The three-day 17th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBiz Con) held in Dipolog City that ended last Friday, August 29 batted for strong public-private partnership to advance the region’s economic agenda.

The MinBizCon serves as the primary venue for generating local and foreign investments in Mindanao, sharing best practices in economic development and fostering a more competitive business environment.

The gathering discussed ways to strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors, particularly in agro-industry.

One plenary session highlighted logistics for agriculture, including developments in shipping and RORO (roll-on, roll-off) transport.

Presentations were made by Sabin Aboitiz, CEO of Aboitiz One, Inc.; Doris Magsaysay Ho, chairperson of Magsaysay Maritime Corp.; and Henry Basilio, director of the UA&P Transport and Logistics Center.

“The MinBizCon’s areas of focus reflect those cited in President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA),” said Edgardo Lacson, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

PCCI is organizing the conference with the support from USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

“Mindanao remains the food basket of the country and is key to food security,” Lacson added.

The MinBizCon here was hosted by the Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte and the city governments of Dipolog and Dapitan.

The twin cities) Dipolog and Dapitan) are a key RORO stop on the nautical highway, which extends from Luzon and the Visayas down the western Mindanao coast to Tawi-Tawi.

Given a boost by the RORO connection in Dapitan’s port, Dipolog is now a major supplier of processed marine products, particularly bottled sardines, to Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo and Manila. It is also a supplier of lanzones, rambutan and mango fruit.

Dapitan City, less than an hour from Dipolog along a new highway, is home to the renowned Dakak Park and Beach Resort, as well as the popular historical shrine to national hero Jose Rizal who spent his exile there.

“Tourist arrivals via RORO alone have doubled in the past year,” said Edgar Bagarinao, president of the Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “We are working to make Zamboanga del Norte one of the leading tourism and convention hubs in the country,” he added.

Other MinBizCon plenaries focused on international trade, investment in tourism and the impact of social development and management programs on mining communities.

The Manila-Dipolog air route is plied daily by Philippine Airlines, and several times a week by Cebu Pacific. PAL Express has recently launched its Cebu-Dipolog route. (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VIII No.9)

P/Supt. Gervacio Balmaceda Jr. strongly denied reports that the Dipolog Traffic Team were aggressive enough in apprehending traffic violators because they were working on a certain ‘quota’ in order to rake in more money out of the penalties.

It was learned that the traffic police could not let pass even a small traffic violation so that a fine could be exacted upon the violators right away.

The Dipolog PNP chief disclosed there was no order whatsoever or directive from Mayor Evelyn Uy to such effect.

However, the PNP Chief said, he was just following her logic of securing the safety of all motorists by following the Standards of Safety including the wearing of helmets.

Some motorists who were recently fined for violating some traffic regulations griped and instead suggested that it would be better if the police will run after illegal gambling, snatching, robbery, holdup, bodol-bodol and some other crimes which the authorities must guard the city against.

“I cannot call it an accomplishment,” one motorist complained after being fined but appreciated the earlier “Operation Bakal” that they had launched which was seen to save many innocent lives.

It has been observed that the local government of Dipolog is the lone local government unit in Zamboanga del Norte which strictly implemented the traffic ordinance.

From P160 for non-wearing of helmet, the traffic division implemented the P1,500 penalty based on the new Administrative Order issued by the Land Transportation Office.

A prominent city official who refused to be identified claimed that the new penalty rate imposed by DOTC is just an Administrative Order and not a congressional enactment which could be strictly imposed upon the traffic violators. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

Dipolog City (29 August) – Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. called on the participants to the 17th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) to help address the peace and order problem in Mindanao.

Speaking before MinBizCon delegates in a dinner tendered by the city government of Dipolog led by Mayor Evelyn T. Uy at the Top Plaza Hotel here, Senator Revilla said Mindanao’s development has been hampered by the age-long problem of peace and order.

Revilla rued that despite Mindanao’s natural riches, 36 percent of the nation’s poor are in this island. He said Mindanao’s potentials are not fully harnessed due to “the underlying currents and age-long obstacles” which make “the situation in the area very volatile.”

The senator also reminded that Muslims and Christians in the Philippines are all Filipinos, having the same race and blood.

“If we are to find peace, everyone must be serious in their commitment to peace. Everyone must be asked to participate actively so that efforts are acceptable to all concerned,” Revilla stressed.

He further suggested that all negotiations with the MILF “must be put on hold until all parties come to the negotiating table with clean hands, as the road to peace should be paved with truthfulness and sincerity.”

The senator also urged the MILF to “surrender those responsible for the recent atrocities in Mindanao so that the talks can proceed.”

Two weeks ago the MILF rebels stormed the municipalities of Linamon, Kauswagan and Kilambugan in Lanao del Norte and Maasin in Sarangani province, killing innocent civilians and burning residential houses, schools and establishments.

The perpetrators were rebels said to belong to MILF’s 102nd, 103rd and 105th base commands. (Franklin Gumapon-PIA-ZN)

A fire of still undetermined origin razed two commercial buildings housing several businesses at corner Gen. Luna-Lacaya streets in the heart of Dipolog City early dawn of Friday, August 29 resulting to an estimated loss of P2-million.

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. who was in town then as guest at some inauguration here, was himself awaken in the early morning of the incident and was at the fire scene to see for himself what happened.

The fire started about 4:00 am and was declared out at 6:00 am after razing two commercial buildings: one along Gen. Luna housing the Cuesta Enterprises which is a dealer of Gasul and Cebu Pacific Airline office; and Palma building housing a plastic material dealer, relief good store and a furniture store/warehouse.

The fire spread fast and finished the two buildings which were made of light materials.

A third concrete building which is under construction at the very corner of the two streets stood with no damage except the false works stocked on the second concrete floor which were burned.

The cause of fire and where it started could not be determined yet by the City Fire Department at this writing. (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VIII No.9)

“The American people have always been behind the efforts of the people of Mindanao and the United States of America is fully supporting the peace efforts of the Philippine government.”

This was the statement of US Deputy Ambassador to the Philippines Jon Lindborg in an interview during his visit here late last week. He was the keynote speaker during the opening of the 17th Mindanao Business Conference held in Dipolog City August 27-28.

He said the US government will support the peaceful settlement of the problem between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Lindborg also believed that the MILF problem could be resolved through negotiation, as “it is the only way to achieving peace.”

He, however, made it clear that the US government has nothing to do with the negotiation since it is only between the Moro rebels and the Philippine government. But he assured that his country will always support peace and development efforts that will contribute to “an environment that helps peace grow” in the country.

Lindborg was here to represent Kristie Kenny, US ambassador to the Philippines who was invited as keynote speaker during the opening of the 17th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizcon) Thursday.

Lindborg, who also serves as the mission director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), went to Mutia town for the turnover of the Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) project at Mutia National High School.

The CLIC project was implemented under the USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program, which has already assisted 674 schools in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and other conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.

Mutia National High School received from GEM 10 computer sets complete with broadband internet access, a printer, a LAN and books on computers which all amounted to P339,000. (Franklin Gumapon-GEM-PIA-ZN)

The Rotary Club of Dipolog hosted the VOICE OF OUR YOUTH - IMPROMPTU SPEAKING COMPETITION CLUB LEVEL last October 4, 2008 at the DMC auditorium. This competition seeks to develop the students’ ability to form their point of view on a particular topic within a limited preparation time and to effectively convey their message to an audience in plain English. It also aims the Filipino youth to attain world-class proficiency in English communication, in furtherance of universal understanding and cooperation.

            The winner of this club level competition will then proceed to Bacolod on November 22, 2008 for the District level competition, the semi-final round. The Grand Finals, the National Level Competition will then be held in Philamlife Auditorium, United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila.

            To represent the Rotary Club of Dipolog in the District Level competition, from St. Vincent’s College, Ms. Jani G. Omamalin. The runner ups are as follows: Mary Lynn Y. Tesaluna from ZNNHS, and Roger Angielo Atenta from Punta National High School.

            Other participants include: Riza Jane P. Castillon & Christian James Paco from Punta National High School, Ley April Louise Santos Villaneuva from DMC, Jervina G. Elumbaring from St. Mary’s Academy, Mariethen Grace Abasolo from Sicayab National High School, and Charry B. Baidiango from Dipolog City National High School.

            The judges who graced the competition were Atty. Cres N. Palpagan, Jr., Atty Jordanne B. Chan-Antonio and Hon Fiscal Chad Paler.

            From the chairman of this event, Rtn and BM Ricky Mejorada II, and the Rotary Club of Dipolog, we extend our congratulations not only to the winners but to all participants for making this event a success.  

With 6 teams competing for the Philippine Collegiate Champions League 2008 Regional Elimination at Zamboanga City on October 4-6, 2008, the DMC Lifesavers surprises opponents and even Zamboangeneous. Parading with the shortest line-up, the Lifesavers is bracketed along with Universidad of Zamboanga-Ipil and Universidad de Zamboanga-Main. The other bracket comprises with Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Kabasalan Institute of Technology and Saint Vincent’s College.

In the first game of elimination, Lifesavers surprises Zamboanga Sibugay champion Universidad de Zamboanga-Ipil with its suffocating defense and flawless offense that gave the DMC Lifesavers its first victory 83-63.

In the afternoon, against the taller UZ Wildcats, with less that 2 minutes left and trailed by four points, the DMC Lifesavers proved once again that they can beat the odds when pressure is on their side. With the score 80-76, DMC scored back to back baskets by Noelim Ada and Levin Silva that tied the game at 80 all with 46 seconds left. UZ called a time out, but it cannot stop the surging Lifesavers as team captain Levin Silva made three straight steals that sailed the Lifesavers into the lead 86-80 with 6 second left in regulation. With the win, DMC Lifesavers finished number 1 in bracket B with UZ Wildcats at number 2. Thus avoiding an early clash with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the champion of Zamboanga City elimination who finished number 1 in bracket A with SVC Valiants at number 2.

The following day, Sunday, the rivalry of the two cities continue as Ateneo Blue Eagles battles UZ Wildcats and DMC Lifesavers up against SVC Valiants with the winner to advance in the championship match. In the first game of the cross-over semi final, Ateneo beats rival UZ. In the second game, DMC Lifesavers survived a physical game against the taller SVC Valiants, 68-61, that ends the issue of who is the best team in Zamboanga del Norte and Dipolog City.

With Levin Silva out of the game because of injury that he suffered against SVC, the more cohesive and experienced Blue Eagles easily beats the Lifesavers in the championship game. With that runner-up finish of the PCCL Regional Elimination, the DMC Lifesavers was placed at no. 2 behind Ateneo Blue Eagles of the power rankings in Region IX. For more info about PCCL, visit www.collegiatechampionsleague.net (The New Nandau, Vol. XVIII No.11)

The Mutia Federation of Senior Citizens Associations (FSCA) together with the Local Government Unit celebrates the Elderly Filipino Week with the theme: “NAKAKATAN-DA: Huwaran at Yaman ng Bayan” last October 2, 2008 by a Sr. Citizens’ parade, program and “bayle” at night.

More than 250 Sr. Citizens participated in the occasion and no less than the Regional President of the Federation of Sr. Citizens Association (FSCA) who happened also to be the ZaNorte President of the Federation of Sr. Citizens Association, Mr. Raul M. Robillos is the guest of honor. His message really inspired the elderly of Mutia in joining the various activities of the Sr. Citizens Association and likewise enjoy the benefits and privileges stipulated in the RA 9257: An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens Amending for the Purpose RA 7432; Otherwise known as “An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes” like the 20% fare discount in all transportation facilities, purchase of medicines, special discount of 5% of the regular price of basic necessities and prime commodities and many more. He further said that” Sr. Citizens, being in the twilight years should enjoy such benefits and privileges and if physically capable should actively get involve in the activities of the association.

Hon. Melba S. Tenorio, Municipal Mayor of Mutia also graced the occasion and expresses her support to the Sr. Citizens welfare program through the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) of Mutia. She announced the approval of the Php400,000.00 expansion of the Sr. Citizens Center of Mutia to be financed by the Office of the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of Mutia, Merlyn C. Santillana likewise ex-presses her great thanks and appreciation to the Officers of the Municipal Federation of Sr. Citizens Association headed by their FSCA President Felipe Baje and OSCA (Office of the Sr. Citizens Affairs) Chairman, Mr. Roberto Peduca in successfully managing the affairs of the Association. Their association were considered partners of the Municipal Social Welfare Office of Mutia as they pro-vide Php 1,000.00 medical assistance to the needy elderly for hospitalization needs, mortuary assistance of Php 17,000.00 (latest assistance given to the immediate family of Sr. Citizen’s member who passed away) and credit assistance to active FSCAP members. Their credit funds has already reached up to Php 70,000.00 as reported by the Federation Treasurer Mrs. Aurora Buntag during the program’s Treasurer’s time. The cohesiveness and efforts of the officers in helping the office advocating the RA 7432 as amended under RA 9257 multiplied the number of their membership and increasing their funds per reports given by the FSCA Secretary, Mrs. Severiana C. Tenorio.

The highlight of the Sr. Citizens Week Celebration is the “Bayle sa Tanan” with the live band of Zanorte which was provided free by the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte. Mutianon witnessed Sr. Citizens dancing the old style “bayle” with bright lights surrounding the dance floor of the Mutia Mini Gym. The FSCA of Mutia was able to raise funds by selling ribbons for the “bayle”. “Ingon pa nila, ang mobayle karon ang puti ug ribbon ang mosagul piti”, male Sr. Citizens jokingly recalled.

The Officers of the Mutia Federation of Senior Citizens Association (FSCA) together with the Local Chief Executive, Hon. Melba S. Tenorio expressed their thanks and gratitude to the Honorable Rolando Y. Yebes for his support in making the 2008 Filipino Elderly Week Celebration of the municipality of Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte a success. (The New Nandau, Vol. XVIII No.11)

Sporting his winning boyish smile, opposition Senator Francis Joseph ‘Chiz’ Escudero stepped down from a private plane on Saturday, October 4 at the Dipolog City Airport, Sicayab.

The senator was invited to grace the Assembly of Barangay Officials, which was held at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention Center on October 4-6, 2008.

Contrary to the expectations of many, he denied speculations of the possibility of his running for president in 2010 elections.

“That’s still too far away,” he dismissed questions about his plans for presidential elections two years from now.

Aside from gracing the Liga ng mga Barangay (LB) Convention, he stressed he wanted to visit the area to satisfy the people who claimed senators from Manila would likely visit this part of the country only during election time.

Considered as the most presidentiable for 2010 elections, Escudero was seen to charm electorates of all ages. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

“This is the time for agribusiness to exploit the financial liquidity of our strong banking sector to expand your role in your respective niche markets,” the President said in her speech keynoting Agrilink, Foodlink, Aqualink 2008 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City this morning.

“We encourage continued activity by the agriculture, food and aquaculture business groups. This also means the government continues to promote privatization including the Food Terminal, Inc. as a counterpoint for our own pump-priming,” she added.

The President pointed out that despite the adverse effects of the US financial meltdown on other countries’ economies, its impact on the Philippine banking sector is minimal.

“The potential exposure of our banking sector to the asset deflation triggered by the sub prime mortgage losses in the U.S. accounts for less than one percent of their total system assets here in the Philippines,” the President said.

“This exposure is fully reserved, our banks are well-capitalized, and the innate conservativism of our bankers is matched by the prudence of our regulators,” she added.(PIA-ZN)

Provincial Attorney Jes Gal Sarmiento, Jr. disclosed that Gov. Rolando Yebes issued an order requesting all government doctors to prescribe generic medicines to all their patients, and not brand names.

Atty. Sarmiento further disclosed that the governor’s action was his answer to reports reaching the office that there are doctors who still opted to prescribe brand names due to the ‘commission’ they would get.

If possible, the governor requested, doctors shall prescribe generic medicines that are available in the hospital’s pharmacy.

“If there are still doctors who violate this order, the governor will really impose sanction upon the erring doctors,” Atty. Sarmiento warned.

Meanwhile, the provincial government planned to revive the Therapeutic Committee which will recommend what medicines are to be purchased to be used in the different provincial hospitals.

The provincial office has advised all doctors to submit their list of medicines that they want the hospital pharmacy to have.

On the other hand, ZaNorte Medical Center administrator Rosevic Ocampo-Lacaya disclosed that the hospital has the services of 15 regular doctors and 17 others who are under job order contracts.

Although these are not yet enough, she stressed, the number has been consistent with the standard of the secondary level hospital imposed by the Department of Health.

“But we are still inviting more doctors,” Ms. Ocampo said, adding that they are needed in order that the hospital could qualify for the tertiary level. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

The P60M fund from the Philippine Ports Authority could have been released this month for the construction of the roll on – roll off port at New Tambo, Katipunan, Z.N.

Katipunan Mayor Cris Eguia Jr. sadly disclosed that the fund was held back due to the protest of the municipality of Roxas, Z.N. claiming that the two ports would be very near each other if Katipunan roro will be constructed.

However, Mayor Eguia explained, the proximity might be the issue raised by Roxas, but it failed to see that both would be serving different clientele.

Since the PPA fund was scheduled to be released within October, the municipal mayor explained he had withdrawn his intention of seeking the initial loan of P5M from a bank.

“I know Cong. George Arnaiz of Negros Oriental has always pushed me for this project since there are already investors showing interest in the facility,” he said, “but Roxas blocked it.”

It was learned that a Korean cassava investor was planning to expand his production in the province and was interested in the port.

Moreover, the Ceres Bus Company also expressed its intention of crossing to Mindanao via the proposed Katipunan port.

Earlier, Gov. Rolando Yebes had challenged Mayor Eguia to take up his own initiative to realize the roro project.

As the PPA encountered problem with its Batangas port, the Katipunan P60M fund was withheld but the municipal mayor thought of seeking a P5M loan from a bank for its initial construction.

The provincial governor believed the ro-ro in Katipunan could have been a great link between the Visayas and Mindanao and could possibly be a good facility to transport the products here to the markets in the Visayas and Luzon. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

 New PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Jesus Verzosa us now focusing his sights on scalawags in police uniform.

He should also include scalawags in plain cloths who prey on unsuspecting civilians.

-oo0oo-

Gen. Alexander Yano don’t like the idea of civilians arming themselves to protect them from MILFs.

Sadly however, the “Ilaga” has resurrected and vowed to seek vengeance.  All the while I though that only a women fears the IIaga.  But even Muslims cover in fear when Ilagas are coming.

-oo0oo-

MILF Commander Kato can say that the military is losing the war in Mindanao.  Obviously his taunting the military is a propaganda blitz that caught the military off guard.

With nine minutes running time in You Tube and 201 hits and counting I can say that Kato is gaining an edge in the propaganda war.

-oo0oo-

The Dipolog fiesta was so peaceful that many have suffered injuries due to traffic accidents.

Wala gyud losot.  Bisag unsaon.

-oo0oo-

An overheard conversation

Juan: In my province of La Union, poor patients pay their hospital bills in kind like vegetables, fish and services.

Berto: That’s nothing!  In ZaNorte Medical Center, patients don’t pay their bills.

They just disappear.  He he he…

-oo0oo-

Vivian Hultman, mother of Maureen who was  shot dead by Claudio Tehankee, Jr., should not be sore if Teehankee was released.  At least he served his way in prison.

MILF’s Kato killed hundreds of innocent civilians and still roaming Scot free.  That’s the real injustice, my friend.

-oo0oo-

Prices of prime commodities has gone sky-high due to increase of price in gasoline.  Lately, however, there’s a roll-back in prices of gasoline, but the prices of commodities has remained.

There is an unwritten rule in business that says – “if business is good don’t stop.” (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

 KUNG walay pagbati nga moserbisyo sa mga katawhan sa matag barangay mas maayo pa nga mo-undang pagka-barangay official. Kini maoy bug-at nga hagit ang gipaabot ni Governor Rolando Yebes atol sa pagpahigayon sa tulo ka adlaw nga pinaka-unang General Assembly sa mga Barangay dinhi sa Zamboanga del Norte.

Ang maong hagit ang gipabati sa gobernador sa tuyo nga mapukaw ang mga barangay officials diha sa ilang dakong kaakohan nga usa ka sulogoon sa mga katawhan. Dili magpasagad ug kinahanglan molihok alang sa kalambuan sa ilang matag barangay.

Browsing thorough the internet and the pages of today’s newspapers could elicit alarm and anxieties on the future of global economy. It has portrayed realistic concerns of impending economic meltdown or some people consider it economic recession following this current slump in capital availability.

Last Thursday, the Philippine Daily Inquirer taking a cue from Yahoo.com news carried in their sub banner head the first nation to go bankrupt in the face of the financial crises that country is Iceland. A bleak future seem to crystallize in the minds of those following the crises, that it has also created the impression that global leadership has failed in their program to raise up the global economy.

In the global front, US President George W. Bush’s leadership and his ability to solve the growing specter of a global economic recession brought about by a failed US financial market is at its record low with approval rating of just a little above 20% the lowest in more than 50 years. In the background is the chance though for the American voters to correct that mistake by going to the polls in November by punching out republican candidates.

Democratic candidate Barack Obama’s chances of capturing the White House is brimming thanks to the sordid republican handling of the economy, he would well be on the road to becoming the first black president of the US. The US presidential election has been on track of saving the world from this economic mess, at least for a moment.

The question now is on putting a new order of world leadership not only in the US but to the rest of the industrialized countries whose priorities has been put mainly on financial management but relegated real development for poor countries. While putting weight on an artificial economy which put the interests of the rich rather than advancing solutions on the real root of this social evil, such as poverty, world economies missed the real point of directions for economic growth.

We need a fresh hope of putting a real solution to world economy where the focus of a macro-economic approach would lay mainly in directing its resources to poverty alleviation.

If you consider spending a $700 Billion bailout plan by the US government to purchase toxic sub-prime mortgages, that amount could raise up rural productivity in the entire impoverished Africa or the rural depressed agriculture of the entire Asia.

But then again, could that bail-out plan has address the real issue of stabilizing world economy that could suppose to fend off recession? In the short term maybe, the real question is that world economy have reach stagnation due to lack of agricultural productivity as we levied mainly on managing finances which could in the long term back down.

In the Philippines, wrong priorities have wasted billions of pesos. Wrong programs have deepened our poverty situations, because we have missed the right target. Leadership is mainly the question, Gloria Arroyo, our beloved president have failed the country for the last seven years, it is long enough for a president to turn around economic mess and prove to all Filipinos that she has the ability to lead the country out of poverty, her time is done, let a new crop of leaders rise to lead us in this new and trying times.

2010 is just around the corner, in fact less than 90 days we already will be feed with so much political noise. Let’s have a new leader, uncorrupted and sincere, and let they be realistic enough to learn the lessons of the current crises. The old system fails, a new order will be shaped by our common thrusts, protect the world and its natural habitat and let human civilizations have a heart to raise up their brothers from the scourge of poverty. (The New Nandau, Vol. XVIII No.11)

PRESS FREEDOM:

Winning is not everything.

Yes, it does feel great to win. It does take your emotions into an ultimate high. All the positive vibes after a victory does make all your worries go away. Even if it’s just a practice game in basketball, winning can make your walk going home a little happier. Some say there’s no substitute for winning and that it is the only thing in this competition-laden world…

But I believe how you win is just as significant, if not the most important thing.

When Ben Johnson beat Carl Lewis in the 100 meter dash in the 1988 Olympics, everybody knows how it went when Johnson tested positive for steroids use. His medal was taken back and his Olympic record was erased. Even seven-time Tour De France Champion Cyclist Lance Armstrong cannot escape the dark cloud of doubt hanging over his championship head despite seven wins in the most prestigious cycling event in the whole world, after allegations of using performance-enhancing drugs surfaced. And now, Armstrong hopes to clear his name by making a comeback in a bid to win an unprecedented 8th Tour De France title while hiring an anti-doping expert to prove that he is clean from performance-enhancing drugs. Don Catlin, the one hired to monitor a variety of Armstrong’s biological markers through unannounced tests said he will then post the results on the Internet.

There’s also the infamous 1992 Little League Baseball Team from Zamboanga City which won the 1992 Little League World Series in the United States. It was later reported that the team was composed of over-age players and most are not actually from Zamboanga City. It was a shameless act on the part of Zamboanga City sports officials to win a world-wide contest.

Compare those blatant acts of cheating to the first championship of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls after finally defeating former champions the Detroit Pistons, then you would get the picture! That Bulls sweep of the Pistons was one sweet clean victory. After four years of getting the losing end of the stick against the Bad Boys (the Bulls were defeated by the Pistons in the East finals from 1987-1990), the Bulls finally came through in 1991 to represent the East in the NBA Finals and would eventually win their first NBA championship against the then-aging Los Angeles Lakers. There’s also the Randy Couture phenomenon in the world of mixed martial arts. After experts said that Couture is too old to compete at 40 years old and after two consecutive losses to then light heavyweight kingpin Chuck Liddell, Couture would shock MMA world by announcing his return against no less than then-Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia. Forty-three-year-old Couture would then defeat Sylvia in convincing fashion, winning by unanimous decision to claim his third UFC heavyweight title. Couture’s first punch sent the 6’8" Sylvia reeling to the mat. Couture controlled the pace of the fight for five rounds, smothering Sylvia with effective striking and numerous takedowns. All three judges’ scored the bout for Randy, making him the first fighter in UFC history to become a three-time champion.

Now there’s a clear picture of what winning is all about. It’s about struggling to finally claim your spot on top of whatever it is you are competing at. Winning is about getting up after a whole lot of downs to stomp your feet in the highest mountain of your profession. It is about the camaraderie of the teammates and friends you share winning with. It is about the spirit of sportsmanship that would engulf antagonists during and after the heat of the battle. It is about shaking the hand of the better person. It is about winning with dignity and losing with your pride intact.

Winning means a lot, but the journey is worth all the marbles in the world.

*****

I just hope high school teachers here in the province think just the same. We all know winning for your school is the highest of your priorities but please, please don’t put integrity in the backburner.

Just last week, City Information officer, Atty. Alanixon Selda gave me the honor and privilege to act as one of the judges in the 4th Dahunog Inter-School On-The-Spot Essay Writing Competition. The topic was corruption.

I was impressed with the effort put into by the students. They really tried to make their pieces “colorful” as possible. Some would use a whole lot of adjectives just to make their essays “attractive”. I’m just wondering, aren’t these teachers supposed to train these students to “write to express, not to impress?” One piece really bothered me. It was a literary writing piece and reading it, to quote Atty. Selda’s words, was “like sitting in the seashore.” There were not that many grammatical errors but the article was just too wordy, too much sophistication for a high school student at that! It turned out that myself and my fellow judge, Adrian Michael Amatong of Mindanao Observer, had the same decision on that write up. I just hope that the student participant actually wrote that one.

After our decision, we started talking about how to improve the quality of high school writers in the province. I emphasized the need for teachers to really put a premium into encouraging their students to read, read, and read. Reading is definitely the key in developing potential writers. Try to recognize what your students’ fancy, what type of topic tickles their minds and introduce reading materials about those topics to them. During my high school years, I was really into basketball because my brothers used to play with me all the time and I was part of the high school paserrele team from the first to fourth year. So, I made it a point to read anything about basketball at that time. Internet was not yet a word for me, so my main source of basketball information was the monthly Sports magazine, which I used buy P50 at Sanoria! I would save for one whole month, and sometimes ask any of my brothers to buy one for me. Slowly, I grew a fondness of reading, then from reading sports, I would then read about anything which caught my attention, may it be Guns N’ Roses’  feud with Nirvana, Tupac Shakur’s bio, or Benjie Paras idolizing Ramon Fernandez, I would gradually read more and more. I just hope teachers can think about this. Students who are fans of daily soap in the boobtube can easily be persuaded to read “tsismis articles.” Those who are into this “fraternity thing”, the Bloods and Crips thing which my nephew Mark Kevin speaks a lot about, can actually search the origin of the whole Bloods and Crips bad blood in the internet. Those who follow comicbook characters can read Marvel Comics and DC Comics. Students would read what catches them. So let them pick their material.

Then, there’s the need for teachers to actually make a “try-out” in choosing participants in writing competitions such as these. Talking from experience, it does not follow that the class valedictorian is also the best writer. The tradition of just “pointing” who should represent the school will deny those who actually have the potential to be good writers in the future the chance to show and develop their writing skills.

And finally, teachers should stop “spoon-feeding” these students. You cannot put words into these students’ pens and impede the learning curve of these students. When you decide to write even just one sentence for these students, you are not helping them learn the craft. Like toddlers, let them learn how walk on their own, you cannot do the walking for them, you can only guide them.

This is a message to all essay teachers and especially to the essay coaches who managed the students who participated in the Dahunog Essay Writing Competition. To Ofelia Loquias, Grace Sagario, Christine Natalie Munoz, Dalla Ledio, Elisa Tolentino, Marinol Azcuna, Eduardo Mira, Charmalou Ogarte, Geneva Bergado, Chona Grancapal, Rolando Cagatin, Vilma Hamoy, Josephine Merecido, Joselito Tizon and Brigitte Raagas, this message is for you.

Next week, I will print out the “highlights” of the 15 write ups in the said essay writing competition. ‘til then…

*****

Finally, yours truly is truly hopeful that the proposed VICTO National Jumpstart here in Dipolog would actually push through in a back-to-back event with the Zamboanga del Norte Community Training and Employment Coordinators (CTEC) Strategic Planning this coming November. I already made contact with CTEC member and ZN Provincial Governor’s private secretary, Mr. Climaco Villanueva, regarding this proposal and so far, we have a positive outlook. I’m also hoping to meet Dr. Jose Mante of CTEC one of these days to make further steps in making this first ever activity headlined by VICTO National, the largest secondary cooperative the Visayan region, here in our province a reality. More on this next week.

(For your questions and comments, please do drop a word in my e-mail address, tyrone_shakur2001@yahoo.com) (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

Reports say that planting hybrid rice enabled farmers to harvest as mush as 170-240 cavans a hectare which is higher than the usual output of 100-120 cavans per hectare with other varieties.

The GMA rice program for 2008 targets to cover 500,000 hectares and supposedly will be increased to 600,000 hectares in 2010.

Of the proposed P2.4-billion budget for GMA rice program in 2008, some 500 million will be earmarked for the hybrid rice program.

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Wanting to be true to their homeland, now it is the Lumads themselves who are seeking an autonomous region for themselves.

Seeking to disown the MILF’s claim of some parts of Mindanao being their (MILF’s) ancestral domain, several Lumad tribal chiefs said that they are the ones who have true claim to these lands.

They said that they also have pending certificate of ancestral domain titles over these lands, and that at least half of Mindanao has 11.8 million indigenous people.

During the gathering of indigenous people, they said that the lack of re-cognition of their legitimate rights over their ancestral domains by the government, MILF peace process was a denial of their existence. And of their ancestral domains being included in the BJE, their political and economic life would not be consistent with their culture and traditions.

Because of continual protests from Christian communities in Mindanao about being included in the MILF’s claim of ancestral domain, the controversial MOA was scuttled.

The protests stemmed from the fact that the national government and the MILF have wanted to forge something without consulting those that would be directly affected. As for peace – why not?

But what peace can be achieved when the national government wants to give away something that is not theirs to give away without the permission of the owners?

Peace? To resume peace talks – its time to look closely at who the MILF are and what they represent after their senseless attacks and killings on unresisting and innocent civilians!

What palatable considerations were exchanged with the MILF by the national government in flagrant disregard of private properties and human rights? (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VIII No.9)

The sun in our solar system is now experiencing a major star life transformation change from a “yellow star” to a “red star” – a 10% to 30% increase in solar heat.  2012 is the year NASA confirms sunspots will occur at its highest peak.  Sunspots are eruptions or explosions from the sun speeding towards space at 400 km/sec or 1 million miles/hour.  The last highest sunspot occurrence was in 2001 and actual records since 1760 existed showing regularity and intensity every 11 years.  It is expected to be more stronger at 30-50% than the previous 2001 sunspots because of additional factors stated below:

1.   The sun will reverse its magnetic poles on 2012, also a regular 11-year cycle.  North to South, and south to north, this polar reversal will not be visible to the human eye but will have tremendous effect as to cause numerous sunspots to appear and burst with force from the solar surface.

2.   Planet Venus will make its 2nd and last solar transition

       June 6, 2012 causing an unusual magnetic pull with the sun and produce more solar flares that are stronger and far-reaching, carrying deadly ultra-violet radiation towards our planet earth.

3.   Two of our solar system’s biggest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, are also scheduled to align during this same year 2012, creating another major magnetic influence upon the sun, causing it to wobble and throw erratic solar flares at any direction, likely hitting earth as powerful as nuclear bombs falling from the sky.

4.         Pseudo-scientists believe the sun will approach the very center of our galaxy, or the Milky Way on December 212, 2012 (last date of the Mayan calendar), causing more unexpected phenomena to happen (sun turning black, star fallout, stellar flares, etc.) and this will disturb the earth’s geological and ecological balance system.  Right now, our solar system (sun and planets) is situated at the upper portion of the galaxy.  It will continue to move slowly towards the epicentre (takes 6 years to completely pass the center – this timeframe coincides approximately within the Bible’s Tribulation Period) and will eventually pass and further move to its new position at the bottom.  This will enable people on earth to see a different view of the sky, mostly the black hole part of the milky Way, i.e. a black sky, no sun, no moon, no stars, etc. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

While flipping through the pages of “Teaching and Learning Are Life-Long Journeys”, a Blue Mountain Publication lent by a colleague one afternoon as I tried to build an impervious wall to keep on the outside the lies and vileness of my surrounding, this embodiment of what a teacher is by Deanna Beisser caught my attention: “A teacher is one of the most special people in the world for who else could spend day after day giving of themselves to someone else’s children?”

A score and five years ago, teaching was never my choice of a course to pursue in college, much more for a career. However, when I graduated my premed course with nary a chance to enroll in medicine, the only opportunity that saved me from becoming another figure in the statistics of unemployed was to apply for a teaching post. Thus started my odyssey as a teacher.

Devoid of any teaching doctrines, principles and strategies gained from a teacher-training institution, I marched to my first class armed only with a zeal of a novice and yet emboldened by it.The only background I had of the job was when I was tasked to coach slow-reader classmates during our remediation classes in the elementary. Perhaps that is what Allan C. Ornstein meant in his book Stategies for Effective Teaching when he said that “to a considerable extend the decision to teach is based on experiences that predates formal teacher training and go back to childhood.”

Teaching is a very exacting discipline says Gilbert Highest in his book titled “The Art of Teaching.” It demands that you should know the subject you teach. Not only those required in the prescribed learning competencies but even beyond thus making teaching inseparable to learning. It demands that you must love what you teach otherwise you will be subject to high risk of insecurity and students despise hypocrites. It demands that you like your students for how else could you tolerate noise and the boundless energy of the young? Not only like them but to know them as well.

It demands that you should be sympathetic and own a wide spectrum of knowledge about many things. You must be gifted with greater enthusiasm compared to the average person. Only then can you hope to inspire the young active minds of your students. Above all these, it demands that you must have all the important quality to be a good teacher: sense of humor. This will keep your students attentive and help forge a close bond between you and them.

Does it mean I possess all these because I’m into the teaching profession? Through the years, I have known no other career thus I owe it to my students not to short change them. What one lacks in pre-service he could augment while in-service. One may pursue continuing education and development, attend trainings and seminar-workshops, and enroll in short term and crash courses. One needs to invest in honing his craft.

The dividends of that investment would be great. I was transferred from a rural school where I served for eleven years to an urban one, from a school with three hundred students to one with more than three thousand and from teacher one to a higher rung in the teaching hierarchy. Now, I am tapped to critique many practicing science teachers and I cannot help but wonder if I have the right to do it. When I myself had been floundering on it during my early years as a teacher.

When these student-teachers under my tutelage ask what is my teaching and learning I found myself at a loss of words. I need to buy some time before I gave my utmost answer. I was reminded of a work I submitted during a Mentor Training Program I attended. It had guided me for twenty one years and I hope it could do the same to them. This is my reply

RECIPE FOR LEARNING

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

1 kilogram of precooked DETERMINATION
      1 cup of SELF CONFIDENCE
      1 cup of KNOWLEDGE
      1cup of PATIENCE
      1 cup of OPEN-MINDEDNESS
      2    teaspoons of TACT
      a dash of POSITIVE ATTITUDE
      a pinch of SENSE OF HUMOR and CARE
      a sprinkling of UNDERSTANDING and ACTIVE LISTENING

What you will do:

In a pan of healthy learning environment, saute PATIENCE in low fire until golden brown. Add OPEN-MINDEDNESS and SELF-CONFIDENCE while mixing continuously. Stir in the preheated KNOWLEDGE         with a pinch of SENSE OF HUMOR and CARE. Pour in TACT and season it with a dash  of POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Cover the pan and let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes. Lastly, mix it with precooked DETERMINATION. Garnish it with a sprinkling of UNDERSTANDING and ACTIVE LISTENING before serving.

    Yield: Enough for a class of 65 students (Southpoint, Vol.1No.40)

Bring in the freezer

 In Iceland, there is an economic meltdown. The best way to save it is bring in a freezer.

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Mayora Belen had totally banned tari-tari in response to  public outrage.

Bad for PNP, tabla ilang delihinsiya.

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Big oil companies had P1.00 roll back for gasoline and diesel after Congress threatened them with additional corporate income tax if they remain adamant.

Let’s threaten them everyday and enjoy a daily rollback.

-o0o-

US schools tap Pinoy teachers. Perhaps to teach them correct American accent.

-o0o-

Many motorbike owners and drivers complained that the traffic officers do not apply LTO Administrative Order fairly.

They claimed that many rich and influential violators are not apprehended.

Let’s call these LTO agents as Lutuson Tong Owat.

-o0o-

There is a traffic sign outside the Dipolog Public Market near the gate of the fruit stand which says “No Parking on Both Sides.”

An elderly lawyer in short pants was accosted by the traffic officers for parking his four-wheel vehicle along the lane.

“How can I be violating the law when I have only one vehicle and I only parked on one side.” The lawyer argued.

The traffic  officer walked fast towards another direction.

-o0o-

According to Dangerous Drug Board chairman Vicente Sotto III, shabu now costs as much as P15,000 per gram or P15 million per kilo, making it more expensive than 24-karat gold.

But the cost of construction of the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard is more expensive than shabu.

-o0o-

Comelec to reactivate online info drive for 2010 elections. They may reactivate Garci too to ensure victory.

-o0o-

Bad news for this Yuletide Season. Santa Clause is not coming. U.S. is bankrupt.

-o0o-

Text of the week:

When a man is young, a love affair is called Romancing.

In his middle age, It’s called Womanizing.

When a man is old, the love affair is called Financing. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

Press Freedom Editorial
Dealing with rude motorcab drivers

The City License Division has been strict on the display of the fare matrix inside motorcabs which could cost the operators and the drivers P25 only.

The matrix outlines the distance of travel and the corresponding fare asked from the riding public in the downtown areas and uptown as well.

The fare increase has already been expected and the commuters can gladly spare the P1 if it’s to hot to walk or too distant to be moving on one’s legs.

But with the P7 now, it is hoped that rude drivers who snub passengers during peak hours will have the conscience now to stop at passengers regardless of their looks, age, cargoes, etc.  It’s P7 now anyway.

It is also hoped that these drivers will not be asking for more if they feel they have driven far enough even if the distance is still within the limit.

Especially when these drivers think of their passengers as who may have come down fresh from the boondocks, or fresh from a foreign vessel, or new to the city.

As the fare is raised, it is hope further that the driver’s system of values shall rise as well to equip them with the faculty to respect, to be tactful, to be patient, to be honest and most of all to be best emissary of the city.

If found they are rude beyond reason, it is hoped the City License Division will do something to discipline them as they are now proliferating on the city roads like microbes. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)