He is an internationally recognized culinary wizard and at 33 years old, this chef may have a long way to go of his dream of building his own baking school and rising to the ranks of culinary masters and actually becoming an Executive Pastry Chef, and, later on as a Group Pastry Chef. However, it is very clear that he already has gone a long way since his days in Mibang, Sta. Filomena where he created the first ever fondant wedding cake in the city.

He was here in Dipolog, specifically in the DMC College Foundation just last January 15 of this year, to talk to DMC students about his pastry and other delicacies.

Here’s a peek at his illustrious resume.

He is the present Chef Patissier of Oceania in Middle East & Asia as well as the Pastry Chef of the world-renowned Kuredu Island Resort and Spa in Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives. This after a stint as the Head Pastry Chef of The Westin Beijing Chaoyang in Beijing, China from April of 2008 to February of 2009; as the Pastry Chef of the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Nadi, Fiji Islands, from August of 2006 to March of 2008; as the Demi Chef de partie of Burj Al Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from June 2005 to July 2006; as the Commis de Cuisine-Pastry of the Hyatt Manila Hotel and Casino in Manila last July of 2004; as the Pastry Chef & Owner of the Nouel’s Kitchen Gourmet Shop; as the Culinary & Pastry Arts Instructor of the Philippine Women’s University in Cagayan de Oro from March of 2003 to April of 2004; as the R&D Chef of Jonie’s Flavored Chicken in Mandaue from October 2002 to February 2003, and the list goes on and on.

Among his educational and training highlights include culinary schooling in prestigious institutions like the Lenotre-Paris in Sydney and the French Culinary Institute in New York.

This proud Dipolognon. This proud son of Virgilio and Gabina Gracia Omamalin. This proud brother of Amber, Joyce, Noah, Joas and Jay. This proud man is Nouel C. Omamalin.

Young Nouel was a young lad in Mibang when he discovered his passion for cooking. “In my teens. Mother kept bringing home recipe books and I always read them cover to cover. I was fascinated by the science of it so I started putting on the apron and began my baking spree,” Nouel said.

Inspired by his family and his own passion for cooking, Nouel was further drawn into the culinary world with his constant watching of cooking shows in television. “As far as I can remember, it was the Lifestyle channel chefs and baking authorities in the advent of the 90s. I did not have a specific favorite although I can remember the face of Jacque Torres – the master chocolatier.”

From there, Nouel began working as a “kitchen hand” with the family-owned restaurant and bakeshop at the young age of 18. “I believe it is both nature and nurture. Our family critically values food, always excited about what’s in it and if it deserves a thumbs up. We also grew up exposed to a variety of delicious home cooked dishes my mother prepares especially on special occasions. In fact, she owned a restaurant when I was still very young. But among all the siblings, I was the keenest when it comes to cooking, baking and creating recipes from nothing. It was a calling to be a chef,” he related.

After graduating in UP Diliman with the course of Hospitality Management, Nouel assumed the family business for five years and would later on progress to become not just a chef, but a hospitality educator.

When asked about his biggest feat in the cooking industry thus far, this is what he had to say. “I think I have been to many exotic places – places that most mainstream chefs shun because of the difficulties and challenges - each of them posing a different level of adaptation or call it survival. To successfully complete a term is a success story in itself. Believe me, this profession is not all glory and glamour. It is very demanding and unforgiving. If you talk about achievements in my work, that would be being noticed overseas by contemporaries and in international publications like the Pastry & Baking North American/Asia Pacific wherein a feature story is due for release in their next issue. The photo shoot was done in Maldives and it was worth all the effort.”

However, his demanding work schedule have its drawback. “My biggest setback is the fact that I do not have the luxury of time to spend time outside of work with family and friends,” Nouel said.

Still, the sacrifice is worth it. He said that being complimented for a good tasting creation by people from all walks of life, even celebrities, is the ultimate high. “I have worked in prestigious hotels and we have always entertained celebrities, ultra rich people and political icons alike. The most intimate experience could be preparing edible amenities, breakfast and desserts for former President George Bush Sr. and his family when they were in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. President Bush thanked me personally for his breakfast and all the pain and sleepless nights I went through for several days paid off that day.”

In 10 or 20 years time, Nouel is hoping to be retired by then. “I always tell myself that I will retire early and build my own baking empire. Medium-term goals include internationally publishing a series of books, while becoming a food specialist/consultant for big food companies like Kraft and Hershey’s is part of my long-term goals.”

And after all the accolades and achievements, Nouel is still, and always will be, a Dipolognon by heart. And this certified international culinary master who consider anything that has to do with chocolate as his best delicacy and dessert will always come back home. “I always make it a point to go home every year to be fascinated by the growth of the local culinary scene. It is really a delight to see Dipolognons gradually embracing the idea of eating out and spending time out with friends or family over coffee and interesting sweet treats to nibble on the side. It would be a pleasure to showcase something as a way of giving back to a place where everything began.”

Finally, Nouel has this message to all budding culinary artists, to his fellow Dipolognons and to the DMC College Foundation community.

“I have to be very honest about this. Since I left the country, many schools have opened up specifically catering to culinary enthusiasts. It is a strong recognition that gastronomy is maturing in our country. However, let’s not be misled by the thought after completing school you are already capable to stand on your own and be the big chef. If your goal is to become an international chef working in hotels and resorts, there is a long, long road ahead of you. If your goal is to put up your own business then find that niche where you will excel in. To be successful in this field means you have to be tough physically, emotionally and mentally. I was not raised tough and strong. I am very pleasant and kind. However, I have to set a few things straight by being heartless, direct and loud. Otherwise, people will start walking on you especially when you deal with other nationalities. Up to now, I still couldn’t believe how I survived this long in this industry and working in tough places like Fiji, China and Jordan. Lastly, if cooking or baking is really your passion then go for it and aim for the stars. As they say, if you miss the stars at least you will land on the moon,” he said.
 

Dili na tiaw-tiaw ang sagonson nga paglabay ug bato sa panimalay ni mayoralty candidate Engr. Franklin “Akao” Lim human sa iyang pagdeklarar nga mosulod sa politika karong umalabot nga eleksiyon. Gawas sa iyang balay nga makaduha ka higayon nga gibato nga anaa mahimutang sa Central Barangay, dungan usab nga gibato ang iyang gasoline station sa may Rizal Avenue ning dakbayan sa Dipolog.g balay nga dungan gibato niadtong higayona.

Unang milugapak ang duha ka bato sa iyang balay niadtung Nobembre 23, gibanabana alas unsi sa gabii ug minuto lang ang gintang gisunod usab ug bato ang iyang gasoline station.

The Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry elected its new set of officers and directors for the term 2010-2011. Elected as new Chamber President is Michael M. Malacca, owner of Octave Music Lounge and a known civic leader.

Malacca was elected during the annual general membership assembly of Dipolog Chamber held January 15 at Hotel Camila I, Dipolog City. Also elected were Engr. Rolando Soliva (Chevy Centre), executive vice president; Atty. Paulino Gudmalin (Gudmalin Law Office), vice president-external; Joel Benavidez (PNB-Dipolog), vice president-internal; Elena T. Gamalinda (Gamalinda Funeral Homes), secretary; Bobbie Paye (First Valley Bank), treasurer; Ronnie L. Sarceno (Sarceno Accounting & Audit), accountant; Laxman Mansukhani (Metro Shoppers), board director; Rosa R. Lim (Tita Rosa Foods/Rural Bank of Roxas), board director.

In peace Mindanao denounces the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao as a ploy of the Arroyo administration to strengthen its hold to power.

Official pronouncement proposing an extension of Martial Law up to the May 2010 polls and expanding it to other areas, lend credence to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s toying with dictatorship as a means to stay in power.

The people have not demanded the imposition of Martial Law in order to attain justice for the victims of this gruesome massacre. We have demanded that government take extraordinary political will, not extraordinary military power, to go after the perpetrators of this crime.

The people have demanded that all levels of government, including President Arroyo as commander-in-chief, be made accountable for being accomplice, tolerant, or neglectful.

The Ampatuan Massacre has shown to the whole world that there is a culture of killings in the Philippines because the military and police establishment, including hawkish leaders of the civilian bureaucracy, are providing arms to political warlords and feeding their private armies. It has shown the broader picture that state security forces are maintaining death squads that victimize activists, ordinary civilians, and petty criminals. It is showing that US military aid and a big chunk of our national budget goes to a failed counterinsurgency program that produces militia monsters controlled by the military, police, and political allies.

At the very least, Congress should summon the military and PNP top brass, including National Defense secretary and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, as well as former National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, to explain the DND markings on seized firearms and ammunition from the Ampatuan militia.

The Arroyo government should likewise explain why it has failed to decisively dismantle the Ampatuan political machinery and militia base by arresting the suspected masterminds immediately after the crime. It had given the Ampatuans lead time to hide evidence and consolidate their moves.

Perhaps the hesitation was for a deal to allow their escape from criminal culpability. Legal experts have pointed out that once the case of rebellion against the Ampatuans is dismissed, so goes the subsumed murder case against them as well. The rebellion charges filed against the Ampatuans diminishes the barbarity of the massacre to a bailable political offense. The point is that the Arroyo government is doing a legal hocus-pocus that we see will eventually disentangle the Ampatuan warlords from this grievous crime.

We are outraged that another injustice is done by Arroyo to the victims’ families. We are outraged by her failure to give what is due and what is right. We are angered that justice is made more unattainable with Arroyo’s use of the Ampatuan Massacre as a launching pad for her selfish desire to stay in power. We are also aghast on how insensitive Arroyo is by using the gory images of the Ampatuan massacre to justify the imposition of Martial Law. It is an affront to the memory of the victims and their cry for true justice. (Mrs. Arroyo had no qualms showing those photos when, in fact, they show the ineptness of police forensic evidence gathering.)

As in the past, Martial Law will only spawn more human rights violations especially in the Bangsamoro areas and will not guarantee a decisive crackdown and eventual conviction of the masterminds of this grotesque and hideous mass murder.

NO TO MARTIAL LAW!

JUSTICE FOR ALL VICTIMS OF THE AMPATUAN MASSACRE! (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 54)

Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Leila de Lima, who attended the event, questioned the declaration. “Why the need to declare martial law to make the perpetrators answer to their crimes? Is martial law really needed to arrest the murderers?” de Lima said.

De Lima said the Ampatuan massacre and its effect “is an issue with profound repercussions on human rights, just as all other crises are about the prevalence of . . . erosion of human rights.

She said that two provinces, Maguindanao and Sulu are placed under Martial Law. “It might spread [all over the country],” she said.

De Lima supported the call of human rights advocates in the summit to pressure Congress to nullify the declaration.

Mr. Nick Taylor, Development Counsellor of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, attended the event and said he expects the international community to give their reaction on Malacañang’s declaration.

The human rights summit organized by the initiatives for Peace in Mindanao (In Peace) and the Ecumenical Bishops Forum Mindanao gathered church, lawyers, peace and human rights advocates, and people’s organizations to address the “culture of impunity” and growing human rights violations in Mindanao.

Extra-judicial killings in Mindanao totaled up to 250 and around 50 people were abducted since Arroyo assumed the presidency.

The summit convened Barug Katungod Mindanao to coordinate actions such as working with the CHR and international rights groups to address the violations. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 54)

 Notwithstanding the fact that DMC College Foundation is already recognized as one of the leading Information Technology institutions in the whole Region IX, the DMC College of Computer Studies (CCS), in its quest for even more IT knowledge, recently participated in the 3rd Pinoy Animation Festival dubbed as the “Animahenasyon 2009” at the Gateway Mall of Araneta Center in Manila.

The 3rd Pinoy Animation Festival is a flagship project of the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI). “The list of skills you can outsource now seem endless. Today, routine and ho-hum business processes are not the only things outsourced; you can now throw imagination and artistry in.  

Here in the Philippines, animation is a bustling sub sector of outsourcing. It is one among the five sub sectors that is heavily promoted by the Philippine government, the others being call centers, software development, medical transcription and BPO,” DMC CCS dean, Dr. Gerald T. Concha said.

There to witness local and international IT experts showcase their world-class animations with Dr. Concha was Philippine Society of IT Educators (PSITE) Region 9 President Jovanie Talaroc.

“This year, ACPI invited international speakers who are experts in animation and game development. The speakers shared to us their techniques on how to intensify animation-making in our country. The animation festival also features the different original Filipino animated projects featuring contributions from members of ACPI. I just realized that our animation here in DMC is not far behind when it comes to technology and I am positive that as a new member of ACPI, we will showcase next year the talents of our own animators in the 4th Pinoy Animation Festival,” PSITE President Talaroc said.

Among the highlights of the four-day gathering is the recognition and the giving of the Lifetime Achievement Award to the late great comics artist and cartoonist Jose Zabala Santos, who passed away on September 7,1985. Santos, popularly known as Mang Pepe, is the famous genius in humor and cartooning in the comics section of the Liwayway creating some of the most popular characters in the history of Philippine cartoons including Popoy and Lukas Malakas. Mang Pepe was also part of the creative team of the Halakhak Komiks. Moreover, he also created an animated cartoon about the folk-legend of Juan Tamad. These were the very first animated cartoons created by a Filipino artist.

During the recent Animahenasyon Festival, Mang Pepe’s works were exhibited for this generation’s artists and animation experts to appreciate and learn from. Also, the event included an animation master class and workshop.

This year’s event featured a global animation forum where delegates from the continents of North America, Latin America, Canada, Australia and the Asia-Pacific showcased the latest trends and best practices from their respective countries in the field of animation, game development and the digital creative industry in general.

ACPI is a non-stock and non-profit organization whose member companies are into 2D, Flash or 3D animation.

“Philippine animation studios have been subcontracted in many lucrative animation projects in the past for the likes of Hanna-Barbera, Marvel, Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, DreamWorks and even Walt Disney.   It is also a given fact that Filipino animators had a hand in many animation hit such as Hoodwinked, Finding Nemo, Adams Family, Buzz Lightyear, Timon and Pumbaa, Johnny Bravo, X-Men and so much more.   Through the help of our network in the Academe and Industry, we hope to produce great Filipino animators and digital artists in this side of the country. This summer selected faculty members will be sent to De La Salle University-Colege of Saint Benilde’s School of Design and Arts and Ateneo de Naga University for trainings in animation and digital arts,” Dr. Concha said. (The New Nandau, Vol. XIX No.24)

\ZAMBOANGA — The abductors of a 19-year-old grandson of a former politician kidnapped in southern Philippines more than three months ago has been taken to Basilan province, officials said.

Basilan Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakkalahul said he received a letter and photographs showing Donald John Capili being held captive in an area in Basilan.

Sakkalahul did not give specific identification of the kidnappers, except in saying they are lawless elements.

Capili, the grandson of former Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte mayor Bechu Uy, was seized by six gunmen last August 27 in the village of Baybay in Liloy municipality.

Capili was watching the family-owned gasoline station when seized by the gunmen believed to be members of a kidnapped-for-ransom group.

Sakkalahul did not disclose how the letter and Capili’s photographs were sent to him. He also did not reveal the content of the letter and its sender.

The Basilan official said he will discuss the letter’s content in a meeting of the Basilan Crisis Management Committee (CMC), which he heads.

The number of kidnapping hostages being held in Basilan has increased to four with Capili’s transfer to the province. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 54)

DMC College Foundation, in line with its advocacy to “Go Green” and put environmental consciousness at the top of its community extension priorities, recently participated in the worldwide simultaneous common call for action to put the world on a course to solve the climate crisis.

DMC students together with the school officials, faculty and staff were in the DMC open field to show their support to the 350 movement to showcase their solidarity with the citizens from all over the world whose very survival is threatened by the climate crisis. They formed the figure of 350 in the open field and beat drums all 350 times. The students and school officials then at once sang Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World” song to end the ceremony.

“This action is a precursor that DMC is going green and we “scream green”,  hence we put environmental integrity through environmental ethics as one  of our main agenda in the years to come,” DMC AVP for External Affairs Randy Iniego said.

The event is simultaneous with global day of rallies, marches and protests on Saturday in many cities worldwide. Moreover, communities of faith all over the globe rang church bells, beat drums, and blow horns last Sunday. The 350.org, the official website of the 350 movement, proclaimed that their focus for the weekend is on “coordinating candlelight vigils at iconic and strategic locations around the world, and vigils for Earth’s survival.”

“This is the school’s own way of helping spread the word that with global warming, the world is slowly, is gradually changing as we know it and threaten the lives of millions of people. This is our way, our own contribution to the global call for pressure on governments and our political leaders to adapt solutions that science and justice demand to save our planet,” DMC Student Affairs Coordinator Cherrie Rose Sagario said.

Here are some facts about the 350 movement against global warming.

What is the 350 movement? This movement is a community for inspiring the Earth’s conservation and stop global warming.

So, what is global warming and what's the problem anyway? An article published by CNN.com wrote that “the science is clear. Global warming is happening faster than ever and humans are responsible. Global warming is caused by releasing what are called greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The most common greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Many of the activities we do every day like turning the lights on, cooking of food, or heating or cooling our homes rely on energy sources like coal and oil that emit carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. This is a major problem because global warming destabilizes the delicate balance that makes life on this planet possible. But don't give up hope! You can help stop global warming by taking action here at 350.org.

What does this 350 number even mean? 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide—measured in "Parts Per Million" in our atmosphere. 350 PPM—it's the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. By now, the planet has 390 parts per million CO2 – and this number is rising by about 2 parts per million every year. Scientists are now saying that's too much – that number is higher than any time seen in the recorded history of our planet – and we're already beginning to see disastrous impacts on people and places all over the world. Glaciers everywhere are melting and disappearing fast—and they are a source of drinking water for hundreds of millions of people. Mosquitoes, who like a warmer world, are spreading into lots of new places, and bringing malaria and dengue fever with them. Drought is becoming much more common, making food harder to grow in many places. Sea levels have begun to rise, and scientists warn that they could go up as much as several meters this century. If that happens, many of the world's cities, island nations, and farmland will be underwater. The oceans are growing more acidic because of the CO2 they are absorbing, which makes it harder for animals like corals and clams to build and maintain their shells and skeletons. Coral reefs could start dissolving at an atmospheric CO2 concentration of 450-500 ppm.

If we are already past 350, are we all doomed? No. We're like the patient that goes to the doctor and learns he's overweight, or his cholesterol is too high. He doesn't die immediately—but until he changes his lifestyle and gets back down to the safe zone, he's at more risk for heart attack or stroke. The planet is in its danger zone because we've poured too much carbon into the atmosphere, and we're starting to see signs of real trouble: melting ice caps, rapidly spreading drought. We need to scramble back as quickly as we can to safety.

How do we create the political change to steer towards 350? We need an international agreement to reduce carbon emissions fast. The United Nations is working on a global climate treaty, which is supposed to be completed this December of 2009 at a conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. But the current plans for the treaty are much too weak to get us back to safety. This treaty needs to put a high enough price on carbon that we stop using so much. It also needs to ensure poor countries like the Philippines a fair chance to develop. This year, we can create a grassroots movement connected by the web and active all over the world.

An article published in CNN.com. wrote that the debate now turns from the question of "if global warming happens” to the more fitting questions such as "how fast", "what's the collateral damage" and "what we can do?"

Another article in the Internet disclosed that “accelerating arctic warming and other early climate impacts have led scientists to conclude that we are already above the safe zone at our current 390ppm, and that unless we are able to rapidly return to 350 ppm this century, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet. The Arctic is sending us perhaps the clearest message that climate change is occurring much more rapidly than scientists previously thought. In the summer of 2007, sea ice was roughly 39% below the summer average for 1979-2000, a loss of area equal to nearly five United Kingdoms. Many scientists now believe the Arctic will be completely ice free in the summertime between 2011 and 2015, some 80 years ahead of what scientists had predicted just a few years ago.”

For Immediate Release: December 9, 2009
Contact: Jason Baker 0919-531-8314 (cell); JasonB@PETAAsiaPacific.com
Ashley Fruno 817-5292; AshleyF@PETAAsiaPacific.com

 Manila — For her role in raising awareness of the abuse and exploitation of animals, supermodel and longtime vegetarian Isabel Roces has been named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia's Person of the Year. Roces, who has graced the pages of numerous fashion magazines—including Marie Claire, Women's Health, UNO, Rogue, Preview, and Cosmopolitan—is an outspoken critic of cruelty to animals and is widely considered to be the country's most public proponent of vegetarianism. The following are just a few examples of her animal rights activism:

·        In the wake of Typhoon Ondoy, she donated her time and services to The Philippine Animal Welfare Society's rescue operations for abandoned dogs and cats. In addition to reminding people not to leave their animal companions behind during emergencies and natural disasters, she coordinated the donations of bottled water for dehydrated and exhausted animal evacuees.

·        She solicited donations from sponsors for the Palawan Animal Welfare Association (PAWA) to assist in their efforts in rescuing stray animals and improving standards in slaughterhouses.

·        From publicly advocating a vegetarian diet to educating people about how animals killed in the fur industry are often electrocuted, bludgeoned, or gassed, she takes every opportunity to speak out about cruelty to animals.

·        She chooses not to lend her image or name to commercials, print ads, or high-profile events that promote meat or dairy products.

·        In her newspaper column, she shares her beauty secrets and promotes cosmetics and body-care products that were not force-fed to animals in laboratories or smeared on their raw, shaved skin.

·        In recognition of her commitment to animal rights, Lifestyle Network recently named her one of the Philippines' Top 10 Outstanding Women. The award is given to the countries most inspirational women.

"Isabel Roces continues to impress us with her commitment to promoting vegetarianism and drawing attention to the plight of animals," said PETA Asia Director Jason Baker. "Her exceptional, unending fight against cruelty to animals sets an example for us all.

For more information, please visit PETAAsiaPacific.com.

Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) warns of public health chaos if public health is not given attention in the climate talks in Copenhagen.

“We have all the ingredients for public health chaos in this time of climate change:  our geographical location, low health budget and poor public health performance,” said Merci Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Executive Director.

Recipe for chaos

In the proposed 2010 national budget, health accounts only 2% of the total government budget.  While it may appear that the budget increased, its share of the national budget has shrunk compared to 2.2% in 2009.

“As it is, according to the latest Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Philippine Progress Report, targets related to health are the least likely to be met.  Now add climate change and our public health is doomed.”

“And beyond the expected effect on physical health, the population’s mental health is also at risk,” Ferrer added.

Climate change and mental health

Recently, two leading mental health researchers warned that one important health consequence of climate change will be on mental health.

Dr. Lisa Page and Dr. Louise Howard of the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) at King’s College of London reviewed several researches of scientists on the potential impacts of climate change on mental health.  They concluded that climate change has the potential to have significant negative effects on global mental health.

According to the two, the effects will be felt most by those with pre-existing serious mental illness, but that there is also likely to be an increase in the overall burden of mental disorder worldwide.

“For many years, health issue has been a missing link in this climate change debate.  But public health damage brought by recent typhoons that visited the country has given us a glimpse of what it would be like if health is not given importance in this talk,” said Ferrer.

“We saw the damage to infrastructure and agriculture, the resurgence of diseases…  Sadly, we also had to bare witness to the shattered morale of both young and old typhoon victims.

HCWH has been emphasizing the devastating impacts of climate change to the people’s health around the world.  The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday issued a declaration that called greenhouse gases a danger to public health.

According to the article, The impact of climate change on mental health (but will mental health be discussed at Copenhagen?) published in Psychological Medicine, impact to mental health may come in several forms, such as:

Natural disasters, such as floods, cyclones and droughts, are predicted to increase as a consequence of climate change.  Adverse psychiatric outcomes are well documented in the aftermaths of natural disasters and include post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression and somatoform disorders.

The needs of people with chronic mental illness have often been overlooked following disaster in favour of trauma-focused psychological interventions and yet the mentally ill occupy multiple vulnerabilities for increased mortality and morbidity at such times.

As global temperatures increase, people with mental illness are particularly vulnerable to heat-related death.  Contributing risk factors such as psychotropic medication, pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease and substance misuse, are all highly prevalent in people with serious mental illness.  In addition, maladaptive coping mechanisms and poor quality housing are likely to further increase vulnerability, and death by suicide may also increase above a certain temperature threshold.

Adverse impacts such as psychological distress, anxiety and traumatic stress resulting from emerging infectious disease outbreaks are also likely to increase if the predicted outbreaks of serious infectious diseases become reality.

Coastal change and increased flooding is expected to lead to forced mass migration and displacement, which will undoubtedly lead to more mental illness in affected population.

Urbanization, a phenomenon which will be partially beneficial, for example by increasing opportunities for work and better access to health services, is associated with an increased incidence of schizophrenia in developed countries.  In many low- and middle-income countries, mental health provision is already hugely inadequate and is unlikely to be prioritized should further economic collapse occur secondary to climate change.

The knowledge of man-made climate change could in itself have adverse effects on individual psychological well-being.

The signs of mental torment

“What is most frightening is PGMA’s declaration that the Philippines need not insist on deep and early cuts in carbon emission citing that the climate talks may suffer the fate of the failed Doha talks,” said Ferrer. 

“It is very disconcerting to hear this while you read a paper saying this decade is likely to be the hottest this year or that we expect another 3 or 4 typhoons before the years ends or that Philippines will no longer have summer season…  And especially coming from the head of the country,” Ferrer added.

“We are calling on the Philippine delegation to Copenhagen to look at the current state of our country.  With our limited resources, can we handle another crisis?”

HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment.  For more information on HCWH-Southeast Asia, see www.noharm.org.ph.

Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org / Merci Ferrer, + 63 920 9056113, merci@hcwh.org

A 45-YEAR-OLD man who is wanted for allegedly killing his wife was killed by his brother-in-law in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported.

Zamboanga Peninsula Police Office (ZPPO) reported that the incident took place Sunday afternoon in the village of Tagpuron, Siayan town.

ZPPO identified the fatality as Erico Ernillo, who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

Ernillo was allegedly shot several times by Romeo Kindat, 37, the victim’s brother-in-law, the police said.

The police said Kindat shot Ernillo several times when he chanced upon the victim in the village of Tagpuron.

The suspect surrendered to the police in Siayan town after the incident, the ZPPO reported.

The police said the victim hacked to death his 41-year-old wife early last month and went into hiding.

Allegedly, Ermillo caught his wife together with another man who he suspected as his wife’s lover, the police added. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 54)

December 2009, a dead body of male person identified to be Juanito Cesar, 44 years old, married and a resident of Canawan, Salug, Zamboanga del Norte.  His body was found dead inside the boarding house in his rented room owned by Conchita Legados of Morning Star, Olingan, Dipolog City.

According to reports, Juanito Cesar asked for hot water as a relief of his illness, then he slept to take some rest. Later on discovered already dead.

Investigation was made by PO2 Romel Tabugan and members of Punta Police Precinct composed of Erwin obordo, PO3 Vertudez uder direct control and supervision of PSupt Reynaldo Maclang.

Post moterm examination done by Dr. Rowel Mata of Dipolog City Health Center, found the cause of death to “myocardial infarction”.  No foul play on the said incident.

-oo0oo-

Teresa Sanado of legal age, married of Sicayab, Dipolog City, and an employee of City Government of Dipolog as the City Fish Warde, together with PO1 Cenas and team DAVID Personnel arrested the following boat Captain for namely:

Elgie Cayong cong of F/V Lenetter Joy, of Barting, Dapitan City, Ermelito Cuevas of F/V Reymen 813 of Lamao, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, Edwin Berlan of F/V Nikita Isabel of Dumaguete City, Hattam Batac of F/V Norham 2 of Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte, Sandy Antipala of F/V Sarjan, of Carangan, Ozamiz City, ryan Balod of F/V Michelle of Sindangan,  Zamboanga del Norte, for violating R.A. 8550 known as fishing within 5 to 6 kilometers from seashore infront of Dipolog City boulevard.

Persons were temporarily detained in the Police Station for further investigation. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 54)

DAY ONE —Nov 23 (Monday)

– I was monitoring closely reports about a missing convoy in Maguindanao with media friends. Later in the day,  reports of mass murder of the Mangudadatus were confirmed. Allegedly by   Datu Unsay Ampatuan Jr. et al.   My instincts told me this could very well be a very explosive situation. . When media called, I said I would recommend proclaiming a state of emergency.   At 8 p.m. SND Bert Gonzales and I met. He told me  the President had directed that I act as “crisis manager”.

DAY TWO – Nov 24 (Tuesday) 

 Bert and I took  the earliest flight to Gen Santos City.  At  the 601st brigade in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat,   briefings were held. Initial photos of the carnage were flashed on the screen. Gruesome! Next we met with the Mangudadatus, many of them my personal friends. 

They were tense and angry. They wanted to retrieve the bodies immediately.  They demanded justice, immediately.  The Ampatuans did it, they said. After Bert and I expressed government’s resolve to do everything possible, Toto Mangudadatu said they will cooperate. No retaliatory action but government must give justice.

12 NOON – A teleconferencing call connected Bert and me to the Palace where the President was presiding over a hastily called security meeting.  We were getting  specific instructions from her. So did Bert, PNP Chief Jess Versoza and AFP Vice CS Maclang who arrived with us.  Her voice had that sense of urgency.  Inputs  from the other cabinet members were also relayed.

1:00 PM – The crisis management committee was activated. Assisting me were Eastmincom Gen Ferrer and  Directorate for Integrated Police Operations  (DIPO) Gen Serapio. 

2:00 PM – Bert left to fly back to Manila.  Col Geslani, brigade commander assisted in setting up the command center.  It was at this time that I operationalized an action plan I quietly  formulated in my mind.  It was a simple  plan  drawing lessons from past experiences.  

3:00PM – Having talked with the Mangudadatus, I decided to go see the Ampatuans in Shariff Aguak. I felt confident. Both families were my friends. And I had direct access to them.   With my staff and without military escorts, except for one military officer, Col Macario  as guide, I motored to the Ampatuan residence.  

3:45PM —I entered the Ampatuan fenced premises and the patriarch Gov. Andal Ampatuan, Sr was there waiting for me. With him seated in a “ bahay kubo” on the sprawling grounds were several ARMM and Maguindanao officials and relatives. Armed followers were everywhere.

After informing Gov. Andal that my purpose in coming was because of the incident and that his son,  Mayor Datu Unsay Ampatuan, Jr.  was implicated , I told “Bapa” Andal that it would be best that the Ampatuans also “cooperate”.  I said that Datu Unsay  should submit to  an investigation. He immediately said:       “ OK. Kausapin mo sya. Ipatawag ko si Datu Unsay. Basta kayo secretary walang problema”. I told him I wanted to see Datu Unsay as I got reports that he was missing or had escaped. Bapa said: “Hindi yan totoo. Darating si Datu Unsay. Magpakita sya sayo secretary”.  Bapa Andal as usual, was a man of few words. We then went inside the house to wait for the son’s arrival. In the meantime, ARMM Gov Zaldy Ampatuan and Cong. Digs Dilangalen arrived from the airport.  Usec Zam Ampatuan, Atty Cynthia Guiani Sayadi, among others were there too.  I felt a bit tense and uncomfortable.  I did not want to start talking about the incident until Unsay would arrive. We were chatting for about an hour trying to divert the issue and loosen up. A lively conversation centered on how many children some of their relatives had. One relative had 70 children. Of course from several mothers. Etc.

4:30PM –   We waited.   I noticed that Atty. Cynthia  was using her cellphone and taking pictures while we were chatting.  Unsay arrived and  got seated on my left. We continued a bit about our light banter until Unsay settled down.   (GMA7 later that same evening showed some  pictures on TV.   My wife Beth   texted me and called my attention  immediately when she saw it: “Bakit ka smile  kasama mga Ampatuan.  Not proper.”  I agreed. But I was puzzled where the pictures came from and who sent them.  There were no media people around. I surmised Cynthia did it.)

5:00PM. – I was becoming worried that darkness would overtake my return trip to Sultan Kudarat. Many armed and uniformed men on the highway. One could not tell what group or unit. So when Unsay got seated, I immediately told him that I came because of the serious incident and that initial reports mentioned his name as involved. I told him my purpose in coming was only to be assured that he would cooperate and submit himself to any investigation. He looked at the direction of Gov Andal who spoke first: “ Gaya ng sinabi ko sayo kanina, magcooperate kami, secretary”. Then Unsay himself echoed saying: “Mag cooperate po kami secretary”.  I then stood up and said I would contact them again soon.

We arrived in Marbel already dark and stayed there for the night.

 DAY THREE ,  Nov 25, (- Wednesday) –

830AM, I visited a funeral parlor in Marbel. Some bodies not identified yet. I then directed DSWD 12 to attend to the immediate needs of the families, and that DOH 12 and OCD 12 were to assist. I motored to Tacurong at 601st brigade and met the NBI team that just arrived from Manila. I reconvened the crisis committee and mapped up moves on how to fast track work . A team of PNP investigators were sent to the residence of Buluan Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu to get statements but they were told that affidavits of their witnesses would be submitted instead perhaps the following day.  I was already aware that the outrage over the killings mounted. And government was being criticized for slow action.

12 NOON –Over lunch at the brigade, I consulted with the crisis committee on my plan: it was time to contact the Ampatuans and call in Datu Unsay to voluntarily surrender. As they committed to me yesterday.

 I was also quietly informed that an operational plan was underway to forcibly take custody of him.

2:00PM – On my way to Marbel to dialogue with all the families of the victims, I made several calls. First with ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan. I told him it was time to bring in Datu Unsay. He told me he would consult the father, Gov. Andal. I said I had only until 5 pm that day to work on this plan. After 5pm, the scenario would no longer be the same, I told him. 

4:00PM – While meeting the families of victims in downtown Marbel, I got a call from the father, Gov Andal telling me that he would turnover to me Datu Unsay but requested that the deadline be moved from 5pm today  to 10 AM, the following day. I immediately told him I could not guarantee things if the deadline was moved. He said the Ampatuan clan would meet that evening and discuss things and bid goodbye to Datu Unsay. I told him I would get back to him by phone. I made calls and informed some of my colleagues (with whom I had been consulting from the beginning) of the request.

There were objections. Understandable reservations: what if the extension was a ruse to escape that evening? What were the guarantees that he would voluntarily surrender during the new deadline? People were becoming outraged not only on the crime but on the perceived slowness of government, so why waste more time?  The forces were ready to strike, so why delay?

But I also reasoned back: How sure are we that we would get Datu Unsay in the operations? (From yesterday’s visit to the Ampatuans, I was certain that he was not there in the immediate vicinity but came from somewhere far.) An assault would surely cost lives knowing the armaments, the culture and the situation. People were crying for swift action but I would not agree to precipitate action. I also said I believed Gov. Andal was sincere when he told me he would bring out his son when needed. To wrap up my point, I said: I would take full responsibility for whatever outcome.

My new timeline was adopted. I moved the deadline to 10:00 AM the following day. 

That night, we reviewed the “pickup” scenario several times and mapped out contingencies just in case things would not go as planned. In the meantime, government troops moved according to operational plans. That evening, I got a call from Atty. Cynthia getting an assurance from me that nothing would be launched that evening until the 10 AM pickup time the following day. I told her if there were troop movements, these were in support of the 10 AM “pickup”.

Later in the night, another complication suddenly arose. Gen. Serapio and Col. Geslani informed me that they got information that Toto Mangudadatu would motor with his followers to file his certificate of candidacy the following morning in Shariff Aguak. I immediately called Gov. Teng Mangudadatu. I told him that there was something afoot the following morning and that without disclosing what it was all about, I requested if he could convince Toto to move his filing to another day. A few minutes later, Gov. Teng called and said the clan agreed.  

D-DAY,  Nov.26 (Thursday)

6:00AM–Early morning, government forces took over and occupied the ARMM facilities and other buildings and premises in Maguindanao province. Armed elements loyal to the Ampatuans were taken by surprise and gave up their firearms without resistance.

 I was nervous a bit but confident. The “what if” scenarios kept popping up in my mind. I motored to the 601st brigade for the final briefings. The choppers would pick me up from there.  Gen. Ferrer and I watched as more newly arrived troops were   jumping off towards designated areas.

9:00AM – I was informed that something went wrong with the Huey helicopters coming from Cotabato. The Davao choppers were instead dispatched but would not be able to arrive by 10AM. 

 9:55AM – I got a call from Col. Geslani whom we tasked to liaison with the Ampatuans that they were requesting for a little time as they were waiting for their lawyer who was still on the road to arrive. That was a break I needed. The 2 choppers arrived. We discussed with the pilot and crew contingencies and procedures.

10:45AM, we were ready to jump off upon cue from Col Geslani. It would be a short 35 minute hop from the brigade to Shariff Aguak. My staff Cecil said she’s getting nervous but insisted on joining. My assistant, Yo was busy texting.  But wait, another problem suddenly cropped up.  As we were boarding, one the 2 PNP officers tasked to escort the suspect   said they could not use the handcuff on Ampatuan as the KEY WAS MISSING!  What about the other handcuff with your buddy, I asked. “Ganon din po sir”, he replied. “Sh_t!” I almost fell from my seat!.(“Sarap sapakin!”) But there was no more time. We then agreed that he would be strapped with the seat belt and the policemen would firmly clasp the buckles to prevent any unexpected situation while airborne. (When I was asked later by reporters why Ampatuan was not handcuffed, I had a ready curt answer with a straight face:  “He is adequately restrained!”. Sec Agnes promptly responded with the same line when she was asked upon landing in Manila. )

11:20AM Two Hueys landed on the Maguindanao province capitol grounds. The Huey engines were not shut off as agreed in case a sudden exit maneuver was necessary.  I waited for 20 minutes on the ground. I was getting worried. Finally, I saw my staff Ollie with his thumbs up sign.  Col Geslani signalled, they were on their way. My “what if” scare disappeared. The capitol gates opened. The Ampatuan family arrived on board vehicles from another location nearby.  Gov Zaldy clasping my hand said: “Ipaubaya ni amah si Datu Unsay sayo” and turned over Datu Unsay to me. We boarded the aircraft with Atty. Cynthia, insisting she had to ride with him.

11:40AM, Helis took off enroute Gen Santos City where Sec. Agnes and her crew were waiting for an inquest proceeding. But again something happened.  About a few minutes airborne and while still climbing and gaining altitude, I first noticed some flapping sound outside. I thought, maybe some loose parts of the chopper. The noise kept coming, intermittent. I looked down and maybe I saw flashes but I was not sure. Suddenly the Huey banked sharply to the right and simultaneously, several short bursts from our two Huey gunners at the back.  The bursts startled all of us. The evasive maneuver by the pilot also jarred us. All of us kept our heads low as the Huey steeply climbed. My staff Jerry and Col Mac who were seated beside the open Huey doors ducked.  The soldier at the back shouted, “ground fire, sir”. We still climbed. The flapping sound from outside could not be heard anymore.  The gunners later told me ground fire sounded like flapping from the air. The evasive action and the machinegun bursts were SOP.  At 2,000 feet altitude, we cruised. That’s when I saw on the Huey floor an empty shell   from the bursts of the M-60 machinegun on board.

I picked up the empty shell, then pocketed it for good luck.

At the Gensan airport, I called the Boss: “Mission accomplished, Mrs. President.”

PRESS FREEDOM:

This week, I will give way to my writer for the DMC yearbook, Eximius, and DMC magazine, Green Academia writer Robert Michael Bucholz who asked one question to DMC people this week.

Here’s his survey. Read on…

The multi million smash hit movie “2012” is one of the most intriguing topic of town. When you get the chance to watch the movie, you will get an idea what would be the fate of the world if we continue polluting our Mother Earth.

So, the Eximius staff agreed that this week, our DMC College Foundation-wide question is: Based in the movie “2012”, what will you do today if the world is going to end tomorrow? Let’s see what the DMCians have to say about this.

“If today is Earth’s last day, the first thing I will do is to ask forgiveness for all of my sins.”

Jobanie Agias, Criminology II

“If that day comes, and it happens to be tomorrow, I will just do what I feel I need to do and wait until that day comes. Then I will prepare myself for anything that might happen.”

Felcris Lopez, ACT I

“I will make friends with my enemies, say sorry for the things that I have done wrong. Especially to my parents, I will ask for forgiveness from them for all the bad things I’ve done. Of course, I will thank God for everything he gave me, my life, my family, etc. Then I will do things that are extremely outrageous. Lastly, I will express my feeling to my beloved special someone.”

Harold Tabor, BSN III

“It is just simple, I’ll do all the things that are best and considering it as the last, so I will enjoy every moment that I am alive.”

Engr. Elvira Acbay, Faculty and Staff

 “I’m going to do everything that my parents asked me to do that I haven’t done. I will make them very proud of me even if it is the last day of the world. I’ll also thank everyone that had been part of my life”

Saira Deneva Sagario, High School II

“I will treasure this day. Do the best things and do these things right.”

Orchin May Bicoy, Caregiver

“The things that I will do if this is my last day to live are to enjoy every moment that is left in me. And I will say sorry for all the wrong things I have done.” 

Honey Princess Sumaoy, Accountancy I

“If that’s the case, it’s a great opportunity for me to repent and say sorry to God and to all the people around me, I will say sorry. Then I will thank the Almighty for giving me the chance to see the beauty of the world.”

Shammah Grace Belarmino, HRIM II

“Fist and foremost, I will do anything to please the most important person in my life.”

Rex Laguna, Disciplinary Officer

“I will accept all suitors on that day, and I will do all the things that I’ve planned of doing but for some reason, wasn’t able to do in my lifetime. Like kissing my crush, touching his body all the time, hugging all my enemies and tell them that they are forgiven and ask for the same from them, and dumping my boyfriend and marrying his bestfriend.”

Jerrane Tejol, BSN III

That’s it folks, you have read the answers of all the DMCnians on the question what will they do if tomorrow is the last day of Mother Earth. Certainly, if catastrophe occurs in our lifetime, each one of us will do something that is very significant, important and memorable. Aside from preparing ourselves, honoring our great Creator for the wonders he made should occupy the first slot in our checklist.

But why wait for the end when we can help avoid such disastrous fate for our planet? We can start by starting within ourselves to keep our surroundings clean and do our simple deeds of ensuring pollution reduction in our immediate vicinity. It all starts within us. Help yourselves, help ourselves, make this planet clean and green. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 54)

To Fear OR NOT

What is man’s purpose for working?  To earn for a living in any way or practice his profession. What is   yours?

Sometimes  a man looking  for a job, may not  go  for a non-scholarly work  if he  believes  it  is humiliating himself  for being a  four or  five-year course graduate.  This person may even   content himself to stay jobless until he gets the kind of job he so wanted. But with today’s problem of unemployment when he can be able to start earning for a living?  In order to survive, man must   be   open to every good opportunity that comes along.  To encourage and inspire anyone to love working, allow me to share with you a short poem by an anonymous writer entitled “HOW”

How do you feel about your work?   Is it   something you hurry through, because when it’s finished and out of mind, there are other things you would rather do?

Do you really enjoy your work and feel in the very action

A sense of accomplishment and pride?

I don’t know how you really feel about your work,

I’m not even guessing.

But, I hope, at least, you realize     

That work is a wonderful blessing!

If man , in all his capabilities  refuse to  work for  whatever  uncalled  for reasons,  he is the target of a Bible passage which    says  “He who does not work, shall not  be  allowed  to eat.”  Think on this.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

So long the implementation of martial rule is carried out religiously; those who have done no wrong need not fear.  Martial law, I understand, is “dedicated” to no-ordinary lawless elements, especially those who incite rebellion.  If you know you are doing right, you have nothing to be  afraid of.-even with apprehensions that Presidential Proclamation 1959 declaring   Martial Law in Maguindanao  on  Dec. 4, 2009  may spread all  over Mindanao and later to cover the whole  country- God forbids! I hope reasons would not suffice that we should have such kind of governance.

Most people know and believe that political rivalry is the root cause of power struggle nowadays which brought about the gruesome massacre in Maguindanao and triggered the “anger” of the Palace, thus, the declaration of Martial Law.

While I’m trying to convince myself  against being  apprehensive  of the martial  rule in Maguindanao,  I have my own fears- that is if the implementation is not carried out with conscience .  The so-called “planted” accusations and “planned” terroristic activities cannot be discounted under martial rule... “Hasulon pud unta sila sa ilang tanlag” (May they be haunted by their conscience).  That is if your guess is as good as mine or my guess is as good as yours.

                                                          Xxxxxxxxxx

Now,  on  R.T. LIM—— He was the oldest of  nine siblings- five  boys and four girls born to Don Antonio G. Lim of Recodo, Zamboanga City and  Mercedes Robinson Tarrosa of Mercedes, Lumbayao, Zamboanga City. Lim was fondly called “Ller” by his family and fellow Zamboangueneos. Three of his brothers finished law while the other, Roberto, became an agriculturist; vice mayor of Zamboanga City in 1968-1971; Bureau Director for Agriculture in 1972; Bureau Regional Director of Agricultural extension under the Dept. of Agriculture.  Roberto’s youngest son is currently Councilor for the 1st District of Zamboanga City. Another son, Rosegildo, a lawyer, became NBI Regional Director. His daughter, Amparo became Mrs. Daco Boot , was  a Spanish scholar to Spain ; became Dean of the  Spanish Department  of the University of Negros Occidental, Recolletos,  Bacolod City and translated  the Philippine National Anthem to  Spanish.

Roseller’s great grandfather came from Amoy, Fujian Province, mainland, China.With another brother, Lim entered the Philippines via Pangasinan and immigrated to Zamboanga City.

Lim is a product of Jovellar Elem. School; graduated valedictorian  in high school  from Ateneo de Zamboanga ; finished his Bachelor of Laws in Silliman University, Dumaguete City and passed the Bar 84.7% rating the same year he graduated.

He loved sports; a golfer, played chess and loved boxing (in fact he wanted to become a boxer). Thanks to his father, he became a lawyer, instead.

Lim was a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP); member of several clubs and organization such as Wack-Wack Golf Club and Country Club in Zamboanga City (lifetime member);  army and navy club, Se JO Tong Lim Association-acting as adviser and facilitator. Lim was responsible for   giving the name La Hermandad Zamboanguena, an association of Zamboanguenos   living in Metro Manila of which he was very supportive.  His wife Amy and daughter   Rosamy served as presidents of the association.

Titles and Honors conferred him aside from being the Great Filibuster are Champion of the Masses, Father of the Solcial Security System Law, Father of Zamboanga del

Sur, founder  and first president of  Mindanao-Sulu-Palawan  (MINSUPALA) Labor Organization;  outstanding congressman for  all  six  years  he served;  outstanding  senator  for  all eight years  of his  term.  Lim is fondly remembered as “EL GALLO Sulangkang “ (the fighting cock) and “El NINO BONITO.”

He was born on Feb. 9, 1915 in Recodo, —died 5 July 1976 in Makati as incumbent Court of Appeals justice—buried in Zamboanga City cemetery July 1976.  His bones were exhumed and reburied with his wife Amy at the Loyola Memorial Park Paranaque, Metro Manila.  Amy died 22 September 2000.

Roseller Tarrosa Lim, the  scholar,  master  debater (winning  looms  large oratorical contests  in high school;  educator (taught at Ateneo University  and dean of laws at  A.E. College (now Universidad  de Zamboanga;  fiscal,  labor  leader, prosecutor, legislator, Concon  delegate , Court of  Appeals Magistrate  and Statesman par  excellence. Lim was never meant to be just a footnote in our country’s history.

Roseller Tarrosa Lim’s shadow -looms large even today amidst a difficult political, social, and economic arena and genre.   ———As we end in this issue the story of the good life and legacy of greatness of late Sen. R. T. Lim,  I wish to thank  his daughter,  my “friend”  in Reliv, Rosamy Ruth  who  bothered  to  send  me  a  copy  of  a  write–up which  was  first published in  Singapore in honor of her father.

With  the story of her   father  , I have come  to  also know who  this  “friend”  of mine  who I have not seen yet.  “Rose, sana magkita na  tayo  one day  soonest, ok?    I just  want  to imagine  as  a member   of the famous Bayanihan Dance Troupe.  

As member of the press, I continue  to join the  cry  of all “concerned” media practitioners for justice  to  working journalists who  were victims of the barbaric massacre in Maguindanao last Nov. 23.   We  challenge  those responsible  officials in government looking  into   the  case  for  speedy result,  because  we  believe that  “justice delayed , is justice  denied”

Our quote for the week:” Keep your fears for yourself, share your courage  with others.”  (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Contact means:  Landline   (065) 212-9737      Mobile   09217365627   E-mail sally_elia @yahoo.com

MIZPAH –auntie sally (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 54)

Know how to conquer trials and temptations, by your love for Christ, by your belief in Christ, by your joy and by your salvation.

The trials and temptations of life are not to defeat or discourage us.  On the contrary, we are to conquer them.  We are to sue them as stepping stones to become stronger and stronger in life.  But how can we conquer trials and temptations when they are so devastating, destructive, powerful, damaging, and threatening?

Following the scriptures we have four ways to eliminate trials and temptations in our life.  First, by our love for Jesus Christ.  He as taken our guilt upon Himself.  He has died for us.  He has borne our judgment, condemnation, and punishment.  This is the great love of Jesus Christ for us.  That’s why, we love Him, because He has done so much for us.  Therefore, we, obey Him, keep His commandments, trun away from temptations and walk through trials.

Trials and temptations are to be conquered, on the second way, by belief in Jesus Christ.  Please note on the verse, we do not see Jesus but we do believe on Him.  If we are continuing to believe in Jesus Christ, then we are following Christ.  We dare doing what He says.  Rejecting and turning away from all temptations, standing firm and relying upon His presence and power to conquer and to carry us through all trials.  In John 6:28-29, says, then they asked Him.  What must we do to do the work God requires?  Jesus answered; the work of God is this, to believe in the one He has sent.

The third way, to conquer trials and temptations in our life is by rejoicing and by an inexpressible joy that fills our hearts.  This joying and rejoicing in the Lord and His presence will stir us to stand against temptations and trials.  Joy and rejoicing will help us to focus upon Christ and His glorious power.  In John 15:11, says, I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

The fourth way to conquer trials and temptations is by keeping our eyes focused upon the salvation of our souls.  This is the end, the very goal toward which we are moving.  The salvation of our souls, the stronger we become, to reject and turn away from temptation. To conquer the trial of life.  In Matthew 10:22, says, all men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 54)

NF JPIA orients DMC studes
By Donnabel Patangan
(Eximius Features Editor)

The National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountant (NF JPIA) conducted a Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) orientation for affiliation in DMC College Foundation last December 5.

Seven students from the DMC College of Accountancy including Jess Patangan, Anchari Clay Reboyun (Local President), DC Dougphar Secretaria, Anjo Dale Singguello,Aiza Ello, Jessa Jolane Tulang and Princess Suma-oy participated in the orientation.

The students were supervised by DMC College of Accountancy Dean Aileen de Guzman, CPA and Business Management and Education (BME) Coordinator Marites G. Refugio.

The said orientation was conducted by the JPIA Regional and Local Officers of the Saint Vincent College and Western Mindanao Council. The activity’s main purpose is for the DMC BME to be organized and instill awareness with regard the By-Laws and Constitution and their guidelines in the selection of officers and other activities.

Also, to become one of the eight schools in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte. (The New Nandau, Vol. XIX No.24)

Press Freedom Editorial