VOL. XXV, NO. 23 BICOL, THE PHILIPPINES DECEMBER 24-30, 2017 P5.

00

IN BICOL Christmas in Phl

Urduja leaves 4 dead,
People in the Philippines
like to celebrate Christmas
for as long as possible! The
playing of Christmas carols
in shops can start in Sep-
to the First Sunday in Janu-
ary when Epiphany or the
Feast of the Three Kings is
celebrated.
In the Philippines the early

P19.3-M in damages
tember! The formal Christ-
mas celebrations start on
16th December when many
people go the the first of nine
pre-dawn or early morning
masses. The last mass is on
Christmas day. The Christ-
LEGAZPI CITY -- Tropical storm “Urduja” He said three of the fa- mas celebrations continue
masses held before Christmas
are called the 'Misa de Gallo'
or 'Simbang Gabi' in Filipino.
Most Filipinos are Chris-
tians with about 80% of
people being Catholics. It's
the only Asian country with
(Turn to page 4)

left the Bicol peninsula with four people dead talities were from Masbate
and one was from Camarines
and one missing, the Regional Disaster Risk Re- Norte.
duction and Management Council (RDRRMC) The victims were identi-
said on Tuesday. fied as Ginalyn B. Alicante,
Claudio Yucot, Office of the latest report, four people 42, of Palanas town, Brod-
Civil Defense (OCD) region- died from drowning, land- erick C. Piadopo, 24, also of
al director and RDRRMC slide, electrocution, and be- Palanas and Joana A. Lasala,
chairperson, said that as of ing hit by fallen tree. 25, from Masbate City, all in
Masbate province; and Con-
chita Nequita, 58, of Labo,
Camarines Norte.
Still missing is Sheryl
Mirasol of Libmanan, Ca-
marines Sur. There was no
report, however, as to the cir-
cumstances behind her going
missing.
(Turn to page 2)

PDEA
nets HVT
in Bicol
LEGAZPI CITY --- The
Philippine Drug Enforce-
ment Agency (PDEA) agents
collared on Saturday an-
other big-time drug pusher
while peddling 80 grams of
shabu (crystal meth) worth
PHP500,000 in a drug buy-
bust operation in Barangay
(village) San Roque, here, a
COMMUNITY VISITATION ranking PDEA official said
Camarines Sur Gov. Migz Villafuerte visited far flung Sunday.
municipalities like in Sinuknipan, Del Gallego where he Efren Manansala alias
inaugurated a newly-constructed covered court and brought Mangga, a resident of the
with him the Capitol’s Medical Mission Caravan as well as At the birth of Jesus: Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host
said village who is considered
some performers and even cosplayers. to the extreme delight appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the
a high-value target (HVT),
of the residents. jmts/rbmjr/mmec highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
(Turn to page 8)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY JESUS!!!

K-960 Aries St., Villa Grande Homes, Con. Grande, Naga City • TEL. (054) 884-93-76 • CP 0921-318-3720 / 0929-245-7353 / 0920-533-7766
2 BIKOL REPORTER OPINION DECEMBER 24-30, 2017

EDITORIAL OPINIONS
Merry Christmas 2017 UNLIMITED
Di sang ‘how much’ Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN

Iriguenos, in their own brand of humor
have a way of dismissing and wryly
explaining how things happen unjustly
or may turn out otherwise and expressed
in this adage which mix the native and
the borrowed. It sounds fatalist, almost a
contemporary version of bahala na, but yes,
it echoes a hope of retribution because as
its rough translation says, “you can never
tell.”
Television news and account of natural
disasters, like the recent devastation in
Biliran of the tropical storm “Urduja”, have
a disturbing desensitizing effect on the
viewers. Distance, and the fact that the event
already past, is retold by the camera, can
perhaps explain this. The idiot box, usually
located in the sala of houses, provide a
comfort zone and a queasy feeling of relief
and thanksgiving that all these things did
not happen to oneself. What is disturbing,
however, is the indifference that continued
exposure to violence and disasters breed
among us.
It is this kind of feeling that perhaps
was what made residents in Biblical times
of Bethlehem to reject the plea of a young
couple looking for a place to stay in the
night. Most of those they approached,
except one, did not even consider that the
woman was pregnant.
So indifference to the plight of others is
as ancient as Jesus’ times; yet, as crucial
to be reconsidered in our contemporary
times when caring for fellow human beings
seemed to have gone with the wind.
Consider the plight of Muslims in Myanmar
or closer to home, the internally displaced
Badjaos that suddenly appeared in urban
cities like Manila, singing carols to jeepney
commuters or begging them, explaining
they are not bad but have to survive so they
beg.
The government has plenty of work to
do to address internal migrants, but we
can also do our individual parts, even puny
ones. As a Christian country, we know the
teachings of our faith in being our brother’s
keepers. That is also what Christmas is all
about.
We cannot turn a blind eye to what is
happening, for as Iriguenos are wont to say
“di sang how much.”
We can never tell if the next howler or
crisis will come our way.
(Atty. APA – chairs Acyatan & Co.,
CPAs-DFK International – is past chair
of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, PICPA
past president and Hall-of-Famer, and
ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement Award-
ee).
ESTATE TAX: President RRD signed
into law the 2017 tax reform package. A
major change is the relaxation of estate
tax. The Tax Reform for Acceleration
and Inclusion (TRAIN) simplified estate
tax to a flat tax rate of six (6%) percent –
revising the present six tiers of estate tax,
which exempts assets worth P200,000,
and slaps highest rate of 20% for estate
values in excess of P10M. The change
is monumental since many eerstwhile
assets left behind by rich persons will
now be “unlocked” for economic use.
The TRAIN increased estate tax-ex-
empt value of family home from P1M to
P10M. The standard allowable exempt
estate deduction was raised to P5M to
cover claims for medical and funeral
expenses of the deceased. This almost
fully exempts small estates from taxes.
The law also relaxes the rule on with-
drawable amounts from deceased’s de-
posits, which are currently automatically
frozen upon the demise of the account
holder. Estate tax is now payable within
two years. Notice of death removed,
and filing of return is extended.
“SHORT” TRAIN: The final tax re-
form law may yield only two-thirds of the
P134 billion in additional revenues ver-
sus the original program. Per govern-
ment’s 2018 budget, projected revenues
under the TRAIN bill were originally
A Christmas party for women empowerment
MANILA -- It was like most Christmas
parties around--people having fun with
those they've spent the year with,
reveling in the dances, songs, and
even the new fad of self-pampering
activities like haircutting, manicure-
pedicure, massage, pranic healing,
and other alternative healing rites like
chiropractor and acupuncture.
The party was thrown by the
Presidential Communications Operations
Office (PCOO) and its attached agencies--
Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Radio
Television Malacanang (RTVM), Peoples
Television (PTV4), Philippine Broadcast
System (PBS), Philippine News Agency
(PNA), News and Information Bureau
(NIB), Apo Productions (APO), National
Printing Office (NPO), and the PCOO
Gender and Development (PCOO-GAD)-
-together with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD).
What makes the party different is the
advocacy behind it. The celebration was
shared with the Marilac Hills National
Training for Girls in Alabang, Muntinlupa
City.
“This program is not just about bringing
joy but bringing joy with a purpose for
making them aware of their rights as
estimated at P134B in the first year of
implementation. Despite this, fiscal of-
ficials remained optimistic that the gov-
ernment would be able to raise enough
funds for its infrastructure, human capi-
tal development and social protection
projects.
They are preparing additional provi-
sions for submission to Congress next
year. Hence, new tax impositions may
be thought of that will be basically ad-
ditional tax burdens for businest tax
reform will come up in 2018. Whether
these will be approved by Congress is
still an issue. The “new” taxes may be
augmented or new kinds of taxes may
be imposed. We have to see how the
first phase is implemented and what are
its effects on the common tao. None-
theless, brace yourself for the new fi-
nancial ”storm”.
INTEREST RATES: The US Fed-
eral Reserve raised interest rates last
week but left its rate outlook for the
coming years unchanged. Policymak-
ers projected a short-term jump in US
economic growth from the Trump ad-
ministration’s proposed tax cuts. In an
early verdict on the tax overhaul, Fed
policymakers judged it would boost the
economy next year but leave no last-
ing impact, with the long-run potential
growth rate stalled at just 1.8%.
The White House has frequently said
its tax plan would produce annual GDP
growth of 3% to 4%. The expected fis-
cal stimulus, coming on the heels of a
flurry of relatively bullish data, cleared
the way for the US central bank to raise
women, what they can and cannot do to
protect themselves," said lawyer Judy
Rose Tugado-Dimayuga, Director 2 of
the House Electoral Tribunal, who gave a
short talk during the program.
Lightly titled "BongGADka Day Part 3,"
the party was actually the third of a series
of programs meant to promote gender
awareness and development, particularly
of the rights under the Magna Carta for
Women.
The first was in December 2016, and
the second was in March 2017.
During last December 19's program,
Dimayuga gave a short lecture on
women's rights and how to avert sexual
assaults and harassment. The audience
was mainly the residents of Marilac Hills,
who are mostly women aged five to 24
and were victims of some sorts of violence
against women.
She said seeing the kids and telling
them of their rights pose a unique
challenge. “How do you explain to these
kids the concept of rape, simplify the
concept, but at the same time try to protect
their innocence?" she asked. “It’s so hard
to simplify the law. Sadly, you are in this
position when you have this traumatic
experience—how to understand, what
rates by ¼% to a range of 1.25% to
1.5%. It was the third rate hike in
2017. But the Fed’s forecast of ad-
ditional rate increases in 2018 and
2019 was unchanged from its pro-
jections last quarter. No hard impact
is expected. Abangan kung ano ang
dating sa ‘Pinas nito!
IMPEACHMENTS: With the big
majority in the House of Representa-
tives, the Duterte allies pack a wallop
as far as threats to impeachable gov-
ernment officials are concerned. To
impeach is a political exercise, just a
“numbers game”. The ongoing inqui-
ries and testimonies against the Chief
Justice is to our mind – comparable
to “witch-hunting” or evidence gather-
ing or expanding procedure. It is the
job of the Senate to “investigate” and
decide.
The current impeachment hear-
ings in the House Committee on Jus-
tice could have been simplified if the
vote count was earlier held. Then the
Senate will have to do the scrutinies.
The fairness and independence of the
nationally-elected senators will come
to the fore. Right now, there are some
who are so close to Rody (including
those who are aspiring for reelec-
tion) who may simply vote what Mala-
canang wants. Opinions Unlimited
trust many of the independent-minded
senators.
ROMANS: We know all things
work together for those who love
God, to those who are called to His
purpose.
to do to prevent further acts of sexual
assault.”
The outreach program was a
welcome break to the staff and 194
residents of the Marilac Hills facility—
most of whom are suffering from
the mental and physical trauma of
their former lives as sexually abused
children or victims of child pornography,
exploitation, and human trafficking.
“We have a high incidence of sexual
harassment. It can happen in school, on
the street, or at work; and the problem
is with Filipinos. We have this tendency
to be quiet instead of reporting, we’d
rather keep the shame,” Dimayuga, a
former trial lawyer, lamented. “It’s sad
that the oppressors walk away and live
a normal life while the victim suffers
in silence. You can’t help but feel sad
because what you study and read about
in law school suddenly takes on a face
in real life.”
But with projects like BongGADka
Day, Dimayuga is hopeful. “Women
are now becoming more aware and in
that awareness and understanding of
the law and their rights, women now
begin to muster the courage. When
women are informed, they become
empowered,” she said. (PNA)

Lucy Castañeda, DPWH dero Bridge (Tabuc town);

URDUJA LEAVES 4 DEAD . . .
Meanwhile, flooding in
various parts of Masbate and
Camarines provinces had
subsided, Yucot said.
The Department of Pub-
lic Works and Highways
(DPWH) said all major
highways going to and from
Metro Manila are now pass-
able to both heavy and light
vehicles.
Also, flights from Manila
to Legazpi and vice versa re-
sumed on Tuesday.
Likewise, classes in pri-
vate and public elementary
and high schools in all six
provinces in Bicol have re-
sumed.
The typhoon also left Bi-
col with PHP19.3-million
worth of damages to public
infrastructure when it hit the
region, particularly Masbate
province over the weekend,
the Department of Public
Works in Highways (DPWH)
said on Tuesday.
regional information officer,
in a phone interview, said
per information from their
maintenance divisions, only
Masbate was heavily affected
in Bicol.
Albay, Catanduanes, Ca-
marines Sur and Norte and
Sorsogon were spared of se-
rious damages. All roads in
these five provinces are pass-
able, she added.
According to Castañeda,
the damaged infrastructure
in Masbate include the Bana-
Nabangig Bridge (Palanas);
Gahit Bridge (Cataingan);
Galutan Bridge (Cataingan);
and San Fernando-Talisay
(San Fernando).
Meanwhile, the Office of
Civil Defense (OCD) said
Tuesday 49 barangays or vil-
lages in Bicol were affected
by Urduja, most of them in
Masbate.
Thirteen houses in the
province’s Dimasalang town
were totally damaged while
(Turn to page 8)

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DECEMBER 24-30, 2017 BUSINESS SECTION BIKOL REPORTER 3
 4 BIKOL REPORTER DECEMBER 24-30, 2017

KANTONG Delikadong Nasyon

DIS *KARTE
*KUSYON
*KURSO
PUTIKON! para sa Mga Reporters
Nginaranan an Pilipinas kan kan pulis, partikular si Presidential
FRANK PEÑONES JR.

Without Borders kan Pilipinas ta

nagpapadagos pa an delikadong
Cong. Bordado for reelection vs
Reporters Without Borders na Anti-Organized Crime Task Force sa
pinakapeligroso sa mga reporters. panahon ni dating Presidente Joseph kamugtakan kan mga taga-media sa
An deklarasyon kan grupong Estrada. Pilipinas.
LRV, LRay, Migz or Mag2345 nakabase sa Pransya susog sa Abot sa ngonyan, 17ng taon na an Tama an presidente na magsabi na
pahayag ni Presidente Duterte sa poon nakakaagi, an kaso ni Dacer, na dating bakong proteksyon kan sarong taga
Christus natus est nobis. Merry Christmas! kan siyang torno na kumo taga media, lider estudyante sa UNC asin nagin media an saiyang ID. Alagad bako
Naway pagpalain kayo at ang inyong mga mahal ngayong bako ining rason nin proteksyon. midbdid na PR man nin darakulang man proteksyon na pinakamarhay
Pasko at mga at mga araw pang darating. Maligayang Pasko Kan Nobyemre 24, 2000, dinukot mga tawo, dai pa nareresolberan. na pansagang iyo an paggibo asin
po - dir jun urbano & pamilya/mongolian barbecue nin mga armadong kalalakihan an An kaso ni Dacer, na saro kan pagsurat o pagtaram kan tama.
****** Bikolanong publicist na si Salvador pinakamidbid na personalidad na nagin Dai man namimili o mayong uso
May katapusan man yan - mayor tom bogalonta dapit sa “Bubby” Dacer asin an saiyang driver na biktima nin panggagadan, siring sa de rason an tawong tinamaan asin
panibagong suspension man yan si Emmanuel Corbito. Nanumpungan kaso nin mga ginatos pang mga taga- nakulgan kan katotoohan.
****** nakaperang aldaw an saindang media, ehemplo sana kan kaluyahan Sa samong daing lawog na mga
Dagos an pili summit sa bkol sa 2018. Fr Robert of adnu sinulong bangkay sa Cavite. Sa sa pagpursigi kan mga siring na kaso. parabasa, an sako pong pagmawot
will continue the project once the final research output is kasunod na imbestigasyon, nagluwas Kaya naiintindihan ta ining nin Maogmang Pasko asin
done. - fr jun viray, fr provincial of d society of jesus na si mga armadong lalaki miyembro klasipikasyon na ini kan Reporters Matoninong na Bagong Taon!
******
Ano ta dae iakusar c mayor ruel tuy kn tinambac? Pati
tesurera? Pinautang pa lugod kn capitolio.
As Christmas began in the heart of God Let us complete
DYING IN GRACE:
that love by extending our hearts to others.
****** Preparing to Go Home…”After Earth”
Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is I have always believed goes on and on of different of us do is fret and worry; Have you watched the
to have the real spirit of Christmas. that God knows what is and endless fears of what always afraid, fearful of so movie, “AFTER EARTH”?
****** best for each one of us. That may befall us as we advance many things except truly Please allow me to coin some
Tabang Bikol Movement Media Advisory: Pls cover One as a parent who genuinely, in our years. preparing for what are truly spiritual nuances to the char-
year after Nina. Kumusta na ESA (Emergency Shelter eternally and uncondition- But what I am fully sure, important for the inevitable... acters and scenes portrayed
Assistsnce) and Recovery?l with sustainable livelihood tru ally loves his everlastingly and which a majority of you our souls, our spirits going in this film.
natural plant extracts — Tabang Bikol Movement gathering truant children, He knows would agree to is this simple HOME. We take so much "After Earth" (heaven) is
of PODIS (People’s Organization of Disaster Survivors) last what is best for each one. truth: all of us are somehow pride in our temporal and actually a lovely surprise. It
December 20 Wednesday at 8am to 2pm Mariners Gym in Often, though, His best may so afraid of dying…of leav- earthly achievements, focus- is a film about a father (God)
pilot town of Canaman. Kumusta: Sarong taon pagkatapos ni not be what we want to hap- ing our love ones, our prop- ing on the material gains and and (His) son (human beings)
Nina (at Urduja?) Ang Simbag sa 300 hali sa 24 barangays pen or plan for. Most of the erties, belongings etc, all of profits of fame, fortune & ex- marooned on a hostile future
sa Canaman magtiripon kaibahan ang Kurit Bata: Alay kay time, when the Lord’s best which we worked hard for... ternals that competitiveness earth (modern world and its
Boboy Workshop for Children Survivors. in our lives does not suit sadly not realizing they were brings about. By the world's complexities). It is truly a
****** us, we retreat to our hu- gifts, blessings, miracles (if standards, we might be win- moral tale disguised as a sci-
Kumusta Sustainable Livelihood: Pag-asa sa Agrikultura man comfort zones, afraid I may say so), graces, fruits, ners, but surprisingly we for- fi blockbuster. It's no classic,
at Industriya? Paunlarin Land use and Production of of the divine wisdom that is and virtues not ours really get that there's so much more but it's a special movie: spec-
E-Sense!
clearly reflected in His best; but the Lord's great love rewarding than the promises tacular and wise,” according
******
and our weak and frail hu- manifested... we all live on of the temporary… some- to one movie review.
Kitakits! Dala gifts to share.. Contribute inputs
man nature wins. We tend borrowed time; treasures we thing more meaningful and Smith plays veteran space
******
Buhayin ang Pag-asa! to choose what is the easi- are allowed to have through fulfilling… soldier Cypher Raige. The ac-
****** est, most convenient and honest work; people we were Here is something that we tor's real-life son Jaden plays
Para sako gusto kong dangogon sa radyo ngonian musika approved-by-all way. blessed to meet, take care need to realize: our life here Cypher's son Kitai, an aspir-
ta pang parelax. Ang politika nakakastress I also believe that no one of, live with, to serve and to on earth is limited and short; ing warrior who just failed
****** among us has an ordinary love; talents and skills to use that the most certain end for his cadet promotion test (life,
Ako gusto ko politika pag may mainit na isyu. Pag mayo life. Each one of us has an for our own good and those us all is, of course, death… earth’s journey by each hu-
musika.- bombo lito of legazpi city extraordinary one because of others. But nothing and no taxes we can evade but not man being). The story script,
****** we each have a unique jour- one is really what we can or dying. Yet, dying in grace lays out a future world where
Preparado c cong gabi bordado para reeleksyon para ney towards our true home should call our own. is now a rare experience for humans have fled a polluted
congsessman kn 3rd dist kn camsur/naga. Laban maski with God in heaven. Most We become so attached to most of us. Earth (really happening right
kiisay: lolo, lola, aki o maski pa makuapo. of us are afraid of growing so many things and people in We must, however, take now) and built cities on the
old: having gray hairs and our lives that we fail to see real time to find out why we distant Nova Prime (other
CHRISTMAS IN PHL . . . wrinkles, falling and rotting that we can actually prepare need to prepare to “go home” planets being studied for
so many Christians. Because represents the star that guided teeth, poorer eyesight, weak- ourselves and our love ones in grace to our Father in human habitation) that was
of this, Christmas is the most the Wise Men. It is the most er knees, crooked backbones, for this sure “as the sun will Heaven. May I suggest that already claimed by anoth-
important holiday in the Phil- popular Christmas decoration sagging muscles, thicker rise after it sets” natural phe- we start by understanding er species that didn't take
ippines. December is actually in the Philippines. waistlines, heavier bodies; nomenon as we go through our relationship with God? kindly to the colonists and
one of the 'cooler' months of Christmas Eve is very getting sick… of being use- this wonderful journey each We must all take extra care created predators called ur-
the year in the Philippines. important in the Philippines. less, unloved, rejected, un- day, even in each moment of not leaving this to chance, sas (evil spirits) to kill them.
The Philippines only has two Many people stay awake all cared for… The list actually that we breath. What most ever… (Turn to page 10)
real seasons, wet (June to night into Christmas day!

First Surviving Centennarian in Naga

October) and dry (April and
May). December is one of the
months in between the wet
and dry seasons.
Christmas customs in the
Philippines are a mixture of
western and native Filipino
traditions. (Christianity be-
came widely known in The
Philippines in the 1500s when
missionaries from countries
like Portugal and Spain trav-
eled to the area.) So people
in the Philippines have San-
ta Claus (or 'Santa Klaus'),
Christmas trees, Christmas
cards and Christmas carols
from western countries!
They also have their own
Christmas traditions such as
the 'parol' which is a bamboo
pole or frame with a lighted
star lantern on it. It's tradi-
tionally made from bamboo
strips and colored Japanese
paper or cellophane paper and
During Christmas Eve eve-
ning, Christians go to church
to hear the last 'simbang gabi'
or the Christmas Eve mass.
This is followed by a midnight
feast, called Noche Buena.
The Noche Buena is a big,
open house, celebration with
family, friends and neighbors
dropping in to wish everyone
a Merry Christmas! Most
households would have sev-
eral dishes laid out and would
normally include: lechon
(roasted pig), ham, fruit
salad, rice cakes (bibingka
and puto bumbong are tradi-
tional Christmas foods) and
other sweets, steamed rice,
and many different types of
drinks.
The Philippines has eight
major languages, here's how to
say Merry Christmas in some
of them! In Tagalog, Happy/
(Turn to page 10 )
Totoong gana sa buhay
ining si Lola Paciencia
Pelin Plata kan siya mag-
selebrar kan saiyang ika-
100 na taon compleaño
kan Agosto 12, 2017. Nin
huli kaini, naglalagatak na
Php100,000 pesos an iti-
nao kan gobierno nacional
saiya sa paagi kan DSWD.
An sekreto ni Lola sa ha-
lawig na buhay, pagkakan
nin tamang kakanon, sa
tamang oras, sa tamang lu-
wag sana. Si Lola nabalo sa
edad na 28 años asin dai na
nungka giraray nag-agom,
ta segun saiya, maski ngani
dakul pa nagpahayag nin na daa muya ta apuera na bebeluvs an pagkamoot. Si tinawan nin 100,000.00 pe-
interes kan panahon kan igwa na siyang tolong aki, an Lola Paciencia iyo an prim- sos. An pagduhol kan cash
amerikano asin hapon na saiyang agom sana an "the erong buhay asin pantolong award pigsaksihan ni Al-
mag-ilusyon saiya, dai nya
only one" ki Lola! Iyan mga centenarian hali sa Naga na kalde John Bongat
 DECEMBER 24-30, 2017 BIKOL REPORTER 5
The Legend of St. Nicholas
and his wife, Mrs. Claus.
A SANTA BY ANY
OTHER NAME
18th-century America’s
Santa Claus was not the
only St. Nicholas-inspired
gift-giver to make an ap-
pearance at Christmastime.
Similar figures were popular
all over the world. Christkind
or Kris Kringle was believed
to deliver presents to well-
behaved Swiss and German
The legend of Santa Claus man with a full, white beard, children. Meaning “Christ
can be traced back hundreds holding a sack laden with toys child,” Christkind is an angel-
of years to a monk named St. for lucky children. It is Nast like figure often accompanied
Nicholas. It is believed that who gave Santa his bright red by St. Nicholas on his holiday
Nicholas was born sometime suit trimmed with white fur, missions. In Scandinavia, a
around 280 A.D. in Patara, North Pole workshop, elves, (Turn to page 11)
near Myra in modern-day
Turkey. Much admired for
his piety and kindness, St.
Nicholas became the subject
of many legends. It is said
that he gave away all of his
inherited wealth and traveled
the countryside helping the
poor and sick. One of the best
known of the St. Nicholas
stories is that he saved three
poor sisters from being sold
into slavery or prostitution
by their father by providing
them with a dowry so that
they could be married. Over
the course of many years,
Nicholas’s popularity spread
and he became known as
the protector of children and
sailors. His feast day is cel-
ebrated on the anniversary of
his death, December 6. This
was traditionally considered a
lucky day to make large pur-
chases or to get married. By
the Renaissance, St. Nicholas
was the most popular saint in
Europe. Even after the Prot-
estant Reformation, when the
veneration of saints began to
be discouraged, St. Nicholas
maintained a positive reputa-
tion, especially in Holland.
‘TWAS THE NIGHT
BEFORE CHRISTMAS
In 1822, Clement Clarke
Moore, an Episcopal minister,
wrote a long Christmas poem
for his three daughters en-
titled “An Account of a Visit
from St. Nicholas.” Moore’s
poem, which he was initially
hesitant to publish due to the
frivolous nature of its subject,
is largely responsible for our
modern image of Santa Claus
as a “right jolly old elf” with
a portly figure and the su-
pernatural ability to ascend a
chimney with a mere nod of
his head! Although some of
Moore’s imagery was prob-
ably borrowed from other
sources, his poem helped
popularize the now-familiar
image of a Santa Claus who
flew from house to house on
Christmas Eve–in “a minia-
ture sleigh” led by eight fly-
ing reindeer–leaving presents
for deserving children. “An
Account of a Visit from St.
Nicholas” created a new and
immediately popular Ameri-
can icon. In 1881, political
cartoonist Thomas Nast drew
on Moore’s poem to create the
first likeness that matches our
modern image of Santa Claus.
His cartoon, which appeared
in Harper’s Weekly, depicted
Santa as a rotund, cheerful
 6 BIKOL REPORTER
Catanduanes kids get nutri-boost
ICT WORKSHOP
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) conducted Rural Impact Sourcing workshop in Naga
City to help provide ICT- related skills training to equip those interested in online jobs.
Legazpi City cites smoke-free establishments
LEGAZPI CITY – The
City Health Office here
awarded more than 40 es-
tablishments with a cer-
tificate of appreciation and
trophy for winning the
search for the 75 percent to
100 percent smoke-free es-
tablishments, in a ceremony
held at Kanzo Restaurant
Friday.
City health officer, Dr.
Fulbert Alec Gillego, said
in an interview that Legazpi
City’s smoke-free program
began with the implementa-
tion of Ordinance ‎0007-2009
or the revised smoke-free law
Sorsogon in priority
agricultural list
SORSOGON CITY –
For 2018, the province of
Sorsogon is one of the three
Bicol provinces included in
the 10 priority provinces of
the Special Area for Agricul-
tural Development (SAAD)
nationwide.
SAAD national Program
Director Bernadette F. San
Juan, said that the program is
one of the strategies Secretary
Manny F. Piñol introduced
upon his assumption of DA’s
top post to alleviate poverty
and achieve food security.
It started in 2016 in the 10
poorest provinces of the coun-
try where the weaknesses of
these areas, and their poten-
tials in food production and
livelihood programs were
considered.
Each year from 2017 to
2022, SAAD will focus on
10 marginal provinces. The
SAAD program is anchored
on Social Preparation and
Food Production and Liveli-
hood as tools to reduce pov-
SAAD ORIENTATION
(L to R) Mayor Benito Doma of Prieto Diaz Sorsogon; Provincial
Planning and Development Office (PPDO) Chief Dominador O.
Jardin; DA Bicol OIC Regional Technical Director for Operations
and Extension Rodel P. Tornilla with SAAD National Program
Director Bernadette San Juan.
authored by former council-
or, now Board Member Rolly
Rosal.
The ordinance was enacted
by the Sangguniang Panlung-
sod and approved by former
mayor Carmen Geraldine B.
Rosal in 2009.
Gillego said the imple-
mentation of the ordinance
is a shared responsibility of
the Legazpi City Health Of-
fice (CHO) as the leading
implementing office, together
with non-governmental orga-
nizations, religious groups,
schools, business establish-
ments, the academe, and law
erty.
Sorsogon Provincial Plan-
ning and Development Office
(PPDO) Chief Dominador O.
Jardin said the SAAD pro-
gram will boost the poorest
municipalities of the province.
Sorsogon’s top commodities
are pili, seaweeds, abaca, co-
conut and cacao, he added.
Sorsogon has 14 munici-
palities, one city and 541 ba-
rangays with two congressio-
nal districts. It covers an area
of 2,141.44 square kilometers.
According to 2015 Phil. Sta-
tistics Authority (PSA) re-
ports, Sorsogon has 31.65%
poverty incidence. Matnog,
has the highest poverty inci-
dence rate among population
(2015) at 45.2% and is one of
six priority municipalities in
Sorsogon under SAAD along
with Donsol which has 44.1%
poverty incidence, Magallanes
(44.1%), Pilar (42.5%), Juban
(37.3%), and Sta. Magdalena
(35.5%). -Lovella P. Guarin/
RAFIS DA 5
enforcers.
For three consecutive
years from 2010 until 2013,
the Department of Health
(DOH) recognized the city
government of Legazpi as a
model LGU in the country
for its effective anti-cigarette
smoking campaign.
The city was named as
DOH Hall of Famer in the
prestigious Smoke-Free Red
Orchid Award during the an-
nual celebration of World
No Tobacco Day on May 29,
2013 at the Philippine Trade
and Training Center in Pasay
City, Gillego said.
He said Legazpi has put up
more big billboards and video
screens at the airport, seaport,
market, terminals and other
public places and crowded
areas of the city as part of
the smoke-free campaign to
constantly inform the public
about the ill effects of smok-
ing and penalties for smoking
in undesignated areas.
This is also aimed at main-
taining the image of Legazpi
as one with a smoke-free en-
vironment.
Gillego commended all
the owners of the establish-
ments who received the
awards and the members of
the smoke-free enforcement
team for their full support for
Safety net in times of uncertainties
A total of 155 micro-
finance clients of CARD,
Inc. and CARD Bank, Inc.
in Agdao and Sasa, Davao
City who were affected by
the fire incident on Novem-
ber 24, 2017 received a re-
lief assistance from CARD
Mutual Benefit Associa-
tion (CARD MBA). This is
to temporarily assist them
while recovering from the
situation.
the city’s program.
The 100-percent smoke-
free establishment awardees
were: Emerald Boutique Ho-
tel; Vista Al Hotel; Legazpi
Airport Buffet; Delica Japa-
nese Restaurant; Chef Lee
Restaurant; Palamigan; Four
Seasons Restaurant; Kanzo
Hall; Cosina de Marina; the
Department of Public Works
and Highways; Department
of Environment and Natural
Resources; Environmental
Management Bureau; DOH;
Securities and Exchange
Commission; Commission
on Population; Social Secu-
rity System; the Bicol Uni-
versity; University of Santo
Tomas-Legazpi; Divine Word
College; Computer Arts and
Technological College; AMA
College and Mariners Poly-
technic Colleges Foundation.
On the other hand, the
awardees as 75 percent to 85
percent smoke-free establish-
ments were the Lotus Blue
Hotel; Casa de Piedra; the
National Economic and De-
velopment Authority; Albay
Doctors Hospital; Chicken
Deli; Mini-Stop convenience
store; the PAGASA National
High School; Southern Lu-
zon Technological College;
the Innodata Content Online
Services; and Sutherland
All microfinance clients of
CARD, Inc. and CARD Bank
are automatically enrolled in
CARD MBA and are entitled
to life insurance benefits.
Moreover, clients are also en-
titled to some non-financial
services such as the CARD
MRI Disaster Relief Assis-
tance Program (CDRAP).
The relief packs include two
kilograms of rice, canned
goods, and medicines.
DECEMBER 24-30, 2017
Two hundred twenty-
three (223) Day Care chil-
dren from the different ba-
rangays of the municipality
of Caramoran benefitted
from the Timbang-Angat, a
supplemental feeding pro-
gram of the provincial gov-
ernment held at Barangay
Plaza of Dariao, Caramoran
last December 6.
Timbang-Angat Program
is an initiative of the Office
of the Governor in partner-
ship with the Municipality of
Caramoran, Provincial Social
Welfare and Development Of-
fice (PSWDO) and the Pro-
vincial Health Office (PHO)
which aims to bring solution
and efforts of the government
who are in dire need of help.
It also unites municipal
and provincial agencies in ad-
dressing solutions to munici-
pal and provincial issues.
Data from the National Nu-
trition Council (NNC) shows
that the island-province has
the highest malnutrition rate
in the entire Bicol region
since 2015, while Caramoran
is the number one municipal-
ity in the top 20 municipalities
with the highest prevalence of
underweight from 0-59 old
children.
Governor Joseph C. Cua
through Provincial Informa-
tion Officer II Joshua Paul
Araojo conveyed his grati-
tude for the realization of
the program through the full
cooperation of the Municipal
Local Government Unit of
Caramoran headed by Mayor
Agnes Popa.
Global Services.
The establishments that
received the awards for be-
ing 86 percent to 99 percent
smoke-free were the Pinaric
Eco-Park; Riserr Residences;
Bureau of Customs; Civil Ser-
vice Commission; Tanchul-
ing Hospital; Esteves Me-
morial Hospital; the Koron
Restaurant, Alibar Food; RS
Burger Express; and Ada’s
Store. -PNA/EMMANUEL
SOLIS
The re-house program,
which is crucial in times like
this, is an optional non-life
insurance product offered
by the other microinsurance
arms of CARD Mutually Re-
inforcing Institutions (CARD
MRI), the CARD Pioneer
Microinsurance, Inc. (CPMI)
and CARD MRI Insurance
Agency (CaMIA). Clients
may opt to loan an insurance
product for their houses that
Gov. CUA
Assuring the parents for
follow-up activities, Gov. Cua
also asked for their support
and cooperation for the effec-
tive and efficient implementa-
tion of the program.
“An provincial govern-
ment po sa pangengenotan kan
saindong padabang goberna-
dor magibo man tabi nin mga
programa asin mga aktibidad
na matabangan niato an mga
magurang asin an mga kaa-
kian na maging healthy” Pro-
vincial Information Officer II
Araojo said.
Meanwhile, in behalf of the
Municipality of Caramoran,
Municipal Social Welfare De-
velopment Officer Elena Dela
Rosa commended the efforts
of the provincial government
for launching such relevant
program.
She likewise encouraged
all parents to work hand in
hand with the local govern-
ment to be able to deliver the
appropriate services for the
children.
On the part of the Local
Government of Caramoran
particularly the Municipal
Social Welfare and Develop-
ment Office (MSWDO), she
said they already had prior
discussions with Mayor Popa
for their programs and activi-
ties this coming 2018.
These include the strength-
ening of the role and respon-
sibility of day care parents
wherein they are going to be
obliged to do gardening, prac-
tice waste segregation and
other relative activities in line
with their advocacy for the
rights of the children.
is payable in one year. As per
validation, no affected cli-
ents availed of the re-house
program; however, they are
now considering to get an
insurance for their respective
houses.
CARD, Inc., CARD Bank,
and CARD MBA are all
members of CARD MRI, a
social development organiza-
tion that is in the business of
poverty eradication.
DECEMBER 24-30, 2017 BIKOL REPORTER 7
Maligayang Pasko at
Maunlad na Bagong Taon!

With Branches:

* Along Diversion Road, Brgy. Tabuco, Naga City

* Brgy. Dayangdang, Naga City BELEN

* Along Diversion Road, Brgy. Camambugan,
Daet, Camarines Norte
* San Gregorio Village, Brgy. Pamorangon,
Daet, Camarines Norte
Owned and Managed By:
Engr. & Mrs. Fernando N. Cruz
The manger scene that we associate
with Christmas originated in Italy. The
tradition began with Italy’s patron saint
- St. Francis of Assisi. It happened in a
rustic area, about 60 miles from Rome.
In the year 1223, St. Francis was vis-
iting the town of Greccio for Christmas.
To help the people of the town connect
to the experience of the Holy Family, he
created the first “live Nativity scene.”
St. Francis and his poor friars led a
throng of singing villagers up Mount
Lacerone to the Greccio monastery on
Christmas Eve. There he had gathered
a donkey, an ox, and a dozen peasants
to play the parts of the Holy Family and
shepherds. The villagers took turns pass-
ing in line, to see this site. The grotto
where the scene was set up was too small
to hold everyone.
Some stories say that St. Francis then
celebrated mass in front of the Nativity
scene. A Mass may have been celebrated,
but it was not led by St. Francis. St. Fran-
cis was not a priest, but a deacon.
Each year the manger scene is recre-
ated in Greccio. It remains simple, much
like Francis himself. The power of the sa-
cred moment is allowed to touch people
where they are in their lives.
8 BIKOL REPORTER DECEMBER 24-30, 2017

URDUJA LEAVES 4 DEAD . . . duction and Management

Merry Christmas and a
Prosperous New Year!
ROLANDO S. RAFER
Manager
Alliance Insurance Agency
2/F Symar Bldg., Vinzons Avenue
Daet, Camarines Norte
two were partially damaged.
Also, as the weather im-
proved, disaster authorities
in Bicol allowed stranded
passengers to travel from the
ports of Albay, Masbate, Cat-
anduanes and Camarines Sur.
The Philippine Coast
Guard gave the green light
after the local weather bureau
announced in its advisory
that Bicol region’s weather is
back to normal, according to
Claudio Yucot, OCD regional
director.
“It is a normal practice that
we allow passengers to leave
and ships to sail following
the lifting of all public storm
warning signals over the re-
gion,” he said in a phone in-
terview.
Yucot said majority of the
passengers who were allowed
to sail were bound for Samar
and Leyte provinces in the
Visayas.
He added that various
Provincial Disaster Risk Re-
PDEA NETS HVT IN BICOL . . .
was nabbed in a buy-bust
operation by joint elements
of PDEA-PNP, according to
Christian Frivaldo, PDEA re-
gional director.
The suspect did not resist
when arrested by the PDEA
operatives led by Enrique Lu-
cero, PDEA Albay chief, at
about 6:30 p.m. Saturday at
Purok 1, Barangay San Roque,
a coastal village here.
Frivaldo said the suspect
Councils (PDRRMC) and
Municipal DRRMCs de-
camped 1,343 families or
6,132 persons who sought
refuge in various evacuation
centers in Bicol as Urduja
passed through the region.
-PNA/Connie Destura
identity is included in the drug
watch list and was a subject of
surveillance by the agency.
According to Frivaldo,
Manansala reportedly gets his
drug supply from Ismael On-
sad alias Opaw and Angelo
Ariraya who were earlier ar-
rested with more than a kilo
of shabu worth PHP7.7 mil-
lion last December 2 this year
in Barangay Oro Site here. -
(PNA/MAR SERRANO)

Maogmang Pasko
Greetings of Joy and Prosperity asin Mauswag na Bagong Taon!
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
Engr. NILO R. SALAZAR
Sto. Domingo, Nabua, Camarines Sur
ARMIN & LALA NAGERA
Brother - Pio & Marion Micoleta
and Family Children: Ingrid, Pido, Mc Justin

Philians Engineering and Sister – Susan & Jomar Radasa

Construction Supply Daughter: Amrose

Gov. Panotes Ave., Purok 10 Stinely & Davidson Oida

Brgy. 8, Daet, Camarines Norte Daughters: Mariam & Divine

Season’s Greetings to one and all! Sabaton niyato an Pasko asin

Bagong Taon na pano nin
Engr. & Mrs. RUBEN S. SANTOS JR.
kaogmahan, paglaom asin pag-asa.
District Engineer DPWH 1st DEO
Baras, Canaman, Camarines Sur Engr. & Mrs.
Kids: OCEAN, SKY, FOREST EDWIN A. BERMAL
and FAMILY
Naga City

Maligayang Pasko Sa gabos Maogmang Pasko

at Manigong Bagong Taon! asin Mauswag na Bagong Taon!

BESCOM TRADING
For your construction need J. M. COFER
CONSTRUCTION & SUPPLY
STIMSON (ABOY) CHUA
General Manager
JOJO FERNANDO
Manager
DECEMBER 24-30, 2017 BIKOL REPORTER 9

An samuyang pamilya minapaabot nin Maogmang

Pasko sa gabos! Lugod mapasatuya an bendisyon
nin Kagurangnan Hesus para sa pagsabat niato
sa Bagong Taon na pano nin paglaom asin pag-

Merry Christmas and a asa para sa mauswag na taon 2018!

Engr. & Mrs.

Prosperous New Year! RICHARD E.P. RAGRAGIO
nee: DELIA FUENTEBELLA
Season's Greetings from:

BIKOL REPORTER
From the Management
and Staff JEFFREY RICHARD – ABIGAIL – RICHARD BENEDICT
Asst. District Engineer DPWH and DEO
Baras, Canaman, Camarines Sur

Merry Christmas An bulan na Disyembre iyo an panahon na kung

saen sinecelebrar ang kamundagan kan satuyang
and a Prosperous New Year! Kagurangnan na si Niño Jesus, kaya ngonian na
kapaskuhan magkasararo po kita sa paagi nin pagpamibi,
pagpapatawad, pagmiminurootan kan lambang pamilya.
Hagad ta po sa satong Kagurangnan ang paglaom na
satuyang marisibi ang espiritu kan Pasko.
Ini po si Mayor Anthony ‘Lahbas” R. Reyes, kaibahan ang
sakong bilog na pamilya minapaabot nin Maogmang Pasko
asin Magayagayang Bagong Taon.

ANTHONY R. REYES
Municipal Mayor
Milaor, Camarines Sur

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!

 10 BIKOL REPORTER DECEMBER 24-30, 2017

NCF Tigers is Luzon cage champion,

will represent Luzon in nat’l tourney
The City Government city officials and the em-
of Naga congratulated the ployees of the City Govern-
Naga College Foundation ment of Naga, recognized
(NCF) Tigers Basketball the achievement of the team
Team after the latter took during the flag raising cer-
home the championship in emony at the city hall for the
the conducted 2017 Luzon honor they brought to the city
Champions of the Philip- through their excellence in
pine Collegiate Champions sports as they bagged cham-
League. pionships in various regional
The team represented tournaments.
the city after they champ As a support, the city gov-
the Naga City 2017 Charter ernment assured the team of
Intercollegiate Basketball financial assistance to further
Tournament. still their trainings and other
Mayor John Bongat ex- needs in sports, including
pressed his delight in the school scholarships and al-
team being the champion in lowances— much to the de-
South Luzon as well as in the light of the players.
entire Luzon region. Engr. Mario Villanueva, Mindanao and other NCR League (CWBL) planning various sports tournament, the games, could help bring
The team would now be the NCF President, also ex- basketball teams. to conduct actual games to Mayor John Bongat, is opti- about further promotion of
representing Luzon against pressed his pleasure that NCF Meanwhile, with the cities and municipalities mistic that CWBL’s offer to sports in the city. - Armie B.
the NCR UAAP and NCAA Tigers made it to the Elite8 or Country Wide Basketball with participating teams in have Naga City host one of Gunay, CEPPIO
champions and first runner- Magic 8— the best of all the
ups, and Visayas and Mind- colleges’ basketball team out conceal or reveal surprises,
anao regions champ basket-
PREPARING TO GO HOME…”AFTER EARTH” . . . and deepen the relationship
of the 32 leagues and other
ball teams as well. 200 collegiate teams in the They hunt by smelling fear between the creator and the taining basic supplies and between the characters and
“Dakulang onra ini na Philippines. (human nature of greediness created: a video-audio system that their world.”
pigtao ninda sa govierno lo- NCF Tigers is looking for- breeds this). “The Raiges' ship is dam- can let his father guide him In the ending of this mov-
cal kan Ciudad nin Naga,” ward to their game in Febru- Cypher is a warrior aged in a freak asteroid storm, from afar. Most of the film's ie, the message still remains:
Bongat shared in an inter- ary 2018 against De La Salle, known for his ability to tossed out of hyperspace dialogue is goal-related: what is good will always tri-
view. Ateneo, San Beda, Lyceum, "ghost," slang for fighting and into Earth's orbit, skims Go here. Try this. No dad, umph, for all adversities we
Bongat, together with the the collegiate champion in without fear, but very much a across the atmosphere like a that won't work, I should face as human beings are ac-
ramrod-straight man-of-few- pie plate, and is torn in two. try something else. The film tually those that will make us
EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT words type, so emotionally Cypher and Kitai are the only tells its story as father or strong to be able to achieve
WITH ABSOLUTE SALE constipated that he seems to survivors from the front half. son might. Each scene lasts our purpose and meaning in
Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the have to remind himself what Their distress beacon has as long as it should, and no this life…those that will help
surviving Heirs of DIVINA D. TRINIDAD, left a parcel laughter sounds like. Kitai is been destroyed in the crash. longer. The camera moves us go home with honor to our
of land identified as Lot No. 165-D, situated at Bagum- the eager young space cadet The ship's back half, which with a purpose: to follow and Father in heaven. - Tessa
bayan Grande, Goa, Camarines Sur; that invoking the trying to embody and exceed might or might not contain frame and explain action, Santiago-Rey
provision of Rule 74,Section 1 of the Revised Rules his father's example, crav- a working distress beacon,
of Court of the Philippines, the parties all of legal age ing expressions of approval is 100 kilometers away. If CHRISTMAS IN PHL . . .
hereby ADJUDICATE the described property among and love that his father is not the castaways don't call for Merry Christmas is 'Mali- languages.
themselves; that for and in consideration of the sum of wired to provide (exactly the help soon, they'll asphyxiate
THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS (Php30,000.00) Philippine gayang Pasko'; in Ilonggo it's In 2013 the Philippines
opposite of what God wants or get eaten by predators, one 'Malipayon nga Pascua'; in was hit by Typhoon Haiyan
Currency, in hand paid in full satisfaction by REMEDIOS to do for us).” of which is an ursa that was
TADEO vda. DE CASAIS of Bagumbayan Grande, Goa, Sugbuhanon or Cebuano it's and thousands of people were
And the following scenes on their ship, set free by the 'Maayong Pasko'; in Bicolano made homeless, so lots of
Camarines Sur, the HEIRS do hereby SELL, CEDE,
are but reflections of the con- crash. they say 'Maugmang Pasko' in people can't celebrate Christ-
CONVEY and TRANSFER by way of Absolute Sale
the land described unto said Remedios Tadeo vda de tinuous struggles and chal- Cypher's legs are broken. Pangalatok or Pangasinense mas like they used to. Many
Casais, her heirs and assigns; as acknowledged before lenges we human beings Kitai has to make the jour- they say 'Maabig ya pasko' charities like Compassion are
Notary Public Atty. Ellen A. Ernesto-Darilay, Doc. No. face each day and God’s re- ney for him. He only has his or 'Magayagan inkianac'; working in the Philippines to
166, Page No. 34, Book No. I, Series of 2017. sponses to our cries for help trusty "cutlass" (a retractable and in Warey Warey you say help people. Find out more
BIKOL REPORTER
and assistance that eventu- double-bladed weapon), and 'Maupay Nga Pasko'. Happy/ about the Philippines on the
Published: December 17, 24 and 31, 2017 ally nurtures the relationship an environmental suit con- Merry Christmas in lots more Compassion website.

FOR NOVEMBER
NAME OF DECEASED DATE OF INTERMENT

SIXTO L. LUZ SR. NOVEMBER 3, 2017

GAVINO A. CECILIO NOVEMBER 3, 2017
AYNA B. SANCHEZ NOVEMBER 3, 2017
ESLAWA A. AGUILAR NOVEMBER 5, 2017
VICTORIA A. BONGIAD NOVEMBER 5, 2017
EMILIA P. PALMEDA NOVEMBER 11, 2017
CELSO Q. SANICO NOVEMBER 11, 2017
ROBERTO L. UMEREZ NOVEMBER 11, 2017
RODOLFO A. PACHECO JR. NOVEMBER 14, 2017
GLENN DUANE S. CONCORDIA NOVEMBER 14, 2017
RHYXEN YZOBELLE ABESTRO NATIVIDAD NOVEMBER 20, 2017
ELPIDIO A. REDONDO JR. NOVEMBER 21, 2017
LEOPOLDO A. CUYA SR. NOVEMBER 23, 2017
DIONISIO R. OLAVERE SR. NOVEMBER 23, 2017
RODOLFO C. ORLIN JR. NOVEMBER 25, 2017
FELICIDAD M. GOYENA NOVEMBER 25, 2017
FELICIANO A. AGUILAR SR. NOVEMBER 28, 2017
FLORENCIA B. AGUILAR NOVEMBER 28, 2017
ELMER B. AGUILAR NOVEMBER 28, 2017
SIMFOROSA F. ESQUIERRA NOVEMBER 28, 2017
WILLIAM B. PARDE SR. NOVEMBER 30, 2017
ELSA M. PARDE NOVEMBER 30, 2017
 DECEMBER 24-30, 2017
PT and Rehab Center to Rise in Naga
NAGA CITY --- Next
year, a new medical facil-
ity will rise within the City
Hall compound, here, to at-
tend to individuals suffer-
ing from physical immobil-
ity, a body condition which
the Naga City Police Office
observed to be achieving “a
continuing increase in num-
ber.”
The ordinance that seeks
to establish the center and
create the Naga City Physical
Therapy and Rehabilitation
Committee was sponsored by
City Councilor Jose “Sonny”
C. Rañola. It was enacted on
December 5, this year.
The police’s observation
was confirmed by the City
Health Office that welcomes
the proposed facility as it
“will be greatly important es-
pecially to indigent patients
who are suffering from pa-
ralysis due to stroke, ampu-
tation, injury, sprains, strains
and other health problems.”
Rañola, in his explana-
tory note, said that physical
therapy is often used to treat
THE LEGEND OF ST. NICHOLAS . . .
jolly elf named Jultomten
was thought to deliver gifts
in a sleigh drawn by goats.
English legend explains that
Father Christmas visits each
home on Christmas Eve to fill
children’s stockings with hol-
iday treats. Pere Noel is re-
sponsible for filling the shoes
of French children. In Russia,
it is believed that an elderly
woman named Babouschka
purposely gave the wise men
wrong directions to Bethle-
hem so that they couldn’t find
Jesus. Later, she felt remorse-
ful, but could not find the men
to undo the damage. To this
day, on January 5, Babousch-
ka visits Russian children
leaving gifts at their bedsides
in the hope that one of them
is the baby Jesus and she will
be forgiven. In Italy, a similar
story exists about a woman
called La Befana, a kindly
witch who rides a broomstick
various types of injuries and
disorders that cause prob-
lems with movement. People
with certain health conditions
such as multiple sclerosis or
Parkinson’s disease may re-
quire a physical therapist in
order for the patient to regain
mobility and function.
“With the operation of the
physical therapy and rehab
center, a huge number of pa-
tients from all ages and walks
of life will be served free of
charge, especially those from
poor families and from the
sector of persons with dis-
abilities. There are lots of
PWDs who undergo therapy
twice a week,” says Dr. Vito
Borja, city health officer.
The police observation
on the rising number of per-
sons suffering from physical
immobility was determined
from reports that accounts for
the increasing number of ve-
hicular accidents in the city,
especially those that involve
motorcycles.
Borja said the facility will
be equipped with complete
down the chimneys of Italian
homes to deliver toys into the
stockings of lucky children.
THE NINTH REIN-
DEER
Rudolph, “the most fa-
mous reindeer of all,” was
born over a hundred years
after his eight flying counter-
parts. The red-nosed wonder
was the creation of Robert
L. May, a copywriter at the
Montgomery Ward depart-
ment store.
In 1939, May wrote a
Christmas-themed story-
poem to help bring holiday
traffic into his store. Using
a similar rhyme pattern to
Moore’s “‘Twas the Night
Before Christmas,” May told
the story of Rudolph, a young
reindeer who was teased by
the other deer because of his
large, glowing, red nose. But,
When Christmas Eve turned
foggy and Santa worried that
BIKOL REPORTER 11
PT and rehab tools, equip-
ment, and instruments aside
from the needed personnel as
Mayor Bongat will not allow
the facility to operate without
meeting the standard require-
ments.
The P3.1M PT and rehab
center that will sit on a 300-
square-meter lot, according
to City Engineer Leon Palmi-
ano, will be constructed early
next year and is expected
to be completed after 3 to 4
months. It shall have a floor
area of 135 square meters.
Funding for the construc-
tion of the center will be tak-
en from the P3.1-M donation
from LGU Quezon City while
NEW DIRECTOR
the P1.5-M allocation for the Mayor John Bongat inducts into office, Mike Pauig as the new director of the Metro Naga Water
equipment will be sourced District.
from the annual budget of
the city government of Naga, cooperation with the Persons ing activities of daily living, related learning issues, such
including the budget for the with Disability Affairs Of- and 4.) speech therapist to as, speaking, listening and
needed manpower comple- fice (PDAO), will provide help people with language- writing.
mentation of 3 physical ther- the services of: 1.) a gym and
apists, 1 job order reception- exercise equipment to help
ist and 1 utility worker. promote mobility and func-
The facility, which will tion for patients despite the
be operated and maintained injuries/conditions obtained;
by the city government, in 2.) physical therapists to help
patients undergo treatment
using therapeutic exercises
he wouldn’t be able to deliver and techniques, radiant and
gifts that night, the former superficial heating, therapeu-
outcast saved Christmas by tic ultrasound, patient edu-
leading the sleigh by the light cation and training that can
of his red nose. Rudolph’s allow individuals to function
message—that given the op- and perform daily activities
portunity, a liability can be or routines with minimum
turned into an asset—proved assistance or no assistance at
popular. Montgomery Ward all; 3.) occupational therapist
sold almost two and a half to help patients achieve their
million copies of the story in highest capacity in perform-
1939. When it was reissued in
1946, the book sold over three
and half million copies. Sev-
eral years later, one of May’s
friends, Johnny Marks, wrote
a short song based on Ru-
dolph’s story (1949). It was
recorded by Gene Autry and
sold over two million cop-
ies. Since then, the story has
been translated into 25 lan-
guages and been made into a
television movie, narrated by
Burl Ives, which has charmed
audiences every year since
1964.

Republic of the Philippines

SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM
Naga Branch, Concepcion Pequeña, Naga City
( (054) 473-9152; 472-5933

NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYERS

The Social Security System (SSS) has implemented the Electronic Billing and
Collection System to make our services easier and convenient for the employers.
It also facilitates almost real time posting of the contributions of their employee-
members.
This new collection system is a thru-the-web facility that enables employers to:
• Enroll their Contribution Collection List (CCL) once
• Maintain or update their records as needed
• Generate full or partial payable CCL for the current month
Hence, only employers who are enrolled in My.SSS shall enjoy this new
system.
For a faster and hassle-free transaction, please enroll NOW. Kindly look for Ms.
Elizabeth B. Miranda or Mr. Vladimir V. Buenaagua at the ground floor of SSS
Naga Building and present the following:
1. email address
2. latest Contributions Collection List (R-3) or list of employees with their SS
numbers and premium contributions
We'll be glad to assist you.

Thank you.

THE SSS Management