La Vivienda Grilled Shawarma in Zamboanga City (Food Review)
Hunt for other jihadists continues
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Sulu Pictures In The News
CNN Philippines Debuts With Talk Of Revolt Against President Aquino
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THE WORLD WILL STOP!
Isang Estyudante Gumawa ng Experiment, Nagkunwaring Muslimah at Nagsuot ng Belo
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MILF communities,” raising fears that rebels and their supporters have encroached Zamboanga. Salazar said there are no MILF communities in Zamboanga and that local residents and village leaders are opposed to the inclusion of the city in the proposed Bangsamoro autonomous government. She said village officials learned of the Sajahatra program through residents themselves. “Barangay officials
have been tasked to strictly monitor their areas of responsibility for possible uncoordinated activities such as those implemented purportedly for communities that are not recognized by the local government,” Salazar said. “There may be individuals who are sympathetic to the MILF, but we would like to emphasize that there is no MILF community nor do we recognize one in the city,” she added. Continue to page 2
BOO!
Peace Adviser criticized for secretive MILF program President Aquino with Peace Adviser Teresita Deles
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he local government of Zamboanga has strongly criticized the secretive programs being implemented by Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles for Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and their supporters here. Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar said Deles, without informing the local government, has since 2013 implemented the so-called “Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program for Photos courtesy of Anakbayan National - Mindanao Examiner
Filipino students protest ‘cover up’ of Mamasapano clash
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housands of students walked out of classes last week to call for the resignation of President Benigno Aquino over the Mamasapano offensive a day after the Board of Inquiry released their report on the bloody operation. The students opposed the “yellow-washing” of the Mamasapano investigations and condemned the Aquino government’s efforts to “cover-up and hide the truth from the public.” Students from the University of the Philippines System, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, National Teachers College and many others also joined “Blackout Protests for Justice.” The students also
ARMM
condemned the “unlimited” tuition hikes under the Aquino government. They called for justice for Rosana Sanfuego and Kristel Tejada, students who took their lives after they were unable to pay for tuition and campus fees. “The BOI report further exposes Aquino as a liar and a traitor. That American soldiers were seen in the command posts confirms that they were running the show. Aquino betrayed the nation and sacrificed the lives of Filipinos in the altar of US terror war. Buking na buking na po kayo ng taumbayan, Mr. PNoychio,” said Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of Anakbayan. Crisostomo meanwhile said the BOI report may have already been doctored when it was not released immediately to “yellow-wash” President Aquino’s role. He also said the refusal to con-
tinue the hearings in the lower house, the termination of the Senate hearings and the suspension order on Makati Mayor Junjun Binay are part of efforts to “misdirect and deceive.” “Aquino is entangled in his own web of lies. His desperate efforts anger the Filipino people further. Today we walkout against BS; no more lies, no more injustice, no more impunity,” he said. Campus walkouts started at 10am and “blackout” marches in campuses were held in the afternoon. Candle light protests and assemblies were also conducted in the evening. In UP, campus administrators including UP Diliman Michael Tan and several college deans took part in the protests. Similar youth protests were also be held in Baguio, Pampanga, Laguna, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao. (Mindanao Examiner)
Southern Mindanao
Davao
Sulu praised for its strong support to police authorities
Sulu provincial government photos show Vice Governor Sakur Tan and mayors and members of the local board with the visiting police officials in Patikul town. (Ahl-franzie Salinas)
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op police officials praised the Sulu provincial government for its strong support to its law enforcement efforts and for sponsoring various trainings of policemen here. Director Edgardo Ingking, who heads the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations for Western Mindanao, along with
Chief Superintendent Pierre Bucsit, of the Sulu Anti-Kidnapping Task Force; and Senior Superintendent Agremiro Javier, the regional deputy chief for operations, met recently with Vice Governor Sakur Tan and provincial law makers and mayors and thank them for their support. They also discussed on how to further improve law
Western Mindanao
Cebu
enforcement operations among others. Vice Governor Tan – in behalf of Governor Totoh Tan – has pledged to support again the trainings of policemen in Sulu. The provincial government has previously sponsored the trainings in an effort to help the police in professionalizing its ranks. Continue to page 2
Manila
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The Mindanao Examiner
Mar. 23-29, 2015
BOO!
Peace Adviser criticized for secretive MILF program Continued fr om page 1 from Civil groups and politicians have previously demanded the resignation of Deles over the killings of 44 police commandos by MILF rebels and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on January 25 in Maguindanao’s Mamasapano town where members of the Special Action Force fatally shot Malaysian bomber Zulkifli bin Hir deep inside MILF territory during a secret antiterror operation. Some groups in Zamboanga wanted Deles be declared “persona non grata” for the secretive
Sajahatra program here. Salazar said Senen Bacani, a member of the government peace panel, admitted that Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program was started in 2013 in Zamboanga City without the knowledge of the local government. “Barangay officials have a very important role to play to ensure that all activities happening in their AOR are sanctioned by the local government. Please be vigilant and report to us any and all activities similar to this being implemented in your area. The city is not part of the
ARMM nor shall the city be part of the Bangsamoro,” Salazar said. “The non-coordination of such activity has caused alarm that led to anxieties and apprehensions on the part of the barangay officials and residents where the project is being implemented,” she added. The Sajahatra is a program that aims to uplift and develop the health, education and livelihood conditions of Bangsamoro communities, especially in the MILF areas in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Sulu provincial government photos show Vice Governor Sakur Tan and mayors and members of the local board with the visiting police officials in Patikul town. (Ahl-franzie Salinas)
Sulu praised for its strong support to police authorities Continued fr om page 1 from The provincial government also sponsored two previous trainings – Police Intelligence Officers Course Class 2014-75, for commissioned officers, and Police Intelligence Course Class 2014-119, for rank and file personnel – started in November 2014 and ended in February this year. “We want the training of our police to be all-year round, improve their knowledge of investigation, every aspect of law enforcement, even their posture, so they will have the respect of the citizens.” “The vision must be community-driven and po-
lice must be efficient to help us perform our duties in governance. We want our law enforcers here in Sulu to have proper support just like the military, in terms of equipment, firepower, and logistics,” Vice Governor Tan said. The provincial government also offered free legal services to law enforcers to protect them from civil and criminal charges that may arise while carrying out their legal duties. “We must pursue legal offensive, properly serve warrants of arrest, and increase police presence in the communities along with adequate firepower to improve
and sustain law enforcement operations. This would definitely increase effectiveness of our law enforcement goals,” Vice Governor Tan said. He also told the visiting police officials to intensify the operations against illegal drugs and criminality perpetrated by lawless elements. Inking said they will take actions on the recommendation of Vice Governor Tan. “We are taking notes of your recommendations and rest assured we will take action. Thank you very much on behalf of the police force for your valuable and unwavering support to us, law enforcers,” he said. (Franzie Alih)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Mar. 23-29, 2015
(Shawarma by La Vivienda and restaurant owner Rudy Bravo, photo below. Photos by Al Jacinto for Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper)
La Vivienda Grilled Shawarma in Zamboanga City (Food Review) LA VIVIENDA Grilled Shawarma, owned by the 69-year old veteran cook Rudy Bravo, at San Jose Road in Zamboanga City is surely a place that I will visit very often after I tasted their delicious Shawurma or Shawarma – a Levantine Arab meat preparation similar to Taco where beef or chicken, or lamb or veal, are placed on a pointed rod for holding meat over a fire, or grilled on a pan. The small road-side restaurant offers a wide variety of Arabic and Mexican Shawarma, and a fusion of Filipino-style Shawarma, omelette, escalope, burgers and mouth-watering sauces from barbecue to curry and their super-flaming “volcanic” chili oil and the lesser hot, but still super spicy “dynamite” chili and garlic oil which will surely make you sweat because of its very hot, hot and hot, but deliciously superb taste made from a blend of chilies and other herbs and spices. The five-year old La Vivienda – which literally means “home” or “dwelling” in Spanish – continues to draw and attract a steady influx of diners because of its good-tasting, clean and quality, delicious Shawarma at a very affordable prices ranging from P75 to P90.
LITTLE SEEDS GROWING IN TIME OF WAR. Too young to understand, children in Mindanao go on with their daily lives as the military’s all-out war against jihadists rages on. A peace and humanitarian mission conducted by the Peoples Council for National Unity, Reforms and Peace gives psychological intervention to these children. (Jaja Necosia - RCPA Production for Mindanao Examiner)
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The humble owner says the secret of his Shawarma house is the high quality of the meat he uses and of course, the cleanliness of his great tasting Sharwarma and his fresh dough grilled to perfection, and sauces that go along with it. The great service of the food attendants
adds up to the assets of the La Vivienda. I highly recommend La Vivienda Grilled Shawarma. Hurry, go and visit La Vivienda and don’t forget your handkerchief and get ready for that “dynamite” taste! (Food review by Al Jacinto for Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Mar. 23-29, 2015
Hunt for other jihadists continues COTABATO CITY – Philippine authorities continue to hunt for other members of the jihadist groups in Mindanao following the arrest of a top leader of the Justice for Islamic Movement during a top secret operation in the restive southern region. Officials last week said said 5 other jihadists were also arrested along with Mohammad Tambako, the self-proclaimed leader of JIM, who recently split with the rebel group BIFF or Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters tagged as behind the spate of bombings in the region. Tambako’s group was
tracked down on the village of Calumpang in General Santos City the day before, but details of the operations were not immediately available as security forces continue to search for other members of the group. It was unknown whether the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front helped in the capture of Tambako, but officials said most of those who took part in the operation were from the police and military intelligence groups. Five of Tambako’s members have been identified as Mesharie Gayak, Datukan Sabiwang, Ali Ludisma, Ibrahim Kapina and
Abusahma Guiamil. They are currently being interrogated by authorities over the group’s terror activities. Several weapons and grenades were also seized from them. Officials said Tambako was the former deputy chieftain of the BIFF, armed wing of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement headed by Ameril Umra Kato, who was a commander of the MILF, but broke away with the Front after its chieftain Murad Ebrahim opened peace talks with Manila and abandoned Muslim independence for an autonomy government in Mindanao. (Moh Saaduddin. With a report from mark Navales)
Militias praised for rescuing abducted trader ZAMBOANGA CITY – Security officials commended government militias who rescued a trader abducted by suspected Abu ayyaf rebels in Basilan province. Militias clashed with gunmen and rescued Ramon Sanson, who was seized last week by at least 5 armed men clad in police uniform in Isabela City. The militias quickly pursued the gunmen after receiving reports of the ab-
duction and caught up with the gang on Malamawi Island, sparking a firefight that forced them to abandon their victim. “There were no reports of casualties on the side of the militias, but we have received information that there were casualties on the part of the abductors,” said Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.
She said Sanson was taken from his house and that the quick reaction of the patrolling militias resulted in the safe recovery of the trader. “We have sent troops to track down the gunmen, who are suspected to be members of the Abu Sayyaf,” Myuela said. Authorities have largely blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the series of kidnappings and bombings in the region. (Mindanao Examiner)
THE EXAM MUST GO ON- despite being displaced from their homes and schools, a teacher from Madia elementary school continues to give out the NAT (National achievement test) to her students. Residents from Bgry. Madia had to evacuate last march 6 after their area was subjected to intense shelling in the implementation of the AFP’s supposed ALL-OUT WAR against the BIFF. Jaja Necosia/RCPA Production
Andi Eigenmann
Andi, waging-wagi sa netizens ang ‘ALINDOG’!
HINDI ako sure kung this week lang kinunan ang isang eksena sa beach para sa pelikulang Your Place Or Mine na bida sina Andi Eigenmann at Bret Jackson, na base sa Wattpadd na sinulat ni Tur-ning Japanese at dinidirek ni Joel Lamangan. Sa naturang eksena kasi, naka-2 piece bikini lang si Andi, at base sa picture niya nga-yon, seksing-seksi nga ang ex-dyowa ni Jake Ejercito, ha! Eh, ‘di ba, kamakailan lang, tila binabatikos ang katawan ni Andi, na kesyo masyoba nga raw at parang napabaya-an
ang sarili sa kusina. Pero sa larawan niyang lumabas nga sa social media, talbog pa ni Andi ang mga dalagang artista ngayon, ha, o mga artistang mas bata sa kanya, dahil oo, kurbada ang alindog ng nanay ni Ellie. Nagpiyesta nga ang mga netizens/followers ni Andi, at nu’ng tsinek namin kahapon sa FB account niya, uma-bot na sa kulangkulang 200,000 ang likes nito, at libo-libo na ang nag-comments at nag-share ng bonggang la-rawan na ‘yon. Pero, hindi rin naiwasang mambastos ng mga netizen na wala na
ta-lagang magawa. Na bagama’t karamihan ay pinupuri ang kaseksihan ngayon ni Andi, may mga kumukutya pa rin, na kesyo bakit kailangan niyang ipangalandakan ang katawan niya sa buong mundo, at may mga manyakis pa rin, na gusto pang pagparausan ang picture na ‘yon ni Andi. Anyway, ang kuwento ng Your Place or Mine? ay tungkol sa one-night stand ng dala-wang taong hindi magkakilala, sina Haley at Russel. Ano ang nangyari matapos ang mahabang panahon? (DS – Abante)
Solon wants probe on overpriced cooking gas, petroleum products MANILA – House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Arnel Ty has called for a government investigation into the unwarranted increase in the prices of petroleum products and the overpricing of cooking gas by a number of bulk suppliers. Ty, who is also a member of the LPG Marketers’ Association, said they have filed with the Department of Energy-Department of Justice task force a report concerning the unreasonable escalation in the price of LPG being sold by some bulk suppliers. He said several bulk suppliers recently jacked up their cooking gas prices by 50 centavos per kilo (or P5.50 per 11-kilogram cyl-
inder) for retail consumers, and by P1 to P1.50 per kilo for bulk customers. “The increases are uncalled-for, considering that the international contract price of LPG has been fairly stable,” Ty said. “The contract price of liquefied petroleum gas abroad was $471 per ton in February and $472 per ton this March. This ought to translate to an insignificant increment of not more than four centavos per kilo locally.” However, Ty said some bulk suppliers have disproportionately pushed up their prices by 50 centavos for retail buyers, and up to P1.50 per kilo for wholesale purchasers. He branded this
as excessive and abusive. Ty said the unjustifiable increases implied that bulk suppliers are needlessly punishing consumers with an extra 46 centavos to P1.46 per kilo. The price of the global benchmark Brent crude oil has plunged below $55 per barrel as of March 13y, from a high of $115 in June last year. Like gasoline, diesel and kerosene, LPG is derived from refining crude oil. The Philippines, Ty said, imports between 70 to 80 percent of its LPG supplies, owing to the limited capacity of the two domestic refineries run by Petron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (Mindanao Examiner)
Military operations target NPA rebels in South CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Army said operations aimed at weakening commnist insurgents continue in Mindanao following the killing of 3 soldiers by the New People’s Army in Agusan del Sur province. Officials have confirmed the attack on a military and police convoys last week in the troubled region. Three soldiers were killed and 6 others wounded, including a policeman, in separate communist ambuscades. Officials said rebels ambushed a military convoy in Agusan del Sur’s
Prosperidad town. Troops also recovered an improvised explosive planted by rebels in the village of Los Arcos. The soldiers were on five trucks and heading to the village where rebel forces had been spotted when a roadside bomb exploded and hitting the convoy. The rebels escaped even before military reinforcement could arrive. General Aurelio Baladad, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, quickly condemned the attack. “While it is sad that we incurred casualties due to the landmine explosion,
our troops fought gallantly and repulsed the ambush thereby preventing the NPAs from overrunning the convoy and inflicting more casualties,” Baladad said. In Surigao del Norte’s Cortes town, rebels also ambushed a police patrol that wounded one officer in Tigao village. The policemen were responding to a vehicular accident on a nearby village when NPA gunmen attacked them. There was no immediate stamen from the NPA, which has been fighting for many decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Mar. 23-29, 2015
The Mindanao Examiner
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Sulu Pictures In The News
UMAPAW ng husto ang Kapitolyo ng lalawigan ng Sulu na kung saan ay dinagsa ng napakaraming tao ang ika-38 kaarawan ni Gov. Totoh Tan na kung saan ay namahagi ito ng ibat-ibang proyekto sa mga bayan, kabilang na rin ang pulisya at ang mga mamamayan.Pinangunahan rin ni Gov. Toto ang pamimigay ng mga kulambo at ang ibat-ibang medical at humanitarian mission sa Kapitolyo sa bayan ng Patikul at kabilang dito ang blood drive, Anti-Filariasis vaccination, ear piercing at may kasama pang libreng hikaw, eye check-up at libreng salamin sa mata at dental services na maging sepilyo at tooth paste ay libre rin.Kabilang sa mga katuwang sa nasabing event ni Gov. Totoh ay sina Vice Gov. Sakur Tan, Dr. Fahra Omar ng Integrated Provincial Health Office at Hajja Nurunisah Tan, ng Sulu Provincial Women’s Council.Dinaluhan rin ito ng mga mayors at barangay leaders ng ibat-ibang munisipyo upang magbigay galang sa kaarawan ni Gov. Toto. (Ahl-franzie Salinas)
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The Mindanao Examiner - FOREIGN NEWS
Mar. 23-29, 2015
CNN Philippines Debuts With Talk Of Revolt Against President Aquino CNN Philippines had barely debuted on the air when it stepped into a boiling controversy over the embattled presidency of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, under fire for an attack on Muslim insurgents in which 44 police commandos were killed. No sooner had a galaxy of CNN names got done plugging this latest member of the CNN empire — they preferred to call it “the CNN family” — than the news and talk shows were full of reports about the sagging popularity of Aquino and his inability to cope with a wide range of problems. Dark hints of “revolution” and “military coup” — as in the old days when his late mother, Corazon Aquino, was ruling the roost after the demise of Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 “People Power” revolution — were in the air, over the airwaves.
Cory, as she was universally known, managed to survive all coup attempts, but there on a CNN Philippines “Agenda” program was a former defense secretary, Norberto Gonzales, talking up a movement to oust Noynoy well before his sixyear term runs out next year. Considering that the Philippine president, under the constitution, for which Cory battled mightily, is limited to a single term, plotting to drive him out of office prematurely would appear a little unnecessary. Nonetheless, as leader of a “National Transformation Council,” Gonzales judged that “the moral system of our nation has become so bad” that rapid change was needed. “You have an economy that is supposed to be growing and a population suffering in poverty,” he declared. “It is harder to be poor
today than before.” That said, Gonzales stopped a carefully nuanced shade short of calling for a “People Power revolution” of the sort that lofted Cory to the presidency and, in 2001, drove Joseph Estrada from office midway through his term. Rather, he said coyly, “We are calling for People Power support.” One reason for that turn of phrase was that the public by now may be disillusioned by the idea of coups or even “people power.” While both Estrada and his son, elected a senator, face enormous corruption charges, Estrada’s successor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whom Gonzales served as national security adviser as well as defense secretary, also faces sweeping charges of corruption. Arroyo, who had been vice president under Estrada, served out the remainder of
Contact lens with built-in telescope could help people with blinding disease (CNN) Lights, mirrors, action! Scientists are developing smart contact lenses embedded with miniscule mirrors that can magnify your vision by almost three times. The 1.55mm-thick lenses incorporate a thin reflective telescope made of mirrors and filters; when light enters the eye it bounces off the series of mirrors and increases the perceived view of an object or person. It is hoped that the lens will improve the sight of people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — the third leading cause of blindness globally. AMD causes the loss of central vision due to gradual damage to the eye’s retina and there are few options for cure or treatment. “AMD is the biggest problem where magnification is a proven visual aid,” says Eric Tremblay, research scientist at EPFL in Switzerland. Tremblay led the optical design of the lens, which is based on a surgicallyimplantable telescope currently used by some patients with AMD, but which is more invasive than a lens. “With a contact lens, it’s easy to try it,” says Tremblay. Making the switch A key innovation with the lenses is the added ability to switch between magnified and regular vision through a complementary pair of glasses. The batterypowered glasses use LCD technology to watch the movement of the eye and a simple wink can alter their polarization and determine whether light entering is magnified or not. “Having the ability to switch on demand is attractive,” says Tremblay. The ability to selectively magnify your vision makes the design of the glass-lens combination more suitable for daily life. “When magnified you lose a lot of your field of view, your peripheral vision,” says Tremblay. A strategic wink will enable users to keep an eye on their periphery, such as cars approaching them as they cross a street, whilst also being able to zoom in and recognize the faces of those
around them. The team developed their technology on scleral lenses, which have an increased thickness and diameter, making them commonly used for more special purpose eye care. “[They provide] a lot more area to work with,” says Tremblay. The challenge these lenses bring with them, however, is comfort, as they impede the amount of oxygen reaching the eye. The most recent prototype, unveiled by the team in February, overcame this challenge by introducing air channels to aid the flow of oxygen to the eye. But the team hopes to improve this further still by instead developing a contact lens solution saturated with oxygen which can be stored and slowly released into the eye. “[We will] build reservoirs into the back of the lens,” says Tremblay. The lenses have only been trialled on a handful of humans to test for comfort, with the majority of research to date performed in the lab using a model chemical eye. But more human trials are on the cards with the eventual goal of daily wearable contacts to aid the visually impaired. “We want it to move in the direction of a real world vision aid,” says Tremblay. Getting smar ter smarter These are not the first smart contact lenses. Other prototypes have been developed to monitor, as well as improve, health in both the eye and across the body. Alcon, the eye care division of Novartis, formed a partnership with Google X in 2014 to develop smart-lens technologies for a range of medical eye care applications. One of the first examples of using lenses in this form was Sensimed, a spinoff also emerging from EPFL. Sensimed’s Triggerfish technology monitors the progression of glaucoma — the second leading cause of blindness, affecting more than 4.5 million people globally. Glaucoma is a progressive cause of blindness caused by deterioration of the eye’s optic nerve. The tra-
ditional test used by optometrists to monitor patients uses puffs of air to measure pressure in the eye but such measurements are not ideal. “The big need in glaucoma is for a 24-hour picture of what’s happening inside the eye,” says David Bailey, CEO of Sensimed. Its smart lens uses strain gauges and sensors embedded inside a chip located in the lens to measure changes in the volume of liquid in the eye as a surrogate measurement of pressure. It can be worn over a 24-hour period to monitor pressure patterns and communicate data wirelessly to a recording device worn around the user’s neck. Optomotrist James Wolffsohn, spokesperson for the British Contact Lens Association, looks forward to one day using technologies like the telescopic lens in clinical practice. “The lens seems an interesting concept to provide optical magnification to the retina when required,” he says. But he adds that there will be challenges in reaching that stage: “It is currently a scleral lens and thick, including rigid mirror elements which are likely to affect corneal physiology and comfort.” Wolffsohn has seen colleagues trial the more established Triggerfish technology to monitor glaucoma and is optimistic about the future of the field. “There are also many other exciting developments in innovative uses of contact lenses,” he says. “The eye is the window to many disease states,” says Bailey, who believes contact lenses are the future for eye care, both in terms of clinical use and lifestyle management. More than 30 million people wear contact lenses in the United States alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control, which means they could be a noninvasive path to health management — be it blindness progression or even insulin or alcohol level monitoring. “Eye-sensing on contact lenses is here to stay … in one form or another,” says Bailey. (By Meera Senthilingam, for CNN)
his term, got elected president for another six years — and now is confined under arrest in a hospital. So far Nonoy Aquino has not been caught up in the web of corruption that often ensnares Philippine politicos, but he’s having trouble explaining away the mass confusion and incompetence on the part of the commanders responsible for ordering a special action force of the national police into battle against Muslim guerrillas on the large southern island of Mindanao on January 25. They may have managed to kill a top guerrilla commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front but were surrounded and outgunned by a thousand Moro warriors. Aquino, more than the leaders of the illequipped army and national police, is taking the heat for the massacre. “As head of state, who is deemed commander-inchief of the armed forces of the Philippines, Mr. Aquino faces broad public clamor to take responsibility for the fiasco,” wrote veteran commentator Armando Doronilla on the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, one of the leading national newspapers. “He has been washing his hands of responsibility for the bloody outcome of the antiterrorist police action.” Moreover, Doro added
for good measure, “the violent encounter…has pushed a three-month peace process on the comprehensive peace agreement between the government and the MILF, the main secessionist rebel group, on the verge of collapse….” The timing of the uproar could not have been better for CNN Philippines, which grew out of a deal with a Philippine company, Nine Media Corporation. “We are thrilled to welcome CNN Philippines to the CNN family,” exulted CNNWorldwide president Jeff Zucker. The deal marked “a significant milestone not only for Nine Media but for Filipinos everywhere,” responded Nine Media chairman Antonio CabangonChua. Probably only in the Philippines could a newly minted cable news network plunge at once into news and commentary so openly hostile, full of innuendos of revolution, with vague suggestions of military support, against the government in power. If all the rhetoric sounded like a victory for democracy and free speech, however, it also carried overtones of same-old, same-old — a war of words waged among members of a small super-rich elite long accustomed to feuding and fighting among themselves. The rise of Corzaon
Aquino, after all, represented the revenge of her own super-wealthy family over the Marcos family after 21 years of dictatorial rule by Ferdinand Marcos and the assassination of Cory’s husband, Noynoy’s father. To no one’s surprise, Marcos’ son Bong Bong is now a senator, often mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2016 — that is, if Noynoy lasts that long and is not replaced by someone else, perhaps Bong Bong himself. To the credit of CNN Philippines, the network appears anxious to present both or all sides of the story. Facing Gonzales was a congressman, Niel Tupas Jr., who made the case for forbearance and moderation. “We may not have a perfect system,” he said, but it’s “a government that was elected.” While “the dissent of the National Transformation Council is welcome,” he said, “for the NTC to impose its will — that is unconstitutional.” Yet another interviewee, Walden Bello, noted author of numerous studies, books and articles criticizing inequities and malfeasance at high levels in the Philippines, told CNN he had had enough. Having once supported Aquino, he said he was resigning from the Philippine Congress as “I can no longer support the president.” (Donald Kirk, Forbes Contributor)
THE WORLD WILL STOP! MANILA – Pagdating ng Mayo 2, titigil ang ikot ng mundo. Lahat ay tututok sa MGM Grand sa Las Vegas para saksihan ang limang taong hinintay na super-fight, ang mother of all fights. “May 2 is when the world stops to tune in to Mayweather-Pacquiao, the biggest fight in boxing history,” panini-guro ni Floyd Mayweather Jr. Sa una at posibleng iisang press conference bago ang judgment day, sabay na nagsalita sina Mayweather at -Manny Pacquiao sa Nokia Theatre sa Los -Angeles kahapon. Nag-pose silang magkasama bago ang news conference, nagpose muli pagkatapos ng formal portion. Kalaha-ting oras bago ang event, halos mahirap pa ring paniwalaan na sa wakas ay -matutuloy ang laban. Pareho nang nasa dulo ng career sina Mayweather at Pacquiao,
at sinabi ni Mayweather na masaya siyang kasado na ang sagupaang pinaglalawayan ng publiko. “Without everyone together, we couldn’t make this fight happen, so I have to be thankful we came together to give the world the fight they want to see, MayweatherPacquiao,” ani ‘Money’. Bumigay at tumango si Pacquiao sa demands ni Mayweather para lang maikasa ang deal, mula sa gloves na gagamitin, kung sino ang unang aakyat ng ring hanggang hatian sa kita. “I agreed with what he wanted to do to make the fight happen, 40-60,” ani Pacquiao. Kahapon lang, iba na ang dating ng eksena sa milyong boxing fans na nag-akalang hindi na matutuloy ang laban ng dalawang best fighters ng henerasyon. Pero ayun sila, face to face, sila lang sa stage para ihayag ang laban. (Abante)
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Photoshop Pictures Sa Magazine at Advertisments: Masama Sa Pag-iisip Ng Kabataan Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong MARAMING kabataan ang umiidolo sa mga artista at modelo na nakikita nila sa magazines, billboard at internet. Sa unang tingin ay napakaganda ng hitsura ni artista. Sobrang payat ang buong katawan. Makinis at flawless ang buong balat. Pero tunay ba ang mga litratong iyan o pinapayat at inayos lang sa computer? Ayon sa pagsusuri, karamihan ng pictures sa magazine at advertisements ay inayos na (na-photoshop). Pinapayat ang matataba. Inalis ang mga kulubot at pekas sa mukha, at buong katawan. Ayon sa mga psychologists, may kasalanan ang mga advertisers sa pagtatak ng maling imahe (thin body image of celebrities) sa isipan ng mga tao, lalo na sa mga kabataan. May masamang epekto ang magazines sa isipan ng tao: 1. Puwede magdulot ng depresyon ang pag-iidolo sa sexy na artista. Ito’y dahil iisipin ng
Dr. Willie T. Ong kabataan na pangit ang hitsura niya kumpara sa idolo niya. 2. Posible magkakaroon ng sakit tulad ng anorexia nervosa. Ito yung sinusuka nila ang pagkain para hindi tumaba. At kahit sobrang payat na sila ay iisipin pa rin nilang mataba sila. 3. Mahilig sumubok sa kung anu-anong diet at paraan para pumayat kahit masama na sa kalusugan. Ang iba ay nalululong pa sa droga.
4. Gustong mag-pa-plastic surgery kahit hindi naman ito kailangan. 5. Masisira ang relasyon sa pamilya at sa partner dahil maiiba ang ugali nila. Heto ang ilang tips: 1. Huwag bumili ng mga magazine na inayos (Photo-shop) ang hitsura ng models. Kailangan isulat sa magazine o billboard na “This picture has been photo-shopped.” 2. Kumonsulta sa psychologist para mai-ayos ang maling imahe na nakatatak sa isipan. 3. Huwag hayaang manood ang mga bata ng palabas na puro sayawan at sexy ang kasuotan. 4. Huwag piliting mag-artista ang mga bata. Baka hindi pa sila handa sa mundo ng showbiz. 5. Kumain ng tama para maging malusog at malakas. Okay lang kung may katabaan ka at hindi perfect ang iyong balat. Ang ugali at kalooban ng tao ang mas mahalaga kaysa sa panlabas na hitsura lang. God bless po.
Isang Estyudante Gumawa ng Experiment, Nagkunwaring Muslimah at Nagsuot ng Belo Maraming Salamat Sayo Miss Angela Valbuena. Among Miss Angela Vabuena comments: --"While I was being looked at and gossiped about for only a few hours, there are real Muslims (and other people) out there who are being gossiped about and picked on for their whole lives. sad, really."---"Nakakatakot din. You never know what could happen. Tahimik lang ako doon, not minding anyone. Still, one of the best things I've experienced."---"We are entitled to our own opinions. Carolus Linnaeus did class us Asians as "governed by opinion". We've been living on this earth, being fed with biased information and isolated within a group of people who look similar to each other that our minds weren't able to be open to different things."-FULL TEXT TEXT:: Today, I did an experiment. I went to school and dressed up like a Muslim. I asked Arjel to stay a couple steps behind me as I wandered around the campus wearing a pink scarf around my head and a dark blue cardigan. I ate and stayed a long while in the canteen, waited in line for the elevator, climbed a few flights of stairs, and walked around the halls. Of course, all while keeping my head down and not talking to anyone. What I observed was that some high school students have enough arrogance to laugh at a Muslim girl. Of course, they didn't know I was was not authentic but they snickered and pointed at me any-
way, "Uy, Muslim oh!" The janitor who usually smiles and greets people while cleaning their tables did not even make eye contact with me, and took my empty plate quickly while keeping a small distance from me. Strange, but even he did not know I wasn't the real deal. Fellow college students whispered at each other whenever I came by. Some kept their eyes fixed on me while I passed them by the stairs. Thank goodness I didn't bump into anyone I knew, or this experiment would have been for nothing. Maybe some friends saw me, maybe they didn't. What mattered was how strangers reacted to my presence. That is the only point of the experiment. One high school girl managed to approach me and ask, "Ate, may naka upo po ba dito?" and when I said no, she took the empty seat beside me. "Kunin ko po ah? Thank you po." I don't know if it was fear, or she was just naturally respectful. I eavesdropped on a conversation a while back and heard the word "terorista". With what transpired during the experiment, I conclude that if I were indeed Muslim, I would not gain much friends here in Manila, and with the Mamasapano issue still hot and about, the discrimination against the race is wilder than ever. I'm on neither side of the war and this experiment was only for personal reason. Sorry if I offended anyone but thank goodness no one inflicted violence on me earlier. Lol. Really, we shouldn't
Angela Valbuena - Courtesy of FCC - Filipino FB account judge people by their race or for their race being involved in the biggest crime. We shouldn't be talking ill of people we do not even know. I know, I can be racist at times as well, and now I experienced what it felt like to be culturally "different" from the rest. I've had my taste of being bullied in elementary and highschool for being weird and geeky (and once, because I was very bad at Tagalog) but this kind of discrimination is certainly different. My old schoolmates picked on me because they already knew what I was, and today some people did almost the same thing, only that they didn't even know who I really was. It's easy to judge people from how they look, now isn't it? Edit: While I was being looked at suspiciously and gossiped about for only a few hours, there are Muslim people out there who have been treated the same way, and far worse,
SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO
for their whole lives. Technically, not just the Muslims. Filipinos, too. And the rest of the kinds of people. Discrimination and racism is everywhere and it's inevitable. You'd be considered "different" and alien if you're colored, white, or yellow. The problem is that we've been living in a world where one mistake from a person, a political figure or a celebrity, affects the entirety of his/her country to the point that even the whole world starts to care too much about it. We've been growing up with people who look and act very similar to us that when other people arrive, we'd judge them and consider them to be "different". Our minds often refuse to welcome diversity and change, and we ignore the basic fact that we're all just the same species: human beings. Don't you think it's time to change that? We're not very different from each other. Some people just want peace and love. CULTURE, RACE, COLOR, OR EVEN THE VIOLENCE OF YOUR NATION SHOULD NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE AS AN INDIVIDUAL.
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Metro Cebu has ample supply of water
C S
Toledo farmers get government assistance
ome 200 farmers in Toledo City benefited from the so-called Shared Service Facilities Project or SSF for Maguumang Naghiusa sa Sam-ang ug Magdugo or MANAGSAMA of the Aquino government. MANAGSAMA has over 200 farmer members in the two villages in Toledo and are involved in the production of coconut products. The farmers’ group received almost half a million pesos in government assistance to increase its competitiveness, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.
DTI spokeswoman Shirelyn Villamor said the farmers have already received equipment such as desiccated dryer, de-shelling machine, coconut meat grinding machine, briquetting machine and five carbonizing drums. She said the MANAGSAMA farmers also underwent a series of training on food processing, desiccated coconut production, management and market matching. “The SSF is a response to the market demand of fair trade and local market for virgin coconut oil, desiccated coconut and charcoal briquettes,” Villamor said. The SSF Project is being
implemented nationwide with project partners termed as co-operators, which may be any juridical entity such as but not limited to nongovernmental organizations, people’s organizations, cooperatives, industry or trade or business associations, local government units, state universities or colleges, technical vocational schools and other similar government and training institutions. Beneficiaries of the project are the actual and potential users of the SSF which should be predominantly cooperatives, associations or groups of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises and individuals. (Ferliza Contratista)
BSP nagpahibalo sa pag-ilis sa karaang kwartang papel
A
ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas o BSP nagpahibalo sa publiko nga gisugdan na ang "demonetization" o pagwagtang sa balor sa karaang kwartang papel nga "New Design Series" o NDS subay sa Section 57 sa Akta Republika 7653 nga nailang Central Bank Act. Subay sa maong balaod, ang BSP gihatagan ug gahom sa pag-ilis sa kwartang papel nga naa sa sirkulasyon sobra sa 5 ka tuig. Ang sirkulasyon sa atong kwartang papel nga NDS niabot na hapit tulo ka 3 ka dekada. Mao kini ang pahibalo ni Gregorio Baccay lll, Senior Research Specialist, Economic and Financial Learning Center sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Dumaguete City branch atol sa gihimong Kapihan sa PIA forum sa BSP. Subay niini, ang p u b l i k o gipahimangnuan nga
ARMM
ang karaang kwartang papel mahimo pang gamiton pambayad o pamalit sa mga produkto, serbisyo ug uban pang transaksyon hangtod Disyembre 31, 2015, human niining petsaha, ang NDS dili na mahimong gamiton. Sugod sa Enero 1, 2015 hangtod Disyembre 31, 2016, ang karaang kwartang papel nga NDS mahimo na nga pailisan sa bag-ong kwartang papel nga New Generation Currency (NGC) sa tanang bangko, (universal, commercial, thrift, rural ug cooperative banks) o sa nagkalain-laing buhatan sa BSP. Ang mga pampublikong buhatan nga naghupot sa karaang kwartang papel nga NDS nga dili mahimong pailisan sulod sa gitakda nga panahon, sama sa gigamit nga ebidensya sa korte, kinahanglan nga makiglambigit sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas sa dili pa mulapas ang petsa nga gitakda sa pagpa-ilis sa kwarta aron mahatagan ug
hustong panahon sa pagpailis. Alang sa mga overseas Filipinos nga may NDS nga dili mailisan sulod sa gitakdang panahon, giawhag sa pagparehistro online sa BSP website sugod Oktubre 1 hangtod Disyembre 31, 2015 aron mahatagan ug higayon sa pag-pailis. Ang kwartang NDS may tagal lamang nga usa ka tuig gikan sa pagrehistro sa BSP website. Sugod Enero 1, 2017, ang NDS wala nay balor kay kini demonetized na. Ang pagwagtang sa balor ug ang pagkuha sa kwartang papel nga NDS sa sirkulasyon naghatag ug kaseguruhan nga usa ra ka serye sa kwartang papel ang gamiton sa tibook nasud. Ang bag-ong kwartang papel o NGC nga giulsad niadtong Disyembre 16, 2010 gi-ila sa ubang nasud nga may de kalidad nga disenyo ug taas ang seguridad alang sa kaseguruhan sa publiko batok sa mga tigpakatap sa peke o mini nga kwarta. (MBCN)
Southern Mindanao
Davao
ebu has an ample supply of potable water despite the dry spell due to El Niño weather phenomenon, according to Engr. Ernie Delco, acting general manager of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District. He assured water consumers that the water utility firm has added 25,000 cubic meters of water in their daily production. Delco said that last year, its total daily water production was 195,000 cubic meters which was increased to 122,000 cubic meters this year. The greater part of the water augmentation, he said, comes from the Carmen Water Bulk Supply which is providing 18,000 cubic meters every
day.
He said the consumers’ demand for water also grew by about 10,000 cubic meters last year. “The ratio is 1:1 or one individual is to 1 cubic meter which is equivalent to about 10,000 cubic meters. But we have an additional of over 25,000 cubic meters so we still have an excess,” he said. Delco said MCWD is currently serving about 165,000 households or roughly about 1.2 million people in 8 cities and municipalities and these are the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay; and the towns of Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela and Cordova. But he said they can only serve about 55% of the
total population in those areas and 43% of the total water demand as others have their own private wells for commercial and domestic purposes. At present, the MCWD has 9 existing reservoirs and Delco said they are planning to build 8 more in Cebu City. He said out of the 165,000 householdconsumers served, some 164,000 households have 24/7 water supply with only a few experiencing water interruptions, specifically in the areas of Opra and Nivel Hills in Cebu City. He also urged the locals and hotels and tourism establishments to conserve water. (Fayette Riñen)
IRR sa mas taas nga tax-free bonus, gipagawas sa BIR
G
ipagawas sa Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ang bag-ong i mplementing rules and regulations sa mas taas nga tax exemptions alang sa 13th month pay ug uban pang benepisyo sa mga kawani sa gobyerno ug pribadong sektor karong tuig. Matud pa sa BIR, ang balaod alang sa pagsaka sa tax-exempt bonuses sa P82,000 dili pwede sa mga self-employed individuals ug income generated gikan
sa mga negosyo. “The amount shall only apply to the 13th month pay and other benefits paid on or accrued beginning Jan. 1, 2015, it does not apply to other compensation received by an employee under an employer-employee relationship such as basic salary and other allowances,” sigun pa sa BIR. Gipaseguro usab sa BIR sa mga employers ang saktong kwentada ug aplikasyon sa tax exemption alang sa 13th month
pay ug uban pang benepisyo sa empleyado sa yearend adjustments. Giingong ang computation angay nakabutang sa certificate of compensation withheld. Kahinumdoman nga gilagdaan ni Presidente Benigno Aquino niadtong Pebrero ang balaodnon nga nagsaka sa P82,000 sa tax exemption sa mga bonus sa mga kawani sa gobyerno ug pribadong kumpanya. Kaniadto, P30,000 ang tax exemption ceiling sa mga bonus.
Massive campaign against rabies begins
T
he Department of Health said it has launched a massive camp aign against rabies as part of an effort to achieve a rabies-free Philippines within 5 years. Jeffrey Doyongan, DOH Assistant Regional Rabies Program Coordinator, said the campaign, which coincided with the “Rabies Awareness Month,” aims to increase public awareness on the risks of rabies and the importance of having dogs and cats vaccinated regularly against this fatal disease. Doyongan encourages the public to have their pets registered and have the proper vaccina-
tion at the veterinary centers annually to protect them against rabies. He said based on DOH records, the number of animal bite victims is increasing every year since 2010, although the number of human deaths is decreasing. He said it showed that in 2010, there were 26,298 cases of animal bite victims; 28,964 in 2011; 34,678 cases in 2012; 50,755 cases in 2013; and 59,816 cases in 2014. And deaths due to rabies since 2008, 14 were recorded; 12 for 2009; 13 in 2010; 10 in 2011; 7 in 2012, 4 in 2013; and 3 in 2014. Doyongan said that 85% of rabies came from dogs while 10% from cats
Western Mindanao
Cebu
and 5% from other animals. Rabies is fatal both in animals and humans and is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. Infection occurs primarily through bite wounds or infected saliva entering an open cut or wound or mucous membrane, such as those in the mouth, nasal cavity or eyes. Doyongan also urged everyone to be more alert and serious in fighting this disease and be a responsible pet owner. For those bitten by dogs, they are advised to go immediately to the animal bite centers for treatment and there are 40 centers in Central Visayas of which 22 of these are found in Cebu.
Manila