Iloilo Metropolitan Times Volume 1 • Issune no 46

METROPOLITAN

ILOILO

VOL. I ISSUE NO. 46

the first business newspaper in metro iloilo

TIMES

developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com

December 15 - 21, 2013 Php 12.00

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.

HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATE Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - Dec 6 - 12, 2013

USD/PHP

44.3000

44.2539

44.2000

44.1870

44.1000 44.0596 44.0000

43.9481

43.9000

43.9601

43.9640

43.8671 43.8000 Dec 6, 2013

Dec 8, 2013

Dec 10, 2013

Dec 12, 2013

DTI PRICE MONITORING Prime Commodities (25 Oct 2013) Prime Commodities (25 Oct 2013)

CANNED SARDINES Current Price INSTANT NOODLES Current Price

Paradiso (155g) Young’s Town Bonus (155g) Lucky 7 (155g)

12.15 Lucky Me! (55g) 13.00 Payless (50g) 13.25

PROCESSED MILK Current Price

7.10 6.30 Current Price

BREAD

Alaska Sweetened Filled 49.50 Milk - Condensed 300 mL Pinoy Tasty (400g) Alaska Filled Milk 34.50 Pinoy Pandesal Evaporated 370 mL Angel Filled Milk Evaporated 410 mL

35.75

37.00

(pack of 10 pieces) 22.50

DA PRICE MONITORING Processed and Manufactured Commodities (25 Oct 2013) Processed and Manufactured Commodities (25 Oct 2013)

Commercial Rice Regular Milled Well Milled Premium Special (Fancy) Sugar Refined Washed Brown Sugar Cooking Oil Lapad (bottle)

Current Price 35.00/kg 38.00/kg 42.00/kg 45.00/kg 45.00/kg 42.00/kg 38.00/kg

Meat & Poultry Pork Liempo Pigue (Ham) Beef Rump Brisket Chicken Fully Dressed Egg (Medium) Fish Bangus

‘NO POWER PRICE HIKE’ 20.00

Winning cuisines of Tabu-an: Western Visayas Ilonggo Heritage Cuisine Cooking Competition and Food Fair. Atchara nga Gulaman nga May Tikhan by Hercor College, Best in Appetizer (left); Seafood Zarzuela by Hercor College, Best in Main Course (center); and Pinirito nga Ibus by Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Best in Dessert (right). Photo by flavorsoflife.com.ph

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES

Amidst the staggered increase of MERALCO’s generation charges, the Panay Electric Company (PECO) announced that there is no electricity price hike in Iloilo City.

“There is no such increase. We are not affected by the Malampaya maintenance like MERALCO,” said Engr. Randy Pastolero, PECO vice president for operations.

Pastolero added that the power supplier is just within the vicinity that is why the city is not affected by the huge increase in the amount of power generation charges like in other parts

of the northern part of the country.

In fact, Pastolero said they had a price reduction of P0.17/kWh last month of November with an average of P11.7972/kWh on residentials, P11.0657/kWh–intermediate, P11.0219/kWh on commercial establishments, P11.5263-power, P11.0356-city government, P10.8713city street lights, P10.9214-other government.

Pastolero, however, categorically said that there will be a slight increase in the electricity bill as cold season comes in.

On the other hand, PECO has

started its new meter read, bill and deliver system which was launched recently in La Paz and Jaro districts of Iloilo City.

The new system will allow faster delivery of bills compared to the old system since the bill will be delivered the same time it was read.

PECO has contracted with USI (Utility Solutions Inc.) to handle the districts of La Paz and Jaro first in order to study what further improvements need to be done before the new system is applied for the entire Iloilo City.

Pastolero said that the new system No power /p9

if such plans will push thru’.

Tupas said it’s high time that the city will entertain this kind of innovation and alternative in our daily energy consumption.

“We saw and felt its (Climate Change) ill effects already; a renewable source of energy such as solar power is

a very welcome development.”

Tupas recommended the said company to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and advised them to consult the environmental-related agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Solar power /p9

Solar power plant mulled

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES

A solar power investor of a USbased company plans to invest and bring the solar power technology in Iloilo City.

Iloilo City councilor Nielex Tupas said ‘it will be great for the city

Mila’s Hill

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Gazebo

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190.00/kg 180.00/kg

260.00/kg 200.00/kg 120.00/kg 4.50/pc

Current Price 120.00/kg

Dinagyang 2014 to ‘bring more fun to the world’

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA A budget of P15-million is being set for the success of Iloilo’s premier celebration in January 2014, according to Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) treasurer Ma. Luisa Segovia. The city government has already extended half of the requirement with financial assistance worth P7-million.

Segovia said that the rest of the funds will be from sponsors helping Dinagyang. She further added that bulk of funds will be given as subsidies for the competing contingents.

Dinagyang’s theme for next year is “Bringing More Fun to the World” and City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said that the festival is the primary promotional vehicle for the city, the region and the country.

Mabilog said that the Dinagyang US trip aids a lot in promoting the city and the country to the world, enticing prospective investors to come to the city.

On January 21-23, 2014, 300 Canadians investors are set to visit the city for a business forum. They will be treated to a spectacular Dinagyang performance during a cultural presentation.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) cited Dinagyang for promoting “It’s More Fun in Philippines” in the US. DOT praised the City Government “for the invaluable contribution in the overseas promotion of Philippine Cultural Tourism through the stunning performance of Tribu Panayanon,” the festival’s reigning champion.IMT

METRO NEWS

2

METRO

on the road

NNC Tool, training needed for rapid nutrition assessment As nutrition cluster head for disasters and emergencies, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) saw the need for training and a tool for Rapid Nutrition Assessment in time of disasters.

This as the NNC and its partners embarked on an assessment of the nutrition situation in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda.

NNC-6 Nutrition Coordinator Nona Tad-y said the Nutrition Rapid Assessment was done by a non-government organization, the Visayas Health based in Cebu supported by the USAID. The Visayas Health, through Ms. Dinah Fajardo, conducted the assessment in two island barangays in Carles and five in Concepcion, in northern Iloilo during the period from November 18-22.(JSC/ESSPIA6 Iloilo)

JM Basa, off limits to vehicles

BY REYMAR LATOZA A traffic plan was drafted by the Transportation Management and Traffic Regulation Office (TMTRO) to guide vehicles passing the main central business district or Calle Real along JM Basa St. in Iloilo city after the city council approved the ‘pedestrianization’a resolution making the street span from corner Arroyo St. or the Plazoleta Gay until corner Mapa St at the Freedom Grandstand walkable.

City councilor Jason Gonzales who authored the said resolution said that TMTRO will impose No Entry on all vehicles at the JM Basa

Street and No Entry for public utility vehicles from corner Muelle Loney to JM Basa by passing Arroyo, Arsenal, Aldeguer and Guanco streets starting Dec. 14- to March 16, 2014.

The walk tour will start every Saturday starting at 5 p.m. until Sunday 12 midnight thereon for three months and walking tourists will enjoy the site of Calle Real and the heritage buildings from Saturday afternoon and evening, the whole day of Sunday until midnight.

TMTRO chief, Engr. Jose Tengco said the three months experimental walk tour will open the street span for night vendors and other sellers as

Thais donate to Concepcion

DOH

DOH on heightened alert against bird flu The Department of Health (DOH)-6 is on heightened alert status to monitor travelers entering the Iloilo International Airport to prevent the spread of H7N9 bird flu strain in the region.

Dr. Lino Gregorio, Quarantine Medical Officer III of the Bureau of Quarantine-DOH-6, said that they have adequate personnel and facilities here to screen inbound travelers particularly from international flights including Hong Kong where it reported its first human case of H7N9 avian flu.

“The airport is equipped with a thermal scanner which monitors the body temperature of arriving passengers,” said Gregorio.

“Flight attendants and cabin crews are also properly instructed to observe unusual signs and symptoms of passengers,” he added.

If a passenger is determined to be carrying a virus, the traveler will be quarantined at once and be brought to a designated hospital.

Passengers sitting close to the sick traveler will be monitored and their contact information will be noted for future reference.PIA6

DOE

DOE warns public against illegal solicitation DOE The Department of Energy (DOE) warned the public and energy stakeholders of unscrupulous individuals posing as DOE employees soliciting money for supposed aid to typhoon Yolanda survivors and for the rehabilitation of calamity-stricken areas, as well as taking advantage of the holiday season to fund occasions. The DOE notes that government officials and employees are not allowed to solicit money in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act 6713). With these occurrences, we encourage everyone to report any form of communication from these individuals, and verify the authenticity of these messages with the DOE through the Office of the Secretary’s official numbers: 8402134 and 840-2008.

December 15 - 21, 2013

BY REYMAR LATOZA

domestic and foreign tourists walk to see the numerous heritage buildings of the old city refurbished to its original façade without fear of running vehicles.

The TMTRO formulated a route scheme for motorists of PUJs from Jaro CPU, Jaro Liko, City Proper, Baluarte, Lapuz and Bo. Obrero in going in and out of the city proper.PNA/IMT

Dakasi is contaminated

BY REYMAR LATOZA Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog disallowed Dakasi Tea House in Smallville Complex, Barangay San Rafael, Manduarriao, Iloilo City to reopen and operate again after proven that their products were contaminated of several bacteria harmful to human health.

Mabilog ordered the Iloilo City health office to revoke the business permit of the said food establishment.

“With these results Dakasi cannot guarantee the safety of their products.

They showed irresponsibility in handling the incident. Therefore they cannot open. The business permit that was granted to them before shall be revoked and cancelled ASAP,”Mabilog said.

Based on the results of microbial test conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), E.coli,

coliform, salmonella, molds, and yeast were present in 17 ingredients taken from the said food establishment.

FDA said these bacteria caused the food poisoning that led to the death of one man and confinement of more than 66 customers who dined in Dakasi last September 2013.

FDA also found out that Dakasi Tea House was using raw ingredients not registered in and accredited by the agency.

In the previous report of Iloilo Metropolitan Times, Dakasi under the Tee Star Corporation and being managed by a certain John John Uy has no sanitary permit – one of the requirements in getting a business permit before operating.

The establishment has started operating illegally since February this year.IMT

Sky lanterns banned!

Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (International code name: ‘Haiyan’) left thousands of children in Iloilo with no bags and other school supplies to use for learning.

With this, the Jaro Youth Commission (JYC) decided to use the cash donation from Dhammakaya Foundation in Thailand and the Middle Way Meditation Institute (MMI-Iloilo) to buy school supplies for one thousand five hundred high school students and elementary pupils from Concepcion, a typhoon-stricken town in northern Iloilo.

The said donors turned recently 50 thousand pesos cash donation to the Jaro Youth Commission to help the survivors of typhoon ‘Yolanda’.

Venerable Ekachai Guntapunyo of MMI-Iloilo said that their foundation in Thailand heard what happened in the Philippines and they decided to extend their help to bring

back the happiness in every Filipino who were affected by the said calamity.

According to Fr. Rafael Luis Clavel of JYC, the donations’ beneficiaries are from Barangay Polopiña Elementary School, Sitio Sanggutan Elementary School, Sitio Danao-Danao Elementary School, and Pulo National High School.

Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, expressed his gratitude to the said donors for helping typhoon survivors.

“The school supplies are very much needed at this time because many children lost not only their houses but also their bags and other school things.” Lagdameo said.

MMI is a non - profit educational organization serving people of all ages, nationalities, religions, and faiths; dedicated to the development of inner peace education and research, geared towards adult, youth and organizations. IMT

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)6 has proposed a P12.7-billion rehabilitation and recovery plan for the typhoon Yolanda affected areas in Western Visayas.

NEDA-6 Regional Director Ro-Ann A. Bacal said the proposed rehabilitation plan has already been submitted to the NEDA Central Office and to the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) that will help push for the realization of the programs and projects.

Bacal, however, said they recently received information that the NDRRMC is going to conduct the firming up of Damage and Loss Assessment (DALA) which will become the basis of the post-disaster risk assessment.

“While the generated projects and programs in the rehabilitation plan were taken from the regional line agencies, what the NDRRMC will do is to again go to the evacuation centers and really validate if these interventions are needed,” she said.

She said that this process will be done to ensure that the estimation of the losses that have occurred as a result of typhoon Yolanda is more accurate, the interventions are appropriate,

and make certain that there are no exaggerations.

The estimated cost of damage in infrastructure, agriculture, and fisheries in Western Visayas already amounted to more than P9.7-billion, as per the December 8, 2013 report of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC).

The NEDA official said the reason the initial draft of the rehab plan was submitted was mainly to give the national government an indicative figure of how much it will need because they are already setting aside some supplemental fund.

The cash-for-work is one priority program in the rehab plan in order to give money to affected families and involved them in the rehabilitation process as part of their healing.

Other priority programs and projects include provision of materials for core shelter; restoration of livelihood opportunities and economic and business activities; rehabilitation of critical infrastructures such as school buildings and health facilities; and restoration and protection of critical environmental resources.

NEDA said that some 37 government agencies will be involved in the implementation of the rehabilitation plan. (JCM/LTP-PIA Iloilo)

WV needs P12.7-billion

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Sky lanterns are banned according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

The ban was announced by the central office through a memorandum which BFP 6 information officer Insp.

Stephen Jardeleza received recently.

“Sky lanterns are considered as open burning flame. And once there are released to the air, we are not in control anymore of the atmospheric conditions like the direction of wind, which make the sky lanterns hazardous,” he said.

Jardeleza added that these lanterns can set fire to light materials such as nipa roofs and wood as that can cause a fire in the neighborhood.

Also, the BFP regional directors and offices are prohibited to issue permits to groups requesting to release sky lanterns for any purpose.

Before the release of the memorandum, BFP issue permits to those who want to release sky lanterns as part of their activities including the Light of Peace event held in Miag-ao, Iloilo earlier this year. The said event

set a new Guinness record for the most number of sky lanterns released all at the same time.

Jardeleza further explained that this memorandum is not only for new years’ but will be implemented for a long term.

“We have now the power to apprehend violators and file charges against them. If there are events where lanterns are released, we assure you that they are not permitted. We are strictly ordered not to issue permits” he explained.

Penalties include not more than P50,000 fine, not less than 6 months but not more than 6 years of imprisonment or both. IMT

Top performers in tax collection and tax record management for 2012 in the province of Iloilo were honored in ceremonies led by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. The top performers in realty tax collection under category A (above P10-million target) were the towns of Leganes, Cabatuan, Pavia, Sta. Barbara and Lambunao.

Those under category B (below P10-million target) were Concepcion, San Joaquin, Anilao, Mina and New Lucena.

The top performers in tax record management were first place, Cabatuan; second place, San Rafael; third, San Dionisio; fourth, San Miguel; fifth, New Lucena.

The provincial government also honored the municipal treasuries that were prompt in remitting their provincial tax shares, namely Bingawan, Guimbal, Mina, Oton, Cabatuan, San Miguel, Calinog, Duenas, San Rafael

and Igbaras.

On the other hand, the top performers in the early submission of e-statement of receipts and expenditures were San Miguel, San Rafael, Cabatuan, Mina, San Joaquin, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Calinog, Igbaras and Sta. Barbara.

Moreover, top performers in the collection of annual fixed tax for delivery of trucks and vans were Leganes, Cabatuan, Pavia, Oton and Pototan.

Governor Defensor said that he was pleased these local government units understand how government works, with taxes as the lifeblood.

“Without an efficient tax collection system the performance of government is affected,” Defensor said.

He added that the principal factor in the efforts of the province to give quality of life to the people is tax collection efficiency. (JCM/ESS/PIAIloilo)

Tax collection and record management Top paerformers honored

December 15 - 21, 2013

METRO BUSINESS

3

Duty Free now in Iloilo

BY REYMAR LATOZA

The Duty Free Philippines recently opened its new store at the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Duty Free store is considered as

among the developments in Iloilo City that showed the city’s business attraction and thrust of big time investors, according to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Iloilo International Airport is

the gateway of thousands of tourists visiting the city of Iloilo.

Mabilog also said in the previous report of Iloilo Metropolitan Times, the expansion of Duty Free will create opportunities, giving the travelers on

The restaurants are always full, she added.

Milleza said that she is in favor of the pedestrianization because it will make the city alive and erase lull moments. She said that at night, the industry along Calle Real is closed.

“All the vendors just need is to maintain the cleanliness and for the police to provide security for peace and order during the implementation”, she explained.

DTI said that on the recent

data showed by the National Competitiveness Council Philippines (NCCP), Iloilo topped the regional competitiveness in government efficiency and is among the top 10 in economic dynamism.

“What makes Iloilo on top can be attributed to several factors and the flourishing service sector is one of them”, she disclosed.

Milleza said that everyone can expect more sprouting businesses in 2014. IMT

Real as a heritage. Beautify the facades of the old buildings and be a total package”, Lara said.

Lara further added that there is a proposed increase in taxes that they are trying to negotiate. Currently, wage hike of P10 is already effective; these factors may affect the influx of investors in the city.

She added that the city should consider several factors that may cause loss of investors.

Meanwhile, Lara said that IBC is responsible for the marketing aspect of Dinagyang. She said that everything is going up and they’ve heard from the usual Dinagyang sponsors but still in

the scout for more sponsors.

“The Canadians who will visit the city will make or break our preparation.

We will do our best to showcase the best”, she explained.

The IBC executive director further explained that they will have an intensive training with the chefs in the city to enhance their culinary skills.

She said that the city should meet the international cuisine, international customer service and diplomatic protocol to make a good impression to the visitors.

Lara said that the training will be held on the first two weeks of January 2014.

Hotels and Restos ‘in’ businesses in Iloilo

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Service sector is the booming business in the city according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 6 information officer Ruby Milleza. Milleza said that several hotels and restaurants are now seen on the city.

Milleza said that there have been an overwhelming number of hotels, condominiums and restaurants being put up in Iloilo.

“Ilonggos are great food lovers.

Iloilo maintains business-friendly atmosphere

BY KHARIZA JOYS SOFIA

Iloilo maintains its Asea Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) mindset despite the devastation brought by the super typhoon that hits the Visayas region. Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director Maria Lea Victoria Lara said that although recovery is the main priority, the city is doubling its effort to sustain the competitiveness and friendliness for business investors.

Lara added that 2014 has very high prospects with hotels to open and the implementation of the first phase of the pedestrianization.

“We need to highlight the Calle

DTI merges with DILG for better BPLS

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) pushed reforms to provide awareness among local government units (LGU) in offering efficient delivery of services in reducing red tape.

One of the foreseen answers is the creation of the Business Permit and Licensing (BPLS) Oversight Committee, which will monitor the implementation of the BPLS streamlining reforms particularly on its service standards.

BPLS is the procedures followed by cities and municipalities in processing business permits which are to be procured by businessmen or investors for them to legally operate

on the said areas.

Business owners are burdened and dissatisfied by the long and disorganized processes of renewing business permits. The uneconomical BPLS resulted to the rise of underground enterprises in the LGUs causing loss of revenues and became the great hindrance for new entrepreneurs and investors to place their investments in the country.

The BPLS oversight committee is to be composed of DTI and DILG representatives as co-chairs, government agencies such as the National Computer Center, private business groups and development partners.

The establishment of the oversight committee is written in the

DTI-DILG Joint Department Administrative Order (JDAO) 10-07, where DILG through the Local Government Academy, shall act as the overall coordinator of the nationwide streamlining of the BPLS of LGUs. Functions include managing the capacitybuilding program for LGUs on BPLS streamlining.

will be taught on how to manage and increase their production and efficiency for competitiveness and to reduce production cost.

Mabilog also said its partner agencies like DTI will provide entrepreneurship trainings while Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will help them for sustainable employment opportunities through its integrated livelihood program and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will provide services to improve the liability and competitiveness of the microsmall and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through appropriate technologies.

The mayor added while the city government is looking fund for its financial assistance, the Taytay ng Kauswagan is offering financial aid

for qualified beneficiaries through a loan grant from P 10, 000 above.

Mabilog stressed they will prefer vendors with existing businesses like the women group of red ladies that is already into entrepreneurship.

Mabilog also said the project is in preparation for the 2015 AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. IMT

City signs micro-enterprise to help local vendors

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN

Aiming to boast tourism industry in this city, the Iloilo City Government led the signing of Iloilo City Micro-Enterprise Development Council (ICMEDC) with Department of Trade and Industry-6 (DTI-6) and other partner agencies to help vendors promote their local products abroad.

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the main function of ICMEDC is to supervise and coordinate all planning and implementation activities of the council including project monitoring and evaluation.

He said through the ICMEDC, qualified beneficiaries will be given trainings to improve their local products especially on its packaging and labeling. Also, beneficiaries

long-haul routes the convenience with one-transit-stop-shop to purchase imported products.

Earlier this year, the representatives from Duty Free Philippines visited Iloilo and they confirmed business expansion in the metro.

Calle Real and the Mandurriao district were among the three major business areas prospected as possible site.

The Hong Kong and Singapore direct flights catered by the Iloilo

International Airport impelled the Duty Free Philippines to venture in the metro.

Duty free has outlets in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Arrival Outlet Terminal 1, NAIA Departure Outlet Terminal 1, NAIA Arrival Outlet Terminal 2, NAIA Departure Outlet Terminal 2, Mactan, Cebu International Airport, Cebu Waterfront, SM City Cebu, Davao, and Laoag International Airport. IMT

Uy, Bankers Assoc of Iloilo’s new President

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES

The Bankers Association of Iloilo Inc. (BAII) inducted the new set of officers in celebration of its 41st foundation year, just recently.

Lani Uy of the Security Bank and Trust Company (SBTC) led the new officials replacing Hansen Chu of Metrobank.

The group has 109 members, composed of the following: 7 government banks; 68 Universal/ Commercial Banks; 27 thrift/Savings/ Microfinance Banks; and 7 Rural Banks.

Other officers are Vice President – PP Philipp Lataquin, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI); Secretary – PP Alfred Tayo, Po s t Ba n k ; Treasurer – IPP Hansen Chu, Metro Bank and Trust Company;

Auditor – Sharlan Chu, ChinaBank; Business Manager – PP Alfonso Go , Philippine National Bank, Public Relations Officer – Mario Antonio G. Mendez, Opportunity Kauswagan Bank. Board of Direcctors are PP Vicki Jarantilla of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC); John Albert Sia, Maybank; Helen Jomantoc, United Coconut Producers Bank (UCPB) and Rowena Areno of LandBank.

Council of Past Presidents include PP Teresa Lao, ChinaBank; PP Ludy Ho, Banco de Oro and PP Jaybert Ong of Philippine National Bank (PNB).

PIA6/IMT

METRO TOURISM

4

Tabu-an: A Showcase of Cuisines

December 15 - 21, 2013

8th Sandiya Festival

Mayor Vicente B. Flores, Jr. (right side -pink polo) with Mr. Bonifacio M. Sauli, Product Manager of East-West (middle- green shirt) and Mr. Ronald B. Tolentino, Marketing Manager for VisMin (East-West) Celebrity chef Boy Logro in a cooking demo at The Shops at Amigo, here with Tabu-an organizer Chef Rafael ‘Tibong’ Jardeleza II

Biggest and Heaviest watermelon • 1st Katherin Sermite- Abilay Sur Oton variety sweet 18- 12.095kg- Prize: 5,000.00 • 2nd – Marcelino Gatpolintan- Abilay Sur, Oton variety- sweet 18- 10.930- Prize: 3,000.00 • 3rd- Randy Olivares, Tagbac Sur, variety: sweet 18- 10.700- Prize: 2,000.00 Out of fifteen ( 15) entries

Watermelon Carving Contest:

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA

To change the way the competition goes, this year, each of the three dishes are cooked each day instead of cooking them all in one day. Dessert competition was held on the first day while appetizer and main course were cooked on the second day.

Tents were set up for each team and after the cooking demo Chef Boy performed, he checked each of the competing team, taste the food and write down all his observations.

• 1st- RJ Jamandre, Brgy. Lambuyao, Oton, Iloilo Prize: 3,000.00 • 2nd – Christine Joy Ramos- C.M. Recto St. Oton, Iloilo (ISAT)- Prize: 2,000.00 • 3rd – Ruben Villarias- Poblacion North, OtonPrize: 1,000.00 25 participants

Biggest and Heaviest Watermelon and carving Ilonggos have distinct taste when it comes to the food contest prizes was served in front of them. They are very meticulous of the sponsored by East– taste and have their own version of what “namit” is or West Seed, Co., delicious dish should be. Some even say that Ilonggos are Inc. represented one of the finest cooks in the country. by Mr. Bonifacio For the past three years, Iloilo’s very own Chef Rafael SauliProduct ‘Tibong’ Jardeleza II organizes Tabu-an: Western Visayas Manager and Mr. Ilonggo Heritage Cuisine Cooking Competition and Food Fair.

Ronald TolentinoThe competition showcases Ilonggo vibe and competing teams are required to cook for a 200 dinner crowd.

Judges of the competition are from Manila and this year, another from Cebu was added to the board. Also, the WIT of Iloilo City brought home the award for the Best in Table Setting competition was graced by the celebrity chef Pablo “Boy” followed by CSCJ and Hercor College of Roxas, Capiz. Hercor College of Logro, which performed a live cooking demonstration and Roxas, Capiz won the Best Appetizer followed by WIT and USLS. Hercor sat as a member of the board of judges on the first day of College also dominated the Best Main Course category followed by WIT the competition. and USLS. CSCJ took the first place for Best in Dessert followed by Seven (7) teams vie for the culinary preeminence this year: Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (CSCJ); Hercor College of Roxas, Capiz; Kryz Culinary Arts and Restaurant Services Institute Inc. (KCARSI); University of St. La Salle of Bacolod (USLS); Western Institute of Technology (WIT); Grand Overall Champion was Western Institute of Technology, with Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog and Happy Kitchen; and all the judges.

Barangay Nutrition Scholars of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. On the other hand, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars of Staa. Barbara and KCARSI. board of judges were Ms. Micky, Raff Zulueta, Dolly DyDiner’s Choice Award goes to Hercor College followed by WIT and Zulueta, Chef Myke ‘Tatung’ Sarthou, Guillermo ‘Ige’ USLS. WIT outshines other competing Ramos (food columnist of Bandera and book designer), teams as they emerge overall champion Evangeline ‘Vangie’ Baga-Reyes (senior lifestyle reporter after the grand total of scores were of Inquirer), Felice Sta. Maria (food historian and cultural deliberated, putting Hercor College on maven), Niño Angelo Comsti (cookbook author), the second spot and Happy Kitchen on Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi (food columnist, Philippine the third spot.

Star) and Boboi Costas (Cebu’s travel writer) with special Tabu-an organizers and members of appearance from Chef Boy Logro. the board of Judges did a feeding program Each team prepared three dishes – an appetizer, a main for the victims of the super typhoon in course and a dessert, which adhere to the Ilonggo heritage Concepcion, Iloilo after the competition. cooking theme. The finale of the competition was a buffet The event was sponsored by Lagaw Sa dinner after formal awarding ceremony, where the dining Isla Tours and Travel, Inc., a travel agency crowd chose the winners for the Diner’s Choice Award. that specializes in experiential tourism.IMT

Marketing Manager for Visayas and Mindanao Other Contests sponsored by the Local Government Unit of Oton with P1,000 each: 1. Sandiya-eating contest- Anthony Cofreros 2. Sandiya Catching Contest- Team Zabala 3. Sandiya Relay Contest- Team Polmo 8th Sandiya Festival is in coordination with Municipal Agriculture and Cooperative Office – Head: Mrs. Celsa S. Suarez- Municipal Agriculturist and Oton Watermelon Growers Association (Mr. Joel Tumambo- President).

Sandiya festival started on December 2006, it is usually held every first thursday of december. this year’s sandiya fest is held last December 6, 2013, 1:00 PM at Oton Amphitheatre Green, Oton, Iloilo.

Major Sponsor: Local Government Unit of Oton and East-West Seed, Co., Inc.

December 15 - 21, 2013

ILOILO METROPOLITAN TIMES

5

Cinekas1manwa 2013

‘Cinekas1manwa’ opened with a big bang last week offering never-before-seen films from all film genres proudly made by Ilonggo filmmakers.

The said festival aims at unifying filmmakers and directors and fusing collective Ilonggo talents in promoting and upholding the region’s blooming film industry.

The three assigned venues- The University of the Philippines in the Visayas and Film Development Council of the Philippines Cinematheque, and the SM City Cinema- were jam-packed with students and film enthusiasts during their screenings of the short and full-length films.

During the opening, Nick Deocampo’s ‘Cross Currents: A Journey to Asian Environments’ and ‘Gunita’ was exhibited.

Deocampo said the film was very timely to be shown and will be an ‘eye-opener’ to the Ilonggos after it was hit by the super typhoon Yolanda a month ago.

Other full-length films shown were ANG MGA ASWANG by Jr Macahilas, BEADWORKS

by Ronny Poblacion, BRUTUS: ANG PAGLALAKBAY by Tara Illenberger, DAGYANG by Atty.

Joenar Pueblo, GUGMA SA PANAHON SANG BAKUNAWA

by Peter Solis Nery, LOCAL GIRLS

by Ned Trespeces, PUREZA by Jay Abello and SALVI: ANG PAGPADAYON by T.M. Malones.

Works in progress were also shown- ANG BANTAY by Marxie de Silva, Ramjun Valasote, BUKLOG OF THE SUBANEN: UNDER THE SPIRITUAL EMBRACE OF THE HARVEST MOON by Elvert de la Cruz Bañares (full-length documentary).

Students filmmakers from the Municipality of Guimbal, who were the festival’s filmmakers in focus, also exhibited their works through short films like SUPER HERO NI DOROY by Enrique Guevarra Jr., MEMORIES by Margarita Gelladula-Bisnar, ANONAKI

by Bob Perez, PAGLAUM by Joebert Casas, SARAGANG

by Bob Perez & Juvine Gazar, HANDUM (Guimbal film, director uncredited), REQUIEM FOR A DREAM by Eden Gilpo, KARSADA by Margarita Bisnar & Melany Ronilla, BEACH by May Fatima Villarta.

On a rare opportunity, works of Cine Ilonggo filmmakers like Alan Cabalfin (DIHON), Maria Teresa Tejeron (HULOT), Sam Prudente (ILI-ILI), Joenar Pueblo (HABLON) and Eileen Ocampo (Batchoyan sa Banwa) were also viewed publicly.

Other short films, short films for children, first time short stories, horror shorts programs and experimental and short documentaries presented are the following: DIIN KAW PADULONG by Ma. Luisa Nalupano, +25 by Marcello Tolentino IV, INANAK KANG

Festival Director Elvert de la Cruz Bañares warmly answers questions from the media after the opening program.

Award-winning director Nick Deocampo discusses the highlights of his film ‘Cross Currents’ in front of tourism students of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU) at the UPV Cinematheque.

DAGAT by Eden Gilpo, ESPI by Marcelo Tolentino IV, HANDUM by Mannie Magbanua Jr.; BLEU by Marcello Tolentino IV, UN- by Shallah Montero, ANG ROMANSA NI TINYENTE GIMO KAG MARIA LABO by Joenar Pueblo, SIRKO

by Marcello Tolentino IV, LUKSONG TINIK by Rosswil Hilario, THE LAST DREAM by Shallah Montero, ELDRID

by Reinnier King Juanico, MANININA by T.M. Malones, THE QUIAPO PERSPECTIVE by Shallah Montero, NYKTO by Elvert de la Cruz Bañares; TASHA by Reymundo Salao, KAPAWA

by Noel de Leon, KWIDAW by Rosswill Hilario, HANDUM by Mannie Magbanua Jr., LUNA

by Frances Lacuesta, DUROG by Tara Illenberger, ANG LALAKING PARISUKAT by Shallah Montero; MAGHALONG KA SA HALIT by Rio Villamor, BEACH by May Fatima Villarta, DANCE STUDIO by Eden Gilpo, HYPOTHESIS by Lodrigo Basco Jr., THE WISH by Regie Geriane, PAGTALANGISON SA KAGAB-IHON by Jane Lacupa, CORAZON by Joebert Casas, HUSAY by Eden Gegrimal Gilpo, PUTI by Ramjun Valasote & Marxie de Silva; ANG BALAY SA, KALAUNAN by Kizzia Anne Ramos, BAROTO SA LUTAK by Hyacinth Bangero, STEVEDORE KARGADOR (Director uncredited), UGSAD by Crystale May De Guia, AKO SI MAYANG (Director uncredited), GABA by Romnick Alisasis, Ivy Cabanero, Kenneth John , BATANG KAMPONERO by Vences J. de Leon.

All proceeds of the event will be turned over to the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC) headed by Msgr. Meliton Oso for the rehabilitation of the typhoon-affected areas in Panay Island. IMT

Corazon

Sirko

Bayi sa Aparador

LuksongTinik

Handum

Salvi Ang Pagpadayon

SONATA

Inanak Kang Dagat

The filmmakers of Guimbal posing after the event. They are this year’s Cinekas1manwa filmmakers in focus.

Pureza

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6

METRO OPINION

EDITORIAL

Iloilo media’s safety at stake

B

efore the midnight of Dec 10, a 43-year-old reporter of a local radio station in Iloilo was shot Tuesday evening, December 10, 2013, in front of his house. The victim was identified as Jonavin ‘Jhey-R’ Villalba, a dyOK Aksyon Radyo Iloilo reporter.

Wounded on his right ankle and a toe, he survived the assassination after being shot by motorcycle-riding-in-tandem gunmen.

Villalva was rushed to Iloilo Mission hospital where he was confined now.

Based on the initial investigation of Jaro PNP, the victim was opening the gate of his house when the two unidentified men wearing jackets and helmets on a black motorcycle shot him.

Recovered at the crime scene were nine empty shells fired from a 9-millimeter firearm. Authorities have yet to identify the motive. Investigations are still ongoing. (with reports from Inquirer Visayas) Media organizations expressed their sympathy to the victim and slam the crime done to the member of the Fourth Estate.

“We join the Iloilo media in condemning the latest attack on our colleague Nestor Burgos Jr., national director of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

“Physical attacks on members of the fourth estate and innocent civilians can never be justified. It also has serious implications to claims that the city remains peaceful,” said Francis Allan Angelo, Iloilo Press Club President.

“Our question is, why would somebody tried to assassinate Villalva? We know that he only reports news and do not do commentaries. We, the IPCPCI condemned the shooting incident to the members of the tri-media in Iloilo,” said Bing Pabiona of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Press Corps Inc. “We are calling for appropriate actions from the authorities. Preventive measures must be implemented to deter any possible attack against our comrades in the profession,” said Nony Basco of Iloilo Police and Defense Press Corps.

“PNP should give priority on the investigation because a threat to life of a broadcaster or media is a threat to press freedom”, said Runji Jamolo of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps.

Meanwhile, Lea Lara of Iloilo Business Club on the recent shooting incident in Iloilo said ‘We don’t want Iloilo City to become a haven of bad elements’.

With all these censures, we hope that the case will be immediately responded. We are still firm with our ‘NO TO JOURNALISTS KILLING’.

December 15 - 21, 2013

The Senate: An Incurable Malady W

e have seen the fanfare time and again. We are witnesses to endless squabbles, power trips, scathing accusations abusing the parliamentary immunity, scandals and rumours of scandals, subterfuges, and the best of them all: fugitivesturned-senators-turnedfugitives-turned-senators.

Partly to be blamed would be the voters who placed these so-called best of the best into the institution that was dubbed the training ground for presidents.

Partly, the voters were swayed by misleading commercials during campaign period and mostly they were swayed by the money poured into the machinery. But whoever was voted in the senate, whether a neophyte or a veteran politician, has eventually morphed into somebody who has been slapped with negative connotations. It is only their legal, political and media

maneuverings that saved their necks from themselves and their colleagues.

Over the years, we have seen how the Senate, as an institution, barely bobbed its head in the deep waters of scandals involving the august members of this so-called august body. This infamy besetting such a respectable institution has slowly eroded the people’s trust, including the belief that the Senate is not up to its calling as the Upper Chamber. It has become the arena for hailing the wrongs of the enemies, coup upon counter coup, plot against plot, dole outs upon dole outs through the savings and the pork barrels. The Senate has become a hotbed for lies and half-truths and its members have abused the phrase ‘in aid of legislation’ by conducting investigations rather than make laws, wasting millions of the people’s money in their useless grandstanding committees.

The Senate is itself a malady

End VAW now!

N

elson

Rolihlahla Mandela, 95, died last December 5.

I wrote last July 14 on this column about “Rolihlahla’s voice”, but now, I have not enough words to emulate the eulogies of others about him - the revered champion against apartheid, the first black president of South Africa, whose character was exemplary, whose leadership of unequalled quality.

His attitude towards his enemies was Christlike, without any stain of vengeance.

Knowing fully well that the oppressor and the oppressed are not free, he struggled for the liberation of both.

He valued his culture and history, taking off from there the direction of his life.

He spent more than 27 years of his life in prison, thereafter, a few years in public office. He believed in the capability of the young ones to run the government of his country and the value of the system of governmental organization, fully functional for the welfare of his people.

He has not done much if you may say so, but what he did during his lifetime was more than enough to bring forward his country, more than enough to influence the leaders of other great countries, more than enough to make us reflect for a meaningful life against all odds and insurmountable difficulties, against the darkest hours, days, months, and years, in our own lives.

In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mr. Mandela wrote in the chapter “Talking with the Enemy”: “I felt a conflict between my blood and my brain. I deeply wanted to leave prison as soon as I could, but to do so on

such short notice would not be wise. I thank Mr. de Clerk, and then said that at the risk of appearing ungrateful I would prefer to have a week’s notice in order that my family and my organization could be prepared for my release.

Simply to walk out tomorrow, I said, would cause chaos. I asked Mr. de Clerk to release me a week from that day. After waiting twenty-seven years, I could certainly wait another seven days.”

Your Creator now awaits you; may you rest in peace, Mr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. **** Paul Walker, the American actor I knew from my favourite movies Fast and Furious series, died in a car accident in California on November 30, after attending his fundraising campaign for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

He was admired not only as a superb actor, but also as an aid in times of calamities.

He himself worked to help improve lives, to help especially the victims of calamities through his Reach Out Worldwide organization.

He did not finish filming his role in the 7 th series of Fast and Furious movie, but I am sure to watch this movie when it will be shown in movie houses.

Like Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, may his soul rest in peace, and no longer with fury. **** “End VAW Now! It’s Our Duty!” This is the theme for the 18-day national campaign to end violence against women and children that started on November 25 - the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children - and ended on December 12, 2013, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Day, according to the

that is incurable.

Yes, it has become a malady and it is incurable. Whether we vote new bloods or highly intelligent and highly qualified persons into its august halls, the Senate will still be haunted by this ailing malady and its members inflicted with the virus of the system. What we need is an overhaul of the system, changing the game to change the players. Why do we need so many laws for and why do we need to pass the bill twice in the two chambers of the legislative branch? We have so many laws that just need implementation, and those laws that are really needed are so hard to pass because of the two-chamber set up in the legislative branch.

It is high time to amend our Constitution and convert to the Parliamentary System, not the Marcos puppet modified Parliamentary System but the real one. It is time to divest ourselves from the clutches of the Americans who imported

their system into our own archipelagic country that never even worked. Nine out of ten best governed countries in the world has a Parliamentary System. Only the United States is in it and not even on the upper five. The tiger economies of Southeast Asia overtook us decades ago mainly because of their form of government which allows faster decision making and implementation of reforms. The Parliamentary system also allows both the ministers to hold the decision to the purse and how it is disbursed, being both a Member of Parliament and a Minister of the government. The Shadow Cabinet of the opposition can hold the sitting cabinet accountable anytime, providing the check and balance.

Only through this that the incurable malady that is the Philippine Senate can be cured and the people be freed from the endless squabble, ramble and useless investigations in aid of the so-called legislation.

Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

The 18-day national campaign was in accord with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10398, signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III on March 19, 2013. The law recognizes the need to establish a comprehensive and structured campaign for national consciousness on violence against women.

According to the PCW, from January to September 2013, the Philippine National Police – Women and Children Protection Center (PNPWCPC) documented a total of 11,158 violations of Republic Act (RA) 9262 or the AntiViolence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 (VAWC) nationwide.

Among the four VAWC categories, the PCW said that Physical Abuse tops the rank with 5, 728 (57%) reported cases; followed by Psychological Abuse with 2,031 (20%); Economic Abuse with 1,483 (15%) and Sexual Abuse with 743 (7%) reported cases.

The PCW further said that among the 16 regions excluding ARMM, Region VII (Central Visayas) is the number one region with the most number of reported VAWC cases at 2,762 (28%); Region VI (Western Visayas) comes in second with 1,704 (17%), followed by Region XI (Davao Region) in third with 1,123 (11%). It clarified, however, that this can mean that women in these regions have become more courageous in reporting abuses to authorities.

The PCW furthermore said that VAW is a human rights issue. “It strikes at the personhood of women and limits human development.”

It is “rooted in historical and structural inequality in power relations between women

and men, and persists in every country in the world as a pervasive violation of the enjoyment of human rights.”

On the other hand, the endvawnow.org - the global virtual knowledge center to end violence against women and girls, initiated by women in the United Nations (UN) shared some information that according to a study, in India, a woman loses an average of at least 5 paid work days for each incident of intimate partner violence, while in Uganda, about 9 percent of violent incidents forced women to lose time from paid work, amounting to approximately 11 days a year.

It also reported that the annual costs of intimate partner violence were calculated at US$5.8 billion in the United States and US$1.16 billion in Canada; in Australia, violence against women and children costs an estimated US$11.38 billion per year; in Fiji, the annual estimated cost was US$135.8 million or 7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product in 2002; and in England and Wales domestic violence alone cost approximately US$32.9 billion.

The endvawnow.org recognizes some protective factors that can reduce women’s risk of violence, including: women’s economic autonomy and access to skills training, credit and employment; social norms that promote gender equality; quality response services (judicial, security/protection, social and medical) staffed with knowledgeable, skilled and trained personnel; availability of safe spaces or shelters; and, access to support groups.

Yes, it is our duty to end VAW now!# Send feedback to: arnoldcares@yahoo.com

December

15

-

21,

METRO OPINION

2013

7

Safe Water

I

from Pekanbaru, Sumatra arrived via Cebu. They were joined by two Americans John Simmons McKinnon and Gary Longenecker, WMI guests.

John and Gary who are with InTouch Ministry in Atlanta, Georgia were here to document the extent of the devastation in Northern and Central Iloilo. Craig Williams, logistics officer of WMI, also came in to expedite the shipment of the water systems. Forty purifiers valued at about 200 million pesos were airfreighted to Manila from WMI’s headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina and 12 units were initially dispatched to Iloilo via roll on-roll off vessel.

Our assessment team visited all the affected towns and cities in Panay within a span of three days, covering a distance of nearly 2,000 kilometers.

We started by looking at the situation in Northern and Central Iloilo and thereafter moved on to Capiz, Aklan, and Antique.

We found out that many towns in Panay still do not have Local Water Utilities-supervised water districts and if there are, many of the households remain unserved especially those outside the town proper. They are mainly reliant on untreated spring, rain, or surface water and from personally made dug outs and tube wells.

Results from WMI water analyses showed traces of impurities and E. coli presence in some samples

taken from community wells and other common drinking sources.

Two weeks ago we got one system running at the evacuation site for oil spill victims in Estancia, Iloilo and have, since then, successfully installed 11 other systems in Capiz and Iloilo.

This week, another shipment (12 systems) from the United States will arrive in Iloilo for subsequent distribution to and installation in other pre-identified areas. Each of the purification systems can process up to 3,000 liters of safe water per hour.

In 1998, WMI founders, Molly and George Greene, were operating an environmental engineering company in Charleston, South Carolina when they heard about the devastation in Honduras caused by Hurricane Mitch.

After receiving a request for multiple water treatment systems in Honduras, and being unable to find existing systems that would work, George and his team of engineers took action to build such a system – and thus the idea for Water Missions International was born.

When the Greenes arrived in Honduras, they were shocked by what they found. The river that flowed through a nearby village was the color of chocolate milk, deep brown with toxins, bacteria and hopelessness. The residents of the village referred to it as the “River of Death” – no one survived once they drank from that river.

As one of the newly built water

systems became operational, the local villagers were still terrified to drink any water from the river – whether it was clear or not. So Molly and George placed their own lips to the hose and drank the newly purified water. With that action, Molly and George bridged the final gap and the villagers swarmed forward to drink the water.

During their Honduras trip, Molly and George discovered the sad truth about the global water crisis – that billions are forced to drink dirty water every day. In 2001, the Greenes took action to combat this reality and founded Water Missions International.

Today, WMI provides access to safe water for over 2 million people throughout the world. Additionally, it operates 10 country programs in South America, Africa, and Asia and has served 49 different countries on 5 different continents To realize its goals, it draws supports from various donors and partners that include WMI has strategic relationships with corporations and other entities that have each given $100,000 or more through financial gifts or in-kind donations. Each of these relationships provides a vital service or product that makes the expansion of safe water programs possible. Some of these organizations include FedEx Expres, Georg Fischer Corporation, Grundfos, Pentair, Schutz, SolarWorld, and Rotary International (http://www.

watermissions.org).

When the situation shall have stabilized in the disaster-hit areas of Panay where WMI has existing water purification systems, consultation will be initiated with the local authorities for the transfer of the system to the most needy community. A water committee will be organized so that the unit is operationally optimized. If well-maintained, the water purifier has an expected lifespan of 30 years.

Goducate itself is now into the thick of relief operations in Iloilo and Leyte to ease the suffering of the typhoon victims. It has raised a substantial amount from its new and repeat donors in Singapore, United States, Australia, and elsewhere. The support is channelled through its training center in San Miguel, Iloilo, Philippines.

Goducate is partnering with WMI not only for monitoring of the water systems operation but also for Goducate to deploy trained community development workers (CDWs) to areas where the water systems will eventually be permanently installed.

These CDWs are conversant on GoFeed (food production), GoEnglish (English teaching), GoSports (sports training), and GoMusic (musical instruments instruction) programs of Goducate to ensure holistic and sustainable community development for rural Philippines.

W

What are your biggest achievements this year?

Top on the list is rising from being a couch potato to becoming a marathoner! I really am very proud of the fact that I finished the 2013 Los Angeles Marathon without injury.

It was a testament to my very strong determination, and self-discipline.

For that marathon, I actually “trained” for about five months that included running the Long Beach Half-Marathon, and another halfmarathon at the Los Angeles New Year’s Night Race. Finishing a full marathon only goes to show that I can conquer anything if I set my heart on it. Then, there’s the courage to learn something, actually two things, that I have always wanted to do: tap dancing, and driving. There is no more shame in admitting it: although I have had a driver’s license for well over seven years now, I only started driving in late May. Well, I am still alive, and I am actually getting adept at the crazy freeways of California.

can be learned from this? That the judges, and their tastes, may change; but a good story will always be a damn good story! Digwalangsila! So anyway, as far as writing accomplishments are concerned, the fact that I was able to maintain this column regularly for almost six months now is additional proof of my writing discipline. Sure, the writing is neither earthshaking nor literary, but I never promised those. I don’t know if this writing entertains, or irritates you, but it does me a lot of good to reflect on my life, and put my thoughts into words. And for as long as the newspaper publishes me, I am still ahead of my haters. Sukalangsiladugo!

What about your writing and literary

accomplishments?

You would think that I would say that winning the 2013 Palanca gold medal for Hiligaynon short story was a top achievement for me this year, but it is not. I wrote that story way back in 2011 for the NCCA Writer’s Prize that year. It was passed over so I just included it in a book of my first collection of Hiligaynon stories. A chance re-reading of it convinced me that it really is a powerful story, so I just entered it in the Palanca contest.

There is no secret about it: when I believe in my work, I do not rest until they are recognized in one way or another. My Palanca gold awardwinning full-length play in English, “The Passion of Jovita Fuentes,” was originally “Ang Duha ka Gugma ni Jovita Fuentes” which was entered in the 2007 Writer’s Prize, and was passed over. My full-length Hiligaynon film, “Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa,” was based on my FDCP awardwinning screenplay that started as a Hiligaynon short story that was passed over both at the 2010 Palanca Awards, and at the 2011 Writer’s prize. What

What are your greatest artistic creations in 2013?

In September this year, I composed a march, an anthem, in tandem with a local music teacher in Dumangas. I didn’t know the real deal, but I was of the impression that the local school for the arts was challenged by the mayor to compose the town march with a P50,000.00 incentive. When I visited the school, I saw their needs so I told

them, I can’t give them cash, but I sure can donate my talent and help them get the fifty thousand pesos promised for the town march. It turned out, I only needed to give the first nine notes, and their corresponding syllables [four words], so that the music teacher could proceed. We finished the lyrics and song in less than ten days. For another fifty thousand pesos incentive, the school was also asked to make a theatrical piece on global warming.

Again, I applied myself to the job, and finished a Hiligaynon children’s play in three days. But the greatest literature I created in 2013 would definitely be the full-length English play with very adult themes that I wrote for the Palanca contest, “The Seduction of Jet Alcantara.” I still think that it’s the strongest play of my career yet. It didn’t win, and I think that I know why, but after being elevated to the Hall of Fame last year, I just decided that I will no longer compromise my vision in order to win literary awards. I have to journey on forward, and go beyond the limitations of Philippine readers and conventions. Akosipeternery!

of rationality. And to judge from her productivity as a legislator, no insane woman can be as prolific as Senator Santiago has been.

As a senator, she has access to a lot of classified information. For one, there are some things that are highly classified and only circulated to a very limited group of people in this country.

Thus, the role of the government is to order an investigation into all that she has said and is claiming. We can’t just turn a blind eye to what she is talking about. The government can prod her to collaborate with them as they inquire into the affairs of the people mentioned in her speech. This is yet another slur on the integrity of the people she has involved in the issue.

Miriam is Miriam.

A straightforward woman, she is a political icon of millions of Filipinos, being a genuinely witty speaker to whom one could listen for hours. She talks over issues well-kept by fear and ignominy, so most of us find what she says entrancing and astounding.

She speaks like a crazy woman, but it is her way to confront anathemas or propriety, which defences and precludes truth from coming out. She knows well how to tip-toe to the verge of lawful and unlawful, thoughtful and facetious, sympathetic and hostile, ceremonial and casual, and this necessitates finesse, so it makes no sense to belittle the enormity of the issues the senator is exposing. She is a super intelligent woman, but she is not a deranged woman - it is so obvious. Only a PR firm can say that to slate her or to enrage her or to make people not believe her to ruin her integrity. She knows what she is doing as she doesn’t go to absurd lengths.

Her agenda is not discordant, nor are they out of time with everybody’s.

I think our country needs more Miriams. She dredges up everything that our memory as a country has expunged for years because we are forbearing, superficial, lenient, unaware, or fraidy-cat. She sounds unmannerly or coarse, but the silence of anyone in the senate is inimical to transparency and scruples and can be

perfidious to the Filipino people. She is not our adversary here, for she is our defender. None of what she says and does is against us if we analyse all that she uncovers. All she told us during her privilege speech is a can of worms some people didn’t want to open, and doing so she knows the risk it poses to her life and her family. It could have appalled all of us, yet it made us realise a lot of things. It has spurred us into making an opinion or taking an action.

Silence in the Senate could be a conspiracy of silence. Santiago v Enrile considered as a cat-and-mouse game is politically expedient at best.

It was revealing and has made the two senators more popular and unpopular, lovable and unlovable, good and bad.

It gives everyone a fresh idea of what is happening in our country and what the government do to address the problems our politicians and some citizens are involved in. It also shows who are pursued by the government and who are not, who are implicated and who are passed over. As a legislator, she has no power to solve the problems

confronting us all, but she can drop hints about what is happening in this country. It is up to the justice department to litigate. The justice department, however, could unsurprisingly political. It could be selective or spiteful or excessive.

We don’t know exactly what has incited her hatred to Senator Enrile.

It could be purely political or personal – or theatrical. This is the thing we cannot be certain of. All we can do is speculate about it. It could be because of misunderstanding or because she really hates the crimes she is accusing Senator Enrile of or she is really a sincere public servant. Whatever it is, however, the Filipino people deserve truthful legislators and statesmen.

It is time that we got rid of bad politicians. We need legislators who don’t need a PDAF and who honestly legislate not for themselves and their family businesses but for all Filipinos and this country. We need politicians who advocate for the progress of everyone in this country, divulging everything in the government Miriam /p9

n the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda, one of the critical needs that surfaced was safe water for the affected persons.

Thus, when the country director of Water Missions International (WMI) for Indonesia, Jan Daniel, contacted me a day after the typhoon wrought havoc to Central Philippines, I immediately responded positively to his organization’s offer for help. Dr. Paul Choo, the founder and CEO of Goducate (Go and Educate) green lighted my request to help WMI in putting up water purification systems in needy towns and cities in Panay.

Dr. Paul Choo and I met Jan Daniel during our lectures on servant leadership and food security matters in Pekan Baru, Sumatra about three months ago. We were introduced to him earlier on by Thomos Sihombing, Goducate country coordinator for Indonesia. This paved the way towards solidifying our friendship with the discovery that both organizations have commonalities in terms of strategic approaches and goals attendant to community development.

Jan Daniel came to Iloilo only last week but two of his Indonesian engineers arrived two weeks earlier than he did. Jordan Franky Sinaga who was then in Cambodia flew in while another one, Surya Sentosa Surbakti, hat do you want for Christmas?

I feel truly blessed this year that I really don’t wish for anything for myself now. I know that it sounds boastful, but what can I do? It’s the truth. All the material things that I want, I have already bought online even before the Black Friday and Cyber Monday bargain sales. Also, despite the super typhoon in the Philippines, and all other unexpected expenses this year, I was still able to reach my savings goal amount for 2013. Health-wise, I have some nasty gout attacks, but otherwise, I am healthier than ever at my desired weight of less than 125 lbs.

Relationship-wise, I am really at peace with the world. I know that I still have my critics and haters, and all those people who hate seeing me succeed, but what can I do? Everything that I touch turns into gold! For myself, I want for nothing. I only wish that the world will be merrier this Christmas, and in the days to come.

Miriam A

llegations of brutality and smuggling and tax evasion and illegal logging and corruption have been levelled at Senator Juan Ponce Enrile by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

So now everyone has been particularly scathing about all these accusations.

We seem to feel how foolish we are to entertain doubts, but these are heavy allegations and everything she has told in her speech can be regarded as a serious matter because though a lot say that the senator is insane, she is still high-minded and honourable: She has not been involved in the PDAF scam and all her advocacies are obviously reputable as she always takes a principled stand. She has been shown as an intelligent, courageous, and virtuous lawyer, judge, government official, and legislator. Consequently, for all her uprightness that she has shown since then, it is easy for us to consider her contentions in this era

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ILOILO METROPOLITAN TIMES

9

Pilot ‘groundwater monitoring wells’ project breaks ground in Oton

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has chosen the town of Oton in Iloilo to be their pilot area on its Development of Groundwater Management Plan project to meet the challenge on water shortage in highly urbanized city and neighboring towns of Pavia and Leganes.

NWRB officer-in-charge director Engr. Jorge Estioko said the project will be the first in the country and it

will provide a framework and decision support tools using science based methodology to effectively manage groundwater resources.

The NWRB has set aside P 3 million fund for the said project.

Under the said project, two groundwater monitoring wells will be constructed and installed within the school compound of Cambitu National High School in Brgy.

Caboloan Sur, Oton.

Estioko stressed the monitoring wells aims to gather data for allocation, protection, remediation and policy making for the groundwater.

He added the project will help identify strategy and monitor situation of groundwater including study record in the implementation plan to improve and give sufficient water supply to the community.

“This could also use for research, long-term monitoring of groundwater,

A total of 13 participants had confirmed their interest to join the regional cultural show.

Kasadyahan Committee chairperson Dr. Eden Deriada named them as Maskara of Bacolod City, Sinadya sa Halaran of Roxas City, Atiatihan of Aklan, and other festivals in Negros Occidental, Antique, and Guimaras.

In Iloilo, the Kaing of Leon, Bayluhay of San Joaquin, Salakayan of Miagao, two tribes from town of Cabatuan and Passi City, Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School and another two dance groups from private schools, all in Iloilo City.

To compensate their efforts, the IDFI has increased its subsidy allowance for all the participating tribes.

Deriada said all participants coming from this city will have P 150,

000 subsidy allowance plus P 50, 000 while other participants from other provinces will have a subsidy allowance ranging from P 165, 000 to P 200, 000 plus P 50, 000 each additional allowance from the Department of Tourism 6 (DOT-6).

Tribu Salakayan was the grand champion in the 2013 edition of Kasadyahan. The tribe also included on Top 10 best performers in Aliwan Festival in Manila last April this year.

Other kasadyahan winners are Tribu Kaing of Leon, Iloilo (1st runner-up), Tribu Bayluhay of San Joaquin, Iloilo (2nd runner-up), Tribu Padagyaw of Dumarao, Capiz (3rd runner-up) and Tribu Mandaragat of San Jose, Antique (4th runner-up).

Dinagyang Festival’s two-day highlights will have Kasadyahan on January 25, and Ati Tribes competition on January 26, 2014. IMT

Non-competition for Kasadyahan eyed

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) is proposing for a noncompeting Kasadyahan show to give way for the regional participants to promote their own festival around the world.

Iloilo City Tourism Officer Benedicto Jimena said the Kasadyahan, a prelude of Ati-Ati contest is a proper venue to promote any festivals to shine and get the world’s biggest attention.

“They should participate in the Dinagyang if they want their festivals to be known. We want them to dance not just to compete but to showcase their culture”, he said.

This time, Jimena said they preferred to increase the subsidy allowance of those participating tribes rather than to give prizes for the winners.

A Guide to Christmas Park Lighting Celebrations in Iloilo

BY BOMBETTE G. MARIN Christmas is the most festive holiday of tte year and a time of celebration for almost all Ilonggos.

Though in some towns, especially those badly hit by the recent typhoon, the celebration of the Christmas holiday might go less festive this year and given the modest financial scenarios of their towns, the celebration of Christmas may happen over a shorter time frame or with lesser festive activities.

But for some, in order to develop a festive atmosphere, they decorate their municipal park trees and other structures with glittering lights to appreciate an overall feeling of merriment for the Christmas season.

Not until park trees are all decked out with Christmas lights and trimmings, it does not truly feel like the holiday season in the province of Iloilo. Towns welcome brightly lit Christmas trees in their town plazas to spread holiday cheer.

With the pleasant nature of the climate for the duration of Christmas, Ilonggos take advantage of it by typically going sightseeing in neighboring towns on a relaxing drive in the evening. Despite the seemingly general similarity in activities, even so, many towns have their own individual style that makes Christmas

celebrations distinctive.

The town of Mina has its weeklong Christmas event celebration entitled, PASKWA HALAD SA BANWA that opens every December 14-23. The spirit to serve the community is a core value of the local government of this town which gives all the opportunity to give back to the community through this event which started in 2011. However, in 19942010 the town had been celebrating Christmas with series of activities that include street dancing, ceremonial lighting, fireworks display and food fair.

The Christmas tree at the town plaza will dazzle with tons of illuminated bulbs with the annual celebration of the opening of LIGHT A TREE for the municipality of Oton.

Listen to Christmas carols performed by area children and view beautiful and innovative Christmas belen in all shapes, sizes, materials and colors displayed around the municipal plaza.

This Christmas celebration started in 1999 will run from December 15-20.

The festive lighting of the municipal park of Pototan unveils its annual IWAG FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS on December 16. This is a long standing tradition of this agricultural municipality in the last 16 years. The town is not only known as the leading rice producer in Western Visayas but also as the region’s Christmas Capital. This longest-running Christmas event in Iloilo draws tremendous community support. Since then, illuminated park trees grew with mounting

and intelligently, they need to be daring and fearless, and they need to be strong, principled politicians.

Passionately championing the Filipino people, the senator disdains politicians who are corrupt and thoroughly venal, and we are lucky to have her in the Senate. She is a trustworthy and no-nonsense leader, for even her jokes and anti-jokes have social and political ramifications for everyone. We can’t change her deportment and her general demeanour, for an institution herself, she is a woman of great personality. All

we can do is love her or hate her or ignore her but never change her. ******** Roger B Rueda has a BSc in mass communications from WVSU at La Paz. His poems, short stories, and essays have been published in The Sunday Times and Philippines Graphics. He is the author of the bestseller book ‘APPLE Grammar.’ Of late, his poem has been chosen for an anthology to be published by Meritage Press this December 2013. His writing can also be read at www.rogerbrueda. blogspot.com.

Miriam...from page 7 especially if it is anti-Filipino and deceitful, making effective laws that protect the welfare of the majority and making sure that all taxes go to tangible and useful government projects and investments. Accordingly, this country needs more squeaky clean people for the government to fight shy of sleaze and corruption and exploitation of the Filipino people and the environment.

Sad to say, we have a lot of potential legislators, but no one can follow in Senator Santiago’s footsteps, for to be like the senator, they need to understand all the laws in principle

collect data, water level and quality.

Any data which will be collected could be used to study whatever intervention we have”, he said during the groundbreaking ceremony at the site Tuesday morning.

Estioko also said that the same project will be replicated soon in towns of San Miguel, Pavia and Alimodian.

On his part, Oton Mayor Vicente Flores said the tripartite agreement between the implementing agency, Municipality of Oton and Department of Education (DepEd) could be the answered on the scarcity of water

supply.

As a prioneer recepient, Flores hopes that through this project the groundwater resources in their town will be effectively evaluated to help monitor groundwater situation.

Dr. Lilibeth Estoque, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd-Iloilo, also assured the NWRB that the project will be utilized properly.

She added the project is just the beginning of more future projects that will be placed in public schools in the province. IMT

DSWD chief assures enough food, jobs for Estancia oil spill victims

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman assured oil spill victims in Brgy. Botongon, Estancia, Iloilo that they have enough relief family packs until New Year.

Soliman said three more rounds of food packs will be distributed starting November 10 to 515 registered evacuees who sought temporary shelter at the evacuation center of Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NPSC) two weeks after typhoon Yolanda hit Western Visayas on November 8.

This time, Soliman said each family will receive assorted canned goods and 25 kilos of rice instead of 15 kilos previously distributed.

The DSWD food subsidy is apart from the cash assistance of P 30.00 per day given by joint efforts of Estancia LGU and Iloilo Provincial government per member of those registered families composed of 2, 015 individuals at the evacuation center.

Soliman has visited Estancia for the damages assessment of typhoon in Iloilo province more than a week ago.

He was with Interior Secretary Mar

Roxas and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

The social welfare secretary also said the implementation of cash- forwork in Estancia is now being finalized by the Local Government Unit (LGU).

He said the Estancia LGU will be the one to identify which areas will be cleaned-up first.

Soliman added those displaced typhoon and oil spill victims will be given priority on the said program. She stressed each beneficiary will be given P 245 per day for ten days clean-up operation.

Meanwhile, Soliman also assured homeless typhoon victims to help them through the shelter kits assistance.

She said owners of totally damaged houses will be given P 30, 000 worth of materials while P 10, 000 worth of materials for partially damaged houses.

Soliman said they are now validating the datus from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and DSWD-6.

She added the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the leading agency in the procurement of materials. IMT

enthusiasm in the neighboring towns and elsewhere around Iloilo. While wandering throughout the field of glittering park trees, grab a taste of local flavors and be entertained by nightly presentations. The lights will be on display till the 2nd of January, 2014.

The annual FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS of the municipality of Janiuay is celebrated every December 16-31. Park trees are decorated with hundreds of thousands of spectacular animated and stationary holiday lights that twinkle along to Christmas music, illuminating the roadway. This festive yuletide celebration started in 2010.

The municipality of Dingle on its 5th year this year will hold the 12 NIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS where it features the magnificent brightly-lit Christmas Floats parading around the poblacion area where all the lights on the float after dusk are turned on in order to give viewers an unexpected treat. Other activities include the drum, bugle and lyre competition and the inter-provincial fireworks display.

Event runs every December 16-30.

The Christmas displays, albeit the majority of them have been reused and abused, many still look forward to the creative themes that many of these towns and the city come up with to decorate their trees. Over a period of time, strings of Christmas lights found their way into use in the municipality of New Lucena with their annual KASADYAHAN SA PASKWA celebrated every December 16-31 and caps with a countdown and fireworks display on the eve of December 31st.

The agricultural town of Alimodian will also open its Christmas event entitled PAGHILIUSA PARA KAY KRISTO, an annual Christmas Festival that started in 2007 and celebrated every December 6-29 as Barangay districts of the area take turns in the nightly holiday showcase featuring the talented people of this town.

Christmas is always a time of peaceful celebration in the warmth your family, surrounded by loved ones and good wishes for friends and expressing one’s love to others by being more kind and giving.

Solar Power...from page 1 (DENR) and the Department of Energy (DOE).

His learnings as a participant of the “Climate Change, Is there a Liberal Response”, a seminar he attended this year at the International Leadership Academy in Germany as well as the other local climate change seminars

held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and in Caliraya, Laguna has helped him in dealing such companies for the betterment of the Ilonggo lifestyle.

Tupas is also authored the ordinance on non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags used in Iloilo City malls. IMT

No Power...from page 1 is only supposed to read, print and deliver the bills. PECO linemen in charge with these are not allowed to accept any payments.

“Consumers will still have to pay

their bills at the accredited payment centers or the PECO main office.”, Pastolero said.

PECO is also eyeing an online payment system starting next year. IMT

10

IBL

Iloilo Basketball Leauge

BY REYMAR LATOZA Who will hoist the championship trophy?

Actions heated up further as rivals West Visayas State University (WVSU) and University of San Agustin (USA) battle it out like there is no tomorrow in the championship of Iloilo Basketball League (IBL) Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, December 16, 2013.

WVSU and USA dispatched Textus and Philippine Electronics Institute (PEI) respectively in the IBL best-of-three semi-finals series to book slots in the championship.

WVSU pulled off a hard-earned win over Textus in Game game 2, 2826.

Textus cagers buried WVSU in

METRO SPORTS

December 15 - 21, 2013

WVSU, USA clash for championship title the first quarter to take control at the end of the first quarter, with a 9-1 blitzkrieg.

Their explosion continued in the second quarter, extending the lead to 17-9.

Bleeding WVSU avenged in the third quarter, launching an 8-1 blast against Textus. WVSU had able to catch up through their torrid shooting and ended the said quarter with 1 point shy.

Down by 1, 18-17, WVSU kept its relentless spirit in the fourth quarter, overtaking USA with close lead.

The fourth quarter became more physical as both teams tried to bungle each other to secure a slot.

WVSU survived the nip and tuck match in the said quarter to get

a ticket for the championship.

The said tournament was organized by Iloilo Basketball (IBL) League, headed by Alfie Lagman as President of the said league.

It was participated by the six teams namely West Visayas State University (WVSU), PEI, University of Agustine (USA), Iloilo National High School (INHS), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) as well as two others teams namely, Avengers, and Textus.

It aims to promote and flourish the field of sports in Iloilo by developing and discovering potential Ilonggo basketball players.IMT

Update: Mayor Dunstan Claudio S. Sale Cup Basketball Tournament

BY REYMAR LATOZA

The anticipation is getting higher .

Match-ups in the Mayor Dunstan Claudio S. Sale Cup Basketball Tournament are expected to become allout wars with powerhouse teams from three different categories battle to get the top seed.

In 19-34 category, 20 teams were divided into four brackets.

Barangay San Jose secured its 4 wins and no loss record while Barangay 3 remained winless in bracket A as of December 9, 2013. Other teams are Hacienda (1W, 1L), Barangay 16 (2W, 1L), and Warriors (1W, 2L).

Goducate, Barangay 8 SRN, and Barangay 1 Roxas have 2 wins and 1 loss record. Barangay 4 Suarez has 1 win and 2 losses while Jokers suffered 2 losses in Bracket B.

In Bracket C, Sta Teresa, and Ritarians occupied the top spot with both 2 wins and 1 loss followed by Sto. Nino with 2 wins and 2 losses. Santiago has 1 win and 2 losses and Barangay 2 has 3 losses and remained winless.

In Bracket D, Stag rises among other teams with 3 wins and no loss record. Sta Cruz landed on the second spot with 3 wins and 1 loss record followed by Barangay 7 SRN with 1 win and 1 loss. team Rebels has 1 win and 2 losses. Riyogeco suffered 4 losses.

On the other hand, in 18-under category, 11 teams were divided into two.

In Bracket A, Jokers and Ritarians occupied the top spot with both 2 wins and no loss. Other teams are Brgy 10 Stag 9 (1W, 1L), Brgy. 9 Riyogeco (1W, 1L), Brgy 11-12 (2L) and Brgy. 16 Giant (2L).

Brgy. 14 ABC –Rebels dominates

in bracket B with 2 wins and no loss record. Other teams are Brgy. 2-4 Smash (2W, 1L), Brgy. Roxas (1W,1L), Sta. Cruz (1W, 1L), and Hacienda (3L).

Meanwhile, Brgy. 3-4 cemented its lead with 3 wins and no loss record in 35 and above category followed by Brgy.

14 with 2 wins and no loss record. Other teams are Brgy. 10 (1W, 1L), Brgy. 1Roxas (2L), and Brgy. 9 (3L).

The Mayor Dunstan Claudio S. Sale Cup Basketball Tournament spearheaded

by Hon. Frince Sales, Sangguniang Bayan member, and Chairman of Committee on Sports is part of the town’s annual ‘Pasidungog Festival’. IMT Erratum: Instead of Mayor Dunstan S. Claudio, IMT should have written Mayor Dunstan Claudio Sale on Volume 44,Dec. 1-7 issue of the newspaper .

City Government of Iloilo Office City Treasurer’s Office Re-engineered Business Permitting Process of Iloilo City Salient Features of the New BPLS • Special Lane for: »» PWDs, Senior Citizen, Pregnant »» On-Schedule Applications »» On-line Applications • Backroom Processing »» CTC computation and issuance »» BFP assessment and payment »» Business Plate and sticker issuance • One-time assessment One-time payment

RENEWAL

INDICATORS

2013 1 unified form

Forms Steps

12

Signatories Required Documents Elapsed Time

3 6 1 - 1/2 day

2014 None 3 (Walk-in) 1 (On-line) 1 5* Within the day

*RENEWAL Requirements:

• Parallel issuance of: »» Business Permit »» Business Plate (new)/sticker »» CTC »» Business Tax receipt, etc. »» BFP receipt

1. Declaration of Gross Sales / Income 2. Barangay Clearance 3. Prior year’s FSIC 4. Previous year’s Q4 RPT receipt 5. Previous year’s Business Tax Receipt 6. Other regulatory requirements depending on line of business

• Joint Inspection Team (JIT)

PLEASE PAY YOUR TAXES PROMPTLY!!!

DERMCARE: MORE THAN SKIN DEEP A Budget Friendly Approach To A Beautiful You

BY REMS ROBERTO If the economy has you rethinking a make- over or a facelift, there are some less costly options to consider that help eliminate lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and other signs of skin aging.

With shorter recovery times and fees that are easier to handle, non-surgical, minimally invasive techniques for facial rejuvenation hold a lot of appeal.

This is where DERMCARE Skin, Hair & Spa excels among all other wellness and beauty company in the country today. With over 55 branches nationwide, DERMCARE’s commitment to provide consumers with top-of-the-line products and services at superior value for your money.

Launched in 1980’s, DERMCARE Skin, Hair & Spa was known as a company that sells various dermatologically –tested products. In order to diversified the company, it’s

President and CEO Ms. Zenaida Palisoc --- an enterprising and visionary businesswoman, wanted DERMCARE to assumed a new business concept as a total health, beauty, and wellness center serving a diverse market.

The idea was brilliant! Ms. Palisoc’s years of experience in the wellness and beauty industry gave DERMCARE a superb customer attraction that results in pouring in of satisfied clients in every branch they have opened.

A COMMITMENT TO BEAUTY AND WELLNESS At Dermcare, you can indulge with a relaxing and therapeutic facials, or retreat to our luxurious spa for a soothing massage that will stimulate your body’s own healing process. Our lavish body scrubs and signature skin and body treatments, are sure to delight and make you feel good all over.

Dermcare understand the pressures of today’s busy routines, and the trend towards quick anti-aging solutions, which is why they are continually searching for the most technologically advanced treatments and top of the line beauty products--- all manufactured by DERMCARE also.

Everyday, Dermcare aims to improve various signs of skin and hair aging in just a short period of time, and return you to your normal activities immediately.

Dermcare is staffed with committed professionals with years of experience in Product Research and Development, Operations, Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Development, and Business Development.

Of course, all Dermcare’s clinics and spas are manned by trained and certified therapists with over 15 years of combined experience in the beauty and wellness industry.

The 116 square meter elegant, cozy and

spacious state-of-the-art Spa clinic of Dermcare in SM City Iloilo will say Hello!

To Ilonggos on Sunday, December 15, 2013.

Located at the Lower Ground Floor, D e r m c a r e features premium amenities, discreet waiting areas and modern equipments.

All of these in a very reasonable rates a sumptuous spa clinic can offer!

With the opening of Dermcare in Iloilo City, we could translate this strong growth to create more jobs, more opportunities for Ilonggo workers. And since they have high quality facility and services, the company believe that they are also

capable of passing the standards of medical tourism even among foreign customers From Day One, Ms. Palisoc kept her corporate mission to help enhance customers’ beauty at a price that is within the reach of the common people.