PALO, Leyte. Financial assistance for micro-finance institutions (MFIs) here has reached P102 million from 2009 to October 2011.

Said releases were from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), this according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Office 8.

Also, reports from DTI in the region revealed that Leyte MFIs got the majority of financial assistance at P96.5 M, Northern Samar with P27.7

From the barangay homefront to the world www.gahumweekly.com

by Melchor Caspe

CAMP RUPERTO K. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte. The residents of Samar province can now carry their licensed firearms outside their residences after the suspension to carry firearms has been lifted by the police.

Police Chief Superintendent Arnold Revilla PNP-8 Regional Director told reporters in an interview that he has already issued a memorandum to the Samar Police Provincial Director dated November 14, 2011 that the suspension of Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) in Samar province is lifted effective November 13, 2011.

Revilla recalled that on May 1, 2011 a suspension order was made by his office in Samar Province regarding on the PTCFOR as an

continued on page 6

MacArthur Park Beach Resort gets a facelift and new lease on lifeOriental Hotel in Palo, Leyte ready to accept applicants p6

EV gets P102M micro-finance loan assistance from IFAD

p6

Former President Arroyo "braces" herselfPalace readying 'at least 20 cases'against GMA p3p3

continued on page 6

Nov.28-Dec.4,2011Vol. 2No. 26P10.00

TACLOBAN City. The after effect of joining Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 3 still continues to excite twin brothers Rodolf and Randolf Escalona aka The Lucky Twins of Eastern Visayas.

Like other aspiring artists, Tacloban’s Lucky Twins dreamt of fame and success through their God- given talents.

“Joining Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 3 was a step to that dream,” the twins said.

‘Though they were not able to bag the grand prize, the two remained happy for they were able to bring pride and excitement to their fellow Taclobanons, their leaders, and the people in the region in

by Eden Benusa Reyes

M, Biliran with P14.29 M, Eastern Samar with P5.2 M and Samar, with P5 M.

According to Regional Director Cynthia Nierras, the amount was used in enhancing the capabilities of producers, product development, and business management.

Reportedly, these MFIs are Basak-Layog Agricultural Multi-purpose Cooperative (MPC), Omagahan MPC, Fatima MPC, LIBERCON, Metro Ormoc Community Cooperative, Zaragosa Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Leyte; Almeria

Seafarers MPC, and Sapari MPC in Biliran; Aksyon Kalinga Para sa Masa, Sacred, Antonio MPC, and Laoang Employees MPC in Northern Samar; Biatungan MPC in Samar; and Lanang MPC in Eastern Samar.

Accordingly, the Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Program (RuMEPP), a seven-year, US$22.826 million programme assisted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has the DTI its lead implementing

Suspension to carry firearms lifted in Samar

by Restituto A. Cayubit

continued on page 6

One of the Philippines' top surfing areasCalico-an, Guiuan town attracts more surfers

Mostly cloudy. Warm.

Hottest: 31.666°C (Monday, Nov.28)Coolest:23.889ºC (Tuesday, Nov. 30)

US USD 43.381000EU EURO 58.560000Japan YEN 0.564000Bahrain DINAR 115.072000

BSP as of November 23, 2011

Country Currency Phil. Peso

Copra (kg) Php 27.00Refined Sugar(kg) Php 44.00NFA Rice (kg) Php 32.00Oil (barrel) USD 108.87Gold (troy oz.) USD 1,703.34

‘Lucky Twins’, lucky always

DRIED FISH FOR DRY SPELLS. A little girl prepares fish for traditional sun-drying in a coastal village in Carigara, Leyte. Drying fish is

her family's main source of income and provides them for their daily needs including her education. (Photo by Mel Caspe)

offshoot of the killing of the then Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo S. Uy by unidentified gunmen in Hinabangan, Samar on April 30, 2011.

Revilla explained that the suspension he issued on PTCFOR was to maintain the peace and order condition and the neutralization of some members of the “Montealto” and “Moloboco” Private Armed Groups.

Director Revilla pointed out that he has lifted the suspension of PTCFOR considering that the peace and order situation has remained normal after series of police operations that have been conducted in Samar province for the past months.

“Nonetheless, police units are still reminded in their jurisdiction to remain vigilant and sustain

SP to enact an ordinance declaring all schools in Leyte as pollution-free zonesTACLOBAN City. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte is set to enact during its November 22 session, an ordinance declaring all schools in Leyte as “pollution-free areas” in a bid to protect the children and the academic communities as a whole, from the ill effects of pollution.

Board Member Carlo P. Loreto who is the author of the proposed ordinance, informed that the same has already been calendared for third and final reading on Tuesday, during the regular session of the legislative body.

The proposed ordinance will establish an environment suitable for education and growth, and full development of the students, the Board Member said.

“When approved, the proposed

ordinance would pave the way towards providing our schools the atmosphere that is much more conducive to learning,” BM Loreto said.

We have to initiate whatever step we can to ensure a good learning environment for our students because the youth is the future of our country, Loreto added.

It may be noted that air pollution level in some schools today even in Leyte province is continuously increasing due to some activities that some school administrators themselves tolerate or those activities made by households around the school community.

One of the activities is garbage burning wherein garbage such as wrappers, paper

continued on page 6

GMA meme overload

2 3NewsNews2

TACLOBAN City. The province of Northern Samar and Javier town in Leyte being pilot sites for the Local Agro-Enterprise Convergence (LAEC) adopting the ‘ridge-to-reef’ approach conducted a Convergence Initiative-Agribusiness Investment Proposal (CI-AIP) Writeshop and Critiquing recently.

Said activity was in preparation for the National Convergence Agribusiness Forum (NCAF) slated on November 28, 2011.

GAHUM WEEKLY learned this from Ms. Jessa Faye E.Macapañas, DA-RO8 Assistant Information officer.

Accordingly, municipal and provincial technical working groups (TWGs) for these two LAEC sites participated in said convergence initiative with the DA-DAR-DENR at the Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City.

“Many foreign investors are interested to venture into agribusiness in the country because they believe that it is the most stable area for investment. However, in the case of Region 8, some investors do not gamble to invest, perhaps because they don’t see a clear development roadmap which could be their investment reference.”

“Coming up with standardized AIPs would, I think, do a lot to attract investors,” said Regional Executive Director Antonio G. Gerundio during the said writeshop.

According to Gerundio, they have to come up with

3

Palace readying 'at least 20 cases' against Gloria Arroyo

NUJP to P-Noy: justice for human rights victims, end of culture of impunity nowTACLOBAN City. National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-Leyte Chapter chairperson Carolina Montilla has reiterated their call to Pres. Benigno Aquino III to bring immediate justice to slain journalists and human rights victims in the country.

“We call on all freedom loving Filipinos, especially those in the media, to now mark our protest and cry for justice. The impunity with which human rights and press freedom are violated has pushed us over the edge.”

“The loud call outside the newsroom and below the ivory tower of our profession compels us to bring the texts of our pens and voices out to the streets and join the people’s collective writing of a just history,” Montilla said in a press statement.

Montilla, a veteran journalist in the region, further said that Free expression groups and media organizations from around the world will hold the first International Day to End Impunity on November 23.

“It is a global call to demand justice

for those that have been persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression.”

It can be recalled that on same date marks the second year of the notorious Maguindanao massacre.

NUJP said despite the passage of two years, the grind of justice for the 58 civilians, including 32 journalists, remains snail-paced.

“Along with this are a series of press freedom violations and unwanted killings against our colleagues. The Philippines has been notorious for its poor record in solving the killings of journalists.”

Quoting a report from Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, NUJP said that 121 journalists have been killed since 1986, where only eight of these cases are solved.

“With this, we could only fittingly respond with a ripple of dissent against this climate of impunity prevalent in the Philippine system.”

NUJP also shared that in Leyte alone, “we have been also alarmed with the stringed and systemic human rights violations.”

November 28 - December 4, 2011 November 28 - December 4, 2011

METRO Manila. Just right after the release of the airport photo of former President now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (wearing braces and on a wheelchair), various netphiles and designers have created memes (a trending pun and spoof) of the photo. And now with the recent release of CGMA's mug shot publicly, even more spoofs have been circulating the internet, predominantly on social networking site Facebook, ranging from a cyborg GMA, to spoofs of movies and TV shows. Indeed, GMA is now another hot internet meme.

Here are some of the ironically funny memes of the GMA photo collected from Facebook. (AJPA)

N. Samar province, Javier town in Leyte gear for nat'l agri-business forum

MANILA. Apart from electoral sabotage charges, former President and current Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should expect around 20 cases filed against her, including plunder which is also a non-bailable offense when evidence of guilt is strong, Malacañang said Monday.

Office of Political Affairs Secretary Ronald Llamas said, “Alam ko kasi merong almost 20 na hinahanda na mga cases, plunder, electoral sabotage, et cetara. So, sa tingin ko in the next few days or

weeks ay baka ‘yung mga kaso na yan, ay magsimula nang isampa ang mga yan."

The Palace appears to be making good on the promise President Benigno Aquino III made last Sept. 28 that cases would be filed one after the other against Arroyo by November.

Also on Monday, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño, former congresswoman Liza Maza and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) chairperson Carol Araullo filed an urgent motion to resolve

the complaint they filed against Mrs. Arroyo last September, and to immediately file a plunder case against her in relation to the allegedly anomalous national broadband deal (NBN) her administration entered into with the Chinese firm ZTE Corp. in 2007.

Arroyo was arrested last Friday for electoral sabotage, which carries a life sentence, at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig, Metro Manila.

Over the weekend, Aquino assured Arroyo that she would be given the chance to defend herself

The Agribusiness Investment Proposal Writeshop and Critiquing by the DA, DAR and DENR. (Photo by Mel Caspe)

“We have witnessed the cases of Palo and the Kananga 3 massacres including all other forms of human rights violations unaccounted for until now despite the glaring evidences. We attribute these unresolved cases of human rights violations to the thriving culture of impunity. Here, we believe that journalists could play a big role in shattering this impunity....”

Meanwhile, NUJP-Leyte chapter said they will continue to march together with human rights advocates, people’s organizations, church workers, students and other sectors in the clamor for justice and social transformation.

“We demand for the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) which will guarantee that the right to information and freedom of expression is observed. We believe that it is only when people’s rights and civil liberties are prioritized that a government fulfills its social contract with the people.”

Montilla said, NUJP commits for a liberated media and a society where the inherent rights of the people are genuinely respected. (Inka Sanchez)

in court over charges of electoral sabotage.

But Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago warned on Monday that “a movement within Malacañang that is following blind vengeance against Rep. Arroyo" is “putting President Aquino in legal peril." She told reporters that, “There is political persecution, there is no due process of law, and there is inherent bad faith in the timing of filing of the case in the regular RTC and consequent issuance of a warrant of arrest." (GMA News, from the wires)

Attack of the GMA meme

DOLE reiterates call for illegal recruitment-free LGUsTACLOBAN City. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Eastern Visayas has reiterated its call for partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs) to

minimize, if not totally curb illegal recruitment in the region.

DOLE Regional Director Forter G. Puguon made the pronouncement, recently, as twelve victims of illegal

recruitment who have been rescued from a sugarcane plantation in Hacienda Nahalina, La Castellana, Negros Occidental by a joint team of DOLE Negros Occidental Field Office in Region 6, DSWD and PNP personnel of La Castellana, finally returned to Tacloban City and have been reintegrated into their families.

Director Puguon said that the DOLE together with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has been conducting awareness raising activities on Anti-Illegal Recruitment program of the government throughout the region, bringing all information on the law and establishing partnership with local government units, law enforcement agencies and ordinary villagers to help address the problem.

The campaign against illegal recruitment has been one of the major concerns of the government with the DOLE and the POEA, at the forefront of the crusade, Director Puguon said.

“In our desire to bring the program closer to the grass roots level, we have

Mugshots of former president Gloria Arroyo taken by the police. (www.inquirer.net, photos taken from mugshots.com by Ernie Sarmiento)

well-synchronized agribusiness investment proposals so that it would be easy for them to invite investors to the region especially to the Local Agro-Enterprise Convergence areas here.

After a series of lectures relative to investment/business plan preparation, the participants, comprised of provincial and municipal agricultural officers, agricultural technologists, planning development officers, fiber development officers, agrarian reform officers, farmer-leaders, and

some members of the CI RTWG, were able to draft four (4) AIPs, DA informed in a press statement.

Investment proposal for Northern Samar is on abaca fiber and coco coir for while Javier, Leyte is on organic banana and ginger.

“We have to capacitate the TWGs of our two pilot LAEC areas in order for them to formulate AIPs that would fit to the CI AIP format which is being recommended by the NCI Secretariat to qualify in the forthcoming NCAF. Said activity will be graced by national and

international investors, ” Region 8’s Convergence Initiative Focal Person RTD Wilson A. Cerbito earlier revealed

Department of Agrarian Reform-8 (DAR-8) Director Eliasem Castillo also considered the undertaking as an opportunity to evaluate the processes that the Regional TWG has adopted in the implementation of various LAEC projects in the region, the press statement said.

Panel of experts from the central offices of the two CI lead

agencies who critiqued their AIPs include Ms. Luz Brenda Balibrea, Mr. Fernando Flores, Ms Teresita Matias, Mr. Marino Samar, Ms Claire Fedival, and Ms Glennie Tolentino from DA; and Mr. Jose Benedicto Chopongco, Dir. Ma. Elena Cabañez, and Ms Ma. Soledad Peralta from DAR.

DA also planned to conduct a localized writeshop to refine the AIPs based on the suggestions from the critics. (Inka Sanchez with reports from DA)

Army chief visits 8th IDCATBALOGAN City. Army Chief Major General Emmanuel Bautista visited the soldiers of the 8th Infantry Division (StormTroopers) on November 18 in Catbalogan, Samar.

In his message, Bautista said the division was the first field unit he visited after assuming the top post of the army on November 9.

He cited the units’ remarkable efforts in winning the peace in Region VIII and the multi-sectoral approaches employed in the conduct of operations.

Bautista also cited the units’ remarkable efforts in winning the peace in Region VIII and the multi-sectoral approaches employed in the conduct of operations.

Speaking in Filipino, Bautista

said that all the army elements including the drivers, cooks and the generals have significant roles to play in the maintenance of peace and order in the area.

The army chief asked them to be discipline in doing their jobs, while also reminding them to be careful.

The army, he said is guided with two things, first, the internal peace and security plan or Bayanihan while the other is the army’s transparency road map.

“Our vision is a world class army-to be a source of national pride,” he told the men and women of the 8th ID.

“Malaki ang inaasahan sa atin ng ating mga kababayan (Our people expect nothing less from us)," he said. (Ninfa B. Quirante)

BE SEEN. ADVERTISE.Contact Mel at (+63) 927.564.3592

or Edwin at (+63) 927.738.0684

launched the Illegal Recruitment-Free LGUs Campaign, with the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) and law enforcement agencies playing critical roles in the program,” Dir. Puguon said.

The IR-Free LGU campaign usually takes the form of a two-day seminar focused on focused on the law on Illegal Recruitment as amended by R.A. 1022, the Trafficking in Persons Law (R.A. 9208), the 10 Don’ts to avoid illegal recruiter, the Modus Operandi of illegal recruiters, and the other overseas employment programs of the government.

The activity is usually capped with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Illegal Recruitment-Free LGUs.

The DOLE Regional Director said that DOLE also works closely with the LGUs at all levels, not only in the area of illegal recruitment but also in the anti-child labor and trafficking program of the government in pursuance to the 22-Point Labor and Employment Agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III. (PIA 8)

Baybay City mayor supports amending RA 9344

BAYBAY City. The mayor of this city has expressed her support to amend Republic Act 9344, or otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006.

Baybay City Mayor Carmen Cari told reporters that she is supporting to amend the RA 9344 as it is a laudable move because of the increasing number of youths involved in criminal activities

Mayor Cari pointed out that the provision of the law wherein minors who are 15 years old and below are not criminally liable for the crimes they committed somehow embolden the minors to commit crimes.

She disclosed that there are a number of minors who have been involved in various crimes in this city but the law enforcers cannot do otherwise but let the minors go.

She opined that it has also been observed in her city that minors are being used by criminals for their illegal activities.

She however clarified that she is thankful that using minors for criminal activities by criminals is not that alarming in this city. She also clarified that before a minor offender are released they are referred to the social worker for interventions and counseling. (Restituto A. Cayubit)

A MOVIE SPOOF

CYBORG GMA

GMA HENYO (A spoof of Eat Bulaga's Pinoy Henyo)

A MOVIE SPOOF

4 5Opinion Opinion4 5

WonderfulAn Editorial

According to recent news account, out of the fifty hectares of irrigated ricelands that were damaged by the mining operation of Nicua Mining Corporation(NMC) in

MacArthur,Leyte, ten hectares have been rehabilitated of which a little over one hectare produced 155 cavans. Good yield from what was a previously damaged area.

The news accounts were of a eureka /celebratory kind. Some questions however may have been left (perhaps) un-asked/ unanswered such as :

What inputs were put into the demo area? What is the impact of the inputs on the soil’s long term capacity to sustain plants? Can ordinary farmers afford the inputs? If not, WILL Nicua return the land fully rehabilitated ? WHEN? Can the public get a copy of the contract t stipulating these promises?

XxxxxxxxTransparency is supposedly an in- thing in LGU governance.

From the province down to the barangay. What should be made transparent are the usual reports that LGUs make. Normal or dapat diba?

My fear is that in the era of Public-Private Partnership, transparency is the norm in the public side only.But not in the private side.

The new game?

WritersInka Sanchez, Medora B.Quirante,

Restituto A. Cayubit, Edwin Tumalad

www.gahumweekly.com

Business Address:Barangay Tres, Guiuan, Eastern Samar 6809

E-mail Address:gahumweekly@gmail.com

Feature articles and columns contained herein are opinions of the contributing writers and columnists and are not necesarilly of the editorial team and the publisher. All materials within the

newspaper are property of the publisher.No part of this newspaper may be reproduced, in part or in

whole, without written permission from the publisher.

Gahum Weekly is printed by Tres Niñas Printing Press, Tacloban City and operates under DTI TRN 2906440.

© Copyright 2011

Aaron J.P. AlmadroEditor-in-Chief& Art Director

Eden Benusa-ReyesManaging Editor

J. Colima BajadoWaray/Cultural Editor

Melchor Caspe, Leo DumonStaff Writers

Jojo NobleIllustrator

Leon O. Ty TrustPublisher

Jon Facundo DeeBusiness Manager

Michael Ty Sumayod, Mel CaspeArea Circulation Managers

Leo DumonArea Account Executive

ColumnistsJenelyn Garcia, Bert Ada,

Atty. Djhoana Antoni-Clemencio,J. Colima Bajado, Gerry B. de Cadiz

After being pegged as one of the "worst" countries to live in, a ray of light shone on us as the Puerto Prinsesa

Underground River (PPUR) has been announced as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature alongside the Amazon Rainforest and Iguacu Falls in Brazil, Halong Bay and Komodo Island in Indonesia, Jeju Island in South Korea, and Table Mountain in South Africa. And we bask in the light of this honor.

But across the world, all throughout the interwebs, this “search” has been considered a hoax and joke to the “real” natural wonders of the world. Though undoubtedly, the announced list are indeed natural wonders, the selection process seems hazy and debatable.

The New 7 Wonders of Nature is the product of a private company founded by Swiss-born but now Canadian Bernard Weber, The 7 Wonders Foundation.

Critics are lambasting the whole voting process which does not have any scientific procedure to fully validate the claims. The selection process is purely through online voting and text voting only, which we Filipinos are so fond of.

Even the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO, the specialized agency of the United Nations that has programs for international cooperation agreements to secure the world cultural and natural heritage (World Heritage Sites), has released a statement that fully detaches them from this search.

“UNESCO wishes to reaffirm that there is no link whatsoever between UNESCO’s World Heritage programme, which aims to protect world heritage, and the current campaign concerning “The New 7 Wonders of the World”…

There is no comparison between Mr Weber’s mediatised campaign and the scientific and educational work resulting from the inscription of sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The list of the “7 New Wonders of the World” will be the result of a private undertaking, reflecting only the opinions of those with access to the internet and not the entire world. This initiative cannot, in any significant and sustainable manner, contribute to the preservation of sites elected by this public.”

And because the impact (damage) of mining is much bigger than the impact of how the budget of barangay x is being used, it would be better if there is a way to compel Nicua to answer the questions above as well as other vital questions.

XxxxThe actual use of fund of NMC supposedly for community

development in mining areas which is supposedly in the millions now should be made transparent/made public. Given its importance, should be widely disseminated.

It is highly probable that the use of this category of fund is the new lucrative area in the game of corruption .

XxxoThis November 17-18a, there will be a public hearing to be

conducted by the House Committee on Agrarian Reform in Calbayog City. According to a communication to an invited resource person,

For comments, suggestions, and reactions you may also e-mail usat gahumweekly@gmail.com

ni Bert Ada

Gios PaGPauswaG

One may find some fallacy in the Filipino adage that “Kung ano ang puno, siya rin ang bunga.” The past generations produced political heroes and villains,

people whose exploits were trivial if not for the influence of money and the media that grudgingly promotes these celebrities as stereotypes in our most-beloved soap opera characters. Absurd it may seem but we always expect that such qualities could be emulated by their offspring. However, it could be that in our time, we have scoundrels-in-authority who descended from self-styled champions of liberty, or people who truly serves the populace even if they are continually being branded as crooks in history books.

The nation is excited with anticipation to the finale of the ensuing showdown between the Department of Justice and the Supreme Court. The skirmish could have been avoided if not for the insistence of some personalities to protect and boost their ego, flex an autocratic muscle and portray an obstinate image of fanatical adherence to legality at the expense of defying a lawful order of the court. The action of the DOJ, as approved by Malacañang, of denying Congw. Gloria Arroyo to travel abroad for medical treatment is not a question of legality but more on personality and vested interest. No less than the highest court of the land, resolving the issue which affirms the applicability of the right to travel in the instant case, firmly qualified categorically a citizen’s entitlement as enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Unfortunately, the powers-that-be simply wanted to prove on the other hand that they have the guts to disregard the authority of a co-equal branch of government.

For millions of ordinary Filipinos, deprived in understanding of the intricacies of the law much more in foreseeing the adverse consequence for failure to its compliance, the President’s support to the directives of the Secretary of Justice to exhaust all possible means to implement a disputed policy is something to be commended. And to the dismay of well-meaning citizens, any controversial decision in the current regime is just taken for granted and forgiven even when it oftentimes results to blunders of governance. We still tolerate these managerial immaturities because for one, the popularity and personal appeal of P-Noy is very high thanks to the favorable coverage of government-friendly media and the intrinsic naivety of our people. It is indeed a blessing when you have a martyred freedom-fighter for a father and a so-called restorer of democracy and former president for a mother. Quite a number of “common tao”, still duped from black propaganda and eagerly waiting for

Anak ng . . . waray ako!Prof. Gerry B. de Cadiz

the realization of campaign promises, saw him as a messiah who delivered us from the impending doom of the previous administration while the prominent oligarchs still considered him very useful in promoting their multi-faceted enterprises.

Perceiving from hindsight, there is also nothing to complain in the action of a national official who appealed to the people for sympathy, as if he would personally consider if we speak our minds, on whose interest is greater: is it the interest of an individual or that of the multitude. But let us look at the issue squarely: no holds barred. Such pronouncement, no matter how noble its intent is, could imply a double-standard. Obviously, in any democratic government, it is always the welfare of the majority that must prevail. But as this political drama unfolds, we could now discern that someone is trying to delude us into believing that they are promoting the national interest when the reality speaks otherwise. The Justice Secretary’s insistence not to let GMA go out of the country despite of a go-signal from the Supreme Court with the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order against the DOJ’s ban is an example of putting in precedence the interest of a few yet powerful and influential people. The interest of the “nakararami”, in this case the whole lot of Filipinos, has been put to shame and trampled upon when we were given an example by the ruling host that the right to travel could be impaired—not because of national security, public safety or public health—but for being a sacrificial pawn in a power play and political charade. Worst critics of the Arroyos like Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Sen. Chiz Escudero, along with other legislators and the rest of the Justices have seen the inappropriateness of Sec. Leila de Lima’s directive, while Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, an internationally-recognized expert in law, was so distraught at the Secretary’s eventual defiance to the order of the SC, knowing that the latter is a lawyer and used to be a Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights.

It is not wrong to go after those people whom we suspected to have committed some transgressions while in office. They really have to answer before the law for their conduct unbecoming as public officials and be meted out with penalties to its fullest extent if proven guilty of the crime that they are being accused of. But media lenses cannot hide the fact that the lady-legislator from Pampanga is indeed suffering from a malignant illness. What happened to the Filipino character of Christian compassion that the current administration advocated while they were still courting the populace in 2010? There was

continued on page 6

November 28 - December 4, 2011 November 28 - December 4, 2011

MECHANICSI. CategoriesA. Contest. The Express It At The Park Media Awards recognizes the region’s individual practicing media professional’s overall abilities and efforts. The contest is open to all practicing media professionals in the region who may or may not yet be members of the Express It At The Park media organization but are presently connected with any of the existing and recognized tri-media outlet in the region. The media awards opened this year would be recognizing the following FOR PRINTBest News WriterBest Feature WriterBest Opinion WriterBest Press Photographer FOR RADIOBest Radio News Reporter Best Radio News AnchorBest Radio Commentator FOR TELEVISIONBest TV News Reporter Best TV NewscasterBest Cameraman B.SPECIAL CITATIONS. The Express It At The Park also recognizes all individual journalistic expertise of each member. For this year 2011, the awards secretariat would also be recognizing entries in various special fields of expertise such as health and science, entertainment, business and economics, tourism, agriculture and other areas. C.SPECIAL AWARDS. The Express It At The Park would also be recognizing members and partners. Media Personality of the Year – This would be awarded to a practicing local media identified to have professional work ethics, good relationship with fellow working media and active in his/ her field. Media members of the Express It At The Park would be chosing from among their colleagues for this particular award. Darling of the Press – This would be awarded to a person who has been very accessible and steadfast in the reporters’ need to get the needed information fast and reliable. Newsmakers of the Year – These are personalities who have hugged the headlines the most during the year. II. Express It At The Park Best in Print, Radio and TV Media contest Rankings, Ratings & Judges A. Rankings. Entries would be judged by a panel of judges, composed of five members, and would be given corresponding scores following the criteria of scoring set by the contest secretariat. After all the entries have been reviewed and scored by the panel, the entries would be ranked as per the category and a grand winner will be chosen.

B. Ratings. In the vision to raise the bar of journalistic professionalism, entries submitted should get an average score of 80% and above to qualify for the grand prize. Entries having earned ratings from 80% and above would then be ranked and the entry with the highest score would be declared as winner. In case of a tie in any of the categories, both entries will be declared as winners. B. Panel of Judges. A special judge with expertise in photojournalism would be judging for the Best Press Photographer category while another expert in video camera handling and production would be judging for the Best TV Cameraman. All the rest of the categories would be judged by a panel of judges composed of five members specially chosen by the EIATP Contest Secretariat. The five members would comprise representations from the academe, the local government agencies, the church and the private sector. III. Eligibility for the 4th EIATP Media Awards 2011 1.ENROLLMENT. ENTRY- All entries submitted to the contest must have been published for print or aired for radio and television from January to December 2011. All entries must have been written or reported by the submitting entrants who are presently connected, as a regular staff, writer/reporter or correspondent with any of the existing local tri-media in the region.Entries derived from paid spaces or appeared as press releases (for print) or reports, commentaries derived from block time or individually produced programs (for radio and tv) would not be accepted for the time being. EIATP recognizes that such entries would need a separate and distinct category in the future. ENTRANT – The writer/ reporter/ commentator/ newscaster must be connected with the media outlet recognized and known to be in full operation at least for six (6) months until the date of the awards ceremony for the year. Correspondents to national dailies but have local media outlet connection are also qualified. Reporters/ Stringers of national television who regularly contribute reports can also submit provided the entries are on local news, issues or reports. Writers, reporters, cameramen of public/ government media can also join provided the entry must not have appeared as press release in the paid spaces or aired/ broadcasted from any of their block time programs 1.Each writer/ reporter/ commentator/ newscaster is allowed to submit only one entry. However, there would be no limit for one outlet in the number of entries they would submit.Example: Radio Station A has 10 reporters and all of the ten would like to join and submit their respective. It would be permissible provided each of the entrants would only submit one entry for each of them. 1. Multiple roles in a media outlet. The Secretariat

recognizes that some practitioners in the local media outlet perform dual and even multiple roles in the day-to-day operation. (Example: Reporter A can be a reporter and at the same time a commentary program anchor. Or, Reporter B is a correspondent but at the same time writes in the opinion section or submits photos at the same time.) However, the EIATP would only allow one entry for each participating entrant. For media practitioners doing multiple roles/ functions in their outlet, must only choose one category wherein he/she would field an entry. 1. No multiple authors, double bylines or co-reporters. The entries must be submitted individually and would be considered as the entrant’s one allowable entry. If an entry contains content written or produced by more than one writer/ reporter, the entry will be declared invalid. 1. Formats of entries. The EIATP would accept entries written (for print) and reported (for radio and TV) by practicing local media professionals that have already been published or aired between the period of January to December 2011. Entries, particularly for the print category, must not have been published as stand-alone publications or printed as supplements to newspapers. For Print Category Best News Writer, Best Feature Writer, Best Opinion Writer Entries to be submitted must include:• a photocopy of the article written on the day of its publication. • hard actual copy the newspaper that contains the page where the article was published (for verification) For the Best Press Photographer Entries to be submitted must include:• a photocopy of the photo with caption on the day of its publication. • hard actual copy the newspaper that contains the page where the photo was published (for verification)• hard copy of the photo itself being submitted as entry (in 3R or 5R size) For Radio CategoryBest Radio News Reporter, Best Radio Newscaster, Best Radio Commentator Entries to be submitted must include:• an audio cd containing the report/ newscast/ commentary program being submitted as entry.• The cd itself must have a sticker or any identification indicating the date and time of the broadcast, the entrant’s name, program title and name of the radio station For Television CategoryBest TV News Reporter, Best TV NewscasterEntries to be submitted must include:

• an audio-video cd containing the report/ newscast being submitted as entry.• The cd must have a sticker or any identification indicating the date and time of the broadcast, the entrant’s name, program title and name of the radio station Best CameramanEntries to be submitted must include:• an audio-video cd containing the reportage which used his/ her footages/ video shots.• The cd must have a sticker or any identification indicating the date and time of the broadcast, the entrant’s name, program title and name of the radio station 1. All entries must be placed in a BROWN ENVELOPE individually (not as a whole media outlet) together with the filled/ signed ENTRY FORM. IV. Content Specification of EntriesFor all the categories, there would be no over-all, exclusive theme that would govern the specifics of any of the entries to be submitted. The articles written, reported or aired would be any of the following:1. it can be about current, persistent issue in the community or the region. (i.e RH bill, insurgency etc.)2. it can be about a government program that has produced a great impact in the community. (i.e Kalahi CIDSS, etc.)3. the news presentation must be in-depth and balanced.4. the entry must focus only on one reportage/subject mater/topic/issue. V. Prizes and AwardsThe chosen WINNERS in all the categories would each receive TROPHY and CASH PRIZE.In case of a tie in any of the category, WINNERS will each receive a TROPHY and share the CASH PRIZE allotted for the particular category.All other NON-WINNING ENTRIES would also be awarded with CERTIFICATE and CONSOLATION CASH PRIZES. VI. Submission of EntriesThe Express It At The Park is calling all local tri-media outlets in the region to submit their entries which must contain articles/ items written, reported or aired between the period of January to December 2011. All entries must be submitted to:

4th Express It At The Park Media Awards 2011c/o Mr. Dalmacio GrafilKnights of Columbus BuildingP. Zamora Street, Tacloban City Deadline of Submission of Entries would be on November 30, 2011. Announcement of winners and awarding of prizes would be done during the 4th Express It At The Park Media Awards 2011. Date and venue will be announced later.

the hearing will focus on 1) feedbacks about Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill filed by Anak Partylist and Bayan Muna Partylist and 2) feedback on the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) including the latest version (CARP with reforms or CARPER).

Among the key features of GARB are: 1) the breaking up of land monopolies including those owned by foreign corporation and the free distribution of these lands to farmer tillers , 2) the coverage of all agricultural Lands (public or private) , no excemptions/ no land conversion or the usual palusot and 3) the key role given to farmer associations including those that have criticized performance of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

After more than 20 years of CARP and several years of Land reform under Martial Law, land monopoly still exists and millions of peasants are still landless and in poverty.

XxxxxFYI:Ev has the following institutions focusing on the mentally impaired:1. The Acute Crisis Intervention Service (acis) is housed in the

Schistosomiasis Center ,Palo. It has ten (10) bed capacity . It can accommodate mental patients for only two (2) weeks. It is headed by Dr. Benjie Go.

2. Mental Health intervention service manned by Dr. Arlene Grace Rosal of the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, Tacloban city.It conducts diagnostics/assessments.

3. SALAG is a drug rehabilitation center assisted by the DOH. Id t is located in Dulag,Leyte and is headed by Mr. Michael Tenebro.

All these institutions need medicines to sustain effective treatment.

Comments are welcome at bertada@gmail.com

4th Express It At The Park Media Awards 2011

6 7News / Classified Ads6

Firearms suspension from p. 1 . . .

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Lucky twins from p. 1. . .

general who have also been supporting them all through their performance in Manila.

They were able to occupy the first slot in PGT Season 3’s list of finalists.

The brothers who are both students of Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) Tacloban Main Campus were once members of Tacloban's Zero Gravity, also a dance group finalist in ‘Show Time’ of ABS-CBN network.

Also they dance with different groups such as SAMLEYAW (Samar Leyte Sayaw) Dance Company, Leyte Dance Theater, and EVSU dance group.

They vowed however to continue in nurturing their talents in a hope to bring

agency.It was learned from DTI that the primary

purpose of this is to help poor entrepreneurs and rural families in the country by providing them technical and financial support for micro enterprises.

Eastern visayas provinces and other poor areas in CAR, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, SOCCSKSARGEN, and CARAGA are the focus of the program, report says.

the conduct of checkpoint operations, beat patrol, mobile patrol, Operation “Bakal/Sita” and other police interventions to control the proliferation of loose firearms and to prevent further senseless killings in Samar Province,” Revilla said.

San Juanico Bridgeby Doms Pagliawan

kon puwede la magbutanghin tulay ngada hit imo dughan, maiha ko na nga ginpas-anit San Juanico Bridge para la ako makatabokngada ha imo, ngan makaduhol, bis nala hin biyu-os nga rosas.

Siday

ANNUNTIO VOBIS: Those who are interested to have their SIDAY published in Gahum Weekly, send it to trajectories_gahum@yahoo.com

DOMS PAgLIAWAN is the author of the book Kuraramag: Mga Siday ngan Halipot nga Susumaton (2011), where the above poem is included. He is an Associate Professor of the Leyte Normal University. An multi-awarded songwriter, cartoonist, journalist, poet and fictionist.

Culture /Opinion

a moment in our history that even the Wonder Boy of Philippine Politics, despite of a conviction for a crime that is only an offshoot of political and family business rivalries, was encouraged by the First Lady to leave the country and submit for coronary bypass operation at any hospital of his choice in the United States no matter if he was the leading oppositionist to the incumbent President.

We can’t avoid the feeling of dread knowing that it seems we are in the middle of a political experiment, one which tries to prove that a regime could openly defy the institution which is the only authorized body to determine the legality of a certain state measure or the culpability of an individual’s action. It is a treacherous test in which if the people would just let it go unchecked, it will come to a point that abusive and spoiled officials, taking advantage

Waray ako! from p. 5. . . of the government’s police power, will readily dominate over the mechanisms of a democratic society. As what Sen. Joker Arroyo opined, these recent actuations of top officials are indicative of a “creeping Martial Law”. Precisely, if they could easily disobey the order of the Supreme Court and arbitrarily violate the right of a former president with powerful allies, how much more the case of an ordinary citizen.

Can we ignore a “clear and present danger” that we will revert back to the time that a person’s exercise of liberty depends only on the whims and caprices of those in executive positions? Shall we give a consent to a social condition that the exercise of our freedom will be denied just for some trivial grounds, and worst, there is no way to air a grievance for fear of being branded as an “enemy of the state” as dictated by those who handle the reign of power and authority? When are we going to silence the grandstanding

bags, plastic bags, newspapers, used office supplies and others are burned in open areas without considering its negative effect to the environment.

Accordingly, some activities may also produce greenhouse gases that can potentially or can reasonably be expected to induce global warming, which include carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, chlorofluorocarbons, and the like.

Loreto, who chairs the committee on education at the Sangguniang Panlalwigan said such activities would eventually alter the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the atmospheric air.

He said air pollution may even be detrimental or injurious to the health of the students in the schools and to the nearby residents of the academic community.

Moreover, the Board Member said that the ordinance includes noise pollution. Environmental noise affects health and well-being physically, mentally and socially.

There is ample evidence showing that

high noise levels interfere with speech and communication, decreased learning ability and scholastic performance, increase stress-related hormones, blood pressure changes, ischemic heart disease, among others.

Thus, even the conduct of construction activities that will disturb or destruct students from their learning, is also included in the ordinance.

Loreto said this proposed ordinance would also mean putting vehicles under specific limitations as regards to smoke emissions as may be prescribed in the Clean Air Code.

The proposed ordinance provides that any person who shall violate any provision of the proposed ordinance shall be meted with appropriate penalty such as a fine of not more than five thousand pesos (Php 5,000.00) or an imprisonment of not more than sixty (60) days, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Court.

The proposed ordinance is co-authored by Board Members Roque Tiu, Wilson Uy, Antonio Jabilles, Deborah Bertulfo, and Niccolo Villasin. (PIA 8)

Pollution free from p. 1 . . .

November 28 - December 4, 2011 November 28 - December 4, 2011

inspiration to other young people and pride to the region, particularly in the field of dancing or performing arts.

Guiuan town attracts more surfersGUIUAN, Eastern Samar. The mayor of this town has reported that more surfers from all over the country and from other countries are visiting this municipality every year.

Guiuan Mayor Analiza Gonzales-Kwan told reporters in an interview that her office has recorded a steady increase in the number of local and foreign surfers visiting her town to enjoy surfing in Calico-an island.

Kwan disclosed that the surfers form part of the tourists visiting her town every year.

She pointed out that the steady increase in number of surfers visiting her town is the positive result of her promoting Calico-an Island as one of the top surfing areas of our country and considered the surfing capital of the Visayas.

She said that her LGU has been promoting surfing as one of the primary sports in her town for the past years. “We are now reaping the fruits of our endeavor in promoting Guiuan as the surfing capital of the Visayas,” Kwan said.

Kwan also disclosed that surfers enjoy more surfing in her town because Calico-an

has a surfer friendly waves. Aside from this, she added, the surfing area is wide and a surfer can travel a good distance with more time riding on waves before reaching the shore.

She disclosed that recently her town hosted the 7th Odyssey National Surfing Competition participated in by more than 200 surfers from all over the country. She added that some foreigners were also in Calico-an during the activity, however they were not included considering that the event was a national and not an international competition.

She further disclosed that the competition categories included the men’s open short board, men’s open long board; wahini short board; wahini long board; junior short board; and the pawikan category which is a special category in the event.

Kwan said that she is expecting more surfers to visit her town and optimistic that more participants will participate in the next year’s surfing competition which is tentatively scheduled in the month of October. (Restituto A. Cayubit)

New Hotel in Leyte ready to accept applicantsTACLOBAN City. The LKY Resorts and Hotels opens its doors to applicants to fill in the manpower requirements of “The Oriental Hotel - Leyte” starting November 22, 2011 onwards, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to be held at the lobby of the hotel which is located at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, Candahug, Palo, Leyte.

“The Oriental Hotel- Leyte” under the LKY Resorts Hotels, a subsidiary of LKY Group of Companies, sits in a 4.5 hectares prime property within the historic MacArthur Park, Palo, Leyte.

The site is the former location of the MacArthur Hotel.

According to Christian Bongolan, LKY Human Resource Manager, Mr. Jan Michel Gautier, vice president for Hotels and Resorts Operations or Mr. Ruben Santos, chief operating officer will handle the interview among applicants.

“Our president Wilbert Lee said it will give priority to the people of Leyte and Samar to be employed in the hotel.

This is our commitment to the people which is also the thrust of the LKY Group of Companies,” said Bongolan.

Close to a hundred job opportunities are available to meet the hotel manpower needs.

The job positions include managers and staff for sales and marketing, front office, housekeeping, food and beverage,

accounting, spa therapists, and purchasing among others.

“The Oriental Hotel-Leyte” will have its soft opening on December 15, 2011. The 105-room luxurious hotel, a destination in itself will have amenities and state-of-of-the art facilities that meets international standard to meet the growing local and international tourists in Eastern Visayas.

Aside from its spacious and well-appointed rooms, there is a gym for the health buffs, a souvenir shop, a ballroom, fine-dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a relaxing spa and an infinity pool that stretches your eyes to the beautiful Leyte Gulf.

The hotel also housed the biggest convention facility that can accommodate 1,500 people.

LKY Group of Companies through its dynamic president, Wilbert Lee, spearheaded the “Grand Terminal” concept via its first integrated transport facility in Legazpi City and soon in Sorsogon.

The company is also into commercial leasing and is embarking in the hotel business with “The Oriental” as its brand name.

Last November 11, 2011, the company opened its first hotel “The Oriental Hotel - Legazpi” in Legazpi City.

The two hotels are among the five hotels the company hopes to establish in the next two years. (PR)

Yana Nga Mabalik Ka Naby J. Colima Bajado

Kinukulba la gihap ako. Kay han imo pagbayaWara na ako pakatultol han taob.Pagkakadto ko ha Rawis, pirme hubas.Wara na ako pakakatigoHan linya han alimutaw han am misay.Wara na ak pakakatigoHan mga tu-ay han tuway.An ak ginpupurutan, mgaBusikad nga bu-aw.Wara na nasuhotHan an akon bubo ngan timing. An taob la ha akonAn kanan dagat kahagnaw. Yana nga mabalik ka,Kinukulba la gihapon ako.Kay kon daw pa balod,Mahubas man la gihapon kahuman han taob.

J. COlIMa BaJadO is a two-time recipient of the Chito S. Roño Literary Awards [CSRLA] (2010, 1011) and Pasidungog Eduardo Makabenta Sr. Para Han Siday (2010, 2011). He is also a recipient of the Dr. Jimmy Balacuit Sr. Memorial Literary Award for Poetry (2009) and a Gold Medalist Awardee of the Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada Award, for his poetry (2010). He is the Cultural Editor of Gahum Weekly. Yana Nga Mabalik Ka Na is part of his awarded poems in this year's CSRLA.

Winners of the 2nd Chito S. Roño Literary Awards baredTACLOBAN City, Leyte. The Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) in Calbayog City announced the results of the recently concluded 2nd Chito S. Roño Literary Awards released last November 11, 2011 during the graduation rites of the 8th Lamiraw Regional Creative Writing Workshop.

According to Harold L. Mercurio, contest coordinator, the contest covered three categories, namely, poetry, short story and play/screen play using Waray and Inabaknon languages sponsored by Chito S. Roño, a multi-awarded TV and film director and a native of Calbayog City.

For the Siday (Poetry) category, Third Prize goes to Jhonil Colima Bajado from Maydolong, Eastern Samar and a M.A. student of the Leyte Normal University; First Honorable Mention goes to Leonilo D. Lopido from Dolores, Eastern Samar and currently employed at the Philippine Information Agency-8; and the Second Honorable Mention goes to Jeremy Alexandre O. Evardone from Palapag, Northern Samar who also writes play and is a film enthusiast.

This year, no winners were proclaimed for the first and second places relative to the criteria set by the board of judges.

For the short story category, Yvonne M. Esperas from Tacloban City and a teacher

from the Philippine Science High School Eastern Visayas campus, was proclaimed champion for her story “Balay nga Damo It Purtahan.”

For the Drama category, Efmer E. Agustin’s “Tawoan” landed First Honorable Mention. Agustin is a native of Abuyog, Leyte and a faculty member at the UP Tacloban College. There were no winners also for the first, second and third places for this category.

No less than Chito S. Roño himself awarded the cash prizes and citations to the winners present during the awarding ceremony.

Members of the Board of Judges for the 2nd Chito S. Roño Literary Awards were UP Professor Emeritus Merlie Alunan (chairperson), Dr. Victor Sugbo of UP Tacloban, Mr. Dante Rosales of the Ibabao Arts Council of Calbayog City, and Ms. Janis Claire Salvacion of the National Maritime Polytechnic/UP Tacloban.

Last year, Lamiraw introduced this new addition, the Chito S. Roño Literary Awards for poetry, fiction and drama in order to boost the revival of the literature of Eastern Visayas. It was launched during the opening ceremony of the Lamiraw workshop headed by Dr. Socorro S. Bohol, NwSSU president and workshop director last November 9-12, 2010. (LDL/PIA-8)

J. Colima BajadoCongratulations!

For winning the Third Prize in the Siday (Poetry) categoryat the 2nd Chito S. Roño Literary Awards

From your Gahum Weekly family!

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Weekdays: 6:00 a.m.; 9:00 a.m.Saturdays: 6:00 a.m.; 9:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.; 6:00 p.m.Sundays: 6:00 a.m.; 9:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

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“Professionalism is knowing how to do it, when to do it, and doing it.”

of cronies-in-barong for purported achievements in their agencies, which justifies their hard-line stances so as to get the attention of the Chief Executive, while clandestinely preparing the net for eventual raking of profits out of their investments in the previous elections? To what extent do we have to allow public officials—by means of legal apathy and humanitarian arrogance—to “rule above the law”?

There is still time for Noynoy to amend his ways. If only he won’t listen too much to the dictates of his close advisers and conspiring friends but instead take heed to the demands of the general public for adherence towards what is dictated under the law, then he won’t have too much trouble governing the country. He could even realize a lot of his promises through the passage of and support to statutes and programs by the Legislative and Judiciary, the other indispensable branches of government. Cory

Aquino, inspired by the deeds of her husband, focused her administration in reinstating the people’s trust towards democracy. As a political progeny, he should not take the name and honor of his parents’ in vain as it would be ungracious of him if he failed their expectations. Former Sen. Jovito Salonga eulogized Ninoy as “the greatest president we never had”. If the existing paradigm tells that the son won’t be “the worst president we ever had”.

(For your comments/feedback on this article, please send it to gbdecadiz.waray@gmail.com)

With all the negative press the Philippines has been getting, participating in this competition may have been a collective decision from the government to grab an opportunity to have and own a positive label for a change.

The government has been so supportive of this competition that it has even created an Inter-agency Task Force for the PPUR campaign created under Presidential Proclamation 182, stating that the “local government sector should play a pivotal role in the final push to victory for the PPUR.” The Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo was adamant on the call for voting PPUR to all local government units and agencies until the last voting period. Talk about full support.

So how is this different from a beauty contest wherein the winner who accumulated the most amount of money, wins? It isn't. This is nothing more but a cycnical attempt in getting money from the governments of the world.

Yes, PPUR is a natural wonder, but forcing it to the top, without its own accord and merits is like the cliché: “You can't propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.”

Our victory is a shallow one. So who really won in the end? The 7 Wonders Foundation and the telecommunications companies who are making money off of everyone’s text voting.

Wonderful from p. 4 . . .

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Kuraramag: Adding Light in the Waray Literary Scene

8 Culture November 28 - December 4, 2011

“I t kuraramag, mga saringsing ini hin kahoy nga nagkataktak, nagka-uuga, ngan pinamaglumot na ha masighot

nga ligid hin dalan ha mga kabubkiran nga lugar. Magpawa ini hira ha masirum nga kagab-ihon, nakakapawa hit aragi-an han mga naglalakaton ha kasisidman”, explains Doms Pagliawan, author of the fresh-from-the-oven book entitled Kuraramag: Mga Siday ngan Haglipot nga Susumaton, when asked what kuraramag is.

[K]uraramag is actually a luminous fungus (mushroom) glowing in the dark and thrives in barks and rotting trees. Just like a cooked meat of a python when placed in the dark, it is luminescent. It is thus called nag uuraramag (incandescent).

Doms (as he is fondly called) is an Associate Professor of Leyte Normal University. He graduated cum laude for his undergrad and holds a MA in Literature from the University of San Carlos (Cebu City). Presently, he is finishing his doctorate in Literature and Communication at Cebu Normal University.

A light in the dark129 pages, 17 Siday (poems) and 11 short stories,

all written in Waray, consists the collection of Pagliawan’s book. This complements the resurging of Waray literature which was once indicted moribund and/or dying.

“Sugad hit kuraramag, ini man nga mga siday ngan ngan haglipot nga susumaton in pwede makaghatag hin kapawa ha mga naglalakaton hini dinhi nga usahay masirum nga kalibutan”, Prof. Pagliawan claimed.

In her “Introduction” of the book, UP Professor Emeritus Merlie Alunan, a multi-Palanca award winning poet, is gratified with Pagliawan’s collection which “gathers us around to virtual table to share peculiar moments of human experiences, for us to peek at our own humanity, and to enjoy these moments, to cry with those who are in pain, or laugh at those human foibles and be redeemed”, she shared.

5+1, and counting…Discounting Kuraramag, there are at least 5 poetry collections written in Waray at present. Dr. Victor N. Sugbo’s Inintokan (UP Press, 2008), Voltaire Oyzon’s An Maupay han Mga Waray (NCCA, 2008), Phil Harold Mercurio’s

Ayaw Pagpudla an Tuog (UBOD II, 2010), Leonilo Lopido’s Ha Salog (UBOD II, 2010) and Janis Claire Salvacion’s Siso Sakradang (UBOD II, 2010).

But what makes Pagliawan’s book distinctive is the integration of short stories, which hitherto, fungi seemingly ungerminating, not until he found the igniting technique of making these [K]uraramags glow.

Some of the poems included in the collection has been previously published and awarded like the Gawad Komisyon (2007). The author noted that, “Unta, mali-aw kamo ngan makapurot hin mga ideya ngan mensahe tikang han mga paypay hini nga basahon.”

Surely, Kuraramag is adding brightness in the Waray Literary scenery and is creating another sound pronouncing our Waray culture and identity. And this is a season for us to celebrate and revel. As Prof. Alunan furtherly said in her “Introduction”, “To remember our humanity always, that seems to be our obligation. Because to forget is to fall into the trap of tyranny and despair. To remember is to keep our humanity safe, for ourselves and for the world. And for

these stories of Doms Pagliawan, our gratitude.”

Post Scriptum. Kuraramag is published and printed by the Tacloban Five Star Grafica Printing Press, Inc. and with ISBN No. 978-971-93967-2-7. For copy orders, you may call/text 0927-205-2764 and/or email trajectories_gahum@yahoo.com.

by J. Colima Bajado

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Remembering Eugenio S. Daza, Borongan's local hero

BORONGAN City. The National Historical Institute (NHI) altogether with the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar and the City Government of Borongan led in the 141st Birth Anniversary of Eugenio S. Daza on November 15, 2011.

November 15 of each year is Eugenio S. Daza Day by virtue of Proclamation No. 674. signed by Pres. Fidel Ramos.

This day being a non-working holiday in the province of Eastern Samar gives an opportunity to honor the gallantry of Eugenio Salazar Daza during the 1896 Philippine Revolution when Daza joined the revolutionary forces in Samar.

During the war, Daza was appointed as Commander of the Revolutionary forces in Eastern Samar .

He was also instrumental in successfully leading Filipino forces against the Americans during Balangiga attack on September 28, 1901.

Daza was then elected to the First Philippine Assembly in 1907.

His townfolks remembered Daza as “A Great Public Servant” of the Filipino people.

His parents were Juan Cinco Daza and

Magdalena Campomanes. Daza earned a degree in education in 1888 and taught at the Borongan Municipal School.

On Nov. 15, Eastern Samar Governor Conrado B. Nicart, Jr., National Historical Commission of the Philippines Executive

Director Ludovico D. Badoy, Borongan City Mayor Ma. Fe Abunda,

Department of Education-Region 8 Superintendent Bernardino

A. Adina and Descendants of Filipino Heroes President and descendant of Eugenio S. Daza, Mr. Roy Daza joined in the wreath-laying ceremonies at Eugenio S. Daza monument.

In his speech, Gov. Daza thanked the representatives

of the National Historical Institute for their recognition.

Likewise, the governor was grateful to the cooperation of

the town folks in pushing Eugenio Daza’s proclamation as hero, adding,

“the common cause which is a distinct behavior of the Eastern Samarenos could be an important element in their quest for progress.”

Gov. Daza then urged his constituents to emulate the selflessness and courageous works of their own hero for the growth of the province. (Mel Caspe and Eden Benusa-Reyes with reports from NHI)