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Verbatim Kulang pa yon. Dapat sinipa. Sa Davao City, ikarga ko siya ng barko, baroto tapos ihulog ko siya Davao Gulf. Ang isda dyan ngayon wala nang pagkain eh.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, on Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista’s “soft” treatment of a suspected Chinese drug pusher with just a slap on the face
Kami ng mga sister ko naman pinaguusapan namin yan. Sinasabi namin puwede naman talagang magkaroon ng unity at puwedeng kung ano kasi hindi naman kami magkaaway. At kung ipagpapatuloy naman niya lahat ng nasimulan ni Noy, why not?
Kris Aquino, on the claim of Vice President Jejomar Binay that there are talks within President Aquino’s party, the Liberal Party, of possibly adopting him as the ruling party’s standard bearer in the May 2016 election
Nothing is impossible in politics. Everything is possible.
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Vice President Jejomar Binay, on the possibility of a coalition between the ruling Liberal Party and his nominally oppositionist United Nationalist Alliance in the 2016 presidential election
Kung meron mang mag-offer, sasabihin ko na hindi pa ako handa. Ayaw ko at marami pa akong kailangang patunayan.
Neophyte Senator Grace Poe, when asked if she had received offers to run for president or vice president in 2016
Sundin mo ang gusto ng katawan mo, ang desire ng flesh, or sundin mo ang gusto ng Panginoon?
Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao,s message to his 65-year-old mother Dionisia to persuade her from marrying her 40-year-old boyfriend
The Philippines did not become one of Asia’s best economies, a pioneer in transparency and accountability, by playing it safe. We did it by bold innovation.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, justifying the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), a spending reform measure to spur economic growth which carried some provisions that were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
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Volunteers help build houses for the poor.
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Typhoon victims receive relief goods.
Why I Choose to Love This Country
By alvin santos
I
LOVE the Philippines. This is something that comes as naturally as saying I love my mother. And could very well be the reason why we also call it our “motherland.” I love this country despite the fact that many of our people are perceived to be corrupt, corruptible or both. I believe that there are much greater forces working together or separately to correct this and I trust I shall live to see a better nation of more honest citizens. I love this country despite the fact that our people keep on electing more wrong than right people in government offices. I know that as in any superhero story, our own heroes will come in and save the day, hopefully sooner than later. I also feel that we’ve finally gotten it right this time. And this is a good, no, it’s a great sign. I love this country in spite of how poorly constructed and managed its main airport is. The fact that it’s constantly brought
For OFWs, the best part of working overseas is returning home. up as a national concern means hope and to have hope is good. Good enough for me at least. There are hundreds of beautiful reasons to still go and see this country which more than make up for the little inconveniences that we may experience in an airport. Have you even been to Boracay, Bicol or Cebu? They’re beautiful! I myself have not been to so many places in the Philippines which cannot be traveled by land as much as I have been to places overseas. I am raring to see what else is out there that we can offer. I love this country in spite
of how bad the traffic situation and its roads are. This means more time spent with family or friends, exercising our vocal chords while driving alone in the car, reading a good book in the bus going home from work or even praying the rosary, meditating or just going along our daily conversations with God. I love this country in spite of how densely populated it is now with over 100 million people crowding its streets. I am proud that we do not leave our families especially our elders to other people’s care and take them to nursing homes even if we can afford it.
I love this country in spite of how badly polluted its streets have become that even the mildest of rainstorms or mere rain showers create so much damage and devastation to our livelihood, our homes or sometimes and worse, even our very own lives. This only provides platforms where we are constantly reminded of how immensely we are indomitable in spirit. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people walk along flooded streets still with smiles plastered on their faces, waving at the cameras like they were movie stars. It’s amazing! I love this country in spite of how many of its good citizens flee it for what they think are greener pastures. This means more revenue from overseas Filipino workers (OFW) remittances and better lives for all the families left behind. I love this country in spite of its pronounced social chasms where we find most of our fellowmen thriving below fair and humane living conditions. It is in this situation that we are reminded of and experience the goodness of the human spirit and how amazingly we manage to live in a democracy and in peace. Love is a decision. And while I can think of a hundred other reasons not to love this country, I easily choose otherwise just because it is MY country. So go on sprightly ahead in the bright future my fellow Filipinos. (Rappler) n
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LONDON A black butterfly is a sign of a death of a family member.
By neni sta. romana-cruz
I
RECENTLY found myself preparing for a ceremony that’s mandatory prior to building a house in the Philippines. Our contractor and architect gave me a list of prerequisites—the most propitious day and hour to break ground, a whitefeathered native chicken to be slaughtered as a peace-offering, and a shovel for the first ceremonial dig. These were mentioned in the same breath as all of the bureaucratic requirements for a building permit!
Superstitions reveal much of what people revere and hold dear. They help us cope with the unknown, the unexplained and the mysterious. They’re widely-held folk beliefs and customs which are often based on personal experiences. They may be founded on scientific facts, opinions, religions, popular practices or simply inexplicable coincidences. Scholars of folklore distinguish between folk beliefs and superstitions. Dr. Damiana Eugenio, who compiled and edited the Philippine Folk Literature Series, avoids using the term “superstition.” To her the word is associated with ignorance and beliefs which can’t be scientifically proven. She prefers to call them “folk beliefs”—a neutral term that, according to her, emphasizes their basic harmlessness. Some superstitions leave you in total bewilderment. Taken together, you can’t take a bath in the afternoons, in the evenings, on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, on first Fridays, Good Friday, New Year’s Day, on the feast of St. Lazarus, on the thirteenth day of every month, during a month with only 30
Beyond
Belief A lot of Filipino superstitions deal with funerals and death. days, before gambling, when hungry, after eating, after going to church, during holidays, when there is a rainbow, as the moon sets and as the sun rises, during full moons, new moons, and even when the moon wanes and disappears. One might ask if there is any time left to bathe without dire consequences. Whether these superstitions charm or amuse or seem unbelievable today, who among us has the temerity to trifle with luck and tempt fate itself? Chuckle, if you must. But don’t say I didn’t warn you about superstitions if you fail to heed them! Here are some examples of superstitions dealing with illness and death: • Warts are caused by the urine of frogs. • Going to bed with wet hair
leads to blindness or insanity. • It’s a good idea to change the name of a sickly child. That way, you may be able to fool the spirits who are causing the sickness. • Before you bathe in a spring or river, you must first ask permission from the engkantos (resident spirits who have the power to spellbind intruders). Otherwise you might catch a disease. • A lingering black butterfly is a sign that one of your relatives has just died. • A falling spider that lands on you is an omen that someone close to you will die. • If you dream that one of your teeth is being pulled out, this means that a family member will die. • Be careful that your tears
don’t fall on the dead or on the coffin. If they do, the dead person will have a difficult journey to the next world. • If someone sneezes at a wake, pinch him lest he join the dead. • During a wake, never see your visitors off at the door of the chapel or funeral parlor. • Always carry the coffin out of the house head first. This prevents the soul of the dead from coming back. • During the funeral march, a man whose wife is pregnant should light a cigarette from a fire at the cemetery gate in order to shake off the spirits of the dead. • A widow who caresses her dead husband’s face is sure to remarry. • Digging a hole larger than the coffin will cause an immediate relative to join the deceased in the grave. • After the coffin has been lowered to the grave, all family members should take a handful of soil, spit on it, and throw it in the grave. Doing so will not only bury the evil left behind by the deceased, but also lessen the burden of grief on the family. • After the funeral service, don’t go home directly so that the spirit of the dead person won’t follow you to your house. • Never let a child step over an open grave lest the spirit of the dead visit that child. • When a tree that was planted at the same time that a child was born dies, the child will also die. • Don’t sweep the house until after the burial. • Give away your black dresses after one year of mourning to prevent another death in the family. (Positively Filipino) (First published in Filipinas Magazine, September 1997. The author, Metro Manila-based Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz, won the 1993 National Book Award for Children’s Literature. This article was excerpted from her book, “Don’t Take a Bath on a Friday”; Tahanan Books, P.O. Box 9079, MCS Mailing Center, 1299 Makati City Philippines.) n
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Metro Manila Can’t Escape Traffic Nightmare Unless... M By benjamin de la pena
ETRO Manila introduced a new twist to its continuing transportation nightmare. On top of the road construction and the still unresolved failing service of the MRT, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) threw another straw on to the camel’s back by creating “no apprehension” corridors for colorum trucks and allowing provincial transit buses back into the megacity.
The blame game rose to such fever pitch that Malacañang tasked Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras to resolve the row and “to find a common ground that can become the basis of an acceptable course of action.” Meanwhile, Metro Manilans continue to suffer. But this row and the continuing nightmare on our roads and trains and buses emphatically underscores how far behind our thinking is on urban transportation. We’ve been banging our heads on the same wall over the last 40 years, trying to solve the same symptom without getting to the root of the problem. We keep trying vehicular reduction programs (that’s what the number coding system is), road expansion and road building, flyovers, U-turn slots, yellow boxes, bus lanes,
ad nauseum. Nothing really works for very long because were attacking a symptom: traffic congestion. We have not dealt with the real problem: urban transportation. Urban transportation is a system - therefore we need systems thinking and an institutional framework that can tackle the issue at the system level. What we have instead is a completely fragmented system, an alphabet soup of agencies each designed for a different purpose: LTFRB and LTO are regulatory agencies, PNR, MRTC and LRTA are operators, the DOTC supervises all of the former and also builds mass transit infrastructure, DPWH builds roads and highways, MMDA manages traffic on main thoroughfares along with the LGU traffic enforcers and the PNP. With the exception of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the local government units (LGUs), the agencies are all national level agencies for whom Metro Manila is just a subset of the remit. No one seems to be in charge of looking at the metropolitan transportation system as a whole. That is what we need if we want to even hope to get out of this mess. A single, executive body, tasked with the planning, management and operation of the Metro Manila transportation SYSTEM. It would be responsible for walking, biking, roads, rail, water, public, private and
all forms of conveyance that traverse the national capital region. We could model it after Transport for London which is responsible for implementing the metropolitan transport strategy and managing the transport services across Greater London. A single, empowered agency could then begin tackling the whole system and understanding how the layers of services interconnect. It could rationalize what needs to be rationalized. It could simplify the system. More importantly, in this connected age, the metropolitan transport agency could gather and monitor the right information so that we pay attention to and solve the right problems. It could rebalance the priorities. Eight out of ten Metro Manilans travel by public transportation. The agency can focus on moving people, not just moving vehicles. It could make the critical connection to land use and housing, understanding that where people live, shop and work determine how they move across the city. It could rebuild the value chain of public transportation so we move beyond regulating to instead actively managing the layers of services. (For example: Transport for London franchises bus services to private operators but the value chain is split so that bus operators only operate buses. Other companies are in charge of collecting fares. The bus operators are paid per kilometer
Traffic congestion is a symptom of the real problem, which is urban transportation.
served and route operated, not per head passenger served. They also have contracts that specify minimum performance requirements around safety and ontime arrivals. The contracts are tendered every five years and can be cancelled for infractions. Passengers can only pay with an electronic card and so there is no space and no incentives for colorum buses to operate.) Some would say we need a metropolitan governor to solve Metro Manila’s transportation problem. I have my doubts because I think it would create more problems than it would solve. Plus, the political hurdles are very high. On the other hand, Malacañang can easily create the precursor of a Transport for Metro Manila agency by creating an interagency task force and giving the task force control over and delegating the authority of the sections of the concerned national agencies operating in Metro Manila. All it would require would be an Executive Order and the task force could roll out on day one. (Meanwhile, our good legislators can get to work crafting the enabling legislation that would create the formal body.) A new, metropolitan agency would shift the paradigm especially if the remit is on the real problem of urban transportation, not just the symptom that is traffic congestion. It would bring systems thinking to a systemic problem. (InterAksyon. com) n
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By angelo g. garcia
D
ID video really kill the radio star? Yes, television has become bigger than radio because let’s face it, humans are visual creatures. But what the British pop duo, The Buggles, failed to foresee is how radio will fight its way to survive. Those from the radio industry say that the medium is not dead…yet, in the Philippines at least. Radio may not be as popular as before but it continues to thrive despite the challenges.
Stepping inside the booth of pioneering AM radio station DZRH feels like stepping inside a high-tech television studio. High-definition cameras all around, studio lights, and the setup behind the anchor is a backdrop that can fit in any primetime TV newscast setup. You see, DZRH—a station that survived 75 years on air—does not only air its programs over regular radio frequency but over the internet as well, with live video feed, to boot. The station has been doing this for quite some time now, reaching a wider group of Filipino audience around the world. They stream their shows live on their website for every Filipino—hungry for local information—based in, among others, Japan, US, Italy, Saudi Arabia to hear (and see). As DZRH’s veteran radio announcer Joe Taruc puts it, ra-
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Radio in the Time of Social Media, Live Streaming, and Spotify
Veteran radio announcer Joe Taruc has been working the board for 46 years and has no plans of retiring anytime soon.
Manila Broadcasting Company uses both old school and the latest equipment for their radio stations. dio is still alive today because it keeps up with the times. As technology grows, radio grows with it. Taruc, who started his radio career in 1968 (before mobile phones and laptops), witnessed how Philippine radio grew and sadly, declined. He admits that radio doesn’t get the same numbers—ratings wise—like before, but radio still has an audience and he believes that it’s far from dying. “As long as there are people who believe and rely on radio, it will not die. It’s so easy to spread information through
radio. It will take longer before it totally dies. It’s here to stay. There are needs other mediums cannot provide,” he says. Radio adapts to what new technology has to offer. For instance, radio is turning its head on mobile devices. Radio streaming apps like TuneIn provides radio content for smartphones and tablet users. More and more radio stations are streaming their content online. Internet radio are becoming more and more popular. There is, however, a part of radio that indeed is slowly
disappearing. The once highlyrated radio dramas that dominated local AM radio stations in the past are now a dying art. Back then, most of the time slots were given to dramas like Gulong ng Palad, which ruled the airwaves in 1949. Today radio dramas have taken a back seat and only have two to three hours of airtime. Today’s audience, according to Taruc, prefers current and entertainment news. “We get feedback even from Filipinos abroad,” he says. “We listen to what they want. That way, we adapt and change what needs to be changed.” He says that it also helps that Filipinos trust established radio stations for information. While the internet is not exactly the most reliable source of information with its many fake stories (like Justin Bieber’s reported death last July 2), overtly photoshopped images, and spam websites. “They (listeners) trust us,” says Taruc. “Radio stations built that kind of credibility for many years. People listen because they trust us. It’s the content that drives the stations to get its audience. The personalities like anchors and jocks are secondary. Well, popular personalities help with the ratings. I still think that radio is relevant to Filipinos.” (Manila Bulletin) n
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Accelerating investment in the Philippines to sustain growth that benefits the poor
T
he Philippine Economic Update (PEU) released expects the Philippines to continue to grow strongly at 6.4 percent in 2014 and 6.7 percent in 2015. “This projected growth remains one of the fastest in the East Asia region, second only to China among the major economies,” said World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi. These numbers are a slight revision from the previous projections of 6.6 percent and 6.9 percent in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The revision reflects the slow start of the economy in the first quarter of 2014 given the effects of Typhoon Yolanda, lower government spending in the second quarter, and monetary policy tightening in the first seven months of the year. However, recent data trends suggest that higher growth has now begun to translate into
Will investment in in infrastructure, health, and education help the Philippines’ poor?
significant poverty reduction. “After many years of slow poverty reduction, poverty incidence declined by 3 percentage points from 27.9 percent in
2012 to 24.9 percent in 2013, lifting 2.5 million Filipinos out of poverty. And in April this year, the economy created 1.7 million jobs,” said Rogier van
den Brink, World Bank Lead Economist for the Philippines. The World Bank Group estimates that the country needs to spend an additional 5 percent of GDP on health and education to raise labor productivity and competitiveness of Filipino workers. This is on top of the Government’s planned doubling of infrastructure spending to 5 percent of GDP. “Going forward, the Philippines can sustain high growth by accelerating structural reforms and increasing investments in infrastructure and in the health and education of the Filipino people,” said Karl Kendrick Chua, World Bank Senior Country Economist for the Philippines In the last four years, the Government has doubled spending on social services and has provided more money for developing the country’s infrastruccontinued to Page 13
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Why the DAP Controversy Could Hurt PH Economy sassinated opponent of dictatorship and a democracy hero who became the country’s first woman president.
A storm of controversy over the controversial DAP caused President Aquino’s approval rating to plummet.
Governance promise
T
HE biggest political crisis that Philippine President Benigno Aquino has faced in four years in power could damage his image as a crusader against corruption and undermine his ability to deliver on reforms to sustain strong economic growth. The Supreme Court this month declared partly illegal the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), a 145-billionpeso ($3.34 billion) economic stimulus fund that Aquino created in 2011 from budget savings, sparking a storm of controversy that has distracted the government from its work. Economists are also concerned the controversy is slowing public spending because officials are more wary about accusations of recklessness and are subjecting decisions to more scrutiny, putting at risk big infrastructure projects. “If this leads to a slowdown in spending, the risk to growth is on the downside,” Shanaka Jayanath Peiris, International Monetary Fund resident representative in the Philippines, said. The IMF on July 25 cut its Philippine growth forecast to 6.2 percent from 6.5 percent set in March, partly because of slower spending after the stim-
Critics say the allocation of funds to senators for their projects cast doubt on Aquino’s commitment to stamp out corruption. ulus scandal broke. The government has set a target of 6.5 to 7.5 percent gross domestic product growth this year, after 7.2 percent last year. First quarter GDP growth was at its slowest in two years, in part because of weaker state spending which grew an annual 2 percent in the period against 10 percent growth a year earlier. Henry Schumacher, vice president at the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said any more delays to much-needed infrastructure would be a “disaster”. “There is an over-carefulness in a number of government offices not to move before they are absolutely sure that every angle where integrity could be compromised has been looked at,” Schumacher said.
‘Chilling effect’ Jose Rene Almendras, secretary to the cabinet, told a local television station the Supreme Court ruling on the stimulus fund had “a chilling effect on everyone”.
Under the stimulus facility, Aquino spent funds saved from cancelled projects on housing and relocation of slum residents, radars for the weather bureau and infusing capital to the central bank to help it with its market intervention, among other activities. A portion of the funds was distributed to senators to use on projects of their choice. The Supreme Court said aspects of the stimulus were unconstitutional. It did not call any actions criminal, though lawyers say the ruling could open the way for complaints alleging wrongdoing. Critics said the allocation of funds to senators for their projects cast doubt on Aquino’s commitment to stamp out corruption. And the controversy is having an impact on how officials proceed. “Everyone who has to sign a document now has to be doubly sure,” Almendras said in the television interview. Aquino is the only son of highly respected parents: an as-
He won the presidency in 2010 on a promise of good governance and fighting graft but has struggled to rid the country of its image as one of the most corrupt in Asia. On July 28, he delivered his next-to-last State of the Nation Address at a joint session of Congress where he highlighted the numerous benefits of DAP to various sectors of the population and economy. Two impeachment complaints related to the stimulus funds have been filed against Aquino in recent weeks, accusing him of betraying public trust and violating the constitution following the court’s ruling. But there is little danger Aquino will be ousted because his allies dominate both houses of Congress. Aquino also enjoys the support of the army. Still, his approval ratings plunged to a record low in June and they may fall again after the Supreme Court decision. While he is likely to survive the scandal, it could have implications on his party’s candidate in the presidential election due in 2016. Aquino cannot be a candidate as the constitution says a president can be elected for only one six-year term. “The current controversies ... are definitely a blow to President Aquino’s image as the poster boy of good governance,” Eugenia Victorino, economist at ANZ in Singapore, said. (Reuters) n
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Investment... from Page 11 ture. Sustaining these efforts will close the remaining gaps brought about by decades of lagging public investment: • The country’s spending on roads, bridges, ports, airports, as well as machines and equipment has generally been declining since the 1970s, and is now well below that of its peers. • The Philippines spends 30-50 percent less in infrastructure, health and education compared to its fast-growing neighbors. According to Chua, financing the increase in investments will need to come from a combination of tax policy and administration reforms to make the tax system simpler, more efficient, and more equitable. In particular, in the interest of job creation, the tax burden and cost of compliance for small businesses need to be reduced. “The government has successfully raised tax revenue equivalent to 1.2 percent of GDP in the last three years through the sin tax reform, improved tax administration, and higher
growth. Accelerating the current reform momentum would help the country yield additional tax revenues to further expand growth that can benefit more poor Filipinos,” said Chua. In addition, accelerating key reforms to secure
access to land, promote competition, and simplify business regulations will also help create more and better jobs and bring more people out of poverty. (with full news from the World Bank)
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By jillian carpio
abroad, and even as a way to get instant feedback from my followers about the latest episode of Dyesebel! I use it to stay connected to people,” she said. She tries her best to make time to reply to fans through her Twitter account, even when she’s stuck in traffic: “So they tweet asking me when I’ll be stuck in traffic again, so I can have a little communication session with them,” she said, laughing.
M
ENTION the name Anne Curtis and what immediately springs to mind are her big, hazel eyes, signature red lips and the iconic beauty mark under her left eye. Of course, it helps that you can spot her face everywhere, from several billboards along Edsa to your TV screens at home.
Yet what makes her so popular among Filipinos isn’t just her constant presence in the media; rather, it is her down-toearth, effervescent personality. She isn’t afraid to let her true self show, and is always game to do anything, whether randomly bursting into song or breaking into an impromptu dance. In person, Anne is every bit as natural as she is on television. We caught up with her at the Plains and Prints 2014 prefall collection shoot, where she arrived straight from a taping of Showtime. As soon as she arrived, she gave everyone a quick beso before proceeding to have her hair and makeup done. “Hi, nice to meet you!” she said as we introduced ourselves. The whole time, she kept a smile on her face, looking genuinely happy. “I’m having fun. I think that’s the best thing—that it doesn’t feel like a job, because I’m enjoying what I’m doing. I love to act, I love to sing—even if I’m not a singer!” she said with a giggle. This, she explained, is because her job allows her to do things that she genuinely wants to do, such as to pursue her interest in singing. She held her second concert, Annekapal, at Smart Araneta Coliseum last May 16. “What I always clarify is that I’m not a singer,” she admitted, “but I’m a performer. I’m an entertainer. Whatever I lack in my voice, I make up for in the
Anne clarifies she’s not a singer but a performer. She is shown here in her concert Annekapal.
Anne Curtis: Comfy in Her Own Style stunts and the outfits, to make sure that I give a good show, visually. Maybe for your ear, it’s not really heaven to listen to; but with your eyes? It’s a sight to see,” she pointed out.
Staying connected Despite being famous, Anne has kept her feet on the ground. “I don’t really look at myself in that way,” she said of her popularity. “It’s during concerts, for example, and when I check my Twitter account and my Instagram feed that I realize, ‘Wow! This is really happening!’” Anne happens to be the most followed Filipino on both Twitter and Instagram; she has millions of followers waiting to see whatever she posts next. She shares tidbits of her daily life—the food she’s eating, the places she travels to, her outings with friends, and her adventures at work. “I use my social media sites for anything, really. It keeps me sane by keeping me connected to the outside world— with what’s happening to my friends, my sister, my family
Anne is the most followed Filipina celebrity on Twitter and Instagram, proof of her massive fan base.
Style icon Anne’s most popular online posts are her #ootds or “outfits of the day.” Since she’s considered a style icon by many, her #ootds are often bombarded with comments about how beautiful her outfit is, or how good she looks in almost anything. “I just stick to whatever I’m comfortable in,” she said. “Unlike before talaga, I followed trends, whatever is in! “But you find out that what you really like to wear and what is flattering to your body are just the key. It should be something that’s fun and that suits your personality.” Anne is thankful to be considered a style icon by many, despite the fact that she makes comfort and practicality a priority in her dressing. “I’m just grateful that I’m kinda dressing the way I regularly would—in a fun and comfortable outfit—and that people still look up to me as a style icon. I’m thankful that I don’t have to make the extra effort to make sure that an outfit is super nice or #ootd worthy. I wear whatever I’m comfortable with, and people like it.” Above all, Anne is especially thankful for her job: “It’s just great that I’m able to do something that I love and that I’m able to make my dream come true. I’m able to inspire others that if you really want something, you can make it happen; as long as you believe in yourself and push yourself to make it happen.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n
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Aquino open to second term
RESIDENT AQUINO is now amenable to amending the Constitution and extending his term apparently to check the power of the Supreme Court, a coequal of the executive branch. The President said the judiciary appeared to be using its power to check the executive and legislative branches without restraint. “When I took this office, I recall that it was only for one term of six years,” he said on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with TV5. “Now, after having said that, of course, I have to listen to my bosses [the people].” But the President made it clear that his statement did not necessarily mean that “I would automatically go after an additional term.” He said listening to his “bosses” meant asking them how the “reforms” he had started would remain beyond his sixyear term. For Aquino to make another run for the presidency, the term limits set by the 1987 Constitution would have to be lifted. He had consistently rejected moves to amend the Constitution, a position he now seems to be reconsidering. “Before all of these happened, I admit I had a closed mind. But now I realized that there is judicial reach. Congress and the executive may act but they can be punished anytime,” he told. “Now after having said that, of course I have to listen to my bosses,” he added, using his usual reference to the Filipino people. “But that doesn’t mean...that I will automatically chase after another term, right?” The President was apparently referring to the Supreme Court ruling on July 1 that the Disbursement Acceleration Fund (DAP), a Malacañang stimulus fund derived from government savings, was unconstitutional. Last November, the high court also declared the Priority De-
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President Aquino is now amenable to amending the Constitution and extending his term apparently to check the power of the Supreme Court.
velopment Assistance Fund, a pork barrel of lawmakers, unconstitutional. The President complained that the judiciary seemed to be using its power to check and balance the executive and legislative branches “more often.” “It’s like instead of exercising restraint, [the judiciary is using] this power more often,” he said. “Now, as a result, the balance between the three branches appears to be gone.” Aquino earlier warned of a “collision” between the executive and the judiciary following the high court decision declaring his DAP unconstitutional. He repeatedly slammed the Supreme Court over the decision and warned that such a collision might require the “intervention” of Congress. The Palace has asked the Supreme Court to reverse its 13-0 ruling against the DAP. Pending the resolution of the motion for reconsideration, the President, in his State of the Nation Address, asked Congress to pass a supplemental budget to cover pro-
jects previously funded under the DAP. He also asked the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass a joint resolution clarifying and defining concepts such as savings and when the government could declare them. It was Aquino’s first comment on reconsidering his stated position against amending the constitution passed during the term of his mother Corazon, who was closely associated with the re-establishment of a democratic order. Any constitutional amendment would require a vote of three quarters in Congress and convocation of a constitutional convention. Aquino’s allies currently dominate both houses of Congress. Past presidents have considered charter amendments, but faced intense public criticism for attempting to extend their term of office. Aquino, who has put in place reforms in the fiscal sector that earned the country its first investment grade rating, is likely to face similar public reaction. Some legislators, including the speaker of the lower
chamber of Congress, have actively pushed for changes to the constitution, particularly to economic provisions that capped foreign investments into the country. Recently, Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas, a chief ally of Aquino and one of the leaders of the administration party, voiced his personal opinion Aquino should seek a second term. Aquino also said charter changes would allow for a review of the courts’ powers as a check on other branches of government. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that a government move to use budget savings for stimulus spending without congressional appropriation was unconstitutional, sparking debates on whether Aquino was indeed committed to his anti-corruption promises, since the money funded legislators pet projects. Vice President Jejomar Binay earlier slammed calls for a term extension for Aquino, saying “it was a selfish proposal to begin with, motivated more by personal rather than national interest.”
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Showbuzz Gretchen content on being Tonyboy’s partner GRETCHEN Barretto seemed to have come to terms about not being able to get married to longtime partner Tonyboy Cojuangco. Despite being in a relationship with Tonyboy for over two decades, La Greta has yet to tie the knot with him. Tonyboy’s marriage to his estranged wife has yet to be annulled. “Ganun talaga ang buhay, hindi perpekto.” She said. “There are things you have in life, there are things that you don’t have. I think accepting what you don’t have—just enjoying the moment and the blessings that you have every day—is more than enough.” She may not have been blessed in the marriage department, but Gretchen is surely blessed when it comes to her career as she is once again tapped to be part of a Star Cinema movie. “Nagsu-shoot ako ngayon ng ‘The Trial’ for Star Cinema with John Lloyd Cruz, Richard Gomez, Jessy Mendiola. Marami
On bended knees, Dingdong proposes to Marian. Tonyboy and Gretchen kami dun and... I think, in September, ilalabas na,” she revealed. Asked whether she and John Lloyd have passionate scenes, Gretchen replied, “Hindi naman, hindi naman ganun. Alam mo, mature na ako ngayon, nabawasan na ako ng ka-naughty-han at saka he’s not my age, so medyo mahiya naman tayo.”
Aiza and partner plan to have baby AIZA Seguerra and partner Liza Diño reveal that they plan to get married this year in the US and have a child through artificial insemination the following year. “Hopefully next year. Ang plano is insemination,” said Aiza in a TV interview. “Pero instead of me [ang magdadala], sa akin i-inseminate, we’ll use my egg, and she [Liza] will carry.” Their initial plan was to have a baby through vitro fer-
Liza and Aiza
tilization. The two are now considering who to tap as sperm donor. “We’re still thinking kung magiging kaibigan ba siya o
Dingdong and Marian are engaged THE right time finally came for GMA 7 actors Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. After months of hemming and hawing, Dingdong finally proposed to his longtime girlfriend in the latter’s dance show Marian, aired live on Aug. 9 on GMA 7. The weekly show’s episode was supposed to be a joint birth anniversary celebration. He turned 34 on Aug. 2; she’s turning 30 on Aug. 12. Instead of a birthday bash, it turned into a pre-wedding party—with the entire country as witnesses. Marian said yes, of course. Rams David, Marian’s manager said: “She is ecstatic . . . happy. She’s on cloud nine and she’s at peace.” Rumors of the couple’s impending nuptials have been circulating in show biz for the longest time. When asked if she and Dingdong would tie the knot in 2014, Marian told the Inquirer in an interview earlier this year: “As Dong would say: Not so far, but not so near. ’Yon na ’yon. That’s it. It sounds confusing, but we understand each other.”
unknown yung donor. Kasi may mga pros and cons din ‘yon,” said Liza. But their focus now is their planned same-sex marriage in the US this year. “Hindi siya legal dito [sa Pilipinas], that’s why we will do the legal ceremony sa States, and
then here yung symbolic ceremony,” explained Aiza. “Yung sa States, either September or October. Basta within the year. And then sa Pinas, sometime January [2015].” Aiza and Liza have a concert at the Music Museum on August 22.
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Showbuzz Barretto sisters drop father’s last name CLAUDIA and Julia Barretto, daughters of Dennis Padilla and Marjorie Barretto, have legally dropped their father’s surname, taking the name “Barretto” as their legal surname. The court’s decision shocked Dennis, whose real surname is “Baldivia”. According to the comedian, his daughters have always been allowed to use the surname “Barretto” in their screen names, but all legal and school documents use the surname “Baldivia”. Dennis claims that Julia told him, “By law, I can change my family name”, when he asked why they wanted to drop his surname. As their father, he said he is also hurt to learn the sisters already went to court and obtained an order to legally
Lito faces graft raps in fertilizer scam
Claudia and Julia
THE Office of the Ombudsman has approved the filing of graft charges against Senator Lito Lapid in connection with the overpricing of 3,880 liters of liquid fertilizer bought by the Pampanga provincial government in 2004 when the actor was governor of the province.
change their family names. Dennis has filed a petition for a reversal of the court order because as a 15-year-old child, Claudia, is not legally considered to have the personality to file for the petition and his right to due process was violated because he was not included in the court proceedings. Conceding to having his own failures, Dennis admitted he was not able to financially
support his children because of the lack of projects as an actor. The Barretto camp claims they are on the right side of the law, especially because Dennis marriage with Marjorie was annulled on grounds of bigamy. It was proven he was legally married to another woman before his marriage to Marjorie. The couple also has a son, Leon, but it was not known if Leon also had his name changed.
Derek’s ‘wife’ goes to court
THE alleged estranged wife of Derek Ramsay has filed a case against the actor. A certain Mary Christine Jol-
ly claimed that she and Derek were married Jolly in Bulacan in 2002. She said their union bore a son, now 11 years old. Jolly filed a case for violation of Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 against Derek on June 27. In her complaint, Jolly said the actor-host has failed to fulfill his role as a father and has not been providing any support for his child. Joji Alonso, Derek’s counsel, said the allegations against Derek are a “bunch of lies.”
“Our client, Derek Ramsay, is currently being subjected to a barrage of accusations from one Mary Christine Jolly, pertaining to their approximately 9-month relationship. These trumped up charges which are but a bunch of lies, are contained in a Complaint for the alleged violation of Republic Act 9262, pending before the prosecutor’s office.” Derek’s camp will submit its counter affidavit on August 20 after his return from Toronto where he is shooting his upcoming show The Amazing Race Philippines.
An Ombudsman task force has found that the P5 million used to buy the fertilizer came from agricultural funds that were allegedly diverted to the campaign of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004, a scandal that became known as the P728-million fertilizer fund scam. The fertilizer scam case is the eighth graft case to be filed in the Office of the Ombudsman against Lapid since he was elected governor in 1995 and the second to be ordered sent to the Sandiganbayan for trial. Lapid has also been implicated in the P10-billion pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. Lapid’s Senate colleagues and fellow actors Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla are currently detained pending court trial of the plunder cases filed against them inn connection with the pork barrel scam.
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For Toni, It’s the Heart That Matters
M
ANY think her wit, humor, talents and gift of gab catapulted Toni Gonzaga to stardom. Few realize that the girl who nearly didn’t get the guy in the movies, the girl who often played characters that find themselves flatfooted in situations only to get through these with chin up, the girl who says outrageously candid oneliners in interviews that end up as Twitter trending topic a few minutes after these are uttered—is a girl who delivers the goods every single time because she understands the Filipino audience so well.
In an interview with Bulletin Entertainment, the so-called Multi-Media Star talked about the Pinoy psyche and how the nation determines whom to champion. Surprise, surprise: It’s almost always the underdog. “Ang Pilipino, may maawain na puso. It’s our culture. If you go back to history, sinakop tayo ng madaming lahi kaya many of us have meek personality,
mahiyain. Simple lang tayo pero we’re sympathetic at ang laging hinahanap natin ay puso,” she said to that effect. We opened the subject in light of some people’s observation that in local reality and talent shows, contestants who have a sob story seem to automatically have advantage over those who don’t. “Gusto kasi ng Pilipino na laging nakaka-relate [sa kapwa niya]. Gusto ng Pinoy malaman kung san ka nagsimula, san ka ba galing, bakit ka ba nag-a-artista. It’s not just about what you can do but also why you do it.” It’s not that talent doesn’t factor in. In a nation acknowledged worldwide to have talented people teeming in every nook and cranny, that’s a given. However, he who speaks directly to and captures the heart of the people, stands out and
could have key in the hole. “Kung sino ang may pinakamahirap na buhay…siya ang ginagawang panalo [ng mga tao],” she mulled aloud. Is this something that needs correcting? Should the culture be changed? We didn’t ask Toni these questions but she did say that when it comes to the Pinoy audience, “huwag mo silang pagiisipin—ibigay mo sa kanila [kung sino ka] at tataggapin ka nila.” “Hindi ‘yung parang bubuksan pa nila yung package—buksan mo na sa kanila.” No one has to take Toni’s opinions as gospel truth. But no one can deny that she who has been hailed Princess of Philippine Movies, Box Office Queen, Best Emcee, Best Female TV Host, Best Talent Search Program Host and Best Concert Performer of the Year at various points in her career has at least earned the right to speak her mind on the subject.
‘Bring them on a high’ On Oct. 3, Toni will be mounting a major concert at the Mall of Asia Arena. Titled Celestine and produced by DSL Events and Production House Inc., it celebrates her 15 years in show business.
Celestine director Paolo Valenciano was with her at the time of interview and they agree that the concert aims to highlight some facets of the artist that aren’t given the opportunity to shine in her other endeavors. This means that aside from performing some hit cover songs, the singer-actress will be doing her original smash tunes including We Belong, Catch Me I’m Falling, and Kahit Na. There will be few medleys, if at all, and, no, it won’t be a marathon show lasting till wee hours of the morning. “It’s better na dalhin mo ang audience on a high then end it there,” she said. “Pag more than that, matutulog na sila.” Beyond showcasing her singing and dancing prowess, Toni hopes the concertgoers will see her in another light; one that’s not “filtered.” “I’ll get to share a part of me sa audience that they don’t often see. When you sing live, you interact with your audience—andyan sila sa harap mo—so when the songs touch someone’s heart kita mo agad. “Kung may ma-awe, may maiyak, you know nakakarelate sila. Everything will be spontaneous even the spiels. I’ll share my thoughts with them. They’ll see another side of me na maybe hindi pa nila alam.” It’s Toni just being herself. And it’s why people just love her. (Manila Bulletin) n
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Filipinos most worried about conflict with China – study
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OMPARED to other Asian countries, the Philippines – the only country that dared to bring China to court over its West Philippine Sea claim – is most worried about conflict. Among countries embroiled in territorial disputes with China, the Philippines is the most worried about military conflict with the Asian giant, a USbased think tank said. In a study published by Pew Research Center on Monday, July 14, the Philippines is also the most concerned about military conflict with China even among other Asian neighbors surveyed. The 2014 Spring Pew Global Attitudes Survey showed that 93% of Filipinos fear “that territorial disputes between China and neighboring countries could lead to a military conflict.”
The study added that 61% of Filipinos are “very concerned” about a possible con-
Vietnam, which has a dispute with China over the South China Sea – 84% India, which has a dispute with China over the state of Arunachal Pradesh – 72% The Philippines is the only country that d a r e d I t
FULL PAGE f l i c t w i t h China. Filipinos are most worried about this compared to 3 other countries in territorial disputes with China: Japan, which has a dispute with China over the East China Sea – 85%
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to bring C h i - na to court over its West Philippine Sea
(South C h i n a Sea) claim. also has one of Asia’s weakest militaries.
More concerned than China In the Pew Research study, concerns about conflict are also highest among Filipinos compared to other Asian neighbors surveyed: South Korea – 83% Malaysia – 66% continued to Page 25
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Flash Exquisite Beauties
The 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas winners show off their exquisite form at the coronation night on August 8. They are (left to right) Kim Fyfe, second runner-up; Patrizia Bosco, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Overseas Communities; Eva Psychee Patalinjug, Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific; Glennifer Perido, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism; and Cristine Racel, first runner-up.
Home, Sweet Home
s
A group of overseas Filipino workers arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Libya after fighting between insurgent groups in that Middle East country intensified and put their lives in danger.
s A Sight to Behold
People enjoy the majestic view of Mayon Volcano as they take a stroll along the seaside boulevard in Legazpi City, Albay.
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Trooping the Line
President Aquino and Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima (extreme left) troop the line during the celebration of the 113th Police Service anniversary at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on August 7.
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Flash s
Sing to the World
Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) set two new Guinness World Records as it celebrated its centennial on July 27: world’s largest gospel choir with 4,745 members, and world’s largest mixed-use arena with a seating capacity of 55,000 and floor area of 99,000 square meters.
s PNoy Under Fire
s A Gathering of Umbrellas
Umbrellas cover the long line of people waiting for a ride on the Metro Rail Transit at the North Avenue Station on EDSA in Quezon City.
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A protester hits an effigy, made in the satirical likeness of President Aquino, with a stick, as the President delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives last July 28.
One Hundred Millionth Baby
Baby girl Jennalyn Sentino is declared the symbolic “100,000,000th baby” of the country following her birth in a government hospital in Manila on July 27.
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OW do Metro Manila’s poorest of the poor manage to survive? Recently, InterAksyon. com talked to one of them - Rosalinda Garcia – a street sweeper in Barangay 20, Tondo, Manila. Garcia, a widow, lives with her young daughter in a barely 2x2-square meter room in one of the depressed communities in Parola Compound. Their house has no source of water, electricity, and toilet. Garcia says she and her daughter, who have no formal schooling, don’t know how to read or write and can’t always eat three square meals a day. “Natutulog na lang kami ng maaga, para di na makaramdam ng gutom.” Ano po ang natapos n’yo? Hindi ako nakapag-aral kahit Grade One. Ilang taon na po kayo? Kwarenta….Singkwenta… Hindi ako sigurado eh. Nasaan po ang asawa ninyo? Patay na. Matagal na. Napag-tripan ng mga adik sa Pier 2, pinalo nang pinalo sa binti. Hindi na nakatayo. Tapos nagkaroon ng diabetes. May anak po ba kayo? Oo, etong kasama ko, si Jennifer. Ilang taon na po si Jennifer? Onse…katorse…Di rin ako sigurado… Nag-aaral po ba siya? Hindi. Kahit kailan po hindi nakapag-aral? Kahit Grade One? Hindi. Ano po ang trabaho ninyo? Nagwawalis ng kalsada Ilang oras po ang trabaho n’yo? Mga…lima… Anong oras kayo nagsisimulang magwalis? Alas kwatro [ng madaling araw]. Anong oras natatapos? Mga alas nuwebe [ng umaga].
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How Do the Poor Survive in Manila?
Rosalinda Garcia of Parola Compound in Tondo, Manila, wears the best clothes she has. Magkano po ang kita ninyo? Dalawang libo. (About US$46) Kada buwan? Kada tatlong buwan. Sino po ang nagpapasweldo sa inyo? Ang barangay. Ano po ang kadalasang almusal ninyo? Monay at kape. Magkano po ang gastos n’yo sa almusal sa isang araw? Trenta pesos. ($0.70) Sa tanghalian po, ano ang kadalasang kinakain? Pakbet na gulay o kaya tuyo. Magkano po ang nagagastos sa ulam? Mga kinse [pesos]. ($0.35) Niluluto po n’yo ang ulam o binibili? Binibili, luto na. Paano po ang bigas? ‘Yong Iglesia ni Cristo ang nagbibigay sa amin. Tatlong kilong bigas kada Lunes. Tatlong kilong bigas sa isang linggo kasya na? Di kasya…Mga apat o limang araw lang nagtatagal ang bigas.
Eh Paano po pag wala nang bigas? Tinapay na lang, o minsan wala. Teka, ‘yong bigas po ba ninyo kayo ang nagsasaing? Hindi, nakikisaing na lang sa kapitbahay. Wala akong gamit sa pagluluto. Nakakain po ba kayo palagi ng tatlong beses isang araw? Siguro….mga tatlo o apat na araw lang tatlong beses ang kain sa isang linggo. Doon po sa mga araw na di kayo kumakain ng tatlong beses, ilang beses na lang po kayo kumakain? Dalawa o isang beses na lang. Ano po kinakain n’yo sa mga natirang araw na di n’yo nakukumpleto ang pagkain ng tatlong beses isang araw? Tinapay na lang. Pag may natirang kanin o may nagbigay ng kanin, toyo ang ulam. Magkano po ang kadalasang badyet n’yo sa pagbili ng toyo sa isang linggo? Apat na piso. ($1) Pag nagugutom po at wala nang makain, ano po ang ginagawa n’yo?
Wala. Natutulog na lang kami nang maaga para di makaramdam ng gutom. Wala po kayong gripo sa bahay? Wala. Saan po kayo kumukuha ng tubig? Umiigib sa kapitbahay. Libre po ‘yon? Hindi, may bayad. Piso isang galon. Sa isang linggo, ilang galon po ang binibili n’yo? Dalawa. Ilang beses po kayong naliligo sa isang linggo? Dalawang beses. May CR po kayo? Wala. Saan po kayo dumudumi? Sa plastic o kaya sa damit na di na ginagamit. Saan n’yo po tinatapon ang dumi ninyo? Sa basurahan o kaya sa imburnal. Saan po kayo umiihi? Sa arinola. Saan po ninyo tinatapo ang ihi ninyo? Sa imburnal din. May kuryente po kayo? Wala. Ano po ang ginagamit n’yong pang-ilaw? Kandila. May sapatos po ba kayo? Wala…step-in lang. Ilang buo o maayos pa pong panty meron kayo? Dalawa. Anu-ano po ba ang gamit n’yo sa bahay? Wala. Wala? Kahit kutsara? Ah meron…kutsara, tinidor, pinggan. Ano pa? Kumot, unan, hanger, wala na. Kung magkapera po kayo pambili ng pagkain, ano po ang gusto n’yong kainin? Gusto kong kumain ng baboy. ‘Yong adobo. Matagal na akong di nakakain no’n. Ano po ang nararamdaman n’yo pag sobra kayong nagugutom? Sumasakit ang ulo ko. Masakit ang tiyan…maasim ang sikmura. (InterAksyon) n
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FIlipinos worried.. from Page 21
Bangladesh – 55% Indonesia – 52% Thailand – 50% Pakistan – 48% The United States, a key player seen to contain China’s aggression, has 67% of citizens concerned about territorial disputes leading to armed conflict. China has 62% of citizens concerned. “Asia’s concerns about China reflect the fact that, as Asia’s largest economic and military power sitting at the center of the region, Beijing has territorial disputes with many of its neighbors,” Pew Research said. Pew Research based this study on 48,643 interviews from March 17 to June 5. Researchers spoke to adults 18 years and older across 44 countries. In the Philippines, Pew Research had a sample size of 1,008 and a margin of error of 4.0 percentage points. with full news by Paterno Esmaquel II from Rappler
Top 5 countries who are worried with China:
PH 93%
Japan
85%
Vietnam
S. Korea
84%
83%
India
72%
According to a study, Filipinos are most worried about a possible conflict China compared to other Asian countries in the region.
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6 ‘Underrated’ Philippine Destinations T
OURISM Secretary Ramon Jimenez believes that there is more to the Philippines than Boracay, Palawan and Manila, noting how the country is home to many “underrated” destinations.
According to Jimenez, the Philippines – with its 7,107 islands – “has tremendous potential” when it comes to tourism. The only thing needed to do, he said, is to develop and promote the areas -- something that the Department of Tourism has been working on mainly through the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign. In an interview with ABSCBNnews.com, Jimenez mentioned six destinations in the Philippines which he thinks deserve more attention from tourists and travelers, citing their uniqueness and natural beauty.
Bohol Located in Central Visayas, Bohol has been a favorite among tourists mainly because of the Chocolate Hills and the white sand beaches of Panglao island. Jimenez, however, stressed that there are plenty of things to see in the province beyond the two attractions. “I think Bohol is at the top of the list, it’s underrated… People think there’s nothing in between Panglao and the Chocolate Hills,” he noted. “But you see, the Loboc River alone is an incredible experience.” Other attractions in Bohol include old churches (and church ruins), caves, watchtowers, more beaches and adventure parks.
San Vicente, Palawan
Pink sand beach, Zamboanga City
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Ilocos Norte Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City
Another “underrated” destination is the pink sand beach at Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City, said Jimenez, noting how most people tend to limit themselves to destinations in Luzon and Visayas. The beach here is pink because of the crushed red corals mixed with the white sand. “Not a lot of people visit the pink beach of Zamboanga,” Jimenez said.
Batanes
said there is one place that people have yet to appreciate – San Vicente. More than 180 kilometers from Puerto Princesa, San Vicente boasts of 14 kilometers of unspoiled powdery white sand. This strip of sand, dubbed “Long Beach,” faces the West Philippine Sea and has lush forests and coconut trees on its sides. “In the islands of Palawan, there are places like San Vicente. We have so many beaches
San Vicente, Palawan Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Coron may have put Palawan on the world map, but Jimenez
Hamiguitan is known for its “pygmy forest,” or a unique field of 100-year-old bonsai trees. Jimenez is glad that Mount Hamiguitan has been recently named a UNESCO World Heritage site, saying this will attract more visitors to the sanctuary.
Mt. Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental
we haven’t even started to use. In San Vicente, we have a beach that is like Boracay that is 14 kilometers long. Can you imagine?” Jimenez said. San Vicente also takes pride in its waterfalls, ostrich farm and mangrove areas.
Mount Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental Jimenez is all praises for Mount Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental, which he said is “just as incredible” as the underground river in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. A protected area, Mount
The northernmost part of the country has had its fair share of visitors but Jimenez believes that Batanes deserves so much more, given its breathtaking scenery. “It’s quite harder to reach than the others, but it’s worth the trip,” he said, adding that a number of airlines have added flights to Batanes. Contrary to what most people think, it is not that expensive to visit Batanes. It is possible to spend four days in this beautiful island province for only P5,000.
Ilocos Norte Last but not the least, Jimenez said, is Ilocos Norte, which he praised for its natural beauty. Aside from the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Ilocos Norte is also known for its sand dunes and beautiful beaches, among many others. “Kailangan lang ng momentum,” Jimenez said as he expects Ilocos Norte to attract even more tourists in the next few years. (ABS-CBNnews.com) n
WHAT’S ON
V
isitation to the Philippines is on the rise, with Australian numbers up 9.6% in the first five months of the year despite a series of recent natural disasters. The destination was struck by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in October, followed just weeks later by devastating Typhoon Haiyan which wreaked chaos across central areas of the country with significant loss of life. However, tourism appears to have emerged unscathed from the ordeal. “Arrivals have gone up from 4.3 to 4.7 million in 2013 despite the fact that we had major calamities in the last quarter of last year,” Tourism Promotions Board Philippines chief operating officer Domingo Enerio said. “We’d like to thank the Australian market very much for its support and cooperation.” Australia is the fifth market for Philippines in terms of numbers with over 200,000 visitors in 2013. However, it is the third most significant international market in terms of expenditure. “We are going to be very aggressive with respect to promoting the Philippines as a tourism destination here in Australia,” Enerio confirmed. The ren e w e d p u s h comes as low cost carrier Cebu Pacific prepares for the September start of its service between Sydney and Manila which is also expected to stimulate the market for travel to the destination. Enerio revealed details of a social media campaign to be run in conjunction with Ripple Effect, and a new focus on pro-
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Philippines tourism overcomes adversity
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moting voluntourism. In addition, 2015 will be promoted as Visit the Philippines Year, with more information about the campaign to be released shortly. “Hopefully it will compel a lot if Australian tourists to come over to Philippines,” Enerio said. Meanwhile, the growth of tourism has prompted the commitment to create an additional 12,000 rooms by 2016/17. Of those, 8,600 will be in Man i l a with othe r s spread across island resorts such as Boracay. “It really shows that there is a lot of interest, a lot of business is taking place,” Enerio said. He also highlighted the development of a new 50,000 seat arena. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific general manager long haul Alex Reyes
reported a positive reception to the announcement of the new flights with sales performing “better than expected”. “There’s a lot of demand there,”
he said.
with full news by Anne Majumdar from Travel Weekly
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WHAT’S ON
17 August 2014
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EMBASSY OUTREACH - GLASGOW The Embassy will hold its next Consular Outreach Mission for 2014 in: Date/Time: 20 Sept. 2014 (Saturday), 9:30am to 6:00pm Venue: The Albany Centre (GCVS), Ashley Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G3 6DS Contact Persons: Alex and Marjorie Chong 07913947388 Services Offered: - e-PASSPORT APPLICATIONS - CIVIL REGISTRATION (Reports of Birth, Marriage or Death) - NOTARIZATION and LEGALIZATION SERVICES (Affidavits, SPAs, etc) - NBI CLEARANCE FORM SERVICING (Fingerprinting) - ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATION FOR VISA TO THE PHILIPPINES - PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP RETENTION/RE-ACQUISTION - ASSISTANCE-TO-NATIONALS and ADVICE ON PHILIPPINE LAWS FULL - PAG-IBIG MEMBERSHIP AND INQUIRIES - SSS MEMBERSHIP - OVERSEAS VOTERS’ REGISTRATION
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Payment at the Outreach Mission shall be in cash or with postal money order made out to the Philippine Embassy. Personal cheques are not accepted. For more info please go to JULY 2014 PLANET http://philembassy-uk.org/
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EMBASSY CLOSURES FOR AUG 2014 The public is advised that, in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 655, s. 2013 dated 25 September 2013, the Philippine Embassy will be closed on the following dates: 21 Aug. (Thu) – Ninoy Aquino Day (Special non-working day) 25 August (Mon) – National Heroes Day (Regular Holiday) / UK summer bank holiday Regular office hours will resume on 27 May and 13 June, respectively. In case of death or detention of a Filipino citizen in the United Kingdom, please contact the Embassy’ emergency mobile phone at 078-0279-0695.
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Faith in Action: The Practices of Iglesia ni Cristo
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OR non-members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), what happens within the walls of the INC’s church buildings sprawled all over the Philippines is shrouded in mystery. But members say the “Church of Christ” is not as secretive as people perceive it to be. Just a quick search on one of their websites, Kabayan Ko Kapatid Ko (My Countrymen My Brethren), and one can find answers to frequently asked questions: Why are members prohibited from marrying non-members? Why are there weekday worship services? Why are infants not baptized? Nielson Pangan, topnotcher in the 2013 Bar Examinations and an INC member since birth, explained there is Biblical basis for their practices. For starters, it is a known fact that during worship services, men are segregated from women. “[That is an] interpretation of a Bible verse: do everything nang may kaayusan. That’s our way of observing that kaayusan,” Pangan told Rappler. A typical worship service, which lasts for around an hour, also observes “order:” Singing of hymns (8 hymns), Congregational prayer, Sermon, Prayer, Collection of voluntary contributions, Prayer, Doxology, Prayer, and Recessional.• Singing of hymns (8 hymns) Both men and women should wear formal attire during services. INC holds two worship services per week: one midweek service (Wednesday or Thursday), and a Sunday service. On why there is more than one service, the INC explains: “The
early Christians worshiped on the first day of the week (Sunday). But there were times when they worshipped every day (Acts 2:46 LB) – as the Church deemed it necessary. In our case, we hold worship services twice a week as the Church has decided through the authority of the Church Administration (Matt 18:19) and in obedience to God’s admonition (John 4:23; Heb 10:25).” Every local church has a minister, deacons and deaconesses that help in leading members to their seats and collecting offerings, and a choir that leads the congregation in singing hymns. Pangan, a choir organist, had to learn more than 300 hymns since he joined the ministry. Every member has a tarjeta where their church attendance is recorded. If a member attended another INC local congregation, he or she will be given a certificate so that it can be counted as an attendance. If a member is no longer attending the services, Pangan said a katiwala (overseer) will visit and check on him or her.
Prayer, baptism, and offerings There is a wide gap of differences in the practices of INC and the Roman Catholic Church, especially in prayer and baptism. While Catholic prayers are usually memorized, the INC has no format when praying. But Gina, a 29-year-old INC member from Laguna, told Rap-
Contrary to popular belief, INC does “not practice the giving of tithes.” Church expenses are supported by voluntary contributions. pler how they personally pray. “Sa prayer namin, unanguna dun yung pagpapasalamat, binibigyan mo ng kapurihan yung Panginoong Diyos. Tapos yung pangalawa, yung paghingi ng kapatawaran sa mga kasalanan. Tapos pangatlo, kung ano yung mga bagay na gusto mong hingin, tapos kasama rin sa prayer namin yung pamamahala ng Iglesia, ipinapanalangin namin yun,” she said. Unlike in the Catholic faith, parents who are INC members have their newborn child dedicated, not baptized. At around 12 or 13 years old, the process of “indoctrination” begins, lasting for about six months. “After months, meron yung susubukin ka if the teachings nag-instill sa iyo and [you’re] observing the practices. That’s the only time you’ll be baptized,” said Pangan, who was baptized in his early teens. During baptism, members are immersed in a bautisterio (baptismal pool). Contrary to popular belief, INC does “not practice the giving of tithes.” Church expenses are supported by voluntary contributions – “offerings given freely based upon what one has decided in his heart.” These are not dictated by INC.
Prohibitions Members do not celebrate
Christmas, finding no Biblical basis for such practice. They also do not celebrate fiestas. Nor do they observe All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, and Holy Week. They, however, observe Sta Cena (Banal na Hapunan or Holy Supper). “Sa amin kasi instead of celebrating the birth of Christ – the date is not known – we commemorate the death of Christ through Holy Supper,” Pangan explained. The church also has two thanksgiving celebrations every year: one for the church anniversary every July 27, and another during the end of the year. Gina said other prohibitions include eating food mixed with blood, worshipping “idols” (the statues of saints), gambling, drinking excessively, and other kalayawan or worldliness. Members cannot date, be engaged to, or marry anyone who’s not a member of the church. Once married, Gina said, couples are not allowed to file an annulment. Pangan said they cannot hold elective positions in government, but they can be appointed to office. All members – about 2.25 million as of 2010 – can only vote as a bloc and elect candidates endorsed by their leaders. (Rappler) n
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