MICA (P) 199/01/2011
Vol. 1, No. 6 Free Copy
A DH Now, But Not Forever STORIES OF SECOND CHANCES AND NEW BEGINNINGS
Congress Reports: Cayetano to Palace: Strengthen OFW Welfare
Usapang Legal : Getting Another Chance At Marriage
To Cope is to Hope: Never Give Up
Transcript of State of the Nation ADDRESS (SONA) 2011 of President Benigno S. Aquino III
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I
Publisher’s Note
t was not an easy first half. And now we are on track for the remaining second half of the year. What an experience it had been. Both humbling and challenging. And with the grace of our Lord guiding us to achieve our crystal clear purpose coupled with burning passion and determination, we could now see the light brightly shining than ever before. As of today and after only six months in operation, we are happy and proud to share with you that BAGONG BAYANI is the FIRST and the ONLY publication for the Filipino community in Singapore that has an e-magazine feature in our website, so as to make it available for you to view the magazines, current and past issues, at the comfort of your homes, offices and even thru your smart phones And the magazine is FREE, as usual. This is a very important achievement for us as we continue with our commitment to serve you better. Maraming salamat po sa inyong suporta, panalangin at pananalig sa aming kakayanan na maitaguyod ang magasin na sadyang ginawa po namin para sa inyo. For this issue, we are humbled to talk about the success stories of our fellow OFWs who had been given a second chance. A chance of a lifetime, I must say. A chance to overcome what makes them members of the so-called marginalized sector of overseas workers. This is a great leap forward not only in upgrading themselves but also to make them financially independent in the near future. I was so touched and could not contain my tears seeing one ''Ate'' after another walked down and finally receive her Basic Entrepreneurship and Financial Education certificate from the stage of world renowned National University of Singapore (NUS). Simply inspiring and a sight to behold. I am proud of what they have accomplished. I am impressed by their determination. This is an achievement that every Filipino in Singapore should know. And thus, I am honored that they are in the cover of BAGONG BAYANI magazine, where they rightfully belong. So, when life presents an opportunity or a chance to make yourself better, you cannot think your way out of a box. You've got to act! And I would like to quote excerpts of President Benigno Aquino III 2nd Speech of the Nation Address (SONA) which was delivered at the Session hall of the House of Representatives and hopefully it will make us think positive and bring back trust and confidence about ourselves and faith in our government officials: ''Sa lahat ng mga kasama natin sa tuwid na daan: kayo ang lumikha ng pagkakataong baguhin ang dinatnan, at gawing mas maganda ang ipapamana natin sa susunod
na salinlahi ng mga Pilipino. Kayo pong mga tsuper na pumapasada pa rin; kayong mga guro at estudyanteng pauwi pa lang mula sa klase; kayong patuloy ang paglikha ng mga obrang nagpapaalab sa apoy ng ating pagka-Pilipino; kayong mga pulis, sundalo, kaminero, at bumbero; kayong mga marangal na magtrabaho, sa Pilipinas man, sa gitnang dagat, o sa ibang bansa; kayong mga tapat na kasama natin sa gobyerno, anumang probinsya o partido; kayong mga Pilipinong nakikinig sa akin ngayon—kayo po ang lumikha ng pagkakataong ito'' “Lumikha po kayo ng gobyernong tunay na nagtatrabaho para sa inyo. May limang taon pa tayo para siguruhing hindi na tayo babalik sa dating kalagayan. Hindi tayo magpapadiskaril ngayong napakaganda na ng resulta ng ating sinimulan'' ''Kapag may nakita tayong butas sa sistema, huwag na po tayo magtangkang lumusot. Huwag na nating daanin sa pakiusap ang madadaan sa pagsisikap. Tama na ang unahan, tama na ang tulakan, tama na ang lamangan, dahil lahat naman po tayo ay makakarating sa minimithi nating kinabukasan''. ''Tapusin na po natin ang kultura ng negatibismo; iangat natin ang kapwa-Pilipino sa bawat pagkakataon. Bakit po ang iba, ang hilig maghanap ng kung anu-anong pangit sa ating bayan? At napakahirap—parang kasalanan—na magsabi ng maganda? Naalala pa po ba natin noong huling beses tayong pumuri sa kapwa Pilipino?'' ''Itigil na po natin ang paghihilahan pababa. Ang dating industriya ng pintasan na hindi natin maitakwil, iwaksi na po natin. Tuldukan na po natin ang pagiging utak-alimango; puwede bang iangat naman natin ang magaganda nating nagawa?'' ''Kaya po, sa sambayanang Pilipino, ang aking Boss na nagtimon sa atin tungo sa araw na ito: maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagbabagong tinatamasa natin ngayon.'' Simple yet straightforward. In our humble way, let us do our share and move forward and bring out the best in everyone. Let us be proud of ourselves and of our beloved country. As what Mahatma Gandhi once said and I quote, “We must be the change we want to see in the world”. God bless us all, God bless the Philippines and Mabuhay po tayong lahat!
contents
8 One Gloomy Afternoon EDITORIAL BOARD
19
Travel: The Climb of My Life
23 Cover Story: A DH Now, But Not Forever
32
Glamour Queen
Publisher MARYJANE SALOMON (Singapore) Editorial Consultants DEtCh P. NONAN-MERCADO (Singapore) SANkiE SiMbuLAN (Philippines) tALA MARALit (Philippines) OMAR SiERvO (uk) Associate Editor DR. MARiLYN D. SuRiO (Philippines) Columnists CRiStY viCENtiNA (Singapore) AttY. hAzEL RiguERA (Philippines) PAMSY L. tiOSECO (Philippines) DR. MARigLO viCENtE CAMERO (Philippines) Contributors PAMELA WiLDhEARt PiLAPiL (Singapore) ANNE LuiSA viLLARiCO (Singapore) LuCAS bANzON MADAMbA ii (Philippines) ESPERANzA gARCiA (uS) MAE DiN vELDhOEN (Singapore) CgD (Singapore) JESSiE PASiA (Singapore) Art Director LANCE SiSON of Ars Nova Designs (Singapore) Marketing Consultant CESA FRAMiL (Singapore)
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Friends of Bagong Bayani
38
Bagong Bayani Kids
40
State Of the Nation Address 4 Bagong Bayani APRIL 2011
Circulation Manager ANDEE bARCO (Singapore) Photographers JO bENNEtt (Singapore) PiNOYgRAPhERS (Singapore) ERiC PARRENO (Singapore)
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MiCA (P) 199/01/2011 Printing by: SuN RiSE PRiNtiNg & SuPPLiES PtE LtD
feature
4JULY TH
OF
Philippine-American Friendship Day and its Vital Significance to Philippines - United States Diplomatic Relations
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Lucas Banzon Madamba II
ach country has its bilateral friendly relations with another country or with other countries through diplomatic friendship and this terms of diplomacy are bounded by the United Nations. Friendship is a personal relationship that is generated in a concern on the part of each friend for the welfare of the other. Diplomacy is the art or practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states. It usually refers to international diplomacy, the conduct of international relations through the intercession of professional diplomats with regard to issues of peacemaking, trade, war prevention, economics, culture, environment, and human rights and usually for the benefit of welfare of humanity and community. The 4th of July is a significant chapter not only in the history of the Philippines but also in the history of a close ally of the Philippines which is the United States of America since the 4th of July (aside from commemorating Philippine-American Friendship Day) is also the Independence Day of the United States of America which is a federal holiday in the entire United States of America. The United States Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that
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the 13 American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, were now independent states and, thus, were no longer part of the British Empire. U.S. Independence was drafted by President Thomas Jefferson (1st U.S. Secretary of State, 2nd U.S. Vice President, 3rd U.S. President). Philippine-American Friendship Day (July 4) is a day in the Philippines designated by President Diosdado Macapagal (5th President of the 3rd Philippine Republic and the 9th President overall) to commemorate the liberation of the country by joint Filipino and American forces from the Japanese occupation during World War II. The Philippines was a U.S. territory from 1898 to 1946. Between 1941 and 1946, during the Japanese Occupation in World War II, it remained a U.S. territory with an administration in exile headed by Manuel Quezon (1st President of the Commonwealth and 2nd President overall) initially located in Australia and later in the United States. A campaign to retake the country began in October 1944, when Five Star General (or General of the Army) Douglas McArthur (Commander of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East or USAFFE) landed in Leyte along with President Sergio Osme単a
feature (2nd President of the Commonwealth and 3rd President overall) who had assumed the Philippine presidency after Quezon’s death. The battles entailed long fierce fighting; some of the Japanese continued to fight until the official surrender of the Empire of Japan on September 2, 1945 on the USS Missouri. The country gained complete independence on July 4, 1946. Initially, the nation’s Independence Day holiday (Araw ng Kalayaan) was held on July 4. Former President Diosdado Macapagal (through Republic Act 4166) moved it to June 12, the date on which the Malolos Republic had declared independence from Spain in 1898 and declared July 4 as Philippine-American Friendship Day. Filipino-American Friendship Day was created in its place, and it coincides with the Independence Day of the United States on July 4. The Philippines and United States have strong ties that have lasted through the years since time immemorial of their diplomatic friendship (even if the U.S. Bases in the Philippines were, at first, concluded before in 1992). There are several factors which account for the close ties between the Philippines and the United States: 1. Through the Mutual Defense Treaty (signed August 30, 1951 in Washington DC) which contains 8 articles which stated that both nations would support each other if either the Philippines or the United States will be attacked by an external party; 2. U.S. and Philippine negotiators had the Visiting Forces Agreement in February, 1998 which paved the way for increased military cooperation under the Mutual Defense Treaty. Under the VFA, the U.S. has conducted ship visits to Philippine ports and has resumed large military exercises with Philippine forces; 3. The annual Balikatan (Shoulder to Shoulder) bilateral military exercises contribute to the Philippine Armed Forces’efforts to loot out the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah Terrorists and bring development to former terrorist-plaqued areas; 4. The United States works closely with the Philippines to reduce poverty and stimulate prosperity through the close working relationship between the Philippine Government, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a U.S. government agency which provides economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide. The U.S. fully supports the Philippines’ efforts to root out corruption, to open economic opportunities, and to invest in health and educational programs as well as trade and investment, tax collection, rule of law, environmental protection, rural electrification, provision of basic services, focus on conflict resolution, livelihood enhancement for former combatants, and economic development in Mindanao and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) among the poorest areas in the country as well as providing foreign aid through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (in 2006) which granted economic aid to the Philippines to address corruption in
revenue administration; 5. Since nearly 400,000 Americans visit the Philippines each year, the Philippines provides government services (such as veteran’s affairs, social security and consular operations) to the U.S. and other citizens who also constitute a vital component of the bilateral friendship and 6. When the United States was attacked by Al-Qaeda forces (under Osama Bin Laden) in September 11, 2001 which brought down the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a part of the Pentagon in the Washington DC-Virginia area and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the Philippines gave its all-out support to the United States in the fight against terrorism. At present, both the Philippines and the United States maintain their close bilateral diplomatic relations with both countries providing support for each other through the Mutual Defense Treaty as well as through other means pertinent to their close bilateral ties. Currently, the matter concerning the hotly contested Spratly Islands has been a major national and international concern. In reality, the Philippines has rightful ownership of the Spratlys under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (under International Law) which states that a country has exclusive rights and exclusive economic zone extending 200 (nautical) miles from its continental shelf. Reed (Recto Bank) which has been the subject in consideration, is located 80 (nautical) miles off Palawan, which is the closest in contention. The closest that China (has) is 576 (nautical) miles. Therefore, the Philippines has rightful ownership of the Spratlys. The United States (through U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham-Clinton and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas, Jr under U.S. President Barack Obama) has expressed military assistance to the Philippines in case of armed confrontation through the Mutual Defense Treaty. The Philippines continues to provide its service of hospitality to Americans in the Philippines and to Americans coming to the Philippines as well as continues to support the United States in the fight against terrorism. The United States (which considers the Philippines as a major nonNATO ally) continues to give economic and military assistance to the Philippines. The Philippines and the United States have strong and long lasting friendship, have shared historical experiences and congruent national interests focused on reinforcing security and progress in the Asia Pacific region as well as in the International Community. Filipinos and Americans have stood on the same side in the cause of freedom. This proves the fact that both countries continue to have strong bilateral diplomatic relations that will endure forever.
JULY 2011 Bagong Bayani 7
opinion feature
One Gloomy Afternoon By Jessie Pasia
It was a gloomy weekend, I recall.
punching the digits.
While waiting for my friend at the Toa Payoh bus interchange, an old humpback woman about the age of 80 approached me. She was carrying a big white plastic bag and politely asked me if I had a hand phone surprisingly in fluent English. (Here in Singapore, since they are a former British colony, Singaporeans speak with a British accent. Imagine a Chinese speaking English with a British accent, it’s not that easy to catch the words and understand especially for a newcomer in Singapore like me.)
I waited for a ring before I handed the phone to the old woman. She talked in plain mandarin apparently informing someone on the other end that she’s at the terminal and giving her estimated time of arrival.
She knew that I'm a foreigner. I paused for a second or two thinking 'what the very old woman would do with my cellphone'. "Do you have a cellphone? mobile phone?" the woman politely repeated, replacing 'handphone' with a 'cellphone' and 'mobile phone'. She knew that most Asian foreigners don't use the word 'handphone'. "Yes Ma'am" I replied. "Can I borrow it? I just want to make a call" she said. "Sure Ma'am." I quickly replied while pulling my mobile phone from my pocket.
She handed me back my mobile phone in less than a minute thanking me. She then told me that she tried to borrow phone from several persons, but all of them declined. She was very glad that I was kind enough to lend her my phone. She bid goodbye and was about to leave when I quickly said, "Ma'am, can I help you with that?" pointing at the white plastic bag and about to grab. She declined reasoning that it wasn’t that heavy. “From where are you, son?" she asked. "From the Philippines Ma'am. I'm a Filipino." I proudly said. She smiled widely, then turned around and continued walking. My eyes followed her until she boarded her bus when someone tapped my back. It was my friend. “Let’s go.” she said.
"Do you have the number Ma'am?" I asked. I was expecting that she would give me a piece of paper that has a number on it but instead she began dictating the numbers. I was stunned so I missed the first two numbers. I asked for it again and began
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While inside the bus heading to our destination, we talked about one thing: How painful it is for an OFW to feel ashamed lifting his head in front of locals and other foreigners because something
went terribly wrong in the Philippines. How sad it is that you’re frightened at the thought that someone might point a finger at your face and you can’t even utter a word to defend yourself. We both heard the news, and we’re both affected but I assured her that one simple act of kindness can make her feel better. It was Saturday, August 28, 2010, 5 days after Rolando Mendoza screwed all the Filipinos around the globe. ––– I’m not like one of those Pacquiao fans screaming how proud they are as a Filipino every time we dominate the boxing ring. No matter how lazy these fans are, they are still ‘proud to be Filipino’. I know I can do something great that I can be proud of without borrowing from an individual’s struggle. Manny’s victory is not my achievement. It’s not a collective effort. But why it is so ironic that one Filipino stupidity seems to be a collective fault that Filipinos around the world must suffer from guilt and persecution? Leaving our country and family is a great deal of sacrifice but sometimes someone will rub salt into our bleeding hearts and we must do something to heal it and make ourselves feel better. A simple lending of a mobile phone will do. Jessie Pasia is a computer engineer, web designer, blogger, multimedia artist, based in Singapore.
congress reports
CONGRESS REPORTS by Pamsy L. Tioseco
Cayetano to Palace: Strengthen OFW welfare Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano urged the government to strengthen the country’s support for the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in light of the series of crises currently being faced by our countrymen abroad. The senator called on the government to exert all diplomatic means to appeal to Saudi Arabia to at least institute a transition phase in the course of enforcing the host country’s new ‘Saudization’ policy. “If we can send high level emissaries to other countries, like we did in China, then we should also initiate high-level talks between our government and Saudi Arabia to lobby for our 1.2M workers there,” he said. He also suggested that in order to prepare for the return of the displaced OFWs, the Aquino administration must look into providing jobs for them - a task that has not been realized in any of the past administrations. “We have insufficient programs in the country that provide training for the OFWs or teach them how to put up small to medium-scale businesses. So we end up with many OFWs saving up abroad only to come back to the country to go into common options like starting up a sari-sari store, driving jeepneys or tricycles, etc. When these go bust, they end up going abroad again. It’s a vicious cycle,” he explained.
In this light, Cayetano also called for a higher budget for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other agencies that deal with the welfare of OFWs. He pointed out that while numerous crises have been plaguing our OFWs since last year, the budget for them has been pared down from P228 million to P136 million. This budget, he says, is crucial especially in helping out OFWs who are embroiled in legal battles abroad. “There are some countries, including Saudi Arabia, where in some OFWs face criminal allegations and the budget for legal assistance allotted to them are insufficient. As a result, they cannot get lawyers in these countries to protect them,” he said. The minority leader expressed his desire to see these suggestions applied in the next budget proposals to be presented later this year. “I hope in the next budget, we will see a draft in support of our OFWs, as well as employment programs, so that when they come home, they can be sure that there will be jobs available to them,” he said.
Villar Files Bill Granting Special Leave For OFW Spouses Sen. Manny Villar filed a bill that will grant special leave credits to spouses of overseas Filipino workers. Senate Bill 2588 seeks to allow all legitimate spouses who are employees in the private and public sector to avail of an additional 15-day special leave credit yearly with full pay. This leave credit may be used to attend to the needs of the OFW’s family. “Families of OFWs suffer the loneliness of being apart from their loved ones while the OFW endures the pain of solitude and
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isolation in distant lands just to give their families a decent living,” Villar, founder of the Sagip OFW Helpline, said. “This leave credit can be a means for them to reconnect and enjoy the many things they are blessed with as a family,” he added. In the latest statistics of the National Statistics Coordination Board, it is estimated that the country has 10.786 million migrant workers, both documented and undocumented.
congress reports Under the bill, employees availing of this leave privilege are required to submit to their employer the name of spouse, copy of their marriage contract, information as to the nature and place of work of the OFW and a copy of the OFW’s passport. The proposal was first filed by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. in the 14th Congress. Villar filed this bill again in the hope that this will be passed in the new Congress. “Granting the spouses of our OFWs this leave credit is a small way of giving back to the overseas workers who helped our domestic economy to grow by 7.3 percent in the first quarter of 2010 alone,” Villar said. The overseas worker refers to a person who is engaged in a remunerated activity in a state of which he or she is not a legal resident. Not allowed to avail of this leave are those who are absent from work without official leave; those who are on vacation, sick, forced or study leave, or those who have already availed of other forms of leave allowed by law; and those whose services are necessary to prevent loss of life or damage to property, brought about by serious accidents, fires, floods, typhoons, earthquake, epidemic or other disasters.
The bill also seeks to give income tax deduction from the employer’s gross income for each taxable year, based on the actual cost paid by the private establishment in granting this leave to its qualified employees. Once enacted into law, any employer found violating this act will be punished with a fine not exceeding P25,000 or imprisonment of 30 days to six months.
Angara Pushes for OFW Security hardship while working abroad. We should be actively involved in creating a safe work environment for them.” Angara, vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said it was the least that the country could do to demonstrate appreciation for OFW’s invaluable contribution to the economy. The Philippines continues to have one of the highest foreign remittance inflows. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), OFW remittances were up by 6 percent to $6.2 billion during the first four months of 2011. Chicago, Illinois - Senator Edgardo J. Angara renewed calls for the protection of the rights of overseas Filipino workers, following recent reports that a 24-year-old Filipina was physically abused by her Kuwaiti employer. The woman called “Cristy”, not her real name, said she endured weeks of beatings and starvation because she needed to provide for her children here in the Philippines. “The top priorities of our OFW’s are food, shelter and quality education for their children--in that order. Hence, there has to be a stronger and more aggressive promotion and protection of not just their interests, but also their dependents’,” said Angara, who is on an official mission to the United States as part of the Department of Tourism road show. He added, “It is not enough to effectively rescue OFW’s when they encounter grave
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Data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) also indicate a rise in demand for Filipino manpower. Angara warned that growing deployment abroad should be met with increased security for Filipino workers, as well as the creation of more opportunities for them in the country. “We should also encourage them to invest at home by providing them enough opportunities to infuse money into their home communities,” said Angara. “This will not only improve local trade and drive the national economy, but also distribute wealth evenly among rural areas through the businesses created with OFW investment.” The Philippine Embassy is currently providing legal assistance to Cristy. She is staying at the Filipino Workers Resource Center.
psyche me up
To Cope Is To Hope:
Never
Give Up
Dr. Mariglo Vicente Camero, RGC, CCI, DAAETS
H
ope springs eternal, and so they say. In fact, the dire need to hope for the best and nothing but the best outcome in every endeavor is closely intertwined with our coping mechanisms that enable us to keep our focus on what lies ahead while traversing the very road that leads to it. This is very true when one is working abroad. It takes a lot of guts and courage to do what is beyond measure and gain what has been the goal from the very onset – to earn more at a shorter time for ourselves and for our loved ones. But it is not all that. To conquer that feeling of emptiness and loneliness can spell the big difference between going abroad and staying home. There are Ten (10) Reasons Why We Ask for More (more blessings, more chances, more reconciliation, more opportunities and many more): 1. Hopeful thinking – Positive Psychology Applying Positive Psychology, which is the study of positive emotions, we want “to find and nurture the genius and talent” in us, as said by Dr. Martin Seligman (one of the founders of Positive Psychology) and “to make normal life more fulfilling”,
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as pointed out by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. We simply want to be happy and to have hopes that we try to attain our goals. We think of what makes us happy and we go for it, i.e., getting the job that we want. “Positive feelings about a person or an object get us to approach it, while negative feelings get us to avoid it.”- Dr. Martin Seligman 2. Ego Defenses With our ego trying to create a healthy balance between what the id (impulses, drives) wants and what the superego (conscience, morality) dictates, we protect ourselves as well from the impact of failure, defeat or a bad experience through defense mechanisms (e.g. being in denial of having a severe illness leading you to seek for a second, or even third, opinion). 3. Dynamics of Personality These refer to the aspects and characteristics of the self that operate to influence our behavior whether to be motivated or not to push through with our goals, desires and ambitions (e.g. to re-take another exam or not; to find another job where we could be happier or not).
psyche me up 4. Striving for Perfection The main proponent for this is Alfred Adler and “It is the desire we all have to fulfill our potentials, to come closer and closer to our ideal.” According to Dr. Boeree, we often project what is positive “that despite (the fact that) you are in a miserable situation, you would still manifest that successful, cheerful image.” A good example of this would be when couples keep on focusing on what is ideal in a marriage, and having that acceptance that their marriage is far from perfect, they still try to work things out until the marriage becomes “perfect.” 5. Life Instinct This is a term from Sigmund Freud, which is the “drive to live, to survive, to reproduce” (Dr. Kendra Cherry). We embrace anything that is connected to life and its advocates (hunger, thirst, sex, and pain avoidance). It gives us pleasure and energy to live as opposed to death instinct such as giving birth to another baby, wanting to be given another chance to live, asking God that a person about to die still be given the chance to live; be recovered from HIV or cancer or leukemia. 6. Self-Improvement and Self-Satisfaction We want to make ourselves better and to continuously gratify ourselves simply because it gives us satisfaction and pleasure. We want to restore something about us that was damaged or became dysfunctional to preserve our self-esteem (e.g. to earn higher pay so as to buy the house or the car that you want, undergoing operation or surgery to replace or repair a damaged part of the body). 7. Faith in God, Forgiveness, Forgetting, or Retaliation Another reason why we would want to ask for more chances and opportunities has to do with our religiosity, our want to forgive, be forgiven, forget or the other way, that is to get back to the person or to the situation that gave us a painful memory. According to Dr. Ryan Howes, the four (4) essential elements of forgiveness include: Expressing the emotion, Understanding why, Rebuilding safety, and Letting go. To attain safety and security, that those hurtful things happened or done to us in the past will not be recurring, assurance has to be given both in words and in action. But it always takes two to tango. For one to forgive, the other should ask for it. 8. Make up to the mistakes we have committed Obviously, we know that we’re not perfect but we want to be given the chance to correct our errors or mistakes and try again. Maybe this time, things will work out if we will just try again (e.g. wanting to bounce back in test where you got zero; rekindling a relationship gone sour like: “Love me like the first time again…” by Brenda K. Starr).
9. To finally WIN! To get what we want for achievement, most often than not, the first attempts to anything do not guarantee that you will bag the first place; sometimes it takes more than two or even more trials before you can get the first place you are aiming for. People with perseverance would definitely get it eventually. We want to taste success (e.g. getting a gold medal, graduating with highest honors; winning the lotto jackpot), but getting there or that would mean stumbling over and over again until you are able to keep on getting up, walk straight, and reach your goals. 10. To test possibilities This is to know whether it will work for you or not. Sometimes, you ask for a miracle to happen because you want something or someone so badly (e.g. long distance relationships; reapplying for visa; residency application; having a relationship with someone who is from distant land with different religion and culture; working abroad). The miracle question, based on Solution-Focused Therapy, is “What if one day, a miracle happens in your life, what would it be?” might be good to answer as it would put you into that direction of knowing exactly what you want and lead you to try it. Albeit the possibilities are always endless. It is essential that we make the best of our first time around. Second chances do not always come to us. Sometimes, it may never even be there. While opportunities come and go, not all enable us to find what we seek. Some even make us lost. Discernment is needed to know which “firsts” to take. And if, in the end, we do get our second chances and we know it is really what we want and it is really for us, take it and never let it go. We must believe in second chances. Our first time will always be memorable; our second chances will be our redemption. But to believe in third chances is too much.
JULY 2011 Bagong Bayani 15
usapang legal
Getting
Another Chance At Marriage Atty. Hazel R. Riguera
N
ot all marriages, no matter how hard the couples try, can be put together again. For some, there’s a time to mend...for others, there’s a time to end”, From a sermon by Fr. Jack Orendain, SDV. A time to Love, A Time to Leave by Julie Yap Daza & Katrina Legarda, page 13). There’s always a second chance at anything. Marriage is not exception. The law provides a remedy to a bad marriage. The Supreme Court promulgated the Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and Annulment of Voidable Marriages (A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC), which took effect on March 15, 2003. Section 2(a) of A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC makes it the sole right of the husband or the wife to file a petition for declaration of absolute nullity of void marriage. The ground most often invoked for the declaration of nullity of marriage is psychological incapacity. Art. 36 of the Family Code provides that a marriage contracted by any party who, at the time of the celebration, was psychologically incapacitated to comply with the essential marital obligations of marriage, shall likewise be void even if such incapacity becomes manifest only after its solemnization. The Family Code however does not cite examples of psychological incapacity. Hence, judgment is on a case-to-case basis guided by experience, findings of experts in psychological disciplines, and by decisions of Church tribunals which may be given persuasive effect. The general characteristics of psychological incapacity are the following: antecedence, incurability and gravity.
ANTECEDENCE The incapacity must be proven to be existing at “the time of the celebration” of the marriage. The evidence must show that the illness was existing when the parties exchanged their “I do’s.”
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The manifestation of the illness need not be perceivable at such time, but the illness itself must have attached at such moment, or prior thereto.
INCURABILITY Such incapacity must also be shown to be medically or clinically permanent or incurable. Such incurability may be absolute or even relative only in regard to the other spouse, not necessarily absolutely against everyone of the same sex. Furthermore, such incapacity must be relevant to the assumption of marriage obligations, not necessarily to those not related to marriage, like the exercise of a profession or employment in a job. Hence, a pediatrician may be effective in diagnosing illnesses of children and prescribing medicine to cure them but may not be psychologically capacitated to procreate, bear and raise his/her own children as an essential obligation of marriage.
GRAVITY Such illness must be grave enough to bring about the disability of the party to assume the essential obligations of marriage. Thus, “mild characteriological peculiarities, mood changes, occasional emotional outbursts” cannot be accepted as root causes. The illness must be shown as downright incapacity or inability, not a refusal, neglect or difficulty, much less ill will. In other words, there is a natal or supervening factor in the person, an adverse integral element in the personality structure that effectively incapacitates person from really accepting and thereby complying with the obligations essential to marriage. (Republic of the Philippines vs. Court of Appeals and Molina, G.R. No. 108763, February 13, 1997) Such psychological incapacity must be established by the totality of evidence presented during the trial.
usapang legal In the case of Benjamin Ting v. Carmen Ting G.R.No. 166562, March 31, 2009, Benjamin and Carmen met in 1972 while they were in medical school. They were married in Cebu City in 1975 when Carmen was already pregnant with their first child. The couple begot 6 children. In October 1993, Carmen filed a petition to declare their marriage void on the ground of psychological incapacity on the part of Benjamin, alleging that Benjamin was a habitual drinker and compulsive gambler. She added that whenever he was drunk, he would assault her and force her to have sex with him. He also failed to give support to their children. Benjamin denied all these allegations.
case basis, guided by experience, the findings of experts and by decisions of church tribunals. The Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals and ruled that the totality of evidence adduced is insufficient to prove that Benjamin is psychologically unfit to discharge the duties expected of him as a husband. Carmen failed to prove that these defects were present at the time of the celebration of their marriage or that these defects were incurable.
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) declared the marriage void. The Court of Appeals initially reversed the RTC’s decision but on motion for reconsideration filed by Carmen, it reconsidered its original decision and sustained the trial court’s ruling declaring the marriage void. Benjamin appealed to the Supreme Court.
In view of the diametrically contradicting psychological evaluations, the Supreme Court gave greater weight to Dr. Obra’s findings because he based it on actual psychological evaluation report of a psychiatrist who personally examined Ben as well as personal interviews with Benjamin’s brothers whereas, Dr. Onate’s finding were merely based on the stenographic notes of Ben’s deposition.
The Supreme Court ruled that it has not abandoned the Molina doctrine but only relaxed its stringent requirements because as held in the earlier case of Te vs. Te, with respect to psychological incapacity, no case can be considered as on all fours with another. This means that courts should interpret the provision on a case-to-
Dr. Gerardo Ty Veloso, former presiding judge of Branch 1 of the Metropolitan Marriage Tribunal of the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, in his booklet on the accepted grounds for church annulment of marriage, state that aside from the already classical neuroses, psychoses, and other personality disorders known to
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usapang legal psychologists that render a person psychologically unfit to assume and perform the roles of marriage, the following grounds may be mentioned as more familiar to laymen:
As to the periods to file a petition for declaration of nullity: (a)
1. homosexuality in men or lesbianism in woman (attachment to the same sex for sexual fulfillment); 2. satyriasis in men or nymphomania in women (excessive and promiscuous sex hunger); 3 extremely low intelligence, 4. immaturity; i.e., the lack of an effective sense of rational judgment and responsibility, otherwise peculiar to infants (like refusal of the husband to support the family or excessive dependence on parents or peer group approval); 5. epilepsy, with manifestations;
permanently
recurring
mal-adaptive
6. habitual alcoholism, or the condition by which a person lives for the next drink and the next drink and the next drink; and 7. criminality, or the condition by which a person consistently gets in trouble with the law or with socially established norms of conduct. Furthermore, based on dialogues with Father Healy and another expert on church annulments, Archbishop Oscar Cruz then of the Archdiocese of Pampanga, the Committee gathered the information that psychological incapacity to discharge the essential obligations of marriage may also be made manifest: 1. by the refusal of the wife to dwell with the husband after the marriage without fault on the part of the latter or to have sex with the husband or to have children; 2. when either party or both of them labor under an affliction that makes common life as husband and wife impossible or unbearable such as compulsive gambling or unbearable jealousy on the part of one party or other psychic or psychological causes of like import and gravity; and 3. in manifestations of sociopathic anomalies in husbands like sadism or infliction of physical violence on the wife, constitutional laziness or indolence, drug dependence or addiction, or some kind of psychosexual anomaly. (Page 44-45, Handbook on the Family Code of the Philippines by Alicia V. Sempio-Diy).
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For marriages celebrated prior to the effectivity of the Family Code (or prior to Aug. 3, 1988), the Petition for Declaration of Nullity may be filed by the real-party-ininterest even after the death of the spouses (see Ni単al v. Bayadog, 328 SCRA 122).
(b) If the marriage was celebrated during the effectivity of the Family Code but the Petition was filed March 15, 2003, the Petition for Declaration of Nullity may be filed by the real-party-in-interest even after the death of the spouses (Carlos v. Sandoval, supra.). (c)
if the marriage was celebrated during the effectivity of the Family Code, and the petition is filed on March 15, 2003 or thereafter, the Petition for Declaration of Nullity can be filed only by either of the spouses during their lifetime. No such petition can be filed after the death of either of the spouses and if in case a party dies at any stage of the proceedings before the entry of judgment, the court shall order the case closed and terminated (AM 02-11-10-SC), but without prejudice to a collateral attack that may be done by the compulsory or intestate heirs of the spouses upon the death of a spouse in a proceeding for the settlement of the estate of the deceased spouse (Enrico v. Heirs of Sps. Medinaceli and Carlos v. Sandoval, supra.). (Updates in Persons and Family Relations, by Prof. Elmer T. Rabuya, Jurists Bar Review Center).
Under Art. 54 of the Family Code, children conceived or born before the decree of nullity of marriage are considered legitimate. Hence, the annulment of marriage affects only the marriage of parents, and the children born out of said marriage do not loose their legitimacy. It can be seen that the law is pragmatic, not idealistic. The law recognizes that some marriages have a sad ending. Hence, the law provides a remedy whereby couples may free themselves from the bonds of a loveless union. Nonetheless, the attitude of the courts is for the preservation rather than the dissolution of the marriage. Thus, the nullification of a marriage is not easily attained and many couples have failed in their petitions for annulment of marriage. While Congress is considering the passage of a law allowing divorce, this is not assured especially taking into account the vehement opposition of the Catholic Church. In the end what counts most is that a man and a woman should give the utmost consideration and deliberation to the decision on whether or not to tie the knot. For once tied, it may be as hard to sever as the Gordian Knot.
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The Climb of My Life
Sankie G. Simbulan
BridgeClimb Sydney’s spectacular Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb is a once-in-a-lifetime and definitely must-try experience
I
t’s not difficult to fall in love with a city like Sydney. Also called the Emerald City, Sydney is best known for its enchanting harbor, a glittering expanse of emerald green that draws a multitude of activity to the city year in and year out. It’s no wonder Sydney is the largest and most populous city of Australia and is the center of commerce, arts, fashion, culture, entertainment, music, education and, of course, tourism. Aside from the famous Sydney Opera House, another iconic landmark that adds to the endearing charm of Sydney Harbor is no other than the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the world’s largest steel arch bridge, which has become a renowned international symbol of Australia. Tell me, who hasn’t seen a television broadcast of the Sydney Harbor Bridge bursting ablaze with colorful fireworks in CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve around the globe coverage? If you think seeing the Sydney Harbor Bridge in real life is already fascinating, then wait until you get the chance to actually climb it! Experiencing the magnificence of this man-made wonder is an exhilarating adventure. In fact, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been rated by Lonely Planet (the world’s leading travel authority) as one of the World’s Top Ten Experiences, along with running with the bulls in Spain and rock climbing in Yosemite Valley in the USA. Count me as among the over 2.6 million people who have climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb
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oldest suburb, is where the climb begins. We were oriented in groups of about 12 people and after a round of brief introductions, I learned that we came from different countries (America, Australia, Germany, South Africa and the Philippines!) and while we were of varying ages, we all had the same aspiration, to experience something extraordinary.
Sydney (www.bridgeclimb.com), including a 100-year old lady who is the oldest climber to date. Even celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Matt Damon, Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, Robert De Niro, Pierce Brosnan, Cate Blanchett, Teri Hatcher and even UK’s Prince Harry have all scaled the summit of the colossal bridge, majestically standing 440 feet above the beautiful Sydney Harbor. Now a free-spirited tourist and adventure-seeker like me surely could not miss a chance to climb this international landmark so I can share my experience and inspire all lovers of life out there to try and witness this unique, breathtaking spectacle for themselves.
PreParing for the climb The BridgeClimb office at Cumberland Street in The Rocks, Sydney’s
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After the introductions, we were breath-tested to make sure we were fit to climb and were later asked to get into our climb gear, which consisted of the specially made BridgeSuit (a jumpsuit made of lightweight, weatherproof material); cap for sunny conditions or beanie for cold or windy conditions; non-slip, rubber soled, closed shoes for extra climbing comfort; BridgeFleece for cold or windy conditions; BridgeClimb latch to safely attach each climber to the static line while scaling the Bridge; scrunch for tying long hair and keeping it off the face; headset so we can hear our Climb Leader’s commentary and even a handkerchief for those emotional moments (or in case we catch a cold, with the strong, high altitude winds blowing our way). Another great thing about BridgeClimb Sydney is that they simulate the actual climbing of the Bridge from the ground, with actual steel stairs and ladders to properly instruct us in climbing safely as a team. This helps a great deal in dispensing whatever initial fears one has of climbing since it gives you a preview of what to expect once you are actually up there.
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The climb Armed in full battle gear and all psyched up from our climb simulation, we were ready to conquer the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The BridgeClimb office connects to the Sydney Harbor Bridge and after walking a few steps in single file always connected to the static line through our safety latch, we soon found ourselves inside the steel workings of the Bridge. After going up a couple of ladders and stairs, carefully watching our step along the way, we later emerged over the arch of the Bridge and were greeted by a magnificent view of the Sydney Harbor. Climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge was definitely the highlight of my trip to Australia, I thought to myself. As we ascended towards the summit, our very engaging and professional BridgeClimb Leader Tim paused for while to allow us to take in the spectacular view all around us, before going on to proudly say, “Welcome to my office!” Now, how many of the world’s CEOs have an office view like this? Atop the Bridge, we experienced a sense of calmness as the cool wind kissed our faces, the blue sky and sparkling emerald green waters mesmerized our gaze, and the warm sunshine illuminated the harbor’s wide expanse. Tim also made sure we each got a photograph to record this moment for posterity. As we continued on our Bridge expedition, our Climb Leader told us the story of how the bridge came to be. Built by over a thousand workers during the Great Depression, the Sydney Harbor Bridge became a symbol of hope for Australians because it attested that a return to prosperity was possible. The Bridge did not only bear national significance but was seen as a great engineering feat, having undergone various construction phases. It took over eight years to build the Bridge, between 1923 until its official opening in 1932, but planning for the construction
of the Bridge began as early as 1912. The completion of the Bridge was widely covered by media, songs were composed as a tribute to it, souvenir booklets were produced and three postage stamps were issued to mark its grand opening. We appreciated the workmanship that went into this Australian legacy. Designed by Dr JJC Bradfield, the massive Bridge has an arch span of 503 meters and a total length of 1149 meters. It is held by around 6 million rivets, 52,800 tons of steel and 17,000 cubic meters of granite. It is undeniably a vision turned into reality.Bottom of Form The 3 ½ hour Sydney Harbor bridge climb rewards every climber with an amazing sense of achievement and a deep sense of appreciation for the great things men can do even in times of great adversity. Climbing the Bridge is definitely an experience I will never forget! Acknowledgment: With photos courtesy of BridgeClimb Sydney (www.bridgeclimb.com)
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A DH Now, But Not Forever cover story (Stories of Second Chances and New Beginnings) By Detch P. Nonan-Mercado Photos by Jo Bennett and Aski Gobal
To be given a one-moment-in-time chance to achieve financial independence is the goal of domestic helpers. In each of their hearts is a quiet, whispered prayer for freedom from poverty, and a tempestuous, raging desire to reinvent self and become somebody better than “just a maid” whose social standing is considered by many as lower than inferior. This seemed to be an already lost proposition in the recent past, but more and more Filipino domestic helpers are rising to the occasion, taking advantage of second chances given to them by Divine Providence and destiny.
P
overty. A sick loved-one needing treatment and medicine money. Children’s or siblings’ education. The need to build a modest family home. Better standard of living. To escape a broken relationship. These, and many more reasons, pull Filipino workers out of the Philippines, and bring them into various employment destinations around the globe. For single parent Rosemarie Urcia of Sta. Ana, Cagayan Valley, the need to provide for her family strongly influenced her decision to the leave the Philippines. Rosemarie had somehow known her situation was never going to change for the better if she stayed. Poverty had dogged her for most part of her childhood she had ended up wanting nothing but to provide a better life for her only child, Jenie Jin, and her relatives. She did not want them to experience the hardships she herself had gone through earlier in life.
RosemaRie URcia
When Rosemarie was barely 22 years old, years before she made up her mind to work abroad, she had tried her best to earn a
decent living by engaging in a buy-and-sell enterprise. She worked with hot determination similar to that of a mother tigress seeking food for her young. For a time, the business seemed to do well, and family needs were met. However, it had to cease after six years of operations. Empty-handed and broken-hearted, Rosemarie groped for a replacement source of income. Despite her willingness to try anything, she realized nothing was lucrative enough to give her and her family what their daily subsistence required. After months of hard thinking, and with rapidly growing financial obligations, Rosemarie clearly saw that her only option was to leave the Philippines and work abroad. That was how destiny brought her to Singapore in 1998. Since she arrived here, she has kept her nose to the grindstone. Her mind has been focused on one thing and one thing alone: earn money for her family. But as years rolled by, Rosemarie started feeling there could be more to her stay here than just being able to send paltry remittances to her family. After 13 years, she wanted change. “Matagal na ako sa Singapore wala pa ring nangyari. Wala pa rin akong alam sa paghawak ng finances, walang pundar at ipon, at di marunong mag budget. Kaya naghangad ako ng pagbabago.” In her quest for change, Rosemarie became open to all possibilities of upgrading her skills and increasing her knowledge. Her desire to succeed in life gave her the courage to do difficult things. One such “difficult” thing was going back to school to learn financial management and entrepreneurship lessons.
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cover story During this period in her life, a friend invited Rosemarie to register for the Basic Entrepreneurship Course offered by ASKI Global Ltd. She did not hesitate to subject herself to great inconvenience (sitting in a class instead of resting or spending time with friends at Lucky Plaza) because her heart was prepared to do anything that would equip her and make her succeed so that she could be a better family provider. Just as soon Rosemarie began enjoying her lessons, Rosemarie graduated in December 2010. Her efforts paid off. There is no doubt what has been written is true, that you reap what you sow. Rosemarie put in time and effort. She reaped knowledge and an Entrepreneurship Certificate! “Malaki ang nabago sa buhay ko, natuto akong mag budget. Dati wala akong ipon. Pero ngayon ay iba na ako, natuto na akong magpalago ng negosyo because of what I learned from the course,” she said. After her Entrepreneurship training she immediately put to good use her newly gained know-how and ventured into transport services. This time, she was more confident to engage in business because of her formal training and education. Rosemarie secured a Php 250,000-loan from ASKI Philippines to buy a van. This vehicle now operates as a public transport service in her province and has been able to supply the needs of her family. Not only that. From her van’s earnings, she was able to buy two fishing boats a few months ago, and recently acquired another public transport unit, a tricycle. Although Rosemarie is grateful for the material prosperity that came as a result of her schooling, what touched her most was her daughter’s decision to go back to her studies three years after dropping out of school. “Nakita ng anak ko na si Jenie Jin ang aking graduation picture nang magtapos ako sa Basic Entrepreneurship Course, at nagkaroon siya ng inspirasyon na mag aral uli, kasi nakita niya ako na naka toga at nasabi niyang gusto rin niyang makapagtapos ng pag aaral.”
MARYN SIBUHA This is only the fourth year of 32-year-old Maryn Sibuha’s employment here in Singapore but a strong drive to find greener pasture inspired her to “go back to school” and attend the same Entrepreneurial Class that
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Rosemarie attended. “Dati hindi ako marunong humawak ng pera, at di rin ako marunong mag communicate. Natuto ako doon sa Entrepreneurial Class. Nalaman ko rin paano gawing patok ang isang negosyo, at paano mang akit ng customer.” Maryn had no savings and no financial direction before joining this class. Some friends said this was an acceptable situation because anyway she was considered a newbie in dollar earning. Not having savings or investment was the norm, not the exception, for newbie like Maryn, they said. But Maryn herself did not want to leave her fate to chance. She had heard of other workers who grew old in Singapore with nothing to show for it. She did not want to be among them. She prayed for more opportunities and aimed for a better life. While countless other domestic helpers were enjoying their days off in Orchard, Maryn pursued her Entrepreneurship Course hosted by ASKI Global Ltd. When friends would invite her to join them in their free and easy Sunday gatherings, Maryn stuck to her guns and did not give in to temptation. She did not want to waste her time. Saying no to such invitations was not easy at first but it became easier with time, as she learned more and more from her Course and realized that studying was more productive than gallivanting. With persistence, Maryn graduated May of this year. She was glad she finished the Course. Now she is no longer the Maryn Sibuha with a High School Diploma only, but she is now Maryn Sibuha with a Certificate in Basic Entrepreneurship issued by National University of Singapore-Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy. “Nanghiram ako ng Php150,000 puhunan sa ASKI Philippines pagtanim ng mais sa limang ektarya ng lupa na pagmamay-ari ng pamilya ng asawa ko na matagal na naming gusting tamnan. Ngayon, natupad na ang pangarap namin at dalawang buwan na lang at aani na kami.” Maryn and her husband are joyfully awaiting their September corn harvest. This would have been impossible if Maryn did not sacrifice just a few of her days off. If only all overseas Filipino workers (OFW) know how to dream big like Maryn!
Sibuha Maryn LagdaMin
WILMA BAUTISTA Tarlac native Wilma Bautista , 41 has been working here in Singapore
cover story for six years but she has logged on a total of 13 years as an OFW. Her husband also used to be an OFW, and her and his combined experience makes Wilma the kind of OFW that has “been there, done that,” as people say. However, despite her being a “veteran” OFW Wilma not surprisingly had no savings and was up to this point unable to set up alternative source of income for her Wilma Bautista family in the Philippines. The usual expectations for OFW’s – having savings and investment or business in the Philippines – were not on Wilma’s plate, even after all those years of working in foreign countries. She yearned for a financial breakthrough but did not know how to start, where to go or what to do. “Minsan ay kinausap ako ni Marifa, kaibigan ko, at niyaya niya ako dumalo sa isang pagtitipon. Tingnan ko raw kung magustuhan ko. Noong nandoon na kami saka ko lang nalaman na pag aaral tungkol sa tamang paghawak at pagpalago ng pera ang pinuntahan namin. Natapos ko ang Basic Entrepreneurship Course at nagkalakas loob ako mag pundar,” she said. High School graduate Wilma never had any experience in business when she was in the Philippines. The knowledge she gained from the Course emboldened her to avail of an Php80,000-loan, with which she bought a tricycle that her husband could operate. “Dati buwan-buwan ako nagpapadala ng pera. Ngayon minsan na lang kasi sumasapat na ang kita ng asawa ko sa pagta-tricycle. “ Is there anything too hard? Nothing is too difficult. With deep faith and consistent action success becomes a part of man’s reality, not just of his imagination!
ROBINA GOMEZ Robina, a mother of 2, is not your common “bahala na” OFW. She has always had a concrete life path in mind. She did not want merely to know how to do business because in fact she was already an operator of a one-vehicle transportation service (tricycle). What she wanted was to expand this small business, and to invest into something
RoBina Gomez
productive with her surplus cash. When a chance to “go to school” presented itself, Robina did not walk away. She joined the Course just like Rosemarie and other women. She studied, she learned, and she graduated. As we talk this very minute, Robina operates a two-unit transportation business – she now has a jeepney in addition to her tricycle. She, too, does not need to send monthly remittance to her family. One of her happiest days was when her husband told her she did not have to send money because the income from their transportation business was enough to cover their family’s expenses. “I am happy. All my hardships led to something to productive and worthwhile. “
SECOND CHANCE, GOOD CHANGE Rosemarie, Maryn, Wilma, and Robina do not own the franchise for second chances and financial success. Anyone, with the right amount of drive and determination, would be able to reinvent himself. Nothing is impossible to those who believe. All things are possible. With the right motivation, any domestic helper or any worker, for that matter, can be what she wants to be. This philosophy could well be the inspiring factor for the other 156 overseas Filipino workers who have also graduated from the same Basic Entrepreneurship Course conducted by ASKI Global Ltd. Noteworthy is the fact that the Course’s certifying institution is the National University-Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy (NUS-CSEP). What better blessing could there be than graduating from a Course certified and validated by a prestigious, world famous university as the NUS?
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL At last, the silent, whispered prayer of the Filipino worker for change and upgrade has been answered. Nowadays opportunities for learning and acquisition of relevant skills are available. Shame on those who dare to let time go by without passing up offers of self upgrade and improvement! Gone are the days when DH’s could be relegated to society’s lower shelves just because there were no means of talent or skill enhancement. Currently there is a massive boom in the spread of information only the dead could say “I did not know what to do!” Truly, “if there is a will, there is a way”. If you follow your dreams and not avoid pain in attaining them, good things will come. You may be “just a DH” today, but be of good cheer. Rejoice! Your second chances are now here, and you will not remain a lowly DH or a small-income worker forever!
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cover story
ASKI GlobAl TeAm (l-R) mR. IAn ARcebAl (TRAInInG mAnAGeR DeSIGnATe), mS. JADe lAcTAo (communIcATIonS & mARKeTInG mAnAGeR), mR. PATRIcK SIm (boARD membeR), mS. IRmA coSIco (coo), mS. mAy GARlIToS (TRAInInG SPecIAlIST), PRof. AlbeRT chu yInG Teo (boARD membeR) AnD mR. RolAnDo VIcToRIA (chAIRmAn)
ASKI GLOBAL LTD
ASKI Global Ltd is a non-stock, non-profit global development organization whose mother organization is a 24-year-old nongovernment organization, Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. based in the Philippines. It aims to lend a hand to Filipino contract workers in Singapore, particularly helping them “acquire an entrepreneurial mindset that would lead them to productive, happy and wealthy family life,” among many other services. Not only does ASKI Global Ltd. help the workers here in Singapore. It also intends “to directly help … their families set up, operate and grow enterprises in the Philippines” with ASKI Philippines coaching and mentoring OFW families on business management. In other words, the migrant worker here is taught practical business sense, and their families in the Philippines are guided in the actual implementation of the business the contract worker would like to go into. ASKI Global places heavy emphasis on the realization of what it brands as
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“triple bottomline”—wealth creation, job generation, and family reunification. In Singapore, ASKI Global Ltd offers training courses, free of charge, to migrant workers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and other countries, as long as these workers are holding legal work passes and are not involved in any illegal activity. Presently, ASKI Global Ltd offers two certificated courses – the Basic Entrepreneurship Course and the Financial Education Course. For more information please visit their website at www. askiglobal.com PlPl
ASKI AND NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE CONNECTION Fortunately, the certificates issued to graduates of these two courses come from the National University of Singapore because of ASKI Global’s partnership with NUS Centre for Social
(l-R) PRof. AlbeRT chu yInG Teo (boARD membeR, ASKI GlobAl), ATTy. RoDolfo SAbulAo (lAboR ATTAche, PhIl embASSy), mR. PATRIcK SIm (boARD membeR, ASKI GlobAl), mR. RolAnDo VIcToRIA (chAIRmAn, ASKI GlobAl), mR. nAThAnIel ImPeRIAl (conSul GeneRAl, PhIl embASSy), mR. Alex ho (AuSAnTe), mS. mARIA cAllInG (chAIRmAn, ASKI PhIlIPPIneS), mS. IRmA coSIco (coo, ASKI GlobAl), mS. cReSencIA VIcToRIA (VIce chAIRmAn, ASKI founDATIon), mJ, mR. eThAn hAn Su KIm (VIce chAIRmAn, ASKI GlobAl) AnD mS. Teo mee honG (execuTIVe DIRecToR, Se ASSocIATIon)
cover story Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy. This came about as a result of the laudable initiative of Ms Irma Cosico, Chief Operations Officer of ASKI Global. As Ms Cosico recalled:
now go home to the Philippines as a confident, wise investor with ample business savvy that would take them through their golden retirement years!
“During our first month in Singapore, I visited the office of the cto explore ways of collaboration with the National University of Singapore. I met with Professor Albert Chu-ying Teo who was then the Director of the center. I shared with him the vision of ASKI Global and presented our strengths and experience in social entrepreneurship and microfinance. Professor Teo's heart for the poor and his current involvement in Philippine NGO- Gawad Kalinga, made him accept partnership with ASKI Global. Since then, students from the University Scholars’ Programme, under the purview of the CSEP, are offered the choice to work with ASKI Philippines as a social laboratory for entrepreneurship. In the process of this internship, CSEP students have been sent to ASKI Global Ltd based here in Singapore for six-month to 12-month engagements. Outputs produced intellectual property shared by both ASKI Global and NUS-CSEP include the development of a Microfinance Model for Singapore and Training Modules on Financial Education.”
THE TEAM AT ASKI GLOBAL LTD The Vision for ASKI Global was presented by Rolando Victoria, Executive Director of ASKI Philippines and current Board of Trustees Chairman. Translating the vision into mission, objectives/goals and programs and the development of the Business Plan were done by the Chief Operations Officer Irma Cosico. In-depth market study was done by the COO and was funded by Banking with the Poor Network - a Singapore-based charity organization. The COO is assisted and guided by the following local BOT members: 1. Ethan Han - registration and compliance to Singapore policies 2. Sue Chow - business environment and landscape of Singapore 3. Patrick Sim - administrative assistance, from HR to procurement of equipment 4. Professor Albert Teo - academic relevance and content of ASKI Global programs
Due to this partnership forged between ASKI and NUS, migrant workers, including Filipino domestic helpers whose former lives were fraught with hopelessness and misery, can now hope to bag a Business Certificate from no less than the National University of Singapore, one of the top universities in the world today. They can
Day to day transactions are implemented by the COO. She is assisted, especially in fundraising and events management, by full-time Communication & Marketing Manager Jade Lactao. Occasionally, ASKI Philippines sends May Garlitos and Ian Arcebal to assist the Singapore team particularly in training participants on grassroots entrepreneurship.
MS. LucILLE QuIjEncIO
MS. ELEcErIA ALOnzO
She has been working as a domestic helper in Singapore for 26 years, with 7 different employers of different nationalities. From Ilocos Sur, she came to Singapore in order to help 7 siblings back home. Lucille is a proud graduate of Basic Entrepreneurship and Financial Education certificate from NUS and is confident that the business knowledge that she learned will surely help her in expanding the sari-sari store and housing project which she put up after she got her 150,000 pesos loan from ASKI Global. At 51, single mother to 2 grown up children after she lost one, she still believes in having a second chance.
From Tarlac, she is an Outstanding Entrepreneur awardee for the second batch of Basic Entrepreneurship and Financial education program of ASKI Global. And as she expands her business ventures from Sari-sari store to transportation business to MLM, she serve as a classic example that nothing is impossible regardless of status in life.
JULY 2011 Bagong Bayani 27
running head
Announcement
Embassy Launches Passport Appointment System
T
he Philippine Embassy in Singapore announced that it will be launching a passport appointment system for applicants for passport renewal, in line with its thrust to deliver efficient and effective consular services to Filipinos in Singapore. The Embassy will start accepting requests for appointments on Tuesday, 28 June 2011 for appointment slots scheduled from Sunday, 3 July 2011 onwards. Only applicants for passport renewal may schedule appointments. Applicants with lost/damaged passports and newborn passport applicants are advised to proceed to Window 1 of the Philippine Embassy to secure a queue number for their passport applications. Starting Sunday, 3 July 2011, the Embassy will process only applicants with confirmed appointments. Walk-in applicants for passport renewal will need to schedule an appointment and return for processing on the date and time of their confirmed appointment date. To schedule an appointment, applicants should: 1. Download an e-passport application form from the Embassy website at http://www.philippine-embassy. org.sg/forms/, or request a form from Window 1 of the Embassy. The application form should be filled out completely. The applicant should indicate his preferred date/time for a passport renewal appointment in the space provided at the top of the form. 2.
Compile the complete documentary requirements for the application. A list of requirements is available online at http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/consular/ passport/application-renewal/.
42 Bagong Bayani JULY 2011
3.
The passport application form, together with a copy of the documentary requirements, may be sent to the Embassy via email at passport-appointment@philippine-embassy. org.sg. Applications are also accepted via fax (6733.9544), or in person at Window 9 of the Embassy. Applicants should ensure that their application is complete upon submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
4.
Wait for the Embassy to provide the applicant with an E-Passport Appointment Slip. The appointment slip will indicate the confirmed date and time for the applicant’s scheduled appointment.
5.
Report to the Embassy at the appointed date and time with the appointment slip, the duly accomplished application form and the complete set of documentary requirements. After his application has been processed, encoded and paid for, the applicant will be issued a passport collection slip indicating the date he may return to the Embassy to collect his passport.
Appointments will be confirmed on a first-come, first-serve basis, taking into consideration the applicant’s indicated date/ time preference. Confirmed appointments are made on an individual basis and are non-transferable. Should an applicant be unable to make his scheduled appointment, or request for cancellation of his appointment, he will need to resubmit his application in order to schedule a new appointment.
feature
Filipino Veterinarians In Singapore Gather For First General Assembly Mark Vinson F. Vallarta, DVM
B
eterinaryo SG, the organization of Filipino Veterinarians in Singapore, held its First General Assembly last 23 April 2011 at the NTU@One-North Executive Centre.
Beterinaryo SG represents more than 100 Filipino veterinarians in Singapore who graduated from different Veterinary Medicine schools in the Philippines. Its membership comprises Filipino Veterinarians working in various sectors which includes companion animal clinics, pet care centers, agricultural and pharmaceutical companies and biomedical research institutions in Singapore. All its members are bound by a common commitment to promote professionals development through continuing education, to strengthen association with the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) through the sharing of
30 Bagong Bayani JULY 2011
skills, knowledge and best practices and to foster camaraderie and fellowship among Filipino Veterinarians in Singapore. Philippine Ambassador to Singapore H.E. Minda CalaguianCruz graced the assembly as the keynote speaker. She encouraged everyone to think larger - outside one’s self and family - to reach out to the community and the Philippines as a whole. She stressed that the responsibility of Filipinos overseas does not end with the cash remittances. She advised the participants that, as they practice their profession in Singapore, it will also be valuable if they can acquire good practices and ideas that can be adopted and utilized in the Philippines. She reminded everyone, “…huwag nating kalimutan ang Pilipinas - it is the place where we all go back home to, it is still home.” As some Filipinos may choose to become permanent residents and citizens of another country, they cannot totally dissociate themselves from the Philippines and will always have a link to the “Inang Bayan”.
feature “Magaling makisama ang Filipino, magaling makitrabaho ang Filipino…” H.E. Minda Calaguian-Cruz She pointed out that it is important to keep improving one’s self and not become stagnant; and with the coming together of Filipino Veterinarians to form the group, its members can share best practices and empower one another. She exclaimed, “Magaling makisama ang Filipino, magaling makitrabaho ang Filipino…” and highlighted that Filipinos “shine” more when they are abroad because “…we give our best shot, and that is why we all shine.” She continued and appealed to everyone to do the same, to do their best when they go back to the Philippines. The Ambassador said, “We should do more.” and further added that she was glad with the way Beterinaryo SG has grown and it was a good indication. She said that the coming together of Filipino Veterinarians in Singapore opens up a platform to be able to help, find direction and strategies, share knowledge and information. She is very proud of the Filipino community in Singapore wherein everyone is very constructive and supportive of one another, “hindi nagpapasiklaban” and has a very constructive way of doing things. She posed a challenge to the members of Beterinaryo SG, as they work together among themselves in the group, to also reach out to the Filipino community in Singapore and to come up with programs that will make the group more cohesive and give more meaning to their stay in Singapore. Third, Secretary and Vice Consul Hon. Jed Martin Llona gave a presentation on the consular services and assistance to Philippine nationals provided by the Philippine Embassy. He highlighted the changing demographics of Filipinos in Singapore, with the increasing number of professionals coming to Singapore for employment, and how the Philippines Embassy is addressing these changes. The general assembly is by far the largest gathering of Filipino Veterinarians in Singapore. Smaller meet-ups and get-togethers have been organized since the group’s formation inception in late 2008. Beterinaryo SG is registered with the Singapore Registry of Societies (ROS). The organization’s officers are Dr Mark Vinson Vallarta (President), Dr Natividad MalacaLood (Vice President-External), Dr Bernard Baysic (Vice President-Internal); Dr Anna Clecel Acuña, Secretary; Dr Marco Aurelio Labanen Jr (Treasurer); Dr Raymond Martin Serrano (Assistant Treasurer), Dr Armando Agustin (Assistant Secretary), Dr Arlan Madronal (Auditor) and Dr Eliezer Bauzon (Public Relations Officer).
JULY 2011 Bagong Bayani 31
feature PHOTO: STOCK.XCHNG/JVANGALEN
Glamour Queen 2011
T
By Mae Din Veldhoen Photos by Ms. Hazel Perido Banzuela, Ms. Mae Din Veldhoen and FEWS
he first Glamour Queen gay beauty pageant took place at the Arena Clarke Quay on July 26, 2011. The pageant started with candidates from various countries in the region, selected in pre-qualifaction rounds. A great show was put on where the candidates starred in the various segments including talent, evening wear, swimsuit and interview. At the end of the evening Isabella Montero from the Philippines was crowned as the 2011 Glamour Queen.
MeMbers of the board of Judges (L-r) Ms. Christina thoMson, MJ and Ms. sharon ho
The event was organized by the Filipino Expatriates Wives Singapore (FEWS) organization founded by Marlyn Tjalsma, with current president Bernadette Albrecht and Mae Din Veldhoen leading the event preparation and execution. A big thanks to all volunteers, judges, sponsors and of course the candidates who helped making the evening a success! Next year we plan to include this pageant again in the FEWS event calendar.
the winners of gLaMour Queen 2011 (froM Left to right) dawn vaLdes, 3rd runner up, MiLes herMososa, 1st runner up, isabeLLa Montero, gLaMour Queen 2011, LoveLy Mona, 2nd runner up, and angeL daLde, 4th runner up.
Ms. evangeLine ConLiffe, Ms. neLiza nandiwani and Ms. June baisa. absent in th photo is Mr. arvi Conanan.
and Ms. Ms. sharon ho, Ms. Marissa LiM annette hepoLette
Ms. MaryJane gourLay and Ms. Mae din veLdhoen, proJeCt direCtor of the gLaMour Queen 2011 pageant.
32 Bagong Bayani JULY 2011
Ms. MaryJane gourLay, MJ and Ms. bernadette aLbreCht, president of fiLipino expatriates wives singapore.
salon de rose 1-2.indd 1
Hortaliza
6/24/11 12:50 AM
Specializes in ladies/gents/children wears; Range of Philippine Products & Barong Tagalog,Top-Up Cards, Calling Cards and Nipper Sharpening.
#04-08 Tel: 6333 6239
#03-82/83 Tel: 6735 2257
#03-84 Tel: 6737 7417
304 Orchard Road Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863 Owned and Managed By: NARCISA P. LIM
feature
BAGONG
Ms. MM raMos is a licenseD civil engineer with Master in consruction ManageMent. she workeD Both for local anD international construction ManageMent anD consulting firMs. she is one of the awarDees for the ten outstanDing Business Plan in Basic entrePreneurshiP anD financial eDucation course which was MaDe PossiBle thru aski gloBal in collaBoration with nus.
Ms. glenne Pavillar hails froM BacoloD city anD is a veteran ofw for More than 21 years now. she has 4 chilDren.
Mga PiliPino na Beterinaryo sa singaPore: Doc BernarD, Doc Mark, Doc arManDo, Doc anna, Doc rayMonD at Doc nativiDaD
Ms. cherry royo is haPPy to Be given a chance to work here for 22 long years. she is froM alBay anD has 2 chilDren.
34 Bagong Bayani JULY 2011
Ms. roseMarie urcia: she has Been working in singaPore for 13 years unDer 1 eMPloyer with 2 Beautiful girls unDer her watch. she ProuDly DeclareD: i aM a Bagong Bayani!!!
Ms. reynalyn valencia is 25 years olD, single anD BreaD winner of her faMily. she is froM Palawan anD has Been working in singaPore for 2 years now.
G BAYANI SHIRT feature
Ms. rachEllE EnriQuEz is a hairstylist at salon dE rosE in lucky Plaza and bEliEvEs that lovE of bEauty is task,crEation of bEauty is art and Making PEoPlE fEEl bEautiful is blEssing.
Ms. Maria riza carcallas is singlE, 26 yEars old and is working in singaPorE for 2 yEars now to suPPort hEr siblings in thEir studiEs.
Mr. Eric ParrEno is thE hEad of businEss dEvEloPMEnt dEPartMEnt of PnbsingaPorE. hE handlEs MarkEting and ProMotions of thE bank as wEll. hE has bEEn in singaPorE for MorE than 5 yEars now.
Ms. EvElyn Pagarigan is MarriEd and has 4 childrEn. shE is froM davao city and shE has bEEn working in singaPorE for 6 yEars now.
Ms. lucillE QuijEncio has bEEn working in singaPorE for 26 yEars froM baguio city with 2 childrEn and 2 grandchildrEn. anothEr Proud bagong bayani!!!
Ms. christina sota is singlE, nursing graduatE froM cotabato and has bEEn in singaPorE for 10 yEars now.
JULY 2011 Bagong Bayani 35
running head
Servant (Bagong Bayani) By Marilyn Fernandez Deocampo
Part time Lecturer and PhD: ELT student, Assumption University ABAC Huamark Campus, Bangkok, Thailand
Do you think I am happy with the life I choose? I am not a sleeping beauty, and am not the boss I live at the penthouse of expensive condominium Not knowing, the future in my new location. I’m employed as a servant in far away land Doing things I need to do, sometimes like a madman Work 18 hours a day, though I’m not feeling well No room for complain, otherwise I get yell. Every day of the year I have the same routine I work like a robot, life has no excitement Never mind it’s ok, as long as works are done Rather than hear complaints from my strict Madam. Time flies very fast one year passes by Another year has to wait, determine to retire Two years of contract, that’s all I need to stay Enough for the ordeal or I will run-away Back in my country though life has been tough I have enough rest and time to relax I have families and friends to gossip and laugh We share things we can find though it is not enough Situation may look fine but my deepest concern Health and education an additional burden Make a living to stay alive but it’s not adequate This is the reality and I have to face it. Children have to finish their higher education Members of the family have to pay hospitalization Concerns make me feel bad and sigh everyday Asking God, what to do to help my family Now two years had passed, and it’s 2011 Children are married and I have grand children Youthful looks disappear and hair turns into gray Still sends money to meet the demands of my family. They call me the ‘New Hero’ of our country Helping the family and boost up the economy But what is the importance of this recognition I am still the servant of this rich nation.
36 Bagong Bayani JULY 2011
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’ s d i K edition feature
Julyna Istamar Julyna Is 3 years old but Is beyond her years. smart and bubbly, she loves to sIng and dance and play wIth her barbIe. mom Joyce and dad Ismael who owns maganda gemInI salon In lucky plaza, are proud of thIs pretty young lady. she Is a fIlIpIno-malay mIxed.
venna marIe lopez and prIncess emerald lopez. venna Is 5 years old and her favorIte color Is yellow and pInk. she loves to eat satay and chIcken rIce and Is a k2 student at pap communItIon foundatIon sparketots Infant and chIld care centre. lIttle sIster emerald who Is 3 years old Is bubbly and Just lIke her older sIster veena also loves satay and chIcken rIce. both are fun to be wIth and Is a source of prIde 38 Bagong JULYlIza, 2011 owner of mart tradIng In lucky plaza. for theIr lolo Bayani and lola
BAGONG
dylan harry hoult baby dylan Is so adorable and Just a Joy to be around wIth. handsome, funny, cute, bubbly lIttle boy. he Is everyone’s ‘dylan’ In lucky plaza. hIs mom grace who owns IloIlo tradIng and unIsex salon belIeves that he Is her lucky charm. and accordIng to hIs daddy paul, baby dylan Is so fond of watchIng barney, zoomIng around the house In hIs baby walker, catchIng people’s attentIon, smIlIng and laughIng, bangIng and throwIng thIngs and playIng. and guess what hIs Job tItle Is? prospectIve male model and/or actor. better check thIs fIl-brIt mIx soon before he becomes famous!
benJamIne kok benJamIne Is a hyperactIve, IntellIgent 5 year old fIlIpIno-chInese boy. everytIme he vIsIts theIr shop (dagupan tradIng) In lucky plaza, people could not faIl to notIce hIs beIng actIve and cheerful. accordIng to mommy nIa and daddy bob, benJamIne loves to play computer games and loves to talk as well.
G BAYANI SHIRT feature
AngelA lim Angel is 11 yeArs old. she is in level 5-g At yihuA primAry school. As An obedient dAughter to mom nArcisA who owns hortAlizA shops in lucky plAzA, she spends her free time Assisting in the fAmily business while plAying with friends And chAtting online whenever she cAn. she is A filipino-chinese young lAdy.
powder, bizkit And buttercup powder is 11, bizkit is 9 And buttercup is 8. According to mom rAchelle, powder And bizkit loves to sing while their little sister buttercup loves to dAnce. they Are into drAwing And other creAtive stuff And they Are hAppy by being beside eAch other And wAtching eAch other’s bAck. typicAl pinoy kids. hAppy little people. dAddy sherwin hAs this to sAy About his AdorAble kids, “there is A fountAin of youth, it is in your mind, tAlent, creAtivity thAt you bring to your life And the lives of others”. truly A proud filipino fAther.
isis gArciA i wAs reAding bAgong bAyAni beside my bAby isis, when she grAbbed the mAgAzine from me. it must hAve been the colorful illustrAtions And pictures thAt AttrActed her, becAuse she reAlly flipped from pAge to pAge! - mommy iris
frAnnA And hAdriel lAs frAnnA is fAith to her mom hope And dAd frAnk. she is 8 yeArs old while little brother hAeJ is 3 yeArs old. both Are very Active in church And in school. our “little lights” thAt AlwAys shine in our lives And giving us courAge to go through inspite of our difficulties in life. we AlwAys stAnd in this verse in deuteronomy 6:7: “you shAll teAch them diligently to your children, And shAll tAlk of them when you sit in your house, And when you wAlk by the wAy, And when you lie down, And when you rise.”
cAlvin Jude vAldez bennett And cAoimhe JAde vAldez bennette cAlvin is 6 yeArs old And loves to dAnce And collect toy cArs. he is A promising k2 student At kinderlAnd. his bAby sister cAoimhe loves to sing And is Attending bAllet clAss n2 As well. she is 4 yeArs old. both Are friends of the zoo. mom Jo, A filipinA And dAd cliff A british nAtionAl Are proud pArents to them.
JULY 2011 Bagong Bayani 39
special report
State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
[Delivered at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City on July 25, 2011]
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker
taong ito, taumbayan na mismo ang nagsabing
natural gas resources. Sa huling energy contracting
Feliciano Belmonte; Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay;
nabawasan ang nagugutom sa kanila. Mula sa 20.5
round noong 2006, tatlumpu’t lima lang po ang
mga dating Pangulong Fidel Valdez Ramos at Joseph
percent na self-rated hunger noong Marso, bumaba
nakilahok. Nitong Biyernes lamang po, nilagdaan na
Ejercito Estrada; Chief Justice Renato Corona at
na ito sa 15.1 percent nitong Hunyo, katumbas ng
ang panibagong kasunduan para sa isang bagong
ang ating mga kagalang-galang na mahistrado ng
isang milyong pamilyang Pilipinong nagugutom
power plant sa Luzon grid upang pagdating ng 2014,
Korte Suprema; mga kagalang-galang na kasapi
dati, pero ngayon ay nakakakain na nang tama kada
may mas mura at mas maaasahang pagmumulan ng
ng diplomatic corps; mga miyembro ng Kamara de
araw.
enerhiya ang bansa.
Representante at ng Senado; mga Local Government
Sa larangan po ng negosyo, sino ba ang nag-
May kumpiyansa, may pag-asa, at tinutupad
officials; mga miyembro ng ating Gabinete; mga
akalang pitong ulit nating malalampasan ang all-
po natin ang ating mga pangako. Naaalala ko nga
unipormadong kasapi ng militar at kapulisan; mga
time-high ng stock market? Ang dating 4,000 index
po ang babaeng nakausap ko nang ako’y unang
kapwa ko nagseserbisyo sa taumbayan;
na inaakalang hindi maaabot, o kung maabot man
nagha-house-to house campaign para sa akin pong
ay pansamantala lang, ngayon, pangkaraniwan nang
sarili. Ang kaniyang hinaing: “Miski sino naman ang
hinihigitan.
manalo, pare-pareho lang ang kahihinatnan. Mahirap
At sa mga minamahal kong kababayan, ang aking butihing mga boss: Humarap po ako sa inyo noong aking
Kung dati napako na ang bansa sa mababang
ako noong sila ay nangangampanya; mahirap ako
inagurasyon at sinabing: Walang wang-wang sa
credit ratings, itinaas ng Moody’s, Standard and
habang nakaupo sila, at malamang mahirap pa
ating administrasyon. At ngayon, patuloy nating
Poors, Fitch, at Japan Credit Ratings Agency ang ating
rin ako pag nagretiro na sila.” Sa madaling salita,
itinitigil ito. Naging hudyat at sagisag po ito ng
ranking, bilang pagkilala sa ating tamang paggugol
ang hinaing po ng marami, “Walang pakialam ang
pagbabago, hindi lamang sa kalsada, kundi pati na
ng pondo at sa malikhain nating pananalapi. Ang
mga pinuno namin kahapon, wala silang pakialam
rin sa kaisipan sa lipunan.
mataas na credit rating, magpapababa ng interes
ngayon. Bukas, wala pa rin silang pakialam.”
Sa matagal na panahon, naging simbolo ng
sa perang inuutang natin. Kumpara sa unang apat
Di po ba’t may katuwiran naman siya sa
pang-aabuso ang wang-wang. Dati, kung makapag-
na buwan ng nakaraang taon, mas malaki po ng 23
pagsasabi nito, dahil sa pagwawang-wang sa mga
counterflow ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan,
billion pesos ang natipid nating interest payments
ahensya ng gobyerno? Wang-wang po ang pagbili
para bang oras lang nila ang mahalaga. Imbes na
mula Enero hanggang Abril ng 2011. Maaari na po
ng helicopter sa presyong brand new, pero iyon
maglingkod-bayan, para bang sila ang naging
nitong sagutin ang dalawang milyon at tatlongdaan
pala ay gamit na gamit na. Wang-wang din ang
hari ng bayan. Kung makaasta ang kanilang mga
libong benepisyaryo ng CCT hanggang sa katapusan
milyun-milyong pabuya na tinanggap ng mga
padrino’t alipores, akala mo’y kung sinong maharlika
ng 2011.
opisyal ng GOCC, tulad ng sa Philippine National
kung humawi ng kalsada; walang pakialam sa mga
Paalala ko lang po, sa siyam at kalahating taon
Construction Corporation, gayong hindi naman sila
napipilitang tumabi at napag-iiwanan. Ang mga
bago tayo maitalaga sa puwesto, iisang beses lang
nakapaghandog ng disenteng serbisyo, at ibinaon
dapat naglilingkod ang siya pang nang-aapi. Ang
tayong nakatikim ng ratings upgrade, at anim na
pa sa utang ang kanilang mga ahensya. Bago sila
panlalamang matapos mangakong maglingkod—
beses pang na-downgrade ng iba’t ibang ratings
bumaba sa puwesto, dalawandaan, tatlumpu’t
iyan po ang utak wang-wang.
agency. Sa isang taon pa lang po natin, apat na beses
dalawang milyong piso po ang inomento ng dating
Wala silang karapatang gawin ito. Ayon sa batas,
na tayong nabigyan ng upgrade. Alam naman po
pamunuan ng PNCC sa kanilang sarili. 2007 pa lang
tanging ang Presidente, Bise Presidente, Senate
natin na hindi madaling ma-upgrade sa panahon
po, wala na silang prangkisa; lahat ng kikitain, dapat
President, House Speaker, Chief Justice, pulis,
ngayon. Itong mga ratings agency, nabatikos na
diretso na sa pambansang gobyerno. Hindi na nga
bumbero, at ambulansya lang ang awtorisadong
mali raw ang payo bago magkakrisis sa Amerika,
nag-abot ng kita, sinamantala pa ang puwesto.
gumamit ng wangwang para sa kanilang mga
kaya ngayon ay mas makunat na sila sa pagbibigay
Ang bonus nila mula 2005 hanggang 2009, dinoble
opisyal na lakad. Kung sa trapiko nga ay ‘di masunod
ng magagandang ratings, at nakikita nga natin ito
pa nila sa unang anim na buwan ng 2010. Ibinaon
ang batas, paano pa kaya sa mga bagay na mas
sa sunud-sunod na pag-downgrade sa ibang mga
na nga po nila sa bilyun-bilyong pisong utang ang
malaki ang makukuha, tulad ng sa mga proyektong
bansa. Pero tayo po, in-upgrade pa nila. Sang-ayon
kanilang tanggapan, nasikmura pa nilang magbigay
pinopondohan ng kaban ng bayan?
silang lahat: gumanda at lalo pang gaganda ang
ng midnight bonus sa sarili.
Kayo po ba gusto ninyong makulong ang lahat
ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Isang hakbang na lang po,
Para po pigilan ang pagwang-wang sa kaban ng
ng tiwali? Ako rin po. Gusto ba ninyong matanggal
aabot na raw tayo sa investment grade, at wala pong
bayan, sinuyod at sinuri natin ang mga programa.
ang wang-wang, hindi lamang sa kalsada, kundi
tigil ang ating economic team upang tuluyan na
Dalawang magkasunod na taon na po nating
sa kaisipang nagdulot ng baluktot na sistema
tayong makaarangkada.
ipinatutupad
ang
zero-based
budgeting,
na
magsisilbing kalasag sa walang-saysay na paggastos.
na pagkatagal-tagal na nating pinagtiisan? Ako
At may mabubuting balita pa pong parating.
rin. Gusto po ba ninyong mabigyan ng patas na
Dahil wala nang wang-wang sa DOE, muling
Sa Laguna Lake po, magtatanggal nga—sabi
pagkakataon ang lahat na umasenso? Siyempre ako
nabuhay ang kumpiyansa ng mga namumuhunan
nila—ng 12 million cubic meters sa dredging, pero
rin po.
sa ating energy sector. Patunay dito ang isandaan
pagkatapos ng tatlong taon, garantisado naman
Narito po ang halimbawa ng resulta ng ating
at apatnapung kumpanya na nakahandang tumaya
itong babalik. 18.7 billion pesos ang magiging utang
kampanya kontra wang-wang sa sistema. Nitong
sa eksplorasyon at pagpapalakas ng ating oil at
natin para lang maglaro ng putik. Hindi pa bayad
40 Bagong Bayani JULY 2011
special report nagkuntsabahan.
Ang
mga
kontratistang
ng 15.6 percent ang inani nating palay noong
para
nakaraang taon.
ang utang, nag-expire na ang pakinabang. Pinigilan
ng
po natin iyan. Ang food-for-school program na bara-
mapatunayang
bara lang ang paghahanap ng benepisyaryo, at
tongpats sa mga proyekto, iba-black-list natin.
nakipagsabwatan
mag-
Ang gusto nating mangyari: Una, hindi tayo
iba pang inisyatibang pinondohan ngunit walang
Tingnan nga po ninyo ang idinulot na
aangkat ng hindi kailangan, para lang punan ang
pinatunguhan—binura na natin sa budget upang
perhuwisyo ng pagwawang-wang sa sistema: Tuloy
bulsa ng mga gustong magsariling-diskarte ng
ang pera namang nalibre, ay mailaan sa mga
ang pagdusa ng mamamayang dapat nakikinabang
kita sa agrikultura. Ikalawa: ayaw na nating umasa
proyektong totoong may silbi.
na sa proyekto ng bayan.
sa pag-angkat; ang isasaing ni Juan dela Cruz, dito ipupunla, dito aanihin, dito bibilhin.
na
Hindi lang po iyan sa Region 4B nadiskubre.
pagsasabuhay ng ating tuwid na landas. Ang
Ngunit natigil na po ito dahil hindi na padrino kundi
Balikan din po natin ang dinatnang kalagayan
aking pahiwatig sa lahat ng gusto pang ilihis tayo
tamang proseso ang naghahari sa DPWH. Hindi
ng ating mga kawal at kapulisan. Labingtatlong
rito: Kung mang-aagrabyado ka lang ng mahirap,
na puwedeng walang work program; kailangang
libong piso po ang karaniwang suweldo ng isang
huwag ka nang magtangka. Kung sarili mo lang
magpakita ng pinag-isipang plano para hindi
PO1 sa Metro Manila. Apat na libong piso daw rito
ang papayamanin mo, huwag ka nang magtangka.
magkasalungat ang pagsasagawa ng mga proyekto.
ang napupunta sa upa ng bahay. Tila tama nga po
Kung hindi iyan para sa Pilipino, huwag ka nang
Malinis at hayag na ang bidding, at pantay na ang
na isang-katlo ng kanilang sahod diretso na sa
magtangka.
pagkakataon sa pagpasok ng mga kontratista.
upa. Isang-katlo pa nito, para naman sa pagkain. At
Ang
budget
po
ang
pinakamalinaw
Sana masabi na natin na tapos na ang utak wang-
Sa sistemang pinaiiral ngayon sa DPWH,
ang natitirang isang-katlo, para sa kuryente, tubig,
wang, pero nakikita po natin ang latak ng ganitong
nakatipid na tayo ng dalawa’t kalahating bilyong
pamasahe, pampaaral sa anak, gamot sakaling may
kaisipan na pilit bumubulahaw sa aliwalas ng ating
piso, at umaasa tayo na aabot pa sa anim hanggang
magkasakit, at iba pa. Maganda na nga po kung
biyahe sa tuwid na landas.
pitong bilyong piso ang matitipid sa taon na ito.
tumabla ang kita niya sa gastusin. Kapag naman
Mukhang marami rin po kasi ang nagwawang-
Ang pinakamahalaga po, nakakaasa na tayo sa mga
kinapos, malamang sa five-six po sila lalapit. At
wang sa pribadong sektor. Ayon sa BIR, mayroon
kalsadang matino, hindi ‘yung maambunan lang
kapag nagpatung-patong ang interes ng utang nila,
tayong halos 1.7 million na self-employed at
ay lulundo o mabibiyak agad. Paniwala natin dati,
makatanggi kaya sila sa tuksong dumelihensya?
professional tax payers gaya ng mga abogado,
imposibleng maitama ng DPWH ang sistema nila.
Kaya ang ipinangako nating solusyon pabahay
doktor, at negosyante na nagbayad lamang, sa suma
Hindi lang po ito posible; sa unang taon pa lamang,
nitong Pebrero, ngayong Hulyo ay tinutupad
total, ng 9.8 billion pesos noong 2010. 5,783 pesos
ginagawa na natin ito.
na. Nakapag-abot na po tayo ng apat na libong
lang ang ibinayad na income tax ng bawat isa raw sa
Kahit po sa mga bukirin, may mga nagwawang-
Certificate of Entitlement to Lot Allocation sa
kanila, on average—ang ibig sabihin, kung totoo po
wang din. Bago tayo maupo noong 2010, nag-
magigiting nating kawal at pulis. Bahagi pa lang po
ito, ang kabuuang kita nila ay umaabot lang ng 8,500
angkat ang bansa ng 2.3 million metric tons ng
ito ng target nating kabuuang dalawampu’t isang
pesos kada buwan. Mababa pa sa minimum wage.
bigas. 1.3 million metric tons lamang ang kailangan
libo at walong daang bahay sa pagtatapos ng taong
Naman.
nating angkatin, ngunit pinasobrahan pa nila ito
ito. Ang dating apat na libong ibinabayad para sa
Nakikita naman po ninyong napupunta na sa
ng isang milyong tonelada. Dahil nga sobra-sobra
upa kada buwan, ngayon, dalawandaang piso na
tama ang buwis ninyo, kaya wala na pong dahilan
ang inangkat, kinailangan pa nating gumastos muli
lang, para pa sa bahay na pagmamay-ari talaga nila.
upang iwasan natin ang pagbabayad. Nananawagan
sa mga bodegang pagtatambakan lang naman ng
Ang dating nalalagas na halaga na pambayad sa
po ako sa inyo: Hindi lang po gobyerno, kundi
barko-barkong bigas.
buwanang renta, maaari nang igugol para sa ibang
kapwa natin Pilipino ang pinagkakaitan sa hindi
Ilang taon bang walang saysay na pinasobrahan
gastusin.
ang bigas na inaangkat? Dahil dito, umiral ang
Mayroon pa raw pong mahigit isang libong
Pinananagot at pananagutin po natin ang wang-
pag-iisip na habambuhay na tayong aangkat ng
bahay na natitira, kaya po sa mga pulis at sundalo
wang saanmang sulok ng gobyerno. Ang masakit,
bigas. Ang akala ng marami, wala na talaga tayong
nating di pa nakakapagpasa ng kanilang mga
hanggang sa mga araw pong ito, may sumusubok
magagawa.
papeles, last call na po para sa batch na ito. Pero
pagbabayad ng tamang buwis.
pa ring makalusot. Mayroon nga pong isang distrito
Ngunit, sa loob lamang ng isang taon,
huwag po kayong mag-alala, sa susunod na taon,
sa Region 4B, may proyektong gagastusan ng 300
pinatunayan nating mali sila. Ngayon, ang dating
lalawak pa ang ating pabahay, at hindi lang pulis at
million pesos. Kaso hanggang 50 million pesos lang
1.3 million metric tons na kakulangan natin sa bigas,
kawal sa Luzon ang makikinabang. Inihahanda na ng
ang puwedeng aprubahan ng district engineer.
halos nangalahati na; 660,000 metric tons na lang po
NHA ang lupang patatayuan sa Visayas at Mindanao,
Kaya naisip nilang i-chop-chop ang proyekto para
ang kailangan nating angkatin. Kahit dagdagan pa
para sa susunod na taon, makapagpatayo na tayo ng
di lumampas sa 50 million pesos ang halaga, at di na
natin iyan ng panangga laban sa sakuna at gawing
mga bahay doon. Sa ating mga kawani ng Bureau
umabot sa regional at central office ang kanilang
860,000 metric tons—na ginagawa na nga po
of Jail Management and Penology at Bureau of Fire
mga papeles. Kani-kaniyang diskarte, kani-kaniyang
natin—mas mababa pa rin ito sa tinatayang taunang
Protection, may good news pa rin po ako sa inyo:
kaharian ang nadatnan nating situwasyon sa DPWH.
kakulangan na 1.3 million metric tons.
kasama na po kayo rito.
Sinubukan nilang ipagpatuloy ang nakasanayan na
At hindi po buwenas lang ang nangyaring pag-
Kung seguridad na rin lang po ang ating pag-
nila. Kadalasan, dahil sa lump-sum na pagbibigay
angat ng ating rice productivity. Bunga po ito ng
uusapan, di ba’t karugtong din nito ang ating
ng pondo, wala nang tanung-tanong kung ano ang
matinong pamamalakad: ng paggamit ng maiinam
pambansang dangal? Dati, hindi man lang natin
plano at detalye ng proyekto. Miski yata—sabi ng
na klase ng binhi, at masusi at epektibong paggastos
makuhang pumalag tuwing may sisindak sa atin
iba—bahay ng gagamba ang ipapatayo, bibigyan ng
para sa irigasyon. Nito nga pong nakaraang taon,
sa loob mismo ng ating bakuran. Malinaw ang
pondo, basta may padrino.
labing-isang libo, anim na raan at labing-isang
pahiwatig natin ngayon sa buong mundo: Ang sa
Hindi ito pinalusot ni Secretary Babes Singson.
bagong ektarya ng bukirin ang napatubigan
Pilipinas ay sa Pilipinas; kapag tumapak ka sa Recto
Tinanggal na niya sa puwesto ang district engineer.
natin. Dagdag pa iyan sa halos dalawandaan at
Bank, para ka na ring tumapak sa Recto Avenue.
Pinigilan din po ang pag-award ng proyektong
labindalawang libong ektarya na nakumpuni o
Tama nga po kaya ang kuwento tungkol sa isang
ito para busisiin kung ano pang magic ang
nabigyang muli ng irigasyon matapos ang panahon
stand-off noong araw? Tinapatan daw ang mga
nangyari. Masusi na ring iniimbestigahan lahat
ng pagkakatiwangwang. Ang resulta: umangat
marino natin ng kanyon. Ang ginawa nila noong gabi,
JULY 2011 Bagong Bayani 41
special report pumutol ng puno ng niyog, pininturahan ito ng itim,
may mga bagong graduate na naghahanap ng
pag-asenso nila ay pag-angat rin ng buong bansa.
saka itinutok sa kalaban. Tapos na po ang panahong
trabaho. Nito nga pong huling taon, nadagdag pa
Sino ang tatangkilik sa mga produkto at serbisyo
iyan. Parating na ang mga capability upgrade
sa bilang nila ang libu-libong hawi boys, tagasabit
ng mga negosyante, kung isang kahig, isang tuka
at modernization ng mga kagamitan ng ating
ng banderitas, at iba pang mga Pilipinong kumuha
naman ang mamimili? Kapag may amang kumakapit
Sandatahang Lakas. Literal na pong naglalakbay sa
ng pansamantalang kabuhayan mula sa eleksyon.
sa patalim para may kainin ang kanyang pamilya,
karagatan papunta rito ang kauna-unahan nating
Ang resulta po natin: Isang milyon at apatnaraang
at siya ay magnakaw o nangholdap, sino ba ang
Hamilton Class Cutter, isang mas modernong barko
libong trabahong nalikha nitong nakaraang taon,
puwedeng mabiktima ng krimen kundi tayo rin?
na magagamit natin para mabantayan ang ating
nagtatapos po ng Abril.
Kung ang mga kababayan natin ay walang maayos
mga baybayin. Maaari pa po tayong makakuha ng
Dati, nakapako sa pangingibang-bansa ang
na pagkain o tahanan, mahina ang kalusugan at may
mga barkong tulad nito. Idadagdag iyan sa kukunin
ambisyon ng mga Pilipino. Ngayon, may pagpipilian
malubhang karamdaman, hindi ba’t tayo rin ang
na nating mga helicopter (plural po iyon), patrol
na siyang trabaho, at hangga’t tinatapatan niya ng
nasa peligrong mahawa sa kanilang sakit?
craft, at sandata na bultong bibilhin ng AFP, PNP,
sipag at determinasyon ang kanyang pangangarap,
kasama na ang DOJ upang makakuha ng malaking
tiyak na maaabot niya ito.
Naglalatag po tayo ng pagbabago upang mapatibay ang pundasyon ng maaliwalas na bukas
diskuwento. Lahat po ito, makakamtan sa matinong
Malaki pa po ang puwedeng madagdag sa
para sa lahat. Halimbawa po, sa kalusugan: di ba’t
pamamahala; mabibili sa tamang presyo, nang
trabahong nalilikha sa ating bansa. Ayon pa lang
kapansin-pansin ang pagtaas ng bilang ng mga
walang kailangang ipadulas kung kani-kanino.
po sa website nating Philjobnet, may limampung
benepisyaryo ng PhilHealth tuwing maghahalalan?
Wala tayong balak mang-away, pero kailangan
libong trabahong hindi napupunan, napupunuan,
Ngayon, sa pamamagitan ng National Household
ding mabatid ng mundo na handa tayong
kada buwan dahil hindi tugma ang kailangan ng
Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR),
ipagtanggol ang atin. Pinag-aaralan na rin po natin
mga kumpanya sa kakayahan at kaalaman ng mga
tiniyak natin na ang limang milyon at dalawandaang
ang pag-angat ng kaso sa West Philippine Sea sa
naghahanap ng trabaho. Hindi po natin hahayaang
libong pamilyang Pilipino na nakikinabang sa
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, upang
masayang ang pagkakataong ito; ngayon pa lang,
PhilHealth ay ang talagang mga nangangailangan
masigurong sa mga susunod na pagkakataon ay
nagtatagpo na ang kaisipan ng DOLE, CHED, TESDA,
nito. Malawakang pag-unlad at pag-asenso ng lahat:
hinahon at pagtitimpi ang maghahari tuwing may
at DEPED upang tugunan ang isyu ng job mismatch.
Iyan po ang panata natin. Walang maiiwan sa tuwid
alitan sa teritoryo.
Susuriin ang mga curriculum para maituon sa
na landas.
Alam ko pong magbubunga ang pag-aarugang
mga industriyang naghahanap ng empleyado, at
Tumungo naman po tayo sa ARMM. Ang dating
ipinapamalas natin sa mga lingkod-bayan na
gagabayan ang mga estudyante sa pagpili ng mga
sistema: Nagbabatuhan lang ng huwad na utang
nakatutok sa ating seguridad. Mantakin po ninyo: sa
kursong hitik sa bakanteng trabaho.
ng loob ang mga baluktot na kandidato. Kapag
unang anim na buwan ng 2010, umabot sa isanlibo at
Ngunit aanhin naman po natin ang mga
pambansang halalan, malaya ang nakaupo sa
sampung kotse at motorsiklo ang nanakaw. Ikumpara
numerong
ng
ARMM na imane-obra ang makinarya sa kaniyang
po natin iyan sa apatnaraan at animnapung kotse
iilan, kung marami pa rin ang napag-iiwanan?
rehiyon para matiyak na bokya, o sero, ang boto ng
at motorsiklong nanakaw mula Enero hanggang
Ang
ang
hindi kaalyado. Kapag naman eleksyon sa ARMM
Hunyo ng taong ito. Ang laki po ng naibawas di po
totoong nangangailangan; namuhunan tayo sa
at maniningil na ng utang si Mayor o Governor,
ba? Malas ko lang po siguro na ‘yung isa o dalawang
pinakamahalaga nating yaman: ang taumbayan.
ang administrasyon naman ang magpapatakbo ng
kaso ng carnapping ang nai-heheadline, at hindi ang
Sa dalawang milyong pamilyang rehistrado sa
makinarya para manalo ang kanilang kandidato.
pagbawas sa mga insidente nito o ang mas mataas
ating Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, isang
Ayon nga po sa naungkat ng COA, sa opisina
na porsyento ng mga nanakaw na kotse na naibalik
milyon at animnaraang libo na ang nakakatanggap
ng regional governor ng ARMM, mula Enero 2008
na sa kanilang mga may-ari.
naghuhudyat
unang
hakbang:
ng
pag-asenso
tinukoy
natin
ng benepisyo nito. Sa pagpapakitang-gilas ni
hanggang Setyembre 2009, walumpung—uulitin
Isa pa pong halimbawa ng pagbabagong
Secretary Dinky Soliman, tinatayang may mahigit
ko po: walumpung porsyento ng mga disbursement
tinatamasa natin: Mayo ng taong 2003 nang
isandaang libong pamilya—uulitin ko po: mahigit
ang napunta sa mga cash advance na wala namang
lagdaan ang Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, pero
isandaang libong pamilya ang naiaahon natin mula
maayos na paliwanag. Kung hindi nawala ang
dahil hindi sineryoso ng estado ang pagpapatupad
sa kahirapan kada buwan. Kaya naman mataas
pondong ito, nakatapos na sana ang isang batang
nito, dalawampu’t siyam na indibiduwal lamang
ang aking kumpiyansang makukumpleto ang 1.3
sa ngayon tumawid sa ghost bridge, para pumasok
ang nahatulan sa loob ng pitong taon. Nalagpasan
million na dagdag na pamilya, mula sa kabuuang
sa ghost school, kung saan tuturuan siya ng ghost
na po natin iyan, dahil umabot na sa tatlumpu’t
2.3 milyong target na benepisyaryo ng CCT bago
teacher. Kaawa-awang bata: walang humpay na
isang human traffickers ang nahatulan sa ating
matapos ang taong ito. At sa compliance rate nito
paghihirap, at walang pag-asa ng pag-asenso.
administrasyon. Ito nga po siguro ang sinasabing
na hindi bababa sa 92 percent, milyun-milyon na rin
Gusto nating maranasan ng ARMM ang
“sea change” ni Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
po ang inang regular na nagpapacheck-up sa mga
benepisyo ng tamang pamamahala. Kaya ang atin
ng Amerika. Dahil dito, natanggal na tayo sa Tier 2
health center, ang mga sanggol na napabakunahan,
pong minungkahing solusyon: synchronization.
Watchlist ng Trafficking in Persons Report nila. Kung
at ang mga batang hindi hinahayaan sa labas ng
Dahil dito, kailangan nilang tumutok sa kani-kanilang
hindi tayo natanggal sa watchlist na ito, siguradong
paaralan.
mga kampanya; magiging mas patas ang labanan,
napurnada pa ang mga grant na maaari nating
Simula pa lang po ito, at sa ganitong kalinaw na
at lalabnaw ang command votes. Salamat po sa
makuha mula sa Millenium Challenge Corporation
mga resulta, umaasa ako sa suporta ng bawat Pilipino,
Kongreso at naipasa na ang batas na magsasabay sa
at iba pa.
lalo na po ng lehislatura, sa mungkahi nating salinan
halalan ng ARMM sa halalang pambansa.
Dumako po tayo sa trabaho. Dagdag-trabaho
pa ng pondo ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
May nagtatanong po, bakit postponement ang
ang unang panata natin sa Pilipino. Ang 8 percent
Program. Inaasam po natin na bago matapos ang
kailangan? Sa kagustuhang, siyampre, makabalik
na unemployment rate noong Abril ng nakaraang
2012, tatlong milyong pamilya na ang mabibigyan
sa puwesto, nakahanda ang ilan na ulitin ang
taon, naibaba na sa 7.2 percent nitong Abril ng
ng puhunan para sa kanilang kinabukasan.
nakagawian para manalo. Isipin na lang po ninyo
2011. Tandaan po natin: moving target ang nasa
Binibigyan natin ang mga maralitang pamilyang
kung pumayag tayo sa kagustuhan ng mga kontra,
hanay ng ating unemployed, dahil taun-taon ay
ito ng pagkakataong makaahon sa buhay, dahil ang
at itinuloy natin ang eleksyon. Wala po silang
42 Bagong Bayani JULY 2011
special report ibang gagawin sa loob ng dalawang taon kundi
kagamitang magbibigay ng senyales kung malapit
paghandaan ang susunod na halalan at isiksik ang
nang umapaw ang tubig sa mga ilog. Lahat po nito,
kalokohan nila sa mas maigsing panahon. Habang
gawa ng Pilipino.
pagsulong sa pag-unlad ng bansa. Tayo-tayo rin po ang dapat magtulungan tungo sa kaunlaran. Malaki ang pasasalamat ko
nananatili sa puwesto ang mga utak wang-wang na
Pinag-aaralan na rin po ng DOST at UP ang
sa Kongreso sa pagpapasa ng mga batas ukol sa
opisyal, naiiwan namang nakalubog sa kumunoy ng
pagkakaroon natin ng monorail system, para
GOCC Governance, ARMM Synchronization, Lifeline
kawalang-pagasa ang taumbayan.
tugunan
pangmalawakang
Electricity Rates Extension, Joint Congressional
Wala akong duda sa kahihinatnan ng mga
transportasyon. Sa malikhaing pag-iisip ng kapwa
Power Commission Extension, Children and Infants’
repormang inilatag na natin. Hindi po tayo
Pilipino, may pag-asa pala tayong magtayo ng
Mandatory Immunization, at Women Night Workers,
nagbubukambibig lang; may kongkretong resulta
light rail system nang hindi hihigit sa 100 million
at marami pa sigurong pasunod.
ang ating mga paninindigan. Kapag sinabi nating
pesos ang gagastusin kada kilometro. Sa matitipid
Noong isang taon nga po, nagpakitang-gilas ang
tuwid na daan, may katapat itong kalsada sa
na pondo, mas mahabang kilometro ng riles ang
Kongreso sa pagpasa ng budget bago matapos ang
Barangay Bagumbayan sa Sta. Maria, Laguna. ‘Pag
mailalatag at makaka-abot sa mga lugar na malayo
taon. Dahil dito, nasimulan agad ang mga proyekto
sinabi nating malinis na pamamahala, may dadaloy
sa sentro ng komersyo. Ang mga dating sumisiksik
at hindi na inabot ng tag-ulan. Bukas na bukas
na malinis na tubig sa mga liblib na lugar gaya ng
sa siyudad para maghanap ng trabaho, maaari nang
po, ihahain na namin sa lehislatura ang budget
nasa Barangay Poblacion, sa Ferrol, Romblon. Kapag
tumira sa madyo mas malayo, nang hindi pahirapan
para sa susunod na taon. Umaasa po ako na muli
sinabi nating liwanag ng pagbabago, titiyakin nating
ang biyahe.
kayong magpapakitang-gilas, upang tuluyan na
ang
problema
sa
nating mapitas ang bunga ng mga naitanim nating
may liwanag na tatanglaw sa mga pamayanang
Uulitin ko po: ang mungkahing ito ay galing sa
dati ay nangangapa sa aandap-andap na gasera,
kapwa natin Pilipino, para sa Pilipinas. Naaalala po
gaya ng ginawa natin sa Barangay San Marcos, sa
ba ninyo ang panahon kung kailan ni hindi man
Maganda na po ang ating nasimulan. Pero
Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. Ganito na ang nangyayari
lang maabot ng mga pangarap natin ang ganitong
mahalaga pong maalala natin: simula pa lang ito.
sa marami pang ibang lugar; pinipilit nating ito rin
mga proyekto? Ngayon, sinasabi ko po sa inyo:
Marami pa tayong gagawin. Hayaan po ninyong
ang mangyari sa kabuuan ng Pilipinas.
pinapangarap natin ito, kaya natin ito, gagawin
ilatag ko sa Kongreso ang ilan sa mga batas na
natin ito. Hindi ba tayo nagagalak, Pilipino tayong
magpapaigting sa pagtupad ng ating mga panata
nabubuhay sa mga panahong ito?
sa bayan.
Nakatutok na po ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno; nag-uugnayan at nagtutulungan sila
pagbabago.
Layon
nating
bigyan
ng
kaukulang
upang maabot at mapabilis ang mga solusyon
Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, huwag po sana nating
sa mga problemang kaytagal nang pinapasan ng
lilimutin: masasayang lang ang lahat ng ating
kompensasyon ang mga biktima ng Martial Law;
bayan.
narating kung hindi tuluyang maiwawaksi ang
ang pagkakaloob ng makatarungang pasahod
kultura ng korupsyon na dinatnan natin.
at benepisyo para sa mga kasambahay; at ang
Di po ba’t may problema tayo sa baha, na alam naman nating dulot ng walang humpay
Sa mga kapwa ko empleyado ng sambayanan,
pagpapatupad ng isang mas maayos na sistema
at ilegal na pagputol ng mga puno? Ang dating
mula sa tuktok hanggang sa bawat sulok ng
ng pensyon para sa atin pong mga kawal.
solusyon: photo-op ng pagtatanim na ang tanging
burukrasya: Di po ba’t napakarangal na ngayon ang
Sinusuportahan din natin ang pagpapalawak ng
benepisyaryo ay nagpapoging pulitiko. Nagtanim
magtrabaho sa gobyerno? Di po ba’t ngayon, sa
sakop ng scholarship na ipinagkakaloob ng DOST
nga ng puno kontra-baha, pero hindi naman siniguro
halip na ikahiya, gusto mo pang isuot kung minsan
sa mahuhusay ngunit kapuspalad na mag-aaral; ang
na mananatiling nakatayo ang mga ito pag-alis nila.
ang iyong ID kung sumasakay ka ng bus o jeep
pagtataguyod ng pinaigting na pangkalahatang
papasok sa iyong ahensya? Sasayangin po ba natin
kalusugan; at ang pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan
ang karangalang kaloob sa atin ng sambayanan?
at sa mga pasilidad na titiyak sa kaligtasan ng mga
Isa sa mga solusyong hinahanda na po at pinagaaralan ay ang gawing kapaki-pakinabang sa mga
mamamayan sa oras ng sakuna.
pamayanan ang pagbabantay ng puno. Bibigyan sila
Iyan din po ang aking panawagan sa ating
ng binhi ng kape at cacao para itanim at mamunga
Local Government Units. Kabilang po ako sa mga
ng
ani,
sumasang-ayon na kayo ang pinaka-nakakaalam
pagpapalakas ng BuCor, ng NBI, ng NEA, at pati na
makakakuha sila ng stipend upang bantayan naman
sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan sa inyong mga
rin po ng PTV 4, upang sa halip na mapag-iwanan
ang mga punong itinanim laban sa baha. Puwedeng
lungsod at munisipyo. Makakaasa po ang ating
ng kaalaman at panahon, mas maayos nilang
maging benepisyaryo ng programang ito ang mga
mga LGU sa higit na kalayaan at kakayahan, kung
magagampanan ang kanilang pagbibigay-serbisyo
informal settlers, na ngayon ay nagkukumpulan
makakaasa rin tayong gagamitin ito sa tuwid na
sa publiko.
sa siyudad. Mamumuhunan tayo sa taumbayan,
paraan, at isasaalang-alang ang kapakanan ng
habang namumuhunan din sa kalikasan.
buong sambayanan.
kabuhayan.
Habang
hinihintay
ang
Kabilang
din
po
sa
ating
agenda
ang
Hindi ko po nailagay ang lahat ng gustong magpasali ng kanilang adbokasiya dito po sa SONA.
Noon bang isang taon, inisip kaya natin na kaya
Halimbawa po, may ilang munisipyo na naisipang
Pero kumpleto po ang detalye sa budget at budget
nating gawin ito? Sa ngayon, tinutupad na natin ang
magbuwis sa mga transmission lines ng kuryente na
message. Sa mga interesado po, pakibasa na lang
ating mga pangako. Bukas makalawa, katotohanan
dadaan sa kanilang mga pook. Magpapasok nga
detalye doon.
na ang lahat ng ating mga pinangarap.
po ng kita sa kanilang lokal na kaban, pero kapalit
May mga nagsasabing pinepersonal ko raw ang
Marami pa pong malikhaing konsepto na
nito, tataas din ang gastusin ng mas nakararaming
paghahabol sa mga tiwali. Totoo po: Personal talaga
inilalapit sa atin, at ang atin pong ipinatupad na.
Pilipino sa kuryente. Tiwala po akong kaya nating
sa akin ang paggawa ng tama, at ang pagpapanagot
May mosquito trap na pinapatay ang mga kiti-kiti
balansehin ang interes ng inyong mga nasasakupan
sa mga gumagawa ng mali—sino man sila. At hindi
ng lamok, na siguro naman po ay may kinalaman
sa interes ng sambayanan.
lamang dapat ako ang namemersonal sa usaping ito. Personal dapat ito sa ating lahat, dahil bawat Pilipino
sa halos labing-apat na porsiyentong pagbaba
Kailangan pong manatiling magkatugma ang
ng insidente ng dengue; may hibla ng niyog na
ating mga programa, dahil ang ikauunlad ng buong
itatapon na sana, pero puwede palang murang
bansa ay manganganak din ng resulta sa inyong
Ang mali—gaano katagal man ito nanatili—
solusyon sa mga daanang madaling mabitak; may
mga pook. Wakasan na po sana natin ang agendang
ay mali pa rin. Hindi puwedeng “Oks lang”; hindi
landslide sensor na magbababala kung tumaas
nakatuon sa susunod na eleksyon lamang, at ang
puwedeng “wala lang iyan.” Kapag kinalimutan natin
na ang panganib na gumuho ang lupa; may mga
kaisipang isla-isla tayong maihihiwalay ang sariling
ang mga ito, mangyayari lang ulit ang mga kamalian
ay biktima nito.
JULY 2011 Bagong Bayani 43
special report ng nakaraan. Kung hindi magbabayad ang mga
turismo; sisiguruhing hindi magugutom ang Pilipino
pong mga tsuper na pumapasada pa rin; kayong
nagkasala, parang tayo na rin mismo ang nag-imbita
sa pagpapalakas ng agrikultura. Ang mga dating
mga guro at estudyanteng pauwi pa lang mula sa
sa mga nagbabalak gumawa ng masama na kung
kinakaligtaan, bibigyang-puhunan ang kinabukasan.
klase; kayong patuloy ang paglikha ng mga obrang
Magbubunsod ito ng siklo kung saan tiyak na
nagpapaalab sa apoy ng ating pagka-Pilipino; kayong
may pupuno sa mga nalilikhang trabaho, at may mga
mga pulis, sundalo, kaminero, at bumbero; kayong
konsumer na lalong magpapalago sa mga negosyo.
mga marangal na magtrabaho, sa Pilipinas man, sa
puwede, uulitin ninyo ang ginawa ninyo. Ang totoo nga po, marami pang kalokohan ang
nahalungkat
natin—pero
hindi
na
po
magpapakahaba doon, bigyan ko na lang kayo ng
Batid ko po na hanggang ngayon ay may kakaunti
gitnang dagat, o sa ibang bansa; kayong mga tapat
isang halimbawa. Sa PAGCOR: kape. Isang bilyong
pang nagrereklamo sa ating estilo ng pamamahala.
na kasama natin sa gobyerno, anumang probinsya
piso po ang ginastos ng dating pamunuan ng
Nakita po ninyo ang aming estilo, at ang kaakibat
o partido; kayong mga Pilipinong nakikinig sa akin
ahensya para sa kape; sa isandaang piso na lang po
nitong resulta. Nakita po ninyo ang estilo nila, at
ngayon—kayo po ang lumikha ng pagkakataong ito.
kada tasa, lalabas na nakakonsumo sila ng sampung
kung saan tayo nito dinala. Sa mga taong bukas ang
milyong tasa ng kape. Baka po kahit ngayong iba na
mata, maliwanag kung saan ang tama.
Lumikha po kayo ng gobyernong tunay na nagtatrabaho para sa inyo. May limang taon pa
ang pamunuan ng PAGCOR ay dilat na dilat pa rin
Ngayong tayo na ang nagtitimon sa gobyerno,
tayo para siguruhing hindi na tayo babalik sa dating
ang mata ng mga uminom ng kapeng ito. Hanapin
malinaw ang direksyong tinatahak ng ating bayan.
kalagayan. Hindi tayo magpapadiskaril ngayong
nga po natin sila, at matanong: nakakatulog pa po
Isang bansa kung saan ang pagkakataon ay abot-
napakaganda na ng resulta ng ating sinimulan.
kayo?
kamay; kung saan ang mga nangangailangan ay
Kapag may nakita tayong butas sa sistema,
Pagpasok ng bagong Ombudsman na si dating
sinasaklolohan; kung saan may saysay ang bawat
huwag na po tayo magtangkang lumusot. Huwag
Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales,
patak ng pawis, bawat sandali ng pagtitiis, at bawat
na nating daanin sa pakiusap ang madadaan sa
magkakaroon tayo ng tanod-bayan na hindi
butil ng hinagpis na dinaanan natin. Kung may gawin
pagsisikap. Tama na ang unahan, tama na ang
magiging tanod-bayad ng mga nagwawang-wang
kang mabuti, may babalik sa iyong mabuti. At kung
tulakan, tama na ang lamangan, dahil lahat naman
sa pamahalaan. Inaasahan ko nga po na sa taon
may gawin kang masama, tiyak na mananagot ka.
po tayo ay makakarating sa minimithi nating
na ito, masasampahan na ng kaso ang maraming
Naaalala ko nga po ang isang ginang na lumapit
nagkuntsabahan sa katiwalian, at naging sanhi ng
sa akin noong kampanya; ang babala niya, “Noy,
situwasyong ating inabutan. Tapos na rin po ang
mag-iingat ka, marami kang kinakabangga.”
kinabukasan. Tapusin na po natin ang kultura ng negatibismo; iangat
natin
ang
kapwa-Pilipino
sa
bawat
panahon kung kailan nagsasampa ang gobyerno
Tama po ang sabi niya: Tao pong may agam-
pagkakataon. Bakit po ang iba, ang hilig maghanap
ng malalabnaw na kaso. Kapag tayo ang nagsampa,
agam din ako kung minsan. Pero wala po akong
ng kung anu-anong pangit sa ating bayan? At
matibay ang ebidensya, malinaw ang testimonya, at
alinlangang tumahak sa tuwid na daan: Buo ang
napakahirap—parang kasalanan—na magsabi ng
siguradong walang lusot ang salarin.
loob ko dahil alam kong nasa likod ko po kayo.
maganda? Naalala pa po ba natin noong huling
Salamat po.
beses tayong pumuri sa kapwa Pilipino?
Tutok po tayo na ang pagkakamit ng ganap na katarungan ay hindi natatapos sa pagsasakdal
Salamat po sa mga pari at obispo na masinsinang
Itigil na po natin ang paghihilahan pababa.
kung hindi sa pagkukulong ng maysala. Buo ang
nakikipagdiyalogo sa atin, katulad nina Cardinal
Ang dating industriya ng pintasan na hindi natin
kumpiyansa ko na tinutupad ng Department of
Rosales at Vidal. Di naman po kami ganoong
maitakwil, iwaksi na po natin. Tuldukan na po natin
Justice ang malaki nilang bahagi upang maipiit ang
kalapit ni Cardinal Rosales, pero naniniwala akong
ang pagiging utak-alimango; puwede bang iangat
mga salarin, lalo na sa mga kaso ukol sa tax evasion,
ibinuhos niya ang lahat para mabawasan ang hindi
naman natin ang magaganda nating nagawa?
drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, graft
pinagkakaunawaan ng gobyerno at simbahan. Sa
Kung may nakita kang mabuti, huwag kang
and corruption, at extrajudicial killings.
pagkahalal kay Archbishop Palma, tagapagtanggol
magdalawang-isip na purihin ito. Kapag nakita
Wala pong tsamba: ang tapat at mabuting
ng karapatang pantao at kalikasan, lalo pong
mo ang pulis sa kanto, nagtatrapik nang walang
pamamahala ay nanganganak ng mabuti ring
tumibay ang aking kumpiyansang ugnayan, at hindi
kapote sa ilalim ng ulan, lapitan mo siya at sabihing,
resulta. Isipin po ninyo: naipatupad natin ang mga
bangayan, ang mabubuo sa pagitan ng estado at
“Salamat po.”
ipinangakong serbisyo ng gobyerno, at nakapaglaan
simbahan.
pa ng sapat na pondo para sa mga proyekto nang hindi kinailangang magtaas ng buwis.
Kung magkasakit ka at makita mo ang nars
Salamat din po sa ating Gabinete, na walang kinikilalang
panahon
ng
tulog
o
pahinga,
Iyan naman po talaga ang plano: siguruhin na
maipatupad lang ang pambansang agenda. Special
patas ang laban; itigil ang panlalamang ng mga
mention po ang PAGASA, na tunay na ngayong
makapangyarihan; at tiyakin na ang dating sistema
nagbibigay ng maaasahang babala.
na nag-aruga sa iyo, sa halip na magserbisyo sa dayuhan kapalit ng mas malaking suweldo, pakisabi rin po, “Salamat po.” Bago ka umuwi galing eskuwela, lapitan mo ang guro mong piniling mamuhunan sa iyong
At sa mga nasasagasaan po natin sa landas ng
kinabukasan kaysa unahin ang sariling ginhawa;
katapatan at integridad sa pamamahala, ito naman
sabihin mo, “Salamat po”: Tulad ng aking gurong
Tinutuldukan na po natin ang wang-wang: sa
po ang aking masasabi: Pinili ninyo ang landas
nasa screen ngayon, Salamat po Ginang Escasa.
kalsada, sa gobyerno, sa kalakhang lipunan. Ito po
kung saan naaapi ang sambayanan. Pinili naman
Kung makasalubong mo ang iyong kinatawan sa
ang manganganak ng kumpiyansa na magdadala
namin ang landas na ipagtanggol ang taumbayan.
kalsadang dati ay lubak-lubak (o wala), at ngayon ay
ng negosyo; ito rin ang sisiguro na ang pondo
Nasa tama po kami; nasa mali kayo. Sa inyong
puwede nang daanan nang maaliwalas, lapitan mo
ng taumbayan ay mapupunta sa dapat nitong
magbabalik ng pang-aapi sa sambayan, hindi kayo
siya at sabihing: “Salamat po.”
kalagyan: Imprastruktura na titiyak sa tuluyang
magtatagumpay.
kung saan nakikinabang ang iilan ay magiging bukal ng oportunidad para sa lahat.
Kaya po, sa sambayanang Pilipino, ang aking Boss
pag-angat ng ekonomiya at pagmumulan ng
Sa lahat ng mga kasama natin sa tuwid na daan:
na nagtimon sa atin tungo sa araw na ito: maraming,
trabaho, at serbisyong panlipunan na sisigurong
kayo ang lumikha ng pagkakataong baguhin ang
maraming salamat po sa pagbabagong tinatamasa
walang mapag-iiwanan. Bubukas ang marami pang
dinatnan, at gawing mas maganda ang ipapamana
natin ngayon.
pintuang pangkabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng
natin sa susunod na salinlahi ng mga Pilipino. Kayo
44 Bagong Bayani JULY 2011
Buhay na buhay na ang Pilipinas at ang Pilipino.
Importer, Exporter and Wholesaler of Filipino Food Stuffs, Cosmetics, and Other Asian Products
GO Regional Trading Import and Export Pte Ltd
196 Pandan Loop #01-25 Pantech Business Hub, Singapore 128384 Tel: (65) 6776 0953 | (65) 6776 0965 Fax: (65) 6776 9076 | Email: goregional@singnet.com.sg
snapshots
Manuel Vega Soliven II Painter/Sculptor, born 13 Jan 1965
“Too much has already been said about art being the search for truth or meaning. For me, the more I do art the more I get to know myself. Creating something from nothing: A blank piece of paper becomes an image, which becomes an experience, which in turn moves and transforms the viewer. When it fails, when I'm "off", it hurts; I can get depressed, even angry. Art isn't always fun. And sometimes I'm even afraid to try. As far as style is concerned, I'm not so concerned with finding my own voice, as I am with finding
new things to say, or new ways to say familiar things. I easily tire of working in a certain style or technique. I rarely paint or draw from life. My drawings or paintings begin with an impulse. The message or meaning then slowly reveals itself as I draw or paint. I like the way meanings unfold as I paint. I seldom work from a preset plan. Color and brushwork, light and shadow, line and form. These are what make up my vocabulary. Much as I want to understand it myself, the meaning or what I want to say goes way beyond words.”
For Enquiries, Please contact ArtsCura™ Management Pte Ltd 3 Church Street, #08-00 Samsung Hub, Singapore 049483 Tel: 6408 3738 • Mobile: 9457 9209 • Fax: 6408 0101 www.artscura.com 46 Bagong Bayani JULY 2011
snapshots
Pieta Blue Madolnna
Mr & Miss Fortitude
MJ
JULY 2011 Bagong Bayani 47
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