con't... (message board 93)

Name:   Floresil
Address:   306 Royal Palm Palmgrove, Savio Better Living, Paranaque
Email:   floresil_umali@yahoo.com
Date:   08-23-09

G pm mga kabayan ko mangaro sana me bulig naopera me bukol sa bituka mar 8 nag ooral chemo ak yana start jun up to niv 8session kada session 14days 25thou gamit ko pcso mga senators vp de castro tpos weekly pa an palit ng colustomi bag ko para uo , taga napuro ak ade yana me sa paranaque ade an contact num ko 09155922482 tpos ibabalik an bituka katapos chemo tpos every siton 2500an antibiotic og gamit para operation mga 5thou siguro mga december na iton plus room ko 4thou... salit mga kabayan ko maaro ako bulig og dako nga salamat.

God Bless!!!

Salamat,

Liezl Rebucas (Floresil Rebucas Umali)

Name:   SJ
Address:   USA
Email:
Date:   23 Aug 09

Ray P. Gaspay,

It has been 10 days and so far so response from you in regards to my posting on 13 Aug 09.

I am wondering why this is? Can it be that you have no opinion on these issues? Could it be you do not care about the anger and hatred that is shown on your blog, message board? Do you even care that this on going hatred and anger could have an affect on what investments that come to Samar and Leyte?

I think it is time for you to take the time and respond. It is time for you to take a stance on where you stand as a Filipino in regards to all this anger and hatred. This is your blog, message board. There are those that know you and might think that you are failing them by letting this continue with no responses from you.

I for one would like to hear what your opinions are in regards to Agidaw, Edok, Sankay coments and anger they show on here.

As the webmaster, I think you own your readers a response.

[ Thanks for your concern SJ. May I appeal to our site visitors, to please observe the decency of our Discussion Forum. Many Forums have died because of the ill-mannered behavior of participants, forcing the webmaster to shut it down. This is YOUR Forum (site visitor’s forum) and Samar News.com is merely a venue. – RPG ]

Name:   A. Morales
Email:
Date:   August 22, 2009

The Reality of a Public Forum Like Samarnews.com

Sad to say that there are some people here who would post a message to destroy the other person even if the identities of these so called keyboard warriors are hazy. The reality in the internet age is that there is no more set of standards to be followed when you write something unlike the days of newspapers and magazines. During those paper-based era, editors have the right to twist and tweak the message of the feedback giver. Now in the electronic age, you are your own editor and the reading public becomes the ultimate judge of what you write.

The appeal of Mr. Sailorjohn (himself a keyboard warrior using a pseudonym to hide his real identity) is for Mr. Rey Gaspay to police the ranks of these keyboard warriors. To do that is to go back to the days of old when only those write ups consistent with policies or standards would be allowed. While there are some advantages to that, there are also some disadvantages and the logistics to support that format is just expensive. Considering that this website is a non-profit undertaking, we should not let Mr. Gaspay spend unnecessary time and energy getting rid of nuisance comments. After all, who defines what is nuisance and what is valid?

I read newspapers from the US and they have comments posted by readers nastier than what you find here. One advice I would suggest is for us not to be too personal in our comments and in our identities because the feedback warriors will target you personally instead of your opinion on issues. As always, I hope that we could engage in an intelligent discussion of issues and not personalities. When we focus on the issue at hand and deviate from putting our personal circumstances, then we can discuss the issues without being sidelined by who you want the whole internetdom to know about you. I personally don't care about the background of people whether they are living in Samar or not, whether they are whites or browns, whether they are old or young, all I need is their piece on how they perceive the issues. With that, we could have livelier and healthier discussions devoid of personalities bashing.

In local lingo, we say "isport laang!" We could disagree without being disagreable.

With that, I may need to put a shield for some bullets that may come way. Ratatatatatatatatatatatatatatattttttttttttttttttttttttttttt...

Name:   Jing-ging
Address:   Dumalo-ong, Gandara, Samar
Email:   gandarasamar@live.com
Date:   08-22-09

MABUHAY TO ALL SAMARIÑOS!!! MORE POWER TO SAMARNEWS.COM!!! AND BEST WISHES TO MR. RAY GASPAY!

Just got interested reading messages and comments here. Hopefully, soon this board had posted some good works and progress for the provinces in Samar island. Looking and focusing only to Samar island where best to start some good changes. And not to the whole nation when it is very far from realization. Although dreaming best is good but think on the things that has possibilities to achieve and near to reality.

Name:   SJ
Address:   USA
Email:
Date:   21 Aug 2009

Sankay

In response to your comment here:

P.S. Let me defend our OFWs who are being attacked and let me remind this American Sailor John about his insults to our OFWs connotating them as dirt job employees in his postings over this forum. He is even happy to see the oil recession to get worse so that Filipinos will get laid off and go back to the Philippines as jobless Filipinos.

First, I have few family members who are OFW's. One is working on tankers for a company based out of Italy. He is away from his children and wife for about 6 to 8 months out of a year before he goes home for about 4 or 6 weeks before he goes back to Manila for more training HE has to pay for so he can advance with more QUALS.

Secondly, I have no ill will against ANY OFW. When I made the insults/point(s), I do believe they were made against those who have such anger towards Americans. I do believe my comments were addressed to you who hide behind variouse names such as AW AW, Sankay and Edok.

I am well aware of how much the OFW's provide for their families and the local economy with the dollars they bring into the Philippines. I agree that it is the ONLY positive that is going on in the Philippines TODAY. IMHO, there is nothing else that is positive that is going on in the Philippines. The daily struggles are still there as most Filipinos are having a hard time putting food on the table, education, etc.

The continued graft and corruption still goes on and the PEOPLE are the ones suffering. I know that even these dollars that are coming into the Philippines from OFW's is part of this graft and corruption process.

Answer this question there Sankay.

How many OFW dollars is being used in corruption to by pass local laws when it comes to buying land, or in building permits to name a few? How much?

For sure that the money that OFW's send to the Philippines is helping the Philippines overall, but it ALSO is part of the problem in the corruption in the Philippines.

Now to respond to this comment:

Respectfully, American Sailor John, THERE IS NO DIRT JOB IN THE WORLD WHEN THE JOB IS DONE IN HONESTY. Our Filipino engineers, accountants, foreman, nurses, oil riggers, seamen, and laborers are trusted workers by our Middle Eastern employers. Our OFWs deserve not more and not less on the dollar they get. Our OFWs are our heroes. I Salute!!

Yes, if YOU are doing a good job and as you say, "Done in Honesty", there is no dirty job to some extent. But IMHO, I think that some companies are using the Filipino as cheap labor and even slaves. I have heard the stories my friend and I for one don't like what I hear.

What is the percentage break down of EVERY OFW in regards to the jobs or professions they do? Can YOU tell me or us on here?????

With out even doing any research, I know that the percentages of OFW's in those professional fields are not high. Most are seaman, laborers, maids who IMHO are not paid good wages. Yes, the Philippines does have a high percentage of nurses that work overseas as Filipinos are a very caring culture when it comes to caring for the sick and elderly.

I will agree with you 100% that OFW's are heroes and are keeping the Philippines above water.

Now in closing Sankay, I think those that live in glass houses need not throw stones. When YOU make comments that are off the wall, expect to get some back.

P.S. I have a few questions for you Sankay since YOU are in Saudi as a OFW. YOU do not have to provide any specific names, etc. I just need to get a better picture of what you do in Saudi.

First, what is your job at this oil company?

How long have you worked in this company?

Knowing that you are paid in dollars, do you feel you are being paid well for the job that you do?

At any time have you ever been treated badly by anyone within your company?

Do you feel that you as a Filipino are seen as a on the same level as a Saudi or do you feel you are looked down at as a lower culture compare to Saudi's?

What I am trying to do is get a better picture of those OFW's who work in the Middle East. There are so many stories in the local newspapers in Manila of Filipinos who have run away into hiding to get away from the maltreatment and abuse from their employers.

I know that my nephew has told me of how some employers will look at the Filipino as cheap labor, look down at them as a lower culture and treat them as such. Provide the bare minimum in supplies and food when at sea. Having to fish off the ship when inport to have that extra food.

What would be nice if the SamarNews could have a section on OFW's. To cover the positives and negatives of what really goes on.

I know that if a survey was taken by every OFW, that they answered each question honestly, I think that the survey would show that most OFW's are not happy in many areas. These areas would be in the areas of treatment, fair wages compared to those locally.

Name:   Kelguy
Address:   Leyte, Philippines
Email:
Date:   20 Aug 2009

In response to Sankays latest post......

Lessons we should learn from ourselves vs other ASEAN Nations:

Sankay: The Philippines is a long way to go and will never be the same like our Asian Indian neighbor because of us Filipinos. We tend to be swayed by foreign powers instead of standing on our grounds. We sit back and pretend we never have national priorities much less personal priority and lay back as if a miracle will save us. We assassinate or kidnap those who are fighting for change instead of peacefully debating on the merits and demerits of their change.

Kelguy: Let me say that everyone can stand their ground each and every election by ensuring that they vote for real representation vs voting for the candidate that promised and partially delivered the most peso-nality. Rarely do we ever see any candidate that is in any electoral race purely as a voice for the people! The miracle that everyone is searching for is in their mirrors every day! The "vote for me because I am popular" scam simply has to cease. Also the killing of same election race candidates must cease. Does it take a "Rocket Scientist" to figure out that people are getting killed because of the candidates "future potential" for corruption???

Sankay: I WOULD JOIN THE REBEL JUST TO PROVE A POINT.

Kelguy: Lets back up just a bit on this point. There are a few in-house rebels as members or in the assisting CAFGUs of the AFP / PNP and we both know it. Those behind the scenes types have on several occasions tipped off those that the AFP / PNP are struggling against. We have to look no further than the latest AFP / PNP vs ABU / MILF conflict this month where there were 23 soldiers killed as a result of inside information and lousy AFP / PNP intel. Those that would join the rebels to prove a point also make sure via that same point that the death toll keeps rising. I am no rabid GMA fan but when you are proving your point by ensuring some of your own are killed it is just wrong wrong wrong!!! This has gone on far to long. There is a huge difference between making a point and ensuring that people routinely die because of your own PERSONAL beliefs.

Sankay: Despite massive corruptions, our OFWs in a national scale are helping our unfortunate Filipino families survive by hiring them locally like building beautiful homes or other services catering the OFWs thereby maintaining our local economy AND AVOIDING THE WORLD ECONOMIC DEPRESSION.

Kelguy: On OFW's let me just say the educated / skilled OFW's are fairing far better than the less educated or less skilled OFW's. We are exporting our best product i.e our own people vs making sure they have employment at home with a fair wage where a family can be a family vs a more or less broken home 2 years at a time. Parents should be with their own children so that those children can be "reared" in a healthy family environment. Until the OFW issue is resolved, once again we can expect the status quo.. That being minor economic growth via remittances with minimal investment in real infrastructure or human capital / development. Per the current figures OFW remittance dollars are not making a huge impact in Region 8.

For everyones information the current national annual average remittance is $3,600 per OFW. (Not in this report) Those numbers do not tell the real story. (See below)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/14682-remittances-deepen-inequities-says-study.html

Remittances deepen inequities, says study
Written by Cai U. Ordinario / Reporter
Monday, 17 August 2009 00:09

IF you think migrant workers’ dollar remittances are helping raise, however minimally, the standard of living of all Filipinos, including the poorest, the data suggest a different profile of who these overseas workers are.

University of the Philippines School of Economics professor emeritus Dr. Edita Tan said most overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with high incomes are from families in the economic classes A, B, and C who were able to send them to college or enabled them to enroll in skills training.

“Gains are felt more by higher-income classes. [This] feeds into prevailing high inequality rates across income classes and across regions. [OFW] benefits tend to be skewed towards Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog,” said Tan in a presentation titled “Prospects on OFW Deployment and Remittance Inflow” at the Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis (Idea) Midyear Economic Briefing on Friday.

Tan added that Family Income and Expenditures Survey (FIES) data showed that in 2004, mean per-capita annual income of families without OFWs was pegged at P33,969, or less than half the mean per-capita income of families with OFWs of P68,045.

Further, data showed that around 31.6 percent of Filipino families without OFWs belong to the poorest in terms of per-capita income, and only 4.7 percent of Filipino families with OFWs are in the category. “Both in per-capita income and expenditure, poverty incidence for households with OFWs is way below that of without OFW members.”

With the OFW phenomenon, Tan confirmed the growing scarcity of high-quality science and technology graduates because most of them, like nurses, computer programmers and other skilled personnel, are leaving the country for better incomes abroad.

Name:   Sankay
Address:   From Cebu City, Philippines
Email:
Date:   18 Aug 2009

Lessons to learn from our Asian neighbors

The country of India, our Asian neighbor not only can support food for its over 800 million populations but also can export rice out to other countries. How did the Indians do it? Simply, it was done by two great programs: 1. Government operated network of irrigation systems and 2. a government subsidized fertilizer supply to farmers.

Indians have come a long way from impoverished country to now almost a member of the first class world while other first class worlds are going down the drain and would even become a third world because of too much debt and arguments amongst themselves. Recently, India launched its first nuclear submarine aside from their space technology accomplishments where they have succeeded sending probe to the moon.

This successful Indian endeavor is the result of corruption free government where the smartest are hired for the job and smart government officials from rural to national are elected.

The Philippines is a long way to go and will never be the same like our Asian Indian neighbor because of us Filipinos. We tend to be swayed by foreign powers instead of standing on our grounds. We sit back and pretend we never have national priorities much less personal priority and lay back as if a miracle will save us. We assassinate or kidnap those who are fighting for change instead of peacefully debating on the merits and demerits of their change. Our officials prioritize on their self serving interest like GMA spending over 400 million cementing the roads leading to her rancho land property instead of cementing the roads that serve most for our economic engines.

It is useless to serve and die in the military when our AFP members are doing the best they can to defend the Philippines and our free way of life, but on the other hand, our government officials are not doing the best they can to make our country better or even worse steal the money for their personal benefits. I WOULD JOIN THE REBEL JUST TO PROVE A POINT. What kind of a leader is GMA when her political policies for the country is to make war and divide the Filipinos instead of promoting peace and reconciliation for all the Filipinos who have already been divided as a result of the American sponsored Marcos dictatorship? By the way is GMA getting billions of American military aid to support her war policies amongst the Filipinos?

On the good side, just like our Indian neighbor, Filipinos have one thing positive in life. This Filipino positive trait is the only thing that is saving us from draining down the misery and chaos to our country. It is no other than the pursuit of good education as valued in our Filipino tradition. Just like in India private and public schools are flourishing. Imagine if Filipinos do not have education, our country will not have hundreds of billions of dollar remittances every year. Thanks to the OFWs who are our new Filipino heroes.

Despite massive corruptions, our OFWs in a national scale are helping our unfortunate Filipino families survive by hiring them locally like building beautiful homes or other services catering the OFWs thereby maintaining our local economy AND AVOIDING THE WORLD ECONOMIC DEPRESSION. Unlike in the Middle East, Filipinos are blessed with plentiful rivers to irrigate, inland seas to spawn sea cultures and cooperative weather to bring in rain, which is more than enough to feed our 80 million populations if only utilized and taken advantage from.

If only our Philippine government can take advantage of our many God given Filipino opportunities and create meaningful programs instead of corrupting our national income like spending it to selfserve for the next election money for buying votes, then our country will become as close to the first world. For example , let me remind you the forgotten case of corruption where GMA used over 700 million pesos intended for subsidizing fertilizer to our farmers but instead she used it for buying votes.

P..S. Let me defend our OFWs who are being attacked and let me remind this American Sailor John about his insults to our OFWs connotating them as dirt job employees in his postings over this forum. He is even happy to see the oil recession to get worse so that Filipinos will get laid off and go back to the Philippines as jobless Filipinos.

Respectfully, American Sailor John, THERE IS NO DIRT JOB IN THE WORLD WHEN THE JOB IS DONE IN HONESTY. Our Filipino engineers, accountants, foreman, nurses, oil riggers, seamen, and laborers are trusted workers by our Middle Eastern employers. Our OFWs deserve not more and not less on the dollar they get. Our OFWs are our heroes. I Salute!!

Name:   Rex B. Cool
Address:   New Zealand
Email:
Date:   August 17, 2009

On Government must be cautious in talking peace with the communist-terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF  [read news]

I would rather put it that both sides, the GRP and NDF should be cautious in talking peace with each other rather than ANAD's claim that the NDF is to blame on all those failure to attain peace in our country. It is a direct condemnation to the other (NDF) party who wish to follow the afforesigned agreements which the GRP intentionally does not want to act on.

Trust is the main factor for a succesfull peace accord. There is also the act of honoring what were agreed upon and the implementation of those agreements so that the process will move on.

We should not forget those who introduced extrajudicial killings in the premises of our own island of Samar. Those were the times when Samarnons was exposed to the extreme fear of their lives.

Each one of us wishes for a peacefull Philippines. Let's hope that this time the peace negotiation will push through.

To read what the other side says on the coming Peace negotiation, visit the link below:

http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2009/08/15/arroyo-regime-scuttling-resumption-of-peace-talks-ndf/

Name:   Somehow
Address:    Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   August 16, 2009

To Engr. Romualdo D. Saises

Thank you for your concern on developing Samar. How can we attend or participate in your discussion of your proposal? We are interested to listen your discussion.

Warm regards.

Name:   Marina
Address:   Logan Reserve, Queensland, Australia
Email:   marina_s_appleton@yahoo.com.au
Date:   15 Aug 2009

To all Filipinos abroad and my fellow Catbaloganon,

My family wish to thank you for supporting my daughter, NATASHA (TASH) SABA ROPER in her quest of becoming the NEXT AUSTRALIA'S MICRA STAR (a national competition here in Australia). She is now in Hollywood, LA to claim her prize. She will be appearing in a video clip with the Dr. Hollywood band. You can follow her progress by going to the site in either You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/NissanMicraStar or in http://www.australiasnextmicrastar.com.au/  Thank you all!

Sincerely,
Marina Saba

Name:   Gina
Address:   1320 N Mc Queen Rd, #1086, Chandler 85225, AZ, USA
Email:   spyder392@yahoo.com
Date:   08/14/2009

Hi I’m looking for a person, I recently found out that his living there now in Tacloban City as a police officer his name is BRILDO ERGO. I just want to know his contact number...whoever read my message hopefully u can help me to locate BRILDO ERGO and to get his number I really need to talk to him.....thank u...u can reach me thru my email spyder392@yahoo.com

Name:   SJ
Address:   US
Email:
Date:   13 Aug 2009

Mr. Ray P. Gaspay,

I wonder if you really take the time to read and monitor the discussion board you have on your site?

I am not sure where you stand in regards with those Americans, Brits, Fil-AMS who live, invest or support family in Samar and Leyte. It seems to me that this discussion section is beyond talking about what is going on in the Visayas.

When you have people like Edok, AW AW and a few others for whom think it is OK to create anger with in this discussion section. I am a proud American who is married to a Filipna from W. Samar for many many years. I for one am so tired of the mouthing off and hatred these two bring to the table. When are you going to put a stop to it?

Both of them work in the Middle East in Dhahran, SA for a Saudi Oil Company. They think that they are better then those of us, Fil AMS included that live and work in the US, UK, etc that bring dollars to their families in Samar and Leyte. I for one have known many Filipinos who have lived and worked in the US for over 35 years and they are so thankful for the life they have in the US. They took the chance to better themselves for the better of the entire family. Either by joining the US Navy, lucky enough to go to college and get a job in the US as doctors or nurses.

Their families are so grateful that still live in the Philippines, just as I would assume those families that these OFW have, that are getting this support in dollars. If I was going to try and compare apples to apples, a Fil AM is the same as a OFW. A Filipino who marries an American, is no different then a OFW. SO what is the problem here? We ALL are living and working for the good of the family.

These two, no matter what is shared with them, can not understand that they are generating anger towards the wrong people. Why is that? I know that their is still an anger in some against the US for things that have happened in history many many years ago and this anger is being passed on from one generation to another. When will it STOP? Who will stop it?

My wife and I, her sister, her cousin, and her nieces for whom live in the US have done more for their families then I can say then some OFW workers have done for their families. Why is that?

Is this anger and hatred so deep within themselves that they use every second of their lives that they can not even think positive for for minute?

The bottom line is that for these two and other Pinoys who live with in the Philippines or live out side the Philippines who continue with this hatred and anger each second of their lives needs to be put to sleep. There is NOTHING positive that comes from these people. NOTHING.

It is not changing anything within the Philippines for the better. In fact, it is hurting the Philippines. Each and every time there is a bombing, attack, killing, etc. in the Philippines, it is keeping people and investors away. How many investors, companies have departed the Philippines say in the last 5 years? That is NOT what the Philippines needs now or in the near future.

Those that think the Philippines can survive on its own with NO, repeat NO help from ANY country are just...... ANO. In this day and age, NO country can go it alone. Each country needs help from others to make sure that the people of that country survive.

If you read a post in the discussoin section that I found in the Philippines News on line, you will see that the Philippines is heading down the wrong road and with in 100 years or less, could be no more and be part of another Asian country.

Because of the "UNCONTROLABLE" births, the Philippines might not be able to grow rice to feed all these people as early as 2020.

I will ask this question to see what responses it will get.

Which country will be standing by the Philippines in 2020 if it can not produce enough rice for its people? WHO?

I am betting that MOST countries in Asia will control and keep their rice supplies close to home and NOT sell it to other countries.

I for one have concerns for my family in Samar, yes MY FAMILY in Samar. So does my wife. She knows that the family keeps getting larger each year and there is no end to it. She wonders if there will be fish in the sea for them to eat, land to grow root crops for them to eat.

To you Edok, that had the guts to say I and Kelguy used our wives so we could get into the Philippines, for what reason?

In your useless minds, YOU think WE came to the Philippines so WE could live an easy life on the backs of the Filipino. Sad.

If that is in your minds, then what of ALL the FIL AMS that retire in the Philippines? What of the OFW who finally come home to retire?

In closing, if Filipinos continue to listen to Pinoys like Edok and AW AW, it will continue to destroy the Philippines. It will NEVER make the Philippines a better place to live.

I hope you Mr. Gaspay will take the time to address these issues that IMHO are creating undue hate and anger towards the wrong people.

Name:   Mang Pandoy
Address:   Brgy. Katariwtiwan, N. Samar
Email:
Date:   Aug 13 2009

Here's an item by certain E. Bonifacio which I found in Multipy about Catubig and Samar which I found interesting to share: (Reproduced without the comments)

K3H-U Virus Blamed Why “Cat Too Big” Morphed Into An “Ugly Kitten”!
By: E. Bonifacio

MANILA, Philippines. The international “science” community initially baffled by the mysterious transformation of a “big cat” into an ugly “kitten” in Northern Samar, Philippines, announced that they may have discovered the scientific answer or explanation sorrounding this mystery, according to a report dispatched to the Catubig Natin-Ngayon (CNN) and reported in the Balitang Barberong Catubignon (BBC) yesterday.

After a careful analysis of the “samples” taken from the “cat” the Royal Association of Natural Scientists (RANS) based in Geneva, Switzerland have concluded that the transformation is called retrogressisimis, a phenomenon which throws back a community’s status to its previous stature about ten decades ago is caused by a “cat flu” (as opposed to the current H1N1 or swine flu) collectively called K3H-U. This virus is said to be endemic mostly in the Island of Samar, (the third largest of all the islands in the Philippines) and other backwards countries of the world which they called “No World” (not New World.) K3H-U stands for Katamaranatinis, Kakulanganatins, Katangahanatimus & Hubas-Utakakis or Balhinisis Utakakis.

RANS have warned the Philippine government that this virus is very contagious and may spread to other parts of the archipelago if remedies and precautionary measures are not undertaken immediately. Lately, the Department of Locong Government and Community Destruction (DLGCD) reported that there had been cases of this nature in Davao and some parts of Mindanao. Experts theorized that they may have caught the virus while traveling between Manila and Mindanao because they passed by Samar Island (via the Matnog-Allen) ferry before finally heading to Davao. As a safety precautions, the RANS have recommended that public transportation buses in route to Mindanao to close their windows while in Samar to avoid catching the K3H-U virus.

The Katamaranatinis Virus

The Reports states that among the K strains, katamaranatinis is the most potent one because in an acute stage could potentially wipe out a nation or civilization off the map. It is even rumored that Ahmaledejad, the baraghakan Iranian president who is currently accused by his rival of rigging the just concluded Iran’s presidential election (sounds familiar?) and wants Israel off the map is already trying to obtain this virus but it is doubtful if it will have effect on the hardworking Israelites. Apparently, it is easy to spot if the community is afflicted with the virus as observed by Paul Wetneiss, a RANS member who personally went to Samar Island incognito to collect “samples” of the virus. Mr. Wetneiss observed that of all places in the Philippines, it is only in Samar Island particularly in Catubig and it’s barangays you will find that most of the working adults are virtually idle or doing nothing for most part of the year. Instead of using or spending their time productively, he observed that most hoi polois are rather doing huloy-huloys even as early in the morning. The huloy-huloys will eventually lead them to a place called istambayan where they discuss events, share gossips or argue endlessly on every silly topics until noon, go home to have lunch and siesta and at 4:00 back again to the same routine as in the morning, have dinner and then look for or call on tagai-tagai buddies for the rest of the evening. Ironically, the discussions in the istambayans and in the tagaiyans cover every known topics but how to increase rice yields or improve the lives of Catubignons for example. Mr. Wetneis observed that this does not happen in other places like the Ilocos Region, the Tagalog Region and others.

Mr. Wetneis observed further: That the town of Catubig has hundreds of thousands hectares (not acres) of arable agricultural land and was once dubbed as “the rice granary of Samar” up to the ‘60s but now it cannot even produce enough rice to sustain the requirements of about 27,000 Catubignons because even with the presence of an agricultural college, they still plant rice once a year only utilizing the system employed by the homo erectus yet; After transplanting they leave it all to nature: no tending, no weeding, no insecticide or pesticide application, nothing at all. As a result the yields are minimal such that about 4-5 months after the harvest season there’s no more enough rice supply and have to rely from other sources; After that one harvest, the lands lay idle for most part of the year because nobody plants or intercrop anything even those crops that do not need continuous watering such that Catubig imports even basic agricultural products such as potato, peanut, mongo beans, tomatoes, onions, pamienta, garlic, ginger, eggs, chickens and fruits like mango, pakwan, limon, etc. These agricultural crops grow in abundance in provinces with same temperature, soil topography and composition as in Samar like La Union, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, the Ilocos Region, Batangas, the Bicol Regions and other provinces but not in Samar simply because of the katamaranatinis virus. If this virus is not eliminated, Mr. Wetneis opines that Catubig will import even the ganas, kangkong, libas, tanglad and the likes in the future. In short, Catubig does not have them because they don’t plant them because of katamaranatinis. And wortst is that - even if you have the money, you cant’ readily find for example a live chicken, a piglet or goat that is for sale unless you will canvass all the 47 barangays because nobody raises them. It used to be that live chickens are being brought from the barrios to the town for sale but now it’s the reverse- barrio folks buy live (imported white leghorn) chicken at a s

The Kakulanganatins Virus

Sometimes the kakulanganatins virus is referred to as kapobrehan but experts prefer calling it kakulanganatins because it’s wider in scope than being pobre. It may be referred to or unsderstood to mean as kakulangan ng isip or common sense while kapobrehan has only one meaning. This virus is said to be interdependent with katamaranatins because their attributes, characteristics and co-existence are the resultant effects upon each other. They thrive because the other feeds the other but at the same time the other can potentially kill or eliminate the other. For instance: kakulanganatins is invariably being blamed why many people is unable to plant or at least raise some animals but kakulanganatins argues otherwise- it’s because of katamaranatins. People suffering from kakulanganatins are sometimes mistaken as having a bout of lamperitis (walampera) because the symptoms are basically the same- butas ang bulsa; mahabang lista sa tienda; maputla ang mga mata; nakatanga, etc. The good news is that according to RANS, kakulanganatins, kapobrehan and lamperitis can be automatically eradicated by getting rid of katamaranatins. Three birds in one shot ha?

The Katangahanitimus Virus

Although not deadly, the strain that experts are very most concerned about is the katangahanitimus virus because despite the advances of science and medicine is still incurable allegedly because it’s pathological and congenital. In other words, it’s on one’s DNA and therefore it spares no one including professionals so to speak. In fact, the Report points out that having a college in a small town like Catubig will not kill the virus. People afflicted with the virus shows unmistakable manifestations. Among others, they exhibit irrational, fatuous and aberrant behaviors; defy conventional wisdom; egoistic and cannot be dissuaded; complacent about their environment, government, community, neighbors and nature preservations. They consider the rivers as bottomless garbage pit, they cut trees and burn kaingins with gusto, catch fish, bebe or animals without regard to size and limits and worst, during elections they “pawn” their eyes, mouth and ears to deep-pocketed candidates for a few hundreds pesos hence can’t say, see nor hear evil no more . This breed of people is the root cause why massive corruptions and theivery occur in the government, why government projects and infrastructures remain incomplete, poorly done or completely abandoned because many politicians emboldened by the silence and complacency of the governed become the projects’ “commissioners” apart from being the governor, congressman, mayor, etc. For instance, the Report took notice of the road from Calingnan to San Vicente which until now not yet completed. It is supposed to be concreted but it’s all dirt and the HCAAP Project intended for irrigations, roads and schistosomiasis eradication with original cost about Php2 billions then it became Php2.5 billion. This is a loan from Japan’s JICA under its ODA projects payable in 30 years at 2.5 interest and supposed to be completed in 2011. To date however, nothing substantial is taking place except for the Catubig-Las Navas road and bridge recently inaugurate

The Catubig-Las Navas area has long been neglected by the national government and for the first time became a beneficiary of this kind of a massive projects. Therefore it calls for extra vigilance among the people-benefeciary that these projects are done according to plans and specifications and reject the “puede na” mentality that we used to. If for instance the road project calls for a certain thickness/cement-sand-gravel ratio we should see to it that it is being followed. We should adapt a policy-slogan similar to NYC’s “If You See Something, Say Something”. If we see, hear or smell something rotten we should not be afraid to report and say something about it. Remember the kasabihan: “Walang Manloloko Kung Walang Nagpapaloko.”

Hubas-Utakakis/ Balhinisis--Utakakis (HU-BU)

The RANS Report points out that Hubas-Utakakis (HU) occurs upon the failure of the next succeeding generations to produce leaders with equal to or greater abilities than their predecessors’ resulting in “de-generation”. In fact, the demise of many a great civilizations like the Mayans, the Incas, the Greeks, the Egyptian, the fall of Spanish Empire and the Fall of the Roman Empire, etc. is directly or indirectly caused by hubas-utakakis virus. Upon the other hand, in Balhinisis-Utakakis (BU), the next generations succeed in producing people with equal or even greater ability than their predecessors’ but they migrate to other places where they apply their field of expertise. The study found out that while it is true that Catubig is home to many talented and bright professionals, yet, for economic and various reasons, most of them are away and as a result, the brain of the town is gradually drying up resulting in a virtual “Dead Town Walking” - no direction at all.

But for some unkown reasons which opened to anyone’s guess, the report contained an inconclusive or contradictory findings about the HU-BU effect because it found out that since the founding of Catubig up to about 1950s, the elected town leaders/officials were not professionals and in fact some did not even finish grade six but the town progressed. In contrast, from 1960s to the present, the elected leaders were all professionals but the town retrogressed. Why? The Report did not elaborate probably to left it open for further study or be debated candidly with open minds.

Conclusion:

It should be noted that the Report dealt only what causes retrogressimis but did not categorically prescribe any cure. Corollary, the main purpose of this publication is to elicit suggestions, ideas, concepts or anything (novel, crazy or absurd) from the readers on what we should do to eliminate all or some of the “viruses” mentioned therein akin to a brainstorming session. Who knows some of them might be picked up by our “maa-abtik na liders” (a term we always refer them during programme introductions.)

Here's my first: Since most Samarnons believe that one of the reasons why they are poor is due to typhoons, I suggest that Samar Island congressmen like Daza, Ong, Coquila, Tan and Uy file a bill in Congress entitled “A Bill Banning All Typhoons In The Philippines And For Other Purposes” and get Claudio (another Samarnon in Malacanang asisde from Evardone) to have it certified by GMA as urgent. GMA will be more than willing as she can take the credit for eliminating typhoons similar to her fantasy of ending insurgency by 2010. The bill sounds crazy similar to HR 1109 (Con-Ass) that these congressmen supported. But what is craziness when you get 20M in pork? Samar is prone to typhoons and will surely get the bulk of the appropriations. Smart di ba?

The brighter side of the Report is that it concluded with an unconditional guarrantee - that once the K3H-U viruses are completely eradicated, the Big Cat-Turned-Kitten will instaneously become a Tiger.

Name:   A. Morales
Email:
Date:   08-12-09

"Cash for Clunkers" to Sailorjohn:

My presumption that you were a republican was based on the way you smashed President Barack Obama. You sounded like Rush Limbaugh or Anne Couture. Even Bill O'Reilly became a liberal with your rebuke on your president.

Anyway, I agree that Gen. Colin Powell could have been a great president except that he lied to the whole world while presenting the case of America before the UN Security Council that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. Old Colin, despite his brilliance and political acumen, was duped by the war-hawks of the Bush administration. He resigned in disgrace and eventually supported the candidacy of Obama over that of his old friend John McCain.

I don't believe that Obama was elected because he was black and that the United States wanted to close the racial divide. He won because people in the US, black, white, brown, yellow, and what have you, wanted to change Washington. John McCain was the candidate of the past, Obama was for the future.

I don't have to argue with you whether Barack Obama is effective or not. I would say that it is too early to tell. He has been in office for less than a year and he has to calibrate the momentum for the US economy to recover so he won’t lose his reelection bid come 2012.

While I don't really care about what's going on in the US, I know for a fact that when the US economy sneezes, the Philippine economy gets colds. So for that, I am hoping that the US economy recovers fast so our exports to the US would help the Philippine economy to grow. At the same time, we should not solely depend on the US economy's recovery. We should look at the tiger economies of China, India, and the Southeast Asian Region like Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Amazingly, these economies that I have mentioned have remained resilient amidst the present crisis even posting significant gains while the rest of the world lags behind. The tectonic shift in the geo-economic-socio-political structure of the world is happening right before our very own eyes and we have to take advantage of this phenomenon. The East is now regaining its lost glorious past while the West is slowly waning in power and strength.

By the way, "Cash for clunkers" program in America and in Germany, although not a perfect solution to the ailing auto industry, has temporarily pushed the demand for cars to a new level. It may not totally resurrect the demise of Detroit but it is helping a bit.

Name:   Sailorjohn
Address:   US
Email:
Date:   11 Aug 09

Sankay,

I am wondering if you are confused and lost in your own mind.

Each and every time you post a message or comment, you seem to have no idea where you are located.

Which is it? Cebu, Saudi, Germany?

I am sorry, but if you are trying to hide your location because you have made remarks towards a few of us, it's too late. WE know where you are, so just man up and stop trying to hide. We SEE you.