CSC Statesman Magazine SY09 10 by Statesman Rocks

The Official Tertiary Student Publication of the Catanduanes State Colleges Member: College Editors Guild of the Philippines Vol. XVIII No.I October - December 2009 Virac, Catanduanes

Tungo sa Bagong YugTo

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18 1

Vol. No.

in this issue Sa Pagsibol ng Modernong Pamamahayag at Paghulma ng mga Bagong Manunulat

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10 Dos mil dies: The Year We Make Contact 13 New look: A Quick Defance on Accreditation Fever14 A Clamber to the Spawned Commerce 20 The Triumph of Elitism

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Bagong Halalan Bagong Kapalaran

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HAYOK Isang pagsulyap sa kumakalam na kabulukan

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29 Poetry 31 Masquerading the tragedy with conquest 48

Catanduanes cashes in on Cassava as alternative crop

Literary

Kultura

UKOL SA PABALAT Nasa ating kamay ang pagbabago. Nasa ating sarili ang inisyatibo.

Columns

BIPPK

32 34 36 40















Editorial O RS

S T V E

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G OVE RN M E N T O

F F I C I

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A T E S AN D U A N

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ILL-F ILLFATED GAMBL GAMBLE E Idiocy. Gambling has always been an indecent human diversion. Though punishable by law, still, many are enticed to cross the threshold of this perdious fad. Gamblers lay wagers wagers to win, seldom to lose. Hefty riches are are at stake to the conqueror. While the dark horse, after a painful defeat, absconds packed with laments. Monte Oro Company’s foray to conduct mining in the province exhibits a perilous perilous gamble. But this time, it’s the people’s lives and livelihood that are being pot. pot. Apart from the habitual approach, where a gambler looks forward to triumph, because before this spar was instituted, the chance to thrive was already made futile. The said company was awarded a total of 15,000 hectares of land areas to mine in the towns of San Andres, Caramoran, Panganiban and Viga and the venture was estimated to yield P 6.2 B. The government would also earn P186 M from the 3% royalty, P9 M from taxes and P10 M from workers. These bulk of benets for the greedy and selsh are mere pittance compared to the massive environmental tragedy it will cause to Catandunganons. A Certicate of Non-Coverage issued by the government, instead of an Environmental Compliance Certicate that is awarded after an Environmental Impact Assessment, ignited the wrath of the church and the people. This only shows a vivid picture of arrogance, arrogance, crony capitalism and abuse of power. Consequently, Bishop Manolo delos Santos and Katandungan Kontra Mina, a civic organization campaigning against mining, together with the concerned and affected sectors, appealed to the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) due to absence of public consultations and orientations. Then came the President of this company declaring that they have abandoned the project due to lack of potentials, which in turn will be unprotable and uneconomical. But until now, we are laid on the verge of enigma. enigma. The people are left lynching as the riddle continues to tread its craft. Nevertheless, environmental environmental disaster is not far-fetched

Then, as the natural resources are recklessly consumed, this will lead to landslides, mudslides, rampaging oods and even add woes to global warming that would result to ecological imbalance. As quoted by a politician, “Mining is governed governed by law. If you comply with the law, there’s nothing wrong about it as long as you do not degrade the environment.” environment.” Therefore we say, indeed, indeed, no mining operation ended without its enormous environmental destruction and degradation. We, ourselves, witnessed nature’s agonizing revenge. Monte Oro’s plan to onslaught might have been aborted but threats to our ecology looms everyday. Must we wait until we could endure her verdict no more? We are stewards of the environment. environment. Thus, it is our prime duty to protect and conserve conserve its languid beauty. This is where we dwell and build ourselves. The food we eat, the water we imbibe and the air we breathe emanate emanate from nature. It is but just right to address the distressing state of our haven, brought by drastic changes to our ecology. Another battle fought against threats of mining and incessantly blatant environmental exploitation once again proved our resiliency to protect protect the pristine beauty of this island province. province. The prize sought could have been won had the publicized abortion of the Monte Oro’s contract to explore for potential coals (then eventually extract reserves) was genuine and not a mere display of lthy political ploy. Together, we can lend a hand to save our habitat from its total annihilation to regain regain its lost glory. Let’s wait no more to turn deaf ears and be blindfolded on the real scenario at the moment. Risk is an essential factor in every every scheme. But to chase the option when risk prevails prevails over benet is absurd. We should never let ourselves and our troubled island home be pledged once more. Done with the irresponsibility. irresponsibility. Done with the egocentricity. Done with the vanity. What we have today may all be gone tomorrow. The day of salvation is now.















2 News

Vol. XVIII No.I | October - December 2009

CSC upgrades library operation

T

o improve library services and increase productivity, efciency and accuracy in performing a variety of library operations, the CSC College Library launched its automation early this school year.

Library automation is a combination of both hardware and software facility. It consist of a computer program designed to perform various library functions such as circulation, cataloging, public access, acquisitions, serials control and interlibrary loan. It also allows users to search for information in one place. The Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) (OP AC), , an adv advanc anced ed equ equiv ivale alent nt of car card d catalog, cata log, is what user users s cons consultto ultto ndand retrieve information information of interest. A user who locates an item of interest in the OPAC can obtain the bibliographic information and the call number. The user can also determine thestatusofthatitem(e.g.,check-outdate, duedate,onreserve). In addition, the user can ascertain whether the item being searched in the OPAC is on order, received, claimed, canceled, or sent to the bindery. With this information technology capability, users are allowed to use search strategies that exceed those that can be used with card catalogs. While card catalogs can be accessed by author, title and subject, OPACs can be accessed by author, title, subject and keyword. Once On cea auser u sern nds dsth the eitem i temof ofin inte tere rest st in the open shelves, a hand-held device

Joeffrey Ereso, JPIA - CSC President acquaints some ofcers of recognized organizations to the proposed nancial reporting standard. (JPIA - CSC)

JPIA to audit all CSC student organizations

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ith a goal of educating and urging the CSC Student Organizations towards accountability, the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (CSC Chapter) was directed by the Director of Student Services to audit the Financial Statements of all the CSC Student Organizations.

This is in the light of the past anomalies that had occurred in several student organizations in the campus wherein issues of corruption, fraud and theft had jeopardized the image of the Students from CHS take part in the dry run of the CSC. automated library operations early this school year To support this move, the JPIA 2009 - 2010. Top inset is the a sample of a bar conducted a seminar on December 9, 2009 coded book (CSC (CSC - PRIS) at CSC Little Theater about Standards on Financial Reporting which discussed the will scan the item’s barcode, download the basic preparation of an organization’s scanned item in the automated system and Financial Statement. The event which started at 1:00 in generate a variety of reports. At present, the library has ve the afternoon was steered by the Dean of computers with online public access catalog the College of Business and Accountancy, (OPAC) (OP AC) syst system, em, one in eac each h sec sectio tion n and Prof. Ma. Theresa Sarmiento and the Director of Student Services, Dr. Lourdes another one is located in its center lobby. Before automating the CSC’s main V.Rodriguez. The seminar was specically library, the staff and their casual workers d e s i g n e d for the presidents, nance had a one-week training in May this year ofcers/ ofc ers/trea treasure surers, rs, and inte internal rnal aud auditor itors s to ensure preparedness in providing new of all student organizations since they are services to its clients. theresponsibleofcialsinthepreparation ofnancialreports. -Marian Claire V. Tulod “From n ow ow o n, n, o ur ur o f fce ( OS OSA) would not clear an organization unless they have been audited by the JPIA,” Dr. Rodriguez stated during the seminar. Joeffrey T. Ereso, the president of the JPI JPIA A pre presen sented ted the uni unifor form m na nanci ncial al statement which was formulated by the JPI J PIA A Bo Boar ard d of Di Dire rect ctor ors s sp spec eci ica call lly y fo for r the school organizations during its regular meeting on November 11, 2009. The seminar also included a workshop where the participants were given a sample problem involving organizational transactions. They were asked to prepare the Financial Statements regarding the















News 3


CSC is country’s

3rd

Eco-friendliest School

D

uring these times when an outcry for a greener and cleaner environment is eminent across the world due to climate change, the Catanduanes State Colleges had shown the country what it got as an environmental friendly institution. In the recently concluded Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools in the Philippines which was sponsored by the DENR, CHED, DepEd, and SMART Communications, Inc., CSC bagged the third place honors, following Visayas State University in the 2nd place and Palawan State University which was adjudged as the national winner. CSC was awarded P 30, 000 and a glass-sculpted trophy. The Search was the DENR’s response to the newly signed law, Republic Act9512(AnActtoPromoteEnvironmental Awareness through Environmental Educatio Educ ation), n), whic which h requ requires ires allpublicand private schools to integrate environmental education in their curricula at all levels. CSC was declared Region V’s eco-friendliest school during the regional selection and won a cash prize of 5,000

pesos. Consequently, Consequently, it advanced advanced into the national level competition. A national selection committee composed of authorities in environmental education, the government, and private sector including civil society at the regional and national levels inspected and conducted visits as part of the selection process. The contestants were judged according to environment-related aspects of the school’s policy, environmentfriendly school operations and presence of environmental programs, environmentrelated features of the school curriculum, presence of vibrant eco organizations in campus, and presence of partners and linkages in environment programs/ projects. - Ezekiel Tanael

THE PRIZE - This glass-sculpted trophy was awarded to CSC as the country’ country’ss 3rd eco-friendliest school. (CSC - PRIS)

CSC Prepares for Random Drug Testing

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n line with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 19, Series of 2003, random drug testing of students at CSC will be scheduled this school year 2009 until March 2010.

The program aims to determine the prevalence of drug users among the students and to strengthen the collaborative effortsofidentiedagenciesagainsttheuse of prohibited drugs. CHED in cooperation with Department of Health will handle the drug testing procedures through an unbiased process of selecting students who will undergo the drug testing. The Selection Board, composed of Drug Testing Coordinators as chairperson, representatives from the students, teaching staff and parents will ensure the condentialityandintegrityoftherandom

found positive. “Katatakot man kaan, baad ipakulong na sana ako ning basang nu magpositibo ako,” said a student from Department of Industrial Technology. “Pano kung magluwas na drug dependent ang sarong estudyante? Kahilak man ta siguradong papatalsikin uya sa State”, a student from College of Education added. However, in case the test results are ar e po posi siti tive ve, , a co con nrm rmat atio ion n te test st wi will ll be conducted. The result of this will not be a ground for expulsion or any disciplinary

supervision of a DOH-accredited facility or physician in consultation with the parent. Such processes of observation and counseling shall be done in coordination with the CSC Drug Counselor. If another drug testing is conducted and the student is found positive the second time around, the administration will proceed in accordance to Section 61, RA 9165. The parents may choose to enroll the student in a private rehabilitation program or to avail rehabilitation services of the government. The administration is hoping that this program will successfully bear good















4 Features


Sa Pagsibol ng Modernong Pamamahayag at Paghulma ng mga Bagong Manunulat Log- in Unti-unti nang nalulusaw ang tinta ng tradisyunal na pamamahayag. Hindi na nakaposas sa kamay ng mga profesyonal na manunulat ang pagkalkal at pagrasyon ng informasyon sa mga gutom na mamamayan. Mula sa pagiging media consumer, ang ordinayong Juan Dela Cruz ngayo’y naging media producer. Napukaw ang natutulog na diwa ng nasyonalismo nasyonalismo.. Pinili na nilang makilahok. Makialam. Makisawsaw.

Of empowering the people... democracy Nananahan tayo sa isang bansa kung saan hindi ipinagkakai ipinagkakaitt ang pagpapahayag ng kanyang saloobin; kung saan ang taong-bayan ang pinakamakapangyarihan; kung saan ang taong-bayan ang may hawak ng balota na magpapabago sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng ating bansa. Di’ ba sila ang nagpalaya

pukawin ang natutulog na nasyonalismo gamit ang mga makabagong teknolohiya upang ipamahagi ang nakalap nilang balita at informasyon ukol sa isang isyu. Ang citizen journalism o kilala rin sa tawag na “participatory journalism” ay naglalayong paigtingin ang tungkuling ginagampanan ginagampana n ng mamamayan sa larangan ng pamamahayag. Ayon kay Mark Glaser, isang freelance journalist, ang paggamit ng makabagong teknolohiya at Internet ng mga indibidwal na walang professional journalism journali sm training o professional afliationupangmaglikhaomagdagdag ng informasyon at mag fact-check media ang ideya sa likod ng citizen journalism.

Citizen Journalism and Activism Hindi maiiwasang maging laman ng Internet partikular na ang blog ang mga rebolusyonaryong rebolusyona ryong komentaryo galing sa mga aktibistang bloggers. Nagmistulang baha ng kritisismo ang bawat pahina ng Internet. Mula nang pumutok ang iba’t ibang websites ng Internet, nabigyan

Nagmistulang factory na bumubuga ng mabahong hangin ang Internet dahil sa mga paratang na ipinupukol ng mga aktibistang blogger laban sa kasalukuyang rehimeng Arroyo. ‘Santambak na basura mula sa mga pulitiko ang inihahain ng mga aktibista aktibista sa Internet. Internet. Dahil dito, naipapaalam nila sa kinauukulan at ng taong-bayan ang kanilang hinaing. Nagagamit pa ba ng tama ng mga blogger ang Internet o sila na ang nagagamit nito?

Get connected through their ngertips Malaki na ang ipinagbago ng mundong ating ginagalawan. Tumamad lalo si Juan Tamad dahil sa make-over sa kanyang munting munting paraiso. Nagsulputan ang mga high tech gadgets, dumami na ang gumagamit ng computer at nag-explore sa iba’t ibang websites. Naglalakbay ngayon ang kanilang mga daliri sa keypad at keyboard na dahandahang pinipindot ang mga letra ng pagbabago. Kasabay nito ay ang pagbabago ng pamamahayag. Sa tulong

















Features 5


mga profesyonal na journalist. Radio, dyaryo, at telebisy telebisyon. on. Ito ang karaniwang medium ng pamamahayag. Tradisyunal na maituturing. Ngunit sa paglabas ng Internet ay binasag nito ang tradisyunal na paghahatid ng informasyon. Sa pamamagitan ng citizen journalism, journali sm, ang ordinaryo ordinaryong ng tao’y nakakatulo nakakatulong ng nang makapaghatid na ng informasyon at balita. Halimbawa na lamang ng ginawa ng online community na ginamit ang Internet para kontrahin ang pagtataguyod ng Constitutional Assembly sa Kongreso. Nariyan ang hit na blogging kung saan kaya mong ientry ang sarili mong pananaw, maging ito may komentaryo o balita, o kaya’y para sa personal na gamit. Maaari mo ring gamitin ang You Tube upang i-upload ang nasaksihang video ng isang krimen, o i-post ang isang makabuluhang larawan na maaring mapagkukunan ng balita o kaya naman sa pamamagitan ng mobile phones. Ayon kay Shiela Coronel, isang kilalang investigative journalist, sa isang popular na blog search engine higit isang bilyon o 1/6 ng populasyon sa buong mundo ang nakatutok sa Internet at gumagapang ang mga daliri sa keyboard ng kanilang mga computer. Noong June 2008, mahigit 113 million online journals at blogs ang nalathala sa Web at nasa 175,000 at higit pa ang nadadagdag bawat araw. Mahigit kalahati na rin ng tao sa buong mundo, o umaabot ng tatlong bilyon ang nagmamay-ari ng mobile phone, dagdag pa nya.

“Journalism is Evolving, not Dying” Matapos talunin ni Mayweather si Marquez sa huli nilang laban, nag-surf agad ako sa Internet upang tingnan kung meron ng ulat tungkol sa kanilang bakbakan. Makalipas lamang ng 27 na minuto, nakapost na agad ang headline na “Mayweather pummels Marquez in ring return” mula sa isang foreign sports writer. Totoo ngang napapabilis ang pag-abot ng informasyon sa madla. Sa isang pindot lang lang ay nakapost na sa screen ng mga

Sinabi ni Coronel na magkakaroon ng panibago at karagdagang function ang mga mamamahayag. Hindi lamang sa pag-uulat ng balita ngunit pati na rin sa pag-iipon at pagdudugtong-dugtong pagdudugto ng-dugtong ng mga informasyon. informasyon. Sa madaling salita, salita, ang mga mamamahayag ang lilikha ng komprehensibong balita o artikulo gamit ang mga informasyong bumabaha sa Web na bigay ng mga citizen journalist. Isang patunay dito ang programang “Boto mo, Ipatrol mo” na inilunsad ng ABS CBN network upang subaybayan ang mga kaganapan sa susunod na halalan, sa tulong ng mga mamamayan. Isinagawa ang ganitong scheme ng pamamahayag, na nagsimula taong 2007, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala ng mga letrato at video sa ABS CBN ng mga sinasabing anomalya noong nakaraang eleksyon. Maging ang CNN ay matagal na at nagunguna na sa paggamit ng ganitong evolution ng pamamahayag.

Log-out Ang pamamahayag ang pangunahing poso na iniigiban ng mga tao ng informasyon. informasyon. Singhaba ng mga pumipila pumipila sa NFA dati ang naghihintay sa pagbulwak ng naglalagablab na mga isyu. Sa pagsibol ng bagong binhi ng mga mamamahaya mamamahayag, g, umikli ang pila ng mga naghihintay ng balita’t informasyon dahil dumami ang bukal na nagpoprodyus ng tubig. Paalala lang, baka maruming tubig ang iyong mainom. Malaking dulot ang hatid ng teknolohiya. May mabuti. May masama. Nakadepende sa tao kung paano nya ito gagamitin. Pinili nating gawin itong armas sa pamamahayag. Sa pamamagitan nito, lumitaw ang mga nakabinbin na isyu sa mga nakakandadong kaban at lumabas ang katotohanan. Isang patunay lamang nito na hindi dapat mawala sa ugat ng pamamahayag, pamamahaya g, tradisyunal man o makabago, ang taong-bayan. Sila ang dugo na bumubuhay sa pamamahayag.

















Bagamanoc’s Ilihan: Eros Standing Through Time

A

s a town that has been markedly named after poultry, Bagamanoc could not have been expected to be less bold about its assets. Yet, a visit to this simple albeit strange dwelling would make a guest wonder about how many secrets he could seduce out of it. A walk in the proper, for example, would offer nothing exceptional or explicit beyond that one offensive oddity openly thrusting itself in the face of what should’ve been a perfectly ordinary little world. Some giant male genitalia, in its full glory, is there in the middle of the sea. After that single liberating surprise, one would think that’s all there is… and it’s what betrays him. That thought that no mysterious subtleties exist behind that one overwhelming peculiarity put out for the world to see. Fromthen,oneonlyhastopause…tondhimselfinthepathoftheenchante Fromthen, oneonlyhastopause…tondhimselfinthepathoftheenchanted.Thewickedwind d.Thewickedwind fromabovethecollapsedbreakwaterattheabandonedporttakeshimaway.Itlmshisvisionand makes him believe that everything in Bagamanoc is both the familiar and the unfamiliar. Especially thatpenis-shapedrockoncecalledIlihan,forevererceagainstthehorizon.Ithasremainedvaliant against the most violent rages of storms only so it could exist as Bagamanoc’s Eros – the mythical meeting point of sensuality and spirituality – for the most faithful of peoples.

Chicken Pochero

Like most towns in our culture-colored country, Bagamanoc’s history is a pochero of legends and actual events, bak choy half-cooked. Folklore tells of an awesome secret place that thrived in overabundance, where a zoo of beasts and an aviary of fowls partied day in and day out harmoniously, within forests of ancient wood and vine that lined its sparkling grayish blue-black sands. Hardly away from this cornucopia, a swamp islet in Panay Island called “Bagabato”, now named “Taraga”, existed as a chicken-raising settlement. However, with a den of crocodiles in the river at its west; a violent hill at its south; a harsh sea at its north; and a barricading swamp at its east, the place surely had itself made as a failing habitat. Ever a thorn on the side, Moro pirates ravaged the community occasionally, so that it was onlyamatteroftimebeforesomerandomcitizennallygainsenoughsensetodaretheoddsand leave his cursed homeland.

















The epic starts with the young adventurer setting off ona qu questto estto nd rat rattan tan for his fut future ure bri bride’ de’s s fam family ily hou house. se. Following the shoreline westward, he chances upon a grove of pandan shrubs by the sea just ahead. From his distance, he manage man aged d tomakeoutwhatresem tomakeoutwhatresemble bled d achicke achicken n yi yingover ngover the tallest shrub. He discovers the grove’s territory to be an awesome secret place, which could be the richest repository he couldevercomeacrosswithinhislifetime.Thus,heedback tohisclansmen(withhisthickbun tohisclansmen (withhisthickbundleofrattan) dleofrattan)toinspirethem toinspirethem with stories about the luxury he found, which encouraged the tribe’s resettlement. In the end, the tribesmen convened about how their new home was found, and they decided on the name “Baga-manok,” which translates to “like a chicken”. There were no bloody deaths of either man or beast. Aside from these warped little gobbets about the town’s childhood, there lingers all over the proper slight irregularities that give an otherwise normal environment the air of a sur surrea realis listic tic rec recent ent pas past. t. Toi Toilet let bow bowls ls sti still ll af afxed xed to their tanks discolor the blue-black coast behind the present Municipal Hall. Along with these, debris patterned by tiles of every motif – probably remnants of a bathroom or kitchen – seem to confess a crime or calamity that is yet to be put on Bagamanoc’s Wikipedia page. Further trekking on the same coast will reveal what appears to be battered cushions in tattered clothinexplicablytrappedunderseasiderocks.Whilerst-hand witnesses may complete the puzzle and offer a title like “2009: Typhoon Dante’s Totally Badass Love”, imaginations would still beg to argue.

“Fertility Island”

Earlier this year, the landmark has gained the pseudonym “Fertility Island” as suggested by Virac Bishop Msgr. Manolo A. delos Santos, who worried that the islet’s local nameas“indecent”andsomething“thatwouldreectbadly” on the personality of the Bagamanocnons. The name’s a misnomer. Ilihan Point is not an island; so guests, be wary. You can’t reach it without hiring a boat, yes, but you can’t have a picnic with your friends on it either. It is merely a point. It is a cramped spot of land connedbywater. As far as history goes, Ilihan does not fall far back from its hometown’s lush lores. Ancient stories assert that this stubborn column of dirt wasn’t always the brazen hooded warrior that suppressed powerful storm surges. After all, real warriors aren’t born, they’re made. The simplest myth surrounding the landmark concerns a man of remarkable proportions. “Kurakog” was a goliath who apparently fell into a deep coma at Ilihan Point, where he never woke up. The hostile waves then crumbled every bit of his frame, until all

“shelter” for the natives. Rumor was that the cave was enchanted. A protection spirit named Kurakog was said to steward the sanctuary. On most days, “Kalarab”, a fair maiden, would linger by the islet, and as smalltown talk goes, she was intimately involved with the otherworldly guardian. Like in every run-down pocketbook plot, humanity is scandalized by an affair between two very different social orders. Thus, Kalarab’s parents hosted an engagement for her with some other random mortal. This made the girl distraught to the extent that she jumped off the cliff of Karangkawan. The tragedy enraged Kurakog. The spirit went berserk and set off a destructive rampage that demolished Bagamanoc’s beautiful cove. Sole evidence of the violence remains upright to this day. As if Kurakog was honestly isolating himself from the ingrates who stole his love away, the land bridge has also been swallowed up by the sea. Having lost their “Ilihan”, residents have noticed the ruins’ resemblance to a penis, so they credited the exotic formation to the spirit by giving it the name “Boto ni Kurakog” or “Kurakog’s Penis”. Meanwhile, on the island of Karangkawan, opposite Kurakog’s pillar, a cave molded like female genitalia turned up. Today, people call it “Bubot ni Kalarab” or “Kalarab’s Golden Ticket ”. One can only come up with so many theories for such a sensational event. If youmay,gogure. Veteran Bagamanocnons claim that incantations still surround the former sanctuary. Feathery stories of subasko taking place roundabout Kurakog’s lair, while the rest of the sea is calm as chamomile tea, are popular to the townspeople. The fortress is also rumored to stand upon an underwater cave which hosts a garden ofshes,whichseemtoneverfollowcyclicalmigration.Thebalete shrub that lives at the peak of Kurakog’s majesty has allegedly survived evergreen despite the inhospitable saltwater. Legend also has it that hugging Kurakog’s tower of strength would give the same effect as participating in Obando’s Fertility Rites. Obando, Bulacan is known for accommodating wishes for childless couples through seasonal dance fests. During townestas, at Iliha Ilihan n Point Point,, local ofci ofcials alsinsta install ll a bulky basket into which tourists of every civil status can pitch a chicken egg that supposedly embodies wishes they want realized through Kurakog’s blessings.

Effective Promotion

As reported by Catanduanes Tribune, in 2005, Mayor Odilon Pascua, along with Bagamanoc’s Comite de Festejos, implementedanofcialdateforatownestathatcoincidedwith the town’s foundation day. Currently, the town’s theme shouts “Kuyas, Layug Bagamanoc!” which urges Bagamanocnons to “strive” and to “soar”. The motto is a call for unyielding unanimity and fortitude among the townsfolk against life’s frequent devastations. This is exercised through the Manokmanok Festival’s promotion of the town’s tourism, which will hopefully open job prospects for the locals. The celebration runs from June 1st through the 13th,

















8 Feature Sword unsheathed, Bagamanoc aims to satisfy with its

long beachwalks & hard earning enterprise.

For P100, one can hire a boat trip along with a guide to grace him with Kurakog stories galore. Through an arrangement, the trip may be extended to visiting Kalarab in the nearby island of Karangkawan, or the LuyangResort,whereLuyangCave(anothercavern that th at lo look oks s li like ke a pa paro rody dy of pr priv ivat ate e an anat atom omy) y) si sits ts opposite Ilihan Point. In a personal interview with Vice-mayor Juan Velchez Jr., he remarked that while Fertility Island may allude to the ring of outlandish tourist spots found in



















Feature 9

maturity. Hope rests on the promise of a 2010 engagement with the Department of Tourism. At present, guests can only be offered Bagamanoc’s naked and untainted hospitalities, which are probably already temptations temp tations in themselves. For what it’s worth, maybe some curious adventurer wouldndthatthethrillliesintheprospectofamoresophisticated Bagamanoc that challenges its easy yet intriguing essence.

Getting There

While an assignment to cover landforms shaped like abnormally large reproductive parts wasn’t really a job we expected as correspondents, we did enjoy our “Boto ni Kurakog” excursions enough to visit thrice. In that sense, I feel the need to relates a few valuable tips we wish we knew before we trudged off to Wonderland so hastily.  Foro Fo rour urr rst sttr trip ipto toBa Baga gama mano noc, c,we weto took okth theb ebus us.T .The her rst st Virac-Bagamanoc trip leaves in the morning at any time between 8:00 and 8:30. The terminal can be found just before the entrance to Virac Port. Bus rates operate at P70.00 per passenger. Based fromexperience,IfeelthatIneedtoencouragerst-timegoersinto mentioning the complete traditional name of the famed islet any chance they feel the need to ask for directions. “Fertility Island” is not yet an established pseudonym for the famed landmark, and locals still call it “Boto ni Kurakog” or “Kay Kurakog”. I warn the carelessthattheymightndthemselv carel essthattheymightndthemselvesdroppedoffatadifferent esdroppedoffatadifferent town and about to take a boat to a completely different island. On a different note, taking the bus is not a tourist’s onlyoption.TheroadtoBagamanocisladenwithpricendsfor panoramas. Public transport doesn’t provide passengers the comfort of stopping over for spur-of-the-moment photo ops at the heights of a mountain range nor does it give them the treat of posing before some spontaneous waterfall. It does not allow commuters to relish the sight of acres of a nipa plantation nor does it encourage them to contemplate on the contrast of the dark of water against the red of clay.Withvetemptingtownstocross,eachcapableofluringyou into detouring, getting your own vehicle isn’t a bad deal. Of course, this is to say you would probably need to drag a number of friends with you. For what it’s worth, if you wish to enjoy a tour with a maxed out itinerary, bring your own wheels or rent one for a day. Expected time of arrival is between two to three hours from time of departure. The harbor, as well as Kurakog’s famous package can already be observed from the town proper. Still, a hike through the crumbly seawall right by the Municipal Hall and towards the

magnetite-rich shore is necessary. Scheduled boat trips to Ilihan Point only run throughout the festival dates,butthetown’shumbleshermenmightkindly offer visitors a ride for a rental of P200, all heads counted but within the boat’s capacity. Boat secured, trippers can now choose the luxury of sailing towards whichever bizarre land la ndma mark rk th they ey wi wish sh to vi visi sit t r rst st. . Ho Howe weve ver, r, fo for r trippers disinclined to boating, Costa Marina resort at Barangay Bacak proposes a fair rendezvous for a satisfactory view of Ilihan Point. For last pointers, I can only hope to urge



















10 Features


Tm of

ELITISM An aristocracy in the making guised as hope cast on “liberal reformism” reformism”

H

ow interesting it was - the sudden twist of events brought about by the highly sensationalized death of the revered “democracy icon”,

guretookherhusband’smantleagai guretookherhusband’ smantleagainst nst the dictatorship and eventually led the country after its collapse. Or maybe just simply out of desperation towards towards a better leadership to replace the present corrupt autocratic regime. But with emotions blinding

congress shows a lackluster performance. He did not produce a single bill that was turnedintolawnorhadanyspecic project for his constituents, especially that of the underprivileged, for his last 9 years in the lower house and nearly 2 years in



















Features 11


NEW FACES FOR THE OLD ELITE NAMES: Cojuangcos, front runner Noynoy Aquino and administration bet Gilbert Teodoro; Madrigal clan’s celebrated heiress, Jamby; Fil-American ex- freeport administrator Dick Gordon.

EDSA People Power 2, demonization and humiliation of his successor through his incarceration, trial and conviction as plunderer, the masa’s faith in him remained unshaken.

the rich Spanish-Visayan Madrigal family; Bro. Eddie, himself himself owns a TV network and even the relatively unknown Perlas, is a son of a well-to-do former public utility administrator.



















12 Features


EPITOME OF THEIR STRUGGLE: unwavering

faith of the masses for Joseph Estrada, their revered champion evident in his provincial sorties.



















Overview- The Philippine General Elections The Presidential, legislative and local elections in the Philippines will be on May 10, 2010, Monday. Whoever will be the elected President will become the 15th President of the Republic, succeeding Gloria MacapagalArroyo, who is barred from seeking re-election due to term restrictions. If current Vice-President Noli De Castro shouldnotretakeofce, shouldnotr etakeofce,hissuccessor hissuccessor will be the 15th vice president of the Philippines. The legislators elected in the 2010 elections will join the senators of the 2007 polls and will comprise the 15th Congress of the Philippines. However, elections may be suspended, held in advance or delayed in some places that may be declared hotspotsduetoconicts. The 2010 election will be administered by the Commission on

Political ads are now being aired through various media channels. But no matter how good or how early their political ads are, let us be aware that premature campaign is against the law. The only problem is, the law does not state what the consequences would be if the candidates disobey this ruling. This happened in past elections and it will always will. Anybody can complain but there are no appropriate actions from the Comelec. On the other hand, in a decision dated December 2, 2009, the Supreme Courtruledthatappointiveofcials seeking positions in the elections need not resign from their post, striking down Section4(a)ofCOMELECResolution 8678, Section 13 of Republic Act 9369, and Section 66 of the Omnibus Election Code, as unconstitutional for being disinclined of the equal protection clause and for being overbroad.

Dos mil dies: It is time to start the countdown.

Elections in compliance with the Republic

personalities implicated in the November personalities 23 massacre. With this imposition of Martial Law, the military temporarily took over in running the provincial government of Maguindanao. Is it a solution or will just make the situation more complicated? Is this declaration constitutional and truly promotes welfare of the Maguindanao people? There should be no more political killings in some other part of the country because if there is, the whole nation will be declared under martial law.

Worst Nightmare Failure of elections will be the people’s worst nightmare if the Comelec does not get its act together in implementing the automation of the 2010 polls. With no election, our country will be politically devastated; all of us will be swept in turmoil and dictatorship will be installed. However, the Comelec is condentthatautomatedelectionswill take place. After all, it is their reputation that is at stake here, not the people’s.

The Year We Make Contact This decision from the Supreme



















New l ook A Q u c ui i c k D k D e e f a fi i a n n c c e o e n n A c c c c r r e e di at di t at o i o n F n e e ev v e r r





















college suddenly became an eco-friendly school due to the surprising surprising growth of plants. Walls turned from gray into white. white. Education students students mustbeproudoftheirne mustbeprou doftheirnewedice.Gi wedice.Givethanks vethanks to the accreditor





















16 Investigative Journ


G

arbage is normally not an interesting subject in a discussion. The word itself is polluted, grimy, stinky, and generally unpleasant. Yet whenhugecash,millionstobedenite,andyour future perfume the rubbish, are you still going to cover your nose?

E C R





















17


Shout out

It was early September this year when the garbage hullaballoo started to amplify in the province particularly in the island’s capital, Virac. The commotion is about the 75 million pesos loan of the said municipality for its project of converting its 2.19 hectare open dumpsite at Barangay Casoocan, Virac to a sanitary land la ndll ll. . Str Stream eamers ers and ban banner ners s say saying ing “7 “75 5 M Lo Loan an sa Ba Basur sura, a, Ibasura” and other statements opposing the move turned out to be the shout out of streets and highways in the poblacion. Yet for most, the ruckus is still blurred.

Triggered Move

The idea of the project was born as early as July 20, 1995 when the Sangguniang Bayan of Virac passed the Municipal Resolution No. 95-7-041 authorizing the municipal mayor to negotiat nego tiateforthepurcha eforthepurchaseoflandtobe seoflandtobe used usedas as sani sanitary tarylandl landll, l, including the approximately 350 L.M access road. On August 15 of the same year, a Deed of Absolute Sale transferred the ownership of the lo lot t at Ba Baran rangay gay Ca Casoo soocan can (wh (where ere the pro propos posed ed San Sanita itary ry Landllwillbeestabl Landllw illbeestablished)toLGUV ished)toLGUVirac. irac. Asd As de ene ned dby byP Phi hili lipp ppin ine eBr Brow own nEn Envi viro ronm nmen ent, t,a as san anit itar ary y landllorSLFisawell-engineered,wellcontrolledlanddisposal sites for solid, non hazardous waste where delivered wastes are

Stinks and the strikes

Oppositions however were hurled against the project after thefeasibilitystudyundertakenbyWoodeldsConsultants,Inc. amounting for one million pesos was submitted on September 16, 2009 with the recommendation that the municipal government of Virac must secure a 75 million pesos loan for the accomplishment ofthesanitarylandll. Critics, headed by Councilor Lemuel Surtida and DPWH Assistant District Engineer Gil Balmadrid together with the bara barangga nggay y ofc ofcial ials, s, scho school ol prin principa cipals ls and NGO NGOs, s, said that the study was full of errors and false assumptions and so the municipal government must reconsider their decisions, evaluate the study, and defer the loan until after the 2010 elections. Int In the heN Nov ovem embe ber r9, 9,2 200 009 9cl clar ari ica cati tion onm mee eeti ting ngo org rgan aniz ized ed by the municipal government to shed light on the issue, Balmadrid questioned the title of the study and its content proposing the establishmentofanewlandllwhereinfactthereisalreadyan existing dumpsite that is to be converted. He added that the study does not even mention what would be done with the underlying waste that had been dumped in previous years. This has raised concernsthatWoodeldssimplyliftedthecontentsfromanother,





















18 Investigative Journ garbageitwoulddisposeofinitsown garbageitwoulddispose ofinitsownlandll. landll. Opponents said in the local newspaper that even at the break-even tipping fee of P2,291 per ton and break-even garbage volume of 24 tons per day, businesses and households would have to shoulder the amount of P54,984 per day or P1.6 million a month. Stores alone, of which just over 1,000 are registered with the LGU in 2009, would have to cough up an average of P1,150 per month to pay for the privilege of having their trash hauled to the sanitary landll. In the said clarication meeting, baranggay ofcials appealed that another garbage fee is a heavy burden and will be mu much ch mo more re di dif fcu cult lt to co coll llec ect. t. Th They ey pl plea eade ded d no not t to re reso sort rt automatically automati cally to a costly SLF if there is another cheaper option. Councilor Surtida disclosed that there is indeed a cheaper option opt ion whi which ch is the Sem Semi-A i-Aero erobi bic c San Sanita itary ry Lan Landl dll l of Bol Bolina inao, o, Pangasinan using Fuokoka Technology of Japan which is effective and cost cost-efc -efcient ient solu solution tion in prop proper er dispo disposal sal of wast wastes. es. Loca Locally lly available and indigenous materials like bamboo for secondary leachate and venting pipes, steel drums and old tires were used here thus the total estimated construction cost of the project was onlyPhp1.678millionfortwohectaresofthelandllcomparedto the 75 M pesos project for Virac. The councilor also reasoned that DENR is giving a 40%


from the Internal Revenue Allotment and the 20% Economic Development fund. He also assured that the allocation for other projects will not be touched as an effect of this costly project. Likewise, Like wise, Osea OseasS. sS. Albe Alberto, rto, Pers Personne onnelOfcerofLGU lOfcerofLGU Vir Viracand acand the of ofcia cial l who han handl dled ed the Sol Solid id Was Waste te Ma Manag nageme ement nt of the municipality municipal ity for seven years said that the 75 M pesos cost is a result of a scholarly study conducted by experts. It cannot be questioned or reputed without presenting another study. “We “W e ne need ed th the e la land ndl ll l be beca caus use e we ha have ve se seri riou ous s pr prob oble lem m in garbage,”AlbertowhoissaidtobethersttoproposetheSLF for Virac uttered. He also corrected that the Bolinao SLF is a failure and nolongera sani sanitary tary land landllbut llbut a mere dump dumpsite site. . Albe Albertoand rtoand Mayor Ma yor Za Zafe fe per person sonal ally ly vis visite ited d the la land ndll ll to kno know w whe whethe ther r it can be applicable to Virac. “Bolinao’s is only serving 3 out of 30





















19


Curtain Call to bring out the project cost so the bidders will offer the lowest price. He feared that bidders will surely level the price to 75 M pesos since they know that there is a big budget. “If only there is no opposition in this loan, World Bank will not think twice in giving us a grant which they usually do,” Abundo ajoined. The Th eop oppo posi siti tion onn nev ever erth thel eles ess sl led eda ac cas ase ein ino ord rder ert to ost stop op the loan. They admitted that they are not against the sanitary landll. land ll. What theyare agai againstis nstis the75 M pesos loa loan n forthat landllwhichtheyfoundunreasonable.Theirmanifestoasking the municipality to reconsider their decision and was actually signed by Bishop Manolo de los Santos, Governor Joseph Cua, school principals and teachers, NGOs, youth leaders, and co ncerned citizens not only in Virac, was never given attention sotheydecidedtobringtheghtincourthopingforthebest results. Councilor Surtida said that there are actually so many concernsthatshouldbegiventherstpriority.“Withthat75M pesos loan, imagine the number of scholars, feeding program, core-shelter or the houses for the poor, classrooms and computers for schools, casual employees, and the kilometer of cemented road

T his g ar bag e issue w ill absolut ely dif f T he hit ch however fu se it s odor . r iis not ju just t f f o r t r t hem t o bat t t le or set back indeed will no r t t o solve. T he t ssmell t his f oul if t f w w e , g t o 0.5 Kg e n er at or of g o of f 00.3 f ssolid wast e daily, ma nag e our r w wast e pr oper ly and wisely. H eck, what t d did our r sschool t aug ht t u us?

d ld ha t co u l nee y t ha ood mo n g w o ro r h h t t t t o no n e w Ma y y. ve l y. i ve ucc t i od u ro ussed p r u n e e be b e ve v haa h Gar b ba g e is not ju just t g g ar b ba g e , af t te r r aall.























20 Devcom

A Clamber to the Spawned Commerce

























Devcom 21 Thus, there is a need to provide for and adopt rules and policies relative to the gathering, nursery operation and the culture of the crab























22 Devcom Gatherers collecting crab larvae & crablets then either store to the the fshpond

or sell to accredited trader/stockers

farmers on the culture and fattening of mud crabs through the Ofc Of ce e of Pr Prov ovin inci cial al Ag Agri ricu cult ltur uris ist t (OPAG).Thisistoensurequality














































24 Lathalain


n a l a l a H n a r a l p a


























Lathalain 25























26 Lathalain

























Lathalain 27























28 Lathalain

























Devcom 29







































































































































































































































































CSC Statesman Magazine SY09 10 by Statesman Rocks

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