Professional Documents
Culture Documents
February 10-16, 2013
February 10-16, 2013
com
e-mail: bikol_reporter@yahoo.com
1985
Willprint
outstaNdiNg local Newspaper
For Five Consecutive Years St. Peter Baptist Catholic Mass Media Awards
Bicol, the philippiNes Bicol, the philippiNes feBruary 3 - 9, 2013 feBruaryp5.00 2013 10-16,
p5.00
By JaSON B. NeOla
DAET, Camarines Norte -- The municipal government here has gained economic growth and tourism development opportunities following the trip of Mayor Tito Sarte Sarion (inset photo) to the United States of America (USA) with the prospect of investment and tourism activities.
Sarion attended the Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala celebrating the inauguration of US President Barack Obama on January 15 at the US Chamber of Commerce, Washington D.C. and met with state officials for the implementation of programs and activities among the sister cities. Sarion said one prospective investor, a native of this town, has confirmed his investment in a call center venture here, citing expensive operational expenses of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the US. He also met with Mayor Michael Gray of Washington D.C., strengthening the ties of Daet with its international networks in the sister cities in US. Sarion also met with leaders of Filipino-American communities, including Loida Nicolas Lewis, a Sorsogon province native and a distinguished businesswoman.
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Mayor BONgat
Single parents in Naga need not feel alone in facing the challenges of raising their families with the city doing its best to help them in their roles as heads of families through programs designed to address their needs.
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which shows that the valuation for the current year allows the local government to achieve a whooping P153, 538, 651.48, which is higher by 8% than that of last years. The local government was able to acquire P135, 121, 018.47in business tax assessment last year, P124, 372, 845.75 in 2011 and P101, 647, 732.61 in 2010. The 2013 figure was attained because of an effective tax drive being implemented by the administration of Mayor John G. Bongat who also assured local businessmen here that the city government is not considering any increase yet in the citys tax rates.
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3rd Floor, GERONIMO BLDG., BARLIN ST., NAGA CITY TELEFAX: (054) 475-62-62 CP 0921-3183720 / 0919-2822901 / 0920-5337766
Bikol reporter
oPinion
MatteRS OF CONSeqUeNCe
Sb. virtuS jr.
rodolfo Sonny
intermission Number
I can still recall when I was a second grader at the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) during the Linggo ng Wika celebration in 1990, my class adviser, Maam Fe Valenciano, asked me to give an intermission number in our class. I could not say, No to my teacher who even informed my mother, a teacher in the secondary level of the same school, about it. So that night, my mother coached me in singing Isang Lahi, which was probably the only song I memorized at that time because it was one of Manay Cynthias, my elder sister, contest pieces. The next day, I sang in front of my classmates in a small class program. Then, Maam Fe brought me and other older students to Aling Sonias program at Bombo Radyo to sing on-air. AM radio-listening was a popular means of entertainment at that time, so many of our neighbors and relatives heard me sing. That was my earliest moment of inspiration, the first time that someone other than my parents saw some potential in me and gave me a break. In my next opportunity to sing, I faced a big crowd at the UNC Gymnasium comprised of the school community and the Naga City general public during that years Founders Day outreach. Even today, twenty-three years later, my mind can still replay the memory of that time when I crooned The Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody, which was a hit movie soundtrack that year. While I sang, the crowd applauded three times, especially when I reached the second to the last line which goes, I need your love... In my very limited appreciation then of the word inspiration, that moment was what totally defined it. Before this important point in my very young life, I did not know that I could sing. I was first labeled as paraadal and magpapadion but not parakanta. It was Manay Cynthia, my elder sister who used to be the singer in the family that is, before the time of my discovery. She spent a significant part of her childhood years singing at every pageant and baraylehan in Brgy. Lerma, where we lived, and joining singing contests during town fiestas. I even remember how one time, Mama and she came home with a bag full of groceries as a prize for her having won in Dalan sa Kalangitan, a popular amateur contest then. I was a regular elementary student. I barely managed to make it to the Challengers list and never made it to the Top 10. So I tried to be the best instead in the field that I just found: singing. I was inspired and, at the same time, pressured by my teachers to memorize songs which were usually Mamas choices namely, those of Basil Valdez, Rey Valera, Martin Nievera. I practiced hard in our old Astron karaoke, which slowly became my constant companion. Mama trained me in singing with the same zeal with which she trained her students in speech delivery. She would be very meticulous with how I enunciated every lyric of the song, how I positioned my hand so as to keep proper distance between this and the microphone, and how I projected myself on stage. Many times, our training sessions ended up with her scolding me as I always forgot the lyrics. That would be her cue to tell me to memorize my song first so she could use our karaoke and sing her favorite Blue Bayou. From Grade 2 to 6, I sang in many other venues and occasions in and out of campus from singing Ako ay Pilipino during flag ceremony to serenading ladies who were ten years
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STRONGER: The Phl peso is getting stronger and the only reason why it is now statistically surging is because the Bangko Sentral is holding down the local currencys strength. The monetary authorities reason is practical. If the peso gets overvalued largely due to the inflow of hot money getting into our stock exchange, the dollar receipts of our exporters and OFWs will translate into lesser pesos. As we have written earlier the uncontrolled inflow of flirty investment funds may convert into disaster if said money traders suddenly leave, bringing out their dollars. The peso will immediately depreciate in exchange value, even as our foreign exchange stocks (in our Gross International Reserve) will be reduced. As foreign investors make volume withdrawals, stock prices will plummet down which can trigger the collapse of our Philippine stock exchange. SPRATLYS: Many are surprised why our neighbors are now contesting our claims in the Western Philippine Sea. The secret is now out. The controversial area is estimated to contain 5.4 billion barrels of oil and 55.l trillion cubic feet of natural gas. These resources are likely located in the contested Reed Bank at the northeast end of the Spratlys claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. No less than the US Energy Information Agency released the valuable technical input.
opinions unlimited
Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN
Oil production in Southeast Asia is projected to be flat in the coming years. This will trigger the search for other sources of energy and among the ready alternates as consumption sources are natural gas deposits within the region. The Recto Bank (also known as Reed Bank) is located in the disputed area. It is the subject of current arbitration case filed by the Philippines before the UN Arbitral Tribunal. INFLATION: Both credit and consumption are encouraged in times of lower or affordable inflation rates. These are signals of economic growth as producers and consumers are emboldened to go on with their respective activities The Phl medium-term inflation target has been lowered to 2.4% for 20152016, down from 3% to 5% this year and in 2014. This statistics augur well for P-Noy and his fiscal advisers, even as more foreign investments could be expected. Hand in hand with the lower inflation projection, banks are encouraged to lend
more to business and industry, as well as to household borrowers. Since consumers are expected to purchase more, then our factories can go on producing merchandise. On the housing front, since both inflation and interest rates are stable, housing subdivision owners and realty developers will be able to sell more units even if they be payable via medium or long-term installments. CAMPAIGN: Effective today the campaign season for senatoriables starts. The COMELEC is now hard put monitoring the campaign expenditures of the candidates and their supporters. The use of both media and social media is being controlled a very hard task to implement. The electoral body would like to even up the electoral playing field but in the end, we surmise that as far as campaign info is concerned the more moneyed aspirants will have the upperhand. It is our fervent prayer that our voters will no longer sell their votes. The measly pesos with which they may exchange their votes for may actually lead into the election of unqualified (but corrupt) bets. If the voter is offered lagay for his singular vote, we urge him to accept the money but vote nonetheless according to his clear conscience. The honest, qualified aspirants will not resort to vote-buying since he knows the intelligent votes will go to him! PROVERB: A wicked man accepts bribes in secret; in the end the course of justice is perverted.
Senate approved HB 4820 Creating Nueva Camarines, lPs and UNas Platforms & Feast of lourdes
Those who had been saying that House Bill 4820 proposing the creation of Nueva Camarines is already dead were proven wrong when the Senate unanimously approved it on second hearing last February 5, 2013. Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Noli Fuentebella said that when Congress resumes on June 5, 2013, it will be approved on third and final reading. Actually, this is just a formality since it was already approved on second reading and unanimously at that. After the Senates approval, the bill will be signed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and it will be taken to the President for his signature. Pres. Noynoy Aquino will very likely sign it since he approved and gave funds for the holding of a plebiscite in Camarines Sur. The President also believes like the sponsor of this bill Congressmen Noli Fuentebella, Luis R. Villafuerte, Nonoy Andaya and Dato Arroyo, that the people should decide and express their sentiments through a plebiscite whether they are for or against the creation of Nueva Camarines. This will take place after the May 13, 2013 election. It cannot be together with the election because the issues are not the
from my window
NENITA FuENTEBELLA-PEONES
same. The Transitory Provision of House Bill 4820 provides the following: Section 59. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect (15) fifteen days upon its publication in any newspaper of general circulation. Plebiscite will be within (60) sixty days after publication. Those in power and are opposing the creation of Nueva Camarines will no longer be in power by that time as their term already expired. *****
President Benigno Aquino III publicly endorsed the Liberal Partys senatorial ticket in different parts of the country saying they can be trusted to follow his Daang Matuwid. I wonder if all of them are fit to be in that line-up. When I saw Jamby Madrigals TV ad, I remember she denounced Senator Manny Villars C-5 Road Project. When I see Sen. Trillanes TV ad, I remember Ambassador Bradys report about his unfavorable situation to the Philippines as negotiator to China regarding Spratly Islands. The Constitution provides in Executive, Legislative and Judicial branch of the government which are separate and coequal with each other. So, it is just right to elect senators who will be independent minded but not obstructive irrespective of what political party they belong. ***** The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has also announced its senatorial slate. Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, UNA secretary general Nancy Binay and San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito reportedly said, UNA is not an obstructive group. We
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A QuestioN of privilege
Salvador d. flor
lee g. dullesco ii
It is never too easy to leave home for abroad on a one or two or three years contract especially for married women. The day when a Filipino no longer leaves home for rich countries to work is not yet in the horizon. The much-vaunted economic miracle achieved by the Aquino administration has not benefitted the overseas workers and their families. They are still hungry, still hopeless, still frustrated, still miserable. There is little food
on their table, little job opportunities, little money for their basic needs. When will the Pinoy get a taste of the good life enjoyed by his Asian neighbors. Kung patay na ang kabayo? The horse is almost in a coma, barely alive. The steady climb of the peso against the US dollar has brought more woes to families of overseas workers. Many have complained that they cannot make both ends meet. The peso has cut deep into their monthly allowances. The peso is not buying more basic goods. It is buying less. And it cannot be stretched. It will break if forced to. The poor cannot understand the language of economists who said better times are at hand. What they know is that todays peso has not been of help to them. They are not mesmerized by the World Banks description of the Philippines as the rising tiger in Asia. If it is good news, it is an empty one. They do not see a new dawn breaking
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newS
The new recruits will take their oath as PO1s on March 1 before they undergo the Regional Training School (RTS) for a six-month schooling and training on basic police course. After graduation from the RTS, they will be fielded to a six-month in-service training in various police field units in the region. Upon completion of the training, they will start their regular assignments in their mother units or the municipal police offices of their hometowns where they filed their applications, Bataller said. (PNA)
Bikol reporter
MilestoNe ACHieveMeNts
gBClaveRia/daNRey
Just after the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of CamSur last tuesday, February 5, an activity was conducted marking two singular achievements of the provincial legislative branch. First is the book launching of the first volume of the Book of Ordinances, a codification of all ordinances enacted by the SP in the last twenty years , i.e., from 1992, the year after passage of R.A. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, up to 2012, a copy of the compilation ceremonially presented (top photo) to vice governor Fortunato Pena by acting provincial secretary Nimfa B. Cas; and the second being the launching of SPs e-legislative Management System which includes, among others, facilities for paperless session, the first of its kind in the Bicol Region making CamSur the third province in the entire country to use such a system.
Mayor SaRiON constructed two RHUs worth P4 million. Two million came from the prize money given to them as winner of the seal of housekeeping millennium challenge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) last year and the P2 million was the local governments counterpart.
govt, Jollibee sign deal to turn hot logs into school chairs
tHY WoMB
From left: Ms. Millie dizon, SM vP for Marketing and Communications, director Brillante Mendoza and Mayor John Bongat during the launching of the award winning film Thy Womb held recently at the event center, SM City Naga. Thy Womb was simultaneously shown at the four cinemas of SM Naga. after the movie, viewers got the chance to interact with the famous director in the q and a activity. the said event was done in celebration of the National arts Month which opened last January 31 and will run through-out the month of February.
The governments logs-to-chair project got a major boost with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and two other agencies signing a P2-million deal with fast-food giant Jollibee to produce school chairs out of confiscated logs. DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje signed on Wednesday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) president Grace Tan Caktiong, Secretary Armin Luistro of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Director General Joel Villanueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
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Bikol reporter
etCeterA
matters of coNsequeNce . . .
older than I in pageants at the auditorium of then Colegio de Sta. Isabel. I joined the combined UNC college and elementary choirs, which performed Bikol songs in events like the Caceres Quadricentennial concert at the Metropolitan Cathedral in 1995. I joined a few contests as well. I still keep a copy of one issue of Childrens World, the elementary departments paper, where my photo as I sang my winning piece Nais Ko appeared. It was my younger sister Sweet who was somehow influenced by Manay Cynthia to enter in singing competitions. There was a time when she joined PTV 5s A Star and became a defending champion for three weeks with her winning pieces I Dreamed a Dream and Cabaret. Sweet became our instant favorite singer in the family because of her confidence when performing and her Zsazsa Padilla-like vibrato. Our youngest, John Rudolf, found interest in dancing first. When he was about five years old, he did a solo dance of the Extasy Extano, which easily roused the crowd at Lerma basketball court to exhilaration because of his kolokoy movements. But as soon as he entered grade school in UNC, his teachers expected him, simply by virtue of his being a Virtus, to sing like his brother and sisters. And so he did. His entry to our little musical world made us officially the singing family on campus. Our motivation behind singing was not just family or school pressure but our personal desire to sing as well. In fact, it became a regular habit and an opportunity for bonding for the family to do karaoke singing during weekends. And when Papa had visitors, it became a practice for them (the visitors) to call us one by one and sing for them. As if on cue, we would proceed to do so like a ready multiplex ready to be played: Manay Cynthia would sing Hiram; I would sing Nais ko; Sweet would do Cabaret; and John, Father and Son. Unfailingly, the visitors would express their appreciation for our performances and tell my proud parents, Swertehon man kamo. Matitibay magkanta ang mga aki nindo. As I entered high school, I started to feel awkward in singing solo. That was also the time when I wanted to explore my other potentials and pursue other interests that did not involve a huge, visible audience. I joined Trailblazer, the UNC high school paper, where I could not see my audience as I wrote news stories, features and poems. I did elocution and oratorical speaking, which involved smaller audiences. In these areas, I found new niches. I was not just singing the way I mostly did in elementary. I was also writing and speaking! I expanded my horizons and grew as a student and as a person even though doing intermission numbers was still part of my routine. In fact, one of my favorite performances in high school was a duet with Manay Cynthia of the song One Sweet Day. We did this song twice in UNC and once in a radio contest in DWOK FM. One of the best things that happened to me in high school was becoming part of the UNC High School Choralaires. Manay Cynthia and I joined the choir at the same time. Later, when we both were already in college, Sweet and John became part of the choir, too. Maam Quennie Miranda was our ever supportive trainer and friend. It was through her also that we became members of the Voce Christiana, a church choir which became active in the 90s until the mid-2000. We served with the mass choir at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral every Saturday evening and during the Siete Palabras mass. We also sang during different occasions weddings, funerals and Christmas caroling. I can still remember my last two performances during my final year in high school: a quartet singing of When I Fall in Love and If I Could Spend my Lifetime Loving You at the Seniors Prom, and a solo of Here I am Lord during the baccalaureate mass before the graduation rites. Those were just about the last times I sang in public. When I went to Manila to study, I practically left singing at home. I did try joining a school choir, the UP Vocal Ensemble, but I had to leave it because of its great demands for rehearsals. Even when I returned to Naga to continue my college and get a job, singing did not have a place in my extra-curricular activities anymore. I was invited by Maam Queenie to return to the Voce Christiana in their parish now, the Holy Cross Parish in Tabuco, Naga City, but I just ignored the invitation. As such, without any venue to regularly practice for the last fourteen years, my voice naturally deteriorated. This fact makes me feel guilty sometimes as I recall what my parents used to tell me about singing, Dai mo pabayaan ang boses mo ta regalo yan. My participation in the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) as diplomatic and cultural ambassador evoked my childhood memories as I had to contribute something to the Philippine delegations cultural presentation. I could not dance, so I joined our choir. Indeed, the experience gave me a sense of fulfillment as I led our contingents choir in singing the nationalistic songs Bayan Ko and provided support in rendering Tagumpay Nating Lahat and Ako ay Pilipino in Manila and Japan. During the program abroad, I also initiated the formation of a boy band, The Vending Machine, which performed three times on board the ship Fuji Maru. Those performances were not only some of my proudest moments as a Filipino, but they were also a dream-come-true for me to sing again. Looking back to where the exciting part of my life started, I can say that I was never the same again after those moments of inspiration in my second grade. Not only did this event launch my little singing career during my ten-year basic education years and give me bragging rights and colorful childhood memories. More importantly, the experiences it eventually afforded also gave me a positive self-image and precedents that showed me how I could later succeed in my other endeavors. Indeed, those times have had great impact on me and my life during all the subsequent years up to the present time. In my memory, I still continue to hear a young boy with a determined voice singing while dreaming: Nais kong malibot ang mundo sa kanyang kasuluk-sulukan/ Nais kong makita ang paligid na puno ng kagandahan/ Nais kong makadama ng kakaibang damdamin kahit minsan man lang/habang ako ay may buhay, wala nang hangarin pang tunay/ Nais ko nais ko [For your comments or suggestions, please email me at sonny.virtus@gmail.com] Tourists from different countries have recently shown their interest in Southeast Asia making the region as the newest cruise destination. This encouraging development would in effect boosts the tourism industry in our country by getting its fair share of tourists arrival through cruise shipping next to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore including Indonesia. An added feather in the cap surely this will be for the Department of Tourism which is working really hard to make tourism an industry which all of us can be proud of. We have our reasons to be bullish on the tourism front with the continuous stopovers of international cruise liners to our ports. A case in point is the inaugural call to the Philippines during the last quarter of 2012 of Miami, Florida USA based Royal Caribbeans Legend of the Sea. On board the cruise ship were 2500 foreign tourists. They toured Manilas historical sites and at the same time enjoyed the world famous white sand beach in Boracay, Aklan. Upon reaching the place, they were amazed to see for themselves the exquisite beauty of Boracay, a tourists haven which can only be found in the Philippines. It is a heartwarming to note that with the tourism campaign being waged by our government the continued tourists arrivals had been increasing through the years making it possible for us to achieve our target goal of tourism growth up to the year 2016. It being the case our shared commitment in making tourism as the centerpiece of our development as a nation will ultimately benefit our people. For this reason alone it will not be farfetched for Palawan recognized as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Due to its popularity more and more foreign tourists are continuously coming not only through Ninoy Aquino International and Cebu International Airport but by the sea. Many cruise ship operators have expressed their desire in including the Philippines as a destination comparable if not better than other countries which are usually visited by tourists. It is expected that our country will be able to realize over 5 million tourists this year generating at the same time an income of P1.5 trillion for the tourism industry. Our tourism stakeholders are full of optimism with these developments. Cruise lines are now making its regular stop in Manila as part of their tour package. Our tourism roadmap has for its purpose the creation of tour packages showcasing magnificent attractions and exquisite amenities under Its More Fun in the Philippines campaign slogan. It would therefore be safe to say that cruise tourism does not in itself transform a place as a haven for tourists. There is that proverbial assurance that for tourists arrivals to happen we must develop and upgrade our seaports, terminals and facilities to meet international cruise shipping standards including the cooperation and networking with international cruise operators. If these things will happen we will be assured of more international cruise liners arriving in the Philippines. In doing so, we could raise our nations profile as a world class tourists destination.
our tourism stakeholders to anticipate the concommitant effect in tourism which is job generation as a result of this booming industry. It goes without saying that it has its trickle effect considering that for every tourism activity jobs are generated for those who need it most. Cited as an example of new jobs currently becoming popular among tourists stakeholders are tour guides. Where before these jobs are not given the importance it is the other way around now in view of its importance to group tours who are now going to our famous tourism sites and destinations. These tour guides are now recognized as indispensible partners in the sustained growth in many tourism hubs all over the country. A case in point are the tour guides of the famous underground river in
a questioN of privilege . . .
for them. They see a pitch dark night. How will they clap their hands when they do not feel a sense of relief. The poor are still poor, the rich are still rich. The bad guys in the government are still in power. And they expect to be there until the end of the world. Our system is seemingly best suited for the bad guys. They have nothing to fear. If they pocket government funds and charges are brought against them, they can easily dodge the charges. They have money. They can hire a battery of top-notch lawyers So they plunder the treasury and let their lawyers keep them out of jail.
How many of the biggest crooks have landed in jail? You can count them by your fingers. The Chinese have boasted that their system is the best in the world. They can send big-time crooks to jail with less efforts. Due process is alien to them but it has worked to their great advantage. That is near impossible in this country. You have to give the other guy a chance to explain his side. To deny him this right is to deny him due process.That is our greatest predicament. And I think, it is one reason why the Pinoy has remained destitute. His wealth is taken away from him by those whose sworn duty is to help him better his life. His only choice is to go abroad.
iNNer chess
By J. HeNRy daNiCaN
Bank of the Philippine Islands has won for the 6th time, the Best Domestic Bank for the Philippines category in the 2012 Triple A Country Awards for Southeast Asia, given by The Asset. The Asset Triple A Awards are Asias defining recognition for excellence in the industry, and well Into its second decade. This reputation has been built upon the stringent methodology, combined with the rigorous approach to the selection of the winners of the coveted Triple A. The awards are adjudicated by The Assets Board
5 BPi bags the asset triple a awards Blend 45 takes pride in values of Pinoys in new campaign
BuSineSS newS
Bikol reporter
of Editors who collectively have several decades worth of evaluating industry awards in Asia. After reviewing each award submission those that are thought to be of merit, are then invited to a follow up presentation. Wherever possible the board will then conduct interview clients / investors after which point scores for both quantitative and qualitative factors are combined in the determination of the winners. The award was received by Senior Vice President and Head of Global Banking Head, Antonio V. Paner. Innately helpful and caring, Filipinos have been known to go out of their way to assist those in need, friends and strangers alike. The Pinoys pleasant nature and easy smile can make anyone feel at ease, while their compassion and nurturing spirit can lift spirits even in the most distressing of times. Blend 45 celebrates these exemplary Filipino traits, and more, with its new Gising Pinoy! campaign. Directed by Henry Frejas, the latest series of TV commercials seeks to bring out the good and the admirable in the Filipino. Depicting the thoughtfulness of Pinoys, Maalalahanin (Blend 45 Puti) shows that a steaming cup of coffee and the kindness of a stranger are all it takes to make a tired soul feel better. Matulungin (Blend 45 Barako) showcases the readiness to lend a helping hand and proves that acts of help do not go unappreci-
Maalaga showcases the caring nature of Filipinos in the latest heartwarming commercial of Blend 45.
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ated. The sweetness and soft hearts of Pinoys take center stage in Malambing (Blend 45 Pula), while Maalaga (all variants) highlights their caring nature. Just like these time-honored Filipino values, Blend 45 also shows off the best homegrown Filipino flavors in its new 3-in-1 coffee blends. Blend 45 Puti captures the richness and creaminess of carabaos milk,
while the delicate sweetness of brown sugar is showcased in Blend 45 Pula. Those with a fondness for the strong and bold taste of kapeng barako can find satisfaction in Blend 45 Barako. Watch out for the latest Blend 45 commercials and wake up to the goodness of Filipino coffee flavors, only P4 per sachet in all leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide.
cess postpaid promos, product information and registration links to Sun services. Functioning like a virtual branch of The Sun Shop, this app also leads Sun subscribers to top customer care processes like bills inquiry and hotline assistance. In addition, Android users may now enjoy the Sun TAP app which gives a quick and direct access to top public service hotlines, tourist support and lifestyle deals in the country. Primarily designed to assist foreigners and inbound mobile roamers, the Sun TAP app promises to offer its users an informed and hassle-free travel experience in the Philippines. These mobile apps may now be downloaded for free via Android Playstore or Google Play using any dataconnected smartphone that runs on the Android Operating System. Were set to continue developing these apps even further to capture more features and maximize functionality for the users of today, says Pangan. Were also looking forward to creating more relevant and interactive apps in the future, he added. Further to these channels, Sun Cellular also maintains a web chat service at http:// suncswebchat2.sun.net.ph/ webchat/ to specifically assist its broadband and roaming subscribers, as well as a text hotline service at 1200 for general service inquiries and concerns. Sun Cellular is a member of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. Group.
Bikol reporter
also appropriates funds for the effective implementation of the program. Some of the benefits that solo parents and their children can avail of are livelihood assistance, counselling, parent effectiveness, and critical incidence stress debriefing. The measure also seeks to provide solo parents and their children with additional services in the form of tertiary scholarship assistance, basic educational and housing services, death/burial, medical and livelihood assistance. To assure efficient implementation of the ordinance, the city will establish a citywide registry that will contain an updated list of solo parents and their children. The registry will be created and maintained by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in partnership with the Naga City Solo Parents Federation (NCSPF). A city-wide registration of solo parents in the citys 27 barangays was held on February 1 at the Peoples Hall in the City Hall Compound. Mayor Bongat said the activity will allow the city government to come up with database on the sectors membership and their dependents. The database will serve as our tool in expediting the processes involved in the delivery of various services to our solo parents. A total of 1,189 solo parents registered during the event, providing important information like names, ages, addresses, income sources, number of children and the circumstances leading to their being solo parents. In an interview, Legacion said that he will continue to work for the betterment and welfare of the sector. He even thanked Mayor Bongat for supporting my idea to provide the Naga City Solo Parents Association with an office inside the City Hall compound, which happened to be first LGU- established solo parents office in the Bicol Region or even South Luzon.
from my wiNdow . . .
are here to provide the necessary checks and balances needed for democracy to survive in this country. If the policy and programs of the administration are effective and beneficial to the people, we will support them 100 percent. But if we see that there are issues, policies and programs that need to be corrected, addressed and done away with because they dont serve the interest of the people, we will definitely speak out. Vice President Jejomar Binay said UNA is more of a true friend of P-Noy who does not hesitate to call your attention if a mistake is committed and will not sugar coat the truth. So, the cards are open. LPs will run on P-Noys Daang Matuwid and the UNA as Constructive Opposition. Ill vote based on the candidates performance, qualification, character and loyalty to our Republic. ***** The 47th anniversary celebration of the traditional Pilgrimage to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes will be on February 11, 2013 in Abo, Tigaon, Camarines Sur. There will be a confession at 2:00 pm and Pontifical Eucharistic Healing Mass to be officiated by Most Rev. Rolando Octavus J. Tria Tirona, O.C.D., D.D., Archbishop of Caceres at 3:00 pm. Everybody is invited to make a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes in Abo, Tigaon on this occasion. This yearly tradition started on February 11, 1966 after the late Congressman Felix A. Fuentebella accompanied by his wife, Rita, to a European pilgrimage that included Lourdes, France. Mrs. Fuentebella could not contain her grief after her son, Jovi, a scouter, died in a plane crash on their way to the World Scout Jamboree in Marathon, Greece on July 28, 1963. Only after praying in front of the Grotto did she feel relief from her anguish and pain. As a thanksgiving, she had a chapel and a Grottos replica built on their propery in Abo. Since then, these chapel and grotto were inaugurated on February 11, 1966, the Fuentebella family has been propagating and celebrating the feast and devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes with a procession and Eucharistic healing mass.
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NaMe OF deCeaSed date OF iNteRMeNt eMMaNUel C. Oliva January 3, 2013 CRiSPiNO C. RaOla JR January 3, 2013 CleMeNte F. SaN JOSe January 4, 2013 JOSe R. aBiOg January 4, 2013 FRaNCiSCO d. SiOSON January 5, 2013 MaRiNO O. villaNUeva January 5, 2013 gUStavO g. MORaleS January 12, 2013 eliaS v. BeleN January 7, 2013 ORlaNdO R. PRiela January 12, 2013 gORgONia a. delOS SaNtOS January 20, 2013 geRONiMO t. CHeNg SR. January 16, 2013 lOlita P. lORiN January 20, 2013 alySSa M. aleRa January 23, 2013 RaFael B. BlaSCO January 21, 2013 adela S. SiCeNa January 23, 2013 MaRiaNO C. adORNa JR. January 23, 2013 FeRNaNdO C. Rey January 27, 2013 MyRiaM SUSaN d. CaPaCiete January 26, 2013 aNtONiO e. URSUa SR. January 28, 2013 NOel U. CaPaCiete January 26, 2013
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Fixing campaign posters on trees with the use of nails or staple wires is prohibited under Section 23 of the resolution, Gonzales said. Paragraph B of the same resolution also disallows displaying the same political paraphernalia on roads, bridges, trees, power or telephone line posts, school premises and monuments. Likewise, Section 11, Paragraph 6 of Resolution 7767 forbids the posting of election campaign propaganda outside common poster areas in public places designated by election authorities. Gonzales said his office and all its field units based in provinces and cities of Bicol have already been coordinating with the Comelec, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and local government units (LGUs) towards the enforcement of the prohibitions to once and for all put an end to the practice. The government has been campaigning hard to protect and preserve our environment by way of growing more trees and here come these politicians vying for elective public offices unmindful of the welfare of our trees. I appeal for concern from them by re-
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NAGA CITY To ensure that it will remain neutral in the conduct of its duties, the Commission on Elections has reshuffled its officers in Bicol.
This reshuffling scheme is a directive coming from the Comelec Central office and is being implemented all over the country, Comelec Camarines Sur Spokesman Alex Marpuri said. This will help us in holding honest and fair elections. Atty. Alberto T. Caarte lll was designated the Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) of Camarines Sur on February 8. Caarte, the PES of Masbate, will take the post of Atty. Noriel Badiola who is now assigned as Assistant Regional Director of the Comelec Regional Office here in Bicol. Marpuri also said that they are now in the process of scheduling candidates forum here in the province so that political aspirants can present their platforms of government to voters. During the forum, Comelec will also discuss provisions of the Fair Elections Act. The Comelec has also formed a Speakers bureau for its voters education campaign. Comelec personnel will be assigned to each of the 5 districts of Camarines Sur to serve as focal persons. The following Comelec personnel will man their respective areas of responsibilities: Election Officers Mitos Bustamante (Libmanan) for Districts 1 and 2, Alexander Marpuri (Calabanga); Evelyn Pelagio (Nabua) and Atty. Fatima O. Gados (Pili) for the 3rd District ; Alex R. Escape (Lagonoy) and Imelda C. Aonuevo (San Jose) for the 4th Distrcit and Jaime L. Pantorgo (Buhi), Nolito F. Manugo (Bato) and Atty. Ela Lozano (Iriga City) for the 5th District.
NAGA CITY -- More than 1,500 registered and not less than 4,000 non-registered runners joined the Million Volunteer Run 2, sponsored by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and supported by government agencies and the private sector held
last February 10 here. The Red Cross Youth Council of Quipayo National High School led thousands of runners in a warm-up exercise at SM City Naga grounds before the gun start at 6 a.m. Runners traversed the Panganiban Drive and Magsay(Turn to page 7)