Proud To Be Pinoy

1. You're related to everyone.
2. Your parents call each other "Mommy" and "Daddy."
3. You have uncles and aunts named Boy, Girlie, or Baby.
4. You have relatives whose nicknames consist of repeated syllables, such as Jun-Jun, Ling-Ling, Mon-Mon.
5. You call the parents of your friends and your own parents' friends "Tito" and "Tita."
6. All of your children have four or five names.
7. You greet your elders by touching their hands to your forehead.
8. You always kiss your relatives on the cheek whenever you enter or leave a room.
9. Your grandmother greets you by giving you "smelling kisses."
10. You live with your parents until-and at times even after you're married.
11. You can't build or buy a house unless you first consult a feng shui expert.
12. Your house has a distinctive smell.
13. You decorate your living room wall with your family's framed diplomas and certificates.
14. You decorate your dining room wall with a giant wooden spoon and fork and a picture of the Last Supper.
15. You keep your furniture wrapped in plastic.
16. Most of your home decor is made out of wicker.
17. Your house has a "dirty" kitchen and a "clean" kitchen.
18. Your kitchen table has a vinyl tablecloth.
19. You recycle plastic shopping bags as garbage bags.
20. You own a "Footsteps in the Sand" poster.
21. You have a piano that no one plays.
22. You keep a tabo in your bathroom.
23. You own a "barrel man."
24. You use a stone to scrub yourself in the shower.
25. You use Vicks Vapor Rub as an insect repellant.
26. Your meal isn't complete without white rice.
27. You use your fingers to measure the water you need to cook rice.
28. You can't eat a meal without a spoon and fork.
29. You feel insulted if your visitors don't eat what you offer them.
30. When there is a party, you always cook three times more than what your visitors can consume.
31. Your pantry is never without Spam, vienna sausage, corned beef, and sardines.
32. You can't enjoy a meal without patis or bagoong.
33. You eat fried Spam and hotdogs with rice.
34. You eat mangoes with rice-with great gusto.
35. You enjoy chocolate rice pudding and dried salted fish for breakfast.
36. You have a rosary or "fake bannanas" hanging from your rear view mirror.
37. You tail an ambulance or a cop just to beat the traffic.
38. Your car horn can either, laugh, bark, or moo.
39. Your car plays a song when it backs up.
40. You can squeeze 15 passengers into your Honda Civic without a second thought.
41. You think traffic regulations are recommendations, not rules.
42. You think that traffic signs apply to everybody except yourself.
43. You point with your lips.
44. You eat using your hands and have it down to technique.
45. Your other piece of luggage is a balikbayan box.
46. You collect items from hotels or restaurants "for souvenir's sake."
47. You go to a department store and try to bargain the prices.
48. You use an umbrella for shade on hot summer days.
49. You scratch your head when you don't know the answer.
50. You play pusoy and mahjong.
51. You put your hand in front of you as if to make a path and say "Excuse, excuse" when you pass in between people or in front of them.
52. You buy tons of bath towels when they go on sale.
53. You still wear outdated clothes you have when you first came to the USA.
54. You say "comfort room" instead of "bathroom."
55. You say "for take out" instead of "to go."
56. You "open" or "close" the light.
57. You ask for "Colgate" instead of "toothpaste."
58. You say kodakan instead of "take a picture."
59. You turn around when someone says "Psst."
60. You say "Cutex" instead of "nail polish."
61. You say "he" when you mean "she" and vice-versa.
62. You say "air-con" instead of "a/c" or air conditioner.
63. You pronounce "F" for "P" or "P" for "F".
64. You own a karaoke system.
65. You have 5 pairs of tsinelas on your doorstep.
66. You refer to your VCR as the "Beytamax."
67. You have a rice dispenser with matching rice cooker.
68. You own a Mercedes Benz and call it "chedeng."
69. You have a "My Shaldan" air freshener in your car.
70. You were raised to believe that every Filipino has an aunt, uncle, and cousins.
71. Your mom or sister is a nurse.
72. You consider dilis the Filipino equivalent of french fries.
73. You dip bread in your morning coffee.
74. "Goldilocks" means more to you than just a character in a fairy tale.
75. Your baon is usually something over rice.
76. You eat rice for breakfast.
77. You wash and re-use plastic utensils and Styrofoam cups.
78. You have a supply of frozen lumpia in the freezer.
79. You have an ice-shaver for making halo-halo.
80. You have to have a bottle of Jufran handy.
81. You know that chocolate meat isn't really made out of chocolate.
82. You spend Holy Week either performing acts of penitence or vacationing.
83. You get together with family at a cemetery on All Saints' Day to eat, drink, and tell stories by your loved ones' graves.
84. You think the Christmas season begins in September and ends in January.

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Along a highway in Pampanga: "WE MAKE MODERN ANTIQUE FURNITURE"
On a self-service restaurant in Cebu: "PLEASE HELP OUR COMFORT ROOM CLEAN"
In a Baguio grocery: "FRESH FROZEN CHICKEN SOLD HERE"
In Cubao: "NONE ID NOTHING ENTRY"
Along Luneta Boulevard: "BAWAL TUMAE SA BULEVARD"
On Jeepney and Bus signs: "BEFORE PAY, TELL WHERE GET THE ON BEFORE GET THE OFF"
On a flower shop in Rizal Avenue: "WE SELL ARTIFICIAL FRESH FLOWERS"
On a delivery truck: "NOT FOR HERE"
On window of a restaurant in Baguio: "WANTED: BOY WAITRESS"
On a street in San Juan: "BAWAL MAGTAPON NG BINALOT NA TAE RITO"
A grafitti inside the cubicle of a ladies' C.R. in a university: "PLEASE DON'T SIT LIKE A FROG, SIT LIKE A QUEEN."
At a men's comfort room, above a urinal: (maybe from UP Diliman dorm): "HAWAK MO ANG KINABUKASAN NG BAYAN!"
At a construction site in Mandaluyong: "BAWAL OMEHI DITO. ANG MAHOLI BOG-BOG"
Somewhere along San Andres: "NO URINATING, ON THE OVER WALLS!"
Vacant lot near Makati Avenue: "DON'T PARKING!!!"
At an eatery in Cebu: "WE HAB SOPDRINK IN CAN AND IN BATOL!"
Sa pader ng Intramuros: "MARUNONG K BANG TUMAHOL? ASO LANG ANG UMI-IHI DITO!"
On a building somewhere in the Philippines: "NOTARY PUBLIC, TUMATANGGAP DIN NG LABADA KUNG LINGGO."

*****

Pinoy Na Pintor
Matagal nang naghahanap ng trabaho yung bagong saltang Pinoy. Nakakita siya ng posibilidad sa "Help Wanted" section ng Classified Ads.

"Wanted - Painter of Porch". Aba!, sabi nung Pinoy sa sarili... OK ito! Sa Pilipinas, e marami na akong pininta; yung libingan ng lolo ko, yung pader ng lumang bahay namin, yung kulungan ng mga baboy ng tiyo ko - pwede palagay ko ako rito!

In-explain nung Kano na nangangailangan ng pintor: "I need to have my porch painted, all in one day. The work involves scraping all the paint up to the bare surface, applying a coat of primer and two final coats of orange paint. Can you do this?" Sagot nung Pinoy nung ininterbyu siya ng Kano... "Sir, yes sir. I can kaskas... I mean, remoob paint en apply paint beri well." "Okay!", sabi nung Kano. "You've got the job! Everything you'll need has been unloaded from the trunk of the car."

Tatlong oras pa lang, narining na nung Kano na kumakatok yung Pinoy sa pinto niya. "Sir... Pinis oreydi". "Wow!" sabi nung Kano. "You finished the job in three hours.

Are you sure you scraped the old paint to the bare surface?" "Sir, yes sir.

I tanggalated all the old paint." sagot nung Pinoy. "Then, you deserve a bonus! Here's another 20 bucks." sabi nung Kano. "Sir, tenkyu sir." wika nung Pinoy. "Pero sir, you don't heb a porch... your car is a BMW..."

*****

Stool Specimen Check-up
Doc to old patient: I need sample of your urine, stool semen.
Old man to wife: Ano daw ang kailangan niya?
Wife: Ibigay mo na lang ang brief mo!

*****

Brain Surgery
Sa isang ospital, pagkatapos ng operasyon
Pasyente: Dok, bakit ganito ang operasyon sa ulo? Halos kita na ang utak ko.
Dok: Okey iyan. At least, open-minded ka na ngayon.

*****

Faith Healer
Old man: Can you give me an e-rection?
Faith Healer: I can make the blind see, make the lame walk and I can even cure cancer. But, I'm sorry I cannot raise the "dead".

*****

Airport Canteen

Sa airport canteen, umorder ang isang Amerikano
Kano: Miss, will you please give me one few two?
Tindera: What, sir?
Kano: I said one few two.?
Tindera: Oh, puto!
Kano: Yeah, that's right!
(Sa loob-loob ng tindera, tangna! Puto lang, pino-few two few two pa!
Gagantihan ko siya!?
Tindera: Okey, sir? what color do you want? few la? or few ti?

*****

Fried Eggs
Waitress: How do you want your EGGS done, Sir?
American: I want my eggs fried.
Japanese: I want it boiled.
Pinoy: Ala eh! Sa kin, hawakan mo na lang, masarap na yaan!

*****

Learn Japanese

1) Is this your underwear? Jakimoto?
2) Are you regular customer? Sukikaba?

*****

Farting Etiquette

Q: What does an American say when he farts?
A: Excuse me

Q: British?
A: Pardon me

Q: Canadian?
A: Pardon moi, eh

Q: Pinoy?
A: Not me!

*****

Question: Ano ang similarity ng UTOT at TULA?
Answer : Pareho silang nagmula sa POET!

*****

Birthday Present

Man: I want a birthday present for my wife.
Saleslady: How long have you been married sir?
Man: 22 years!
Saleslady: Bargain basement is on the left.

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By Marinel Cruz (Inquirer)
Updated 11:51pm (Mla time) 06/28/2006

DAVAO CITY—“Davao is not the place to look for an ‘Idol.’ All the good ones are in Cebu,” declared Pilita Corrales, a Cebuana and one of the three judges of the reality talent search “Philippine Idol” on ABC 5.

Corrales shares the task with master composer Ryan Cayabyab and rapper-TV host Francis Magalona.

Only 17 out of 75 contestants who auditioned on Monday at the Waterfront Hotels and Casinos got the coveted Golden Ticket. They will be flown to Manila to compete in the theater auditions at the CCP Main Theater in August.

The 75 contenders were selected from fast-track screenings conducted in Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Davao cities, as well as from pre-casting and casting auditions held here on June 23.

“It’s easier to judge now. Maraming hindi magaling dito,” said Cayabyab, Mr. C to industry colleagues. “I really did not expect much from Davao. We suppose we will have a more difficult time in Cebu.”

“People here are shy. I know because I used to handle a singing contest here,” Corrales added. “But there are a lot of interesting people.”

She said a contestant approached her while she was taking a break. “He asked me to help him get to Manila. I said, ‘Just do your best.’ Then I noticed that some of his teeth were missing. He said he had left his dentures at home. I really wanted to say, ’Go back and get them,’ but I kept my mouth shut. He should have come more prepared.”

Mr. C spotted Ritchie Asibal, 28, from Cagayan de Oro, and decided that the aspirant could very well slug it out with the others in Manila. Ritchie had failed in the CDO fast-track screening and decided to try again here. He was the fourth to get a Golden Ticket.

Corrales advised JR Oclarit, 19, to lose weight before flying to Manila. JR, the sixth pick, weighs 160 lbs.

“I’ve learned to accept the fact that there are people who join the search for monetary reasons,” said Mr. C. “I felt bad saying no to them at first. I’m used to it now.”

Julieto Alquizar, 19, who said he wanted to make it so he could send young siblings to school, was one of those who got the thumbs-down. He wept and pleaded so hard, he had to be escorted out by security personnel.

One factor he strictly required of contestants, said Magalona, was proper diction. “There are many Visayan Pinoys who lose their accent when they sing. That’s a plus,” he said. “It’s also important for contestants to know by heart the lyrics of the songs they sing.”

Major auditions in Cebu will be held at the nearly two-hectare International Academy of Film and Television in Lapu-Lapu City on July 24. A total of 25 contestants will be picked from the Visayan region.

“They might cancel each other out when all the contestants get to Manila,” said Magalona.

“Yes,” Cayabyab agreed, “especially when they stand side by side with their competitors and get to compare notes.”

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By Volt Contreras & Tarra Quismundo (Inquirer)
Updated 02:52am (Mla time) 06/28/2006

FOR TWO hours yesterday, the Subic rape trial sounded like a crash course in cocktail mixing.

Lawyers for complainant “Nicole” made a bartender state the “alcohol content” of the various drinks she had taken at the Neptune Club, to bolster their contention that she was too drunk to have agreed to sex with one of the four accused US Marines.

But after prosecutors pointed out how strong Nicole’s drinks were, defense lawyers -- who contend she was sober enough to have consented to sex -- took note of “how much ice” usually went into each glass.

Roger Sanidad, 25, brought with him to the stand sample glasses, jiggers, a pitcher and a Neptune menu to demonstrate how concoctions like Vodka Sprite, B52, Singapore Sling, Long Island Iced Tea and Bullfrog were prepared and served at his bar.

These were the drinks that Nicole’s stepsister, Anna Liza Franco, had told the court they had ordered on the night of Nov. 1 last year, when the alleged rape took place in a van at the Subic Bay Freeport.

An earlier witness, US Navy Petty Officer Christopher Mills, said Nicole took four to five glasses of those drinks. Mills had described himself as a family friend who had invited the Zamboanga City-based sisters to join him on a vacation in Subic.

On direct examination by private prosecutor Honorato Aquino, Sanidad said he was one of the three bartenders on duty on the night in question.

On cross-examination, Sanidad said he never got to meet Nicole at the crowded bar and could not tell if he was the one who actually prepared her drinks.

Sanidad’s testimony, which visibly amused the gallery, turned out to be a virtual lesson on how the five drinks are mixed and served. After each mention of the ingredients and their “ratio,” Aquino asked him to give the alcohol content.

Vodka Sprite is “one shot vodka (40-percent alcohol) and three shots Sprite.” One shot corresponds to a 25-ml jigger, Sanidad said.

Long Island Iced Tea, meanwhile, is 1/3 shot each of vodka, gin, tequila, white rhum and an orange-flavored liqueur called Triple Sec, three shots of Coke and 1/2 shot of lemon juice.

Several Bullfrogs
A Bullfrog is one shot each of vodka, gin and lime juice and two shots each of pineapple juice and Sprite, according to the 16th witness for the prosecution.

Multiple orders of Bullfrog, if requested, can be served in a pitcher which can contain up to six glasses, he said.

In her testimony on Friday, Franco said Nicole had drunk “half a pitcher” of Bullfrog “straight up” shortly before meeting one of the accused, Lance Corporal Daniel Smith, on the dance floor.

On cross-examination, defense counsel Jose Justiniano and Enrico Uyehara made Sanidad state how many ice cubes usually went into each glass.

Relevance of the ice
The witness said that in the case of Vodka Sprite and Bullfrog, the concoctions usually filled up two-thirds of an 8- or 10-oz glass before ice was added.

Justiniano even produced a tape measure so that the witness could give his answers in inches.

Prosecutors questioned the relevance of bringing up the amount of ice, but Makati City Judge Benjamin Pozon upheld the defense panel’s tack.

“The bigger the ice, the lesser the effect,” he said, smiling.

But yesterday’s session was not all about mixing drinks.

Recalled to the witness stand, Nicole’s stepsister again came under intense grilling by defense lawyers, who tried to show that Nicole was coherent before the alleged rape occurred.

Franco appeared to keep her composure, rebuffing the defense lawyers and sticking to her earlier testimony that she saw “Nicole” heavily drunk and staggering at the Neptune Club moments before she lost sight of her.

The prosecution is banking on testimony that Nicole was dead drunk to prove that she could not have agreed to have sex with Smith, contrary to his claim.

How many drinks?
Nicole had alleged that Smith raped her in the back of a cruising Kia Starex van as his comrades -- Lance Corporals Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis and Staff Sgt. Chad Carpentier -- cheered him on.

Francisco Rodrigo, Carpentier’s counsel, again asked Franco about the drinks she and her stepsister consumed at Neptune Club.

He asked Franco whether at any point she had told her stepsister that they should return to their hotel as they had already consumed several drinks and were beginning to feel dizzy.

“Did you not tell [Nicole] that you were dizzy? Did it not occur to you to ask [Nicole] to go back to the hotel?” Rodrigo asked.

Debate heats up
Franco said no, pointing out that she felt at ease with Mills around, referring to the family friend.

It was Mills and another serviceman, Carlos Ocasio, who had invited Franco, Nicole and their 12-year-old sister to travel to Olongapo City from Zamboanga for a vacation.

The courtroom heated up when Rodrigo asked Franco to describe how Nicole consumed the last drink she had that night -- a half-pitcher of Bullfrog. Franco had said the pitcher was ordered by Mills’ friend, an American serviceman identified only as Garcia.

A debate ensued over where the pitcher -- which was on another table -- was, with Rodrigo trying to show that Nicole “was not that drunk” to be able to walk to where it was.

Nicole’s lawyer Evalyn Ursua countered by saying that Nicole was drunk that night.

Franco is expected to return to the stand at the next hearing on Thursday.

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by Blanche Rivera (Inquirer)
Updated 05:03am (Mla time) 06/28/2006

NEXT TIME a doctor pries into the cause of your bruises or wounds, don’t be surprised.

The country’s medical practitioners are being trained by human rights advocates to dig deeper into the condition of their patients, some of whom could be victims of torture who are unwilling to report what they had been through.

The Medical Action Group (MAG), composed of health professionals advocating human rights, has conducted workshops among municipal and city health officers, as well as doctors serving in detention centers all over the country, as part of its campaign to encourage the reporting of torture.

“Our objective is to involve them … We want to deepen their consciousness so they can document and report torture cases to the Commission on Human Rights or to NGOs (nongovernment organizations),” MAG program coordinator Amy Abcede said in a forum.

The role of doctors and health professionals was highlighted by the United Nations as the world celebrated International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26.

The forum, called “Biktima ng Torture, Baka Ikaw na Ang Susunod (A Victim of Torture, You Might be the Next),” gathered representatives from Amnesty International, the United Against Torture Coalition-Philippines, CHR and Congress, and a torture victim.

No questions asked
Abcede said that while it was common knowledge among human rights activists that torture happened inside the country’s jails, most doctors were not familiar with the signs of torture and did not know how to help victims.

“They treat, but they don’t ask. We want them to ask because this will also help the victims to open up,” she said.

In a statement, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Manfred Nowak reiterated that documentation and reporting played a crucial role in preventing torture.

Ethical obligations
“I take this opportunity to call upon medical doctors and other health professionals to fulfill their legal and ethical obligations toward torture survivors, including the obligation to document and report instances of torture and political violence,” Nowak said.

He cited an incident in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba where doctors had force-fed prisoners in a painful way, “reminding us of the appalling fact that medical doctors have in several instances participated in torture and ill treatment.”

Nowak said that despite the ratification by 141 states of the Convention on Torture, more than 100 countries, including signatories to the convention, continued to torture men, women and children.

Human rights abuses
With the Philippines’ record on human rights violations, Filipino doctors have a lot of reasons to learn.

From 1988 to 1998, a total of 15,556 complaints of human rights violations, most of them cases of torture, were lodged with the Presidential Committee on Human Rights, CHR Director Karen Dumpit said during the forum.

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines recorded 102 cases of torture under the administration of former President Corazon Aquino, 179 cases under Fidel Ramos, 53 cases during the shortened term of Joseph Estrada, and 105 cases under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Painful reality
The MAG released a manual for medical professionals early this year explaining the Philippines’ commitment to international conventions against torture and other human rights violations.

Abcede said the group was also coordinating with the Philippine Medical Association in its education campaign.

The PMA itself has admitted that few doctors are aware that torture is a painful reality among the country’s prisoners and suspected political dissidents.

Doctors’ mandate
Training doctors could be a big boost to the advocates’ efforts to document torture inside jails and detention centers where doctors have access.

NGOs are not allowed to carry cameras when they visit prisoners to check on their condition, so the best they can do is to write down the details of the torture and describe the torture marks on the victims.

Doctors, on the other hand, are even mandated to do routine checks in jails. The law also requires a medical examination of those who have been arrested before they are put behind bars or released.

“There are doctors who have been trained. We encourage the victims to come out,” Abcede said.

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By Marc Anthony Reyes (Inquirer)
Posted 05:35am (Mla time) 06/27/2006

THEY DIDN’T show up together atop the neon-bathed ring.

Nevertheless, the two combatants provided a glimpse of what fight fans can expect in Sunday’s boxing extravaganza at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Of course, Manny Pacquiao worked the crowd far better, even treating them with a ditty from his own CD after flexing his toned muscles and pummeling Freddie Roach’s mitts with his usual flair.

The speed was there. The form evident. His swagger in full display.

The country’s pride first squared off with Russian punching bag Rustam Nugaev, firming up his straights, tuning up his hooks and perfecting his uppercuts -- weapons at his disposal come fight night.

“We are ready for 12 rounds, but I still think the fight is not going past six rounds,” said Roach, reiterating his earlier prediction that Mexican Oscar Larios won’t last the first half of the megabuck fight.

Early today, Pacquiao is expected to jog along the Manila Baywalk to avoid the monsoon rains that come in the afternoon. By that time, he will be training some more at the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines gym inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

Larios was the curtain-raiser in the noontime preview, which reportedly cost at least P500 for a ringside view.

But the Mexican wasn’t generous showing his talent. He shadow-boxed under the watchful eyes of agent Rafael Mendoza. He hit the mitts held by trainers Jose and Edison Reynoso. But he left in a huff even before the three-hour aperitif was over.

Larios, who arrived last Sunday, was reportedly in a hurry to train in private as he is booked at the Elorde Gym on Julia Vargas Avenue in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. He was billeted at the nearby Discovery Suites.

Undercard boxers, ex-world super-flyweight king Gerry Peñalosa, super-featherweight Jimrex Jaca and lightweight Dennis Laurente -- who will fight Nugaev -- were also there to display their wares.

Cebu-based Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista has been hospitalized and was declared unfit to fight Mexican Alejandro Montiel in another bout.

Bautista will be replaced by stablemate Michael Domingo, according to his promoter Sammy Gello-ani.

Meanwhile, Big Dome officials yesterday said that Filipino reporters will have to cover the fight from the Upper-Box A, which is several meters away from the usual press box.

Organizers said they have allotted only 10 seats for photographers from wire services and leading dailies.

Ringside seats, reserved for accredited media even in the MGM Grand and Thomas and Mack Arena, are to be sold for P50,000.

Local and foreign newsmen who covered the Thrilla in Manila featuring Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975 were given ringside seats at the same venue.

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By Joel Francis Guinto (Inquirer)

PAG-ASA ISLAND -- Police Officer 2 Allan Remojo had single-handedly achieved what no ranking police official could do -- keep his area of jurisdiction free of crime.

For five months in this island village in the disputed Spratly islands, the only report on the police blotter was for alarm and scandal, which was not even counted on the Philippine National Police (PNP) crime index.

Remojo is the only policeman in this 34-hectare island with a civilian
population of 23. His police station is a nipa hut. At night, he patrols the island with two barangay tanods [village guards].

"The only report is for alarm and scandal, one villager got drunk and made a scene," Remojo told reporters.

When asked if petty crimes such as snatching had been reported since his assignment here in February, Remojo said: "No."

Senior Superintendent Elpidio de Asis Jr., Palawan provincial police
commander, said four policemen would take turns manning the Pag-asa village police station.

"Eventually, we will bring in some more policemen here," De Asis said in a separate interview.

Military officials refused to reveal how many soldiers were stationed in the island for security reasons.

Of the 53 islands in the Kalayaan chain, Pag-asa is the only one with an airstrip, which is not even concretized.

Landing on the island is rough. Some soldiers and reporters aboard the cargo section of a C-130 plane almost fell from their seats when the aircraft touched down before noon Saturday.

Military Chief General Generoso Senga and his family were on the same plane, seated on the VIP section of the aircraft. He was in Pag-asa Island to check on the morale of the troops and to bid them farewell. He will retire on July 21.

From Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province, it takes about an hour and 15 minutes to reach Pag-asa Island. By boat, it takes two days.

There is only one mobile phone service provider in the island, but when Senga and his party were there Saturday, there was no signal.

Residents said however that the cell site was not damaged.

The Chief of Staff visits the island at least once a year. Every two months, a Navy ship docks to bring supplies such as fuel.

In the morning, residents get their electricity from generators from the Kalayaan municipal government and the Navy. A solar power plant lights up the village at night with energy collected during the day.

Beaches with powdery white sand surround the island. To get to the area where fishermen set sail, one coming from the village proper has to maneuver through a trail filled with trees and shrubs.

On the opposite end of the island, Senga said plans were underway to build a “beaching area” or docking site for Navy ships.

A Navy ship, damaged when it attempted to dock sometime in 2004, had remained there.

Senga said the ship would be sold as scrap metal after Navy mechanics had salvaged all its possible spare parts.

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The Kabataan Party today countered the proposals to reinstate the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) as a mandatory requirement in tertiary schools, saying the plan will be met by campus protests and possibly a student revolt.

Raymond Palatino, president of the Kabataan Party and convenor of the Abolish ROTC Network in 2001 said the proponents' basis for reinstituting the ROTC as a mandatory college course is both downright ridiculous and devious.

Palatino said two bills seeking to restore compulsory ROTC in schools were filed in Congress this year – Senate Bill 2224 authored by Senator Alfredo Lim and its counterpart House Bill 5460 or the "Mandatory ROTC Act of 2006" which was filed in May by Cebu Representative Eduardo Gullas.

Both lawmakers, he said, claim that the ROTC remains the most effective tool to instill the values of service, discipline and patriotism among the youth.

"It's funny how the military and their allies in Congress keep on insisting that ROTC develops service, discipline and patriotism yet it operates in an environment where cadets are indoctrinated with the do-or-die mindset and are reduced to blind followers."

"Besides, the real essence of service is voluntarism and not conformity or submission to a higher authority. And how can ROTC teach service and patriotism if cadets are instructed with the 'obey-first-before-you-complain' mentality?"

Palatino said the ROTC has long lost its relevance and had been reduced to a fraudulent money-making scheme, convincing thousands of students in various campuses to boycott ROTC trainings starting in July 2001until it was made optional the same year under the new National Service Training Program (NSTP).

"And who will forget Mark Chua? His murder, allegedly by elements of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) ROTC, sparked the anti-ROTC protests in campuses nationwide that year. He was found dead after he exposed the corruption in the UST ROTC."

For his part, Kabataan Party vice president Carl Marc Ramota warned that the reinstatement of a mandatory ROTC would mean stronger military presence in campuses and the resurrection of the notorious Student Intelligence Network (SIN).

Ramota said the recruitment and operation of SINs in schools were exposed in 2001 at the height of the campaign to abolish ROTC.

"The SIN serves as the extension of military intelligence operatives in campuses to spy on student councils, publications and organizations that are known critics of the government."

He said the continued operation of the SIN in campuses vulnerably opens student leaders to possible attacks, with members and leaders of progressive organization being murdered left and right allegedly by the military.

"The proposal to reinstate ROTC and the allotment of P1 billion for counter-insurgency are part of the government's desperate effort to woo the military's support for the Arroyo administration and extend its punitive action and quell anti-Arroyo activities in known hotbeds of student activism."

Meanwhile, the Kabataan Party said other student groups, councils and publications have already expressed strong opposition to the proposal.

"Any plans to make ROTC compulsory again will be met with protests. The abolish ROTC demonstrations in 2001 should serve as a warning to its proponents and the Arroyo administration of the potential unrest that it might cause in the student sector."

Extra Cash? Extra Cash? Extra Cash?

FYI

In Re Impeachment
of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President,
Republic of the Philippines,
Respondent.
X_____________________X
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”


C O M P L A I N T

Complainants, through counsel, respectfully allege that:

The Parties

1. The Complainants are Filipino citizens, of legal age, residents of the Philippines, and are named below. The lead complainants are the following individuals:

1.1 Zeneida “Nini” Quezon-Avanceña, daughter of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, concerned citizen;
1.2 Prof. Randolf S. David, Professor of sociology at the University of the Philippines;
1.3 Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, national artist for literature;
1.4 Atty. Josefina T. Lichauco, lawyer and concerned citizen;
1.5 Dr. Melba Padilla Maggay, PhD., President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC);
1.6 Bro. Eddie Villanueva, evangelist, concerned citizen;
1.7 Dr. Ma. Dominga B. Padilla, M.D., concerned citizen;
1.8 Armando Arbarillo, victim of human rights abuse;
1.9 Dr. Jonathan V. Exiomo, ThD., President of the Alliance Graduate School (AGS), an evangelical seminary;
1.10 Prof. Averell U. Aragon, Professor of Theology and Church History, Alliance Graduate School;
1.11 Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, founder, Kilusang Makabansang Ekomista (KME);
1.12 Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca, psychiatrist and concerned citizen;
1.13 Prof. Victoria A. Avena, Professor, University of the Philippines College of Law;
1.14 Mifflin Ann A. Garcia, member, ISACC, for her own behalf and on behalf of her minor children, Leesha, 13; and Ethan Luke, 6;
1.15 Raquel Arpojia, member, ISACC, for her own behalf and on behalf of her minor child Luke, 16;
1.16 Maria Feria, concerned citizen;
1.17 Marietta Goco, concerned citizen;
1.18 Col. (ret) Guillermo Cunanan, concerned citizen;
1.19 Ofelia Beltran Balleta, daughter of ANAKPAWIS Rep. Crispin B. Beltran;
1.20 Atty. Nasser A. Marohomsalic, former human rights commissioner and advocate of the Moro people’s rights;

2. Joining as complainants are the following organizations:

2.1. Akbayan Citizens Action Party (AKBAYAN) represented by its president, Ronald Llamas;
2.2. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) represented by its chair, Dr. Carol Pagaduan-Araullo and secretary general, Renato Reyes Jr.;
2.3. Bayan Muna, represented by its Secretary General, Nathanael Santiago and Deputy Secretary General, Robert de Castro;
2.4. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, represented by Danilo Ramos;
2.5. Migrante International, represented by Concepcion Bragas Regalado;
2.6. Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL), represented by lawyer Remedios Balbin;
2.7. Anakbayan, represented by Eleanor De Guzman;
2.8. Gabriela, represented by Emerenciana De Jesus;
2.9. Gabriela Women’s Party, represented by Cristina Palabay;
2.10. The National Peace Conference, represented by its Secretary General, Elizabeth Yang.;
2.11. Pandayan ng Sosyalistang Paggawa (PANDAYAN), represented by its secretary general, Roy A. Calfoforo;
2.12. ALLIANCE OF PROGRESSIVE LABOR (APL), represented by its chairman, Daniel Edralin, and its secretary general, Josua Mata;
2.13. SAVE THE PEOPLE MOVEMENT, represented by Abraham Tingson; and
2.14. PAKISAMA, represented by Vicente Fabe;
2.15. Manila Public School Teachers Association, Inc. (MPTSA), represented by Luzviminda V. Galang;
2.16. Women March!, represented by Evelyn MualliL;
2.17. Ilaw at Pag-asa ng Bayan, represented by Adel Raymundo;
2.18. BLACK AND WHITE MOVEMENT – Katipunan, represented by Evangeline L. Serrano;
2.19. Likewise joining as complainants are the following individuals:
2.20. Ruth G. Cervantes, wife of BAYAN MUNA Rep. Teodoro Casiño;
2.21. Prof. Maria Serena Diokno, Professor of History, University of the Philippines;
-and-
2.22. Marie Guingona, member, Congress for Truth and Accountability (CCCTA);
-and-
2.23. Amina Rasul-Bernardo, concerned citizen;
-and-
2.24. Carlos Siguion-Reyna and Elizabeth O. Siguion-Reyna, filmmakers;
-and-
2.25. AKBAYAN members Jose Apollo Ado, Imee Ampoan, Reggie Aquino, Roquito Arpafo, Gregorio Baterna, Teresita Borgeños, Edwin Bustillos, Fatima Cabanag, Marichris Cabreros, Mikaela Concepcion, Elvira De Luna, Ivy Theresa Diaz, Orlando Dimaano, Jessie Dimaisip, Marlene De la Cruz, Ireneo Cerilla, Marlene Dichoso, Ramy Adonis Elubre, Delfin Encabo, Jean Enriquez, Paula Bianca Lapuz Rudy Gaco, Millie Joy Gines, Christopher Louie Ocampo, Gladdie Mallari, Vic Manato, Gerald Marcelo, Rosal Palma Pecilar, Ederlita Lorenzana, Wilson Requez, Edwin Reyes, Adrian Sanosa, Arwin Villamil,Jecar Yamomo;
-and-
2.26. BAYAN-affiliated individuals Paolo Alfonso, Wilfredo A. Marbella, Rene Galang, Carmen Buena, Fernando Hicap, Fr. Jose P. Dizon, Raymond Palatino, Amado Gat Inciong, Vencer Mari E. Crisostomo, Marco delos Reyes, Maria Isabel Artajo, Dennis Maga, Antonio L. Tinio, Henrie Enaje, Aprilyn R. Perido, Virgilio R. Perido, Beatriz T. Perido, Dr. Geneve E. Rivera, Joel Maglungsod, Ely Mandar, Rey Claro Casambre, Frances Q. Quimpo, Fr. Rudy Abao, Ferdinand R. Gaite, Santiago Y. Dasmariñas, Sarah Jane S. Raymundo, Fr. Dionito Cabillas, Teresita C. Busadre, and Judy M. Taguiwalo ;
-and-
2.27. KUBOL PAG-ASA members Francisco Alcuaz, Ma. Gloria Alcuaz, Pantaleon Apostol, Benjamin McMurray, III and MA. Celina Jayme;
-and-
2.28. Corazon Juliano Soliman, concerned citizen;
2.29. Imelda Nicolas, concerned citizen;
2.30. Leah Navarro, concerned citizen;
2.31. Teresita Deles, concerned citizen;
2.32. Bro. Armin Luistro FSC, and Vicennte Romano III, concerned citizens;
-and-
2.33. Lou Antonino of the UNITED OPPOSITION;
- and -
2.34. FORCES OF THE MIDDLE CLASS members Dulce Cepeda, Norma Escaño and Virginia Fabie,
-and-
2.35. Atty. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, of the UNITY FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE;
-and-
2.36. CONCERNED CITIZENS David Arcenas, Eduardo Ayson, Precie Canlas, Lily Chan, Ramon Farolan, Celia Matea Flor, Augusto Lagman, Teresita Lagman, Delia Ediltrudez Locsin, Martha Martinez, Sister Arnold Maria Noel, Gina Ordoñez, Victor Ordoñez, Bettina Osmeña, Regina Paterno, Ramon Pedrosa, Romeo Ramos, Patricia Sison, Antonio Soriano, Rowie Suela, Severo M. Tingzon, Amy Reyes-Obusan, Angie Roy, Ronald Roy, Mila Santos, Celine Sarte, Tita Sicat; Romualdo S. Angago, Enrique R. Arquiza, Karen F. Baral, Elsie J. Barcenas, Allan B. Bitinio, Marife B. Ces,, Jose A. Cosido, Cecilio G. Cruz, Avelino Dacanay, Maricel R. Delen, Amaryllis “Marie” Hilao-Enriquez, Zenaida E. Flores, Benjamin M. Hernandez, Jr., Evangeline P. Hernandez, Jocelyn A. Javier, Elisa Tita P. Lubi, Rowell D. Madula, Erlinda C. Manano, Orly E. Marcellana, Mariano Manpuri, Jr., Andrea D. Menguria, Jose Morales, Max L. Quijano, Hanito dela Roa, Leoncio M. Saberon, Jr., Pelagia Elvie G. Sanchez, Rebecca N. Tanada, Giovanni A. Tapang, Teresita C. dela Vega, Dr. Edilberto M. Villegas, Wenceslao F. Zaguirre; Reynaldo F. Robin, Sammy T. Malunes, Emma Chiyuto, Norma C. Liongoren, Francisco Llaguno, Jennifer R. Llaguno, Fe B. Mangahas, Ricardo S. Miranda, Rose Anne dela Cruz, Vince Avever, Girlie Padilla, Maria Isabel Artajo, Prisinia C. Arcinue, Juan Paolo Alfonso, Carmen T. Buena, Clemente Bautista, Jr., Res Cortez, Edy G. Clerigo, Sandra M. Cam, Henrie Famorcan Enaje, Edgar Gervacio, Dan Cruz, Donato Guarina;
-and-
2.37. PAKISAMA members Noli de la Cruz, and
Luisita Esmao;
-and-
2.38. KODAO Productions members Sonia Capio and Jola Diones Mamangun;
-and-
2.39. Members of various organizations, namely, Raul Socrates Banzuela, C4CC,
2.40. Gerry Bulatao, member, LGC-Net,
2.41. Rowel Candelaria, PhilCOS,
2.42. Cherry Cobarrubias, KAAKBAY,
2.43. Ryan Apitan, ALYANSA,
2.44. Vivian Ibañez, MAKALAYA,
2.45. Sixto Donato Macasaet, Code -NGO
2.46. Noel Matematico, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, (KMP) ;
-and-
2.47. Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomista (KME) members Jose A. Albert, Jamie R. Regalario, Sr. Zeny Pineda, Randy Tibig, Nida Pineda, Mina Moson;

3. The Complainants may be served with summons and other legal processes of the instant proceeding through their counsel,
3.1 H. Harry L. Roque, Jr., Joel Ruiz Butuyan, Roger R. Rayel and Romel Regalado Bagares, Roque and Butuyan Law Offices, Unit 1904, Antel 2000 Corporate Center, No. 121, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City, Metro Manila, 1200;
3.2 Dean Raul C. Pangalangan, c/0 Malcolm Hall, UP College of Law, Diliman, Quezon City
3.3 Neri Javier Colmenares, Erythrina Bldg., No. 1, Matatag cor. Maaralin Streets, Central District, Quezon City;
3.4 Prof. Ibarra M. Gutierrez III, c/o UP Law Center College of Law, University of the Philippines;
3.5 Prof. Victoria A. Avena, c/o Malcolm Hall, UP College of Law, Diliman, Quezon City;

4. The Respondent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the President of the Republic of the Philippines and she may be served with legal processes at Malacañan Palace, Manila;

5. The Respondent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally took her oath of office and assumed and discharged her functions as President of the Philippines for the first time on January 20, 2001, following the ouster of then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. She took the same oath of office and started discharging the functions of the office of the President for the second time on June 30, 2004. In both instances, she made the following oath of office:

…I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the nation…

CAUSES OF ACTION

I. RESPONDENT COMMITTED CULPABLE VIOLATIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION AND GRAFT AND CORRUPTION, AND BETRAYED THE PUBLIC TRUST WHEN SHE EXERCISED DICTATORIAL POWERS TO SUPPRESS THE LAWFUL EXERCISE OF THE PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH, _EXPRESSION, ASSEMBLY, FREE PRESS AND INFORMATION IN CONNECTION WITH, AND THE LEGISLATIVE POWER TO INQUIRE ON, MATTERS RELATING TO OR AFFECTING THE LEGITIMACY OF HER PRESIDENCY.

6. Way before the 2004 presidential elections, the Respondent hatched and implemented a conspiracy to steal the elections. And from the canvassing to within a year of Respondent’s assumption of the Office of the President in 2004, questions about the legitimacy of, and the constitutionality and legality of her official acts in relation to, connected with and in pursuance of her victory in the 2004 elections were exposed to the public, such as her manifest and gross disregard of the popular will:

6.1. Respondent destroyed the integrity of the democratic electoral process:

a. The Respondent undermined the independence of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) by appointing as members thereof persons of questionable integrity and independence and conniving with said persons and the entire COMELEC itself to rig in her favor the 2004 presidential elections. In particular, Respondent appointed Virgilio Garcillano as COMELEC Commissioner and interfered with and manipulated the official election duties of the latter to orchestrate and implement electoral fraud.

b. During the 2004 election period, Respondent engaged in unlawful correspondence with Commissioner Garcillano – caught in what is now known as the “Hello, Garci” recordings –wherein she directed/countenanced/abetted the commission of the following: (a) cause the delay in the canvassing of election returns in Mindanao; (b) manipulation of the election returns, certificates of canvas, and the statement of votes in Sulu, Basilan, and South Upi; (c) use of the military and police in partisan political activity favoring the Respondent in Mindanao; (d) manipulation of the election results to fraudulently ensure that she will lead by not less than one million votes nationwide; (e) fraudulently pad the votes cast in her favor and shave the votes of her opponents, (f) the kidnapping of Rashma Hali to prevent the latter from exposing the Respondent’s electoral fraud in Mindanao; and (g) the delaying of the senatorial canvassing, to synchronize the cheating elsewhere with the ballot count there;

c. During the 2004 election period, the Respondent committed electoral frauds through (a) vote-buying, (b) fabrication and/or tampering of ballots, election returns, and certificates of canvass, and (c) padding and shaving of votes during the counting and canvassing, and other means of election fraud, including the use of public funds of different government agencies, in the provinces of Cebu, Pampanga, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Iloilo and Bohol provinces, among other provinces; The fraud committed in the ARMM alone cost the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. some 400,000 votes.

d. Respondent, through her agents, orchestrated the switching, sometime between January and February 2005 at the House of Representatives, of ballot boxes containing town-level tallies of votes in the 2004 elections. Through this clandestine operation, some 6,000 “corrected” ERs were smuggled into the Lower House, replacing genuine ERs in the ballot boxes in the legislature’s custody. The “corrected” ERs were needed so that the votes would correspond to the figures in the province-wide certificates of canvass – the documents used in the congressional canvassing – which a group headed by former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano tampered with.

6.2. The Respondent used government offices, personnel, and funds immediately before and during the 2004 election period to buy votes, unlawfully promote her candidacy and ensure her victory;

a. Shortly before and during the 2004 election period, Respondent unlawfully transformed Philhealth cards into prohibited campaign materials by making said cards bear her name and picture to ensure her electoral victory; moreover, she illegally used public funds when she issued said Philhealth cards to voters;

b. On or about October 2003, the Respondent illegally used 4 to 6 billion pesos of public funds to promote her 2004 presidential candidacy. Under the guise of purported but incongruently massive road construction and maintenance projects from Aparri to Jolo, Respondent, through her agents, set up throughout the Philippines hundreds of thousands of placards and billboards bearing Respondent’s name or face and paid hundreds of thousands of voters who were made to wear t-shirts and raincoats also bearing the Respondent’s face or name;

c. The Respondent illegally used and disbursed the 2003 and 2004 budget allocations of the deactivated Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) and of the streamlined National Electrification Administration (NEA) for her presidential campaign fund and to unlawfully promote her 2004 presidential candidacy;

d. The Respondent illegally used and disbursed the road users’ tax and the fertilizer funds under the so-called Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) program for her presidential campaign fund and to unlawfully promote her 2004 presidential candidacy;

6.3. The Respondent authorized, abetted and countenanced the malversation of the Billions of Pesos of recovered Marcos wealth and accepted jueteng payola which she used to bankroll her presidential campaign and to bribe government officials to rig in her favor the results of the 2004 presidential elections;

7. When the electoral fraud and corruption committed by the Respondent were discovered and exposed, Respondent committed unlawful acts to conceal her criminal acts, violating the powers of congress, repressing the freedom of speech, of the press and of assembly, denying the people their right to access for information on matters of public concern and countenancing massive human rights violations – all to prevent the exposure and investigation into her unconstitutional acts.

8. The Respondent, through her agents, presented false or tampered audio recordings of her unlawful conversations with Commissioner Garcillano to the media, the public, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and falsely accused the political opposition of splicing the audio recordings of her phone conversations with Commissioner Garcillano;

8.1. The Respondent obstructed justice by attempting to delay, impede, and cover up or otherwise impair the verity, authenticity, admissibility or legibility, of evidence in the congressional investigations, and all other present and future criminal investigations, in the charges of various offenses against her and other persons; and by making, presenting, or using a false or tampered audio recording, with knowledge of its falsity and with intent to affect the course or outcome of the investigation of, or official proceedings in, criminal cases; and by giving false or fabricated information to mislead or prevent Congress and law enforcement agencies from apprehending perpetrators of certain crimes; or fabricating and disseminating information to mislead or impede the process of such investigations;

9. The Respondent also issued the following patently illegal and blatantly unconstitutional issuances to prevent investigations into her criminal acts, to suppress freedom of the press, freedom of _expression and freedom of assembly, and to prevent the people’s exercise of the right to petition the government for redress of their grievances;

9.1. The Respondent issued Executive Order No. 464 which violates the separation of powers and undermined the exclusive powers of Congress to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation, as well as the right of the people to information on matters of public concern in that she prevented her subordinates in the executive branch from appearing as witnesses in congressional hearings and from providing any documents requested in such legislative investigations;

9.2. The Respondent issued Presidential Proclamation No. 1017 and ordered the police and the military to effect warrantless searches and seizures, without complying with constitutional and legal standards, and in effect she violated the bill of rights;

9.3. The Respondent ordered the police and the military to implement a policy of calibrated pre-emptive response against political rallies and demonstrations which constitutes prior restraint, she repressed the people’s rights of free _expression, free speech, and their right to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances;

9.4. The Respondent ordered or knowingly allowed her military subordinates to white-wash overwhelming evidence of military complicity in massive electoral frauds during the 2004 Presidential elections which the Mayuga Commission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines obtained in the course of an investigation for that purpose and, to suppress the people’s right to know the results of the said investigation, she willfully barred public disclosure of the report of the said commission;

II. RESPONDENT COMMITTED CULPABLE VIOLATIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION, COMMITTED OTHER HIGH CRIMES AND BETRAYED THE PUBLIC TRUST WHEN SHE ALLOWED, ABETTED AND COUNTENANCED, GROSS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS – ACTS CONSTITUTIVE OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW.

10. As the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and chief executive with the power of control and supervision over her subordinates, the Respondent violated her constitutional duty and oath to protect human rights when she allowed, abetted, and countenanced the killings of civilians - especially political dissenters -and media practitioners, the illegal arrest and prosecution of members of Congress and political dissenters, and infringed the people’s freedoms of _expression and assembly and their right to petition the government for redress of grievances. In fact, these killings of civilians, including political dissenters and media practitioners and the illegal arrest and prosecution of members of Congress and political dissenters constitute a systematic and widespread attack against the civilian populace and as such, is reprehensible as a crime against humanity proscribed not only under Philippine law but also in both international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

10.1. Since the Respondent assumed the presidency in January 21, 2001, she has allowed, abetted and countenanced the assassination and summary executions of 690 political dissenters and 42 media practitioners, the involuntary disappearance of some 176 persons, the torture of 320 persons in the hands of government authorities, and the illegal arrest of hundreds of persons. The list of political dissenters who were killed from the time the Respondent assumed the presidency in January 21, 2001, among other information, is attached as Annex A. Copies of pictures of victims of the killings are attached as Annexes B to B-5.

10.2. Since the Respondent assumed the presidency in January 2001 and joined and declared the so-called “war on terror,” Respondent authorized, allowed, abetted and countenanced the baseless and arbitrary arrests and detention of Muslim Filipinos as the usual suspects and fall guys in such “war on terror” and the hamletting of urban Muslim centers and communities;

10.3. She authorized, allowed, abetted, encouraged and countenanced the illegal arrest, detention, and/or prosecution of Representatives Crispin Beltran, Liza Maza, Satur Ocampo, Joel Virador, Teodoro Casino and Rafael Mariano;

10.4. On February 24, 2006 or thereabouts, the Respondent allowed, abetted, and countenanced the illegal arrest of Randy David and Ronald Llamas, among many others, and the illegal raid, search and forcible entry of the premises of, and violation of the freedom of the Daily Tribune to perform its functions as a member of the press;

10.5. The Respondent encouraged, approved and ratified the perpetration of massive human rights violations by refusing to cause the investigation of and instead promoting General Jovito Palparan who has consistently been the subject of human rights violation complaints, whose provincial/regional assignments have been characterized by exponential increases in summary killings and human rights abuses, whose “human rights clearance” was withdrawn by the Commission on Human Rights, and who made unlawful public pronouncements that he will rid his area of responsibility “of anti-government rallies;”

III. RESPONDENT ENGAGED IN GRAFT AND CORRUPTION, ENTERED INTO ILLEGAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND CRIMINALLY CONCEALED HER CONJUGAL ASSETS.

11. Notwithstanding the Respondent’s fraudulent election victory and questionable mandate, the Respondent persists in staying in office and in holding on to power at all costs, in the process enriching herself, her family, friends and allies at the expense of the government and the public. Respondent also approved, allowed, and countenanced contracts that were manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government, violative of bidding and government contracts laws, thereby causing the government undue injury or grave unwarranted benefits to herself and/or favored parties through manifest partiality and/or evident bad faith.

11.1. Respondent appointed Mr. Jocelyn Bolante as Undersecretary of Agriculture to orchestrate and implement, as he did in fact orchestrate and implement, on Respondent’s behest and for Respondent’s benefit, the use of 2.806 Billion Pesos released shortly before the 2004 elections, of which 728 Million Pesos were allocated for the fertilizer fund, by, among others, overpricing the supply and acquisition of fertilizers, granting Millions of Pesos of the funds as allocations to highly-urbanized, non-agricultural congressional districts and, in some instances, releasing the funds to non-existent entities, foundations or non-government organizations;

11.2. On February 26, 2004, the Respondent, acting through her agents, caused the Republic of the Philippines to enter
into an agreement for the construction of the North Luzon Railway Project (Northrail), in the process obliging the government to contract a loan of Four Hundred Million US Dollars (US$400,000,000.00) from the Export-Import Bank of China whereby Respondent, together with and through her agents, obtained a twenty five percent (25%) kickback out of the whole contract price and obligated the Republic of the Philippines to agree to terms and conditions which are grossly disadvantageous to the government and in blatant violation of the Constitution, the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), bidding statutes, government contract laws, and other applicable statutes. Following are examples of the violations and disadvantageous terms and conditions:

i. it is based on a grossly inflated estimate of the project cost in the amount of US$503,000,000;

ii. it provides for an interest rate of three percent (3%) per annum on the amount of the loan, which is much higher than the rate on other loan packages that the Republic of the Philippines could have availed of;

iii. it provides that the Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of China, and that any suit, legal action or proceeding arising from the Agreement may be brought before the courts of that country;

iv. it provides that control over the proceeds of the loan is not placed with the Republic of the Philippines but is retained by the Export-Import Bank of China. This prevents the funds from becoming part of the National Treasury in contravention of the Constitution and applicable laws;

v. it was not approved with the prior concurrence of the Monetary Board as required by the Constitution for any foreign loan, and;

vi. it violates Philippine laws on public bidding of government projects and Constitutional provisions on preference to Filipino labor and investment because the construction project was awarded to a Chinese Corporation, China National Machinery and Equipment Corporation (Group) (CNMEG), without providing qualified Filipino contractors and corporations the opportunity to bid for the Project;

12. When the Respondent filed her Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) in February 2001, she concealed ownership of various properties and business interests pertaining to her and her spouse, and willfully failed to pay the taxes due on these properties and the income derived from them, in violation of the disclosure requirements under the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees, applicable tax laws, and the constitutional provisions on the accountability of public officials. Said concealed conjugal properties and business interests include as follows:

12.1. various real properties and the money realized from the re-sale of several of the same located in California, USA, acquired and managed though LTA Realty Corporation, which include: a five-storey apartment building on 737 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA; a condominium unit on 1176 Sacramento Street corner Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA; a residence on 2425 Tipperary Avenue, San Francisco, CA; a building on 727 Gellert Boulevard, Daly City, CA; and a 24-room building on 151 Austin Street, San Francisco, CA;

12.2. a 60,758 square meter parcel of land located in Caloocan City covered by TCT No. 153151 and titled to Jose Miguel T. Arroyo married to Gloria M. Arroyo;

12.3. cash in BPI Family Bank Makati-Perea Branch Account No. 661-5-00497-7 in the name of Jose Pidal but actually owned and controlled by her husband, Jose Miguel T. Arroyo;

12.4. business interests in the following companies: DM Press Inc., Raco Trading Phil. Inc., Trans Realty Co. Inc., Aviatica Travel and Management Corp., Eva Development Corp., and Pacific Mint International Corp., JMA Agricultural Development Corp. and Alaja Agro-Industrial Corp.;

13. After the Jose Pidal account of Jose Miguel T. Arroyo was exposed, which account was claimed by Respondent’s brother-in-law, Mr. Ignacio T. Arroyo, the Respondent failed and refused, as she continues to fail and refuse, to cause the prosecution of Jose Pidal for tax fraud for failure to report his income subject of the Jose Pidal account; Her mis-declaration of assets and liabilities continues.

14. Upon the Respondent’s assumption to the Presidency in 2001, she restored and allowed the proliferation of jueteng nationwide, and appointed law enforcement officials who acted as conduits in the payment to her of jueteng payola. Respondent received monthly jueteng payola amounting to at least ONE MILLION PESOS (PhP 1,000,000.00) per region through her spouse/Congressman-son/brother-in-law. The Respondent used jueteng proceeds to bankroll her 2004 presidential campaign, to finance massive electoral fraud, and to bribe government officials;

Relief Prayed For

16. The foregoing unconstitutional acts of the Respondent constitute culpable violations of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes and betrayal of public trust;

17. By her conduct, Respondent warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the Republic of the Philippines;

PRAYER

WHEREFORE, premises considered, Complainants respectfully pray for the Respondent’s impeachment and trial, removal from the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the Republic of the Philippines.

Makati City, for Quezon City Philippines, June 2006

By the Counsel for the Complainants:

ROQUE & BUTUYAN LAW OFFICES
Unit 1904, Antel 2000 Corporate Center
121 Valero Street, Salcedo Village
1200 Makati City

H. HARRY L. ROQUE, JR.
PTR No. 4189667, 1.11.06, Makati City
IBP No. 499912, 1.25. 00, Lifetime
Roll no. 36976

JOEL RUIZ BUTUYAN
PTR No. 4189664 , 1.11.06, Makati City
IBP No. 500459, 1.25. 00, Lifetime
Roll no. 36911

ROGER R. RAYEL
PTR No. 7258042, 1.17.06, Quezon City
IBP No. 638438, 02159, Lifetime, Quezon City
Roll No. 44106

ROMEL REGALADO BAGARES
PTR No. 4189663, 1.11.06, Makati City`
IBP No 670994, 1.11.06, SocSarGen Chapter
Roll No. 49518

-and-

DEAN RAUL C. PANGALANGAN
PTR No. 7150394, 1.02.06, Quezon City
IBP No. 578, Lifetime
Roll no. 33033
c/o 3rd Floor, Malcolm Hall
College of Law
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City

- and -

NERI JAVIER COLMENARES
PTR No. 7154810, 2.20.06, Pasig City
IBP No. 673655m 2.20.06, Pasig City
Roll No. 43060
s 3rd Floor, Erythrina Building
# 1 Matatag cor. Maaralin St
Central District, Quezon City

-and-

PROF. VICTORIA A. AVENA
PTR No.645164, 12.06.05, Quezon City`
IBP No. 7348524, 1.31.06, Quezon City
Roll No. 32395
c/o UP Law Center
College of Law
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City

-and-

PROF. IBARRA M. GUTIERREZ III
PTR No.6191372, 1.28.06, Quezon City`
IBP No. 618267, 1.05.05, Quezon City
Roll No. 44224
c/o UP Law Center
College of Law
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City

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Around 200 students, faculty, and members of the UP community held a demonstration to condemn the presence of around 20 marines of the Armed forces of the Philippines in the campus.

"Outright political repression is practically knocking on our doors," said Isa Artajo, chairperson of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP), as she and major student formations inside the university question the house in of the said troops in the Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST) compound.

Artajo maintained that "Such visitors are and will never be welcome inside UP, a bastion of anti-Arroyo sentiments and movements." Citing the recent appointment of the DMST commandant, an enlisted military personnel, as head of the Special Security Brigade (SSB), Artajo furthered that the threat of surveillance and intimidation will be realized as soon as marines start their "supposed clandestine" operations inside the campus.

"This is an obvious ploy of the Arroyo administration to forcefully stifle the brewing dissent exhibited by UP students in countless mass mobilizations calling for her ouster," Artajo said. She also cited an agreement between UP and the national government made after martial law banning any military presence and operation inside the campus. "The marines posing as SSB are rabid wolves in sheep's skin." Artajo maintained.

Likewise, Artajo condemned the spate of politically motivated killings under the Arroyo administration. "Without any popular support for her administration, Arroyo now resorts to outright violence to quell opposition, unleashing rabid dogs to perpetrate such crime against the people." Citing the operative framework under Oplan Bantay Laya, Artajo said prime targets of the Arroyo administration are legal mass formations where students, workers, peasants and other sectors are the usual suspects.

As of June 19, 690 activists have been killed since Arroyo held office in 2001.

Artajo said "UP students will continue to expose and oppose Arroyo's tyranny." She furthered that any attempt to repress the student's rights to assemble and call for Arroyo's ouster will be "aptly dealt with using the strength of collective mass actions."

"Any Arroyo lackey is not welcome in UP," she said.

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By Recah Trinidad (Inquirer)
Updated 04:10am (Mla time) 06/21/2006

THE COUNTDOWN for Manny Pacquiao’s noontime steak luncheon at the Araneta Coliseum on July 2 was tolled yesterday, upon the boxing hero’s return from the United States.

Pacquiao appeared ready for the scheduled feast, an inspirational rite before his loving countrymen.

After having honed up at the Wild Card Boxing Club off Vine Street in Hollywood, Pacquiao could be expected to climb the ring against Mexican Oscar Larios armed to the teeth.

While steaks are normally cut to thin slices with a sharp knife, Pacquiao is not leaving anything to chance.

He’s showing up for the luncheon date wielding a mighty axe.

“Hindi ko ipagpapalit kahit man sa lahat ng kayamanan itong karangalang bigay ng Mahal na Diyos na maging inspirasyon ng buong bayan,” Pacquiao told GMA-7 before winding up his shortened training in California.

Plainly translated, Pacquiao was assuring his countrymen he would give everything to repay their adoring support with a resounding win.

* * *
However, the scheduled steak luncheon could also turn messy.

Larios could prove to be real tough meat.

Not to displease Pacquiao, who had to protest when we first described Larios in this column as a form of recycled Mexican meat.

We had also been wrongly suspected of trying to wreck the promotion by baring the true merit of Larios, a rangy former two-time world champion.

Well, by that label -- recycled steak -- we meant that the visiting Mexican promises to be less juicy, if not totally dry or drained.

But, come to think of it, Larios could also come in truly tough, malitid, like dreaded carabeef.

* * *
Which momentarily pushed your reporter back to that dugout scene after Pacquiao lost his first fight against Erik Morales in March 2005.

It’s like this. After being dealt a boxing lesson-cum-bloody beating, by Morales, Pacquiao ended up comparing the masterly Mexican ring legend to a big, brutish carabao.

Pacquiao’s former close-in aide in California, Greg Asuncion of the LA Sheriff’s Office, last time bared that his beaten former big boss, usually tough and fearless, manifested awe and desperation after that loss.

Pacquiao next trained doubly hard, had his fighting mechanism overhauled, then went on to baffle and stop Morales for the first time in a classy career.

* * *
Now, if Pacquiao sounds as though he has been training for Larios as hard as he had done against Morales, it’s also to help market the $4 million card bankrolled by ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

Pacquiao needed to appear properly worried about Larios.

So far, the national boxing hero has appeared quite successful in this selling venture.

In fact, the venerable sportsman Nene Araneta, in whose Big Dome the July 2 will be staged, was caught wondering about Pacquiao’s chances against the tall Mexican.

Señor Araneta was a main guest at the dinner for Miguel Torres Jr., son of the fabulous European wine king Don Miguel Torres of Vilafranca de Pinedes near Barcelona, at the Terry Selection in Makati Monday evening.

While Araneta was entertaining unfounded doubts, Morales, who is scheduled for a third encounter with Pacquiao in Las Vegas in November, picked the Pacman over Larios.

Veteran boxing journalist Ricardo Jimenez, now working as Top Rank spokesperson, also described Larios as beat up, or damaged goods.

Yes, the odds could go double-your-money for Pacquiao come fight time.

* * *
Still, Pacquiao has reason to worry. Strong as he could be, Pacquiao cannot be expected to show up with a full oxygen tank against Larios.

Not to say that Pacquiao’s stamina would be good only for chasing a plate of corned beef across the table.

But if there promises to be a chink in Pacquiao’s armor, this should be his stamina.

As he had to cram after checking in late at Wild Card in Hollywood, there’s still the danger of Pacquiao running short of breath, as did happen in his fight against a Thai messenger in Taguig City in December 2004.

Of course, Pacquiao honestly knows where Larios stands.

But, on a good day, the recycled Mexican could also prove gamy and truly tough.

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By Thelma Sioson San Juan (Inquirer)
Posted 11:20pm (Mla time) June 15, 2006

OVER LUNCH the other day, we got a bit of information that may not necessarily be new, but is so interesting nonetheless.

Did you know that many Filipino women still use bar soap, if not detergent, on their face, and that compared to other Asian women, we are the least meticulous about skin care? This, despite the onslaught of skin-care products, the marketing blitzes of various brands, and the giant strides in skin care technology in recent years.

Apparently, a significant percentage of women, especially in the provinces, have yet to outgrow the habit, if not the age-old “tradition,” of using one soap for face, body and hair. Their skincare regimen begins with soap and ends with a sprinkle of loose baby powder.

In contrast, other Asian women -- particularly the Japanese, the Thai and the Indonesians -- have as many as seven steps in their beauty regimen, from cleansing to toning, moisturizing and so on.

“The Japanese, for instance, have a long heritage of skincare regimen, not only for the face but also for the entire body,” said Mutya Crisostomo, the new brand manager of Pond’s.

Surveys also showed that one out of three Filipino women who are facial care users use astringent. It seems their skincare regimen goes only as far as using astringent, which they dab on like a cleansing liquid, usually as often as thrice a day. And this is another oddity unique to the Pinay -- she loves the stinging sensation of a strong astringent, which is bad for the skin, of course. It’s like pouring alcohol on your face.

What makes the Philippines unique in Asia is that it is hooked on astringent. To the Filipina, it seems, astringent spells skincare. What many don’t know is that the wrong astringent, a deep-cleansing agent, leaves you practically red-faced so that you can’t go out.

“It also leaves long-term damage and makes you photosensitive,” says Mutya.

Our relatively backward ways where skincare regimen is concerned can be due mainly, of course, not only to lack of skin-care education, but also to low purchasing power. Most women in this country still don’t have the means to afford skincare products. Or, as Pond’s assistant brand manager Orange Aberin noted, “It could be a choice between that and food, or that and cell-phone load.”

All this makes the Philippines a good challenge for skincare brands like Pond’s. Its cold cream is already a household brand to generations of Filipinas. Now, it is working to redirect the Filipina’s habit to the correct steps in skincare -- from cleansing and toning to moisturizing and using leave-on cream.

It should be interesting to see how its whitening toner, which has the vitamin B3 needed to whiten the skin from within (not peeling it off incessantly), would make inroads in the market.

Missing Tinio
The National Artists Awards presentation at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last Friday night was quite stirring. It didn’t drag even if video and live shows were done to honor the achievements of the National Artists: Bencab, Ildefonso Santos, Ramon Valera, Ramon Obusan, Imao, Fernando Poe Jr. and Bienvenido Lumbera.

What we found touching was the Valera portion, where terno-clad models paraded to the music of “La Vie en Rose,” translated to Filipino by Rolando Tinio. That moment, we missed Rolando the National Artist and Rolando the friend.

The performance of a “Rama Hari” excerpt with music by Ryan Cayabyab and lyrics by Dr. Lumbera reminded us of this innovative ballet musical that may not be known to the future generations. We told CCP president Nes Jardin it wouldn’t be a bad idea to release a CD of the haunting “Rama Hari” music. Interestingly, Nes managed Ballet Philippines when this eminent dance company staged “Rama Hari.”

That night, we also learned that NCCA head Ambeth Ocampo was nearly summoned to the Senate to answer questions about the National Artists Awards. A not-so-subtle invite to grilling, no doubt. How odd.

Pitoy not hurt
Meanwhile, the other fashion design nominee for National Artist, Pitoy Moreno, will be in Washington at this time to stage a fashion show marking the centennial anniversary of Filipino migration to the US.

“Honestly, I don’t feel bad,” Pitoy told us about not having been chosen as National Artist for fashion design.

“Valera was a good designer,” he added.

Not only that. There’s ample time for Pitoy, who’s ageless and tireless. His Washington DC show at Ritz Carlton will have 120 pieces to be modeled by beauty queens such as Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman and Bb. Pilipinas World 2004 Karla Bautista, among others.

For more than three decades now, Pitoy has been bringing his collections around the world, to as far as Iran. When Pitoy’s name crops up again in the next selection of National Artists, the parameters will go beyond design and craft to identity-building abroad.

Meanwhile, Tim Yap was just in Paris to launch his limited-edition watch (Oh my, Tim, you’ve come a long way). He said, no less than Stefano Gabbana of the Dolce & Gabbana brand wore his watch during the launch. What can you say to that?

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By Nestor P. Burgos Jr. (Inquirer)
Posted 03:28am (Mla time) June 21, 2006

ILOILO CITY—President Macapagal-Arroyo has declared more than half of Boracay Island “alienable and disposable,” paving the way for the titling of prized lots on the island-resort.

The President signed Proclamation 1064 last month. It was released only last week, said Julian Amador, regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Western Visayas.

Under the proclamation, an area reaching 628 hectares or 60.85 percent of the 1,032-ha island was categorized as alienable and disposable, said Orlando Sacay, a member of the Boracay Eminent Persons Group (EPG), which is mandated to map out policies for the sustainable development of the island’s tourism industry.

The remaining areas on the island are categorized as forest reserves, protected areas and swamps.

Before the issuance of the proclamation, private ownership of lots on the island was technically illegal under Proclamation 1801 issued by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos on Nov. 10, 1978.

The proclamation declared Boracay and other islands and coves as tourist and marine zones and categorized these as public lands.

Landowners, operators of resorts, restaurants or hotels have no titles to lots they occupy and have only tax declarations, some as old as 30 years.

The categorization of areas on the island is aimed at resolving the intensifying ownership disputes on prized lots on Boracay as the real estate prices continue to significantly increase because of the increase in tourist arrivals.

A piece of property in the famous 5-km white beach costs from P25,000 to P30,000 per square meter.

But Sacay, also chair of the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI), a group of owners of resorts, hotels and restaurants on the island, said they were opposing the proclamation.

“We have to bid for our land that we have developed and invested for years,” Sacay told the Inquirer in a telephone interview.

“Why only now after we have spent millions of pesos in investment and development on these properties?” asked Sacay.

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Cereals And Good Health
Breakfast cereals taste great and are convenient. Because cereals are made from wholesome grains like wheat, corn, and oats, they are also a nutritious source of a number of important vitamins and minerals that play a positive role in maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.

Research has shown that people who eat cereal frequently are better off nutritionally than those who eat cereal less often. Frequent cereal eaters get more of their daily nutritional needs from cereal and have healthier body weights.

Improved Nutrition
Another recent study demonstrated that adults who eat cereals at least every other day skip fewer breakfasts than those who eat cereals less often. And, when they regularly eat cereal, studies show that adults have better nutrient intakes compared to those who eat cereal less often. Frequent cereal eaters have higher intakes of calcium, iron, vitamin C and B vitamins.

Similarly, adults who eat cereal, like Nestle Fitnesse, at least once every other day have higher intake of fiber, vitamins and minerals, and lower intakes of fat, percent of calories from fat, and cholesterol.

Healthier Body Weight
Breakfast Consumption is a healthy habit that has been associated with healthier body weights. Research has identified the following results:
* Adults who eat breakfast tends to weigh less than those who skip breakfast. This study among men and women alike compared the breakfast habits of more than 16,000 people.
* Eating breakfast almost everyday is the common habit shared by 90% of people participating in the National Weight Registry (these are people who have maintained weight loss of at least 30 pounds for one year). The study analyzed the eating habnits of more than 3,000 people.
* Eating breakfast may affect body weight in several ways. For instance, eating breakfast tends to cut back impulsive snacking. Research has shown that calorie intakes tend to be higher on days when people skip breakfast. And, cereal eaters eat less fat at breakfast as well as for the whole day. Finally, cereal is major source of whole grain and whole grain intake has been associated with a healthier body weight.

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Botox (P400/unit)
* Forehead P12,000

Liposuction
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Eyes
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* Upper eyelids P50,000

Nose
* Noselift P40,000 to P50,000

Threading
* Cheeks P80,000 to P100,000
* Contouring P100,000 to P150,000

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Students lamented the Arroyo government’s misguided actions to appropriate more funds for military spending. “It has just been over a week after school opening, and we have seen sheer shortages of classrooms, blackboards, textbooks, and teaching materials but here we have a president that instead added budget for the military and war,” NUSP National President Marco Delos Reyes said.

He furthers “what’s more abominable is to have a ‘Justice’ Secretary saying that deaths of civilians are just part of the collateral damage of a war. For us, it’s his admission of the human rights violations they have committed and will be committing.”

President Arroyo on Friday announced that she is adding one billion pesos for additional equipments and machinery for the military to end in two years the insurgency in the country. The 1 Billion pesos is exclusive of the yearly P5 billion AFP Modernization fund.

It was also reported that Mrs. Arroyo has instructed her loyal DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya to purchase surplus helicopters and aircrafts from the United States through a soft loan. Secretary Andaya, meanwhile, said that the funds will “come from savings in the reenacted 2005 budget.”

“This is blatant corruption,” Delos Reyes quipped. “Mrs. Arroyo really pressured the legislature so as to have the 2005 budget reenacted, and now she’s corrupting people’s money for her rusted government’s self-preservation and war against critics, patriots, and nationalists she lumped together as the left and opposition.”

“Whatever happened to the reported additional four billion pesos for the DepEd? Whatever happened to the promised 200 million pesos for the state universities? Whatever happened for the additional 100 million for scholarships promised last May? Gone with the wind, I believe,” remarked Delos Reyes.

The NUSP has instructed its over 600 student council members nationwide to launch aggressive campaigns against the militarization and war, and to push for much needed reforms in education. “Students must organize discussion groups in campus lobbies, canteens, and elsewhere to discuss these national concerns and readily draft our urgent tasks. We will organize mass actions to show our vigilance and courage to defend democracy,” Delos Reyes declared.

Finally, he said, “students must rise up to these challenges of our time. We must write the correct passages in history and act against this tyranny.”

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By Ayn Veronica de Jesus

THE proliferation of fake drugs is a serious issue. We can’t reiterate that enough.

According to the Department of Health, about 10 percent of drugs sold locally are fake. Even if that seems like a small number, you could be the next victim.

Counterfeit drugs are defined by Republic Act 8203 or the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs as 1) the drug itself, its container or any part of such drug, container or labeling without authorization of the trademark, trade name or other identification mark, or any likeness to that which is owned or registered in the Bureau of Patent, Trade and Technology Transfer in the name of another natural or juridical person; 2) a drug product refilled in containers by unauthorized persons if the legitimate labels or marks are used; 3) an unregistered imported drug product, except drugs brought in the country for personal use as confirmed and justified by accompanying medical records; 4) a drug which contains no amount of, or a different active ingredient, or less than 80 percent of the active ingredient it purports to possess, as distinguished from an adulterated drug including reduction or loss of efficacy due to expiration.

While the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) is able to monitor or capture certain segments of the counterfeiting system, it can’t do everything. The BFAD is a small agency compared to the millions of drugstores to be monitored, and the hundreds of sneaky counterfeiters who want to become richer through sleazy ways.

BFAD needs help. That’s why it’s partnered with seven government agencies and private institutions to form the Coalition Against Counterfeit Medicines. The coalition aims to help consumers become more vigilant about counterfeits through a mass media-based public awareness campaign; encourage drugstores to sell legitimate medicines; urge government agencies to enforce laws against the problem and help mobilize legislators to tighten laws against counterfeit medicines.

The coalition consists of the Departments of Health, Trade and Industry, and Justice; the Philippine Medical Association; Drugstores Association of the Philippines; Mercury Drug Corp.; Watson’s; Zuellig Pharma Corp.; Philippine Pharmaceutical Corp.; the Philippine Daily Inquirer; GMA-7; and Pfizer Inc.

It can be hard to tell the fake from the original. Sometimes the usual authenticity indicators such as holograms or tamper-evident seals are not always reliable, as they can be duplicated.

There are other telltale signs that can help you distinguish a fake drug from the real one:

The price is too cheap to be true. The suspicious drug is not sold in a reputable drugstore. Maybe your neighbor is peddling the suspicious medicine independently. Or worse, it is being sold on the sidewalks or a peddler just passing through.

The drug’s packaging or name is different from the registered product. The wordings, images and designs on the packaging are poorly printed, blurry, or different color from the original.

The logo is not quite right or different from the original logo. Nothing on the packaging shows the expiration date; and has the brand name printed larger than the generic name.

If you suspect anyone of selling fake drugs, don’t hesitate to report it to the BFAD hotline at 1-800-10-FAKEMED (325-3633), toll free from anywhere in the Philippines. Other hotlines numbers you can call are 807-0725, 807-0725, (0919) 522-0283, (0919) 522-0283. You can also e-mail reg1@bfad.gov.ph or reg2@bfad. gov.ph or visit the BFAD web site www.bfad.gov.ph.

[Source]

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(From Tribune)

Student-activists yesterday pulled a fast one on President Arroyo, welcoming her by heckling her while calling strongly for her ouster during her visit to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila to inaugurate the Sentro Oftalmologico Jose Rizal.

Reports said the incident took place around 2 p.m. at the PGH compound when a group of activists from the Student Council of the University of the Philippines joined the crowd in greeting Mrs. Arroyo, who was about to leave the hospital, and then began shouting: “Patalsikin si Gloria (Oust Gloria).”

They also slammed the President for cutting the budget of UP and PGH.

Apparently caught by surprise, Mrs. Arroyo hurriedly walked to her presidential car, while members of the Presidential Security Group, also stunned, immediately covered the Chief Executive on her way out of the hospital premises.

Commotion broke out as members of the Manila Police District carrying truncheons and shields proceeded to the crowd and violently dispersed the students, hitting them with truncheons and shields.

Five of the hecklers were arrested and taken to the nearby police headquarters after the incident.

They were charged with inciting to sedition charges.

One of the arrested student-activists, UP medicine student council chairman Perry Ridon, charged that the violent dispersal and arrests made were illegal as it was a clear violation of a UP memorandum that Philippine National Police is not allowed to arrest any protesters while inside the UP premises.

He noted that the illegal arrest and inciting to sedition filed against them smacked of the “illegitimate administration” of obvious human rights violations.

“We cannot take anymore Mrs. Arroyo’s assault on the education sector. Now that we tried to air our grievances peacefully they take us away,” Ridon said.

He added the “illegitimate President” has been patently blind to the sad plight of the education of the youth and the sufferings of the people and that she has no right being the guest of honor in the turnover ceremony.

“Mrs. Arroyo has time and again denied the youth and the people a chance at fighting poverty through heavily subsidized education and sound health services. She does not deserve any welcome at all in our university. It is she who should be the patient in the National Eye Center, for being stricken with social cataract, blinding her from the social reality that her administration is not providing enough for its people,” he stressed.

Last April, while speaking at graduation rites of the Cavite State University, Mrs. Arroyo was also heckled with ouster calls by activists, including mass communication student Ma. Teresa Pangilinan, a member of the graduating class.

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GERALD Anderson, PBB Teen Edition 3rd placer, was born in Olongapo.

“My mom owned a parlor then and my dad, a US Navy man, had a haircut there and they met,” he says. “I was three years old when we went to live in San Antonio, Texas. At 6, we moved to Missouri, where my grandma and aunt live. That’s where we stayed until I was 14, then my parents decided to return to my mom’s home in General Santos City. I had a hard time adjusting here because of the weather, as we came from a very cold place. Also, I had difficulty with the language.”

He has a younger brother and two half-sisters from his mom’s first marriage.

Is he familiar with local showbiz?

“Yes, I watch TV and even the movies, like Close To You with Sam Milby.”

After three years, he speaks both Tagalog and Bisaya like a native. He has had three girlfriends in GenSan.

“But the relationships didn’t last long. ‘Yung dalawa, one month each lang. The other one, two months. I’m not ready yet for a serious commitment.”

He is being paired with grand winner Kim Chiu. At the PBB Reunion in the Aliw Theater, the fans applauded heartily when they sang together. It’s now in their hands if they’re willing to play along and become a love-team.

“I don’t really mind. Look at Kim, she’s very beautiful. It’s great to be paired with her and I’m glad the public likes us. But it’s too early to court her seriously. Let’s get to know each other better first.”

How did he feel when people started calling his name in adulation?

“It’s a new feeling for me. Kinda weird as I’m not used to fame and hearing people shouting my name.”

What’s his most memorable experience in PBB?

“First was when we dressed up as clowns to entertain children with cancer. It’s very touching. Then my experience in Hundred Islands, where I made a violation because of a stone and was sent back to Manila. I really regretted having done it.”

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By Rod P. Kapunan (Tribune)

It used to be the habit of Mario Crespo a.k.a. Mark Jimenez to rub elbows with the tycoons and prominent politicians in Washington, D.C. To be seen rubbing elbows with the powerful in the US was what he wanted people to see him as powerful, with his sweet talk of a big contract was the acme in his career as a professional influence peddler. It was the ultimate, for only a few could rise above the pedestal of that tag as a plain business hustler. Many considered him as one Pinoy who had carved a niche in having access with the Democratic Party VIPs, including then US President Bill Clinton.

But that suddenly crumbled when US authorities started becoming suspicious of him. When they started digging, they rightly stumbled on the picture that behind the philanthropist image he publicly built was a professional wheeler-dealer. Jimenez violated the sensitive US laws on campaign fund donations to candidates he could put into his pocket because of the network of business he organized, and he was also shortchanging the US government by not paying taxes.

When luck ran out, Jimenez had to hastily pack up until he ended up in the country where he thought people were gullible. As an influence peddler, he never allowed himself to slide down to anonymity. He taunted the US authorities by becoming a high profile official, even insinuating he was a victim of intrigue in the inner circle he happily rotated before his ignominious downfall. In short, he managed to project himself as a victim of injustice; that he was being hounded for being a “good Samaritan” without telling the Filipino people he was a tax dodger. He even steered the issue that to ship him back to the lion’s den would result in a public outcry as though he was a hero and a martyr.

While fighting to ward off the long arm of the US laws, slowly he inched his way into the inner circle of Philippine politics. He again managed to build an image of a big-time business broker who could arrange multi-billion transactions, a shady specialization.He was hailed as a financial whiz kid for having consummated the sale of some big companies raking in millions of pesos for him. He ran for Congress in Manila and handily won because he thought money was all that was needed to translate wealth to power. In short, he swaggered around with the country’s top politicians and big shots as if to sneer at the US government that wanted him back.

But behind that image, Jimenez was a cunning operator. He treated all whom he dealt with, especially people in government, as one that has its rightful cash equivalent. Thus, when Estrada was elected, Jimenez thought of it as his crowning glory. He then broached the anomalous Impsa project. Because he has no scruples about bribery, he casually whispered the amount of bribe. Alas, he got the first shock because Estrada did not only turn it down but also disapproved the project for being wholly disadvantageous to the government. The President he underestimated turned out to be honorable and brave enough to turn down the $14-million bribe offer.

Despite the unexpected setback, Jimenez persisted, thinking it would not take time to get what he wanted. Rightly enough barely four days after Mrs. Arroyo ascended to power, the Impsa project was approved. Shrewd as ever, his bribe offer was alleged to have significantly been reduced. The Impsa scandal hogged the headlines where it was said his new business partner, then Justice Secretary Nani Perez received $2 million for facilitating the Impsa approval and the $7 million was allegedly given to top Malacañang officials, while the rest was kept, but for a police superintendent close to the Arroyo couple being given a $10,000 “balato” for escorting Nani and his relative conduit to Hong Kong.

When the new overlords learned of the amount sidelined by Jimenez for himself, his relationship with the new regime suddenly soured. The Arroyo government had all the reasons to teach Jimenez a lesson.

First, it is not good for him to shortchange his master. Second, the Arroyo government could sense he might spill the beans, and that it would be best to throw him out quickly. Third, the hustler failed to anticipate that he was nothing, and sending the morose wheeler-dealer back handcuffed and escorted by FBI agents was the lackey’s way to reaffirm her loyalty to the US.

Instead of getting bitter at the person who surrendered him, he began to lambaste Estrada. The smooth operator has lost his balance because he wanted to testify on the Velarde account without realizing he has only one audience — the Ilocos Sur kingpin. He had to back out because it would not get him anywhere. People are not interested in what he says but on what happened to him. Whatever he says would only benefit the one who gave the authority for the US to pluck him out of the country and earn him the tag of an ex-convict.

So what we see today is the once towering Jimenez submitting himself meekly to the whims of a self-confessed gambling lord, a demonstrably corrupt government official, and a publicly known killer. Their being seen seated side-by-side watching the trial of Estrada affirmed the old adage that birds of the same feather flock together.

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by Mark Ivan Roblas (Manila Times)

STUDENT leaders on Friday revealed that some of their colleagues are included in the Order of Battle of the Armed Forces of the Philippines alongside mainstream activists and leaders of people's organizations.

Marco de los Reyes, president of the National Union of Students in the Philippines, said members of their organization and student council officers are being closely monitored and "hunted down covertly."

De los Reyes said that during their National Council Meeting held in Baguio City last month, some of their officers reported cases of military harassment and the presence of government agents in their schools.

"We hold the military and President Arroyo liable if anything wrong happens to any of our coordinators, members, and for that matter, any youth and student leader. Only this fascist government has the resources, opportunities and motives to conduct a systematic 'neutralization' of progressive organizations and people," he said.

Mike Malano, Bicol coordinator of NUSP, recounted that he was trailed by military agents during the wake of his friend and the student leader Cris Hugo, who was allegedly gunned down by the military.

Malano said a friend who had access to military intelligence documents told him he was in the OB.

Raymond Basilio, vice president for Mindanao of NUSP, said two military personnel in uniform entered their classroom and asked his classmates of his whereabouts.

He said that a friend informed him by text about the presence of the military personnel and he was advised to stay at the faculty room.

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An in-depth report on the rising cost of education
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) released on Tuesday, June 6, aggregate data regarding tuition increase for 2006 and a 10-yr compilation of national tuition increase data. This is after being nudged by a subpoena duces tecum from the Congress Committee on Higher and Technical Education, in its meeting on June 5, to provide said data. Members of the committee chided CHED for not participating properly to the former’s hearings and requests.

“CHED restricted information perhaps because the data disproves their pronouncement this quarter that they have capped tuition increases to 7.6 percent inflation rate,” said National Union of Students of the Philippines. This school year, out of 1,428 private higher education institutions (PHEIs), 27.31 percent or 390 schools have increased their tuition. (See figure 1)

Of that total number of schools increasing tuition, 194 are increases above the inflation rate while 196 are below or equal to the inflation. Average percentage of increase is 9.53 percent with a peso equivalent of 31.04 pesos increase per unit. Data excludes increases in four medicine schools in NCR: Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela, St. Luke’s College of Medicine, University of Sto. Tomas, and UERMMMC.

Up, up and away
“This is something that goes up which students don’t welcome,” said Delos Reyes. In the last ten years, tuition has increased steadily. Average tuition fee per unit in schools that increased tuition has gone up from 257.41 pesos in school year 2001-2002 to 350.27 pesos in 2006-2007.

Total number of private schools in the country has also increased. In 1997, there are 1,008 private schools in the country and this year, there are 1,428. “CHED argues that it was successful in reducing the number of schools increasing tuition. They cited that there are only about one-fourth of the total schools that increase tuition, but that’s a half-truth. They didn’t cite that the number of private schools also increased,” clarified Delos Reyes.

“Another claim of CHED that has been disproved by the facts is the claim that they have reduced the average percent increase in tuition. In 1997, it was 16.33% and only 9.53% in 2006. However, the peso equivalent in 1997 was 28.28 pesos per unit while in 2006, it was 31.04 pesos per unit,” added Delos Reyes.

More fees to come
Aside from tuition, students pay another gamut of school fees. In 2004, CHED issued a list of the ten most common fees charged by schools in a survey conducted in 10 regions and 144 schools. The list includes registration, library, medical/dental, athletics, audio-visual, guidance, laboratory, NSTP, and ID fee.

Law states that tuition fees should be appropriated 70-20-10. Seventy percent must go to salary of personnel of the school, twenty percent go to infrastructure, and only 10 percent must go to return of investment.

However, the miscellaneous fees have unbundled school costs in tuition, and school owners were able to charge additional payments from students for personnel and infrastructure outside of basic tuition fee. Examples are developmental fee, energy fee, faculty development fee, and internet fee. (See figure 3)

“Thus, school fee regulation policies must not only pertain to the ‘how much’ but also to the ‘which’ and ‘why’. Government must also know which school fees are allowable because these fees have become redundant and excessive. School owners have circumvented existing policies,” contended Delos Reyes.

Forced to drop-out
“National statistic trends tell that students are forced to do two things because of the continuing increase in education costs: transfer to state schools or to drop-out,” asserted Delos Reyes.

Since 1997, percentage growth in enrollment has drastically slowed down in both private and public institutions. In that year, the growth in total tertiary enrollment in the country was at 10.22 percent. By 2002, the growth in total enrollment was negative 1.58 percent. Total enrollment further decreased by -0.25 percent in 2003.

This is also the case in private schools. From an enrollment growth of 6.47 percent in 1997, it plunged to negative 2.8 percent. In fact, enrollment figure was reduced by 46,354 in A.Y. 2002-2003 from 1,657,735 in the previous year. This trend runs directly in conflict with the fast expansion of private schools.

Meanwhile, enrollment in state schools continually increased. From 542, 950 student enrollment in 1997, it has increased to 829,181 in 2003. However, public schools also experienced a decline in the growth rate of enrollment. From a growth rate of 20.75 percent, it has slowed down to only 0.9 percent growth in 2002.

Based on The Reform and Development of Higher Education in the Philippines published by the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, the overall cohort survival is only 20 to 22 percent from 1st to 4th year college. The CHED, on the other hand, reports that drop out rate for tertiary level is 20.8 percent, with more poor students (30.8 percent) dropping out of school than non-poor students (16.8 percent). The Wallace Report of 2004 even puts a bleaker picture stating that the drop-out rate in tertiary level is 73 percent.

CHED Memo 14 illegal
The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE), meanwhile, declared that the CHED Memorandum 14 (CMO 14) is illegal in so far as it is against the very mandate of the Commission. CHTE cited the Supreme Court Resolution Lina vs. Cariño 1993 that gave authority to CHED to set the maximum permissible rate of increase in tuition and other fees.

CMO 14 exempted from consultations with constituents increases that are within or below the declared inflation rate. Likewise, it also exempted from consultations increases imposed to incoming first year students. “In that case, CHED left its responsibility to regulate tuition,” remarked CHTE Vice-Chairperson Rep. Liza Maza.

The June 5 CHTE hearing also revealed the seeming “identity or authority crisis” of CHED as it presented contradictory arguments regarding the scope of its mandate. “On the one hand, they say that they are constrained by Batas Pambansa 232 (Education Act of 1982), and they are already being charged at court by school owners for issuing memoranda on tuition fees. But on the other hand, CHED cites BP 232 and the 1993 Supreme Court resolution as the basis for their policies,” argued Delos Reyes, who sat as the student representative in the hearing.

Education alliance
House committee on Education vowed to continue their hearings upon the resumption of Congress in July. Even though on recess, its members committed to act in response to the urgent calls for education reforms. Senate, meanwhile, also vowed to conduct investigation for long-term policy changes in education.

NUSP, student councils, and various student organizations declared to continue their work started for the protection of the youth’s right to education. An education alliance is being formed to forward accessible education and its prioritization by the government.

“On the whole, it is the general neglect and mispriorities of the government that lead to the decay of the education system,” said Delos Reyes. “The youth must stand and step up efforts for progressive changes in education, knowledge, and consciousness. Access and costs are but a fraction only for areas of change. The general orientation of education should also be looked upon.”

National Office C/o Office of the Student Regent, Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, QC Telephone 9818500 loc. 4511 Mobile 0921-7263348 Email nusp_national@yahoo.com

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From the Sunstar

MANILA -- Militant farmers and leftist youth slugged it out with the Manila Police District anti-riot team after the protestors tried to breach the no-rally zone in Mendiola near Malacañang Friday morning.

Three policemen and several protestors among the ranks of the groups Karapatan, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Pamalakaya, Bayan, Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, League of Filipino Students (LFS), and Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) were injured.

Manila Police District Station 8 head Teordorico Perez and Police Officers 2 Jose Talua and Archimedes Calimag were hit with nightsticks on their heads during the melee. They were brought to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Some of the injured activists were initially identified as Loren Rivera -- reportedly a broadcaster from Nueva Ecija, Joaquin Padilla, Lito dela Cruz, and Jay-R Rodriguez. They sustained head injuries after they were hit by police during the encounter while some were hosed down with water cannons.

Reports said 500 rallyists convened at first at the corner of España and P. Noval Streets in Sampaloc, where they were allowed by police to hold a program at around 9 a.m. Among the speakers in the program were Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teodoro Casiño.

"We will assert our right to express our grievances, the police have no right to stop us. And this rally is deemed to have a permit because our application was not acted on after more than two days," said Casiño, who joined the marchers.

Manila Police District Station 4 chief Jovit Asayo said while he was negotiating with the marchers near the corner of España and Morayta, other militants suddenly surged forward, prompting riot police to push them back as they began marching towards Mendiola.

"We allowed their speakers to hold a program. We did not allow them to reach Mendiola. Two of our men were injured in the confrontation," Asayo said.

The clash took place near the corner of España and Lerma Streets.

The marchers were headed for Mendiola to protest the continued killing of activists in the countryside but riot police blocked them.

Some of the participants were reportedly arrested and hauled off to the MPD headquarters but their names were not immediately available.

Some policemen were seen dragging some protesters who tried to board passing jeepneys.

"Kulang pa iyan (That's less than what you deserve)!" one riot policeman was heard shouting at a subdued protester who was among those hosed down.

The incident caused a horrendous traffic jam and forced owners of commercial establishments in the area to close shop temporarily.

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By Marites Vitug (from this site)

Poor English skills threaten the Philippines' dreams of becoming a new call-center magnet in Asia.

With one out of 10 citizens unemployed, many of the country's best and brightest gone off to work elsewhere in Asia and the Middle East, and millions still living in poverty, the Philippines can boast few economic bright spots. One that the government has touted for years is outsourcing: officially at least half of all Filipinos speak English, and low labor costs have given a boost to the so-called business-process-outsourcing (BPO) industry. Five years ago there were 10 call centers in the Philippines; today there are 108 employing 200,000 Filipinos, mostly in their mid-20s. Last year the industry generated $2.3 billion in revenues—up about $1 billion over 2004—and analysts expect an additional $1 billion jump in sales this year. Call centers account for about 80 percent of the players in the BPO industry.

In a recent speech while inaugurating a Dell call center in Manila, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo predicted that up to 2 million Filipinos will be employed in such places by 2010. That bullish projection—a tenfold increase over current numbers and some 2 percent of the entire population—struck even industry advocates as breathtaking in its ambition. "We have proven that fiber optics not only transmit data or voice, but also Filipino hospitality," Arroyo said, harping on the country's oft-quoted advantage over India, its technologically advanced rival. "Because it's not yet possible to download a handshake or e-mail a hug, the next best substitute is a Filipino call-center employee."

What Arroyo didn't mention is that down in the trenches, the burgeoning BPO industry is already encountering growing pains—serious ones. The problem: many call centers can't keep up with demand because they can't find enough employees who speak "proper" English. "For every 100 people that apply in the call centers, only three to five are accepted," says Mitch Locsin, executive director of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines. Most are rejected because of poor English communication skills—a sad situation for a country that was an American colony for 50 years and is a bastion of English in Asia. "Almost all Filipinos understand English, but when we test the applicants with simulated phone calls, they take a while to reply because they translate the words into Tagalog [the local language] in their minds first," Locsin says. Weak English is an issue for even the largest call centers, which traditionally attract the most promising talent from the country's best schools.

Rainerio Borja, who heads PeopleSupport, one of the country's largest and most profitable call-center operations, points to a burst of nationalism 20 years ago as the cause of the problem. "There was a push to institutionalize Tagalog as the medium of learning in all schools," he says. "Rightly or wrongly, I believe our leaders were doing this to get away from our long colonial past and establish our country's own identity."

Now, to become more globally competitive, the government is scrambling to promote English to young people as the ticket to a good career. Three years ago the Department of Education reinstated English as the primary language of instruction in schools. Various business groups, including both the U.S. and European chambers of commerce, are sponsoring public-relations programs lauding the career benefits of English; one of the campaigns is called "English is cool" and is designed to break young people of their habit of speaking "Taglish"—a mix of English and Tagalog. In addition, Arroyo has promised to set aside $9.6 million to help put so-called near hires—an industry euphemism for applicants rejected due to a weak command of English—through a 100-hour English refresher course. The grant was made after an aggressive campaign by the industry lobby group, which was getting worried about call centers' losing business to countries like India.

The government well understands the critical importance of the industry—one of the few high-value sectors in which the country can compete with its bigger Asian neighbors. Manila has granted the outsourcing companies various concessions, ranging from tax breaks to zoning changes that allow fast-food restaurants, for instance, to operate in office buildings to serve call-center employees.

One enterprising Filipino has also started a private school catering to near hires. Based in the city of Cebu, the company, called ExcelAsia, is opening a sec-ond branch in the Manila financial district of Makati, where many call centers are located. The goal is to help the locals not only understand common American expressions and idioms, but also to speak with an American twang. "Just imagine the problem we get when an American says to one of our call-center employees, 'Get outta here'," Locsin jokes. "And the call-center employee responds, 'Sir, you want me to put down the phone already?' " For a country desperately in need of an economic-success story, such gaffes are no laughing matter.

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So maybe this is your kind of reporter. View this video and you will know.

"Michael Fajatin. Reporting."

Michael Fajatin is a reporter from GMA-7.

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By Matthew Sutherland

I have now been in this country for over six years, and consider myself in most respects well assimilated. However, there is one key step on the road to full assimilation, which I have yet to take, and that's to eat BALUT.

The day any of you sees me eating balut, please call immigration and ask them to issue me a Filipino passport. Because at that point there will be no turning back. BALUT, for those still blissfully ignorant non-Pinoys out there, is a fertilized duck egg. It is commonly sold with salt in a piece of newspaper, much like English fish and chips, by street vendors usually after dark, presumably so you can't see how gross it is. It's meant to be an aphrodisiac, although I can't imagine anything more likely to dispel sexual desire than crunching on a partially formed baby duck swimming in noxious fluid. The embryo in the egg comes in varying stages of development, but basically it is not considered macho to eat one without fully discernable feathers, beak, and claws. Some say these crunchy bits are the best. Others prefer just to drink the so-called 'soup', the vile, pungent liquid that surrounds the aforementioned feathery fetus...excuse me; I have to go and throw up now. I'll be back in a minute.

Food dominates the life of the Filipino. People here just love to eat. They eat at least eight times a day. These eight official meals are called, in order: breakfast, snacks, lunch, merienda, merienda ceyna, dinner, bedtime snacks and no-one-saw-me-take-that-cookie-from-the-fridge-so-it-doesn't-count.

The short gaps in between these mealtimes are spent eating Sky Flakes from the open packet that sits on every desktop. You're never far from food in the Philippines. If you doubt this, next time you're driving home from work, try this game. See how long you can drive without seeing food and I don't mean a distant restaurant, or a picture of food. I mean a man on the sidewalk frying fish balls, or a man walking through the traffic selling nuts or candy. I bet it's less than one minute.

Here are some other things I've noticed about food in the Philippines:

Firstly, a meal is not a meal without rice - even breakfast. In the UK, I could go a whole year without eating rice. Second, it's impossible to drink without eating. A bottle of San Miguel just isn't the same without gambas or beef tapa. Third, no one ventures more than two paces from their house without baon (food in small container) and a container of something cold to drink. You might as well ask a Filipino to leave home without his pants on. And lastly, where I come from, you eat with a knife and fork. Here, you eat with a spoon and fork. You try eating rice swimming in fish sauce with a knife. One really nice thing about Filipino food culture is that people always ask you to SHARE their food. In my office, if you catch anyone attacking their baon, they will always go, "Sir! KAIN TAYO!" ("Let's eat!"). This confused me, until I realized that they didn't actually expect me to sit down and start munching on their boneless bangus. In fact, the polite response is something like, "No thanks, I just ate." But the principle is sound - if you have food on your plate, you are expected to share it, however hungry you are, with those who may be even hungrier. I think that's great. In fact, this is frequently even taken one step further. Many Filipinos use "Have you eaten yet?" ("KUMAIN KA NA?") as a general greeting, irrespective of time of day or location.

Some foreigners think Filipino food is fairly dull compared to other Asian cuisines. Actually lots of it is very good: Spicy dishes like Bicol Express (strange, a dish named after a train); anything cooked with coconut milk; anything KINILAW; and anything ADOBO. And it's hard to beat the sheer wanton, cholesterolic frenzy of a good old-fashioned LECHON de leche (roast pig) feast. Dig a pit, light a fire, add 50 pounds of animal fat on a stick, and cook until crisp. Mmm, mmm... you can actually feel your arteries constricting with each successive mouthful. I also share one key Pinoy trait ---a sweet tooth. I am thus the only foreigner I know who does not complain about sweet bread, sweet burgers, sweet spaghetti, sweet banana ketchup, and so on. I am a man who likes to put jam on his pizza. Try it! It's the weird food you want to avoid. In addition to duck fetus in the half-shell, items to avoid in the Philippines include pig's blood soup (DINUGUAN); bull's testicle soup, the strangely-named "SOUP NUMBER FIVE" (I dread to think what numbers one through four are); and the ubiquitous, stinky shrimp paste, BAGOONG, and it's equally stinky sister, PATIS.

Filipinos are so addicted to these latter items that they will even risk arrest or deportation trying to smuggle them into countries like Australia and the USA, which wisely ban the importation of items you can smell from more than 100 paces. Then there's the small matter of the purple ice cream. I have never been able to get my brain around eating purple food; the ubiquitous UBE leaves me cold.

And lastly on the subject of weird food, beware: that KALDERETANG KAMBING (goat) could well be KALDERETANG ASO (dog)... The Filipino, of course, has a well-developed sense of food. Here's a typical Pinoy food joke: "I'm on a seafood diet. "What's a seafood diet?" "When I seefood, I eat it!"

Filipinos also eat strange bits of animals --- the feet, the head, the guts, etc., usually barbecued on a stick. These have been given witty names, like "ADIDAS" (chicken's feet); "KURBATA" (either just chicken's neck, or "neck and thigh" as in "neck-tie"); "WALKMAN" (pigs ears); "PAL" (chicken wings); "HELMET" (chicken head); "IUD" (chicken intestines), and BETAMAX" (video-cassette-like blocks of animal blood).Yum, yum. Bon appetit. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches"-- (Proverbs 22:1)

WHEN I arrived in the Philippines from the UK six years ago, one of the first cultural differences to strike me was names. The subject has provided a continuing source of amazement and amusement ever since. Thefirst unusual thing, from an English perspective, is that everyone here has a nickname. In the staid and boring United Kingdom, we have nicknames in kindergarten, but when we move into adulthood we tend, I am glad to say, to lose them.

The second thing that struck me is that Philippine names for both girls and boys tend to be what we in the UK would regard as overbearingly cutesy for anyone over about five. Fifty-five-year-olds colleague put it. Where I come from, a boy with a nickname like Boy Blue or Honey Boy would be beaten to death at school by pre-adolescent bullies, and never make it to adulthood. So, probably, would girls with names like Babes, Lovely, Precious, Peachy or Apples. Yuk, ech ech.

Here, however, no one bats an eyelid. Then I noticed how many people have what I have come to call "door-bell names". These are nicknames that sound like -well, doorbells. There are millions of them. Bing, Bong, Ding, and Dong are some of the more common. They can be, and frequently are, used in even more door-bell-like combinations such as Bing-Bong, Ding-Dong, Ting-Ting, and so on. Even our newly appointed chief of police has a doorbell name Ping. None of these doorbell names exist where I come from, and hence sound unusually amusing to my untutored foreign ear.

Someone once told me that one of the Bings, when asked why he was called Bing, replied, "Because my brother is called Bong". Faultless logic. Dong, of course, is a particularly funny one for me, as where I come from "dong" is a slang word for well; perhaps "talong" is the best Tagalog equivalent.

Repeating names was another novelty to me, having never before encountered people with names like Len-Len, Let-Let, Mai-Mai, or Ning-Ning. The secretary I inherited on my arrival had an unusual one: Leck-Leck. Such names are then frequently further refined by using the "squared" symbol, as in Len2 or Mai2. This had me very confused for a while.

Then there is the trend for parents to stick to a theme when naming their children. This can be as simple as making them all begin with the same letter, as in Jun, Jimmy, Janice, and Joy. More imaginative parents shoot for more sophisticated forms of assonance or rhyme, as in Biboy, Boboy, Buboy, Baboy (notice the names get worse the more kids there are-best to be born early or you could end up being a Baboy).

Even better, parents can create whole families of, say, desserts (Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, Honey Pie) or flowers (Rose, Daffodil, Tulip). The main advantage of such combinations is that they look great painted across your trunk if you're a cab driver. That's another thing I'd never seen before coming to Manila -- taxis with the driver's kids' names on the trunk.

Another whole eye-opening field for the foreign visitor is the phenomenon of the "composite" name. This includes names like Jejomar (for Jesus, Joseph and Mary), and the remarkable Luzviminda (for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, believe it or not). That's a bit like me being called something like "Engscowani" (for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Between you and me, I'm glad I'm not. And how could I forget to mention the fabulous concept of the randomly inserted letter 'h'. Quite what this device is supposed to achieve, I have not yet figured out, but I think it is designed to give a touch of class to an otherwise only averagely weird name. It results in creations like Jhun, Lhenn, Ghemma, and Jhimmy. Or how about
Jhun-Jhun (Jhun2)?

How boring to come from a country like the UK full of people with names like John Smith. How wonderful to come from a country where imagination and exoticism rule the world of names. Even the towns here have weird names; my favorite is the unbelievably named town of Sexmoan (ironically close to Olongapo and Angeles). Where else in the world could that really be true? Where else in the world could the head of the Church really be called Cardinal Sin? Where else but the Philippines!

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Thanks to Pinoy Exchange... Got these from there.

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by: Ethel Ramos

A red carpet awaits “Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition” (PBBTE) big winner Kim Chin, as she automatically joins the stable of talents of Star Magic, the talent management arm of ABS CBN and Star Cinema.

Sixteen-year-old Kim is, no doubt, a star material. Not only because of her charming Chinese features but because the girl is talented as well.

Kim immediately won for herself countless of followers when Big Brother prodded her to sing her favorite Chinese song, which speaks of true friendship. She sang the song in Chinese and has recorded it with her favorite duo, MYMP, for Star Records.

She can, likewise, dance and can imitate voices. She can do the voice of a grandma, a child, and others.

Fellow housemate Jamilla Obispo, 18, was rooting for Kim t win. Before the announcement of the winner, the young mother said: "I will not be surprised if Kim wins. She deserves it. I really want her to win."


Kim’s story is similar to Cinderella’s. To her housemates, she complained that her stepmom maltreats her and her siblings. "Kapag binibigyan kami ng baon ng father ko, binabawasan niya," she told them. "And we cannot do anything naman, since our Mom advises us to keep quite na lang."

Kim revealed that they used to have a happy and comfortable life, until her dad left her mom and her siblings for his other family. "Kaya kung dati ay hatid-sundo kami ng sasakyan sa iskul, nagdidyip na lang kami. Kung hindi nga lang sa (maternal) lola ko, lalong kawawa ang aming buhay," Kim continued.

As the big winner, Kim won for herself the following prizes: a cash prize of P1,000,000, a condominium unit at Chateu Valenzuela, a four-year college scholarship at AMA, an adventure package and a franchise to a business.

But more than all these prizes, what she looks forward to is appearing on TV and in the movies, said Kim. "I used to dream of seeing myself on television even just once. When I joined PBBTE, I was seen everyday."

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by: Mario E. Bautista

LIKE what we predicted, Kim Chiu is the big winner in the PBB Teen Edition.

The finals at the Aliw Theater last Saturday (it’s good they held it in a covered venue as it rained heavily that night) had a fairy-tale motif and Kim really looked every inch a princess in her beautiful gown when she was proclaimed the winner.

She got a total of 41.4 percent of all the votes, equivalent to 626,562 texters. What’s nice is she was very composed when she won and didn’t cry at all.

Mikee Lee of Ateneo was second placer with 20.7 percent or 313,032 votes. Gerald Anderson was third placer with 19.4 percent or 293,234 votes, and Clare Cabiguin was fourth placer with 18.5 percent or 279,390 votes.

The following night, Kim performed admirably in the PBB Big Reunion, also held at Aliw Theater. All the PBB alumni were there, except for Celebrity Edition winner Keanna Reeves who had a personal appearance stint in Bohol.

Among the first batch, Uma Khouny has the best PR and really tried his best to entertain the press people invited to the affair.

From the Celebrity batch, it was Rico Robles and Rustom Padilla who approached the press to give their personal greetings while we were having dinner backstage.

Both batches were well-received by the audience inside the Aliw Theater, but the crowd’s loudest shrieks were reserved for the members of the Teen Edition.

We were so surprised at the warm reception to Aldred Gatchalian. He has so many fans even if he stayed in Kuya’s house for only six days. And it turned out he really has a good voice when he did a number in the countdown of songs that made an impact in Kuya house. The list includes Say Alonzo and Sam Milby’s Magmahal Muli, Budoy Mirabiles’ Ako Si M-16, Zanjoe Marudo’s Chill, but the No. 1 song is Kaibi-gan, fetchingly sung by Kim in both Tagalog and Chinese.

Imagine, Kim rehearsed all the numbers she did on Sunday night only the whole of that day — since she just got out from PBB on Saturday night — but she did them like a real pro. She has this fantastic charisma and winning innocence that can easily make her a big star. The fans also like her loveteam with Gerald, and the two got a lot of applause when they sang together.

Among the other teens, it’s also obvious that Fred Payawan and Niña Atienza have great chemistry on stage. Fred has such showmanship and performs with gusto, while Nina has this very sexy and alluring presence that makes her shine even in the company of better-known stars.

Another very promising PBB Teen is Jam Obispo.

The show featured the 10 most memorable “Magpakatotoo Ka” moments inside Kuya’s house, which include such scenes as Franzen Fajardo picking his nose and Keanna giving Mich Dulce a piece of her mind, but the No. 1 choice is Rustom Padilla proclaiming to the world: “I am gay.”

When Rustom came out later to sing a solo number, the applause he received was thunderous.

The Big Reunion night glittered with a lot of stars.

The opening number with all the PBB alumni had Piolo Pascual, Erik Santos, Mark Bautista and Sam performing a rousing rock song for them.

The other guest performers that night — emceed by Toni Gonzaga (she’s incomparable as a host), Luis Manzano, Mariel Rodriguez and Bianca Gonzalez — were: John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis, Heart Evangelista, Shaina Magdayao, Maja Salvador, sweethearts Rachelle Ann Go and Christian Bautista (they do look good performing together), Andrea del Rosario, Jeni Hernandez, Andrew E, Orange and Lemons and Itchyworms.

Gary Valenciano did the last song number and then called PBB execs Laurenti Dyogi and Linggit Tan, who thanked everyone involved in the show for the very successful first year of PBB. They are now preparing PBB’s second year with a series of auditions all over the country, along with a new reality show, Pinoy Dream Academy, which will look for 16 singer finalists.

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The day after The Big Night, The Big Four already appeared in different TV shows. Kim, Mikee, Gerald and Clare together with the ex-Teen Housemates appeared in the Sunday noontime show of ABS-CBN, ASAP 06. The ex-Teen Housemates danced the Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition's theme song, "Kabataang Pinoy" (Filipino Youth) by Itchyworms.

Kim sang her surefire hit song in the coming weeks, Peng You. She wore a cheongsam dress with her hair set like Chun-Li's. Hosts Luis Manzano and Piolo Pascual announced that Kim and the rest of the ex-Teen Housemates are now part of the Kampamilya (Family) under ABS-CBN's Star Magic. All 14 Teen Housemates will be receiving management contracts from the network.

In the afternoon, the four appeared in the Sunday showbiz talk show The Buzz. Kim admitted that she's dreaming of both becoming an actress and a singer. She also said that if given a chance, she would choose Gerald, a co-housemate and a close friend, to be her leading man. Mikee, a former partner inside the house, said he was fine with that explaining that she looks at Kim only as a special friend.

Later that evening, they staged The Pinoy Big Brother: The Big Reunion at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City, where all the housemates from the Pinoy Big Brother Season 1, Celebrity Edition and Teen Edition join in one stage. Kim and Gerald had the loudest support from the fans, naming their love team as Kimerald.

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The Teen Big Four dressed like princes and princesses in The Big Night: The Fairy Tale Finale of the Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition. Local teen stars and the Celebrity Big Four attended the show. Toni Gonzaga, the original host of the show was back to host the event together with Mariel Rodriguez and ex-Celebrity Housemate 3rd Big Placer, Bianca Gonzalez.

Clare Cabuigin of Bukidnon was fourth with 18.5% of votes. General Santos City native, Gerald Anderson exited the Palace Confession Room and was 3rd place scoring 19.4%. And first runner-up was the Ateneo student Mikee Lee, with 20.7% of the votes cast.

Kim Chiu ranked first among the four with 41.4% and was named the Teen Big Winner. Included in the prizes are 1 million pesos (US$19,000), a condominium unit, a 4-year college scholarship courtesy of AMA Computer University, among other prizes worth 3 million pesos (US$57,000).

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A Chinese-Cebuana, Kim was never nominated by her co-teen housemates because of her sense of humor and her smile as well as her very positive attitude and sportsmanship that made her one of the early bets by the viewers to win. A semi-contortionist, Kim made everyone laugh with her stunts like crossing her two legs at the back of her head. She also sang songs and played the guitar with teen housemates Mikee, Matt and Gerald.

A go-getter, she made sure she accomplished the tasks given to her by Big Brother without hesitation. Tasks include eating exotic Filipino delicacies, rope climbing in the garden and sticking out the tongue for an hour, just to name a few. She also participated in the group task to give Jamilla's son, Miggy, who has cleft palate, the remaining four operations to be shouldered by some doctors at St. Lukes Hospital. One of the tasks was braiding the hair of the girls for six hours.

After a 10-month relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Kim became sort of a man-hater although she wasn't afraid to admit her admiration to two housemates inside the house. Earlier in the season, the housemates admitted to each other their crushes among the Teen Housemates. Kim said that she likes Mikee, who also admitted that she likes Kim. From then on, the two were inseperable and oftentimes teased by the rest of the housemates. Both of them can sing and play the guitar, which was their favorite pastime together. On the other hand, as the Teen Housemates dwindled each week, Kim found comfort and good friendship with Gerald, a Filipino-American teen housemate from General Santos City. Kim and Gerald became close friends forming a love triangle.

As part of the simple wishes of Kim to Big Brother, she met her idol, the acoustic band MYMP (Make Your Momma Proud) while she was still inside the house. Two weeks before The Big Night, she was taken out of the house blind-folded to record the Chinese song, Peng You (朋友) by Emil Chou with Juris of MYMP. The song was translated in Filipino and was made into a music video, showing clips in the Big Brother house.

Previously on their first week inside, she was asked by fellow teen housemates Jamilla and Aldred to sing in Chinese. Kim sang Peng You and explained the lyrics line by line. Peng You is friend in Mandarin.

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By Jerry Donato
The Philippine Star 06/05/2006

Dreams do come true. These are perhaps the first few words the ecstatic Bahay ni Kuya housemate Kim Chiu uttered when her name was called as Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Teen Edition Big Winner during the reality TV show’s grand finale the other night in a fairy-tale fashion held at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

The winner’s royal court was comprised of Mikee Lee, second placer; Gerald Anderson, third placer; and Clare Cabiguin, fourth placer.

The other teen edition’s housemates were Jamilla Obispo, Brenda Fox, Olyn Membian, Matt Evans, Fred Payawan, Joaqui Mendoza, Niña Jose, Bam Romana, Mikki Arceo and Aldred Gatchalian.

Before the Big Day came, The Final Four were treated to the bucolic Hundred Islands in Alaminos City, Pangasinan. As expected, Kim, Mikee, Gerald and Clare went to this summer getaway blindfolded and were grounded in a private resort. Big Brother asked them to perform tasks and the last week of the show saw them doing a balancing act on a rope, cleaning a certain part of the beach, scuba diving, coral replanting and clam transferring.

In one of the tasks, Gerald was found cheating the weight of the collected garbage by putting some stones. Kuya decided to evict him off Big Brother House.

This made Kim, Clare and Mikee miss Gerald and conclude that he (Gerald) was out of the race. Just like a forgiving parent, Big Brother gave Gerald another chance to stay in the race after accomplishing a task which required him to gather rocks in the pool and create a message expressing his feelings.

The competition in the teen edition was unpredictable. Televiewers thought that Aldred, the good-looking valedictorian from Pasay City, would emerge the winner. After a one-week stay, however, he made a voluntary exit and left the house. Reason: He missed his family.

Jamilla’s touching story and reason for joining PBB led many to believe she would give fellow housemates stiff competition. Mommy Jam to her fellow housemates, all Jamilla wanted was for her one-year-old son to have a much-needed cleft palate operation. Jamilla, whose story is somewhat similar to Celebrity Edition Big Winner Keanna Reeves’, endeared herself to her housemates and televiewers with her maturity and devotion to her son.

The 42-day run of the reality TV show saw girls swooning over the arresting looks and masculinity of Matt, Fred, Gerald and Mikee, the resident genius. They thought one of them would be the next big winner.

Kim remained consistent as a shoo-in for the top prize. With her Chinese features, Kim is perfect as a lead star in a chinovela. But this was not the reason why she clinched the top prize. Kim won the hearts and sympathy of her housemates and televiewers when she sang a Chinese song which speaks of true friendship.

Not only that. She showed her dancing skills, too. Kim had also the rare chance of recording the song with her favorite duo, M.Y.M.P.

On hindsight, what carried the day for Kim was her being true to herself and her determination to accomplish all the tasks Big Brother prepared for the teen housemates.

Just like in any Cinderella-inspired story, PBB Teen Edition ended happily – perhaps ever after – for its Final Four.

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First posted 07:06am (Mla time) June 05, 2006
By Bayani San Diego Jr. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

CHINESE-FILIPINO Kimberly “Kim” Chiu of Cebu was declared the big winner of “Pinoy Big Brother’s Teen Edition” during the finals held at the Aliw Theater late Saturday night.

Kim bested 13 other housemates in her month-long stay inside the Big Brother House, garnering a whopping 626,562 text votes or 41.4 percent of the total -- twice that of her nearest rival Mikee Lee who only posted 313,032 votes or 20.7 percent.

Filipino-American Gerald Anderson of General Santos City placed third with 293,234 votes or 19.4 percent, while Clare Cabiguin of Bukidnon was fourth with 279,390 votes or 18.5 percent.

Kim’s prizes include a condominium in Chateau Valenzuela, an adventure package, a four-year college scholarship from AMA Computer College and P1 million in cash.

Resplendent in a puffy white Larry Espinosa gown, Kim was also the crowd favorite in the 3,000-seater Aliw Theater. Her fans cheered her on, brandishing banners in support of the 16-year-old Cebuana and her
“love team” partner Gerald.

Just what made Kim stand out from among the 14 housemates, who in turn were narrowed down from over 30,000 hopefuls that auditioned?

PBB director Lauren Dyogi said that it was Kim’s natural charisma that endeared her to viewers. “She’s wholesome and very pleasant. She laughs a lot. That was how she coped with the stress of their 42-day stay in the PBB house.”

Kim reportedly told Randy Dellosa, resident psychologist of PBB, that she didn’t have a clue. “I am just happy that my parents and siblings now see me in a different light. My sisters were surprised to learn that I could sing.”

(ABS-CBN did not allow the winners to be interviewed by anyone from the press until after their exclusive appearance on “The Buzz” yesterday at 4 p.m.)

Dyogi added that Kim had a wide fan base. “We cannot discount the large Chinese and Visayan votes. Also, a lot of Filipinos are fascinated with Chinese culture because of all the Asian telenovelas.”

In the end, Cebuano charm won the day.

“She also sings Chinese,” Dyogi pointed out -- almost as an afterthought, as if in response to the media critics who had dismissed previous PBB alumni as untalented.

Women power

For the third straight time, woman power reigned on the ABS-CBN reality show after Kim topped the Teen Edition.

In the show’s first season, Nene Tamayo emerged as big winner; in the Celebrity Edition, it was Keanna Reeves.

Just what is the significance of PBB’s all-female lineup of winners? Is it a reflection of the Kapamilya network’s largely female/family-oriented demographic?

Is it a validation of the supposed “matriarchal” nature of Philippine society?

More than a talent search, Dellosa believes the show serves as a “social experiment,” a Rorscharch Test if you will, in which “we can study how the public is reacting to people-watching.”

It’s not just an experiment in voyeurism, he said, but it can also be a study on the voting patterns of Filipino televiewers.

“If you read the PBB forum online, the reasons the viewers post for favoring certain housemates can be trivial,” Dellosa points out. “It can range from something as shallow as good looks to as obvious as regional affiliation.”

Reformat

Dyogi also revealed that PBB was going to be reformatted into a talent search, called “Pinoy Dream Academy,” in its next full (three-month) season in August.

This is probably the network’s answer to “Philippine Idol,” which premieres on ABC 5 in July.

“Pinoy Dream Academy is actually a separate franchise, also from Endemol, the same Dutch company behind Big Brother,” Dyogi explained.

“In London, it’s called ‘Fame Academy.’ In France, it’s ‘Star Academy.’ In Spain and Italy, ‘La Academia.’ It’s a lot like PBB in the sense that the students live together. But the difference is that they will be trained to be performers. Big Brother won’t be around. Instead, there’ll be a principal and different instructors who will give workshops on singing, dancing and other aspects of performance.”

But will “Pinoy Dream Academy” go head-to-head with “RP Idol”?

RP Idol, look out

“I think ‘RP Idol’ will just air twice a week, but ‘Pinoy Dream Academy’ will come out nightly,” Dyogi said. “We just want to give PBB a rest this year so that viewers will miss it. We want to protect the PBB franchise.”

Sheldon Bailey, supervising producer of Freemantle Media (“Idol” producer) and consulting producer of “RP Idol” told the Inquirer in an earlier interview: “The Idol franchise has been successful in 35 countries. We are confident that it’ll wipe out copycat shows anywhere in the world.”

Roberto Barreiro, managing director for TV operations, sales and marketing of ABC 5, asserted that in the Philippines, “Big Brother” had “evolved from a naughty, almost soft-porn show (in Europe) into a charity, socially-relevant program.

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by: Willy M. Balasa

THE Overseas Workers Welfare Administration yesterday warned Filipinos wishing to work abroad, particularly in Dubai, against a white slavery syndicate promising good paying jobs.

The OWWA-NAIA issued this warning after a Filipina, who was forced to work as a sex slave, escaped from a prostitution den in Dubai. The victim's name was temporarily withheld.

She is now under the custody of the Philippine Consulate Office in Dubai and is undergoing counselling.

The victim escaped from the white slavery house when its guard fell asleep. A Filipino worker who found her straying in the street helped her.

The victim said there are other OFWs locked up in the sex den who were forced into prostitution by the syndicate.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and the OWWA are now moving to rescue and repatriate the OFWs.

Meanwhile, 20 OFWs who were all victims of abuses returned from Dubai over the weekend.

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A very inspiring message from Butch Jimenez, Senior Vice-President, Retail Business Group PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone),OIC, Wireless Consumer Division, Smart Communications, at the 93rd SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES, Luce Auditorium Lobby, March 26, 2006.

It is a privilege of mine to be here. In 2003, I was requested to be the commencement speaker for the graduating class of the University of the Philippines-Diliman. And after I gave that address, I said to myself-and this is true-the only other invitation that I will accept after UP Diliman is Silliman University. I have actually been waiting for almost three years. And I would have waited 30 more years to address you. You may be asking, "Why is that?" It is simply because of the Christian roots and the Christian heritage that this university has; the same roots and the same heritage that my great grandmother, my grandmother, and even my mother have tried to instill in my life. That is why I am here. So thank you very much for the privilege. I am actually quite excited to address all of you.

One of the questions running in your mind today as you graduate and move forward is, "How do I reach the top?" A fair question and one that needs to be answered. And since I now presently handle marketing for both PLDT and Smart, let me share with you some marketing principles that I have learned, that may guide you on your quest to the top.

A battle for the mind
Success in marketing is a battle to be the first in the mind of the consumer. That is the principle proposed in the '80s by two authors, Al Ries and Jack Trout, in their classic book, "Positioning." Ries and Trout said that success in marketing is a battle to be the first in the mind of the consumer. If you are first in the mind of the consumer, in most cases, you will rise to the top and become the leader or number one.

So, the battle is to be the first in the mind. Let's give a couple of examples. When I say cola, what comes first in your mind? It's Coke. And today, Coke has risen to the top and is number one. When you say beer, the first thing that comes into your mind is San Miguel. They are first in the mind, they are at the top, and they are the leader. When you say toothpaste, in most cases, what comes to mind is Colgate. The same rule holds true. Colgate is at the top of your mind, and they are number one. When you say photocopier, it's Xerox. They are first in the mind, they are the leader, and they have risen to the top. Let's try something more hip for the new generation kids. When you say MP3 player, what's first in your mind. I can actually read your mind. The iPod. They are first in the mind, they are at the top, and today, they are number one.

So, in many instances, the rule actually works. If you want to rise to the top, you have to be the first in the mind.

The second thing that Al Ries and Jack Trout talked about, aside from being the first in the mind of the consumer, is burning an attribute or a characteristic in the minds of the consumers. For example, Volvo did that. They burned into the mind of the consumer the attribute of safety. If you want a safe car, Volvo is it. iPod, for example, is burning in all our minds the attribute of being cool. They want to drive into our minds that the Ipod is the coolest gadget in the universe today. So, two concepts we learn from Marketing to reach the top: Be the first in the mind and burn an attribute in the mind. Then, you start rising to the top. So what does this all mean to you, as you go out into the workplace? If you guys want to start rising to the top, you have to do the same thing. You have to be the first or the top of mind amongst the people that you work for specially your boss. When the boss needs something done, you have to be the first in his mind. If you're just the third, or the fourth, or the fifth, or the tenth in his mind, you're just like a company that is in third, fourth or fifth position far, far away from rising to the top. But like I said earlier, being top of mind is not enough. You also have to burn an attribute in his mind. Now, a slight word of caution.

Burning an attribute in your boss's or co-worker's mind is a double-edged sword. You have to make sure that you burn a positive attribute and not a negative one.

Ries and Trout explain that it is very difficult or next to impossible to dislodge an attribute in ones mind once it has been established. If you go into the workplace and the attribute you burn in your boss's mind is tatamad tamad ka (you're lazy), mahirap kang pakisamahan(you're not a team player), or di ka mapagkakatiwalaan (you're not trustworthy) then chances are, that attribute will stick in his mind for years to come and you'll have a hard time rising to the top.

How many classmates do you know have been branded "lazy", "a flirt", "playboy", "cheater" etc. Think about it, no matter how hard they try to change their image, it just sticks and is so hard to dislodge from your mind isn't it? That's how powerful burning an attribute in the mind is, positive or negative. So, key lessons if you want to rise to the top is, you have to be the first in their mind and you must burn positive attributes in their mind.

Discipline
This leads me to the question, "What attribute should you burn in the minds of the people in today's world?" There are many attributes that I would have wanted to share with you, but in the interest of time, I will focus on two.

The first one is the attribute of discipline. If we want to be able to compete not only with our peers, but with the best in the world, we have no choice. As a person, as a people, and as a country, we have to be disciplined.

Discipline is a very fascinating thing. In the world of competition, you're always competing with somebody else. There is Smart competing with Globe, There is GMA competing with ABS-CBN, there is Sony competing with Samsung, and the list goes on. But when it comes to discipline, you are not competing with anybody else. You are only competing with yourself. And if you lose, guess who actually loses, only you.

A year and a half ago, I went to a leadership conference in Singapore that put together and assembled some of the best speakers in the world. I actually had to pay a huge amount-probably my whole month's salary-just to be able to enter that conference. Al Ries was speaking. Film legend, Francis Ford Coppola was speaking, Rudy Giuliani, who led New York to rise from the 911 crisis, was speaking and Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister of Singapore was one of the speakers. I wanted to listen to Lee Kuan Yew and what he had to say. Lee Kuan Yew shared how he built Singapore from nothing to where it is today. He shared that Singapore, barely a generation ago, was far worse than many of its peers. But today, it is an economic superpower. He narrated that when he first started to lead Singapore, he asked his think tank to visit neighboring countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and figure out what they don't have. He said they all came back with one conclusion: These countries lacked discipline. So to differentiate Singapore from its neighbors, he decided to build his country on discipline. This meant that if Singapore promised something to its people, to its foreign investors, and to other countries, it will be fulfilled. A disciplined country and a disciplined people-that's what he built Singapore on.

Discipline is a very important attribute all of us must have to be able to bring this country up from where it is today. If you want to reach your goals and dreams, you cannot do it without discipline. One of my good friends is the president of Alaska Milk, Fred Uytengsu. I used to see him on the baseball field when he used to coach his son's team and I was an assistant for my son's team. One day, I saw him wearing a shirt that said, "If you don't have discipline, you don't deserve to dream." No matter how harsh it may seem, the point is true. If you're 350 lbs. overweight and you're dreaming to become the next big hunk, but you don't have the discipline to watch what you eat, to exercise, and to make it happen, it isn't going to happen. Don't even bother dreaming, if you don't have the discipline to make it a reality. You'll just get frustrated. That's how important discipline is in achieving success.

In the world of business, discipline is defined as work ethic. I'd like to share with you an anecdote from a great man who epitomized what work ethic is all about. Thomas Alva Edison. At the age of 82, the President of the United States said it was about time he was honored with an award for his lifetime work. So they put together a huge event in honor of Thomas Alva Edison. Being 82, he felt a bit sick that night and fainted. Good thing they were able to revive him and he was still able to go up on stage. Edison upon accepting the award simply said, "I am tired of all this glory. I want to get back to work." 82 years old, and all he can think of is going back to work. That is work ethic. That is discipline. And that is one of the attributes we need to burn in people's minds if we are to rise to the top.

Execution
The second attribute we should burn is execution. We need to be able to drive in the minds of the people that we work with that we are the "go-to" guy. That if they want to make something happen, you are the guy to go to, because you are the person who can execute. Execution is one of the attribute that will help you rise to the top. I'd like to quote one of the greatest mentors of all time who said to his pupil: "Luke, there is no try. There is either do or not do." You know who that is? That is Yoda teaching Luke Skywalker of Star Wars one of the most important lessons in life: execution or making it happen.

An icon of execution, of course, is Michael Jordan. He is arguably one of the greatest basketball players that ever lived, but not without getting the ball, taking that shot, and executing the play.Can you imagine what would have happened to Michael if all he ever did was to plan on shooting the ball but never did? One of the things you have to remember about execution though is that it doesn't mean you have to be successful every single time. Part of execution is learning how to fail yet rising up again. Michael Jordan says this, "I missed more than 9,000 shots in my career and lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life, and that's precisely why I succeed."

When you go out to the real world, you will realize that there are many people out there who have great ideas and great plans. And that is good. But like I always tell my team in PLDT, what separates the good from the great is execution. We can spend endless hours and tons of money strategizing, planning, team building, and analyzing to come out with a great plan. But until we execute that plan, that's all it will ever be, a plan. When something goes wrong in a company, the question the leader or the CEO almost always asks is not, "Who has the best grades?" "Who has a diploma?" "Who has all the awards?" "Who is the summa cum laude?" "Who graduated from an Ivy league school?" The CEO just asks one question: "Who can get the job done?" That, dear graduates is the importance of execution. Let's learn a lesson from Mickey Mouse. Well, maybe not from Mickey, but from his originator, Walt Disney. Walt had four mantras: dreaming, believing, daring, and then doing. Of the four, "doing" is what turns everything into a reality. Walt said, "Dreaming, believing and daring without doing is just like Dumbo, the elephant, without ears. It just won't fly. ABRAKADABRA will never work." Only execution does.

Descending to the Top
In my UP speech, I talked to them about "what's better than," and I juxtaposed what's better than this versus what's better than that. Now, all of us want to ascend to the top. No doubt about it. And we should. We should plan on ascending all the way to the top. But I will pose the same question I did three years ago: "What's better than ascending to the top?" The answer is DESCENDING to the top. That may actually baffle a lot of your minds. "What is he talking about?" "How can descending to the top be better than ascending to the top?" It is a biblical principle. The Bible tells us that he who wishes to be the greatest must be the servant of all. That is the concept of descending to the top.

What I want to share with you is that as you rise to the top, the more you have to be a servant. The keyword is humility. The more you start rising to the top, the more humility needs to become an important place in who you are and in your life. I want to share with you what happened to Steve Jobs the founder of Apple computers and now the Ipod. We all know what a great visionary Steve Jobs is. But if we chronicle his career, Steve Jobs, as he was ascending to the top, as he was rising towards greatness, forgot all about humility. While he was hitting his peak, all he thought about was how great he was, how fantastic he was, and how the world and his company revolved around him. That is ascending to the top. The higher you go, the bigger your head. What happened to Steve Jobs as he hit the peak? He was driven out of his company both in failure and in disgrace. Then after having failed in many other endeavors, he started again and went on to make an indelible mark in the entertainment industry, and with the extraordinary success of the iPod, regained his reputation as the "greatest innovator of the digital age". And so Steve Jobs, after having ascended to the top and then unceremoniously booted out, now gets the chance to lead Apple again. But something was different about the man this time. People started to feel Steve had changed. And so in a big conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, there he was, listening to the chants of his people, demanding him to come back and run Apple again.

Let me share with you how the new Steve answered the call. No longer ascending to the top, but understanding what descending to the top is all about. And I will quote from the book, "Icon: The greatest second act in business". For the first time in his public life, there on stage, Steve appeared genuinely touched when the people were starting to ask him to come back and take the CEO position. He wasn't brash or cocky anymore. Maybe his four kids and the complete failure of a company and the near failure of another taught him something. There on stage, he fought back the tears as he mumbled something to make it clear that yes, even Steve Jobs can change. He had made the transition into a world where feelings and passion could partner with business and technology. Steve Jobs said, "You guys are making me feel funny right now. I get to come to work with the most talented people on the planet at Apple and Pixar. The best job in the world! But these jobs are team sports. I cannot do it alone; I can only do it with a team." A team sport. Fifteen years ago, it would have been a lie. It would have been all about him and how great he was. But now, everything was different. He now understood that it was really the many others who helped him succeed. He did realize it wasn't all about him. That Apple is a team sport. That is descending to the top - the higher you fly, the lower the ego. If you're able to get a copy of Time Magazine's issue where they declared who their Man of the Year was for 20005 you'll see their choice was Bill Gates. But not because of what Bill Gates has done for Microsoft. Not because he revolutionized the computer industry. But because of what Bill Gates has started to do for humanity. If you read that article, Bill realizes that this is probably the generation where if health care were given enough resources, he can actually make a big difference in millions of people's lives. And that has become the man's passion and advocacy, donating billions to uplift the health of poverty stricken nations. This today is what truly defines him; no longer his technological achievements. It is now about serving and helping other people. In other words, descending to the top.

A heart for our Country
Finally, as you rise to the top you should never lose your heart for our country. I always tell my team in PLDT, that yes, we have a business to run, but let us never forget we also have a country to serve. And that is the same thing I will tell you as you guys rise to the top. You will have businesses to run, you will have your own careers to take care of, and you will have your own dreams to pursue, but never forget you have a country to serve. You may ask, "How? How do I serve the country?" One way is actually quite simple. I'll give it to you in one word. If you are great, if you are smart, if you are the best, if you have a Silliman education, then, please STAY. Just stay in the country. You would have actually done a great service to our country just by staying. But if you can't stay, or you don't want to stay, that's fine. If you think you want to make it out there in the world, that's a-ok with me. But I want to ask two things of you.

First, go out there and show the whole world how great the Filipino is. In whatever field you're in, prove to the world how special we Filipinos truly are. Second, don't just plan to COME back. Plan to GIVE back to the country. If you do that, if every Filipino who goes out there into the world -- and there are millions of us already -- proves to everybody how great the Filipino is, and not only plans to come back, but actually plans to give back to this country, in less than one generation, we will be an even greater nation.

I will end with what I told the UP students in 2003. You must be asking yourselves, "How do I reach my dreams?" or "How far can I go?" I told them this: In the last 42 years of my life, I have realized one thing, "There is no destination beyond the reach of those who walk with God."

So when you go out there in the world, take God's hand and walk with him. Because when you do, whatever destination it is you are hoping to reach, if God walks with you and takes you through, there will be no destination beyond your reach.

To the graduating class of 2006, I will meet you at the top and nowhere else!"

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The Philippine public education system is in crisis!

· Only 6 out of every 1,000 Grade Six elementary graduate students are prepared to enter high school.

Education Secretary Florencio Abad, 24th National Educators Congress, 18 October 2004, Bacolod City, Speech: “There is a crisis in Philippine education. Only 0.64% of some 1.4 million Grade VI students got a score of 75% and above in the 2004 High School Readiness Test (HSRT). The mean percentage score was 32.13%.”

99.36% of Grade VI elementary graduate students failed to get 75 percent and above in the HSRT, a 90-item competency test on elementary English, Science and Mathematics administered by the National Educational Testing and Research Center (NETRC) of the Department of Education (DepED) on May and June 2004 on incoming public freshmen high school students nationwide. Only 7.9 percent got a score of 50 percent and above. The mean percentage score was 29.47 in English, 33.46 in Science, and 33.46 in Mathematics.

· Only 2 out of every 100 Fourth Year high school students are fit to enter college.

Ibid., “97.9% of the more than 1 million 4th Year High School students failed to get 75% and above in the National Achievement Test (NAT) last March 2004. The total percent score of examinees was 44.36%.”

The mean percentage score was 36.80 in Science, 46.20 in Mathematics, and 50.08 in English.

· Only 19 out of every 100 public school teachers have confidence and competence to teach English.

Ibid., “19% of 53,412 public high school teachers of English, Science and Mathematics earned a score of 75% or higher in Self-Assessment Test (SAT) for English Proficiency administered by the DepED in May 2003.”

81% of Public School Teachers failed to earn a score of 75 percent or higher in the SAT for English.

· The Philippines is No. 41 in Science and No. 42 in Mathematics among 45 countries.

Boston College, Quadrennial Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), 16 December 2004, Malaya, page 1, www.timss.org. “In science, Grade 8 (equivalent of Second Year) Filipino students edged out only their counterparts in Botswana, Ghana and South Africa. In Mathematics, they were ahead from the same countries plus Saudi Arabia. “

In science, Philippines got a score of 377; International average is 474. In mathematics, Philippine score is 378; International average is 467. Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan topped the worldwide survey. TIMMSS is administered by the International Association for the Evaluation of Education Achievement.

The Philippine public education is in distress!

· 1 in every 8 schools has teacher-to-pupil ratio of 1:50 and above.

Department of Education, Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Proposal Submitted to Congress of the Philippines, 01 September 2003, Part II, Page 13: “4,456 schools [3,597 (13%) public elementary schools and 859 (25%) public high schools] with a total enrolment of 2.73 million children have teacher-pupil ratios of 1:50 and above.”

· 1 in every 7 students does not have a classroom.

Department of Education, Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Proposal Submitted to Congress of the Philippines, 14 October 2004, Page 6: “Growing Resource Shortages for Fiscal Year 2005 – Remaining Classroom Backlog: -57,930 based on a class size of 45 children to a room.”

· 1 in every 5 students does not have a desk.

Ibid., “Remaining Seat Backlog: -3.48 million.”

· 1 in every 3 students does not have a single textbook.

Ibid., “Remaining Textbook Backlog: -34.7 million.”

· 2 to 8 students share in a single set of textbooks.

World Bank (WB), Commission on Audit (COA), Ibon Foundation, “Robbed” by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), On-Site surveys by KAAKBAY CDI on Pilot Schools.

The quality of Philippine education is declining continuously. Elementary and high schools are failing to teach the competence the average citizen needs to become responsible, productive and self-fulfilling.

Ibid., Department of Education, Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Proposal, Part II, Page 2.

The principal reasons for this decline are: 1) the country is simply not investing enough in the education system, and 2) the education establishment has been poorly managed.

Ibid., Part II, Pages 3.

The Department of Education, Performance Report January 2001 to June 2004, 12 October 2004, Page 7: “The delivery of basic education has been confronted by the ill effects of continuing, rapid population growth and the dwindling Philippine economy. Public school enrolment… consistently expanded, while government’s spending for basic education has not kept pace with such increases.”

Ibid., Education Secretary Florencio Abad. “The Philippine per-capita budget for education is P7,700 or $138 per student per year. New Zealand and the United States of America’s budgets amount to P125,500 or $2,240 per student per year”

Senator Manny Villar, Chairman of Senate Committee on Finance, Congress of the Philippines, 25 October 2004. “The Philippines allots only 3.2% (P111 billion or $2.1 billion) of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) for education. It is the third lowest compared to other Asian countries: Malaysia 7.9%, Thailand 5%, Hong Kong 4.1%, Japan 3.6%, South Korea 3.6%, China 2.2% and Indonesia 1.3%. Even as a percentage of the national budget, at 14% the Philippines ranks the third lowest in Asia. Debt service payments have soared from only 8.1% of the GDP in 1990 to 19% in 2004, while the increase in education spending is minimal, from 2.9% in 1990 to 3.2% in 2004.”

The per capita government spending on education in the Philippines has suffered due to extremely tight fiscal constraints, yet funds for debt service payments are growing faster than the budget for education.

The rural areas and the countryside are the worst affected areas of the deteriorating quality of public education in the Philippines.

Education has always been viewed as an avenue to a better quality of life. It provides equal opportunities to the rich and poor alike. As such, the development and provision of education should always be discussed and viewed within the context of poverty alleviation.

Poverty in the Philippines, however, has reached a point where education is no longer a right for all but a privilege for a few. If it is indeed a way for a better life, it is one that is narrow and difficult to thread. Education, as an equalizer for opportunities, has become a myth. The rich has a variety of choices offered by the private educational institutions, while the poor has to make do with a public education characterized by dilapidated school facilities, lack of materials and textbooks, technological incompetence and the like – one which could never give an enabling foundation for equal opportunities in the future.

National Anti-Poverty Commission, “Responding to Basic Needs of the Poor,” I Situationer: Philippine poverty is basically rural poverty since almost three out of four (or 73%) of the total number of poor in the country, are residing in rural areas. The poverty level in rural areas is much higher at 48.8% against 18.6% in urban areas: this means almost 5 out of 10 rural residents are poor compared with almost 2 out of 10 urban residents.

Poverty incidence worsened to 34% in 2000 from 33% in 1997. This resulted in an increase in the number of poor individuals by 2.59 million from 23.95 million in 1997 to 25.54 million in 2000.

Operating on a very limited budget and with a very high investment demand on social services, the Philippine government had to thinly spread its resources. But the government is not investing enough on public education to provide a meaningful impact on the educational system, in particular, and the lives of the citizenry, in general.

It is for this reason that non-government organizations and other stakeholders have to take on the gargantuan task of bringing quality education directly to the poorest areas and the poorest people in the country and share this responsibility with the government.

Every child has an inherent right to quality education. To deny a child equal access to quality education is to deny his/her future.

Education, being the most powerful instrument in poverty alleviation and economic advancement, needs to be accessible to every child.

The limitations of government, wealth and borders must not hinder the task of providing quality education to an incoming generation.

The concerned people in the government, private sector and civil society who have the capacity to help and to contribute in bringing quality education have a responsibility to shoulder this task.

Social mobilization must be done if we still hope to see some genuine upgrading in the academic performance of the Filipino students. It is as imperative that community’s resource holders whether individual or private businesses realize that education is too complex an issue to be left to the government alone.

Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan
Citizens’ Development Initiatives, Inc.
(KAAKBAY CDI)
Alain Del B. Pascua
Executive Director
0918-6042654, adbp@kaakbay.org

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Host : If you had a foreigner friend, where will you bring him to showcase the beauty of the Philippines?
Girl Contestant : Bocaue.
Host : Bocaue. Why Bocaue? There are so many places in the Philippines? Why Bocaue?
Girl : Because it's a magnificent place.
Host : Which part of Bocaue?
Girl : The Bocaue Rice Terraces.

Host : What is yo ur best feature?
Contestant : My graduation feature.

Host : What is you favorite motto?
Contes tant : If others can't why, why can't I!

Host : What would you like to say to foreigners?
Contestant : Please come back.

Host : What is your typical day?
Contestant : I think Saturday po!

Host : If you were to describe the color blue to a blind person, how would you do it?"
Contestant : That's a very good question. Keep it up.

Host : What is your edge over the other contestants?
Girl Contestant : My edge.... 23 years old.

Host : What, in your opinion, is the ideal age for marriage?
Girl : Between 24 and 25!

Host : How do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Girl : I'll be 28.

Host : What is the biggest problem facing the youth today?
Girl : Drugs.
Host : Why?
Girl : Mahal eh!

Host : What is the essence of being gay?
Contestant : I'm proud to be gay because what is naked is essential to the eye!

Host : What makes you blush?
Girl : Blush on!

Host : What is the essence of a man?
Gay Contestant : Testicles!

Host : Hey, I heard you almost didn't make it, how did you get here? Did you ride or did you walk?
Gay Contestant : Of course, did you ride. What do you think of me, did you walk?

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First posted 05:23am (Mla time) June 02, 2006
By Ernie Sarmiento (Inquirer)


BEIJING -- Five hundred photojournalists, including those from the United States, Russia and Britain, submitted a total of 20,000 entries to the First Asian Press Photo Contest organized by the Asia News Network and the China Daily.

But only one won the Gold Prize in the General News category -- Rem Zamora of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

What caught the eye of the panel of judges was Zamora’s photograph of smiling children flashing the “peace” sign to US soldiers who took part in a search and rescue operation in the mudslide-stricken village of Guinsaugon, St. Bernard town, Southern Leyte province, in February.

The photograph appeared on the front page of the Inquirer issue of Feb. 24, seven days after a mudslide killed more than 1,000 villagers in Guinsaugon.

Pana Janviroj, head of the panel of judges and president of the National Multimedia Group in Thailand, said Zamora’s photo had a unique angle that made it stand out from among the thousands of entries.

“It tells the scale of the tragedy in a light way, like saying life goes on,” said Pana, who is also executive director of the Asia News Network, an alliance of 14 leading Asian newspapers, including the China Daily and the Inquirer.

The message
“The color, balance and composition creates an artistic image without sacrificing or diminishing the message which was the tragedy that befell the town.”

“Changing Asia” was the theme of the photo contest that sought to showcase the region’s dynamism and colorful cultures through the camera lens.

“The Asian Press Photo Contest is not just about pretty pictures . . . Our mission is to build a bridge between the continent and the rest of the world with compelling photography,” said Wang Yan, chair of Beijing SJFQ Cultural Communication Co. Ltd. that sponsored the contest.

PDI fotogs in book
One hundred sixty-eight photographs were selected from among the 20,000 entries for the “Changing Asia” photo book, a 200-page commemorative publication. Seven of the photos selected were taken by Inquirer photojournalists Edwin Bacasmas, Lyn Rillon and Joan Bondoc.

Aside from Zamora, seven other photographers from among the 500 contestants also won a Gold Prize in other categories.

Spot News -- Qian Cheng, a freelance Chinese photographer, for his photo showing a migrant worker pulling a woman out of the sea during a typhoon.

$1,000 cash prize

Economics, Scientific and Technical News -- G.M.B. Akash of Bangladesh’s New Age newspaper for his series of photographs depicting the harsh working conditions in a Pakistani shipyard.

Portrait -- Abir Abdullah of the European Press Association’s Bangladesh Bureau for his photo showing a bomb victim who lost some of her toes.

Daily Life -- Nguyen Viet Thanh of Viet Nam News for his photo showing children watching television and a man holding a satellite dish in Ha Giang province.

Arts and Entertainment News -- Guo Jianshe, a freelance Chinese photographer, for his “Red China” series of photos showcasing how the red color has become an essential feature of the Chinese way of life.

Sports -- Munehiro Okumura of Japan’s The Daily Yomiuri for his photo showing a sumo event.

Nature and Environment News -- Wanchai Kraisornkhajit of Thailand’s The Nation for his photo showing a young boy playing with smoke as a municipal officer conducts an anti-dengue spraying operation on a Bangkok street.

Each of the Gold Prize winners received US$1,000. All of them were invited to yesterday’s awarding ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

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First posted 05:22am (Mla time) June 02, 2006
By Margaux C. Ortiz (Inquirer)


FOR THESE young men, getting their message across meant taking all their clothes off.

In an attempt to call attention to what they described as the “pathetic education system” in the country, around 30 members of a group called Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Lakas ng Kabataan staged a brief protest action in the buff yesterday morning.

The protesters, all out-of-school youths with ages ranging from 18 to 22, alighted naked from a van in front of the Far Eastern University campus on Nicanor Reyes (formerly Morayta) Street and ran in the direction of España Street.

They sat on the pavement, holding aloft banners assailing the state of education in the country and chanting anti-administration slogans.

And then, as though sensing that cops were on the way, the young men hurried to a waiting vehicle that sped away.

The nude protest -- which took all of seven minutes -- halted traffic and elicited embarrassed giggles from bystanders.

‘Naked reality’
A young woman later explained to the Inquirer the whys and wherefores of the protest action.

Alyansa national secretary general Jehhan Silva said the protesters were all residents of impoverished communities in Las Piñas, Caloocan and Quezon cities and the province of Bulacan.

“All of them should be in college now, but they had to stop schooling because of lack of resources,” Silva, 21, said in an interview.

Silva said the protest action was intended to highlight “the naked reality of the education sector” and how the government had supposedly been ignoring the problem.

“The growing number of 14.6 million out-of-school youths in the country must take action to regain their right to education,” she said, adding that Filipinos from five to 25 years old should have free access to school.

Official day
Silva said Alyansa had declared June 1 “National Out-of-School Youth Day.”

“While the fortunate ones are busy preparing for the opening of classes, many of us are suffering because of the lack of opportunities to improve ourselves through higher education,” she said.

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First posted 03:05am (Mla time) June 02, 2006
By TJ Burgonio, Nikko Dizon (Inquirer)


STILL dazed by their sudden shot to fame, mountaineers Leo Oracion and Erwin Emata yesterday were feted in simple rites at the Senate and hailed as “mighty horizon-chasers” for their historic conquest of Mount Everest.

Oracion, Emata and other members of the First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition (FPMEE ) team said they were touched by the gesture but a bit “disappointed” that only Senator Richard Gordon showed up to meet them.

Romi Garduce, the third Filipino to reach the summit of the world’s highest peak, was invited but failed to show up, according to Gordon.

Gordon read the Senate resolution commending all the FPMEE members, Garduce and the other climbers, and later handed each of them a copy of the leather-encased resolution.

“It’s a great pleasure this morning to read a resolution in favor of some of our mighty horizon-chasers in our country, who braved the elements, the harshest of elements, to be able to prove that when the Filipino is focused, he has a great heart, and great stamina, to be able to succeed in whatever quest, not only individually but as a team,” said the senator who gamely posed with the team for snapshots.

Gratitude
Oracion, Emata and other members of the team, all wearing gray vests dotted with the colorful logos of the sponsors, were profuse with gratitude.

“I can’t say anything more. I didn’t expect this. I was really surprised when they told me that they passed a bill [commending us],” Oracion told reporters.

“We’re very happy. I’m thankful to all the Filipinos, to Senator Gordon, and everyone who gave us this attention,” he said.

“They were quite disappointed by the absence of the other senators. They were expecting the other senators to be there,” said Harold Geronimo of Stratworks, the official team manager.

The mountaineers’ visit to the Senate came a day after Oracion, Emata and Garduce were honored by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang, and in motorcades through Manila and Makati.

“We’re not famous. We did this for the Filipinos, and to show and deliver the message that we can do it if we unite. We can do the impossible if we unite and help each other,” Oracion said.

Message delivered
On the claim of another mountaineer, Dale Abenojar, that he was the first to scale Mt. Everest, Oracion said: “I don’t want to say anything. Whoever reached the summit first, what was important was that we delivered the message that we can unite, stand together, we help each other, we can do the impossible.”

Oracion and Emata reached the “Roof of the World” on May 17 and 18, respectively. Garduce followed them on May 19.

Garduce failed to make it to the Senate yesterday because he was busy at his day job at a multinational company.

Garduce, who works as an information technology manager at Procter and Gamble, went back to work two days after arriving from Nepal last week.

“Just like any long vacation, it’s hard to go back to work. When I got back, I had 3,101 updates in my e-mail!” he exclaimed.

This is what young Filipino professionals could learn from what Garduce has achieved, said Roel Chan, brand manager of North Face, the outdoor gear company that manages Garduce.

“Romi has shown that you don’t have to quit your job just to be able to do the things you want to do,” Chan said.

“Romi works and yet he managed to reach all those achievements. It’s actually inspiring to ordinary people like me,” he said.

Chan describes Garduce’s story as “that of a regular Makati boy who goes to the office but was able to climb Mt. Everest.”

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