Vox Bikol Vol. 28 Issue No. 27

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mAIn: COr. P. bUrgOs & gen. LUnA sTs., nAgA CITy TeL nOs.: (054) 473.72.62 / 478.34.58 brAnChes: IRIGA • LEGASPI • SORSOGON
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DIsTrIbUTOr
Opposition mounts vs San Miguel Bay mining
LGUs of bay area determined to stop mining venture
BY dannY o. calleJa
PREPARATIONS. A fisherman does his daily routine as he prepares to collect freshwater mussels from Casiguran River.
NPA declares unilateral ceasefire around Mt. Bulusan
BY dannY o. calleJa
Photo: Zalrian sayat
CALAbAngA, CAmArInes sUr, nOv. 24 – It may be an uphill battle but local leaders opposed to the proposed offshore magnetite exploration at the marine life-rich San Miguel Bay are standing their ground. They fear massive environmental deg-
radation and economic dislocation of thousands of fisher folk around the bay should the mining operations push through. The mining would be initiated by Bogo Resources and Mining Corporation (BRMC), a Filipino-Korean firm. “We do not want the natural wealth of
San Miguel Bay and the source of livelihood for thousands of our marginalized fishery sector relying on its rich marine resources to be compromised,” Evelyn Yu, the mayor of this first class municipality that derives most of its revenue from local
san miguel / page 5
RDC endorses Open Skies policy for Southern Luzon International Airport
LegAZPI CITy, nOv. 24 -- The Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC) on Wednesday endorsed to President Benigno Aquino III the adoption of “pockets of open skies” once the Southern Luzon International Airport (SLIA) in Albay province becomes operational in 2013. Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, concurrent RDC chairperson, said during a full council meeting officially endorsed to President Aquino and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) the adoption of an open sky policy for SLIA to promote competition in the airline industry. Salceda said the open sky policy would indeed perk up the civil aviation industry, and is designed to boost tourist arrivals in the country. Salceda cited the experience of Clark where international traffic virtually soared from 7,880 to 600,000 after open skies was
rdc / page 5
BIGG’S Magsaysay opens
sOrsOgOn CITy, nOv. 24 -– The local unit of the communist rebel movement in Sorsogon has declared a unilateral suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) in areas near the restive Bulusan Volcano. The SOMO declaration that took effect last November 22 covers the 10-kilometer radius from the crater of the volcano whose current restlessness has been placed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) under alert level one. In a press statement distributed to local media organizations on Wednesday, Samuel Guerrero who introduced himself as spokesman of Celso Minguez Command (CMC), the local unit of the New People’s Army
npa / page 5
Abducted wife found dead
nAgA CITy (27 nOvember) —A hOUseWIFe who was reportedly abducted midnight of Wednesday (Nov. 24) along Magsaysay Ave. in this City, was found dead by local residents early morning of Friday (Nov. 26) at a road side in Zone 1, Sagrada Familia, Minalabac, Camarines Sur, about 15 kms. away from this city. Investigators of Naga Police Community Precint no. 2, Naga Police Chief, Sr. Supt. Vert Chavez and Naga Mayor John Bongat, the Provincial Police Office’s SOCO team, and the Minalabac Municipal Police Station investigated the crime scene and later brought the victim’s body to Imperial Funeral Homes in this city. Naga Police Chief Insp. Ben Espana identified the victim as Maricel Bartolome Pas, 29, a resident of Looban, Bayawas, Barangay Abella in this city, a working housewife at WestPark, a mini-mall complex
aBducted / page 5
nAgA CITy, nOvember 24 - eXACTLy 31 days to Christmas Eve, BIGG’S INC. has once again officially opened the doors of its newest branch in one of Naga City’s busiest commercial neighborhood, the Magsaysay Avenue district. This is the 15th of its ever expanding branches to give local residents and the city as well as regional and tourist visitors
the service of good food in big servings. Fr. Dan Imperial officiated the blessing with Naga City businessman Boy Abella cutting the ribbon. Also present during the occasion were Joaquin Buenaflor, father of Bigg’s General Manager Carlo Buenaflor; Carlos Centenera, Company President; Martin Buenaflor,
Bigg’s / page 5
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volume XXvIII | Issue no. 27|
Vox Bikol Viewpoints
22 - 28 november 2010
Statement on the Pope’s teaching on the use of condom
In An InTervIeW regArDIng hIs new book entitled “Light of the World: the Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times,” Pope Benedict XVI said that the use of condoms may be a sign of moral responsibility in some specific situations when the intention is to reduce the risk of HIV infection. In order to clarify what the faithful might perceive as a change in the position of the Church on the use of condoms, the Archdiocese of Caceres issues this statement. It should be made clear from the start that that the church’s teaching against condoms as a form of birth control is different from its position on condoms used in disease prevention. At least, there are three specific issues that need to be addressed: 1. whether the use of condoms is now morally acceptable as a form of birth control; 2. whether the use of condoms is morally acceptable as a means of preventing a disease; 3. whether the use of condoms can resolve the problem of HIV disease. To the first issue, we maintain that the use of condoms as form of birth control is always not acceptable. Artificial means of controlling births, such as drugs or devices that prevent conception, is itself morally wrong. The use of such things to deliberately frustrate the normal effects of sexual intercourse is considered a grave sin because its ultimate implication is the destruction of human life. Therefore, condom which is considered as an artificial means of controlling birth is morally unacceptable. To the second issue, the stand of the Pope is clear. If the use of the condoms is to prevent the transmission of a disease, then it would be acceptable. This would be an exceptional situation in which sexual activity places a person’s life at risk. While the pope was not morally justifying disordered sexual activity that is involved in prostitution, he was saying that the use of a condom to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease may be an act of moral responsibility. The concern for the safety of a sexual partner may be “a first step toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.” To the third issue, the church does not see the use of condoms as the solution to the problem of HIV. Promotion of condoms as the only or best answer to AIDS carries grave risks, mainly by promoting the idea that condoms guarantee “safe sex.” Instead of solving the problem, condoms increase the problem of promiscuity which is one of the causes of the spread of AIDS. The Pope said that the “sheer fixation on the condom implies a banalisation of sexuality” where sexuality is no longer an expression of love, “but only a sort of drug that people administer to themselves”. The Church on her part has done the actual act bringing solution to the problem by taking care of the infected people in various charitable institutions. Despite media claims of a revolutionary change, Pope Benedict is therefore not altering Catholic teaching on condom use or justifying the disordered use of sexuality. He reaffirms it by putting it in the perspective of the value and dignity of human sexuality as an expression of love and responsibility. It’s worth noting that in a different section of the new book, the pope defended the 1968 encyclical “Humanae Vitae,” which taught that, in the context of married love, contraception techniques, including condoms, are immoral because they close off the possibility of the transmission of life. We reiterate once more our call for the faithful to remain vigilant and prayerful amidst the pressing concern on the protection of human life. Given at the office of the Archbishop, this 22nd day of November, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Ten. +Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P., D.D. Archbishop of Caceres
Tourism: It’s Local!
“PILIPInAs KAy gAnDA!” ThIs AbOrTeD re-branding for the Philippines was supposed to replace “Wow! Philippines.” On TV, DOT Secretary Lim explained that the reason behind this effort was because “Wow! Philippines” was only effective locally and did not work outside the country. But as it turned, the DOT did a rush job that simply went kaput. Worse, the website for the campaign was only a letter different from a porn site. Sec. Lim then admitted that they did not do their homework. Worst, such “Kay Palpak” is at our expense. This only strengthens my proposition that the DOT should be abolished to streamline the national government in favor of local autonomy. Sec. Lim’s salary and perks and the budget of his department would have better use for building classrooms and roads in our neglected towns and barangays. Local tourism works better than national campaigns. The tourist does not really have a country in mind, but an actual locality. Take for instance, Boracay. By itself, it did not need any marketing slogan. It was its own allure of very fine white beaches that made it famous around the world. Thus, when one plans to travel say from Europe to escape the cold winter, you simply search for the best beach, and Boracay has simply stood out among travellers. This is also the reason why, to Gov. L-Ray’s credit, his “CAMSUR” branding for the CWC and our beaches in Caramoan has achieved national and worldwide success. Contrast this with Robredo’s re-branding of our beloved Naga from the “Heart of Bikol” to “Maogmang Lugar,” which has simply been an utter failure, ending in street parties for public drunkenness and rioting. Remember also that “Maogmang Lugar” giant billboard at the walls of the Naga Cemetery? Indeed, for us Nagueños, our heritage and historical identity has been and will always be that of our beloved Naga as forever the “Heart of Bikol” – the home of INA, Our Lady of Peñafrancia. And it is precisely for this privilege of being a pilgrimage site that local tourism exists. Now that Robredo is gone and dying to keep his job, I do hope that Mayor Bongat will have the good sense to shake off his dependency on Robredo and start governing on his own. It’s time we drop “Maogmang Lugar” and focus on Naga’s pilgrimage site identity. President Aquino’s proclamation of“THE CITY OF NAGA AND THE PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR AS PILGRIMAGE CAPITALS OF THE BICOL REGION AND RECOGNIZED TOP TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES” should be more than enough mandate. Look at France, the top destination in the world in 2007 with 81.9 million arrivals and in 2008 with 79.3 million. And there every year, about 5 million (double the annual arrivals for the entire Philippines) visit Lourdes, a small town sought for its serenity and spirituality. In fine, tourism is local, not national. And local is about being ourselves in our best.
In the Language/s We Curse and Dream
The rAIns KePT me ThIs Sunday at home. It was a chance to watch again local television. Or, in my case, there was this change to stumble upon local TV. The program was defiantly pop and regional with a title that is ready to wage war of cultural identities. How can you not not ignore a program that goes by the title, “MagTV na, Oragon.” For those who have not been hiding under the earth, the word “Oragon” has already won the war against the colonialist discourse that had successfully pushed the term to the margin for hundreds of decades. In other words, “oragon” for bad or good has been mainstreamed. The proof is that a major network has just allowed its use. This act of bringing into the salon of good taste and civility a word that used to belong to the universe of the obscene does not mean the word easily loses its racy and wicked roots. One does not simply utter the word “oragon”; one spews it. In the absence of some labial capacity to underscore the word, a tilt of the head or a rush in the intake of air before “oragon” is needed. In other words, “oragon” is not an ordinary word. It is a trenchant word and when used to herald an identity, it has a verve and wallop that should make any Bikolano sit up, look and listen. Apparently, the title “Mag TV na” is not a monopoly of ABS-CBN Bikol; in other regions the first three words compose a template designating this morning show. There is “Mag TV na, Atin ito” for Southern Tagalog and other neighboring areas; there is “Mag TV na, Ato ni” for Northern Mindanao area only.” One region, in fact, settles simply for “Mag TV na.” In all the other “Mag TV na” enterprises, there is a laid-back, friendly, almost neutral and elegantly casual tone to the title. Which is appropriate for a morning show. But in our region, the network has opted to add the word “Oragon.” There are words and there are words. But there are words that open sesame, that creates the world and brings forth existence. And “oragon” is one of those words. You better be good if you are claiming the space of Oragon. And so it was that I started to sit up and look and listen to this morning program. And here is what I got: a team of hosts who spoke the Bikol language as if they were uttering the Bikol words for the first time. There was the timidity that not only softened the vowel sounds of the Bikolnon words but also made their voices squeaky. The timidity that was put-on was carried into the pronunciation of the words. I do not know them and therefore I assumed they were Manileños learning the language. The cruel scenario is if they are all Bikolanos. Could I say now with profound sadness that they were Bikolanos trying to sound like Manileños speaking Bikolnon? Aha! And yet no personal sadness is profound enough to warrant nonforgiveness. I can forgive them. My Bikol also does not sound close to Naga Bikol but something that straddles the languor of a Sorsogon dialect and the bold rush of a Ticao inflection. So there. So I sit up, look and listen then. They were doing a kind of travelogue and the site was Camarines Norte. They were investigating, nah, investigation is giving them too much credit… they were picnicking and along the way they thought of looking into gold panning industry in San Jose, Panganiban. It was hunky-dory trip as they looked at the “pagkakabog,” the subsistence mining act in peripheral communities. Their promenade afforded them a view of that industry where a massive amount of soil is taken from the ground and only for that small hill of earthen deposit to yield a tiny sliver of raw gold. Their walk has taken them to an impoverished village and but no talk of poverty came out of that immersion. Guys, you just witnessed the ‘rape’ of the earth. And guys, you did not even question the refuse and the mercury tailings flowing into the ground. You call that destruction of human settlements and environment. You think that was tourism? That was trashing. The absence of questions is called the death of critical thinking. And critical thinking is taught in all respectable schools. If the teachers cannot ask you to memorize answers then they at least can teach you to ask questions and be critical. Guys, you blew it! The word Oragon, that very pungent word for power has no place in your title. And you with your lack of any thinking – like the rain – just ruined my Sunday morning.
An Tamang Inaandaman
Yaon na naman kita sa bagong taon in liturhiya. Inaapod ining Taon A. An pinakaenot na Domingo kan Taon iyo an Enot na Domingo nin Adbyento. An adbyento pag-andam sa Pasko. Sa kasaysayan kan satong kaligtasan, an Pasko o an pagpintakasi kan pagkamundag nin satong Kagurangnan saro sa pinakamahalaga. Sunod ini sa Paskwa o an pagsakit, pagkagadan asin pagkabuhay-liwat nin Kagurangnan. An pag-andam sa Paskwa iyo an kwaresma. Malinaw na an mensahe kan adbyento iyo an pag-andam. Sa mga tawong nakakalingaw kan saindang pagka-Kristyano, an saindang pag-andam yaon sana sa kaibabawan, sa mga bagay na nakakapaogma sa paghiling, pagdangog, pagmate nin mga sentido. Asin sa pag-andam ninda, dakul an panahon sa mga malls, kisa sa simbahan. An mga malls inaapod na one-stop-shop. Makakasaod ka na, makakakakan ka pa, makakasine ka pa. An mga babasahon ngunyan nagpupukaw sa sato sa satong pagkaturog. Pinapagirumdom kita kan satong pagkaKristyano. An pinag-uurulayan na pagandam mayo sa kaibabawan kundi yaon sa laog kan satong puso, kan satong boot. Kan todos los santos, kaniguan an pirintahan kan mga pantyong. Alagad, ano an yaon sa laog kan pantyong? Bakong gayong mahalaga an dekorasyon, an bagong pintura, an mga nakapalibot na kandila.
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22 - 28 november 2010
Vox Bikol Viewpoints
volume XXvIII | Issue no. 27
Pope’s publisher defends Benedict XVI’s condom remarks:
In the great condom debate, no change in the Church’s beautiful but difficult teaching
by FATher JOsePh FessIO, s.J.
the problem? The condoms are being used only for protection. Why is the Church against that? Well, the Pope took this harder case as an example in his initial statement about male prostitutes. That was seen as a possible “breakthrough” or even change in Church teaching. It wasn’t. The Pope merely said that the intention of preventing infection could be a sign of an awakening moral conscience. The act of sex with a condom can still not be “considered [by the Church] a real or moral solution,” he said in the interview. That is, it is immoral; which is another way of saying that it is an act that is evil in itself. But the point I’m making here is that the second statement is less surprising than the first, not more. And it doesn’t “broaden” the application of his principle to include heterosexuals as well as homosexuals. The condom prohibition has always applied to heterosexuals, and for stronger reasons because it involves the evil of contraception. But didn’t the Pope say that sex with a condom to prevent infection is a lesser evil? Well, the Pope didn’t say that, at least in his book. Fr. Lombardi said it. But the Pope could have said it, because in one sense it’s true. (I’ll explain why this is only “in one sense” in a moment.) Unfortunately, however, for those whose profession is reporting news, there is nothing new in this at all. What may be new is the fact the many educated people no longer understand the ethics of the “lesser evil.” It’s not difficult to understand, though. The crucial distinction is: one may tolerate a lesser evil; one may never morally do something which is a lesser evil. An example: A gunman is holding 10 hostages. He says that unless I kill the police chief, he will kill the 10 hostages. The death of one person is, in this case, the lesser evil. But I cannot morally kill the police chief. One can never do something that is evil in itself to achieve something good or to avoid some evil, even a greater evil. In the case of condom usage, the good of protecting against infection cannot justify the immoral sexual act, even though performing that act with a condom may be a lesser evil than performing it without one. The “may be” in that last sentence refers to what I said above: that condomized sex is in one sense a lesser evil. That is, in the case of a single individual act, the prevention of infection by condom usage makes that particular act less evil. However, it has been shown (and it makes sense) that when there is widespread use of condoms, the sense of security against risk leads to greater promiscuity: more frequency; more partners. And this leads to overall greater risk of disease among the sexually active population. So in this sense, condom usage is the greater evil. So: Round One went to the Pope: no change in Church teaching, just “clarifying and deepening” the same old, unchanging, beautiful but difficult Catholic teaching about the true meaning of sexuality. Round Two goes to the Pope as well. Still no change in Church teaching. No broadening of exceptions (there are no exceptions in either case). Still the same old, unchanging, beautiful but difficult Catholic teaching about the true meaning of sexuality. And no news. Is it too much to hope that now we can hear about what really is new: a pope responding to so many interesting or controversial questions in a published interview? ____ Father Joseph Fessio, SJ, is a theologian in residence at Ave Maria University, and the founder and editor of Ignatius Press, the English language publisher of Pope Benedict’s books, including his latest, “Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Signs of the Times.” The commentary above was published by CAN and was posted by CBCPNews.
Lista
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The greAT COnDOm DebATe hAs entered Round Two. Now it looks like Pope Benedict XVI has really said something he has never said before. That would be news. But it looks like it’s really, really news because now the apparent change (or at least the camel’s nose wedge) in Church teaching is even more dramatic. It would be sad, wouldn’t it, if in fact the Pope was simply “clarifying and deepening” (Vatican spokesman Father Lombardi’s words on Nov. 21), that same old boring Church teaching? And wouldn’t it be even sadder if this new statement by the Pope were even less unusual than the original one seemed to be? But that’s the case. Once again Catholic truth is stranger than media fiction. [One may retort,] “But, Fr. Fessio, that’s impossible. This is some Jesuit trick. You Jesuits have always been defenders of the popes, even the worst of them. You even take a vow to say what looks white is black if the pope says so. We know your game. You’re not fooling us.” Let’s see if I can “clarify and deepen” this. Of course, it’s understandable that the news media would like to see some change in the Church teaching. This isn’t necessarily because of their “pleasure in exposing the Church and if possible discrediting her,” as the Pope says in his new book, “Light of the World.” By profession, and even by definition, they are seeking “news.” What’s not new is not news. So there is a very strong predisposition to find in the Pope’s written text (the book) and in his oral statement (to Fr. Lombardi) something new. Unfortunately there is not only nothing new here (except perhaps a new level of incomprehension on the part of many otherwise intelligent people). But the second statement (about heterosexual sex) is paradoxically less unusual than the first (about homosexual sex). First, the Vatican spokesman, who on Nov. 23 said, “I asked the pope personally if there was a serious distinction in the choice of male instead of female and he said ‘no.’ Whether a man or a woman or a transsexual does this, we’re at the same point,” had written two days previously about “the same point” we’re at, namely, that the Pope’s contribution “maintains fidelity to moral principles.” Translation: is nothing new. But we don’t need to take Fr. Lombardi’s word for that. It can be demonstrated. In the original German text of “Light of the World,” and in the English translation, the Pope refers to a “male prostitute.” Everyone I’ve read so far has assumed, and I believe rightly so, that this refers to homosexual acts. So now that the Pope is said to have said that the distinction between male and female does not affect the point he’s making (and I believe that we can rightly assume that this second statement refers to heterosexual acts), this appears to be a “broader” statement. It applies not just to homosexual but also to heterosexual acts. This is where the paradox enters. The Pope’s second statement now appears broader, but it’s actually no broader at all. It may include more persons, but it adds nothing to the doctrine. The Church has always clearly taught — to the consternation of many — that the use of condoms in procreative acts is immoral. But the Pope’s initial statement explained that even if the sexual act is not procreative, the Church still opposes condom use. That is really provocative and has been universally taken to be so. Much more provocative than the prohibition of condom use in heterosexual acts. Put in another way: some may concede that when the Church forbids condoms in procreative acts, at least a reasonable case can be made that this is because the Church opposes the separation of the unitive (sex) and procreative (children) factors in sexual intercourse; but when these factors are already separated, then what’s
Commentary
An Tamang Inaandaman...
Mas mahalaga an kaligtasan kan kalag kan satong namumutan. Si Papa Julius Segundo iyo an papa kan panahon na inaapod Renaissance. Sya inaapod na Papa Terribile, an kinakatakutan na Papa. Sa panahon nya, nabilog giraray an nagkabaranga nang Papal States. Sya mismo an namamayo sa gera. Sya an nagpagaba kan lumang simbahan asin an nagpatugdok kan bagong simbahan na iyo na an bagong St. Peter’s Basilica. Sya an nakamidbid kan tibay ni Michelangelo na iyo an nagukit kan Pieta kan 24 pa sana an edad. Sya kinua kan papa tanganing iyo an maggibong disenyo kan saiyang lulubngan sa bagong simbahan. Sya man an kinumisyon tanganing magpinta kan Kapilya Sistina. Kan ginigibuhan sya nin estatwa dapit saiya, hinapot sya ni Michelangelo: ano an ibubugtak ko sa saimong walang kamot? Libro?” An simbag kan papa: “Ano an pagkaaram ko sa letra? An ibugtak mo sarong espada!” Dakul na tawo asin klerigo an nangangapudan sa pagpanibago kan Simbahan. Alagad, an papa nagbungog-bungogan. Tanganing mapunduhan an manlaenlaen na proyekto, padagos an pagpabakal nin mga pwesto asin pusisyon sa simbahan, an pagpabakal nin mga indulhensya, patin an kaligtasan.
Sa panahon na idto, namumurak an lalawgon kan simbahan, alagad naglalapa an puso sa saiyang daghan. An repormang pangapudan, si Martin Luther an nangenotan sa pakilaban. An kastigo iyo an pagkamundag kan Protestanteng simbahan. Ini sarong dakulang leksyon para sa satong namomotan na Simbahan. Lakaw kita pasiring sa bagong Jerusalem, sabi kan salmo responsorial. An Jerusalem na ini sarong one-stop-shop para sa satong puso asin kalag. Ini an ginigikanan kan tataramon nin Dyos. Digdi makukua ta an kadunongan asin kapatawaran nin Dyos. Makakapahingalo ka na, mapapatawad ka pa, makakanood ka pa. Ini an ladawan kan bagong Jerusalem na pinapahayag sa enot na binasa. Ini an satong simbahan; ini an satong parokya. Ini an satong dalaganán bilang mga disipulo kan satong Kagurangnan. Dai pagtawan dakulang doon an satong buhay sa kaibabawan. Mahalaga man an mga dekorasyon. Mahalaga man an karakanan, an Christmas Party, an noche Buena. Alagad, an mga ini palatandaan sana kan kaogmahan kan satong puso. An satong dekorasyon dai dapat makipagkumpitensya sa mga
KUn An ImPLIKAsyOn KAn sUrAT ni Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa ki Sipocot Vice-Mayor Beth Abergos iyo an padagos nang pagpaontok kan LibmananCabusao Dam Project, tibaad panahon naman tanganing hanapon ta an mga pastidyong maysala kun tano ta an dam project na ini dai makatotoohan asin peligroso poon pa sa kapurupinònan. Siring sa saindang balùbagi sa samo kaidtong mga enot na arangkada kan LupiKontraDam, an mga maysalang ini iyo an maninigong apodón na peste huli sa saindang daing pakimànong pagratak sa pagsarig kan banwaan na enot na dapat nindang panoan. Nakakamundô na mga ahensiya kan gobyerno pa an problematiko sa paghaman nin sarong proyektong pangkauswagan kuta na an katuyuhan; alagad huli sa saindang kapabayaan o pagbasang-basang o pagratak, an proyekto nagin hangaw na saná asin nagpara man sa paglaom kan mga paraomang nangangaipo. Hilingon ta an mga ahensiya kan gobyerno asin an saindang partikular na mga kontribusyon o kangangalasan sa LCDP: BRBWMP an nangengenot na ahensiya kan gobyerno sa Libmanan-Cabusao Dam Project. Sa irarom ni dating ASec Tomasito Monzon, kanigoan na gayo an mga pigparagiribo kan BRB tanganing magin mahamot sa tawo—sa likod kan nangunguriyat na mga salâ—an LCDP; sa lindong kaini an BRB-PMO na pinamahalaan ni Atty. Ricky Tomotorgo. Sinda an nagkondusir nin kadakol na mga pa-meeting asin mga sere-seminar na sa katapusan nagin dokumento nin social acceptance. Sinda an nagpadara nin mga community organizers na pigralamuda saná sa Lupi huli man sa kawaran nin mga kasimbagan sa mga hapot kan mga tawo. An BRB man an nagmukna nin home-less Homeowners’ Association sa Lupi na pigparapaturubod na may samagtak na maabot sainda. An BRB man an nagpamudmod nin livelihood financing na ipinanao sa mga taga-Lupi na sagkod ngunyan dai man namonitor kun napasain o kun pano na maibabalik sa kaban kan banwaan. Aram kan mga inhinyero kan BRB na dai pa naaabot an katagasan sa magigin pundasyon kan dam, alagad hinaman nindang punan an pagtugdok sa dam; boot sabihon dai sindang pakimano sa distrosong puwedeng mangyari. Halipot an kolum na ini, an kontribusyon kan BRB sa LCDP mangangaipo nin halabaon na listahan. NIA 5, sa irarom ni Engr. William Ragodon, an subuot namamahala sa istruktural asin pag-aadal na dimensyon kan dam. Alagad, may mga pagkakataon na itatao ka ninda sa BRB kaidto huli ta sinda nagtuturuklingan. NIA an dapat basolon sa anomalya na tadaw dapat itugdok na an dam mantang an EIS kaini palpak—kadakol loopholes, kadakol salang figures, kadakol palyadong lohika. Sa hiling ko, ta mga propesyunal na inhinyero man an mga nasa NIA, aram man ninda na magigin dakulang kapatalan kun itutugdok an dam huli sa mga minasunod na dahilan: klase nin dagang tutugdukan, an paghiro kan daga sa lugar na tutugdukan, an langkaw kaini asin an pressure kan tubig pasiring sa sinasabing mga benepisyaryo, an pagkahaman kan dam na mayo pang kanal na aagusan kan tubig, an totoong antas kan tubig pag an tubig naglangkaw na asin kadakol pang iba. Ano daw ta kaipuhan magbuta-butahan o magbungogbungogan? NIA, kaiba kan BRB, an dapat sulsulon na an EIS palpak, alagad orog pa, huli ta palpak na ngani, pirit pa nindang tinatanos na amendment saná subuot an dapat gibohon. Dawa siisay na nagkokondusir nin mga EIA makakasabi na an arin man na proyektong nangangaipo nin EIA, pag hinirá an arin man na komponent kaini, mangangaipo ini nin panibàgong EIA. Malinaw iyan. Igwa pa, sigurado ako, nin mga ahensiyang masasabit digdi, alagad minor na an saindang papel. Saro saná man an boot sabihon kaini: igwang mga accountable, igwa kitang babalikan na nagpabaya sa dapat nang pangkauswagan na proyekto, may babalikan kitang hahapoton kun tadaw tinogotan nindang mangyari ini, igwa kitang babalikan na paninimbagon sa pagratak sa ibinubuwis kan lambang Pilipino. Sarong panibagong pagtulod an satong masasaksihan. Si Vic Nierva nagba-blog sa http;//aponihandiong. blogspot.com asin minasuporta sa http://lupikontradam. blogpsot.com. tindahan, sa mga ristorante, sa mga malls. Dai dapat kita mabuta sa mga bagay na orog mahalaga: an satong kalag, an satong puso, an satong karahayan boot. Maogma na nagpapatugdok kita kan simbahan. Maogma na pinapagayon ta an simbahan. Alagad, dai dapat kita mabuta sa mga bagay na mas mahalaga: an pag-andam kan satong puso sa pagsabat kan satong Kagurangnan. Dai kita magtugot na malapa an satong kalag huli sana sa kasibotan kan mga bagay na pano nin kababawan.
4
volume XXvIII | Issue no. 27|
Vox Bikol Bikol news
22 - 28 november 2010
Army warns of increased executions by Reds in Bikol
CAmP eLIAs AngeLes, PILI, CAm. Sur (23 November) -- THE ARMY’S 9TH Infantry Division based in this camp warned that communist rebels in Bikol have stepped-up their “liquidation” (summary execution) efforts, particularly on “targets of opportunity,” after an army sergeant of the 31st Infantry Battalion of the Charlie Company was gunned down by rebels in barangay San Felimon, Ragay, Camarines Sur about 8:00 A.M. on Monday (Nov. 22). 9th Infantry Division operations officer, Col. Leoncio Cirunay, identified the victim as Sgt. Bayani Sabas, 35, who was reportedly assigned at an army detachment in the said locality. Cirunay said that Sabas was about to spend a vacation with his family last Nov. 22 when after leaving his detachment and riding a motorcycle together with his wife and 7-month old son, rebels stopped him at barangay San Felimon and shot him at point-blank range with Cal. 45 pistols, hitting him on the head. Reportedly, 31st Inf. Bat., Charlie Company commander First Lt. Armando Bohol pursued the rebels after the shooting incident. Meanwhile on Nov. 19, the army also reported that Private First Class Ronnel Galvez, 27, was also shot to death by suspected rebels near his home in Legazpi City at about 11:00 in the evening. Police autopsy report inves-
UNEP alumnus places 5th in LET exams, tops regional level
AT An eArLy Age, AnThOny Cuba Vista already realized the great value of education. Everyday during his elementary days, he would always look forward to school days with excitement and positive anticipation that another day is another adventure of finding new things, believing that he would eventually learn from them. His sacrifices eventually paid off. At the end of every school year, he would go home with his first honor medal. He had also received various recognition and awards which exemplified his perseverance. He eventually graduated on top of his class as valedictorian. During his secondary years as UNEP Scholar, Anthony aspired to be a great teacher, envisioning himself in front of the students while sharing with them his thoughts and ideas. He graduated salutatorian. Driven by his aspiration to become an educator, he took the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) on September 26, 2010 and expectedly grabbed the top post as regional topnotcher after the official result was announced by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) on November 16. He also made it as 5th placer at the national level. Vista, garnered 84.40 percent, two (2) points short from the national topnotcher’s score. Aside from Vista, UNEP also produced new teachers who made it on the list of successful examinees: Dahlia R. Galvan, Rechel M. Gulpe, Melanie O. Mamano, Jovie R. Prades, Lilian C. Rosalinas and Anthony C. Vista while Jecel L. Jesoro and Amado L. Niebres Jr. were added to the list of new secondary teachers. Vista, together with other UNEP LET Passers were among the 7, 737 elementary teachers out of 39, 508 examinees, barely 19.58%, of those who passed the recent LET Examinations. Twenty-five percent of secondary school teachers who went through the examinations made it too, representing 9, 493 passers out of 36, 714 examinees who tried their luck as new breeds of educator. UNEP President Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda extended her congratulations to the successful examinees. “UNEP takes pride in every passer that our university is producing and will continue to produce. We look forward for more victorious feat that would give our students their rightful place as global achievers.” Tentative schedule for the oath taking of passers who took their examinations at Legazpi testing center is set on December 2, 2010.
tigation bared that PFC Galvez was shot at close range by two gunmen; he sustained twenty-nine gunshot wounds from a 90MM and Cal. 45 pistols. Earlier, Galvez was reportedly warned by his army superiors of being included in a “shoot-tokill” (STK) list by the rebels. An “STK list” was recovered by army troopers during an encounter in Goa, Camarines Sur in August this year, with lists of names of active soldiers, policemen, and civilians who were accused of being military informants. Cirunay said that in 2010 the army has recorded 43 people killed, including six soldiers and eight paramilitary forces (CAFGUs) killed by rebels. (SONNY SALES)
From page 8
Condom...
prostitutes can be considered as a possible sign that they at least are starting to realize that is not right to irresponsibly sleep around with no regard for consequences. According to him, the pontiff clearly said that the only complete solution to AIDS is to humanize sexuality. He added the pope also stressed that sex cannot be treated as a self-administered drug intended to just give pleasure when it’s desired regardless of whatever consequences. “They (pro-RH) respect the pope but our concern is that they are acting upon a misconception. We are hoping that they listen to corrections,” Jason said. “We tend to take things out of context… before they make a conclusion they should first get the whole context of what the Holy Father really said,” he added. Jason is the Dean of Studies at San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe in Makati City and teaches Fundamental Moral Theology, Sexuality and Integrity and Bioethics. He also said the church is still firm in its position that AIDS must be fought through moral fidelity and sexual abstinence. “Risk reduction is not even an option. Let’s not take the minimal option but the maximum option. Let’s not take condom as a solution,” Jason added. “Through fidelity and abstinence, there’s no way you can get AIDS if you practice these…,” he said.
Available at: INA NIN BIKOL FOUNDATION, INC.
RH...
But retired Bishop Teodoro Bacani said that based on several studies, oral contraceptives, hormonal injectables and IUDs are identified as abortifacients. “They said the bill is against abortion and yet the government is required to provide abortifacient techniques,” Bacani said. “It’s not morally allowable… abortifacient is one big issue here,” he said on the sidelines of the public forum on RH bill at the Unibersidad de Manila Wednesday. “That’s why I’m so against this RH bill.” However, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel denied that said modern family planning devices and methods are abortifacients. “It is stated in the Akbayan version of RH bill that nothing in this act amends the revised penal code under which abortion is a crime and punishable,” said Hontiveros-Baraquel who was also present at the forum. “We are not talking about abortion here but only reproductive health through natural and modern family planning methods and through age-appropriate sex education,” she said.
From page 8
Bacani clarified the Catholic hierarchy is not against reproductive health bill per se but it is the inclusion of the use of artificial contraception and abortifacients that the church objects to. He also said that the church is not against family planning, but prescribes only the natural method. “They want better health for women and children… all good intentions and we have nothing against it. It’s the means that will be used to advance these intentions that we can’t stomach,” said Bacani. [CBCPNews]
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Melo...
everybody says.” Asked whether there was any pressure for Melo to resign, she answered, “I don’t believe so. Each
Peñafrancia Basilica, Balatas, Naga City
‘bullet’ Cruz said he was not surprised that the pope’s statement on the condom issue will be used as a “bullet” by those pushing for RH bill. According to him, the issue on reproductive health is hotly debated issue in the country. “I understand the RH proponents that they would even throw a kitchen sink just to push what they want,” he said. “Our only appeal is that for them to just stick with the truth… please!” Reacting to those who have been asking Catholic hierarchy to go easy on contraception, Cruz said the Church cannot stay silent on the issue because it has a mission to uphold morality whether people like it or not. (CBCPNews)
From page 8
person in leadership has a goal and for Chairman Melo it was his commitment and dedication to implement the automated election reform law.” “I’d like to congratulate Chairman Melo for achieving his main purpose. I thought there was not enough time to do it (automated polls), yet they were able to achieve and come up with a credible election,” she added. “We also have to consider that the cleaning up of the rank-and-file in the Comelec has already started (under Melo’s administration),” De Villa also said. (CBCPNews)
22 - 28 november 2010
Vox Bikol Bikol news
volume XXvIII | Issue no. 27
San Miguel...
From page 1
5
Bigg’s Magsaysay Opens
income by this planned magnetite or black iron ore exploration covering an approximate area of 6,100 hectares. Based on its permit, BRMC would be conducting offshore drillings, the first of its kind in the country, to gather magnetite samples for laboratory testing to determine the mineral quality of the sand. The initial exploratory step could last for two years and entails digging 500 meters from the shoreline a gutter five hectares in width and five meters deep. Mayors Rogenor Astor and Neb Santiago of Sipocot and Cabusao towns respectively are also opposed to the magnetite exploration in San Miguel Bay and said they would formalize that position through resolutions which their respective town councils will pass soon. Astor said he had five prime villages to be affected by the project while according to Santiago who had four big barangays within the area, only when the planned exploration and mining activities guarantee that the environment and biodiversity of the bay are not disturbed that he would agree to it. Iron ore or magnetite is used as alloy in the production of steel. China and Korea are the countries where huge demand for this mineral emanates. EMB records show that this mineral is predominantly present in Bikol as well as Cagayan and Zamboanga. (PNA)
From page 1
From page 1
agriculture and fishing industries, said. The town’s legislative council had also signified its strong opposition to the mining projects and Yu said they aired that position as early as last July on learning about the exploration permit obtained by BRMC from the regional office of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The permit, Yu said, was applied for in November last year but they were told about it only sometime early last July following their assumption of their new terms of office. “It was already approved when laid down to us,” Yu complained. “Our position against this project was not based on our personal belief and opinion. We arrived at this position following public consultations. Our constituents are all-out against this mining project,” the lady mayor said. The Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) here has joined the municipal government in opposing the planned exploration and subsequent mining of magnetite from the bay. In a resolution passed and sent to EMB regional director Reynulfo Juan, the MFARMC stressed “that this exploration activity will pose
hazards to the environment and will eventually put the residents in the area vulnerable to disasters.” From the nearby town of Tinambac, Mayor Ruel Velarde aired the same position saying, “The people of Tinambac have spoken. They are against this mining venture as they want to preserve the natural resources of San Miguel Bay. So, to the EMB and BRMC, our appeal is: Please leave the bay alone.” The town government of Tinambac has placed its municipal waters within the San Miguel Bay covering five kilometers from the shoreline under protection as a fishing ground. The bay is a shallow, estuarine body of water covering an area of 1,115 square kilometers within seven coastal municipalities -- Mercedes and Basud in Camarines Norte and Sipocot, Cabusao, Tinambac, Siruma and this town in Camarines Sur. It is surrounded by at least 74 barangays that are home to nearly a 100,000 population relying largely on fishing for their livelihood. The bay, which possesses a fragile biodiversity and ecosystem, is habitat of around 20 commercial fish species being supplied to local markets reaching up to Metro Manila. In this town alone, according to Yu, almost 2,000 fishing families in 11 barangays would be denied of their main source of
NPA...
(NPA) that operates within the area, said the unilateral ceasefire will allow government relief operations for victims of the Bulusan eruptions. “Utmost concern is being given by the CMC on the preservation of lives and properties of residents around the volcano,” Guerrero said in a statement prepared in Filipino language. The Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said that as of Tuesday, over 13,560 persons representing some 2,700 families were affected by the series of mild eruptions characterized by massive ash ejections of the volcano since the first occurrence on Nov. 6. The most severe ash explosion so far took place last Nov. 21 that ejected grayish volcanic ash reaching two kilometers above the volcano’s summit. Thick ash fall affected at least 17 barangays of the municipalities of Irosin, Bulan and Magallanes that are within the 20- kilometer radius of the volcano. PDRRMO chief Jose Lopez on Wednesday said 225 families from seven barangays of Irosin, Juban and Casiguran have been evacuated to refugee centers established in various schools at safer grounds. The biggest number of evacuees is in Gallanosa High School of Irosin town. The SOMO which means suspension of all NPA tactical offensive actions against the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) within areas it covers, Guerrero said, will stay at the duration of the abnormal activities of the volcano or until the PHIVOLCS
Chairman of the Board; and Rica Buenaflor (of Soleil-Havaianas) with son, Max. Others who graced the occasion were other businessmen, media people and Bigg’s top level management, marketing executives and staffs. The three founders, Nena Bichara, Maricar Manjon, and Teresa Buenaflor were reportedly out of the country and were not able to attend the said special occasion. As with tradition, the biggest hamburger sandwich in town was served sliced into bite-size pieces together with other special dishes for the occasion. Elvis Presley made a special appearance as a mascot, rounded the city by motorcade, and afterwards performed a dance number to the tune of the 60’s songs giving guests great cheers and enjoyment.
The new Bigg’s is where you can taste their exclusive Extreme Hamburgers and other full meals of Bigg’s Crispy Chicken, Baby Back Ribs, Cordon Bleu, Tenderloin Tips, Pork Kebab as well as other good food while enjoying a unique ambiance of well preserved collection lines of vintage telephones, transistor radios, cameras, photos and music. Also, in this branch you can behold the one and only 1950’s jukebox machine in the city, if not in the whole Bikol region, that is still playing the 45 records. Bigg’s Magsaysay has its main entrance along Magsaysay Ave. and side entrance along Dimasalang St. It offers Delivery Service through their 473-1111 number; one may also visit their website at www.biggsdiner.com
Abducted...
lifts the alert status declared over areas prone to the effects of its eruptions. Local elements of the PNP, along with soldiers of the 4th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) under its commanding officer Col. Santiago Enginco, have been occupied to attend to the government’s rescue operations and evacuation and relief of the affected residents. However, Guerrero warned government forces from conducting espionage and gathering of intelligence information from the guerilla zone within the SOMO area as it would be considered hostile acts that call for a defensive action from the NPA. “Our general policy of active defense is not suspended along with the SOMO, the NPA spokesman added. (PNA)
From page 1
RDC...
applied in 2004. “An open skies should equalize the opportunities for regional destinations vis-a-vis the more developed incumbents like Manila, Cebu and Davao,” he said The resolution says the Southern Luzon International Airport Project will become the only international airport located in Southern Luzon Philippines and the open sky policy will open up routes to competition for the Southern Luzon International airport that will boost its competitiveness and long term feasibility. The resolution added that an open skies in Daraga should further accelerate the tourism growth of Bikol which Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim acknowledged as one of the fastest growing destinations for foreign tourists with Legazpi serving as the gateway to a welldiversified portfolio that includes Misibis, Caramoan, Mayon, CWC and Donsol. The SLIA is targeted to serve the needs of 7.1 million people with 5.4 million in Bikol and 1.65 million in the three provinces of Samar island. The adoption of the open sky policy for SLIA is seen to expand the contestable markets in both domestic and international routes
From page 1
at Magsaysay Ave. Espana said that Pas was found with a gunshot wound on her forehead and with bruises on her body, clad in black t-shirt and pants; her body was dumped by her abductors at a village in Minalabac town. In a blotter report early morning of Nov. 25 at the Police Community Precint no. 2, the husband of the victim, Aaron Creo Pas, reported to the police precinct that
her wife had sent a text message at 12:07 midnight of Wedneday that she was coming home from work, while another text message at 12:13 A.M showed that Maricel was upset that the tricycle she took was forcibly taking her to Barangay San Felipe. According to Espana, the initial investigation revealed that only two eye-witnesses claimed seeing the abduction of the victim, stating
that Pas took a tricycle with no franchise markings and presumably was privately-owned. Meanwhile a resident in San Felipe said she heard a woman shouting in a speeding tricycle. Espana appealed over radiobroadcast on Saturday (Nov 27) for potential witnesses to discreetly contact the police and shed light on the abduction and slaying of the victim. (SONNY SALES)
and it will put pressure on the airline industry to lower their costs of fare and to pass cost savings on to passengers prompting low cost carriers to play more prominent position in a liberalized environment that will provide stimulus for serving more markets and will put pressure on existing airlines to perform well. An open skies policy would hugely benefit OFW movement within such population base of 7.1 million by affording them more options and competitive costs, particularly by eliminating the current requisite for connecting flight or travel to Metro Manila. The RDC resolution said the adoption of the open skies policy will greatly enhance the prospects of tourism development where the region enjoys comparative advantage by way of its iconic endowments and new investments in destination. The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Bikol recently announced that tourist arrivals in Albay has posted a remarkable surge by 109 percent with 73,056 local and foreign visitors during the third quarter of this year making the province the third fastest tourist hub in the country. (PNA)
Vox Bikol is now accepting short stories, poems and photo contributions.
voxbikol.ibfi@gmail.com
Don’t forget to include your name, age and occupation.
Please submit your work to
6
volume XXvIII | Issue no. 27|
Vox Bikol Feature
22 - 28 november 2010
ANG BAHAY NI ANGELA
(Manalang Gloria)
Maitatanong Marahil kung paano ang mga estrangherong katulad namin ay papapasukin na lamang at basta sa loob ng bahay ni Angela. Ganito ang salubong namin sa singkit na lalaki: ni ABdon BAlde JR.
pangalawang BaHagi
 “Marhay na aldaw po!” pagmamagandang araw ni Raffi  sa salitang Bikol, “May mga bisita po kami, isang National Artist at mga manunulat na galing sa Manila, gustong makita ang loob ng bahay ni Angela Manalang Gloria, kung puwede…” Iyong “National Artist” ang kaagad kumuliling sa kaniyang tainga. Nakita kong napanatag ang dati’y aburidong
looban. Ang loobang napasok namin ay ang bakurang kung tawagin ng mga Bikolano ay natad o lagwerta. Noong unang panahon, ito ang maluwang na damuhan na malimit ay naliligid ng mga halamang namumulaklak o punong namumunga. Dito sumasagap ang mga maybahay ng sariwang hangin kung umaga, dito naglalaro ang mga bata kung dapithapon at dito rin nag-uulayaw ang bagong magsing-irog pagkagat ng dilim. Ngunit ang bakurang bumulaga sa amin ay walang halamang namumulaklak o punong namumunga. Ang bakuran ay nagsisikip sa maraming nakaparadang trak at sasakyang iba’t iba ang uri at laki. May inaayos at may naghihintay lamang ng hudyat para
mukha niya at saglit na bumilog ang singkit na mga mata. May ngiting sumungaw sa matatambok na pisnging naanggian habang naglalakad sa ulan. Hindi agad sumagot ang lalaki. Tiningnan ang itsura namin ni Raffi. Nang makitang hindi naman kami mukhang  bolerong ahente na magbebenta ng kung anu-ano, ay nagpakilalang siya si Mr. Jose Ong. Asawa niya ang anak ni Angela Manalang Gloria. Itinuro niya kami sa kanang bahagi ng bakuran na kinaroroonan ng isang maliit na bunggalo na mukhang opisina ang harapan. Pagpasok namin sa opisina ay kaagad tumayo ang isang babaeng nagtatrabaho sa harap ng isang mesang maraming papeles sa ibabaw. Sa tantiya ko ay mahigit nang apatnapung taong gulang ang babae, maikli ang buhok, bilugan ang katawan at may alangang ngiti sa mga labi.  “Marhay na aldaw po!” sabi uli ni Raffi. Nagpakilala  kami, pagkatapos ay inulit ni Raffi ang entrada  kanina. “May  mga bisita po kami, isang National Artist at mga manunulat at makata na galing sa Manila. Gusto sanang makita ang loob ng bahay, kung puwede. Kayo po ba ang anak…” Tumango ang babae bago natapos ang tanong. “Panduwa ako. Nasa States na ang mga kapatid ko…” nasulyapan niyang nagsipasok na sa bakuran ang mga kasama namin. Siguro’y nakitang hindi naman pipitsugin ang itsura namin. Agad siyang tumawag ng isang lalaki sa labas at inutos na papasukin kami sa bahay. Mukhang siya pa rin ang amo sa
ilabas. May mga piyesa ng makina na nakakalat sa basang lupa. Maraming trabahador na paroo’t parito at abala sa kung anu-anong gawaing minamadali. Nang marinig ni Mister Ong na pinapapasok kami ng anak ni Angela ay siya na mismo ang mabilis na nanguna sa amin. Isa-isa kaming tiningnan at marahil ay kinikilala kung sino sa amin ang National Artist. Bago kami nakapasok sa pinakapintuan sa ibaba ng bahay ay sunod-sunod ang utos niya sa mga trabahador, sa wikang Bikol. Ipinapaayos ang mga gamit sa itaas at nagpapahanda ng meryenda. Hindi ko pa alam na para sa amin ang meryenda. Tiwala siyang hindi naiintindihan ng mga bisitang taga-Manila ang kaniyang sinasabi. May nakita akong tao na nagmamadaling umakyat sa likuran ng bahay. Palagay ko’y uunahan kami sa itaas upang maitago ang ayaw ipakita at isaayos ang mga daraanan namin. Noon ko nasilip ang sira nang hagdanan paakyat sa gawi ng paminggalan—banggerahan sa aming mga Bikolano. Sira na rin ang sulambi—medya-agua o sûyap—sa gawing iyon kaya ang mga kahoy na baitang at barandilya, na noon ay basa sa tikatik na ulan, ay kulay-lumot na’t marupok sa tingin. pagpasok namin sa pinakapintuan ng bahay ni Angela ay nakatingala na agad ako’t umaasang makikita ang maluwang na silong. Noong araw ang silong ng mga bahay na bato ay paradahan ng karwahe, bodega ng palay at
imbakan ng mga gamit sa asyenda. Maluwang nga ang silong. Ngunit walang karwahe, bodega o mga gamit-asyenda. Ang naroon ay maraming hanay ng mga plastik na sa palagay ko’y langis at aseyte ang laman. Ganoon man ay hindi pa rin nabura ang pagkamangha ko sa napakalalaking haligi, biga at suleras na kahoy. Noon lamang ako nakakita ng ganoon kalalaking mga buong tabla at troso. Nakaturnilyo sa mga haligi ang mga biga. Malalaki ang turnilyo at ginamitan pa ng mga tuwerka at sapatilya. Ang mga dulo ng suleras ay nakamitsa sa mga biga. Bagama’t pinamahayan na ng gagamba ang ilalim ng suleras ay mababanaag sa malamlam na liwanag ang ilang usling turnilyo na siyang humahawak sa suwelo o sahig sa itaas. Sa isip ko’y saglit na naglaro ang mga trosong ginamit sa paggawa ng galeon sa mga astilyero ng Pantao sa Libon at Bagatao sa Sorsogon. Heto, sabi ko sa sarili, ang tagong lakas na pumapasan sa palalong bahay. Ilang hamak na maggagawa kaya, ilang bihasang karpintero’t mason ang namuhunan ng pawis at hirap upang maiangat sa matayog na kalagayan at makipagtalik sa mga bituin ang mga pangarap ni Angela? Nauntol ang paglalayag ng aking isip nang itulak ako ng kasama kong si Dan at madaliing umakyat ng hagdanan—ng napakaluwag na hagdanan! Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangan ng bahay ang hagdanang kasinluwag ng mga nasa munisipyo. Pinaaakyat kaya nila nang sabay-sabay ang mga nagpuprusisyon kay San Juan Bautista kung pista? Sa tantiya ko ay puwede kaming pitong magkakasama, at kahit isabay pa si Mister Ong, na magmartsa paakyat ng hagdanan nang magkakaagapay. At habang umaakyat ay nakita ko ang kakaibang lilok ng malalaking barandilya. Gawa ito sa matigas na kahoy na kayumangging malalim ang kulay at kuminis na sa hipo at haplos ng mga akyat-panaog ng hagdan. Heto, sabi ko na naman sa sarili, ang isang parte ng bahay na tiyak kong hinaplos ng mga kamay ni Angela. Lumapit ako’t pasimpleng humaplos sa barandilya, umapuhap ng pag-asang may maramdaman sa bakas ng mga kamay ng kaisa-isang nilalang na nagbibigay halaga sa mga labi nitong bahay. Alikabok ang una kong naapuhap. Pagkatapos ay nakita kong ang mga bahaging malinis ay iyong sadyang hinagod na ng palad ni Mister Ong, na nangunguna sa amin, upang hindi madumihan ang kamay namin. Ganoon ang pagkamaalalahanin sa bisita ng mga Bikolano. Pag-ahon sa hagdanan ay bumulaga sa amin ang maluwang na komidor, na kung tawagin ay silid-kainan— pero ito ay maluwag kaysa isang silid. Pinagmasdan ko ang paligid buhat sa kanan ko: may dalawang pintuang sa palagay ko’y papasok sa silid-tulugan, isang lumang eskaparate, pintuang palabas ng banggerahan (dahil aninag ang liwanag at nararamdaman ang hangin galing sa labas), mga estante ng libro, maluwang na pintuang papasok sa sala, at sa pinakakaliwa ko ay may dalawang antigong upuan na napakaarte ang lilok na sandalan. Sa gawing kaliwa ng komidor, kung ikaw ay nakaharap na roon, ay ang malaking mesang kainan, na makakaupo yata ng labing-dalawa. Sa palagay ko, ang dalawang antigong upuan ay tira ng mga dating nakapaikot sa mesa. (Itutuloy)
notices
Diosdado and Anita Boregas. Acknowledged before notary public Atty. Florencio R. Rosales, per doc. No. 959, Page no. 191, Book no. 23, Series of 2010. vox bikol: nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2010 eXTrAJUDICIAL seTTLemenT OF esTATe OF esTer CALInOg AnD JULIO TAyAs This is hereby given that the estate of the late ESTER CALINOG-TAYAS and JULIO TAYAS died on January 1, 2000 and May 31, 1991 left a property situated at Bgy. Del Pilar, San Fernando, CSur, to wit: Lot 26, Cad 1162, with an area of 1,788 sqm, under ARP No. 97-010-00237. This was a subject of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate of Ester Calinog and Julio Tayas, do adjudicate among heirs. Acknowledged before notary public Tirso P. Mariano, per doc. No. 3040, Page no. 9, Book no. xxxxii, Series of 2010. vox bikol: nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2010 republic of the Philippines regIOnAL TrIAL COUrT 5ThJudicial region, naga City eJF no. 2010-13 nOTICe OF eXTrA-JUDICIAL sALe Upon extrajudicial petition for sale under Act 3135 filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (PAG-IBIG FUND) with principal business address at the Atrium of Makati Ave., Makati City as mortgagee, against EMMA P. CATIMBANG of Villa Salvacion Subd., San Agustin, Camarines Sur as mortgagor, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of May 13, 2010 amounts to THREE HUNDRED THIRTY ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SEVEN & 13/100 (P331,801.13) Philippine currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges but excluding expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned will sell at public auction on August 20, 2010 at 10:A.M. or soon thereafter at the main entrance of the Mun. of Hall of Canaman, Cam Sur to the highest bidder, for cash of Manager’s check and in Philippine currency, the following property with all its improvements to wit: TCT NO. 28230 A parcel of land ( Lot 21 of the consolidation subdivision survey Pcs-05-001214, being a portion of lots 1-15, Block 3, Psd- 05-010517), situated in the Bgy of San Agustin, Mun. of Canaman, Province of Camarines Sur, Island of Luzon. Bounded on the W., along line 1-2 by lot 26, on the N., along line 2-3 by Lot 20, on the E., along line 3-4 by Road Lot 42; on the S., along line 4-1 by Lot 22, all of Pcs-05-001214. Containing an area of FORTY THREE (43) Square meters registered in the name of Emma Catimbang of legal age, Filipino, married to Ricardo Catimbang, with residence and postal address at 53 Fraternidad Street, Tabuco, Naga.
notices From page 7
All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date. In the event that the public auction should not take place on the said date due to lawful cause/s, it shall be held on August 27, 2010 without further notice. July 20, 20910, Naga City, Pilippines. (sgd. ) JOrge b. LOPeZ sheriff Iv vox bikol nov. 15, 2010
22 - 28 november 2010
Vox Bikol notices
and 22, 2010 DeeD OF eXTrAJUDICIAL seTTLemenT OF esTATe WITh AbsOLUTe sALe Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late JOSE BORABIEN died on September 28, 1991 at Manila, consisting of a parcel of land, situated at Vinagre, Tigaon, CSur, with an area of 204 sqm., covered by TD No. 97-023-0958. This Deed was extra judicially settled by way of Absolute Sale unto Rosseler D. Lim. Acknowledged before notary public Tirso P. Mariano, per Doc no. 2976, Page no. 96, Book no. XXXXI, Series of 2010. vox bikol: november 8, 15 and 22, 2010 DeeD OF eXTrAJUDICIAL seTTLemenT OF esTATe WITh WAIver OF shAres Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late ROSARIO AGOTILLA died on January 24, 2005 at Gogon, Camaligan, CSur left a parcel of agricultural land, situated in the Bo. Of Patong, Pamplona, CSur, with an area of 16,841 more or less, covered by TCT No. 10981, Certificate of Land Ownership Award No. 00579282, TD No. 97-008-00950. This Deed was extra judicially settled by way of waiver of share unto Victor I. Agotilla. Acknowledged before notary public Tirso P. Mariano, per Doc no. 2956, Page no. 92, Book no. XXXXI, Series of 2010. vox bikol: november 8, 15 and 22, 2010 DeeD OF eXTrAJUDICIAL seTTLemenT OF esTATe WITh AbsOLUTe sALe Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late TERESITA DE LOS SANTOS SAN JUAN died on December 6, 1999 at Naga City left a parcel of land, situated in Balatas, Naga City, with an area of 142 sqm., covered by TCT No. 640, Emancipation Patent No. A-189924-H. This Deed was extra judicially settled by way of Absolute Sale unto Sps. Toribio Magalona Domer Jr. and Zora Hernandez Domer portion of land with an area of 50 sqm., that the remaining portion of 90 sqm., shall be transferred as co owners among heirs. Acknowledged before notary public Tirso P. Mariano, per Doc no. 2911, Page no. 83, Book no. XXXXI, Series of 2010. vox bikol: november 8, 15 and 22, 2010 eXTrAJUDICIAL seTTLemenT OF esTATe WITh WAIver OF rIghTs Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late EPIFANIO MENDIZABAL died on July 12, 2010 at Bicol Medical Center, Naga City and buried at Bula, CSur left a certain parcel of residential land together with residential house situated at GogonDugcal, Camaligan, CSur, KATIBAYAN NG ORIHINAL NA TITULO BLG. 18765, with an area of 150 sqm., more or less. This Deed was extra judicially settled by way of waiver of rights in favour unto Mercedes B. Mendizabal. Acknowledged before notary public Florencio B. Rosales, per Doc no. 798, Page no. 150, Book no. ____, Series of 2010. vox bikol: november 8, 15 and 22, 2010 nOTICe OF eXTrA JUDICIAL seTTLemenT WITh sALe Notice is hereby given that Extra-Judicial Settlement is made and entered into by and among: ANGELICA I. TUDIO, of legal age, Filipino, married and resident of Blk. 49, Lot 11, Kapayapaan Ville, Canlubang, Calamba City; JOSEFINA L. CARTER, of legal age, Filipino, married and resident of 13697 E 55th Lane, Yuma, Arizona, ERLINDA P. LAGDAMEO, of legal age, Filipino and resident of Balayan St., Bagobantay, Quezon City and BERNARDITA T. LAGDAMEO, of legal age, Filipino, single and resident of Himaao, Pili, Camarines Sur and ARTURO T. LAGDAMEO, of legal age, Filipino, married and with residence and postal address at Himaao, Pili, Camarines Sur. That they are the surviving heirs of the late Josefina Tiongko, who died intestate on January 22, 1998 at Pili, Camarines Sur, without a Will or Testament, and without any outstanding debts with any person or entity; and that said deceased left a parcel of land covered by TCT No. 25603 and is more particularly described as follows: “A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 1689-A of the subdivision plan Psd-0517280-013105, being a portion of Lot 1689, Cad-291, Pili Cadastre), situated in the Barangay of Himaao, Municipality of Pili, Province of Camarines Sur, Island of Luzon. Bounded on the E., along lines 9-1-2 by Irrigation Canal; on the SW., along lines 2-3-4-5 by Lot 1689-B, Psd-051728-013105; on the E., along line 5-6 by Irrigation Ditch (3.00m. wide); and on the NE., along lines 6-7-8-9 by Lot 1688, Cad-291, Pili Cadastre. Beginning at a point marked “1” on the plan being S. 45 deg. 42’W., 23.39m. to point 2; thence N. 79 deg. 34’W., 130.12m. to point w; thence N. 84 deg. 01’W., 37.05m. to point 4; thence N. 58 deg. 58’W., 148.19m. to point 5; thence N. 05 deg. 10’W., 61.82m. to point 6; thence S. 80 deg. 31’E., 9.23m. to point 7; thence S. 76 deg. 21’E., 39.40m. to point 8; thence S. 82 deg. 07’E., 234.24m. to point 9; thence S. 00 deg. 28’W., 94.35m. to point of beginning, containing an area of THIRTY THOUSAND (30,000) SQUARE METERS. This Deed was a subject of of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate among ourselves with Absolute Sale in favor unto ELLEN E. BAGASINA, acknowledged before notary public Felix V. Brazil Jr. under Doc. No. 3302, Book No. 649, Page No. IX, Series of 2010. vOX bIKOL nov. 15, nov. 22, and nov. 29, 2010 republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province: Camarines sur City/municipality: naga City nOTICe FOr PUbLICATIOn In compliance with Section No. 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is a hereby served to the public that CATHERINE ESCANDOR BARCELON has filed with this Office a Petition for Change of First Name from CLAUDETTE to CATHERINE in the birth certificate of CATHERINE LUSTESTICA ESCANDOR who was born on April 14, 1965 at Naga City, Cams. Sur and whose parents are SOTERO BARRAMEDA ESCANDOR and RUTH MARTINEZ LUSTESTICA. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than Nov. 29, 2010. (sgd.) ALeXAnDer m. CAyeTAnO City Civil Registrar vox bikol nov. 15 and 22, 2010 republic of the Philippines regIOnAL TrIAL COUrT 5Th Judicial region branch 36, Iriga City In re: Declaration of Presumptive Death of Absentee spouse shiela C. Ajez-Daza spec. Proc. no. Ir-2509 rOgeLIO b. DAZA, Petitioner, x---------------------------x OrDer Considering that the Office of the Solicitor General was by inadvertence, not furnished with the notice and copy of the petition, set this case anew for initial hearing on January 26, 2011, at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which time, date and place aforesaid, all interested persons are cited to appear and show cause, if any, why this petition should not be granted. Furnish the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Nabua, Camarines Sur and the Local Civil Registrar
volume XXvIII | Issue no. 27
7
Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Fifth Judicial Region Branch 23 Naga City eJF no. 2010-13 IN THE MATTER OF THE CORRECTION OF ERRONEOUS ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF ABIGAEL MARCIAL ANDAL BY CORRECTING THE GENDER FROM MALE TO FEMALE AND TO DELETE MARCIAL BESIDE HER FIRST NAME, ABIGAEL MARCIAL ANDAL, Petitioner, Spec Proc. No. 2010-0076 -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF NAGA CITY, AND THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, Respondents. x-------------------------------x ORDER Filed before this court is a verified petition seeking the correction of some erroneous entries in the record of birth of petitioner Abigael Marcial Andal under Local Civil Registry No. 91-1629 of the Naga City Civil Registry. These entries are: 1. Petitioner’s gender which is incorrectly recorded as male instead of female; and 2. The name Marcial which appears in petitioner’s record of birth as part of her given name is actually the family name of her mother, Yolanda Anyayahan Marcial, and thus must be deleted so that her true and correct name ABIGAEL MARCIAL ANDAL may appear thereon. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same shall be heard by this court on January 25, 2010 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which time and date, all persons who have claim any interest which would be affected thereby may appear and register their opposition thereto. Have this order published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Camarines Sur. Furnish the Civil Registry Office of Naga City, the National Statistics Office, the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Prosecution Office of Naga City, and the parents of the said petitioner with copies of this order and the instant petition. SO ORDERED. Given this 8th day of November, 2010 at Naga City, Philippines. (sgD.) vALenTIn e. PUrA, Jr. Presiding Judge vox bikol:november 8, 15
of Olongapo City, with a copy of this order and the petition. SO ORDERED. Given this 3rd day of November, 2010. (sgd.) TImOTeO A. PAngA Jr. Acting Presiding Judge vox bikol nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2010 republic of the Philippines regIOnAL TrIAL COUrT 5Th Judicial region branch 60, Iriga City
branch 34, Iriga City IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF JANINH OCBINA Y CAIGAS APPEARING AT THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE OF NABUA, CAMARINES SUR AND THE NATIONAL STATITICS OFFICE JANINH OCBINA Y CAIGAS Petitioner, SPEC PROC. NO. IR-2636 -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE OF NABUA, CAMARINES SUR AND THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, Respondents. x-------------------------------x OrDer Before this court is a verified petition filed by Janinh Ocbina y Caigas praying for the correction of the erroneous entry appearing on her Certificate of Live Birth on file with the Local Civil Registrar of Nabua, Camarines Sur and the National Statistics Office, particularly the sex/gender from MALE to FEMALE. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, let this case be heard on January 11, 2011 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning at the sala of RTC Branch 34, Hall of Justice, Iriga City on which time, date and place, all interested persons may appear to show cause, if any why this petition should not be granted. Let this order be published once a week, for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Camarines Sur and the cities of Naga and Iriga. Furnished the Solicitor General, the Civil Registrar General, National Statistics Office, the Local Civil Registrar of Nabua, Camarines Sur and the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor with a copy of this order and the petition. SO ORDERED. Given this chambers this 3rd day of November 2010 at Iriga City, Philippines. (sgd.) mAnUeL m. rOsALes Presiding Judge vox bikol nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2010 eXTrAJUDICIAL seTTLemenT OF esTATe WITh sALe This is hereby given that the estate of the late RUFINA BAGACINA VDA. DE NALDO died on September 21, 1976 at Iriga City, left certain real property located in Bgy. Sta. Isabel, Buhi, CSur; to wit: Lot No. 5596, TD No. 97-036-0003, with an area of 0.2881 sqm more or less. This was a subject of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Sale in favor unto Sps.
notices continued on page 6
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF JONY LOS BANOS ABAGAT JONY LOS BANOS ABAGAT, Petitioner. SPEC. PROC. NO. IR-2535 THE CIVIL REGISTRAR OF NABUA, CAMARINES SUR & NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, QUEZON CITY, Respondents. x------------------------------x OrDer A verified petition was filed by the petitioner Jony Los Banos Abagat praying that after due notice and hearing, an order be issued directing the Local Civil Registrar of Nabua, Camarines Sur and the National Statistics Office to correct and change the date of birth of the petitioner Jony Los Banos Abagat from January 2, 1957 to January 2, 1958. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, a notice is hereby given that this petition will be heard on December 14, 2010 at 8:30 in the morning at the sala of RTC Branch 60, Hall of Justice, Iriga City, at which time, date and place aforesaid, all interested persons may appear to show cause, if there is any, why this petition should not be granted. Let this order be published at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Camarines Sur, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks and copies of this Order be, together with a copy of the Petition, furnished, served the Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Local Civil Registrar of Nabua, Camarines Sur and the National Statistics Office, East Avenue, Quezon City. sO OrDereD. given in Chambers this 29th day of October, 2010 at Iriga City, Philippines. (sgd.) TImOTeO A. PAngA, Jr. Judge vox bikol nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2010 republic of the Philippines regIOnAL TrIAL COUrT 5Th Judicial region
Gospel (novemBeR 21, 2010)
The people stood by watching. As for the rulers, they jeered at him, saying to one another, “Let the man who saved others now save himself, for he is the Messiah, the chosen one of God!” The soldiers also mocked him and when they
Lk 23:35–43
drew near to offer him bitter wine, they said, “So you are the king of the Jews? Free yourself!” For above him was an inscription which read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
continued on page 2
volume XXvIII | Issue no. 27| 22 - 28 november 2010
Stop ‘misuse’ of Pope’s condom stance--prelate
RH bill ‘pushes’ abortion, bishop says
mAnILA, nOv. 24, 2010— PrOPOnenTs of the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill are lying with their claims that the measure does not promote or allow abortion,” a Catholic bishop said. Large-scale public funding for artificial contraceptives such as condoms and pills is assured in the proposed measure. Almost all versions of the bill classify contraceptives including intrauterine devices and injectables as essential medicines where billions of pesos of public funds will be used for its purchase. Advocates of the RH bill disagree that artificial birth control is a form of abortion, which the Constitution disallows.
rH / page 4
PPCRV sad over Melo’s resignation
mAnILA, nOv. 25, 2010—The resignation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Jose Melo has left a ripple of sadness to a church poll watchdog. Henrietta de Villa, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting chairperson, talked about the ‘sad’ news Thursday, though she understood and wished Melo the best in his future path. “I’m sad because there was a very fruitful collaborative partnership between PPCRV and Comelec but we will not be distracted by these changes,” said De Villa. “We don’t get derailed by these things although we are sad to see him go before his term ends which is until 2015,” she said. Melo submitted his resignation letter to the poll body and the en banc accepted it on Tuesday. The resignation is tentatively effective on January 31, 2011. Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal and Nicodemo Ferrer said that they were not really surprised by Melo’s decision, saying he’s been vocal of his intention of leaving. Ferrer said the poll chief “wants to move on”; on the other hand, Larrazabal said Melo wants to take a rest after the conduct of the automated polls. In February, Melo vowed to quit should the Comelec fail to conduct the country’s first automated presidential elections last May. Despite glitches, the preparation and conduct of last May’s elections were generally considered a success by the poll body. De Villa said Melo’s mission was to ensure that the automated polls will go without major hitches. “So I think he felt that he’d done that,” she said. “It happened considerably well despite of what
melo / page 4
mAnILA, nOv. 23, 2010—rOmAn Catholic Church leaders called on Malacañang to stop “opportunistic misuse” of Pope Benedict XVI’s statement on condom use. Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz said the pope did not endorse the use of condoms as a means to controlling population and not even as a moral and ideal solution to stopping the spread of AIDS. It’s sad, he said, that there are some groups and even government officials who are distorting the pope’s statement to advance their selfish and political interests. “When we argue let’s not take half-truths because we will lose that way. I’m sorry to disappoint people who are hoping otherwise,” Cruz said Tuesday at a weekly churchorganized forum in Manila.
An Associated Press article on Sunday quoted Benedict XVI as saying that condoms use was specific to fighting against the spread of HIV for male prostitutes and homosexuals where procreation does not take place. But the pope also reiterated the Catholic teachings that AIDS must be fought through marital fidelity and sexual abstinence. The pontiff’s comment was contained in Peter Seewald’s forthcoming book “Light of the World: the Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times”. The reproductive health (RH) bill which seeks to promote the use of contraceptives such as condoms is a hotly debated issue in the Philippines. Malacañang yesterday said Benedict XVI’s statement could
“absolutely” boost support for the RH bill which seeks to control the country’s population by promoting the use of contraceptives. Presidential Communications Development Secretary Ricky Carandang said the Palace is hoping that the local Catholic hierarchy would follow the Vatican because “they cannot be popish than the pope.” “That’s a good step. I think our own clergy should be informed by the views of the Vatican because they’ve always referred to the Vatican when they stated their position, now that the Vatican’s position is such then I think that should result in a corresponding flexibility on the part of our Church,” Carandang said. President Benigno Aquino III has said he is pro-choice, including
providing couples assistance with contraceptives such as condoms and birth control pills. Out of context House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman, author of the RH bill, said the papal statement has promptly weakened the Church opposition to the controversial RH measure. Supporters of the measure also took a cue from the Pope’s statement saying this should prompt the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines to finally concede on their anti-RH stance. But Fr. Joel Jason, head of the Commission on Family and Life of the Archdiocese of Manila, said the pope remains firm on the Church’s injunctions against contraceptives. Benedict XVI, he said, only opined that the use by male
condom/ page 4