Let's Adventure to Mindoro!

Mindoro landslide victims get aid

2011-08-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided almost P195,000 to local government units (LGUs) affected by landslide in Occidental Mindoro last August 4.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said the agency released P194,817 relief assistance to the affected municipalities of Calintaan, Looc, Magsaysay, Mamburao, Sablayan and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro.

As of August 7, the number of affected families was 5,262 or 26,310 individuals from 40 barangays in these six towns.

In Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, the DSWD provided some 633 food packs worth P165,735, while in Mamburao, some 10 boxes of sardines and 15 boxes of corned beef worth P29,081 were provided.

Soliman said three evacuation centers were opened providing temporary shelter to some 675 families with 3,375 persons from the municipalities of Sablayan and Looc.

“The DSWD is also continuously providing relief aid to some 2,386 family-victims with 11,930 persons outside the evacuation centers,” she added.

Meanwhile, seven houses in Looc, Occidental Mindoro were partially damaged.

By ELLALYN B. DE VERA

Manila Bulletin

Philippines' tribes try to save their forest

2011-08-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

The Mangyan people of the Philippines

For generations, the dense tropical rainforests of

Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines have been

home to seven different tribes of indigenous people

collectively called as the Mangyan

In the Philippines, when the rest of the population goes to sleep, a reclusive community of indigenous people prepares for another restless night of fear and uncertainty.

Far away in the dense, dark forests of Occidental Mindoro, where Mangyan people are scattered in small remote settlements, tribal leaders now routinely contemplate their future in feverish debates that usually last until daybreak.

"We are petrified that big mining companies will take over our ancestral land. If the government gives them license to operate, our land and heritage will be lost forever," says Juanito Lumawig. The 62-year-old supreme leader of all seven tribes of Mangyan is a worried man. For him, it is a battle for survival for his people, who for centuries have inhabited the rough and hard-to-reach highlands of this Philippine island.

Over 40,000 hectares of land, including vast swathes of forest is claimed by Mangyan as their ancestral domain. The land is believed to be rich in gold, natural gas and minerals worth many millions of dollars. The stakes are high and Mangyan are against all odds. In numbers, they are an ethnic and linguistic minority group of fewer than 25,000. Not only are the Mangyan physically and socially isolated from the rest of the Filipino population, they are also among the poorest and most marginalised.

A Mangyan family earns on average just $0.34 a day. Nine out of ten Mangyan have poor access to safe drinking water and the majority are illiterate. Historically nomadic and forest gatherers, the tribes often struggle to feed themselves, particularly during the rainy season which lasts four months. It is such a routine part of their life that they refer to it as "hungry period" like any other season of the year. The consequences are obvious as 60 per cent of Mangyan children are malnourished and infant mortality rates are so high that a child is considered fortunate to reach the age of ten.

Nowhere to go

Generations of isolation, discrimination and historical encroachment of their land by others have left Mangyan untrusting and fearful of the outside world. "First the lowlanders invaded our land and forced us to move to highlands and now we might be driven out again. Only this time we have nowhere to go," says Yagay Sebastian, leader of Buhid - one of the seven Mangyan tribes.

According to the government regulations, all indigenous peoples like Mangyan tribes must prove their ownership of the land they claim as rightfully theirs through title deeds and legally valid documentation. Given that majority of Mangyan are illiterate with limited contact with the outside world, their ability to support their claim is fraught with great challenges rendering them even more vulnerable.

"The threat of commercial exploitation of Mangyan's ancestral domain is real. Mining activities can pose threat to local environment and this may also result in displacement of the indigenous people," says Reynante Luna, Provincial Officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

The Commission, set up by the national government, is mandated to promote and protect the best interests of the indigenous people. It was created after the Philippines government passed the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act to recognise indigenous peoples' communal and individual rights to their ancestral land along with their rights to self-governance, empowerment, social justice and human rights. However, nearly 15 years after enacting the law, very little has changed for Mangyans. "They remain among the poorest of the poor, still at the fringes of national priorities," says Diana San Jose, an anthropologist who is supporting Mangyan tribes as they compile evidence for their legal claim.

In the absence of a legal title, it will be a greater struggle for Mangyan tribes to challenge commercial use of their land. Luna confirms there are three pending applications related to commercial mining in the Provincial Office record alone. However, he assures that these applications will undergo field based investigation to determine if they overlap with any ancestral domain. "It will also be referred to the concerned local government for any existing moratorium on mining," he says.

This is no reprieve for Mangyan people. Even with all caveats, overlapping jurisdictions of local municipalities and national government have created gaping legal loopholes that make the situation worse for Mangyan. Ask Ed Gadiano, mayor of Sablayan - the largest municipality by area in the whole of Philippines. "Four years ago, Sablayan declared a moratorium on large scale mining for 25 years. Despite this, the national government granted exploration permit to a mining company on 9700 hectares of land," he says. With Gadiano's administration refusing to accept the occupation fee, the mining company has deposited 2 million pesos in a local court.

Minor successes

Already battling with severe poverty and exclusion, excessively private Mangyans are finding themselves in a morass of overwhelming bureaucracy. Most cannot comprehend that the land they have tilled and worshipped for centuries now requires a proof of ownership. They are relying on support from local and international community development organisations like Plan International to save the environment that they have strong spiritual and cultural connections with. "Some Mangyan tribes have already been awarded title of their ancestral land. We are assisting those who are still in the process," says Naty Silorio, a senior Plan official overseeing development projects with the Mangyan in the region.

Since 2005, Plan has been actively engaged in child-centred community development for Mangyan. "We are working with the local government in enabling the community to secure their rights and preserve their culture," says Silorio. For title claim, the organisation with support from the European Union is assisting Mangyan to survey their land, create 3D maps of their domain and document their oral history which is replete with references to geographical landmarks.

Securing the title is just the beginning for Mangyan as they head for even more testing times ahead. Leader Lumawig laments: "Our people have been offered bribes and some have ended up signing consent forms seeking commercial use of our land. We feel helpless and totally powerless."

Frustration is growing among Mangyan, but, just like the forests they inhabit, their dissent is remarkably peaceful. Shaken, they are resting their hopes on their ancestors to guide them through. "Non-violence is part of our beliefs. Our ancestors told us that God created the forests for Mangyan. I am sure they will protect us," hopes Lumawig. He believes he stands a chance with his prayers.

Davinder Kumar

Al Jazeera

NGCP seeks connection of Mindoro island to Luzon grid

2011-08-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is planning to connect the island of Mindoro to the main Luzon grid.

NGCP is the private operator of the country’s power transmission network.

In a petition before the Energy Regulatory Commission, NGCP said it plans to undertake the project, which will cost about P11 billion, to help improve power supply in the island.

“With the improvement of adequate and reliable power supply in the island as a result of the interconnection project, Mindoro will become more conducive for expanding businesses,” it said.

Under NGCP’s interconnection proposal, the island of Mindoro will be interconnected to the Luzon grid via submarine cables that will run through the 230-kilovolt (kV) substation in Batangas.

Two electricity distribution utilities—Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative and Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative — have long clamored for the project to help secure their power supply.

At present, only land-locked areas in Luzon and in Mindanao are connected to the grid while submarine cables link the islands of Cebu, Negros and Panay in the Visayas.

Mindoro gets its power supply from the National Power Corp.’s off-grid unit, the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG), which operates a 24-megawatt (MW) and 10-MW diesel plant; a 7.5-MW bunker fuel generating unit; and a 1.6-MW mini-hydropower facility in the island.

NGCP said as soon as regulators approve the interconnection project, “Mindoro will have access to cheap power from generators in Luzon.”

Diesel plants, which provide bulk of the island’s power supply, are relatively more expensive than conventional generating facilities like those running on coal and natural gas.

The private grid operator said that proposed coal and hydro plants with a projected capacity of 203 MW in Mindoro up to 2016 would be able to export excess supply to Luzon as well as encourage new power projects.

“The interconnection project will also help encourage the development of possible coal-fired power plants within Mindoro which could utilize the existing rich coal resources in the island,” it added.

By Ted P. Torres

The Philippine Star

Congregation for healing priest

2011-08-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

CHURCH SPRAWL A miniature scale of Montemaria where

“healing priest” Fernando Suarez plans to build his own church

and congregation in Alfonso, Cavite.

PHOTOS BY MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Phenomenal healing priest Fernando Suarez was amazed. It usually took six years for a new congregation to be set up, but in his case the vital elements of the process took only six days.

“I am in awe!” exclaimed Father Suarez, 44, his voice bringing out his childlike qualities—and his being Filipino.

Suarez has formed a new community named the Missionaries of Mary Mother of the Poor (MMP) under the Diocese of Occidental Mindoro after resigning from the Ottawa-based Companions of the Cross, which ordained him in 2002.

“I never thought that the process of my excardination and incardination would take place only within six days,” he said, noting the speed to be unprecedented. Excardination refers to a priest’s separation and release from a religious group, while incardination refers to his acceptance into another.

Big crowds, donations

Questions have been heard from various quarters on the status of the Batangas-born priest, who now attracts 100,000 to 150,000 people monthly to his healing Masses, apart from drawing substantial donations in cash and in kind from elite families, big corporations and sociocivic groups, not to mention big foreign donors for the projects of the Foundation of Mary Mother of the Poor.

Was he expelled by his Canada group? Had things gone into his head and he could no longer be controlled by his superiors? From Canada, he based himself in Batangas while his group was in Cavite, so why was there word that he would move to Mindoro?

Breaking his silence on these issues, Suarez said: “Overwhelmed by the grace of peace after a pilgrimage to the tomb of Mother Teresa in Calcutta last February, I resigned from the Companions of the Cross on March 25, 2011. Then, on March 31, 2011, I was accepted by the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, under Bishop Antonio Palang.”

On July 16, 2011, Palang decreed the establishment of the MMP as a “Public Association of Christ’s faithful.”

The decree stated: “Aimed at living the demands of evangelical counsels, healing, renewal and ministry to the poor with the intent of becoming a society of apostolic life, the MMP is hereby formally accepted for the service of our pastoral jurisprudence.”

The poor of Elin

To grow the mission, Suarez has been assigned to Elin (pronounced Eling) on the tip of Mindoro, an island three times the size of Boracay and which remains without roads and electricity.

“The place is so poor,” he said. “But that is an answered prayer as I have requested Bishop Palang to locate the mission with the poor.”

“Some have criticized me, saying that I do whatever I want, I go wherever I want to go all over the world. Perhaps if they come with me to Elin, they may say things differently,” the priest said.

“Things are happening fast. MMP now has 10 seminarians. Three will be ordained priests this August,” he added.

The MMP now has five core members, including three incoming priests and cofounder Father Jeff Shannon, also formerly of Companions. Bishop Palang was regarded as canonical founder, Suarez stressed.

Mission foretold

Suarez remembered that on the day he was ordained, a priest came to him and foretold that he was going to receive such tremendous gifts from God that his group would not be able to contain him.

“In Canada, the Companions, to which I am so attached, tried their best to accommodate me and the demands on my healing ministry. But my calling has become so evident,” he recalled.

The young Fernando Suarez was a chemical engineering degree holder from Adamson University who worked for two years with the company CocoChem. He was engaged to be married at 25, but the engagement was called off the same day it was made when his girlfriend of 12 years said, “I think you are meant to be a priest.”

He entered the seminary run by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD).

Suarez recounted that in 1995 the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph appeared to him in a dream where he was told he would go to a “cold and windy place” and would tell the world of God’s love. Three days later, a man came to him and presented him documents for travel to Winnipeg, Canada.

“There really is no barrier to all that God has planned,” the priest said, making a reference to a key message he delivered in his sermon on Saturday, Feast of the Transfiguration.

Obviously in his element at the new site of the Oratory of Our Lady of Montemaria, an MMP Foundation project situated on a breezy hillside expanse in San Alfonso, Cavite, Suarez repeatedly exhorted those present to emerge from the Mass “fully in awe of the power of God.”

“Our Lord heals you all now. He wants you to be in awe, in great amazement of His powers, because He wants you to surrender to Him all your aches, pains and troubles,” he said, drumming up his message in between folksy anecdotes of his healing experiences.

The crowd broke into laughter when he narrated that just the other day, at the Philippine Army headquarters, “napatumba ko ang mga heneral! (I knocked the generals down).”

Prayed over and brought to a state known as being “slain by the Holy Spirit,” the military officers were literally reduced to fallen generals before the power of the Lord, he said.

Suarez’s healing Masses will continue to be held on weekends at Montemaria, with permission from Bishop Palang and Bishop Chito Tagle of Cavite.

The priest glowed with anticipation over the spiritual yield of his new community, one which he said would seek a “new springtime of the Church” through the renewal of priests.

Seeing the healing ministry as a unifier of the Church, Suarez said: “There is healing when there is unity. Hatred breaks. Healing is forgiving and forgiving unites. Unity is healing.”

By Ruby Villavicencio-Paurom

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Dive, find jewels of the deep in Mindoro

2011-05-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

This tale is fraught with sharks and treasure, pirates and poachers, strife and solutions. Come, dive with me!

“Apo Reef is the ‘Jewel of Mindoro,’” former Sablayan Mayor Godofreido Mintu told me recently over a seafood dinner. “Perhaps you may come to realize just what its treasure is, but only after you dive.”

Having nursed a lifelong fascination with both pirate lore and bizarre quests, I felt the old man’s words strike home.

And now, surrounded by undersea life 65 feet below the eastern face of Apo Island in Occidental Mindoro, I pray to Poseidon and embark on a treasure hunt—a quest to find the true “jewels” of the deep.

I drift leisurely, propelled alongside a heavily encrusted sea wall by invisible ocean currents. My attention shifts to the wall, where neon-hued fairy basslets frolic amid the swaying tips of crimson gorgonians.

I peer in to inspect their knobby rows of polyps, careful not to touch anything, Leave No Trace principles being of primary importance.

A minute later, an impossibly huge school of yellow-dashed fusiliers (Pterocaesio randalli) appears. I try to estimate their number but they coalesce into a single mass that fills my vision end to end. In a moment they are gone.

This is truly Poseidon’s realm. Consider that 71 percent of the planet is covered in water, and 97 percent of that forms its vast oceans.

Covering just 1 percent of the ocean floor, coral reefs host an incredible variety of life: One in four marine creatures live within these undersea oases, and nowhere are these more beautiful and productive than in the wondrous Pacific archipelago known as the Philippines.

Origin of life and legend

Apo Reef lies at the northern tip of the Coral Triangle, a 5.7-million-square-kilometer region that spans the seas of six countries—the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.

A fourth of the world’s islands lie nestled within this exquisite region, distinguished by the presence of at least 500 species of reef-building coral.

The Coral Triangle is so abundant in marine life that it has been hailed by globally renowned coral expert and author Dr. Charlie Veron as “the center of Earth’s marine diversity.” It is home to 605 of the 798 known reef-building corals and 2,228 types of reef fish that include the Sulawesi Coelacanth (Latimeria menadoensis), a living relic of the dinosaur era thought to have been extinct for some 70 million years.

Like the Bermuda Triangle, the Coral Triangle has spawned a variety of folklore. During the Age of Sail, both pirates and privateers swore of surmounting enchanting mermaids, wailing sirens, ship-tearing kraken and all manner of sea monsters.

The region is actually an enormous undersea food factory, whose produce directly benefits half a billion people yearly. A single square kilometer of healthy reef can produce more than 40 metric tons of grouper, oyster, tuna and other forms of seafood year after year.

Obviously, the potential of our seas to sustain life, both human and otherwise, is leviathan.

Troubled Paradise

In Greek mythology, the infant Zeus nursed from a bountiful horn carried by the nymph Amalthea. This so-called Cornucopian Horn came to be associated with wealth and abundance.

Properly protected, the Philippines’ 27,000 square kilometers of coral reefs can turn into a Cornucopian Horn, providing for the needs of millions in a very real bid to stamp out Asian poverty.

But Paradise lies troubled. For more than a century, coastal development, destructive fishing practices, coral mining, sedimentation, overfishing, chemical pollution and the effects of climate change (such as ocean warming, acidification and coral bleaching) have been waging an undersea war against our marine enclaves.

The Philippines, together with Indonesia, hosts the world’s most threatened coral reefs, less than 5 percent of which remain in excellent condition. Faced with this problem, many countries within the Coral Triangle have established Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to conserve what’s left.

“[MPAs] evolved when people realized that portions of coral reefs needed continual protection to stay productive,” explains Joel Palma, conservation programs vice president of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). “These areas go by a host of names: MPAs, fish sanctuaries or no-take zones. All of them are loosely defined as inter- or subtidal spots reserved by law for the protection of a given area.”

Undersea enclaves

Today, the Philippines hosts about 10 percent of the world’s MPAs—more than 500, more than any in Southeast Asia. Established largely through local government initiatives and maintained through the blood, sweat and tears of coastal communities, these undersea enclaves provide safe havens for Philippine marine life as well as a growing number of eco-conscious tourists.

But many MPAs are plagued by a lack of funding. Mismanagement is rife: Only a little over 100 are properly administered; the rest are “paper parks”—areas urgently needing funding and professional management.

Hunting incursions are recurring sources of friction between the Philippines and its neighbors.

In September 2007, 126 endangered green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and 10,000 turtle eggs were found aboard China’s F/V 01087 in Sulu.

In August 2008, 101 critically endangered hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) were found aboard Vietnam’s F/V Q.ng 91234-TS near El Nido in Palawan.

In April 2009, 14 green sea turtles were found aboard an unmarked Chinese speedboat near Cauayan, also in El Nido.

Since the 1990s, WWF has been working with the private sector, the government and civil society in furthering scientific research, policy reform, protected area and community-based management within the Coral Triangle. Its Philippine office has pioneered the establishment and upkeep of MPAs in some of the country’s best-known and most productive coral reefs.

Two of the best-managed MPAs are Apo Reef off Occidental Mindoro and Tubbataha Reefs off Palawan.

Wonders of ‘payaw’

Much of Apo Reef, the country’s largest (34 square kilometers) and a former world-class dive site, is in an abysmal state after 30 years of destructive fishing.

In October 2007, WWF and the local government of Sablayan in Mindoro spearheaded the total closure of Apo Reef to fishing. Alternative livelihood programs and a robust ecotourism drive were instituted to keep livelihoods afloat while allowing the reef ample time to recover.

Giant fish aggregation devices—locally called payaw—were installed to provide alternate fishing spots for coastal communities.

The crude but effective contraptions feature a buoy, a counterweight and 10 to 20 giant coconut fronds. Algae growths on the decomposing fronds attract herbivores such as surgeonfish and rabbitfish, which then draw larger predators.

Local group leader Elmo Bijona testifies to the effectiveness of the devices: “A single payaw can daily yield maybe 15 kilograms of good fish per boat. You can land tambakol, tulingan, galunggong and even yellowfin tuna on any given night.”

The steady rise in the size and number of fish has been matched by an upsurge of tourists, proving that ecological stewardship goes hand in hand with profit.

There are even more dramatic results in other model sites. From 2004 to 2005, the world-renowned Tubbataha Reefs doubled yearly fish biomass from 166 to 318 metric tons per square kilometer—a yield seven times more productive than a typical reef.

Tubbataha’s fertile reefs also constantly seed adjoining regions such as eastern Palawan and western Visayas with fish and invertebrate spawn.

Through the work of WWF and its allies, Apo Reef may one day be what Tubbataha is now.

Natural investments

Apo Reef differs from all other WWF project sites in that it is kept afloat almost exclusively by donations.

For example, “Bright Skies for Every Juan” enjoins Cebu Pacific passengers to indirectly offset the ecological impacts of their flights by donating to the upkeep of the reef.

The program combines the efforts of WWF, Cebu Pacific, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Sablayan government to boost the region’s resilience to climate change impacts through MPA protection, promotion of responsible ecotourism and introduction of alternative livelihoods.

“Cebu Pacific’s decision to spearhead climate adaptation is a prime example of private-sector leadership,” says WWF-Philippines CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan.

“Our government alone cannot turn back the tide of climate effects. It is the private sector that has the skills needed to think incisively, move efficiently and manage risk,” he says.

In the face of worsening climate impacts, protecting biodiversity enclaves makes perfect sense. “Our work in Apo Reef and other protected areas focuses on more than just biodiversity conservation: Should we succeed in halting climate change, these pockets of marine resilience will provide the building blocks to restore natural mechanisms that provide food and livelihood for millions of people. This is a natural investment,” Tan says.

White-tipped oracle

Back in Apo Reef, the hunt continues. Over an hour’s exploration has yielded little in the way of jewels or answers.

The dawn rays slice through the water, reflecting off a shadow 30 feet away. Perhaps, I reflect, what’s important in treasure hunting is the journey.

The best hunters have all learned to pick out treasure from trash. So too must we allow the hunt to transform the hunter.

Inexorably, the shadow morphs into a white-tip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), itself on a hunt, as evidenced by its menacing motions. I tense up, one gloved hand cupping a dive knife used more for show than anything else.

The shark torpedoes onward. Time slows down. Suddenly an enveloping shadow smothers all light!

Puzzled, I gaze upward and realize just what drew the shark in the first place. The fusiliers, thousands upon thousands of them, have returned. The shark pulls up and dives into the mass.

As I watch the fascinating interplay between predator and prey, I notice, as if for the first time, the fusiliers’ gleaming hues of cobalt, ruby and gold, gloriously illuminated by the morning.

Then and there I realize that the shark’s hunt has led me to the end of mine.

As in the grandest treasure tales, the most valuable fortunes really do lie in the depths. As inhabitants of the world’s second-largest archipelago, we must realize that the sea’s greatest treasure is its ability to provide, but that providence can only continue when we learn to protect what we have been gifted with.

At the apex of the Coral Triangle, 65 feet below the Jewel of Mindoro, I finally accomplish my treasure hunt.

source

CoCo Beach Resort Puerto Galera Island Wedding

2011-05-10T01:33:00.000-07:00

The wedding month is approaching and for couples who ran out of ideas how to make that special day truly exciting and memorable, Cocobeach offers that unique setting.

Ive been there myself several times because I just really love the place and the warm reception from the staff.

This is the video

LyeanArt Rock Balancing in Puerto Galera, Philippines

2011-05-10T01:30:00.000-07:00

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Miss Philippines-Earth beauties tour Calapan, Mindoro

2011-05-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

Candidates for the Miss Philippines-Earth pageant have invaded Calapan, Mindoro on Friday for their long gown competition and first elimination round.

Of the 48 hopefuls for the Miss Philippines-Earth title, 10 will be eliminated after the formal gown showdown at the Calapan Gym.

Meanwhile, the candidates took part in the town’s Santacruzan watched by more than 20,000 people who lined the parade route.

The beauty pageant participants then went straight to Sto. Niño Church and Holy Infant Academy, where ABS-CBN President Charo Santos studied high school and graduated as valedictorian.

They then went to the town's coastal barangays to plant mangrove trees.

This is part of the pageant’s advocacy to take care of the environment.

The Miss Earth beauties also took time to see the natural wonder of Caluwagan Lake created by the earthquake that struck Mindoro in 1994.

After Friday’s tour around the town and the long gown competition, eliminations for the pageant will be held every week until the top 10 finalists are chosen.

Coronation night for Miss Philippines-Earth will be held on June 5 in Puerto Princesa.

Aside from Mindoro, the beauty queen hopefuls are also set to visit the provinces of Ilocos, Rizal, Quezon and other towns where the Miss Earth beauties came from.

Miss Philippines-Earth is the second beauty pageant which ABS-CBN supports after Binibining Pilipinas. - With reports from Ginger Conejero, ABS-CBN News; and ANC

This is the video

Trip na Trip goes to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro!

2011-05-07T07:47:00.000-07:00

credits to MindoroNews for the pics.

Abangan ninyo ang airing niyan sa ABS-CBN!

TRIP NA TRIP SAN JOSE Part 1 will be aired on May 27, 2011, after SOCO, 11:45pm on ABS CBN Ch. 2. Part 2 will be on June 3, 2011.

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San Jose, the new tourist destination of region 4-philippines

2011-05-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

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Special Report: A Difficult Life for the Mangyans

2011-05-01T01:58:00.000-07:00

Cora Senigman, an Alangan-Mangyan, went to town to sell six kaings (large baskets) of calamansi she and five other Mangyans harvested for three days. The merchandiser wanted to buy her produce at P1 per kilo. The total amount would not even cover her transportation expenses. Refusing to be fooled and out of frustration, she just threw away the calamansi.

Rowena Lindog, a Tadwayan-Mangyan from Socorro, Oriental Mindoro, said the merchandiser bought their camote, a root crop, at P10 for three kilos.

Yamo Bangdayan, a Hanunuo-Mangyan from Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, told Bulatlat.com that merchandisers buy 100 pieces of banana for P50 and five kilos of camote for P60 to P70.

Luz Brozula, director of the Integrated Development Program for Indigenous Peoples (IDPIP) of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)-Southern Luzon Jurisdiction, said that Mangyans are often duped by capitalists because of their lack of formal education and because of their kindness.

“The pay we get could not compensate for our hard work,” Rowena, a mother of seven, said.

“We always experience hunger,” Cora, a mother of three, said.

Difficult Life

The Mangyans are the original inhabitants in Mindoro provinces. Divided in seven groups, they comprise 20 percent of the population of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, numbering more than 200,000.

Each of the seven groups—Hanunuo, Alangan, Gubatnon, Buhid, Bangon and Tadyawan—has its own language and traditions that they practice to this day.

Farming is their means of livelihood. They plant root crops such as gabi (taro) and camote (sweet potato), banana and vegetables. Many practice kaingin or slash-and-burn. Few are able to plant palay (rice) and raise poultry.

“We do many things in order to survive,” Cora said. “If one could not be done, we do the other,” she said, citing planting palay, selling banana or root crops or making charcoal.

Rice and pansit with sardine sauce is already a feast for Mangyans(Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea / bulatlat.com)
Pastor Marcelo Carculan, chairman of the Mangyan group Hagibbat, related that San Miguel Corp. went to their community in Balao village, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro last April 10 and bought balinghoy (cassava), a root crop. “The Mangyans were told they would be paid P150 per kilo. They agreed, thinking it was P150 but it turned out to be P1.50 for every kilo,” Carculan said.

Mangyans who work in the farms of Tagalog farmers, are paid P150 a day. They are not provided food. For those who plant palay, Mangyans borrow P1,000 and pay four sacks of rice, Carculan said.

Cora, who lives in Dulangan tres village, Baco, Oriental Mindoro, is among those who plant palay in a land that has been covered by Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) since 1996.

“Even before the land was placed under CARP, we, the indigenous people, have cultivated it for many years. We were told that a landlord owns the land and we have to pay compensation,” Cora said.

In 1996, Cora said the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) pegged the compensation at P60,000 per hectare to be paid in a span ten years. In 2011, the compensation was increased to P100,000 per hectare. “Last April 8, the DAR told us to pay at the Landbank [of the Philippines]. How could we?” she said.

Cora said they harvest ten sacks for every hectare of land. Seven sacks go to DAR as payment for the land and only three are left with them. The supply would last for three months.

Although they work from dawn until night, they do not have enough food for their families.

“We eat camote or banana,” Cora said.

Yamo said they only eat rice once or twice a week. “If we have tiangge (small market), we can eat rice,” he said, but added that the local government is planning to ban tiangge in the communities.

Rowena said they seldom eat meat, only when they are able to raise poultry.

Cora said to be able to get more food for the children, many Mangyan women would pick palay from the thresher.

Deprived of Social Services

Aggravating their miserable economic conditions is the lack of government’s social services.

For one, health services are alien to most Mangyans.

Only during medical and dental missions such as this that Mangyans are able to avail free health services.(Photo by Angelica de Lara / bulatlat.com)
From Yamo’s place, for example, the nearest hospital is a ten-kilometer walk and a jeepney ride that cost P50. While there is a health center in Mansalay, Yamo said, a doctor is barely there.

Altang Dawsig, a Bangon-Mangyan from Lisap village in Bongabong town, Oriental Mindoro, said they have to walk the whole day to go to the nearest hospital. Altang said the village health center nearby collects fees and there is no doctor there most of the time.

“Many of our tribesmen die without reaching the hospital,” Altang said.

Malaria afflicts most of Mangyan communities. Many also die of tuberculosis.

Malnutrition rate is high among the children. Children die of treatable diseases such as diarrhea and measles.

Source

Oriental Mindoro hospital opens Friday

2011-05-01T01:54:00.000-07:00

Residents of Oriental Mindoro province would have better access to health care with the opening Friday of the new provincial hospital, the Oriental Mindoro Medical Center, in this city.

Governor Alfonso V. Umali Jr. said the province could now offer better health service to its people with the opening of the 200-bed facility in Barangay Sta. Isabel.

The hospital, built for P200 million, was mainly funded by a European grant with counterparts from both the local and national governments, said Umali.

The Department of Health recently approved P232 million for the completion of all satellite hospitals in Oriental Mindoro located in the towns of Pinamalayan, Bulalacao, Roxas, Naujan, Mansalay, and Puerto Galera; the rural health unit in Socorro; as well as its counterpart fund in the construction of the Oriental Mindoro Medical Center.

The establishment of a new provincial hospital in Oriental Mindoro was part of the Health Sector Development Program of the national government, which was launched in 16 pilot provinces in the country, according to a statement released by the provincial information office here.

source

Kabayanihan builds classrooms in Mindoro

2011-04-12T23:20:00.000-07:00

Kabayanihan Foundation (KF) founder and chairman emeritus Alex Lacson was the guest of honor at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new classroom for the Daan Elementary School in Brgy. Villareal in Socorro, Oriental Mindoro, donated in memory of barangay chairman So King Hui and initiated by the KF.

Kabayani Gerardo Gamez grew up in this barangay and he experienced firsthand the difficulty of not having enough classrooms for students. When he was in grade five, he remembered sharing the same classroom with other grade levels and studying while rain waters flooded the room. As part of the advocacy on education and community development of KF, he decided to help give back to the community by helping them build a classroom.

The turnover ceremony began with a performance of the Socorro Hymn and the Mindoro March by grades 4 and 5 students. The school principal Merlene Fabregas and district supervisor Celestina Patulot thanked the donors, saying they hope that more individuals and organizations will take interest in helping schools provide the facilities the students need.

A donation from Robert So of Ecotech Systems Inc. helped build the classroom structure while the Alpha Kappa Rho Alumni Council provided the tables and chairs for the students. Other donors helped complete the classroom painting and provided other amenities.

In the spirit of true bayanihan, parents and students worked together to build the classroom before the next school year begins this June.

Lacson shared his own experience as a student coming from a provincial elementary school. Although it can be difficult, he pointed out that the experience molded him into the man he is today.

“There are a lot of great leaders and successful men and women who studied in schools similar to Daan Elementary,” he said. “I hope that the next great businessmen, leaders or even the next president would come from the classroom that we’ve built here.”

Kabayanihan Foundation believes that every Filipino is a kabayani – isang kabayan na isa ring bayani (a fellowman/woman who is also a hero).

In response to the shortage of almost 152,000 classrooms reported by the Department of Education, KF hopes to bring together individual and group donors with the goal of building more classrooms around the country.

For more information, visit www.kabayanihan.org or email info@kabayanihan.org

source

DOH releases funds for Oriental Mindoro hospitals

2011-04-12T23:17:00.000-07:00

The Department of Health (DOH) released a total of P232 million allocation to beef up the funds needed for the completion of all satellite hospitals in Oriental Mindoro.

The funds also included the completion of the newly-constructed Oriental Mindoro Medical Center here, according to DOH Secretary Enrique T. Ona,

Ona ordered the release of the funds to boost the condition of public hospitals in the area following his visit to the island-province recently.

The DOH secretary announced the national government’s fund assistance as part of President Benigno Aquino III’s commitment to increase the level of health services in the entire country.

Accompanied by Governor Alfonso V. Umali Jr., Provincial Health Officer Normando Legaspi and Provincial Administrator Angel Saulong, Ona not only made rounds of all hospitals here but also in other satellite public hospitals outside Calapan.

source

Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro : DISCOVER THE WONDERS!

2011-04-11T03:49:00.000-07:00

Come to Sablayan! and Discover the Wonders!

This is the video

5.1-magnitude quake rocks Occidental Mindoro—Phivolcs

2011-03-11T01:25:00.000-08:00

A moderate 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit Occidental Mindoro early Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The intermediate quake, with a depth of 101 kilometers, was felt 15 kilometers east of Looc town, at 3:06 a.m. Intensity 2 was felt in Batangas City, Phivolcs said.

No damages were reported but Phivolcs warned of possible aftershocks.

source

Tale of a Forgotten People | Cheche Lazaro Presents | 13.02.2011

2011-02-13T15:53:00.000-08:00

A story of hope for the Mangyan Tribe of Mindoro, a people who were never considered and for the most part, forgotten. This January sees the promise of a new and better life as they are given decent homes and livelihood programs.

Cheche Lazaro Presents. February 13, 2011. ABS-CBN.

This is the video

PUP Sablayan Campus Office

2011-01-22T00:08:00.000-08:00

The PUP Sablayan Campus Office is tentatively housed at the Old ABC Building, located at the Municipal Compound.

It is manned by five IT literate personnel hired by LGU Sablayan. The office is equipped with 3 computer units, printers, webcam and a landline with internet connection.

A teleconferencing equipment cum flat TV is provided by PUP Main Campus (Sta. Mesa).

Thanks to Benjamin Eugenio

PUP Sablayan: Construction On d’ Go

2011-01-22T00:04:00.000-08:00

Simultaneous to the construction of a 3-storey building with 18 classrooms is the upgrading of 3 strategic access roads to the PUP Sablayan Campus.

Thanks to Benjamin Eugenio

PUP Sablayan Campus’ Pioneers

2011-01-21T23:42:00.000-08:00

On November 11, 2010 the Open University Graduate School Program commenced with 40 enrollees in Master in Public Administration and 47 in Master in Educational Management.

Off line sessions for the MPA students were held at the Sanggunian Bayan Session Hall, while the MEM students held their class sessions at the Sablayan National Comprehensive High School (SABNACOHIS).

Five recruits from the locality were hired as part time mentors.

The deployment of Director Resa T. Suarez as Campus Director of PUP Sablayan Campus was indeed a big relief and a meaningful boost to the LGU Sablayan Technical Working Group.

With Director Resa’s expertise and experience in pioneering tasks, high hopes built up on PUP Sablayan Campus’ momentum to being a prime government college in Occidental Mindoro.

Thanks to Benjamin Eugenio

MOA Signing and the Formal Launching of PUP Sablayan Campus

2011-01-21T23:34:00.000-08:00

A sequel to the MOA Signing was the Formal Launching of PUP Sablayan Campus on October 26, 2010. It was indeed a milestone, punctuated by Groundbreaking Rite at the site, Ribbon Cutting of the PUP Sablayan Campus office, Conduct of Entrance Exam for the Graduate School Program of the Open University System and a Cultural Presentation featuring ’Amazing Sablayan’!

Thanks to Benjamin Eugenio

Occidental Mindoro celebrates 60th anniversary

2011-01-13T01:52:00.001-08:00

Governor Josephine “Nene” Ramirez-Sato announced the successful 60th anniversary of the province recently.

During the opening rites, Governor Sato said that the province have gone a long way - from a sleepy to a vibrant province now known not only in the Philippines but throughout the world. This can be attributed to the dynamic leadership of its governor and the city council.

Today, Occidental Mindoro is known as the primary source of rice, salt, fish, vegetables, and other commodities for Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Mindorenos enjoyed the activities during the celebration such as: the grand motorcade, basketball tournament, street dancing competition, rodeo, talentadong Mindoreno, search for Binibining Turismo and Ginoong agrikultura, variety shows, and the grand fireworks display.
Sixty balloons were also released during the opening rites symbolizing the years the province has been in existence. One of the balloons contains a note and whoever returns this to the provincial capitol will receive P 10,000.00.

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Silangang Mindoro (Song)

2011-01-13T01:50:00.000-08:00

SUNG BY: MEL ANTHONY I. ATIENZA
MUSIC & ARRANGED BY: ROMMEL ATIENZA
LYRICS BY: BEVERLY NARTEA-AGUILA

Produced by the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro
thru the Provincial Information Office

This is the video

Sandigan suspends Mindoro governor Umali

2011-01-13T01:46:00.001-08:00

THE Sandiganbayan anti-graft court has ordered Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr. suspended for 90 days over a graft charge filed against him in 2004 claiming that he illegally released a P2.5-million loan to a private shipowner.

The court’s Fourth Division rejected Umali’s argument that he no longer could influence the investigation because the prosecutors had finished presenting evidence against him.

The court said suspension was mandatory in such cases, and it was meant to prevent public officials accused of corruption “from committing further acts of malfeasance while in office.

“The presumption is that, unless the accused is suspended, he may frustrate his prosecution or commit further acts of malfeasance or do both,” the court said.

Umali was accused of disbursing the loan when he was the provincial administrator. His co-accused were Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, who was governor at the time, and then provincial board members Jose Leynes and Jose Enriquez and former Vice Gov. Pedrito Reyes.

Alfredo Atienza, the owner of the passenger vessel MV Ace, and who received the loan, was included in the suit.

The anti-graft court suspended all the accused on Sept. 9, 2008, after it rejected their arguments. It sentenced each of them to six to 10 years in jail and barred them from holding public office.

The court sustained the prosecution’s findings that the accused had acted in bad faith in lending Atienza P2.5 million from provincial funds to finance the repair, operation and maintenance of his ship.

Valencia had admitted he released the loan to help Atienza repair and maintain his roll-on, roll-off vessel, which he said the province had used in its recovery efforts in the aftermath of four strong typhoons that hit the province in 1993.

The defendants have appealed the decision.

source

9 Mindoro animals join nature red list

2011-01-07T04:14:00.000-08:00

Nine species of animals endemic to Mindoro island, including the tamaraw, are now on the endangered list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Placed on the endangered list posted on the IUCN website are the tamaraw (Bubalus Mindorensis), four bird species, three species of rats, and a crustacean.

From its endangered status in 1986, the tamaraw has been listed as “critically endangered.” It is now only found in Mount Iglit-Baco National Park, Mount Aruyan in Sablayan town, and Mount Calavite Tamaraw Preserve.

Listed as endangered birds are the Mindoro imperial pigeon (Ducula Mindorensis), Mindoro Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba Platenae), Mindoro Scops owl (Otus Mindorensis), and Mindoro Hornbill (Penelopides Mindorensis).

The rat species included in the list are the Mindoro Soft-furred Rat (Rattus Mindorensis), Mindoro Climbing Rat (Anonymomys Mindorensis), and the Large Mindoro Forest Mouse (Apomys Gracilirostris).

The crustacean Parathelphusa Mindoro is listed as “data deficient” because of lack of information on its population, ecological requirement, and long-term threats.

IUCN said the most significant threats to these species are forest destruction and hunting.

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Yuletide truce encourages rebels to go back to government fold

2010-12-29T03:22:00.000-08:00

With the declaration of the Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, some members of the New People’s Army have successfully returned to the folds of the law.
According to the AFP, an NPA leader together with 8 of his troops recently surrendered to Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Umano. The rebels also turned-in high caliber firearms including an M60 machine gun.
Meanwhile, some rebels were foiled by their own comrades and failed to surrender to the government.

In Occidental Mindoro, some NPA members were recently on their way for a pre-arranged surrender to Lt. Col. Roger Percol, commander of the 80th Infantry Battalion when other members of the rebel group fired government forces.

Despite this incident, the AFP continues to observe the ceasefire agreement during the holidays. However the AFP shall remain prepared to address any untoward or violent incident that might be perpetrated by lawless group. (PIA-NCR/jeg)

source

80 new day care centers in Occidental Mindoro to be constructed January

2010-12-29T03:20:00.000-08:00

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro, Dec. 28 (PIA) -- Eighty (80) new day care centers are to be constructed beginning January next year in all barangays in San Jose, this was announced by Mayor Jose T. Villarosa of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro recently.

According to Mayor Villarosa, this is in line with his administration’s policy of strengthening the educational system of his municipality, particularly the primary education sector.

Villarosa believes that giving a child a conducive learning atmosphere on his first year in school will help a child develop a good outlook on education.

Villarosa also announced that old and dilapidated school buildings in San Jose’s 38 barangays will be undergoing major renovation starting next year and construction of additional classrooms are also in the pipeline to arrest the growing classroom shortage in the province.

The mayor believes that a good education is an initial step out of poverty. Thus, the municipal government is doing everything to provide every San Josenos quality education. (PIA)

source

Oriental Mindoro barangays affected by floods

2010-12-11T01:05:00.000-08:00

Over a thousand families have been affected by floods which hit 13 barangays in Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro on Friday.

Mayor Angie Casubuan said several of these barangays were inundated in man-deep waters.

The flooding started when waters overflowed from a watershed in the mountains of Naujan. It coincided with the high tide when the sea water level rose 1.9 meters in Barangay San Antonio.

Thirty families have left their homes for evacuation centers in barangays Santiago and San Carlos. Naujan’s gymnasium has also been opened to accommodate other evacuees.

Rescue operations by the military and police, meanwhile, were still ongoing, as of press time.

Some families, however, opted to remain in their homes. From a report by Sarita Kare, ABS-CBN Batangas

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Mindoro works to conserve marine biodiversity

2010-11-30T18:25:00.000-08:00

Oriental Mindoro is stepping up efforts to protect its already fragile marine resources against abuse by “irresponsible and illegal users,” the provincial governor said.

The thrust of the provincial government is “towards the construction and promotion of policies and programs which will set forth the conservation of our marine biodiversity and enhancement of its resources,” Governor Alfonso Umali Jr. said.

Umali vowed to support the initiatives of nongovernment organizations, in partnership with the local government and line agencies, in guarding the province’s 20 marine protected areas (MPAs), including a mangrove forest reserve and a marine turtle sanctuary.

“By doing so, we are certain that our fragile and diminishing resources in coastal and marine areas of our territories will not be exacerbated and abused by irresponsible and illegal users of our marine life,” the former Oriental Mindoro Second District representative said.

The Oriental Mindoro Marine Protected Area and Law Enforcement Network was established last year to coordinate marine conservation efforts among the province’s coastal municipalities. Currently, the network is composed of 12 municipalities and one city.

In partnership with Conservation International-Philippines, the network conducts resource management assessments and surveys to establish new MPAs and correct the boundaries of existing areas for improved management.

CI-Philippines said other activities include the operational planning for Bantay Dagat members, participatory development of MPA management plans, communication campaigns and formulation of relevant marine protection laws.

Romeo Trono, country executive director of CI-Philippines, said, “We are very pleased with the progress of our partnership so far with Oriental Mindoro, and are glad to know that the local government fully recognizes the importance of MPAs and the effective enforcement of fishery and conservation laws.”

“It is also equally important to point out another recent milestone—the first joint meeting of the MPA networks of Oriental Mindoro and Batangas, which happened last May,” Trono said, adding that the meeting was attended by members and officers of the two networks who discussed relevant concerns and areas for collaboration.

“It is a very promising development for the conservation of the Verde Island Passage,” he said.

Verde Island Passage covers more than 1.14 million hectares between the provinces of Batangas, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon. It is among the four priority marine biodiversity corridors of the Sulu Sulawesi Seascape, one of the world’s most diverse and productive ecosystems. The Verde Passage Corridor contains more than half of the Philippines’ documented fish species as well as many globally threatened species.

Ely H. Vargas, municipal agriculturist of Naujan, said that the MPA and Law Enforcement Network are useful tools for easy facilitation and implementation of programs and projects on marine resource protection.

“Through the network, linkaging and close coordination between and among MPA managers are strengthened, and vigilance and access to information among Bantay Dagat members are intensified,” he said.

CI-Philippines cited the successful rescue of a stranded dolphin in San Teodoro as a fruit of increased collaboration among stakeholders. The rescue was carried out through the combined efforts of the municipal Bantay Dagat and Fishery Management Office, with technical guidance from the Provincial Agriculture Office’s Fishery and Coastal Resource Management Division.

Aside from technical assistance in resource assessments and MPA establishment, CI-Philippines said it provides logistics support for enforcement, including patrol boats, searchlights, global positioning system (GPS) units, cameras, life vests, megaphones and binoculars.

Trono said these will be distributed to the network members to beef up the capacities of their respective Bantay Dagat groups.

Inquirer.net

Hydroelectric power plant to be constructed in Mindoro

2010-11-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

Ormin Power, Inc. LISTED JOLLIVILLE Holdings Corp. will build a 10 megawatt (MW) hydroelectric power plant in Mindoro through subsidiary Ormin Power, Inc.

In a statement Friday, Jolliville said mini-hydropower plant will harness the Inabasan River and benefit the municipality of San Teodoro in Oriental Mindoro province.

The power plant is estimated to cost P1.5 million and is expected to be operational by 2012.

Ormin Power is also constructing an 8-MW diesel power plant in Sta. Isabel, Oriental Mindoro which costs around P380 million and will be operational by 2011.

Jolliville recently increased its stake in Ormin Power to 60% from 46.8%

For the nine month period ending September, Jolliville posted a net income of P46.7 million.

It has interests in leasing, management services, property development and local water works.

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Roxas, Oriental Mindoro : LITTLE TANAUAN FARMS AND PLANT NURSERIES

2010-11-24T21:04:00.000-08:00

The wonderful and educational expriences situated at Brgy. Little Tanauan. Visit an orchards and vegetable gardens. Watch the harvester at work or bring home as basketful of your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables.

Most modern public market in Mimaropa to open in Calapan City

2010-11-24T19:00:00.000-08:00

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines—The most modern public market in the Mimaropa region is set to open here but some lease holders are already selling their units ahead of the December 8 launch.

Some stall owners were selling their lease rights at a high price, the Calapan City Information office said in a statement.

Mayor Paulino Salvador “Doy” Leachon stressed that vendors could not sell their leased units.

“Vendors have no right to sell those stalls because this market is owned by the city government,” said Leachon, also the chairman of the League of Cities of the Philippines.

The Calapan City Public Market is currently the most modern public market in Region IV-B, composed of the island provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

The two-story building, equipped with an elevator and an escalator, houses stalls for dry goods on the ground floor and the wet section on the second floor.

All stalls on the ground floor have been occupied while awarding of rights for the second floor is ongoing, the city government said.

Meat vendors have been sent and invitation to lease but no one has signified interest so far, it added.

Inquirer.net

Mangyan ng Mindoro

2010-07-08T01:45:00.000-07:00

This elderly Mangyan from the Alangan tribe in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro may be too old to study. But hundreds of young indigenous peoples all over Mindoro island are aspiring to be educated. They want to preserve their culture passed from generations to generations but at the same time they desire to go beyond the basics of reading and writing.

But there’s little room for them in the past. And they still suffer from discrimination, sometimes from the very people who illegally claimed their ancestral lands.

Theirs is an almost forgotten group of indigenous peoples. 8 tribes in the island. 100 000 people. All of them aspiring to be educated just like any other Filipino in the country.

Sa lunes, sa The Correspondents, kamustahin natin ang mga Mangyan ng Mindoro at ang Tugdaan – ang paaralan ng mga Mangyan, para sa mga Mangyan.

Thanks to Adrian Ayalin

STA. CRUZ Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

2010-05-11T06:33:00.001-07:00

Mayor
1 ABELEDA, Leonardo R. 5,790
2 GALSIM, Filemon M. 7,954
3 RAMOS, Hidalgo M. 26

Vice-Mayor
1 LEYCANO, Manuelito E. 4,187
2 MALABANAN, Rose C. 8,682

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - SANTA CRUZ - LONE DIST
1 AQUINO, Alex T. 4,429
2 BANAWA, Rudy M. 1,668
3 CASTRO, Mabelle M. 6,208
4 DE BORJA, Antonio Luis III B. 5,755
5 DOTIMAS, Elias S. 2,771
6 GALSIM, Filemon Jr. M. 6,947
7 GATDULA, Genesis M. 6,860
8 INSIGNE, Lorenzo S. 2,268
9 ISIDRO, Joseph B. 5,413
10 ISIDRO, Lorigen L. 3,376
11 JALMASCO, Jose T. 4,359
12 MALABANAN, Damaso A. 3,309
13 PAGUAGAN, Divina D. 4,528
14 PALACIO, Bernabe G. 1,219
15 RAMOS, Johnny S. 5,188
16 SERRANO, Diosdado T. 4,402
17 TOMAS, Wilson E. 1,978
18 TORRELIZA, Ernesto P. 8,935
19 VILLAR, Edgardo T. 3,028
20 VIRAY, Manuel G. 3,139

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SAN JOSE Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

2010-05-11T06:29:00.001-07:00

Mayor
1 ASILO, Lope C. 3,239
2 FESTIN, Romulo D. 15,887
3 MALABAY, Eduardo Jr P. 170
4 VICENTE, Vergel R. 518
5 VILLAROSA, Jose T. 19,843

Vice-Mayor
1 AGUSTIN, Emmanuel T. 13,581
2 CAJILA, Danilo N. 170
3 CASTILLO, Alfredo A. 2,810
4 LADAGA, Rey C. 21,427

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - SAN JOSE - LONE DIST
1 ABELEDA, Augusto S. 15,690
2 AGUILAR, Joel G. 16,379
3 ALMOGELA, William F. 11,229
4 ANTARAN, Joel D. 9,384
5 BINALANGBANG, Leonilo B. 2,685
6 CASTRONUEVO, Joaquin L. 2,091
7 DEGUEÑO, Okenciano C. 1,403
8 DELA CRUZ, Leopoldo E. 5,518
9 DEL VALLE, Alex R. 11,333
10 FALLORINA, Rogelio S. 3,965
11 FELIPE, Isabelo D. 1,108
12 GONZALES, Norma C. 15,237
13 GORDOVEZ, Lolit G. 7,278
14 GOROSPE, Reynaldo L. 8,205
15 ISMAEL, Allan G. 7,789
16 LACIBAR, Anita L. 2,746
17 LIM, Philip Z. 15,709
18 MEDRIANO, Rodrigo M. 621
19 MONDING, Abner M. 6,193
20 PALMARES, June S. 13,989
21 PANGILINAN, Bernardo S. 3,762
22 POLINAR, Jessie R. 2,574
23 SEBASTIAN, Raymundo S. 3,379
24 SERRANO, Pablo Jr D. 3,796
25 TAN, Renato C. 14,640
26 VIDAL, Jose T. 3,585
27 VILLAMAR, Eric G. 7,732
28 VILLANADA, Emiliano R. 10,093
29 VILLAROZA, Victoria A. 17,238
30 ZAPANTA, Senen Jr. M. 16,843

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SABLAYAN Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

2010-05-11T06:26:00.001-07:00

Mayor
1 GADIANO, Eduardo B. 12,261
2 ICALLA, Ernesto V. 23
3 MINTU, Edna N. 11,253

Vice-Mayor
1 DANGEROS, Andres D. 12,434
2 DAWATES, Robert Z. 5,529
3 DIMAYACYAC, Romeo D. 4,668

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - SABLAYAN - LONE DIST
1 ABORDO, Corazon S. 3,058
2 AMAR, Antonino L. 517
3 ANI , Salustiana H. 6,670
4 BARRITO, Vicente, Jr. P. 6,333
5 BUNDANG, Rolando M. 5,153
6 DANGEROS, Leonilo I. 7,601
7 DIMACULANGAN, Conchita H. 11,444
8 DIMAYACYAC, Roberto G. 9,362
9 GONZALES, Ariel M. 5,422
10 JAPONES, Ferdinand S. 1,461
11 LANDICHO, Nancy L. 13,201
12 LIM, Roberto C. 10,710
13 MINTU, Edwin N. 12,925
14 NICANOR, Leonilo C. 7,941
15 ORDENES, Renante V. 889
16 PADUA, Abraham G. 599
17 PAQUIDONGAN, Jose H. 788
18 PASAJOL, Armando C. 6,738
19 SALGADO, Celso S. 9,706
20 SILVA, Napoleon I G. 6,880
21 TADEO, Manuel P. 11,698
22 URIETA, Amable B. 10,179

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RIZAL Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

2010-05-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

Mayor
1 PEREZ, Nestor E. 5,023
2 SANTARIN, Milagros V. 903
3 VALDEZ, Jesus Sr. A. 6,320

Vice-Mayor
1 ARCA, Ferdinand H. 5,835
2 PABLO, Sonia C. 6,083

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - RIZAL - LONE DIST
1 ABAN, Edgardo M. 2,711
2 AWIT, Restituto F. 4,031
3 CACHO, Ma. Divina M. 685
4 CALLANTA, Noel C. 1,694
5 CASPE, Julio M. 1,356
6 COLESIO, Rodolfo L. 1,519
7 DONA, Lawrence R. 4,402
8 ESPARTERO, Gloria P. 736
9 FELIPE, Amador F. 4,203
10 FERNANDO, Rowena P. 355
11 GARCIA, Manuel Jr A. 2,293
12 HITONES, Ronar A. 5,778
13 IBAÑEZ, Sherwin F. 4,884
14 JAURIGUE, Jimmy M. 5,155
15 JAVIER, Victor Jr. I. 2,410
16 LABINDAO, Gregorio D. 3,461
17 LAREDO, Elvis P. 2,019
18 LAVIÑA, Ryl G. 1,628
19 MIRANDA, Medel L. 2,925
20 PABLO, Erson C. 5,230
21 PECHON, Julieto R. 3,013
22 ROBLES, Yasmin A. 2,964
23 TAMBOONG, Edgardo C. 5,092
24 TANDUG, Barbara M. 2,856
25 TOBIAS, Ludivico R. 2,237
26 TUPAS, Pedrito D. 3,584

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MAMBURAO Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

2010-05-11T06:21:00.000-07:00

Mayor
1 ALFARO, Peter D. 4,195
2 VILLAROSA, Voltaire A C. 6,070

Vice-Mayor
1 TADEJA, Donald D. 4,699
2 TRIA, Angelina F. 5,356

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - MAMBURAO - LONE DIST
1 ABELEDA, Emmanuel Sr. T. 2,361
2 ALASTRE, Alberto D. 4,196
3 ALMERO, Cesar B. 646
4 ALMERO, Leonard M. 2,053
5 AMORADO, Jefferson R. 2,994
6 ATIENZA, Donato B. 882
7 CAJAYON, Emmanuel D. 159
8 CALABIO, Ma. Dolores F. 3,913
9 CASCALLA, Silverio P. 3,756
10 CASTIGADOR, Ariel D. 3,433
11 COSUCO, Manuelino R. 3,649
12 DELA VIÑA, Arvin Lloyd E. 447
13 GARILLO, Geoffrey G. 502
14 GENOSA, Faustino G. 1,979
15 GUTIERREZ, Guillermo M. 1,046
16 HERMOSILLA, Socrates T. 2,801
17 LIWANAG, Ernesto D. 2,191
18 MANEJA, Eduardo Jr S. 3,620
19 MASANGKAY, Raul V. 4,720
20 OLFATO, Emmanuel A. 3,955
21 RAMOS, Aristotle G. 3,044
22 RECAIDO, Dulce M. 4,813
23 TAJONERA, Linda R. 3,510
24 TAMAYO, Gerardo S. 3,184
25 VILLAR, Asuncion C. 4,421

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MAGSAYSAY Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

2010-05-11T06:19:00.001-07:00

Mayor
1 FAJARDO, Eleonor B. 5,723
2 TRIA, Cesar Jr. M. 4,076

Vice-Mayor
1 BAYAOA, Diosdado Q. 2,319
2 DIZON, Aldrin A. 2,555
3 QUILIT, Ramon G. 4,588

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - MAGSAYSAY - LONE DIST
1 ABESAMIS, Leodegario R. 3,326
2 ARROZA, Benjamin Sr. L. 2,362
3 BAUTISTA, Eusebio S. 2,493
4 BAUTISTA, Modesto S. 330
5 BILLONES, Gregorio S. 1,368
6 CABRERA, Melquiades P. 1,843
7 ESGUERRA, Lydia G. 3,364
8 EVANGELISTA, Edgar A. 2,423
9 GARCIA, Andrew V. 3,299
10 GARCIA, Veneranda S. 2,098
11 LIMOS, Ranulfo B. 2,893
12 MACADAEG, Alfredo T. 2,082
13 MANGUBAT, Rogelio P. 1,951
14 MENDEZ, Geraldine L. 1,564
15 NAVALUNA, Diosdado B. 1,639
16 OROZA, Manuel B. 736
17 PACUNLA, Antonio A. 2,977
18 PAGAYONAN, Leonardo P. 2,212
19 QUILIT, Mario V. 4,022
20 ROSETE, Gregorio Y. 1,785
21 SAGANA, Feliciano S. 3,595
22 SALIMBAY, Ernesto C. 1,873
23 SERNA, Jesus Sr. C. 2,118
24 SIWA, Joel S. 1,370
25 SORIANO, Conchita C. 1,961
26 TENORIO, Johnny B. 1,523
27 UGALE, Samuel A. 829
28 WAGAN, Eddie E. 1,271

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LUBANG Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

2010-05-11T06:17:00.000-07:00

Mayor
1 GUTIERREZ, Alejandro M. 4,165
2 SANCHEZ, Juan M. 5,214

Vice-Mayor
1 ALEGRE, Florante I. 2,635
2 MASANGKAY, Wilson V. 54
3 QUIÑONES, Yolanda V. 4,430
4 TESALONA, Alfredo T. 1,992

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - LUBANG - LONE DIST
1 AGUILAR, Odilon V. 2,773
2 ANZALDO, Erwin V. 4,934
3 DAULAT, Leonardo R. 2,776
4 DAULAT, Wilbert T. 4,753
5 DE LARA, Redentor V. 3,145
6 GUIMBA, Eugenio T. 3,151
7 MASANGKAY, Lanie T. 2,202
8 MORALES, Edgardo D. 3,752
9 PULI, Tomasito T. 3,922
10 TANGI, Florencito T. 3,410
11 TARDIO, Jaime Sr. T. 2,465
12 TARRIELA, Josienita D. 3,270
13 TEJOSO, Alexander I. 2,003
14 TESALONA, Bernard T. 2,115
15 VALISNO, Cecilito M. 3,195
16 VILLAFLORES, Manuel R. 3,262
17 VILLAS, Charles Z. 4,965
18 VILLAS, Valentin Jr. V. 1,862
19 VIROLA, Ralph Arvin S. 3,030

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LOOC Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

2010-05-11T06:15:00.001-07:00

Mayor
1 TELEBRICO, Ariel A. 2,338
2 TRIA, Nestor N. 2,875

Vice-Mayor
1 TRIA, Apolinar F. 2,721
2 VALLES, Wilmer T. 2,375

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - LOOC - LONE DIST
1 AMBROCIO, Jose M. 2,138
2 DELA TORRE, Marlon V. 3,218
3 DE LUNA, Sofronio J. 1,694
4 DICHOSO, Bernardino B. 1,498
5 GUMANDOY , Marissa A. 1,993
6 LIMJOCO, Anthony D. 2,057
7 NUÑEZ, Wilson A. 1,957
8 QUIÑONES, Arnelson T. 1,170
9 SALES, Avelino V. 1,275
10 TANGLAO, Susan V. 1,170
11 TIVIDAD, Dionisio T. 2,034
12 TRISTAN, Leonardo D. 2,741
13 VALDERAS, Sabino S. 1,700
14 VIAÑA, Armando C. 2,356
15 VIDAL, Jesus N. 1,721
16 VILLAROSA, Priscilla T. 1,495
17 VILLAR, Rommel T. 2,321
18 VILLAS, Ponciano V. 1,832

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Calintaan Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

2010-05-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

Mayor
1 ESTOYA, Lily R. 4,805
2 PAULINO, Renato A. 4,143

Vice-Mayor
1 GARCIA SR, Efren F. 4,926
2 OREIRO, George I. 3,799

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - CALINTAAN - LONE DIST
1 ALEJANDRO, Roberto T. 2,829
2 BULLAGAY, Artemio D. 2,429
3 CARIASO, Rommel T. 4,003
4 ESTEBAN, June C. 3,846
5 GASMIN, Cornelio J. 4,441
6 GUIRAL, Lamberto J. 3,796
7 ILDEFONSO, Merlita V. 3,064
8 IMPORTANTE, Ronnie D. 3,750
9 LABRADOR, Eric C. 5,344
10 LINESES, Elnor B. 2,754
11 MADERAZO, Narciso M. 1,881
12 MENDOZA, Rocel P. 4,894
13 MURILLA, Esra L. 461
14 PEREZ, Reden T. 2,562
15 TRAMBULO, Rogelio A. 4,156
16 ULAY, Edelmar P. 3,288
17 ULAY, Luis P. 2,115

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ABRA DE ILOG Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

2010-05-11T06:11:00.001-07:00

Mayor
1 CONSTANTINO, Eric A. 7,332
2 POLINAG, Nicanor C. 3,328

Vice-Mayor
1 CASTILLO, Floro A. 5,934
2 QUIÑONES, Nolasco D. 4,444

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - ABRA DE ILOG - LONE DIST
1 ABELEDA, Emmanuel Jr. R. 3,089
2 ALVAREZ, Maximino H. 6,098
3 ATIENZA, Leonardo D. 2,789
4 BELEN, Reynaldo T. 5,343
5 BONIFACIO, Jorshinelle C. 1,672
6 CELSO, Hector V. 2,367
7 CORTUNA, Ireneo M. 5,017
8 DACAYANA, Bernardo Jr. J. 5,588
9 GUNA , Johnny B. 3,050
10 HERNANDEZ, Dante N. 873
11 ITURALDE, Baltazar R. 2,142
12 LADIORAY, Archimedes R. 2,948
13 MALIKSI, Amado S. 302
14 MONTENEGRO, Marlon J. 4,214
15 OBRADOR, Eufrosina M. 3,369
16 PANGANIBAN, Manuel C. 3,195
17 QUITO, Orlando R. 5,536
18 RICALDE, Iluminado E. 5,319
19 SANTOS, Ramon B. 2,800
20 SOLOMON, Leodivico F. 2,953
21 TUMBAGA, Amado S. 930
22 ZAPATA, Atanacio R. 2,270
23 ZOLETA, Diomedes Jr. I. 4,258

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Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs : Congressman, Governor and Vice Governor

2010-05-11T05:30:00.000-07:00

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - LONE LEGDIST
1 GARILLO, Josefino A. 1,173
2 PIMENTEL, Samloen, Sr. S. 777
3 SAMALA, Clarita J. 3,648
4 TRIA, Benjamin N. 60,447
5 VILLAROSA, Ma. Amelita C. 75,359

Governor
1 DIMAYACYAC, Regalado M. 1,854
2 OMANIO, Ronilo M. 43,897
3 SATO, Josephine R. 97,575

Vice-Governor
1 BARRERA, Marleo R. 38,628
2 MENDIOLA, Mario Gene J. 87,577

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Polakay Island Photos

2010-04-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

Polakay Island development seen to boost Oriental Mindoro’s tourism status

2010-04-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

ORIENTAL Mindoro will have another tourism haven aside from Puerto Galera with the development of Polakay Island through a P300-million resort project to be undertaken by Ibayo Island Resort Corp. (IIRC) and the local government of Palo.

The project, to be known as the Polakay Island & Adventure Resort on Kabilang Ibayo Island, also known as Polakay Island, already broke ground last week and is targeted for completion in three years.

IIRC signed a foreshore lease agreement and joint-venture deal with the municipality of Pola to pave the way for the development of Polakay. It is being positioned as an ecotourism haven for both foreign and local tourists and will be an alternative destination to the already-popular Puerto Galera.

“Polakay Island & Adventure Resort is envisioned to be an ecotourism resort highlighting the natural wonders of Kabilang Ibayo Island, including its rich biodiversity,” Roderick A. Ongcarrenceja, IIRC president, said in a statement.

Ongcarranceja said that for its initial phase of development, Polakay Island & Adventure Resort will have hotels, villas and clustered cottages totaling 132 rooms for a capacity of 300 guests. The island resort will be positioned as an alternate tourist destination to Puerto Galera.

Civil works started in 2004 when Pola Mayor Alex Aranas allocated P30 million for the construction of a bridge connecting Kabilang Ibayo Island to the mainland of Pola, a fourth-class coastal town with fishing as the main livelihood of its 31,000 residents.

On Feb. 14, 2006, President Arroyo proclaimed a certain portion of Kabilang Ibayo Island as an ecotourism park by virtue of Proclamation 1002. This island boasts of more than 3 kilometers of beachfront and 400 hectares of mangroves, which is home to fireflies and a wide variety of fauna.

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Gunmen torch Mindoro bet's campaign materials

2010-04-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - Armed men torched P30,000 worth of campaign materials of a congressional bet in Mindoro province, police said Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent Sonny Ricablanca, Oriental Mindoro provincial police chief, said at least 10 armed men blocked a campaign truck of incumbent Pola Mayor Alex Aranas along the provincial road in Barangay Dulangan, Baco town.

Ricablanca said the armed men took all the campaign materials, including DVD players and Aranas's campaign posters, from the truck and burned them.

He said that according to Aranas's supporters, the armed men said they are members of the New People's Army (NPA).

He said the armed men also looked for Aranas and told his supporters that they burned the campaign materials for the candidates' refusal to pay campaign fee to the Communist movement.

Aranas, however, told radio dzMM that the harassment was politically motivated. He said he believes the gunmen are not NPA members.

The mayor has been abducted by the rebels twice in 2004 and 2007 for allegedly refusing to give in to the rebels' extortion demands. -- Report from Noel Alamar, radio dzMM

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6.0 Earthquake Hit Philippines

2010-03-25T05:45:00.000-07:00

A breaking news has been spreading in the entire Philippines that a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit the northwestern place of the archipelago early Thursday afternoon.

The quake struck the Mindoro region at exactly 01:29:30 PM at epicenter which is located 86 miles (139 km) from the capital, Manila, and was about 72 kilometers (45 miles) deep. This according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

As of the moment, there were no casualties reported yet. If you are in the Philippines and was able to feel the shake this afternoon, please report any casualties if there is any. Please stay tune for updates

source here

Ruling party steps up campaign in Mindoro

2010-03-25T05:43:00.001-07:00

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro— Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidates vying for national posts led by presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. and his running mate, Edu Manzano, intensified their campaign activities in this city and other remote towns of Mindoro island that were rarely visited by political candidates in past elections because of threat of insurgency.

Unfazed by the reported presence of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, Teodoro and Manzano – on two separate teams – campaigned in this city and Mamburao town to drum up their platform of government as they vowed to prioritize giving more support to local government units to allow them to pursue development programs to benefit the people of Mindoro.

Speaking before a crowd of about 9,000 people at the Occidental Mindoro State College here, Teodoro said the national leadership should be capable of understanding the needs of every community so it can effectively address the particular needs of these localities.

Last Saturday, the 45-year-old Teodoro landed at the San Jose City airport at 3 p.m. while Manzano touched down at Mamburao Airport 10:30 a.m., tagging with them their senatorial candidates that included former justice secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III, incumbent Binalonan (Pangasinan) Ramon “GetsKo” Guico, lawyer Raul Lambino and veteran broadcaster Rey Langit. “Dapat ang leader natin should be capable of understanding the needs of communities to effectively address their respective problems and then give the best solutions,” Teodoro said.

Among the local leaders present at the state college were Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa; her husband, former Gov. Jose Villarosa; Mayor Voltaire Villarosa of Mamburao; Vice Mayor Nestor Perez of Rizal; and mayoral bets Renato Paulino in Calintaan and Eleonor Fajardo in Magsaysay.

Former Gov. Villarosa said some 9,000 people listened to Teodoro as he tackle the issue of greater support for LGUs at the college, where the Lakas presidential bet, his running mate Manzano, and three of the ruling party’s six senatorial bets proceeded to in the afternoon following a motorcade from the airport. These senatorial bets are Bello, Lambino and Langit.

The other Lakas-Kampi-CMD senatorial aspirants are reelectionist Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Lito Lapid, and Guico

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Phivolcs: Mild quake hits Occidental Mindoro

2010-03-14T23:07:00.001-07:00

A mild predawn magnitude-3.8 quake rocked parts of Mindoro Island in southern Luzon Monday, but state seismologists said there was no damage expected.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake was recorded at 5:30 a.m., with the epicenter 87 km northwest of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.

It said the quake was tectonic and was felt at Intensity II in Lubang in Occidental Mindoro.

Phivolcs said no damage or aftershock was expected from the quake. - RSJ, GMANews.TV

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Drought devastates agri in Mindoro

2010-03-14T23:06:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - Ramdam na ang epekto ng El Niño sa lahat ng bayan ng Mindoro Occidental. Tinatayang umabot na sa mahigit P90 milyon ang pinsala sa mga pananim doon.

This is the video courtesy by TheABSCBNNews

Communist rebel in Mindoro clash nabbed

2010-03-10T05:01:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines—A suspected communist rebel who took part in an ambush with Army soldiers in Oriental Mindoro was arrested about 10 hours after the gun battle, a military spokesman said Tuesday.

Armed Forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner, Jr. said troops from the 4th Infantry Battalion arrested New People’s Army fighter Heyo Idlaw, alias "Itag", at around 3 p.m. Saturday.

"Yesterday, he (Idlaw) went through paraffin test and we are waiting for the result of the test from the crime laboratory," Brawner said.

He said Idlaw was chanced upon by government troops pursuing fleeing rebels following a three-hour firefight in the village of Panaytayan, in the southern Oriental Mindoro town of Mansalay on Saturday.

Eleven members of the 23rd Division Reconnaissance Company died while seven others were wounded in the ambush.

It was the Army's biggest loss in a single encounter with the rebels this year.

Brawner said that Idlaw, who was undergoing debriefing, has admitted being involved in the clash.

Private Juralp Culili, a member of the 23rd Division Reconnaissance Company, identified Idlaw as one of the rebels the soldiers encountered last Saturday.

Pursuit operations against the communist rebels were ongoing in Oriental Mindoro, said Brawner, quoting officials from the 2nd Infantry Division in Oriental Mindoro.

"The pursuit operations are still ongoing and we believe that we will be able to catch up with the group within the next few days," Brawner said.

Inquirer.net

AFP to probe “tactical blunders” in Mindoro ambush

2010-03-10T04:59:00.000-08:00

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines – Top official of the military’s Southern Luzon Command based here in Camp Nakar did not discount the possibility that Army troopers committed tactical mistakes when they ran into a fortified camp of New People's Army rebels in Oriental Mindoro that resulted in the deaths of 11 soldiers Saturday morning.

“If our troops committed some tactical blunders, we are also investigating so that we could pinpoint responsibilities and prevent more blunders in the future,” Lieutenant General Roland Detabali, said in a phone interview Sunday.

He said the loss of lives in Oriental Mindoro would only strengthen the resolve of the government to win the war against the communist insurgency.

“Rest assure that we will strive harder, double our efforts and sacrifice if need be to do what we are mandated to do (to defeat the enemy),” Detabali said.

The military said the soldiers were conducting “clearing operations" through security patrols in preparation for the upcoming campaign period for local government officials on March 26 when the ambush happened.

According to Detabali, the rebels who staged the attack were reinforced by communist guerillas from nearby Romblon Island.

“I believed all NPAs from Romblon retreated to Mindoro to reinforce the Island, particularly when the STPRC (Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines) was located there during the capture of Buan (Army Major Noel Buan),” the Solcom official said.

Buan, an Army intelligence officer, was held as a “prisoner of war” by communist guerillas in Mindoro for 22 months. He was released to the humanitarian and peace mission led by Senator Loren Legarda in April 2001 in a remote village in Mansalay town.

Detabali said the withdrawal of the Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion from Mindoro and its eventual deployment to Mindanao to join the battle against the Moro Islamic Liberation Forces two years ago also affected the momentum of the government state security forces against the communist insurgents.

“We were then at the height of our clearing operations in Mindoro and were fast gaining ground,” he said.

Detabali maintained that Mindoro Island which consists of two provinces, Oriental and Occidental, was a big area for only two Army Infantry Battalions.

“Now, we have redeployed one company from Quezon province to Mindoro but we’re still hoping that the 68th IB would be returned to Mindoro to fast track our efforts. We have already discovered arms cache of the NPA rebels in Mindoro,” he said.

Inquirer.net

The Last Stand for The Alangan

2010-02-22T02:34:00.000-08:00

This is the video courtesy by fiohnor

The Alangan forest people on the Philippine island of Mindoro are frightened. The sound of test drilling can be heard several places in the jungle they are dependent on. The land they have inherited from their ancestors is threatened by Norwegian mining operations.

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Stand Up for Mindoro! Here's What YOU Can Do!

2010-02-22T02:32:00.000-08:00

Do you believe you can do something to save Mindoro island and its people? Definitely yes! By sharing this video, more and more people will become aware of what's going on in this beautiful island. You can help us in this battle. Awareness is just the beginning, and we have to start it right now!

Start clicking and sharing our struggle! Let us stand for the wonderful people of Mindoro. Let us stand for the mother earth!

This is the video courtesy by fiohnor

CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : STA. CRUZ

2010-02-13T02:03:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 ABELEDA, LEONARDO RODRIGUEZ / NPC
2 GALSIM, FILEMON MAMARIL / LKS-KAM
3 RAMOS, HIDALGO MORALES / IND.

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 LEYCANO, MANUELITO EALDAMA / NPC
2 MALABANAN, ROSE CALABIO / LKS-KAM

FOR COUNCILOR

1 AQUINO, ALEX TAJA "BOYET" IND.
2 BANAWA, RUDY MADRIGAL "DY BANAWA" NPC
3 CASTRO, MABELLE MORALES "MABELLE" NPC
4 DE BORJA, ANTONIO LUIS III BERNARDO "LOUIE" NPC
5 DOTIMAS, ELIAS SALDIVAR "SEYONG" NPC
6 GALSIM, FILEMON JR. MASANGKAY "TOTIE" LKS-KAM
7 GATDULA, GENESIS MARQUEZ "GENESIS-PINGKO" NPC
8 INSIGNE, LORENZO SY "LONCHING" IND.
9 ISIDRO, JOSEPH BANZON "JOSH" LKS-KAM
10 ISIDRO, LORIGEN LACUESTA "BABY" NPC
11 JALMASCO, JOSE TORRELIZA "OTE" LKS-KAM
12 MALABANAN, DAMASO ABELEDA "DAMSY" LKS-KAM
13 PAGUAGAN, DIVINA DAPROSA "VINANG-DAPROSA" NPC
14 PALACIO, BERNABE GALANGA "BOBBY" IND.
15 RAMOS, JOHNNY SAIQUE "BOLBOK" LKS-KAM
16 SERRANO, DIOSDADO TOLENTINO "DADO" LKS-KAM
17 TOMAS, WILSON ENCINA "BOGS" IND.
18 TORRELIZA, ERNESTO PAGLICAWAN "ERNIE" LKS-KAM
19 VILLAR, EDGARDO TADALAN "EGAD" LKS-KAM
20 VIRAY, MANUEL GATDULA "ELO" NPC

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : SAN JOSE

2010-02-13T02:01:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 ASILO, LOPE CASTILLO / AKSYON
2 FESTIN, ROMULO DE MESA / NPC
3 MALABAY, EDUARDO JR PESIGAN / IND.
4 VICENTE, VERGEL REGUINDIN / PGRP
5 VILLAROSA, JOSE TAPALES / LKS-KAM

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 AGUSTIN, EMMANUEL TRIA / PDP LABAN
2 CAJILA, DANILO NARCISO / PGRP
3 CASTILLO, ALFREDO AGUSTIN / AKSYON
4 LADAGA, REY CAJAYON / LKS-KAM

FOR COUNCILOR

1 ABELEDA, AUGUSTO SESE / LKS-KAM
2 AGUILAR, JOEL GAUDIEL JIJI / LABAN
3 ALMOGELA, WILLIAM FERRER / NPC
4 ANTARAN, JOEL DEL ROSARIO / NPC
5 BINALANGBANG, LEONILO BELLER / AKSYON
6 CASTRONUEVO, JOAQUIN LAYUG / AKSYON
7 DEGUEÑO, OKENCIANO CORRACHEA / AKSYON
8 DEL VALLE, ALEX ROBLES / NPC
9 DELA CRUZ, LEOPOLDO EGAÑA / AKSYON
10 FALLORINA, ROGELIO SERRANO / IND.
11 FELIPE, ISABELO DE VENECIA / IND.
12 GONZALES, NORMA CABRERA / LKS-KAM
13 GORDOVEZ, LOLIT GUTIERREZ / NPC
14 GOROSPE, REYNALDO LUMAWIG / LKS-KAM
15 ISMAEL, ALLAN GUEBARRA / NPC
16 LACIBAR, ANITA LAQUIHON / IND.
17 LIM, PHILIP ZUBIRI / NPC
18 MEDRIANO, RODRIGO MANGAHAS / IND.
19 MONDING, ABNER MOPIA / IND.
20 PALMARES, JUNE SALCEO / LKS-KAM
21 PANGILINAN, BERNARDO SANTOS / AKSYON
22 POLINAR, JESSIE RAVELO / AKSYON
23 SEBASTIAN, RAYMUNDO SIWA / AKSYON
24 SERRANO, PABLO JR DIZON / IND.
25 TAN, RENATO CLARIN / LKS-KAM
26 VIDAL, JOSE TAMAYO / IND.
27 VILLAMAR, ERIC GALIT / LKS-KAM
28 VILLANADA, EMILIANO RONZON / NPC
29 VILLAROZA, VICTORIA ABELEDA / LKS-KAM
30 ZAPANTA, SENEN JR. MERCADO / LKS-KAM

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : SABLAYAN

2010-02-13T01:58:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 GADIANO, EDUARDO BALTAZAR / LKS-KAM
2 ICALLA, ERNESTO VALENTON / IND.
3 MINTU, EDNA NICANOR / NP

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 DANGEROS, ANDRES DAWATES / NP
2 DAWATES, ROBERT ZUBIRI / IND.
3 DIMAYACYAC, ROMEO DELOS TRINOS / LKS-KAM

FOR COUNCILOR

1 ABORDO, CORAZON SALGADO / PGRP
2 AMAR, ANTONINO LIBERATO / PGRP
3 ANI, SALUSTIANA HERNANDEZ / LKS-KAM
4 BARRITO, VICENTE, JR. PADERANGA / NP
5 BUNDANG, ROLANDO MERCENE / LKS-KAM
6 DANGEROS, LEONILO ICALLA / LKS-KAM
7 DIMACULANGAN, CONCHITA HILARIO / NP
8 DIMAYACYAC, ROBERTO GONZALVO / NP
9 GONZALES, ARIEL MASANGCAY / NP
10 JAPONES, FERDINAND SALAMANCA / IND.
11 LANDICHO, NANCY LAUDENCIA / NP
12 LIM, ROBERTO CRUZ / NP
13 MINTU, EDWIN NICANOR / NP
14 NICANOR, LEONILO CABANTUGAN / NP
15 ORDENES, RENANTE VIGUILLA / PGRP
16 PADUA, ABRAHAM GINTOMAN / IND.
17 PAQUIDONGAN, JOSE HONTIVEROS / PGRP
18 PASAJOL, ARMANDO CABRERA / LKS-KAM
19 SALGADO, CELSO SARZATE / LKS-KAM
20 SILVA, NAPOLEON I GOZAR / LKS-KAM
21 TADEO, MANUEL PASION / LKS-KAM
22 URIETA, AMABLE BUNDANG / LKS-KAM

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : RIZAL

2010-02-13T01:55:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 PEREZ, NESTOR ESPARTERO / LKS-KAM
2 SANTARIN, MILAGROS VIAÑA / IND.
3 VALDEZ, JESUS SR. ACOSTA / NPC

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 ARCA, FERDINAND HERMOSO / NPC
2 PABLO, SONIA CABALUNA NE' / LKS-KAM

FOR COUNCILOR

1 ABAN, EDGARDO MENDOZA / IND.
2 AWIT, RESTITUTO FELICIANO / LKS-KAM
3 CACHO, MA. DIVINA MARARANG / IND.
4 CALLANTA, NOEL CANDELARIO / IND.
5 CASPE, JULIO MERIDA / IND.
6 COLESIO, RODOLFO LADERA / LKS-KAM
7 DONA, LAWRENCE RABAGO / LKS-KAM
8 ESPARTERO, GLORIA PEREZ / IND.
9 FELIPE, AMADOR FAMENIA / LKS-KAM
10 FERNANDO, ROWENA PASCUAL / PGRP
11 GARCIA, MANUEL JR AGUIRRE / NPC
12 HITONES, RONAR ANTOLIN / IND.
13 IBAÑEZ, SHERWIN FEDELLAGA / IND.
14 JAURIGUE, JIMMY MALOLES / LKS-KAM
15 JAVIER, VICTOR JR. ILASIN / IND.
16 LABINDAO, GREGORIO DUMALAOG / LKS-KAM
17 LAREDO, ELVIS PINUELA / NPC
18 LAVIÑA, RYL GARLIT / NP
19 MIRANDA, MEDEL LABINDAO / NPC
20 PABLO, ERSON CABALUNA / LKS-KAM
21 PECHON, JULIETO RIMANDO / NPC
22 ROBLES, YASMIN ALEGRE / LKS-KAM
23 TAMBOONG, EDGARDO COLESIO / NPC
24 TANDUG, BARBARA MANALO / NPC
25 TOBIAS, LUDIVICO ROSALES / NPC
26 TUPAS, PEDRITO DY / NPC

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : PALUAN

2010-02-13T01:46:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 PANGILINAN, ABELARDO SANCHEZ / LP

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 BARRIENTOS, EDGAR PAGILAGAN / LP

FOR COUNCILOR

1 CABABAY, BENITO CAL / IND.
2 CADAHIN, JOEL TINAMISAN / LKS-KAM
3 CARLOS, ROEL VENTAJAR / LP
4 CRISOSTOMO, REYNALDO DE OCAMPO / LKS-KAM
5 DIAZ, JOHN JERRY DE OCAMPO / IND.
6 DUEÑAS, JONES TORRELIZA / LKS-KAM
7 FAJARDO, VILLAMOR, SR. NUÑEZ / IND.
8 INSIGNE, ELVIRA VILLAS / LKS-KAM
9 MARASIGAN, ELORDE AGITO / LP
10 MASANGKAY, RIZAL ZAPATA / LKS-KAM
11 PANGILINAN, CARL MICHAEL MOPERA / LP
12 SANCHEZ, WILLIARD FINEZA / LP
13 TAGUMPAY, MELVIN TERRENAL / LP
14 TINALIGA, ANTONIO DE LARA / LP
15 TORRELIZA, LYNETTE CALABIO / LP
16 TORRELIZA, RONALDO INSIGNE / LKS-KAM
17 VALLESTERO, ANTHONY TAGUMPAY / LKS-KAM
18 VIAÑA, DEMOSTHENES RAMOS / LP

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : MAMBURAO

2010-02-13T01:44:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 ALFARO, PETER DE JESUS / NPC
2 VILLAROSA, VOLTAIRE A CALIMBAS / LKS-KAM

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 TADEJA, DONALD DE LEMOS / LKS-KAM
2 TRIA, ANGELINA FRANCO / NPC

FOR COUNCILOR

1 ABELEDA, EMMANUEL SR. TARRIELA / LKS-KAM
2 ALASTRE, ALBERTO DE LUNA / LKS-KAM
3 ALMERO, CESAR BELALE / IND.
4 ALMERO, LEONARD MASANGKAY / IND.
5 AMORADO, JEFFERSON RAMIREZ / IND.
6 ATIENZA, DONATO BUELA / IND.
7 CAJAYON, EMMANUEL DILLERA / IND.
8 CALABIO, MA. DOLORES FLORES / NPC
9 CASCALLA, SILVERIO PADUA / LKS-KAM
10 CASTIGADOR, ARIEL DEL CASTILLO / NPC
11 COSUCO, MANUELINO RAMOS / NPC
12 DELA VIÑA, ARVIN LLOYD ESTRADA / IND.
13 GARILLO, GEOFFREY GUTIERREZ / IND.
14 GENOSA, FAUSTINO GATDULA / IND.
15 GUTIERREZ, GUILLERMO MENDOZA / IND.
16 HERMOSILLA, SOCRATES TAROMA / NPC
17 LIWANAG, ERNESTO DE LEON / NPC
18 MANEJA, EDUARDO JR SERVANDO / LKS-KAM
19 MASANGKAY, RAUL VILLAR / NPC
20 OLFATO, EMMANUEL ALTAMIRANO / LKS-KAM
21 RAMOS, ARISTOTLE GALENDEZ / NPC
22 RECAIDO, DULCE MULINGBAYAN / LKS-KAM
23 TAJONERA, LINDA REGUDO / LKS-KAM
24 TAMAYO, GERARDO SISON / NPC
25 VILLAR, ASUNCION CASTILLO / LKS-KAM

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : MAGSAYSAY

2010-02-13T01:40:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 FAJARDO, ELEONOR BARRERA / LKS-KAM
2 TRIA, CESAR JR. MOLINA / NPC

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 BAYAOA, DIOSDADO QUIMOYOG / NPC
2 DIZON, ALDRIN AGUILAR / AKSYON
3 QUILIT, RAMON GANDA / LKS-KAM

FOR COUNCILOR

1 ABESAMIS, LEODEGARIO RAMOS / NP
2 ARROZA, BENJAMIN SR. LERIO / IND.
3 BAUTISTA, EUSEBIO SADANG / NP
4 BAUTISTA, MODESTO SANCHEZ / PGRP
5 BILLONES, GREGORIO SUETOS / NP
6 CABRERA, MELQUIADES PRIVADO / IND.
7 ESGUERRA, LYDIA GARCIA / LKS-KAM
8 EVANGELISTA, EDGAR ALEGADO / AKSYON
9 GARCIA, ANDREW VILLANUEVA / LKS-KAM
10 GARCIA, VENERANDA SALES / NP
11 LIMOS, RANULFO BASUEL / NP
12 MACADAEG, ALFREDO TUGADE / LKS-KAM
13 MANGUBAT, ROGELIO PAJILGA / LKS-KAM
14 MENDEZ, GERALDINE LIRIO / IND.
15 NAVALUNA, DIOSDADO BONSATO / NP
16 OROZA, MANUEL BARRIENTOS / IND.
17 PACUNLA, ANTONIO ADUPINA / LKS-KAM
18 PAGAYONAN, LEONARDO PAULE / LKS-KAM
19 QUILIT, MARIO VIDALLO / NP
20 ROSETE, GREGORIO YAHIN / IND.
21 SAGANA, FELICIANO SAGNIP / LKS-KAM
22 SALIMBAY, ERNESTO CASISON / AKSYON
23 SERNA, JESUS SR. CABANIG / LKS-KAM
24 SIWA, JOEL SALVADOR / IND.
25 SORIANO, CONCHITA CORBILLON / IND.
26 TENORIO, JOHNNY BILLONES / AKSYON
27 UGALE, SAMUEL AVILA / NP
28 WAGAN, EDDIE ENILDA / IND.

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : LUBANG

2010-02-13T01:36:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 GUTIERREZ, ALEJANDRO MANINANG / LKS-KAM
2 SANCHEZ, JUAN MALABANAN / NPC

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 ALEGRE, FLORANTE INSIGNE / NPC
2 MASANGKAY, WILSON VILLAS / IND.
3 QUIÑONES, YOLANDA VILLAS / IND.
4 TESALONA, ALFREDO TIVIDAD / LKS-KAM

FOR COUNCILOR

1 AGUILAR, ODILON VIANA / NPC
2 ANZALDO, ERWIN VILLAS / NPC
3 DAULAT, LEONARDO REYES / NPC
4 DAULAT, WILBERT TANGI / NPC
5 DE LARA, REDENTOR VIAÑA / LKS-KAM
6 GUIMBA, EUGENIO TANGI / LKS-KAM
7 MASANGKAY, LANIE TANGI / LKS-KAM
8 MORALES, EDGARDO DE LARA / NPC
9 PULI, TOMASITO TAÑECA / NPC
10 TANGI, FLORENCITO TRIA / LKS-KAM
11 TARDIO, JAIME SR. TARRAS/ PDP LABAN
12 TARRIELA, JOSIENITA DE LEMOS / LKS-KAM
13 TEJOSO, ALEXANDER INGRESO / LKS-KAM
14 TESALONA, BERNARD TESALONA / LKS-KAM
15 VALISNO, CECILITO MORALES / PDP LABAN
16 VILLAFLORES, MANUEL RIFOL / NPC
17 VILLAS, CHARLES ZUBIRI / NPC
18 VILLAS, VALENTIN JR. VILLAROSA / IND.
19 VIROLA, RALPH ARVIN SORIANO / LKS-KAM

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : LOOC

2010-02-13T01:33:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 TELEBRICO, ARIEL ARELLANO / LKS-KAM
2 TRIA, NESTOR NAVARRO / NPC

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 TRIA, APOLINAR FAMINI / NPC
2 VALLES, WILMER TAÑALA / LKS-KAM

FOR COUNCILOR

1 AMBROCIO, JOSE MIEMBRO / NPC
2 DE LUNA, SOFRONIO JUAÑO / LKS-KAM
3 DELA TORRE, MARLON VIAÑA / NPC
4 DICHOSO, BERNARDINO BELMONTE / LKS-KAM
5 GUMANDOY, MARISSA ABELEDA / NPC
6 LIMJOCO, ANTHONY DE LARA / LKS-KAM
7 NUÑEZ, WILSON AMBROCIO / NPC
8 QUIÑONES, ARNELSON TANALIGA / IND.
9 SALES, AVELINO VILLALUNA / LKS-KAM
10 TANGLAO, SUSAN VIDAL / IND.
11 TIVIDAD, DIONISIO TRIA / NPC
12 TRISTAN, LEONARDO DE LARA / NPC
13 VALDERAS, SABINO SARI / IND.
14 VIAÑA, ARMANDO CAMACHO / LKS-KAM
15 VIDAL, JESUS NUÑEZ / LKS-KAM
16 VILLAR, ROMMEL TRISTAN / NPC
17 VILLAROSA, PRISCILLA TAMPILIC / LKS-KAM
18 VILLAS, PONCIANO VILLAR / NPC

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : CALINTAAN

2010-02-13T01:29:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 ESTOYA, LILY RACCA / NPC
2 PAULINO, RENATO ANTOY / LKS-KAM

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 GARCIA SR, EFREN FERNANDEZ / LKS-KAM
2 OREIRO, GEORGE ISIDRO / NPC

FOR COUNCILOR

1 ALEJANDRO, ROBERTO TEJEDO / NPC
2 BULLAGAY, ARTEMIO DOMINGO / NPC
3 CARIASO, ROMMEL TADEJA / NPC
4 ESTEBAN, JUNE CLETO / NPC
5 GASMIN, CORNELIO JOSE / LKS-KAM
6 GUIRAL, LAMBERTO JIMENEZ / LKS-KAM
7 ILDEFONSO, MERLITA VILLAFLORES / NPC
8 IMPORTANTE, RONNIE DIONISIO / LKS-KAM
9 LABRADOR, ERIC CREDO / LKS-KAM
10 LINESES, ELNOR BATOLIO / NPC
11 MADERAZO, NARCISO MANALO / LKS-KAM
12 MENDOZA, ROCEL PAYAS / LKS-KAM
13 MURILLA, ESRA LUSAYMAN / IND.
14 PEREZ, REDEN TOREJA / LKS-KAM
15 TRAMBULO, ROGELIO AGUILAR / NPC
16 ULAY, EDELMAR PASCUAL /NPC
17 ULAY, LUIS PICA / LKS-KAM

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : ABRA DE ILOG

2010-02-13T01:26:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 CONSTANTINO, ERIC ABALOS / NPC
2 POLINAG, NICANOR CORTUNA / LKS-KAM

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 CASTILLO, FLORO AGONCILLO / NPC
2 QUIÑONES, NOLASCO DAMIRAY / LKS-KAM

FOR COUNCILOR

1 ABELEDA, EMMANUEL JR. RIVERA / IND.
2 ALVAREZ, MAXIMINO HERNANDEZ / NPC
3 ATIENZA, LEONARDO DEL MUNDO / LKS-KAM
4 BELEN, REYNALDO TAÑO / NPC
5 BONIFACIO, JORSHINELLE CERA / IND.
6 CELSO, HECTOR VILLAMIN / LKS-KAM
7 CORTUNA, IRENEO MAULLON / NPC
8 DACAYANA, BERNARDO JR. JORDAN / NPC
9 GUNA, JOHNNY BANDONG / LKS-KAM
10 HERNANDEZ, DANTE NAVARRO / IND.
11 ITURALDE, BALTAZAR RUBIO / LKS-KAM
12 LADIORAY, ARCHIMEDES RAMOS / NPC
13 MALIKSI, AMADO SANDOVAL / IND.
14 MONTENEGRO, MARLON JIMENEZ / IND.
15 OBRADOR, EUFROSINA MACARAIG / LKS-KAM
16 PANGANIBAN, MANUEL CABRAL TYONG / NPC
17 QUITO, ORLANDO RAMOS / NPC
18 RICALDE, ILUMINADO ELISIDA / LKS-KAM
19 SANTOS, RAMON BALIMBIN / LKS-KAM
20 SOLOMON, LEODIVICO FLORES / NPC
21 TUMBAGA, AMADO SINDURAAN / IND.
22 ZAPATA, ATANACIO RUBIO / LKS-KAM
23 ZOLETA, DIOMEDES JR. ITURALDE / IND.

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CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESSIONAL AND PROVINCIAL POSITIONS FOR OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

2010-02-13T01:06:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

LONE

1 GARILLO, JOSEFINO ABELEDA / PGRP
2 PIMENTEL, SAMLOEN, SR. SILANGA / IND.
3 SAMALA, CLARITA JOAQUIN / AKSYON
4 TRIA, BENJAMIN NAVARRO / NPC
5 VILLAROSA, MA. AMELITA CALIMBAS GIRLIE LKS-KAM

FOR PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR

LONE

1 DIMAYACYAC, REGALADO MAGBOO / PGRP
2 OMANIO, RONILO MAAT / LKS-KAM
3 SATO, JOSEPHINE RAMIREZ / NPC

FOR PROVINCIAL VICE-GOVERNOR

LONE

1 BARRERA, MARLEO REYES / LKS-KAM
2 MENDIOLA, MARIO GENE JARO / NPC

FOR PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER

FIRST

1 ABELEDA, DAMASO II DE GUZMAN / NPC
2 CATAMA, OSCAR TRIA / LKS-KAM
3 EBORA, NARCISO MENDOZA / LKS-KAM
4 IGNACIO, ESTELITO, JR. PACAL / LKS-KAM
5 IGNACIO, MARILOU COLLAMAR / NPC
6 LEGASPI, ROCKY DAÑO / NPC
7 OCAMPO, LORENZO JR. RAMOS / LKS-KAM
8 PANALIGAN, JOEL CUSTODIO / NPC
9 REBONG, ANTONIO JR ABELEDA / NPC
10 TRIA, FERDINAND ALFARO / LKS-KAM
11 VILLAROSA, JESUS TAPALES / IND.

SECOND

1 AGAS, RODERICK QUIBIN / LP
2 BAREN, OSCAR ALVAREZ / PGRP
3 BELTRAN, EDWIN DELOS REYES / PGRP
4 CONDE, DIONISIO DELEXYO / PGRP
5 CRUZ, NATHANIEL DEMERIN / NPC
6 ESTIGOY, FELICIANO MANUEL / PGRP
7 GARCIA, NATHANIEL BANGELES / LKS-KAM
8 JARAVATA, ERNESTO FERNANDEZ / NPC
9 JAVIER, ULYSSES PASION / NP
10 LIM, OSCAR JANAIRO / NP
11 MACARAIG, BERNABE BORILLO / LKS-KAM
12 MARTINEZ, MORILLO CASIDSID / PGRP
13 MINA, ALEXANDER RAMOS / IND.
14 PABLO, ERNESTO, JR CABALUNA / LKS-KAM
15 PECHON, RICARDO TANDUG / IND.
16 VILLAROZA, MARIAN HAYDEE GABUTERO / LKS-KAM
17 YSIBIDO, MARIBOY ASENJO / LKS-KAM

source here

CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESSIONAL AND PROVINCIAL POSITIONS FOR ORIENTAL MINDORO

2010-02-13T00:58:00.000-08:00

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FIRST

1 ACERON, MARIA ESTELA FELIPA MANAHAN / NP
2 ARANAS, ALEX MARASIGAN / PMP
3 LEVISTE, RENATO VILLAPANDO / NPC
4 TALAGTAG, JAIME MILLA / IND.
5 VALENCIA, RODOLFO GARONG / LKS-KAM

SECOND

1 ABAO, BENROME SELDA / IND.
2 CUSI, ALFONSO GABA / SANDUGO
3 JANDA, EDMUND DANTE ESPELIMBERGO / AKSYON
4 SALCEDO, EPHRAIM CUADRA / PMP
5 UMALI, REYNALDO VILLAR / LP
6 VENTURANZA, THADDEUS ENRIQUEZ / LKS-KAM
7 YAP, ANTHONY LEE / NP

FOR PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR

LONE

1 PANALIGAN, ARNAN CAPULONG / LKS-KAM
2 UMALI, ALFONSO JR VILLAR / LP

FOR PROVINCIAL VICE-GOVERNOR

LONE

1 BACAY, MARCOS ABRENICA / IND.
2 DOLOR, HUMERLITO ATIENZA / LP
3 INFANTADO, RAFAEL LANDAYAN / LKS-KAM

FOR PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER

FIRST

1 ABAS, ABRAHAM RAMOS / LKS-KAM
2 ARAGO, RYAN ZARRA / LKS-KAM
3 CONCEPCION, ROBERTO LATORRE / LKS-KAM
4 CONSOLACION, ANTONIO LORICA / LP
5 CUETO, LEO PEÑA / LP
6 DELA ROSA, PATRICK MANALO / LKS-KAM
7 EVORA, MAXIMO TALBAN / NP
8 FLORES, TEDDY JOSE GARONG / LP
9 INFANTADO, ROMEO GONZALES / LP
10 JOSON, PHILIP CESAR BUENSUCESO / LP
11 MALALUAN, MICHAEL ROLLON / LKS-KAM

SECOND

1 AGARAP, CORAZON FABREAG / LP
2 BAWASANTA, CRISPIN JAMILLA / LKS-KAM
3 BUENAVENTURA, MARTIN SANTOS / LKS-KAM
4 CADACIO, OSIAS FALCULAN / LP
5 DE ROXAS, FLOR MANIPOL / IND.
6 DIMAPILIS, RAMIL ONTE / LP
7 EVANGELISTA, RENATO ZOSIMO BILOG / LP
8 FETIZANAN, LYSANDER LASCANO / LP
9 GUILLAN, MAMERTO CADUBLA / NP
10 MALALUAN, REYNALDO ASI / LKS-KAM
11 MAMBIL, DENNIS DE BELEN / IND.
12 MENDIZABAL, JOELITO CABASE / LM
13 SOLABO, JOCELYN GREGORIO / LKS-KAM
14 SOLLER, FERDINAND THOMAS MOSQUEDA / LKS-KAM
15 VELASQUEZ, DENNIS VASQUEZ / NP

source here

Candidates for the Municipality of Roxas

2010-02-13T00:46:00.000-08:00

For Mayor

Dimapilis, Jesus Mangubat (Lakas-Kampi)
Dy, Jackson Cinco (LP)

For Vice Mayor

Cusi, Agustin Lindogan (Sandugo)
Dimapilis, Violeta Labis (LP)

For Councilors:

Advincula, Juan (LP)
Bacay, Juanito (Lakas-Kampi)
Baculinao, Lee (LP)
Baticos, Cesar (Lakas-Kampi)
Bautista, Angeles (Lakas-Kampi)
De la Cruz, David (NP)
Diaz, Nida (NP)
Dimapilis, Napoleon (Lakas-Kampi)
Estrada, Cleto (LP)
Estrada, Jovito (Lakas-Kampi)
Fabon, Arnel (LP)
Fallaria, Rogelio (LP)
Galaran, Elsie (LP)
Lawig, Joseph (NP)
Magno, Gualberto (LP)
Marte, John Felix (Ind.)
Mortel, Bernabe (Lakas-Kampi)
Oquendo, Simeon (NP)
Sinel, Gonzalo (Lakas-Kampi)
Soriano, Eduardo (LP)
Suarez, Nicodemus (Ind.)
Talens, Mae Arlene (Lakas-Kampi)

These are all the MUNICIPAL CANDIDATES in the Municipality of Roxas, Oriental Mindoro

for the May 10, 2010 elections as posted at www.comelec.gov.ph

Two mild quakes hit Visayas, Mindanao

2010-02-13T00:20:00.001-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Two mild earthquakes hit the country Friday and four more last Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The first earthquake occurred at 9:21 a.m. and registered at magnitude 4.5. The epicenter was estimated at 22 kilometers northeast of Tandag, Surigao del Sur.

It had a shallow depth of seven kilometers. The tremor was felt as Intensity II in Tandag and Tago Surigao del Sur; and General Luna in Surigao del Norte.

Another earthquake occurred just 28 minutes later at 9:49 am with the epicenter estimated at 36 kilometers northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar. This quake measured at magnitude 3.9 with a depth of 30 kilometers.

On Thursday, a magnitude 4.0 quake hit 65 kilometers southwest of Maasin, Southern Leyte at around 5: 29 pm. It was felt as Intensity I in Camiguin Island.

A weaker earthquake with magnitude 2.1 also occurred around 27 kilometers southwest of San Fernando, La Union at 6:59 pm. The tremor had a shallow depth of 2.1 kilometers and was felt as Intensity II in Baguio City.

At 8:30 pm, still another quake with magnitude 4.5 occurred 116 northwest of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. It had a depth of 38 kilometers and was felt as Intensity I in Tondo, Manila and Intensity III in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.

The last earthquake on Thursday was measured at magnitude 3.8 and occurred at 10:25 pm. Its epicenter was estimated at 40 kilometers northeast of Borongan, eastern Samar. It was felt as Intensity II in Tacloban City and Dolores, Eastern Samar; and Intensity III in Borongan, Llorente, and San Julian, Eastern Samar.

No damage was reported in all the quakes.

The Philippines lies in a region called the Pacific Ring of Fire which is seismologically and volcanically active.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Green groups dismayed over new DENR chief

2010-02-12T07:33:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s choice of Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) director Horacio Ramos as environment secretary was “bad feng shui” for the environmental situation in the country, advocates said Friday.

"We were in aghast to know that the longtime MGB director Horacio Ramos is now the DENR secretary. His appointment as DENR Secretary is a 'bad fung shui' or bad omen to the current unhealthy state of the Philippine environment," said Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of the Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), an advocacy group composed of 80 organizations.

“We fear that Ramos, as an appointee of [Arroyo], will pursue the crime of irrational exploitation of our natural resources and turn a blind eye and deaf ears to the legitimate resistance of mining affected communities and environmental groups,” said Garganera.

“This appointment of Horacio Ramos as DENR secretary has great implications on the direction of the DENR,” said Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center executive director Judy Pasimio.

Father Edu Gariguez, Alyansa Laban sa Mina (Alamin) spokesman, also alleged that Ramos was in connivance with a Norwegian mining firm to pursue a project that has been greatly opposed by the local government in Mindoro.

“How can a mining lover like Horacio Ramos lead in saving our environment from total destruction? Ramos has worked in connivance with Norwegian-based Intex Resources to pursue the nickel project strongly opposed by local government officials, Mangyan indigenous groups, Catholic Church leaders and residents of Mindoro,” Gariguez said.

Gariguez was among those who went on hunger strike in protest of the Mindoro Nickel project last year.

Blas Tabaranza, executive director of the environmental group Haribon said, “We are dismayed at his appointment as this threatens our conservation efforts but we hope that the appointment of Horacio Ramos will still keep the dialogue between civil society organizations and DENR open.”

From the Diocese of Tandag in Surigao del Sur, Sister Lydia Lascano from the Social Action Center expressed her dismay. “The appointment of Horacio Ramos is unfortunate. It dashed to the ground all my hopes for the protection and preservation of the environment and natural resources in the Philippines,” she said.

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2010-02-12T07:26:00.000-08:00

Suspected rebels torch Mindoro cellsite

2010-02-11T00:20:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) set fire to a cellsite of Globe Telecom in Mindoro Occidental province early Tuesday, police said.

Some 10 armed men burned the cellsite in Mt. Binarara, Sitio Maslud, Brgy Tubili, Paluan town, around 7:40 a.m., according to Mindoro Occidental Provincial Police Office director Senior Supt.
Michael Baysa.

Baysa said a security guard and a barangay official reported the incident to the Paluan Police.

Police have yet to determine the extent of damage to the cellsite.

The NPA has frequently targeted cellsites of Globe Telecom due to the company's alleged refusal to pay the NPA's "revolutionary tax."

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Ibalik ang dangal at kaunlaran sa Roxas, Oriental Mindoro

2010-01-19T03:54:00.000-08:00

Before the current political administration in this municipality, Roxas is considered as the TRADE CENTER OF THE SOUTH!

But the wanton disregard of its peoples' demand for sustainable development peg's it to remain a 4th class municipality despite of its temendous capability to GO FORWARD!

BACKGROUND PROFILE:

THE MUNICIPALITY OF ROXAS

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION

One hundred and forty eight (148) kilometers south of Calapan lies the small but promising town of Roxas. The name was taken from the late President Manuel A. Roxas in whose honor the proposal for the barrio’s separation from its mother town, Mansalay, was first acknowledged.

The present town was once a small settlement along the Tikling River where early settlers and immigrants from Panay and Batangas provinces set ashore. The settlement became the site of the first government of Roxas.

Through Executive Order No. 181, President Elpidio Quirino, in a proclamation dated 15 October 1948 declared Paclasan as a separate town from Mansalay. The order, however, took effect on November 15, 1948. The name Paclasan was changed to Roxas and Roxas was born as a town.

Roxas has 20 barangays – two urban, three urbanizing and fifteen rural, in a total land area of 8,526 hectares. Its present population is 43,202. Farming and fishing continue to serve as main economic activities with trade and commerce continuously gaining importance in its economic growth.

Now serving as a growth center especially of trade and commerce in the southern part of Oriental Mindoro, the Municipality of Roxas, though the smallest, has been classified as a medium town in the province’s classification of its component municipalities under the Province of Oriental Mindoro’s Physical Framework Plan. It evidently plays a significant role in the development of the entire province. Its people’s ingenuity and industry coupled with a clear and strong political will towards people empowerment serves as its major resource and stronghold to development.

Join them here

The Mangyans of Mindoro

2010-01-09T19:59:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines – Heritage covers such scope that its totality is difficult to grasp. Many of us compartmentalize heritage into one of its many components: music, dance, visual arts, architecture, literature, language, costumes, cuisine, depending on where our interests may happen to lie.

Often we fail to realize that all of the components interrelate, that each component forms a vital part that weaves into the splendid tapestry of our own national identity.

Focused (or hung up) as many of us might be on Philippine lowland Christian culture, our many cultural communities and indigenous peoples have gone unnoticed and misunderstood.

Among them are the Mangyans of Mindoro.

The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a population of 84 million speaking over 120 languages.

Out of the 110 indigenous peoples (IP) groups in the country today, only four still use their original scripts. Other ethno-linguistic groups now write in the Roman alphabet of the colonizers.

The endangered script of the Hanunuo and Buhid Mangyans from Mindoro, and of the Tagbanua and Palawan tribes from Palawan were declared National Cultural Treasures in 1997, and were inscribed in the Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Memory of the World Register in 1999.

However, the Hanunuo Mangyan script is very much alive and being taught in Hanunuo Mangyan schools.

Mangyan is the generic name for the eight IP groups found in the mountainous regions of Mindoro island—the Alangan, Bangon, Buhid, Hanunuo, Iraya, Ratagnon, Tadywan and Tau-buid, a combined population of 100,000.

Distinctive heritage

Mangyans, with eight different languages and cultural traditions, possess a rich and distinctive cultural and literary heritage. One manifestation is the various traditional musical instruments used during festivities, special occasions and for courting: guitar, violin, flute, gong, and jew’s-harp.

With a pointed knife, Hanunuo Mangyans inscribe notes and poems on bamboo trees in the forests or on bamboo slats. These ambahans—written or recited in poetic language—allegorically express situations or characteristics.

The Hanunuo and Buhid Mangyans weave and embroider their own traditional attire. The Iraya and Alangan Mangyans skillfully weave nito and rattan into elaborate baskets. The other groups also produce baskets, bags, hats, hammocks and other crafts made of forest vines, and all the eight tribes practice beadwork. These are a main source of their livelihood.

Mangyans plant upland rice, corn, beans, bananas and root crops using swidden farming done in total reverence for the environment.

Mangyans have strongly retained their cultural identity. Much of their traditions and beliefs are in practice, despite some having converted to Christianity. Intermarriage with non-Mangyans is limited.

The Mangyans, considered as the first inhabitants of the island of Mindoro, believe that “land is life” and from it emanates their distinct and rich culture.

Unfortunately they do not have security of land tenure. Their unrecognized traditional right over their ancestral domain is evident in the continuous influx of so-called government development projects. Private business interests have also harassed them: mining, tourism, hydro-power, and even reforestation. Illegal titling of lands by non-Mangyans also continues.

The implementation of these projects often undermines their culture and traditional right to protect, manage and utilize the resources in their ancestral domain. More important, the Mangyans have lost their land to these projects.

Mangyan settlements are mostly found in the interior, mountainous region of Mindoro, in land classified by the government as Forest Zone and Public Domain.

The Mangyans’ subsistence-level livelihood is based on swidden cultivation: planting upland rice, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, bananas, cassava, yams and other root crops.

The few with low-lying farmland in irrigated areas have ventured into lowland farming, planting cash crops and permanent crops, particularly fruit trees. Some gather vines and firewood.

Most Mangyan settlements are not accessible by road. Rivers that flood during the rainy season separate settlements from each other, often cutting off direct access to government social services like education and health.

Mangyan education

There are few public elementary schools, no public high school, and no functional health center. Public elementary schools in Mangyan communities usually do not offer all the elementary grade levels. Classes are multi-grade. Teachers do not report regularly. There are few or no books at all for students.

Students walk for hours and make numerous river crossings to go to school, which can be dangerous for young children.

High expenses prevent attendance by Mangyans in high school, which are situated in the lowlands. Individual sponsors or nongovernment organizations support the few who do finish secondary and tertiary levels. Functional literacy for adults and out-of-school youth is continuously provided by nongovernment organizations and, lately, by the government.

Aside from educational problems, there also exists a difficulty of access to government health units or health centers, which are located in town centers or lowland communities.

Few Mangyan local government units or barangays have been established. The majority of the Mangyan population belongs to lowlander-led barangay units.
Before the last decade, no Mangyan was elected to a municipal or higher position, further limiting the indigenous people’s opportunities to be heard and to participate in decision-making. There are also very few Mangyan government employees.

Discrimination by lowlanders hinders Mangyans from attaining the development level they deserve. Lowlanders often buy their products at very low prices. Often the Mangyans are exploited.

The Mangyan situation illustrates the complexity of heritage conservation. To preserve the endangered traditional script, language, literature, crafts and lifestyle, there is need to improve their education, livelihood and governance.

However, any government or NGO assistance given to the Mangyans must not be done in an insensitive manner. Any kind of help must be granted with vision—in the framework of true understanding of the Mangyan culture, ensuring its preservation, but also giving the people the benefits of the 21st century.

Written by Augusto Villalon (Inquirer.Net)

Aksidente sa Mindoro (Joke)

2009-12-02T00:40:00.001-08:00

MEDIA: ‘Lo, kayo daw po’ng saksi?

LOLO: Ay uwo! Ika’y pumarne dine sa silong. Kung ako pa naman ang dadais sa iyo para magsalaysay ay sulong!

MEDIA: ‘Sensya na po sa abala.

LOLO: Ako’y naka-ungkot laang dine at karakaraka’y ako’y nagitla sa busina. May mag-inang hasing-hasi pa ng paghihikap ay gab-eng gab-e na! Bakingga aring dyip ay saksakan ng tulen? Ay di ako’y palakat na sa mag-inang di naiingli! Aba’y maiipit na’y naka-umis pa! Kainaman! Hayown! Sa pag-iwas ng dyip ay sumalya sa tarangka, tiklap ang tapaludung lasa ko’y kawangki ng
nilamukos na kiche. Pagkakabugnot ng drayber! Ngalngal e!

MEDIA: Ano raw?

Share

Philippines Mangyan tribe on indefinite hunger strike over Norwegian Mining Project

2009-11-27T23:57:00.000-08:00

See forwarded media reports below of hunger strike by Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines in Manila, outside the headquarters of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, in relation to the issuance of a mining concession in the Mangyans ancestral lands and watershed area for the Island of Mindoro (details at http://earthjedi.blogspot.com ). The latest news is that someone has also started a hunger strike in Rome at the World Food Summit in protest against the issuance and project.

The strike is having some effect as Secretary of the DENR Atienza is coming under pressure as a result of the national and international press coverage to justify his decision and Intex's shares were halted on the Oslo stock exchange as they fell due to bad publicity and uncertainty. However we need to put as much pressure on the Government of the Philippines (and also the company Intex Resources of Norway and the Norwegian Government) to cancel the Environment Clearance Certificate, as they have already attempted to fluff the issue by saying they will suspend the ECC for 90 days - i.e. to end the hunger strike and then have mining proceed as planned. The hunger strikers have rightly described this as a sham and decided to continue with their action until the ECC is cancelled.

The last of the two reports attached below are Support Statements that the Working Group on Mining in the Philippines and LRC have sent to the hunger strikers. PLEASE SEND LETTERS OF SUPPORT TO: roslynarayata@yahoo.com.ph; nc@alyansatigilmina.net; whit@piplinks.org ; lodel@piplinks.org

link

Philippine suspends ECC of Mindoro nickel project

2009-11-21T02:44:00.000-08:00

Business Mirror quoted Philippines environment secretary Mr Lito Atienza as saying that he has decided to suspend the environmental compliance certificate of a Norwegian mining firm in Mindoro after speaking with local government officials from the provinces of Mindoro Occidental and Oriental.

Earlier, executive secretary Mr Eduardo Ermita said in his weekly news briefing that Mr Atienza gave the assurance during a phone conversation on allegations that the DENR had issued an illegal ECC to Intex Resources.

Mr Atienza decided to suspend the ECC issued to Norwegian company Intex Resources for the Mindoro nickel project following a dialog with local officials and representatives of various stakeholders from Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

He said that he would immediately look into the ECC, which he signed, on the assumption that the 11,000 hectare mine site is not within a watershed area, and that all requirements in the issuance of such ECC were fully complied with. He added that "As it appears, there was no consultation. That’s why I will look into it."

He also said for the project to proceed, there will be a genuine consultation with the concerned local government units, the communities, the Catholic Church, indigenous peoples and all other stakeholders in Mindoro.

(Sourced from www.businessmirror.com.ph)

Proud Mindrenian Blog

2009-11-08T07:22:00.000-08:00

http://proudmindorenyos.blogspot.com/

Salitang Mangyan

2009-11-08T04:31:00.000-08:00

dadaruwo - San ka pupunta?

daginano - San ka galing?

kanwatam - kain na tayo

sakboy - tuloy po kayo (or pasok po kayo sa bahay namin)

faduksay - brother or brethren

masine - maganda (good) i.e. magandang umaga - masine fag balabag
magandang gabi - masine fag yabi

Calendar of activities for the 2010 polls out

2009-11-05T08:50:00.000-08:00

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) en banc has released the calendar of activities and periods of prohibited acts in connection with the conduct of the May 10, 2010 national and local elections.

The COMELEC, in Resolution No. 8646, promulgated July 14, 2009; said the election period will run from January 10, 2010 until June 9, 2010. Prohibited during this period, the COMELEC added are the alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct; the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons in public places; suspension of local elective officials; and transfer of officers and employees in the civil service, etc.

The COMELEC pegged the campaign period for candidates for President, Vice-President, Senators and Party-List groups to February 9, 2010 until May 8, 2010.

Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial, city and municipal officials will start March 26, 2010 and will end May 8, 2010.

The COMELEC has also set August 17, 2009 as the last day for filing of petitions for registration of political parties and for parties, organizations and coalitions under the Party-List system of representation.

The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for all elective positions will run from November 20, 2009 until November 30, 2009. During the same period, registered party-list groups may also file manifestations of intent to participate in the party-list elections.

Casting of votes by overseas absentee voters (OAV) will start April 10, 2010 (Host country time) and will run until 3:00 PM of May 10, 2010 (Philippine Time).

Meanwhile, the country's voters have from 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM to cast their votes on Election Day, May 10, 2010.

Pandanggo sa Ilaw

2009-09-25T05:20:00.000-07:00

It is home to the cultural dance called "Pandanggo sa Ilaw" meaning 'Fandango with light'. The term pandanggo comes from the Spanish word fandango, which is a dance characterized by marking time with a clack of castanets, snapping of fingers, and stomping of feet in triple-time rhythm.

Pandanggo sa Ilaw - The word pandanggo comes from the Spanish dance "fandango" characterized with lively steps and clapping while following a varying ¾ beat. Pandanggo requires excellent balancing skill to maintain the stability of three tinggoy, or oil lamps, placed on head and at the back of each hand. This famous dance of grace and balance originated from Lubang Island, Mindoro.

Mindoro, Nilindol!

2009-09-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

MAG: 6.0
UTC DATE-TIME: 2009/09/18 06:23:58
LAT deg: 12.573
LON deg: 120.469
DEPTH km: 50.1
Epicenter: MINDORO, PHILIPPINES

Karera ng Kalabaw (Alcadesma Fiesta, Bansud)

2009-08-23T00:54:00.001-07:00

Brgy. Alcadesma Fiesta
Bansud, Oriental Mindoro

Isa sa highlights ng okasyon ang karera ng Kalabaw at Kabayo...
Heto ang ilang larawan...

Apo Reef Natural Park

2009-08-23T00:49:00.000-07:00

One of the best dive spots in the world. Apo Reef is the largest atoll-like reef in the country. Its crystalline blue water covering an area of 35 sq. miles teeming with a wide variety of marine life presents good diving opportunities. The reef is divided by a narrow channel into north and south lagoons.

The channel runs east to west from 1.8 to 27 meters deep with a fine white sand bottom, numerous mounds and patches of branching corals under the deep blue water. No wonder the reef abounds with 285 species of colorful marine fishes including families of sharks, stingrays, mantas, schools of jacks and snappers, tropical aquarium fish and the crevice-dwelling moray, blemish and gobie.

It has no less than 500 species of corals both soft and hard. APO REEF has three islands: Apo Island, Apo Menor and Cayos del Bajo with white sandy beaches ideal for recreation and sporting vacation. Its smooth current provides excitement and convenience to both beginners and advance divers.

Contact infos of public officials (Occidental Mindoro)

2009-08-23T00:45:00.000-07:00

Please contact the concerned officials if you have any public concerns.

An Open Letter to The Public Officials of San Jose

2009-07-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

This is the link
http://sanjose.ph/features/an-open-letter-june-2009

This is an open letter written by Dino Carnay (originally published on June 18, 2009), in response to the amount of complaints regarding the lack of progress in San Jose, as told by the members of the DWCSJOM e-group. It is re-published here with only minimal edits.

The sentiments of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro residents are hard to ignore. Day in, day out… they are deprived of a better service.

Genuine Interest

We do not believe that the present public officials cannot do something about the roads, public amenities, roads and public services. We believe that in order for San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to progress, there should be a genuine interest for public officials to spend the taxpayers' money to projects that are essential and useful to the citizens.

We know you could agree with us, we understand the hardships of raising funds and everybody are aware that at the end of the public officials' term. They have not done so much (we're not saying public officials are not doing anything or have not done any contribution for a progressive San Jose). Are the residents requesting for real progress? Yes.

see more bout this open letter here

Saknungan Festival

2009-04-24T04:08:00.000-07:00

Festival incorporating the exhibition of the cultural heritage of Mindoro’s ethnic communities.

For more information please contact:

San Jose Tourism Office
Tel. No. (632)89235.45 to 46

April 27- April 30 | San Jose, Mindoro Occidental

Bahag-Hari Festival

2009-04-24T04:06:00.001-07:00

A colorful celebration highlighted by street dancing, a parade of float and a different Moriones Festival.

April 24 | Pinamalayan, Mindoro Oriental

Tara na! Byahe Tayo!

Mamburao seeks to find place in the sun

2009-03-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

AFTER taking a Roro vessel from the Batangas pier, you reach Abra de Ilog, one of the entry points into Mamburao, capital of Mindoro Occidental.

Mindoro Occidental is the western part of the island province of Mindoro, south of Batangas.

The drive from the Abra de Ilog pier on the cement-paved Mindoro West Coast Road follows the ridge of high rolling mountains on one side and rice fields on the other, with intermittent glimpses of the Mindoro coast. It’s an arresting vista, but investors have yet to arrive.

Mamburao, though quite accessible, is relatively undiscovered. There are few tourist arrivals. Unlike rough and rowdy Puerto Galera, in neighboring Mindoro Oriental, Mamburao is laid-back. Almost as if it’s set in the ’60s, the sleepy town, like any community where farming and fishing are dominant, shuts down at dusk.

Occidental Mindoro is basically an agricultural province. Principal products are rice, coconut, peanut and abaca. The waters on its western coast comprise one of the most important fishing grounds in the country. But here, the sea and rice fields are still the fixed boundaries of a man’s life.

Reputation

While its natural, economic and political shortcomings, lack of trademark produce, and other problems have all added to its provincial backwater reputation, Mamburao is also a land unspoiled by mass tourism, where mountains drop to blue coastal waters, and sandy beaches lined with swaying palm trees.

It’s a setting that could be the next place for eco-tourism without the messy and amateurish planning of other destinations. It even has a good airport (now used by a flying school and for chartered planes), which adds to its tourist potential.

Mamburao has a long coastline of unpopulated sandy beaches in rustic surroundings, similar to those of small towns in the outer Hawaiian Islands. The abundance of its possibilities can be seen in a day it takes to drive around the town and back.

The landscape changes from grassy hillsides to green rice paddies, mangroves and flat savannah. Numerous rivers and tributaries flow from the mountains of Occidental Mindoro down to Mamburao and the neighboring towns.

A cruise down the Mamburao river is everything a river cruise should be: slow, peaceful, with only the sounds of nature to accompany you down the riverbend and back.

A trek through uncharted rocky trails leads you to unspoiled pool springs and waterfalls and gives you a thrill of discovery.

The town proper hums with small-town activity in the day. The municipio, though in the middle of repairs, is a hive of town servants going about their workaday tasks.

The farmers are working the land, the children are in school, the fishermen’s catch are in beds of ice in the wet market, or on a roro bound for Manila, and the retailers sell their goods ferried in from Batangas and Manila. It’s economic activity all right, but it needs a boost.

Change

Something is happening here. Change is coming – in a good way. A concerted public campaign to get everyone involved has begun.

Beyond the lure of using its physical beauty is a socio-culture development plan for a town that can finally stamp its identity on such products as vinegar, fish sauce and bagoong under the Mamburao brand.

Elma Tejada is in the mayor’s team as tourism officer, a Mambureño who came back after years of working abroad. She represents the new breed of movers who are not just waiting for development to happen, but are also taking charge of their future. She and a few others are slowly changing the face of Mamburao for the next generation.

The Mamburao Planning Evaluation Report made by an independent body of architects, planners and engineers, was a first step in this direction.

Mayor Anthony Villarosa says, “There must be a plan that will generate development to a higher stage and that will mean growth for Mamburao, so that its people will have higher incomes similar to their counterparts in developed towns and cities in the country. A strategy that will spread benefits to the people and bear fruits that will be sustainable over time. At the same time, I do not want a ‘Divisoria’ type of urban sprawl in Mamburao. Urban growth should be ordered and should happen as aesthetically as possible.”

It’s a call for all Mamburenyos to pitch in, so that it can find its place in the sun.

FACT FILE

Formerly called Mait, Mindoro was known to Chinese traders even before the coming of the Spanish.

In 1570, the Spanish began to explore the island and named it “Mina de Oro” (mine of gold) after finding some of the precious metal, though no major gold discoveries were ever made.

In the early years, Mindoro was administered as part of Bonbon, now Batangas. Early in the 17th century, the island was separated from Bonbon and organized into a corregimiento. Mindoro became a regular province in 1921.

On June 13, 1950, it was divided into two provinces, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro. The plains of Occidental Mindoro are inhabited by the Tagalogs and the remote forested interior by the Mangyans, who lead a semi-nomadic existence.

How to get there
1. From Manila by bus to Batangas pier (JAM, JAC and Tritran Terminals in Cubao or Buendia)
From Batangas pier to Abra de Ilog pier (two-hour roro vessel, Montenegro Shipping Lines)
Abra de Ilog pier to Mamburao (tricycle, jeepney)

2. From Manila by private car to Batangas pier (take SLEX and Star Tollway and exit at Balagtas, Batangas). Drive your car onto the ferry to Abra de Ilog pier.
Once in Abra de Ilog, head directly to Mamburao via the main national road (30 minutes).

3. Chartered plane lands in Mamburao airport (40 minutes’ flight from Manila to Mamburao)

For details and inquiries, call Elma Tejada, Mamburao Tourism Office, at t 091..., or e-mail elmatejada121@gmail.com

source

Board Member Randy Ignacio at Prov'l Assistant Agriculturist Peter Alfaro, sumuko na sa batas

2009-03-10T04:43:00.001-07:00

Matapos ang halos anin na buwang pagtatago sa batas, sumuko sa mga awtoridad kahapon ng umaga Pebrero 16, 2009 ganap na alas 8:00 ng umaga sila Board Member Randolph "Randy" Ignacio, dating bokal at ngayon ay Provincial Asst. Agriculturist Peter Alfaro at Gaspar Bandoy Sr. close in security ni Former Mayor Joel "big J" Panaligan ng Mamburao.

Sa bisa ng warrant of arrest na inisyu ni Judge Ulysses Delgado RTC branch 44 Mamburao noong Setyembre 2008 sa kasong "Serious Illegal Detention" na isinampa sa kanila ng mga kaanak ni Romulo De Jesus Jr., isang public school teacher sa nabanggit na bayan.

Matatandaang sinampahan ng kasong Serious Illegal Detention sila Ignacio, Alfaro, Bandoy at Atty. Judy Lorenzo ng COMELEC sa ginawa nilang illegal na pag kulong kay De Jesus, kasagsagan ng bilangan noong 2007 local election. May mga hawak di umanong pekeng balota si De Jesus at involved sa ballot switching kaya nila ito ikinulong.
Ang tatlo ay sinamahan ni PNP PD P/Supt. Caessar Daniel T. Miranda sa kanilang pagsuko sa RTC branch 44 sa bayan ng Mamburao.

Nakakulong na sa Mamburao Provincial Jail sila Ignacio, Alfaro at Bandoy habang nakakalaya pa si Atty. Judy Lorenzo ng COMELEC. Walang inirekomendang bail ang korte sa kanila dahil heinous crime ang Serious Illegal Detention. Mariboy Ysibido

source

11 more Mangyans pass Licensure Exam for Teachers

2009-03-10T04:40:00.000-07:00

Another eleven (11) Mangyan Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Elementary Education graduates passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) given by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) in September 2008.

Some of these board passers are already teaching in Mangyan community schools as professional and volunteer teachers.

1. Erol Antaw, full-time teacher, Mangyan Education Center (MEC, a private secondary school) in Bait, Mansalay

2. Atoy Tugas, full-time teacher, Akliang Primary School, Bongabong

3. Noel Taywan, municipal-funded teacher, Paitan Elementary School

4. Nelsa Banay, municipal-funded teacher, San Roque Elementary School

Taywan and Banay teach a class composed of Mangyans and Tagalogs (lowlanders).

5. Mayette Espiritu, Tauga Diit Primary School in Bongabong

6. Laarni Reyes, Iblagon Primary School in Roxas

7. Uyan Rag-op, Abintang Primary School in Bulalacao

Espiritu, Reyes and Rag-op are currently on their community service as volunteer teachers as part of their college scholarship grant received from Mangyan Mission (MM).

8. Rolyn Banay

9. Alicia Baruyot

10. Jessica Gawid

11. Darwin Ondoy

The last four are fresh graduates who opted to pass the LET first before taking on the responsibility of teaching. Some took their oath as professional teachers last December 6 at the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) in Lucena City.

Some of these Mangyan LET passers were MM scholars and Provincial Planning Development Office (PPDO) scholars. MM scholars are expected to complete one year of community service in different Mangyan communities after they finish their degrees. They receive Php 2,000.00 as their monthly allowance as teachers.

Two other Mangyans passed the LET given last April.

Today, Oriental Mindoro has 172 Mangyan teachers educating children and youths in far-flung Mangyan villages. Out of these 172, forty (40) are LET passers.

Mangyans find it difficult to pass the LET because their English comprehension is not that good and they find it difficult to express themselves in a language rarely heard and used in their communities.

source

Mangyan.org

2009-03-10T04:38:00.000-07:00

www.mangyan.org

Mangyan Heritage Center Blog

I-Witness: Alamat ng mga puting Mangyan

2009-03-10T04:35:00.000-07:00

“ALAMAT NG MGA PUTING MANGYAN”
(Myth of the White Mangyans)
An I-Witness documentary
Aired last January 28, 2008
GMA-7 / Pinoy TV

Howie Severino travels to Mindoro to investigate the legend of “lost tisoys,” a tribe of Mangyans called Olandes, mountain people in Mindoro descended from shipwrecked Dutch sailors.

Various people give conflicting accounts, including a scholar who proclaims that the “white Mangyans” are a myth, along with other popular beliefs such as Mangyans with tails.

But are the white Mangyans really a myth? In a Mangyan tiangge in the remote village of Bait, Howie is told of Mangyan tisoys in the local high school. He finds them there and learns they come from a mountain community called Panaytayan.

But it is not what he expected.
Descending not from Dutch sailors from centuries ago, the tisoys are four children of a Dutch priest who married a Mangyan and has lived in splendid isolation for four decades. He is now among the foremost experts on Mangyan culture. In the village, he has set up institutions designed to teach and preserve ancient tribal practices such as the script, music, and weaving.

His daughter Anya is a 23-year-old tisay who proudly calls herself a Mangyan and is following her father’s footsteps in championing the Mangyan while presenting a new face of the tribe to the outside world.

She accompanies her bahag-clad, betel-chewing uncle Anheng as he ventures down the mountain to town, faces of the old and the new Mangyan. As Anya and her siblings age and produce families of their own, the myth of the Olandes village may yet become a reality.

Cinematography: Egay Navarro
Director: JJ Villamarin
Field producer: Rommel Bernardo
Executive producer: Ella Evangelista

Spirit FM DJ Search 2009

2009-02-15T04:52:00.000-08:00

join

the DJ SEARCH 2009

get a chance to sign an exclusive contract as DJ in DZSB 104.1 SPIRIT FM!

submit your resume to:

Parish Office, St. Benedict Chaplaincy,

Bgy. Lalud, Calapan City

or call (043)2867417

deadline is on Feb 17 (Tuesday).

Farmers group slam appointment of Palparan to DDB

2009-01-24T20:21:00.001-08:00

MANILA, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s naming of controversial retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan as an official of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) is dangerous to the agency, but she was just being consistent.

This observation was from the militant peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), which lamented on Saturday that Palparan’s appointment came at a time when farmers were commemorating the 22nd anniversary of the Mendiola Massacre.

Thirteen militant farmers were killed and over a hundred others were injured when government troops fired live bullets on protesters trying to march to Malacaňang Palace 22 years ago to demand genuine land reform.

"Major Gen. Jovito Palparan is yet to pay for his crimes and now Mrs. Gloria Arroyo considers him to the drugs board post. Their teamup, as Arroyo self-proclaimed herself as an anti-drug czarina, is still bonding, as how they dealt with the legal-democratic movement, attempting to wipe-out activists that call for genuine land reform and Arroyo's ouster," said Danilo Ramos, KMP secretary-general, in a press statement.

Palparan has been blamed by activist and human rights group for the disappearances and summary executions of a number of leftist activists in the central and northern Philippines when he was in the active military service.

KMP said that since Mrs. Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001, a total of 933 people became victims of extra-judicial killings, of which 528 were peasants and 109 were KMP leaders.

It said there were also 129 peasant activists and leaders who were victims of enforced disappearances and scores are accused of criminal cases and imprisoned in different jails around the country.

“Of this Arroyo's sickening human rights record, Gen. Palparan served as one of the promoter as he experimented on the activists of Oriental Mindoro in 2003 to 2004," the group said.

Palparan has repeatedly denied the charges, but maintained that his campaign against the communist movement had been very effective.

"The peasants call for punishment for Palparan as even the United Nations Humans Rights Committee concluded that the government and military are responsible to the murders of Eddie Gumanoy and Eden Marcellana in 2003 in Oriental Mindoro," said Ramos.

Eddie Gumanoy was the former chairperson of Kasama-TK (KMP Southern Tagalog chapter), while Eden Marcellana is the Karapatan-Southern Tagalog secretary-general and wife of Kasama-TK secretary-general Orly Marcellana, who is included in the ST 72, framed up with multiple murder case.

"The Arroyo government is really consistent, as those who commit crimes against the people are being promoted or assigned with luxurious posts. We firmly believe that Gen. Palparan is not considering the post to resolve the drug problem but attracted with the level of bribery hounding drug cases, such as the alleged P50 million bribe," Ramos explained.

KMP affirmed opposition to Arroyo's consideration of Palparan to the drugs board post, instead he should be castigated. Also, the group believes that the drug problem would never be solved under the Arroyo regime as Mrs. Arroyo herself is grossly corrupt, as she is involved with the P728 M Fertilizer Scam, P217.8 M Rice Scam and more. The corruption in the Justice department is just an offshoot of her governance.

"Certainly, if Gen. Palparan gets the post, either we all get killed being framed up as pushing drugs, or we get arrested accused of being drug pushers and users," Ramos said. The group believes that the drugs body would also be used against activists who is calling for Arroyo's ouster. - GMANews.TV

QUEMARLABARO Regional Youth Camp 2009

2009-01-15T22:29:00.000-08:00

The Southern Tagalog Youth Ministry is called the QUEMARLABARO, derived from the names of the provinces of its member prelature, dioceses, archdiocese and apostolic vicariates composition.

QUEzon
MARinduque
LAguna
BAtangas
mindoRO

The QUEMARLABARO is composed of one Prelature, four Dioceses, one Archdiocese and two Apostolic Vicariates, namely:

Prelature of Infanta, Quezon
Diocese of Boac, Marinduque
Diocese of Gumaca, Quezon
Diocese of Lucena, Quezon
Diocese of San Pablo, Laguna
Archdiocese of Lipa, Batangas
Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro

Camp Organizers, All Set to Lay Down Plans for the Upcoming QUEMARLABARO 2009

(CALAPAN - January 13, 2009) This coming January 22, the Diocesan Commission on Youth of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan is all set to present to the Regional Coordinating Council the plans for the QUEMARLABARO Regional Youth Camp 2009. This will take place during the Regional Conference to be held from January 21 to 23, 2009 at Gumaca, Quezon.

Prior to this is the final discussion of the details of the camp with the Diocesan Formation Secretariat, which will happen on January 16, Friday, at Calapan City.

The QUEMARLABARO Regional Youth Camp 2009 which is scheduled on April 21-24, 2009 at Calapan City, is expected to attract more than 500 delegates from all over Southern Tagalog Region.

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Random drug test in high schools

2009-01-13T04:45:00.000-08:00

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- Starting next March, the education and health departments will jointly conduct random drug testing of students in the 9,300-plus public and private high schools nationwide.

The testing, part of the government's drug education program, “will continue in school year 2009-2010,” Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has told the Inquirer.

“It is timely to do this as illegal drugs have become rampant in some parts of the country,” said Lapus, adding the tests were necessary for the protection of the country's 6.5 million-plus high school students.

Lapus noted that random drug testing has been done in selected schools in the past "and there have been positive findings.”

He was apparently referring to the 2005 drug tests conducted by the DepEd and DoH where some 8,670 students from 287 high schools nationwide were randomly tested for illegal drugs.

At least 115 of those students tested “positive” for methamphetamine, popularly known as shabu, and other illegal drugs, according to a report furnished by Education Assistant Secretary Thelma Santos.

The tests were conducted in all regions except Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Mimaropa (short for Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan).

Northern Mindanao topped the list with 13 students found positive for drug use, followed by Central Visayas, Southern Mindanao, and Caraga with 12, 10, and 9, respectively.

According to Santos, “we'll provide the DoH with the list of public and private high schools. It's up to them to choose the schools.”

“The school visits of the drug testing teams, which start next March, will be unannounced,” she said.

Santos clarified that students "will not be forced to undergo drug tests.” But she stressed that “there will be close monitoring of high schools where there's high prevalence of illegal drug use.”

A check with DepEd files showed that as early as August 4, 2003, the agency had issued guidelines on random drug testing of high school students.

Department Order 63, signed by then Education Secretary Edilberto De Jesus, said the activity was pursuant to Section 36-C of Article 3 of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The drug tests aim to “determine the prevalence of drug users among the studentry, assess the effectivity of school- and community-based prevention programs, deter the use of illegal drugs, facilitate the rehabilitation of drug dependents, and strengthen the collaborative efforts of identified agencies against the use of illegal drugs.”

According to the DepEd order, “drug test results shall be treated with utmost confidentiality and shall not be used in any criminal proceedings” against those found positive for drug use.

RA 9165, on the other hand, orders the DepEd to “integrate drug abuse prevention concepts into subjects such as Science, Health, and Makabayan in the elementary level, and Science and Technology and Makabayan in the secondary level, as well as in the non-formal education program, particularly in functional education, literacy, and values education.”

The law also calls for the “continuous development, updating, and adoption of learning packages to support the existing drug education concepts in textbooks and instructional materials” and “mobilization of school health and nutrition personnel in complementing classroom instruction on drug abuse prevention.”

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Parish ‘tapungan’ keeps it alive

2009-01-02T18:39:00.000-08:00

SOCORRO, ORIENTAL MINDORO – Father Joseph Matulin Boongaling distributed Christmas calendars to his parishioners with a personal message of gratitude.

“This is to thank them for their positive response to the tapungan that aims to make the parish self-reliant,” explains the 42-year-old parish priest of the Holy Family Parish (HFP) here, about 60 kilometers away from the City of Calapan.

Tapungan is like the Tagalogs’ saknungan or bayanihan, which is how HFP calls its parishioners’ voluntary contribution of time, treasure and talents for the needs of the church.

It was launched in May and there are now more than 2,000 parishioners who participate with their monthly share of money, ranging from P5 to P500.

In the case of Antonina Montaril, 55, called Nanay Asuncion, of Barangay Lapog Riversite, she allocates P50 monthly tapong (share), from her fisher-husband’s income.

“Her case inspires us. Really, it’s not so much the amount that matters, but the big heart that responds to God’s love by wanting to share,” says Annie Andrea Luarca, a pastoral associate.

Boongaling says the Holy Family Parish used to be known as “better off” compared to other parishes.

But, he reveals, it was because of earnings from the sacramental fees for the dead and from the parish cemetery.

Shift

Boongaling, however, has been careful in implementing tapungan.
It took his team two years of preparations – which included recollections, pilgrimage conference, homilies, festivals and community consultations.

In the parish’s 2007 pilgrimage, Boongaling emphasized that tapungan is a pledge to God and not to the priest, citing Bible passages and explaining where the funds would go.

Luarca, working closely with Boongaling, recalls that the program was not spared from initial doubts and negative reactions because they were changing traditional practices.

“I really was not comfortable that people would ask how much they had to pay for a sacrament because it’s a service of the church,” confesses Boongaling.

With his core team, Boongaling made tapungan creative and colorful to attract attention and excitement, and utilized the LCD projector.

A liturgical musician, he composed an inspirational theme song titled “Sa Diwa ng Kapatiran,” whose tune is that of a lively march.

Luarca explains how tapungan works.

The parishioners are grouped into four zones in the poblacion and 12 communities following a color-coding for practical reasons, like easy segregation, aesthetics and meaning.

An individual gets a one-page letter indicating his pledge of number of hours per week and amount per month to be contributed.

He signs this up and submits it to the parish.

Boongaling returns the letter for a reminder.

A contributor then gets an envelope entitled “Ang Aking Pangako sa Diyos” with the Hapag ng Pamilyang Mindoreño (HNPM) logo covered with plastic.

It contains the name of the zone and community on top. Four columns under it are monthly dates (from May 2008 to May 2009), the amount pledged, the amount received by the counter, and the signature of the volunteer who received the amount.

Luarca said the preparations, while done by volunteers, cost around P5,000 ($102), including photocopying, boxes, clothes bags and tapungan native basket.

Some system

The monthly pledges can be submitted in four ways: During the monthly community Mass, during Tapungan Sunday, which is every fourth Sunday of the month in the parish church (first and second Mass) and individually through the parish office, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Luarca relates: “Now, those without envelopes become curious asking why they do not have one. But it no longer has to be Father Boongaling to explain but those who have pledged.”

The counting of tapong is done on a Sunday after the fourth Sunday by four counters (a leader and three members) from the Pamayanan Pastoral Council (PPC) and Parish Finance Council (Pafinco).

As incentive, the community gets 20 per cent of the total monthly tapong in their area.

This November, Boongaling gladly reports that the tapong collection has increased to P61,000 from P42,632 when it was launched in May.

The monthly parish expenses are about P180,000.

Learning experience

Father Boongaling says his past experiences on voluntarism helped him arrive at the right formula.
He is most grateful to the Hapag ng Pamilyang Mindoreño, the core program of the diocese launched on July 15, 2006 where priests were asked about their dream for their parish.

“I wanted people to make the church a part of their life,” says Boongaling, who is now 15 years old in the ministry.

When he was assigned at the HFP in 2006, he kept in his heart the dream of leaving a legacy in three forms: A self-reliant parish which supports all the needs of the parish; a meaningful liturgy where people understand it, appreciate it and are able to put it into action, and an increase in the number of leaders (koswtowing).

Now Boongaling’s dream is coming alive.

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Ejay Falcon with his Tropa in Mindoro

2008-12-08T06:11:00.000-08:00