FREE CLASSIFIED ADS INSIDE - EMAIL US: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com Protesters demand expulsion of North Cotabato lawmaker
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Letters to the Editor: Lasting Peace Can Be President Aquino’s Legacy to the Filipino People
Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong: Mag-ingat sa Mababang Potassium (Hypokalemia)
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Human Rights Watch says new Philippine military chief should ensure rights reforms MANILA – The Human Rights Watch said the Philippine military should take all necessary and appropriate action to prevent abuses by its personnel and to ensure accountability for human rights violators. “General Iriberri is now the point man for making sure the Philippine armed forces stop committing abuses and respect human rights. It’s his responsibility to ensure the military meets its international legal obligations throughout the Philippine archipelago,” Phelim Kine, Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director said in a letter to new Armed Forces of the Philippines
General Hernando Iriberri (AFP) Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri. President Aquino named Iriberri, the former commander of the army, to the position on July 10, 2015. Kine said Iriberri should ensure prompt, transparent, and impartial investigations of abuses in
which military personnel are implicated, and take appropriate action against personnel responsible. Philippine military personnel continue to be implicated in violations of international humanitarian law in armed conflict situations involving the communist New People’s Army and Moro insurgents. Abuses include arbitrary arrests, torture and unlawful killings of civilians and rebel fighters in custody. The armed forces should uphold international humanitarian law in conflict areas and Iriberri should ensure accountability for AFP abuses, Kine further said. Continue on page 2
10,000 year old cave paintings of UFO’s and Aliens discovered in India
RESEARCHERS have confirmed a mysterious finding in India. The discovery of the 10.000 year old cave paintings depict several figures that seem to resemble otherworldly beings and disc-shaped objects. The Department of Archaeology of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh seeks help from aerospace agencies in the United States and India to determine the nature of the images found in the tribal Bastar region. Experts are baffled by the great similarity between the images of the cave and characterizations of science fiction films that normally depict otherworldly beings and mysterious space ships. According to
ARMM
Indian experts, it’s as if people, 10.000 year ago made these paintings while looking at science fiction movies. Is it possible that people depicted 10.000 years ago what they really saw? The finding in India seems to resemble other cave paintings found across the globe. The cave paintings in the Chhattisgarh state are not an isolated event, but something that is seen across several ancient cultures. According to local archaeologist JR Bhagat, this could actually mean that people, from time immemorial, saw beings that came to Earth from other planets. A detailed investigation is needed to fully understand the nature of these
depictions. Our department has no experts in this field. Continue on page 6
P15 Aug. 10-16, 2015
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Dimaporo vs. Dimaporo sa 2016 polls LANAO DEL NORTE – Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay mismong ang magkakamag-anak na Dimaporo siyang pinakamalaking angkan sa lalawigan ng Lanao del Norte ang posibleng magkakatunggali sa pagkagobernador sa halalan sa 2016. Ito’y matapos ang ginawang deklarasyon ni Pantao-Ragat Mayor Neshren Eleanur Dimaporo Lantud na siya ay tatakbong gobernador laban kay Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo. Ang deklarasyon ay itinaon pa sa malakihang pagpupulong ng mga kasapi sa Liberal Party sa PantaoRagat. Suportado naman ng marami ang desisyon ng Alkalde. Laging “No Retreat, No Surrender” ang tugon ng Alkalde sa mga kagawad ng media na sumaksi sa kanyang deklarasyon. Ang mga nakapalibot sa Alkalde na kapwa miembro
Pantao-Ragat Mayor Neshren Eleanur Dimaporo Lantud ng Liberal Party ni Pangulong Aquino ay nagbitiw na rin ng mga maaanghang na salita laban sa isang kampo ng mga Dimaporo na kasalukuyang nangangasiwa sa nasabing lalawigan. Kabilang sa mga tinukoy ni Lanao del Norte Board Member Atty. Osop Omar ay ang umanoy pagbayad sa ilang mga miyembro ng media para i-promote ang turismo sa Lanao del Norte kung kaya’t tikom na umano ang bibig ng mga ito sa mga tunay na nagaganap sa Kapitolyo. May alegasyon pa ang
kampo ni Omar na may mga “ghost employees” umano sa Kapitolyo, ngunit hindi naman pinangalan ng grupo kung sino ang mga ito at gayun rin ang mga bayarang media. Hindi naman agad makunan ng pahayag ang kampo ni Lanao del Norte Governor Khalid Dimaporo kaugnay sa mga akusasyon at deklarasyon ng Alkalde sa kanyang pagtakbo bilang gobernador. Ang Alkalde at iba pang kasamahan nito ang umano’y orihinal na kasapi ng Liberal Party sa buong lalawigan, na kung saan mismong si Pangulong Aquino ang nagbigay ng pahintulot sa kanilang grupo na i-kampaniya si Interior Sec. Mar Roxas sa pagka-Pangulo sa darating na eleksyon. Malaki rin ang suporta ng Alkalde hindi lamang sa kanyang nasasakupan, kundi maging sa buong lalawigan. (E. Dumaboc)
Huge salaries of Philippine diplomats branded as ‘outrageous, scandalous’ MANILA – Migrante has branded as outrageous and scandalous the huge salaries and allowances of government officials posted in the Commission on Audit’s website. It said despite President Aquino’s so-called “Tuwid na Daan” (Straight Path) mantra of governance – the entire presidency – with 11 months remaining in its term – has
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been characterized by scandals and allegations of corruption. The COA report revealed that 7 out of the 10 highest paid government officials are diplomats of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda Basilio was in the No. 1 spot having received P16.44 million salary and allow-
ances combined; Ambassador to UK Enrique Manalo in the 3rd spot with P12.34 million and 4th was Ambassador to Australia Lourdes Yparraguirre with P11.74 million; Maria Theresa Tagulang, Consul General in Tokyo with P10.91 million was the 5th; Esteban Conejos, Philippines representative to WTO with P10.7 million was 6th; Philippe Lhuillier,
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Ambassador to Portugal with P10.56 million and ranked 7th and in the No. 8 spot was Ambassador to Germany, Maria Cleofa Natividad with P9.86 million. Aside from them, there were also 6 other diplomats who each received at least P9.1 million in salary and allowances during the 2014 fiscal year. Continue on page 2
Manila
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 10-16, 2015
Human Rights Watch says new Philippine military chief should ensure rights reforms Continued fr om page 1 from He said Iriberri should also investigate and appropriately punish military elements implicated in the harassment of activists, which includes red-baiting – the practice of publicly smearing government critics as state enemies – that in many instances has resulted in attacks against the subjects of the harassment. Iriberri should likewise ensure effective command and control of paramilitary groups, which have long been responsible for serious human rights abuses. Until such abusive units are dis-
armed and disbanded, the AFP will be responsible for ensuring that they act in accordance with the law, Kine said. To start with, he added, the AFP’s Human Rights Office should be reformed because it has not lived up to its mandate and responsibilities. Transforming the AFP Human Rights Office into a more responsive arm of the military requires a clear statement from Iriberri regarding the importance of this office to promote and protect human rights, he said. The military should also
join the new international Safe Schools Declaration, which has been signed by 47 countries. The declaration is a political commitment to do more to protect students, teachers, and schools from the negative consequences of armed conflict. “General Iriberri has the time and the opportunity to make greater respect for human rights a priority of the Philippines armed forces. It is long overdue for the Philippine military to deliver on its human rights rhetoric,” Kine said. (Human Rights Watch. Mindanao Examiner)
Protesters demand expulsion of North Cotabato lawmaker MANILA – Various groups have protested last week in front of the House of Representatives and demanded the expulsion of North Cotabato lawmaker Nancy Catamco from the National Cultural Communities committee which she heads. Among those that joined the protest were Salinlahi, Save Our Schools network (SOS) and Sulong Katribu. The group lambasted Catamco and accused her of being “antiindigenous peoples” following a police raid at the compound of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines in Davao City recently where tribesmen had been staying after fleeing military operations in the province. Kharlo Manano, Secretary-General of Salinlahi
and lead convener of the SOS network, said the evacuees in Davao City were further made to suffer in the recent attempts of the police, military and Alamara militias upon the alleged order of Catamco, forcing them to return home. “They used brute force in their so-called rescue without even addressing the intensifying militarization in their communities, the very reason why the lumads, including more than 500 children, sought refuge in Davao City,” Manano said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. He said the incident proved how the Aquino government continues to turn a blind eye on the rights and welfare of indig-
enous peoples. He said even the United Nation Special Rapporteur on Internally Displaced Persons Chaloka Beyani raised this concern over the plight of the 700 lumad refugees because of the presence of military and paramilitary groups in their communities. Beyani, in his statement, also mentioned his concern over the alleged forced recruitment of lumad tribesmen into the para-military group as well as the reported cases of schools being closed or occupied by government troops and miltias and hampering the access to education of indigenous children. Catamco has previously denied all allegations against her. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Huge salaries of Philippine diplomats branded as ‘outrageous, scandalous’ Continued fr om page 1 from Migrante siad while these diplomats were earning millions in hefty salaries, the Aquino government allocated a meager P100 million to the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) in its 2015 national budget – a massive cut back from the original proposal of P500 million that took into account the alarming increase in the number of distressed, stranded and undocumented overseas Filipino workers who urgently and desperately need government onsite services and welfare programs. Aquino even made a conditional veto to the LAF – the Department of Foreign Affairs can use the fund provided it has funding sources such as collections or savings. “No wonder Philippine diplomatic posts abroad have intensified its collections by imposing consular fee increases in passport renewals, authentications and certifications. In effect, the 100 million LAF will be sourced and passed on to OFWs in the form of state exaction and fees imposition. This kotong scheme has overburdened the 12 million OFWs and as well as their families as remittances are cut back due to increased fees and additional unnecessary impositions.” “While Aquino’s diplomats were earning millions and living comfortably in fully furnished and air-conditioned rooms, thousands
of OFWs – victims of abuses and labor malpractices – are distressed, stranded and undocumented,” Migrante said. It said in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, there are currently at least 200 Filipinas at the Philippine Embassy’s shelter, Bahay Kalinga, and at least 120 stranded male OFWs at the Philippine Embassyrented villa and another 70 Filipinas under the care of the Saudi Social Welfare Agency are sheltered at its holding center. These, it said, were on top of an estimated 20,000 undocumented OFWs who all need onsite assistance and welfare services from these very diplomats who are earning millions from the fees and collections from 12 million OFWs. Depending on the concentration of OFWs, diplomatic posts are earning millions for authentication and certification and other consular services – and to make it worse, they have increased consular services fees and imposed unnecessary certification and authentication of OFW-related documents. Migrante said in passport renewal – Philippine diplomatic posts charge fees that are three times higher than the fee in DFA-Manila which ranges from P950 for regular processing to P1,200 for express processing. The Philippine diplomatic post in Saudi Arabia imposes 240 rials (roughly equivalent to P2,800) for the renewal of passport for at least a month
of waiting for its release whilst in the United Arab Emirates 240 dirhams (at least P2,900) in Hong Kong 480 HK dollar (equivalent to at least P2,800). Even travel documents fees and airfares are being collected from the distressed and stranded, a usual complaint they received from OFWs despite government pronouncement that airfares of distressed and stranded will be provided free, according to Migrante. It said there must be an auditing of all Philippine diplomatic posts and we call on the Commission on Audit to look into the millions of Philippine diplomatic posts collections on consular services and fees. “We also call on all proOFWs Congressmen and the representatives of the progressive Makabayan bloc to initiate an investigation in aid of legislation, and in which findings will be the basis for filing graft cases against those who usurped the General Appropriations Act. The 2016 proposed national budget by the Aquino administration must be thoroughly scrutinized, and the various peoples’ organizations and NGOs active participation are crucial so that a graftfree, equitable, social services-oriented national budget that does not neglect OFWs will be approved,” Migrante said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 10-16, 2015
BLACKOUT! ZAMBO ANGA CIT Y–H undr eds of people held an inAMBOANGA CITY Hundr undreds dignation rrally ally last w eek demanding the ouster of execuweek tiv es and officials of the Z amboanga City E lectr ic C ooptives Zamboanga Electr lectric Cooper ativ e for their failur e to addr ess the worsening po wer erativ ative failure address pow situation her e. here Mayor Beng Climaco Members of the National Association of Elec- said the local government istricity Consumers for Re- sued a rally permit “to alforms Inc. (NASECOR) and low people to freely voice out urban poor associations led their sentiments on prevailthe rally in front of the office ing power situation in the of the electric cooperative in city.” The rally permit was isthe village of Putik. A news correspondent of Mindanao sued to the NASECOR led by Examiner who was photo- its President Ramon Follosco graphing the protesters said based on the recommendaas many as 600 people were tions of the police, the military and the City Legal Office. in the rally. The protest coincided “Our primary call is public with the public hearing of the interest and public safety Energy Regulatory Commis- though we are one in the apsion and representatives of peal that Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative review the local business sector. Many of those who and change its present sysjoined the rally carried plac- tem of operation,” Climaco ards demanding for the im- said. Climaco said the inmediate resignation of George Ledesma, general creasing frequency of power manager of the power coop- outages has affected erative, and members of the Zamboanga City. “We are board of directors, includ- appealing to Zamboanga ing its president Omar Sahi City Electric Cooperative to for their failure to find viable review its operations and solutions to the power crisis find out what can be done to that is affecting not only the prevent further blackouts. business sector, but the local We sympathize with the people in their sufferings and economy as well. But Ledesma and Sahi we are one with them as evand their board of directors erybody is suffering,” she were all in Manila for an im- said. The rally ended peaceportant meeting. Local council members also joined fully with no untoward incithe rally and spoke in front of dents. Worsening P ower S ituaPo Situathe huge crowd, but were tion several times interrupted by For the past several loud applause. The organizers of the months now, Zamboanga rally expected up to 5,000 City has been suffering from people to join the protest, but severe power curtailment – text messages had been cir- as much as 6 to 8 hours a day. Ledesma previously culated by unknown people discouraging residents from blamed the woes to the inadjoining the mass action, say- equate supply of electricity ing, terrorists could target the from various independent protesters and even the local power producers to the dry season in summer time and electric cooperative. Hundreds of armed po- the maintenance shutdown licemen and soldiers were of hydro and coal-fired also deployed inside and power plants in Mindanao – outside the office of the elec- for the power crisis in tric cooperative to protect Zamboanga. The local cooperative the installation from possible said it needs at least 80 megaattack.
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watts or more of electricity and dependent on the supply it buys from power producers. Ledesma said Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation is only giving Zamboanga – a highly urbanized city and one of the largest in the Philippines – 42 megawatts, and 18 megawatts more from Therma Marine Inc., of the Aboitiz Power Corp. and from Mapalad Power Corp. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines or NGCP has previously blamed the low water level and routine maintenance in hydro-power plants in Mindanao as the culprit for the lack of power supply in the region. And with this problem, big power producers take advantage of the situation and offer alternative, but expensive solutions – the diesel-fed power barges and dirty coal-fired power plants – to provide more electricity supply. The long hours of blackout are affecting not only many business establishments, but also hundreds of thousands of households here and there is no tangible solution in sight, not until 2016 when the 100-megawatt coal-fired power plant of the Alsons Power Holdings begins operations in the village of Talisayan. But villagers have been opposing the establishment of the coalfired power plant in the village due to the serious health hazards this pose to humans and animals. But Alsons have not started building its facility and cited many reasons for the alarming delay – from the failed rebellion in 2013 to the P900-million enhancement program it wanted from the local electric cooperative – in the construction of the 100 megawatt coal-fired power plant, although it finished another coal-fired power plant in Sarangani province.
Residents hold a rally in Zamboanga City on Thursday, August 6, 2015 to protest the failure of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative to address the power crisis that has affected not only the consumers, but the business sector and the local economy as well. (Photo by Ely Dumaboc - Mindanao Examiner) Mindanao has been hit We oversee the interest of will not be enough for the by repeated power crises in the businesses and the power demand. “De-loadthe past and nothing has people in the community,” ing” will mean having to run been done by the govern- To said. its embedded stand-by genment except to promote the At least 3 new malls are eration sets to provide for its use of coal-fired power being constructed in own electricity requireplants – but this too, comes Zamboanga – City Mall, ments. with a price and that trans- Yubenco and KCC Mall de For Pedro Rufo Soliven, lates to huge electric bills Zamboanga – aside from regional governor of the and environmental pollu- other smaller shops and es- Philippine Chamber of tion. tablishments and their op- Commerce and Industry for The same problem oc- eration is expected to eat up Western Mindanao, said evcurred in 2013 when the re- the already depleted power erybody must do their share gion suffered to as much as supply here. Yubenco has in helping the government 14 hours of blackout. opened recently part of its find a solution to the acute Chamber of C ommer ce Commer ommerce mall to the public. power crisis. Speaks O ut Interr uptible Load Out nterruptible Soliven, former presiProgr am And the Zamboanga ogram dent of the Zamboanga city Chamber of Commerce and The Department of En- Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the acute ergy said the acute power Industry, said: “We would power shortage has affected shortage is expected to im- like to be part of the solution many business establish- prove by 2017, and in the and we are working handments here – big and small meantime, To said the in-hand with the – and continues to threaten Aquino government should Zamboanga City Electric the vibrant economy. push for the so-called Inter- Cooperative and the Local “Sixty hours of power ruptible Load Program or government of Zamboanga interruptions last March is ILP. and look for solution to adbad for business. It increases “In the meantime, the dress this problem of power our cost of operation and government should push for curtailment.” decreased the productivity the ILP implementing rules “And we are also lookof everyone, public and pri- and regulations and make it ing for short term and long vate offices. Even small busi- attractive for commercial term solutions on how we nesses like Internet shops, establishments with excess can really solve immediately beauty parlors and restau- power to join. Manage the the lack of electricity supply rants. No power, no busi- demand side and advise us- in the city and be able really ness,” said Edwin To, presi- ers to conserve energy,” said to come up with something dent of the local business To, who is also the president to address the (power) deof Budgetwise supermarket, mand of the city.” chamber. The costs of the power He said business own- one of the biggest in ers who can afford the use of Zamboanga; and the chair- crisis to the businesses and power generators were also man of the modern Ciudad local economy are not readily available. complaining because it Medical Zamboanga. The power crisis still According to the Retail adds up to the cost of running their establishment. Electricity Suppliers Asso- continues despite a forum “For those with generator, ciation, ILP – a program es- held in Zamboanga City by power costs are double. The tablished by the Depart- the Department of Energy to Zamboanga City Electric ment of Energy and the En- address the shortage of elecCooperative charges P8 per ergy Regulatory Commis- tricity here. The forum was kilowatt hour while diesel sion aims to help mitigate attended by Energy Secregenerator is P18-P20 per the energy supply deficiency tary Jericho Petilla and Nakilowatt hour. Even if you in the country until new ca- tional Electrification Adhave a generator, it’s not pacities become available ministration Deputy Administrator Edgardo on the grid. cheap to operate,” To said. Companies with stand- Piamonte and his engineer He also said that the entry of big business establish- by generation capacities Ferdinand Villareal and ments in Zamboanga city who participate in the ILP other stake holders. will further affect the current will be compensated under One of the solutions power situation if the local this program should they proposed during the forum electric cooperative cannot use their own generating fa- was for the local cooperative provide additional supply cilities during instances of to purchase excess or unused electricity from into the grid. “And this power supply deficit. means more and longer But companies that will Mapalad Power Corporapower interruptions. participate in the ILP will be tion which would come Zamboanga chamber is al- asked by the distribution from its plants in North ways concern with the wel- utility to “de-load” for par- Cotabato and Davao provfare of the entire city. We see ticular hours in a day when inces. 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Aug. 10-16, 2015
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The Mindanao Examiner - FOREIGN
Aug. 10-16, 2015
Teen depression and how social media can help or hurt - CNN RECENT news stor ies about cyberbullying, with kids running away, hurting others and even taking their own lives, points to a growing trend with often tragic results. According to a recent study in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, 23% of teens report they are or have been the target of cyberbullying. Another 15% admitted to bullying someone else online. The researchers' review of 10 studies that explored the link between social media victimization and depression all showed -without exception-- a significant correlation. Yes, cyberbullying undeniably can inflict serious wounds. But from my own family's personal experience, along with esearch, allowing a teen access to social media
can also be a crucial part of recovery from depression and anxiety. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2012, an estimated 2.2 million adolescents, or 9.1% of the U.S. teen population (ages 12 to 17), had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. A national survey of over 10,000 adolescents showed that almost 1 in 3 teens met criteria for an anxiety disorder. Severe anxiety, including panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and phobias, afflicts 8.3% of all the teens. Some 5% to 8% of U.S. teens attempt suicide yearly, with an additional 16% seriously considering suicide within the past 12 months. Ap-
proximately 157,000 kids age 10-24 are treated in emergency departments ever y year for self-inflicted wounds. Suicide is the third leading cause of death of 15- to 24- yearolds, according to a 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Victims of cyberbullying are almost twice as likely to have attempted suicides compared with adolescents who were not the target of online attacks. Two summers ago while on a hike, my 12year-old son Matthew told my husband that he'd been having some persistent anxious and depressing thoughts. As a physician who treats adults, the issue of teen mood disorders wasn't on my radar; Matthew always seemed so happy
10,000 year old cave paintings of UFO’s and Aliens discovered in India
Ancient Code Continued fr om page 1 from Mysteriously, “there are several beliefs among locals in these villages. While few worship the paintings, others narrate stories they have heard from ancestors about “rohela people” -the smallsized ones -who used to land from the sky in a round shaped flying object and take away one or two persons in the village who never returned.” “The paintings are done in natural colours that have hardly faded despite
the years. The strangely carved figures are seen holding weapon-like objects and do not have clear features. Specially, the nose and mouth are missing. In few pictures, they are even shown wearing space suits. We can’t refute possibility of imagination by prehistoric men but humans usually fancy such things,” the archaeologist said. The oddly shaped figures depicted in the caves seem to carry mysterious objects i their hands. These
“beings” are not depicted with detailed faces, they seem to lack noses and mouths. In some of the cave paintings you can clearly see some sort of (By Ivan spacesuit. Petricevic. Ivan is a freelance writer, editor-inchief of ancient-code.com, he also writes for EWAO, Share Knowledge, Svemir Online and Ancient Origins. History, Archaeology, Space and world’s mysteries are some of the topics he writes about.)
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and upbeat -- he didn't have any obvious red flag signs of a mood disorder. I had struggled with depression and an eating disorder when I was in high school, so the fact that he might have inherited some of my tendencies wasn't a complete shock. After the initial distress that my own son was suffering emotionally, I was filled with gratitude that he'd had the strength to share his concer ns with us and reach out for help. Last year was an emotional roller coaster for the whole family as Matthew's anxious and depressive feelings became more evident. One of the biggest questions we faced as parents was whether access to social media would harm or help him with these issues. More than 92% of teens report going online daily, with 24% of those "almost constantly," according to the Pew Research Center. While Facebook remains the most common social network site used by American teens, other platforms are growing rapidly in popularity. Instagram and Snapchat rank second and third, and Tumblr, Kik Messenger and Vine are growing in use, especially among youth from middle- to upper-class homes. In addition to meeting with an experienced social worker, Matthew started using Instagram as a source of connection; he said it helped him realize other kids were experiencing similar problems. But a check on what he was viewing revealed some graphic and disturbing images. We conferred with Matthew's social worker about Matt's use of social media, and we all ultimately agreed that cutting him off completely would not be productive. Instead, we worked with Matthew to find sites that were an actual support, offering messages of "staying strong." Matthew then shifted his own Instagram account to be a positive support to others, and he quickly developed more than 6,000 followers, reinforcing that his message of hope and support was needed and appreciated. He also found YouTubers who shared their struggles now and in the past, helping him discover that he did have the opportunity to change his emotional path. Matthew was inspired to start his own channel. As parents wanting to protect our son, it took some convincing and long discussions before we agreed to his posting videos, as long as we could view them first. In his first video he says, "I want to be the kind of person that you can say, he helped me
through a hard time, and made me smile when I was in a hard place." Over the next year, Matthew made tremendous progress understanding and dealing with his feelings. As part of his bar mitzvah the next fall, he was able to stand up in front of the congregation talk about his struggles by reading a reflection he wrote entitled "We will be the hopeful." "In the past year I've learned a lot about mistakes and how we make them," he shared. "I've made many mistakes; more than I can count. I'm proud to say that I've struggled, I'm proud to have made mistakes. I want you to understand that striving for forgiveness, and no matter how deep you may be in your own, you'll keep floating. I don't want you to judge me for the past, as I won't judge you. If I can reach out to at least one of you, I'll be happy." It has been clear that allowing Matthew to have his own voice -through short films, pictures and messages of hope and humor -- has strengthened his resolve to stay on a positive path. In the past several years, we have seen many devastating stories of teenage suicides and their link with interactions on social media. But I think it would be a serious mistake to classify all social media as negative. Research supports that social media can help
friendships: 52% of teens report a positive impact, as opposed to only 4% saying it was a negative. Posting on Facebook and viewing one's profile may help improve self-esteem. Most clearly what I've heard from my son\ is about the huge amount of support peers give each other when they are depressed or are the targets of bullying. On Tumblr, a search for depression pops up a page asking: "Everything okay? If you or someone you know are experiencing any type of crisis, please know there are people who care about you and are here to help." The publicized instance of a Reddit group on Minecraft helping prevent a kid from committing suicide is just one instance of what is happening in real-time, every day. To be sure, cyberbullying, like any bullying, is reprehensible and all possible steps should be made to keep social media safe. And overuse of social media can become a negative, associated with increased depression and low body image issues. Social media is embedded in the social and emotional fabric of our teens' lives. As parents we need to stay involved, walking the challenging line between teen privacy and autonomy, while ensuring safe, productive and even healing social media experiences. (By Dr. Melinda Ring, Special to CNN)
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The Mindanao Examiner - OPINION
Aug. 10-16, 2015
Letters to the Editor: Lasting Peace Can Be President Aquino’s Legacy to the Filipino People Dear Editor, It is not too late for the government of the Republic of the Philippines under the incumbency of President Benigno S. Aquino III to forge an agreement with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Lasting peace can be his legacy to the Filipino people. He still has more than ten months to do that. No less than the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., believes that “peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines – National Democratic Front can still be done within the remaining term of office of President Benigno Aquino III.” (Philippine News Agency, July 20, 2015). Belmonte went to the Netherlands as part of the Philippine delegation to the hearing of the United Nations International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (Itlos) when it heard the case filed by the Philippine Government against China on the West Philippine Sea dispute. He took the opportunity to meet with the communist delegation of ten (10) people to discuss the issue of peace talks.
With Belmonte were House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Representative Neptali Gonzales II, Appropriations Committee Chair and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, and Accounts Committee Chair and Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madriona. The House Speaker was quoted as saying that “the atmosphere is such that it (peace negotiations) can still be done during the term of the president… He has other assistants. I do hope the festering problem will be solved and it can be solved during the last year in office.” The favorable atmosphere includes the openness of the new Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberi to the resumption of the peace talks. “The AFP welcomes the government ‘s openness for the revival of the peace talks with the CPP-NPA,” he said (The Phil Star, p. 9, July 20, 2015). We hope and pray that this declaration is not simply a motherhood statement from one who is newly appointed to a key office because he is expected to say something positive for the
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people to court their confidence and support. The good general knows too well the need “for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and long term peace in our country” as he has stated. Another positive note for peace was the position of the CPP founder Jose Maria Sison declaring full support to the Philippine government’s move to bring its problem with China over the West Philippine Sea to the UN ITLoS. He signed the statement of Filipinos in the Netherlands which said: “We, Filipinos and friends of the Filipino people in the Netherlands, stand together in upholding the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Motherland, and in defending the Filipino people’s sovereign rights over their exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea, now being illegally claimed and encroached upon by China.” On China’s position for a bilateral talk between the two nations, Sison asked: “How can the Philippines negotiate with China, which always declares ‘ab initio’ (from the beginning) that it has indisputable sovereignty over 90% of the entire South China Sea and that in effect the Philippines has no rights over EEZ and ECS (extended continental shelf)?” Sison is one with the Philippine government in this stand, and Malacañang spokespersons appreciate this. We see one problem, however. In spite of the feelers sent by top NDFP leaders on their willingness to resume the stalled peace talks soon, there is no feedback until now from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). It appears that Sec. Teresita “Ging” Deles is not keen on reopening the talks. Is she heading the Office of the Presidential Adviser Against the Peace Process? Speaker Belmonte himself expressed surprise at the absence of reaction from OPAPP to the NDFP’s overtures. Gen. Hernando Iriberri may also get disappointed because his plan is to work “hand in hand with agencies of government tasked to lead the talks.” If the primary agency which is OPAPP does not lead, what can the Filipino people expect? President Aquino, we suggest, should seriously consider placing into OPAPP people who will give him the proper advice (as Speaker Belmonte emphasized, the President “has other assistants.”) to be able to leave a legacy of genuine and lasting peace to our beloved country and people. When this happens, God’s dream for the people may come to pass: “My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting place” (Isaiah 32:18). Thank you, BISHOP ELMER M. BOL OC ON, UC CP BOLOC OCON, UCCP Executive Secretary MOST RE V. DEOGRA CIAS S. REV DEOGRACIAS IñIGUEZ, JR., D .D D.D .D.. and BISHOP FELIXBER TO L. FELIXBERT ANG, IFI CALANG, CAL Co-chairpersons (ecumenicalbishops@yahoo.com)
Mag-ingat sa Mababang Potassium (Hypokalemia) Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong ISA sa pinakamahalagang mineral sa katawan ay ang potassium. Masama ito kapag labis at masama din ito kapag kulang. Kailangan natin ang postassium para sa normal na pagtibok ng puso at paggamit ng mga masel sa katawan. Marami na akong nakitang pasyente na nadisgrasya dahil lamang sa mababang potassium. Ang tawag ng doktor dito ay hypokalemia. Ano ang dahilan ng mabababang potassium? Ang pangkaraniwang pinanggagalingan ng mababang potassium ay ang labis na pagpapawis, pagtatae at pagsusuka. Dahil dito, lumalabas ang potassium sa katawan sa pamamagitan ng ating pawis at dumi. Minsan naman ay may diprensiya ang bato (o kidneys) kaya lumalabas din ang potassium sa ihi. Kung kayo ay mahilig uminom ng mga pampadumi, pampapaihi o pampapayat, puwedeng bumaba ang iyong potassium. Kung mahilig kayo sa colon cleansing, puwede din bumaba ang potassium. Ang sobrang
Dr. Willie T. Ong pag-e-ehersisyo at pagpapawis ay puwedeng makababa din ng potassium. Ano ang sintomas? Ang sintomas ng mababang potassium ay ang panghihina ng mga paa, pinupulikat at abnormal na tibok ng puso. Naguumpisa ang panghihina sa may paa at umaakyat ito ng dahan-dahan hanggang sa ma-paralisa na ang buong katawan. Napakadelikado nitong sakit at puwedeng ikamatay agad. Paano ginagamot ang mababang potassium? Kapag malala na ang lagay ng pasyente ay kailangan nang dalhin sa ospital para mabigyan ng potassium sa dugo. Ngunit kung nag-uumpisa pa
lamang ang panghihina ay puwede muna kumain ng mga pagkaing mataas sa potassium tulad ng saging, patatas, kamatis, orange at broccoli. Ang mga pagkaing ito rin ang magandang paraan para makaiwas sa pagbaba ng potassium. Ang Gatorade ay may potassium din. May tableta din na binibigay ang mga doktor, ang potassium tablets (brand name Kalium) na mabilis magpataas ng potassium. Para makaiwas sa sakit na ito, ugaliing kumain ng 2 saging sa bawat araw. Tandaan: Two bananas a day can keep the doctor away. Kumonsulta sa doktor kung kayo ay nanghihina. Ipapasuri ng doktor ang iyong Potassium level (isang blood test) para malaman kung mababa nga ang iyong potassium. Kung kayo ay may sakit sa bato o may kidney failure, magtanong muna sa doktor bago kumain ng pagkaing mataas sa potassium. Good luck po.
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Aug. 10-16, 2015
7th Cobra Ironman winners recognized
T
HE world’s top triathletes have seen action in the recently concluded 7th Cobra Ironman 70.3 held at Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa. With its record-breaking 2,618 registered participants representing 52 countries, this year’s IronMan 70.3 was bigger than the previous competitions, said Sunrise Events’ general manager Princess Galura. The triathletes faced a demanding 90-km bike course from Mactan Newtown passing through the Marcelo Fernan Bridge to the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) at 13-km where the first medical station was situ-
ated. From CICC, the athletes headed underneath the Cebu South Coastal Road tunnel and enjoyed the flat wide roads of Cebu South Coastal Road where they made their first turn around at 29-km. After their first turn around at Talisay City, the athletes headed back to CICC for their next turn around at 45-km. The participants again made a turn around from the mountainside road to the seaside road and headed back to Talisay City for their final turn at 61-km. After the final turn around, they headed back to CICC at 77-km to Marcelo Fernan Bridge and went back to Punta Engano to the
transition point in Mactan Newtown for the 21-km run course. What made this year’s IronMan special was the crowd along the route who braved the very hot weather. Dimity-Lee Duke, 3rd place for women’s division, said the spectators cheering them along the course were a good confidence booster. The crowd included locals from Cebu, sports enthusiasts, fans and some curious spectators. Bike course Men and Women Pro Division Tim Reed finished the bike event in two hours, three minutes and 21 seconds followed by Tim Van
Mandaue holds clean-up drive ahead of APEC meet
MANDAUE CITY – More than 2,000 civil employees in Mandaue City launched a massive clean-up as part of the celebration of the 446th founding anniversary of Cebu province last week. Engr. Marivic Cabigas, head of the Department of General Services which spearheaded the clean-up drive, also urged residents to maintain the cleanliness of their surroundings. “We urged everyone to properly dispose their garbage, especially plastic, otherwise these will get stuck up in our drainage system thus compounding the flooding prob-
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lem,” she said. Cabigas said they have utilized the special holiday to clean and beautify the city, which also recently celebrated its 46th Charter Day anniversary. “This is a continuous activity which we will be doing every Saturday until we have completed the major routes,” she said. Included in the cleanup was the route to the site of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting which is set to start August 22 up to October this year. Just recently, local residents and civil employees and members of Mandaue Chamber of Commerce
and Industry planted more than 500 trees along U.N. Avenue and at the Butuanon River banks in Cabancalan area. “Trees help mitigate the adverse impact of climate change and we must ensure that what we planted will survive,” said Subangdaku Barangay Captain Ernie Manatad. “Many years from now if we are still alive, we will visit the trees and be proud that we once planted these.” City Agriculturist Rolando Tiro said a total of 350 Narra trees and 250 "Tugas" trees were planted. (Mandaue City Government)
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(L-R) 2015 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines Champs - PRO Male: Tim Reed, PRO Female: Caroline Steffen, FILIPINO ELITE August Benedicto, FILIPINO ELITE Female: Monica Torres. Photo Courtesy from Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines Facebook Page Berkel in 2 hours 3 minutes, and 16 seconds, while last year’s champion Brent McMahon was 2 seconds short for the third place. In the women’s division, sixth place Carole Fuchs took the lead in the bike event with two hours, 24 minutes and 47 seconds followed by Caroline Steffen who suffered a crash in her two hours, 25 minutes and 44 seconds record. Belinda Granger registered third in the women’s pro class with two hours, 25 minutes and 47 seconds record. Filipino Elite Men and Women Division Filipino Elite Benjamin Rana Jr. clocked two hours, 22 minutes and 25 seconds, leading the Filipino pact, followed by Kristiane Glendale Lim registering two hours, 23 minutes and 28 seconds and August Benedicto in his two hours, 23 minutes and 48 seconds record. Filipina triathlete Monica Torres continued to make her way to the top with her two hours, 27 minutes and three seconds in the bike run, outsmarting Maria Hodges with two hours, 36 minutes and 17 seconds record followed by Lc Langit who registered two hours, 36 minutes and 54 seconds finish. From the bike run transition, athletes ran the twoloop course for the final 21 km race. Ov er all R esults Over erall Results Men and Women Pro Divi-
sion The native Australian triathlete Tim Reed registered three hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds besting his buddy Tim Van Berkel. also from Australia, by two seconds. Last year’s champion Brent McMahon settled at the third spot with his three hours, 50 minutes and 23 seconds record. If there was one thing that the high-caliber Caroline Steffen proved during the race, it was the attitude of not giving up. Even if Steffen suffered a crash during the bike event, she managed to continue the race while feeling a few aches. Her drive pushed a convincing finish with her four hours, 23 minutes and 54 seconds record, defending her title from the last year’s Ironman. The 25-year old American triathlete Beth Gerdes finished second place who registered four hours, 29 minutes and seven seconds followed by 32-year old Australian Dimity-Lee Duke with her four hours, 29 minutes and 36 seconds record. Filipino Elite Men and Women Division The reigning Filipino elite champion August Benedicto successfully defended his title by finishing the whole race in four hours, 28 minutes and 36 seconds. Benedicto finished first by six seconds, leaving the second spot to 29-year-old
John Philip Duenas who registered four hours, 28 minutes and 42 seconds followed by 22-year-old Banjo Norte with his four hours, 29 minutes and 5 seconds record. Meanwhile, the Filipino Elite for female division Monica Torres secured the title by finishing the three events in four hours, 39 minutes and 37 seconds. Second place Maria Hodges registered four hours, 53 minutes and nine seconds while Lc Langit snagged the third spot with her five hours, five minutes and 30 seconds record. Meanwhile, the 45year-old Australian Belinda Granger, who was a consistent participant of Ironman Philippines and finished on the fifth spot, announced her retirement. “The Philippines made a huge impact in my life and I could say that this is the best country to race,” Granger said. “Even if I will not be racing next year, I will find a way to come back here.” President and Chairman of Sunrise Events Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Jr. thanked everyone who participated and supported the event. Uytengsu also announced that the Philippines, specifically Cebu, will host next year’s Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship. (Cebu Provincial Government)
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