FREE CLASSIFIED ADS INSIDE - EMAIL US: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com Lawmaker doubtful on Mar Roxas’ campaign funds PAGE 3
Pulitika sa Lanao Norte mainit na!
Sulu Pictures in the News
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Massive blasts rock Chinese city of Tianjin, killing 17 and injuring over 300
Letters to the Editor: Breastfeeding Tatay
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Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong: Simpleng Solusyon sa High Blood Pressure
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BIR honors top tax payers
One of the Facebook accounts campaigning for ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman to run for the Senate in the 2016 polls. (Mindanao Examiner)
Muslims push ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman to run for Senate
MAGUINDANAO – Muslim leaders in Mindanao are moving at full throttle to push for the senatorial bid of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman as they clamor to be represented in Senate. Hataman supporters from Mindanao have already put up different Facebook accounts and
urging him to run for the Senate in next year’s local and national polls. “Governor Mujiv Hataman will have the endorsement of all Muslims in Mindanao, not just those who are in ARMM because of this clamor for a Muslim to represent Muslims in Senate,” said Nung Ajihil, president and convener of the Zamboangabased Mahadjanah.
Mahadjanah – which means “public or constituent, community of people” – has members in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi and it is one of the Muslim groups that expressed willingness to lead a Mindanao-wide signature campaign to urge Hataman to heed the calls of the Muslims for him to run for Senate. Continue on page 3
Sulu inaugurates new solar street lights
The Bureau of Internal Revenue has cited two prominent politicians in southern Philippines – Sulu Vice Governor Sakur Tan and Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco – as among its top tax payers and awarded them for their revenue contributions in the region. Also in the photo is Alert Alocilja, the BIR regional director for Western Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo) ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue has cited two prominent politicians in southern Philippines as among its top tax payers and awarded them for their revenue contributions in the region. Alert Alocilja, the BIR regional director for Western Mindanao, said among the awardees were Sulu
Vice Governor Sakur Tan and Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco. Tan was given two awards and Climaco got one during a ceremony here that coincided with the 111th BIR anniversary celebration. Alocilja praised Tan for his tax payments and said other politicians who have business of their own or their family should emulate
the vice governor, whose family operates several gas depots, among others, in the region. The provincial government of Sulu under Governor Totoh Tan also was among the few provinces, including Zamboanga City honored by the BIR for their tax revenues. Continue on page 2
Lawmaker doubtful on Mar Roxas’ campaign funds
Sulu Governor Totoh Tan leads the inauguration of new solar street lights in the town of Maimbung. (Photos courtesy of Maimbung municipal and Sulu provincial governments.) SULU – More than a dozen solar street lights were inaugurated recently by provincial government officials in Sulu as part of an on-going infrastructure and development program, officials said. Governor Totoh Tan led the ceremony in the coastal town of Maimbung where 20 solar power LED street lights have been installed in the villages of Kulasi and Laud
ARMM
Kulasi. The project, which was jointly launched by the municipal government under Mayor Samier Tan and the provincial government, is aimed at hastening development and productivity in the area which is rich in marine resources. The governor said at least 30 other solar street lights had been installed in other towns under the socalled “Project Solar Street
Lights.” He said more projects are underway not only in Maimbung, but other areas as well, to better serve the people. “We hope to put more street lights and other infra and development projects in all the 19 towns and with the strong support of local officials and the people, we now see a better and progressive Sulu,” the governor said. Continue on page 3
Southern Mindanao
Davao
MANILA – Representative Carlos Zarate has questioned the sources of political campaign funds of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas who is running for the presidency in next year’s polls. “It seems that they are really bent on building up a more (of so-called) masa image for Mar Roxas, as his face is conspicuous on TV morning shows and with all his campaign ads on TV. But it makes us wonder where Mar Roxas is pulling all the money from. Fifteen seconds on a primetime commercial spot can go upwards from P250,000, while 30 seconds on TV can go upwards from half a million. His TV placements early in the game makes questioning his
fund source a valid point,” Zarate said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. He said the 2015 national budget was padded by the government to provide the administration substantial fuel for their campaign train. He said The DILG for example, with Mar Roxas in the stern, has a whopping P154.5 billion budget in 2015. “Ang DILG ay binigyan pa ng pondo para sa pabahay at patubig, na labas na sa mandato nito. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad cleverly crafted the 2015 budget to service the allies of the administration,” Zarate alleged. Zarate said that the large sums of money in
Western Mindanao
Cebu
strategic departments and the revolving definition of savings go hand in hand in ensuring money for Liberal Party campaign kitties. “We saw it last year and we see it again in the budget deliberations this year how the executive is pooling funds in local government units and in LP allies in the bureaucracy. Funds for local government units increased five-fold in the 2016 National Expenditures Program, because it is common knowledge among politicians that LGUs, up to the barangay level, are the base in ensuring electoral victories for national candidates especially in presidential races,” Zarate said. Continue on page 3
Manila
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Aug. 17-23, 2015
BIR honors top tax payers
Continued fr om page 1 from “Sulu is one of the best (revenue) contributors and is also awarded as one of the highest tax payers in the province,” Alocilja told reporters before the start of the awarding ceremony. Tan also thanked the BIR for the recognition awards and said he has been paying his taxes religiously even before he was not in public service for many decades now. “Paying the correct taxes and religiously for that matter is our duty and the taxes also go back to us, to the people in terms of basic services and infrastructures, and many more and we have been very supportive
of this effort and a strong advocate of tax collections,” Tan also told reporters on the sideline of the ceremony. Tan, a known philanthropist, said he has been paying government taxes at least 40 million. “I would like these (awards) to set an example to other public servants. These also erase notion that our people do not pay taxes. We do pay for as long as we have the income. We pay for the income we make to government because we know the government will return this to the people in terms of important projects,” he said. “Unang-una yun mga namumuno (sa gobyerno tulad namin) sila ang dapat
maging model na nagbabayad ng buwis sa atin pamahalaang ng sa ganoon ay mabura rin ang impression at saka imahe ng mga pulitiko na sila ay hindi nagbabayad ng taxes o other income. Alam natin seryoso yun ating national government dito sa tuwid na daan kaya dapat tumulong tayo at nagpapasalamat nga tayo this is a way on our part as members of the community our way of thanking the national government for providing and knowing that the revenues and taxes that we pay are plowed back to us,” Tan added. (Firstly, those in the government like us should be a
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role model in paying taxes to the government and this also erases the notion and impression that politicians do not pay taxes from other business they make. We know that the government is serious in its righteous campaign and that’s why we need to help the government as members of the community and this is our way of thanking the national government for providing and knowing that the revenues and taxes that we pay are plowed back to us.) Among others who
were also awarded were the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte, Katipunan Bank, Winston Uy; the provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur and municipal government of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay, and Pagadian Best Emporium, Pagadian Chinese-Filipino Chamber of Commerce, RVSM Realty Development Corporation, Elena Tsang; Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Department of Education in Isabela City, Department of Public Works
and Highways in the Muslim autonomous region and Sulu province; Benjamin Go, of the Garden Orchids Hotel, Mindanao State University in TawiTawi, Al Tawi-Tawi Nickel Corporation and Abdelnoo Hadjirul. The BIR also honored six of its employees who have been serving for at least two decades or more – Casan Azis, Barbara Mon, Liza Ocena, Marisyl Santiago, Janette Sarmiento and Luis Velario. (With a report from E. Dumaboc)
Muslims push ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman to run for Senate Continued fr om page 1 from The Federation of Civil Society Organizations (FCSO) of Tawi-Tawi also said Hataman’s victory in the Senate would be the victory of all Muslims in the Philippines. “Hataman for Senate will bring into the nation’s attention the plight of Muslim Filipinos in Mindanao and in the entire country. Hataman will stand, fight and serve them with commitment, steadfastness, and piety and that’s for sure,” said Arlene Sevilla, of FCSO. She said Hataman is a proven leader. “He is a man of action, someone who really serves his constituents with transparency and accountability, promoting quality service and professionalism in the work place. The Muslim Filipinos need a Mujiv Hataman in the Senate,” Sevilla said. Abdurasad Kenoh, president of the Senior Citizens Federation in ARMM, said Muslims must support Hataman without second thoughts. “It’s in promotion of patriotism,” Kenoh said, adding that “besides, Hataman’s policies and brand of genuine leadership are proven to be effective and beneficial for ARMM and its people.”
He also cited how Hataman put an end to the presence of so-called “ghost” of fictitious employees, teachers, students and even schools.” “It was him who put an end to the nefarious activities of these ghosts and he did it with the determination of a great leader who felt the need of the people and their own clamor for lasting change and development,” Kenoh said. Edwin Usman, of the Fisherfolk Association of Tawi-Tawi, and Tarhata Maglangit, a civil-society leader in Maguindanao, both also expressed their strong support for Hataman. And so is Basher Naim, of the Federation of Cooperatives of Lanao del Sur, who said that it is high time for a Muslim to be in the Senate. “With all the issues confronting the Muslim-Filipino, I think it is high time for us to have a representation in the Senate,” Naim said. When reached for his comment about the clamor of Muslims for Hataman to run for senator, Director Amir Mawallil, the regional governor’s spokesman, said that the 2016 elections are not yet up the radar of Hataman.
“As far as I know there are no plans for him to run for higher office,” Mawallil said. “The regional government under his helm is still busy preparing for the transition to the proposed Bangsamoro entity. He is also busy helping his home province, as I know he wants Basilan to be a model of peace and development in the region.” But Mawallil was quick to say that “Hataman’s heart will always be in the service of the Moro people.We are all witnesses as to what he can do as a true leader and he will always be willing to serve the people of Mindanao,” he said. In 2011, Hataman was appointed as the caretaker of the region, with no less than President Benigno Aquino labeled ARMM as a “failed experiment.” Hataman – who was a student activist during his younger days and later to become human rights advocate – became the governor when he overwhelmingly won in the elections in 2013. Hataman was a congressional representative of Anak Mindanao party list from 2001 up to 2010. (With a report from E. Dumaboc and Cristina Diabordo)
Sulu inaugurates new solar street lights Continued fr om page 1 from The inauguration was attended different sectors, including provincial and municipal officials and hundreds of villagers, who were elated by the installation of additional street lights in the town. For his part, the mayor reiterated his commit-
ment to pour more development projects and bring basic services to the communities to spur economic activities in Maimbung. He said aside from the street lights, there is an on-going construction of flea market and a covered court in the town. Vice Governor Sakur
Tan praised the projects and support of the locals to the efforts of the provincial and municipal governments and said: “Only through the path of unity can we truly achieve the development of our people and the progress of Sulu.” (Mindanao Examiner)
Lawmaker doubtful on Mar Roxas’ campaign funds Continued fr om page 1 from In a presentation during the Development Budget Coordinating Council hearing discussing the NEP 2016, Zarate also illustrated how the definition of savings and augmentation has evolved and has been used to cull a “hidden pork barrel.” “Secretary Abad de-
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 17-23, 2015
fended their version of the meaning of savings, and how they hastily collect these “savings” mid-year, because it provides them the opportunity use these funds to their whim. In the hocus-pocus they are doing to the people’s money by redefining, realigning, and restructuring, it is no wonder why people as-
sume that all these money goes to the LP campaign train,” Zarate said. There was no immediate statement from Roxas on Zarate’s accusations. Zarate belongs to the opposition Bayan Muna party list group while Roxas is from the Liberal Party. (Mindanao Examiner)
NOTICE Missing Person This is to NOTIFY the public that Mrs. ZENEFER R. LUMOSAD, of legal age, married to Emmanuel Caliangan, a resident of Zamboanga City had been missing since 2007. Any information about Mrs. Lumosad, please notify his husband in his contact number 09056673000. Emmanuel Caliangan
Zamboanga City slams false reports on IDPs ZAMBOANGA CITY – The City Government has strongly denied news reports alleging that internally displaced persons (IDPs) were hidden away during the recent visit of United Nations (UN) Rapporteur Chaloka Beyani. “There is no truth to the information given out that we tried to hide IDPs from the UN Rapporteur,” said Elmeir Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer. Mayor Beng Climaco said the local government has always put the well-being and welfare of IDPs at the forefront of its priorities, from the start of the siege almost two years ago to the rehabilitation efforts that are currently ongoing. “If you ask me as Mayor of Zamboanga, not only did we apply mercy and compassion, but we tried to ensure durable solutions will be given to the IDPs by putting above all their immediate
need for shelter that must be dignified,” she said. Addressing the allegations published by a national newspaper, Apolinario said the UN Rapporteur was aware of the transfer of IDPs and the issues revolving around their temporary stay in Lupa-lupa as these were discussed during his exit conference. Beyani visited Zamboanga City July 23 to look into the situation of IDPs. Aside from Zamboanga, Beyani likewise visited other areas in the country which were affected by natural and man-made calamities, particularly in Maguindanao, Tacloban and South Cotabato. During his visit, Beyani acknowledged the ongoing rehabilitation and early recovery efforts being undertaken by the local government but likewise pressed for immediate action to improve the living condition of IDPs who moved to Lupa-lupa
from the sports complex that housed the IDPs. Aside from the fact that the sports complex was no longer conducive as a shelter site and required extensive rehabilitation, Apolinario emphasized the transfer from there to Lupa-lupa was carried out with adequate consultations and preparations, and at the insistence of the leaders, barangay officials, and IDPs. “We never do things without coordination” he said, noting the timeline for the transfer, which was deferred several times in consideration of the requests and needs of IDPs, had already been planned as early as March 2015, way before the UN Rapporteur decided to visit here. “There was no forced movement; there was no intimidation on the part of the government. Everything was done properly in coordination with humanitarian partners,” Apolinario said. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)
ARMM hires contractors for conduct of census COTABATO CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PSAARMM) has deployed 3,145 service contractors to conduct the 2015 Census of Population (PopCen) in the region. The contracted personnel are composed of 2,402 enumerators, 604 team supervisors and 139 census area supervisors. The listing and enumeration for PopCen 2015 are scheduled from August 10 to September 6. Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10625, or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013, the PSA = known in the past as National Statistics Office – is the lead agency tasked to take an inventory of the population in the Philippines. The last census done in 2010 registered a population 3.2 million for ARMM. The region is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, TawiTawi and Sulu.
The PopCen 2015 is a complete enumeration of households in the country and is designed to take an inventory of the population of the entire country. It also collects information about basic characteristics of the population such as age, sex, marital status, religious affiliation, highest grade/year completed and usual occupation, among others. The project will also gather selected housing data such as type of building and construction materials used, especially roofs and walls, as well as barangay characteristics like presence of selected facilities and informal settlers. “It provides government planners, policy and decision makers with updated population counts on which to base their social and economic development plans, policies and programs,” said Hji. Abdulkareem Suod Barodi, PSA-ARMM interim regional director. The data and information gathered in the census
will be the local government units’ official basis when preparing and filing ordinances. Barodi urged the public to support and cooperate in the population survey by supplying complete and correct information. Section 27 of RA 10625 cited that “respondents of primary data collection activities such as censuses and sample surveys are obliged to give truthful and complete answers to statistical inquiries. The gathering, consolidation, and analysis of such data shall likewise be done in the most truthful and credible manner.” Failure to provide truthful and complete answers to statistical inquiries, the law added, will be penalized with a fine of P100,000 and one year imprisonment. The population count by province, city, municipality, and barangay will be submitted to the Office of the President for proclamation as official census counts in January 2016. (Bureau of Public Information)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 17-23, 2015
Mindanao natural resource governance confab ends DAVAO CITY – A two-day conference on natural resource governance organized by the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) was held in Davao City in southern Philippines. The organizer said the conference was attended by representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao, and local government officials from Davao del Norte and South Cotabato. It said the timely release of shares of the local government units from the national wealth, environment protection and local community development programs were among the issues discussed during the forum and workshop entitled “Natural Resource Governance: Making Transparency Matter” held on August 5 and 6 at Waterfront Insular Hotel. The event provided an opportunity for the local government and the community to have a better
understanding of the EITI standards, processes and implementation. “The EITI report can bring us better perspective on how we can further develop our reporting for full transparency in the extractive industries and improve our local policies on the use of natural resources.” “Let’s build on the capacity of local government units to collect data and make reporting and accomplishing frameworks friendly to users. Moreover, we need to create strategies to benefit from mining revenues to develop initiative that will benefit the community in the mining areas,” said Neiljun Esdrilon, Samal City councilor and VicePresident of the Philippine Councilors League – Mindanao Executive Board. The Philippines submitted its first country report to the EITI International Board on December 29, 2014. The PH-EITI report contains financial disclosures of 30 largescale metallic mining companies and 6 oil and gas companies for the year 2012, covering a to-
tal of P2.7 billion in revenue. Organizer said while the EITI process is not expected to provide solutions to all issues related to the extractives, it can provide a platform for discussion of such issues. Wilhelm Suyko, DILG assistant regional director, who was among those in the conference, emphasized the need for continuous discussion on policy issues that concern the extractive industries. “There should be a continuous dialogue on the legalities of extraction so that the national policies on mining can be supplemented and understood at the local level,” he said. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative is a global coalition of governments, companies and civil society working together to improve openness and management of revenues from natural resources. Countries implement the EITI Standard to ensure full disclosure of taxes and other payments made by oil, gas and mining companies to governments. (Mindanao Examiner)
SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO
The Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (Go Negosyo) and the US Embassy ntr epr eneurship D ev elopDev evelopin the Philippines partner for the launch of its Youth E Entr ntrepr epreneurship ment Wor kshop ((YED YED W ) 2015 orkshop YEDW 2015. YEDW is a developmental three-day workshop for existing Filipino young entrepreneurs and young aspiring entrepreneurs (with actual business ideas) that will be held in Manila, Batangas, Iloilo and Zamboanga. The four initial workshops will include training, networking, and mentorship opportunities, as well as U.S. exchange program alumni and Go Negosyo angelpreneurs who will be guest speakers and mentors. At the conclusion of each workshop, a panel of judges from the American and Filipino business communities will vote on the best plans to innovate and expand their businesses. One finalist from each city will receive a P30, 000.00 grant with the exception of the grand prize winner, who will receive P100, 000. Finally, the top ten participants from each workshop will be invited to Manila to participate in a final workshop that will coincide with the 2015 APEC Ministerial meetings in November 2015. This final workshop will build upon previous workshops by giving participants an opportunity reflect on the progress and challenges they encountered since the initial workshop, further hone their business development skills, network with counterparts from across the Philippines, tour successful U.S. and Philippine companies, engage with special guest speakers, and meet with APEC Ministerial meeting interlocutors. Minimum qualifications: (1) Must be a Filipino citizen (2) Should either be a: - Young entrepreneur with existing enterprises - Young person with profound interest with starting his/her own business (has a well thought-out idea that he/she is committed to pursuing or growing into a venture) (3) Should be below 35 years old at the time of the deadline of application (4) Requirements: business pitch (existing business and business idea) How many will be selected and when is the deadline? The organizers will select only 50 applicants per area workshop. Application for the Zamboanga (extended until August 21, 2015) and application for Batangas leg of YEDW is ongoing. For online application and inquir ies: inquiries: Visit www.gonegosyo.net or Facebook page Go Negosyo Official or call (02) 6379229.
Jamail Magompara (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Cristina Diabordo)
Pulitika sa Lanao Norte mainit na! L ANAO DEL NORTE – Mataas ngayon ang tension sa bayan ng Pantar sa Lanao del Norte matapos na magsagupaan doon ang grupo ng mayor at vice mayor na kung saan ay isang katao ang inulat na nasawi at ilang iba pa ang sugatan. Sa nakalap na impormasyon ng Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, nabatid na nauwi sa barilan ang away nina Mayor Mohammad Exchan Limbona at
kanyang Vice Mayor na si Mangundaya Tago dahil sa pulitika. Naisugod naman sa pagamutan sa Marawi City ang isang sugatan na nakilalang Jamail Magompara, 29. Nahagip ito ng bala ng magsagupaan ang mga armadong grupo ng dalawang pulitiko na kung saan ay nasawi ang isang tiyuhin ng kapatid ng vice mayor. Sinabi naman ni Col. Gilbert Gapay, ang commander ng Mechanized Brigade sa Iligan City, na
political rivalry ang ugat ng kaguluhan. Nabatid na magkamag-anak rin ang dalawang magkatunggaling pulitiko, subalit hindi agad matiyak kung anong partido ang mga ito. Tiniyak naman ni Gapay na under control ang sitwasyon at magiging payapa ang halalan sa susunod na taon. Ang Lanao del Norte ay tradisyonal na hot spot sa tuwing halalan. (E. Dumaboc at Cristina Diabordo)
Military officer arrested in Zamboanga for firing gun Z AMBOANGA CITY – Police arrested a military officer who allegedly fired his gun indiscriminately in the air and hit and wounded a villager in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said. Officials said Captain Joselito Vidal, 36, was nabbed by members of the Zamboanga City Public Safety Company led by PO3 Alharab Saleh along Governor Alvarez Street.
Vidal reportedly fired his pistol and hit Michael Tan, 50. “As a result of the said incident, a certain Michael Elgarico Tan, 50 years old, a resident of Marcos Drive in Putik (village) was hit. He was rushed to Zamboanga Doctor’s Hospital for medical treatment,” said Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokesman. Samuddin said po-
licemen seized the military officer’s .45-caliber pistol and a magazine with four bullets. He said policemen also recovered a bullet casing fired from the same gun, and Vidal’s motorcycle. It was unknown why Vidal fired his gun, but Samuddin said the officer is currently detained at a police station while the investigation is going on. (Mindanao Examiner)
Aug. 17-23, 2015
The Mindanao Examiner
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SULU PICTURES IN THE NEWS
Sulu Governor Totoh Tan along with Vice Governor Sakur Tan, and Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan lead the inauguration of solar LED street lights in Maimbung. (Sulu Provincial Government)
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The Mindanao Examiner - FOREIGN
Aug. 17-23, 2015
Massive blasts rock Chinese city of Tianjin, killing 17 and injuring over 300 – CNN
Fire and smoke rise from the site of a series of explosions in Tianjin. The blasts at a warehouse in the northern Chinese port city killed 17 people, state media reported. (CNN Photo) NINE firefighters are dead and dozens more remain missing in the wake of massive blasts at an industrial warehouse in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin overnight last week, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported. It wasn't immediately clear whether the firefighters' deaths were included in the overall
death toll of 17 that Chinese state media reported. A series of huge explosions shook the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, killing 17 people and injuring more than 300, according to officials and state media. The cause was not immediately clear. Liu Yue, a 25-year-old Tianjin resident, said she
felt the first blast but didn't think too much of it. "The second explosion was so powerful that I felt the entire 16-floor-building was shaking," said Liu, who lives about 4 kilometers (2½ miles) from the site of the blasts. "I thought it was an earthquake! I was extremely scared. I was afraid my family was in danger."
The initial explosion erupted at a warehouse for a logistics company in an industrial area of the port city, according to Tianjin police. The company was identified as Tianjin Dongjiang Port Rui Hai International Logistics Co. Ltd. The state-run news agency Xinhua reported that the explosion tore through a warehouse storing "dangerous and chemical goods" in Binhai, an area of the city by the water. Video from the scene showed a blinding blast of light and smoke that sent fireballs shooting across the night sky. That was followed by an even bigger explosion, the force of which appeared to knock over the video camera. The shock waves were felt kilometers away, Xinhua reported, and some residents said windows and fish tanks had been shattered. The state-run China Earthquake Networks Cen-
ter said in an official post on social media that two of the explosions had carried the force of small earthquakes. The first was measured at magnitude of 2.3, the second at 2.9, it said. As day broke last Thursday, the extent of the damage was beginning to become clear. State media carried images of damaged buildings and parking lots full of rows of burned-out cars. The People's Daily and CCTV, China's state-owned broadcaster, reported that 17 people were killed. CCTV and Xinhua said that more than 400 people were injured, while the People's Daily said some 315 were hurt, 32 of them critically.Xinhua had reported earlier that most of the injuries were from stones or broken glass. The injured were taken to different hospitals in the city, and people gathered outside, waiting for news of loved ones. Many roads were
blocked off around the city, which has a population of more than 13 million. The firefighting division of the Chinese Public Security Ministry said firefighters were first called to the scene about a fire. An explosion happened after they arrived and it damaged buildings and infrastructure. Four firefighters were injured and two more have lost contact, according to the ministry. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have called for "all-out efforts" to save the injured and minimize casualties, Xinhua reported. Li also promised a full investigation of the incident. (By Steven Jiang and Dana Ford, CNN. Steven Jiang reported from Tianjin. Jethro Mullen reported and wrote from Hong Kong, and Dana Ford reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Will Ripley, Shen Lu, Kevin Wang, Elizabeth Joseph and Don Melvin contributed to this report.)
Unpredictable peace: Taliban’s internal instability – Al Jazeera DESPITE efforts by two sets of mediators, the dispute over the issue of succession is still unresolved even after more than a week since the Taliban belatedly conceded the death of their supreme leader, Mullah Omar. The generally disciplined Taliban movement is increasingly facing anarchy in its ranks. In my attempts to fully understand and be able to fully communicate all sides of this issue, I conducted a number of personal interviews with both supporting and dissenting figures of the Taliban movement and Mullah Akhtar Mansoor’s leadership. In an interview with Mansoor’s aides, supporters of the new “emir” of the Taliban movement have accused Mansoor’s opponents of remaining inactive all these years, while the group struggled to survive after being ousted from power in late 2001. In an interview with leaders of an anti-Mansoor faction, they responded by alleging that he hurriedly got himself chosen by the pliant, 18-member leadership council – the rahbari shura – when Taliban members were still in mourning for Omar. Naming the new Taliban leader The anti-Mansoor faction is demanding the convening of a larger shura of pro-Taliban religious scholars, field commanders, and notables to decide the succession and name the new Taliban leader. According to my personal sources within the Taliban and pro-Taliban religious circles, the mediators are pro-Taliban religious fig-
ures, but not all are neutral – an essential requirement to be able to win the trust of the parties to the dispute. Instead of pooling their resources and influence, the mediators are working separately in three groups and in the process, they’re causing confusion. The anti-Mansoor faction, which is weaker in that it lacks influential members, has given authority to one set of mediators and pledged to abide by whatever verdict it delivers with the sole condition that this should be based on Islamic law. After an interview I conducted with Mansoor’s aides, it is clear that the Mansoor group is unwilling to give authority to the mediators. In fact, the group quickly arranged meetings of its supporters across Afghanistan and Pakistan to seek “baiyat” (pledge of loyalty) for Mansoor in order to wrap up the issue of succession and pre-empt any adverse move by the opposition. Pledging lo yalty loyalty According to another interview with the spokesperson for the anti-Mansoor faction and Mullah Omar’s only surviving brother, Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, these meetings were also used to offer prayers for Omar to attract more people, a move criticised by the antiMansoor faction. Mansoor’s men are presenting his appointment and their pledge of loyalty to him as a fait accompli which cannot be rolled back. They have now taken the next step by offering positions in the Taliban set-up to opposition stalwarts, particularly to Omar’s only surviving brother, Mullah
Abdul, and eldest son, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob. In fact, Mansoor’s biggest worry is to neutralise the family of Omar, the Taliban movement’s founder and head for 19 years, who, as the “Amirul Momineen” (commander of the faithful), enjoyed unparallelled popularity among his followers. Omar’s family has refused to pledge loyalty to Mansoor and, instead, backed the opposition’s demand for convening a larger council meeting to decide on the issue of succession. In an interview, Yaqoob – stated to be about 23 years old – told me he had been offered the important job of head of the Taliban military commission despite being young and inexperienced. If Mansoor can win over Omar’s brother and son, his position as the new Taliban head will become stronger and unassailable. However, if he fails to do so, Mansoor will maintain the title of “emir”, though his position will be deemed controversial. Alter ing the course Altering Once firmly in the saddle, Mansoor will have to make decisions that could alter the course of the ongoing Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. Mansoor has neither his predecessor’s stature nor his unchallenged powers. Unlike Omar, who was the Taliban’s “Amirul Momineen”, and therefore, the supreme leader, Mansoor is a mere “emir” with lesser powers. He will have to lead by consensus and involve his shura members and military commanders in the decision-making process.
Mansoor will also have to go beyond his Ishaqzai Durrani tribe while making key appointments to refute allegations of nepotism. One keenly awaited decision by Mansoor will be the future of the Afghan peace process. Through persuasion by Pakistan, Mansoor agreed to the peace talks with Afghanistan’s unity government of President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah and sent a Taliban delegation to the Pakistani hill-station of Murree for the first face-to-face meeting on July 7. However, his recent antipeace talks statement has caused disappointment and confusion for Islamabad and Kabul, as well as for Washington and Beijing. Bold and rrisky isky decisions However, Mansoor’s statement should be seen in context of his ongoing efforts
to consolidate his position as the new Taliban leader by seeking support of group members, particularly the fighters, who are opposed to the peace talks. Mansoor’s earlier decision to hold negotiations with Kabul was certainly bold and risky, as he gave up the old Taliban demand that all foreign forces should be withdrawn from Afghanistan before any peace talks can take place. This move invited criticism that Mansoor was too close to Pakistan andunable to take an independent line on key issues. However, it is also true that he will first have to strengthen his position as the Taliban head in order to be able to persuade his field commanders and clerics to give up their opposition to the peace talks. The recent statement by Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen-
eral Raheel Sharif, stating that those opposed to the Afghan peace talks are enemies of peace in the region, should be seen as a warning to all sides in the conflict, including the Taliban. If the Taliban leadership wants to continue to stay in Pakistan, it won’t be able to ignore Islamabad’s advice to try to achieve some of its objectives through negotiations and become part of the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. The peace process is still in an early and unpredictable stage and it could be spoiled by the hawks which are present in both the Afghan government and the Taliban movement. However, it is the preferred option as the alternative is continued war in Afghanistan fuelling instability in the region, particularly in Pakistan. (Rahimullah Yusufzai)
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Aug. 17-23, 2015
Letters to the Editor: Breastfeeding Tatay Dear Editor, “I believe that breastfeeding is not just about latching. It is more of a holistic family journey to a healthier and wonderful life.” Hi. I’m Jaime. A soonto-be Tatay. Few days or a week from now a little bundle of joy—a Baby Boy will be joining our family. I’m Jaime (pronounced as Hay-me), a proud member of Breastfeeding Pinays facebook community. A Tatay-to-be. A man. Though it is my desire to breastfeed my Baby, it is impossible in my part. I’m a father. I’m a man. Though I have no breast, I am very proud to say that I will not just be supporting my mag-ina in OUR breastfeeding journey but will staunchly involve myself into this wonderful journey. In fact, in our almost-a-year preparation for my wife’s pregnancy, the biggest part of it is all about researching, studying, asking and enthusiastically inquiring about breastfeeding. I am actually a victim of “HI MOMMY JAIME” replies and comments to the
online community where I usually post my inquiries. Perhaps, people in the online world think that I am a usual woman or Nanay asking about breastfeeding and anything about pregnancy. And I am untiringly making clear to them that I am not a Mommy. Tatay po ko. I’m patiently studying every single detail about breastfeeding. I am researching about the importance and benefits of breastfeeding and how a man like me can be part of it. ‘Cause I’ve realized that it is not enough to support my wife. I’ve realized that it is important not only to support her but be a vital part of this journey. More than the support is the eagerness to accept all the challenges in OUR breastfeeding journey because I believe that breastfeeding is not just about latching. It is more of a holistic family journey to a wonderful life. Where in my wife is the main player, I as the staunch supporter and our Baby as the beneficiary. And the eagerness to know every single detail about breastfeeding is part of in-
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volving myself into this journey. It is not enough that Nanay is the only one who knows about it. I also need to know. I want to know everything about our journey. It is a must that I know everything about exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). It’s a must that I know about proper latching. It’s a must that I also know about colostrum, inverted nipple, engorged breast, nipple confusion, virgin guts, growth spurts, hand express and milk storage plastic or bag. It’s a must that I know the importance of the Unang Yakap, the skin-to-skin, the importance of Baby’s first 1000 days and the Tamang Kain. It’s a must that I also know everything about proper storage of breast milk and how to preserve it. I have to know Executive Order no. 51, the RA 10028, the RA 7600 and other laws that will guarantee the rights of my wife and my baby to a free and efficient breastfeeding. I have to know even the simplest thing about breastfeeding—even about places that are breastfeeding-friendly, locations of breastfeeding stations in the malls and online resellers on nursing bras, nursing tops or nursing covers. [Segue: It is just a few of the things I’m willingly learning apart from the details of gentle and natural birth, breech babies, cephalic position, epidural, induced labor, episiotomy, amniotic fluid, doulas, Shiphrah, babywearing, Mei tai, SSC, Saya, Ringsling, Wrap, Woven Wrap and Stretchy wrap, Tula, Ergobaby, Pognae, Lennylamb, Lelliebubb, scarf hack, NBC, cloth diapers, inserts, liners, MF, Bamboo cotton, Hemp, Minky, Alva 3 and 4.0 and many more things about our Baby’s welfare.] It is important to know everything about it for me to effectively guide my wife. In this way I can efficiently help my wife in the challenges of breastfeeding. Tulad din sa ibang bagay, mas makakainam na alam mo ang iyong mga pagdadaanan. In this way I feel that I am part of the journey. And I know by involving myself in the breastfeeding journey will let me appreciate more the beauty of my wife—her wonderfulness as a woman and her greatness as the mother of my child. I know that there’s a lot more thing we should know especially that we are still not yet in the situation. And I am already preparing myself. I am preparing myself the way how my wife prepares herself to our breastfeeding journey. In fact I’ve already notified my bosses about my intention to temporarily leave to work from the day of the birth of my child until the milk production of my wife becomes stable. I’ve computed our financial loss and need due to this leave. I know that my support for my wife and my child will be more important rather
Simpleng Solusyon sa High Blood Pressure Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong KAPAG ang blood pressure niyo ay palaging lampas sa 140 over 90, ang ibig sabihin ay may high blood ka na. Ang pinakamainam na blood pressure ay mga 120 over 80. May mga natural na paraan para bumaba ang iyong presyon: 1. Magbawas ng timbang. Kapag kayo ay lampas sa timbang, mas tataas ang iyong blood pressure. Kung maibababa niyo ang iyong timbang ng 10 pounds, ay bababa din ang iyong blood pressure ng 10 points. 2. Magbawas sa pagkain ng maaalat. Umiwas o magbawas sa paggamit ng asin, toyo, patis at bagoong. Bawasan din ang pagkain ng noodles, daing, tuyo at sitsirya. 3. Kumain ng gulay, prutas at low-fat na gatas. Ang saging ay may potassium at napakaganda sa puso. 4. Umiwas sa karneng baboy at baka. Umiwas din sa mamantikang pagkain tulad ng mantikilya at cake. Kumain na lang ng matatabang isda tulad ng sardinas, tilapia at bangus.
Dr. Willie T. Ong 5. Bawasan o itigil ang paginom ng soft drinks at matatamis na juices. Ayon sa bagong pagsusuri, ang sobrang tamis ay nagdudulot ng diabetes at sakit sa puso din. 6. Bawasan ang pag-inom ng kape. Limitahan sa 2 tasa ng kape sa isang araw para hindi tumaas ang presyon. Piliin ang tsa-a tulad ng green tea. 7. Mag-ehersisyo ng 3 hanggang 5 beses bawat linggo. Gawin ito ng 30 minutos hanggang 1 oras. Piliin ang ehersisyo na angkop sa iyong edad. Pero siguraduhing normal ang iyong presyon bago magehersisyo. 8. Matulog ng 7 hanggang 8 oras. 9. Magbawas ng trabaho.
Ang sobrang daming ginagawa ay puwedeng magdulot ng high blood. 10. Ihinto ang paninigarilyo. Tataas ng 10 puntos ang iyong presyon kapag ikaw ay naninigarilyo. Mas lalapot pa ang iyong dugo. 11. Bawasan o itigil ang pag-inom ng alak. Ang sobrang alak ay nakasisira din sa puso. 12. Huwag palaging magagalit. Posibleng tumaas ng 50 points ang iyong blood pressure kapag ika’y galit na galit. 13. Mag-relax at huminga lang ng malalim at mabagal para bumaba ang presyon. Makinig sa magagandang musika. 14. Labanan ang init na panahon. Ang mainit na klima ay may epekto din sa may high blood. Uminon ng sapat na tubig sa isang araw. Mahalagang paalala: Kapag lampas sa 160 over 100 ang iyong presyon o may sintomas na kayong nararamdaman, kailangan niyo nang uminom ng gamot sa high blood. Kumonsulta sa iyong doktor.
RECIPE: Tinolang Manok
Sangkap: 1 kilo manok 4 butil ng bawang 1 sibuyas 1 sayote, hiniwa / papaya 1 tali dahon ng sili Luya, hiwain Asin, vetsin Mantika Patis than any amount of money. I am preparing myself. I’ve prepared myself to wash, iron and prepare clothes, to do the palengke work, to cook food, to clean the house and to do all the house chores. I’ve prepared myself in helping my wife and my child with all their needs. I know the physical, mental and emotional challenges that my wife will be facing after birth. I know how difficult is to breastfeed especially on its first weeks. I know how hard is to breastfeed that’s why I know that it would be helpful to take over the chores. I know how painful is to breastfeed that’s why I am preparing myself on how to boost her morale in times she wishes to quit because of the pain. I need to continuously learn things about breastfeeding— breast massage, proper baby nursing position,
Paraan ng pagluluto: 1.Igisa ang luya, bawang at sibuyas. 2.Ihalo ang manok, lagyan ng asin at vetsin. Takpan at hinaan ang apoy hanggang sa kumatas ang manok. 3.Pag malambot na ang manok, ilagay ang dahon at sayote o papaya. Pakuluin. 4.Dagdagan ng sabaw, timplahan ng patis. (www.lakusina.com) breast pumping, lactation food and all the other things that could make our journey a lot easier. I need to be strong for them to be strong. Kailangan kong maging Tatay para sa aking asawa. Kailangan kong maging Tatay para kay Baby. Kailangan kong gawin ang lahat ng ito para sa aking mag-ina. I know it would be difficult, hard and painful but I also know how important it is to win this journey. We don’t know what will be our set-up in an actual scenario. But we are positive that we will win this journey whatever it takes—no excuses, no alibis. This journey is for the future of our baby. Just like the other parents, we want nothing but the best future for our Baby. And we want to start fulfilling this dream by giving what is best for him. Lastly, I want to salute all the mothers that gave
and continuously offering their selves for their Baby. Also, a salute to all the fathers that unwaveringly supporting and involving their selves into a journey that may not be ours but undeniably one of the greatest part of us—the breastfeeding. I hope one or two years or more from now we are still winning this wonderful journey of breastfeeding. Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Month to all… Thank you. Tatay JJaime aime (The 25-year old Jaime de Guzman is an expectant father to a boy (to be named Jamir). He is currently working as a Community Relations Officer in the National Housing Authority and a proud member of Breastfeeding Pinays, Babywearing Philippines, Modern Cloth and Nappying Philippines and Gentle Birth Philippines. jaimedeguzman08@gmail.com)
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Aug. 17-23, 2015
Facility to boost virgin coco oil production in Naga, Cebu
Doctor lauds Cebu towns’ breastfeeding practices
O
NE of the c o u n t r y ’s leading pediatric neonat ologists is impressed with Cebu provincial hospitals’ thrust in the promotion of breastfeeding in the municipalities. Dr. Maria Asuncion A. Silvestre narrated this to participants in the Gugma ni Nanay: A Breastfeeding Affair at the Capitol Social Hallher Bogo City experience, post-Yolanda. She and her team ended up bringing back with them a stock of mother’s milk they placed in a small freezer they purposely brought for mothers of families hit by Yolanda in Cebu. To her delight, their gift was turned down because hospitals hadenough for lactating mothers. Her delight came from knowing that both hospitals and mothers in the countr yside are conscious of breastfeeding.
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She also described Bogo Provincial Hospital as very conscious in the implementation of breastfeeding. She also noted that theNorthern Cebu towns have strong breastfeeding practices. Silvestre is now promoting the “first 1,000 days campaign”. Helping her is a Cebu-based group of breastfeeding mothers called Lactation Attachment, Training, Counselling and Help (LATCH). The campaign focuses on improving mother’s and child’s nutrition. It is 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and the child’s second birthday. The right nutrition during these 1,000 days is said to have a profound effect on a child’s ability to grow, learn and rise out of poverty. Research says undernutrition in infants and children under two years old can be irreversible. Undernourished babies in the womb have a high
risk of death and more likely to face cognitive and physical defects and chronic health illness. Silvestre told her audience of young mothers that staying healthy starts right from the very start they become sexually active, knowing very well the consequence of having sex. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Cynthia Genosolango expressed the province’s support for health intiatives through the Provincial Health Office and underscored the role of barangay nutrition scholars who she said are also responsible for teaching mothers be breastfeeding-conscious. Silvestre and LATCH are also campaigning for Unang Yakap (First Embrace). Already practiced by some mothers right after birth clean-up procedures, the baby is placed on the mother’s chest, is left to crawl to the mother’s breast and suck for milk. (Fides Palicte)
Population survey, angay seryosohon – NSA
IPAHINUMDOM sa National Statistics Authority (NSA) s a publiko nga angay gayud seryosohon ang pagtubag sa mga pangutana sa gipahigayong survey sa pagsugod sa mid-decade nationwide population survey. Matud pa ni Interim Assistant National Statistician Socorro D. Abejo, kun magbinuang o emisdeclare ang mga impormasyon sa mga
ARMM
nagpahigayon og survey, pahamtangan og silot kun mapamatud-ang dili tinuod ang gihatag nga impormasyon. Matud pa nga naglisod ang NSA sa pagpahigayon sa survey sa mga nagunang lungsod tungod kay dili mo kooperar o nahimong uncooperative ang mga gipangutana ilabi na sa mga naa sulod sa mga executive villages ug mga condominium units. “It has been proven in the past that it is hard to conduct surveys in Metro
Manila, Metro Davao and Metro Cebu. One reason for this is the unavailability of people living in condominium units,” matud pa ni Abejo. Dugang pa ni Abejo, mas taas ang cooperation rates sa mga naa sa lower class sa katilingban kun itandi sa mga naa sa class A ug Class B tungod kay kasagaran giingong wala ang mga hingtungdan tungod kay naa sa opisina sa panahon nga ipahigayon ang mga surveys. (Elvira Bongosia)
Southern Mindanao
Davao
CEBU CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its partners recently inaugurated a P10million Shared Service Facility (SSF) in the village of Inayagan in Naga City that will boost production of virgin coconut oil (VCO) as well as other coconut products. “SSF is implemented mainly to bridge production gaps, in the processing of the products,” said DTI Cebu Provincial Director Nelia Navarro, adding, the SSF in Naga will receive initially processed materials from
another SSF in Toledo City, also in Cebu. Navarro said these include the desiccated coconut and coco charcoal which will then be processed into VCO and coconut briquettes. DTI forged ties with Southern Partners anda Fair Trade Center (SPFTC), which according to its chairperson Geraldine Labradores, has 10 villages under them that will provide coconut-based products. These include two villages in Aloguinsan, two in Sibonga, one in Toledo City, one in Carcar City, one in
Compostela, one in Carmen, one in Minglanilla, and another one in Alegria. Labradores said there is always a demand for VCO in the world market especially in South Korea and Spain. “With this facility that will cater to the needs of coconut farmers, they will be more empowered not just to produce more but to learn about entrepreneurship,” Labradores said, adding, there are 21 SSFs in the province. (Ferliza Contratista)
Hotels increase rates ahead of APEC meet CEBU CITY — In response to reports that some hotels here have raised their rates in view of the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Council (APEC) Meetings in Cebu, the National Organizing Committee (NOC) released a statement saying that the hotel rates are "market-driven." Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., Director-General of 2015 APEC NOC, explained that they have verified that such rate-setting is "market driven and is aligned with the rates charged by hotels that are part of their global networks." It was learned during the APEC 101 Briefing for Media and Information Officers held recently at Cebu Capitol that some delegates
have reportedly complained of a 120% increase than the usual hotel rates. Paynor said they were informed that certain accredited hotels for the Senior Official’s meeting scheduled to be held in Cebu in September have quoted significantly higher rates. He said there are a total of 9 hotels that have been accredited for the Cebu meetings next month with over 30 others to choose from. “We wish to assure all delegates and participants that there are sufficient accommodations that can be provided to suit their needs,” Paynor said. He said all APEC delegates have been advised ahead of time through an Administrative Circular re-
garding conference venues and hotel accommodations for them to make the necessary preparations. The conference venues were chosen in accordance with international standards and the list of hotels was drawn up to provide the participants a wide range of choices. Those that opt to stay in hotels other than the designated conference venues will be provided shuttle transportation for their convenience. Julie Najar, head of Hotel Resorts and Restaurants Association, said that August to September is a peak season for tourists, just like January during the Sinulog season. (Ferliza Contratista)
Two long week-ends for tourism in August TAGBILARAN CITY - Local and foreign tourists will have a hip time booking in advance for their most wanted Bohol countryside tours with three days of uninterrupted fun as the country sees two long weekends in August. Tourists and even workers and students would find that the first three days of fun starts on August 21 which coincides with Ninoy Aquino Day and has been declared as a special non-working day in the country. It is also customary for workers and students to rest on the weekends that Saturdays and Sundays have been generally understood as short vacations.
The week after, another long holiday happens and its starts on a Saturday. By August 31, the country's workers and students take a pause again as the country commemorates National Heroes' Day, which happens this year on a Monday. August 31 has also been declared a regular holiday, one among the ten which the proclamation included. With these two holidays, in fact, tourists who pick on going to Panglao but couldn't get on with the long holidays can also come in on the 28th, which is a Friday. August 28 is the town feast day as the parishioners would be celebrating
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Saint Augustine's feast. That same day, a street dancing competition also takes on the festival beat as dance contingents featuring the town barangays take on the streets in an explosive display of grace, color, and traditions. Panglao's festive street dancing and feast day billed sa Hudyaka sa Panglao, which has been a certified tourism drawer, also showcases the local reports and tourism establishments sponsoring and paying for the financial needs of practices, lavish costumes and props and choreographers stiff fees. (Rey Anthony Chiu)
Manila