FILM DEPICTS TERCENTENARY DEVOTION TO “INA NIN BICOLANDIA”

NAGA CITY —A movie depicting faith, hope, and love commemorating the tercentenary (300th) of devotion to our Lady of Peñafrancia in Bicol will soon find its way in big theaters nationwide and worldwide.

Entitled “Ikaw ang Pag-Ibig”, veteran writer and director Marilou Diaz-Abaya has produced a film in her aspiration to bring the devotion to our Blessed Mother and her child Jesus to the hearts of the Virgen’s devotees not just here in the Philippines but also in different nooks and corners of the world.

Fr. Louie Occiano, chairman of Caceres Commission on Communications (CCCom), said that the movie will offer a fresh perspective of the Roman Catholic church’s teachings to a lot of Marian devotees.

The story will portray a young professional, Vangie (Ina Feleo) whose faith will be put to test upon learning that his brother, a newly ordained priest in the person of Fr. Johnny (Marvin Agustin) is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Being the nearest relative and sibling, she is asked to be a donor for her brother’s bone marrow transplant.

Because of an abortion she went through when she was still young, she is traumatized by any medical procedure hence her dilemma as to go through with the transplant or not.

The story centers on the family’s struggle to cope with a family member’s illness and how they are drawn to INA (Mother) to beg for her intercession. Expectedly, their unwavering faith creates a miracle.

The movie does not only highlight Fr. Johnny’s healing but also the process of miraculous cure made possible through the grace of conversion, love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope.

The movie’s world gala premier was held on December 17 at the Universidad de Santa Isabel Auditorium, Naga City. (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur/mal)

LAGMAN: SOTTO EXORCISED AN P880M PHANTOM FUND FOR CONTRACEPTIVES

LEGAZPI CITY — The reported P880M cut from the alleged “budget” for condoms is both a cruel mirage and a gross misconception equating reproductive health solely to condoms and pills, according to Albay I District Rep. Edcel Lagman.

Lagman, author of Reproductive Health Bill, tolf PIA News Service in an e-mail that the amount of P880M supposedly cut by the Senate upon the initiative of Sen. Vicente Sotto III was neither originally included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the President to the Congress nor subsequently incorporated in the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) approved by the House of Representatives and referred to the Senate.

Lagman explained that there is no specific amount for the purchase and distribution of condoms and pills which was deleted from the budget of the Department of Health (DOH) as documented in the Bicameral Conference Committee Report.

“Sotto gloats over the cut of a non-existent fund which Health Secretary Ona explained in a letter to Sen. Franklin Drilon, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, as a mere “alternative budgetary allocation” to answer the unmet contraceptive needs of currently married women of reproductive age based on the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey, which was never funded,” he said.

He also said that Sotto is exorcising from the budget of the DOH a phantom fund.

“If he can only tone down his self-righteousness he would realize that the supposed budget for condoms and other contraceptives in the amount of P880M does not exist,” the solon said.

Lagman furthered that reproductive health covers a wide range of priority concerns including breastfeeding; maternal and infant health; treatment and prevention of infertility and sexual dysfunction, HIV-AIDS and breast and reproductive tract cancers; youth sexuality education; and voluntary family planning, including the use of both natural and modern family planning methods, among others.

“It is myopic to reduce the import of the RH bill to pills and condoms,” he said.

“A “condomized” mentality may be good for orthodoxy but is precarious for the reproductive health of our citizens,” Lagman concluded. (MALoterte, PIA V/Albay)

WINNERS OF 2010 SEARCH FOR CHILD FRIENDLY VILLAGES IN CAMARINES NORTE BARED

DAET, Camarines Norte — Barangay Guinatungan of the town of Basud bagged the first place in the 2010 Search for Child Friendly Barangay with the cash prize of P60,000 awarded here recently.

Barangay Cayucyucan of Mercedes was the second placer with P40,000 cash prize, third placer was the Barangay Gahonon of Daet with P30,000 cash prize while Barangay Canapawan of Labo and Barangay Pag-asa of Jose Panganiban were the 4th and 5th placers received a cash prizes of P20,000 and P10,000 respectively. All winners received a plaque of commendation.

Barangay San Ramon of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Barangay III of Vinzons and Barangay Calintaan of Talisay who participated were given certificate of recognition and a cash of P5,000.

For the hall of fame award, a plaque of commendation was given to Barangay IV of Daet for maintaining programs and projects for children while plaque of recognition to Barangay Camambugan of Daet for continuing programs for children.

The said awards were given by Governor Edgardo Tallado where he announced that he will increase to 100,000 the cash prize for the first place for the next search.

It will be recalled that the said search were being undertaken every year since 2004 under Sixth Country Programme for Children (CPC 6) by the provincial government funded by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) supported by the Provincial Technical Working Group (PTWG) from the PIA, DepEd, PSWDO, PHO, PNP, NCIP, PPDO, DILG and CAO. (RBManlangit/PIA CamNorte/mal)

RUNNERS PROMOTE WETLANDS CONSERVATION

LEGAZPI CITY — Using the resurgence of running as a booming sport nowadays, runners and environmentalists alike campaigned for the conservation of wetlands in Camarines Sur pooling several hundreds of advocates Sunday (December 19) at SM Mall in Naga City.

Mario Maglinao ruled the Jingle Bell Run - Run to Save Our Wetlands 13 K event with a time of 40 minutes, trailing behind him was Martin Balaybo both of Albay Runners Club. Local duathlon athlete Franklin Peñalosa managed to outrun other runners which earned him the third place.

“It’s good to run and promote healthy lifestyle as well campaign for environmental conservation,” Maglinao said in the local dialect. Maglinao accompanied by his team mates, urged every runner to hit the road and compete, and if it would permit, join every fund raising events for the environment.

Race director Andreco Primero said Sunday’s run sought to raise fund and heighten awareness of the public on the conservation of the region’s wetlands specifically Cagsao in Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

Gail Cea, chief of the protected areas wildlife and coastal zone management section of the DENR - Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) Office in Naga City was deeply appreciative of the Jingle Bell Run organized by Junior Chamber International Cariñosa chapter’s effort to adopt the Cagsao Wetland.

“This will complement the DENR and municipal government of Calabanga’s thrust to protect, rehabilitate and expand the mangrove reforestation project along the town’s coastal barangays,” Cea said. She said the JCI Naga Cariñosa will conduct a mangrove-planting project at identified areas fringing San Miguel Bay soon as they acquire propagules.

Cagsao wetland is now expanding its area with at least 10,000 hectares of mangrove reforestation site, planted with 170, 000 of propagules last year through Smart Communications. Smart Communications estimated the mangrove survival rate at 80-90 per cent.

Under the Ramsar International Wetland Conservation Treaty, wetlands are defined as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres... also it may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands". (ASAraya, RPAO DENR V/PIA/mal)

EMB BICOL PROMOTES A GREEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

LEGZPI CITY— The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol has intensified drive against the use of firecrackers and encourages the use of eco-friendly methods to celebrate Christmas and welcome 2011.

EMB Bicol urges locals to use nontoxic materials in the two upcoming events, noting that Christmas and New Year can likewise be celebrated in ways that are both environment-and health-friendly.

EMB Bicol Director Fernando Quililan observed that residents commonly use firecrackers during important occasions.

“The use of firecrackers is aesthetically pleasing; however its use also poses danger to the environment. Smoke emissions from firecrackers contribute to air pollution and affect the ozone layer, thus add up to the warming of the earth. Moreover, firecrackers contribute to the noise pollution in a community, which may cause anxiety and stress to susceptible persons,” he explained.

He added that chemicals that compose firecrackers are harmful, especially towards sensitive groups such as people with asthma. The use of firecrackers also causes some of the usual accidents during Christmas and New Year, which include amputation of fingers, cuts, burns, blindness or even death.

The agency does not intend to stop people from using firecrackers as well as plant guilt to those who plan to use these in the said celebrations.

The use of firecrackers undoubtedly contributes to the merrymaking during these events; nonetheless, the agency suggests that people should take into account the environment as well. After all, celebrating Christmas and New Year can be just as merry even with the traditional use of “torotot” and the like. (EMB V /PIA/mal)

‘WE FOUGHT FOR THE RELEASE OF SENATOR TRILLANES’– AQUINO

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III said the release of Senator Antonio Trillanes by the Makati Regional Trial Court on Monday night was “something that we fought for.”

In an ambush interview after distributing cash gifts to the wounded soldiers confined at the V. Luna Hospital in Quezon City , the Chief Executive said the release of Trillanes’ will allow him to fulfill his duties as senator with the mandate given him by the people who voted for him

The President expressed hope that Trillanes would use his freedom to catch up on his responsibilities and the opportunities to improve society, through legislation, which he missed for the past three years while in detention.

Shortly after his releases Trillanes, immediately thanked President Aquino for issuing Proclamation No. 75 last Nov. 24, 2010 granting him amnesty, which was readily approved by the Senate.

Trillanes was elected senator in May 2007 while in detention in Camp Crame . A Philippine Navy lieutenant, Trillanes served as the spokesman of the Magdalo group that seized the Oakwood Premiere Hotel (now Ascott) in Makati City on July 27, 2003 along with more than 300 soldiers who demanded the resignation of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for alleged corruption.

During the hearing in November 2003 on the Oakwood Mutiny, Trillanes walked out of the court along with some Magdalo group members and triggered a standoff at the Peninsula Manila Hotel also in Makati. (PIA V)

AQUINO INCREASES COMBAT PAY OF OF SOLDIERS

MANILA — In recognition of their sacrifices, President Benigno S. Aquino III has increased the combat pay of soldiers who, most of the times, willingly offer their lives for the peace and security of the country.

The Chief Executive announced this good news during the 75th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday (December 21) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The President told the soldiers present that he already signed an Executive Order on Monday amending Executive Order 658 increasing the combat pay of soldiers to P500 from the current P240.

The President said the soldiers in the field will start receiving the new rate effective January next year.

“Pagdating po ng Enero, hindi lamang po Bagong Taon ang ipagdiriwang ng mga sundalong rumeresponde sa mga lugar na balot pa rin ng tensyon. Sasalubong din po sa kanila ang karagdagang combat allowance na nagkakahalaga ng 260 pesos,” the President stressed.

Since the establishment of the AFP under Commonwealth Act No. 1, or the National Defense Act of 1935, the President said the soldiers have been at the forefront in protecting the country’s sovereignty in times of peace, war and calamities.

Under his administration, the President said reforms continue to upgrade the capability of the AFP which, he said, include reforms in the procurement process under the AFP Modernization Program (AFPMP) resulting to the acquisition of additional requirements for the AFP.

“In just a few months, we were able to provide an additional eight Basic Trainer Aircrafts to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), aside from the four watercraft units for the Philippine Army,” the President said.

To date, the President noted that the AFP is closely coordinating with the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Department of National Defense (DND), to provide more requirements and benefits for soldiers.

During the event, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David Jr. presented the AFP Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) which the President said will start a new paradigm shift in managing peace and security towards achieving peace and prosperity using the “bayanihan spirit.”

According to the President the primary focus of the IPSP is winning peace from a predominantly militaristic solution to one that is founded on broad-based consultations and cooperation among the key stakeholders that include the soldiers, policemen and the community.

“Sa ating kasundaluhan, sampu ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino, sama-sama nating buhayin ang diwa ng bayanihan. Sama-sama nating tahakin ang landas tungo sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran. Maaasahan ninyong ako mismo ang mamumuno sa adhikaing ito. Kapit-kamay nating buhayin ang diwa ng bayanihan; sama-sama nating ihatid ang ating bayan sa liwanag na matagal nating hindi nasilayan,” the President said.

The anniversary rites was highlighted by the President’s distribution of awards and recognition to the following:

Rear Admiral Alexander Pama (Distinguished Service Star); cpat Marlou Parugrug, Sgt. Celso Llena and Sgt. Louie Lagrama (Gold Cross Medal); Maj. Jeffrey Alan Pizarro (Outstanding Achievement Medal); Sgt. Delfin Olotio (AFP Enlisted Personnel of the Year); Cadet Col. Neil Brian casem (ROTC Cadet of the Year); Lydia Cabajar (Model Civilian Supervisor of the Year); and Barangay Balayangon Chairman Francisco Llagao of Pinukpuk, Kalinga for his support to the AFP internal security operations in Kalinga. (PIA V)

AQUINO LEADS GIFTGIVING AT AFP MEDICAL CENTER

MANILA — President Benigno Simeon Aquino III led the distribution of cash grants and gift packs as part of the “Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR – 12 Days of Christmas” in efforts to boost the morale and speedy recovery of patients at the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City.

Some 300 soldiers from different units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), some were victims of gun battles against rebel armed groups in Mindanao, benefited from the gift-giving program spearheaded by the Commander-In-Chief, President Aquino.

Thirty patients confined at the Heroes Ward of the hospital received one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) as part of the special financial assistance from the Chief Executive.

Also turned over was eight hundred sixty four thousand pesos (P864,000) in donation or thirty six thousand pesos (P36,000) each to 24 children with hydrocephalus that will cover the pre and post-operation treatments. Jojo Mitra, president of the Hydrocephalus Foundation received the cash grant from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

One of the first to benefit from the donation is Ma. Prinze Cid, a one-year-old baby from Cagayan de Oro, who will soon undergo free operation at the AFP Medical Center. Ma. Prinze is also suffering from meningocele, a condition characterized by the protrusion of the spinal cord due to meningococal infection that occurred during infancy.

Private First Class Rodelito Daasco, 47, one of the 300 Pamaskong Handog beneficiaries at AFP Medical Center said soldiers like him are happy to know that institutions like PAGCOR remember them, especially in this season of sharing.

As a soldier, Daasco spent most of his life at the battlefields and army camps in Catbalogan, Samar. After several years in service, he now suffers from heart ailment and may undergo coronary angioplasty, a procedure used to open blocked heart arteries. He has been confined at the AFP Medical Center since October.

Hospital equipment amounting to one million pesos, which include 20 nebulizers, automatic hospital beds, operating tables, ultraviolet sterilizers, laryngoscopes and heavy duty suction machines were also donated to the AFP Medical Center on top of the one million pesos cash donation to the hospital. (PIA V)

PRUDENT SPENDING HELPED PH MEET DEFICIT TARGET FOR 2010 – AQUINO

MANILA — Prudent spending and belt tightening measures helped the Aquino administration meet its deficit target for 2010.

In an interview after giving cash awards to the wounded soldiers confined at the V. Luna Hospital, President Benigno S. Aquino III said the country will experience a budget surplus, “the third and probably the best this year.”

The President disclosed that the National Economic Development Authority board met Monday (December 20) to review projects proposed for implementation in the coming months.

“I asked for the specifics of two or three projects to determine if some have to be changed,” he said.

The President proposed programs under the Department of Agriculture headed by Secretary Proceso Alcala are evaluated on the basis of cost-benefit analyses and whether they meet the economic targets. If they do not match the goals and expected outcomes, then Alcala does not push through with them,” he said.

According to the President, the right way of using public funds enabled the government to fix the fiscal position of the country.

The President said he was told that the 2010 deficit will actually be below what has been projected and this is because of the savings obtained from belt tightening and prudent spending.

“I always question the need for undertaking any foreign trip. I always ask what would be the return on investment of the trips to the Filipino people. If we can’t fully justify the cost of a certain travel abroad, I forgo it,” he said.

His training in the private sector, according to the President scrutinize investments versus returns. “Kung walang return sa taumbayan, hindi okay,” he said. (PIA V)

AQUINO APPEALS TO MEDIA: FOCUS ON GOOD NEWS, TOO

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday (December 21) called on media practitioners to allot more space to “good news,” focusing on people who have done so much to effect change in society.

The President made the call during the annual Christmas party of the Bulong Pulungan sa Sofitel media forum at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.

In his speech, the President acknowledged the importance of critical and hard-nosed reporting to expose flaws and fallacies in the system but underscored the importance of talking also about the good especially if it would help uplift the Filipinos’ spirit.

“I hope sometimes, maybe we can focus our attention to help those who have done so much for the country by showing others how they helped in changing society,” he said in the vernacular.

The President lauded members of the Bulung Pulungan for their “journalistic ethics” which he said had made them become “agents of change.”

He said that with their help, he would be able to withstand the rigors of the Presidency.

“While there remain the difficulties, I can say with certainty that the prospects of our future is getting brighter,” the President said. (PIA V)