Cagayan de Oro Times (March 17-23, 2013 Issue)

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Your Weekly Lifestyle Newspaper

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Vol. 1 | No. 32 | Cagayan de Oro City | March 17-23, 2013

World-renowned Filipino guitarist performs at Rodelsa Hall

Christine H. Cabiasa correspondent ROSELYN PAGLINAWAN

S

oothing and breathtaking melodies filled the air as one of the world-renowned Filipino guitarists took the center stage and conferred classics of all times at Rodelsa Hall, Liceo de Cagayan University on March 15.

Bestowed with the gift of music, Mr. Ramoncito Carpio surprised the audience with his spectacular guitar performances on classicaltypical songs of the ages; from his own compositions down to his friends.

Mr. Carpio is a Bachelor of Music graduate at the University of the Philippines, Diliman under the tutelage of Professor Lester Demetillo. He finished his Master of Music degree under the guidance of Professor Benchito Carino at the Philippine Women’s University, Manila where he also serves as a guitar faculty.

With Carpio’s talent, he has already played numerous concerts throughout the Philippines and has performed in several guitar festivals abroad. Aside from teaching and performing, he also writes music for the guitar, stage plays, and short films.

Having been trained in one of the country’s top universities,

Carpio did not end it there instead he expounded and developed more the gift. He took lessons and master classes with famous guitarists such as Jorge Luis Zamora of Cuba, Aniello Desiderio of Italy, Berta Rojas of Paraguay, Elena Papendreou of Greece, Roman Viazovsky of Ukraine, and Shin-Ichi Fukuda of Japan. He also took special lessons with a German guitarist Carsten Linck.

To top, he has received various awards from different categories. These are the following: 2nd Prize 2009 NAMCYA Guitar Category, Manila, 3rd Prize 2010 Bangkok International Guitar Competition, 1st Prize 2011 Philippine International Guitar Competition, 3rd Prize 2011 Singapore International Guitar Competition, 1st Prize 2912 Asia International Guitar Competition in Thailand, and 2nd Prize Taiwan International Guitar Competition.

The classics played on the strings were Fantasia, Variation Mignonnes, La Catedral, Primavera Porteno, Pahinugod, Iyo Kailan Pa Man, Fantasy Variations, and Koyunbaba Op. 19.

After the performances, Carpio got a standing ovation from the audience.

Ramoncito Carpio, Guitarist

VILLAR, NO. 4 IN LATEST PULSE ASIA SURVEY

TEAM PNoy senatorial candidate, former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar Ranks No. 4 in the latest Pulse Asia survey covering the period of February 24 to February 28, 2013.

The three-time congresswoman, who has gained the moniker “Misis Hanep Buhay” due to her programs giving jobs to

poor Filipinos through her livelihood projects, was also No. 4 in the SWS survey last February 15 to 17.

Villar obtained 44.0 percent of votes in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

She thanked the Filipino people for their continuous support and t

VILLAR|Page 5

JV thankful to public for maintaining 5TH spot in latest Pulse Asia Survey UNITED Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidate San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada expressed his gratitude to the public after the latest Pulse Asia survey showed that he remained in 5th place among the so-called “Magic 12” or list of senatorial candidates preferred

by Filipinos.

SURVEY|Page 5 Cong JV Ejercito Estrada reaches out to one of his supporters during the UNA motorcade in Cavite.

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Danica Sudaria wears a prom gown, specially designed by Jean Cahatian of The Bride’s Station, on her prom night. For gown rentals please visit their shop at Capistrano - Gomez Sts., Cagayan de Oro City.

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| March 17-23, 2013

MetroSpect

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Memorias de Ayer:

BPI Zamboanga Lifestyle Museum (antes Casa de Barrios) por Mike BaÑos

T

he BPI-Zamboanga main branch at N.S. Valderrosa Street in the heart of the old Zamboanga poblacion was where I had my first job as a sundries clerk sometime in March 1978.

I had earlier passed the written exam and interview conducted by branch officers Jun de Leon, Jun Solis and Romy Javier.

Little did I know that my job there was very similar to what led Gen. John “Black Jack” Pershing to persuade the Bank of the Philippine Islands to open its second provincial branch here after Iloilo on February 23, 1912.

The nadir of my nascent banking career came every 15 days when overseas Filipino workers with Moran-Brown and other Saudi Arabian based construction companies remitted their salaries to their families.

A telex message a meter long filled with the names of the workers and their salaries would promptly arrive at my table and all day long their wives would wait on my table while I issued them receipts one at a time.

So I was tickled pink to find out that a similar dilemma faced the esteemed Gen. Pershing when faced with the need for an agent to handle the salaries of US soldiers stationed at nearby Pettit Barracks.

Pershing had been using the house as his official residence when he was assigned Military Governor of the Moro Province from 1909-1913. He invited the BPI to set up a branch below his residence for this purpose and BPI celebrated the Cientocelebrations of that event together

with the grand opening of the BPI Zamboanga Lifestyle Museum on August 17, 2012.

To support its operations, the government designated it as the depository bank for operating funds of the “Moro” Province and of the Zamboanga Custom House.

The Zamboanga branch also acted as agent for the International Banking Corporation like the Iloilo Branch.

The Barrios house today remains much like it was in the early 1900s and continues to serve as the main bank branch of BPI in Zamboanga.

Built in the 1860s, this house, a de cal y canto structure with meter-thick walls of lime mortar and broken coral (argamasa) for its ground floor and hardwood for its second floor is the last Spanishera residence left in Zamboanga City.

Purchased by BPI in 1928, it later served as the official residence of all its managers even up to the time of the late Jun de Leon when I first worked there.

It has continuously served the people of Zamboanga and now its second floor has been converted into a lifestyle museum with the assistance of BPI local historical researcher (and my grade school classmate!) Ma. Icelle Durano Borja, whom we had the good fortune to have as our guide for the tour.

Ms. Borja has also loaned cultural artifacts and artworks, costumes, antique jars and planters, and woven Yakan cloth to the museum.

Exploring the Weapons and Music Room NHI Marker

Steph on the front azotea

The National Historical Commission has recognized the Barrios House as a historical landmark and a bronze marker was unveiled last year during its inauguration.

An interesting sidelight to the Zamboanga Main Branch anniversary was installation of the long-lost crown of the miraculous Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar) who has been revered by Zamboanguenos for protecting them from pirates and natural calamities. Misplaced for over 50 years, it was found last year in safe deposit box of the BPI main branch and properly restored to Zamboanga patroness during a mass held at the Fort Pilar during the centennial celebration last year.

Tourism and airline officials have organized trips by travel writers from Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga to benchmark the new air route between the two cities established by Cebu Pacific Air. The first group of travel journalists from Zamboanga visited Cagayan de

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BPI Museum Sala

Tour Guide Icelle Bor ja describes the salient features of the Pershing Room Icelle related to us how the house had been originally built by the Mandarin trader Shio (later christened Francisco Barrios) on a property where he constructed the Pantalan de Barrios which served as Zamboanga’s pier until the late 1920s. The house also served as the Aduana (Customs House) and the Chinese Consular Office for Barrios who was appointed honorary Chinese consul.

The “mandarin square” on the front transom of the front veranda doors and window reflect the status of the owner.

The museum comprises of an antesale or caida leading to a grand sala which leads to four rooms (the Pershing Room, Managers Room, Women’s and Children’s Room, Weapons and Music Room). The caida also leads to a dining hall and a kitchen. One end of the sala leads to a veranda that overlooks N.S. Valderrosa Street. The other end is a back veranda which in older times faced the Pantalan de Barrios.

Oro last November 27-29, 2012 while Kagay-anon travel writers returned the favor last Feb. 12-14, 2013.

“To further promote inter-regional travel, DOT Northern Mindanao plans to hold its annual month-long Pasundayag sa Northern Mindanao cultural festival in Iloilo and Bacolod instead of Metro Manila as it has traditionally been done in the past,” noted Catalino Chan III, region 10 tourism director. Besides Zamboanga, CEB has now linked Cagayan de Oro to other regional destinations like Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod and Davao, which is unprecedented in the history of its civil aviation.

Cebu Pacific flies from Cagayan de Oro to Zamboanga three times a week every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. At present, CEB operates 60 domestic and 31 international routes.

Two international routes will commence later this year: Manila-Bali on March 16, 2013 and Manila-Dubai on October 7, 2013.

The house has been continuously renovated through the years and retains its large scale architectural elements of late Spanish colonial plantation and merchant houses: high ceiling on the ground floor once serving as stores and a bodega and an airy second floor residence lined with balustered ventanillas, which makes it a green building (by today’s standards) that conserves energy by using natural wind for ventilation. BPI manager Carlos Dominguez Sr. added an azotea at the back with black and white machuca floor tiles around 1935 which still exist today.

Period furniture and household wares have been brought in to replicate the colonial character of the house, a gentle reminder of the times when it was but a common domicile, one of many that dotted the town center of Zamboanga as it ebbed and flowed with changing colonial masters.

The Pershing Room: Period furniture (circa 19001910), vintage photographs, and an exhibit of paper ephemera, among others, remind the visitor that the museum stands in what was once the home of Gen. John Jacob "Black Jack" Pershing, his wife Helen Frances, and their children. The room also connects to a remarkably well-preserved toilet and bathroom with fixtures dating to the pre-war years and perhaps to the time when the Pershings were still around.

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AN OPEN LETTER

TO HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON C. AQUINO III His Excellency: Greetings from the water consumers of Cagayan de Oro! Most residents of the city are acutely aware of the growing shortage in potable water supply in many of the barangays where some have running water only from 9 to 12 hours a day.

What is ironic is that this shortage is happening not because water supply is insufficient to meet water demand but because the COA (Commission on Audit) has disallowed Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) from issuing purchase orders for additional volume of treated water which are readily available from its bulk water supplier.

We are aware that an additional volume of at least 40,000 cubic meters of treated water a day is available now to COWD which would instantly resolve the water crisis but is prevented from doing so because of the COA disallowance.

However, we, the long-suffering consumers of the affected water-short areas, believe that the President of the Philippines is cloaked with sufficient authority to resolve the legal impasse in the interest of the suffering general public.

We appeal to you as the country’s Chief Executive to take the necessary measures to allow the consumers to access this available water without prejudice to whatever future judgment the courts may render on the legal constraints imposed on COWD by COA which has been in an impasse for over two years now since December 7, 2010.

Water is a human right and not a privilege. We, the water consumers of Cagayan de Oro, need you to resolve the legal obstacle preventing the water from flowing to our households, and deliver a free flowing supply 24/7 that the system is technically capable of doing right away despite the COA disallowance.

We trust this matter merits your soonest and immediate attention. Water is life. Give us today what’s rightfully ours.

For and behalf the water consumers of Cagayan de Oro:

KONSUMANTENG KAGAY-ANON, INC. Ad donated by the Friends of KKI

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Women in gov’t give gifts to ‘Sendong’ Italpinas plan cited among victims on Int’l Asia’s top NextGen Clean Women’s Day

Energy Projects

Cagayan de Oro City – A new project by the designers and developers of this city’s first eco-friendly building has been cited as one of the top 10 clean energy projects that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Asia annually by nearly 1.1 million tons.

Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corporation’s new project was among those presented to investors at the CTI-PFAN Asia Forum for Clean Energy Financing (AFCEF-3) held February 22, 2013 at Singapore.

“We are very happy to be recognized among Asia’s elite clean energy projects for the next generation,” said Architect Romolo Valentino Nati, Italpinas president and chief executive officer, upon receiving the citation for Italpinas new project which officially finished fourth in the final ranking.

Over 100 financiers, clean energy experts and representatives of financial institutions from across Asia and overseas participated in the Forum. The meeting was organized by the Climate Technology Initiative’s Private Financing Advisory Network (CTI PFAN), a global multilateral initiative dedicated to connecting clean energy businesses with financing and “bridging the gap” between clean energy project developers and investors.

“By matching project developers from around the region with investors, this forum helps make projects happen and increases the flow of investment into developing clean energy markets in Asia” said Peter Storey, CTI PFAN Global Coordinator.

The projects showcased at the Forum, with a total aggregate investment value in excess of USD 297 million, included bio fuels, solar, biogas, waste to energy initiatives developed by entrepreneurs and companies from India, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

“Italpinas new project is the lone Philippine entry which made it to the finals and the top 10,” noted Jojo Leviste, Italpinas President.

“What is so exciting about the CTI PFAN program is that it is not about process, but instead is facilitating the implementation of real projects, having not only economic returns, but social and environmental benefits as well," said Elmer Holt, CTI PFAN

Recthie T. Paculba PIA-10

The Gender Advocates-Women in Government Service (GA-WINGS) Region 10, supports the observance of International Women’s Day (IWD) through giving gifts to 77 families and conducting medical and dental mission at Berjaya-Gawad Kalinga (GK) resettlement area in Camaman-an, here.

WOMEN'S DAY AT BERJAYA Twenty-nine government agencies participate in the celebration of 2013 Women's Day and share some goods to the residents of BerjayaGawad Kalinga resettlement area on March 8, 2013.

Architect Romolo Valentino Nati, Chairman & CEO, and Finance Officer Harold J. Dacumos receive the citation for Italpinas Euroasian Design & Eco-Development Corp. as one of the 10 Most Attractive Energy Investments from CTI-PFAN. Also in photo are CTI-PFAN’s chairman Elmer Holt, Charles Cole B. Navarro, Philippine country coordinator and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade & Around 29 government agencies participated in Industry. the said event bringing along their presents to the Manager.

CTI PFAN screens business plans, selects the most economically viable and environmentally beneficial projects, and provides multiple rounds of coaching and guidance before projects are presented to investors. CTI PFAN is now working on more than 164 clean energy projects across Asia, Africa and Latin America. Globally, CTI PFAN has raised over USD 432 million dollars of investment for clean energy spread over 38 projects.

For investors, AFCEF-3 was a great opportunity to access a select group of clean energy projects with high profit potential, verified environmental and development benefits, which are ready for investment. It also provided a unique networking forum for Asia’s clean energy entrepreneurs.

Nagaraja Rao, Regional Coordinator-AFCEF3, said “CTI PFAN is providing a vital link between investors and project developers and this forum is ideally tailored to creating deal flow for clean energy investors in Asia”.

The key to a successful realization of this growth lies in the bankability of these projects that demonstrate the

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high quality investment potential due to their scalability and the dilution of risks. These are the kinds of projects that have been handpicked and coached for the AFCEF-3.

Singapore is proud to have established itself as Asia’s financial hub and thus a great location for financing platforms such as AFCEF-3”said the Chairman of SEAS, Mr. Edwin Khew.

AFCEF-3 is sponsored by the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) and its Private Financing Advisory Network (CTI PFAN), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Energy for All Program of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT) and is co-organized by the Dawn Consulting, Clean Energy Solutions International (CSI), PPL International, Economic Development Board of Singapore, the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) and ReEx Capital Asia.

CTI PFAN is a multilateral, public-private partnership initiated by CTI in cooperation with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Expert Group on Technology Transfer.

typhoon Sendong survivors who were relocated in the area.

Clarissa C. Rosales, GA-WINGS 10 president, shared that such activity is conducted to simply share little blessings and to showcase the capabilities of women to extend help to those who are in need as a manifestation of the celebration’s theme, “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan.”

Representatives from the Department of Health (DOH) and medical practitioners from the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) also attended in the celebration and led the conduct of the medical mission.

A culminating activity will be conducted on March 22 and the venue is to be announced by the organization.

GA-WINGS DISTRIBUTES GOODS TO BERJAYA RESIDENTS President Clarissa C. Rosales, Gender Advocates and Women in Government Service Region 10, distributes goods to 77 families in Berjaya-Gawad Kalinga resettlement area in observance of the International Women's Day on March 8, 2013.

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March 17-23, 2013

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DA-PRDP logo Safeguard contest is on Pantawid

DILG 10 partners with DSWD 10:

A

major program or a commercial product needs a trademark or a logo.

It should be simple and could be easily ‘recalled.’

The DA’s forthcoming Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) is no different.

It needs a logo that would capture its essence, its objectives and goals.

The DA is thus inviting everyone to join the PRDP logo design-making contest. The winner will take home P20,000 cash, and he or she will be part of the DA’s legacy to the Filipino people.

Four other finalists will be honored and will each receive P5,000 cash, and a certificate.

The logo should reflect the PRDP’s

goal to create a modern, climatesmart or resilient, and value chainoriented agriculture and fishery sector.

The PRDP is considered one of the DA’s biggest foreign-assisted projects, worth $670 million or P27.5 billion, funded by the World Bank.

It will run for six years, and targeted to start third quarter this year.

The PRDP will complement current major programs of initiatives of the DA, aimed at attaining sufficiency in rice and major staples.

All DA family employees and non-employees are invited to join the contest, as long as they are Filipinos, 18 years old and above.

Contestants should submit original, digitally-

created entries with resolution of at least 300 dpi and the width and the height of the logo must have a resolution of at least 700 pixels.

Each entry must have color settings for both RGB and CMYK modes and should predominantly use the colors green and blue with white, golden yellow or black as trimmings, strokes or highlights.

Contestants are required to include a description of the logo-design and colors, not more than 350 words.

Entries should be emailed to prdplogodesign@ gmail.com, on or before April 20, 2013, with the accomplished information sheet and rationale.

The winners will be announced on May 15, 2013.

For more information visit www.da.gov.ph or www.damrdp.net

Villar...

sa inyong lahat, una-unang sa ating Panginoon sa patuloy na paggabay sa akin at sa lahat ng sumusuporta upang manatili ako sa Magic 12. Makaaasa po kayong lalo kong pagsusumikapang maiparating ang aking mensahe sa buong kapuluan,” stressed Villar who disclosed she feels very happy with the survey results.

Villar is also the managing director of

the Villar Foundation which has been addressing the concerns of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) for the past 20 years.

The wife of former House Speaker and Senate President, Senator Manny Villar, assured to diligently do her ‘mandated’ duties if she becomes senator while strictly adhering to President Noynoy Aquino’s righteous path.

“The sustained strong trust being Pulse Asia released given to me by today (Mar. 11) its Filipino voters February 2013 Preinspires me to do Election Survey more for them,” said fielded from February Ejercito Estrada.

24-28, 2013. Ejercito The San Juan Estrada placed solon has vowed to 5th among the 33 pursue measures senatorial candidates that will ensure that and was favored by economic growth 43.8 per cent of the rates being posted survey respondents. by the Philippines

would translate into more decent jobs for Filipinos.

Ejercito Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, is a consistent top performer in preelection surveys conducted by Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations.

from page 1

rust and confidence in her programs and advocacies that she wants to bring on a national scope.

The results of various election surveys where she consistently belonged to the Top 12, Villar said, inspires her to work harder to convey her message to the people.

“Taos puso po akong nagpapasalamat

Survey... from page 1

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Pamilya from Epals Oliver Badel Inodeo Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer

T

he Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 10 here has found a new ally in its intensive information campaign to insulate Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) from partisan politics.

This after Lawyer Rene K. Burdeos, Regional Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 10, issued a memorandum order asking provincial and city directors and municipal local government operations officers in Northern Mindanao to assist DSWD Field Office 10 in safeguarding and preserving the program against any political party or candidate who wants to take advantage on the program for their political agenda.

In his two-page memorandum dated February 26, 2013, Director Burdeos said the authority and implementation of which is solely within the powers and responsibilities of the DSWD, shall not be, in any manner, used as a tool nor avenue for the perpetration of Epal acts and activities.

“You are therefore ordered to zealously assist in the information campaign and communication drive of the DSWD pertaining to the nature as well as its proper implementation, within your territorial areas of responsibilities and concerns, of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and coordinate with your respective local government units in the furtherance of the same.

“Furthermore, you are ordered to keenly assist in safeguarding and preserving the implementation of the program in the course thereof from and against the commission and perpetration of the (prohibited) acts prescribed in the Bawa ang Epal Dito campaign, especially during the election/campaign periods where a political party or

candidate uses, for its/his insidious political agenda and undue advantage, the Pantawid Pamilya to deviously foster its/his political agenda,” the order said.

The order of DILG 10 Regional Director came after Lawyer Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of DSWD Field Office 10, wrote a letter to Burdeos asking for assistance in the information campaign of the agency that aims to insulate the Pantawid Pamilya and other programs of the DSWD during the election campaign period.

The Bawal ang Epal Dito campaign also aims to intensify communication efforts ensuring that beneficiaries are accurately informed of the selection and delisting processes.

It focuses on the message that only the DSWD can delist a beneficiary if he or she is not following the conditionalities of the program.

Bawal ang Epal Dito confronts the issues of external pressures and eliminates the misconception of the beneficiaries about the control of politicians or parties over Pantawid Pamilya and other programs of DSWD. More importantly, it seeks to empower the beneficiaries to know their rights and to be vigilant of individuals and/or groups who plan to use the program to push for their personal agenda.

With the upcoming mid-term elections, some politicians may use the program to gain leverage. Through the Department’s Grievance Redress System (GRS), beneficiaries are encouraged to continuously give feedback if they find some politicians who are allegedly claiming to have the authority to enlist and delist them from the program.

Over the past years, the DSWD has been consistent in performing its functions within the tenets of accountability and transparency.

Angel Tree Bicycle Program

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Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment turns over a bicycle for students living in distant places to help them go to school. Photo shows Gerald Meñoza with his mother Arlyn receiving the bike from the Cong. Rodriguez. Also in photo are Rogelio Doydora, DOLE provincial head for eastern Misamis Oriental; Edgar Lumbatan of DSWD and Nazareth Barangay Chair Jocelyn Rodriguez.

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WIFI on the bus: revisited ALA MODE I OWEN JAEN

have done some land traveling across Northern Mindanao and Caraga Region lately and I rode the local bus lines excitedly in anticipation of getting connected online through their free wi-fi services.

I wrote about this new feature a few months back and happily shared the good news to all the readers. Here’s the latest.

Every time I hop on a bus, I make sure to turn-on my Ipad’s wi-fi mode to stay connected and to my dismay, it’s no longer as reliable as before.

The buses no longer have wifi turned on or you simply can’t connect. I asked the bus conductors if they have wifi, one simply joked “wa-pa’y, wa pa’y charge kay na lowbat” and I was

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CAGAYAN TIMES Publisher ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA General Manager SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY Editor-in-Chief RONALD MASTAIL Associate Editor | Art Director ARJAY FELICILDA CHRISTINE CABIASA DYON KARLO AGUILLON ROSELYN PAGLINAWAN MARIEL IGOT Correspondents NELSON CONSTANTINO JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA RUEL PELONE ALLAN MEDIANTE Editorial Consultants John del Bando Sales & Marketing Director PINKY DOMINGO CADAVEDO Marketing Executive ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI ATTY. ROBERTO A. CANTAGO, JR. Legal Counsels The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES newspaper is published weekly at FICCO Bldg., Lapasan Hi-way, with the editorial office at Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa St., Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Permit No. 17211 with TIN No. 311-982-549-000 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CagayandeOroTIMES email us at Editorial: thecagayantimes@gmail.com Advertising: cagayantimes@yahoo.com.ph

surprised.

Sometimes, you have to remind the driver or the conductor to turn the device on and at one point they just shrugged me off and said nothing.

This is not the first time that I have been inside buses lately and they simply ignored to keep their supposedly unique amenity. To someone like me who rely so much on internet connectivity to keep track of my work online and send files in a jiffy, this latest development (or is it regression?) is definitely a bane.

How can they advertise that they have wifi and proudly stick the large free wifi signs on their front windows and cannot even maintain the service for long?

Was it just a shortlived marketing ploy to attract instant

attention and then leave the riding public scratching their heads after a while?

Or is it just me and my misfortune that I always take the bus with a non-working wifi?

Whatever it is, these bus lines should make it a point to maintain the services because it does not only allow their passengers to browse through their Facebook and send Instagram photos but it is a good way for them to stay connected to their work while on the road.

If they have invested to upgrade their bus lines with this internet system, they should have considered the cost of sustaining such.

Maintaining the satisfaction and comfort of passengers is what they are

aiming for and this added value of wireless connectivity spells a lot of difference.

Mobile gadgets are getting less expensive nowadays and more people bring them wherever they go.

When the bulk of work has shifted from the actual desktop to the cyber world: working online while traveling is no longer a thing of luxury but a necessity.

I hope that the bus companies will be smart enough to continue this service without a hitch especially now that vacation season is just around the corner and an expected deluge of travelers are raring to head out to their holiday destinations of choice armed with their gadgets and wanting to be constantly updated

Trust and Obey I f you were to choose between the good and the good, how will you choose? When you know the fact is they’re on the same level.

It’s difficult when good opportunities are knocking on your door and as much as we want to grab all we can’t say yes to everything or else we’ll be spreading ourselves too thinly for the matter.

Recently I am faced with the dilemma whether to go fulltime with the institution I am in or just go freelance as what I am doing for the past Two years.

I love the school, I love my work but I am also enjoying the opportunities that I have in the city.

As I have done many times I have always consulted God on everything that I do whether big or small stuff and as always He’s is faithful to answer when I call.

The Lord impressed on me

to accept the offer, at first I am still hesitant because of the many what if ’s in my mind but as weeks went by God slowly cleared things to me and just this morning this line gave me the final confirmation “we are not here merely to survive.

We are here to accomplish a call.”It was not so long ago that I was able to realize why I’m teaching others to sing, it’s a call from Him, a mission to influence the younger generation in music, to teach and model talent stewardship.

The good opportunities in the city are not bad, they’re actually good but I’m reminded that I’m not called to do everything.

Each of us has a particular purpose that God imprinted in His plans even before you and I are born.

Even musicians have a particular direction. Not

everyone becomes a superstar but each musician who is working hard for his/her gift will find satisfaction in his own forte.

Not all musicians desire to be famous, to be rich but we all desire to be fulfilled at the end of our lives.

I am reminded that as His child He is my provider, there is no security to whatever good career you and I may have as of the moment.

My cake mix of experiences tells me we can only depend on Him because He never fails. Though I am struggling, I say yes in obedience to His call for the school.

One last reminder God gave me today, to be content in whatever circumstance because my happiness is not dependent on my circumstances.

Go and do what God is telling you to do and He will take care of you.

while they are away.

For those of you who really want to be constantly online while hitting the road, you have an option (although with a cost), try a mobile device with a 3G or 4G capability which is more reliable than the wifi on board.

However, this mode eats up more battery life and of course your load if you’re not subscribed to the unlimited data plan.

For those who are planning to head out the door and off to your summer break, better be ready with an alternative internet access while traveling and not rely on free internet services (be it on the bus or anywhere else) and make your vacation cyber-connected with the hassle!

Have fun in the hot sun everyone!

WORDS & NOTES DEBBIE CABAGUE

“Trust in the Lord with all your Heart and lean not unto your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

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The

Points of View

CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro

The Financial Doctor

Cost and Effect

By Dr. Adonis Agcopra MBA, RFC®

Why Do You Invest?

Y

ou have started to learn the ins and outs of investing your money. And perhaps for the first time ever, you are now actually doing it! Welcome to the club of the investors – those who are making their money work for them.

But have you actually asked yourself why are you growing your money? What are you investing for? What are your investment goals? When would you need it?

We have so many reasons for growing our money. These may either be generic or personal. But growing your money for no reason at all might lead you nowhere.

Being able to retire with a comfortable lifestyle someday is perhaps the most common generic investment goal for all.

Would you in your right mind plan to still work actively for your entire lifetime even if the physical strength that you once had is already waning?

That retirement – whether by choice or by force – may come in early for some, or perhaps by the age of 60 for many.

Retirement for most is attaining that state of not being obliged to work actively, even if you do not want to, just to earn your keep.

For by then, you should have already accumulated enough balanced assets that can support your chosen lifestyle for the rest of your life.

For many families, another common goal is to prepare adequate funds for the education of the children in due time.

If the college you would like to send your child to in ten years’ time currently charges P150,000 in annual school fees, would you have an idea how much should you have saved by then?

Other reasons may be personal and varies from individual to individual.

That might be having funds to start building your dream house in five years.

Or that could be enjoying your dream family vacation in one of those exotic places in a year or two.

Perhaps it could even be accumulating more than enough wealth for altruism, and helping others for a noble cause!

Nevertheless, whatever those goals are, the most important questions you need to be asking would be: Are my goals realistic? Are they monetized into the right figures? Are my assumptions with regards to returns correct and realistic?

In setting future financial goals, you need to establish how much is enough and when would you need it.

For only then would you be able to know if you have reached your investment target.

Only then would you be able to select the best portfolio from the investment pyramid with the appropriate mix of risk, return and liquidity to match your investing horizon and profile.

Being able to come up with the right assumptions and projections for your future lifetime financial goals might need the help of a reliable financial professional. Act now!

(Dr. Adonis Agcopra is a registered international financial strategic consultant with IARFC and is portfolio director of AFIC Meridian Consultants.

URL: www.aficfinancialconsultants.com.

Email: aficfinancialconsultants@outlook.com.)

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES

T

he election fever coming to a pitch, we wonder who are the front-runners in the Senatorial race. Talk to taxi drivers and the common tao, for pulse taking, and you'll be surprised at a variety of answers.

They have their own line-up and they can give reason for their choices.

Obviously, they think beyond the slogans, which they believe aren't platform-based, insensitive to the needs of the poor sectors, and indicative of a lack of strategy to win over the more educated.

Students, of course, would be much interested on the educational background of the candidates.

And the inquisitive ones would be asking about their stock performance in office.

These two factors, mainly, brought Senator Miriam into limelight when she ran for the highest national office.

At this point, the role of social media would lend support to the essential need for added information or even dis-information on the candidates.

The internet generation 18 years old and above, will play a big role in the selective process that precedes the actual voting.

This bears watching.

We believe the cost of running their candidacy can be greatly reduced by social media.

This can also affect the bandwagon strategy that the

March 17-23, 2013

|7

coffee break Crispin Dannug

candidates employ towards the end of the campaign.

Undoubtedly, the cost of traditional media in terms of print,television and radio advertisements, fixed under Comelec standards, would require campaign strategists to project far better info on their candidates.

Face and name recall may suffice. But the more meaningful approach would be the classic platform of the individual candidate that can capture the imagination of the voters.

Who among the candidates can tackle economic issues like unemployment and industrial development, for example?

The challenges are: How to improve the incomes among the 41 million people in the labor force? What to do with 3 million unemployed and the 7 million underemployed?

In addition, what can be done to increase the prospect for employment by 1.1 million entrants to the labor force every year?

The World Bank, in its latest data, showed that there are 500,000 college graduates, of which 52,000 can be employed in business process outsourcing, and 20,000 in manufacturing.

Further, 200,000 can find jobs abroad.Still around 60,000 will be either unemployed or exit the labor force.

The balance of 600,000 new entrants to the labor force are high school graduates (50%),

while the rest are not able to finish high school.

They enter low-skill, low-pay jobs in agriculture and services; they live in the rural areas and the urban slums.

To be sure, current efforts of government that aim to improve the situation, such as the conditional cash transfer for the poor, public-private partnership in new investments and a two-tiered wage system - innovative as they are--can see further improvements.

The task of the new set of Senators is to support and impel new programs that would solve the recurrent problems of unemployment and narrowing the income gaps between the rich and the poor.

Growth without development is a smashing success in the countryside, like a soap opera or telenovela with a huge following.

But consumerism that fired the growth isn't enough over the next medium term.

Sustained development is the key. The elections can address this. Local candidates must also accept the challenge. Slogans are costly, but a platform for reforms can come in handy and more effective.

Re-Quote: "The Godly work with integrity; blessed are their children after them." (Proverbs 20:7)

Criminology Education THE CRIMINOLOGIST in the Philippines Dr.Gerry J. Caño

Part 2 of 3

Criminology in Nation Building Criminology education contributes significantly to nation-building.

The economic viability of the Philippine market cannot singlehandedly be determined by the business sector.

Peace and order form the vital cog, a basic criterion, the sine qua non, for sustainable growth and development.

Thus, our dedicated criminologyeducated men and women in the government service- to mention a few, in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard, and other agencies, and in the private sector, since the 1950’s up to the present have put their lives in peril; and countless others even have perished in the line of duty, defending and protecting our country from the enemies of the State.

They have fought and continue to fight against lawless elements of society so that we may have a peaceful community- bringing into the fold the business environment, maintaining peace and order, for businesses to thrive and the country to propel.

The influx of criminology enrollees in colleges and universities nationwide have not only created jobs, but have bolstered a lot of attached and

related businesses as well.

These economic conditions have contributed meaningfully to nation building, not only because taxes were collected, but also in the transformation of the lives of our people, and allowing us to enjoy the true meaning of quality life.

Relevance and Materiality of Criminology Education in Public Safety There is no scintilla of logic, nor iota of reason; not even a trivial piece of evidence, to show that criminology education is unfit and irrelevant to the policing business.

Criminology is the most and only germane course for the police service and public safety related fields.

Criminology and Criminal Justice Education in United States of America, European Union, Australia, Canada, and other countries is also the most and only relevant formal education and material in understanding crime, criminality, and policing.

Equally relevant and material in all other fields like i.e., Teaching to Education Graduates, Lawyering to Lawyers, Medicating to Medical Doctors etc.

The core subjects of Criminology Education are the same core subjects that the Philippine National Police Academy has adopted since it started.

The training provided to PNP personnel from the ranks of Police

Officer 1 to Police Superintendent, tackles criminology core subjects on Criminal Investigation, Criminal Law, Forensic Sciences, Police Administration, Police Operations, Police Intelligence and many more are also found in the core subjects of the criminology curriculum.

The relevant Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memoranda and Policy Standards stipulate that a criminology student has to complete Five Hundred Forty (540) hours of On-the-Job-Training (OJT), in the different law enforcement agencies/ offices before they would graduate.

Since this educational program has been offered in 1950, no Criminology graduate skipped the curriculum requirement to undergo OJT. This tells us that even before Criminology graduates applied into the police service they have already served the people and the police organization without being compensated.

The then PC/INP and now the PNP, its personnel have also taken part in molding the kind of criminology graduates we have, either during the internship days of our students, or in the classroom as teachers and professors.

Somehow the values, norms, attitudes, and character of an “upright police officer” have also been shared and embedded into the conscious region of the minds of our students.

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| March 17-23, 2013

Feature

Nurturing Bukidnon’s P magnificent flowerthe Rafflesia Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy PIA -10

R

CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro

Philippine Life launches Dengue Rx Plan

Feature:

afflesia - the flower that conquered the world, a flies’ delight, lauded and maligned, the paradoxical and amazing flower which can be seen in the Kalanganan sub-village in Barangay San Vicente, Baungon, Bukidnon.

The Higaonon tribe living near the rainforests at the foot of Mt. Kitanglad were among first to see the unimposing plant which the natives call “Kolon Busaw.”

Governor P. Alex Calingasan said the plant should be nurtured and protected to help it grow and flourish.

“We are lucky that this rare plant sprouted in our woodland because as environmentalists say, it serves as an indicator of an extreme healthy and balanced nature,”

The

Calingasan said.

The Provincial Tourism Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Tourism in Region 10 have coordinated with the local government of Baungon on safeguarding Rafflesia.

Pursuant to Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources and Protection Act, the local government of Baungon has ratified an ordinance prohibiting ripping up, uprooting and relocating the flower.

The ordinance also prohibits pulling woody vines.

Those found guilty of violating the law will be imprisoned from six to 12 years and will pay P100,000 to P1 million as penalty.

Rafflesia is recognized as the largest

flower in the world. It lives on the stems and roots of woody vines. Its large, pink, five-lobed flowers are pollinated by carrion flies (meat flies).

It grows up to 91 cm (36 in) in width, with petals of 3 cm (1 inch) thick and 46 cm (18 in) long. It weighs as much as 7 to 11 kg (15-24 lbs).

Rafflesia, dubbed the “corpse flower” because of its putrid, carrion odor, is a genus of various parasitic, rootless, stem less, and leafless plants.

When this huge flower blooms, it emits the smell of rotting meat to attract insects - the Rafflesia's only hope for reproduction.

Although challenging, viewing a Rafflesia flower in bloom here will be a great memory of your trip to Bukidnon.

VILLAR IS NO. 4 IN THE LATEST SWS SURVEY NP-Team PNoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar on Tuesday said she is thankful for the encouraging result of the survey after she jumped to the No. 4 ranking from 8-9 in preference on senatorial candidates based on the latest survey by Social Weather Station (SWS) covering the period of February 15-17.

“This further encourages, energizes and inspires me to bring my message across through my advocacies and platform of

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES

hilippine Life Financial Assurance Corporation (Philippine Life) takes the Next Big Step as it launches its newest product DENGUE RX PLAN. This plan was launched and officially announced in Region 10 during the Blessing of Philippine Life Cagayan De Oro Regional Office last January 18, 2013. A number of press and media practitioners are now covered with the Dengue Rx Plan, a unique medical reimbursement plan to cushion the financial effects of the dreaded Dengue disease.

Dengue Rx Plan is one of the many new and exciting products Philippine Life has for the insuring public.

To empower the Filipino family, the company offers Family and Home Protection Plans, Health Care Riders, Educational Plans, Retirement Plans, Wealth Accumulation Plans, Distance Learning Programs for DepEd Teachers, Term and Accident Products bundled with non-life features like Fire and Motor Insurance. All these are in the horizon because Philippine Life today enjoys a synergy of partner companies joining hands to provide the Filipino kind of warm, dedicated, efficient, and caring service its clients deserve.

More information on Philippine Life is available on www.phillife.com.ph

HELPING REBUILD LIVES . Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon (center) accepts one chainsaw and 600 sets of household wares from Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Deputy Executive Director Corazon Ginete (third from left) during the “Davao Oriental: Building Back Better” inter-agency meeting held Tuesday in Davao Ciaty. The 2.5 million-worth of assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with MinDA, aims to help Typhoon Pablo victims rebuild normal lives. Also in photo are (l-r) UNDP Davao Oriental Debris Clearing project officer Misuari Abdullah; UNDP Davao Oriental Debris Clearing project manager James Alih Abdul; Davao Oriental planning coordinator Freddie Bendulo; Supervising environment management specialist Dolores Valdesco, province of Davao Oriental; Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor coordinator for Davao Oriental Malou Tarona; and Provincial executive assistant Marciano Tapiador. MinDA

continued service to more people,” said Villar who authored and sponsored several bills to protect the interests of women, children and the Filipino family during her stint as congresswoman for nine years.

Villar, popularly known as “Misis Hanep Buhay,” has been campaigning on her platform of providing jobs to the Filipino people especially women.

“I am happy that Filipinos appreciate

my efforts to help them,” further stressed Villar, also managing director of the Villar Foundation.

The Villar Foundation has been helping our distressed OFWs for the over 20 years.

Villar also thanked the public for the ‘vote of confidence’ and vowed not only to continue but hasten the delivery of livelihood projects to provides jobs and augment the income of Filipino families.

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March 17-23, 2013

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| March 17-23, 2013

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BPI PUSHES AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN LUZON, MINDANAO Holds forum at Clark Ecozone for entrepreneurs

B

ank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is betting heavily on agriculture this year and is increasing i t s i n vo l ve m e n t i n t h e sector by launching a loan program designed to benefit livestock raisers in Central and North Luzon and in the expanding business corridors in Mindanao like Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Gen. Santos.

Through its BPI Agribusiness S o l ut i o n s, t h e ban k h as crafted a program that would support commercial poultry raisers and hog farmers. For starters, the bank formally launched BPI Agribusiness Solutions last March 8, at the Holiday Inn at Clark, with Executive Vice President and Corporate Banking Group head Alfonso "Yogi" Salcedo Jr. holding a media briefing and presenting an overview of the program, along with Senior Vice President Reymundo “Budong” SL Castro, assistant vice president Pearl Padilla.

Andrew Bateson of Genus Pig Improvement Co. (Genus PIC) talked about "Genus PIC, Helping Nourish the World" followed by Vincent

Borromeo, who discussed "World-class Pig Production in the Philippines."

BPI also brought along its experts in Sustainable Energy Finance, which is expected to show that agribusiness companies can use farm waste as energy source and thus reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Tec hnical lectures on livestoc k production and poultry management capped the event.

"The agriculture sector is highly important for the Philippines as it promotes food security. Agriculture promises to be the key to alleviate poverty among millions of Filipinos who depend on farming and livestock raising. A stronger agri sector is needed to sustain growth and food sufficiency," BPI said.

BPI stressed that a s t ro n g p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n agribusiness development is part of its contribution to the government’s efforts aimed at inclusive growth through its BPI Agribusiness Solutions.

This is BPI’s way of helping finance agribusiness ventures

which are predominantly at the countryside and therefore help in wealth distribution as agribusinesses employ less skilled workers in the provincial areas.

What compelled BPI to launc h its agribusiness campaign this year is its strong belief that the Philippines will be a big player in the livestock industry in Southeast Asia, noting that the country is free of the dreaded foodand-mouth disease (FMD) that has been the bane of cattle raisers in the region.

Moreover, the Philippine poultry industry has been free from the equally lethal bird flu virus that had been decimating the stocks of chicken and duck raisers in mainland Asia with virulent regularity.

BPI also noted that agriculture has contributed 12.3 % percent or P11.9 billion of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011.

The labor force in agriculture is 13 million, or 35 percent out of the total labor force of 37 million.

"BPI Agribusiness Solutions currently lends primarily

At the launch of BPI Agribusiness Solutions, from left to right: BPI SVP and Head of Provincial Lending Reymundo SL Castro, PIC Philippines, Inc. General Manager Vincent Raphael M. Borromeo, BPI EVP and Corporate Banking Group Head Alfonso “Yogi” Salcedo Jr. and BPI AVP and Head of Agribusiness Pearl Padilla.

to piggery, poultry and also finances other agrirelated businesses like fish production, fruits, vegetable and crop production, postharvest operations and food processing, agricultural trading and sustainable / renewable energy financing. Considering that both pork and poultry products are top most staple foods after rice and fish, there is a projected 10 percent increase in demand for pork and about 4 percent increase for chicken in 2013," the bank stressed.

"Currently, imports supply 153,000 metric tons (MT) of pork (6.82 percent of the total consumption) and 179,000 MT for c hic ken (10.86 percent of the total consumption). It is in these two big windows of opportunity that BPI has decided to go big in 2013," BPI added.

For this year, BPI will unveil two of its agri products, namely: "BPI Agribusiness Solutions Commercial Hog Breeding and Fattening," which involves the par tnership between BPI and Pig Improvement

Co. (PIC) as the technology provider and breed supplier for prospective clients. PIC targets to expand its sow level from 120,000 to 180,000 or 60,000 sow level increase in 2013 representing 30 percent share of the total sow level population, and; "BPI Agribusiness Solutions Poultry Contract G r ow i n g / C o m m e r c i a l Broiler Operations," which will entail the financing of qualified/prospective poultry contract growers of San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI), which is bidding to increase its bird population by 5 million birds in 2013. Other integrators such as Bounty Fresh and other commercial poultry integrators will also be tapped depending on their expansion plans.

BPI explained that it is venturing deeply into agriculture in consonance with the Agri-Agra Law, whic h mandates banks to appor tion 20 percent of its total loan portfolio for agri-agra loans.

"If banks are unable to meet this ratio, they will be

penalized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP.) On the part of the Bank of Philippines Islands, however, we intend not only to fully comply with this requirement but to blaze new trails in agribusiness lending this year through BPI’s Agribusiness Solutions.

BPI Agribusiness Solutions is concentrating on far m growth corridors in Central and North Luzon, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Gen. Santos, a n d s u p p o r t i n g ex i s t i n g clients of integrators like PIC, SMC, Bounty Fresh and locals who want to expand their businesses, whether they are BPI clients or not.

Agribusiness investors who are willing to put up a P60 Million seed equity out of a total investment of P200 Million in a commercial piggery enterprise and P6 Million seed equity our of a total investment of P18 Million for commercial poultry enterprise can benefit from BPI Agribusiness Solutions which is open to both current AGRI-PRENEURS or those who are planning to be one.

Tanco Group sees ‘synergy of market leaders’ in new Philippine Life

T

he Tanco Group of Companies is looking to solidify the niche of its newly acquired company, Asianlife Financial, as the preferred insurance and financial assistance provider of Filipinos by creating exciting synergies with other companies under its wings.

Mr. Monico Jacob, board director of the Tanco Group of Companies, disclosed this as Asianlife Financial formally assumes the new name Philippine Life Financial Assurance Corporation, or simply Philippine Life.

He said the company not only promises to obtain a significant c hunk of its existing market, it is also setting sights on establishing new sets of clients.

Philippine Life is the latest addition to the Tanco Group of Companies after the latter acquired 70 per cent of Asianlife Financial in a share purchase agreement signed last May. Philippine Life now joins the list of trusted corporations and institutions under the Tanco Group, which include Philippines First Insurance Company; PhilPlans; PhilCare; Classic Financial

Inc.; Venture Securities, Inc.; PWU; STI Education Ser vices Group, Inc.; iACADEMY; DLS-STI College; De Los Santos-STI Medical Center; De Los SantosSTI Megaclinic; Total Consolidated Asset Management, Inc.; Global Resource for Outsourced Workers Inc. (GROW Inc.); and STI Education Systems Holdings, Inc. Mr. Enrique Alberto, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Philippine Life, said that under the new management, Philippine Life is poised to expand services for its existing client base by creating synergies and partnerships with the other companies under the Tanco Group.

Philippine Life has already began to introduce new and exciting products that are done through the synergy with partner companies, such as Family and Home Protection Plans, Health Care Riders, Retirement Plans, Memorial Assistance and Educational Plans, Wealth Accumulation Plans, Distance Learning Programs for DepEd Teachers, Term and Accident Products bundled with non-life features like Fire and Motor Insurance.

More information on Philippine Life is available at

www.phillife.com.ph

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March 17-23, 2013

| 11

Scary GOOD Rondell Chaz Mabunga Contributor

Y

outh and experience, most of the time, do not come together.

On one side, we see the young and energetic filled with rough edges.

They are filled with potential but still need a lot of work to do.

On the other side, we see the old dogs strut their stuff. With their advanced age, they have become extremely polished and seasoned.

Father time has taken most of their enthusiasm away but replaced it with calculative minds.

However, with age come the tendency to stagnate and the likelihood to become boring.

At this day and age, it would a rarity to have both no matter what field we are in.

But, just like your favorite sport or any other industry, there will always be someone who stands out.

This is where Kanru Cabanatan comes in. He is the talented and surging personality in the world of cinematography and video production.

We can coin him the term, “the chosen one”, as he possesses a powerful mix of youth, experience and a vast knowledge of his craft.

Most people consider him as a

neophyte because his business only has two years under its belt and he is only 22 years young.

But don’t let those things fool you.

Before he was legal to do anything in this world, he started studying the basics.

At the age of 13, Kanru became fond of watching award-winning films and famous television ads.

He also began working the most out of the limited functions of his family’s classic camcorder. His interests only grew as the years passed by.

By the time he finished high school, he started exploring the world of video editing. When he reached 17, the Tagoloan native took his wits and talents to Cagayan de Oro and got a part-time job from one of the city’s famous wedding filmmakers.

That moment was the official unraveling of a stellar career.

Fast forward to 2011, he found himself starting from scratch anew as he founded his own brand, Kanru Cabanatan Videos.

With a mere tripod and a lone camera, he clawed his way up shooting music videos, school projects, freestyle skateboarding and small

gatherings.

He did anything and everything under the sun. Little by little, clients gave sound reviews.

Once he completed his primary equipment, his admirable outputs became exceptional. His hard work paid off with numerous clients commending his work.

Multiple organizations, corporations, politicians and young couples about to get married are now after his services.

He even got invited into several schools to do a little talk about film making and editing.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. His recent success gave him more even motivation to dig deeper, discover new possibilities and doing anything to feed his art.

At the age of 22, he is well on his way up. One day, he might even be in mentioned in the same breath as Spielberg and James Cameron.

Of course, that would require a lot of hard work and a little sprinkle of luck. Just imagine what he’s going to be a few years from now. Starting at an early age and a rarely seen kind of work ethic didn’t exactly hurt him.

Instead, he has become scary good.

Villar apologizes for controversial remarks about nurses

seeks dialogue with PNA, other nursing groups on health care reform agenda

F

ormer congresswoman and senatorial candidate (NP-Team PNoy) Cynthia Villar wrote a letter of apology to the Philippine Nurses Association in light of recent remarks during a senatorial media forum that have earned the ire of nurses here and abroad.

Villar said that lack of time and the complexity of the issue concerning a closure order issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) several years ago prevented her from answering the question in a clear and concise manner.

In her letter addressed to the PNA Governing Board, its officers and staff, Villar wrote: “I truly am sorry for having offended the feelings of your members. It was never my intention to belittle anyone, least of all, the valiant members of the nursing profession.”

The controversy arose when noted economist and broadcaster Winnie Monsod asked former congresswoman Villar about her alleged intervention in favor of nursing school owners that resulted in the non-closure of substandard nursing schools way back in 2005.

Villar was unable to complete her answer because the alloted time of 1 minute for

the first answer and another thirty seconds for a follow-up reply quickly lapsed.

“What I was trying to say during that media forum was that nursing students affected by a CHED closure order several years ago deserved concrete and better career and academic options other than just an abrupt closure of the institutions that they were currently enrolled in,” the head of the Villar Foundation said.

She added that: “At that time, I was part of a legislative oversight committee that had to intervene to make sure that the welfare and rights of these students, their parents, and teachers were given sufficient thought and consideration by CHED and the school owners.”

Villar also noted that as early as May 2012, she was already advocating for a ladderized system of curriculum that would give academic credits and the appropriate skills certificates for nursing students who due to financial constraints were unable to complete their nursing degree and pass the board examinations.

The candidate also known as “Misis Hanepbuhay” underscored her commitment to fight for better wages for government nurses based on a

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law passed in 2002 that was principally authored by her husband, Senator Manny Villar.

“During the First Davao del Sur Congress of the Philippine Nurses Association- Davao del Sur Chapter in November of last year, I spoke in favor of the immediate implementation of Republic Act No. 9173 also known as the Nursing Act of 2002 that increases the minimum salary of government nurses to around Php 24,000 or Salary Grade 15 instead of the present Php 18,000 equivalent to only Salary Grade 11.”

“That this law passed way back in 2002 remains unimplemented speaks volumes about the sad plight of your sector. No wonder so many Filipino nurses are compelled to leave the country for economic reasons,” Villar said in her letter to the PNA, adding that prices of basic commodities have risen sharply since 2002 thus making the Php24,000 minimum wage threshhold obsolete.

The lady legislator also appealed to Filipino nurses and nursing students not to judge her based on a comment made under extreme time pressure.

“Mahirap po talagang pagkasyahin sa loob ng isang minuto at kalahati ang lahat ng

gusto kong sabihin tungkol sa mga naging problema ng mga mag-aaral ng nursing noon at hanggang ngayon. Napakalaki ng aking paghanga sa mga nars, saan man sila naglilingkod kaya’t nalulungkot ako dahil nagkulang ang aking pagpapaliwanag.” (“It was really difficult to say everything I wanted to say about the problems confronting our nurses then and now within one minute and thirty seconds.

I have such a high regard for nurses wherever they are assigned to serve, which is why I felt sad for not being able to offer a more comprehensive and complete answer.”)

At the end of her twopage letter, the former congresswoman from Las Pinas City said that the controversy arising from her remarks made her even more zealous about promoting the rights and welfare of Filipino nurses.

“I sincerely want to learn more about the challenges confronting Filipino nurses here and abroad. Perhaps, at the appropriate time and with the help of the PNA and your chapters worldwide, we could start a dialogue on a common agenda to help our nurses and improve services and facilities for public health care,” she said.

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| March 17-23, 2013 CAGAYANTIMES The

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Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez is joined by Barangay Tablon officials in laying in laying cement in this ground breaking ceremony for the farm to market road concreting project that cost P5.5 million at Sitio Palalan, Barangay Tablon. In photo are: Barangay chair Romeo Bacarro, Kagawads Dilly Kit Auza, Angelo Pomar and Virgelio Agus.

O

ro Bankers Club, Inc. has tapped Circle Productions, Inc. for their annual fun run event dubbed: the 5th ORO BANKERS FUN RUN to be held on April 21, 2013 at the Divisoria Kiosk.

Race route for this year's edition will take participants atop the Licoan Flyover en route to the Bulua Westbound Terminal and back.

Registration Centers are Planet Sports LKK or Centrio, Cham's 24/7 Convenience Stores and La Cabana Spa. In this photo are Ms. Erlinda Costales - Event Chairman, Mr. Jeffrey Ang - President of Circle Productions, Mr. Erlquin Lim - President of Oro Bankers, Inc., and Mr. Francis Velasquez - Race Director.

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMESYour Weekly Lifestyle Newspaper Editorial: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | Advertising: cagayantimes@yahoo.com.ph

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