Gov’t troopers and rebels clash anew

Quakes jolt Bulusan, more explosions

expected - Phivolcs

Dead holduppers identifi ed

DTI keeps tight watch on substandard Christmas

lights, other products

Robredo: Government not forcing STL operations

Moratorium on Buhi fishing mulled

Bicol University eyes offering weather forecasting courses

“Drastic” measures proposed to save lake

rEBEls / PAGE 5

BUlUsAn / PAGE 5

HoldUPPErs/ PAGE 4

dti / PAGE 5

BUHi / PAGE 5 stl / PAGE 5

BU / PAGE 5

sonnY sAlEs

BY dAnnY o. cAllEJA

TigaOn, CamarinEs sur—pa-TrOling government troopers clash anew with communist rebels in remote barangay San Ramon, Pamplona, Cam. Sur, the 42nd Infantry Battalion, PA, which has jurisdiction over this province reported on Tues. (Nov. 16).

42nd Infantry Battalion commanding offi cer, Lt. Col. Ernesto Cruz revealed that a

lEgaZpi CiTy, nov. 19 - at least 41 volcanic earthquakes jolted Mount Bulusan on Friday, the highest number so far detect-ed by seismic instruments for the past fi ve days, signifying that pressure is still building up and this may probably lead to more ash and steam laden explosions, volcanologists said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology

naga CiTy (16 nOvEmbEr) —wiTh mOsT localities being assessed as a “crime free day” last Sunday (Nov. 14) because of many residents being glued to their TV sets for the Pacquiao-Margarito fi ght, in Pam-plona, Camarines Sur, two notorious armed robbers engaged a joint team of lawmen in shoot-out which eventually ended their lives.

Police Provincial Director, Sr. Supt. Jonathan Viernes Ablang, identifi ed last

daET, CamarinEs nOrTE (18 nO-vEmbEr) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has conducted an enforcement activity for the substandard products like Christmas lights.

Beth Parro, Senior Specialist of the Consumer Welfare Division, said that of the 11 inspected last week, there were no apprehensions selling substandard products

dumaguETE CiTy, nOv. 18 - ThE operation of the Small Town Lottery (STL) will only be allowed if the local government unit concerned will allow it, according to Secretary Jessie Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Robredo’s clarifi cation comes in the wake of reports that the operation of STL is being forced by the government while keep-

buhi, CamarinEs sur (16 nov) —a ThrEE yEar Moratorium which will prohibit the operation of commercial fi sh cages, and confi ning fi sh cage operations to only 10% of the lake area are among the drastic measures being proposed by an inter-agency group now conducting studies on the worsening pollution in Lake Buhi.

These measures, together with the dismantling of illegal fi sh cages and the

“Dealer of quality home appliances & furnitures”

multibrand

disTribuTOr main: COr. p. burgOs & gEn. luna sTs., naga CiTy TEl nOs.: (054) 473.72.62 / 478.34.58

branChEs: IRIGA • LEGASPI • SORSOGON

non-issuance of new fi shing licenses, were proposed by concerned agencies during a joint Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sang-guniang Bayan of Buhi session held in this town the other day to probe the fi sh kill incident that resulted to some P 80-Million in losses to the Tilapia-raising industry in this lake town.

In a report at the joint session, the pro-

lEgaZpi CiTy, nOv. 17 -– in response to the shortage of weathermen in the coun-try, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda on Tuesday said he is all out in supporting the plan of Bicol University (BU) to offer climate science-related courses leading to a degree in meteorology.

“It is a given fact that our weather bureau is being confronted by a shortage

in weather forecasters and that we need science-oriented colleges or universities offering courses leading to this line of expertise,” Salceda said.

So far, it is only the College of Science (CS) at the Diliman campus of the Uni-versity of the Philippines (UP), through its institute of Environmental Science and Me-teorology (IESM), that produces doctorate

YOUNG SHOOTER. 7 year old Razvale Sayat who took the photo above started shooting using a DSLR when he was fi ve, and started using a point-and-shoot camera when he was three years old. He was trained and guided by his father and two uncles who are all professional photographers.

LOW TIDE. Dusk creeps and waters subside at Sorsogon City Pier in this photo taken by young Razvale Sayat.

15 -21 november 2010 volume XXvIII | Issue no. 26| 2 Vox Bikol

Truth

Calling Each Other

Early This mOnTh wE sTaTEd that in order to begin saving Lake Buhi, the strict implementation of the Fisheries Code provision that only 10 percent of the total area of any lake be occupied by fish cages ought to be effected. This, we admitted, had very troubling direct consequences to the economy of Buhi where majority of the inhabitants are largely dependent on the fishing industry.

In the recent joint session between the Sang-guniang Panlalawigan of Camarines Sur and Sangguniang Bayan of Buhi, the above measure together with other “bitter pills” for the lake-side municipality had been proposed by invited experts to save the lake whose waters had been confirmed to be dangerously polluted. These “pills” include a moratorium on the operations of fish cages, the review and possible revocation of fishing permits, and the cessation of issuance of new fishing permits.

The experts’ final recommendations are still pending until the impact assessment of the proposed measures had been completed; yet, it is becoming apparent that Buhi and its LGU will have to make difficult choices soon. For it is clear that the current condition of the lake’s eco-system endangers the very industry which had since throve in it: fish kills will continue if the pollution of the lake persists and remain unaddressed.

As the town of Buhi makes the tough choic-es in the face of this environmental and social problem, the provincial and national govern-ments must put into place the needed safety nets that will allow support for the said municipality and its community members. An obvious exam-ple of these is available funding for alternative livelihoods.

These safety nets, following the well-known proverb, must not just provide the people with fish, but instead must teach them to fish for themselves. Albeit in this case, these safety nets must teach the people of Buhi to fish elsewhere other than the lake.

Tough choices

Editorial

Viewpoints

“havE yOu fOund ThE TruTh?” I joked Atty. Cho-Choy Medina, a member of the Truth Commission, when I met him on Nov. 9, during our meeting of the Philippine Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism.“Not yet,” he replied.

Seriously though, the Truth Commission should consider the report by Human Rights Watch on the Maguindanao Massacre and the Ampatuans and other warlords, which was released a few days ago.

Entitled, “‘They Own the People’: The Ampatuans, State-Backed Militias, and Killings in the Southern Philippines,” the report also implicates former Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo of nurturing the Ampatuan clan. Thus—

“While killings among ruling families in central Mindanao are not uncommon, the scale and brutality of the November 23 massacre far exceeded previous attacks in this violent region. It also focused international attention on ruling families like the Ampatuans, and the lawlessness that persists in much of the Philippines. Less scrutinized than the violence itself, however, but ultimately of greater significance, is the support that the national government provides such families throughout the country, and the near total impunity that their abusive militias enjoy. Successive national governments have not dismantled and disarmed these militia forces, as stipulated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, nor have they investigated and prosecuted unlawful activities by those who control, arm, and use them for private ends.” (p. 3)

“The private army of the Ampatuan family may be among the most abusive in the Philippines, but it is just one

ThE way wE Call EaCh other now resolves a long and interesting debate about kinship. The old debate was between the search for the universals in human relations and that which saw in the terms we used to address each other the trait of languages – fluid and symbolic.

Fluidity and a strong sense of the arbitrary are the rules in kinship terms. Listen to couples calling each other “Papa” and “Mama” instead of their respective names. Where did this start, and what was the reason for the dominance of this labeling? Some parents I asked informally years ago told me that the reason for this calling was to instill early on in their kids the manner by which they wanted to be addressed. I do not understand this explanation because in my generation, our parents never called each other “Papa” and “Mama.” Does this mean the succeeding generations of children were slow to learn the proper names for their father and mother? Were the children more distracted and dumber?

In my family, I learned to call my elder brother, Manong, even if my father and mother called him by his nickname, Pempe. I knew that he was Manong and that I could not call him Pempe. My parents did not call him Manong so that I would learn to address him in that manner. I just knew that he was Manong.

In families now, elder male children are addressed as “Kuya,” again using the same reasoning that the siblings would then learn to call him as such. This is most interesting because out in the public areas, in internet cafes, for example, staff would usually address little boys as “Kuya.” Again, this has no explanation except perhaps for us to assume that the name boosts the maturity of the male little kids.

Addressing authorities is even a more complex field, as baroque as the studies done by early anthropologists. We have varied choices but “Sir” and “Ma’am” have become current and popular appellation. In campuses, teachers are either “Sir-This” or “Ma’am-That.” The noble sound in those names does not readily translate into respect. You can hear students talking about how gross “Sir __” is, and how dumb “Ma’am __” is.

In Bikol, I know a student is not from Naga when s/he

among many. More than 100 private armies, large and small, are estimated to be operating throughout the Philippines, primarily but not exclusively in rural areas, and often but not always where there is an active insurgency. The level

of direct government support for these militias varies, but if the Ampatuan example is any indication, a history of abuses is no disqualifier. So long as such official support continues, so will these forces and the atrocities for which they have been responsible.” (p. 6)

“The Arroyo government, in exchange for political support from the Ampatuans, tacitly permitted if not actually facilitated the strengthening of various militia forces, increasing the sale of military weaponry, and ensuring impunity for rights abuses in Maguindanao.xxx Under the Arroyo administration, militia forces under the control of the Ampatuans grew considerably. Insiders reported that President Arroyo was a regular visitor to the Ampatuan compound.” (p. 72)

“There are credible reports that the Ampatuans fraudulently manipulated the 2004 and 2007 elections in favor of Arroyo and her administration. In 2004, Maguindanao was one of the provinces mentioned on the ‘Hello Garci’ tapes, the tapes of wiretapped conversations between, among others, a man presumed to be Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and a woman alleged to be President Arroyo, which prompted allegations that Arroyo had rigged the 2004 elections. In two municipalities in Maguindanao, Ampatuan and Datu Piang, Arroyo’s opponent Fernando Poe, Jr. received zero votes; in two other municipalities he received five votes.” (p. 74)

calls his/her female teacher “Madam.” This is eerie because in many novels and short stories “Madam” has collapsed from her shining pedestal down to a more dubious level of being a caretaker of “brothels.”

The universe of titles, to illustrate how complex and fluid it has become, is social-status

sensitive. However much you respect or pretend to respect the janitor or the woman managing the canteen, they will never be “Sir” or “Ma’am” but Manong and Manang. This is a Manila import, a practice of students especially in exclusive schools where the term is rural enough to implicate the roots (as

perceived by students) and origins of these canteen help and assistants. In Naga, these “Manong” and “Manang” have taken roots also. The variation is “Manay” and “Manoy.” A word of caution: even if you want to go native and go cute, never addresss a teacher “Manong” or “Manang.”

In our highly matriarchal society, there is also the creature called “Mommy.” There is nothing matriarchal however, with this being, for that person who is given this title is usually the despotic type, a kind of a virago in the guise of a good spirit. This woman, far advanced in age and about to retire, is difficult to deal with and is badly in need of attention. To defuse her virulence, a title of warmth and care is then dispatched to her side. Sometimes it works, but even when it works, the “Mommy” always suffocates. There is no equivalent in the male gender. However mature that male manager in your office, he is never called a “Daddy.” If he is called as such, we can assume the relationship between the “callee” and the caller is never patriarchal. You cannot address him also as Papa for that would indicate a kinship that is more economic than filial. Behind the back, however, of all prospective “Mommy” and “Daddy” and “Papa,” they can always be addressed as “Lola.” Finally, the dearest term for our grandmother has been turned into a classification for somebody not endearing.

David Schneider who is the foremost authority on symbolic kinship is right: “kinship . . . is essentially undefined and vacuous: it is an analytic construct which seems to have little justification even as an analytic construct.”

One of the criminals hanging with Jesus insulted him, “So you are the Messiah? Save yourself and us as well!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Have you no fear of God, you who received the same sentence as he did? For us it is just: this is payment for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “Truly, you will be with me today in paradise.”

Gospel...

15 - 21 november 2010 volume XXvIII | Issue no. 26 3Vox Bikol

how can it fund the regulatory risk insurance? National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Cayetano Paderanga said that they will tap multi-lateral institutions to provide for the guarantees so that when PPP investors face risk, they can still “be paid fast and immediately”.

Ultimately, however, it will still be the taxpayers who will foot the bill of the risk insurance through debt payments – inter-est and principal – to the multilateral creditors. Likely sources in-clude the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, two of the most aggressive lenders and active promoters of PPP projects. The latter has already indicated a willingness to provide funds for the PPP projects of the Aquino administration.

Thus, even if government claims that it is not providing notorious sovereign guarantees for PPP projects, the country may still end up more indebted than ever before.

undErmining ThE COurTsIn addition, the risk insurance guarantee may also have the

effect of undermining the system of check and balance and the use of courts to protect public interest.

For example, people who will turn to courts to question and stop the implementation of disadvantageous and harmful PPP contracts – like those that will lead to an enormous increase in toll rates, MRT fares, water and electricity bills, etc., or those that will result in physical displacement, environmental degradation, etc. – may get a favorable ruling.

But this favorable ruling will be negated, if not become practically meaningless, because the private operator will still be compensated through the risk insurance, which the people themselves will ultimately pay for to the World Bank, ADB, or whichever multilateral bank is funding the risk insurance.

infrasTruCTurE fundAside from the risk insurance, the Aquino administration is

also working with the multilateral banks for the establishment of the Philippine Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF). This new entity is being patterned, according to the finance depart-ment, after India’s Infrastructure Development Finance Co. Ltd. (IDFC) and Indonesia’s PT Indonesia Infrastructure Finance (IIF).

In its website, the IDFC is described as “India’s leading infrastructure finance player providing end to end infrastruc-ture financing and project implementation services”. On the other hand, the IIF was officially launched just last August as a private infrastructure financing company with an initial capital of US$170.3 million from the Indonesian government, the World Bank’s private lending arm International Finance Corp. (IFC), and the ADB on top of a 2 trillion rupiah loans from the same multilateral banks.

There is no official and final announcement yet on how the planned PIDF will raise resources. But it is likely that similar to the IIF of Indonesia, the Philippine government will shell out funds for the new entity’s initial capital, which is also expected to be beefed up by loans from the World Bank, ADB, and other foreign creditors.

In earlier statements, finance officials also disclosed that the PIDF may engage in issuing 25-year bonds domestically, target-ing pension and insurance companies. The money borrowed will then be re-loaned to investors involved in PPP projects. Thus, in effect, the PIDF will become a mechanism of the Aquino admin-istration to guarantee funders and creditors that the money loaned to PPP investors will be repaid.

COrpOraTE TakEOvErFor the Aquino administration, the private sector does not

simply aim to profit but is in fact the “main engine for national growth and development”. Thus, through PPP projects, many crucial responsibilities of the government are being transferred to profit-oriented private corporations and banks, particularly the development and operation of core infrastructure such as roads and mass transportation network, power generation, and water supply and distribution, among others.

Consistent with the neoliberal agenda, PPP reduces the role of the public sector in stimulating growth and development, and consequently undermines the responsibility of the government to ensure economic opportunities for the weak and vulnerable and equitable distribution of wealth. The supposed role of the government as regulator is tokenism at best since the main idea as espoused by neoliberalism is to let the corporations operate in the most favorable condition possible, i.e. no state intervention.

PPP initiatives are governed by contracts that set out the terms of the supposed partnership. But these contracts are often pre-designed by multilateral funders and banks to ensure that they are attractive enough for the private investors, in the process taking away any meaningful government regulation. One exam-ple is the MWSS privatization wherein the World Bank-designed concession contracts created a government regulatory body that is toothless and ineffectual.

ThE COsT Of pppThe Aquino administration, whose team of economic man-

agers and advisers are made up of the same people behind the neoliberal reforms of the past regimes, including the Arroyo ad-ministration, considers PPP as a magic bullet that will help solve the country’s chronic fiscal deficit and lack of infrastructure. Combined with a strong anti-corruption drive, the program will supposedly bring in and maximize private investments, create

By IBON FEATURES(Bulatlat.com)

ppp: more public debt, less government responsibility solemnidad ni kristong hadeAnalysis

Viewpoints

manila – asidE frOm furThEr blOaTing the debt burden, Aquino’s PPP thrust will also facilitate increased corpo-rate takeover of government roles and at the expense of public interest

On November 17-19, Malacañang will host a major event called “Infrastructure Philippines 2010” or what is referred to in the media as the public-private partnership (PPP) summit. This is an important summit for President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who has made PPP the centerpiece of his administration’s development plan.

According to its website, the summit “will examine invest-ment opportunities, profiles of PPP projects in the Philippines, as well as policy, regulatory, and legal concerns in developing the infrastructure sector in the Philippines”.

Apologists of neoliberal globalization argue that while the corporations and banks will profit from PPP projects, they will in return finance and build much-needed infrastructure, which the cash-strapped government cannot afford. Aside from reaping the gains brought about by more infrastructures, the people will also supposedly benefit from improved government services since limited public resources will now be more focused on the provi-sion of social services.

But are PPP projects, just like in any partnership, a mutually beneficial setup?

aT nO COsT?With a population of more than 94 million and growing,

and a government that is facing a record fiscal deficit of Php325 billion by yearend, the Aquino administration claims that there is no viable way to meet the tremendous and increasing need for infrastructure in the country other than the PPP route.

Meanwhile, compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors that are spending on infrastructure an average of 5% of gross domes-tic product (GDP), the Philippines is only spending 3 percent.

The logic is that PPP will allow the government to save its scant resources because the private sector will shoulder the financial burden of building, maintaining, and operating costly infrastructure. In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, Aquino keenly plugged his PPP thrust declaring that through such partnerships, “we will meet our needs without spending, and we will also earn”.

However, no capitalist will invest in big-ticket projects in a relatively small market like the Philippines without certain guarantees that will ensure the protection and profitability of his investment.

Consequently, PPP contracts are loaded with favorable terms for investors like guaranteed return on investment, guaranteed market and sales, fiscal incentives, full cost recovery including on inflation and currency fluctuation, and even unheard of sweeten-ers such as subsidies for production input (the fuel cost subsidy of Napocor’s independent power producers comes to mind) – all of which are borne by the people as consumers and as taxpayers.

This has been the case in past PPP efforts since the first Aquino administration, Noynoy’s late mother Pres. Cory, intro-duced the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law in 1990.

nOT manna frOm hEavEnBut Aquino wants to outdo his predecessors including the

Arroyo administration whose much-hyped “legacy” centers on supposed unprecedented achievements in infrastructure develop-ment. “I am very confident we will not only exceed (Arroyo’s achievements) but will beat it by a mile,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima boldy predicted.

How do Aquino and his economic managers plan to do that? Underneath all the talks about bureaucratic reform and fighting corruption to attract the best capitalists to invest in PPP, the harsh reality is that more investors will come only with more state guarantees and protection such as guaranteed investment return, access to loans backed by government guarantees, and in recent years, protection from risks arising from unfavorable court deci-sions that affect profitability.

PPP investments are “not manna from heaven”, as Purisima has recently admitted. Put more concretely, PPP will exact costs from the government and the people, contrary to Aquino’s earlier proclamation that we will not spend a single peso.

rEgulaTOry risk insuranCETo make its PPP summit more saleable, the Aquino adminis-

tration has designed a new scheme to protect the interest of inves-tors. Aside from the traditional state guarantees on profits, etc. the government is also offering “pertinent incentives” to further stimulate private resources for PPP projects.

One of them is a so-called “regulatory risk insurance” under which the government will protect investors from “certain regula-tory risk events such as court orders or decisions by regulatory bodies which prevent investors from adjusting tariffs to contrac-tually agreed levels”.

Aquino’s economic managers explain that such insurance could take the form of make-up payments from the government to PPP investors, other guaranteed payments, and adjustment to contract terms. The terms of protection will be included in the contract of each PPP project.

While the government assures us that the risk insurance will only be offered on a case-to-case basis, it is reasonable to expect every profit-seeking investor that will participate in PPP projects to ask for the said insurance.

But if the government is operating on a serious deficit,

yaOn na kiTa sa pinakahuring domingo kan Kalendaryo Liturhiko. Asin sa sunod na Domingo, mapoon na naman kita nin bagong taon sa paagi kan Enot na Do-mingo nin Adbyento.

Sa Domingong ini, pinapagirum-dom kita kun sisay an tunay na Hade sa satong buhay. Sya mayong iba kundi si Jesus na satuyang Kagurangnan. Sa solemnidad na ini, tinutukduan man kita kan tunay tang pagmidbid kan sadiri asin kan tamang pagkasabot kan lider nin banwaan.

An debosyon ki Kristong Hade saro sa maluyang debo-syon sa satong nasyon. Natatahuban sya kan debosyon sa Penafrancia na kun sain si Jesus saro sanang omboy. O sa Santo Nino na kun sain si Jesus sarong omboy. Alagad, an debosyon ki Kristong Hade mahalaga man sa sato.

Sa paagi kan debosyon na ini, magkakaigwa kita nin pagkasabot kan halaga kan lider sa satong buhay. Sosog sa satong ekspiryensya, igwa kita sa satong nasyon nin krisis sa liderato. Kulang an mga lider na may tunay na pagmaku-log sa sato asin sa satong banwaan.

Ano an mga pagirumdom kan mga babasahon ngun-yan?

Enot, kita mga peregrino. Kita mga byahero. Kita mga naglalakbay pasiring sa Kahadean nin Dyos. An salmo iyo an nagtataong paliwanag kaini. An satong kaipuhan bako an kinabanon na kasiraman kundi an langitnon na kaogma-han. Bilang peregrino, dai dapat kita malingaw kan satong hinahanap, kan satong padudumanan. Bakong ranga asin ginhawa nin laman, kundi ranga asin ginhawa nin kalag. An satong padudumanan: Kahadean nin Dyos.

Ikaduwa, sa paglakbay na ini, an satong lider igwang kakayahan siring ki David. Makukua ta ini sae not na bina-sa. An lider dapat igwa nin dunong. Dai sapat na sya igwa nin charm, nin karisma sa tawo. Mahalaga na igwa sya nin hararom na pagkasabot asin mahiwas na paghiling tangan-ing matawan kita nin tamang giya sa satong paglakbay. An saiyang kakayahan ginagamit tanganing makatao nin tunay na pangataman sa satong buhay sagkod na makaabot kita sa satong padudumanan. An lider inaapod nyatong pamayo. Sa payo kan pamayo, yaon dapat an dunong.

Ikatolo, ipinapamidbid sa sato an tunay na Hade, si Jesus. Sa ebanghelyo, ipinapamidbid sa sato si Jesus bilang Hade bako huli kan saiyang magagayon na katukduan o huli kan mga milagro na saiyang ginibo. An kapahayagan kan saiyang pagkahade yaon sa pagtuya-tuya sa saiya; yaon sa paghampak sa saiya, yaon sa pagkorona saiya nin mga tunok; yaon sa pagpasan nya kan krus; yaon sa pagpako saiya sa Kalbaryo.

An saiyang kakayahan sa pag-ako kan kasusupgan, an pagtios kan saiyang kasakitan sa bukid nin Kalbaryo, iyo an nagpatotoo na si Jesus iyo an tunay na Hade nyato gabos.

Sisay an mga lider sa satong banwaan na makakaarog sa saiya? An mga pulitiko naghahanap kakampi; Si Jesus naghahanap parasunod. An mga pulitiko nambabakal boto; si Jesus nakikilimos nin tiwala asin pagtubod. An mga puli-tiko nagmamasaker nin mga kaiwal; si Jesus nagpapabago kan buhay nin mga kaiwal. Sa puso kan mga lider nyato iyo an bisyo. Sa puso ni Jesus na iyo an tunay na Hade iyo an birtud. Igwa kita nanggad nin krisis sa liderato. Kaipuhan tang gayo nin mga lider na nagsusunog sa paarog ni Jesus.

Siring ki Jesus, namimidbiran kita bilang mga para-sunod nya, bilang mga disipulo, sa satuyang kakayahan na magpasan kan krus na itinao sa satuya. Asin siring ki Jesus, ipapako kita sa krus kun kita saiyang katuwang sa pagmuk-na kan saiyang kahadean digdi sa satong kinaban.

jobs, and consequently address poverty.But as repeatedly pointed out by critics, the country’s experi-

ence since the time of Cory clearly shows that PPP initiatives do not guarantee savings for the government. Worse, in many cases, notably the privatization of the power industry, PPP initiatives even increase public debt.

Unfortunately, with additional schemes being cooked up such as the regulatory risk insurance and infrastructure fund on top of the usual incentives, the danger of more indebtedness and, as a consequence, of even less resources for social services and development needs looms large under the Aquino administration.

Aside from further bloating the debt burden, Aquino’s PPP thrust will also merely facilitate the increased corporate takeover of government roles and functions that expectedly results in vari-ous abuses and harm against public interest.

IBON Foundation, Inc. is an independent development institution established in 1978 that provides research, education, publica-tions, information work and advocacy support on socioeconomic issues.

15 -21 november 2010 volume XXvIII | Issue no. 26| 4 Vox Bikol

From PAGE 1

UNEP all set for ICCS Confab

lEgaZpi CiTy, nOv. 17 -- intermittent rains caused lahar from the slopes of Bulusan Volcano to flow into a river along Barangay Patag and another in Gulang-Gulang, both in Irosin town, and the Rangas river in Juban town.

The rivers, which turned grayish due to volcanic sand, ash

Lahar from Bulusan flows into Sorsogon rivers

Golden Shower to line South Luzon expressway

Holduppers...

and similar tiny debris, had lahar which was a combination of rain-water with less than 60 percent sediment, said Phivolcs Resident Volcanologist Ed Laguerta in an interview at the Bulusan Observa-tory in Sorsogon City.

But Laguerta explained that a 60 percent sediment content of lahar is not very dangerous, com-

18 nOvEmbEr -- likE miss-ing TEETh, the conspicuous gaps of treeless patches along the stretch of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) is what a unique tree planting project wants to fill in with aestheti-cally pleasing trees like Golden Shower (Cassia fistula), Palawan Cherry (Prunus javanica), Balit-bitan (Cynometra ramiflora) and Caballero (Caesalpinia pulcher-rima).

On Saturday, November 20th, some 820 Golden Shower tree saplings, 200 Palawan cherry, 200 Balitbitan, and 150 Caballero seedlings will be simultaneously planted at five different “tooth-less” portions of the 29-kilometer highway.

The “SLEX Tree Planting” (STP) activity is a joint undertak-ing of the Department of Envi-ronment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Rotary Club of Makati Rockwell (RCMR) and the South Luzon Tollways Cor-poration (SLTC). It involves the planting and raising of aesthetical-ly pleasing trees on both sides of SLEX whose roadsides are lined with patches of acacia, mahogany, narra, and gmelina.

The Career Executive Service Board will also take part in the event as part of its 37th Anniversary this November, with the theme “Serbisyong CESO: Pa-munuan Tapat, Magaling, Wasto (Modernong Gobyerno, Maka-kalikasang Progreso, Makataong Pagbabago).”

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje lauded the partnership, saying that tree planting remains one of the most important com-ponents of the country’s compre-hensive strategy against climate change.

Paje also gave credit to former DENR undersecretary and now Rotary Club-Rockwell president-elect Rolando Metin who conceived the idea of con-tinuing the greening of the SLEX. Quoting Metin, Paje said that the

pared to an 80 percent content that is very thick and, thereby, poses greater hazards.

Besides, Laguerta assured that lahar flows were still con-fined in channel and can only pose greater harm should there be heavy and continuous rainfall and once channels get heavily silted. (PNA)

Bikol news

iriga CiTy - ThE univEr-siTy Of Northeastern Philip-pines (UNEP) is all set for the upcoming 4th International ICCS Convention on Media Commu-nications happening next week, November 27. On top of the preparation is no less than UNEP President Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda.

“We have been waiting for this event to finally materialize and now we’re a week shy from the convention proper. We have invited professional speakers, in

fact, the cream of the crop from their generation, to partake with the participants their expertise on communication. This, I know would also give additional learn-ing to our own community here at UNEP, especially our communica-tion students and personnel.”

The ICCS Convention is set to gather all communication en-thusiasts and practitioners during the one-day event. Speakers com-ing from different communica-tion genre are expected to impart their proficiency in various field

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November 15 the armed robbers as Roberto San Jose Nazaret, a resident of San Vicente Pamplona, Cam. Sur; and a certain Rey-mund Posadas Lamadrid of Bikit, Bulacan.

Police sources said that Naza-ret previously served as a body-guard for a Bikolano politician in an island province, while Lama-drid is being linked to a crime group operating in Metro Manila.

The official report of the Camarines Sur Police Office stated that the two suspects fought a joint team of lawmen consisting of elements of the PNP Regional Intel-Office, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents, units from the PPO, and the Goa, Tigaon, and Pamplona municipal police stations.

Reportedly, the fleeing sus-pects were in a motorcycle when they were cornered during a chase by the lawmen at the Junction Road of Barangay Tambo, Pam-plona.

In the ensuing but brief fire-fight with the police at 1:20 P.M. last Sunday, the suspects were

choice of SLEX is “both inspira-tional and practical.”

Metin also said that the use of the Golden Shower as the primary planting material for the project is “to celebrate Presi-dent Aquino’s presidency” as it produces bountiful yellow flowers while the Palawan Cherry blooms with pink and white flowers.

Paje also said that hav-ing two of RCMR’s members as STC’s executives, namely SLTC safety and environment manager Allan Plete and environment and in-house forester Jonas Melen-dres, gives the project a distinct advantage of assured sustainabili-ty and more effective coordination of the project.

Under the partnership, the SLTC will shoulder the cost of the upkeep of the planted materi-als like the installation of tree guards and their care, which includes watering and removing of grasses around the saplings especially during the dry months when outbreaks of grass fires mostly originate from adjoining open grasslands outside of SLTC’s jurisdiction.

“Kadalasan gumagapang lang yung grassfires papunta sa roadsides ng SLEX. “This is why maintenance (degrassing and nurturing) of these planted trees is an integral part of our activity,” Plete said, adding that the costs for the upkeep of the planted trees are well addressed already in their logistical support in terms of plan-ning and budgeting.

But more than their aesthetic value, Plete said the tree species to be planted on Saturday are ideal roadside trees since once they are fully-grown, they also act as wind-breakers thereby lessen-ing the wind drag on the vehicles coming from the sides of the road.

“These future trees will con-tribute substantially to the safety and fuel efficiency of vehicles us-ing SLEX, which average 180,000 vehicles daily,” Plete added.

of broadcast and discuss matters concerning professional media practice.

The event was initiated by ICCS-Manila who prepared relevant and timely topics for the attendees. This includes lecture on Current Issues and trends in Radio and TV Broadcasting which will be discussed by Ceci-lle Lardizabal of Reuters Televi-son / Inquirer Radio.

Mr. Mark Salazar of GMA Network will also deliver his talk on Media Ethics while Susan Enriquez, also from the same network will give a Lecture on Radio reporting. Salazar and En-riquez will be joined by another GMA famed media personnel in the name of Maki Pulido who will also share her expertise on News Writing.

Another speaker from one of the giant television networks in the country, Ms. Sol Aragones of ABS CBN will also deliver her lecture on Documentary Making.

After each lecture, there will be a Question and Answer portion to give participants a chance to clarify related issues discussed by the speaker.

Before finally wrapping the event, there will be a panel discussion comprised of the aforementioned speakers who will answer and give their thoughts on current media issues.

Interested participants may still get in touch with Ms. Trina Yuson-Pendor of ICCS – Manila at cp number 0916-6625-394 or you may direct your queries at UNEP Media Office at telephone numbers 299-2698 or 4560-294 local 53. Inclusive of the Php700.00 registration fee is a certificate of participation, hand outs and lunch.

Eight open bishops who are in communion with the pope, laid their hands on the new bishop’s head.

Bishop Peter Fang Jianping of Tangshan was the main celebrant with co-ordainers, Bishops Joseph Zhao Fengchang of Liaocheng and Joseph Li Shan of Beijing.

Bishops Paul Pei Junmin of Liaoning (Shenyang), Paul Meng Qinglu of Hohhot, Peter Feng Xinmao of Hengshui (Jingxian), Joseph Li Liangui of Cangzhou (Xianxian) and Coadjutor Bishop Francis An Shuxin of Baoding as well as about 20 priests concel-ebrated.

Many bishops have been

taken away by the government officials in the past few days as pressure to take part in the service grew.

Retired Bishop John Liu Jinghe, whom the government still regards as the ordinary of Tangshan, was dismissed from his position on Nov. 17 for refusing to attend the ordination, sources said.

This is the first illicit ordina-tion of a bishop in China in four years, which has sparked contro-versy over the pressure brought to bear on legitimate prelates to take part in the ceremony.

Bishop Guo also becomes the first illegitimate bishop since Pope Benedict XVI issued his letter to

Chinese Catholics in 2007.That letter reiterated the

Vatican’s position that the pope has “supreme spiritual author-ity” on bishops’ appointments. Many observers see the letter as a watershed in the China Church’s journey back to normal Church life.

Ordained a priest in 1992, Bishop Guo has been vice secre-tary general of the Chinese Catho-lic Patriotic Association (CCPA) and a Catholic representative of the National People’s Congress, or China’s parliament.

Church sources said the laypeople in Chengde, who are simple in their faith and esteem

eventually felled by the authori-ties’ bullets.

Recovered from the suspects were; two Cal. 9-MM pistols with serial numbers: 157903 and 710998; two hand grenades; 17 rounds of ammunition for 9MM pistols; and one laptop computer.

It was reported that earlier, Tigaon police chief, Police Sr. Insp. Tyrone Dotimas conducted a pursuit operation and called for back-up after holduppers robbed Joy Mabana Sanoy, 33, and a care-taker of some P 300, 000 in cash, cellphones, and laptop computers in a warehouse at Burabod St., Poblacion, Tigaon town at 9:30 A.M., Sunday.

According to reports, seven armed men involved in the holdup fled in three motorcycles after the crime.

The Tigaon municipal police station had confirmed that Nazaret and Lamadrid were among the group that earlier robbed the warehouse owned by Marissa Cervantes Mabana at the town’s poblacion. (SONNY SALES)

the pope, have no choice but to accept their new bishop given the political situation.

“After all, Guo’s reputation among the local faithful is not bad,” a Pingquan Catholic told ucanews.com.

But there are other laypeople who feel the incident has brought shame to the Church.

Since news of the ordination broke out earlier this week, there have been heated discussions in chatrooms while Catholic websites have been ordered to delete news on the subject.

Speaking to ucanews.com after the ceremony, CCPA vice-chairman Anthony Liu Bainian

laid the blame for the illicit ordi-nation on the Vatican.

“We have done what we could to improve China-Vatican relations,” Liu referring to the 10 other bishops ordained with both papal approval and government recognition this year.

The Vatican has not shown satisfactory reasons for opposing Bishop Guo’s case, he said.

“We have waited for a long time and could not wait any lon-ger.”

The Holy See has made no further comment since it published a statement opposing the illicit ordination on Nov. 18. (UCAN)

From PAGE 8China...

15 - 21 november 2010 volume XXvIII | Issue no. 26 5Vox Bikol

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Bikol news

vincial government’s Environment Disaster Management Response Office (EDMERO) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regional office stated that Buhi lake-waters had increasing levels of hydrogen sul-phite and ammonia from decaying fish feeds and sediments that have settled in the lake bottom and had resulted to decreased oxygen levels which in turn caused the fish kill.

Experts revealed that acquired soil samples in the lake bottom consist of 70% residue and 30% soil, an alarming condition that is contributing to the warming of temperatures in the lake bottom.

blamEIn his address to the joint

session, Buhi Mayor Rey Lacoste lamented that only the local gov-ernment of Buhi seems to get the blame for the worsening environ-mental degradation of the lake’s eco-system when major govern-ment agencies are benefited from its lake resources.

Lacoste noted that the Na-tional Irrigation Administration (NIA) has its control structure in the lake which is the source of ir-rigation for some 18,000 hectares of rice lands in the Rinconada

and 3rd districts of Camarines Sur; while the former National Power Corp. (NPC) controls the Baret Hydro-Electric Plant power generation now managed by the People Energy Service Inc.

The Mayor said that these agencies have control over the lake resources but had not contrib-uted to preserve the lake ecology.

He also said that based on President Marcos’ Presidential Proclamation 873 and Executive Order 224, the NPC still has ad-ministrative management control over 8,317 hectares of watershed areas of Buhi, including areas of the lake.

He added that even with the advent of the Local Government Code of 1991, the lake resources are not solely owned by the local government.

During the same joint session, Camarines Sur Board member Angel Naval, Chair of the environ-ment committee, had proposed that stakeholders of the lake including some 600-strong com-mercial fish-cage operators should establish a maintenance fund for the ecological sustainability of the lake.

TrappEd sEdimEnTs Meanwhile Buhi councilor

Edwin Salvamante revealed that

millions of tons of residual silt-ation were trapped at the bottom of the lake unable to freely flow at the NIA’s control structure due to a coffer dam made from armour rocks blocking the flow of sedi-ments from the lake.

Reportedly, the coffer dam that was built as a barrier during the construction of the NIA con-trol structure at the lake in 1986 has not been removed by the NIA until today.

NPC experts claimed about 9,900,000 cubic meters of sedi-ments were trapped in the lake since 2001; present estimates are at 16,200,000 cubic meters or about five meters thick.

Currently, with more than 20,000 fish cages in the lake operated by about 600 fish cages operators, and more than 400 mar-ginal fishermen, the lake area had also shrunk from 1,800 hectares to about 1,618 hectares according to a recent Global Positioning System (GPS) survey.

In the meantime, Vice-Gov. Fortunato Peña said during the session that Gov. Luis-Raymund Villafuerte has expressed concern on the thousands that may be displaced once a moratorium on the fish cages is imposed as an extreme necessity to save the lake.

like Christmas lights. She said that genuine Christ-

mas lights should have an ICC mark with a control number re-flecting that of the ICC certificate of an establishment.

Parro explained that prod-ucts with factory defects can be returned to the establishments and can be replaced.

Another enforcement activity

will be conducted on December also to check said products being sold in the market.

Meanwhile the DTI also started this week the monitoring of noche buena products based on the price updates.

The monitoring of said prod-ucts is their regular work during holiday seasons. (PIA Camarines Norte)

ing the numbers game “jueteng” illegal.

Robredo, however, admits that there is a problem in Metro Manila, where STL has apparently become the legal cover for jueteng.

Negros Oriental Governor Agustin Perdices, on the other hand, remains steadfast in his stance against all forms of gam-bling, while the Provincial Board headed by Vice Governor Roel de Gamo says the application of Lucky Golden Gaming Corpora-tion to operate STL in the province does not anymore hold water for

failing to convince constituents here during a public hearing recently conducted by the Sanggu-niang Panlalalwigan.

“Whether he or she will bet on STL or other form of legalized gambling is the moral decision of the concerned individual, it should not come from government,” Ro-bredo pointed out.

He explained that based on ex-perience as a local chief executive, jueteng will not thrive if there is a legal alternative to it. That is why in Mindanao, jueteng thrives in the absence of STL, he said. (PNA)

(PhD) and master’s (MS) degree graduates in this field, Salceda said.

For now, BU was identified as one of the schools in which Bach-elor of Science (BS) in Meteorol-ogy may be offered and, for its president, Fay Lauraya, Salceda’s proposal is very much accept-able and, in fact, “[BU is] already mapping out a plan to fast-track this project.”

“We accept the challenge and we are now exploring all possibil-ities of being able to offer related courses as soon as possible,” Lauraya said over the weekend.

In a recent visit to the BU main campus here on invitation from the university’s adminis-tration, Prisco Nilo, the former director of the Philippine Atmo-spheric, Geophysical and Astro-nomical Services Administration (PAGASA) who holds a doctorate in meteorology, agreed with the plan.

During the visit, Nilo ex-plained that the study of meteorol-ogy requires a highly advanced knowledge of mathematics and physics. There have been only two holders of PhD in Physics

who headed PAGASA -- the late Casimiro del Rosario and Roman Kintanar.

Kintanar twice became the president of the United Nations’ World Meteorology Organization (WMO), Nilo said, showing that the international physics and me-teorology society recognizes the capabilities of Filipino scientists.

He lamented the fact that there are now only three meteo-rologists in the country, thus the dearth of experts and prospective trainers in this field of study. He revealed the sad reality that be-cause of more lucrative opportuni-ties abroad, local forecasters have left the country.

Nilo expressed his willing-ness to invite Bicol Univer-sity, along with other interested schools, to avail of their modules and one-year training at PAGASA main office. He said this would be a good move towards supplement-ing the weather bureau’s need to re-build its capability in weather forecasting, which would also result in improving disaster readi-ness in the Philippines.

The university has initial plans of starting with the short-

term courses that may be attended by target faculty who will later on become core faculty for the under-graduate course.

BU Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Helen Llenaresas expressed willingness to prepare the proposal for the undergraduate four-year course observing that the general educa-tion subjects may even be offered while faculty are still training for the major subjects, so that the course may be offered sooner.

A short-term awareness course for media practitioners and other interested individuals will precede all these to support the disaster risk management system in the locale, Llenaresas said.

Students and the general public are looking forward to the finalization of plans on the matter, Lauraya said while Nilo said ex-perts from PAGASA could serve as resource persons in certain sub-jects of courses in meteorology but only during off-season, that is, when typhoons are not impend-ing, possibly late December or early January, and necessarily on weekends.(PNA)

9-man squad of his unit led by 2nd Lt. Mariel Bonilla encountered 10 communist rebels in a 5-minute fire-fight when army troopers were fired upon by the rebels at the said vicinity.

Troopers reported that reb-els fled after the brief fire fight, carrying with them a wounded companion, while the army soldiers also recovered from the encounter site a 9MM KG9 Sub-machinegun, rounds of ammunition, and a laptop computer.

Lt. Col. Cruz also said that

local informants had tipped the sol-diers of the presence of the rebels in the locality.

It was also reported that the NPA rebels have kept their presence in Camarines Sur province with small bands of rebels in remote villages.

9th Infantry Division com-mander, Major Gen. Ruperto Pa-bustan has directed 902nd Infantry Brigade commander, Col. Teodoro Cirilo Torralba to sustain its secu-rity operations in Camarines Sur province. (SONNY SALES)

and Seismology (Phivolcs) bulletin reported that seismic network de-tected a total of 41 volcanic earth-quakes during the past 24 hours.

Volcanologists said they could not observe the volcano’s steam-ing activity because its summit is cloud-covered.

The volcano exhibited one ash explosion on Monday night, accompanied by a rumbling sound while traces of ash fall were noted in the villages of Bolos, Gulang-gulang, Tinampo and Monbon, all in Irosin town.

Phivolcs’ seismic instruments have detected since Monday a total of 139 volcanic quakes that rocked the 1,956-meter high volcano for the past five days, with 50 quakes

detected on Monday followed by 41 quakes Friday.

Alert Level 1 is still hoisted over Bulusan Volcano.

The public is strongly advised not to enter inside the four-kilome-ter radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) because it may be affected by sudden steam explosions.

People residing near valleys and streams were likewise advised to be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows in the event of heavy and continuous rainfall.

Due to the prevailing wind direction, residents located in the northwest and southwest sec-tors of the volcano are advised to take precautions against ash falls. (PNA)

migrants, and even missionaries. He encourages Catholics, especially our priests, to approach this culture of 140 characters and virtual friendships as a great opportunity for evangeliza-tion.”

Bishop Herzog suggested that social media -- though it’s been around for less than 10 years -- “doesn’t have the makings of a fad.”

“We’re being told that it is caus-ing as fundamental a shift in commu-nication patterns and behavior as the printing press did 500 years ago,” he said. “And I don’t think I have to re-

mind you of what happened when the Catholic Church was slow to adapt to that new technology. By the time we decided to seriously promote that common folk should read the Bible, the Protestant Reformation was well under way.”

In fact, the bishop declared, “so-cial media is creating a new culture on this digital continent.”

He noted that youth use it as their first point of reference. “The news, entertainment, their friends -- are all coming to them through their mobile devices and through their social networks. The implications of that for a church which is struggling to get those same young people to

enter our churches on Sunday are staggering. If the church is not on their mobile device, it doesn’t exist. The Church does not have to change its teachings to reach young people, but we must deliver it to them in a new way.”

Bishop Herzog admitted there are obstacles to overcome when the Church attempts to evangelize the digital continent.

“One of the greatest challenges of this culture to the Catholic Church is its egalitarianism. Anyone can create a blog; everyone’s opinion is valid. And if a question or contra-diction is posted, the digital natives expect a response and something

resembling a conversation. We can choose not to enter into that cul-tural mindset, but we do so at great peril to the Church’s credibility and approachability in the minds of the natives, those who are growing up in this new culture. This is a new form of pastoral ministry. It may not be the platform we were seeking, but it is an opportunity of such magnitude that we should consider carefully the consequences of disregarding it,” Herzog said.

Nevertheless, the prelate re-flected, the Church cannot abandon traditional forms of communica-tion to invest in new media. Older generations still use newspapers and

books, he noted, and financial donors still rely on those means. The Church needs to invest in both, he stated.

Finally, the prelate urged his brother bishops to “accept the fact that your staffs -- and perhaps you as well -- will need training and direc-tion.”

“On the digital continent,” he said, “’if you build it, they will come’ does not hold true. It takes careful strategizing and planning to make so-cial media an effective and efficient communication tool, not only for your communications department, but for all of the church’s ministries.” (Zenit/CBCPNews)

15 -21 november 2010 volume XXvIII | Issue no. 26| 6 Vox Bikol Viewpoints / notices

Tila kaTing hindi makalkal sa isip ko ang bahagi ng sinulat ni Niles Jordan Breis, na nanalo pa sa Palanca, tungkol sa makatang si Angela Manalang Gloria—na tinawag niyang Angela Buruka dahil sa pagkamasungit at pagkamatapobre nito. Noon ko lamang nalaman na taga-Tabaco, Albay pala ang makata. Hindi ko kilala si Breis. Hindi ko nabasa ang buo niyang sanaysay, iyon lamang na lumabas sa isang diyaryo. Pero sapat na ang nabasa ko

upang madalirot at makiliti ang pagka-usisero ko at hindi tumigil hangga’t hindi mapasok ang bahay ni Angela.

Kaya nang kami ng mga kasama ko ay napadaan sa Tabaco ay hinanap namin ang bahay ni Angela. Tikatik ang ulan, matrapik, napakarami ng traysikad at pinapasok pa kami ng pulis sa bagong-sunog na palengke dahil ang pangunahing kalsada ay gagamitin sa prusisyon ng libing ng dating alkalde ng bayan. Pero wala sa mga iyon ang dahilan kung bakit naligaw kami… dahil Bikolano na nga ang giya namin. Talagang kahit sa Bikol ay kaunti ang nakababatid kung sino at saan nakatira si Angela. At kung maniniwala ako kay Breis, ang ibang nakakikilala sa kaniya ay ibig pa siyang burahin sa isip at iwasan ang kaniyang bahay. Naitanong ko tuloy sa sarili: ang mga makata kaya, katulad ng mga propeta, ay hindi ring kinikilala sa sariling bayan? Alam kong hindi tanggap na Messiah si Kristo sa Israel at si Buddha ay panturista lamang sa Lumbini, Nepal. Pero si Angela, na ayon kay Breis ay haligi ng panulaang Ingles sa bansa …?

Sa bagay, bukod sa tula ay nasa wikang Ingles pa ang mga sinulat ni Angela. Paniwalaan na nating isa siya sa pinakamahusay sa mga makatang naunang nagsulat sa Ingles. Namumukod pa nga raw hindi lamang dahil sa maganda at umaawit niyang mga talata kundi dahil sa radikal at peministang pasaring ng kaniyang mga tula. Pero pupusta ako, ano mang araw ay hindi makapupulot saan mang kalsada ng Tabaco ng sampung tao na nakabasa’t nasiyahan sa kahit isang tula ni Angela. At kung ipababasa ko man ang lahat niyang sinulat ay hindi mahuhulaang siya ang sumulat ng mga tula. Kaya sino nga ba si Angela at pag-aabalahan ko’t pag-uukulan ng pansin?

Hindi ko nga pala nasabi, kinukuliglig din ako ng tawag ng Musa ng Panitik. Nangangarap din akong maging

noticEs From PAGE 7noticEsDiosdado and Anita Boregas. Acknowledged before notary public Atty. Florencio R. Ro-sales, per doc. No. 959, Page no. 191, Book no. 23, Series of 2010.

vox bikol: nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2010

EXTraJudiCial sET-TlEmEnT Of EsTaTE Of

EsTEr CalinOg and JuliO Tayas

This is hereby given that the estate of the late ESTER CALINOG-TAYAS and JU-LIO TAYAS died on January 1, 2000 and May 31, 1991 left a property situated at Bgy. Del

Pilar, San Fernando, CSur, to wit: Lot 26, Cad 1162, with an area of 1,788 sqm, under ARP No. 97-010-00237. This was a subject of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate of Ester Calinog and Julio Tayas, do adjudicate among heirs. Acknowledged before notary public Tirso P. Mariano, per doc. No. 3040, Page no. 9, Book no. xxxxii, Series of 2010.

vox bikol: nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2010

republic of the philippinesrEgiOnal Trial

COurT

5ThJudicial region, naga City

EJf no. 2010-13

nOTiCE Of EXTra-JudiCial salE

upon extrajudicial petition for sale under Act 3135 filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (PAG-IBIG FUND) with principal busi-ness address at the Atrium of Makati Ave., Makati City as mortgagee, against EMMA P. CATIMBANG of Villa Salvacion Subd., San Agustin, Camarines Sur as mortgagor, to satisfy the mortgage indebt-edness which as of May 13, 2010 amounts to THREE

HUNDRED THIRTY ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUN-DRED SEVEN & 13/100 (P331,801.13) Philippine currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges but excluding expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned will sell at public auction on August 20, 2010 at 10:A.M. or soon thereafter at the main entrance of the Mun. of Hall of Canaman, Cam Sur to the highest bidder, for cash of Manager’s check and in Philippine currency, the following property with all its improvements to wit:

TCT NO. 28230

A parcel of land ( Lot 21 of the consolidation subdivi-

sion survey Pcs-05-001214, being a portion of lots 1-15, Block 3, Psd- 05-010517), situated in the Bgy of San Agustin, Mun. of Canaman, Province of Camarines Sur, Island of Luzon. Bounded on the W., along line 1-2 by lot 26, on the N., along line 2-3 by Lot 20, on the E., along line 3-4 by Road Lot 42; on the S., along line 4-1 by Lot 22, all of Pcs-05-001214. Containing an area of FORTY THREE (43) Square meters registered in the name of Emma Catimbang of legal age, Filipino, married to Ricardo Catimbang, with resi-dence and postal address at 53 Fraternidad Street, Tabuco, Naga.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date.

In the event that the public auction should not take place on the said date due to lawful cause/s, it shall be held on August 27, 2010 without further notice.July 20, 20910, Naga City, Pilippines.

(sgd. ) JOrgE b. lOpEZsheriff iv

vox bikol nov. 15, 2010

From PAGE 8

UnAnG BAHAGi

Dialogue..meeting took place.”

The next meeting will take place between December 7 and 15, 2010. Figura said from tomor-row until December 7, Archbishop Villegas and Bishop Tagle will be in Rome for their ad limina visit. There will be no meeting after De-cember 15 because the Aguinaldo Masses will take place.

The government panel for the next meeting will be composed of representatives from the Depart-ments of Health, Social Welfare

and Development, Budget and Management, Secretary Julia Abad and Presidential Spokesman Atty. Lacierda.

“We will still determine who will speak for the CBCP on matters of health because this is where our lay professionals will be tapped,” Figura added.

The dialogues will still go on despite the hearings on the contro-versial Reproductive Health bill that are scheduled to take place in Congress. (Melo M. Acuna)

ANG BAHAY NI ANGELA (Manalang Gloria) ni ABdon BALde Jr.

manunulat. Baka sakaling katulad ni Breis ay makasagap din ako ng inspirasyon sa mga naiwan ng makata. Kaya masigasig akong makapasok sa bahay ni Angela.

Nang maulang umagang iyon ay muntik pa nga kaming makarating sa piyer ng Tabaco. Natatanaw na namin ang dagat (at wala sa amin ang may hinala na sa dagat o sa tabing-dagat nakatira si Angela) kaya ipinasiya naming umikot at bumalik patungo sa kabilang dulo ng Rizal Street, palapit sa lumang simbahan. Malayo pa ay nakita ko na ang malaking bahay. Wow! Kaparehong ayos pero mas

malaki pa yata sa bahay ni Rizal sa Calamba. Parang lumang bahay sa Vigan. Bubong at pangalawang palapag lamang ang nakikita sa kalsada dahil ang ibaba ay natatabingan ng mataas na bakod na bato. Sakop na yata ng bakod ang buong bloke sa kanan ng kalsada. Ito iyong tipo ng bahay na parang dambuhalang lawin na mula sa papawirin ay bigla na lamang sasaklutin ang iyong pansin at hindi pakakawalan ang iyong balintataw hanggang sa malaglag ang iyong baba sa pagkamangha.

“Talaga naman palang may ipagmamalaki,” narinig kong malumanay na sabi ng kasama kong si Bobby na nasa loob ng sasakyan namin.

Sa tingin ko ay hindi lamang ang mga nakatira roon, kahit ang bahay ay mukhang mapagmalaki rin. Ito iyong uri ng bahay na itinayo ng isang ilustrado noong panahon ng mga Kastila, o kaya ay ng isang komprador noong panahon ng mga Amerikano. Ito iyong bahay na tirahan ng matatangkad na tao, na kulay labanos ang balat, angat ang mga kilay, matatangos ang ilong at kung lumakad ay palaging nakatingala sa langit. Sa unang tingin pa lamang sa kaligiran nito ay alam ko nang isang buong daigdig ang nasa loob ng bakod. At ang bakod ay naroon, hindi lamang para protektahan ang karangyaang nasa loob kundi upang itakwil ang mga nasa labas. Hindi kataka-takang maging matapobre ang isang taong lumaki sa loob ng bakod na iyon.

Ang palalong bubong na gawa sa makakapal na yero ay tila nakatalagang makipagtalad sa panahon at sa anumang ibubuhos ng langit. Ang mga dingding na halatang gawa sa hindi pangkaraniwang

kahoy ay may mga dibuhong aristokrata ang dating. At ang maluluwang na bintanang napapalamutian ng malalapad na kalantipay o kapis ay hindi durungawan sa paligid kundi tanghalan ng ganda’t yamang nasa loob— lalo siguro kung pista at dumaraan ang prusisyon ni San Juan Bautista, ang patron ng Tabaco.

Kaya naman marahil ang kapalaluan ay ginantihan ng kalikasan. Nang umagang iyon, sa tikatik na ulan, ay matingkad ang mga dungis at pilat na gawa ng matinding haplit ng panahon sa lumang bahay ni Angela. Makikita ang pamamayani ng araw, ulan at hangin sa lahat ng panig. Laganap at malalapad ang batik ng kalawang sa yerong bubong. Bulok ang sanepa at tanggal ang alulod. Marami nang tuklap na pintura at baklas na dibuho sa mga panlabas na dingding. May mga butas nang kalantipay ang mga kawing ng bintanang sa tingin ko’y matagal nang hindi nabubuksan. At ang masungit na bakod ay talagang pinaghigantihan ng mga itinatakwil nito; marami nang tapyas, tipak, bunggo ng kung anu-anong sasakyan, tama ng martilyo at madudusing na paskil sa dalawang tagilirang nakaharap sa kalsada. Ganoon pa man, ito pa rin iyong malaking bahay-na-bato ng malalaking tao na maraming misteryo sa loob. At napakahirap para sa isang may malikot at mapagsapalarang isip ang hindi magnasang mapasok ang bahay at masilip o makilatis ang mga lihim sa loob.

Wala kaming makuhang paradahan ng sasakyan sa tapat ng bahay. Dikit-dikit ang nakahimpil na malalaking trak. Nilampasan namin ang bahay at pumarada sa tapat ng isang tindahang may nilulutong sinapot (pritong saging na saba) sa harapan. Pagbaba ng sasakyan, ang unang taong pinagtanungan ko kung iyon na nga ang bahay ni Angela Manalang Gloria ay hindi makasagot, may tinging tila nagtataka kung bakit interesado ako sa bahay. Isang matandang lalaki ang tumango at itinuro sa amin ang pasukan sa mataas na bakod.

Si Raffi, ang Bikolanong giya namin, ang nangahas na maunang kumatok sa pintuang bakal. Nang bumukas ang pinto ay mabilis kaming pumasok sa loob, hindi lamang dahil sa umuulan at nababasa kami sa labas kundi sabik na rin talaga akong makapasok. Nakita kong may isang lalaking astang may-ari ng bahay ang iniwan ang kausap, kunot-noo at nagkukumahog na naglakad palapit sa amin. Mukhang sisitahin kami. Mahigit limang talampakan lamang ang taas niya, bilugan ang katawan, mapusyaw ang balat at singkit ang mga mata. (Itutuloy)

15 - 21 november 2010 volume XXvIII | Issue no. 26 7Vox Bikol notices

Republic of the PhilippinesREGIONAL TRIAL COURT

Fifth Judicial RegionBranch 23Naga City

EJf no. 2010-13

IN THE MATTER OF THE CORRECTION OF ERRO-NEOUS ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF ABIGAEL MAR-CIAL ANDAL BY CORRECT-ING THE GENDER FROM MALE TO FEMALE AND TO DELETE MARCIAL BE-SIDE HER FIRST NAME,

ABIGAEL MARCIAL AN-DAL,Petitioner,

Spec Proc. No. 2010-0076 -versus-THE LOCAL CIVIL REGIS-TRAR OFNAGA CITY, AND THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, Re-spondents.x-------------------------------x

ORDERFiled before this court is a verified petition seeking the correction of some erroneous entries in the record of birth of petitioner Abigael Marcial Andal under Local Civil Reg-istry No. 91-1629 of the Naga City Civil Registry. These entries are:

1. Petitioner’s gender which is incorrectly recorded as male instead of female; and

2. The name Marcial which appears in petitioner’s record of birth as part of her given name is actually the family name of her mother, Yolanda Anyayahan Marcial, and thus must be deleted so that her true and correct name AB-IGAEL MARCIAL ANDAL may appear thereon.Finding the petition to be suf-ficient in form and substance, the same shall be heard by this court on January 25, 2010 at 8:30 o’clock in the morn-ing, at which time and date, all persons who have claim any interest which would be affected thereby may appear and register their opposition thereto.

Have this order published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a news-paper of general circulation in the province of Camarines Sur.

Furnish the Civil Registry Of-fice of Naga City, the National Statistics Office, the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Prosecution Office of Naga City, and the parents of the said petitioner with copies of this order and the instant petition.

SO ORDERED.

Given this 8th day of No-vember, 2010 at Naga City, Philippines.

(sgd.) valEnTin E. pura, Jr.Presiding Judge

vox bikol:november 8, 15

and 22, 2010

dEEd Of EXTraJudi-Cial sETTlEmEnT

Of EsTaTE wiTh absO-luTE salE

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late JOSE BORABIEN died on September 28, 1991 at Manila, consisting of a parcel of land, situated at Vinagre, Tigaon, CSur, with an area of 204 sqm., covered by TD No. 97-023-0958. This Deed was extra judicially settled by way of Absolute Sale unto Rosseler D. Lim. Acknowl-edged before notary public Tirso P. Mariano, per Doc no. 2976, Page no. 96, Book no. XXXXI, Series of 2010.

vox bikol: november 8, 15 and 22,

2010

dEEd Of EXTraJudi-Cial sETTlEmEnT

Of EsTaTE wiTh waiv-Er Of sharEs

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late ROSARIO AGOTILLA died on January 24, 2005 at Gogon, Camaligan, CSur left a parcel of agricultural land, situated in the Bo. Of Patong, Pamplona, CSur, with an area of 16,841 more or less, covered by TCT No. 10981, Certificate of Land Ownership Award No. 00579282, TD No. 97-008-00950. This Deed was extra judicially settled by way of waiver of share unto Victor I. Agotilla. Acknowl-edged before notary public Tirso P. Mariano, per Doc no. 2956, Page no. 92, Book no. XXXXI, Series of 2010.

vox bikol: november 8, 15 and 22,

2010

dEEd Of EXTraJudi-Cial sETTlEmEnT

Of EsTaTE wiTh absO-luTE salE

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late TERESITA DE LOS SAN-TOS SAN JUAN died on De-cember 6, 1999 at Naga City left a parcel of land, situated in Balatas, Naga City, with an area of 142 sqm., covered by TCT No. 640, Emancipation Patent No. A-189924-H. This Deed was extra judicially settled by way of Abso-lute Sale unto Sps. Toribio Magalona Domer Jr. and Zora Hernandez Domer portion of land with an area of 50 sqm., that the remaining portion of 90 sqm., shall be transferred as co owners among heirs. Acknowledged before notary public Tirso P. Mariano, per Doc no. 2911, Page no. 83, Book no. XXXXI, Series of 2010.

vox bikol: november 8, 15 and 22,

2010

EXTraJudiCial sET-TlEmEnT

Of EsTaTE wiTh waiv-Er Of righTs

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late EPIFANIO MENDIZABAL died on July 12, 2010 at Bicol Medical Center, Naga City and buried at Bula, CSur left a certain parcel of residential land together with residential house situated at Gogon-Dugcal, Camaligan, CSur, KATIBAYAN NG ORIHI-NAL NA TITULO BLG. 18765, with an area of 150 sqm., more or less. This Deed was extra judicially settled by way of waiver of rights in favour unto Mercedes B. Mendizabal. Acknowledged before notary public Florencio B. Rosales, per Doc no. 798, Page no. 150, Book no. ____, Series of 2010.

vox bikol:

november 8, 15 and 22, 2010

nOTiCE Of EXTra JudiCial sETTlEmEnT

wiTh salE

Notice is hereby given that Extra-Judicial Settlement is made and entered into by and among:

ANGELICA I. TUDIO, of le-gal age, Filipino, married and resident of Blk. 49, Lot 11, Kapayapaan Ville, Canlubang, Calamba City; JOSEFINA L. CARTER, of legal age, Filipino, married and resident of 13697 E 55th Lane, Yuma, Arizona, ERLINDA P. LAG-DAMEO, of legal age, Fili-pino and resident of Balayan St., Bagobantay, Quezon City and BERNARDITA T. LAG-DAMEO, of legal age, Fili-pino, single and resident of Himaao, Pili, Camarines Sur and ARTURO T. LAGDA-MEO, of legal age, Filipino, married and with residence and postal address at Himaao, Pili, Camarines Sur.

That they are the surviv-ing heirs of the late Josefina Tiongko, who died intestate on January 22, 1998 at Pili, Camarines Sur, without a Will or Testament, and without any outstanding debts with any person or entity; and that said deceased left a parcel of land covered by TCT No. 25603 and is more particularly de-scribed as follows:

“A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 1689-A of the subdivision plan Psd-0517280-013105, being a portion of Lot 1689, Cad-291, Pili Cadastre), situated in the Barangay of Himaao, Municipality of Pili, Province of Camarines Sur, Island of Luzon. Bounded on the E., along lines 9-1-2 by Irrigation Canal; on the SW., along lines 2-3-4-5 by Lot 1689-B, Psd-051728-013105; on the E., along line 5-6 by Irrigation Ditch (3.00m. wide); and on the NE., along lines 6-7-8-9 by Lot 1688, Cad-291, Pili Cadastre. Beginning at a point marked “1” on the plan being S. 45 deg. 42’W., 23.39m. to point 2; thence N. 79 deg. 34’W., 130.12m. to point w; thence N. 84 deg. 01’W., 37.05m. to point 4; thence N. 58 deg. 58’W., 148.19m. to point 5; thence N. 05 deg. 10’W., 61.82m. to point 6; thence S. 80 deg. 31’E., 9.23m. to point 7; thence S. 76 deg. 21’E.,

39.40m. to point 8; thence S. 82 deg. 07’E., 234.24m. to point 9; thence S. 00 deg. 28’W., 94.35m. to point of beginning, containing an area of THIRTY THOUSAND (30,000) SQUARE METERS.

This Deed was a subject of of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate among ourselves with Absolute Sale in favor unto ELLEN E. BAGASINA, acknowledged before notary public Felix V. Brazil Jr. un-der Doc. No. 3302, Book No. 649, Page No. IX, Series of 2010.

vOX bikOlnov. 15, nov. 22, and nov.

29, 2010

republic of the philippinesLocal Civil Registry Officeprovince: Camarines surCity/municipality: naga

City

nOTiCE fOr publiCaTiOn

In compliance with Sec-tion No. 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is a hereby served to the public that CATHERINE ESCANDOR BARCELON has filed with this Office a Petition for Change of First Name from CLAUDETTE to CATHERINE in the birth cer-tificate of CATHERINE LUS-TESTICA ESCANDOR who was born on April 14, 1965 at Naga City, Cams. Sur and whose parents are SOTERO BARRAMEDA ESCANDOR and RUTH MARTINEZ LUSTESTICA. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than Nov. 29, 2010.

(sgd.) alEXandEr m. CayETanOCity Civil Registrar

vox bikolnov. 15 and 22, 2010

republic of the philippinesrEgiOnal Trial

COurT5Th Judicial regionbranch 36, iriga City

in re: declaration of pre-sumptive death of absentee spouse shiela C. ajez-daza

spec. proc. no. ir-2509

rOgEliO b. daZa,petitioner,x---------------------------x

OrdEr

Considering that the Office of the Solicitor Gen-eral was by inadvertence, not furnished with the notice and copy of the petition, set this case anew for initial hearing on January 26, 2011, at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which time, date and place aforesaid, all interested per-sons are cited to appear and show cause, if any, why this petition should not be granted. Furnish the Office of the Solicitor General and the Of-fice of the Local Civil Regis-trar of Nabua, Camarines Sur and the Local Civil Registrar

of Olongapo City, with a copy of this order and the petition.SO ORDERED.Given this 3rd day of Novem-ber, 2010.

(sgd.) TimOTEO a.

panga Jr.Acting Presiding Judge

vox bikolnov. 15, 22 and 29, 2010

republic of the philippinesrEgiOnal Trial

COurT5Th Judicial regionbranch 60, iriga City

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE COR-RECTION OF ENTRYIN THE BIRTH CERTIFI-CATE OF JONY LOS BA-NOS ABAGAT JONY LOS BANOS ABAGAT,Petitioner.

SPEC. PROC. NO. IR-2535

THE CIVIL REGISTRAR OF NABUA, CAMARINES SUR & NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, QUEZON CITY,Respondents.

x------------------------------xOrdEr

A verified petition was filed by the petitioner Jony Los Banos Abagat praying that after due notice and hearing, an order be issued directing the Local Civil Registrar of Nabua, Camarines Sur and the National Statistics Office to correct and change the date of birth of the petitioner Jony Los Banos Abagat from January 2, 1957 to January 2, 1958. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, a notice is hereby given that this petition will be heard on December 14, 2010 at 8:30 in the morning at the sala of RTC Branch 60, Hall of Justice, Iriga City, at which time, date and place aforesaid, all interested persons may ap-pear to show cause, if there is any, why this petition should not be granted. Let this order be pub-lished at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Camarines Sur, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks and copies of this Order be, together with a copy of the Petition, furnished, served the Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Local Civil Registrar of Nabua, Camarines Sur and the National Statistics Office, East Avenue, Quezon City.sO OrdErEd. given in Chambers this 29th day of October, 2010 at iriga City, philippines.

(sgd.) TimOTEO a. panga, Jr.Judge

vox bikolnov. 15, 22 and 29, 2010

republic of the philippinesrEgiOnal Trial

COurT5Th Judicial region

branch 34, iriga City

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE COR-RECTION OF ENTRYIN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF JANINH OCBINA Y CAIGASAPPEARING AT THE LO-CAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE OF NABUA, CA-MARINES SUR AND THE NATIONAL STATITICS OFFICE

JANINH OCBINA Y CAI-GASPetitioner,

SPEC PROC. NO. IR-2636-versus-

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGIS-TRY OFFICE OF NABUA, CAMARINES SUR AND THE NATIONAL STATIS-TICS OFFICE,Respondents.

x-------------------------------xOrdEr

Before this court is a veri-fied petition filed by Janinh Ocbina y Caigas praying for the correction of the errone-ous entry appearing on her Certificate of Live Birth on file with the Local Civil Registrar of Nabua, Cama-rines Sur and the National Statistics Office, particularly the sex/gender from MALE to FEMALE. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, let this case be heard on January 11, 2011 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning at the sala of RTC Branch 34, Hall of Justice, Iriga City on which time, date and place, all interested persons may appear to show cause, if any why this petition should not be granted. Let this order be published once a week, for three (3) consecutive weeks in a news-paper of general circulation in the province of Camarines Sur and the cities of Naga and Iriga. Furnished the Solicitor General, the Civil Registrar General, National Statistics Office, the Local Civil Regis-trar of Nabua, Camarines Sur and the Office of the Provin-cial Prosecutor with a copy of this order and the petition.

SO ORDERED.Given this chambers this 3rd day of November 2010 at Iriga City, Philippines.

(sgd.) manuEl m.

rOsalEsPresiding Judge

vox bikolnov. 15, 22 and 29, 2010

EXTraJudiCial sET-TlEmEnT Of EsTaTE

wiTh salE

This is hereby given that the estate of the late RUFINA BAGACINA VDA. DE NA-LDO died on September 21, 1976 at Iriga City, left certain real property located in Bgy. Sta. Isabel, Buhi, CSur; to wit: Lot No. 5596, TD No. 97-036-0003, with an area of 0.2881 sqm more or less. This was a subject of Extra-judicial Settlement of Estate with Sale in favor unto Sps. noticEs continUEd on PAGE 6

Gov’t, CBCP meet to discuss RH dialogue frameworkChina ordination pushes through despite Vatican

opposition

US Bishops seeking missionaries for digital continent

cHinA / PAGE 4

diAloGUE / PAGE 6

volume XXvIII | Issue no. 26| 15 - 21 november 2010

GoSpeL (novemBer 21, 2010) Lk 23:35–43

The people stood by watching. As for the rulers, they jeered at him, saying to one another, “Let the man who saved others now save himself, for he is the Messiah, the chosen one of God!”

The soldiers also mocked him and when they

drew near to offer him bitter wine, they said, “So you are the king of the Jews? Free yourself!” For above him was an inscription which read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

20 nOvEmbEr -- faThEr JOsEph guO Jincai was today made the first bishop of Chengde in northern Hebei province, with-out papal approval and under close surveillance of local government officials.

More than 100 faithful and dozens of government officials attended the ordination Mass at the church in the rural town of Pingquan.

The area was surrounded by about 100 uniform and plain-clothes police. Cameras were banned in the church and mobile phone signals blocked in the area.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly, Church sources told ucanews.com.

balTimOrE, maryland, nOv. 16, 2010--The world of social media might seem like a fad, but it’s not going away. In fact, it’s a “digital continent,” with natives, immigrants -- and in need of missionaries.

This was the reflection offered Monday, the first day of the United States Conference of Catholic Bish-ops (USCCB) fall general assembly, by Bishop Ron Herzog of Alexan-dria, Louisiana.

“I often hear people, both in my work and in my circle of friends, who dismiss social media as frivolous and shallow. Who can blame them? [...] The very words used by the prac-titioners seem to beg for ridicule,” the bishop said. “Their light-hearted twisting of the language suggests that these are the latest fad in a culture that picks up and drops fads quicker than the time it takes me to figure out my cell phone bill. I am here today to suggest that you should not allow yourselves to be fooled by its appearance. Social media is proving itself to be a force with which to be reckoned. If not, the Church may be facing as great a challenge as that of the Protestant Reformation.”

Bishop Herzog admitted such an affirmation could sound like exag-geration, but he offered some statis-tics as proof: “There are more than 500 million active users on Face-book. If it were a nation, only India and China would have more citizens. The American Red Cross reported that it raised more than $5 million dollars, $10 at a time, through a text messaging service. One out of eight married couples in the United States say they met through social media. It took 13 years for television to reach 50 million users. After the iPod was introduced, it took only nine months for 1 billion applications to be down-loaded.”

The Louisiana prelate noted that Benedict XVI calls social media a digital continent, “with natives, im-

manila, nOv. 20, 2010—gOv-ErnmEnT and Church represen-tatives yesterday met to discuss the possible framework in pursuit of a dialogue on the controversial Re-productive Health bill now pending at the country’s legislature.

Msgr. Juanito Figura, CBCP Secretary General, in an interview with CBCP News today said the meeting took place at the Presiden-tial Management Staff conference room at San Miguel District, in Manila.

“The first official meeting between the CBCP and Malacañang about the Reproductive Health is-

sues was held in preparation for a series of dialogues that will be held in the future,” Msgr. Figura said.

He explained the meeting was an offshoot from the controversies generated by the reported excom-munication and calls for civil disobedience last month.

The CBCP has earlier written President Benigno Simeon Aquino III with the intention of pursuing the line of dialogue.

The preliminary meeting which discussed the dialogue framework was “very friendly and cordial,” according to Figura.

He said three important topics

that will be included in the series of dialogues are health, social welfare and public policy.

The CBCP panel to the pre-liminary meeting was composed of Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, Chairman of Episcopal Commission on Catechism and Catholic Educa-tion; Imus Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on the Doctrine of the Faith; and Atty. Jo Imbong of the CBCP Legal Office; Atty. Dindo Garciano, professor at the University of the Asia and Pacific and president of the Alliance for

the Family Foundation; and Dr. Angelita Aguirre, a cardiologist with University of Santo Tomas and University of Asia and the Pacific. Msgr. Juanito Figura served as secretary of the CBCP Panel.

The executive branch was rep-resented by PMS Chief Julia Abad, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, MD, Secretary Edwin Lacierda, Ms. Alona Bermejo of DSWD and Director Eugene Caw of the Presi-dential Management Staff.

Figura said both parties were looking forward to the meeting with sincerity and “we’re happy the

Us / PAGE 5

continUEd on PAGE 2

A photo of his mother and sister in one of his “tutorials” with his father. Seven year old Razvale Sayat took the photo using a programmed setting in a DSLR.