Iloilo City and Province - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 8

wecky

September 27th, 2005, 09:44 PM

Centennial Legacy of Central Philippine University

By Juanito M. Acanto, Ph.D.

The Work-Study Service Program has been innate in the establishment of Jaro Industrial School, the early forerunner of Central Philippine University or CPU. It is one program that has existed since 1905 and is still very extant and progressive today. The very character of the school is to have students who worked for their studies. The school desires to give opportunity for poor Filipino boys to receive a good Christian industrial education by working their way through school. The pupils were exposed to actual work experience and earnest study of the Bible.

In 1905, this work-study educational concept was very vital in awakening the Filipino consciousness towards self-determination, especially in this part of the country. The more than three centuries of Spanish colonization had driven the Filipinos deep into the gully of ignorance and loss of confidence. Education was confined to the rich few families, especially those with Spanish descent and its purpose was social refinement and distinction rather than preparation for a trade or profession. With the total liberation from Spanish rule, the Filipinos saw the dawning of educational opportunities through the American missionaries.

The establishment of Jaro Industrial School placed the Baptist Missionaries in a holistic stance of developing the body, mind and spirit.

Before 1913, all students of the Jaro Industrial School were work students. The American missionaries inculcated in the hearts and minds of the work students the value that “labor is honor”. This is a far contrast from what had been the Filipino-Spanish culture that is: labor is menial and undignified. The students worked for four hours on the farm, in the shop, or in construction, and four hours a day in the classroom. Saturday afternoons and Sundays were free from work or classes. Sundays were spent in the church and in religious or quiet recreational activities.

With the establishment of the junior college, Jaro Industrial School became Central Philippine College in 1923. The primary aim of the college was to train Christian workers and teachers. The teachers were expected to immerse into the public-school system, aspire for improvement and lead the way to educational progress. Central Philippine College imposed stringent requirement for admission and selection, such as accepting only students with ability to do high-quality work. With this requirement, Central Philippine University institutionalized total quality work among her students and graduates and at the same time provide venue for the Christian renewal experience.

The tradition of giving “work scholarship” through which students could earn enough to cover their tuition costs continues until now. Apparently, the Work-Study Program intends to help deserving young people achieve education in spite of their inability to pay for it. As years go on and more students enrolled at Central, the Work-Study Program became the opportunity avenue for poor and needy students to gain college education. New applicants are screened by means of test, interviews, school records and recommendations. They must maintain a general average of al least 2.5 or C+. their work is supervised by the staff member in charge of the area to which the students is assigned.

Successful applicants according to their measured capacity and ability are assigned to different work areas in the university, such as office and laboratory, assistants, library assistants and janitorial services. The Work- Student Service Program committee conducts a regular semester evaluation on the work performance of each work student. The evaluation result is used as basis for a possible promotion to other assignments or termination of contract if the student unsatisfactorily performed his/ her duties. In real sense, the work students are a part of the work force of the university because they provide the personnel for some of the necessary services to faculty, staff and students. They serve as assistants in the maintenance and upkeep program for the buildings and grounds; as library assistants, office clerks, laboratory assistants in the school stores, canteens and enterprises; as farm workers and caretakers of livestock in the college of Agriculture. Their remuneration is in the form of remission of tuition and other fees. Some of the work- students who received their basic education at Central later became part of the administrative staff. CPU became the beneficiary of her own investment because work-students who graduated preferred to serve their Alma Mater and in them was bred the concept of diligence and faithfulness to their work and a special appreciation of what their Alma Mater have sown.

There are work-student alumni who have excelled in their respective fields express their love to CPU through financial donations in the form of endowments for scholarships, professorial chairs and faculty and staff incentives, and all out support in any fund raising programs of the university. Allow to mention two former work-student alumni who each financed the construction of buildings. Dr Alfonso Uy gave 18 million pesos for the construction of the four story Student Union Buildings and the two-story Excel Center. The Students Union Buildings is the mall and food court of the University as the first and second floors are occupied by food and dry goods stores. Offices related to direct students service, such as the Guidance Service Center, Students Affairs office and the Chaplain’s office occupy the third floor. Meanwhile, the fourth floor is a multi- function room for seminars and conference. Rev. Johnny Ancheta provided for the construction of the college of Theology Building and provided additional endowment for its maintenance.

Dr. Uy and Rev. Ancheta testify that their Alma Mater had given much for their success, among others, the opportunity to study at CPU and their personal encounter with their savior, Jesus Christ. My predecessor, Dr Agustin Pulido supported the sustainability of the work-study philosophy of the Central Philippine University. I have also pledged to make the work-study program as the centerpiece of my administration starting this year and in the years and in the years to follow because I believe that the by uplifting their state through skills and values training, developing their work ethics and values, CPU would be able to graduate students who are professionals through and true. Presently, the Work- Study Service Program of CPU operates on the vision to provide a path for quality college education for the less privileged but highly motivated and deserving high school graduate students.

At present CPU has 721 work students; 413 work in special offices and laboratories; 158 man the janitorial services; 150 work in the libraries. The program is equipped with support services for the students whenever circumstances or financial problems may hinder their study at CPU.

The work student could apply for emergency or medical loan once every semester in case he or she is sick or in urgent need of money. A work student could also procure school supplies every 1st semester at the Student Service Enterprise, the university’s canteen and grocery store whenever he/she had accumulated credits in his/ her account for overtime or extra work. For over two years now, CPU has been implementing the God’s G.R.A.C.E( Gospel Relived to Appreciate Christ’s Example) Feeding Program to the most needy work students. This school year, the programs provides lunch to 45 ( as the budget would suffice) selected most need work students. The program was triggered by the astounding discovery that lots of work students go to their work assignments and classes on empty stomachs for lack of money. This was Ben’s ( not his real name) case, a work- students who is in 2nd year BS Math now.

Encouraged by his teachers in a rural high school in Iloilo province, he went to CPU to enroll but without assurance of full support. Losing his father at 13, the eldest of six siblings and her mother earning from farm chores, Ben has only his determination to study at CPU. While processing his work- study applications, he had to sleep in the hallway of one of CPU’s building for he had no place to stay.

In the first month of school, Ben would sleep and eat with work students friends for the support he gets from his high school teachers was not enough. There were days when his friends were not around; he would just sleep off his hunger. Upon knowing of Ben’s predicament, the work student’s supervisor, with the help of the University Church deacons recommended that he be enlisted in the God’s GRACE Feeding Program. Then the University Church decided to provide shelter and work for him.

The University Church is the program carrier of the project with the help of the Social Work Department, Office of Student Affairs and President’s Office. CPU is generating financial support for the sustainability of the project. Through the campaign of former work student Mr.Mauro Somodio, an alumnus who is now living in Australia, a very concerned individual committed to give P 50,000.00 a year for ten years.

During the CPU Centennial Week on 31 July to 6 August, while the rest of the CPU Community was celebrating, alumni who were work students met and organized the Work Students Alumni Association, Inc. The association aims to support the work study- service program of CPU by establishing a resource center for work students. The resource center would provide holistic training and development to work students such as practical vocational skills, personality and Christian values development and honing their entrepreneurial abilities.

As CPU celebrates her foundation on October 1, all of the special thanksgiving worship offering that will be gathered during the worship services, except those that will be specified otherwise, will be given to the Work-Study Service Program. A portion of the amount will go directly to the God’s GRACE Feeding program.

Indeed, God’s greatest glory is seen through the Work-Study Service Program, CPU’s centennial legacy of helping the least of our brethren.

(from Panay News Online)

wecky

September 27th, 2005, 09:47 PM

DTI calls on traders to renew expired Business Name Registration Certificates

ILOILO City – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) reminds all owners/proprietors of Business or Business Name (BN) Registrants, whose Certificates of Registration have already expired as of 31 March 2005, to renew these on or before 30 September 2005, otherwise their BN Registration shall be considered abandoned and will be cancelled from the master list, said DTI Regional Director Dominic P. Abad.

Abad said that BN Application for renewal must be received by BTRCP or on-line field offices of the DTI that process BN applications on or before 7 October 2005 for upgrading purposes, otherwise the same shall be considered cancelled. Applications for renewal of BN Registration filed beyond the above mentioned grace period should be considered as new applications subject to verification and approval.

Pursuant to Section 12 (A) of Department Administrative Order No. 15 series of 1990, the DTI through the BTRCP cancels from the record all Business Name Registrations, which expired as of March 31, 2005 effective October 1, 2005.

Under the Business Name Law (ACT No. 3883), as amended, owners or proprietors should renew their Business Name Registration (BNR) upon expiration thereof. Business Name Certificate of Registration is valid for five years. Ruby M. Melliza

(from Panay News Online)

wecky

September 27th, 2005, 09:51 PM

Grilled faves offered in Trans Asia vessels

TRANS ASIA Asia Shipping Lines now offers all time-grilled favorites such as chicken and pork barbecue, sinugbang isda and nukos, tempura, ngohiong and puso at the Triton's Floating Grill on board Cebu to Iloilo MV Asia Malaysia vessel. Triton's Floating Grill will be serving these barbecued favorites with choices of special marinade sauces like Classic, Thai and Sate. Open to serve passengers from 6 to 12 midnight, prices are so affordable one can have a complete barbecue meal for only P30.

Travelers with penchant for entertainment while having their meals can prove their singing prowess for only P 5 per song with the videoke machine. Cool fresh air coupled with delicious smells and instant entertainment equals an enjoyable and memorable trip onboard Asia Malaysia.

So the next time you travel for Cebu, remember there's no need for the trusty old baon or stop over at some fast food counters. You can have your fill at Triton's Floating Grill for some fresh and hot off the grill barbecue.

Trans Asia serves the ports of Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Ozamis, Masbate, Tacloban, and Tagbilaran. For more details and inquiries regarding promotions and latest updates, please log on to www.transasiashipping.com. (PR)

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

wecky

September 27th, 2005, 09:55 PM

A grand Kapuso weekend
By Ramon C. Salvilla

AFTER the phenomenal success in Cebu and Dagupan, the Grand Kapuso Fans Day gave the Ilonggos the chance to see their favorite GMA Network stars last September 17.

It kicked of with a motorcade along the main thoroughfares of the city. As early as 5 a.m., the Iloilo Sports Complex gate was opened in order to accommodate those who want to get a head start. Indeed, crowds coming from Antique, Capiz, Negros and Guimaras were some of those who made sure they're early.

Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr and wife, Myrna Tupas, Jimmy Po Alanis, GMA's regional TV head; Marivin Arayata, vice president for entertainment; and Jonathan Cabillion, Iloilo branch manager led the balloon raising signaling the start of the event.

Of course, Iloilo's very own, "Bongga" produced by no less than Dado Tan aka Moonlight Lady, showcased the city's rare talents. Sisters Gelli de Belen and Janice de Belen, as well as Carmina Villaruel, IC Mendoza, Jeremy Marquez, German Moreno and the Sex Bomb dancers made their appearance, too.

Booths

It was an entertainment fair like no other as booths of GMA's favorite soaps and shows were held. They were Darna, Encantadia, Bubble Gang, All Star K, Bahay Mo Ba To?, Sis, Magpakailanman, Lagot Ka Isusumbong Kita and Startalk. Fans got a chance to hobnob with their idols through a pictorial and some fun games.

At noontime, Eat Bulaga staged live and this was aired all over the Philippines. Celebrities present were Vic Sotto, Tito Sotto, Joey de Leon, Janno Gibbs, Francis Magalona, Pia Guanio, Julia Clarette, Ciara Sotto, Pauline Luna, Gladys Guevarra, Jimmy Santos, Tony Rose, Keempee de Leon, Teri Onor, Wally, Jose and fellow Ilonggo, Alan K.

Jimmy Po Alanis, regional TV head, said that despite the rainy season, rains didn't mar the Grand Fans Day.

"I believe that Ilonggos are truly Kapuso. This is but a start of our frequent visits here," he told some 60,000 attendees.

"We will not forget this moment. We will be inspired to do more as we truly love the people here," he added.

Joining the festivities were Jaya, Dingdong Dantes, Angel Locsin, Ruffa Mae Quinto, Richard Gutierrez, Dennis Trillo, Alessandra de Rossi, Sunshine Dizon, Chynna Ortaleza, Isabel Oli, Francine Prieto, Michael V., Antonio Aquitana, Wendel Ramos and Diana Zubiri.

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

wecky

September 27th, 2005, 09:58 PM

Group head receives recognition for crusade v. power firm

LAWYER Romeo P. Gerochi, chairperson of the Freedom from Debt Coalition Iloilo Chapter, received a plaque of recognition from the Provincial Government of Iloilo in appreciation of his crusade against the malpractices of Panay Electric Company that led to the eventual reduction of a P2.00 per kilowatt-hour to Iloilo consumers.

The plaque was presented by no less than Governor Niel Tupas Sr. during a flag raising ceremony and program of the provincial capitol employees Monday morning.

Governor Tupas extended the invitation to Gerochi and the advocacy group Freedom from Debt Coalition in recognition of its unselfish crusade for the unbundling of Panay Electric Company (Peco) power rates in Iloilo City to the benefit of local consumers.

"I did not expect any recognition in my long years fighting for the rights of electricity consumers of Iloilo. This is my first official recognition in my 22 years of crusade against Peco. I will spend a lifetime thanking the provincial government most especially Gov. Tupas for extending this recognition, said Gerochi in his acceptance speech.

Ted Aldwin Ong, deputy secretary general of FDC said, "we welcome this gesture in recognition of the FDC's advocacy for reforms in the power industry. Yet, just the same we encourage the meaningful intervention of our government officials on issues involving malpractices of distribution utilities like Peco and the privatization of public utilities.

"One clear example of government's neglect is the inaction of the Iloilo City government. We taxpayers are footing more than P6-million of the Iloilo City government's monthly electricity consumption yet our city officials led by Mayor Jerry Trenas remains carefree when it is their job to ensure that we consumers are protected from the abuses of Peco and that taxpayers money are sensibly spent," added Ong.

The implementation of the P2 per kilowatt-hour reduction was ordered by the ERC after the Commission denied its second motion for reconsideration. Yet the said order was stalled after a 60-day temporary restraining order was issued by the Court of Appeals last May 27, 2005 that expired last July 29.

Gerochi filed criminal charges against Peco officials last week for violation of Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira). This after Peco failed to implement the ERC order despite its failure to obtain a Preliminary Injunction.

"We appeal to the public to step up its support to this cause. We should not fear to fight against the malpractices of giant companies like PECO even though we are like David fighting the giant Goliath referring to the story in the Bible, yet end up victorious," Gerochi concluded.

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

wecky

September 27th, 2005, 10:01 PM

Multi-sector commitment for environment forged
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao

A COMMITTMENT to manage the environment was forged Saturday by the City of Iloilo, Local Government Units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), the academe, business and industries, civic groups, police, media and hospitals.

The commitment

"We bind ourselves to the objective of judicious management of our environment particularly our rivers and esteros, for the benefit of present and future generations," the multi-sector commitment reads.

The commitment includes: mobilizing Ilonggos for the cause of environmental protection through education on proper management and disposal of waste; provision of collective resources and expertise to promote a culture that takes care of the river and esteros as provider of goods and services; support and respect each other; and let Filipinos be a witness to said pledge and future generations of such covenant.

Signatories

Among those who signed for commitment were the barangay captains of areas located along Dungon creek, City Environment and Natural Resources Officers (Cenro), IRDC, Task Force Clean and Green, DPWH, Department of Agriculture (DA), General Services Office (GSO), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and MGB.

NGOs, which signed, were Canadian Urban Institute, Iloilo Lion Host Club, Green Forum and We Heal Foundation.

Those from the academe were West Visayas State University (WVSU), Western Institute of Technology (WIT), Central Philippine University (CPU), De Paul College, St. Paul University Iloilo, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation, Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST), University of San Agustin (USA), St. Therese College, and Jaro National High School.

Those from the business sector were Gaisano City, SM City, Robinson's Place, and Iloilo Supermart. Those from companies and industries were Coca-Cola Bottlers Co. and Pepsi Bottling Co. among others.

Those from the civic groups were PCAPI and PCGA; from the media, ABS-CBN, GMA, Asyon Radyo, Radyo ng Bayan and SUN.STAR Iloilo; hospitals, WVSU Medical Center and Iloilo Doctor's Hospital.

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 01:32 PM

Federation Iloilo Fire Brigade turns 37,
bares anniv sked

BY GEROME DALIPE IV

ILOILO City – The Federation of Iloilo Fire Brigade, Inc. (FIFBI) bared its schedule of activities in connection with its 37th anniversary celebration on September 30, 2005, 7p.m at Iloilo Grand Hotel here.

Guest of honor and speaker will be Dr. Alfonso Uy.

The FIFBI officers are Ramon Cua Locsin, president; Dr. Alfonso Tan, Robert Chua, executive vice-president; Reynaldo Navarro, John Woo and Tan Cheng Gee, vice-presidents; Jonh Lo Kee, secretary; Valentino Chua, assistant secretary; Francisco Sio, treasurer; Raymund Go, assistant treasurer and Walter Uy, fire chief.

Its directors include Eusebio Syching, Vicente Go Pun, Peter Chua, Oscar Chua, Rodolfo Tiu, Lee Chuan, Eddy Ong, Nelson So, Wilson Cua Locsin, Diong Sun Do, rex Chua, Vince Alistair Tiu, James Ang, Antonio Chua, Felix Uy, Lucio Lim Son Hue, Antonio Jon, Harry Yap, Demetrio tan, Antonio Ang, Valentin Go, Jess Sio, Alberto Ong, Jess Sio, Edgar Sia, Ian Eric Pama and Leong Coo.

Among its executive advisers are Tan Teck Wan, Chua Heng, Dr. Alfonso Uy and Vicente Tiu.

The advisers are Jose Copayco Uy, Emilio Cua Locsin, Ben Ong, Coo Hak Kai, Manuel Limsiao and Severino Choco.
The FIFBI past presidents are James Young, Chua Tuan and Henry Chusuey.

The schedules of activities on September 30, 2005 are as follows:

4.p.m.- motorcade around Iloilo City, 5:30 p.m. – blessing of the newly renovated fire station in Mabini Street; blessing of newly acquired tanker fire truck (donated by Tan Weck of International Builders Corporation), 7 p.m. – Diner and Anniversary Celebration induction of 2005-2007 officers and directors.

(from Panay News Online)

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 01:33 PM

Urban Escape in the Heart of the City

When in Iloilo City, soothe away your stress at the exclusive Wellness Club at Days Hotel Iloilo.

The spa, which opened its doors last September 17, is designed to provide world-class spa services to residents and visitors to the popular destination city of Iloilo.

The spa marries both Western and Eastern styles, with modern Asian interiors. The lounge area combines exotic Chinese hardwood pieces with contemporary La-Z-Boy recliners. Each of the male and female rest rooms has its own sauna, and all shower rooms have high-tech full-body showers. For utmost privacy, there are only private rooms and convertible couple's rooms at the Club.

All the therapists have been professionally trained by some of the country's top spa trainers. Different trainers for each specific treatment type (body massage, reflexology, facials, body scrubs) have been brought in from some of the country's top spas to provide specialized training for the
therapists.

For body massage treatments, the spa uses its house blends of all-natural body massage oils made from pure grapeseed oil. This type of oil nourishes the skin and does not cause allergies. All-natural pure Essential Oils, with a minimum of three types, are added to the massage oils to give them aroma and
therapeutic properties. More therapeutic massage oil blends are going to be made available in the coming months. Clients presently have a choice of Revitalizing, Healing, Relaxing, and Harmony blends.

The Club's signature treatment is the Aroma Bodywork Journey, a 90-minute aromatherapy massage using mostly Western with a blend of Eastern techniques. The Oriental Foot Pleasure is the Club's 60-minute signature reflexology treatment (P 490). This foot massage treatment starts off with a warm aromatic foot bath of Lemongrass, Basil, and Ginger essential oils for soothing sore ligaments, continues on to an extensive foot massage, and ends with a back and arm massage.

Wellness Club is the first spa in the Visayas and Mindanao area that uses the exclusive Decléor products for its facials, body scrubs, and Decléor Aromassage treatments.

Decléor products are made from all natural ingredients, using only the purest, most effective, and most natural essential oils.

Decléor of Paris, is the number one Aromatherapy spa brand in the world. Its products and treatments are not only synonymous with beauty, but also with balance and well-being. Decléor treatments use the same procedures in spas that use its products worldwide.

Wellness Club at Days Hotel Iloilo is open everyday from 10:00 A.M. up to 10:00 P.M. (last booking). For reservations, please call 033-3373297.

(from Panay News Online)

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 01:40 PM

Prov'l Board approves P100M loan for equipment purchase
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao

THE Provincial Board has approved Tuesday the P100 million loans for the purchase of heavy equipment.

Said equipment consists of three graders, two pay loaders and one backhoe, among others.

The loan will be availed from the Land Bank of the Philippines and will be payable in seven years.

Some P22 to 24 million will be allotted starting next year for the annual interest, for two consecutive years.

Board Member Niel Tupas Jr, chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, revealed this.

He added that the Provincial Government's P700 million Internal Revenue Allocation (IRA) is enough to pay this, including the P24 million for the Provincial Capitol building's interest.

The Provincial Government has a total of P48 million interest payables. "If the Province pays its interest on time, the principal will decrease in the following years," Tupas said.

Last June 14, the Provincial Board granted Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. the authority to obtain a loan in behalf of the Provincial Government.

Last June 20, Gov. Tupas defended this, saying the amount will be used to purchase "badly needed heavy equipment for the province's various infrastructure projects."

"These are badly needed. It is important to have new equipment. Most of what we have were purchased 20 years ago," Tupas said.

He said that Provincial Gracianito Lucero have been complaining about the old and dilapidated heavy equipment and their expensive maintenance cost.

Lucero told the Provincial Board that the annual cost of maintenance for the old equipment costs P20 million. He said that the procurement of new ones will be more economical.

Agenda

Iloilo Vice Governor Roberto Armada, during Tuesday's session, questioned Lucero why the equipment purchase was not included in the Governor's nine-point agenda when he started his new term in July 2004.

Tupas explained it was only late last year that Lucero made the request.

Surplus

Armada also suggested that the budget surplus be used instead of obtaining a loan.

Earlier, Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada disclosed that the province's surplus reached P80 million in 2003 and more than P143 million in 2004.

"The surplus will be used for other projects," the governor replied.

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 01:43 PM

Board to probe delay in Capitol power substation
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao

THE Provincial Board resolved that it would investigate why the operation of the Provincial Capitol's power substation has been delayed.

Last August 16, 2002, Ferro Welds Construction Inc. won the bid to install the P9 million-worth power substation of the Provincial Capitol.

Iloilo Vice Governor Roberto Armada revealed that they were given only nine months to complete the Germany-sourced substation, thus, it should have been completed by May 2003.

"The power substation was installed but it is not operating until now," Armada said.

Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas Sr., who was given the authority to enter into a contract with Ferro Welds, claimed that the substation was already completed and operational.

But the length of three years and a month however, confused the Provincial Board. It asked if the substation's service and promise of 30 percent savings in electric bills, are worth the wait and the waste of almost P13 million of taxpayers' money.

Apart from the substation, P3.1 million is needed for its installation.

Case

Board Member Niel Tupas Jr. said that a legal case between the Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation (PFMC) and the Panay Electric Company (Peco) has to be waited on.

The PFMC plans to acquire electricity directly from the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and the Provincial Capitol plans to connect through this line.

Peco, who said that its franchise says it is the sole distributor of electricity here, filed a case against PFMC.

Earlier, Governor Tupas said that the 69 kilovolts substation of the Provincial Capitol could be operating by now if only the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) resolved the PFMC-Peco case.

The ERC has not issued any decision.

"We could have saved as much as P300,000 in electricity," he said.

The Provincial Government pays an average of P1.2 million a month to Peco.

He added that the Provincial Government need not pay additional charges to PFMC the moment it connects to the latter's transmission line.

Armada added that it would take six to seven years for the Provincial Government to have an ROI (return of investment).

Delay

Tupas cited several reasons for the delay in the operation of the Provincial Capitol's substation, namely, delayed delivery in equipment from abroad and approval of concerned government agencies.

Ferro Welds has ceased working on the project indefinitely.

"The Executive Department should have informed the Provincial Board of the reasons for the delay," Armada said.

The matter was referred to the Committee for the Whole for investigation.

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 01:45 PM

W. Visayas has longest national roads

REGION 6 has the longest existing national roads by surface type at 2,875.35 kilometers according to figures released by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Data shows that Western Visayas has 1,170 concrete roads, 955.04 asphalt roads, 748.13 gravel roads and a remaining 1.92 earth roads.

In terms of concrete roads, Region 6 is second to region 8 which has some 1,499.85 roads, second also to Region 1V-A with 1.1018.05 asphalt roads and third to CAR with 1,150.07 gravel roads and Region 1V-B with 1,153.01.

Overall, total road network of all surface type totaled 28,494.98 kilometers.

Compared to the previous year's figures, 399 roads were constructed.

Classified by source type, the number of concrete roads accounts for 44.8 percent, gravel at 28.4, asphalt at 26.2 percent, and earth type for the remaining percent.

In terms of existing national bridges, Region 6 was the third highest with 709 bridges of all types, compared to Region 3 with 1071 and Region 8 with 879. Total number of bridges accounted for 7,560 nationwide.

Broken down, Region 3 had the most number of concrete bridges with 1013, Region 8 with 700 and region 6 with 566. Region 1V-B had 130 bailey bridges compared to region 8 with 100 and CAR with 88. Region 6 had the most number of steel bridges at 62, followed by Region 3 with 51 and Region 1V-B with 31. For timber bridges, Region 8 and Region 13 had both 61, followed by Region 5 with 51.

For the national bridges, concrete type accounts for 83.0 percent, bailey at 8.9 percent, steel at 5.1 percent and timber type for the remaining percent.

Increased infrastructure projects for road and bridges are part of the 10-point agency of the national government. (PIA)

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 01:48 PM

Ateneo lad leads take-over of City Hall by Boys and Girls officials

A sixteen-year old high school senior from the Ateneo de Iloilo brings his youthful idealism to the position of City Mayor starting Monday as the Iloilo City government celebrates the 31st Boys and Girls Week project in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Iloilo City.

Pellongco and Llorante

Jose Ryan Pelongco had bested 43 other candidates from the city’s private and public high schools to earn the right to sit as Boy City Mayor for one week in a ceremonial capacity and experience first hand what it takes to run City Hall.

His buddy from Ateneo de Iloilo, Neil Andrew Llorente, placed second in the competitive interview conducted last week by the sponsoring Rotary Club of Iloilo City to become this year’s Boy Vice Mayor.
Joshua Misajon of the Central Philippine University Development High School is the 1st councilor and majority floor leader.

The other councilors are Marian Jilyn Almendros of the Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus, 2nd councilor; Valerie Ann Villarosa, Ateneo de Iloilo, 3rd councilor; Ethel Fatima Sia, Ateneo de Iloilo, 4th councilor; Risa Maria Lourdes Peña, Philippine Science High School, 5th councilor;
Raphael Vincent Lebrilla, Westbridge School, 6th councilor; Noreen Marian Bautista, Philippine Science High School, 7th councilor; Guil Francis Saldo, Holy Rosary Academy, 8th councilor;
Jefferson Magbanua, Westbridge School, 9th councilor; Christopher Millora, Westbridge School, 10th councilor; Chicki Florette Uy, Philippine Science High School, 11th councilor and Cherry Amor Deala of West Visayas State University, 12th councilor.

Thirty other students will occupy positions as department heads of City Hall, city court judges, fire marshall and city police director.
“This one-week project will give these Boys and Girls officials hands-on experience in the various aspects of local government operations,” said Manfred Lepp, a past president of the Rotary Club of Iloilo City, and this year’s project chairman.

Lepp said these students will sit side-by-side with their adult counterparts who are actually occupying these positions to observe first-hand and actually carry out some of the responsibilities of the position.

(from The News Today Online)

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 01:50 PM

PIA sets stage for COPRE ‘05

The Philippine Information Agency, Area Management Office (PIA-AMO) 6 is now gearing up for the holding of the yearly College Press Conference (COPRE) and Awards for the year 2005.

PIA Asst. Director General for Visayas Janet C. Mesa said that the COPRE is conducted to recognize and award outstanding school publications, departmental publications and individual writers in the on-the-spot writing contests.

She also said that the COPRE is a way of evaluating the performance of student writers and their publications in the application of development communication principles, taught to them during the series of basic journalism workshops facilitated by the PIA.

In Region VI, it is only the PIA that conducts a yearly College Press Conference and Awarding ceremony, which so far has become an institution by itself, Director Mesa added.

This year’s COPRE will be held at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, on November 17, 2005. Participating schools and their publications are required to submit their publication entries not later than November 3, 2005 at the nearest PIA office in their respective provinces.
Best publications in various categories, like for Best Magazine, Best Newspaper, Best News Page, Filipino Page, Literary Page, Feature Page, Editorial Page, Best newspaper Layout, Best Magazine Cover will be chosen. Grand Slam Awardee for three consecutive years will receive the Graciano Lopez Jaena Award, which is COPRE’s Hall of Fame.

On-the-spot writing contests will also be held, to include news writing, editorial writing, column writing, feature writing, editorial cartooning, sports writing, headlining and copy editing and also photojournalism.

The COPRE is not limited only to journalistic contests but also to forums and dialogues on various issues confronting campus paper writers, including thrusts of the government and issues on the implementation of Journalism Act of 1991. for this year, COPRE will include a Forum on the latest journalistic writing trends, to be discussed by a resource person from Manila.

More details about the COPRE can be obtained from the PIA-AMO 6 regional office, Iloilo City, telephone numbers 3377301 and 3376303 c/o Ms. Elsa S. Subong, COPRE In-charge. (PIA 6)

(from The News Today Info Online)

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 09:38 PM

more pics of downtown's CALLE REAL and PLAZOLETAGAY

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 09:38 PM

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/IloiloVisit2005113.jpg

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 09:39 PM

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/IloiloVisit2005114.jpg

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 09:40 PM

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/IloiloVisit2005115.jpg

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 09:40 PM

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/IloiloVisit2005116.jpg

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 09:41 PM

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/IloiloVisit2005117.jpg

wecky

September 28th, 2005, 09:43 PM

waaahhhh ... chaotic with all the wires ... big problem during typhoons, etc ...

ryanr

September 29th, 2005, 07:58 AM

wecky, could you put those pictures in a single post please. No need to put them in seperate posts.

Let me quote what i posted in the Cebu thread, as it also applies here:
Request to Forumers: Can everyone please make an effort to make single posts at a time, and not numerous posts consecutively. I've noticed the reason why the Cebu thread grows so fast is because of that reason. Please put into consideration that posts take up bandwidth which Jan thankfully pays for. Also keep in mind that the more bandwidth we take up, the slower SSC will be in the future.

tigidig14

September 29th, 2005, 08:47 AM

wecky

September 29th, 2005, 12:26 PM

wecky, could you put those pictures in a single post please. No need to put them in seperate posts.

Let me quote what i posted in the Cebu thread, as it also applies here:

Noted Grey X. No harm intended for that. Ta.

wecky

September 29th, 2005, 12:28 PM

^^ yeah i was gonna tell him/her that too but i was lazy earlier then, i thought he/she accidents post it in repeateadly. btw wecky, lalake ka ba o babae= dont wanna offend you at least i can call u in a proper way.

why do you want to know, Tigidig? Don't you love the mystery behind the username? ... hehehe .. I'll PM it to you soon. Cheers.

wecky

September 29th, 2005, 12:30 PM

Libro Agustino bags 2 nat'l book awards

LIBRO Agustino, the publishing label of the University of San Agustin (USA), bagged two prizes in the 2004 National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle. Cultural Fictions by Isidoro Cruz won the Best Book of Literary Criticism, and What the Water Said by the Alon Literature Collective won the Best Anthology. The latter was also nominated for Best Design.

John Iremil Teodoro, editor in chief of Libro Agustino, and Cruz received the plaques and certificates during a formal awarding ceremony on September 4 during the Manila International Book Fair held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Cruz is a Palanca award-winning poet and is the chair of the USA Humanities Department. The Alon Literature Collective is a group of young writers from De La Salle University-Manila. Cruz and Teodoro are members of this collective.

The Manila Critics Circle (MCC) is a group of literary critics and book reviewers with members like Isagani R. Cruz, Alfred Yuson, Cirilo F. Bautista, Ophelia Dimalanta among others. For 24 years now, the MCC is giving awards to best books published within the year.

Libro Agustino was launched in March 1, 2003 during the 50th anniversary of USA as a university. Its aim is to publish books by Augustinian and West Visayan authors. It has already published 18 titles.

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

wecky

September 29th, 2005, 12:32 PM

Mariit Conservation Park makes world's first in hornbill breeding
By Monet B. Ramirez

THREE Dulongans or Visayan Writhed-Billed Hornbills (Aceros waldeni) successfully produced fledglings (young birds) after 10 years of unrelenting captive breeding work at the Mariit Conservation Park. This accomplishment during the 2005 breeding season (January to July) is a cause for celebration not only of the University but of the scientific and research community because this phenomenon is the world's first successful breeding in captivity of this critically endangered species.

Named, "Glory" for Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, "Lulu" for WVSU Pres., Dr Lourdes Aranador and Mikie for DENR Secretary Michael Defensor, the new fledglings were given the moniker in honor of these three individuals who gave generous support to conservation work.

A product of the patient effort and concern of Prof. Lucia Lastimoza who is the Project Manager of the park, the three fledglings are healthy and are awaiting the perfect time for their release to the wild. The park is also very lucky to have the assistance of Mr. Pavel Hospodarsky, Ornithologist and Professional Birdkeeper from the Czech Republic who painstakingly assisted in the captive breeding of these Dulongans. On hand all the time to offer constant encouragement and backing are their WVSU-CAF family headed by their Dean, Dr. Eleodoro Alicante.

The captive breeding for this species is being sponsored by the North Zoological Society (Chester Zoo, UK), Vogelpark Avifauna (The Netherlands), Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Population (Germany) and Fauna and Flora International FFI, UK).

The Mariit Conservation Park at the College of Agriculture and Forestry of the West Visayas State University located in Barangay Jayubo, Lambunao, Iloilo was established in 1993 by virtue of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mulhouse Zoo in France.

William L.R. Oliver, Director of the FFI Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Programme ably offered his help in the establishment of the Park.

The WVSU-CAF was chosen as Custodian of Endangered Species for Conservation because of the expertise of its faculty members in the animal sciences including wildlife management in captivity, its strategic location, climatic condition and its willingness to host the project. The Park is vital for hornbill conservation because it is the only breeding center for the critically endangered Visayan Writhed-billed Hornbill in the world and nowhere else. (With sources from Prof. Lucia Lastimoza, WVSU-CAF-MCP)

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

wecky

September 29th, 2005, 12:35 PM

Oil company eyes two hydropower projects in W. Visayas

TWO areas in Western Visayas are included among the seven different sites being evaluated by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to be developed as hydropower sites with a total power generation capacity of 118.2 megawatts (MW).

These two areas are the Timbaban in Madalag, Aklan with a potential of 23 MW and Villasiga in Bugasong, Antique (25 MW). Other sites include Langogan and Babuyan in Puerto Princesa (12.4 MW combined), Catuiran in Calapan, Occidental Mindoro (18 MW), Sicopong in Sta, Catalina, Negros Oriental (17.8 MW) and Pasil in Kalinga, Mt. Province (22 MW).

Data obtained from Pnoc revealed that these sites are now either undergoing preliminary evaluation or are being considered for feasibility studies.

For the Timbaban site in Aklan, certain issues still need to be ironed out between the Department of Energy and Environment and Natural Resources.

Meanwhile, the PNOC is exploring the possibility of getting a private sector partner for the development of the Catuiran site while the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Commerce recently granted the financing for the feasibility study on the Langogan and Babuyan sites.

PNOC is also working on getting a grant financing from the Japan External Trade Organization for a feasibility study on the Pasil site.

On the other hand, the Sicopong site's feasibility study is already complete and is now being reviewed by its proponent, the West JEC while a new feasibility study is being conducted for the Villasiga site.

A one MW power can provide energy to about 300 households.

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

wecky

September 29th, 2005, 12:37 PM

100,000 bags of iron-fortified rice set for
Western Visayas

ILOILO City – Some 100 thousand bags of rice fortified with iron will be shipped to Western Visayas to combat iron deficiency anemia.

The shipment is expected early October this year, said Director Javier Lozada of the National Food Authority (NFA VI).

The iron fortified rice is mandated under Republic Act 8976 to address the serious problem on Micronutrient Malnutrition. The micronutrients referred comprise of Vitamin A, Iron and Iodine.

Based on the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) 1998 nutrition survey, three in every 10 children (six months to five years) are afflicted with iron deficiency anemia (IDA); four in every 10 children (six months to five years) have low to deficient Vitamin A levels (VAD); and four in every 10 children (six to l2 years) have iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).

Among pregnant women, 22 percent are suffering from VAD Disorder and 5l percent from IDA.

If not addressed, micronutrient malnutrition can lead to serious illnesses, irreversible handicaps, mental incapacities and even death.

As far as the fortification of rice is concerned, the NFA has taken the initiative to spearhead the fortification of rice with iron.

For the province of Iloilo, Manager Heide Jardeleza said 22,000 bags of iron fortified rice is alloted.

“This is our initial stock to be used during the promotion period, so that during the full implementation of the program in the year 2007, at least the public is already aware of the importance of iron fortified rice to body well being,” Jardeleza said.

As to the taste and sensory characteristics of rice, the studies conducted by NFA and the Food Development Center and the FNRI revealed that both on laboratory and consumer testing, there is no effect of iron fortification on the taste and sensory characteristics of iron fortified rice both on the raw and cooked fortified rice.

(from Panay News Online)

wecky

September 29th, 2005, 12:39 PM

Reg’l forum on disability today

ILOILO City – The National Council for the Welfare of Disabled (NCWDP) will hold a Regional Media Forum on Disability today at the Four Seasons Hotel starting at 9 a.m.

This undertaking aims to broaden public information and dissemination on all issues and matters concerning disability.

NCWDP Information Officer Cely de Leon cited the big role of the media in achieving this objective.

“The media can greatly help to improve public awareness particularly on disability prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities,” de Leon said.

Through this forum participants will also be updated with the different programs, projects and disability-related activities being implemented by the national government.

Expected to talk during the forum are resource persons coming from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd) and other line agencies of the government that have programs geared towards the upliftment of the condition of this sector.

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Assistant Director General for Visayas Janet Mesa said around 40 participants composed of media practitioners and Information Officers coming from the regional offices of concerned national government agencies, provincial and city government of Iloilo and some municipalities of Iloilo were invited to participate in this forum.

(from Panay News Online)

wecky

September 29th, 2005, 12:48 PM

Could it be overcharging and underpowered at the same time? Because one of my relative's house in La Paz has problems getting their ACs to work, their grid in their neighborhood is supplying them underpowered electricity. :tongue3:

that's right Virtute. Overcharging and underpowered. The cost of electricity back home is too high I guess especially for somebody earning less in a month. There's also an on and off brownout that needs to be addressed as well.

Sinjin P.

September 29th, 2005, 03:55 PM

ferrersky

October 1st, 2005, 05:43 PM

Hello there :) ! It's me again!!!

I have an opinion that the city might be more conducive to businesses if the city is uniquely beautified and organized that the people roaming around the city will have a peace of mind.

Although some parts of the city is being cleaned and properly maintained everyday, there are still some parts that are very dirty. Trash cans litter, MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) maltreated, etc. In short, untidiness and disorderliness discreetly impedes the further improvement of the city in some aspects.

Why is this happening? Because most of us don't care about cleanliness. Some may just throw their garbage somewhere else. I hate to admit it, but i'm quite guilty of it also.

I feel embarrassed everytime a tourist walks in a street full of unpleasant things. Are you with me? Do you believe that it has somehow affected us or is it just a stupid opinion of mine.

chymera00

October 1st, 2005, 06:20 PM

wow ... cool pic. Chy, I guess you took this pic while you're onboard a pumpboat from Guimaras Island.
It wasn't me who took these pictures :) I just took it from the internet
I haven't had a chance to attend Dinagyang Festival for a decade or two already. When I was in the Philippines, I used to watch it over the tele more than participating on live. Wish I can be a on site spectator again in the near future. wishing ...
I wish by the time you return here, a new and bigger venue will be built because the Freedom Grandstand is too small to be the main stage for such an important event. Maybe they should demolish the city hall, build a new one, and expand the Grandstand?
Could it be overcharging and underpowered at the same time? Because one of my relative's house in La Paz has problems getting their ACs to work, their grid in their neighborhood is supplying them underpowered electricity. :tongue3:
Yeah it really power system here really sucks ...

chymera00

October 1st, 2005, 06:29 PM

Hello there :) ! It's me again!!!

I have an opinion that the city might be more conducive to businesses if the city is uniquely beautified and organized that the people roaming around the city will have a peace of mind.
My sentiments exactly ... First to be beautified should be Calle Real, make it cleaner, more "walkable", tighter security, and hide cobwebs. Then build newer commercial areas, esp. in the metro area

Although some parts of the city is being cleaned and properly maintained everyday, there are still some parts that are very dirty. Trash cans litter, MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) maltreated, etc. In short, untidiness and disorderliness discreetly impedes the further improvement of the city in some aspects.
I agree ... the worst is poor sewage system, it's really aweful to see those canals (at the side of the street) full of stagnant smelly wayer that looks like its been there for years.

Why is this happening? Because most of us don't care about cleanliness. Some may just throw their garbage somewhere else. I hate to admit it, but i'm quite guilty of it also.
I agree .. I've grown tired of telling people to stop littering a long time ago because they are just too stubborn ... they complain about the city being too dirty, but they dont realize they are the reason why it is so

I feel embarrassed everytime a tourist walks in a street full of unpleasant things. Are you with me? Do you believe that it has somehow affected us or is it just a stupid opinion of mine.
No its not a stupid opinion of yours, your not alone my friend

wecky

October 2nd, 2005, 03:28 AM

great and interesting projects! I hope these get realized! :D

i believe it will takes ages again for this project to be realised

wecky

October 2nd, 2005, 03:39 AM

Hello there :) ! It's me again!!!

Hello man da sa imo.

I have an opinion that the city might be more conducive to businesses if the city is uniquely beautified and organized that the people roaming around the city will have a peace of mind.

I agree with you Ferrersky ... most especially with people having peace of mind.

Although some parts of the city is being cleaned and properly maintained everyday, there are still some parts that are very dirty. Trash cans litter, MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) maltreated, etc. In short, untidiness and disorderliness discreetly impedes the further improvement of the city in some aspects.

It needs complete changing of attitude for all of us living in the city, I guess. Each and everyone is guilty in one time or the other. To tell you frankly, we really need a good Waste Management in Iloilo. The local officials already identified this issue of concern. The problem is how urgent they need to implement the ordinace or how soon the disposal facility will be available for use. Nota bene, urgency is not part of our daily life in the province. We always have the luxury of time there.

Why is this happening? Because most of us don't care about cleanliness. Some may just throw their garbage somewhere else. I hate to admit it, but i'm quite guilty of it also.

you say so, my friend.

I feel embarrassed everytime a tourist walks in a street full of unpleasant things. Are you with me? Do you believe that it has somehow affected us or is it just a stupid opinion of mine.

I'm completely with you in this matter ... :bash:

wecky

October 2nd, 2005, 03:46 AM

It wasn't me who took these pictures :) I just took it from the internet

Okay ... nice pics gid.

I wish by the time you return here, a new and bigger venue will be built because the Freedom Grandstand is too small to be the main stage for such an important event. Maybe they should demolish the city hall, build a new one, and expand the Grandstand?

wishing ... and hoping ... hehehe .. as always. We had a plan to go home by January 2007 (as I told you before), just in time for Dinagyang Festival ... but right now, there's a change of things in here. We're still considering it though ... but it will all depends on how things go well next year, business-wise and personal matters ... hehehe.

Yeah it really power system here really sucks ...

Absolutely !

wecky

October 2nd, 2005, 03:52 AM

P9M budget for Dinagyang 2006

ILOILO City – The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) has earmarked P9-P10 million for the Dinagyang Festival 2006, increasing it by a million from last year’s.

Festival Executive Director Ben Jimena said the P1 million increase from last year’s P8 million, will mainly go to the incentives or financial assistance for Ati tribes and the Kasadyahan tribes, in accordance with the approved operational guidelines set by the Executive Committee.

The IDFI has allotted P2 million as financial assistance or incentives for 20 Ati tribes and P720,000 for the 12 Kasadyahan tribes.

Eleven tribes identified will each receive P150,000 as full financial assistance, two tribes will receive 50 percent, four tribes will receive 25 percent and three tribes, 10 percent, with P5,000 allocated for meetings.

Six tribes for the Kasadyahan will each receive P75,000 while six tribes will receive P50,000.

The IDFI has allocated P1 million for cash prizes and special awards, trophies and tokens and other prizes which may be determined later.

To be qualified for full assistance, the participating group must meet the following criteria:

a) must have been officially registered with an approved application, completely filled up, duly endorsed by the Chair of the Tribes Committee and signed conforme by the group owner or manager;

b) must have joined the competition for the last three years immediately preceding the contest;

c) must be ranked within the top 10 of the previous year’s contest;

d) must have been a participant of good standing without any violation of the festival rules;

e) the tribe owner/manager must have signed a contract of participation with the foundation.

Partial financial assistance may be given to the other officially registered groups.

For those within last year’s top 10 but has joined the contest for the last two years only, will be given 50 percent, and those who have joined the contest only last year, will have 25 percent.

Those who ranked 11th and 12th, but has joined the contest for the last three years will receive 50 percent; those who have joined the contest for the last two years will have 25 percent; those who have joined the contest last year, 10 percent or P20,000 whichever is lower.

The Foundation reserves the right to change any or all provision/s of the guideline without prior notice and the right to revoke the privilege of a participant to an incentive.

---------------------------------------------------------------

RP’s oldest university holds exhibit at Museo Iloilo

ILOILO City -- Dog-god, a traveling art exhibit by the Young Thomasians Artists Circle (YTAC), is now open to the public at Museo Iloilo.

The exhibit, featuring the works of UST College of Fine Arts alumni, is part of an effort by the University of Sto. Tomas to expand its “public presence” in preparation for its quadricentennial anniversary.

UST, the oldest university in the country and the Far East, will turn 400 in 2011.
Dr. Nina Cabral, director of the UST Public and Alumni Affairs Office, said the exhibit will travel to different parts of the country and even overseas as part of UST’s effort to also touch base with its alumni.

Cabral is meeting with UST graduates here in Iloilo and hopes that a UST Alumni Association can be formed here.

The exhibit was first launched at the UST Museum and the Cultural Center of the Philippines early this year. The exhibit at Museo Iloilo, which will run until the end of October, is the first outside Manila.

Jocelyn Dare Tullao, assistant curator of the UST Museum, credits the Museo Iloilo for bringing the works here.

“They (the Museo Iloilo) were the first to respond to our invitation,” she said.
The exhibit is also slated to run in Cebu, Baguio, Davao, Korea and Singapore over the next several months until next year.of nine UST alumni who were selected for their distinctive styles and award winning talent and creativity.

“They were the cream of the crop,” she said.

All in their mid-to-late 20s, the artists are Andres Barrioquinto, Lindsey Lee, Wesley Valenzuela, C.J. Tañedo, Lawrence Borsoto, Buen Calubayan, Jaime Jesus Pacena II, Ivan Roxas, and Mark Magistrado.

The works on display, done in various styles and media (oil pastel, ink or graphite on paper or canvass and mixed) dwell on “the sacred and the profane” and feature the respective artist’s depiction/interpretation of the exhibit’s anagrammatic handle, dog-god.
Said Tullao, “The title of the exhibit will leave the viewer pondering for substance. It is anagrammatic and doesn’t encompass a subjective connotation nor disgrace divinity, but rather calls to mind man’s continuous pursuit for meaning.”

Vita Sarenas, an art connoisseur and owner of the Finale Art Gallery in Makati and Mandaluyong, describes the YTAC group as “emerging artists” and their works as “a reflection of contemporary art.”

Already, several sets of small works, mostly pen and ink renditions by the artists – have been acquired by some Iloilo art lovers and collectors.

(from Panay News Online)

wecky

October 2nd, 2005, 03:53 AM

Commerce and trade in Iloilo, early 20th Century

The period under the Americans up to the Commonwealth witnessed the continuous growth of the town of Iloilo as the commercial capital of southern Philippines. It became the hub of various big business ventures. Of the De la Ramas, the sugar and pharmaceutical interests of the Lacsons, and the mining enterprises of the Galatas and the Montillas. Other noted names in business that were non-Ilonggos such as the Elizaldes and the Ynchaustis were also operating in Iloilo.

Foreign firms mostly of American and British registration were active in the commercial and even agricultural activities in the city and province of Iloilo. There were many big foreign and coastwise shipping agencies that likewise opened offices in the city and called regularly at the Iloilo port for then, the warehouses at the waterfront were full of sugar, copra, abaca and other export products.

The first large American investment to be developed in the province was stevedoring. In 1906, James Borree who owned a lumberyard and a ship was known as the “shipping king of Iloilo.” Then, when the J.G. White and Co. began the construction of the Panay railroad connecting to Iloilo and Capiz, this became the major American undertaking in the island. By 1910, Americans also figured prominently when sugar and tobacco were the chief money crops. In addition to their new commercial interests, the Americans in Iloilo represented many Dutch, German, and Chinese firms.

By 1927, most of the American firms in the Philippines were represented in Iloilo: P.C.C., Panay Railroad Co., Panay Telephone and Telegraph Co., Mantrade, and Bacrach Motors.

Aside from those that were already operating during the Spanish period, new ones began to engage in business during the American period. Among those that sold various articles ranging from clothing and materials to shoes and watches were Bazar Iloilo, The Washington, The Eagle, and The New Century. For meals and snacks, there was The Mallorquina. All of these establishments were situated at Calle Real.

Business operations were either in wholesale or retail basis in which the former dominated the business section of Iloilo and the latter gained popularity in the suburbs and the remote towns and barrios of the province. The great bulk of retail business was generally done with a small amount of capital. Almost every town in Iloilo had its public market where sellers and buyers of foodstuffs and articles for domestic use flock on regular market days. Small stores and tiendas or tindahan scattered throughout the barrios were also good grounds for the retail business.

A rather picturesque though slow and burdensome ways of reaching consumers was the ambulant peddling of merchandise. Many Chinese, Syrians, British, Indians, and Filipinos mostly Batangueños and Macabebes, carried stocks of goods to the remote barrios where they sell them frequently on account or installment basis. This method, however, gradually disappeared in the 1930s on account of greater for the frequent movement of goods by this time.

During the commonwealth period, big commercial buildings were constructed in Iloilo City by John Javellana, Celso Ledesma, Serafin Villanueva, and Aurelio Montinola on Calle Real—now J.M. Basa Street—and other parts of the city. Ilonggo businessmen like the renowned Eugenio and Fernando Lopez, Jose Javellana, Celso Ledesma, Serafin Villanueva and Aurelio Montinola were the very people responsible for the trade, commercial and business activities during this period.

(from The News Today Online)

ferrersky

October 2nd, 2005, 11:31 AM

Hi! Dear friends!!! Ilonggos or not alike!!!!

Can anyone tell me how to submit a banner picture for the header of this website? Heheh! I have an ingenious plan...

Now I know why we are suffering from this attitude (which i mentioned a while ago)!!! It's because we Filipinos are generally patient, considerate and sympathetic (although some are corrupt!!!). That is why laws being passed here are not that strong compared to other countries where they take it seriously. :gunz:

Well, even if it has negative effects, it is one indicator that Filipinos are kind and loving people!!!

BTW, about a past issue where there is someone who told us that Ayala Center would probably be near Jalandoni Bridge, I think its impossible. Aside from the fact that its very small and its very swampy, the location is being sandwiched by SM City and Gaisano! And Robinsons Place is just one ride!!!
If it will be placed in the old airport, it will also be facing SM City and it will be near Atrium Mandurriao!!!!

Oh no!!!! Iloilo City is such a small world after all!!!!

chymera00

October 2nd, 2005, 01:28 PM

wecky

October 3rd, 2005, 03:47 AM

BTW, about a past issue where there is someone who told us that Ayala Center would probably be near Jalandoni Bridge, I think its impossible. Aside from the fact that its very small and its very swampy, the location is being sandwiched by SM City and Gaisano! And Robinsons Place is just one ride!!!
If it will be placed in the old airport, it will also be facing SM City and it will be near Atrium Mandurriao!!!!

Oh no!!!! Iloilo City is such a small world after all!!!!

There's no definite site yet for Ayala Centre Iloilo. Though a lot of rumours ponts to the swampy area of La Paz, I would like to see Ayala Centre building it's own CBD outside the city of Iloilo. Hopefully with the metropolis area or in Sta Barbara.

wecky

October 3rd, 2005, 03:49 AM

Its not really impossible ... look at MetroManila, malls are either in front of or beside each other.

you're right, too, Chymera ... biskan diin lang a .. basta naga-start na sila himo sang building, okay na ... tani outside city lang no? mas maayo gid.

wecky

October 3rd, 2005, 03:52 AM

Flood control project moving

ILOILO City – For sometime, after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that the Iloilo Flood Control Project cannot be cancelled, Ilonggos thought the project had not “moved even an inch’ despite her statement. But it has been moving, after all.

The Iloilo Flood Control Project has “perked up” with the 1st Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign Public Participation Workshop held September 28, 2005 at Hotel del Rio.

The IEC Workshop sought to assess the state of the Iloilo Flood Control Project at present and come up with immediate concerns which the Flood Control Information Management Group (IMG) can focus on.

Situationers on Watershed Management, Solid Waste Management, Resettlement and the IEC components were presented, as basis of identifying concerns for action.

Participating in the workshops were barangay leaders from Pavia, national government agencies directly involved with the project, non-government organizations and the academe.

Public Works Regional Director Rolando Asis said that a sustained IEC campaign through active community participation and commitment of stakeholders is an important concern which the IFCP is always conscious of.

Asis also said that in the face of current socio-economic and political challenges in the country, the stakeholders should get re-oriented with the plans and actions of those in-charge of the project and those affected by the project down the municipal/city and barangay levels.

He said further that the social acceptance of the project especially with the affected barangays was comparatively good. This was confirmed by Mr. Roy Firmeza of the Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office when he said that all workers involved in the project have been on their toes to make sure the affected families are fairly resettled.

Firmeza said that the Iloilo City government is always on the look out for possible tie ups with various entities to better responds to the needs of the affected families. He added that the city government recognizes its responsibility to provide site for relocation and to do this through a sectoral management approach.

The Gawad-Kalinga National Coordinating Council has already earmarked the construction of 32 housing units in Bgy. Sooc, Arevalo, where most of the resettled families are brought.

Meanwhile, IEC Consultant Dr. Felixberto Roquia, Jr. told the participants that the IEC campaign is a support communication strategy for the Resettlement, Watershed Management and Solid Waste Management components of the IFCP.

Primarily, the IEC campaign is aimed at assuring among others, the effectiveness and sustainability of the project through public education and participation.

The IEC campaign includes community-based activities, and print and radio materials production.

(from Panay News Online)

good news for all of us Ilonggos. Hopefully, the project wll be realised soon.

Weina

October 3rd, 2005, 12:56 PM

你好大家(Hi everybody)! I'm a newbie to this thread. I'm currently based in China but most of the time in Taiwan. First of all, especially to Chymera, thanks and hope you'll continue your very noble endeavor, that is promoting Iloilo. You really did a good job. Like you guys, I really want to see someday Iloilo garner back it's past colorful history because like you I am a trully Ilonggo.

I 've been searching for such a long time already of more online news about Iloilo but I was very disappointed in my search for so many reasons. Too little online information! In fact even our Iloilo City official website (i'm not so sure if that is official or personal website of Mayor Trenas) is not functioning. If other cities have official website why can't Iloilo have? Or maybe you guys there know the website, I would really appreciate if you could give me the address. Also, in Panay News online, can't get must of it too! Much more disappointing is Sunstar Iloilo. Sometimes I think the news is just a consuelo de bobo to their readers, sorry for my term but I just feel like it is. It's a miracle if you can see more than one or two news there in their website. Lately however, I found TNT. This site is better. They have the bunch of good writers and of course followed by good write ups. For a news hungry, savvy like me, another worth thanking is you guys (members of this Iloilo City and Province thread). It's really cool of you guys to put more pictures, news, information, etc...about Iloilo. I hope you continue the good work and make more great contributions to Iloilo's promotion and development.
If you guys know of any good investments offer there in Iloilo maybe you can share it here inthis thread. How about good residential subdivions, or just just any other business opportunities? I think this would really be a click. Can invite more investors to Iloilo.

Anyway, thank you Chymera and others! 謝謝大家 (shie shie ta jia)! Viva Iloilo (萬歲 wan shui Iloilo)!

Virtute

October 4th, 2005, 12:13 AM

hahaha .. I've read it as well last night, Chy ... and I'm really laughing for the insult of it, though it is true. We in Iloilo were never been affected much whatever happens to the economy of the Philippines. Besides, the report is right to say that economy of the province and the city is mainly-based on remittances. The city projects 9% population living abroad, but if you consider the whole province, we might even surpass 15-20% of population earning money from other countries. Try Alimodian and Miag-ao alone, where almost all houses have one person working outside the country. Well, there you go !

Very true. There is a huge Miagaowanon community in the SF Bay Area and LA/San Diego. I know the majority of them. Many go back and build big houses in Miagao that can pass for a mansion. I think the Flores house is 4 stories? I sometimes wonder if there's a hidden competition on whoever builds the biggest house. Hmmm... LOL.

My grandmother was from Miagao so we go there and stay every summer up to the late 70s. We basically know everybody in town and it seems like everybody was related to one another, but Miagao has really changed the last 15yrs, especially when UP Miagao opened. You don't know everybody anymore. Before, market day was Saturday. The town would buzzle with many people from other smaller towns going to the market, but the rest of the week, the town was a quiet sleepy town. You can probably hear a pin drop at 1-2PM since nobody was outside playing since it was too hot and only when it was around 4-5PM that kids come out of the houses to play in the plaza. These days, the market is almost busy everyday like it's Saturday-market day ...but everyday.

sugarboy

October 4th, 2005, 12:16 AM

¡hola virtute! ¿como estas? hace mucho tiempo que no te he oido. daw laka na may naga post didto sa "hablamos espanol aqui".

Virtute

October 4th, 2005, 12:21 AM

¡hola virtute! ¿como estas? hace mucho tiempo que no te he oido. daw laka na may naga post didto sa "hablamos espanol aqui".

¡Sugarboy! Ya te contesté hace unos días pero probablemente no lo has visto. ¿Que tal?

sugarboy

October 4th, 2005, 12:37 AM

muy bien. tengo un nuevo "textmate" en espanol - laffer07. ¿conoces tu a el? bueno, creo que el nacido de iloilo tambien. el trabaja aqui en makati pero hasta ahora no se encontremos a el.

kadlaw gani wife ko kay may-textmate ko nga ga-kinatsila :)

slerz

October 4th, 2005, 12:51 AM

Is Miriam Santiago an Ilonggo? hehe... I like here, she's a serious comedian.:)
Ilonggo great leaders in different sides....Sen. Miriam Santiago, Sen Pres Franklin Drilon and Rep. Suplico....

Weina

October 4th, 2005, 05:23 AM

Is Miriam Santiago an Ilonggo? hehe... I like here, she's a serious comedian.:)
Ilonggo great leaders in different sides....Sen. Miriam Santiago, Sen Pres Franklin Drilon and Rep. Suplico....

Miriam is a jerk, may katok sa ulo :weirdo: . But even if my katok sya if she'll do more for Iloilo, I think I would like her. Gonzales is also the same. Much more he's a very arrogant animal. But I really don't care if they have these disabilities (who don't have anyway)as long as they do more for Iloilo. What have they done anyway to Iloilo? Now they're in the limelights. The Ilonggo politicians are bickering and fighting in Manila. :bash: Another negative promotion for Iloilo. Why don't they cooperate for the good of Iloilo and of course the whole country?

Slerz, where are you from anyway?

slerz

October 4th, 2005, 09:47 AM

Miriam is a jerk, may katok sa ulo :weirdo: . But even if my katok sya if she'll do more for Iloilo, I think I would like her. Gonzales is also the same. Much more he's a very arrogant animal. But I really don't care if they have these disabilities (who don't have anyway)as long as they do more for Iloilo. What have they done anyway to Iloilo? Now they're in the limelights. The Ilonggo politicians are bickering and fighting in Manila. :bash: Another negative promotion for Iloilo. Why don't they cooperate for the good of Iloilo and of course the whole country?

Slerz, where are you from anyway?

Don't say that she has katok sa ulo coz we don't know her side. We also have no right to say if they have done a negative move coz we don't know what is the truth and whose telling the truth. Just remember.... Titanic, baged as the unsinkable ship but it sinked....
Im from Cebu...why?

dominique

October 5th, 2005, 06:34 AM

Tourism, Commerce & Industry Transform Iloilo into a Hyper Active Province
By Carmencita H. Acosta

(Iloilo City) A busy gateway to Western Visayas, Iloilo City continues to flourish, with increasing tourist arrivals, both local and foreign, especially Koreans, Japanese, and other nationals from neighboring Asian countries.

The city's Tourism Information Assistance Center recently reported to Mayor Jerry Treñas that accommodations establishments had recorded a total of 191,328 tourist arrivals for the first half of 2005, compared with the 142,627 during the same period in 2004.

In an interview requested by What's On & Expat during the Arts Festival held in Iloilo City September 29-30, Dr. Teresa Sarabia, chair of the Iloilo Convention Bureau, said that a bigger and more exotic arts festival is being mulled for next year, based on the favorable response to this year's. "We aim to project Iloilo as it really is-a coastal city with safe harbors, clean beaches, a wide choice of excellent hotels, restaurants, resorts, shops and parks."

Dr. Sarabia also said that Iloilo offers a wide variety of activities to the visitor, as well as an extensive array of world-class handicraft souvenirs. "The gracious Ilonggo hospitality completes the formula for a successful tour of Iloilo," she added.

The province of Iloilo is a gateway to the flourishing region of Western Visayas. It has two cities: Iloilo which is its capital, and Passi. Agriculture is the province's primary industry, and its cottage industry, which is also booming, includes pottery, ceramics, weaving, woodcraft, and handicrafts. The province is a primary commercial and trade center of Western Visayas with around 100 banks, financial investment firms, insurance companies and real estate developers. Truly, Iloilo has become, in these initial years of the 21st century, a hyperactive province.

freezing_pt

October 5th, 2005, 02:28 PM

freezing_pt

October 5th, 2005, 02:30 PM

good news for all of us Ilonggos. Hopefully, the project wll be realised soon.

grabe...delayed na gid ni ya nga project...mga 1998 pa ni...pero happy na rin tayo kung matuloy na...the sooner the better...

wecky

October 5th, 2005, 10:22 PM

wecky

October 5th, 2005, 10:25 PM

Very true. There is a huge Miagaowanon community in the SF Bay Area and LA/San Diego. I know the majority of them. Many go back and build big houses in Miagao that can pass for a mansion. I think the Flores house is 4 stories? I sometimes wonder if there's a hidden competition on whoever builds the biggest house. Hmmm... LOL.

My grandmother was from Miagao so we go there and stay every summer up to the late 70s. We basically know everybody in town and it seems like everybody was related to one another, but Miagao has really changed the last 15yrs, especially when UP Miagao opened. You don't know everybody anymore. Before, market day was Saturday. The town would buzzle with many people from other smaller towns going to the market, but the rest of the week, the town was a quiet sleepy town. You can probably hear a pin drop at 1-2PM since nobody was outside playing since it was too hot and only when it was around 4-5PM that kids come out of the houses to play in the plaza. These days, the market is almost busy everyday like it's Saturday-market day ...but everyday.

I agree with you Virtute ... Miag-ao residents are fond of building mansions like people in Alimodian as well. And like you've said, before you almost knew everybody in town by first name. Now, you can't even recognise faces of your neighbourhood.

wecky

October 5th, 2005, 10:28 PM

Is Miriam Santiago an Ilonggo? hehe... I like here, she's a serious comedian.:)
Ilonggo great leaders in different sides....Sen. Miriam Santiago, Sen Pres Franklin Drilon and Rep. Suplico....

Very much Ilonggo .. she hailed from La Paz district of Iloilo City. Though she's bit mad, I like her as well. Oh bless her!

It's funny to note, too many Ilonggos bickering each other side by side in politics. Probably, that's how we are.

wecky

October 5th, 2005, 10:30 PM

Miriam is a jerk, may katok sa ulo :weirdo: . But even if my katok sya if she'll do more for Iloilo, I think I would like her. Gonzales is also the same. Much more he's a very arrogant animal. But I really don't care if they have these disabilities (who don't have anyway)as long as they do more for Iloilo. What have they done anyway to Iloilo? Now they're in the limelights. The Ilonggo politicians are bickering and fighting in Manila. :bash: Another negative promotion for Iloilo. Why don't they cooperate for the good of Iloilo and of course the whole country?

Slerz, where are you from anyway?

hehehe ... that's the beauty of Ilonggos uniqueness, I guess. Each have their own opinions to make.

wecky

October 5th, 2005, 10:31 PM

wecky

October 5th, 2005, 10:32 PM

wecky

October 5th, 2005, 10:33 PM

naga-rambol na sila ya sa manila...pabay-an ta na lang sila...let the ilonggos judge na lang siguro

tell me about it. may the best "debater" wins.

wecky

October 5th, 2005, 10:41 PM

grabe...delayed na gid ni ya nga project...mga 1998 pa ni...pero happy na rin tayo kung matuloy na...the sooner the better...

which of Philippines' projects are not delayed anyway? It'll take years more, believe me.

wecky

October 5th, 2005, 10:43 PM

Cooperativism can boost Iloilo economy – Tupas

MIAGAO, Iloilo – “Nothing more than cooperativism is needed to make the province of Iloilo move forward and boost its economy.”

This Gov. Niel D. Tupas Sr. stressed during the opening of the International Cooperative Month the other day here, 40 klomeers south of Iloilo City.

Tupas said the month of October is always an exciting period for the cooperative movement, for this is the month designated as International Cooperative Month.

“This is the month to celebrate the successes of cooperatives and renew our commitment to promote cooperatives as engines of growth,” he said.

Tupas believes that cooperatives hold the key to the development of Iloilo. He said they harness the human, financial and entrepreneurial capital in Iloilo.

“It is not enough that we have formed as good number of cooperatives in the Province of Iloilo. It is not enough that we mark the month of October every year to celebrate the International Cooperative Month. We need to be more aggressive, we need to push ourselves, we need to persuade our neighbors and friends to join our cooperatives,” he stressed

The governor also encouraged the participants to be more aggressive in looking for opportunities and grabbing them for economic activities that will translate into more income, better lives for our people.

“Each cooperative must search for dynamic leaders who can steer them toward profitable operations and members must actively participate in the business,” Tupas suggested.

He said “after all, cooperatives are about pooling talents and resources of members, and not just depending on a few individuals in the organization.”

The governor also assured cooperative officials and members that the Iloilo Provincial Government will continue to support initiatives in the cooperative movement.

He also promised to increase educational activities to empower the members and enable each one to make a substantial contribution to the success of their activities.

This year’s International Cooperative Month celebration centers on theme: “Cooperative: Creating Opportunities for All.”

(from Panay News Online)

chymera00

October 6th, 2005, 07:49 AM

chymera00

October 6th, 2005, 08:13 AM

DRILON INVOLVED IN ANOMALOUS ILOILO AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION - SOLON

MANILA, October 3, 2005 (STAR) By Delon Porcalla And Marvin Sy - Senate President Franklin Drilon had a hand in the anomalous construction of the P6.8-billion Iloilo City international airport, following allegations he interceded on behalf of a contractor convicted of bribery in Japan, a congressman said yesterday.

Drilon denied any involvement in the airport project, saying the allegation is part of a campaign to vilify him.

An opposition congressman from Iloilo, who refused to be identified, claimed it was Drilon who facilitated the awarding of the airport contract to Taishe-Shimizu, even though the contractor was initially "disqualified" by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

"Nilakad niya ito sa DOTC para mai-award sa Taishe (He pulled strings in DOTC to have the contract awarded to Taishe)," he told The STAR, referring to the New Iloilo Airport Development Project financed by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) through the Miyazawa-Obuchi Special Yen Loan Facility.

Drilon claimed it was the Japanese bank and the Japanese embassy in Manila that had a say in the bidding process, so he had nothing to do with it.

He said the bidding process had to be approved by the JBIC and the Japanese embassy since it would be Japanese government funding the project through a loan.

Drilon said the DOTC’s bids and awards committee disqualified Taishe, a Japanese joint venture firm, from participating in the bidding and subsequently informed the JBIC and the Japanese embassy of its decision.

According to Drilon, the JBIC and the Japanese embassy did not agree with the DOTC, which was forced to reconsider its decision.

"So how can I influence the Japanese embassy and the JBIC? The truth is, these things are all in writing. I have all the records with me in my office," he said.

Drilon said he was designated by President Arroyo as part of the Congressional Oversight Committee for the project since he was from Iloilo, along with fellow Ilonggos, Reps. Augusto Syjuco and Arthur Defensor.

"These (allegations) are all part of the vilification campaign against me," he said.

Asked for his comment on the issue, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez — who is from Iloilo like Drilon — said the Senate chief should be made to answer allegations that he interceded in the construction of the airport, which was allegedly overpriced by as much as P2 billion.

Gonzalez said Drilon was aware of the anomalies through Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas, reportedly his "point man" in the Iloilo airport project. Tupas is also a provincial stalwart of the Liberal Party, of which Drilon is national chairman.

Tupas, however, denied the allegations when he appeared last Feb. 8 before the House of Representatives committee on good government, which is investigating the anomalies. One reported anomaly involved monopolized rock supplies, since Drilon and Tupas are partners in the quarry.

"I would like to make it clear that I came here (before the House panel) with a clear conscience and with a good and unblemished track record of public service for the past 30 years. I have been and remain committed to being a good public servant," he said.

Gonzalez, who was a former Iloilo congressman, said the original price for the 186-hectare airport, situated in Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan towns, was P3.6 billion as proposed by a German contractor but the price ballooned to P6.8 billion after being awarded to Taishe.

The overpricing was discovered by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), he said, which found that the Iloilo airport should have cost P2 billion less since it was essentially the same as the international airport in Bacolod City.

"That’s what had been mentioned to me before by NEDA. Because, as per their estimate, and with the same specifications, the Bacolod airport is P2 billion less. But we are still validating the records," Gonzalez said.

Before the May 2004 presidential election, Syjuco initiated the congressional investigation into the anomalous bidding for the airport project, conceived in 1998 during then President Joseph Estrada’s first year in office.

Gonzalez clarified that while he received several incriminating reports on the deal, there should be further investigation to determine where the overpricing occurred and who was responsible for it.

Just like the congressman who refused to be identified, Gonzalez acknowledged that something fishy had occurred in the sudden awarding of the contract to Taishe, which was initially "blacklisted."

"DOTC was not in favor of granting the award to Taishe," Gonzalez said. "A strong arm was used here. I have so (much) information on this. And the DOTC will tell you. But as to why the award was granted, that I don’t know. I’m not aware (of) what made them change their mind."

At the Feb. 8 hearing of the House good government committee, Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras said he and Defensor, who was committee chairman, as well as DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza agreed to wait for the green light from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"But after some hanky-panky decision by the DOTC, they reinstated Taishe (which) in fact eventually won in the bidding. So this is highly anomalous," Paras said, reminding the committee "that no award shall be made until the DOJ shall render an opinion."

Paras said formerly Sanlakas party-list congressman JV Bautista filed a case with the Supreme Court to invalidate the award because Taishe had already been disqualified by the DOTC since the firm was convicted of bribery in Japan.
------------------------------------------
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Fixed income earners most hit in crisis: economist
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao

SENIOR Economist of The University of Asia and the Pacific, Winston Padojinog, said, "Salaried or fixed income earners will be the most adversely affected in an inflationary environment like ours."

Padojinog, in his report, showed that 44.37 percent in Western Visayas were relying on wages or salaries while only 28.41 percent rely on entrepreneurial activities and 27.22 percent on other job.

In an economic briefing here, Padojinog said that while Western Visayas' services sector and industry bloom than the agricultural sector, no one can escape the painful crack of increase in prices of both food and non-food among consumers.

While Padojinog admitted that there will be an economic slowdown from 6.0 percent of economic growth before the crisis to 5.3 percent growth after the crisis this year, a total of 0.70 percent growth reduction was deduced to affect much the growing services sector both in Western Visayas and especially in Iloilo City.

Padojinog estimated a total of 0.20 percent reduction in Agricultural growth in Western Visayas, 0.0 percent in Iloilo City, as it is not an agricultural area.

In industry growth, he reported 0.18 percent growth reduction in Western Visayas and 0.14 percent in Iloilo City while services sector growth reduction marked the highest with 0.32 percent in Western Visayas and huge 0.56 percent in Iloilo City.

There will be those that will not feel the pinch, though," he said.

He stated that while peso dropped to its lowest of lows, dependents of overseas workers such as Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs) will most likely feel calloused over price hikes.

In his report he showed that Western Visayas among regions 7, 10, 11 and Armm, which are economies performing well outside Luzon, has reportedly highest percent share among OFWs dependent.

About 8.89 OFW dependent percent share was reported in Western Visayas for 2004 and 5.41 percent of which is of dependents in Iloilo Province while that of the whole country is 11.1 percent.

"Families relying on overseas remittances are a growing segment of the household population, "he said.

Padojinog maintained that it is still best to be wise in these economic depressing times.

chymera00

October 6th, 2005, 08:18 AM

About 8.89 OFW dependent percent share was reported in Western Visayas for 2004 and 5.41 percent of which is of dependents in Iloilo Province while that of the whole country is 11.1 percent.

"Families relying on overseas remittances are a growing segment of the household population, "he said.

Padojinog maintained that it is still best to be wise in these economic depressing times.
According to my calculations,

Based on 2000 census, total population of Region 6 in 2004 was 6,605,318, or
1,290,101 Households (5.12 ave. family size)

5.41% of that would be = 357,348.

Iloilo Province Pop (2004) = 2,090,982 or 402,111 Households (5.2 ave. family size)

OFW Dependece of the Province of Iloilo (Percent of households) = 88.87%

That's quite high ...

wecky

October 6th, 2005, 10:46 PM

Just want to say a quick hi to everybody (Its our finals tomorrow), and Weina, welcome to SSC! I hope you'll be active here in the forums.

Nice to know tourism is booming in Iloilo, although 190,000 tourists for the first half isn't that big in relation to other (more commercially advertised) parts of the country, it still is a big improvement ....

Same here Chy ... I have no finals as most of my assignments are researches. I just started my college days here for the next six months ... I'm really glad studying in this top university here in UK. It's a big challenge though.

I'm glad to hear that our tourism industry is improving as well. Great stuff! I'll be in and out of forum for awhile as well. Bit busy with all of the bits and pieces here. Cheers.

wecky

October 6th, 2005, 10:53 PM

According to my calculations,

Based on 2000 census, total population of Region 6 in 2004 was 6,605,318, or
1,290,101 Households (5.12 ave. family size)

5.41% of that would be = 357,348.

Iloilo Province Pop (2004) = 2,090,982 or 402,111 Households (5.2 ave. family size)

OFW Dependece of the Province of Iloilo (Percent of households) = 88.87%

That's quite high ...

Indeed very high, Chy. Anyway, goodluck to your exams. You'll do great for sure. Keep going and join us here abroad someday ... hehehe. I hope you're free this Sunday kay may party sis ko, not in the house this time ... ato naman sa amon mini-mart. Ti, cyber invintation pa ina.

wecky

October 6th, 2005, 10:57 PM

25 SMEs to attend Training Course on Trade Promotion via Video Conferencing

Twenty five (25) Small and Medium Enterprises will attend a seminar on “Philippine Overseas Training Course on Trade Promotion” via video conferencing connecting Iloilo, Manila and Osaka, Japan on October 5- 7, 2005, 8:30 am-5:00 pm at the Educational Media Center, Central Philippine University (CPU), Jaro, Iloilo City.

Participants of this seminar are micro and medium-sized exporters and would be exporters, whose focus sectors are food, furniture and sundries (novelty items), who are interested to venture into the Japanese market.

The 3-day seminar will include lecture and group discussions on how to do business with Japanese companies, how to improve one’s product competitiveness through quality control, logistics management and marketing, how to resolve managerial issues within the company and how to adapt measures to address these issues. Resource Speakers include Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Small Enterprise Development Group Zorayda Amelia Alonzo; Senen Mangalile, Consul of the Republic of the Philippines, Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, Japan; Roman G. Baltazar, Commercial Counselor, Philippine Trade and Investment Center; Diosdado P. Cadena Jr., Iloilo Provincial Director, Department of Trade and Industry; and Japanese business consultants and importers.

A seminar fee of P300.00 will be charged per participant to cover incidental expenses. For more details please contact DTI Regional Office c/o Ma. Dinda R. Tamayo, telephone number 335-0060.
The seminar is facilitated by the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry Region-6, Pacific Resource Exchange Center (PREX) and supported by the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) of Japan. (Ruby M. Melliza)

(from Panay News online)

chymera00

October 7th, 2005, 07:00 PM

Same here Chy ... I have no finals as most of my assignments are researches. I just started my college days here for the next six months ... I'm really glad studying in this top university here in UK. It's a big challenge though.

I'm glad to hear that our tourism industry is improving as well. Great stuff! I'll be in and out of forum for awhile as well. Bit busy with all of the bits and pieces here. Cheers.
Cheers to you wecky, I hope you do good. I'm still doubting my chances of passing here in WEST coz they changed the curriculum in our batch (they made it more conceptual) by separating lecture grade from RLE. But my Nursing finals are over only thing left are minors, which are piece of cake anyways :)

chymera00

October 7th, 2005, 07:03 PM

Indeed very high, Chy. Anyway, goodluck to your exams. You'll do great for sure. Keep going and join us here abroad someday ... hehehe. I hope you're free this Sunday kay may party sis ko, not in the house this time ... ato naman sa amon mini-mart. Ti, cyber invintation pa ina.
Ay teh ... If it is this sunday I wont be able to come but thanks for the offer, I still have a re-demonstation for Nutrion on Mon-Fri (NGT, IV and stuff) :) Next week I will be going to Guimaras on Sun or Mon (We will be going to Bayabas Point, a private resort on a far corner of Guimaras, I'll be posting pics dun worry hehe). And after that my friends might be going to Bacolod for the Maskarra, or something ...

wecky

October 7th, 2005, 07:40 PM

TNT launches Iloilo Yearbook 2005

The News Today, the most dynamic and interactive local newspaper in the region aims to make publication history by coming out with the first ever ILOILO YEARBOOK.

Undeniably, if there is any one province that truly deserves a comprehensive chronology and annuary, it is surely Iloilo.

Iloilo, known to be the gateway to Southern Philippines and the hub of education, trade, business and industry; has witnessed not only a rich and glorious past, but is also seeing and experiencing an electric, enterprising, and ever-progressing present. And so, with the launching of our premiere edition, the ILOILO YEARBOOK 2005, Iloilo will be deservedly chronicled, catalogued, and captured in print.

It is part coffee-table book, part magazine and part almanac printed in full color on quality coated paper. It will provide current and authoritative information on the province and city; document major social, cultural and political events; record economic and recreational trends; showcase tourist destinations, festivals, and local products; as well as present pertinent and useful statistical and historical information, to name a few. It will capture significant moments in Iloilo’s history, government, people, lifestyle, and culture through vibrant and artistic photographs; and its pages will be replete with interesting and compelling essays and articles authored by some of the province' leading writers.

ILOILO YEARBOOK 2005 will be out in time with the Dinagyang celebrations in January next year.

For advertising inquiries you may call The News Today Marketing Office at 3369788 look for Marichel Teves-Magalona.

----------------------------------------------------

DA extends another P5M for new slaughterhouse project
By Maricar M. Calubiran

City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the Department of Agriculture (DA) would extend another P5 million for the ongoing construction of Double A standard slaughterhouse in Barangay Tacas, Jaro.

Treñas, who just arrived from Canada yesterday, said DA Secretary Domingo Panganiban has assured him of additional financial assistance for the completion of the Double A abattoir in Tacas. The DA has already provided an initial funding of P6 million for the project.

The mayor estimated that the entire project would cost some P20 million. The structure alone costs P5.9, P3 million for refurbishing, P2 million for the holding pen and another P5 million for the water waste treatment plant. The figure does not include the installation of equipment. While, City Veterinarian Tomas Forteza said it would entail some P25 million to finish the whole project.

The bulk of the fund for the construction of the slaughterhouse came from the agriculture department. The procurement of lot, construction of the perimeter fence and access road leading to the site are the city’s counterpart in the project.

Meanwhile, Treñas said the P1.6 million for the construction of the access road in Tacas is already available. He, however, could not give the exact distance from the main road to the construction site. The city is now ready to bid the project.

The lack of access road prompted the contractor to stop the construction in August this year.

Treñas admitted that the time frame for the completion of the project is delayed. The project is expected to be finished on the first quarter of 2006.

The delay for the construction of the access road was attributed to the non-availability of funds. The city has to look for the funds, he said.

He said that even if the contractor will finish the construction of the project as earlier contained in the program of works the slaughterhouse could not still operate. The city still has to look for at least P5.5 million for the construction of the water waste treatment plant. This is a pre-requisite in the Clean Water Act.

The mayor said he is still looking for additional funds from his “friends” in Manila including the Office of the President. “As much as possible, we want to avoid in acquiring a loan just to finish the slaughterhouse,” he ended.

-----------------------------------------------------------

P4.1 M rice procurement fund set for Iloilo

The National Food Authority said that as the harvest season start to peak a level, farmers are best assured of the government readiness with P4.1 million budget appropriated for Iloilo province.

Manager Hedy Jardeleza said in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency that enough funds will pour in should the present allocation is already used up in their palay procurement activities. She also assured the farmers that the food agency has enough funds to finance its procurement operations.

Jardeleza said that NFA has set up seven buying stations in strategic locations of Iloilo province, and likewise in the island province of Guimaras.

The buying stations are set up in Jaro, Iloilo City, the municipalities of Pototan, Dumangas, San Dionisio, and three in the island province of Guimaras.

She stressed that there are also two mobile procurement teams which the NFA has assigned to serve the needs of those who are in the far-flung areas. “All our farmers’ got to do is to properly coordinate with their respective Local Government Units or with the personnel of their local agriculture office,” Jardeleza said.

She saw no worries from the farmers sector because “we already have early dialogues conducted with the different Farmers’ organizations/leaders, and members of cooperatives in the province, and they are aware of the NFA’s palay procurement procedures,” Jardelesa said.

The NFA’s buying price for clean and dry palay is set at Pl0.00 per kilo but there is a lesser price for palay that comes directly from the rice thresher which are not fully dried. The manager of the Food agency said that the buying price of the rice will depend on the rice’s moisture content.

Jardeleza urged the farmers to fully dry their rice produce so they could avail of better price and other incentives from the government’s food agency. (PIA/T.Villavert)

(from The News Today Info online)

wecky

October 7th, 2005, 07:43 PM

Cheers to you wecky, I hope you do good. I'm still doubting my chances of passing here in WEST coz they changed the curriculum in our batch (they made it more conceptual) by separating lecture grade from RLE. But my Nursing finals are over only thing left are minors, which are piece of cake anyways :)

Hope so .. it's for my specialist course na ... hehehe. Anyway, keep on doing your best lang, ikaw pa? Of course you can make it. How can a science-graduate student fail the practical and theoretical side of nursing? Just do what you needed to do, you'll surely make it.

wecky

October 7th, 2005, 07:48 PM

Ay teh ... If it is this sunday I wont be able to come but thanks for the offer, I still have a re-demonstation for Nutrion on Mon-Fri (NGT, IV and stuff) :) Next week I will be going to Guimaras on Sun or Mon (We will be going to Bayabas Point, a private resort on a far corner of Guimaras, I'll be posting pics dun worry hehe). And after that my friends might be going to Bacolod for the Maskarra, or something ...

No probs Chy ... next time around naman. It's the opening of our mini-store, that's why .. hehehe ... soon may ara na naman but I'll let you know more in advance. Subong abi we are forced to open it asap coz my aunt and other relatives in the US are due to come back next week na. So even if we are not ready, "the show must go on" ... hehehe.

I have a good news for you too. I hope this one will be realised as well. As predicted during the Savannah Homeowner's meeting, damo huring-huring that the premiere village is opening its own mall, too. Much bigger and better than SM City (as what they say ... and I hope as well). We'll wait for that ! yahoo !

wecky

October 7th, 2005, 07:58 PM

The civAsia series: ‘Eradicating Extreme Poverty and Hunger’

ILOILO CITY — Recognizing the role of the youth in addressing the problem of poverty, the University of Asia and the Pacific staged last September 23 and 24 in Iloilo City a Visayas-Mindanao wide conference for student leaders at the Iloilo Grand Hotel.

The civAsia Student Conference Series is on its ninth year now. It hopes to provide its participants a venue for a reasoned discussion about the issues of the day.

For this year, the Visayas and Mindanao Conference had delegates from 16 schools – University of San Carlos, Riverside College, University of Iloilo, Cebu Normal University, Southern Iloilo Polytechnic State College, Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College, West Negros College, West Visayas State University, Central Philippine University, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation, Davao del Norte State College, Holy Cross of Davao, Ateneo de Davao, Southern Christian College, St. Anthony’s College and Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

The conference carried the theme, ‘Eradicating Extreme Poverty and Hunger.’

Resource speakers were Bienvenido Nito, head of the University of Asia and the Pacific social economics unit; Dr. Cecilia del Castillo, executive director of the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc.; and, Ma. Luisa Segovia, former chairperson of the Iloilo Business Club.

(from Panay News Online)
-------------------------------------------------------------

RP remains attractive to Japanese investors

DESPITE pulling out of the Philippines this year, Japanese investors remain attracted to the country because of its rich resources.

"Among the great products of the Philippines are seafood. It has very good sources," said Dr. Sumimaru Udano, business management expert from Shiga University in Japan.

Through video conferencing, Udano shared and exchanged views with the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Manila and Iloilo from October 4 to 6.

Udano admitted that Japanese investors lost confidence with the country's development amid the political and economic crises it faces.

"A couple of months ago, Japanese investors pulled out of the Philippines because of the political instability," he said.

"Japanese investors rely much on political stability of the Philippines. We've been scared of this country's development," he added.

The attractiveness of the Philippines for Japanese investors remains, so they are willing to return for more investments if the country retains its political and economic stability, "so we can expand economic activities."

The Philippines has extremely high necessary connections around the globe, which, according to Udano, is very important in surviving a business struggle. He also cited the country's products and human resources.

He also reiterated the role of the government in the exportation and expansion of economic activities abroad, which will enhance economic growth.

"The Philippine government should do more to sell products abroad. The Philippines, for example, has very good seafood but not internationally recognized. The Philippine government should do more to sell the idea to the Japanese communities."

Udano said the Philippines will be the number one fast growing economy in Asia.

The seminar was in line with Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement. The agreement aims to promote a freer trans-border flow of goods, persons and services and capital between Japan and the Philippines.

It also aims to promote a comprehensive economic partnership, which includes intellectual property, competition policy, improvement of business environment and bilateral cooperation in such fields as human resources development, information and communication technology and small and medium enterprises.

In the seminar, influence agreement of the Japanese and Philippines companies needs to strengthen the existing bilateral economic relations, especially trade and investment will be introduced from Japanese points of view.

Through the lecture and discussion, Philippine companies are to obtain the latest information about Japanese market, requirement from Japanese companies, points how to strengthen their competitiveness in the perspective further trade business with Japan.

Participants are micro and medium-sized exporters and "would be exporters" who are interested to venture into the Japanese market.

Focus sectors are food, furniture and sundries/novelty items.

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Onlne)

freezing_pt

October 8th, 2005, 05:24 PM

freezing_pt

October 8th, 2005, 05:26 PM

Cheers to you wecky, I hope you do good. I'm still doubting my chances of passing here in WEST coz they changed the curriculum in our batch (they made it more conceptual) by separating lecture grade from RLE. But my Nursing finals are over only thing left are minors, which are piece of cake anyways :)

hey gud luck sa inyo nga duwa...

marc: kaya mo na a...budlay sa west pero sa hardwork makuha mo na ah...

weck: gud luck din

wecky

October 8th, 2005, 11:05 PM

this would be a good idea...iloilo during its glorious past had a yearbook...i saw a copy and it was very informative...esp sa atin ngyn...it records history....the iloilo yearbook by TNT would also d the same for the future generation!

sana yearly nilang gagawin yun!!!

I agree Freeze. I am looking for TNT's email so I can write to them and buy a copy of my own. I hope they'll launched the book either in Goodwill Bookstore near West Visayas State University or in National Bookstore at SM City or Robinson's Place Iloilo. I really want to have a copy of this book myself. I tried to ask my sis to buy it for me since my family is into business at the moment.

Anyway, Ilonggos here in United Kingdom will have a fore meeting this coming October 29, 2005 at Earl's Court, London. I hope I can attend, too but unluckily, I'm on a long day shift that time. Pero kung may magbulos sa duty ko, I'll definitely be there. The text message was circulated here all over London by my friends in CPU.

There you go ... more business opportunities awaiting Iloilo.

wecky

October 8th, 2005, 11:15 PM

hey gud luck sa inyo nga duwa...

marc: kaya mo na a...budlay sa west pero sa hardwork makuha mo na ah...

weck: gud luck din

Thank you Freeze .. we just decided to put some of our savings in business. I like to have one (as I always dreamed before) .. in my own name ... not from my dad ... hehehe. Kumpetinsya niya ako kuno ... hehehe. Actually, it's both me and my sis idea to venture into this mini-business ... hahaha. Since we will be visiting Iloilo again by 2007, at least we have something to deal with other than roaming around. We told ourselves we had enough of properties to last us a lifetime (kuno abi). So to help some of our kasimanwas there, we agreed to start a new venture .. hope it will do good, too. May God Bless Us All !

Freeze, where are you at the moment? Ara ka man sa Iloilo? Damo subong nagapatindog business especially mga kakilala ko man sa CPU. Out of the CPU's Centennial Celebration, damo mga opportunities na-open for business, invesments, etc. Just wait and see .. galing iban out of the city na. Well and good, isn't it?

wecky

October 8th, 2005, 11:20 PM

BIR launches E-Services lounge

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Friday launched the E-Services lounge to provide more convenience to the taxpayers and facilitating faster access to its services.

The E-Services lounge is an electronic public room equipped with internet capability to access the internal revenue services on line, similar to the ambiance of an internet cafe.

This would also provide faster services in accessing the BIR E-Services and the most popular of which is an electronic filing and payment system, E-registration, E-TIN, E-broadcast, E-portal, E-PS, E-sales, E-accreg, E-NGAS, E-submission, E-alphalist, E-payee, E-correspondence, E-sportcard and E-relef.

BIR Acting Regional Director, Rodita Galanto said that if a certain taxpayer wants to validate if their TIN is still existing they can inquire to their E-Services lounge for free.

"The E-TIN also provides for an online registration to taxpayers registering as professionals via the internet," Galanto said.

Galanto added that the taxpayers may seek assistance to very able, skilled, and well trained BIR personnel in the E-lounge for free services.

Objectives

E-lounge service aims to improve information deliberately to taxpayers and employees as they assured of faster internet mission now that the broad banks are in place.

It also improve customers service by giving the taxpayers access relevant to the internal revenue services, knowledge on database and on line services.

To improve employee's productivity by providing online access to the right information at the right time, Galanto said, that the E-Services lounge is not only for the taxpayers but also for the BIR personnel.

Regions that already launched E-Services lounge since in 2004 were Quezon City, Valenzuela, San Fernado Pampanga, Makati and Manila and in 2005 were Cebu City, San Pablo City, Davao and Revenue Region (RR) 11 here in Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Revenue District Officer (RDO) Ricardo Espiritu said that the creation and development of the information technology has created a great impact on the rights of people around the world.

"The computers and internet are another technological breakthrough, the exchange of information and e-mail services is made a lot easier wherever you are. With the creation of E-lounge facilitating E-Services here in our regional offices they will fully understand and experience the advantage," Espiritu said.

Espiritu said that their office is the first non-computerized region to have E-Services facility. (RPS)

-------------------------------------------------------

Public high schools to obtain computers this year
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao

RECOGNIZING the need to gear up internet literacy among public high school students, the Iloilo City government together with Ayala Foundation USA would soon launch Gearing-up Internet Literacy and Access for Students (Gilas) here.

Gilas aims to counter act with the spread of information calamity among public schools students by providing computer units installed with programs.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said there's really a need to "give chance to public high schools to compete with private schools" in terms of computer literacy.

"Even elementary pupils in private schools are already literate in Internet, some even have their personal computers," Treñas said.

The said scenario however, is different in public schools specifically here. Most public schools do not have computer units provided both for elementary and high schools students.

In an interview with members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps (ICHPC), Treñas said a cocktail party will be held October 19 to gather all Ilonggos staying in Metro Manila to sponsor the planned.

Sponsored by the Ayala Foundation in cooperation with the city government, the cocktail aims to find sponsors to raise some P1.2-million for the project.

The amount will be added to a city government counterpart fund of P1.2-million.

A total of P2.4 million will be used to procure computer units and will be given to public schools here. Ayala Foundation according to Treñas will provide free internet access among high schools students for one year.

"This project, once implemented, will give public school students the chance to compete with students from the private schools," Treñas concluded. (with reports by Adora Bandorio/PIO)

(from Sunstar Iloilo News Online)

sandrin

October 9th, 2005, 12:00 AM

Wecky take a look at these London cabs:

WoW Philippines ads adorn London Taxi Cabs.

http://www.inq7.net/archive/2005/oct/09/zoom.jpg

Hope you can take pictures if you see one.

chymera00

October 9th, 2005, 01:55 PM

No probs Chy ... next time around naman. It's the opening of our mini-store, that's why .. hehehe ... soon may ara na naman but I'll let you know more in advance. Subong abi we are forced to open it asap coz my aunt and other relatives in the US are due to come back next week na. So even if we are not ready, "the show must go on" ... hehehe.

I have a good news for you too. I hope this one will be realised as well. As predicted during the Savannah Homeowner's meeting, damo huring-huring that the premiere village is opening its own mall, too. Much bigger and better than SM City (as what they say ... and I hope as well). We'll wait for that ! yahoo !
o sige ah :) Grabeh Savannah bah, planning to build a new mall (to be) the biggest and best?! in iloilo pa. I hope the plan pushes through, coz this will probably help decongest the city

this would be a good idea...iloilo during its glorious past had a yearbook...i saw a copy and it was very informative...esp sa atin ngyn...it records history....the iloilo yearbook by TNT would also d the same for the future generation!

sana yearly nilang gagawin yun!!!
I haven't seen the year book of the past, but I'm looking forward ato read the new one
hey gud luck sa inyo nga duwa...

marc: kaya mo na a...budlay sa west pero sa hardwork makuha mo na ah...

weck: gud luck din
Thanks guid guys sa support :)
I agree Freeze. I am looking for TNT's email so I can write to them and buy a copy of my own. I hope they'll launched the book either in Goodwill Bookstore near West Visayas State University or in National Bookstore at SM City or Robinson's Place Iloilo. I really want to have a copy of this book myself. I tried to ask my sis to buy it for me since my family is into business at the moment.

Anyway, Ilonggos here in United Kingdom will have a fore meeting this coming October 29, 2005 at Earl's Court, London. I hope I can attend, too but unluckily, I'm on a long day shift that time. Pero kung may magbulos sa duty ko, I'll definitely be there. The text message was circulated here all over London by my friends in CPU.

There you go ... more business opportunities awaiting Iloilo.
cool ... I'll let you know if I receive any info about the yearbook, pahulam b! :)
Thank you Freeze .. we just decided to put some of our savings in business. I like to have one (as I always dreamed before) .. in my own name ... not from my dad ... hehehe. Kumpetinsya niya ako kuno ... hehehe. Actually, it's both me and my sis idea to venture into this mini-business ... hahaha. Since we will be visiting Iloilo again by 2007, at least we have something to deal with other than roaming around. We told ourselves we had enough of properties to last us a lifetime (kuno abi). So to help some of our kasimanwas there, we agreed to start a new venture .. hope it will do good, too. May God Bless Us All !

Freeze, where are you at the moment? Ara ka man sa Iloilo? Damo subong nagapatindog business especially mga kakilala ko man sa CPU. Out of the CPU's Centennial Celebration, damo mga opportunities na-open for business, invesments, etc. Just wait and see .. galing iban out of the city na. Well and good, isn't it?
You made a good choice wecky, I hope more filipinos overseas ( hehe) invest in the Philippines to help solve the poverty they tried to escape in the first place.

chymera00

October 9th, 2005, 02:18 PM

freezing_pt

October 9th, 2005, 04:50 PM

Thank you Freeze .. we just decided to put some of our savings in business. I like to have one (as I always dreamed before) .. in my own name ... not from my dad ... hehehe. Kumpetinsya niya ako kuno ... hehehe. Actually, it's both me and my sis idea to venture into this mini-business ... hahaha. Since we will be visiting Iloilo again by 2007, at least we have something to deal with other than roaming around. We told ourselves we had enough of properties to last us a lifetime (kuno abi). So to help some of our kasimanwas there, we agreed to start a new venture .. hope it will do good, too. May God Bless Us All !

Freeze, where are you at the moment? Ara ka man sa Iloilo? Damo subong nagapatindog business especially mga kakilala ko man sa CPU. Out of the CPU's Centennial Celebration, damo mga opportunities na-open for business, invesments, etc. Just wait and see .. galing iban out of the city na. Well and good, isn't it?

OK gid na nga idea, weck... AGREE gid ako 100%...It would be good sa imo...planning ahead na sa future mo...Kung ako imo nga pamangkuton, ok gid nga kun stable na bi in the future ang imo business...u can go home na kag di na mag-abroad pa...o kung magsawa ka na trabaho dira...d bla...nakaka-miss gid ang aton cute nga syudad!!!

Kag...it would also generate jobs sa aton mga kasimanwas...in some ways it is sad to note the exodus of ilonggos (me included na dun) out of the city in search for a better life...kung damu opportunity sa city...indi na naton kinahanglan nga mag-gwa pa...

HOPE Iloilo will prosper in the future!!! not just 4 the pride of it but 4 us also!

wecky

October 9th, 2005, 08:05 PM

Wecky take a look at these London cabs:

WoW Philippines ads adorn London Taxi Cabs.

http://www.inq7.net/archive/2005/oct/09/zoom.jpg

Hope you can take pictures if you see one.

WOW Philippines nga .... great stuff, Sandrin. I love to see one. Pag nakita ko, I'll take a pic gid.

Again, ILONGGO MEETING IN U.K. this coming October 29 at Earl's Court. Come and join our fellow Ilonggos here in London for more business opportunities for our city.

wecky

October 9th, 2005, 08:20 PM

o sige ah :) Grabeh Savannah bah, planning to build a new mall (to be) the biggest and best?! in iloilo pa. I hope the plan pushes through, coz this will probably help decongest the city

Yes, indeed. I loved Savannah ... it's really cool. Last month, they released another part of subdivision na naman. Before Savannah was composed of Savannah Glen (A,B,C were all sold, they're building D now extending to Pepsi Cola plant na), Savannah Trail (A - were sold out, B - 85% sold) and Savannah Glades (all sold out). Now, my sis told me that there's Savannah Crest na, their fourth subdivion. House and lot are sold at 6 to 10 million daw. Our community is growing rapidly and there's a party every month/occasion ... hehehe.

Anyway, it's a good plan for Villar, and for us residents as well. We don't need to go to the city to shop if there's a mall within our vicinity. Besides, if the mall will be realised, there's a readily consumer around the area. Let's just wait and see ... but really crossing my fingers gid. The city is so overcrowded and grabe ang traffic. Hope ma-decongest na siya.

I haven't seen the year book of the past, but I'm looking forward ato read the new one

same here, Chy. Hopefully, we can get one. The launching will be this coming January in time of Dinagyang Festival. Can't wait.

wecky

October 9th, 2005, 08:27 PM

Thanks guid guys sa support :)

Ikaw pa? Of course, well-supported ka gid eh. Count me for that.

cool ... I'll let you know if I receive any info about the yearbook, pahulam b! :)

Okay Chy ... let me know in advance and the cost ... hehehe.

You made a good choice wecky, I hope more filipinos overseas ( hehe) invest in the Philippines to help solve the poverty they tried to escape in the first place.

They are right now. Wished I brought a HongKong newspaper last July no ... good promotion gid to tani. Anyway, lots and lots of Filipinos here are thinking of putting up business back home. I know few of them dira sa Iloilo. Some started with small sari-sari store. I've heard one of classmates here told me he is expanding his small store na. Not bad though. At least, dugang capital naman dira sa aton.

wecky

October 9th, 2005, 08:29 PM

oo nga wecky. It'll be nice if Iloilo is highlighted in the ads ...

I agree as well Chy.

wecky

October 9th, 2005, 08:36 PM

OK gid na nga idea, weck... AGREE gid ako 100%...It would be good sa imo...planning ahead na sa future mo...Kung ako imo nga pamangkuton, ok gid nga kun stable na bi in the future ang imo business...u can go home na kag di na mag-abroad pa...o kung magsawa ka na trabaho dira...d bla...nakaka-miss gid ang aton cute nga syudad!!!

thanks Freeze. I might settle back in the Philippines in the near future. Not now. Probably if I am receiving pension from UK already ... hahaha .. joke lang. I'll try gid. Hindi pa ako nag-apply nang dual citizenship. I'm still enjoying my "maroon passport". But we'll see. Who knows?

Kag...it would also generate jobs sa aton mga kasimanwas...in some ways it is sad to note the exodus of ilonggos (me included na dun) out of the city in search for a better life...kung damu opportunity sa city...indi na naton kinahanglan nga mag-gwa pa...

It's the foremost thing I wanted to achieve. Helping our fellow kasimanwas back home gid. Though Iloilo's family income is quite above national average, it's still low for me. Might as well provide more jobs to augment everybody's income.

HOPE Iloilo will prosper in the future!!! not just 4 the pride of it but 4 us also!

Amen to that. Let's support Iloilo's bid to become a PREMIERE CITY by 2015.

wecky

October 9th, 2005, 08:39 PM

Panay News free medical mission today

ILOILO City – A medical team composed of 10 specialists will render free consultation in today’s medical mission of Panay News, the biggest daily newspaper in the Visayas.

The medical mission will be at the Panay News Complex at Brgy. Q. Abeto in Mandurriao district here.

Co-sponsored by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Iloilo City Host Lions Club, the medical mission aims to answer the poor’s need for medical attention.

From 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Dr. Bobby Yusay, director of the Passi City General Hospital and a member of the Iloilo City Host Lions Club, will lead the physicians.
At least P50,000-worth of medicines will be given out to poor and deserving residents of Brgy. Q. Abeto

Student nurses affiliated with the Iloilo City Leo Club will assist the doctors.

Dr. Rene Juaneza, a prominent doctor specializing in pulmonary medicine, will also be donating free medicines.

Panay News editor-in-chief Danny G. Fajardo and PCSO Regional Manager Jeanette Oberio will be overseeing the entire activity.

“The mission is in line with our paper’s thrust to attend to people in need. God willing, we may be able to extend more medical missions in the coming days,” Fajardo said.

Only two weeks ago, Hublas nga Kamatuoran, the Hiligaynon sister publication of Panay News, also staged a free medical mission at Brgy. Cagbang in Oton, Iloilo.

This formed part of the Hiligaynon paper’s second year anniversary treat.

---------------------------------------------------------

DTI holds forum on fair trade law

ILOILO City – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Iloilo Provincial office conducted a Forum on Fair Trade Laws and Consumer Awareness to 76 local consumers, retailers, mall management and tenants recently.

Among the participants were members of the Philippine Retailers Association headed by Francis Chung. This was the first of a series of activities organized by the DTI-Iloilo in observance of the Consumer Welfare Month this October.
The topics discussed were:

· The Consumer Act of The Philippines otherwise known as Republic Act 7394

· Department Administrative Order (DAO) # 2 S 1993 on Advertising and Sales Promotion; and,

· (DAO) #2 Series of 1992 on Product Standards.

An open forum followed. Consumers and business owners ventilated their concerns, more specifically on the proper exercise of rights by the consumers as well as the establishment owners.

Proclamation No.1098, declaring the month of October of every year as Consumer Welfare Month has been observed since 1997 with the joint efforts of government agencies, like the DTI, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health; and the private sectors like the consumer organizations, and the business sector led by the Philippine Retailers Association or PRA.

Other activities to be undertaken for this year are:

1. October 18 -- Forum on Accreditation of Repair/Service Shops at the DTI – Audio Visual Room. Participants to this forum are repair and service shop owners, the municipal and city representatives of transport group and the insurance companies;

2. October 20-21 -- Setting up of Price Bulletin Board in three major markets, the Iloilo Terminal Market, La Paz Public Market and the Iloilo Central Market; and
3. October 26 -- Forum/information drive with cement manufacturers and dealers to be held at the DTI - Audio Visual Room.

The public is enjoined to be involved and participate in these activities, the DTI said.

(from Panay News online)

sandrin

October 9th, 2005, 08:52 PM

WOW Philippines nga .... great stuff, Sandrin. I love to see one. Pag nakita ko, I'll take a pic gid.

Again, ILONGGO MEETING IN U.K. this coming October 29 at Earl's Court. Come and join our fellow Ilonggos here in London for more business opportunities for our city.

hahahhaha I just can't imagine Wecky chasing all that London black cabs to take a picture. Might as well board it para hindi halata.

Sa tapat ng Harrods marami Wecky hahhaha...

wecky

October 9th, 2005, 08:55 PM

WELCOME TO SAVANNAH

here's its grand entrance ...

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/IloiloVisit2005162.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/IloiloVisit2005164.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/IloiloVisit2005165.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/wecky/IloiloVisit2005163.jpg

wecky

October 9th, 2005, 09:00 PM

hahahhaha I just can't imagine Wecky chasing all that London black cabs to take a picture. Might as well board it para hindi halata.

Sa tapat ng Harrods marami Wecky hahhaha...

I went to Harrods this morning ... wala akong nakita Sandrin. They might be roaming around London. Btw, these cabs fare are quite expensive. I rather used the underground (tube) than riding on these cabs. A kilometer of this cab will cost more than £5 sterling pounds. At least with my £5 in underground, I can have zones 1-6 all day long.

wecky

October 13th, 2005, 03:12 AM

More good news for Iloilo City and province .. wow .. hala bira !

Badiangan folks get P.3M capital assistance

BADIANGAN, Iloilo -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI released a P300,000 capital assistance for the people of Badiangan, Iloilo recently.

"We are releasing this amount to be your seed capital for your business. We hope that you will make use of this money in your own businesses," stressed Teresita S. Rosales, OIC regional director of DSWD Field Office VI.

Rosales, together with Mayor Suzette Mamon of Badiangan, Iloilo, handed the cash money to a total of 60 residents of Badiangan, all engaged in entrepreneurship. The 30 residents who received P5,000 each are members of the Small Entrepreneurs of Brgy. Talaba (Sea-K) Self-employment Assistance-Kaunlaran. The other 30 residents who also received P5,000 each are members of the Sariri Sea-K Association P150,000 to Charity Joy Canuto, President of Sariri Sea-K Association.

The Small Entrepreneurs of Barangay Talaba SKA can be traced back to one organization formed in 2001. It was the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Iloilo, with the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, that organized and gave funding to the group from the province then headed by then Governor Arthur Defensor (now Congressman of the third district) from the Lingap para sa Mahihirap Program. The Talaba group was able to fully return the seed money.

Members of the Talaba Association are engaged in various micro-enterprises like sari-sari stores, cooked food vending and buy and sell of fruits and vegetables.

On the other hand, the Sariri Sea-K Association was organized in May 11, 2005. Most of the members are engaged in vegetable production while others are into buy and sell of fruits, vegetables, charcoals and livestock.

For her part, Mamon was quoted saying, "We are happy that the DSWD is helping the people of Badiangan. We hope that these could augment to your capital and improve your lives."

The funding was sourced out from the DSWD Field Office VI Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran program. SEA Kaunlaran Program is community-based credit assistance program utilizing people's organizations to be uniformly called SEA Kaunlaran Associations (SKAs) as credit conduits. Its target communities are those that have low income or depressed municipalities or cities where the potential resources for entrepreneurial activity are present.

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Region 6 tops Ombudsman competition

CEBU CITY -- Contenders from Region 6 shone in the European Commission and Office of the Ombudsman sanctioned competition On the Spot Poster Making, Slogan Making and Essay Writing awards ceremony held at the Convention Hall, Cebu Normal University, October 6.

Delegates from Region 6 grabbed 15 out of 27 awards in the multi-event competition. Nine went to the host Region 7 and three for Region 8. The On the Spot Poster Making, Slogan Making and Essay Writing competition were divided into three categories: students, government personnel, and private sector.

The theme for this year's competition is: Building a Culture of Integrity and Excellence. Primo C. Miro, deputy ombudsman of the Visayas, said the theme is timely as the country is facing a political turmoil amidst corruption and economic crisis.

In the On the Spot Poster Making Contest - student category, the winners are all students from Iloilo City. 1st Prize: Alex P. Ordoyo of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST); 2nd Prize: Cletus C. Dapatnapo of Western Institute of Iloilo (WIT) and 3rd Prize: Alexis G. Jover of WVCST.

In the government personnel category. 1st Place: Leoniel R. Cerbas (Reg. 6); 2nd Prize: Heidrun Milan (Reg. 7) and 3rd Prize: Rene M. Petancio (Reg. 8).

In the private sector category: 1st Place: Ric Isiderio of Pulso Ilonggo Advertising (Reg. 6); 2nd Prize: Ronnie C. Granja Arts Assoc. of the Phils. - Iloilo (Reg. 6) and 3rd Prize: Al N. Constantino (Reg. 8).

The OMB will send all first prize winners of the On the Spot Poster Making Contest to Manila later this year for the national competition.

In the Essay Writing competition, five winners are from region 6 and seven from region 7. In the student category, the winners are: 1st Prize: Kristian Rey Rubi (Reg. 7) 2nd Prize: Phrixel Gerald S. Pimentel (Reg. 7) and 3rd Prize: John Leon Moya Jr. of Fellowship Baptist College - Negros Occ. (Reg. 6).

In the government personnel category. 1st Prize: Early Sol A. Gadong of UPV - Iloilo (Reg. 6); 2nd Prize: Alex Tiempo (Reg. 7) and 3rd Prize: Renelda B. Lacaba (Reg. 7).

In the private sector category, all winners are from Region 6. 1st Prize: Leo Cicero V. Pelleso from Bacolod City; 2nd Prize: Francis Romulo J. Moya from Negros Occidental; and 3rd Prize: Lester Mark P. Carnaje from Iloilo City.

In the Slogan Making Contest - student category. 1st Prize: Adrinne Joy Cerbo (Reg. 6); 2nd Prize: Lauren Angelic J. Toledo (Reg. 7) and 3rd Prize: Charles Novabos (Reg. 7).

In the government personnel category. 1st Prize: Leonilo D. Lopido of PIA-8 Office (Reg. 8); 2nd Prize: Early Sol A. Gadong of UPV - Iloilo (Reg. 6) and 3rd Prize: Renelda B. Lacaba (Reg. 7).

In the private sector category. 1st Prize: Ian Thaddeu C. Dela Cerna (Reg. 7); 2nd Prize: Rodolfo P. Gumabong of Jaro, Iloilo City (Reg 6); and 3rd Prize: Joey Frank L. Ausan of La Paz, Iloilo City (Reg 6).

All winners in the slogan-making and essay writing contests are final entries to the national competition in December this year.

Cyril E. Ramos, assistant ombudsman in the Visayas, was keynote speaker during the awarding. He stressed the role of the society in helping the government fight corruption in all levels and "redeem the nation from the bondage of corruption."

Also present were Tony Kwok, chief adviser, EC-OMB Corruption Prevention Project and Former Deputy Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC); Luc Vandebon, head, Economic Political Affairs Section, European Commission Delegation, Atty. Virginia Palanca - Santigao, Dr. Renato Alba, president, Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST), and Atty. Helen Camarista from Department of Tourism - Region 6. (LM Carnaje/ PR)

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City ready for Clean and Green evaluation

ILOILO City is ready for evaluation by the regional Clean and Green assessment team next week, Task Force Clean and Green chair Marilen Locsin announced with confidence Tuesday.

Locsin issued the statement following a pre-evaluation conducted on possible sites in the city likely to be visited by the team.

Locsin said the task force, primarily in-charge of cleaning and greening the city, is right on course in maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the areas expected to be rated by the inspectors. These are the City Hall building, the different city public markets and government schools, the Calajunan dumpsite, the city's slaughterhouse and nurseries.

She said the evaluation would be done through ocular inspections, spot interviews and review of pertinent documents.

The criteria for judging include the physical conditions of the built-up areas which include absence of eyesores, well maintained facilities, presence of health and environmental-friendly practices, and well maintained green areas; the support systems provided by the city government on programs and projects on cleanliness, greening, solid waste management, health and sanitation program and the other related efforts on functional structure, equipment and manpower, budgetary requirement and monitoring and enforcement mechanism; and community mobilization and civil society's participation in environmental protection and management.

The 2005 Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Clean and Green contest is an annual event particularly aimed at improving the nation's environment. The activity will enable local government units and their respective constituencies to maintain and sustain the cleanliness of their surroundings.

In an earlier statement, Mayor Jerry P. Trenas stressed that maintaining cleanliness and greening the metropolis should not only be practiced because of the competition. Cleaning and greening should be a regular activity for the good of the city and its residents, he said.

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DTI holds consumer awareness forum

THE Department of Trade and Industry-Iloilo Provincial office conducted a Forum on Fair Trade Laws and Consumer Awareness to 76 local consumers, retailers, mall management and tenants last October 5 at the DTI - Audio Visual Room.

Among the participants are members of the Philippine Retailer Association headed by its President, Francis Chung. This is the first of a series of activities organized by the DTI-Iloilo in observance of the Consumer Welfare Month this October.

The topics discussed were The Consumer Act of The Philippines otherwise known as R.A. 7394; Dept. Administrative Order (DAO) #2 S 1993 on Advertising and Sales Promotion; and, (DAO) #2 Series of 1992 on Product Standards. An open forum followed where both consumers and business owners ventilated their issues and concerns, more specifically on the proper exercise of rights by the consumers as well as the establishment owners. Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr. of DTI- Iloilo addressed the issues and concerns raised during the open forum.

Proclamation No.1098, declaring the month of October of every year as Consumer Welfare Month has been observed since 1997 with the joint efforts of government agencies, like the Dept. of Trade and Industry, Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Health; and the private sectors like the consumer organizations, and the business sector led by the Philippine Retailers Association or PRA.

Other activities to be undertaken for this year's event are: October 18, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, forum on PD 1572 on Accreditation of Repair/Service Shops at the DTI - Audio Visual Room. Participants to this forum are the repair and service shop owners, the municipal and city representatives of transport group and the insurance companies; October 20 to 21, setting up of Price Bulletin Board in three major markets, the Iloilo Terminal Market, La Paz Public Market and the Iloilo Central Market; and October 26, 8 a.m. to 12 noon, forum/information drive with cement manufacturers and dealers to be held at the DTI - Audio Visual Room.

The public is enjoined to be involved and participate in these activities, the DTI said.

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City surpasses business tax target

THE Iloilo City Government has already surpassed its business tax and non-tax revenue collection targets for 2005 by some 3.65 percent, Mayor Jerry P. Trenas announced over the weekend.

Trenas said a collection report submitted by City Treasurer Katherine Tingson indicate that the city has already collected a total of P233,022,556.93 as of September 30 from business and non-revenue taxes, surpassing the forecasted target of P224,810,000 for this year.

In her report, Tingson said the target P178,410,000 for business taxes has already been surpassed by 102.09 percent with an actual collection of P182,138,133.22.

On the other hand, the P46,400,000 target for the non-tax revenue has been exceeded by 109.66 percent with an actual collection of P50,888,423.71.

Business taxes are revenues collected from movie houses, the Iloilo Coliseum, community, corporate, professional, transfer and franchise taxes and delivery vans and trucks.

Trenas said the accomplishment is a welcome development in the face of recent economic difficulties in the country. She said the revenue would certainly help the City Government pursue its various projects for the remainder of this year and beyond.

Meanwhile, Tingson farther assured that the city treasury will continue to implement efficient policies and systems to meet, if not exceed, annual collection targets.

The mayor commended the city treasury for a job well done and for going the extra mile in serving the public. He said the satisfactory tax collection results likewise reflected the dedication of the treasury rank and file to their duties.

Trenas further reminded all Ilonggos to pay their taxes promptly so as to avoid inconvenience and penalties imposed on late payments.

City gov’t poised to take over PPA operations

BY DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – The city government of Iloilo is poised to take over the operations of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) here if it could not pay its dues to the city government.

The City Treasurer’s Office had already issued to PPA a Notice of Garnishment, revealed Mayor Jerry Treñas.

On September 23, City Treasurer Katherine Tingson notified PPA Port Manager Fernando Claveria of the Notice of Garnishment of PPA’s bank account with the Land Bank of the Philippines – Iloilo Branch “until the Authority pay in full all its taxes due to the City of Iloilo.”

“The Supreme Court in a landmark decision in the case of the Philippine Port Authority vs. City of Iloilo, et al., (GR No. 109791), has decided with finality not only the factual issues concerning the propriety of tax assessment of PPA’s various facilities…but also the legal issue that PPA is a profit-earning corporation and its properties are subject to tax,” Tingson’s letter to Claveria read.

Tingson explained that the garnishing of PPA’s bank account with the LBP – amounting to P44,298,470.11 – “is being supported by laws and jurisprudence.”

The PPA and the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex has a real property tax and penalty to pay for various properties amounting to P46,173,471.37, as of December 2004.

However, on September 29, 2005, Claveria claimed that the Notice of Garnishment issued by Tingson “was against the account of PPA in LBP Iloilo Branch.”

According to him, PPA already paid its real property tax on the warehouse which was subject matter of the case entitled “PPA vs. Iloilo City” docketed as GR No. 109791.
Also, Claveria said, the business taxes of the PPA was already paid on September 29, 2005.

He considered the Notice of Garnishment “rendered moot and academic” and “excessive and unwarranted.”

Furthermore, Claveria said, the subject of the case “PPA vs. Iloilo City, et al.,” docketed as GR No. 143214 which Tingson claimed to be “final and executory” was limited only to the non-payment of real property taxes covering buildings at the Fort San Pedro Terminal from 1985-1989 with respect to the following properties: warehouse - P81,369.26; residential house - P1,754.68; and buildings amounting to P42,867.01 – totaling to P125,990.95.

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Ilonggos in Canada going home for
Dinagyang 2006

ILOILO City — A number of Ilonggos residing in Canada will be taking time off from their labors to come home to Iloilo and watch the Dinagyang Festival this coming January.

Mayor Jerry Treñas, fresh from an official trip to Canada, said most of the Ilonggos he conversed with in Vancouver had expressed their intentions of coming back to Iloilo to see how the city has developed and to take part in the Dinagyang festival merriment.

“Ilonggos in Vancouver are very happy to hear about many developments in Iloilo City, and would want to experience first hand what it's like to be back in their native land after a long absence,” Treñas said.

The mayor likewise disclosed that the city government, through the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, is seriously contemplating inviting Miss Vancouver Philippines to grace next year's festival.

Treñas revealed that Vancouver Ilonggos are interested to help uplift the state of education in the city.

“They displayed enthusiasm to support our plan to computerize all public high schools here, and so I asked them to forward their donations to the Ayala Foundation,” he said.

The city government, in collaboration with Ayala Foundation, will be sponsoring a cocktail party besides the Ayala museum on October 18th to raise funds for the public high school computerization project.

Treñas, concurrent president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities while in Vancouver.

Along with the MOU was a Cities Alliance Grant by the Federation to the LCP amounting to $540,000.

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Aboitiz Transport System holds medical mission

Aboitiz Transport System, owner and operator of leading shipping company, SuperFerry, in partnership with GMA channel 7’s Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko, will hold a medical and dental mission in Iloilo City on October 13, 2005, 9:00 AM, at the SuperFerry Iloilo Branch Passenger Terminal.

With the theme, Gamot Para Sa Kapwa, the affair is in line with the social amelioration objective of the ATS Super SIGLA program. Immediate beneficiaries are the families of porters working in SuperFerry, Supercat and Cebu Ferries.

A nationwide endeavor, Super SIGLA stands for Sipag, Galing at Lakas ng Samahan.

These livelihood programs are being initiated for the families of the participants. Some of the skills taught in these livelihood programs are dressmaking, cosmetology and hair styling and cutting.

The medical mission is also made possible by the SM Foundation, which is a partner of Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko for this particular concern. Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko is now on its 30th year of providing direct medical services, outreach, services, community based health programs and relief operations through its foundation- television program.

Additional 100 houses for families of street kids

A generous donation from a telecommunications company will enable the city government and Gawad Kalinga to build an additional 100 houses for families of street children, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas declared yesterday.

Treñas said funds for the additional 100 houses were solicited from Smart Communications and their construction would start next year.

Aside from the additional houses solicited from Smart, Treñas said the city government will be sponsoring a breakfast-conference with local businessmen here aimed at soliciting support in building more houses for street children and their families.

Earlier, the Gawad Kalinga and the city government forged a pact to initially build 32 houses for street children and their families anytime this month in a 1.2-hectare land owned by the city.

The land, located at Barangay Sooc in Arevalo district, is actually part of a relocation area acquired by the city government for families affected and displaced by the Iloilo flood control project.

Treñas said Gawad Kalinga will be responsible for the housing materials with an estimated cost of P50,000 per house while the beneficiaries and some volunteers will provide the labor.

Funds for the construction of the 32 houses came from (10) Gawad Kalingan-Manila, (10) Taytay sa Kauswagan, (10) Sen. Francisco Pangilinan, (1) Sangguniang Pnalungsod and (1) City Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo.

This organization has already established 570 communities all over the country and has forged partnerships with over 200 local government units already. They have more or less built 10,000 houses nationwide.

In Iloilo City, GK-sponsored houses can be found in Barangay Sooc, Mandurriao and Barangay Sto. Niño, Arevalo.

Meanwhile, a task force, chaired by Treñas himself, was created to monitor the development of the GK community in Arevalo. Aside from Treñas, other members are vice-mayor Guillermo de la Llana, with city councilors Peñaredondo and Jose Espinosa III, ICUPAO chair Roy Firmeza, CSWD head Clarita Dignadice, Task Focrce on Street children chair Rosalie Treñas and the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps. (Adora B. Bandorio/PIO)

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2006 DOST Scholarship now open for application

The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) announced lately the implementation of the 2006 Science & Technology Scholarship Program.

In a letter of DOST Regional Director Zinnia Parcon-Terruel to Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr., the former is asking the support of the latter in the dissemination of the scholarship programs being offered by the said department for parents to encourage their children to pursue S&T courses and be able to contribute to the development of their community.
Terruel said DOST-SEI shall award scholarships in baccalaureate degree programs to those who wish to pursue priority fields of study in Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering course.

She said two scholarships being offered are RA 7687 Science & Technology Scholarship for applicant whose family gross income does not exceed P156,600.00 annually and DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship for applicant whose family gross income is more than P156,600.00 annually.

Terruel further said the applicant must belong to the upper five percent (5%) of the high school graduating class, be a resident of the municipality in the last four (4) years, be a natural-born Filipino citizen, be in good health and be of good moral character.

She said the scholarship privileges are: a) tuition and other school fees not to exceed P4,500/semester/term; b) allowance for prescribed textbooks and essentials school supplies at P3,000.00/academic year; c) outright grant for prescribed Military Science/Physical Education uniform of P500.00 for first semester, first year only; d) free transportation for one economy-class round trip fare between permanent residence and place of study on reimbursement basis (for those studying outside of their home province);

e) monthly allowance for 10-11 months duration: RA 7687 S&T Scholarship-monthly living allowance of P4,000.00 for those who will pursue Physics and Physics Teaching Courses and P3,000.00 monthly living allowance for those who will purse other DOST-SEI priority courses; while for DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship – monthly living of P4,000/P2,150/P1,825 for full/partial/special scholarship, respectively for those who will pursue BS Physics, BS Applied Physics, BS Physics , PS Physics for Teachers and BSE Physics and Technology and for those who will purse S&T priority courses, a monthly living allowances of P3,000/P1,400/P1,200 for full/partial/special scholarship, respectively; f) group health and accident insurance; and g) additional privileges during summer, if required in the curriculum.

Interested student in Iloilo Province can secure application forms at the DOST Regional Office at Magsaysay Village, La Paz, Iloilo City. A non-refundable testing fee of P200.00 is required. Accomplished application forms should be submitted to the said office on or before Nov. 4, 2005.

Examination will be on Dec. 4, 2005 at Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, La Paz, Iloilo City. (Ian Espada/Capitol News)

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Recreational activities of children during WWII

Japan’s imperialist ambition and her Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere propaganda led to the bombing of dark Field in the Philippines and other military installations starting December 8, 1941. Earlier, Pear Harbor, an American naval base in Hawaii, had also been attacked. With this, war had started in the Philippines and elsewhere in Asia and the Pacific area. By 1942, the Japanese had launched so many successful offensives that the joint Filipino-American forces were forced to surrender.
The Philippines was now under Japanese rule. It will be for the next four years.

During the Japanese occupation, many inhabitants of Panay, fearing alleged Japanese atrocities and brutalities, fled with their families to evacuation areas. Most of these places are usually heavily wooded and hilly in nature like the province of Antique, the towns of Janiuay, Lambunao and Calinog in Iloilo Province, and Tapaz, Dumarao and Dumalag in Capiz Province. Here they stay from a few months to even years.

Life is harsh in these evacuation areas and the people have to make do with things at hand. They prepare their food using plants and animals indigenous to that particular area. They also build makeshift shelters made of light materials such as bamboo, cogon grass and coconut leaves. Better still, they dig into the soil behind clumps of plants or trees and make holes big enough for a family to hide in which they cover with leaves during Japanese penetrations or air raids. It is a time when Filipino ingenuity and resourcefulness are manifested.

In the case of the children who have found themselves in the middle of the war, life goes on as usual. They even find going to evacuation areas enjoyable and full of adventure. The children like the fact that there is no school, as classes have been suspended, and no work as there is little to do but wait. Of course, with a significant amount of free time at hand, they play a lot. Usually, they do their recreational activities during late afternoons when the sun is not that hot and bright and twilight is fast approaching. Nights are also conducive for playing as darkness elicits more excitement and fears of being discovered by the Japanese are lessened.

Recreational activities are always part of childhood. They can be social activities and considered as important tools for socialization. They make significant contributions to children’s personal and social adjustments. For this, they are vital learning experiences. But simply said, children indulge in recreational activities for the enjoyment and relaxation they get.

Some games and play activities that were engaged in by children in evacuation areas are still being played up to the present, some no longer. Common to these recreational activities is that there is always the room for improvisation. Whenever the children cannot find the needed materials for a particular game, they substitute them for the more common materials. They also revise the nature and mechanics of a game to suit the given conditions.

"Panaguay”, ”tumba patis”, and "pitiw" or “pikyaw” are the most common-played games. “Panaguay” is easy and requires a group to play it. One player acts as the "it” and covers his eyes while counting, usually from one to ten. The rest of the players hide themselves. After the “it” stops counting, he looks around and tries to outfox the hidden players. If he saw a player, he says “bong!” and runs to the designated home base. If the “it” outruns the "revealed player”, it is the turn of the latter to be the "it”. If not, then the "it” goes on looking for the others until he finds one he can outrun. This is usually played in the dark or in areas with many hiding places. The game requires agility and speed.

'Tumba patis” is also a group game. The players are situated in a home base some distance from a tin can or any object for that matter. If a player threw a fist-sized stone or a slipper at the can and only touches it, he becomes the “it”. He can only stop being the “it” if another player does the same or if the "it” first make the can hit by the player stand upright and then catches the player in retrieving his stone or slipper used to hit the can. This game is played in a clearing and flat area. It also requires a lot of running.
"Pitiw” or "pikyaw” make use of two sticks, one long and one short, for each player. A shallow hole is dug where the short stick is made to rest on. The first part of the game is to dislodge the stick by using the long one. It should either fall short or over-extend a player standing at a distance from the hole. If the player catches it, it is now his turn. The second part has the short stick being hit by the long one to make it fly. If the other player does not catch it, he must run to where the stick landed and from there, tries to throw it back to the hole. If it landed very near the hole at less the length of the long stick, it is now time for the players to exchange places. If the short stick landed far from the hole, the distance is measured making use of the long stick and is counted. The third and last part has the small stick placed in a slanted position on the hole. It is hit again by the long stick to make it fly. Mid-air, it has to be hit again and should not be caught by the other player. The winner is determined by the sum of the farthest hits he made in the three parts. This game is played in flat areas and requires muscular dexterity.

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Computerization of city high schools in the offing

To enable public school students here to compete on an equal footing with their private school counterparts, the city government is finalizing a plan to computerize all city public high schools here.

In an interview with members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps, city mayor Jerry P. Treñas said a cocktail party will be held anytime this month to gather all Ilonggos staying in Metro Manila to sponsor the project.

The cocktail would be sponsored by the Ayala Foundation in cooperation with the city government. Treñas said the foundation wants to raise some P1.2-million for the project during the cocktail party. The amount will be added to a city government counterpart fund of P1.2-million.

The P2.4 million will then be used to procure computer units for use of the city high schools. On the other hand, Ayala Foundation will provide free internet access for one year to let public school students experience the information revolution.

“This project, once implemented, will give public school students the chance to compete with students from the private schools,” he concluded. (Adora Bandorio/PIO)

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DENR- 6 boasts success of CLASPS Project

DENR –6 Regional Executive Director (RED) Celso V. Loriega, Jr. is happy to announce that during a recent assessment made by the Ecosystems Resource Development Service (ERDS)-DENR of the Community Livelihood Assistance Special Program (CLASP) project in Brgys Tambaliza and Botlog, Concepcion, Iloilo had been found to be successful. Analysis of the fish catch and fishing trends showed that there is a sustainable figure and that the fishermen’s way of life had greatly improved.

The project entitled “Sustainable Blue-crab Harvesting Project, Sustainable Hook-and-Line Fishing, and Coastal Reforestation Project” at a total cost of Php500,000.00 started in 2004 under the Foreign Assisted Special Project Office (FASPO). The program extended technical assistance in the form of trainings like record keeping, conduct of information campaign on coastal protection, conservation and management and monitoring and supervision of the project through a collaboration between the local government and the DENR. The People’s Organizations namely: the Botlog Sustainable Fishermen Association (BOSFA) and the Tambaliza Sustainable Fishermen Association (TASFA) implement the project. All funds are being handled by both organizations depending on the extent of the activities implemented in their area.

Since 2002, there had been a series of information dissemination and trainings/orientation conducted by the DENR and the LGU. The DENR even hired a Site Coordinator to handle the coordination whose wages is charged to the total funding and is being paid by the People’s organization.

Both associations, BOSFA and TASFA, will not accept the project if it will be a grant especially on the hook-and-line fishing where bancas and kerosene lamps are issued, so they decided among themselves that issuances of equipment or tools to the members shall be on a roll-over basis. Under this scheme, if the fisherman cooperator will receive a banca, he will be returning the total cost of the unit divided on equal installment for a one-year period. The amount remitted by the members will again be used to construct the banca or used for the purchase of a kerosene lamp. With this scheme, the members will be assured of the sustainability of the livelihood project.

Meanwhile, after 2004, the BOSFA had already issued 18 bancas and were able to issue four (4) rolled-over bancas while the TASFA had issued 42 bancas covering all their members. The roll-over remittances are being deposited in the TASFA funds which is being saved for future use.

Concepcion Mayor Raul Banias, M.D. was very happy with the result of the CLASP Projects because he said that this is one project that the DENR had implemented wherein the needs of the beneficiaries were really addressed specifically.

Meanwhile, RED Loriega recognized the efforts of Regional Technical Director Alice Lustica reason which made the project successful.

The project is now gaining its sustainability with the cooperation of the people’s organization and the support of the local government. Mayor Banias is very appreciative of the assistance made by the DENR and welcomes any project in the future that may be given to the coastal towns of Concepcion. (rac/RPAO)

wecky

October 13th, 2005, 03:40 AM

ROBINSON'S PLACE - ILOILO

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Designing Iloilo
By Rowell B. Capuz

In a province where old traditions and modern panache go side by side, it’s not a wonder Iloilo is home to society habitués with discriminating taste. Culture, art, and history— name it, the province has it. But this idyllic province is slowly becoming the melting pot of creative minds who share the same passion: fashion.

For its fourth year now, Robinsons Place Iloilo became the rendezvous of rising designers who are all stalwarts in Ilonggo fashion. In a show dubbed “Wedding Rituals,” nine talented and bold designers veered away from the traditional to come up with a wedding collection that stood above the rest. If that’s not enough, internationally renowned designer Frederick Peralta, also a proud son of Iloilo, graced the event with a heart-stopping bridal collection, which was donned by the province’s most beautiful and dashing models.

Apart from the wedding gowns, “Wedding Rituals” fair includes exhibits of jewelry, cake designs, gift items, souvenirs, floral arrangements, bridal registry, photography & video, and arrangements by Iloilo’s top hotels.

Bringing together wedding experts of the region in one grand event of the hearts, the fountain area of Robinsons Place Iloilo was the romantic backdrop for the wedding gown creations.

Classic meets modern

Classical music set the mood as Ilonggo models—made more beautiful by makeup artists Koala and Nonoy Mosquera—strutted through the mall’s improvised square catwalk that surrounded the beautiful fountain.

Jackie Peñalosa’s take on piña and silk was showcased in her bridal ensemble. She used beads and pearls to give her creation, which she considered a cross between modern and traditional, a classic look. Claire Jarantilla’s appliqué pink gown was so lovely even debutantes can wear them.

For Sol Fernandez, minimal is beautiful. His white gown, beaded silk bodice with layered gossamer skirt, was a classic favorite. Elegance was embodied in Nonoy Jaranilla’s creation, a white off-shoulder silk gown. In fact, the gown was so smooth and shiny it seemed to reflect the lights on the ramp.

As the background music changed from classic to Latin, so did the creations that were seen on the walkway. Bo Parcon surprised everyone with his bridal ensemble. The shoulder strap of his gown, a ribbon silk lace, once detached from the bodice, became part of the bouquet.

Somehow inspired by Helen of Troy, Don Protasio made a brownish white chiffon gown, a 10-meter cotton fabric cut in half and joined together. According to Don, it’s a deconstruction of the Maria Clara.

The bold and beautiful

Francis Ian Chua is an avant-garde designer. Bold as he was, Francis fused the style of casual wear and the sophistication of a formal wedding gown in his creation. His two-piece silk gown (with half sleeves) is perfect for the conservative bride. The only downside to it was that the draping was so long the model found it hard to maneuver without stepping on it. (A small slit on the front side could have made this gown more comfortable or, better yet, cut the drape by a few inches more to make it floor-length.)

One of the favorites in the show was the serpentina gown by Mandy Salcedo. A translucent bodice, (with a substantial fabric covering the bust area) multilayered sheer skirt, and floral-knit trail drape creation, this ensemble commanded awe from the crowd.

Bamboos are resilient. They are made into musical instruments, fences, and house structures. But have you ever heard or seen a gown made of bamboo? Fret no more because Angelette Borja Ragus—the most seasoned designer in the group—having been an apprentice of her designer mother, Judith Borja, at a very young age—made just that. Her gown was not entirely made of bamboo. But the silk and organza were undermined by the bamboo stalk bodice that looked like a girdle and shredding that outlined the upper chest area. Moreover, the bamboo shredding was used to create a patterned floral print on the skirt and the veil, making it a unique but elegant gown.

The climax

“We’ve been doing this kind of fair for the past four years. But this is the first time that we invited a renowned designer from Manila. We are very thankful that Frederick (Peralta) graced this event. To lead our local designers to work as one is a noble task. He made it all possible,” said Joseph Sian, Robinson’s Visayan Group GM.

Two years ago, Frederick made a similar show in the province. The scenario was different then.

“Before, little was known about the talent of Ilonggos in fashion. But they are slowly picking up the pace, especially now that some of the designers here are joining big fashion events in Manila,” said Frederick, a native of the town of Duenas. For this event, he made an awe-inspiring bridal collection never before seen in his previous shows.

This fashion guru holds a rich set of unnerving yet glamorous designs in his chest. A seasoned maestro, he can masterfully sway from the mainstream to bring a fresh look for the bride who wants to exude flair and elegance on her big day.

Models from the province were transformed into heavenly beings as they donned Frederick’s collection, which ranged from avant-garde to oriental chic, as well as creations inspired by the ‘20s modish era. These Ilonggo mannequins exuded different moods and aura that captured the theme and inspiration of every creation.

“Fashion designers here should work as one. For how can you say that there is an industry here when the local designers are not united? This is a good start of brighter things in the future,” concluded Frederick.

Making sure that the event ran smoothly was Ditas Taleon, RP Iloilo mall manager. Maurice Archache was there to welcome guests and designers. Robert Blancaflor and Nueva Flora provided flowers.

Paseo Iloilo spells fun
for historic Visayan City

By Lynda C. Corpuz

Development is definitely blowing south. In line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s efforts to decentralize government from the capital, several business investors have diligently followed suit. In Iloilo, Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) is proudly leading the pack with the grand opening of Paseo Iloilo.

Paseo Iloilo is a hub that seeks to bring together the scattered bars, cafés, restaurants and leisure spots in the original Queen City of the South. Located in the city’s central business district, it is made for Iloilo’s young professionals—bankers, doctors and medical representatives—who need a place to unwind after a hectic day.

“The area is where Ilonggos can find affordable food, entertainment and nightlife destinations,” informs Ditas Taleon, who manages Robinsons Place Iloilo mall in Paseo. She adds that in gathering the mall tenants, RLC was very careful in its selection so as not to “duplicate” the other destinations within the complex. “We want to give the Ilonggos variety.”

And true enough, Paseo Iloilo in De Leon Street boasts of establishments ranging from trendy bars to mineral water stations.

Apart from offering leisure activities, however, Taleon discloses that RLC will soon work closely with different local government agencies to promote tourism. Iloilo, of course is a historic city with endless centuries old structures. RLC is aware that what it needs are modern-day amenities to bring in more visitors from around the country and the world.

“RLC plans to have something similar to Nayong Pilipino in Paseo Iloilo to highlight the historical details and features of the province,” adds Taleon.

But for the moment, the corporation is busy spreading the word around that Paseo Iloilo is filled with interesting places to check out. And for the tourist, the list below is The Life & Times’ suggested itinerary for a fun and budget-friendly night at the town.

Mang Inasal is probably the fastest growing establishment in Paseo Iloilo. From its open-air space to the present air-conditioned unit beside Robinsons Supermarket, the grilled barbecue chicken and other Pinoy specialties house is a hit for both Ilonggos and tourists. Owned by Edgar Sia II, the restaurant is packed daily with customers who crave for chicken pecho or paa paired with garlic rice and buko juice, and of course, halo-halo for dessert!

Original Biscocho Haus spells “pasalubong.” Owned by the Guadarramas of Jaro, the company was born in 1975 and since then, has never stopped baking its famous biscocho. Later, Guadarramas developed other specialties in its aim to be the ultimate pasalubong center of Iloilo.

Ted’s La Paz Batchoy is where you can partake of the famous batchoy of Iloilo. Have it with puto or pan de sal.

HA! HA! HA! Comedy Bar is owned by July Galang and Raha Sabordo. It is the first comedy house, bar, restaurant and disco in one in Western Visayas. Manila-based comedians perform at the venue Friday and Saturday nights.

Reasons Bar and Resto is a music lounge and sing-along bar that is fast becoming a haven for Ilonggo music enthusiasts. It has the widest selection of songs from standards, to OPM, and pop, folk, rock and jazz. It is open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Apart the endless list of food and entertainment places, Paseo Iloilo also has Rooks Sports Bar for billiard guys and gals; Go Fish for the hobbyists; and Netopia Internet Cafe for the techie.

“This is still a work in progress,” says Taleon, thrilled at the turn out of visitors at the launch. “And we promise Ilonggos more fun in the very near future.”

Iloilo celebrates new
dining, entertainment strip
By Linda Bolido
Inquirer News Service

ILOILO does not really need another attraction. Very few places can match its beautiful old churches and equally lovely old houses, delicious and unique delicacies, fresh seafood, people with extensive and impressive antique collections, lovely gardens and the local weaving industry that makes the shimmering hablon fabrics, the colorful patadyong, pina and jusi.

Both locals and visitors are still awed and charmed by the baroque Miag-ao Church no matter how often they see it. The century-old Locsin ancestral house and the 1930s Jalandoni residence speak of a past of gentility and subtle luxury.
And though the antique stores may not look like your usual commercial establishments, the treasures in relics from a storied and colorful past that they hold are more than a match to the best places in Metro Manila.

Still, Robinsons Place Iloilo felt the city and province could use yet another crowd-drawer. The mall chain opened recently Paseo Iloilo, a dining/entertainment strip that brings together a merry mix of eating and fun places that try to meet every conceivable taste and preference.

For visitors, Paseo Iloilo is a convenient one-stop place for local dishes and delicacies, with establishments offering the best the province has to offer located just a few steps away from each other. For the locals, the strip provides an opportunity to explore cuisines beyond their shores and to sample new and interesting fun ideas, if they want something other than old favorites. Paseo, the area between the mall and the multi-level parking structure, has fast-food joints and restaurants, cafes and bars.

Halfway place

It is just the right place for catching one's breath after an exhausting shopping expedition, to have an early dinner before taking in a movie or a late supper afterward, indulge someone's passion for music for few hours in a karaoke joint, and treat the kids to pizza or hotdog. The visitor can also get all those baked goodies and confections the province is famous for to bring as pasalubong for friends and family. And all the food, fun and entertainment are reasonably priced.

Appropriately, the opening was fun, entertaining and distinctively Ilonggo. After Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas, assisted by Robinsons Mall's general manager Nilo S. Mapa and Ms Robinson 2004 Diana Clyde Clavero, lit the ceremonial torch and switched on the lights along the Paseo, a fashion show was staged by members of the Designers' Guild of Iloilo that highlighted the beauty and versatility of local fabrics. Participating designers were Jaki Peñalosa, Bituin ng Kasuotang Filipino Grand Slam winner; Bo Parcon, finalist in the Metropolitan Museum's Terno for the 21st Century competition; Sol Fernandez, and Angelette Borja-Ragus.

Singer Rachel Alejandro gave a spirited performance to the delight of the Ilonggo audience. Recording artist Aliyah Parcs hosted the event, which was directed by Don Protasio and Sol Fernandez.

The new Paseo Iloilo consists of the Biscocho Haus, Kim's Bob Korean Restaurant, a.s. Mixx Restobar, Rooks Sports Bar, Go Fish, Reasons Bar & Restaurant, Busay Seafood Restaurant, Netopia Internet Cafe, Ultra Pi, Mang Inasal, Planetarium Cafe, Ha! Ha! Ha! Comedy Bar, Papa Heinz Pizza, and Ted's Lapaz Bachoy.

Events partners for the Paseo Iloilo opening were Holiday Inn Galleria Manila, Cebu Pacific Air, Robinsons Movieworld, Picture City, Four Season Hotel, Panorama Printing Inc. and Connie's Handwoven.

sugarboy

October 13th, 2005, 04:17 AM

WOW Philippines nga .... great stuff, Sandrin. I love to see one. Pag nakita ko, I'll take a pic gid.

Again, ILONGGO MEETING IN U.K. this coming October 29 at Earl's Court. Come and join our fellow Ilonggos here in London for more business opportunities for our city.

Hey, did you know that the only Filipina employed by the royal household (serving the late Princess Diana) is an Ilongga?

wecky

October 13th, 2005, 04:35 AM

Hey, did you know that the only Filipina employed by the royal household (serving the late Princess Diana) is an Ilongga?

really Sugarboy? Is she still single ? ... hehehe .. (just joking). Wished I can have a good look what's inside of Buckingham Palace. I know that they open the Palace every summer for public viewing, but unfortunately, I spent most of my summer outside London din. So bad timing talag. Anyway, have you got this lady number or name? Baka pwede ma-contact for future reference .. hehehe ... :)

sugarboy

October 13th, 2005, 05:24 AM

really Sugarboy? Is she still single ? ... hehehe .. (just joking). Wished I can have a good look what's inside of Buckingham Palace. I know that they open the Palace every summer for public viewing, but unfortunately, I spent most of my summer outside London din. So bad timing talag. Anyway, have you got this lady number or name? Baka pwede ma-contact for future reference .. hehehe ... :)

Yes she is very much single. That doesn't mean though nga young and single.

She was my landlady when I used to live in London many years ago. PM ko sa imo number niya.

wecky

October 13th, 2005, 05:53 AM

Yes she is very much single. That doesn't mean though nga young and single.

She was my landlady when I used to live in London many years ago. PM ko sa imo number niya.

napakadlaw mo man ko ba. Okay lang a .. mas older, mas better para may yaya man ko. Miss ko na akon yaya sang gamay pa ko mo (just joking).

Sugarboy, thanks for the number. I'll try to contact her before the end of this month. Hopefully, she's still living in this address and still carrying the same landline number. Cheers. Man naga-networking pa ko di. Actually, subong lang ina.

sugarboy

October 13th, 2005, 06:02 AM

speaking of yaya, she used to be "yaya" of sorts to Prince Harry. o sey mo? at least antes sa imo, prinsipe sang inglatera! then you can walk down Kensington High Street saying "My yaya used to be the yaya of Prince Harry" ! lol

wecky

October 13th, 2005, 06:18 AM

hahaha ... absolutely grand! I like that ... hehehe. Sige lang a ... basi damo pa ina iya kuwarta sa akon and ako pa ang himuon niya nga yayo ... hehehe.

Actually may meeting mga Ilonggo di mo ... basi maka-attend siya ... and maka-attend man ako (i wish!). But really, I'll try to get in touch with her sooner ... finger-crossed.

lex_99

October 13th, 2005, 01:55 PM

wecky

October 13th, 2005, 09:29 PM

wecky

October 14th, 2005, 03:11 AM

and here's more, I guess ...

City hall revels in effective tax drive

ILOILO City – The city government here has already surpassed its business tax and non-tax revenue collection targets for 2005 by some 3.65 percent, Mayor Jerry Treñas announced.

Treñas said a collection report submitted by city treasurer Katherine Tingson indicate that the city has already collected a total of P233,022,556.93 as of September 30 from business and non-revenue taxes, surpassing the forecasted target of P224,810,000 for this year.

In her report, Tingson said the target P178, 410,000 for business taxes has already been surpassed by 102.09% with an actual collection of P182,138,133.22. On the other hand, the P46,400,000 target for the non-tax revenue has been exceeded by 109.66% with an actual collection of P50,888,423.71.

Business taxes are revenues collected from movies houses, the Iloilo Coliseum, community, corporate, professional, transfer and franchise taxes and delivery vans and trucks.

Treñas said that the accomplishment is a welcome development in the face of recent economic difficulties in the country. He said the revenue will certainly help the city government pursue its various projects for the remainder of this year and beyond.

Meanwhile, Tingson said the city treasury will continue to implement efficient policies and systems to meet, if not exceed, annual collection targets.

The mayor commended the city treasury for a job well done and for going the extra mile in serving the public.

He said the satisfactory tax collection results likewise reflected the dedication of the treasury rank and file to their duties.

Treñas reminded all Ilonggos to pay their taxes promptly so as to avoid inconvenience and penalties imposed on late payments.

High Court tells port authority to pay P46M tax
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao

"THE Supreme Court decided with finality that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) pay Iloilo City Government P46,173,471.37 worth of Real Property Taxes and Penalties for various properties it owns," Katherine Tingson, Iloilo City Treasurer said Wednesday.

The city seeks to get its share through a notice of garnishment with the local Land Bank, which PPA disputed.

In her letter to Fernando B. Claveria, port manager of the PPA at Barangay Loboc, La Paz, he stated that the city's move to garnish in Land Bank its remaining account, which worth 44 million is unwarranted and excessive while Tingson said it's supported by laws and jurisprudence.

In Claveria's letter dated September 29, in response to Tingson's letter September 23, he contended that the garnishment of the city to the account of PPA is excessive reiterating that the PPA has already paid the real property tax on the warehouse which was the subject matter of the case entitled "PPA vs. Iloilo City.

Photocopies of the official receipts were also enclosed stated in the letter.

"With respect to the business taxes, PPA has already paid the same on September 29, receipts were also issued by your office."

"The subject of the litigation of the case of PPA vs Iloilo City which you claimed to be final and executory, is limited only to the non-payment of real property taxes covering buildings at the Fort San Pedro Terminal, Barangay Veterans Village, for the years 1985-1989 and only with respect to the following properties: warehouse - P81, 369.26; Building (shed) Residential House - P1, 754.68; Buildings (4) - P13, 959.42, P10, 294.10, P9, 998.86, P2, 821.41. A total of P125,990.95."

"Your notice of garnishment in the amount of P44, 298, 470.11, therefore, is found to be excessive and unwarranted. Further, it may not be unworthy to mention that to date PPA has not received a copy of the court's entry of judgment, if, indeed, this particular case has become "final and executory", as alleged.

He also concluded that the Notice of Garnishment issued by Tingson's Office against the personal property of PPA is premature at this stage.

"Hence, we vehemently oppose the issuance thereof and accordingly demand its immediate withdrawal."

Tingson in her reply October 12, she said "the Supreme Court in a landmark decision in the case of Philippine Ports Authority vs City Of Iloilo, et al., (GR> No 109791), herewith enclosed, has decided with finality not only the factual issues concerning the propriety of tax assessment of PPA's various facilities recited in your letter, but also the legal issue that PPA is a profit-earning corporation and its properties are subject to tax."

"The summary of Real Property Taxes and Penalties for various properties of PPA and Iloilo Commercial Port Complex, which your office received October 10, 2005 indicates that the Authority must pay the City of Iloilo the amount of P 46,173,471.37 as of December, 2005 and by virtue of the Supreme Court resolution on the taxable status of the PPA, we hereby dismiss as without legal basis your allegation that our garnishment of your account with LBP in the amount of P44,298,470.11 as excessive and unwarranted."

"We believe our remedy is legal and our stand is firm to maintain the garnishment of PPA's account with Land Bank of the Philippines-Iloilo Branch until the Authority pay in full all its taxes due to the City of Iloilo."

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas said he wanted the City Government to get the payment in full. And its but fitting that the city get through garnishing the remaining account of the PPA realizing that it owes more than how much was left in their account.

Tingson said that the garnishing already lapsed and the city is getting more eager to get what really belongs to it.

Trenas said it would be a "big help in implementing the primary concerns of the city such as roads, water, electricity among others."

---

Drive for town's new ambulance gets support
By Ruby P. Silubrico

THE municipal officials of Sta. Barbara are optimistic that they can buy a new ambulance before the year ends as more people gave their pledges.

In Tuesday's launching of "Piso mo, Ambulansya ko," at the covered gym of Sta Barbara, some balikbayans assured Mayor Isabelo Maquino they will help the program.

With this, Maquino believes that they can reach their targeted amount of P800,000 to acquire the first People's Ambulance in the province.

"The health of the people is our main concern. Nothing is impossible if we will work hand in hand," Maquino said.

Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas Sr., through Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada assured that the Provincial Government will give P100,000 to the campaign.

The town has raised P240,000 as of the present. This came from the 60 barangays that allocated P4,000 each.

Maquino said that he was inspired to pursue such program because of the success of Tribu Kahilwayan during the Dinagyang Festival. The group's funds came from donations of the townspeople.

"Tribu Kahilwayan got the grand slam award through the help of our concerned citizens, so, with this program we hope to achieve it," Maquino said.

The project is spearheaded by the Liga ng mga Barangay-Sta. Barbara Chapter headed by ABC President Pelagia Provido in cooperation with the LGU.

Maquino said the program was conceptualized to generate P.8 million within four months for the purchase of a fully equipped ambulance that will reinforce the services given by their old ambulance.

This project has three components - barangay counterpart, solicitation through individual giving and conduct of a raffle draw.

The barangay officials in 60 barangays had already pledged P240,000 including the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and the second component is a database of Sta. Barbaranhons working and living abroad as potential donors was secured. Solicitation letters will be sent to them.

The third component, the raffle, will involve the LGU employees, elected officials, NGOs and cooperatives, Department of Education (Deped), transport sector as well as generous residents.

---

SM Foundation's medical mission benefits 1,500
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao

EIGHTY-YEAR-OLD Leoncio Borres, a resident of Jordan, Guimaras was among the thousand of people who were extended with a free medical check up of SM Foundation last Wednesday.

His grand daughter accompanied Lolo Leoncio to Boulevard, Molo.

Despite the distance constraint, Lolo Leoncio made it to Boulevard to just have his eye checked up.

"It has swollen for several days already," his grand daughter told Sun. Star.

The senior citizens were checked up in the Barangay's chapel, thus were served easily and faster. Lolo Leoncio was later given prescription for proper dosage.

SM Foundation Executive Director Connie Angeles said they were expecting to give free medical and dental services to a total of 1,500 people in Boulevard, Molo ranging from senior citizens, middle aged, to little children.

Former actor and a public servant for nine years, Angeles said that the foundation, together with the Iloilo City Government, Kapwa ko Mahal Ko and the GMA Kapuso Foundation is glad that again, free medical and dental services were extended to more people from an area in the city.

"We've been to various towns in the Province of Iloilo and this is the first time that we reached the part of the city," Angeles said.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas said the city chose the area for the venue of the medical-dental mission and expressed that the service granted by SM Foundation is indeed a big help for the community having been aware of the soaring prices of medicine and medical and dental services.

The foundation is eyeing another activity this December.

lex_99

October 14th, 2005, 06:10 AM

Indi man .. I'm too old para sa yaya, Lex. Anyway, nice seeing you here once more. Sako man abi ang tanan mo. How are you, btw? You see, I'm glad to post a lot of good things nga nagakatabo sa Iloilo City and province. Guess the awakening begins !

Hehe... I always visit naman this thread e, I mean evry single day kag more than once pa... kaso la lang ko ga post, weck. Well, ari work, work, work lang. La na time for travel kag recreations. Keep posting lang weck kay im sure all Ilonggos really liked to be informed. Ang skyscrapercity kong baga dw one-stop shop nlang. No need na magvisit sa sunstar kag panaynews para ma informed sa mga gakatabo sa aton beloved Iloilo City. And thanks to you btw. :)

Goodluck lang da sa imo weck, kag sa tanan nga Ilonggos sa London. Hopefully, maka attend man ko sa Centennial Celebrations da sa 2012. Naks! hehe...

wecky

October 14th, 2005, 06:46 AM

lex_99

October 14th, 2005, 09:57 AM

Huo man, lakat ka di kay i-grand welcome ta gid ka. Lagaw ta dayon. Lex, ano ka nga batch sa aton? '99? Ano imo kurso? (baw kapalamangkot gid sa akon .. okay man kung sabton mo ah). Anyway, ako na lang ma-post sang mga news info di para ma-informed tanan. Si Chymera nadula gulpi, siguro nagtirik to ... hehehe .. man ang bata palalagaw. Last time I've heard mapa-Guimaras siya .. ay maan dulang ah.

Ti, ambut kag ambut gid sa inyo tanan da. Too much work will burned you out. Hinay-hinay lang, Lex.

Dugay-dugay, mati naman ko di Toyang Ermitanya ... hahaha ... Bombo Radyo Iloilo is serving all Ilonggos worldwide. 24/7 amon Bombo diri. Sa Australia and America amo man. Kis-a sa chatroom dala pa ang Zona Libre nga topiko.

Ti, halong lang da.

Really weck?! hehe...Masave ko anay a para may pamasahe. batch 2004 kag ECE cors ko. Lex_99 na kay I was addicted with the net since 1999. Hehe... funny ka gd ya!

Well. nami lang mamati gani sang 2yang... dw feeling mo dri ka lng sa Iloilo especially nga mas malayo ka kanami sang feeling. O, pla nalang ka minutes 2yang na...hehe... gapamati man ko gani kon kis-a. Halong man da weck a. :)

chymera00

October 14th, 2005, 02:18 PM

chymera00

October 14th, 2005, 02:20 PM

chymera00

October 14th, 2005, 02:27 PM

thanks for the news update wecky, feeling ko nag-internet ako everyday hehe ... A lot of good news since i left ... and wow for Guimbal, I hope this will mean more investments to the area.

The nation’s best
Guimbal bags PCCI’s ‘Most business-friendly’ award

http://thenewstoday.info/20051014/guimbalpix.jpg

The Municipality of Guimbal, Iloilo some 29 kilometers south of Iloilo City bested other municipalities emerging as the national choice of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for being the “Most business-friendly” local government unit.

In a ceremony held in Manila Thursday, Guimbal Mayor Richard Garin received the distinction in behalf of the town with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as PCCI guest of honor.

To Guimbal’s credit came the PCCI’s recognition of longtime efforts observed by the town that continuously booster investor-confidence. From the influx of new businesses established within the year and years before that, number of firms availing of investment incentives, number of firms provided with assistance in securing credit, special services of the town, steady and efficient flow of business permit issuances up to the meetings and consultations made with the business sector, PCCI found Guimbal to be the country’s best thus “Most business-friendly.”

The national PCCI citation leveled off Guimbal to good governance not only by encouraging trade and investments but ensuring that accountability, transparency and efficiency in the conduct of business-related regulations or procedures are observed. It also took note of innovations in said town that further helped raise the efficiency of its trade and investment activities.

“We are very honored to receive this recognition from our partners in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. And this honor goes to our hardworking employees and officials in Guimbal. This will also serve as our motivation to work even better and harder,” Mayor Garin said.

chymera00

October 14th, 2005, 02:30 PM

Iloilo In Focus
from thenewstoday.info

The echoes of Alimodian Church
Text and Photos
Wein P. Gadian

http://thenewstoday.info/20051014/alimodianchurch7.jpg
The Spanish colonization in the Philippines left marks in our infrastructures, buildings and churches. The churches were built during the unforgettable Spanish colonization in the pueblos, and Alimodian was one of those places. The century-old church seated at the heart of the town was then known for its beauty and splendor. Its belfry was one of the tallest and the most beautiful in Panay and Negros. Since its first construction in 1787, the church had been shaken by four earthquakes (1787, 1869, 1887 and 1948). These caused the destruction on some parts of the church, but it was the 1948 earthquake called Lady Kaykay that contributed to the final collapse of the convent and the belfry. Two thirds of the belfry was destroyed and brought the bells to rest on solid ground (except for the biggest mayor). Years after its fall, the bell remained deeply buried on the ground, which the Alimodiananons could not move because of its heavy weight of 1,470 kilos.

http://thenewstoday.info/20051014/alimodianchurch4.jpg
Its construction was a product of Alimodiananon’s sweat and blood. Forced labor was implemented in the construction and the gathering of materials. Each was given a quota and in every failure an inhuman punishment called flogging was carried out. Labor was not paid and the workers provided their own food. Even the women and children participated in the building of the said church. They were the ones who gathered the white stones and turned them into lime. It took hundreds of men to pull up the bells to the belfry. All the bells were made with alloy of silver.

Every toll of the bell was a signal for the residents lined up along the streets to offer alms of Spanish coins as their contribution.

http://thenewstoday.info/20051014/alimodianchurch8.jpg
During the Japanese Era it had served as refuge of the rich from Iloilo City and Ilonggos from other areas of the province. One of the most interesting stories about the church was that of documents placed inside the jar, or Barcelona, mixed with coins of one sicualohon (P0.6 1/4), one sicapaton (P12 ¼), one capatihon (P 0.25), one salapion (P.50), one pisoson (P!) and a gold necklace. This Barcelona was covered and placed inside a log (tabla) which was prepared like trough big enough to hold the jar. Then it was sealed with lime and buried under the main door of the church. The said documents were signed by the town and the church high officials seventy four years after its first construction. (Alimodian: Its Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow).
http://thenewstoday.info/20051014/alimodianchurch2.jpg

At present, the church reconstruction include the floorings covering the biggest mayor, the convent, roofing, and its beams among others. The mini garden between the convent and the church was utilized for receptions for weddings, parties and other celebrations. The garden has an aviary which attracts tourist. There are tropical plants surrounding it, another attraction is the grotto of our Lady which speaks of Alimodiananon’s devotion to Mary. The beautiful church still rest at the heart of the town. And despite the earthquakes, wars it has been through—its ruins tells a story every Alimodiananons will never forget.

wecky

October 14th, 2005, 05:15 PM

Really weck?! hehe...Masave ko anay a para may pamasahe. batch 2004 kag ECE cors ko. Lex_99 na kay I was addicted with the net since 1999. Hehe... funny ka gd ya!

Well. nami lang mamati gani sang 2yang... dw feeling mo dri ka lng sa Iloilo especially nga mas malayo ka kanami sang feeling. O, pla nalang ka minutes 2yang na...hehe... gapamati man ko gani kon kis-a. Halong man da weck a. :)

Save gid da maayo, Lex .. good thing gid ina. You us Ilonggos, we are really good when it comes to saving .. duna na ina sa aton. Look at the number of banks sa Iloilo. Amo ina ang testament kung ano ang Ilonggos ka-thrifty and wise when it comes to money matters.

Me, funny? ... hahaha .. such is a life. Why bother with everything .. dali ka lang ina matigulang .. sadya-sadya gamay, okay lang ina. Ang importante, we leave a good legacy when we leave na.

Toyang Ermitanya via CPU website is heard all over the world. Kis-a makakadlaw ka man pro. Ti, ang nakabalo hambalon kita nga cheap di ... hehehe .. the hell I care. Okay lang ina, indi lang ako tawgon udong, ayos na .... hahaha.

Take care yourself, Lex. Keep your central spirit burning !

wecky

October 14th, 2005, 05:30 PM

nice pictures :) I wonder how many people are currently living in Savannah, it looks huge

Chymera the great, welcome back. Baw nahidlaw man ta sa imo ba .... hehehe .. abi ko nagtirik ka naman. Three-day sale subong sa SM City Iloilo while Gaisano City and Robinson's have midnight sale. Grabe kagutok kuno ang ciudad hambal sang manghod ko. Maayo lang indi kotse ang bitbit niya. Naka-motor lang siya subong. Amo na ang iya babay kay two-weeks old pa lang.

How's your exam? Okay gid migs? Ikaw pa?

Anyway, about Savannah ... there are three communities as said earlier .. the Savannah Glades, Savannah Trails and Savannah Glen ... my sis told me that in Savannah Glen, more than a thousand families moved in as of August 2005 ... In Savannah Trails, about 300-400 daw ... in Glades, I don't know. Very few I guess. It's very exclusive. Probably it can cater a hundred families only. Glades lots were all sold out year 2003 pa lang. Right now they are expanding the Savannah Glen and Trails ... In Trails, nasa Phase 2 na .. while Glen is in Phase D na. There's a new community in the making as well ... the Savannah Crest ... this will be more posh and more expensive than Glades itself. My sis told me that in Savannah Crest, house and lots ranges from 6-10 million daw. I remember a year ago that the biggest house in Glades is owned by SMART Philippines Iloilo Gen Manager which approximately cost around 5 million. Savannah is really huge community. St Pauls prep, elem and high school will soon be erected inside the subdivision in 5 years time. Savannah donated around 7 hectares I guess to St Paul's school. Along the main road (Aleosan to Iloilo City) and also alongside the main road of Savannah are all commercial lots. I don't know the exact plan of the company but I can almost decipher their business inkling. We'll just wait and see coz they might reveal their majestic plan in 1-2 years time. :)

wecky

October 14th, 2005, 05:35 PM

thanks for the news update wecky, feeling ko nag-internet ako everyday hehe ... A lot of good news since i left ... and wow for Guimbal, I hope this will mean more investments to the area.

hahaha .. impressed? binuang gid ... anyway, all hails to Guimbal ... kanami gid man sang Guimbal subong. Sang 2004 nga first puli ko, we visited the Racsos ... the Grand municipal building (mas manami pa sa old capitol sang Iloilo), Shamrock, etc ... this year naman, Guimbal impressed me with their cleanliness, the Garin Farm (nga wala man ako nakasulod), etc ... damo development sa Gumbal gid. Hoping they'll continue to prosper.

wecky

October 14th, 2005, 05:40 PM

wecky

October 14th, 2005, 05:54 PM

here's more good news for Iloilo ...

Twas a grand slam for Western Visayas !

It was a grand slam for Western Visayas entries with fifteen (15) out of twenty-seven (27) winners in the recently-concluded European Union (EU)-Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) Multi-Event Competition. The theme of the competition was “Building a Culture of Integrity and Excellence”. The three events included in the competition were on-the-spot poster making, essay writing and slogan making. It was a Visayaswide competition with three separate contests held recently in Cebu for Region 7, Iloilo City for Region 6 and in Tacloban City for Region 8. These contests were participated in by students, government employees and those from the general public/private sectors.

The EU-OMB project aimed to solicit the cooperation and commitment of the wider public in search of ways on how to prevent corruption, as well as, to create an impact relative to the responsibility and accountability of the people in taking some action to prevent the said social menace.

This writer, as Resident Ombudsman of the Department of Tourism Region VI and President, Assembly of Resident Ombudsmen in Western Visayas attended the awarding ceremonies held in Cebu City Thursday last week to escort the winners and confer with the officials of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on related matters.

Resident Ombudsmen Agustin Cabahug of the Department of Education Region VI and Perfecto Yap of the Department of Trade and Industry Region VI also joined us there.

The winners from Western Visayas of the Essay Writing Contest were John Leon Moya (3rd Prize) of Fellowship Baptist College, Negros Occidental (Student Category), Early Sol Gadong (First Prize) of UP in the Visayas, Iloilo City (Gov’t. Category), and Leo Cicero Pelleso (First Prize) of Diocesan Social Action Center, Bacolod City, Francis Romulo J. Moya (2nd Prize) of Kabankalan City, Negros Occ. And Lester Mark P. Carnaje (3rd Prize) of Visayan Tribune, Iloilo City.

Winners of the Slogan Making Contest from Western Visayas were Adrienne Joy B. Cerbo (First Prize) of Fellowship Baptist School, Negros Occidental (Student Category), Early Sol Gadong (First Prize) of UP in the Visayas, Iloilo City (Gov’t. Sector) and Rodolfo Gumabong (2nd Prize) of Jaro, Iloilo City and Joey Frank L. Ausan (3rd Place) of La Paz, Iloilo City (Private Sector Category).

In the On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest, the winners were Alex P. Ordoyo (First Prize) of West Visayas College of Science and Technology, Iloilo City, Cletus C. Dapatnapo (2nd Prize) of Western Institute of Technology, Iloilo City and Alexis G. Jover (3rd Prize) of West Visayas College of Science and Technology, Iloilo City (Student Category), Leoniel R. Cerbas (2nd Place) of Brgy. Ortiz, Iloilo City (Government Category) and Ric Isiderio (2nd Place) Pulso Ilonggo Advertising, Iloilo City and Ronnie C. Granja (2nd Prize) of Arts association of the Philippines-Iloilo (Private Sector Category).

The First Prize winners of all three contest categories shall represent the Visayas in the National Essay Writing Contest, National Slogan Making Contest and National On-the –Spot Poster Making Contest in Manila on October 20, 2005. Funds for the participation of the national contestants from Visayas will be provided by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

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NEDA VI slates first regional confab on decentralization and federalism

The issuance of EO 453 on August 19, 2005, creating a Consultative Commission to Propose the Revision of the 1987 Constitution in Consultation with Various Sectors of Society, sets the stage for a change in certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution, particularly the shift from presidential unitary system to a parliamentary federal system of government and refocusing of economic policies in the Constitution to match the country’s vision for global competitiveness. Such a move is seen to enhance the decentralization process the Philippines has been implementing for more than a decade now.

To generate better understanding on decentralization, as well as, inputs to the coming constitutional change, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) VI will be holding the “1st Regional Conference on Decentralization” on October 24-25, 2005 at Iloilo Grand Hotel, Iloilo City. A total of 130 participants are expected to attend the conference, comprising of provincial governors and mayors of highly urbanized and component cities, presidents of mayors’ leagues, regional directors of line agencies, executive directors of the non-government organizations and people’s organizations, as well as, professional groups, faculties and student leaders and university editors.

Crucial to the discussion will be: (1) options for form, structures to be adopted by a federal government, and (2) delineation of roles and responsibilities of the region/state and the federal government in areas of fiscal, political and administrative management. In order to shed light on federalism and learn from the experience of countries under a federal system of government, NEDA VI, with assistance from a GTZ-assisted project, has invited resource persons from Germany, Canada and Australia. Also, a resource person from the Office of the President will talk on highlights of decentralization, salient points of constitutional change and expectations on parliamentary-federalism for the Philippines.

The conference outputs will be forwarded to the Constitutional Commission, Senate, House of Representatives and the Office of the President for their consideration.

This two-day activity is sponsored by the Decentralized Planning Structures Project (DPSP), a technical cooperation between the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and NEDA VI.

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Recreational activities of children during WWII (2)

As stated in the previous column, during WWII in Panay, life for the children went on as usual in the evacuation areas. With a significant amount of leisure time at hand, they played a lot. Other than “panaguay”, “tumba patis” and “pitiw” or “pikyaw” which are the most common-played games, there are also the “bagol”, hole-in, and “trumpo”.

“Bagol” is played with the placing of an object to be hit three steps from the players. The players go through a series of hitting the object with another object, usually a stone. Each round has a different way of hitting the object making use of three steps to and from the object. Failure to do so results to repeating the same steps until the player hits the object. The first player to complete the series is declared the winner.

Hole-in is a game common among boys. Four holes on the ground are made in a row. A player aims the marble to hit the hole and if he does, he then proceeds to the next hole. If not, the next player has either the choice to hit the hole or the other marble. Hitting either will automatically entitle him to move to the next hole. The player who completes the four holes first is the winner. This game is played in a cleared and even ground.

“Trumpo” or spinning tops is also a boy’s game. With the war going on and there are no manufactured tops available, they are carved out of guava branches with driven nails. The rope used to make them spin are homemade thick threads. There are two ways of playing with the tops. One is a competition to whose top spins the fastest and the longest. Another is to “fight off” one top with another with the object of breaking the rival’s top.

There are also the common games such as skipping rope and jackstone using pebbles. Kite-flying using scraps of paper on a bamboo frame is also a frequent activity. Surprisingly, some boys manage to bring along rubber bands to the evacuation areas which they bury in the sand or the soil. Everyone takes turn in wangling the rubber bands using coconut midribs. The one with the most number of rubber bands is the winner and keeps what he gets. “Taksi” is also one game where improvisation plays an important part. Materials used may range from coins, bottle caps and stones. They are placed inside a small square drawn out on the ground. “Pawns” that have crossed the line become the property of the player. “Sungka” is played with the board made of a tree trunk with holes carved out and pebbles are used in playing. Then there is the ever-present “balay-balay” and “tinda-tinda” using leaves and fruits of plants as household materials and food, and trees as houses.

“Piko” is common among girls. Lines are drawn on the ground to form a rectangle with one round end. A player uses a guide such as a stone to help her move through the maze. If she forgets a step or steps on the line, she loses a turn. The winner is the one who completes the round. “Sudsud” is also similar to “piko”. The only difference is that the rectangle is divided into six squares. The players also have to trudge instead of hopping. But essentially, the rules and mechanics are still the same.

“Uri-uri Kamansi” is similar to “ins”. However, the line is drawn in a circle. The players go inside it while an “it” goes along the line blindfolded. If he cathces a player, he must guess the player’s name so that the latter could be the next “it”. If not, he continues being the “it”. They all do this singing “uri-uri kamansi, latay-latay sa buri…”

For those who like to play mockbattles, they use “sungkit”and “pusil-pusil”. “Sungkit” uses: “bulo” or “bagacay”, smaller pieces of bamboo, about a foot long. Water is used as the “bullet”, hence this game is usually played near the creek. For gaskets, old cotton shirts will do. The “pusil-pusil” or toy gun is made of bamboo. The “bullets” are of tiny fruits such as “sininguelas” or unripe “datiles” or “cereza”. “Tagumtagom”, reddish tiny rounded fruits of a wild bush, is also popularly used. The leaves of “sentimento” and paper, which are crushed and formed into small balls, are also used.

“Shatbong” has elements of both hide and seek and “tumba patis”. The “it” stands at the center guarding the tin can while at the same time looking for the other players who are hiding. Whoever is the first to be seen by the “it” and does not outrun the “it” in kicking the can is the next ‘it”.

Finally, there is a “bug-oy” which is a game of probability. It uses “sigay” or shells of different sizes. Each player makes use of three of these shells as his “game instrument”. This game involves only two players and the combined six shells are put in the hands and then shaken before throwing them on the ground. The one with the odd man out is the winner and gets all the bets.

SM City Opens Consumer Welfare Center

The SM Malls Management in cooperation with the initial 11 participating national government agencies and a private company launched the Consumer Welfare Center (CWC) at the 2nd floor of SM City Iloilo on October 12, 2005.

The CWC aims to bring government services closer to the public and to serve as a One Stop Government Service Center.

This Center is open from 10am to 9pm.

Participating agencies have provided fliers and information materials which the public may obtain from the ‘take-out’ boxes located at the Center.

The SM Management also provided 2 computer units with internet facility serviced by PLDT to facilitate prompt reporting and feedback via email to the government agencies concerned at the end of the day.

The agencies initially involved in this program are: Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Foreign Affairs, Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System, National Telecommunication Commission, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Transportation Office, Philhealth, Bureau of Food and Drug, Pag-Ibig Fund, City and Provincial Government Unit and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr. of DTI-Iloilo presented the rationale of the CWC project, the manner of operations and the benefits that can be derived from having the Center.

Gracing the occasion with their presence and messages were Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel “Boy” Mejorada.

Representatives from the participating government agencies were also present in support of the program.

Several print and radio media people were there to cover the event.

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Ganzon to be immortalized in streets

BY DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod asked Congress to sponsor a bill renaming the entire length of MH del Pilar and General Luna Streets into Senator Rodolfo T. Ganzon Avenue.

Councilor Jed Mabilog sponsored a resolution requesting Congress through Lone District Congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr. to sponsor such bill.

Gonzalez Jr. also passed the same during his incumbency as city councilor.

Mabilog said Ganzon must be recognized for his various accomplishments as a public official in this city.

Ganzon was a native of Molo District. He died due to a lingering illness on October 29, 2003.

Ganzon was elected No.1 Councilor of this city in 1951 to 1953.

In 1953 to 1955 he was elected as first congressman here. He got another term in 1961 to 1963.

Ganzon was elected Senator in 1963 to 1969 and served as City Mayor four times from 1955 to 1959; 1959 to 1961; 1971 to 1972 and in 1988 to 1992.

chymera00

October 15th, 2005, 01:23 PM

Chymera the great, welcome back. Baw nahidlaw man ta sa imo ba .... hehehe .. abi ko nagtirik ka naman. Three-day sale subong sa SM City Iloilo while Gaisano City and Robinson's have midnight sale. Grabe kagutok kuno ang ciudad hambal sang manghod ko. Maayo lang indi kotse ang bitbit niya. Naka-motor lang siya subong. Amo na ang iya babay kay two-weeks old pa lang.

How's your exam? Okay gid migs? Ikaw pa?

Anyway, about Savannah ... there are three communities as said earlier .. the Savannah Glades, Savannah Trails and Savannah Glen ... my sis told me that in Savannah Glen, more than a thousand families moved in as of August 2005 ... In Savannah Trails, about 300-400 daw ... in Glades, I don't know. Very few I guess. It's very exclusive. Probably it can cater a hundred families only. Glades lots were all sold out year 2003 pa lang. Right now they are expanding the Savannah Glen and Trails ... In Trails, nasa Phase 2 na .. while Glen is in Phase D na. There's a new community in the making as well ... the Savannah Crest ... this will be more posh and more expensive than Glades itself. My sis told me that in Savannah Crest, house and lots ranges from 6-10 million daw. I remember a year ago that the biggest house in Glades is owned by SMART Philippines Iloilo Gen Manager which approximately cost around 5 million. Savannah is really huge community. St Pauls prep, elem and high school will soon be erected inside the subdivision in 5 years time. Savannah donated around 7 hectares I guess to St Paul's school. Along the main road (Aleosan to Iloilo City) and also alongside the main road of Savannah are all commercial lots. I don't know the exact plan of the company but I can almost decipher their business inkling. We'll just wait and see coz they might reveal their majestic plan in 1-2 years time. :)
Yeah the three malls are having a big sale right now, haven't been there yet but I'm thinking its very crowded...

Bakas na sugbong ang Savannah bah. Hope they do something big enough to jump start huge investments in the area...

My exam was okay, the minors were really easy. But I'm still doubting my Nursing Lecture Grade coz I got lots of failures on my quizzes, especially in CHN ...hehe

ferrersky

October 15th, 2005, 01:33 PM

ferrersky

October 15th, 2005, 01:36 PM

ferrersky

October 15th, 2005, 01:45 PM

Weina

October 15th, 2005, 06:41 PM

Weina

October 15th, 2005, 07:11 PM

Don't say that she has katok sa ulo coz we don't know her side. We also have no right to say if they have done a negative move coz we don't know what is the truth and whose telling the truth. Just remember.... Titanic, baged as the unsinkable ship but it sinked....
Im from Cebu...why?

Hi Slerz!

Sorry for this late reply. Just busy this past weeks...so. Anyway, about Miriam, yes, if you happen to pass in our place and ask everybody about her, then I'm sure you can't get other answer except 'she's katok'. To say I don't have the right to say, well I think I can't accept that, who do you think have the right to say anyway? I voted for her before, I pay my taxes to the government, I am a citizen of this place. We are living in a democratic place, so they say. So don't you think I have all the right to say? Yes she's indeed a great comedienne! It's clearly reflected in the lives of the Filipinos. They (politicians) make a comedy out of the lives of Filipinos. If you want to keep your mouth shut, then it's up to you. Just don't ask me to be like you. Baka mag ka bad breath ako, aray....he he he... :runaway:
Anyway, as i've said before, if they do something for Iloilo, then they aaaarrrrreeee guapa and guapo, palanggaon ko gid cla, if not they have katok :eek2: :bash:

wecky

October 15th, 2005, 07:15 PM

Weina

October 15th, 2005, 07:19 PM

wecky

October 15th, 2005, 07:28 PM

ROBINSON Iloilo is only a 3 level mall, Gaisano City is a bit bigger. It has nicer shops than SM and Gaisano, but the location isn't very nice. Thanks for sharing your pictures

I think Robinson's Place Iloilo is a four-level mall Chy ... as of now, three levels pa lang ang open but the fourth level is on its way. Gaisano just looks huge outside but too small inside. Robinson is much and way bigger than Gaisano City.

wecky

October 15th, 2005, 07:45 PM

Yeah the three malls are having a big salew right now, haven't been there yet but I'm thinking its very crowded...

Bakas na sugbong ang Savannah bah. Hope they do something big enough to jump start huge investments in the area...

My exam was okay, the minors were really easy. But I'm still doubting my Nursing Lecture Grade coz I got lots of failures on my quizzes, especially in CHN ...hehe

Paspas subong ang Savannah, Chy. Ang mga sales rep nila are really busy. Kita ka na sang ila stand sa SM City. Check with the new updates. Ara gid ina. I have their promotional CDs here with me (courtesy of my former classmate in Alimodian who owned and operate a property realtor now) and I like to play it all the time. Just by looking and hearing from it made me proud of being an Ilonggo. In Savannah Glades fronting the biggest house owned by SMART Phil Manager is another big one under construction. Mas dako pa gid gani. But what I really like to see when I go home in 2007 are houses in Savannah Crest (the fourth community of Savannah). I don't know how will the 6-10million houses looks like. My sis stayed in Glen although we have lots in Glades and Trails as well. The smaller, the better ... hehehe. Magasto man mag-maintain balay. The Glen actually expand from a mere 15 heectare, now it is a 50-hectare community na. You'll see more of the development in Savannah. Damo man kami classmates dira pero mas damo kami nga taga-Alimodian sa Savannah subong ... hehehe.

Chy, focus more in your nursing classes. It's more improtant than minors. Sometimes, it needs mind-setting gid especially if it is not the course you really wanted to take before. I'm in your situation before. But think the fruit you'll reap in the future. The money you'll earn here abroad. 50,000 pesos every month is nothing. You can quadruple that monthly earnings you'll have here abroad or even more. Keep your eye on the target. A little sacrifice will do you good. You must be grateful that your parents send you in college and gave the money to enrol in Nursing. You know how expensive the course is right now especially in private schools. Try CPU, first sem of third year cost more than 35,000 pesos. You're still lucky. Hold on to that luck.

Again, goodluck !

wecky

October 15th, 2005, 07:58 PM

wecky

October 15th, 2005, 08:02 PM

Can I ask when will the CPU lights festival formally start???

Hey!!! If ever Philippines will become a federalist country, will Iloilo city be the capital of the state (Western Visayas) or will the regions all throughout the country be dismantled?

I believe that federalism will bring a positive change to the region, to the province and especially Iloilo City. Separate government, independent financing system, etc. Do you agree?

Lastly, do you think that if Iloilo will be the capital, it will bring drastic + change throughout the region???

CPU (central philippine university) Festival of Lights will be on December 1, I guess. The food festival around the university will start as well following the opening of lights.

It's good that we'll have a federal form of government. We can govern our own finances in the region. Definitely, Iloilo City will be the capital of the region, just in case.

Drastic change? Yes .... as we have our own budget to fund our very own infras and developments. WE will not ask Malacanang all the time for financing, etc. It's really good. It's devolution of power. Each and everyone will be empowered.

wecky

October 15th, 2005, 08:13 PM

wecky

October 15th, 2005, 08:14 PM

wecky

October 15th, 2005, 08:21 PM

Hi Chymera,

Aside from Savannah, are there any subdivisions that offer house and lot packages. By the way, are there any for sale memorial lots also in Iloilo City. I'm just preparing it for my myself, ha ha ha...

Let me answer this too ... and Chy help me with this if I miised something.

Aside from Savannah, there are few subdivision that offers lots and housing packages:

Providence in Pavia
CPU Centennial Village in Pavia
.. (can't remember few .. I know some of the places)

But to top it all .. why not try lots in other premiere subdivisions like:

The Metropolis
Sta Rosa
Puerto Real
Grand Plains

Memorial lots:

top of the list is the Garden of Ascension
there's another one in Oton as well and so with Jaro (I believe).

Weina, grabe imo preparation ba ... pati na imo burial. But hey, we all need it ... hehehe.

wecky

October 15th, 2005, 08:37 PM

articles for today ...

Hospital preparedness for emergencies pushed

HEALTH service providers in Western Visayas would be trained to develop well designed plans to increase capacity to respond effectively to emergencies during a five day Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies (Hope), announced Director Rose Cabrera of the Office of Civil Defense here.

Cabrera said that the activity is scheduled on October l7 to 2l at the Residence Hotel, this city with around thirty-five health service providers in the region signifying attendance to the five-day Hope course.

In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency, Cabrera said that the Hope course was developed by the United States office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, in collaboration with ADPC, Nset and John Hopkins University.

Cabrera said that Hope course is also in collaboration with the pool of experts in the field of hospital preparedness in Asia to respond to the needs of the hospitals for disaster preparedness.

It addresses the structural, non-structural, organizational, and medical concerns of health facilities, in order to develop well-designed plans to increase capacity to respond effectively to emergencies, said Cabrera.

Scheduled to grace the opening program is Dr. Rolando Anthony Golez, Jr., civil defense deputy administrator, and the instructors coming from Manila who would be facilitating are: Drs. Teodoro J. Herbosa, Augusto A. Teodoro, Jr., Donna De Padua, and Jacinta Regudo; Captain Aniceto Madronio, Jr., Major Mar Bautista, and Captain Jeanette Sorella.

Cabrera said that Hope Course contents are: Disaster Management Component; Seismic Component; Hospital Emergency Room Triage, Medical Component (trauma); Public Health Issues; Networking/Coordination of the hospitals; Commitments; Media Relations; Volunteers; Equipment Requirements and Stocking locations; Power Systems, Field Hospitals, and Hospital Planning.

Cabrera said that with said course contents, they hope that the five-day activity would help the health service providers, both administrative and medical to enable them to prepare the facility and themselves to function effectively in a coordinated manner to respond to emergencies that involve large numbers of casualties, likewise in preparing a specific hospital preparedness plan.

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Metro streets to be renamed after late senator

MEMBERS of the City Council are now seriously considering renaming some areas in Iloilo City after the late Senator Rodolfo Ganzon.

The areas being considered for renaming after Ganzon are the unnamed circle between the Iloilo City National High School (ICNHS) and the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (Tiic) located along M.H. Del Pilar Street in Molo district, as well as the entire stretch of M.H. Del Pilar and General Luna streets.

The proposed renaming of the sites was embodied in a proposed ordinance authored by city councilor Jed Mabilog.

Mabilog said the renaming is in recognition and appreciation of the work that Ganzon has done in his long years of service as Councilor, Mayor, Congressman and Senator.

Ganzon died after a lingering illness at the St. Paul's Hospital here last October 29, 2003.

Mabilog proposed that the circle between the ICNHS and Tiic be named Senator Rodolfo T. Ganzon Memorial Circle and with a monument of the late Senator built in the center of it.

Mabilog also proposed that the stretch of M.H. Del Pilar and General Luna Streets be named Senator Rodolfo T. Ganzon Avenue.

The proposed ordinance has been referred to the committee on tourism under Councilor Mercy Drilon-Garcia for study and recommendation.

Mabilog also authored a resolution requesting the Congress through Congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr. to pass a bill for a similar renaming of the mentioned areas.

The resolution was subsequently approved unanimously by the Council.

Ganzon, native of Molo district, was elected as number one councilor of the city in 1951. He was first elected congressman in the 2nd district of Iloilo in 1953 and 1961.

Ganzon also served as senator in 1963 and four times as city mayor (1955-1959, 1959-1961, 1971-1972, and 1988-1992).

During his reign, he was branded by Ilonggos as the "Undisputed Stormy Petrel," "Fighting Colossus of the South," "Man of Destiny," "Maverick Politician and Veteran Politician," "Champion of the Masses and Leader Par Excellence," and “Father of the Timawa," among others.

Furthermore, Ganzon has contributed numerous landmark legislations now being implemented in the country. (Adora Bandorio)

Region 6 caves need protection

ILOILO City – Caves in Western Visayas need protection. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had already assessed 87 caves in the three islands in the region, only a small portion of all the caves in Western Visayas. The caves that have been explored in Negros Occidental alone were already 300.

Care and management of caves should be taken by everybody as a social responsibility, stressed DENR Regional Executive Director Celso Loriega, explaining that caves are among the patrimonies and natural wealth of our nation.

Aside from their aesthetic beauty, caves are also storehouses of historical and anthropological facts because they have been the shelters of our ancestors, Loriega added.

DENR has previously lobbied for the passing of Republic Act 9072 or the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act and soon issued its Implementing rules and regulations (IRR), under DAO No. 29, series of 2003.

The law does not only mandate the DENR to particularly be responsible of cave management but of all the citizens, because it is for the welfare of the present and the future generations.

To this effect, Loriega said, the DENR had organized the Regional Cave Management Committee (RCMC), composed of representatives from the different DENR provincial offices in the region, the Western Visayas Cave association, the Regional Mountaineering Club, from the academe represented by the West Visayas State University and the University of the Philippines-Visayas.

The RCMC is presently doubling its efforts to upgrade knowledge and skills in cave management and assess more caves in the process.

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Pinays to mark 100 years of struggle for freedom, equality

ILOILO City – With 2005 declared as the centennial of the feminist movement in the Philippines, a Regional Conference for the Feminist Centennial will be held on October 26-27, 2005, highlighting the legacies and gains of 100 Years of women’s struggles.

The conference is organized by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV), to foster awareness and recognition of the great strides of different women to transform their personal and social situations.

Civil Service Commissioner Karina David is expected to keynote the conference while some women presenters from the academe, advocacy groups and other sectors have been lined-up for various sessions.

The first session will tackle a situationer of women in the region, to be presented by Cynthia Lumampao of the National Economic Development Authority and Rose Asong of UPV.

The second session will deal with contemporary art by women, historical roots and current perspectives of women’s rights, and women in men’s lives.

The third session showcases tales of women in art, in the HUK Movement in Iloilo and of legacies and challenges.
The fourth session highlights women’s experiences and images in literature, poetry, and movies, while the fourth session delves into studies on gender roles in rural development, watershed conservation and a peep into how women spend their leisure time.

Prof. Luisa Mabunay, conference chairperson, said attendance in that two-day conference, by faculty members of high schools, colleges and universities has been favorably endorsed by the Regional Offices of the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education.

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Pioneering learning center attracts children, parents

AJUY, Iloilo - The first ECD (Early Childhood Care) Mobile Resource Center launched here a year ago has become an attractive learning base for children and parents.

More children in far-flung areas get the chance to keep up with learning at an early age through the Mobile Resource Learning Center (MRLC), said Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-6) Assistant Regional Director Joel Galicia.

“Not only children but parents as well are served. Parents get the opportunity to learn how to be good parents, with the Parenting Education Sessions (PES) component of the MRLC,” Galicia said.

Even fathers have become interested in participating in the learning process of their children as they learn of roles in parenting, he added.

The MRLC is an Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) project with partner municipalities. It is primarily aimed to serve the needs of children who, because of distance or poverty, cannot go to the nearest Day Care Center of resource center.

The local government of Ajuy, as an ECD partner, was the first to adopt the project by giving a counterpart which consists of a van and personnel, while the ECCD provided the books, manipulative toys, audio-visual materials and modules.

The MRLC goes around the sitios and puroks where there are many children but no day care or health facilities on scheduled days. The Learning Resource In-Charge and the other trained staff conduct activities, which include story telling, games, art and music, growth monitoring, supplemental feeding, vitamin supplementation, immunization, parent education sessions and medical consultations.

As a process in local cost-sharing, the host barangays can shoulder the cost of gasoline.

Galicia said there are actually two Resource Learning Centers in Ajuy. One is the mobile and the other one is the permanent structure in the poblacion, which serves as the training center for the Day Care Workers and the Community Development Workers who serve the MRLC.

Galicia said the project can be replicated in various municipalities which are also interested.

freezing_pt

October 16th, 2005, 03:26 PM

Om's world: Child prodigy, 6, paints from her dreams

First posted 03:58am (Mla time) Oct 16, 2005
By Hazel P. Villa
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the October 16, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

ILOILO CITY-THIS CHILD named after the first sound of the universe could identify primary colors at nine months, was holding a Chinese paintbrush at 11 months, and had done more than 50 simple paintings on bond paper using India ink by the time she was a year old.

When Eouia Aum "Om" Dueñas, second child of Ilonggo artists Guijo and Jyh Ming Dueñas, was five, she held a one-child show of 25 acrylic-on-paper-board paintings measuring two by three feet each. The exhibit, titled "My World," ran on March 22-28 last year at SM City Mall Iloilo.

On Nov. 12-14 also last year, the 5-year-old was the youngest of 20 artists holding a group exhibit for the Sunrise Festival at the CAP Building in Cebu City.

Om's ideas for her paintings often come from her dreams, according to her father.

Once, she talked about flying and singing horses, and Guijo told her: "Why don't you paint them?"

The result? "Flying Horse Dream"-a colorful horse standing on three legs, with a rainbow for a tail.

"If I show her what a real horse looks like, she cries out, 'That's not my horse!' And I just let her be," said Guijo, 39, a multiawarded visual artist and photo contributor of the Inquirer.

Born on March 24, 1999, Om has been a vegetarian since birth and was breast-fed for three years, like her brother John "Blue Heart" Dre, 10.

The Dueñases are devotees of Ananda Marga, and are strict vegetarians and practitioners of yoga.

Om goes to the Special Education-Integrated School for Exceptional Children (Sped-Isec) on Luna Street, and Blue Heart, the adjacent Mabini Elementary School.

Guijo said that at the age of 2, Om could identify secondary colors and was using water-based paints.

Using a No. 12 brush, and just having learned to mix primary colors to make secondary ones, Om had finished about 30 oil paintings on canvas in various sizes by the time she was 3.

Some of the paintings are in abstract and the others are in identifiable forms. The constant features: predominant blue, pink, red and yellow colors in bold, happy strokes.

Guijo, a prolific painter who paints most of the day, said he discovered Om's talent when he made the child hold a Chinese paintbrush at 11 months.

"Her first output looked like Chinese calligraphy. She used India ink on Oslo paper. Several months later, she used watercolor, still on Oslo paper," he said.

Midnight sleeper

By her parents' account, Om went to bed at midnight in her first five years. Her mind was so active that whenever anyone tried to dissuade her from her nightly painting, she threw a tantrum.

When she was 3 or 4, her paintings had clearer form and had more colors. She could also prepare paints and clean brushes by herself, and discovered more color combinations that she thought "magical," Guijo said.

Most of her subjects were dinosaurs, birds and butterflies, houses, flowers, rainbows, human forms, and all the things she saw and liked.

She painted five to six hours daily, and came up with three to four paintings at the end of the day, said Guijo, who worked beside his daughter.

"Stopping Om from painting and encouraging her to play or do other things would trigger a tantrum and long crying spells," he said, recalling the time when he walked the child for almost an hour around the neighborhood to comfort her.

Discipline

As she approached her fifth year, Om became more disciplined and would paint for five straight hours by herself, Guijo said.

Of her 30 paintings in acrylic, the most attractive is the expressionist "Angels on the Playground."

Again, it is a dream interpreted in a painting-herself playing with angels and other children with blue wings (boys) and pink wings (girls).

And since Om did not yet know her ABCs, Guijo told her to "sign" her works with "a moon and mountains beside each other," which led the child to form the letters O and M.

Special school

Now that she is 6 years old and in kindergarten 2 at the Sped-Isec, Om has discovered the world of other children. She still paints, but now prefers to play with the neighbors' kids.

Her parents enrolled her at Sped because they believe the school would help her realize her artistic potential in the course of receiving a normal education.

"Om did not take a qualifying or assessment test. She was qualified [to enter] Sped-Isec because of her works, and she excelled in that field. Her exceptionality is in her blending of colors," said Lilia Ramos, coordinator of the school's "Head Start Program for the Gifted, the Creative and Talented," which is for kindergarten 1 and 2 students.

Ramos, a 2003 Metrobank Outstanding Teacher, said that in other aspects, Om was like any other kindergarten pupil, except that she had to work double-time because she came to the school with no academic preparation.

Prodigy

Joy Cañoso, 33, one of Om's three kindergarten teachers, considers her a prodigy in art but an average student in academics.

"So far, she [has proved] exceptional in painting, but not necessarily in other forms of art. Not only does she have mature color choices, she also has good fashion sense," said Cañoso, who also observed that her pupil always completed whatever work was assigned to her.

Sped-Isec's Head Start Curriculum, which was started three years ago, is interest-based, meaning the kindergarten pupils are exposed to their "specialties" every Friday at 9-10:30 a.m. The teachers call it "Sensory Perception/Talent/Creativity Day."

According to Cañoso, Om has yet to overcome nerves and a perfectionist attitude over activities that she thinks she cannot finish.

Play before painting

But she always looks forward to the first Friday of the month, which is devoted to arts and crafts classes. (Cooking lessons fall on the second Friday. The third Friday is devoted to theater arts and a talent showcase. On the fourth Friday, the children play games, and on the last Friday, they watch films.)

Although relieved that Om has now started formal schooling, the artist in Guijo sighs over her "not being an artist anymore," having stopped daytime painting since December.

But the doting father pointed out that Om was still drawing "anything" every night from 9 to 10 p.m., after which she had to be cajoled to sleep.

"Prior to her attending kindergarten classes, Om's friends would call her and she would say, 'Wait, I'm still painting.' But now, it's play before painting," he said.

But he noted that Om's emotional quotient had risen since she started mingling with other children.

Lucky mom

Jyh Ming, 31, an occasional painter herself, takes her two children to and from school.

"I am lucky that I am the mother of such a child. She is a gift to me," said Jyh Ming, who conducts yoga classes in their home on Ybiernas Avenue beside the UP Iloilo City campus.

Jyh Ming said she practiced yoga when she was pregnant with Om and read to the baby the works of Eastern writers Kahlil Gibran and Rabindranath Tagore.

Also musically inclined, Jyh Ming recalled Om making noises and moving to the tunes of the boy band Boyzone at the age of two months.

Now 6 and very affectionate, Om has discovered dancing. She also sings her own compositions, prompting her mother to laugh and exclaim: "She just might come up with a new art performance where she dances, sings and paints at the same time."

2nd exhibit

The Dueñas couple are preparing for Om's second one-child exhibit of paintings in acrylic on paper board, temporarily titled "My Dream."

But Om is now less passionate about painting, having discovered the joys of watching the Powerpuff Girls and Nickelodeon on cable TV.

The family home is devoid of the typical furniture and decorated only with Guijo and Om's art works.

And for the moment, the child artist and her brother Blue Heart are oblivious to the world around them as they lie stomach down on a mat, giggling over TV cartoons.

slerz

October 16th, 2005, 04:40 PM

Hi Slerz!

Sorry for this late reply. Just busy this past weeks...so. Anyway, about Miriam, yes, if you happen to pass in our place and ask everybody about her, then I'm sure you can't get other answer except 'she's katok'. To say I don't have the right to say, well I think I can't accept that, who do you think have the right to say anyway? I voted for her before, I pay my taxes to the government, I am a citizen of this place. We are living in a democratic place, so they say. So don't you think I have all the right to say? Yes she's indeed a great comedienne! It's clearly reflected in the lives of the Filipinos. They (politicians) make a comedy out of the lives of Filipinos. If you want to keep your mouth shut, then it's up to you. Just don't ask me to be like you. Baka mag ka bad breath ako, aray....he he he... :runaway:
Anyway, as i've said before, if they do something for Iloilo, then they aaaarrrrreeee guapa and guapo, palanggaon ko gid cla, if not they have katok :eek2: :bash:

Weina, Im pointing on the moral aspect of responding... I'm not arguing with our being a democratic country and I'm not saying that you should shut your mouth up.... As for my religion, we shouldn't judge a person right away if we don't know the truth yet...
And don't worry its just my way of understanding people and its just my reaction when i said "Don't say that she has..." coz as you say we are a democratic coutry, we are very free to react and debate... and I like her because she's a strong and brave person thats why I defended her and I'm free to defend her, right?:)

chymera00

October 16th, 2005, 06:23 PM

Hello! (Pardon me if I always say hello in my every reply!)

I just noticed that our thread had become more peaceful lately... The Bacolod thread on the other hand became more colorful....

Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Fellow Ilonggos kinda (in some sense) lovin' each oda!!! At least, to make the thread and politics (Miriam, Drilon, Gonzalez, etc.) more colorful!!!

Hey, have you noticed that all malls save Atrium in the city had a sale this October 14, 15 and 16? Does anyone have an idea why we have such a 'sale bonanza'?

I'll share with you guys somethin' No offense to those living in Arevalo district. It's a bit strange everytime I go to the place... It's like its new and unfamiliar everytime I go there. Maybe because I'm living in La Paz and its too far from Villa...
You can help make it more lively :) I'm busy with school and life and all, so I can't be here always. Its sembreak and I'm going to enjoy these few days of freedom to the last minute. Good thing wecky is consistently present here, which is coz I don't have to miss any news while I'm away.

Aren't there always a citywide sale on October? maybe coz OFWs have just sent their money for enrollement ...

La Paz isn't that far from Villa, maybe just though it was far because of the traffic. I don't find any big changes in Villa, maybe you just don't go there that often.

Can I ask when will the CPU lights festival formally start???

Hey!!! If ever Philippines will become a federalist country, will Iloilo city be the capital of the state (Western Visayas) or will the regions all throughout the country be dismantled?

I believe that federalism will bring a positive change to the region, to the province and especially Iloilo City. Separate government, independent financing system, etc. Do you agree?

Lastly, do you think that if Iloilo will be the capital, it will bring drastic + change throughout the region???
There's really no concrete answer to your question coz the change for federalism is still in doubt let alone the plans for state groupings.

Yes, I absolutely agree that if planned well, Federalism can be the answer to this country's problem but if not it will just make a bigger burden.

If Iloilo becomes the capital of a Western Visayas federal state, I don't think it'll be any different (for the region) if Bacolod got the title.

But I hope Iloilo still gets to be the capital coz they don't have to build new buildings from scratch to house federal ministries and historically, Iloilo has always been the capital.

CPU (central philippine university) Festival of Lights will be on December 1, I guess. The food festival around the university will start as well following the opening of lights.

It's good that we'll have a federal form of government. We can govern our own finances in the region. Definitely, Iloilo City will be the capital of the region, just in case.

Drastic change? Yes .... as we have our own budget to fund our very own infras and developments. WE will not ask Malacanang all the time for financing, etc. It's really good. It's devolution of power. Each and everyone will be empowered.
Cool ... I'll remember to visit CPU for the Festival of Lights, also Pototan for their IWAG.

Yah, We don't have to take all the noise and politics of the present national gov't

chymera00

October 16th, 2005, 07:01 PM

Hi Ferrersky!

I can't understand why you feel a bit strange of Arevalo. New & unfamiliar??? Hello??? Haven't you been to Tatoys, Breakthrough, Villa Regatta, etc.,etc.. Haven't you heard of JBLF? Fireworks capital of Iloilo. Flower village? To say Villa is too far from La Paz is also quite unfathomable? :I am really shocked: !!! If you're lucky and there's no traffic, it's only 20 to 30 mins. drive if I can remember. To say it's far from La Paz? I'm shocked:. Maybe I suggest you need a deep dive to the villa beach for you to feel not strange of the place. Hey it's time for you to go out of your den...he he he...just kidding...

To Chymera and other handsome guys there:

Hello again.
I was busy these past weeks that's why I haven't visited this thread.
Chymera, can I ask you something, I read somewhere that St. Paul's now is the no.1 nursing school there, If I'm not wrong, I think before it's West, right? By the way, are there any new developments in the West?
Wecky is right but I'll try to clarify somethings

St. Paul's University (College of Nursing) belongs to a different category from West Visayas. So when 2 years ago both schools claimed they were #1 it was very much true.

St. Paul's belong to Category A (100 students or less taking the board)
They have consistently got #1 title because as wecky said, they screen their students before taking the exams. UP is also in Category A because they only admit a few people in their nursing curriculum

Meanwhile, West Visyas State University (College of Nursing) belongs to Category B (More than 100 students). There are more than 200 students from WVSU taking the exam every year, our school doesn't screen students before the exam. It is done during admission, where we are screened together with thousands of other applicants.

Last 2 years ago, WVSU got #1 rank (in Category B) with 99% passing rate (only 1 student didn't pass). Last Year, 13 students didn't pass the exam brinning the rating down to 95% (The WVSU-CON's lowest since it started) but we still managed to be on the Top 5.

Updates .. hmm... The IT faculty building (haha) was demolished coz a big IT buildings has resumed construction (after years of stagnation). So far it's 3 stories pa lang, but its already bigger than the Nursing Building and QH. It's located beside the Med Building, behind the COOP.

Let me answer some of the stuffs here Weina. I know it's not for me, though I have bit of an idea to share as well.

La Paz and Villa is quite far nowadays, not because of the vicinity but due to the heaviness of traffic around the city. On weekend, you can travel La Paz to Villa for 30 minutes but during weekdays, an hour travel or more, I guess. Villa Arevalo, being the old colonial hub of the city is fascinating in its own rights. Of course the beaches are still good though but you really need to give it a time to go there.

Why St Paul's the number school of Nursing now ... it's because it is the centre of excellence in nursing education. They screened their candidates will before taking board examination which I believe is just right talag. West is not so left behind. In the entire Philippines, St Paul University Iloilo is the number 2 school of nursing next to UP Manila while Wesrt (WVSU) is number 4 naman. The number of students taking board is also affecting WVSU's ranking. But of course when it comes to topnotchers, West outrun St Paul's in all sense.
Villa is a good place to go to wil lots of nice restos and resorts but Villa Beach has lost its allure ... Its too dirty and theres too many homes. You can try swimming there, but the next thing you'll find after you go diving in the water is a fresh piece of SH!T in front of your face, eww. There's always the swimming pool :)

Hi Chymera,

Aside from Savannah, are there any subdivisions that offer house and lot packages. By the way, are there any for sale memorial lots also in Iloilo City. I'm just preparing it for my myself, ha ha ha...
I'm not really knowledeable about real estate stuff and especially memorial lots. Heck, I'm not even legal enough to watch rated movies yet hehe. Wecky will be more help.

Providence is a world-class mass housing project in Pavia. Their ads say their are the only one of its kind in the Philippines. I'm sure there are a lot of other subdivisions that offer house and lot packages, I'm just not aware of them. Next time when I go to the mall, I'll try to get a brochure for you okay :p
Paspas subong ang Savannah, Chy. Ang mga sales rep nila are really busy. Kita ka na sang ila stand sa SM City. Check with the new updates. Ara gid ina. I have their promotional CDs here with me (courtesy of my former classmate in Alimodian who owned and operate a property realtor now) and I like to play it all the time. Just by looking and hearing from it made me proud of being an Ilonggo. In Savannah Glades fronting the biggest house owned by SMART Phil Manager is another big one under construction. Mas dako pa gid gani. But what I really like to see when I go home in 2007 are houses in Savannah Crest (the fourth community of Savannah). I don't know how will the 6-10million houses looks like. My sis stayed in Glen although we have lots in Glades and Trails as well. The smaller, the better ... hehehe. Magasto man mag-maintain balay. The Glen actually expand from a mere 15 heectare, now it is a 50-hectare community na. You'll see more of the development in Savannah. Damo man kami classmates dira pero mas damo kami nga taga-Alimodian sa Savannah subong ... hehehe.

Chy, focus more in your nursing classes. It's more improtant than minors. Sometimes, it needs mind-setting gid especially if it is not the course you really wanted to take before. I'm in your situation before. But think the fruit you'll reap in the future. The money you'll earn here abroad. 50,000 pesos every month is nothing. You can quadruple that monthly earnings you'll have here abroad or even more. Keep your eye on the target. A little sacrifice will do you good. You must be grateful that your parents send you in college and gave the money to enrol in Nursing. You know how expensive the course is right now especially in private schools. Try CPU, first sem of third year cost more than 35,000 pesos. You're still lucky. Hold on to that luck.

Again, goodluck !
Yeah I should focus more on my studies, coz I always take things for granted. I hope I still have more chances to change things... Anyways, if I don't ... patigayon lang ko da caregiver sa UK ah :)
I think Robinson's Place Iloilo is a four-level mall Chy ... as of now, three levels pa lang ang open but the fourth level is on its way. Gaisano just looks huge outside but too small inside. Robinson is much and way bigger than Gaisano City.
ay oki ... Coz when I counted the floors in the fountain area I only saw 3. It looks small, you can't see the whole mall coz the lot has other buildings surrounding it and the parking area is on a separate building. I think there isn't much difference in their gross leasable area (exc. parking areaetc..), but I guess we all agree that its waay better than Gaisano

chymera00

October 16th, 2005, 07:15 PM

wecky

October 16th, 2005, 09:18 PM

wecky

October 16th, 2005, 09:43 PM

You can help make it more lively :) I'm busy with school and life and all, so I can't be here always. Its sembreak and I'm going to enjoy these few days of freedom to the last minute. Good thing wecky is consistently present here, which is coz I don't have to miss any news while I'm away.

I do agree, Chy ... ferrersky, let's give Chymera his well-deserved break. All work, no play makes the boy .. ugly? .. hehehe .. joking lang ah. Amo gid ina sa nursing Chy. Soon you will not experienced any sem break of long summers kay even summer, you have a duty in the hospital for further completion. try to grab the opportunities you can to move around whilst you're not too busy yet. Come third year and you'll see what the real nursing course is all about.

Aren't there always a citywide sale on October? maybe coz OFWs have just sent their money for enrollement ...

aw ah. Amo ina gali? No idea at all. Siguro October coz medyo bonansiya na tanan sa Iloilo. We Ilonggos have this saving attitude where we consider some months to be leaned and we should be watching with all our expenses and etc. With the "ber" months, Iloilo kicks off with all the parties, shopping, etc. Tag-alani na ina sa uma. Iloilo thrives with a combination of economies. The province is agricultural-based and partly industrial while the city is highly commercialised, services, trade, industrial and corporate. That's how diversed the economy of Iloilo is .. we always have a back-up agriculture for our daily livings. Indi kita iya magutoman ah.

La Paz isn't that far from Villa, maybe just though it was far because of the traffic. I don't find any big changes in Villa, maybe you just don't go there that often.

that's right .. Iloilo's traffic is really worsening as the days go by. We have ordinances, etc for lessening the traffic volumes pero imbes magbuhin, nagdugang pa ang trapiko.

There's really no concrete answer to your question coz the change for federalism is still in doubt let alone the plans for state groupings.

Yes, I absolutely agree that if planned well, Federalism can be the answer to this country's problem but if not it will just make a bigger burden.

If Iloilo becomes the capital of a Western Visayas federal state, I don't think it'll be any different (for the region) if Bacolod got the title.

But I hope Iloilo still gets to be the capital coz they don't have to build new buildings from scratch to house federal ministries and historically, Iloilo has always been the capital.

I agree with these statements gid Chy.

Cool ... I'll remember to visit CPU for the Festival of Lights, also Pototan for their IWAG.

that's right Chy .. try to visit CPU by December. The opening of Lights is really fantastic. It is coupled with a grand fireworks display as CPU always been. The alumni all over the world is sponsoring this events and even shed a hundred thousand budget for the fireworks display. another best time to visit CPU and wonder around is the CPU International Nights where dignitaries and visitors all over the world gather in CPU for dinner. It's more spearheaded by Australian visitors and the last time, Guam, US and Canada joined as well. This year, a more bigger International Nights in the making. If you want to attend, let me know. I'm so happy to assist you on how to get there.

Yah, We don't have to take all the noise and politics of the present national gov't

Absolutely, right !

wecky

October 16th, 2005, 10:08 PM

Wecky is right but I'll try to clarify somethings

St. Paul's University (College of Nursing) belongs to a different category from West Visayas. So when 2 years ago both schools claimed they were #1 it was very much true.

St. Paul's belong to Category A (100 students or less taking the board)
They have consistently got #1 title because as wecky said, they screen their students before taking the exams. UP is also in Category A because they only admit a few people in their nursing curriculum

Meanwhile, West Visyas State University (College of Nursing) belongs to Category B (More than 100 students). There are more than 200 students from WVSU taking the exam every year, our school doesn't screen students before the exam. It is done during admission, where we are screened together with thousands of other applicants.

Last 2 years ago, WVSU got #1 rank (in Category B) with 99% passing rate (only 1 student didn't pass). Last Year, 13 students didn't pass the exam brinning the rating down to 95% (The WVSU-CON's lowest since it started) but we still managed to be on the Top 5.

Updates .. hmm... The IT faculty building (haha) was demolished coz a big IT buildings has resumed construction (after years of stagnation). So far it's 3 stories pa lang, but its already bigger than the Nursing Building and QH. It's located beside the Med Building, behind the COOP.

there you go ... well explained gid. St Paul's University Iloilo and West Visayas State University Colleges of Nursing are number 1 in their own categories. You can see it every time they released the board except the last board where they did not ranked any achools and board takers.

Chy, nice to hear that WVSU is improving their facilities as well. Hope more buildings will be erected for WVSU. Hope they keep up the good works.

Villa is a good place to go to wil lots of nice restos and resorts but Villa Beach has lost its allure ... Its too dirty and theres too many homes. You can try swimming there, but the next thing you'll find after you go diving in the water is a fresh piece of SH!T in front of your face, eww. There's always the swimming pool :)

Villa Bora is on top of the list nowadays ... hehehe ... of course, who will neglect the grand Punta Villa. Okay man ah pero tuluyuon. Besides the resorts, daw indi nami maglangoy sa Villa. If you want to go swimming, try Guimbal and Guimaras Island .. two of the best.

I'm not really knowledeable about real estate stuff and especially memorial lots. Heck, I'm not even legal enough to watch rated movies yet hehe. Wecky will be more help.

Providence is a world-class mass housing project in Pavia. Their ads say their are the only one of its kind in the Philippines. I'm sure there are a lot of other subdivisions that offer house and lot packages, I'm just not aware of them. Next time when I go to the mall, I'll try to get a brochure for you okay :p

such a baby Chymera ... hmmm ... providence as a world-class? hmmm .. don't know about that? I've seen their houses, scales, etc .. not too impressive to be a world-class. I rather choose The Metropolis or Puerto Real (aside from Savannah of course) if I want elegance and high-end lifestyle. I went to visit Puerto Real last August, I'm really impressed with huge houses there. Of course, topping the list is the owner/proprietor of Mang Inasal. The garage accomodated more than ten cars. Not a simple cars lang ha ... the like of Pajero, Crosswind, etc.

In The metropols naman, houses are very big as well but because of the poor security, it become less ideal to live. You can just get in and out of the subdivision without proper security checking .. it's a big no, no, no.

Yeah I should focus more on my studies, coz I always take things for granted. I hope I still have more chances to change things... Anyways, if I don't ... patigayon lang ko da caregiver sa UK ah :)

buang ... do the best you can dira. You're worth more than a caregiver Chy. You're capacity and capability exudes over them ... hehehe.

ay oki ... Coz when I counted the floors in the fountain area I only saw 3. It looks small, you can't see the whole mall coz the lot has other buildings surrounding it and the parking area is on a separate building. I think there isn't much difference in their gross leasable area (exc. parking areaetc..), but I guess we all agree that its waay better than Gaisano

yep, it's four floors Chy man nagsaka kami sa pinaka-ibabaw niya to usyuso lang a ... hehehe. It's really huge. I think, it is more bigger than SM City kung tan-awon mo lang. SM City Iloilo looks huge kay daw box siya pero Robinson's Place Iloilo medyo may liko-liko pa gamay. Try to have a good feel though ... hehehe .. or probably it's just me. Nagamayan ko iya sang SM city Iloilo.

wecky

October 17th, 2005, 11:32 PM

here some more news in Iloilo ...

Philippine electronic library now available in Region 6

ILOILO City -- In October 29, 2004, the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) hosted the "Forum on the Philippine e-Library Project" at the Iloilo City campus. It introduced the e-Library Project for the first time in Region VI.

With the assistance of the UP Visayas Library staff, all possible users of the project -- librarians of public and private schools and other agencies in Panay and Negros Occidental -- were invited.

The e-Library is a project of monumental scale. Spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the project wants to bring the country's National Library to the age of Information Technology by digitizing its archival and voluminous materials so that these can be accessed electronically through the Internet.

In addition, other reading and information materials of the DOST, the University of the Philippines, Department of Agriculture (DA), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will likewise be digitized for the same purpose.

Fast forward to 2005. The e-Library is now poised for launching. Prior to this, a seminar-workshop was conducted all over the country to orient would-be users on its proper usage.

In Region VI, librarians and representatives of government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, DOST and other local government units from Panay and Negros were hosted by UPV in collaboration with DOST Region VI under Regional Director Dr. Zinnia Teruel.

The man who steered the mammoth undertaking ws DOST Undersecretary Fortunato T. de la Peña. He used to chair the E-government Implementation Committee. After organizational changes, the committee is now called the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT).

"ICT should be used fully to empower our people and to improve the quality of life of the Filipino," he said. The e-Library is one such ICT project.

De la Peña enumerates five pillars that guide the strategic road map of ICT development in the Philippines. In no particular order of priority, these are the following:

1. Improvement of government services through the use of information and communications technology to achieve transparency, proficiency and a wider or easy access to government services through ICT.

2. A business development objective wherein more investments in ICT-related business by local and foreign investors will be encouraged.

3. Taking care of infrastructure. Because of the archipelagic form of our country, building infrastructure to connect its many islands is a big challenge. The ICT bridges this “gap.”

4. Develop human resource.

5. Improve the regional regulatory environment or framework of IT so that we can understand the different issues that confront us in the use of this new technology (i.e. issues pertaining to privacy, ethics, security)

"A brilliant idea," was how UPV Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Diana Edna Corda, described the e-Library project during her welcome remarks at the orientation workshop.

"It will provide a more efficient utilization of limited resources to the greatest number of individuals, from all walks of life. After all, learning is one aspect of human endeavor that will be with humanity through its lifetime," she added.

The Philippine e-Library is open for access to all Filipinos from all walks of life nationwide. In Region VI, its portals are now located at the Graduate and Continuing Education Building of UP in the Visayas, Iloilo City campus, and two are at the Miagao campus.

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Reg’l gab on feminist centennial set

ILOILO City – The University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) is organizing the conference entitled “Legacies & Gains of 100 Years of Women’s Struggles” on October 26-27, 2005 at its Iloilo City campus.

Proclamation No. 622 of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declares the year 2005 as the centennial of the feminist movement in the Philippines in recognition of the pioneering work of early women’s movements in the country for the improvement of the status of women.

The conference primarily seeks to enhance awareness and recognition of the great strides of various women to transform their personal and social situations. More specifically, it aims to:

(1) take stock and give due recognition of specific contributions and achievements of women of Western Visayas;

(2) encourage studies that uncover/discover/recover women’s experiences and histories;

(3) call attention to gender-blindness, and disempowering structures and cultural practices that hinder active participation of women in West Visayan society;

(4) provide a venue for sharing of insights and experiences which deal with the challenges women face across time;

(5) provide linkages between the initiatives taken towards the improvement of the status of women in the region with the rest of the country; and,

(6) encourage the creation of presentations and analyses for publication, valuable to further knowledge on women’s studies and gender relations.

The seminar is sponsored by the Center for Women’s Studies Foundation, Inc. Cebu Pacific, Four Season Hotel, Sarabia Manor and Convention Center, IBC TV-12 and Panay News. For further details, please contact Ms. Ira Pahila of the GDP office at telephone number (33) 509-0980 or email us at upvgdp@yahoo.com.

wecky

October 19th, 2005, 01:48 PM

Iloilo's current news ...

17 Iloilo towns, component city join Agri-Fair 2005

SEVENTEEN towns and a component city from the Province of Iloilo will join the Agri-Fair 2005 of the Department of Agriculture, Regional Unit No. 6 that will be held from October 19 to 22 at the Robinson's Place, Iloilo City.

These towns will showcase their products and delicacies in a booth set up for Iloilo province. These include the towns of Leon with its mango and organic veggies, Barotac Viejo - products from Integrated Farm System, Oton - banana chips/delicacies, Pototan - hybrid rice/cutflowers, Bingawan - Pili nut, Miagao - hablon/veggies/baye-baye, Alimodian - semi-tropics veggies, Cabatuan - organic veggies, Maasin - bamboo souvenir items, Badiangan - tahu/Bingauan bolos, Lambunao - Lakatan (banana), Pavia - cultflower, Dingle - papaya rosette, San Joaquin - organic rice/veggies, Tubungan - organic veggies and fruits, and Passi City - pineapple/sweet banana.

Aside from product exhibit, the Province of Iloilo will also conduct a demonstration on flower arrangement and cooking demos on cara-blossom burger and different mussel recipes on October 19.

Iloilo will also join the "Pasundayag 2005", a mini cultural show to be staged by the provinces which will showcase export winners/potentials. The province will be represented by Rondalla of Pavia Pilot Elem. School and Tultogan of Maasin Elem. School.

The cutting of ribbon and opening of exhibit will be led by Iloilo Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr., Guimaras Gov. Rahman Nava, Capiz Gov. Vicente Bermejo, Antique Gov. Salvacion Perez, Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez and Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Maranon to be assisted by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas.

This year's Agri-Fair carries the theme "Agri-Entrepreneurship: The Key Towards Global Competitiveness.

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Excitement building for Dungog Panay 2005: organizer

EXCITEMENT is building around a bold initiative to highlight the positive amidst all the negativity in the country today. Dungog Panay 2005 - a Mini-Conference and Festival -will be held at Cultural Center of WVSU November 12 to 13. Can examples of excellence stimulate positive social change?

Dr. Kristin Trenas, from event organizer Professionals for Social Responsibility (PRO-SR), thinks so. Quoting Victor Hugo who said "Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come," Dr. Trenas feels that "the time is now for Panayanons to focus on building a sustainable future."

Featuring numerous cultural performances like Dagway Sigmahanon, Iloilo Children's Choir and Kahilwayan Dance Troupe, the program seeks to highlight the crucial role of arts and culture in contributing to sustainability. The two-day event will also showcase many individuals and organizations already doing excellent work to build a visionary Panay including: award-winning teacher, Dr. Josette Biyo and local governance awardee Mayor Roberto R. Sualog.

According to Alternative Nobel Prize awardee, Nicanor Perlas: "Inspiring positive initiatives come mostly from individuals and groups who realize that true freedom comes from within. True freedom cannot be anything external. From inner freedom comes the true source of creative power strong enough to achieve profound change. Thus, the only limit to the future is our imagination, one based on a healthy respect for what we have achieved, and what we can further accomplish on the basis of our past achievements."

Day one of Dungog Panay will focus on: "Conservation and Development: Creating a Culture of Sustainability". The focus of day two will be "Mobilizing Entrepreneurship and Culture for Poverty Eradication." Taken together, the two day event will contribute to mapping a positive Panay as a starting point for integral sustainable development.

Dr. Trenas added: "With all the workshops, exhibits, talks and performances, it is sure to be an inspiring weekend. Don't miss it."

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The quest for the queens of festivals is on

THE search is on for the Iloilo Queen 2006 and Hiyas Sang Iloilo 2006 candidates to vie for these prestigious titles in the island.

This glittering event is one of the activities in celebration of the Dinagyang Festival, a homage to Sr. Sto. Nino.

To celebrate this world-class festival, the Sr. Sto. Nino Festival Queen of Iloilo Inc., a charitable production will hold this traditional quest cum beauty pageant on January 2006.

Qualifications

Lovely ladies who are interested to join must have the following qualifications: she must be a Filipino Citizen with six months residency of Province of Iloilo, 18-21 years old for Iloilo Queen title and 15-17 years old for the Hiyas Sang Iloilo title, at least 5'3 in height, a bonafide student currently enrolled with good moral character, must be articulate and with pleasing personality.

The Hiyas sang Iloilo winners will automatically qualify to represent Western Visayas Region in the Miss Teen Philippines Pageant in Manila.

For details and inquiries, please contact the pageant producers: Iloilo premier Showman Eddie Juatas, c/o Hotel Del Rio Business Center or call 3361214, 3373445 or text or call mobile number 09275222342; and fashion designer Zedrick Seneres at Herlene's Beauty Salon, Ground Floor Marymart Mall, Veleria St., Iloilo City or call telephone numbers 3376955 or 5092577.

Fabulous prizes await the winners.

The Juatas and Seneres are veteran organizers with Bb. Pilipinas, Ms Philippines Earth and Ms Teen Philippines Western Visayas to their credit.

The Iloilo Queen and the Hiyas sang Iloilo Beauty Pageant is set to promote the Province of Iloilo as one of the best religious destinations in the country.

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Work on Capitol power substation resumes
By Kathy Villalon Cinco

THE work on the Provincial Capitol's power substation will resume, Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr said this Monday.

"I have directed the contractor to resume work on the power substation. It will be finished in three months," he said.

Tupas said they have already secured a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the National Power Corporation (Napocor) as regards their intention to purchase power directly from the latter.

Follow rules

Tupas also defended the Provincial Government's move of not getting the Energy Regulatory Commission's permission as well as waiver from the Panay Electric Company (Peco) before the work on the power substation started.

"We are following the school of thought that being the government, we need not go through these," he said.

"But if the ERC says that this is their regulation and that we will follow it, we will. The ERC has not yet informed us that we need to apply from them," Tupas added.

Earlier, an official of the ERC said that the Provincial Government has to secure a waiver from the Peco as the latter holds the franchise of providing electricity in Iloilo.

The Provincial Government plans to buy electricity directly from Napocor instead of the Peco. Tupas said that through this, they will save as much as P300,000 a month in their monthly electric bills. The Provincial Government is presently paying an average of P1.2 million a month.

"I am hopeful that even without the ERC's permission, the Napocor will provide power directly to the Provincial Government," Tupas said.

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Island Paradise Adventure Race Visayas Leg launched

TOURISM officials announced the Visayas Leg of the Island Paradise Adventure Race (IPAR), the biggest adventure race ever in the Philippines, in terms of prize money and number of destinations.

In keeping with the adventure-racing trend popularized by reality television shows such as The Amazing Race, the Department of Tourism saw the opportunity to promote the Philippines as an adventure tourism destination. The country's diversity offers a wide range of exciting and unique experiences to jaded travelers who are looking for something out of the ordinary, and the Ipar program is set to showcase these unique destinations.

The Visayas Leg, set to run for nine days from Dec. 10 to 18, 2005, will take the participants from Manila through the southern Luzon provinces of Laguna, Batangas and Puerto Gallera then cross over Mindoro down to Boracay, Capiz and Iloilo, crossing the Guimaras strait through Negros to Bohol, finally finishing in Cebu. In all, the teams are expected to stop at around 50 destinations where they will perform challenges highlighting the local attractions. Since this is an inter-island adventure, teams are expected to traverse the Strong Republic Nautical Highway using the ro-ro shipping facilities, which are still something of a novelty.

According to Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, "Ipar is our way of positioning the Philippines as an ideal tourism destination, particularly for adventure enthusiasts as we believe our 7,100 islands have something to appeal to everyone. For the long term, we hope the Ipar program will be institutionalized as an ongoing tourism program, which will attract not only local but foreign adventure enthusiasts as well."

Unlike other adventure sports activities which are limited to adventure or extreme sports enthusiasts, tourism officials insist that the IPAR Visayas Leg is open to everyone interested in traveling across the Visayas and discovering the natural beauty, local traditions, and cultural offerings. Of course, competitors have to be physically and mentally fit for the rigors and challenges of a cross-country trek.

The Island Paradise Adventure Race - Visayas Leg is open to teams consisting of 2 members, who should be at least 18 years of age. One million pesos is at stake for the winning team. The second and third place finishers will be taking home P200,000 and P100,000 in prize money, respectively. The contest organizers are targeting at least 30 participating teams.

The application period is from October 17 to November 30, 2005. Interested participants may contact the Event Secretariat for the entry forms (Ask for Hussein or Pepe at tel. 5241997, mobile (928) 7977904, or email ipar_dot@yahoo.com). An entry fee of P3,000 will be charged per team. (PR)

wecky

October 19th, 2005, 02:14 PM

and more ...

Incentive guidelines out for D’gyang tribes
BY DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Incorporated (IDFI) has issued the guidelines on incentives for tribes interested to participate in the Dinagyang Festival come January 2006.

The incentive is a financial assistance given to participating groups to defray the costs of joining the Dinagyang festivities, the IDFI explained.

The IDFI also set the criteria for a tribe to be qualified for full financial assistance, to wit:

must have officially registered with an approved application; must have joined the competition in the last three years immediately preceding the contest; must be ranked top ten within previous year’s contest; must have been a participant of good standing without any violation of the festival rules; and the tribe owner/manager must have signed a contract of participation with the foundation.

Also, partial financial assistance shall be given for those within last year’s top ten “but has joined the competition for the last two years only (50 percent)” and for those who “had joined the contest only last year (25 percent).”

Tribes that ranked 11th and 12th in last year’s competition but had joined the contest for the last three years will get 50 percent incentive while those who have joined the competition for the last two years will get 25 percent incentive.

On the other hand, those who joined the festivity only last year shall only have an incentive of 10 percent.

However, the IDFI stressed that new entrants might also get an incentive of ten percent of the full amount of the incentive or P20,000 or whichever amount is less.

The IDFI Executive Committee shall be the one to determine the amount of incentives and the schedule of releases “based on the approved policy and availability of funds.”

IDFI Media and Publications Chair Nena Magalona said the IDFI scheduled October 28, 2005 as the tentative launching date of the Dinagyang Festival 2006.

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How about a 3-day D’gyang highlight?

By DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Incorporated (IDFI) is looking to have a three-day, instead of a two-day highlight of the Dinagyang Festival next year.

As practiced, the Dinagyang Festival has only Kasadyhan and Ati-Ati contests held on the last Saturday and Sunday of January.

IDFI Executive Director Ben Jimena disclosed that there are plans to include an Ati-Ati Contest sa Barangay if the Association of Tribes in Iloilo (ATI) would not perform during the Sunday affair.

He said IDFI plans to introduce a new presentation on a Friday just to cater to the desires of the ATI.

Jimena said the ATI do not adhere to the new guidelines which the IDFI proposes – that is, to only have one category on the Sunday performance.

As has been observed, the Ati-Ati festivity is divided in two categories – open and barangay category, respectively.

Members of the ATI are all performers from the barangay category.

“If that is the case, then we would have a performance on a Friday for the Ati-Ati Contest sa Barangay,” he said.

However, Jimena said they are still holding consultations on the matter.

“We have not finalized everything yet,” he said.

The IDFI shall launch next year’s Dinagyang Festival on October 28, 2005.

Jimena revealed that there were already 20 participating tribes that had registered with them for the Sunday performance “but these (tribes) will be subject to the evaluation of the foundation.”

The twenty tribes that had been registered by the IDFI, as of yesterday, were Tribu Pag-asa, Tribu Panaad, Tribu Molave, Tribu Parianon, TribuAtub-atub, TribuFamilia Sagrada, Tribu Bantu, Tribu Kalubihan, Tribu Dagyaw-ta, Tribu Angola, Tribu Aninipay, Tribu Hamili, Tribu Himala, Tribu Halimaw, Tribu Ilonganon, TribuSilak, Tribu Paghidaet, Tribu Baryohanon, Tribu Bola-bola and Tribu Taga-Jaro.

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No Iloilo transfer for DAR

BY DAVID ISRAEL SINAY

ILOILO City – There is no more chance that the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) central office would be transferred here.

DAR Assistant Regional Director for Operations Juan Bolaño disclosed, “there is no thorough planning in the execution of the plan.”

Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced the transfer of the DAR’s central office here but up to this moment, it was not implemented.

The former Iloilo Provincial Capitol building was eyed as the DAR’s office if they choose to transfer their central office here.

“The Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) fund finds it difficult if the central office be transferred here (too far from Metro Manila),” Bolaño said.

The ODA, a foreign funding organization, had been helping out with DAR’s projects and programs in terms of financial assistance from foreign sources.
“Foreign funding would be low,” he said.

Bolaño added the renaming back of the department from Department of Land Reform has given a wider scope of foreign support and backing on its projects and programs.

“The DLR has a limited scope unlike the DAR,” he said.

He said if the central office is to be transferred, there will be around 3,000 employees to be reassigned here.

Also, Bolaño said, if ever the government choose to transfer their office here, “it would only be a skeletal force.”

“The undersecretaries for operations, support services and planning may only be transferred here,” he asserted.

Bolaño added, “kun sayluhon gid ang central office diri mawad-an warta ang departamento.”

On August 23, Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 456 renaming the DLR back to DAR.

Arroyo had issued Executive Order No. 364 on September 27, 2004 transforming the DAR in the DLR.

Revenue collections up by 13.82% in Jan-Sept

The Bureau of Internal Revenue Region No. 11 based in Iloilo City reported an increase in its revenue collections amounting to P2,729,259,633.91 from January to September of this year from P2,397,942,244.19, up by 13.82 percent or P331,317,389.72 as compared to the same period last year.

The rise in revenue collections during the nine-month period is attributed to the improved revenue collection efforts of the different district offices under BIR Region No. 11. These district offices are Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 71 in Kalibo, Aklan, RDO No. 72 in Roxas City, RDO No. 73 in San Jose, Antique, RDO No. 74 in Iloilo City and RDO 75 in Zarraga, Iloilo.

During the period, RDO No. 71 in Kalibo, Aklan posted the highest increase in collection among the district offices with P282,872,268.58 registering a 71.86 percent increase or P118,274,081.73 compared to its last year's collection of P164,598,186.85.

This is followed by RDO No. 73 in San Jose, Antique with a collection of P168,382,370.70, recording an increase of 53.13 percent or P58,421,415.57 from P109,960,955.13 of same period last year.

On the other hand, RDO No. 72 in Roxas City has an increase of 29.56 percent or P51,972,166.35 from its collection of P175,835,079.47 last year to 227,807,245.82 this year.

Also, RDO No. 75 in Zarraga, Iloilo recorded an 8.15 percent increase or P15,926,581.19 that is from P195,461,112.26 last year to P211,387,693.45 this year.

RDO No. 74 in Iloilo City posted a 4.95 percent increase or P86,723,144,88 that is from P1,752,086,910.48 last year to P1,838,810,055.36 this year.

The same report showed that RDO No. 11 has exceeded its target collection goal by 3.06 percent or P80,990,633.91 during the nine-month period. (PIA)

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World Hospice Day draws benevolent givers
By Rodolfo P. Gumabong

Early dawn of October 8, a motorcade parade roared around city streets to signal the World Hospice Day celebration at the excitement of terminally-ill cancer patients and their caring families.

Dr. Anabelle Pabiona De Guzman, President of the Hospice and Family Care Fooundation, Inc., who painstakingly exerted great effort in making the magnanimous project real successful on August 9, 2002. She spearheaded the daylong celebration last Saturday held at the rooftop of the supply building of the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao this city.

What is Hospice Care? It is the care of terminally-ill cancer patients particularly those left only with six months to live, regardless of class, gender, age, ethnicity, religious background and geographical location. It is quite tragic that cancer patients especially the indigent suffer lonely death. Short of finances due to medical bills, often abandoned by friends and loved ones, depressed due to their physical condition and often alone in their last days of life on earth. Thus Hospice Care seeks to make their dying days full of life because doctors could no longer add days to life.

It was in the early month of August that a Memorandum of Agreement signed by the Medical Center Chief, Dr. Jose Mari C. Fermin and the Foundation President, Dr. Anabelle P. de Guzman that resulted in the donation of an 800 square meters lot at the back of the hospital where a P20 million Hospice Care facility will be put up. The Foundation will raise the money in order to put up the building and will jointly manage the health care services for the Hospice patients with the Medical Center. Manpower and staffing will be provided by the Western Visayas Medical Center. The PCSO has pledged P20 million for this laudable project and an initial amount of P1.5 million was released for the Phase I construction which is ongoing at present located at the rear portion of DOH regional office in Mandurriao.

Fund raising in the form of rummage sale, voluntary contribution and pledges from friends of Hospice have been resorted to raise the P15 million amount to put up three-storey building. Last Saturday, Gov. Neil Tupas, Sr. of Iloilo pledged P100,000, Pastor Maggie Hofilena herself a victim of breast cancer, gave P10,000 and Nelie Oblegacion shelled out P10,000. After appeals for Hospice Foundation funds were made by Father Idelfonso Tagamolila, Chaplain of the hospital and Rev. Wilson Gonzales of the Trinity Church, many visitors, nurses and doctors present put in their hundreds and more pesos to the offering basket. Dr. Anabelle de Guzman is confident that the goal of P15 million will be realized as soon as philanthropists in Iloilo, including civic, religious, the academe, businessmen and private citizens also have the heart to help cancer patients will send in their contribution for this noble cause.

Hospice uses an interdisciplinary team which includes physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, clergy and volunteers. It emphasizes in keeping patients at home with family and friends as long as possible, family support is the key part of hospice care. The knowledge that this love one is getting the best care helps family members tremendously hospice can assist as well.

The first Hospice Center opened in China as a nursing home and an old people’s home. Japan in 1977 started by the Baptist Missionaries; Korea in 1965, Singapore in December 1965, India in April 1997, Vietnam in 1997 started by Volunteers’ International in the United States of America and in Iloilo in 2002, the first ever hospice in the Philippines

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70 SMEs to join 'Panubli-on' 2005 in Manila

Seventy (70) Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will join the “Panubli-on” 2005 on 26-30 October at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. “Panubli-on” is a regional trade fair facilitated by the Department of Trade and Industry in the region. Now on its 3rd year, the fair will showcase products ranging from gifts and houseware, fresh and processed foods, novelty items, furniture and furnishings, fashion accessories and holiday decor. Of the participating SMEs, 6 are from Aklan, 1-Antique, 5-Capiz, 16-Guimaras, 9-Iloilo and 13 are from Negros Occidental. Three (3) SMEs from Palawan will join the group including 17 SMEs from the One Town One Product (OTOP) project of the region. All their products, which are in demand both in the domestic and export market, will take center stage in the 5-day fair. Exhibit hour is from 10:00AM to 9:00PM daily.

DTI Officials along with Ilonggo senators and congressmen from Metro Manila were invited to grace the affair including governors and mayors of capital towns and cities from the region.

The staging of the fair is in line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s agenda of boosting SMEs in the countryside. The fair will help build SMEs capabilities to become competitive by producing quality products at reasonable prices, acquire knowledge on market trends and information and improving skills on negotiating with buyers.

SMES in the region are recognized as among the best in the country. Just recently, the Mabini Limers and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc., the OTOP project of Buenavista, Guimaras, was chosen as one of the awardees for both the regional and national categories of the 2nd Business Excellence Award (BEA) for SMEs. The award was given by the Philippine Small and Medium Development Foundation (PHILSMED), the leading organization in the promotion and development of SMEs in the country.

Catch more of our SMEs success stories as “Panubli-on” 2005 unveil its secrets at SM Megamall. Everyone is invited to come. For more details please contact: Panubli-on secretariat, DTI Bldg., J.M. Basa/Peralta Sts, Iloilo City, Philippines, telephone number (033) 335-0060, fax (033) 335-0083, E-mail dtireg6@skyinet.net. “Panubli-on” 2005 is in cooperation with the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., Chapter VI-A.

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Guv seeks SP nod on add'l P14.8 M fund for new IRC
By Florence F. Hibionada

Bent on having a new jail before the year ends, the Iloilo Provincial Government is putting in more funds for the continued construction of the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) in Pototan, Iloilo.

Latest addition to the multi-million construction in Barangay Nanga of said town is P14,815.175.12. The said amount to be contracted has been awarded to contractor, Topmost Development and Manufacturing Corporation. Such, Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. in a letter to members of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) wrote, was the lowest calculated and responsive bid as determined by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).

With Tupas’ letter came the request for the SP approval of an authority so that he, in behalf of the Capitol may seal the deal with Topmost. The nearly P15 million in additional government funds will be used for the construction of additional works seen to make the new IRC operational later this year.

The Governor in his budget message to the SP wrote of his intent to finish the job very soon.

“I expect the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) to become operational by this year with new buildings in a much bigger site at Brgy. Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo,” he said while adding that the new jail will actually be more than just a jail. As such, IRC in its new home will serve as the Capitol’s “showcase agri-technology” site.

“It has been my top priority to continue to support the agriculture sector. This year, we will showcase agri-technology at the new IRC site, we will host the mango and cutflower congress and sustain our achievements in rice production, watermelon, livestock, poultry, fishery and other marine products. We have to bolster the enforcement of veterinary and regulatory functions,” the Governor wrote.

Meantime, retired Police Supt. Juan Mabugat, IRC warden works on getting additional guards to man the new jail. The transfer, he admitted in an earlier TNT interview has long been much-awaited with the present conditions not attuned to the present needs of the IRC detainees.

The modern IRC is expected to comfortably house the Ilonggo inmates averaging about 700 a month.

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Political will needed to save ecosystem, says German adviser
By Maricar M. Calubiran

A German consultant of the Visayan Sea project said that political will is needed to address the disturbed ecological system of the region.

Dr. Jan Michael Vakily said political leaders should come up with a decision in order to save the seas and protect the marine species in the Visayan sea. “If degradation continues, the people would end up fishing algae and would only eat algae cake.”

Vakily is formerly connected with the GTZ, a German company which conducted a study on the Visayan Sea. They made a scientific evaluation of the Visayan Sea two years ago. He believed the degradation is much worse today.

Vakily explained that there are conspicuous signs of a disturbed ecological system along the Visayan Sea and a strong indication of depleted marine resources.

Ecosystem is like a pyramid, high valued fishes are on the bottom and smaller fishes on the top, he said.

Vakily said there is already a decrease on the quantity of large fishes such as lapu-lapu and maya-maya. The mass occurrence of the squid is also an indication that the ecological system is disturbed. The smaller fishes were not allowed to mature in its size before they are immediately catched.

Vakily attributed the decrease of the marine species to overfishing, destruction of the fish sanctuaries and pollution. The commercial fishers are much to be blamed for the overfishing, he added.

He said stiffer imposition of fishery laws has “social implications” on the concerned local government unit. It is very costly for the government to implement the laws considering the size and distance of the waters.

Vakily added that it also requires the willingness of the people to accept the laws regarding fishery. If the people are hungry and the only way to resolve their hunger is to catch fish, they would still catch the fish even if it does not yet reach maturity.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 6 director Sonia Seville said Western Visayas is still self-sufficient of fish and other fishery products.

However, the fishery sector has still much to improve as 30 percent of the region’s catch is exported to the US, Canada and other European market.

The director said the shortfall on the fishery needs of the people could still be addressed through rural aquaculture and urban aquaculture.

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Raul Jr. to donate P2 M add'l fund for new slaughterhouse
By Maricar M. Calubiran

Iloilo Rep. Raul Gonzalez, Jr. said he will donate P2 million from his Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) as additional fund for the construction of the new city slaughterhouse in Brgy. Tacas, Jaro.

He said it was Mayor Jerry Treñas who asked for additional budget for the project to hasten its completion.

The solon added he has already poured out some funds for the construction of the Batiano Bridge as requested also by Treñas.

The city needs at least P25 million to finish the construction of the Class Double A abattoir in Jaro. The bulk of the funding for the construction of the new slaughterhouse came from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

So far, the DA has already released P6 million for the project. Another P5 million is expected to be released by the department after DA Secretary Domingo Panganiban assured the mayor of additional financial help.

The procurement of the lot, construction of the perimeter fence and access road leading to the site are the city’s counterpart for the project.

It was learned that the city is still on the process of conducting the bidding for the access road construction which has an allocation of P1 million.

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Dinagyang 2006 launching set Oct. 28
By Erly C. Garcia

The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI)and the city government of Iloilo are now getting ready for yet another grand celebration of Dinagyang Festival next year.

Dinagyang 2006 will be officially launched this coming Friday, October 28, at SM City Iloilo. Next year's celebration, to highlight on January 28 and 29, will revolve around the theme: “Healing thru devotion to Sr. Sto. Niño.”

In a media briefing, Nena Magalona of the Philippine Information Agency said IDFI has already mapped out plans and strategies aimed at making Dinagyang 2006 another huge success.

Magalona said IDFI hopes to increase visitor's arrival next year by 50 per cent. She said visitor's arrival for Dinagyang 2005 only registered 34 per cent.

Magalona noted that there would be changes in next year's Dinagyang as part of moves to improve the celebration.

Among which is the making of the tribes competition only under one category. As of October 17, 2005 a total of twenty tribes have already registered with the IDFI. These are: Tribu Pag-asa, Tribu Pana-ad, Tribu Molave, Tribu Pari-anon, Tribu Atub-atub, Tribu Familia Sagrada, Tribu Bantu, Tribu Kalubihan, Tribu Dagyaw Ta, Tribu Angola, Tribu Aninipay, Tribu Hamili, Tribu Himala, Tribu Halimaw, Tribu Ilonganon, Tribu Silak, Tribu Paghidaet, Tribu Baryohanon, Tribu Bola-Bola, and Tribu “Ang Taga Jaro.”

As usual IDFI would be shelling out funds for the participating tribes to defray cost of joining the contest but it would be regulated.

Full financial assistance would be given to groups or tribes that have joined the competition for the last three years immediately preceding the contest, ranked within the top ten of the previous year's contest and a participant of good standing without any violation of festival rules.

Partial financial assistance, on the other hand, would be given among those that have joined for the last two years and not included in the top ten ranking.

Magalona added, to highlight the religious significance of the festival the Sr. Sto. Niño from Cebu will again be brought here in Iloilo and would be made to stay longer so that devotees could have enough time to pay tribute to it.

To note, IDFI has allotted P10 million for the celebration, of which P2 million is earmarked for financial assistance to Ati-ati tribes and P720,000 for the Kasadyahan tribes.

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GRECON: Rice distributors, feeding hand of the community
By Florence F. Hibionada

An elderly gladly shows her share of early Chrismas present from GRECON.
Some 300 families of Iloilo City identified to be in greater need of assistance got early Christmas presents from members of the Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (GRECON) – Visayas.

Guided by one of the organization’s battlecry, GRECON Provincial President Annie Tobias led fellow grains retailers in giving out ration of rice, canned goods and noodles to recipient-families of Barangay Pala-Pala 1 and Barangay Pala-Pala 2. As the group maintained, “giving is a calling and it is a call to share what we have that demands a generous spirit.” After all, GRECON stands to be more than just a rice distributor but a “tool in reaching out a feeding hand to the less fortunate in the countryside.”

A brainchild of GRECON National President Teresa Alegado, the feeding program has since been embraced by the government. Monday’s distribution was realized in partnership with the National Food Authority (NFA) here, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the Iloilo City Government. It was also to be the highlight of GRECON Visayas’ Silver Founding Anniversary now under the unifying leadership of its Regional Director, James Magbanua.

“Unity among GRECON members is a very timely move for all of us to be effective in toppling down poverty,” the group stated of its mission. “The cruise of GRECON Visayas is heading towards the ideal aim of the organization. Come another day, we will truly serve our purpose as a servant of the poor!”

Alongside Tobias, GRECON Visayas has Clemente Abordo as vice president, Julia Maravilla and Jofel Marañon-Soldevilla as secretaries, Gilda Diola as treasurer, Noel Orquinasa and Barbara Sy as auditors, Bibiana Palomo and Cecille Maniaol as business managers, Margarito Parcon and Nenen Devicente as PCOs and Cristina Sorongon as PRO.

Members of the Board are Elma Espera and Alma Labrador with Antonio Mendoza as GRECON Visayas adviser.

“We work very hard to be acknowledged as the bankable and indispensable NFA rice retailers. Along with this, we take this responsibility by heart,” Tobias said of the group’s focus.

GRECON Visayas. More than just rice distributors.

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Botika ng Bayan partners with Iloilo Province

The province of Iloilo will be the first partner province of the Botika ng Bayan (BnB) Program in the country.

This was learned recently from Philippine International Trading Corporation President Roberto “Obet” Pagdanganan during his visit to Iloilo as keynote speaker on Health Coop Biz’ 06 in connection with the province’s celebration of the International Cooperative Month.

He said aside from Iloilo Province, PITC also partnered with the League of Cities headed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and the Archdiocese of Jaro where the first BnB sa Parokya is to be put up.

Pangdaganan said this is “good news” for the Ilonggos because with the presence of BnB Program in Iloilo, people can buy quality, low priced drugs and medicines.

He said “we have the most expensive medicines in the whole world especially those branded and off-patent.

“So we have to correct this anomalous situation where Filipinos pay five to seven times more for certain drugs or medicines,” Pagdanganan said.

He said to correct these practices, PITC accredits existing pharmacies and even encourages cooperatives to put up their own BnB.

Pagdangan said P.5 billion is needed to start a BnB.

He said BnB can help strengthen the local pharmaceutical

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Iloilo Dinagyang a case model for local economic devt

The Iloilo Dinagyang was featured as a success story of partnership between a local government unit and a private organization, during the World Habitat Day Celebration in Butuan City, last October 12-14, 2005.

The Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), presented the Dinagyang experience as a case model in the public-private partnership in a workshop on Strategic Planning for Local Economic development(LED) facilitated by CUI Regional Manager Francis Gentoral.

Dinagyang Executive Director Ben Jimena talked about the gains of the collaboration between the City of Iloilo and the Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. since the latter took over the operation of the festival in 2002. He also cited the role of other local stakeholders and the efforts and strategies of the marketing and promotions and other partners.

Tagged as Balanghai Summit, the World Habitat Day celebration was held by the Local Inter-government Actions for Integrated and Innovative Solutions for the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), in cooperation with the Government of New Zealand, UN Habitat, UNDP, Philippine Urban Forum, League of Cities of the Philippines and the City Government of Butuan.

Participating in the summit were the fourteen cities, the first batch selected to be the beneficiaries of the localization of the MDGs. About 200 hundred participants attended the conference which was keynoted by Vice President Noli de Castro, who is also the Chairperson for HUDCC.

In addition to his presentation on the Dinagyang, Mr. Ben Jimena also talked about the different task forces which the Iloilo City government created to implement programs and projects. These are the Iloilo Investment Promotion Center, Iloilo City Tourism Commission, Iloilo City Convention Bureau, Iloilo City Investment Incentive Board, Traffic Management Task Force, Clean and Green Project, Solid Waste Management, Flood Control Project, the Iloilo Cultural Heritage Conservation Council and the Guimaras Iloilo City Alliance.

For Guimaras Mr. Evan Anthony Arias, discussed the organization and operation of the Provincial Economic Office, while Ms. Angeles Gabinete reported on community-based heritage tourism.

It was learned in that Summit that GAINS for the MDGs has considered using the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2006 as aprotoype tool in promoting and achieving the MDGs.