Media Made Pacquiao Larger Than Life Hero

By Alex Vidal

There is nothing wrong if Filipinos will lionize like demigod boxing icon Emmanuel "Pacman" Pacquiao for his scintillating three-round shellacking of Erik "El Terrible" Morales for the World Boxing council (WBC) superfeatherweight international crown in Las Vegas last November 19. I join the millions of Filipinos who celebrate until today his fantastic victory which could be compared in terms of national euphoria when Ceferino "The Bolo Punch" Garcia bagged the world middleweight crown on October 2, 1939 with a smashing 9th round disposal of Fred Apostoli in Madison Square Garden in New York . Pacquiao’s win cemented the reputation of Filipino boxers campaigning abroad as the "Might Atoms" of the orient.
TECHNOLOGY, CABLE TV COVERAGE
Credit goes to the advent of technology; the cable TV which made possible the showing of the megabuck duel "live" direct from the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada through the magnificent "pay per view" (PPV). If not for the "live" boxing coverage direct from the United States , many Filipinos would not know what TKO (technical knockout), KO (knockout), unanimous decision, split decision, majority decision, majority draw, technical draw are all about. Because of the Pacman mania, almost all Filipinos from all walks of life are now talking about the sports that first came into national consciousness on June 18, 1921 when Francisco Guilledo also known as "Pancho Villa" of Ilog, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental toppled Welshman Jimmy Wilde in the 7th round to capture the world flyweight championship, the first tiara pocketed by an Asian prizefighter. It is the media, the wonders of technology that helped prop up Pacquiao as a global sporting icon. Media brought Pacquiao’s electrifying victories to the households making him an overnight sensation and a national heartthrob.
FIRST GRANDFATHER WORLD CHAMP
Boxing configuration was not yet at a fanatical level when Dado Marino, a Hawaii-born Filipino, became the first grandfather world champion in boxing history at 34 years old in 1950 when he lifted the world flyweight bauble from Great Britain ’s Terry Allen. When Gabriel "Flash" Elorde tore down Harold Gomes in seven rounds for the world junior lightweight championship on March 16, 1960 in Araneta Coliseum, only boxing fans that trooped to the newly inaugurated "biggest stadium in the world" in Cubao, Quezon City witnessed the historic event while the rest of the country had to wait for the newspapers to chronicle the bout the next morning and to have a glimpse of the fistic glory scored by a poor man from Bogo, Cebu. The Villa-Wilde fracas was itself the biggest fisticuffs in the world in that era witnessed by more than 20,000 fans (the Pacquiao-Morales III otherwise known as "The Grand Finale" generated only 18,276 ticket sales) according to boxing historians. PPV was not even an imagination when Villa, who stood only five (5) feet and one inch, cut to shreds the taller Wilde who was adjudged by The Ring Magazine (the same magazine that conferred to Pacquiao the "People’s Champion" title) as "the best flyweight champion of all time."
NO PPV IN VILLA’S AND ELORDE’S EXPLOITS
With a ring record of 88 wins, 9 defeats, 5 draws (22 KOs), Villa, 23 years old, the Ilonggo-speaking ring immortal, died ten days after losing on points on July 12, 1923 to the heavier Jimmy McLarnin who would become one of the best welterweight champions in the world. It was tooth infection that killed Villa, by the way, not McLarnin’s fists.
With PPV coverage in his ring exploits, Villa would have outfoxed any popular politician in Manila at that time for any position due to his skyrocketing popularity. Elorde’s reign as world junior lightweight champion stretched to a record seven years from March 16, 1960 until June 15, 1967 when he yielded the crown to Yoshiaki Numata on points in Tokyo .
In all his title defenses against 10 deadly ribcrackers (not only Mexicans Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Hector Velasquez, Oscar Larios, Erik Morales), there was no PPV to bring the action "live" directly from the Filipinos’ black and white boob tubes. Had PPV commenced during that period, Elorde, a plebian and champion of the masses non pareil, (unequaled) could have whipped Ferdinand Marcos and Diosdado Macapagal for the presidency as his popularity among the hoi polloi (common people) and middle class would undoubtedly plummet to a dizzying height. In a nutshell, Pacquiao owes his fortune and stardom in one way or the other to the media.
(But what had Pacquiao given to the media? I have yet to hear or is it yet to come?) /MP

EDITORIAL

Rotary Club of Kalibo Launches

Community Project At Isla Capispisan

The thrusts of Rotary International are to alleviate health and hunger, literacy, water and family solidarity. To fulfill these thrusts, programs, projects and activities are drafted in the Rotary Districts. The Rotary Clubs select its respective priorities base on the resources available with them and problems indigenous to the community.
The Rotary Club of Kalibo has selected Barangay Pinamuc-an, New Washington, Aklan as its laboratory where it will endeavor to achieve the Rotary International thrusts on health, food, water, literacy and family unity. Pinamuc-an is one of the adopted barangays of the several thousand Rotary Clubs around the world.
Pinamuc-an is an island barangay, south of Poblacion, New Washington with 776.21 hectares area. The land is plain and the soil is fertile planted to coconuts, bananas and vegetables.
The people are also engaged in fishing, poultry and livestock raising for home consumption. Some people are employed in the fishfarms.
The 2006 survey shows, there are 473 households with 2,485 persons in Pinamuc-an. There is an average of 5 persons per household, while the population increases at 2.1 percent per year.
Of the people, 45 percent of them are engaged in fishing, 30 percent are coconut farmers and 25 percent are port workers and laborers with a monthly income of P4,500.00.
Specifically, the Rotary Club of Kalibo aims that the following will happen in Pinamuc-an.
To increase farm productivity and income. At present, coconuts yield is only 600 kilograms of copra annually. To increase this yield, improved techniques such as application of fertilizer, pest control, weeding will be taught and practiced. These technologies will be demonstrated to the farmers in plots in strategic places. Companion crops will be planted with other crops such as ginger, bananas and vegetables. These will make the farmers with their family members busy, improve the yield and increase family income.
Recommended livestock and poultry production methods will also be demonstrated using recommended and improved poultry and livestock breeds. Soil management will be studied by the farmers and fisherfolks designed to conserve soil fertility, prevent soil erosion and balance ecology.
Since Pinamuc-an is an island barangay, the people are engaged likewise in fishing. Therefore, fish conservation will be inculcated among the fisherfolks to make fishing more profitable and sustainable. They will be taught the scientific fishing technology, culture and processing. This is geared to improve the fish quality and quantity catch and harvest, add value to the product and improve nutrition. Fish processing and marketing strategy will be taught.
Human resource development will be done via hands on training concerning recommended farm and fish technologies, food processing and cottage industries. A limited number of scholarships for sons and daughters of farmers and fisherfolks in colleges or university in Aklan will be given to the deserving children.
In the field of health, free medical mission will be held in Pinamuc-an, deworming will be made and its water system will be improved. Waste disposal system will be improved such as toilet and garbage collection and disposal.
Socio-civic clubs maybe organized for both youth and adult for character development, civic consciousness, and community participation.
This adopt a Barangay for Development Project will be launched in Pinamuc-an and Isla Capispisan on Saturday, November 25, 2006, Hon. Arturo Carpio who is the Project Service Director will spearhead the launching. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Manny Pacquiao’s Hard and Honest Work
The negative publicity Guimaras received due to oil spill has placed the island province in the limelight which has a positive effects. This is what DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta believed.
According to Trompeta, the recent publicity of Guimaras has enhanced easier name recall. The publicity has highlighted what are in Guimaras. "Guimaras has pilgrimage tourism, adventure tourism, agri-tourism and island tourism among others", pointed out Trompeta.
Guimaras is the "mango capital of the Philippines", Trompeta stressed. The year 2003, records show, Guimaras produced 11,182.72 metric tons of mangoes from some 8,000 hectares renowned for its sweetness and size. Guimaras mangoes are of global competitiveness and produced primarily for export abroad.
FILIPINO IS GREAT
Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao made the Filipinos proud before the eyes of the world. He showed the world the Filipino is great. He showed the world a Filipino can win in a clean and noble fight after he finished off his rival Erick Morales with his power hitting fists on top of the ring at Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 27 year old Pacquiao showed his brilliance for three rounds of the scheduled 12 rounds of boxing. Morales was first knocked down on the middle of the second round with a tremendous left to his chin which sent him down to the canvass. He was jarred by the impact of the blow. Morales engaged Pacquiao in torrid exchanges until the bell sounded to end round 2.
Pacquiao stepped up the fight in the third round which resulted to Morales second knock down after a series of left and right from the Filipino pugilist. Morales got the mandatory count, then the fight resumed. Pacquiao finished off Morales with a flurry of power shots with a final left straight to the face sending Morales in a sitting position with back against the roof.
He looked at his corner by the left side of his eyes and signaled his head meaning, "I’m done!"
In an interview Morales admitted "Pacquiao is fast; he is strong."
During the game on November 19, Manny controlled the Filipinos. He controlled the traffic, crimes were reduced, most Filipinos’ eyes and ears were glued at television and radio sets on Pacquiao-Morales Grand Finale. Most movie houses and sports centers were transformed into boxing arenas. In Kalibo, ABL Sports Complex and Godofredo P. Ramos Park were converted to boxing stadia. Huge screens were installed where the Pacquiao Grand Finale was shown.
Manny was so gallant in victory. After the fight, he went to Morales to check his situation, He humbly approached his team members, shook their hands.
During the ring interview, Pacquiao made every Filipino proud ever more with his broken English. He thanked God and every Filipino for supporting him and the people around the world interested in boxing.
Boxing Ring Is Not For Politicians
But what made me sick was when I saw Mr. Chavit Singson on the ring after the game chatting with Pacquiao. Politicians and controversial persons during that and similar times should not share the limelight. That time was for the main man, Pacquiao. It maybe proper if Singson just invites Manny to his home province to wave his hands, with him standing by Pacquiao’s side and wave his hands too. That boxing ring is for the players, not a campaign stage for politicians.
Manny made us great! He is the best model of hard work, honesty, diligence, perseverance, and conquest. Manny is forever champion.
Consumer –
Members
Education
The best way to conduct appropriate education to the consumer-members leading to the choice of business organization of AKELCO is to create a neutral body which task is to explain to the people the advantages and disadvantages among the three (3) possible business organizations for AKELCO to be transformed into either: 1. Cooperative under NEA; 2. Cooperative under CDA; or 3. Corporation under the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This information committee maybe formed to be composed of disinterested persons, but their interest is to give accurate information to the members-consumers as basis in their choice of one from among the possible three options of business organizations.
This proposal is made because the briefings given by the present information team is too bias for Cooperative–NEA. Speakers must be identified who can speak for Cooperative NEA; Cooperative – CDA and Corporation. Travel support maybe provided by some Foundations such as AGMRMF and USWAG. Persons with decent means may donate support for the travels of the team./MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Demolition of Illegal Structures In Boracay Continues To Go On Until ‘No-build Zones’ Are Cleared

By Nestor Burgos, Jr.

The demolition of illegal structures along the beaches of the resort island will continue until the "no-build zones" are all cleared, Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano said.
"It is for the common good," Durano said, adding, "due process has been followed and the rights of business owners, especially those affected by the clearing up of structures, are being respected."
He said, notices had been issued to resort owners who had built structures within the 25-meters area from the coastline.
According to Durano, aside from the clearing up of the shoreline, government agencies like the Philippine Tourism Authority would also work for the improvement of the drainage and sewerage system of Boracay, the country’s prime tourist destination.
A group of resort and business owners on the island welcomed the clearing up operations."We support the implementation of ordinances that aim to clear the beaches and make our streets safer," Nenette Aguirre-Graf, president of the Boracay Foundation, Inc., said in a telephone interview.Graf said the clearing of illegal structures have been implemented from Boat Station 1 at the northern tip of the island to Boat Station 3 in the south.
"Our beaches are clear and look nicer," Graf said. She stressed, most operators who were notified about their violations voluntarily cleared or removed the structures 10 days before the clearing up operations began.
But Graf said guidelines on the removal of structures should be adopted. Some resort owners have complained that even decorative plants were uprooted and destroyed when they could have been transferred, Graf added.
She also said there were also complaints that temporary structures and objects like chairs and tables were removed from the area covered by the clearing up despite having temporary permits while construction is ongoing in their resorts.
The sustainability of development of the island has became urgent as tourist arrivals continued to increase reaching 499,457 last year which is 16.48 percent higher than the 428,755 recorded in 2004 which has contributed P8.18 billion to the economy last year, 38 percent higher than the P7.88 billion earned in 2004. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Discovery Shores Boracay Names GM

The soon-to-open luxury resort spa, Discovery Shores in Boracay.

BORACAY - HSAI-Raintree Management Co, president Annabelle Wisniewski has announced the appointment of Jose Parreño as general manager of the soon-to-open luxury resort spa, Discovery Shores in Boracay.
"Parreño’s role in our company is key as he is overseeing the first resort-spa in our growing collection of high-end properties in Manila," Wisniewski stated.
"With more than 15 years of experience, he is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about all aspects of the hotel operations. We know he is the ideal person to direct and grow our first resort operations," she added.
As general manager of Boracay’s newest and most prestigious address, Parreño will head the operations of Discovery Shores.
Spread over a vast, gently-sloping beachfront property in Station 1, Discovery Shores’ unique setup and sophisticated approach to hospitality will certainly inspire Parreño’s creativity and know-how.
Parreño has had wide experiences ranging from marketing, operations, staff development and guest services. He worked for the Mandarin Oriental for seven years before joining Pan Pacific.
In 1999, he joined Discovery Suites as director for operations overseeing the functions of the front office, housekeeping, security and food and beverage departments.
He earned his BS Economics from the University of the Philippines, and completed a Management Program from the Asian Institute of Management in 2005. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Power Consumers Oppose Akelco Hike

By Boy Ryan Zabal

A consumer group is opposing the P2.10 power rate increase imposed by the Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco) and the Mirant Global Corporation, an independent power producer.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Franklin Quimpo, secretary general of People Opposing Warrantless and Excessive Electricity Rates (Power) of Aklan, said the alliance is seriously considering the impact of the intended increase of electricity rates to Aklanons. Quimpo vowed to take legal action against Akelco officials for their participation in the Electric Power Purchase Agreement (EPPA).
"The signature campaign opposing the P2.10/kwh increase on its consumers is gaining support from multi-sectoral groups and individuals," he stressed during a press conference on November 18 held at the Kalibo Plaza Canteen, Kalibo.
Power convenor Fr. Isauro David of the Diocese of Kalibo also bucked the power rates hike, saying, his group is also urging the Akelco management to stop collecting the controversial purchase power adjustment.
In a statement to Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez on November 14, 2006, Akelco said, "it cannot just implement any rate increase without prior approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) lest AKELCO and its officers be penalized. Any questions or strong objections to any regulation being implemented by AKELCO should be resolved in a proper venue."
"We have laws and regulations, precisely to keep peace and order in the society. We have proper venue/s that all our claims can be well ventilated and resolved," said Akelco president Augusto C. Tolentino.
Under the provisions of the EPIRA Law or RA 9136, Sec. 43 (n) "the ERC shall have the original and exclusive jurisdiction over all cases contesting rates, fees, fines and penalties imposed by the ERC…"
AKELCO is just a distribution utility; hence all charges imposed by the transmission and generation utilities, which were all approved by the ERC, AKELCO is bound under the law, to pass it on to its member-consumers. So that, any increase in the transmission and generation charges allowed by law will, of course, bring impact on the rates of electricity, the Akelco stressed.
Quimpo said, "any attempt to collect the rate hike would in effect trigger complaints since the power purchase agreement is onerous against its member-consumers."
National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reform (Nasecore) Aklan president Genaro Mabasa and SP member Ramon Gelito pointed out that the power rates increase would inflict more burden to hapless consumers due to automatic cost adjustment.
"It (EPPA) has been amended even without the public being informed of the increase," they said. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

APAC Promotes HIV/AIDS Awareness

By Ulysses Espartero

The provincial government will organize meaningful activities in line with the global celebration of World AIDS Day on December 1.
The celebration bears the theme, "Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise: You, Me, Us, Seeking Accountability From Societies and Communities."
Joselito Edwin Ramos of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) confirmed that activities started on November 15 which are geared towards building momentum for the grand celebration on World AIDS Day.
One of the activities is a campaign on the prevention education of HIV and AIDS in the workplace to be conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) with technical assistance from the Butterfly Brigade.
There will also be Radio Trivia Contests on HIV and AIDS to be facilitated by PIA-Aklan. Free HIV Testing for target groups, red ribbon folding and distribution of red ribbons to workplaces and schools will be facilitated by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Aklan Provincial Office.
The Aklan Provincial AIDS Council (APAC) is continuing to raise awareness on the issues of HIV and AIDS.
APAC Secretariat Head Debbie F. Villaflor said believing that prevention is our best strategy to combat this epidemic, the council is soliciting the pro-active support of the various sectors in realizing a comprehensive approach to educating our fellow Aklanons to arrest the spread of the virus," she further said.
"We need to implement programs needed to meet our global goal to halt and reverse the spread of HIV by 2015. This is part of an arrest effort to contribute towards meeting Millennium Development Goals (MDG) thru HIV Programming," she added. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Ayala Foundation Launches Project Gilas

By Ulysses Espartero

A simultaneous signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Project GILAS and its launching were held at Barangay Linabuan Sur, Banga, Aklan recently.
After the ceremonies, Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez cited the contribution of Ayala Foundation in giving the young people a wider access to quality education.
"We must thank the Ayala Foundation for bringing to Aklan this latest innovation in our education system. I am hopeful that in the years to follow, we will be able to saturate all our public high schools with Project GILAS to assure our parents and mentors that the young people we are releasing from the portals of their alma maters are better prepared and equipped in the ever changing world of technology and communications," Marquez stressed.
The Aguinaldo T. Repiedad, Sr. Integrated School, Linabuan Sur is recipient of Project GILAS complete package. The two other recipients for one-year free Internet usage by PANTELCO, are Bacan National High School, Bacan, Banga and Yapak National High School (Boracay National High School Annex), Malay, Aklan.
Marquez also recognized Panay Telecommunications Company (PANTELCO) headed by Mr. Cedric Sazon for providing the necessary lines and appurtenances so that "our students can surf all the information they need from throughout the world and dispatch news and information to all nooks and corners of the universe."
Ayala Foundation was represented by Mario A. Deriqueto, Director of Center for Social Development (CSD). According to Deriqueto, "Ayala Foundation recognizes its corporate social responsibility, a vast landscape filled with great opportunities to help improve the lives of Filipinos. Though we have covered much ground in 40 years, we realized that more can be done to enrich the lives of Filipinos and help the underprivileged.
"There are more disadvantaged communities and individuals to help, more schools to build, more children to educate, more creative minds to tap, more Filipinos to reach out to and more dreams to fulfill," he further said.
"It is with firm resolve that Ayala foundation works to nurture the Filipino’s mind, body, and spirit through social development projects, environmental programs, information technology, schools, and initiatives in art and culture," he added.
AFI envisions to be a leading foundation committed to national development; to harness corporate social responsibility towards developing social technologies; to provide better quality of life facilitating access to knowledge and learning; and to instill pride in being a Filipino. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

SPORTS

Boxing Trilogies In History

By Alex Vidal

"Every step you take, every smile you make, I’ll be watching you" THE POLICE

The Nov. 19 "Grand Finale" showdown between Emmanuel "Pacman" Pacquiao and Erik "El Terible" Morales was dubbed as one of the biggest boxing trilogies in the history. Before the fight, the series stood at one win apiece. After the last and ultimate showdown between the category’s most destructive ring gladiators, Pacquiao, the Philippines’ ring hero devastated Morales at 1:58 of the third round and made it 2-1 for Pacquiao. The intensity of the "Akoh ang tahtahposh" conflict was felt even in the remotest barangays in the country due to the massive and non-stop publicity poured on the event by the country’s largest media networks and broadsheets. During the fight, the Pilipinos were glued to their TV and radio sets.
The Pacman-El Terible trilogy can be compared to the trilogy of the following pairs: — Ruben Olivares versus Chuchu Castillo — Nino Benvenuti versus Emile Griffith — Tony Zale versus Rocky Graciano — Tony Canzoneri versus Lou Ambers — Manuel Ortiz versus Luis Castillo — Archie Moore versus Joey Maxim — Dick Tiger versus Gene Fulmer — Stanley Ketchel versus Joe Thomas.

OLIVARES VS CASTLLO

On April 18, 1970 in Los Angeles , California , Ruben Olivares defeated via unanimous decision Chuchu Castillo for the world bantamweight title after 15 rounds. In their rematch on October 16, 1970, Castillo scored a shocking technical knockout (TKO) win in the 14th round to snatch the title. In their "grand finale", Olivares made sure who’s the boss by pounding out a unanimous decision in 15 rounds.

BENVENUTI VS GRIFFITH

On April 17, 1967, Italian beakbuster Benvenuti invaded New York City to topple the world middleweight crown off Emile Griffith’s head with an impressive unanimous decision in 15 rounds. In their rematch on Sept. 29, 1967, Griffith avenged the loss with a similar unanimous decision win also in 15 rounds. When the "grand finale" was set, Benvenuti romped off with a 15-round points victory.

ZALE VS GRACIANO

They were two of the most charismatic personalities in the post-war era of the fight business. Their trilogy is perhaps the most dramatic if not the best rivalry in the history of professional boxing. It all started when on September 27, 1946 in New York City , Tony Zale shocked the world with a savage 6th round disposal of the popular and part-time actor Rocky Graciano for the middleweight championship of the world. In a rematch on July 16, 1947 in Chicago, Graciano scored a stunning reversal of their first encounter: he knocked out cold Zale in the 6th round to regain the crown. In their "grand finale" on June 10, 1948, Zale settled the debate with a smashing third round knockout. In their three-series duel, many experts agreed the third meeting was the most brutal with Graciano unable to lift even his fingers after Zale deposited him in the canvas with a laser-laced right uppercut and a picture-perfect left hook.

ARCHIE MOORE VS. JOEY MAXIM

In this trilogy, Moore, the oldest heavyweight to capture the world title at 38 (his record was erased by George Foreman who bulldozed Michael Moore to crown himself the oldest heavyweight ruler at 45 years old!), dominated Maxim and won all their three fights on December 17, 1952; June 24, 1953; and January 27, 1954. Score: 3-0.

CANZONERI VS. LOU AMBERS

The lightweight world championship matches between Tony Canzoneri and Lou Ambers were all fought in New York City . In their first meeting on May 10, 1935, Canzoneri outduked Ambers on points in 15 rounds. In their rematch on September 3. 1936, Ambers outpointed Canzoneri also in 15 rounds. In their deciding match on May 7, 1937, Ambers ambushed his nemesis and scored anew a point verdict via the same route.

TIGER VS FULLMER

Middleweight champion Dick Tiger outshuttled Gene Fullmer in their first meeting on October 23, 1962. Their rematch on February 23, 1963 ended in a draw. In their final meeting on August 10, 1963, Tiger devoured Fullmer in seven rounds, scoring a technical knockout (TKO) win.

THE "FLASH" TRILOGY

The much admired former WBC junior lightweight champion Gabriel "Flash" Elorde also had a piece of trilogy during his 20-year reign as a fistic terror in 1951 to 1971. On June 29, 1954 in Tokyo , Elorde was foiled in his bid to win the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) featherweight crown when he lost on points to Shigeji Kaneko in 12 rounds. In their rematch on October 3, 1955 also in Tokyo , Kaneko repeated his mastery over the future Filipino world champion by another points win in a 10-round non-title tiff.
And finally on September 24, 1957 also in Tokyo , Kaneko scored another 10-round unanimous decision in a non-title duel. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

SPORTS

Boxing Trilogies In History

By Alex Vidal

"Every step you take, every smile you make, I’ll be watching you" THE POLICE

The Nov. 19 "Grand Finale" showdown between Emmanuel "Pacman" Pacquiao and Erik "El Terible" Morales was dubbed as one of the biggest boxing trilogies in the history. Before the fight, the series stood at one win apiece. After the last and ultimate showdown between the category’s most destructive ring gladiators, Pacquiao, the Philippines’ ring hero devastated Morales at 1:58 of the third round and made it 2-1 for Pacquiao. The intensity of the "Akoh ang tahtahposh" conflict was felt even in the remotest barangays in the country due to the massive and non-stop publicity poured on the event by the country’s largest media networks and broadsheets. During the fight, the Pilipinos were glued to their TV and radio sets.
The Pacman-El Terible trilogy can be compared to the trilogy of the following pairs: — Ruben Olivares versus Chuchu Castillo — Nino Benvenuti versus Emile Griffith — Tony Zale versus Rocky Graciano — Tony Canzoneri versus Lou Ambers — Manuel Ortiz versus Luis Castillo — Archie Moore versus Joey Maxim — Dick Tiger versus Gene Fulmer — Stanley Ketchel versus Joe Thomas.

OLIVARES VS CASTLLO

On April 18, 1970 in Los Angeles , California , Ruben Olivares defeated via unanimous decision Chuchu Castillo for the world bantamweight title after 15 rounds. In their rematch on October 16, 1970, Castillo scored a shocking technical knockout (TKO) win in the 14th round to snatch the title. In their "grand finale", Olivares made sure who’s the boss by pounding out a unanimous decision in 15 rounds.

BENVENUTI VS GRIFFITH

On April 17, 1967, Italian beakbuster Benvenuti invaded New York City to topple the world middleweight crown off Emile Griffith’s head with an impressive unanimous decision in 15 rounds. In their rematch on Sept. 29, 1967, Griffith avenged the loss with a similar unanimous decision win also in 15 rounds. When the "grand finale" was set, Benvenuti romped off with a 15-round points victory.

ZALE VS GRACIANO

They were two of the most charismatic personalities in the post-war era of the fight business. Their trilogy is perhaps the most dramatic if not the best rivalry in the history of professional boxing. It all started when on September 27, 1946 in New York City , Tony Zale shocked the world with a savage 6th round disposal of the popular and part-time actor Rocky Graciano for the middleweight championship of the world. In a rematch on July 16, 1947 in Chicago, Graciano scored a stunning reversal of their first encounter: he knocked out cold Zale in the 6th round to regain the crown. In their "grand finale" on June 10, 1948, Zale settled the debate with a smashing third round knockout. In their three-series duel, many experts agreed the third meeting was the most brutal with Graciano unable to lift even his fingers after Zale deposited him in the canvas with a laser-laced right uppercut and a picture-perfect left hook.

ARCHIE MOORE VS. JOEY MAXIM

In this trilogy, Moore, the oldest heavyweight to capture the world title at 38 (his record was erased by George Foreman who bulldozed Michael Moore to crown himself the oldest heavyweight ruler at 45 years old!), dominated Maxim and won all their three fights on December 17, 1952; June 24, 1953; and January 27, 1954. Score: 3-0.

CANZONERI VS. LOU AMBERS

The lightweight world championship matches between Tony Canzoneri and Lou Ambers were all fought in New York City . In their first meeting on May 10, 1935, Canzoneri outduked Ambers on points in 15 rounds. In their rematch on September 3. 1936, Ambers outpointed Canzoneri also in 15 rounds. In their deciding match on May 7, 1937, Ambers ambushed his nemesis and scored anew a point verdict via the same route.

TIGER VS FULLMER

Middleweight champion Dick Tiger outshuttled Gene Fullmer in their first meeting on October 23, 1962. Their rematch on February 23, 1963 ended in a draw. In their final meeting on August 10, 1963, Tiger devoured Fullmer in seven rounds, scoring a technical knockout (TKO) win.

THE "FLASH" TRILOGY

The much admired former WBC junior lightweight champion Gabriel "Flash" Elorde also had a piece of trilogy during his 20-year reign as a fistic terror in 1951 to 1971. On June 29, 1954 in Tokyo , Elorde was foiled in his bid to win the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) featherweight crown when he lost on points to Shigeji Kaneko in 12 rounds. In their rematch on October 3, 1955 also in Tokyo , Kaneko repeated his mastery over the future Filipino world champion by another points win in a 10-round non-title tiff.
And finally on September 24, 1957 also in Tokyo , Kaneko scored another 10-round unanimous decision in a non-title duel. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Tita Linda Belayro

Pagpamatu-od Sa Ka-aeam Ni Haring Solomon

Rong ka-aeam ni Haring Solomon hay eotaw sa bug-us nga tanan nga pamusod it kalibutan. Guina dayo ro anang ka-aeam ko durong tawo halin sa iba – ibang nasyon. Nagadaea it mga regalo tanan rong naga bisita kana. Naga padugang raya nga mga dueot sa kaban it kaharian. Ro anang kaaeam hay gin pa arag kana it mahae nga Diyos bangud ana nga guin pangayo agud makabulig kana sa anang pagdumaea sa kaharian.
Isaeang ka pag pamatuod rong natabo. May isaeang ka ina nga nagdangup kana. Suno sa pag pahayag ko ina, guin bo-oe kuno kana ro anang bag-ong onga nga eapsag ag guin baylohan it patay. Sa anang pagpati, bukon it ana ratong patay nga eapsag tongod sa anang sugid, guin patawag ratong babaye nga guinpabangdan nga nagtakaw ko eapsag.
Suno sa deklarasyon ko rayang babaye, nagkinatoeog tana imaw tag namatay ro onga. Bangud sa anang kapabayaan namatay ro onga. Indi igta-o ko babayeng gina pabangdang nagtakaw ko onga. Hanu-onan nga kadungan abi nga nag-onga sanda nga daywa. Komo indi masayran kon sin-o rong minatuod nga ina, guin sugo ni Haring Solomon rong soldado nga mag bo-oe it sanduko.
Dayon, guin sugo man it hari nga ibutang ro eapsag sa ibabaw it lamesa agud hueayon pa agi sa pagpihak. "Pareho nga may inyo", hambae ni Haring Solomon. Nag pasugot rong sambilog nga nanay nga naga koe-koe it onga. Indi magsugot ro sambilog. Ana lang ita-o rong anang onga indi eang pag pihakon.
"Ita-o rong eapsag sa tunay nga tag-ana. Rong tunay nga ina owa naila nga mapatay ro anang dogalingong onga, "sentensya ni Haring Solomon. Owa maka balibad rong ina nga naga koe-koe it eapsag. Guin ta-o nana rong eapsag sa minatuod nga ina. Abong nagdayaw sa ka-aeam ni Haring Solomon. Isaea eamang ra sa mga pagpamatuod sa ka-aeam ni Haring Solomon nga indi matupungan. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Lessons In Sportswriting

By Alex Vidal

"I would walk twenty miles to listen to my worst enemy if I could learn something" LEIBNITZ

The love of sports and of sportswriting has always fascinated me. I was privileged to be invited as one of the resource speakers to talk about the topic of sportswriting during the Department of Education (DepEd)-sponsored Division Training in Campus Journalism participated by more than 200 campus paper advisers held at the Dr. Narciso D. Monfort building, DepEd Division of Iloilo in La Paz district last month. Division of Iloilo Superintendent Dr. Raymundo Lapating signed the invitation letter. The workshop was facilitated and managed by Division English Coordinator Sampaguita G. Gestosani and Education Supervisor I (English) Azelma C. Lebrilla. Before I left the training venue in the fourth floor of the building, I reminded Mrs. Lebrilla that one of the major handicaps of our campus writers as well as their paper advisers (the participants in the four-day training) today is their lack of skills in composing an item about sports—straight news, commentary, and feature writing.
EXCLUSIVE TO BASKETBALL
Some of them dabbles in sportswriting. They would always write only about basketball and disregard other sports disciplines. The seeming lack of interest and apparent discrimination of other events is a manifestation of major deficiency in the writer of a sports story. I also discussed with Mrs. Lebrilla that some lecturers tasked to train campus writers about sportswriting are also sometimes guilty of both the sins of commission and omission in the decline of quality campus sportswriters because of their propensity to prepare obsolete materials and focus their discussion mainly on, what else, basketball! A true-blue sportscaster Rene Monteclaro is perhaps one of the only few in town who can lecture on sportswriting and at the same time play the games.
In my power point presentation, I emphasized that "sportswriting is not only about basketball" which is not even the most popular event in the world. Because it is the most familiar sports in the country (thanks to the overdose of Philippine Basketball Association and National Basketball Association games on cable TV), many sportswriters tend to believe that basketball is sportswriting and sportswriting is basketball. This terrible misconception is one of the big hindrances in promoting sportswriting as an important component in campus journalism.

LACK OF MATERIALS

It’s understandable for some lecturers to be glued exclusively on basketball as their main topic as many of them are oftentimes ill-equipped with the tools needed to come up with a major recipe in the subject matter—the technical terminologies and rules of different events. I always reiterate that I have not met a sports writer here and abroad who can claim expertise in writing about all the sports events in any given time. He or she may be good in writing a story about athletics, but she or he is inutile when it comes to writing a story about chess and badminton.
After all, there is no Masteral or Doctorate degree in sportswriting. Not even a Bachelors Degree. That is why I always encourage participants to be diligent in gathering technical terminologies and in studying the different rules in the different sports. The efforts must come from the writer himself. Everyday is an opportunity for any sportswriter worth his salt to gather a wealth of technical words from sports pages of daily papers. I learned that neither the Department of Education (DepEd) nor the biggest university in the country has produced a textbook or handbook that accurately lists all the terminologies and styles in sportswriting.

DEFINITION

There has been a lot of definitions given on sportswriting when it is merely "an act of composing an article/story (news, feature, column/commentary) about schedules and results of competitions; records, statistics, events, athletes and coaches, games and history." It is also "an act of composing an article/story (news, feature, column/commentary) that involves human struggle competing for honor, medal, trophy, cash; athletic creativity and prowess, record-breaking efforts leading to a defeat, victory, anguish, drama, frustration, achievement and celebration."
In a nutshell, a sports item is a story/article based on action and competition. Sources of sports stories are: INDOOR (Gymnasium/Halls)—chess, weightlifting, bowling, billiards, boxing, wrestling, taekwondo, judo, gymnastics and others. OUTDOOR ( Stadium /River/ Sea )—track and field for athletics, javelin and discus throws, long jump, high jumps, marathon, soccer, baseball, dragon race and others. Below are some of my tips for dyed-in-the-wool campus and practicing sportswriters: Use only familiar terminologies and technical words; Know the rules of the events: Know the players and their background; Go direct to the point; don’t stray; To make your story interesting, always use monickers; Always quote the players and other experts and authorities (e.g. coaches, managers, officials); Always include more statistics aside from the score; Use earthshaking title; Use idioms (but sparingly); Use action verbs; Don’t speculate; Don’t be biased; and Be interested on the subject matter.

SPORTS COMPETITIONS

Below are some of the different sports competitions where a sportswriter can get a sports story: School Intramurals; District Meet; Congressional Meet; Regional Meet; Palarong Pambansa; PNG, LGUlympics (both have already been scrapped);n Southeast Asian (SEA) Games; Asian Games; World Cup or World Championship; and World Olympics. Like a normal straight newswriting, sportswriting is still governed by the following format: LEAD, LEAD SUPPORT, BODY, BACKGROUND.
These are some of the interesting action verbs that will help add excitement, breadth and width to a sports story: Clobber, Wreck, Dispose of, Blitz, Bomb out, Kayo, Defeat, Submerge, Swallow whole, Dethrone, Unmask, Shame, Silence, Down, Blow away, Put away, Outsmart, Demolish, Upend, Trounce, Hammer, Beat, Wallop, Nip, Rip, Smash, Edge, Destroy, Massacre, Outwit, Outgun, Outclass, Subdue, Thrash, Steamroll.
Since the three major sports events before the year ends are the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar on December 5-15, the 2006 World Pool 9-ball Championship in Manila, and the much-awaited Erik Morales-Manny Pacquiao "Grand Finale" on Noveber 19 (Panay time), I am listing their facts below as our exercises to hone our skills in sportswriting. The topic should be written in straight news.
BILLIARD n WHAT (EVENT): 2006 World Pool 9-ball Championship n WHERE (VENUE): Philippine International Convention Center, Manila n WHEN: Nov. 4-12, 2006 n FORMAT: Alternate break (knockout stages for the Last 64, 32, 16, quarterfinals, semifinals. Championship is race to 17. • PRIZE: $100,000 (champion), $40,000 (1st runner-up) • Defending champion is Wu Chia-ching ( Taiwan ) • 128 players from 43 countries • Seeded players/favorites: Efren Reyes (RP), Thorsten Hohmann ( Germany ), Alex Pagulayan (RP), Ralf Souquet ( Germany ), Mika Immonen ( Finland ), Rodney Morris (USA), Johnny Archer (USA) BOXING • EVENT: WBC Int’l superfeatherweight title dubbed "The Grand Finale" • VENUE: Thomas and Mack Center , Las Vegas , Nevada • DATE: Nov. 18, 2006 • Champion: Manny Pacquiao ( Philippines ) • Challenger: Erik Morales ( Mexico ) • Schedule: 12 rounds. IMPORTANT noun substitutes to remember in writing a sports story: clouter, kegler, shuttler, booter, cager, slammer, lifter, tanker, dribbler (you may add more). /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Something Filipino in Top American Retail Hub

Bloomingdale’s, the renowned American department store that can be seen in New York, opened a branch in downtown San Francisco recently at the old Emporium building. Soon, on the fifth floor of Bloomingdale’s, a Filipino Cultural Center will greet shoppers.

MC Canlas of the Filipino-American Development Foundation said the contributions by Filipinos in the South of Market (Street) community, or SOMA, for 80 years were the leverage to negotiate for that space in Bloomingdale’s on a dollar-a-year rent. Filipinos are the only immigrant group thus far that has such an ethnic center in Bloomingdale’s. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Tolentino Enplanes To Malaysia–Singapore On Study Immersion

Aklan vice governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino shall enplane for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next week to attend the International Movement of Development Managers, the association of Master of Development graduates of the Asian Institute to a Country Competitiveness Immersion Program for Local Government Leaders. The immersion program will be held on November 30 to December 4, 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore.
The learning objectives of the immersion program is for free. It is designed to enhance knowledge and understanding of national and global competitiveness among Philippines vice governors with Malaysia and Singapore as benchmarks. It is also intended to gain significant exposure and experience on manage democracy, obtain new ideas and fresh insights on politics and economics by engaging in a dialogue with Asian political thinkers and competitiveness.
The program shall also touch base with overseas Filipinos in the two countries through a forum of country branding as well as enhance individual political platforms and local government units programs given new learnings. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

AGMRMF Sponsors Miniature Belen Contest

The Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes Memorial Foundation, Inc. (AGMRMF) and the Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. enjoined Aklanons or residents of Aklan, 17 years old and above to join the "Miniature Belen Contest" with the theme "Belen" Minatuodtuod nga Kahueugan it Paskwa".
This contest aims to highlight and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas as depicted in the Belen or Nativity Scene, with Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the first Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This contest aims to celebrate the Filipino, particularly Aklan culture, on how we celebrate Christmas and to bring out the creativity and artistry of our people by their use of indigenous (or found local materials) in the making of the Belen.
The prizes are:
First Prize - P5,000
Second Prize - P3,000
Third Prize - P2,000
5 consolation Prizes - P500 each
Plus Certificate
Deadline for submission of entries is on or before December 12, 2006. Announcement of Winners/Awarding and Opening of Belen Exhibits is on December 15, 2006 at 3:30 P.M. at the Museo it Akean.
"Belen is a local Filipino term that came from the word "Bethlehem", the place where Jesus Christ was born, and the first Christmas. In Philippine tradition, this nativity scene with the baby Jesus lying in a lowly manger and Mary and Joseph beside him is depicted in a tableau. Sometimes, to complete, it shows also the shepherds, the three kings, animals, the angels and other characters.
MECHANICS OF THE CONTEST:
1. The contest is open to all Aklanons, or residents of Aklan (who are either students, out-of-school youths, professionals, craft enthusiasts and artists.) ages 17 and above.
2. The theme for this art-craft contest is "Belen: Minatuodtuod nga Kahueugan it Paskwa". Entries must feature the Nativity Scene, with Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph as the central characters.
3. The contestants must work on a surface measuring 24x24 inches or 2x2 feet. The height should be proportionate to the base design.
4.Application Forms are available at the Museo it Akean at Martelino Street, Kalibo, Aklan.
5. At least 75 percent or 100 percent indigenous materials must be used such as fibers, fiber cloth, dried leaves, seeds, stones, barks. Plastic materials are not allowed. Lighting fixtures are encouraged.
6. Participant must submit only one entry.
7. All entries must be original and has not been previously exhibited/revised/awarded a prize in any contest.
8. Participants must submit the following:
* Accomplished Application Form
* 2"x2" colored ID photo with the applicant’s name on the back.
9. All entries must be properly labeled with the following:
* Artist Name
* Title of Entry
* Medium (materials used)
10. Entries must be submitted on or before December 12 (Wednesday), 5 p.m. at the Museo it Akean.
11. Criteria for Judging:
40% - Adherence to the theme (Interpretation of the Spirit/essence of the theme)
30% - Creativity (The artistic way of creating and presentation of design elements such as colors, form, textures, balance, etc.)
30% - Ingenuity (The inventiveness/originality of design execution using indigenous materials.
12. Announcement and Awarding of winners and Opening of the Exhibit will be at 3:30 P.M. on December 15 at the Museo it Akean.
13. All the entries will be exhibited at the Museo it Akean until the Ati-Atihan Season, January 23, 2007. Pull-out of non-winning entries will be on January 23 (Tuesday).
14.Winning entries shall become the property of the organizer.
15. The organizers will not be held responsible for the loss of entries, or any damages suffered by them during the handling due to force majeure. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

EDITORIAL

Cha-Cha : An Economic Transgression

By Cris A. Heredia

(Editor’s Note: CRIS A. HEREDIA is the Head of the Social Science Department of the Aklan State University (ASU)-Ibajay campus). A Martial Law baby, he was born in the "decade of the century" when most of the significant political and social events of the 1900’s happened. He grew up listening to stories of the atrocities of the Marcos regime. He had witnessed "EDSA" and the unfolding of the post Marcos era democracy. He saw how the country tried in vain to rise from poverty and to attain true democracy. He lives through four different regimes, Cory’s, FVR’s, Erap’s and now GMA’s.)

President Cory Aquino introduced the Structural Adjustment Program; Pres. Fidel V. Ramos popularized his Philippines 2000, which he said, "would bring the country to a newly industrialized countryhood status by 2000." President Estrada…and now Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, brought out her "Strong Republic" which I accused of being tainted with the blood of activists and of other political dissenters.
All these economic programs were geared towards economic liberalization. These programs had been proven in time to be friendly to foreign capitalists but harmful to Filipinos. These economic programs, which differ in name but not in form and structure, have failed through the years, through different regimes.
With the Filipinos getting more desperate due to the unfilled promises of the Cory and of the other regimes, the government has been trying to introduce Cha-Cha, which it declares to be the ultimate solution to the ailing economy and to the precarious political situation. Its first attempt after Cory was as early as during Ramos’ time when the 1987 Constitution was barely ten years old.
With the wounds of Martial Law being fresh, it was met with resistance and skepticism. President Erap revived it, but even the ‘pro-masa’ icon was not so convincing. And now cha-cha is resurrected under GMA. Many questioned the motive and the timing of the proposed Arroyo’s ChaCha. It came after the "Hello Garci" controversy and after military threats against GMA’s presidency.
For me, ChaCha is simply, the most dangerous decision the government has ever taken. ChaCha has two major concerns: the changing of the current Presidential form of government to Parliamentary system and the other one, which is more dangerous, is economic liberalization. Although studying deeper the proposed parliamentary system would reveal an attempt to bring back the dictatorship, and to retain Mrs. Arroyo in power forever, as a nationalist environmentalist, I am not as much disturbed by it as by the proposed liberal economic framework of the country.
Arroyo’s Cha-Cha proposes to totally open up the country’s economy to foreigners. This means that foreigners can own the country’s national patrimony, including land, waters, trees, mines and others. I cannot imagine our government selling out lands to foreigners, when many Filipino’s have died fighting for lands (e.g. Mendiola massacre, Hacienda Luisita massacre). And I cannot imagine the very little chance that I have right now of buying my own piece of land getting totally lost later (many professionals like me can not afford to buy a piece of land for housing). It will worsen our squatting in the land of our birth. (We fought the Spaniards, the Americans and the Japanese for this land.)
Malacanang’s Cha-Cha Ad Com said the country has so much economic potentials, but these remain untapped. Hence, so they claim, our resources must be opened to foreigners for use. That way, foreign-owned industries will be built and jobs will be made available for us. Well, this has been tried for years, but this continuously fails to bring the country to progress.
It is so sad the government has resorted to giving our resources to foreigners because of its incapacity to tap local resources for the Filipino people. Because the government fails to develop and support local researchers and scientists who can explore and develop these resources, it has allowed foreign scientists to do bioprospecting in the country.
As of January of this year, hundreds of thousands of Philippine bioresources are registered under US, Germany and Japan companies. This may mean that, later, we might end up paying to these companies before we can plant the very species of plants we have been cultivating through the years. With the country having no agricultural resource base to develop, how can it be able to industrialize? There are other disturbing economic issues under the proposed Cha-Cha (it touches 82 provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution). (Is PGMA bidding out Boracay Island to foreigners?)
It proposes to delete many critical protectionist economic provisions that give the Filipinos the ultimate control and ownership of the country’s national patrimony. Hence, Arroyo’s Cha-Cha is a total sell out of the country’s resources to foreign capitalists. I believe that there is nothing in the present Constitution that prevents the government from addressing vital economic concerns such as lowering the costs of medicines, undertaking agrarian reform, promoting livelihood and generating jobs and others. On the other hand, the 1987 Constitution is the product of the people’s learning from Martial Law days and from the economic and political hardships and struggles of the past centuries.
What we need right now, is not GMA’s Cha-Cha, but a government with a strong political will to advance the genuine cause of the majority, promote genuine land reform, build nationalist industries so as to promote national liberalization. Let us learn from the lessons of Martial Law and from the previous decades of economic and political struggles. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer

By Ambrosio R. Villorente

The Antiquity In Akelco

"NPC has sufficient power to supply the needs of Panay and Negros", Engr. Nelson Homena, NPC branch manager stressed.

"Badidon kag baydan", (shoot and then pay). This was guerrilla soldiers’ one method of looking for food during World War II (1942 – 1944) in Aklan. During that time, a platoon of guerrilla soldiers made my grandfather’s house in Mambog, Banga its headquarter. For several times, I heard their platoon leader giving instructions to his men. I was a small boy then. Badidon kag baydan. (shoot and then pay) The platoon leader instructed his men, He meant to shoot the chicken first then pay the owner. It was usual for the guerrilla soldiers to patrol its area of coverage and searched for food for the next meal.
The order was expressed not in Aklanon language as that platoon leader was from Antique. But that was 62 – 65 years ago.
It is really hard and so puzzling why Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) management boast to be employing modern management, but runs the firm using antique management system. Its field employees are even trespassing private properties.
Akelco is still using the guerrilla way of 65 years vintage. Perhaps, it has the latest information communication technology tools but they do not use it, refuse to use it or just do not know how to use it. Maybe Akelco has known modern management but refuses to employ it.
AKELCO management knows that the law mandates the seller (AKELCO) to inform the buyers (power consumers) before any changes in price of that commodity (electricity) is effected. But what it did was collect then inform. This is parallel to "shoot and then pay". The consumers of electricity from AKELCO were surprised when their October - November AKELCO bills increased.
AKELCO just billed its consumers without informing them of the increase rate as mandated in the magna carta of consumers. Radio, television and print media are available in Aklan for the free use of AKELCO, but it didn’t avail of it.
Communication is the lifeblood of any and all organizations. But it appears that there is no proper communication existing between and among AKELCO officials either vertical or horizontal communication flow.
Engr. Ricardo Ilito, when asked why did AKELCO raised the electric rate without prior notice, told SM Butz Maquinto in his "Ilitsahan" program in DYRU the "increase in power cost is due to "Transco". The following day, AKELCO came out with the announcement that the increase was for the power Global Business Power Corporation generated and distributed during the "test run". Who is telling lies?
Is the "test run" chargeable against the clients? Is that a part of investment?
AKELCO Board and Mirant signed an Electric Power Purchase Agreement (EPPA) with local government officials of Aklan as witnesses. Later, Akelco with Mirant signed another EPPA without the knowledge of both consumers and Aklan LGU officials the major provisions of which were altered such as power rate cost computation and exclusivity clause. This second EPPA was opposed by Atty. Romeo Inocencio, Hon. Ramon Gelito and Mr. Rudson Mayor.
Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Board approved the EPPA despite several questions. This EPPA approval is upon the petition of Akelco Board headed by Mr. Augusto C. Tolentino. After its discovery, this EPPA is strongly objected by the Aklan clergy, consumers, Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan and others. Despite these strong objections, AKELCO is now implementing it.
Mr. Augusto C. Tolentino either loves more the Global Business Power Corporation (GBPC) than the member – consumers of AKELCO or he fears more the GBPC than the consumers members who elected him to AKELCO Board with the expectation that he protects their interest. Mr. Tolentino is afraid GBPC might sue the Akelco Board he heads for BREACH of Contract. He is not afraid of the member - consumers who might curse him.
Mr. Tolentino suggested "the consumers to petition the ERC that Akelco returns to the original rate." His suggestion is revealed in the letter AKELCO board letter addressed to Governor Carlito S. Marquez who said, this letter is replete with "air of arrogance and insult."
The AKELCO letter is printed below:
November 14, 2006
The HONORABLE GOVERNOR
CARLITO S. MARQUEZ
PROVINCE OF AKLAN
Kalibo, Aklan
Sir:
Good day!
Please be informed that AKELCO is being regulated by government agency, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). AKELCO cannot just implement any rate increase without prior approval of ERC lest AKELCO and its officers be penalized.
Any questions or strong objections to any regulation being implemented by AKELCO should be resolved in a proper venue. We have laws and regulations, precisely to keep peace and order in the society. We have proper venue/s that all our claims can be well ventilated and resolved.
Please refer to the provisions of the EPIRA Law or RA 9136, Sec. 43 (n) which states: "The ERC shall have the original and exclusive jurisdiction over all cases contesting rates, fees, fines and penalties imposed by the ERC…" Also the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the EPIRA Law provides that "All actions taken by the ERC pursuant to the Act are subject to judicial review and the requirements of due process and the cardinal rights and principles applicable to quasi-judicial bodies."
AKELCO is just a distribution utility; hence all charges imposed by the transmission and generation utilities, which were all approved by the ERC, AKELCO is bound under the law, to pass it on to its member-consumers. So that, any increase in the transmission and generation charges allowed by law will, of course, bring impact on the rates of electricity.
Should a decision be made by ERC to any of your petition in connection with the implementation of its Order and Regulations, AKELCO Board and Management will be bound to implement the same.
Until then, God Bless!
Sincerely yours,

Signed:

AUGUSTO C. TOLENTINO

President

ENGR. CELSO D. TAJANLANGIT

Secretary

ERMITO T. TABIGUE

Auditor

NEMESIO P NERON

Member

HAYDEEN BANDIOLA

NEA Representative to the Board

PATERNO C. IBARETTA

Vice President

DEMOCRITO BARRIENTOS

Treasurer

JOSE CARL C. QUIMPO

PRO

ROSARIO M. GARCIA

Member

ENGR. RICARDO I. ILETO

Officer-In-Charge/GM

Who tells the truth? or lie? answer: Akelco? Gov. Marquez? media? or NPC?
Kaibahang Butz Maquinto got the answer from Engr. Nelson Homena, NPC branch manager, Western Visayas, who answered: "NPC has sufficient power to supply the needs of Panay, specifically Aklan for the next 10 years." /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer

By Ambrosio R. Villorente

The Antiquity In Akelco

"NPC has sufficient power to supply the needs of Panay and Negros", Engr. Nelson Homena, NPC branch manager stressed.

"Badidon kag baydan", (shoot and then pay). This was guerrilla soldiers’ one method of looking for food during World War II (1942 – 1944) in Aklan. During that time, a platoon of guerrilla soldiers made my grandfather’s house in Mambog, Banga its headquarter. For several times, I heard their platoon leader giving instructions to his men. I was a small boy then. Badidon kag baydan. (shoot and then pay) The platoon leader instructed his men, He meant to shoot the chicken first then pay the owner. It was usual for the guerrilla soldiers to patrol its area of coverage and searched for food for the next meal.
The order was expressed not in Aklanon language as that platoon leader was from Antique. But that was 62 – 65 years ago.
It is really hard and so puzzling why Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) management boast to be employing modern management, but runs the firm using antique management system. Its field employees are even trespassing private properties.
Akelco is still using the guerrilla way of 65 years vintage. Perhaps, it has the latest information communication technology tools but they do not use it, refuse to use it or just do not know how to use it. Maybe Akelco has known modern management but refuses to employ it.
AKELCO management knows that the law mandates the seller (AKELCO) to inform the buyers (power consumers) before any changes in price of that commodity (electricity) is effected. But what it did was collect then inform. This is parallel to "shoot and then pay". The consumers of electricity from AKELCO were surprised when their October - November AKELCO bills increased.
AKELCO just billed its consumers without informing them of the increase rate as mandated in the magna carta of consumers. Radio, television and print media are available in Aklan for the free use of AKELCO, but it didn’t avail of it.
Communication is the lifeblood of any and all organizations. But it appears that there is no proper communication existing between and among AKELCO officials either vertical or horizontal communication flow.
Engr. Ricardo Ilito, when asked why did AKELCO raised the electric rate without prior notice, told SM Butz Maquinto in his "Ilitsahan" program in DYRU the "increase in power cost is due to "Transco". The following day, AKELCO came out with the announcement that the increase was for the power Global Business Power Corporation generated and distributed during the "test run". Who is telling lies?
Is the "test run" chargeable against the clients? Is that a part of investment?
AKELCO Board and Mirant signed an Electric Power Purchase Agreement (EPPA) with local government officials of Aklan as witnesses. Later, Akelco with Mirant signed another EPPA without the knowledge of both consumers and Aklan LGU officials the major provisions of which were altered such as power rate cost computation and exclusivity clause. This second EPPA was opposed by Atty. Romeo Inocencio, Hon. Ramon Gelito and Mr. Rudson Mayor.
Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Board approved the EPPA despite several questions. This EPPA approval is upon the petition of Akelco Board headed by Mr. Augusto C. Tolentino. After its discovery, this EPPA is strongly objected by the Aklan clergy, consumers, Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan and others. Despite these strong objections, AKELCO is now implementing it.
Mr. Augusto C. Tolentino either loves more the Global Business Power Corporation (GBPC) than the member – consumers of AKELCO or he fears more the GBPC than the consumers members who elected him to AKELCO Board with the expectation that he protects their interest. Mr. Tolentino is afraid GBPC might sue the Akelco Board he heads for BREACH of Contract. He is not afraid of the member - consumers who might curse him.
Mr. Tolentino suggested "the consumers to petition the ERC that Akelco returns to the original rate." His suggestion is revealed in the letter AKELCO board letter addressed to Governor Carlito S. Marquez who said, this letter is replete with "air of arrogance and insult."
The AKELCO letter is printed below:
November 14, 2006
The HONORABLE GOVERNOR
CARLITO S. MARQUEZ
PROVINCE OF AKLAN
Kalibo, Aklan
Sir:
Good day!
Please be informed that AKELCO is being regulated by government agency, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). AKELCO cannot just implement any rate increase without prior approval of ERC lest AKELCO and its officers be penalized.
Any questions or strong objections to any regulation being implemented by AKELCO should be resolved in a proper venue. We have laws and regulations, precisely to keep peace and order in the society. We have proper venue/s that all our claims can be well ventilated and resolved.
Please refer to the provisions of the EPIRA Law or RA 9136, Sec. 43 (n) which states: "The ERC shall have the original and exclusive jurisdiction over all cases contesting rates, fees, fines and penalties imposed by the ERC…" Also the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the EPIRA Law provides that "All actions taken by the ERC pursuant to the Act are subject to judicial review and the requirements of due process and the cardinal rights and principles applicable to quasi-judicial bodies."
AKELCO is just a distribution utility; hence all charges imposed by the transmission and generation utilities, which were all approved by the ERC, AKELCO is bound under the law, to pass it on to its member-consumers. So that, any increase in the transmission and generation charges allowed by law will, of course, bring impact on the rates of electricity.
Should a decision be made by ERC to any of your petition in connection with the implementation of its Order and Regulations, AKELCO Board and Management will be bound to implement the same.
Until then, God Bless!
Sincerely yours,

Signed:

AUGUSTO C. TOLENTINO

President

ENGR. CELSO D. TAJANLANGIT

Secretary

ERMITO T. TABIGUE

Auditor

NEMESIO P NERON

Member

HAYDEEN BANDIOLA

NEA Representative to the Board

PATERNO C. IBARETTA

Vice President

DEMOCRITO BARRIENTOS

Treasurer

JOSE CARL C. QUIMPO

PRO

ROSARIO M. GARCIA

Member

ENGR. RICARDO I. ILETO

Officer-In-Charge/GM

Who tells the truth? or lie? answer: Akelco? Gov. Marquez? media? or NPC?
Kaibahang Butz Maquinto got the answer from Engr. Nelson Homena, NPC branch manager, Western Visayas, who answered: "NPC has sufficient power to supply the needs of Panay, specifically Aklan for the next 10 years." /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Shipping Operator Sues LGU Aklan Over Jetty Port

By Boy Ryan Zabal

A shipping operator plying the Caticlan-Roxas Mindoro route wants the provincial ordinance imposing berthing fees for those vessels docking at Caticlan Jetty Port be declared ‘unconstitutional, contrary to law and void."
Montenegro Shipping Lines filed the Civil Case No. 7930 for action to declare the Provincial Ordinance No. 02-004 and Section 5 Article VI of the Caticlan Jetty Port Administrative Code void with Prayer for Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order.
"A great and irreparable injury to the public and thousands of passengers availing the services of the vessels cannot be simply measured in monetary terms, thus a temporary restraining order is imperative," the Montenegro Shipping Lines said.
The roll-on-roll-off vessels are staunch supporter of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s flagship program, the Strong Republic Nautical Highway serving the routes of Caticlan, Malay, Aklan- Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.
"The temporary restraining order was extended for another 17 days but we believe it is within the local government powers to collect the fees," said Aklan Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino after the hearing before regional trial court, Branch 8, Kalibo, Aklan on Monday afternoon last week.
"There is no implication with the Caticlan Jetty Port operations since the shipping operator continues to pay except the arrears," Tolentino added. The civil case was filed against the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan, Provincial Treasurer Evan Timtiman and Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez.
The shipping operator stressed they had to pay the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) docking fees before they are allowed to sail from the Roxas, Mindoro port, but in February 2005, the provincial government operating the Caticlan Jetty Port started to assess them with berthing fees though they paid it to the PPA.
IMPOSE BERTHING FEES
This was in accordance with the Provincial Ordinance No. 02-004 Caticlan Jetty Port Administrative Code under Section 5, Article VI imposing a berthing fee of P1,000 to be collected from all boats docking along the pier reserved for large ferry boats and an additional P100.00 will be charged in excess of one hour.
Last July 10, 2006, PPA has issued a Memorandum addressed to all Port District managers/terminal supervisors concerning Interior and Local Government secretary Ronaldo Puno’s Memorandum Circular No. 2006-70 to refrain from enforcing any ordinance authorizing the levy of fees and taxes on inter-province transport of goods, regulatory fees from passengers in local ports and cause the immediate repeal of the ordinance imposing those specified fees and taxes.
On August 15, 2006, the Montenegro also sent a letter to Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez to desist from collecting the berthing fees and to refund all payments of berthing fees collected of P445,600 from January 1 to July 31, 2006.
"The memorandum was addressed to all provincial governors to suspend their imposition and collection of illegal fees and taxes on the transport of goods and passengers passing through the territorial jurisdictions," lawyer Zeus Librojo of Montenegro Shipping Lines said.
HEATING UP
However, on October 26, 2006, the shipping operator received a letter from Caticlan Jetty Port Administrator Nieven Maquirang to disallow them to dock at the Caticlan Jetty Port effective November 1, 2006 unless they paid the berthing fees.
Montenegro said they informed DILG regional director Evelyn Trompeta to immediately direct Marquez and SP Aklan to revoke Memorandum 2006-311 imposing the berthing fees and to avert great damage to the public during the peak season beginning on November 1.
But, on October 31, 2006, Trompeta pointed out, "it appears that both parties have conflicting appreciation/interpretation of the law, hence, it is for the best interest of the parties to finally resolve the issue before the court."
The provincial government, later, extended the docking of vessels of Montenegro Shipping Lines until November 6, 2006 due to expected increase in the volume of passengers during the All Saint’s Day. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Diocese of Kalibo Marks Its 30th Year

By Ulysses Espartero

The Diocese of Kalibo marked its 30th year of existence on November 16, 2006.
Most Reverend Fernando Filoni, the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, was invited to grace the diocesan celebrations.
Kalibo Bishop Jose Romeo O. Lazo said prior to celebration day, the clergy, the religious and some lay leaders from the parishes gathered for the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly (DPA) at the Santo Niño Seminary in the town of Numancia on November 14-15, 2006.
In his letter to Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Lazo stressed the DPA aims at assessing our diocesan pastoral programs laid down in the decrees of the Diocesan Synod of Kalibo held a decade ago.
"Our diocesan assessments will hopefully lead us to formulate a diocesan pastoral plan that will guide us as a local church in addressing the various concerns of our faithful especially in their spiritual – moral growth," the bishop added.
The Diocesan of Kalibo was created on January 16, 1976 and erected on July 15,
1976 as suffragan of the Archdiocese of Capiz. The first bishop was Juan Nilmar. The second bishop was Gabriel V. Reyes, installed in 1993. The third and the present bishop is Jose Romeo O. Lazo.
Kalibo is known throughout the world for its Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival celebrated on the third Sunday of January. During the annual celebration in honor of Santo Niño, people dance on the streets with their faces painted black or with other colors.
Aklanons are known to be God-fearing people. There have been many religious vocations from Aklan. The first Filipino archbishop, the late Gabriel M. Reyes of Manila, Jaime Cardinal Sin of Manila, the late Bishop Ciceron Tumbokon of Cabanatuan, Bishop Raul Martirez of Antique, Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes, the present bishop of Antipolo, and Bishop Jose Corazon Tumbagahan Tala-oc of Romblon are all natives of Aklan.
The pastoral thrust of the diocese is catechesis, social action and worship or liturgy – these being the three components of integral evangelization which, according to the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, is the mission of the entire Philippine Church.
The diocese is comprised of 22 parishes. Among its institutions are two diocesan catholic schools including the Aklan Catholic College, 1 diocesan seminary, and 9 pastoral centers. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

He Plays Pool To Become Millionaire

"Magbabago ba ang buhay mo? (Will your lifestyle change?) Anthony Suntay asked Ronato "Ronie" Alcano after his winning the crown in the World Pool Championship last week. Alcano replied: "magbabago" (it will change).
The 34 year old Alcano from Calamba, Laguna outplayed his opponent, Ralf Souquet (17-11) of Germany who shed tears just after losing the match.
Alcano was the last player to qualify in the 64 – man knockout phase after winning only one of the three qualifying matches.
Before he reached the final, Alcano demolished Efren "Bata" Reyes (10–7), defeated the 2005 runner-up Kuo Po-Cheng of Chinese Taipe (11 – 5) in the Last 16. Alcano knocked off the 2005 champion, Wu Chia-Ching of Taiwan (11–6) in the quarterfinals. He routed China’s Li He Wen (11-8) in the semi-final round.
Souquet was the 1996 champion. He wished to repeat his 1996 victory this year. Alcano blocked his way.
Alcano led Souquet, 37 years old in the first three racks (3–0) and then (11– 5) in the finals. The game could have ended at (17–10) but Alcano missed the ninth ball in rack 27 which Souquet got at (16–11). It was Alcano who broke the 28th rack which went to him with a 1–9 combination.
The 8–day nine-ball World Pool Championship games made a Filipino billiard a millionaire. His P5 million prize, aside from the trophy, has changed his lifestye. First, Alcano will buy a van and then house and lot for his family. Alcano cannot speak English that Anthony Suntay acted as his interpreter during the interview. This simply means English is not necessary to become a champion.
Some 128 billiard players from 43 countries participated in the tournament, 21 of them were Filipinos, of the 21, eleven reached the Last 16, and three reached the quarter finals. Ronie Alcano got it to become the 2006 World Pool Sensation. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Buruanga Hosts 5th Pista Ng Gubat

By Ulysses Espartero

The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Buruanga hosted the 5th Pista ng Gubat last week in Barangay Katipunan.
Organized by the Northwestern Panay Biodiversity Management Council (NPMBC) chaired by Libertad, Antique Mayor Mary Jean N. Te, Pista ng Gubat is an annual gathering of the constituents of the Northwestern Panay Peninsula to emphasize the life support value of the critical forest ecosystem in their midst.
Buruanga Mayor Concepcion "Inday" Labindao said "NPBMC is an alliance of local government units which membership comprises the provincial governments of Aklan and Antique consisting of five municipal governments in Northwestern Panay Peninsula. The towns of Nabas, Malay and Buruanga in Aklan and Libertad and Pandan in Antique are bound by a common goal to advance biodiversity conservation and environmental protection in Northwestern Panay."
In his letter to Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, BioCon, Inc. Program Manager Remy G. Muescan said, "the forest day will again take center stage to once more acclaim the biodiversity and ecological significance of the region. The event also marks the living cognizance among the peninsula community of the importance of the priceless natural resources of the region to the lives of its people and the local development."
The Northwest Panay Peninsula is known to be one of the remaining areas in Panay Island with intact forests and habitat to many endemic species.
A book entitled "Threatened Birds of the Philippines-Red Data Book" describes Northwest Panay as "likely the most important site for the conservation of lowland forest birds in Negros and Panay.
The area thus is expected to represent the best hope for the survival of highly endangered West Visayas endemic to include a variety of commercially and ecologically important floral species that are at risk of extinction.
Aside from NPBMC, participating organizations in the projects are BioResource Conservation trust for the Philippines, Inc., Northwestern Panay Biodiversity Conservation Project, Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) and Haribon Foundation/Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF).
Government agencies involve are the provincial governments of Aklan and Antique, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Education (DepEd).
In his speech, Gov. Carlito S. Marquez cited the Northwest Panay Biodiversity Management Council (NPBMC) for providing a venue for multi-stakeholders to unravel the natural heritage and grandeur of the Northwest Panay Peninsula mountains and its forests.
"The provincial government is extremely grateful to NPBMC and BIOCON for bringing you all together to once more acclaim the biodiversity and ecological significance of the region. I must congratulate you for taking bold steps to raise awareness on the importance of the priceless natural resources of the region to the lives of our people and the development specifically of our 85 barangays," Marquez added.
Aklanons take pride for the recognition accorded to Northwestern Panay Peninsula as the single most significant tract of low-elevation forest in the Visayas and habitat to critically endangered wildlife," Marquez pointed out. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

SPORTS

By Alex Vidal

‘Akoh Ang Tahtahposh’

"It’s yesterday once more" CARPENTERS

The three judges appointed by the Nevada Athletic Sports Association and the World Boxing Council (WBC) to officiate the "Grand Finale" brawl between Emmanuel "The Pacman" Pacquiao and Erik "El Terible" Morales on November 19 (Panay time) in Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada are the following: -Guido Cavaliere of Italy -Glenn Trowbridge of USA -Doug Tucker of USA. Since there are three scoring judges in the ringside, the referee, Vic Drakulich of Nevada , will devote his time to acting as third man in the ring. He will not anymore act as "scoring referee" which is a common practice in the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF), WBC’s regional organization.
There were attempts in the past to "smuggle" a Filipino judge in Las Vegas fights but due to the big number of US-based ring arbiters queuing for juicy assignments, we found it hard to duplicate the feats of the now retired Carlos Padilla, Jr., father-in-law of Dolphy. I had the privilege to personally meet the then 50-year old Drakulich during the 2002 WBC World Convention. He was introduced to me by my friend and colleague in the OPBF and World Boxing Foundation (WBF), Bruce McTavish of New Zealand. McTavish, 65, who now lives in Angeles City, Pampanga is one of the top 50 referees in the world today, said Drakulich is a competent and strict referee and does not hesitate to deduct points for a minor infraction if he felt there is a need to penalize an erring fighter.

DRAKULICH AND THE 3 PINOY PUGS

When Silay City, Negros Occidental journeyman Reynante Jamili was annihilated by Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez (remember him? He drew with Pacquiao in 2003) in Reno, Nevada, Drakulich was the referee. Jamili had also suffered a heart-braking two-round knockout loss to Pacquiao in 2001 when Pacquiao turned his back from the flyweight division to campaign first in the junior featherweight division prior to invading the featherweight and subsequently the superfeatherweight or junior lightweight where Pacquiao is now the WBC "international" kingpin.
The word "international" means Pacquiao is titleholder "only" of a boxing crown for boxers rated from No. 11 to 20. When Jesus Salud, a Hawaiian of Filipino descent, was tore to pieces by Kennedy McKenney (a one-time KO victim of ex-WBC bantamweight ruler Luisito Espinosa) in Stateline, Navada sometime in 1993, Drakulich also called the shots in the ring. Earlier this year, Rodel Mayol of Mandaue City, Cebu failed in his bid to capture the WBC strawweight from Eagle Kiowa in Osaka, Japan in a fight officiated by Drakulich. Who knows, Pacquiao might be the first Filipino pug to break the Drakulich jinx?

TEXT MESSAGE FROM MCTAVISH

Every now and then, I receive a text message from McTavish. In his last text message, McTavish predicted that Pacquiao will win by knockout in six rounds. "Manny is so strong, Alex. Erik can’t handle his force," he said. There had been several times that I disagreed with McTavish. In the first Pacquiao-Morales duel, he also predicted that Pacquiao would demolish Morales in six rounds. I disagreed and predicted then that Morales would whip the Gen. Santos City on points. I won. But on July 2, 2006, McTavish again saw a stoppage win for the Filipino pugilist.
This time, McTavish hit the jackpot. In this "Grand Finale" on November 19, however, I saw Morales taking the fight to the full route and registering an impressive unanimous decision victory. Erik is right when he claimed that "Akoh ang tahtahposh" NOTE:
I have been telling some of my fellow sports enthusiasts that after the 2006 World Pool Championship in Manila, the billiards configuration in the country as well as in Asia will experience a dramatic transformation following the eye-popping exploits displayed by relatively unheralded cute artists such as Jerome Peña, Jeff De Luna, Roberto Gomez, and, who else, but the enigmatic Ronnie Alcano.
We have been brainwashed that only Bata Reyes and Django Bustamante can bring home the bacons in world pool and other international billiards tours. Had other contemporary Filipino pool hustlers been given the opportunity to participate in the US and European circuits in the past, we could have produced more than Bata Reyes, Bustamante and Alex Pagulayan.
These gentlemen are only lucky and privileged because rich patrons bankrolled their trips abroad. If these patrons, Puyat brothers specifically, will also afford the same privileges to De Luna, Peña, Gomez, Morta and other "pipitsugin" players, we could have produced the youngest world pool champion ahead of Chinese-Taipei which produced 16-year-old phenom Wu Chia-ching in 2005. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Tita Linda Belayro

Primerong Alibang-bang

Sa isaeang maeayo nga lugar, maeapit sa Kastilyo it Borbon, may isaeang ka nanay nga may tatlong ka mga onga nga dalagita nga naga-estar. Mahugod rong nanay. Tanan nga trabaho, anang guina obra para mapakaon rong tatlong ka mga onga ag maka kita it kwarta para sa iba pang kinahangean. Guina paaragan nana ro anang mga onga, guina paeambungan it sadyaan agud maka-asawa it may una-ona o manggaranon. Owa man nana guina paobraha rayang mga dalagita ay basi masamad ro andang mga panit ag oyahon. Kon may gina obra gid man hay tag ma ugan manlang.
Ogaling maskin nanong kahugod ag pag-paarag sa anang mga onga, indi gid sanda makadaug sa mga onga it manggaranon, mga kon sin-ong perming guina kangay sa kasadyahan sa palasyo ag sa mataas nga sociedad. Matsa madali ro adlaw, pero mahaba eon ro nag taliwan. Omabot rong tiempo nga nag gueang eon rong Nanay hasta nga nag masakit. Owa guid it nakapangasawa nga manggaranon sa anang mga onga.
Ka’t indi eon masunod ro andang kapritso, nagdisider rong tatlong dalagita nga magpanaw sa ibang lugar agod magpasimpaead, basi makakita it gwapo ag may una-ona. Nagputos sanda ko andang mga eambong para magpanaw. Guin hawiran sanda ko andang ina. Nag hinyo kanda nga indi imaw pag-aywan, kapin ay maeoya eon.
Nabati-an kong sangka engkantada ro hinyo it andang ina. Naeo-oy ro engkanto. Busa nag himo it pa agi agud mapunggan ro pagpanaw ko tatlo. Owa nakaguwa sa kurae rong tatlo. Guin sumpa sanda nga mangin insekto nga may pakpak nga may naga kaeain-eain ag mayad-ayad nga kolor. Nagpalibot-libot ro tatlong ka daeaga sa andang baeay nga nangin kiwa-kiwa ag dayon naghapon sa mga bueak.
Halin kato hasta makaron, kon makakita kita it alibang-bang nga may eain-eain it kolor nga nagalibot-libot sa mga kabueakan, madumduman naton rong tatlong ka dalagita nga owa it kabaeaslan sa pagsakripisyo ko andang ina. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

PLGPMI Elects De Lemos Reg’l. Prexy

Cecilia R. De Lemos is elected Regional President of the Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives, Inc. (PLGPMI) for Western Visayas during its Regional Convention and Scientific meeting held recently at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, Iloilo City. PLGPMI National President Cecilia Banca Santos announced the result of the election.
Santos, who is also the Consultant for Health Concerns of DILG and former Secretary of DOH. Said PLGPMI is the largest documented body of professional midwives in the country and associate member of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP). The said convention was attended by midwives from Iloilo, Negros, Antique, Capiz and Aklan.
In line with the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the convention focused on Goal 4 and Goal 5, which call for the Reduction of Infant and Child Mortality and Improvement of Maternal Care.
De Lemos was elected regional president in recognition of her outstanding accomplishments in the implementation of programs and projects in the province of Aklan.
A dynamic organizer, she organized the 1st Midwifery Week Celebration in Aklan, it being her brainchild. Launched in early 1980’s, the 1st celebration was held in October 2006. She also launched the PLGPMI Akean Newsletter, the first and only publication of midwives in Aklan.
De Lemos presently holds the position of Administrative Officer IV, Office of the Governor, Aklan. She is a part-time instructor at the Northwestern Visayan Colleges where De Lemos, for many years, enjoyed doing interesting jobs like secretary to the Dean/President, librarian, college instructor, and public relations coordinator. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

PIA Slates Multi-Media Workshop For Info Officers

The regional office of Philippine Information Agency 6, Iloilo City will hold a Multi-Media Workshop for Information Officers/Community Development Information Officers (CDIOs), and Tourism and Planning Officers of agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs) from all over Western Visayas on Dec. 4-6 this year. It will be held at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, Iloilo City.
The training is geared to enable participants to acquire basic skills in newsletter preparation, use of digital camera and power point preparation.
Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, PIA Assistant Director-General for Visayas said that technology has caught up with the demands and challenges that the public information officers (10) of various government agencies have to face everyday in relation to their tasks and responsibilities.
"It cannot be denied that much of the bulk of the work an Information Officer has to do needs the use of electronic media. For those IOs who had been trained in school on the use of the gadgets, the job can be easy. For those who have been in the service for many years, learning electronic media can be uncomfortable and slow".
ADG Mesa emphasized, the PIA considers it an important responsibility to help the IOs/CDIOs by providing them with knowledge and skills to produce their own materials for public presentation and information dissemination purposes. So the workshop was conceived to primarily equip the participants with even just the basic knowledge and skills to use electronic media, as well as to enhance skills in writing.
Registration fee for the live-out workshop is P1,300.00 per participant to cover snacks, lunch and some training materials.
Requirements for the workshop include samples of newsletters produced, feature and news stories written, hard copy and in transparency for Overhead Projector of news and features.
The workshop modules include News and Feature Writing for Publications – News Valuing and Editing; The Agency Newsletter – Concept and Production of Interesting Newsletter/Gazette; Digital Camera Use and Photojournalism; and Power Point Presentation – Concepts and Techniques.
Outputs of the training will be presented on the last day of the workshop on Dec. 6, the last day of the workshop and the holding of year-end evaluation of CDIOs/IOs. (VGVillanueva) /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Aklan Prov’l Board Mulls Tourism Governing Body

By Boy Ryan Zabal

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan is mulling for the creation of a tourism governing body to formulate policies and programs to further develop Aklan’s tourism industry.
The tourism board is embodied in the proposed provincial ordinance establishing the Tourism Code of Aklan, jointly sponsored by SP members Jose Yap, Gerick Templonuevo, Pedro Garcia and Franklin Quimpo.
The proposed ordinance encourages the provincial government to provide world-class cultural and environment-friendly tourism destinations, bring the benefits of tourism to the rural communities, improve access to infrastructures and alleviate poverty. It discourages migration to the urban areas, and supports the capability of local government units in mandated tourism functions, among others.
Quimpo said, the proposed governing body is headed by the Provincial Governor with the chairperson of the SP Committee on Tourism, Culture and Arts as vice chairperson.
This body is also supported by the Provincial Tourism Officer, Aklan Tourism Council, League of Municipalities and local chapters of commerce and industry.
The Provincial Tourism Officer is the chief implementing arm of the provincial government on matters involving the tourism industry under the direct supervision of the Tourism Governing Board.
Aklan is famous for the powdery white sand beaches of Boracay, the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival, waterfalls and highland sports.
With the governing body, Manggad it Kalibo, Bugna it Tangalan and the virgin natural beauty of the town of Libacao would be developed into tourism enterprise zones.
The provincial ordinance also provides incentives and recognition to private initiatives related to tourism./MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com