PostHeaderIcon Legazpi celebrates Fiesta, Ibalong Festival

11/04/2008 | Posted by dusktildawn | Edit Post






LEGAZPI CITY- Legazpenos celebrated their fiesta and welcomed the return of the Ibalong Festival with much funfare characterized by month-long festivities. Among the highlights of the celebrations were the CEBIKA Art exhibit; Agri-Fair; 1st Ibalong Airsoft Challenge; Mayon Trail Run; Drum, Lyre and Bugle Competition; Brass Band Competition; Fiesta Parada de Legazpi; the Mutya ng Ibalong Pageant and the Street Presentation of the Ibalong Epic.

The 1st Ibalong Airsoft Challenge featuring 25 teams from Sorsogon; Naga City, Camarines Sur; Daet, Camarines Norte; Legazpi City; Polangui and Daraga, Albay was hosted by Cagsawa Airsoft Tactical Company and was held last October 26, 2008 at the Bicol University grounds. It was co-sponsored by the Saint Agnes Academy Batch Grade School ’80 and High School ’84. The challenge gave cash prizes ranging from P3,000 to P10,000 aside from recognizing the most honest, most disciplined and best in uniform teams.

The Mayon Trail Run was sponsored by the JCI Legazpi and was conceptualized to promote awareness of Global Warming.
The Fiesta Parada de Legazpi Band competition was won by Legazpi City High School- 1st in the High School category; 2nd place went to Felix Alfelor High School while 3rd place went to Dominican School of Pilar, Sorsogon. In the Elementary Division, the winners were 1st- Iriga Central school; 2nd- San Isidro Elementary School and 3rd- Bagtang Elementary School.

However it was the Brass Bands of Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC), Mariners Baras and Legazpi and University of Saint Anthony (USANT) which was the main attraction of the Legazpi Parade aside from the Miss Earth beauties who anchored the parade. Mariners Baras showed why they were the best marching band in the recent Penafrancia Military Parade while USANT showed Legazpi why they were the best majorettes in Bicol for this year aside from being the overall champion in the Penafrancia Military Parade last September in Naga City.
In the Mutya ng Ibalong Pageant, Patrixia Sherly Santos of Daraga, Albay was this year’s fairest. Dianne Necio was 1st runner-up while Catherine Lagrimas was the 2nd runner-up. The coronation night was held at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi last October 29, 2008.

The highlight of this year’s Ibalong festival was the Street Presentation of the Ibalong Epic and 14 contingents from all over Bicol participated and vied for the hefty cash prizes. After the smoke of the battle cleared, Camarines Norte State College was the Overall Champion. For the minor category, Legazpi City High School was adjudged the Best in Sound. Camarines Norte State College was Best in Costume. In the major category, Best in Moving Choreography winners were: 5th- Bulan National High School; 4th- Pagasa National High Shool; 3rd- Legazpi City High School and the Champion was Camarines Norte State College who won P100,000.

In the Exhibition category, 5th- Tabaco National High School; 4th- Pagasa National High school; 3rd- Banquerohan National High School ; 2nd- Legazpi City High School and Champion was Camarines Norte State College who pocketed P200,000.

Truly, the month-long festivities of the Ibalong Festival was one happy occassion for the City and its residents, the business community and the events winners who trained and worked hard to to claim the glory they rightfully deserve. It is also a tribute to the various sectors, too many to mention- who worked hard to make the month-long festivities meaningful and successful, worthy of another encore.
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PostHeaderIcon Mutya ng Ibalong: Are Daraguenas the fairest of them all?

11/04/2008 | Posted by dusktildawn | Edit Post


LEGAZPI CITY- It’s all happening with noticeable regularity and all too familiar results. Another lass from Daraga out of the 101 towns and 7 cities in the Bicol region, emerged as this year’s Mutya ng Ibalong as candidate no. 18- Patrixia Sherly De Lumban Santos stamped her beauty, talent and class over a field of 20 candidates to win the coveted crown. It must be remembered that in April and September this year, Miss Melody Adelheid Gerbasch, another Daraguena, won the prestigious Mutya ng Magayon and Miss Bicolandia pageants. Daraga, which is composed of 54 barangays, has retained its reputation of being the most progressive town not only in the province of Albay but in the whole of the Bicol Region. For decades it has enjoyed the air of progress, being a long time first class municipality in the province.

Patrixia pocketed the top prize of P100,000 aside from winning the Miss Photogenic and Miss Talent awards during the Coronation Night held last October 29, 2008 at the air-conditioned Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City. Candidate no. 15- Dianne Samar Necio from Polangui, Albay was the first runner-up and won P75,000 aside from being named as “Model of the Year”. Meanwhile candidate no. 8- Catherine Dominique Lagrimas of Nabua, Camarines Sur was the 2nd runner-up and came home P50,000 richer. Patrixia garnered an average score of 94.24%, Dianne got 93.34% and Catherine averaged 89.90%. Patrixia who admitted she’s an Anime fanatic is also the reigning Miss BU and won as Miss Cagsawa in the Mutya ng Daraga Pageant held last September. On the other hand, Dianne was a runner-up in the Miss Bicolandia 2007 aside from being a majorette of USANT which won the overall championship in this year’s Penafrancia Military Parade.

Candidate no. 19- Jane Riel Banares was the Best in Long Gown while candidate no. 5- April Armamento Santillan was voted as Miss Friendship and won as Best in Swimwear. Aside from the 5 aforementioned candidates, those who made it to the finals were candidate no. 7- Lizi Louise Resoles, candidate no. 13- Sarah Syed, candidate no. 16- Kelly Obligacion, candidate no.17- Ma. Rochelle Perez and candidate no. 20- Ma. Rochell Ruth Rebeta.

The pageant was different and unique in more ways than one. In a departure from the usual format, the 10 candidates who did not make it to the finals were the ones who asked the finalists the questions in the dreaded Q&A portion. Also, the mothers and guardians of the candidates became more than just background supporters as they were thrust in the limelight and were asked questions themselves by the three emcees that are stars in their own rights. Paolo Bediones is a well-known talent of Network giant GMA and hosts the popular Survivor Philippines series. Tintin Caballero was the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2002 while Jean Harn was the Miss Earth Philippines 2007.

The Pageant was truly a night to remember filled with great music. Jonathan Badon, known as the Philippine Prince of Operatic Pop sung Josh Groban’s “You raise me up” accompanied by virtuoso violin playing that seems to emanate from heaven and followed this up with Pavarotti songs sung in Italian that only artists of his caliber can deliver. Even the candidates were dancing and swaying to the beat of the music and the sizable crowd was ecstatic. The lighting was sufficient and appreciated by the photographers who were able to take magnificent images in available light. The gigantic LCD background was new and creative and beautifully complements the action onstage. We credit this to the genius and great partnership of Renee M. Salud, the Project Director and Mutya ng Ibalong Chairperson Geraldine B. Rosal who were not afraid to innovate and do what is necessary to make the Mutya ng Ibalong Pageant memorable and worthy of being considered as one of the leading pageants in the whole of Bicolandia.

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PostHeaderIcon Election Day

11/04/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post
“In the US, voters cast ballots for individual candidates who are not bound to any party program except rhetorically, and not always then. Some Republicans are more liberal than some Democrats, some libertarians are more radical than some socialists, and many local candidates run without any party identification. No American citizen can vote intelligently without knowledge of the ideas, political background, and commitments of each individual candidate.”---Ben H. Bagdikian (American educator & journalist)

Months of campaign has finally brought the Americans to decide and vote on November 4, 2008. They have been treated with presidential debates, talk show humor, media analysts’ opinions, TV advertisements and radio commentaries, but still there is a pall of uncertainty whether the electorate really is deciding for the best candidates who’ll defend their interest.

Certainly, there are those who think passionately that they are doubly sure of their choice taking into account not only the economy, but also the culture USA is taking. And there are also those who are spooked by the immensity of the candidates' eloquent promises which beg for action.

Today the voters silently cast their vote. It’s a regular working day for most Americans who approach the polls in their own terms. Whatever they decide will define the course of their lives and the whole nation. (Photo Credits: wwww.linesandcolors.com; m4roon3d)=0=

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PostHeaderIcon Riding the Pakistani Orient Express

11/04/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post



It was a good day to ride a train. After a religious pilgrimage, Pakistani Muslims of the Sunni sect did just that on their way home. Every passenger had a special spot on the jampacked train as it snaked its way, precisely right on its track. Thousands jammed Multan, Pakistan for a three-day event which concluded on Sunday, November 2, 2008.

The scene seems to be lifted from an interesting page of the Guinness World Records. It's note-worthy that overcrowding and potential accident situations in public transport are innocuous but real in many places in the world. (Photo Credit: AP/Tanveer, K)
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PostHeaderIcon Brazen thieves & their love for jewelries

11/04/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Wowowee, the popular ABS-CBN TV show is most remembered for the Ultra stadium stampede which resulted to the gruesome deaths of 74 game show spectators and injured more than 800 others on February 4, 2006. I still feel a sense of great loss and sadness for the victims. With similar sadness, I read that noontime Wowowee program host Willie Revillame lost P3 million worth of personal stuff to akyat bahay thieves in a well-executed robbery in his home in Corinthian Hills Garden in Quezon City on Monday, November 3, 2008.

“Suspects gained entry through the house comfort room by destroying its back window and carted away with assorted jewelries approximately worth P3 million,” said Senior Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula, Quezon City Police District. Inquirer..net (11/03/08, Aurelio, JM)

I can imagine the brazenness of robbers when economic crisis roils on. Revillame must be an attractive target of theft--- for as a TV celebrity he must have much jewelry and expensive items to keep. He suspects the early dawn theft to be an “inside” job which is a cautionary reminder of the increasing difficulty in protecting private property. It is unclear if he will ever go far from just reporting the incident to the police.

High walls, security cameras, guards, barbed wires, watch dogs, and caretakers don’t provide perfect protection. That’s why some rich people opt not to have jewelries at all. Besides, keeping valuables entail expenses in terms of covering them with adequate insurance. (Photo Credit: C4Chaos; lightweavers) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon The legal immigration limbo & why playing by the rules is important

11/03/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Mexican illegal immigrants in the United States range between 12 to 21 million. The problem is huge, but illegal immigration has taken a back seat away from the more important issues like the economy, homeland security and abortion.

The Republican and Democratic presidential candidates don’t focus on the immigration problem partly because they need the votes of immigrant-citizens. Both candidates have legalization plans for the gate-crashers of America whose number has become “unmanageable.” Obama has more perks for illegal aliens than McCain.

Against the wish of 75% of Americans, the country concedes that it can’t rationally keep the illegal aliens out. Many believe mass deportation isn’t a realistic option. In varying degrees, many politicians have become cozy with the illegal aliens mainly for their numbers and their votes (capacity to change the outcome of an election,) not because it is right thing to do.

In this backdrop people worldwide are waiting for their immigration papers to be adjudicated. Among them are those who have expected patiently for decades. They are frustrated with the extremely long wait. There are those who lose eligibility forcing them to change plans. Aging-out, marriage or death are among the reasons why others are unable to come. Some find ways to arrive illegally.

Abiding with the US immigration laws, those who apply for legal immigration obviously play by the rules. They deserve to be rewarded for siding with the law. Yet, in the waiting line, they are pushed aside.

Lacking fairness, their applications are decided slower than those of illegal aliens already in USA. Overstaying aliens enjoy the benefits of being in America way ahead of the legal applicants; they get higher priority in adjusting visa status.

Such injustice and disregard of standard rules are clearly illustrated in the visa delay shown in the November 2008 US visa bulletin issued by the USCIS. The waiting times to get an immigrant visa number from the Philippines under the 3rd and 4th preference family-based category is 17 years (05/08/91) and 22 years (03/22/86) respectively. They don't include the 6 months to 1 year time to iron out the requirements of immigration. That’s incredibly long time, but true!

Filipinos are distressed. With huge backlogs in various categories, the visas intended for them are allotted to legalize aliens who are already in USA. The sluggishness of the immigration process gives more incentive for people to slip unlawfully into the country's backdoor.

Think how polarizing these fixes are. It scares many law-abiding citizens when rules are tailored to suit a group at a disadvantage of another. Not only does the immigration service (INS) reward lawbreakers, they clearly frustrate the purpose of the legal family reunification enshrined in the immigration law.

The expedient decision favoring illegal aliens has been justified on humanitarian grounds, but UCIS/INS rarely gives this to those who have waited 20 years to become an immigrant. This is another area where the US tradition of fairness and compassion is wearing away. Americans have reasons to be worried of foreigners coming to USA who don't respect its laws. (Photo Credits: BHowdy; www.hedgerley.net; wanderingangel)



US STATE DEPARTMENT VISA BULLETIN, NOVEMBER 2008

FAMILY CATEGORIES PRIORITY DATES
--------Worldwide---China (PRC)---India-------Mexico-----Philippines
1st-----05-01-02--- 05-01-02--- 05-01-02--- 09-15-92---05-01-93
2A----- 02-08-04--- 02-08-04--- 02-08-04--- 07-15-01---02-08-04
2B----- 01-15-00--- 01-15-00--- 01-15-00--- 04-22-92---06-15-97
3rd-----07-01-00--- 07-01-00--- 07-01-00--- 09-15-92---05-08-91
4th-----11-15-97--- 06-08-97--- 07-22-97--- 01-22-95---03-22-86

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES PRIORITIY DATES
---------Worldwide---China (PRC)---India----Mexico----Philippines
1st--------Current---Current-------Current----Current---Current
2nd------- Current---06-01-04----06-01-03---Current---Current
3rd--------05-01-05---02-01-02---10-01-01---09-01-02---05-01-05
Unskilled---01-15-03---01-15-03---01-15-03---01-15-03---01-15-03
4th--------- Current------Current-----Current----Current----Current
Religious----UA---------UA-----------UA----------UA---------UA (unavailable)

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PostHeaderIcon Halloween Hangover

11/03/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post




For most of us, the celebration of Halloween almost always means fun. The tradition of trick-a-treat, witches, kapre, goblins, ti-anak, jack o’ lantern, bonfires, costume parties, horror movies, and parades has become ever more popular. For the most part, the merriment goes without a hitch.

For Alex Woinksi however, this year’s holiday is different. Donning a crown of thorns and a costume to simulate Jesus Christ, the teenager was forced to go home early from the West Brook Middle School Halloween Celebration in Paramus, New Jersey. That's upon the advice of his school principal.




It’s the old familiar question about freedom of expression versus the sensitivity and respect towards religion. Liberal society doesn’t see anything wrong with Jesus being impersonated in a pagan celebration like Halloween.

Many accept to see the holy Messiah reviled. He has been depicted as a frog pinned on the cross, prostitute-lover, a homosexual, and a loser immersed in bottle of urine, His mother Mary was "artistically" painted with horse dung---far outrageous than Woinski’s bland JC costume. Liberals and free thinkers justify these indignities as legitimate artsy self-expressions in synch with democratic rights in a modern society.



But those who don’t agree ask about respect over religious beliefs. They know some members of society recklessly push aside sensibility. Can anyone forget the rampage of killings provoked by depicting prophet Mohammed in cartoons published in a Danish newspaper? Does anyone notice how westerners are cowed to repeat the same “sacrilege” towards Islam?

The liberal-secularist point of view seems to play here again. About 75% of respondents in an informal AOL online survey opined it was OK for Woinski to wear the Jesus attire. Many didn’t believe that the costume was offensive to some students. The double-standard people have towards religion and the inconsistency of exercising political correctness make what is right or wrong, relative and contentious. (Photo Credits: Wonksi Family-AOL; pioscor; bcompetent; SD; rewritable) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

11/02/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


The Immaculate Conception Church in Astoria, New York where I am a parishioner shares the United States bishop’s reflection “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” It serves as a primer on how a Catholic must vote in the US election. What is below is an abridged version of the document. The complete text can be read in www.faithfulcitizenship.org

The US bishops make clear that they don’t tell Catholics how to vote. They said the responsibility to make political choices rest on the voter. The bishops' advice is ever more valuable as America charts its future.

Why Does the Church Teach About Issues Affecting Public Policy?

The Church’s obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith, a part of the mission given to by Jesus Christ. As people of both faith and reason, Catholics are called to bring truth to political life and to practice Christ’s commandment to “love one another.”

Who in the Church Should Participate in Political Life?

Catholics need to act on the Church’s moral principles and become more involved: running for office, working within political parties, and communicating concerns to elected officials. Even those who cannot vote should raise their voices on matters that affect their lives and the common good.

How Does the Church Help Catholics to Address Political and Social Questions?

A Well-Formed Conscience: We Catholics have a lifelong obligation to form our consciences in accord with human reason, enlightened by the teaching of Christ as it comes to us through the Church.

The Virtue of Prudence: Prudence enables us to” discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it.” As Catholics seek to advance the common good, we must carefully discern which public polices are morally sound. A good end does not justify an immoral means.

Doing Good and Avoiding Evil: There are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always be rejected and never supported. A preeminent example is the intentional taking of human life through abortion. It is always morally wrong to destroy innocent human beings. A legal system that allows the right to life to be violated on the grounds of choice is fundamentally flawed.

Similarly, direct threats to the dignity of human life such as euthanasia, human cloning, and destructive research on human embryos are also intrinsically evil and must be opposed. Other assaults on human life and dignity, such as genocide, torture, racism, may the targeting of noncombatants in acts of terror or war, can never be justified.

The use of death penalty, hunger, lack of health care or housing, human trafficking, the human and moral costs of war, and the unjust immigration polices are some of the serious moral issues that challenge our consciences. And require us to act.

Making Moral Choices: Difficult political decisions require a well-formed conscience aided by prudence. The exercise of conscience begins with always opposing polices that violate human life or weaken its protection. “Those who formulate law therefore have an obligation in conscience to work toward correcting morally defective laws, lest they be guilty of cooperating in evil and in sinning against the common good (USCCB, Catholics in Political Life).

What does the Church Say about Catholic teaching in the Public Square?
The consistent ethic of life is committed to defend human life and other human rights, from conception until natural death. Catholic voters should use Catholic teaching to examine candidates’ positions on issues and should consider candidates’ integrity, philosophy, and performance. It is important for all citizens “to see beyond party politics.”

The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person

Human life is sacred. Within our society, life is under direct attack from abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, and destruction of human embryos for research. These intrinsic evils must always be opposed.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation

The family, based on marriage between man and woman, is the fundamental unit of society. This sanctuary for the creation and nurturing of children must not be redefined, undermined, or neglected.

Rights and Responsibility

Every human being has a right to life, the fundamental right that makes all other rights possible. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities---to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

A moral test for society is how we treat the weakest among us---the unborn, those dealing with disabilities or terminal illness, the poor and marginalized.

Dignity of Work and the Right of Workers

Economic justice calls for decent work at fair, living wages, opportunities for legal status for immigrant workers, and the opportunity for all people to work together for the common good through their work, ownership, enterprise, investment, participation in unions, and other forms of economic activity.

Solidarity

We are one human family, whatever our national, social, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences.

Caring for God’s Creation

Care for the earth is a duty of our Catholic faith. We are called to be stewards of the environment for now and the future.

Conclusion

In the light of Catholic teaching, as bishops, we repeat our call for renewed politics that focuses on moral principles, the defense of life, the needs of the weak, and the pursuit of the common good. This kind of political participation reflects the social teaching of our Church and the best tradition of our nation. Source & Photo Credit: www.faithfulcitizenship.org =0=
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PostHeaderIcon Science and the Mind of God

11/01/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


There is equanimity between Pope Benedict XVI and British cosmologist Stephen Hawkings when they briefly met on Friday, October 31, 2008 in a conference sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. In the meeting whose theme was "Scientific Insights into the Evolution of the Universe and of Life," the 81 year-old supreme leader of the Catholic Church and the reknown astro-physics professor of Cambridge seem to agree on God.

Wheel-chair bound and stricken by a severe debilitating neuro-muscular disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS,) Hawkings, author of the book “A Brief History of Time” said:

“"I believe the universe is governed by the laws of science….The laws may have been decreed by God, but God does not intervene to break the laws."

For his part Pope Benedict XVI said, ""There is no opposition between faith's understanding of creation and the evidence of the empirical sciences." Reuters-Yahoo.com (10/31/08 Stewarts, P; Bosley E)

The continuing dialogue of religion and science continues as humanity tries to understand its origin and the purpose of the cosmos. The Catholic Church accepts the theory of evolution as part of God’s plan for the universe and maintains there is no contradiction between faith and empirical science.

By itself, science is profound and has done astounding progress to advance mankind through the ages, yet the concept of God can even be greater. For all the wonders of human discovery, the mind of God may be way beyond what science can possibly comprehend. (Photo Credits: by www.joysf; Vatican; Ossevatore Romano; Reuters)=0=

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PostHeaderIcon Tomb Dwellers of Manila

11/01/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


They have lost fear for the ethereal white lady in lavender lace who appears mysteriously under the full moon’s shadow behind the cemetery’s concrete-covered coffins. The cryptic presence of the black cat and the howls of hungry mongrels in the mausoleum aren’t bothersome anymore. In the pitch darkness of the night, the eerie stillness is friendlier in the cemetery than before.



It has been a hushed reality that for years, there are people who live in the cemetery. Grave diggers, sextons and caretakers of tombs may be allowed housing in the vicinity, but in some burial sites in Manila, a throng of people have found their residence among the dead. On All Saint’s day, the tomb dwellers merge with the crowd, paying tribute to the dead.

Two years ago, in Manila North Cemetery, about 6,000 men, women and children reside with the dead. The number keeps growing as the destitute convert the burial ground into a living space, disturbing the resting place of the dead. The poor seems to have no choice.



As of last count, those who sleep, eat, and bathe inside the cemetery have ballooned to more than 10,000. For generations, the government seems tolerant, ignoring the ugly and hapless sight away from the consciousness of the public.

Like the problem of exploding squatters living close to the railroad tracks, poor people who share living space with the dead pose a dilemma to urban planners, health workers, and sanitation engineers. Standard plumbing, water supply, sewer system and regular electric supply aren’t available. However embarrassing, it is clear the government has to do something to put an end to the dangerous environment which the public doesn’t approve.



Arrivals from the provinces unable to afford the high cost of housing are forced to seek a patch of squalid space in the cemetery as they seek jobs in the metropolis of 12 million. In the burial grounds, the thieves, gamblers, drug addicts and homeless roam as the housing shortage worsen.

There is a basketball court nearby. Children play on dirty alleys. They sometimes hold on human ribs and broken skull bones away from the sight of their parents. Smell of stinky effluent and garbage sometimes fill the air. Peddlers have set up stores to make the place a surreal shopping ground. Understandably, the living must not make the cemetery their home. =0=



(Photo Credits: dsrito; Bahag; dsrito; hywell; elmernocheseda)

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