Gov. Rolando Yebes appealed to the people of Zamboanga del Norte to make sacrfices for the country.

Speaking before the provincial employees, the provincial governor marked the 110th Independence celebration of the country with a call urging the people to render sacrifices just like what the country’s heroes were doing.

“Like the fight the heroes were waging in order to obtain independence, I call upon the people to have the same sacrifice as well, in order to push this nation ahead,” the governor urged.

“To be leaders, we should have a vision, be responsible and become an instrument of change,” was the gist of the Independence Day message of Rear Admiral Emilio C. Marayag, Jr. of the Philippine Navy.

Admiral Marayag was the guest speaker of the 110th Anniversary Celebration of Philippine Independence  in Dipolog City June 12 at Plaza Magsaysay.

The guest speaker is the commander of the Naval Forces, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Western Mindanao.

The full text of his message runs:

“Just like anyone of us here today, I feel deeply elated to be part of the celebration of the 110th anniversary of the First Republic in Asia in this historic and beautiful City of Dipolog.

“And I profusely thank the Honorable Mayor Evelyn Uy for her gracious invitation to join you this morning to visit the city and share my thoughts and views on this year’s theme of ‘Republic Service: Tungo sa Ganap Na Kalayaan at Kaunlaran.’

“Full independence and progress are among the highest aspirations of the Filipino amidst the formidable challenges of globalization and information revolution.

“When nation-states emerged through the treaty of Westphalia inked during the 18th  century, full independence, that is non-interference of a nation’s internal affairs by a foreign country, became the object of every single nation in the four corners of the globe, the Philippines included.

“And while our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, who spent nearly four years just across the river in the neighboring city of Dapitan few years before the declaration of independence, did spouse complete independence. He had clear thoughts about national progress…about a nation that is developed ‘under the protection of freedom and wise and equitable laws’ as in prosperous European countries during his time.

“This year’s theme literally suggests some sort of contradiction for how could one serving a hundred and ten-year old republic aims for full independence. Our Constitution categorically expresses that we are a sovereign nation. Under the United Nations charter, the Philippines is an independent state and, therefore, free to govern its people and territory, and is considered sovereign.

“But the theme reflects reality. Few years ago I listened to a lecture of a senior Philippine foreign affairs official who explained convincingly the continuing dependence of Philippine foreign policy on a foreign country. Whether or not this dependence on another sovereign state is just a perception or indeed a reality is a question every Filipino patriot must examine and provide an answer.

“Could we venture that since our national hero did not advance full independence, our present crop of national leaders are just following his thoughts? With the advent of globalization and information revolution, can the Filipino public servant really do something to attain full independence?

“When your navy was crafting its Strategic Sail Plan 2020, our road map two years ago, one of the convenors articulated that our nation is a work in progress. As such, we as a nation can hardly act in unison because of diverse cultural, ethnic, religious and communal backgrounds. As a society, we are unstructured and we could hardly find a common agenda that could galvanize national pride and unity.

“We use the word “kabayan” denoting townmate instead of “kabansa.” In other words, many of us do not have the proper notion of a national community that collectively speaks, thinks and acts as one.

That convenor also asserted that introducing a meaningful change would require a group of individuals who possesses at least an high school education. Fortunately we are blessed with an overwhelming majority of the Philippine public service members falling under that category. I am, therefore, inclined to equate republic service to an opportunity to become an instrument of change not only to attain full independence in words and deeds but progress and development as well.

“To become a “change” agent, though, the public servant must be responsible. Dr. Jose Rizal postulated that ‘in order to be responsible, it is necessary that he/she is master of his/her actions.’ Once he/she internalizes responsibility, he/she embraces the true meaning of professionalism.

“The former chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Ms. Karina David, enumerates three aspects of professionalism, namely: competence, commitment and character.

“Competence refers to aptitude and efficiency in one’s job. Commitment is utmost dedication to work, that is, giving one’s best shot. Character means physical and moral courage to face the consequences of one’s actions whether beneficial or detrimental to his/her professional career.

“Responsibility, competence, commitment, character, these are the tenets of republic service. These are the ingredients to introduce change. The spark, the triggering device that would make these components ignite to generate the desired endstate that is leadership.

“Leadership is the ability to influence others to do what the leaders wants them to. Leaders not only influence but also inspire people. Leaders formulate and articulate the vision of organizations designed for common good. Leaders understand and use the power of leading by example.

“Leaders are a lot more than just managers. Recent studies of a think-tank organization treat as one of the security challenges in this century the existence and emergence of leaders without vision.

“Last night, I had the rare privilege to meet and interact with some of this city’s leaders. I was impressed by their clarity of vision, unity of purpose and sincerity of aspirations for the benefit of their constituents. I am confident that with their superb leadership, Dipolog will become one of the best cities in the near future.

“I even suspected last night that Dipolog is probably an excellent training ground for leaders if one were to consider the appointment of AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano who spent some years in this city before joining the military service in 1972.

“And so as we commemorate the 110th Independence Day of the Republic, may I reecho the meaning of rendering republic service, and that is an opportunity to become an instrument of change, and the overarching goal of serving the motherland, that is to preserve freedom and our way of life.

“Those in government providing services to the Filipino people are in the best position to understand and work for full independence and progress and prosperity. Those in government must accept the continuing demands of responsibility, professionalism and leadership. Those in government must realize that their chance to become a ‘change’ agent in the Philippine society is right in their workplaces and respective communities and that they have chosen to be one.

“The officers, men and women of the Naval Forces, Western Mindanao share the good people of Dipolog in celebrating the anniversary of the Philippine Independence. We are looking forward to becoming your partners in enhancing peace and security, promoting progress and maintaining stability in this part of the country.

“Mabuhay tayong lahat at patnubayan tayo nawa ng Poong Maykapal.

No, the suspects did not run away with bread.

As early as six o’clock in the evening on June 12 this year, three unidentified suspects reportedly went into the store and casually declared holdup and took away P15T cash from the cashier.

Ms. Ethel Baron, owner of Champion Bread Haus located at Lacaya St., Barangay Barra reported to the police that at 6:20 PM that day, three young men went into her bakery, poked a gun into her and demanded money.

Claiming she was in a state of shock when they approached her, Ms. Baron disclosed that she immediately gave the bakery’s sale during the day which approximately amounted to P15T.

“I was trembling because I was afraid they would kill me if I hesitated to give the money,” the bakery owner said.

The culprits then boarded a blue XRM motorcycle and escaped but the victim did not know where they were going.

The bakery is located near the motorcab terminal for Sicayab but the victim said she was still trembling when the crime took place so she was not able to ask for help immediately.

On the other hand, a motorcycle carnapped in the city was recovered by Dipolog PNP in Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental.

The C100 Honda vehicle owned by Felix Enero of Barangay Sta. Isabel, Dipolog City was seen abandoned in Barangay Casol, Sapang Dalaga, Mis. Occ.

Dipolog City (13 June) – As the country is faced with the challenges haunting national unity, Admiral Emilio C. Marayag Jr., commander of the naval forces in Western Mindanao called on every individual to help work for a national community that “collectively speaks, thinks and acts as one.” 

Speaking here during a short program at the public plaza commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Philippine Independence, Marayag said “our nation can hardly act in unison because of diverse cultural, ethnic, religious and communal backgrounds” that impede the development of “common agenda.”  

He added that Filipinos are often heard using the word “kabayan” - denoting a town mate - instead of “kabansa.” This, he said, hampers unity among us. 

Marayag also underscored the importance for everyone to be an instrument of change in serving the Motherland. He also appealed to all government officials and employees to serve the Filipino people and to “work for full independence and prosperity.” 

With a wrinkled forehead and a grim face, Gov. Rolando Yebes was apparently not pleased looking at some Board Members who were just wearing T-shirt during the Achievers Award Night on June 6, 2008.

The lawmakers sat with AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano that night who received a plaque of citation as the first Mindanawan who hails from Zamboanga del Norte who was appointed to the highest position in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Moreover, Sec. Eduardo Ermita was the guest of honor that night and the provincial governor felt it was not just fitting to come in T-shirt with two important persons in attendance.

“Even the NBN Channel II cameraman came in Barong Tagalog because the occasion was a special one,” Governor Yebes sadly commented.

It was learned that other visitors had also commented over the way the board members were dressed.

Although he came in short sleeved Barong with BM Baguio, BM Cedric Adriatico confirmed they had not really discussed what to wear during the ceremony, especially that the original plan was to hold it at the Hudyaka site, a more informal place.

He blamed the committee on invitation who did not inform them of the change of venue, from Hudyaka grounds to the Convention Center.

However, the Secretariat of the Achievers Award also claimed they had sent the communication informing them of the change of the venue and even the attire to be worn.

Board Members Anecito Darunday, Luzviminda Torrino and Maria Olga Candelaria were identified to be seated with the guests but were informally dressed.

Instead of the usual grand parade, the government chose to commemorate the country’s 110th year of independence from colonial rule by investing in “service to the poor” projects.

In her speech keynoting the event held at the Rizal Park Thursday morning, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said this move is in line with this year’s Independence Day theme, “Republic Service, Tungo sa Ganap na Kalayaan at Kaunlaran.”

“This year we have decided that in keeping with how we are trying to conserve our resources so that we can give direct service to the people during this period of high world prices of oil and food, we have decided to dispense with the parade and use the budget instead to give direct service to the poor,” the President said.

“Kaya binibigyang diin ang tema na ‘to, ang nangingibabaw na tungkulin ng ating pamahalaan na paglingkuran ang mamamayan upang mabigyan ng katubusan ang mahaba nating pakikibaka para sa kalayaan at upang magkaroon ng kaganapan ang pambansang kaunlaran,” she added.

Indeed, this year’s commemoration of the Philippines’ Independence Day was marked with an array of projects, programs and lots and lots of kiosks offering livelihood projects which the people could avail of.

And in the middle of it all is the Sentro K3 (Kaisahan, Kagalingan at Kalayaan ng Bayan), a showcase of job fairs, sports and cultural activities, medical assistance, technology transfer seminars and demonstrations, which the President formally opened today.

Aside from the above-mentioned programs, the Sentro K3 also showcases agri-aqua fairs and exhibits and other special services and assistance extended directly to the people by various government agencies participating in the event.

Specifically, the programs under the Sentro K3 are:

• MSME (micro, small and medium enterprise) booths: Offer MSME services, award microfinance checks to beneficiaries and training scholarships to the people.

• Ang Galing-galing Natin: A showcase where all participating government agencies provide interesting exhibits cum lectures and audio-visual shows about government programs.

• Bayan Ko, Lapit sa Puso Ko: A pro-poor program where all participating government agencies provide services to the public, including jobs, housing, health and investments.

• Wow, Pinoy Ngayon: A showcase of Filipino talents in sports, entertainment, sciences and culture.

• Food Trips: The best of Filipino food at affordable prices, will food stalls strategically located in and around the venue.

• Lakad-Aral sa Liwasan: Free park tours for visitors.

• One Town One Product (OTOP): A program of the Department of Trade and Industry promoting the best of Philippine products form the different regions of the country.

The whole nation, just as Dipolog City, celebrated the 110th Independence Day anniversary last Thursday, June 12. This is the day the Philippines was first proclaimed independent from foreign domain in 1898 if we reckon it from the pronouncement of a Filipino revolutionary leader at Kawit, Cavite.

The other date to reckon is July 4, 1946 when the succeeding foreign domain, that was America, officially granted independence to the country. That is beside the point if we are to dig deeper into the real meaning of independence. Rather, the question would be: How prepared were we for independence then? Now?

Is the average Juan de la Cruz to the low-income and less-privileged bracket really free? Do we now enjoy freedom from subjugation of foreign powers who now control our policies like the World Bank? Are we really free from the control of some influential people or sectors of our very own country? Are we free from the control of the big politicians? From the manipulation of big private companies?

Are the ordinary workers free from the bondage of unscrupulous employers who flourish because of equally unscrupulous government agencies? We are free in principle to chart our own destinies. But with the present capacities, conditions and situations of majority of the Filipino people, how free are we really?

To stabilize the price of commercial rice, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita recently directed the National Food Authority of Zamboanga del Norte to increase the volume of rice it has allocated for the province.

During the Pulong-pulong on Food Security with Secretary Ermita, one unanimous call was sounded by government officials who attended the conference: increase the NFA volume in outlets.

Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy disclosed that rice dealers already warned her that rice could go as high as P70/kilo if no intervention is done by government authorities.

She appealed before NFA to release as much rice it could possibly release even during lean months only.

“The people are facing a crisis, so I appeal to NFA to give us more,” the lady mayor said, adding that NFA could go back to the volume they were used to during harvest time.

Touring the NFA warehouse after the conference, the Executive Secretary discovered that the warehouses were swelling with supply thus directed NFA manager Julakmad Lawama to increase the volume of rice allocation.

“The president does not want rice price to reach P60/kilo,” Secretary Ermita told the government officials who joined the tour.

NFA manager Lawama disclosed that he had already received a directive from main office to double the allocation for every municipality.

After making rounds at the Dipolog Central Market with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita recently, Gov. Rolando Yebes cautioned the rice retailers not to raise the price of commercial rice as supply of NFA rice was seen insufficient for the entire province.

It was observed that commercial rice was already pegged at (48/kilo while the cheapest kind at P38/kilo.

The governor disclosed that NFA had allocated 1,500 bags only for Zamboanga del Norte but cannot possibly satisfy the needs of the poor people.

He showed that there has been surplus of production of rice in the province based on the data released by the office of Agriculture.

“If this is so, then I believe there is no reason for rice retailers to be increasing the price of commercial rice,” the governor said.

“I appeal then to the businessmen to give the right price to make commercial rice affordable to everybody,” he said, urging them to release hoarded stocks to the market to stabilize the price of rice.

As price of rice and other food products shoot up, the more the people rely on their luck by betting in swertres number game.

And the more they are willing to spend on buying those numbers by listening to radio coding the radio announcer will be giving to his listeners as early as 3 A.M.

Not for free but with corresponding amount.

But recently, radio anchorman identified as Jojo Emperial of Y96 FM, Ozamiz City was reportedly apprehended by PNP operatives of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur for allegedly selling swertres numbers at P1T for every three sets of numbers

Taken from the announcer was P99T believed to be his sale of the numbers.

Emperial claimed however that P30T of the money will be used to buy numbers from PCSO Manila but this was subsequently denied by PCSO.

It was learned that more and more people including those coming from Dipolog City were complaining that they had already paid, waited too long but they never won.

The suspect is now facing three counts of swindling and estafa.

Meanwhile four suspected shabu drug dealers were also apprehended by the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force (ASIDSTOF) on June 4, 2008.

Police operatives identified the suspects as Dodong Cabangisan aka Taa Villaverde, Rey Villaverde, Alex Cabangisan and Grace Arcanio.

Taken from them were sachets of powder residue believed to be shabu, tooters, lighters, marked money, cut aluminum foils, cellphones and other shabu paraphernalias.

Not only in the Top Ten but in the Top Five – what with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself leading the charge to have the country’s natural wonders get into the world’s list of modern-day “Wonders of Nature.”

Yes – not one, not two, but three of the four Philippine entries are now in the Top Five in the world-wide search for the modern-day Seven Wonders of Nature. As of June 11, Tubbataha Reef east of Palawan is now No. 2 in the list, followed by the Chocolate Hills at No. 3; while the Underground River in Palawan is at No. 5.

Tubbataha Reef, an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea east of Palawan is a marine sanctuary protected by the Philippine government as the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. It is composed of two atolls – the North and South Reefs which each have a single small islet that protrudes from the water.

The atolls are separated by a deep channel eight kilometers wide. Over 1,000 species, including many that are endangered, can be found at the reef including manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks, according to the website literate on the well-known scuba-diving site.

The Chocolate Hills in the Visayan island of Bohol, on the other hand, is an “unusual geological formation… composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills of about the same size.”

“Spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers, the hills are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, giving them the name ‘Chocolate Hills,’” proclaims the New7 Wonders site.

Meanwhile, Palawan’s Underground River – also dubbed the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park — features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 kilometer-long navigable underground river. Located about 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, the river winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea.

The underground river features amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites and several large chambers, with the lower portion of the river subject to tidal influences.

The website enthuses that “the underground river is reputed to be the world’s longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.”

In No. 9 or just two places short landing in the Magic 7 is another Philippine wonder – the perfectly-shaped Mayon Volcano.

Mayon Volcano is an active volcano on the Filipino island of Luzon, 15 kilometers northwest of Legazpi City. It is classified by volcanologists as a stratovolcano (composite volcano). Its symmetric cone was formed through alternate pyroclastic and lava flows.

“Rev. Father Ronnie Arong of Dumaguete City is the only skydiving-priest all over the Philippines… until June 6, 2008,” so said a past record.

Until a Dipolognon priest set another record in the history of the country when he jumped 6,000 feet above the earth during the Hudyaka Festival of Zamboanga del Norte on June 6, making the record as the first skydiving priest in Mindanao, second to Father Arong in the entire Philippines.

Forty two year-old Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Father Mario Beltran M. Patangan of Dipolog has been a servant of the Divine Creator for 16 years and is presently the Chaplain of Hospitals in Dipolog City. 

He stunned the people of city and the entire province when he made that historic jump.  He expe-rienced a rush of adrenaline and then a peaceful sense of well-being as the jump master ordered him to take the plunge. This feeling of calmness after the initial hesitation lasted long after he landed on the Zamboanga del Norte National High School grounds, with one shoe off.

He felt serenity and calmness while flying in the air 6,000 feet above the earth.  He also learned the value of confidence and unconditional trust on the Almighty God.

When interviewed, he said that most people  spend  all their lives with the  feet on the ground.  People are curious  what it feels to fly with the birds high up in the clouds.

That explains why people climb trees  and  sit near the window when riding an airplane .

Father Patangan chose to take another level of his existence. Skydiving is not as easy as many think. It takes time. Father Patangan took two years of rigid preparation before the big day. He even went out of town just to  attend trainings. A  week of briefing before the take-off completed his preparation.

Skydiving is a matter between life and death. One must possess quickness of decision, concentration, presence of mind and trust in the Lord. After the jump- off, one cannot just simply back off. There is no turning back. There is no other way but to go down.

There is no room for error.

Skydiving does not only build Father Patangan’s confidence but it also enhances his vocation. Skydiving is not just an  exciting yet dangerous  sports. It is more than that.

Father Patangan is not  only a skydiver. He is also into swimming. In fact, he joined the 4.5 km. swimming marathon from the Galas waters to the Barra Fishport waters last May 31, one week before his jump.

He is also a painter, football player and a mountain biker. This Man of the Cloth does not intend to be confined within the walls and pews of the church. He fully knows that God’s words can  also be spread by personally experiencing  the beauty of nature as seen from another dimension.

For him, everything has a purpose.

After that jump, Father Beltran realized that  God, indeed, works in many strange ways. And he intends to keep it that way. What he will do next  is something that we have to wait from th