Feb.

14-20, 2011

The Hunt is On
P1.2M bounty for Mayor Uys killers

Robredo reiterates directive to LGUs

p2

No tricycles, pedicabs along national highways

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May 23-29 2011 Vol. 2 No. 12 P10.00

Palafox: Eastern Visayas rich in development potentials

by Eden Benusa-Reyes
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte. Ms. Karima Patricia V. Palafox, representing Palafox Associates, said that she saw lots of possibilities in terms of sustainable land use and development in the city and the rest of the region. Palafox Associates is a leading private firm in the country composed of ISO-accredited architects, interior designers, engineers, landscape architects, and environmental/urban planners, undertaking various projects and consultancy jobs relative to urban planning, site development and architectural designing in the country and abroad. Ms. Palafox spoke on the private sector experiences on zoning ordinance, managing and maximizing land use for its sustainability and development during the recently concluded 3rd Land Use Forum at the University of Philippines-Visayas, Tacloban College Conference Hall. As she was sharing success stories of their projects in partnership with various local government units and private companies here and overseas, Ms. Palafox was also optimistic that people and leaders in the region are also seeing the same great importance of sustainable land use and development. She said that promoting land use policies have a strong impact in relations to the countrys climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, reforestation, traffic flow
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Captivating millions around the country

by Missy E. Misones
Tacloban City, Leyte. A native of Taft, Eastern Samar, Rosjane Tiunayan is no newbie to beauty competitions. In 2003 she was hailed Miss TNHS, Binibining Silangang Samar in 2006, placed 2nd Runner-up in Ms. Pintados 2007 and was also crowned as the Sinulog Festival Queen in the same year. In 2009, she also placed 1st Runner-up in Ms. Tacloban and 1st Runner-up in Ms. Kasanggayahan in Sorsogon. She has just recently won the Miss Ticao Island Tourism title last April. Ticao Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate Province, the other two being, Masbate and Burias islands. I love the competitive atmosphere. I love the adrenaline rush when I get on stage and answer questions. Its like I change into another person. The pageants help me gain more confidence that also helped me in my studies. she said. After 2007, Miss Tiunayan
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The Tacloban Doctors Medical Center located at Cong. Mate Avenue, Abucay, Tacloban City is a clear sign of positive development in the region.

Photo by Jerome Tuazon

A bill for Kasambahay in the House

by Eden Benusa-Reyes
Heavy rain. Partly sunny. Hot.

Hottest: 94F (Monday, May 23) Coolest: 77F (Monday, May 23)
Copra (kg) Php 60.00 Refined Sugar(kg) Php 60.00 Wheat (bushel) USD 8.00 Oil (barrel) USD 115.49 Gold (troy oz.) USD 1,460

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TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte - Our ordinary Filipino housemaids or kasambahay would soon become extra-ordinary if HB No. 553 becomes a law in the country. This is the rationale behind House Bill No. 553 or an Act Instituting Policies Governing the Household Employment Industry, Establishing a Standard of Protection and Promoting the Welfare of Household being pushed by Cagayan provinces 1st district Rep. Jack Enrile. Rep. Enrile, who was in Tacloban last Saturday (May 14) then asked support from the people and media regarding his bill. If it becomes a law, a more formal relationship between the employer and his household helper would be established by way of a written agreement, wherein terms and conditions of the latters employment would also be stated. Also, monetary compensation of helpers would then be institutionalized, like a salary of P3,000 when they are employed in Metro Manila, P2,500 in chartered cities, and P2,000 with the rest of the country. Aside from the standardized wages, they

can also avail for 13th month pay, bonuses and other regular personal privileges. Meanwhile, on Rep. Enriles official webpage, he emphasized on the following: I believe that household helpers are considered to be extensions of the Filipino family and not mere indentured servants. As members of the extended family, it is recognized that the relationship between the homeowner and the household helper transcends that of a simple employer-employee relationship. It is nonetheless the duty of the State to establish the minimum working parameters and standards that will ensure the protection and well being of both employer and household helper, and to promote the harmonious and protective relationship between both parties, Householder helpers also contribute in no inconsequential terms towards the furtherance of national economic growth and productivity. By providing the employers with more time for economic activities, either through entrepreneurial pursuits or as more productive members of the labor force,
continued on page

Cagayan provinces 1st District Rep. Jack Enrile. Author of House Bill No. 553 or an Act Instituting Policies Governing the Household Employment Industry, Establishing a Standard of Protection and Promoting the Welfare of Household help.

News

May 23-29, 2011 Feb. 14-20,

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte. As DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo admitted that they still find difficulty in solving the murder of Calbayog City mayor Reynaldo Uy to date, a P 1.2 million pesos is also being readied by said agency to reward those who can help them in finding the killers. Last May 11, authorities had released a composite character sketch of Uys alleged assassins. Based from various witnesses, police said that the suspects are between 5 and 53 in height, age ranging from 30 to 35 years old, and use waray dialect. Meanwhile, in a press meeting in Tacloban City, Sec. Robredo assured that they would exhaust all possible ways to solve the case, admitting also that they dont still have the time table for its closure. Sec. Robredo also said they are considering all possible angles, from personal to political, regarding Uys murder. We are more pressured because we would like to think of its impact to the constituents in Samar if this case will not be resolved at once, Robredo also explained. Also, Pres. Noynoy Aquino had personally called for the immediate

P1.2M bounty for Mayor Uys killers

The Hunt Is On

Alleged suspects on sketch. For any information regarding the suspects contact the following mobile numbers: SITG-UY 09497165194; SAMAR PPO 09156121438; RID 09997697718; RCIDU8 09158062218; RTOC8 09088930133

justice to Uys family during his visit to Samar. Uy was a party-mate of Pres. Aquino. In a separate report, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-Delos Santos also urged the police to fast-track their investigation. She also denied any involvement in Uys death. The Tans and Uys are known to be political opponents in Samar. Mayor Uy was reportedly set to challenge Gov. Delos Santos on her governatorial post if a recall election will push in Samar. Uy, together with another

companion, was shot last Saturday evening (April 30) inside a covered court in Hinabangan town in Samar while attending a fiesta program. His companion, Samar 2nd board member Atty. Eunice Babalcon, however escaped the assassins bullet. PNP-Eastern Visayas director Chief Superintendent Arnold Revilla had also deployed a special task force to probe on Uys case. Heightened alert status and suspension of all permit to carry firearms in Western Samar are also being implemented to date. (Eden Benusa-Reyes)

Robredo reiterates directive to LGUs on no tricycles, pedicabs along natl highways

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte. Local government units were reminded by Secretary Jesse M. Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to strictly adhere to the directive banning tricycles and pedicabs along national highways. The reiteration, according to Regional Director Francisco C. Jose, was contained in a memorandum circular Secretary Robredo recently issued, enjoining local chief executives to follow guidelines and standards in the operation of tricycles and pedicabs in local government units (LGUs). Sec. Robredos reminder came as the Departments regional and field offices received reports that tricycles are still operating along national highways in spite of the issuance of an earlier directive banning the same. For the safety of the drivers and the passengers, please ensure that the ban on tricycles and pedicabs along national highways is strictly observed, said the DILG Secretary in his directive to provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, punong barangays, sanggunian presiding officers and

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte. Deeply saddened over the killing of Calbayog Mayor Reynaldo Uy, the Bagong Alyansang MakabayanEastern Visayas (BAYAN-EV)is calling for immediate justice for the late Mayor. Flor Acbo, regional Chairperson of the said group said, Uy is a true peoples servant and recognized front-liner for the peoples agenda. Acbo also extends its most sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Mayor Uy and unites with them in the call for justice. We cannot agree less that his untimely demise is indeed a loss to the people of Samar, said Acbo. His killing is viewed by BAYAN as the persistence of the decade-long culture of impunity, thus BAYAN calls on the people to break this culture and continue Uys advocacy for staunch defense of peoples rights. Acbo also urged the people to follow his example in choosing to side with the peoples interest and supporting their struggle for human rights promotion, social justice and long-lasting peace. Acbo said in his account that Mayor Uy started out as a physician who mainly served the peasants of Samar in the 1980s. He actively resisted Martial Rule under Marcos and immediately after the dictators ouster, Uy served as the officer-in-charge Vice Mayor of Calbayog. He later joined the progressive party Partido ng Bayan and won for his first seat in Samar. According to Acbo, one of the notable acts which BAYAN would always remember him for is when he, himself, led the expulsion of then Major General Jovito Palparan from the Eastern Visayas region amidst successive killings and violations of human rights. It happened when Palparan was Commanding Officer of the 8th Infantry Division. Acbo recalls that Mayor Uy, a congressman then, saw how the number of extrajudicial killings in the region rose drastically and how the people of Samar, his constituents, were threatened by the terror spread by the butcher. At the peak of anti-Palparan actions launched in the region, Uy allied together with BAYAN and other concerned personalities for the immediate eviction of Palparan. He was not scared for the possible threat that going against the military will risk even his life. What was important for Uy and notable of him was, despite the widespread killings and abductions then, he listened and acted on the call of the people of Samar, the militant leader continued. Just a few days before his body is laid to final rest, BAYAN EV calls on the authorities for the immediate tendering of justice for Uy, his family, friends, and constituents who have lost not only a Mayor, but a Father,he ended. (Carlos de Vera)

Militant group seeks justice for Mayor Uys death

the ARMM regional governor. However, Director Jose clarified that tricycles may be allowed to pass through national highways if there is no other alternative road network available, such as routes beyond the town proper, subject to the prescribed guidelines of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) This ban (on tricycles)

should not be imposed by LGUs if the national road is the only available way which these types of conveyances could use, he said. In 2007, the Department issued Memo Circular 2007-01, banning tricycles and pedicabs to operate on national highways utilized by four-wheel vehicles greater than four tons and where normal speed exceeds 40 kph.

The same directive prescribes the minimum standards to be adopted by city and municipal governments in the formulation of a regulatory code for tricycle and pedicab franchise operation, including physical requirements/ equipage, fares, load/capacity limit and operating conditions. Sections 447 and 458 of the Local Government Code has

conferred unto municipal and city governments, through their sanggunians, the power to regulate the operation of tricycles and the grant of franchise for their operation within their territorial jurisdiction, subject to the guidelines prescribed by DOTC. (Frederick Rodriguez, with reports from DILG Office of Public Affairs)

Photo by Wacky de Asis

May 23-29, 2011 Feb. 14-20,

Political-Economy 3

LMWD expansion project gets needed support from various stakeholders

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte. Various government offices and local government units have given their full support and cooperation to the implementation of the Leyte Metropolitan Water Districts (LMWD) expansion project. LMWD General Manager Nestor P. Villasin said that the water district has been conducting series of consultative meetings in order to ensure that the implementation stage of the expansion project will run smoothly. The LMWD Manager said that its 3rd consultative meeting was held on May 6, 2011 at Hotel Alejandro. In attendance were the officials and representatives from the different offices of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the region, the City Engineers Office of the City of Tacloban and some from concerned Local Government Units. held last May 6, 2011, at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City, GM Villasin expressed his gratitude to all who have attended the meeting and for their cooperation and full support on the project. Said officials were consulted for their respective concerns, propositions, and other inputs particularly on the construction of Transmission Lines that will pass through or affect national, provincial, city, municipal roads and territorial jurisdictions or area of responsibilities. Among those who attended were Engr. Corazon Beringuel (DPWH1st LED), Engr. Joy Salino (DPWH, RO.8), Engr. Cesar Makabenta (DPWH-2nd LED), Mr. Juan Soliva (Chief Road Right of Way Section, DPWH Sub-district), Engr. Robert Lugnasin and Engr. Leovigildo Ladrera (both from the Provincial Engineers Office), Engr. Roberto Gabriana (Road Right of Way Agent of City Engineers Office), and Mr. Gerandio Calumag of LGU Pastrana. GM Villasin also acknowledged and thankful to those who have attended in the 1st & 2nd Consultative Meeting held last July 22, 2009 & January 12, 2010 to include Mr. Roland Hidalgo, City Planning and Development Officer of the city of Tacloban. GM Villasin said that the expansion program is designed to end the water problem in the city of Tacloban. The expansion program calls for the construction of a new water treatment plant and a transmission line from its new treatment plant to its reservoir in Tacloban with a holding capacity of 8,000 cubic meters. The project is expected to be finished by July 2012, Villasin said. Villasin said the new water treatment plant in Barangay Hibonawon, Jaro, Leyte will solely supply water to Tacloban which has been experiencing depressurization because of high water supply demand. This facility is only for Tacloban, Manager Villasin said. Water pressure is low in the entire city because it is located at the end of Leyte Metros distribution system. LMWD still has functioning facilities that serve the water consumers in Dagami, Pastrana, Tabon-tabon, Tolosa, Tanauan, Sta. Fe and Palo, Villasin added. The expansion project has been based in an earlier study conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) sometime in 2008 aimed at expanding water supply systems in five pilot water districts which included Leyte Metro. The study revealed there was really a need for expansion. However, from the economic point of view, considering the economic levels in Tacloban, it cannot be a stand-alone project, the LMWD manager said. The ADB study was validated and LMWD made its own detailed engineering study and gave it to LWUA (Local Water Utilities Administration) to come up with an appraisal report. It came out positively and that was one way of deciding to pursue with the expansion program because of water supply insufficiency of Tacloban. There are around 20,000 connections in Tacloban City, more than the systems capacity for the City. Tacloban gets about 70% of the water delivery and has been experiencing 25% deficiency, Ms. Teresa Pascua, Information Officer of LMWD said. At least 30,000 cubic meters of potable water is delivered by Leyte Metro to its service areas daily with the supply coming from its Dagami and Jaro-Pastrana plants, Ms. Pascua added. (PIA 8)

General Manager han DORELCO guin deklarar Persona Non Grata

ni John Sumayao
TANAUAN, Leyte. Usa nga resolusyon an guinkaurusahan han mga magbabalaod han munisipyo han bungto han Tanauan nagdedeklarar nga Persona non Grata an General Manager han DORELCO Atty. Emmanuel Sao, ngan nanginyopo ngadto han mga board of directors sakop han DORELCO Coverage Area nga tangalon ha posisyon kumu General manager hi Atty. Manny Sao ngan OIC Engr. Abelardo Balasbas. An Munisipyo han Tanauan kumu may ada duha nga mga dagko nga industriya ngan mayda tagkonsomo hin maabot 10,000 kan electric consumer, in pinakadako ngan maupay magbayad ha termino han pag konsumo ha elektrisidad ha bug-os nga coverage han DORELCO Area. An munisipyo han Tanauan ngan han DORELCO in hadto pa mayda maupay nga sumapyan kumu magka partner ha paghatag serbisyo ngadto han mga miyembro tagkonsumo pinaagi han maupay nga serbisyo ha elektrisidad tikang pa han naglabay nga administrasyon. Piro han yana nga panahon nahikit-an han mga magbabalaod han Bungto han Tanauan nga an presente nga administrasyon han DORELCO pinaagi han General Manager Emmanuel Sao ngan han OIC Engr. Abelardo Balasbas in nagios ha ira kalugaringon nga kapritso hin pag administrar nga kun diin ala kontra ngan kawaray pag respeto ha presente nga administrasyon han lokal nga pamunuan han munisipyo han Tanauan, Leyte ngan han mga miyembro tag konsumo han bungto han Tanauan. An Sannguniang Bayan han bungto ha Tanauan, Leyte pinaagi han ira Chairman Committee on Energy ngan Committee on Laws Rules and Ordinance, in nagpadanagat hin mga kumunikasyon ha opisina han General Manager ngan han opisina han OIC General Manager agud mag atender han Committee hearing nga mag tratratar hin mga isyo maypahisumpay han pagtaga kuryente, piro waray positibo nga baton nag guinbubuhat an opisina han General Manager nga kun diin nakikita nga waray pag respeto han opisina han mga magbabalaod ngan han mga miyembro tag konsumo han munisipyo han Tanauan. Ha pagklaro hin mga isyo nga nakaka apekto han pamunuan han DORELCO ngan pamiling hin pamaagi han mga magbabalaod ngan lokal nga administrasyon kaupod na an mga miyembro tag konsumo han kuryente han bungto han tanauan han ka waray pagtagad han nahitutungdan nga opisina han DORELCO han guin raise nga problema han mga tagkonsumo amu nga nahimugso ini nga Resolution No. 2011-37 nga guin motion ni Konsehal Asterio Mario Villero ngan guin segondahan ni Honorable Rodelio Perez ngan tanan nga mga magbabalaod han nasabi nga bungto.

EV development potentials
management, and the like. She however said that as their company is private they can only give advice, yet they are not going to give the same unless it is being sought. Admittedly, though, being a firsttime visitor in the city, Ms. Palafox also saw potentials in Heritage development in Tacloban, citing some old and historical buildings or structures which she noticed around the city. As prodded by the media, she said she would also like to imagine a bicycle lane around the citys downtown area, given its narrow kind of roads which are similar in some European countries. At MacArthur s Shrine in Palo, Ms. Palafox had also envisioned a golf course to be part of its landscape. According to Ms. Palafox, their company is doing the same urban planning and partnership with LGUs in the country like in the province of Ilocos norte, Guimaras, Batanes, Manila, and some areas in southern Mindanao, to name a few, where their success stories are being unfolded. She however believed that even without private partnership, LGUs are inherently capable of this kind

from p. 1 . . .

Mental Disorder Centre, itutukod na ha EVRMC

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte. Nakatalaan magtukod hin center for persons with mental disability an Department of Health Regional Office-8 ha Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) denhi ha syudad han Tacloban. Ine in kumo baton han DOH Regional Office pinaagi kan Regl Director Edgardo Gonzaga han pitad ni Konsehala Eden ChuaPineda nga mahatagan solusyon an nagtitikadamo na nga ihap hin mga mentally-ill persons denhi ha syudad yana. Segun kan Dir. Gonzaga, an center nga itutukod ha EVRMC amo an magiging lugar agud pagtambalon an sugad nga klase hin mga tawo denhi ha lugar. Nauna hine, naging kaparte han pagtratar han kadeklara han Sangyaw kumo opisyal nga dance festival ha Tacloban , nga ginpangunahan ni Konsehala Cristina G. Romualkdez, amo an paglimpiyo han syudad upod an mga may deperensiya ha huna-huna nga mahikikit-an ha kadalanan ha syudad nga usahay nagiging bayolente pa ha iba nga tawo, ilabi na nga tikaharani na an kapatrunan han Tacloban. (Daisy Polistico)

Kasambahay

from p. 1 . . .

household helpers act as efficient and effective labor multipliers within the purview of the macroeconomic perspective. Household helpers are also direct source of financial support for their dependents on the countryside, effectively creating significant economic well-being in the less developed areas of the country, he added.

On his wen, Rep. Enrile informed that today the Senate, through the legislative push of Senate Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, the Senate counterpart has passed 3rd reading. I hope the House of Representatives can make this a priority legislation to help all the Kasambahays nationwide. (Eden Benusa-Reyes)

of development in their respective areas, even from the barangay or village level what is just important is political will, willingness and participation of the public and their leaders whether they want this kind of development be implemented in their area. However she was candid enough in telling the media that there is quite a difference in terms of our views towards land use development in comparison to countries abroad. Prioritizing between people, environment and economy, we can notice that economy is being given more importance here in the country, she opined. Meanwhile, Dr. Andreas Lange, Chief adviser-Local Governance, Environment and Rural Development (EnRD) from German Development Cooperation GIZ (Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit) for the region, said that theyve been in partnership with the LGUs here in terms of providing capacity building and technical support to achieve the same purpose of development and sustainability.

Opinion

May 23-29, 2011 Feb. 14-20,

Editorial

Go forth and multiply

Everyone claims to have the right reasons. But if everyone is right, who is wrong? Who loses?

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odds. The PROs say we are poor because we are overpopulated, while the ANTIs say we are poor because of corruption which has nothing to do with our population. And then again, the PROs say we should teach our children about reproduction earlier so they will know the consequences of their actions while the ANTIs say we should let our children be children and preserve their innocence. With a slew of unanswered questions, the public remains undecided. Everyone claims to have the right reasons. But if everyone is right, who is wrong? Who loses? The problem of illiteracy, poverty, and corruption are a pox on mankind. But they have always been there, seething, waiting and strikingtaking advantage of the weak at every opportunity. While we are suffering, our heroes are playing a game of chess, each side takes turns to moveeach move towards defeating the other. In their game, we do not know who is the protagonist or the antagonist; both claim to be advocates of the masses, both want to become the hero to defeat illiteracy, poverty and corruption. These unending debates, faux intellectual mind games, are just a waste of time, and effort. It is us, the people, who will benefit or suffer from the results. Unfortunately, we only end up as mere observers and unwilling victims to this stale mate.

he debate on whether whos right or wrong is ongoing between the PROs and ANTIs of the controversial Reproductive Health Bill. The two opposing sides who are for and against, are at constant

Aaron J.P. Almadro

Editor-in-Chief & Art Director

Eden Benusa-Reyes
Managing Editor

Waray/Cultural Editor

Voltaire Oyzon

Jon Facundo Dee

Business Manager

Michael Ty Sumayod
Circulation Manager Contributing Writers Missy Misones, Valentina Mullet, John Sumayao, Valentina P. Mullet Columnists Msgr. Mon Aguilos, Jenelyn Garcia, Atty. Djhoana Antoni-Clemencio Contributing Illustrator Jojo Noble
Feature articles and columns contained herein are opinions of the contributing writers and columnists and are not necesarilly of the editorial team and the publisher. All materials within the newspaper are property of the publisher. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced, in part or in whole, without written permission from the publisher.

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May 23-29, 2011 Feb. 14-20,

Opinion

SoujournerS muSingS
Jen Garcia
s we all grow older, we try to reach back somewhere to our childhood for moments that could take us away especially from the meanderings of adulthood. We take shelter in them and bask in the ethereal yet so ephemeral familiarity of memories. My share of these moments includes the dusks when my Lolo Medios told stories about Kan Lopez and its enchanted denizens. With the glitter that only belief could have brought into his eyes, he lyrically swept us away to a world of beings that looked like men and women but with the powers of gods. One of my favorites of them was Bernabe. He was of Kan Lopez but was born to an elderly couple of Bucatutan, Rizal, which is a barrio of Dulag, Leyte. When he was born, he was as tiny as a sardine can; in days time he was a beautiful toddler; and, in a month he was a handsome young man. He ate too much that his human parents became bankrupt in less than a month thus forcing his father to attempt parricide twice. The first time, he was tricked to jump into the Pacific Ocean where biggest sharks waited; but, he smote all of them with his pisaw then went back home with two one on each shoulder. The second time, he was lured to accompany his father to a forest filled with trees that almost reached the skies and were ten times wider than the Maharlika Highway. His father asked him to

Kan Lopez
catch a befallen tree and when silence ensued he thought Bernabe was dead. An hour after his father arrived home, Bernabe shouted from the libong, Tatay, where should I put the firewood? His parents gazed with awe at the gargantuan tree on his shoulder. Lolo Medios painted with such beautiful words the kingdom of Kan Lopez. When he told us that one of our departed distant cousins was half engkanto; that he was not actually dead; and, that he was just at Kan Lopez, we all wanted his fate. Ate Puji and I were so convinced that every time we walked under the cool shades of the Kan Lopez trees, we respectfully chanted, Tabi apoy. Tabi mga umurukoy. More importantly, we never treaded the silent roads of Bucatutan without salt in our pockets because as much as we were so enamored with the fair-skinned tall people of Kan Lopez- we were afraid never again to lay sight on our loved ones. Amusingly, at 36 years of age when the ground I stand upon shake, I think of Bernabe. Lolo Medios told us that he made a giant kasing from the tree he carried home and rode on it to Amandewing where he slew the giant who guarded the two rock foundations of earth thus the responsibility of holding them apart rested on him. Every time I feel an earthquake I speak in an almost prayerful yet smiling tone, Bernabe must be resting

PerSPecTiveS
This column is for Gahum readers thoughts on current events, issues or plain observations in Eastern Visayas.

An Opinion on the K+12 Program

Valentina P. Mullet

The Law and me (againST The worLd)

Atty. Djhoana Gene A. Antoni-Clemencio
Sometimes it seems like law and me against the world; when all things and circumstances seem off beam and amiss, you can count on the law to bring equity and justice. (Inspired by the song You and Me against the World by Helen Reddy) ts been like ten or more years ago since the last time I wrote for a paper although its just been a cup of coffee away from the most recent pleading that I finished to beat a deadline the following day. I took the bar exams in 2008 and found my name on broadsheets in a List of Successful 2008 Bar Examinees on a Palm Sunday in April 2009. Since then, I have both been writing (pleadings and other legal documents) and speaking (in court, during hearings). I may be a neophyte in this profession but nevertheless, as a journalist, allow me to share the wisdom I gained as an administrator of justice and advocate of law. So, why THE LAW AND ME (AGAINST THE WORLD)? Many people face problems in life that require the counsel of one who has ample knowledge and training in law. Yet, only about one-third of them takes a step out and looks for a lawyer for help. The reasons vary. Therefore, a person with legal controversies are left alone and terrified in unfamiliar ground. It then becomes a situation of law and me (the person with a legal problem) against the world as there seems to be no way out of such predicament but through an awareness and understanding of the law that applies in their particular legal predicament. Thus, in the succeeding issues, I will, with passion and prudence, provide an understanding and appreciation of the applicable law for your legal problem or situation. You can ask about anything under

Know your rights

the sun from simple issues involving human relations to the more complicated issues pertaining marriage and annulment, violence against women and children, legitimacy, adoption, inheritance, acquisition of property and disputes involving property, contracts and the consequent obligations of the same as well as the liabilities of each party in case of breach, appropriate criminal charge in a particular wrongdoing, rights of an accused or detainee, duties and responsibilities of an officer of the law in apprehending or detaining a suspect and the corresponding administrative and criminal responsibilities for failure to observe the same, rights and benefits due to an employee and his reliefs in case of deprivation of said rights and benefits, and the list goes on. In the response: First, I will talk about the law/s applicable to your legal situation. Second, I will present some elucidations by discussing a decided case/s by the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court, that is analogous to your circumstance. Finally and as a conclusion, I will endeavor to provide you an answer and/or solution to your legal problem and recommend or refer you to appropriate offices to seek legal assistance from. Legal advise shall be provided in this column but legal assistance shall be a whole lot different story! So send in your questions and problems to gahumweekly@gmail.com and Ill answer them in the following issues. Remember, when a legal circus comes visit you, do not be frightened or be blue. For there is someone who knows the legal avenue, there is law and me (yours truly) looking after you. (Inspired by the song You and Me against the World by Helen Reddy)

new term has become a by-word these past few months in the academe and in the civil society the K+12 program of the DepEd. Just what is this about and why the fuss about it? K+12 means kindergarten and the 12 years of elementary and secondary educationone year in kindergarten, six years from Grades 1 to 6, four years of junior high school referred to as Grades 7 to 10, and two years senior high school referred to as Grades 11 to 12. The students will get an elementary diploma, a junior high school diploma, and a senior high school diploma. The two years of senior high school intend to provide time for students to consolidate acquired skills and competencies wherein they can choose specialization in Science, technology, music, arts, agriculture, sports, and business entrepreneurship. The 12-year basic education is a requirement for entry into the tertiary level. This new thrust of Philippine education is a manifestation of the governments concern and a rejoinder to the EFA goals for the welfare of our youth and country. The capabilities and competencies of the younger generation shaped the kind of society we will have in the future and DepEd is at the helm to do it. In the preparation of the K+12 implementation, the curriculum is enhanced according to the pattern and design of the new program, teachers trainings have been proposed and scheduled, and provision for equitable access are planned and set up. But, what about the teachers who are the front liners of this task? Are they willing and dedicated enough to back up this new thrust? It cannot be denied that a few inept and uncommitted teachers exist in the field who only teach to live but do not live to teach. Some are well-trained and wellverse in pedagogy but are indolent enough to impart their knowledge, time, and effort. They conduct unessential classroom activities which are not focused in achieving educational goals. Added to these are school heads who fall short of the desired competencies and commitment in doing administrative and supervisory functions. Because of some other business, they fail to engage in intensive classroom observation as well as in coaching and mentoring which is a must to lift up low-profile teaching staff. Lengthening the years of basic education will not do justice to the incompetence and negative work attitudes of some mentors and school administrators in the system. Even if basic education will reach up to 15 years and the above-mentioned personnel are not capable to do their job, education in the Philippines remains the same as it is. It would be fitting to revisit and review the curriculum of the teacher education institution in such a way that graduates of education courses are fully-equipped with the required skills and attitude making them capable not only of the K+12 implementation but in the life-long crusade of education. Not to be overlooked is the inculcation of to page 6

Opinion/Feature

May 23-29, 2011 Feb. 14-20,

K-12 from p. 5 . . .

Open letters to Gahum Weekly concerning two articles in Gahum Weekly No. 10 and 11
1.Why The Philippines As foreigner I am aware of many deprivations. To state a few, I have no right to interfere in the political affairs of the country. Assuming that the country is a democratic land, Maharlike which is fully welldeserved for the future, may I cite to you over my country, not to say its better than the rest of the countries of the world. I am a native Flemish man and I really adhere to the nationalistic ideas from the start of my young life. I have tried to defend my Flemish country against the impact of imperialism of the French talking people. I understand your goal and I shall be happy to sent out dozens of letters that my home address is Maharlika. It needs to be realistic, exert stronger expression, correct and justifying arguments against the adversaries. Corruption, poverty, criminality and all sorts of radical misdeeds surrounding the country could not be blown away by a new name. Furthermore, there are many countries which have an article, for example: The Netherlands, Great Britain which is better known as United Kingdom. In long decades it was known as West Germany and for many decades it wasU.S.S. R. Or Soviet union. The French people are not talking over France but over Le France. 2. My Statement over Bert Adas Article a) The International Monetary Fund is headed by a leftist leader. If you make a hard comment over I.M.F. then the leftist person feels that he is demoralized. b) It is easy to make unrefined comment over the U.S.A. but my guy dont forget the humanitarian help extended by the U.S.A. to Egypt. c) While Egypt is majority Islamic and Arabic talking country, for what the petroleum dollars of other Islamic and Arabic countries were not helping the Egyptian people? d)Tunisia has the same troubles as Egypt. The Tunisian Dicatator, Ben Ali and his party R.C.D. was during many years a member of the Socialist International. e)The moment you express a hard comment on the center right side of Europe for not intervening in North Africa then you are right. But you may not exclude President Mitterand of France while he was really a leftsider and twice chosen President of France. You need to note also that Chancellor Schroder was two times Chancellor of Germany and openly belong to the leftists. You can be sure too, that the leftsider Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom was twice chosen in that position. All other influential people belonging to the leftist group to mention, there is Joop Den Uil (the Netherlands), Swedish and Norwegian political persons were not also intervening in North Africa, Morocco, not in Algeria, Tunesia, Libya and Egypt. It is unfair to blame only the U.S.A. and exclude the leftist. Let us pray. Frank Joris Hollywood Extension 6809 Guiuan, E. Samar, Maharlika

desirable work attitudes of teachers and administrators through valueformation seminars vis--vis with academic workshops for new teachers and school heads. For those who are in the service, a periodic refresher course on proper work habits should be conducted to instill the value of work and excellence in the service. Competent teachers outnumber the half-baked ones and to harness their potential for the K+12 implementation, their salaries should be upgraded. Many of them go to foreign lands like Canada and Australia because they are discontented with the salary they received here. According to Eggers and Calegari, producer of the documentary, American Teacher, teachers from Finland, Singapore, and South Korea performed best on standardized test because they have high remuneration. If they perform well on standardized test, they can have much to impart to the learners because they are intrinsically motivated. If we were committed to winning the future, teachers salaries should be increased. Improving our education begins and ends with great teachers and school heads who will elevate the K+12 program to its highest level.
Mrs. Valentina P. Mullet, is a Principal 1 , at Malapoc Sur Elementary School, Maasin City Division, Southern Leyte.

In Loving Memory Transfiguracion Loyola Morrero

36th Death Anniversary May 21, 1976 at age 75 His living children Segundina del Rosario, Emiliana Hamilton, Primo Dee, Gorgonia Pelayo, Mario Loyola, Jon Facundo Dee, Luciana Banzon, and Guadette Melquiadez request your prayers at the 7:00 A.M. masses to be offered on May 21st and May 25th at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Guiuan. E. Samar.

Rosjane from p. 1 . . .

had to renounce from the competitive scene for she focused for another title. Two years after, the Waray beauty queen came up with a different title- Registered Nurse! She is now pursuing Law wherein she is currently a first year student. Later this year, she is also planning to attend the screening for the upcoming Binibining Pilipinas search. Armed with passion and dedication, who knows someday this Waray will seize the crown and be the next Binibining Pilipinas. Rosjane Tiunayan is also on the cover of the latest issue of 8 Magazine, Eastern Visayas first travel and lifestyle magazine.

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May 23-29, 2011 Feb. 14-20,

Culture and heritage

The convention formally opened at the Balyuan Convention Center in Tacloban City in the afternoon of May 9, 2001.

A Cerebral Gathering, a Visual Feast... from page 8

Photo by Rollie Borrinaga

Fr. Gilbert G. Urbina, STD, presents a paper on the devotion to the Santo Nio of Leyte during the second day of the convention at the ARCIVU Hall in Palo, Leyte.

Peter and Paul Parish was offered in Tacloban at the Hotel Alejandro, itself a heritage hotel, because of its storied past dating many decades of pre and post war days. Then it moved to the Balyuan Convention Center for the official opening ceremonies. There in that building-by-the-bay, the official opening rites were held. Father Milan Ted Torralba, the Executive Secretary of the CBCP-PCHCC, explained to the delegates the conference rationale at the same time laid down the principle and philosophy behind efforts at making cultural heritage alive in the Church. The keynote speaker of the conference was the CBCP President Catholic Bishop Nereo Odchimar, JCD. The Bishop of Tandag emphasized, one must realize that revitalizing Christian Cultural Heritage is equally revitalizing the church, the Christian society, bringing them the fresh memory of how the good news of Jesus came and penetrated their hearts, inspired and transformed their whole

being and eventually created Christian spirit and culture in their midst. The first two papers were on renovations. Architect Clarissa Avendao showed how cultural experts, artists and arts faculty from UST pooled their material resources, efforts and talents together to give the Museo de Nuestra Seora de Manaoag of Pangasinan its needed facelift. Fr. Brian Brigoli of the Archdiocese of Cebu, on the other hand, discussed the recent P30-million renovation work of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the second one made during the 26-year term of office of Ricardo Cardinal Vidal who on January 13, 2011 turned over the Church leadership of Cebu to Archbishop Jose Palma, erstwhile Archbishop of Palo. Director Karen Tiopes of the Department of Tourism Region 8 personally welcomed the delegates during the luncheon (complete with a power point presentation about the Eastern Visayas region). Msgr. Jaime Villanueva, the Administrator of the Archdiocese of Palo, celebrated the opening mass held at the Sto. Nio Church. In the name of the City Mayor Alfred Romualdez who was stranded elsewhere outside Leyte owing to the typhoon, Administrative Officer Ildebrando Bernadas offered words of welcome during the dinner hosted by the City Government of Tacloban.

An earlier shot of the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral.

DAy 2: PALO, LEyTE

The following day, May 10, the delegates moved to the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral where everyone was awed by the magnificently re-gilded grand baroque altar retablo, closed off for at this time from the public while the Cathedral is undergoing renovation. The Palo leg of the convention likewise treated the delegates to an exhibition at the Cathedral sacristy showcasing icons, images, heirlooms and symbols that are brought into the open during the Holy Week. Then there was the unique practice of the Penitentes, the men who don what many thought as hoods and
Mater Dolorosa, an heirloom of the Urbina family of Palo, Leyte

Photo by Dulz Cuna

robes akin to those of the Ku Klux Klan as a form of penance, following the Spanish tradition in Seville, Spain. The afternoon was also highlighted by the Flores de Mayo, a Marian ritual unique to the area. Its an activity honouring the Blessed Mother, where girls, lasses and ladies vested themselves in white with a blue sash around their waist and wearing a white veil. The choreography, the formation as well as the music (composed and arranged by a local artist the late Prof. Agustin El OMora) prompted Prof. Eric Zerrudo, of the CBCP-PCHCC national secretariat to remark, Its as if we were in a time warp; we felt drawn back to the 50s when ladies still wore veils for masses. Later in the evening, when the Santacruzan processions were held in many areas within the town, delegates witnessed another riveting devotional practice where a huge cross fashioned out of bamboo and covered with coloured cellophane containing lighted candles were carried around the streets. Prof. Bersales wrote in his article to a national paper, It was quite a sight to behold with the candles burning brightly while caged inside the cellophane [that] covered [the] interior of the cross. At the ARCIVU Hall (the name is an acronym for Archbishop Cipriano V. Urgel, the fifth bishop of Palo and its first archbishop) papers of various cultural typology were presented. First was on the devotion to the Sto. Nio of Tacloban by Father Gilbert Urbina, who discussed the historical background of the Leyteos devotion to the Holy Child. He also explained the reason why the month of June is its chosen fiesta month instead of January, even as he challenged those concerned the historical accuracy of the Balyuan Rites during the fiesta week. Second was a paper on the UST quadricentennial national cultural treasures by Father Isidro Abao, a Dominican. An expert in the cultural heritage of the church, Father Abao showed the implications of the universitys cultural

treasures to Church heritage conservation. The third talk shifted to conservation training, when Architect Michael Manalo reported to the body about a program aimed at helping out-of-school youths realize their hidden potential in skilled labour and workmanship. In an upbeat mode Manalo explained the concept of Escuela Taller, the vocational school of which he is the executive director, the partnership between the National Commission of Culture and the Arts and the Spanish government, and how young men and women are taught to hone their workmanship skills by restoring historical sites. Like an orchestra ending with a stirringly high note, the series of conferences of the day was capped by a talk on liturgical music with focus on the restoration of pipe organs in Manila. Prof. Ferdinand Bautista, whose whole life has been devoted to music ministry and education, showed how pipe organs were used in Manila even as early as the 16th century, how they had ac accompanied human voices, whether a congregation, a choir or a cantor or soloist all these centuries. He also narrated the story behind their challenging but successful attempts at restoring these complex humanmade creations to their original grandeur and glory. Worth mentioning too were the welcome remarks made by Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, the Cathedral Rector, and Madame Mimietta Bagulaya, the Vice Governor of the Province of Leyte. The cathedral rector offered some historical vignettes on the church in Palo, including the archdioceses present renovation project on time for the 75th anniversary of the canonical erection of the Palo diocese in 2012. The lady vice governor read the message of Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla who, due to some pressing commitments, was not on hand to personally welcome the delegates.

(To be continued...)

Photo by courtesy of the Municipality of Palo

Photo by Rollie Borrinaga

A Cerebral Gathering, a Visual Feast, a Heritage Pilgrimage

Notes during the 7th Biennial National Convention for Church Heritage Workers and Practitioners, May 9-12, 2011
by Msgr. Ramon B. Aguilos, MSEM, STD

Art/heritage

May 23-29, 2011 Feb. 14-20,

It was a gathering that challenged the mind, appealed to the eye and soothed the soul.
I am referring to 7th Biennial National Convention of Church Cultural Heritage Practitioners held on May 9-12, 2011 and hosted by the Archdiocese of Palo. It was an event that, like it did in the six other past conventions, served as a forum for the study, appreciation, protection and care of the cultural heritage of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Notwithstanding the winds battering Eastern Samar as typhoon Bebeng moved northward, around 100 delegates from various sectors participated in the convention composed of bishops, priests, religious, church cultural heritage committees of dioceses and parishes, students and graduates of cultural heritage study programs, cultural heritage tourism practitioners, conservators, curators, advocates and enthusiasts. Convened by the CBCP Permanent Committee for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, the Convention was held this time in
Part of the exhibition installed at the sacristy of the Palo Cathedral during the convention. Here the Santo Entierro is uncovered and the hole where the spear was pierced in Christ side is shown. They fill it with a bag of faux blood during the Pamalandong re-enactment; notice the sentinel in white Klu-Klux-Klan-like attire. He dons this robe as part of the pageantry in Palo during the Holy Week.

Eastern Visayas. It was an assembly which, in the words of Professor Jose Eleazar Bersales, a participant from the Archdiocese of Cebu, doubled as a cerebral gathering and a visual feast at the same time. Let me add: it was a heritage pilgrimage as well, since the convention moved from place to place in Leyte and Samar and visited various places, especially churches, of heritage value and historical interest.

DAy 1: TACLOBAN CITy

On May 9 a welcome luncheon sponsored by Cong. Lucy Torres-Gomez and the Sts.
to page

Photo by Dulz Cuna

Awe and inspiration --- thats the close-up shot of the retablo of the Palo Cathedral

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