Aguinaldo assumes as 25th commander of 102nd IB

By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - Col. Andres S. Aguinaldo Jr. has assumed as the new commanding officer of the 102^nd Infantry “IGSOON” Brigade based in this town. Former brigade commander BGen Ignacio A. Obligacion takes on his new post as Assistant Division Commander of the 9^th Infantry Division in Camarines Sur.

The Change of Command Ceremony was held on April 16, 2015 at the 102^nd Brigade headquarters, Sanito, Ipil, this province with BGen Gerardo F. Barrientos Jr., 42^nd commander of the premier division, the 1^st Infantry “Tabak” Division, as guest of honor and presiding officer.

“One of the finest traditions in the profession of arms is the passing of command from one officer to the other. It entails a completion of his tour of duty and a sense of fulfilment,” General Barrientos said.

Barrientos said when he left 102^nd Brigade in 2013, he had high hopes that Obligacion would catapult the unit not only maintaining its stature as the number one brigade of the 1^st ID but also to maintain the rapport that has been established from among their constituents.

“The 102^nd brigade was at the forefront in addressing the Zamboanga siege in  2013. Though we lost some of our soldiers, their loss was not in vain,” Barrientos  recalled. He cited Obligacion as a worthy commander and deserving of his new post as Assistant Division Commander of the 9^th Infantry Division based in Camarines Sur.

He said another very competent officer is leading 102^nd  IB in the person of  Col. Andres S. Aguinaldo Jr., former deputy brigade commander of the 103^rd IB in Marawi City.

In his message, Obligacion said there were only two things in his mind when he came  one year and eight months ago. First was the accomplishment of the mission, and second was the welfare of the men.

“To everyone, salamat sa cooperation and support, and for the friendship which I will treasure and bring with me in my new assignment, and even when I retire from service a few months from now,” Obligacion  fondly affirmed.

On the other hand, Aguinaldo extolled the excellent command and leadership of  Obligacion, thus achieving a significant mark in upholding the primacy of the peace process and spearheading local and national development initiatives.

“All your deeds for the unit will be my guiding post and benchmark in this new designation as the 25^th commander of this unit. Rest assured that I will uphold the same objectives of sustaining the peace process, intensifying developmental efforts in our AOR and enhancing military capability and readiness,” Aguinaldo assured. 

DAR-Zambo. Norte implements P5.35-M farm-to-market road in Mutia town

By Mary May A. Abellon

MUTIA, Zamboanga del Norte – A groundbreaking ceremony signaling the start of the farm-to-market road (FMR) concreting project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Zamboanga del Norte in this town has been held recently.

This road project, which will benefit 133 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and 2,683 non-ARBs from Poblacion to Barangay Diland, has been alloted P5.35 million under DAR’s Bottoms-up Budget (BuB), Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) with some counterpart funds from the munipal government.

In his mesaage, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Mohammad Dassan L. Adju appealed to the residents to protect and take care of the projects given them by the government.

“This is not the end of our partnership in development with this groundbreaking ceremony or after the completion of this project, but this is just the beginning,” Adju said.

“It’s really difficult to bring development in the community. We will first pass through many rugged roads and we will encounter many obstacles,” he streesed adding “the problem [that may arise] after the completion of this project is how to maintain it and the role of every resident will now start.”

“In DAR, if we can see that there’s a development and cooperation in the community, we will give more and more projects,” he assured.

Mayor Arthur C. Tenorio, on the other hand, said: “Our major problem here in Mutia, since 1960 from its birth until now, is the road concreting.”

He then expressed his gratitude to the DAR for the road concreting project hoping that there will be more projects his municipality will receive from the national government. 

DENR-9 turns-over research center at Labangan town

By Claro A. Lanipa

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 formally inaugurated and turned-over the Forest and Timber Resources Research Center (FTRRC) to the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) in a simple rites recently held at Barangay Pulacan this municipality.

In a makeshift tent set up in front of the refurbished research center, Regional Director Arleigh J. Adorable turned-over the key of responsibility to Antonio M. Dano, assistant director of ERDB-9.

In his message, Marcial Amaro, assistant secretary for field operations, hoped that the center would not just continue with what had been started in 2012 but continue maintaining, upgrading and ensuring that the researches are being done insofar as far as clonal preparation of planting materials is concerned to support the National Greening Program which will end in 2016.

It can be recalled that the clonal facility was inaugurated and started its operations in July 2012 with Assistant Secretary Amaro and Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo as the guests of honor during the said occasion.

At the start of the program, Ruben Tabora, head of ERDB-9 reported that the clonal facility had produced 20 thousand seedling in 2012, 30 thousand in 2013 and 50-thousand last year. It is now targeting to produce 90 thousand seedlings of various indigenous trees  this year.

Amaro also challenged the officers and personnel manning the facility to further enhance and work more seriously in the years to come.

Meanwhile, Assistant Director Antonio Dano of ERDB-9 in his acceptance message said, “ to us in the research sector, it is a reminder of what are we going to do. Our role is very important and the expectation of DENR from us is very high that we really have to support the program of the DENR particularly the NGP.

“With this clonal facility we are expected to produce quality planting materials,” Dano pointed out.

“It is a big challenge for us, with the expected target as presented earlier, we always emphasized that we want to produce  quality planting materials,”  Dano said.

Also in attendance during the occassion are Gil Ona, assistant regional director for DENR’s Management Services, and PIA-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga as well as the entire staff of the facility.  Rev. Fr. Francisco Pintac, parish priest of Lantian officiated the blessing of the facilities and the motorcycles for its working force. 

New DENR-9 regional office building inaugurated

By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – As the regional center for region 9 has been transferred from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 has inaugurated on Friday, April 17, its new regional office building erected at the President Corazon C. Aquino Regional Government Center in Barangay Balintawak this city.

Addressing the audience comprising some city government officials, provincial officials, Congressman Victor Yu, Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 staff, DENR-9 regional office staff as well as personnel from the different Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENROs) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) throughout the region, Undersecretary Demetrio L. Ignacio Jr. said the construction of the new regional office building here in the city is a proof of “DENR-9’s commitment to support the transfer of the regional center to Pagadian City” as mandated under Executive Order No. 429 issued by former President Corazon C. Aquino.

Undersecretary Ignacio was sent to deliver the speech of Secretary Ramon JP. Paje, who was in South Korea attending the World Water Summit.

“It is almost 40 years since DENR-9 constructed a regional office building. To have an office that gives us the dignity we deserve, the new regional office now stands on a 1.4-hectare lot donated by the city government of Pagadian within the newly created President Corazon C. Aquino Regional Government Center,” Secretary Paje said in his message as read by Ignacio.

Paje also reminded the DENR personnel that their agency “is primarily tasked to manage, conserve, protect and sustain the environment and natural resources, serving as the forefront in implementing programs and projects that can directly reduce poverty, strengthen food security, mitigate impact of climate change, protect biodiversity, geo-hazard mapping, pollution control, stimulate economic growth and establish political stability.”

On the other hand, Congressman Victor Yu of Zamboanga del Sur’s first district has commended the DENR for immediately complying with the order to transfer its regional office to Pagadian City. In fact, he said, DENR-9 was the first agency to construct its regional office at the regional government center.

Other agencies which have started constructing their regional offices there are the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Bureau of the Treasury, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).

Some agencies are still renting while a few have already constructed their regional offices in their own lots here in the city. 

Dipolog gets above ideal functionality level on children’s protection and welfare

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – The city government here got an above ideal level of functionality in the protection and welfare of children, according to the Regional Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force on the functionality of the Local Council on the Protection of Children (LCPC).

The task force led by LGOO Jaber Jamani of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-9 on Wednesday was here to conduct an assessment to the provincial government on its programs and projects for the protection of children. 

The LCPC, which is composed of the DILG, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Health (DOH), National Nutrition Council (NNC), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is a council organized at the provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels, serving as the umbrella organization for all children’s concerns that advocates child’s rights and the implementation children’s programs at the local levels.

Dipolog City reportedly got 102.5% rating, which is above ideal on the level of functionality based on the assessment conducted this year on its 2014 accomplishments on programs and projects for the protection and welfare of children.

Moreover, LCPC is responsible for planning and spearheading programs for children in the city to make it child-friendly.

It can be recalled that Mayor Evelyn T. Uy presented during her latest state of the city address a hall of fame award for Dipolog City as child-friendly city, the only city to receive such an award in the whole of Mindanao.

DILG-9 also emphasized that the 1% of the total Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) received by a certain LGU is a mandatory allocation for the protection and welfare of children. 

PCW formulates documents for quality, fair, gender-sensitive reporting

By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), in collaboration with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and other member agencies of the Gender Equality for Media has formulated set of documents, “Towards a Gender Fair Media,” that seek to transform public perceptions and eliminate biases  and stereotypes about women and men in our society.

Ms. Remedios Ignacio-Rikken, PCW Chairperson said these key documents are: Code of Ethics for Media, Guidelines to Protect Women from Discrimination in Media and Film, and Gender Equality Guide were formulated to support the implementation of Republic Act 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women.

The core of ethics is to do no harm to women in the language and images that the media show.

It also outlines the pivotal role of media as an educator and shaper of public opinion and highlights the importance of upholding standards and ethics, according to Rikken.

PCW invites government and private media practitioners, journalism and communication students, and other interested parties to use “Towards a Gender Fair Media” as a guide to promote a better and fairer perspective of women in media, in support of the goals of gender equality and women empowerment.

Citing that Filipino people deserve to get quality and fair news reporting, radio and TV programming, print ad and film content, Rikken called on everyone to do his share  in making the country’s media landscape gender fair.

Masepla IDPs air problems to inter-agency communications group

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Communications Working Group (CWG) composed of government agencies and non-government organizations on Tuesday (April 14) visited the Masepla Transitory Site in barangay Mampang to hear from internally displaced persons (IDPs) about their needs while staying at the site.

Shiela Covarrubias, City Hall Public Information Officer said that such discussions with the IDPs are needed to help government and the humanitarian actors provide a needs-based intervention to help IDPs while in transit. “It would be best if we heard from them about their situation so in turn, we can share what we have learned afterwards to the different clusters concerned,” she said.

“This is also a way of getting feedback from the current services given to them,” Covarrubias added.

In Masepla, the IDPs were broken down into sectors such as youth, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, mothers, fathers, and leaders. Interviewers from the CWG including college student-volunteers asked a set of questions based on the Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) focused group discussion.

Among the items discussed were their access to basic services, communication needs, safety and security, protection issues, child protection, women’ needs, durable solutions and others.

It was learned that the among the pressing needs of the IDPs in Masepla include the lack of electricity, the distance of the water supply, need for livelihood interventions, the distance of the actual site from the town center where IDPs earn a living and where their children go to school, and the need for an emergency medical outpost.

“NapakalayongMaseplasapaaralanngmgabata, sana may school bus (Masepla is very far from school, we hope there will be a school bus),” said one of the IDPs.

Meanwhile, for IDPs like Aben who was one of those recently transferred from the Grandstand said that Masepla is a far better place than the Grandstand. “Mas maayosdito, komportable at peaceful (It’s better here, more comfortable and peaceful),”Aben shared.

Aben shares that they have experienced only minor security problems like thefts, but the thief, who was not an IDP was apprehended by volunteer peacekeepers who are IDPs themselves.

However, he wishes that he could return to his home in Sta. Catalina soon. “Malayolangtalaga kame dito, at sanamakakabalikna kame saaminglugar (this place is very far and I hope that we can already return home),” he said.

Aben is one of the thousands of displaced persons who are still waiting for permanent shelters under the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) program, after his home was destroyed during the Zamboanga siege of 2013.

Masepla is the third transitory site to be visited for the discussions by the CWG. The group is composed of the City Hall Public Information Office, several United Nations (UN) agencies and non-government units and the Philippine Information Agency. 

101st brigade chief cites media’s role in peace and development

By Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY – “I have recognized the importance of media in security and in realizing our common aspiration for freedom.”

This was the opening statement of Col. Jesus A. Manaquil Jr., commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 101^st Brigade, as he addressed the officers and members of the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club (ZNPC) during the club’s 50^th induction and oath-taking ceremonies held at the Top Pensionne here recently.

Col. Mananquil, who talked on the theme, “The role of the press in the roadmap for peace,” said: “The press exists to serve the people’s right to know.” He then emphasized that the army and the media are valuable partners in the “Bayanihan” campaign to bring about a peaceful environment conducive for economic progress and development.

Because of the media’s crucial role in peace and security, Mananquil immediately reorganized the 101^st Brigade Defense Press Corps when he assumed as brigade’s commanding officer a few months ago.

The 101^st Defense Press Corps is composed of media practitioners from the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental.

On the other hand, Mr. Lorenzo Aseniero II, new ZNPC president, has vowed to make the club more relevant by living up to the expectations of his fellow officers and members.

It can be recalled that club has been known for its project, the annual campus journalism seminar, which is given to the high schools students in Zamboanga del Norte including the two cities of Dipolog and Dapitan for free. This project seeks to hone the writing and broadcasting skills of budding campus writers. As a result, a number of campus journalists from the province have won awards in both regional and national schools press conferences. 

LCPC seeks better protection programs for children in Isabela, Basilan

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) in Isabela City sought to create and institutionalize programs that hope to bring significant impact to the communities.

Every year, the Regional Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force (RITMF) in region 9 conducts monitoring on the functionality of the City Council for the Protection of Children, one of the local special bodies mandating the local government units to sustain the local protection program for children and youth.

At the assessment meeting, key government agencies in the city, like the City Health Office, the Department of Education-Isabela City Schools Division, the City Police Station, and the Department of Labor, among others have presented their respective programs and activities related to the protection of children.

Dr. Rafael Cabug, city health officer, reported some of the accomplishments of the health office to include some cases of children who were reported to have contracted tuberculosis. He said these children are already receiving utmost medical attention from the city government. Included in his report were the government’s continuous monitoring of children’s nutrition and health status based on weight. He revealed that barangays Marketsite, Kaumpunah Zones 1-2-3, Tabuk, Tampalan, Lumbang, Sumagdang, Carbon, and Maligue remain in the list of top 10 barangays with high incidence of underweight children.

Dr. Cabug also revealed that the city was awarded as one of the top ten (ninth place) nationwide in terms of measles rubella immunization campaign accomplishment. Among the best practices that made the campaign successful was the coordination of the city health personnel with the military, police, and barangays in reaching out to the children at the remotest areas of the city.

The city health is also implementing its newest program, the Adolescence Youth Reproductive Health with the support of some of its partner-agencies and non-government organizations.

DepEd-Isabela, on the other hand, reported that it is implementing the Abot-Alam Program that aims to provide education for all children and that it also is strengthening its Alternative Learning System.

The division office in coordination with the health department is also monitoring the nutrition and health status of school children through immunization and medical-dental outreach programs.

The city police station, meanwhile, conducted a number of information and education campaigns to some communities and schools in the city, and has utilized a lot its radio program over the local DXNO-FM radio station to promote children’s rights and welfare.

DOLE-Isabela reported that it had conducted child laborers profiling of parents and provided some livelihood support to these parents.

The RITMF team hailed the efforts exerted by the different government agencies in implementing programs for the protection of children. However, it observed that the activities are all agency-initiated and they are looking forward to a LCPC-led and funded programs and activities for 2015.

The RITMF team has urged the LCPC in this city to initiate programs and activities that are LCPC-led with clear budget allocation and being carried out with partner-agencies and organizations.

In 2014, the LCPC only met once but its members met at several occasions with different councils, tackling the issues of children’s protection and welfare. The LCPC took note of the observations and the assessment of the RITMF and vowed to improve the functionality of the LCPC in the succeeding years. 

PNP beefing up security in Zambo police stations

By Dave Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The local police is now beefing up security in its police stations to prevent any future attacks like the one that injured four persons on Good Friday (April 3) at the Ayala Police Station.

City Police Director Sr. Supt. Angelito Casimiro said in a press conference that he has already instructed police stations to be more proactive in securing their own areas.

“We already asked all chiefs of police to sandbag their stations and put barricades,” Casimiro said.

Last week, the police have a computer-generated image of the suspect. However, the identity of this person who lodged the improvised explosive device (IED) towards the Navarra pick-up truck in the Ayala Police Station’s impounding area is still unknown.

Casimiro added that they have already formed “Task Force Navarra” to probe the incident.

Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar earlier confirmed that the blast was “drug related”. She admitted that the drug lords operating in the city are “powerful”.

Casimiro for his part said that these drug lords “have might and wealth” and can influence for cases to be filed against police officers involved in going after them.

Personnel of the Ayala Police Station have already been receiving threats after an alleged drug operator was arrested earlier, Casimiro disclosed.

Nonetheless, Mayor Climaco-Salazar said that there will be no let-up in the local government and police’s fight against the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city. 

DTI-9 beefs up preparation for 2015 ZAMPEX Trade Exposition

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – In preparation for the Zamboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition (ZAMPEX) 2015 this coming October, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 has conducted a series of product development clinics in the region.

Just recently, some 10 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the different towns in Zamboanga Sibugay province were taught on product packaging, including labeling and designing at the Universidad de Zamboanga-Ipil Campus.

Mr. Roel C. Catimbang, supervising trade and industry specialist of DTI-9 said the assistance to the entrepreneurs would help them come up with appropriate and better product labels and designs to become more appealing in the market.

“Product design and development is a sub-component of trade development and promotion where new or improved products are developed, or product labels and packaging are improved for these products to be responsive to market needs and requirements,” he said.

According to Catimbang, in a weeks’ time DTI-9 would be able to visit the key cities in the region for phase one of the product development 2015.

“With product innovation, the champion products of Region 9 like rubber, abaca, coconut, mango, seaweeds, and bottled sardines will stand out from the rest,” he added.

At least 80 exhibitors are expected to join the ZAMPEX 2015, which will be held in the Convention Center of Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City on Oct. 8-11, 2015.

Dubbed the largest trade fair in the region, ZAMPEX 2015 is an initiative of DTI-9 in collaboration with the ZamPen SME Core Group.

1CAV’s free medical, dental services benefit over 400 residents of Labangan town

By Gideon C. Corgue

LABANGAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR – Over 400 residents of Barangay San Isidro here have benefited from the free Medical and Dental Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) conducted on Friday, April 10, by the 1^st Field Artillery Battalion (1^st FAB), Army Artillery Regiment in partnership with the 1^st Cavalry (Tagapungana) Squadron (1CAV) of the Philippine Army’s Mechanized Infantry Division.

In his message, Lt. Col. Sonny Sales, commanding officer of the 1^st FAB, said the objective of MEDCAP was to bring immediate medical health services to the people especially those living in the remote areas where access to government services is difficult like Barangay San Isidro, which is also “one of our adopted barangays.”

Meanwhile, 1CAV commanding officer Lt. Col. Charlemagne Batayola Jr., said the project was conceptualized by the army leadership in partnership with the local government unit because out of the government’s genuine concern to help alleviate the living condition of the people in far-flung areas.

“Kini ang among pangandoy ug sa gamay nga pamaagi makahatag kaninyo sa gamay nga kalipay ug paglaum dinhi sa San Isidro,” Batayola explained.  

(This is our dream that in our own little way we can bring joy and hope here in San Isidro.)

For his part, Punong Barangay Gavino Lacsado expressed his sincere gratitude to the Philippine Army that for second time, it held such an activity in his barangay.

Danilo Tingtingan was also thankful to the MEDCAP, as his sons, Johny, 11, and Danilo, 7, had availed themselves of free circumcision.

“Nagpasalamat ko sa Philippine Army tungod kay dili nako mogasto ug kwarta ug kahago  magpatuli sa akong duha ka anak nga lalaki sa health center nga anaa sa lungsod. Layo kining among gipuy-an sa lungsod. Mopasahe pa ko P30 matag-usa aron mahatud sila sa health center,” Tingtingan explained.

(I am thankful to the Philippine Army because I will no longer spend money and time to have my two sons circumcised at the municipal health center located at the town proper. Our house is far from the health center and I have to spend P30 each for fare just to bring them there.)

A total of 412 residents have availed of the said project broken down as follows: 115 for free medical checkup, 90 for dental services/tooth extraction, 85 young boys for circumcision, 100 were given vaccination, and 182 were provided of free medicines.

The medical and dental teams from 1^st Infantry (Tabak) division and the Rural Health Unit have jointly conducted the said activity. 

Kidnappers demand P60-M ransom for release of victims, says Pitogo town mayor

By Gideon C. Corgue

PITOGO, Zamboanga del Sur – The kidnappers are demanding P60 million as ransom for the safe release of the three victims abducted here last March 31, according to Mayor Richard Garban.

In a recent press conference held at his office, Mayor Garban identified the culprits as belonging to the lost command that demanded P30 million for each of the two remaining victims, Ace Jay Garban, 2, and Ledegie Tomarong, 17.

It could be recalled that Ace Jay Garban, Zynille Jay Garban, 3, and Ledegie Tomarong who were at the fish port, were forcibly taken as human shields by the abductors last March 31 at 5:45 p.m. while fleeing from pursuing policemen after a botched operation targeting a businesswoman, Chzarenia Kapa-Sajulga.

Three days after the incident, Zynille Jay’s dead body was found floating in the sea, causing panic among the residents.

The mayor said the kidnappers contacted their families and told them to raise the money.

“Dako kaayo ang kaguol ug kasubo sa mga pamilya sa biktima tungod sa dakong kantidad sa salapi ang gipangayo sa mga kidnapper bugti sa ilang kagawasan. Asa man nila pangitaon ang maong kantidad nga nga ibayad nila?  Tungod niini, kinasingkasing kami nga naghangyo sa mga kidnapper nga ilang buhian ang makalooy nga mga biktima,” Garban appealed.

(The victims’ families felt sad and worried because the amount demanded by the kidnappers is quite. Where are they going to get that money? With this, we are heartily appealing to the kidnappers to release the victims.)

Tomarong’s parents are laborer and house helper. Ace Jay is a nephew of Punong Barangay Jayjay Garban.

The government is strictly implementing the “no-ransom policy” in dealing with the kidnappers.

Mayor Garban said “the suspects have also their own families and they have children too. I believe the abductors know deep in their hearts that they are also human beings and they can understand the sad fate of their victims.”

The police and local officials are still clueless as to the location of the victims. “We don’t have an idea where exactly the victims are,” Garban reported.

Law enforcement agencies are incessantly doing sea patrols along the municipal waters of the neighboring towns to recover the victims. 

Facing the rough road to communicating peace

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Government communications group is now facing a challenging and tough job in communicating the peace process and in generating public support for the ongoing peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Throngs of negativity haunted the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and this has become widespread from the ordinary street vendor to the politicians at the halls of Congress.

Giant media outfits have benefited a lot from the skyrocketing ratings and most views, as each and every aspect and the blow by blow accounts of the gruesome fate of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who perished in that fateful incident at Tukalanipao, Mamasapano in Maguindanao has been carried on the airwaves and landed at every Filipino home.

As what a government peace negotiator has said at a forum: “What could have been a ‘private grief’ has turned into a celebrated ‘public grief’.” Just like any other disasters covered by the media such as the Zamboanga siege and Yolanda, etc., the media proved to have again triumphed in capitalizing on emotions to spread societal ills and ineptitude of institutions and human capabilities.

If there is one positive effect (granting there’s a such) of the post-Mamasapano national discourse is the fact that more Filipinos are getting interested in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which was also considered by pro-peace groups as a casualty together with the 67 Filipinos. Unfortunately, the interest is marred by personal biases and prejudices, digging more holes in the already very rocky and rough road to peace. And this has also betrayed the ignorance of most Filipinos on the peace process, which has been going on for about seventeen years.

  

The need to communicate peace

There is no doubt that every Filipino longs for peace, especially in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. We may be at different levels in understanding peace but the desire is still strong. With or without the BBL, the people must understand and cultivate a culture of peace, which is the foundation of a stronger and enlightened citizenry that respects other people’s traditions, beliefs, and aspirations.

We need to stop labeling people and isolating ourselves - such as being anti-Muslim, anti-BBL, or imperial Manila - and learn from a child who knows no boundary of color, race, and beliefs. For the child, it is the humanity that counts—the joy of friendship, of togetherness at play, and the laughter shared are cherished and loved.

Many would argue that this is easier said than done because we are only human. But, we are humans, higher than the animal kingdom. Thus, we reason and are rational beings. Maybe we have already dwelt so much in our emotional state, and, perhaps it is now time for Filipinos to be rational and to find better understanding on the things that happened at Mamasapano to further appreciate the need to pursue the peace process.

Many still believe that there is a ”greater good” that would come out of all the challenges that the nation is facing. It is time for every Filipino to engage, and keep an open mind to the possibilities and opportunities, including the exploration of better alternatives to attain peace.

  

Quality information is knowledge towards decision-making

In spite of the media coverage on the peace process since President Cory’s time, many still claim that they lack information about it. Since the enactment of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and eventually the drafting of the BBL with the MILF, many remain ignorant of the peace negotiation especially the grassroots and other stakeholders for two reasons: they are not interested because they don’t care about the outcome or they have already taken an irreversible position on the matter thus they refuse to listen to any explanation. The latter poses the biggest challenge to all peace communicators.

Aside from dealing with limited time and resources, both human and logistics, the government communicators are also pressured to find the right and effective key messages that the public would appreciate and accept through the different communication platforms.

For the anti- and pro-BBL alike, quality information is still the key to arrive at an enlightened decision in life. A massive information drive, therefore, must be launched now. To dilly-dally is to drive the elusive peace away.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said that it would launch a massive campaign on the peace process and the BBL with the end in view of reaching out to all and sundry.

Recently, the Media ng Bayan also gathered selected personnel from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) together with some Manila-based PTV and Radyo ng Bayan for a planning workshop to guide the government communication pillars in a unified messaging through coordinated actions with respect to the BBL and the Peace Process.

During the said workshop, PIA Director-General Jose Mari M. Oquiñena has challenged the communicators to be radical in its approaches and to use alternative platforms in communicating peace and the government's vision of shared security and shared prosperity with the Bangsamoro people of the Philippines. 

Lent

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Lent is a time when Catholics remember Christ’s unfathomable and unconditional love for mankind shown through his sufferings, death and resurrection. Christ’s Passion is shown in numerous plays performed (including real-life crucifixion) as part of the Holy Week celebrations.

Cuaresma (lent)  

It starts on Ash Wednesday, forty days before Easter Sunday. On Ash Wednesday, Catholics are seen returning from church with their foreheads smudged with ash (mixed with oil) in the shape of a cross. The Ash is a symbol of repentance. Those who had their foreheads smudged with ash are to abstain from meat every Friday.

Lent is a season of fasting, self-denial, spiritual growth, prayer, charity and simplicity. It can also be viewed as a spiritual cleansing and reflection.

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

It is traditionally a solemn occasion in the country, a time for serious penitence. It starts from Palm Sunday to Black Saturday, then Easter Sunday.

This is also the time when believers perform religious rites in fulfillment of a vow they made when they asked God a favor, such as a cure for an illness.

On Palm Sunday, the worshippers wave palm fronds or “palaspas” in the air to commemorate the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Filipino Catholics bring palaspas to church to be blessed by the priests, and then they bring the fronds back home with them.

Back then, my grandma would say that the blessed palaspas will cast away bad luck and evil spirits if placed anywhere inside the house. I grew up with this belief and tradition.

During Maundy Thursday, the Catholics celebrate this day by attending church services and watching Passion Plays. In one practice called visita iglesia, devotees try to visit as many   churches as they can.

We visited seven churches the night of Maundy Thursday, lighted candles and prayed   Old folks would say, visiting seven churches commemorates the seven last words of Christ before He died.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Christ. It is during this day that catholic devotees re-enact the sufferings and death of Christ in the Cross. Religious figures (santo) are being carried through the towns on top of carriages locally called carrozas.

Back when I was a child, I would ask my mom why are the religious images in carrozas veiled in black? Mom would then say that the black veil is a symbol of mourning for the death of Jesus Christ.

It is during this day that some devotees publicly whip themselves as re-enactment of the torture and death of Christ, and some would go to the extent of doing a real-life crucifixion where they have their feet and hands nailed to a wooden cross, and crown of thorns placed in their heads.

Doing this religious rite is said to be a panata or a fulfillment of a vow they made when they asked God a favor, such as a cure for an illness.

On Black Saturday, Catholics remember the entombment of Christ. People usually spend the day preparing for the     night vigil leading up to Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday

A joyous day ensued after the Black Saturday. Easter Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Traditionally Catholics wake up as early as 3 a.m. to prepare for the “salubong” ceremony at 4 a.m. Salubong commemorates how the Virgin Mary met her son Jesus who has come back to life.  Everyone is in festive mood during this day. Family outings and food feast are usually held while others go to the beach to celebrate.

                  
Holy Week Superstitions

Superstitions have it that making noise or any unnecessary sound during this time is prohibited. This practice is observed by the Catholic faithfuls to preserve the solemnity of the Semana Santa. So, for modern Filipinos who love to do videoke and loud noise, this is not the best time for such activities

According to superstitious beliefs, traveling at this time may result in accidents – any injuries and wounds sustained during this period are believed to heal slower as well.

This is due to another early belief that evil spirits gain strength during Holy Week, mainly due to Christ's passion and death.

Superstitions also disallow baths or even laundry at 3 p.m. of Good Friday, considered the hour of Jesus Christ's death. Anyone who disobeys this belief is said to either get sick or have bad luck.

Holy Week in Zamboanga

Despite the volatile peace and order situation of the city, many devotees went out of their way to observe the tradition during the Holy Week. There were throngs of people who went up at Cross Mayor in Abong- Abong, ( a place 800-1000 feet above sea level)  to observe the 14^th station of the cross; multitude also did the visita Iglesia and the “prosisyon” (procession).

Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo T. dela Cruz during his Easter Sunday Mass said he was thankful for the turnout of church goers to hear mass despite peace and order concerns in the city. He said it is important that people remember the true essence of Lent.

But modern day Filipinos see Holy Week as an opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of urban living to the serene beaches and picturesque landscapes spread across the archipelago. 

Communicating peace through visual arts

By Alma L. Tingcang

Quite a feat for a young lady who believes in the adage, “A winner never quits, and a quitter never wins!”

International arts tilt

Winning the first prize in the 2014 Peace and Cooperation School Award with the theme, “The Family: Rights and Future, Tradition and Modernity” given by the Peace and Cooperation Foundation based in Madrid, Spain came totally unexpected to this visual arts teacher.

Joaquin Antuña, Peace and Cooperation Foundation president and founder,  awarded the certificate and cash prize for Ms. Ernadel V. Reyes of Zamboanga del Sur National High School for the Teacher and School Category, to Ms. Ruby Fernandez, representative of the Philippine Embassy in Spain.

The artist

Ms. Ernadel Villaruz-Reyes, Special Program in the Arts – Visual Arts (SPA-VA) teacher from the Zamboanga del Sur National High School, Pagadian City bested 33 other participants from the different countries and was the only Filipino who joined the competition.

Though personally invited during the awarding ceremony, she was unable to attend in view of her masteral studies, which gave her a headway on the tilt. Ernadel recently graduated Master of Arts in Education Major in Cultural Education as a National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) scholar from La Salle University in Ozamis City.

This is the second international award that she received; she also won the 2013 Peace and Cooperation School Award with the theme, “Art as a Universal Language – Creativity for Peace” as coach of the winner in Drawing with Written Message, from the same sponsor in Madrid.

She is married to Ronyl L. Reyes of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) with whom she has two kids, Ledanre Lynor “Girl”, 5, and Maria Evelicia “Lady,” 3 years old.

DepEd support

Before she joined the international competition, the Department of Education (DepEd) regional office selected her, basing on the teacher who always wins in the visual arts competition. “I really thank them for all the support, my principal, Mr. Roberto Bibanco and my co-teachers for pushing me and believing in my talent as an artist,” she said.

Joining the competition

There were a lot of contents and requirements for the competition. She was asked to discuss her activities in the classroom, her way of teaching to which she responded that the first thing to do is discuss the elements and principles of art before the hands-on activity. “So instead of a verbal interaction, my activities in the classroom were all documented,” she modestly said.

How she explained  the  diverse culture of our tri-people - the Christians, Muslims and Lumads - drew their attention because it is simply amazing to engender unity in diversity as vividly presented in the paintings. She embarked on a culture-based lesson integration in visual arts because this creates an awareness of the people about Pagadian City’s cultural treasures and assets aimed at developing art appreciation and cultural preservation.

“The content of the students’ work centers on Filipino culture, particularly the  Pagadianon culture, explaining the artwork one by one. I’m glad to coach my students because I believe it is my greatest contribution to their learning,” she said warmly.

Bloodline

“At a very young age, my mom said I was already into drawing. My uncles, aunts and relatives were visual artists. That might have made a great influence in my life,” Ernadel recalled.

“Painting is my mission work, so I consider myself a missionary. I am  also totally involved in my community,” she explained.

Bishop Emmanuel T. Cabajar of Pagadian Diocese, a visual artist hiself, has inspired this young artist through his paintings. Together, they do mission work in the churches. Ernadel offers her talent for free, teaching the kids how to paint and getting sponsors for the materials the kids need like brushes, paints and others.

She gets all the support and inspiration from her husband, her family, parents and in-laws so there is no reason that she cannot focus on what she loves doing: teaching and painting.

Looking back

“As a young artist, I had that innate concept which I did not realize was the most basic theory in teaching visual arts to my students, even to those who did not know how to draw,” Ernadel recalls. Applying it later, she discovered they were the most important, most basic principles like using shapes and letters.

It’s all in the family

“My two kids are also artists. It’s because I am an artist, and I have a very supportive husband. I designed our house and my husband saw to it that I would have a place to display my artworks. So I will be pressured to paint this summer,” she said smiling.

Asked if she finds it hard to transfer her talent to her students,  she replied, “In my first year of teaching, it was hard for me because I set a very high standard.” Her students would often cry so she did several researches on the elements and principles of art, how to discuss the theories behind, and how to make it easier for the students.

In fact, she submitted a book to her principal, Mr. Roberto Bibanco entitled  “The Teaching Strategy” which is very ideal and easier for the students to understand.  Group dynamics and peer teaching are the best strategies, according to Ernadel.

“Starting with the basics is the theory of color, how to combine and use color. Actually, drawing is easy, what is difficult in painting is how to use and combine colors. However good your sketch is, if you do not use it well, the outcome would not be good,” she said.

One family

“The content of the competition was very easy for me because I have a happy, loving and supportive family. In our SPA class, we belong to one family not by blood but being one in our passion as artists. To my students, I am their elder sister or mom.”

Ernadel also encourages her students to earn through their talents like doing face painting so they can help their families and earn extra income.

“It is my hope that students will enhance their talents and skills in visual arts,

develop a sound mind and body by participating in visual arts activity in the class like painting, sculpture, and mixed media,” she expounds.

“What is important is for my students to become more creative, reflective, innovative, civically-engaged and culturally-aware because this is where the diverse cultures come together in unity, the Chistian, Muslim and Subanen. This way,  they do not just paint, but they have an appreciation of the different settlers and cultures in Pagadian City,” Ernadel added.

“My students also excel that is why we have joined international competitions. Learning never stops because it is constant and the winning part is an added bonus,” Ernadel declared.

She is the only lady member of the Mindanao Artists Association but she is proud to be given respect among her peers in the like of Chester Mato, Dr. Jose Armin Virata and Pastor Jerome Castillo. “I don’t experience any discrimination,” she proudly says.

Losing is part of winning

Ernadel received an award in college as a university winner in painting, yet many times she also lost. But guided by the principle never to quit because, “A winner never quits and a quitter never wins,” she does not feel disappointed when she loses in a competition. Instead, she considers it a challenge to the point of interviewing the winners, learning from them and  from her mistakes as well.

“I was asked by the international  jury if I ever felt that I was the best visual artist and how do I feel. I said, ‘no, I don’t think I am the best.’ I still have a lot to learn and I just thank God for this talent that’s why I’m doing this as my mission work. I am blessed to be a blessing!” she happily declares.