marathon competitions in the City. “I joined the Baguio-Benguet marathon in 2012 in the half-marathon category and countless of fun runs. I never win first place, which is reserved for athletes with monster lungs and cheetah legs. But my goal in every run is to finish with a descent time and alive”, he said. He recalls that running, like any other sports lean strongly on mental toughness, “The run that re-

Architect Gumaya’s medals. ***JD

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[continued to page 33]

Lay Your Own Bricks THE JOY OF PERSONALIZED HOMES

<<INVESTMENT

If you are tied down to work here or abroad and you have no one to trust to look after the construction but you still want to build a house, then Goshen Land’s custom built home is for you. It works on a personalized approach where you get to choose the specifications in your home’s function and design. It is like laying the bricks yourself but someone is doing it for you in accordance with your agreed choices. A personalized home will make you appreciate your choices because everything will be chosen by you before it is constructed. Goshen Land has excellent choices of design, function and plans which suits your budget. Goshen Land personalized homes are offered by Goshen Land

A model for a mountain houses at Blue Ridge Mountains (BRM) a Goshen Land Masterplanned Community.***JD

in carefully selected lots inside its investment properties which are all masterplanned. Before construction starts, Goshen Land personalized homes will set the budget and deadlines for your choice home design. You will be informed of construction updates in accordance with the agreed plan. Goshen Land’s personalized homes affords the client the luxury of being a participant in the building of his house without the construction headache rather than just being a recipient

“It works on a personalized approach where you get to choose the specifications in your home’s function and design.” spectator. Goshen Land’s personalized homes center on a client’s taste and preferences. It seeks to reflect the unique needs and culture of the family it comforts and shelters.***Kristine Mae Gacer, JD [ JOSEPH

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Goshen Land Honors Top Sales Referrers Roman

Joe Añoso, this year’s Goshen Land top sales referrer went home with a brand new Chevrolet Trailblazer as his incentive for topping the year’s sales. He said it had always been his dream to ride in a SUV car but it was only made possible because of Goshen Land. He profusely thanked Goshen Land CEO Alexander Bangsoy for making the dreams of ordinary Filipinos like him a reality. “Hindi niyo lang kami natutulungan pero binabago niyo rin ang aming buhay,” Añoso said. He won the Goshen Land top sales referrer award for three consecutive years. In his speech at The Baguio Country Club, he said their family was poor so they have to make do with a cramped one room living space and have to remedy the comfort room and bathroom outside. Their family, he said had to transfer from one place to another because of poverty. Then his mother went to work abroad as

Goshen Land Top Sales Referrer Roman Añoso accepts the key of his SUV Sales Incentive from Goshen Land CEO Alexander Bangsoy.***JD

an OFW for 12 years to send him to nursing school. After graduation, he thought their life will be much better but local nursing jobs were not available. Only volunteer nursing jobs were being offered. Then a classmate invited him to sell Goshen Land investment properties which opened for him opportunities beyond his dreams. Through his hardwork, he was able

to buy a premium Goshen Land investment property at The Courtyards where he and his parents are now staying. Aside from Anoso, Goshen Land also honored other top sales referrers, a fulfillment of its mission to prosper its stakelholders. These are Ida Balbin, Efren Caraig, Maychel Manalili, Lodivico Tacdol, Arvin Gray, Mariel Chavez, Dexter Diwas, Maribel Agpaoa and Jennifer Ebes. They were awarded for their outstanding contributions to the company’s sales referral program. The Goshen Land Top Sales Referrer 2013 Awarding Ceremony is a yearly culmination of Goshen Land’s desire to provide better lives and options for ordinary Filipinos so that working abroad doesn’t have to be a primary choice for people who like to prosper and live better lives. ***Flynn Ayugat, JD

Goshen Land Top Sales Referrers (from L to R) Lennon Tiago, Mariel Chavez, Efren Caraig, VP for Sales Genalyn Ramos, Walto Balbin, CEO Alex Bangsoy, Roman Añoso, Lodovico Tacdol and Maychel Manalili.***JD

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Wealth Creation

Spend for income at NC Most Filipinos choose to spend their hard-earned money on consumables rather than invest. Based on the Family Expenditures of Filipinos, 86% of family income is spent on expenditures, with just enough left for a little savings. They spend their money on every sale in the department store for new gadgets and fancy clothes that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really need. Start investing on income generating properties such as the North Cambridge (NC) student condomini-

ums. North Cambridge Condominiums is the first masterplanned student condominium community located beside the Saint Louis University (SLU) Bakakeng Campus. SLU is one of the biggest universities in Northern Luzon and their Bakakeng Campus has almost 8,000 students. A North Cambridge condominium offers affordable monthly payments because it can be paid in installments and it only takes monthly savings from putting off shopping from sales items that you

<<INVESTMENTS donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really need. North Cambridge comes in three phases-Harvard, Princeton and Wharton. Harvard and Princeton are already built and sold while a few coveted units are still open for reservation although at a limited time. North Cambridge condominium units is an income-generating investment because your property can be rented out and it offers amenities that are attractive to potential renters like a swimming pool, fitness gym, free Wi-Fi, pocket parks, laundromat, parking slots, food court, and convenience store. Every unit in North Cambridge is fully furnished with hot and cold shower, granite kitchen tops, refrigerator, television, bed with comforter and pillows. Parents will also choose to have their children stay here because of the top-notch 24-hour security system with CCTVs. Your North Cambridge unit can be enrolled in Martha, a Goshen Land Property Management Team that will look after your unit to continuously and passively earn income. It is ideal for those who are looking for long-term, income-generating investments. The units can also be leased out for transients visiting Baguio during summer, Christmas breaks and long weekends. Tourists mostly prefer to stay in transient homes because it is cheaper and they could cook their own food. Investing now at North Cambridge condominium because the prices of real estate in Bakakeng have been steadily increasing because of the developments in the area which is why buying real estate now is a good choice. ***Harriet Dale Sagorsor, JD

Mikee Conjuangco-Jaworski at North Cambridge.***JD [ JOSEPH

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Photo by KARIN BANGSOY

How an entrepreneur

The glory that was Venice. The ancient structure withstood their water foundations.***JD

“Nakipagsiksikan tayo dito para makakita ng

the alleyways, Venice, from my husband’s eyes is like sosyal

baha!,” my husband exclaimed on a cold and rainy morning

na Navotas mainly because Italian, French and other world fa-

as we laughed and shoved ourselves with our five little and big

mous brands line the ancient alleyways with tourists mingling

kids in tow inside a full-packed vaporetto , a small ferry that

with local Venetians walking tall in the rain garbed in their

will bring us through Venice’s world famous Grand Canal.

fashionable Italian labels. It’s still a place of flood, just like Navotas, Manila.

Because of this baha comment, I felt so embarrassed

for tossing the idea to my family to brave the early day trip

Excited to see the setting of Shakespeare’s Merchant

to Venice from Milan on a very cold and drizzly January in

of Venice and the maritime superpower during the Middle

2014. Earlier in the day, with five kids in tow, my husband and

Ages and Renaissance while anticipating to be wowed by

I roused them from their sleep, bundled them up and hurried to

much written lore about Venetian arts, culture and food, I con-

the ancient Milano Centrale station to catch the train to Venice.

vinced my family earlier to choose Venice instead of Verona,

Para lang pala makakita ng baha.

the setting of another Shakespearean novel Romeo and Juliet, for a day trip. But the thought of para lang makakita ng baha

While most tourist Filipinos would be excited at the

kinda brought my perspective to the ground about Venice.

prospect of seeing Venice for the first time, my husband thinks he is seeing Yolanda and Pepeng’s floodwaters still engulfing

Taken by all those romantic notions about the Venice

communities, not the famed, romanticized Venice. With build-

in classical literature and the oh so aspirational experience of

ings jutting out of water and boats of many variations as the

finally seeing a real gondola (because the one in Macau was

only transport aside of course from walking short distances in

just so fake) with a real 7th generation gondolier whom I dis[continued on page 13]

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With the Venetian Vaporetto and real Gondola on the background, the Bangsoy kids obliged to have their picture taken by their mom.***JD

sees Venice

covered doesn’t really sing, we chose Venice. But from my

family walked out. How we missed the smiling, world class

family’s eyes, it’s nothing but baha. The all too common sight

Filipino customer service back home.

in the Philippines that most Filipinos abhor. But hey, why is it that if it’s a baha in Europe it’s a tourist attraction and famous?

Inside the vaporetto on a rainy Venetian day, we spot-

ted some Filipino overseas workers who came from their day’s My family silently wished Philippine baha will make

work. They seem happy and sad, as some look out at the va-

a sustainable tourism income for common people in the Phil-

poretto’s foggy windows, as if pining for home while others

ippines like in Venice. If only all things are equal. But it aint.

busy themselves talking about what transpired in their recent

We could only wish that crooks in government and their ilk will

phone calls

account for the corrupted billions of peso worth of a mediocre

in Milan are called domestica. Only a few percentage are em-

breakwater project in Cagayan. Because flooding in the Philip-

ployed in companies or in the fashion industry. Lisa, (not her

pines doesn’t mean tours but lives snuffed out.

real name) said 80 percent of OFWs in Italy are domestic work-

to the Philippines. Most of them, like the ones

ers. Lisa said most of these Filipino domesticas are college

The second restaurant on the right of the iconic Vene-

graduates as engineers, accountants, nurses. In Italy, they work

tian Il Rialto Bridge if one is facing the end of the Grand Canal

as katulong or househelp, according to Lisa. “Konti lang yung

towards the train station has a Filipino friendly staff. One of

mga nasa kumpanya,” she added.

their long time Italian food cook is a Filipino. Their affordable selections and their welcoming atmosphere warmed our

As we disembarked to catch our train after our last

hearts, a stark contrast to a bout of racial discrimination we

stop at Piazza San Marco, we looked back at our OFWS whose

experienced at the next door restaurant that sits right after the Il

industrious hands now grace the famed allure of Venice as they

Rialto Bridge stairs. The waiter denied us seating near the win-

cook, clean and serve the millions of tourists who come to see

dow even if no tables were even occupied when we entered.

the world’s most expensive flooded property, er water estate.

We had the same experience in Denmark and Sweden. Racial

***Annabelle Bangsoy, JD

discrimination in an IT-global world is beyond barbaric. My [ JOSEPH

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Culture

determines destiny (First in a series)

Heart and Hand Alexander L. Bangsoy CEO and President Goshen Land Capital Inc.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note We are printing here the Ernst and Young 2013 search questions and answers. Goshen land CEO-President Alexander Bangsoy, an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist shares his answers.

What are the major challenges in your business and how did you overcome them? The two most challenging problems that we encountered had something to do with resources, FINANCIAL and HUMAN RESOURCE . 1. Financial Resources A lot of people started with big capital. Some with small capital. But for me I started with a negative capital because when we started the business I was still paying off the hospital debt that I incurred when my father died. I started with virtually nothing plus I was in debt. But I was able to overcome this by undertaking innovative real estate deals that did not entail money upfront. I used my skills as a lawyer to engage in junkyard deals or properties that are involved in litigation and bought and sold them for a profit. Eventually as the business grew bigger, bigger capital was needed. Again, we encountered financial difficulties as no bank would give us a loan because we do not have yet a track record. We have lost count of the banks that rejected us. There were times when in order to finance our operations we have to access short term high interest loans but we persevered. Eventually in 2010 a big bank-Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) granted us a loan and we faithfully paid it. Borrowing became substantially easier. 14

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2. Human Resources Another great challenge is human resourse or getting and training good people. Being a new company, it was hard to get good real estate specific people because most of them are hired already by big name companies so we have to grow our people from the ground up. We hired mostly fresh graduates and young people and inspired them with our weekly VMV or vision, mission and values where we pour our heart and our dreams for them and the company. We also painstakingly trained them giving them the basics and eventually they became dedicated and highly trained partners. Now we are doing our quality management systems in order to apply for ISO certification a year from now.

Of all your successes what have been the most rewarding? The most rewarding is viewing the success of my family and the family of our partners and customers. I have five children and because of the business we now live in a decent home and we could provide them the best education that we could afford. I and my wife could give them a better start and at least I am sure that they will not get ejected because we own our home. Also, our partners like Sheryl, our Chief Financial Officer who started with us as a fresh graduate, was able to send her siblings to school and provide a decent life, a home for her family, through Goshen Land. Roman, our sales referrer, who after a year without any sales persevered. Now, he is our top seller and owns a condo unit in our project where he stays with his parents, a car which was an incentive of the company and several other investments which are benefiting his family. It is also rewarding to see our numerous customers who now have a home of their own which they were able to afford through Goshen Landâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s affordable monthly investments.***[to be continued]/JD

T P L E X Three Hour Baguio-Manila Drive Nears T he comforting thought of reaching Manila from Baguio only in three hours is becoming a reality for travelers because the Tarlac-Pangasinan La Union Expressway (TPLEX) is nearing its completion. It just opened its latest exit at Paniqui, Tarlac in December 2013. This opened the influx of a million tourists who came up to Baguio to experience the cold Christmas weather. ‘This was contributed in part by the TPLEX opening,” Baguio city mayor Mauricio Domogan said, about the increased number of tourists who came to Baguio during the Christmas break. According to the Department of Tourism (DOT) CAR regional director Pura Molintas, families and their friends wanted to experience the new TPLEX highway and their preference for cheaper land travel instead of air travel propelled the interest of most tourists to visit Baguio during

the cold months. These tourists, she said stay in Baguio for an average of two nights. But she suggests the private sector must come up with interesting activities so that these tourists will linger in the city. Currently, the DOT and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have a convergence project in the city to create walking tours in heritage sites and build biking lanes. The project is expected to be done by 2015. With the rising numbers of tourists coming to Baguio, mayor Domogan said more hotels and condotels will be built in the city to accommodate the increasing numbers of tourists coming to Baguio. According to the city tourism office, Baguio hotels have pegged an occupancy rate of 90 percent with the booming tourism allure of the city. This excludes how-

ever the occupancy rate of transient homes in the city. According to Goshen Land CEO Alexander Bangsoy, many budget tourists who come up to Baguio with their families prefer staying in transient homes because its cheaper. At North Cambridge, a masterplanned student condominium community of Goshen Land at Bakakeng barangay, budget tourists could already avail of their transient offerings. Budget tourists could also save more at North Cambridge because they could cook their own food inside the unit. Breakfast is also available upon request through Martha., the Goshen Land Property Management company. Tourist influx in the city has benefited local businesses and entrepreneurs. “It’s an opportunity for them to increase their sales,” the mayor said. Fast moving products include vegetables, pasalubongs, strawberries, crafts and the iconic Baguio [continued to page 37]

This is how Session Road, Baguio’s main street looked like during the Panagbenga Festival 2014 in Baguio. Local tourism was boosted by the TPLEX.***JD [ JOSEPH

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What it takes to send money back home

With a drizzly cold six degrees outside, Rebecca,(not her real name) a Cordilleran OFW bid us goodbye after an acquaintance meeting over pannetone bread and coffee inside a hospitable OFW’s apartment in Milan in January this year. She put on her knitted hat and scarf to keep her warm as she stepped out into the cold and travel by train to her workplace—an Italian’s house. “Ay apu madikon nga agkuskus kuma,” Rebecca confessed. She is one among many Filipino domestic helpers in Italy who describe themselves as having jobs “bowing down”. Former engineers, accountants, professionals back home in the Philippines are now cleaning toilet bowls of Europeans daily, bowing down their heads to scrub the dirt of foreigners in exchange for precious Euros and Pounds to be sent home. “Marami dito former engineers at accountants, nagkukuskus na lang ng toilet bowl, kaya parang nawawala na ang kanilang self-confidence,” Marie,(not her real name) a beautiful and young Cordilleran working on different part time domestic jobs in Milan said. The irony, she added, is that these professionals encourage their kids to follow them after they finish their degrees and licensure examinations in the Philippines so they could earn Euros like their parents by doing the same job of cleaning toilet bowls. Her friend Janice (not her real name) said there are a lot of older OFW domestic helpers in Italy or domesticas as they are locally called in Milan whose hands seem to be disfigured by the household cleaning chemicals they have been using for years.Their hands almost resemble the ones working in salt mines, or worse—sore, cracked, chapped, rough. The sad thing is these older OFWs confessed they don’t want to go home because they have no earnings nor better houses to go home to. This is the reason why Goshen Land CEO-President Atty. Alexander Bangsoy was invited by Europe based OFWs in December 2013 through January this year to teach and encourage OFWs through his series of free entrepreneurship seminars. The free seminars were conducted in Walthamstow London, Wimbledon UK, Rome, Milan and Como Italy and in Paris, France. The seminar taught them not just about financial literacy but the “heart and hand “ of entrepreneurship as a mindset and applied principle fit for their concerns. Conchita Pooten, a nurse and longtime London resident from Baguio and owner of several businesses based in Walthamstow, London, Baguio,

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Benguet and Mt. Province said the seminar should be attended by more OFWs. “I even like my children to listen to it,” she added. Her children, Wendy and Ingrid are now barristers in the UK. “Life is hard here, contrary to the popular perception back home that it’s a much better state to be in, it’s not,” Lisa, a college graduate from Baguio who now takes care of senior citizens said. As caregivers, they don’t just give the medicines of their wards but clean them up as well.

“Ay apu madikon nga agkuskus kuma,” Donna, (not her real name), an OFW we met in London who came to attend Goshen Land’s free entrepreneurship seminar at Walthamstow, London where a lot of Cordillerans reside and work said she wished it’s just easy to bring her family to London so they could see how hard her work is -- cleaning and scrubbing. Other OFWs in the UK also shared they feel like they are treated as though they are automatic teller machines (ATM) by families back home. “Haan da lang ammo nu kasanu karigat ti biag ditoy,” Donna added. Longtime residents at Walthamstow say a lot of OFWs from the Cordilleras who went to the UK recently have to make do with cramped living spaces like having three small rooms that accomodate 11 persons and only one toilet and bath. They also have to contend with the effects of recession in Europe which makes jobs harder to find. It is common then to find an OFW in UK, France and Italy now who has no stable job. Plus, in the European Union itself, there are a lot of jobless Europeans from the Eastern bloc who are looking for jobs in more stable countries in the EU. For jobless OFWs, some have been sent home but others are still grinding it out, even if their salaries are just enough to cover for their rent, hoping they could still send money back home. ***Annabelle Bangsoy, JD

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How come nothing comes back?

Cordilleras’ Natural Resources: User-Friendly Joseph Digest Contributor

THIS by-word of this age of information technology haunts me. Somehow, it helps me understand why this Third World country can’t clearly define and give substance to “sustainable development,” another by-word planners continue to mouth and abuse since it emerged out of the Rio Summit in 1992. We are user-friendly in harnessing our nation’s natural resources. To boost food production, we plan irrigation dams that collect river water and channel it to farmlands. The program of work details the infrastructure to serve the farmer as the end-user: inlet, dam, outlet. Until recently, nowhere in the program of work is a provision for the conservation, rehabilitation and maintenance of the watershed or water source. Sooner or later, the water resource dries up, and the concrete

irrigation structure ends up as a monument to myopia and “unsustainable development.” I wonder if the National Irrigation Administration counted how many irrigation projects now lie in waste as a result of “utak semento.” On a bigger scale, I was at a loss on why the National Water Resources Board, the body that governs the use of water, was, for years, placed under the Department of Public Work and Highways, an infrastructure-oriented agency that then Senator Aquilino Pimentel wanted down-graded, saying its main function is to bid out and award projects to private contractors. It took sometime before government leaders realized the board should be headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Career DENR executives also rue the user-friendly tendency of lawmakers during budgetary hearings and allocations. Congress, they said, tends to give the bigger slice of the pie to agriculture and less for environment and water conservation that sustain

JOVERLYN ESPEJO

by RAMON DACAWI

JOVERLYN ESPEJO

How much of the Cordillera’s mine treasures come back to the source?***JD

It’s a user-friendly set-up. Energy produced by the dam is for Pangasinan and other lowland provinces and regions. As per plan, water harnessed from the dam would irrigate some 85,000 hectares of lowland farmland. Photo from www.baguiokaritoon.com/beneco-lineman/RedjieMelvicCawis

food production. It’s because farmers can and trees cannot, a DENR workers told me. Sadder – and funnier – is a seemingly innocuous provision in the implementing rules covering the controversial Electric Power Industry Reform Act that Congress passed in 2001. Despite consultations conducted by the Department of Energy on the implementing rules of the EPIRA, the “user-friendly” arrangement remains

“Nowhere in the program of work is a provision for the conservation, rehabilitation and maintenance of the watershed or water source.” at the expense of the resource base like the Cordillera. As per the implementing rules, one centavo is set aside for every kilowatt-hour sold from the production of our hydroelectric dams. The fund, which runs to millions of pesos each year, is meant for the resettlement of people displaced by the construction of the dam, lowering electricity rates, providing livelihood project and watershed rehabilitation and reforestation projects within the host communities. The catch lies in the definition of a “host community” or local government unit entitled to a share of the fund. As defined in the IRR, the hosts LGUs are limited to those where the dam infrastructure is located. In the case of the 345-megawatt San Roque Multi-purpose Dam therefore, the host barangays are where the dam was built. San Manuel and San Nicolas towns of Pangasinan are the host towns. Pangasinan is the host province and Region 1 is the host region entitled to a share from the one-centavo-per kilowatt-hour fund.

The country’s electricity rate is one among the highest in Asia.***JD

But the water that runs the turbines of San Roque could come and will always come from Benguet, up here in the Cordillera. The headwaters and watersheds of the Agno River, which flows into the dam, are in the Cordillera. The water starts as a trickle from Mt. Data in Mt. Province and swells as it flows down to Buguias, Kabayan, Bokod and Itogon towns straddled by the Upper Agno River. Some parts of Atok and Tublay towns in Benguet, together with Lucnab, Kias and other barangays of Baguio also contribute to the formation of the River Agno. These upland towns and provinces, which form the life-blood of the San Roque, are not entitled to a share from the fund.***JD [ JOSEPH

DIGEST | APRIL 2014 ]

Changing the probinsiyano lifestyle Editor’s Note We are reprinting here a story published by the Manila Times with permission from its writer Dexter See.

BESAO, Mountain Province—An Igorot lawyer, who sold houses on the side as source of additional income, made exceptional growth in his real estate career he decided to pursue a dream that has change the probinsyano lifestyle in the northern Philippines. Alexander Bangsoy, a former sidewalk vendor who earned his college diploma through sheer hard work, shifted gears and now spend more time finding ways to make it possible for the working class to live in condominiums, subdivisions and condo-visions, a combination of condominium and subdivision. “The sideline became bigger and it took sometime for me to decide whether or not to give up lawyering,” Bangsoy said. From an ordinary real estate salesmen, Bangsoy has become one of the biggest property developers in the Cordillera Region. He has built five condominiums and has started building six more condominiums and subdivisions. His company, Goshen Land Capital, has expanded to other provinces in the region such as Tuguegarao, Cagayan;San Fabian, Pangasinan, where it is building a beach condominium, and a housing project near the Clark Field Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

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Probinsiyanong developer. Alexander Bangsoy during his weekly Vision, Mission, Values (VMV) with Goshen Land partners.***JD

To provide affordable but top quality homes to average Filipinos, Bangsoy said he eased up the down payments, allowing buyers to pay it by installment for up to a year, while other companies can offer only up to six months. He said some people get into hard times or even lose their jobs so his company policy on default is “no outright forfeiture until we have talk-

ed to the buyer and learn the true nature of the problem.” “We offer a total package of service. It means we will help our buyers in any way we can, including helping with requirements of housing agencies such as Pag-ibig, if he cannot do it himself,” Bangsoy said.

Bangsoy said buyers, who

The smiling Bangsoy family: (from left to right) Jon, Debbie (held by mom, Annabelle) Sammie, Karin, Dad Alex and I.J. .***JD

will not occupy their units and planned to rent it out, will find his company willing to help manage the rental, which range from P15,000 to P30,000 a month. “The probinsiyano deserves better in terms of affordable housing and self-sustaining investments, especially our hardworking overseas workers, who must have something for the future of their children,” Bangsoy said. Igorots are not surprised at Bangsoy’s eagerness to help people who aspire to have their own homes because he came from a dirt poor family that migrated to Quezon City, where they were thrown out of their rented house in a squatters colony. His parents were househelpers and his father tried to support his

studies at the Ateneo College of Law by working as janitor at Trinity College before going abroad to work as a cook in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. He practiced law in Baguio City and got his break in real estate “junkyard deals” in which he offered to sell foreclosed properties or convert it into subdivisions to get higher returns. His advice to people aspiring to succeed: “Regardless of the circumstances you are in --- mahirap ka, probinsiyano ka, matanda ka, iniwan ka ng asawa, through vision hard work, perseverance, and, by the grace of God, kaya umasenso.” Bangsoy said he wants to bring to the provinces housing amenities such as student condominiums

Impressive projects. Goshen Land Capital’s The Courtyards at Leonila Hill and Aurora Hill in Baguio City (left photo) and the Harvard and Princeton buildings in barangay Bakakeng. ***JD

and condo-visions with lots of open space as recreation areas, including swimming pools, mini-park and jogging paths. “Its 30 percent for building and 70 percent open space. Our intention is to enhance overall protection and preservation of the environment in the area,” Bangsoy said. He said his latest project is putting up condominium-type buildings in the business district of Baguio to give ordinary businessmen an opportunity to own the place where they do business. “We are excited about the commercial spaces, which will be owned by our professionals and businessmen in the future. We are doing our best to complete the project in due time,” he said.

“The probinsiyano deserves better in terms of affordable housing and self-sustaining investments, especially our hardworking overseas workers, who must have something for the future of their children,” To hone his business skills Bangsoy finished a Masters of Entrepreneurship at the Asian Institute of Management, Sales Management at Kellog University in the US, and Harvard Business School under its Owners, Presidents, Managers Program. Bangsoy offers free entrepreneurial training to interested businessmen in Baguio in a bid “to increase economic activities in the countryside. “I believe that one of the sectors that could uplift the country from poverty is the small and medium enterprises,” he said.***Dexter See/ Manila Times [ JOSEPH

DIGEST | APRIL 2014 ]

The Panagbenga Flower Festival from Joseph Digestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes [continued from page 7]

Parents are the unpaid laborers in the parade. Here, they push the table lyre of their kids throughout the parade.

Resourceful parents of this girl used PVC pipes for her parade head dress.

A garbage truck and spectators follow the parade down Session Road.

At the Athletic Bowl, street dancing takes centerstage.

This girl seems to reprimand her troupe for a wrong step count.

Tourists outdo each other taking flower blooms off a float that broke down during the Panagbenga Float Parade.

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Panagbenga...

[continued from page 22]

At 6 am, February 23, a judge checks the craftmanship of a float before the parade.

This Despicable Me 2 minion-themed float by the City Government of Baguio boasts of an intricate and meticulous craftmanship using mums and everlasting flowers.

Cowboys guard the floats at 7 am before the parade down Session Road.

Looking like the ruins of Athens, these float columns were grandly bedecked with Baguio everlasting flowers. The float parade stopped at Athletic Bowl.

[ JOSEPH DIGEST | APRIL 2014 ]

The buck stops with her It was Mary, not Martha who seems to have the limelight everytime their stories are told. Mary chose to sit on Jesus’ feet when he came for a visit in their house. But Martha busied herself in the house, taking care of the needs of her visitor and her family, making sure her visitor’s stay is as pleasant and comfortable as ever. This story from the Bible inspired Martha. Yes it’s Martha with a period, as the name for Goshen Land’s Property Management Company. Martha. indeed is the one who runs the house so that the owners of Goshen Land ‘s investment properties enrolled under her will be spared of the burden and headache of managing their units and properties. “May nag-aasikaso kahit wala ka,” Jael Cuaresma, Martha. head said. The period after Martha. is deliberate. It means that once a client entrusts his unit to them, they are responsible for it and no excuses will be considered for sloppy work. Hence the period. With Martha., the buck stops with her. She is responsible for her actions

and the properties entrusted to her. If something went awry under their noses, they take responsibility for it. “Walang sisihan at walang ibang aako ng responsibilidad kundi kami,” Cuaresma added. As it is birthed from the vision, mission and values of Goshen Land, Martha.’s partners (Goshen Land calls its personnel partners because they are co owners of the company) work on values of maasahan, malasakit, masinop, mapagkakatiwalaan and masayahin. In English, these values mean dependable, concerned, clean and orderly, trustworthy and joyful. Martha. assists unit or property owners and investors to look for tenants and get a good return on their investments. They also give a personalized , free property leasing advisory to clients about market driven lease terms and rates. At North Cambridge, Martha. acts not just a property management firm but they go beyond their duties and responsibilities by acting as [continued to page 32]

Martha. ‘s wards. These are some of the college students staying at North Cambridge Condominiums whom Martha. takes care of.***JD

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When Coaching is a Blessing:

T h e C G F C Wa y He was a regular fix-

provided him a home.

When Coaching Goes Bad

We have seen football coach-

es locally in Baguio and La Trinidad

ture in the streets of Baguio

He was restored to

and even in Manila who treat their

city’s central business district.

his closest kin since his mother

wards like pieces of scum to be cursed

Nobody knew this street kid’s

abandoned him when he was a

at without remorse. Personal experi-

name because he didn’t talk.

baby and his father died be-

ences of former football players tell

Nobody also seemed to care.

fore he turned eight. Through

of coaches beating their kid players

When he was eight years old, he wandered off to the Melvin Jones foot-

a joint effort with the CGFC coaches and Goshen Land Caring Hands,

like they are little Pacquiaos only that

ball field where football players in Baguio

Rodrigo did not only receive football

ball players can’t parry the blows.

trained. He was dirty, thin, dark and never

training but education, constant counsel-

uttered a word.

ing, mentoring, monitoring and character

development. Character development is

ball coaching happened in February

and Gatan Dalang, now of the Cordillera

paramount in coaching the CGFC way.

this year during the Cordillera Admin-

Goshen Land Football Club (CGFC) in

Often times, CGFC coaches

istrative Region Athletic Association

Baguio called him to join the kids they

would remove a very good, talented play-

(CARAA) meet at La Trinidad, Ben-

were training in football.They taught and

er from the roster even if the tournament

guet. In full view of spectators during

trained the mute street kid how to play

is close at hand because of irresponsibil-

the game. Many times, they also have to

ity in his academics, undiscipline , disre-

feed him before he leaves the field and

spect and an inflated ego. “Through foot-

finds a nook on the street to sleep on. Oth-

ball, we teach the players the importance

er times, he would work till midnight as a

of humility, discipline, hardwork and sac-

pin boy in one of the city’s bowling lanes.

rifice, “ CGFC Coach Aris Bocalan said.

Afterwards, he would sleep underneath

“Technical aspects are important but one

the bowling lanes.

must learn the values of the game,” add-

The kid, who became known as

ed CGFC coach Gatan Dalang, the coach

Rodrigo Gango or Pepe by kids at the

known for developing children who are

Melvin Jones football field now plays for

non-players become good players. These

the club and was enrolled by homegrown

kids then learn to embrace the game with

developer Goshen Land at SPED Baguio

passion and mindful of its values.

as one of its scholars . Goshen Land also

Football coaches Aris Bocalan

Baguio has greatly benefitted [continued to page 37]

these elementary and highschool foot-

And the worst kind of foot-

the highschool football championship game between Baguio and Benguet, coach Henry Pawid of the Benguet Highschool football team kicked Marvin Ace Viray, the Baguio team captain after he fell down for running after the ball that rolled infront of Pawid’s bench. Reports from La Trinidad say the officials of the 2014 CARAA host Benguet were embarrassed by coach Pawid’s infantile action. The incident angered both Baguio and Benguet spectators and parents. According to City Councilor Peter Fianza, who witnessed the incident, he “made representations with the office of Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan on the matter.” In a text message to Joseph Digest, he added that he is awaiting report on the investigation the Governor’s office is under taking.

As of

press time howev-

er no action yet was reported to repri mand Pawid by the DepEd.

Baguio

CARAA of The Cordillera Goshen Land Football Club (CGFC) trained Baguio City’s three football teams that swept the football championships during the CARAA 2014.***JD

2014

girls’ futsal,

won

all

three

championships elementary

foot-

ball and highschool football.***JD

Yesterday’s Dream The winning essay of the Bayan at Batas National Essay Cup 2013 (1st place)

Seedling Karin Shana C. Bangsoy Editor’s note: The writer just graduated from grade 10 as a valedictorian. She is an incoming freshman at Ateneo de Manila as a BA-MA Poli Sci-Econ student. She said she rushed writing this piece the night before the deadline just to gain extra points in her literature subject. The theme of the essay content is what she wants her readers to know and read 100 years from now.

I’ve always been in an elevated position, on this honorary flagpole high above the country that I represent. I’ve always been honoured and respected wherever I go, but this credit is not mine. The respect that is given to me and to the country I represent is largely because of the people. It has been this way since time immemorial, and it will continue to be this way a hundred – or even a thousand – years from now. From the beginning, when my country was just beginning to rise up from the bowels of ignorance, when the flame of revolution and the spark of nationalism were still being lit, I was there. I witnessed the struggle my people proudly bore as they waved me up high, high above anyconquistadores or any army. High above the greedy reach of foreign powers, there I stood. High above the reach of anything that will seek to soil this land, there I still stand. Over the years, I have draped

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the bodies of heroes and martyrs. I have witnessed my country fall and rise again: over and over and over and over and over again. I have witnessed love and loss, victories and defeats. I have witnessed integrity and dishonesty, respect and dishonour. I have witnessed so much over these past hundred years: the vibrant blooming change, the slow but sure deterioration, but more than anything, I have witnessed the steady solid foundation of Filipino values rebuild itself from day to day. Let me help you remember. I was there, flying proudly, yet flying sorrowfully; when typhoon Yolanda swept into my country and devastated everything in its path. It left behind in its wake broken bodies, broken families, broken lives. But still I had the burden to fly high, although tattered and torn. I looked on proudly, albeit sorrowfully, as my people painstakingly gathered together the thousand pieces of their lives and put them back together like an enormous patchwork; if only to keep life going and say it was worth living. I saw first-hand the resilience and stubborn determination of the Filipino people in the face of adversity; and in that moment, flying high for them was no longer a burden, but a source of pride. In that moment, I represented the hope of Inang Bayan’s children: that amidst the wreckage and debris that used to be their lives, everything would be okay someday, somehow. I was there, flying proudly, flying indignantly; when pork barrel queen Janet Napoles was brought before the Senate, the people, the nation to face penance for her crimes. I waved with all my might, straining to proclaim the triumph and victory of honesty and in-

tegrity in the political system. I echoed the cries of the people who took to the streets to proclaim the death of corruption. I cheered on the struggle of the people against the chains of dishonesty that had for so long shackled the nation. I reveled in victory with the people when those chains were finally broken, and integrity once again shone its light into the dark crevices of the political system. It was a freedom unlike the raw patriotism of the olden times, but freedom of truth is freedom nonetheless. I was there, flying proudly, yet flying sadly; when Filipino workers from overseas returned to the country in shame. I had nothing with which to comfort them; only the semblance of a home and the representation of country they had worked and bled for on foreign soil. I could only reassure them by still flying high, showing them that with their efforts, they had built a nation. Through their sacrifices, they had provided for their families. Although circumstances were different, the fighting spirit and the Filipino blood that flowed in the veins of martyrs have manifested in these workers today. And so when they stepped onto Filipino soil, I waved proudly – to give them the honour that they deserved. I have flown high in schools, in institutions, in foreign countries, in international buildings, in courtyards, in airports. I have represented my country in international games, conventions, and the like. These things of the past: Yolanda, the pork barrel scam – what do they matter today, a hundred years from then? I will tell you. I am still flying high, and it is largely because of my people’s values, my people’s morals,

PHOTO FROM http://www.slideshare.net/NiachleoDianneSaplad/filipino-revolts

“I have witnessed the ebb and flow of Philippine history, and now – a hundred years on – I am still flying high.”(from the essay).***JD

that have kept this country soldiering on. I have witnessed the ebb and flow of Philippine history, and now – a hundred years on – I am still flying high. The year is 2114, and as I look at this country I represent, I do not know whether to weep or laugh. We have gone through so much, and we are still here today. But in the process of moving on and standing strong, so much – so much – has been lost. I fly high on this flagpole as a representation of a country entirely different from what it was a hundred years ago. Change was inevitable – for survival, and for development. But as I look at this country today, I know that I have a thousand reasons to be thankful that I am still flying high. I rejoice, for at last honesty has found its pedestal in the political system, and integrity is now as common as corruption was in days long past. I mourn, for the face of the country is not as it once was, once formed by nature yet now sculpted by the inevitable hand of development and progress. I rejoice, for at long last the youth of the nation have found their voice – not in irresponsibility, but in the maturity and enthusiasm for good that permeates today’s youthful society. I mourn, for stories long forgotten and tales that are now not told. I rejoice, for the leadership that presides over this country is righteous and just, and its people are no different. I mourn for certain elements of culture that have taken their obligatory place in the nation’s museums, no longer as vibrant as they were a hundred years ago.

But still I rejoice, for the people still remember! They remember where they came from, where their roots took hold and from whence their forests sprouted. Culture is alive, and although society has taken on a global feel, the essence of the Filipino still penetrates every aspect of the nation. It is my hope that as the future progresses, the past will not be forgotten. May the Filipino values that lived in your lolos and lolas still be alive in you today. May you remember the hardships that your ancestors went through, so that you may not take for granted the victories you now achieve. May you not be swept away by the tide of damaging mentalities, but may you build each other up as a people and as a nation. May you commit yourselves to building this nation, that the tomorrow of your children and your children’s children will be better than your own. May you not think that age is a barrier or a hindrance to making a difference, when you can use it to your advantage. Wherever you go in this world, may you never forget that you are a Filipino in blood, in mind, and in heart. May you continue to raise me high as your banner, but more than that – by actions, by faith, by words, and by heart – may you ensure that I am a banner worth raising. Not for my glory, but for your own. Not just for the sake of the past, not for the current satisfaction of the present; but for the hope of tomorrow, and the fulfilment of yesterday’s dream.***Karin Bangsoy [ JOSEPH

DIGEST | APRIL 2014 ]

<<INVESTMENT

Good for budget income

If you think you must have millions of pesos first before you could enjoy your first home, maybe you don’t know Central Apartments, a masterplanned community for the ones with budgeted income by Goshen Land. Located at Trancoville barangay where all it takes is one short jeepney ride towards the city center, Central Apartments is convenient and favorable for those with budgeted income.

CENTRAL APARTMENTS SCALE MODEL

An Ideal Investment Property for Starters

Central Apartments is convenient and favorable for those with budget income. ***JD

When you live near the city center, it saves on time, gasoline and money. Plus, at Central Apartments homeowners will see a fast appreciation of their unit’s value because of its location and the faster connectivity of Baguio to Manila and Southern Luzon For a one bedroom unit at through the TPLEX and through Central Apartments which is idethe connector road between NLEX al for those looking for a starter and SLEX. place they could call their own, one could have it by setting aside “Central Apartments less than Php 500 daily, or Php is a gold mine 491.03 only for 23 months as daily down payment for the unit. because it is located in the city’s most It’s just a matter of putting off unnecessary items in the budget for preferred rental the meantime. Through this budresidential area.” geted payment, you will at least have a place of your own rather For the budget investor than watch your money go to your looking for a starter investment monthly rent, especially if you are that he could earn money from, starting out as a family. Central Apartments is a gold mine because it is located in the city’s A two bedroom apartment, most preferred rental residential whose down payment period is area since it is close to hospitals, longer at 35 months, has a budschools, market, malls and all the geted daily down payment at Php 475.21. 28

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conveniences Baguio residents need. These budget investors can even enroll their units with Martha., the Property Management company of Goshen Land especially if they are not around or if they are tied down with their work abroad. Martha will take care of their units when enrolled with them and manage their units if they like it to be rented out. Martha. strives to capitalize on trust and malasakit as some of their core values and they have been entrusted with investment property owners at North Cambridge and The Courtyards in both Goshen Land master planned communities in Baguio. They have dealt with transients and renters of these Goshen Land investment property owners which gave them the skills and competence to provide the best customer service in property management in the city.***Annabelle Bangsoy,JD

When Dad or Mom works Overseas

<<FAMILY

What does an OFW kid feel? Most overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) only have one thing in mind when deciding to work abroad. That is to support the financial needs of their family and to provide a better future for their children. Being away from their family is not easy to deal with. It means sacrifice and home sickness. Mr. Jose Dalisay decided to work in Saudi Arabia for 6 years as an Electrical Engineer. For those long years of working abroad, he controlled his emotion of sadness by making his family an inspiration to make him strong. One of his children, Jemsley, a 4th year high school graduating student at Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) said that his father only comes home annually to visit and spend a one month vacation with them. It is the only time that they can create happy memories with their father. Jemsley is working hard to make good grades for his father’s motivation abroad. He also trains hard as a football player of his school and of the Cordillera Goshen Land Football Club (CGFC). He makes sure he goes to school Mondays to Fridays. After class, he trains for football. Every Saturday, he helps in the CGFC grassroots football program. He teaches and coaches pre-school and elementary kids being developed by CGFC as football players for the City. “Masaya at maipagmamalaki ko ang aking ama sa kalagayan namin kasi naiaahon niya ang aming pang araw-araw na pangangailangan.” Jemsley said. Makakatapos din kami ng pagaaral dahil sa kaniyang pagtitiyaga, he added. ***Pheobe Grace Sumilep &

Jemsley Dalisay, an OFW kid lives with the absence of his dad by studying hard and training for football.***JD

The scores of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who leave Philippines shores daily are familiar with this moment of goodbye. Joseph Digest and Goshen Land Capital dream of that day when Filipinos do not have to leave their families to work abroad through sound investment knowledge and capabilities.***JD

Nestor Udan Jr., JD

[ JOSEPH

DIGEST | APRIL 2014 ]

<<PARENTING

Learning from Parenting Alex and Annabelle Bangsoy

Perhaps a child’s greatest fear is abandonment. It’s like an abyss with no end while the child cries endlessly-- calling out, calling out for dad and mom, searching for dad and mom till he drifts off to sleep, as the last tear dries up on his cheeks. This scenario is repeated over and over in an abandoned child’s life, till the screams get muffled as he grows up because he tries to hide it within. But nonetheless it’s like wearing headphones with noise canceling features—you hear nothing outside but it’s all rocking loud inside. Jeff (not his real name), 16 years old was a street kid when we met him. He is one of the street kids we counseled through our Goshen Land Caring Hands program. Jeff stopped school and without rhyme nor reason he just run away from home and joined a group of kids living on Baguio’s streets, surviving on garbage and sometimes stealing. He sleeps with his group of street kids on the cold pavement or inside the cleaned foyer of a public pay comfort room. He once told us he doesn’t like to go home, as he seem to enjoy the constant presence of his street kid peers. He dreams to become a pilot someday so we encouraged him to go back home and study again. He listened and when he came back as a Goshen

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“Mom, Dad where are you?” Land scholar, he told us a salient part of his story that he never told anyone: his mother left him when he was a little boy,in the guise of doing an errand. “Hindi na siya bumalik,” said Jeff, trying to hide the longing of a son of what might have been, had the mom chose to nurture him, instead of growing up with the influences on the streets. Carlos (not his real name), 16 years old, is now a fourth year highschool student at Baguio City National High School (BCNHS). He is now one of Cordillera Goshen Land Football Club’s (CGFC) most improved players in terms of character, academics and team leadership. But it was a long, ardous journey akin to tug of war. His motivation to study seems to always wane, his anger even against

small matters flares up no matter who is watching him, he is never focused and never wanted to move forward with his grades. He doesn’t really care if he passes or not. During a crisis he went through last year, we encouraged him in a counseling session not to give up and instead work with us to find solutions to it. Known to have a volcanic temper even against his teammates, Carlos, for the first time starts to cry, saying his mother abandoned him when he was three while he never knew his dad. “Umalis si mama na walang paalam,” said Carlos, his tough exterior giving way to his tears from years of hurt and rejection. Many times, we have no answers to all the questions of why there’s just so much pain in the hearts [continued to page 37]

Waiting for dad and mom to come home.***JD

Storm Surge...

Martha. the buck stops...

[continued from page 36]

[continued from page 24]

second parents and guardians of students living there. Parents are updated daily about whether or not their kids came home and at what time. “We always practice the art of putting ourselves in our clients’ shoes, Nanette Eserio, Martha Leasing Supervisor said. “Because of it, we understand where our clients are com-

“Enrolling my unit in Martha. means less stress for me.” ing from,” she explained. She said Martha. partners are trained to match tenants with the right property to be

investment properties said they had to contend with tenants who stay in their homes and leave clandestinely without paying the rent. A mother from Baguio who works in Brussels, Belgium shared that her boarders stayed for a year in her house at Quezon Hill but they don’t pay because no one was there to knock on their door and ask for their payment.

“Enrolling my unit in Martha. means less stress for me,” a

unit owner at North Cambridge said. Instead of personally doing the nitty gritty of leasing her unit to tenants, Martha. eases her of those burdens. “She can even sleep soundly at night because she knows that her property is in good hands,” Eserio added.

ties”, he explained. While climate change spares no one, the city of Baguio is working to mitigate the effects of climate change by regreening, cleaning of creeks and rivers, adopting the solid waste management system and the enforcing of the Clean Air Act. Danny Galati, a weather forecaster at the Phil-

“We have to do our part to mitigate climate change.” ippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Baguio may experience intense rainfall, rain induced landslides in risky areas. Like anywhere else in the world, climate change he says, poses risk to life and property.

College students staying at North Cambridge ham it up with Martha. during a party.***JD

leased. This makes both tenant and lessor satisfied with the set up and prevents taking in tenants who will not pay. Sad stories of absentee property owners outside of Goshen Land

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Martha. serves all interested Goshen and investment property owners who enroll their properties under them.*** Caress Dulatre, NE/JD

“We have to do our part to mitigate climate change. It is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed now,” Domogan said.***Kristine Mae Gacer with reports from Annabelle C. Bangsoy, JD

How to get fit...

[continued from page 8]

ally tested my mental toughness was during The North Face 100.” During the run he felt a weird pinching pain in the left knee in the 10th kilometer that got worse. He says it was satisfying to finish 22k within the cut-off time despite a busted knee. “That experience proved that running is 20% physical, 80% mental toughness.” Gumaya said. Aside from conditioning the body physically, running also improves mental health. A lot of runners feel better and happier after they run. At some point, running changes one’s values in life. “Running changed my

perspective on how to live life.” the running architect said. As of this time, Architect Gu-

“That experience proved that running is 20% physical, 80% mental toughness.” maya still enjoys running and made it as one of his hobbies. He said that running improved his stamina and immune system. “It has been a part of my schedule to run. I find time to run no matter how tight my schedules may be.” he added.

Architect Ryan after a mountain run.***JD

Having experienced the benefits and pleasures of running, Architect Gumaya also encourages other Goshenland partners who are starting to get hooked to running to prepare for it. “Get a good pair of running shoes and go out there. The streets and trails are open 24-7.” ***Joverlyn Espejo, JD [ JOSEPH

DIGEST | APRIL 2014 ]

A Healing Spring In Asin

The sulphuric water in the pool comes straight from a volcanic rock across the river.***JD

The Cordillera is blessed with sulphur springs.

The famous ones are in Mainit, Bontoc, Mt.Province and Daclan, Bokod, Benguet. But closer to Baguio, which is 25 minutes away from the city center is a harnessed sulphur spring that supplies two swimming pools where families and friends could go for a healing dip.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Old folks believe that sulphur springs could heal their arthritis and other inflammations in their ligaments.â&#x20AC;? Owned by locals Richard and Conchita Pooten, their sulphur spring resort is beside the Asin river where many Baguio locals built fun memories when they were kids. According to the staff managing the resort, the sulphur in their pools are what their customers keep on coming back for. Functions are also held in the resort and it is sometimes full packed with customers. Cordillerans

joseph.goshenlandcapital.com

believe that sulphuric springs have healing properties . Many a Baguio folk remember being brought by their parents and grandparents when they were young to Asin to wash and heal their skin irritations. Old folks also believe that sulphur springs could heal their arthritis and other inflammations in their ligaments. The Pootens, London-based since the 70s have designed the resort with a Tudor-inspired inn beside the main sulphur spring pool. A covered sulphuric Jacuzzi lies beside the main pool where families can spend time comfortably while enjoying the sulphuric water. The resort is also sought by lowlanders as a venue for weddings and other affairs. When Joseph Digest visited, the staff is busy preparing the resort for a garden-swimming pool wedding. *** Annabelle Bangsoy, JD

What are Goshen Land Entrepreneurial Investments? Goshen Land entrepreneurial investments are investment properties in strategic locations. These are what investment experts call asset-type investments. These real estate properties are the most preferred bank collaterals because they are the most secure and stable forms of equity.

Will I get rich quick with Goshen Land investments? Goshen Land does not believe in get rich quick schemes ingrained in the Filipino consciousness as biglang yaman because it comes from a root of greed. This is a wrong attitude and mindset about money. Goshen Land believes in the biblical principle that says those who gather money little by little make it grow. There is no substitute for hardwork and contentment. [ JOSEPH DIGEST | APRIL 2014 ]

h a i y a n

Storm surge and housing migration

GUILLERMO OCAMPO

Mourners bring the remains of their loved one to the burial site at Tacloban.***JD

The storm surge in Tacloban at the height of typhoon Haiyan came like a thief in the night. It left a swath of devastation in the Visayan landscape that still struggles to heal. Many flimsy built homes were swept by the wind, by the rain, by the storm surge, which when called a tsunami in the warnings, maybemore lives would have been spared. But it was storm surge so nobody thought of seeking higher ground or reinforcing their homes against the onslaught. Massive evacuation moved from the South to North after the storm surge and typhoon. But those who have no one to turn to in Northern Philippines stayed behind.

GUILLERMO OCAMPO

A ferry was swept inland during the typhoon.***JD

Because of extreme climate change all over the world where we are hearing new weather language like storm surge and polar vortex, people are seeking safer and higher elevations to stay. In the Philippines, typhoons used to pound the Northern side of the country. But lately, a series of storms pummeled the South, particularly the Visayas where it normally doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get so much rain and typhoons. This reversal of climate opened opportunities for housing in the North. In Baguio and the Cordilleras, people from the lowlands are slowly seeking housing here because of the higher elevation, since it makes for a safer choice rather than stay near the sea. During the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy in Manila, people living in vertical housing developments like condominums were spared from the flood that inundated most parts of Manila specially Marikina. Baguio city mayor Mauricio Domogan said masterplanned developments could help mitigate the effects of climate change. â&#x20AC;&#x153; These developments will help the city in reducing waste and pollution because they implement proper waste management in their communi[continued to page 32]

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Three hour Baguio-Manila...

When coaching...

[continued from page 15]

[continued from page 25] from these coaches who were former Ate-

added. Bocalan explained that CCGFC

neo football team players. During their

coaches closely monitor their players’ ac-

stint at the Ateneo, the school won the

ademic grades to let them know the im-

UAAP football championships in a row.

portance of education so they could use

Excellent players as they were, they have

their football skills to pursue a degree.

developed mostly underprivileged kids

from public schools in Baguio into cham-

in its commitment to help the kids over-

pion football teams.

come difficulties in their lives through its

walis tambo. The rise in tourist arrivals specially during the Panagbenga festivities however has strained the city’s water supply. Baguio residents also complain that when these tourists leave the city, they also leave their mounds of garbage behind. Thus, the city council is studying a sales tax ordinance that will charge customers a two- percent sales tax. Collections from this tax will be programmed for garbage clean-up and management.

Goshen Land had been relentless

The completion of the TPLEX by 2015 will surely drive the city’s property values. But with the partial opening of the highway, Baguio real estate prices have already registered a spike which is expected to go up immediately next year.***Harriet Dale Sagorsor, JD At CGFC, coaches start teaching basic character principles early on. Skills training come in second.***JD

The challenge however of devel-

grassroots football program that incorpo-

oping players who think they could be ir-

rates education through scholarships and

responsible in their studies and still enjoy

free tutorials for players, sports develop-

the beautiful game is ever present. “Foot-

ment through football and life coaching ,

ball is the school of life. It is a gift. In or-

mentoring for character development.

“Through coaching, we relate football challenges and problems with their own problems in life.” der to sustain it, a player must do his best

With CGFC at the forefront of

both in academics and football,” Coach

the grassroots football program in Baguio

Gatan Dalang said. Bocalan and Dalang

as a volunteer non-government organi-

have handled players from elementary to

zation helping kids choose better alterna-

college and they have experienced first

tives to the mediocre temptations of drug

hand how the time honored principles of

addiction, bum gangs, computer games

good coaching helped kids develop prin-

addiction and pre-marital sex, the CGFC

cipled character. “ Through coaching, we

coaches work with the life coaching pro-

relate football challenges and problems

gram of Goshen Land Caring Hands to

with their own problems in life” Bocalan

strengthen the players’ moral fiber. “Char-

said. “As a football coach, It’s very im-

acter, not talent will determine a kid’s

portant for me to monitor not only their

destiny,” Annabelle Bangsoy, Goshen

grades but also their family life,” Dalang

land Caring Hands chair said.*** JD

Mom, Dad where are you... [continued from page 30]

of children. Yes, it’s easy to say it’s caused by the sins of the parents but its hard and heart breaking even to listen to kids talk about their hurts. Many times, crying with them eases the pain. As parents ourselves, we are no experts on how to deal with the hurt of abandonment in a child’s heart. But we know and trust that the God who knitted these kids in their mother’s wombs will see them through. He will hold their hands when they are afraid and calm their fears. He is a father to the fatherless, nurturer and protector. He will heal and bind their wounds.***JD

[ JOSEPH

DIGEST | APRIL 2014 ]

I AM AN

OFW in Europe working as a household cleaner and sometimes I take in part time jobs that earn me at least 10 Euros an hour. Will I afford to pay the monthly installment of Goshen Land investment properties?

A nswer Yes you can. Ask for our 38 Goshen Land Investment Property Plan from our accessible, understanding and easy to talk to Prop-

erty Specialists Team. They will be on hand to walk you through some easy steps to access these plans. You can e-mail , chat online or call our resident Goshen Land Investment Property Plan Specialists:

GENALYN RAMOS 0908-862-4573

LISSA GAYUMBA 0915-428-9254 0974-305-5481

internationalsales@goshenlandcapital.com

UPWARD ARROWS FORUM PHOTO FROM http://firstpeoples.org/wp/filipina-activist-named-new-special-rapporteur-on-rights-of-indigenous-peoples/

United Nations picks Igorot as IP Rapporteur Long time Indigenous People’s advocate and Igorot Vicky Tauli-Corpuz was appointed as the United Nation’s (UN) Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights. Prior to this, she was the former chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Media reports quoted Human Rights Council (HRC) president Baudelaire Ndong Ella as saying the field of contenders for the position was extremely strong. But the Philippine representative in the person of Igorot Vicky Tauli-Corpuz who hails from Besao, Mt. Province was selected. “Vicky is a very experienced advocate at the United Nations level and establishes a welcome commitment to gender equity in this important post for indigenous peoples of the world,” Ella said during the announcement of Corpuz’s appointment. Joseph Digest will feature Corpuz in its next issue. ***JD

Volume 1 . Issue 3. April 2014 joseph.goshenlandcapital.com

ON THE COVER

Joseph Digest is a quarterly print and digital publication of Goshen Land Capital Inc. Montinola Subdivision Kisad Road Baguio City Philippines. Web: www.goshenlandcapital.com Telephone: 442-1234 Mobile: 0906-555-5590/ 0920- 278-9000

THIS MAGAZINE IS NOT FOR SALE

Our Goshen Land partners Angela Orit and Rafael Flores model our OFWs from Europe.

We encourage our readers to share us their thoughts at marketing@goshenlandcapital.com