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vol. xx, no. 30 Bicol, the philippines january 20-26, 2013 p5.00

Hotel Sogo is set to launch its first branch in the Bicol Region with the opening of the new Hotel Sogo Naga this February. This new branch located near SM Mall beside the Central Bus Terminal is another milestone in the Chain’s nationwide expan-sion program. It signifies the company’s response and commitment for the development of the Tour-ism industry in the city and the generation of more em-ployment for its residents.

Being the largest Hotel Chain with over 30 branch-

es across the country, Hotel Sogo maintains its winning formula of being in very conve-nient locations and offering the cleanest rooms with excellent

service at affordable prices. Along with its fully air-con-ditioned rooms, Sogo guests enjoy amenities comparable with higher class hotels such as 24-hr. food & beverage service, free Wi-Fi, LCD TVs with cable and in-house mov-ie channels featuring the latest blockbuster movies.

Mr. Danny Barredo, Ho-tel Sogo Naga Manager adds “We also ensure the privacy, security and safety of all our guests. We have secured pri-vate parking, generators to make sure there are no brown-outs, and a central fire protec-tion system for emergencies.

Hotel Sogo to open in Naga

Legazpi as country’s next economic, tourism hub

JV urges PNoy to allot morefunds for OFW legal aid

San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada delivers his short message to Solana, Cagayan residents during his visit at the province last Tuesday (Jan. 15).

FiNaL WaLk tO FreedOmSome 36 endangered Olive ridley hatchlings or baby turtles rescued by Bureay of Fisheries and Aquatic personnel walk their way to the coast of Barangay Caranan, Pasacao, Camarines Sur. The DENR facilitated their release into West Philippine Sea. Another nest was found in the area with 160 eggs waiting to hatch. - Ruby Mendones

By Alex IrAsgA

san Juan City rep. JV ejercito estrada urged President Benigno Aquino III to allocate more funds intended for legal assis-tance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are facing criminal charges in their respective host coun-tries.

Ejercito Estrada made the call following reports that some 3,000 OFWs around

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legazpi City is fast-rising as an economic and tourism hub with its massive infrastructure development, better gover-nance, business growth, and big influx of foreign and domestic tourists in this city,

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Bikol reporter2 january 20-26, 2013oPinion

opinionsunlimited

Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN2013.

Thereafter, a shortlist of the eligible foreign and local bidders will be released. Construction of the new airport has been approved as early as mid-2012. The airport site which is more proximate to Sorsogon will be a boon to Bicol business and industry. It will facilitate arrivals of tourists coming from Manila or direct from foreign cities. The DOTC project is provided with a big budget of close to P4.8 billion.

BOP SURPLUS: The country’s balance of payments (BOP) reached US$9.236B last year, way above the forecast of US$6.8B. The biggest level of surplus was attained in 2010 at US%14.3B. The BOP components include foreign direct investments and foreign portfolio funds (hot money), and the bulk coming by way of OFW remittances. Outflows consist of payments for imports as well as Filipino investments abroad (encouraged by the strengthened peso).

The BOP surplus figures were somehow expected by our finance authorities. The said the target BOP was lower as they considered the stagnating economic situations in the western world, including Japan. Our robust external account has enabled the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to become a creditor (instead of debtor) to the International Monetary Fund. We have a current standby lending facility of $1 billion and $850 million reserved credit.

“HOT” MONEY: These are volatile investment funds that come and go – mostly finding their way into stock markets. In 2012 – the Philippines received $18.5 billion by way of foreign investment inflows, or an increase of 12% from 2011. The abundance of foreign exchange has led to the strength of the peso. As a result, Filipino capitalists were emboldened to use their “strengthened” pesos to buy US dollar which they invested abroad.

Our financial leaders are elated by the continuing global trust on our economy, hence the investment inflows. But they are also apprehensive that with a single disruption in our eco-performance, foreign funds may just leave suddenly. Authorities are working hard to temper the upsurge in the pesos’ exchange to exacerbate potential upheaval in FX flows and with it, investment and local interest rates.

PROVERB: Children’s children are crowns of the aged; and good parents are the pride of their children.

(Atty. APA – chairs Acyatan & Co., CPAs-DFK International – is PICPA past president and Hall-of-Famer, past chair of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement Awardee).

NEDA OK: Projects worth P147B were approved by the National Economic and Development Authority, signaling the opening of more employment opportunities. The infrastructures list includes the extension of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway – linking Kawit-Cavite with Mamplasan in Laguna. The extended highway will shorten SLEX travels within CALABARZON, hopefully making road traffic lighter instead of heavier.

The other big ticket is theP25.5B NLEX-SLEX connector road project to complete the north-south industrial development beltway axis. The project aims to decongest the monstrous Metro-Manila traffic even as it will make our ports more accessible to provincial shippers. The biggest approval was the P81.9B national community-driven development projects (CDD) as part of the cycles of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan, a social service project.

DARAGA AIRPORT: It’s now official! The new international airport (for Bicol) will rise in Daraga, in Albay Province. It will replace the existing Legaspi airport which is highly susceptible to cancellations or diversions of flights due to its proximity to oftentimes foggy Mount Mayon. DOTC is now inviting engineers and consultants to bid for contracts of the Bicol International Airport Development Project with the submission deadline set for January 29,

More Infra Projects

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salvador d. flor

a QueStiON

OFPriViLege

Telenovela scriptwriters will have a field day creating stories with the elements of high drama in big doses, high drama similar to what occurred in Atimonan, Quezon days ago. There is no problem with the plot , the setting and the characters. They are very much available.

They can put police uniforms on their cops characters and civilian attire on the non-cops. For background music, they can have the deafening sounds of gunfire, the shrieking of the wounded and the moaning of the dying.

From this scene of carnage, the scriptwriters can proceed to give the story a different twist. But they should take pains to make the story as close to reality as possible. The problem of Filipino telenovelas and movies is that some are far removed from reality.

There is no need to worry about materials. All they should do is listen and observe how crime gangs operate

and how law enforcers neutralize the hoodlums with hail of bullets.

Crimes are occurring almost daily in almost every corner of the country from simple cellphone snatching to hanging offenses like rape, murder, kidnapping. They are good sources of stories which are readily lapped up by people.

Moviegoers particularly are not

interested in very tame, very harmless stories. The more blood is spilled, the more human flesh is ripped open, the more they get excited, the more they troop to theaters.

Of course, movies and telenovelas with rib-tickling scenes attract more people. The Sisterakas of Kris Aquino, Vice Ganda and Ai Ai de las Alas was “mobbed” because of the laughter it elicited. The poorest will spend their last money for tickets to such films.

During the bomba films era, small and big moviehouses were frequently full to the rafters. Even those with incoherent stories drew moviegoers.

Male moviegoers, hungry for shapely legs, white thighs and voluptuous figure, did not think twice shelling out their only peso for movie tickets.

In this country, it is what makes movie-making a very profitable business. Place an almost nude beauty

Creating stories with high drama, No problem in this country

for a congressional seat. The people only know he is an accomplished movie and television actor and that’s all. He is handsome. If good looks are of the basis, Wimpy is handsome too and much younger.

* * *What a pity. Sen. Miriam Defensor

Santiago, one of the intellectuals in the Senate had to suffer hypertension and mild stroke, after criticizing Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile with much harsh

words over the uneven distribution of “cash gifts” last Christmas to the members of the Senate.

All the Senators were equally given P250,000 each as Christmas gift from the savings of the Office of the Senate President. From the savings of the Senate, each member of the Senate were given P1,300,000 (One million three hundred thousand pesos) for maintenance and operating funds (MOOEs) in accordance with existing accounting and auditing rules except Senators Miriam D. Santiago, Antonio Trillanes IV, Manny Villar, Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano who are all working to oust him as Senate President. They call Enrile’s action as “unconscionable and unconstitutional.” President Enrile did not get cash gift and MOOE for himself.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Commission on Audit Grace Polido Tan stated on the accusations of “misuse and abuse of authority” that the law gives the Senate President authority

The Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals on the affirmation of Regional Trial Court, Branch 30, in San Jose, Camarines Sur of the disqualification of Aga Muhlach and his wife, Charlene Muhlach, as voters due to lack of residency requirement, does not affect his rival Atty. Wimpy B. Fuentebella. Aga’s disqualification is the result of his own making and he cannot blame his rival for this.

Atty. Felix William “Wimpy” Fuentebella is prepared in running for Congressman in the 4th district (Partido) against any opponent. What is important is that the voters are free to vote for whoever they want and who they think can best serve the people based on their qualifications and tract record.

The voters should study the credentials of the candidates. What have they done for the province? What are their personal and official records as basis of the electorate to judge.

I am surprised why until now, the camp of Aga Muhlach does not publish and or announce his qualifications in running

TRO does not affect Cong. Wimpy Fuentebella, Political Maneuvering, Gift of Healing from Sto. Niño

NENITA FuENTEBELLA-PEÑONES

frommy

window

lee g. dullesco iiHead, Advertising Associates

0920-533-7766

K TO 12One Friday evening when I was about to sleep[,

my thought was awaked by the news in the television. Philippines has stopped its way towards progression; poverty, unemployment, illiteracy were just few of those forces which stops our country from ascending. Though the news wasn’t new for me, it made me feel bothered as I saw my only son sleeping tightly. He seems dreaming a good one, but are those dreams will be attained as he opened his eyes?

Education’s power perhaps is known by everybody. It’s great effect is indefinite. It might not be primarily answer to all our burdens, but I believe that it is the best access to unlocking one’s success. A lifetime passport to the world. An ace to win every battle. But does the quality of education we have can be enough to realize its power?

As a Grade One teacher/adviser everybody in the class is a challenge, some even say that it is the toughest job of a teacher, to be assigned to where I am. Patience, perseverance, passion and power are my 4P’s enable to survive.

K to 12 Basic Education Program was profound by CHED, TESDA, DepEd, to answer the poor quality of Basic Education in the Philippines which is the fundamental foundation of a learner. What is K to 12 then?

Republic Act No. 10157 or the Kindergarten Act, making the kindergarten “The First Stage of Compulsory and Mandatory Formal Education,” K stands for kindergarten and 12 is for the years in Elementary and Secondary Education. Elementary Education refers to primary schooling that involves 6 years of Education (Grade 1-6) while Secondary Education refers to four years of Junior High school (Grade 7-10) and 2 years of Senior High School (Grades 11 to 12). The first batch of students to go through K to 12 will graduate on March 2018.

Why K to 12 program is better thant the current one?* It offers a more balanced approach to learning that

will enable learner to acquire and master lifelong learning skills.

* A student who completes K to 12 will equipped with skills, competencies and recognized cerfificates equivalent to a two-year college degree.

* It will help in freeing parents of the burden of having to spend for college just to make their children employable.

What would be the assurance that K to 12 graduates will be employed?

* DepEd has entered into an agreement with business organizations and local and foreign chambers of commerce and industries that K to 12 will be considered for employment.

How about the additional cost to parents?* Grades 11 and 12 will be offered for free in public

schools.* K to 12 graduates will have national certification from

TESDA which will enable them to have higher employment opportunities.

Upon attending different seminars and reading some written articles about this K to 12, I easily understand its objectives. But my worries failed not to stop, though it lessen a bit. Questions keep popping from my though. Are we ready for this new curriculum? Can this suffice the student’s needs? Can this change one’s mind to pursue or even try this new program the government has implemented? What if it fails? I don’t wanna be the villain of this story nor be pessimist. I’m just becoming real perhaps, for I’m not just a Teacher, I am also a mother who wants nothing but the best for my son and for my children in the class.

I am ready fo every changes that will happen. I am willing to dance whatever the tune is. I can transcend myself it it is needed. I can do everything not because I am a Teacher, but because Teaching is my life._______________________SALLY F. NOLASCOSan Miguel Elementary SchoolBato District

Bikol reporter 3january 20-26, 2013

Bicol PNP chief reassigns 17 chiefs of police

PAG-ASA senior weather specialist Anthony Lucero (right) explains how the AWS console transmits weather data from the AWS unit (inset above) to the computer and to the weather website.

By MArlOn A. lOterte

legAZPI CItY -- Chief supt. Clarence guinto, re-gional chief of the Philip-pine national Police (PnP) in Bicol, has ordered the reshuffling of 17 chiefs of police in three provinces in the region.

Supt. Renato Bataller, PNP Bicol spokesperson, said that affected by the order last Jan. 11, two days before election period, were 10 chiefs of po-lice in Camarines Sur, two towns and two cities in Albay and three towns in Camarines Norte.

Bataller said the chiefs of police were reshuffled in the towns of Libmanan, Nabua, Ocampo, Bombon, Cabusao, Calabanga, Camaligan, Cana-man, Magarao and Pili, all in Camarines Sur; Libon and Tiwi towns and the cities of Legazpi and Ligao in Al-bay; and the towns of Daet and Mercedes in Camarines Norte.

He said, next to be reshuf-fled are town police chiefs in the provinces of Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Masbate.

The police officers who

DA, PAGASA train aggieexecs on climate forecasting

legAZPI CItY -- the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional Field Unit (rFU) for Bicol has recently initiated a training that ori-ented local agricultural of-ficials on climate forecasting with the use of the Automatic Weather station (AWs).

The training held in Nabua, Camarines Sur over the week was conducted by experts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geographical and Astronomi-cal Services Administration (PAGASA).

Participated in by 40 munic-ipal agriculturists, agriculture technicians, municipal plan-ning officers and representa-tives from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the activity is part of a three-year project on climate change adaptation in the agri-cultural sector funded by the Japanese government.

The project, entitled “As-sessment of Climate Change Impacts and Mapping of Vulner-ability to Food Security under Climate Change to Strengthen Household Food Security with

Livelihoods Adaptation Ap-proaches (AMICAF),” is being implemented by the DA in co-operation with Food and Agri-culture Organization.

Under the project, PAGASA has recently installed an AWS that directly feeds weather data through computers and Internet from areas covering the farming towns of Calabanga, Nabua and Buhi-- all in Camarines Sur.

The facility helps the weath-er bureau in providing site-spe-cific climate forecasts and sea-sonal outlooks, including early warning system for extreme weather events such as climate change-related environments involving saline-intrusion for Calabanga, flooding for Nabua, and drought occurrences for Buhi.

Dr. Eulito Bautista, project manager of AMICAF, said here Thursday that this project is a breakthrough for the Bicol Re-gion, being the first of its kind in the country.

Through this facility, weath-er situations anytime of the day for 24 hours and complete hourly data of the changing at-

mosphere in the three pilot sites can be accessed in real time through these websites: www.weatherlink.com and www.pa-gasa.dost.gov.ph .

AMICAF is continuously looking for ways to further im-prove the project such as gener-ating a manual of operation and maintenance of AWS, which can be used by the LGUs, as well as coming up with a facili-tators’ guide for Climate Field School, Bautista said.

PAGASA weather specialist Anthony Lucero Sr., who served as trainer, said the Philippines has a very unique climate char-acterized by frequent typhoons, but still very few are interested in knowing the weather.

The AWS, which has many weather parameters such as rainfall amount and intensity, temperature, humidity, baro-metric pressure and many oth-ers, is a perfect early warning system.

“To be able to adapt well to the changing climate, people must be able to read climate information,” according to Lu-cero. -PNA

WiLdLiFe reLeaSe JAzMiN RiEzA

DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Gilbert Gonzales (left), Energy Development Corp. Resident Manager Salvador Virata and Protected Areas and Wildlife Regional Technical Director Felix Mendoza are all set to release an eagle into Bacon-Manito forest. The DENR and EDC earlier signed a memorandum of agreement on the Adopt a Wildlife Species Program.

were reassigned have ranks ranging from senior inspec-tors to superintendent.

Bataller explained that the move is in anticipation of the Comelec election ban on per-sonnel reassignment during the election period, which kicked off Sunday, Jan. 13.

He said that the reassign-ment of police officers is a normal procedure of the agen-cy because some of them have

over-stayed their tour of duty while some have been tagged to be chummy with the local chief executives where they are assigned.

“We would like to remove these negative public impres-sions and doubts,” Bataller said.

As the election period started, PNP Director General Alan Purisima has directed the PNP Bicol to heighten its

campaign against loose fire-arms and the dismantling of private armed groups in Mas-bate, considered as among the 15 election hot spots in the country.

Purisima, in his directive, intends to send additional troops to Masbate to beef up the 240-man Regional Opera-tion Task Group and the Police Special Action Force based in Mobo town in Masbate.

BJMP reshuffles jail personnel in Bicol

nAgA CItY ---Fourteen Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) per-sonnel, including Chief Jail superintendent Wilmor t. Plopinio, were relieved of their current functions in the city’s district jail and reas-signed to different jail units.

This, after BJMP Special Orders Number 2013-01 from the BJMP 5 took effect last Jan. 7 through a formal turn over ceremony.

Plopinio was assigned as full time administrator of Ca-marines Sur BJMP while Jail Superintendent Bernardo M. Sanchez was transferred and designated as officer in charge of the district jail of this city. They will be joined by JO1 Marifel Sarte who was for-merly assigned at the Tigaon District Jail.

Jail Chief Insp. Dominici G. Batacan was relieved from Tigaon District Jail and reas-signed as officer-in-charge

By ANALizA S. MACATANGAY

(OIC) at the Iriga City District Jail.

Jail Officer 1 Rene Zaldy D. Catangui who will be swap-ping post with Mamatod will be with Batacan as the latter will be reassigned at the Iriga City District Jail, Camarines Sur BJMP.

Also affected by the reshuf-fle of personnel are Jail Senior Inspector Michael Richard R. Oliva, formerly assigned in Iri-ga. He will be transferred at the Tigaon District Jail while Jail Officer III Mamarinta P. Mam-atod who was also detailed at the Iriga City District Jail will be relocated at the Pioduran Municipal Jail, Albay BJMP.

At the Regional Office in Legazpi City, Jail Senior In-spector Gerardo B. Yuson was the newly designated OIC of the Operations Division while Jail Sr. Insp. Ave Are was tasked as OIC of the Personnel Record Management (PRM)

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Bikol reporter4 january 20-26, 2013etCeterA

inner chessBY J. HENRY DANiCAN

Matters of Consequence

rodolfo ‘sonny’sb. virtus jr.

Dear readers, this space in BR shall be filled with stories about people from all walks of life, their own journeys and reflections. Told in my point of view, each story will pay attention to “matters of consequence”: dreams, passion, joys, triumphs, values, faith and love, but also the realities of humanity: failures, fears, pains and imperfections, among others. Hopefully, you and I would find a sense of connection and draw some inspiration from these stories.

For the first installment of my column, my relatives gave me permission to share a story that is close to home: the life and love of my grandparents.

* * * * * * *German and SimpliciaMy grandparents lacked formal

education. They did not make notable name for themselves, gain wealth or leave any extraordinary legacies to their communities. Their hardwork did not suffice to provide my aunts and mother a comfortable life. They were not perfect couple, nor were they perfect parents. But they were good people, especially if seen today against the backdrop of grandiose lifestyle and worldly pursuits. Most importantly, they loved truly.

My maternal grandmother Simplicia lived the last thirty-five years of her life without her husband, Lolo German. Two years ago, on Valentine’s Day, she passed away, leaving behind all her eight children, including my mother Rosita. During her simple funeral in a chapel at Abella, Naga City, I overheard my aunts describing how Lola met Lolo: She was a teenager taking a bath in a river when my Lolo saw a glimpse of her and was so smitten that he asked her parents for Lola’s hand in marriage. I found my aunts’ story somewhat fictional as I recalled my little conversations with Lola.

Once, when Lola still managed to come with Aunt Estelita to our house in the weekends, I pried into her and Lolo’s love stories. I was not expecting her to engage in that kind of up-close and personal conversation for she was not the kind of grandparent who had a chest of old anecdotes. Rather, she was a very secretive woman. But one time, she suddenly started spilling stories about her old love affair. Even Mama, who was then hurriedly removing kalunggay leaves from the stalk, was slowed down to partake in Lola’s sudden generosity in sharing her

private life, even as she never tried to interrupt or stop me from probing Lola’s life. She listened too attentively to Lola like she was hearing the story for the first time. Lola started opening up when I asked her whether Lolo was her first dance partner. She said no.

She explained that Lolo was not her first love. It was a certain Diego whom she revealed was the real father of her first two children. She never told Aunts Magdalena and Gloria about this important detail of their identities, though they already had an inkling because they both look so much alike but look different from their six other sisters. But Lola’s story with Diego was not a story of unfaithfulness to Lolo. On the contrary, Lola said that Diego abandoned her and their children for another woman. I believed her story. At her age, she had no reason to lie and nothing to gain from telling this story. Hence, a more realistic re-imagination of my grandparents’ first meeting could look like this: Lola, an abandoned wife and mother of two, was farming in Mataorok, Pili, Camarines Sur when Lolo German first saw her, got attracted to her, pursued her and assumed responsibility for the fathering of her children. Considering the ages of Aunts Gloria and Estelita, her third and my Lolo’s first biological child with her, Lola was most likely aged 23 when they lived together.

Lolo German, on the other hand, was already 52 years old that time he and Lola

became a couple. But before this, his sixteenth and last relationship, he had already experienced the major historical periods and transitions in the country. He had lived through the last few decades of Spanish colonization, the American time, the Japanese occupation, the Independence, and the wars in between.

According to my aunts, Lolo had figured in 15 romances before Lola. He probably had some children before my aunts. This time, my aunts’ story seems believable. In fact, they know one of these women, named Gabriela. Apparently, Lolo’s relationship with her was not successful, but the couple had a daughter, Conchita, who married Mr. Miller, an American whom Lolo served in the 1930s. My aunts remember receiving a sack of shoes owned by Conchita when she died of cancer.

During the Japanese Occupation, Lolo joined the guerilla movement, but he was captured, imprisoned and tortured. Mama shared the war horrors that Lolo had told her about: for days, he was hanged upside down - his head facing a deep well, his stomach poked with a knife and burned with cigarettes. But Lolo managed to survive the war. A few years after the Second World War ended, most likely in 1946, my grandparents met and lived together and had many children. The church wedding came much later when Lolo was coming to terms with his mortality. In February 1976, he died at the age of 102.

To some people like me, the stories of my grandparents, especially those of their love life, may be so complicated to be interesting. But to many who are expecting stories of greatness or grandness, theirs may be too insignificant and ordinary.

Truth is, they lived a simple life. They had neither luxurious properties nor political powers. The only time that they had a land of their own was when President Ramon Magsaysay introduced the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA), which led them to be relocated from Pili to San Ramon, Tinambac, Camarines Sur. Lolo farmed lands of lords. Lola was

jokee BOTOR-REYES

pell-mell

Some Kind of Spiritual ExerciseI believe I am a rabid Catholic. I do my morning prayers by

myself but my evening prayers with my family. I also pray the rosary nightly before retiring. Needless to say, I attend Sunday mass and holidays of obligation without fail. I also make it a point to receive communion often.

Friends have been asking me to join a religious organization in our parish but I had always refused for a very simple reason. I was asked to join the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) but I said I can’t. The members wear a uniform, a navy blue skirt and blouse and I said I can’t accept that. My favorite outfit after I have retired from the corporate world is a pair of jeans (denims) and a simple top preferably a tee. My footwear is either slippers or sneakers.

Lately, however, I joined a religious organization whose official wear during meetings is a canary yellow t-shirt and anything that goes with it would be alright..pants or skirt, whatever as long as it is decent.

I finally agreed to join Our Lady of Penafrancia Association (Iriga Chapter). In fact very lately. I was installed with several other new members …Terry M. Berina, Marie M. Oliva, Leda Gonzaga, Tessie Margallo, Tita Serrano, among others.. The installation rite was beautiful and preceded by a two-hour orientation conducted by officers from the same association in Naga. The talks bordered on Ina, the patroness of Bicolana. I am myself an ardent devotee of Ina which made my mind up to join the association without much prodding from Fe Ceguera who is the president of the Iriga chapter. Now, I can truly say is am officially a Penafrancia devotee and am obliged to live a Marylike life. That’s not difficult, is it? Is it a challenge? Not really, I think.

The installation rite was touching. The pledge we, the newly installed members, recited collectively should be taken seriously. Well, it was a pledge alright. And each one of us, new members, was called one by one and “awarded” a beautiful medal of Ina, some kind of a gem to treasure. When I was raising my 2 children and my grandchildren (my 2 children are now both married and have children of their own who are my grandchildren) I had always come to Ina in their times of sickness and in my own times of distress. etc. and I had always been favored. Viva la Virgin.Viva. email jokeebotor_reyes@yahoo.com

Travails of an ElementarySchool Paper Adviser

Little did it occur to me that advising a school paper for elementary pupils can be very challenging if not fun. At the beginning, I had my qualms and thought all along that it would be something I may not like at all and surrender in no time. I was wrong all the time. Advising a school paper is one of the most cherished experiences I will treasure in my life as an elementary school teacher.

Journalistic writing, I must confess, is never my cup of tea. But today, it could be my cup of coffee or even chocolates which are far more tastier to drink than tea for the variety of flavors that coffee and chocolates now sport.

Since the work is very technical, I naturally oriented myself by reading about publishing a school paper which I found very knowledgeable and did me a lot of intellectual good, I think. But the most wonderful about it is teaching the staff what I have learned and I just found them very receptive.

Another wonderful thing about advising a school paper is discovering the pupils ability to write. Although most of the staff members know how to write otherwise they would not qualify as staff members, making them write for publication is a different story. I just found the children very cooperative and would open themselves to a lot of suggestions, a manifestation of their interest in the school paper and whatever other things are related to journalism. I discovered the children have a passion for writing and since I wanted them to develop that passion even more I subject them t more writing optimistic and hopeful that one or two of them (if not all but that is hoping too much) become a journalist or a writer of creative articles in the future and I can modestly claim credit to it.

Spending time with the staff for editorial meetings, critiquing one another is always a great intellectual exercise that holds no barred. But what the staff finds most exciting is doing the paper’s lay-out. The children are just very creative and very innovative and they would try all kinds of lay out from the standard to the circus.

Of course, there are many difficulties I encounter every time we work on the paper including malfunctioning of the computer, being tired and hungry and not seeing one another on the same level. Then, there are some differences encountered among them to the point that becomes personal at times but when I remind them that the school paper is a showcase of the school and that they are the main movers in making the showcase and live up to the expectations of their teachers, parents and community. This makes them even more dedicated in their work and in my case, more challenged and could make me declare that advising a school paper is an honor and an added feather to my cup as a teacher._______________________Ma. Theresa ignao-CortezTeacher iiriga Central School, iriga City

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Bikol reporter 5january 20-26, 2013

in photo (L-R): Reuben S.J. Pangan, Vice President-Customer Relationship Management of Sun Cellular, Orlando B. Vea, CEO of Sun Cellular & Chief Wireless Advisor of Smart, Napoleon L. Nazareno, President and CEO of PLDT & Smart , Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman, PLDT & Smart, Esther O. Santos, President of the PLDT-SMART Foundation, and Ramon R. isberto, Head of PLDT & SMART Public Affairs.

gettiNg tHiNgS arigHtEducation being a top-drawer concern, one of the first official acts of Governor Lray Villafuerte (top photo) this year was to visit Milaor National High School in barangay San Jose, Milaor to provide assistance not only for the reconstruction of the nine classrooms razed by fire a few days previously, but also other improvements for the school and even college scholarships and financial assistance for students graduating this school year. Photo below shows beaming faculty members of the school whose cups were figuratively brimming with thanks for the governor’s immediate assistance. -gbc/dgtalMedIa

memO OF uNderStaNdiNg ON PrOJeCt NOaHAgustin iii z. Villadares ( 2nd from right), president and executive director of the Libmanan Pulantuna Planters Federation, inc., (LPPFi) shakes hands with DOST Bicol Regional Director Tomas B. Brinas after the duo signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the integration of Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) in farmers computer literacy courses being offered in LPPFi’s Agri-Extension Computer Laboratory (A-ExCEL) Centers located in Pili, Pamplona, Buhi, Pasacao, Calabanga, 2 in Libmanan, Naga City, and iriga City. Also in photo are (from left) DOST focal person for Disaster Management, Agustin Serrano, DOST CamSur Director Patricinio N. Felizmenio and Ma Francia A. Fullante of LPPFi.

UNEP Softball and Volleyballteams wow PRiSSA crowd

Determined to bring home the bacon, players of both the Volleyball and softball teams gave their best and defeated their opponent in a challeng-ing battle during the Cham-pionship round of the Private schools Athletic Association (PrIsAA) competition which took place from January 9 to 11 in Naga City.

The winning team is com-posed of Maricris Bagalacsa, Mariel Balleber, Ilyn Bolo, Beverly Borlagdatan, Crew Marie Cristine, Charmaine

Sun, Smart donate P10M to Typhoon Pablo victimsLeading telecommunica-

tions firms Sun Cellular and Smart Communications re-cently donated P10 million to the PLDT-SMART Founda-tion to help rebuild commu-nities of the Typhoon Pablo victims in Mindanao.

Apart from setting up free call stations and emergency communication measures in the typhoon-affected areas, Sun and Smart have gone further to support the MVP Group and the PLDT-SMART Foundation in raising funds for relief as well as the re-building of homes and resto-ration of livelihood sources for the typhoon victims.

“Seeing how this typhoon has devastated Mindanao, we join the rest of the nation in its ongoing support opera-tions and extend our resources to help our typhoon-hit kap-atids rise through these tough times,” Orlando B. Vea, con-current chief executive officer for Sun Cellular and chief wireless advisor for Smart said.

With the developmental planning and community res-toration efforts already un-derway, Sun and Smart also

continue to spark generosity among mobile subscribers by tapping on their existing over-the-air technologies and put-ting up a centralized text do-nation service for the benefit of these typhoon victims.

“As we aim to facilitate the coming in of more relief funds, we have also made

it easier and more seamless for our subscribers to send in their donations through text,” explained Vea. “This way, we hope to foster the bayanihan spirit and encourage more Fil-ipinos to help out their fellow-men, especially in these times of need.”

Both members of the coun-

try’s largest telecommunica-tions conglomerate, as well as the MVP Group of Compa-nies, Sun Cellular and Smart Communications continue to join forces and partner with different organizations to put up sustainable programs for disaster response and emer-gency relief.

Briones, Jennylyn Fabiano, Alma Marpuri, Glacel Oliva, Rona Riparip and Sheena Sto. Domingo – all Softball Women players.

Equally determined were Dominic Baay, John Ray Banaria, Cezar Doctolero Jr, Jake Dumaya, Gilbert Idiya, Ron-Ron Nolasco, Alexis Orendain, Arjay Rivera and Joel Ros- all volleyball- men members.

UNEP Athletic Coordinator Amihan Marifrida Peyra com-mended the athletes for the job

well done. “The UNEP Athletics De-

partment on behalf of the management extends our great acknowledgment to these teams for yet another feat they brought to the university. The long hours of training, hard work, perseverance and disci-pline all paid off, “ Peyra said in an interview.

Aside from being team play-ers and an honor to represent the university in sport’s endeavors, the players are also beneficia-ries of the scholarship program that UNEP is offering.

UNEP President Atty. Re-melisa Alfelor-Moraleda, who also extended her words of congratulations to the team, expressed her appreciation to each team player and to their mentors for bringing home the honor as a sign of their adher-ence to the university’s mis-sion.

“ UNEP endeavors to attain not just academic excellence but also developing physically fit and sports-minded individu-als. In support of this, our ath-letes are enjoying full scholar-ships from UNEP. Attached to that privilege is also a free provision of sleeping quarters, food and continuous training to ensure that their athletic skills are fully harnessed,” Moraleda added.

PRISAA in support of this also envisions to serve as a venue of sports, academic and cultural development of the Filipino youth. It also endeav-ors to create whole rounded individual who shall develop leadership, sportsmanship and competitiveness while pursu-ing cooperation and camarade-rie among other players.

The teams, including other winners during the Regional meet will compete at the Na-tional PRISAA from February 10-16 at Lingayen, Pangasi-nan.

DPWH closes Pawili Bridge to big vehicles

By ANALizA S. MACATANGAY

Pili, Camarines sur -- the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) re-gional office in Bicol has is-sued an advisory on Jan. 12 to temporarily bar big ve-hicles from using the Pawili Bridge in Barangay Pawili in this town, which is in the brink of collapse, to ensure the safety of the motorists and the riding public.

Planning engineers of the DPWH central office recom-mended closure, following assessment that the bridge is already in its critical stage and is structurally unstable for buses, cargo trucks and similar vehicles.

DPWH officials already designated alternative routes to motorists plying the Naga-Legaspi direction and vice-versa passing through the Pawili brdige.

The agency suggests the Nabua-Balatan road which is a national road and its adjoining area, the Panoypoyan, Bula area which is considered as a provincial road.

The 26-kilometer stretch, which starts from Bula town proper until the exit point at Maharlika Highway will mean a one-hour detour to motorists and commuters who have to bear the rough roads in some of the portion of the route.

Another possible route is the four-kilometer course tra-versing the Himaao-Pawili road belonging to the Pena-franacia Sugar Mill.

Punong Baragay Ariel Be-smonte of Pawili, Bula said that the said route was also used in 1996 when the said bridge was rehabilitated. This is currently not passable due to the broken spillway that con-nects the adjoining barangays of Pawili and Himaao.

Preparation of the road as alternate detour will also mean huge expenses on the part of government. The commut-ers then have no choice but pass through the only pass-able detour, which is through the Nabua-Bula alternate route until the rehabilitation phase is over.

(Turn to page 7)

Cebu Pacific announcesdirect daily flights to Dubai

the Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) an-nounced it will operate direct daily flights between Manila and Dubai, beginning Octo-ber 7, 2013. CEB will be the only Filipino carrier to fly di-rect to Dubai.

Daily flights from Manila to Dubai are scheduled to de-part at 4:40PM (Manila time), while flights from Dubai to Manila depart at 11:10PM (Dubai time). It will be the budget airline’s first long haul destination.

“CEB is proud to be the only Filipino carrier to fly di-rect to Dubai. We are glad to be of service to over 700,000 Global Filipinos who are in

UAE. Now, our kababayans in Dubai can enjoy fares that are up to 40% lower than cur-rent offerings and fly direct to Manila, a mere 9 hours away from their loved ones, via a CEB flight,” said Alex Reyes Cebu Pacific General Manag-er, Long Haul Division.

CEB is also offering over 3,000 seats to Dubai for the special fare of PHP888. This seat sale is available from Jan-uary 17 to 20, 2013, or until seats last. This seat sale is val-id for travel from October 7, 2013 until January 15, 2014.

“With CEB’s direct service to Dubai, Filipinos overseas can look forward to going home more often. Their rela-tives and friends can also visit

them in Dubai more often,” added Reyes.

Data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Ad-ministration (POEA) shows that UAE ranks second to Sau-di Arabia in terms of number of land-based new hires and rehires. In 2010, there were 201,214 land-based workers deployed to UAE.

“Dubai is the largest long-haul market to and from the Philippines. IATA PaxIS data indicate more than 70% of passengers in this route take multiple stops, and connecting flights because no home car-rier offers a non-stop service,” said Reyes.

CEB’s Manila-Dubai

Bikol reporter6 january 20-26, 2013

NAME OF DECEASED DATE OF iNTERMENTSALVADOR B. FERNANDO December 1, 20121. MALBE R. TADURAN December 2, 20122. ENRiQUE H. CADACiO December 1, 20123. AQUiLiNO DC. RiOS JR December 1, 20124. TRiNiDAD S. TALAY December 6, 20125. HOMER J. RELATiVO SR. December 8, 20126. EVELYN A. FEBRES December 11, 20127. DEMETRiO B. BROFAS JR December 9, 20128. DULCE SJ. UNDECiMO December 11, 20129. ALEX C. NERO December 11, 201210. NORMA J. PARCO December 15, 201211. ADELiNA M. CAPRiCHO December 19, 201212. WALFRiDO P. DAViD December 21, 201213. LYDiA R. SAYNO December 20, 201214. AMADO R. STA.ROSA December 24, 201215. MELiNA B. DiAz December 23, 201216. GLORiA A. SANDiCO December 27, 201217.

Republic of the PhilippinesLOCAL CiViL REGiSTRY OFFiCE

Province: Camarines SurCity/Municipality: Bato

NOTiCE FOR PUBLiCATiON

In compliance with Section No. 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that JUANCHO L. MOTA, has filed with this Office a Petition for Change of First Name from “JUAN” to “JUANCHO” in the birth certificate of JUAN MOTA who was born on November 9, 1960 at Divina Pastora, Bato, Camarines Sur, and whose parents are DADiO MOTA and LEONiLA LOzANO.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than February 3, 2013.

(Sgd.) RAMON G. TANAY Municipal Civil RegistrarBiKOL REPORTERPublished: JANUARY 20 and 27, 2013

DEED OF EXTRAJUDiCiAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WiTH WAiVER

Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the only surviving heirs of the late TEODORO C. BONiFACiO, who died intestate and without leaving any debts, at the time of his death left certain real properties with TCT No. 5934, TCT No. 7832, TCT No. 32771, all situated in Naga City; that the parties all of legal ages and with full capacity to contract agree that the described real properties be divided and adjudicated among themselves pro-indiviso; that all the parties herein, hereby affirm that they hereby execute this Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Waiver, of their own volition, without force, intimidation or violence and that they have no further claim or demand against each other; as acknowledge before Notary Public Attorney Emilia R. Queng-Bueza, Doc. No. 473, Page No. 95, Book No. III, Series of 2010.BiKOL REPORTERPublished: January 20, 27; February 3, 2013.

and full discretion over the use of Senate savings.Senate President Enrile said that those senators criticizing

him received same funds for all the senators in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Why do they call it now unconscionable and constitutiona. They can bring this matter to the court.

I hope and pray that Sen. Miriam D. Santiago will get well soon. I look at this situation in the Senate as a political maneuvering, that’s why they want inside out.

* * *The Feast of the Infant Jesus (Sto. Niño) is celebrated in

many parts of the world especially in the Philippines in the third Sunday of January. According to history, the image of the Child Jesus (Señor Sto. Niño) was given to Queen Juana of Cebu as baptismal gift of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan on 1521; that the said image is claimed to have survived a fire in Cebu in 1565. That it started a journey that placed the Child Jesus at the heart of every Cebuano, according to the “News and Views” from the Archdiocese of Caceres.

The devotion to Señor Sto. Niño grew throughout our nation and it is celebrated in almost every city. The people of Naga City celebrates it with much joy and love for the Child Jesus.

I am a devotee of Sto. Niño. I had been attending the monthly prayer and healing sessions in the Sto. Niño chapel at Magsaysay Avenue since 1986 and have seen the effect of the gift of healing given by Sto. Niño to His healers - Matet, Chito, Edna and Wimpy. We, devotees there, have seen people stand in front of the altar and make oral testimonies in tears and gratitude for the healing of their serious ailments. I have written in this newspaper some testimonies made in writing. No matter what unbelievers say, we, devotees of Sto. Niño at Magsaysay Avenue believe what we received and what we see.

On the feast of Señor Sto. Niño, “Viva Jesus! Viva El Señor Sto. Niño!”

from my window . . .

or let loose a big-name comedian and you have a top grosser. Producing movies is one industry which turns impoverished young people into millionaires overnight.

One with a beautiful face but with ordinary acting talent is a candidate for great wealth. Those with plain face but are extra good in deceiving people will flourish in politics. There is gold mine in either profession. Nothing, however, can beat movies with blood and gore.

Without actual fire fight between law enforcers and armed robbers, between two groups of lawmen fighting for turf, movies won’t sell. But inject a bloody skirmish, put severed heads there, paint the streets with human blood and you have big money in your hands.

The Nora Aunor movie about a Muslim girl filmed on location in Tawi Tawi which earned international recognition for her and her director did not rate at the Manila filmfest. Nilangaw. Very few went to see the movie.

Some of the movies and telenovelas are said to be culled from actual incidents but with variations. The variations are done to inject high drama and pathos.

Reality is more stranger than fiction, it is said. The Atimonan incident is an example. It is hard to believe that l3 will die in a gunbattle at a police checkpoint believe to be very safe for travelers.

The Atimonan police described it as a shootout, a skirmish. Initial NBI inquiry showed a different story.

Nobody yet has thought of making a movie based on the incident. But who knows a producer with an eye on the big money will rush to Atimonan to shoot the movie on location.

It is not good to make money out of the tragedy of other people. But in this country, nobody is assailed by conscience for bringing back to life a story about the misfortune of others whether in the movie or telenovela.

We have many sadistic people They inflict pain with their harmful brand of entertainment on others who have lost loved ones just to earn millions.

One reason is that stories with high drama are easy to create.

a question of . . .

the temporary irrigation dam made out of sandbags, which was constructed by Calalahan farmers in one of the creeks in barangay Calawit. He said that whenever floods or ty-phoons pass, the structure is destroyed and farmers have to start all over again.

The MPDO said that the new dam that is now being constructed could impound more water for irrigation and could withstand the onslaught of floods.

Olalia added that more projects of this kind are being lined-up by Mayor Chavez in his desire to boost his food production program and af-ford San Jose farmers to enjoy the fruits of their hard work.

The small water impound-ing project now being built as well as the canals are made of strong permanent structures for the benefit of the con-cerned farmers, he said.

p1.5m san jose . . .

plain housewife for the longest time. At times, Lolo was paid to tell stories of his escapades or sing old verses like La Traviata to farmers. At other times, because he was a strong and fierce man, he became the companion of an alleged land grabber in Campo 6. When life for the family got more and more difficult, my Lola helped by hand-weaving banig which my Lolo peddled when he was not in the farm.

My grandparents were incapable of sustaining their children’s education. Lolo’s old age and Lola’s lack of literacy contributed to this incapability. Hence, their children had to depend on their own means for education. Most, however, dropped out as soon as they reached high school. With this sense of resignation, some married early and ended up depending on their husbands while others worked as house helpers in Naga and still others tried their luck outside Bicol. My mother, on the other hand pursued her dream. To do this, she had to be at the top of her class from elementary to college to maintain the scholarship.

Given my mother’s achievements in school, Lolo’s disposition was inclined to discourage my aunts from pursuing their studies and instead work so as to help Mama’s studies. Obviously, Lolo played favorites and heavily favored my mother. Lolo was the father who spoke to Rosita Spanish and Latin, spared her from doing household chores, and sang old verses as she slept. And even when my mother was already married, Lolo took care of her when she got seriously ill until she recuperated. Before Lolo died, he was somehow happy and fulfilled knowing that her favorite daughter finished college education (the only one among his children), even became a school principal in Tamban, Tinambac. When he died, his favorite daughter bathed him, arranged flowers at his funeral, and put a rosary in his hands.

Lolo was the typical macho and domineering husband, so I can understand why my mother and aunts talked little of Lola: She kept herself at Lolo’s background. Lola’s being so much younger than him and being plain housewife pronounced further my Lolo’s authority. But my kind and patient Lola had her ways when it was time to express herself. Once, she tried to leave Lolo after a major argument. She intended to go back to Pili but she unknowingly rode the Cuadlalader Gibson train carrying tablon going to

masters of consequence . . . Tandoc, Siruma. Lolo came after her and brought her back home. Despite my Lolo’s shortcomings as her husband and father to her children, she was faithful to him. She loved him.

When Lolo died, Lola stayed in the house of one daughter to another. She even stayed at our house for some time and had the chance of taking care of me as an infant. But when our family grew little by little and life for us got harder, Lola had to be in the care of Aunt Estelita who is childless.

My memory of Lola is limited to her weekend visit to our home and, when she was already bedridden, our occasional visit to her at Aunt Estelita’s. In our last visit to her one day after Christmas in 2010, Mama, Papa and I brought her spaghetti and burger from Jollibee. I remember that I even assisted her to eat. That was my last act of kindness to Lola when she was still alive. At her funeral and burial, my aunts were not very emotional. Even Diego’s daughters never expressed any hatred towards her for maybe not honestly telling them a part of their identities and preferring to keep the secret till they were too old to feel pain. They did not feel any of these for, practically, they were Lolo’s daughters. Devoid of material expectations, they felt loved by my grandparents. That love, no matter how imperfect it was, was enough for them.

My grandparents lacked formal education. They did not make notable name for themselves, gain wealth or leave any extraordinary legacies to their communities. Their hardwork did not suffice to provide my aunts and mother a comfortable life. They were not perfect couple, nor were they perfect parents. But they were good people, especially if seen today against the backdrop of grandiose lifestyle and worldly pursuits. Most importantly, they loved truly.

* * * * * * *[The title is inspired by the Antoine de Saint Exupery’s children’s

book, The Little Prince. For your comments or suggestions, please email me at sonny.virtus@gmail.com.]

PNoy declares Jan. 23 as ‘Araw ng Republikang

Filipino, 1899’President Benigno s. Aquino III has declared Janu-

ary 23 of every year as “Araw ng Republikang Fili-pino, 1899” to commemorate the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic, Executive Secretary Paqui-to n. Ochoa Jr. announced on Friday.

Ochoa said Proclamation No. 533, which the President signed on January 9, aims to promote awareness, espe-cially among the youth, on the significance of this chapter in Philippine history that marked the culmination of the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule.

“The Malolos Constitution was promulgated on Janu-ary 21, 1899 and two days later, on January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic, also known as the Malolos Re-public, was inaugurated at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan. This made the Philippines the first independent republic in Asia—a significant milestone we should all take pride in,” Ochoa said.

Malacanang had earlier issued a related issuance, Proclamation No. 523, declaring January 23 this year a special non-working holiday in Bulacan.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines endorsed the issuance of this directive on the request of Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad.

the world are facing criminal charges, ranging from immigration-related cases, murder, theft, to drug trafficking.

In China alone, 78 Filipinos are reported to have been convicted for drug trafficking and are awaiting death sentences.

The young legislator, who is the vice chairman of the House labor and employment committee, noted that a measly P60 mil-lion was appropriated this year for the legal assistance fund (LAF) that could be used by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to bail out OFWs who are in conflict with the law in at least 68 host countries.

“I cannot imagine the fact that our OFWs whom we refer to as the ‘modern-day heroes’ are getting less out of their contribution to our country,” Ejercito Estrada said in exasperation.

“If not for the remittances of these hardworking OFWs, our economy could have been in the red. And, yet, the present gov-ernment seems lukewarm in attending to their needs, especially in terms of providing legal assistance to those who are locked in legal battle in their respective host countries,” he stressed.

Under Republic Act (RA) 10022 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, the government is under obligation to allot P100 million for legal services to migrant workers and overseas Filipinos in distress. The allocation is coursed through the DFA, which is mandated to provide legal assistance to OFWs.

Of the amount, P50 million would come from the Contingency Fund of the President, P30 million from the Contingency Fund of the President Social Fund, and P20 million from the Welfare Fund for Overseas Workers. An additional P30 million is taken from the General Appropriations Act.

Records from the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) showed that OFWs have paid more than P1 billion in membership contribution, as every outbound worker is required to pay $25 for their protection.

For the whole of 2012, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) projected that OFW remittances would reach $24 billion, 19.4 per-cent higher than the level registered a year ago. These remittances fuel consumption spending which is considered the backbone of Philippine economy.

jv urges pnoy to allot . . .

Bikol reporter 7january 20-26, 2013

W h a t a r e c a m p u s journal is ts? How about ethics? Are they connected to social media? How can campus journalists champion, promote and still implement ethics in social media? Let’s find out.

Campus journalists are composed of pupils in a certain campus in which their field of specialties is journalism. They have their roles, duties and responsibilities to accomplish and to be performed. They have also goals to be achieved. They are mainly composed of pupils who love reading and writing and are aware of the different happenings in the society. They are writers, reporters, contributors and cartoonists that write articles, stories and news to publish a publication. They have skills that are essentials to product publications.

While ethics is knowing what is good and what is bad. It is choosing between the right and wrong. So ethics is very important to social media so that people will give trust on them.

Before, campus journalists u s e o n l y p a p e r s . B u t nowadays, aside from papers, they use modern technologies. At very young ages, campus journal ists are eager to perform their tasks. They can already connect to the society. Through their write-ups, articles and news, they undergo certain processes. These processes include writing process, editing, next printing and lastly publishing.

As the world continues to evolve, modern technology also grows. Technology is science in action. The app l i ca t ion o f sc ience processes. The newest and latest inventions, discoveries a n d i n n o v a t i o n s . F o r example, just one touch, you can explore and see what’s going on using a touch screen phone. Every now and then, new gadgets, devices and tools are introduced to the market. Some of these are the following: computers, laptops, refrigerators, LCD television,

Campus Journalists: Championing Ethics in Social MediaBy ALYSSA MARiE T. BORJA

Tambang Central School, Tinambac North District

i-pod, digital camera and cellular phones. They have different sizes and features that are useful and affordable. These help us in variety of ways. They help to make and perform our activities easier, faster and much comfortable. So people can immediately give attention and precautionary actions on a certain situation.

O u r w o r l d i s n o w mode rn i zed and h igh -tech. Even young children already know how to use high technology gadgets effectively and they really enjoy manipulating them. Amazing!

Technology is important in social media. Social media is the use of technology to gather and spread information to people such as the social networking sites. Campus j o u r n a l i s t s k n o w t h e importance of social media in producing publication.

In my young age , I learned one sad story about a journalist that wanted to take advantage than others. He give information even he knew that it was wrong. He showed people wrong details. That’s why people were confused and questions float in their minds. So in this kind of situation campus journalists cannot instill and implement ethics in social media.

Campus journalists can regain and bring back ethics in social media. Even in their simple ways, they can contribute a lot. This can be achieved by means of writing articles that are factual and only states what really happened, what is real thing. Another is by reporting the advantages and the details of a news story in the most

honest and truthful ways when they expose it in social media.

C a m p u s j o u r n a l i s t s should develop love of work, dedication and camaraderie. They should enrich their knowledge about the good results or effects when they give information and ideas that are trued to their knowledge. They should always state every t ime that campus journalists post articles in the social media with respect to ethics. They should maintain information with a clear mind full of wisdom, for what is the best for the sake of people and to whoever that can read their articles. They must put in their minds and hearts that journalism is the priority of their work. As campus journalists, they should love their chosen field, understand its goal and objectives, accept wholeheartedly the task assigned to them and give their best to serve people and the student body especially when it comes to social media.

C a m p u s j o u r n a l i s t s should always remember self-discipline, cooperation and trust to oneself must not only have skil ls and talents, endeavours good things but also have ethics in themselves. It should start within them so that they can apply it in their work.

This year ’s theme for the Press Conference gave us ideas and reminda us to be responsible campus journalists with ethics. They should put in their minds and hearts that ethics plays important role in journalism.

So, if a campus journalist goes hand in hand with ethics very sure we will champion social media.

“Our city ranks fifth as fast-rising city in the Philippines in terms of infrastructure and busi-ness development and in peace and order situation based on an Asian Institute of Management (AIM) study,” Mayor Geraldine Rosal said.

A recent study made by AIM disclosed that Legazpi will be the next hub after Davao and Cebu in terms of infrastructure development, business growth, and notable peace and order condition.

The development of Legazpi is expected to accelerate fur-ther because the city govern-ment, under the Private-Public Partnership (PPP), will put up a P300-billion reclamation project within coastal Puro-Dapdap area here, she said.

Rosal said the city govern-ment is fast-tracking the P500-million Legazpi City Urban Drainage Project known as the pumping stations at Tibu and Baybay rivers to resolve the pe-rennial flooding problem during rainy seasons.

The city government is also anticipating the operation of the Southern Luzon International Airport two years from now where new developments are being done in the seaside coast up to the road network that con-

legazpi as country’s . . .nects to the proposed airport in Barangay Alobo in neighboring Daraga town.

“We will also build man-made amenities like water sports in Barangay Puro where our new development is located to cater to the increasing demands of vis-iting tourists and in preparation for the operation of the interna-tional airport,” Rosal said.

The Regional Development Council (RDC) headed by Sal-ceda aimed to turn Bicol as the country’s most livable region in 2020.

Aside from fast rapid devel-opment, Legazpi has been the hub of big convention events.

Last year, the city govern-ment hosted at least 12 big national convention activities where 16,000 people throughout the Philippines and other coun-tries converged.

The series of national conven-tion events in this city brought about higher economic growth, increase in the number of tour-ist arrivals and created new jobs with the opening of several ho-tels here.

Currently, there are 1,000 rooms available in the city but, Rosal said, there is a need for at least 500 additional rooms to be more competitive for big con-ventions in the future.

and Human Resource Divi-sions (HRD), BJMP Regional Office.

Jail Chief Inspector Alberto Toledo Jr was relieved from the Regional Office V but was reassigned as OIC at Albay

Bjmp reshuffles jail . . .BJMP. He is also the concur-rent OIC of Legazpi Jail. Jail Sr. Insp. Danilo Boarao was also designated as OIC of the Program Development and Community Relations Service (CRS) Division at BJMP Re-gional Office V.

The reshuffle, according to Plopinio, is being done by their bureau in line with their exist-ing policy, especially for per-sonnel who have already spent 2 years in the service. This is also to avoid familiarity be-tween the inmates and the jail officers.

flights will be operated on the Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a configuration of more than 400 all-economy class seats. Guests can also enjoy WiFi connectivity inflight.

CEB previously announced that it will lease up to 8 Airbus A330-300 aircraft for its long haul operations. The airline will take delivery of 2 Airbus A330 aircraft this year, and an addition-al 2 in 2014. The Airbus A330 has a range of up to 11 hours which means CEB could serve markets such as Australia, Middle East, parts of Europe and the US.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 23 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. Its fleet of 41 aircraft is the one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2013 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 19 more Airbus A320 and 30 Air-bus A321neo aircraft orders.

CEB operates the most exten-sive network in the Philippines with 32 domestic destinations and hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, Iloi-lo, Kalibo and Davao. It offers 21 international destinations, namely Bangkok, Bali, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Dubai, Guangzhou, Ha-noi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Sin-gapore, Taipei and Xiamen.

ceBu pacific . . .

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P1.5m San Jose irrigation project now ongoing

BIKOL REPORTER

REgIOnaL ExPOnEnT fOR PROgREss

outstanding local newspaperfor five consecutive years by the st. peter

Baptist catholic mass media awards

8 january 20-26, 2013

Photos above shows the rehabilitation/improvement of the Calalahan irrigation Dam and canal situated at the adjacent barangay of Calawit. The first photo above shows the temporary “sandbag dam” put up by Calalahan farmers and the last picture show the permanent structures of the small water impounding project now being constructed by the local government of San Jose, headed by Mayor Antonio B. Chavez.

sAn JOse, Camsur – the local government unit (lgU) of this town under the leadership of Mayor Antonio B. Chavez (Mayor ABC to his con-stituents), has started the construction of an irriga-tion dam at Barangay Ca-lawit that is designed to ir-rigate some 40 hectares of farmlands in the adjacent barangay of Calalahan.

According to Alex Olalia, municipal planning and de-velopment officer (MPDO),

the project has an appropria-tion of P1.5 million which was secured by Chavez from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).

Construction of the ir-rigation project is being un-dertaken by the A.B. Opeña Builders, the winner in the public bidding held recently, according to the municipal engineer who is supervising the project.

Olalia said the project is a rehabilitation-improvement of

BEFORE

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