Letters: as friend of time

AN OPEN LETTER to Culion SB

2021-01-04T19:37:00.001-08:00

AN OPEN LETTER January 5, 2021 The Sangguniang Bayan This Municipality I just received you letter of denial to my request for the minutes of the public hearing in all barangays. This was upon motion of SB Astor and unanimously seconded by all members. A public documents denied to a formal request is in gross violation of Civil Service Code, Local Government Code and Public Accountability. A formal and legal action will be filed to proper authority. And I am constrained to go public of your indiscretion, prejudicial to the best interest of the public. I have all reason to believe that you want to hide your wrongdoings during the conduct of public hearing and your failure to perform a mandated duty as a public elected officials. That the public hearing for zoning ordinance is not actually a public hearing because there is no zoning ordinance to present. Instead you have allowed a certain Mr. Raymundo to present a proposal that you have envisioned behind close door, without proper public consultation that you have labeled as CLUP. Mr. Ramundo cannot be a resource person for he has been denied by the civil service as administrator for lack of experience and qualification. He cannot be your resource person to discuss CLUP for he never had profound knowledge of Culion, historically, culturally, traditionally, geographically for he is not a bonafide resident of Culion. That you have allowed others to present what must be incumbent for you as our elected official is a complete dereliction of your duty as Sangguniang Bayan. What is mandated cannot be delegated. Public hearing is a parliamentary procedure mandated to SB and not to Mr. Raymundo who represent as you insisted the executive. Public hearing is incumbent to you not to the executive. That during barangay Baldat public hearing, I have requested for copy of the zoning ordinance which was supposed agenda in the conduct of this public meeting. But you not even have the draft to present is a gross misconduct. Allowing Mr. Raymundo to abuse his authority as speaker and resource person during a public hearing and usurpation of your power as a SB. During bgy. Patag public hearing, I once again question the role of Mr. Raymundo that he cannot represent the LCE for he has been denied the position he usurp by the Civil Service. But you have insisted for his legitimacy as a resource person. Meanwhile, you have allowed the mayor to orally defamed me personally by saying.. "BUANG YAN, LISBOANG ". Making derogatory sign and remarks in public. Even saying I’m a failure, and so many things that not only insulted me but also to my whole family and clan. We have videos and record to substantiate this. And also sworn affidavit of audience during the public hearing. And during bgy. Balala public hearing, when I was duly recognized by the chair to speak. I was just trying to explain that the CLUP is not authored by anybody but by every stakeholders and represent the will of the people, their proposals, and aspiration. Not the whims and caprices of the few. And the mayor in front of the public took away the microphone from me. Forcibly and demanded I leave the public hearing. In your presence and in your exercise of a mandated authority to hold public hearing. Why allow the executive to intervene a legislative function? Why this abuse of authority happen without your exercise of duty? Mr. Raymundo has made allegation against previous administration and elected official. A grave unfounded allegations and a serious accusations. Even displaying documents against me from misuse of funds. The mayor likewise made the same allegation which are all, fabricated and unsubstantiated. They are all libelous and yet you have allowed it to happen. I am holding you accountable to all of this both legally, morally and ethically. I know you will once again ignore this as you previously did. Once again I hold you responsible for the mistakes against me, my family and my colleagues. With all due respect, I am making this letter public that people will know our grievances. Glen N. Lisboa

What is true development

2020-09-27T22:31:00.004-07:00

Development has many equations and concepts with a common denominator of betterment & goodness. But the question lies on the difference between personal gain and the ability to develop for the good of all which is essentially a kind of development that enforced to help the weak, the poor, the powerless, the people and the environment in general.

The fact that development can also reduce the community to futility and pervert the ecology when it utilizes all the elements of forces to serve egocentric interests, like sending their political weapon and ego, through coded call of itapon sila sa basurahang kawalan. Is this a kind of noxious menace or simply a dictatorial cowardice or worst the lifestyle of meaninglessness?

The function of this kind of living is in fact the act of propelling one self over another. It is what psychologists define as ego-consciousness, the wretched form of consciousness that is vest to the animal instinct of survival... The “survival of the fittest”. Will they do anything to suppress the weak in order to survive? Are they viewing the world with the cold eyes of predators that must prevail at any cost at the expense of imbecilic and egoistic mind or simply promoting cowardice?

Then, who are the fittest in this secular world or on this secluded islands? Who are these spineless kings and queens of their own palaces & villas?

Again and again what is true development? Is it building accesses for one’s own survival while moral tradition collapses? Is it the same as making business from govt expense to build political kingdoms in the guise of community service? Or is it the reflection and innovation of growth that encounter and conquer the complexities of modern life? Can we call these courts growth?

What is development? Is it the realization of heroism, or just a way of escaping this boredom existence and at the same time endorsing apathy or torpidity from these so called imbecile fainthearted minds?

What is true development? Is it the conservation & protection of aesthetic beauty to conquer the complexity of modernity?

What is true development? Is it preserving the tangible & intangible historical treasure and the protection of natural & ecological gems, or is it their contracted roads or buildings that conceptualized ridiculous ideas of an apocryphal claims of serving the people? Is it the dawning and a call from the depths of actuality where these goodness are made to articulate the spirit of involvements? Or is it just a plain political dominion or power tripping? Why are they confusing? Why are self-proclaimed development became so disgraceful, bogus and blasphemous? Pretending like gods & serving just to lord over it?

Why is it always painful to go out there and view this kind of devolution and be lost to this abysmal void that hurt with the shameless plasticity of it all? Do we have to manipulate the people & the eco-system to gain power & wealth, to clog & cast off commonality while proclaiming this sham progress? Then we can only quest, what is this deadly greedy thing?

Why is it that their so called development seems to have lost its spirit of common sense? True development must be founded in traditional morality if not immortality..

What are great achievements and strides made of? Why does it seem that while they're announcing their self-imposed accomplishments and achievements, we only found the equal deterioration of the bayanihan spirit found in community, we detect misguided spirit of oneness and solidarity? Are these roads to perdition made of apathy & torpidity? Some kind of destruction or exploitation of our nature?

The manipulations and lies of twisted development are being revealed when money becomes the only essential commodity to feed this carnal body. If they instinctively think that they’re just serving survival instinct... then life might become unbearable, unreasonable, vexatious and sickening, so ugly, lonely and perverted. Where do we go from here?! Transforming the roads into shenanigan?

Development includes everybody and can be created through laws by the president or governor or mayor or any other leaders, as a kind of system. Yes indeed a system is a system that without which we cannot function in a civilized society. Yet some kind of system were imposed in order to create an illusion of control, like the rules of systematic corruptions inside the institution, or rather it became a shambolic regime.

But in truth the problem lies not in this kind of system or laws but in the hearts of men or women where their own system becomes the means to an end. It is a kind of system where advancement has been assigned to mere survival - creating witless die-hard minions to denounce involvement, belongingness, in place of golden calf or the idolatry of moderated greed and worst of all the obnoxious indifference & callousness.

But development is not for the foolish heart nor for those ego-conscious-mind who only serve their brute instinct where common sense and reason became irrelevant and nonsense. Please, it is not for them all!

Development should be the backbone of an institution or community or town. It must be creative & effective, it must produce good, beautiful and meaningful effect & result. Its created projects and programs must depict, capture and prove great achievements & heroism, a way of life and values like what our grandparents deed. Without them, a place may not have been existed. Gifted minds that move the course of the community’s future also know the value of development as an essential component in the promotion of the ethics of true life. Evolvement is a community canonization. It is therefore the common denominator of real & unquestionable of what truly is development; to the people, for the people and by the people… yet look around us?

Probably the reason we do not have an authentic sense of development is that we do not have the wisdom or a sense of history.

The best thing we can truly evolve is not to have more self-proclaimed developments and abuse or degrade the natural resources, but rather how to be genuinely productive and go back to the great idea that this betterment must have a true value of caring & respecting the community together with the protection & conservation of natural world or the environment.. are we unfortunately enough to lose the opportunity of reckoning at this very moment of time??!

Awaken us heavens, we pray.

Where do we go from here?

2020-02-17T05:05:00.001-08:00

Where do we go from here?

This is the basic question that should be resolved in a direction mandated by law and this priority shall be an agreed predication. Looking back on the history of Culion we must understand the legitimacy of residents to define who were, who are the novel people that reside in this place. The place that was actually reserved for a particular kind of people. A purpose created towards a humane act, Culion was intended. It is a home for loved and cared individuals forsaken by society. A place to isolate a human bereft of a curse they never desired. It is a seclusion of a place that nobody wanted to be.

Even though, few kind-hearted people volunteered to serve these people, they were there even the whole world had forsaken them. The place was feared, maligned and misjudged. But in the end, a tragic outlook is now looming to the same people who in the beginning were just victims of circumstances to be in this island community. The self-same individuals the law intends to emancipate through the passages of R.A. 9032; the hansenites and their children, the government employees, the religious sectors, the volunteer workers and servants who dedicated their lives for a worthy cause. The ‘liberation’ of the people of Culion who once upon a time, forcibly brought here because of their misfortune of being ‘different’, together with the servants who volunteered here that they may serve these patients, our forefathers, who labored that others may live, could be disenfranchised by what is happening now. As the rightful citizen of this civic society we must be part of the decision making in the determination of why, where, what, and how much is for whom. But then again, we’ll go back to this basic question that should be resolved in a direction mandated by law, where do we go from here?

As a former Leper Colony, Culion was a national reservation that became a municipality. People are mounting their own monument at stake for their claim. But prior to that, there was massive selling of DOH given rights to buyers without regards to the actual value of land that had created a situation of speculation, intimidation and confusion among the locals. The land they gave away is now in the possession and claimed by those who know the actual value of the land. People sold their rights because of sheer ignorance, unwariness or poverty. Others took advantage of the situation to profit from their rights as a piece of paper can now be converted into cash or millions.

The law mandates the government! The leaders must ensure equitable, just and honest land distribution and reserved the land for every bonifide residents of Culion, if not the original people of Culion. This leadership must be free from any biases and conflict of interest, nor their vested interest, that their mandated authority will be for the good of the people who gave them their trust, that their rights must always be encouraged.

As a people who shared a bittersweet past, our forefathers, made sure that this place we now live will not only for us to share, but most of all for our children, they who had given their lives, that a municipality might live! The government that will be a self-determination we all dream of. These people should be part of that visioning and setting up a goal that will be good for all, as much as goodness that our fore bearer did to us. We cannot destroy all these goodness for the sake of self-imposed progress and development, that renounce the past and losing all those true development that was handed to us for the sake of a better future of our children and their children. We almost regained that paradise we now called Culion thru this virtue of independence. By all means we cannot afford to lose these God-given gifts to us. We can never forsake the past and let all the sacrifices our servant fathers did and be put in vain.

What we need now is to inform the people of the reality that is happening nowadays but at the same time not to forget the past. Maybe some would rather forget their bitter past because of that painful reality as what the movie of the old said ‘huwag mong salingin’. But in the end, no cure can heal the wounds without the pain. We need to move now and carry on with our quest for what goodness must be for all of us.

We are now challenging if not imploring this burg to ensure that Culionaires i.e. patients and their descendants, the employees who served here and their descendants who migrated that opted to stay here prior to the creation of the municipality, to reserve the land for these people!

Now tragically, people are asking for what? For whom? Do I have my share? What about me? Am I not entitled? Do I deserve a place in Culion where I was born? Am I still a stranger just like my parents who was virtually imprisoned in this island that became a dreaded place? Do I belong now, when the whole world despises us and we were forgotten here?

Currently they are measuring and zoning the land. Can we only wait? What do I know now? Am I still praying for my fair share? Will it come? Or am I forgotten again? To whom should I listen? We are mere children of Culion. Do this regime really empathizes?

We were in lost-paradise when we grew up in culion. We were a community of men isolated by our identity as a place of seclusion. But Culion is ours. We became a distinct culture isolated by stigma and became a character of our own specie. Endemic. A unique and isolated society who created its own cultural heritage who shall remain steadfast as who we are now. We cannot change because of a confused town. The government that was created for us should not dictate the will of the people, nor changed what we beautifully created that this new culture took us time to value. If changes do happen it should not stumble on a created thing that was valued by our past. The present is a power of money and connection. Do they want to subdue a norm? A value? A culture? What happen now to what our forefathers sacrificed for? Like the religious communities that not only lovingly dedicated their lives and services but still carry on what they started? Are we beholden now of a creeping culture of power and might?

The law, the culture, the norms are now in clash. Disputing each other without proper forum to decide who and what is true, and good and right.

As the plans are nearing its conclusion, we cannot but ask ourselves as people residing on foreshore areas of Culion and some other forgotten islands as well as coastal shores;

DO WE HAVE A PART OF THE LAND AS PROMISED BY R.A. 9032? DO WE HAVE A CHANCE TO OWN A PIECE OF LAND THAT SHALL DISPELL OUR STATUS AS SQUATTER IN THE LAND OF OUR BIRTH? OR AS OUR GREATEST FEAR NOW IS THIS SIMPLE QUESTION… WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Are we now the victim of maneuverings? Then our quest arise here, to whom this land must truly belong?

Dear Students of Modernity

2020-02-06T16:35:00.003-08:00

Dear students of modernity

Today is our a new day in the school of modernity, for we are trying to learn about our town, possibly in a deeper sense of view, if not to know our true destiny on how are we going to find its significance? We must uncover some logic from all these quests, because this is the very reason why we are revealing this, in order to rediscover our mission and to go beyond this voracity, so that we can travel a meaningful journey and reveal our true identity and destiny... since we are not mere 'x' we’ve got to be a 'factor'. Could this be a treasure beyond Lamed, or more than the Tangays, beyond the issue of land? Then that could be an X-factor.

The future of 'Isla' is attractively so bright, for the place itself is a magnet for tourism, like the UNESCO Heritage Sites, the Museum, the Historic Fortress and of course the beautiful natural resources that we need to protect & preserve in order to sustain them. Who would have asked for more? Do progress slowly deteriorating the eco-friendly island where damages are going with the flow of climate change? But how can we declare progress, when this so-called ‘teachers of modernity’ are as anti-truth as their lords? Can we prevent them? How can we imitate and apply the dynamism and activism of our forefathers during the fortification of the place, as they have experienced in the past compared with what we are experiencing now or even in the future? We are hoping to see a better place in the future to stay, and wishing our forerunners will do even just a hint of betterment to free us from all these kind of menace and threats alike.

The Colony was even more advanced 50 or 60 years ago than the current system where it seems to be moving one step forward but three steps backward at the same time, like the systematic perversion that is happening as we are writing this letter. Our forefathers were advanced simply because of their brotherhood and people empowerment, the culture of bayanihan communities not to mention the family ties and their triumph against all the odds of the past. But what have we today? Why we cannot even form ourselves into one people's coalition? We can only ponder, yet these are the very reason and the essential requirement to diagnose these inevitable disorders being created nowadays.

Can we allow this to happen? Like the kind of maleficent who wants to control everybody... to perdition in the guise of reformation? As we always said, for a malevolent to triumph, it is when few good men do nothing, like a despicable primate who can’t hear, can’t see, can’t speak and cannot move. Unfortunately there are signs of victory from this kind of myopic modernity. Then we would come to an end and can only ponder to ourselves and ask this ironic question, which is better, the golden past or this so called futuristic progressivism? Look at our habitat today can you still reverse the globalization while avarice sparkly reflecting everywhere?

There are lots of issues facing our world today, and we are not isolated anymore from all these concerns: Two things; One, as what the majority are saying, if we will not dance with the music of modernity, what will our future generation be like? Is technological ignorance similar to under-educated or considered an offense against superiority or development? How can we face these glitches if we will not welcome modernization? But the big question lies on another quest, who are championing on this advancement? If we know the obvious answer, then modernity is not the problem nor progress, it could be myopic or indifference. Are they the one we called the ‘self-serving-few’ that are causing these complications? Two, if the narrow-minded-irresponsible individuals are the only one showing these symptoms, then why are we not animated by reason to revolt against these blunders? Are we insulting the capability of our very own selves? We hope 'free will' is still open in this arena and fairness still rules and reaches us in no time... then courage!

We are currently observing this kind of balancing, between the gestures of goodness on people from all walks of life, against the threat that is reigning the place. These maleficent could manipulate the rule of law so the people in this beautiful island needs to be consulted and included to design the future of our beloved town. Let us not allow these filthy few to rule, instead let the process of collaboration as well as knowledge and wisdom to win the battle for us, as the true sign of evolvement. We need to encourage and eternally thank the presence of few good men like "David" in this arena; they can make and spell out a big difference! Just like what our missionaries who never relented to teach us, Magis, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! "For the greater glory of God"

In a logical sense of view, we never ever blamed true development or even the purpose of technologies, because this is the advancement we really need even until this very moment. The problem dwells on the confusions of our trailblazers. In our current world, which is mostly concentrating on progress while good values from our forefathers are being ignored. There lies the big difference. Our novel leaders nowadays lost these opportunities. Instead we have indifference and parodies if not sheer ignorance? They cannot even systematize our basic needs, as simple as to clean our town or our water system or waste disposal, how much more is our land. If they can only follow and respect our forefathers’ greatest achievements, then they can maximize the use of what we now called the wisdom of technology, but instead we have torpidity and indifference.

Yes there will be more programs and activities for advancement, but from what we are experiencing now it would require more miracles to achieve them rather than manipulating it. Unless we’ll be awaken by these impediment or disappointments and comprehend our true sense of development, of being eco-friendly and strengthening the principles of historical and cultural values. Then we need this kind of advocacies from our young generations as well as from our valuable and educated young professionals who will take a stand, no matter what, for the greatest good.

We are forever searching now for a courageous or Davidic individual who have a kind of heart and bravery to face all these Goliaths. We wish it any more than no other choice but do it and continually doing it, hoping to generate fruits much sweeter than the fruitage of the past. With all the help of our friends, families and communities who are the true resident in hearts and minds... imploring to remain vigilant as the nature and soul of the place. A valiant persona who can ride with this so called ‘hope’ that will hold on and cultivating the grassroots before it's too late as we are chasing and running out of time. This was our quest since time immemorial... Hmm isn't it exciting? So with the continued guidance of spirited-hearts we will continue to study, train and acquire great understanding and prudence. So our future depends on the laurels of the people mentioned above for our true destiny.

We need the grace of wisdom to continue our mission together with our high hope that needs to be balanced in order to fathom the greatness of our goals, guarding the utmost fears we are facing now, like the spinning of minds and hearts of the people in the guise of sheep's clothing while it cannot even recognize what is right and what is wrong? This is our greatest hindrance; the distortions of our moral capacity with the price tag of deceit, when truth becomes a lie and the lie became the truth? Let us be vigilant. Courage! For we are not isolated anymore, becoming the student of modernity. Transforming and enlightening ourselves, most specially the millenials, to learn from the good lessons of the past and of course the goodness of our future of true 'modernity' that we can also encounter as the spiritual quotient.

POPE FRANCIS AND THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY by Mario Pezzi

2015-01-12T15:02:00.001-08:00

The complete text of the catechesis by Fr. Pezzi – in both written and oral versions, the latter with spontaneous comments from Kiko - is in the highly detailed account for the internal use of the “live-in.” But this summary is enough to grasp its importance.

It will not be easy for the proponents of innovation in the matter of Catholic marriage to ignore this powerful voice to the contrary.

___________

POPE FRANCIS AND THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY

by Mario Pezzi

The famous and criticized report of Cardinal Kasper is in five points, and only one of them deals with communion for the divorced and remarried, all of the others deal with the traditional doctrine of the Church. The pope once said: I am surprised that the press talks only about one point, and does not talk about the others. This is why I invite you not to pay attention to what the newspapers and television say, because everyone is pressuring the pope to be open to the world. Don't fall for it. Many times Father Lombardi has had to respond to the misinterpretation and misuse of the pope’s words.

In this catechesis we will not address the most burning issues, we will leave those to the synod fathers and to the pope, but we will talk about gender ideology, about the Christian family in the light of divine revelation, and finally about “Humanae Vitae” by Paul VI, which has been highly contested and rejected but which Pope Francis has wanted to revive.

GENDER IDEOLOGY

Pope Benedict XVI, on the occasion of his Christmas greetings to the Roman Curia in 2012, made an historic discourse, affirming that today we find ourselves before an epochal change, similar to that which happened at the time of the fall of the Roman empire and the invasion of the barbarian peoples. There is a decline in the foundations of society, of Catholic civilization.

Pope John Paul II himself said at Fatima in 1982: “What was once considered sin has now acquired the right of citizenship."

There have been many attacks against the Christian family in history. The latest virulent attack is represented by so-called "gender ideology."

Powerful lobbies are imposing this ideology as a dictatorship. Among the philosophical roots that have generated this monster that is threatening our families, especially in the schools, is Marxism.

In Marx, the notion that the essence of man is that of being able to create himself is connected to the overcoming of sexual gender and the destruction of the family.

The debate over gender then moved above all to the United States, where the idea that there are two sexes has been completely left behind. Instead of two genders there became five: male, female, gay, lesbian, and transgender. But in keeping with the anti-naturalistic approach, since man can create himself, the figure of 17 genders has been reached. There are even some today who count 51: the more the merrier.

Gender theory also reveals its Gnostic origin. The enemy for gnosis is not sex in itself, but sex as procreative, because producing children means contributing to the creative work of the wicked god.

It has been discovered that radical feminism is intimately connected to satanic worship. When Pope Francis has been asked about this aggression, he has said: it is the fruit of the devil who wants to destroy.

The myth of the transcendence of gender is also found in the Gnostic formulations of Freemasonry, which, at the highest levels of initiation, has the worship of the devil depicted with androgynous characteristics.

Gender theory implies a complete anthropological redefinition of the human essence. Man's attempt to take the place of God.

It has its historical origins in the anti-procreation planning beginning in the 1960’s, with the propaganda for contraception and abortion and the campaign for the use of the RU-486 pill.

When the episcopal conference of the United States adopted the formula "family planning,” the Vatican intervened to have it changed. Because it's misleading. The Christian is not the one who plans.

What does the Church say about this gender ideology? Pope Benedict XVI has said it, citing chief rabbi of France Gilles Bernheim:

“Man calls his nature into question. The manipulation of nature, which we deplore today where our environment is concerned, now becomes man’s fundamental choice where he himself is concerned. From now on there is only the abstract human being, who chooses for himself what his nature is to be. Man and woman in their created state as complementary versions of what it means to be human are disputed. But if there is no pre-ordained duality of man and woman in creation, then neither is the family any longer a reality established by creation. Likewise, the child has lost the place he had occupied hitherto and the dignity pertaining to him. Bernheim shows that now, perforce, from being a subject of rights, the child has become an object to which people have a right and which they have a right to obtain. When the freedom to be creative becomes the freedom to create oneself, then necessarily the Maker himself is denied and ultimately man. The defence of the family is about man himself.”

THE FAMILY IN THE LIGHT OF DIVINE REVELATION

The apostolic exhortation “Familiaris Consortio,” written by Pope John Paul II at the end of the synod on the family in 1980, still remains relevant today. And so does that beautiful post-synodal apostolic exhortation “Sacramentum Caritatis” of Pope Benedict XVI, which says: “The Eucharist inexhaustibly strengthens the indissoluble unity and love of every Christian marriage.”

Because of this, marriage is indissoluble. Pope Francis has clearly said that he is not going to change the doctrine of the Church as they say or as they want to make him say, because what God has united man cannot separate. The Church does not have the power. The conjugal bond is intrinsically connected to the Eucharistic unity between Christ the bridegroom and the Church his bride, a love that has its culminating point in the Cross, the expression of his "wedding" with humanity and, at the same time, the origin and center of the Eucharist.

There is no love without the cross. So "making love," as young people say, is pure falsehood. This is not a matter of love but of concupiscence, of attraction, etc. This is why the Church asks that there be no relations before marriage, because one comes to a certain point at which one is no longer free. I remember that at the beginning of the Way one of us came to say that he had decided to leave his girlfriend. He told Kiko and Carmen that she had threatened to kill herself, and had already made three suicide attempts, and he asked: what should I do? Kiko and Carmen replied to him: tell her she can go ahead and kill herself, God will provide. He left her, she did not commit suicide, and today he is happily married. Blackmail is easy.

RELEVANCE OF “HUMANAE VITAE"

Thanks be to God, Pope Francis inserted “Humanae Vitae” into the pre-synodal questionnaire and asked what the people think about it. It emerged that very many know nothing about it, because the priests have never presented it to them, and many of those who know about it reject it. The only ones who appreciate it are those who make a journey of faith, of Christian initiation. This is the problem, in my view, with this synod: almost no one talks about the necessity of Christian initiation. They talk only about being present for couples, helping them, forming the teachers…

On July 25, 1968 Paul VI, beatified at the end of the synod, published the encyclical “Humanae Vitae” subsequent to the efforts undertaken along with the council fathers.

Here I will cite from a recently published book about that pope, very well documented, prepared by the Paul VI Institute based in Brescia, for the cause of beatification:

“How much mud was slung on that encyclical and on Paul VI by those who wanted to impose their own vision of a liberal-nihilistic world! A deliberate climate of tension had been created a year before, when in April 1967 a document was published by the pontifical commission that John XXIII had instituted in March 1963 and that Paul VI wanted to expand so that alongside the theologians, the composers of the text, there would be the voices of demographers, sociologists, economists, physicians, and a few married couples.

“That document, confidential by nature, was published simultaneously in Le Monde in France, in The Tablet in Great Britain, and in the National Catholic Reporter in the United States. There were clear signs of coordination by a single hand that wanted to present the document as the relation of the majority, maintaining that only four of the seventy members of the commission had criticized the text, something that turned out to be false."

Having created this expectation - as they are again creating it today by saying that Pope Francis will allow communion for the remarried - everyone was expecting Paul VI to approve contraceptives, the pill, to reduce the population. So when the pope gave the final word, that every conjugal act is unitive and procreative, open to life, there was a general scandal, not only in the secular world:

“There was equal incomprehension among many Catholics, including Cardinal Suenens and various famous theologians. To these were added, with words that were disconcerting for their toughness and hostility, eighty-seven theologians of the Catholic University of Washington, the episcopal conferences of Austria and Canada, as well as several thousand German Catholics.

“What is striking is the emphasis given by the mass media to those voices of dissent, compared with the very many endorsements that came from all over the Church and that were, if not silenced, not always correctly reported by the main media outlets. Paul VI did not allow himself to be drawn into the controversy or be overcome by dismay, but exerted himself in giving the correct explanation right away with the audience immediately following the publication of the encyclical, on July 31, when he reiterated that ‘Humanae Vitae’ did not enshrine a negative statement, but was intended to be ‘the positive presentation of conjugal morality for the sake of its mission of love and fecundity, in the light of an overall vision of man, of his earthly and eternal vocation.’”

Pope John Paul II made “Humanae Vitae” the focus of the last fourteen catecheses of his whole cycle on the theology of the body, in 1984.

As for Pope Francis, you know that a few Sundays ago he celebrated the marriage of twenty-four couples. I was very careful to listen to the formula that he used. Because in the ritual of marriage there is the first formula which is the one used by the pope, but there are also others that are not as explicit. It would be interesting to see which one the priests use. Because the first formula says:

“Are you ready to accept with love the children that God may wish to give you, and to raise them according to the law of Christ and of his Church?”

“The children that God wishes to give you”: I don’t know if all priests say that.

[KIKO: All of this is fine when there are Christian people, but when the people are not Christian they couldn't care less less about all these things. Thanks to God you have listened to us catechists who have told you what the Church says and you have been humble and have not opposed our catechesis with ideas from the newspapers. Carmen once said to the pope, years ago: What is it all about, this obsession in favor of natural methods? It seems that the Church is thinking only about how to limit children. Because in the end this was the thinking, that the Catholic family should have two children, no more. Some even within the Church still have this idea. We said to those of Catholic Action: and afterward, what do you do? After you have two children, how do you continue the conjugal act? Do you use coitus interruptus? Do you use natural methods? Do you use the pill? Everywhere it has been preached that responsible parenthood means limiting births, and the number of children has been left to the conscience of the spouses. This has been preached everywhere. But did the pope say this? No! Responsible parenthood means accepting not to limit the number of children, it means accepting the plan of God. But no one has repeated these things the pope said. Thanks to God you have been saved because you have obeyed us. You have continued to believe that the conjugal act is an act of holiness, a true sacrament. We are happy to see that even our children and grandchildren follow us in this, they have children and they are happy].

THE REASON FOR THE “HONORIS CAUSA” DOCTORATE FOR KIKO

To conclude, I cite the doctorate “honoris causa” conferred on Kiko by the pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.

In the “Laudatio Academica", Professor José Noriega presented the three reasons why the institute decided to give this recognition, we might say, to the Neocatechumenal Way:

1. “The rediscovery of the fecundity of Baptism for the life of the couple has had one of its most significant fruits in the rediscovery of the holiness of the conjugal act between the spouses. Seeing this as one of the places where God acts, the couples of the Way have wanted to live their love with a singular openness to life, knowing that they are collaborators with God in the generation of persons."

2. “At a time of crisis and disorientation on the part of many, the unreserved acceptance of the prophetic encyclical of Paul VI ‘Humanae Vitae’ on the part of the families of the Way has been an authentic testimony for the whole Church, showing that beyond our fears or difficulties it is possible to live what the Church points out as specific to the way of holiness of the couple."

3. “The families of the Neocatechumenal Way quickly understood and adopted a form of domestic liturgy. In this way the great mission of transmitting the faith to the children has found the proper setting for the testimony of the parents. In the context of a frightful secularization of ‘vast areas of the earth, where the faith is in danger of being extinguished like a flame that no longer has fuel,’ the Way has been able to ‘make God present in a singular form’: I am talking about the great testimony of the families on mission.”

Along the Neocatechumenal Way, in catechesis, we have told you that the family has, so to speak, three altars: the holy Eucharist, the nuptial bed, and the family table where the faith is passed on to the children.

It is good to emphasize that this “Laudatio” refers to all the families of the Neocatechumenal communities, and not only to the families on mission.

As for these latter, for more than thirty years they have been giving their lives often in heroic situations to bear witness to the love of God through their presence and apostolate, in which often their children are the first missionaries who draw the estranged to the Church.

In recent years the Lord has raised up among us the missions “ad gentes”: nuclear families with many children, accompanied and supported by a presbyter, an associate, and a few sisters, which constitute a point of attraction in completely pagan or dechristianized areas. A new form of evangelization for the secularized and pagan world of today.

Echoes of bang inside

2014-07-07T02:23:00.000-07:00

Adios my joy of sorrow; Thanx for everything t'was more than a decade living with yo as i still can't believe that i survived in those years ;) and because of that almost all my dreams had been fulfilled (except one last click the remote control flying machine up above the sky but it seems ok since i also have the down under the sea:)

My life really changed a lot there where pains n joys, ups n down was revealed yet those were the beauty of them all. they were truly great blessing in disguises and of experiences. But one thing that really touch my whole being there is the great Encounter of the Divine... My communion with the Transcendence as the real presence of goodness or the most High and the Holy One. This for me is the most meaningful and wonderful manifestation of truth and beauty amidst the sufferings and sorrows within & without in that space and time. I witnessed a whole lot of courage and humility not to mention the stupidity n angers or impatience if not craziness.

Truly it was the contradicting joys of sorrows, success of failures or the paradox of it all ;) when i decided these out it went smoothly unexpectedly. never thought of a graceful exit but i'm not sure yet since there's still greater challenge ahead all these divine comedy, the medicine of laughter n joy ;)

thank u again. u'r embedded now not only in my soul but also in my mind or my being all of these memories. The problem is that words are not enough to express how i feel that's why we'll just make it as an abstract painting on these virtual or literal canvas ;) then this void will echo a small bang inside me to lighten up the darkness or tunnel. opening another window or door or page of ventures in order to pass through these wall of prison or this golden cage in order to complete the puzzle of true life and prove its real purpose.. Scary but that was how i started all of these beautiful adventures.. therefore this for sure is another joy - or all but another eternal presence of love!

MYSTICS OF THE CHURCH

2013-11-02T01:09:00.000-07:00

Short stories of Purgatory -A remarkable collection of visits from the souls in Purgatory to various Saints and Mystics.

“I know when you pray for me, and it is the same with all of the other souls here in Purgatory. Very few of us here get any prayers; the majority of us are totally abandoned, with no thought or prayers offered for us from those on earth” (Message from a soul in Purgatory)

Over the years of studying the lives of the mystics of the Church I have amassed a large number of eye witness accounts from various books and manuscripts of the appearances of the souls in Purgatory to a number of persons-- a good number of these accounts are not widely known, so I thought it would make a very interesting study to compile a number of shorter accounts from a variety of sources for those interested in this subject.

St Padre Pio’s visions of the souls in Purgatory

In May, 1922, Padre Pio testified the following to the Bishop of Melfi, His Excellency Alberto Costa and also the superior of the friary, Padre Lorenzo of San Marco along with 5 other friars. One of the five friars, Fra Alberto D' Apolito of San Giovanni Rotondo wrote down the account as follows:

"While in the friary on a winter afternoon after a heavy snowfall, he was sitting by the fireplace one evening in the guest room, absorbed in prayer, when an old man, wearing an old-fashioned cloak still worn by southern Italian peasants at the time, sat down beside him. Concerning this man Pio states: ‘I could not imagine how he could have entered the friary at this time of night since all the doors are locked. I questioned him: 'Who are you? What do you want?'

The old man told him, "Padre Pio, I am Pietro Di Mauro, son of Nicola, nicknamed Precoco." He went on to say, "I died in this friary on the 18th of September, 1908, in cell number 4, when it was still a poorhouse. One night, while in bed, I fell asleep with a lighted cigar, which ignited the mattress and I died, suffocated and burned. I am still in Purgatory. I need a holy Mass in order to be freed. God permitted that I come and ask you for help."

According to Padre Pio: "After listening to him, I replied, 'Rest assured that tomorrow I will celebrate Mass for your liberation.' I arose and accompanied him to the door of the friary, so that he could leave. I did not realize at that moment that the door was closed and locked: I opened it and bade him farewell The moon lit up the square, covered with snow. When I no longer saw him in front of me, I was taken by a sense of fear, and I closed the door, reentered the guest room, and felt faint.”

A few days later, Padre Pio also told the story to Padre Paolino, and the two decided to go to the town hall, where they looked at the vital statistics for the year I908 and found that on September 18 of that year, one Pietro Di Mauro had in fact died of burns and asphyxiation in Room Number 4 at the friary, then used as a home for the homeless.

Around the same time, Padre Pio told Fra Alberto of another apparition of a soul from Purgatory which also occurred around the same time. He said:

One evening, when I was absorbed in prayer in the choir of the little church I was shaken and disturbed by the sound of footsteps, and candles and flower vases being moved on the main altar. Thinking that someone must be there, I called out, "Who is it?"

No one answered. Returning to prayer, I was again disturbed by the same noises. In fact, this time I had the impression that one of the candles, which was in front of the statue of Our Lady of Grace, had fallen. Wanting to see what was happening on the altar, I stood up, went close to the grate and saw, in the shadow of the light of the Tabernacle lamp, a young confrere doing some cleaning. I yelled out, "What are you doing in the dark?" The little friar answered, "I am cleaning."

"You clean in the dark?" I asked. "Who are you?"

The little friar said, ‘I am a Capuchin novice, who spends his time of Purgatory here. I am in need of prayers.’ and then he disappeared,"

Padre Pio stated that he immediately began praying for him as requested, and it is not known if he had any further dealings with this particular soul. However, in regards souls in Purgatory it is very interesting to note that later in life Padre Pio once said that ‘As many souls of the dead come up this road [to the monastery] as that of the souls of the living.” Without a doubt, many souls from Purgatory visited Padre Pio seeking his prayers, sacrifices and sufferings to obtain their release.

From the manuscript of Sister M. de L.C., written from 1874-1890

To get an idea of how Purgatory is arranged, we can get a good glimpse of it from a nun from France who had died on February 22, 1871 at the age of 36, and 2-1/2 years later (in November 1873) she began appearing from Purgatory to a fellow nun in her convent, named Sister M. de L.C (name kept anonymous in the manuscript to protect the nuns identity, as the manuscript was published while the nun was still living) as related in the booklet “An Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory” published by The Reparation Society of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Inc., 2002:

“I can tell you about the different degrees of Purgatory because I have passed through them. In the great Purgatory there are several stages. In the lowest and most painful, it is like a temporary hell, and here there are the sinners who have committed terrible crimes during life and whose death surprised them in that state. It was almost a miracle that they were saved, and often by the prayers of holy parents or other pious persons. Sometimes they did not even have time to confess their sins and the world thought them lost, but God, whose mercy is infinite, gave them at the moment of death the contrition necessary for their salvation on account of one or more good actions which they performed during life. For such souls, Purgatory is terrible. It is a real hell with this difference, that in hell they curse God, whereas we bless Him and thank Him for having saved us.

Next to these come the souls, who though they did not com¬mit great crimes like the others, were indifferent to God. They did not fulfill their Easter duties and were also converted at the point of death. Many were unable to receive Holy Communion. They are in Purgatory for the long years of indifference. They suffer unheard of pains and are abandoned either without prayers or if they are said for them, they are not allowed to profit by them. There are in this stage of Purgatory religious of both sexes, who were tepid, neglectful of their duties, indifferent towards Jesus, also priests who did not exercise their sacred ministry with the reverence due to the Sovereign Majesty and who did not instill the love of God sufficiently into the souls confided to their care. I was in this stage of Purgatory.

In the second Purgatory are the souls of those who died with venial sins not fully expiated before death, or with mortal sins that have been forgiven but for which they have not made entire satisfaction to the Divine Justice. In this part of Purgatory, there are also different degrees according to the merits of each soul.

Thus the Purgatory of the consecrated souls or of those who have received more abundant graces, is longer and far more painful than that of ordinary people of the world.

Lastly, there is the Purgatory of desire which is called the Threshold. Very few escape this. To avoid it altogether, one must ardently desire Heaven and the vision of God. That is rare, rarer than people think, because even pious people are afraid of God and have not, therefore, a sufficiently strong desire of going to Heaven. This Purgatory has its very painful martyrdom like the others. The deprivation of the sight of our loving Jesus adds to the intense suffering.”

Another explanation of the levels in Purgatory from this same book:

Retreat, August 1878: “Great sinners who were indifferent towards God, and religious who were not what they should have been are in the lowest stage of Purgatory. While they are there, the prayers offered up for them are not applied to them. Because they have ignored God during their life, He now in His turn leaves them abandoned in order that they may repair their neglectful and worthless lives. While on earth one truly cannot picture or imagine what God really is, but we (in Purgatory) know and understand Him for what He is, because our souls are freed from all the ties that fettered them and prevented them from realizing the holiness and majesty of God and His great mercy. We are martyrs, consumed as it were by love. An irresistible force draws us towards God who is our center, but at the same time another force thrusts us back to our place of expiation.

We are in the state of being unable to satisfy our longings. Oh, what a suffering that is, but we desire it and there is no murmuring against God here. We desire only what God wants. You on earth, however, cannot possibly understand what we have to endure. I am much relieved as I am no longer in the fire. I have now only the insatiable desire to see God, a suffering cruel enough indeed, but I feel that the end of my exile is at hand and that I am soon to leave this place where I long for God with all my heart. I know it well, I feel more at ease, but I cannot tell you the day or the hour of my release. God alone knows that. It may be that I have still many years of longing for Heaven. Continue to pray; I will repay you later on, though I do pray a great deal for you now.”

Why is it that I pray for you with less fervor than I pray for others and that often I forget to recommend you?

Do not trouble yourself about that. It is a punishment for me.

Even if you prayed more I should not be any the more relieved. God wills it thus. If He wants you to pray more He will inspire you to do so. I repeat again, do not be worried about me. You will never see me in my sufferings. Later on, when your soul is stronger, you will see souls in Purgatory and very awful ones, but let this not frighten you. God will then give you the neces¬sary courage and all that you need to accomplish His holy will.

Is this not a punishment?

No, certainly not, I am here for my relief and for your sanctification. If you would but pay a little more attention to what I say.

That is true but these happenings are so extraordinary that I do not know what to make of them; it is not an ordinary thing to hear you in this way.

I understand well your difficulty and I am aware of your sufferings on this account. However, if God wishes it and it relieves me, you will have pity on me, will you not? When I am released you will see that I will do far more for you than you have ever done for me. I already pray much for you.

Where is Sister --?

In the lowest Purgatory, where she receives no benefit from anyone's prayers. God is often displeased, if one may speak thus, when many religious come to die, because He has called these souls to Himself that they might serve Him faithfully on earth and go straight to Heaven at the moment of death, but because of their infidelity, they have to stay long in Purgatory - far longer than people in the world who have not had so many graces.

1879, Retreat in September. We see St. Michael as we see the angels. He has no body. He comes to get the souls that have finished their purification. It is he who conducts them to Heaven. He is among the Seraphim as Monsignor said. He is the highest angel in Heaven. Our own Guardian Angels come to see us but St. Michael is far more beautiful than they are. As to the Blessed Virgin, we see her in the body. She comes to Purgatory on her feasts and she goes back to Heaven with many souls. While she is with us we do not suffer. St. Michael accompanies her. When he comes alone, we suffer as usual. When I spoke to you of the great and the second Purgatory, it was to try to make you understand that there are different stages in Purgatory. Thus I call that stage of Purgatory “great” or “worst” where the most guilty souls are, and where I stayed for two years without being able to give a sign of the torments I was suffering. The year when you heard me groaning, when I began to speak to you, I was still in the same place.

In the second Purgatory, which is still Purgatory but very different from the first, one suffers a great deal, but less than in the great place of expiation. Then there is a third stage, which is the Purgatory of desire, where there is no fire. The souls who did not desire Heaven ardently enough, who did not love God suf¬ficiently, are there. It is there that I am at this moment. Further, in these three parts of Purgatory, there are many degrees of vari¬ation. Little by little, as the soul becomes purified, her sufferings are changed.

You sometimes say to me that the perfecting of a soul is a long process and you are also astonished that after so many prayers, I am so long deprived of the sight of God. Alas, the perfecting of a soul does not take any less time in Purgatory than upon earth. There are a number of souls, but they are very few, who have only a few venial sins to expiate. These do not stay long in Purgatory. A few well-said prayers, a few sacrifices soon deliver them. But when there are souls like mine - and that is nearly all whose lives have been so empty and who paid little or no attention to their salvation - then their whole life has to be begun over again in this place of expiation. The soul has to perfect itself and love and desire Him, whom it did not love sufficiently on earth. This is the reason why the deliverance of some souls is delayed. God has given me a very great grace in allowing me to ask for prayers. I did not deserve it, but without this I would have remained like most of those here, for years and years more.”

The immense power of the Mass for the souls in Purgatory

Next, from the excellent book “Purgatory –Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints” by Father F.X. Schouppe, S.J., Tan Books, 1986 we read the following accounts which highlight the power and importance of offering holy Masses for the departed. The following is a sincere testimony from the person who experienced several visits from a soul in purgatory, and thus she provides a detailed and frank eye-witness account with regard to the facts:

On October 13, 1849, there died at the age of fifty-two, in the parish of Ardoye, in Flanders, a woman named Eugenie Van de Kerckove, whose husband, John Wybo, was a farmer. She was a pious and charitable woman who generously gave to charity in proportionate to her means. She had, to the end of her life, a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and abstained from meat in her honor on the Friday and Saturday of each week. Although her conduct was not free from certain faults, she otherwise led a exemplary and edifying life.

Eugenie had a servant named Barbara Vennecke, aged twenty-eight, who was known as a virtuous and devoted girl, and who had assisted her mistress in her last sickness, and after Eugenie’s death, she continued to serve her master, John Wybo, the widower of Eugenie.

About three weeks after her death, the deceased appeared to her servant under circumstances which we will now relate. It was in the middle of the night; Barbara slept soundly, when she heard herself called distinctly three times by her name. She awoke with a start, and saw Eugenie before her, sitting on the side of her bed, clad in a working dress, consisting of a skirt and short jacket. At this remarkable sight, Barbara was seized with astonishment. The apparition spoke to her: “Barbara," she said, simply pronouncing her name. “What do you desire, Eugenie?" replied the servant.

Power of the Mass for souls in Purgatory

‘Please take," said the mistress, “the little rake which I often told you to put in its place; stir the heap of sand in the little room; you know to which one I refer. You will find there 500 franks; use it to have Masses said, two francs for each Mass, for my intention, for I am still suffering." “I will do so, Eugenie," replied Barbara, and at the same moment the apparition vanished. After awhile she fell asleep again, and reposed quietly until morning:

On awaking, Barbara thought that maybe it was all just a dream, but yet she had been so deeply impressed, so wide awake, she had seen her old mistress in a form so distinct, so full of life and she had received from her lips such precise directions, that she could not help saying, “This cannot have been a dream. I saw my mistress in person; she presented herself to my eyes and she surely spoke to me. It is no dream, but a reality."

She therefore immediately went and took the rake as directed, stirred the sand, and drew out a purse containing the sum of five hundred francs.

In such strange and extraordinary circumstances the good girl thought it her duty to seek the advice of her pastor before spending the 500 francs on having Masses said, and went to relate to him all that had happened. The venerable Abbe R., then parish priest of Ardoye, replied that the Masses asked by the departed soul absolutely must be celebrated, but, in order to dispose of the sum of money, the consent of the husband, John Wybo, was necessary, since the money was found in his house. The latter willingly consented that the money should be employed for so holy a purpose, and the Masses were celebrated, being given two francs for each Mass.

We call attention to the circumstance of the Mass donations, because it corresponded with the pious cus¬tom of the deceased. The fee for a Mass fixed by the diocese at that time was a franc and a half, but during her lifetime Eugenie-through consideration and charity for the clergy, many of whom were quite poor- always gave two francs for each Mass that she made offerings for. Thus the extra 1/2 a frank Mass offering that she normally made was an act of charity and additional financial support for the priests who celebrated them.

Two months after the first apparition, while Masses were still being said for Eugenie’s intentions, Barbara was again awakened during the night. This time her chamber was illuminated with a bright light, and her mistress appeared before her with a radiant smile, beautiful and fresh in appearance as in the days of her youth, and was dressed in a robe of dazzling whiteness—“Barbara," she said in a clear voice, “I thank you! For I am now delivered from the place of purification.' Saying these words, she disappeared, and the chamber became dark as before.

The servant, amazed at what she had just seen, was full of joy, and she soon spread the remarkable story to everyone about the town . This apparition made the most lively impression upon her mind, and she pre¬serves to this day the most consoling remembrance of it. It is from her that we have these details, through the favor of the venerable Abbe L., who was curate at Ardoye when these facts occurred.

This is but one of the many stories in regards to the power and efficacy of the Holy Mass wherein the Son of God Himself offers Himself upon the altar for the forgiveness of our sins, for it is a fact that of all that we can do in favor of the souls in Purgatory, there is nothing more powerful and precious than the offering of immolation of our Divine Saviour upon the altar. Besides being the express doctrine of the Church as manifested in her Councils, there are many mirac¬ulous facts, properly authenticated, which leave no room for doubt in regard to this point.

In evidence to this we now provide another incident, related by the historian Ferdinand of Castile. From 1324-1327 there was at Cologne two Dominican Religious of distinguished talent, one of whom was Blessed Henry Suso (1295-1366). They shared the same studies, the same kind of life, and above all the same desire for sanctity, which had caused them to form an close friendship.

When they had finished their studies, seeing that they were about to be separated to return each one to his own convent, they agreed and promised one another that the first of the two who should die should be assisted by the other for a whole year by the celebration of two Masses each week--on Monday a Mass of Requiem, as was customary, and on Friday that of the Passion, in so far as the Rubrics would permit. They promised each other that they would do this, gave each other the kiss of peace, and left Cologne.

For several years they both continued to serve God with the most edifying fervor. The priest religious whose name is not mentioned was the first to be called away, and Father Suso received the news with sentiments of resignation to the Divine will. As to the contract they had made, time had caused him to forget it. However, he prayed much for his friend, imposing new penances upon himself and many other good works, but he did not think of offering the Masses which he had promised a number of years previously.

One morning, while meditating in retirement in the chapel, he suddenly saw appear before him the soul of his departed friend, who, regarding him with tenderness, reproached him with having been unfaithful to his word from which he had a perfect right to rely upon with confidence. Blessed Suso, surprised, excused his forgetfulness by relating the many prayers and mortifications which he had offered, and still continued to offer, for his friend, whose salvation was as dear to him as his own.

"Is it possible, my dear brother;' he added, "that so many prayers and good works which I have of¬fered to God do not suffice for you?" "Oh no," dear brother, replied the suffering soul, "these are not yet sufficient. It is the Blood of Jesus Christ that is needed to extinguish the flames by which I am consumed; it is the Holy Sacrifice which will deliver me from these frightful torments. I implore you to keep your word, and refuse me not that which in justice you owe me."

Blessed Suso hastened to respond to the appeal of the suffering soul; he contacted as many priests as possible and urged them to say Masses for his friends intentions and, to repair his fault, he celebrated, and caused to be celebrated, a large number of Masses that very same day. On the following day several priests, at the request of Father Suso, united with him in offering the Holy Sacrifice for the deceased, and he continued his act of charity for several days.

After a short time the priest friend of Suso again appeared to him, but now in a very different condition; his countenance was joyful, and he was surrounded with beautiful light. "Thanks be to you, my dear friend” he said “behold, by the Blood of my Saviour I am delivered from my sufferings. I am now going to Heaven to contemplate Him whom we so often adored together under the Eucharistic veil."

Afterwards, Blessed Suso prostrated himself to ‘thank the God of infinite mercy, because he now understood more than ever the inestimable value of the Mass.’

Eugenie von der Leyen

Modern apparitions to Eugenie von der Leyen (1867-1929)

As to Saints and Blesseds, so far we have shared stories from St Padre Pio and Blessed Henry Suso. But there are many more canonized Saints who have been great helpers of the suffering souls. The most well known and recognized are St John Macias (who was known to have released literally thousands of souls from Purgatory during his holy lifetime), St. Augustine, St. Dom¬inic, St. Francis Xavier, St. Victor, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Nicolas of Tolentino, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Catherine of Genoa, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Gregory the Great, St. Odilon of Cluny, St. Francesca Romana, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Ambrose, St. Bonaventure, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Efraim, St. Peter Damian, St. Francis de Sales, St. Catherine of Genoa, and in modern times the recently canon¬ized saints Gemma Galgani, St. Padre Pio, and St Faustina Kowalska, to name but a few.

Since many of the stories of Purgatory from the above mentioned Saints are well known, the emphasis here is to provide the lesser known and nonetheless fascinating stories from sources and individuals not widely known or read, because in His infinite mercy, history is full of “everyday” persons whom on occasion God has permitted to assist the souls in Purgatory. I will say however that the one notable thing about such occurrences is that seers of souls from Purgatory are often reported to be especially good and pious persons, which is logical, for God permits a soul to appear so that it can be released from Pur¬gatory, or at least, that its suffering be greatly lessened, and a pious, compassionate person is more likely to respond to its requests by the offering of fervent sacrifices, sufferings and prayers which are the means which help the poor souls. In other words, such souls are “saintly” persons, without of course ever becoming canonized Saints.

One such soul is Eugenie von der Leyen (1867-1929) who kept a diary of the appearances of the souls in Purgatory to her. Eugenie was a well educated woman of high German nobility; in fact Eugenie bore the title of princess and lived in the ancestral castle at Waal, Bavaria, Germany. By order of her confessor, she kept diary of her contacts with the poor souls, which after her death was handed over to Bishop Eugenio Pacelli, who later became Pope Pius XII.

The Shepherd named Fritz –From the diary of Eugenie von der Leyen, 1923.

June 11, 1923. At awakening, a long grayish form over me, completely nebulous; I can't say whether man or woman, but unsym¬pathetic; I am very frightened.

June 14. The phantom was already in my room when I wanted to sleep. Then I said my evening-prayer aloud, during which it came very near to me. If it hadn't been for his arms, it rather would seem a walking tree-trunk. It stayed perhaps twenty minutes, then came back at four o'clock.

June 16. It was very bad. It shook my shoulder. That is a horrible moment. I struck him and said: "You may not touch me!" Where¬upon it withdrew in a corner. At my push, I didn't feel a body, it was like a humid, warm towel. I believed I couldn't stand such terror any longer.

June 18. Again this horrible thing; it wanted to clasp my neck. I prayed in fear and took the particle of the Cross [a holy relic she possessed] in my hand. Then it remained with me, staying upright and big before me. It didn't answer questions." then it went out through the door, which it left open.

June 19. I can recognize now that it is a man; he was only there for a short while.

June 21. The horrible man more than an hour during the night, went back and forth continuously. He has disheveled black hair and horrific eyes.

June 22. This man from one o'clock until past five with me, it was very bad. He repeatedly bowed over me and sat down at my bedside. I really wept for fear, then prayed the "hours" so that I didn't need to see him. Then he went again back and forth and moaned horribly. Now it seems to me I must know him, however I cannot find out who it is. I have become very cowardly, for many times it is really a decision for me to go to my room in the evening. Yet ordinarily I am able to fall asleep very well.

June 24. He came back, seized me at my shoulder. I said: "Now tell me what you want and then don't come back."

No answer; he went again through the room a couple of times and then was gone. My rest however was completely destroyed. At six in the morning he came back. In daylight he even looks more horrific, makes a disgusting impression, belongs to the dirtiest category of ghosts who have already come. I said: "Don't disturb me, I want to prepare myself for holy Communion!" Then he drew very near to me and lifted his hands imploringly. I was so sorry for him that I promised him a lot. Then I said: "Can't you speak?" Whereupon he shook his head. "Do you have much to suffer?" Now he moaned terribly. I gave him much holy water" and then he was gone.

June 27. He was there again, in the night. Seems to know me; I racked my brains as to who he might be. He is very unsympathetic.?

June 29. He was again in the room when I went to bed. It could be the murdered shepherd Fritz. I asked him at once, but he didn't react. I prayed with him, during which he fixed his eyes on me so angrily that I was really frightened. I asked him to go and then he went indeed.

June 30. He came very briefly; his moaning waked me up.

July 1. Again, I really believe it is shepherd Fritz. However his face is so black that I have difficulty recognizing him. But figure, nose, and eyes are wholly "he," as I saw him so many times in life.

July 2. He came back, didn't look so terribly wild anymore and stayed not for a long time. I addressed him as "shepherd Fritz," which he apparently found quite natural.

July 3. He came very briefly. I asked: ''Are you the murdered shepherd Fritz?" Then he said distinctly: "Yes!"

July 4. He came to me in the morning, looked sadly at me and went away soon, answered nothing, too.

July 5. Now it struck me that everything about him is clearer. During prayer, he made the Sign of the Cross.

July 6. I am very happy for he can speak now. I asked him: "Why do you always come to me?" He: "Because you have always prayed for me." (That is right, for I had always been sorry for the poor fellow; he always looked so particular, even as a boy.) I: "Then what saved you?" He: "Insight and repentance." I: "Weren't you dead immediately?" He: "No." I: "Will you be released soon?" He: "Not by far." Then I gave him permission to continue coming to me, if it does him well. How remarkable it is, that someone who was so rude in life speaks like that when separated from his body. Now I am not frightened by him anymore, and would like to help him as best I can. How merciful is the good Lord!

July 8. He came very briefly.

July 9. He came at 6:00am and by doing so woke me up. Otherwise I had overslept. I: "Is it so important for you that I go to holy Mass?" He:"That way, you can help me a lot."

July 11. Only came very briefly.

July 12. We prayed together," then I: "Then what do you have to suffer?" He: "I am burning!" Then he came up to me and before I could defend myself, he pressed a finger on my hand. I was frightened so much and it hurt me so much, that I screamed. Now I have a red burn which I hope will heal soon. It is a very strange feeling, to have this visible mark from the other world.

July 24. Shepherd Fritz and the other one came two times in the night, all silent, but [the new one] not very pleasant.

July 29. Nothing special to mention. Now these two are coming every night. The new one looks horrible, while shepherd Fritz becomes ever more bright!!

August 10. Shepherd Fritz drew so near to me again, but looked very friendly. So I said to him, "Don't you have to suffer so much anymore?" He: "No." and I: "Can you pray for me yet?" He: "No." and I: "Where are you then all the time?" He: "In the forlornness." I: "Will you still come often to me?" He: "No." and I: "Why not?" He: "I am not allowed to any more!" and I: "Have I been able to help you?" He: "Yes." Then he was gone….

To close this remarkable account, Father Sebastian Wieser, Eugenie's parish priest and confessor, comments:

“The behavior of this apparition is like the echo of his earthly life. I have known shepherd Fritz well -he was like a "billygoat" in the parish. In him, the greatness of the mercy of God really manifests itself. Rarely did he come to church. He had an only son, who in school became well known for his meanness, falsehood, and deceptions and caused many troubles to his teachers and those in authority over him. When the boy had to be punished at school, the father pulled out all the stops of his indignation over the schoolmaster and priest. I prophesied at that time that someday the father himself would get a beating from this only son!

When this son was seventeen years old and was big and quite strong, he beat his father to death at around midnight .... Nobody knew if Fritz was dead immediately or if he came to for a moment. The latter seems to have been the case. The murderer had knocked him down in the hay-barn and abandoned him to his fate. Only in the morning was the dead man discovered ....On the sixth of July he states that: "…insight and repentance" have saved him from damnation! On the twelfth day of July he says, "I am burning!" and presses a finger on the hand of the princess, which leaves a red burn which I have seen myself.” –Father Sebastian Wieser

Another modern account: St Gemma Galgani obtains the relief of a soul in Purgatory

The final account in this article will go to the webmasters favorite Saint: St Gemma Galgani (1878-1903). It is taken from the excellent book“The Life of St Gemma Galgani” by Venerable Father Germanus Ruoppolo C.P.:

"Gemma knew by Divine inspiration that in the Convent of Passionist Nuns at Corneto [Italy] there was a Religious Sister very dear to God who was near death. She asked me about it, and on my answering that it was so, she at once began to implore of Jesus to make that particular Religious expiate all her faults on her deathbed, so that breathing her last she might enter Paradise at once. Her prayer, at least in part, was heard. The Sister suffered greatly and died in a few months. Gemma told those in her home of it in order that they might pray for the deceased, and she gave her name, Maria Teresa of the Infant Jesus, as she was not known in Lucca. After her death, this soul appeared to her full of sorrow, imploring her help as she was undergoing great torments in Purgatory for certain defects.

Nothing more was needed to set all the fibers of Gemma's heart in motion. From that moment she gave herself no rest: she fervently offered prayers, tears and loving petitions to Our Lord.

"Jesus, save her," she was overheard to exclaim. "Jesus, take Maria Teresa to Paradise without delay. She is a soul that is most dear to Thee. Let me suffer much for her; I want her to be in heaven."

And during this time Gemma writes the following in her Diary:

"It was around 9:30 and I was reading; all of a sudden I am shaken by a hand resting gently on my left shoulder. I turn in fright; I was afraid and tried to call out, but I was held back. I turned and saw a person dressed in white; I recognized it was a woman; I looked and her expression assured me I had nothing to fear: "Gemma," she said after some moments, "do you know me?" I said no, because that was the truth; she responded: "I am Mother Maria Teresa of the Infant Jesus: I thank you so very much for the great concern you have shown me because soon I shall be able to attain my eternal happiness."

The extraordinary mystic, St Gemma Galgani

All this happened while I was awake and fully aware of myself. Then she added: "Continue still, because I still have a few days of suffering." And in so saying she caressed me and then went away. Her countenance, I must say, inspired much confidence in me. From that hour I redoubled my prayers for her soul, so that soon she should reach her objective; but my prayers are too weak; how I wish that for the souls in Purgatory my prayers should have the strength of the saints'."

And the dear victim of expiation suffered without ceasing for sixteen days, at the end of which God was pleased to accept her sacrifice and to release that soul. This is how Gemma herself told me of it:

“Toward half-past one it seemed to me that the Blessed Mother herself came to tell me that the holy hour I was making was drawing to an end. Then almost immediately I thought I saw Sr. Maria Teresa coming toward me clad as a Passionist, accompanied by her Guardian Angel and by Jesus. Oh, how she was changed since the day I first saw her! Smiling, she drew close to me and said: "I am truly happy, and I go to enjoy my Jesus forever." She thanked me again. Then she made sign of bidding me good-bye with her hand, several times, and with Jesus and her Guardian Angel she flew to Heaven. It was about half-past two o'clock in the morning.”

So You Want to Be a Saint — Secrets of Success

2013-11-02T00:52:00.002-07:00

Today on the feast of All Saints, Pope Francis revealed the secrets to holiness, saying it’s not some rare “privilege for the few,” but an inheritance everyone receives at baptism.

“Saints aren’t superheroes nor were they born perfect. They are like us, each one of us,” just that when they experienced the life-changing encounter with God,” they never left his side, the pope said during today’s Angelus address.

Pope Francis essentially gave a road-map today for how to follow this path to holiness. The path “has a name and a face,” he said. “It’s the face of Jesus Christ. He teaches us to become saints.”

So You Want to Be a Saint — Secrets of Success:

Experience God’s love.

Follow God with your whole heart, without compromise, without hypocrisy.

Spend your life serving others.

A volunteer distributes food at the Bank of the Poor in Valencia, Spain, June 12, 2012. According to Caritas Internationalis, more than 11 million people live under the edge of poverty in Spain. ( CNS photo/Heino Kalis, Reuters)

Bear suffering and adversity without hating. “Saints never hated,” the pope said, because love comes from God and hate comes from the devil. “Saints kept far away from the devil.”

Respond to evil with goodness.

Have a joyous heart and spread joy and peace to others.

Pray.

Follow the path of the Beatitudes (Mt. 5: 3-12).

Don’t derive your sense of security from things, but from God’s love.

Have a simple, humble heart.

Don’t assume you are righteous.

Don’t judge others.

Daughter of Charity Sister Sophie Boueri comforts a Palestinian child at a creche for abandoned children in Bethlehem, West Bank, Sept. 22, 2010. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Know how to suffer with those who suffer and rejoice with those who rejoice.

Don’t be violent. Be merciful.

Seek to be builders of reconciliation and peace. “Always help reconcile people and always help to bring peace.”

The pope said the path God shows us to holiness “is beautiful, it’s a beautiful journey!”

And along this journey, the pope said, the saints are on the sidelines encouraging everyone to not be afraid.

“Don’t be afraid to go against the current or to be misunderstood and derided when we speak about (Jesus) and the Gospels.”

The saints’ message to people today is “trust in the Lord because he never disappoints. He is a good friend, always by our side.”

counsel

2013-10-31T01:06:00.001-07:00

There were many things that bothered my mind or even my own justification of the events. What are the reasons behind all these? Beyond my immeasurable quests that I seek for answers but only giving me sign which I'm not sure if they’re good or bad? Then I beg for counsel… what’s really happening at this stage of my journey called life? :)

There were many, I may call special encounters that’s affecting me deeply or even causes some confusion within and without. Are they another unending quest that’s asking for more concrete and meaningful signal? Or just part of my discouragement called “original sin”? or could this be my own temptations or worst done by other principalities around that roars silently like lions and sharks and taking advantage of the weaknesses and pit-holes inside out? These wounds of helplessness that are killing me softly like helpless devotions… are there escapes from all of these entanglement?

Desiderata

2012-10-02T13:45:00.002-07:00

Desiderata - Words for Life by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

THE GENTLE ART OF BLESSING

2012-10-02T13:43:00.001-07:00

THE GENTLE ART OF BLESSING

by Pierre Pradervand

On awakening, bless this day, for it is already full of unseen good which your blessings will call forth; for to bless is to acknowledge the unlimited good that is embedded in the very texture of the universe and awaiting each and all.

On passing people in the street, on the bus, in places of work and play, bless them. The peace of your blessing will accompany them on their way and the aura of its gentle fragrance will be a light to their path.

On meeting and talking to people, bless them in their health, their work, their joy, their relationships to God, themselves, and others. Bless them in their abundance, their finances...bless them in every conceivable way, for such blessings not only sow seeds of healing but one day will spring forth as flowers of joy in the waste places of your own life.

As you walk, bless the city in which you live, its government and teachers, its nurses and streetsweepers, its children and bankers, its priests and prostitutes. The minute anyone expresses the least aggression or unkindness to you, respond with a blessing: bless them totally, sincerely, joyfully, for such blessings are a shield which protects them from the ignorance of their misdeed, and deflects the arrow that was aimed at you.

To bless means to wish, unconditionally, total, unrestricted good for others and events from the deepest wellspring in the innermost chamber of your heart: it means to hallow, to hold in reverence, to behold with utter awe that which is always a gift from the Creator. He who is hallowed by your blessing is set aside, consecrated, holy, whole. To bless is yet to invoke divine care upon, to think or speak gratefully for, to confer happiness upon - although we ourselves are never the bestower, but simply the joyfull witnesses of Life's abundance.

To bless all without discrimination of any sort is the ultimate form of giving, because those you bless will never kmow from whence came the sudden ray of sun that burst through the clouds of their skies, and you will rarely be a witness to the sunlight in their lives.

When something goes completely askew in your day, some unexpected event knocks down your plans and you too also, burst into blessing: for life is teaching you a lesson, and the very event you believe to be unwanted, you yourself called forth, so as to learn the lesson you might balk against were you not to bless it. Trials are blessings in disguise, and hosts of angels follow in their path.

To bless is to acknowledge the omnipresent, universal beauty hidden to material eyes; it is to activate that law of attraction which, from the furthest reaches of the universe, will bring into your life exactly what you need to experience and enjoy.

When you pass a prison, mentally bless its inmates in their innocence and freedom, their gentleness, pure essence and unconditional forgiveness; for one can only be prisoner of one's self-image, and a free man can walk unshackled in the courtyard of a jail, just as citizens of countries where freedom reigns can be prisoners when fear lurks in their thoughts.

When you pass a hospital, bless its patients in their present wholeness, for even in their suffering, this wholeness awaits in them to be discovered. When your eyes behold a man in tears, or seemingly broken by life, bless him in his vitality and joy: for the material senses present but the inverted image of the ultimate splendor and perfection which only the inner eye beholds.

It is impossible to bless and to judge at the same time. So hold constantly as a deep, hallowed, intoned thought that desire to bless, for truly then shall you become a peacemaker, and one day you shall, everywhere, behold the very face of God.

possibilities too

2012-08-29T07:07:00.004-07:00

power to the communities...

everything posted in the group/s of culion
are of helpful in many different ways
and in unique revelations
that really make us grow
and know each other well
and that is the beauty of it all!
we don't have to be closed doors
when something different or unique
or not compatible with what
we perceived
we encounter along the way
and shoot our minds & hearts.
we need to be open in a
possibly 4 doors in our life...
the door that we know that others don't know
the door that we don't know but others know
the door that we both know and
the door that only God knows...
the danger is the door that sometimes
we forcefully want to open that is not for us
or the one we don't want to open
there lies the borderline...
it's either we don't want to
open and close ourselves
or we want to open it by force
even hurting others & ourselves...
drawing between the lines
of egoism & altruism
of vices & virtues.
no my point here is we all want to grow
everything we do here will
determined our identity
as how we build ourselves
how we matured
especially in the image
that really reflects life
not illusions and confusions...
we encounter many obstacles
within & without
and we will find ways
of managing them
that will make our journey
peacefully even in the midst
of storms or conflicts
and nothing can stop us
this is what we are trying to define
this is what we want to understand
that's why
we need to move & to grow
not to become stagnant...
and one biggest challenge is the
definition of basin vs ppa
and the real objectives of this collective force
one of this is the true spirit of culion
and conquer all our gaps..
then we'll all be in peace.
all become one

we have to draw between the lines now

give us your share then...
seriously or not we need to be solid first.

or tell us what confuses 'us'?

by all means we have to grow...
we'll continue to learn
because the only constant (that never change:)
is change.

smile

"power to the people"

teachers & students of modernity?

2012-07-29T03:43:00.001-07:00

we are trying to analyze our town in a more deeper sense... if not our very own selves. more than pitogo, more than rhu.. and more than land grabbing etc. etc. ;)) so what are these treasures? or how to find the real or deeper meaning of culion? ..we must be an example and this is the reason why we are doing all these things. then we can hope to find other calling beyond what we truly need; we need to have our true destiny... because we are not mere 'x' we got to be a 'factor'... ;)))

Culion is becoming progressive and the future for this 'Isla' is becoming so bright - the place itself is a magnet for tourism, the LCC- the Jesuit run College, the museum, the good historical Church and yes the natural resources - who would have asked for more? Progress is slowly deteriorating the eco friendly 'Isla' if that is how we look at progress, but we can also use this progress to make it even more progressive, it is just a matter of how each one in this place functions. there will always be against, there will always be anti environment, there will always be risks... but we should not stop, esp. the dynamism and the activism of the people for the protection of the place, as in the past experiences of the place compared with what we are experiencing now or in the next years to come? it could seems even better and looking forward to see Culion in the future for a better place to stay... hoping the LGU will do even better to free the place with the mentioned drugs and the like..

but there are other men who want to control Culion... to perdition? can we allow this? as we always said - for an evil to triumph, it is when few good men not to do anything!?. Unfortunately these men are in triumph nowadays against the less than a few good men who can study their kind of modernity whom they called themselves as teachers but in contradictions too. Then which is better the golden past or the destructive future? Look at the earth today in general can yo still reverse the global warming with the moderated greed of these so called teachers of modernity? mirrored in culion?.. ;))

But sorry to say culion was even modern than it is now where these so called teachers are the ones who moved backward. The past peoples of culion were all empowered by the brotherhood and communities not to mention the family.. then what have we today? we cannot even form ourselves into one people's coalition? They simply cut the classes? Ahhh we can only wonder ;)) these are the balances we need in order to recognize the violations being made by the present.. ;-) sorry for these quests..

there are lots of issues facing our world today, and Culion is not isolated from all these issues: two things; - one, if we will not dance with the music of modernity, what will our young generations' future become? Isn't that technological ignorance similar to mis education as a crime against self improvement and progress? How can we face Climate problems if we will not welcome modernization to enter? But we need to acknowledge these problems, esp. the presence of myopic individual in the place.. and then modernity is not a problem at all. it is the myopic the self-serving few causing the problem... Two; if only myopic people or we call politicians and oligarchs are showing symptoms of the problems, we may be insulting the rule of law as well as the capacity of people living in that area to resist these people. we hope 'free will' is still free in that area and democracy still rules in our country and reaches Culion in no time...

we also observed these kind of balancing in Culion, the gestures of goodness of people from all walks of life, and as far as our observation is concerned, it should not the few oligarchs that rules the place - we still have the rule of law and we still have the majority of people in this beautiful place who should dictate the future of Culion, let us not allow these evil few to rule, instead let the process of cooperation as well as education to win the race for Culion, the true signs of progress then we eternally thank the presence of Jesuits in the area, they can make and spell out the big difference! Magis, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! (more "For the greater glory of God")

ahh yes we never ever blamed the true sense of development or the goodness of technologies. because this is the hope we badly needed even until this very moment.. the problem dwells on the confusions of our leaders now against our past teachers. in today's world they mostly concentrate on the progress that cause to loss the good values where our forefathers treasured most.. There lies the big difference. Our past & present new leaders lost the opportunities - but instead we have indifference and corruptions! ? They cannot even repair the water system and electricity? or as simple as to connect the internet there in our town? then if they only followed our former teachers they could have maximized the use of what we call now technology, but instead we have torpidity? Culion was already advanced in resources and technology 40 or 50 years back, can we imagine or realized that?

yes there will be more works, mostly miracles for Culion. let us wake up now and see the old Culion in a true sense of progress, eco-friendly, tourists destination in the North of Palawan. Young generations as well as the Jesuit trained and educated young people should always take a stand, no matter what. if it is for the greatest good. let's do it. or do we have other choice?..

we are forever searching now for this young genes to have the kind of heart who love our place more than the past generation/s. we cannot wish it anymore we have no other choice but to do it. and will continue to do, hoping to bear fruits much sweeter than the harvest of the past. with all the help of our friends, families and communities in Culion who are true Culionaires in hearts and minds... and remain vigilant for Culion as the the heart and soul of the place. also as a core group or leaders who can ride with this so called "hope" that we cling here. cultivating the grassroot before it's too late as we are chasing time now. This was our quests since the beginning of time immemorial... Hmm isn't it exciting? so with the continued guidance of our forefathers and the spiritual directors we will continue to study, train and acquire great knowledge, the future of Culion depend much on the training and the laurels its people would bring for this chosen endeavor...

We have great plans and continuing our studies plus our high hope that needs to be balanced in order to fathom the greatness that our town had and could be.. guarding the great threats being mentioned here. like the spinning of the minds and hearts of our people in the guise of sheep's clothes where we cannot even recognize what is right and what is wrong?? this is our greatest fear now... The distortions of our moral capacity.. With the price tags as if they are in service but the absolute opposite?! Where truth becomes lie and the lie becomes the truth?... ;(so be vigilant batang culion. be valiant:) courage! and in positive views, we are not isolated anymore compared from the past... now becoming student of modernity as the good news too.. so let us continue to educate ourselves and the young generation to learn the good lesson of modernity... and of course the lessons of the 'past'...

walls and iniquities..

2012-07-28T23:26:00.001-07:00

walls of iniquities

We continuously question the present situation of our dear town reckoning the past in order to bring back the sense of belongingness to our community and families, or to look back at least from its effective and great achievements including their values... One big significant were the negligence of the very heart of our town like some historical sites, done by the underdevelopment of PPA or the Philippine Port Authority authored by no other than the devious motives and torpidity of an executive order with its obvious flaws and unfounded assertions.

There are other iniquities in Culion that are not properly addressed or were simply neglected. So we are oblige to plainly speak the truth like this question of leadership and address realistically the program to resolve these concerns in solving the alarming lies of plundering disorders. Like the power shortage, the problem of water system, the sea and coral reef destruction through its illegal and rampant dynamite fishing, the illegal kaingin system, very weak income production, very low infrastructure development around the place, inaccessible roads to remote areas, the fire brigade and services, the 'bantay kalikasan' programs raising public awareness and understanding on environmental issues and concerns plus the effective enforcement of relevant ecological policies and laws... Not to mention the cancer of poverty.

These are the basic if not the major concern of the place now. So we really need to work hard, cooperate with each other plus the willingness to change our community and ourselves, to be able to transform and correct what is wrong in our town. Through empowerment, community development, education and values reform…

roads to perdition

Another big significant issue is the looming sinister of land grabbing or illegal land titling, in the guise of ‘cadastral’ that should be guided by Republic Act (RA) 9032 identifying the land areas and its indigenous surrounding and protecting the rare endemic species of flora and fauna namely the pangolin or ‘Manis Culionensis’ and the dinosaur of the plant kingdom called Cycas Wadei locally known as ‘Pitogo’, named after its founder Dr. Wade who dedicated his life to serve Culion. A kind of destruction of their habitat and territories, grabbing their nesting places and sources of foods. The invasion of its natural habitat only endangered the heritage sites losing its conservation purposes where we can benefit in possible scientific discoveries and the tourism development. That in our big surprise the local government didn't even find a pen to sign the pending ordinance made by the former councilors supported by the Peoples Council of Culion submitted to them 2 years ago stating the preservation and protection of the said habitat and specie… plus of course the unfathomable issue of boundaries and territorial jurisdiction of our beloved town.

`Kayo po ang gumawa ng pagbabago'

2012-07-23T03:35:00.002-07:00

By President Benigno S. Aquino III

`Kayo po ang gumawa ng pagbabago. SONA ito ng sambayanang Pilipino’

(President Benigno S. Aquino III’ s third State of the Nation Address delivered before a joint session of Congress at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, on July 23, 2012)

Maraming salamat po. Maupo po tayong lahat.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay; mga dating Pangulong Fidel Valdez Ramos at Joseph Ejercito Estrada; ang ating mga kagalang-galang na mahistrado ng Korte Suprema; mga kagalang-galang na kagawad ng kalipunang diplomatiko; mga kagalang-galang na miyembro ng Kamara de Representante at ng Senado; mga pinuno ng pamahalaang lokal; mga miyembro ng ating Gabinete; mga unipormadong kasapi ng militar at kapulisan; mga kapwa kong nagseserbisyo sa taumbayan; at siyempre sa akin pong mga boss, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.

Ito po ang aking ikatlong SONA, at parang kailan lang nang nagsimula tayong mangarap. Parang kailan lang nang sabay-sabay tayong nagpasyang tahakin ang tuwid na daan. Parang kailan lang nang sinimulan nating iwaksi ang wang-wang, hindi lamang sa kalsada kundi sa sistemang panlipunan.

Dalawang taon na ang nakalipas mula nang sinabi ninyo, “Sawa na kami sa korupsyon; sawa na kami sa kahirapan.” Oras na upang ibalik ang isang pamahalaang tunay na kakampi ng taumbayan.

Gaya ng marami sa inyo, namulat ako sa panggigipit ng makapangyarihan. Labindalawang-taong gulang po ako nang idineklara ang Batas Militar. Bumaliktad ang aming mundo: Pitong taon at pitong buwang ipiniit ang aking ama; tatlong taong napilitang mangibang-bansa ang aking pamilya; naging saksi ako sa pagdurusa ng marami dahil sa diktadurya. Dito napanday ang aking prinsipyo: Kung may inaagrabyado’t ninanakawan ng karapatan, siya ang kakampihan ko. Kung may abusadong mapang-api, siya ang lalabanan ko. Kung may makita akong mali sa sistema, tungkulin kong itama ito. [Applause]

Matagal nang tapos ang Batas Militar. Tinanong tayo noon, “Kung hindi tayo, sino pa?” at “Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?” Ang nagkakaisang tugon natin: tayo at ngayon na. Ang demokrasyang ninakaw gamit ang paniniil at karahasan, nabawi natin sa mapayapang paraan; matagumpay nating pinag-alab ang liwanag mula sa pinakamadilim na kabanata ng ating kasaysayan.

Ngunit huwag po nating kalimutan ang pinag-ugatan ng Batas Militar: Kinasangkapan ng diktador ang Saligang Batas upang manatili sa kapangyarihan. At hanggang ngayon, tuloy pa rin ang banggaan sa pagitan ng gusto ng sistemang parehas, laban sa mga nagnanais magpatuloy ng panlalamang.

Mula sa unang araw ng ating panunungkulan, walang ibang sumalubong sa atin kundi ang mga bangungot ng nawalang dekada.

Nariyan po ang kaso ng North Rail. Pagkamahal-mahal na nga nito, matapos ulitin ang negosasyon, nagmahal pa lalo. Sa kabila nito, binawasan ang benepisyo. Ang labingsiyam na trainsets naging tatlo, at sa mga estasyon, mula lima, naging dalawa. Ang masaklap pa po, pinapabayaran na sa atin ang utang nito, now na.

Nariyan ang walang pakundangang bonus sa ilang GOCC, sa kabila ng pagkalugi ng kanilang mga ahensya. Nariyan ang isang bilyong pisong pinasingaw ng PAGCOR para sa kape. Nariyan ang sistemang pamamahala sa PNP na isinantabi ang pangangailangan sa armas ng 45 porsiyento ng kapulisan, para lang kumita mula sa lumang helicopter na binili sa presyong brand new.

Wala na ngang iniwang panggastos, patung-patong at sabay-sabay pa ang mga utang na kailangang bayaran na. Mahaba ang iniwang listahan na tungkulin nating punuan: Ang 66,800 na backlog sa classrooms, na nagkakahalaga ng tinatayang 53.44 billion pesos; ang 2,573,212 na backlog sa mga upuan, na nagkakahalaga naman ng 2.31 billion pesos. Nang dumating tayo, may halos tatlumpu’t anim na milyong Pilipinong hindi pa miyembro ng PhilHealth. Ang kailangan para makasali sila: maaaring umabot sa 42 billion pesos. Idagdag pa po natin sa lahat ng iyan ang 103 billion pesos na kailangan para sa modernisasyon ng Hukbong Sandatahan. Sa harap ng lahat ng ito, ang iniwan sa ating pondo na malaya nating magagamit: 6.5 percent ng kabuuang budget para sa natitirang anim na buwan ng 2010. Para po tayong boksingerong isinabak sa laban nang nakagapos na nga ang mga kamay at paa, nakapiring pa ang mga mata, at kakampi pa ng kalaban ang referee at ang mga judge.

Kaya nga sa unang tatlong buwan ng aming panunungkulan, inaabangan namin ang pagdating ng Linggo para maidulog sa Panginoon ang mga bangungot na humaharap sa amin. Inasahan naming mangangailangan ng ‘di bababa sa dalawang taon bago magkaroon ng makabuluhang pagbabago. Bibigyan kaya tayo ng sapat na pag-unawa ng taumbayan?

Subalit kung may isang bagay mang nakatatak na sa ating lahi, at makailang ulit na nating pinatunayan sa buong mundo: Walang hindi makakaya ang nagkakaisang Pilipino. Nangarap po tayo ng pagbabago; nakamit natin ang pagbabago; at ngayon, karaniwan na ito. [Applause]

Ang kalsadang pinondohan ninyo ay tuwid, patag, at walang bukol; ang tanging tongpats ay aspalto o semento. Karaniwan na po ito.

Ang sitwasyon kung paparating ang bagyo: nakaabang na ang relief, at hindi ang tao ang nag-aabang ng relief. Nag-aabang na ring umalalay ang rescue services sa taumbayan, at hindi tayo-tayo lang din ang sumasaklolo sa isa’t isa. Karaniwan na po ito.

Ang wang-wang sa lansangan, galing na lang sa pulis, ambulansya, o bumbero—hindi sa opisyal ng gobyerno. Karaniwan na rin po ito. Ang gobyernong dating nang-aabuso, ngayon, tunay na kakampi na ng Pilipino. [Applause]

Nagpatupad po tayo ng reporma: tinanggal ang gastusing hindi kailangan, hinabol ang mga tiwali, at ipinakita sa mundong open for business under new management na ang Pilipinas.

Ang dating sick man of Asia, ngayon, punung-puno na ng sigla. Nang nagkaroon tayo ng positive credit rating action, ang sabi ng iba, tsamba. Ngayong walo na po sila, tsamba pa rin kaya? [Applause] Sa Philippine Stock Exchange index, nang una nating nahigitan ang 4,000 na index, may mga nagduda. Ngayon, sa dami ng all-time high, pati economic managers, nahirapan yata sa pagbilang, at ako rin po ay nagulat: nakakaapatnapu’t apat na pala tayo, at bihira nang bumaba sa 5,000 ang index. [Applause] Nito pong first quarter ng 2012, ang GDP growth natin, 6.4 percent; milya-milya ang layo niyan sa mga prediksyon, at pinakamataas sa buong Southeast Asian region; pangalawa po ito sa Asya, sunod lang tayo sa Tsina. [Applause] Kung dati po, tayo ang laging nangungutang, ngayon, hindi po birong tayo na ang nagpapautang. [Applause] Dati, namamalimos tayo ng investments; ngayon, sila na ang dumadagsa. Ang mga kumpanyang Hapon, sa isang pagpupulong po namin, ang sabi ay, “Baka gusto n’yo kaming silipin. Hindi nga kami ang pinakamura, pero una naman kami sa teknolohiya.” Pati pinuno ng isa pong malaking bangko sa Inglatera, kamakailan nakipag-usap sa atin, ang sinabi, maisali sana sila sa ating kinukunsulta sa usapang pinansyal.

Sa bawat sulok ng mundo, nagpapakita ng paghanga ang mga komentarista. Ayon sa Bloomberg Businessweek, and I quote: “Keep an eye on the Philippines.” Ang Foreign Policy magazine, pati isa sa mga pinuno ng ASEAN 100, nagsabing maaari daw tayong maging, and I quote, “Asia’s Next Tiger.” [Applause] Sabi ni Ruchir Sharma, pinuno ng Emerging Market Equities and Global Macro ng Morgan Stanley, I quote: “The Philippines is no longer a joke.” At mukha naman pong hindi siya nambobola, dahil tinatayang isang bilyong dolyar ang ipinasok ng kanyang kumpanya sa atin pong bansa. [Applause] Sana nga po, ang kaliwa’t kanang paghanga ng taga-ibang bansa, masundan na ng lokal na tagapagbalita. [Applause]

Sinisiguro po nating umaabot ang kaunlaran sa mas nakakarami. Alalahanin po natin: Nang mag-umpisa tayo, may 760,357 na kabahayang benepisyaryo ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Tinarget [target] natin itong paabutin sa 3.1 million sa loob ng dalawang taon. Pebrero pa lang po ng taong ito, naiparehistro na ang ikatlong milyong kabahayang benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya. [Applause] Sa susunod na taon naman, palalawakin pa natin ang sakop nito sa 3.8 milyong bahay; limang beses po ang laki niyan sa dinatnan natin.

Pangmatagalan po ang impact ng proyektong ito. Hindi pa kumpleto ang mga pag-aaral, pero ngayon pa lang, maganda na ang ipinapakita ng numero. Base sa listahan ng DSWD: May 1,672,977 na mga inang regular nang nagpapacheck-up. 1,672,814 na mga batang napabakunahan laban sa diarrhea, polio, tigdas at iba pa. Four point fifty-seven million na estudyanteng hindi na napipilitang mag-absent dahil sa kahirapan. [Applause]

Sa kalusugan naman po: Nang dumating tayo, animnapu’t dalawang porsiyento lamang ng mga Pilipino ang naka-enrol sa PhilHealth. Ang masaklap, hindi pa masiguro kung lahat sila ay kabilang sa mga totoong nangangailangan ng kalinga ng estado, o buwenas lang na malapit sa politiko. Ngayon po, 85 percent ng lahat ng mamamayan, miyembro na nito. [Applause] Ang ibig pong sabihin, 23.31 million na Pilipino ang naidagdag sa mga saklaw ng PhilHealth mula nang bigyan tayo ng mandato. [Applause]

Ang maganda pa rito: ang 5.2 million na pinakamahirap na kabahayang tinukoy ng National Household Targeting System, buong-buo at walang-bayad nang makikinabang sa benepisyo ng PhilHealth. [Applause] Dahil po sa No Balance Billing policy ng Department of Health, ang lunas para sa dengue, pneumonia, asthma, katarata, gayundin ang pagpapagamot sa mga catastrophic disease tulad ng breast cancer, prostate cancer, at acute leukemia, makukuha na nang libre ng mga pinakamahirap nating kababayan. [Applause]

Ito po ang proseso ng pagpapagamot para sa kanila: Papasok ka sa alinmang ospital ng gobyerno. Ipapakita mo ang iyong PhilHealth card. Magpapagamot ka. At uuwi kang maginhawa nang walang inilabas ni isang kusing.

Sabi nga po sa isa sa mga briefing na dinaluhan natin, apat sa sampung Pilipino, hindi man lamang nakakakita ng health professional sa tanang buhay nila. Sa iba po, mas malaki pa: may nagsasabing anim sa bawat sampung Pilipino ang pumapanaw nang malayo sa kalinga ng health professional. Anuman ang ating pagbatayan, hindi po maikakaila: nakakabahala ang bilang ng mga Pilipinong hindi naaabot ang serbisyong pangkalusugan ng pamahalaan. Tinutugunan na po natin ito. Mula sa sampung libo noong dumating tayo, umabot na sa 30,801 ang mga nurse at midwife na ating nai-deploy sa ilalim ng RNHeals Program. [Applause] Idagdag pa po natin sa kanila ang mahigit labing-isang libong Community Health Teams na nagsisilbing tulay upang higit na mapatibay ang ugnayan ng mga doktor at nurse sa komunidad.

At kung dati tutungo lamang ang mga nurse kung saan makursunadahan ng kanilang hepe, ngayon, dahil sa tamang targeting, kung saan sila kailangan, doon sila ipinapadala: [applause] sa mga lugar na matagal nang naiwan sa laylayan ng lipunan. Ipinadala po ang ating mga health professional sa 1,021 na pook na saklaw ng Pantawid Pamilya, at sa 609 na pinakamahihirap na lungsod at munisipyo, ayon sa pag-aaral ng National Anti-Poverty Commission. [Applause]

Dalawang problema po ang natutugunan nito: bukod sa nagkakatrabaho at nabibigyan ng work experience ang libu-libong nurse at midwife na dati ay walang mapaglalaanan ng kanilang kaalaman, nagiging abot-kamay din ang dekalidad na kalinga para sa milyun-milyon nating kababayan.

Subalit hindi pa po tayo makukuntento rito, dahil ang hangad natin: kalusugang pangkalahatan. Nagsisimula ito, hindi sa mga pagamutan, kundi sa loob mismo ng kanya-kanya nating tahanan. Ibayong kaalaman, bakuna, at checkup ang kailangan upang mailayo tayo sa karamdaman. Dagdag pa po diyan ang pagsisikap nating iwasan ang mga sakit na puwede namang iwasan.

Halimbawa: Nabanggit ko ang mosquito traps kontra dengue noong nakaraang taon.Alam naman po ninyo, ang mga syantipiko mahigpit sa pagsisiyasat. Maaga pa para sabihing siguradong-sigurado na tayo, pero nakaka-engganyo po ang mga paunang resulta nitong programang ito.

Sinubok natin ang bisa ng mosquito traps sa mga lugar kung saan naitala ang pinakamataas na insidente ng dengue. Sa buong probinsya ng Bukidnon noong 2010, may 1,216 na kaso. Nang inilagay ang mga mosquito trap noong 2011: mukhang nakatulong dahil bumaba ito sa tatlumpu’t pito; 97 percent raw po ang reduction po ito. Sa bayan ng Ballesteros at Claveria sa Cagayan, may 228 na kaso ng dengue noong 2010. Pagdating ng 2011, walo na lang ang naitala. Sa Catarman, Northern Samar: 434 na kaso ng dengue noong 2010, naging apat na lang noong 2011. [Applause]

Panimulang pag-aaral pa lamang po ito. Pero ngayon pa lang, marapat na yata nating pasalamatan sina Secretary Ike Ona ng DOH at Secretary Mario Montejo ng DOST, [Applause] Wala naman tayong masyadong umento, [palakpak ninyo na lang] para naman ganahan silang lalong magsaliksik at mag-ugnayan.

Marami pa po tayong kailangang solusyonan. Nakakabahala ang mataas pa ring maternal mortality ratio ng bansa. Kaya nga po gumagawa tayo ng mga hakbang upang tugunan ang pangangailangan sa kalusugan ng kababaihan. Nais din nating makamit ang Universal Health Care, at magkaroon ng sapat na kagamitan, pasilidad, at tauhan ang ating mga institusyong pangkalusugan.

Sa pagtugon natin sa mga ito, malaki ang maiaambag ng Sin Tax Bill. Maipasa na po sana ito sa lalong madaling panahon. [Applause] Mababawasan na ang bisyo, madadagdagan pa ang pondo para sa kalusugan.

Ano naman kaya ang sasalubong sa kabataan pagpasok sa paaralan? Sa lilim ng puno pa rin kaya sila unang matututo ng abakada? Nakasalampak pa rin kaya sila sa sahig habang nakikipag-agawan ng textbook sa kaklase nila?

Matibay po ang pananalig natin kay Secretary Luistro: Bago matapos ang susunod na taon, ubos na ang minana nating 66,800 na kakulangan sa silid-aralan. [Applause] Ulitin ko po, next year pa po ‘yan; 40,000 pa lang this year. Ang minana po nating 2,573,212 na backlog sa upuan, tuluyan na rin nating matutugunan bago matapos ang 2012. [Applause] Sa taon din pong ito, masisimot na rin ang 61.7 million na backlog sa textbook upang maabot na, sa wakas, ang one is to one ratio ng aklat sa mag-aaral. [Applause] Sana nga po, ngayong paubos na ang backlog sa edukasyon, sikapin nating huwag uling magka-backlog dahil sa dami ng estudyante. Sa tingin ko po, Responsible Parenthood ang sagot dito. [Applause]

At para naman po hindi mapag-iwanan ang ating mga State Universities and Colleges, mayroon tayong panukalang 43.61 percent na pag-angat sa kanilang budget para sa susunod na taon. [Applause] Paalala lang po: lahat ng ginagawa natin, may direksyon; may kaakibat na kondisyon ang dagdag-budget na ito. Kailangang ipatupad ang napagkasunduang SUC Reform Roadmap ng CHED at ng kaukulang state colleges and universities, upang siguruhing dekalidad ang magiging produkto ng mga pamantasang pinopondohan ng estado. Kung mataas ang grado ninyo sa assignment na ito, asahan ninyong dodoblehin din namin ang kayod para matugunan ang mga natitirang pangangailangan po ninyo. [Applause]

Panay addition po ang nagaganap sa ating budget sa edukasyon. Isipin po ninyo: ang budget ng DepEd na ipinamana sa atin noong 2010, 177 billion pesos. Ang panukala natin para sa 2013: 292.7 billion pesos. [Applause] Noong 2010, 21.03 billion pesos ang budget para sa SUCs. Taunan po iyang dinagdagan upang umabot na sa 37.13 billion pesos na panukala natin para sa 2013. [Applause] Pero sa kabila nito, ngayon pa lang, may nagpaplano nang magcut-classes para mag-piket sa Mendiola. Ganito po kasimple: ang 292.7 ay mas malaki sa 177, at ang 37.13 ay mas malaki sa 21.03. Kaya kung may magsasabi pa ring binawasan natin ang budget ng edukasyon, kukumbinsihin na lang namin ang inyong mga paaralan na maghandog ng remedial math class para sa inyo. [Laughter and applause] At sana po, sa mga klaseng iyon, pakiusap po, pasukan naman ninyo.

Nang maupo tayo, at masimulan ang makabuluhang reporma, minaliit ng ilan ang pagpapakitang-gilas ng pamahalaan. Kundi raw buwenas, ningas-kugon lang itong mauupos rin paglaon. May ilan pa rin pong ayaw magretiro sa paghahasik ng negatibismo; silang mga tikom ang bibig sa good news, at ginawang industriya na ang kritisismo.

Kung may problema kayo na bago matapos ang taon, bawat bata ay may sarili nang upuan at aklat, tingnan ninyo sila, mata sa mata, at sabihin ninyong, “Ayaw kong makapag-aral ka.”

Kung masama ang loob ninyo na ang 5.2 million na pinakamahihirap na kabahayang Pilipino ay maaari nang pumasok sa ospital nang hindi iniintindi ang gastos sa pagpapagamot, tingnan ninyo sila ulit, mata sa mata, at sabihin ninyong, “Ayaw kong gumaling ka.”

Kung nagagalit kayo na may tatlong milyong pamilyang Pilipino nang tumutungo sa katuparan ng kanilang mga pangarap dahil sa Pantawid Pamilya, tingnan ninyo sila, mata sa mata, at sabihin ninyong, “Ibabalik ko kayo sa kawalan ng pag-asa.” [Applause]

Tapos na ang panahon kung kailan choice lang ng makapangyarihan ang mahalaga. Halimbawa, ang dating namumuno sa TESDA, nagpamudmod ng mga scholarship voucher; ang problema, wala palang nakalaang pondo para rito. Natural, tatalbog ang voucher. Ang napala: 2.4 billion pesos ang sinisingil ng mahigit isanlibong eskwelahan mula sa pamahalaan. Nagpapapogi ang isang tao’t isang administrasyon; sambayanang Pilipino naman ang pinagbabayad ngayon.

Pumasok si Secretary Joel Villanueva; [applause] hindi siya nagpasindak sa tila imposibleng pagbabagong dapat ipatupad sa kanyang ahensya. Sa kabila ng malaking utang na minana ng TESDA, 434,676 na indibidwal pa rin ang kanilang hinasa sa ilalim ng Training for Work Scholarship Program. [Applause] Kongkretong tagumpay din po ang hatid ng TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Program (mas mahirap pong bigkasin kaysa sa resulta). Biruin po ninyo: Bawat isa sa 5,240 na sertipikadong Specialistas, kumikita na ngayon ng 562 pesos kada araw o 11,240 pesos kada buwan. Mas malaki pa po ito sa minimum wage. [Applause]

Mula sa pagkasanggol, hanggang sa pagkabinata, gumagana na ang sistema para sa mamamayan. Sinisiguro nating manganganak ng trabaho ang pagsigla ng ating ekonomiya.

Alalahanin po natin: para tumabla lang, kailangang makalikha taun-taon ng isang milyong bagong trabaho para sa mga new entrants. Ang nalikha po natin sa loob ng dalawang taon: halos 3.1 million na bagong trabaho. [Applause]

Ito po ang dahilan kung bakit pababa nang pababa ang unemployment rate sa bansa. Nang dumating tayo, eight percent ang unemployment rate. Naging 7.2 ito noong Abril ng 2011, at bumaba pa lalo sa 6.9 ngayong taon, sa buwan rin ng Abril. ‘Di po ba makatwirang mangarap na balang araw, bawat Pilipinong handang magbanat ng buto, may mapapasukang trabaho?

Tingnan na lamang po natin ang BPO sector. Noong taong 2000, limanlibo katao lang ang naempleyo sa industriyang ito. Fast forward po tayo: 638,000 katao na ang nabibigyang trabaho ng mga BPO, at labing-isang bilyong dolyar ang ipinasok nito sa ating ekonomiya noong taong 2011. Ang projection nga po, pagdating ng 2016, kung saan ako po ay magpapaalam na sa inyo, 25 billion dollars na ang maipapasok nito, at makakapag-empleyo ng 1.3 million na Pilipino. [Applause] Hindi pa po kasama rito ang tinatayang aabot sa 3.2 million na mga taxi driver, barista, mga sari-sari store, karinderya, at marami pang ibang makikinabang sa mga indirect jobs na malilikha dahil sa BPO industry.

Malaking bahagi din po ng ating job-generation strategy ang pagpapatayo ng sapat na imprastruktura. Sa mga nakapagbakasyon na sa Boracay, nakita na naman ninyo ang bagong-binyag nating terminal sa Caticlan. Nakalatag na rin po ang plano upang palawakin ang runway nito.

Magkakaroon pa po ‘yan ng mga kapatid: bago matapos ang aking termino, nakatayo na ang New Bohol Airport sa Panglao, [applause] New Legaspi Airport sa Daraga, at Laguindingan Airport sa Misamis Oriental. [Applause] Ia-upgrade na rin po natin ang ating international airports sa Mactan, Puerto Princesa, at Tacloban. [Applause] Dagdag pa po diyan ang pagpapaganda ng mga airport sa Butuan, Cotabato, Dipolog, Pagadian, Tawi-Tawi, Southern Leyte, at San Vicente sa Palawan. [Applause] Kami po sa Tarlac ay maghihintay na lang. [Laughter]

Pang-apat na Pangulo na po akong sasalo sa problema ng NAIA 3. Hindi lang po eroplano ang nag-take off at nag-landing dito: maging mga problema’t anomalya, lumapag din. Nagbitiw na po ng salita si Secretary Mar Roxas: bago tayo magkita sa susunod na SONA, maisasaayos na ang mga structural defects na minana natin sa NAIA 3. [Applause]

Nitong Hunyo po, nagsimula na ring umusad ang proseso para sa LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension project, na magpapaluwag sa trapik sa Las Piñas, Parañaque, at Cavite. [Applause] Dagdag pa diyan, para lalong mapaluwag ang traffic sa Kamaynilaan at mapabilis ang pagtawid mula North Luzon hanggang South Luzon Expressway, magkakaroon ng dalawang elevated NLEX–SLEX connector. Matatapos po ang mga ito sa 2015. [Applause] Magiging one hour and 40 minutes na lang ang biyaheng Clark papuntang Calamba oras na makumpleto ang mga ito. Bago po tayo bumaba sa puwesto, nakatayo na rin ang mga dekalidad na terminal sa Taguig, Quezon City, at Parañaque na paparadahan ng bus biyaheng probinsya, [applause] upang hindi na sila makisiksik pa sa EDSA.

Nagbago na po ang takbo ng usapan tungkol sa ahensyang dati’y itinuturing na pugad ng kapalpakan. Naalala ko po dati: Kapag tag-ulan at umapaw ang Tarlac River, nalulunod ang MacArthur Highway. Tutunawin nito ang aspalto; magbabaku-bako ang kalsada hanggang sa tuluyan na nga itong mawawala. Bilang kinatawan noon ng aking distrito, inireklamo ko po ito. Ang tugon ng DPWH: alam namin ang problema, alam namin ang solusyon, pero wala kaming pera. Kinailangan ko pong makiusap sa aking mga barangay, at ang sabi ko po sa kanila ay “Kung hindi natin ito uunahin, walang gagawa nito, at tayo rin ang mapeperhuwisyo.” Dati, panay ang “hoy, gising!” sa gobyerno, bakit wala daw kasing ginagawa. Ngayon ang reklamo, “sobra namang trapik, ang dami kasing ginagawa.” [Laughter and applause] Paalala lang din po: naisasaayos na natin ang mga kalsadang ito nang hindi nagtataas ng buwis. [Applause]

Bubuo tayo ng mga daanan, hindi ayon sa kickback o kursonada, pero ayon sa isang malinaw na sistema. Dahil hindi na bara-bara ang paglalagak natin ng pondo para sa mga proyekto, hindi na ito mapapako sa plano, totoong kalsada na ang pakikinabangan ng Pilipino. Nang maupo po tayo sa puwesto, 7,239 kilometers sa ating national road network ang hindi pa naisasaayos. 1,569 kilometers na nito ang naipaayos natin sa ilalim ng pamamahala ni Secretary Babes Singson; [applause] sa 2012—2,275 kilometers pa ang maidadagdag na natapos na rin po. Pati po ang mga kalsada at kurbadang mapanganib, tinutukoy at inaayos na gamit ang teknolohiya. Taun-taon po nating bubunuin ito, upang bago matapos ang aking termino, bawat pulgada ng ating national road network, maayos na po. Siyempre ‘wag la lang po n’yo dagdagan ang national road network.

Hindi lang kalsada, kundi pati sistema, isinasaayos sa DPWH. Dahil sa pagsunod sa tamang proseso ng bidding at procurement, 10.6 billion pesos na ang natipid ng kanilang ahensya mula 2011 hanggang nitong Hunyo. [Applause] Maging mga kontratista, batid ang positibong bunga ng reporma sa DPWH. Sabi nga po nila, “ang top 40 na kontratista, fully booked na raw po.”

Sana po hindi maantala ang pagpapatayo natin ng iba pang imprastraktura para hindi rin mapurnada ang paglago ng ibang industriya.

Kaakibat ng pagpapaunlad ng imprastruktura ang paglago ng turismo. Isipin po ninyo: Noong 2001, ang tourist arrivals sa ating bansa, 1.8 million. Nang dumating po tayo noong 2010, naglalaro ito sa 3.1 million. Mantakin po ninyo: sa hinaba-haba ng kanilang administrasyon, ang naidagdag nilang tourist arrivals, 1.3 million lamang; may ambag pa kaming kalahating taon diyan. Tayo naman po, Hunyo pa lang ng 2012—2.1 million na turista na ang napalapag. [Applause] Mas marami pang dadagsa sa peak season bago matapos ang taon, kaya hindi ako nagdududang maaabot natin ang quota na 4.6 million na turista para sa 2012. [Applause] Ibig sabihin po: 1.5 million na turista ang ating maidadagdag. Samakatuwid, sa dalawang taon, mas malaki ang magiging paglago ng ating tourist arrivals, kumpara sa naidagdag ng pinalitan natin sa loob ng siyam at kalahating taon. Hindi po tayo nagtataas ng bangko; nagsasabi lang po tayo ng totoo. [Applause]

Pero hindi nakuntento rito si Secretary Mon Jimenez. Sabi niya, kung sa Malaysia may bumisitang 24.7 million na turista noong 2011, at kung sa Thailand naman tinatayang 17 million, sa dinami-rami ng magagandang tanawin sa ating bansa, hindi naman siguro suntok sa buwan kung mangarap tayong pagdating ng 2016, sampung milyong turista na ang bibisita sa Pilipinas kada taon. [Applause] Kung patuloy na magkakaisa ang sambayanang Pilipino, gaya ng ipinamalas nating hirangin ang Puerto Princesa Underground River bilang isa sa New Seven Wonders of Nature, walang dudang makakamtan natin ito. Ang pahayag nga po natin sa daigdig: “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” [Applause] Kahit wala pang isang taon sa puwesto si Secretary Mon Jimenez, nagagapas na natin ang positibong bunga ng ating mga naipunlang reporma. Masasabi nga po nating pagdating sa turismo, “It’s really fun—to have Secretary Mon Jimenez as our Secretary.” [Applause]

Kung paglago po ang usapan, nasa tuktok ng listahan ang agrikultura. Kayod-kalabaw po si Secretary Alcala upang makapaghatid ng mabubuting balita. Dati, para bang ang pinapalago ng mga namumuno sa DA ay ang utang ng NFA. Twelve billion pesos ang minana nilang utang; ang ipinamana naman nila sa atin, 177 billion pesos.

Hindi po ba’t noon, pinaniwala tayo na 1.3 million metric tons ang kakulangan sa bigas, at para tugunan ito, ‘di bababa sa two million metric tons ang kanilang inangkat noong 2010. Parang unlimited rice sila kung maka-order ng bigas, pero dahil sobra-sobra, nabubulok lang naman ito sa mga bodega. Ang 1.3 million metric tons, unang taon pa lang, napababa na natin sa 860,000 metric tons. [Applause] Ngayong taon, 500,000 na lang, kasama pa ang buffer sakaling abutin tayo ng bagyo. [Applause] Huwag lang po tayong pagsungitan ng panahon, harinawa, sa susunod na taon ay puwede na tayong mag-export ng bigas. [Applause]

Ang sabi po ni Secretary Alcala: ang susi dito, makatotohanang programa sa irigasyon, at masigasig na implementasyon ng certified seeds program. [Applause] Ang masakit po, hindi bagong kaalaman ito; hindi lang ipinapatupad. Kung dati pa sila nagtrabaho nang matino, nasaan na kaya tayo ngayon?

Tingnan rin po natin ang industriya ng niyog at ang cocowater na dati tinatapon lang, ngayon, napapakinabangan na ng magsasaka. Noong 2009—483,862 liters ng cocowater ang iniluwas natin. Umangat po ito ng 1,807,583 liters noong 2010. Huwag po kayong magugulat: noong 2011: 16,756,498 liters [applause]—puwede ho bang ulitin iyon?—16,756,498 liters ng cocowater ang in-export ng Pilipinas. Ang coco coir naman, kung dati walang pumapansin, ngayon may shortage na dahil pinapakyaw ng mga exporter. Hindi natin sasayangin ang pagkakataong ito: bibili pa tayo ng mga bagong makinang magpoproseso ng bunot para makuha ang mga hiblang ginagawa mula sa coco coir. Sa susunod na taon, lalo nating mapapakinabangan ang industriya ng niyog: Naglaan na tayo ng 1.75 billion pesos upang mamuhunan at palaguin ito. [Applause]

Sinimulan po ng aking ina ang Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Nararapat lamang na matapos ang programang ito sa panahon ng aking panunungkulan. [Applause]

Isinasaayos na po ang sistema upang mapabilis ang pagpapatupad ng repormang agraryo. Ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang lahat ng hakbang upang maipamahagi sa ating magsasaka ang mga lupaing diniligan at pinagyaman ng kanilang pawis. Subalit mayroon pa rin pong ayaw paawat sa pagtatanim ng mga balakid. Ang tugon ko sa kanila: susunod tayo sa batas. Ang atas ng batas, ang atas ng taumbayan, at ang atas ko: Bago ako bumaba sa puwesto, naipamigay na dapat ang lahat ng lupaing sakop ng CARP. [Applause]

Liwanagin naman po natin ang nangyayari sa sektor ng enerhiya. Mantakin po ninyo: Dati po, umabot lang ang kawad ng kuryente sa barangay hall, “energized” na raw ang buong barangay. Kaya ganun na lang kung ipagmalaki nilang 99.98 percent na raw ng mga barangay sa bansa ang may kuryente. Pati ba naman sa serbisyong dapat ay matagal nang napapakinabangan ng Pilipino, nagkakagulangan pa? Kaya nga po, para subukan ang kakayahan ng DOE at NEA, naglaan tayo ng 1.3 billion pesos para pailawan ang unang target na 1,300 sitios, sa presyong isang milyong piso bawat isa. Nang matapos sila, ang napailawan sa inilaan nating pondo: 1,520 sitios, at gumastos lamang sila ng 814 million pesos. [Applause] Nagawa nila ito sa loob lamang ng tatlong buwan, at mas marami pa pong gagawin dito hangga’t matapos ang 36,000 sitios, na dati’y inaabot ng dalawang taon. Kay Secretary Rene Almendras, bilib talaga ako sa iyo; parang hindi ka nauubusan ng enerhiya. Sa paghahatid-serbisyo, hindi ka lang eveready, nagmistulang energizer bunny ka pa—you keep on going, and going, and going. [Applause]

Nangingibabaw na nga po ang liwanag sa ating bayan—liwanag na nagsiwalat sa krimeng nagaganap sa madidilim na sulok ng lipunan. Ang pinagsisikapang kitain ng Pilipino, hindi na magagantso. Patuloy po ang pagbaba ng crime volume sa buong bansa. Ang mahigit limandaan libong krimen na naitala noong 2009, mahigit kalahati po ang nabawas: 246,958 na lamang iyan nitong 2011. Dagdag pa rito: ang dating dalawanlibo’t dalawandaang kaso ng carnapping noong 2010, lampas kalahati rin ang ibinaba: 966 na lang po iyan pagdating ng 2011.

Ito nga po sana ang dalhin ng ating mga headline. Hindi po natin sinasabing wala nang krimeng nagaganap, pero palagay ko naman po, wala dapat magalit na nangalahati na ito. Si Raymond Dominguez na matagal nang labas-masok sa kulungan, hindi ba’t sa loob lamang ng mahigit isang taon, nasentensyahan at naipakulong na? Ang dalawa pa niyang kapatid ay sinampahan na rin natin ng kaso at kasalukuyan na ring nakabilanggo. May dalawang suspect sa bus bombing sa Makati noong nakaraang taon, ang isa po’y pumanaw na; ‘yung isa, humihimas na ng rehas. Kakosa niya ang mahigit sampung libong sangkot sa ilegal na droga na inaresto ng PDEA nitong 2011. [Applause]

Alam po nating hindi araw-araw ang laban ni Pacman, at hindi puwedeng iasa dito ang pagbaba ng krimen. Kaya nga po pinalalakas natin ang puwersa ng kapulisan. ‘Di po ba, nang dumating tayo, apatnapu’t limang porsyento ng ating kapulisan ang walang baril at umaasa sa anting-anting habang tumutugis ng masasamang-loob? [Laughter] May nanalo na po sa bidding, tinitiyak na lamang nating dekalidad ang kanilang mga produkto. Pagkatapos ng proseso, at itong taon po nating inaasahan ito, maipagkakaloob na ang 74,600 na baril na magagamit nila upang ipagtanggol at alagaan ang bayan, lipunan, at sarili. [Applause]

Dumako naman po tayo sa usapin ng pambansang tanggulan. May mga nagsabi na po na ang ating Air Force, “all air, at no force.” [Laughter] Imbes na alagaan ng estado, para bang sinasadyang ilagay sa alanganin ang ating mga sundalo. Hindi po tayo makakapayag na manatiling ganito.

Makalipas nga lang po ang isang taon at pitong buwan, nakapaglaan na tayo ng mahigit dalawampu’t walong bilyong piso para sa AFP Modernization Program. Aabutan na nito ang tatlumpu’t tatlong bilyong pisong pondo na ipinagkaloob sa nasabing programa sa nakalipas na labinlimang taon. [Applause] Bumubuwelo pa lang po tayo sa lagay na ‘yan: kapag naipasa na ang panukala nating AFP modernization bill sa Kongreso, makakapaglaan tayo ng pitumpu’t limang bilyong piso para sa susunod na limang taon.

Kasado na rin po ang tatlumpung milyong dolyar na pondong kaloob ng Estados Unidos para sa Defense Capability Upgrade and Sustainment of Equipment Program ng AFP. Bukod pa po ito sa tulong nila upang pahusayin pa ang pagmanman sa ating mga baybayin sa ilalim ng itatayong Coast Watch Center ng Pilipinas.

Nagka-canvass na rin po ang Sandatahang Lakas ng mga kagamitan tulad ng mga kanyon, armored personnel carrier, at frigates. Hindi magtatagal, dadaong na ang karelyebo ng BRP Gregorio del Pilar sa ating pampang. Sa Enero, aangkla na po sa Pilipinas ang BRP Ramon Alcaraz, ang pangalawa nating Hamilton class cutter. ‘Di na po bangkang papel ang ating ipapalaot; [applause] ngayon po, mga hi-tech at dekalidad na barko na ang tatanod sa 36,000 kilometers nating coastline.

Mainam na rin po siguro kung maglilinis-linis na ng mga hangar ang ating Sandatahang Lakas, dahil darating na ang mga kagamitang lalong magpapatikas sa ating tanggulan. Sa wakas, may katuwang na po ang kaisa-isa nating C-130 na tatlumpu’t anim na taon nang rumoronda sa himpapawid: dalawa pang C-130 ang magiging operational ulit sa taong ito. Bago matapos ang taong ito, inaasahan nating mai-dedeliver na ang binili nating dalawampu’t isang refurbished UH-1H Helicopter, apat na combat utility helicopters, mga radyo’t iba pang communication equipment, rifles, mortars, mobile diagnostic laboratories, kasama na ang bullet station assembly. [Applause] Pagdating naman po ng 2013, lalapag na ang sampung attack helicopters, dalawang naval helicopters, dalawang light lift aircraft, isang frigate, at mga force protection equipment. [Applause]

At hindi lang po natin sa armas ipinaparamdam ang pagkalinga sa ating pulis at kasundaluhan. Nabawasan na rin po ang mga pasanin nila sa pamumuhay dahil sa mahigit dalawampu’t dalawang libong bahay ang naipatayo na sa ilalim ng AFP–PNP housing program. [Applause]

Hindi po ito tungkol sa pakikipaggirian o pakikipagmatigasan. Hindi ito tungkol sa pagsisiga-sigaan. Tungkol ito sa pagkamit ng kapayapaan. Tungkol ito sa kakayahan nating ipagtanggol ang ating sarili—isang bagay na kaytagal nating inisip na imposible. Tungkol po ito sa buhay ng isang sundalong araw-araw sumasabak sa peligro; tungkol ito sa pamilya niyang nag-aabang na makabalik siyang ligtas, ano man ang kanyang makaharap. Hayaan po nating ang ilang mga benipisyaryo ang magbigay ng kani-kanilang mga kuwento:

[Video]

At ngayon ngang inaaruga na sila ng taumbayan, lalo namang ginaganahan ang ating kasundaluhan na makamtan ang kapayapaan. Tagumpay pong maituturing ang dalawandaan at tatlong rebeldeng sumuko at nagbabalik-loob na sa lipunan, at ang 1,772 na bandidong nawakasan na ang karahasan. Halimbawa po ang kilabot na teroristang si Doctor Abu, na hindi na makakapaghasik ng kaniyang lagim. Nagpupugay rin po tayo sa panunumbalik ng katahimikan sa mga lugar na matagal nang biningi ng putukan. Ang resulta nga po ng bayanihan: 365 na barangay ang naagaw sa kamay ng kaaway, 270 na gusali’t paaralan ang naipaayos, at 74 health centers ang naipagawa. [Applause]

Kung kapayapaan na lang din po ang usapan, dumako naman tayo sa lugar na matagal naging mukha ng mga mithiing ‘di makamtan-kamtan. Bago po magsimula ang mga reporma natin sa ARMM, at alam naman po n’yo, may mga ghost students doon, na maglalakad sa isang ghost road, tungo sa isang ghost school, para magpaturo sa isang ghost teacher. Ang mga aparisyon pong gumulantang kay OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman: [applause] Apat na eskuwelahan na natagpuang may ghost students; iniimbestigahan na rin ang mga teacher na hindi lumilitaw ang pangalan sa talaan ng Professional Regulation Commission, gayundin ang mga tauhan ng gobyernong hindi nakalista sa plantilya. Limampu’t limang ghost entry ang tinanggal sa payroll. Ang dating paulit-ulit na pagsasaboy ng graba sa kalsada para lang pagkakitaan ng pera, bawal na. Wala nang cash advance sa mga ahensya, para maiwasan ang pagsasamantala. Ang mga multo sa voters list, mapapatahimik na ang kaluluwa. [Applause] Kaya nga po kay OIC Gov. Mujiv Hataman, ang masasabi natin: talaga namang isa ka nang certified ghost buster.

Ang pumalit po, at pinapalit na: pabahay, tulay, at learning center para sa mga Badjao sa Basilan. Mga community-based hatchery, lambat, materyales para maglinang ng seaweeds, at punlang napakinabangan ng 2,588 na mangingisda. Certified seeds, punla ng gabi, cassava, goma, at mga punong namumunga para sa 145,121 na magsasaka. Simula pa lang po iyan: nakalaan na ang 183 million pesos para sa mga municipal fishing port projects sa ARMM; 310.4 million pesos para sa mga istasyon ng bumbero; 515 million pesos para sa malinis na inuming tubig; 551.9 million pesos para sa mga kagamitang pangkalusugan; 691.9 million pesos para sa daycare centers; at 2.85 billion pesos para sa mga kalsada at tulay na babagtas sa rehiyon. Ilan lang po iyan sa patutunguhan ng kabuuang 8.59 billion pesos na ipinagkaloob ng pambansang gobyerno para isakatuparan ang mga reporma sa ARMM. [Applause] Lilinawin ko rin po: hindi pa kasama rito ang taunang suportang natatanggap nila, na ngayong 2012 ay umabot sa 11.7 billion pesos. [Applause]

Miski po ang mga dating gustong tumiwalag, nakikita na ang epekto ng reporma. Kinikilala natin bilang pahiwatig ng kanilang tiwala ang nakaraang pitong buwan, kung kailan walang nangyaring sagupaan sa pagitan ng militar at ng MILF. Sa peace process naman po: hayag at lantaran ang usapan; nagpapamalas ang magkabilang panig ng tiwala sa isa’t isa. Maaaring minsan, magiging masalimuot ang proseso; signos lang po ito na malapit na nating makamit ang nag-iisa nating mithiin: Kapayapaan.

Mapayapang pag-uusap rin po ang prinsipyong isinulong natin upang mabuo ang ating Executive Order ukol sa pagmimina. Ang kaisipan sa likod ng nabuong consensus: mapakinabangan ang ating likas na yaman upang iangat ang buhay ng Pilipino, hindi lamang ngayon kundi pati na rin sa susunod na salinlahi. Hindi natin pipitasin ang ginintuang bunga ng industriyang ito, kung ang magiging kabayaran ay ang pagkasira ng kalikasan. [Applause]

Ngunit unang hakbang lamang ito. Isipin po ninyo: Noong 2010, 145 billion pesos ang kabuuang halaga na nakuha mula sa pagmimina, subalit 13.4 billion pesos lamang o siyam na porsyento ang napunta sa kaban ng bayan. Ang likas na yaman, pag-aari ninyo; hindi tayo papayag na balato lang ang mapupunta sa Pilipino. Umaasa po tayo sa pakikiisa ng Kongreso upang makapagpasa ng batas na sisigurong napapangalagaan ang kalikasan at matitiyak na makatarungan ang magiging pakinabang ng publiko at pribadong sektor sa mga biyayang makukuha natin mula sa industriyang ito. [Applause]

Pag-usapan po natin ang situwasyon sa Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Dati, ang gobyernong dapat tumutulong, nanghihingi rin ng tulong. Ngayon, nasa Pasipiko pa lang ang bagyo, alam na kung saan idedestino ang ayuda, at may malinaw nang plano upang maiwasan ang peligro.

Tuwing pag-uusapan nga po ang sakuna, lagi kong naaalala ang nangyari po sa amin sa Tarlac noong minsang bumagyo. Sa lakas ng ulan, bumigay ang isang dike. Nang nagising ang isang barangay captain, tinangay na ng baha ang kanyang pamilya at mga kagamitang pangsaka. Buti nga po’t nakaligtas ang buong mag-anak. Malas lang po ng kalabaw nilang naiwang nakatali sa puno; nabigti ito sa lakas ng ragasa.

Walang kalaban-laban din po ang marami sa tinamaan ng bagyong Ondoy, Pepeng, at Sendong. Napakarami pong nasawi sa paghagupit ng mga delubyong ito. Sa ilalim ng bagong-lunsad na Project NOAH, isinakay natin sa iisang bangka ang mga inisyatiba kontra-sakuna, at hindi na rin po idinadaan sa tsamba ang paglilikas sa mga pamilya. Gamit ang teknolohiya, nabibigyan na ng wastong babala ang Pilipino upang makapaghanda at makaiwas sa disgrasya.

Real-time at direkta na ang pakinabang ng walumpu’t anim na automated rain gauges at dalawampu’t walong water level monitoring sensors natin sa iba’t ibang rehiyon. Bago matapos ang 2013, ang target natin: animnaraang automated rain gauges at apatnaraan at dalawampu’t dalawang water level sensors. Ipapakabit po natin ang mga ito sa labingwalong pangunahing river basins sa buong bansa. [Applause]

Isa pa pong pagbabago: Dati, ang mga ahensya’y kanya-kanyang habulan ng numero, kanya-kanyang agenda, kanya-kanyang pasikatan. Ngayon, ang kultura sa gobyerno: bayanihan para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan. Convergence po ang tawag natin dito.

Dati pa naman po naglipana ang mga programa sa tree planting. Pero matapos magtanim, pababayaan na lang ang mga ito. Kapag nakita ng mga komunidad na naghahanap din ng kabuhayan, puputulin ang mga ito para gawing uling.

May solusyon na po rito. Mayroon na pong 128,558 hectares ng kagubatang naitanim sa buong bansa; bahagi lang po iyan ng kabuuang 1.5 million na ektaryang matatamnan bago tayo bumaba sa puwesto. [Applause] Nakapaloob po rito ang mga komunidad na nasa ilalim ng National Convergence Initiative. Ang proseso: pagkatanim ng puno, makikipag-ugnayan ang DSWD sa mga komunidad. Kapalit ng conditional cash transfer, aalagaan ang mga puno; mayroon ding mga magpapalago ng bagong punla sa nursery. 335,078 na po ang mga Pilipinong nakakakuha ng kabuhayan mula dito.

Sa isa nga pong programa, nakiambag din ang pribadong sektor, na nagbibigay ng espesyal na binhi ng kape at cacao sa komunidad, at tinuturuan silang alagaan at siguruhing mataas ang ani. Itinatanim ang kape sa lilim ng mga puno, na habang nakatayo ay masisigurong hihigop ng baha at tutulong makaiwas tayo sa pinsala. Ang kumpanyang nagbigay ng binhi, sure buyer na rin ng ani. Panalo po ang mga komunidad nay may dagdag kita, panalo ang pribadong sektor, panalo pa ang susunod na salinlahing makikinabang sa matatayog na puno. [Applause]

Matagal na pong problema ang illegal logging. Mula nga po nang lumapag ang EO 23, nakasabat na si Mayor Jun Amante ng mahigit anim na milyong pisong halaga ng troso. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa kanya. Sa Butuan pa lang ito; paano pa kung magpapakita ng ganitong political will ang lahat ng LGU?

Ang mga trosong nakukumpiska ng DENR, lalapag sa mga komunidad na naturuan na ng TESDA ng pagkakarpintero. Ang resulta: upuan para sa mga pampublikong paaralan na hawak naman ng DepEd. Isipin po ninyo: ang dating pinagmumulan ng pinsala, ngayon, tulay na para sa mas mabuting kinabukasan. Dati, imposible nga ito: Imposible kung nagbubulag-bulagan ang pamahalaan sa ilegal na gawain.

Kaya kayong mga walang konsensya; kayong mga paulit-ulit isinusugal ang buhay ng kapwa Pilipino: maghanda na kayo. Tapos na ang maliligayang araw po ninyo. [Applause] Sinampolan na natin ang tatlumpu’t apat na kawani ng DENR, isang PNP provincial director, at pitong chief of police. Pinagpapaliwanag na rin po natin ang isang Regional Director ng PNP na nagbingi-bingihan sa aking utos at nagbulag-bulagan sa mga dambuhalang trosong dumaan sa kanilang tanawin. Kung hindi kayo umayos, isusunod namin kayo. Magkubli man kayo sa ilalim ng inyong mga padrino, aabutan namin kayo. Isasama na rin namin ang mga padrino ninyo. [Applause] Kaya bago pa magkasalubong ang ating landas, ako po’y muling makikiusap, mas maganda sigurong tumino na kayo.

Mula sa sinapupunan, sa pag-aaral at pagtatrabaho, may pagbabago nang haharap sa Pilipino. At sakaling piliin niyang magserbisyo sa gobyerno, tuloy pa rin ang pag-aaruga ng estado hanggang sa kanyang pagreretiro. Tatanawin ng pamahalaan ang kanyang ambag bilang lingkod-bayan, at hindi ipagdadamot sa kanya ang pensiyong siya rin naman ang nagpuhunan.

Isipin po ninyo, at ako po’y nagulat dito: may mga pensyonado tayong tumatanggap ng 500 pesos lamang kada buwan. Paano kaya niya ito pagkakasiyahin sa tubig, kuryente, at pagkain araw-araw? Ang atin pong tugon: Pagsapit ng bagong taon, hindi na bababa sa limanlibong piso ang matatanggap na buwanang pensyon ng ating old-age and disability pensioners. [Applause] Masaya tayong matutugunan natin ang pangangailangan nila ngayon, nang hindi isinusugal ang kapakanan ng mga pensyonado bukas.

Iba na po talaga ang mukha ng gobyerno. Sumasabay na po sa pribadong sektor ang ating pasahod para sa entry level. Pero kapag sabay kayong na-promote ng kaklase mong piniling mag-pribado, nagkakaiwanan na.

Mahahabol din po natin iyan; pero sa ngayon, ang good news natin sa mga nagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan: Performance-Based Incentives. Dati, miski palpak ang palakad ng isang ahensya, very satisfactory pa rin ang pinakamababang rating ng empleyado. Dahil sa pakikisama, nahihirapan ang bisor na bigyan ng makatarungang rating ang mga tauhan niya. Nakakawawa tuloy ang mga mahusay magtrabaho; nawawalan sila ng dahilan para galingan dahil parehas lang naman ang insentibo ng mga tamad at pursigido.

Heto po ang isa lamang sa mga hakbang natin upang tugunan ito. Simula ngayong taon, magpapatupad tayo ng sistema kung saan ang bonus ay nakabase sa pagtupad ng mga ahensya sa kanilang mga target para sa taon. [Applause] Nasa kamay na ng empleyado ang susi sa kanyang pag-angat. Ang insentibo, maaaring umabot ng tatlumpu’t limang libong piso, depende sa pagpapakitang-gilas mo sa iyong trabaho. Dagdag pa ito sa across-the-board na Christmas bonus na matatanggap mo.

Ginagawa natin ito, hindi lamang para itaas ang kumpiyansa at ipakita ang pagtitiwala natin sa ating mga lingkod-bayan. Higit sa lahat, para ito sa Pilipinong umaasa sa tapat at mahusay na serbisyo mula sa lingkod-bayan, at umaasang sila at sila lamang ang itinuturing na boss ng kanilang pamahalaan.

Alam po niyo, sa simula pa lang mayroon nang mga kumuwestiyon sa sinasabi nating, “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” Hanggang ngayon mayroon pa rin pong mangilan-ngilang nagtatanong: nakakain ba ang mabuting pamamahala? Ang simpleng sagot, “Siyempre.”

Isipin po natin ang ating pinanggalingan: Dati, parang “Wild West” ang pamumuhunan sa Pilipinas. May peligro na nga ang negosyo, sinagad pa ang risko dahil sa di tiyak at nakalihim na patakaran. Kakamayan ka nga gamit ang kanan, kokotongan ka naman na gamit ang kaliwa.

Ngayon, dahil patas na ang laban, at may hayag at hindi pabagu-bagong mga patakaran, patuloy ang pagtaas ng kumpiyansa sa ating ekonomiya. Patuloy ang pagpasok ng puhunan; patuloy ang pagdami ng trabaho; patuloy ang positibong siklo ng pagkonsumo, paglago ng negosyo, at pagdami ng mamamayang naeempleyo. [Applause]

Dahil maayos ang paggugol ng gobyerno, walang tagas sa sistema. Dahil maayos ang pangkolekta ng buwis, lumalago ang kaban ng bayan. Bawat pisong nakokolekta, tiyak ang pupuntahan: Piso itong diretso sa kalsada, piso para sa bakuna, piso para sa classroom at upuan, piso para sa ating kinabukasan. [Applause]

Dahil maayos ang paggawa ng tulay, kalsada, at gusali, itinatayo ang mga ito kung saan kailangan. Maayos ang daanan, mas mabilis ang takbo ng produkto, serbisyo, at mamamayan.

Dahil maayos ang pamamahala sa agrikultura, tumataas ang produksyon ng pagkain, at hindi pumapalo ang presyo nito. Stable ang pasahod, at mas malakas ang pambansang ekonomiya.

Tunay nga po: Ang matatag at malakas na ekonomiyang pinanday ng mabuting pamamahala ang pinakamabisang kalasag laban sa mga hamon na kinakaharap ng daigdig. Dalawang taon po nating binaklas ang mga balakid sa pag-unlad, at ngayon, tayo na lang mismo ang makakapigil sa ating sariling pag-angat.

Ginawa po natin ang lahat ng ito habang binubuno rin ng bawat bansa sa iba’t ibang sulok ng daigdig ang kani-kanilang problema’t pagsubok.

Hindi po tayo nag-iisa sa mundo, kaya’t habang tinutugunan natin ang sarili nating mga suliranin, angkop lamang na bantayan din ang ilang pangyayaring maaaring makaapekto sa atin.

Naging maugong ang mga kaganapan sa Bajo de Masinloc. May mga mangingisdang Tsinong pumasok sa ating teritoryo. Nasabat ng barko natin at nasabad sa kanilang mga barko ang endangered species. Bilang pinuno, kailangan kong ipatupad ang batas na umiiral sa ating bansa. Sa pagsulong nito, nagbungguan ang Nine-Dash Line Theory ng mga Tsino, na umaangkin sa halos buong West Philippine Sea, at ang karapatan natin at ng marami pang ibang bansa, kasama na ang Tsina, na pinagtibay naman ng United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea.

Ibayong hinahon ang ipinamalas natin. Ang barko ng Hukbong Dagat, bilang tanda ng ating malinis na hangarin, ay agad nating pinalitan ng barkong sibilyan. Hindi tayo nakipagsagutan sa mga banat ng kanilang media sa atin. Hindi naman po siguro kalabisan na hilingin sa kabilang panig na galangin ang ating karapatan, gaya ng paggalang sa kanilang mga karapatan bilang kapwa bansang nasa iisang mundong kailangang pagsaluhan.

Mayroon po tayong mga miron na nagsasabing hayaan na lang ang Bajo de Masinloc; umiwas na lang tayo. Pero kung may pumasok sa inyong bakuran at sinabing sa kanya na ang kanyang kinatatayuan ay sa kanya na, papayag ba kayo? Hindi naman po yata tamang ipamigay na lang natin sa iba ang sadyang atin talaga. [Applause]

Kaya nga po hinihiling ko sa sambayanan ang pakikiisa sa isyung ito. Iisa lang po dapat ang kumpas natin. Tulungan ninyo akong iparinig sa kabilang panig ang katuwiran ng ating mga paninindigan.

Hindi po simple ang sitwasyon, at hindi magiging simple ang solusyon. Magtiwala po kayo: kumokonsulta tayo sa mga eksperto, at sa lahat ng pinuno ng ating bansa, pati na sa kaalyado natin—gayundin sa mga nasa kabilang panig ng usaping ito—upang makahanap ng solusyon na katanggap-tanggap sa lahat. [Applause]

Sa bawat hakbang sa tuwid na daan, nagpunla tayo ng pagbabago. Ngunit may mangilan-ngilan pa ring pilit na bubunot nito. Habang nagtatalumpati ako ngayon, may mga nagbubulung-bulungan sa isang silid at hinihimay ang aking mga sinasabi; naghahanap ng butas na ipambabatikos bukas. Sasabihin nila, “Salita lang ito, at hindi totoo ang tuwid na landas.” Sila rin po ang magsasabing hayaan na, magkaisa na; forgive and forget na lang para makausad na tayo.

Hindi ko po matatanggap ito. Forgive and forget na lang ang sampung taon na nawala sa atin? Forgive and forget na lang para sa magsasakang nabaon sa utang dahil sa kakaangkat natin ng bigas, gayong puwede naman palang pagyamanin sa ating sariling lupa?

Forgive and forget na lang ba para sa pamilya ng isang pulis na namatay nang walang kalaban-laban, dahil batuta lang ang hawak niya habang hinahabol ang armadong masasamang-loob?

Forgive and forget na lang ba para sa mga naulila ng limampu’t pitong biktima ng masaker sa Maguindanao? Maibabalik ba sila ng “forgive and forget?” [Applause] Forgive and forget ang lahat ng atraso ng mga naglubog sa atin sa bulok na estado? Forgive and forget para maibalik ang lumang status quo? Ang tugon ko, “Ang magpatawad, maaari; ang makalimot, hindi.” [Applause] Kung ang nagkasala ay hindi mananagot, gagarantiyahan mo ang pagpapahirap muli sa sambayanan.

Ang tunay na pagkakaisa at pagkakasunduan ay magmumula lamang sa tunay at ganap na katarungan. Katarungan ang tawag sa plunder case na isinampa laban sa dating pangulo. [Applause] Katarungan na bigyan siya ng pagkakataong harapin ang mga akusasyon at ipagtanggol ang kanyang sarili. Katarungan ang nasaksihan natin noong ika-dalawampu’t siyam ng Mayo. Noong araw na iyon, pinatunayan natin: Posibleng mangibabaw ang katarungan kahit na ang kabangga mo ay may mataas na katungkulan. [Applause] Noong araw na iyon, may isang Delsa Flores sa Panabo, Davao del Norte, na nagsabing, “Posible palang iisang batas lang ang kailangang sundin ng court interpreter na tulad ko, at ng Punong Mahistrado.” [Applause] Posible palang maging patas ang timbangan; maaaring isakdal at panagutin miski ang mayaman at makapangyarihan.

Kaya po sa susunod na magiging Punong Mahistrado, malaki ang inaasahan sa inyo ng sambayanan. Napatunayan na po nating posible ang imposible; ang trabaho natin ngayon, siguruhing magpapatuloy ang pagbabago tungo sa tunay na katarungan, matapos man ang ating termino. [Applause] Marami pong sira sa sistemang kailangan ninyong kumpunihin, at alam kong hindi magiging madali ito. Alam ko po kung gaano kabigat ang pasanin ng isang malinaw na mandato; ngunit ito ang atas sa atin ng taumbayan; ito ang tungkuling ating sinumpaan; ito ang kailangan nating gampanan.

Simple lang ang hangad natin: kung inosente ka, buong-loob kang haharap sa korte, dahil kampante kang mapapawalang-sala ka. Kung ikaw ang salarin, anuman ang apelyido mo, o gaano man karami ang titulong nakakabit sa iyong pangalan, may katiyakan din na pananagutan mo ang ginawa mong kasalanan. [Applause]

Salamat din po kay Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, [applause] sa pagtanggap ng hamon na maging tunay na tanod-bayan. Kung tutuusin, pwede na niyang tanggihan ang responsibilidad at sabihing, “Retirado na ako, puwede bang ‘yung iba na lang?” Subalit nangibabaw ang kaniyang malasakit sa bayan. Sa kabila nito, may nagregalo pa rin sa kanya ng granada sa bahay. [Laughter] Ma’am, may mga darating pa pong pagsubok; baka po paglaon, magaya na kayo sa akin na tinatawag, sabay-sabay pang tinatawag, na ganid na kapitalista na komunista din patungong diktador dahil sa masigasig na mga repormang ipinapatupad natin.

Bilib po ako sa inyong pagpapakitang-gilas at maraming salamat sa pagiging instrumento ng katarungan, lalo na noong kasagsagan ng impeachment trial. Salamat din po sa dalawang institusyong bumubuo ng Kongreso: Sa Senado at Kamara de Representante, na tinimbang ng taumbayan at nakitang sapat na sapat.

Sa lahat po ng tumulong sa pagpapagana ng mga prosesong pangkatarungan: Dumaan kayo sa matinding pagsubok, batikos, at agam-agam; kasama pa ang kaba na kung natalo tayo, kayo ang unang pupuntiryahin ng kalaban. Pero ‘di kayo natinag. Umasa sa inyo ang Pilipino, at pinatunayan ninyong tama ang pag-asa sa inyo. Hindi ninyo binigo ang sambayanan; ipinaliwanag ninyo lalo ang ating kinabukasan. [Applause]

Paalala lang po: hindi natatapos ang laban sa isang tiwaling opisyal na natanggal sa puwesto, sa isang maanomalyang kontratang napigil ipatupad, o sa isang opisinang naituwid ang pamamalakad. Kaya naman nananawagan po tayo sa Kongreso na ipasa ang panukala nating sa pag-amyenda sa Anti-Money Laundering Act, upang mas mapaigting pa natin ang pagpapanagot sa mga tiwali.

Itong tinatamasa natin ngayon: ang bawat nailawan at iilawan pang sitio; ang bawat daan, tulay, paliparan, tren, at daungan; ang bawat kontratang walang bukol; ang kaligtasan at kapayapaan mula lungsod hanggang nayon; ang pagbalik ng piring sa sistemang pangkatarungan; ang bawat classroom, upuan, at aklat na napasakamay ng kabataan; ang bawat Pilipinong nahahandugan ng bagong kinabukasan—ang lahat ng ito, naabot natin sa loob lamang ng dalawang taon.

Pagtabihin po natin ang dalawang taon na ito, at ang nakaraang siyam at kalahating taon na ating pinagdusahan. ‘Di po ba’t sumusulong na ang agenda ng pagbabago? Ang kapareho namin ng adhikain, malamang, kasama namin sa agendang ito. At kung kontra ka sa amin, siguro kontra ka rin sa ginagawa namin. Kung kumukontra sila sa agenda ng pagbabago, masasabi ba niyang sila’y nasa panig ninyo?

Paparating na naman po ang halalan. Kayo po, ang aming mga boss, ang tangi naming susundan. Ang tanong ko sa inyo, “Boss, saan tayo tatahak? Tuloy ba ang biyahe natin sa tuwid na landas, o magmamane-obra ba tayo’t paatras, pabalik sa daan na baluktot at walang patutunguhan?”

Naalala ko pa po noong nagsimula tayo. Mulat na mulat ako sa bigat ng pasaning sasalubong sa atin. Kabilang ako sa mga nag-isip: Kaya pa bang ituwid ang ganito kabaluktot na sistema?

Heto po ang aking natutuhan sa dalawampu’t limang buwan ng pagkapinuno: Walang pong imposible. [Applause] Walang imposible dahil kung nakikita ng taumbayan na sila ang tanging boss ng kanilang pamahalaan, bubuhatin ka nila, gagabayan ka nila, sila mismo ang mamumuno tungo sa makabuluhang pagbabago. Hindi imposible na ang Pilipinas ang maging kauna-unahang bansa sa Timog-Silangang Asya na magbibigay at nagbibigay ng libreng bakuna laban sa rotavirus. Hindi imposible para sa Pilipinas na tumindig at sabihing: “Ang Pilipinas ay sa Pilipino—at handa kaming ipagtanggol ito.” Hindi imposible na ang Pilipinong kaytagal nang yumuyuko tuwing may nakakasalubong na dayuhan—ang Pilipino, ngayon, taas-noong tinitingala ng buong mundo. [Applause] Talaga namang ang sarap maging Pilipino sa mga panahong ito.

Noon pong nakaraang taon, hiniling ko sa taumbayan: Magpasalamat sa mga nakikiambag sa positibong pagbabago sa lipunan. Hindi po biro ang mga pagsubok na dinaanan natin, kaya angkop lamang na pasalamatan ang mga taong nakibalikat, sa pagkukumpuni sa mga maling idinulot ng masamang pamamahala.

Sa lahat ng miyembro ng aking Gabinete: Maraming, maraming salamat. [Applause] Mapalad po ang sambayanan at may mga tulad ninyong handang isuko ang pribado at mas tahimik na pamumuhay para maghatid serbisyo-publiko, kahit pa batid ninyong ang kapalit nito ay mas maliit na sweldo, panganib, at pambabatikos. Maraming salamat muli.

Huwag din po sana nilang masamain dahil personal ko silang papangalanan: Kina Father Catalino Arevalo, at Sister Agnes Guillen, na dumidilig at nagpapalago sa aking buhay spirituwal, lalo na sa mga panahong sukdulan ang pagsubok sa amin, maraming, maraming salamat din po. [Applause]

Ito po ang aking ikatlong SONA, tatlo na lamang din po ang natitira. Papasok na po tayo sa kalagitnaan ng ating liderato. Noong nakaraang taon, ang hamon ko sa inyo: iwaksi ang kultura ng negatibismo; sa bawat pagkakataon, iangat ang kapwa-Pilipino.

Batid po sa tinatamasa natin ngayon: hindi kayo nabigo. Sa inyo nagmula ang pagbabago. Ang sabi ninyo: posible.

Humaharap po ako sa inyo bilang mukha ng isang gobyernong kayo ang boss at kayo pa rin ang lakas. Inuulat ko lamang ang mga pagbabagong ginawa ninyong posible.

Kaya nga po sa lahat ng nurse, midwife, o doktor na piniling magsilbi sa mga baryo; sa bawat bagong graduate na piniling magtrabaho sa gobyerno; sa bawat atletang Pilipinong bitbit ang watawat saan mang panig ng mundo; sa bawat kawani ng pamahalaan na tapat na nagseserbisyo: Kayo po ang gumawa ng pagbabago. [Applause]

Sa tuwing haharap ako sa isang ina na nagsasabing, “Salamat at nabakunahan na ang aking sanggol,” ang tugon ko: Ikaw ang gumawa nito.

Sa tuwing haharap ako sa isang bata na nagsasabing, “Salamat sa papel at lapis, sa pagkakataong makapag-aral,” ang tugon ko: Kasama ka sa gumawa nito.

Sa tuwing haharap ako sa isang OFW na nagsasabing, “Salamat at puwede ko na muling pangaraping tumanda sa Pilipinas,” ang tugon ko: Ikaw ang gumawa nito.

Sa tuwing haharap ako sa isang Pilipinong nagsasabing, “Salamat, akala ko hindi na magkakakuryente sa aming sitio. Akala ko hindi ko na aabuting buhay ang liwanag na ganito,” ang tugon ko: Ikaw ang gumawa nito.

Sa bawat pagkakataon na haharap ako sa isang magsasaka, guro, piloto, inhinyero, tsuper, ahente sa call center, karaniwang Pilipino; sa bawat Juan at Juana dela Cruz na nagsasabing “Salamat sa pagbabago,” ang tugon ko sa inyo: Kayo ang gumawa nito. [Applause]

Inuulit ko po: posible na ang dating imposible. Humaharap po ako sa inyo ngayon, at sinasabing: hindi ko SONA ito. Kayo ang gumawa nito. SONA ito ng sambayanang Pilipino. Maraming, maraming salamat po at magandang hapon po sa lahat.

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‘Thank you for this change. You made this happen’

(English translation of the speech delivered at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, on July 23, 2012)

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Vice President Jejomar Binay; former Presidents Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada; eminent Justices of the Supreme Court; distinguished members of the diplomatic corps; honorable members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate; our leaders in local government; members of our Cabinet; uniformed officers of the military and of the police; my fellow public servants;

And to my Bosses, the Filipino people: a pleasant afternoon to all.

This is my third SONA. It wasn’t too long ago when we began to dream again; when, united, we chose the straight and righteous path; when we began to cast aside the culture of wang-wang, not only in our streets, but in every sector of society.

It has been two years since you said: We are tired of corruption and of poverty; it is time to restore a government that is truly on the side the people.

Like many of you, I have been a victim of the abuse of power. I was only 12 years old when Martial Law was declared. For seven years and seven months, my father was incarcerated; we lived in forced exile for three years. I saw for myself how many others also suffered.

These experiences forged the principles I now live by: Where a citizen is oppressed, he will find me as an ally; where there is an oppressor, I will be there to fight; where I find something wrong in the system, I will consider it my duty to right it.

Martial Law ended long ago and when it did, we were asked: “If not us, then who?” and “If not now, then when?” Our united response: let it be us, and let it be now. The democracy that was taken from us by force was reclaimed peacefully. And in so doing, we brought light to a dark chapter in our history.

Let it not be forgotten: Martial Law was borne because a dictator manipulated the Constitution to remain in power. And to this day, the battle rages: between those who seek a more equitable system, and those who seek to preserve their priveleges at the expense of others.

The specters of a lost decade haunted us from our first day in office.

There was the North Rail contract—an expensive project that became even more expensive after renegotiation. Ironically, the higher cost came with fewer public benefits; a fleet of 19 trainsets was reduced to three, and the number of stations, from five to two. To make matters worse, the debts incurred from the project are now being called in.

We had GOCCs handing out unwarranted bonuses, despite the losses already suffered by their agencies. We had the billions wasted by PAGCOR on—of all things—coffee. We had the suspect management practices of the PNP, which involved ignoring the need to arm the remaining 45 percent of our police force, just to collect kickbacks on rundown helicopters purchased at brand-new prices.

We were left with little fiscal space even as debts had bunched up and were maturing. We were also left a long list of obligations to fulfill: A backlog of 66,800 classrooms, which would cost us about 53.44 billion pesos; a backlog of 2,573,212 classroom chairs, amounting to 2.31 billion pesos. In 2010, an estimated 36 million Filipinos were still not members of PhilHealth. Forty-two billion pesos was needed to enroll them. Add to all this the 103 billion pesos needed for the modernization of our armed forces.

To fulfill all these obligations and address all our needs, we were bequeathed, at the start of our term, 6.5 percent of the entire budget for the remaining six months of 2010. We were like boxers, sent into the ring blindfolded, with our hands and feet bound, and the referee and the judges paid off.

In our first three months in office, I would look forward to Sundays when I could ask God for His help. We expected that it would take no less than two years before our reforms took hold. Would our countrymen be willing to wait that long?

But what we know about our people, and what we had proven time and again to the world was this: Nothing is impossible to a united Filipino nation. It was change we dreamed of, and change we achieved; the benefits of change are now par for the course.

Roads are straight and level, and properly paved; this is now par for the course.

Relief goods are ready even before a storm arrives. Rescue services are always on standby, and the people are no longer left to fend for themselves. This is now par for the course.

Sirens only blare from the police cars, from ambulances, and from fire trucks—not from government officials. This is now par for the course. The government that once abused its power is finally using that power for their benefit.

Reforms were established as we cut wasteful spending, held offenders accountable for their actions, and showed the world that the Philippines is now open for business under new management.

What was once the sick man of Asia now brims with vitality. When we secured our first positive credit rating action, some said it was pure luck. Now that we have had eight, can it still just be luck? When the Philippine Stock Exchange Index first broke 4,000, many wondered if that was sustainable. But now, with so many record highs, we are having trouble keeping score: For the record, we have had 44, and the index hovers near or above 5,000. In the first quarter of 2012, our GDP grew by 6.4 percent, much higher than projected, the highest growth in the Southeast Asian region, and the second only to China in the whole of Asia. Once, we were the debtors; now, we are the creditors, clearly no laughing matter. Until recently, we had to beg for investments; now, investors flock to us. Some Japanese companies have said to us, “Maybe you’d like to take a look at us. We’re not the cheapest but we’re number one in technology.” A British banker recently came loooking for opportunities.

Commentators the world over voice their admiration. According to Bloomberg Business Week, “Keep an eye on the Philippines.” Foreign Policy magazine, and even one of the leaders of ASEAN 100, said that we may even become “Asia’s Next Tiger.” Ruchir Sharma, head of Morgan Stanley’s Emerging Market Equities said, “The Philippines is no longer a joke.” And it doesn’t look like he’s pulling our leg, because their company has invested approximately a billion dollars in our markets. I only wish that the optimism of foreign media would be shared by their local counterparts more often.

And we are building an environment where progress can be felt by the majority. When we began office, there were 760,357 household-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Our target: 3.1 million within two years. By February of this year, the three millionth household-beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya had been registered. Next year, we will enroll 3.8 million—five times what we had at the beginning of our term.

This is a long-term project, with far-reaching impact. The research is in its initial stages, but already the figures show promise. Based on data from the DSWD: 1,672,977 mothers now get regular checkups; 1,672,814 children have been vaccinated against diarrhea, polio, measles, and various other diseases; 4.57 million students no longer need to miss school because of poverty.

When we first took office, only 62 percent of Filipinos were enrolled in PhilHealth. Enrollment was not necessarily based on need but on being in the good graces of politicians. Now, 85 percent of our citizens are members. This means that since we received our mandate, 23.31 million more Filipinos have access to PhilHealth’s array of benefits and services.

And here’s even better news: the 5.2 million poorest households identified by our National Household Targeting System will now fully benefit from PhilHealth’s programs, free of charge. Because of the Department of Health’s No Balance Billing Policy, treatment for dengue, pneumonia, asthma, cataracts—as well as treatments for catastrophic diseases like breast cancer, prostate cancer, and acute leukemia—can be availed of for free by our poorest countrymen.

The process for our poorest PhilHealth members: Enter any government hospital. Show you PhilHealth card. Get treatment. And they return to their homes without having to shell out a single centavo.

One of the briefings I attended noted that four out of ten Filipinos have never seen a health professional in their entire lifetime. Other figures are more dire: Six out of ten Filipinos die without being attended to by health professionals.

But whatever the basis, the number of Filipinos with no access to government health services remains a concern. And we are acting on this: In 2010, ten thousand nurses and midwives were deployed under the RNHeals Program; to date, we have deployed 30,801. Add to this over 11,000 Community Health Teams tasked to strengthen the links between doctors and nurses, and the communities they serve.

And today, because of efficient targeting, they are deployed to where they are most needed: to areas that have been for so long left in the margins of society. We have sent our health professionals to 1,021 localities covered by the Pantawid Pamilya, and to the 609 poorest cities and municipalities, as identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

This new system addresses two issues: thousands of nurses and midwives now have jobs and an opportunity to gain valuable work experience; at the same time, millions of our countrymen now have increased access to quality health care.

But we are not satisfied with this. What we want: True, universal, and holistic health care. This begins not in our hospitals, but within each and every household: Increased consciousness, routine inoculation, and regular checkups are necessary to keep sickness at bay. Add to this our efforts to ensure that we prevent the illnesses that are in our power to prevent.

For example: Last year, I told you about our anti-dengue mosquito traps. It is too early to claim total victory, but the initial results have been very encouraging.

We tested the efficacy of those mosquito traps in areas with the highest reported incidence of dengue. In 2011, traps were distributed in Bukidnon—which had recorded 1,216 cases of dengue in 2010. After distribution, the number of cases decreased to 37—that is a 97 percent reduction rate. In the towns of Ballesteros and Claveria in Cagayan, there were 228 cases of dengue in 2010; in 2011, a mere eight cases were recorded. In Catarman, Northern Samar: 434 cases of dengue were reported in 2010. There were a mere four cases in 2011.

This project is in its initial stages. But even this early on, we must thank Secretaries Ike Ona of DOH and Mario Montejo of DOST; may our gratitude spur them into even more intensive research and collaboration.

Challenges remain. The high maternal mortality ratio in our country continues to alarm us. Which is why we have undertaken measures to address the health-care needs of women. We, too, want Universal Health Care; we want our medical institutions to have enough equipment, facilities, and manpower.

We can easier fulfill all these goals, if the Sin Tax Bill—which rationalizes taxes on alcohol and tobacco products—can be passed. This bill makes vice more expensive while at the same time raising more money for health.

And what of our students—what welcomes them in the schools? Will they still first learn the alphabet beneath the shade of a tree? Will they still be squatting on the floor, tussling with classmates over a single textbook?

I have great faith in Secretary Luistro: Before the next year ends, we will have built the 66,800 classrooms needed to fill up the shortage we inherited. The 2,573,212 backlog in chairs that we were bequeathed will be addressed before 2012 ends. This year, too, will see the eradication of the backlog of 61.7 million textbooks—and we will finally achieve the one-to-one ratio of books to students.

We are ending the backlogs in the education sector, but the potential for shortages remains as our student population continues to increase. Perhaps Responsible Parenthood can help address this.

For our State Universities and Colleges: we have proposed a 43.61 percent increase in their budget next year. A reminder, though, that everything we do is in accordance to a plan: There are corresponding conditions to this budget increase. The SUC Reform Roadmap of CHED, which has been deliberated and agreed upon, must be enacted to ensure that the students sponsored by the state are of top caliber. Expect that if you work to get high marks in this assignment, we will be striving just as hard to address the rest of your needs.

Year after year, our budget for education has increased. The budget we inherited for DepEd last 2010 was 177 billion pesos. Our proposal for 2013: 292.7 billion pesos. In 2010, our SUCs were allocated a budget of 21.03 billion pesos. Since then, we have annually raised this allocation; for next year, we have proposed to set aside 34.99 billion pesos of our budget for SUCs. Despite this, some militant groups are still cutting classes to protest what they claim is a cut in SUC budgets. It’s this simple: 292.7 is higher than 177, and 34.99 is higher than 21.03. Should anyone again claim that we cut the education budget, we’ll urge your schools to hold remedial math classes. Please attend.

When we assumed office and began establishing much-needed reform, there were those who belittled our government’s performance. They claimed our achievements were mere luck, and what impact they may have as short-lived. There are still those who refuse to cease spreading negativity; they who keep their mouths pursed to good news, and have created an industry out of criticism.

If you have a problem with the fact that before the year ends every child will have their own chairs and own set of books, then look them straight in the eye and tell them, “I do not want you to go to school.”

If you take issue with the fact that 5.2 million of the country’s poorest households can now avail of quality health-care services without worrying about the cost, then look them straight in the eye and tell them, “I do not want you to get better.”

If it angers you that three million Filipino families have been empowered to fulfill their dreams because of Pantawid Pamilya, then look them straight in the eye and tell them, “I will take away the hope you now have for your future.”

The era where policy was based on the whims of the powerful has truly come to an end. For example, the previous leadership of TESDA generously distributed scholarship vouchers—but neglected to fund them. Naturally, the vouchers bounced. The result: over a thousand schools are charging the government 2.4 billion pesos for the vouchers. One person and one administration wanted to show off; the Filipino people are paying for that now.

When Secretary Joel Villanueva assumed the post, he was not daunted by the seemingly impossible reforms that his agency needed to enact. Despite the staggering debt inherited by TESDA, it still trained 434,676 individuals under the Training for Work Scholarship Program. The TESDA Specialists Technopreneurship Program likewise delivered concrete victories—imagine: each of the 5,240 certified Specialistas are earning 562 pesos a day, or 11,240 pesos a month. This is higher than the minimum wage.

From infancy, to adolescence, to adulthood, the system is working for our citizens. And we are ensuring that our economy’s newfound vitality generates jobs.

Let us keep in mind: there are about a million new entrants to the job market every year. The jobs we have produced within the past two years total almost 3.1 million.

As a result, our unemployment rate is declining steadily. In 2010, the unemployment rate was at 8 percent. In April 2011, it dropped to 7.2, and dropped further to 6.9 this year. Is it not an apt time for us to dream of a day where any Filipino who wishes to work can find a job?

Look at the BPO sector. Back in the year 2000, only five thousand people were employed in this industry. Fast forward to 2011: 638,000 people are employed by BPOs, and the industry has contributed 11 billion dollars to our economy. It has been projected that come 2016, it will be bringing in 25 billion dollars and will be employing 1.3 million Filipinos. And this does not include the estimated 3.2 million taxi drivers, baristas, corner stores, canteens, and many others that will benefit from the indirect jobs that the BPO industry will create.

A large portion of our job generation strategy is building sufficient infrastructure. For those who have gone to Boracay on vacation, you have probably seen our newly christened terminal in Caticlan. The plan to expand its runway has also been laid out.

And we will not stop there. Before the end of my term, the New Bohol Airport in Panglao, New Legaspi Airport in Daraga, and Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental will have been built. We will also upgrade our international airports in Mactan, Cebu; Tacloban; and Puerto Princesa Airport, so they can receive more passengers; in addition to remodeling the airports in Butuan, Cotabato, Dipolog, Pagadian, Tawi-Tawi, Southern Leyte, and San Vicente in Palawan.

I am the fourth president to deal with the problems of NAIA Terminal 3. Airplanes are not all that take off and land here; so did problems and anomalies. Secretary Mar Roxas has already said: Before we convene at the next SONA, the structural defects we inherited in NAIA 3 will have been fully repaired.

This June, the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension project began to move forward. When completed, it will alleviate traffic in Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Cavite. In addition to this, in order to further improve traffic in Metro Manila, there will be two elevated roads directly connecting the North Luzon and South Luzon Expressways. These will be completed in 2015 and will reduce travel time between Clark and Calamba to 1 hour and 40 minutes. Before I leave office, there will be high-quality terminals in Taguig, Quezon City, and Parañaque, so that provincial buses will no longer have to add to the traffic on EDSA.

Perceptions have also changed about a department formerly notorious for its inadequacies. I still remember the days when, during the rainy season, the Tarlac River would overflow and submerge the MacArthur Highway. The asphalt would melt away; the road would be riddled with potholes, until it ended up impassable.

As the representative of my district, I registered my complaints about this. The Department of Public Works and Highways’ reply: we know about the problem, we know how to solve it, but we have no money. I had to appeal to my barangays: “If we don’t prioritize and spend for this ourselves, no one will fix it, and we will be the ones who suffer.” Back in those days, everyone called upon the government to wake up and start working. The complaints today are different: traffic is terrible, but that’s because there’s so much roadwork being done. May I remind everyone: we have done all this without raising taxes.

We will not build our road network based on kickbacks or favoritism. We will build them according to a clear system. Now that resources for these projects are no longer allocated haphazardly, our plans will no longer end up unfulfilled—they will become tangible roads that benefit the Filipino people. When we assumed office, 7,239 kilometers of our national roads were not yet fixed. Right now, 1,569 kilometers of this has been fixed under the leadership of Secretary Babes Singson. In 2012, an additional 2,275 kilometers will be finished. We are even identifying and fixing dangerous roads with the use of modern technology. These are challenges we will continue to address every year, so that, before end of my term, every inch of our national road network will be fixed.

We have fixed more than roads; our DPWH has fixed its system. Just by following the right process of bidding and procurement, their agency saved a total of 10.6 billion pesos from 2011 to June of this year. Even our contractors are feeling the positive effects of our reforms in DPWH. According to the DPWH, “the top 40 contractors are now fully booked.” I am hopeful that the development of our infrastructure continues unimpeded to facilitate the growth of our other industries.

The improvement of our infrastructure is intertwined with the growth of our tourism industry. Consider this: In 2001, the Philippines recorded 1.8 million tourist arrivals. When we assumed office in 2010, this figure had grown to only around 3.1 million. Take note: despite the length of their time in office, the previous administration only managed to add a mere 1.3 million tourist arrivals—and we contributed half a year to that number. Under our administration, we welcomed 2.1 million tourist arrivals by June 2012. More will arrive during peak season, before the end of the year, so I have no doubt that we will meet our quota of 4.6 million tourist arrivals for 2012. This means that we will have a year-on-year increase of 1.5 million tourists. The bottom line: In two years, we would have had a bigger growth in tourist arrivals, compared to the increase charted by the previous administration in their nine years. We are not singing our own praises; we are merely stating the truth.

But Secretary Mon Jimenez is still not satisfied. He says: if 24.7 million tourists came to Malaysia in 2011, and around 17 million visited Thailand, would it be too far-fetched to have ten million tourists visiting the Philippines annually by 2016? And if the Filipino people continue to embody the same solidarity that allowed the Puerto Princesa Underground River to become one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, there is no doubt that we will be able to achieve this. As we have already announced to the entire world: “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” Secretary Mon Jimenez has been at his post for less than a year, but we are already reaping the fruits of the reforms we have laid down. So, when it comes to tourism, we are confident in saying, “It’s really more fun—to have Secretary Mon Jimenez with us.”

When it comes to growth and development, agriculture is at the top of our priorities. Secretary Alcala has been working nonstop to deliver us good news. Before, it seemed as though the officials of DA cultivated nothing but NFA’s debts. The NFA that our predecessors took over had a 12-billion peso debt; when they left office, they then bequeathed to us a debt of 177 billion pesos.

For so long in the past, we were led to believe that we were short 1.3 million metric tons of rice, and that we needed to import 2 million metric tons to address this shortage. They ordered rice as like it was unlimited—but because we had exceeded far more than what we needed, imported rice went to rot in the warehouses.

In just our first year, we redcued the annual shortage of 1.3 million metric tons to just 860,000 metric tons. This year, it is down to 500,000—including a buffer stock to dip into in times of calamity. And, if the weather cooperates, we’ll be able to export rice next year.

Secretary Alcala has said that key to our success is a feasible irrigation program and the assiduous implementation of the certified seeds program. What is galling is that this knowledge is not new—it simply wasn’t applied. If they had only done their jobs right, where could we have been by now?

Look at our coconut industry: Coconut water, once treated as a waste product, is now being utilized by our farmers. From 483,862 liters exported in 2009, to 1,807,583 liters in 2010, to a staggering 16,756,498 liters of cocowater exported in 2011. And where no one previously paid heed to coconut coir, we are now experiencing a shortage due to the high demand of exporters. We are not wasting this opportunity: we are buying the machines that will process the coco fibers. We have allocated 1.75 billion pesos to invest in, and develop, this sector.

My mother initiated the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. It is only just that this program sees its conclusion during my term.

We are improving the system, so that we can more swiftly and more efficiently realize agrarian reform. The government is doing everything in its power to ensure that our farmers can claim as their own the land they have tilled and nurtured with their sweat.

There are those, however, who wish to obstruct us. I say to them: We will obey the law. The law says, the nation says, and I say: Before I step down, all the land covered by CARP will have been distributed.

Let me shed some light on our advances in the energy sector. In the past, an electrical wire needed only to reach the barangay hall for an entire barangay to be deemed energized. This was the pretext for the claim that 99.98 percent of the country’s barangays had electricity. Even the delivery of so basic a service was a deception?

We challenged DOE and NEA, allocating 1.3 billion pesos to light up an initial target of 1,300 sitios, at the cost of one million pesos per sitio. And the agencies met the challenge—they lit up 1,520 sitios, at a total cost of 814 million pesos. They accomplished this in three months, instead of the two years it took the people that preceded them. Secretary Rene Almendras, I give you credit; you never seem to run out of energy. With public service, you are not only ever-ready, but like an energizer bunny too—you keep on going, and going, and going.

We have suffused the nation with light—and it is this light, too, that has exposed the crimes that occur in the shadowed corners of society. What the Filipino works so hard for can no longer be pilfered. Crime volume continues to decline across the country. In 2009, over 500,000 crimes were recorded—this year, we have cut that number by more than half, to 246,958. Moreover, 2010’s recorded 2,200 cases of carnapping has likewise been reduced by half—to 966 cases this 2011.

It is these facts that, we hope, will be bannered in headlines. We do not claim that we have ended criminality, but I’m sure no one would complain that it has been reduced. In the span of just a little more than a year, haven’t we finally put Raymond Dominguez in jail, after years of being in and out of prison? Charges have been filed against two of his brothers as well, and they are now serving time, too. Of the two suspects in the Makati bus bombing of the past year—one is dead, and the other is living in a jail cell. He shares the same fate as the more than ten thousand individuals arrested by PDEA in 2011 for charges relating to illegal drugs.

Pacquiao does not fight every day, and so we can’t rely on him to bring down the crime rate. Which is why we’re strengthening our police force. When this administration began, 45 percent of our police carried no guns and probably relied on magic charms as they chased criminals. But now we have completed the bidding—and we are now testing the quality—for an order of 74,600 guns, which we will provide our police, so that they may better serve and protect the nation, our communities, and themselves.

Let us now talk about national defense. Some have described our Air Force as all air and no force. Lacking the proper equipment, our troops remain vulnerable even as they are expected to be put in harm’s way. We cannot allow things to remain this way.

After only one year and seven months, we have been able to allocate over 28 billion pesos for the AFP Modernization Program. This will soon match the 33 billion pesos set aside for the program in the past 15 years. And we’re only getting started: if our proposed AFP modernization bill is passed in Congress, we will be able to allocate 75 billion pesos for defense within the next five years.

The 30-million dollar fund entrusted to us by the United States for the Defense Capability Upgrade and Sustainment of Equipment Program of the AFP is now ready as well. This is in addition to their assistance in improving the way we patrol our shores under the Coast Watch Center of the Philippines, which will soon be established.

At this moment, the Armed Forces is likewise canvassing equipment such as cannons, personnel carriers, and frigates. Before long, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, our second Hamilton class cutter, will drop anchor, to partner with the BRP Gregorio del Pilar. We are not sending paper boats out to sea. Now, our 36,000 kilometers of coastline will be patrolled by more modern ships.

And perhaps it is an apt time for our Armed Forces to clean up their hangars, because we will be having equipment arriving soon to further fortify our defenses. Finally, our one and only C-130 that has been roaming our skies for the past 36 years will have partners: two more C-130s will once again be operational. Before this year ends, we are hopeful that the twenty-one refurbished UH-1H Helicopters, the four combat utility helicopters, the radios and other communication equipment, the rifles, the mortars, the mobile diagnostic laboratories, and even the station bullet assemblies we have purchased will be delivered. Come 2013, ten attack helicopters, two naval helicopters, two light aircraft, one frigate, and air force protection equipment will also be arriving.

And it is not only through better equipment that we demonstrate our commitment to help our police and our soldiers. We have eased their financial burdens through the 22,000 houses that have been built under the AFP–PNP housing program.

We are not doing this because we want to be an aggressor, we are not doing this because we want escalation. This is about keeping the peace. This is about protecting ourselves—something that we have long thought impossible. This is about the life of a soldier who risks his life every day; this is about his family, who awaits his safe return, despite the challenges that confront him.

Let’s listen to some of the beneficiaries of these programs tell us in their own words how their lives have been changed.

Now that the people care for them, the more impassioned our soldiers are in winning the peace. We consider the 1,772 outlaws whose violence has come to an end a great triumph. One example is the infamous terrorist, Doctor Abu, who will never again strike fear in the hearts of our countrymen. We also celebrate the peace and quiet that has returned to places where our countrymen were once deafened by gunfire. As a result of our solidarity: 365 barangays have been liberated from the enemy, 270 buildings and schools have been repaired, and 74 health centers have been built.

While we are on the subject of peace, let us talk about a place that has long stood as a symbol of frustrated hopes. Before our reforms in the ARMM began, what we had were ghost students walking to ghost schools on ghost roads, to learn from ghost teachers. Some of the apparitions that haunted OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman: Four schools found with ghost students; we are also investigating the teachers whose names do not appear in the list of the Professional Regulation Commission, as well as the government workers not listed in the plantilla. Fifty-five ghost entries have been taken off the payroll. The previous scheme of regraveling roads again and again just to earn money has been outlawed. To avoid abuse, we have ended cash advances for agencies. Now, the souls of the ghosts in voters lists can rest in peace. This is why, to OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman, we can say to you: you are indeed a certified ghost buster.

What we have replaced these phantoms with: real housing, bridges, and learning centers for Badjaos in Basilan. Community-based hatcheries, nets, materials to grow seaweeds, and seedlings that have benefited 2,588 fishermen. Certified seeds, gabi seedlings, cassava, rubber, and trees that are bearing fruit for 145,121 farmers. And this is only the beginning. 183 million pesos has been set aside for the fire stations; 515 million pesos for clean drinking water; 551.9 million pesos for health-care equipment; 691.9 million pesos for daycare centers; and 2.85 billion pesos for the roads and bridges across the region. These are just some of the things that will be afforded by the aggregate 8.59 billion pesos the national government has granted the ARMM. Also, allow me to clarify: this does not include the yearly support that they receive, which in 2012 reached 11.7 billion pesos.

Even those who previously wanted to break away are seeing the effects of reform. Over the past seven months, not even a single encounter has been recorded between the military and the MILF. We recognize this as a sign of their trust. With regard to the peace process: talks have been very open; both sides have shown trust and faith in one another. There may be times when the process can get a little complicated, but these are merely signs that we are steadily moving closer to our shared goal: Peace.

We likewise engaged stakeholders in a level-headed discussion in crafting our Executive Order on mining. The idea behind our consensus we reached: that we be able to utilize our natural resources to uplift the living conditions of the Filipinos not just of today, also of the following generations. We will not reap the rewards of this industry if the cost is the destruction of nature.

But this Executive Order is only the first step. Think about it: In 2010, 145 billion pesos was the total value derived from mining, but only 13.4 billion or 9 percent went to the national treasury. These natural resources are yours; it shouldn’t happen that all that’s left to you is a tip after they’re extracted. We are hoping that Congress will work with us and pass a law that will ensure that the environment is cared for, and that the public and private sectors will receive just benefits from this industry.

Let us talk about the situation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Once, the government, which is supposed to give aid, was the one asking for aid. Today, even when the storm is still brewing, we already know how to craft clear plans to avoid catastrophe.

Talking about disasters reminds me of the time when a typhoon struck Tarlac. The dike collapsed due to the rains; when one of the barangay captains awoke, the floods had already taken his family, as well as his farming equipment. Fortunately, the entire family survived. But the carabao they had left tied to a tree wasn’t as lucky; it was strangled to death from the force of the flood.

Many of those affected by typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng, and Sendong were just as defenseless. We lost so many lives to these natural disasters. And now, through Project NOAH, all our anti-disaster initiatives have been brought inside one boat, and we no longer leave the evacuation of families up to mere luck. We now have the technology to give fair warning to Filipinos in order to prepare for and avoid the worst.

Our 86 automated rain gauges and 28 water level monitoring sensors in various regions now benefit us directly and in real time. Our target before the end of 2013: 600 automated rain gauges and 422 water level sensors. We will have them installed in 80 primary river basins around the country.

Yet another change: Before, agencies with shared responsibilities would work separately, with little coordination or cooperation. Now, the culture of government is bayanihan—a coming together for the sake of the people. This is what we call Convergence.

There have always been tree planting programs in government—but after the trees have been planted, they were left alone. Communities that needed livelihood would cut these down and turn them into charcoal.

We have the solution for this. 128,558 hectares of forest have been planted across the country; this is only a fraction of the 1.5 million-hectare farmlands to be laid out before we step down. This covers the communities under the National Convergence Initiative. The process: When a tree is planted, the DWSD will coordinate with communities. In exchange for a conditional cash transfer, communities would take care of the trees; some would help nurture seeds in a nursery. 335,078 individuals now earn their livelihood from these activities.

The private sector has likewise taken part in a program that hands out special coffee and cacao beans to communities, and trains the townsfolk, too, to nurture those seeds into a bountiful harvest. The coffee is planted in the shade of the trees that in turn help prevent flooding and protect the people. The company that hands out the seeds are sure buyers of the yield. It’s a win-win situation—for the private sector, the communities with their extra income, and the succeeding generations that will benefit from the trees.

Illegal logging has long been a problem. From the time we signed Executive Order No. 23, Mayor Jun Amante has confiscated lumber amounting to more than six million pesos. He has our gratitude. This is just in Butuan; what more if all our LGUs demonstrated the same kind of political will?

The timber confiscated by DENR are handed over to TESDA, which then gives the timber to communities they train in carpentry. From this, DepEd gets chairs for our public schools. Consider this: What was once the product of destruction has been crafted into an instrument for the realization of a better future. This was impossible then—impossible so long as the government turned a blind eye to illegal activities.

To those of you without a conscience; those of you who repeatedly gamble the lives of your fellow Filipinos—your days are numbered. We’ve already sanctioned thirty-four DENR officials, one PNP provincial director, and seven chiefs of police. We are asking a regional director of the PNP to explain why he seemed deaf to our directives and blind to the colossal logs that were being transported before his very eyes. If you do not shape up, you will be next. Even if you tremble beneath the skirts of your patrons, we will find you. I suggest that you start doing your jobs, before it’s too late.

From the womb, to school, to work, change has touched the Filipino. And should a life of government service be chosen, our people can expect the same level of care from the state, until retirement. Our administration will recognize their contributions to our society as public servants, and will not withhold from them the pensions they themselves contributed to.

Consider: some retirees receive less than 500 pesos a month. How does one pay for water, power, and food, daily? Our response: With the New Year comes our resolution that all old-age and disability pensioners will receive no less than five thousand pesos monthly. We are heartened that we can meet their needs now, without jeopardizing their future benefits.

The face of government has truly changed. Our compensation levels are at par with the private sector’s at the entry level. But as you rise through the ranks, private-sector pay overtakes the government.

We will close that gap in time; for now, we have good news for government employees: Performance-Based Incentives. In the past, even poorly performing agencies would not have any employees with ratings lower than “very satisfactory.” To maintain smooth interpersonal relations, supervisors would have a hard time giving appropriate ratings. Exceptional employees are not recognized: their excellence is de-incentivized, and receive the same rewards as laziness and indolence.

Here is one of our steps to respond to this. Starting this year, we will implement a system in which bonuses are based on their agency’s abilities to meet their annual targets. Employees now hold the keys to their own advancement. Incentives may reach up to 35,000 pesos, depending on how well you do your jobs. This is in addition to your across-the-board Christmas bonus.

We are doing this not only to boost morale and to show due appreciation of our public servants. This is, above all, for the Filipino people, who expect sincere and efficient service—who expect that they will continue to be the sole Bosses of our workers in government.

There have always been people who have questioned our guiding principle, “If there is no corruption, there is no poverty.” They ask if good governance can put food on the table. Quite simply: Yes.

Think about it: Doing business in the Philippines was once considered too risky—the rules were too opaque and they were constantly changing. A person shaking your hand one day may pick your pocket the next.

Now, with a level playing field, and clear and consistent rules, confidence in our economy is growing. Investments are pouring in, jobs are being created, and a virtuous cycle has begun—where empowered consumers buy more products, and businesses hire more people so they can expand to keep up with the growing demand.

Prudent spending has allowed us to plug the leaks in the system, and improved tax collection has increased revenues. Every peso collected is properly spent on roads, on vaccines, on classrooms and chairs—spent on our future.

We have fixed the system by which we build roads, bridges, and buildings—they now go where they are truly needed. Our roads are properly paved; products, services, and people reach their destination quickly and with greater ease.

Because of good governance in agriculture, food production has increased, prices don’t fluctuate, wages are stable, and our economy is stronger.

It is true: A resilient and dynamic economy resting on the foundations of good governance is the best defense against global uncertainty. We have been dismantling the obstacles to progress for two years, and now, our success can only be limited by how hard we are willing to work for it.

We achieved all these things even as countries around the world were surmounting their own challenges.

We exist in this world with others. And so it is only appropriate that even as we attend to our own problems, we remain vigilant about some events that affect us.

The situation in Bajo de Masinloc has been the source of much discussion. Chinese fishermen entered out territory. Our patrol boats intercepted some of their ships, which contain endangered species. As your leader, it is my duty to uphold the laws of our country. And as I did, tension ensued: on one hand, the Chinese had their Nine-Dash Line Theory laying claim to almost the entire West Philippine Sea; on the other, there was the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea, which recognized the rights of many countries, including that of China itself.

We demonstrated utmost forbearance in dealing with this issue. As a sign of our goodwill, we replaced our navy cutter with a civilian boat as soon as we could. We chose not to respond to their media’s harangues. I do not think it excessive to ask that our rights be respected, just as we respect their rights as a fellow nation in a world we need to share.

There are those who say that we should let Bajo de Masinloc go; we should avoid the trouble. But if someone entered your yard and told you he owned it, would you agree? Would it be right to give away that which is rightfully ours?

And so I ask for solidarity from our people regarding this issue. Let us speak with one voice. Help me relay to the other side the logic of our stand.

This is not a simple situation, and there can be no simple solutions. Rest assured: we are consulting experts, every leader of our nation, our allies—even those on the other side—to find a resolution that is acceptable to all.

With every step on the straight and righteous path, we plant the seeds of change. But there are still some who are commited to uprooting our work. Even as I speak, there are those who have gathered in a room, whispering to each other, dissecting each word I utter, looking for any pretext to attack me with tomorrow. These are also the ones who say, “Let go of the past. Unite. Forgive and forget so we can move forward as a people.”

I find this unacceptable. Shall we simply forgive and forget the ten years that were taken from us? Do we simply forgive and forget the farmers who piled up massive debts because of a government that insisted on importing rice, while we could have reinvested in them and their farmlands instead? Shall we forgive and forget the family of the police officer who died while trying to defend himself against guns with nothing but a nightstick?

Shall we forgive and forget the orphans of the 57 victims of the massacre in Maguindanao? Will their loved ones be brought back to life by forgiving and forgetting? Do we forgive and forget everything that was ever done to us, to sink us into a rotten state? Do we forgive and forget to return to the former status quo? My response: Forgiveness is possible; forgetting is not. If offenders go unpunished, society’s future suffering is guaranteed.

True unity and reconciliation can only emanate from genuine justice. Justice is the plunder case leveled against our former president; justice that she receives her day in court and can defend herself against the accusations leveled against her. Justice is what we witnessed on the 29th of May. On that day, we proved that justice can prevail, even when confronted with an opponent in a position of power. On that day, a woman named Delsa Flores, in Panabo, Davao del Norte, said “It is actually possible: a single law governing both a simple court reporter like me, and the Chief Justice.” It is possible for the scales to be set right, and for even the rich and powerful to be held accountable.

This is why, to the next Chief Justice, much will be demanded of you by our people. We have proven the impossible possible; now, our task is reform towards true justice that continues even after our administration. There are still many flaws in the system, and repairing these will not be easy. I am aware of the weight of your mandate. But this is what our people tasked us to do; this is the duty we have sworn to do; and this what we must do.

Our objectives are simple: If you are innocent, you will appear in court with confidence, because you will be found not guilty. But if you are guilty, you will be made to pay for your sins, no matter who you are.

I would also like to thank Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, for accepting the challenges that came with the position. She could have turned down the responsibility, citing her retirement and volunteering others for the job—but her desire to serve the nation won out. This generosity was met with a grenade in her home. Ma’am, more challenges will come; in time, perhaps, they’ll give you the same monikers they’ve given me—a greedy capitalist who is also a communist headed towards dictatorship because of the reforms we have been working so hard to achieve.

I thank you for your work, and I thank you for being an instrument of true justice—especially at the height of the impeachment trial. I thank, too, the two institutions that form our Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives—which were weighed and measured by the Filipino people, and were not found wanting.

To everyone that ensured that our justice system worked well: You weathered many challenges and criticism, and even misgivings; couple that with the anxiety over possible failure, of having to face the ire of those you went up against, after a mission lost. But you did not falter. The Filipino people were relying on you, and you proved that their faith was rightly placed. You did not fail the nation; you further brightened our futures.

Let me remind you that our fight does not end with the ousting of one corrupt official, with the suspension of an anomalous contract, or the systemic overhauling of a government office. I call upon Congress to pass our amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act, that we may strengthen our measures to hold the corrupt accountable.

Every town that has and will be lighted; the highways, bridges, airports, trains, and ports we have built; fair contracts; the peace in our cities and our rural areas; every classroom, desk, and book assigned to a child; every Filipino granted a future—all of these, we have achieved in just two years. We have advanced an agenda of reform in these last two years, a marked contrast to our suffering in the decade that came before.

If we share the same ideals and work for the same goals, then we are bound by a shared agenda. But if you are against us, it only follows that you are against what we are doing. Whoever stands against the agenda for genuine change—can the people really count them as being on their side?

Elections are fast approaching. You, our Bosses, will be our compass. I ask you, “Boss, what direction will we take? Do we continue treading the straight and righteous path, or do we double-back—towards the crooked road that leads to a dead end?”

I remember well those early days when we first started working. I was keenly aware of the heavy burdens we would face. And I was among those who wondered: Is it possible to fix a system this broken?

This is what I have learned in the 25 months I have served as your president: nothing is impossible. Nothing is impossible because if the Filipino people see that they are the only Bosses of their government, they will carry you, they will guide you, they themselves will lead you towards meaningful change. It isn’t impossible for the Philippines to become the first country in Southeast Asia to provide free vaccines for the rotavirus. It isn’t impossible for the Philippines to stand strong and say, “The Philippines is for Filipinos—and we are ready to defend it.” It is not impossible for the Filipino who for so long had kept his head bowed upon meeting a foreigner—it is not impossible for the Filipino, today, to stand with his head held high and bask in the admiration of the world. In these times—is it not great to be a Filipino?

Last year, I asked the Filipino people: Thank those who have done their share in bringing about positive change in society. The obstacles we encountered were no laughing matter, and I believe it is only right that we thank those who shouldered the burdens with us, in righting the wrongs brought about by bad governance.

To all the members of my Cabinet: my sincerest thanks. The Filipino people are lucky that there are those of you ready to sacrifice your private and much quieter lives in order to serve the public, even if you know that you will receive smaller salaries, dangers, and constant criticism in return.

And I hope that they will not mind if I take this opportunity to thank them today: to Father Catalino Arevalo and Sister Agnes Guillen, who have nurtured and allowed my spiritual life to flourish, especially in times of greatest difficulty: my deepest gratitude.

This is my third SONA; only three remain. We are entering the midpoint of our administration. Last year, I challenged you to fully turn your back on the culture of negativism; to take every chance to uplift your fellow Filipinos.

From what we are experiencing today, it is clear: you succeeded. You are the wellspring of change. You said: it is possible.

I stand before you today as the face of a government that knows you as its Boss and draws its strength from you. I am only here to narrate the changes that you yourselves have made possible.

This is why, to all the nurses, midwives, or doctors who chose to serve in the barrios; to each new graduate who has chosen to work for the government; to each Filipino athlete who proudly carries the flag in any corner of the globe, to each government official who renders true and honest service: You made this change possible.

So whenever I come face to face with a mother who tells me, “Thank you, my child has been vaccinated,” I respond: You made this happen.

Whenever I come face to face with a child who tells me, “Thank you for the paper, for the pencils, for the chance to study,” I respond: You made this happen.

Whenever I come face to face with an OFW who tells me, “Thank you, because I can once again dream of growing old in the Philippines,” I respond: You made this happen.

Whenever I come face to face with a Filipino who says, “Thank you, I thought that we would never have electricity in our sitio. I never imagined living to see the light,” I respond: You made this happen.

Whenever I come face to face with any farmer, teacher, pilot, engineer, driver, call center agent, or any normal Filipino; to every Juan and Juana dela Cruz who says, ”Thank you for this change,” I respond: You made this happen.

I repeat: what was once impossible is now possible. I stand before you today and tell you: this is not my SONA. You made this happen. This is the SONA of the Filipino nation. Thank you.

CYCAS WADEI endangered & threatened habitat

2012-07-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Cycads, which look like palms or tree ferns, are a group of plants whose ancestors date back more than 300 million years. They are considered to be the dinosaurs of the plant kingdom. There are ten distinct Cycas species in the Philippines and one of them is geographically restricted to one particular island. The observed natural range of the Cycas wadei is only within the island of Culion making it a true endemic species that the municipality can be proud of. In nearby Busuanga, most of the cycads in cultivation are Cycas circinalis and a sprinkling of transplanted specimens that are purported to have been dug from the wild populations of Culion. Some cycad species all over the planet are endangered or threatened in the wild from habitat loss and over-collection.

This at least has not yet happened in Culion where the new local government has recently initiated a preliminary study of its natural history and addressed its conservation by first, urgently resolving claims over the land by private individuals and secondly, by declaring the locale as an irreplaceable sanctuary for wild Cycas wadei. Also, the local government has increased appreciation of this great but little known prehistoric species by allowing the transplant of some specimens to a small park within the municipality as initial showpieces to visitors to the island municipality. This welcome move is a must before they fall under real threat of destruction or extinction. Any where in the world, protection is heavily dependent on habitat conservation in a way that other flora and fauna may also benefit from it. If the natural habitat is protected, so are the insect pollinators associated with its flourishing population.

Today there is a steady encroachment of the land where they are found. A teak nursery and plantation is threatening to alter the usage of land left and right of the pitogo area right after the bridge in Quezon. We don’t know yet the effects of farmed teak in the island but the clear cutting of the land of endemic trees to make way for the newcomer species is highly obvious. In some countries like Panama where teak farms abound, the local biodiversity has declined and threatened other species to extinction by its monoculture. In Culion, there is little known ethno-botanical usage for this plant aside from its use as a horticultural specimen in landscapes.

There are some claims that the endocarp is beaten to a pulp then washed and cooked by some enterprising native settlers. But such folkloric claims are still unfounded as most cycads belong to a list of highly toxic plants. Thus, the only threat to the continuing existence of this endemic plant is the sweeping agricultural use of the area. In some countries like Costa Rica, Peru and South Africa some entrepreneurs have spearheaded to make the sites of their endemic cycads as venues for guided tours and has managed to make the area’s self-sustained preservation through the income generated by ecotourism. Such conservation measures and other environmental protection plans can also be done for the magnificent Cycas wadei.

The Proposed Studies and Conservation Measures:
* Raise the level of awareness of the importance of CYCAS wadei among students and ultimately the populace. Lecture rounds must be tailor made for the elementary, high school and college levels on the importance of the pitogo as part of the local biodiversity and BIODIVERSITY in general. Make slide shows and mini lectures on the topic.

The Proposed Studies and Conservation Measures:

* An in-situ and ex-situ nursery of wild-collected seeds can be established for trading or exchange with environmentally concerned individuals, hobbyists, educational institutions and botanical gardens around the world. The movement of the seeds to various institutions must be carefully documented in order to tap this ex-situ gene pool for future use. (Years from then on, a cycad collection craze can be an offshoot of this activity and contribute to the horticultural awareness of the local people leading them to explore avenues of income generation from the pitogo that they always see and regard as unimportant and useless. Cycas wadei in Culion has no natural biological pests and can become very attractive to visitors who might get an interest to buy some young plants for their collection.)

* Propose a hiking or biking trail around the protected park for visitors

"REPORT KAY BOSS" - SONA 2012

2012-07-22T18:42:00.002-07:00

http://www.gov.ph/past-sona-speeches/

It’s a speech that will show that “what President Aquino says is what he does.” At his inauguration on June 30, 2010, Mr. Aquino said the people were his “boss,” and promised to do what they wanted him to do for them.

...In time for the President’s third report to Congress, experts in different fields who make up the Movement for Good Governance (MGG) released their new scorecard for Mr. Aquino.

For his work in his second year in office, the Movement for Good Governance gave Mr. Aquino a score of 5.59 out of a possible 10. The group gave him 4.69 last year.

The movement, headed by University of the Philippines professor emeritus Solita Monsod, the socioeconomic planning secretary to Mr. Aquino’s mother, said the score, though representing an improvement from last year’s, meant that the President fell short of meeting the goals that he himself had set and committed to deliver at the beginning of his term.

Mr. Aquino faces the Filipinos’ representatives in the legislature with a higher grade given by reform-minded organizations, business leaders and ordinary citizens who have been following his performance since he set out two years ago to continue the reforms introduced by his mother, President Corazon Aquino, to pull the Philippines out of the economic wasteland she inherited from the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

He also promised to lead them down the “straight path,” and proceeded to clean up the bureaucracy to make doing business with the government easier for the public, but most especially for investors who trusted that he would not taint his late mother’s legacy.

Two years later, he has raised the Philippine economy’s credit-worthiness to just one notch below investment grade and he has brought criminal charges against his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose administration was seen as more corrupt than the Marcos regime.

And he has removed from office by impeachment Renato Corona, the Chief Justice whom Arroyo appointed as her scandal-wracked administration was ending...
http://www.gov.ph/2011/07/25/benigno-s-aquino-iii-second-state-of-the-nation-address-july-25-2011/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEsw4w0TJN0&feature=player_embedded

http://www.livestream.com/sona2012/video?clipId=pla_80153064-104e-49a3-927e-7801fdd7baef&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb

Live video for mobile from Ustream

Bachelors Hall PETITION

2012-07-22T03:34:00.004-07:00

Petisyun ng tahasang pagtutol sa pagpapatayo ng RHU Bldg. sa Barangay BALALA:

SA MGA KINAUUKULAN: KAMING MAMAMAYAN NG CULION AY TAHASANG TUMUTUTOL SA PAG GIBA AT PAGSIRA NG LUGAR NA DATING BACHELORS HALL NA NGAYUN AY SIYANG PINAGDARAUSAN NG MGA SELEBRASYUN SA HARAP NG MUNISPYO PARA LAMANG PATATAYUAN NG RURAL HEALTH UNIT (RHU) BLDG. SA MGA KADAHILANANG

• 1. ANG PAGPAPATAYO NG RHU AY DI DUMAAN SA TAMANG PROSESO KUNG SAAN WALANG KONSULTASYON SA HANAY NG BARANGAY AT SANGGUNIANG BAYAN. ANG BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 9032 AY Naglalayon na HINDI DAPAT MAGING BAHAGI NG HOSPITAL ZONE ANG ANO MANG LUGAR NA MAY RESIDENTIAL, KOMERSYAL, AT IBA PANG SONA, KAYA HINDI NAAAYON SA PROBISYON NG BATAS SA PAGTAYO NG RHU SA DATING BACHELORS HALL.

• 2. SAPAGKAT WALANG BUILDING PERMIT NA NANGGAGALING SA MUN. ENGR.; RESOLUSYON NG SANGUNIANG BAYAN, AT KONSULTASYON NG MAMAMAYAN.

• 3. SAPAGKAT ANG RHU AYON SA LAYUNIN AT MANDATO NG BATAS AY DAPAT MAGSERBISYO SA MGA BARRIO O LUGAR KUNG SAAN WALANG MALAPIT NA OSPITAL O PAGAMUTAN... DITO ITATAYO ANG RHU SA POBLASYON KUNG SAAN AY MALAPIT LAMANG ANG GENERAL HOSPITAL NA MAGDUDULOT LAMANG NG DUPLIKASYON AT KOMPETENSYA SA SERBISYO MEDICAL, SAMANTALANG MAS MARAMING RURAL AREAS NA MAS NANGANGAILANGAN NG SERBISYO MEDICAL.

• 4. ITO AY MAGDUDULOT NG PANGANIB SA KALUSUGAN NG MGA MAMAYAN DAHIL ITO AY MALAPIT SA MUNISIPYO, TALIPAPA AT BARANGAY.

• SAMAKATUWID KAMING MAMAYAN NG CULION AY NAGLALAYONG MAG PETISYON UPANG IPATIGIL AT HADLANGAN ANG PAGPAPATAYO NG RHU MEDICAL FACILITY SA LUGAR NA DI NAUUKOL SA TAMANG LAYUNIN NG RURAL HEALTH SERVICES NA DI MAKAKATUPAD NG TUNAY NA MANDATO NG RHU BAGKOS AY MAKAKASIRA SA IMAHIN NG MUNISIPYO, BARANGAY AT POBLACION. NILALAYON DIN NG PETISYONG ITO NA ILAGAY ANG RHU SA LUGAR KUNG SAAN HIGIT NA KAILANGAN AT MALAPIT SA MGA BARANGAY KUNG SAAN WALANG SERBISYONG MEDICAL...

SIGNATURES:

the provision of R.A. 9032 is now being violated by those who are insisting the construction of RHU bldg. THAT NO PART OF THE HOSPITAL ZONE SHALL INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL... YET THEY STILL INSIST AND LOCAL GOVT CODE PROVIDES THAT ...any gov't. project to be implemented must have proper consultation with Sanguniang Bayan prior to its implementation. the SB shall authorize the mayor to allow the implementation of such project...

……………………………………………………………..

Gloria J. Balboa,
Director IV
Department Of Health
Quirino Memorial Medical Center Compound
Project 4, Quezon City Phil.

We can understand your sincere support for the Municipal Health Office (MHO), nevertheless there seems to be a lapse in the part of the LGU and the proponent with regards to the provisions of the proposed memo ag, which had never been approved by the Sanguniang Bayan and in considerations of all gov’t projects mandate to secure social acceptability. The petition the people made against the Municipal Health Office building is therefore opposed for a legitimate contention but never in anyway given just consideration. We are predicating this answer to your letter on the proposition that what you have provided in good faith is also good for the subject, which is the people of this municipality. You cannot relieve yourself from the outcome of your help that is now being questioned and resisted by the same people you wanted to serve. Unless you will better hear our voice, then we will, you never bother to know your given mandate.

To decide on matters that is obscured and founded only on legitimation of a project without satisfying the provisions of law must therefore be a lapse and an undoing of people in charged of an office. LGU or other entities must be subservient to the will of the people as what our constituent so declares. Arguments and manifesto are therefore our only way to upheld our rights as the people. We shall most of all be honest to say, we don’t deserve a disservice to the people like us. attached please find our manifesto…

……………………………………………………………..

MANIFESTO

WE THE RESIDENTS AND ADVOCATES OF CULION HISTORY, HERITAGES AND THE PRESERVATION OF THE OLD TOWN,

DO HEREBY MANIFEST OUR indignation for the continuous destruction, removal and alteration of our heritage sites, buildings and structures in the name of development and project implementations by un-scrupulous gov't officials without public consultation for social acceptability and utter disregard to environmental impact as well as the respect that must be accorded to historical value of the area or the structure that are part of the past including the aesthetic value of the old town.

WHEREAS; people has already petitioned the municipality as well as the Department of Health region IV expressing their sentiments and outright opposition to the construction of the RHU, and had resolved among others to request the DOH as the funding agency of this project as well as the municipal govt as the recipient to immediately stop the construction pending proper consultation, endorsement and the authorization of the Local Chief Executive (LCE) to enter into a memio agg. with the Department of Health.

WHEREAS; the blatant disregard of the proponent constructing the RHU Bldg to heed the call of the public, as well as the municipality's failure to consider the general public clamor to stop the construction as it is not the best and the right place to put up a RURAL HEALTH UNIT FACILITIES. and it will cause irreparable damage to a heritage site, the pro-land use principles, as well as the aesthetic beauty of the place.

WHEREAS; there is an existing RHU facilty in bgy Patag which may cater and provide medical services to more remote barangays such as Halsey, Binudac, and or sitios such as Demipac, Katuldan, Kabul kabul, Botnongan, Cabulihan, Mampoc, and others…

WHEREAS; if (MHO) Municipal Health Office shall be deemed proper to be establish in the poblacion,, there are DOH buildings that can be renovated and functional Municipal Health Office.

WHEREAS; The SB has invited the peoples representatives as well as the bgy official to hear their petition and to make the necessary legislative measure to address the problem of RHU bldg. construction at the former Bachelors hall and was made into a stage and a place to hold programs and other activities.

WHEREAS, the SB failed to adopt the Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) between the Local Chief Executive (LCE) and the Reg. Dir. of the DOH, thus did not authorized the Local Chief Executive (LCE) to enter into the Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA). A clear violation of the Local Gov't Code and other rule of law.

WHEREAS; inspite of all the violations and letter of appeal petition and the consultations, that despite of the absence of Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) bet the proponent and the benificiary. that inspite of the letter of the reg. Direct the construction of the said medical facility was continued without the proper gov’t procedures in project implementation benign followed..

NOW THEREFORE; be it the people of Culion openly manifests, as we hereby manifests our strongest voice of opposition and condemnation for the utter disregard of Culion heritages site and structures with historical and aesthetic value to the people and the community. And the blatant act committed by those who perpetrated this act of constructing or implementing a project without the necessary social acceptability, long term environmental impact and the possible hazard it may pose to the people of culion.

WE FURTHER MANIFEST TO REQUEST ALL CONCERN AGENCIES, NGO'S AND OTHER CAUSE ORIENTED GROUP. TO SUPPORT US REDEEM THE LOST HERITAGE SITES, TO CAUSE THE IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF THE PLANS FOR LAND USE AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVT PLAN OF CULION. AND UPON THIS REVIEW, TO STOP THE BUILDING OF THE RHU BLDG UNTIL ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND THE LEGITIMATION OF THIS CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN FULLY MET SATISFIED AND DONE.

SIGNATURES:

Carolina Magno Felipe

Nill L Taal

Mark Viktor Quilinguen

Nene Magno

Arlene Icasiano Henson

Evelyn Arzaga Torres

Rico Derpo Arandia

Nicolas Torres

Jomar Torres

Henry Juan

Darius Lorenzo

Jun Lorenzo

Ireneo 'Rene' A. Yala

Robert O. Barreyro

Maria Faustina Paz

Ed Belen

Esther Reyes

Zacarias Zabanal

Buenagracia "Rachelle" Delacruz.

Glen Lisboa

John lisboa

Wilmer Natividad Naceno

Humphrey James Natividad

Kenneth Mar Sanchez Salcedo

Lasalette Cheryl Marie L. Payong

Danielle Isabelle Payong

Susie Aquino

Jesus Libres

Michael Venusa

Jun Santos

Ampy Murcia

JoAnn Alcantara-Garlitos

Butch Fernandez

Lovelle Moana Reyes Hitosis

Monaryn Borbo

Mae S. Lagunday

Karen Fami

Mary Josephine Taal

Mary Christaine Taal

Germinia Taal

Diane lisboa amita

Eduardo Layag

Nancy Mae Lisboa

Nestor (Jr.) lisboa

Josephine 'Peng' Taal Ramirez

Luisito 'Luis' Taal

Gregorio 'Goyo' Taal

Jackie P. lisboa

Carl lisboa

Teresa lisboa

Marina P. lisboa

Sergee lisboa

Maigee lisboa

Rose P. lisboa

Carlota Magno Ugma

Chary Magno Francisco

Chit Cervantes

Coney Magno

Nel Dino

Astrud Lisboa

Carlos Magno

Joshua Emmanuel Magno Felipe

Samuel Aaron Magno Felipe

Daniel Andrew Magno Felipe

John Isaac Magno Felipe

Quiel Layag

Ricardo Arzaga

John Fetalino

Edwin Kibs Contreras

Michael Pamado

Al B. Linsangan III

Judith Panlilio Quirit

Windel Pastoriza

Remigio "Junn" Duque Jr.

Jaime G. Sarthou

Jesus Libres

Jesus Villamor

Ms. Angel Senorin

Louie E. Mendoza

Jhona Cabaltera Brioso

Barba Ann B. Cerdana

Maria Therese Lorraine So-Trieste

April Joy V. Bautista

Rona D. Pascual

Pamela Ranel B. Abrew

Ariane May V. Abatayo

Maria Celina L. Ylagan

Ramir T. Figuracion

Kamille Londres

Elizabeth R. Engay

Ma. Imelda Ocampo

Hazel B. Tanguamos

Amanda Grace Zaballero.

Ally Matute

Jocee Verano

Grei Ann D.M. Bulos

Renlee Advincula

Fema Singco Berongan Toledo

Kris Markoff

Arnel Sarmiento

Judith Jumaquio

Cristina Reyes Baylon

Mae S. Lagunday

Xavier Alpasa Sj.

Jing M. Ludovice

List of Petitioners at RHU Building Construction in Barangay Balala, Culion, Palawan

1. Eduardo B. Layag – Barangay Balala

2. Nimfa B. Nomorosa – Barangay Balala

3. Kellainie C. Poblete – Barangay Balala

4. Katinidad S. Cadlum – Barangay Balala

6. William Valones – Barangay Balala

7. Cornelia M. Diño – Barangay Balala

8. Gregoria Gelacio – Barangay Balala

9. Virgilio Lagrosa – Barangay Balala

10. Alvin Iway – Barangay Osmeña

11. Argalina P. Simundo – Barangay Balala

12. Noel Sabando – Barangay Balala

13. Aurora Auna – Barangay Osmeña

14. Bernard P. Torres – Barangay Balala

15. Anita V. Lorenzo – Barangay Balala

16. David P. Lorenzo – Barangay Balala

19. Samuel Manalo – Barangay Osmeña

21. May Ann Alcantara – Barangay Jardin

22. Alejandro M. Dayandante – Barangay Osmeña

23. Emmanuel R. Melad – Barangay Balala

26. Renita M. Colangoy – Barangay Osmeña

27. Mary Ann B. Rada – Barangay Osmeña

28. Judy C. Cataquis – Barangay Balala

29. Gay M. Castañaday – Barangay Osmeña

30. Angelina T. Castillo – Barangay Osmeña

31. Rebecca P. Ledris – Barangay Osmeña

32. Myrna J. Lagrosa – Barangay Osmeña

33. Magin San Agustin – Barangay Balala

34. Romualdo C. Serdeña – Barangay Balala

37. Alexander Torres – Barangay Balala

42. Leona A. Arzaga – Barangay Balala

47. Rene Mark Pondevilla – Barangay Jardin

48. Lyssette Valones – Barangay Balala

49. Gerry Abrea – Barangay Jardin

50. Jeffrey Cervantes – Barangay Jardin

51. Esther Benitez – Barangay Balala

52. Danny Benitez – Barangay Balala

53. Erma Torres – Barangay Balala

54. Joy Doldig – Barangay Balala

55. Delia Escamilla – Barangay Jardin

56. Daisy Dimanalata – Barangay Balala

57. Emma Jean Louise Torres – Barangay Balala

58. Bernard Torres – Barangay Balala

59. Leticia Obas – Barangay Balala

60. Elaine Grace Alcantara – Barangay Balala

61. Elsa T. Calogro – Barangay Balala

62. Wivina A. Quilinguen – Barangay Balala

63. Roberto V. Amita – Barangay Balala

64. Pablo Acosta Jr. – Barangay Jardin

65. Virginia Acosta – Barangay Jardin

66. Erickson Gelacio – Barangay Jardin

67. Joseph Galleon – Barangay Osmeña

68. Clarito L. Batuigas – Barangay Libis

69. Jeff M. Geraldez – Barangay Osmeña

71. Helen A. Villareal – Barangay Luac

72. Arnita M. Bantonare – Barangay Tiza

75. Esther B. Fortich – Barangay Jardin

76. Alexander S. Amora – Barangay Balala

77. Marvin Iway – Barangay Osmeña

80. Rebecca D. Paz – Barangay Jardin

81. Hayne S. Derla – Barangay Tiza

84. Lina R. Bulotano – Barangay Tiza

86. Paul Anthony M. Paredes – Barangay Balala

88. Maritess Layag – Barangay Balala

89. Dianne L. Amita – Barangay Balala

90. Shiela Pahugot – Barangay Balala

92. Elisa L. Abadiano – Barangay Balala

94. Virginia Santos – Barangay Balala

96. Genalyn A. Cervantes – Barangay Luac

97. Ernie Fontanillas – Barangay Balala

98. Jeffrey Gonzales – Barangay Jardin

99. Marilou Lagreo – Barangay Jardin

100. Ramona Elizabeth S. Fontanillas – Barangay Balala

102. Lynn Sotero – Barangay Balala

103. Salud Gonzales – Barangay Balala

104. Charina M. Derpo – Barangay Balala

105. Elvira Lagrosa – Barangay Culango

109. Caren S. Badang – Barangay Baldat

110. Remy Delos Santos – Barangay Jardin

114. Germiniano P. Pillarda Jr. – Barangay Jardin

115. Ricardo Arzaga Jr. – Barangay Balala

116. Dianne B. Ambos – Barangay Luac

117. Annaliza Magbanua – Barangay Jardin

118. Clemente G. Ledris – Barangay Osmeña

119. Paul T. Pungit – Barangay Osmeña

123. Michael Poblete – Barangay Balala

124. Mary C. Diaz – Barangay Osmeña

125. Alfonso L. Pipo – Barangay Osmeña

127. Lucia Derla – Barangay Tiza

128. J. Mandac – Barangay Osmeña)

129. Rizalito L. Derla – Barangay Tiza

133. Perla S. Albaña – Barangay Libis

134. Antonieta A. Cabrera – Barangay Tiza

135. Alfredo Ledesma – Barangay Jardin

136. Raymundo Mahinay – Barangay Balala

138. Lendl V. Lagan – Barangay Jardin

139. Linda Lagan – Barangay Jardin

140. Napoleon L. Abadiano – Barangay Balala

141. Marivic V. Bantog – Barangay Balala

143. Zacarias C. Zabanal – Barangay Balala

144. Paul Tabla – Barangay Culango

147. Pauline O. Gonzales – Barangay Jardin

148. Marilyn T. Abrea – Barangay Culango

149. Digna Y. Castillo – Barangay Jardin

150. Aiza G. Nacachi – Barangay Balala

151. Arlene Ciego – Barangay Balala

152. Marisol Magalona – Barangay Jardin

153. Irene C. Contreras – Barangay Balala

154. Rieza V. Abrea – Barangay Culango

155. Enfrocena Cabacungan – Barangay Culango

156. Elsie Cabanus – Barangay Jardin

157. Nelson Cabans – Barangay Jardin

158. Shelinie Buric – Barangay Baldat

160. Elizabeth S. Dagta – Barangay Culango

161. Sharon F. Felicilda – Barangay Balala

162. Mary Ann Tabla – Barangay Culango

163. Gabina A. Valones – Barangay Balala

164. Marino C. Dadosano – Barangay Culango

165. Shayne Gonzales – Barangay Jardin

166. Leonida R. Sarmiento – Barangay Baldat

167. Leony C. Magno – Barangay Baldat

168. Helen P. Abrina – Barangay Jardin

169. Annabelle Villera – Barangay Balala

170. Maximo Miñosa – Barangay Balala

171. Esther Ll. Reyes – Barangay Balala

172. Josefina T. Abadiano – Barangay Balala

173. Mark Anthony Ciego – Barangay Balala

174. Nestor N. Lisboa Jr. – Barangay Balala

175. Riodora Buhisan – Barangay Balala

TOTAL PETITIONERS – 176

Unidentified Due to Handwriting – 42

Signature Only No Name – 6

Redundant – 1

First Name Initial Only – 1

Identified Petitioners – 126

Barangay Balala – 61

Barangay Jardin – 25

Barangay Osmeña – 17

Barangay Culango – 8

Barangay Tiza – 6

Barangay Baldat – 4

Barangay Luac – 3

Barangay Libis – 2

TOTAL = 126

the project was pushed thru in the absence of a MOA.. and there was no prior consultation. the mun. health officer was given an audience by the SB.. PLs ask for the minutes. kasma mun. eng. the record will show the SB did not authorized the LCE nor the MHO to enter into the agreement. considering that there was a public outcry thru petition not to destroy the open space which was formerly the bachelors hall. until now there is a clamor not to push through the project.. until all requirements has been satisfied... including ECC. social acceptability and other proprieties... common sensibility, culturally legally and appropriately must be heeded as we are the supposed public servant... me pag aaral dapat at pag uusap sa tao.. kung wala, sa kanila man yan... bakit inaayawan? at bakit pinipilit po?

A PUBLIC OUTCRY - NO MOA, NO FURTHER CONSULTATIONS, NO SB LCE AUTHORIZATION, NO MHO AGREEMENT, NO ECC & SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY. KAILANGAN PANG PAGARALAN AT PAG UUSAP SA TAO

common sense tells us... kung ako ang servant o waiter... the customer is always right... bakit ko bigyan na serbisyo na di namin gusto? tayo lahat binabayaran para masunod gusto mamamayan.. di po tayo nandito para ipIlit ang bagay na di mo man lang tinanong sa tao.... THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE... AS THE LAW PROVIDES... AS WE ARE MANDATED.. AS YOU ARE HIRED TO PROTECT THE VERY INTENT OF THE PEOPLE... THE END NEVER JUSTIFIES THE MEAN...YOU ARE AS I AM IS MANDATED...

IF you look over the MOA bet LGU and DOH... the facility that is for the MHO includes medical service... there will be primary care, consultations and medication... it will also include lying in for delivery... component ang RHU... which is Rural Health Unit. parang clinic yan... bakit di na approved ang MOA? kasi madami nang violations... out of !# terms and conditions of which is proper consultation, supervision in the construction and the turn over... kaso nga nauna gawin ang construction kesa sa MA.

SENIOR CITIZEN MANIFESTO: (and Culion public outcry!)

Kaming mga miembro ng Culion Birthday Club na binubuo ng mga senior citizen at mamamayan ng Culion ay hayagang tumututol sa pagpapatayo ng RHU (Rural Health Unit) or Municipal Health Office building sa pusod mismo ng Barangay Balala sa kadahilanang lubha na itong nakakasikip, at napakahalaga ang dating istraktura sa mga pagtitipong ginaganap dito sa Bachelors Hall or stage at sa Bayanihan Theater.

mga
NAGSILAGDA:

Virgilio (Boy) Palanca
Evangeline Dulay
Rogelio Dulay
Renato Liwanag
Sofia S. Abis
Noel Barut
Christie Romero
Alma Romero
Marina I. Mendoza
Jefrey Mendoza
Jaime Alcantara
Felizer Domingo
Ma. Lourdes Racela Lim
Marilyn R. Africa
Fabiana T. Lim
Michael A. Aban
Balbina C. Aban

September 30, 2012

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Abused Cebuano workers rescued in Culion, Palawan

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/187231/abused-cebuano-workers-rescued-in-culion-palawan

Cebu Daily News

7:19 am | Friday, May 4th, 2012

these workers were the one working on this RHU project in culion. but they were sent back to Cebu already cause of these abused

THEY went to Palawan last week to earn a living.

But on Sunday, 43 male construction workers from the town of Pinamungajan, southern Cebu, had to be rescued.

They were clamoring to go home after being served bad food and being made to stay in poor accommodations by their foreign employer.

Pinamungajan Mayor Geraldine Yapha sought the help of Culion, Palawan Mayor Emiliano P. Marasigan Jr. to rescue the Cebuano workers .

She said the Cebuano workers are now safely with the Culion police and waiting for their transportation back to Pinamungahan.

However, the logistics of bringing home 43 persons is difficult, said the mayor.

She said the town is asking a private vessel owner in Palawan to let the workers ride for free but the schedule set is still a week from now.

“Their families want them back already. We cannot wait for a week for the private vessel’s scheduled trip,” she said.

She said the Pinamungahan government is working with Culion local officials, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale’s Office and Provincial Social Welfare Office,

“The only way, aside from the airplane, to transport them back here is through a vessel or pumboat that would bring them to Iloilo. From Iloilo, they could travel to Negros where they could board a barge bound for Toledo city . We are considering all options,” she said.

Yapha said she did not know about the mass recruitment until the workers’ families pleaded for help.

The workers accepted to work for a foreigner who wants to build a beach resort in an island in Palawan, she said.

They were promised decent wages and accomodation.

Vice Governor Magpale said a complaint for illegal recruitment and traffickcould be prepared against the foreigner.

She said that aside from working to transport the Pinamungahan workers home, authorities are gathering data about the recruiter and the employer.

“We can consider this trafficking because when they reached the island, the salary was not given. The agreement was not satisfied,” she said./Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos

culion as student of modernity? (:empowerment)

2012-07-19T21:51:00.000-07:00

...I remember during my elementary years our teacher asked us to define some common pilipino proverbs. And one that i can't forget was this, "ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay di makararating sa paroroonan". One interpretation was one who does not know how to look back like the gratefulness to the kindness of our parents or the appreciation of the past where we came from, or neglecting all these good legacies, the person will not reach his destination.

That was more than 30 years ago and it still lingers in my mind until this very moment. Because we have another analysis now and that is for our beloved town Culion. My town had a great history if not meaningful journey too from its wonderful past to reach its true destiny in curing this dreadful disease. Its wonderful history threading the beautiful path of services and genuine cares not only for the patients but also to its people in general as signs to follow. From the missionaries like the Jesuits to SPC sisters to the managing directors, doctors, nurses, nursemaid, engineers, clerks and even their music band up to the street sweeper or cleaner, etc. A joy in true sense of service like parents’ love in taking care of their children. This was Culion in a productive past amidst the stigma and isolations or prejudices of the world but in truth it was a haven of peace and joy not to mention its natural resources around the place especially the blessings and its abundance.

Ahh was it the great past? We can only wonder… We might be questioning now the present situation of our dear town in order to bring back the sense of belongingness to our community and families, or to look back at least from its effective and great achievements including their values. So what are great achievements of the present? Why does it seem that while we experienced the accomplishments of our ‘past’ we find the equal deterioration of the ‘present’ lost in apathy or indifference? Where leadership has been assign to a mere survival that denounced involvement? Losing its legacy or the ethics of life only to deteriorate the place, worst than its stigma? Was it only the cause of misguided decision or actions?..

We joyfully celebrated when Culion became a municipality on Feb. 12, 1992 by late Pres. Corazon Aquino the mother of the present president Noynoy Aquino through Republic Act (RA) 7193, creating the municipality of Culion in the province of Palawan. Then on May 8, 1995 was the first election of municipal and barangay officials. Plus other major changes in terms of administrative, like the transfer of Department of Health (DOH) from sanitarium to municipality and creating different barangays with their respective councils and chairman. We were truly excited those times, becoming independent being govern by ourselves for better and not for worst that is supposed to be guided and inspired by our past.

Unfortunately we missed a lot of great opportunities and we remain stagnant or overwhelmed by this crazy big thing called ‘development’ complicated by modernity. Our new leaders seems to find it too heavy to face these challenges neglecting its guiding precedent only to be founded in a state of self-destruct??

One big significant were the negligence of the very heart of our town like some historical sites, done by the underdevelopment of PPA or the Philippine Port Authority authored by no other than the devious motives and torpidity of an (immoral) executive order with its obvious flaws and unfounded assertions.

The alarming and rampant illegal drugs that slowly fragmenting the youth and the families around. And equally painful emergence of some kind of deep division among the people, the great divide of the powerful and the powerless that we cannot even imagine happening in the land where brotherhood is almost a way of life. Instead we became strangers to one another and to our very own land… or simply being deprived of empowerment....??

yes there will be more works, mostly miracles for Culion. let us wake up now and see the new Culion in a true sense of progress, eco-friendly, tourists destination in the North of Palawan. Young generations as well as the Jesuit trained and educated young people who should always take a stand, no matter what. if it is for the greatest good. let's do it. or do we have other choice?..

we are forever searching now for this young genes to have the kind of heart who truly love our place. we cannot wish it anymore we have no other choice but to do, and will continue to do it, hoping to bear fruits much sweet than the harvest of the past. with all the help of our friends, families and communities in Culion who are true Culionaires in hearts and minds... and remain vigilant for Culion, as the heart and soul of the place. also as a core group or leaders who can ride with this so called "hope" that we always hold on to, cultivating the grassroot before it's too late as we are chasing time now. This was our prayers since the beginning of time immemorial... Hmm isn't it exciting? so with the continued guidance of our forefathers and the spiritual directors we will continue to study, train and acquire great knowledge... the future of Culion depend much on the training and the laurels its people would bring for this chosen endeavor...

culion... then and now (2)

2012-07-19T21:11:00.001-07:00

One big significant were the negligence of the very heart of our town like some historical sites, done by the underdevelopment of PPA or the Philippine Port Authority authored by no other than the devious motives and torpidity of an executive order with its obvious flaws and unfounded assertions.

Culion... then and now?

2012-07-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

I remember during my elementary years our teacher asked us to define some common pilipino quotations. And one that i can't forget was this, "ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay di makararating sa paroroonan". One interpretation was one who does not know how to look back like the gratefulness to the kindness of our parents or the appreciation of the past where we came from, or neglecting all these good legacies, the person will not reach his destination.

That was more than 30 years ago and it still lingers in my mind until this very moment. Because we have another analysis now and that is for our beloved town Culion. My town had a great history if not meaningful journey too from its wonderful past to reach its true destiny in curing this dreadful disease. It’s wonderful history threading the beautiful path of services and genuine cares not only for the patients but also to its people in general as signs to follow. From the missionaries like the Jesuits to SPC sisters to the managing directors, doctors, nurses, nursemaid, engineers, clerks and even their music band up to the street sweeper or cleaner, etc. A joy in true sense of service like parents’ love in taking care of their children. This was Culion in a productive past amidst the stigma and isolations or prejudices of the world but in truth it was a haven of peace and joy not to mention its natural resources around the place especially the blessings and its abundance.

Ahh was it the great past? We can only wonder… We might be questioning now the present situation of our dear town in order to bring back the sense of belongingness to our community and families, or to look back at least from its effective and great achievements including their values. So what are great achievements of the present? Why does it seem that while we experienced the accomplishments of our ‘past’ we find the equal deterioration of the ‘present’ lost in apathy or indifference? Where leadership has been assign to a mere survival that denounced involvement? Losing its legacy or the ethics of life only deteriorate the place, worst than its stigma. Was it only the cause of misguided decision or actions?..

the Spirit of Basin -revisited ;-)

2012-02-02T16:12:00.000-08:00

Jose Rizal said: PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY CAME FROM DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING. The reason we do not have a sense of country is that we do not have a sense of history.

The best thing we can improve Culion is not ONLY that we have more natural resources, and how to be productive on this area.... we also need better political system or even better leaders.and most of all the people should have a sense of community. The spirit of involvement. HERE LIES THE MAJOR PROBLEM. Not to mention the budgets!

I am going back to the past, because i’m questioning the present in order to see my future.. Above all, I get to have a sense of belonging to the community, or as that sublime Filipino word goes, "malasakit" for it. This is my compassion for the community, my sympathy for the community, my desire to do something for the community.

Basin is the product of my past. And it represents the beautiful values of our parents and grandparents; to preserve it is to preserve the memory of the great things they have done; their suffering, their love for one another; their laughter, their tears, their hopes, their dreams. They wanted to tell me or us that we are standing on the shoulders of great men; that we should
Not forget their warm hearts and their sacrifices; that we should treasure, and honor the beautiful gifts they have left us. at the least the “malasaki” they have done and endure... and one of this is the symbol of basin...

Again my argument is “basin is the heart of my community, of brotherhood and of family. It is the symbol of my becoming, my joys, and youthfulness. The destruction of it is the undoing of my past and of my community.”

I want to remember my past. I want to preserve my past and one of the great memories of it all is the CULCAG-Marina... basin.

twenty or 30 years ago during or before the full moon we usually play many games in this place, like hide & seek, 'taragtagan', 'maro-maro', 'turubigan' and other games. Sometimes we just simply watched the moon while chatting and sharing our stories & jokes. We also play some guitars or just the plastic drums singing o “maliwanag na buwan” and other stupid songs...

Then during the day we will go swimming after our pasabit the traditional way of fishing at pantalan which I think originally made in culion. Of course by the pasabit experts Bingel and manong Nonoy Taal and many more. Some had their pakaskas also on their bancas. fishing by the dawn... also to mention the protections of the bancas inside it.

Basin was where we all learned how to swim. From the first 'langoy-aso' stroke to all the swimming strokes like breaststroke, freestyle, backstroke and butterfly... then to the daring jumps from stairs to pantalan. We also went to coral reef diving wearing our handmade goggles to watch the spectacular beauty of corals and fishes. We even try to chased the 'tunggaw', 'sap-sap', and 'matambaka' around the posts of pantalan. In this way we'll learn how to dive deeper in the sea holding our breath for a long time. Then on the 'pantalan' with all the other kids holding our hands, we run and jumped to the sea swimming farther to the deep sea... and when there were wooden ships from manila we'll go to the top jumping from the roof and swam back to basin...

When we already master all the strokes of swimming we'll go practicing for the swimming competitions in our schools and fiestas and for the palawan provincial sports meet to the region IV athletic meet the STRAA. I still remember when we were practicing for the swimming competitions, we swam starting from basin to Jardin shore then back to 'pantalan' and continue to the back of the Immaculate church shore in the colony then back to basin, tracking the coral reefs of Culion proper. A marathon swimming... So those were the years that we produce or introduce swimmer champions for the whole palawan. not to mention the future swimmer athelete that is becoming...

During San Juan which is the rainy season the whole community and families were gathering around the place for picnic and of course “basaan ng dagat o tubig” with all their snack foods and some drinking sessions while playing... even there were all kinds of jelly fish we run around from basin to pantalan and jump while the rain were showering us. everybody were very cautious about the jelly fish but still some of us were stung by its venomous string-like stingers.

But aside from these dangerous jellies, I remember one time, one of the magical moment that really happened there that I cannot forget. That was rainy day when even the sun was shining.... there was a rainbow right in front of us circling around pantalan.. all of us were hypnotized! and we all jumped straight on the rainbow. We were shouting with joy and laughters. looking for the golden pot jokingly. It was pure happiness, the most enchanting moment about 'pantalan' and basin. Nothing can compare to that experienced we had on this place, simply pure joy. simply full of life.

and now look at the place called development by the president, the governor, the congressman, the mayor, the people. development for what? what kind of product are they shippings or producing? importing goods from other places. look at the site it’s full of tricycle that cannot even maneuver on the roads of balala. not to mention the talipapa traffic and becoming polluted...and many more conflicts... it looks ugly. lonely and empty life! (for me)

But culion might still have its hope and dreams... a challenge for all.
and this query will forever live in everyone’s mind, dwelling in everybody’s heart and nailed in all human spirit... without this life can be more sinister. can become more like PPA of culion.

(basin revisited; still relevant today)

I thought this was a dead issue, but no it resurrected like a monster but even bigger this time. What were the mistakes with regard to this power of executive order No. 403... simply because it was called development? Then this is also a reflections... or my forever argument: “basin is the heart of my community, of brotherhood and of family. It is the symbol of beauty, goodness, joy and unity. The destruction of it was simply the destruction of them all even until this very moment after 5 or 6 years.” ;-)

They called PPA as development... :( really?!
and now there's another kind of development they are spreading in town.. their antithesis..

The questions like; what is the difference between personal(selfish) gains and the ability to do good, that which is essentially the kind of development that is enforced to help the weak. The poorest. The powerless... The people.

Development can reduce community when it utilizes all the elements of forces (guns goons & golds) only for one’s disposal in order to protect one’s own private interest nor private properties. It is what the psychologists described as ego-consciousness… the lowest form of consciousness that is vest to the animal instinct of “survival of the fittest”? yes... It is simply serving the original sin. They will do anything without even moral basis and conscience.

Then, who are the fittest in culion nowadays? Who are their sycophant who cannot repress their animal instinct and frustrate their neighbors even friends not more than their community?... adoring their sham icons. Buying all the lands and iconic islands and seas...

So what is true development? Is it building accesses for self-glorification? or is it the reflection of growth that develop the true political realm of community services?.. can we call them growth or services?

What is true development? Is it the land properties or the people? ppa or basin? Is it the enjoyment of growth, or just a way of escaping this banal existence? this indifference?...

What is true development? Is it the ridiculous ideas of this apocryphal claims of serving other people? or is it the springing of actuality where works are made to articulate the spirit of involvements or what they called advancement? Cofusing people with things that evolve yet become so disrectful, bogus and blasphemous, pretending like god or councilors or tongressman?

Why is it always painful to go out there and view those empty walls where the abysmal void hurt with the shameless reformation of it all? Why do we have to make walls of isolations on progress and betterment? Why do we have to clog and cast off commonality? Why do we have to wall the CULCAG, PANTALAN, pitogo or even some islands? Why is it that this development seems to have lost its spirit and moralities?

What are great achievements and strides made of? Why does we find the equal deterioration of the bayanihan spirit found in community the spirit of oneness and solidarity... but instead we have apathy and torpidity, we have walls of CULCAG and PANTALAN and pitogo? OR THIS? ;))

The complexities of modern life have become so bizarre as the philosophy of secularism have been well applied to defeat underdevelopment --- transforming materialism as the basic essential commodity that will feed the human body... Ah I think they’re just serving survival instinct... Then life might become formidable, unreasonable, vexatious and weaked, so painful, so sad and morose. Transforming the culion into monkey-business... Then where are the sustainable livelihood of PASABIT?! Where are the community and family?

Development includes business and can order by laws of the president or congressman or mayor... a kind of system. Yes indeed a system is a system that without which we cannot function in an organized way. But this kind system became a place to create an illusion of control… where they hide to call it developments. wow!

But the problem lies not in the system or laws. It lies in the hearts of man or woman where progress has been assign to a mere ego and materialism -- where people were being denounced of involvements, belongingness, in place of indifference... the price tags of money money money, where goodness and beauty became so ugly & bad!..

But development is not for the weak heart nor cowards or for those ego-conscious-mind who only serve their animal instinct where reasons & courage are irrelevant and nonsense… please, it is not for them all!

True Development should be the backbone of a town, of a true leader. obviously it must be effective and produce GOOD results. Its created projects must depict, capture and document great achievements of great people’s way of life and values. Without it a place may not have been existed. (just like PPA now it is there in our midst but useless.. more so, repressing the people) Great minds that move the course of a community’s future know the value of development as an essential component in the promotion of ethics of pure life…

Development is a community canonization...
so it should belong to the people, for the people and by the people!..

but look around culion nowadays, they become the concept & influence of PPA mentality - WHO DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY CAME FROM & DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING, who do not have a common sense and a sense of history and basin.

The best thing we can improve Culion is not ONLY that we have moral integrities and dignity, new leaders and true development but most of all the people should have a sense of community. The spirit of involvement, the sense & the SPIRIT OF BASIN.

here lies the future of our stagnant isla culion... ;(so help us God:)
COURAGE islaculion! courage let us change this future ;)

...........

Ayon kay Jose Rizal: ANG TAONG HINDI MARUNONG LUMINGON SA PINANGGALINGAN AY HINDI MAKAKARATING SA PAROROONAN. Samakatwid, ang dahilan kung bakit ang tao ay walang malasakit sa bayan ay dahil wala itong pakialam sa kanyang kasaysayan.

Ang kagandahan at kakayahan natin na maiangat ang Culion ay hindi lamang sa pamamagitan ng ating likas na natural na kayamanan, at pagiging malikhain, kundi kailangan din natin isang epektibong sistema sa politika na kung saan ang namumuno sa bayan kasama na ang mga tao’t naninirahan dito ay magkaroon ng pagkakaisa. PAGKAKAISA ANG SOLUSYON. Imbes, ito ngayon ang pangunahin nating problema sa CULION.

Babalikan ko ang NAKARAAN, dahil may tanong ako sa KASALUKUYAN, at upang malaman ko ang sagot at makita sa HINAHARAP. Bukod sa lahat, nararamdaman ko ang pangangailangan ng aking komunidad o sa madaling salita "malasakit" sa bayan. Ito ang aking nararamdaman para sa komunidad, malasakit para sa komunidad at kagustuhan ko mula sa aking puso namakapag kawang gawa sa aking komunidad.

Ang Basin ay ang isang produkto ng aking nakaraan. Sinisimbolo nito ang magagandang kultura’t mabubuting mga kaugaliang itinuro ng aking mga magulang; ANG PAG-INGATAN ITO, PANGALAGAAN ANG MAGAGANDANG ALAALA’T MABUBUTING BAGAY NA KANILANG GINAWA; ang kanilang pagsasakripisyo, ang kanilang pagmamahal sa isa’t isa; ang kanilang kaligayahan, ang kanilang kalungkutan, ang kanilang pag-asa, at ang kanilang mga pangarap. Tila nais nila itong ipaalam sa akin na tayo ay nakatayo’t naninirahan sa lugar ng mga dakilang mamamayan; at ito ay hindi natin kailanman dapat kalimutan ang tatag ng kanilang puso at ang pagsakripisyo sa bayan. Dapat natin itong pagkaingatan at ipagbunyi’t igalang ang magagandang biyayang iniwan nila sa atin. Ang “malasakit” na kanilang ginawa para sa ating bayan ay nananatili’t nangingibabaw... Isa na dito ang basin – na kung saan ay simbolo ng pagmamalasakit at pagbabayanihan nilang lahat sa NAKARAAN para sa atin na nabubuhay sa KASALUKUYAN...

Sa madaling salita “Ang basin ay ang puso ng komunidad, pagkakaisa at pagmamahalan. Ito ay simbolo ng aking nakaraan, kasalukuyan at hinaharap, simbolo ng aking kaligayan at kabataan. Ang pagkasira nito ay hindi gawain ng aking Nakaraan at nang aking komunidad.

Nais kong sariwain ang aking nakaraan. Nais ko itong paka-alagaan at ingatan para sa mga susunod pang henerasyon. At ang karamihan sa magagandang alaala ng nakaraan ay nasa CULCAG-Marina – Ang basin.

Mahigit dalawampung taon (20 years) o tatlumpung taon (30 years) na ang nakalilipas sa twing darating ang kabilugan ng buwan, madalas kami ay naglalaro sa basin, sa pantalan, sa bilog at sa culcag nang, “tagu-taguan”, “taragtagan”, 'maro-maro', 'turubigan' at marami pang iba. Minsan naman ay aming pinagmamasdan ang buwan habang nakikipagkwentuhan at nakikipagbiruan sa aming mga kaibigan. Madalas din kami’y naggigitara at nagtatambol gamit ang plastic na lata habang kumakanta nang “Oh Maliwanag na Buwan” at iba pang nakakatuwang awitin.

Sa araw naman kami ay lumalangoy sa basin at pantalan matapos magpasabit our pasabit na sa aking pananaw ay sa Culion lang merong ganun. Ang mga pasabit experts na aking kilala ay sina Binggel at Manong Pabling Taal at marami pang iba. Ang iba sa kanila ay merong pakaskas ang iba naman ay nasa Bangka nila nangangawil lalo na sa pagbukang liwayway.

Ang Basin ay kung saan kaming lahat natuto lumangoy. Mula sa 'langoy-aso' hanggang sa matutunan lahat ng uri o istilo ng paglangoy tulad nang; breaststroke, freestyle, backstroke at butterfly... Kasunod nito ay ang lakasang loob na pagtalon mula sa hagdan ng pantalan at sa mga batil kung minsan. Madalas din kami sumisid sa lugar kung saan maraming coral reef gamit ang antiparang gawa lamang ng sarili naming mga kamay upang mapanuod o makita ang ganda ng mga corals and isda sa ilalim ng dagat. Minsan ay hinahabol pa naming ang mga isdang 'tunggaw', 'sap-sap', and 'matambaka' sa mga post ng pantalan. At sa ganitong paglilibang natuto kaming sumisid ng mas malalim pa sa ilalim nang dagat habang pinipigil namin ang aming mga hininga ng matagal. Naalala ko din sa pantalan, kasama ang aking mga kaibigan at magkakahawak ang mga kamay, kami ay tumatakbo at tumatalon patungo sa dagat para mas lalo pa kaming pumailalim sa pagbagsak namin sa dagat... At sa twing may mga batil na dumudunggo o dumadaong sa pantalan, umaakyat kami sa pinaka taas na bahagi nito at tumatalon patungo sa dagat...

Nung kami ay naging bihasa sa paglalangoy, sumasali kami sa mga school competition tulad ng Provincial Meet at Southern Tagalog Regional Athletic Association o STRAA. Dala namin ang pangalan ng aming bayang Culion at kami naman ay nagwawagi sa mga palaro na kung saan nagbibigay karangalan sa ating bayan partikular sa swimming competition. Naalala ko pa nung kami ay nagpapraktis sa paglangoy bilang paghahanda sa palahok, nilalangoy namin ang mula sa basin patungo sa may dagat ng barangay Jardin at pagkatapos balik sa pantalan at basin at pagkatapos diretso naman sa may dagat sa likod ng Simbahan ng Immaculada o Immaculate Church sa Barangay Libis, at pagkatapos ay balik muli sa pantalan. Swimming Marathon kung tawagin... Ito ang mga taong nagpakilala sa maraming kampeyon sa buong probinsya ng Palawan at buong rehiyon ng Southern Tagalog na pinagmamalaki ng ating bayan.

Sa twing sasapit naman ang Pista ni San Juan na nagaganap twing panahon ng tag ulan, ang buong komunidad ng Culion ay nagdiriwang; halos lahat ng pamilya ay nagtitipun-tipon sa basin para mag-picnic at para na din makipag “basaan ng dagat o tubig.” Bawat pamilya ay may kanya kanyang mga baong pagkain ang iba naman ay may mga baong inuming alak... Kahit pa merong mga salabay (jelly fish) o ‘abot’ kung tawagin sa amin, ito ay balewala at patuloy pa rin kami sa pagtalon sa pantalan at paglangoy sa dagat sa gitna ng malakas na buhos ng ulan. Lahat ay maingat sa paglalangoy umiiwas matamaan ng salabay o “abot” pero may iba pa ring minamalas na masalabay o ma-abot kung tawagin sa amin.

Naalala ko pa ang isang magandang karanasan namin na hinding hindi namin malilimutan na kung saan isang araw na maulan at ang araw ay sumisikat pa din kahit maulan, meron kaming nakitang bahaghari o rainbow sa harap namin mismo at napapalibutan ang pantalan. Lahat kami na nanduon ay naakit at sabay sabay tumalon patungo sa bahaghari. Kami ay naghihiyawan sa aming kasiyahan habang nagbibiruang hinahanap ang gintong kayamanan sa dulo ng bahaghari. Napakasayang karanasang iyon sa basin at pantalan na hindi kailanman mapapalitan ng kung ano pa man.

Ang karanasang iyon ay isa na lamang alaala ngayong kasalukuyan. Ngayon, pakitignan mabuti ang aming lugar, ang aming basin ang aming kasiyahan at kaligayahan. Ito ba ang tinatawag ninyong PAGBABAGO o DEVELOPMENT aming presidente, gobernador, congressman, mayor, at aking mga kababayan? Pagbabago para saan? Anong klaseng produkto ang dinadala o inaangkat sa bayan namin? Ano ang mga transaksyon? Tignan nyo mabuti ang lugar na puno ng tricycle na hirap magmaneobra sa daanan ng barangay balala kung saan naroon itinayo ang PPA – sa lugar kung saan ang basin nakatayo noon.

Sa kabilang banda, maaaring ang ating bayan ay meron pang pag asa. At ito marahil ang hamon para sa ating lahat na taga Culion. Ito ang tanong na tatatak sa ating mga puso’t isipan... Kung wala na tayong pag-asa ang buhay natin ay walang mangyayari magiging abandona at nakakulong sa alaala ng nakalipas. Tulad ng basin natin matatabunan lamang tayo ng lupa ng PPA kung mawawalan tayo ng pag asa at hindi mangangarap na umahon. Kung makapagsasalita lamang ang basin marahil ay dumadaing na ito sa hirap sa kasalukuyang dinaranas na pagkabaon ng lupa ng PPA. Hindi man ito makapagsalita naririnig namin sa aming mga puso’t kaluluwa na umiiyak ang basin at humihingi ito ng tulong sa atin. Sana ay wag tayo magbulag bulagan at magbingi bingihan, magtulungan tayo na muling mabuhay ang ating basin.

Akala ko ang isyu na ito ay tapos na. Hindi pa pala, sa halip ito ay muling nabuhay at mas lumaki pa sa pagkakataong ito. Anu ano ang mga pagkakamali sa kapangyarihan ng Executive Order No. 403 o ang utos ng dating presidente na si GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO para maitayo ang PPA sa ating basin? Dahil ba sa Development o Pagbabago na kailangan ng ating bayan?

Ang basin ay ang puso ng ating komunidad, samahan, pagkakaisa at pagmamahal ng bawat pamilya sa Culion. Ito ay simbolo ng kagandahan, kabutihan, kaligayahan at pagtutulungan. Ang pagkasira ng basin ay pagkasira din nang ating simbolo na mararamdaman natin hanggang ngayon at magpakailanman kung hindi tayo gagawa ng hakbang at magtutulungan.

Tinatawag nila na ang PPA ay development o ang Pag-unlad ng bayan... Pagbabagong hindi man lang ginalang o nirespeto ang sentimyento ng taong bayan. Tama ba yun? Tama ba na sirain ang iniingatan nating yaman alang alang sa PAGBABAGO? Tama ba na i-sakripisyo natin ang ating kultura para lamang sa PAG UNLAD?

Ano ang tunay na pag unlad o pagbabago? Ito ba ay paraan para makilala at purihin ang isang indibidwal na may akda o pakana nito? O ito ba ay isang imahe ng pag angat ng pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa? Pwede ba natin itong tawaging pag asenso o pag serbisyo sa bayan? Ano ang tunay na ibig sabihin ng PAG UNLAD?

Pag unlad ba ang tawag sa lupang nasira sa ating bayan? Sino ang pipiliin nyo ang PPA ba o ang basin?

Bakit lagi nalang tayong nasasaktan sa twing lalabas ng bahay at makikita ang nakakakilabot na tanawin ng mga pader na tumatakip sa ating nakaraan? Bakit kailangan natin gumawa ng pader para harangan ang ating nakaraan alang alang sa tinatawag na pag unlad? Ito ba ay nakabubuti sa atin o nakakasama? Bakit kailangan natin harangan at itaboy ang ating kaligayahan at pagkakaisa? Bakit kailangan natin bakuran ang CULCAG, BASIN at PANTALAN? Bakit ang pag unlad na ito na sinasabi nila ay tila kailangan tapakan ang ating masasayang nakaraan?

Bakit tayo nananahimik habang unti unting nawawala ang espirito ng bayanihan sa komunidad at pinapayagan na manaig ang pagiging makasarili’t pag-iisa? Sa halip nawawalan tayo ng malasakit sa bayan at pinapayagan natin na tayo ay tapak tapakan ng kapangyarihan ng iilan. Ito ba ang kaugaliang pinamana sa atin ng ating mga magulang?

Ang ating modernong pamumuhay ay tila ba nagmimistulang kakaiba habang patuloy natin pinapayagan ang ating sarili na mamuhay nang walang malasakit sa bayan. Gusto natin umasenso ang ating bayan kahit sa anong paraan at hindi man lang natin iniisip ang ating kultura at mga nakaraan – kahit maapektuhan pa ito ay wala tayong pakialaman. Sa halip tayo ay naniniwala na ang mga materyal na bagay ang ating pangunahing pangangailangan ng ating buhay. Kung ganyan ang ating pag iisip ay siguradong walang kahahantungan o patutunguhan ang ating buhay, ang ating bayan, asahan nyo ang ating pagbagsak ang pagkasira ng ating komunidad at nang ating tirahan. Ang Culion ay magmimistula na lamang gatasan ng mga mayayaman. Katulad na lamang nang simpleng pinagkukunan ng ulam – ang PASABIT. Kung inyong titignan nuon ang pagpapasabit pwede mong gawin kahit anong oras mo gustuhin. Ngayon ay tila may oras na lamang at meron nang nagkokontrol sa atin. Ito ba ang Pagbabago?

Kasama sa pag unlad ay ang pag angat ng negosyo. Sa atin ba ay umangat ang negosyo? Ito Pag unlad o Development ay maaaring gawin sa pamamagitan ng utos at kagustuhan ng president, congressman o mayor – ganyan ang sistema ng pagbabago. Oo nga at ganyan ang sistema, ngunit ang sistemang ito ay tila ba pumipigil sa ating mga karapatan para mamuhay sa ating bayan na ayon sa ating kagustuhan. At ang sistemang ito ay nagiging ilusyon na kung saan tayo ay nakokontrol at pinapaikot ng mga taong nasa ating itaas. Na kung ano ang gusto nila gawin sa atin ay kanilang ginagawa tulad na lamang ng pagkagawa ng PPA na kanilang itinago sa salitang PAG UNLAD NG CULION na atin naman agad na pinaniwalaan.

Pero ang problema ay hindi lamang sa sistema ng ating gobyerno, ito ay maaari ding magmula sa taong bayan. Nasa pag uugali nang bawat isa sa atin ang problema at ang solusyon nito. Kung tayo ay ayaw makiisa at walang malasakit at sa halip nagiging makasarili, ang problema ay ating asahan at hindi natin ito masu-solusyunan hanggat hindi natin binabago ang pangit na ugaling ito.

Ang tunay na pagbabago o pag unlad ay ang pundasyon ng mamamayan. Dapat ito ay epektibo at kapakipakinabang at magbibigay sa atin ng magandang resulta sa ating pamumuhay. Ang mga proyekto ng pagbabago ay dapat napapaloob ang respeto at paggalang sa kultura ng nakaraan at ng mamamayang ito. Kung wala ito ang pagbabago ay magreresulta lamang sa pagkasira ng bayang ito (katulad na lamang ng PPA ngayon, nariyan nga sa atin ngunit wala namang pakinabang bagkus ay nakakaperwisyo pa sa atin). Ang mga matatalinong indibidwal na nagging bahagi ng komunidad sa pagbabago ay alam ang kahalagahan ng nakaraan at merong respeto sa kultura ng bawat mamamayan at tinatrato nila ito bilang isang mahalagang sangkap patungo sa isang maayos na pag unlad na kung saan walang nasasagasaan o nasasaktan na sentimyento ng mamamayan.

Tignan nyo ang Culion ngayon, tila ba isa na syang konsepto at tulad na ng PPA na sumira sa ating nakaraan. Karamihan sa atin HINDI ALAM O MARUNONG LUMINGON SA NAKARAAN, AT HINDI RIN MARUNONG LUMINGON SA HINAHARAP, unti unit nang nawawala ang pagmamalasakit sa bayan, nawawala na ang pagrespeto sa nakaraan, nawawala na ang paggalang sa kasaysayan at wala nang pakialam sa basin. Karamihan sa atin ay nagsabing PABAYAAN NYO NA NANGYARI NA, HAYAAN MO NA ANG BASIN, ANG IMPORTANTE AY AGAPAN NA LANG ANG PWEDE NATIN AGAPAN SA HINAHARAP NA PWEDE PANG MASIRA. Tanong, ito ba ang tamang pagmamalasakit? Pano mo maaagapan ang hinaharap kung hindi mo kaya isalba ang nakalipas?

Isa lamang ang solusyon, ang balikan ang nakaraan at magkaisa tayo para maibalik ang sa atin ay nawala. Magtulungan tayo ibalik natin ang basin! sama sama natin itong hukayin. Hindi sa ayaw natin ang PPA, ang gusto lang natin ay mailipat ito sa ibang lokasyon sa bayan natin na kung saan ay hindi natatapakan o nasasaktan ang ating kasaysayan. Kaya natin ito kung sama sama tayo. At hindi tayo magtatagumpay kung watak watak tayo. Nawa’y buhayin natin ang diwa ng bayanihan sa bayan natin. Walang problemang hindi masusulusyunan kung tayo ay magbubuklod buklod at magkakaisa!

Life's beauty

2011-10-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

Beautiful life

Eulogy
Nestor Rodriguez Lisboa Sr.
(1928 – 2011)

Greetings friends and family,
From his loving children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren...
Our utmost gratitude to Dra. Irene D. Castillo, Dr. Reinerio A. Prieto, Dra. Sarah D. Preza, Dra Claire Calaguas, Dr. Fadrilan, Dr. Cunanan, Dr. Leyson, Dr. Paul Evangelista, Dr. Aleje, the nursing staff , the attendants and the rest of the medical staff, who has not only cared but given Papang the hope and chance to hang on in spite of all the odds. We are grateful indeed to all his friends who were constantly on his side to comfort him and gave him precious moments until his last breath. Also, our heartfelt thanks to Governor Mitra, Joel T. Reyes, the DOH, Co - Lay Ministers whom he dedicated the last remaining time of his life , the Senior Citizens, and to Nancy & John’s CFC community in Riyadh/Kuwait, who showed their support and love by sharing their resources and love. All the people who gave their support in many ways especially those who shared their sympathy via facebook; to Fr. Wendel & Fr. Javy's Eucharistic offerings and prayers, to Fr. Lito for the special sacrament he gave to our father’s last moments here on earth which prepared him to the embrace of the Lord Almighty, special thanks to all of you who have made us strong during this difficult moment of our life…
Maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!

What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet lost his own soul? This is what drives Papang to persevere and just to serve without any consideration of what to gain… except the pleasure of having done something good for others. He believed in public service above self… that bayanihan is a tradition that shapes the character of a loving community. Caring with respect to one another and fearing God. That is the kind of community that he wished to live in. That’s what shapes up Papang, that is what he stood for, and what he continuously dream for us before he passed away...

Papang wanted only to live a happy life, who not only want his own happiness but the happiness of others as well, even how hard things might be. That’s the reason why many can’t understand some of his thoughts. There are only few things that he desired and that must be good for others even to the point of sacrificing things that are dear to him. He forsakes himself because his dreams are already fulfilled not only for his children but for others as well, his goodness transcend beyond the family whom he dearly loved.

There’s one great thing that always surprises us about Papang’s Love for Culion from the very beginning of his service… It is “BEAUTY” the beauty of it all.. Pope Benedict once said MAN CAN LIVE WITHOUT BREAD, HE CAN LIVE WITHOUT POWER BUT WITHOUT BEAUTY HE CAN NO LONGER LIVE, and THERE WOULD BE NO REASON TO LIVE! For pang they are his own joy, the quest that he always searched for the very reason of his existence….

Of course he was nothing in this part of Culion, but our own family witnessed how he tried in his own small ways to reveal the glimpse of light that is within and to experience the true beauty of life against all odds. Pang became part of what was then the greatness of Culion. A true public servant dedicated to the preposition that to live is to live life in its fullness and giving to others as a privilege beyond doubt.

This is the legacy that Papang left us, the courage to face reality amidst life without “wealth”, without “power” and yet full of beauty that reflects in his own life, that also echoes in our very own conviction, if not our true joy.

As the final chapter of Papang's life comes to an end, let it be ours to share a reflection of our own destiny, with a strong past. We owe to Papang the conviction to continue the goodness of the same love & passion he has lived for.

We continue to thank all the people who supported Papang and the whole family in these times of unbearable sorrow, losing a true father in all his discipline that lead us to realized the real gift of faith, hope and love in a way giving us the spiritual growth not only for the whole family but most especially for Papang himself and his preparation and acceptance to meet our Mighty Father the Creator. It was a meaningful journey for all of us, a great encounter of the presence of God. The treasure of our faith and at the same time grateful for all the blessings in the guise of pain and sorrow… but most of all the glimpse of miracle.

We want to share again & again the truth revealed by Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical letter - Spe Salvi… (in hope we are save) He wrote;
"Death admittedly one would wish to postpone for as long as possible, but then the question arises; do we really want to live eternally (in this finite world)? But to live always, without end – all things considered, can only be monotonous and ultimately unbearable. As St. Ambrose (one of the church Fathers) said in the funeral discourse for his deceased brother: Death was not part of nature it became part of nature, God did not decree death from the beginning; He prescribed it as a remedy. Human life because of sin began to experience the burden of wretchedness or even unbearable sorrow. There had to be a limit to its evils; death is, then, no cause for mourning, for it is the cause of mankind's salvation…"

The whole family cried a lot even until this very moment. But our tears now could also be tears of joy because we all believed that our Father's death is an assistance of grace and the blessing of immortality; that is the salvation revealed in our faith, the fulfillment of Christ salvation and the love of God for all of us!

From his children and grandchildren to great-grandchildren our unending thankfulness for this beautiful love he had shown to us.

Thank you forever Pang!
We will always love you!

Paalam at maraming salamat sa lahat-lahat…

lason ng 7go

2011-04-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

the big bosses are simply those who have power and money and of course guns... as complicated as that.. lol. guns can unite the people of culion not to mention the money and power. and what have we? the unity to destroy our beloved nature, our environment, our ecology and our places.. again not to mention the families and the communities.. unity among us is like what saint paul said as history recorded, i want to do good things but my flesh wants to do bad things instead.. that's the original sin that we all have.. we can continue all these crazy things if everybody are afraid to get involve. afraid to witness, afraid to suffer, afraid of the cross.. ;) yet it was this cross that conquered indifference.. snake where is your venom, where is your sting? it has no power even as it seems they have poisoned us. no. victory is not for the weak hearted nor for those ego-conscious-mind who only serve their animal instinct where reasons are irrelevant and nonsense… please, it is not for them all!!! and these are our ways of getting involve and recognizing the poisons addressing this venom as people of culion!... not only disunity

happy easter then.. truly,
death where is thy victory???

7 araw bago mag - B2C :))

7go

no more wishing well
let us decide now..
as what we have decided
before going back to culion

cheers!

PITOGO represents our LAND, the land of culion. in the GUISE of development as
the BASIN was done before, this symbol is all about LAND GRABING!! and as i
learn now 14 days before back2culion the new admin is worst than ever! we need
to be aware of this cause when we all arrive there we will become strangers in
our own land. can yo imagine that??? ;-) icannot. and they're all in disguise
like basin!! development? the biggest problem is that our leaders are numb and
powerless (as usual as the past) why because these grabbers are the one who
represent US! they're all in disguise using our own people! pls SAGIP CULION!
and the person behind this is so notorious that anyone who go against it will
just disappear...

here are the lands that are already being grabbed as of this time ;)
areas in ugnisan that's of course include the PITOGO, mampoc, matalbong,
bagotan, coring, berg, buluang, luac, halsey, canimango, batuan, patag quezon
and again that of course include PITOGO.. with other places are still being
acquired...

DOH has been usurp to sell lands and gain money. mostly they're employee who has
applied but has never introduced any dev't to the lot they then sold for profit
as these buyers are willing to pay, other lots were sold without any DOH rights
but only brgy. cerificate (as what's done before this admin;) many locals were
used as dummy occupants or some did it to speculate over lands without any legal
claims.

then many LGU officials both elected or appointed took advantage of the
situation. they became claimants or occupants of land not yet occupied or
claimed. then sold this land by mere brgy. certificates too or using dummy as
claimants. there are now suspicious DOH rights emerging with supposed
applications when at time these claimants applied, they were just kids or
minors. again they were able to sell it. grabe na to

pati mga tangay nagamit, naloko o nawalan.. these are their territories..

and others were forced to sell! nasaraduhan na o napaikutan ng land claims
nila.. o kaya takot mawala ang destino nila kasi wala silang documents then they
became starnagers in their own destinos. at ang iba pa dahil sa sobrang gipit.
lahat ng vulnerabilities ng taga culion nagamit nila para makuha ang mga lupain.
for a measly price!

MAHAHARANG sana ito ng mga taga munisipyo kaso naging tanga-tangahan o walang
pakiaalam sa nangyayari! we already brought this out to the concerns but even no
reactions or takot or kasabwat...

ito ang napakahirap na kalaban lalo na itong big boss na sinasabi.. babalikan
lahat ng kapamilya....

GOD SAVE US... ;( WE PRAY...

////

cog

Wow! grabe naman nangyayari diyan. nabebenta na lang mga lupa diyan without having any land title.........ano ba yun? ano ginagawa ng munisipyo ng culion? involved ba mismo ang mayor ng palawan kaya nagkakaganyan?

Tristan Asuncion

///

gumagawa ka ng hakbang para sa ikakaunlad ng Culion pero sila mismo ang humaharang sa ikauunlad nito. pano tayo uunlad kung walang tulungan at pagkaka isa. bago natin mapaunlad ang bayang ito dapat magsimula ang pagkakaisa mismo sa atin. hehe pero ewan ko lang kung munisipyo ang pagbabatayan sila sila mismo d nag kakaisa at nagkakasiraan.... hirap dba.... hirap mag alaga ng ahas sa sarili mong bakuran.... bago mo malaman na makamandag napatay na ang mga nasasakupan mo at nag iisa ka nalng.

///

Jhong, what is B2C?Ã‚Â May I request to be given permission to quote and
post your messages and link of the Culion_Palawan_Online website link to my
blog: http://philippinenativeforesttrees.blogspot.com/ so that others may be
informed of your crusade in protecting Culion island and its endangered flora
and fauna?.......I feel your convictions and it breaks my heart that I do not
know how I can help you other than let my readers know of the situation you have
recounted.

///

yes of course my friend.. it'll be a great help already deciding to reveal our
crusade in your blog for this beautiful plants not to mention our ecology in
general,, ;) B2C means BACK 2 CULION.. this our great event this coming May for
the feast of culion and festival.. the very aim of this gathering is to unite
the people of culion abroad and the locals there for all the issues' sake if not
for God's sake .lol.. a homecoming of all culionaires around the world to meet
back our beloved town.. unfortunately in an ironic situations i can't make it
there because of many crazy circumstances here in my work-place and the other
unreasonable reasons.. but my heart will always be there even after the events
of B2C.. wish we could be there ;)

thanks for your decisions to help us even you're not from culion.. isn't that
beautiful.. God bless you. let's get this things out for the concern and proper
legal terms but for now let's start spreading the informations so that the
people will hopefully participate and be aware of the true situations and of the
future of culion...! a million thanks..

///

Jhohng, have you or other "Culionaires" attempted propagating the Culion
pitogo?Â Aside from germinating the seeds from its fruit, you can also
propagate it from cuttings of pups or baby offshoots that emerge from the main
trunk of the mother plant.
>
> I'd like to ask your permission again if I can also attach the FORA 2010 video
clip in my blog, which I found on youtube?Â May part lang na di gaanong
maintindihan kasi malakas ang echo sa kapaligiran ng gusali pero kahit paano ay
may naiintindihan naman na mga usapan.Â At least para maipalabas kung sino ang
mga taong involved sa pagkawala ng mga nasabing 200 pieces ng pitogo.Â
>
> Salamat uli.
>
> Tristan

///

ah yes the FORA 2010 ELECTION.. yes the uprooting of at least 200 plants given
as a gift to another municipality :) YES OF COURSE.. yo can post them ...
//there are attempts of propagating the plants.. the problem now is that some
people are already claiming the areas.. this is another issue. will the place be
declared as reservation by the ordinance we tried to promulgate of the said
areas and other places with the same wild garden... but until now the new admin
has not prioritized the ordinance.. ;( the councils are still not signing the
order even the mayor and i think they're still debating on how far is the area
or how to reclaim it from this powerful people who are claiming it now.. these
are the problems we are facing not to mention the budget to guard and maintain
the areas.. actually there are people within this group who knows the situations
more than us but what have we?.. thanks again for all the supports.. for helping
us finding solutions.

///

Actually, medyo nag-aalangan pa rin ako i-post yung FORA 2011.Ã‚Â Nahihiya
ako ipapanood sa ibang tao lalo na sa mga makakapanood na mga dayuhan.Ã‚Â Bakit
nagpapalakpakan at nagtatawanan ang mga tao o mga residente ng Culion sa
pagpupulong na yun tuwing may sasagot na lang o magpapaliwanag kahit
pagdedeny.Ã‚Â Hindi ba seryoso mga tao ng Culion sa mga bagay-bagay tulad ng
mga nasabing issue na maaaring kinasasangkutan ng mga nasa lokal na gobyerno ng
Culion?Ã‚Â Parang lumalabas tuloy sa nasabing video na walang paki-alam mga
residente khit na may mapatunayang lumabag sa batas.Ã‚Â Parang naglolokohan
lang ata karamihan ng nandun.
>
> >
>
Pasensya na pero yan ang naging impresyon ko nung panoorin ko ng pangalawang
at pangatlong beses ang nasabing video.

///

great observation indeed. that's how we took for granted the serious issues in
our town not to mention our country.. kailan tayo magigising kapag huli na ang
lahat.. kapag nasamsam na ang lahat at nasira na ang kalikasan na siyang tunay
na nangyayari. katulad na lang ng karagatan. sa pagaaral ay mahigit 80% na ang
nasisira sa coral reef.. di lamang sa pinas.. salamat muli sa pagpuna ng mga
ito.. sana matuunan na nang pansin ang mga ito sa maraming pagkakataon sa
madaling panahon.. me too i feel ashame. sorry my friend ;)) actually isa iyun
sa mga dahilan kung bakit natalo at nanalo sa election.. but what then? hanggang
ngayon wala pa ring pagbabago.. ;(( kung hindi man mas malala pa yata!)

///

Ito pa natuklasan ko kahapon habang nagsasaliksik ng iba pang impormasyon
tungkol sa culion.Â Mismo ang palabas na Imbestigador na si Mike Enriquez pa
ang host ay na feature na ang mga katiwalian ng pamilyang Cantimbuhan na siyang
tumatayong mayor ng Culion.Â Siya din ang nakuwestiyon sa video ng FORA 2010 na
nagmamaang maangan din na walang alam...........Ito ang link para mapanood ng
lahat dito (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uxgs570yqY&feature=related)
>
> Pagkatapos maipalabas itong palabas ng Imbestigador, may nangyari ba?Â Ano
nagawa ng bagong administrasyon tungkol dito?Â Ano ang reaksyon ng mga
residente ng Culion?Â Natakot na ba lahat kaya wala ng maglakas loob na
magreklamo?

///

sorry bro.. ;-) the imbestigador is a long time story now
nothing happened there walang nangyari.. ilang taon na yang video pero walang
naparusahan. the evidence are overwhelming but nothing happened .. so what can
we expect now? this is the sad reality in our land... sad really so sad ;(

///

wala din naman ibang tutulong sa inyo kundi kayo ring mga direktang
apektado. eh kung kami nga na nananakawan ng kable ng kuryente sa laguna,
may nagagawa ba ang barangay, mga kapitbagay, authoridad o mga pulis???
walang ibang tutulong sa amin kaya natuto rin ako hindi umasa sa iba. ganito
rin ang nangyayari sa ibang lugar na aking nababalitaan.
>
> >
>
> > nakakalungkot man isipin pero tayo rin ang kailangan tumayo at kumilos para
ipaglaban ang tama, ang dapat at ang ating karapatan. kasi kung pababayaan
lang natin, ay parang tinangap n'yo na lang ang ganyang gawain, este nating
lahat!
>
> >
>
> > ang mga gustong tumulong na nagmumula sa ibang lugar gaya ko ay nagmamatyag,
nag-aantay upang tumulong sa tamang panahon. ngunit kung ang mga taga diyan
mismo ay magsasawalang kibo na lang, ano ang saysay ng gaya namin na marahil ay
tinuturing na dayuhan, palibhasa'y hindi taga Culion?
>
> >
>
> > kung ikaw ang tatanungin ko, ano nga ba sana ang magagawa ng mga taga Culion
para maging maayos ang lahat? ano ang magagawa mo bilang residente ng
Culion? kung natatakot kayo na makabanga ang mga malalakas at
maimpluwensiyang tao ng Culion, ano pa rin ang maaari n'yong gawin na hindi nila
mapupuna? kahit ano mang plano o idea basta meron..........pasensya na at
mas madali talagang magsalita. sana kahit sa usapan lang may marating.

///

yes bro.. again thanks for all the help..
>
> meron nang mga ginawa at ginagawa kaso nga lang walang masyadong suporta sa
gobyerno at lalo na sa mga tao. kung meron man napakahina..
>
> meron na ring kumpanya na magawan nang ordinansa ang patungkol dito sa mga
lupaing nasasakupan ng pitogo at ng culion in general.. na nagsasabing gawing
reservation ang lahat ng lugar na may halamang pitogo at maging isang botanical
park.. hindi ito masyadong naipaliwanag o na-define sa order na iyun kaya nga't
nagkakagulo sila sa LGU at DOH kung hanggang saan ang ordinance na ito... ito
ang isang malinaw na hakbangin na siyang makakapuksa sa mga land grabbers na
ito. kailangan ng tulong ng tao. kaso dahil sa kakulangan ng kaalaman dito ay
sinasamantala ng mga makapangyarihan ang pagkakataon para ubusin iyun..
napakalungkot talaga, ang sakit ng ating lipunan ng ating pamayanan, ng ating
mamamayan.. masakit malaman ang katotohanan. ano ang solusyon.? alamin,
magtulungan, magkaisa, itulak ang ordinansa para dito at para sa culion lalo na
sa napakamasalimoot na usaping pangkalupaan. may mga paraan para dito ngunit ang
lokal na pamahalaan ay walang pagkukusa
> para sa kapakanan ng hinaharap ng culion... ito sana ay mapagusapin din
ngayong pagtitipon sa teremestemes at homecoming ;-)) pray

///

nagagalak ako na marinig na umuusad na ang mga plano n'yo para maprotektahan
ang mga pitogo ng Culion.Â pasensya na at hindi ko naiintindihan lahat ng
pangyayari kaya ako nag-uusisa.Â sana maintindihan ng lahat ng nakakabasa.Â
hangad ko rin na makatulong kahit sa maliit na paraan ng pagsusulat o ng
balitaktakan at palitan ng idea.
>
> salamat uli kaibigang jong o jhohng at matiyaga mong ipinapaliwanag sa akin
para lalo kong maintindihan ang sitwasyon ng Culion, ng mga tao at ng pitogo ng
Culion.
>
> ipagdadasal ko na mapabilis sana ang pagwasto ng mga batas at ordinansya na
magproprotekta sa mga yaman at kalikasan ng Culion.Â Kudos!

///

kaya nga't babalikan natin ang patungkol sa simbolo ng pitogo.. ito'y naging
sinyales na ng pangungulimbat ng lupang dapat sana'y sa pangkalahatang mamamayan
ng culion at ang unang lugar na nabanggit sa FONA ay itaas lamang na tinaguriang
"peak of an iceberg" meron bagong "boss" na mas makapangyarihan sa nauna at
hindi lamang ang malalawak na kaharian ng halamang ito ang kinukulimbat maging
ang mga teritoryo ng mga sinaunang nakatira doon lalo na ang mga ninunu ng
bayan.. ginagamit ang pera at kapangyarihan na kahit ang munisipyo o DOH ay
walang ginagawa dahil takot, or nag tanga-tangahan, or simpleng kasabwat. bakit
ganyan? bakit kailangan natin ng vision mga kapatid? hindi lamang sa kaunlaran
lalo't lalo na sa kalikasan!? pansinin ninyo kung ano ang ginagawa ng mga taong
ito.? pansinin nating lahat!!! ito ang isigaw natin sa MAYO A UNO! WASAKIN na
ang mga pader na ito ang BASIN ;)at ang simbolo ng 7GO!

////

Sa hirap kasi ng buhay sa culion, ang mga tao ay wala ng paki alam sa mga nangyayari sa bayan, mas priority nila kung ano ang maipapakain sa kanilang mga pamilya. Alam ko to, dahil dinanas ko rin ito noong kabataan ko. Sa culion, walang tutulong sa'yo kung hindi ang sarili mo. Kailangang magsumikap ka para sa sarili mo at para na rin sa pamilya, lalong lalo na para sa magulang mo na hindi na kayang mag hanapbuhay. Ang mga matatanda ng culion, lalaong lalo na ang mga hindi nakapag trabaho sa government, walang pension, walang maaasahang iba kung hindi ang mga anak. Paano na lang kung ang mga anak ay walang wala rin, sino ang titingin sa kanila. Napakaraming problema ng kahirapan sa culion, kaya naman ito ang sinasamantalang ng mga mapagsamantala. Ang ugat ng lahat ng ito ay dahil sa PERA. ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit wala tayo sa ating lupang sinilangan dahil sa PERA. Napakadali ang mag comment sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, pero napakahirap gawin ang mga bagay na dapat ay ginagawa natin para sa bayan ng culion. Our number one priority ay ang pamilya natin, dahil mahirap mag lingkod sa bayan, kung ang palagi nating naisisip, kung ano ang maibibigay natin sa ating pamilya. Ang lakas ng taong bayan ay mararamdaman lamang during elections, so dapat, during election, mayroon tayong candidate na puwedeng suportahan, na alam natin na maaasahan natin na maglilingkod talaga sa taong bayan. Mahirap dalhin sa kalye ang mga ganitong usapin, dahil kung wala silang kinakatakutan, kawawa naman ang mga kamag anak natin sa culion. Ang dapat kumikilos dito ay ang nasa puwesto. kaya nga sila iniluklok doon, para mag serbisyo sa taong bayan. What we can do now is to pray for our beloved culion. Mayroon pa rin akong nakikitang magandang bukas para sa Culion pag dating ng panahon. Pagkatapos ng ating obligasyon sa ating mga pamilya, bigyan natin ng bagong bukas ang CULION.

///

Sangayon ako sa inyo Ka Rene. Tutoo na dala ng kahirapan sa buhay kung kaya't
ang unang binibigyan ng pansin ng karamihan ay ang personal na pangangailangan
sunod ang sa pamilya bago ang iba.
>
> Noong maliit pa ako, naririnig ko sa mga matatanda na kung ikaw ay nasa
probinsya, mabubuhay ka. Sabi nila, kapag ikaw ay nagtanim ng gulay, meron kang
aanihin. Simple lang ang buhay sa probinsya at nakakahingi ka ng gulay o
pagkain sa mga kapitbahay, kapag ikaw ay nagugutom. Ito ang pumasok sa aking
isipan noong panahon pa, kahit hindi ko pa ito gaano naiintindihan kasi dito ako
sa Manila ipinanganak hangang lumaki.
>
> Nahilig ako magtanim noong maliit pa ako, kaya't nung maisipang bumili ng
lupain ang tatay ko sa lungsod ng Laguna kaakibat sa aming negosyong pagbebenta
ng gulay sa pamilihan, nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na makita ang buhay ng mga
taga nayon pati na ang pamamaraan ng pagtatanim.
>
> Aking natuklasan na basta may lugar ka lang na pagtatamnan (lupa kahit
makikitanim lang o uupahan) at bibigyan ng tuon, sipag at tiyaga sa pagtatanim
at ang tubig pandilig na maaaring makuha mula sa ulan, pagdating ng panahon ay
siyang may aanihin. Sa aking pagobserba, ang simpleng mga tao na marunong
magbanat ng buto kahit walang pinag-aralan, basta't marunong magtanim ay siyang
may kakainin. Pero ang mga tamad na nangangarap na lang sa kawalan ng buhay,
wala talagang aasahan, bagkus ay siya pang magnanakaw sa mga pinaghirapan ng
iba.
>
> Hindi lang Culion ang may mga problema, buong Pilipinas at bawat lugar ay may
sari-sariling problema. Kadalasan ang napapagsamantalahan ay ang yaman ng
kalikasan.... Alam naman natin na maraming problema ang gobyerno. Mayroon
ngang katungkulan ang mga binotong opisyales at dapat nga nila ginagawa ang
nararapat na trabaho, pero hindi rin siguro tama na iatang na lang natin ang
lahat ng problema ng lungsod upang kanilang masolusyonan. Bawat Pilipino nga ay
nararapat na kumilos at magtulong-tulong at magkaisa na matuunan na iangat ang
antas ng pamumuhay at ng bawat isa.
>
> Pakiusap lang na wag mamasamain ang pag-uusisa ko, dahil gaya ng sinabi ko,
hindi ko pa naiintindihan lahat. Hindi ako sumali dito para basahin lang ang
usapan ng mga nandito at magmatiyag. Nagsusulat po ako sa blog tungkol sa mga
halaman at puno ng Pilipinas na unti-unting nauubos.
>
> Sa bawat katanungan ay may sagot. Sa bawat sagot ay may kumento o isa pang
katanungan. Maganda man o hindi ay opinion na maaaring magdulot ng positibo o
negatibong reaksiyon. Marahil ay mayroon naman sigurong kapupulutan ng aral o
suhestiyon mula sa mga nakikilahok sa usapan. Lahat naman siguro ay may
karapatan sa sariling opinion.
>
> Naisip ko lang na magandang suhestiyon siguro ang isang livelihood project na
ang komunidad ay magtulong-tulong na magtaguyod ng gulayan para sa mga gustong
matuto magtanim ng kanilang kakainin. Mga halaman na tulad ng kangkong, kamote,
malungay, alugbati, ube, sitaw, sigarillyas, gabi, balanghoy, luya, kadyos, sili
ay iilan lang sa madaling patubuin, paramihin, hindi gaanong alagain at
masustansya pa. Sa akin lang ay, ano kaya?

///

maraming salamat sa iyo ka Rene.. ka Tristan. mabuhay kayo ;))
saksi rin ako sa kahirapang ito.. maging hanggang ngayon.
at marami ang magpapatunay nito sa mga miyembro mismo ng grupong ito.
lahat may karanasan nang paghihirap.. subalit huwag nating hayaang magwakas
doon.. ang lahat ng mga binabanggit natin dito ay paraan din upang maisiwalat
ang ating mga damdamin at kasama na dito ang opinyon at siyempre kaakibat ay
maaaring solusyon. ito ang punto ng usapin dito.. alam natin or malalaman natin
ang mga dahilan.
alam din natin ang mga problema, karamihan dito ay ang pananamantala ng
maykapangyrihan.. ng may posisyun, ng mga walang pakialam ;)
kaya nga't ang hiling natin ang mabigyang kabuluhan ang kahalagahan ng inang
kalikasan na mapangalagaan ito.
ang ikinalulngkot natin ay meron na tayong kasagutan sa mga tanong kung ano ang
nararapat na gawin.. kailangan siguro natin nang tunay na kahalagahan ng isang
sambayanan. ang magkaisa upang maisakatuparan ang mga gawaing ganito. dahil dito
masusustentuhan tayo sa mga pangangailangan natin upang mabuhay. ito ang
pinakamahalaga. sana lang pansinin ito ng mga tao at kumilos sa pag tanod at
pagbantay ng kalikasan lalo na ang lupain at karagatan. alam din natin na may
inilaan ang pamahalaan para sa ating bayan upang gastusan ang mga ganitong
kilusan o kabuhayan.. ang malungkot ang perang dapat ay mapunta sa mga
sinasakupan ng pamayanan ay napupunta lamang sa mga pansariling kapakanan.. at
minsan iyun pang mumawasak sa mga tao. kahirapan ang karamihang dahilan pero
hindi tayo padadaig dito merong mas malakas upang mapaglabanan ang mga ito.. at
iyun ay nabanggit na nga dito ;)) isa lamang ang magiging kahilingan lalo na sa
pagtitipon ngayong 'mayo uno' ang pansinin muli ang usaping ito.. sana'y
pagtuunan na nang tamang gawain para dito sa darating na festival. isang
panawagan sa mga nariyan ngayon sa culion ;)) pagusapang muli ito at pirmahan na
ang ordinansa para ingatan ang kaharian ng ating kalikasan.. at panawagan na rin
sa mga naghaharang sa pagsasakatuparan ng batas na ito na sana'y magbago na.. na
sana'y maging prayuridad na ito ng ating lokal na pamahalaan. napakahirap ngunit
kayang masimulan nang muli ito... sino ba ang gobyerno kundi tayo rin. isa ito
sa mga narinig ko sa humuhubog sa aralin namin noon pero ano ngayon sila na
mismo ang lumalabag sa katinuang ganito.. sawa na tayo sa mga pangakong naipako.
ipaalam nating muli ang mga ipinakong ito!

meron na pong solusyon
ipasakatuparan na sana ito...
ngayon

salamat sa mga susulong muli.

prayers
jong
:)

///

Maraming salamat din sa inyo Ka John & Ka Tristan. Sang ayon din naman ako sa lahat ng mga sinabi nyo. Ang pagtatanim ang ibinuhay sa amin ng aming mga magulang, at mahilig ako sa gawaing ganyan, kaya mahal ko ang Culion, dahil diyan ko lang magagawa ang mga bagay bagay na makakapag pasaya sa akin, lalong lalo na ang pangingisda. Kasama niyo ako sa inyong mga ipinaglalaban, at lagi ko rin namang sinasabi sa mga kapatid ko na huwag na huwag nilang ibebenta ang lupa na minana pa namin sa aming mga magulang. Nabalitaan ko nga sa bayaw ko last December 2010 na nagkakabentahan na nga raw ng lupa diyan sa Culion. Sana nga John mapag usapan yan sa darating na teremestemes. Sayang nga lang hindi ako makakarating.

RENE YALA

///

Salamat din sa inyo.

Nakapagsulat na ako ng patungkol sa halamang Culion pitogo at ang magandang hangarin na inyong nasimulan dito sa website na ito. Mayroon na ring ilang nakabasa at nag-uusisa. May nagrerequest na mag post ako ng litrato ng Culion pitogo kasama ng aking sinulat. Naisip ko kung kanino ako magpapaalam upang gamitin ang litrato ng pitogo na may bungad na slogan na SAVE PITOGO NOW, CULION - CYCAS WADEI? Kahit kayo na po ang pumili ng nababagay na litrato na aking i-feature sa blog post na aking isinulat tungkol sa halamang ito. Wala naman akong litrato ng halamang ito at ni anino nito ay hindi ko pa nakikita ng personal.

Kung mayroon man kayong nais na ayusin, i-tama o idagdag sa aking sinulat sa blog ay kahit email n'yo na lang sa akin sa tristanasuncion@yahoo.com para aking maisaayos.

Salamat muli.

Tristan Asuncion
tristanasuncion

///\\\

thanks man, ;))

can yo give us again your blog site..
and for the pics of course you can use any or all of them as you wish.. ikaw na
ang bahala.. great thanks for all the help and support

mabuhay ka! ;))
God bless

you can check this facebook site too
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=196406500693

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.104422651773.111657.660011773

and my multiply
http://jhohng.multiply.com/

\\\///

Sir Jhohng/Jong, Sir Rene, moderators and members of the Save Culion Pitogo crusade, thank you for sharing all the pics and videos. I think I will only attach two of the pictures you sent me with logo of the pitogo plant and its slogan. I also enlisted the link Culion_Palawan_Online and SAVE CYCAS WADEI 'Culion Pitogo of facebook account, links indicated with my blogpost so that viewers and visitors will be informed and be active once they visit the website, suffice the information for visitors to register and become more focused on either links to help encourage active participation and initiate a healthy dialogue for all.

My blog link is http://philippinenativeforesttrees.blogspot.com/

Thank you once again for accommodating my request. Feel free to visit my blog site and share your comments, opinion and suggestions. I will still be with you in fulfilling this dream and goal.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Tristan G. Asuncion

///\\\

the beauty of culion pitogo... :)) simulan muli, ngayon

gising na mga kaibigan! ang bukas ay nasasayo... :))

Cycads, which look like palms or tree ferns, are a group of plants whose
ancestors date back more than 300 million years. They are considered to be the
dinosaurs of the plant kingdom... The observed natural range of the Cycas wadei
is only within the island of Culion making it a true endemic species that the
municipality can be proud of..

In nearby Busuanga, most of the cycads in cultivation are Cycas circinalis and a
sprinkling of transplanted specimens that are purported to have been dug from
the wild populations of Culion..

we initiated a preliminary study of its natural history and addressed its
conservation by first, urgently resolving claims over the land by private
individuals and secondly, by declaring the locale as an irreplaceable sanctuary
for wild Cycas wadei. Also, to increase appreciation of this great but little
known prehistoric species by allowing the transplant of some specimens to a
small park within the municipality as initial showpieces to visitors to the
island municipality. This welcome move is a must before they fall under real
threat of destruction or extinction by no other than the very officials of
palawan itself in the issues of land grabbing..

So such conservation measures and other environmental protection plans can be
done for the magnificent Cycas wadei of culion.

sagip7go
sign the ordinance

God help us... ;))
we pray
jong
;)

\\\///

/////

Jesus is the image of the invisible God.. and recorded not only in history but in facts and witnesses.. who will say that holy scripture is a lie even it seems a fiction or a myth? can we be terrorize by nothingness? by abysmal and darkness of death?

‎"Seeking me you sat down wearied... May so much effort not be in vain!" Saw in it the adventure of God, on a ceaseless journey in search of wayward man, who "set out on the journey toward us" out of pure love, and in order to do this "became man and descended to the very abyss of human existence, to the very night of death." BXVI

‎"Not my will but thine be done." What is this will of mine, what is this will of yours, of which the Lord speaks? My will is that I "should not die," that he be spared this chalice of suffering: It is the human will, of human nature, and Christ feels, with all the consciousness of his being, life, the abyss of death, the terror of nothingness, this menace of suffering. And he more than us, who have this natural aversion to death, this natural fear of death, even more than us, he felt the abyss of evil. He also felt, with death, all the suffering of humanity.

////

can yo divide love? what if i tell i believe in God because of you because i see goodness in you i see Jesus in yo.. and makes us all happy amidst the chaotic life around as you can see too.. that's for me is a proof.. and as an experience..then saving lives to the point of ending it cause of endless sufferings?.. ;-) that's the joy of believing God.. if not the reason... ;-)) cheers

//

with humanity cries, God why have you forsaken me...? why this suffering-love? ...and can we not be like the xmen? ;)))

//

“The things of the earth and the concerns of faith derive from the same God,” for it is one and the same Love “which moves the sun and the other stars.” JPII. Both the light of faith and the insights of science can help humanity evolve toward a more sustainable future.. ;-) wow!

//

The value of science, Pope John Paul II wrote, is that it can “purify religion from error and superstition,” just as “religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.”

//

indeed so amazing to witness a great thinker of our time... cheers to our Pope! our prayers. spe salvi a must read.. ;-) http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html As Atheists feel compelled to "witness" to their man-made philosophy of no God, we Christians must witness to our faith in a God centered Universe, God as a first cause..

that is obviously to embrace love.

//

The Scandal of Heaven.. "I hate it because its an affront to my earthly, human notion of justice. I hate it because the sinner in me wants to see my enemies, even those who disagree with me, burn. Because I hate it so much, I’m convinced it must be true. Heaven, like grace, scandalizes me to no end."

http://chadholtz.net/2011/04/06/the-scandal-of-heaven/

//

‎"by his incarnation the Son of God has united himself in some fashion with every man" V-II

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 403 (ppa culion - basin)

2010-09-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

MALACAÑANG

Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 403

DECLARING AND DELINEATING THE CULION PORT ZONE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OF THE PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY

WHEREAS, the port of Culion is one of the busiest port in the country particularly in Northern Palawan most specially in the Camaianes Group of Island;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to accelerate the development of the national seaport of Culion situated in Barangay Balala, Culion, Palawan which will serve as hub of a sea borne commerce of trade in Northern Palawan, gateway to other municipalities, cities, provinces and other countries and to accommodate projected increases in port traffic and program in the development of the port facilities to support the increasing demands of the shipping trade within the region;

NOW, THEREFORE, I GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, president of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the power vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The territorial jurisdiction of the port of Culion in Barangay Calala, Municipality of Culion, Province of Palawan is hereby declared, expanded and delineated and particularly described as follows:

"Beginning at point marked 1 on the plan, thence to point 2 at a distance of 50.00 meters with bearing at North 22 degrees East, thence to point 3 at a distance of 150.00 meters with bearing at North 68 degrees West, thence to point 4 at a distance of 1,000,00 meters with bearing at North 22 degrees East, thence to point 5 at a distance of 393.86 meters with bearing at South 68 degrees East, thence to point 6 at a distance of 1,000.00 meters with bearing at South 22 degrees West, thence to point 7 at a distance of 150.00 meters with bearing at North 68 degrees West, thence to point 8 at a distance 54.73 meters with bearing at South 46 degrees West, thence to point 1 or the beginning at a distance of 71.60 meters with bearing at North 68 degrees West, all in al comprising a total area of 397,996.46 square meters more or less."

SECTION 2. The Culion port as defined and delineated is hereby placed under the administrative jurisdiction of the Philippine Ports Authority, which shall, consistent with the regional industrial plans of the government, implement a program in the proper zoning, planning, development and utilization of the port.

SECTION 3. All orders, proclamations and issuances or portions thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

Done in the City of Manila, this 24h day of January in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Five.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary

http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/index10.php?doctype=Executive%20Orders&docid=66cff6120c27b95f11e764a448719e86455a4893b89a3