Indigenous languages of Phl negritos must be saved says Legarda

 “Our actions and inaction have placed indigenous peoples’
lives on the line, despoiled their lands, threatened
 their culture and deprived them of their rights.
Our eyes were opened to the depth and
diversity of the challenges our IPs face. The question
 I now pose to everyone of us: How sincerely will
 we address these issues that affect our IPs’ very
 survival?,” Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate
 Committee on Cultural Communities points out in
 her keynote speech at the National Indigenous
 Peoples Cultural Summit in Manila.

MANILA, November 3, 2011-Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Cultural Communities today bats for the preservation of the country’s indigenous languages where according to Defenders of the Indigenous Languages of the Archipelago (DILA) 2003 study, the 32 known languages of the Negritos here are already endangered as she expressed support over current efforts to save such heritage.

She stressed that many of our indigenous languages would face extinction if we fail to preserve and promote these kinds of national heritage. Language is not only part of our culture and history but also an important aspect of our identity as a nation.

The Senator said that according to the DILA, several native languages have become endangered due to social and economic forces.

“Many indigenous peoples groups have chosen to abandon their mother tongue and have shifted to languages that are perceived as superior because it would make them easier to become part of the community that they live in and opens greater economic opportunities particularly in employment,” Legarda said, explaining that one of the proposed solutions by the DILA to save the country’s indigenous languages is the Mother Tongue Based Multi Lingual Education (MTB-MLE) with a Culture-Based Curriculum (CBC)—an approach that uses the first language or mother tongue as medium of instruction in the child’ early years of education and which is now being undertaken by the Department of Education.

Legarda pointed out that studies have shown that the use of the first language as the medium of instruction contributes to students’ better performance in school. Thus, the Mother Tongue Based Multi Lingual Education is a mechanism we can use to save our languages and help our children learn more effectively.

Legarda concluded that majority of Filipinos use Tagalog and English, but this does not mean we must care less or abandon our indigenous languages, which are in fact the first languages of our ancestors. It is only right and just that we preserve these languages as a sign of our respect for our history and heritage. (Jason de Asis)

A glimpsed on Halloween and its origin

BALER, Aurora, November 2, 2011-In todays halloween’s growing popularity in Aurora and the rest of the world where it became something traditions for Christians and non Christians, Aurorans celebrated it with gaiety and others with seriousness.

Historians said that the word hallowe'en or All Hallow's Eve combines pre-Christian and Christian traditions.

Historian Nicholas Rogers, who researched the origins of Halloween revealed that while "some folklorists have detected its origin in the Roman feast of Pomona, the goddess of fruits and seeds, or in the festival of the dead called Parentalia, it is more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-an or sow-in)", derived from the Old Irish Samuin meaning "summer's end". 

Samhain was the first and by far the most important of the four quarter days in the medieval Irish and Scottish calendar and, falling on the last day of Autumn, it was a time for stock-taking and preparation for the cold winter months ahead. 

There was also a sense that this was the time of the year when the physical and supernatural worlds were closest and magical things could happen. To ward off these spirits, the Gaels built huge, symbolically regenerative bonfires and invoked the help of the gods through animal and perhaps even human sacrifices.

The word halloween is first attested in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of the fuller all-hallows-even "evening", that is, the night before all hallows day. Although the phrase all hallows is found in Old English (ealra hālgena mæssedæg, mass-day of all saints), All-Hallows-Even is itself not attested until 1556 falling on November 1^st and 2^nd respectively.

Collectively they were times for honoring the Saints and praying for the recently departed who had yet to reach heaven. By the end of the 12th century they had become days of holy obligation across Europe and involved such traditions as ringing bells for the souls in purgatory and "souling", the custom of baking bread or soul cakes for all christened souls. 

It was traditionally believed that the souls of the departed wandered the earth until All Saints Day, and All Hallow's Eve provided one last chance for the dead to gain vengeance on their enemies before moving onto the next world. To avoid being recognized by a soul, Christians would wear masques and costumes to disguise themselves, following the lighted candles set by others to guide their travel for worship the next day. 

In Britain the rituals of Hallowtide and Halloween came under attack during the Reformation as Protestants denounced purgatory as a "popish" doctrine incompatible with the notion of predestination.

In addition, the increasing popularity of Guy Fawkes Night from 1605 on saw Halloween eclipsed in Britain with the notable exception of Scotland. There and in Ireland, they have been celebrating Samhain and Halloween since the early Middle Ages, and the Kirk took a more pragmatic approach towards Halloween, viewing it as important to the life cycle and rites of passage of local communities and thus ensuring its survival in the country.

North American almanacs of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century give no indication that Halloween was recognized as a holiday. The Puritans of New England, for example, maintained strong opposition to the holiday and it was not until the mass Irish and Scottish immigration during the 19th century that the holiday was introduced to the continent in earnest. Initially confined to the immigrant communities during the mid-nineteenth century, it was gradually assimilated into mainstream society and by the first decade of the twentieth century it was being celebrated coast to coast by people of all social, racial and religious backgrounds.

It was saddening how some Filipinos and here in Aurora celebrated the season of ghouls and witches.

The All Saints’ Day was intended to enhance the feast of the saints but it morphed into something else and no longer about saints but evil.

It is actually not glorifying the saint but a glorification of Satan himself and the parents should warn fellow parents against the “subliminal message” and the danger of dressing up their children as ghosts and goblins.

Parent should instead do something that would enhance the faith and values of their children. The Catholic Church claimed that Halloween has an undercurrent of occultism and is absolutely anti-Christian and I agree with them.

The parents should be aware of and try instead to direct the meaning of the feast towards wholesomeness and beauty rather than fear and terror.

There is a need to celebrate it meaningfully because we would be emulating the saints. We can do whatever we want for as long as you don’t fall down to that level that would be glorifying the evil one. (Jason de Asis)

DENR files charges to 40 suspected illegal loggers in Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, November 1, 2011-The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has filed charges for forestry law violations against 40 suspected illegal loggers, including 13 teenagers in Nueva Ecija following the seizure of contraband lumber along a river in the boundary of the Dona Remedios Trinidad-Gen. Tinio watershed and forest reserve.

Charged before the Nueva Ecija Office of the Provincial Prosecutor here in an information filed by DENR-San Rafael, Bulacan community environment and natural resources officer Meliton Vicente Jr. were Darwin Pacheco, 30; Eric Pangilinan, 38; Mario Pascual, 38; Mark Angelo Fernando,17; Marlon Pascual, 25; Eduardo Diaz, 16; Darius dela Cruz, 26; Darwin dela Cruz, 17; Mark Ver Magat, 17; Leo Esquicel, 28; Eduardo Pangilinan, 60; Eleazar Gutierrez, 16; Romy Abis, 29; John Paul Wilson, 41; Cris Samson, 15; Ronnie Diaz, 17; Pedro Bulacan, 32; Daniel de Guzman, 32; Danilo Bulacan, 17; Rico Fajardo, 37; Jojo Toledo, 28; Edward Baluyot, 33; Gregorio Abranis, 18; Kilven Wilson, 35; Jeffrey Wilson, 17; Gary Padolina, 14; Alex Caldo, 25; Elmer Baluyot, 27; Cedrick Baluyot, 14; Ricardo Pangilinan, 14; Bernabe Abenyo, 54; Allan Gonzales, 40; Gerry Quizon, 32; Ricardo Mabalay, 33; Pedro Gaboni, 32;  Marvin Barles, Marlon Barles, Marjon Barles, Gabriel dela Cruz and Enrico dela Cruz, all of Barangay Pias, Gen. Tinio town.

The suspects were charged following a recent-five day operation of a 14-man DENR team which recovered 7,288 board feet of assorted lumber hidden underneath the Sumacbao River lying within the Dona Remedios Trinidad-Gen. Tinio watershed.

Vicente said the “hot forest products” were found hidden in six creeks where they also seized a chainsaw and other gadgets used in hauling their contraband.

“The suspects were identified as Lito Bote, Gerry Bote, Nicasio Torres, Eric Bal and a certain Puntina, all of Gen. Tinio as their alleged financiers. However, he could not say if the two Botes are related to Mayor Virgilio Bote and Vice Mayor Ferdie Bote who waged a town-wide crusade against illegal logging last year,” Vicente said.

The lumber and flitches are reportedly to be sold and delivered to this city, Gapan City, Bulacan, Pampanga and Metro Manila aboard forward trucks and jeeps. (Jason de Asis)  

Central Luzon cops in full alert for “Undas 2011”

BALER, Aurora, October 31, 2011-A top executive of the Philippine National Police (PNP) here in Central Luzon said that all cops are in full alert status in line with the annual observance of All Saints’/Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2, 2011.

Police Chief Superintendent Edgardo T. Ladao said that they are in full alert and carrying out its “IMPLAN KALULUWA 2011”, the yearly security preparations of the PNP to ensure public safety and well-being during the traditional observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Ladao issued directives to all City/Provincial Directors from the different Police Provincial/City Police Offices in the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan and Bulacan to strictly conduct checkpoint operations and bus terminal inspections which started last October 28, 2011 to November 3, 2011.

Motorists Assistance Centers are also established along major thoroughfares to help motorists who are travelling and heading towards their different provinces.  

Ladao said that starting today, October 31, 2011, all of his cops will also be deployed to the different cemeteries within the region and Public Assistance Centers are established to assist people.

“We also deputized the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams/Barangay Tanods to assist us in the implementation of Implan Kaluluwa,” Ladao said in a cellphone interview. (Jason de Asis) 

UPRIIS head sets record as 1st female irrigation manager in Phl

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, October 30, 2011-A multi-titled division manager of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has entered the history books as the first-ever female operations manager in the country after she was appointed the new chief of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS), the operator of the giant Pantabangan Dam.

Josephine Salazar, erstwhile division 3 manager, assumed the post of UPRIIS operations manager vice Reynaldo Puno during turn-over rites at the system’s headquarters here Thursday night.

Salazar is the youngest and the first female to head a national irrigation system supervised administratively by the male-dominated NIA in its 48-year history. She was barely one year old when the agency was created by then-President Diosdado Macapagal.

Her appointment was approved by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel who both sit in the NIA Board.

Salazar succeeded Puno who assumed the post of regional irrigation manager (RIM) for Central Luzon, replacing Manuel Collado who was re-assigned as RIM for Region 1. Her previous post, meanwhile, is now occupied by engineer Jose Ariel Domingo.

Salazar told newsmen her appointment was overwhelming. “All the hard work paid off,” she said, adding she would try to duplicate and continue on the gains achieved under Puno’s watch.

UPRIIS is the country’s largest national irrigation system (NIS). It irrigates 102,000 hectares of agricultural lands in Central Luzon which also hosts the third largest NIS – the Angat Maasim River Irrigation System that runs and operates the Bustos Dam in Bulacan.      

Prior to her appointment at UPRIIS, Salazar was adjudged as the most outstanding frontline irrigation manager in 2010 by an evaluation committee of the agency for steering Division 3 in achieving the highest record in physical and financial performance in the management and operation among the 49 irrigation management offices and national systems.

Division 3, which Salazar started managing in 2008, posted a net income of P40.42 million in 2010, from P32.8 million in 2009 and P14 million in 2008. For the first semester of 2011, it has posted a net income of P50 million. It also posted a viability index of 2.24 percent, from 1.33 percent in 2008.

It was the second consecutive yearly award received by Salazar who, in 2009, also emerged as most outstanding irrigation management officer, best irrigation service fee (ISF) provider also in 2009, ISF top grosser for 2010 of P73.19 million, highest ISF back account collection for 2010 (P14.39 million).     

Salazar’s division was also given the best managed frontline irrigation service award. It was also recognized as most viable IMO for 2010 and best maintained division. (Jason de Asis)

NIA exec holds back tears as he bids goodbye after 13 years

CABANATUAN CITY, October 30, 2011–The regional irrigation manager of the Angat Maasim River Irrigation System (AMRIS) – the country’s third largest national irrigation system – finally bade goodbye to agency employees   in an emotional farewell nearly marked by tears.

In a speech turning over the reins of the regional office to his successor Reynaldo Puno during ceremonies at the NIA Region 3 office in Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Thursday, Manuel Collado tried to hold back tears as he thanked the NIA family for their support in his stint as regional chief for 13 years.

Collado asked them to support Puno then finished his speech. Puno was relieved from the Cabanatuan-based Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems, the operator of the Pantabangan Dam.

Collado was reportedly not in his “best element” over the last few days because of the revamp ordered by President Aquino and which was implemented by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel.

The revamp was ordered by President Aquino after NIA accomplished only 25 percent of its target of 30,958 hectares while spending over 60 percent of its P14.88 billion budget. The overhaul has touched off a firestorm among top-level officials of the agency, particularly since it was done without prior consultation with affected people.

Alcala said those affected should comply with the revamp or quit.  “When you enter government service, when you are told that you will be assigned in a particular place and you don’t want to be transferred, then just put up your own business,” he said in an interview with newsmen in San Jose City last week.

While Collado was delivering his speech, he paused briefly, his hands shaking a bit. A lady photographer of the agency was seen shedding tears.

Collado tried to hide the pain, smiling occasionally and even tried to make fun of the event. When the ceremonial key was handed by him to Puno, he playfully tried to grab it back, drawing laughter from those around him. 

Later, Collado, who will be re-assigned to NIA Region 1 office based in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, said his biggest legacy in the regional office is its becoming financially viable under his watch.

Collado, a bosom buddy of Nangel, declined to comment on his sudden relief. But NIA sources said Collado was “extremely disappointed” because he was reportedly assured by Nangel he would not be included in the list of those who would be reshuffled.

A NIA official said Collado was given the run-around since the recommendation to replace him was submitted to the NIA Board chaired by Alcala last September 5. It was approved on September 14. The memorandum circular from Nangel came out only on October 14.

“All along, we were told that Manager Collado would be retained. They hid the relief order up to the last minute,” one of the sources said.

Another NIA insider said that while the reshuffle is the prerogative of Aquino and Alcala, this should not be selective and give favors to some officials. “There were some who were not removed so it’s clear they enjoyed protection,” he said. 

The CMN tried to get Nangel’s comment but he could not be reached. His aide said he just arrived from an official trip in Korea.

But another source said Nangel was first hesitant to implement the revamp but was pressured to when Alcala confronted him. “Ano i-implement mo ba ‘yan? Kung hindi mo kaya ako ang magi-implement (Will you implement that? If you can’t, I myself will implement it),” the source quoted Alcala as telling Nangel.          

The top-level NIA revamp affected three officials from the NIA central office, eight regional managers, two operation managers and one project manager.

Alcala said the Aquino administration needs to implement the revamp because many of them are overstaying in their posts and have so familiarized themselves with the local conditions that they are no longer effective in their posts.

“That’s where the problem lies. They are no longer productive. And they have become friends with local politicians,” he said, without naming names.

He said the revamp was compelling, noting that in one particular area, P2 billion worth of funds for irrigation projects was already spent but no single drop of irrigation water flowed. When pressed to identify the particular area, Alcala refused. (Jason de Asis)      

Soldiers killed 4 rebs, recovered 3 firearms in Cagayan clash

BAGGAO, Cagayan, October 29, 2011-The 17^th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Bariwanay, Barangay San Miguel here confirmed that four (4) members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in action with undetermined number of NPA-wounded while three (3) civilians injured in a recent clash of the military against the rebels.

The firefights started as early as 5:30 Thursday morning when the BAYANIHAN PATROL led by 2Lt. Kenneth Pangcoga was fired upon by the group believed to be part of SPP Cagayan. The civilians tipped-off 2lt Pangcoga as early as 4 in the morning to warn the group of the rebels’ presence nearby.

Government troops recovered two (2) M16 rifles, one (1) shotgun, one (1) generator set, one (1) laptop, one (1) computer printer, one (1) cell phone and subversive documents at the place of encounter.

  

NOLCOM spokesperson Captain Jovily Carmel Cabading reiterated the position of Major General Jessie Dellosa that despite the fate that has befallen some soldiers especially in Basilan recently, the AFP will not waiver in its commitment to pursue all-out peace.  

“We, as soldiers do not rejoice in the death of these four rebels. They are our fellow Filipinos. It is just unfortunate that they opted to trek the wrong path.  We will find more fulfillments in our mission if people like them will voluntarily lay down their arms and start life anew with their loved ones.  We do not want unnecessary bloodshed.”

Lieutenant Colonel Alvin V.  Flores, the battalion commander of 17IB has requested for medical team instead of the usual combat reinforcement. “We are sending a message to the wounded NPAs that we will receive them with open arms and will definitely attend to their medical needs. We have no choice but to stop the hot pursuit operations because they opted to hide inside the civilian’s abode. If they fire at our troops first, we cannot immediately fire back fearing for the presence of civilians inside the houses. If they continue to hide inside the houses, it will appear that they are holding the civilians hostages.”  

He added that the latter information was tipped off by a fleeing civilian (whose house) where the NPAs sought refuge. She reported the presence of two wounded (claiming to be civilians) were at the next house.

Cabading identified the names of three (3) civilians wounded as Zaldy Durado (25y/o), Arnold passion (30y/o) and Arnolito Durado (4y/o). The latter's finger is slightly wounded. (Jason de Asis)