Vol. 21, No. 13 | March 28 - April 3, 2016 by Pahayagang BALIKAS

March 28 - April 3, 2016 | Vol. 21, No. 13 | Php 12.00/copy balikasonline@yahoo.com | 0912.902.7373 | 0977.839.5547

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UNITY IN ADVERSITY. Local church officials led by Lipa archbishiop Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D., and some candidates from opposing sides join the early morning Lakad-Dasal for Greener Batangas. Three of the five candidates for the congressional seat of the Lone District of Batangas (right photo), namely, Hernando B. Perez, Carlito Bisa and Felipe M. Baroja join the action.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

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MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2016

NEWS 2 Duterte exposes Poe’s inexperience

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SENATOR Grace Poe lacks the experience and the political will to protect the country’s national sovereignty from foreign threats, this point was illustrated by Presidential bet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte during the second presidential debates on Sunday (March 20) at the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu campus. During the second round of the debate, each candidate was allowed to field one question directed to a fellow contender. For his part, Duterte was designated to

ask Senator Grace Poe a question. “If elected as president, what would be the first steps that you would do if you are woken up in the middle of the night by a call informing you that the Chinese bombed two of our coast guard ships in Spratlys island?” Duterte asked. Poe gave indirect responses to Duterte’s question. Among the answers she gave were to modernize the Philippine military and to cooperate with other ASEAN countries in engaging China to follow a code of conduct on the West

Philippine Sea. Notwithstanding Poe’s vague response, Duterte pressed on his question. “What would be the first three steps that you would do if you hear about the report?” Poe answered that the first thing she would do is to get up from her bed. This elicited laughter from the audience. The senator also said that she will call several government agencies and meet with them to know what best course of action is needed. In the end, Poe failed to put forward concrete

solutions to Duterte’s question. The tough-talking mayor earlier stressed that if elected, he will conduct bilateral talks with the government of China to assert the Philippines’ territorial rights. “I will personally talk to China. I will not move an inch. I will tell them that, ‘you are occupying areas which now belong to the Republic of the Philippines. I will also remind them of the last line of our national anthem, ‘ang mamatay nang dahil sayo’,” Duterte said. | BALIKAS NEWS TEAM

PDRRMO, PCG-Romblon, maglalagay ng signages sa mga pantalan ROMBLON, Romblon — babala (warning sign) o Sinisimulan na ng Provincial paalala na bawal ng pumalaot Disaster Risk Reduction and o maglayag. Management Office sa Sinabi ni Engr. Antonio pakikipagtulungan ng P. Sarzona, PDRRM Officer, Philippine Coast Guard na kanyang isinusog ang (PCG)-Romblon Station ang nasabing suhestiyon sa PCGpaglalagay ng signages sa Romblon na maglagay ng mga pantalan (sea ports) sa warning sign sa tuwing may bagyo o nagbabantang sama buong lalawigan. Ito ang pagbabatayan ng ng panahon at may nakataas mga barko, pampasaherong na gale warning sa probinsiya bangka at mga maliliit na upang maging aware ang mangingisda kapag may lahat ng maglalayag. “Layunin din nito na nakataas na babala ng bagyo o mayroong gale warning sa mailayo sa kapahamakan ang lalawigan na magsisilbing >>BIYAHE... sundan sa P/3

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‘Pabasa ng Pasyon 2016’ sa lunsod, pinamunuan ng Samahang Nazareno BATANGAS City – PARA kay dating Mayor Vilma Dimacuha, ang pakikilahok sa Pabasa ng Pasyon ay isang panata at ang tradisyong ito ay nais niyang panatilihing buhay at maipasa sa nga kabataan. Sa Pasyon nakapaloob ang paghihirap ni Hesukristo upang tubusin sa kasalanan ang sanlibutan. Ito ay binabasa sa paraan ng pagkanta upang lalong maramdaman ang pagpupuri sa Panginoon na nagpakasakit at namatay sa krus. Ipinakita sa atin ni Hesus na ang daan sa tunay na kapayapaan ay ang buong pusong

pagtalima sa kagustuhan ng Diyos. Kasama ni Gng. Dimacuha sa pagbabasa ng pasyon ang mga katatandaan mula sa iba’t-ibang barangay, Samahang NAZARENO, Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina o KALIPI at Ilang mga empleyado ng pamahalaang lunsod Ayon sa mga kalahok dito, nakagisnan na nila ang pagbasa ng pasyon at kada taon na may pabasa ang lungsod sila ay nakikilahok dito. Dumadating din sa punto na ang ibang grupo sa kanila ay kinakausap sa ibang lugar upang mamuno sa pabasa.| CITY PIO

Getting to KnowTeam IMIS-GAWA or CLEAN ACT KNOW the Team IMIS-GAWA by their platforms and advocacies... The acronym CLEAN ACT stands for COLLABORATION, LIVELIHOOD and ENTERPRISE, EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, NATURE & ENVIRONMENT, ACCESSIBLE HEALTH SERVICES, CORRUPTION-FREE & TRANSPARENCY, and TOURISM DEVELOPMENT.  COLLABORATION — The governance under Imis-Gawa will be anchored on the collaboration of all sectors of the society. The programs and policies are characterized by participative inputs of representatives of all sectors. We will make the provincial government more accessible to the people by building Capitol extension offices in every district. We will bring the government closer to the people that we may get to know the real problems in the localities and bring immediate and suitable solutions to their needs.  LIVELIHOOD and ENTERPRISE — Creation of programs that will provide livelihood opportunities to Batangueño families. Batangueños are known for their industry and hardwork. Giving fish to a man is not the solution, but to let him fish for his family. Livelihood opportunities will support from the government will put an end to poverty, to the over-use of Taal Lake due to fish cage operation. Livelihood opportunities will lead people not to cling on vices and illegal drugs.

We will invite light industry locators to provide more job opportunities. We can even utilized other idle lands under PPP.  EDUCATION & ENVIRONMENT — Education is the best foundation. Allotment of necessary infrastructures like classrooms, laboratories, libraries and hiring of more teachers will give our children a strong educational foundation. Roads and bridges should be made accessible and improved. Scholarship services will be extended and strengthened. Cause for environmental protection should be taught to our children, not only in classroom, but also through action. Every student will be taught to plant a tree and be monitored, with the help of his family, until he finished his schooling.  AGRICULTURE — About 60% of rur lands are agricultural. It is one of the sectors that are almost left behind by past administrations. We have lots of idle lands that we could lend to our farmers. We will have a full-time provincial agriculturist to handle this department to ensure that programs are implemented and sustained.  NATURE & ENVIRONMENT — We welcome investors BUT utmost protection of the environment must be upheld. We only need responsible locators in our province. We are for responsible mining. With the geographical framework and settings of our province, we are against openfit and large-scale mining in our province. Not to Gold Mining in Lobo. It will not only take away the natures of Lobo, but will affect our Verde Island Passage. We are also against Coal-Fired Power Plants. We have lots of power plants in the province. We only welcome environment-friendly power producers. We will also address Climate Change and institute programs to address its effects to our province, especially to our farmers and fisherfolks.  ACCESSIBLE HEALTH SERVICES — We will make the health services truly accessible to all Batangueños. Our Districts Hospitals will be upgraded in terms of facilities and services.

We will hire more doctors, nurses and support staffs to attend to the needs of our patients. Free medicines will be provided and laboratory services will be made available. We will also facilitate partnerships with private hospitals for the extensions of social and medical services to our people. It’s only then, if these programs are implemented that we can say that health services in Batangas and truly accessible to our constituents.  CORRUPTION-FREE — This Administration of Imis-Gawa will have to clean up all mess in the capitol and all branches of the provincial government. Red tape is always taken for granted, and we will act on this responsibly. The Citizens Charter will not only be posted in every office, but should be observed and implemented. We will make transparency not only as a by-word but will be put into action.  TOURISM DEVELOPMENT — Tourism is the most promising industry the province has today. Batangas is the province most proximate or accessible to Metro Manila. We have to make the tourism industry opportunities be beneficial to the people. We will develop more programs that will promote local tourism and give jobs to our people.

Vote Team IMIS-GAWA! DONG MENDOZA for GOVERNOR! NAS ONA for VICE GOVERNOR!

MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2016

3 Ligtas na pagbibiyahe, tiniyak nitong Semana Santa NEWS

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BATANGAS City - LIGTAS na nakabiyahe ang mga nagsiuwi sa kani-kanilang mga probinsya nitong nakalipas na Semana Santa. Ito’y matapos ang matagumpay na operasyon ng “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” ng kapulisan sa Batangas City sa pamamagitan ng inspeksyon ng pantalan, terminal ng bus at jeepney at pagtatalaga ng mga kapulisan dito upang maseguro ang kapakanan ng

publiko at maiwasan ang mga aksidente. Krimen at anumang karahasan. Kasama ng Batangas City Police sa operasyong ito ang pamahalaang lunsod, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Batangas Provincial Police, Philippne Maritime Police, at ang Philippine Coast Guard. Kaugnay nito, binisita ni PSSUPT Romulo E. Sapitula, Deputy Regional Director for Operation CALABARZON

PRO-IV-A ang Batangas Port noong Marso 19, Sabado, upang maseguro na maayos at ligtas ang kondisyong ng mga magbabiyahe na gaya ng inasahan ay dumamami nga nitong nagdaang linggo. Bukod sa paglilibot sa mga pampublikong lugar at mga pangunahing kalsada, namimigay rin ng mga flyers ang mga pulis tungkol sa mga paalala at babala sa pagbibiyahe nitong nagdaang

LIGTAS at maayos na nakapagbiyahe ang mga nagsiuwi sa kani-kanilang mga probinsya nitong nagdaang Semana Santa.| CITY PIO Office, Bureau of Fire iniisa-isa nila ang pagSemana Santa. May mga checkpoints Protection at iba pa upang inspeksyon sa mga papaalis na kasama ang mga miyembro umalalay sa mga motoristang barko at bangka at sinisiguro ng Special Weapons And nangangailangan ng tulong. na may manifesto at tamang Tiniyak naman ng pamu- bigat at kargada sa bawat Tactics o SWAT. Naglagay rin ng Assistance Desk sa police nuan ng PPA na may sapat biyahe. headquarters, Batangas Port na barko at motorized banca Nagpatuloy rin ang pagat mga terminal kasama ang na nagdala sa mga pasahero ikot ng K9 dogs na nag-insmga miyembro ng City sa mga island provinces tulad peksyon sa mga bagahe upang Disaster Risk Reduction ng Mindoro at Romblon. siguruhin na walang anuMahigpit naman ang Management Council kagaya mang mapanganib na kagaTINIYAK ng pulisya na may sapat na tauhan ang Oplan Ligtas Biyahe na maaring sumagot naging pagpapatupad ng ng CDRRMO, City Health mitan ang maaaring naisakay sa mga pangangailangan ng mga biyahero nitong nagdaang Semana Santa.| CITY PIO ............................................................................................................................................................... Coast Guard ng kanilang “no o madala ng mga pasahero.| overloading policy” kung saan LIZA PEREZ DE LOS REYES

Romulo wants to double pension for indigent seniors THE next Congress should increase to at least P1,000 monthly, or P12,000 per annum, the pension for indigent senior citizens, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said over the weekend. “The raise is long overdue. Under the law, Congress is supposed to review the allowance for poverty-stricken seniors every two years for a possible upward adjustment. Yet, Congress has not bumped up the pension in the last six years,” Romulo said. The Expanded Senior Citizens Law of 2010 provides

destitute seniors a P500 monthly stipend, or P6,000 per annum, “subject to a review every two years by Congress, in consultation with the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD).” Romulo said Congress should pass a joint SenateHouse resolution providing for the 100-percent increase in the monthly allowance for needy seniors. “A monthly grant of at least P1,000 will serve as a bigger helping hand to extremely deprived seniors

who have absolutely no one else to turn to for financial aid,” Romulo said. Indigent seniors refer to all Filipinos who are 60 years and old and above who are without regular pension from the Social Security System or the Government Service Insurance System, or lacking permanent source of income, compensation, or regular and appropriate financial assistance from relatives. They are enrolled in the DSWD’s Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program (SPISCP).

............................................................................. <<<BIYAHE.... mula sa P/2

Romulo’s proposal implies that the national government will have to spend at least another P20 billion every year for the SPISCP. The program this year has an allotment of P10 billion, which is meant to pay for the P500 monthly stipend of some 1.6 million impoverished seniors. The P10 billion is P4.1 billion, or 70 percent, greater than the SPISCP’s 2015 allocation of P5.9-billion – intended as pocket money for 900,000 hard up seniors.|

PDRRMO, PCG-Romblon, maglalagay ng signages sa mga pantalan

BALIKAS NEWS TEAM

mga mananakay o pasahero,” maikling pahayag ni Sarzona. Nagsimula na silang maglagay ng tarpaulin sa mga daungan na nagsasaad ng mga palatandaan at paalala kapag may weather disturbances. May itataas umanong bandila sa tuwing masungit ang lagay ng panahon kung saan sa kulay nito magbabase ang mga barko at pampasaherong bangka kung maaari ba

silang maglayag o hindi. Kapag kulay dilaw na parihaba ang nakataas na bandila, ang maliliit na bangka ay hindi maaring pumalaot; kapag pulang oval ang nakataas sa pole, hindi na papayagang pumalaot ang mga pampasaherong bangka (pump boat) at kapag pulang parihaba naman ang nakataas, lahat ng uri ng sasakyang pandagat ay hindi na pahihintulutang maglayag.|

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2015

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OPINION

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Urbi et Orbi blessing

MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2016

OPINION

[Given by Pope Francis at the Vatican, Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016.]

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter! Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God’s mercy, out of love for us, died on the cross, and out of love he rose again from the dead. That is why we proclaim today: Jesus is Lord! His resurrection fulfils the prophecy of the Psalm: God’s mercy endures for ever; it never dies. We can trust him completely, and we thank him because for our sake he descended into the depths of the abyss. Before the spiritual and moral abysses of mankind, before the chasms that open up in hearts and provoke hatred and death, only an infinite mercy can bring us salvation. Only God can fill those chasms with his love, prevent us from falling into them and help us to continue our journey together towards the land of freedom and life. The glorious Easter message, that Jesus, who was crucified is not here but risen (cf. Mt 28:5-6), offers us the comforting assurance that the abyss of death has been bridged and, with it, all mourning, lamentation and pain (cf. Rev 21:4). The Lord, who suffered abandonment by his disciples, the burden of an unjust condemnation and shame of an ignominious death, now makes us sharers of his immortal life and enables us to see with his eyes of love and compassion those who hunger and thirst, strangers and prisoners, the marginalized and the outcast, the victims of oppression and violence. Our world is full of persons suffering in body and spirit, even as the daily news is full of stories of brutal crimes which often take place within homes, and large-scale armed conflicts which cause indescribable suffering to entire peoples. The risen Christ points out paths of hope to beloved Syria, a country torn by a lengthy conflict, with its sad wake of destruction, death, contempt for humanitarian law and the breakdown of civil concord. To the power of the risen Lord we entrust the talks now in course, that good will and the cooperation of all will bear fruit in peace and initiate the building of a fraternal society respectful of the dignity and rights of each citizen. May the message of life, proclaimed by the Angel beside the overturned stone of the tomb, overcome hardened hearts and promote a fruitful encounter of peoples and cultures in other areas of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, Yemen and Libya. May the image of the new man, shining on the face of Christ, favour concord between Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land, as well as patience, openness and daily commitment to laying the foundations of a just and lasting peace through direct and sincere negotiations. May the Lord of life also accompany efforts to attain a definitive solution to the war in Ukraine, inspiring and sustaining initiatives of humanitarian aid, including the liberation of those who are detained. The Lord Jesus, our peace (Eph 2:14), by his resurrection triumphed over evil and sin. May he draw us closer on this Easter feast to the victims of terrorism, that blind and brutal form of violence which continues to shed blood in different parts of the world, as in the recent attacks in Belgium, Turkey, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Iraq. May he water the seeds of hope and prospects for peace in Africa; I think in particular of Burundi, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, marked by political and social tensions. With the weapons of love, God has defeated selfishness and death. His son Jesus is the door of mercy wide open to all. May his Easter message be felt ever more powerfully by the beloved people of Venezuela in the difficult conditions which they are experiencing, and by those responsible for the country’s future, that everyone may work for the common good, seeking spaces of dialogue and cooperation with all. May efforts be made everywhere to promote the culture of counter, justice and reciprocal respect, which alone can guarantee the spiritual and material welfare of all people. The Easter message of the risen Christ, a message of life for all humanity, echoes down the ages and invites us not to forget those men and women seeking a better future, an ever more numerous throng of migrants and refugees – including many children – fleeing from war, hunger, poverty and social injustice. All too often, these brothers and sisters of ours meet along the way with death or, in any event, rejection by those who could offer them welcome and assistance. May the forthcoming World Humanitarian Summit

>>>EASTER....turn to P/6

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“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever” (Ps 135:1)

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Money Laundering in the Gambling Republic QUESTIONS on what comprises the majority of the Supreme Court have surfaced following the decision on the state of the nationality of Ms. Grace Poe. According to news reports, the Supreme Court declared that Ms. Grace Poe is a natural-born citizen after seven (7) Justices voted in her favour. While there are fifteen (15) Justices sitting in the court, only twelve (12) voted for and against the issue as three (3) opted to abstain from the voting. Considering that the full court is 15, questions on whether the 7 affirmative votes may be considered as the majority of the court puts a dent on the acceptability of the ruling. Money-laundering is what allows criminal syndicates to thrive, and to perpetrate their criminality. Money-laundering keeps the life-blood of terrorist groups, domestic and international, flowing, and it bears the detestable fruit of murder, brigandage, pillage and wantonness. This is the reason that the Philippines joined the rest of the world in enacting tough legislative measures against money-laundering. National Shame Alas, our country figured prominently in a recently reported heist involving what was reported to be $81 million stolen from Bangladesh. From Bangladesh, this astoundingly huge amount supposedly went into one of our commercial banks in the Philippines, and from there, to a local money-transfer firm, and then into the casinos. Senate has commenced an investigation into the matter, and we are only now starting to see how wide the reach of this form of criminality and arrant immorality is. No one pulls off a criminal stunt like this alone. So it is that the dramatis personae in this sad story of loot and theft are many including cyber-criminals, colluding bank executives, probably even government officials and public servants. The amendment to the law that different sectors press for diverts attention from the real problem: Enforcement, public vigilance and the moral bankruptcy that underlies all forms of criminality, disorder and immoral conduct. Government Sanctioned Gambling Increased! Casinos of course can be avenues of moneylaundering, and it is just not possible to include within legislation whatever means criminals, in their ingenuity, may make use of to make proceeds of criminal activity take on the appearance of legitimate currency and earnings!

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But we decry casinos more as a symbol of the reckless abandon with which many live their lives. It is common knowledge that fortunes have been lost, families have been wrecked, futures shattered at casino tables — and yet, they continue to thrive, government sanctions them and their operators and owners continue to enrich themselves. Many countries of the world have made online betting illegal, criminal even, but in the Philippines, this detestable activity continues. Many foreigners make their way into our country in behalf of foreign principals, not for trade, nor to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life, but to place online bets and indulge in the varied forms that online gambling takes! Repeatedly, large-scale, organized gambling has been linked to organized crime. And while we are not prepared to say that all gambling in the Philippines is crime-related, we are alarmed at the seeming lukewarmness on the part of government and civil society at dealing with these forms of high-stakes, highrisk gambling. Gambling Corrodes Our Moral Fiber We likewise reiterate the moral teaching that gambling’s malice consists in the desire of the gambler to profit, if possible immensely and quickly, without making any corresponding contribution to society in terms of industry, investment and the creation of jobopportunities. Gambling also runs counter to the providence by which every person ought to provide diligently and prudently for himself and for his family, for it leaves to the flipping of dice, the spinning of wheels or the fortuity of cards what can and must be earned through diligence, creativity, application and toil. In each diocese then, the Bishops will vigilantly monitor gambling activities, promptly report to authorities the operation of illegal gambling outlets, and constantly educate the faithful on the immorality of gambling in whatever form, taking special care to keep the youth farthest away from this vice. In the Risen Lord, we know we can prevail! From the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, March 28, 2016 + SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan President, CBCP

Joenald Medina Rayos Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

Nicetas E. Escalona Lifestyle Editor

Jerick M. Dorado Copy Editor

Atty. Roberto Iñigo Sanchez Legal Consultant

Melinda R. Landicho Sarah Joy Hernandez News Reporters

Janlei Benedict G. Rayos | Cartoonist

Gerry M. Zamudio | Atty. Jesus Dureza Atty. Jose Sison | Atty. Ramel C. Muria Benjie Oliveros Columnists Kier Labrador | Webmaster

Jack L. Aquino | Jessie delos Reyes John M aico Hernandez Contributors Ronalina B. Lontoc Special Project Editor Benjie de Castro | Circulation In-Charge

Ang pangalang “BALIKAS” ay hango sa mga salitang ‘balik’ at ‘kalikasan’. Hangad ng pahayagang ito na maging kasangkapan sa paghahatid ng mahahalagang impormasyon upang maibalik ang dating anyo ng ating inang kalikasan.|

MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2016

OPINION

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The growth of the Catholic Church  MARCUS ROBERTS

Commentary THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is once again blackmailing the public – for the nth time – into allowing it to disregard the safeguards provided by the Automated Election System Law (AES). After the Supreme Court ruled that the Comelec should print voter receipts, which is one of the transparency safeguards of the automated elections, the Comelec warned that it is considering the probability of postponing the May 9 elections citing that it would have to adjust its preparations with barely two months to go till election day. HAPPY Easter everyone! I thought that today’s topic was appropriate for the season…The Vatican has just released its statistics on the recent size and growth of the Catholic Church throughout the world which are contained within the 2016 Pontifical Yearbook, and the 2014 Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae. These statistics show that throughout the period studied (the ten years 2005-2014) the number of Catholics increased from 1.12 billion to 1.27 billion. This represents a growth rate faster than that of the global population meaning that as a proportion of the world there were slightly more Catholics in 2014 than in 2005. As the Catholic news Agency reports, certain areas of the world saw massive growth in the number of Catholics: “The greatest increase in Catholics was seen in the African continent at 41 percent, amid an overall

population growth of 23.8 percent. This was followed by Asia, with a 20 percent Catholic increase vs. the 9.6 percent population increase, then America which saw an 11.7 percent increase in Catholics compared to 9.6 percent of the population.” In contrast, in Europe the growth of Catholics only kept pace with population growth while in Oceania the overall population growth was slightly larger than that of the Catholic population. The number of bishops worldwide increased in line with the overall growth of Catholics, as did the number of diocesan and religious priests. However, there was a decline in the number of new priests in Europe and Oceania. The number of permanent deacons increased in Africa, but overall there was a decline worldwide. Similarly, there was worldwide decline in the number of female religious, but an increase in Africa and Asia. The number of seminarians for the priesthood also slightly increased from 114,439 in 2005 to 116,939 in 2014. This number peaked in 2011 at 120,616. The number of seminarians was consistently highest in Africa, Asia, and Oceania, while Europe and America saw a decline in the number of seminarians. Now, one can dispute the definition of a “Catholic”— should we use it to apply to someone who is baptized, but is not practicing? Your answer would probably depend on your view of the nature and effect of baptism. However, there is little doubt that the medium-term future of the Catholic Church in terms of numbers of laity and religious is not Europe but Africa and Asia. (Republished with permission from MercatorNet)

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Illumination from the empty tomb MAY mga penitensya pa ba sa Pilipinas?” emailed a friend, an Ateneo graduate, living abroad for many years now. As a child she used to gawk at them in her hometown in Pampanga. She commented that these “masochistic flagellants” reflect a pervasive sense of worthlessness that infects the national consciousness which in turn keeps the country in stagnation. This friend (who has a yen for psychoanalysis) thinks Filipinos are “used to suffering” and enjoy being victims, thus they have endured centuries of injustice to their own detriment. She sees poverty and ignorance as the main culprits in the country’s state of affairs and thinks the solution lies in educating the people and eradicating graft and corruption. Of course, I emailed her a piece of my mind as well. It follows: I observe that the flagellants come from the lower socio-eco-nomic echelons and would not be in a position to analyze their penchant for blood-letting in the same way an Atenean probably would. Yes, they looked at the forsaken Jesus and probably identified with the man on the cross but—I would venture a guess—not out of a deep sense of victimhood as a people. Their horizon is within arm’s reach, or baranggay-wide in some cases, and they wouldn’t be bothered by history, let alone link their present condition to a past of indignities the colonizers subjected their great great great grandparents to. As a growing girl and later on as mainstream media person, I myself had been privileged to get acquainted with a handful of them. That’s practically all I’m basing my observations on—person to person contact. Most, if not all of them, live a notch above or below poverty line. They can barely make both ends meet but they can always persuade Aling Belay at the corner sari-sari store to spare them a bottle of “lapad” or “quatro cantos” (read “Marka Dimonyo”) at the end of each harrowing day. And for them every godforsaken day is harrowing. When you are poor and ignorant, it is hard to believe you have any choice. But their self-immolation is a choice, their choice— Vatican pronouncements notwithstanding. They flagellate themselves because it’s a panata, a vow to be honored year after year as their way of expressing remorse for their sins. They are happy that way. They may feel worthless in their sinfulness but not hopeless in their blood-letting. Being whipped and nailed on the cross is for them reliving the pasyon ni Hesus— peculiar, perhaps, but it is their imitation of Christ. These Holy Week “masochists” are by no means the sole barometer of our national spiritual climate. It would be myopic—not to mention unjust—to say that Filipinos

bear in their collective psyche the “sense of worthlessness that has made them endure centuries of injustice … and that keeps the country in a perpetual state of stagnation.” Let me ask you: How many flagellants do we have every year? Hundreds? How many get “crucified”? Two? Three? For every penitent bleeding himself clean during semana santa, how many pleasure-seekers troop to the beaches oblivious of the pasyon? If we have “masochists”, we also have “hedonists” by the thousands; is it a feeling of worthlessness that drives them to escape the dour Holy Week spirit? For every dozen who choose holiday over Holy Week, how many hundreds of thousands of Filipinos stay put in the city— flocking to the churches for the Seven Last Words, going on a visita iglesia with families and friends, attending the Easter vigil vibrating with anticipation, as though awaiting the very birth of Christ itself? Can you honestly say that we as a people have in our core this “sense of worthlessness”? Is progress elusive because we are “used to suffering”?  Gotcha! As a people, we are where we are—and no president or Poncio Pilato can save us—not because we are used to suffering but because we are afraid to suffer for Christ ’s sake! Sa totoo lang, tita, we run away from the Cross! Those who are already suffering from poverty and ignorance are caught in a rut because those who are in a position to help them out are unwilling to suffer with them. Our concept and practice of charity even tend to perpetuate the status quo when do-gooders help the poor placate their conscience while the poor use their poverty as an excuse for their slothfulness. That’s the real picture: rich and poor alike, educated or not, refuse to walk the extra mile to unite and improve things for the country! People are too comfortable in their own little worlds to bother looking at the big picture, much as less to work towards building the Kingdom of God ! So you see, even though poverty and ignorance is our problem, it is a mistake to think that money and education alone can liberate us from these twin evils. We still find in all economic levels people who are never satisfied with the money they are making—they feel impoverished if they cannot have more, more, more. We have more and supposedly better schools now than our grandfathers who were raised on caton ever did, and yet we still encounter soul-searing ignorance even among our PhDs.

>>>TUNAY...... P/7

5 Protecting our environment SUMMER time: Unlike in previous years, now we can feel the extreme and oppressive heat of summer. Scientists claim that this excessive heat is due to global warming or climate change, caused by the thinning ozone layer. Global warming and climate change refer to the rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate and its related effects. Scientific evidence shows that the climate system is warming. Most of additional energy stored in the climate system has gone into ocean warming. The remainder has melted ice, warmed the continents, and the atmosphere. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported in 2014 that scientists were more than 95% certain that global warming is mostly being caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other human (anthropogenic) activities. Anticipated effects include warming global temperature, rising sea levels, changing precipitation, and expansion of deserts in the subtropics. Warming is expected to be greater over land than over the oceans and greatest in the Arctic, with the continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost, and sea ice. Other likely changes include more frequent extreme weather events, including heat waves, droughts, heavy rainfall with floods and heavy snowfall, ocean acidification; and species extinctions due to shifting temperature. Effects significant to humans include the threat to food security from decreasing crop yields and the abandonment of populated areas due to rising sea levels. Possible societal responses to global warming include mitigation by emission reduction, adaptation to its effects, building systems resilient to its effects, and possible future climate engineering. Most countries are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), whose ultimate objective is to prevent dangerous anthropogenic climate change. Parties to the UNFCCC agreed that deep cuts in emissions are required and that future global warming should be limited to below 2.0 °C (3.6 °F) relative to the pre-industrial level. On November 12, 2015, NASA scientists reported that human-made carbon dioxide continues to increase above levels not seen in hundreds of thousands of years: currently, about half of the carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil fuels is not absorbed by vegetation and the oceans and remains in the atmosphere.  During his visit to ground zero in Tacloban, Former Vice President of the United States and environmentalist Al Gore, gave the projected impact on the Philippines should temperatures continue to rise despite the 2degree limit in carbon emissions set by the Paris Climate Accord in December 2015. He said “We are seeing the loss of endangered species. Already, the Philippine eagle is endangered.” He also presided over the 3-day “Climate Reality Leadership Training Corps” where he stated that 50% of all living species on the planet, including the endemic birds in the Philippines, would be lost in a century “if we don’t arrest this dangerous trend.” He also said that 2015 was the hottest year and the last month was the 372nd consecutive month with global temperature higher than the 20th century average. We are now in the midst of El Niño and dry spell. El Niño is a largescale meteorological phenomenon that develops in the Pacific Ocean commonly associated with drought in the Philippines. It does not only cause drought, it also brings stronger typhoons, but this is expected only in the latter part of the year. Two recent typhoons that hit the country, Marilyn and Nona, helped provide relief from El Niño’s effects, especially in rice-producing regions.  In his Encyclical, Laudato Si, Pope Francis promotes care for our Mother Nature. He said “Let us be protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan, inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.” He further said “God always forgives; human beings sometimes forgive; but when nature is mistreated, she never forgives.” St. Pope John Paul II stated “The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use of future generations.” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI stated: “We are all responsible for the protection and care of the environment, this responsibility knows no boundary.”  Every year, the Philippines joins the Earth Hour, a worldwide movement for the planet organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The event is held worldwide annually encouraging individuals, communities, households, and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. towards the end of March, as a symbol of their commitment to the planet. It was famously started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then, it has grown to engage more than 7,000 cities and towns worldwide. Today, Earth Hour engages a massive mainstream community on a broad range of environmental issues. The one-hour event continues to remain the key driver of the now larger movement. Earth Hour 2016 was on Saturday, March 19, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. during participants’ local time. Kalookan Diocese Hello Father 911 Saturday Edition at Radio Veritas 846 gave way so that the Catholic-runned radio station could be at the fore-front covering the one-hour program of on the spot reports and commentaries during the Earth Hour. “Let us care for Mother Nature, Let us care for our Future!”

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2015

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OPINION

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MARCH 21 - 27, 2016

LGUs should earn from local shipping ports – Romulo THE provinces, cities and municipalities should get a reasonable portion of the income generated by the staterun Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) from local shipping port operations, Pasig City Rep.RomanRomulosaid over the weekend. “Local governments are entitled to their fair share of the earnings from commercial seaports in their areas,” Romulo said.

The lawmaker likened his proposal to the money that cities hosting casinos receive regularly from the government-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR). “Our proposal will not diminish in any way the PPA’s mandate and financial capability to continuously modernize and upgrade public port operations countrywide,” Romulo said. He said local governments could get their slice from the 50-percent portion of the PPA’s annual net income that is remitted to the

................................................................................................. <<<EASTER... from P/5

Urbi et Orbi blessing not fail to be centred on the human person and his or her dignity, and to come up with policies capable of assisting and protecting the victims of conflicts and other emergencies, especially those who are most vulnerable and all those persecuted for ethnic and religious reasons. On this glorious day, “let the earth rejoice, in shining splendour” (cf. Easter Proclamation), even though it is so often mistreated and greedily exploited, resulting in an alteration of natural equilibria. I think especially of those areas affected by climate change, which not infrequently causes drought or violent flooding, which then lead to food crises in different parts of the world. Along with our brothers and sisters persecuted for their faith and their fidelity to the name of Christ, and before the evil that seems to have the upper hand in the life of so many people, let us hear once again the comforting words of the Lord: “Take courage; I have conquered the world! (Jn

16:33). Today is the radiant day of this victory, for Christ has trampled death and destruction underfoot. By his resurrection he has brought life and immortality to light (cf. 2 Tim 1:10). “He has made us pass from enslavement to freedom, from sadness to joy, from mourning to jubilation, from darkness to light, from slavery to redemption. Therefore let us acclaim in his presence: Alleluia!” (Melito of Sardis, Easter Homily). To those in our society who have lost all hope and joy in life, to the elderly who struggle alone and feel their strength waning, to young people who seem to have no future, to all I once more address the words of the Risen One: “See, I am making all things new… To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life” (Rev 21:5-6). May this comforting message of Jesus help each of us to set out anew with greater courage and greater hope to blaze trails of reconciliation with God and with all our brothers and sisters. Of which we have great need!

National Treasury as cash dividends. “Thus, the PPA will still get to keep at least 50 percent of its annual net profit for reinvestment in port improvement and expansion,” Romulo pointed out. The PPA is one of several state-controlled corporations required by law to declare as dividends and transfer at least 50 percent of their yearly net profits to the National Treasury. Attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications, the PPA is specially charged with financing, managing and running public ports.

As such, the agency also collects all the revenue from port activities and services, including those from passenger terminals. Due to a rapidly growing economy and increased shipping traffic, the PPA has been raking in bigger profits every year. The PPA posted a net income of P4.26 billion on gross revenue of P12.57 billion in 2014. Net income was up 15.1 percent from P3.7 billion in 2013 while gross revenue was up 13.5 percent from P11.07 billion. The PPA has yet to report its 2015 figures. However, the

AUCTION Republic of the Philippines Fourth Judicial Region Regional Trial Court Branch 65 Infanta, Quezon IN RE: PETITION FOR COMMISSION AS NOTARY PUBLIC FOR THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON UNDER THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THIS HONORABLE COURT. MISC. CASE NO. 1333-1 MANOLO ARIS M. SANTOS JR., Petitioner. x-----------------------x OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE JUDGE ORDER OF NOTICE OF HEARING Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is hereby given that a summary hearing on the petition for commission as notary public in and for the Province of Quezon, of MANOLO ARIS M. SANTOS, JR., shall be held on April 13, 2016 at 8:30 in the morning at the sala of this Court situated at Hall of Justice, Brgy. Pulo, Infanta, Quezon. Any person who has any cause/s or reason/s to object to the grant of the petition may file a verified written opposition thereto, duly received by the office of the undersigned before the date of the summary hearing. Let this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Quezon and other Southern Tagalog Provinces at least ten (10) days before the aforesaid date of hearing at the expense of the petitioner. SOORDERED Infanta, Quezon, March 7, 2016. (Sgd.) ARNELO C. MESA Executive Judge Pahayagang BALIKAS | March 28, 2016

agency previously reported a net income of P2.54 billion on gross revenue of P4.45 billion from January to April 2015 alone. Net income was up 22.1

percent from P2.08 billion in the same four-month period in 2014 while gross revenue was up 20.2 percent from P3.7 billion.| BALIKAS NEWS TEAM

AUCTION REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF RTC BATANGAS CITY SHERIFF’S NOTICE OF SALE EJF NO. 16-1502 Upon petition for extra-judicial foreclosure under Act 3135 by the BANGKO KABAYAN (A Rural Bank), INC. with the principal business address at Poblacion, Ibaan, Batangas, against SERGIO ATIENZA married to ISIDRAC. MONTALES, as borrower/ mortgagor with resident and postal address at 117 M. H. DEL PILAR ST., BATANGAS CITY, to satisfy the amount of FIVE HUNDRED ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY ONE PESOS AND 78/100 (Php 501,741.78), excluding unpaid interest, penalties, attorney’s fees and all incidental expenses which are secured by the said mortgage/s, the undersigned Sheriff announces that on APRIL 5, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. or soon thereafter in the CITY HALL, BATANGAS CITY, he/she will sell at public auction for cash in Philippine Currency to the highest bidder, the property/ies described in the said mortgage together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. RT-5641 (4026) “A parcel of land (Lot 35-E of the subdivision plan, (LRC) Psd-236244, being a portion of Lot 35, Batangas Cadastre, LRC Rec. No. 1695), situated in the Poblacion, City of batangas. Bounded on the NE., points 3 to 4 by Lot 32; on the SE., along line 4 to 5 by Lot 34; points 5 to 6 by Lot 37; both of Batangas Cadastre; on the SW., points 6 to 1 by Lot 35-D; on the NW., points 1 to 2 by Lot 35-E); points 2 to 3 by Lot 35-C, both of the subdivision plan. Beginning at a point marked “1” on plan, being N. 80 deg. 53’W., 105.38 m. from BLLM No. 1 Batangas Cadastre: thence N. 83 deg. 25’E., 4.10 m. to point 2; thence N. 83 deg. 22’E., 18.76 m. to point 2; thence S. 3 deg. 37’E., 10.18 m. to point 2; thence S. 83 deg. 46’E., 15.57 m. to point 2; thence S. 86 deg. 11’E., 6.50 m. to point 2; thence N. 8 deg. 12’E., 9.74 m. to the point of begininng containing an area of TWO HUNDRED TWENTY SIX (226) SQUARE METERS, more or less. All points referred to are indicated on the plan and marked on the ground as follows: point 4 by Old BL; point 5 by Old and the rest by P.S. cyl. conc. mons. 15x60 cm.; bearings true; declination 0 deg. 30’E., date of original survey, May 1930Nov. 1934 and that of the subdivision survey, executed by Arnulfo Villamater, Geodetic Engineer, in Dec. 9, 1975.” Copies of this Notice of Sale shall be posted at three (3) most conspicuous public places at Batangas City (CITY HALL, POST OFFICE, PUBLIC MARKET), at BARANGAY HALL of Poblacion, Batangas City where the property is located, and at the Bulletin Board of Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Pallocan West, Batangas City. Prospective buyers and/or bidders are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be. In the event the public auction should not take place on the above scheduled date, it shall be held on April 18, 2016, without further notice and publication. All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated date, time and place. Batangas City, February 24, 2016. (Sgd.) JOVIC A. ATIENZA Sheriff IV Published at Pahayagang BALIKAS Edited at Batangas City Posted at Batangas City Copy Furnished: All parties concerned. Pahayagang BALIKAS | March 14, 21 & 28, 2016

MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2016

LIFETIMES 7 Hontiveros grateful for survey surge, says Easter is about“the beautiful gift of waiting” Increase the potential of your business! Advertise with us. Call: 043.462.1622

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SENATORIAL aspirant and reminder that some things surveys. “Mahirap, malungkot at health advocate Risa Honti- are worth the fight", said veros today expressed gra- Hontiveros, who lost two masakit ang matalo. You titude and “measured opti- senatorial elections in 2010 wonder what you could have done more, you ask yourself mism” at the results of and 2013. senatorial surveys including The latest Pulse Asia what mistakes you could have her in the list of probable survey puts Hontiveros at avoided. Pero sa bawat winners for the 2016 sena- rank number 7, while the cuaresma ng paghihintay, torial race. latest SWS survey puts her at umaasa tayo na may mapag“Easter for me is the rank 5. Hontiveros also palang Araw ng Pagkareminder of the beautiful gift enjoys number 1-4 ratings in buhay,” said Hontiveros, of waiting and hoping – a many University-based frontally responding to the ..................................................................................................................................

issue of her two successive patuloy na magsisikap para they rely a lot on the goodwill losses. palaganapin ang mensahe ng of people. “Madami nagtetext, Hontiveros is quick to say Healthy Pinoy, Healthy Pinas humihingi ng e-copy ng however that the work only para sa lahat.” aming flyer at balatengga, sila gets harder, the campaign Candidly admitting that na daw magpriprint. Ito ang pace only more grueling. her ‘war chest’ is not as deep mga nagbibigay sa akin ng “Walang nagbago, kayod as the other senatorial candi- lakas at enerhiya.”| kalabaw pa din. Ako ay dates, Hontiveros says that BALIKAS NEWS TEAM ..................................................................................................................................

<<<CONSERVE... from P/8

SM Malls supports Earth Hour

This year’s theme, “Shine a Light on Climate Action,” reiterates Earth Hour’s goals PART of the Batangas PPO’s a motorcade by all uniformed School. celebration of National and non-uniformed female After each participant’s of not only getting public Women’s Month, a Cheer personnel of this Office. performances, the Board of support for climate change Dance competition was held Board of Judges were the Judges announced the mitigation and adaptation this morning at Camp Gen Guest of Honor and Speaker winners wherein the PHQ but also getting individuals Miguel C Malvar with Hon. together with Mr. Jun Cheer Dancers got the 3 rd and groups to do their share Eleonor F. Añonuevo, Chair- Atienza Magana, Chairman place, the 2nd District won the beyond the hour of the symwoman of Barangay San of the Provincial Blood 2nd place and the Champion bolic switching off of lights. Isidro, Batangas City as the Council and Ms. Elvie went to the Cheer Dancers of At SM City Batangas, guest of Honor and Speaker. Magadia Fabellon, Teacher I, the 1st District. | CENRO Department Head The program started with Kumintang Ilaya Elementary BALIKAS NEWS TEAM Oliver Gonzales graced the ceremonial switch off countdown at exactly 8:30pm joined and witnessed by the invited guests from Batangas City Environment Office (CENRO), Batangas Biker’s Club, KALIPI Womens Federation, JCI Caballero, shoppers, mall tenants and SM employees as they all gathered at the Annex parking of the mall. Aside from the ceremonial switch off, 60+ formation of recycled SM bottles lighted using LED candles and .................................................................................................... ..............................

Copwomen showcase talents in Cheer Dance tilt

<<<TUNAY... from P/5

Illumination from the empty tomb nation. Illumination to dispel the darkness of ignorance and to enable us to see the divine behind our material poverty. We need illumination from the empty tomb to see our own sins before those of others. Easter is upon us. We say Allelujah! to the Risen Christ but do we really believe in Him? Believe in Him enough to want to make ourselves channels of His light and love? We say “Peace be with you!” but are we willing to wage war on our inner demons, to mean what we mouth in order to spread the peace of Christ all over our land?

Thanks to Lea Salonga and Manny Pacquiao, our masses can now proclaim they are “proud to be Pinoy” —we’ve come a long way from “feeling worthless,” haven’t we?—and yet our flagellants have remained with us for centuries now, like indelible footprints of a bygone era. And in our collective ignorance we blame anything but ourselves for the moribund state our country is in. We are in the dark and we do not know it. The solution to the problem of poverty and ignorance is not a flawless political system, a better economy or even more education. What we need is: illumi-

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In this “only Christian nation in Asia,” there are poor people among the moneyed, ignorant ones among the schooled, and greedy ones from rich and poor alike. Which reminds me of Jeremiah 6:13-14, For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain, and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying ‘Peace, peace’, when there is no peace. Peace will come upon our land when the illumined— those to whom more is given—take up their Cross, follow their Master, and bring

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Gunita Pagkayamot Parehas Magneto Ms. Austria Tadtad Ihaharap sa dambana Pag-ipit sa leeg Automatic Teller Machine Relos Ngata Ihalo Galaw Umit Lagyan ng asin ____ de Coco

PABABA 1 Sapi 2 Uri ng punongkahoy 3 Malinaw magsalita

the light of the Risen Christ to the people not by the words they are saying but by the life they are living. It may appear that the hoi polloi are still in flagellation mode, stuck on the pasyon and the Black Nazarene, but the truly enlightened know in their hearts that nothing escapes the compassionate gaze of God. Whatever is happening in our midst is the best that can happen at the moment, we need only to have faith that in God’s boundless mercy, He will help us to see our suffering through the illumination from the Empty Tomb. And that’s the truth.|

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Yugto ng karera Animo Ikaw at ako Matingkad na kayumanggi 9 Pabasa 11 Tataw 14 Ms. Anabelle _____ 17 Ilibot ang paninda 20 Buskahin 21 Limitan 22 Pabrika 23 Kwentong-bayan 26 Thanks God It’s Sabado 27 Nilay 29 Pag-aararo 30 Sana 32 Apelyidong Tsino 33 Kapatid ni Arlene

performances of LED dancers and Raymond Capino of Pilipinas Got Talent Season 4 highlighted the celebration at SM City Lipa. Aside from supporting Earth Hour, SM has also been taking sustainability initiatives that include water recycling, energy efficiency, air quality, flood control support and responsible solid waste management efforts.

Regular Trash-to-Cash acti-vities are also conducted wherein the public can exchange specified recyclable or reusable trash for cash. In November 2014, SM City North Edsa installed the country’s first commercial solar rooftop that produces 1.5MW of clean energy. Soon, more SM malls around the country will have solar panels on its rooftops.|

Aries (Mar. 21 - Abril 19) - Mararamdaman ang migraine attack. Dahil ito sa climate change. Mag-practice ng oracion meditation para malaman ang karamdaman. Masaya sa papuring matatanggap. Lucky numbers at color ay 5, 23, 41, 44 at brown. Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) - Maraming hahanga sa naachieve na effect sa iyong fitness program. Ipagpatuloy ito para magkaroon ka ng bagong kabuhayan. Lucky numbers at color ay 7, 11, 25, 33 at bottle green. Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) - Ngayon ay nagdadalawang-isip kung pakakasalan ang tao na sa iyo ay gumayuma. May haharaping bagong hamon sa buhay. Lucky numbers at color ay 9, 11, 25, 33 at tangerine. Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Topnotcher ka ngayon sa sales, sobra sa sales quota ang na-achieve mo. Tagumpay sa career, kulang ang lovelife. Lucky numbers at color ay 9, 13, 41, 33 at aquamarine blue. Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Magiging lover mo ang iyong best friend at huwag pansinin ang mapanirang tsismis. Lucky numbers at color ay 17, 19, 25, 35 at gold. Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - Ugaliin ang positibo at diplomatic words sa lahat ng transaction. Ito ang aakit ng suwerte sa iyo. Purihin ang iyong ina. Lucky numbers at color ay 19, 21, 39, 44 at pink tulip. Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) – Harapin ang pagsubok. Habaan ang pasensiya at pang-unawa. Ang taong pinagtiyagaan mo ay isang mina ng ginto sa kanyang talento. Lucky numbers at color ay 15, 19, 29, 35 at red. Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Ang prosesong pinagdaraanan ngayon ay tulad ng bilihin na kailangan isagad sa 10 ang tawad at ma-close mo ang deal. Huwag mawalan ng pag-asa. Lucky numbers at color ay 9, 33, 35, 39 at electric blue. Sagittarius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) Kumunsulta sa psychic para malunasan ang gumugulo sa iyong isip. Alagaan ang kalusugan. Lucky numbers at color ay 7, 15, 29, 41 at silver. Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) - Sa lahat ng plano, good vibes ang pairalin. Sa ganitong paraan magi-increase at magmu-multiply ang iyong yaman. Lucky numbers at color ay 5, 11, 25, 37 at lavender. Aquarius (Ene. 20-Peb. 18) - Huwag ipako ang pagkatao sa nakaraan, gawin ito bilang lessons to learn. Gawing tama ang ngayon para maakit ang masagana at masayang karanasan ng bukas. Lucky numbers at color ay 13, 17, 29, 44 at shocking pink. Pisces (Peb. 19 - Mar. 20) - Kung nais matupad agad ang pangarap, hilingin ito sa Diyos.Maniwala at magtiwala sa Kanya. Lucky numbers at color ay 19, 19, 43, 55 at lucky red.|

March 28 - April 3, 2016 | Vol. 21, No. 13 | balikasonline@yahoo.com

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>>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS | EVENTS | SHOWBIZ & SPORTS | TRAVEL, TOURISM & TRENDS<<<

SM Malls supports Earth Hour ALL 56 SM malls across the Philippines, plus its seven SM Malls in China, turned off their lights, March 19, in observance of Earth Hour. This is the 8th year SM has supported the world’s largest public campaign for the environment.

>>>CONSERVE..... turn to P/7

CEREMONIAL Switch Off at SM City Lipa headed by Mall Manager Liza Dimaculangan, Building Admin Manager Efren Olgado and BSP – Lipa Supervising Executive Cesar Catapang.|

DOST IV-A’s GAD pursues women empowerment THE situation of women in the Philippines is paradoxical. There may be women advancement in the fields of politics, professional excellence, legislation, and academics but there are also a large number of women who are prostitutes, exploited migrant workers, battered wives, and those who are economically disadvantaged.

The Philippine government has made too many laws to address these situations. More and more organizations actively participate in different campaign to raise awareness regarding women issues. Government agencies are mandated to implement activities and programs related to Gender and Development (GAD), including the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Promoting GAD in technology transfer and diffusion services for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) has become part of DOST Region IV-A’s services as a support in raising awareness about gender equality. DOST IV-A also participates in GAD programs implemented by various organizations in CALABARZON. One of these activities is the annual Walk for a Cause headed by LGU Los Baños every 8th of March. This year, 35 DOST IV-A employees took part in the said event. During the program, the whole Los Baños community, spearheaded by its Municipal Mayor Cesar Perez, formed a large awareness ribbon in support with the International Women’s Day. Simultaneous with the formation, Miss Tourism Queen International Leren Mae Bautista led the pledge to fight HIV and AIDS in the Philippines.The program also includes HIV tests and awareness lectures so as to give substantial information to the citizens regarding their health status. Aside from programs and activities, DOST IV-A CALABARZON also conducts GAD trainings, forum, and seminars to continue enveloping women empowerment toward gender equality. As what Kofi Atta Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat once said, “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.” Indeed, we already withstood the test of some gender equality issues in the Philippines. However, the long standing debate in the rights and privileges of the women has not yet come to an end.|Chaira Faye L. Ferran