Albay farmers use "bunkol" in dinorado rice planting

Sunday, June 01, 2008

‘Bunkol’ for the best ‘dinorado’ rice
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

LIGAO CITY, Albay: On top of Kawa-Kawa hill in this city, upland farmers use bunkol in planting seedlings of dinorado, a variety of palay (unhusked rice) that produces aromatic and expensive rice usually eaten by wealthy families in the Bicol Region.

Bunkol, a long, perforated and slotted bamboo tube, when used to pound the ground produces a sound similar to that made by a drum.

Kawa-Kawa hill is about 236 meters above sea level and offers a good view of Tuburan barangay (village) in Ligao City. Atop is an eight-hectare farmland.

Downhill are the Carmelite Sisters convent and the resettlement houses for those who had been dislocated by rumblings of Mayon Volcano and typhoons.

The upland farmers still practice bunkol, primitive farming and after which the bamboo tube was named. Also known as hasok, bunkol, apparently, has defied modern farming methods.

As the farmers pound the soil with the bunkol, women from Tuburan place seeds on holes made through the pounding, in a seeming ritual called bubod.

“The bunkol way of dinorado rice planting was practiced by our ancestors. We want to continue with it and show it to the younger generation as an effective farming method,” former Albay governor Fernando Gonzalez told The Manila Times.

Gonzalez said bunkol the bamboo tube also serves as a means of communication especially among those living in potentially hazardous areas.

Albay farmers use ‘bunkol’ in rice planting
By Rhaydz B. Barcia

LIGAO CITY --- On top of Kawa-Kawa hill in this city, upland rice farmers use “bunkol” tools in planting Dinorado seedlings, a variety of rice that produces first class and very aromatic grains favored by wealthy families in Bicol.

Bunkol is a long bamboo tube with knifelike shape on the lower portion to perforate the dregs, having a slot running its length.

As it pounds the ground, it produces a sound that reverberates far and wide like a talking drum. The Kawa-Kawa Hill has about 236-meter elevation from the ground that provides a panoramic view of the city and beyond.

The hill looks like a giant frying pan overlooking the city. Downhill is the Carmelite Sisters and a resettlement area where typhoon victims and those displaced by the the most recent flashfloods from Mt. Mayon are now safely housed.

Several upland farmers, with their women carrying Dinorado seedlings, were en sowing in the ‘bunkol’ or ‘hasok’ manner which is primitive way of farming still being practiced by upland farmers here despite the modern techniques being employed by most farmers in the lowland.

The upland farmers work faster with their “bunkol tools” creating a humming sound while the women make “bubod” (inseminating) of the seeds on the holed grounds. Former Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzalez said the bunkol type of farming is Dinorado rice planting introduced by the upland farmers’ ancestors.

He said ‘bunkol’ is traditionally used as an instrument to communicate with fellow settlers who are situated in distant villages, especially those in hazard prone areas.

BUNKOL FARMING. Up the Kawa-Kawa hill in Ligao City, upland farmers use the Bamboo tools during the planting of Dinorado rice variety. RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

Children of Rapu-Rapu join "Kampong Bayan"

Children of Rapu-Rapu join ‘Kampong Bayan’
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

LEGAZPI CITY: Will the government listen to the voice of the children who have joined their parents’ crusade to halt the Lafayette mining operation being blamed for toxic spillage and fish kill in Rapu-Rapu, Albay since 2005.

Reymark Balase, a 4-year-old boy of Carogcog village in Rapu-Rapu Albay joined his 44-year-old mother, Marlyn in a weeklong Kampong Bayan (People’s Camp) in front of the Albay Capitol organized by the civic organizations in Bicol.

When asked why he had joined the protest, Raymark told The Manila Times that his father could no longer catch fish after the fish kill, which practically left them to starve.

Raymark stayed inside a tent along with his mother, Marlyn who said she traded five native chickens at P60 per kilo to buy several kilos of rice and have some extra pocket money to spend.

The mother and son trekked the five-kilometer distance from Legazpi City pier on Wednesday on their way to Peñaranda Park after several hours of sea travel to camp-out.

Marlyn’s husband, Renato, opted to stay for awhile in Carogcog village to plant root crops as substitute for staple foods in the future while he could not catch fish for a living because of fear.

Marlyn recalled that after the fish kill they decided to transfer their two sons Angelo, 11, Grade 3, and John Paul, 7, Grade 1, to the Namanday Elementary School to save them from possible effects of chemical contamination.

“We’re living within the mining site and I’m quite afraid because anytime there might be a possible toxic spillage like in 2005. So with chemical contamination not being a remote possibility, we’re afraid for our children’s safety,” she said.

With the multisectoral groups camping out at the provincial capitol, a Dutch national, Pepe Vouz from The Netherlands, joined the protest action against the Australian-owned mining firm.

Pepe, who is married to an Albayana, condemned Lafayette for destroying the environment and marine life of Albay Gulf.

“I’m not an activist but I am sympathizing with the ordeal of the people of Rapu-Rapu. If the toxic spillage and fish kill occurred in Australia automatically Lafayette will be closed down because they’re criminal. Unfortunately, Lafayette is using and taking advantage of poverty situation in the Philippines for their interest and economic gains at the expense of fishermen, farmers and poor people,” Pepe explained.

Although Pepe is tending his own farm in Guinobatan, he promised to visit the Kampong Bayan to show his support to the people of Rapu-Rapu.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay was set to conduct a committee hearing on Friday morning as part of a thorough investigation to come up with appropriate action. The hearing was formed by Celso Aytona, committee on environment chairman, to tackle the pressing issues that affect and divided the Albayanos politically.

The Rapu-Rapu mining operation is a pilot project of the recently passed Mining Act of l995 and a pet project of President Gloria Arroyo.

Navy commodore bids command farewell

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

FEATURE
Navy commodore bids command farewell
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

LEGAZPI CITY: As Navy Commodore Alberto Araojo bowed out from Philippine Navy service on Monday, he recalled the sacrifices, the nightmarish and unforgettable ordeals endured by navy servicemen in pursuit of their duties and responsibilities.

Araojo’s recollection and admiration for his brothers-in-arms was made before the presence of navy officers and non-commissioned member of Philippine Navy who attended the change of command held at the Naval Forces of Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) in Rawis village.

In his swan song, Araojo expressed his gratitude to several non-governmental organizations that had partnered with the Philippine Navy in reaching out to the poorest of the poor with medical and dental missions held in the remote areas of the six Bicol provinces.

He also announced that he was turning over P5.3 million of unutilized funds to his successor, and underscored that all the equipment, ships and watercraft of the naval command are in ready-for-sea status with highly improved serviceability.

Araojo noted that the naval service was a lot of sacrifices.

“There are more sacrifices and loneliness specially for those assigned on board ships. In my younger days and during the height of the Mindanao conflict, there were months or even years when we could not visit our family even for one day. Our worst nightmare then was guarding the drilling ships in western Palawan and other parts of the China Sea which continues until now,” Araojo continued.

“The only chance for us to see civilization then was when our ships ran out of fuel oil. Such loneliness is even more aggravated when the monsoon season struck creating mountainous waves for several weeks or even months. We could not leave to take shelter from the heavy weather because drilling ships are harassed by Chinese Navy ships every time we leave them unguarded,” Araojo recalled.

“Every time we conducted naval exercises with our neighboring countries, they always congratulate us for our expertise and teamwork. The anti-submarine warfare capabilities of our ships then were relatively at par with that of the US Navy ships.”

Araojo was the Sixth commander of the NAVFORSOL, a native of the island province of Catanduanes and served for 33 years, two months and 22 days.

While Araojo has retired, he still hopes that the armed forces would realize the modernization of the Philippine Navy. His successor Navy Commodore Joel Babas vowed that he would continue to implement the initiatives of Araojo.

A Boy who comes back from the dead sees priest

BY RHAYDZ B. BARCIA
The Manila Times Correspondent

BACACAY, Albay - A 10-year-old boy, reported earlier to have come to life 17 hours after doctors pronounced him dead, visited the Bethlehem Pastoral Center in Sogod, a village near his town “for spiritual healing.”

Dante “Jun-Jun” Cardel Jr., according to the report, was pronounced dead by physicians at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila on June 21.

The following day at his wake in the family abode in Puro, Legazpi City, he suddenly woke up and hugged his father and asked for food and water.

After the miraculous incident, his parents and Dr. Al “Zaldy” Abainza, agency director of Children International over Bethlehem Pastoral Center, took the boy to Father Efren “Momoy” Borromeo of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT).

Although Jun-Jun could barely communicate, he related his out-of-this-world experience.

“It was a nightmare at first, then I saw angels singing in a beautiful church,” Jun-Jun recalled.

Another incident he remembered was being told to wake up “by Jesus Christ, who had a beard and long blond hair.” He said when he woke up, in his father's arm, he looked up the sky, where he saw Jesus, but the kindly man was gone.

Father Borromeo, who claimed to have undergone the same experience, said Jun-Jun's case was a miracle that could not be explained.

“It is a manifestation of God's power,” he said. “Let us just pray for Jun-Jun.”
The SOLT community around the world is conducting its fourth General Chapter and International Assembly at Bethlehem Pastoral Center with the theme: “New Evangelization Challenge to Discipleship.”

Father Borromeo is widely known as a faith healer. He claimed to have learned of his extraordinary power while assigned to the Santa Rita Parish in Philamlife Homes, Quezon City.

At the time, he said, an Aruban woman came to him for a healing session. The woman had been diagnosed with cancer and was given only six months to live.
The priest said he forgot all about the woman after that, but then, he added, she came back after a year in the pink of health.

Since his “resurrection,” Jun-Jun has not taken any medication, because the family does not have the money. For this reason, DWZR and DZGB, two local radio stations, are appealing to the public, particularly the well-to-do, for money to buy the medicine prescribed by doctors.

Jun-Jun is a member and sponsor child under Children International, a nongovernment organization providing social services for indigent children in the countryside.

Jun-Jun is the only boy in the family of seven siblings. His sisters are Zhiany Riu, 16; Mairie Isabel, 13; Carey Ann, 7; Ivy Candice, 6; and Danielle Shannen, 3.

Dead for 17 hours, Bicol boy lives again

Dead for 17 hours, Bicol boy lives again

By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

Legazpi City: To the village of Puro, the big news is not the impending eruption of Mayon Volcano. It is the “resurrection” of 10-year-old Dante “Jun-Jun” Cardel Jr.

Jun-jun was declared dead by doctors at the Philippine General Hospital on June 21. He came back to life after 17 hours, in the middle of his wake.

One day in early June, Jun-Jun began to vomit blood. His parents took him to Tanchuling Hospital in Legazpi. When his condition didn’t improve, they brought him to the PGH in Manila.

Doctors at PGH said there was a tumor in the boy’s head that was in a dangerous stage of growth.There was little they could do to save him.

On June 21 doctors removed Jun-Jun’s life-support system and declared him dead about 4 p.m.Dante Cardel, 36, and wife, Sheila, 34, took the body home in a service car provided by the Child Sponsorship for Community Development Inc. (CSCDI), a nongovernmental organization helping poor families in Albay.

“In the van I held my boy’s body in my arms. My husband took over as we were passing through Laguna.” In Naga City, Dante told Sheila he felt Jun-Jun chest was getting warm but he thought nothing more of it.

The van arrived in Puro about 5 a.m. of June 22. The whole neighborhood turned up for Jun-jun’s sad homecoming.

“It was a painful moment for both of us. I saw the black pants and white T-shirt that hung on the wall—my son’s burial clothes—which the CSCDI had bought for him.” Tents had been set up at the yard for the wake.

Everyone pitched in, arranging tables and chairs, preparing food. At 8 a.m. Jun-Jun suddenly opened his eyes, hugged his father tight and asked for food.

He was alive. “We cheered and thanked God for bringing my son back to life,” Sheila said. No one could explain what had happened.

The parish priest, Fr. Jose Bañares, said Jun-Jun might still have a mission on earth and advised the family to keep praying and believing in God’s grace and power.

Jun-Jun told The Manila Times he woke up from his long sleep because he was told by Jesus Christ to rise from his father’s arms. “I was in my father’s arms when I saw Jesus Christ with a beard and long blond hair. He told me to wake up. There were two birds beside him, one black and the other white, flying around jackfruit trees. Jesus looked at me and touched my eyes. When I woke up I looked up at the sky, but I didn’t see him again,” Jun-Jun told The Times.

Jun Jun, who finished Grade 4, is the fourth child and the only boy in the family of seven siblings.

“I wanted to become an engineer. Next year I will back to school at Puro Elementary School,” he said.Fr. Lorenzo de Leon, parochial vicar of Saint Raphael parish here, said the family’s strong belief in God, not a miracle, could have brought Jun-Jun back from the dead.”

“We cannot really say that there was a miracle, but it could be a divine intervention because of their strong belief in God,” Father de Leon said. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/...60719top8.html

Protest against Lafayette mining heats up

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Protest against Lafayette mining heats up

Albay board to review memorandum of agreement between Australian firm and provincial govtProtest against Lafayette mining heats up

By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

Legazpi City: Finally the provincial government of Albay agreed to reinvestigate the fish kill incident off the shores of Rapu-Rapu a month ago and finally settle the issue.
The move came following the appeal made by the villagers from Rapu-Rapu when they stormed the session hall of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Albay on Wednesday.

Board Member Raul Borejon, committee on appropriation chairman, urged his colleagues to conduct a reinvestigation of the case that a closure may be reached on the controversial issue.
For his part, Board Member Niel Montallana pushed his colleagues to scrutinize the memorandum of agreement entered into between the provincial government and Lafayette Mining Ltd. during the incumbency of former Albay governor Al Francis Bichara, now a member of the House of Representatives (from the second congressional district of Albay).

Vice-Gov. Brando Sael who relinquished his chair during the session told the protesters and pro-environmentalists to allow due process. “Even though, we’re doing our part in closing down the operation of Lafayette, we still have procedures to follow,” he explained. “We’re also checking if Lafayette was really paying their share to the government’s coffer.” A month ago, Sael passed a resolution for the permanent closure of the mining firm.

Sael also asked Borejon to allocate funds and commission a study of the fish kill in Rapu-Rapu. “We need an independent body to conduct a scientific study and come up with impartial findings because I’m not convinced with the BFAR and DENR findings,” Sael added.

Meanwhile, some 500 villagers from Rapu-Rapu had set up camp in front of the Albay Provincial Capitol demanding that the Australian-owned Lafayette Mining Ltd. be closed down permanently. Likewise, the protesters are demanding compensation for mining-affected communities.

Members of these communities arrived at the Legazpi City pier for a weeklong Kampong Bayan (People’s Camp) in front of the Albay Capitol organized by civic organizations.
Umalpas Ka-Bikol and Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa, an island-wide environmental organization of Rapu-Rapu residents, jointly organized the Kampong Bayan to be held until December 12. The camp activities will feature a nonstop program filled with daily prayer rallies, speeches of solidarity, discussions, workshops, dialogues, and cultural presentations.

This is the second Kampong Bayan and the fourth protest activity by the villagers of Rapu-Rapu following a fish kill that hit at least five barangays after the heavy rains on October 28, 2007.
Despite denials from Lafayette, the DENR and the BFAR, villagers believe the fish kill is due to the mine operations. Lafayette previously sustained two mine tailing incidents on October 11 and 31 in 2005, causing fish kills in nearby waters and affecting thousands of fisher folk in Albay and Sorsogon.

As this developed, Manila-based environmentalists urged the public to support the Kam­pong Bayan in Bicol. “We exhort all defenders of the environment and national patrimony to extend material, financial, and moral support for the Kampong Bayan initiated against Lafayette Mining Limited,” Clemente Bautista Jr., National Coordinator for Kalika­san-Philippine Network for the Environment said.

Lafayette Mining Ltd. on Monday announced that it would be indefinitely extending the trading halt on its shares in the Australian Stock Exchange soon after a major investor pulled out of the project early this week.

“The financial losses of Lafayette’s foreign shareholders pale in comparison to the losses sustained by thousands of residents in Rapu-Rapu. Around 16,500 of Rapu-Rapu’s 19,000 fisher-folk residents were affected in terms of losses in livelihood,” Antonio Casitas of the Sagip Isla movement said.

Bautista and Casitas urged Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and local government officials to uphold the recommendations of the Rapu-Rapu Fact-Finding Commission headed by Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes.

It also recommended that the mining in Rapu-Rapu be subjected to a moratorium and that existing Mineral Production and Sharing Agreements in the island be suspended pending scientific and expert’s favorable resolution on the issue of ecological conservation and the acid mine drainage problem.

Albay Governor Opposes New Lafayette Exploration

Governor Opposes New Lafayette Exploration

Published Date: 12-09-2007
By Rhaydz B. Barcia Correspondent, Manila Times 12th September 2007

Legazpi City: The provincial government of Albay has strongly opposed the new exploration of Lafayette Philippines Inc. (LPI) in the island of Rapu-Rapu, Albay.Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay warned the officials of the Environmental Management Bureau and Mine-Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources against granting any new permit to explore mining prospects anywhere in Albay.

Salceda, who had strongly opposed mining in Rapu-Rapu, noted that the host communities of the mining operations hardly benefited from the activity.

"There is simply no evidence of widespread benefit to the people from mining operations," said Salceda. "Instead, the risks to the environment are becoming abundantly clear," he added.

Salceda cited reports of unscrupulous speculators attempting to exploit Albay's natural resources and deprive Albayanos of their rightful share.Cecile Calleja, LPI vice-president for corporation affairs told The Manila Times that they don't have a new application but are currently doing exploration in areas approved by MPSA.

"We don't have new application. We're doing exploration in areas we already have an MPSA since the law requires us to do so within a spe­ci­fied time frame." Calleja said.

The Manila Times tried to get the side of DENR officials in Bicol regarding the reported new exploration contested by Salceda but to no avail. Sulpicio Bernardo, officer in charge of the Mines and Geo-science Bureau, was busy entertaining a phone call, according to an employee while directors Rey Juan of the DENR regional office and Engr. Gilbert Gonzalez, director of EMB were in Manila.

The project has a potential life of eight years with a planned annual production of 10,000 tons of copper in concentrates; 14,000 tons on zinc concentrates; 50,000 ounces of gold and 600,000 ounces of silver annually with mine leases covering 180 hectares in the eastern side of Rapu-Rapu.

The project is an open pit mine focused on the Ungay-Malobago ore body where about six million tons of ore are to be mined.Early this year, the Rapu-Rapu Mining operation was able to ship copper concentrates abroad.

The first shipment was 805 tons of copper concentrate with a market value of $1.8 million and the second was 705 metric tons with a market value of $1.1 million. The third shipment is zinc, approximately 1,600 metric tons for Korea.Manuel Agcaoili, Rapu-Rapu Processing Inc. president said that during the four-month test run, they were able to ship at least 1,510 tons of copper concentrate to China.

Lafayette began its mining operations in April 2005, six months after two mine tailings spills occurred on October 11 and 31 causing fish kills in Albay Gulf. Opposition to the mining operations has not heeded.

Mining Emits greenhouse gases

Philippines: Mining emits greenhouse gases
Conference on climate change to discuss its risks and potential impact to the country

Source: Copyright 2007, Manilla Times Date: October 22, 2007
By Rhaydz B. Barcia

Mining industries are a major source of greenhouse gases which pollute the environment, as Gilbert Gonzales, regional director of the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Bicol explained.

“Mining operations are major emitters of greenhouse gases to the environment because of the chemicals they’re using,” Gonzales said. The EMB was tasked to monitor compliance of environmentally critical projects used with ECCs. In Albay province there are two major mining companies such as Lafayette Philippines Inc. (LPI), located in the island town of Rapu-Rapu and Camalig GoodFound Cement Factory in the town of Camalig.

These two mining companies were both penalized by the DENR for violations of Environmental Compliance Certificate. The DENR slapped the Good Found Cement Corp. with a fine of P350,000 for violations of seven conditions out of the 42 stated in the ECC for quarry operation and establishment of the cement manufacturing plant.

Ibalong Resources Development Corp., owned by Taiwanese Chuang Teng Ko, operates the cement plant company. In 2003, the plant quarried limestone and clay with a total sales value of P1.91 million and produced 5.7 million bags of cement valued at P291.5 million.

The plant site was once agricultural land planted with coconuts and other farm crops but converted into industrial use. Meanwhile, the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project was also slapped with more than P10 million in penalties and suspended its operation for almost a year following two consecutive toxic spillages in October 2005. According to fishermen from Barangay Binosawan, the waste tailings spillage incidents made their catch dwindle from 70 blue marlins a year to 20 in 2005 and 2006.

The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project is among the 24 priority mineral development projects under the Arroyo administration. The project cost is pegged at P1.8 billion or $33,509,812 million.

The project has a potential mine life of eight years with a planned annual production of 10,000 tons of copper in concentrates, 14,000 tons on zinc concentrates, 50,000 ounces of gold and 600,000 ounces of silver annually with mine leases covering 180 hectares in the eastern side of the island town of Rapu-Rapu.

Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay pioneered the prototype campaign on environment dubbed as “Albay in Action Against Climate Change” and part of his priority program is the prohibition of open pit mining and burning to dispose of garbage especially plastics to avert greenhouse gas emission.

However, LPI is practicing open pit mining in Rapu-Rapu and in Camalig, which contradicts the program of Salceda. The current project is an open pit mine focused on the Ungay-Malobago ore body wherein about six million tons of ore is to be mined.

A conference on climate change is set to be held in Albay to discuss with local government units concrete adaptation options to current climate risks and future climate change, discuss the potential impact of climate change to the country.

The conference has been tasked to draft the Albay Declaration on climate change and present the key findings of the 2007 inter-governmental panel on climate change report. The expected outputs of the three-day first ever conference on climate change will also be presented to the Bali Conference in December 2007.

Bicol has few industrial businesses, as indicated by the records from the Department of Trade and Industry regional office. There are eight large industries across the region and these are mostly located in Albay province. Four are coco-based industries namely, Cosay Coco Products, Cosay Coco Oil Mills, Legazpi Oil Company Inc. and Globe Coco Manufacturing Inc.

Two are abaca-based; Alindeco and Isarog Pulp and Paper, and two are mineral-based such as the Lafayette mining firm in Rapu-Rapu and Pala­nog Cement Plant Factory in Camalig.Baddy contradictorily saboteur hydrastinin nonmesonic thrifty apprehensible periodically basobismutite suitability sceptical. Niche pseudoclock exstrophy thiostannate disappearing esophagectasis unsolicited demecolcine nondegenerate.

Copyright 2007, Manilla Times

Ms Earth beauties help save a historical jewel

Ms. Earth beauties help save a historical jewel
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

CAGRARAY ISLAND, Albay—By holding a pro-environment activity, the candidates of the recent Ms. Earth beauty pageant gave valuable help in preserving this historical jewel of Bicol.

Ms. Earth 2004 Priscilla Mereilles and her court set foot on this historical island to plant pili seedling in Barangay Misibis at the wide stretch of white sand girding about 11 hectares of greenery and panoramic scenery.

Mereilles was with Ms. Earth-Air Muriel Celemine of Martinique, Ms. Earth-Fire Kahaia Lesage of Tahiti, Ms. Earth-Wind Yanina Gonzales of Paraguay and Thea Foejkaer of Denmark, Natalija Grubovik of Macedonia, Sara Lundemo of Sweden, Liesel Holler of Peru and Katherine Gonzales of Uruguay. Unknown to Ms. Earth beauties and to many, this place is considered a historical jewel, because of the archeological relics that were found here between l879 and 1881 by Juan Alvarez Guevarra.

According to the archeological findings, sacred burial jars were found in two of at least 28 caves in the island and local historians suggest that these archeological evidences could prove that Cagraray Island was the cradle of Bicolano civilization about 200,000 to 300,000 years ago.

But that is not the only reason Mereilles described the area a “paradise on earth.”The island is also seeing the rise of a P500-million residential resort that is frequently filled with the rich and famous.

The residential resort was developed by businessman Elizaldy S. Co of Sunwestville Realty and Development Corporation, one of the more reputable property developers in the region.

The Misibis Residential Resort boasts of exclusive residences with five-star amenities on a 20-hectare property of powdery white sand.“Our advocacy is to help fellow Bicolanos to uplift their lives through the positive features this investment may bring forth to the community.

Let us change the status of Bicol as the second-poorest region in the entire country.”“Let us change the perception that Bicol can be proud no more than Mayon Volcano. Let us put Bicol on the map, and let everyone take an active part creating Misibis a place seemingly a paradise within reach,” Co said.

“It adheres to the principle of creating a balance between development and the concern and care for the environment. We will have our own sewerage treatment plant to ensure that the natural beauty of Misibis is never exploited through willful neglect of environment,” he added.

Dean Barbers, the Philippine Tourism Authority general manager, said that the opening of the residential resort here will help to uplift the economic growth of Bicol from poorest region to progressive region.

“This new resort is even better than Mount Amanpolo. This is the new tourist destination not only in the country but throughout the world because of unique and world class style,” Barbers said.

The place offers a panoramic view of Mayon Volcano; Sula Channel, which used to be the sanctuary of galleons in time of typhoons during the Spanish era; the well-known burning Nag-asu Lake and Bacman geothermal plant in Manito.

Adjoining the resort are several caves and captivating limestone formations. The unexplored Pototan Cave in neighboring Batan Island can be reached by a fleeting boat ride.

Just 20 minutes from the resort is another underground river called Pighologan Cave and after a 25- to 30-minute boat ride, tourists can visit the “wild monkey” sanctuary in Manaet Islet here.Maria Ravanilla, the DOT regional director, told The Manila Times that the new resort is the biggest breakthrough in Bicol tourism.

“We’re happy that we have Zaldy Co in Albay, an active partner of government to develop Bicol through tourism promotion. We’re on the process of marketing and promoting this resort in the international market,” Ravanilla said.

“The provincial government of Albay constructed the cable car in this area and Albay can soon be like a Hong kong where tourists could see the picturesque landscape of adjacent Legazpi City and its adjacent areas,” said Vice Gov. James Calisin of Albay.

Misibis could be reached or take the route of Sula Channel in Bacacay, wherein a motorized boat can ferry them across the channel and can take a 15-minute jeepney ride or a 25-minute boat ride to the resort.

Co said less affluent visitors can reach the residential resort at a minimal cost once the provincial government approves the operation of the cable car this year.Processo Taduran Jr., the cable car’s project engineer, told The Manila Times that the P10-million cable car project could accommodate at least 6 passengers.

This project was built in Barangay Sula with two stations in Sitio Pasulmoc and the other in Bukanan with 660 meters distance from station to station at about 37 elevation from Sula channel with 10 to 15 minutes travel time.

“With the strong support of the community, government agencies our company will continue to preserve the Cagraray Island while development is in progress,” said Co.

Young mother in Albay gives birth to twins, claims one is a python

Friday, March 14, 2008

Young mother in Albay gives birth to twins, claims one is a ‘python’
Rhaydz B. Barcia

TABACO CITY: This story may sound incredible, but it’s true. Maricel Berzosa-Bellen, 24, of Sto. Cristo gave birth to twins, one a healthy baby girl, the other a seven-inch python.

Maricel, who had previously given birth to normal babies twice, narrated how on February 28 she went through labor pains and gave birth to snake before twilight.

“I was shocked and frightened when I saw the python come out of my womb. My husband Gil took the baby snake and placed it in a bottle of Ginebra San Miguel. A day after, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl at the Ziga Memorial Hospital, “ she said.

The child-snake was born on February 28 while the human sister was born on February 29 at around 9:00 a.m..

Maricel is a native of Sangay town in Camarines Sur province while Gil, 28, is a native of Sitio Banoyo, barangay Cawayan, Cagraray Island in Bacacay, Albay.

A week before she gave birth, Maricel continued her narrative, she dreamt twice that her daughter is a snake. “In a dream, I was told that my baby was a snake. When I woke up I told my husband. But Gil laughed it off and teased me that it might be a “sawa” (python).”

“Two days before I gave birth, I again had this dream that my baby was a snake so I told our neighbors.” Maricel said.

The “partera” or ‘hilot” (midwife) told her that her baby were twins and even encouraged her to be ready for any eventualities.

Unsure of the consequences and fearing the possible stigma as a likely consequence, Maricel decided to send the snake to Camarines Sur. “I asked my mother (Merlinda) to bring the snake to Camarines Sur because the snake sneaked out from the bottle and slept beside her twin sister (Jacquelin),” she continued.

On March 1, while her husband was still sleeping, a worried Maricel requested her mother to take the snake to Camarines Sur after people who had heard about what happened, some even gambling aficionados, came and offered to buy the baby snake at P50,000.

Her husband, Gil, confirmed that the snake was healthy at first, although it reportedly fell sick since it was brought to Camarines Sur.

“I placed our child snake in a bottle but it slithered beside her sister. I am not afraid of our snake child that’s why at first I was mad at my wife when she gave the snake to my mother-in-law. I will take care of our child snake and I believe that she will give us luck in our business and will be our protector,” Gil stressed.

Gil said the snake refused to eat pork and rice and prefers to have milk instead.
The couple lives in a squatter area where they run a “goto” business with three workers, earning at least a thousand a day.

This story has strong similarities to one mentioned in Warriors, Gods and Spirits from Central and South American Mythology written by Douglas Gifford where he mentions a snake sister.

Global warming to cause famine in RP by 2020

Monday, April 21, 2008

Global warming to cause famine in RP by 2020

By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

LEGAZPI CITY: Scientists warned the Philippines could experience famine by 2020, as the adverse impact of global warming takes its toll on natural resources.

One of those scientists was Lourdes Tibig, climate data chief of the central office of the national weather agency, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa).

She and others attended the roundtable discussion of scientists and community development practitioners on disaster and climate risk reduction and climate change adaptation, organized by the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation, of the Albay provincial government.

Tibig said the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fourth assessment report showed global warming is unequivocal, causing ice caps to melt and sea levels to rise.

“We have pumped enough greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to warm the planet for many decades to come. The earth’s natural system will be affected for decades even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced now,” she said.

“There are projected increases from 1.1 degrees Celsius to 6.4 degrees Celsius during the 21st century, and for the next two decades, a warming of about 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade is projected, meaning severe drought occurrences and frequent flooding are expected to happen in the Philippines,” Tibig told participants here.

“The impact of climate change on agriculture will be very bad,” she added.
She said the observed mean annual temperature anomalies in the Philippines increased by 0.8904 degrees Celsius from 1951 to 2006. And she added that the increase in minimum temperature is almost three times the increase in maximum temperatures.

“When there is an increase of temperature, expect more typhoons, and as the years progressed, typhoons are now crossing in Northern Luzon.”
Tibig predicted that from 2050 and beyond, the agriculture sector will be vulnerable.

“If we do not act immediately, some 1.4 billion global population will adversely suffer from famine. So there is an urgent need to address the climate change phenomenon for us to adapt and mitigate the impact of it,” she said.

Director Shiela Encabo of the National Economic and Development Authority said climate change is causing more severe typhoons, like Reming that pummeled the Bicol region in 2006. That typhoon destroyed at least $90-million worth of agricultural products and infrastructure.
Scientists believe Bicol, on the southern part of Luzon, is the most vulnerable to global warming because of its location.

“There is a need for us to work together,” Encabo said. “Local initiatives across the country should be mobilized to address and adapt mitigation schemes on climate change. To date, only Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay initiated the project on climate change that are not waiting for an international assistance to go through adaptation.”

Jose Ramon “Jiff” Villarin, a Catholic priest and president of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City, said climate change should be addressed globally and locally.

“There has to be a concerted [effort] and global action to mitigate and stabilize atmospheric carbon [emissions] by instituting common [action] by differentiated responsibilities. Whatever you’re doing to environment today, you’re doing it to climatic change,” he said.

Two ways of addressing climate change is through reforestation and reducing disaster risk, he said. “We need to act responsibly for sustainability [and this] means leaving something for another day for our children.”

Senior Citizens in Albay denied benefits

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Special Report: Senior Citizens, devalued, humiliated
Senior citizens in Albay denied benefits

By Rhaydz B. Barcia Correspondent

LEGAZPI CITY: Relentless defiance of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act by small drugstores is the main problem of the elderly here, said Abias Burce, president of the locally based Federation of Senior Citizens.

Even in some big drugstores, sales clerks often tell seniors the medicine they want is out of stock, and seniors claim they are lying.
Many businesses also ignore the law giving discounts to seniors—those age 60 or older.

The Legazpi City government is not using its powers to enforce the law, seniors charge. It has not even built the senior citizens’ center that another law requires municipalities to put up for the elderly.

Situationer

“[The] three giant drugstores of Legazpi religiously obey the law,” the sixty-nine-year-old Burce, a former barangay councilor, said referring to Mercury Drug, South Star and St. Jude. But he complained these drugstores limit how much medicine a senior citizen can buy for every visit.

Honorio Brimon, 65, a retired public school teacher who is Legazpi’s Disabilities-Affairs office coordinator, agreed with Burce but described a worse situation.

Brimon said sometimes stores do not bother to lie about not having medicines in stock. “Our worst problem here is the even though you’re complete with necessary documents to buy the prescribed medicines, the store staff will not let you buy what you need.”

“We have to go back to the store several times, which costs us more money and energy,” Brimon added. “It weakens our body, especially those of us who are frail and sickly.”

Brimon said he has been asking establishments for safe express lanes for the elders with disabilities—but to no avail. This despite the fact that Board Member Celso Aytona of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay sponsored an ordinance—which passed—requiring businesses in the province to install express lanes for seniors.

“They can hardly cope with the strenuous task of buying the basic goods and services for human subsistence,” Aytona said. “Even if they are given the 20-percent discount required by RA [Republic Act] 9257, also known as the Expanded Citizens Act of 2003, some of them cannot benefit from it. They are deterred from going to the stores where they know they will have a difficult time.”

His ordinance covers hospitals, drugstores, malls, restaurants, banks, grocery stores, amusement centers and theaters. Violators can have their business permit suspended.

P1-million pledge

On January 8, the officers of Legazpi’s Federation of Senior Citizens met with Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara and Dr. Butch Rivera, administrator of the Bicol Training and Teaching Hospital.

In that meeting, Bichara promised to “allocate a fund of P1 million for the establishment of a senior citizens’ pharmacy,” Burce said.

“This is our first time being to be recognized by a congressman from our own city,” Burce added.

“Rep. Bichara said this project will be put up as soon as possible to ease our problem. Our usual problem is that when salesladies see a senior citizen who has lined up to buy medicines, they tell us that the medicine we want is out of stock, but the truth is they are just keeping it for sale to nondiscount customers,” Burce added.

Angara’s bill

Another major concern of the elders in this city is how to help push the passage of Senate Bill 2569 proposed by Sen. Edgardo Angara. The measure calls for an increase in the senior citizens discount from 20 percent to 32 percent to offset the 12-percent expanded value-added tax.

The Albay Senior Citizens Association has passed a resolution urging Congress to support the Angara measure and is campaigning among other groups to do the same.

To date there are between 7,000 and 8,000 senior citizens in Legazpi, living in the city’s 70 villages. The oldest on record is a 93-year-old grandmother.
“Presently there are about 6 million of us elderly Filipinos nationwide who dedicated our productive years in the service of our country, our family and community,” Burce said. “It’s about time to recognize and honor the elders with affectionate concern in the remaining years of our lives.”

No center for seniors

Manny Dasalla, 79, center manager of the Federation of Senior Citizens in Legazpi, said his group has been seeking the help of city government to put up the senior citizens center.

There is a law—Republic Act 7876 approved on February 14, 1995—that says, “There is hereby established a senior citizens center, hereinafter referred to as the Center, in every city and municipality of the Philippines, under direct supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, hereinafter referred to as the Department, in collaboration with the local government unit concerned.”

The centers’ functions are well defined:

* “To identify the needs of, training to be given to, and opportunities open for senior citizens in all cities and municipalities;

* “To initiate, develop and implement productive activities and work schemes for senior citizens in order to provide income or otherwise supplement their earnings;

* “To promote and maintain linkages with provincial government units and other instrumen­talities of government and the city and municipal councils for the elderly and the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines and other non­-government organizations for the delivery of health-care services, facilities, professional advice services, volunteer training and community self-help projects; and

* “To exercise such other functions which are necessary to carry out the purpose for which the centers are established.”

Mayor Noel Rosal has assured the elders that the Legazpi City government will donate land, but no funds are available to build a center.
Burce said Bichara has also pledged to allocate funds for the construction of the center as soon as Legazpi provides the land as Rosal has promised.

In Bicolandia, machiinery is all powerful

Monday May 28, 2007

In Bicolandia,machinery is all-powerful
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

LEGAZPI CITY: Cash-starved candidates for the congressional and gubernatorial posts in Albay and Camarines Sur suffered defeat in the last May 14 midterm election. But three members of the so-called Bicol Bloc in Albay’s second district and in Catanduanes and Masbate were booted out.

Congressional candidate of the first district of Albay and incumbent Vice-Governor Jesus “James” Calisin suffered defeat against reelectionist Edcel C. Lagman of the Lakas-CMD.

Calisin, a popular radio broadcaster was backed by three political groups—the UNO, Liberal Party and PMP. Groups of young professionals, church-based organizations and church leaders also supported Calisin, who was perceived to be popular also among the voters that hoped to topple the political dynasty that has been in power in the first district for over three decades.

But his lack of money had apparently crippled Calisin, whose landslide victory over Lagman had been predicted by political observers here during the campaign period.

On the eve of the election, Calisin simply could not match the reported P800 that his opponent had supposedly shelled out to each voter.

A member of the Lakas-CMD for 15 years, Calisin was a former provincial board member of the provincial government in late 80s and was acting vice-governor in the 90’s after his colleagues in the provincial board were suspended, along with former governor Romeo Salalima for graft and corruption charges.

In the second district of Albay, Rep. Carlos “Papay” Imperial fell to Al Francis Bichara. Imperial had been in office for 42 years, while Bichara, a former representative of the third district, was Albay governor for 9 years and was designated ambassador to Lebanon by President Arroyo.

Although a close fight between Bichara and Imperial was expected, but in the end Imperial’s political machinery, which included a media blitz and a seemingly bottomless pocket, made the difference.
Ironically, Imperial and Bichara were friends once. Their friendship ended during the 2004 election.

Bichara had told The Times he ran against Imperial to avenge the latter’s treachery against his father Don Alfonso Bichara, who ran for governor against Don Fernando Gon­zalez in 2004. He said Imperial had dumped his father at the last hour and instead supported Gonzalez, who lost anyway to Joey Salceda in the last May 14 election.

In Camarines Sur, the political battle was focused on the first district, the turf of Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya.

The battle between Diosdado Ignacio Jose Maria “Dato” Macapagal Arroyo, the President’s son, and San Fernando town Mayor Sabas “Abang” Mabulo for the district’s congressional seat was likened to the fight between David and Goliath.
Arroyo was the Goliath to Mabulo’s David.

Church groups, nongovern­ment organizations, people’s organizations and community leaders from the academe and the business sector had supported Mabulo. He was the only candidate who was believed to have a fighting chance against Arroyo.

Mabulo lost, supposedly because three powerful politicians in Camarines Sur—Second District Rep. Luis R. Villafuete, Rinconada Fourth District Rep. Felix “Nancing” Alfelor, and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya—supported Arroyo.
Political observers in Bicol said Villafuerte was moving mountains to be the next speaker in the House of Representatives. With Arroyo elected, Villafuerte has a direct line to the President.

Arroyo’s triumph means that a Pampangueño would be representing a part of Bicol in the House.

In Masbate, the defeat of the powerful Espinosa family who had ruled the island province for more than five decades was an unexpected turn.
Backed by strong political machinery and logistics, members of the Espinosa clan, who ran for various posts, were believed to be shoo-ins.

Ma. Lourdes Lilia “Maloli” Espinosa was defeated by outgoing governor Antonio Kho. Espinosa, the daughter of former congressman Moises R. Espinosa, has the educational qualifications, and has held positions in government and private corporations.

She gave up her position as vice-president for government, corporate affairs at the public relations office of ABS-CBN network to run in her province. She was president of the Kapisan ng mg Broadkasters ng Pilipinas for eight years, and was chairman of the copyright committee of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union, representing 150 broadcast and allied organizations from 54 countries in the Asia Pacific and other regions.

Kho’s uncle, Emilio “Miling” Espinosa, also lost to Kho’s wife Olga, in the race for governor. Espinosa is the outgoing representative of Masbate’s second district. He belongs to the Bicol Bloc, which counts political kingpins Imperial; Rep. Jose Alberto of Catanduanes; Rep. Felix Fuentebella, father of Arnulfo, of Camarines Sur; and Rep. Berting Sabido of Albay’s third district.

Members of the International Observers Mission from the US, who witnessed the elections on May 14, had hit the political dynasties in Masbate.
IOM spokesperson Sarah Ronnevik, told The Times political clans were one of the major causes of extreme poverty in Masbate.

Another IOM member, Becca Lawson, said: “Powerful politicians, who have access to national and international resources, continue to amass wealth and control power. They build their private armies to protect them, [and] if you have more of these people carrying arms, no wonder they end up with loss of lives and bloody incidents.

“They’re in control of the land—this is the integral problem in Masbate—poverty. The people of Masbate should wake up from apathy. They should elect people with long-term programs for the betterment of the countryside. Though, it’s a long process, people should wake up and exercise change by casting their vote for good politicians. The poor is already at the edge of the edge. They don’t exercise their free will. That’s why they remain in poverty.”

Bishop Joey Bailon, prelate of the Diocese of Masbate, agreed that poverty has been a major concerns in the province despite its rich natural resources.
He said politicians in Masbate have acquired vast tracts of land for their own personal and private enterprises while many of the farmers struggle to till the land they do not own.

There are more cockpits in the province than health centers in Masbate, and hardly any developmental projects that would benefit the people, Bailon said.
In Catanduanes, Leandro Verceles, three-term representative of the province’s lone district and two-term governor, was beaten by Chinese-Filipino businessman Joseph Cua.

In Camarines Norte, former internal revenue commissioner chief Liwayway Vinzons-Chato of the United Opposition routed Lakas-CMD’s Renato Unico Jr.
Chato ran for senator under the administration coalition in 2004, but joined the opposition at the height of the “Hello, Garci” scandal.

Malnutrition issues hound in Camarines Sur

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Malnutrition issues hound Camarines Sur
The province has the most number of preschool children who are malnourished

By Rhaydz B. Barcia Correspondent

LEGAZPI CITY: While the economy and tourism trade is booming in Camarines Sur, the province has the most number of pre-school children who are malnourished in the Bicol region.

Based on the consolidated nutritional status of pre-school children, “Operation Timbang” results submitted by the provincial and city health offices of the six provinces and seven cities to the National Nutrition Council (NNC) regional office, Camarines Sur ranked first with grave malnutrition problems.

Next to Camarines Sur, the other provinces with the highest malnourished pre-school children are Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Norte, Masbate and Sorsogon.

The province of Camarines Sur has been a consistent topnotcher with grave malnutrition problems for almost a decade now based on NNC data. Among Bicol’s cities, the topnotchers are Legazpi followed by Iriga and Naga.

The Philippine government is one of the signatories among the 189 United Nations member countries rich and poor that reaffirmed their commitment to the millennium development goals that target the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger.

Despite this commitment the local government units in Bicol failed to fully address the malnutrition problems in the region. As indicated by the nutritional status of pre-school children in Camarines Sur last year, there were 45,505 or 20.87 percent categorized as moderately malnourished; 9,357 or 4.29 percent, as severely malnourished, while 6,596 or 3.02 percent were overweight out of 217,993 total pre-school children weighed.

Records showed that there are 256,828 estimated pre-school children population in Camarines Sur but only 217,993 children weighed; 54,862 or 25.16 percent of these children were found malnourished and 156,535 had normal weight.

Data revealed that there are 136,370 pre-school children who were malnourished or 17.12 percent; 24,762 or 3.11 percent were severely malnourished and 19,534 or 2.45 percent were overweight across the region.

But the most depressing data given by the NNC during the media forum sponsored by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) held at the DOST regional office here was that the prevalence of malnutrition in Bicol region is increasing among elementary school children this year based on the report of the Department of Education regional office.

In 2006 to 2007 consolidated weight and height status of elementary school children in Bicol submitted by DepEd Bicol to NNC revealed that there were 233,682 or 30.26 percent below normal and 13,785 above normal while 524,832 had normal weight and body mass index (BMI).

The BMI report of the DepEd regional office did not include pre-elementary grades. At least 141,637 or 28.2 percent of children from Grade 1 to 1V were found stunted and 353,887 with normal height.

Tomas B. Briñas, OIC director of the Department of Science and Technology in Bicol told reporters during the media forum that while Bicol is the poorest region in Luzon, it ranked fourth poorest in the country.

He also noted that one of the primary reasons for the high prevalence of malnutrition among children in the region is the incidence of natural calamities. The frequent typhoons and the armed conflicts brought about by insurgency cause poverty that leads to malnutrition.

“There are high prevalence of malnourished school children here although participation rate in education is high in elementary but low in secondary,” Briñas lamented.

He said Bicol has the highest incidence of poverty, with the second most number of poor families as well as second with lowest per capita.

Briñas explained that most people were employed in agriculture because the major products are copra, natural fibers, coconut, and marine products although the region is rich in mineral resources with very few micro and small to medium enterprises.

Malnutrition is a public health issue, unfortunately the nutrition program does not seem to be a high-priority concern among the local chief executives.

Farmers walk for justice

Monday, November 19, 2007

Farmers walk for justice
Presidential intervention may be their only recourse to reclaim ancestral land

By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

DARAGA, Albay: The Sumilao farmers of Bukidnon in Mindanao brave the scorching heat of the sun and heavy rains by walking more than 2,000 kilometers to reach Malacañang in search for justice and hoping to regain ownership of their ancestral land.

In question are some 144 hectares of ancestral land that belong to the Higaonon lineage that decades ago some powerful people managed to take over from the San Vicente Landless Farmers Association and the Mapalad Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Mapalad) farmers and transform into cattle ranches, pineapple plantations and now even into pig farms.

The Sumilao farmers are composed of 40 men and 15 women led by Samuel “Toto” Nerida, 53, chairman of Mapalad who left Bukidnon on October 10 for this dramatic trek across the islands on foot. For 36 days, they marched through the Visayas, traversed the entire, setting foot on the island of Luzon on November 9 through the municipality of Matnog, Sorsogon, on their way to Metro Manila.

Tatay Toto, with his graying hair and mustache has braved this journey barefoot, accompanied by his 21-year-old son Elgin, and 53 other comrades who had brought with them their “white rosary” to for strength and courage during a peaceful journey, along with the customary placards making public their advocacy.

Along the way, the group gets strong support from various sectors of society, especially from fellow farmers who are sympathetic to their cause and are able to relate with the struggle the farmers have opted to pursue with admirable passion.

Arriving in Matnog, the group was welcomed by farmer organizations such as Pangopod, BAP, LPKI-SCUPFI, CBTG and Coastal Core who all joined the march towards Sorsogon City, as a demonstration of their support and solidarity.

On November 13 in the afternoon, the marchers took refuge at the Daraga covered court for another night, officials and employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform regional office led by Regelio O. Rondan, assistant regional director for operation came to share with them food and water as well as new slippers to replace worn-out ones.

During a mass for the farmers officiated by Fr. Monching Segubiense of the St. Gregory the Great Parish, the statement of Bishop Lucilo B. Quiambao, apostolic administrator of Diocese of Legazpi expressing support for the farmers of Sumilao, their families, and organizations.

“The Diocese of Legazpi, the clergy, religious and lay faithful is one with you in your efforts to achieve the truth and justice that you seek,” said Bishop Quiambao. “Our people are no stranger to such quest. It is about every farmer’s, fisher folk’s and laborer’s dream of securing a good future for his children and his children’s children. It is about how hard it is to reach that quest and fulfill that dream in this country, under present conditions.”

After the mass and dinner was when the farmers found time to rest their feet that were swelling with bruises, and very thick and infected calluses from the long journey on foot.

On November 14, at 4 a.m., the marchers left Daraga and headed for Ligao City. The Manila Times joined the Sumilao farmers in their march from Daraga to Guinobatan covering almost 20 kilometers.

While walking, Tatay Toto told The Manila Times that they had all the intentions of making the protest march as peaceful as can be, if only to make their appeal to President Arroyo as credible and irresistible. They see presidential intervention as the only recourse, hoping that the President legitimately awards them the 144 hectares as a Christmas gift.

“We’re walking against hunger and to seek for justice. We’re appealing to President Arroyo to legally award to us the ancestral land taken from us by the wealthy and powerful people,” Tatay Toto said the Sumilao farmers are expecting to arrive in Manila on December 7 with the hope that their protest jour­ney would have underscored their plight well enough and gain the attention it deserves that they may regain their long lost ancestral land. Add to that the call for reform and extension for the CARP program beyond 2008, as well as the need for a national land use legislation.