Calgary Edition
PLANET
15 PHILIPPINES
MAY 16-31, 2011
MAY 16-31, 2011
PLANET
16 PHILIPPINES
Calgary Edition
Calgary Edition
PLANET
17 PHILIPPINES
MAY 16-31, 2011
ATE JENN’S DEBT SOLUTIONS CORNER
Dear Ate Jenn, I have been reading your article for sometime and it gives me some hope with my debt situation. The only problem is I am always reading about people who have a lot of debt, I think one said they had $70,000. Mine seems small compared to them but I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. I owe a total of $18,000 and it feels like a brick around my neck. I don’t make much money and I live a modest life but I had a few months were I was laid off of work. On top of this, my
family sent me ahead to Canada and now my husband should be here any day. I want to help setup our future in Canada and I’m afraid to go bankrupt…. Please help me. Drowning Pinay
Dear Drowning Pinay, Thank you for your honest letter. I know that when someone owes money, each one has a different level of tolerance. First thing I would remind you is this is just money. There are rules and statutes
in Canada to help you with this. In fact I have helped people who have owed as little as $6,000 and as much as $223,000. You have started the process of recovery by admitting you have a problem and you sought for help by contacting me. Now it’s my job to not only help you reduce your debt by up to 70% off, eliminate your interest completely and help you avoid bankruptcy but also to rehabilitate you with my specialized credit rebuilding program. The truth
is, helping you with your debt is only half my job. The other half is helping you restructure your financial situation on solid foundation. So whether you owe CRA, GST, student loans, personal loans, have a car loan you want out of, or just bad personal loans or credit cards…. I have the solutions. So call me today at 403-668-6493. Ate Jenn
MAY 16-31, 2011
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18 PHILIPPINES
VIC SOTTO
BY JEFFREY O. VALISNO
N SHOWBIZ, one’s good standing is dependent on a certain amount of luck: of being at the right place at the right time. The subsequent reward of stardom is often transitory. The measure of real stardom is one’s ability to sustain audience interest, and there lies the ambiguous part.
Luck is certainly on Vic Sotto’s side. After more than four decades in the business, it seems he has everything figured out. From being on top-rated shows to blockbuster movies, Vic has showed mastery in knowing what audiences want -- and how to get them begging for more. Vic’s popularity has made him a very busy guy, making it a challenge to get him to sit down for an interview. He’s on TV appearing six times a week on the longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga on GMA-7 or on TV5’s weekend prime-time shows Laugh or Lose and My Darling Aswang. At 57, Vic is just at the prime of his career. When he isn’t making a living, he is most likely busy playing a few rounds of golf, or just being the doting grandfather to his first grandson Jean Michel from daughter Danica. The only thing that gets him out of this routine is... more work. Work means attending to other commitments, which include personal appearances, photo shoots, and product endorsements. One just needs to turn on the TV to
The comedy trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon is an institution in local showbiz whose longevity is equaled only by the APO Hiking Society.
AT 57, HE’S JUST AT THE PRIME OF HIS CAREER
Calgary Edition
Vic first earned his spurs as a TV host. Here he displays his skill as host of the quiz show Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
The man, known to many of his fans and co-workers as “Bossing,” is not at all bossy in real life. Vic appears quiet, gentle, and mild-mannered, something misconstrued by others as being a snob. But those who know Vic well enough swear by the fact that he is kind, gracious, and generous.
realize that practically no commercial gap on prime-time would be complete without Vic appearing on the boob tube either as an authority on which laundry bar to use, or how to catch the attention of a busy waitress to order that ice-cold beer. Asked what makes him one of the most sought-after product endorsers today, Vic just shrugged, and said: “I don’t know, maybe they find me effective. That’s good to know.” Entertainment editor and university professor Nestor Cuartero said being on TV every day makes Vic an ideal product endorser. “People see him every day. He is like family to everybody who watches him regularly,” Cuartero said. The man, known to many of
PLANET
Calgary Edition
his fans and co-workers as “Bossing,” is not at all bossy in real life. Vic appears quiet, gentle, and mild-mannered, something misconstrued by others as being a snob. But those who know Vic well enough swear by the fact that he is kind, gracious, and generous. Born as the youngest in the brood of four, Marvic Castelo Sotto grew up a quiet and solitary young man. It was said that Vic’s mother wanted to have a baby girl as her fourth child, after giving birth to three boys -- Val, Tito, and Maru. So when Vic was born, his mother initially insisted on dressing him up as a girl. He was educated at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, until the call of showbiz lured him to leave college. He started his career as a folk singer and guitarist before joining his elder brother Tito in the disco/funk group VST & Company. It was during his stint as the group’s lead vocalist that VST & Company recorded its hit songs Ipagpatawad Mo and Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko, among others. Vic also joined Tito on the gag show OK Lang which aired on TV network IBC-13 during the early 1970s. “I already dropped out of college that time. So when the show was canceled, I was really sad,” Vic said in an interview, recalling his humble beginnings in the entertainment industry. While acting as Tito’s personal assistant, Vic bumped into another comedian, Joey de Leon, who was then a co-host on the about-to-be-axed variety show Discorama. Joey invited the brothers to join him on the show. The rapport between the three instantly drew audiences - giving birth to the comedy trio which became known as Tito, Vic, and Joey. When Discorama folded, the three were invited to be the main hosts for a new noontime show, Eat Bulaga, on TV network RPN9 in 1979. The trio served as the antithesis to the leading noontime show of the time, Student Canteen. Whereas Student Canteen’s main hosts like Eddie Ilarde wore formal attire everyday, Tito, Vic, and Joey slowly built a following
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PHILIPPINES
Vic stars in My Darling Aswang, a fantasy-horror-comedy teleserye on TV5, opposite Brazilian model Daiana Menezes. while appearing on Eat Bulaga in their T-shirts, denim jeans, and rubber shoes. More than 30 years later, Eat Bulaga remains the most watched noontime show in the country, despite challenges from a number of competing shows throughout the years. “Eat Bulaga is already part of the Filipino household. The show is part of the Filipino culture,” Vic said. “I am very happy that we were able to adjust and keep up with the changing times to still appeal to TV viewers.” With the success of Eat Bulaga, the trio of Tito, Vic, and Joey appeared in more TV shows like
Vic’s comedic prowess has produced many blockbuster TV shows and movies, including Okay Ka Fairy Ko that spawned numerous sequels like Enteng Kabisote.
MAY 16-31, 2011
Iskul Bukol and TODAS. The comedy trio also dominated the movie box-office during most of the 1980s. When Tito became involved in politics in the late 1980s, and Joey hit a goldmine appearing solo in movies like Barbie and Starzan, Vic meanwhile set up his own production company, M-Zet, to produce the fantasy comedy show Okay Ka Fairy Ko! starting in 1987. The show about an ordinary guy named Enteng Kabisote who marries a fairy named Faye (initially portrayed by beauty queen Alice Dixson, then by model Tweetie de Leon), became an instant hit. The show transferred to ABS-CBN-2 in 1989, and then to GMA-7 in 1995 where it ran until the series ended in 1997. The TV show spawned six spin-off movies to date, all of which were co-produced by MZet: from Okay Ka Fairy Ko! The Movie in1991 to Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote in 2010. All six were box-office winners, with Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote raking in a total of P159 million during its two-week run as an entry in last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) With all his accomplishments, many consider Vic to be the successor to the title “King of Comedy,” currently held by ace comedian Dolphy. The two worked together in the 2008 comedy flick Dobol Trobol which Vic considers “a dream come true.” However, Vic is quick to decline the moniker, saying he is unworthy to claim the title. “There is only one King of Comedy, and that is Dolphy,” he said. “I would never be worthy to replace him. Nobody can replace someone as great as him.” But beyond the accolades and the titles that showbiz heaps on him, Vic is more proud of his role as a father. He is most pleased talking about the accomplishments of all his children, including Danica and Oyo Boy (with former wife Dina Bonnevie), Vicco (with Coney Reyes), and Paulina (with Angela Luz). “When you see them accomplish something, when you see them grow up and become better human beings, then my job is done. I am very happy,” he said. (Business World) n
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MAY 16-31, 2011
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20 PHILIPPINES
Since my previous writing, we have attended many parties, events and celebrations. At a good number of these we have had the pleasure of being entertained by many talented and local Filipino performers. In addition there were persons who set up, took down, cleaned up or otherwise helped in preparing for the events. My guess is that unless you are one of those hardworking individuals, whom are usually very busy, that in some way are able to continue to fit more and more into their already jam-packed schedules, you may not be aware of a few details. First of all, many of these volunteers are our young people. If they are performers, they practice, practice, practice! Weekends, week nights – whenever the groups have a few hours available, they are working on their music and routines. Several nights a week, balancing studies, work or family with their desire to do their best to entertain us, they are preparing. As they are our future generation, we salute them for their efforts! We are proud that they are pursuing their dreams and that they are involved in clean, wholesome and safe activities. However, did you know there is a whole army of people behind this group who are instrumental in making sure that they are able to attend the shows and practices? You will see these people at some of the practices or even at the performances. They are the ones clutching a coffee and look like they are walking in their sleep. They are the ones at the practices that are sleeping in their cars. Every chance to catch a few winks – they take advantage of the opportunity. These are the Parents of the performers, the unsung heroes. These are the Grandparents, siblings or friends of the performers. Sometimes they are the next door neighbors. I would like to take this opportunity to salute these quiet, hardworking folks who continually guarantee that the performers make it to each practice and show. No matter what the weather or where in the city, these parents and friends never fail. They are always reliable and never ask for recognition. However, it is time to salute them for the effort and sacrifice they make to allow the young people to pursue their dreams and goals! And if you see them at the shows, concerts or parties – let them know they are appreciated! Speaking of shows – do not miss Kasayahan on June 25 and the PCCF 10th Anniversary celebration on May 28. My favorite – the Miss Philippines Calgary Canada Beauty Pageant takes place on May 28. Get your $15 tickets today from Mariedelle Velasco at (403)612-9131 and come out and cheer her on! It will be a blast! See you in a couple of weeks!
Calgary Edition
As the Minister of Employment & Immigration, your health and safety at work is one of my responsibilities. One of my goals is to ensure that every Albertan, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, returns home to their loved ones at the end of the work day. We just celebrated North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week in May. The week is dedicated to giving employers and workers information needed to understand how to keep the workplace safe. It is a North American-wide effort, with many events held right here in Alberta. During NAOSH celebrations this year, employers and workers across Canada and North America were encouraged to ask themselves the question – What’s your plan? Employers and workers were urged to think about the tasks they perform and how they can make them safer. When businesses and organizations plan ahead, accidents can be prevented. It’s also important that government has a plan. Last summer, I released a 10-point plan for occupational health and safety. It included implementing a stronger compliance system, posting online the safety records of employers and hiring additional Occupational Health and Safety Officers. Since that time, several items on my list have been crossed off, and several more have been added. I will continue adding to that plan until I’m satisfied we are doing all we can to improve workplace safety. In addition, my ministry has updated our Safe & Fair Workplaces web page, at www. employment.alberta.ca/safeandfair. Here, you can easily find health and safety information for employers, workers and temporary foreign workers. Workplace safety laws change from country to country – even province to province – so it is important to know your rights and responsibilities in Alberta. These laws apply to most people working in Alberta, whether you were born here and have been working for decades or have just recently come to Alberta and start your job today. Together, we can promote a culture of workplace health and safety. Your safety on the job begins and ends with you, regardless of whether you are the boss or the worker. I urge you to know your rights and responsibilities in the workplace. If you have any questions or concerns about safety, do not hesitate to call our toll free Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-866-415-8690. Your comments or concerns related to this article, or any future article, are always welcome. You can contact me by calling 780-415-4800 in Edmonton and area or 310-0000 and then 780-415-4800 for elsewhere in Alberta, or through email at EI.minister@gov. ab.ca.
A Mother’s Sacrifice, A Son’s Journey A mother’s love for her children is irreplaceable and priceless. Many single moms fight and endure the challenge of giving more to what they can physically sacrifice for their family’s survival. Being away from your children and working alone in a foreign land like Canada takes a lot of strength and guts. Nobody would want to do this for your family if there was no other solution to your economic situation in the Philippines. You must be stonecold tough in order to save your tears from homesickness and missing the kisses and embrace of your babies. Gloribel left the Philippines two years ago to work in Calgary, Canada as a livein-caregiver in order to seek greener pastures for her family. She is a single mother with four children, where the oldest is 19 and the youngest only 15. The children she loved so much were left in the care of their relatives in Agusan del Norte. It was a heartbreaking separation but it was a decision that she needed to do as her responsibility to support her children’s future and life. In less than a year since she arrived in
2007, she received the most heartbreaking news from home. Her oldest son, Vandrick was diagnosed with a life threatening Kidney disease that needed immediate care and treatment. He had to stop going to college because he had become too weak and unable to attend school. He was flown to Quezon City and has to live in the care of his relatives because this is where National Kidney Institute is situated. She was utterly shocked that her son at a young age of 17 has to undergo Kidney Dialysis in order for him to survive. She cannot be by his side while his son is fighting for his life to give him her warm comfort and support. But, she has to be strong and continue with her work here in Canada or else there will be nothing to send to the Philippines for his treatment and medication. This was a very crucial trial for her as it was a painful decision that needed to weigh the economics of your decisions. She chose to stay in Canada to earn rather than to see her son not be able to get the treatments in the hospital. The endless help of her relatives for her Vandrick in the Philippines is indeed a huge
favour for her. Every week, Gloribel would send around $300 for the twice a week Kidney Dialysis of Vandrick at the National Kidney Institute at Quezon City, Philippines. It had become a very painful struggle for her to make ends meet in Canada as a caregiver and send all her money for her son’s treatment. On top of this, she has other children to support and needed to finish school. She has no one to ask for financial help as the father is not in contact with them. At this time, Vandrick is in need of an urgent Kidney Transplant and a Kidney Donor. This operation would cost around $35,000. There are maintenance costs for monthly medications, medicines, and doctor’s visits that she needs to shell for around $200. It has been really a financial struggle for Gloribel in order for everything to come together for her beloved son’s survival. She asks strength in prayers and the support and love of her community and friends. It had been an inspiration for her to move on and work harder to make the dreams of her children come true. There is still hope only if you believe that there is
By: PATRICIA VIADO
nothing impossible. If anyone would like to contribute or donate anything for the cure of Vandrick Liaga, please contact Gloribel at 403. 383.9817 or Patricia Viado 403.617.8996. Thank you for your generosity and God bless.
Vandrick Liaga undergoing kidney dialysis.
PLANET
Calgary Edition
21 PHILIPPINES
CELEBR TY
WILLIE RETURNS TO NEW SHOW AFTER an absence of more than a month, Willie Revillame returned on the same timeslot on TV5 on May 14. As part of TV5’s effort to set aside the negative publicity arising from the controversial “macho dancing” episode on Willie’s show last March, the network is dropping the program’s title, Willing Willie, in favor of Will Time Bigtime, Kapatid. TV5’s PR Girl Peachy Guioguio said, “The change of the title signifies that we have raised the standards for a better quality program, with more production values, new segments and a new set which we believe the audience will appreciate more. LED (Light-Emitting Diode) screens have been installed around the studio and even the stage was made of LED.” “The prizes will be bigger,” she added. “There will be more new games.” Willie will still have Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad as co-host. The dancing girls, once
ANGEL, FIL-BRIT FOOTBALL PLAYER ‘EXCLUSIVELY DATING’
WILLIE known as WW Girls, are now called Bigtime Girls. TV5 volunteered to take Willing Willie off the air early last month while the “Jan-Jan issue” was raging. Willie is facing two separate criminal cases in connection with 6year-old Jan-Jan’s “lewd” dance on his show Willing Willie last March 12 for violation of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board slapped Willing Willie with a onemonth suspension.
MAY 16-31, 2011
ANGEL PHIL Younghusband, the goodlooking Filipino-British football player, has revealed that he and Angel Locsin are exclusively dating. The heartthrob of the Philippine national football team Azkals
detailed in a TV interview how his deepening relationship with the actress started. “The first meeting of me and Angel, I met the family. I came to my own and it was nice. I got to meet her dad, her brothers and sisters and her friends and family. It was good. They made it easy for me,” he said. Phil also said he was with Angel during one of her charity events. “I wanted to be with Angel in the day and she’s very, as Tito Boy (TV host Boy Abunda) says, one of the kindest people, nicest people you ever meet. What she does for charity is amazing and I wanted to be with her on that day,” he said. The two were also together last May 11 during the block screening of Angel’s latest film, In the Name of Love, opposite Aga Muhlach.
Asked by reporters about their status, Angel replied, “Wala naman kaming itinatago. . . I’m thankful na ganito kami, masaya kami, sa ngayon, masaya kami.” Meanwhile, Angel confirmed reports that she and Phil were together in Hong Kong during her birthday last April 23. There were reports that Phil gave Angel an expensive bag as birthday gift. She admitted that Phil followed her to Hong Kong for her 26th birthday celebration. But she refused to give details. “Ano ba ang sasabihin ko? Wala naman akong tinatago. Basta ako, masaya ako,” Angel said in a TV interview. Pressed if she and Phil are now a couple, she said, “Mahirap magsalita ngayon kasi baka ano ang sabihin ng tao. Wala naman kaming tinatago sa inyo. Kung ano ang nakita niyo, ‹yun na ‹yon.”
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MAY 16-31, 2011
22 PHILIPPINES
Calgary Edition
CELEBRITYFILES
PIA ENGAGED TO NON-SHOWBIZ BOYFRIEND PIA Guanio is deeply in love and is engaged to be married to Steve Mago, her nonshowbiz businessman boyfriend of barely one year. The TV host confirmed the news which entertainment columnist Ricky Lo earlier revealed. Later, she showed her engagement ring to friends and colleagues at GMA-7. Quoting his VDPA (very Deep Penetration Agent), Lo said the engagement (pamanhikan) was held last May 7 in Pia’s resthouse in Tagaytay, with both the Guanio and Mago families present. No date for the wedding has been set yet. “So the right word for it is ‘engaged to be married’,” Lo said, quoting “somebody who was there [at the affair.]” “The affair was so hush-hush (and rushrush?) that those present forgot (daw!) to take pictures of Pia and Steve in their first kiss as an engaged couple,” Lo wrote. “It was kept secret,” added Lo’s VDPA, “and I think even Pia’s [Eat] Bulaga! cohosts haven’t been told about it yet.”
PIA Pia and Vic Sotto broke up mid-July last year after going steady for more than seven years, just when rumors were flying thick that they were ready to settle down. Barely a few months after, Pia began dating Steve.
MARIEL, ROBIN SHELVE CATHOLIC WEDDING
SARAH FEELS PRESSURE OF BEING ROLE MODEL
SARAH Geronimo said that being a role model is a big responsibility, but it’s the price to pay for being famous. “Mahirap kasi hindi ko naman po ito pinili,” she explained. “Pumasok ako ng showbiz, ang gusto ko lang naman po no’n eh kumanta, umarte [at] sumayaw pero ‘di ko alam na magkakaroon ako ng responsibility na magiging role model ka na parang kailangan maging perfect ka. Ganun kasi ang tingin ng public sa mga artista na ‘pag nagkamali, malaking-malaking issue talaga.” While she is thankful that her parents brought her up well, she pointed out that she is still capable of making mistakes. “Of course may mga pagkakamali naman po [ako] dahil mga tao lang naman tayo. Pero kaya nga sobra akong grateful kasi parehong andyan ang mga magulang ko para gabayan ako, ang mga kapatid ko, buo kami.” She did not deny that she had misunderstandings with her parents because there were instances when she disobeyed them, such as when she had a relationship with Rayver Cruz against their will. Sarah’s relationship with the actor got complicated when Cri-
MARIEL Rodriguez said she is setting aside her dream to be married in Catholic rites but won›t be converting to Islam anytime soon. Reports that Mariel will become a Muslim surfaced after retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz said the actress cannot marry her Muslim husband, Robin Padilla, in Catholic rites because he practices polygamy. But Mariel said she won›t convert to Islam just to get married.
ROBIN and MARIEL
“Hindi, hindi walang ganoon. Nagawa na namin yung Muslim rite. Kung magko-convert ako dahil yun sa paniniwala at hindi doon,” she said. She added that she and Robin have decided not to think about having a church wedding. “Hindi ko na siya iniisip. Okey na hindi ko na iniisip na lang,” she said. “Hindi na namin pinag-uusapan, yung mga sadness ayaw na namin ng ganyan, yung mga nega.”
JUDAY NOT TOO KEEN ON ANOTHER BABY SOON
SARAH stine Reyes got involved and the Pop Princess was left brokenhearted. However, this experience taught Sarah a valuable lesson. “Bigyan natin ng importance ang desisyon ng mga magulang para sa mga anak nila. Sobra kasi akong na-in love, akala ko tama ako.”
ALTHOUGH she admits that she initially wanted to have a kid again right away after giving birth late last year, Judy Ann Santos said she is focusing more on raising her two kids Yohan and Lucho, as well as losing weight and slowly returning to the showbiz scene. The 31-year-old actress said she realized that she would rather focus on maintaining their household right now that on bringing a new addition to the family. But Juday admitted that she and husband Ryan Agoncillo are not strictly doing any family planning. “Napag-usapan na namin yan. Nung kakapanganak ko lang, tapos sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Halika sundan na natin yan para tapos
JUDAY na itong anong ito. Para isang papayatan lang.’. . Tapos nung nakikita ko na kung gaano kahirap mag-alaga ng dalawang bata, considering na Yohan is six alrea-
dy ha and she’s also big enough to understand what we’re saying, mahirap pa rin pala. Tapos naisip ko na hindi ko pala kaya. . . Sabi ko sige wag na muna. Kung halimbawang may dumating agad, eh ‘di mas okey. Kung hindi, okey lang din,” she shared. Juday admitted that she gained a better perspective on life after giving birth. She also found herself being very attached to her husband Ryan even more than usual. “After ko manganak, nalulungkot ako kapag hindi ko nakikita si Ryan. . . Yung parang hindi kumpleto yung bahay. Tapos parang feeling ko kapag kasama ko siya, parang may nagbabantay sa akin ‘pag nagaalaga ako ng bata. Wala lang, gusto mo lang ng assurance na may asawa ka,” she said.
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Calgary Edition
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BEAUTIFUL P
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BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO
HE HISTORY of Davao is supposed to be the history of Davao del Sur. But when Davao City was separated from the province, it was relegated to the side. As Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental (Compostela Valley became the fourth province in 1998) continue to become more progressive, Davao del Sur seems to stand still.
Davao del Sur’s top tourist attraction, Mount Apo is the country’s highest peak towering 10,311 feet above sea level.
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Falls, at barangay Sibulan, Sta Cruz, is touted to be the tallest waterfalls in the Mt. Apo Natural Park (at 100 meters). The waters plunge from a rock cliff to a 50meter diameter pool. Kipanan Falls in Malita is multi-tiered, consisting of 10 drops of varying widths and heights. The Indalugong Falls, in the mountain forest of barangay Pangaleon (still in Malita), is a big body of waterfall plunging from a height of approximately 80 feet. Small islands also abound in the province. The town of Sarangani
DISCOVERING DAINTY DAVAO DEL SUR
Governor Douglas Ra. Cagas is very much aware of this. To awaken his constituents, he puts forward the motto: “We’re proud to be from Davao del Sur!” Today, wherever you go when you visit the towns of Davao del Sur, you will see the sign – in schools, in government offices, and even in private establishments. Davao del Sur is composed of 14 towns, namely: Bansalan, Don Marcelino, Hagonoy, Jose Abad Santos, Kiblawan, Magsaysay, Malalag, Malita, Matan-ao, Padada, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Sarangani, and Sulop. The only city is Digos, which is also the province’s capital. There are actually many reasons why Davao del Sur is now becoming a popular tourist destination. To attract tourists – locals, nationals, and foreigners – the province launched several festivals. Every January 15, Digos celebrates the Saulogon Festival. Jose Abad Santos commemorates the Kapyaan Festival in February. April is the month of Pista sa Kinaiyahan in Santa Cruz. Kapatagan in Digos comes alive on June during their Dorong Festival. September has two festivals: Padigosan in Digos and Bansaulog in Bansalan. Davao del Sur is home to several natural tourist attractions. Leading the list is Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak and a very popular climbing destination. Forty-two of the 629 identified floral species are endemic, of
The 820-meter zipline in Camp Sabros traverses along the top of pine trees with the majestic Mt. Apo looming in the horizon. which 18 are considered at risk. Mount Pispis, in barangay South Lamidan of Don Marcelino, is famous for its preserved and numerous wildlife species like deer, monkeys, wild pigs, and birds. Mount Sumadel, also in Don Marcelino, is noted for its shape; townsfolk call it Babaeng Nakahiga’t Nakahubad (a naked lying woman). Mainit Hot Spring, in barangay Caburan, is located 30 kilometers west of Digos City; it sits in a forest 365 meters above sea level. Another hot spring, in barangay Managa, Bansalan, is about 30 kilometers from the town and 200 meters above sea level. The Lumayon Spring, about 10 kilometers from the highway of Balabag, Digos, has rolling hills and forests on the side complimenting the spring that makes it more suitable for bathing, swimming, and sightseeing. There are several waterfalls found in the province. Tudaya
MAY 16-31, 2011
Davao del Sur is home to several natural tourist attractions. Leading the list is Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak and a very popular climbing destination. Forty-two of the 629 identified floral species are endemic, including the famous waling-waling orchid.
To attract tourists, the province holds several festivals throughout the year. One of them is the Bansaulog Festival held in Bansalan town every September.
has two famous islands: Balut and Sarangani. Balut has a land area of 6,604 hectares while Sarangani has 4,014. The 16-hectare Olaniban Island, about one-hour boat ride from the town proper in Sarangani, has white sea shores, clear water, rare corals, and seaweeds. The island is suitable for scuba diving, water skiing, and swimming. In Bato, Sta Cruz, there is the so-called Passig Islet, known for its white sand and clear waters. It can be accessed by a 500-meter long footbridge. Several beach resorts can be found along the coastal towns. The Baetiong Beach in Sarangani has a spread of around 3,200 square meter of black-grained sand. On the other hand, the Manando Beach has corral and limed-grained sand of about 16,000 square meters. Little Boracay, located five kilometers from the town of Sta. Maria, has a fine white sand beach, open-air cottages, and is backed by a high mountain overlooking the sea. Barangay Kisulad Beach also has white sand beaches. In Sta Cruz, there’s the Paradise Beach. Aside from the fortress in Marorong, another historical site in the province is located in Padada. At the Itakura Hills, some 30 interconnected World War II Japanese foxholes can be found. Japanese World War II tunnels are also located at the poblacion and barangays Balutakay and Tologan in Hagonoy. Davao del Sur has several cottage industries. Matti, in Digos, is known for its pottery, while wood carvings abound in Sta Cruz. Both industries are found along the highway from Bansalan going to Davao City. If you like extreme adventure, visit Camp Sabros in sitio Baras in barangay Kapatagan of Digos City. The camp, 3,980 feet above sea level, sits in an immense natural beauty of forest and wildlife. If you love diving, then don’t miss the fish sanctuary within the Malalag coastal area in barangay Bulacan. The underwater cave in Sarangani can be explored by diving through its underwater opening. In Padada, you can do your thing at the Piape Reef, which is covered with a variety of corals. The depth of Tubalan Cove in Malita is ideal for scuba diving while the surface is an invitation to water skiers. Maayong pag-abot! (Manila Bulletin) n
PLANET
MAY 16-31, 2011
AQUINO SLAMS SANDIGAN RULING
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III greeted with incredulity the Sandiganbayan’s approval of the plea bargain between former military comptroller Carlos Garcia and special prosecutors of the Office of the Ombudsman over Garcia’s P303million plunder case. “I’m wondering how the Sandiganbayan arrived at this kind of decision. It’s like as if (the anti-graft court) was in a vacuum,” the President told reporters after attending the 112th anniversary of the Commission on Audit in Quezon City on May 10. Mr. Aquino wondered whether the anti-graft court had listened to the testimonies of witnesses during congressional hearings on the controversial plea bargain. “Didn’t one of the special prosecutors say that had they known there was this kind of evidence (against Garcia), they wouldn’t have pushed for this plea bargain?” he said. “So how can you not be surprised here?” Mr. Aquino added. The Sandiganbayan said it approved the deal because Garcia had complied with its conditions— pleading guilty to the lesser offenses of direct bribery and facilitating money laundering, and transferring P135.43 million of his and his family’s assets to the government. Even before the anti-graft court approved the deal, Garcia was able to walk out of jail last December after posting P60,000 bail. Malacañang decided to ask the Sandiganbayan’s Second Division to reconsider its resolution approving the plea bargain. “The decision is to file a motion for reconsideration within the (allowable) period of 15 days,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said after meeting with Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz. The President has been vocal about his opposition to the plea bargain deal and raised the matter in assailing then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who was facing an impeachment trial in the Senate. Gutierrez resigned last week. De Lima said the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) would file a consolidated motion for reconsideration asking the Sandiganbayan to reconsider all its three resolutions—the approval of the plea bargain, the dismissal of the OSG motion to intervene and the motion
for the inhibition of Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval. Cadiz said the motion for reconsideration would argue that the “Office of the Solicitor General has the right to intervene under the statute, that the OSG could represent the republic in this case, that the special prosecutor failed to discharge her duties, and that the evidence (against Garcia) is strong.” Cadiz said they decided on a motion for reconsideration instead of immediately elevating the case to the Supreme Court because of the risk of the petition being dismissed “because we have not exhausted our remedies.” The head of the Senate blue ribbon committee blasted the antigraft court’s ruling, saying it was a “consummation” of the so-called pabaon (send-off gift) system for top military officials. “The decision is lamentable because it has, in effect, paved the way for the consummation of the most controversial and anomalous pabaon in the graft-ridden system in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which is now the subject of the Senate investigation,” Sen. Teofisto Guingona III said in a statement. In his testimonies at the blue ribbon committee early this year, former military budget officer George Rabusa said three former AFP chiefs of staff were given a total of more than P250 million in send-off gifts upon their retirement. Rabusa said the funds came from a military slush fund. Guingona noted that the ruling allowed the former military comptroller to walk away with some P165 million allegedly stolen from government coffers. He pointed out that Garcia was accused of pocketing P303 million, but was required to return only P135.433 million to the government. Two lawyers said the government ought to act swiftly and bring the case to the Supreme Court to prevent the re-arraignment of Garcia for the lesser offenses he pleaded guilty to and the promulgation of the case by the Sandiganbayan. Theodore Te and Arno Sanidad said questioning the validity of the plea bargain agreement and asking the high court to annul it would enable the administration to hold Garcia accountable. n
24
PHILIPPINES
Calgary Edition
MAR IS P-NOY’S CHIEF OF STAFF P
RESIDENT Benigno Aquino III categorically confirmed for the first time that former senator Manuel Roxas II will be his chief of staff, but indicated that the appointment of other allies who had lost in the May 10, 2010 elections remained uncertain. “We are defining the functions of the chief of staff so there will be no overlap with the Executive Secretary and the Presidential Management Staff,” Aquino told reporters in an interview at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on May 13. “We are trying to clearly delineate the functions,” added the President. Aquino, however, said his other allies in the Liberal Party are not yet assured of government posts. “Being an ally is a good factor, but that is not the only factor. Are there suitable positions for their respective talents?” Aquino wondered aloud. Earlier, insiders from Malacanang and the ruling party said that Liberal Party members who lost in last year’s elections are likely to get Cabinet jobs and other posts in government as the one-year ban on appointing election candidates lapsed on May 10. The sources, who asked not to be named as they are not authorized to discuss the matter, said the others seen to get an appointment include
ROXAS senatorial also-ran Nereus Acosta, who has openly and repeatedly expressed interest in heading the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); former Akbayan party-list Representative Risa Hontiveros who was reportedly being considered to head the National AntiPoverty Commission (NAPC); former
Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon; and former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca. Amid the talk floating about the possible appointments of LP members to the bureaucracy, some party officials said things remain fluid, however, and Aquino himself squelched speculation of a Cabinet “revamp,” saying he was quite satisfied with his Cabinet. Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tanada III, LP spokesperson, said “everything is still speculation” until the President makes his announcement. He also surmised that Aquino might not make an announcement en masse, especially when Congress is due to hold session for just one month, from May to June, only to adjourn anew in preparation for the State of the Nation Address. Meanwhile, Aquino said he is now finalizing an administrative order to define the functions of Roxas as chief of staff, which carries a Cabinet rank. The position of chief of staff was earlier abolished during the Arroyo administration. Before the one year appointment ban on defeated candidates lapsed, Roxas has been serving as Aquino’s chief troubleshooter in an informal capacity. n
DEPUTY OMBUDSMAN DISMISSED
IMPLEMENTING Malacañang’s order, acting Ombudman Orlando Casimiro dismissed deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez III for his alleged mishandling of the case of slain policeman and hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza. In a statement, the Office of the Ombudsman said that Casimiro ordered Gonzalez on to “cease and desist from performing official and administrative functions at the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other law Enforcement Offices.” “The (Implementation) Order was sent by Acting Ombudsman Casimiro following receipt yesterday of a Memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., directing the former to immediately implement the [Office of the President] decision dismissing Deputy Gonzalez from the service in connection with the Rizal Park hostage-taking incident,” said the statement. Casimiro is serving as the acting Ombudsman after former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez resigned on May 6.
Casimiro implemented Malacañang’s dismissal order against Gonzalez even if the embattled deputy Ombudsman has a pending petition at the Supreme Court seeking to stop the enforcement of the dismissal order. Casimiro was also directed to inform the Palace within 24 hours about actions taken regarding the case. Meanwhile, Justice Sec. Leila de Lima lauded Casimiro for implementing the Office of the President’s order dismissing Gonzalez. Former Ombudsman Gutierrez has refused to enforce the said order. “That’s the right and proper thing to do, there being no legal impediment to the implementation of the OP decision which has attained finality, De Lima said. In August last year, Mendoza held hostage a busload of tourists from Hong Kong to protest his dismissal from service and of Gonzalez’s supposed delay in the resolution of his case. Mendoza died after an 11-hour standoff with responding policemen. Last March, Malacañang announced Gonzalez’s dismissal from
service for gross neglect of duty and misconduct in office, for his alleged failure to act on Mendoza’s appeal for nine months. However, in his petition, Gonzalez said Aquino had no authority to order his dismissal. Gonzalez added that the power to exercise administrative discipline over him is “lodged exclusively” with his boss, then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, whose resignation took effect last May 6. Gonzalez also denied sitting on Mendoza’s extortion case, adding that the so-called delay did not occur because of him. While speaking with Gonzalez over the phone in the middle of the hostage-taking crisis last year, hostagetaker Mendoza berated the deputy ombudsman for allegedly demanding P150,000 from him in exchange for the settlement of his case that led to his dismissal from the police service. “Humihingi ka pa ng P150,000 para sa kaso ko. Kung may mamatay rito, kasalanan mo lahat ito,” Mendoza allegedly shouted at Gonzalez. n
PLANET
Calgary Edition
25 PHILIPPINES
MAY 16-31, 2011
NEWSROUND-UP
AFP INSTITUTES MEASURES VS CORRUPTION SMARTING from the “most corrupt” tag on the Armed Forces, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. presented reform measures to the Senate, including a lifestyle check on officials and an audit of the intelligence fund. The AFP took a step further by ordering the deposit in the national treasury of P300 million—an amount connected to the United Nations peacekeeping fund—to prevent its diversion. “No corrupt practices shall happen under my watch. We will never allow indiscriminate spending. The funds of the Department of National Defense and the AFP will be properly managed,” Gazmin told the Senate blue ribbon committee at the resumption of its inquiry into military corruption. Oban also told the committee that the military had been “disgraced” by the scandal of past AFP chiefs pocketing multimillion-peso funds.
But the scandal exposed at the Senate by ex-military budget officer George Rabusa, and which led to the suicide of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, spurred the AFP leadership to institute reforms, Oban said. “We represent the more than 100,000 Filipino soldiers who up to this moment suffer the ignominious consequence of this Senate inquiry— that of being perceived as belonging to the most corrupt agency of government,” he said, adding: “Indeed, the sins imputed to a few have become the fault of the entire organization. When the Pulse Asia survey placed the AFP on top of the most corrupt government agency list, we lost what every Filipino soldier holds dear: our sense of honor. Having experienced the sense of loss has given us the best motivation to ensue reforms within our ranks.” Rabusa had testified that past AFP chiefs Reyes, Roy Cimatu and Diomedio Villanueva received hefty payoffs from a slush fund pooled from
soldiers’ pay and intelligence funds. At the hearing, Gazmin presented the recommendations of the defense investigating committee to make the military “graft-free.” The committee had looked into military corruption in reaction to Rabusa’s exposé. The most important recommendations are the enhancement of auditing and monitoring mechanisms such as “asset disclosure and lifestyle checks,” and the audit of the intelligence fund “without compromising national security concerns,” Gazmin said. He said he was open to an examination of the intelligence fund by the Commission on Audit. According to Gazmin, the committee also recommended the computerization of AFP logistics and financial management system; strict implementation of laws and prosecution of offense; creation of a defense acquisition bureau; close oversight of the offices of internal audit, ethical standards, Inspector General and Judge Advocate General; shift from cash
AQUINO SACKS HOLDOVER OFFICIALS IN a flurry of developments that seem designed to clean house and pave the way for the entry of new blood into crucial, resource-rich state agencies, President Benigno Aquino III sacked all holdover directors in sequestered or surrendered companies under the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), while a congressional bicameral panel approved a landmark GOCC Governance Act meant to curb past fiscal abuses. Executive Order No. 42 issued by Aquino gives PCGG chairman Andres Bautista provisional power to replace holdover nominees “to protect the interest of the government,” Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa said. Ochoa said Bautista may appoint new acting directors or re-appoint deserving holdover executives. “The President deemed it important to safeguard the interest of the country and the Filipino people in government-sequestered companies while at the same time institute measures to ensure that the operations in these companies are not disrupted,” Ochoa said. “Granting the PCGG the power to appoint nominee-directors in an interim basis allows us to balance these two objectives,” he added. The interim replacements will be valid only until December 31 unless extended by Aquino. Deputy Malacanang spokesperson Abigail Valte said the EO would affect around half of all the directors in sequestered firms. Meanwhile, the bicameral conference committee has approved the Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations Governance Act of 2011, which Senate finance committee chairman Sen. Franklin Drilon described as a landmark legislation seen to curb fiscal abuse among state corporations in the past. Drilon said the Act will create the Governance Commission for GOCCs, or GCG, to oversee the 157 GOCCS and initiate wide-ranging reforms in the public corporate sector, which accounts for a substantial portion of government assets and liabilities. “We have established a Governance Commission for GOCCs that will look over the shoulders of the 157 GOCCs that we have today. Nobody supervises them. This law will create
AQUINO a [body] which will review the performance of these GOCCs,” he explained. Drilon singled out the board of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), which granted its members 36 months’ pay for 12 months of work. “In the GSIS, where the directors would earn half a million pesos for attending one board meeting, or worse, where members of the board of a GOCC who sit in investee corporations personally benefit from stock option plans and bonuses [as] we have seen, all of these practices will no longer be possible,” Drilon said. The law will also rationalize the requirements to qualify for membership in the boards of GOCCs, as lawmakers seek to avoid a repeat of situations in the past where, for instance, a beautician identified with the former president was appointed as a member of a board to a trust fund. The Commission is also authorized to review the operations of all GOCCs so that the overseer can determine whether these GOCCS should be abolished, merged or privatized. “All of this is subject to the approval of the President. The GCG will make a recommendation to the President that a particular corporation should be abolished because it’s dormant, it’s no longer performing its functions, or that particular corporations should be merged or privatized,” Drilon said. n
logistics to real logistics, continuing education and morality enhancement program; reconstruction of AFP financial and logistics documentation; and implementation of the defense system of management that discloses every stage of the budget process. Oban mentioned “reform” measures—for example, stopping the military practice of fund conversion—but noted that the AFP had taken a more concrete step to address the alleged diversion of the UN peacekeeping fund. Earlier, COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza had testified in earlier congressional hearings that during her special audit of military funds in 2004-05, P200 million in UN peacekeeping fund reimbursements could not be accounted for) Oban also said the provisions for command-directed activities, the major source of payoffs to officials from AFP chiefs down to comptrollers as exposed by Rabusa, had been scrapped. n
EX-SSS CHIEF FACES TAX EVASION RAPS THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to file a tax evasion case against former Social Security System (SSS) president Romulo Neri, who allegedly under-declared his income in 2008 and 2009. In a resolution dated May 6, the DOJ said Neri defrauded the government of P13.6 million in aggregate tax liabilities. The liabilities include the amount of taxes he allegedly failed to pay, and the corresponding surcharges and interests. “We are of the opinion that by under-declaring his income for the years 2008 and 2009, the government was prejudiced in the following amount of taxes [P13.6 million],” said the DOJ resolution written by Asst. State Prosecutor Amor Robles. At a news briefing, DOJ Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III said the DOJ will file the case with the Court of Tax Appeals, which handles cases stemming from violations of the National Internal Revenue Code and where the principal amount of taxes and fees is more than P1 million. Neri’s lawyer, Paul Lentejas, said their camp will file the appropriate motions with the court instead of exhausting available legal remedies at the Department of Justice, where they can file a petition for review. The DOJ’s move is a resolution of the complaint that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed against Neri last year. The BIR alleged that Neri failed to declare his full income and pay the correct income taxes when he was a board member of Philex Mining Corp. and Unionbank of the Philippines. Neri sat as director of Philex and Unionbank because the SSS, the pension fund for private sector employees, owns shares of stock in those government-owned and -controlled companies (GOCCs). The BIR’s inquiry stemmed from the Senate finance committee’s investigations into the alleged excessive perks received by GOCC officials. In its complaint, the BIR said that in 2008, Neri earned P11.35 million from the GOCCs. However, he only declared a P1.35-million income that year — an 88.08-percent underdeclaration. n
WORD WAR ON RH BILL HEATS UP
A SENIOR Roman Catholic bishop has compared Philippine President Benigno Aquino to the ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, in an escalating war of words over a controversial bill promoting artificial contraception. The plan before Congress has put Aquino on a collision course with the country’s powerful Catholic church leaders, who had walked out of talks on the Reproductive Health bill. Pro-life groups supported the bishops and stepped up pressure against Aquino, calling for a widespread civil disobedience campaign, including non-payment of taxes. “Not to pay taxes, I will be surprised if somebody will say that publicly because if I am not mistaken, that’s a serious criminal offence,” Aquino told reporters. “I think sedition will be the charge that will be filed for your not doing your civic obligation.” Aquino’s latest statement in the battle over the bill, which includes measures to promote sex education and the use of artificial contraception, immediately drew criticism from Catholic bishops, who have blocked similar measures since the 1990s. “He can put us all in jail,” Ramon Arguelles, archbishop of Lipa, south of Manila, told reporters, adding Aquino sounded like the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who also threatened groups calling for civil disobedience during his regime. “We are willing to pay the price to save the unborn from modern Herods and save the executioners from the grasp of the evil one.” Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, former head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said the government must consider the moral aspect of the issue. The Catholic church is a powerful political force in the Philippines, playing a key role in the overthrow of two presidents, including Marcos, during the past 25 years, and politicians generally avoid picking fights with the clergy. The president’s mother, Corazon Aquino, herself called for a campaign of civil disobedience against Marcos after she said he stole her election victory in 1986. Aquino said his government would prioritize the passage of a reproductive health bill in Congress as a tool to cut poverty in the poor but resourcerich Southeast Asian state. Aquino pledged last month to push for the enactment of the reproductive health bill in Congress in a bid to lower maternal death in the Philippines, even at the risk of excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church. The bishops say some forms of contraception are tantamount to abortion, which is illegal in the Philippines. About 80 percent of the country’s 94 million people are Catholics. n
MAY 16-31, 2011
PLANET
26 PHILIPPINES
Calgary Edition
Calgary Edition
PLANET
27 PHILIPPINES
MAY 16-31, 2011
MAY 16-31, 2011
PLANET
28 PHILIPPINES
Calgary Edition