Kungseng Gawlu 2010

Classroom visit

2010-03-06T14:05:00.002+08:00

MALAPATAN, Sarangani--United States Ambassador Leslie Bassett and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Director Elzadia Washington asks questions to pupils of Tuyan Elementary School at the inauguration of the two-classroom building Friday, March 5, donated by the USAID and Petron Foundation. (PHOTO BY Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Zamsureco losses millions from brownouts

2010-02-26T13:52:00.002+08:00

THE Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative (Zamsureco-I) said it reels from the continued power curtailment brought about by El Niño, an abnormal weather pattern that triggers severe drought.

Anastacio Autor, Zamsureco-I technical service manager, said in an interview, that although the electric cooperative lives with the present electricity challenge as a natural occurrence, it also had to deal with the negative economic implications brought by the continued brownouts.

Autor disclosed that from Feb. 1 to 23, a total of 178.81 megawatts, which is equivalent to 357.66 hours or a total of 421,259.50 kilowatt hours were lost by Zamsureco.

This kilowatt hours lost by Zamsureco when converted in monetary terms will total to more or less P2.5-million, depending on how much the rates National Power Corporation will charge or adjust to the electric cooperative, also said Charina Arabijo, Zamsureco finance manager.

In 2006, during the widespread brownouts attributed to huge demand for electricity and antiquity of power plants in the country, Zamsureco incurred a total loss of about P5-million, added Arabijo.

The entire coverage of Zamsureco-I has a total capacity load of 15 to 16 MW and at present is allocating less than half of its total load following the implementation of power curtailment imposed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

So far, only Mindanao is suffering from serious power shortage as a result of a dry spell, raising fears that this could put at risk the coming automated elections in May.

But small businesses in Pagadian, those who depend entirely on electricity, do not care of the May elections at the moment, saying the worsening power situation is killing them softly, reducing their income to more or less 50 percent.

“Sa una maka-gross ko ug P1,200 ang adlaw unya maka net income na ko ug P500, pero karon P250 to P300 na lang akong mahimo gumikan sa brown out,” Jun Acot, who sells ice candy and ice water for a living, said.

“We used to produce 600 gallons a day but now we can only produce 200 to 300 gallons at P50 per gallon,” likewise said Bobby Soriano, owner of Crystal Clear water refilling Station.

Soriano said he has contemplated of buying a generator to boost their power supply needs but aside from the high gas price, he said that water supply is also a problem since the water district relies mainly on Zamsureco to pump water from its springs.

Last week, the Pagadian City Water District (PCWD) declared the dry spell also affected water supply in their spring sources in Danlugan and Manga.

REPORT BY JONG CADION

Rizal underground

2009-12-31T09:31:00.001+08:00

RIZAL Day galvanizes national pride. Now on its 113th year, this day is a special day to celebrate the life and sacrifices of the greatest Filipino martyr.

As a glimpse of history, December 30, 1896 marked the execution of José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, the Filipino polymath, nationalist and advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era.

Throughout history, many debates were made why Rizal was chosen as a national and not Andres Bonifacio. Choosing Rizal was politically expedient and advisable as he wouldn’t antagonize the ones who were technically the controlling Philippine affairs then.

But the choice was noble. Rizal did not advocate armed insurgency and he was foremost in favor of equal rights for the Insulares, Mestizos, and the middle class. Except that he was a damn good novelist, author, poet, essayist and playwright his writings antagonized the Church and the Friars that had him executed because of it.

Rizal, again, is considered a prophet of Philippine independence. But what would be his thought seeing the present-day Philippines? You bet he would turn in his grave seeing a proud race humiliating their dead hero with their withered attitude of dishonesty, corruption, idleness and immorality in all forms.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) once said that the country is experiencing a critical point in history, having had to go through political instability, economic decline and growth in armed conflict and Filipinos have neglected to see a more deep-seated crisis that lies at the root of many of our economic and political problems.

The banana republic and its administration, with the multiple hostage dramas, killings, kidnappings and human rights violations playing out in Mindanao are the obvious contrast between the bungling performances of a weakened government and the ideals Rizal once stood for.

This Rizal Day, let us therefore remember the ultimate sacrifice that our national hero made for us. Let us remember that this nation is founded upon sacrifice and love of country, nationalism and unselfish nature.

It would not seem appropriate that we end each year by celebrating Rizal’s death but then let’s observe likewise the hero’s life, our heritage and reflect the punishing year that passed by while looking into another bright New Year ahead.

Pax hominibus!

2009-12-27T12:33:00.001+08:00

PEACE cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding, so said the famous American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.

As the year comes to a close, Filipinos should spend a short time to offer a solemn prayer for peace, a universal peace among all nations and especially in the fragile island of Mindanao, the place plagued with religious conflicts and land disputes; even insurgent attacks.

More than putting this part of the country at peace and its people in a state of perpetual quiet and restfulness, we pray that government pursuit will continue to this day and that both the government and the Islamic secessionists will finally address aspirations for a Bangsamoro homeland while taking into consideration the signing a separate propitious peace pact that would give us the elusive, lasting peace.

While we hope for this purpose in response to the many blood-spattered and gruesome incidents happening in the past year, we beg the Almighty for the blessing of true peace in our time. Filipinos should see this as the appropriate prayer for this yearend—to be delivered from the catastrophic, evil scourge of frequent conflicts taking place in Mindanao today.

There is still no necessity of take up arms for the defense of the homeland and the protection for the citizens even as there are values that are worth fighting for.

This Christmas Day, the Day of Peace, as promulgated by Pope Paul VI, let us reflect on the biblical message “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” May it resonate with more spirit in each and every one of us since it deals with a commemoration of the theme that is already announced when Jesus Christ was born ages ago: Pax Huminibus! (Peace to humanity)

As how Bishop Elenito Galido of Iligan City puts it, “What are badly needed for peace are conversion and reconciliation and healings! It is not enough to suspend war and conflicts, to impose truces and armistices, to define boundaries and relationships, to create sources of common interests; it is not enough to paralyze the possibility of radical strife through the terror of suffering and destruction. Progress must be made towards a Peace which is loved, free and just, founded on the reconciliation of hearts and healing of the spirit.”

The late Mother Teresa of Calcutta, famous humanitarian and advocate for the poor and helpless, said it best: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

NUJP-Misoc Statement on "Analysis" broadcaster Danny Pilar: Ang pagpapili ug ang kagawasan sa pagpadayag parehong hulagway sa pagtunhay sa demokrasya

2009-12-22T14:14:00.001+08:00

Disyembre 22, 2009

Ang NUJP hilabihang naalarma ug naguol sa pagpangatake kang Danny
Pilar pinaagi sa usa ka granada nga gilabay sa iyang panimalay didto
sa Taboo, Jimenez niadtong adlaw'ng Dominggo, Disyembre 20, 2009. Si
Danny kabahin sa komunidad sa mga tigbalita sa Misamis Occidental.

Bisan paman nga ang usa ka halalom nga imbestigasyon ang kamulo'ng
gipahigayon kalabot niini, among gipasalamatan ang Philippine National
Police (PNP), ilalom sa liderato ni Supt. Leonilo Cabug, provincial
director sa Misamis Occidental, sa paspas nga pagresponde sa
panghitabo. Hinaut nga masustenir kining paningkamot sa pagsulbad sa
kaso aron makaangkon og hingpit nga hustisya si Danny Pilar.

Dili madiskwento ang posibilidad nga ang pagpangatake adunay
kalambigitan sa pulitika ug ang trabaho ni Danny isip tigbalita.
Nahitabo kini human maplastar ang kandidatura sa mga pulitiko alang sa
nagkadaiyang posisyon. Gani, matud ni Danny, kung adunay nag-interes
sa iyang kinabuhi tungod sa lain pang rason, kaniadto ra siya hamyang
kaayo sa pagpangatake.

Tungod niini, among gihangyo nga unta malinawon nga pamaagi ang
ipatuman sa mga pulitiko subay sa ilang personal nga interes nga
maagni ang katawhan sa pagdapig sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka kandidatura.

Sa maong panghitabo, among giawhag ang mga pulitiko nga mosaad
atubangan sa katawhan nga magdumili sa dugoon nga mga paagi aron
mapalawig ang kinaugalingong pulitikanhong interes.

Ang pagpapili sa pulitikanhong posisyon usa sa mga hulagway sa
pagtunhay sa demokrasya. Kaubang hulagway niini ang kagawasan sa
pagpadayag.

RYAN D. ROSAURO
Chair,
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (NUJP)
Misamis Occidental Chapter

Guns, groans and goad

2009-12-16T12:35:00.001+08:00

<div style="text-align: justify;">The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has described the Philippines as the world's "most murderous" country for reporters. But this does not cite a position that any media member under threat may own and carry a gun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Journalists allowed to carry guns for self-defense in the wake of a growing number of murders of reporters and editors in the country does not in any way score, decrease, cut down or diminish the aggression against members of the fourth estate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) could only tell its press members that there are provisions for safety and assistance to media workers under threat but carrying a firearm is practically not one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The International News Safety Institute (INSI) explains it well. Journalists increasingly are being targeted in conflict largely because they have lost, in the eyes of certain elements, their status as neutral observers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A journalist with a gun may have removed himself from this premise, as he unbuckles his cellular phone and exchanges it for a holster with .45-caliber pistol and some bullet clips. This clearly breaks the entrenched taboo against journalists carrying—and using—guns. Such a move is not beneficial to the press—or the threatened journalist—it will only place their lives and their peers further in danger.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">True, we journalists have to protect ourselves because the government does not protect us anymore and so the need for guns protruding in our shirts. But wait, this will only open the floodgates of never-ending cycle of attacks against us. Somehow, there are media people also who are slack, immature and reckless, and arming them might only bring harm or injury to their colleague seated next to them.</div>

2009-12-16T12:33:00.000+08:00

<div style="text-align: justify;">The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has described the Philippines as the world's "most murderous" country for reporters. But this does not cite a position that any media member under threat may own and carry a gun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Journalists allowed to carry guns for self-defense in the wake of a growing number of murders of reporters and editors in the country does not in any way score, decrease, cut down or diminish the aggression against members of the fourth estate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) could only tell its press members that there are provisions for safety and assistance to media workers under threat but carrying a firearm is practically not one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The International News Safety Institute (INSI) explains it well. Journalists increasingly are being targeted in conflict largely because they have lost, in the eyes of certain elements, their status as neutral observers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">A journalist with a gun may have removed himself from this premise, as he unbuckles his cellular phone and exchanges it for a holster with .45-caliber pistol and some bullet clips. This clearly breaks the entrenched taboo against journalists carrying—and using—guns. Such a move is not beneficial to the press—or the threatened journalist—it will only place their lives and their peers further in danger.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">True, we journalists have to protect ourselves because the government does not protect us anymore and so the need for guns protruding in our shirts. But wait, this will only open the floodgates of never-ending cycle of attacks against us. Somehow, there are media people also who are slack, immature and reckless, and arming them might only bring harm or injury to their colleague seated next to them.</div>

Statement on Ampatuan's ill gotten wealth, election fraud

2009-12-11T15:21:00.001+08:00

In recent days, military raids in Maguindanao have revealed much more
than high-caliber firearms; the raids have made public 16 homes in
Davao City and 14 mansions in Maguindanao, all belonging to the
Ampatuans.

While the Ampatuans wallow in splendor and grandeur, their
constituents suffer the hardship of squalor and poverty that is
prevalent in the third poorest province in the country.

The question is, where did all this wealth come from? Gov. Andal
Ampatuan's Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SALN) for 2002 shows
only a net worth of P11 million. As public servants, Gov. Ampatuan and
the rest of his family must answer to the people for amassing a
suspicious amount of wealth while in power.

More importantly, the discovery of thousands of voter's identification
cards and other election materials in the home of Shariff Aguak Mayor
Anwar Ampatuan is a tell-tale sign of the source of their wealth, and
is further evidence of the long-standing rumors that the powerful
Ampatuan clan was involved in rigging the 2004 and 2007 elections.

It is no secret that the Ampatuans count themselves as the staunch
allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and that the province
where the Ampatuans have wielded their iron grip for more than a
decade is a known bulwark of the administration. The tragedy in
Maguindanao has now shed light into the ghost of electoral fraud that
has continued to haunt GMA's presidency.

We have had enough. We call on the Office of the Ombudsman and the
Department of Justice to conduct an immediate and impartial
investigation into the apparent ill-gotten wealth that is a stark
example of the corruption that has eroded our democracy, and the
fruits of this administration's efforts to deceive our people of its
legitimacy.

ATTY. EDWIN LACIERDA
Spokesperson (0917-6293416)
Presidential Campaign of Benigno S. Aquino III

Slowly digging one’s own grave

2009-12-11T09:20:00.001+08:00

THE ones responsible for the Maguindanao massacre should be arrested and castigated to the highest terms. Theirs deeds are too barbaric to contemplate, with no human sense and very hideous in the eyes of a civilized nation.

Imagine the new statistics of journalists killed in the Nov. 23 massacre is now at 37 with one more missing and unaccounted. All over the world, the Philippines stand embarrassed with this unfolding within our very eyes—the scattered bodies of innocent civilians, lawyers and journalists—some of whom were tortured, raped before being killed and a handful were buried alive.

We admit that many members of the fourth estate are affected by the deaths of our colleagues. We are not acting pretentious this time nor make exaggeration of this issue. Such deaths deserve our anger and indignation. It deserves our united call for justice.

Since we, as pillars of information, only work for the good of the public, we strive to give professional service for the community's collective interest in knowing what is happening around the world, in our country and our respective neighborhoods. No more, no less, not even politics.

Like our counterparts in other parts of the planet, we express their collective outcry to demand justice for the 31 journalists and media workers killed in Maguindanao. To this administration, let us once and for all stop this culture of impunity in our country, which is contributing to the string of deaths of media practitioners.

We send this statement of protest to President Gloria Arroyo for her to see the persistent episodes of this social malady. It doesn't need to have more than 100 journalists killed in their work desks or beats to rally support for our poor circumstances.

If the Philippines is one democratic country, why are there so many journalists being threatened and killed? We have been expressing this question and outrage for a long time already to no effect despite the fact that we who are left behind find it unpleasant that we too had to slowly dig our own graves. God forbid. God help us.

Pagadian, Ozamiz media light candles for fallen peers

2009-12-10T16:30:00.001+08:00

JOURNALISTS pledging memberships with the provincial chapters of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and the Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Press Club Inc. (ZPPI) recently held its candle-lighting tribute to the fallen journalists in Maguindanao.

NUJP chapter president Hirohito Cadion said the activity also called to mind the lives and advocacy of the five Pagadian journalists killed in the line of duty since the 1990's.

Cadion identified the five as publisher Billy Yu (1998), Olympio Jalapit (1999), Edgar Damalerio (2001), Edgar Amoro (2005) and Rolly Cañete (2006).

The lighting of candles was done in front of the Jose Rizal Monument near Plaza Luz and joined by members of the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace, students, churchgoers and some media members from Ozamiz City.

The activity form part of the week-long annual celebration of the Mindanao Week for Peace, which ran from Nov. 6 to Dec. 2.

Cadion, in a statement relayed to this paper, said the condemnation and the protest of Pagadian journalists will not end up with the burial of the 30 working journalists slain in Maguindanao but will continue until justice will be served.

It can be recalled that of the five media practitioners killed in the Pagadian City, only the case of Edgar Damalerio earned justice with the arrest and prosecution of the supposed suspect.

Meanwhile, Ozamiz journalists were also indignant over the killing of their colleagues in Maguindanao and called for the need to initiate a treaty among politicians as a promise not to repeat the gruesome incident.

Led by NUJP chapter president Ryan Rosauro of Philippine Daily Inquirer and Jovencio Godoy Jr. of the national directorate, the journalists gathered for a 30-minute prayer vigil outside the city metropolitan cathedral and voiced out their call.

"Let us try hard not to sacrifice innocent lives in the political process or action. With what was happening in Maguindanao, I think there should be distinction but we saw none," Godoy said.

"Atoang iampo nga maundang ni kay kung magpadayon ni, nagtoo ko nga wala nay mag-media pa nga mubarog ug modala sa tingog sa katawhan kay lungguan man sa ulo og dili mauyunan ang ilang baruganan," he added.

"Atong panawagan ngadto sa mga politiko: di magdayon ang panagbingkil. Mahimo nga ang manag-away karon managsuud sa sunod ug vice versa. Hunongon na nato kini nga cycle of violence nga maoy nagpatigbabaw dinhi sa ato," Godoy continued.

"After all, sa mga politiko, ang pagpapili para man mangalagad, dili ang mohawod sa katilingban. Himuon nato nga matarong. Ang pagpatay s mga kaaway sa politika pagpangalagad lamang sa atong kaugalingon ug sa atong katuyan.

The journalists then called on the community to exercise the same vigilance. "Tabangan ninyo kami kay kung mawala na ang mga mensahero nga nagdala sa inyong mga tingog, mahimo na nga walay bili ang atong pagpuyo niining kalibutan," they said.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Famed anti-gambling bishop dies of liver cancer

2009-12-10T16:28:00.001+08:00

A bishop based in Ozamiz City who once spoke his piece vocally against illegal gambling has died of cancer, reports the Malindang Herald website.

News of Monsignor Emie Bienes' death was announced, Dec. 7, by Ozamiz Clergy President Fr. Edgar Canama, who said the 63-year old prelate died in Cebu City last Dec. 4 due to complications of liver cancer.

Bienes is the vicar general of the Ozamiz archdiocese and formerly the parish priest of St. Michael Parish in the neighboring Tangub City.

January, this year, the bishop was suddenly rushed to the hospital after he complained of abdominal pains and blurred vision while in the middle of his homily.

A source from the Bishop's Palace said then that Bienes once confided he has diabetes which also affected his liver.

"The Catholics of the Archdiocese of Ozamiz have lost a kind and dedicated priest, a good friend and trusted member of the board of consultors," Canama followed up his brief announcement.

Born on Sept. 3, 1946, Bienes was ordained priest on April 21, 1976. In his early years as a seminarian, Bienes volunteered as one of the teaching staff of St. Mary's Theologate Seminary in Gango, Ozamiz City.

The late bishop once hogged headlines for his stand against the so-called Small Town Lottery (STL), stating that "gambling breeds laziness and dependence on luck rather than hard work for livelihood."

The archdiocese will offer a nine-day requiem mass for the vicar general in all parishes and has called on priests and religious to include in their intentions the eternal repose of his soul.

At present, the bishop's remains lie in state at the St. Michael Archangel Parish in Tangub and will be brought to his hometown in Tudela on Dec. 14, where a concelebrated funeral mass will be held.

He will be interred on the same day at the San Isidro Labrador Catholic Cemetery.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

ZPPI changes guards

2009-12-10T16:24:00.001+08:00

AS a matter of urgency and necessity, the Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Press Club Inc. (ZPPI) met last Saturday, delivered all the reports and elected its new set of officers.

Charnyl Albarracin of Pagadian Express was elected president, replacing Elmer Maghanoy of RMN-DxPR who served his full term. Albarracin's executive vice president is ex-board member Maria Dinah Marasigan, also of DxPR.

The vice presidents who will sit in the respective media divisions are Leo Santillan (MIT-RTVN) for broadcast; Jong Cadion (Mindanao Balita Local-Frontline Mindanao Online) for print; and Michael Medina (Zamboanga Peninsula News) for online.

Provincial press officer Radem Gutang was re-elected secretary while Vanessa Cagas of Baganian Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) is the new treasurer and Zamsureco information officer Levi Cabatcha as auditor.

Tony Bayamban (Mindanao Biznews), freelance journalists Leah Agonoy and Lualhati Belen, and Vic del Pilar (Mindanao Balita Local-Frontline Mindanao Online) compose the members of the board, in addition to the three past presidents: Marive Jongco of BBC, Remai Alejado of DA-RAFID and Maghanoy.

In a huddle after the election, Maghanoy told this paper his wishes to the new officers as he exhorted other fellow members: "Unta suportahan nato sila aron mapakita nato nga nagkahiusa ta bisan pa man ug managlahi ang atong outfit nga gitrabahoan."

For Albarracin, Maghanoy has these words: "Normal man sa usa ka organization nga adunay mga miyembro nga dili nato ma-satisfy, kinahangalan nga dawaton nato sa dakong pagpahiubos."

"Usahay lisod lang kayo dawaton ang kamatuoran, pero bisan pa ug unsaon nimo, mangayo lang ta ug pasaylo nga wala nimo mahatag ang tahas isip usa ka leader," he added.

More wishes for ZPPI, this time from Marasigan: "Malaumon ko nga mamahimong usa ka malambuong organisasyon ang ZPPI ug mapadayon ang nasugdan na sa grupo."

Del Pilar butted in: "Charnyl is the timely guy to rule the club. With him, we hope a new image and new challenge will emerge."

For Julius Breva of Mindanao Chronicle and Agonoy, both recognized the fresh and unsullied personality of Albarracin, who, they said, will bring innovation to ZPPI.

"This is a welcome development and Charnyl has integrity to lead. Mas makaayo kini alang sa media in Zambosur. May we practice this sense of volunteerism and always think of development for the group and not for personal interest," they said.

Jong Cadion of NUJP-Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter also said that he is 100 percent supporting Albarracin's leadership. "Aduna siya'y aggressiveness ug isip batan-on pa, he will be idealistic but nevertheless I will support him."

In response, Albarracin said he will try his best to bring together the local media and run ZPPI for the good of all.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

MisOc gets a taste of 3-in-1

2009-12-10T16:20:00.001+08:00

The battle lines in the top political echelon in Misamis Occidental have been drawn and it's a toe-to-toe, three cornered fight among incumbents who are former allies and acquaintances.

Pitching in for the royal rumble for the congressional seat of the second district is incumbent Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos, Ozamiz mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and Tangub mayor Jennifer Wee-Tan.

Also courting the votes of some 321,843 Misamisnons for their gubernatorial bid are Rep. Herminia Ramiro, Vice Gov. Francisco Paylaga Jr. and Ozamiz Vice Mayor Carlos Patricio Bernad.

Except for Ramiro and Parojinog who retained their loyalty with the ruling party, the other politicians mentioned in this report are once strong movers of Lakas-Kampi coalition.

Both Ocampos and Bernad are now pledging memberships with the Liberal Party (LP) while Paylaga opted to be a Nacionalista (NP) and Tan is in the Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC).

Cracks in the Lakas-Kampi in Misamis Occidental started to show when Paylaga jumped overboard last March after being recruited by Sen. Manny Villar, followed by Bernad who tied up with Sen. Noynoy Aquino's group last November and Tan crossing towards Danding Cojuangco's camp. Lately, Ocampos' took his turn to bolt out from the ruling party and into LP, joining the surprised Bernad.

Even with this unexpected change, records from the provincial Comelec office shows Lakas-Kampi still reigning with 14 bets, followed by NP with 12, PMP with 8, LP with 4, 6 independents and a lone NPC candidate.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Sulat-mensahe alang sa publiko

2009-12-10T16:05:00.001+08:00

Mga Igsoon,

Niadtong Nobyembre 23, 30 ka mga tigbalita ug trabahante sa media ang nahiagom sa kabangis; gikutlo ang ilang kinabuhi uban sa dili momenos 37 pa ka tawo sa karon nabaniog nga Maguindanao Massacre. Dugang usa ka tigbalita ang nakalista nga nawala; bisan pa nga apil siya sa grupo sa mga tawo nga gimasaker, dili pa gihapon makit-an

Dili matukib ang maong kabangis nga gani hangutd karon, naglisud pa kita og tugkad nganong ang susamang panghitabo misantop man sa panghuna-huna sa usa o pipila ka tawo nga ilang gustong buhaton diha sa isig kaingon. Kung unsa kalalom ang buot natong masabtan sa maong kabangis, mao usab ang among kahingawa sa nahiaguman sa mga kauban sa media. Bisan paman sa among mga personal nga kahuyangan nga dili malikayan nga dala-dala namo diha sa propesyonal nga tahas, kami bug-os nga naningkamot nga makahatud kaninyo og impormasyon may kalabutan ang pampublikong interes—ang inyong kolektibong interes nga masayod ug masabtan ang mga panghitabo sa atong katilingban.

Nasayod mi nga kamong publiko hugtanon nga mikondena sa mabangis nga insidente. Salamat sa inyong pakighiusa kanamo sa pagpangayo og hustisya. Hinaut nga magpadayon ang inyong pagduyog kanamo taliwala niining nagkagrabe nga atake sa propesyon sa pagbalita dinhi sa atong nasud.

Isip paghandum sa sakripisyo sa among mga kauban, amo kamong giawhag nga mouban kanamo sa usa ka minutong kahilom.

SULAT GIKAN NI RYAN ROSAURO
President, NUJP-Ozamiz City Chapter

Statement on the death of 21 journalists in Maguindanao

2009-11-24T12:36:00.002+08:00

THE hostage-taking and killing of 21 media members in Maguindanao last Nov. 23 is a horrible illustration of a social order gone awry, an inhumane act and unequalled in recent history.

Those working journalists killed in the line of duty were only doing their job as correspondents, innocent of the political rivalry and were not even partakers of the culture of violence already happening in the territory.

We, who felt no safer even as we are away from the same danger, are also distressed and mourn the death of our colleagues who have become victims of this senseless violence and carnage.

We are also alarmed that media can now be a target of blatant assault of political enmities. The fact, that 21 of our colleagues are dead and others still missing highlights the state of political warlordism and their ugly grapple for power still being observed in some areas of the country.

We hope that government authorities will go after the persons responsible for the acts, charge and prosecute them for the crimes. May there be no more knee-jerk response but a permanent commitment by this regime to uphold our democratic ideals and protection of all working journalists.

The media, however passionate we are of our work in spreading news and information, is always neutral. We are public servants and even unfortunate volunteers who sometimes become victims of warring people of influence and power who espouse the culture of impunity, with no sense of responsibility and respect for human life.

MICHAEL MEDINA

Online editor

The Philippine Preview

Board of director, NUJP-Ozamiz City

Pioneer, Misamis Occidental News Bloggers atbp.(MONBA)

The evils of human trafficking

2009-11-18T14:51:00.002+08:00

HERE’S one disturbing news from the Associated Press the other day which reported of a 5-year-old girl whose body was found dead off a rural county in North Carolina. Police has accused her mother of selling the child for sex.

The girl’s father said he was regretful over giving the girl's mother a chance to raise their daughter who she had been offering for prostitution. It's unbelievable how a mother can do something that horrible to her little child. Such a dastardly act is particularly disturbing, akin to the crime called human trafficking.

As it is described, human trafficking is said to be the fastest-growing criminal industry worldwide with estimated annual revenue for trafficking in persons fetching up to $9 billion, says Wikipedia.

Victims of such abuse are mostly women and children who were typically recruited using coercion, deception, fraud, abuse of power or outright abduction. It may even come in a form of slavery, prostitution, forced labor and other forms of involuntary servitude.

We should be aware that human traffickers prowl on Filipinas too and as Susan Ople, executive director of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, said, this has been going in Malaysia and Singapore.

Pinays are tempted to accept job offers in these countries because of a promise of quick deployment. Thus, Filipinas risk their lives for greener pastures by crossing the borders; even elude arrest only to end up as prostitutes there.

Our country has anti-trafficking units who can go after the suspects and their scouts here but even with the presence of the Anti-Trafficking law, we only see but a small percentage of convictions being handed down.

We therefore need to campaign more for the protection of our vulnerable women workers from exploiters here and aborad. We must act now. Our soft attitude against this form of crime will only embolden human traffickers to penetrate our borders and prey on the dreams of Filipino women for a better life.

Tasking with greater force for Sinnott

2009-11-06T12:14:00.002+08:00

FATHER Michael Sinnot's kidnapping brings to fore a lot of lessons for everyone involved for his safe release, including those in the media and the watching public. Such an incident, however recurring it may seem in these parts of Mindanao, needs special attention.

And so is the Irish priest. Whoever is subjected to an evil act deserved to be helped in every way possible, this clear attitude now coming from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which was initially suspected of abducting the aged priest.

The MILF, which has offered to help track down Sinnott's kidnappers, should also welcome the government's request to conduct an internal probe to verify reports that the priest's kidnappers are from its ranks, if they are that sincere in supporting any action towards the solution to this crisis.

And as to the Crisis Management Committee (CMC), all its efforts to help in the rescue of the kidnapped priest must be exerted without endangering the life of the priest. Their objective must be for the harmless return of Sinnott through peaceful measures including negotiations.

As to the media, both the local and national journalists should strive to report with exactness and based on facts alone, rather than destroy an already aggressive image-building effort for Mindanao as a peaceful island. News items come and go but the indispensable factor is the truth and precision of the stories, especially when one is tempted to be careless and report the baseless and the controversial just to beat the deadline..

To the authorities, including the politicians, they should be cautious also not to mislead media with their enigmatic information, as if hiding the reality for a more selfish motive. There have been earlier kidnappings in the past and the media have always been reporting it for the benefit of everybody.

Sure, everyone has boundaries: the MILF, CMC, the police, military, church, politicians and the media. But what is important is that everybody seeks to fast track Sinnott's release and that news gets reported fairly and objectively not through a cheap propaganda mileage and an affront to the current efforts.

Many have said that Sinnott's abduction was unthinkable especially after having served in Mindanao for the past 40 years. We don't know for sure what came into his heartless captors but all we know is that Sinnott has made valuable service in animation and education to mission for Mindanao. Let us therefore repay it by praying for his safe, early return.

Call for thorough and steadfast resolution of the Rollin murder

2009-07-13T13:30:00.001+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Northern Mindanao have recently announced the filing of a murder case before the Regional Trial Court in Oroquieta City against the suspect in the killing of DxSY broadcaster Ernesto “Ka Ernie” Rollin.

Regional State Prosecutor Jaime Umpa has declared that the suspect was positively identified by Rollin’s live-in partner, Ligaya Barrero, who was with him waiting for an Ozamiz city-bound vehicle on that fateful morning of February 23, 2009 when the shooting happened.

However, Umpa acknowledged that the suspect was only the triggerman, and the mastermind in the killing is yet to be identified as well as the motive for the attack on Rollin.

We laud the efforts of the law enforcers in going after the killers, as well as the prosecuting agencies who worked for the solution of the Rollin slay.

We understand the difficulties they have undergone in order to establish the vital information that make up a legal argument before the court to pin down those involved in the brutal act.

But amid this seeming success in bringing the resolution effort to this level, we still urge authorities to continue their lookout for vital information that may have been left out, even if this could mean starting over again.

We also insist that the authorities’ focus must be guided by the highest sense of justice: punishing those responsible and sparing those who are not. It is only through this that such a revolting act against journalists will be prevented in the future.

NAPTALIE BATOLENIO, vice-chair
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)
Ozamiz City Chapter
Mobile phone 09297461772

UNIFIED STATEMENT ON RIGHT OF REPLY BILL

2009-06-04T15:34:00.003+08:00

1. The Right of Reply Bill is an ill-conceived piece of legislation that violates two of the most cherished freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, those of the press and of expression.

2. It is both unfortunate and ironic that the principal authors of the bill in the two chambers of Congress ought to have known better, Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. having earned his reputation as a champion of civil rights and Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella having been president of the Negros Press Club.

3. It is also clear, from the pronouncements of both lawmakers, that this bill is a product of the sorriest excuse for legislation – personal pique.

4. The House version of the bill, HB 3306, parrots the Senate's SB2150 except it would have the reply run a day after receipt instead of the three days the Senate grants, and seeks to impose heftier fines and the absence of self-regulation (in the case of block-timers) and sunset clauses.

5. Both bills state that "all persons…who are accused directly or indirectly of committing, having committed or intending to commit any crime or offense defined by law, or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in behavior in public or private life shall have the right to reply to charges or criticisms published or printed in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or publications circulated commercially or for free, or aired or broadcast over radio, television, websites, or through any electronic devices."

6. They also would mandate that these replies be "published or broadcast in the same space of the newspapers, magazine, newsletter or publication, or aired over the same program on radio, television, website or through any electronic device."

7. The danger in the right of reply bill is that it would legislate what the media OUGHT to publish or air, while casting a chilling effect that could dissuade the more timorous from publishing or airing what they SHOULD.

8. The bills would free public officials, especially the corrupt – and they are legion – of accountability and give them carte blanche to force their lies on the suffering public.

9. As one article on the right of reply bill says, "It lumps together imputations of a crime with simple criticism 'of any lapse in behavior in public or private life' or what would otherwise be considered 'fair comment.' There is no judicial review. It does not differentiate direct and indirect criticism. It has been noted that under the proposed law a journalist does not even have to be in error to draw a right of reply claim."

10. We would be the last to say that the Philippine media are without fault. Yes, we understand perfectly the frustration and anger of Pimentel and Puentevella over some media outlet's refusal to air their sides on issues.

11. Alas, but we cannot allow the sins of the few to be an excuse for the wholesale muzzling of a free press and the suppression of free expression. To do so would allow bad governance to triumph.

12. We call on Senator Pimentel and Representative Puentevella to withdraw their bills.

13. We urge the media and the people to close ranks against the passage of this bill, to challenge it before the Supreme Court if it is passed, and, if even that fails, to defy it by refusing to comply.

14. No less than our freedoms are at stake. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.

WE STRONGLY OPPOSE THE SIGNING OF THE LAW ON RIGHT OF REPLY!

CHA-CHA FOR TERM EXTENSION?

2009-06-04T13:48:00.000+08:00

Whatever it is that Congress did overnight in passing a resolution for a Constitutional Assembly (Con-Ass), people at the distance don’t need explanation from their leaders to see clearly that such move would eventually allow President Gloria Arroyo to extend her term beyond 2010.

Con-ass is one of the three modes in which the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines could be amended or revised. The other two are via People’s Initiative and Constitutional Convention (Con-Con). Any proposed revision to the 1987 Constitution shall only be valid when ratified by the majority of Filipinos in a plebiscite.

Thus, if ever, aside from already being the longest-serving president in the country, nine years for Arroyo is more than enough. Even with another six years or more, corruption will still be there along with coup rumors and the noise from the political opposition and the leftists.

Then here comes House Resolution 1109, which seeks to convene a Con-Ass, without the participation of the Senate, to amend the Constitution. This was, of course pushed by congressmen-allies of the President from the newly merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD, practically disregarding an earlier resolution pending at the Senate that maintains the participation of senators in the process as mandated by law.

As others put it straight, what happened was a “tyranny of the majority,” a ploy to sneak its self-serving Cha-Cha for continued stay in power forever and ever. Well-meaning or not, Con-ass will surely face the people’s wrath. And since there’s a limit to everything, this 2010, Filipinos should wake up, stay vigilant and give way to a new leader who can inject new ideas, bring Filipinos out of their wanton misery and overcome these entire crisis.

If there’s no change after Arroyo, well, we can always look up to Divine intervention. Let’s kneel down and do what we do best.

A LAW FOR LEWD SEX SCANDALS

2009-06-04T13:45:00.002+08:00

If you whine about too much sex and violence in movies, try the Internet. You’ll find a lot of crap, virus and scandals galore. Lately, when the Hayden Kho-Katrina Halili was exposed over the vast cyberspace and copies in DVD format are being peddled in the streets, citizen eagerness about their naked appearance and the explicit sexual circus suddenly came about while the bedroom story overshadowed the surreptitious early campaigning of the eager presidentiables.

Some of those who missed the forbidden affair wanted to take a glimpse of the full frontal to see how much sex there is. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago comments Hayden Kho could be indicted for what he did under RA 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (VAWC), for causing emotional suffering against actress Katrina Halili. One should know that even those who sell, give away, or exhibit the sex videos are liable under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code.

Of course, anybody can see in Katrina’s tears how anguished, ridiculed and humiliated she is. The sex video that leaked in the internet clearly shows that Kho set up the camera, carefully angled it, and positioned Halili so that their act would be caught on tape.

Santiago should be congratulated for responding without delay and criminalizing photo and video voyeurism with her SB No. 1100, the “Anti-Video Voyeurism Act.” Under Santiago’s bill, it is not necessary that the photo or video shows the aggrieved person engaging in sexual intercourse as long as a private area of the victim is visible in the photo or video, whoever captured the image without the consent of the victim and broadcasts it is liable under this act.

It is a better insight that one lawmaker like Santiago made sure adequate legislations are made against sex scandals proliferating in the internet and DVD stands. Believe us; What Santiago did is more relevant than Charter change.

MONEY OR JUSTICE?

2009-06-04T13:44:00.002+08:00

President Gloria Arroyo has allotted P25 million as initial fund for the government’s reward system to put an end to political killings in the country. Such a hefty sum, said Arroyo, is for informants who provide information that foils political assassination attempts or leads to their solution.

Funny why the government has resorted to such installment of its inadequacy to adopt effective measures against summary executions. This move is not the answer to human rights violations, the killings but it might toughen the culture of impunity in the the country.

Real problems require real and serious answers and such a position by the government is not going to soothe the families of those who have fallen victims of extra judicial killings (EJK) and human rights abuses.

Why not adopt a comprehensive plan in eradicating human-rights abuses? First, PGMA should tell law enforcers and the military that summary executions are illegal, so that they will not be blamed later on more political murders. Also, private armies or death squads should also be dismantled. Third, expedite the resolution of HR cases.

Again, the government does not need to allocate millions of pesos to solve the spate of political and media killings in the country. All it takes solve the numerous EJKs is to have political will.

Postcript, Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon should also be told that his HB 6304 be scrapped as it will do nothing also to solve the EJK problem in the country. Money may be a good incentive, but sorry, we need justice.

Kapit sa patalim

2009-06-04T13:42:00.003+08:00

There’s a warning aired the other day by Sen. Bong Revilla, which goes that the record-high joblessness rate in the country would most likely raise crime incidence everywhere in the country. A recently released survey of the Social Weather Station (SWS) survey that said that adult unemployment in the country posted a record-high 34.2 percent, which translates that some 14 million Pinoy adults are now unemployed. Previously, the SWS said its 27.9 percent or 11 million unemployed.

Revilla fears that unemployment, with its domino effect resulting to destitution, deprivation and hardship, might lead people to resort to other illegal activities like illegal gambling, illegal drugs and even prostitution. In short, poverty, often caused by unemployment, has consequences, and its those violations of law, petty crimes to big-time illegal activities.

This brings to mind some ideas about poverty. A study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office released in 2007 showed that those who are in areas where poverty is abundant had fewer options in life. People who were in poverty-stricken areas were more likely to have adverse health issues due to unaffordable healthcare, risky behavior and the lack of proper education.

Society should be able to correct its misconception of the link between poverty and crime. Although crime is often committed by those who are impoverished, all those who are poor do not commit crimes. While understanding and solving the root of the link between poverty and crime will inevitably cause citizens to take pride in their neighborhoods and become productive participants in the labor force, still, the improved means of wealth distribution, better economic policies and a society-wide commitment to solving the problem, eradicating poverty should be given attention.

The government can start a successful job creation program and encourage its jobless citizens to make self-employment measures to meet their family needs. In these hard times, everybody must find legal ways to survive.

Manny should think twice before rambling politics

2009-06-04T13:41:00.001+08:00

The country is teeming with opinion on the glory of IBO welterweight boxing champ Manny Pacquiao. This early, his political ambition is being pushed again into the limelight. Some are saying that he should go for it while the lesser few say on the contrary.

This one may be a legitimate state interest to ponder upon. Let’s give the rich guy the fighting chance and the benefit of our doubts for to bar him from running is a detriment of civil liberty and the democratic right to access of government position.

Let’s see him level off with other intelligent lawyers and doctors and actors in congress. Let him rub elbows with those more experienced so that he will learn soon and will make use of his know-how amid his lack of degree in competency and reasonability.

His comparative disadvantage because of his lack of education is not a hindrance to seeking an elective post. You see, there are lawyers, doctors and actors brighter than him but they just sit there and do nothing.

To say that Manny cannot deliver well and should not be elected is discriminating and may exclude those who do not have the qualification but are equally competent. In short we are depriving him and the likes of him, their advocacy.

On the other side, Manny sitting in the congress will be a lousy one, courtesy of lousy voters. Electing him into office spells trouble while those around him will be the ones who rake the benefit.

No one can serve two masters, either he serve one or despise the other. Manny must have read that somewhere. This thought should have provoked some reflection on him why he paid attention to the proddings of his selfish friends.

Seriously, people will be doing a great deed by forgetting Manny has that ambition.

An uphill battle against the drug menace?

2009-05-02T15:31:00.000+08:00

GOVERNORS and mayors could face administrative and criminal charges should they be found to be negligent or remiss in their duties in the campaign against illegal drugs in their respective communities. With this reminder from the DILG, local government executives should therefore help, or else lead in the war against the drug menace.

With this principle, we can say that provincial governors can ensure that their city and town mayors perform their mandated tasks and responsibilities, like for example, in the activation of their anti-drug abuse councils.

Then, then city and town mayors, in turn, can call on their law enforcers to conduct periodic or unannounced on-site inspection of dens, resorts, nightclubs and houses suspected of being used as drug dens or in the sale of illegal drugs. Mind you, this move will have perfect results if only the police will also work closely together in the anti-drug effort.

And as to police work, they should also build cases strong enough to stand up in court although and sometimes such work is being bungled by interference of politicians in drug cases because of bribery taking place but we believe not everyone may be on the take.

For all we know, like in high-level cases wherein police and arresting teams have been offered P5 to P6 million for the release of the leaders or members of drug syndicate. At one time it was learned that in the case of judges, high-level suspects are known to offer from P20 to P50 million, depending on the stage the case is in. Because of these briberies, we often hear these persistent reports of involvement of local officials in the drug trade.

But as Gov. Auring Cerilles has repeatedly said, solidarity with her leadership in crusading against drug lords, drug traffickers and drug users should be supported all the way by all the province’s mayors and constituents for the drug menace to be overcome. This is certain sure when everybody acts unquestionably.

Earth Day for Earth people

2009-05-02T15:30:00.001+08:00

Earth Day, which is being celebrated worldwide every April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.

Discussions centering on the care of the environment needs to be participated by every country and this period is the time of great concern. Problems regarding overpopulation and global warming now have become serious problems and every country is called to be responsible for stabilizing these and do what can be done.

The thrust to help preserve and care for the environment should be in the national agenda, amidst the rising hysteria and temperature. This is because we have an environmental crisis is sweeping across nations with intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing and or “killing” earth in the process if all will not act the goal of a healthy, sustainable environment.

Our environment, everywhere, is deteriorating with oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife should make us realize our common values.

Filipinos can help spearhead the campaign, focusing on global warming and pushing for clean energy. We can send a loud and clear message that people all over the world want a decisive action on this. Mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting the status of environmental issues onto the world stage is easy—if everyone will only care and pave the way.

Lessons from chestnuts and altruisms

2009-04-14T09:03:00.001+08:00

The right of reply is the right to defend oneself against criticism. This kind of principle proposes a right of answering back or offering a possibility to react to any information in the media presenting inaccurate facts, which affect, among others, personal rights.

Before all else, this proposal have been enshrined in ages past and in countries as a legally enforceable right that applies to all media, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and internet. Such right, according to Sen. Nene Pimentel, is an extension of the right of the people to articulate the other side of a controversy in which they are unduly maligned.

In Australian Federal Parliament, for example, those in the opposition party are given the formal right of reply to respond to the government's budget. A day after the budget is presented by the Treasurer of Australia; the Leader of the Opposition is given his time to deliver a reply speech in Parliament, all of which is being broadcasted on live television.

Authors Lehman, Eithan. and Limor, Yehiel of the book titled “The ‘Right to Reply’ in Journalistic Ethics: The Case Study of the Ruling by the Israel Press Council Introduction,” elucidate such right as a “basic right recognized by the media,” and viewed as a proper form of ethical behavior.

But sometimes, this right involved issues that center on constitutionality since the press is obligated to publish on its own accord a reply by another source, something a bit harmful to the unlimited freedom of the press.

Pimentel, in his arguments, said his bill aims to instill a greater sense of responsibility among journalists. If approved, the law will require media practitioners to provide newspaper space or airtime to the response or explanation of persons who feel aggrieved by stories or commentaries which may be biased, inaccurate and unfair to them. Just the same, it enjoins the newspaper, radio or television station concerned to publish or broadcast the reply of the complaining party or parties as soon as possible and with more or less equal treatment as the report under question.

Take a look in the United States, again for example, any legislation that promises the right to reply is deemed illegal, even in sensitive periods such as during elections. So how does one adhere to something that is already contained in most journalist codes of professional ethics, even in a limited fashion and on voluntary basis? One effort to inculcate to media to adhere to journalistic ethical norms may be to examine the lustrous slanders and peccadillos the local media in Pagadian may have committed, past and present, and use these as a case study for journalistic ethics enforcement.

As democratic society, the right to reply does not always meant to curtail press freedom but this time we raise our unfounded fears by opposing such as it might curtail our press freedom or dictate us what to print or broadcast. Some media practitioners responsible enough to present both sides of a controversy are fairplayers and balanced reporters. But what about those who punch, smack whack and slap somebody’s self-respect and pride through their flamboyant commentaries and reports that are only full of air and dangling below one’s belt?

Seekers wanting jobs

2009-04-14T09:01:00.000+08:00

Poor Mang Juan, who hardly finished high school, thinks his life and career will always be in the hands of someone else, the mall owner, the shop keeper, mopping floors eight hours a day. With this everyday routine, he thinks he has little control over the evolution of his life as he labor, scrimp and save his meager income for the rainy days. Lucky for him, he is still has his job today.

According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), the number of Filipinos who are losing their jobs with the economic crunch hitting the country’s shores has reached 2.855 million as of January this year. This figure is 180,000 higher than the January 2008 figures of 2.675 million.

A big percentage of the pie for jobs lost went to the manufacturing sector with 62 percent; the financial sector accounted for 28,000 jobs; construction, 17,000; and transport, storage and communication, 15,000.

So this is reality, and Senator Mar Roxas says there’s a need to effectively address the growing number of Filipinos losing their jobs as the impact of the global financial slowdown.

Mar is right: the government needs to put out old programs and no new solutions. Concrete actions from the government like providing assistance to the rising number of Filipinos who are being laid off from work and those who have yet to find jobs will help ease or mitigate the rising unemployment rate.

The luck of finding (or working) a full-time job these days can be a nightmare but for one who sees some employees in public offices wasting people’s money with their pa-cute effect and talking moods just makes one cringe in inggit.

Fait Accompli

2009-04-14T08:59:00.000+08:00

There is a saying by Jim Rohn which goes, “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.” This means that one’s years of experience on the job, coupled with will power and noble hard work equals accomplishments beyond compare. This is the whole thing an exceptional politician is made of—he or she whose way of thinking is the constituents’ benefit.

An elected official who’s been at the helm of government service and serving some nine years doesn’t need to be asked what he or she has done in his or her full term. One’s comings and goings is already measured by the service the public has been contented of for the past living days they’ve seen their leader toils.

To measure someone’s feat by the number of their listed exploits or deeds really needs full regard of his or her valuable experience. These include the years in high profile public service doing a good turn to the people, one’s knowledge of the line of work, continued learning in policy-making and strategies, skilled management, good advisers, first-rate output and yes, experience, always results in a lot of accomplishments.

So one’s ability as seasoned politicians, the likes of the Cerilleses is better fit for a job than someone who has been going through the notions of tarnishing other people’s image that seems apparent of one’s shortcomings. People should bother to look what these people are driving at when they try to wreck the good thing a fine and experienced politician like the Cerillesses are doing for their constituents. Few people pale in comparison to the average in their industriousness.

Graduation woes

2009-04-14T08:57:00.000+08:00

EVERY end of the academic year, the closing exercises especially, and in public schools, controversies hound the affair—not concerning the students but on graduation fees and the like.

A parent could not appreciate why these problems still crop out even when DepEd had always made clear its policies, especially on the holding of graduation exercises and in disallowing any collection of fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites.

The PTCA is the only one allowed to solicit voluntary contributions from their members for graduation ceremonies and celebrations while teachers and principals are warned against getting involved in the collection of these contributions.

As to the ceremonies, DepEd has been consistent: No extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue for the ceremonies should be required and contribution for the annual yearbook shall likewise be on a voluntary basis.

With this we affirm that the kind of graduation ceremonies to be held should be simple and whether if one school goes too extravagant, it should be in the hands of the PTCA to decide.

But there are still complaints from parents coming from public schools. One mother told this paper that she had to buy three dresses for her daughter in Grade 5 because of the various programs her graduating school girl has to attend prior to the big day.

Agreements among those concerned in the PTCA has been reached on the kind of graduation ceremony to be held, as well the amount of contribution but why do complaints still show? Those in public schools, for example, many poor students skip their meals just to attend their classes so that they can finish high school. Their parents, too, despite their financial limitations, persuade their children to attend the classes, hoping that after graduating, they would land better jobs, better than scavenging or doing laundry work. And come graduation time, some parents skip attending the graduation program because they cannot afford to buy a pair of shoes, pants and shirt for the program.

School graduation programs need not really be expensive. It should not weigh down those who really don’t have money to spare. It’s about time DepEd come up with a standardized graduation exercises in addition to what they always repeat to school officials every year.

2009-04-11T10:42:00.003+08:00

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, ER, HOUSEMAIDS

The latest hubbub we heard this past week was about Chip Tsao, the Hongkong magazine writer who earned the ire of Filipinos for sarcastically calling the brown race as a “nation of servants” in his article entitled “The War at Home.”

Such a comment, some said, has gone beyond the Pinoy ego in disagreeing on others about opinions of himself. To think, even we have used up words to describe or shout at anybody we don’t like so much, seemingly, for example, akin to calling our very own leader “evil.”

Such a comment by Tsao, again, should be pondered by the pikon Pinoy. We have been a nation of labor long before that Chinese writer wrote a humor about our realm, or long before that wounding, racist remark we received from a television show insulting our good doctors and the many others after Ferdinand Magellan.

Previously, we have a government program called “Supermaid,” which aims to train women in domestic skills to obtain higher pay abroad. This was part of our government’s policy of out-migration instituted in line with the requirement of the international market, says Andrea Soco. So how should we tone down the sensibilities of foreigners who saw our caregivers leaving their own children back home and giving other families and old kins abroad our generous and darling care?

Domestic helpers shouldn’t be humiliated or put down as they are in equal footing with other Filipino professionals abroad. The difference is only with the occupation but the pay is just the same. Perhaps, before seeing Tsao’s remark as an insult, Pinoys should take this in good stride to reflect as Conrado de Quiros wrote in his column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. We, Filipinos just failed to understand or appreciate satire. That’s our number one weakness. Or maybe we are losing the capacity to read the message because of the moral meltdown in our country. Have we?

Rains and crackpots

2009-01-07T18:33:00.001+08:00

The Department of Health, the Philippine National Police and the media should be commended for a job well done in the implementation of “Oplan Iwas Paputok” program, if to mention their feat in the dwindling number of people who sustained various firecracker-related injuries during last year's Christmas and New Year observance.

So far, the number of people being monitored with injuries has dipped at 575 with no casualties on record although there were 38 victims of stray bullets listed nationwide.

The “nature and nurture” (scare tactic campaign) of Sec. Francisco Duque III worked to the letter and thus the number of people injured and those admitted to various hospitals and health centers were limited this year.

The significant decline in the figures as compared to last year may be considerably attributed to police vigilance in enforcing prohibitions against banned firecrackers although it can be observed in the provinces that prohibited pyrotechnics were still sold discreetly.

All along, we should laud the public’s heightened awareness brought about by the cooperation of—especially of the local media—and other organizations that coordinated with DOH. We hope that this marked improvement will continue in the coming years.

But, may we also suggest to the PNP to amplify more its campaign on police visibility and take notice on watching over private firearms holders and even rude policemen who spoil the occasion by firing their guns in the air.

Oy, kini pa. There are still some people who light their remaining stack of firecrackers. Even though we have to be grateful the economic crunch did keep us from splurging on firecrackers, well, maybe, we can also thank God for the drizzles. Ah rain, come again next New Year’s Eve.

Lugaw for Christmas

2008-12-26T18:38:00.004+08:00

The looming financial crisis predicted to hit our country next year should be received in a positive light, even as the government has already primed extraordinary measures to cushion its impact on the poor and scanty Filipinos.

And even though such measures could not offer similarly credible guarantees, Filipinos should get leverage from this imminent problem by doing cutbacks and restraints in their spending habits.

This early, with our neighboring countries stumbling upon economic recession—like what happened in Japan—for example, such an experience should start rousing our policy makers from their senses and get the picture that what is happening is not as remote and as abstract as it is.

The full impact of the crisis is unambiguous; it will hit us hard by next year with living conditions deteriorating so badly. A deep recession, like the one in the United States, cannot be ruled out. We could only guess our sorry condition getting worse because officials of our land are thinking on something else.

But given our resourcefulness plus our eager outlook for 2010, the needed pool of currency to reassure our markets would be attained since politicians, by the way, those running for an electoral position, will be racing to spend, pay out and squander on people.

This may still be the good news for the meantime. With three to four presidentiables spending for the national and local elections in 2010, such deed will help lighten the impact of the global financial crisis, albeit their spending may be restricted or limited in some degree because of too little contributions from supporters.

For now, lugaw-lugaw lang usa atong kan-on.

Bedroom boredom

2008-08-06T10:15:00.001+08:00

The issue on reproductive health has brought pastoral concerns from the high and mighty Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to impose its will on couples to adhere and use only the allowable method of natural family planning.

It has been the official stand of the Catholic Church to do away with contraceptives and the like, even condemning anybody insisting on using it for procreation or political agenda and sensationalism. Now, this often tackled issue remains due to the vehemence of several lawmakers to have the so-called “anti-life” and “anti-family” bills passed in Congress, in the light of bishops retaining a considerable influence on some of the congressmen.

Although the bishops do support family planning it seems not to be that effective since it allows only abstinence or the rhythm method. What we need, therefore, is a drastic measure for curbing population surge but whether how to do it between and by married couples; the government and the militant church should only give guidelines and leave the couple to do their intercourse. We need a reproductive health bill that is consent of conscience and general welfare and not the one promoting contraceptive culture.

Since then, other than the Catholic Church, the media is also seen as one of the main impediments to the realization of a favorable policy environment for sexual and reproductive health rights in the country, dubbed as “third-party interventionists” and influence to the political structure.

There has been a legal demarcation between Church and State and the church’s interference in political matters has obscured that so-called “separation,” given the fact that religion is hardly a factor in family planning decisions, as what Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations consistently showed. Mainstream media, likewise, was blamed for covering only a substantial aspect of reproductive health issues; oftentimes taking into account only the church’s views.

NO STORY IS WORTH DYING FOR

2008-07-12T10:50:00.001+08:00

By now, Ces Drilon and other members of the national media must have realized the risks involved in scooping on dangerous assignments without ensuring first their safety. The National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) is right in saying Ces’ kidnapping sends a clear message to other members of the media to contemplate and accept the incident as a sober reminder.

But it should be worth telling that the first time the kidnapping was reported, ABS-CBN requested to respect the privacy of the Drilon family. Saying it was astounding, given ABS-CBN’s tendency to take off carelessly with their reports (for the sake of scoop) when somebody other than their crews or anchors get kidnapped and experience the same plight. Of course, we deplored the incident and we don’t want it to happen again, as we thank God that Ces Drilon, her crew and MSU Professor Octavio Dinampo returned home unharmed.

What happened may also be an embarrassment to the Arroyo government, having led the country to become one the most dangerous in the world for journalists. Ces Drilon and company being kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group make up for a heinous crime. The police and the military have long said the ASG has dwindled or have died of starvation but with the recent kidnapping, what is more plausible is their impotence.

On the other side, Ces and company should be blamed for ignoring security precautions in covering dangerous areas such as Sulu for a scoop. Ces is no invincible lady. She can discern that she is no ordinary reporter. She is an asset of ABS-CBN and surely, not an ordinary media organization either. And thus whether they admit to this or not, ransom may have been paid in millions, we doubt it.

Having said this, the national media, or even locals, should now be careful in entering danger zones and the like. Mediamen all around have been kidnapped, threatened, killed or attacked for stepping on the toes of some drug lord, grambling lords and dishonest politicians. Worse, the perpetrators are able to get away scot-free. It is only pitiful that only a few are getting the justice that they deserve. Take it from us, no story is ever worth dying or agonizing for, that’s true. Ces and company certainly know how correct this statement is.

Truth is incontrovertible. And we need it, Sir

2007-10-27T16:58:00.001+08:00

ACCORDING to Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Lainnec, “Do not fear to repeat what has already been said. Men need the truth dinned into their ears many times and from all sides. The first rumor makes them prick up their ears, the second registers, and the third enters.” Perhaps this saying this should nail straight into Gov. Leo Ocampos, president of the League of the Provinces of the Philippines (LPP).

If Ocampos wants to earn the esteem of Misamisnons who are now seeking for certainty in the alleged “cash gifts” being distributed indiscreetly to some governors in one of their meetings in Malacañang, then it’s about time that he start telling the truth and desist from being sacrosanct.

Whatever name they call it: allowance, cash gift, donation or “bribe” as the opposition calls it, money coming from Malacañang would clearly smacks of a bribery for which the official or officials concerned be charged in court.

The public have become suspicious that something fishy is going on because of the LPP’s mottled pronouncements on the issue. Money being given in wads of P200 to P500-thousand is big, really big and the LPP, being hard up on funds could not have been the source of the said money.

How could the LPP have distributed the money without Ocampos’ consent, which according to their constitution is the final approving authority for the release of any fund, is a question.

Just like him, the probinsiyanos were equally bewildered when the national media feasted on it for a time while the governor was late in his pronouncements, saying he has no knowledge of the things happening within his front yard.

The constituents know the governor and his deeds very well, having put him on his pedestal for all the terms he has enjoyed and they do not want him to be entangled in disgrace and humiliation, similarly, become a sycophant to the powers that be.

As this issue has already besmirched the integrity of the House, where some of its congressmen said they received their share of money too, we hope that it won’t do the same to the LPP, which has claimed to stay neutral in the latest impeachment complaint filed against the President.

People are already fed up of lies from politicians. According to Miguel de Cervantes, “Truth indeed rather alleviates than hurts, and will always bear up against falsehood, as oil does above water.” We hope that Ocampos will give us our due of the truth and nothing but the whole truth.

Para maging malinis, kailangang magbayad nga malaking halaga

2007-10-27T16:57:00.000+08:00

THE so-called tokens or gift-giving purportedly by Malacañang to congressmen and local officials is a sign that Malacañang has a big purse, a purse that rattles like bells.

Some wads of P200,000 and P500,000 in cash inside brown envelopes is indeed something dubious in exchange for what? For the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo?

As Inquirer’s Neal Cruz puts it, Arroyo holds the number of impeachment complaints filed against her but not one of them has even gotten off the ground because of those “token,” well, as he puts it squarely, “bribery.” And those congressmen and governors are up in their necks denying to death they received their share.

Cruz further calls them “political butterflies,” flocking to the party in power, all pre-occupied with surviving and taking no mind for reforming our country sullied by this culture of corruption.

The way we see it, this penchant of the palace using pork barrel allocations to keep the congress in tow will then be replicated by the congressmen in their respective localities, doing the same to their constituents and even to the media. So on and so forth, corruption breeds.

This should be enough to make society concerned with our state of governance. The president was accordingly hurt on the statements by the opposition that she “tolerated” the said gift-giving foray in Malacañang last October 11. Well then, at least that would prod her to lift a finger on that matter.

But would she? Even not granting that she was widely seen as the mastermind and the source of the “bribes,” a little short of saying that practically every allegation of bribery has been traced, if not to her but to Malacañang, her home.

Indeed it hurts the country more as public perceptions of the degree of corruption says that our country is steadily slipping, particularly under the Arroyo administration, according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2006, ranking the Philippines as 121st among 163 countries.

So tarnished, what we need now is to cleanse ourselves to this ghastly image. But with how? With Tide? Para maging malinis, kailangan magbayad ng malaking halaga. Di na kami magugulat niyan.

2007-10-04T09:10:00.000+08:00

Wui bisdak, check kuno ni beh!

Palihug diay ko ug siyagit, kadtong mga bisdak bloggers nga wala nako maapil sa akong blog roll dinhi.

Tungod sa kadaghan nato'g himuon kada adlaw di na nako madahan tanan.

Pasensiya sad nga panalagsa ra ko maka-post, ubay-ubay ang pista dinhi akong gitambongan. Pamahaw, paniudto ug panihapon.

Sige, pag-chur mo, sinngit lang ug wala ka maapil. Puhon tabi na ta inig lingkod nako'g balik dinhi. Salamat mga ka-uso!

2007-10-01T19:14:00.001+08:00

Abalos resigns

COMMISSION on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. has resigned amid accusations that he brokered the national broadband network contract between Chinese supplier ZTE Corp. and the DOTC. He said the issues have affected his and his family’s privacy. To err his human, to resign is discernment.

***
Cabinet execs and five military officials who were subpoenaed by the Senate for its investigation into the wiretapping scandal during the 2004 presidential elections scandal ignored the summons and failed to appear at the inquiry Monday. Scooby Doo, where are you?

***
In a trial, a small town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand: a grandmotherly, elderly woman.

He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"

She responded, "Why, yes I do know you, Mr.Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy. And frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat onyour wife, you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a rising big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?"

She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, he has a drinking problem. The man can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. Yes, I know him."

The defense attorney almost died!

At this point, the judge brought the courtroom to silence, called both counselors to the bench, and in a very quiet voice said, "If either of you bastards asks her if she knows me, you'll be jailed for contempt!" Wahaha

***
Asian American lawyers in San Francisco support same-sex union. A coalition of over 60 local, state and National Asian American organizations will be filing a legal brief in support of equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. This will be another headache for the Catholic church

***
Senate Majority Leader Kiko Pangilinan condemned government's apparent propensity to engage in dubious communications projects, saying these deals rob the nation millions of pesos that could be allocated to education. You see, sir, money really is not the root of all evil. It’s the wicked modus of acquiring money that is

***
An Italian parachutist survived a 2,000 feet fall without a scratch after his parachute failed and he landed in a ploughed field in Croatia. A man with hard balls and tough legs

***
In Thailand, no one may step of any of the nation’s currency. All the bills and coins in Thailand have a picture of the King printed on them. As the King is highly revered, stepping on his likeness can not only get you landed in jail, but can also lead to a serious beating. In the Philippines, they even forge, write grafitti or misspell the President’s surname printed on the bill

2007-09-25T13:53:00.001+08:00

Martial Law still exist in Mindanao today

THE nature of frats and their tribal mentality, deadly rivalries, fixation on painful initiations, and “Ometa”, the supposed code of silence, according to Howie Severino, is being debated in light of the death of UP junior Cris Mendez, allegedly in a hazing ritual of Sigma Rho fraternity. Severino explicates that this “is one of those confounding contradictions that most Sigma Rho brods aspire to become lawyers and practice a profession that was created by civilization so we don't have to kill each other to resolve disputes. But in UP, you risk getting killed just to become a brod. What good is your brotherhood when you’re dead?

***
Malacañang's move to suspend the ZTE and Cyber Education Project (CEP) is timely yet belated, says Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. The Supreme Court has already issued a restraining order on the ZTE broadband deal, while CEP's suspension only prolongs the verdict on this very expensive education project: Will it be scrapped altogether, or will the government revive it later on when the issue on this broadband deals die down? It shouldn’t have happened in the first place, Sir.

***
A new Senate Bill pushed by Sen. Chiz Escudero seeks to penalize influence peddling or the mere act of representing oneself to another person having a transaction or request with the government. According to Escudero, the bill seeks to set up an effective deterrent to nip corruption at the bud and prior to any damage being inflicted upon government coffers as well as on our people with legitimate transactions or dealings with the government. With no law at present on that, I commend Escudero’s move, we were right in putting him there.

***
With various controversies hounding her administration, Arroyo’s net satisfaction rating has dropped to 11 percent, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey. Let’s break it down: 34 percent said they are satisfied while 45 percent say otherwise. A Senate reinvestigation of the Hello Garci wiretapping controversy and the more controversial NBN deal beset by allegations of kickbacks and overpricing is bringing Arroyo down faster that Estrada could circle his little cell.

***
David Prouse, the man inside the Darth Vader suit in Star Wars spoke all of his lines in the first movie. He did not know that his voice was being dubbed over with that of James Earl Jones until he saw the finished movie. Talk about double talk.

***
Filipino boxer Sean Paul Aquitania and seven-month old son, Sean Jr. were both shot dead last Sept 14 in Country Greens Court, Sacramento while visiting a friend. The police are still hunting down the two young suspects.Filipinos are not safe anywhere in the world anymore.

***
Martial Law still exists in Mindanao, particularly in Moro areas under the pretext of pulverizing terrorists while the public is still being made to believe that the terrorist scare justifies anti-people measures like the Human Security Act and all-out war in Moro communities, even during Ramadhan, the holy month of fasting, says the MILF.When will this end?

***
The Asian Institute of Management Policy Center and the Philippine Consulate General in New York are launching the book entitled “Democracy & Discipline: Fidel V. Ramos and His Philippine Presidency” by Dr. W. Scott Thompson and Dr. Federico M. Macaranas in New York. When you’re good and smart, your life will be “a book” but if you’re bad and immoral, you will be “booked.”

***
Africa is predicted to be the continent that will be worst hit by global warming and climate change, with extreme rains and floods and no end in sight to the downpours that are swallowing towns and forcing over a million to flee their homes.Same here.

2007-09-24T14:26:00.000+08:00

Was Pope Paul II euthanized?

CONGRESSMEN from Mindanao are reported to be concerned only with their own districts and not with the outcome of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, says Gabriela Party-list Rep. Luz Ilagan. Well, not if the MILF will vote for them too.

***
Gutalac, ZamboNorte Mayor Carloto says DENR personnel are leading the destruction of forestlands in the municipality by getting involved in illegal logging. Immediate investigation on those implicated should be made, and those proven guilty should be “cut loose” from government service.

***
Who is he speaking for? Who is funding this young man?, asks Senator Miriam Santiago of Joey de Venecia III on the matter of the controversial broadband project. “The level of political noise he is making is extremely high. You and I know that you won’t get this kind of publicity just making allegations without any proof at all. So this must be a very expensive campaign.” Is that campaign Maa’m as expensive as in the last election? Ask me lang po.

***
Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz answer: "Ominous are the signs and disturbing are the times in the country. There is one too many gross and scandalous corruption in the halls of power. There is so much flagrant and disgusting deceit among those holding public offices and supposedly occupying places of honor. Where have all the decent and honorable political leaders gone? What happened to all honest and credible national public officials? Where is the incumbent administration driving people to? Yes, Monsignor, they’re driving us nuts.

***
Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. wants to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) because of the general observation that it is no longer serving its purpose as a training ground for youth leaders. The Cebuano leader said SK leaders neglect their duties but continue on receiving salaries and in several cases, the SK chairmen are oftentimes not around in their respective towns because they are studying in colleges and universities elsewhere. You hit the nail, Sir. In our place, SK leaders don’t look young anymore. Let’s change it to “Sangguniang Katiguwangan” then.

***
It was widely known that during the Stalin era, education in Russia was stressed. As a result, a majority of Russian women and men are very intelligent and hold degrees. In fact, Russia’s literacy rate is about 98 percent. Maa’m Gloria, narinig u po?

***
Former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Secretary and current Commission on Higher Education chairman Romulo Neri is ready to spill the beans on those involved in the controversial national broadband project of the Arroyo government, says the Daily Tribune. If so, who will pick up the slop? Somebody's gonna cry over spilled beans, I think.

***
Filipino bloggers frustrated with NBN Senate investigation, says the Asian Journal Online. Bloggers bewailed on the senators’ lack of the technical knowledge on the controversial national broadband network (NBN) project. Politics and poli-technology don’t match, I think again.

***
Italian medical professor and Intensive care specialist Dr. Lina Pavanelli says in her new book that Pope John Paul II didn't just simply slip away as his weakness and illness overtook him in April 2005 but that his death was caused by what the Catholic Church itself would consider euthanasia. The failure to insert a feeding tube into the patient until just a few days before he died accelerated John Paul's death, she said. Oh-uh, there goes the sins of the Fathers.

2007-09-24T10:14:00.000+08:00

Echegaray, Superstar

Samtang nangukay ko gabii sa akong mga butang, nakit-an nako ning gitipigan ko nga clippings sa Freeman Mindanao, sa dihang nag-kolumnista ko nila. Nindot ni akong ipagawas sa akong blog para mabasa sa uban, ingon ko sa kaugalingon. Ning panahona kusog kaayo ang gidahumang pagbitay ni Leo Echegaray, kadtong amahan nga milugos kuno sa iyang anak baye ug nahimong sacrificial lamb ni kanhi Presidente Joseph Estrada sa iyang hugot nga baruganan mahitungod sa Capital Punishment sa nasud. Samtang ang lokal nga talan-awon ug pudyot-pudyot nga panghitabo sa tibuok kapupud-an walay kalainan sa kasamtangang panghitabo karon. Ania ang tibuok sinulat ko sa akong column nga Gee Pussyfoot, penetsahan Nobyembre 29, 1998:

Prisoners in the New Bilibid Prison staged noise barrage and hunger strike in protest of Echegaray’s execution. There’s a kind of hush!

***
Crusade against Violence (CAV) happy with the news of Echegaray’s execution, hopes the punishment will deter crime in the country. It will not work I tell you.

***
Philippines need increased US support. Moral support?

***
MILF: Low profile kami in negotiating with kidnappers.
GOVT: Ready, lights camera, action!

***
Echegaray’s execution extended until after Christmas. You better not pout I’m telling you why.

***
Several videokarera operators in Ozamiz fled with their illegal gambling machines as PNP operatives conduct raid. Build, operate, transfer.

***
Residents along the unfinished Gaisano building in front of the Public Market told to clean their surroundings by the city’s first lady. Make it clean and green not yellow and dirty.

***
President Erap firm on decision of not granting clemency to Echegaray. Walang tutulong sa Pilipino kundi ang kapwa Pilipino.

***
Bus bombings rock Mindanao. Pain in the ass.

***
Modernize PNP, says Sec. Mercado. Empty all politicians’ pockets.

***
Echegaray overboard for asking numerous requests. Hey, the government is no genie.

***
Advisory: When riding a bus in Mindanao, look under your seat.

***
Cebu Governor Pablo Garcia says Narcom lacks credibility, exhorts “Go, go, go” attitude. Go, go power rangers or go, ninja, go?

***
Odd-even scheme not effective in Manila. Ban all tires

***
Echegaray’s marriage request to live-in partner denied. One is enough, sir.

***
Government says General Fabian Ver will be accorded full military honors. Palabra de honor.

***
Intelligence reports warn Ozamiz businessmen to be vigilant for kidnap-for-ransom gangs now lurking in the city. The early bird tells the worm.

***
No TV exposure for Echegaray’s execution. Short circuits.

***
Correction: Carabeef is Indian Buffalo meat
Challenge: Legislate for specific labeling
Consideration: Consumer rights
Conclusion: Put your foot into your mouth.

2007-09-24T09:36:00.001+08:00

Let Manny pak dem ol

The country is teeming with opinion on the candidacy of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. Some are saying that he should go for it while the lesser few say on the contrary.

This one may be a legitimate state interest to ponder upon. Let’s give the rich guy the fighting chance and the benefit of our doubts for to bar him from running is a detriment of civil liberty and the democratic right to access of government position.

Let’s see him level off with other intelligent lawyers and doctors and actors in congress. Let him rub elbows with those more experienced so that he will learn soon and will make use of his know-how amid his lack of degree in competency and reasonability.

His comparative disadvantage because of his lack of education is not a hindrance to seeking an elective post. You see, there are lawyers, doctors and actors brighther than him but they just sit there and do nothing.

To say that Manny cannot deliver well and should not be elected is discriminating and may exclude those who do not have the qualification but are equally competent. In short we are depriving him and the likes of him, their advocacy.

On the other side, Manny sitting in the congress will be a lousy one, courtesy of lousy voters. Electing him into office spells trouble while those around him will be the ones who rake the benefit.

No one can serve two masters, either he serve one or despise the other. Manny must have read that somewhere. This thought should have provoked some reflection on him why he paid attention to the proddings of his selfish friends.

Seriously, people will be doing a great deed by forgetting Manny.

Editorial I wrote in the Mindanao Monitor
Feb. 21, 2007

2007-09-24T09:34:00.001+08:00

Suntok sa Buwan

If dreams were sold a penny like text loads, PAG-ASA’s Bernardo Soriano must have purchased a bagful of it.

In last week’s issue of the Philippine Free Press (January 20, page 24), the space science chief’s assertion was printed, like saying that he wanted to sieze the chance of getting the Filipino out of his brown soil and literally into the moon. How to get there is through his proposed Philippine Aeronautics and Space Administration (PASA), sort of our version of the indefatigable NASA of the United States.

While not discounting that we have made a contribution in US space programs like the invention of the first space rover, isn’t it a bit weird for a Filipino walking around the moon? For what, space suit competition? To expand our knowledge in physics, chemistry and electronics, as what Soriano claims would be? We can’t even obviously predict imminent typhoons and tsunamis passing though the equator, how much more for a Filipino to fly a rocket to the moon. A baby rocket maybe.

And to produce space scientists from our race, we need to spare billions of money. Why, we can even afford to feed our hungry streetchildren and our rotting trillions of ominous debts, how much more for sending one bright Filipino to space. Astronomers, stargazers, starstruck, starcinema, and superstars perhaps we have. But a space scientist? Come on. Indeed there are other pressing needs like healthcare, the OFWs and the lumads.

And this rocket thing, how are we going to build it? From the NSC’s scrap yard? The government even turned a deaf ear to Daniel Dingel’s water-powered car. Well, maybe, as we said it, dreams may be sold a pence but as for now, let us wake up to reality, bear our unbearable sorrows and please, we hope the people in the government will refrain from dreaming impossible dreams or better yet, fend off from reaching the unreachable stars.

Editorial I wrote in the Mindanao Monitor
Jan. 24, 2007

2007-09-24T09:32:00.001+08:00

Supernatural

”Nemo cum alterius detrimento potest.” One cannot unjustly enrich oneself at the expense of another. This will be our imposing message for the start of the year 2007 since we have seen ample precedents that show that a few well-off human beings are manipulating the events of our country, locality and environment with their opulence, authority and wealth.

Wars, oppression, domination, cruelty, coercion, hostilities, annihilation, and intractable conflicts happen around us because of such wayward thinking that afflicts these few—the thought that opulence, authority and wealth begets the equivalent.

This rather wicked, accepted wisdom is dragging our country into its present state along with all the disadvantaged lot of unfortunate and underprivileged folks who are reduced to thinking a different view of life--that those who possess the opulence, authority and wealth are “supernatural beings.”

In truth, apart from the eyes of the derelicts, these supernaturals are the brazenly kleptocratic leaders, land-grabbers, mendacious, cheats, and the bozos who always have a knack of fooling everybody all the time with less effort.

The year 2007 is a year ripe for changes, except for the Cha-cha. Wealth will be flowing like milk and honey as the May elections is but a few months away. The very exercise that was muddled by devious and dishonorable cheating a few years ago is now seen by these underpriviledged as an advantage for them to improve and get an answer to the country’s woes.

The “supernaturals” likewise are too happy to get the chance to fool their faithfuls again with a spell of rain of financial gifts.

For this year, let us contemplate on the big choices we are yet to make and the regretful deeds we have done in the past, which brought us these calamities and chastisement.

For incumbent politicians and the would-be bastards, don’t think too much and do small talk. Remember that when you unreasonably enrich yourself at the expense of another poor citizen, your abuse will be the one that leads to your fall and ruin.

Editorial I wrote in the Mindanao Monitor
Jan. 10, 2007

2007-09-24T09:30:00.001+08:00

To invent or not to invent?

Filipinos are known geniuses in the field of discovery and fabrication. His inventions have attained international prestige; inventions such as Eduardo San Juan’s Lunar Rover, Engr. Diosdado Banatao’s Graphical User Interface (GUI) for computer monitors, Abelardo Aguilar’s’ Erythromycin (Ilosone); Wilmo Orejola’s harmonic scalpel; Felix D. Maramba Sr’s power generator fed by charcoal and coconut oil; Rodolfo Arambulo’s Multishock bullet; Eddie Urcia’s world’s fastest bike with 48-gear combinations, to name a few.

Ever wondered who discovered that water from young coconut could be used as universal urinary stone solvent? His name is Dr. E. V. Macalalag Jr., chief urologist of the Philippine Army General Hospital. He called the procedure as bukolysis.

Worth saying but pitiful are the plights of Francisco Quisumbing, who sold his Quink pen ink to Parker for international consumption; Juanito Simon’s Tribotech, now used by McDonnell Douglas in AH-65 Apache combat support helicopters and Daniel Dingel’s water-powered car and prototype that uses electricity from a 12-volt car battery to transform ordinary tap water with salt into deuterium oxide or heavy water.

Remember Roberto del Rosario? The inventor of the piano keyboard stressing device, and the one-man-band (OMB)? The OMB was later developed as the Sing-Along-System (SAS) to aid his voice students. It was copied by the Japanese who named their device the karaoke.

Given the flair and talent for inventing things, why is the Filipino still in dismal condition? The answer is simple. It is because of his inadequacy to turn his inventions into competitively marketable products and services.

Fairly enough, we in Mindanao, what have we here? The government still has to fulfill its promise in putting up the Intellectual Property Office satellite office, which should have made patent research facility and support services easily accessible.

IPO’s office in the island would hasten registration because instead of spending more money for Manila trips, our inventors could spare more resources to improve their inventions and go away the risk of exposing their patent applications to piracy. But the very government that encourages Filipinos to invent has lost its sincerity in paying attention to the capacity of our inventors.

The present and true state of Mindanao inventors is a sign of the government’s neglect of to its citizens. Many significant inventions from here should have been developed but instead were stalled because the government did not prioritize them.

They should have established a patent research training, facility, and a showroom for inventors, including the accreditation of Mindanao-based patent agents who could assist fellow local inventors.

Editorial I wrote in the Mindanao Monitor
Dec. 13, 2006

2007-09-24T09:27:00.001+08:00

Party animals

It is once said that politicians will always get out of everything except from office. In many cases, the public figure in him will always deal with ensuring his victory amidst the warm and cozy spot of public office.

Accept this as true or not; a politician’s mind is always thinking of ensuring his continous influence and power, mingling this with a mince of screwed public service, actions calculated to please the majority.

And to guarantee survival, he looks for a highly flavored and strong political party. Sometimes, he treads where angels dare not walk, knowing fully well that his virtuous and sorry moves will affect his constituents’ option when he runs in the election.

For him, it is always a win-win-win situation, as he gad about and switch around political parties. In politics, the term party switching refers to any change in party affiliation of a partisan public figure, usually one currently holding elected office.

Such an example is the recent defection of ZamboSur officials from the governing party to the Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC), headed by the Cerilles couple.

The NPC is an opposition, which takes form of politicians refusing or is supposed to be unfriendly with PGMA who belongs to the ruling party but a marvel can be seen at this point because they all pledged support for her.

A number of reasons can be gleamed from this. First, it could be their ethical obligation to change sides because they are no longer aligned with those of the current party. Second, to stay in power and influence is always a motive. Third, it is always a gain and advantage of being in the majority. Lastly, everybody wants to “get elected,” thinking the election is based on reaching a size that threatens.

Constant switching of allegiance is a distrustful move and is in conflict to the minds of bright voters. While parties make certain relative political stability, what is more important and crucial is the verdict of the people.

Let us see next year when the challenge comes in as the people are given the rare opportunity to sift those who are doing well and those who are only doing the bidding of the selfish few. If there is comfort we can derive from this, hear ye—at all times the cure is always a clear conscience.

Editorial I wrote in the Mindanao Monitor
Dec. 6, 2006

2007-09-24T09:23:00.000+08:00

When familiarity breeds in a journalist

Journalists who are expected to champion the people’s cause should have no other interest than serve the public.

And while not discounting the long realized risk of the media losing life and limb because of adversarial reportage, it can also be gleamed that on the other side of the coin is his penchant for being a creep, slither and a sycophant, especially to politicians.

Being so is not the translated call to public service but a negative and damaging merit not only to him but also to other members of the press, as insulting to his profession as he is tainted into becoming the latter’s pet and darling.

Later on he will be as unscrupulous as the politicos who spoil him with dole outs and the like. The result is always the obvious—a slant of the media man’s story or silence on certain issues affecting his benefactors.

Of course, the right of the journalist to go about with his job must be restricted by nothing but for considerations of public welfare, for the entity he works for, his family and friends; it is always a gain for him if he exercises delicadeza, unselfishness, high trust and independence.

Partisanship has no room in the mandates of journalism especially as it departs from the truth. Unfortunately, the journalist with all his time and energy is consumed by his desire to find an alternative way to get out of his pitiable condition by doing so.

This is a growing concern and danger. In fact, while the country leads in being the freest in the practice of the freedom of speech and expression, some journalists take advantage of the freedom by becoming freeloaders.

Editorial I wrote in the Mindanao Monitor
Nov. 15, 2006

2007-09-24T09:22:00.001+08:00

Ozamiz's self-delusion as it takes the plunge

The demotion of Ozamiz City from 2nd to 3rd class status may not be alarming at first look but economic and financial consequences may soon say otherwise.

The city’s present predicament is due to its failure to meet the new bracketing system imposed by the Department of Finance, which increased from P155 million to P240 million or more for second-class cities. Although in instance the city coffers have made an assurance that it collected a surplus of P17 million this year, it still is not enough to cover the salaries of employees and other expenditures of the city. Add to this drawback is the purported P42 million deficit.

The city has lots of funds. Take for example the money wasted in paying employees who are hardly working in their respective offices, or those who malinger in their job; the bi-monthly income of the basketball tickets and the stash of receipts we got from the 250th year anniversary of the Cotta. Where was it anyway?

When the city needs immediate cold cash for the travel of its officials, it can actually and readily provide but here’s an irony—take sight of casuals and volunteers who sweat their lives and limb in the sun but are left unpaid until now. Let this be an opener for Mayor Parojinog least he thinks that being demoted is again a demolition job against himself and his administration.

What to do for now, we propose, is for the city to tighten its belt and get away with huge, everyday expenditures, useless and superfluous junkets; and for the city to enforce its ordinances and city laws to the letter.

For now, we should stop being disillusioned that we can dribble good, shoot well and score tall when indeed we trail inelegantly as compared to other cities younger than us and formerly undeveloped but have now become metropolitans.

Even tall trees sometimes bend. What happened to Ozamiz now is financial freedom that turned into financial downturn.

Editorial I wrote in the Mindanao Monitor
Nov. 8, 2006

2007-09-24T09:19:00.000+08:00

Change is no match to the irksome

The transfer of merchants and vendors from the old public market in Ozamiz to its new site in the Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal (IBJT) shows the strong political will of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.

We previously thought this administration has none since given the enormous complaints in the past that kept on replicating over and over again, like the utilization of the IBJT as a parking site for buses, vans and jeepneys and the heedless throwing of unsegregated garbage, it seems no action has been shown.

Added to that is the city’s list of petty crimes like hold-up, pick pocketing and cell phone snatching, which has already bothered residents and students.

If not only for the decisive relocation of the merchants and vendors to its present location now due to the renovation of the old public market in the city proper, we doubt if there might be an inch of change in the city’s perennial traffic, garbage and parking problem.

Because only in Ozamiz where everybody asserts his or her affinity with Parojinog just to break away from penalties brought by his or her violations. Of course, the Mayor is not at all happy with everybody dropping his name all the time.

While there are definite signs of development in the city, we still find Ozamiz lagging behind other metropolitans in terms of employment, commerce and fabrication concerns. It is awful what we have to brag for is our one-peso barbecue and our conventional trisikad. And even this old-fashioned mode of transport, with its devious driver could still rip a visitor from the port area to anywhere in the city proper bucks from his wallet.

The IBJT has long been a white elephant, a wasteful project damned from the beginning. But it took a simple-minded leader to avail of its advantage. We look forward to the merchants, vendors and residents alike for their adjustments and fine-tuning to the shift of their daily chores and incomes, since this is only provisional.

Still, knowing the Ozamiznons, we are expecting more grumble, protest and gripes to come. There’s no soothing balm for one’s pamper since only in Ozamiz where change is no match to the irksome

Editorial I wrote in the Mindanao Monitor
Oct 4, 2006

2007-09-23T13:59:00.000+08:00

The Panguil Bay Monitor, in retrospection

Some people chose careers and live life productively in their self-reliance and industry but Nesino “Nonie” Paulin Toling chose to live his own, to become a member of the fourth estate and be a vanguard against government abuses and misdeeds.

Apart from the brilliance in the community he became an urchin and proceeded to become one of the most admired writers in Ozamiz. Of course, there were other equally gifted ones during his time but Nonie’s has the punches and the cuffs.

What was known as the most exciting moment in news papering business, he became the warring trigger for erring and lackadaisical government employees, those who have shenanigans to hide and the like.

For me, he was the “Godfather” of local newspapering and with his wits and punches came the Panguil Bay Monitor basking in the glory to become one of the long-lived community papers in Misamis Occidental.

Several years ago, this man gave me a personal gift, through his one-of-a-kind attention and encouragement.

Our meeting was strangely short and passing. He was seated in the other table sipping his coffee while I was seated there across him trying to measure my approach. I was buying something from that fast food center when I spotted him there.

I was too afraid to ask but somehow this bashful fellow in me triggered the conversation. I had to, before my opportunity ran out.

“Manong, maayong buntag, unsay gikinahanglan nako aron maka-contribute ko sa imong newspaper?” came my overture.

“Kabalo ka mosulat?” was the curt reply. “Dili ka mahadlok mamatay?”

The second question gave me enough time to think. Somehow, I said to myself, I will never be a writer. I am afraid to die. However, in order that I do not offend the old man, I said: “Yes.”

Knowing exactly what I need, he whispered, “Pagtoon lang sa. When you are ready, come and see me. If writing is for you, imuha gyod na.”

That polite counsel became my lifelong ambition. "I will be a writer," I would always say to myself.

Somehow, the ambition was almost denied me because a year after that meeting, Nonie was shot dead. It was April 14, 1991.

But the Panguil Bay Monitor didn’t die with him and his legacy lived on for decades and I, that little boy who dreamt to become a writer, grew up and became one.

Today, I still write for that same paper where once blood and sweat toiled.

Happy Birthday Panguil Bay Monitor. September 18.

2007-09-23T13:27:00.001+08:00

Next?

This polluted world of plunderers, cheats and trapos who are making our country sink down under! Si Erap lang ang nasakpan.

Then there's this ongoing probe of China’s ZTE Corp. and the government's controversial deal and allegedly bribe-laced national broadband network (NBN) project which bears proofs of anomalies, graft and corruption--the usual elements in Pinoy transactions.

Are they there yet? I mean, on forecasting who’s next on the podium?

2007-09-15T10:30:00.000+08:00

Pwerte, duh!

2007-09-15T10:29:00.000+08:00

Giapil niya ug hulma akong nawong dinhi

2007-09-15T10:26:00.000+08:00

Bakasyon padulong sa Hawaii

2007-09-15T10:25:00.000+08:00

Balhin ug ihi sir, morag nakabantay man siya.

Calling mga Igot

2007-09-08T11:44:00.000+08:00

Ay sus, kining mga higal ba!

Kagahapon nagkita mi ni Jun "Grabe" Libor sa Oroquieta, nag-abot mi sa session hall sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Malipayon lagi intawon siya sa iyang bag-ong kaplag nga kahibalo sa pagtuslok-tuslok sa keyboard.

Bag-o siya nakapalit ug computer ug nalingaw kuno siya sa pag-chat. Nah, mabasahan na pod ning bay Tito na...

Intawon sir, imong amigo walay lain gikasulti sa amoa didto pulos ra gyod jerjer. Siya pa gyod ang nakabantay ani o..(i-click gani)

Graabbbeeeeee!!!

Doy, salamat kay sa akong pagduaw didto, nindot man diay. Nagpa-miyembro gud dayon ko.
O, Ikaw Nep, Bay Tits?

Si Batang Buotan kaha?

Ayaw ko ninyo ingna.....

Oy, kadtong mga higal nga sige ug pangutana asa ang website address sa scandal, adto mo didto.

Nadakpan na raba si Boy Bastos, hisgot...palayo unta!

Adik sa red pie

2007-09-06T19:11:00.000+08:00

Adunay gikahiligan ko kaniadto sa bata pa ko, kining pan nga gitawag nila ug red pie.

Siyempre, pula ni siya nga pan, ginama gikan sa sagol-sagol nga bahaw’ng pan ug gihulma nga pie crust nga gikoloran ug pula.

Tag-25 sentabos pa ni nagsugod na kog kaon ani.

Daghan ang moingon nga walay lami ang red pie kay gawas sa hugaw, sambog bahaw. Mao gani nadangaan kini ug “bahog-bahog.”

Tinuod, kay kaniadto adunay makit-an nga panit sa mani ug bolahan nga masagol ug masa. Naa pa gani kas-a nga mireklamo ang usa ka customer kay aduna kunoy tiil sa ok-ok naapil sa red pie nga iyang napalit.

Pero bisan pa man, wala ko miundang ug kaon aning red pie.

Dinhi sa Ozamiz, ang nailado nga mobaligya sa red pie kaniadto mao ang Barangay Hot Pan de Sal sa Gomez St.

Wala na ang maong bakery karon kay gitukuran na man kini sa clinic sa Marie Stopes. Adunay laing duha ka bakery sa Tinago kaniadto nga gisuki ko apan nanirado sad sila pipila ka tuig ang milabay.

Karon, ang Go Seng na lang ang tigluto ug red pie. Atbang ni sa Cathedral. Kada ala una sa hapon matagamtam nimo ang init kayo nga red pie gikan sa ilang hurno.

Dili basta-basta ang Go Seng moluto kay dili sila mogamit ug bahaw nga pan.

Miaksiyon ug awat ang Rowena ug Red Cherry kaniadto apan gihimo nilang yellow pie. Wala ganahi ang publiko. Bisan gain siguro ang Julies ug Madelicious dili kahimo ug red pie.

Tag-piso na ang red pie karon ug usa kini sa pinakabarato nga pan dinhi. Dili kakompiyansahan kay daghan na ang makatultol sa Go Seng ug makig-ilog sa pagpalit sa paborito nako nga kan-unon.

Ang cheese bread, coco bread ug uban pa tag-dos pesos na apan ang red pie mao ra gihapon ang presyo. Kada pamainit namo sa akong barkada didto sa Go Seng red pie gyod akong orderon.

Red pie? Adik ko ani, kaniadto pa. Maayo na lang ni kaysa mag-shabu.

Reunion sa 4H club, busog mi

2007-09-06T18:26:00.000+08:00

September 3, Lunes, pwerting sayoha sa buntag mikalit ug butho si Jun Lira sa Ozamiz.

Iyang tinuod nga ngalan Eugenio Lira Jr., kanhi chief of PPA port police. Taga-Surigao. Maisog nga tawo ug nindot modala sa panaghigala. Broadcaster kanhi sa RMN-Surigao. Naila-ila ko ni siya kaniadto sa dihang nahimo nakong beat ang pantalan.

Maglibog kaayo ko kay sa iyang kabag-o pa dinhi sa among siyudad, daghan na siyag kaila nga mga babaye. Kada adlaw adunay mobisita kaniya.

Tuig 2003 sa dihang nasuud ko siya pag-ayo, sige gani siya ug pangimbitar namo sa iyang gamay nga payag sulod sa pantalan. Tungod sa among kasuud ug sa iyang trabaho isip usa sab ka mediaman, gihimo namo siyang kauban sa lokal nga kahugpungan.

Si Jun maoy nahimo namong "honorary presider" sa among informal nga grupo nga gitawag namo ug FOUR H Club--acronym sa "Hubog-hubog, Habal-habal." Tungod niya, sige ming kabilar kaniadto kay magsige ug laag-laag magabii.

Apan kadyot lamang ang kalipay namo kay gibalhin man siya sa Zamboanga City port. Pero nagpadayon gihapon ang among panag-higalaay pinaagi sa text.

"Pare, nia ko sa stasyonan naghulat nimo," maoy text message nga mipukaw nako nianang alas 5:30 pa. Nagpamilok ko's kahapdos sa akong mata. Agoy, kay igo sad na-check op ko mao nga gipasagdan ko na lang. Wala ko mibalos. Ligid-ligid pa ko kadyot.

Mga alas 9:00 miapas ko sa ilang Oliver kay atoa na silang duha ni Neptalie namahaw. Naatlan ko sila nga kamulong hungit. Naniwang si Jun, tan-aw nako, siguro tungod kay diabetic man ni siya kaniadto pa.

Mag-renew diay siya sa iyang KBP license dinhi mao nga nakahapit ug panawag namo. Duda ko adunay laing tuyo ang akong amigo. Aduna man gud ni siyay nabilin dinhi. Morag tawo, morag butang--ambot asa ana.

Mao gihapon si Jun hangtod karon. Kung makakuyog ka niya busog ka kanunay. Gibutdan gud mi ni Neptalie sa among tiyan human niadto. Pagkataud-taud human sa maong pamahaw, istorya kadyot, dayon paniudto na pod. Whew!

Nananghid siya nga mouli na human sa among pagpaniudto sa Don Pedro. Pwerting higop niya sa bulalo samtang gitabangan namo ni Neptalie ug kusi ang usa ka order nga manok. Tag-duha mi ka bundo nga rice ug laing tinagurha nga botelya sa 7-UP.

Sa among pagpauli adunay misugat ni Jun nga babaye, mihalog ug morag miiyak. Sa kamingaw siguro, Nep, matod ko pa sa akong kuyog. Amoang gipasagdan ang huna-huna namo nga magdula sa makadiyot pagkahuman misuhid na mi sa dalan nag-iyahay ug pauli.

Nabusog ko kaayo wala na ko manihapon anang gabiuna. Si Neptalie nabusog pod. Pero mas nabusog siguro si Jun tungod kay wala makawang ang iyang pagduaw dinhi. Tungod ug alang kanimo Jun, buhi kanunay ang mithi sa Four H Club.

Habal-habal, Hubog-hubog.

Six inches

2007-08-31T10:44:00.000+08:00

Coming into the bar and ordering a double, the man leaned over and confided to the bartender, "I'm so pissed off !"

"Oh yeah? What happened?" asked the bartender politely.

"See, I met this beautiful woman who invited me back to her home. We stripped off our clothes and jumped into bed and we were just about to make love when her god damned husband came in the front door. So I had to jump out of the bedroom window and hang from the ledge by my fingernails!"

"Gee, that's tough!" commiserated the bartender.

"Right, but that's not what really got me aggravated," the customer went on.

"When her husband came into the room he said 'Hey great! You're naked already! Let me just take a leak.' And damned if the lazy son of a bitch didn't piss out the window right onto my head?"

"Yeech!" the bartender shook his head. "No wonder you're in a lousy mood."

"Yeah, but I haven't told you what really, really got to me.

Next, I had to listen to them grunting and groaning and when they finished, the husband tossed his condom out of the window. And where does it land? My damned forehead!"

"Damn, that really is a drag!" says the bartender.

"Oh, I'm not finished. See what really pissed me off was when the husband had to take a dump. It turns out that their toilet is broken, so he stuck his ass out of the window and let loose right on my head !"

The bartender paled. "That would sure mess up my day."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," the fellow rattled on, "but do you know what REALLY, REALLY, REALLY pissed me off? When I looked down and saw that my feet were only SIX inches off the ground!!"

Grandma in court

2007-08-31T10:41:00.000+08:00

Defense Attorney: What is your age?

Little Old Woman: I am 86 years old.

Defense Attorney: Will you tell us, in your own words, what happened to you?

Little Old Woman: There I was, sitting there in my swing on my front porch on a warm spring evening, when a young man comes creeping up on the porch and sat down beside me.

Defense Attorney: Did you know him?

Little Old Woman: No, but he sure was friendly.

Defense Attorney: What happened after he sat down beside you?

Little Old Woman: He started to rub my thigh.

Defense Attorney: Did you stop him?

Little Old Woman: No, I didn't stop him.

Defense Attorney: Why not?

Little Old Woman: It felt good. Nobody had done that since my Abner passed away 30 years ago.

Defense Attorney: What happened next?

Little Old Woman: He began to rub my breasts.

Defense Attorney: Did you stop him then?

Little Old Woman: No, I did not stop him.

Defense Attorney: Why not?

Little Old Woman: Why, Your Honor, his rubbing made me feel all alive and excited. I haven't felt that good in years.

Defense! Attorney: What happened next?

Little Old Woman: Well, I was feeling so spicy that I just spread my old legs and said to him, "Take me, young man, Take me!"

Defense Attorney: Did he take you?

Little Old Woman: Hell, no. That's when he yelled, "April Fool!"….And that's when I shot the son of a bitch!

Woman

2007-08-31T10:39:00.000+08:00

1. It's important to have a woman who helps at home, who cooks from time to time, cleans up and has a job.

2. It's important to have a woman who can make you laugh.

3. It's important to have a woman who you can trust and who doesn't lie to you.

4. It's important to have a woman who is good in bed and who likes to be with you.

5. It's very, very important that these four women don't know each other.

Customer is always right

2007-08-31T10:32:00.000+08:00

A crusty old man walks into a bank and says to the teller, "I want to open a fuckin' checking account."

The astonished woman replies, I beg your pardon, sir. I must have misunderstood you. What did you say?"

Listen up, damn it. I said I want to open a fuckin' checking account now!"

"I'm very sorry sir, but that kind of language is not tolerated in this bank."

The teller leaves the window and goes over to the bank manager to inform him of her situation. The manager agrees that the teller does not have to listen to that foul language.

They both return to the window and the manager asks the old geezer, "Sir, what seems to be the problem here?"

"There is no fuckin problem," the man says. I just won $200 million bucks in the damn lottery and I want to put my fuckin money in this damn bank."

"I see," says the manager, "and is this bitch giving you a hard time?"

Sunday School

2007-08-31T10:29:00.000+08:00

Little Mary was not the best student in Sunday School. Usually she slept through the class.

One day the teacher called on her while she was napping, ''Tell me, Mary, who created the universe?''

When Mary didn't stir, little Johnny, an altruistic boy seated in the chair behind her, took a pin and jabbed her in the rear. ''God Almighty !'' shouted Mary and the teacher said, ''Very good'' and Mary fell back to sleep.

A while later the teacher asked Mary, ''Who is our Lord and Savior?'' But Mary didn't even stir from her slumber.

Once again, Johnny came to the rescue and stuck her again. ''Jesus Christ!'' shouted Mary and the teacher said, ''Very good,'' and Mary fell back to sleep.

Then the teacher asked Mary a third question, ''What did Eve say to Adam after she had her twenty-third child?''

And again, Johnny jabbed her with the pin. This time Mary jumped up and shouted, ''If you stick that damn thing in me one more time, I'll break it in half!'' The Teacher fainted.

Black lagi...

2007-08-31T10:24:00.000+08:00

One day at Chong Hua Hospital, a man suspected of SARS is lying in bed with a mask over his mouth. A young auxiliary nurse arrives to sponge his face and hands.

"Nurse," he mumbles from behind the mask, "Are my testicles black?"

Embarrassed, the young nurse replies, "I don't know Mr Kwan, I'm only here to wash your face and hands."

He struggles again to ask, "Nurse, are my testicles black?" Again the nurse replies, "I can't tell. I'm only here to wash your face and hands."

The Head Nurse was passing and saw the man getting a little distraught so she marched over to inquire what was wrong.

"Nurse," he mumbled, "Are my testicles black?" Being a nurse of long-standing, the Head Nurse was undaunted. She whipped back the bedclothes, pulled down his pyjama trousers, moved his penis out of the way, had a right good look, pulled up the pyjamas, replaced the bedclothes and announced, "Nothing wrong with your testicles!!!"

At this, the man pulled off his mask and yelled, "I SAID... Are my TEST RESULTS BACK !!!"

Oh, we stink more...

2007-08-31T09:31:00.000+08:00

The shortest complete sentence in the English language is “I am.”
The most used letter in the English alphabet is ‘E’, and ‘Q’ is the least used!
Floccinaucinihilipilification, the declaration of an item being useless, is the longest non-medical term in the English language.
Goddessship is the only word in the English language with a triple letter.
The sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” uses every letter of the alphabet!
The sentence “Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs” uses every letter of the alphabet and uses the least letters to do so!
The world’s longest-named lake has 45 letters (Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg).
In the U.S. there are 18 doctors called Dr. Doctor, and one called Dr. Surgeon. There is also a dermatologist named Dr. Rash, a psychiatrist called Dr. Couch and an anesthesiologist named Dr. Gass.
“Rhythm” is the longest English word without a vowel.
The longest word in the English language is ‘pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis’ which describes a lung disease caused by breathing in particles of volcanic matter or a similar fine dust.
“Jack” is the most common name in nursery rhymes.
In the English language there are only three words that have a letter that repeats six times. Degenerescence (six e’s), Indivisibility (six i’s), and nonannouncement (six n’s).
The only three words in the English language to have 2 consecutive u’s is vacuum, residuum, and continuum.
The very first dictionary “The American” took Noah Webster 20 years to put together.
The word “alphabet” is derived from the first two letters in the Greek alphabet: “alpha” and “beta”.
The only word in the English language that has 4 sets of double letters in a row is balloonneer.
A moment is defined as zero seconds long.
The only words with all the vowels listed in order are facetiously and abstemiously.
The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is “uncopyrightable”.
The only word with all the vowels in reverse order is subcontinental.
There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with: orange, purple, and month!
Q is the only letter in the alphabet that does not appear in the name of any of the United States!
Ernest Vincent Wright wrote a novel, “Gadsby”, which contains over 50,000 words — none of them with the letter E! Of all the words in the English language, the word set has the most definitions!

This site stinks? Here's what makes it one

2007-08-31T09:19:00.000+08:00

Hey everybody, this is what makes this site stinks, like the comment of somebody who's dumb enough to show out his disgust in our shout box. Lick this one dude:

Your eyeballs are three and a half percent salt.
An adult has 206 bones, and a newborn has 300.
A sneeze leaves your body at 40 miles per hour.
Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.
Human teeth are almost as hard as rocks.
You blink over 10,000,000 times a year.
Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day.
Pound for pound, your tongue is the strongest muscle in your body.
Your feet may be as much as 5 to 10 percent larger at the end of the day.
Theres more sweat glands on your feet than any other part of your body. An average pair of feet will sweat a pint of perspiration a day.
The human brain is 80% water.
Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin!
Laugh and you’ll burn up three and a half calories, no joke.
An eyelash lives about 5 months.
Like finger prints, everyone’s tongue print is different!

Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails!
One quarter of the bones in your body, are in your feet!
Your ribs move about 5 million times a year, every time you breathe!
On average, one heartbeat pumps five tablespoons of blood.
People use 200 muscles when they walk.
It wasn’t until 1543 that it was proven that a human heart was not the same as an ape’s and that a man did not have one more rib than a woman. Anatomy at this time was considered heresey.
There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.
HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, can survive and remain infectious for up to four days in the lubricants of certain medical and dental devices.
The liver performs more than 500 different functions, including storing vitamins and removing harmful chemicals from the blood.
The DNA helix measures 80 billionths of an inch wide.
Your nose and ears never stop growing.
The average human brain weighs three pounds.
The digestive track in a person’s body is about 30 feet long.
Pain signals travel along hour nerves at 50 feet per second.
The fastest moving muscle in the human body is the one that opens and closes the eyelid.

Babies start dreaming even before they’re born.
Your body has over 40 miles of nerves.
The Christmas holidays are the busiest time in plastic surgeons offices.
The average “facelift” will set you back about $4156.00.
Every three days, you body makes a new lining for your stomach.
If you unfolded your brain, it would cover an ironing board.

MVC Room 200 Batch 90

2007-08-29T16:39:00.000+08:00

Gilaag nako ganina ang mga website nga binisaya ug napadpad ko atong kang Composed Gentleman kay mobotar ko kang Cantilangnon. Sa website ni CG, nakita nako sa ubos ang gi-post nga mga nakapasar sa nursing exams niadtong Hunyo. Sa top 3 tua si Pierre Creed Garin Florendo, graduate sa Mountain View College. 87.20 percent, ok kaayo iyang rating.

Sa tinuod lang, wala ko makaila ni Florendo. Pero kabahin sa iyang gi-eskwelahan nga Mountain View College, kana, naa koy ikasulti kay nag-eskwela ko dinhi niadtong 1990-1991. Usa kini ka adventist school ug para nako, mao ni ang pinakamaanindot nga tulonghaan sa tibuok kalibutan. Kaniadto, sa nagpa-enrol ko, matingala ko nganong moiyak man ang mga estudyante nga masirad-an ug mabalibaran? Natiglom nako ang tubag niini human sa usa ka tuig nga pagpuyo sa maong eskwelahan. Kay diay dili gyod ikabaylo ang klase sa pagtuon ug kasinatian nga makuha nimo sa MVC.

Tipik sa akong kagahapon anaa nabilin sa maong eskwelahan ug lugar. Pulos bukid ang imong malantaw sa palibot, mahubog ka sa mga bukid nga nag-alirong kanimo. Samot kang mahubog sa mga chicks nga hamis ug mga pamanit ug maanyag pa kaayo. Pulos gud utan ang gikaon. Bitaw, kinsang estudyanteha gikan didto ang dili kaila sa "kolorom"? Sa among panahon ug hangtod karon, ilado kaayo ang mopuyo sa Room 200 sa New Boys Dormitory, kanhi kwarto nako. Morag angay tingale maghimo pod sila ug alumni reunion sa tanang mga estudyante nga nakapuyo sa Room 200.

Unom ra kabuok ang maigo sa Room 200 pero sa amoang panahon, napulo mi kabuok didto. Ambot sad tong mga frat boys ganahan man gyod motambay sa among kwarto. Ginadili diay ang fraternity sa MVC hinungdan nga sige ming gi-"wiretap" ug gi-"intel" sa mga dean didto. Daghan ug sekreto sa among lawak. Didto man gud sa kisame adunay agianan padulong sa Power Room ug malili pa nimo tanang okupante padulong ngadto sa sa Room 222. Kung naay mag-scandal gud sayon ra kaayo.

Kini maong lawak duul ra pod sa hagdan, chapel ug lumbay lang sa tulo ka kwarto. Likoanan sad ang atubangan nga bahin sa ubos sa mga High School students ug ang silong nga kwarto walay matulog mao nga pwede mi magpatuyang ug bundak-bundak sa among tiil. Ang atubangan nga bahin sa pultahan usa ka dakong hawan didto mi usahay mag-ping-pong ug magpabanda-banda sa tennis ball. Ang nakabati lang ani kay layo siya sa banyo.

Ambot kaha, kay matod pa ato ni Dean Rodrigo (among naabtan nga dean), pulos daw mga buluyagon ang mabutang sa Room 200. Apil ko sa iyang lista. Mga absenot pod sa worship, sabbath service ug sigeng maka-violate sa curfew. Sabaan, mga bugoy ug sigeng ireklamo nga mang-lili didto sa Girl's Dorm. Kasagaran sad sa nakapuyo sa Room 200 taga-Ozamiz.

Mibalik bitaw ko sa MVC niadtong 2000 ug akong nasaksihan nga nahuman na ang gidamgo nila nga simbahan. Nabag-o na sad ang administration building kay nasunog man paghawa na namo. Nindot na ang palibot. Mga pastor ug maestra na pod ang akoang mga klasmeyt ug kaila kanhi. Wala nako kalimti sa paghapit ang kanhi nako pinuy-anan, ang Room 200. Nagpakuyog ko sa assistant dean kay mosaka ko ug nakita nako nga adunay mga estudyante nga naglingkod sa sulod, morag nagbasa ug bibliya. Naa pa gihapon ang amoang mga grafitti ug posters kaniadto sa dingding.

Gipangutana nako ang assistant dean kon pulos ba to sila mga theology students, wala siya mitubag. Didto sila gipapuyo, siguro aron pagbugaw sa mga dautang kagahapon nga nasinati sa maong lawak. Nah, nawala na ang lalom nga sentimento sa Room 200, ingon ko sa akong kaugalingon.

Pero misambat man ug kalit ang assistant dean ug naputol ang akong paghinuklog. "Ingon ana gyod na sila meyt, morag mga buutan no? hapit na man gud na sila i-sent home. Nangasakpan nagsuyop sa kwarto." Hay salamat, buhing handumanan!

Echa piedra ariba de tuyo kabeza

2007-08-29T13:10:00.000+08:00

Kahinumdum ko kaniadto sa dihang nakauyab ko ug Zamboangueña, napun-an ang akong kahibalo sa pagpanulti. Nahimong upat ang akong pinulungan tungod kay strikto man ang pamilya atong bayhana. Dili ka puwede mosaka sa ilang balay ug dili ka kahibalo mo-chavacano. Pastilan, kining dila lagi ug bisaya gahi man gyod hinungdan nga doble ang paningkamot. Sa wala pa ang tanan, usa ray nahibaw-an nako nga chavacano, gitudlo sa akong tapad kaniadto sa college pa ko. Iyang gihubad ang gisulat sa among maestra sa blackboard nga "The dog barked at the stranger." Gitiman-an nako pag-ayo, "El peiro barko estranghero." Tsk, tsk. Balik ta sa akong istorya, ang unang gitudlo sa akong uyab mao ni: "Echa piedra ariba para sabi iyo talye tu." Buot ipasabot, ibutang ang bato sa ibabaw (sa posteng gamay) aron makabalo ko nga nakauli na ka gikan sa eskwelahan. Maldito, timailhan nako ang gamayng bato nga magtungtong sa sementong poste aron manuktok ko ug daw mamisita na. Wala pa man gud nakagawas ang celfon atong panahona. Pero didto ra gyod ko taman sa garahe kay kung mosaka ko mahurot ang akong tinigom nga chavacano. Ikaduha nakong nahibaw-an, gitudlo sa akong uyab: "Kaba ya yu" Basta hagiton kuno ko ug kaon, motubag lang daw ko ani. Mangutana ang iyang inahan, "Komi ya tu? vine komi ta" Ang aktor, tubag pod dayon ug "Sige, kaba ya yu." Kadtong bugoy nga pag-umangkon sa akong uyab, nakakita diay namo kausa sa garahe nag scandal, este, nag-estorya, misulti nako, "hala, pwede iyo mira kaninyo hunto kamo ni auntie alya na garahe tiene yaase." Mibalos sad ko, bisag wa kasabot pa atong panahona unsa to, "kaba ya doy, antes ra." Daghan kong natun-an sa maong pinulungan pero muangkon ko, "poco lang se pwede iyo aprende," gamay ra gyod, morag podyot sa asin. Ambot, nganong naghinam-hinam gyod ko'g tuon ato nga pinulungan. Maayo na lang aron dili na pod ko basta-basta malibak. Usa ka higayon niana, Gikuyugan nako ang inahan sa akong uyab sa Zamboanga City. Kini, matod ko pa, gamit na gyod nako ang akong kahibalo sa chavacano. Sus, naunsa ba nga pagnaug namo sa pantalan, misugat man nako ang porter ug miingon, "traysikol sir para sentro." Mora man ug bisaya to nga pinulungan? Bisaya gyod. Ahhh.....ang mga bisaya diay bisag asa anaa. Ang mga mag-chavacano sa Zamboanga City kadtong mga "rico" ra diay. Pero "feeling" pod nako kay nakakokabildo sad ko'g mga chavacano didto. Pero lagi, miangkon halos-halos kanila pagkahuman: "Mga bisaya ra baya pod mi sama nimo." Mabuti na lang at nagka-intindihan kami.

Good news, bad news

2007-08-29T11:45:00.000+08:00

Usa ka good news para sa mga ginikanan nga taga-Ozamiz ang nahitabo kagahapon kay natandog ra gyod kadugayan ang mga kadagkuan dinhi sa amoa nga ilang buhaton ang angayang buhaton.

Nagkuyog-kuyog sad si Kungseng sa hut-ong sa mga polis ug ni Mayor kay miapil ug pangusyoso sa mga internet nga adunay mga sirado kaayo nga cubicles. Nakasakop pa gyod si Kungseng ug babaye nga migawas ug kalit sa cubicle sa dihang nanulod na ang grupo nilang mayor sa usa ka internet dinhi.

Sus, kay nakalimot man diay siya'g palong sa computer nga iyang gigamit. Pwerting klaroha sa iyang agi, pero nangatawa mi, kay ang anaa sa monitor usa man ka amerikano nga gahubo, nagpahambog sa iyang kinatawo. Oy, ga-chat tingali to sila dayon nagsabot: "Wanna see mine?" Wahaha. Kaulaw.

Warning sa mayor nga duha lamang ka semana ang lugway aron bungkagon nila ang mga cubicles ug private rooms nila. Alang niadtong internet cafe nga gihimong motel sa duha ka estudyante, gipadlak ni mayor ug gibutanga'g dako kaayo nga karatula.

Pero Miyerkules pa to, usa ka adlaw human mikatag sa Kungseng Gawlu ang picture gikan sa video scandal, nanirado na sila. Hasta to ilang isa ka tindahan dapit sa Aguada nanirado sad. Nahadlok tingale.

Para nako usa kini ka good news. Kamo tanan nga nagsige ug duaw dinhi, hinaot malipay usab. Kung wala si Kungseng, unsaon na lang ninyo, hehehe. Bitaw, kung wala namo gipagawas ang kamatuoran, unsaon na lang kaha karon. Kadtong video hinuon, wala mi labot niadto.

Ayaw kabalaka, adunay lima ka scandal ang migawas karon dinhi sa Ozamiz. Gikan niadtong gidugo, (nagkinasuhay ra ba to sila) tulo pa lang ang migawas. Kadtong sa Carmen Annex, lami sad kay finger insertion ilaha. Mao lagi, mangutana na pod mo kung nganong kahibalo mi? Siyempre, mas klaro to sila kay NO ID, NO ENTRY man gihapon, pwerteng klaroha sa ID ug uniform. Na hala, paabuta na lang ug makakuha mi'g royalty ato.

Sus, bad news na pod!

Tickle me...

2007-08-24T11:51:00.000+08:00

Miduaw ko sa akong karaan nga email ganina. Sus, maoy pagkakurat nako kay miabot man ug 695 ang mga sulat nga nagtambay sa akong inbox. Mga walo na pod ka bulan nga wala nako ni na-maintain, giganahan man gud ko sa akoang bag-o nga email. Layo ra kaayo ang yahoo. Ug didto sa inbox akong nasigpatan ang usa ka subscription nako kaniadto, ang gitawag nga Tickle Tests. Ang nakabutang didto nga test mao ang "What is your true talent?." Giagwanta nakog tubag ang siyam ka pahina ug pagkahuman nalipay ko sa ilang assesment: "Kungseng, your true talent is spatial ability. Your ability to visualize objects in three-dimensional space gives you a unique view of the world. Because of this talent, you are much better than most people at imagining new designs including floor plans, page layouts, and three dimensional objects.How do we know that's your true talent? While you were taking the test, we calculated your responses to each test question and rated your skills in 5 areas. You scored highest on spatial ability.People like you are usually great when it comes to putting together assemble-it-yourself furniture or other household items — whether the items arrive with instructions or not. Your spatial skills also help you understand the finer points of how things work.And that's just a small part of what we know about you from your test results. You also have other hidden talents that can have a dramatic effect on your career, your life and how other people see you." Daghan ni sila'g mga Tickle Favorites, sulaye kuno ninyo. I dont know, dili ko sure sa veracity but its fun.

Music & Lyrics, mabuang ko bayot!

2007-08-23T17:34:00.000+08:00

Para nako, bahala ug maulahi ko ug tan-aw sa salida basta klaro lang ug DVD gyod ang labas. Mao ni nahitabo sa Music & Lyrics nga salida. Nakapalit kog pirated atbang sa Geege niadtong isang adlaw, nasagol siya sa 12 in 1. Pagpasalida nako pwerteng klaroha.

Gahinam-hinam ko. Gawas nga idol nako ni si Drew Barrymore, karon pa ko kakita niya mikanta sa iyang mga salida. Kini pod si Hugh Grant, kahibalo man diay sad motikla, mora sad siya'g si Don Moen mokanta.

Wala kaayo mi-click diay ning salidaha didto sa gawas. Pero nindot ni siyag mga reviews. Kini si Alex Fletcher (Grant), usa ka kanhi frontman sa banda nga "Pop," sikat nga new wave band sa dekada 80. Nabungkag ilang grupo sa rason nga mibiya ang usa nila ug naglain. Si Alex, nagmintinir na lang sa mga ginagmayng gigs aron mabuhi.

Sa dihang giawhag siya nga mosulat ug usa ka kanta alang kang Cora, usa ka pop super-starlet (matod pa sa usa ka website: Britney crossed with Christina, crossed with a cretin), nagyawat si Fletcher nga basin mao na ni ang higayon para mosikat siya ug balik. Iyang gimugna ang melody samtang miabag si Sophie sa pagsulat sa mga lyrics.

Then they started writing this beautiful music together, it’s love at first rhyme. Ang kanta nga "Way back into love." Mabuang ko bayot, pwerting nindota kaayo sa resulta. Alang niadtong mga tawo nga nahigugma ug mahiligon sa music, para kaninyo ning Music & Lyrics.

Makahinumdom ko sa akong uyab kaniadto. Nakahimo mi ug kanta pinaagi lang sa pagpuli-puli ug sulat sa tissue paper. Namugna namo ang kantang giuluhan ug "Alab." Gi-record namo ni niadtong 2003 ug hangtod karon sige pa nakong ipatukar ang CD.

Ingon ani ang kinabuhi para nako, morag Music & Lyrics. Dili hugaw sa pandungog, itandi anang mga rap songs karon nga nanggawas nga pwerting alingog-ngoga, morag yaga-yaga, balik-balik ang tuno. Ang uban bastos pa gyod kaayo ang mga pulong.

Tawo nasagol ug apil sa coffee beans

2007-08-22T15:59:00.000+08:00

Ang mga batid nga doktor nag-ingon sa usa ka pagtuon nga kung makita nimo ang tawo uban niining mga coffee beans sulod sa 3 ka segundo, ang too nga parte sa imong utok maayong pagkahulma kaysa sa wala. Kung makita nimo ang tawo human sa 3 ka segundo ngadto sa usa ka minuto, ang imong tuo nga bahin sa utok normal. Kung molapas ang gidugayon sa usa ka minuto, buot ipasabot hinay ang dagan sa imong utok ug giawhag ka nga mokaon ug daghang protina. Sulayi kuno mga bisdak...

‘My hump, my lovely little lumps (Check it out)’

2007-08-22T09:26:00.000+08:00

KUNGSENG SPEAKS: All the opinions of those browsers who took a peek at the New Ozamiz Scandal deserved the broader public’s contention. Our publication of the said photo of those two lovers are not solely for the “obsession of it” but for the public’s benefit. We wanted to let every parent know what their child is doing in and out of school.

Because of the post, we were able to call the attention of the City Council and they are reiterating their long-overdue call for investigation on internet cafes with cubicles.

If any Ozamiznon should remember, Kungseng is one of those who made a thorough research and investigative report about this in the past but sad to say the call for the closure of those found in breach never got support from among our local legislators.

Now, our councilors are red faced because sex videos are coming out and they still have to get this issue in tow. By next week, this sex video scandal will be in their agenda and they will embark upon it “in aid of legislation.” One of our editors is among those invited to shed light in the veracity of the sex video published in Kungseng Gawlu.

Whatever is the result, this brings to mind the deteriorating morality of our youth today wherein they can do it wherever, whenever they please, notwithstanding the dangers and the risks involved. They even dared to wear their uniforms, ID and all, except for their underwear.

There’s this other video of a public school teacher who stripteases in front of her camera. A lot of students are saying this teacher from the Ozamiz City National High School is sordid, though she did it for her Amercian boyfriend in her own "cubicle."

The action of bringing down the cubicles may be a good idea, but we need more stringent measures more than that to prevent the same from happening again.

Some “Ozamiz scandals,” those not propagated in the internet involve youngsters doing it inside the bathroom, boarding house, in a tent or garage. Only this one in the cubicle is the one that leaked out. Through it all getting out in the open now, we say that we are not proud of these. Surely should the actors and actresses who did these covert acts be.

In the name of the freedom of speech and the responsibility we yield as journalists, we feel that the public's right to know should be upheld, thus the publication of these pictures.

New Ozamiz Scandal (Cubicle 25) flagrante delicto

2007-08-20T17:25:00.000+08:00

Presko pa kaayo ni mga igat ug igot. Usa ka full length video nga nagpakita sa duha ka nilalang samtang nagsinabakay sulod sa cubicle sa usa ka internet cafe. Unique sad ilang gihimo, barato pa bisag piot ang posisyon. Kung taga-Ozamiz ka dayon hilig ka mag-internetan, makabalo ka asa ni dapita. Duol rani, usahay mag-istambay gani ko dire.

Pwerteng bugoya sad tong sekyu sa internet cafe kay nakasimhot sad nga adunay milagrong nahitabo sa usa ka cubicle, iyahang gihinay ug lili ang duha nga nag-kuan. Ingon lagi si Rico Blanco sa Rivermaya, "You'll be safe here." Ingon pod si Bamboo, "Hallelujah-halleee-halleluuu.." Wa jud tawon silay hanaw nga sikat na kaayo sila. Kadyot lang, mora mag misakit akong pus-on.

Kining lalaki estudyante kuno sa STI, kanang taas sa Gillamac samtang kining baye estudyante sa MU, nakauniporme ug naka-ID pa man gani ni siya o para full effect. Asa kaha iyang T-Back? Giingnan siguro siya sa lalaki, "no ID, no entry." Sige lang Ondoy ug Inday, sab-itan ta mo ug medal karong Marso. Kung sa media player pa ni, makita nimo nga maas na jud kaayo ang baye kay gikan sa primera diretso gud quinta. Unsa kaha nga website nang gitan-aw sa baye no? Dili kaha na ang website ni Kungseng?

Mao na ni kalaki sa mga estudyante nga magsige ug pamayabas. Kinsa kahay angay basulon ani?. Sige man sad gud iirog ang holiday sa Presidente hinungdan nga ang mga estudyante dagha'g extra-curricular activities. Nindot ni, lupig pay NSTP ani. Alang sa wala masayod nga ginikanan, nag-condom ni sila maam, safe sex man gud daw. Gisulod pa man gani sa laki sa iyang bulsa pagkahuman. Pahinumdom lang, basig naa na poy maghikog ani ha?

Asa na ang Roking?

2007-08-19T18:27:00.001+08:00

Adunay gimingawan ko sa Ozamiz. Dili siya babaye, dili sad lalaki. Dili mananap ug samot nga dili butang.

Sa tinuod lang, gimingaw ko sa balbacua sa Roking. Ambot asa na to kay kalit lang man nawala dire si Nang Margie, ang asawa ni anhing Roking uban sa iyang pamilya. Ingon akong higala tua na milangyaw ang pamilya nila balik sa Cebu.

Sayang. Nawala ang paborito nako nga Soup #5. Gikagubtan to dire sa mga palahubog. Tag-P45 ra ang yahong, bottomless pa gyod ang sabaw. Kung itandi sa uban, pwerte layoa sa balbacua nga akong natilawan gikan sa Cebu, Davao ug sa Mabini sa Manila. Giunsa kaha to nila pagkutaw ug ayo nga mawala man dayon imong hangover kung makahigop ka ato?

Dugay-dugay na pod to ang Roking. Kaniadto nailado ni sila sa ilang dinuguan ug paklay. Tag-P10 pa to ang yahong. Sa dihang misulay sila pagluto ug balbacua, didto sila misikat pag-ayo.

Wala ni sila nagpa-advertise sa telebisyon ug sa radyo. Ang ilang gisaligan mao ra ang ilang mga suki nga moanha nila ug mokaon. Halos tanang mga buratso ug estudyante kaila ug katultol asa dapit nahimutang ang Rokings. Gitawag pa ni sila sa una ug "a place with no name." Wala man gud butangi ni Nang Margie ug karatula sa gawas kay pabayron unya siya sa City Hall.

Si kinsa nga dayo sa among siyudad, ma-mayor o ma-dragon--diretso ang pamahaw didto sa Roking. Akong amigo nga kagawad mahilig mobangka namo didto. Pagkahuman namog kaon, pagukdan namo ang balbacua sa tiyan ug usa ka grande.

Wala na ang Roking karon. Nanirado na. Gimingaw kaayo ko sa nagbukal ug nag-aso-aso nga sabaw nila. Unsaon na lang ni sa sunod nakong hangover?

Ang masalimuut nga kalibutan sa tawong way kuwarta

2007-08-19T17:52:00.001+08:00

Pwerteng lisora gyod ning wala tay kwarta no? Ilabina ug layo pa ang atong giatangan nga dawatonon,dili ta mahimutang unsay himuon.

Si Ralph Waldo Emerson, usa ka manunulat miingon kaniadto: "Don't waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it."

Apil niini atong masabot nga gikinahanglang magbudlay ang tawo aron makakwarta. Kinsa gud ang magsige na lang ug dawat sa limpiyo? Bisan gani ang libod-suroy nga mga bata gawas sa Gaisano, inig hawa nimo sa giparking nimo nga sakyanan itsahan man nimo sila ug piso agig bayad sa ilang pagbantay.

Ah, kwarta...kinsay wala mangandoy niini? Pipila na man gani ang migunit sa mahait nga mga lingla sa get-rich-quick schemes tungod niini nga pangandoy. Ang drayber sa traysikad dili na mosugot sa tag P3 nga plete kay kulang kaayo sa arkila ug para palit bugas. Kung mahimo, duha o tulo ang pasahero kada biyahe, pangyawat ba.

Daghang bisaya ang nangandoy makagawas sa nasod aron lang makakita sa kaharuhay, nangindahay nga sa bisag unsang trabaho nga masudlan didto makahatag kini ug gamayng alibyo sa gibating kapordoy sa yutang gigikanan.

Dihay usa ka amiga nako nga abogado. Maanindot ang iyang kaugmaon kay nagtrabaho siya sa gobyerno ug batan-on pa pod. Milarga intawon kay nag-caregiver. Karon nakabalay siya nganhi. Ingon lagi to iyang iyaan, kung wala naka-abroad wala nakahimo ug balay. Misambat ko pinasiaw: kada pahid gud ato niya dollar ang kitaon.

Bitaw, lisod gyod oy ang pagpangita ug kwarta. Ilabina ug walay trabaho. Patay ang bitok kay nakulob ang kaldero. Kaniadto, pamahaw ug paniudto gisuki nako ang Jollibee. Karon tua na ko sa Mc Do, magduko-duko sa Eddie's Barbecue, tag-piso ra man ang tuhog. Balig P10 insakto na sa tiyan.

Oy, dili lang ako ang naglisod. Daghan mi dire. Ilabina nga pinahimuslan sad ang among mga kahago sa panarbaho. Ang sweldo igo ra gyod. Niini, nakahinuklog ko sa giingon ni Esteban Escudero (tig-unsa kaha ni siya ni Chiz Escudero?) : "Ang pobre ug adunahan managsama ra. Pero bintaha gyod ug may kwarta ka."

Iya nang opinyon. Ug walay duha-duha insakto kaayo siya.

Thank you, thank you!

2007-08-19T10:53:00.000+08:00

Dan’ag sa kahaponon

2007-08-19T10:13:00.000+08:00

Mibati ka sa kalisang
Kay napugwat gikan sa lawom nga katulogon
Sa kalit kong pagtuhil sa imong kilid
Daw usa ka hilap dalang tulisok
Nahasol ka hinuon sa yaga-yaga nga pagpukaw
Tataw ra ba kayo akong paghinam-hinam kanimo?
Napirat-pirat man gud nang imong mga mata
Ibatbat ko na lang kining akong laraw
Unsa ba, puwede na ka nakong hukasan?
Sugdan ko na ikaw sa paghagwa?
Tugoti, hikapon ko ang yagpis mo nga lawas
Ug tagamtamon ta ang dan’ag sa kahaponon.

I am a Journalist

2007-08-19T09:34:00.000+08:00

I am a journalist

I report all sort, the public's comport

Honesty is my bastion, my fort

Credibility is my rapport

Sometimes people get hurt

They snort and bring me to court

Tell me I'm covert

And blurt, to afterlife--me, import?

Even if dear life is cut short

I will never abort, distort

I am a journalist

Flowers for you, my love

2007-08-18T10:45:00.000+08:00

Bilog daw ang mundo eh, ang ulo mo?

2007-08-18T10:20:00.000+08:00

Usa ka eskwelahan sa China alang sa mga adunahan ang nakabantay pinaagi sa dugay-dugay nga pakisusi ug pagtuon nga kung lingin diay kuno ug ulo ang estudyante, brayt diay ni.

Ang ngalan sa eskwelahan mao ang Li Junjie Educational Kindergarten, sa Zhengzhou. Dili ka basta-basta ma-enroll didto kay apil sa ilang admission test mao ang pagsukod sa imong ulo kung lingin ba gyod kini. Kung pihing ug ulo imong anak o morag hantakan sa kalapad, ayaw na lang.

Si Li Junjie, tag-iya sa maong eskwelahan, miingon nga kadtong mga lingin ug ulo timailhan nga sayon tudluan, brayt ug dali makahibalo samtang kadtong mga bukdol ug pihing lisod tudloan.

Naghinambog pa si Li nga tulo pa lang ka tuig makabalo na mobasa ang ilang mga tinudloan. Inig edad 7 anyos pwede na mag-hayskul ug makatungtong na sa unibersidad kung 15 anyos na.

Sa pagkakaron, 13 kabuok ang ilang mga estudyante. Siyempre mga pinili nani sila ug lingin nig mga ulo.

Rose Beach Scandal

2007-08-17T21:12:00.000+08:00

Naay mga kaagi sa atong tagsa-tagsa ka kinabuhi nga dili malimtan. Bahin niini, ako daghan ug tinigom.

Sama sa nahitabo niadtong 1997--mga napulo na ka tuig ang milabay. Akong uyab kaniadto estudyante sa Dentistry sa Medina College, pastilang gwapaha, layo ra kaayo si Angel Locsin. Atong mga tuiga kung makakita mo nako dili mo matingala nganong nagniwang ko. Lagi, pwerting buutana pa nako ato pero nangandoy ug sungkab anang giingon nila ba nga "luto ng Diyos." Mao ni nahitabo.

Ako ug ang akong uyab kaniadto nahimo namong suki ang Rose Beach sa Clarin. Wala pa kaayoy mga tawo nga nakatultol atong panahona kay pwerteng sikata man ato sa Rama Beach. Ang among taguanan unahan ra sa Rama gamay pero sudlonon ug ngiob ang lugar inig kagabii. Wala pa pod nauso ang hold-up sa una mao nga kada gabii mi didto.

Usa niana ka takdol, nakahukom mi nga mag-exhibition. Mingaw ang payag ug hayag ang bulan. Pwerte na pod namong pinaakay ato ug gipaningot man mao nga naghubo mi sa among sapot ug mitunob ngadto sa dagat. Nagpalawom mi, taga liog para dili mahalata. Ug didto gipalawman sad namo ang among gibati.

Di gyod halata, siniaw nakong gihuna-huna, kung ipaagi nako sa likod samtang magakos ko niya. Nindot sad, ingon siya, para feel. Nagsagol ang kulba ug hinam sa akong kalawasan samtang gihinay ko na sa pagkab-ot ang himaya niining among pagtampisaw sa dagat.

Pila ka tabyog ug hapit na namo makab-ot ang langit sa dihang nabantayan nako sa may kabonbonan nga adunay ginagmay nga siga sa flashlight ug mga anino nga daw naglili likod sa mga lubi.

Mihunghong ko sa akong uyab ug miingon nga mokawas na ta kay adunay sigbin akong nakit-an sa daplin sa may lubi, dapit asa namo gibilin among hinubo nga sapot. Tuod man una ko nga mikawas samtang ang gwapa nako nga uyab nagsunod sa akong likod. Gipadali ko siya ug ilis kay basig ambakan mi aning mga anino.

Pagkahuman giguyod ko siya ug migawas kami sa Rose Beach agi sa lain nga dalan ug subay sa mga dagkong mga tanom, bukong ug mga langkay. Namidpid mi para dili masundan. Pag-abot sa dalan mipara kog dali-dali ug motor kay magpahatod sa siyudad. Gihatod nako siya sa ilang balay sa may pantalan ayha ko miuli sa amoa.

Gikatlan ko sa akong kalawasan pag-abot sa balay hinungdan nga mideretso ko sa banyo. Ug sa paghubo nako, akong nabantayan nga lahi diay ang akong nasuot nga underwear. Ang panty sa akong uyab. Sa ato pa ang akong brief tua niya!

Pagkaugma, pagkita namo sa eskwelahan nagkinataw-anay mig ayo sa among kabuang nga kami ra pod ang nasayod. Natingala pag-ayo ang iyang mga klasmeyt ug maestra unsa to among gikataw-an pero wala gyod mi nagsaba. Nayati na, kung nabulgar pa to mao man tingale to ang pinaka-unang scandal nga mogawas sa balat ng Mindanao.

Gihimo namong remembrance sa akong uyab ang amoang underwear nga nagbaylo ug sukad niadto wala na mi mibalik sa Rose Beach. Sa akong nahibaw-an karon gisirad-an na ang maong lugar kay daghang "milagro" kuno ang mahitabo didto.

Wala pod mi magdayon sa akong uyab. Tua na siya sa Cagayan de Oro karon nagtrabaho isip usa ka dentist samtang ako nagpabilin nga magkatawa kung makahinumdum atong among gihimo kaniadto.

Usa ka tawong patay, nakaplagan-patay

2007-08-17T09:15:00.000+08:00

Ganina gipukaw ko sa alingasa sa mga announcer sa radyo. Naa lagi kunoy napalgan nga patayng lawas sa usa ka tawo ilalom sa tulay sa may Circumferential Road. Upat na ka adlaw siya didto nga nagbuy-od ug wala nabantayi hangtod wala mialisngaw ang iyang baho.

Nanghupong ang maong tawo, miburot ug giulod. Bisan pa man sa kabaho, atoa gihapon ang mga usyusero nag-atang sa dihang giadto kini sa kapolisan uban ang medico legal aron subayon unsay gikamatyan sa maong tawo. Nasuta nga adunay pinusilan sa iyang likod.

Matod pa atong reporter sa radyo, mamaligyaay kuno ni siya ug mais.

Kini nga talan-awon mga higala dili na bag-o dinhi sa amoa. Kaniadto bata pa ko, naa nay mga ingon ani nga panghitabo. Pero atong panahona makugang ang mga tawo inig kadungog nila, mahimo pa ganing sumsuman sa mga imnanan ug sa barberohan.

Karon naanad na ang mga lumulupyo dinhi. Kung adunay buto ilang madunggan moingon dayon sila ug, "Tua na, naa na poy gipusil." Kung adunay makitang gipatay, usa ra ang huna-huna nila, gi-salvage ni.

Kasagaran sa ma-salvage dinhi mga dagko ug sala: kawatan, adik, wala kabayad sa utang, shabu dealer. Mao ni ang mga litanya sa salaod nga ilang nahimo. Mao sad ni ang anaa sa huna-huna sa mga residente.

Ang pag-salvage wala gitugot sa balaod apan ginahimo kana dinhi sa among siyudad tungod sa kadaghan sa mga tawong naghupot ug armas. Daghan pod ug mga isog dinhi. Gamayng bikil tion dayon.

Pipila na baya ka bulan wala ko nakadungog nga adunay gipatay, karon pa. Nakuyawan ko ani. Mobalik na pod kaha ang karaang naandan sa among dakbayan? Sa nakalabayng semana adunay gipusil dapit sa bulangan, tulo ang patay. Hangtod karon wala pa matumbok ug asa ang mga suspetsado.

Confucius Say

2007-08-16T23:08:00.001+08:00

1. Woman who goes to man's apartment for snack, gets titbit.
2. Man who lay woman on ground, get peace on earth.
3. Man who gets kicked in testicles, left holding the bag.
4. Man who kisses girl's behind, gets crack in face.
5. Passionate kiss like spider web--lead to undoing of fly.
6. Man with holes in pocket, feels cocky all day.
7. Man who fight with wife all day, get no piece at night.
8. Virginity like balloon--one prick, all gone.
9. Girls who rides bicycle, peddles ass all over town.
10. He who farts in church, sits in own pew.
11. Baseball all wrong--man with four balls can't walk.
12. Man who live in glass house, dress in basement.
13. Kotex not best thing on earth, but next to best thing.
14. Man with penis in peanut butter is ------- nuts.
15. Man who walk through airport door sideways is going to Bangkok.
16. Man who drop watch in toilet, bound to have shitty time.
17. Man who take lady on camping trip, have one intent.
18. Man who go to bed with sex on mind wake up with solution in hand.

4 Sons

2007-08-16T23:00:00.001+08:00

These four gents go out to play golf one sunny morning. One is detained in the clubhouse, and the other three are discussing their children while walking to the first tee.

"My son Kent," says one, "has made quite a name for himself in the home-building industry. He began as a carpenter, but now owns his own design and construction firm. He's so successful in fact, in the last year he was able to give a good friend a brand new home as a gift."

The second man, no to be out done, tells how his son began his career as a car salesman, but now owns a multi-line dealership. "Norm's so successful, in fact, in the last six months he gave his friend two brand new cars as a gift."

The third man's son, Greg, has worked his way up through a stock brokerage, and in the last few weeks has given a good friend a large stock portfolio as a gift.

As the fourth man arrives at the tee, another tells him that they have been discussing their progeny and asks what line his son is in.

"To tell the truth, I'm not very pleased with how my son turned out," he replies. "For 15 years, Chico's been a hairdresser, and I've just recently discovered he's gay.

However, on the bright side, he must be good at what he does because his last three boyfriends have given him a brand new house, two cars, and a big pile of stock certificates."

America vs. Russia

2007-08-16T22:57:00.001+08:00

The Americans and Russians, at the height of the arms race, realized that if they continued in the usual manner they were going to blow up the whole world. One day they sat down and decided to settle the whole dispute with one dog fight. They'd have five years to breed the best fighting dog in the world and whichever side's dog won would be entitled to dominate the world. The losing side would have to lay down its arms.

The Russians found the biggest, meanest Doberman and Rottweiler ------- in the world and bred them with the biggest meanest Siberian wolves. They selected only the biggest and strongest puppy from each litter, killed his siblings, and gave him all the milk. They used steroids and trainers and after five years came up with the biggest meanest dog the world had ever seen. Its cage needed steel bars that were three inches thick and nobody could get near it.

When the day came for the fight, the Americans showed up with a strange animal. It was a nine-foot long Dachshund. Everyone felt sorry for the Americans because they knew there was no way that this dog could possibly last ten seconds with the Russian dog.

When the cages were opened up, the Dachshund came out and wrapped itself around the outside of the ring. It had the Russian dog almost completely surrounded. When the Russian dog leaned over to bite the Dachshund's neck, the Dachshund reached out and consumed the Russian dog in one bite. There was nothing left at all of the Russian dog.

The Russians came up to the Americans, shaking their heads in disbelief. `We don't understand how this could have happened. We had our best people working for five years with the meanest Doberman and Rottweiler ------- in the world and the biggest, meanest Siberian wolves."

"That's nothing," an American replied. "We had our best plastic surgeons working for five years to make an alligator look like a Dachshund."

The Young Assistant

2007-08-16T22:55:00.000+08:00

IN France, the young assistant priests do not live in the main rectory. That is reserved for the priest and his housekeeper. One day the priest invited his new young assistant priest to have dinner at the rectory.

While being served, the young priest noticed how shapely and lovely the housekeeper was and down deep in his heart he wondered if there was more between the priest and the housekeeper.

After the meal was over, the middle-aged priest assured the young priest that everything was purely professional...that she was the housekeeper and cook and that was that.

About a week later the housekeeper came to the priest and said, "Father, ever since the new assistant came for dinner I have not been able to find the beautiful silver gravy ladle. You don't suppose he took it, do you?" The priest said, "Well, I doubt it but I'll write him a letter."

So he sat down and wrote, "Dear Father, I'm not saying you did take the gravy ladle and I'm not saying you did not take the gravy ladle. But the fact remains that it has been missing since you were here for dinner."

The young assistant received the letter and he answered it as follows: "Dear Father priest, I'm not saying that you do sleep with the housekeeper and I'm not saying that you do not sleep with the housekeeper. But I do know for sure that if you slept in your own bed you would find the gravy ladle."

The Love of Sharing Equally

2007-08-16T22:50:00.001+08:00

A young man saw an elderly couple sitting down to lunch at McDonald's. He noticed that they had ordered one meal, and an extra drink cup.

As he watched, the gentleman carefully divided the hamburger in half, then counted out the fries, one for him, one for her, until each had half of them. Then he poured half of the soft drink into the extra cup and set that in front of his wife.

The old man then began to eat, and his wife sat watching, with her hands folded in her lap. The young man decided to ask if they would allow him to purchase another meal for them so that they didn't have to split theirs.

The old gentleman said, "Oh no. We've been married 50 years, and everything has always been and will always be shared, 50/50." The young man then asked the wife if she was going to eat, and she replied, "Not yet. It's his turn with the teeth."

A Medical Problem

2007-08-16T22:46:00.001+08:00

An old woman came into her doctor's office and confessed to an embarrassing problem. "I fart all the time, Doctor Johnson, but they're soundless, and they have no odor. In fact, since I've been here, I've farted no less than twenty times. What can I do?" "Here's a prescription, Mrs. Harris.

Take these pills three times a day for seven days and come back and see me in a week."

Next week an upset Mrs. Harris marched into Dr. Johnson's office. "Doctor, I don't know what was in those pills, but the problem is worse! I'm farting just as much, but now they smell terrible! What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Calm down, Mrs. Harris," said the doctor soothingly. "Now that we've fixed your sinuses, we'll work on your hearing!!!"

Beer pa day!

2007-08-16T22:34:00.000+08:00

Kining mga kabaw kuno kaniadto molihok managsama ra ang lihok. Adunay hinay aduna say lagsik. Kung gukdon ni sila kay ihawon na, siyempre ang daling madakpan kadtong mga luya ug lihok maoy maapsan.

Kining matang sa pagpili ug pagpatay, matod pa sa mga batid usa ka natural selection. Nakatabang kini sa kinatubuk-ang panon sa mga kabaw kaniadto kay nagkadaghan ang ilang pagsanay nga pulos sila mga lagsik ug kusog modagan.

Pareha kini sa utok sa tawo. Molihok, mogana. Usahay paspas, usahay luya. Kung palainom ka, palahubog--kan-on sa alcohol ang mga luya nimo nga brain cells, hinungdan kuno nga ang mabilin kadtong mga abtik ug lagsik nga mga brain cells.

Unsay giingon sa mga siyentipiko ha: "In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, constantly making the brain a faster and more efficient machine."

Mao tingale nga ang mga palahubog grabe ka taas ug memorya no? Usahay taas pod akong memorya.

2007-08-16T17:49:00.000+08:00

2007-08-16T17:47:00.000+08:00

2007-08-16T17:43:00.001+08:00

2007-08-16T17:29:00.000+08:00

Lantugi sa kuyamis

2007-08-16T09:03:00.000+08:00

KAGAHAPONG adlawa misaka ko didto sa opisina sa among mayor ug nahimamat nako ang iyang chief of staff--si Noy Miguel "Mike" Ochate. Suud mi ani niya, gani, "sangay" among sangod.

Paglingkod nako, mao say pag-abot ni Mario Cuezon, usa ka magsusulat. Nagtrabaho ni siya karon sa DTI-MisOc. Amigo sad mi ani niya pero naa ni siyay gamayng pagkahambugero. Nagistoryahanay ming tulo ni Noy Mike. Giunhan man gud nakog abri sa storya ang dugay na nga naa sa akong huna-huna, kini bang bahin sa kagikanan sa pinulongan sa Misamis nga mao kuno ang "Kuyamis."

Kini man gud si Mario mao ni siya ang nakasulat kaniadto ug kasaysayan sa among siyudad unya sa sigeng gamit sa ubang magsusulat sa iyang article, napun-an ug mga pulong nga wala gani masabti ug nasayri sa mga residente asa naggikan.

Sa nahinumduman ko pa, ingon ani to ang pagkasulat:

"Though obscure, the origin of the name "Misamis" is believed to have been derived from the Subano word "Kuyamis" which is a variety of coconut. During the years the name persisted as an inference of geographical location and upon the advent of the Spanish settlers. The word "Kuyamis" easily gave way to the more conveniently pronounceable but corrupted word "Misamis"

Dili si Mario ang nagsulat niini. Insakto siya. Matod pa niya mo-protesta siya nganong “Kuyamis” man ang nahisulat. Miuyon pod ming duha sa akong sangay.

Sa ato pa, wala diay sad ko masayop sa akong dugay na nga gidudahan. Nga dili sa "Kuyamis" gikan ang ngalan nga Misamis. Kining “Kuyamis” man gud ingon nila usa ka variety sa lubi pero sukad masukad nakong ingkit ug kopras kaniadto mangaligo mig dagat wala man ko kakita o katilaw aning “Kuyamis.”

Kadtong giingon nilang “misa-misa” nga maoy isiyagit sa pari inig kahapon agig dapit sa manimbahay morag duul-duul pa. Sige lang, aduna man koy pagpanuki-duki mahitungod niini ug mao ni ang akong ipagawas puhon sa akong libro. Ang pinakaunang ngalan sa Misamis dili Kuyamis. Lahi sa kaayo sa tinuod. Anaay nakuha nako. Apan dili usa nako ikabutyag ha.

Hoy lugaw!

2007-08-16T08:51:00.001+08:00

Mao ra intawon ning lugawa akong pamahaw karon, sinagulan ug piniritong tofu ug wonton dumplings, itlog gimaalat, pig's ears ug kinunit nga adobo.Yum, murag chowking! Kalimot man gud kog palit ug itlog gahapon para tortilyason karon.

Ang kinabuhi ni Jacquiline Saburido

2007-08-15T16:13:00.000+08:00

HINATAG ni sa email nako gikan ni Obramaestra. Giuluhan kini ug "The Destiny of Someone due to the other who Drinks and Drives....." Nindot nga pamalandungan kini sa mga palahubog nga sama niya. Hehehe

Si Jacquiline ug ang iyang amahan niadtong 1998

Birthday party sa bata pa siya

Birthday party kauban ang iyang mga higala

Ang sakyanan ni Jacqueline nga gibanggaan sa naghaguros nga laing sakyanan, gimaneho sa usa ka 17-anyos nga hubog. Nahitabo kini niadtong December 1999.

Si Jacquiline sa kasamtangang panahon

Maayong pagkapiit ni Jacquiline sa iyang sakyanan nga nasunog human mabanggai. Mikabat 40 ka operasyon ang gihimo ngadto kaniya

Ulahi na ang tanan. Mao kini ang nagmahay nga drayber, 20 anyos na siya karon. Dili tanan nga mabanggaan mamatay.

2007-08-15T16:07:00.000+08:00

Buguya ning iring sa among silingan oy!

Testing lang

2007-08-15T12:33:00.000+08:00

KINI nga psychological test ginama sa usa ka inila nga think tank psychologist group gikan sa Estados Unidos ug Europe. Ang mga resulta nga ilang nakuha gikan sa mga nakasulay matod pa nila "incredibly accurate in describing your personality with one simple question." Hala sige sulayi daw sa dili pa ka mo-scroll paubos. Ang manikas bati'g nawong.

Kinsa imong paboritong Teletubbie...

A. Yellow
B. Purple
C. Green
D. Red

(PILI USA SA DILI PA KA MOLANTAW SA UBOS)

Profile alang sa mga babaye... (Inengles lang sa ang explanation aron ta magkasinabot)

A. If you chose the Yellow Teletubbie. You are bubbly and cheerful. People come to you when troubled because you always make them feel better about themselves. You are apt to clash with Red Teletubbie people!

B. If you chose the Purple Teletubbie. You are active and erratic. You have many ideas and set high standards for yourselves and others. Stay away from Green Teletubbie people, they tend to bring you down.

C. If you chose the Green Teletubbie. You are calm and reliable. Family plays a major role in your life and you often sacrifice your needs to please others. Yellow Teletubbie people are a good match for you.

D. If you chose the Red Teletubbie. You are bold and emotional. You are fierce in your opinions and quick to anger, but stick by your friends through thick and thin. Purple and Red Teletubbie people are an explosive combination.

Profile alang sa mga lalaki...

A. If you chose the Yellow Teletubbie. You are gay.

B. If you chose the Purple Teletubbie. You are gay.

C. If you chose the Green Teletubbie. You are gay.

D. If you chose the Red Teletubbie. You are gay.