Last Tuesday morning, we woke up with a dead phone. Maybe, a passing cargo truck has pulled down our telephone cable again, I thought. This has happened to us many times in the past and I have always told Digitel to install their lines higher than the standard to avoid these accidents.
When I arrived home from the office that same day, I learned that even our neighbors had no dial tones. The next day, I called a friend at the Digitel and found that some 500 other subscribers in Calasiao had dead phones because a 10-meter cable crossing a bridge right at the town center was cut and stolen.
The thieves were daring, I would say. I remember that on that Monday night, floodwaters still submerged low-lying barangays of Calasiao and cars and other vehicles crowded both sides of the bridge. I even saw some people keeping watch over their possessions that night when I passed by. This is why I could not believe that a cable could have been stolen from that area.
I just hope that the incident was a learning experience not only for Digitel but for other utilities serving the province. In the past, transmission lines of the defunct National Power Corporation were pilfered in isolated areas in western Pangasinan, causing power outages in many areas for a while. I think this has remained unabated to date.
These utilities should start installing devices that would secure their lines. What we are trying to avoid here is a situation like what recently happened in New York and contiguous states when electric power went out.
Having a dead phone is bad enough. Learning that it was because of a stolen cable makes us wonder if in the next power failure, the whole of Luzon was plunged into darkness.
*****
I had a short chat with Rep. Gener Tulagan over the weekend. It was an accidental meeting and he was all smiles when he saw me because it has been quite a while that we did not see each other.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, I asked him how he felt about the forthcoming congressional race in his district next year. He just smiled and asked, “What do you think?”
I told him that honestly, he would run unopposed. And that if there are other contenders for the seat, these will just be token candidates, assuring him of a last his term in Congress. And who will dare fight him?
There were two names being floated in the past, maybe to test the waters. The first one was San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello, whose supporters were flaunting that he was sure winner. Of course, Mayor Resuello has already backtracked.
The other one was Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, who had said that he will “cross the bridge when he gets to it.” He was simply saying that his options were open. But from what we have gathered, he has already set his sights on his reelection bid for his last term. Who knows he might just be the next governor of Pangasinan after Gov. Victor Agbayani?
ENDNOTES: Traveling to Manila these days is very inconvenient. This is because the North Luzon Expressway is being widened and some portions of the road have been closed. There is even a very long stretch of two-way traffic on a double lane. What irked us, however, are the big potholes that slow down vehicles, making the trip to Manila an hour longer. Well, we just have to live with the inconvenience for a while.
QUOTE: “One of the things I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing things for other people.” -- Dick Gregory
Friday, August 29, 2003
Friday, August 22, 2003
Ninoy
Twenty years ago yesterday, Ninoy Aquino was shot dead at the tarmac of what was known then as the Manila International Airport. His death, even before he could set foot in his own country, was what we least expected then to happen to him.
But it happened. And as we watched in shock the TV footages of a man in white being loaded into a van on the tarmac, we wondered silently if at all, his death would mean the start of a bloody civil war to oust then President Ferdinand Marcos.
Of course, the rest is history. There was no civil war, but instead, we had a bloodless People Power revolution that eventually forced Marcos to abandon Malacanang. Ninoy’s death has proved to be the single most important event that pushed the whole Filipino nation to rise and demand for political change.
As a student then, we remember that 1983 was the 11th year of Martial Law. (Marcos announced the “lifting” of Martial Law in 1981 but nobody believed him.) It was also the 2nd year of his “New Republic” which was as oppressive as ever. At that time, warrantless arrests were still being done on leaders of student, peasant, professional and labor groups and there were countless cases of so-called “involuntary disappearances” all over the country.
In Pangasinan then, the initial reaction on Ninoy’s death was silent grief. We thought this was but natural, considering that a good number of Marcos’ cabinet members and known loyal political leaders were from this province.
But in a matter of days, Pangasinenses, led by anti-Marcos activists and political figures organized and mobilized a mammoth protest march around the city. Students, professional, labor groups – everybody was there. There were yellow shirts and yellow ribbons and there were even floats depicting the martyrdom of Ninoy.
We all know, of course, that it still took three years after the death of Ninoy before Marcos was finally toppled. Between 1983 and 1986, many freedom loving Pangasinenses still lost their lives in the continuing struggle. Some were even arrested and jailed.
For instance, there was heavy militarization in western Pangasinan at that time. Many farmer leaders were killed in supposed encounters and were later tagged as members of the New People’s Army.
In Dagupan City, seven persons were arrested and after one week of disappearance, the government announced their capture and they were tagged as “high ranking” members of the Communist Party of the Philippines. They were eventually known then as Pangasinan 7.
The seven were my friends. In fact, I still see three of them today. Tia Adeling, who was 54 years old during her arrest, is now into a small sari-sari store business in Barangay Pugaro. She would come to my office every now and then. The other one is JV, who is now employed at the city hall. Then, of course, I still see Mike, who is into agricultural supply business and bonsai growing.
There were also two other friends who were “desaparecidos.” Vic Labasbas was picked up shortly after he emerged out of the Jade Theatre building along AB Fernandez Ave. one afternoon. It was in one room of that building then where the office of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan was located. There was Larry Ines, a student leader of the Luzon Colleges, who was arrested inside a Pantranco bus, while he was on his way home to Bayambang.
Nobody heard of the two since then. Their families did not even see their remains.
We remember these friends as we remember Ninoy because they, too, were part of the whole struggle for freedom. Like Ninoy, they, too, gave their lives. And there are many more nameless and faceless individuals all over the country who fought fiercely against the enemies of freedom.
*****
As we write, we are hearing over the radio that four police chiefs have been relieved by Supt. Mario San Diego for their zero accomplishment in the campaign against illegal drugs. We are also hearing Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino heaping praises on San Diego’s move.
We are apprehensive about this development, especially if San Diego is adopting this as a policy. We agree that kicking the butts of the police to run after drug pushers and users would significantly deny big time drug traffickers of their market and thus, minimize, if not completely eliminate drug abuse in the province.
But what we are worried about is when the police will just collar anybody on the street and “plant” illegal drugs on the poor guy, just for them to have an accomplishment. This policy may also be used by policemen against their personal enemies or the political enemies of their political lords.
While we do not totally disagree to San Diego’s strategy, we suggest that safety valves should be put in place to protect the innocent and punish the real culprits. The strategy should be made to work effectively but not at the expense of innocent people.
There should be harsh punishment against those who will fabricate their accomplishments and those who victimized innocent people.
ENDNOTES: For the past week, Windows temporarily closed because of some pressing commitments. I would like to sincerely thank all those who called me to express their concern. There were simply circumstances beyond my control during the past few days that did not give me the luxury of time to write. Anyway, in the future, I would already know what to do, so that this column will always be here and will not leave our dear readers wondering what happened to us.
QUOTE: Becoming a star may not be in your destiny, but being the best that you can be is a goal you can set for yourselves. -- Bryan Lindsay
But it happened. And as we watched in shock the TV footages of a man in white being loaded into a van on the tarmac, we wondered silently if at all, his death would mean the start of a bloody civil war to oust then President Ferdinand Marcos.
Of course, the rest is history. There was no civil war, but instead, we had a bloodless People Power revolution that eventually forced Marcos to abandon Malacanang. Ninoy’s death has proved to be the single most important event that pushed the whole Filipino nation to rise and demand for political change.
As a student then, we remember that 1983 was the 11th year of Martial Law. (Marcos announced the “lifting” of Martial Law in 1981 but nobody believed him.) It was also the 2nd year of his “New Republic” which was as oppressive as ever. At that time, warrantless arrests were still being done on leaders of student, peasant, professional and labor groups and there were countless cases of so-called “involuntary disappearances” all over the country.
In Pangasinan then, the initial reaction on Ninoy’s death was silent grief. We thought this was but natural, considering that a good number of Marcos’ cabinet members and known loyal political leaders were from this province.
But in a matter of days, Pangasinenses, led by anti-Marcos activists and political figures organized and mobilized a mammoth protest march around the city. Students, professional, labor groups – everybody was there. There were yellow shirts and yellow ribbons and there were even floats depicting the martyrdom of Ninoy.
We all know, of course, that it still took three years after the death of Ninoy before Marcos was finally toppled. Between 1983 and 1986, many freedom loving Pangasinenses still lost their lives in the continuing struggle. Some were even arrested and jailed.
For instance, there was heavy militarization in western Pangasinan at that time. Many farmer leaders were killed in supposed encounters and were later tagged as members of the New People’s Army.
In Dagupan City, seven persons were arrested and after one week of disappearance, the government announced their capture and they were tagged as “high ranking” members of the Communist Party of the Philippines. They were eventually known then as Pangasinan 7.
The seven were my friends. In fact, I still see three of them today. Tia Adeling, who was 54 years old during her arrest, is now into a small sari-sari store business in Barangay Pugaro. She would come to my office every now and then. The other one is JV, who is now employed at the city hall. Then, of course, I still see Mike, who is into agricultural supply business and bonsai growing.
There were also two other friends who were “desaparecidos.” Vic Labasbas was picked up shortly after he emerged out of the Jade Theatre building along AB Fernandez Ave. one afternoon. It was in one room of that building then where the office of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan was located. There was Larry Ines, a student leader of the Luzon Colleges, who was arrested inside a Pantranco bus, while he was on his way home to Bayambang.
Nobody heard of the two since then. Their families did not even see their remains.
We remember these friends as we remember Ninoy because they, too, were part of the whole struggle for freedom. Like Ninoy, they, too, gave their lives. And there are many more nameless and faceless individuals all over the country who fought fiercely against the enemies of freedom.
*****
As we write, we are hearing over the radio that four police chiefs have been relieved by Supt. Mario San Diego for their zero accomplishment in the campaign against illegal drugs. We are also hearing Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino heaping praises on San Diego’s move.
We are apprehensive about this development, especially if San Diego is adopting this as a policy. We agree that kicking the butts of the police to run after drug pushers and users would significantly deny big time drug traffickers of their market and thus, minimize, if not completely eliminate drug abuse in the province.
But what we are worried about is when the police will just collar anybody on the street and “plant” illegal drugs on the poor guy, just for them to have an accomplishment. This policy may also be used by policemen against their personal enemies or the political enemies of their political lords.
While we do not totally disagree to San Diego’s strategy, we suggest that safety valves should be put in place to protect the innocent and punish the real culprits. The strategy should be made to work effectively but not at the expense of innocent people.
There should be harsh punishment against those who will fabricate their accomplishments and those who victimized innocent people.
ENDNOTES: For the past week, Windows temporarily closed because of some pressing commitments. I would like to sincerely thank all those who called me to express their concern. There were simply circumstances beyond my control during the past few days that did not give me the luxury of time to write. Anyway, in the future, I would already know what to do, so that this column will always be here and will not leave our dear readers wondering what happened to us.
QUOTE: Becoming a star may not be in your destiny, but being the best that you can be is a goal you can set for yourselves. -- Bryan Lindsay
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
The night I almost died
Last Saturday night, I had the scare of my life. While driving from Manila on the stretch of the national highway in Barangay Bacag in Villasis town, the owner-type jeep I was following sideswiped a tricycle on the left side of the road after the tricycle attempted to overtake a vehicle in front of it.
On impact, the tricycle tumbled and rolled. Seeing the collision and hearing the crashing sound of steel, I instinctively swerved to the road shoulder and reduced my speed. But in the process, the tumbling tricycle still hit my van, just behind the driver’s seat and crushed its sliding glass windows.
I was shaking when I realized we were hit and I could only think of my two boys, who had hitchhiked for a sight-seeing trip to Manila. But as it turned out, both of them were alright.
I thought I was even seeing things as I tried to evade the collision. What appeared in front of me was a flying tire, probably the spare tire of the owner-type jeep, and I had braced myself for its impact on the van’s windshield. Fortunately, it hit the ground quickly, just a few inches away from us.
At the Villasis Police Station later that night, I learned that the owner-type jeep I was following lost control on impact and crashed into a bus following the tricycle. The jeep driver and his baby son, died. The tricycle driver died, too.
I have not actually recovered yet from that frightening experience. Everytime it comes to mind, I shudder. And I can only thank God that we were spared.
*****
On our way home from the grocery store one weekend, I was surprised to hear my three-year-old daughter singing what sounded like a Chinese song.
I knew she understood not even one word of what she was singing but she was enjoying it anyway and she was singing it with feeling.
It was then that I learned that she has been watching a Taiwanese soap opera, which to my surprise, has been aired on television for many months now. I also found out that even her older siblings have been “addicted” to that show that they have never missed a single episode of it.
As a child, I watched cartoons and Batibot, an educational TV show that eventually stopped airing for lack of funding. There was also Sesame Street, but the Tagalog-speaking puppets appealed to me more than Big Bird and Ernie.
For a while, I thought my younger children were hooked on Barney and my teenagers, on MTV. Now, they have all seemed to have “graduated” from these shows and prefer instead to watch these Taiwanese soap operas, just like everybody else in the whole country.
Maybe, it is the soundtrack of these shows. Or maybe, the story. I remember that in the mid-1970’s, a Japanese cartoon, Voltes V, was a big hit that then President Marcos had to prohibit its airing apparently because the show had adverse influence on children.
The cartoon’s Japanese soundtrack, however, eventually became a big hit, making it as No. 1 song for many weeks in the American Top 40 charts at that time.
Perhaps, there is really something in us Filipinos that easily makes us attracted to foreign soap operas, cartoons and movies. (Remember Marimar? It was a Mexican tele-novela that everyone loved to watch.)
But whatever this something is, I do not know. Maybe, it is an effect of our 300 years of Spanish domination. Or a product of American influence on our country.
Honestly, I really do not know.
ENDNOTES:
QUOTE: "If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."-- Vincent Van Gogh
On impact, the tricycle tumbled and rolled. Seeing the collision and hearing the crashing sound of steel, I instinctively swerved to the road shoulder and reduced my speed. But in the process, the tumbling tricycle still hit my van, just behind the driver’s seat and crushed its sliding glass windows.
I was shaking when I realized we were hit and I could only think of my two boys, who had hitchhiked for a sight-seeing trip to Manila. But as it turned out, both of them were alright.
I thought I was even seeing things as I tried to evade the collision. What appeared in front of me was a flying tire, probably the spare tire of the owner-type jeep, and I had braced myself for its impact on the van’s windshield. Fortunately, it hit the ground quickly, just a few inches away from us.
At the Villasis Police Station later that night, I learned that the owner-type jeep I was following lost control on impact and crashed into a bus following the tricycle. The jeep driver and his baby son, died. The tricycle driver died, too.
I have not actually recovered yet from that frightening experience. Everytime it comes to mind, I shudder. And I can only thank God that we were spared.
*****
On our way home from the grocery store one weekend, I was surprised to hear my three-year-old daughter singing what sounded like a Chinese song.
I knew she understood not even one word of what she was singing but she was enjoying it anyway and she was singing it with feeling.
It was then that I learned that she has been watching a Taiwanese soap opera, which to my surprise, has been aired on television for many months now. I also found out that even her older siblings have been “addicted” to that show that they have never missed a single episode of it.
As a child, I watched cartoons and Batibot, an educational TV show that eventually stopped airing for lack of funding. There was also Sesame Street, but the Tagalog-speaking puppets appealed to me more than Big Bird and Ernie.
For a while, I thought my younger children were hooked on Barney and my teenagers, on MTV. Now, they have all seemed to have “graduated” from these shows and prefer instead to watch these Taiwanese soap operas, just like everybody else in the whole country.
Maybe, it is the soundtrack of these shows. Or maybe, the story. I remember that in the mid-1970’s, a Japanese cartoon, Voltes V, was a big hit that then President Marcos had to prohibit its airing apparently because the show had adverse influence on children.
The cartoon’s Japanese soundtrack, however, eventually became a big hit, making it as No. 1 song for many weeks in the American Top 40 charts at that time.
Perhaps, there is really something in us Filipinos that easily makes us attracted to foreign soap operas, cartoons and movies. (Remember Marimar? It was a Mexican tele-novela that everyone loved to watch.)
But whatever this something is, I do not know. Maybe, it is an effect of our 300 years of Spanish domination. Or a product of American influence on our country.
Honestly, I really do not know.
ENDNOTES:
QUOTE: "If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."-- Vincent Van Gogh
Friday, August 08, 2003
Nature’s wrath
As we write this column, it has been raining for three straight days in Pangasinan and several residents from low-lying areas in the province have already complained of flash floods.
In nearby Calasiao town, for instance, a river has already overflowed and submerged parts of barangays Lasip and Talibaew.
Frankly, we are no longer surprised by these reports and we should not blame nature for unleashing its wrath on us. We only have ourselves to blame.
Consider this: There is not much left of our forest covers, especially on the mountain ranges surrounding Pangasinan, and illegal and legal logging operations continue to denude our remaining forests. As a result, our river systems, our first line of defense from floods, are now heavily silted because of soil erosion. Add to this the tailings from the open pit mines in the Cordilleras.
In town and urban centers, the natural channels of floodwaters have been closed or blocked, intentionally or unintentionally, as commercial buildings and subdivisions are built. And as more houses rise in a locality due to increasing population, the water outlets vanish.
Our best example here would be Urdaneta City. This year, it experienced the worst flood ever. Everybody was surprised that the floodwaters rose rapidly, not giving enough time to many residents to leave their homes and evacuate. Is this the price of development?
What scares us is that the national government is very much aware of this problem. Yet, it does little or nothing at all to solve this. Or has the problem come to a point where it is already irreversible? In Metro Manila, for instance, no matter how the authorities have cleared the esteros and waterways of garbage and squatters, the flooding problem is still the same.
The effort to prevent the flooding in Pangasinan from getting worse is a serious problem that needs a more intensive planning. It is not just tree planting now. Or dredging. Or building of more dikes.
It should be a community working closely together, fully aware that it has to fight for its survival.
*****
The swift and decisive action of Calasiao Mayor Roy Macanlalay to close down all eateries fronting the Calasiao Comprehensive National High School saved thousands of students from the dreaded typhoid fever. He has proved to be a good crisis manager.
There are now more than 40 students downed by the disease, which was initially thought of to be dengue fever, when it first manifested last week. This was the reason CCNHS principal Lourdes Servito immediately ordered all students to wear long pants to avoid being bitten by dengue mosquitoes.
But after the school premises were fumigated, it was found that an eatery outside the school has been serving contaminated drinking water.
I am sure that this incident has become a valuable learning experience for the municipal government of Calasiao, especially in liberally allowing food vendors to sell their products without the necessary clearance from the Bureau of Food and Drugs or from the local Municipal Health Office.
Knowing Mayor Roy, I am sure that he has tasked the MHO to draw up guidelines that would govern small kakanin and palamig vendors in selling their products to ensure the safety of consumers, especially students.
Mayor Roy should also include an accreditation process for all vendors and a regular seminar on food handling. It is very important for the municipal government to know who are selling just as it is important for these vendors to be educated on food handling.
ENDNOTES: Urdaneta City, under the leadership of Mayor Amadito Perez, recently placed 2nd in the League of Cities of the Philippines’ 2nd Best Practices Award for its “Tulungan sa Purok” Program, a pro-poor project of the city government. Dagupan City was 7th in the same competition for its “Bangus Festival”…
QUOTE: My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors. -- Maya Angelou
In nearby Calasiao town, for instance, a river has already overflowed and submerged parts of barangays Lasip and Talibaew.
Frankly, we are no longer surprised by these reports and we should not blame nature for unleashing its wrath on us. We only have ourselves to blame.
Consider this: There is not much left of our forest covers, especially on the mountain ranges surrounding Pangasinan, and illegal and legal logging operations continue to denude our remaining forests. As a result, our river systems, our first line of defense from floods, are now heavily silted because of soil erosion. Add to this the tailings from the open pit mines in the Cordilleras.
In town and urban centers, the natural channels of floodwaters have been closed or blocked, intentionally or unintentionally, as commercial buildings and subdivisions are built. And as more houses rise in a locality due to increasing population, the water outlets vanish.
Our best example here would be Urdaneta City. This year, it experienced the worst flood ever. Everybody was surprised that the floodwaters rose rapidly, not giving enough time to many residents to leave their homes and evacuate. Is this the price of development?
What scares us is that the national government is very much aware of this problem. Yet, it does little or nothing at all to solve this. Or has the problem come to a point where it is already irreversible? In Metro Manila, for instance, no matter how the authorities have cleared the esteros and waterways of garbage and squatters, the flooding problem is still the same.
The effort to prevent the flooding in Pangasinan from getting worse is a serious problem that needs a more intensive planning. It is not just tree planting now. Or dredging. Or building of more dikes.
It should be a community working closely together, fully aware that it has to fight for its survival.
*****
The swift and decisive action of Calasiao Mayor Roy Macanlalay to close down all eateries fronting the Calasiao Comprehensive National High School saved thousands of students from the dreaded typhoid fever. He has proved to be a good crisis manager.
There are now more than 40 students downed by the disease, which was initially thought of to be dengue fever, when it first manifested last week. This was the reason CCNHS principal Lourdes Servito immediately ordered all students to wear long pants to avoid being bitten by dengue mosquitoes.
But after the school premises were fumigated, it was found that an eatery outside the school has been serving contaminated drinking water.
I am sure that this incident has become a valuable learning experience for the municipal government of Calasiao, especially in liberally allowing food vendors to sell their products without the necessary clearance from the Bureau of Food and Drugs or from the local Municipal Health Office.
Knowing Mayor Roy, I am sure that he has tasked the MHO to draw up guidelines that would govern small kakanin and palamig vendors in selling their products to ensure the safety of consumers, especially students.
Mayor Roy should also include an accreditation process for all vendors and a regular seminar on food handling. It is very important for the municipal government to know who are selling just as it is important for these vendors to be educated on food handling.
ENDNOTES: Urdaneta City, under the leadership of Mayor Amadito Perez, recently placed 2nd in the League of Cities of the Philippines’ 2nd Best Practices Award for its “Tulungan sa Purok” Program, a pro-poor project of the city government. Dagupan City was 7th in the same competition for its “Bangus Festival”…
QUOTE: My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors. -- Maya Angelou
Sunday, August 03, 2003
Earning a degree without really finishing college
Barely three and a half months as director of the Region 1 Medical Center, Dr. Jess Canto has already done so much to improve the services of that government hospital.
True to what he had been all along telling us before his assumption, Dr. Canto transformed the R1MC into a people-friendly hospital, in glaring contrast to what it was before, when hospital personnel did not seem to have any sense of urgency and concern to sick people being brought there for treatment.
To describe the hospital’s patients then, our favorite line came from the song Mona Lisa: “they just lie there, and they die there.”
Yesterday, when we went to the hospital to see a friend, I was surprised to see a medical complex that now exudes a different aura. Every medical worker seemed to be on the move and you can feel a friendlier atmosphere than it was last year.
What surprised me more was when I saw Dr. Canto himself posing as a patient in that early morning, for him to personally see if his personnel were polite in receiving patients. (It must have been only about 7 a.m.) He was also there to find out if the “fast lane” he has established for senior citizens is serving its purpose.
My friend told me that Dr. Canto actually makes his presence very much felt in the hospital, making everyone up and about. And for having restored the hazard pay for all hospital workers, he continues to inspire everyone.
I remember him telling me during one of the early morning talks we had at Dagupeña that given the chance to head the R1MC, he will give himself totally to it, just to give the people the best medical service that they deserve.
“You know, with all the blessings that God has given me, it’s now time for me to pay Him back by unselfishly helping the less fortunate among our people,” Dr. Canto said.
*****
I have been privileged to be part of what looked liked a press conference to announce that the University of Pangasinan is conferring a Mass Communication degree to Danny Maramba, without really finishing college, but on the basis of his experience as media practitioner.
We were there – veteran journalists Jun Velasco and Ding Micua -- as assessors and members of the panel of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (Eteeap), an educational assessment scheme embodied in Executive Order No. 330 of then President Fidel Ramos on May 13, 1996.
Honestly, I have not heard of that program until I was invited last year to sit as a “faculty expert” in the panel at UPang, which is among the higher education institutions in the country deputized by the Commission on Higher Education as Center of Excellence and is, therefore, authorized to implement the Eteeap.
On that appointed day, the three of us, along with Mass Comm faculty member Anabelle Sim and UPang Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ofelia Rayos, convened at the Graduate School conference room to be face-to-face with Danny. We would learn later that it was the first time that a media practitioner was being assessed under the Eteeap, although Dr. Rayos said that the program has produced several nurses and other professionals in other fields.
It was the first time I met Danny. Manong Ding, however, seemed to know him very well and was very familiar with Danny’s work, as both of them were under the defunct Department of Public Information, although they did not really work together under one office. Manong Jun, who came in later with Sunday Punch editor Gerry Garcia in tow, had nothing but praises for Danny, who was his buddy when they were both young reporters.
Danny, of course, is a full-blooded Dagupeño.
With Danny’s vast and rich experience in media and public relations work, I could not agree less with the others in the panel that he should be conferred the degree, without any other additional academic requirements, such as taking up additional subjects or doing a paper. To me, Danny’s achievements are exceptional that not even a Ph.D. graduate in his field could have equaled his feat.
Congratulations, Danny.
ENDNOTES: On Tuesday, Sophos, the largest computer anti-virus vendor in Europe, will announce the appointment of Bitstop Computers as its partner in Northern Luzon during a press conference at Baguio Country Club in Baguio City. Bitstop president Wilson Chua, Pangasinan’s pioneer in computer technology, proudly shared to us this development.
QUOTE: Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them. – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
True to what he had been all along telling us before his assumption, Dr. Canto transformed the R1MC into a people-friendly hospital, in glaring contrast to what it was before, when hospital personnel did not seem to have any sense of urgency and concern to sick people being brought there for treatment.
To describe the hospital’s patients then, our favorite line came from the song Mona Lisa: “they just lie there, and they die there.”
Yesterday, when we went to the hospital to see a friend, I was surprised to see a medical complex that now exudes a different aura. Every medical worker seemed to be on the move and you can feel a friendlier atmosphere than it was last year.
What surprised me more was when I saw Dr. Canto himself posing as a patient in that early morning, for him to personally see if his personnel were polite in receiving patients. (It must have been only about 7 a.m.) He was also there to find out if the “fast lane” he has established for senior citizens is serving its purpose.
My friend told me that Dr. Canto actually makes his presence very much felt in the hospital, making everyone up and about. And for having restored the hazard pay for all hospital workers, he continues to inspire everyone.
I remember him telling me during one of the early morning talks we had at Dagupeña that given the chance to head the R1MC, he will give himself totally to it, just to give the people the best medical service that they deserve.
“You know, with all the blessings that God has given me, it’s now time for me to pay Him back by unselfishly helping the less fortunate among our people,” Dr. Canto said.
*****
I have been privileged to be part of what looked liked a press conference to announce that the University of Pangasinan is conferring a Mass Communication degree to Danny Maramba, without really finishing college, but on the basis of his experience as media practitioner.
We were there – veteran journalists Jun Velasco and Ding Micua -- as assessors and members of the panel of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (Eteeap), an educational assessment scheme embodied in Executive Order No. 330 of then President Fidel Ramos on May 13, 1996.
Honestly, I have not heard of that program until I was invited last year to sit as a “faculty expert” in the panel at UPang, which is among the higher education institutions in the country deputized by the Commission on Higher Education as Center of Excellence and is, therefore, authorized to implement the Eteeap.
On that appointed day, the three of us, along with Mass Comm faculty member Anabelle Sim and UPang Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ofelia Rayos, convened at the Graduate School conference room to be face-to-face with Danny. We would learn later that it was the first time that a media practitioner was being assessed under the Eteeap, although Dr. Rayos said that the program has produced several nurses and other professionals in other fields.
It was the first time I met Danny. Manong Ding, however, seemed to know him very well and was very familiar with Danny’s work, as both of them were under the defunct Department of Public Information, although they did not really work together under one office. Manong Jun, who came in later with Sunday Punch editor Gerry Garcia in tow, had nothing but praises for Danny, who was his buddy when they were both young reporters.
Danny, of course, is a full-blooded Dagupeño.
With Danny’s vast and rich experience in media and public relations work, I could not agree less with the others in the panel that he should be conferred the degree, without any other additional academic requirements, such as taking up additional subjects or doing a paper. To me, Danny’s achievements are exceptional that not even a Ph.D. graduate in his field could have equaled his feat.
Congratulations, Danny.
ENDNOTES: On Tuesday, Sophos, the largest computer anti-virus vendor in Europe, will announce the appointment of Bitstop Computers as its partner in Northern Luzon during a press conference at Baguio Country Club in Baguio City. Bitstop president Wilson Chua, Pangasinan’s pioneer in computer technology, proudly shared to us this development.
QUOTE: Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them. – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Friday, August 01, 2003
Swift justice
Last Tuesday morning, I received an e-mail from a friend entitled, “Liham kay Lt. SG Antonio Trillanes IV.” Trillanes, as you all know, was one of the leaders of the failed military rebellion in Makati last Sunday.
The letter, written in Filipino and circulated in the e-mail a day after the failed coup, used a language of a colegiala. But on the whole, it was an expression of disgust on the futility of introducing meaningful reforms in the government.
Here is an excerpt from the letter:
”Mahal kong Lt. SG Antonio Trillanes IV,
“Magandang umaga. Nawa'y maigi ang iyong kalagayan d'yan sa stockade. Magpahinga ka muna bago ka humarap sa court martial. Hindi bale nang litisin ka, nakapag-stay sa naman sa Oakwood, samantalang kami, pinaasa mong walang pasok ngayon. KJ ka talaga.”Sinulat ko ang liham na ito para puriin ka sa iyong kagitingan na ipaalam sa buong sambayanang Pilipino ang kabulukang nangyayari sa ating gobyerno. Mabuhay ka.”Ang problema nga lang, alam na namin lahat iyon, Kapitan Trillanes.”Hindi na ninyo kailangan pang magtanim ng bomba at magpapogi sa inyong mga fatigues para lang ipaalam sa buong madla na may mga katiwalian sa gobyerno.”Hindi tuloy ako nakapanood ng Terminator 3, eh, malapit nang mawala sa sine 'yon. Okay sana kung nagbakbakan kayo ng mga sundalo ng gobyerno. Mala-The Rock saka Die Hard sana ang nangyari. Kaso, nagsisisigaw lamang kayo sa lobby ng Oakwood. Para ano pa ang inyong mga armband?”Sabagay pwede na kayong magtayo ng boutique na ang brand name ay Magdalo. Pwede kayong magtinda ng mga armbands, fatigue-inspired pants, caps at shades. Ipwesto nyo dyan sa Oakwood para strategic ang location at may sentimental value pa. Bebenta kayo, promise.”Sa launch ng inyong boutique, pwede kayong maglagay ng mga bomba sa parking lot tapos magpaparty kayo doon. Masaya di ba?”
*****
To date, five persons have been found to be victims of “salvaging” or summary execution in the city. Based on police files, these persons are supposed to be drug pushers, thieves, snatchers and “perpetrators of other crimes.”
Who could have done these killings? Is there a vigilante group in Dagupan City? These are the questions that everybody, including the police, wants to be answered.
Nobody has so far owned the killings. From what we have seen in the past, if a vigilante group did it, they would immediately issue a press statement or they will leave a “signature” on their victims. The same is true with the New People’s Army.
I just hope that this situation does not go out of hand. Supt. Noli Talino should get to the bottom of this to stop these killings. We should not condone people who are putting the law in their hands. Even is the victims are criminals and we want swift justice, killing them does not justify it.
What we are afraid of, really, is when this unknown liquidation squad grows into a monster and begins executing even innocent people.
ENDNOTES: Two weeks after typhoon Harurot dumped heavy rains in Dagupan City and flooded its low-lying areas, floodwaters have not left a stretch of the road in Barangay Tapuac, to the inconvenience of students, employees and everyday commuters. What’s wrong here? … Local Government Secretary Joey Lina was in Lingayen last Wednesday to induct into office barangays tanods from all over the province. Let’s see how he can convert it into votes when he runs for senator next year.
QUOTE: To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor. -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
The letter, written in Filipino and circulated in the e-mail a day after the failed coup, used a language of a colegiala. But on the whole, it was an expression of disgust on the futility of introducing meaningful reforms in the government.
Here is an excerpt from the letter:
”Mahal kong Lt. SG Antonio Trillanes IV,
“Magandang umaga. Nawa'y maigi ang iyong kalagayan d'yan sa stockade. Magpahinga ka muna bago ka humarap sa court martial. Hindi bale nang litisin ka, nakapag-stay sa naman sa Oakwood, samantalang kami, pinaasa mong walang pasok ngayon. KJ ka talaga.”Sinulat ko ang liham na ito para puriin ka sa iyong kagitingan na ipaalam sa buong sambayanang Pilipino ang kabulukang nangyayari sa ating gobyerno. Mabuhay ka.”Ang problema nga lang, alam na namin lahat iyon, Kapitan Trillanes.”Hindi na ninyo kailangan pang magtanim ng bomba at magpapogi sa inyong mga fatigues para lang ipaalam sa buong madla na may mga katiwalian sa gobyerno.”Hindi tuloy ako nakapanood ng Terminator 3, eh, malapit nang mawala sa sine 'yon. Okay sana kung nagbakbakan kayo ng mga sundalo ng gobyerno. Mala-The Rock saka Die Hard sana ang nangyari. Kaso, nagsisisigaw lamang kayo sa lobby ng Oakwood. Para ano pa ang inyong mga armband?”Sabagay pwede na kayong magtayo ng boutique na ang brand name ay Magdalo. Pwede kayong magtinda ng mga armbands, fatigue-inspired pants, caps at shades. Ipwesto nyo dyan sa Oakwood para strategic ang location at may sentimental value pa. Bebenta kayo, promise.”Sa launch ng inyong boutique, pwede kayong maglagay ng mga bomba sa parking lot tapos magpaparty kayo doon. Masaya di ba?”
*****
To date, five persons have been found to be victims of “salvaging” or summary execution in the city. Based on police files, these persons are supposed to be drug pushers, thieves, snatchers and “perpetrators of other crimes.”
Who could have done these killings? Is there a vigilante group in Dagupan City? These are the questions that everybody, including the police, wants to be answered.
Nobody has so far owned the killings. From what we have seen in the past, if a vigilante group did it, they would immediately issue a press statement or they will leave a “signature” on their victims. The same is true with the New People’s Army.
I just hope that this situation does not go out of hand. Supt. Noli Talino should get to the bottom of this to stop these killings. We should not condone people who are putting the law in their hands. Even is the victims are criminals and we want swift justice, killing them does not justify it.
What we are afraid of, really, is when this unknown liquidation squad grows into a monster and begins executing even innocent people.
ENDNOTES: Two weeks after typhoon Harurot dumped heavy rains in Dagupan City and flooded its low-lying areas, floodwaters have not left a stretch of the road in Barangay Tapuac, to the inconvenience of students, employees and everyday commuters. What’s wrong here? … Local Government Secretary Joey Lina was in Lingayen last Wednesday to induct into office barangays tanods from all over the province. Let’s see how he can convert it into votes when he runs for senator next year.
QUOTE: To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor. -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
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