August 20, 2009
Basilan war probe urged
(Left photo Charlie Saceda/Reuters) Wounded soldiers were treated in a military hospital in Zamboanga on Thursday after a battle with Abu Sayyaf rebels on Basilan island in the southern Philippines.
(Middle photo) A priest blesses the bodies of the soldiers who died in the battle between the rebels. Inquirer.net (Right photo) US soldiers pay their respects to the 23 soldiers killed in Wednesday’s battle with
the Abu Sayyaf. — Photo By Jonathan L. Cellona
BASILAN - War has erupted
again in the tiny island of Basilan.
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits
killed 23 soldiers – one of the big-
gest single-day loses in the mili-
tary’s campaign against terror in
Mindanao.
Army officials said as many as
40 ASG members were killed in the
day-long battle in Brgy. Silangkom,
Tipo-Tipo municipality, although
they have recovered only 21 bodies.
It was the military’s heaviest
loss since 14 Marines were killed
while trying to rescue Italian priest
Giancarlo Bossi, also in Basilan, in
2007.
The United States has classified
the ASG as a terrorist organization
after the spate of kidnappings that
has resulted in the murders of two
Americans.
www.pinoyherald.org
First Year, No.19
August 20, 2009
INSIDE
Tita Cory,
National Hero?
PAGE 2
Nurses seeking US jobs
on the decline
PAGE 3
Moro rebels violated
ceasefire, ambushed
Marines
PAGE 9
As RP gets poorer,
PGMA gets richer
PAGE 11
The ASG is believed to be affili-
ated with the Jemaa Islamiya, an Al-
Qaeda organization.
US Special Operations troops are
currently helping the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) campaign
to eradicate the ASG threat, sharing
intelligence gathered by unmanned
drones and sophisticated equip-
ment that listen in on wireless com-
munications.
However, it’s not clear if the US
was involved in the latest military
offensive in Basilan.
It’s possible their attention was
focused elsewhere because the
nuclear aircraft carrier USS George
Washington was anchored off Ma-
nila Bay, and terrorists are known
to operate even in the Metro Manila
region.
The last time the US was known
And I love you so
PAGE 13
Guimaras
PAGE 20
to have participated in an AFP op-
eration was the killing of ASG chief-
tain Abu Sabaya in 2002.
The US was able to intercept
Sabaya’s cellphone conversations
which helped Philippine Navy com-
mandoes hone in on his location off
the Zamboanga Peninsula .
TROOPS WALKED
INTO TRAP?
The Basilan battle started at 3:47
in the morning of August 12 when
Philippine Marines soldiers at-
tacked an ASG mountain fortress
where they reportedly manufac-
tured bombs for terror attacks all
over Mindanao.
When reinforcements from the
67th Marine Raider Company tried
to join the battle, they were report-
edly ambushed by members of
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Eighteen of the soldiers killed be-
longed to this group.
Among the fatalities were two
young officers – 1st Lt. Chester Bare-
la who graduated from the Philip-
pine Military Academy (PMA) only
in 2004, and 1st Lt. Del John Evan-
gelista, who graduated from the
PMA only in 2006.
Three of the slain soldiers be-
longed to the Philippine Army,
which fielded the US-trained and
equipped Light Reaction Company.
On the other hand, two rank-
ing ASG commanders, identified
as Muttong Indama and Asid Sali,
were killed in the clash.
Surviving soldiers evacuated
to Zamboanga City, suspected the
ASG was tipped off.
“I was really wondering why
they knew about our movements,”
PFC Randy Liboon, one of the
wounded soldiers, reported.
Military intelligence had also se-
riously underestimated the number
of ASG bandits in the area. They ex-
pected 50 but some of the soldiers
said, there could have been as many
as 200 fighting them.
Soldiers’ accounts said what
started off as running skirmishes
deteriorated into “face-to-face”
fighting.
Rear Admiral Alexander Pama,
Task Force Trillium commander,
said the captured camp was were
the ASG terrorists brought their kid-
nap victims.
Fuel Furor
The task force was responsible
for coordinating the various units
mobilized for last week’s Basilan of-
fensive.
Pama said the renewed cam-
paign is the military’s response to
the spate of terror attacks following
the release of kidnapped Red Cross
workers – Swiss national Andreas
Notter, Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba
and Italian Eugenio Vagni – in Sulu
last April.
President Arroyo, visiting the
“front” in the war on terror, again
ordered the military to wipe out the
ASG.
“The President directed the AFP
that the war on terror in Basilan
should be rapidly concluded and all
efforts should be focused on annihi-
lating terrorism not only in Basilan
but all parts of the country,” said
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.
It wasn’t the first time President
Arroyo has given that order to the
military.
EMPTY ORDERS
TO THE TROOPS
To many, it was another instance
when Mrs. Arroyo was trying to
play general without recognizing
the complexity of the conflict in
Basilan.
For one, the government will
need to resolve its relationship with
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) which has camps in Basi-
lan, Sulu and many parts of Central
Mindanao .
At least eight of the supposed
ASG fatalities turned out to be MILF
guerillas.
The Arroyo administration is try-
ing to restart peace talks with the
MILF after it collapsed when the
government backed out abruptly,
only hours before a scheduled sign-
continued on page 23
PGMA
Dinners
By Rodney J. Jaleco
President Arroyo’s historic
meeting with President Obama
has been overshadowed by two
controversial dinners in Washing-
ton DC and New York .
She never got a chance to crow
about her most recent US visit,
cut short by the passing of the be-
loved former President Corazon
Aquino.
The New York Post’s tabloid
gossip column drew first blood,
reporting President Arroyo’s din-
ner at the swanky Le Cirque res-
taurant in New York on August 2.
The President’s party reportedly
racked up a $20,000 bill, drawing
immediate condemnation back
home. Critics said it was scandal-
ous for Mrs. Arroyo to spend the
equivalent of almost P1 million
for a single dinner, when over a
third of Filipinos miss at least one
meal a day because of extreme
poverty.
Not to be outdone, the Wash-
ington Post own gossip section
revealed another dinner that cost
$15,000. This time in downtown
DC Bobby Vans Steakhouse res-
taurant, where the President and
a party of over 65 dined hours
after her meeting with President
Obama last July 30.
Asked about the report, a floor
manager at Bobby Vans confirmed
the report, even pointing to the
corner where President Arroyo
sat.
Unlike Le Cirque, a favorite
continued on page 21
 August 20, 2009

Tita Cory for National hero?

After the overwhelming showers of love
and support, the honors are now starting to
pour in for the late former President Cora-
zon Cojuangco Aquino.
Just a couple of weeks after the democ-
racy icon’s tragic death, a number of law-
makers have been working double-time to
hasten the passing of laws that would give
due recognition to Tita Cory’s sacrifices
and honor her incalculable contribution to
the country.
Camarines Norte Rep. Liwayway
Vinzons Chato recently filed House Joint
Resolution No. 42, which called on Con-
gress to declare Aquino a national hero
and urged the National Historical Institute
(NHI) to designate, build and declare his-
toric structures, edifices and monuments
commemorating her heroism.
In a related move, Agusan del Sur Rep.
Rodolfo Plaza filed House Joint Resolution
No. 41, which seeks to make the late for-
mer President a “hero of the Republic of
the Philippines,” in order to ensure “the
continuity of her legacy of democracy and
love of country and as a way of instilling
patriotism and nationalism in the minds of
Filipinos of future generations.”
Both resolutions were immediately re-
ferred to the rules committee and are cur-
rently subjects of discussion in the House
Tita Cory Aquino
plenary.
In similar moves honoring the late wid-
ow of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino,
Senators also filed 12 resolutions honoring
Aquino and expressing “deepest condo-
lences” to her family.
A joint resolution, approved by both
legislative chambers, also bestowed the
“highest congressional honor” on the late
President.
It should also be recalled that The House
of Representatives suspended sessions for
the week in deference to the nationwide
mourning of Aquino’s death.
According to Chato, declaring Aquino a
national hero is vital in instilling national-
ism and pride of country.
“A people needs to be aware of their his-
tory in order to understand their present,”
she said in pushing for her resolution.
The Camarines Norte representative
also hailed the late President for continu-
ing to battle corruption, injustice and po-
litical tyranny even in her last days, and
praised her for bringing honor to the
country.
“With an unwavering faith in God, she
left a legacy that transcended the many
failings of her administration. The consoli-
dation of democracy through the peaceful
hand-over of power in a country where no
president had stepped down voluntarily
since 1964 was perhaps her greatest,” Cha-
to added.
In his resolution, Plaza noted the many
accolades and words of love for the former
President and her accomplishments, even
in death.
“After her term ended, President Aqui-
no remained an indefatigable force and
a unifying force by leading the people in
campaigns to fight government abuses
and whenever democracy and the coun-
try’s democratic gains and institutions are
threatened,” Plaza said.

FilAms decry Obama-Arroyo meet as one of ‘missed opportunity’

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Filipino Ameri-
cans expressed disappointment that the re-
cent meeting between U.S. President Barack
Obama and Philippine President Gloria Ma-
capagal Arroyo did not discuss issues close
to their hearts, such as immigration, veter-
ans pension, and graft and corruption in
Manila.
“It’s a useless meeting. The Philippines is
not going to benefit from this meeting, just
expenses for the country,” said Tess Alarcon,
who works for a nonprofit organization.
“I would have liked for them to talk about
immigration,” said community activist Ben
de Guzman.
“I would have liked to see discussions
about not only Filipinos in the Philippines
but how our kababayans here are affected
by the issues here.” He was referring to the
gripping recession that is forcing some Fili-
pinos to lose their jobs and foreclose on their
homes.
“I was disappointed that there wasn’t a
broader effort to have more public meetings
with people here and the community. I just
didn’t get a sense of interest working with
the organizations here on more than a social
level,” De Guzman added.
Disappointment was also the mood of
85-year-old veteran Guillermo Rumingan.
He said the veterans issue was hardly dis-
cussed.
Arroyo’s eight-day working visit to the
United States that brought her to Washing-
ton has elicited praise from Obama and oth-
er government leaders.
He said, “I am very pleased that Presi-
dent Arroyo has made such good progress
on dealing with counterterrorism issues. She
has initiated a peace process in Mindanao
that we think has the potential to bring peace
and stability to a part of the Philippines that
has been wracked by unrest for too long.”
Obama also noted the Philippines’ strong
voice in the South East Asian region. she was cutting short her visit so she could dinand Marcos in a People Power revolu-
“We are very grateful for the strong join the country in mourning the loss of the tion. PN
voice that the Philippines has provided in historic president that ousted dictator Fer-
dealing with issues in Asia ranging from
the human rights violations that have for
too long existed in Burma to the problems
that we’re seeing with respect to nuclear
proliferation in North Korea.
”For her part, Arroyo thanked Obama
for the invitation to the White House, and
also the U.S. for “being such a good ally.”
“The U.S. is very essential to the eco-
nomic, diplomatic, and national security
of our country. We are very thankful for
the U.S. as an important ally in helping to
professionalize our military and making it
more effective.” Arroyo said.
“Just as important, we are thankful
to the U.S. for being such a good ally in
our -- working on soft power by helping
us build bridges, roads, schools, not only
in Mindanao but across the nation. And
this assistance of the U.S. has gone a long
way in helping us to achieve what we have
been able to achieve in the peace process
in Mindanao in southern Philippines, and
also in our fight against terrorism.”
Arroyo, touted as the first Southeast
Asian leader invited by Obama to the
White House, was accompanied to the
meeting by Ambassador Willy Gaa, For-
eign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo,
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, House
Speaker Prospero Nograles, presidential
adviser on climate change Heherson Al-
varez, and Executive Secretary Eduardo
Ermita.
This is her fourth visit to the United
States as president. From Washington, she
would have proceeded to New York, Chi-
cago and Guam before flying home. While
she was in New York, however, former
President Corazon Aquino died. Arroyo
issued a statement from New York that

2
 August 20, 2009

Pinoy Miami Heat coach is first Asian in NBA

WITH the advent of global-
ization, Miami Heat coach Eric
Spoelstra wouldn’t be surprised
if one day a breakthrough Filipino
player would finally make it to
the NBA.
“Why not? Think big. It’s gon-
na happen at some point,” said
the soft-spoken mentor. He didn’t
even go far and cited his case as
the first Asian-American coach in
the world’s premiere basketball
league.
In case you don’t know, Spoels-
tra is half Filipino, his mother, the
former Elisa Celino is from San
Pablo, Laguna, while his father,
Joe worked as an NBA executive
for teams such as Portland Trail-
blazers, Denver Nuggets, Buffalo
Braves and New Jersey Nets.
“I don’t think anybody would
have thought five years ago that
there would ever be an Asian-
American head coach in any ma-
jor league in America.
“Things can happen. I think the
world is changing. It’s becoming
more global,” said the former Uni-
versity of Portland stalwart, who
worked his way up to become the
current coach of the Heat team
that features star players Dwayne
Wayde and Jermaine O’Neal.
Spoelstra went back to his roots
for a week-long coaching clinic
as part of the US Department of
States’ Sports Envoy Program.
Along with Heat assistant Da-
vid Fizdale and St. Francis Col-
lege assistant coach and former
WNBA All-Star Sue Wick, Spoels-
tra had been busy going from one
clinic to another the past few days,
but was generous enough to ac-
commodate the special luncheon
hosted by the PBA and Powerade
Thursday at Kamayan-Edsa.
PBA commissioner Sonny Bar-
rios and Powerade-Team Pilipi-
nas manager Jose Bayani Baylon
were present during the quick,
but very entertaining affair also
attended by league Board of Gov-
ernors Robert Non, Rene Pardo,
and Atty. Memerto Mondragon of
Rain or Shine and coaches Yeng
Guiao, Jong Uichico of Ginebra,
Tim Cone of Alaska, Barako Bull’s
Leo Isaac and Boyet Fernandez
Eric Spoelstra Sta. Lucia.
Reminded that a Filipino play-
er by the name of Johnny Abar-
first local player in the NBA is a
big man, a guard or a PBA super-
star.
“It will just take the right tim-
ing, the right player and the right
mentality,” he pointed out. The
38-year-old Heat coach, who was
barely three years old when he
last visited the country, even men-
tioned the case of retired NBA
superstar Damon Stoudamire. “I
don’t know whether it would be
a point guard, shooting guard,
small forward. I don’t know. But
there are small players in the NBA
who made a big impact.
“I grew up with one of them.
In Portland, he’s an older player
who just retired last year. He’s
Damon Stoudamire and he had
a heck of a career in the league.
He’s only 5-9,” said Spoelstra of
the pint-sized guard who was the
1996 NBA Rookie of the Year.
“He just came up around my
shoulder and we grew up togeth-
er. But he kicked my butt all the
time every which way it possibly
could,” he said, eliciting a good
laugh from his curious audience.
Spoelstra also delved into other
interesting subjects, including his
*Coach Riley is phenomenal.
The first time I started working
for him, he’s like an icon for me. I
remembered him from the Laker
days. I have his books. And the
first time I’ve met him I was really
nervous.
The first year I worked with
him, he says I’ve been working
for him for over a year and yet he
didn’t know my name.
I’m honored that he trusts me
enough. But he’s phenomenal as a
boss, more so now as a mentor.”
*On his probable role to further de-
velop basketball in the country.
“Hopefully... just to help in any
way possible because it’s the no.
1 sport in the Philippines
* On whether he speaks any Tagalog
word/s
“I can’t. But I’m trying to learn
some words. I think the kids are
trying to teach me some foul
words. I’ll try my best the rest of
the week to learn.
*On Filipino food
“My cousin makes great
lumpia.
*On ex-PBA import and one-time
NBA player Billy Ray Bates.
“I grew up watching him since

Nurses seeking U.S.

rientos was once considered by work as Miami Heat coach. he’s also from Portland. I’m a big
an NBA team, Spoelstra said it On his working relationship with fan of him. Until now, he’s a leg-
doesn’t really matter whether the great NBA coach Pat Riley. end in Portland. -- PNS

jobs on the decline

MANILA -- The number of Fili-
pino nurses wanting to work in
America dropped 16 percent in
the first semester, as the world’s
largest economy sank deeper into
recession, the Trade Union Con-
gress of the Philippines (TUCP)
reported Friday.
TUCP secretary-general and
former Senator Ernesto Herrera
said a total of 8,272 Filipino nurses
sought to practice their profession
in America by taking the US Nclex
for the first time from January to
June. This was 1,565 fewer com-
pared to the 9,837 that took the
test in the same six-month period
in 2008. The Nclex refers to US Na-
tional Council (of State Boards of
Nursing) Licensure Examinations
for registered and practical nurs-
es.
In the whole of 2008, a total of
20,746 Filipino nurses took the
Nclex for the first time. This was
down 3.5 percent compared to the
21,299 Filipino nurses that took
the test for the first time in 2007.
Filipino accounted for 37 percent
of the 22,500 foreign-educated
nurses who took the Nclex for the
first time (that is, non-repeaters)
in the first semester, according to
Herrera.
“The deepening recession in
America has clearly diminished
the desire of some Filipino nurses
to seek employment there,” said
Herrera, former chairman of the
Senate committee on labor, em-
ployment and human resources
development.
He also said a growing number
of Filipino nurses now prefer en-
tering other foreign labor markets
outside America, particularly the
United Kingdom and the Middle
East.
“Actually, fewer nurses from
India, Korea, Canada and Cuba
are seeking US jobs as well,” Her-
rera said.
Nurses from India who took the
Nclex for the first time in the first
semester were down 56 percent (to
750 from 1,715). Those from South
Korea were down 35 percent (to
613 from 934); from Canada down
36 percent (to 314 from 494); and
from Cuba down 38 percent (to
192 from 309).
The four countries are the other
top suppliers of foreign nurses to
America.
The Philippines now has some
600,000 nurses actively looking for
jobs here and abroad, or forced to
perform work outside their profes-
sion. They include the 99,837 who
passed the local nursing licensure
examinations from July 2008 to
July 2009.
To help address the problem,
the government has engaged
10,000 of them under the Nurses
Assigned in Rural Service (Nars).
The project allows nurses to serve
in the country’s depressed munic-
ipalities for six months in return
for a monthly allowance of P8,000.
(PN)

3

Confusion mars appointment of new Veterans envoy
By Rodney J. Jaleco
The country’s former top spy will
take over the Philippine veterans
lobby on Capitol Hill, but Mala-
canang apparently forgot to tell the
special envoy he was going to re-
place about the change.
Retired Maj. Gen. Delfin Lorenza-
na carries the rank of ambassador,
and heads the Office of Veterans Af-
fairs at the Philippine Embassy in
Washington DC.
He found out he was going to be
jobless through news reports on the
internet.
He immediately called officials at
the Department of National Defense
and Philippine Veterans Affairs Of-
fice (PVAO), who told him he’s been
sacked.
As of Friday, Lorenzana still had
to get any formal notification of his
relief.
He will be replaced by retired
Brig. Gen. Victor Corpus, army de-
fector, communist insurgent com-
mander and military intelligence
chief. His last government job was
leading the illegal logging campaign
following the deadly 2004 landslides
in Quezon Province.
Both men are graduates of the
Philippine Military Academy – Cor-
pus in 1967 and Lorenzana in 1973.
After graduation, Corpus opted
to teach at his alma mater where in
1970, he led a raid on the Fort del
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Pilar armory in Baguio City and de-
fected to the fledgling New People’s
Army (NPA). He worked his way
up, joining the Communist Party of
the Philippines (CPP) ruling central
committee five years later.
He was captured in 1976 and
spent the next decade behind bars.
He was among those released un-
der the general amnesty declared by
President Corazon Aquino, after the
People Power revolt.
If Corpus was the man outside
looking in during the 1986 EDSA
uprising, Lorenzana was the man
inside.
A Mindanao native, he was one
of the key officers belonging to the
Reform the AFP Movement (RAM),
who withdrew support from strong-
man President Ferdinand Marcos
that sparked People Power.
He was then an army Major who
manned the mutineers’ battle com-
mand post in Camp Crame (they
were originally at Camp Aguinaldo
but moved to the national police
headquarters at the urging of then
PC-INP chief Fidel V. Ramos).
ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN
Both officers have close ties to
President Arroyo.
Lorenzana was commander of
the Light Armor Brigade based in
Tarlac in March 2001. Weeks later,
he was also named commander of
Task Group “Palace Shield” – the
principal strike force of Joint Task
Force “Libra” established amid the
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of Joseph Estrada, who was ousted
by Mrs. Arroyo in another People
Power revolt.
When hundreds of thousands of
Estrada loyalists swooped down on
Malacanang after a two-day vigil at
the EDSA Shrine, Lorenzana’s “fly-
ing column” – tanks and armored
vehicles rushing to President Ar-
royo’s aid – proved pivotal in crush-
ing the Estrada-inspired uprising.
The support of the Light Armor
Brigade is always crucial because
most troops do not have adequate
anti-tank weapons.
President Arroyo was clearly in-
debted to the general.
Just a few weeks before Al-qaeda
launched its most infamous attack
on the United States, Lorenzana
took over the post of defense attaché
in Washington DC.
Suddenly, that assignment gained
added value and relevance in the
post 9-11 environment, especially
when the Philippines was elevated
to the status of a major non-NATO
ally in 2003.
Lorenzana was named head of
the newly established Office of Vet-
erans Affairs at the Philippine Em-
bassy. The government and Fil-Am
organizations had decided to inten-
sify efforts to win equity benefits for
about 18,000 remaining Filipino vet-
erans of World War II.
That culminated with the passage
last February of the stimulus bill,
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which contained provisions for a
lump sum payment for Filipino vet-
erans here and in the Philippines.
Despite the significantly reduced
amount, it was considered a victory
because the Filipino lobby success-
fully fended off efforts by the bill’s
opponents to omit veterans in the
Philippines.
Lorenzana wrote appeals on be-
half of the aging veterans to the bill’s
chief opponents, Republican Sena-
tors Larry Craig and Richard Burr.
CHANGING IN MIDSTREAM
Confusion marred Corpus’ ap-
pointment almost immediately. Ini-
tial reports said he was appointed as
special adviser to the President on
veterans matters.
Corpus is close both to the Presi-
dent and the First Gentleman, Mike
Arroyo.
He is considered a counter-in-
surgency warfare expert. His book
“Silent War” explains how the NPAs
infiltrate barangays and use them
later for ambuscades and attacks on
soldiers.
After his release, he was rein-
stated with the Armed Forces of the
Philippines in 1987, with the rank of
Lieutenant-Colonel. He was named
Chief of the AFP Intelligence Service
(ISAFP) just as the Arroyo govern-
ment was teetering from the threat
of Estrada loyalists in 2001.
He retired a one-star general after
heading the AFP’s principal psy-
chological warfare operating unit,
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the Civil Relations Service (CRS), in
2003.
But Corpus would prefer to be
recognized for his environmental
work, especially in the protection
of forest resources. He developed a
system of forest stewardship in Pan-
ay Island.
He has Masters in Public Admin-
istration from Harvard.
He’s lived in Maryland for about
three years and only recently went
back to Manila.
Corpus’ appointment raises con-
cerns about the implementation of
the veterans lump sum.
It’s meeting many problems in the
processing and payment of benefits,
due partly to the slow pace of work-
ing the veterans papers through the
bureaucratic mill.
Although the lump sum provi-
sions set a deadline of February
2010, this governs only the receipt of
application for benefits. There is no
deadline to the processing and pay-
ment of benefits.
An average of 10 veterans die ev-
ery day from age-related conditions.
At that rate, experts say, all of the Fil-
ipino World War II veterans would
be dead in two to three years.
Corpus will be the new kid on the
block, at a time when haste is obvi-
ously needed. He will have to meet
American Veterans Administration
officials, as well as contacts on Capi-
tol Hill – people who are already fa-
miliar with Lorenzana.
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ACROSS THE ARCHIPELAGO
Benguet
BAGUIO CITY, Benguet- Three
brothers were killed when a land-
slide hit their house on Kennon
Road at the height of Typhoon
Kiko’s landfall in the province, ac-
cording to reports from the Office
of Civil Defense (OCD) in the Cor-
dillera.
OCD Cordillera operations co-
ordinator Alex Uy said brothers
Eduardo, Michael and Chris Piska,
aged 13, 12 and 7, respectively,
were killed when their house in Ba-
rangay Camp 8 collapsed.
Another brother, Benro, 14, was
injured. Their parents were able to
get out of the house before it col-
lapsed, Uy said.
Portions of the Halsema High-
way, which links Baguio to the
Mountain Province and the interior
Cordillera provinces, and Kennon
Road, a major route to and from
Baguio, were ordered closed by of-
ficials of the Department of Public
Works and Highways due to land-
slides.
In a related report, rescue efforts
for the last four missing pocket
miners buried by a landslide in
Barangay Kias here have reached
Benguet and Pangasinan.
At least 13 rescue teams, com-
posed of about 200 members, have
started scouring the Liwliw and
Emerald creeks that flow into to the
Bued River to look for the miners,
said Supt. Nestor Bergonia, Baguio
police director.
The Bued River drains out to
San Fabian, Pangasinan.
Bergonia said the search focused
on the creeks and river path be-
cause at least four of the 10 miners
killed by the slide were found in
sections of the waterways.
One of the bodies was found
downstream of the Bued River in
Barangay Camp 1 in Tuba, Ben-
guet, near the province’s border
with Rosario, La Union.
Bergonia said rescue teams were
still looking for Joel Caligtan, Gar-
ciano Langtiwan, Cipriano Millet
and John Guinoban.
“The whole stretch of Bued River
is being searched,” Bergonia said.
Cebu
CEBU CITY, Cebu- Governor
Gwendolyn Garcia apologized to
the people of the province for what
she said were lapses in the pur-
chase of a coastal property that was
partly submerged in seawater and
filled with mangroves.
Garcia made the public apology
after a survey by the provincial
government showed that 9.3-ha
of the 25-ha property the province
bought in Naga town in 2008 was
underwater.
The property, owned by the
Balili family, was acquired by the
province for P98 million.
However, self-proclaimed anti-
graft crusader Crisologo Saavedra
claimed that while P98.9 million
was paid by the government for the
property, Amparo Balili, the widow
of Luis Balili, said that she only re-
ceived P65 million.
In a public statement, Governor
Garcia admitted that, indeed, por-
tion of the lot was submerged in
water or filled with mangroves.
“So I say I am sorry. As your
governor I continue to believe in
the Cebuanos and I’ll be careful
from now on,” the Governor said.
Davao Del Sur
STA. CRUZ, Davao Del Sur-
President Gloria Macapagal-Ar-
royo has ordered the police to con-
duct a massive search in villages
for illegal firearms starting in No-
vember, Interior Secretary Ronaldo
Puno said here.
Puno, who attended the South-
ern Mindanao peace and order
council meeting, said he also or-
dered volunteers in various villag-
es to help the police in conducting
the massive search, which will start
as soon as the amnesty for illegal
firearms holders expires on Octo-
ber 31.
“All persons carrying unlicensed
firearms will be arrested and pros-
ecuted after October 31,” he said.
He said the campaign was
aimed at making the 2010 elections
violence-free.
The Philippine National Police
(PNP) had attributed election vio-
lence to the proliferation of loose
firearms.
“This is not martial law but we
have to search the villages because
this will help [maintain] peace and
order, especially during the coming
elections,” Puno said.
Iloilo
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo- Augusto
Syjuco, head of the Technical Edu-
5
cation and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), vehemently
denied claims of corruption and
bribery allegations over a P 5-mil-
lion education program here, say-
ing he wasn’t taking his accuser
seriously.
In a telephone interview, Syjuco
accused Manuel Mejorada, who
sued Syjuco and Mayor Arcadio
Gorriceta of Pavia town, of seeking
revenge and of using the issue for
personal gain.
Syjuco said Mejorada was angry
at him after Mejorada was fired as
Syjuco’s chief of staff years ago.
“I’m sorry to say this, but I can-
not take Mejorada seriously,” Syju-
co said.
Mejorada filed criminal and ad-
ministrative charges at the Office
of the Ombudsman against Syjuco
for alleged bribery and padding of
a project that provided free school
uniforms to elementary and high
school students. The project was
implemented in 2004 near the end
of Syjuco’s term as representative
of Iloilo’s second district.
Mejorada alleged that the costs
of school uniforms were padded
by nearly P1 million. He also ac-
cused Syjuco of offering and giving
a bribe to Mayor Gorriceta.
However, Syjuco denied that
there were irregularities and add-
ed that the Commission on Audit
(COA) did not find any violations.
Negros Occidental
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Oc-
cidental- The local government
has recommended the permanent
August 20, 2009
evacuation of residents from a town
that has suffered from massive soil
erosion.
The Mines and Geosciences
Bureau (MGB) in Western Visayas
made the recommendation follow-
ing the destruction of several hous-
es when cracks swallowed them in
Quintin Remo, a village in Moises
Padilla, Negros Occidental.
At least seven sitios were listed
as high risk areas as the ground
kept moving every 15 minutes and
the cracks kept growing bigger each
day, according to an MGB report.
The MGB recommended that at
least one sitio, Manaol, be declared
no man’s land and its residents
be barred from returning, even to
work in farms, especially during
rains.
MGB also warned that the con-
tinuous rains might bring mudflow
and floods.
The main crack in the ground
was now estimated to be six km
long, and the number of families in
danger was 91, according to town
Mayor Francisco Nazareno.
Leo Juguan, MGB regional di-
rector in Western Visayas, said the
danger zone should be cleared of
houses and a permanent relocation
site should be found for residents.
He said the ground would re-
main unstable even after the rains.
Seized from the suspect were
a variety of firearms, including a
Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG)
launcher, a M79 grenade launcher,
one cal.30 carbine, and a hand gre-
nade.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo posed with the Philippine Embassy officers and
staff during a photo-op on July 31st at Willard Hotel. Flanking PGMA were (L-R) Police Atta-
che Renato Heredia, Minister Maria Andrelita Austria, Mrs. Linda Gaa, Ambassador Willy Gaa,
Deputy Chief of Mission Minister Carlos Sorreta, Consul General Domingo Nolasco, Minister
Ariel Penaranda, and Vice Consuls Robert Borje and Angelito Nayan. Standing were (L-R) Abra-
ham Agustin, Carolyn Chrans, Leary Fulgencio, Yoly Recana, Jose Edgardo Ledonio, Emma
Colobong, Maya Cruz, Rachelle Vega, Maria Aurora Real, Lyda Paguital, Leo Logarta, Angelita
Foster, Hermie Climaco, Janeth Falsis, Eden Regalario, Loy Cortel, Cecil Tomas, Ging Omaga
Diaz and Tina Santos. On the floor were Joey Macatula (left) and Rene Tomas (right).
The Washington DC group joins the New Jersey Philippine Fiesta . L-R: Lito Serrano, Ric Si-
son, Grace Valera And Jesse Gatchalian
Philippine Embassy’s new Cultural Officer/Consul Robert Borje visits the MHC Cultural In-
teractive Area. L-R: PAFAI President Carl Abella, MHC Co-Executive Director Arnedo Valera,
Cultural Officer Robert Borje and volunteer jade Estrada
This little girl stole the show with her skill-
ful hopping in between the fast clicking of the
bamboos....(of course, the clickers will not dare
close the bamboos for her !)
Endless crowd until closing time as MHC volun-
teers demonstrated the Tinikling” and other per-
forming arts. . .
6
August 20, 2009
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - A trio of musicians in traditional Filipiniana attire entertain visi-
tors to the Filipino Festival here. Dominic Martinez, Veronica Kennedy and Paul Jany are
parishioners of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, venue of the Filipino Festival.
The trio played popular folk melodies and kundimans. The festival, now on its 4th year,
was described as an “opportunity for cultural exchange” by the Richmond Times Dispatch.
Filipino-American children “get the opportunity to take pride in their parents’ culture, their
heritage,” reported the Richmond Times Dispatch. With 40 children of non-Filipino de-
scent participating in the dances, the event also taught “respect for cultural diversity in
our young parishioners, said Festival Chair Rosario Igharas. The Festival is undertaken by
the Filipino parishioners of the Our Lady of Lourdes and supported by the Church. Photo
courtesy of Filipino Festival Committee.
Richmond Virginia locals join a performance of the traditional Canao by Filipinos of Bon-
toc, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Abra and Kalinga-Apayao (BIMAAK) descent. Performers
came from Maryland, Northern VA, and the Hampton Roads area and the BIMAAK As-
sociation in DC and Baguio FilAm of Tidewater. The canao was a highlight in the Filipino
Festival at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Henrico County here.
Delegates of PNA-New England during the PNAA Convention in Baltimore, MD: (L-R)
Rose Candaza; Jennifer N. Aying, recipient of 2009 PNAA National Excellence Award as
Clinical Nurse of the Year; Leila Amarra and Gina Muyuela.
Erik Baisas (left), originally from Paete, Rizal, demonstrates his fruit carving talent to
visitors of the Philippine Exhibit at the Reston Asian Festival’s Destination Asia. Baisas
and two others carved traditional Philippine scenes on fruits. Paete, known as the wood
carving capital of the Philippines, was among the featured sites in the Philippine Exhibit
which won the Best Over-All Exhibit award from the Festival. The Philippines earned
high marks from the judges for its integrated showcase of culture, history and heritage
through creative, colorful, informative and innovative displays. Photo courtesy of Bing Bra-
nigin
 August 20, 2009

7

Endless stream of crowd at the MHC’s Cultural
Interactive Area: 2009 ASIAN FESTIVAL
By the MHC News Team
The Migrant Heritage Commis-
sion, partner organizations, cultural
groups, institutions and Embassies
showcased once again the best of
Asian cultures at the 6th Annual
Asian Festival organized by the Thai
Tennis Organization in America
(TTOA) with SINGHA Beer as the
Presenting Sponsor. The organiz-
ers under George Duangmanee’s
helm, annually assigns the Cultural
Interactive Tent to the Migrant Heri-
tage Commission (MHC), being one
of the Festival’s Corporate Sponsors
and who has been proven to be a
valuable mobilizer partner of the
Fil-Am community for high profile
events like the Asian Festival. This
year’s featured country for the 2009
Asian Festival is INDIA.
As one of the seven (7) designat-
ed major attractions of the festival,
the Migrant Heritage Commission
(MHC) Cultural Interactive Area
demonstrated the bamboo dance,
popularized by the Philippines all
over the world. Although the bam-
boo dance or TINIKLING is widely
known as a Philippine national
dance, it is a dance common to
many Asian countries varying only
in music and tempo. MHC’s Cul-
tural Interactive also allowed guests
to try the indigenous Southern Phil-
ippines’ musical instruments of Ag-
ong and kulintang gongs, which are
also used by many Asian countries
in some of their respective tradition-
al and classic dances.
The MHC Cultural Interactive
Area was situated in a spacious
area transforming ZONE E into a
mini festive Asian village of color-
ful bantings with background color-
ful cloths of vinta, the sambulayan
and other colorful ati-atihan/ mardi
gras props. It was an interesting
area of almost non-stop 2 full days
of cultural demonstration of the
popular bamboo dance attracting a
seemingly endless stream of curious
crowd at the Asian Festival.
Upon the organizers’ request,
the MHC Cultural Interactive Area
offered once again the famous Phil-
ippine “Halo-halo” or mix mix”, a
popular Filipino dessert which is
a mixture of shaved ice and milk
to which are added various boiled
sweet beans and fruits, and served
cold in a tall glass or bowl. The des-
sert exemplifies the “east-meets-
west” culture of the Filipinos, with
the ingredients used coming from
a wide variety of influences (eg.:
Chinese red mung beans, Indian
garbanzos, Spanish leche flan and
the American shaved ice. The Halo-
Halo and other delectable Filipino
foods were provided by volunteer
Filipino caterers Ligaya H. and
Lourdes C.
Adding interest to the MHC
Cultural Interactive Area were the
traditional Philippine products, bar-
ong tagalog, bags, crafts, accessories
and the popular MAMA SITA’s mix-
es which were placed by volunteer
vendors (like Alpha Travel/Tixxi &
Co.) on display and on sale. Filipino
cuisine books were also available
for sale courtesy of the Mama Sita
Foundation.
Zealously demonstrating the Ti-
nikling were MHC volunteers and
volunteers from different Fil-Am
organizations who encouraged visi-
tors to test their skills gracefully hop-
ping in between the bamboos. In-
terspersed with the Tinikling dance
were some special perfomances
(Muslim Fan Dance-APIR and lyri-
cal dance “Ako’y Pilipino) by the
MHC’s Fil-Am Heritage Dance En-
semble, composed of many talents
from organizations like the Fil-Am
Ministry and Mother Butler’s Guild
of St. Michael in Silver Spring, MD,
MHC Youth USA, Ultimate Eskrima
International, the children of the
El Shaddai Catholic Charismatic
Group of St. Stephen in Washing-
ton D.C., the Filipino Community
of the Shrine of the Most Blessed
Sacrament in DC, the Filipino Com-
munity of St. Rose of Lima in MD
the Philippine-American Commu-
nity Partnership Foundation and
ISA’s 2007 Miss Teenage Philippines
USAThere were also volunteers
from the Filipino Teachers’ group,
APODCAA and some individuals
who are not affiliated with any Fil-
Am group but who simply loved
promoting Asian culture.
To the delight of the audience,
the children (4 to 7 yrs old) of the
El Shaddai Catholic Charismatic
Group combined with the MHC
Youth Group performed on the
main stage of the Festival, the chil-
dren’s version of SUBLI, SAYAW
SA BANGKO and TINIKLING. This
was followed by the performance of
the MHC’s Fil-Am Heritage Dance
Ensemble, a Grantee of the DC Com-
mission on the Arts. The Dance En-
semble did a condensed version of
the PANGALAY, a Southern Philip-
pine Classical dance of the Tausug
people of Jolo, Southern Mindanao,
Philippines. The Tausug imitated
the movements of the sea, birds and
trees. The dance resembles those of
“Kontaw Silat”, a martial art com-
mon in Southeast Asia as it links
closely to the Indian, Javanese, Thai,
Burmese and Cambodian styles of
classical dancing. Philippine cul-
tural participation was through
Migrant Heritage Commission’s
(MHC) Cultural Resource and
Support Program under the artistic
coordination of Ms. Grace Valera,
former Phil.Embassy’s Cultural Of-
8
Pres. Arroyo signs
Magna Carta of
women into law
After seven long years of waiting,
a landmark legislation on women’s
rights has finally been enacted.
President Gloria Macapagal-Ar-
royo recently signed Republic Act
9710, or the Magna Carta of Women
in a ceremony held at the Rizal Hall
in Malacanang.
RA 9710 recognizes and protects
women’s rights at home, at work
and in all spheres of society toward
developing all aspects of their well-
being. The most salient features of
which include increasing the num-
ber of women personnel until they
fill half of third-level positions in
the government, setting up of a vio-
lence against women desk in every
barangay, providing incentives to
parties with women’s agenda and
barring the derogatory portrayal of
women in both media and film.
The new law’s most “empower-
ing provision,” however, is its rec-
ognition that “women’s rights are
human rights,” said Commission
on Human Rights (CHR) Chair Lei-
la de Lima.
Women’s groups lobbied intense-
ly for the approval of the measure
in both the Senate and the House
of Representatives, but it was fast-
tracked after Mrs. Arroyo identified
it as one of her priority bills.
RA 9710 mandates an incremen-
ficer/Attache’, and the creative cho-
reography of Nolly Ceballos, a top-
caliber choreographer of the leading,
multi-awarded and world class
Filipino dance theater company, the
Integrated Performing Arts Guild
(IPAG). Ultimate Eskrima’s Senior
Master Instructors Walter and Wes-
ley Crisostomo shared their eskrima
techniques with the performers.
The Destination Asia in Zone G
also featured another Philippine
Tent. It was an area for tourism and
heritage displays of different Em-
bassies where they were expected
to compete in different categories.
Philippines won the best in over-
all exhibit vesting four (4) other
Embassies in the Destination Asia
Zone. Thailand received the “Most
Colorful” award, Republic of Ko-
rea received the “Most Innovative”
award and Tibet received the “Most
Informative” award. Runners up
awards were given to Cambodia
and Laos. The Philippine Embassy
tourism and heritage display tent
was spearheaded by Vice-Consul
Robert Borje, current Cultural Of-
ficer of the Embassy, with support
volunteers from organizations/
businesses like the PAFC, Bicol As-
sociation of Metropolitan Washing-
ton DC (BAMWDC), Tau Gamma
Phi Fraternity, Tau Gamma Sigma
August 20, 2009
tal increase in the recruitment and
training of women in the police
force, forensics and medico-legal,
legal services and social work ser-
vices in the next five years until they
made up half the number of the per-
sonnel.
So as in third-level government
positions, the Magna Carta aims to
achieve a “50-50 gender balance” in
the next five years.
RA 9710 also clearly states that
the State should amend or repeal
within three years any law that is
deemed to be discriminatory to
women.
The Magna Carta grants women
the right to security in armed con-
flict, as well as protection from all
forms of gender-based violence
such as rape and prohibits the State
from forcing women, especially in-
digenous women, to abandon their
land or relocating them is special
centers for military purposes under
any “discriminatory” condition.
The new law also ensures wom-
en’s equal access to education and
sports, and bars the discriminatory
portrayal of women in any form of
media or film.
It likewise ensures women’s
rights to health, food security, hous-
ing, decent work, livelihood, social
protection and preservation of cul-
tural identity, among others.
Sorority, PAMWE and Travel Outlet.
The Migrant Heritage Commission’s
Fil-Am Heritage Dance Ensemble
and 2007 ISA’s Miss Teenage Philip-
pines USA Tracy Perez also proudly
performed the “APIR” fan dance
of Southern Philippines and a lyri-
cal dance interpretation of “Ako’y
Pilipino” in front of the Philippine
Embassy tent. A sincere congratula-
tions to the Philippine Embassy for
giving their best in showcasing Fili-
pino culture once again to win the
best in over-all exhibit in the Desti-
nation Asia.
An interesting commercial booth
of Philippine products “My BAY-
ONG”, which displayed and sold
native bags and hats made of tradi-
tional mats, was also worth visiting .
Making also a lasting impression on
stage was the popular Raf Toledo’s
Drama KING’s performance. Raf
and his group captured the audi-
ence hearts with their pulsating mu-
sic beat.
To mark a Kick-Off of next year’s
Asian Festival featuring the Phil-
ippines, MHC’s Cultural Officer
Sylvia Nera, a world-class Soprano
and soloist of the famous Bayani-
han Dance Company and of the UP
Madrigal Singers, presented the
finale number on the main stage of
the Asian Festival.
 August 20, 2009

Moro rebels violated ceasefire, ambushed Marines

Military officials blasted the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for
an inglorious breaking of ceasefire
and a deadly ambush against Phil-
ippine Marines engaged in deep
fighting against the notorious Abu
Sayyaf group, leaving government
troops suffering massive casualties.
The military confirmed that eigh-
teen of the 23 soldiers who died in
the day-long gun battle were not
operating against the MILF, but
were on their way to reinforce fel-
low soldiers caught in fighting with
the Abu Sayyaf in Tipo-Tipo, Basi-
lan.
“The Marines were going to
rescue their comrades who were
already being attacked in the Abu
Sayyaf camp, but they were am-
bushed by members of the MILF,”
said military spokesperson Lt. Col.
Romeo Brawner, Jr.
According to Brawner, the MILF
fighters still proceeded with their
disgraceful attack, even if they fully-
knew that they were not the target
of the operation and that a suspen-
sion of military operations had been
agreed upon between them and the
military.
“The Armed Forces is set to file a
formal protest with the Coordinat-
ing Committee on Cessation of Hos-
tilities against the MILF’s 114th base
command for violating the cease-
fire,” Brawner said.
The military spokesman further
noted that operation was intelli-
gence-driven and target-specific to
reduce the number of collateral ca-
sualties.
It should be recalled that since
July 24, upon orders of Malacanang,
the military has suspended combat
operations against the MILF and
placed its troops in Mindanao on an
“active defense mode” to pave the
way for the resumption of stalled
peace talks.
After the government halted its
operations, MILF chairman Mu-
rad Ebrahim returned the gesture
and also ordered the suspension of
military actions (Soma) in all areas
where the MILF has fighters.
A spokesperson for the MILF,
Eid Kabalu, confirmed that 10 MILF
fighters were killed in the said gun
battle and accused the military of
triggering the fight the fight by en-
tering into MILF territory without
seeking permission.
However, such claim was vehe-
mently denied by Brig. Gen. Ben
Dolorfino, Western Command chief,
who said that the military had sent
prior notice to the MILF.
As a result of the fighting, the
military has ordered pursuit opera-
tions against the Abu Sayyaf and a
naval blockade or naval barrier pa-
trol in the seas surrounding Basilan
to prevent the bandit group from
escaping to other islands, Brawner
said.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace
Process Avelino Razon, Jr. said the
involvement of some MILF fighters
in the gun battle was an “isolated
case” and would not in anyway af-
fect the upcoming peace talks.
Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, a former
Armed Forces Chief of Staff, called
for a “recalculation” of the govern-
ment’s position on peace talks with
the MILF.
“The government should also
study what went wrong in Basilan,”
said Biazon.
Elite troops of the Philippine Na-
tional Police have been called in to
reinforce the military in its pursuit
of the Abu Sayyaf.

Fil-Ams offer memorial

mass for ‘Tita Cory’
By Rodney J. Jaleco
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Hundreds came to
remember, and to honor former President Cora-
zon Aquino at the historic St. Matthews Cathe-
dral.
Her portrait welcomed churchgoers.
Fil-Ams joined friends and family of Mrs.
Aquino who attended the memorial mass.
Three cousins of her husband, former Sen. Be-
nigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., live in the area.
The mass was officiated by Msgr. Ronald
Jameson and Filipino priest Jose Opalda.
It was the second time mass was being cel-
ebrated for a Philippine president in St. Mat-
thews, the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of
Washington DC.
Interestingly, on the day Pres. Aquino suc-
cumbed to colon cancer – exactly 65 years ago –
the remains of President Manuel L. Quezon was
brought to the Cathedral for a funeral mass.
He too fought a losing battle with disease and
died from tuberculosis in New York . Quezon’s
body was interred at Arlington Cemetery in Vir-
ginia , but returned to the Philippines at In last
Friday’s mass, however, the underlying theme
was Pres. Aquino’s deep religiosity, as well as
dedication to her country and people.
“Tita Cory was a woman of faith and selfless-
ness,” declared Fr. Opalda in his homily.
“In her simple ways, she always put God
first, and considered the Filipino people and the
country as her priorities in whatever decision
she makes,” he added.
When former Vice Pres. Emmanuel Pelaez
was appointed Philippine ambassador to Wash-
ington in 1986, he recruited Adolfo Paglinawan
as press attaché.
Margi Paglinawan, Ado ’s wife, said her hus-
band mirrored Pelaez’s own reluctance to ac-
cept the assignment; the envoy felt he was too
old for the post.
“Tito Maning fetched Ado from our home in
Mandaluyong and took him to Cojuangco build-
ing where Tita Cory temporarily transferred the
Office of the President, pending renovation of
the Malacanang Guest House,” she recalled.
“He noticed that the tone of the discus-
sion changed from international politics and
evangelization. The idea of the US assignment
shifted to becoming missionaries to spread the
gospel and soliciting for paper for Bibles to be
translated not only in the different Philippine
dialects, but for China and Far Eastern Muslim
and Buddhist countries also,” Paglinawan re-
vealed.
The couple was instrumental for the rapid
spread of the Couples for Christ network in the
US. In a “very mysterious and unique way”,
she said Pres. Aquino was key to their unex-
Fil-Ams form a queue to sign the condolence book at the Philippine Embassy which was festooned
pected foray into America.
in yellow and opened its gates to everyone .
“Living our faith wherever we may be, to its socially-relevant songs.
bring about peace, to bring about justice, to for Pres. Aquino.
He would often go with the Himig Jesuita
bring about a world of love and joy – that is One of Ninoy’s cousin, Di Aquino, recalled to Arlegui to help celebrate Christmas Eve
Cory’s legacy and what we are asked to do,” how he would fetch Ninoy and Cory whenev- mass with Pres. Aquino and her family.
Msgr. Jameson reminded the crowd. er they came visiting from Boston in the early
Lambino revealed he was a scholar of
Among the churchgoers was lawyer Diana 1980s. the Benigno Aquino Jr. Foundation in col-
Negroponte, wife of the former US ambassador After more than seven years as Pres. Ferdi- lege. When he wanted to shift from his psy-
to the Philippines. In Manila, she was a familiar nand Marcos’ prisoner, Ninoy Aquino was al- chology major to communication arts, Mrs.
face in the social circuit where she occasionally lowed to get heart surgery in the United States Aquino summoned him to ask why.
bumped into Mrs. Aquino. in 1980.
“I told her that where before the battle
She recounts Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ma- American officials arranged for him to get a for the souls of men and women was the
nila in January 1995, nearly three years since fellowship in Harvard. Mrs. Aquino described school or the home, Fr. Reuters said that to-
Pres. Aquino vacated Malacanang Palace. their years in Boston as her happiest.
day it is in the mass media. President Aqui-
“I and my son, who was then 7 years old, Di called Mrs. Aquino “Achi Cory”, which no turned to Ambassador (Howard) Dee,
were with Mrs. Aquino who then was just he explained was a sign of respect for Kapam- then said ‘Well, Ninoy was a journalist be-
member of the public, not asking for privilege, pangans.
fore he became a politician.’ She said, ‘okay
simply sitting in the stands, just asking to be “Low profile is Achi Cory lagi. In our gath- this is a good plan.’ And I was able to fin-
close to the Holy Father,” she remembers. erings, reunions, medyo tahimik siya kasi si ish my communications degree at Ateneo,”
“Her simplicity came through everything Ninoy lagi ang bibo at bumabangka lagi. Siya Lambino recounted. He now works for the
she did,” Mrs. Negroponte averred. yung maingay lagi so si Cory hindi masyado World Bank but often blogs about political
“A great leader in such a simple way,” she nagsasalita,” he explained.
and social ills back home.
added. Some people still recognize Tony Lambino as “She had a deep sense of integrity and
Asked what she thought was Mrs. Aquino’s a member of “ Smokey Mountain ”, a singing sincerity. She left me inspired. Totoong Fili-
most striking traits, she replied without hesita- group that became famous in the late 1980s for pino, totoong Kristiyano,” he mused.
tion, “her love of the Philippine people.
Even in death, Mrs. Aquino seemed to
After the mass, churchgoers walked with
lighted candles to the Philippine Embassy,
about a block away.
The Philippine’s premier diplomatic post in
America was festooned with yellow ribbons
and portraits of Mrs. Aquino – the 11th presi-
dent of the Republic, her first female president
and Asia ’s icon of democracy.
The Philippine flag was at half staff, barely
moving in the breezeless twilight air. But a
bright yellow ribbon wrapped around the pole
below it, seemed to keep the spirit light.
The gates were thrown wide open and cock-
tail tables were strewn around the grounds for
the open-air reception.
A long queue formed for the condolence
book.
In the years covering events at the Philippine
Embassy, none appeared as warm and welcom-
ing or well-attended as last Friday’s memorial

9

MILF won’t go after
Abu Sayyaf, for now
Until peace talks are restarted, the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has no ob-
ligation to help government go after the
al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf, the spokes-
person for the MILF said Wednesday.
In a radio interview, Eid Kabalu said the
MILF and the government have an Ad Hoc
Joint Action Group (AHJAG) to go after
criminals, but this has been inactive since
peace talks were suspended last year.
Kabalu’s statement came after the
bloody clash on August 12 in Basilan prov-
ince between government troops and Abu
Sayyaf bandits, who were allegedly backed
up by MILF fighters.
“Sa panig ng MILF kasi, binubuweltah-
an tayo na hindi tumutulong sa awtoridad.
Meron tayong effort diyan. May built-in
na paraan ng pagtulong sa gobyerno ang
MILF... yan ay sa pamamagitan ng AHJAG.
May mga experience tayo na maganda ang
resulta. Yun nga lang, hindi ito gumagana
sapagka’t hindi pa fully operational ang
resumption ng talks,” Kabalu told dzXL
radio in an interview.
(The MILF has been accused of not
helping authorities. We have our efforts
through a built-in mechanism called the
AHJAG. But the group is not active now
because the peace talks are stalled).
When asked if [it’s correct to say that]
the MILF is not exerting efforts to go af-
ter the Abu Sayyaf for now, Kabalu said:
“That’s correct.”
He said that the only way to revive the
mechanism is through the resumption of
talks between the government of the Re-
public of the Philippines (GRP) panel and
the MILF.
“[That’s] the only way to revive that
sapagka’t ang ugnayan ng GRP at MILF
can only be asserted ng dalawang panel
August 20, 2009
na nag-uusap (The only way to revive it
is if the two panels assert their authority
through the talks),” he added.
Peace talks between government and
the MILF were suspended in August 2008,
after a series of attacks staged by “rogue”
MILF units in Mindanao.
The attacks stemmed from the Supreme
Court’s junking of a memorandum of
agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-
AD) for the Bangsamoro people.
Recruitment
Government troops are now pursuing
Abu Sayyaf bandits following a deadly
clash in Basilan, where several soldiers
were killed along with Abu Sayyaf and
MILF members.
Kabalu said the MILF members who
“helped” the Abu Sayyaf were likely rela-
tives of the bandits.
“Ang mandate ng [joint action group]
ay nasa panel. Both the panels can do the
initiative para ma-revive ang AHJAG.
At ang naumpisahang trabaho can now
continue (The mandate of the joint action
group comes from the peace panels. Both
panels can take the initiative to revive it),”
he said.
Meanwhile, Kabalu downplayed al-
leged continued recruitment of new mem-
bers by the Abu Sayyaf, saying the num-
ber is “not substantial.”
“Base na rin sa mga report na galing
mismo sa mga awtoridad, at apparently
yung nakaraang mga araw may kaunting
na dagdag sa grupo pero di naman very
substantial (Based on reports from author-
ities, there had been recruitment activities
by the Abu Sayyaf but these were not very
substantial),” he said, but did not elabo-
rate. - GMANews.TV
10

As RP gets poorer,
PGMA gets richer
The President’s net worth may have
risen substantially since she became the
country’s top executive, but the country
racked up more foreign debts than usual
in the same period.
Such information was disclosed to the
public by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero,
who said that the net worth of President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo increased by
114 percent from P66.8 million to a mas-
sive P143.54 million yet the country’s for-
eign debt ballooned this year to a gigan-
tic figure of P 4.8 trillion, from around P
2.8 trillion in 2001.
Reports on the President’s assets,
outlined in a recent article by the Philip-
pine Center for Investigative Journalism
(PCIJ) revealed that Mrs. Arroyo’s and
the first family’s assets had increased sig-
nificantly since the President’s assump-
tion to power after the historic People
Power II in EDSA.
“In other words, the country grows
poorer as she (Pres. Arroyo) gets richer,”
said Escudero in a statement that seemed
to add more fuel to public uproar over
reports of Mrs. Arroyo’s lavish dinners
during her contingent’s recent trip to the
United States.
Escudero further noted that P630 bil-
lion, or nearly half of this year’s national
budget of P1.4 trillion, went to debt pay-
ments.
“Nothing has been done to address
the P300 million lost annually by the Bu-
reau of Customs and the Bureau of Inter-
nal Revenue due to inefficient tax collec-
August 20, 2009
tion,” Escudero said.
“This amount would have doubled
the budget for education,” the youthful
Senator said, pertaining to the revenue
allegedly lost from inefficient tax collec-
tion.
“The next President should insist on
lowering debt payments and review our
debt policy so it can focus more on do-
mestic spending,” Escudero added.
On the other hand, the Makati Busi-
ness Club (MBC) is challenging the
President “to personally respond” to the
issues raised by the controversial PCIJ
article.
The group said that the growth of Mrs.
Arroyo’s assets and net worth was “dif-
ficult to fathom,” considering the state of
the economy and the stock market when
she acquired her additional wealth.
“Like Caesar’s wife, the President
must be over and above suspicion,” the
MBC added.
“As the highest public servant in our
country and in the interest of good gov-
ernance, she must set an example by
making a full and transparent account-
ing of her and her family’s wealth. She
owes the Filipino people an explana-
tion.”
The MBC also chastised Mrs. Arroyo’s
legal advisers for attacking the press,
since it (the Press) must be allowed
to perform its function as the public’s
“watchdog,” without any form of coer-
cion or threats from anyone.
11
 August 20, 2009

Artist: Agustin Jakosalem, OAR

Title: Cory Inangbayan
Medium: oil on canvas
Size: 18 x 24 inches

12
TSIKAHAN Ni Rica Machika
August 20, 2009

Bea and Sam bring the best out of
each other in “And I Love You So”
Falling in love was not part of Lara’s (Bea
Alonzo) plans until she meets Oliver (Derek
Ramsay) who sweeps her off her feet. Oliver
and Lara was the picture of a happy couple
in love until tragedy strikes. Lara suddenly
finds herself all alone with no reason to move
on. Then, she meets Cris (Sam Milby), a man
who’s set on breaking down her walls and
forcing her to face life without Oliver. To-
gether they will begin a one of a kind journey
that will ultimately heal both their broken
hearts. But will Lara cling to her memories of
the past or learn to love again?
“Gusto ko magmahal ulit pero paano ko
gagawin yun kung sa puso ko buhay na bu-
hay ka pa,” as said by Bea’s character Lara,
is just one of the memorable lines from the
movie And I Love You So. Other lines like
Sam’s character Cris’s “I don’t want to be
second place in your heart Lara because
you’re first in mine” are sure to strike audi-
ences to the core. Star Cinema’s scriptwriters
have come up with another winner for hope-
less romantics.
True to director Laurenti Dyogi’s words,
And I Love You So is the perfect vehicle for
Bea and Sam to showcase their onscreen
chemistry. After their first team up years ago
in Close To You, Bea and Sam have developed a rapport that translates well onscreen. Derek’s role
further underscored heartbreaking twists that people should watch out for.
Honor guards ni Cory, mistulang
celebrities kay Kris
Sa kahabaan ng intimate dinner kasama
ang mga honor guards ni Dating Pangu-
long Cory Aquino, mistulang nasa set pa
rin ng SNN ang notable showbiz talk show
host na si Kris Aquino. Habang kumakain
silang lahat, patuloy ang pag-interview
ni Kris sa tinaguriang Fantastic 4, public-
servant-turned-instant-celebrities na sina
PO1 Danilo Malab, Pfc. Antonio Cadiente,
Airman 2nd Class Gener Laguindan at
Navy Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez.
Gawa na rin ng di umano’y kadakilaan ng
apat kaugnay ng katapatan nila sa serbi-
Photo source: GMATV.com syo, tinataya ni Kris na hindi nalalayong
maaring one of these days ay ma-feature ang kwento ng mga buhay nila sa telebisyon, like
Maalaala Mo Kaya perhaps; at dahil na rin dito, sinubukang usisain ng party-host-turned-
talk-show-host ang bawat isa sa kanila kung sino ang napupusuan nilang gumanap sa role
nila kung saka-sakali. Si Piolo Pascual ang napili nina PO1 Malab at Pfc. Cadiente, habang
si Jericho Rosales naman ang napusuan ni Airman 2nd Class Laguindan. Liban raw kasi sa
good looks, sadyang di raw matatawaran ang galing sa pag-arte ng mga ito na siya namang
ikararangal din daw nila kung sakaling mangyari man ang ipinagpapalagay ni Kris. Para
naman kay Navy Petty Officer 3 Rodriguez, tila gusto raw niyang gampanan ni Gerald
Anderson ang character niya matapos di umano siyang pahangain nito sa pagganap rin ng
role ng isang sundalo sa teleserye nito sa primetime na Tayong Dalawa.
Matapos ang kanilang munting salu-salo, isang regalo rin ang inihandog para sa kanila
ng anak ni Ballsy Aquino-Cruz na si Jiggy Cruz. Sadyang hindi maitanggi ng pamilya Aqui-
no ang saya sa kanilang mga mukha dulot ng pribilehiyong makasalo sa hapag-kainan ang
ani mo’y mga dakilang ehemplo ng kadakilaan sa larangan ng serbisyo. Pagbibigay diin pa
nga dito ni Pinky Aquino-Abellada,
“Nakakatuwa talaga sila... I think they are projecting a good image for the military.”

Cherrie Gil heaps praise on Erich

Lloydy reacts to possibility Katorse will be taking over the Boys Over Flowers slot
when the Koreanovela ends its local run. At the grand

of hosting “Wowowee”
Despite the controversies sur-
presscon for the show last August 13, the cast expressed
their relief that the show was finally premiering on August
24 after bad weather conditions caused production delays.
rounding his love life recently, a Lead actress Erich Gonzales was asked if she had a hard
more vibrant John Lloyd Cruz time getting intimate with leading men Ejay Falcon, Xian
arrived at the launch of his prod- Lim, and Enchong Dee since she has never had a boyfriend
uct endorsement at Greenwich in real life.
Megamall last August 14. In his “I come sa set on time and prepared talaga. I know my
latest commercial for the pizza lines and kapag nandun na ako kakalimutan ko muna na
chain, Lloydy rolls in the grass ako si Erich. Ako si Nene, 14 years old, innocent at naive sa
and holds hands with model madaming bagay tapos biglang maiinlove. So nilalagay ko
Lloyd Zaragoza who plays his yung sarili ko sa situation na yun. Kung ano man ang kai-
Nanay Dionisia
friend in the TV commercial. langan sa eksena kasama na dun yung kiss, as Nene talaga
John Lloyd also opened up yun,” she explained to ABS-CBN.com. As a matter of fact, co-star Cherie Gil attested to the
about the clamor for him to guest young star’s dedication to her craft when asked about her working experience with her.
host Wowowee while Willie “In all honesty, I’ve worked with her already in Pieta and there I saw her humility and
Revillame is on leave. The mul- her patience. There were times na ang haba-haba ng hinihintay niya kami lagi nakasalang ni
titalented actor has previously Ryan Agoncillo. And she would be there until the wee hours, walang reklamo, she’s always
subbed for Willie whenever the smiling and such a very sweet girl,” she began.
latter was sick or out of town. But now that Erich has her very own show, the beautiful vet-
“Yun na nga, narinig ko nga eran actress wasn’t ashamed to admit that she’s now the one
‘yan. Alam ko na si Kuya Willie who has to wait for her turn on camera. “Ako na yung naghi-
medyo hindi pa lumalabas sa hintay ng part ko kasi ako na yung nakatengga palagi at siya
Wowowee. Well, nakakalungkot yung nakasalang,” she laughed. “I saw a lot of her sensitivity
ano kasi kapag tanghalian na, and the potential of Erich. I truly believe that she’ll go places.
sanay tayo na si Kuya Willie ang She’s very easy to work with and she’s focused.”
kasabay kumain sa hapagkainan.
Pero talagang gustuhin ko man,
my schedule won’t allow me to
host Wowowee at this point. Af-
ter kasi ipalabas yung movie And R

I Love You So, kasunod agad

yung In My Life so medyo gahol John Lloyd Cruz
din kami sa oras,” he explained.
John Lloyd further shared that being part of the network’s flagship variety show would have
been a great opportunity for him to make more of our Kapamilyas happy via TFC. But as for specu-
lations that he is being eyed to replace Willie for good, he stressed that it’s something that never
crossed his mind or considered.
“Naku imposible po! Dahil ang Wowowee e kumbaga nasa katauhan na ni Willie, sa kanya yung
show na yun. Humahalili ako kay Kuya Willie ‘pag may sakit siya. Honestly sobra kong naeenjoy
yung show kasi medyo pareho kami ng intensyon sa audience e, gusto namin magpasaya. Yung
mga hinanakit nila sa buhay gusto ko din ishare para maging inspirasyon sa iba. So in that sense,
oo gusto ko maghost ng Wowowee. Pero para ako ang pumalit kay Kuya Willie ng permanente,
imposible mangyari yun. Malaki po ang respeto ko kay Kuya Willie.”
for more tsika visit: www.shobizjuice.com
13
EDITORIAL August 20, 2009

Splashing the cash

After the public outrage surrounding her two lavish dinners in the
United States, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has again risked the
wrath of an increasingly annoyed and frustrated public after print adver-
tisements came out in a well-known local broadsheet announcing that the
Arroyo administration is shopping around for a P1.2 billion-worth presi-
dential fixed wing executive jet.
To say that the current administration has come under fire would be
a massive understatement but amid the countless controversies that the
President has faced before, her recent actions have truly been both shock-
ing and surprisingly irresponsible.
Being the leader of a nation grieving the loss of a national icon, in late
former President Corazon Aquino, Mrs. Arroyo should have gone through
her business in her final state visit to the US cleanly and honorably. How-
ever, coming into the homestretch of her decade-long stay in office, she
seems intent on hogging the limelight and keeping the spotlight, as her
latest misadventures gave her critics the perfect opportunity to hurl bombs
towards her already tainted office.
With millions of Filipinos suffering from hunger and the ill-effects of
poverty, the Presidential entourage’s extravagant dinners, at Le Cirque in
New York and Bobby Van’s Steakhouse in Washington D.C., which alleg-
edly had a combined cost of around $35,000, would prove to be a crush-
ing hammer-blow to any hopes of a gracious exit from power. To say the
least, all the glory that PGMA enjoyed during her historic meeting with
US President Barack Obama has proven to be short-lived, and her latest
roundm of misjudgements has once again put her into the back foot.
The allegations and controversies surrounding the President have been
growing at an alarming rate for the past week, and her so-called defense
panel is starting to look beleaguered and clueless in the face of an impend-
ing storm. The opening salvo in this backbreaking character assassination
of Mrs. Arroyo was fired by the Philippine Center for Investigative Jour-
nalism (PCIJ), which released a report accusing PGMA of enriching herself
while in office. This massive allegation was followed by reports of the lav-
tor Benigno characterized by a fourteen-hour
ish US dinners and finally, by reports of the billion-peso jet procurement.
The pressure is mounting swiftly on the President and the opposition is INTO REALITY “Ninoy”
Aquino, Jr.,
funeral march. Similarly, Mrs.
Aquino’s funeral cortege took
truly gaining precious ground against the administration in the ongoing
she rose to nine hours to reach Manila Memo-
race to the 2010 National Elections. By Cecile V. Malabanan power, did rial Park. An estimated three hun-
Mrs. Arroyo’s cause was further dented by her naïve spokesmen in the
Farewell and till
her utmost dred thousand people joined the
Palace, who angrily hit back at all the President’s critics, unwittingly put-
best in ruling procession, wearing the iconic yel-
ting their boss into further trouble. In defense of the embattled Chief Exec-
the country low t-shirts, holding yellow leaf-
utive, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal issued a fuming rant at the local
media, and questioned the “morality” of even questioning the President’s we meet again and restored
democracy for all of us. If I could
lets and balloons and flashing the
famous “Laban” sign. Very much
lavish dinners. Macalintal then went on a counter-offensive, as he oblivi-
August 5, 2009 was a very remember, I was only a fresh- reflective of the EDSA spirit, the
ously attacked the media for making millions out of “premature” political
“gloomy” day for us Filipinos, as a man college student at that time. Cory “magic,” so to speak. Songs
advertisements, a reckless attack that exploded back into the President’s
whole nation paid its last respects But since I studied in an exclu- such as “Magkaisa” and “Handog
face.
and bid farewell to former Presi- sive girls’ school just adjacent to ng Pilipino sa Mundo” were re-
Veering away from the big issue in defending the President, these
dent Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, Malacañang, I had vivid memo- lentlessly played in the air, giving
spokesmen made the administration look desperate and stupid, giving the
who was laid to her final resting ries of the historic EDSA People us Filipinos a hair-raising feeling.
President’s so-called “assassins” more ammunition to complete their task.
place. Power Revolution, an event which But what happens after Tita
In stirring counterstatements, opposition lawmakers destroyed Macalintal
From the time of her death four indeed showcased the unity of Fil- Cory’s burial? I hope everything
and completely obliterated an integral part of the President’s famed de-
days before the historic burial, ipinos and the tremendous power doesn’t end there and be put to
fense system.
the Filipino nation unendingly of prayers. I was truly convinced waste. May it be a constant re-
Once again, Mrs. Arroyo’s back is against the wall, and while she man-
mourned her passing. Hundreds that miracles do happen and I can minder for all of us to join hands
aged to escape unscathed from such a precarious situation before, none of
of thousands of our fellow Filipi- honestly say that I was very proud and unite as we strive hard to bring
us really knows when one’s luck finally runs out.
nos braved the scorching heat of to be a Filipino. about changes and build about a
the sun and the torrential rains in Tita Cory’s necrological service better Philippines. It isn’t easy I
lining up both at La Salle Green- was very remarkable. Filled with know, but, nothing is impossible
hills and the Manila Cathedral moving songs, truthful testimo- with hardwork and sheer determi-
Rene R. Calandria
Editor-in-chief just to have a final glimpse of the nies and lots of tears, you cannot nation, coupled with prayers.
Cecile V. Malabanan Rodney Jaleco icon of modern-day democracy. help but feel sorry that such a We will truly miss President
Associate Editor News Editor
Buckets of tears were shed by both good person like her had to die. Aquino, a heaven-sent gift to us
Angelo Miguel Calabio Ramon Zerrudo
Sports and Campus Editor Managing Editor the rich and the poor as they paid More importantly, her burial was Filipinos yet her legacy continues
COLUMNISTS their final respects to Tita Cory. Ev- one for the books. It brought back to live on.
Melodie Alejandro (Maryland) Mars Rivera (Seattle, Wa) eryone had nothing but praise and to mind memories of the funeral To Tita Cory, a real icon of de-
E.P. Dakanay (Manila) Agapito Sta romana (Florida)
Hermie L. Climaco (WA, DC) Fernando Tonolete Esq. (Virginia)
good words for the late president, procession of her late husband, mocracy and a modern-day na-
Atty. Dominic Pami (Manila) Rudy Viernes (California) as politicians buried their hatchets which Filipinos, in a time of au- tional hero, a whole-hearted fare-
Nesthel Flores (Webmaster) for at least a few days in honor of thoritarian rule, fearlessly joined, well and till we meet again.
Marione Luis C. Garcia (Cartoonist)
Marlyn Hall Myrna V. Riel
the late Pres. Aquino. What was
Advertising Director Marketing Director really striking were the numerous
Michelle Buencamino stories of how simple and humble
Art Director
Mrs. Aquino was. Even the littlest
Pinoy Herald inc.
publisher person could attest to this.
Advertising
Editorial Marlyn -703 436 2745 As I patiently followed the cov-
P.O. Box 4972
Falls Curch, VA 22044
Advertising@pinoyherald.org erage of her wake and funeral on
email: Editor@pinoyherald.org /
Subscriptions
television without fail, I could not
rene19va@yahoo.com
Myrna - 301 728 6063 help but cry. I came to realize how
Subscriptions@pinoyherald.org
fortunate we were as a people to
website: www.pinoyherald.org
have had the chance to have her as
Pinoy Herald is a Bi-monthly newspaper in the Metro Washington DC and Mid-Atlantic area and
is licensed in the State of Virginia. Pinoy Herald accepts contributions from anyone who may
the leader of our nation. She came
want to share their opinions, stories and news articles. All articles submitted to Pinoy Herald at a time when we were experi-
are that of the author’s opinion and do not constitute our endorsement nor reflect the views of
encing a more than twenty-year

www.pinoyherald.org
the editorial staff. Pinoy Herald does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility
for the content and opinions expressed therein by the authors/writers. All articles are subject to taste of dictatorship. From being a
editing to comply with the editorial policies of the paper.
simple housewife of the late Sena-
14
KURO-KURO
COGITO
By Rene R. Calandria
Paging Dr. Obamacare
The honeymoon is well and truly
over for President Barack Obama.
His media charisma (as it turns
out) was just a fairy tale and both
journalists and political commen-
tators are now pounding him with
negative criticisms, which a couple
of months ago would have been al-
most impossible for fear that the mi-
norities might crucify them for be-
ing “racists”. Now that Mr. Obama
has been elected President, all the
brouhaha and pseudo-praises are
gone and everyone is on board for
an open debate about the Presi-
dent’s domestic and foreign policies
for this country.
After the controversial and much-
publicized Gates-Crowley saga, the
airwaves are literally saturated with
the debate on health care reform.
When the President declared that
reforms will be done before the
August recess of Congress, nobody
really listened and believed in him,
not even the White House puppet
and liberal Speaker of the House,
her majesty Nancy Pelosi, because
to do so is almost a fantasy. There
are more than a thousand pages of
this proposed bill released last mid-
July 2009. The President himself
may not have had the chance to go
through all the pages so why rush
with the bill.
Health care is a very personal
issue among Americans, so I could
understand why there is so much
buzz and town hall uprising in some
parts of the country. But are the boos
and jeers during the town hall meet-
ing in Lebanon, Pennsylvania con-
ducted by Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA)
representative of what the majority
wants in this country? Is the bois-
terous crowd at Towson University
in Maryland, when Sen. Benjamin
PERRYSCOPE
By Perry Diaz
Cory’s Legacy
In the wee hours of August 1,
2009, former President Maria Cora-
zon “Cory” Sumulong Cojuangco
Aquino -- “Tita Cory” to millions of
Filipinos -- passed away. Her death
was caused by cardio-respiratory
arrest, the result of colon cancer she
was battling since March 2008.
In the wake of her death, the Fili-
pino people mourned her passing
in a way no other leader in recent
history was accorded with. It was
a testament to what Cory had lived
for... and fought for.
Some say that Cory’s presidency
was accidental. Some say it was
transformational. But many believe
that it was divine providence that
brought her power. I believe in all
L. Cardin
(D-MD)
conducted
his congressional town hall meeting
on health care reform speak the sen-
timents of the middle class perfectly
well? It is not and will never be, un-
less we engage ourselves in a civil
discussion of the facts rather than
listen to the “scare tactics” of Rush
Limbaugh and the death panel rhet-
oric of former Alaska Gov. Sarah
Palin.
Although some of the questions
are legitimate and truly need some
serious specifics from the President
himself, some of them are misin-
formed and scared about the idea
of socialist medicine. For some Re-
publican members of the Senate,
to echo the ignominious rhetoric of
Ms. Palin is an “added insult to in-
jury”. It is despicable and a blatant
disregard to the intelligence of the
ordinary American.
Cheri Heiland asked during
the town hall meeting conducted
by Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck
Grassley to “denounce the tactics”
because “there is nothing in the
House Bill that will require any el-
derly person to stand before a com-
mittee and decide whether or not
they are going to live or die”. But,
instead of some intelligent answers
and wisdom, the honorable Sena-
tor refused to enlighten the crowd.
Rather, he “ignited the fire” to the
rumor by saying, “With all the other
fears people have and what they do
in England then you get the idea
that somebody is going to decide
grandma lived too long”.
While I don’t completely agree
continued on page 23
three.
Cory’s role in
life was to be a
“plain house-
wife.” And she
played that role
perfectly until
her husband,
the late Sena-
tor Benigno
“Ninoy” Aquino Jr., was incarcer-
ated by the late dictator Ferdinand
Marcos. Ninoy’s only crime was his
opposition to Marcos. When Mar-
cos declared martial law in 1972,
Ninoy was one of the first to be ar-
rested and detained. Cory became
the sole provider to her young chil-
dren, playing the role of father and
“plain housewife.”
When Marcos allowed Ninoy to
go to exile in the US at the behest of
President Jimmy Carter, Cory and
the children went with him. They
stayed in the US for several years
until Ninoy decided that it was time
to go back home. However, he was
aware that by doing so he would be
FAST FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Our Heroes
The Philippine government can-
not provide employment oppor-
tunities to its teeming employable
citizens, sad to say..So, many Filipi-
nos go abroad where employment
abounds. Thus, the template OFW
was coined for Overseas Filipino
Worker (which used to be OCW for
Overseas Contract Worker) and has
become commonplace, a phenom-
enon nevertheless, and it’s here
to stay ingrained in the national
psyche. “Global Filipino” was an-
other term but rarely used. Time
was when one was tagged as OCW
the term had a rather abject, sad-
sack connotation. No longer be-
cause our government has dubbed
them national “heroes.”
Hero, in mythology and legend,
is an honor given to someone with
great courage and strength, cel-
ebrated for his bold exploits, espe-
cially one who risked or sacrificed
his life for a cause, or has saved
somebody from the pangs of death.
Our OFWs are called heroes by
a grateful government because
their dollar earnings have saved
the country from economic demise.
Because of them we rarely now
hear anymore the abashing moni-
ker “sick man of Asia” labeled to
the Filipino. They are also heroes to
their families who are the ultimate
beneficiaries of their extended stay
abroad. They don’t mind the loneli-
ness and depraved life where they
are as long as they can achieve their
dreams of putting body and soul to-
gether, sending their kids to school,
enjoying little luxuries, if not opu-
lence, especially professionals who
are mega-buck earners.
In our recent visit to the Phil-
ippines, we traveled north of the
country. We were amazed at how
imprisoned again and probably as-
sassinated. But he was determined
to go back home to meet his fate
saying that “the Filipino is worth
dying for.”
On that fateful day of August 21,
1983, when Ninoy’s plane landed at
the international airport in Manila,
several soldiers in uniform board-
ed the plane to take Ninoy into
custody. As Ninoy was stepping
out of the plane, he was fatally shot
at the back of his head and rolled
down the staircase onto the tarmac.
Someone in the plane took a video
as soldiers dragged Ninoy’s dead
body to a waiting vehicle. Shown
on television, the gruesome scene
shocked the world.
That moment changed Cory’s
life forever. It was the moment for
her to step up to the plate to contin-
ue Ninoy’s unfinished mission. It
was the moment for her to go back
home not only to bury her husband
but to lead the Filipinos for their
fight for freedom. It was the mo-
ment of her calling. And there was
15
By Rudy M. Viernes
the provincial landscape had
morphed into a once languor-
ous landform of nipa huts into
gleaming homes with TV antennae
soaring into the sky, while in their
garage are parked trappings of af-
fluence like a late model car, a pas-
senger jeep with a sign “Katas ng
Qatar.”
That scenery was absolutely
amazing, vibrant, albeit startling
metamorphosis.
Another OFW vignette. My late
wife and I were in the shopping
mall one December day. We were
behind a young family with two
carts loaded with goodies and the
queues were unsually long. I fig-
ured to my wife it may take about
10-15 minutes to check those good-
ies in the counter so why don’t we
transfer? Besides our small bas-
ket was totally paled by the two
cartfulls in front of us pushed by
a shopper who ostensibly was on
vacation from Dubai, said so by his
T-shirt.
Thanks to our heroes in the con-
struction sites in the Middle East, the
healthcare professionals in hospitals
in the US and Canada, the IT engi-
neers in Silicon Valley and accoun-
tants and brokers in Wall Street, the
nannies, tutors and governesses of
rich families in Europe, the waiters
and entertainers in cruise ships, the
mariners plying the high seas, the
Japayukis in Japan, and the maids
or amahs (or feiyungs) in Singapore
and Hongkong. Their dollar remit-
tances have become a major factor
that propped-up the Central Bank
reserves that prevent it short of in-
solvency. According to reports the
dollars remitted by OFWs in 2008
was estimated to be US$15.9 bil-
lion!
no turning back.
The political turmoil that fol-
lowed the assassination of Ninoy
became the turning point of the
Marcos dictatorship. Under pres-
sure from US President Ron-
ald Reagan, Marcos called for a
“snap election” in February 1986.
Anti-Marcos leaders immediately
formed the Cory Aquino for Presi-
dent Movement and, within a week,
one million signatures were collect-
ed. Reluctantly, after meditating for
10 hours at a convent, Cory agreed
to run. Little did she realize that she
was about to change the history of
the Philippines.
The Marcos-controlled Com-
mission on Elections showed
Marcos leading in the “snap elec-
tion.” However, the unofficial
tally showed Cory leading. Conse-
quently, on February 15, 1986, the
Batasang Pambansa (Legislature)
proclaimed Marcos as the winner.
Civil unrest ensued and spread
throughout the country like wild
fire. It was the beginning of the end
August 20, 2009
W
have a niece
e
(we call her
Jona) who was
a school ma’am
in the elemen-
tary in the Phil-
ippines for 13
years and whose
last salary was
P15,000. She now works as receiv-
ing clerk in a tire company in Yu-
kon Territory in Canada. What she
receives, though paltry, is CA$1400
a month. But that’s no paltry sum if
converted into the current exchange
rate. That’s four times bigger than
her Philippine salary as Teacher III.
And she has already fully paid the
loan and other expenses she had in-
curred in going to Canada and has
started sending money back home
to an expectant family in only her
first six months of work.
Jona is one of 11 million OFWs
worldwide. and the exodus goes
on with about a million leaving the
country each year. This includes an
increasing number of skilled pro-
fessionals and workers taking on
unskilled jobs resulting in brain
drain. This is particularly true in
healthcare and education, like our
Jona.
There are medical practitioners
in the Phililippines, especially those
working in government hospitals in
the provinces who undergo retrain-
ing to become RNs or LVNs whose
services are very much in demand
abroad, as are PTs, OTs, STs. Their
annual salaries can easily exceed
US$70,000.;
Filipinos in America today find
it easy to integrate themselves in
mainstream American society be-
cause of their high education and
speaking skills with a majority
belonging to the middle or upper
middle class. Filipino-Americans
have the second highest median
household income ($65,000) exceed-
continued on page 23
of the Marcos dictatorship.
On February 22, 1986, Marcos’
key allies, Defense Secretary Juan
Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces
Vice Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos
staged a revolt which mushroomed
into a popular uprising -- “people
power” -- against the Marcos re-
gime.
On February 25, 1986, Cory
Aquino was sworn in as president
by Supreme Court Associate Justice
Claudio Teehankee at the Club Fili-
pino in San Juan. On that same day,
Marcos was also sworn in as presi-
dent at the Malacanang Palace.
However, by nightfall, Marcos fled
to exile in Hawaii in a US military
plane.
I saw Cory when she visited San
Francisco in September 1986 on her
way to address the US Congress.
The Fil-Am community of the Bay
Area held a reception for Cory at
the cavernous Moscone Center
in San Francisco. It was an emo-
tional visit for Cory because it was
continued on page 23
 August 20, 2009

Never Happened! VISA PRIORITY DATES FOR THE PHILIPPINES

By Rodney J. Jaleco
Democrats have accused their
Republican rivals of belonging
to “the party of no”. They say the
GOP’s job is to say no to everything
President Obama proposes. In a
way, that reminds me of the Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo administration.
When accused of entering a
shady deal in China, the President’s
spokesmen quickly declared, “Nev-
er happened!”
When militant groups accused
the President of building a “culture
of impunity” in the unsolved mur-
ders of churchmen, union leaders,
peasant organizers, journalists, her
defenders snapped back, “never
happened!”
And now that a New York gos-
sip column suggested our President
blew almost a million pesos to wine
and dine her entourage, I hear that
familiar refrain again, “never hap-
pened!”
I’ve often heard about how the
Arroyo administration seemed to
be operating in a state of denial. I
didn’t believe it, because how can
an entire government not see, not
hear or not feel the reality around
them?
CAMPUS JOURNAL
By Angelo Miguel M. Calabio
I thought it was such a Hercu-
lean task, it couldn’t be possible.
That is, until President Arroyo
and her official and unofficial party
breezed into town.
Her plane arrived late at An-
drews Air Base. The crowd at the
historic Willard Hotel (that’s where
the word “lobbyist” was coined,
referring to people currying favors
from the White House and Con-
gress), were told the welcome party
would start at 8.
Guests came resplendent in
barong tagalogs and gowns. They
reportedly belonged to PHILUSA.
First time I heard about this group,
and I’ve been reporting from here
for over three years. But I guess
there’s always a first time.
I could understand why many
Fil-Am leaders, pillars of the com-
munity – people everyone counted
to get important Fil-Am projects
going – were not invited. They’ve
been talking against President Ar-
royo for what seemed forever.
That’s alright, they told me. The
President didn’t like to hear criti-
cism; she was in DC for a photo-op
with President Obama at the White
House. We can always just stay in
the streets, they added.
The Willard crowd came com-
plete with banners, extolling Presi-
dent Arroyo’s meeting with Presi-
dent Obama as the height of RP-US
relations. The signs were carried by
a group that seemed to follow Pres-
ident Arroyo around in her public
engagements (still carrying their
banners of course).
I believe they were the Presi-
dent’s “pala”, as in “taga-palak-
pak”...who are very close cousins
of the “hakot”.
Actually, their presence may
have saved Filipino taxpayers un-
told dollars.
The appointment with Obama
was a working visit, so the US was
not picking any of the tab for the
visit.
Someone told me the Arroyo par-
ty tried to book rooms at the plush
Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown
but they didn’t have enough rooms,
so they settled for less pricey Wil-
lard and adjacent hotels (possibly
saving Juan dela Cruz as much as
$200 a night per room), to house
some members of the Gloria Maca-
pagal Arroyo Fans Club USA.
continued on page 23
INK SPOTS FROM MANILA
the sudden passing of former Pres.
Aquino may have drilled the final
nail into the coffin of Pres. Arroyo’s
dreams of extending her tenure in
power through a Constituent As-
AUGUST 2009
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and the overall annual numerical limits. Despite these efforts, the amount of demand received
from Citizenship and Immigration Services Offices for adjustment of status cases with priority
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a result, these annual limits have been reached and both categories have become “Unavailable.”
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year. Visa availability in these categories will resume in October, 2009, the first month of the
new fiscal year.
By E.P. Dakanay, Jr.
Cory and Gloria’s

Down and out sembly (Con-ass). The revival of

When President Gloria Maca-
pagal-Arroyo and her trusted staff
first mapped out the designs of her
historic meeting with new United
States President Barack Obama,
the least they expected to get out
of it was a triumphant return for
an embattled Chief Executive.
However, much like most of her
plans nowadays, events just seem
to turn against the President and
to say the least, she was once again
the biggest loser in the latest turn
of events.
Earning a lot of praise from Pres-
ident Obama, and even having the
honor of being named the United
States’ special envoy in Asia, Mrs.
Arroyo must have expected at least
a happy return to the country af-
ter clocking in thousands of miles
in a taxing round-trip away from
home. However, what she came
home to was a nation grieving the
death of iconic former President
Corazon Aquino, and a people
too preoccupied with grief to even
take a quick glimpse at the fruits of
her labor from far away. A mourn-
ful people and a grieving nation,
the sight that Mrs. Arroyo endured
on a truly nightmare return.
Of course, the events that un-
folded during that interlude were
uncontrollable. Although Mrs.
Aquino was suffering from colon
cancer for months, nobody really
expected her passing on that fate-
ful date of August 1st. Before the
sad news from the Makati Medical
Center
hit the
airwaves
of national radio and television,
the President’s state visit to the US
was dominating the headlines. Af-
ter all, Arroyo was the first leader
from a South East Asian country to
be invited by Obama to the White
House. For a couple of days, Pres.
Arroyo basked in the glory as
Obama heaped praise on her Fili-
pina counterpart, that is of course,
until news of a national tragedy
stole the headlines.
On a soggy and wet Saturday
morning, the Filipino nation woke
up to the sad news of Mrs. Aquino’s
death and the tears of a mourning
people poured for a fallen hero.
Attention immediately switched
and the limelight quickly shifted
from Washington to the grieving
streets here at home. Distraught
and clearly demoralized, a visibly
drained Mrs. Arroyo appeared on
national television and declared
ten days of national mourning and
declared August 5, the day of Mrs.
Aquino’s burial, a national holi-
day. The President also extended
her deepest condolences to the
Aquino family and promised to be
one with the nation in honoring a
modern-day freedom fighter.
But beneath the mournful
face of the President laid a vision
shattered by the stunning turn of
events. Having the US trip as her
final ace to save her tainted legacy,
the historic “Cory magic” has seen Contrasting Legacies
the opposition rejuvenated with
After a seven-day absence for a was laid in
much vigor and renewed public
45-five minute audience with U.S. state, and
support, assuring that the popu-
President Obama, Gloria Macapa- shared mo-
lation would be united more than
gal-Arroyo (GMA) returned with ments of pained cordiality with the
ever in opposing any move to ex-
the dubious honor of having been latter’s son, Senator Noynoy Aqui-
tend PGMA’s term in office. In fact,
appointed the U.S. president’s co- no. Cory most probably did not
with the 2010 national elections
ordinator for something in South entertain personal enmity against
looming in the horizon, the affec-
East Asia. This must be Pres. her, but GMA’s problem is their
tion and support that the nation
Obama’s affirmation that GMA is personae are perceived to clash vio-
showed for the late Mrs. Aquino
on the “right side of history” and lently in many important areas of
may well have inspired the oppo-
the historic 45-five minute encoun- leadership. Where when Pres. Cory
sition to have a real go at the for-
ter reaffirms the two nations’ cher- exuded sincerity and forthrightness
midable political machinery of the
ished century-old fraternal bonds. in her every pronouncement, GMA
incumbent administration. Add to
Her meeting occurring on the same talks with a forked tongue or makes
that, with the government coming
day as Pres. Obama’s hosting of a guarded statements (via a variety of
under fire for its poor handling of
beer session between Harvard pro- spokesmen) that may be twisted in
the Cory affairs before and after
fessor Gates and Cambridge police many deceptive ways. Cory placed
her death, it is without a doubt that
sergeant Crowley—to calm emo- a high premium on the public’s
public sympathy has shifted to the
tions over an incident with racial understanding of her initiatives,
side of the Aquinos, a known sup-
undertones that preoccupied me- while GMA shuns public opinion if
porter of the opposition.
dia—GMA’s presence in the U.S. it runs counter her views (or inter-
To say the least, the administra-
capital was hardly noticed by the est?). Where Cory’s administration
tion is facing anxious months in the
public except for her statement was never accused of clandestine
countdown to election day. Now
relating to former president Cory negotiations that undermined the
more than ever, the wheels on the
Aquino whose passing during her nation’s interest, the hallmark of
controversial Con-ass seem to have
absence was substantially reported GMA’s rule is covert deals shielded
finally come off and both sides are
in the U.S. press. GMA came home no less by executive prerogatives to
preparing for a long-drawn battle
to a mourning nation on the day of consummate plunder.
in the May 2010 polls.
the former president’s interment. The unquestioned legacy of
As for Mrs. Arroyo, the only op-
It must have been uneasy mo- Cory Aquino is the restoration of
tion seems to be making the most
ments of dilemma for GMA’s pro- democratic processes and the rule
out of her remaining months in
pagandists to decide on how she of law which the Marcos dictator-
office. Although she remains ada-
may extend condolences consider- ship stifled to lay the country open
mant that she won’t be a “lame-
ing ex-president Cory Aquino had to plunder and his perpetual rule.
duck” President, all signs are
harsh words of rebuke for her abuse Cory refused to run for a second
pointing to her going out quietly,
of her power and the excesses of presidential term to honor the spirit
truly, after a hard-fought battle to
her administration. GMA finally of the new Constitution that limited
save her legacy or to even extend
her term, it now seems that PGMA made a 10-minute call at the Ma-
is finally down and out. nila Cathedral where Mrs. Aquino continued on page 21
16

Health@Heart
By Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS
The bitter controversy
What is Ampalaya?
Commonly called Bitter Melon
or Bitter Gourd and known scien-
tifically as Momordica charantia,
ampalaya is a very popular veg-
etable in Asia. This vegetable is
green, tubular in shape, has a char-
acteristic deep tortuous wrinkles
or ruffles all over its skin, and has
a distinctively “addicting” bitter
taste.
Ampalaya has been known to
lower blood sugar to a degree, but
not enough to be effective alone as
a treatment for diabetes. In spite
of this, however, some apparently
unscrupulous companies have
been marketing ampalaya tea and
capsules, etc., and selling them to
the unsuspecting public as “food
supplements good for diabetics.”
This claim is very dangerous and
could be deadly for the some dia-
betics.
There are more than 300,000
Filipinos who suffer from Diabe-
tes Mellitus. In the United States,
there are about 16 million diabetics
and about 1800 new cases are diag-
nosed each year.
Circumventing the Law
To be within the law, or to navi-
gate within its boundary, these
clever firms who want to make big
bucks in this multi-billion dollar
industry, label their products as
“food supplements.” The reason
for this is because, for a substance
to be approved as a drug, it has
to go through a most stringent
investigation and meet very strict
criteria enforced by the US-FDA or
BFAD. It is a lot easier to hide be-
hind the classification “food sup-
plements” and market the various
herbals as “good for” certain dis-
eases, like diabetes, heart attack, or
even cancer. In general, the claims
are medically false, unfounded,
and ludicrous, not to mention dan-
gerous to health.
The me-
dia blitz of
infomer-
cials by the makers of these “food
supplements,” which includes
anecdotal testimonials of appar-
ently paid “users” (all of which
are medically unacceptable, and
invalid as reliable scientific data),
has resulted in what literally is a
massive financial fraud, but one
which a segment of the ignorant
public takes as gospels of truth.
Modern Therapy is Safest
Today, thanks to advances in
modern therapeutics and technol-
ogy, there are proven, effective
and safe treatment regimens for
diabetes. This evidence- and out-
come-based therapy has allowed
diabetics around the world to live
healthier, more comfortable, hap-
pier, and more productive lives.
Unless a scientifically proven su-
perior alternative form of treat-
ment comes along, herbal or oth-
erwise, our current conventional
management for diabetes mellitus
is still the best, the safest.
The Danger
Some patients have abandoned
the conventional medications pre-
scribed by their physicians and
have opted to take the ampalaya
preparations instead. The Philip-
pine Diabetic Association, the Phil-
ippine Society of Endocrinology
and Metabolism, the Institute for
Studies on Diabetes Foundation
and the Philippine Center for Dia-
betes Education have reported that
patients who totally relied on these
ampalaya tea and pills alone have
developed serious complications,
like chronic renal failure, disori-
entation, hypertension, severe
dehydration, edema (swelling),
elevated blood sugar and conges-
tive heart failure, even coma and
death.
There is no convincing evidence
August 20, 2009
todate that ampalaya tea and pills
are effective and safe, alone and in
themselves, for the treatment of di-
abetes, much less, provide a cure.
The Philippine Department of
Health circular 168-A in 1995 was,
thank God, finally reversed 8 years
later, following some catastrophes
involving diabetic patients who
had abandoned their prescription
drugs and relied only on the am-
palaya “food supplements.” This
sad situation could have been pre-
vented had the DOH been more
proactive and aggressive in its ac-
tions against all these scams.
“Ampalaya...is not intended
to treat, prevent, mitigate, cure
or diagnose (diabetes) disease,”
said Leticia B. Gutierrez, Director
of the Philippine Bureau of Food
and Drugs (BPAD) in her position
paper released August 29, 2003.
Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit
on June 23rd issued Circular 196-A
series of 2003 where he “strongly
advised all concerned to cease, de-
sist and discontinue any endorse-
ment ampalaya an alternative
treatment for diabetes mellitus.” I
could not agree more with those
two pronouncements, albeit their
release was much delayed than
what could be anticipated.
We must always remember that
anecdotes and paid testimonials
are worthless. Just about anybody
will be willing to say just about
anything for a fee. Valid scientific
studies and clinical confirmations
are needed before any substance
should be allowed to be sold to
the public, if we are to protect the
health, safety and welfare of the
people.
I am not averse to diabetics eat-
ing ampalaya, since this is a com-
mon household food item proven
to be safe to eat, anyway. Eating
ampalaya on top of taking pre-
scription drug(s) for diabetes may
even be beneficial to the patient.
But certainly, ampalaya alone and
in itself (as food item, or as potion
or capsule being sold today) is not
adequate as a treatment for diabe-
tes. In fact, this would be down-
right dangerous.
Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
17
 18
L K J C S X W B H T M X P W X
9 8 3 5 4 6 7 1 2 Z W Y E Q O A I P O E U R H B
4 5 2 1 7 3 9 6 8 G S S T J G G K O S L D T C N
T Q C N N A N Q Q I A N S X E
6 1 7 2 9 8 4 5 3 L O L E D R B C U M D S I M W
D U T O B C X V I B L A S X S
3 7 8 6 2 1 5 9 4 T E B K A N I P P A A R Q W X
2 9 4 3 5 7 6 8 1 A S I N A G G N O L N A G I V
U O B C P X X P Q I I B G K K
1 6 5 9 8 4 3 2 7 K H Q H L G C I U K D A L I D
O Y B I M C G D I T W S L A U
7 4 1 8 6 5 2 3 9 Y X F J L N A T I A P A N I P
8 2 6 4 3 9 1 7 5 D U B I D I R U B D W B N Z Y
K X O G N E D G N E N I D D V
5 3 9 7 1 2 8 4 6 N A A R A D R A N I D U W Z P
P Z W U D I N A R D A R A A N A R E T W E R P R O U S E
B E T H O M E R I N N E R
V D D I N E N G D E N G O X K B A H A Y K U B O C O P E S
A C E D L A O O D E
Y Z N B W D B U R I D I B U D S T R O M A O N T A P
B A W A N G A T L U Y A
P I N A P A I T A N L J F X Y S U P E R E G O A L L O T
E R A D E R M A A G O
U A L S W T I D G C M I B Y O E D W I N M O N O G R A M
K U N D O L P A T O L A
D I L A D K U I C G L H Q H K S O N A R A D R I F T
M P H A N I D A L E
K K G B I I Q P X X P C B O U A L O N G S I N G K A M A S
T E P E E M O O S E B I T
V I G A N L O N G G A N I S A E A S T S S U D A N I R A
X W Q R A A P P I N A K B E T
S X S A L B I V X C B O T U D
W M I S D M U C B R D E L O L
E X S N A I Q Q N A N N C Q T
N C T D L S O K G G J T S S G
B H R U E O P I A O Q E Y W Z
X W P X M T H B W X S C J K L
73 72 71
70 69 68
9 7
67 66 65 64 63 62 61
2 6 4 8
60 59 58 57
56 55 54 53 52
4 9 7
51 50 49
48 47 46 45 44 43
5 9 8 4 3 1
5 2 42 41 40 39 38
37 36 35 34
33 32 31 30 29
7 8 2 4
2 8 5 28 27 26 25 24
23 22 21 20
19 18 17
2 9 6
3 5 1 2 9 16 15 14
13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
August 20, 2009 LIBANGAN
 August 20, 2009

life, we’ll usually find it difficult

THE AMERICAN DREAM IN HIS PRAISE our work
managers to submit to the will of God in our
and super- lives, too. Rebellion is reflected
By Mya Talavera CBR GRI in our unwillingness to live un-
By Hermie Climaco visors, God
der the authority placed over us.
The Filipino Dream
is telling

God and those us that He We may not have respect for the
wants us person who is President of the

“I was so glad I came to the fo-
rum. Many of Gawad Kalinga’s
objectives were exactly the same
things I have been doing in my own
silent way and out of my modest
personal resources,” declares Atty.
Ric Marasigan, one of the commu-
nity’s most respected lawyers in an
email to this author referring to the
first GK public open forum held on
July 26, 2009 in Oxon Hill .
The first in the DC area, the
forum’s objective was to make the
community aware of the GK 2024
Vision: a 21-year timeline to end
the poverty of five million Filipi-
nos and build a First World Phil-
ippines. The GK Vision 2024 was
unveiled at the First Global Sum-
mit in Boston , Massachusetts last
month.
In an interview published on
PhilStar.com, Tony Meloto, GK
founding father said “Our target
is to take the Philippines out of
the third-world status by 2024. We
want to share the GK way with
like-minded global citizens to help
expand our work.”
Indeed, like-minded Fil-Ams
under the leadership of GK Re-
gional Director, Ben Dichoso, Jr.
grouped together to proclaim and
to bring to the Washington DC
area the GK Vision 2024. Panel-
ists, Nap Curameng, Armand
Erpe, Rico Villaroman and Ben
Dichoso, Jr. took turns in speaking
about GK’s objectives, as well as
answering questions fielded in by
some people in the audience.
This author who is a GK100
served as
the program
emcee and
modera-
tor. I spoke about proclaiming the
dream, “By declaring the vision to
the whole world, we set ourselves
on a path to see it realized. Yes, it
seems impossible. But if we are
to stay in our faith, that faith will
shower us with courage, boldness,
persistence and patience. It’s a
long and winding road to 2024.” I
said, feeling every word.
Another speaker, Lina Neurick
of Baltimore shared her own per-
sonal experience with GK., “ AN-
COP (Answering the Cry of the
Poor) is an opportunity for the
Filipinos to rebuild the Philippines
back to where it was in the first
place and where it should be. We
already know that most of our pol-
iticians are corrupt and they are a
hopeless cause. That is why GK is
the way. Building our nation from
the ground up. Whether you are
rich or poor, schooled or not, we
all need to do this to restore respect
for ourselves. We have lost our na-
tional pride.”
Neurick continued, “So let us
protect what GK stands for by not
letting anyone corrupt it due to
greed and power-hungry individ-
uals.”
Guest speaker, Philippine Em-
bassy cultural attaché and vice-
consul, Robert Borje shared his
GK volunteer days while still in
continued on page 21
in Authority
to respect United States, but we are still to
and honor honor and respect the position the
them. presidency represents and we are
As I was groping around - again
I have come across a website to recognize that God has placed
- for a topic to write about in this
that openly attacks the President him in authority over us. As long
column, I turned my thoughts to
of the Philippines. Every word ut- as we are not asked to violate a
the two significant events that oc-
tered against the President was far biblical commandment, we must
curred recently: the visit of Philip-
too below the belt. As said in the recognize those in authority as
pine President Gloria Macapagal
vernacular, “di makain ng aso.” In God-given and that He is going
Arroyo to Washington DC in view
English, it means that “even the to work through them on our be-
of her July 30th meeting with US
dogs cannot swallow the words half.”
President Barack Obama and the
that came out from their mouths.” I would say the same for our
death of former Philippine Presi-
It really gives me a chill reading own President. We may dislike
dent Corazon Aquino on August
their sharp words. President Gloria Macapagal-Ar-
1st.
What has the Bible say about royo, but we are to honor and
What was so obvious in the
speaking? “. . . I say to you that respect the position that her presi-
above paragraph? Want to guess?
for every idle word men may dency represents and we are to
Surely, you all guessed it right. All
speak, they will give account of recognize that God has placed her
three names mentioned were lead-
it on the day of judgment. For by in authority over us.
ers. Not just ordinary leaders. But
your words, you will be justified Obviously, our rebelliousness
top leaders. Barack Obama. Gloria
and by your words you will be as human beings is reflected in
Macapagal Arroyo. Corazon Aqui-
condemned,” (Matthew 12:34b, our unwillingness to live under
no. All Presidents– of the United
36, 37). the authority placed over us. Up
States and of the Philippines.
Going back to dishonoring a to this day, man’s rebelliousness
So, this column is going to be
President, people who cannot re- against God continues incessantly
about Leaders especially about
spect and honor a President of a as reflected in our greater ten-
submitting to our Leaders. The
country cannot surely respect and dency to disrespect and dishonor
Bible said, “Submit yourselves to
honor God, too. To quote Os Hill- those who are in authority over
every ordinance of man for the
man, author of Today God Is First us, even those holding positions
Lord’s sake; whether it be the king
(TGIF), “If we find it difficult to as high as President of a country.
as supreme or unto governors, as
live under the authorities in our
unto them that are sent by him for
the punishment of evildoers . . .”
(1 Peter 2:13, 14).
What God really is telling us to
do from the above Bible passage is
SUBSCRIPTIONS
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President or any other govern- subscriptions@pinoyherald.org
ment official for that matter, even

To say the least, Team Pilipinas looked
BOX SCORE like a group of strangers, disjointed and
badly disorganized, obviously lacking
leadership and team chemistry. Quite liter-
By Angelo Miguel Calabio ally, the Filipino superstars looked clueless
the hoop, a ploy that was impossible against
the gigantic big men of the other countries.
In addition, while the other teams’ shooters
burned the Philippines from the three-point
line, the Filipino nationals shot bricks from
downtown. Without inside presence and
history, the Philippine team was massacred
twice in a single tournament, as Middle East
titans Jordan and Iran made the PBA su-
perstars look worse than college amateurs.
In addition, traditional powers Korea and
Lebanon proved to be a notch higher than

No excuses!
Having big smiles on their faces while
being blown out of water by opponents
they used to dominate and destroy, the di-
sastrous performance of the highly-touted
Powerade Tem Pilipinas in the recently-
concluded William Jones Cup in Taiwan
has truly baffled a lot of basketball analysts
and more importantly, severely disap-
pointed millions of Filipino hardcourt afi-
cionados both here and abroad.
Earmarking the tournament as the final
tune-up for the real deal, the Philippines’
latest attempt to make an impact in the
FIBA-Asia tournament, that will be held
in China this August, and qualify for the
upcoming World Basketball Champion-
ships, the Philippine team hardly look like
a threat. Composed of a bunch of local bas-
ketball all-stars, including former MVP’s
Asi Taulava, James Yap, Willie Miller and
Jay-Jay Helterbrand, the highly-rated local
team was nothing short of dismal during
their 8-game set, finishing the tournament,
which the country famously won in 1998,
with a miserable 2-6 win-loss record.
and helpless as they were destroyed by the
new powerhouse teams in the region, Jor- outside shooting, it is impossible to win any our current level and just to rub salt into the
dan, Iran, Lebanon and Korea. Even teams basketball game, and it was the exact case wound, the Taiwanese and Japanese joined
that observers expected them to steamroll, for the clueless Filipinos.
Japan and Chinese Taipei-A, managed to For the first time in our proud basketball continued on page 21
squeeze their way past the Filipino nation-
als. Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei-B, the
two weakest teams in the tournament, fell
only awfully short of dealing the hapless
Filipinos further beatings. In truth, the Phil-
ippine team should consider itself lucky to
finish the tournament with their 2 irrelevant
wins.
Through all the fiasco, national coach
Yeng Guiao stood silently in the bench, ob-
viously running a lot of things in his mind
that very few of us understand. The flaws
of the most recent national team were obvi-
ously on display, and throughout the tour-
nament, the coaching staff did not seem to
bother making adjustments.
Quite evidently, the team lacked mobile
big men and shooters, perhaps the most
important things you need to win games
in the international stage. Throughout the
tournament, the Philippine team was badly
one-dimensional, always looking to attack
off the dribble and force its way through
19
TRAVEL & CULTURE
Unlike most countries all over
the globe, the Philippines is spoiled
with an overwhelming number of
uniquely beautiful tourist destina-
tions. White sand beaches, mystic
islands, perfectly-shaped moun-
tains, you name them all and the
Pearl of the Orient has them all.
This is why tourism has been the
fastest growing industry here in
country. Around the archipelago,
tourists have been flocking to the
hotspots of world-class Filipino
tourism, and the island of Guima-
ras is no exception.
Situated prettily in the island
group of Visayas, Guimaras is
truly one of the few paradise is-
lands here in the Philippines. Al-
though not as popular as the more
photo source: www.islandparadisephilippines.
World-class Filipino furniture at BLIMS
When it comes to innovative,
stylistic and trendy fine furniture,
very few people would put Philip-
pine-made pieces into the top-class
category, given the fact that Ameri-
can and European-made pieces are
the more renowned brands. How-
ever, taking this fact as a challenge,
one local company ventured into
unchartered territory to tackle some
formidable odds. Armed with bold
ideas and lofty ambitions, BLIMS
Fine Furniture has gradually estab-
lished itself in both the local and
international markets, making a
name for itself with fine furniture
of superior quality.
Francis M.
Guimaras, as good as it gets
renowned islands of Boracay and
Puerto Galera, Guimaras provides
tourists with a worthwhile alterna-
tive to the heavily populated and
commercialized island paradises.
For one, this Visayan island has all
the features that any visitor would
want in a place: white sand, trees,
clusters of rainforest, birds, beach,
corals, sea, underwater marine life,
boating, island hopping, native
sailing, abundant nature and but-
terflies. It may not have the glam-
our and publicity of its more popu-
lar counterparts but the priceless
feature that Guimaras could offer
is privacy, quiet peace while enjoy-
ing the luxuries of Filipino hospi-
tality as well as world-class ameni-
ties and accommodations.
Being the furniture division of
Automatic Appliances Inc. (Auto-
matic Centre), one of the country’s
biggest companies and a well-re-
spected local appliance authority
since 1948, BLIMS Fine Furniture
prides itself as being the premiere
furniture retail chain in the coun-
try. With extensive experience in
furniture marketing, strict choice of
merchandise, a good reputation for
quality products and services, and a
customer-oriented philosophy that
extends to every facet of company
operations, BLIMS stands head and
shoulders above many of its local
and even international counter-
To say the least, Guimaras is the
perfect paradise island. An island
that gives you a quiet tropical at-
mosphere, along with the roman-
tic south sea setting that very few
spots in the world could give, truly
an embodiment of a lovely and
genuine Philippine island. Gui-
maras is the perfect place to fulfill
your wildest dreams, to play all
the games you have ever wished,
to tirelessly relax, to swim in clean
and placid waters, to taste the
good local cuisine, to simply walk
around the relatively unexplored
surroundings and to snorkel un-
derwater while observing the wide
array of marine life living on its
pristine waters.
These qualities are the exact
reason why Guimaras has been
attracting tourists from all over
the globe, even after a disastrous
oil spill several years back that
threatened to kill its marine life
and jeopardize the population’s
major sources of livelihood. In fact,
the island province has been post-
ing record figures in terms of tour-
ist arrivals, proving that slowly
but surely, Guimaras is starting to
make a name for itself both locally
and internationally.
The island province’s province
has also caught the eyes of inves-
tors, as money starts to be poured
into Guimaras, with the aim of
maximizing its potential of being a
parts here in the Philippines.
Being one of the frontrunners in
the local furniture market, BLIMS
has pioneered a number of inno-
vations in most of the industry’s
fronts to provide consumers with
products of the highest quality.
Automatic Centre’s furniture divi-
sion takes pride in revolutionizing
the furniture industry by offering
many firsts. One of BLIMS’ most
important breakthroughs is launch-
ing the concept of Ready-to-Use
(RTU) and Ready-to-Deliver (RTD)
furniture, which is now an industry
standard in convenience and prac-
ticality. They were also the first to
launch a series of annual exhibits
supported by extensive advertising
campaigns, now one of the indus-
try’s most anticipated events, and
truly set the bar for trend forecasts
and latest designs.
With 13 luxurious showrooms
conveniently located in Metro Ma-
nila, Metro Cebu and other key cit-
ies, BLIMS offers customers with a
wide array of choices when it comes
to furniture pieces that would fit
their respective budgets and pref-
erences. Each branch offers a com-
plete variety of reasonably priced
furniture, categorized into distinct
collections. Living Space for choices
in living and dining spaces, Leather
Gallery for that elegant and sophis-
ticated look, Sleepshop for comfort-
able and luxurious pieces fit for
20
top-class tourist draw for the coun-
try. The La Puerta El Paraiso and
Lombija Wildlife are just a couple
of new additions to the island’s
growing inventory of A-class
beach resorts and tourist destina-
tions, and the influx of money into
Guimaras is not showing any signs
of stopping.
Foreign tourists have particu-
larly been receptive to the idea of
spending their hard-earned cash in
a Guimaras vacation package. The
temperate climate of the island is an
added plus, as Americans and Eu-
ropeans continually for the tropical
sun in their vacation destinations.
Add to that, a potential visitor to
this island should never miss the
chance of tasting Guimaras’ world-
famous mangoes, which are freely
available around the little island
paradise.
Although not as famous as its
renowned counterparts, the mystic
beauty of Guimaras would surely
continue to allure countless tour-
anyone’s bedroom, Recliners and
Loungers for relaxation, Accesso-
ries for highlighting the best pieces
in any room and the innovative Of-
fice World, which gives any office
space that power look.
The furniture line describes
their branches as “setting-friendly,”
meaning one can shop for furniture
and furnishings that can comple-
ment and fit any lifestyle environ-
ment. Add to that, as a testament
to BLIMS’ total commitment to its
customers, complimentary design
assistance by in-house professional
designers is offered to all custom-
ers. Thus, customers would have
the best choices, as well as the best
people alongside to help them
make the perfect choice for their
furniture.
Although a clear leader in the
August 20, 2009
ists to its pristine shores. For those
seeking something new, this island
paradise would surely have it all.
From adventure to relaxation, the
little island of Guimaras would be
a perfect choice and a real bang for
your buck.
local furniture industry, BLIMS is
refusing to entertain any thought
of complacency, as it continues to
shop the world for the latest and
most elegant collections of furni-
ture. Truly, the long and hard years
of striving hard to make an impact
during its early days are long gone,
as the hardwork and perseverance
of the people behind BLIMS has
translated into credible, broad mar-
ket acceptance and customer loy-
alty.
With uplifting the living stan-
dard of Filipinos as its enduring
philosophy, BLIMS Fine Furniture
has gone from strength to strength,
and the local furniture industry’s
pioneer continues to press on as
the market leader and trendsetter
in defining the lifestyles of Filipino
homes and offices.

Box score... from p. 19
the Filipino butchering party.
The people behind the Pow-
erade Team Pilipinas could make
all the lame excuses in the book
but the bottom-line is this national
team was nothing short of an utter
disgrace. Never have we seen such
a talented group play so gutlessly
Ink spots... from p. 16
her to one, even as some of her sup-
porters would find technicalities to
circumvent this. She may have not
been able to uproot the web of cor-
ruption entrenched in the bureau-
cracy, but she has never been sus-
pected of consenting to, much less
being a part of shady arrangements
that compromised the interest of
the government. Serious steps to
stem corruption and prosecute
malefactors (most prominent were
Marcos and cronies) were taken in
her time. She cannot be faulted if
this floundered upon her depar-
ture from office and a reinvigorated
strain of virulent social malaise
now confronts us. In recent years,
mounting evidences of unbridled
corruption and relentless assault
on the integrity of cherished demo-
cratic institutions have constrained
Cory to come out more vocally on
the ills of GMA’s governance that
imperil her precious legacy. Until
recently she has been dismissed in
GMA’s circles as a spent political
force not to be heeded. The passion
and fervor in their expression of es-
teem and affection for Cory by the
multitudes that attended the prayer
gatherings and finally her funeral
march may now have shaken GMA
and her lackeys to their senses that
they may not trifle with Cory’s
enduring legacy. We can look for-
ward to her parting gift to the na-
tion: clean election in 2010, and the
demise of that threat to the Consti-
tution derisively called “cha-cha.”
We might yet see the impeachment
of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutier-
rez if the tug of conscience will be
strong enough in a sufficient num-
ber of congressmen, but that may be
asking too much. The vast major-
ity of Cory’s mourners were simple
folks who understand little of the
complexity of running the govern-
ment, but they instinctively are of
the conviction that she has done
her best to protect their interest and
American Dream.. from p. 19
the Philippines years ago. He also
took the opportunity to thank ev-
eryone for helping our motherland
through GK.
Another guest speaker, Jon Me-
legrito, spoke on behalf of the Na-
tional Federation of Filipino Amer-
ican Associations (NAFFAA). He
commended GK’s mission to build
70,000 villages in the Philippines
by 2024. “The “can do” spirit in the
community hall was most inspir-
ing,” he said.
After the program, Nap Cura-
meng was so delighted to add
Karen Rogers to the GK100 roster.
Of course, we all applauded the
patriotic gesture of Ed Atienza. He
donated his family owned 4-acre
while flying the country’s colors.
If this humiliation is some kind of
crazy tactic to deceive opponents
in the upcoming FIBA-Asia, it bet-
ter work. For if not, the said stars
should prepare themselves for a
grand public crucifixion on their
return.
labored for their welfare. A few
shedding genuine tears were work-
ers for government in modest roles
or in exalted responsible positions,
in Cory’s time and now, who take
pride in the knowledge they meet
her standard for public service. An-
other few shedding crocodile tears,
again public servants in modest
roles or positions of responsibility
and power who have violated her
code of dedicated public service,
mocked her memory by their mere
presence. The late president Ferdi-
nand Marcos’ family condoled with
Cory’s children, even as they have
yet to make restitution and apology
for the harm he inflicted upon the
Filipino nation. Three enlisted men
of the Armed Forces of the Philip-
pines and one of the Philippine Na-
tional Police, posted honor guards
each at the four corners of Cory’s
casket on the flatbed truck that took
her from the Manila Cathedral to
the Memorial Park in Parañaque,
stood ramrod straight and immo-
bile in the nine-hour slow journey,
unflinching under the alternating
rain and sunshine, consuming nei-
ther food nor drink, nor leaving
post for call of nature. This display
of discipline and stamina has put
the public in awe of the rank and
file soldiers of our armed services,
raising several notches the esteem
of our people for their organiza-
tions that have been debased by
GMA’s “Garci” and “Euro” gener-
als. Understandably absent from
Cory’s funeral were the personali-
ties involved in the coup d’ etat at-
tempts that threatened the stability
of her administration and disrupt-
ed the country’s economic recov-
ery during her term. That experi-
ence of the nation (repeated during
GMA’s term in the Oakwood Hotel
incident) with adventurists in the
armed services should be stern
warning against involvement of
armed services personalities in our
internal political turmoil.
land in Pampanga through PABA
(Phil. American Bar Association),
GK’s newest partner.
“The mellow & sincere de-
meanor of GK people are positive
attributes that will go a long way
in gaining more adherents and ad-
vocates for GK. That is one of the
lasting impressions I readily got
at the seminar about the people
representing GK. I am now figur-
ing out, without casting aside my
ongoing scholarship and micro-
finance projects for the poor back
home, how I can add and contrib-
ute to GK,“ Atty Ric Marasigan
added.
“Thank you for the chance to
meet and hear more about GK.”
President’s dinner... from p. 1
among celebrities, Bobby Vans is
more egalitarian.
“She was the first president to
eat here,” the manager told this
reporter (the staff at Bobby Vans
Steakhouse agreed to answer our
questions on condition their names
are not published).
Not that they haven’t had any
president sample their well-known
steaks. If Mrs. Arroyo was the first
president to dine at their 15th St.
NW restaurant, President Obama
had taken lunch at another Bobby
Vans restaurant along New York
Ave.
But their more frequent patrons
are federal workers in nearby of-
fices, including the White House
about half a block away.
The staff revealed that Mrs. Ar-
royo had filet mignon, one of the
house specialties. She declined the
wine, but her companions – com-
posed of Cabinet members and
several congressmen – reportedly
took liberties with the restaurant’s
cellar.
Critics again questioned why
there were so many people in the
President’s entourage.
The staff said, however, the
number could have been closer
to a hundred with the President’s
Secret Service contingent and own
personal bodyguards, who passed
on the dinner because they were on
duty.
The Bobby Vans staff remember
the Philippine president very well
because they said she left a very
handsome tip.
Another source said the presi-
dent’s party was so full after the
dinner, they decided to walk back
to their rooms at the Willard Hotel,
two blocks away.
“HAVE THEY NO SHAME?”
After the storm broke, two con-
gressmen in the President’s party
21
came out - one reluctantly - to de-
clare they paid for the expensive
dinners.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde
outed Leyte Rep. Martin Romual-
dez, a nephew of former First Lady
Imelda Marcos, who paid for the
Le Cirque dinner.
However, Romualdez later clari-
fied it was his brother Daniel, said
to be a well-placed and celebrated
architect in New York, who foot the
bill.
Romualdez, who it turns out,
has been in almost all of President
Arroyo’s foreign trips, had avoided
the press since.
Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez was
at least more forthcoming. He ad-
mitted paying for the tab at Bobby
Vans, saying it was a wedding an-
niversary gift for President Arroyo
and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.
Party list Reps. Walden Bello
and Riza Hontiveros were skepti-
cal. They asked the Philippine Om-
budsman to investigate whether
taxpayers’ money was used for the
expensive dinners.
“Have they no shame? Mala-
canang can not just dismiss these
allegations as agitation propa-
ganda,” they said. “We’d hope
for some humility and honesty on
the part of the President and her
spokespersons. We detest the arro-
gance and utter lack of remorse be-
ing shown by this administration,”
they averred.
Catholic Bishop Deogracias In-
iquez, a long-time critic of the Pres-
ident, said he was outraged that
public funds were used. He said
the lavish dinners was a “brazen
disregard of what we are experi-
encing during this crisis”.
Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay
said the money spent at Le Cirque
could have fed 3,000 Filipinos with
three square meals.
Even the President’s ally, Sena-
tor Miriam Defensor-Santiago
August 20, 2009
– who was part of the delegation
that went to Washington DC but
did not join the expensive dinners,
said it was “outlandish that people
from a developing country should
rack up a bill for P1 million”.
“They dined like kings, not once
but twice,” Bayan Secretary-Gen-
eral Renato Reyes declared.
LASHING OUT VS
“IMMORAL MEDIA”
The frustration and exaspera-
tion spread quickly in the halls of
Malacanang. Remonde declared he
would stop answering questions
about Le Cirque, even before the
Bobby Vans story erupted.
President Arroyo’s election law-
yer Romulo Macalintal delivered
a bombshell, apparently to try to
regain the initiative in the debate
over his client’s apparent gastro-
nomic proclivities.
He said media should not be
talking about morals because me-
dia owners themselves should be
questioned on the same issue.
Macalintal was referring to the
media outlets’ practice of accepting
political advertisements which he
claimed circumvented the election
code. Political ads are only allowed
during the prescribed campaign
period. He also challenged the ve-
racity of the reports that appeared
in the New York Post.
Center for Media Freedom and
Responsibility Board trustee Vergel
Santos said Macalintal was try-
ing to divert the issue away from
the original furor over President
Arroyo’s expenses. “This govern-
ment should be sensitive enough
and prudent enough to know what
they are getting into,” he averred.
Malacanang then tried another
tack. Deputy presidential spokes-
man Anthony Golez declared, “In
their frenzy to score media points,
these critics will go so far as to de-
mean and debase the office of the
Presidency itself.”

The Villars and Manuela
Corp’s P345-M debt
By Aries Rufo
How deep is the financial well of
2010 presidential aspirant Senator
Manuel Villar and his wife?
While the P1.05 billion combined
net worth reported in their 2008
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and
Net Worth is an easy reference, a re-
cent Supreme Court decision on the
debts of a company they are associ-
ated with can surely make a dent on
their wealth.
A company owned by the fam-
ily of Senator Villar’s wife—Las Pi-
nas Rep. Cynthia Aguilar Villar—is
fending off a Supreme Court order
to pay back rentals to a firm in the
amount of P344.825 million.
Manuela Corp. is contesting a
motion before a Las Pinas court
to execute the High Court’s order,
which was promulgated way back
in September 2007. It argued that
the property company is still under-
going rehabilitation, thus payment
should be held in abeyance.
In other words, the company is
still financially bleeding.
Doña Manuela Aguilar Riguera
established Manuela Realty Devel-
opment Corp. in 1972. It was later
renamed as Manuela Corp.
Doña Manuela is the grandmoth-
er of Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia A. Vil-
lar, the wife of 2010 presidential as-
pirant Sen. Manuel Villar.
Rep. Cynthia’s family—the Agu-
ilars and Rigueras—are not just en-
gaged in local business but also in
local politics. Since 1988, most of the
mayors of Las Piñas came from this
family.
Doña Manuela’s brother, Rosa-
lino Riguera, was the mayor of Las
Piñas from 1988-1992. He is also the
chairman of Manuela Corp. He has
the single biggest stake (27%) in the
company, according to latest com-
pany submissions to the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Rep. Cynthia’s mother, Lydia
Aguilar, holds another 18%. She is
also the company treasurer.
How the Villars are involved in
the settlement of the P345 million
obligations of Manuela Corp. may
either reduce the financial well of
the richest and most liquid solons
in the country, or raise ethical ques-
tions again.
In-laws’ business
On paper, there is no link be-
tween Sen. Villar and Manuela
Corp., a mall developer and opera-
tor.
Sen. Villar’s in-laws, the Aguilars,
have been in the mall business for
decades. Sen. Villar involved him-
self in the same industry, too, after
he married Rep. Cynthia. His C&P
Homes, which focused on afford-
able homes, became more profitable
and high profile than Manuela.
In the aftermath of the 1997 Asian
financial crisis, which brought
many property companies to their
knees, Sen. Villar’s own businesses
have already recovered (Read: The
Senator is also a big businessman)
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but Manuela has not.
In 2007, a follow on offering of
listed Vista Land and Lifescapes
Inc.—the new umbrella company
of Sen. Villar’s family—raised some
P20 billion in fresh funds from the
stock market. Vista Land has been
reporting double-digit growth rates
in revenues every year.
Manuela, however, is still stuck
in rehabilitation. The perception of
some is that Manuela was actually
Villar’s. The senator’s not-so-subtle
promotional billboard with over-
seas Filipino workers is prominent-
ly displayed in Starmall (previously
named Manuela) along EDSA in
Mandaluyong City.
Villar also holds Christmas par-
ties for the Senate press corps in
Starmall.
Senator Joker Arroyo previously
highlighted the link between Villar
and Manuela. When Villar was a re-
cently minted House Speaker, then
Makati Rep. Arroyo who lost the
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race for the Speakership, accused
Villar of violating ethical standards
because of Manuela.
Arroyo had said that a P1-bil-
lion loan by the Social Security
System (SSS) and a P2-billion loan
from Government Service Insur-
ance System were granted to the ail-
ing Manuela. To Arroyo, it was an
indirect financial accommodation
to Villar by the two government fi-
nancing institutions. He noted that
Manuela paid P150 million of the P3
billion loan to Capitol Bank, which
used to be the banking arm of Sen.
Villar’s property companies. (Read:
Jamby dubs Villar as “grandfather
of scam”)
Newsbreak previously learned
from a former top SSS official that
the loan proceeds were not released
after word about it leaked out.
Nonetheless, top officials of C&P
Homes—Villar’s own companies—
were actively involved in how the
loans of his in-law’s bleeding com-
August 20, 2009
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pany was restructured. It was C&P
Homes’ chairman and president
who represented Manuela during
the the 5-year negotiations with a
consortium of banks for the restruc-
turing of Manuela’s loans. (Read:
Bleeding in Debt)
Manuela’s obligations
Manuela’s bank loans ballooned
to over P3 billion in 2002 from the
original P1.3 billion. These have al-
ready been settled—not with cash
but with properties and stakes in
the malls.
Some banks turned over their
loan exposures to Special Purpose
Asset Vehicles (SPAV), or firms that
buy and sell distressed assets.
Creditors originally wanted to
foreclose on Starmall, which was
the most profitable in the pool of
properties Manuela has mortgaged
to the banks. But the court favored
Manuela, which was only willing to
offer as payment its 2 smaller malls
in Las Pinas City—M Star One and
M Star.
Manuela availed of these loans in
1995 to finance its expansion plans.
That same year, it entered into a con-

Perry Scope...from p. 15
in an apartment in suburban Daly
City that Ninoy plotted his return
to the Philippines. At the packed
Moscone Center, thousands came
to see Cory. She stirred up the audi-
ence when she said, “You can take
the Filipino away from the Philip-
pines but not the Philippines from
the Filipino.” It was a call to all Fili-
pinos to be proud of their mother-
land once again. And they heeded
her call.
I saw Cory for the second time
when I joined a group of about 12
Fil-Am community and political
leaders who accompanied then
Gov. George Deukmejian of Cali-
fornia on an official visit to the Phil-
ippines in 1988. When we went to
pay a courtesy call on Cory, I was
surprised that she was not staying
in the Malacanang Palace. She oc-
cupied a modest sized two-story
building next to the palace as her
office. She chose not to live in Mala-
canang and commuted daily to her
Cogito...from p. 15
with the proposed bill, I cannot
swallow the “scare tactics” of the
old “Bush era”. Surely this is not the
right way to get things done. Health
care reform is too personal for us to
squander, which is why there is a
need for a thorough debate on the
issue for it is “my health care” and
“your health care” that is in ques-
tion and not that of the President’s
or any other member of Congress.
The President’s idea of universal
health care is angelic and I salute
him for his passion. However, we
cannot go from “one million insured
Americans today to 47 million to-
morrow” because who will pay for
the coverage of the “big chunk of
the pie.” The universal health care
reform should go through a gradual
transition rather than cover every-
one at the expense of “my wallet
and yours.” As the bill proposed
to tax “individual without cover-
age under a health benefits plan
and impose a surtax on individual
modified adjusted gross income ex-
ceeding $350,000”.
There is no perfect health care
reform bill as what the President
recently declared in his town hall
session in Colorado, I cannot agree
more and I commend him for his
transparency. However, there is
clearly an urgent need for reforms
and it should not be left to the next
generation to debate on it. Nobody
cares about whether it is liberal
Fast Food...from p. 15
ing that of the US general popula-
tion. Asian Indians are a bit ahead
at $68,000. Filipinos are the second
largest American group in the US
and they live a life as sophisticated
as educated Americans.
However, in other countries
where Filipinos abound like those
in the Middle East, there are serious
issues they have to contend with.
OFWs both blue collar and white
collar face problems of illegal re-
cruitement, discrimination, exploi-
tation, long hours of work, limited
private residence. I understand that
she never set foot in Malacanang. It
is then understandable why Cory’s
children refused to have their
mother lie in state in Malacanang.
After all, it was the place where
Marcos stayed for 21 years.
Last July 19, 2009, when Cory
was near death, I was interviewed
by Ging Reyes of ABS-CBN about
my thoughts of Cory. After several
minutes of talking about Cory’s
legacy, Ging pointedly asked me,
“And what do you think was the
difference between Cory Aquino
and Gloria Arroyo?” “Day and
night,” I replied. Ging asked,
“Why?” And I said, “Cory brought
the brightest days in the lives of
Filipinos while Gloria brought the
darkest days in their lives.”
Cory will be remembered for
generations to come. She changed
the constitution in 1987 to make
sure that martial law will not hap-
pen again. “People power” was
embodied into the constitution
or conservative because it is “my
health care” and “your health care”
and hence the arguments should
not be marred by political ideolo-
gies and competing cultural values
of the North and South.
Two controversial issues are
dominating the debate on health
care reform, i.e., the public option
and end of life provisions. The pub-
lic option should not be equated
with socialized medicine because
the provision simply provides for
a choice that will compete with pri-
vate insurance companies. This is
not good for the private investors
because it means less profit into
their pockets, but I think this is con-
sumer friendly and will help mostly
the middle bracket of the economic
pyramid. We cannot afford to worry
about the bottom bracket of the pyr-
amid for then we are no different to
Evita Peron. On the other hand, the
“end of life” provision should not
be interpreted according to the col-
loquial mind of Sarah Palin because
it is something that everyone of us
should talk about even at the very
young age of our existence. My aunt
did not have some counseling so it
was excruciatingly painful for me
to decide for someone else’s future
on earth. Discussion about the “end
of life” provision on this bill will
not only reduce the cost of health
care but will help us and save our
loved ones with the burden of how
to determine the termination of life.
food, or quartered in the doghouse.
They suffer these indignities just so
they could earn a mighty greenback
to send home. These issues have
become major concerns of our at-
taches in these countries. In many
cases their pays are withheld and
passports confiscated for flimsy
reasons. Some domestic helpers,
educated as they are as teachers, are
physically or sexually abused, even
murdered. There are sad stories of
Filipino entertainers in countries
like Japan who become sex slaves.
They go abroad for a promise of
domesic work or “social services”
and gave the armed forces the su-
preme duty to defend the people
and the state. The 1987 constitution
is sometimes referred to as “Cory’s
constitution.” Yes, it was her baby
maturing into adulthood. But some
politicians want to change it for
reasons that a large majority of Fili-
pinos do not agree with.
It did not then come as sur-
prise that Cory made a wish not to
change the 1987 constitution. With
Cory’s passing, the move for char-
ter change might eventually die.
And each time somebody would
attempt to change it in the future,
I am pretty sure that the people
would defend “Cory’s constitu-
tion,” our constitution. And Cory
lives in our constitution.
As Ninoy proved that the Fili-
pino was worth dying for, Cory
proved that the Filipino was worth
living for. And she left a lasting leg-
acy that freedom is worth fighting.
In her memory, let’s live up to that
legacy. (PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Another issue that is being misrep-
resented on this bill is abortion. The
provision is clear that no federal
money will be spent for abortion re-
lated cases. This kind of strategy by
the members of the Southern bour-
geois is a deviation from the main
argument and is hereby misleading
and exploitation of public trust.
Again, this is not a perfect bill,
but this is much better than nothing.
Among the highlights of the bill are
prohibiting pre-existing condition
exclusions; providing for guaran-
teed coverage to all individuals and
employers and automatic renewal
of coverage; prohibiting premium
variances, except for reasons of age,
area or family enrollment; prohib-
iting rescission of health benefits
coverage without clear and con-
vincing evidence of fraud; prohibits
an essential benefits package from
imposing any annual or lifetime
coverage limits; expand Medicaid
eligibility for low-income individu-
als and families and establish a
school-based health care program. I
cannot agree enough with the health
care reform bill, but weighing the
benefits it brings to the community
and the economy at large, then I can
only say, “Mr. President, this is the
best that we have today after more
than 60 years, ever since President
Harry S. Truman established the ba-
sic health insurance as a right for all
Americans”. I can only be grateful
for your passion and dedication.
only to be deceived into sex work.
OFWs need to be remembered
more often as people with feelings
and not just providers. They need
appreciation and assurances of love
and should be sent letters bearing
tonics of good news that can uplift
and revitalize them in their lonely
and stressful environs. What is dev-
asting to the OFW, after a long spell
of non-communication, is when she
receives a letter with a list of things
that need money for -- a roof that
leaks, a drainage that clogs, a tuition
fee to be paid, or someone is sick. Or
when things become dysfunctional,
23
Never Happened...from p. 16
I guess it was all worth it because
President Arroyo showed no signs
of jet lag, and seemed to be actually
enjoying herself. Good for her.
We were actually expecting ev-
eryone to be in a good mood the
next morning. But a briefing for
some of the 28 congressmen in the
President’s entourage turned grey
when a panel of experts told them
about US concerns over corruption
and human rights violations in the
Philippines.
Perhaps they didn’t hear the
panelists say, it was their way of
helping the Filipino lawmakers
frame what they may want to tell
their American counterparts when
they went to Capitol Hill later that
day.
Speaker Prospero Nograles cer-
tainly earned his keep that day,
energetically defending President
Arroyo. Then, Manila Congress-
man Abante charged away, telling
the panelists – composed of former
Basilan...from p. 1
ing of a Memorandum of Agree-
ment (MOA) with the MILF in Kua-
la Lampur, Malaysia in August last
year.
Military officials say some MILF
guerillas are also either members or
supporters of the ASG. There are
also family alliances that complicate
AFP efforts to finish off the ASG.
The ASG feeds off Muslim dis-
content, especially the lack of ade-
quate educational and employment
opportunities as well as the growing
Christian settlements in places they
consider was their Islamic home-
land.
The AFP has its own headaches
as well. Senator Rodolfo Biazon, a
retired Marines general, said he was
disturbed that the attacking soldiers
didn’t have artillery or air support,
even when it became evident the
ASG was taking a heavy toll on the
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like failure in school, a daughter
running away, a son dropping out
of school and had taken into drugs.
Or worse when the kitty set aside
for a rainy day is gambled or spent
in drinking sprees by a husband, or
for trivial unnecessary things. And
the most devastating of all is when
a loved one is rumored to have be-
come unfaithful and had sought
happpiness elsewhere that could
shatter his life, inflict him painful
heartburn, an emotional battle he
has to endure for years or ever that
may lead to serious consequences.
It’s a case of “out of sight (touch)
August 20, 2009
top House and Senate members
and diplomats with a history of
involvement with Philippine con-
cerns, including former US Ambas-
sador and Director of National In-
telligence John Negroponte – they
didn’t know what they were talk-
ing about.
Abante insisted that the Philip-
pine military had better records
of the murders, torture and kid-
nappings of the government’s po-
litical opponents. Abante’s defense
sounded incriminatory to me...who
else would have a better memory of
things than the perpetrator?
After all, if you were on the re-
ceiving end, chances are you’d
probably been slapped silly from
remembering anything. That is, if
you were still alive.
Nograles said all the accusations
against President Arroyo were
baseless, and whatever evidence
was present could not stand up in
court. That’s why the impeachment
against her never prospered, he ex-
plained.
soldiers. He is calling for a Senate
investigation that will look into,
among others, the military’s intel-
ligence reports that apparently did
not see that the ASG was laying a
trap on the soldiers.
Biazon said he will look into the
military budget following President
Arroyo’s directive. “You cannot just
give the order if you don’t give the
means to fight,” he said.
The AFP is hard pressed to carry
on a two-front counter-insurgency
war with dwindling resources that’s
led to growing gaps in mobility,
communications, air support and
even money to buy artillery shells.
All these come at a time when
President Arroyo is facing stiff
criticism for excesses in the face of
grinding poverty in the country-
sides, which in the final analysis, is
the root why soldiers need to keep
fighting – and dying.
Fax: 703-263-2363
Mon-Sat. 10:am-8:00pm
Sun. 10:00-6:30pm
out of love.” It could be a situation
in reverse.
But by and large our OFWs have
become movers of our country’s
economy and have been honored
by a grateful president who has set
aside a day in December each year
to welcome our Balikbayans at the
airport in a perfunctory ceremony,
have photo-ops with her and pub-
lished in the papers with the cap-
tion “OUR HEROES.” And our
reluctant heroes are grateful for the
attention and recognition,, if only as
a parody.
August 20, 2009