Crystal Flow 2016 May-August

Vol. XXIV No. 2

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF DAVAO CITY WATER DISTRICT

MAY-AUGUST 2016

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

WHAT’S INSIDE

Eduardo A. Bangayan Chairperson Atty. Abdul M. Dataya Vice-Chairperson

Ma. Luisa L. Jacinto, MPA Secretary

Serafin C. Ledesma Jr. Member

Atty. Charmalou D. Aldevera Member

3 Editor’s Note - New editors on board!

4 From the GM’s Desk - Harmonizing differences for success 5 DCWD laboratory rates EXCELLENT anew 6 100 for Adopt-a-Site Project!

7 New collection center opens in Felcris Toril

Fees adjustment takes effect 8 AD, PAMD recognized 9 Service excellence through WE Connect! and PRIME-HRM 10 Personnel 12 DCWD celebrates Corporate Social Responsibility Month 14 Mga Awit Para sa Karagatan highlights Ocean Month 15 Youths empowered to ACT in 16th Eco-Camp 16 Tibungco children receive school supplies

DCWD gives back to customers 17 Major projects presented to city’s college studes 18 Employees step up efforts for the environment 19 Environment convention hosted by DCWD

DCWD supports city events 20 GAD Talks - Know GAD 21 Feature - My un/usual motherhood story 22 Legally Speaking - Statistics never lie, but lovers do 23 Fun and Games 24 Did you know that…

TOP MANAGEMENT

Engr. Edwin V. Regalado, MPA General Manager

Mildred G. Aviles, CPA, DM-HRM OIC-Office of the Assistant General Manager for Administration

Engr. Exequiel B. Homez OIC-Office of the Assistant General Manager for Operations

DEPARTMENT MANAGERS

Bernadette A. Dacanay, DBA Finance & Property

Paquito C. Ebero Commercial Services

Engr. Noel C. Montaña Production

Ariel L. Noble, MBA Corporate Planning

Roberto S. De los Reyes, LLB General Services

Atty. Richard D. Tumanda, RN Legal

Engr. Rosanna Vicenta T. Cabanag, MPA OIC, Pipelines & Appurtenances Maintenance / Non-Revenue Water Management Office

Engr. Oscar C. Dela Cruz, MS-ERM OIC, Engineering & Construction Atty. Bernardo D. Delima Jr. OIC, Community Relations & External Affairs / Official Spokesperson

Hilton P. Husain, CPA, MBA OIC, Accounting

Ruth G. Jabines, MBA, DM-HRM OIC, Human Resource

Engr. Reynaldo M. Petalcorin OIC, Information & Communications Technology

Engr. Arnold P. Sarabia, MPA OIC, Internal Audit

VISION

Best water and wastewater service provider with utmost care for the people and the environment.

MISSION

We commit to supply potable and affordable water 24 hours a day, provide wastewater treatment services, operate efficiently, take a proactive role in environmental concerns and keep a competent workforce.

CORE STRATEGY Photo credits: Nones D. Anino

ABOUT THE COVER The cover captures DCWD’s watershed

Efficient and effective management of all resources for water security in Davao City.

Vol. XXIV No. 2

Editorial Board

CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY

Service with Dignity and Honor

rehabilitation and protection efforts.

Aside from providing affordable and safe water to Davao City, it also extends to the community through its corporate social responsibility programs.

CRYSTAL FLOW: The official publication of Davao City Water District. Your contributions are welcome at the DCWD Public Information / Relations Division Office. No part or whole of this newsletter will be printed without prior approval.

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editor-in-Chief ATTY. BERNARDO D. DELIMA JR. managing editor JOVANA CRESTA T.

DUHAYLUNGSOD

associate editor MADONNA C. LLAGUNO news editor JAMAE CONCEPCION G.

DELA CRUZ

features editor KATRINA BELEN M. ROBLE circulation chief JERELL J. LEONIDA artist JONAS A. CAPUTE JR.

Editor’s Note

New editors on board!

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his issue launches the new set of editorial board of Crystal Flow.

This is the maiden issue for me as the new Editor-in-Chief heading the old writers who are taking new roles in the editorial board and the new contributors representing the different departments of the water utility. It is also in this issue that GAD Talks is formally included as another regular section in addition to Legally Speaking.

While I may be inclined to say, or write, that we are making a fresh start for Crystal Flow, I am more convinced that the new blood is faced with the challenge to uphold the relevance, quality of content, and style for which it has reaped the Philippine Association of Water Districts’ Best Publication Award for many years. And we acknowledge this challenge with much gratitude to the past editorial board with Maria Editha C. Monje at the helm who has cemented the reputation of this magazine in the water industry.

To the new editorial team, this is the first of our many collaborations.

Let us capture through our stories the best years of Davao City Water District ahead of us in the same way the accomplishments of the water utility have filled the pages of this magazine over the years. read. S

To the readers, I hope you continue to find this a good, worthwhile

ATTY. BERNARDO D. DELIMA JR. publicinfo_dcwd@yahoo.com

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From the GM’s desk

Harmonizing differences for success

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he water utility is in the stage of its operation where opportunities abound for water service provision innovation. And, all of us are striving to deliver our own contributions for the attainment of our mission, vision, and goals.

Indeed, the strength of DCWD can be traced to the basic core of its operation – the workforce. More than the equipment and facilities that we have, the driving force that powers our operation is the men and women of the DCWD family.

In more than forty years of existence, DCWD has been very fortunate to have been able to amass a pool of people who have exceptional competencies. Through the talents of these people, we have been able to build a water utility which continuously responds to the challenges in water service provision, fulfills its mandate and responsibilities, and revolutionizes its operation to improve its services.

The beauty of DCWD’s workforce lies in our ability to rise above our differences and weave our individualities into one to come up with countless innovations in water service provision. Just imagine the multitude of great ideas we have been able to gather from the talented men and women of DCWD who individually shared recommendations on water service improvement. And, from these great ideas, we were able to craft the best plans and programs for the water utility.

Thus, as we move forward and as we grow bigger as a family by bringing in more talented and skilled individuals into our workforce, may we continue to harness our individualities and harmonize our differences for the improvement of our operation and services to provide total customer satisfaction. S

ENGR. EDWIN V. REGALADO General Manager

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DCWD laboratory rates

water news

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T N E L L E EXC anew

he DCWD laboratory maintained its excellent rating in the Proficiency Testing Scheme for Water Microbiological Testing Laboratory for CY 2015.

DCWD lab has obtained the same excellent rating in this national proficiency test in 2009, 2010-2011, and 2012.

The Proficiency Test (PT) is required for the renewal of accreditation of all water testing laboratories in the country as mandated by the Department of Health (DOH). It is administered by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in coordination with the Health Facilities and Service Regulatory Bureau.

Water Quality Division manager Hydie R. Maspiñas said that in the actual testing, the NRL provided three unknown PT sample packets containing viable microorganisms traceable to reference cultures verified by the NRL and these samples were analyzed by a DCWD medical technologist using normal laboratory conditions. She emphasized that the laboratory’s excellent rating means that the responses were perfect.

GM Edwin V. Regalado explained the implication of the consistent excellent PT rating for the customers of the water utility, “It vouches for the safety and quality of water we give to our customers as well as the accuracy of the results of the services offered by our laboratory.”

Laboratory analysts perform water microbiological examination as part of quality control assurance monitoring.

The DCWD management congratulated the Water Quality Division under the Production Department for the exemplary performance. During the employees convocation in July, the laboratory staff were recognized and the Certificate of Proficiency conferred by the DOH was also presented. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz) S

GM Edwin V. Regalado together with the laboratory staff headed by Water Quality Division manager Hydie R. Maspiñas (4th from L) presents the Certificate of Proficiency conferred by the Department of Health.

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water news

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for Adopt-a-Site Project!

ith the addition of three more adopters in June, the Adopt-a-Site Project in Mt. Talomo-Lipadas Watershed has reached 100 adopters composed of various civic groups and institutions bringing to 187 the total number of hectares of land adopted for rehabilitation.

One of the new adopters is 1Forever Freedom International Marketing, Inc. that inked its commitment with DCWD through a Memorandum of Agreement on June 25 at SMX Convention Center for one hectare of land.

Present during the signing were 1Forever Freedom-Sidlak Mindanao founder Cherry A. Destura and member John Nicolas E. Cortejos.

Another hectare of land was adopted by the Davao BIR Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (DABIREMCO).

Signing the MOA for DABIREMCO were chairperson Susan D. Tusoy, vice-chairperson Marnelita M. Legaspi, and director Bavilyn R. Amodia on June 17 at BIR Regional Office XI. The third adopter, the Water Environment Association of the Philippines (WEAP), adopted ten

hectares of land. Present during the MOA signing on June 15 at Malagos Park were WEAP president Restituto B. Sumanga Sr., president-elect Flordeliza C. Villaseñor, and other WEAP officers. The WEAP delegation also conducted a tree planting activity in Malagos Watershed reservation rehabilitation site.

The DCWD management thanked the new adopters for being one with DCWD’s advocacy on water conservation, watershed rehabilitation, and environment protection.

In the Adopt-a-Site Project, an adopter and DCWD agree to help ensure water supply sustainability in Davao City through watershed rehabilitation. Every adopter pledges to donate PhP6,000 every year for five years for every hectare of land to be rehabilitated to subsidize the cost of seedlings, organic fertilizer, plantation establishment, and maintenance for the first year and maintenance activity, seedlings for replanting, and fertilization costs for the second until fifth years. The rest of the rehabilitation cost and activities are taken care of by DCWD. (Katrina Belen M. Roble) S

(From L pic) 1Forever Freedom International Marketing, Inc., Davao BIR Employees Multipurpose Cooperative, and Water Environment Association of the Philippines seal their support to DCWD’s watershed rehabilitation efforts.

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water news

New collection center opens in Felcris Toril

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he new Davao City Water District collection center in Felcris Toril opened on May 31 after a simple blessing ceremony officiated by Rev. Fr. Richard Ong. The management team headed by GM Edwin V. Regalado graced the affair. The opening of the collection center was timely following the renovation of the Toril District Hall where DCWD’s office used to be situated.

First paying customers were given customized drawstring knapsacks, caps, foldable fans, planners, and notebooks.

Rev. Fr. Richard Ong officiates the blessing.

The new payment center is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Aside from payment of water bills, New Service Connection application and other customer service requests are also accepted.

DCWD also has collection centers in Victoria Plaza, Felcris Centrale, and SM Lanang Premier and offices in Bajada and Matina. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz) S Customer transactions

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begin immediately aft er the ceremony.

Fees adjustment takes effect

avao City Water District implemented fees adjustment on New Service Connection, Reconnection, Transfer Meter, and Service Charge effective July 1 and on the Meter Maintenance Charge reflected in the August 2016 billing.

work item, the Transfer of Water Meter service now refers exclusively to transferring the water meter from its existing location to another tapping point for single-line connections or cluster for tee-connections, or another location within the vicinity serving the same house or building.

The adjustment of fees is applicable to aforementioned customer service requests and not to the water rates. Thus, only the increase in the Meter Maintenance Charge depending on the meter size is reflected in the customer’s monthly bill. The minimal increase in the Meter Maintenance Charge will help defray the cost of DCWD’s Meter Replacement Program or the replacement of all installed meters after the expected life span efficiency.

Overall, the adjustment comes after thorough evaluation of the current operational costs needed for the delivery of said customer service requests to ensure that the newly implemented fees are reasonable both to the customers and the water utility.

The new fees adjustment also incorporates a new work item, the Repositioning of Water Meter previously classified under Transfer of Water Meter. In the repositioning of water meter requested by customers due to access roads obstruction, meters are merely rearranged from F-type to T-type or from T-type to F-type. With the addition of this

GM Edwin V. Regalado emphasized that the new fees adjustment will redound to customer satisfaction because it will help support and enhance the services given to customers.

The schedule of adjustment of fees was posted at DCWD offices, collection centers, and website and in conspicuous public places in the city. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz) S MAY-AUGUST 2016

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water news The Accounting Department headed by OIC Hilton P. Husain (10th from L) receives the Certificate of Commendation from the top management led by GM Edwin V. Regalado (9th from L).

AD, PAMD

recognized Pipelines and Appurtenances Maintenance Department extra-milers (from L) Alex N. Caburnay, Nelson F. Tempo, and Robert T. Nacion.

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ack-to-back recognitions were given to the Accounting Department (AD) and staff of the Pipelines and Appurtenances Maintenance Department (PAMD) during the employees convocation in July.

Headed by OIC Hilton P. Husain, AD was recognized by the management following COA’s commendation for the department’s “efficient and exemplary performance in ensuring adequate and comprehensive internal financial, operational, and compliance report/data, and external events and conditions affecting DCWD”. Said award is reflective of DCWD’s proper and effective internal control system.

COA also commended the department for rendering quality reports and services imbued with deep sense of responsibility, integrity, and professionalism.

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The management also recognized Roberto T. Nacion, Alex N. Caburnay, and Nelson F. Tempo from PAMD for their exemplary performance in going the extra mile to serve a customer.

This after customer Deliah Rivero-Ancog sent a letter to the management praising the three for the help she received. She explained in detail how the three PAMD field men fetched water houses away from her residence. “They came to my rescue as I was in a pitiful state since my left leg was swollen and there was pain in my right leg,” she noted. Delighted by the act of kindness, she recommended a merit increase for the said personnel.

GM Edwin V. Regalado expressed high hopes that he would hear more commendations for DCWD employees coming from customers, “Being in public service, the most valuable feedback we can get is genuine gratitude from the people we serve.” (John Winston C. Ajero II) S

WE Connect! and PRIME-HRM

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rue to its commitment to ensure that all employees are updated with the operations, services, and human resource programs of the water utility, Davao City Water District conducted the 12-batch Employees Forum (EF) on Basic Water Utilities and the eight-batch orientation on the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

The EF themed WE Connect!, which stands for Water utility operations and Employee awareness, had a total attendance of 975 rank-and-file employees and was conducted from April to July. Topics covered were introduction to water supply, water supply system infrastructure and facilities, water production and quality, transmission and distribution, and monitoring and maintenance including the caretaker system, pressure monitoring and management, and District Metered Area. For employee awareness, also discussed were updates on human resource matters and guidelines on the use of personal protective equipment.

In-house resource speakers were Planning and Design Division manager Engr. Ronald A. Muñoz, Water Quality

Division manager Hydie R. Maspiñas, water utilities management officer Engr. Ricardo P. Corcino, Customer Care Division supervisor Engr. Rogel O. Deduyo, Maintenance Unit supervisor Engr. Rejan V. Zerna, Non-Revenue Water Maintenance Division OIC Engr. James T. Gonida, and pollution control/safety officer Engr. John F. Baynosa.

Employees then had the opportunity to ask questions and raise related concerns through the open forum with the management representatives. It also served as an avenue to disseminate the plans and programs for 2016. After the EF series, all employees received a WE Connect! souvenir shirt.

The EF was designed to reinforce employees’ knowledge and keep them updated on the water utility’s service improvement projects.

Then in July, all employees were also oriented on PRIME-HRM to ensure that they are well-informed of the water utility’s established guidelines on assessing, assisting, and awarding best human resource practices and institutionalizing a “management climate” that is beneficial to public service and accountability.

water news

Service excellence through

Said orientation is also among the preparations done by DCWD for the renewal of its accreditation this year wherein the CSC would assess its HR Systems, Practices, and Human Resource Management Office competencies. In 2014, DCWD was one of the only two agencies that were awarded by the CSC with Level II Accreditation giving the water utility the Authority to take Final Action on Appointments.

The PRIME-HRM is CSC’s tool to look into an agency’s human resource management practices, systems, and capabilities considering that human resource has been continuously evolving to improve employees and to efficiently respond to different organizational needs. Since PRIME-HRM entails greater engagement of all employees, it is imperative that everyone in the water utility is acquainted with the processes and procedures of the four human resource systems, namely, Recruitment, Selection, and Placement; Performance Management System; Learning and Development; and, Rewards and Recognition. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz and May Lissa G. Deocampo) S

(L to R) EF participants enjoy the We Connect! icebreaker. Employees wear their We Connect! shirt. May Lissa G. Deocampo discusses the salient points of PRIME-HRM. (bottom) The EF is capped with a batch of photo.

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personnel

Congrat

NEWLY PROMOTED PERMANENT PERSONNEL

GERALD P. PALMERO Water Maintenance Foreman Engineering & Construction Department

MAY LISSA G. DEOCAMPO Senior Industrial Relations Management Officer A Human Resource Department

JESSON P. RAVINA Senior Auto Mechanic General Services Department

NEWLY APPOINTED PERMANENT PERSONNEL

SHERIL C. BAGASLAO Industrial Nurse Human Resource Department

KIM V. MEDRANO Corporate Planning Assistant A Corporate Planning Department

GIAN CARLO L. GONZAGA Clerk-Processor C Legal Department

PEDRO G. PONSICA JR. Auto Mechanic C General Services Department

EMPLOYEES AWARDED WITH CAREER AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE UNDER THE PROGRAM ON AWARDS AND INCENTIVES FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Civil Engineer Licensure Board Examination Passers

ENGR. RYAN NIKKO M. BAANG Engineering & Construction Department

ENGR. JANICE F. KALIS Engineering & Construction Department

ENGR. SAHARA KARLETH C. FERRER Pipelines & Appurtenances Maintenance Department

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE WITH DIGNITY AND HONOR

RETIRED PERMANENT EMPLOYEE

WILFREDO C. TABUCLIN Senior Auto Mechanic General Services Department 26 years in service

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REYNALDO G. PEDIDA Plumber A General Services Department 30 years in service

ANTHONY C. TUBEO Driver-Mechanic B Office of the General Manager 26 years in service

personnel

ulations!

Management Development Program Graduates

Thirty-one DCWD officers and employees finished the Management Development Program (MDP) facilitated by the University of the Philippines Strategic Research and Management Foundation, Inc. from September 28, 2015 to May 30, 2016. Said program aimed to enhance the competencies of the participants for them to become strategic partners of the water utility.

As final output, the participants developed strategic papers detailing strategies, programs, and control measures for effective management in line with DCWD’s mission, vision, goals, and corporate strategy. The participants presented and defended these papers in a three-man panel from the UP in Mindanao School of Management. Awarded as best participant was Engr. Christine S. Guarde and best strategic paper was that of the Customer Service group.

The MDP graduates with their respective functional group and strategic paper are the following: INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (Sustainable Management of Water and Sanitation):

ENGR. Edwin V. Regalado General Manager

Production

(Strategic Plan for the Production Functional Area of DCWD): Engr. Anthony D. Miranda

Engr. Exequiel B. Homez

Manager, Community Relations and External Affairs Dept. (CREAD) - Environment and Watershed Protection Div.

Engr. Oscar C. Dela Cruz

OIC, Legal Dept. - Investigation and Litigation Div.

Engr. Ronald A. Muñoz

Supervisor, Production Dept. (PD) - Maintenance Unit

Engr. Christine S. Guarde

OIC, PD - Treatment Unit

OIC, Office of the AGM for Operations OIC, Engineering & Construction Dept. (ECD) Manager, ECD - Planning and Design Div. OIC, ECD - Planning Unit

Romulo V. Won

Manager, Information and Communications Technology Dept. (ICTD)Systems Application Div.

Customer Service

(Towards Excellent Water Service): Mildred G. Aviles

OIC, Office of the AGM for Administration

Paquito C. Ebero Manager, CSD

Engr. Reynaldo M. Petalcorin OIC, ICTD

Jovana Cresta T. Duhaylungsod

OIC, CREAD - Public Information/Relations Div.

Emily A. Derecho

Customer Service Assistant, CSD

Atty. Fairy Faith R. Agustin Engr. Rejan V. Zerna Julius P. Angeles

Engr. Froilan P. Estrellado

Supervisor, General Services Dept. (GSD) - Water Meter Maintenance Unit

Human Resource

(Human Capital Management: Institutional Capabilities in Focus): Ariel L. Noble

Manager, Corporate Planning Dept. (CPD)

Ruth G. Jabines

OIC, Human Resource Dept. (HRD)

Lulyn C. Saniel

Manager, HRD - Human Resource Development Div.

Atty. Jennife D. Borong

OIC, CREAD - Community Relations Div.

Ellanena J. Gabuya

OIC, CREAD – Community Relations Unit

Operations

(Improving the Operational Efficiency through Water Loss Management): Engr. Ruth Agnes G. Chavez

Manager, Commercial Services Dept. (CSD) - Customer Care Div.

Engr. Iluminado S. Golosino

OIC, Pipelines and Appurtenances Maintenance Dept.

(PAMD) - Utility Maintenance Div.

Engr. John F. Baynosa

Pollution Control/Safety Officer Pollution Control and Safety Office

Leo Rhey M. Geraldo

Supervisor, GSD - Transport Operations Unit

Audrey S. Lacaba

Storekeeper, Finance and Property Dept. (FPD)

Finance

(Strategic Financial Management: A Driving Force towards Institutional Efficiency): Bernadette A. Dacanay Manager, FPD

ENGR. Arnold P. Sarabia OIC, Internal Audit Dept.

Hilton P. Husain

OIC, Accounting Dept. (AD)

Milanimfa M. Defenio

OIC, AD - Payroll and Subsidiary Div.

Heidy O. Palencia

OIC Supervisor, CPD - Management Information Services Div.

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water news

Mga Awit Para sa Karagatan highlights

Ocean Month

Participants eagerly wait for the announcement of winners.

mpion. n emerge as the cha

Pio Valdez

Maan Chua

Elmer Alba

Garnet St. Jam Sessio

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n celebration of the Philippine Ocean Month in May themed Biodiversity for food SeaCUREity, Davao City Water District conducted Mga Awit Para sa Karagatan battle of the bands. Held on May 27 at Bogser’s by the Sea in Matina Aplaya, the open category contest gathered 10 bands that each penned an original song about water and the environment.

In addition to their original composition, the competing bands also played one environment-themed cover song and one finale cover. Performance was judged according to lyrical content, tune, and appeal of the original composition; musicality or clarity, voice quality, and overall musical performance; stage presence; and, audience impact. Davao City’s homegrown musicians Elmer Alba, Pio Valdez, and Maan Chua sat us judges.

Garnet St. Jam Session with the heartfelt rendition of their original song Likha ng May Akda was hailed as the champion. All-female band Rebellatrix with their song Hoy! Ikaw! came in second place while the three-man band, Capo, with their original song Mahalin Natin ang Kalikasan placed third. The top three bands each received a cash prize, a plaque, and DCWD’s customized freebies.

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The other seven bands that won consolation prizes were Venz and the Israelites, Kamufladz, Emblazed, DC15, Keiji, Pukaw, and Point 2. Emblazed was named the Crowd Favorite band and won additional cash prize.

All participants were given Ocean Month souvenir shirts.

The DCWD management thanked the participants and judges for devoting their talents to help the water utility raise public awareness on the need to protect the environment especially in these times when the world over is experiencing the adverse effects of climate change.

Since 2004, DCWD has always strongly supported the national call to protect and preserve the coastal and water resources through different activities during the Ocean Month celebration through the conduct of mangrove plantings, coastal clean-ups, educational tours, and exhibits. It also started an artificial coral reef project at Lizada Beach in Brgy. Hizon in 2014 that was commended with Gawad Pagkilala award in 2015 by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources XI for the project’s sustainability. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz) S

water news

Youths empowered to ACT in 16th Eco-Camp

rity during the

pose for poste , and organizers

cilitators Participants, fa

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round 200 youths and teachermoderators gathered in Davao City Water District’s 16th Eco-Camp on May 25 to 27 at Malagos Park in Baguio District. Themed #YouthACT or Youth Acceptance, Change, and Transformation, the activity aimed to empower the youth participants from 14 high schools in Davao City to heed their intergenerational responsibility as future managers of the environment.

Special guests were city councilor Bernard E. Al-ag and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region XI representative Camilo Victoria who both inspired and encouraged the participants to take the lead in environment protection.

The eco-campers underwent an extensive environmental education program through lectures of DCWD’s Environment and Watershed Protection Division watershed management chief Engr. Lorna M. Maxino on the present state of Davao City’s watersheds and Ateneo de Davao University Tropical Institute for Climate Studies director Lourdes R. Simpol on climate change situationers. DCWD’s Water Quality Division water utilities management officer Ricardo P. Corcino also discussed the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the How’s your WASH? forum.

Another highlight of the camp was the back-to-back #YouthACT series dubbed Panaghimamat led by Kirby C. Dimas of Missionary of God’s People Christian Fellowship for the youth to accept

their intergenerational responsibility to save the world and Awakening facilitated

by Associate Feast Builder Alwyne Jan Perez of Light of Jesus Family to awaken the hero inside each youth and become transformed after accepting the challenge.

In response, the participants painted their perspective on how to act and campaign for environment protection and conservation.

The campers also toured the DCWD Malagos Watershed in Suroy sa Kinaiyahan and joined camp competitions themed Climate Change: My Responsibility. Winners were Pee Jay Arabis of Jose T. Quiboloy Sr. National High School with his photo entitled Vein of Life for Sa Mata ng mga Bata photography contest, Ken Carlo I. Corbito of Mulig NHS for Pinta Kalikasan poster making contest, Jerve Robin P. Villanueva of Baguio NHS of Arts and Trades for Hugot Kalikasan essay writing contest, and Dacudao NHS for the junk art contest.

The three-day camp was capped with the general synthesis delivered by the Community Relations Division OIC Atty. Jennife D. Borong challenging the participating schools to use what they have learned in the camp and act towards environment protection. The new set of officers of the Watershed Management Youth Council was also inducted during the closing ceremony.

The campaign continues with a series of environmental advocacy activities to reinforce learning of the participating schools. (Katrina Belen M. Roble) S

m.

closing progra

Mulig National High School students enjoy the Suroy sa Kinaiyahan in the DCWD watershed area.

A participant of Pinta Kalikasan paints her interpretation of her responsibility to mitigate the effects of climate change.

A contestant of Hugot Kalikasan pours her thoughts on how she can help save the environment.

Water utilities management officer Ricardo P. Corcino discusses the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene.

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water news

Tibungco children receive school supplies On behalf of the Carmelite Sisters, Sr. Ma. Juana N. Beas thanked DCWD for helping out the children who are actively participating in the Catechism and embroidery classes. Tibungco barangay captain Merjade D. Calvo expressed gratitude for DCWD’s assistance. In turn, the recipients showed their appreciation by way of a dance number.

DCWD employees, Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and recipients gather for a photo after the distribution of school supplies.

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hru the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Davao City Water District gave school supplies to around 200 schoolchildren in Brgy.

Tibungco on May 31.

Administration Mildred G. Aviles led the distribution of customized backpacks with notebooks, ball pens, and crayons. She said that the assistance is DCWD’s way of giving back to the community and OIC of the Office of the encouraged the children to do well Assistant General Manager for in school.

The school supplies distribution marks the water utility’s second year of partnership with the Carmelite Sisters. DCWD also helps the children of its partner people’s organizations in the watershed communities of Davao City through the Tulong Eskwela Program.

(Jamae G. Dela Cruz) S

DCWD gives back to customers

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bout 600 paying customers received customized pocket planners, notebooks, foldable fans, and drawstring knapsacks bearing water conservation, water cycle, and environment protection messages and learned trivias about the water utility and its services during Davao City Water District’s Customers Appreciation Day on June 10 at DCWD’s offices in Bajada and Matina and collection centers in Victoria Plaza, Felcris Centrale, Felcris Toril, and SM Lanang Premier. Said activity forms part the Environment Month celebration in June. (Katrina Belen M. Roble) S

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water news

Major projects presented to city’s college studes

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ajor projects of Davao City Water District were presented to 2,100 students of DMMA College of Southern Philippines on July 15, University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) on July 13, and University of Mindanao (UM) on June 30 thru the forum dubbed Kalikabildo.

Kalikabildo, a portmanteau of kalikasan and Visayan word kabildo which means to converse, is held every year by DCWD in celebration of June as the Philippine Environment Month to raise awareness on environment issues.

However, for this year, the forum served as a venue for the student population to learn more about two of the biggest projects that DCWD is embarking in its 42 years of operation. These are the Bulk Water Supply Project of DCWD or the development of Tamugan River as Davao City’s water source and the Septage Management Project that would fulfill the water utility’s other mandate to provide wastewater services. The former was presented by Planning Section OIC Engr. Christine S. Guarde while the latter was by assistant pollution control/safety officer John Christian M. Palo.

Water Quality Division manager Hydie R. Maspiñas discusses the importance of WASH to the University of the Immaculate Conception students.

Water utilities management officer Engr. Ricardo P. Corcino answers a query from a student in the University of Mindanao.

The forum also included a session on the importance and issues of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) both at the national and international setting with Water Quality Division manager Hydie R. Maspiñas and water utilities management officer Engr. Ricardo P. Corcino as resource persons.

All sessions were capped with an open forum allowing discussion among the students and the resource speakers. Participating students were given information, education, and communication materials customized to bear various environment and water conservation messages.

DMMA College students listen to the lecture on the Septage Management Project by assistant pollution control/safety officer John Christian M. Palo and Bulk Water Supply Project of DCWD by OIC of the Planning Section Engr. Christine S. Guarde.

The DCWD management thanked the schools for the generous accommodation and hoped for the students to become more proactive in caring for the environment.

For this year, the Environment Month celebration is themed Go Wild for Life, Combat Biodiversity Loss. (Katrina Belen M. Roble and Jamae G. Dela Cruz) S University of Mindanao

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water news

A

Employees step up efforts for the environment

cting on one of the missions of Davao City Water District to take a proactive role in environmental concerns, employees stepped up their efforts by actively participating in environment protection and watershed conservation activities.

Tamugan riverside at Sitio Subsob in Brgy.

Tambobong, Baguio District which is one of the many project sites maintained by DCWD with partner communities for its environment and watershed protection program. This tree planting activity conducted last June 24 as part of the Environment Month celebration aimed to broaden the employees’ understanding of the watershed rehabilitation and maintenance and community-based programs. Aside from planting, the employees toured the nursery area, learned the proper way of soil bagging, and bagged 100 Malobago cuttings.

Thirty-four selected employees from different departments planted 100 Malobago cuttings in the upstream

Another activity was the in-house contest Ang Basura Ko, May Pakinabang Ito where employees used recycled plastic bottles to build domes that served as seedling shelters for the nurseries in DCWD’s project sites within Mt. TalomoLipadas, Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan, and Malagos watersheds.

Pipelines and Appurtenances Maintenance Department Corporate Planning and Internal Audit departments and Pollution Control and Safety Office

Launched in July during the Recycling Month celebration, the contest

er T. Loquias Community relations assistant Romer way of soil (rightmost) demonstrates the prop bagging

Information and Comu Technology Departm nications ent

Tree planting participa

culminated on August 26 and declared winners were Commercial Services Department in first place, Information and Communications Technology Department in second place, and the team composed of the Corporate Planning and Internal Audit departments and Pollution Control and Safety Office in third place. The top three teams each received a cash prize and a plaque. Runners-up were the Accounting Department, Pipelines and Appurtenances Maintenance Department, and the team composed of the offices of the Board of Directors, General Manager and Assistant General Managers, and the Legal Department.

Judges were People Collaborating for Environmental and Economic Management in Davao Foundation, Inc. executive director Miriam S. Colon, social enterprise Swito Designs Inc. chief innovations and design officer Arch.

Gloryrose D. Metilla, and Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc. president and CEO and Davao City’s recycled plastics king Engr.

Winchester O. Lemen.

Atty. Bernardo D. Delima Jr., the official spokesperson and Community Relations and External Affairs Department OIC, explained that these activities are in line with the water utility’s mandate to protect and conserve the city’s water resources contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals espoused by the United Nations.

Dir. Serafin C. Ledesma Jr. was also happy to note the utility’s efforts for the environment while GM Edwin V. Regalado thanked the employees for always positively responding to these advocacies.

(Katrina Belen M. Roble and Jamae G. Dela Cruz) S

nts raise the Malobag

Accounting Department

Offices of the Board of Directors, General Manager, and Assistant General Managers and Legal Department

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o cuttings.

The Commercial Services Department emerges as the first placer with their full dome entry installed at DCWD’s nursery in Malagos Watershed.

MAY-aUGUST 2016

water news

Environment convention hosted by DCWD D

avao City Water District hosted the 11th National Annual Convention of the Water Environment Association of the Philippines (WEAP) themed Managing Environmental Sustainability at SMX Convention Center in Davao City on June 16 and 17.

Policy makers, businessmen, leaders in the water industry, and other stakeholders from all over the country gathered and discussed in the technical sessions topics on sustainable development, climate change and its mitigation, climate crisis and its solution, environmental management system, sewerage and septage management in the country, and new technologies in water service provision.

Dignitaries present in the event were convention host Chairperson Eduardo A. Bangayan and DCWD directors and officers, WEAP president Restituto B. Sumanga Sr. and WEAP officers, and third district Davao City councilor Bonifacio E. Militar representing President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

(From 3rd from L) Convention host DCWD Chairperson Eduardo A. Bangayan, third district City Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar, WEAP president Restituto B. Sumanga Sr., and GM Edwin V. Regalado cut the ribbon to open the convention exhibit.

WEAP is a registered non-profit, non-stock organization established to provide practicing professionals with the information and tools necessary to address and promote public awareness and understanding of environmental protection in the Philippines. (Katrina Belen M. Roble) S Chairperson Bangayan strikes the gong to declare the convention open.

DCWD supports city events I

n support to the annual Kadayawan Festival of the city, Davao City Water District distributed a total of 14,000 bottled water to the spectators and participants of Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan on August 20 and Pamulak sa Kadayawan on August 21.

The free water distribution was intended to showcase the crystal clear quality of Dumoy water which is reputed to be among the world’s best, as explained by official spokesperson and Community Relations and External Affairs Department OIC Atty. Bernardo D. Delima Jr. “We take pride of the fact that Davao City is among the cities in the world where people confidently drink from the tap,” he noted.

Kadayawan Festival spectators enjoy free water from DCWD.

DCWD employees also participated in the 4th Watershed Stakeholders’ Summit held on August 24 and 25. The water utility also took the event as an opportunity to rally more support to its Adopt-aSite Project by setting-up an exhibit highlighting the watershed.

The annual summit participated in by various sectors and organized by the Davao City Watershed Management Council of which DCWD is a member aims to maintain the status of Davao as one of the best water sources in the world.

This year’s theme A Closer Look at Our Partnerships towards Sustainable Watershed Management provided a platform for various stakeholders to discuss various issues on sustainable watershed management. (Edmarson M. Sola and John Winston Anthony C. Ajero II) S

DCWD exhibits its Adopt-a-Site Project and replicates the watershed and water source to highlight the importance of strengthening environment protection and watershed rehabilitation efforts.

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GAD talks

Know GAD

by Atty. Jennife DP Dumalag-Borong

A

lthough Gender and Development (GAD) mainstreaming is not a relatively new concept following the formal introduction done by the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (now Philippine Commission on Women) in 1994, many focal points and advocates still find it challenging to mainstream GAD in the government considering that only a few in the government have enough knowledge, much more consciousness of it.

Since focal points are confused about GAD itself and sans the needed capacity, mainstreaming in the government agencies is not fully in place. It is common among government agencies to hasten mainstreaming out of compliance to the legal orders especially with the Commission on Audit’s Observation Memorandum resulting to cut-short processes which undermines the essence and spirit of GAD. Thus, it is imperative for focal points and advocates to be soaked with the elements of GAD and for them to be conscious as to why the government must be intentional about it.

To talk about GAD is to situate it in the context of development that is inclusive and highlights people-centered perspective, conscious of the various dimensions of an individual’s life, and designed to achieve sustained capacity for better lives for all.

And since development is for all, everyone has the right to equal opportunities to achieve a better life.

Much as development is a shared responsibility, it is the role of the government to secure development, ensure equitable distribution of resources, protect people’s rights, and create opportunities for capacity development and individual strengthening. And since it has the machinery and mechanism to reach out to people, the government can also initiate changes in gender responsive development in order to determine and address women’s needs and concerns and promote participation including giving feedback if government programs and projects make a difference in their lives. The government can also set national priorities and determine the extent of their allocation for competing social and economic demands.

However, despite government efforts and good intentions, not everybody enjoys access to opportunities and resources for a better life.

Society divides people according to their social status which, in turn, also shaped women’s and men’s social roles resulting to differences in opportunities inextricably linked to sex and gender roles concepts.

Thus, distinguishing sex and gender is a key towards gender responsive development. Sex is based on biological characteristics while gender refers to socially differentiated roles, characteristics, and expectations attributed by culture. Gender boxes women and men and constrain them from attaining a full and satisfying life. Perhaps the most pervasive perspective that has resulted in the marginalization of women is biological determinism which predisposes that women are more delicate, thus, weak to take on strenuous activities while men who have sturdier physiques can take on heavier tasks.

Masculine/feminine personality and role divisions are reinforced and transmitted from one generation to another reproducing a societal system that discriminates women and subsists on the basis of double standards. From this, a productive-reproductive labor divide arises which impacts the overall development of women and men evidenced by economic marginalization, political subordination, gender stereotyping,

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multiple burden, and violence against women. These gender issues, if left unattended, will keep most women out of the development process and will result in a development that is unresponsive to the needs and concerns of half of a nation’s population.

Gender issues in development have generated practical and strategic gender needs that must be addressed to equalize women’s and men’s social status. Practical needs of women are based on socially accepted roles and refer to inadequacies such as safe water, health care, and employment. They are concerned with easing women’s multiple burdens and supporting them with their maternal functions. Strategic needs recognize women’s subordinate and marginalized status in society within particular socio-economic political context. Once these needs are met, gender division of labor may be abolished, institutionalized forms of discrimination may be removed, and violence against women may be mitigated, and consequently, lead to a transformed society where equality exists.

Meeting women’s practical and strategic needs is at the core of GAD as an approach to societal transformation as it seeks to “reach strategic gender needs through bottomup mobilization around practical gender needs” (Moser,et al, 1986).

GAD recognizes the legitimacy of gender-equality as a fundamental value that should be reflected in the development choices. It challenges the status quo questioning society’s social, economic, and political structures and validity of the gender roles ascribed to women and men. Since it recognizes that gender inequality exists, it promotes positive bias for women since they are more generally excluded or disadvantaged in social and economic resources and in decision-making.

To cap, GAD refers to the development perspective and process that is participatory and empowering, equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful of human rights, and supportive of selfdetermination and actualization of human potentials. It seeks to achieve gender equality as a fundamental value reflected in development choices and contends that women are active agents, and not passive recipients, of development.

The challenge then is to translate theory to practice. This is how gender mainstreaming strategy becomes essential. It situates gender equality issues at the center of broad policy decisions, institutional structures, and resource allocations, and it includes women in decision making on development goals and processes. It ensures recognition of gender issues by government agencies on a sustained basis and seeks equity between women and men and assesses the implications of government actions to both women and men. It integrates women and men’s concerns and experiences in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies, programs, and projects in all political, economic, and social agenda.

Gender mainstreaming strategy is not an end in itself. It is a strategy to transform society and its institutions so they could work for gender equality with an end goal of enabling both women and men to equally contribute to and benefit from the fruits of development.

This article is culled from the Book 1: The Rationale Behind Gender Mainstreaming (2001). National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women. S

First trimester

For many months now, I had been anticipating for that extra line to appear in so many pregnancy tests that I used. And, after more than almost a year of waiting, it finally came. I informed your father. He said we should meet up and discuss some arrangements.

On the fifth month, we found out that you are a girl. I always wanted you to be a girl. Girls are more responsible. Your father, on the other hand, wanted you to be a boy. I told him it does not matter. Gender is just a construct.

For more than six months, I had been baffled why they called it the morning sickness when mine extended up to the wee hours of the night. They said that it was part of the whole process of creating an angel.

However, I always objectively thought about our relationship as a form of parasitism with I as the host and you as the creature leeching all my body’s strength away. My body’s demise was your process of creation and I was curious why they make it sound so romantic in pregnancy talks and books.

The delivery

Groggy with sedatives, I smiled and thought that you looked like the alien character in the movie ET with your eyes wide open, nostrils dilated, and mouth closed to a hard pout. I waited for the drama to start creeping as most new mothers would often share that they felt the moment they first held their baby on their arms. There was none. There was only that feeling of relief knowing that all your physical attributes and extremities seemed normal and that you did not have any problems sucking milk from my breasts. Then I dozed off.

Infancy

I took care of you for four weeks and all I could do was to make sure that you were fed, cleaned, and well-ventilated. I carefully made sure that I switched your head’s position every now and then so that your head does not get flat at the back. I wanted to make sure that you have a perfectly round head just in case in your teens you suddenly develop a fancy for baldness.

The rest of the moment when I had nothing left to do, I always stared at you and waited for that dramatic feeling once again - the one where I would cry out of sheer love and happiness because I was able to bring a wonderful creature in to the world. Still it did not. All I felt was the resolve that you will be independent and respectful of others as with how my mother brought me up.

Toddler years

I was a nutcase as a mother. But I was more consumed with work. I balanced three jobs to make sure that I provided everything that you needed as well as everything that I wanted to have. After all, I was still 22.

I remembered always bringing you with me to the supermarket and people would always ask me who your parents were. The dishevelled looking me would just smile and point to myself. There were also instances when we bring you to your father’s relatives and they would innocently comment, “Kagwapa nga bata, liwat sa tatay,” despite the fact that I was the one carrying you. Your paternal grandmother would somehow try to salvage the situation and say, “Bright man pud liwat sa nanay.” I did not mind because, after all, people noticed that my daughter is both beautiful and smart.

feature

Second to third trimester

work. We ended up singing and playing. Instead of making up for the lost time at work, watching you sleep had become my habit. I started to smile watching you. You were becoming pretty.

Childhood

When you were three, you started getting sickly. The rosy and chubby cheeks were gone. You started becoming very thin. Asthma. We were always in and out of the hospital. During these times, I used to panic. I used to blame myself for not being a good mother and always found myself asking what I did wrong.

Then, when you were four years old, as I watched you heaving laboriously on the hospital bed, I realized how fragile you really were.

And it hit me. Yes, I gave birth and tried to provide all your needs but for all those times that we were together, I never really understood what it was to be a mom.

Most women would say that they understood it the moment they touched their babies. Lucky for them because, for me, it came much too late and the full realization was yet to materialize. I am a slow learner, I guess.

What I am certain, however, is that motherhood in my definition is a mix of all emotions - elation, fear, pride, accomplishment, disappointment, strength, sadness, happiness, mischief, calm, fascination, indignation, passion, uncertainty, determination, inferiority, freedom, indifference, and all other emotions combined - and the process of how I make sense of all these feelings to make some semblance of shared love between you and me.

Well, it is not yet a happy ending. Both of us have a long way to go as our journey has just started. And we are both still learning how to be mother and child to each other. What I am certain is that I am beyond perfection and that is why I will not force you to also become perfect.

What I will teach you is to feel the world around you, from your fingertips towards your heart and process everything in your head for you to be able to make the most of this world. S

Despite the three jobs, we had a lot of fun times together. Your father and I shaved your head and left some hair up front because we thought it was cute. Your grandparents were devastated. You always chose your clothes-and I did not care if the ensemble was catastrophic. I wanted you to grow up to feel comfortable in your skin and to not mind what people think. Barely two years old, you went bananas over Shrek watching it over and over again from the moment you woke up until you went to sleep. And in a matter of one week, you memorized all the characters’ lines, reciting their dialogues, and imitating the sound effects as the movie played.

When I was in front of the computer working, you would always sit on my lap and mime what I did. This always pulled me out from

My un/usual motherhood story

by Anon E. Mous

MAY-AUGUST 2016

21

legally speaking

Statistics never lie,

but lovers do

by Atty. Fairy Faith R. Agustin

I

n disposing decisions, the Supreme Court shows variety of moods and styles of writing. Often it is serious, formal, and direct to the point. However, there are times that it can be a bit poetic and sort of romantic. For the latter, oftentimes the subject matter involves love. An appropriate example is this one.

Romantically, the Supreme Court introduced its decision in the case of “Leonilo Antonio vs. Marie Ivonne F. Reyes,” G.R, No. 155800, March 10, 2006: “Statistics never lie, but lovers often do, quipped a sage. This sad truth has unsettled many a love transformed into matrimony.

Any sort of deception between spouses, no matter the gravity, is always disquieting. Deceit to the depth and breadth unveiled in the following pages, dark and irrational as in the modern noir tale, dims any trace of certitude on the guilty spouse’s capability to fulfill the marital obligations even more.”

Leonilo Antonio, 26 years of age, met Marie Ivonne Reyes who is 10 years his senior in August of 1989. A year later, they got married at Manila City Hall and subsequently in a church at Pasig in December of 1990. They bore a child but it died five months later.

While they were together, Leonilo noticed Marie’s persistent dishonesty about herself, the people around her, and other events or things, specifically, on these seven instances: First, she did not tell Leonilo that she had an illegitimate son and instead introduced the boy as an adopted child of her family. It was only when Leonilo learned about the boy’s parentage from other sources that Marie confessed the truth.

Second, she fabricated a story that her brother-in-law, Edwin David, attempted to rape and kill her when no such incident occurred.

Third, she told her obstetrician, Dr. Consuelo Gardiner, that she is a psychiatrist and also told some of her friends that she graduated with a Psychology degree. Both of which were false claims.

Fourth, although none of her relatives witnessed her perform with a group, she claimed to be a freelance voice talent of Blackgold Recording Company.

She also stated that a luncheon show was held at the Philippine Village Hotel to honor her and even showed proof through an invitation. Leonilo, through a certification issued by the director of sales of said hotel, found out that no event took place.

Fifth, she supposedly received letters from Babe Santos and Via Marquez, both of whom were allegedly affiliated with Blackgold. In the letter, they were touting how Marie was the “top moneymaker” as she is supposedly worth PhP2M in the commercial industry. In one of their quarrels, Marie admitted that she was the one who wrote those letters. Further, following his discovery that there were no Babe Santos and Via Marquez affiliated with Blackgold, he realized that these women were just figments of Marie’s imagination.

Sixth, she deliberately altered her payslips for her to appear that she is earning a higher income. In order to prove that she is indeed a person of greater means, she bought a sala set which she claimed to have been from a famous furniture dealer but in truth was purchased from the public market, and spent extravagantly on unnecessary items with her ending up borrowing money from other people using false excuses.

Seventh, because of her insecurity and jealousy, she would call up Leonilo’s officemates just to check where he is.

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Because of his wife’s behaviour, he separated from her in August of 1991. They attempted to reconcile, but since her behaviour continued, he decided to finally leave her for good in November of same year.

But it was only around less than two years after, on March 8, 1993, that Leonilo filed to have his marriage with Marie annulled on the ground of Article 36 of the Family Code alleging that Marie was “psychologically incapacitated to comply with the essential obligations of marriage”.

He asserted that Marie’s incapacity existed at the time their marriage was celebrated and still subsists up to the present. In the course of the trial, Leonilo presented a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist, who testified that Marie’s persistent and constant lying to Leonilo was abnormal or pathological. It undermined the basic relationship that should be based on love, trust, and respect. They further asserted that Marie’s extreme jealousy was also pathological. It reached the point of paranoia since there was no actual basis for her to suspect that Leonilo was having an affair with another woman.

In rebuttal, Marie denied all the allegations against her and said that those were only hearsay and unconvincing. Her stance was that the totality of the evidence presented is not sufficient for a finding of psychological incapacity on her part.

After trial, the lower court granted the petition of Leonilo nullifying their marriage and held that Marie’s propensity to lying about almost anything - her occupation, state of health, singing abilities, and her income, among others - had been duly established. The trial court found Marie’s fantastic ability to invent and fabricate stories and personalities enabled her to live in a world of make-believe.

This made her psychologically incapacitated as it rendered her incapable of giving meaning and significance to her marriage. The Court of Appeals, however, ruled otherwise. This prompted Leonilo to file a petition before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court took the occasion in this case to say that when one spouse persistently and constantly lies to his/her spouse, such spouse undermined the basic tenets of relationship between spouses that is based on love, trust, and respect. In this case, the wife’s repeated lying is found abnormal and pathological, which amounts to psychological incapacity. The High Court was sufficiently convinced that based on the totality of the evidence, Marie’s psychological incapacity was established to have clearly existed at the time of and even before the celebration of marriage, grave enough and incurable.

Parting words of the Supreme Court in its Decision goes like this: “All told, we conclude that petitioner has established his cause of action for declaration of nullity under Article 36 of the Family Code. The RTC correctly ruled, and the Court of Appeals erred in reversing the trial court. There is little relish in deciding this present petition, pronouncing as it does the marital bond as having been inexistent in the first place. It is possible that respondent, despite her psychological state, remains in love with petitioner, as exhibited by her persistent challenge to the petition for nullity. In fact, the appellate court placed undue emphasis on respondent’s avowed commitment to remain in the marriage. Yet the Court decides these cases on legal reasons and not vapid sentimentality. Marriage, in legal contemplation, is more than the legitimatization of a desire of people in love to live together.”

In a long line of nullity cases, the spouse usually declared psychologically incapacitated is the husband, which is not the case here. In this case, it is the wife who was pointed as the cause or psychologically incapacitated and that clearly raised a point: Gone are the days that only men could commit the cause of breaking apart that thing called marriage. S

1. What occurs twice in a week, once in a year but never in a day?

4. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces.

Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

Fun and Games

CAN YOU TELL ME?

2. Can you find the baby in this photo?

3. A girl is twice as old as her brother and half as old as her father. In 22 years, her brother will be half as old as his father. How old is the daughter now?

5. What is common among the following words:

REVIVE

GRAMMAR

BANANA

VOODOO

ASSESS

POTATO

DRESSER UNEVEN

Answers: 1.) e; 2.) The baby’s head is on the left, the baby’s feet are against the trunk of the tree on the right; 3.) She is 22. Her brother is 11 and her father is 44. In 22 years, her brother would be 33 and their father would 66; 5.) These words all spell the same word backwards if you take the first letter of each word and place it at the end.

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23

the longest movie made lasts 85 hours and is fittingly titled The Cure for Insomnia?

Did you know that... scientists believe that diamond rains occur on Neptune and Uranus? The heart of these planets may be a layer of diamonds hundreds of miles thick.

there are giant waterfalls under the ocean? The largest is between Greenland and Iceland. This submarine waterfall drops 11,500 feet, three times the height of any land waterfall.

a dentist invented the electric chair?

Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting his whole life and that was to his brother?

when scientists drilled through the ice of Antarctica’s Lake Vanda, they discovered that the water at the bottom of the lake was an amazingly warm 77 degrees Fahrenheit? Ice crystals actually heat the water by focusing on the bottom of the lake.

one tree can provide enough oxygen for two people to live off for their whole lives?

the language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago?

your blood takes a very long trip through your body? If you could stretch out all of a human’s blood vessels, they would be about 60,000 miles long. That’s enough to go around the world twice.

Source: http://www.funology.com/