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Verbatim If you are a 90-year-old sex addict... all those years without sex? It’s a fate worse than death. That’s why he’s going to throw everything, including the kitchen sink and his drones into this battle.

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, accusing her arch nemesis, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, of trying to implicate her in the pork barrel scam. The Ombudsman has already found probable cause to charge Senators Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. with plunder in the Sandiganbayan antigraft court.

Ikulong na nila ako. Ngayon na.

Hinahamon ko sila, ngayon na.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., daring the Aquino Administration to jail him in connection with the pork barrel scam

Is it necessary to be a state witness for one to tell the FULL truth?PAGE AD . . . Tell the truth and return what is not yours. It’s that easy.

If the judiciary is stable, our democracy will survive.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, on the need for an independent and efficient judiciary that is able to rise above partisan politics

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, on alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles’ desire to disclose everything she knew about the racket and turn state witness

God doesn’t win the fight, God doesn’t care who wins the fight. I think the guy who works the hardest will win the fight.

Freddie Roach, trainer of Manny Pacquiao, when asked about what role religion and faith will play in their return bout with Timothy Bradley Jr.

Right now, I am focused on Yolanda. I eat Yolanda for breakfast. I eat Yolanda for lunch. I eat Yolanda for dinner. I eat Yolanda for midnight snacks. I even dream of Yolanda.

Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson who oversees the rehabilitation of communities ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda, when asked about his presidential plans in 2016

Political losers always see the PCSO as a plum position, kasi maraming pera, especially now.

Margarita Juico, recently resigned chairperson of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), on reports that former Cavite Governor Ayong Maliksi, a ranking member of the ruling Liberal Party, is eyeing her post

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Pagasa’s People

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ULTURAL activist Carlos Celdran has a good thing going in his Facebook page “It’s no fun in Pagasa.” Started last April 20, the page calls on readers to donate various items, particularly books, that would help a tiny Filipino community ease the tedium of living on the farflung island in the crosshairs of powerful neighbors in the West Philippine Sea. “[They] are hungry for mental stimulation,” Celdran said in an e-mail interview with Inquirer.net.

It’s a creative way of harnessing social media toward educating the public on the Philippines’ Kalayaan Islands.

Celdran’s noteworthy goal is “to educate Filipinos about issues of patrimony and sovereignty over our share of the Spratlys,” he said. “We also hope to show how we as citizens can get involved in strengthening these claims. We can keep these islands as Filipino through sustainable technology and creativity. It won’t take military action.”

Located 480 kilometers off the coast of Palawan, Pagasa is the largest of the islands that make up the Kalayaan islands (which are part of the Spratly chain that is also being claimed

The Kalayaan islands are part of the Spratly chain of islands that is also being claimed wholly or partly

by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei.

Kalayaan town Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon (center) poses with the teacher, schoolchildren and theirFULL parents PAGE at the opening AD of Pag-asa Elementary School on a disputed West Philippine Sea island on June 15, 2012. wholly or partly by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei). It measures 32.7 hectares.

Barangay Pagasa is part of the fifth-class municipality of Kalayaan. While it has a political and military significance, it is also where, apart from soldiers, some 200 civilians live. The residents are mostly engaged in fishing as a means of livelihood. They plant some crops, and raise pigs, goats and chickens as well.

Among the first structures built on Pagasa was an airstrip over a kilometer long. Today, apart from the military outpost and the residents’ dwellings, there are, among other structures, a multipurpose hall, a clinic, a commercial communications tower—and a school.

Through the efforts of Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr., Pagasa Elementary School

was established on June 15, 2012. Starting with only five students, it is a heartwarming symbol of the settlers’ commitment to stay. (Pagasa’s children usually had to travel to the mainland for their schooling.)

Celdran’s call for book donations (along with chessboards, fishing nets and solar lights) is intended to benefit the schoolchildren and also the other members of the community on Pagasa.

But so much more is needed. Celdran pointed out that the residents of Pagasa are barely surviving and need supplies as well as better infrastructure. In line with his aim of educating readers, he added that while the people of Pagasa are struggling to survive on the barest necessities, Malaysia and Vietnam have built tourist resorts on their claimed islands, and China—“the biggest bully of

them all”—has poured billions of dollars into the steadilygrowing Sansha City, Beijing’s controversial administrative post for the Spratlys.

Celdran’s call speaks to another, in fact fundamental, problem on Pagasa: boredom.

The island is so remote that Bito-onon once said: “Some people can’t take it. They snap and begin talking to the flies or get drunk all the time. They get into fights while drinking.”

Thus Celdran’s call for donors to send reading material, chessboards and the like to keep Pagasa’s people alert and occupied is both timely and urgent.

This is what we can do to help Pagasa, Celdran said. “Let the government take the hard line, let the Filipino people add the soft touches in keeping our islands complete as 7,107.”

While at it, spare a thought as well for the brave soldiers manning the good (but rusting) ship Sierra Madre on the Philippines’ Ayungin Shoal. They, too, desperately need distraction from the cruel routines of isolation. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n

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HETHER for pride, glory, principle, or charity, Filipinos never lag behind in the quest for world record-breaking. Even though some of our triumphs might be crazy or bizarre, we go forth with good hearts and good intentions, showing the world what we’ve got.

Here’s a list of 10 craziest Guinness World Records earned by Pinoys.

10. Most rocket fireworks launched in 30 seconds Cebu relived all the New Year’s festivities in the country in half a minute through a world record attempt to launch the most number of rocket fireworks. In May 2010, a total of 125,801 rockets created a huge explosion that broke Britain’s past record of 56,405.

9. Most Mentos-and-soda fountains We all wanted to try the magic science trick when we saw it on Mythbusters, but one Coca-Cola bottle and a couple of Mentos just weren’t enough for Perfetti Van Melle. On October 17, 2010, the company set up 300 tables at the SM Mall of Asia with 10 Coca-Cola bottles and 10 Mentos for each bottle.

All in all, this resulted in an astounding 2,865 soda geysers.

8. Most people brushing their teeth simultaneously On February 21, 2007, the DepEd’s Health and Nutrition Center, in partnership with a toothpaste brand, organized the Super Mega Brushing event joined by 41,038 public school elementary students in 13 venues across the country. As a promotional endeavor to encourage kids to brush their teeth daily, it broke the world record for “most people brushing their teeth simultaneously.” It was a

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Top 10 Craziest Pinoy

Guinness World Records

With an exploding population, the Philippines had no difficulty gathering an army of mothers for a massive breast-feeding session.

29, 2014. It was recorded to be exactly120 hours, one minute, and seven seconds. Now, this is sheer proof that no other country is crazier about the sport.

But the athletic feat wasn’t just about national pride – it was actually a big charity event to raise funds for victims of super typhoon Yolanda. More of a bayanihan effort than a competition, as one organizer described it. At the end of the game, the 24 players cried tears of joy and relief and made their fellow Filipinos proud.

3. Most number of people to sign up as organ donors

The Super Mega Brushing event led to a presidential memorandum requiring all schoolchildren to brush their teeth every morning. proud achievement for the organizers because it led to a presidential memorandum requiring all schoolchildren to brush their teeth every morning.

7. Most women breastfeeding simultaneously at multiple venues Breastfeeding advocate groups organized a mass breastfeeding event in 295 different places around the country on May 2, 2007. Mothers totaling 15,128 joined this mass undertaking, spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and its other partners in government and the private sector.

6. Most people hand-washing fabric simultaneously More than 2,000 mothers from all over the Philippines gathered at the University of Makati on August 17, 2013 to

More than 2,000 lavanderas vanished not only chocolate milk, ink, and grape juice stains but also Vietnam’s previous Guinness record. hand-wash a 1,200 meter-long piece of fabric stained with chocolate milk, ink, and grape juice. This collective attempt broke Vietnam’s previous record of 1,968 people.

5. Largest shot slam Our beloved inuman session was raised to an astronomical level with this world-record attempt of “largest shot slam” in Naga City on December 27, 2010.

It was deemed successful by Guinness, with a total of 2,435 gin shots downed by almost the same number of participants.

The previous record belonged to Mexico, with 1,412 shots.

4. Longest game of basketball No doubt, one of the biggest events in basketball history was the country’s success in breaking the world record for “longest game of basketball,” which lasted from March 24 to

The Department of Health (DOH) got 3,548 people to sign up for organ donation in a span of 30 minutes, on February 28, 2014. This was initiated to encourage more people to pledge for organ donations, said Dr. Antonio Paraiso of DOH’s Philippine Network for Organ Sharing.

2. Most coffee beans moved with chopsticks in one minute One for the oddbooks is Filipina Cynthia Noyicio’s worldrecord achievement. On June 5, 2011, she was able to move 38 coffee beans with chopsticks in one minute at Butlins in Bognor Regis, UK. Just goes to show how far talent can get you.

1. Most blood identification tests taken in 24 hours Grace Gupana, the Filipina with the Most Guinness World Records, took 260 blood identification tests in 24 hours on March 15, 2008. She has currently broken 10 world records, two of which are the largest tablet of the Ten Commandments, and the largest flag, which she sewed herself – thereby outdistancing Marcela Agoncillo, the seamstress of the first official Philippine flag. (Spot.PH) n

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Bill seeks to provide credit assistance for returning OFWs

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LAWMAKER wants the government to provide credit assistance to returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the current global financial crisis.

House Bill 3902, authored by Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez, aims to mandate the government to ensure the welfare of returning overseas workers affected by the current global financial crisis by providing them access to credit facilities.

Rodriguez said a recession in various parts of world particularly in the United States, Europe and Japan would cause many OFWs to lose their jobs.

He noted that besides Singapore, France, Ireland and New Zealand are now also officially in recession.

“The Philippines is vulnerable to the present crisis because of its overseas workers. There are around 8 million Filipinos overseas or nearly one-tenth of the Philippine population. The government should be ready for the influx of jobless OFWs

Rey Lachica, UK-based scientist, receives his own plaque as BPInoy awardee in rites last year.

from the crisis-ridden counJordan (4,359), Singapore ADOman (2,068), Cyprus tries,” Rodriguez said.FULL PAGE (3,162), The lawmaker cited that of the (1,178) and Bahrain (1,343).

91,411 domestic helpers workHe noted that in 2007, the ing abroad, 98 percent or nearcountry has deployed a total ly 90,000 are female deployed of 49,431 workers to Singapore in Hong Kong (19,532), Kuwait and around 2,220,000 OFWS in (19,097), Saudi Arabia (11,898), 2012, many of whom went to United Arab Emirates (11,844), the Middle East, including LebaLebanon (7,710), Qatar (6,524), non and Jordan, and in Asia.

Rodriguez underscored that another problem of OFW deportation is the large number of migrant workers without proper documents in Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.

“In times of an economic slump, the first thing that governments do is crack down on undocumented workers because they are seen as a burden on the economy worldwide, mostly in the Gulf countries and the Middle East. Many of them are low and middle skilled workers,” Rodriguez said.

Under the measure to be known as the “Returning Overseas Workers Credit Assistance Act,” an OFW may avail of a loan of not more than P50,000 from the Overseas Worker and Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The loan shall be paid in 12 equal monthly installments at a preferred interest rate not to exceed six percent per month.

The amount of P1 million from the sale of government’s shares in Petron is appropriated to implement the provisions of the proposed act. (SunStar)

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‘Yolanda’ Survivors Face Bleak Future By caroline gluck

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HEN Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit central Philippines in November 2013, killing more than 6,000 people and destroying millions of people’s houses and livelihoods, locals like fisherman Lionel Advincula – from Barangay Bislig in Tanauan municipality, Leyte province – were forced to make tough choices.

Lionel, a father of 9, had to find shelter and rebuild his damaged house. It stood just 20 meters from the coast and was totally destroyed.

“When we returned to our house, there was nothing left. It was like a desert. Everything had been washed away. Our boat was smashed to bits”, he recalled.

With no other land or options, Lionel was forced to fashion a temporary shelter, using corrugated iron, plastic tarpaulin and whatever else he could find. But several weeks later, he and other villagers learnt that they would have to move once again because the government had announced a 40-meter “nobuild” zone policy. The idea is to move tens of thousands of people further away from the seashore to safer areas.

On paper, it makes good sense in a country which receives around 20 typhoons every year. But in reality, a blan-

ket 40-meter “no-build” zone is impractical and unrealistic.

In March 2014, the government back-tracked and announced it would instead do local hazard mapping and analysis to identify communities that will need to be relocated from areas deemed unsafe.

Under the new guidelines, an estimated 200,000 people are now at risk of resettlement.

The practicality and assurance of giving people alternative housing and consulting them in the changes that will profoundly affect their lives, however, is still fraught with difficulties.

On moving Before the typhoon, life for Lionel was already a struggle.

He used to fish with 5 others in a boat that is now completely destroyed. On good days, he could earn around P500, but on bad days, he’d come back empty-handed.

Oxfam interviewed 453 individuals in typhoon-hit provinces Eastern Samar, Leyte and North Cebu. Many of the survey respondents, like Lionel, don’t object to moving – but only if they receive support from the government.

“If the government will provide us with more assistance or help us with some business support, I’ll agree to relocate because where we are living is dangerous and we are scared of living so close to the shoreline,” he said.

“I saw the big waves during the typhoon and that terrified us.”

“My biggest fear is another typhoon. I’m afraid there will be another typhoon. And because we have not been relocated and properly re-housed, I feel very unsafe. The children cry when it rains and when storms come.

They hide.”

Unaware of the plans But Lionel, like thousands of other people who may be resettled, has only heard rumors and small snippets of information about what relocation might involve.

While he would like to live somewhere safer, he is also worried about where he might be re-housed. How far will it be located from the coast? How will it affect his ability to return

to fishing?

“I’m worried that we will sink into poverty because our livelihoods haven’t been restored,” Lionel told me at a community meeting organized

by Oxfam. “I have no work right now. I’m very worried, especially for my children because I don’t know how we’ll eat.”

Many local government units are just as concerned about the relocation process. Limited budgets mean it’s hard for them to make the large-scale land purchases necessary to create permanent relocation sites.

Some aren’t willing to hold consultation meetings with communities saying that they are not fully aware of what their roles and responsibilities will be and that they don’t want to communicate incorrect information.

But that’s also causing a lot of confusion and concern among populations who are likely to be affected by the policy.

Lack of consultation Around 81% of people interviewed by Oxfam stated that they are not aware of their rights regarding permanent relocation.

Very few had received information about relocation, and only 7% of individuals interviewed said they have been consulted by a government official – at the municipal or barangay level – regarding the relocation process.

My worry is that this will not only deny people’s rights to basic information but it could also lead to failed relocations because communities have not been consulted and local authorities have not taken steps to understand and meet their expectations.

In the future, it could mean that the risks facing vulnerable populations might actually increase, rather than decrease, because of lack of political will, resources and planning.

Failing to take into account survivors’ concerns – such as providing security of tenure and adequate livelihood opportunities – could actually make them more at-risk. (Rappler.com) n

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Filipino wins 2014 Whitley Award

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R H THE Prin-cess Royal pre-sented a Whit-ley Award, a prestigious international nature conser-vation prize, to Tess GatanBalbas at a special ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in honour of her work to conserve the world’s rarest crocodile, the Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis).

Tess Gatan-Balbas was one of eight exceptional individuals to have been awarded a share of prize funding worth ÂŁ280,000 by the Whitley Fund for Nature, winning a Whitley Award donated by WWF-UK. Tess, 40, is the Deputy Director and Field Project Manager of the Mabuwaya Foundation, an NGO founded in 2003 to promote the conservation and protec-

tion of the critically endangered Philippine crocodile and its freshwater habitat.

Tess uses a community-based conservation approach: communication, education, training, consultations and public awareness campaigns are conducted with schools and indigenous and migrant communities in San Mariano region of Luzon Island in the Philippines.

The Mabuwaya Foundation also undertakes research projects, and is engaged in habitat restoration through planting forest and fruit trees. (Firebird PR)

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Reproductive Health Law:

A Mixed Blessing

By yoly villanueva-ong

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NE could say the Supreme Court decision on the contentious Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law is the judgment of Solomon.

Handed down at the eleventh hour after much colloquy and handwringing, both pro-RH and anti-RH claimed success.

The decision was hailed as “win-win.”

The pros claim that they won because the law as a whole was upheld. After 15 years of struggling to pass the bill through Congress, finally there is a reproductive health law for implementation.

The fundamental rights to reproductive health and to free and informed choice were upheld. It also affirmed the duty of the state to provide “ethical and medically safe, legal, accessible, affordable, non-abortifacient, effective and quality reproductive healthcare services and supplies.”

The antis also assert that they won because 7 provisions were declared unconstitutional, alluding to the deleted portions as violations of the principle of religious conscience and an incursion on the family.

Lawyer Romeo Macalintal believes the anti-RH group won the battle, noting the High Court did not say the law was constitutional, but merely used double negative “not unconstitutional.”

Former Albay congressman Edcel Lagman, one of the authors in the previous Congress, believes otherwise. “There was a unanimous decision among the members of the Supreme

If the two sides in the RH law debate can work together to uplift the health condition of the most marginalized in society, the real winner will be the entire nation.

Court in favor of the RH Law.” But the hardliners and purists labeled the decision a pyrrhic victory achieved at too high a cost for both sides.

A total of 14 petitions were filed to declare the RH Law unconstitutional. When it finally passed Congress in December 2012 after 15 years, the Supreme Court issued a status quo ante order in March 2013 for 120 days, then extended it indefinitely.

At the oral arguments last year, the justices wondered if they could rule on the constitutionality of the RH law when the main issue was when life begins.

Pro-RH advocates claim that life begins when a fertilized ovum is implanted in the woman’s womb while the antis maintain that it begins at fertilization.

“You are asking the 15 members of this court, none of whom are doctors, to decide when conception happens,” said Senior Justice Antonio Carpio.

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno stated that they were not there to answer “metaphysical” and “theological” questions but to weigh the interests of the un-

born child with other constitutional values and objectives.

She added that the petitioners had put the “unelected” High Court in a “difficult” place, especially since the Constitution did not define conception as fertilization.

The Forum for Family Planning and Development commissioned SWS to conduct a survey last March 27-30 with a base of 1,200 respondents nationwide, and a three percent margin of error.

The findings showed the following: • 72% of Filipinos are in favor of the reproductive health law; • 68% of the respondents were aware of the RH Law; • The remaining 32% learned about the law during the survey; • 84% agree “the government should provide free supply or service to the poor who wish to use any family planning method”; • 77% agree that “the RH Law follows what the Constitution should stand for, so it s only proper for the Supreme Court to allow it.”

According to the Forum for Family Planning and Development, maternal mortality remains high at 221 deaths per 100,000 live births. Fourteen mothers die every day from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.

The Philippines has the third highest teen pregnancy in the ASEAN region with an increasing trend compared to other countries and a birth rate of 3.54, one of the highest in the world.

Women’s rights groups and other advocates believe the RH Law will help fight poverty. A 2010 World Health Organization report showed more than 30% of Metro Manila’s 14 million population live in slums with no access to proper sanitation. More than 25% live on 62 cents a day. There is an urgent need for free reproductive medical services.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the CBCP, declared in an interview: “…With or without the SC's decision, it is the duty of the Church to be teaching life. Our duty does not depend on civil laws. Our duties come from God.” “Maybe they have the numbers, but that does not mean that they are right because right cannot be determined by numbers. ... It remains to be morally wrong,” he added.

The CBCP stance is at odds with Pope Francis who observed that the Church had grown “obsessed” with abortion, gay marriage and contraception; putting dogma before love; and prioritizing moral doctrines over serving the poor and marginalized.

“We have to find a new balance, otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel,” warned Pope Francis.

If the two sides can move on and work together to uplift the health condition of the most marginalized in society, the real winner will be the entire nation. (Rappler.com) n

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By dean julio teehankee

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ESPITE the general impression that the upcoming 2016 presidential election is going to be another issueless campaign – anchored on money, popularity, and name recall – it can be argued that the forthcoming political exercise will be a referendum on the performance of President Noynoy Aquino. Moreover, it will also be the political moment of truth for Vice President Jojo Binay.

In announcing the formation of a new party by June 12, Binay and his populist allies have clearly drawn the line in the sand with 2016 in mind.

On the other hand, the ruling Liberal Party (LP) is still holding on to the flickering hope of its prospective standard bearer Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas. Roxas’ political future is anchored largely on the endorsement of PNoy who is expected to stake his immense political capital to assure the continuity of his “matuwid na daan” reformist policy. Thus, if Roxas’ initial campaign falters, the President will have to look for another “reformist” champion.

Clearly, the 2016 election will continue to be a battleground for two enduring narratives in Philippine political history – reformism vs. populism.

In the Philippines, party ideologies are unquestionably

They have been close political allies since the Marcos era but come 2016 President Aquino and Vice President Binay will go separate ways.

2016 ELECTIONS

Aquino’s Reformism Vs Binay’s Populism

weak. Instead, presidential candidates develop their own campaign narratives. These narratives, which then become the “governing scripts” for an elected president are either portrayed as compatible with the overall regime narrative, or are an effort to “pre-empt” it.

Narratives are stories that are told in a clear sequential manner in order to connect events in a meaningful way.

By battling the “evils” of corruption, reformists often make claims of the “good” in their crusade for “good governance.”

This story line is attractive to the middle class of society who often decries government inefficiency and wasted economic resources brought about by institutionalized corruption. By enduring personal sacrifices at the hands of “corrupt” officials, reformists

are worthy of the public’s trust.

Hence, the reformist narrative flows from the political promise “I will help you . . . because I am (morally) good.” “Honesty” and “sincerity” are often used as the code words for the reformist narrative.

On the other hand, populism (from the Latin word populis), according to political scientist Andrew Heywood, refers to “a movement, a regime, a leader, or even a state which claims close affinity with the people.”

Populists usually make class appeals and claim to champion the poor minus the ideology.

They decry the hypocrisy of the elites. Corruption is a non-issue for them since their archetypical image is Robin Hood who would steal from the rich to give to the poor. The populist narrative is “I will fight for you

. . . because I am one of you.”

Populists often stoke the embers of class warfare with code words like “mahirap” (poor) and “masa” (masses).

The post-Marcos Philippine “reformist” regime is based on a discourse of democracy and “good governance” characteristic of Cory Aquino’s presidency and most of her successors. If a dominant regime “script” is seen to be challenged or worse abandoned by a president, the result can be a severe legitimacy crisis.

The “apostasy” of the Arroyo presidency can be understood in terms of such illegitimacy. Because Arroyo (who became president through the ouster of a “populist” incumbent) abandoned the reformist “narrative” (which catapulted her to power) in her fight for political survival against another “populist” challenge (in which she manipulated the results of the 2004 election), she suffered from a legitimacy crisis that nearly led to her being overthrown extra-constitutionally through civil protests and/ or coup attempts.

Political time flows through a narrative structure. A presidency can either be a prequel or a sequel to a continuing regime narrative. Thus, the unfolding political drama leading to 2016 can be seen as a preview to a sequel of the Aquino presidency or a prequel to a Binay presidency. Unless the Filipino voters demand a plot twist. (Rappler.com) n (Julio C. Teehankee is currently Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at De La Salle University. He is a political scientist who has specialized in the theory and practice of party politics and elections.)

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The towering buildings are at the heart of Makati City, while the shanties are along an estero in Pasay City.

‘No Real Progress in PH Unless T Dynasties Are Dismantled’ HE Philippines remains a fragile democracy despite the Aquino Administration’s gains that have not been enough to make up for “nearly a decade of regression” during the previous administration.

A new report by Bertelsmann Foundation, a German think tank, said true progress in the Philippines would be out of reach unless the improbable was achieved: Dismantling of oligarchies that control both politics and business.

“Since the election of Benigno Aquino III as president in May 2010, the overall development of democracy in the Philippines has regained momentum,” the group’s 2014 Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) 2014 report read.

“However, the corruption and patronage under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Administration left behind a difficult legacy for the current president,” it said.

Bertelsmann said the dominance of entrenched family clans in politics and the economy should be reduced in order to make politics and economics more transparent and competitive. The antidynasty law, which

has been debated in Congress since 1987, must be passed, it said.

This, however, would be “highly unrealistic” since President Aquino himself and about 80 percent of lawmakers come from these dynasties.

The group’s BTI report, published every two years, analyzes and evaluates the quality of democracy, market economy and political management in 129 developing and transition countries. It measures successes and setbacks on the path toward democracy based on the rule of law and a socially responsible market economy.

The Philippines ranked 36th overall in the 2014 rankings, improving from 48th in 2012. In terms of political and economic transformation, the country ranked 40th and 44th, respectively.

In 2010, the country ranked 49th in the main index and 51st in 2008. The score for 2014 was the best showing for the

Philippines since the index was launched in 2003.

Fragile democracy Despite the progress made in the last four years, Philippine democracy, the report said, remained fragile.

“After nearly a decade of democratic regression under Macapagal-Arroyo, the current administration has so far shored up the country’s democratic institutions, but only to some extent,” the group said.

It noted that the former president presided more than 37 consecutive quarters of economic growth and “adeptly steered” the economy at the height of the 2008 global financial crisis. However, the majority of the population did not benefit from these gains, with just as many people in poverty at the end of her term as when it started.

The political gains that would have been associated with economic growth were also eroded by corruption scan-

dals that rocked the previous administration.

Government became more authoritarian during Macapagal-Arroyo’s term.

These came in the form of the prevalence of patronage for all government positions, a lack of transparency, a growing number of human rights violations against regime opponents and money politics to co-opt potential partners, the report said.

She also relied increasingly on the military to stay in power as mass demonstrations against her shook the country and many of the political and economic elites turned away from her.

Many of these elements have been removed from government.

The BTI report said the Aquino administration’s success in impeaching former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, a midnight appointee of the previous administration, punctuated these reforms.

A long way to go “(But) Mr. Aquino still has a long way to go to consolidate democracy in the Philippines,” it added.

Bertelsmann noted that the recent abolition of the pork barrel system would have far-reaching effects in reducing corruption and the improvement of checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches of government.

Another key reform under the current administration was the recent signing of a peace agreement with the Muslim separatists, a deal that promises to help usher in lasting stability in Mindanao.

The government’s success in pushing for the reproductive health law that intends to reduce the steadily growing overpopulation by providing sex education and facilitating the use of contraceptives was also cited as a major achievement.

(Philippine Daily Inquirer) n

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By cate de leon

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‘What’s important is at the end of the day, when I’m about to sleep, masaya ba ako sa buhay ko?’

D

ESPITE her striking and breathtakingly delicate features, Marian Rivera is perhaps the least saccharine person that I’ve met.

She walks into the room with a smile on her face and gets right down to business, assessing the gowns that have been laid out for her to wear.

She doesn’t bother trying to woo the people in the room. If she doesn’t remember you from the millions of interviewers she’s faced, she won’t pretend to.

Marian Is Not Sorry

After having met quite a few actors and high-profile people for the first time — and having them all warmly tell me that I “look familiar”— eventually I realized that I probably didn’t have a doppelganger roaming the showbiz circuit. It was all patronizing PR, which they thought they needed to bestow on me.

Marian is polite and very easy to work with, but she won’t coddle you with warmth.

Even when the shoot wraps up and it’s time for her to leave, you can easily tell from the way she bids goodbye to each person who she’s spent more of her life with. If you’re close, you’re close. If you’re not, you’re not. Those who are more sensitive would probably brand that as suplada, but I strangely appreciated it. This was a woman with whom I knew exactly where I stood. In hindsight, I also realized she was a ton more respectful than those who thought a pinch of flattery was necessary.

‘Taray Queen’ Unsurprisingly, the words “suplada” and “mataray” have been following the snappy Marian around, in a culture where people are so used to having their egos given the spa treatment. “Ang sagot ko dun... totoo naman! Totoo naman kasi eh.

I think it’s OK to be suplada as long as you’re not power tripping. Hindi rin naman siguro ma-

Marian gets a kiss from boyfriend Dingdong Dantes upon prodding by guests during a promotional tour in Toronto. sama na mag-react kapag may ginawa sa’yo. Basta ang motto ko sa buhay, kung mabait ka, mas mabait ako sa’yo. Pag sinalbahe mo ako, ah patay na.”

Marian is glad to have started her now eight-year showbiz career without the aid of pretense.

She revels in the freedom that comes with being straightforward and how everyone relates to her as that. She does, however, admit that she has had to learn not to be transparent all the time; to know when to speak and when to keep it zipped.

“Actually, it’s not just in showbiz,” she says, unfazed by the body of intrigue that has been thrown at her so far.

“Bago ako nag-artista nakapagtrabaho naman ako. Even at the office or hospital or in school, you get situations like that. It’s just that this industry broadcasts everything. Pero pareparehas lang ang tao.”

17

Stardom isn’t everything What gives Marian the courage to always show up as herself under the klieg lights is that she gets on a deep and grounded level that stardom isn’t everything. It’s a job —a job that makes many people happy and provides for her family — but still just a piece of the pie. “Hindi dito umiikot ang mundo ko. When I’m no longer here at your interview, I’ll be at home with my family, at yun yung totoong buhay.”

At work, Marian may give off that stand-offish aura that makes it always clear that you don’t own her. But that doesn’t mean she’s incapable of caring deeply and belonging to the people who really matter. Her family keeps cropping up during the duration of our conversation. “Hanggat kaya ko silang bigyan ng oras, gagawin ko, lalo na yung lola ko kasi matan-

da na siya. My mom is like my best friend, and I can’t not talk to my dad in Spain at least once a day. With my siblings, I like seeing their pictures and what’s on their agenda. Yung mga pamangkin ko na pinag-aaral ko, gusto ko palaging kamustahin kung nag-aaral ba sila ng mabuti. Those are my concerns.

My family.”

Once in a while, Marian also sends her fans direct messages to thank them and update them on her life. “Kasi kung wala sila, wala talagang Marian. They’re the ones who push me up.” It’s a line that’s been said so many times before, but Marian speaks it as if she were articulating a conviction.

She describes herself as a simple girl with simple dreams, whose main purpose in life is to be happy and make sure her family is the same. Beyond that, Marian simply lets the issues and intrigues come.

“Hindi mo naman maiiwasan ang issue eh. Kahit nananahimik ako, kung merong gusto akong gawan ng issue, gagawan at gagawan ako eh. So ang kailangan ko lang gawin, wala deadma. Ah, ah issue?

Ahhhhhoookay! Deadma!’” she laughs. “What’s important is at the end of the day, when I’m about to sleep, masaya ba ako sa buhay ko?” With certainty, Marian answers her own question in the affirmative, and to her that’s all that needs to be said. (The Philippine Star) n

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Showbuzz Jinggoy: I may mark wedding anniversary in jail EXPECTING to be arrested soon, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada assailed his younger half-brother, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, for signing the Senate blue ribbon committee report recommending the filing of plunder charges against himself and Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon Revilla Jr. in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

“As I said before, I don’t care if he signs it or not,” Jinggoy said about Ejercito. “No problem if he wants to pin me down. But the committee report contains a recommendation to disbar Manong Johnny [Enrile].

He should have at least considered that.”

Jinggoy said it was likely that he would be spending his silver wedding anniversary on

Vhong: No deal with Cornejo, Lee et al.

VHONG Navarro has no intention of entering into any kind of settlement with model Deniece Cornejo, businessman Cedric Lee and four others whom he accused of mauling him and framing him for rape.

A mediation hearing was scheduled on June 2 by the Taguig Metropolitan Trial Court which is trying the grave coercion charge he filed against the suspects. A mediation hearing is set by the court to allow the two parties in a case to discuss the possibility of reaching a settlement.

“At the hearing [on May 7], he was asked if he was willing enter into a settlement or a plea bargaining agreement.

He said ‘No,’” Vhong’s lawyer, Alma Mallonga, said in a phone interview.

Aside from grave coercion, some of the accused

Jinggoy’s lament: Masaklap talaga.

June 28 in jail.

“My wife and I will be celebrating a milestone. We plan to attend Mass and invite close friends for a simple gathering, if I would not yet be in jail by then,” he said. “But at the rate things are going, it seems the

Pacquiao to join PBA as playing coach were also charged by Vhong with serious illegal detention, a nonbailable offense.

The charges were filed after the TV host accused the suspects of beating him up and framing him for the rape of Cornejo to extort money from him.

Cornejo responded by charging him with two counts of rape but the case was dismissed by a Department of Justice panel for lack of evidence.

On May 8, Cornejo and Bernice, Lee’s sister who is also one of the accused, were arraigned on the grave coercion charge. Both entered a plea of not guilty. n

MANNY Pacquiao will dip his hands in another field: coaching and playing professional basketball starting the next PBA season.

Pacquiao has agreed in principle to become the playingcoach of the KIA Philippines squad, which will make its PBA debut in October as one of three expansion ballclubs.

Columbian Autocar Corp. president and CEO Ginia Domingo confirmed that the company, which owns the KIA franchise, met with Pacquiao and said in a statement that “we are elated and excited at the possibility of our nation’s most popular and revered sports icon, Cong. Manny Pacquiao, becoming part of Team KIA.” All that stands in the way of Pacquiao coaching and play-

celebration would not happen anymore. Masaklaptalaga.”

“It seems my arrest is near,” he said, adding that it was likely Ombudsman ConchitaCarpio Morales would have him indicted before the Sandiganbayanantigraft court. n

Will he still have time for Congress?

ing at the same time is being picked by KIA in the Rookie Draft scheduled in August.

A source said that Pacquiao’s looming PBA stint is part of a deal where the boxing superstar will become the new image model of KIA vehicles in the country and in Asia.

The PBA said there is no way that Pacquiao can become a player in the league if he doesn’t go through the Draft. n

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Showbuzz KC on love life: It’s not my priority now “IT’S not my priority right now.”

This was KC Concepcion’s statement when asked about her love life after she confessed her feelings for actor Paulo Avelino, who has admitted courting her.

In an interview with The FilAm, a Filipino-American magazine in New York, KC maintained that Paulo is not yet her boyfriend.

“I’m not committing to anyone right now. I have no commitments to anyone,” she said.

“It’s not my priority right now.

But it will be soon enough. Hon-

est namanako, the people involved know my state of mind right now and my limitations.”

After her controversial relationship with PioloPascual, KC said she is taking things slow because she does not want to be hurt again.

“I don’t want to be hurt, it’s so tiring. I’m taking it slow, talagang very slow. I’m very careful with my heart right now. I’m being good to myself, welcoming enough but also putting limits because I gave too much before, now it’s time to take care of me,” she said.

Paulo recently visited KC in

Rufa Mae is Booba no more

RUFA Mae Quinto, whose moniker is “Booba” because of her large boobs, has let go of her “excess baggage.”

Rufa Mae recently posted on her Instagram account that she is now “silicone free” after she underwent a procedure to remove her breast implant.

The sexy comedienne said she had been feeling pain in her left breast for more than a year prompting her to decide to let go of her big breasts.

She said a cyst, which was non-malignant, was removed from her left breast Meanwhile, RosannaRoces, another sexy actress with bountiful breasts, revealed that she is planning to have her breast implants removed. But she said it might take a little while.

“Gustuhinko man siyangtanggalin -- masakitna din ngakasisalikod eh yan -- samgaganyang role kailangan pa din siya, ikangaparangumaakting din. So in time (tatanggalinkorin). Taposnakasiyunganoniya (panahon), boundary naito eh,” said Osang, who is now 42 years old. n

New York, where she has been staying since January, to belatedly celebrate the actress’ birthday last April 7.

Paulo first admitted dating KC in November last year, weeks after he confirmed his separation from former girlfriend, actress LJ Reyes, with

whom he has a son.

While saying she loves Paulo, KC said she’d rather focus on her career and studies. n

Vice is ‘happy and single’ COMEDIAN Vice Ganda recently confirmed that he is single, following a series of cryptic posts hinting that all is not well with his relationship.

The co-host of the noontime show It’s Showtime admitted that he is “happy and single” despite the fallout.

Asked about his series of tweets, Vice said: “Basta ‘yunlang, I will be okay. I am single and I am okay. Gusto ko din malamannilana I am single para yungmgagustongmanligawsa akin manligawna. In-

Derek contemplates showbiz career THREE months away from the end of his three-year contract with TV5, Derek Ramsay is thinking of his next career move.

“I’ve been thinking about this, and I said that I’ve been doing a lot of thinking whether I continue showbiz or enter that chap-

viting?”

Vice said that he will not be going through the usual “grieving stage,” saying that he has been in the same situation before.

“Hindi kasinakitakonarinito, naramdamankona, napaghandaankona.Siyempre hurting, I am not perfectly fine but I am okay,” he said.

Instead, he said that he will take this opportunity to lend more time for himself, adding that he just wants to enjoy life after the split. n

ter in my life,” he said in an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

He said he is contemplating on leaving showbiz to spend more time with his parents.

“Kasi, you know, if I do three years and I’m bound by that contract, I have to give my best with all the responsibilities that I have to this network.

“For me, I don’t know why, I have this feeling that I should have time for my family.I don’t wanna sit one day and say I wish I had more time with them.

“Parang I’ve sacrificed so much time in the past eight years away from them.Maybe it’s time for me to do something for my family. I haven’t decided. It’s just thoughts entering my head.” n

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Flash Baby Factory

Scores of mothers with their newly-born babies fill a ward of the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila, ahead of Mother’s Day celebration on May 11. With one of the highest birth rates in Asia, the country’s population is expected to reach 97.7 million this year, according to the Commission on Population.

Trek to the Summit

s

Mountaineers trek down from the summit of Mt. Pulag, the country’s second highest peak, after watching the sun rise over a sea of clouds. The national park, located in Northern Luzon, has around 200 visitors in the peak of summer.

sWar Exercise

Filipino and American troops take up position during a Balikatan beach assault exercise in San Antonio, Zambales. The mock assault on a West Philippine Sea beachhead is part of this year’s annual Philippine-US Balikatan military exercise aimed at honing the Filipino soldiers’ combat skills.

s

Scars of ‘Yolanda’

The coastline of Tacloban City still bears scars from the massive damage left by typhoon Yolanda that devastated Eastern Visayas six months ago.

Aid officials say the affected areas have made a remarkable recovery but years of hard work still lie ahead before the area is restored to normal.

MAY 2014

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Flash

Tour de Banaue

It may not be as tough as Tour de France but Banaue’s own twowheeler contest looks definitely more fun. The 4.5-kilometer wooden scooter race, was one of the highlights of the celebration of the 11th Imbayah Festival in Banaue, Ifugao, on April 27.

Peace Be With You

s

Tens of thousands of Filipinos stand beside bamboo torches that hold lighted candles to offer a message of peace and form a Philippine map in Oton, Iloilo, on April 14. With 56,680 lit candles, they set a new Guinness World Record, beating the previous record of 35,478 candles that Pakistan set on Dec. 10, 2009.

s Mangoes and Women of Guimaras Comely women of Guimaras, dressed attractively in colorful fiesta attire, are members of a group which won in a cultural presentation that kicked off Guimaras Island’s annual Manggahan Festival. The island province famed for its mangoes which are reputedly the sweetest in the world.

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Mykonos Village it is an authentic recreation of the world-famous Greek isle with its whitewashed walls, blue windows and doors, and winding cobblestone roads.

The Grandeur That Is Balesin I

F one has to be marooned on an island, it is his great fortune if it happens to be in Balesin.

The stranded would not only be surrounded by nature’s beauty but also man’s magnificent creations.

Situated in the municipality of Polillio, Quezon Province, it is the landmass between the deep green Pacific Ocean and the fish-wealthy Lamon Bay. Owned and managed by business magnate Roberto Ongpin’s real estate development company, Alphaland Corporation, the 424-hectare the island used to be owned by property businessman and pilot Edgardo Tordesillas, formerly vice-chairman of the Board of Investments in the 70s.

Alphaland transformed the verdant isle into seven international tourist havens, each beckoning the privileged members and guests of this timesharing club to supremelyfurnished stately manors and beach houses, replicating the playgrounds of cosmopolitan tourists: St. Tropez (France), Mykonos (Greece), Costa del Sol (Spain), Bali (Indonesa), Phuket (Thailand) and the Balesin Village. Sardinia of Italy is scheduled to be put up next year.

There is an Ifugao Village, inhabited by Ifugao natives hard

Bali Village’s unique villas draw their inspiration from the “Salakot”, the traditional Asian farmer’s hat. Each Bali villa has a wraparound porch that provides a relaxing ambiance. at work right there as they are commissioned to produce the furniture requirements and woodcarving ornaments for the island’s hotel rooms.

Balesin is refreshingly charming during the day - from the time that a garland of pandakaki blooms with a shell pendant are offered to you upon disembarking from the E. Tordesillas Airport -- and enchanting at night, when the island is jeweled up by thousands of stars fantastically bright. Folklore says Balesin is a contraction of two words: balete (the tree) and asin (salt).

The lore is that fishermen out in the sea would see the island’s abundant foliage, mostly balete trees, appearing to be planted on fields of salt.

Amidst Balesin’s impressive architecture, the center of at-

tention is still the giant balete tree, whose age varies from 150 to 300 years. It is so huge. It will take about 20 adults with hands extending, holding each other to surround the tree. It stands proudly lifting its whole crown to the sky, so majestic and reverence-inspiring.

The area around the giant balete is now called the Banyan Tree Park, the perfect place to do yoga meditation (just like the Buddha’s enlightenment beginnings), or for themed parties like the recently held zombie-crazed Halloween event.

Life on the island is far from slow. A beehive of activity starts at daybreak with uniformed gardeners begin toiling and maintaining the greens.

The club staff and drivers are on round-the-clock duty. At the crack of light, the airstrip is oc-

cupied with arrivals of guests.

Balesin can be reached by its clientele through three types of light planes -- Jetstream, Dornier and Cessna -- and the 94-seater Magnum Air Sky. Transportation costs P7,000, round trip.

The 900 workers on the island come from the Balesin Island itself or from other provinces. They are transported via Lamon Bay on big boats. On peak holidays and long weekends, the golf carts that ferry guests from village to village become insufficient, and several vans have to be brought in from nearby Real town to service the holidaymakers around the island.

There are no animals on the prowl, domesticated or wild, for the safety of everyone who prefers to go around the island on foot, horseback or bicycle, open golf carts or Segway. The only animals in abundance are birds who show off their baritone calls in various tones, the fresh fish of the bay, and small island insects one can use as specimens of a biological trivia game, something like “Name This Insect”.

Competing with this tapestry, atop the trees, on twilights from November to December, are swarms, armies of fireflies with silver fires. On other nights, what are visible are the golden-blazed.(Vera Files) n

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TRAVEL WHAT’S ON ‘No tourism if you I kill the environment’ T CAN be considered a kind of miracle among urban tourist destinations in the Philippines. While many cities in the country have seen their historical heritage plummeted or eradicated due to destructions in WWII then to greediness and speculation in the following decades, one city managed to escape real estate owners craving. Vigan is a tribute to a long disappeared time in the Philippines where the country was considered as the New Spain of Asia. Vigan with its baroque palaces and churches, cobble-stoned streets, its carriages drawn by horses seems to have been forgotten by times.

The city- which is listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, has been preserved probably due to its lack of attractiveness as an economic centre.

The region Iloilo is indeed one of the poorest in the Philippines: the GDP per capita stood in 2012 at US$ 880 compared to an average of US$ 1,430 and US$ 4,135 in Metro Manila!

All the economic power is even concentrated in nearby Laoag, Vigan’s largest neighbour. A blessing in disguise as lack of funds avoided the systematic destruction of the old town.

Vigan with its numerous ‘bahay na bato’ (stone house) structures ligned along its streets has made the city a very attractive destination to visit.

A million tourists walk every year through its paved narrow streets admiring the old buildings. Many are still in desperate need for renovation but little by little private initiatives give a new lease of life to crumbling or decaying houses.

This i s

the case of Encarnacion House, which has been given a new life since last year. The FULL previousPAGE mansion has been turned into a trendy boutique hotel filled with art in the centre of the Vigan Heritage Zone. On February 8, Hotel Luna was opened to the public and is envisioned to be a premier art hotel in the North.

Due to UNESCO restrictions for the centre of altering any historical structures, the hotel incorporates all ancient structures blended into a modern addition. It houses 50 rooms but also the art collection of Rep. Eric Singson, who had been collecting art since the 1970s.

The gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the hotel and contains works of many National Artists and upcoming painters.

Among the artists represented here are National Artists Jose Joya, Abdulmari Asia Imao (who also did the Luna bust), Bencab, H.R. Ocampo, Napoleon Abueva, Guillermo Tolentino, Vicente Manansala, Juvenal Sanso and Carlos “Botong” Francisco. It has also two artworks of Juan Luna, Philippines iconic hero. Luna’s works include one painting “La Mandolineria” and a pencil sketch.

The hotel is dubbed as the first “Museum Hotel” of the Philippines. It will then have an active cultural program to live to its expectations as a new centre of arts for Vigan. Mini operas and concerts are planned to be regularly hosted in the hotel.

(Travel Daily News)

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14 June 2014

7 June 2014

Barrio Fiesta sa Belfast 2014

Independence Day sa Newcastle Blaydon Rugby Club Field (Carboot Area) Hexham Road, Swalwell, Newcastle NE16 3BN

Venue: St Kevin’s Hall, Belfast, NI BT15 1ER Time: 9:30 - 5:30

Time: 9am to 6pm

Contact: 07717030035 07545430498 07850013294

Contact: Sally - 07886742417 Eva - 07542026296

14 June 2014

116th PH Independence Party Venue: The Chartroom Restuarant/Bar, Inverkip, PA16 OAS Time: 7 to 11:30pm

COMMUNITY

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Philippine Independence Day Celebrations PAGE AD in Oxfordshire

Contact: Nally Carroll 01294 461709 Marilyn Kaarits 07805562450

Venue: The Kassam Stadium, Grenoble Road, Oxford OX4 4XP Time: 9am to 6pm Contact: joarielan@yahoo.com, www.filcomoxford. org.uk

15 June 2014

21-22 June 2014

Venue: The Event Field, Temple Newsam, Leeds, LS15 0AE

Venue: Eastville Park, Muller Rd Eastville, Bristol, BS5 6XA

Contact: Marjorie 07787510277 Lowell 07917563070 Lerma 01132174109 Emma 07749878657

Contact: Honeylyn 07783343848 Clarence 07500896239 Hilda 07909724653

Barrio Fiesta Leeds

Barrio Fiesta Bristol

14 June 2014 Barrio Fiesta Halifax

Venue: Shibden Park, Godley Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX3 6XG Contact: Melanie 07914 689 458 Kim 07726104 013

15 June 2014

116th PH Independence Day Celebration 2014 - Piyesta ng Kalayaan Venue: West Wing Art Centre, Stoke Road, Slough, SL2 5AX Time: 2pm to 11pm Contact: Tikket Events 07428677870

28 June 2014

Barrio Fiesta Yorkshire Venue: The Racecourse, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 1UG Time: 10am - 5pm Contact: Lolita Boddy 01765 535015/ 07973 469450

28 June 2014

29 June 2014

29 June 2014

Venue: Fairlands Valley Park Showground Arena SG2 8RH

Venue: Hoglands Park, Southampton, SO14 1NH

Hydebank Parks and Playing Fields, 19 Newtownbreda Road, Belfast BT8 6BQ

Barrio Fiesta Hertfordshire 2014

Contact: Joseph-07534711757 Ivy - 07428184063

Michael-07447588971

Myla-07533764965

Barrio Fiesta Southampton 2014

Contact: Maria Aurora Joves 07824365387

Barrio Fiesta Northern Ireland

Contact: Roy - 07412625738 Malou 07850151678

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12-13 July 2014

Venue: Lady Hill Park, Allerton, Bradford, BD15 7AA Time: 9am to 6pm

Venue: Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3DS

Contact: Nelson 07823338947 Nina - 07780076256 nelsonginez@yahoo. co.uk

Contact: Rozen Malonzo 07985159203 / 01212446900; Marlo - 07531022269

17 August 2014

30-31 Aug. 2014

Barrio Fiesta Birmingham

Hamilton Park Racecourse, Bothwell Road, Hamilton, Lanarkshire ML3 0DW Time: 10am - 5pm

9-10 Aug. 2014

Barrio Fiesta Milton Keynes Venue: Campbell Park, Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 4AD Time: 9am to 7pm Contact: Merald 07909957313 Fe - 07588636573 Grace - 07415063324 Anita - 07557358013 Elsie - 07738878290 Gavin - 07525130320

Barrio Fiesta Manchester

Scotland Barrio Fiesta

Venue: FULL PAGE ADHeaton Park, BARRIO FIESTA Middleton Road, MANCHESTER Manchester M25 2SW

2014

Contact: Aurora 07748 252 530 aurobb0203@gmail. com

Contact: Lolita 07973469450 Lynn 07799183450 Bennie 07907251044

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EMBASSY NEWS

LONDON

EMBASSY CLOSURES FOR MAY 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: Monday, May 26 – Spring Bank Holiday (UK Holiday) Thursday, 12 June – Independence Day (PHL 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.

LONDON

WHAT’S ON

EMBASSY OUTREACH - DUBLIN The Embassy will hold its future Consular Outreach Missions for 2014 in: Date/Time:

17 May (Saturday) 9:30 am – 6:30 pm 18 May (Sunday) 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Venue: The Good Council GAA Club Davitt Rd, Drimnagh, Dublin 12 (For directions to the venue, visit www.philippineconsulate.ie) Contact Persons: Mr. Mark Congdon, Honorary Consul Mr. Raymond Garrett, Staff-Honorary Consulate PASSPORT PROCESSING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE ONLY FOR BOOKED/SCHEDULED APPLICANTS DURING THIS OUTREACH. HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL OTHER FILIPINOS IN IRELAND: A) Overseas Voters’ Registration (please bring a copy of your passport and a copy of your Oath of Allegiance if you are a dual citizen) B) PAG-IBIG Registration and other Services C) Authentication of Documents (through the Philippine Consulate Dublin) Payments at the Outreach Mission shall be in British Pounds Sterling only, in cash or via bank draft orders made out to the Philippine Embassy. Personal cheques are not accepted. For more info please go to http://philembassy-uk.org/

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