February 18 - 24, 2018 Volume V • Issue No. 243

119

Number of barangays of Miag-ao town

EDITORIAL

Php 12.00

156.8 sq. km. Total land area of Miag-ao town

Jonah 2:2. He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

443 person/sq. km. Population density of Miag-ao town

Iloilo Metropolitan Times

34, 880

@Ilo2MetroTimes

34, 555

Male population of Miag-ao town

Female population of Miag-ao town

|p6

Tienda Noche, a tourism and economic foreplay

NEWS |p4

Insilada is 2018 Global Teacher Prize finalist

BUSINESS |p3

Sampulna wants to close Boracay for 2 months

Libug Falls in Barangay Igcabugao, Igbaras town, Iloilo province.Photo by Bert Esposado

Antique begins sports academy

Tourists spend P18B in Iloilo www. ilolometropolitantimes.com

BY REYMAR L. LATOZA

Tourists who visited the city and province of Iloilo in 2017 spent billions of pesos. Iloilo City accumulated P15.8

billion worth of tourist receipts while Iloilo province collected P3 billion last year, partial data from the Department of Tourism (DOT-6) showed. The amount was spent on food

and beverage, accommodation, transportation, and shopping, among others The city and province accommodated 857, 068 and 174, 473 tourists, respectively.

Antique bishop is new archbishop of Jaro Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo. Lagdameo, now 77 years old, submitted his resignation in 2015, but  the Holy Father extended his term until this month. Under the Roman Catholic Church’s Code of  Canon Law,  archbishops are required to submit their resignations at the age of 75. Lagdameo became the archbishop of Jaro on May 11, 2000. He was appointed by Pope John Paul II. He also served as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from 2005 to 2009. Most Rev. Jose Romeo Lazo

from the province of Antique has been appointed as the new archbishop of the Jaro Archdiocese, which covers the civil province and city of Iloilo and the province of Guimaras.   Lazo was born on Jan. 23, 1949 in the town of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique He was ordained a priest on April 1, 1975. He was appointed by Pope John Paul II as bishop of Kalibo in Aklan on  Nov. 15, 2003. Six years later, Pope Benedict XVI named him as the bishop of San Jose de Antique. The CBCP  said Archbishopelect Lazo will also serve as metropolitan bishop of the suffragan dioceses within the Ecclesiastical

Province of Jaro, which includes the dioceses of Bacolod, San Jose de Antique, San Carlos,  and Kabankalan. In  the meantime, Pope Francis designated Lagdameo as Apostolic Administrator “sede vacante” of the archdiocese until Bishop Lazo takes canonical possession.  IMT  (with a report from CBCPNews)

The whole Western Visayas region earned more than P117 billion from local and foreign tourists in 2017. Last year’s tourist receipts already exceeded 2016’s P116 billion. The DOT-6 said the amount is expected to increase once all local government units (LGUs) in the region have submitted their reports on Feb. 15. The province of Aklan remained the top earner with P89 billion; Bacolod City, P16 billion; Negros Occidental, P15.3 billion; Antique, P2.9 billion; Capiz, P2.8 billion; and Guimaras, P2 billion. Tourist arrivals in the region reached 5.2 million last year.IMT

Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao BY RHOD TECSON The province of Antique is set to put up a sports academy that will serve as the center of sports development among Antiqueños. This was revealed by Governor Rhodora Cadiao over a phone interview with IMT News. Cadiao said the Department of Education through Undersecretary Tonisito Umali and Senator Loren Legarda have signified corresponding support for the project as it will include the construction of a building near the Binirayan Center and a continuous food, lodging and training allowances for identified athlete-recipients of training grants. She added that athletes from farflung towns can continue their studies in nearby educational institutions and have their daily trainings inside the academy as it will also serve as their home. The Antique Sports Academy is a brainchild and priority project of Governor Cadiao.IMT

“

‘Wag ‘yang condom kasi hindi masarap ‘yang condom. Hindi, totoo. Hindi ako nagpapatawa.

”

To address the overpopulation problem in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte urges Filipinos to use contraceptives except condoms

2

WV NEWS

February 18 - 24, 2018

Duterte’s threat alarms Boracay biz group

BY REYMAR LATOZA

A group of businessmen expressed “alarm” over President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement that he would close Boracay Island once its environmental problems are not solved within six months. In its official statement, the

GUIMARAS

Guimaras is determined to “level up” activities this year to mark the 25th anniversary of its Manggahan Festival, a celebration of thanksgiving for their bountiful blessing. The festival will run from May 1122, 2018. Guimaras tourism officer-incharge Liberty Ferrer said they are now in the process of making an inventory of their mango production to determine how much they could supply during the festival, which was famous for its sweet mangoes. Ferrer said they would be strengthening their mango-related activities such as the “all-you-caneat” event and the mango chandelier contest. Ushering the Manggahan Festival highlights will be the Manggahan sa Kabanwahanan where a cultural presentation will be held in each of the five municipalities of Guimaras after the Manggahan caravan slated on April 2. Manggahan will also host several national sports events such as the biking and the motocross dubbed “King of Kings”, which is expected to

NEGROS Crop losses brought by a dry spell and rat infestation to rice fields in Negros Occidental in the past three months have reached P17.479 million, records of the Office of the Provincial February 18 - 24, 2018

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province of Iloilo Municipality of San Joaquin NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirement pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No.1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that JESUS SEBANTA SARDUA has filed with this Office a Correction of Entry in the Sex from “Female” to “Male” in his Certificate of Live Birth of at San Joaquin, Iloilo and whose parents are Vicente Sardua and Monica Sebanta Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/ her written opposition with this Office. (SGD) ROY CARLOS S. LAMASAN Municipal Civil Registrar

Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) said to close the entire island at the expense of the compliant establishments is “unjust.” “While indeed there are many violators, most of the island’s business establishments are strictly in compliance with prevailing ordinances and regulations,” it stressed.

BFI said the closure would not only affect businesses on the island, but also “the residents who depend on the island’s tourism for their livelihood.” According to BFI, Duterte’s pronouncement “stems from misinformation and unverified data presented to him.” BFI, meanwhile, welcomed the

six-month ultimatum given by the President to the government agencies concerned to address the issues of Boracay. “It has long been the plea of the business sector through the BFI that Boracay be given the attention it so rightfully deserves,” BFI said. “We have continuously expressed

Bigger events up during 25th Manggahan fest

gather the best riders in the country. A bigger and better cultural presentation, especially that their festival champion—Hubon Manguguma from the town of San Lorenzo—won the Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition of the 2018 Dinagyang Festival is expected to

perform. Ferrer said they look forward to get the participation of other festivals from outside Western Visayas. Last year, festivals from other provinces in Region 6 joined the cultural presentation. This major tourist attraction is

expected to gather close to a hundred thousand tourists. Last year, they recorded assisting more than 60,000 guests. “We target an increase of 15 percent in our tourist arrivals for the Manggahan Festival,” she said. PNA

Dry spell, rats bring P17.48-M loss to 2 NegOcc LGUs Agriculturist (OPA) showed. Two localities in southern Negros, Hinigaran town and Himamaylan City, were the worst-hit. In Hinigaran, a dry spell from November to December last year, which affected more than 550 hectares of rice farms in 13 villages planted by 587 farmers, brought P10.01 million in losses. The data was based on field validation that has been conducted by the OPA with the Municipal Agriculture Office since January 4. Meanwhile in Himamaylan, rat infestation from December to January, which affected 212.5 hectares of rice

ANTIQUE The bereaved family of 1Lt Jarren Jay C. Relota of Brgy. 3, San Jose, Antique was visited by Department of the Interior and Local Government personnel led by Asst. Regional Director Maria Calpiza J. Sardua together with San Jose Municipal Mayor Elmer C. Untaran recently to discuss the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CBSP) for AFP soldiers who were killed in action.   Lt Relota died in an encounter with the NPA members in Sitio Quiambao, Brgy. Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City on January 25, 2018. Information Officer Judy Mae Magdato of DILG said different government agencies are onboard in providing a comprehensive social benefits package for the dependents of soldiers and policemen who were either killed or wounded in action or in police operations (KIA-WIA/KIPOWIPO) in the Marawi incident and other government operations. The DILG and the Department of the National Defense (DND) jointly lead in the implementation of the CBSP in response to President Duterte’s standing order to extend all

crops in 11 villages owned by 236 farmers, resulted in losses amounting to P7.469 million. Last week, farmers in Pontevedra town and also in Himamaylan reported P2.445-million worth of production losses due to rice grain bug infestation. An earlier OPA report showed that 59 hectares of rice fields in Pontevedra incurred P2.053 million in damages. Also in Himamaylan, affected were 9.04 hectares, with damages valued at P391,776. In November last year, rice grain bug infestation was also reported in Sipalay City, affecting 221 hectares of plantations owned by 208 farmers.

The OPA reported losses worth P8.3 million. The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. last month approved the coverage for new rice pests, such as the rice bug (waya-waya) and rice grain bug. Also covered are farms with losses due to calamities, and other pests. In January, two cities in northern Negros also suffered the highest crop damage and production losses due to floods brought by monsoon rains. Damage reached P5.05 million to rice and high-value commercial crop farms in the cities of Cadiz and Victorias, an OPA report also showed. PNA/IMT

Antique’s fallen soldier to get government support the possible assistance that could be provided to the dependents of fallen or wounded soldiers and policemen. The CBSP will cover the members of the AFP and PNP who were either killed or wounded in action or during government operations starting July 2016 onwards. Former DILG-OIC Catalino Cuy said that the DILG targets to accommodate a number of qualified beneficiaries and commits to assist the dependents of our fallen heroes. The government will provide a special financial assistance of up to P500,000 from the Office of the President and other benefits for police officers and soldiers killed or wounded in action during operations. The first tranche of P250,000 (killed in action) shall be given upon completion of required documents and the other half shall be released upon completion of required trainings or submission of livelihood project proposals. Those wounded in action or operation with total permanent

physical disability will get P250,000 while those with major and minor injuries will get P100,000. The DILG shall organize the conduct of required trainings by the BSP, TESDA, DTI and DOLE. A home visitation will be conducted by the DSWD to the beneficiaries to assess their socio-economic condition and identify appropriate livelihood projects. The DILG will coordinate

our frustration and dismay over the lack of attention given by the National Government and other offices concerned to the island of Boracay,” it added. BFI said it is “hopeful” that the problems hounding Boracay “may finally be addressed as agencies and departments concerned will be pressured to urgently fix the island’s problems.” The business group suggested solutions to the problems. It urged authorities to “strictly implement existing environmental laws and local ordinances and close all erring establishments immediately.” BFI committed to “collaborate with agencies concerned to address the issues.” “Let us work on fixing Boracay, while maintaining open lines of communication, transparency, and consultation with the local community on the ground. We can help restore Boracay – but its restoration cannot happen overnight and on its own,” it said. BFI is the island’s biggest business organization It has been existing for more than twenty years.IMT

CAPIZ Panitan mayor prioritizes farm-to-market roads BY JOEL CAPUNDAN In order to make the transport of goods faster and easier, Panitan Mayor Generoso Derramas prioritizes in several barangays in his town. “Gina-prioritize ko guid ang farm-to-market roads para madala ang prodokto halin sa uma pakadto sa merkado”, Derramas told IMT News. He said they have allotted P500,000 each for the construction of farm-to-market roads in 20 barangays . The budget will be sourced from the bottom-up-budgeting (BuB) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Meanwhile, the budget for six other barangays in the town will be provided by the national government. Derramas, who serves his second term, also implemented housing projects for the poor, and renovation and repair of infrastructures, among others. IMT with the beneficiaries and national government agencie to assist them for employment in local government units and other NGAs. The beneficiaries of 1Lt Relota will also get shelter assistance in the form of a housing unit grant or construction of new house in own lot or in a PNP/ AFP housing project site amounting to P450,000 or house repair amounting to P100,000.PIA/IMT

Asst. Regional Director Maria Calpiza J. Sardua

BUSINESS 3

February 18 - 24, 2018

Gerochi pushes for P1.50 jeepney fare hike

BY MARY HOPE TORRECHANTE

Iloilo City Councilor R Leone Gerochi drafted a resolution adopting the opinion of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA6) on the proposed increase in the minimum jeepney fare. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA6) Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal, in her letter to Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB-6) Regional Director Richard Osmena, recommended to increase the minimum fare for jeepneys by only P1.50. Recently, the LTRFRB-6 approved the petition for a P3.50 hike  in the minimum jeepney fare. If the amount is approved by the LTFRB Central Office in Manila, the minimum jeepney fare in Western Visayas will increase to P10 from P6.50. The  Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Owners and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA), Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers’ Associations (ICADA), and Confederation of Iloilo Provincial Jeepney Owners and Drivers Association (CIPJODA) originally proposed a P12 minimum fare or an increase of P5.50, but they decided to reduce it to P10. According to NEDA-6, the P5.50 increase is “too high.” “We should also be sensitive to the plight of the riding public who are directly affected whenever there is a fare hike,” the agency said. “The rate should be fair to both the operator and drivers to generate revenues and cover operational costs without burdening the public who regularly use public utility jeepneys, especially the students and senior citizens,” it added. The transport groups sought to increase the minimum jeepney fare following the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law. The TRAIN law took effect on January 1, this year. It reduced personal income taxes but increased those on cars, tobacco, sugar-sweetened beverages, and fuel. Gerochi’s resolution was referred to the committee on transportation which is also headed by the proponent for further study.IMT

Sampulna wants to close Boracay for 2 months

BY REYMAR LATOZA

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-6) wants to impose a temporary closure of Boracay Island to restore its pristine condition. DENR-6 Regional Director Jim O. Sampulna said the best solution to save the island in Malay, Aklan from further degradation is to close it for at least two months. “Close  natin pansamantala  while we are undertaking steps to resolve the environmental problems on the island.

Off-limits muna to tourists.” Sampulna expressed fear that the world-famous island “might lose” if no serious actions will be taken. He said his “heart is bleeding” for the current condition of Boracay. “I could no longer take to stay there.” “Hindi na  tourist destination ang Boracay. It’s like a marketplace,” Sampulna lamented. “Sobra sobra na ang abuso sa Boracay.” The regional director said the

island is suffering from waste and sewerage problems. “Sobrang daming basura. Kahit saan tinatapon. Isa pa ang wastewater na diretso sa dagat.” President Rodrigo Duterte gave the DENR a six-month ultimatum to address all environmental problems on the island. If the agency fails to fix Boracay within the period, Duterte said he will close the Island. The President blamed Malay’s

government officials for making Boracay “a sewer pool.” “I will charge you with serious neglect of duty,” he said in his speech in Cebu City. “You allowed buildings to be constructed without the proper sewerage….You created a disaster there,” he added. Boracay is Western Visayas’s top tourist drawers. In 2017, the island accommodated more than two million tourists.IMT

British bizmen to explore opportunities in Iloilo BY REYMAR LATOZA

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against dealing with unregistered entities, wholly or partly owned by foreign nationals, engaging in retail trade. In an advisory issued Monday, the SEC said it has received numerous complaints or reports about the existence of these entities or those acting beyond the authority granted in their articles of incorporation/partnership,

constituting a violation of Republic Act (RA) 8762, otherwise known as the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000. Under RA 8762, retail trade enterprises with paid-up capital of less than USD2.5 million are exclusively reserved for Filipino citizens. It provides that full foreign participation is allowed only if these firms have paid-up capital of USD2.5

million or more and investments for setting up a store should be USD830,000; and are specializing in high-end or luxury products with paid-up capital per store not less than USD250,000. A retail trade company sells directly to the general public merchandise, commodities or goods for consumption. RA 8762 provides that any person who shall be found guilty of violating

any provision of the act shall be punished by imprisonment of six to eight years, and a fine of P1 million to P20 million. The SEC further advised the public to be mindful of the provision of Commonwealth Act No. 108, as amended, otherwise known as the Anti-Dummy Law, prohibiting the employment of aliens in all entities engaged in nationalized activities.PNA

met with City Mayor Jose Espinosa III, Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Rebecca Rascon. The two-day trade mission will highlight a Trade and Investment Forum at Richmonde Hotel in Mandurriao district. It aims to “facilitate a dialogue between the government and private sectors and present business opportunities in Iloilo and the Visayas as a whole.” The delegation will conduct site visits in Iloilo Business Park, Iloilo Commercial Port Complex and Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), among others. IMT

DA PRICE MONITORING

DTI PRICE MONITORING

Philippine Stock Stock Exchange Philippine Exchange Inc Inc

HISTORICALStock EXCHANGE RATE Philippine Exchange Inc

PANAY POWER SITUATION Philippine Stock Exchange Inc Weekly Outlook - February 16-22, 2018

Representatives from companies based in the United Kingdom will visit Iloilo for a trade mission on March 8 to 9, 2018.

British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) chairman Chris Nelson said the delegates will explore opportunities in the tourism, retail, manufacturing, and information and

communications technology (ICT) sectors. The trade mission delegation also includes Filipino businessmen. Iloilo, according to Nelson, is a

“growth area” in the Visayas. “There are a lot of opportunities here. Obviously, you have pretty much, you have agri-business here,” he said. Nelson was in Iloilo last week. He

SEC warns public vs unregistered retail trade firms

As of January 1, 2018

Prime Commodities Prime Commodities

MEAT LOAF Argentina(150g) 555(150g) CDO-Wetmarket(150g) Gusto(150g) CORNED BEEF Agentina(150g) CDO(150g) Purefood Star(150g) VINEGAR-GIN BOTTLE Silver Swan (350ml)

Current Price 16.50 15.75 16.95 16.50 29.00 26.50 27.00

13.50

PATIS-GIN BOTTLE Datu Puti-Supermarket(350ml) Datu Puti-Wetmarket(350ml) TOILET SOAP Ivory(Classic)135g Safeguard(White)135g SOY SAUCE-GIN BOTTLE Datu Puti-Supermarket(350ml) Datu Puti-Wetmarket(350ml) BATTERIES Eveready Heavy Duty Small Red (Pack of 2) AA

Current Price 19.60 20.50

28.00 40.50 15.75 16.50

Current Price 26.50

of January 1, 2018 DTIAsPRICE MONITORING

Period (February 7-16, 2018)

Prime Commodities Prime Commodities

52.2000

CANNED SARDINES Current Price INSTANT NOODLES Current Price

Toyo (155g) Family - Budget Pack Plain (130g) Lucky 7 (155g)

13.25 12.00 13.45

PROCESSED MILK Current Price Alaska Sweetened Filled 54.50 Milk - Condensed 300 mL Alaska Filled Milk 39.50 Evaporated 370 mL Angel Filled Milk Evaporated 410 mL

Lucky Me! (55g) Payless (50g) BREAD

USD/PHP 52.0817

52.1000

7.30 6.30

52.0099

52.0000 51.9000

51.8540

51.8000

Current Price

Pinoy Tasty (450g) 35.00 Pinoy Pandesal (250g) 21.50 38.15

Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - February 10-16, 2018

On Thursday, Philippine Stock Exchange Inc (PSE:PHS) closed at 239.80, 5.48% above its 52-week low of 227.35, set on Feb 16, 2017.

52.1652

SOURCE:NGCP

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

Capacity (MW)

571

571

571

571

571

571

571

Diesel

105

105

105

105

105

105

105

Renewable

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

Coal

449

449

449

449

449

449

449

Available Import/Export from/to Negros

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

System Load (MW)

327

317

313

340

331

333

331

51.7000

Net Reserve/Deficiency (MW)

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

51.6000 51.5850

Limitations

64

74

77

50

60

58

60

Required Regulating Reserve

13

13

13

14

13

13

13

Required Contingency Reserve

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

Required Dispatchable Reserve

82

82

82

82

82

82

82

51.5893

51.5000 Feb 10, 2018

Feb 12, 2018

Feb 14, 2018

NEWS

4

128

overloaded trucks apprehended on Panay Island in January 2018

P18B

amount (partial) spent by tourists who visited Iloilo last year

February 18 - 24, 2018

Insilada is 2018 Global Teacher Prize finalist

BY REYMAR LATOZA

An Ilonggo teacher is among the top ten finalists for the 2018 Global Teacher Prize. Jesus Insilada, who also serves as principal of a public secondary school in Barangay Caninguan, Lambunao, Iloilo, is a lone finalist from the Philippines shortlisted to take home $1 million in cash prize. The names of the top ten teachers were announced by Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Feb. 15. Other finalists  are from South Africa, Turkey, Norway, Colombia, USA, Brazil, Belgium, Australia, and United Kingdom. The winner will be announced during the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai on March 18. The top ten finalists were chosen from more than 30,000 nominations

and applications from 173 countries. They were judged based on their

“success in the classroom, innovative teaching practices, achievements in

the wider community, and example to others who aspire to become teachers.” Insilada is a former principal of  Alcarde Gustilo Memorial National High School in Calinog, his hometown. As a member of the Panay Bukidnon community,  Insilada promotes the rights and welfare of indigenous peoples. Through his advocacy work, he has promoted education to indigenous communities, encouraging greater participation and far higher rates of enrolment in higher education. Insilada  practices culture-based education (CBE). With this approach, he said students become engaged in their education.IMT

Defensor is Iloilo City’s ‘caretaker’

BY MARY HOPE TORRECHANTE

51

establishments on Boracay Island found to have violated environmental laws

25

crime incidents recorded by the Iloilo City Police Office from Feb. 2 to 8, 2018

Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr, representative of Iloilo province’s third district, has been designated as legislative liason officer for the lone district of Iloilo City. Defensor said his designation was “effective immediately.” According to the congressman, he received the memorandum order from the office of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Feb. 13. Defensor said his responsibility is to oversee the operations of the office of Iloilo City Jerry P. Treñas. “I will serve as caretaker. Ang purpose sini is para indi maapektuhan ang  iya  (Cong. Jerry P.Treñas)nga absent  mga empleyado sa opisina,” he explained. Treñas has been suspended for 90 days by the Sandiganbayan in connection with the graft case being faced by the legislator. In its resolution, the anti-graft

128 overloaded trucks apprehended in Panay BY REYMAR LATOZA

42

towns in the province of Iloilo. It has one component city.

“

Konti lang talaga at hindi pa nga aabot ng one SWA per continent. ”

 Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for the deployment of more social welfare attachés (SWA) to beef up the Philippine diplomatic mission in countries swamped with pleas for help from abused Filipinos or those in trouble with the law.

court said, “The preventive suspension is mandatory in character pending a criminal prosecution to prevent the accused from intimidating or influencing witnesses against him.” “Section 13 of RA 3019 makes it mandatory for this court to suspend any public officer against whom a valid information is filed charging a violation of said law … or for any offense involving fraud upon government or public funds or property.” The case was filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against Treñas in November last year for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The Ombudsman accused Treñas, former mayor of the city, of giving “unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference” for releasing P500,000 from December 2003 to January 2004. The amount was intended for the construction of the Iloilo Press Club building in Barangay San Pedro, Molo

A total of 128 overloaded trucks were apprehended on Panay Island in the first month of 2018. Twenty-four of these trucks were caught by the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH-6) Weighbridge Station in Dumarao, Capiz, and 104 were apprehended by the Anti-Truck Overloading Mobile Enforcement (ATOME) team. The ATOME team is composed of personnel of the DPWH-6, Land Transportation Office (LTO-6) and Police Regional Office (PRO-6). According to engineer Jean Garin,

“

Unacceptable ang paghintayin ang taxpayer ng mahigit sa isang buwan na dati-rati’y tatlong araw lang. Our taxpayers deserve better.

”

Senator Nancy Binay asks officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to explain the cause of the heavy delay in the release of certificates of registration of companies.

DPWH-6 weighbridge operation head, the LTO-6 is responsible for the imposition of penalties to the violators while the PRO-6 is in charge of security and safety of the enforcement team. Last year, threre were 1,632 violators of Republic Act 8794 or the Anti-Truck Overloading Law. Engineer Oliver Zamora of the DPWH-6 said the anti-truck overloading operation in Negros Occidental was reactivated in the later part of 2017, after the dissolution of the Negros Island Region. “We have to protect our roads and bridges from being damaged by overloaded trucks,” he stressed. IMT

“

We should resist any notion, especially the one couched in populist terms, that we use borrowed money in buying rice from abroad.

”

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto says the government should see to it that the solution should not further bloat the P172 billion liabilities of the National Food Authority.

district. According to the Ombudsman, the project “remained unaccounted for due to lack of documents and status report, causing damage and prejudice to the government.” It said Treñas should not

have released the fund, which was sourced the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of Senator Loren Legarda, to IPC because it was not a non-government organization and accredited by the city government. IMT

Philippine and United States officials watch flight operations from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. The Carl Vinson is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to conduct routine maritime operations, promote freedom of navigation, and work with partners and allies to enhance regional security and stability. Photo from U.S. Embassy Manila - Information Office

PRO-6: No reason for cops to sleep while on duty

BY REYMAR LATOZA

The Police Regional Office (PRO6) assured that it does not condone lazy cops, including those who are sleeping on their respective stations. According to PRO-6 Spokesperson Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, sleeping while on duty is an intolerable act. “We expect that our police will double their efforts now because their salaries have been increased,” he said. From P14,834 monthly basic pay, the lowest ranking policeman now receives P29,668.

“

OFW cash remittances boost our economy and I think the best way to repay them is to ensure that they would be safe and properly compensated in the countries where they would be deployed.

”

Senator Chiz Escudero underscores the need for the Philippine government to craft a comprehensive labor policy and tap countries that will protect OFWs from maltreatment and abuse once they are employed.

“Rest assured that sleeping cops here will be sanctioned,” Gorero stressed. He said there is no reason for cops to sleep during their duty hours. “They are not working 24 hours a day. They are required to render service for a maximum of 12 hours, “Gorero explained. Last week, several cops in Manila were caught sleeping on the job. These cops are now facing administrative charges. Gorero said this should serve as a lesson to police officers in the  region. IMT

“

Even before the enactment of this law, the government has already subsidized irrigation service fees being paid by small farmers to the NIA through our intervention in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

”

Senator Loren Legarda hails the President’s signing into law of the Free Irrigation Service Act (Republic Act No. 10969), which will benefit small farmers.

February 18 - 24, 2018

IMT NEWS FEATURE 5

More than the Colorful Paraws

BY MARY HOPE TORRECHANTE The coast of La Villa Rica turns paradise every February. Tourists swamp along the beach of Sto. Nino Sur to see and photograph the beautifully crafted boats topped with colorful sails as they paraded along Iloilo Strait; running out the Coast of Panay Island and then down to the Coast of Guimaras Island before returning at the beach. However, these sailboats, coined by locals as paraws, are not mere backdrops for selfies and groufies. More than just their pretty looks lie a more beautiful story. Every part of paraw is fortified with rich Ilonggo history. Paraw was originally designed from the sailboats of the first settlers from Borneo who were in search of a peaceful home in 1212 A.D. Legend would say that these 10 Bornean datus reached The Philippines through paraws as their mode of transportation. The propagation of Filipino civilization was made possible because of these paraws. And the theory that there might be no ‘you’ and ‘me’ existing today without these sailboats might be correct. So to preserve their historic value, 46 years ago the Ilonggos started to celebrate the what is now Paraw Regatta Festival; the oldest traditional craft event in Asia, and the largest sailing event in the country. As we Ilonggos continue to take pride of this history and culture, so do our sailors and the boat makers who have inherited the so called “legacy” of seafaring which was handed down to them by the Bornean datus. In this fast evolving world of ours, where there is an undeniable struggle between history and modernization, the festival is a living proof

of the uncut connection between the past and the present. It has been the commitment of the Paraw Regatta Foundation, Inc.(PRFI) to continue making history come alive for a new generation. This is a challenge for Dr. Ronald Raymond Lacson Sebastian, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University CEO and president of PRFI. He said they have been rebranding and re-envisioning the festival for the past two years by putting emphasis on Ilonggo culture and heritage, particularly our roots in seafaring. “The festival is an avenue to exhibit the talent and craftsmanship of Ilonggos,” he said. The 42-year-old IPRFI president is now on the double in taking a leap to popularize to the world that Iloilo is the home of finest boat-craftsmen and sailors. “Expect that I will dedicate myself for the festival. Expect that I will continue to bring innovation for the festival, and expect that I will continue carry on the legacy of Paraw Regatta in a straight direction as provided with its mission and vision,” Sebastian said. “This is my way of helping my beautiful home, Iloilo City,” he added. The efforts of Sebastian and the rest of his team in the foundation are a huge help in making our city a place to be, and in a way, protecting our very own heritage, culture, and history – our identity. And there is no better way to marvel the Paraw Regatta Festival, second biggest festival of Iloilo City, than to see it yourself.IMT

6

OPINION

February 18 - 24, 2018

Sleeping cops shouldn’t be shamed

Editorial

Tienda Noche, a tourism and economic foreplay

IMT NEWS and its marketing and events arm, No Boundaries Advertising and Events in partnership with the local government of Buenavista, Guimaras and Department of Tourism (DOT-6) successfully launched the first night market in the island called Tienda Noche de Buenavista last February 16, 2018. Ten local restaurants, ten food hawkers, six local producers and six local market retailers joined and risked their small capital to make the endeavor happen. The project, a collaboration of the private sector and the government, was designed to help the small businesses earn a little premium from a night of food and entertainment and eventually make the residents appreciate the value of going out and dining out with their whole family fostering a better family bond while indirectly supporting and giving livelihood to the very small producers and food players. The businesses around Buenavista shared their P500 and P1000 in order to finance the operational needs of the night market. The academe, through Guimaras State College (GSC), provided for the entertainment of diners and shoppers. The Buenavista Development Cooperative (BDC) offered their vans, boats and even their chairs free of charge for the use of the organizers in preparing the set-up and at the same time managing the needs of the sellers and their clients. The local government provided for the stage and the audio system. The DOT-6, through Director Helen Catalbas, provided the backbone of the event. It was a classic display of how all sectors can actually help and pool their small resources and help the public at large especially when a project of this scale becomes regular and more sustainable. Meantime, in Buenavista, Tienda Noche will happen every third Friday of the month and hopefully, the stakeholders will appreciate its beauty and purpose and a weekly run will become a reality enabling a more dynamic tourism and economic foreplay.

METROPOLITAN GLOBAL PH COMMUNICATIONS CO Publisher REYMAR LAYAWON LATOZA Editor-in-Chief MARY HOPE TORRECHANTE Staff Writer CLARK VILLARUEL ANTIQUIERA I.T. Head / Lay-out Artist PETER IAN MONTALBO JONATHAN NAVARRO Production ATTY. ANTHONY PORRAS Legal Consultant RHODERICK MAQUIRANG TECSON General Manager ERNESTO ALENCIAGA Special Events In-Charge RALP MAYPA Aklan Bureau Head Calangcang, Makato, Aklan | 09383648171 JOEL CAPUNDAN Capiz Bureau Head Phase III Milibili Heights Sub. Milibili, Roxas City | 09091005590 EVA ABAJENCIA Antique Bureau Head Hot Spot Bldg., District 1 Sibalom Antique FATHER ELMER CAJILIG Guimaras Bureau Head Brgy. Rizal Jordan Guimaras 09177210126 • 09088970126 • (033) 3965210 Head Office: Phase II Block I Lot 69 Deca Homes Brgy. Pandac, Pavia, Iloilo www.iloilometropolitantimes.com [email protected] TIN No.: 431-229-334 Contact No.: (033) 514 5113

and illegal gambling.

-o0oI have misgivings though with some police officials who give their junior officers the dressing down in

front of TV cameras. Not all the sleeping beauties are useless or bad cops. Sleeping is a human foible. Even Hercules and Don Juan fall asleep. Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson had also been caught sleeping in cowboy and crime movies, but they always emerged as outstanding lawmen and ten feet taller than the bad guys they had killed. Police officials can always conduct a surprise visit in various precincts even without the media coverage and fanfare. They can always throw the books on erring subordinates without the need to insult and embarrass them in media. While most of these police officials are motivated by call for duty, protocol and professionalism and their wrath seem to be valid, some of them have hidden agenda. When they retire several months or years later, they don’t only become civilians, they become candidates in elections for a public office. If they can shame subordinates for the sin of sleeping, they must, first and foremost, do the same to the rogue cops, the real bad eggs in uniform notoriously engaged in illegal drugs

-o0oWhen Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) committed crimes, some of them were sentenced to death in foreign courts even if their guilt wasn’t established beyond reasonable doubt. In most cases, the Philippine government wasn’t able to save wrongly convicted OFWs from the death row. Either news of the sentencing in court reached late in Malacanang, or there was lack of coordination and miscommunication among labor attaches and other concerned officials. If the OFWs are the victims of crimes perpetrated by their employers, the chances that they can get support from Malacanang through our embassy are also sometimes nil. Especially if embassy officials face a blank wall like in the case of 29-yarold Joanna Demafiles of Sara, Iloilo whose body was found inside a freezer in a Kuwait apartment recently. As of this writing, efforts by Lebanese authorities have been undertaken to capture the suspects, a couple and Demafiles’ former employers, who fled to Lebanon after abandoning the apartment in 2016. Demafiles had been identified through her fingerprints, according to RP officials in Kuwait. Her family is demanding justice. They wanted her body back in Sara, Iloilo.

After the worst flooding in Boracay last December 17, 2017 caused by the heavy rainful brought by typhoon Urduja, the whole country reacted. The flood water that covered almost 90 percent of the 1,032 hectares prestine island has poured into the nerves of no less than President Rodrigo Duterte who was quick to declare that he will close the island from the public if no clear action is done to resolve the problems infesting the island. Of course, it is easier said than done as the effect of its closure would mean damage to the business and tourism industries but its doable and practical as the effect of non-action like the ultimate decision of closure pending the execution of tangible plan of actions would eventually result in nature taking its course of action which could mean severe destruction. The proposed closure, however, was met with resistance especially from the business community who are in truth more than worried of the red marks on their books instead of the total destruction that the island will suffer eventually. With respect to those who have religiously complied with the requirements of the law, the reality is, every small and big business operating in the island has already profited so much and this is where the problem started because these businesses do not know when to stop or even just pause to give back and allow nature to heal. The Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) issued a statement telling everyone and the President that they are not the violators and they comprise the businesses that have responsibly operated more than 20 years and it will be unfair on their part to temporarily close the island as they have deligently done their share. BFI also decried the overpopulation, and environmental stress on the island that the national government has not acted upon. Of course, it’s unfair but the

island is in an urgent and fragile state that palliative measures like repairs of drainage systems and warning of closures to those who are found to have violated certain enironmental codes are never enough. If organizations like BFI and other stakeholders are not agreeable with the proposed drastic action by the President, what are the options that they have presented in order to ensure that the island will heal itself say in 6 months to 2 years? Telling everyone that you are doing business properly and some are not is simply employing the act of Pontious Pilate when he denied knowing his master. It’s a question of what have you done outside your business organizations to help nature and the island repair itself other than the much publicized garbage and plastic waste collection along the coastal lines of the pristine beach. On the other hand, the declaration of President Duterte that he will charge the officials of Malay that has jurisdiction over Boracay is genius but too lacking. The truth is, the local government of Malay has been rendered helpless by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the agency tasked by Duterte to implement rehabilitation measures in 6-months time, in several major business investments. While Malay is busy entertaining protests by environmental groups in several projects within the island, DENR national office has already issued the necessary environmental permits rendering any action by the local government useless and inutile. The president should train his sights on the Puka Beach project. Even the resort of his avid supporter, Senator Manny Pacquiao which is under the name of Pacquaio’s friend has been proven to have violated practically all the environmental codes and laws of the town and the country but it has not ceased its operation. Rehabilitating Boracay is not a lock, stock and barrel matter

that can be done inside the island. It should begin in Malacanang, cleaning the ranks of those agencies like the DENR, the public works department and other agencies that have stakes in the island and at the same time implement sound policies that prohibit local government and national government officials from owning any business on the island and prohibit them from using dummies at all. Today, DENR has listed at least 51 businesses who were found to have violated certain laws and policies. Six months has been given as deadline to DENR’s Roy Cimatu to rehabilitate Boracay. It’s simply impossible. A comprehensive inspection of each business establishment must be done not by the DENR who can be easily be blinded by bundles and other perks. The President can employ his Commission on Audit (COA) auditors who could look into the system of every business establishment based on the prevailing ordinances and laws as benchmarks and immediately order its closure. If the President can order the massive murder of drug personalities, then it will be a lot easier for him to order the immediate closure and dismantling of structures found to be in violation of the law. If the President can afford not to give chances and benefit of doubts to those who were killed in his drug war, then it’s a lot easier to simply destroy the businesses who are found to have violated the laws in Boracay without giving them the chance to repair or mend their violations. It is not about not giving due process because each day these violators have operated and earned millions is a chance for them to have mended their violations but they did not. These are dangerous and drastic measures but the clock is ticking and it’s only a matter of time before nature will take away Boracay from us and heal itself naturally. Only Digong can do these actions and it’s just about time.

“E

ffective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.”--Stephen Covey NEWARK, New Jersey -- I agree that some cops in the Philippines caught sleeping while on duty be meted with disciplinary action, but I don’t agree that they should be berated like kids in front of a national TV. Sleeping while on duty is indeed a serious offense amid threats from the communist rebels to attack police stations anywhere in the country. It constitutes negligence and lack of discipline especially if those caught dozing off were not in proper uniform and in terrible shape physically. They could be disarmed by bad elements and even killed while in dreamland. They can’t also respond to calls for police assistance from victims of crimes at night time. Sleeping precinct commanders should be sacked and replaced with those energetic and strong enough to withstand drowsiness on night shift.

Its about time, Digong

OPINION 7 Ombudsman: Probe vs Duterte can be refiled

February 18 - 24, 2018

R

ead carefully the reply of the Office of the Ombudsman to the announcement of Solicitor General Jose Calida Tuesday that the investigation on the plunder case filed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has been terminated. The letter sliced through Calida’s mediocrity while assuring the public that Malacañang has not succeeded in quashing the issue of President Duterte’s undeclared wealth. The plunder case has not been dismissed. This is important. What Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang said in his Feb. 12 letter to Calida was “the investigation on the complaint entitled ‘Antonio F. Trillanes IV v Rodrigo Roa Duterte’ and docketed as FF-M-16-0161 was already closed and terminated” upon recommendation by Deputy Ombudsman Cyril E. Ramos on 29 November 2017.” “By rule, ‘[a] closed and terminated field investigation is without prejudice to the refiling of a complaint with new or additional evidence,’” the Ombudsman said. The Ombudsman’s confirmation that the fact-finding or field investigation on the case was closed and terminated on 29 November 2017

carried the explanation “after the AntiMoney Laundering Council declined to provide a report or confirmation on the requested vital data. “ A reliable source said last November, Mel Georgie Racela, the Duterte-appointed executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, informed the Ombudsman that they will not be providing any documents related to the case because the President is immune from suits. Racela’s letter came more than a month after Carandang confirmed receipt from AMLC of the bank records of Duterte and members of his family. Carandang said the AMLC documents were “more or less” the same as the documents attached by Duterte to his complaints which showed bank accounts containing millions of pesos. Racela denied having sent the document to the Ombudsman but the latter stood firm that they have received documents from AMLC pertinent to the case. Maybe it was not Racela who sent the documents but there was an official transmittal from AMLC, sources in the Ombudsman said. Last month, Malacañang suspended Carandang for allegedly leaking the AMLC documents which put the Office of the President on collision course with the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent body created by the Constitution to

“Connected”

investigate and prosecute government officials accused of graft and corruption. Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales stood her ground and ignored Malacañang’s suspension of Carandang. Malacañang blinked on this as the Ombudsman noted in yesterday’s statement: “Finally, the Office observes that the Solicitor General effectively recognized Carandang as the Overall Deputy Ombudsman through his official letter-inquiry dated 8 February 2018 addressed to ODO Carandang who, at such date, had been ‘supposedly’ under preventive suspension. The Office sees this as a recognition of the unconstitutionality of the preventive suspension order.” The Ombudsman statement also lectured Calida on the issue of confidentiality and independence using his own words: “The Solicitor General raised certain questions which may be answered by his own declarations. He asked why the Ombudsman kept quiet about the matter. Oddly, he himself pointed out that the Ombudsman had inhibited herself from the investigation. The Solicitor General might want to consider whether it is proper for an official who inhibited from an investigation to remain involved therein. The Ombudsman

posits that it is not. In keeping therewith, the investigation was given free rein and proceeded without her intervention. In fact, the Ombudsman learned about such closure and termination only on 29 January 2018, upon an inquiry on the status thereof after learning that Odo Carandang was formally charged and placed under preventive suspension by the Office of the President. “The Ombudsman trusts that in the conduct of fact-finding investigations, efforts are exhausted to gather evidence and to comply with pertinent internal rules. Fact-finding investigations, under the rules, are generally confidential in nature. The Office is not obliged to inform the subject of the fact-finding investigation about its outcome. The confidentiality of proceedings was, in fact, recognized by the Solicitor General when he cited the exception that the Ombudsman has the power to publicize certain matters (e.g., whether or not to act upon an inquiry “out of curiosity” or media requests for case status out of journalistic duty). The Ombudsman could not have considered exercising such discretionary power relative to the complaints against the President due to her inhibition.” Calida’s latest pressure on the Ombudsman betrays Malacañang’s panic over the bank accounts which

was first exposed by Trillanes during the 2016 campaign. VERA Files’ analysis of the bank documents showed that Duterte and his daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao City mayor, omitted to fully disclose their joint deposits and investments at the Bank of Philippine Islands, which conservatively exceeded P100 million in some years, in their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth when they were mayor and vice mayor of Davao City. The penalties for violating the SALN provisions in RA 6713 are imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to P5,000 or dismissal from the service. In 2012, the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, convicted then Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, ruling that “his deliberate act of excluding substantial assets from his sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth constitutes a culpable violation of the Constitution.” Over the years, the Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed other government officials and employees and barred them from holding public office for misdeclaring their net worth. It has also filed criminal cases against them before the Sandiganbayan, charging them with grave misconduct, serious dishonesty or falsification of public documents, among others.

social networks help spread contagions; create “epidemics” of various issues, fads and markets, alter voting patterns, and more. Christakis says in his book entitled Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, “It is the spread of the good things that vindicates the whole reason we live our lives in networks,” “If I was always violent to you …you would cut the ties to me and the network would disintegrate. In a deep and fundamental way, networks are connected to goodness, and goodness is required for networks to emerge and spread.” I would like to agree in some prior research that the use of social media may detract from face-to-face relationships, reduce investment in meaningful activities, increase sedentary behaviour by encouraging more screen time, lead to internet addiction, and erode self-esteem through unfavourable social comparison. Self-comparison can be a strong influence on human behaviour, and because people tend to display the most positive aspects of their lives on social media, it is

possible for an individual to believe that their own life compares negatively to what they see presented by others. Human behavior also changed along with the rapid rise of the Internet and social media. People have become more engaged in using their smartphones or gadgets not only for calls and SMS but mostly for checking on their social media accounts that they often mistake virtual reality for real life. In addition, people usually only show the good side of their lives to the public but in reality, life is not a bed of roses. I am a great fan of social media but not really a “trending” user. Sometimes, I blocked people when I don’t find their posts relevant. It’s good that Facebook has options whom you would like to make friends with or to whom you would only like your posts to be seen. Technology evolves as years pass and unfortunately, our behaviours, too. I just hope that there are still genuine relationships formed or developed as these social media sites continue to boost and transform.

more than body parts. Leni Robredo is but a pair of legs and nice smooth knees. Leila de Lima is but a sex tape and a lover. And NPA women rebels are nothing without their vagina. The frequency and the regularity of his statements have sent us reeling in perennial reaction mode, sending out angry statement after angry statement, posting enraged Facebook update after Facebook update. Personally, I don’t have enough middle fingers for the kind of verbal abuse and degradation we have been subjected to by this president the past months. We’re too incensed over the President’s latest outlandish statement about women that we don’t have time to process and think about what it is collectively doing to us as a people. On the surface, the laughter his statements generate point to a desensitization and normalization. It also gives credence to callous statements, like that of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque about feminists just being “OA” or over acting. Is that the kind of environment we want for our girls? Is that what we really want to tell our boys? If it is, then we resign ourselves to living in a toxic culture that permits sexual violence and verbal abuse. Women like Valdes will be heard but not listened to. They will be pitied but not understood. They will be

acknowledged but not helped. Nothing will be done to take on the long, tediou, and iterative process of creating and sustaining positive change. It certainly will not help that some women – even those who once had the temerity to call themselves women’s rights advocates – rise to Duterte’s defense. They will echo the call to just “ignore it” and choose to look at all the good things Duterte is doing for women. They completely and conveniently overlook the fact that the many (but still limited) liberties Filipino women enjoy today is borne from the pains of women who came before usm the ones who found the courage to speak out and say, “I’m not taking anymore of this shit.” I am reminded about a man I was meeting with. Over lunch, a man told me that Filipino women had it all. We could go to school, work, dress, and do whatever we want. “You’re already empowered. What more do you want?” he asked. That was before the Duterte era, so I gave him a list: divorce, birth control, rights for single mothers. “The Filipina is empowered to decide on most things except when it comes to matters of her heart and her vagina. That is legislated by the State, the Church, and family.” If he had asked me that question today, I would have answered him with one word: respect. And our own Philippine #MeToo Movement. – Rappler.com

“People adopt unique persona for different social networking sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn,” a team of researchers said. It is believed that everyone is a product of their environment. Our behaviour changes in varying circumstantial life events, influences, and surroundings. In this modern age, social media has become the most powerful tool of communication and source of information. But how large of a role does networking through social media play into our lives? Maybe more than any of us could ever realize. While social networks are often designed to be widely accessible, many attract homogeneous populations initially, so it is not uncommon to find groups using sites to segregate themselves by nationality, age, educational level, or other factors that typically segment society, even if that was not the intention of the developers.

For most of us today, social media has been our way of expressing ourselves and believe it or not, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram among others, have become our basis for social acceptance and self-appraisal. Every time we post our photos, videos, articles, or status updates, we always look forward to be liked in addition with the more specific online “reactions” such as “haha” for something funny, crazy, or something amusing; angry face for posts with negative or unfavourable topics; love for something lovable, amazing, sweet; sad face for something sad, sentimental, and all other. Hence, the more likes we have the greater we give value to ourselves. And it feels good, right? Social media has changed not only our powers of thinking, but today governs our behaviour and social conducts as well. Most common sights includes people taking pictures of even the simplest glasses of drinks at restaurants- forgetting about hunger or social etiquettes and about being with

the family or friends instead spending time with a gadget. The food pictures find a status update even before the meal begins. It’s now very typical. Social media has become a diary, a journal, and a treasure bin for memories are kept and shared. More than a slum book, it seems to be a reflection of who we are now. On the other hand, there are scientific and psychological journals pointing out significant facts about the narcissistic habits of social media, there remains other causes of major concern such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem levels, stereotyping gender, race and sexuality and easy arena for spewing hatred, abuse and anger- are just to name a few amidst others. We like to think that we are largely in control of our day-to-day lives, yet most of what we do, from what we eat to how we sleep, and even the way we feel, is significantly influenced by those around us’ and those around them. Our actions can change the behaviors, the beliefs, and even the basic consciousness of people we’ve never met. In an elusive fashion,

BY ANA P SANTOS

or stepmothers/fathers. It is usually someone who is known to and trusted by the family and the victim. One person is raped every hour  in the Philippines. #MeToo has moved far from being a hashtag to a force that had taken down men from their once untouchable perches of power, compelled companies to re-evaluate corporate policies on what constitutes acceptable workplace behavior, and made individual men and women re-visit and re-assess their past sexual encounters. #MeToo has sparked conversations and heated debates even among women about the painful but necessary discussions we need to have. In one way or another, it has driven us to examine questionable behavior we may have been guilty of and its impact on others. But in the Philippines, stories like that of Valdes, of  Judy Fugoso, and the  various revelations of sexual misconduct in the music scene  have done little but ruffle a few features and trigger a few angry whispers in the small circles of the art and music community. There›s nothing yet that could be used as a galvanizing force to overhaul the cultural and social norms that enable sexual violence and allow misogynistic views that fuel it. Duterte afraid of strong women Whatever attention and traction our own #MeToo movement may have gotten has been muzzled by President

Rodrigo Duterte and his complicated love-hate relationship with women. Running two years into this “relationship,” we know the playbook by now. Inappropriate statement about women. Citizen indignation. Feeble attempt at a spin by current spokesperson. Repeat. And the gaslighting continues. The inappropriate statements run the full spectrum of lewd compliments to rape jokes and the latest, incitement of violence when he encouraged (or is “ordered” a better term?) soldiers to shoot female communist rebels in the vagina because “they are nothing without it.” (READ: From ‘fragrant’ Filipinas to shooting vaginas: Duterte’s top 6 sexist remarks) Most of womanity would appreciate it if the President kept his filthy mouth away from our vaginas. But the President continues to be obsessed with women and their body parts, reserving his most vile and repugnant comments for strong women who aren’t afraid to challenge him or tell him off. A strong woman doesn’t need balls. She has a vagina and is like a man in every way except that she has a different body part. Maybe that’s why Duterte is so scared of strong women that he doesn’t know what to do with them, except degrade, insult, and strip them of their character by reducing them to nothing

Mr. President, keep your foul mouth away from our vaginas

Another Filipino woman has come forward to share her #MeToo experience. Assumption College president  Carmen Valdes said she was first sexually abused  by an older cousin when she was 6 years old. He went on to “share” her with another older cousin. The abuse went on for two years. Years later, she was abused by a family friend. Valdes disclosed the abuse for the first time in a book she had written. It took her 60 years to actively speak about it. To this day, she says, she can still smell her abusers. “Just the memory of the scent turns my stomach. One never forgets.” Her disclosure moved one of her sisters to speak about her own encounter with sexual violence. Her sister had been raped as a child by a carpenter who worked in their home. Sexual violence in the Philippines The first national study on violence against children  conducted by the United Nations Children Fund (Unicef ) showed that 17.1% of Filipino children experience some form of sexual violence while growing up. These forms of violence range from unwanted touching, having sex videos or photos taken without their consent, and severe sexual violence, like forced consummated oral, anal, or vaginal sex. The usual perpetrators are relatives: brothers, cousins, older sisters

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Antique is now SCUAA-ready BY RHOD TECSON “The Antiquenos are tired of being unknown, isolated and backward.” This is how Governor Rhodora Cadiao described her people as she narrates how Antique has turned itself into a sports destination after successfully hosting the 2017 Palarong Pambansa, the 2017 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Games and now the 2018 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) Games on February 18 to 23. “They used to question our capability especially when we bid for the hosting of the Palaro,” she added. Cadiao said the people of Antique have shown the country that they are not what was perceived of them.

She further said that the hotels around the province are fully-booked these days. The 2018 SCUAA is being hosted by University of Antique. The games include archery, athletics, arnis, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, chess , dance sports, football, futsal, karatedo, lawn tennis, pencak silat, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, tae-kwon-do, and volleyball. Over 7000 delegates are expected in the province. The lady governor narrated that the province has zero crime rate when it hosted Palaro, WVRAA and the Binirayan Festival. “The province has been declared insurgency-free,” she added.IMT

More or less 5,000 delegates from the region’s six provinces are expected to gather here Iloilo this year’s Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet, which will open on Sunday, Feb. 18.

Dr. Amelita Pitalgo, OIC-Chief, Education Support Services Division of Department of Education 6 said the delegates are composed of athletes, coaches, chaperones and delegation heads. They will also include officials

5,000 delegates expected at WVRAA 2018 who will officiate during the WVRAA which will culminate on February 23. Pitalgo said advance party of some competing delegations were already here since last week to prepare their billeting quarters. Delegations will be billeted in five elementary schools and 1 secondary school in the city. The Antique delegation will be housed at Baluarte Elementary School; Aklan at Iloilo Central School; Capiz at Mandurriao Elementary School; Guimaras at A. Montes I Elementary School; Negros Occidental at Lapaz I Elementary School; and Iloilo and the officiating and non-officiating officials at Iloilo National High School. During the week-long sporting meet, there are 16 events to be played in the elementary level, 22 events for the secondary, four events for Paralympics and three demo sports that include

dance sports, aerobics gymnastics and pencak silat. Iloilo Sports Complex in Lapaz District will be the playing venues for athletics, badminton, basketball, football (secondary), swimming, table tennis and paragames. Other events will be played in the following venues: Archery at Pavia National Comprehensive High School; Arnis at Iloilo National High School; Baseball Lapaz Plaza; Billiard at Robinsons Jaro; Boxing at Jaro Plaza Gym; Chess at Girl Scout Council; Futsal at Western Institute of Technology; Sepak Takraw at John B. Lacson Maritime University; Taekwando at Westbridge School; Tennis at Lapaz Plaza (secondary) and NFA Jaro (elementary), Volleyball at University of San Agustin, Sambag Campus (Elementary) and CPU (secondary); wrestling at Gaisano City; Wushu at SM City Iloilo and softball

at West Visayas State University. The demo sports will be held in the following playing venues: Pencak Silat at ISAT –University; Dancesport at the University of San Agustin/ WIT; and Gymnastics at Central Philippine University and Pavia NHS. A parade will commence the 2018 WVRAA. It will start from the Iloilo Provincial Capitol to the Iloilo Sports Complex to be followed by a program at 4 P.M. with DepEd Assistant Secretary Revsee Escobedo as guest speaker. Guided by the theme “Stronger Western Visayas: Synergy for Sports Supremacy” this year, the regional meet aims to strengthen the sports activities in the region and to choose the best athletes who will represent Region 6 in the 2018 Palarong Pambansa which will be held in Vigan, Ilocos Sur from April 15 to 21.PIA/IMT

Yokota sports a stellar record of 26-7-3 and in his most recent bout, submitted his opponent in another promotion. Now, Yokota is set to take on the surging Christian Lee. Malaysia’s Gianni Subba is a 25year old flyweight talent from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. He spends time carefully honing his craft with talented teammates, including brother Keanu, at Bali MMA in Indonesia. A winner of six of his last seven bouts, Subba is a seasoned athlete with a stellar 9-2 clip in his young career. Five of his nine wins have come either by submission or by crowd-pleasing knockout. In his next assignment, the crafty wushu specialist Danny Kingad poses a stern challenge. Top flyweight talent from the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, Danny “The King” Kingad is a regional wushu champion with a wushu record of 29-1 and martial artist with a professional record of 8-1. A true warrior from the mountains of the Philippines and one of the top prospects to come out of the country, Kingad is a tremendous striker who possesses well-rounded grappling skills. In his most recent bout, Kingad suffered the first defeat of his career after being submitted by reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes in the first round. Kingad will now return to action against Gianni Subba. Former amateur standout Muhammad Aiman of Malaysia is one of the country’s fastest rising young martial arts talents. Featuring a well-rounded skill set, Aiman has impressed in his time

inside the ONE Championship cage thus far, defeating Hisyam Samsudin by unanimous decision in his first match in the promotion before stopping Brazilian grappler Eduardo Novaes in his second outing. In his most recent contest, Aiman thoroughly dominated Chinese prospect Yang Fei to win a unanimous decision. The 23-year-old is now set to take on his next challenge in Burn Soriano. Burn “The Hitman” Soriano of Ilocos Sur, Philippines, is coming off a tough contest against China’s Chen Lei last November. The Filipino featherweight features an aggressive style, with solid power and seasoned grappling technique leading to all of his wins to date coming by way of stoppage. His 15-second spinning back fist knockout of Indonesia’s Mario Sitya Wirawan in 2016 was one of the fastest finishes in ONE history. A national kickboxing champion with a kickboxing record of 14-3, Soriano has shown steady improvement over his last few contests and now looks for victory next against Muhammad Aiman. 18-year-old Jihin Radzuan of Johor Bahru, Malaysia is a highly-touted young martial arts prospect making her ONE Championship debut. A well-rounded competitor, Radzuan is a Muay Thai and boxing practitioner with a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. A former Southeast Asian Open Gold and Silver Medalist in Muay Thai, Radzuan is known for her varied striking skills and terrific knockout power. Radzuan will step into the ONE Championship cage in Kuala

Lumpur to face Puja Tomar. Flyweight competitor Puja Tomar is a martial artist from India with a professional record of three wins and two losses. With a knack for showcasing her solid striking skills, Tomar has recorded all three of her victories by knockout. Competing largely in her home country of India, the former India wushu champion Tomar now makes her second appearance on the biggest stage in Asian martial arts as she is set to face Jihin Radzuan in the ONE Championship cage. Hisyam “Zephyrus” Samsudin of Malaysia is a former WBF AsiaPacific Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion who trains at the highlyregarded Borneo Tribal Squad with former female strawweight talent Ann “Athena” Osman and coach AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor. Samsudin likes to pepper opponents with heavy handed strikes, utilizing his world-class boxing base to break down opponents. Samsudin’s next assignment is against Jerome S. Paye. Liberian martial artist Jerome S. Paye made his ONE Championship debut in February 2016 against China’s Li Hao Jie. In the bout, Paye showcased a well-rounded set of techniques, stifling his opponent with an array of striking combinations. With the ability to make bouts difficult for any opponent, Paye has shown incredible heart and determination in his time inside the ONE Championship cage. This time Paye will take on Malaysia’s Hisyam Samsudin.

Initial Bouts Announced At One: Visions Of Victory Set For 9 March In Kuala Lumpur The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced its return to Malaysia’s bustling capital city of Kuala Lumpur. ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY is set to ignite the Axiata Stadium with an evening of authentic martial arts action. While a main event is yet to be announced, ONE Championship has revealed a handful of compelling bouts featuring the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent. Ticket information for ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY is available at www.onefc.com. Agilan “Alligator” Thani of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a 22-year-old martial artist and one of the top welterweights in ONE Championship. Thani’s quick rise through the ranks has seen him amass a stellar 8-1 professional record, including a title shot against former ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren in May of 2017. Although Thani fell short of victory against the American, he gained a great amount of experience as a result and has emerged as a more seasoned combatant. All but one of Thani’s victories have come by exciting finish. The young Malaysian has shown steady improvement in each outing and he will now face Amitesh Chaubey in his next assignment. Amitesh Chaubey is a martial artist from India and a welterweight newcomer in ONE Championship. He owns a professional record of 8-5 and is a former SFL Welterweight Champion known for

his knockout power. Primarily a boxing stylist who stifles opponents with his quick hands and fluid combinations, Chaubey joins a deep ONE Championship welterweight division looking for a new champion. He takes on former welterweight title challenger Agilan Thani in his promotional debut. 19-year-old Christian “The Warrior” Lee, younger brother of reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee, began his professional career on an absolute tear, railing off five straight victories by thrilling finish. He has impressed fans with his ability to seek out stoppage wins over top-caliber opponents. A former Pankration World Champion, Lee toppled Japanese veteran and former ONE Lightweight World Champion Kotetsu Boku in his most recent bout, winning by first-round technical knockout to improve his record to 8-1. Known as a creative and fluid striker with unorthodox grappling technique, Lee is now set to face another Japanese veteran in Kazunori Yokota. 39-year-old Kazunori Yokota of Chiba, Japan is a martial arts fixture with over 12 years of professional experience under his belt. A champion of Japanese promotion, DEEP, Yokota is one of the toughest competitors at featherweight as he has constantly punished his opponents and grinded out impressive victories. Yokota made his ONE Championship debut in May of 2016, challenging former ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat Gafurov for the title.

IMT NEWS

By Ted Aldwin Ong

Bicycle Series

Rock Drilon’s exhortations on biking

Bicycle Series 1

“Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling,” said editor James E. Starrs of the Literary Cyclist: Great Bicycling Scenes in Literature. These words were summoned back from memory after viewing the Bicycle Series, recent works by Ilonggo artist Rock Drilon. Dynamic and energetic characterized the collection, yet it hinted melancholy, not for the reason alone that the artist is aging, but perhaps because Drilon himself is a habitual biker. The 10-piece mixed media Bicycle Series exhibited at Fitstop Bites and Bikes from January 20 to February 9, 2018, enticed the mind of the viewer to engage on the exhibition’s main theme – bicycles and biking, a familiar theme for the artist who is an active rider doing night rides with members of the Iloilo Folding Bike Riders and integrating his art to various advocacy work. Drilon who successfully built a career in Manila came back to Iloilo in 2012 and shared back to the Ilonggo community his art and life. His composition resolves questions and doubts why he is revered among his peers and how he gathered public respect eventually becoming a treasured abstract artist of the country. The focus on biking as the main theme for this collection has effectively lured the under-initiated viewer on Drilon’s art. To note, the Bicycle Series is by far the third major exhibit of Drilon in Iloilo that I have attended since his homecoming 5-years ago. Yet the shapes and colors remained familiar especially among his constant followers who credited it to his consistency using lively multi-colors to highlight interloping lines, overlapping shapes, and multi-layer backgrounds. Unlike “Iloilo Period” (2015) and “Untitled” (2016) collections, however, the Bicycle Series expressed a feeling of motion or mobility. This makes Drilon’s execution on the canvas true to form; bicycles are, after all, equipment for mobility and transportation, if not for purely leisure and play.

One cannot help but also notice the layering of colors in Drilon’s work. Bicycle Series 10, for instance, appeared to have solid black background and with streaks of blue bringing to the secondary surface the emergence of charcoal grey highlighting gold loops and bicycle riding subject in beige and white. In this piece, the bicycle riders appeared central subjects underscoring the necessity of visibility, an element of safety that every biker is mindful about, especially when riding at night or with poor lighting. This is perhaps one of the effective function of the layering of colors which made black appeared hidden yet dominating the background to evoke warning signals. It may also have signified the environmental condition confronted by bikers during a ride: air pollution, noise, chaotic surrounding and unforgiving external elements. It implored consideration from unwanted punishment in order for the self to attain cheerfulness and jubilation similar to the contentment that bikers declare after every ride. The playful mix of opposing emotions rendered on canvass by using different colors and shapes underlines metaphor to describe spirited or tragic encounters. Bicycle Series 3 exemplifies this play with two bicycle rider in tandem appeared to be pedaling joyously under the rain or against the wind as accentuated by the pastel colors and hues of blue. The use of pale red to light orange from the head of the rider flowing down to the waistline and further to the leg may have implied injury. Most of the pieces evoked intense emotions stressing unresolved issues through robust use of colors like the one in Bicycle Series 8; noticeable distortion of shapes like Bicycle Series 6; isolated lines of yellow, red, and orange in Bicycle Series 9; and diffusion of forms held by untangled loops.

Viewer takes photo of Rock Drilon’s Bicycle Series exhibited at Fitstop Bites and Bikes, Iloilo City, 2018

Rock Drilon on a playful mood during his show at UP Visayas Gallery “Iloilo Period” in April 2015.

Motion and mobility invited instant connection to the art collection. It seamlessly activated the viewer imagination to disregard disruption and redirect focus by transporting attention to decode the encrypted message usually carried behind the surface of abstract paintings. It is on this aspect that Drilon’s Bicycle Series was most effective. His art motivated viewers to dwell deeper and take a detailed look into each and every piece in order to allow them to read messages represented by white, grey or blue colored bicycles above continuous and seemingly endless curves and loops like labyrinth. The strong saturated colors of blue, red, gold and black could be mistaken or interpreted to convey the complexities or spontaneity of biking: riding without defined direction, making unintended stops and pauses, riding mindless of time, biking to free the mind from worry, or to simply enjoy the merry-go-round with laughter.

The diffusion of forms and shapes reflected Drilon’s experiences, struggles, and observations as a biker for years now and how all of these have contributed in shaping the artist’s involvement in many advocacies in his attempt to disentangle the barriers and clear the path to realize its full potential. The artist’s aesthetic sense was evident at every piece – neatly framed with smooth and continuous matting without noticeable disturbing edges from inside and out. Yet one thing was evident on the Bicycle Series – the ability of Rock Drilon to produce an art pieces that can effectively connect with the viewer. Drilon’s over-familiarity with the subject (bicycle and biking) certainly did not prove disadvantageous. On the contrary, in fact, his competence on the medium (abstract) brought prestige to biking, and, attained heightened awareness among viewers regarding the role and significance of both biking and art in society.