con't... (message board 62)

Name:   Hagi
Address:   Cor. Yague & Mascardo Streets, Guiuan, Philippines
Email:
Date:   20 July, 2008

A Tribute to my fellow “Chat mates”

“Let us ask what we can do to this column” so goes in part this phrase contrived and written by one reader in the Samarnews Message Board column in reference to the famous inaugural address of the late U.S. President J. F. Kennedy on January 20, 1961. If these words are taken into its context, these unequivocally tell us that we can use the Message Board more for what it has been intended. The conglomeration of views and opinions though it has always been the dominating component of this column, must also give way when the time comes for us to recognize and give credit to those whom we feel deserves our praise.

I am referring here in particular to these overseas Filipino workers, who in their long working hours in their respective countries where they have found opportunities to work and improve their economic status, have found company and spend their precious short off hours to talk, exchange stories from distant relatives and friends, as well as get the latest national news back home thru Samarnews ‘Chat Room’ as relayed to them by their fellow chat mates.

These chat mates (I am one of them) who as I said earlier, have endured long working hours in their places of work and having no relatives of their own to go to after work, just resigned their tired and weary bodies to the loneliness of their rooms. They find comfort and try to overcome that feeling of isolation by turning ‘on’ their terminals or laptops to switch to the world of ‘chatting’ to fellow waray-waray OFW’’s all over the world.

I must not miss to mention also our local Samareños who have sought employment away from home (Samar). And as transient residents where they are assigned to work have also indulged in this ‘pastime’ during their ‘off hours’ to ease their boredom and seek new friends from within the country and overseas.

Cutie, Demi, Fepot, Hazel, Mike, Noelle, Pebbles, are just a few of the chat names who regularly enter the chat room, from whom you could hear and listen to their everyday work and life experiences that they share to one another. These are the modern ‘Gabriella Silangs & Diego Silangs of our time, the heroines and heroes, without them perhaps the country’s BOPs (Balance of Payments) and other economic indicators would have slid down and bring our country into more economic woes.

I salute you chat mates !!!

Name:    Bokoy
Address:    Saudi Arabia
Email:    bokoy_b@yahoo.com
Date:   Jul 19, 2008

Para kan Troy:

I should have written this in waray but since you are not a Filipino, let me say it in english. Hoped you understand my poor english. I would like to say thank you for your concern regarding the bad road from Tacloban to Catarman. I am proud that you were able to have an American citizen, hoping your ancestor is not a Filipino, because if they are, even if you stay there until the end of your breath still you are a Filipino.

Anyhow Troy once again thank you for visitng our beloved Samar bisan maraot it kalsada makuri an kinabuhi para hamon mga waray waray pinalanga namon ini nga lugar.

Ayaw gadla pag maan pag visita ngadi ha amon, dida na siguro in maupay na an kalsada. Again thanks for your concern.

Name:    Troy
Email:    sweetlander2003@yahoo.com
Date:   7/19/08

Samarnon, it is called a (in)corporation. The Philippine law does not preclude a foreigner from owning properties in the Philippines, as long said foreigner does not have 100% ownership or controlling percentage.

And let us be honest, in the Philippines, with a lot of corrupt individuals, be in politics or public offices, anyone can pretty much do ANYTHING they want.

Name:    Antonio Morales
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   July 19, 2008

Tell-tale signs!

The recent order of the Sandiganbayan to suspend Gov. Tan and her cohorts pendente lite (pending litigation) is a welcome sign for the case against them. While Gov. Tan tried hard to stay close to Pres. Arroyo during the latter's visit to Gandara, she is dispensable as an ally.

Well, we can't really say in finality how these things will turn out to be. As far as I know, we should pray hard and hope for the best that the sacrifices made by Fr. Noel Labendia and Isog Han Samar Movement will not go to waste.

End the kakistocracy in Samar!!!

Name:   Thomas Marcial
Address:   K.S.A.
Email:
Date:   Jul 18 2008

Maupay iton kon.... an mga dagko nga isda anay an magkakawil basi deri magin ihimplo han mga pangurakot. Kun sugaron la didi ha Saudi an balaud maupay deri maiha an processo sanglit deri nakaka kurakot hin dako...

Kita mga pobri an kairo... sanglit magburoblig kita ngatanan para naman an aton ciudad umasinso. Iton mga kalsada naton dida ha Samar pera na nga mga report hiton puro accomplished nga wara pa ngani titikangi kailangan antis mag eleksyon matapos anay iton...

Mabuhay kita nga Samarnon... urusa kita ngatanan para han kaupayan nga tinuod nga asenso nga matagamtam han aton mga kablas nga Samarnon...MABUHAY.

Name:    Marcial Lo
Address:   New Jersey, USA
Email:   mmlv73@mail.com
Date:   18July2008

Para kan Adelbert Batica ngan han mga nagbibiling kan Professor Rollie Borinaga. Iine hin iya website nga akon natad-an pina-agi han GOOGLE. Tikang pala ako hine nga website ngan baga active man, waray la ako pakakuha han iya contact email address kay waray ako mag-iha dida han iya site. Nagka-contact guihapon kami hine ngan hi professor mga pira na ka tuig an naglabay. Nagpaki-ana ako kun ano na an nahitabo kan ex-Biliran governor Jose "Joe" Gonzales.

Probare la niyo pagbisita hine nga iya website kay bangin la kamo makakuha hin contact address… http://www.geocities.com/rolborr/official.html

Name:    Adelbert Batica
Address:   207 W. 31st Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408, USA
Email:    basaynon49@yahoo.com
Date:   July 18 2008

Mano Profesor Torres –

Thank you for trying to reach Prof. Borrinaga, wherever he is. He and I, plus Bob Couttie, used to dialogue until at least 2004 with respect to the issue of the Bells of Balangiga. I tried Rolly's e-mail, but my message bounced back. Incidentally, he and I couldn't connect either, when I visited Samar in 2003.

So, thanks, Mano Profesor, for reminding me (and us) about Rolly, and there's a project in the making which I believe he should be involved in, he being better versed than I on Samar-Leyte-Biliran history. There's an small, independent film-making outfit in Europe that contacted me thru their rep, and they plan to do a documentary on Leyte and Malapascua. They're mainly interested in history and eco-tourism.

If Rolly and I could connect one more time, then I should be able to fill him in on the details. Pastilan, Rolly, buligi ako, kay danay na ak sumipyat basta "historia de un amor" na hit Samar-Leyte nga karo-kayakan. This film outfit is desperate for a history consultant, and I'm not "it".

Mano Profesor, buligi nala ako pagbiling kan Rolly, ngan kan Bob Couttie, kon mahihimo la. Salamat nala nga daan. (Ngan ipadayon guihapon it im pagkinoro-o hiunong hit mga "plunderers, kurakots, kawatanes, ninnies & nincompoops.." didto ha aton.

Name:    Tonyboy Morales
Address:    Catbalogan
Email:
Date:    07/18/08

To the infuriated Troy:

"Speaking of sarcasm, let me give you a dose of it." -Troy of USA. You better take that dose for yourself Troy. Did you find it in CVS or Walgreen? Ah, okay you found it here (Samarnews.com's Message Board) since it's a dose against a sore ego!

Bato-bato sa langit ang tamaan huwag magagalit! Kapag ukol, bubukol! Toink!!! Troy, I certainly do not want to know you personally because I am not interested to know the color of your skin, the shade of your hair, the DNA of your blood, nor the might of your brain. What I commented from the very start is your haughty attitude. In your first message if you recall, you mentioned that you are among us saying that you are a "fellow waray." Try scrolling down the messages just for purposes of swallowing your own bitter pill and you will see that it was you who identified yourself to be a waray. I did not call you a waray and will gladly not call you to be from now on, it was you who made that pronouncement to the whole internetdom that you are a waray. A waray is a Filipino. A waray is a part of a group of people who can speak waray-waray and has its own distinct culture like curacha, bahalina na tuba, kinilaw na isda, and so on and so forth. A waray can trace its heritage to the Leyte-Samar area or the Eastern Visayas Region of the Philippines. Citizenship will not change your being a Filipino or being a waray. While citizenship is merely a piece of paper, nationality is a piece of who you truly are – warts and all. My inderstanding is that a waray will forever be a waray no matter what and no matter where.

I don't quarrel with you about the roads in Samar being in deplorable conditions. It has been that way for many years and will continue to be because of the kakistocracy (try to find the meaning of that from your dictionary so you will be guided accordingly) going on in Samar. That is not the issue that I have raised from the very start. It seems that American education as you want us to be impressed has not taught you to read between the lines. You are not getting the message man!

I know for sure that no one in the island of Samar would gladly adopt you to be their relative because of your attitude. You can't address the waray-warays of this world with "my fellow waray" line when you are a full-blooded American. Well, even that term (full-blooded American) is subject to debate. A full-blooded American would be an american indian who can trace his lineage to the the mighty people who originally owned the lands in that hemisphere. But that would be another topic. For purposes of owning a land in the Philippines, let me remind you on the constitutional provisions about foreigners owning lands within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines. Foreigners can't acquire lands in the Philippines in the legal sense because that is prohibited by the Constitution. So if your father owns a land in the Philippines and you are claiming that you are a foreigner then the Solicitor General should start the process of getting that land from your family. The only exception that foreigners can own land in the Philippines is through inheritance. But when you talk about inheritance, at least you must have a 1% Filipino blood in your body because inheritance is succintly related to the words inherit and heritage.

Well, you could choose your friends but not your relatives. I pity those related to you wherever they may be!

Because of your haughtiness, try to distinguish your person and your comments. I don't have to know your name, your age, your address including your ZIP code, your marital status, your vital statistics, and your circumstances just so I could respond to whatever you wrote in the message board of Samarnews.com. Otherwise, it would be better for you to join friendster, facebook, myspace, and what have you so you be in the company of friends who can say only good things about you. If you take these remarks personally, then it is up to you and my hope is for you to learn your lessons well while reading the remarks of other people.

Is this another dose of bitter pill for you to take? It's up to you if you want to take it. An ounce of bitter pill is better than a pound of trouble.

Have a happy read!

Name:    Samarnon
Address:   Canada
Email:
Date:    July 17, 2008

On Troy's Citizenship:

Honestly, it's not really my business to know your roots and citizenship as it has nothing to do with me. My apologies for assuming that you have a Filipino pedigree from Samar. I was just looking at arguments plain and simple - logically.

Correct if I am wrong, since your father have properties in Samar, he must be at one time a Filipino citizen. Also, based on your claim, I would assume that anyone of your parents is not of a Filipino ancestry from Samar.

Thank you for visiting our beloved Samar! Have a good day!

Name:    Juan Cruz
Address:    San Francisco, California, USA
Email:
Date:    7-17-08

Current Score Card between Mr. Morales VS. Mr. Troy:

Mr. Troy - 9 pts. Mr. Morales - (waiting 4 'd result)

Hopefully the result will be in by Friday.

Name:    Antonio Morales
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:    Jul 17, 2008

On Prof. Rolando O. Borrinaga:

If there is one waray or sidlanganon that we could all be proud of, it should be Prof. Borrinaga. Champion extraordinaire of the Balangiga Massacre memorial and anything Eastern Visayas, historian par excellence, and award-winning writer.

I used to read his great historical essays in the Philippine Daily Inquirer about our region's colorful and rich heritage. UP-Tacloban is definitely blessed to have him as member of its faculty. Even his studies about local health and development issues are great reads.

He is the perfect resource person to teach us about our region's rich history.

He has a blog "Rolly's Vintage View" which has links to anything that he is interested like the Leyte-Samar Historical Society, Balangiga Massacre and Leyte Landing, Biliran, COCOFED-Silliman University friends, and other things close to his heart.

I guess this is a good start to connect with him. Try this address: www.geocities.com/rolborr  to see his magnificent blog.

Name:   Hagi
Address:   Cor. Yague & Mascardo Streets, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Email:
Date:   17 July 2008

To the Readers of Samarnews

I have been reading messages posted in this column for quite sometime and noticed that most (about 85%) of the comments have something to do with the present regretful situation of our national roads in Samar. Except for a couple of individuals who have made suggestions and offered alternative means of travel aimed to mitigate the people’s agonizing ordeal through these roads, majority of these commentaries and observations are critical and to a certain extent dismissive. No one has yet thought of other ways to help our province in ways that would have foreseeable and lasting benefit to the province.

I am talking here of small tasks similar to the efforts being done by a tour operator in Cologne, Germany that aside from selling airline tickets to ‘would be’ travellers that will spend their holidays in the Philippines, she encourages them more particularly the Filipinas (married to German nationals) to take with them whatever variety of plants (in packets of seeds) suited for planting in Samar.

Some of these balikbayans have heeded her advice and had actually planted these seeds on their own vacant lands while and during their stay in Samar. And several of these ‘absentee’ landlords had actually opted to plant alternative tropical plants growing them side by side with existing coconut trees.

They knew for a fact that at these stages in their lives, most of them would not see these plants grow into trees to bear fruits but their efforts of propagating them are intended more to the coming generations to reap whatever economic and environmental benefits these plants would bring to their kababayans. These little pockets of ‘planting here and planting there’ efforts by these balikbayans somehow helps even in a negligible degree and underpins the government’s current reforestation program in the region.
So for the rest of us readers of this column, we could solicit the help of our relatives living overseas (North America, Europe, Australia to name a few) that once they decide to spend their holidays in the country, they can include in their travel luggages some seeds that they can grow, and look forward to the day when their grandchildren can gather its fruits.

Name:    Batchmate in LOS ANGELES
Address:   USA
Email:
Date:   07/17/08

Our DEEPEST SYMPATHY to JAMES TY and his family, our throughts and prayers are with you, GOD BLESS ALL...

Name:    Troy
Email:   sweetlander2003@yahoo.com
Date:    7/16/08

To Samarnon of Canada and Mr. Morales,

Speaking of sarcasm, let me give you a dose of it. Do you know me? personally? I don't think so. So how dare you lecture me on the definition of "relatives", and tell me that I have relatives, in Catarman, without having known me personally. What gave you the idea, in the first place, I am even a Filipino? I am not. I have nothing against Filipino's, as well as any other race, but it so happened that I am not one.

Since you both decided to butt in your 5 cents worth of pseudo-analytical garbage, let me clarify a few things, with the hope that the next time you comment about me at least some of the informations are based factually .While it is true that my father have properties in Catarman, and yes, I lived in Catarman for a few years before coming to California. But never did I mention or hinted nor insinuated that I have relatives there, before we went there nor left any when we came to the America.

But let us not forget why I posted my opinion on this website.

My initial posting was about my personal views on the highway between Catbalogan and Calbayog, on my way to Catarman from Tacloban.

It was my intention to shame those people in power to start thinking how crappily they are making everyone mesirable with their corruption and money and power - grabbing mentality, and that we are paying attention to them, and we do not have problems expressing such negative opinions. Instead, the demon of the power-that-be in the person of Mr. Morales came to "spin" my complaints to a different realm and sent it oblivion with the intention of redirecting everyones attention to something or somewhere else. Mr. Morales successfully did just that. Samarnon of Canada and the rest even congratulated him for his witty, and psuedo-intellectual remarks. However let us not forget that the highway I questioned still remains as shameful-pothole covered-muddy-mesirable piece of work.

So who won this discussion? I don't know and honestly I don't care.

I do know who lost....The Calbayognon, Catbalognon, Catarmanon, Taclobanon and the rest of the people that travels using that route.

Name:    Cesar Torres
Email:    Cesar1185@aol.com
Date:   15 July 2008

To Rolly Borinaga

I thought you had a website. I am looking for my article when we were still writing in Bankaw. It is about Rousseau and the general will. Mayada ka kopya?

Please get in touch. I went to your Blog.

Name:    Samarnon
Address:   Tacloban City
Email:
Date:   July 15, 2008

To: Mr. Tony Morales

Keep up the good work. Saludo ako hit imo mga mensahi dinhi ha samarnews. Damo an mga naiigo hit imo mga kurukayakan, hurob-hurob, mensahi. Hina-ot unta nga igpadayon mo ini ngada kahasta. Salamat.

Name:   Tonyboy Morales
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   Jul 14, 2008

What happened to the idea of Vic Abude of QC and Samarino???

While I challenged Vic and Samarino to expound their idea on utilizing the waterways of Samar for transportation, they have not answered back. Is this an acceptance that their idea was merely a product of wild imagination?

Many have already posted that we do have existing pumpboats servicing areas that are not accesible by land transportation. The list made by Mr. Batica was not only historically significant but an affirmation of the fact that we have been using the great waterways of Samar for transportation for ages.

I believe that we need to improve the services of the pumpboats like providing life vests onboard these vessels that are public carriers so that the riding public will be protected in times of emergency or that thorough and rigid examination of the seaworthiness of the vessels be made regularly. Although I have not heard of disastrous pumpboats accidents in Samar, we need to have these safety precautionary measures in place so we can truly rely on the services of these watercrafts.

A friend from Alaska and her family who went to Sto. Niño in May this year via Calbayog and they were impressed with the boat service as well as the cleanliness of the Calbayog seaport but was dismayed by the rocky road drive from Catbalogan to Calbayog and back. Her anglo-saxon husband was delighted by the outriggers of the boat as an added safety feature of the boat and the presence of life vests aboard the boat. They had a blast snorkeling and scuba diving in Sto. Niño and their Samar experience was delightifully great that they plan to come back as often as they can so they can explore Samar's magnificent natural wonders. Minus the back-breaking roads, the friendliness of the people of Sta. Rita, Sto. Niño, Catbalogan, and Calbayog are enough for them to come back and learn how the people of Samar could teach them how to live a happy simple life.

A provincial ordinance that would institute safety measures on these pumpboats could be crafted and implemented by the local government units. When the operators of these boats are charged with docking and other fees by LGUs, the latter should be responsible to protect the safety of the passengers. Overloading for instance is an important issue especially those that would cross the rough seas of Samar.

To abandon the existing road networks completely is like going back to the time of Mahoma when traveling in Samar was so difficult as explained by Mr. Batica. The main problem why the roads in Samar do not last is the corrupt practices of the officials. While topography has its contribution to the road problems, it is not the major source of problem. Engineers study how to lessen the impact of the topography of the area to the roads they build. If they could build roads in Hawaii or even in Alaska, why can't engineers design roads in Samar.

Right now, if you pass by the areas were road repairs are being made, what the contractors are doing is merely drill the existing dilapidated concrete roads with holes and then top them with ashphalt. By the time the Catbalogan-Calbayog strip is completed, the Tacloban-Calbiga-Catbalogan will again need repair since they just merely cosmetically repair the road. The budget of the road repair may not be known to the public because the DPWH and the congressional offices do not give us any information as to the nature of the road repair work being done. Some people who are privy to the specifics of the project would tell us that the project is the concreting of the roads but that is not what is being done right now. Transparency in public works in the Philippines is not being practiced. What is transparent are the billboards of politicians claiming credits for the road repairs. The billboards are sturdier than the roads being built.

What can we do? One Tacloban resident wrote the Philippine Daily Inquirer about the condition of the roads in Samar particularly the one from Buray to Oras. She was appaled by the presence of billboards of politicos prominently displayed in the roads when there are no construction going on. There was a caravan about the road conditions of Samar participated in by prominent Samarnons all over the world but we have not heard about the outcome except some reports about how the people of Samar are behind the move to awaken the senses of the national government. The president is coming to Samar in July but would most likely hop the islands using a helicopter so she won't experience the rocky roads of Samar. Maybe this is the best time to challenge her to ride a presidential limo in Samar's roads to shake all the cells of her petite body so she will instruct the DPWH to fast track the road repairs.

Let's do our part to make this problem known to the officials responsible to take care of this.

Name:    Adelbert Batica
Address:    207 West 31st Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408, USA
Email:    basaynon49@yahoo.com
Date:    July 13, 2008

Para kan Lor Asero, nga taga Dawa –

Maupay kay nakabulig hini nga haro-harampang dinhi ha Samarnews. Oo, kon bahin nala ha "Golden River" nga mga karo-kayakan, di pa gad ak ada mauurhi. Makahuhulop nga waray kalsada tikang ha Dawa ngadto ha bungto, kundi - kon tikang man ha Dawa liwat ini nga imo pag-internet, angay liwat kita magpasalamat, kay diri ka pa hihimulag (isolated) hiton mga katukiban. Igpadayon ini nga imo pagsurat dinhi ha Samarnews, kay basi gud rumabong ngan lomambo ini nga harampang.

Matuod, maabot na hin 38 anyos tikang han akon katapusan nga pakabisita ngadto ha Dawa (a/k/a "Barangay Burgos"), ang akon hadto huna-huna nga damo na an nabag-o, ngan may na nahidugangan nga mga kaupayan para hiton mga taga-Dawa. Asya manla gihapon iton kahimtang dida. Seguro, diri ada iton Dawa "priority" kon hiunong na hin pagtaga-kalsada, kay diri man "tourist destination" sugad hin Suhoton. Diri nala ini haromamay nga kasugad. Sayud gad ak hiton, nga bisan la guti-ay nga uran, dako na iton nga baha didto ha Golden River, upod pa gud alimbukad hit tubig. Diri urusahon, kon an kabukiran waray na mga "watershed" nga makakasagang han pag-abot han tubig ug uran. Kon pahak na an kabukiran ngan kagugub-an, ngadto naman ha kapatagan ngan ha salog iton pagdalagan hiton tubig, igo it mga barangay nga aada hit ligid hit salog, lunop pa gud it ira mga uma. Maiha na gad ini nga inop dida ha Basay intawon, ini nga sinesering nga "reforestation" basi man liwat mahibalik an "forest cover". Kundi mag-aano man kita, kay an Basay man, ang Loog man ngan Girang binagsakan han "Basswood" han hadto nga panahon, ngan hira nagpatakas la pagpinangutod hin kakahuyan. Waray na kakahuyan, pati seguro mga kahoynon, waray na liwat. Baha nala ngan lunop para hit mga tawo.

It akon la mahisasagdon hit mga taga-Dawa, ngan mga taga-Golden River, nga diri hira mawarayan hin paglaum. Mag-urosa hira, mapukaw na unta hira ngatanan basi ini nga "issues" lumantaw na gud ngan hikit-an ngan igka-andulaw na hit kadam-an. Iton Samar uusa la, iton kalibutan uusa la. Kon puros nala liwat disgracia it maabot ha aton tungod hini nga "environmental devastation", hini nga "man-made environmental devastation", maghinay-hinay na kita hin gui-os, basi naton mabawi ngan maangkon an aton mga unob nga bahandi - an kagugub-an, an kabukiran, an kakahuyan nga hatag ha aton han kalangitan. Ugupan naton ini, kay kon waray ini hira, waray man liwat kita.

Name:    Julius E. Espadon
Address:   Purok 5 Sitio Arartan, Sta. Rosa, Laguna 4025, Philippines
Email:    bro.nonoyjuliusespadon@yahoo.com
Date:   July 13, 2008

Kumusta ha iyo dida nga tanan sa aking 2 anak Joshua & Baby sa aking asawa Nilda, Tatay, nanay Litlit, sa pmilya ni Dodoy, pamilya ni Mamoy, pamilya ni Manoy, tsaka sa pamilya ni ptr. Peding, ptr. Alex Abalos jan po sa Tacloban maging sa lahat po ng UPC God bless po. Note pki basa nlang po on the air.

Name:    Alma Villanueva
Address:   3259 Rockhaven, Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309
Email:    alma08_2003@yahoo.com
Date:   7-12-08

Hi all waraynon,

I’m Alma Villanueva from San Andres Villareal Samar I have been in America at least 20 years now, but I come home sometimes to visit my lovely home town, anyway I love the waray station remind me when I was young girl you guys rock, love you all.

Name:   Pamela Chu Colonia
Address:   Vancouver, B.C. V5S 3S8, Canada
Email:   pamcolonia@gmail.com
Date:   July 12, 2008

James,

Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

God Bless,
Pam and family

Name:   Batchmate in NJ & NY
Address:   USA
Email:
Date:   07/12/2008

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO JESSE TY AND HIS FAMILY, OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.... from Lyn & family, Sammy, Maricel & family.

Name:    Samarnon
Address:   Canada
Email:
Date:   July 11, 2008

Troy - Tony : Waray Kinikilingan

While Troy implied of his intention to go back "home" via alternate routes, his claim to have no relatives in his home province is I guess not true. Well, am sure not true. Something that he should reconsider rethinking over and over again. Kairo man han imo mga igsuon ngan mga kauropdan. Bain umuba ha imo!

Tony M I believe is right in his definition of relativity of relatives. Directly or indirectly, Troy could have more relatives in Samar than in North America and in other parts of the world combined.

While Tony M showed us his wealth in poetry, literature and journalism - his "penchant" to get "personal" and be "sarcastic" clearly float to the surface almost on everything he writes.

Mr. Tony M, I am a fan of yours - minus the aforementioned negatives. I absolutely like your ideas. Your creative and pragmatic thinking stirred us all. Mabuhay ka. A guy like you could be an asset in the government service - if you won't change when an opportunity comes along (LIKE OTHERS WHO AFTER SEEING TEMPTATIONS LEFT AND CHANGED THEIR PRINCIPLES IN LIFE).

Name:   Rex B. Cole
Address:   New Zealand
Email:
Date:   July 11, 2008

On Samar PDCC convened, launched disaster preparedness activities:

Sometimes one may feel like puking when governments starts a spin on possible dole out to its constituents in time of distress. Hello! haven’t Samar been the typhoon highway for centuries? Why just now?

Too many questions can be asked but the real help to the people is far fetch. Look what happens in Catbalogan when it rains. Boats are needed in front of the Provincial Hospital and even in front of the government offices. The deficiency of the local government on improving the infrastructure of the newly baptized City of Catbalogan is obvious.

But well, well a PDCC loan for the city is attractive. Will the people get their share?

Name:   Vic Abude
Address:   70 Road 2, Pagasa, Quezon City
Email:
Date:   11 July, 2008

To Mr. Juan Cruz and to all readers of Samarnews,

Mr. Cruz, I am just wondering where and how we have collected our points in your score card (I hope and pray that it has something to do with a golf score card and refers to our respective handicaps because mine of 5 (pts. or stroke) is a very respectable handicap, while Mr. Morales score (pts/stroke) would put him in the last group of players who will tee-off so as not to delay the entire round), laksi la iton padi!!!

Well, we are all now in the lighter side of things, and I must admit that Mr. Morales latest (this time not a tirade to those who have written and contributed in this column) message is ‘conciliatory’ and has even colourfully acknowledged the commentaries that every one had put into the column. And we admire him for that and so with those individuals who have expressed whatever they think of Samar. The names of Messrs. Batica, Waray-Waray (hindi lang ikaw ang waray-waray kami rin hoy!!!), Torres, Cole, Troy (pls. let us know you fully) Abby, Taga Catbalogan, (for God’s sake where are you coming from?) and some others, must deserve our appreciation for being citizen minded and civic- spirited waray-warays.

Yes, it is about time that we have to acknowledge the biggest contribution of them all, that is in the person of the website owner Mr. Ray Gaspay whose magnanimity made us come together to express our views. In the words of the late U. S. President John F. Kennedy in his inaugural speech, i.e. “let us not ask what our country can do for us, but ask what we can to the United States of America, to Mr.Gaspay we say, ask not “what you can do for us, but what we can do to your column”. Further we say, ”ayaw la hit kwarta kay waray namon hiton”.

Have a good day gentlemen.

Name:    Antonio Morales
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   Jul 10, 2008

Samar's Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council: A Disaster

Romeo Reales, the bata batuta of Mila Tan, jokingly convened the PDCC in response to typhoon Frank's devastating effects. Mr. Reales, your reaction is just too late! Whether this is merely a moro-moro to cover up the wanton disbursements of government funds in the guise of helping those ravaged by the typhoon or an honest realization that the province is ill-prepared that it wants to correct now so it can deal with future disasters remains to be seen.

As provincial administrator, Romeo Reales is the alter ego of the governor. More often than not, provincial administrators are the brains of the governors (well, more true here in Samar as we all know) and even limbs (even eyes just to lend one to the present dispensation) as they are usually the ones who implement the programs of the governor. To commend him for organizing the PDCC now is like rubbing chili sauce to an open wound. But, it is good that typhoon Frank awakened his senses. Samar's outlying islands may have been ravaged badly by the typhoon but they are not known to the rest of the world because the sinking of the Sulpicio ship is far more getting everybody's attention and that there is no means by which the authorities could assess the ground situation.

Sometimes, calamities especially in Samar are prayed for by politicians. Why? One is that it is a great opportunity to tinker with the calamity funds. In fact, the reason why the present governor is in deep trouble before the Sandiganbayan is that she used the calamity fund when there are no calamities going on. While the rest of the world prays that no calamity strikes them, in Samar politicians want them. The calamity is like a passkey to a pantry full of goodies. Another is the fact that politicians can start posturing themselves as pro-people when calamity strikes. This is the perfect time to show the people that he/she really cares by distributing goodies to the distraught.

When an emergency strikes, it's not the best time to plan what you need to do. You execute the plans you've made long behore the disaster happened. The buzz words should be "disaster preparedness" and not "disaster planning." The mandates of disaster coordinating councils at all levels of government is to make sure that the plans are carried out well. In a perfectly-organized PDCCs, the response is swift and the actions well-orchestrated to deliver the most important services to the people during times of calamities.

I just hope that future calamities in Samar will be tackled well by the newly-refurbished PDCC. If Mr. Reales is serious about disaster preparedness, he should contact the Red Cross or even invite Sen. Richard Gordon to teach them how to effectively and efficiently manage calamities. Well, that is if they are really sincere in their desire to help those affected by the calamities. If their purpose is only for picture-taking and to cover up anomalies, they better watch out! Isog Han Samar can castigate them more violently than typhoon Frank. If Frank can sink a boat, maybe Isog Han Samar can sink a dynast! If that happens, maybe kakistocracy in Samar is on its way out.

Name:    Lor Asero
Address:    Sitio Honop, Bry Dawa, Basay, Samar
Email:
Date:   July 10, 2008

Matuod iton nga sering ni Mr. Batica ura ura na it ka totured hit mga tawa ha Samar, labi na ha mga horon. Didi ha Dawa waray namon kalsada ngada ha sawang. May ada gad man mga pumpboat nga na biyahi kon dere baha it salog. Tarithi la, malubog na it tubig ha salug. Han urhi nga pag baha an kahagnaan pariho hit kadagatan. Waray nanginano ha amon nga mga tawo ha govierno. Nag padara gadman hi Mayor hin bugas tag duha ka kilo kada balay, pero dere sahid natagan.

It nag kakasakit dere nadangat ngadto ha Tacloban. Dere liwat guin dadara ngada ha ospital hit bungto kay waray mga hospital equipment ug bulong. Mona Lisa kono it nga hospital. "You just lie there and they die there".

May ada liwat namon high school ha Dawa, "Integrated High School". Nag klaklasi hira ha simbahan, ngan under the santol tree kay kulang hin classroom. Mga teacher tag P3,000 pesos la it sweldo, delayed pa it bayad tikang ha municipio.

San-o o hin-o daw la it manginginano ha amon???

Name:    Malou Bermejo
Address:   Ubanon District, Catbalogan City
Email:    
Date:   7-10-08

Please be informed that MRS. REMEDIOS “Medying” SABARRE-TY of Ubanon District, Catbalogan City, Samar, Philippines, passed away June 29, 2008.

Her remains lie in state at their residence in Ubanon District, Catbalogan City.

Interment scheduled July 11, 2008, Friday, 9:30AM right after the requiem mass at Diocesan Marian Shrine, Ubanon District.
We request all pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of the soul of Remedios “Medying” Sabarre-Ty.

From: The Sabarre-Ty Family & Children of Mama Medying

Name:    Juan Cruz
Address:   San Francisco, USA
Email:    jdelcruz_24@yahoo.com
Date:   7-9-08

Hala, opaya mano Tony M kay nagdadaraon na it mga dagko nga isda dinhi. Maupay gud iton imo paon.

Score card
Mr. Morales... = 9 pts.
Mr. Abude... = 5 pts.
Mr. Batica... = 6 pts
Mr. Torres... = 2 pts.
Mr. Cole... = 3 pts.
Mr. Troy... = 3 1/2 pts.

Contestants for "Samar IDOL" Contest. (pls. text your vote to samarNews #O2-10)

Name:    Tonyboy Morales
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   July 09, 2008

Bungkag Lapinig!

It is always nice to hear people freely exchange ideas without censorship and fear of reprisal. Samarnews.com has been a very good venue. From outrageous claims to insightful suggestions, I have been intellectually enriched. I may or may not agree with the ideas of other people but I continue to respect their views.

"Bungkag Lapinig" is an idiom used in waray to describe challenging the status quo. Just like when you literally shake the peaceful beehive, the results are chaotic to say the least but the honey you get is worth the trouble you make. I'd rather be bitten by a bee than harbor a thought that is not shared so other people could learn or react. I have tremendously learned a great deal on the writings of intellectual waray-warays like my idols Adelbert Batica whose pen is mightier than the sword of Sumuroy, Prof. Cesar Torres whose love for the Philippines and its people is as hot as that burning love of the great people of Balangiga, Chito dela Torre whose passion for Basey and its people is second to nothing, Vic Abude whose powerful glib is as sharp as his thoughts, Girlie Grimaldi whose love for Samar is unquestionable, and the other people who regularly use pseudonyms as creative as their thoughts like Marcial Lo, Rex B. Cole (I guess he is a great fan of Rexona and Cologne), Taga Catbalogan, Waray Waray, Waray Ako (Ako Waray man liwat), Samarnon (from Canada and Tacloban City), Bokoy, Beth, Abby, and countless others whose ideas, crazy or hazy, are worth pondering on.

Let me borrow the mighty words of frenchman Voltaire (thanks Vic Abude for the quote) when he said that "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it."

With that, I thank Samarnews.com's champion Mr. Ray Gaspay who is making it possible for all of us to freely express our opinions without censorship. He, I guess, is the epitome of liberty. He may not agree with what we are saying but he continues to allow them to be published free of charge because of his belief for the freedom of expression. At least, Samarnews.com is not being used merely to discuss the newest showbiz staged scandal.

And to Troy of USA who bravely answered back, thanks for being a sport. You can buy from CVS, Walgreen, or any convenience store in the US an ointment that would heal your sore butt. To heal your sore ego, continue to be part of this conversation so eventually you can go back to Samar not merely to check the land that you inherit from your father but also check the people of Samar whose blood is genetically-closer to the blood that runs through your own veins than your anglo-saxon or african-american or latino neighbors in California. To say that you no longer have relatives living in Catarman is not correct at least in the Filipino concept. Maybe your concept of family has also changed when you moved to the US. While family in the US merely includes your immediate family, that is not correct here in the Philippines where everybody is related by consanguinity and affinity even beyond the degree prescribed by the Family Code of the Philippines.

In the Philippines, the law of relativity applies. If you are famous, wealthy, and good-looking, you have more relatives. If you don't have at least one of these three qualities, I won't push you to be related to any Nortehanon. It's your own choosing not to be related to the great people of Northern Samar. The fact that you are creating messages here in Samarnews.com is enough for me to believe that there is a tiny little Filipino blood cell in your body saying "Man, you're still a Filipino." In your journey to discover who you really are, learn from Barack Obama, future president of the United States. Barack could have easily shun from being black since his mom is white and his step-dad is Indonesian but he found the integrity of his person when he reconciled with the truth that he can never run away from the his own heritage as a person. He embraced his unique identity and he is on his way to claim the throne of the most powerful office of the whole world.

Name:    Waray Waray
Address:   Samar
Email:
Date:   07/08/08

Today marks the introduction of the Model T Ford, a truly versatile form of transport, cheap to operate, economical to run in gas millage, and efficient to travel in not-too-smooth roads of the late 19th century America. Today, as we know, Samar has these kinds of roads so this kind of Model T car's what we need. A car that runs well in whatever road condition it encounters. If we can't build good roads, we can invent a vehicle that floats.

We need an inventor hora mismo among us and not hotshots and insulting oxymorons who insults others.