Southern Luzon Inquirer

2012-01-14T16:54:00.007+07:00

No need to increase PhilHealth members’contributions

Sen. Ralph G. Recto yesterday said there’s no need to impose a 160-percent increase in the members’contributions to Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) considering its enormous cash “reserves” and huge subsidies from government.

“PhilHealth could achieve viability and attain efficacy in its delivery of services without having to impose another burden to its members, which is essentially another form of payroll tax,” Recto said.

Like deductions for withholding tax, SSS/GSIS, and Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth contributions are also automatically deducted from the payroll of workers.

Recto said PhilHealth may always decide to tap its retained earnings, which have peaked to P110 billion in 2010, to bankroll expansion of services and benefits such as reducing “out of pocket expenses” of members.

He said aside from sitting on its retained earnings that could eclipse by two-fold the entire budget of the Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth is also a consistent top recipient of state subsidies.

From January to November in 2011, PhilHealth was among the top agencies that have received the biggest slice of the P45.205 billion subsidies given out to state-owned corporations.

In the first half of last year, PhilHealth already racked up P5.1 billion in subsidies from government.

The same GOCC is expected to receive the biggest part of this year’s programmed GOCC subsidy of P18.7 billion.

On top of the subsidies, PhilHealth stands to receive P1.5 billion in the 2012 budget to cover premium payment arrears covering 2.9 million indigent families.

"What happened to these subsidies? And what are you doing with your billions in retained earnings?” Recto asked.

The senator added that the planned hike in premium payments would hurt struggling small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which have to contend with a buffet of regulatory compliance like membership in SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.

“And we’re making it worse by increasing the premium payments of their workers, which are shouldered in part by them,” Recto said adding that even local government units (LGUs) would be adversely affected by the move and as a result, create havoc in their fiscal planning for this year.

He said job generation would also be stifled as a result of the increase in PhilHealth premiums since companies will have second thoughts hiring more workers for fear of bloating their operating budget.

"I’m not aware of any consultation held on this matter. We are slashing the IRA of LGUs this year and here we are, making the life of LGUs more difficult by increasing the premiums of PhilHealth members,” the senator, who chairs the Senate ways and means committee and sits as senior vice-chair of the Senate budget panel, said.

In a circular approved by its board, PhilHealth premium contributions for new members will increase from P300 to P600 quarterly or a total of P2,400 per year.

Covered by the increase are members who are earning P25,000 a year based on their income tax returns. (Office of Sen. Ralph G. Recto)

Batangas inmates learn to make money inside prison walls

2011-12-07T19:34:00.001+07:00

At the recent Prisoners' Week celebration at the Batangas provincial jail, Governor Vilma Santos-Recto bought packs of the fried crispy garlic made by inmates inside the jail.

Provincial Jail Warden Col. Venus de Castro inspects

the inmates products before they are taken out to the stores …

Knowing the health benefits of garlic, the governor ate them as if she was just eating potato chips. Not contented with her initial purchase, she bought more.
That was the same reaction of other people who have tasted the provincial jail's products displayed in a booth at the recent festival and business exhibit in Lipa City. Their products were sold out before the end of the day.
The next day, the products were featured on a local television network for its superb quality and packaging.
For the last three years, inmates at the Batangas Provincial jail have been supplying three types of crispy garlic to a big catering company based in Manila. Glutinous noodles are also repacked there and sold at the local markets.
"We have two Filipino-Chinese inmates here, who I noticed to be good cooks," Col. Venus De Castro, the provincial jail warden, said.
He talked to them about the possibility of creating products that the inmates could make right inside the provincial jail.

Crispy fried garlic and repacked glutinous
rice noodles from the Batangas Provincial …

"My fellow inmates here were always bored, because they have nothing to do here," John (not his real name), the businessman, said. "And being in the food business before, I knew the high demand for fried crispy garlic of some of the biggest catering businesses in Manila. That's when we started making our product."

John was a former businessman engaged in the food business in Manila and Rizal province when in 2007, he went to Sto. Tomas town in Batangas to fetch his friend Richard (not his real name), a tourist guide, who was then touring a group of Taiwanese tourists.

Both of them didn't know that the Taiwanese tourists were involved in running a drug laboratory in Sto. Tomas and were under the surveillance of authorities. When the combined forces of the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided the facility used in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, John and Richard were among those arrested.
While waiting for the court decision on their case inside the provincial jail, the two have agreed to start the fried crispy garlic venture with the warden's support.
"It is better to manufacture the crispy garlic here because not only is the labor cheaper, but we're also helping the inmates earn and be proud of themselves," Richard said.
It takes each inmate about 15-20 minutes to make crispy garlic. Each inmate is paid for peeling and slicing of the garlic per kilo.
They sell the crispy garlic to their Manila clients at P60 per pack and P400 per kilo. At the local markets, their repacked noodles sell at P70 per kilo.
It's not much, according to De Castro, but with the growing demand in the last three years, the products have helped the inmates make their time worthwhile.
"A big part of the inmate's rehabilitation also involves self- improvement, and pride at what he has accomplished," De Castro said. "We're giving them a way to fight boredom, and at the same time, restore their feeling of self-worth. They're proud of what they do here."
With the full support of the warden and the governor, the project prospered. The money they get from the sales are fully accounted for and reinvested in the business.
At the correctional facility of the jail, female inmates have formed their own Lady Inmates Cooperative that bakes and sells brownies, macaroons, and yema sweets packaged in attractive boxes that could rival those made outside the jail.
The Brownies are sold for P6 per piece, P40 per box of six, and P75 per box of 12. Macaroons are sold at P60 per box while the Yema for P5 per piece of P60 per box of 12 pieces.
De Castro still makes it a point to inspect the quality of the products before they are sent out to be sold. The quality of every product can compete with those manufactured outside prison walls.
Written at the bottom of each dessert box and garlic package are the words "Sa Kaunting Halaga, nakatulong ka" (At a very little cost, you have extended a helping hand).
(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true.")

Mutya ng Batangan 2011

2011-11-28T13:47:00.001+07:00

Rosario's feisty beauty queen
   When adversity strikes, Leslie Anne Amada, Rosario’s representative to the prestigious Mutya ng Batangan 2011 pageant, knows just what to do—improvise, help herself, and still stand tall with poise.
   While all the other candidates enjoy the privileges of the car and transportation services from the municipal or city government that they represent in the pageant, Leslie Anne rides the jeepney going to the pre-pageant activities in the cold of dawn just to reach the venue on time.
   Without the all-out support from the new mayor of Rosario, the town that Leslie Anne represents, she still fights on, and determined to fight it out until the coronation night.
   When the make-up artist she has already fully paid for abandoned her in the middle of a pre-pageant program, she took out her own make-up pouch bag and retouched her face.
   “Like my mother, I think of adversities as life’s challenges that were thrown on your way to make you stronger and tougher for the next obstacles to come,” Leslie Anne said,” If you can solve those problems and still remain beautiful through it all, carry on with poise, nothing in this world can beat you down.”
    Leslie Anne’s tough attitude when faced with problems must be from her mother, who has been the one responsible for making ends meet in their family.
   With four siblings, the youngest, a four year old girl, Leslie Anne says even she was amazed at how her mother handles the household issues, finances, and motherhood with ease.
   “I think I got my ‘can do’ attitude from my mother who never faltered despite of all the sufferings she’s been through to keep our family afloat,” Leslie Anne said,” When my father couldn’t contribute to the family’s finances, my mother took the cudgels with a straight face. And that face, for me is the most beautiful of all.”
   Despite her family’s financial difficulties, Leslie Anne is on her junior year of BS Psychology at the De La Salle Lipa, one of the top rated and most expensive educational institutions in Batangas.
   “With my full scholarship that lessens my tuition fee per semester by almost 92 percent, I’m able to study at the La Salle. But I have to maintain my high grades and work at the office of the International School principal as clerk,” Leslie Anne said
   Leslie Anne has been a scholar and a working student in La Salle since 2009. When her clerical job was over after the semester ends, she even worked in the sales department of international clothing company with a store in a mall in Lipa city to support her financial needs.

Last year, her mother pushed her to join the Ms. Teen Namunga 2010, a pageant in their village. With her five foot and five inches height, even soft brown skin color, pretty face, and go-getter attitude, her mother believed she can win.
   “I never doubted my mother’s confidence,” Leslie Anne said.
   At the coronation night, Leslie Anne won the first runner up title. This year, with her mother’s prodding, Leslie Anne joined and won the Mutya ng Rosario 2011 beauty pageant.
   That beauty contest catapulted her to the provincial level and made her Rosario town’s representative in the Mutya ng Batangan 2011, the most prestigious annual pageant in the province.
   One thing that Leslie Anne never forgets is maintaining her relationship with God.
   “I love attending the youth gatherings at our church. I love serving God, I love worshipping him, and praising him,” Leslie Anne said,” This is also one of the most important things my mother taught me. When God is at your side, you’ll never lose any battle.”

Mutya ng Batangan 2011

2011-11-26T12:28:00.006+07:00

Proud to be from Alitagtag

“My hometown, Alitagtag may be considered a fourth class municipality, you may even call it a small town, but it is known as the karosa (festival floats) capital of the Philippines. Our historical church and Salubong Festival has always been a tourist attraction,” Rachael Dianne Calalo, Alitagtag town’s bet for the Mutya ng Batangan said of her town.

Just passed the recent nursing board exam, Rachael Dianne had to temporarily stop her training at the Bauan Doctor’s Hospital to concentrate on the pageant that she wanted to join for so long.

“I want to experience this pageant and prove to myself and to all the people I love that I can represent my hometown and make them proud,” Rachael Dianne said.

At 21, and 5”7 ½” tall, she is considered one of the tallest candidates in the pageant.

Thankful for her family’s support, she’s also grateful for the municipal government’s support and the mayor who advises her on how to deal with many people on and off the pageant.

But dealing with different types of people is already effortless with Rachael Dianne as she has been a people person since her childhood days.

And this “people person” has always been ready to help her family and friends, share her talents, and advise them. With 5002 friends in facebook and 230 pending requests she couldn’t accommodate anymore since her account was full.

Not new to pageants, Rachael Dianne has already joined the Mr. and Ms. Nursing at the Lyceum of the Philippines University in December 2008.

In May 2008 she got the Darling of the Crowd and Best in Long Gown awars at the search for King and Queen of their village in Alitagtag.

“I’ve been reading Bo Sanchez and I like what he said about our power to create love even in the smallest things we can do as a person for other people,” Rachael Dianne said.

A voracious reader, Rachael Dianne has learned the value of reading at a very young age when her uncle from Australia sent her three to five books as birthday gifts.

Though they were mostly children’s books when she was young, she was able to collect more as she grew, and appreciate the wisdom from every pages she read. The hardbound books, she said she still keeps up to now.

“Now, I read the Harry Potter series, Twilight, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Bo Sanchez’s books,” Rachael Dianne said,” I learn so much from them.”

One book that made a very positive impact on her life was Tuesdays with Morrie.

“That’s where I realized the value of life, and why we should treasure every moment of our lives,” Rachael Dianne added.

Among the best valued people in her life, she said, was her family and her aunt who supported her nursing studies.

Though her first choice was to study tourism Rachael Dianne knew that her aunt and her parents were right when they asked her to take the nursing course.

“My aunt never said this in my face, by my mother already told me that I am my auntie’s favorite niece. But that didn’t get to my head. Instead, I that became my inspiration, something that drove me to study harder and prove to the world that my aunt was right to help me,” she said

As a registered nurse, Rachael Dianne also dreams of being a doctor and plans to save money to study medicine.

“If I could have a chance to do that and at the help my family’s finances, why not?” she added.

Rachael Dianne recalls her chances during her student days to work part time as a model and was even invited for pictorials but she declined because her first priority at that time was her college diploma. She has also joined the Hair Asia twice, and made sure it didn’t distract her studies.

“Before I make important decisions, I ask my parents and aunt’s opinion first. The decision of those important people in my life is very crucial to everything that I do. So far, their decisions have guided me and have proven to be so right. I’m so grateful for their support,” she said.

Joining the Mutya ng Batangan, Rachael Dianne is determined to do her best.

“I have a lot of dreams and I always keep my options open for all possibilities I can create to achieve my dream. And whatever I decide to do, I stand firm and do everything I can to get it. I know God is always beside me,” she added,”This is the pageant that makes me proud to be here and put my foot forward for my town and the people I love.”

Mutya ng Batangan 2011

2011-11-25T16:38:00.004+07:00

San Jose’s future HOT doc

San Jose, the Philippine’s egg capital will soon have another doctor to join its ranks of good physicians. Carmina Marcaida, thetown’s representative to the Mutya ng Batangan 2011 is not just a registered nurse, but also a future doctor who dreams of becoming a paediatrician and help the children in her town.

“Joining the Mutya ng Batangan, I was able to promote our town, the egg capital of the Philippines. I also realized that here, I can be HOT—Help other people, Open to innovations, and Transparent for us to work effectively,” Carmina added.

Being this HOT, for Carmina also means, taking her dictum to the higher level, even up to the time when she becomes a doctor who will help other people, be open to innovations, and transparent to work effectively.

Though she now works at the Human Resources Office of her alma mater, the Batangas State Universtiy, where she sought temporary employment while waiting for the result of the nursing board exam, she she plans to pursue her medical career soon.

“My dream is really to become a doctor. Since I was a child, I’ve admire doctors so much because I know it takes a lot of guts to be a doctor. And doctors are really intelligent, brave, and courageous. They also have a very determined heart to save lives and help the people in need of their expertise,” Carmina said,” That’s also the same traits that nurses have.”

A Borbonian by heart, Carmina didn’t find working at BSU a difficult task as she knows the university since college, and the people she’s been working with are also her friends since her student days.

In 2005 Carmina represented BSU in the search for Ms. Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region IV A and B Ms. PASUC and got the 1st Runner-Up title.

But she also plans to work as a nurse after her contract in BSU is finished.

“I really love the medical profession. I want to study medicine in the future if I’d be given a chance to. My plan is to save money for that because I know that that is my future,” Carmina said.

Carmina wants to be a paediatrician and be with children.

“I love children. And I have this unwavering patience and fondness for them. Just simply seeing them smile makes me happy too. I get this feeling of lightness when I’m with children,” she added.

According to Carmina, helping patients lessen their pain and suffering gives her a kind of fulfilment that cannot be comparable to any amount of money.

When she was training in the hospital, Carmina never lied about to the patients on the pains of injections

“Unlike the old school, we tell the patients right away what’s gonna happen and if it will hurt. We don’t give them false hopes and we’d also get them ready for the procedure,” Carmina added, “This honesty in our job helps not only us, but the patients as well. And this also helps the children prepare themselves and be brave. ”

With her happy childhood spent in San Jose with her younger brother and cousins in her grandparents’ home, being a child was a wonderful time for Carmina, despite her parents absence.

“My parents really worked hard for our future, and we know that they love us so much. Young as we are then, we already understood that their sacrifices were meant to give us a better future,” she said.

Carmina recalls her parents finally started their own garments business in San Jose when she was in the fifth grade. Carmina never forgets to ask the opinion of her father, whose influence in her pushed her to work harder in school.

“I love being with my family and friends in every outdoor activity or even just at home. They make me feel so complete,”Carmina said.

At home, Carmina still enjoys reading books specially her favourite novels and John Maxwell books. Despite the presence of the internet, Carmina still treasures the books she reads at home.

According to Carmina, the Mutya ng Batangan 2011, where she now represents her hometown, is also like a book for her—something so hot that should be treasured.

Business

2011-11-23T16:55:00.000+07:00

The blade that defines the Batangueno

Balisong on display in front of Diosdado Ona's store

If there is a landmark worth erecting in Batangas province in northern Philippines, it would be the sculpture of the balisong (fan knife) that has defined the unique art, craft, and culture of Batanguenos for centuries.
Though Barangay Balisong in Taal town, also known as the balisong capital of the Philippines, is now suffering from the dwindling supply of knife experts, Diosdado Ona, owner of the Ona Blades store, sees a chance of reviving the dying industry.
"I think if the government would support the balisong industry, and promote it by putting up the fan knife landmarks in all the entrances to the province such as Laguna, Cavite, and Quezon, people will know and appreciate the industry," Ona said.
In front of Ona's store along the highway of Barangay Balisong is a six-foot balisong.
He said the fan knife industry is fast losing its experts as they are growing old and their children who are supposed to inherit the art and craft of making the weapon would rather prefer the cellular phone.
"The balisong is our identity," Ona said. "It defines us as Batanguenos. We can't just let the industry die because of politics and cell phones."
Through his business which is known all over the world, Ona is doing his best to help revive the industry by producing collectors' type balisong and constantly improving on the the quality of the knife which has become his passion.
"Balisong is not only my passion, it is also a fascination," he said. "In 1970, this fan knife saved my life from an attacker who retreated after he saw how fast I was with my balisong, and realized that his small weapon was no match for my bigger fan knife."
Ona started his balisong business only in 1999 after his 19-year stint as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. Through all those years, the passion for the blade never slipped his mind.

Diosdado Ona and his 7-foot balisong

He said: "In 1999, I wanted to continue the art, culture, and craft and business of balisong. It was a dying business then, (a) dying craft. When an expert balisong maker reaches the age of 50, his 20/20 vision is gone."
The perfect 20/20 vision of the expert balisong maker ensures that the holes and the pins that connect the housing and blades of the balisong would be balanced and perfectly aligned.
Making the fan knife is no easy task. First, the liner (or magtatalag) makes the housing of the balisong from brass, aluminium, and stainless steel. Its handles are made of horse bone, carabao horn, deer antler, hardwood such as narra and kamagong, and lately, some have experimented on plastics.
The magbabalakbak then makes and sharpens the blade, which usually comes from junk steel from the junkshops. The junk steel are usually from the housing of bearings or leaf spring of vehicles, high grade metals that are forged in fire, continuously pounded, and shaped into the blade.
The magbabasyada combines the housing and the blade to finish the product.
Sometimes, expert balisong makers can do all of those, from the lining to the completion of the knife. A balisong maker gets 30% profit for every fan knife he makes.
Forty percent of Ona's clients are foreigners while the rest are local clients who collect or sell the balisong all over the country.
In 2007, about 50 members of the World of Martial Arts Federation went to Taal to buy Ona's famous balisong. His balisongs, sold at P200 to P900 apiece, have reached all of Europe, United States, Australia, and Asia.
His balisong business also maintains regular clients in Manila and internet sales. Regular clients from Hong Kong also bring in the big sales.
For Ona, the secret to staying in the business is to continuously upgrade the quality of the balisong, and select the best balisong maker. He employs four of the best balisong makers in Taal.
There are balisong art pieces in his store, including the100-year old balisong, which his grandfather used to own. Collectors always pick those with unique designs, the most popular of which is the Rambo-type blade used in Sylvester Stallone's hit movie series.
His miniature fan knives include the fancy key chain Kampilan used by the Philippine National Police Academy, and the sugar cane cutter called Pangtadtad.
Ona also has a sexy balisong called the Busisi, which is likened to a circumcised penis where the tip of the blade juts out of its housing.
He said: "I'm happy because through this business, I was able to know many famous people. Showbiz personalities, politicians, and businessmen are my friends now. My dream is to have a stock supply of balisong for the next 100 years, that is, if I win the lottery."
(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true.")

Mutya ng Batangan 2011

2011-11-23T16:29:00.002+07:00

An OFW daughter’s pure heart

Towering over all the other candidates, 5-foot and 10 inches tall, Christine Angel Alvaira, San Nicolas town’s representative at the prestigious Mutya ng Batangan 2011 has the humility and pure heart of a small child.

The only daughter of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) couple, Christine Angel was raised by her uncle’s family who treated her as if she were their own.

“I admit that it is really difficult and a bit lonely to be an only child and growing up without my parents. Even with their absence in my growing up years, my love for my parents never wavered because I knew that behind their sacrifice working abroad is their dream of raising me well and giving me a better future,” Christine Angel said.

Despite of the absence, Christine Angel did good in school and is now in her senior year in AB Fashion Design and Merchandising at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde.

“I believe that my college diploma is the best gift I can give to my parents. Even as a child, half the world away from them, I could feel their love for me. I know it’s not easy to leave your own little girl and work in another country. But they did that because they want to make sure I’ll have a brighter future,” Christine Angel said,”I’m so thankful and feel so lucky to have them as my parents.”

Aside from her busy schedule as a senior student, Christine Angel also finds time to squeeze in her part-time job as a ramp model.

With her height and natural sway, the runway is her territory.

”My dream is to work and be known as one of the top fashion designers or supermodels abroad specially in Europe. As a little girl, I’d always wanted to be a supermodel,” she said

For Christine Angel, being a model is not an easy job.

“In this profession, you have to be disciplined enough and focus on balancing. Models are made, not born. We need to train, practice, and develop ourselves before we walk on the ramp,” she added.

With plans of putting up her own clothing line after she graduates, Christine Angel also wants to join the Philippine Fashion Week as a designer or a model and get busy in the fashion industry.

She still gets excited every weekend and holidays as those are the times that she could go home to San Nicolas, and for a moment, enjoy the time away from school and her part time job.

For her, San Nicolas is a piece of paradise that God allowed her to enjoy.

Growing up in San Nicolas with her cousins who treated her as their own biological sister, she enjoyed playtime at the Taal lakeshore with the magnificent view of the world famous Taal Volcano.

“After our games, we’d just sit on the sands of the lakeshore and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Taal Volcano. We’d stay there and wait for the sunset,” she said,”That was a very wonderful childhood to grow up with lots of love and surrounded by the beauty of nature.”

The gateway to Taal Volcano from the Western part of Batangas, San Nicolas is also famous for its Maliputo fish that is found only in Taal Lake, and the ruins of the old Taal Church.

At 19, Christine Angel admitted that she’s never had a boyfriend and wants to keep herself pure until her wedding night.

“We all know that there is no perfect man. But my ideal man is someone who would love and respect not just me but also my family, and take care of me forever, someone who would deserve me as I walk the aisle in a wedding gown that mirrors my pure heart,” Christine Angel said.

Mutya ng Batangan 2011

2011-11-22T16:02:00.001+07:00

On the right path

For Rhacia Wena Bagos, Tingloy town’s bet for the Mutya ng Batangan 2011, everything is now falling into place. Not only is she maintaining her grades at the Batangas State University where she is currently on the fourth year majoring in Chemical Engineering, but she’s already proven that she could do better in her chosen field.

“My first choice was really not chemical engineering, but Tourism, because I really want to travel,”Rhacia Wena said.

Three years ago, when she was about to be interviewed at the University of Sto. Tomas where she applied for a tourism course, Rhacia Wena and her parents decided no to go.

“The tourism course would definitely enable me to travel if I become a flight attendant. And travelling the world is my dream. But as a normal student, I worry about my future,” Rhacia Wena said.

And so, she decided to pursue Chemical Engineering at the BSU.

“At the end of the day, I realized that what hurts in struggling to reach for the bright side is when you realize that you yourself are the dark side,” Rhacia Wena said,” My parents made me realize that I can always do better, and I can walk on the right side of life.”

With the confusion gone, she was able to face the difficult challenges of her chosen course and promised herself to give it her best shot to fulfil her parents’ dreams for her.

“We’re a middle income family who believes that education is one legacy that our parents can give us. It is the armour we can use in facing life’s challenges, and nobody can take it away from us,” she added.

A charmer in her department, Rhacia Wena even won the first runner up title in the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Fine Arts Society in September 2010.

The dream of being a flight attendant is now gone. It was been replaced by her plan of being a successful chemical engineer, a job that will take her to the world’s top tourism spots on her vacations.

With tourism spots, Rhacia Wena says nothing can beat the charm of her island hometown of Tingloy. Though her family maintains a house in Batangas city, they still call Tingloy their home paradise.

“Coming home, we still have to get that boat ride and be amazed at the island strategically located in the center of the famous Verde Island Passage,” Rhacia Wena said, ”That’s just the ride home. Home is paradise.”

Now with electricity, hospital, and potable water supply in the island, progress there has made life better for the residents.

Asked how she would promote Tingloy as a tourism destination, Rhacia Wena said she’d rather give the question to the government.

"I’d like to ask the government that question too. How will the government promote and package Tingloy as a tourism destination without a circumferential road in the island that would enable local, foreign tourists, and even residents to go around and explore Tingloy?” Rhacia Wena said.

“Tingloy island is already there, the best tourism potential to offer in our province. All the government has to do is to build the infrastructures needed and the tourism arrivals will automatically come,” she added.

For an island girl who knows her way in and out of Tingloy, Rhacia Wena has seen how progress can change the lives of the island’s residents, and its potentials as a tourism destination.

“Joining this Mutya ng Batangan 2011 would also help me show my capability and potential and especially what our town, Tingloy, can offer as a tourism destination,” she said,” And I believe I’m on the right path.”

Mutya ng Batangan 2011

2011-11-21T09:44:00.010+07:00

Cuenca’s bet is a young achiever

While most women her age are still in college, at 19, Jazzy Rose Sañez , Cuenca town’s bet for the 2011 Mutya ng Batangan, already knows how to earn her own money—as an executive assistant in a big company in Makati City.

“I took Tourism for a year, and then Hotel and Restaurant Management at the De la Salle Lipa for three years before I transferred to the Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Last year, I graduated from my culinary arts course,” Jazzy Rose said.

Known to her friends as Petty, four years ago, she has nearly made it to two big pageants in the region as first runner for both Ms. Southern Tagalog Calabarzon Athletic Association (STCAA) 2007 and Ms. Lyceum 2007.

But Jazzy Rose wasn’t active only on her career and former student life. Out of the one million contestants of the hit reality series Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Batch 1, she was chosen as one of the top 15 from Manila.

“I stayed in the PBB House for one day, did tasks given by “Big Brother,” she said.

Called as the “chocolate girl when she trained at the Hotel Sofitel’s chocolate room, Jazzy Rose’s sweet outlook was made even sweeter.

“I love my family, specially my mom who taught me discipline and how to be at my best. In my job, I’m aiming for success and to save money to have my own car before I turn 26,”Jazzy Rose said.

To monitor her progress, she’s keeping a diary that tells her of her own self improvement.

“My career is very important to me because it’s here where I can take the steps up to success. I believe in planning ahead because it will eventually lead me to the place where I want to be, and be able to enjoy a comfortable life. This also gives me a sense of accomplishment and identity,” Jazzy Rose said.

Though she knows she could get a bigger salary if she works abroad, Jazzy Rose has no plans of being an Overseas Filipino Worker.

“When I’ve saved enough money, I’m planning to put up an authentic Asian cuisine restaurant,” she said,” I love Asian food, because our own food have its own character that even Americans and Europeans find too hard to resist,” Jazzy Rose said.

Going home to Cuenca, her hometown, Jazzy Rose finds the air and the place very comforting for her as she spent the happiest of her childhood yearss here.

“I love Cuenca. This is a town of character, the only mountain town in Batangas where you can just sit, enjoy your barako coffee with the town’s famous breads, while enjoying the best view of Taal Volcano,”Jazzy Rose said,”And it’s such a big honor to be representing my hometown.”

Mutya ng Batangan 2011

2011-11-16T21:24:00.001+07:00

She's got flair for poetry and love for the environment

"Make yourself at home in exceptional Calaca!" Was how Beverly Jan Magpile, former Binibining Calaca 2009 and the town’s representative to the province’s most prestigious search for Mutya ng Batangan 2011, describes her hometown.

Currently taking B.S. Tourism Management at the De La Salle University in Dasmariñas, Cavite, this 20 year old beauty queen also happens to have a flair for poetry.

“Poetry for me is not just a hobby,” Beverly said,” I started writing poems when I was in high school to express what I think and feel. When I’m in the mood, the words just flow naturally. Though none of my works have been published yet, I feel that kind of satisfaction when my friends appreciate what I write.”

Beverly happens to be a well balanced girl who loves the outdoors with friends but also enjoys the comforts of home with her family, books, and pet cats.

When in the mood, aside from poetry, the artist in her also draws and reads books, real printed hardbound books.

Despite the internet where she can get every reference she wants, Beverly still prefers the book.

“I prefer books, the printed, hardbound books that I can read before I go to sleep. Staring too long at the computer monitor is unhealthy for the eyes. With books, I love going through my favourite parts again and again. I still find it fascinating,” Beverly added.

A happy girl through and through, Beverly, also known to her friends as “Bev” says her town, Calaca, and her family gave her a happy childhood.

"Calaca has natural, cultural and historical attractions such as its abundant beaches, our very own calacatchara festival, and the nearly 200 year-old Calaca church that we cherish,”Beverly added,” and of course, the Calaquenos, the people we love have that natural charm and hospitable mindset that draw local and foreign tourists here.”

Her home in Calaca, according to Beverly, is incomparable to any town, especially with its homegrown product, the atchara, the pickled papaya that is considered the perfect appetizer to any viand.

“While lechon is the king of every fiesta table, only Calaca’s atchara mixed with the lechon sauce can complete the dining experience and make every bite a perfect taste of what’s really delicious,”Beverly said. “And its only here in Calaca.”

According to Beverly, despite the progress in her town, its natural resources was never taken for granted.

“We know that our environment is our responsibility. And we draw our strength from the environment that we protect because it’s not just a source of living today, but also the future of the next generation,”Beverly quipped.

For an environmentalist who also represents her town, Beverly’s flair for poetry also draws strength from the environment that gave her a happy life, and more poems to come to complete the perfect picture.

Mutya ng Batangan 2011

2011-11-15T16:12:00.002+07:00

Lemery’s beauty queen has more than good looks

She might haveslipped, but she

stood up with poise and her best smile

She gained the respect of the judges and the audience last year at the search for Binibining Lemery 2010 when she refused to show more skin in the pageant that landed her in the 2^nd runner up.

But it was how Reinelle Matanguihan picked herself up with poise after she fell onstage and had a wardrobe malfunction during the recent press presentation of Mutya ng Batangan 2011 got her the one of the biggest confidence points.

Reinelle is Lemery town’s bet for the upcoming search for the Mutya ng Batangan 2011, a provincial beauty search that would culminate on December 3.

“I was already trembling with fear at that time, and was also shocked at the reaction of the audience, but I know I should exude confidence whatever happens,” Reinelle said,” and so I picked myself up with poise, and it gave them my best smile.”

The applause from the audience told her she did good. At 20, Reinelle is currently taking Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) where she also landed the 4^th runner up crown in the search for Binibining PUP 2011.

Challenged by the bikini, Reinelle knows

how to flaunt her best figure.

For a part time model, who loves to Reinelle says she’s never worked out in the gym. Thanks to her good metabolism, she never gains weight.

In the modelling industry, it’s unavoidable to meet some people who looks down on models or compare them to brainless mannequins

“If they think that walking the beam to practice the runway walk is brainless, then they should try it with their eyes closed. Models do that gracefully all the time, and it takes a lot of brains cells to do the balancing, and a lot of courage to stand up with poise when we fall,” Reinelle,” The modelling industry is one of the toughest businesses in the world, and it takes a lot of brainpower to stay on.”

At the university, Reinelle is fascinated with the sciences, and biology is her favourite. After school, is she doesn’t have a modelling engagement, she just stays at home and read reference books and in her spare time, Michael Crichton novels.

“Reading is food for the brain. And every beauty should love reading as it sharpens the mind. Newspapers also make me aware of all the issues happening around me. Being a beauty queen also means being a good role model,” Reinelle added.

Reinelle believes that a beauty queen should be more than beautiful.

“Some girls think that their beauty can make them successful. But I always tell them that beauty fades and when that happens, they’ll be left only with wrinkles and old age,” Reinelle said,” But you are smart, educated, and oozing with confidence, time will be your best friend, and like wine, you’ll get better with age.”
Lemery's bet for Batangas' most prestigious beauty pageant proves as early as now that she doesn't just have the beauty and body of a winner, but the brains of a real queen.

Candle company opens artsy Cafe in Lipa

2011-11-12T14:29:00.004+07:00

Outside the Candlelight Cafe, the mural takes the guest to

a new definition of cafe.

On the way from their home in La Finca Residences in Brgy. Dagatan, Lipa City, to Doc’s Candles in Inosluban, to the Deco Candle Inc’s factory, power couple Marichu and Morten Carstensen realized they need a cafe to make a brief stop at, or to take their guests to.

All stops have at least five kilometres distance to each other.But the nearest cafe was so far, and had to endure the annoying traffics at the city hall and two malls. The idea of putting up their own cafe started.

The Carstensens. Morten, Dr. Marichu, and daughter Sophia.

Unique chairs by Doc for sale inside the cafe.

And so, on November 3, the Mortensens opened their Candlelight Cafe, a place where artsy coffee, food, decorative candles, and art mix, enough to make every coffee experience and meals a journey through art and a feast of the senses.

From the facade of the cafe, the mural paintings on the walls already depict the artsy ambience of the shop, while inside, the murals bring a sense of classic and relaxing mood that creates a feeling of having that cup of Barako coffee inside an art gallery. An experience that one can get only here.

According to Morten, Lipa City’s Barako (Liberica coffee variety) has always been the coffee he’d come back to whenever the candle business takes him and his wife to other countries.

And so, Barako coffee is the main coffee served at the Candlelight Cafe. His wife Marichu, a doctor by profession and born an artist, decorated the cafe with all the decorative candles she designed, along with art pieces, and artsy tables and chairs that are also for sale. Even the lighting at the cafe is coffee-inspired.

Ordering a latte, one may even be surprised at the artistic presentation that goes with the cup. The couple’s only daughter Sophie, a budding artist, also makes the designs.

Every morning, Candlelight Cafe also offers breakfast of suman, rice cakes, maja blanca, and bibingka with a cup of Barako coffee.

Candlelight Cafe at night.

Meals include pasta and salad with the Mortensen’s original salad dressing from Denmark, with 20 secret herbs and spices that gives the potato and other salads the perfect taste in every bite.

“It’s now our fourth home, the second stop from our residence, before we go to Doc’s Candles and Deco Candles,” Marichu said,” and hopefully, this will be the home of our friends, clients, and art enthusiasts.”

Biggest deco candle business rises from the ashes

2011-11-10T08:10:00.001+07:00

PHILIPPINE-made decorative candles were a big hit at one of the biggest products exhibitions in the world held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibit Center last month.
All the candles put on exhibit at the trade fair by Morten and Marichu Carstensen were sold out. It was quite a feat for the couple whose candle making business was almost ruined by a fire that gutted their factory a year ago.
“That fire and everything that happened after was our defining moment,” said Morten who is from Denmark and married to Marichu, a Filipina doctor. “The Hong Kong Convention not only proved that we’re back on our feet; we’re still the biggest decorative candles company in the Philippines, and we can compete with the world’s best.”
The Carstensens are the owners of Doc’s Candles, the first candle chain in the country and now the biggest in the decorative candles industry. Last year they entered into a partnership with the French-owned candle company Deco Candles Inc.
Marichu and Morten were ecstatic at the big potentials of their new partnership with Deco and had every reason to celebrate at that time. The last shipment of decorative candles for their A client American client Crate and Barrel was out. The manpower transfer from Doc’s in Lipa City to Deco at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) compound in Rosario, Cavite was completed. Thousands of Russian doll-inspired candles were in the packing stage at the factory.
While celebrating inside the townhouse of one of the production managers in Cavite on the night of August 20, 2010, faulty electrical wires at Deco factory started a fire that spread throughout the building.
The Carstensens were halfway home when the production manager informed them about the fire.
Marichu recalled: “It was like a scene from a bad dream. On our way to the factory, it rained so hard and the narrow road where we were stranded was blocked by a big crane. We were stuck and then the flood water entered our sedan!”
When the couple reached the site, the factory and Marichu’s newly renovated office were still on fire.
The idea of closing the business was unthinkable but thinking of how to start again from the ashes was even more intimidating. It was their life’s work.
Deco Candles Inc.’s factory provided jobs for 160 regular employees, including those from Doc’s Candles which was located in Lipa City and was now producing only for the local market.
Marichu’s love affair with candles started in 1995 when she was attracted to the cover of a book on the art of candle making. She then started making decorative candles as a hobby, gave them out as gifts, and later as a project for the poor kids in Lipa who she taught how to paint.
Morten, who was her boyfriend at that time and was working for a brokerage firm in Makati, saw the potentials of the decorative candle business and encouraged her to sell the candles at the Danish Coffee Morning, a cafe in Makati frequented by expats. The candles were all sold out.
In 1997, they registered the business as Doc’s Candles. The couple’s kitchen-cum-factory in their house in Inosluban, Lipa City only had two helpers then to help them make the candles.
In 1998, they joined the bazaar for the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) on Roxas Boulevard. Though their booth was near the bathroom, they sold all their candles and orders from the United States started coming in. They also had bulk orders form Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and other European countries.
In 1999, Doc’s candles joined a trade fair in Denmark, which is known for the best candles in the world. From there, they got orders from Sweden, Norway, Kuwait and Japan.
Aside from the export business, the couple also started a retail and franchising business, putting up Doc’s Candles kiosks in malls. Their kitchen factory grew to a production company with 60 regular employees, two full-time sales officers in Manila and two sales managers in Quezon City. They decided to quit their jobs and concentrate on Doc’s Candles.
The first candle chain in the country, Doc’s Candles also opened outlets in Kuala Lumpur and other Asian countries.
From there, the firm grew by leaps and bounds until they decided to partner with Deco in 2010.
Then the fire in the Deco Cavite factory.
Starting anew, the Carstensens searched all of the industrial parks in Cavite for Deco but couldn’t find the most suitable place to transfer their factory.
They found a suitable place for the Deco Candles factory in Lipa, about 10 kilometers away from Doc’s Candles. The price was good, and the cool weather in Lipa soothed their tired senses.
“We can now sigh with relief. We are almost debt-free. And we are now looking into the future,” Marichu said.
Morten said as a result of that fire, they were able to retain the best people from Deco and combine them with their best manpower from Doc’s. “We’re good to go,”he said.
Recently, Point a La Ligne of Paris, the biggest candle supplier in France, was added to their growing list of clients.
To be able to focus more on the international market, Deco has decreased its local sales, but still retained Doc’s candles in the retail sales.
Morten said the lesson he has learned in overcoming adversities is that,”Business and money don’t enrich a man. The best profit, in the long run, comes from the best people who make the best product.” (Mei Magsino, Batangas)

Businessman kidnapped in Batangas

2011-11-08T16:27:00.005+07:00

Lemery, Batangas – Taken at gunpoint in front of his wife, a well-known local businessman was kidnapped yesterday in Brgy. Malinis, this town.

In the report of SPO2 Agapito Rey Landicho, case officer at the Lemery Municipal Police station, businessman Wilfredo Malabanan, 40, was with his wife Cristine on board their car in Brgy. Malinis when two cars blocked their way.

Seven armed men got out from the two cars and at gunpoint, and forcibly took Malabanan.

The suspects also took Cristine’s bag and two cellular phones.

The suspects took Malabanan into one of the cars and fled eastward to adjacent Taal town. Cristine was left in their locked car and was later rescued and temporarily taken into custody by the police.

Baby shark killed in Batangas

2011-10-26T15:55:00.000+07:00

Not an ordinary fish. The baby white tip shark (above) was

accidentally caught inn the hook and line of the fishermen

who went out to sea to catch tuna.

Calatagan, Batangas—Just a day after the successful release of the third sea turtle in this town, a baby white tip shark was killed and butchered by the fishermen who accidentally caught in their fishing lines.

According to Jessie De Los Reyes, project coordinator of Conserve and Protect Oceans (CAPOCEAN) Foundation, and volunteer Bantay Dagat, the shark was hooked in the fishing lines of the fishermen who were out on the West Philippine sea to catch blue marlin and tuna.

The fishermen saw the shark at about 10 a.m. on Tuesday 12 kilometers from the shorelines of Barangay Carretonan in this town.

Accidentally caught in the fishing lines, the fishermen

release the baby shark, but just watched it die. They knew

value of the shark's fin and tails in the Chinese restaurants

Binondo.

De los Reyes was in the shores when he witnessed how the shark was chopped up, weighed, and sold.

“Nothing went to waste, every part of the shark was sold,” De los Reyes said,” They said the fins and tail will be sold by traders to Chinese Restaurants in Binondo, where it could be made into shark fin soup, an aphrodisiac. I couldn't do anything but look. It felt like my heart was being crushed. ”

De los Reyes said, even if the fishermen violated the law when they killed the shark, up to now, no charges have been filed against them.

“Poverty drove them to do it. They know the shark fins and tail could be sold for a lot of money. I think it’s the people who buy the shark’s fin and tails who should be caught. Without the demand, the fishermen won’t even think about catching the shark,” he said

The shark meat and innards were also sold locally.

R.A 8550 o Fisheries Code of the Philippines prohibits the killing of endangered marine animals such as turtles, dolphins, whales, and sharks and whoever is caught butchering the fish could be fined with P120,000, confiscation of the catch, and cancellation of the fishing permit.

Killed, butchered, and sold. Despite the fishermen's

awareness of the laws protecting the baby shark, the call

of money and the high demand for its fins and tail came first.

Due to Calatagan's strategic location in the Verde Island Passage and the West Philippine Sea, its seas has always been frequented by sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and sharks that are also essential to the marine biodiversity. The endangered marine animals are responsible for the balance in the sea's ecosystem, aside from being the town's tourism.

It was only on Monday when they released an olive ridlely turtle that was accidentally caught in some fishermen's net, something the environment protectors consider as a victory for nature. Tuesday's shark slaughter put their score back to zero. (Mei Magsino, Batangas, Photos by Jessie De Los Reyes)

PPI call for entries on Indigenous People stories

2011-10-26T15:07:00.003+07:00

The Philippines has a rich and colorful tapestry of over 110 ethno-linguistic indigenous groups scattered across the archipelago. They comprise 10% to 15% of the population and are considered the most disadvantaged sector. They are generally located in ancestral territories and have high rates of unemployment, vulnerable employment and illiteracy. They are said to experience a great deal of discrimination, degradation and exploitation of their resources, and face challenges in land ownership.

Sadly, the situation of indigenous peoples (IPs) is underreported or almost absent in Philippine media. When indigenous peoples are reported on, it is often about their cultural practices and idiosyncratic ways of living. They are always portrayed as victims of conflict or discrimination.

In response to the need to sustain substantial reportage and build on what has been started already, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for the Philippines, in partnership with Probe Media Foundation (PMF), will recognize outstanding published and broadcasted stories on indigenous peoples in print, photo essay, radio, television and online media that dealt with topics such as their rights, laws, struggles, dreams, aspirations and continuing efforts as beneficial citizens of this country.

The recognition program entitled “Pagkilala sa mga Natatanging Kuwentong Katutubo” (Recognition of Outstanding Stories on Indigenous Peoples), is the first of its kind in the country that will highlight excellence in reportage on indigenous peoples that portrays them not only as a marginalized sector or beneficiaries but as ‘partners in development’.

This program largely focuses on success stories of indigenous communities or individuals --- how they were able to empower themselves amidst adversities and challenges as citizens of this country who usually take the back seat in the scheme of things or are lost in the stream of public consciousness.

Stories published or aired between August 2009 and August 2011 may be submitted to Probe Media Foundation not later than 12 midnight of November 15, 2011.

Recognition shall be given to the reporter, photographer, writer or producer whose story captured the essentials of reporting on indigenous peoples. Winners will be announced on December 12, 2011. (www.ilo.org/manila, katutubomedia@gmail.com and PPI as coordinating arm for print)

Bishop: Stop bullying Gov. Vi!

2011-10-24T19:56:00.001+07:00

Archbishop Ramon Arguelles believes in the beauty of

Batangas and the governor's plan to enhance its tourism potentials.

Batangas City—In the middle of the controversy over the much parodied “Hollywood-inspired” signage that was planned to be put up on Taal Volcano that criticized and bullied Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles is now telling the cyberbullies to stop the bullying.

“If those bullies are Batangueños, I would ask them to stop. Makisama naman sila. If they are not Batangueños, then they should promote their own province. We will help the governor on this,” Arguelles said.

Gov. Vilma, also an actress, said she was shocked at the barrage of calls she got last Thursday when the news of the planned landmark on the Tall Volcano island came out in a national newspaper.

Along with the story was a Taal Volcano photo from the office of Vice Governor Mark Leviste II with a photoshoped Hollywood style signage of Batangas, that seemed to claim the world’s smallest volcano as the province’s treasure.

The proposed Hollywood inspired signage would be 14 meters tall and stretch out for
about 110 meters, will be painted white, and positioned following the contours of
the island volcano. (Photo from the Office of the Vice Governor)

The story said that the provincial council approved on October 5 a resolution, not an ordinance, that supported the erection of the landmark that was supposed to enhance the province’s tourism potential.

Since the story broke out, netizens, photoshop experts, and cyberbullies have started criticizing the governor, putting up photoshoped enhanced photos and memes of other Philippine landmarks with signages that were meant to to heckle the Gov. Vi.

The parodies went viral, as even events, famous DPWH photoshoped people,
and Gov. Vi’s character in the movie “Darna” were used to ridicule the governor.

Asked if the cyber bullying has been hurting her, the governor said no.

“I am used to this. This is not our first time. In the first place you cannot please everybody, and please let us not over react and over magnify this. The signage plan is not final yet, it’s being studied. Modesty aside, I’m an actress, that’s why they’re heckling me. I am not worried if they are toying with me. What really bad is that those people are just playing with the issue. Please don’t do that,” the governor said.

To the cyberbullies, Gov. Vi said, she definitely cannot stop them.

Enjoy it while it lasts, Gov. Vilma tells the bullies.

“The cyberbullies should enjoy it while it lasts. I guess the most important thing is the truth. So whatever your opinion is, we will respect that, but I hope you will also respect our opinion,” Gov Vi added.

According to Batangas provincial administrator Engr. Victor Reyes, the signage wasn’t even in the governor’s Annual Investment Plan (AIP).

“The Taal Volcano is under the Protected Area Management Board. In 1996, during the administration of former President Fidel Ramos it was declared as eco-tourism area and was included in the 1,497 World Heritage sites. By law, we cannot put any structure there that can deface the natural environment,” Reyes,” and besides, there is no fund for that.

According to Reyes, before they could even plan the beautification project, the provincial government is still busy dismantling the illegal fishcages in the Taal Lake. For now, they have dismantled over 6,500 fishcages in the lake.

Batangas’ new provincial tourism officer Emilie Katigbak, has no comment on the issue.

But as the parodies got worse, the governor was the getting hit from all sides, she felt it wasn’t heckling anymore.

“Gov. Vi should be firm about this. And she should fight for Batangas,” Arguelles said.

Arguelles added that he is behind the governor and that she should also concentrate on removing the fishcages in Taal Lake.

“Those fishcages should be dismantled because those are the real eyesore, not the proposed landmark,” Arguelles added,” We just have to make sure that the signage Batangas will be really put up in the Taal Volcano. It’s beaty makes us so proud to be Batangueños, but other people are getting money from the it.”

According to an official statement released by Batangas provincial information officer Jing Segismundo, she said the Batangas landmark on Taal Volcano was just a proposal and nothing is final yet.

Segismundo said that the governor is unaware of the first article that came out on a major broadsheet and “she doesn’t deserve to be ridiculed on the matter that resulted from over-reaction.”

In the statement, Segismundo added that the idea was just a part of the Tourism Development Plan for Taal Lake and that the photo was not an official release of the provincial government.

According to Leviste, he doesn’t mind the parodies, and heckling because the idea of putting up the landmark has already served it’s purpose.

“Because of that idea, the whole world knows that Taal Volcano is in Batangas, not Tagaytay. It’s a hot topic now. We welcome comments and suggestions as long as they are objective,” Leviste said.

World-famous for its location within a freshwater lake, Taal Volcano is also a declared protected area in 1996 by the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS). This means that by law, it is prohibited to put any structures in the area.

With the best view of the volcano seen in Tagaytay, a mountain resort city in the nearby province of Cavite, most people often mistake it to be part of Cavite.

It was the Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino’s comments about the “insecurity” of putting up the Hollywood style signage that also added the heat on the issue.

Taal Volcano and Tagaytay city’s strategic location that benefits from the volcano located in Batangas has long been the subject of running jokes in the capitol.

During the administration of former governor (1995-2004) and now Batangas second district representative Hermilando Mandanas, he used to joke that he would put up a giant curtain over Taal Volcano, so that the people in Tagaytay wouldn’t be able to see it and won’t gain anything from its tourism benefits.

The joke goes around that it was answered by the former mayor of Tagaytay city who said if the curtain was drawn, he would just put a token to open like, the slot machines in the casinos of Tagaytay.

According to Mandanas’ former provincial information officer Nomer Macalalad, the joke wasn’t known at that time simply because the governor was not a showbiz personality, the internet was not that widespread yet, and there was not photoshop yet. (Mei Magsino)

Torture survivors make life worthwhile in prison

2011-10-13T06:47:00.003+07:00

Charity Dino with fellow Talisay 3 political prisoners.

CHARITY Diño, a former school teacher in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, has been languishing at the Batangas Provincial Jail for almost two years now.

She spends her time teaching her fellow female inmates how to bake moist macaroons and chocolate cupcakes in an oven they have improvised inside the correctional facility.

They sell their products as one of their income generating projects, with the support of their new warden.

When Diño gets burns and bruises from the makeshift oven, she couldn’t help but be reminded of the painful memories of how she got in jail and the justice she has long been denied.

As seminar organizers of the grassroots farmers group Samahan ng Magbubukid ng Batangas (SAMBAT), she and her friends Sonny Rogelio and Billy Batrina were in Talisay town on Nov. 23, 2009 to invite residents to their forum on urban poor concerns.

On their way home at 8 p.m., armed men in plain clothes forced them into three vans.

“Inside the van, we were blindfolded with adhesive tapes,” Diño recalled. “Our captors started to punch, kick, and maul us. I was in so much pain, but I could hear my companions cry from the blows. One of the men forced bullets between my fingers and squeezed them until they dug into my flesh.”

Called Talisay 3, Diño and her companions were brought to the 730^th Combat Group of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Camp in Palico, Nasugbu, Batangas.

They were interrogated while being forced to admit they were members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

In one of the camp’s torture chambers, Diño was handcuffed from behind, and tied to a wooden chair where she was slapped, hit with hard objects, kicked, and punched.

In two other rooms, Rogelio and Batrina suffered the same fate, plus electrocution.

“The people who hurt me were big men, I remember because it was so easy for them to carry me out of the room and take me to the grassy area where they stripped me off of my clothes,” she said.

Naked, kneeling on the grass, and in too much pain, she felt a gun hit the back of her head. With her low pain tolerance, she passed out. They tortured her from morning till night.

The next day, Diño’s blindfold was removed. She was questioned by a woman who she thought was one of her interrogators. In too much pain, and her mind in a haze, she answered “yes” to all her questions.

Unknown to Diño, Rogelio, and Batrina, they were already under inquest proceedings by a prosecutor in Batangas. They had no lawyer to defend them.

On Nov. 26, they were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives before Branch 6 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Tanauan City, Batangas. Diño was also accused of illegal possession of drugs before the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) of Talisay, Batangas.

On the fourth day, her blindfold was permanently removed after which she was allowed to bathe and a change of clothes.

After 17 days, the three were brought to the Batangas Provincial Jail in Batangas City.

Diño said: “It was an obvious kidnapping. There was no warrant for our arrest. The first time I saw a grenade and illegal drugs was in court, when those were called exhibits, as evidence against me.”

Helping Diño with the baking project in jail is Maricon Montajes, a Mass Communication student at the University of the Philippines arrested on June 3, 2010 in Taysan, Batangas.

She and her friends Ronilo Baes from Batangas and Romiel Cañete from Diliman, Quezon City (known as the Taysan 3) were on a community outreach work in Taysan when soldiers from the 740^th Combat Group under Lt. Col. Arnel Villareal attacked and forcibly took them from their temporary home.

Maricon Montajes shows the scar left by the shrapnel that hit her forehead

During the attack, a grenade exploded near Montajes. The soldiers, seeing she was injured, took her to a hospital while Baes and Cañete were taken to torture chambers.

“I learned that they used my injury for their press release, saying they took care of me and my medical needs,” Montajes said.

Three months after her arrest, Montajes found out the doctors forgot to remove during the operation a shrapnel imbedded in her forehead.

“It’s (her scar) not very visible nowadays, but I still keep the bangs so that I won’t be reminded everyday of the wound that destroyed my life as a student,” she lamented.

Like the Talisay 3, the same trump-up charges were filed in court against the Taysan 3. They have also remained in jail since the inquest.

Known for their quick response on anything, the PAF has been unusually slow in answering Vera Files’ questions on these cases.

Lt. Col. Miguel Okol, PAF’s new Public Information Officer in Batangas, asked for a formal letter to be emailed to them, but the questions have not been answered to this day.

   “They really won’t answer that fast,” Amading Cornejo, Batangas’ foremost political analyst said.

   “The air force would never admit they tortured the Talisay 3 and the Taysan 3.”

   The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Office
(MOLEO) told the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) it has decided to “close and terminate the complaint on the basis of Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009, which means the case should be handled by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

   Last June 30, the AHRC chided the CHR for their alleged failure to take action on SAMBAT’s complaint regarding the alleged torture of the Talisay 3 by Air Force soldiers. (By Mei Magsino)

First published by Vera Files and Yahooo

SLI'S Coffee

2011-10-09T08:17:00.000+07:00

"Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love."

~That's the recipe for coffee, according to the utterly French statesman Talleyrand (1754-1838).

350 passengers stranded in Batangas Port

2011-10-02T09:03:00.000+07:00

Due to typhoon “Quiel” that caused the strong water current and undersea tornadoes in the seas of Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro, a total of 350 passengers were stranded in Batangas Port after the port management on Saturday afternoon cancelled the regular trips there and those to Odiongan, Romblon, the Asian Terminals Inc.’s information service said.

The cancelled Roll-on, Roll-off (Ro-Ro) trips were resumed by Montenegro Shipping Lines on Sunday at 10 a.m. while the Odiongan Ro-Ro ships were back on its regular schedule at 5 p.m.

During the typhoon, even the passengers bound for Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro had no choice but to board the Ro-Ro ships going to Calapan City. From there, they traveled by land going to Puerto Galera.

Fastcrafts going to Puerto Galera were not allowed by the port management and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to go as only 1,000 tonnage ships like Ro-Ros are permitted to sail on typhoon signal number 1 that hit the province.

Weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised typhoon signal number 1 over the Mindoro island provinces and Batangas on Saturday morning, enough for the Port administrators to refuse to let the small boats sail. (Mei Magsino)

Sale of geckos to be illegal in Batangas

2011-07-21T14:22:00.000+07:00

Batangas City—If Board Member Christopher de Leon’s resolution to make the indiscriminate collection and sale of gecko illegal in Batangas will be approved, this province will once again hear the reptiles’ nightly calls.

“This resolution is addressed to DENR to immediately stop the indiscriminate hunting and illegal sale of tuko (gecko) by simply applying the law R.A. 9147or the Philippine Wildlife Law that declares such sale as illegal and come out with a public announcement together with other health agencies that the value of gecko to the cure of AIDS and cancer is without any medical basis,” De Leon said in the recent Sangguniang Panlalawigan session held on Wednesday.

Since January this year, the capture, collection, and sale of tuko has been a lucrative trade that De Leon said even professionals have engaged themselves in catching the reptile.

The gecko, or more commonly known in the province as tuko, is believed to been the cure for AIDS, cancer, and since the reptile can live up to 350 years, is believed to be the fountain of youth. To date, no official medical findings have proven these claims.

“We have reports saying that the price of live tuko could reach up to P300,000 up to P500,000 if the tuko reaches the weight of 300 grams and up,” De Leon added.

In Batangas, reports said that agents engaged in the trade of tuko have been name-dropping the officers of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office who have allegedly given them “immunity” to collect and trade tuko.

Because of the very attractive price of the tuko, middlemen even tend to trade tuko in bulk, and buy even the younger reptiles to keep them in cages and feed them with insects. In turn, out of their natural habitats, the young tuko dies.

“The tuko is not yet considered a threatened or endangered specie but because of the indiscriminate collection and selling, they could be endangered soon,” De Leon added.

Because of the urgency of De Leon’s resolution, it was exempted from the three- reading rule at the provincial council. (Mei Magsino)

Town opposes sacking of newly installed police chief

2011-07-16T12:31:00.000+07:00

The augmentation force from the Regional PNP in front of the Lemery Police station.

Lemery, Batangas—Reeling from the murder of a high-ranking police officer and resident of this town, the news of the sudden relief order of the new chief of police who was installed only last July 4, the town mayor, vice mayor, and the association of barangay chairman showed their support to the police force, who have been suffering from low morale.

Sr. Supt. Rodney Ramirez, a resident of this town, and former chief of the intelligence unit of the Batangas Police Provincial Office, was killed in an ambush on Tuesday morning in Brgy. Butong, Taal, Batangas, the town beside Lemery.

But even if Ramirez was killed in Taal town, this town seems to be suffering the brunt of blames, and roving police force in full camouflage uniforms and armalites.

According to Police Chief Inspector Renato Mercado, who was only eleven days on duty, he has already received the call to leave the Lemery Police station and turn over the command to the incoming chief yesterday morning.

The reason for the sudden relief, Mercado refused to say,” I only follow the command of the higher-ups,” he said,” What they tell me to do is exactly what I’m going to do.”

But that wasn’t the case for the entire police force of this town, composed of 38 personnel, whose achievement earned them last year the Outstanding Police Community Service award.

“This is a low-blow for all of them, knowing how hard they have been working to keep the peace and order here in Lemery. Here, the police have ensured that every street is secured and everyone can walk the streets alone at night and still come home safely,” Mercado said,” It was just after the murder of Colonel Ramirez last Tuesday in Taal town that everything changed.

In an interview with Lemery Mayor Eulalio Alilio, he said was shocked at the sudden and untimely sacking of the police chief and worries about his town suffering from the crime that didn’t even happen in Lemery.

According to Gary Marcial, vice chairman of Lemery’s Association of Barangay Captains, since the murder of Ramirez, they’ve seen men in camouflage uniform in every street of the town.

“The last time this town has seen such camouflaged men roving around with long firearms was during the Martial law,” Marcial said,” Don’t they know they’re in the wrong place? Colonel Ramirez was killed in Taal town, not in Lemery.”

“We are also appealing to Governor Vilma Santos-Recto to retain the police force that we have been trusting with our lives for so long,” Marcial added.

Chona Alivose, District 3 barangay chairwoman has the same gripe. “My barangay is in the poblacion, the main commercial area. And when people saw the men in camouflage uniform with long guns, it sends a scary signal. Even my kids don’t want to go out anymore,” Alivose added

“Colonel Ramirez was killed in Taal, not in Lemery. We don’t know why our town is being singled out when the crime didn’t even happen here. If there’s any town that should be investigated, that should be Taal, not Lemery. Sometimes we wonder if the crime happened in San Luis, beside Taal, will the Taal police chief be sacked too?” Atty. Genaro Cabral, Lemery’s legal officer said.

Police Senior Inspector Ronnie Golfo, Officer in Charge of the Regional Public Safety Batallion from the Regional Police Office, whose force of 30 fully armed personnel, said they were not in Lemery to take over the police station.

“We’re just here as augmentation force to keep the peace and make sure that nothing bad would happen,” Golfo said. (Mei Magsino)

He was only chief of police in Lemery town for 11 days. Police Chief Inspector Renato Mercado's short stint as Lemery's 11-day chief of police ended yesterday

3 construction workers die in septic tank

2011-07-14T15:21:00.000+07:00

Malvar, Batangas– Three of six construction workers died of suffocation when they were trapped inside a septic tank they were cleaning inside the LIMA Technology Center in Barangay Santiago, this town,0 yesterday morning.

Senior Inspector Gaudencio Aguilera, Malvar police chief, identified the fatalities as Romulo Alvarez, Nardito Igloso, and Ronald Alimbo, all construction workers of EZP Technohub Mabz Builders.

According to the police investigation, the three victims were working in the septic tank in a warehouse and were about to remove the scaffoldings when it collapsed and trapped the two victims at the bottom.

When they realized what happened, three workers went inside the septic tank in attempt to save their co-workers, but they also suffocated and collapsed.

Alvarez, Igloso and Alimbo were declared dead on arrival at the Metro Lipa Hospital, while Genaro Igloso, Terasio Ondoy and Librado Jaranilla were treated for minor injuries.

Rescue teams from the Malvar and Lipa fire departments responded to the incident.

Because of the stench, even the television news teams who came to cover the incident were prevented from taking footages inside the construction site.

According to Aguilera, they would investigate LIMA's head of security for failing to report the incident to the police.

Television news teams were also prevented to take footages of the construction site.

Police Colonel killed in ambush

2011-07-12T14:30:00.000+07:00

Grieving for the fallen brother, the Batangas Provincial Police Office's flag is now on half mast.

Taal, Batangas—A police colonel was killed in an ambush while riding his bike in Brgy. Butong, this town at about 9 a.m. on July 12, a week before his scheduled transfer at the regional police office in Canlubang, Laguna.

Victim Sr. Superintendent Rodney Ramirez, former chief of the Intelligence Department of the Batangas Police Provincial Office, sustained six gunshot wounds in his head and was rushed to the Lemery Doctor’s Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by attending doctor Don Reiniel Aristones de Mesa.

According to the initial investigation by the Taal PNP, Ramirez was riding his bike on the provincial road of Brgy. Butong going westward to Lemery town when he was shot by six armed men aboard a gray Mitshubishi L-300 van with plate no. TKY349.

After shooting Ramirez, the suspects left the van and fled on foot towards the direction of Sta. Teresita town.

Sr. Supt. Rodney Ramirez during a hostage-taking reenactment program held on September 2010.

The Taal PNP is now conducting a follow-up operation to track the suspects.

Last week, Ramirez was on “floating status” pending transfer at the PNP Regional Office in Canlubang, Laguna.

According to police officers close to Ramirez, when he was chief of the intelligence department, he investigated a big-time drug syndicate operating in Western Batangas with its base in Lemery town, just beside Taal, where he was killed. (Mei Magsino/SLI)

Batangueña entrep lauded

2011-07-09T10:54:00.000+07:00

Batangas Provincial Governor Vilma Santos-Recto and Vice Governor Marc Leviste commended Ms. Lovely Fernandez, a Batanguena from MataasnaKahoy town and was included in the prestigious Top 10 Pinoy Entrepreneurs in Singapore 2011. Fernandez works as the Assistant Supervisor of Newstead Technologies Pte Ltd., one of Singapore's major consumer electronics retailer.