Bicol Gubatnon or Southern Sorsogon Bicol
Decades ago i dread going to Bulan, Sorsogon. Though fluent in many Bikol dialects I really can't follow what the residents of Southern Sorsogon speak. I came to know later that residents of that area also have difficulty following the spoken dialects of Daraga, Albay and Legazpi City once they go in those places. I just told myself, "Hah, Bikol dialects are really much different from each other."
Decades later I came across the website "Ethnologue" which is one of the most-known language classification services, widely-cited and used by some official agencies. And, lo and behold, (surprise! surprise!) it classifies Bikol Gubatnon or Southern Sorsogon Bikol as a Waray dialect. I asked myself, "How can that be?".
Trying to resolve the puzzle I texted a friend in Gubat, Sorsogon. I asked her if she can understand Samarnon. She answered, "Yes, almost entirely." Wow! "We can talk with Samarenos directly without translation." "Do you realize Ethnologue classifies your dialect as Waray?". "Oh, I didn't know that!".
I am wondering now what Ibalonians coming from Southern Sorsogon have to say on this.
(Map credit: globalpinoy)
A Primer On Lanao del Norte Geography (Why The Christians Doesn't Want To Lose Territory)
Dispelling doubts & rushing “closure” in the C-130 plane crash
As the brass band played a funereal tune for the pilots and crew that were presumed dead following the downing of the C-130 cargo plane, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) seemed eager to rush the closure of the tragic crash. Against the collective hope of relatives that their loved ones would be back, the pilots and crew were given posthumous Distinguished Aviation Cross awards and their grieving loved ones, P60,000 each as financial assistance.“This is now the closure. Otherwise, we are prolonging the agony [of the families]... I cannot afford to give them false hopes. It was my tough decision to declare [that there could be no more survivors] based on what were recovered,” said PAF chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog. Inquirer (08/30/08, Quismundo, T.)
But what has really been recovered? Is this the way we treat the missing? On the bases of a few personal effects, bits of human tissue, and location of the ill-fated plane, PAF has almost totally ruled out sabotage and terrorism because “tight” security measures,” were in place before the plane took fight. Was it true?
Soon after the crash, the military immediately suggested mechanical error, and at worst human error. This unfairly ascribed the “error” to the “dead” pilot and crewmen who couldn't deny or prove it. With no convincing evidence, the military authorities had been asking the public to take their word for it.
It is misleading and downright faulty to rule that the missing persons died. Where are their remains? A few slivers of human flesh whose owner(s) isn’t identified do not automatically mean the person(s) died. It’s possible they could be still there----waiting, badly injured in a remote island. There are many instances when missing persons return after sometime, no matter how hopeless their situation may be before their disappearance.
For the cause of truth and credibility, authorities must not rush into judgment. Search and rescue have been done for only 4 short days. With no time to wait, PAF authorities do not help themselves nor the missing persons’ family in “closing” the incident so quickly. So long as shortcuts in the investigation do not dispel doubts, the case isn't closed.
What the military can do is to work on the root of the mysterious crash and gather evidence. DNA testing must be done on human tissues found to clarify from whom they came from. Investigators must collaborate with witnesses to help build a credible conclusion. Whatever impels the military to be too fast on conclusions is something the establishment knows by heart. =0=
Miss Bicolandia 2008 Search is On!
The Penafrancia Fiesta heats up with the presentation of candidates for the Miss Bicolandia 2008, the traditional search which highlights the famed annual festival of the Bicol region. On August 23, 2008, 20 hopeful candidates from different cities and provinces have been chosen from in an exciting poolside selection held at the Naga City Civic Center. In a dazzling evening pageant-competition, the winner will be crowned at the UNC Sports Palace on September 17, 2008.According to Bicol Mail, a leading newspaper of the region, the young beautiful ladies vying for Miss Bicolandia 2008 are: Norify Kristal, Alexandra Raro, Mae Liezel Ramos, and Suserain Algura from Naga City; Alexis Joyce Beldon, Kelly Obligacion, and Amanda Powell from Legazpi City; Melody Adelheid Gersbach and Irene Loterena from Daraga, Albay; Katrina Villanueva (Cabusao), Ariane Natalie Lim (Canaman), Glaiza Reveza (San Fernando), Cherry Rose Juico (Caramoan), and Jean Babor (Baao), all of Camarines Sur; Margie Perena of San Andres, Catanduanes; Maricel Manzano of Masbate City; Honeyly Maninang of Iriga City; and Krystel Joy de los Santos, Ma. Farah Lopez, and Ma. Czarina Paita, all of Camarines Norte. Bicol Mail (08/30/08) (PhotoCredits: JerryLimLee)
The Narciso Ramos Highway:A Highway Of Peace Or A Highway Of War?
Last summer I went to Zamboanga City for a vacation. Upon the advice of my brother I took the long overland route via Lanao del Sur passing by the renowned Narciso Ramos Highway, named after the former President's father. This is the new highway connecting Cotabato City in Sultan Kudarat and Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur. Before the opening of this highway one has to backtrack to Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte before one can proceed to Pagadian City. The new highway cut travel distance by more than three-fourths. The alternative was to take the non-scheduled light plane or the overnight motor boat (when the fastcraft suspended service).
An offshoot of the opening of the highway is the opening of the Cotabato City-Marawi City-Iligan City van route which before did not also exist. Several new jeepney routes also came into existence serving the small Lanao del Sur towns.
I undertook this travel also as a present to myself because I will viewing sceneries and places that were formerly closed to the outside world (meaning Christian world). It means passing through Campo 1, the gateway to fabled Camp Abubakar of the MILF which they lost in the 2000 war. The highway also passes through Malabang, Lanao del Sur and Sultan Naga Dimaporo (formerly Caromatan), Lanao del Norte, two places that heretofore needs a "visa" (an unofficial permission by some powerful person) to be visited. Christians in Lanao del Norte normally spend their whole lifetime not being able to see these places.
The van I took in Cotabato City took an eternity to fill . There were only a few Christian passengers but the Muslims, just like my experience before, were courteous and non-threatening. Upon reaching a certain point they mounted their red roof light, an indicator they paid the right "taxes" and has the "proper" authority to travel. They turn on these lights during night travel to prevent strafing. No wonder that the fare was unusually high.
Along the way we passed through the known MILF towns including the town whose former mayor employed MILF fighters as security when he ventures into Iligan City. He was the first town executive to receive the symbolic key as the government's gesture of "returning" the town to the "fold of law" during the 2000 war. And he was teary-eyed in the local TV when this happened. But I do not think it was from joy since he is generally known as a MILF mayor.
Many in Luzon and in Visayas do not know that the completion of the highway is one of the proximate cause of the 2000 AFP-MILF war. The government rerouted the highway so that it will pass through higher ground to which the MILF opposed since it will be cutting through the entrance of their central base, the Camp Abubakar. The AFP general in charge said they do not want to be passing in the lower ground as possible sitting ducks for ambuscades. The war "settled" who was "right." The road passed through the higher ground.
Between Cotabato and Malabang and especially after Barira, Sultan Kudarat the terrain was generally hilly and forested. After Malabang it was generally flat and the land was obviously rich and not over-utilized. Crossing over to Zamboanga del Sur we passed over the legendary tunnel built by the Japanese during World War II. Afterwards we came over to Tukuran, seat of the former Iranun (a linguistic group related to the Maranaos) sultanate but now a half-Christian, half-Muslim municipality and then to Labangan, seat of a Muslim sultanate in earlier times (Pagadian City is a former barrio of Labangan). But in Tukuran and Labangan the Muslims are already a minority. And that is the long history of Muslim Mindanao. Once opened in a few decades time the Muslims become a minority in their native land.
A month ago a van carrying passengers along the Narciso Ramos Highway was waylaid. The gunmen let the Muslim passengers off but hijacked the van along with the 5 Christian passengers. The next day the 5 were found executed in a not-so-distant place. Together with the ongoing war I suspect that possibly civilian travel along the Narciso Ramos is now stopped.
That highway will be a marker in the future if it is again "peacetime" in Muslim Mindanao.
Was The MILF Suckered Into War?
In 2000, I was a keen observer of Erap's war against the MILF. I was then living in Iligan City and information was readily available because to forestall accusation of bias the media in Northern Mindanao practiced real free press where all sides were free to ventilate their side unrestricted. Showing of "hot" videos of the fighting and destruction and free discourses became the order of the day. That happened for a week until the government can no longer take the heat and clamped down on the media by threatening to file sedition charges against the TV and radio stations.
But comparing the 2000 war and today's war I am amazed by the current speed and comprehensiveness of the military advance. It is as if they have been ready all along to take the offensive. In 2000 though the military has already 38 batallions in Mindanao (by Erap's own admission) they had to wait for several more batallions before attacking headlong the MILF strongholds.
Or is this the case of the military taking advantage of advanced technology provided to them by the US like satellite imagery, GPS tracking and sigint (signal intelligence) tracking? News reports of the recent past shows Moro fighters in Sulu and Tawi-tawi complaining about this and as a result they find themselves being outmaneuvered in their own lair. Even Ka Roger, the CPP spokesman became media-shy after his close escape where he charged it was due to his being monitored through his interviews by media through his cell phone.
The government knows knows very well the psychological profile of Commander Bravo of being a hothead and having a history of defying their central leadership. Lanao residents won't be surprised by his show of force following the cancellation of the MOA signing. Was the government counting all along on this so that there will be a ready excuse? Is the order to capture Commanders Bravo and Kato just a ruse to attack the other bases as the MILF is now charging?
If this is true then it means the MILF was suckered into war, a war that they cannot win. Will this mean that they will again lose territory like in 2000? The irony of this is that they are now at the losing end of the propaganda war and a perfect excuse was found to raise new paramilitary units.
It seems that GMA's government promised the MILF something that really cannot happen if the reaction of the Supreme Court and the Christian body politic will be the gauge. And what the MILF got was not a signed document of peace but war.
Frog on the cross: insensitivity that they can’t do to the Moslems
In an environment of rising religious insensitivity, intolerance and persecution, a museum in northern Italy approved the display of a frog on a cross, the sacred symbol of suffering and redemption among Christians. (Photo Credit: AP/Seehauser,O.) Negating religious sensitivity, the museum keepers insist on art freedom for showing a tasteless crappy “sculpture” that cause revulsion and sadness to many--- not only to Christians worldwide, but to people of all backgrounds. They seem proudly convinced they are doing the right thing.
For fear of being nuked or killed, they couldn’t do such cowardly act and double standard with the Moslems if Islam's Prophet Mohammed were to be portrayed in that insulting manner. Such affront to a particular religion must not be tolerated. Hyping a controversy that is likely to cause divisions, is the last thing responsible people need at a time when the world seeks unity, charity, and peace. =0=
Sen. McCain picks Gov. Sarah Palin as Republican veep candidate
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, 44, a working mom of 5 children, one afflicted with mongolism, has been chosen by Sen. John McCain as his vice-presidential running-mate in the Republican party for the November 4, 2008 US election. A strong pro-life conservative who is against abortion and gay marriage, and favors oil drilling, Palin the first woman ever named in a Republican presidential ticket has a strong support from her constituency who gained prominence when she fought corruption in Alaska. A surprise choice, Palin will invigorate public scrutiny and realign voters as the campaign tightens when the voting date draws near. =0=
A plastic bottle for a shoe
When was the last time we heard this? I mean, the story of a guy who complained of not having a pair of Nike shoes until he saw someone so poor that he crafted a shoe out of a discarded plastic water bottles…a barefooted man, or an amputee who doesn’t have feet so he can walk? Many times, images like these knock at our senses and make us numb. Be kind and generous, says a friend who sent me this in an email. World Poverty at a Glance:
Region --------------------Population in $1/day poverty (millions)
East Asia & Pacific-----------170.0
Latin America ----------------47.0
& Caribbean
South Asia--------------------456.0
Sub-Saharan Africa----------309.0
Total Devel'g Countries-----982.0 million
Europe & Central Asia --------1.0
Middle East N. Africa---------4.0
Total---------------------------987 million
Source: http://web.worldbank.org/
“The causes of poverty include poor people's lack of resources, an extremely unequal income distribution in the world and within specific countries, conflict, and hunger itself. As of 2008 (2004 statistics), the World Bank has estimated that there were an estimated 982 million poor people in developing countries who live on $1 a day or less (World Bank, Understanding Poverty, Chen 2004). This compares to the FAO estimate of 850 million undernourished people. Extreme poverty remains an alarming problem in the world’s developing regions, despite the advances made in the 1990s till now, which reduced "dollar a day" poverty from (an estimated) 1.23 billion people to 982 million in 2004, a reduction of 20 percent over the period. Progress in poverty reduction has been concentrated in Asia, and especially, East Asia, with the major improvement occurring in China. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of people in extreme poverty has increased." Source: www.worldhunger.org.=0=
Southern Philippines' Colorful Kadayawan
"On the main day of the celebration the major Davao tribes and various invited non-Davao tribes like the Talaandig, Dibabawon, Sangil, Subanen and T'boli performed in the main plaza. Eye-popping shiny but authentic costumes were plenty in display alongside native musical instruments. The crowds rushed the stage when it was the turn of the T'boli maiden to perform and I was able to see with my own eyes that their reputation was not undeserved." ---Apolonio Baylon, UP Ibalon, Davao City, Philippines. Photo Credits: Eric Dee/byahilo.com =0=
Two-headed newborn of Bangladesh
The two-headed baby born in Bangladesh died on Aug 26, 2008 after the parents decided to return home from the hospital, against doctor’s advice, because they couldn’t afford further medical care. Born by caesarean section, the imperiled baby boy named Kiron, weighing 5.5 lbs. had one body and two full heads. Photo Credit: AFP =0=It is estimated that birth defects occur in about 2-3% of live births, a fifth of them, severe enough to cause death. About 40-60% of congenital defects in humans are sporadic and do not have a known cause. The rest can be ascribed to genetics or to multiple environmental factors such as infections, drugs, teratogenic chemicals, metabolic factors, radiation, etc and a combination thereof. It is uncertain whether the baby would have survived had he been treated vigorously in a well-equipped medical facility.
The unusual bicephalic baby reminds us of the mythical two-headed eagle, a symbol of heraldry duality, and orthodoxy in armorial insignias found in flags in the Roman and Byzantine times. The bi-headed eagle remains as an intriguing accent in the coat of arms of certain organizations, the Russian Empire, Serbia, Greek Orthodox Church and in flags of countries like Albania and Montenegro. Photo Credit:Antonio Martins =0=
2009 national budget, 100,000 jobs, & the Asian poverty line
P1.415 TrillionThe 2009 national budget, 15% higher than of 2008, has been approved by Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo and will be submitted to Congress. Manila Bulletin (08/26/08, Rosario,B)
24.5 Million
The number of Filipinos who fall below the “Asian poverty line” of $1.35/day spending, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB.) An estimate of purchasing power and level of financial hardship, the Philippines’ percentage of people below the poverty line (29.5%) is better than India, Bangladesh,, and Cambodia, but worse than Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka . ABS CBN News.com/Newsbreak (08/27/08, Rimando,L)
1
The remaining flying C-130 Hercules plane the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has after the recent crash in Davao City; all pilots and crew remain missing and are presumed dead. Malaya (08/27/08, Chua, J.)
P1 Billion
To bring home medals in future Olympics and to augment competitiveness, a proposed increase in the budget of the Philippine Sports Commission, double the previous amount of P500-600 million, was aired by Monico Puentebella, RP chief of Olympic Mission. Though not strictly implemented, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Board Corp (PAGC0R,) is mandated by law to give 5% of its gross income to the sports development. GMA TV News (08/26/08)
29 Cases
This reported new HIV cases/ month of 2007-2008 is higher than the 20/month of the previous years. Since 1984, a total of 3,305 HIV cases have been reported in the Philippines and 310 people have died from AIDS. These figures are low-prevalence statistics which can change into high prevalence or to an epidemic if HIV cases continue to rise. AFP (08/26/08)
24
Number of maids, including Filipinos, who died in Lebanon as reported by Human Rights Watch, the New York based the group who said that Overseas Foreign Workers (OFW’s) from countries like the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Ethiopia were forced to suicide by jumping out of buildings because of isolation, difficult working conditions and maltreatment from their employers. AFP (08/26/08)
P406.8 Billion
The amount paid by the Philippines for its loan between January to July this year, 0.6% less than the amount paid for the period of 2007. Lower by 6.9% from P249.88 billion, the principal debt payments totaled P232.6 billion. Interest payments totaled P174.22 billion, up 9.2 percent from P159.49 billion. PDI (08/28/08, Remo, M.)
74,581 Families
The number of families with 362,475 persons displaced as of August 27, 2008 in the war between MILF rebels and Philippine Government forces in Mindanao, said the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC.) To escape the fighting, 33, 438 families (156,059 people) fled to 152 evacuation sites. At least 55 have died in the ongoing hostilities. GMA TV News (08/27/08)
100,000 Jobs
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Marcelino Libanan claimed this number of jobs which can be generated with the granting of indefinite visas for foreigners who can provide at least 10 gainful employment opportunities for Filipinos in their businesses. Manila Bulletin (08/28/09, Ramirez, J.)Photo Credit: Simmons,A.=0=
Calle Natong: Naga City’s populist way of naming a street
In earlier days, ill-descript Bagumbayan Interior, in Naga City, Philippines could barely be regarded as a street. It was a short and dusty alley close to Ateneo de Naga University (AdenU) campus. The name gave a hint of a semi-wild location where planks of rickety wood served as elevated platforms---like toy bridges over muddy ditches behind the main road leading to Canaman, Bombon, Quipayo, Magarao, and Calabanga, not far from Universidad de Sta Isabel University (USI) and Camarines Sur National High (CSNHS.)
The unpaved alley’s name stuck for years. No one raised any objection or asked for a law or ordinance to change the village path's name where zacate grass and snakeheads (talusog) in muddy pools grew wild. Maybe, it’s because Bagumbayan Interior is secluded. The alley with very confusing boundaries had a neutral reputation. There was no major historical meaning in the street unlike the old great Calle Via Gainza, named after Bishop Francisco Gainza, but later renamed as Penafrancia Avenue.
In the 1970’s, ordinary people started calling Bagumbayan Interior “Calle Natong,” a populist reference to the wild taro plants (dasheen bush) which grew aplenty in that marshy locale. We, the few low-brow barangay residents, didn’t object. Calle Natong was just the right name to keep us reminded of our favorite, Bicolano dish, the spicy ginota’an na natong (laing, sinilihan na katnga) when the proverbial green leaves of the dasheen bush got burning hot with bedeviled red peppers (lada,siling labuyo.)The informal appellation took root and tricycle drivers who rode the peaceful place knew where Calle Natong was. The building of homes much later altered the course of the street and the landscape. It didn’t take long when more people settled in the place, Calle Natong gave way to a more urbane, but unfamiliar name: Seminary Road then later becoming the Mother Francisca Street, perhaps because a convent was there in the area.
These were confusing changes we didn't understand. Natong which we held dear being our celebrated Bicol regional plant---the source of nourishment of Handiong's children, was waylaid on the side. After our street was renamed, Calle Natong, was never the same.=0=
RP’s 40% drop in med school enrollment & the foreign doctors
It seems a good thing that doctors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN,) a group of sovereign states in partnership with the Philippines, are coming to the country for study. This development is timely when at least 5,000 doctors have left the country since 2004 and about 6,000 have shifted to study nursing for jobs abroad. In the last three years, a staggering 40% drop in medical enrollment is noted. Asian Journal Online (08/26/08) An uncertain number of foreign doctors who come from Iran, India, Malaysia and Indonesia and other neighboring countries have sought training in Philippine hospitals, many in the provinces, even if no Department of Health (DOH) guidelines are existent to regulate them.
According to Philippine Medical Association (PMA) president Reynaldo Santos, M.D., the arrival of these foreign medical trainees attests to the high quality of education in the country. But this is doubted in the wake of a sharp decline of the number of hospitals, a marked rise in patient load for doctors and nurses, a low passing rate of Filipinos in the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE,) an over-crowding of patients and trainees, lack of budget, equipment upgrade, and medical facilities in many hospitals. See related article on medical diploma mills below.
If the Department of Health (DOH) and the Education Department (CHED) don’t act fast, it will not be long before foreigners will be able to judge for themselves the quality of education and healthcare in the Philippines compared to that of their countries of origin. It is deleterious for the country to rely on foreigners to solve the shortage of physicians or seek them to shore up dwindling medical enrollment. Without infringing on the physicians’ rights, measures to reverse the brain-drain of local doctors must be high in the priority. (Photo Credit: Doctian) =0=
MEDICAL SCHOOL DIPLOMA MILLS
A disturbing article entitled Medical School for Sale? was written by Emil Jurado of Manila Standard on July 26, 2007. It's unclear whether the Department of Health (DOH) and school authorities (CHED) took satisfactory remedial action to prevent further erosion of credibility with the alleged proliferation of diploma mills in the country.
In concordance with the requirement of ASEAN's Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)mandating to honor medical licenses and credentials among member nations, this highlights the need to write the long-overdue guidelines needed for the regulation, hiring, and training of local and foreign doctors in the Philippines. Here's a part of Jurado's riveting piece that needed verification plus action from the government:
“The Times of India, a very prestigious newspaper, published an article, “Now showing: Manilabhai MBBS*.” The article is very derogatory about our kind of medical education. The latest MBBS scam to appear on the medical scene in India is based in the Philippines. “And this one’s even less complicated than the others.”
The article says: “There is no entrance test for admission, now, will you need to attempt the screening test in return?” says Upveen Harpal, accounting executive, HCMI, which is sending students abroad.
The article adds, “So, anybody with 40 percent in Class XII examination and who could pay Rs 16 lakhas (about P1.6 million) upfront could head for the Philippines for an MBBS and come home to practice. No questions asked, and Harpal claimed that this was a three-party tieup among HCMI, a medical school in Manila and a medical school in Tamil Nadu, India.”
To add insult to injury, Yogesh Sharma of Gujarat Global News Network, Ahmedabad wrote an article entitled, “The Philippines dangles carrots to Gujarat students: Be doctor for Rs 20 lakh.” The article implies that there are no more requirements to enter an MBBS program in the Philippines since the title gives the impression that all one needs is Rs 20 lakh or P2,000,000 to become a doctor, courtesy of fly-by-night or spurious Philippine medical schools, and diploma mills for sale. “ *N.B. M.D. in the Philippines is equivalent to MBBS in India. Manila Standard (07/25/08, Jurado, Emil; Photo Credit: PaulCooperBland)
PAF: A lone cargo plane for a thousand brave men
The Philippine Airforce (PAF) faces a significant blow in the crashing of a C-130 cargo plane in Davao, Philippines on August 26, 2008. One of only two remaining cargo planes that fly, the craft went down while on a military mission in Southern Philippines, killing its pilot and crew under yet-to-determined circumstances. It raises the possibility of terrorism or sabotage.The C-130 is essential in ferrying military hardware and men in the country, particularly in war-torn Mindanao where Islamic separatist MILF and Moslem rebels are waging a fight. The plane serves as an over-taxed workhorse of the air for years---- one of only five, three of which are grounded for repairs.
Believed to have died, those on board at the time of the downing of the plane are as follows: Major Manuel Sambrano, the aircraft's pilot; Captain Adrian de Dios, co-pilot; Flight Technical Sergeant Constantino Lobregas; Staff Sergeant John Arriola; Staff Sergeant Gerry Delioso; Staff Sergeant Felix Pedro Patriarga; Staff Sergeant Patricio Claur Jr; Staff Sergeant Aldrin Ilustrisimo and Staff Sgt. Perronilo Fernandez. GMA TV NeWs (08/27/08)
The PAF, its military dependents, and civilians rely on the C-130 as means of travel in the islands. With thousands of ground airmen and personnel who are battle-ready and willing to defend the country, an acute lack of equipment, like a loss of a plane, is a crashing blow to the military which needs both force and air. It raises anew the need to upgrade the air defense of the country =(Photo Credit: Pikitbulag)=0=
The Kadayawan Festival
Last week Davao City held its traditional pagan festival, the Kadayawan Festival which was held 1 week late. Cited cause was the lack of funds though others believe the reason is probably security in nature. Lack of coordination was evident as most malls held their sale period on the original schedule.
Crowds were noticeable thinner this year though this trend started last year. The city's mayor, Rodrigo Duterte does not seem too enthusiastic anymore about his job resulting in festival preparations that lack vigor. The dropping of invitations to "semi-professional" street dancing troupes might have also affected visitor turnout. And the rise in fuel prices and fares might have been contributory factors too. But security concerns might be foremost among the reasons for the fall in visitor numbers.
Since last year the city's mayor has de-emphasized commercial shows while at the same time he tried to project the native cultures of the city. In this year's celebration put to the fore was the showcasing of the 10 recognized native tribes residing in Davao, the Ata Manobo, Ovu Manobo, K'lata (or Guiangan), Tagabawa (or Bagobo), Matigsalog, Kalagan, Sama, Taosug, Maranao and Maguindanaon .
A contest called the "Hiyas ng Kadayawan" which is limited to the 10 tribes was held. This contest includes cultural skills and was won by the fair lady from the Kalagan tribe. The costumes they wore were entirely native.
An exposition of native food and products was also held in the main plaza. For days the natives were selling native viands, cookies and sweets and it was a feast to taste them especially since most were sold on "friendship prices." Various handicrafts were also on display and available for sale. All the sellers were in their native costumes all the time and their sight is already enough compensation for the visit.
In a nearby park downsized but livable versions of the the natives' houses were on display which included authentic domestic wares. At various hours the natives which are always in native costumes perform their dances. Being authentic their movements and rhythms contrast well with the bastardized "Ati-atihan" one usually sees during fiestas. In enthusiasm though not in refinement the two Manobo tribes, the Ata (which roughly corresponds to the Agta or Aeta of Luzon) and the Ovu will probably win hands down.
On the main day of the celebration the major Davao tribes and various invited non-Davao tribes like the Talaandig, Dibabawon, Sangil, Subanen and T'boli performed in the main plaza. Eye-popping shiny but authentic costumes were plenty in display alongside native musical instruments. The crowds rushed the stage when it was the turn of the T'boli maidens to perform and I was able to see with my own eyes that their reputation was not undeserved.
It was only a bit sad when I realized that most of the performers were no longer young.
All the tribes' display were side-by-side during the entire event and they intermingled and talked freely with all the due consideration and courtesy one could expect. When the exposition closed all that I was wishing was that if they can only hold it for a longer period....
A New Outbreak of Fighting in Mindanao
In Mindanao violence lurks just below the surface. Scratch it a little and violence will flare out. The government promised the MILF and when it seemed it cannot deliver tension emerged. Mindanao has simply too many unresolved conflicts for this not to happen.
Knowledgeable observers say the current Moro response is a show of frustration and a show that it is still a fighting force. I will add that a sizable portion of the Moro fighting groups is not comfortable with the peace talks thinking they will just be playing into government hands and that government cannot really deliver after all.
Many know that Abdurahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo belongs to this mold. A former commander of the MNLF-BMA's 2nd Division based in Ranao (their preferred named for Lanao), he transferred his forces in bulk to the MILF when Nur Misuari signed the peace deal in 1996. Known as the fiercest among the Moro commanders in Lanao, his territory, the mountainous boundary of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur remains unconquered up until this time, Erap's war in 2000 notwithstanding.
If Kauswagan is the flashpoint in 2000 it remains so to this day. It was in Kauswagan where the Tacub Massacre happened in 1971 when a convoy of Muslim voters were waylaid in an Army checkpoint in Tacub, a big barangay of Kauswagan by suspected Ilagas, a Visayan paramilitary group. The number of dead is estimated to number as high as 60 and most were women and children, a crime that remains unsolved until today. As a consequence no Tacub resident will ever admit that he lives or he grew up in that place if Muslims are in the vicinity.
When MILF-BIAF forces occupied Kauswagan in 2000 in response to the AFP attack on their base camp (which the government subsequently edited so that it won't show that it started the fighting) the homes of the Christians and government properties were left untouched except that they ransacked the police HQ. But when government forces retook the town after the MILF withdrew Christians burned some houses that belonged to the Muslims. Video showed in Iligan TV showed soldiers using blanket fire as they moved forward thus giving precise meaning to the term "clearing operations." Thereafter, the 2000 Census will bear that a few Muslim barangays in Kauswagan showed zero inhabitants.
Christians in Luzon and Visayas will grit their teeth when news reports indicated that barbaric acts were done on the Christian population in Kauswagan. But knowledgeable, non-partisan observer in Mindanao will wonder who started the barbarism after all.
The military will claim that Muslim fighters occupied Muslim villages like what happened in Aleosan, (North Cotabato). But before we grit our teeth a word of caution first. We do not really know if those lands were Muslim land before Ilagas drove them out in the '60s or when Muslims left their land during the war of the '70s to find in the '80s that their farms no longer belong to them and this is the usual sad story of Cotabato. Herein lies the reason why violence and fighting never really cease in Cotabato like what the singing group lamented in the '70s.
They say that the MILF has no hold on their commanders. Partly true since basically Moro forces raise their own budget when OIC funding dried up. And maybe almost half of the Moro fighting forces are clan armies and not regulars.
Christians in Mindanao will say that they will arm their own militias as if Christian militias didn't exist before in the guise of the Ilagas, the CAFGUs and the CVOs. But most Christian militias are of platoon-size only and bearing light machine guns at the most while most Muslim clan armies fight at company- and batallion-level and heavy machine guns, mortars, recoilless rifles and rocket launchers are common in their inventory. In Mindanao it is known that Muslim clan armies can make mincemeat of Christian militias save for a few. In fighting between the two the AFP in all cases have to intervene in favor of the Christian militias. And if this happens it is natural that regular Moro forces will join the fray because after all they have relatives in the clan armies and Muslim clan armies are their force multipliers. And so the level of violence escalates.
But this is not to say that all Muslim clan armies fight alongside the MILF and MNLF ranks. The Ampatuan, Dimaporo and Mangudadatu are among the big Muslim clan armies that fight alongside the government forces. But of course the goverment has to "pay" for these services with government positions, cash and arms.
They say in Iligan that if those 8 non-Christian barangays are included in the expanded ARMM they will lose over 80% of their territory. But in 1898 Iligan only consists of the present city proper now, being a mere Spanish fort and a part of Misamis Oriental. It was appended to Lanao so that Lanao will have a Christian port and site of government. Over the decades municipal districts emerged from the logging concessions when "peace" was established. Later these municipal districts were adhered to Iligan. But they never asked the non-Christians then if they want to be part of Iligan. But here comes "modernity" which says that all of Iligan must be asked now if they want out of Iligan. And there is no way that a minority (but once a majority) people will ever win a plebiscite.
As long as Christians wave to the Muslims the Constitution and Certificates of Titles (Original and Transfer) as their claim to "legitimacy" and "rule of law" there will be no peace in Mindanao. The peace that they chant is simply the peace of the conqueror. And the cycle of violence will just go on and on.
Miss Sister 2008 courts one of Christianity’s deadliest sins?
“Vanity is so secure in the heart of man that everyone wants to be admired: even I who write this, and you who read this.”-Blaise PascalLike the movie Sister Act, it’s an amusing tale that comes with the shaking of the head and a smile. As we get serious about organizing beauty contests for nuns, Fr. Antonio Rungi’s idea of an “inner” beauty derby for nuns seems very secular, even raunchy, especially if Christians consider vanity, along with pride, as one of humanity’s deadliest sins.
Fr. Rungi, a theologian and school teacher in Naples, Italy, believes nuns need a boost in visibility and an online voting contest may be the answer.
“The "Miss Sister 2008" contest will start in September on a blog run by the Rev. Antonio Rungi and will give nuns from around the world a chance to showcase their work and their image....Nuns will fill out a profile including information about their life and vocation as well as a photograph.
We are not going to parade nuns in bathing suits," Rungi said. "But being ugly is not a requirement for becoming a nun. External beauty is gift from God, and we mustn't hide it." AP (O8/25/08)
The controversial beauty contest gets mixed reactions. There are those who ask if there's really a need to improve a nun's visibility and if it needs a competition to do that. The liberals think the "pageant," a part of modern life, is just fine, but some suspect it can can lead to a non-religious a business franchise like the Miss Universe contest. Evil-conscious Christians fear the derby is Satan’s way of wagging its tail into the nunnery’s door. The beauty competition can become a butt of jokes and a topic of wild speculations. Another thinks beauty contests among the religious can be "habit-forming" and may be addicting.
"It's an initiative that belittles the role of nuns who have dedicated themselves to God," says president of Association of Catholic Teachers, Alberto Giannino, told Italy's ANSA news agency on Sunday. AP (08/42/08)
The line separating propriety and vulgarity is thin. Whatever goes on in the minds of Catholics, Fr. Rungi might be subliminally touched by secularism, making him a bit cozy with the world. With Vatican’s traditionally conservative stance many wonder what the late Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI think of his idea. (PhotoCredits: Lovemetwee;Bsidez)=0=
Update: Facing strong pressure from the clergy and lay people against the nun beauty contest, on August 28, 2008, Fr. Rungi decided to stop the plan. Interested in projecting the inner beauty of nuns, he said he didn't mean to have the nuns do a catwalk, like in a physical beauty pageant. He claimed he was misunderstood. =0=
Beacons of hope & exemplars of the soul’s triumph
The pessimists in us are not happy about 15 Filipino athletes coming to the Beijing Olympic Games. They think it’s a waste of time, money and effort sending the delegation with a dismal chance of winning. Yet considering the support we have for sports, it’s a wonder that we have a contingent of brave competitors willing to sweat it out for the glory and edification of the country.
Like Laos, Kiribati, Uruguay, Myanmar, Liechtenstein, Yemen, Zambia, and many others, Philippines went home wanting of an Olympic medal. But for sure all these countries are richer in experience and hope. To be part of a world where cultural differences is transformed into a gesture of friendly competitiveness is an accomplishment by itself.
To be the best in the field isn't everything. By our participation in the games, we affirm the universal aspiration for excellence and our desire to connect with people. By cooperating with China’s hosting of a tantalizing “coming out” party which wowed the world, we bouy up cooperation and friendship among nations. We demonstrate that winning and losing are life-realities that all of us must contend with.We salute the cash-strapped people of Zimbabwe whose hyperinflation and economic hardships didn’t deter their athletes to bring home 4 medals. We admire Malaysia and the small West African country of Togo which brought a silver and bronze respectively.
Turbulent Georgia, which nurses wounds from separatist South Ossetia and suffers border conflict with neighbor Russia, won 6 medals. Moslem Iran, threatening Israel and the world with its nuclear program basked in victory with two well-earned medals. Our southern Asian partner Indonesia celebrates success from 5 impressive wins, one of them gold in badminton.
Amidst the dominance and superiority of the United States with 110 medals (eclipsing China in total number but not in the count for gold,) the Middle Eastern nation of Bahrain with barely a million people produced for the first time a gold medal winner in track in field. Jamaica, a Carribean country of 2.5 million brought home a spectacular win of 11 medals, 6 of them gold. War-torn Afghanistan with a population less than half of the Philippines, won a taekwondo bronze in the 17-day grueling competition.
With 85 million of us, how come we’re lagging behind these countries? How come winning an Olympic medal seems to be so unreal--- a pipe dream for us? The answer probably lies in our attitude, endurance, and value judgment. We need to trust ourselves more. We must support and appreciate the sportsmanship of our athletes. We must believe in our capacity to win, stirring us to fight as a team and as an individual for our own self-fulfillment and survival.
The aspiration of humanity to excel and be part of a cause greater than its own is part of the Olympic tradition. In a time when we doubt ourselves if we can go beyond what others expect of us, our athletes stand as beacons of hope and exemplars of our soul’s triumph. Even if our athletes didn’t win, in the field of dreams, their hearts shine as bright as the torch and the gold of the Olympics.CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FILIPINO OLYMPIC ATHLETES!
Eric Ang---Shooting; Ryan Paolo Arabejo---Swimming;
Daniel Coakley---Swimming; Henry Dagmil---Track & Field; Hidilyn Diaz----Weightlifting; Rexel Ryan Fabriga---Diving; Tshomlee Go---Taekwondo; Mark Javier---Archery; Miguel Molina---Swimming; Sheila Mae Perez---Diving; Mary Antoinette Rivero---Taekwondo;
Christel Simms---Swimming; Harry Tanamor---Boxing;
Marestella Torres---Track & Field; JB Walsh---Swimming. (PhotoCredits: AFP/NicolasAsfouri; Reuters/OlegPopov; Reuters/MikeBlake)=0=
Fashion in Manila
Not to be outdone by fashion events in Paris, New York, London, or Tokyo, the Bench Denim and Underwear Fashion Show pushed through in Manila with a rousing display of skin, entrepreneurship, and imagination in July 25, 2008. Among the models was popular comedienne Ruffa Mae Quinto who appeared in Araneta Coliseum with an underwear that hinted how hot it could be when midnight fell in the city. Her dazzling intimate attire combined rooster’s feathers and miniscule wavy cloth, dazzling the eyes of the audience and driving the crowd's heart aflutter.
With the incandescent whiteness of an Edison bulb and crisp softness of a halogen light, her smooth alabaster legs were breath-taking as the naughty curves of her butt. Her firm bosom (erect like her lordotic spine,) stood as though the national anthem was played all along.
Celebrities like Alessandra de Rossi, Sam Milby, Diether Ocampo, Rachelle Go, Priscilla Meirelles, Angelica, Panganiban, Sarah Geronimo, John Pratts, Robi Domingo, Kim Chiu, Wendell Ramos, Valerie Weigmann, Gerald Adnerson, Egay Falcon, JC de Vera, Rayven Cruz, Shaine Magdayao, Dingdong Dantes, Margaret Wilson and many others were in attendance. Mabuhay! (Photo Credit: Pep) =0=
Prank, organic disease, mass hysteria, or “evil-spirit” haunts school
In Calapan, Mindoro, Philippines, a spate of curious incidents occurred in a school of Pedro Panaligan Memorial National High School where children unexplainably fall into fits of convulsion, displayed spells of crying, shortness of breath, and confusion. Some complained of headaches and stomach pains. They and people in their town blamed “angered spirits” after an old tree was cut in the school backyard. Since August 8, 2008, at least 26 students manifested signs of “evil possession.” But no credible authority was able to convincingly explain (particularly to the skeptical) the events which repeatedly disrupt school work.
In a video shown by Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI,08/22/09,) almost all affected students were notably aided by their fellow schoolmates. Teachers and aides were hardly present. Probably scared, they sought help from local shamans, spiritual healers and asked a priest to say mass and put a stop on the perplexing phenomenon.
Too young to grasp the whole situation, the panicky high school students carried those affected, rested them on their backs, restrained their bodies, and massaged their stomachs. Whether these occurrences are caused by a prank, organic disease, mass hysteria, or “angered evil spirit” must be quickly determined by authorities. The school needs to bring back peace in the community and among its students. (PhotoCredit: PDI)
UPDATE: The Philippine Dailiy Inquirer (PDI) reported that a team of psychologists and psychiatrists was sent to investigate this case. It was concluded that the bizarre phenomenon was caused by "mass hysteria"---a form of conversion disorder that affects a group of people usually incited by a problem, an alarm or enigmatic situation that sweeps the psyche of the affected individuals. (September 7, 2008)
HOSPITAL DETENTION ACT: PRO-POOR, ANTI-HEALTHCARE?
There’s a new law that makes it illegal to detain poor patients who can’t pay their hospital bills. Framed by Sen. Pia Cayetano and signed by President Gloria M. Arroyo, Republic Act (RA) 9439, dubbed as the Patients’ Illegal Detention Act (Hospital Detention Act), was passed to permit indigent patients to sign promissory notes so they can leave the hospital, instead of staying in-house, while settling their payment obligations.
At a glance, RA 9439 is pro-poor and compassionately humane. It embraces our long-ignored ugly humiliation of detaining patients for non-payment of hospital services. A dead patient’s body is not released from the hospital morgue; certifications, medical records and burial papers are withheld for the same reason. We court our patients’ relatives to sell their homes and sacrifice their carabaos.
The new law, co-authored by Senators Manuel Villar and Serge Osmena III, now sets a jail time of six months and a fine of up to P50K for errant hospital officers and workers. But it’s unclear what legal avenues hospitals have for those who’re unable or refuse to pay.
It’s horrible to suffer hospital detention. Patients and their waiting relatives are at greater risk of catching hospital-borne diseases. Holding our citizens longer than usual, in places noted for contagion and cure, makes us wonder how we love our patients and respect their rights. Do we need a law which shields the poor from insults and exorcizes our conscience against the failure to deliver adequate medical care?
“The constitution assigns the government the responsibility of healthcare for its citizens,” said Dr. Santiago A. del Rosario, a former president of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA). With the rapid rise in population, he saw the alarming drop in the number of hospitals-- from 2,000 in 1988 to 919 in 2005. Behind this huge attrition, our hospitals have been overbooked with patients, doctors and nurses have left for better jobs, and health services have faltered.
More than half of our hospitals have ceased to operate. Dr. Santiago blamed the closures to “absconding patients, taxes, expensive facilities, and high maintenance and labor costs.” With the new law, we run the risk of breeding patients who have little ability and incentive to pay. Hard pressed with the fight for survival, our hospitals will doubly labor on debt collection if we don’t instill fiscal responsibility to ourselves.
The Private Hospital Association of the Philippines (PHAP) through its spokesman, Dr. Rustico Jimenez expressed objection over RA 9439. As a protest and warning, the association planned a “hospital holiday,”---the deliberate slowing and cutting of hospital services if the Department of Health (DOH) can’t come up with acceptable terms of “IRR”—the implementing rules and regulations for the new law.
The PHAP is blurry and pessimistic about signed payment pledges. Even when guaranteed by mortgage or co-maker, the group believes promissory notes will not work because many patients pull back in their financial obligations. Only 10% pays payment pledges; others give wrong addresses and claim penury to escape payment liability.
Nicholas Gonzales, a private citizen, expressed his displeasure to RA9439 when he half-jokingly and half-seriously asked, “Will we allow hungry people to eat at any restaurant and submit promissory notes?”
“It places the blame on private hospitals instead of establishing an accessible healthcare system by allotting sufficient funds for public hospitals,” echoed Dr. Eleanor Jara, the director of Health Education Training and Services Council for Health Development (CHD).
According to Dr. Jara, only 0.1%, about P11.5 billion of the 2007 national budget of P1.126 trillion in 2007, is allotted to healthcare. The amount is measly. It translates to only P144.53 for every Filipino per year. That’s why poor folks go to private hospitals as charity patients rather than be treated in poorly-funded, crowded public healthcare facilities which just the same--- charge their patients.
The stark inadequacy of the RP’s healthcare budget prompted Senator Pia Cayetano to push, without tangible success, for a raise in the national health budget, from one to five percent of the Gross National Product (GDP). The senator said the increase is advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) so that an effective health care delivery system could be achieved in the Philippines.
We have seen the worst and the most fearsome of our inequities. In the front burner, the new law puts forward problems in many surreal ill-defined forms which must be tackled by our government with public cooperation.
There’s urgency to raise our healthcare money; our leaders must heed the cries of the poor instead of wrangling over inane political issues which blur our vision. A sizeable portion of the national budget, pork barrels, valued added taxes (E-VATs) etc. are needed to sustain the viability of our health services. With sky-rocketing medical costs, we need more funding for insurance programs, health research, prescription drugs, preventive care, and medical aid for the poor.
We must act now to steer away hospitals from financial ruin by stopping fraud, encouraging patients to save, granting tax deductions, providing equipment upgrades and intensifying health education.
The insurance plans offered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and other private insurance groups should serve as blueprints for our goal of universal health coverage for Filipinos. (Photo Credit: UP-PGH/ErnieUichanco) =0=
P263K of bills detain a patient in a Bicol hospital?
After weeks of treatment following wounds and fractures sustained in a vehicular accident, injured-patient and cancer-sufferer Elizabeth Evangelio, widow of Ibalonian George Evangelio who died in the road accident last month is allegedly being held by the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTHH) of Albay for nonpayment of bills (P263,000.00)in spite of guarantees made by the bus company involved in the accident. (PhotoCredit: BRTTH after Reming by Bibal, J) Through a text message however, Joshua Evangelio, the son, said his mom's release from the hospital may be granted next week.
A test case for the law's implementation, Evangelio's situation demonstrates the pros and cons of having a legislation which puts innocent citizens and hospitals in hot water over the financial aspects of catastrophic illnesses and injuries. The Philippines passed the Hospital Dentention Law last year. On a medical standpoint which BRTTH probably subscribes to, there's no benefit keeping a patient longer than necessary especially in so far as finances are concerned. Hospital detention exposes a patient from hospital-borne disease and uses up beds that can be used by other patients. It's unclear whether this legislation is ever followed or is subject to negotiations in healthcare centers all over the country.
In a separate post, I'll share with you an article entitled "Hospital Detention Act: Pro-Poor or Anti-Hospital" I wrote which was published last year in New York Filipino Reporter and Bicol Mail in Naga City. I hope it can provide some information about the healthcare problem on which you can frame your opinion and course of action. =0=
Mourning Gorilla
On August 20, 2008, Gana, the mother gorilla in her home in Muenster, Germany is downtrodden with the death of her newborn. The loss is as heavy as the subdued emotion she displays in her sullen face. Her baby, compressed, dehydrated, and unresponsive four days after it died, rests precariously on her back before she comes to terms with the unspeakable loss.
Disconsolate and grieving, she silently caresses a baby gorilla, a live one born to Changa, another primate in the zoo. (PhotoCredit: AP/Augstein, F)
Choosing the right US Vice President
As the November 4, 2008 US presidential election closes in, the Democratic and Republican parties are at high pitch to choose the best vice president nominees to support the candidacy of Barack Obama and John McCain respectively. The idea of having a vice president can be as simple as the reason why there’s the first runner-up in the Miss Universe contest. When the president becomes incapacitated or dies, it’s the vice president who takes over.
A death of the president occurred during the Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s term and Harry Truman, the vice president of 82 days took over. When Pres. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 in Texas, vice president Lyndon Johnson ascended as the president. After Pres. Richard Nixon’s resignation in August 9, 1974 on the wake of the Watergate scandal, it paved way to President Gerald Ford to assume the duties of the presidency.
In the last administrations, vice presidents are more active in policy administration than their earlier counterparts. They usually work behind the scene without much glare as the president takes in his position. Al Gore, the vice president of Bill Clinton had a substantial role in defining the environmental policy during their tenure. In the Pres. George W. Bush's administration, it’s Dick Cheney who silently held sway in foreign policies and the wars of the Iraq and Afghanistan.
As of August 22, 2008, Barack Obama said he has chosen his democratic vice presidential nominee. Delaware’s Sen. Joe Biden, NY’s Sen. Hillary Clinton, Virginia’s Gov. Tim Kaine, Texas’ Rep. Chet Edwards, and Indiana’s Sen. Evan Bayh are likely possibilities. Among them, Hillary with large voting following is thought to be the best to help Obama get elected.
On the opposite side of the political aisle, John McCain on the other hand has a choice in former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Mormon with strong credentials in business and economy vetted by political analysts. Considered with Romney in the Republican camp are Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and Homeland Security Head Tom Ridge.
Whoever is the choice in both the Republican and Democratic parties, the veep pick has the capacity to influence the outcome of the presidential race. A choice with strong exposure in foreign policy like Biden could help the young Barack Obama who has a vision of change, but lacks validation of experience. On the other hand, John McCain from Arizona with a solid track record of public service will be helped by a nominee that’s away from his home base--- like Romney who’s from the Northeast. Therefore, the choice for vice president considers the maximum votes the party can get for the party to win and help in the governance once the US president is elected. =0=
Breaking News: Democrat Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware is announced on August 23, 2008 as Barack Obama's vice presidential nominee.
Ninoy Aquino: undimmed, forever young & at play
"They shall not grow oldAs we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the hourglass condemn
At the going down of the sun
And at the rising of the sun
We shall greet them in our hearts
Undimmed, forever young and at play
In the fields of the Lord.”
----Warrior King: The Triumph & Betrayal of An American Commander in Iraq (Sassman, Nathan Lt. Col., Martin Press, NY, 2008, p.293)
“It is even more clear to me now that Ninoy was never really mine or my children’s to lose; he has always belonged to the people he chose to serve and to die for,” former Pres. Corazon (Cory) Aquino said of her husband Benigno (Ninoy ) Aquino whose 25th year of his assassination is being remembered this year. Ninoy Aquino came home from exile in August 21, 1983 from Boston, USA as the prime political adversary of then Pres. Ferdinand Marcos and wife Imelda Marcos. Upon arrival in Manila, he was escorted by military men and minutes later he was gunned down in the tarmac. Years of investigations of the gruesome killing failed to unmask the top people behind the murder. A lone gunman Rolando Galman, killed with Ninoy at the airport, was blamed for the murder. Ninoy’s martyrdom sparked a series of mass actions and protests against Marcos, forcing him out of Malacanang Palace and ending his dictatorship with Imelda.
Today, trying to bring back her health from treatments for colonic cancer, Cory faces new wounds of the ignominious murder whose real mastermind(s) and killer(s) are still on the loose. As the memory of the bloody shooting fades in the memory of the country, the culprits who escape judgement under the law, have gone old or have died of natural causes.
The Marcos family has been “rehabilitated” with the passage of time, rejoining Philippine politics as though nothing so nefarious and brutal ever happened. The case of Ninoy and the conspiracy behind it have been a metaphor of the Filipinos’ lack of trust in the court system. It speaks of the countless murders left unsolved in the country. Not only is justice slow, it’s riddled with corruption and nepotism that favor the rich and powerful. =0=
Ricky Martin, singer, a father of twins
Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, 36, becomes a father of boy twins born through ‘gestational surrogacy” this August 2008. The identity of the mother who donated the egg(s) nor the woman who carried the babies to term isn’t presently known, but babies, and dad are reportedly well. “La subrogación gestacional es la transferencia del embrión a una mujer que lo carga en su útero. Generalmente la mujer que lo carga no tiene ninguna relación genética con el feto.’---NY Daily News /AP/Prensa Associada (08/20/08) "Gestational surrogacy" is the transfer of the embryo to a woman who carries the baby to term in her uterus. The woman has no genetic affinity with the embryo (becomes a fetus when it gets older in utero.) The embryo is fertilized in vitro from a donor egg of a woman (different from the one who carries the baby to term)with the father's sperm.
Known for being a member of the popular boy dance-sing group called Menudo, his later hit interpretation of “Livin’ with La Vida Loca” and his charitable works for the prevention of human trafficking and child exploitation, Martin has custody of the twins and is elated to assume fatherhood. *PCredit: Getty Images)=0=
Menstruation bill and catamenial holiday that make socialists think
Party-list representative Narciso Santiago filled House Bill 4888 aka Menstruation Leave Act of 2008 which provides for a one-day holiday each month for working women going through menstruation. Hailed by feminists, welfare adherents, socialists, and hordes of supportive Filipino women, Santiago proposed a half-day salary for the catamenial holiday and violators are threatened with a fine of P30,000 or a jailtime of 30 to 180 days. Finding inspiration from similar legislations in Korea, Japan and Indonesia, Rep. Santiago makes many Filipino women happy. After all, a large percentage of them suffer from some form of menstruation-related discomfort, a leading cause of job absenteeism in their ranks.
More than 50% of menstruating women experience pain (dysmenorrhea,) most of which aren’t serious though and are treatable by medications. Others suffer from menstrual irregularities---from lack of monthly shedding to excessive flow or more frequent periods accompanied by non-specific complaints of headaches and emotional tensions.
However, about 10% of these women may experience manifestations that can be debilitating. Aside from pain, they harbor signs and symptoms of varying severity----mood changes, fatigue, and signs of some underlying conditions such as infections, endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasias, ectopic pregnancy, genital tract malformations, cervical, uterine and ovarian tumors. Menstruation, the time-honored monthly shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) is a physiologic process. It occurs once a woman starts menarche at puberty and ends at menopause. A normal part of the female function, menstruation is not a disease. For this reason, medicalization of menstruation and allowing catamenial leaves on the job deserve more thinking and consideration. Menstruation holidays raise the questions of medical necessity and it opens up the possibility of indolence, slowing, and discrimination in the workplace.
The intention of the Menstruation Leave Act of 2008 is good, but this may not be beneficial for the country in the long run. With about 50% of Filipino females in the labor force, the budget to pay for a monthly menstrual holiday is enormous. This lowers work dividends and increases the overhead cost of employers. Paid menstruation leaves make women’s productivity lesser than that of men and these can spawn a backlash in the hiring of females in the workplace. The Menstruation Leave Act can drive small businesses into bankruptcy if employers have no money to pay for them.
In South Korea, after the government left the discretion to compensate menstrual leaves on the employers and companies, the courts have been deluged with protests and lawsuits because many have been refused payments. Labor unions fight with the workers for benefits. And employers start investigating who among those who skip work is truly menstruating and who among them have reached menopause which leaves them ineligible for benefits.
In Japan, the decision to request for menstrual leave is left on the worker. According to Japan’s Labor Act, female workers can request for catamenial leaves when menstruation makes it extremely hard for them to function in their jobs. Doctor’s certification may not be necessary.
Following the belief that the government and businesses must provide for most comforts of its citizens, the paid menstrual leave package in Indonesia boggles the mind of capitalists and socialists alike. With a floundering and corrupt economy, Indonesia has generously added two days' paid leave for parents who have their children baptized, two days' leave if their children marry, and another two days' paid circumcision leave for the parents, not for the son. Aren’t all these labor perks wonderful? They are good if governments and employers can afford the expense. Sometimes, the law and reality don’t easily come together that easy. =0=
