Marawi folk may rebuild their homes 2 years from now story on

col. 1, below

P10.00 Volume 29, No. 236 WWW.MINDANAOGOLDSTARDAILY.COM April 10, 2018 Tuesday

Joma Sison: Substantive issues can only be tackled in peace talks

THE resumption of peace
talks between the gov-
ernment and the National
Democratic Front would
enable both parties to
thresh out substantive is-
sues and deal with com-
plaints and demands, Com-
munist Party of the Philip-
pines founding chair Jose
Maria Sison said.
In a statement, Sison
said that through the talks
the two sides can achieve
present their conflicting
positions and achieve solu-
tions to problems on mu-
tually acceptable grounds.
“Without a formal
meeting of the panels, there
can only be an acrimoni-
ous public exchange of
complaints and demands,
which appear or sound like
the preconditions prohib-
ited by The Hague Joint
Declaration,” he added.
Sison said the frame-
that neither side shall im-
pose preconditions that
negate the character and
purpose of peace negoti-
ations.
“As a matter of course,
the two panels shall reaf-
firm all the existing agree-
ments by way of ending
the previous termination
of the peace negotiations.
It logically follows that the
two panels shall cooperate
in doing away with the
to the agreements and to
the entire peace process,”
he said.
Both parties were sup-
posed to discuss the Com-
prehensive Agreement on
Social and Economic Re-
forms (Caser) and Com-
prehensive Agreement on
Political and Constitutional
Reforms (CAPCR) during
the fifth round of talks on
Nov. 25 to Nov. 27 last
year.

AFP backs likely talks

JOSE MA. SISON “substantial success” and work agreement requires obstacles and hindrances See CAN/p.11

with ‘terrorist’ group

THE military’s Eastern Mind-
anao Command (Eastmincom)
has assured support to the pos-
sible resumption of the stalled
peace negotiations between the
government and the National
Democratic Front (NDF), an or-
ganization the Malacañang and
the Armed Forces have tagged
as “terrorist.”
This came even after recent
attacks in Davao City and
Davao del Norte where New
People’s Army (NPA) rebels
burned the heavy equipment
used in the construction of ac-
cess roads in the remote areas.
On Tuesday, President Dute-
rte said he was open to talking
again with the Communist Par-
ty-NPA-NDF but with certain
conditions.
The state-owned Philippine
News Agency reported that
Eastmincom spokesperson Maj.
Ezra Balagtey said it is the dis-
cretion of the President since he
is the commander-in-chief.
“But, of course, our com-
manders will be giving a
situationer for the President
to decide if he will pursue the
peace talks or not,” he said.
Balagtey said whatever the
decision of Duterte after he
receives the situationer, the
Eastmincom would abide by it.
“There are many factors that
are being considered and we
will be supporting the President
on the peace initiatives that he
is pursuing,” he said.
Earlier, Duterte said in his
speech in Bongabong, Oriental
Mindoro the communist rebels
should stop their hostilities if
they want to resume peace talks
with the government.
“So it, first time ko ito
nagsalita since (Joma) Sison
is always mentioning about the
peace process. I am ready. First
thing is we should stop killing
each other. Then if we can have
peace; and if you do not have
the money, the government will
subsidize it,” Duterte said.
The President said both
the government and the NPA
should agree on some funda-
mentals.
“In the meantime na kung
gusto niyo talagang totohanan
is you stop immediately, you
See TALKS/p.11

‘Ground Zero’ residents may start rebuilding homes by 2020

THEY waited 11 months
before they could visit their
homes -- or what is left of
them -- in Marawi City’s
“Ground Zero.” But they
will wait even longer be-
fore they could return and
finally rebuild their homes
there.
Residents from Ground
Zero, the former main
battle area between gov-
ernment forces and the
Maute Group in last year’s
five-month siege (now re-
ferred to as MAA or Most
Affected Area), can start
rebuilding their homes
there “most likely first
quarter 2020,” Housing
Secretary Eduardo del Ro-
sario, concurrent chair of
the Task Force Bangon
Marawi (TFBM) said late
last week.
Rebuilding in the
250-hectare Ground Zero
will be done by phases,
with the developers taking
the lead.
Del Rosario said their
timeline is “about 18
months” for the debris
clearing and site devel-
opment, which includes
the road network and the
underground utilities for
water, electricity and tele-
communications.
Groundbreaking for
the Ground Zero develop-
ment plan, if the contract is
awarded to developers by
May 31, will be on June 7,
2018, he said.
“So if that is undertak-
en on time, then after 18
months, or one year and
six months, the different
owners -- we will do it by
phasing -- can apply for
construction of building
permit, housing permit
from the city government
so that once and for all ev-
erything will be organized
REALITY. Residents search for things to salvage in what used to be their house in Marawi City last week. The government allowed residents to
because we don’t have a
briefly visit their homes to get their personal belongings and to retrieve their possessions at the main affected areas. (photo by froilan gallardo) See START/p.11
 1/8 PAGE
Kagay-an
Gold Star Daily

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Editor: Cong B. Corrales
2
Briefly
More studes complete senior high in Oro ‘Ignorance of the 4Ps to start
pay-out
law excuses no one’
AT least 75 percent of the 16,390 first graders who en-
rolled in this city in 2006, have successfully completed
senior high school last month. next week
They are composed of the first batch of the K-12 THE Department of Social
graduates coming from Cagayan de Oro under the By JOEY P. NACALABAN rectors. Welfare and Development

comelec photo
new Philippine basic education curriculum, said City Correspondent
He said if Montalvan is set to pay the cash grants
Schools Division Superintendent Jonathan dela Peña. LAWYER James Judith can show a provision or a of Pantawid Pamilyang
Dela Peña also noted a three percent increase in slammed at his detrac- law saying that the mayor Pilipino Program (4Ps)
the Grade 12 graduates in the new curriculum, at 76.7 tors who have earlier can not remove members beneficiaries through the
percent, compared to the last batch of fourth year high refuted his assertion of the COWD board, he Land Bank of the Philip-
school graduates coming from Cagayan de Oro City judith
that the city mayor can said he will rest his case. pines next week.
under the old one, at 73.7 percent. (pna) remove his appointed He said Montalvan’s Pay-out will start on
board of directors at the group only anchored their April 17 to 27.
Loading, unloading areas at coastal road sought Cagayan de Oro Water defenses on the tradition The synchronization
THE City Council committee on roads and traffic District (COWD). that the chief executive of payouts of 4Ps grantees
management started discussions on Resolution No. Judith cited the Su- cannot terminate those with the beneficiaries of
038-2017 of the Barangay Council of Barangay preme Court decision in who appointed by him the 2018 Unconditional
Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City urging City Vice 1999 (Aguirre v de Cas- without citing a law. Cash Transfer has caused
Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy to establish loading and tro, GR 127631), “absent
Judith
He said it has become the delay of the payment of
unloading area at the coastal road near Sitio Lam- any contrary statutory plained. a rule because they do not cash grants of 4Ps grantees,
bago, Lapasan. provision, the power to Earlier, Eduardo Mon- know that there is a legal who are set to receive the
According to barangay officials, there is a need to es- appoint carries with it talvan, COWD board precedent. grants for their compliance
tablish the loading and unloading area for the protection the power to remove or chairman, chided Judith’s LWUA’s provision, of the conditionalities last
and convenience of both motorists and commuters. (cli) to discipline.” nagging declaration in Judith added, is silent December and January this
According to Judith citing cases in Iloilo City on what to do after the year under Period 6.
Dads approve pact for farming project this means that since Water District and the appointment of the board Payouts for 4Ps bene-
A MEMORANDUM of Agree- the mayor appointed the removal of some board of directors. ficiaries is set every two
ment for a farming project in city COWD board directors, of directors at the said “That is why moingon months.
is underway. then he can also remove water utility as examples ko nga tungod ba kay Northern Mindanao has
Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin them if he wishes to. on what Mayor Oscar ignorante sila ani nga more than 270,000 house-
Uy referred to the City Council “Kanang decision sa Moreno should do with balaod dili na sila liable,” holds 4Ps beneficiaries.
committee on agriculture chaired SC de Castro vs Aguirre the COWD board of di- Judith rhetorically asked. (dswd x)
by Councilor Annie Daba the pro- nga nagsulti nga ‘the
posed Memorandum of Agreement power to appoint carries
between the city government and with it the power to re-
the Department of Agriculture for move or to discipline’ ap-
the grant of three units water pump and engine sets. plicable kana kung wala
This is in line with the thrust of the DA-10 to in- specific nga provision
crease farm productivity and farmer’s income through ang mao nga government
bottom-up self-reliant farming systems approach that office such as the LWUA
will emphasize equity, productivity and sustainability [Local Water Utility Ad-
in the use of agricultural resources. (cli) ministration],” Judith ex- koti.jpg

BATTLE OF TOPS. In hinterland barangays of Cagayan de Oro City like in Tumpagon Elementary School
students still play the old-style tops unlike in the urban barangays of the city especially with the beginning of
the summer vacation. Photo by Lito Rulona

NEW MISAMIS ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICER-

VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ and the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan of Misamis Oriental formally concurred the
appointment of ATTY. JEFFREY C. SACLOT as the Provincial
Tourism Officer of Misamis Oriental.
The Local Government Code of 1991provides that heads
of departments and offices of the Provincial Government
shall be appointed by the Governor with the concurrence
of the majority of all the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
Members.
Vice Governor Pelaez believes that the appointment of
Atty. Saclot, having previously served the same position, will
further propelthe sustained gains and the development of
the bright tourism potential of the province. (advt)
Mindanao
Gold Star Daily

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Editor: Cong B. Corrales
3
20k animal bites recorded in Caraga in 2017
BUTUAN City — Health animal bite. tion and control activities. For his part, vaccination of pets and on District Hospital, Bayu-
officials here are calling M o r e i m p o r t a n t l y, According to DOH-Caraga Director keeping them from roam- gan Community Hospital;
on residents to avail of Nituda said pet owners DOH-Caraga data, a Jose Llacuna, Jr. said ing the streets to protect Caraga Regional Hospital,
the services of 21 animal should be more respon- total of 19,415 animal the agency will contin- them from possibly con- Siargao District Hospital;
bite treatment centers in sible by having their cats bites were ue working tracting the rabies virus,” Surigao City Health
the region, following the or dogs vaccinated at the reported with the De- Lacuna said. Office, Soccoro District
close to 20,000 animal local veterinary office. last year. Of partment of Caraga’s Animal Bite Hospital, Adela Serra Ty
bites recorded throughout Nituda said these cases, Agriculture Treatment Centers are Memorial Medical Center,
Caraga last year. DOH-Caraga is working majority in- to promote found in the following Bislig District Hospital;
Niel Nituda, regional with local government volved dogs responsible health facilities: Lianga District Hospi-
coordinator of the Depart- units to craft policies (16,577) and pet owner- Provincial Hospital tal; Madrid District Hos-
ment of Health-Caraga in the barangays for the cats (2,675). ship. Agusan del Norte; Cabad- pital, Marihatag District
(DOH-Caraga) for the implementation of com- A total of “It is in baran City District Hospi- Hospital; Dinagat District
agency’s rabies preven- prehensive rules on re- six cases of this way that tal; Nasipit District Hospi- Hospital, Albor District
tion and control program, sponsible pet ownership, deadly ra- we can pro- tal; Butuan City Medical Hospital, Loreto District
underscored the impor- impounding of stray an- bies infec- tect both an- Center, D.O. Plaza Me- Hospital and Provincial
tance of seeking immedi- imals, and allocation of tion were reported in the imals and people from the morial Hospital; Bunawan Health Offices of Province
ate treatment following an budget for rabies preven- same year. threat of rabies. Regular District Hospital, Talacog- of Dinagat Island. (pna)

Team Soccsksargen all

set for Palaro next week
G E N E R A L S A N TO S
southcotabato.ph.gov photo

City — Region 12 or the

Soccsksargen Regional
Athletic Association is all
set for the 2018 Palarong
Pambansa slated on April
15 to 21 in Vigan City.
Magdaleno Duhilag,
the Department of Educa-
tion-Region 12 sports su- bronze-taek-indiv-2
pervisor, said their athletes
have already completed the
three-week intensive train-
ing and are now in their
final stage of preparation
for the Palaro.
“We have not encoun-
tered any major problem
so far. Everything has been
smooth and we’re ready for
the Palaro,” he said. of our golds last year and
He said their team com- we expect them to deliver
prise a total of 505 athletes, again this time,” he said.

1/8 PAGE
63 coaches and assistant Also known as the
coaches, 80 chaperones, 93 Soccsksargen Warriors,
officials, and 10 advance SRAA won a total of 26
team. golds, 22 silvers, and 35
The SRAA delegation bronze medals in the pre-
is assigned at the Univer- vious Palaro.
sity of Northern Philip- Citing their assessment
pines campus. It is located with SRAA head trainer,

MLHUILLIER
within the city proper and Olympian Henry Dagmil,
just around 1.2 kilometers he said they could gener-
away from the President ate 30 to 35 gold medals
Elpidio Quirino Stadium, this year.
the main venue. Last year, Duhilag said P H I L I P P I N E S
Duhilag said their in- they projected to get 22 to
tensive training mainly fo-
cused on individual events,
24 gold medals and even-
tually won 26.
ZANORTE REGION
NOTICE OF AUCTION
which carried SRAA to its “We will try to main-
fifth overall finish in the tain our number two rank

1/16 PAGE
2017 Palaro in Antique. overall in the elementary
He specifically cited level and improve on our
arnis, boxing, taekwondo, 11th place ranking in the
All unredeemed pledges left during the month of JANUARY 2018 of the following
gymnastics, archery, table secondary level. Overall, MLHUILLIER PAWNSHOP branches will be sold at Public Auction on APRIL 16, 2018. At
tennis, badminton, and we’re hoping to land in there respective Branches ( 9:00 Am to 12:00 Pm)
lawn tennis. third or fourth place,” he
“They produced most added. (pna) BRANCH NAME BRANCH ADDRESS
RECOGNITION DAY CELEBRATION
by: Juvelyn F. Agcol
Teacher 1
ML OROQUIETA 1 INDEPENDENCE ST., OROQUIETA CITY
Cosina Elementary School ML OROQUIETA 2 JUAN LUNA ST., OROQUIETA CITY
Talakag, Bukidnon
ML OROQUIETA 3 RIZAL ST., OROQUIETA CITY
Recognition Day is the results of all hard work in school. It is the day when
the pupil can say, “I've done it”. It is also a day when the teachers and pupils
ML OROQUIETA 4 ENERIO ST., OROQUIETA CITY
gather and celebrate accomplishments.
There are two types of awards which are the academic awards and the
ML ALORAN LABO, ALORAN
conduct awards. The academic award is given to the pupils who excels in their
grades like first honors, second honors, third honors and with honors. While
ML LOPEZ JAENA EASTERN POBLACION, LOPEZ JAENA
the Conduct Award is a behavioral award. Conduct awardees have to behave
properly in school all year round or their attitudes are normally built into their
ML PLARIDEL LOOC, PLARIDEL
system. Even those pupils who are not good in academic may receive this
behavioral awards.
ML CALAMBA 1 SOLINOG, CALAMBA
Cosina Elementary School celebrated its recognition day last April 3,
2018. The teachers were well prepared to give academic and conduct awards
ML CALAMBA 2 D’BAN, CALAMBA
to all pupils who are worthy to receive it and also to the supportive parents
and other stakeholders. The proud parents were there also expectantly waited
ML MAPANG MAPANG, RIZAL
for their child’s name to be called for recognition. The excited pupils of course
were there with their happy faces.
ML SOUTHERN PLARIDEL PLARIDEL
May we have done all the excellence and wonderful things for the whole
year round. May the pupils receive lots of awards to be proud of but the
ML N. PASCUA D’BAN, CALAMBA
highest person who is worthy to receive back the honor of all our awards is our
heavenly Lord God.
ML LA LIBERTAD POBLACION, LA LIBERTAD, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE
News
Gold Star Daily

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Student group hits IRR on free tuition law
THE Kabataan party-list
(KPL) denounced the IRR
of the free tuition program,
saying it “negates the concept
of education as a right.”
The progressive par-
ty-list said the IRR contains
provisions which turn stu-
dents into slaves, such as the
return service agreement.
The group also downplayed
the IRR as “unreasonably
overdue.”
Last week, the Commis-
sion on Higher Education
(Ched) launched on Monday
the implementing rules and
regulations (IRR) for the
Universal Access to Qual-
ity Tertiary Education Act
(UAQTEA) which will take
effect this academic year
2018 – 2019.
Republic Act 10931,
which was signed into law
by President Rodrigo Duterte
last Aug. 3, will provide free
tuition, miscellaneous and
other similar fees for students
enrolled in state universities
and colleges, and Ched-rec-
ognized local universities
and colleges.
Miscellaneous fees in-
clude library, computer, lab-
oratory, school ID, athletic
admission, development,
guidance, handbook, en-
trance, registration, medical,
dental and cultural fees.
The law also provides
subsidy or grants-in-aid, free
technical-vocational education
and training for those enrolled
in state-run technical vocational
institutions, as well as a nation
Student Loan Program.
“It (Ched) should be held
accountable not only for the
delay in the release of IRR
but also in the continued
hampering of the full imple-
mentation of the free tuition
and no collection policies,”
the party-list’s statement
reads in part.
Editor: Cong B. Corrales
The Unified Student Fi-
nancial Assistance System for
Tertiary Education, the agency
created under RA 10687, was
mandated to implement all the
identified programs stated in
RA 10931.
“The fight for genuine
free education continues.
How disappointing that
Ched has only bastardized
the victory of a decades-long
struggle of the youth by
formulating an IRR that
4
negates the concept of edu-
cation as a right,” it added.
The group also reiterated
its demand to refund to stu-
dents all fees collected during
the second semester of AY
2017 to 2018.
Over P40 million was
allocated for the implemen-
tation of the UAQTEA, but
KPL said around P5 million
had remained un-disbursed
from the Free Tuition Policy.
(davaotoday.com)

Zambo health office cautions

public vs ‘summer diseases’
ZAMBOANGA City — style, among others, will tures due to the incoming
The City Health Office help residents avoid these summer months.
has advised the public to summer-related illnesses. Each individual is ad-
be aware and cautious of “We are advocating vised to drink at least
27bakwit
summer-related illness as still for a eight glasses of
the season heats up. balanced water a day.
Dr. Ivy Iturralde, the diet, healthy Residents
City Health Office’s Ep- lifestyle, ex- are also advised
idemiology and Surveil- ercise, and to protect them-
lance Unit head, said the good hy- selves from the
six most common dis- giene,” Itur- heat of the sun
eases during summer are ralde said. by using caps
sore eyes, sunburn, colds She also or umbrellas,
and cough, diarrhea and advised resting in cool
vomiting, skin diseases, drinking shady places,
and rabies. plenty of fluids to combat and using sunscreen be-
Two-year-old Mohamad Hakim Guro helps drive away flies in the family’s makeshift sari-sari store outside
their home at the Temporary Shelter Area 4 in Sagonsongan, Marawi City as his mother Lisa Salahid Guro
Iturralde said main- dehydration, particularly fore going out during the
(in the background) talks to neighbors. MindaNews photo by Bobby Timonera taining a healthy life- with the rising tempera- day. (pna)

NCIP starts Politics, drugs eyed in murder of Progressive group slams

selection village execs in North Cotabato Nat’l ID as ‘witch-hunt
process for CARMEN, North Cotaba- Carmen town police chief, following the incident. tool’ against the people
next Davao toillegal
— Police are looking at to dig deeper into the case. Before the twin mur- PROGRESSIVE groups duce documents the PNP

lumad rep and

drug personalities
politics to be behind wanted to establish the receiving death threats but al identification system to their investigation.
the murder of a village motive and the personal- ignored it saying he has no and the recently-signed
DAVAO City — The
National Commission
on Indigenous Peoples
(NCIP) here has started
the process for the selec-
tion of the next Indige-
nous People Mandatory
Representative (IPMR)
to the Sangguniang Pan-
lungsod.
NCIP Davao City head
Cristito Ingay said the next
IPMR is being selected
from the Bagobo-Klata
tribe.
The current IPMR is
Halila Sudagar of the Ka-
gan Tribe, whose term ends
on April 18.
Sudagar is the second
IPMR following former
Cuncilor Berino Mambo-o
of the Ata tribe. Ingay
said the members of the
tribe will be using their
customary law in choosing
their leader through their
council of elders called
Talaukom.
“We are expecting more
or less 495 members of
Talaukom who will par-
ticipate in the selection
process,” he said.
He said these mem-
bers come from the 33
barangays where the Ba-
gobo-Klata live. Each ba-
rangay has 15 members at
the Talaukom. (pna)
“Senior Supt. Layugan der, Segumban has been warned that the nation- and CIDG deem relevant
chief and a village watch-
man here.
Supt. Bernard Tayong,
spokesperson for North
Cotabato police provincial
office, said the murder of
Joaquin Sardon Segum-
ban, 56, village chair of
Barangay Tonganon, and
the village chief watchman
Joey Gamotia Gamarchia,
57, could be related to the
official’s active participa-
tion in the government’s
campaign against illegal
drugs.
Tayong said Senior
Supt. Maximo Layugan,
acting North Cotabato po-
lice director, ordered Chief
Insp. Julius Malcontento,
FEATURE STORY:
Bayugan vegetable growers rise from ‘withered’ past
IT was an ordinary day for
Jonnie. The gleaming glow
of the sun infused his sun-
kissed skin as he gets ready
for battle – harvest time.
It was not always a
smooth-sailing ride for
the members of the Pina-
galaan Vegetable Growers
Association (Pinavegra).
Cultivating a 1.5-hectare
privately-owned land, sit-
uated in Barangay Pinaga-
laan, Bayugan City was a
ities behind the murder
of Segumban, so safety
measures can be applied
to protect local officials,”
Tayong said.
Malcontento said the
killing of Segumban and
Gamarchia happened at
Sitio Galay, Barangay
Kibayao last Tuesday, a
village before Tonganon
where the official was ac-
tive in the drive against
illegal drugs.
Two men standing on
the roadside opened fire
using cal. 45 pistols as the
victims’ vehicle slowed
down in the village center.
The killers fled on board a
motorbike parked nearby
challenging duty for them.
Withered past
Established four years ago
(2014), the association
started with 30 committed
members aiming to be-
come one of the vegetable
producers in the “cut-flow-
er capital of the Agusan del
Sur” – Bayugan City. But
the odds were not in their
favor for they failed in their
previous parcel, which dis-
couraged other members.
The law, the KMP
known enemies.
Tayong said another an-
gle the police investigators
are looking into is politics
since barangay and Sang-
gu-niang Kabataan elec-
tions are fast approaching.
“We are looking at all
angles,” Tayong said.
In December last year,
a village chairperson was
also killed in Barangay
Poblacion here.
Carmen Mayor Roger
Taliño has summoned all
village officials Wednes-
day to a meeting to de-
termine if any of them
has been receiving death
threats while performing
their duties. (pna)
“Sukad ato, nawad-an
og gana ang uban miyem-
bro. Gikan sa 30, nahimo
nalang mi og pito. Grabe
to nga pagsulay,” Jonnie
Guyo, Pinavegra president,
got slightly emotional as he
reminisced their withered
past.
Though it seem too
hard to recover from their
failure, the seven members
remained steadfast. Their
perseverance paid off with
law granting subpoena
powers to the Philippine
National Police (PNP) are
additional tools for witch-
hunt, abuse, and all-out
repression.
The Kilusang Magbu-
bukid ng Pilipinas lam-
basted President Rodri-
go Duterte for signing
Republic Act 10973 that
granted powers to the
leadership of the PNP
and the Criminal Inves-
tigation Detection Group
to issue subpoena orders.
The law signed on March
1 gives the PNP chief and
both the CIDG director
and deputy director to
compel persons or to pro-
a new beginning – a new
niche to nourish.
Bountiful future
Through the initiative of
the Program, they (part-
ner-beneficiaries) created
a Gulayan sa Barangay
to promote nutrient suf-
ficiency, food security/
stability, and a sense of
community.
Their communal gar-
den now yields bountiful
harvest with various or-
said, was among the
“piecemeal legislations
imposed by the Duterte
government to complete
a de facto dictatorship.”
“Duterte is building
his ‘dictatorship jigsaw
puzzle’ piece by piece
through proclamations,
laws, orders, issuances,
and threats,” KMP Sec-
retary-General Antonio
Flores said in a statement.
The law’s approval
comes after the Depart-
ment of Justice filed a
petition seeking to tag
more than 600 individu-
als, mostly progressives,
as terrorists. (davaotoday.
com)
ganic vegetables on sight
– bell peppers, eggplants,
tomatoes, scallions, and
lettuces. They are now
considered as one of the
vegetable producers in
Bayugan City with pro-
duction market in the
neighboring towns or
cities such as Butuan and
Surigao.
It has been a real tough
but rewarding four years
for Pinavegra. (pia caraga)
Money Matters
Gold Star Daily
DOT sees improved sea connectivity luring more cruise lines to PH
DEPARTMENT of Tourism
(DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo
on Wednesday said the boost in
sea connectivity in the years to
come is worth looking forward
to as more cruise lines are set
to visit Manila for the first time.
“The country’s sea connec-
tivity will receive a significant
boost in the succeeding years
with new major cruise lines in-
cluding the Norwegian Cruise
Lines, Windstar Cruises arriv-
ing in the Philippines shores for
the first time,” Teo said.
She said several cruise ships
will also be returning and some
even increased port calls includ-
ing MSC Cruises, Royal Carib-
bean Cruise Lines’ Ovation of
PH acquires mercury
monitoring equipment
THE Philippines received from
Taiwan equipment aimed to
enhance the monitoring of mer-
cury, which the World Health
Organization (WHO) identified
as among the chemicals of ma-
jor public health concern.
The Taiwan government
donated the equipment called
mercury sampler, so the De-
partment of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR)
could better monitor and gather
data on mercury levels in the
country.
“We’ll issue the correspond-
ing policy directives if monitor-
ing shows a significant rise in
mercury levels,” said DENR’s
air quality executive, Jerry
Capulong.
Capulong noted such direc-
tives would help strengthen
the implementation of envi-
ronmental regulations like the
Toxic Substances and Hazard-
ous and Nuclear Wastes Con-
trol Act of 1990.
Scientists said mercury is
found in air, water, and soil, has
various industrial applications,
and is present in fertilizers and
pesticides.
According to WHO, how-
ever, mercury can adversely af-
fect the nervous, digestive, and
immune systems, as well as
lungs, kidneys, skin, and eyes.
“Human exposure occurs
mainly through inhalation of
Palace: Duterte approves 6-month total closure of Boracay
MALACAÑANG on Friday,
formally announced that the
President has approved the rec-
ommendation to totally close
down Boracay Island for a maxi-
mum period of six months start-
ing on April 26.
President Rodrigo Roa Du-
terte approved during the 24th
Cabinet meeting the proposal to
shutdown the island to tourists in
line with its much needed reha-
bilitation, Presidential Spokes-
person Harry Roque, Jr. said in a
Palace press briefing.
GUEVARRA
the Seas, Silversea Cruises’ Sil-
ver Whisper and Silver Shadow,
and Crystal Cruises.
In an article published in
Forbes magazine on March 28,
2018, the Philippines is rec-
ognized as among five of the
“hottest” spots in Asia booming
with tourists in 2018.
The country’s improved
connectivity and infrastructure
were mentioned as factors for
the increased tourism interest,
aligned with the continent’s
must-visit destinations like Ja-
pan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and
South Korea.
Teo said to be lined-up in the
region’s tourism powerhouse
reflects the country’s persever-
elemental mercury vapors dur-
ing industrial processes and
through consumption of
contaminated fish and shell-
fish,” said WHO.
WHO noted mercury’s vari-
ous forms - elemental or me-
tallic, inorganic and organic -
have different toxic effects.
On Tuesday (March 6), Tai-
wan’s Taipei Economic and
Cultural Office (TECO) turned
over to the DENR a mercury
sampler unit.
“May this undertaking
strengthen efforts to help en-
hance global mercury moni-
toring,” DENR Environmental
Management Bureau Assistant
Director Vizminda Osorio said
at the turn-over ceremony in
Metro Manila.
She said such monitoring’s
results could be used in scien-
tific studies and help promote
global implementation of the
Minamata Convention, the
treaty to protect human health
and the environment from mer-
cury’s adverse effects.
The Philippines signed that
Convention in 2013 but has not
yet ratified the treaty.
WHO said mercury releases
in the environment are mainly
due to operation of coal-fired
power stations, residential
heating systems, and waste in-
cinerators, as well as mining of
metals.(PNA)
The Cabinet official assured
the public that the President’s
decision would pave the way for
the island’s restoration as a tour-
ism paradise.
“Itong panandaliang pagsara
po ng Boracay ay para masiguro
na makikilala ng mga susunod
na henerasyon bilang paraiso
rin ‘yang Boracay,” Secretary
Roque said.
“Boracay will be relaunched.
Boracay will always be there.
And the closure is necessary to
ensure that Boracay will be there
Boracay clean-up a top priority of the President: official
PALACE on Friday said the
public could soon expect the
President’s “firm decision” on
recommendations to close down
Boracay to make way for the is-
land’s rehabilitation.
Senior Deputy Executive Sec-
retary Menardo Guevarra in a Pal-
ace press briefing said President
CRUISE ships docked at Pier 15 of Manila South Harbor (Photo
of Dot)
ance to restore image as a “safe
Duterte distributes CLOAs
to Sultan Kudarat farmers
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte
on Monday, April 2, led the dis-
tribution of certificate of land
ownership awards (CLOAs) to
farmers in Sultan Kudarat assur-
ing them of government’s con-
tinued support and assistance.
In his speech, President Du-
terte congratulated the farmers
saying that they “rightfully de-
serve” the lands “as hardworking
Filipinos.”
“I stand before you to say only
one thing: Today is a victorious
day for you, our farmers,” he said.
“I laud the efforts of the De-
partment of Agrarian Reform for
being instrumental in upholding
the rights of our farmers to own,
control, secure, cultivate and en-
hance their agricultural lands as
well as to improve their quality
of life,” he added.
The President encouraged the
farmers to continue their duties of
tilling the fields and bringing food
on the table of every Filipino.
“The Philippines is nothing
without our farmers who regu-
larly provide our people with
sustenance and ensure food se-
curity despite difficulties such as
disasters, price fluctuations and
financial shortages,” he said.
Duterte then vowed to im-
plement genuine land reform
“through strong and decisive
governance.”
for the next generation,” he added.
Per the President’s directive,
Roque cited, among the first
things to be done would be a val-
idation on which resorts or hotels
in the island are complying with
existing environmental rules and
regulations.
The Palace Spokesperson fur-
ther said priority would be given
to the construction of new sew-
age lines, since the existing ones
currently being operated by Bo-
racay Island Water Company,
Inc. were proven to be insuffi-
Rodrigo Roa Duterte is ready to
make a firm decision to save Bo-
racay, which is currently hounded
by environmental issues.
“We are working on it. That’s
our top priority,” Guevarra said.
“The overwhelming consid-
eration for the President really is
to restore Boracay to its pristine
courtesy
and fun destination.”
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Duterte distributes the Certificate of Land Ownership Award to Agrarian Reform
Beneficiary Mohamad Dondoy during a ceremony at the Sultan Kudarat Sports and Cultural Center in the
Municipality of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on April 2, 2018. KIWI BuLAcLAc/PresIDeNtIAL Photo
He called on the Department
of Agriculture and other con-
cerned agencies to continue their
efforts to increase farm produc-
tivity, reduce farm expenses and
promote the well-being of farm-
ers, consumers and the general
public through various programs.
“I assure you that the gov-
ernment stands [by] you every
step of the way. We continue to
provide support services [from]
cient and had caused backflows.
Meanwhile, Roque also said
the government is exhausting all
means to provide alternative and
temporary livelihood for Filipino
workers who would be affected
by the shutdown. He said a state
of calamity may be declared in
Boracay to enable the govern-
ment to tap around P2 billion
worth of calamity funds for dis-
placed workers.
“There will be a declaration of
a state of calamity. But the Presi-
dent was insistent that the funds
condition,” he added, stressing
that any short-term effect of the
island’s closure would not out-
weigh the long-term benefits of
the planned clean-up.
Guevarra explained that the
administration could close down
the island on the basis of the
government’s exercise of police
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Aside from a positive out-
look with the country’s sea
connectivity, there is optimism
on tourism spur as the govern-
ment plans to improve domes-
tic airports, a move set to attract
more local and foreign visitors
to frequent top destinations in
the Philippines.
International gateways have
experienced renovations while
regional airports such as the
Iloilo International Airport,
Bacolod-Silay Airport, Lagu-
indingan Airport in Misamis
Oriental, and New Bohol Inter-
national Airport in Panglao are
now up for development.
Improved air connectivity
and the opening of new flights
other agencies through liveli-
hood programs such as crop in-
surance, production and posthar-
vest trainings and credit access,”
he stressed.
Duterte underscored that the
programs and services provided
for the farmers are the building
blocks to achieve a comfortable
and dignified life for everyone.
He urged the farmers to dem-
onstrate solidarity in the shared
that will be spent will go only
to the workers who will be dis-
placed. He will not let any resort
owner benefit from any sort of
calamity fund,” Roque stressed.
President sets 3 conditions be-
fore resuming peace talks with
Reds
Malacañang also announced
the President’s directive to re-
sume the government’s peace
talks with Communist rebels,
subject to specific preconditions.
Secretary Roque said the
President told his Cabinet that
power.
“Of course, our environmental
laws also play a role… So ‘yun
ang actual legal basis. Kung tala-
gang merong violation of some
environmental rules and regula-
tions, that’s it,” he said.
The Office of the President
earlier received an official
Editor: Ben Balce
5
are also expected with the
country’s hosting of Routes
Asia 2019, the only route de-
velopment event dedicated to
the Asia Pacific region, in Cebu
next year.
In 2018, tourism statistics
showed that promotion of the
country’s destination, on top
of government efforts to fur-
ther improve accessibility, has
resulted in increased visitor ar-
rivals.
For the first two months of
the year, the Philippines wel-
comed a total of 1,406,337
international visitors, which is
16.15 percent higher compared
to the 1,210,817 total for the
same period in 2017. (PNA)
task of building a stronger and
more robust society.
The President handed over
CLOAs to 1,680 agrarian re-
form beneficiaries involving
4,266.2882 hectares of land.
Among the recipients were 1,396
Muslim/Maguindanaoan, 227
Manobo/indigenous peoples and
23 Christians getting an average
farm size of 2.55 hectares each.
(PCOO)
he would authorize the revival
of peace negotiations with the
Communist Party of the Philip-
pines-New People’s Army (CPP-
NPA), provided that they agree
with three conditions.
First, Roque said the CPP-
NPA would have to honor a
genuine ceasefire with the gov-
ernment during the time of the
peace talks. Furthermore, the
CPP-NPA would have to desist
from collecting revolutionary
taxes while the ceasefire is ongo-
ing. (PCOO)
communication from the De-
partment of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), the
Department of Interior and Lo-
cal Government (DILG), and the
Department of Tourism (DOT),
recommending a six-month
shutdown of Boracay starting on
April 26 .(PCOO)
OpiniOn
Gold Star Daily
THE GOLD STAR DAILY is published by the Min-
danao Gold Star Daily Corp. at Gusa Highway,
Cagayan de Oro City. Telefax: (08822) 73-33-66,
73-27-30, (088) 855-1737; 855-1743,
E-mail: goldstarnews@yahoo.com, PHILIPPINE
CDO DOWNTOWN OFFICE, PABAYO ST.,
PRESS
INSTITUTE
856-4795
MEMBER
Founded by ERNESTO G. CHU
President Emeritus
EDITORIAL
Herbie Gomez, Editor in Chief
Cong Corrales, Associate Editor
Ben Balce, Deskman
Catherine Chu,RN, Lifestyle Editor
ADMINISTRATION
Guadalupe Jimenez Chu, President
Alfonso Y. Lim, Vice President for Production
Gladys Elaine J. Chu,Vice President for Marketing
James Go, Vice President for Circulation
Catherine Chu,RN, Administrative Director
Lissa Rosalynn C. Lagura, Finance Officer
Ruchelle Bangis, General Manager
Flordelis Paler, Circulation and Advertising
Atty. Melanie Mae C. Cabanlas, Legal Counsel
Registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (CS201028440) on June. 23,
2010. Entered as second class mail matter at
the Postal Service Office-Region 10, October
1989 and Region 11 with Permit no. PR-XI
96-08 on Dec. 12, 1996. Extension Offices
Manila: Unit 1603, 16/F, IPI Buendia Tower,
501 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay City, Mobile
No., 09175494885; 09228638541, Telefax.:
(02)856-0740; email: goldstar_manila@yahoo.
com; Cebu: (Adrian Lee) Gold Star Cebu
Bldg. 626 La Tressas Drive, Tres de Abril,
Cebu City; mobile no.: 0918-941-3920, tele-
phone nos: (032) 2625474, 2624557; Davao:
(Ruben M. Dongzal) cor. Fr. Selga & Malvar,
Sicat Bldg. Davao City, Tel. nos.: 082-4402057
/ 0932-619-9703 / 0905-121-4868. email:
dongzalruben@yahoo.com
The views expressed in our editorial pages
do not necessarily reflect the stand, individual or
collective, of this paper’s publishers, editors, man-
agers, and staff members. These are the authors’
opinions in the huge marketplace of ideas where
readers are free to agree or disagree with, accept
or reject, or use in formulating informed decisions.
BUREAUS / AGENCIES
BETH DELA CRUZ - 0917-714-3761, 0922-884-8796,
METRO MANILA
RALPH FRANCISCO - 0917-704-4623,
METRO MANILA
ADRIAN LEE - 032-262 5474, 032-262 4557,
CEBU CITY
AMOR BARLISAN - 0906-275-2936,
CAGAYAN DE ORO
EDGAR DICHOS - 0916-168-0049,
CAGAYAN DE ORO
STEVE BRIAN N. PARBA- 0906-348-7018, 0906-6752-038
CAGAYAN DE ORO
BING TENORIO - 0917-793-3999,
BUKIDNON
AICKA TENORIO - 092O-2115-114,
VALENCIA
TERRY BANGAL - 0922 -3156-008,
DANGCAGAN, BUKIDNON
LALAINE SUDARIA - 0926-354-3702,
MALAYBALAY
GLENN L. UY - 0917-112-6041,
MALAYBALAY
EFREN CELOCIA - 0975-640-8038,
LIBONA, BUKIDNON
DANILO MANIT - 0935-226-1566,
TALAKAG, BUKIDNON
EVIE TIPON - 0905-888-1999,
MARAMAG, BUKIDNON
OSCAR LEDESMA - 0916-910-0019,
MANOLO. FORTICH, BUKIDNON
EVELYN CASANILLO, 0916-834-6159,
POBLACION MALITBOG, BUKIDNON
NORA SORIÑO - 0919-796-9292,
ILIGAN
HENRY SALAZAR - 0926-014-2978,
GEN. SANTOS
ELDIE AGUIRRE - 0919-285-7530,
DIGOS
EDGAR CATANE - 0909-701-3523,
OROQUIETA
BREN MASANGCAY - 0920-549-5712,
PAGADIAN
AVEL GALORIO - 0908-7398-848,
BAYUGAN, AGUSAN DEL SUR
MARIE IVY AYENSA SABELO - 0917-962-0246,
GINGOOG
LEMIE LEGARTE - 0915-637-1644,
GINGOOG
NONOY LERIO - 0950-277-7917,
SURIGAO CITY
FLOR DEGUINION - 0918-708-2225,
TANDAG, SURIGAO DEL SUR
ROSE MUÑEZA - 0910-537-5103,
SULTAN KUDARAT
BASIR ALIPOLO - 0917-467-1384,
MIDSAYAP, NORTH COTABATO
SALVADOR G. HIMULATAN- 0929-798-3600,
KIDAPAWAN
TENG DATU - 0910-4033-386, 0926-3370-937
COTABATO CITY/
KABACAN, NORTH COTABATO
TOTOY MUÑOZ - 0975-418-2734,
ZAMBOANGA CITY
JUN LAZO - 0947-712-3696,
BALINGASAG, MISOR
Liberate your smartphones
“Paranoia is just reality on a finer
scale.” -Strange Days (1995)
My Wit’s End IT has been two full
weeks since I un-
plugged my smart-
phone from the matrix
of Mark Zuckerberg. I
have deleted all Zuck-
erberg owned apps
from my smartphone.
Now, I use my
Cong smartphone how it’s
Corrales meant to be -- for calls
and SMS. Well, it would be hypocritical
of me not to mention that I also use my
smartphone as a calculator, for audio
and video recording, and camera. How-
ever, I am now exclusively surfing the
Internet, and accessing my social media
accounts on my laptop.
It has been liberating.
The UK incorporated multinational
auditing and consulting company, De-
loitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, mon-
itor on mobile usage behavior revealed
that at least 80 percent of Indonesians
and Filipinos would have checked their
phones within 15 minutes of waking up.
The box of tears
BERN, Switzerland – March 31 this
year should have been a red-letter day
for OFWs. That’s the
day when the Philip-
pine customs ended
its suspension of the
revised rules on the
sending of our balik-
bayan boxes.
The new set of
rules – Customs
Brady EviotaAdministrative Order
(CAO) 05-2016 – took effect last Aug.
1, 2017, but following flak from sev-
eral sectors over its implementation,
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena
suspended its implementation until end
of March.
At the heart of the protest are the te-
dious procedures for sending balikbayan
boxes. Three copies per box are needed
for the Information forms that will detail
the contents of each box. Everything
inside, even second-hand items, must be
declared, including their value and quan-
tity. New items need to have receipts to
certify their value. OFW senders must
also provide a photocopy of their pass-
port to certify citizenship.
Why all the scrutiny over the boxes?
To recall, the Customs Modernization
HLURB’s response
CHALLENGED by the statements of
the Church, the Housing and Land Use
Knock, Knock Regulatory Board
responded with an
eight-page answer,
citing resolved issues
seriatim, laws and
counter argumenta-
tions. Let me take on
HLURB’s response to
“separation of Church
and State”:
Ben “The realm of
Contreras belief and creed is
infinite and limitless, bounded only by
one’s imagination and thought. So is
freedom of belief, including religious
belief, limitless and without bounds.
One may believe in most anything,
however strange, bizarre and unreason-
able the same may appear to others, ever
heretical when weighed in the scales of
orthodoxy or doctrinal standards. But
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Having social media apps on your
smartphone has altered the way we
interact with our loved ones. I saw how
intrusive it has been to our family time.
I wanted to delete the apps even before
the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data
breach scandal hogged the headlines.
But like most Filipinos, I was simply
hooked on it.
A virtual friend -- meaning, we hav-
en’t met personally, only on Facebook
-- asked me last month what would it be
like to disengage from social media plat-
forms. I answered that it wouldn’t really
change anything except that we’ll have
to talk face to face next time without it.
However, the Facebook-Cambridge
Analytica scandal was the last straw.
When I discussed it with my real-time
friends, most of them were not con-
cerned at the slightest.
They said they were not concerned
because they are careful with what they
post. What they don’t get is that it is a
continuing process. It doesn’t matter if
you have been conscientious in what you
do share on your Facebook wall. The
app mines your account for data anyway.
See CORRALES/p.7
and Tariff Act or CMTA (Republic Act
No. 10863) was signed into law in May
2016. The CMTA increased the ceiling
on the value of tax-free personal items
sent via balikbayan boxes to P150,000
and also raised the de minimis value of
goods subjected to duties to P10,000.
The new rules were designed to make
sure that this privilege was not abused
by OFWs and to stop smuggling in box-
es of items in commercial quantities for
business use, according to then Customs
Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon.
Faeldon is gone, but Lapena will now
be tested for his will to implement these
new rules.
The ordinary OFW box sender in
Switzerland, however, will always see
the rules as foolish. Mainly because it is
difficult to quantify the value of items
in the boxes we send. Except for the
very few, anything new that we send is
invariably bought during sale season,
when prices could drop up to 70 percent
of original price. “Why send one item,
when I can send two or more of the
same items at sale price?” is the OFW
logic.
Used or second-hand items, mean-
while, can come from so many sources:
See EVIOTA/p.7
between the freedom of belief and the
exercise of said religious belief, there
is quite a stretch of road to travel. If the
exercise of said religious belief clash-
es with the established institutions of
society and with the law, then the former
must yield and give way to the latter.
The government steps in and either re-
strains said exercise or even prosecutes
the one exercising it.”
If this is not clear to the Church,
maybe it still wants to assert its
make-believe influence over the rest, and
it did.
The Church sought relief from
the Court of Appeals. A five-page CA
resolution, dated Feb. 6, 2018 and
concurred by Associate Justices Romulo
V. Borja, Walter S. Ong and Tita Mar-
ilyn Payoyo-Villardon and released by
the CA Clerk of Court Atty. Teresita R.
Marigomen, reads in part: “Before the
See CONTRERAS/p.11
Editor: Herbie Gomez
6
Cart before
the horses
GENERAL Santos City -- “Putting
the cart before the horse” is an adage
expressing “oddity” or “reverse or-
der” – “baliktad” in
Tagalog; “suli” in
Bisaya-Ilonggo; in
Bisaya-Cebuano, the
President’s native
tongue, may someone
fill the blank.
This is what’s be-
ing done in the Phil-
ippines in the move to shift Pat Diaz
our system of government
from the unitary to federal. The primary
aim is to disperse power and resources
concentrated in the central government
under the President in Metro Manila to
the provinces. It is believed to be the
only way to make the poor provinces
progress. The move, listening to the si-
ren songs of the advocates, sounds good.
The move calls for the grouping of
regions into states. The ruling PDP-La-
ban, some individuals or groups in the
House or Senate and the Consultative
Commission have different proposals as
to the number of states to be created.
Whatever be the final number, there
will be two levels of government –
the federal government for the entire
country and the state government for the
individual states. Gleaning from reports
about various plans, we can see that very
much of the powers of the present Cen-
tral Government and the state revenues
will be given to the states so created to
make them self-ruling.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution is
being amended into the Federal Con-
stitution. It is expected to delineate the
states, define the type of federalization
for the Philippines, define the allocation
of powers and resources and provide for
how the states will exist and co-exist
and relate with the federal government.
The Federal Constitution is being
rushed to be ratified before the May
2019 midterm election. It can be in-
ferred from media reports that the ruling
party wants the federal and state gov-
ernments elected in 2019 to undergo a
three-year transition or learning period;
by the election of 2022, the Philippines
will be under full-fledged federal and
state governments.
Apparently, the move is uniquely
Filipino. The Philippine unitary system
of government will be transformed into
federal system by creating states. In
federalized countries like the United
States of America, Canada, Australia,
the United Kingdom, Malaysia, India
and the defunct Union of Soviet Social-
ist Republics, et cetera, existing self-
ruled or independent states or political
entities form a union or a federal state;
or, they apply for admission to the union
or federation.
For advocates of Philippine feder-
alism, the history of federal states will
give them insight into the correctness of
their advocacy. For instance, Malaysia
is a federal constitutional monarchy
consisting of 13 states, originally Malay
kingdoms, and three territories. The
United Kingdom consists of Scotland,
Wales and England in the Island of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The
first three evolved from kingdoms dating
back to the 10th century.
In the case of the United States,
the 13 colonies that revolted against
the English King started to unite in the
Continental Congress, then under the
Articles of Confederation and finally un-
der the Constitution of the United States
of America, referred to as the “Union.”
See DIAZ/p.11
OpiniOn 7
Gold Star Daily
Editor: Herbie Gomez
Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Digging up the roots of poverty

AFTER more than 100 years since is something special about us, but for so many decades that they need (NCC), it should look into the fact sell to each other, and to sell to
its foundation, Filipino farmers are because we now have the tools to irrigation, farm-to-market roads and that there is actually a conflict of each other’s members. Selling to
still poor and right now, it make a difference now, in our post-harvest facilities. interest if the local businessmen who each other is a business to business
does not look like they are own lifetime, and not in the In theory, it could be said that are lending money to the farmers are (B2B) transaction, whereas selling
going to be liberated from future yet. our farmers could still make money also the same businessmen who are to each other’s members would
the clutches of poverty The great scientist Albert even without irrigation, farm-to-mar- buying their produce. It would be be a business to consumer (B2C)
within the next 100 years, Einstein is widely credited ket roads and post-harvest facili- easy for these businessmen to claim transaction. It would appear that
not unless something is for the saying “The definition ties. These three factors are critical that they are actually “helping” the the combination of the B2B and
done to reverse their situ- of insanity is doing the same infrastructure inputs that could lower farmers because they are lending the B2C transactions would create
ation. Anytime and any- thing over and over again, but their cost of goods and operating them money and that they are buying an ecosystem that would enable all
where, I will challenge expecting different results”. To costs, but that does not mean that they their goods, but as a matter of fact, the estimated 30,000 cooperatives
anyone who will dare Ike Señeres paraphrase Einstein, it seems no longer have some profit margins they are actually “victimizing” the to have a built-in market for all
to say that they are poor that after many parties in power for them to make some money. Yes, farmers by imposing lending rates of their products, so much so that
because they are lazy, because they and after many Administrations in they do have some remaining profit that are too high, and by dictating they would no longer need to go
are not. I will also challenge anyone passing, practically doing the same margins, but what is left for them to farm gate prices that are too low. out of their own ecosystem to sell
who will say that it is the fault of thing, we are still expecting the same make some money is usually eaten Up to now, I still do not understand their own goods. What that also
their grandfathers and fathers that results, that we could stop the cycle up over and over again by a corrupt why anti-trust and anti-usury laws means is that they would be in a
is why they are poor, because their of poverty, and finally get different financing and trading systems that are practically non-existent in our position to lend to other farmer’s
ancestors are victims too, just as results, perhaps by way of making has been victimizing them for so country, but I do understand why cooperatives at more affordable
they are. As a matter of fact, there our farmers richer rather than poorer. many generations, so much so that our farmers continue to remain rates, and buy from these coop-
is a high probability that after them, Looking back however, it seems we could definitely say that these poor, and that is because their cost eratives at higher prices, thus
their descendants, their children and that the problem is not doing the evil systems are the root causes of of money is too high, and yet their giving them better margins. Going
even the children of their grand- same thing over and over again. Our poverty among our farmers. Too bad margin of profit is too low. Do the straight to the point, cooperatives
children will also remain poor, not problem is that our farmers have been that this reality is not being taught math, go figure! have the potential to reduce pov-
unless they are able to graduate from telling the government over and over in our history lessons but the fact is, After looking around for a erty, more so now that they could
below the poverty line. The reality again what they need, but they have it is still continuing over and over long time, I finally found a group sell their goods using an e-com-
is, we are going to take the blame if never gotten it over the years. To be again in our present times. of investors who are willing to merce platform.
we could not reverse this situation specific, our farmers have been telling Now that we have a Nation- develop an e-commerce platform
within our lifetime not because there the government over and over again al Competitiveness Commission that would enable cooperatives to E-mail: iseneres@yahoo.com

Moorish and mooring in Tawi-tawi reefs

By MUCHA SHIM QUILING
Mindanews
MY dear people of Sulu Archipelago
and my Sama Homesea.
I am going on a voyage that
all of us must take at least once in
our lifetime. From 2000 to 2010, I
had gone on similar missions to the
heart of the United Nations by air
and by land, but often I came home
empty-handed..
When I attended the last UN
Working Group Meeting on Mi-
nority Rights in October 2010 in
Geneva, I just saw through until the
institutionalization of the working
group into a Permanent Forum on
Minorities, and swore it was to be
my last and final attendance as I real-
ized our battles can not be won there
anymore, where minorities would
have to shed away their long-held
positions and, using the UN Minori-
ty Forum as platform of negotiation,
plead instead for inclusion and
integration into majority-designed
development frames and become
just an accommodated part of the
multitude hoping for the Millennium
Development Goals (now upgraded
to Sustainable Development Goals)
to trickle into their buckets.
I go on this trip again as I’ve
gone in previous ones, empty in my
pocket, with only one thousand pe-
sos in my ATM which will also serve
as my VISA card, plus 5,000 that my
daughter will send by money trans-
fer today that I hope will reach me
before my plane departs to Singa-
pore where I will board my boat.
But I am full in my heart and
one hundred US dollars will take me
far. I have waited for this journey by
routes that our ancestors have taken
-- across the ocean. It had come to
me many times in my dreams and
i have waited since for the Ocean
Dream to call at my homesea port.
In this 97th Voyage of the Peace
Boat Japan aboard the ship “Ocean
Dream,” participants representing
at least ten nationalities from Asia
will be on board. Many of them were
colleagues I met inside and outside
of the UN august halls of the past
lobbies, and fresh young activists are
joining. We are renewing our solidar-
ity as Asians working against racial
and religion-based discriminations
and intolerance.
Added to that, this voyage is part
of Peace Boat Japan’s bigger course
itinerary over the Western Asian rim
that connects Southeast Asia on to
China to explore our colonial past
and legacy. And, yes, we will be
talking still of human rights, and our
sounding cry for the Rohingya and
deep prayers for the soul of Burma
will be louder than ever...
I have only one message in this
trip that I wish you will give me
the mandate to bring as our collec-
tive voice: my people from Sulu
archipelago has been and are still
continuously resisting colonialism
and our contribution to world peace
is how we have modeled through the
ages the constancy of resistance of
our Malay race, and the unparalleled
consistency in resilience of a people
battered by waves upon waves of
colonial forces attempting to com-
pletely take over of our self-hood
and self-determination.
Our links to the Silk Road
through to the South China seas
remains intact to today, either by
blood, or by monarchs of bygone
times, although several times be-
trayed by the States and governments
of civilized nations they have allied
with and collaborated; their authority
remains being honored by our people
who have forged a covenant to stand
by with the righteous servant-leader
among them.
Our tradings and crossings in
the nusantara around the basins of
Laut Sulawesi, Borneo, Malacca and
Johore passages, opening all the way
unto the Indian Ocean remain active
and vibrant. Boats are being built
everyday in our shores waiting for
the goodwinds to be launched to ply
these routes.
By invoking these, I am not
endorsing a fundamentalist dogma
of return to the days of Vikings and
slavery, but I am trying to inspire our
Southeast Asian brethren in Cam-
bodia, Vietnam, Pattani-Thailand,
Aceh-Indonesia to revisit their past
connections and take pride in their
centrality in these crossings as the
winds to stir their own journeys to
peace.
The ecologically integrative and
environmentally nonintrusive life
of the world’s only sea nomadic
culture among our Sama Dilaut is
proof of a maritime culture that our
forebears cultivated that was and, if
God-wills, will remain sustainable.
The perpetual simplicity and patient
humility of the Sama Dilaut - their
remaining submissive and faithful
to the Only One Sovereign, and the
unquestioning submission to Tawhid
by the mukali and living awliya of
Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi - are
living exemplar of our traditional
spirituality.
Others may see us and our stance
as seeming disobedience to west-
ern ways imposed on us, to some,
a defiance of modernity. But these
are extant evidences of how suc-
cessfully we have kept and held on
to what by rights and obligation are
ours to defend and assert. These are
our Asian legacy from a primordial
peace of the freeworlds prior to
western colonialisms. These are not
empty rhetoric and glossy academic
discourses of human rights advo-
cates, but are living experiences that
our people still practice from day-
to-day. But forces of globalization
and totalitarian political hegemony
want these extant expressions of our
freedom curtailed.
As nature and Divine designs
would have it, so we have all these
backed-up in our hard-heads and
bravehearts. The constant wars of
aggression that we have to fight and
resist against, and the seemingly
perpetual state of abandonment
and un-inclusion from develop-
ment priorities by past and present
governments and institutions have
kept our ancestral memories intact
in us. Our past is still our present, as
time seems to have stood still, that
the four centuries of our people’s
resistance seem to have just been
yesterday, and we have it all stored
indelible and well kept in the recess-
es of our people’s memories where
no conquistador can encroach and
disenfranchise.
What we can do with our Asian
sisters and brothers together is to
reinforce the threads that keep our
fragile links by reclaiming back and
re-travelling the routes spanned by
both time and space, launched in
our psychic imagining and in actual
bodily journeys, and let it be etched
in maps and narratives, especially
of the geographies of our minds and
hearts, to arrest its risk of complete
erasure.
To do that we must decolonize
our memories, reclaim our knowl-
edge systems and then again the
maritime world of Southeast Asian
political-economy and its link to the
Silk Road to China can bear re-imag-
ining and become routes and spaces of
our shipping Peace once more.
- Arung Mucha, Pirate of Sulu
Sea. Anangsang s’llog, 04 April 2018

Corrales
From page 6
By the way, it also mines the
data of all the friends on your
account.
According to Avaaz, an
Internet rights group, there
have been 1,175,870 Filipi-
nos whose data have been
breached in the wake of
the Facebook-Cambridge
Analytica scandal. Face-
book, itself, admitted that the
Philippines had the second
most number of accounts
compromised in the data
breach scandal.
Let’s go to the next best
thing to texting. Since the
Philippines has been the
texting capital of the world,
Facebook Messenger took
the country by storm. You
didn’t even need load be-
cause Zuckerberg has made
a free data platform.
However, do you think
your chats on Facebook
Messenger are private? Last
Thursday, Facebook con-
firmed that its staff uses au-
tomated tools to scan Mes-
senger chats for malware
links and child porn images.
A Facebook moderator can
review any messages that
are flagged by users or the
automated systems they
have put in place.
Apparently, the reason
why Zuckerberg can allow
Facebook to be free is that
its users are the product.
The users’ data are the com-
modity. That may not sound
much to you but in the hands
of political manipulators and
“thought leaders,” it is a gold
mine.
You are responsible for
what you post, that’s a given.
However, if your user data
are mined, these companies
can have your virtual profile.
They will know what usually
do in a day, what brand of
coffee you prefer, what bank
you trust, and many other
personal details of your life.
I am not quitting Face-
book. I just took it off my
smartphone so Zuckerberg
couldn’t sell my and my
friends’ user data to the high-
est bidder. But before I did
that, I downloaded the data
I’ve shared with Facebook
since I joined it.
What I got was the his-
tory of everything I’ve done
on Facebook, such as likes
and comments on posts, use
of apps and searches. The
download also contained
my profile, messages, list of
friends, ads I’ve clicked on,
and IP addresses I’ve used to
connect to Facebook.
I must tell you, the down-
load gave me a pretty good
picture — a scary one at
that— of what Facebook
has on me.
I have since deleted all
the contact details of my
friends on my Facebook
account. I can only hope my
friends would do the same
with my contact details on
their Facebook accounts.
Now, because I have
to reboot my laptop every
time I access Facebook,
my mornings are ultimately
better. I pay more attention
to real-time conversations.
I don’t stumble or step into
people’s toes in the street
anymore.
Try it. It’s liberating.
Eviota
From page 6
from hand-me-downs of
the family; from the Brocki
or the neighborhood sec-
ond-hand shop; from the
cast-aways or from un-
used gifts of employers or
friends; even from func-
tional and still usable items
that are occasionally given
away gratis on the street by
anonymous donors (who
save themselves the hassle
of hauling these items to
the designated recycling
places). What is common is
that it is difficult to quantify
second hand items, much
less to obtain receipts for
them.
Faeldon said that val-
ues can be “approximat-
ed” for second-hand items.
But come on now. Only
non-senders do not know
that balikbayan boxes are
not filled in a day; we lov-
ingly put in items one at
a time according to sale
season, luck or discretion
– until the box or more are
finally filled and then ready
for shipment.. Who can still
remember what item cost
how much from which sea-
son’s sale? And which OFW
lovingly keeps his pasalu-
bong gifts all itemized and
priced accordingly?
But OFWs do not just
sweat the small stuff; we
also try to look at the big
picture.
These new regulations
are said to be part of Cus-
toms standardization the
world over; it is just the
Philippines levelling up to
See EVIOTA/p.11
Money Matters
Gold Star Daily

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Editor: Ben Balce
9
Ramon Ang on Boracay rehab: It’s a step in the right direction
SAN MIGUEL CORP. (SMC) sustainable tourist destination. problems with sewage and solid Ang said. right direction and in (the) end, including government, business-
President and COO Ramon Ang SMC currently operates the wastes brought about by rapid He continued: “The island we are hopeful it would bring es, developers, and its residents,
said he supports the government’s Boracay Airport in Caticlan and growth of tourism, commerce needs to be rehabilitated and we about long-term gain for all.” must also look beyond the island
initiative to regenerate the world- undertakes its upgrade to turn it and unfettered development have to support the government. However, to ensure that Bo- and move to disperse tourism to
famous island resort of Boracay into a world-class airport. now, is critical to ensuring Bo- Yes, we will endure some short- racay would continue to thrive, nearby municipalities, such as

Duterte recognizes help

and eventually transform it into a “Addressing long-standing racay’s long-term sustainability,” term pain but it’s a step in the Ang said all concerned sectors, Caticlan and Nabas.(PNA)

of farmers, fisherfolks
. Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental was awarded as grand winner; Palompon,
Leyte as 1st runner up; and Claveria, Cagayan as 2nd runner up.
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Du-
terte on Thursday, applauded
the farmers and fisherfolks for
their efforts in the development
of the country’s agricultural
and fisheries industries.
The Chief Executive led the
awarding of Gawad Saka 2017
and Malinis at Masaganang
Karagatan (MMK) 2017 where
outstanding farmers, fisher-
folks, and coastal communities
were recognized.
“Today, we reiterate [their]
importance in [our] collective
efforts to build a stronger future
for the Philippine agri-fishery
sector by paying tribute to the
individuals who have made
impactful… contributions in
driving the continued advance-
ment of the industry,” President
Duterte said in his speech.
“This year’s awardees have
contributed greatly towards the
development of the Philippine
agricultural and fisheries indus-
try,” he further said.
The President expressed
hopes that the individuals and
organizations who were hon-
ored will continue to embody
the ingenuity, passion and con-
cern for the nation in all of their
undertakings.
“It is my hope that the recog-
nition being given to you today
would inspire you and your fel-
low farmers and fisherfolk to
continue exploring new ways
to further improve the ever-
USED CLOTHING OR “UKAY-UKAY”. Cagayanons still choose used
clothes or “Ukay-ukay and other materials that are sold at cheaper prices
compared to new and signature ones . (PHOTO BY JOEY P. NACALABAN)
Pres Duterte: Imports above
P50m an economic sabotage
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Roa all kinds of the same quality,
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the Gawad Saka 2017 and Malinis at Masaganang Karaga- Duterte on Thursday discussed weight and everything. At ‘yung
tan (MMK) 2017 awarding ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on April 5, 2018, recognizes the contribution of the a “smuggling case again today.” ibang truck, ‘yung dalawang
farmers and fisherfolks to the development of the Philippines. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO saying, “imports above P50- ito kunwari, he will apply for a
evolving agrarian and fishery continued hard work and per- MMK 2017, the nationwide million an economic sabotage” franchise,” he said.
sector,” he said. sistence to raise its productiv- search for outstanding coastal “I’m going to categorize its “Tapos pag nandiyan na
The government, for its part, ity. communities with exemplary importation above 50 million ‘yung franchise, same color and
remains committed to imple- “These breakthroughs are a initiatives on resource protec- as an act of economic sabotage. even the same engine, black
menting programs for agrarian result of the collaborative ef- tion and conservation. So if you are caught doing it, number and everything, and
and fisherfolk growth such as forts of the administration and Laguindingan, Misamis Ori- committing the crime or about they allow even three or four for
the free irrigation service and of the previous administration ental was awarded as grand to commit, or in fact committed one franchise,” he further noted.
the TienDa stores that show- and those who passed the cor- winner; Palompon, Leyte as 1st the crime and you are appre- The President warned that
case products of local farmers ridors of power in their efforts runner up; and Claveria, Ca- hended there somewhere, you these bus importers would go
and fisherfolks. to improve our lives,” he said. gayan as 2nd runner up. will be arrested and you will be straight to prison and would be
“We remain optimistic that The President handed over Agriculture Secretary Em- detained to face trial. And if it’s charged economic sabotage.
the strides that we have made the awards to 23 winners of manuel Piñol announced that more than 50 million, no bail. “Pag nahuli ko kayo at nahuli
in 2017 will pave the way for Gawad Saka 2017, an annual the grand winner will receive So you rot in prison,” he said. kayo ng highway patrol, LTO,
a sustainable agricultural de- competition that recognizes P30 million in livelihood funds; At the same time, Duterte NBI or the police, you will go
velopment and food security in the exceptional contributions the 1st runner up, P18 million; cited the racket of bus importers straight to prison,” he said.
this year and beyond,” he said. of Filipino farmers and fishers the 2nd runner up, 10 million. wherein they apply for a single “I will not allow you to go out
Duterte noted that the coun- to the growth of the country’s Cortes, Surigao del Sur, the franchise but use it for three or until the case is filed in court. I
try’s agricultural landscape is agriculture sector. MMK Hall of Fame awar- four vehicles. will charge you for economic
gradually reaching a new level The President also led the dee, will receive P30 million. “Pati itong — itong import- sabotage and there will be no
of development after years of awarding of the winners for (PCOO) ers ng mga bus. They import bail for you,” he added.(PCOO)

R.A. 10172 (Form No. LCRO) RA Form No. 10.1 (LCRO)

Republic of the Philippines
Local Civil Registry Office
Province of Camiguin
Municipality of Mambajao
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION
In compliance Section 7 of R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served
to the public that MARINELA NICOLE OCIONES GABAC has filed with this
Office Petition for Correction of Clerical Error in her Certificate of Live Birth
particularly Sex of the Child from “MALE” to “FEMALE”. She was born on
10 September 1999 at Camiguin General Hospital, Mambajao, Camiguin,
Philippines and whose parents are: Aileen Gabayran Ociones and Virone
Bullecer Gabac.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written
Republic of the Philippines
Local Civil Registry Office
Province: Bukidnon
Municipality: Kitaotao
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to
the public that BRENDA S. SORELLA has file with this Office a petition for
Change of First Name from “DELIA” to “BRENDA” in the birth certificate of
Brenda S. Sorella who was born on June 30, 1966 at Cebu City, Cebu and
whose parents are Santiago P. Sorela and Paula E. Soquib.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written
opposition with this Office within ten days from this date __.

8
opposition with this Office not later than 16 April 2018.

(SGD) EDITHA B. MOOSREINER, MBA

Municipal Civil Registrar
Tuesday, (SGD)
AprilLEONILA10, 2018
B. GALORPORT
Municipal Civil Registrar
MGSD April 3 & 10, 2018 MGSD April 3 & 10, 2018

PRA Form No. 10.1 (LCRO) RA Form No. 10.1 (LCRO)

Republic of the Philippines Republic of the Philippines

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE Local Civil Registry Office
PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON Province: Bukidnon
Municipality of Malitbog Municipality: Kitaotao

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a NOTICE is hereby
served to the public that SONIA BUCLASAN LAMBERTE has filed with this
Office a petition for the change of first name from “LUZONIA”to “SONIA” in
the Certificate of Live Birth of Luzonia Pangayao Buclasan who was born on
November 25, 1967 at Malitbog, Bukidnon and whose parents are Honorio
Buclasan and Rhoda Pangayao.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written
opposition with this Office not later than April 16, 2018.
(SGD) RICARTE T. ACHAS, MPA
Municipal Civil Registrar
MGSD April 10 & 16, 2018
In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby
served to the public that RACHEL D. ANDAMON has filed with
this Office a petition for Correction of Gender from “FEMALE” to
“MALE” in the birth certificate of Rachel D. Andamon who was
born on April 23, 1992 at Kitaotao, Bukidnon and whose parents
are Danilo C. Andamon and Divina Q. Dacillo.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his
written opposition with this Office within ten days from this date
___.
(SGD) LEONILA B. GALORPORT
Municipal Civil Registrar
MGSD April 3 & 10, 2018
Money Matters
Gold Star Daily
SSS loan
restructuring
to net P1.2
billion
ANTICIPATING to collect more
than a billion in the next six
months, the Social Security Sys-
tem (SSS) announced it is offer-
ing a Loan Restructuring Program
(LRP) to member-borrowers
starting until Oct. 1.
According to Mario Daray,
SSS Public Information Officer-
Southern Mindanao, the loan re-
structuring will enable individual
member-borrowers to fully avail
of the benefits offered by the SSS.
The SSS targets to collect P1.2
billion from about 250,000 mem-
bers in the next six months.
Member-borrowers who have
past due short-term loans are
covered by the program provided
they have resided or worked in a
calamity or disaster-stricken area.
In Mindanao, member-borrow-
ers affected by Typhoon Sendong
and Pablo, Zamboanga Siege can
avail of such program.
Daray said the qualified bor-
rowers will be paying only the
principal and interest through
a restructured term or payment
done in full. Member-borrowers
should religiously pay to avoid
the monthly 5% penalty.
In 2016-2017, the SSS gener-
ated P6B for the pension fund and
said it benefited 800,0000 mem-
bers.
Asteria Relon, a resident of Ag-
dao, Davao City filed an applica-
tion to the LRP program to cover
her P23,000 loan acquired four
years ago. (dAvAotodAy.com)
FOR INQUIRIES:
Advertising and Subscription
• Tel. Nos.
(088) 855- 1737
(088) 855-1736
• Mobile Numbers:
0926-9670-382
0926-9670-439
0917-771-2384
0999-996-6764
• Email us at:
goldstar_ads@yahoo.com
Serving people for 29 years
PCA Zamboanga head asks
coconut industry to register
THE Philippine Coconut Au-
thority (PCA) has reiterated
its appeal to coconut industry
stakeholders to register with the
PCA to be able to avail of ben-
efits under the coco levy fund.
Efren Carba, PCA-Zam-
boanga provincial head, reit-
81 distressed OFWs from Abu Dhabi return home
EIGHTY-ONE distressed over-
seas Filipino workers (OFWs)
-- this time, from Abu Dhabi
-- arrived in the Philippines on
Friday, April 6.
They were on board Philippine
Airlines (PAL) flight PR 657.
The Philippine government is
helping the distressed OFWs in
the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
to go home, apparently because
most of them have been victims
of illegal recruiters.
According to the Department
of Foreign Affairs (DFA), most
of these OFWs were tourist visa
Australia’s top wine producer looks to China under new ownership
THE American owners of Aus-
tralia’s biggest wine company
hopes to capitalize on the grow-
ing demand for wine in China.
U.S. private equity firm Car-
lyle Group on Thursday agreed
to buy South Australia’s Ac-
colade Wines from Australia’s
CHAMP Private Equity for 1
erated the call as Congress is
settling issues concerning the
coco levy fund, including its
utilization.
Carba said those eligible to
register are coconut farmers,
workers, and caretakers.
“They just have to go to the
holders when they came to UAE.
“The repatriation of the 81
OFWs is part of DFA’s con-
tinuing efforts to combat illegal
recruitment, rescue distressed
Filipinos, and facilitate their safe
return to the Philippines, in line
with President Duterte’s direc-
tive to ensure swift assistance to
our overseas Filipinos,” an ex-
ecutive from the DFA Office of
Public Diplomacy told the Phil-
ippine News Agency (PNA).
They were victims of illegal
recruiters, while some them opt-
ed to leave due to maltreatment,
billion Australian dollars (767
million U.S. dollars).
Accolade is the biggest wine
company by volume in both
Australia and Britain with its
portfolio covering 20 of Aus-
tralia’s “premium wine re-
gions.”
The sale came at a time of
office and have themselves
registered and the PCA will
do the necessary validation,”
he told the Philippine News
Agency.
He said only registered co-
conut industry stakeholders
can avail of the benefits once
poor working conditions, deten-
tion, as well as non-payment of
salaries, the DFA added.
Meanwhile, the Philippine
government is continuously
working on the repatriation of
OFWs in Kuwait since February,
following reports of maltreat-
ment and abuse that the OFWs
there were experiencing.
A deployment ban to Kuwait
has been imposed since Febru-
ary. Just this year, authorities
have discovered the body of
Filipino domestic helper, Joanna
Demafelis, inside a freezer.
rapid growth in demand for
Australian wine by the Chinese
market with Carlyle keen to tap
into that market.
“This is a company with
great brands and strong market
positions, with multiple growth
opportunities, particularly in
Asian markets,” a spokesper-
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Congress resolved the issues
on the utilization of the coco
levy fund.
Carba said they initially ex-
pected that some 14,000 co-
conut farmers, workers, and
caretakers will register with the
local PCA office.
Demafelis was murdered.
Her former employers, the pri-
mary suspects, were sentenced to
death by Kuwaiti authorities just
recently.
President Rodrigo Duterte has
instructed the DFA and Depart-
ment of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) to work on the OFWs’
repatriation.
He has also requested lo-
cal carriers Philippine Airlines
(PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB)
to help in the repatriation ef-
forts. The two airlines heeded the
President’s request by mounting
son for the firm told the Guard-
ian Australia on Friday.
Exports of Australian wines
to China have been growing
since the China-Australia Free
Trade Agreement (ChAFTA)
took effect in December 2015.
Under ChAFTA, tariffs on
Australian wine imported to
Editor: Ben Balce
10
However, only 2,000 coco-
nut industry stakeholders have
registered with them since the
process started two years ago.
He said coconut industry
stakeholders have three months
left to register and be validated
by the PCA. (PNA)
special flights bringing the dis-
tressed OFWs home for free.
Based on DFA’s estimates,
there are now more than 4,000
repatriated OFWs from Kuwait.
All repatriated OFWs are
entitled to receive financial as-
sistance from the government.
They were also provided with
temporary shelters upon their ar-
rival in Manila.
The government also shoul-
ders their transportation expens-
es to go home in their respective
provinces. (PNA)
China were reduced from 20
percent to 3 percent.
Australian wine exports to
China increased 63 percent in
2017 to 848 million Australian
dollars (650 million U.S. dol-
lars), making it the second big-
gest exporter of wine to China
behind France. (PNA)

Eviota
From page 7
world standards. And the
stringent rules were ostensibly
meant to stop the smuggling
of contraband like drugs, cig-
arettes or alcohol or firearms
and ammunition, while also
limiting the smuggling of
personal items in commercial
quantities for personal or busi-
ness profit.
Government was losing
money by removing customs
duties on personal goods sent
home by overseas Filipino
workers, and losing more by
raising last year the ceiling
on the value of these tax-free
goods. The good citizen then,
according to Faeldon, must
not abuse the tax-free privi-
lege in order to minimize the
loss of potential government
revenue. The agency said it
would be foregoing P75 bil-
lion a year in revenue from
this new scheme.
What is not clear however,
is the bulk of contraband or
personal items that OFWs
smuggle in through their
balikbayan boxes, say in a
year. Customs has not said ex-
actly how much government
loses through smuggling in
our boxes.
OFWs are thinking: Is the
value of illegal items seized
then from OFW boxes greater
or bigger than the, say, 600
kilos of shabu (estimated
worth: P6.4 billion) that were
smuggled last year under the
noses of Customs people? Is
it justified for us – the much-
abused modern-day heroes
– to be inconvenienced by
these unnecessary demands
simply because smuggling
and corruption continues in
the customs bureau?
Our united answer is no.
Hence the protests that erupt-
ed when the scheme was
started in August last year,
and which uproar led com-
missioner Lapena to suspend
the new rules implementation
in October during the holiday
season.
But the battle continues,
and the new rules implemen-
tation – already delayed on
two occasions over the uproar
and general confusion – will
again face the test this year.
The protesters still main-
tain that Customs should be
going after big-time smug-
glers instead of picking on the
balikbayan boxes.
And, I think, herein lies
Custom’s weakness: because
they cannot gauge exactly
the value and worth of the
balikbayan boxes to overseas
Filipinos. What to Customs
are a potential source of gov-
ernment revenue, are the
symbols of the Filipino’s
love for family. And that is
essentially why we are saying
government should keep off
our boxes. Because we are
already paying the price of
being away from family and
country, and do not want any
more unnecessary interferenc-
es in showing our love and
loyalty to family.
A similar furor in the past
buttresses this point. In 2015,
OFWs also opposed a cus-
toms directive on their balik-
bayan boxes. The agency
ordered random inspection
of balikbayan boxes to check
for smuggled goods which
were identified as “underval-
ued items” and “undeclared
contents.” OFWs sent a pe-
tition to stop the opening of
balikbayan boxes or packages
they send back to the country.
Customs relented by saying
that only those suspected box-
es would be subject to closer
inspection or forced opening.
(Brady Eviota wrote and
edited for the now defunct Me-
dia Mindanao News Service
in Davao. He is from Surigao
City and now lives in Bern, the
Swiss capital located near the
Bernese Alps.)
Contreras
From page 6
court is a petition for certio-
rari prohibition, Mandamus
and Declaratory Relief (with
prayer for TRO and WPI)
under Rule 65 of the Rules of
Court filed January 4, 2018 by
petitioner St. Francis Xavier
Parish Church of the Arch-
diocese of Cagayan de Oro
City, assailing the Cease and
Desist Order dated December
6, 2017, issued by public re-
spondent Regional Director
of the Housing and Land Use
Regulatory Board (HLURB),
Northern Mindanao Region,
and the resolution dated De-
cember 20, 2018 denying
petitioner’s Urgent Motion to
Lift Cease and Desist Order.
“An assiduous perusal of
the instant petition constrains
this court to dismiss the same
outright for prematurity.”
After a lengthy expla-
nation, the resolution ended
with, “WHEREFORE, premises
considered, the instant petition
is hereby DISMISSED.”
Attached with the reso-
lution are photos of how the
facility of a columbarium
would look like. They are col-
ored gold (to signify class and
expensiveness?), cabinets that
look similar to bank’s safety
deposit boxes with a Cross
on the front.
Did the Church act in bad
faith? It would seem so. The
COD was issued Dec. 6, 2017
by the HLURB but the work
on the columbarium contin-
ued. The homeowners have
photos of the place taken in
December 2017 and photos
of today. The work seemed
to have been done in a rush
so they may claim that the
work is more or less 50 per-
cent completed. But the trick
won’t work.
Accordingly, the Church
will bring the matter to the
Office of the President. Of,
really, after issuing several
homilies in the past against
the presidency of Duterte?
Why not try the Pope? There’s
a separation of Church and
State as you claim, right?
On Feb. 20, 2018, the
HLURB issued an Order to
St. Francis Xavier Columbar-
ium to “Pay the total amount
of Twenty Thousand Pesos
(P20,000.00) as Administra-
tive fine for the afore-cited
violations.”
Don’t get me wrong. I
am not against the Catho-
lic Church. I just hate the
hypocrisy of some of those
who represent the Church.
They are supposed to attend
to people’s spiritual needs
rather than meddle with State
matters, with so much bias.
Diaz
From page 6
The Articles of Confedera-
tion ended and the Consti-
tution took effect on March
4, 1889 after 11 states had
ratified the Constitution.
The 13 states – all colo-
nies which became states af-
ter writing their constitutions
-- were admitted to the Union
upon their ratification of the
Federal Constitution. The 37
other states had to apply for
admission after qualifying for
statehood from organized ter-
ritories and writing their state
constitutions. The first state
admitted was Delaware on
Dec. 7, 1787; the last, Hawaii
on Aug. 21, 1959 – a gap of
172 years. Arizona, the 48th
state in mainland USA, was
admitted on Feb. 24, 1912
– 125 years after Delaware.
Under the long-estab-
lished mode of federalization,
sovereign states – self-ruled
or independent – shared their
sovereignty and economic
resources to form a federal
state or “one state out of the
many”. Figuratively, they are
a team of horses, trained and
robust, pulling the cart.
In comparison, in the
Philippine unique style,
states will be created out
of regions and provinces –
mostly impoverished – com-
posing the unitary political
system to convert the unitary
to federal. The movers are
assuring the Filipinos that
federalization will emanci-
pate the impoverished from
poverty. Figuratively, the
created states are hungry,
emaciated untrained horses
tied behind the cart. They
cannot pull the cart; neither
can the cart pull them.
As stated at the outset,
there is a reported plan to
have a three-year transition
period from May 2019 to
May 2022 as the training
period of the untrained fed-
eral and state governments
elected to learn the federal
system. It is not so simple
as that if we look into how
the existing federal states
came into being and see
the conflicting proposals
of the movers of Philippine
federalism.
The federalization move
in the Philippines is disorient-
ed. It does not bode well for
the country and the people.
(Patricio P. Diaz was ed-
itor in chief of the Mindanao
Cross in Cotabato City and
later the Mindanao Kris. He
is the recipient of a “Lifetime
Achievement Award” from
the Titus Brandsma for his
‘commitment to education
and public information to
Mindanawons as Journal-
ist, Educator, and Peace
Advocate. E-mail: patpon-
cediaz@yahoo.com -Min-
danews)
Talks
From page 1
and I ceasefire tayo. Ni
walang isang putok, maski
labintador and I would be
happy,” he said.
He also urged rebels
to stop collecting a “rev-
olutionary taxes” and ha-
rassing businessmen. The
President said his No. 1
condition is a ceasefire and
then no taxation. Duterte
said he is even willing to
shoulder expenses during
the peace process.
But the President em-
phasized that there would
be no “coalition govern-
ment” “for the simple rea-
son that I do not own the
sovereign power of the
state.”
Can
From page 1
But it was aborted when
Duterte, reacting to a series of
attacks by the New People’s
Army, issued Presidential
Proclamation 360 in Nov. 23
terminating the talks “for lack
of sincerity” on the part of the
rebel group.
The President subsequent-
ly issued Proclamation 374
designating the CPP and NPA
as terrorist organizations.
Before the talks collapsed
the two parties had already
agreed on three common
drafts on general amnesty
and release of all political
prisoners in compliance with
the Comprehensive Agree-
ment on Respect for Human
Rights and International Hu-
manitarian Law, coordinated
unilateral ceasefires, part I
Agrarian Reform and Rural
Development and part II Na-
tional Industrialization and
Economic Development.
Sison described agrarian
reform and rural development,
and national industrialization
and economic development as
the most important features of
the Caser, dubbed the “heart
and soul” of GRP-NDF peace
negotiations.
He added both parties
have drafted an agreement
on the coordinated ceasefires,
a significant step towards the
Comprehensive Agreement
on the End of Hostilities and
Disposition of Forces.
Presidential Adviser on
the Peace Process Jesus Du-
reza said in a statement that
Duterte wanted to give the
talks “another last chance”
but that the NPA should stop
“revolutionary taxation” and
attacks on private companies.
In March 31 and April 1,
suspected NPA rebels burned
heavy equipment in Barangay
Callawa in Buhangin District,
Barangay Fatima in Paquiba-
to District and in Calinan, all
in Davao City. Damage was
placed at P65 million.
Duterte also wanted both
parties to sign a ceasefire
agreement.
“President Duterte direct-
ed during the cabinet meeting
today to work on the resump-
tion of peace talks with the
CPP/NPA/NDF with clear
instructions on the importance
of forging a ceasefire agree-
ment to stop mutual attacks
and fighting while talks are
underway,” Dureza said.
Peace talks between the
GRP and NDF formally re-
sumed in Aug. 22, 2016 in
Oslo Norway, after a five-year
impasse. (antonio colina iV/
mindanews)
Start
From page 1
data bank, data base of all these
buildings and houses,” he said.
“We will only allow (res-
idents to rebuild) once the
developer is through with their
site development in providing
the utilities, then the individual
private owners of lots can apply
for a building permit from the
city government,” del Rosario
said.
Asked which part of
Ground Zero is classified under
military reservation, del Rosa-
rio clarified that “basically, the
MAA is not within the military
reservation.”
Del Rosario said negotia-
tion with the Bagong Marawi
Consortium, whose proposal
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
was selected among five unso-
licited proposals, are ongoing
and if it succeeds, “that’s the
time we are going to give that
developer original proponent
status and once it is given to
him, the following day this will
be published in the national dai-
lies so that the Swiss Challenge
will start.”
He said they hope to start
Swiss Challenge by May 4,
complete it by May 25, award
by May 31, hold groundbreak-
ing rites on June 7 and go on
debris clearing and site de-
velopment from June 2018 to
December 2019.
Completion of the project
is targeted last quarter of 2021.
Del Rosario explained that
the Swiss Challenge is “actu-
ally a hybrid mode of public
bidding” but is faster “because
we have to select initially the
one that we will negotiate with
-- the developer” and after se-
lecting, will subject it to Swiss
Challenge.
At the end of the day, gov-
ernment will be the “winner”
because “we will get the lowest
cost (for) the same quality,”
he said.
Five companies -- four Chi-
nese and one Malaysian -- sub-
mitted proposals to the TFBM
to develop the 250-hectare
MAA. Comprising 24 baran-
gays, the MAA was home to
27,000 families, 11,163 of
them home owners.
The BMC, he said, was
selected for having met the
minimum development re-
quirements on debris manage-
ment, site development plan,
development of the 250-hect-
area area, concrete expansion
of existing roads, development
of both sides of Agus River and
Lanao lake into parks, provi-
sion for underground utilities
such as water, power and tele-
communications; vertical de-
velopment in accordance with
the National Building Code,
and centralized waste water
treatment facility or centralized
sewage treatment plant.
Del Rosario cited the con-
struction of a convention center
that can accommodate 3,000
to 5,000 people, two-hectare
memorial site, a historical site,
port facilities, a multi-modal
transport hub and a grand
central market or grand padian
with a floor area of 10,000
square meters.
He said the minimum de-
velopment requirements “be-
came the basis of the apple to
apple comparison of the tender
submitted by developers.”
The BMC in its proposed
site development plan and
spatial strategy, designated a
“cultural area, a residential area
and a place for tourism.”
“Of course this spatial strat-
egy will be presented to the
local stakeholders so that at the
end of the day, we will be able
to get what they really want,”
del Rosario said.
Consultations are being
scheduled until April 25, he
said.
Del Rosario showed some
of the perspectives from the
developer -- an area designed
for pedestrians, cultural pre-
sentations or shops for local
products, a cultural center, a
padian (market), a plaza; the
area fronting Lake Lanao “en-
visioned to be a park so that
tourists can stroll and because
this offers a very good view of
the Lanao Lake.”
Agus River, he said, will be
an “eco corridor with hanging
bridges or foot bridges” and
11
green areas will be developed
in three sites.
He said the convention
center envisioned to be located
in the cove on the right side or
eastern portion of Marawi City
“may be the center of tourism
in Marawi City.”
In his presentation at the
Lanao del Sur capitol in March
21, del Rosario showed a slide
on what the Cove envisions: a
convention center, tourist core,
resorts and waterfront hotels.
Asked on Friday if these
will built by the private sector,
del Rosario replied: “We are
not building any resort, nor
hotel. The convention center
will become public facility
and owned by the city gov-
ernment.”
In Malacanang, del Rosario
assured that “before we can
undertake this development
and now that we are negotiat-
ing with the developer,” they
will send a team composed of
representatives from the devel-
oper, the local governments of
Marawi, Lanao del Sur and Au-
tonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao, and TFBM “to con-
duct a massive consultation, to
present this development plan
to the populace so that they will
be with us.”
He said they are adopting
the strategy of “top-bottom-
then up development plan” so
the plan is not just the national
government’s but also the local
government’s and “the differ-
ent sectors on the ground.”
“We will dialogue with
stakeholders to discuss and
seek feedback for the pro-
posed development of the
most affected area” based on
the key issues such as land, a
“very critical issue in Marawi
City.”
“So we have to go down
there and ask them if the width
and length of roads would be
suitable for their needs. We will
locate proposed infrastructure
in areas that they say would
be acceptable to them,” del
Rosario said, adding Mara-
wi’s various sectors will be
asked if they are amenable to
the construction of a public
infrastructure or what other
infrastructure would be con-
structed in the MAA.
He said group discussions
will be held with the women
and youth sectors, association
of vendors, professionals,
Sultans, the Imams and Ula-
ma, barangay chair, camp
managers of the Internally
Displaced Persons, the IDPs
themselves, NGOs/CSos, and
the academe.
He said the output from
these consultations “will be
used in the negotiation stage”
with the BMC.
Del Rosario denied the
proposed development plan
includes an ecozone although
acknowledged that Philippine
Economic Zone Authority Di-
rector-General Administrator
Charito Plaza “talked to local
government units and she’s
proposing if they want to have
an ecozone, an economic pro-
cessing zone. But this is depen-
dent if they want to have. This
is not being imposed. It’s an
offer; basically all cities want
to have an ecozone.”
He said the reports about
building an ecozone in Mara-
wi is “a misconception or a
deception... because there is
no ecozone being planned. It is
an offer of Peza if they want to
have. if they don’t want, then so
be it.” (carolyn o. arguillas
of mindanews)
 We’reononthe
We’re theworldwide
worldwideweb
weburbanlife.news
urbanlife.news
FacebookPage
Facebook PageUrbanLifeMGSD
UrbanLifeMGSD
Instagram@urbanlifemgsdcdo
Instagram @urbanlifemgsdcdo

Sunggod Ta Kamanga
Four Places to Visit
Circulo de Arte Presents ‘Pitik’
Exhibit At Museo de Oro
When In London
Forming part of
Panaghugpong
Xavier Ateneo Arts
10:
main attractions
main attractions
in Bukidnon. The
in Bukidnon. The
town’s tourism officer
town’s tourism officer
Mrs. Judith Laspiñas
Mrs. Judith Laspiñas
is a key instrument
Festival, in celebration is a key instrument
in the promotions of
in the promotions of
of the National Arts not only Quezon’s
not only Quezon’s
Month, artists' group rock wall climbing
rock wall climbing
Circulo de Arte a n d B l u e Wa t e r
a n d B l u e Wa t e r
Cave, but also to this

Michael V. signs anew with GMA 7

collaborated with Cave, but also to this
Museo de Oro to put festival which is also
festival which is also
up the “Pitik” exhibit. considered a prelude
considered a prelude
before the gathering
The streets of the before the gathering
The of tribes come March.
M u sstreets
municipality e o d eof named Othe ro of tribes come March.
municipality named Multitalented and award-winning The Kapuso comedy genius, who
Q u e z o n i n t hoer
a s s i s t a n t c u r a t Under the leadership
QOscar
u e z o n i n t h eA Under the leadership actor, comedian and TV host has been a loyal Kapuso for more
province Esteban of Bukidnon of Mayor Gregorio
province of Bukidnon of Mayor Gregorio Michael V. affirms his commitment than two decades, revealed that
aF nl
Hello o d i r i
e
from s n d c oo,n s i d
London! nYes,era eI dnI Llauren Gue and with GMA Network, Inc. in a
apacked
n d from
Hello i smycLondon!obags
n s i over
dYes,
e r etwo d Llauren Gue and he is happy to renew his contract
as the sugar
interview, bagsexplained capital his wife Carmen contract signing held last April 4. with the Kapuso Network.
as
packed themy sugar capital
over two his wife Carmen
of
weeks
that Mindanao
ago
the andexhibit is
decided filled to
tois Capistrano Gue, the “23 years na ako sa GMA.
offollow
weeks Mindanaoago and decided is filled Capistrano Gue, the Present in the contract signing
with
a b oSteph culture
Steph
uculture
t lo in United
in vUnited as
e :as“ King-Pthe the
King-
itik Manobo people or Mahirap kasing magpasaya
with
follow Manobo people or were GMA Chairman and Chief
Manobos
dom
is a for the holidays.
Binisaya showcase Only
word Lumads of the locality kung hindi ka masaya. So
Manobos
dom for the holidays. showcase Only Lumads of the locality Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L.
their
a couple
wcouple indigenous
h i cindigenous
of closests friends
hof closests
t r a n sfriends aways
lways tes are highlighted for Gozon, GMA President and Chief masaya ako dito sa GMA dahil
their
a are highlighted for
t o family
and b o t hmembers
family l o c a l knew
members and
knew the world to see. Also Operating Officer Gilberto R. nagagawa ko yung gusto ko,
totabout
and o bo ‘ hmy tehatriprl toand
bceathe a
l ta ’news
n[ din the world to see. Also napagbibigyan yung mga hiling
foreign tourists. The known and adopted Duavit, Jr., GMA Executive Vice
foreign
about
English]. my tourists.
trip So and why the The
news
Pitik? known and adopted President and Chief Financial ko at yung kagustuhan kong
Manobos
that I’m in England are part
may have of as Datu Makapukaw
Manobos
that
The I’m in groupEngland are part
may
wanted have ofto as Datu Makapukaw Officer Felipe S. Yalong, GMA magpasaya ay sinusuportahan
the 7
come to tribes
be a or group
surprise for theof i n 2 0 11 , M a y o r
the
come
answer7oftotribes
be a surprise
my that
or group for the
question of i n 2 0 11 , M a y o r Entertainment Content Group nila. Yun yung ugat talaga
indigenous
rest people
friends. You who may Gue has created a
indigenous
rest of my friends.
through people
missed visualization
You who may Gue has created
The exhibit was a Senior Vice President Lilybeth ng pagpapasaya natin.” 1 sa art mga as a catalyst for
are
have
are
have spread
spread
missed me
meacrossfor the past
acrossare
for the the
thea
past federation of made tribal 10, led by Xavier T h e
G. Rasonable, GMA Senior
N a t i o n a l following the number theme, shows na ginagawa
[visual weeksarts].Basically, federation
possiblein the of
with tribal values education.
mountainous
two
mountainous
but here area
area are of aof leaders townthe to Center forViceCulture
Assistant C o m m i s s i o n f o r A n i n g ko
S i nat i sila
n g , ang sumusuporta sa atin all
two
they
weeks but here
Bukidnon.
couple want
of places to
Held
that answer
I every
recom- leaders
Second,
assistance in
The the town
London
of Casa to
Eye. Next is The Big Ben. President It’s Lastly,
Culture
He Westminster
the shared thatAb-he You
and the Arts
owescan
Afans
l acanb and
hisget to these 3
nget the
g toS ithese way. Eto See
lang you
ang
n i n g3. See you next week, Ur- next
paraan week,
ko Ur-
para
Bukidnon.
couple of places Held every
that I recom- further
Second, Theprogress
London and
Eye. Next andis the
for TheArts
Business Big (XCCA).
Ben. It’s Lastly,
Development the Westminster
success to all Ab-his You
February,
the
mend questions:
when you the visit London.town
What further
The London
delLondon progress
Arte Eye is and
members, a gi- a 16-storey Gothic clock bey which is just around the major tourist attractions
(NCCA) leads the T h e c e l eibalik
b r a sa nin banLifers!
t i okanila XbanLifers!
ang
a v binigay
i e r HappyHappy
Anilat esa Holi-
eakin.”
n Holi-
o’s
February,
mend when you the town
visit London. The continue Eye improving
is a gi- Department
a Performances II
16-storey Gothic clock Janine bey
Piad-
from Big Ben.loyal which is just around
Kapuso called the
viewersmajor who tourist
have attractions in
comes aliveheart as beat they continue
ant improving tower and UK national It’s formally central London using the days from United King-
does
comes your
alive asLondon’s they ant a Ferris
the ethnic wwheel
n e wheel on
gathering
gon r othe thep
u Nacar,
tower Senior
and Club, Program
UK national ManagerBig Ben.
celebration It’s formally
been continuously called
of theof central aims
supporting to promote
London using the days from United King- a
Panaghugpong is
witness
First of my the
list is various theFerris
southbankethnic of gathering
the River
XU Glee
symbol, which houses Xavier the the
the
Collegiate
Collegiate
Church
Church of bullet trains of the
GMA’s Under- top multi-arts
management, festival,
dom! in turn,
f o rof? myFthe
witness
First o r is various
list whom?
London’s and
composed
southbank festivities.
of theof River The
XU Bang Arespacochaga,
symbol, which houses the Program National
St. Peter his atArts shows.
Westminster. Month Bubblebullet a Gang
n d trains is
p oofptheu l a r i ztake
Under- e dom!
rituals,
Underground. dances I know andit’s and festivities. The UKPhilharmonia,
and other
parliament. tools
Thede and for
Eliza- St.the PeterManobos.
at Westminster. With is clear
ground. that
You the
can tribes
just
recognized these
Bitoy’s
comprised people like
unparalleled the
What
rituals,
Underground. about?
dances I know Why?”andit’s Thames
M a
MSenior
Thames n oin
b London.
o
oHigh
n oinb London.
asealed
p e oIt
School phas
oIt phas
p eair-con-
le
le
UK Managers
and
their way
Cecille
other home
parliament. tools
of
The Eliza-
life,
for
the
Guzman, the
b yaaplaza
It’s
the scelebrating
Manobos.
large,h oGothic w
Gothic
surrounded c a Withitsabbey
sabbey
in 23rd is
g anniversary
clear
ground.
artistic
or the
that
You thejust
can
creation
indigenous
tribes takeof these peopleof like various
the
sports
weird butwhichyou would theget tribe
get to 32o tf u dQeunand e z o nr t igsitvse.
and XU
beth
Mildred Cultural
Tower, Natividad Dance
toand the It’s Enri large,
this year while Pepito a 20-minute
Manaloto walk
talent from andthe Manobo
dedication
productions
For more of ofofmy
to Quezon
his
of craft.
the
UK trip,
sports
weird butwhich you would the tribe to 32osfsealed Q u e zt o naair-con- give their
beth
Manobos
Big Ben
Calaycay
way
Tower, of islife,
home
bell,
and
to the
coming
undergo-
Bitoy's
the the
wife
church
w
church
and
plaza
t hi teh
inathe
inisb o
the
surrounded
eoCity
now sCity
t h t shon i l il ec ds9thor
of tWest-
ofef West-
its people
the Eye
aFilipinos,
20-minute
London
year and
indigenous
walk
arevia
from the Manobo
integrate
slowly
the West- For more ofi n
my Quezon
UK trip,
themselves
know London perform more with in t h a n k s g i v i n g cap- by T r o u p e , a m o n g pin e rBukidnon
f o r m g are a rnot
ts
Circulo
themselves
know London de Arte, perform
more a young with in ditioned ovoidal
t h a n k s govoidal
ditioned i v i n g cap- by Manobos
Big Ben bell, is undergo-
from
ing
manager both
crucial the
coming
highland
conservation
Carolina Bunagan.
wminster
oi tfh fresh
with
minster
bwithin
P oho ti hlLondon.
within
Lip
siLondon.
vegetables
Sync pf pi l lBattle
ienIt’s e people
dIt’s London
arts
being
minster
Philippines
Eye
in arevia slowly
the
community
modernized
Bridge Mr. to
West- invisit
Duavitgo to visit
said that
www.vicmadz.com
Bukidnon
www.vicmadz.com
he is veryaregrateful
not
front
it’s of
efficient a very
train curious
system. performing rituals other
from
ing both
crucial groups,
the dotted where
highland
conservation where
with fresh the coronation
vegetables and being modernized to go to companies objects waiting in to the be
artists'
front
it’s
audience.
By
of a collective
efficient very
the way, Considered
system.in
train curious
the London
sules
P i t for
performing
sules
for passengers
i k passengers e n etotod
o prituals andwhich
work lowland
which will last for areas four burialsculture
and the such
coronation
fruits,
returns
of the Royal
asFam-
visitors
on and
its in 3rdminster
life,
through
The season.
Bridge
Bigcelebrate
Bentime,
and
and the what
proud West-
. Followwaiting
thethatobjects
.university
Follow
Bitoy is
@vicmadz
@vicmadz
still a Kapuso.
as
to onbe on
“Si
well
a
see n d d a n c e This as and
work lowland
t h e hosts will last
stoa iBen’s
dtheir eareas
for four
vregular
eGod and
n t . burials fruits, visitors through
The Big Ben time,
and the what
West- put in
Twitter, the history
Instagram pages
and
audience.
By the way,Mindanao,
Northern
as one ofisisthe
Underground
Considered
the Londonis
a public most aonnthe
see dtheW London
deadnncsky.
London esky.
es dThis aa sy , Bitoy
pray
years. Big the longest-running a r e ofd e
architecture, the l i g Royal
h cinema,
t e d Fam- t o s
we i g
minstern i
can f i c
Abbey. a n
do c
Bitoy e is kasi o
to fay put in
Twitter,
asbukod the
art history
Instagram
tangi, I pages
mean
workshops, andone
as one
Underground of system the most
a public students
iconic
students London fromstructure
from
nearby
nearby pray
years.
comedy
Pitik to
Big
isbgag their
Ben’s
show
open God
regular
Bubble
to the ailyrtakes
ily
Gang etakes eplace.
d“Hindi l i g hnatin
place.
If d
Ift eyou
yout can
cano we minster canAbbey. do is to but people
Vic people
Madriaga thaton need
You-
acomposed
u
rapid t h e n
transit t i c of
f e scollege
t i vals
serv- February
iconic London 7, colleges
the same
structure ( M
bongs a mwill a
beb a y
heard a ) f
again o r purchase
dance,
recall the well
literary
Queen grown
pwedeng
arts,
Mother’s preserve
i-let down
arts and what
culture
word can
'idol.'in Sabut
Vichusay, sa
Madriaga
exhibitions, that on need
professionalism
You-
concerts,
aingu t hMetro
rapid e n t i cLondon
transit f e s t iand
system v a lits
serv- s schools, (on
bongsM 2021.
and aaward-winning
m ba
will b
be a y
hearda ) f
againo
family r purchase
recall
sitcom the Queen well grown
Mother’s preserve what can help
tubeKaya by
and supporting
Facebook.
in
students the Philippines,
and alumni schools,
has
day been ancolleges attraction abundant
public Though harvests.
for harvests.
free its under
until organic
funeral iang ,and
service d ating chemical
atook mga
aplace be
Afterlpreserved
iafatday
supporters.
u ppreserved iday aintorder
n gofoftouring
ntouring
niya, iordernLon-
oloyalty help
a l niya. n d by
atheir supporting
nagpapasalamat
c Facebook.
u l t u rand al
inneighboring
ing the London
Metro Philippines, and its has a d asuan
nbeen the eopening
n i vattraction
rsities onabundant
2021.Manaloto.
Pepito Though itsHe under
is also m u s service
organic
funeral
the cand rtook
chemical m place t i c be After in Lon- tube
Feedback?
and
products Email: vic-
the festival itself has a n many
to d un i v e r s around
tourists ities With
renovation,friendly contests
tourists still at free products
Westminster
Unang-una at
Abbeysilaan in to
yung don, helpsit down
naglagay them and
tayo and have
kay the a their
idol sa muliproducts
niyang and
pagpirma
o f festival
X rcounties
a v i ecounties A t e nhas eforo. to many tourists aroundor
also
of learn
Panaghugpong a thing M
With a
renovation,r c h
friendly 3 , 2
contests
tourists 0 1 8
still . at arts,
free and
products
Westminster visual at
Abbey arts,
an in spirit,
don, sit and
down andharness have a education
Feedback? programs.
Email: vic-
i c e . to help them and the
the
neighboring itself for host of the celebrity competition crafts sonext that years.”
their
b e
over c o
150 m e
years a w
now. o r t h y also learn a thing or suchBig
flock as chopping
Ben. affordab
2002. l e p r Sila cup
future of tea perhaps.
and we look forward
generations madz@live.com.
crafts to so
the that30 their
b e c 150
over o m years e a now. worthy
the
the two
two
globe.
globe. from their way
from their way such
Lip Big
flock Syncas Battle
Ben. chopping Philippines. a f f o r dsa
2002. a batin l e dito. p r i c e . ang cupnagpapa-
future of tea generations
perhaps. madz@live.com.
young ones can see
spectacle for those wood using wood to understand and young ones can see
spectacle for those Extra Info
of life. The opening wood using wood
and no bladed tools, A s a t r a v e l tok now understand and that they are not being

Holidaze WithExcitement
Bukidnon Folks In New York
of life. The opening

Kapuso Stars With

Share
who are in search

Holidaze
who are in search

Bukidnon
for an unforgettable
for an unforgettable To Party With In
Folks Pinoys
New Abroad
York
ritual performed
ritual performed
by the lumads is in
by the lumads is in
and no bladed tools, A s a t r a v e l k now that
cleaning and creating p h o t o g r a p h e r, I people, practices and left
cleaning and creating p h o t o g r a p h e r, I people,
the best milled rice believe that one is
that thes e that they are not being
thes
practices and
e left alone by society.
alone by society.
Sunggod Ta Kamanga
Miss Earth 2017 Winners Visit FDC Misamis
experience. Through preparation for the the best milled rice believe that one is beliefs once existed. Sunggod Ta Kamanga
experience. Through preparation for the and Coast
the fastest one not only tasked to dahil
to beliefs
Regional Director May year’s farm exploits once existed. f o r he
m e i s n ’ t forward
just a
Regional Director May American
year’s farm gentlemen exploits - and and
East the
inducted fastest
into to holdbyone
office Con- not
back-to-back
the only
bawattasked
organization’s isa sasecre- kanila Time silais‘yung of thesaidf othat
one artists, r m e isi slooking
n’t just a
Salvaña Unchuan American gentlemen - and to
inductedcreate
into fire
officeout
by from
Con- create
the memorable
organization’s secre- Time is one of the
Salvaña Unchuan by sacrificing
was just an aoverall live toSikat Ka, Kapuso!
create fire outtheshows
from on April totoong
Phil- create memorable bida sa show,” he added. to spend time
greatest foe by any festival, it isfellow
with his a reminder
Pinoys
anyagainfestival,
followingit is
thea success
reminder
there sul Arman Talboare ofofthe tary.oI’m
pHall
hI’m to proud
s bofof ther.a l s o greatest
uher.
and her staff, The by
there sacrificing
was just an aoverall live sul7wood
wood at the Talbo
Arman Newark
are
among
Symphony
among Phil- tary.
p h o t oproud
s b u t a l s o foe byonce of
and her staff, The pig and
holiday, cheerychickens.vibe that ippine
many Consulate
other waysGeneral.
that u n d e r s t a n d t h e tribe, with technology to the world that the
Department of pig and
holiday, cheerychickens.vibe that in
ippine
many
New Jersey,
Consulate
other ways
USA
General.and
that
April 8
uThank
Ultimate
n d e ryous t atonMa’am
Star
d tmuch
Jennylyn
hGen
e she
Mercado also
tribe, with technology their first to
show the world
last year. that the
“Nakaka-
Department of By
kept spilling
all of us warm, the blood
cozy at thepeople
Consul
the Sony
General Centre
of Mariafor
Quezon Performing
The- culture shared
of thehow people and enjoyed last miss din naManobos
modernization makasama sila likeulit their
para
Tourism Region 10 By spilling
kept all of us warm, the blood cozy Consul
the General
Artspeople of Maria
Quezon The-Canada.
Thank
culture you tothe
ofthe Ma’am peopleGen andin California
modernization Manobos like their
Tourism Region 10 of the sacrificed
and happy. resa De
a r De
in
Vega
e e n talso
Toronto,
also dropped
e r tdropped Tubeo
a i n e d Tubeothat we
year’s
for Sikat
group
are she
Ka,
photo.
taking
Kapuso!
i to
n experience
sa second culture
a r a p i d p a citoe ‘yung
leg ng Sikat Ka, Kapuso!
and practices
has highlighted the o f happy.
and the sacrificed resa e aVega
abyr for equick
n t emessage d that for
r t a i n emo- we theare
and group
how photo.
taking wantsi n a r a p i d pand a c e culture andna practices
chance mapasaya
has highlighted the
festival as one of the animals to the blades by through
Kapuso
for a quick the
Drama ways
message King of photos
Dennis theof. Although
same fun withit consuming
the group again. the world,
ang mga are
Kapuso very
natin,”muchsaid alive.
Alden.
festival as one of the animals to the blades
The ABA Christmas Party through
ments later. the ways mo- of photos
Happy of. Although
holidays, friends,it consuming the world, are very much alive.
The ABA Christmas Party ments Trillo later.
highlighted that their Happy main holidays,
“Nung sa friends,una naming pinuntahan,
also served as the chance goal is to make the showand asmajor
sobrang
thankssaya kasi nag-enjoy talaga “Marami
for read- kaming papasayahin
also served as the chance intimate as possible despiteandthe major thanks
‘yung for read-
buong grupo so ine-expect ngayong April kaya abangan nila
for the group’s offic- Three margaritas, 2 pina ing! Get to know me better:
for the group’s offic- Three size margaritas,
of the venue. 2 pina“Kahiting!isaGet to knowna
namin methis time, mas masaya kasi ang bagong pasabog na ipapakita
better:
ers for CY 2016-2017 to coladas,
ers for CY 2016-2017 to coladas, siyang malaking several
several show hors
horsna punong nadagdagan kami ng isa pa tapos ng Sikat Ka, Kapuso! team,” said
http://www.Mindanaoan.
http://www.Mindanaoan.
take a bow and be rec- d’oeuvres and a plate full
puno ng malalaking artista, dalawang com Quick my blog pa mapupuntahan Kapuso comedian Betong Sumaya
note: countries
take a bow and be rec- d’oeuvres and a plate full com Quick note: my blog who also encourages the Kapuso
The members of the As- ognized for all the amaz- of nagre-reach
delicious food outlater,
talagaI waskamihas sabeen
namin.
on theExcited
#1 spotako in kasi kahit pagod abroad to watch out for their upcoming
The members of the As- ognized for all the amaz- ofaudience delicious kasi
food maslater,masarap
I was has yung beenkami
on the sa#1 spotsobrang
trip, in sarap naman shows. “Ngayon kasama namin si Sir
sociation of Bukidnons in ing work they’ve done. ready to call it a night. I was Top Blogs PH’s Travel and
sociation of Bukidnons in ing work they’ve done. ready feeling na it nalalapitan
to call a night. I wasmoTop sila, saPH’s
Blogs pakiramdam
Travel and na magkasundo Dingdong so ibang flavor naman this
America (ABA) chose an To Shirley Guray-Soto, happy at may to personal
see the ABA mem- Leisure
experience category for
ang category
kayong a few
America (ABA) chose an To Shirley Guray-Soto, happy to see the ABA mem- Leisure forlahat,”
a few she revealed. time, and mas maraming interaction
extraordinarily cold win- Jovito Yabo, Jr., Emilita bers again (including Nanay days running. Thanks! ngayon sa audience,” he added.
extraordinarily
GMA Network’s coldbiggestwin- Jovito
stars Yabo, Jr., Emilita bers again (including Nanay days running. Thanks!
ter day Trillo,
to celebrate their Sabana, Leonila Delfin, Julie Nabong, who was my Kapuso Premier Drama Actress Lovi
Dennis
ter day to celebrateJennylyn theirMercado,
Sabana, Leonila Delfin, Julie Nabong, who was my Poe, on the other hand, recalled The latest addition to the cast, Kapuso
Christmas
Lovi Poe,party. AldenI had Richards,
4 Wendelina Obenita, Gen seatmate and my food part- You can also find me here:
Christmas party. I had 4 Wendelina Obenita, Gen seatmate and my food part- You can her also favorite part of the show with Primetime King Dingdong Dantes,
find me here:
Betong
layers ofSumaya
clothes on,and includ-Dingdong
Maier, Lalaine Agbayani, ner - we kept on bugging the Instagram, the Twitter abroad.
Kapuso and “Isa sa mga said that it is a privilege for him as
layers
Dantesof clothes on, includ-
to bringMaier,
all- Lalaine Agbayani, ner - we kept on bugging the Instagram, Twitter and
are thrilled
ing a heavy coat to com- Eva Ramirez, Pearl Kiel, waiters to come to our ta- Snapchat paborito kong part ng show last an actor to perform for the Filipino
– @mindanaoan
out aentertainment
ing
bat and
heavy coat to Pinoys
the painfully chilly
com- inEva theRamirez, Pearl Kiel, waiters to come to our ta- Snapchatyear
New Melquiades Taveros, Edna ble first whenever they had / Facebook: ‘yung
– @mindanaoan nag-share sila ng kwento audience abroad. “Although we do not
http://www.fa-
US
bat Canadachilly
the painfully as they
New prepare
Melquiades Taveros, Edna ble first whenever they had / Facebook: on stage and then kinantahan usually sing and dance on screen, we
nila http://www.fa-
for
Yorktheir
York
back-to-back
weather.
weather.
Thankfully,
Thankfully,
‘Sikat Sacayle
Ka,
Sacayle
and Victor Isidore goodies like fried macaroni cebook.com/mindanaoan-
and Victor Isidore goodies like fried macaroni cebook.com/mindanaoan- namin sila ng songs na bumabagay hope to bring the Philippines closer to
Kapuso!’ shows this coming April.
the party was fun, the peo- Barroso, Marilou Velez and cheese and spicy beef blogger and my YouTube them through our music and shows.”
the party was fun, the peo- Barroso, Marilou Velez and cheese and spicy beef blogger sa andbuhay nila. Pinaghandaan namin
my YouTube
ple were
The welcoming
all-star cast - -are so busy
and Antonio Alkuino - you tacos straight from the kitch- vlog: http://www.youtube. ito and we really hope we were able For ticket inquiries, contact 1-917-
ple were welcoming so and Antonio Alkuino - you tacos straight from the kitch- vlog: http://www.youtube.
Miss Earth
welcoming that
rehearsing 2017
for Karen
I was even specialIbasco and FDC Utilities, Inc.’s VP for Assets
all deserve a pat on the en) but frankly I was mostly com/mindanaoan1 and Miss Philippines
to bring a Air piece2017 of Kim
home detoGuzman,
them.” Miss Philippines
858-2356 Water
for Sikat Ka, 2017 Jessica
Kapuso! New
welcoming
Materials that I wastheir
Management even Valentin
all deserve a pat on therecently
Nepomuceno en) butledfrankly
a I was
tree mostly com/mindanaoan1
planting Marasigan, Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco, Miss Philippines Fire 2017 Nellza Bautista
performances
asked to be onededicated
of the judg-to back! our Congratulations are happy because I got to wit- Jersey and 1-866-7KAPUSO for
asked to beatone
activity
Kapuso theofpower
theFollowing
judg-
plant site
back!of Congratulations
FDC Misamis Power are Corporation
happy because in Vallanueva
I got to wit- and Miss Philippines Bae
Pambansang Eco-Tourism 2017 Vanessa
Alden Richards, SikatMae
Ka,Castillo
Kapuso!after the conduct
Toronto. of
For more
es of the abroad.
impromptu carol- also the
in order to the new ness my aunt Emilita get Til
a next
tree ish!
planting Safe travels,
activity at the power plant site of FDC Misamis Power Corporation in
es of the impromptu
successful West Coast carol- leg alsotown,
last in Misamis
order to theOriental.
new ness my aunt Emilita get Til next who ish! gladly expressed being back in the updates, follow GMA Pinoy TV on
Safe travels,
ing contest alongside two set of officers, who were recognized for her work as everybody! Vallanueva town, Misamis Oriental.
year,contest
ing GMA PinoyalongsideTV headstwo tosettheof officers, who were recognized for her work as everybody! cast together with his fellow Kapuso Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.