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* Volume No. I * Issue No. 011 * Date: December 16, 2007 *
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CONTENTS:
*Treaty of Paris-1898 *Kind Request* Derailing Federalism * More on Federalism*
Reactions to INM eNews*Coal-fired Power Plant*Announcements* Make My Day!
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Today in History
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The Treaty of Peace (Paris) of December 10, 1898
(By: dinggol a.divinagracia -INM Banwa_Mo -December 10, 2007)

1898: December 10 -The "Treaty of Paris" to end Spanish-American War was signed. Spanish commissioners argued that Manila had surrendered after the armistice and therefore the Philippines could not be demanded as a war conquest, but they eventually yielded because they had no other choice, and the U.S. ultimately paid Spain 20 million dollars for possession of the Philippines.

It is regretable, indeed --that there was deliberate design by lackeys of the victors; to alter, omit and relegate to the dustbin of history, glorious events in the past. And this may be true not only in the Visayas and Mindanao, but maybe also in Ilocandia, Bicol and other Regions in Luzon.

The Ilonggo Nation Movement, recently discovered and exposed this can of worms.

Perhaps, it is for this reason --that last NOVEMBER 6, 2007 --the long overdue historical marker to commemorate the formal Surrender of Spain to the Independent Negros Republic was inveiled by the National Historical Institute of the Office of the President --in Bacolod City only after 109 years.

Could this be interpreted, that at last! --Malacanang has finally acknowledged this lapses in history and starts to recognize the sovereignty of the independent Visayan Republic?
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KIND REQUEST -
SUBJECT: Article III - Treaty of Paris-1898

Warm Greetings! to our Readers:

Here's copy of coordinates, as contained in theTreaty of Paris-1898 --that shall finally
determine whether the Federal Republic of the Visayas was really included therein.

Anybody qualified, we respectfully request your kind attention and sincere cooperation
interpreting these into laymans lingo; and if it's not asking for too much --may we know if
Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Romblon are within the enclosed areas.
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Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain; December 10, 1898

Article III. Spain cedes to the United States the archipelago known as the Philippine
Islands, and comprehending the islands lying within the following line:

A line running from west to east along or near the twentieth parallel of north latitude, and
through the middle of the navigable channel of Bachi, from the one hundred and eighteenth
(118th) to the one hundred and twenty-seventh (127th) degree meridian of longitude east of
Greenwich, thence along the one hundred and twenty seventh (127th) degree meridian of
longitude east of Greenwich to the parallel of four degrees and forty five minutes (4 [degree
symbol] 45']) north latitude, thence along the parallel of four degrees and forty five minutes (4
[degree symbol] 45') north latitude to its intersection with the meridian of longitude one
hundred and nineteen degrees and thirty five minutes (119 [degree symbol] 35') east of
Greenwich, thence along the meridian of longitude one hundred and nineteen degrees and
thirty five minutes (119 [degree symbol] 35') east of Greenwich to the parallel of latitude
seven degrees and forty minutes (7 [degree symbol] 40') north, thence along the parallel of
latitude of seven degrees and forty minutes (7 [degree symbol] 40') north to its intersection
with the one hundred and sixteenth (116th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich,
thence by a direct line to the intersection of the tenth (10th) degree parallel of north latitude
with the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich,
and thence along the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) degree meridian of longitude east
of Greenwich to the point of beginning.

The United States will pay to Spain the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) within
three months after the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty.
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I'm taking this initiative, because just recently I found out --that out of the 7,100 plus islands that
comprised the Philippine archipelago --only 3,141 islands or less than 50% were ceded by Spain
to the U.S. in this treaty of peace that formally ended the Spanish- American War.

Ergo! there's a big possibility that these involved, only territories still under Spain, that included
Gen. Aguinaldos jurisdictions since he never formally won the war v.s. Spain...or is it otherwise?

It should be noted, America formally declared war against Spain (include Aguinaldo's government)
but U.S. forces invasion into the independent & sovereign Visayan territories was a blatant act in
violation to the Internation Rules of War that already existed at that time.

Hence, this diplomatic faux pas should be seriously considered, exposed and acted upon accordingly.

That is the Ilonggo Nation Movement's role; with the help of fellow Filipinos and by the grace of the
Almighty --the U.S. & Spanish governments shall sincerely rectify this travesty of history; kabay pa!!

All the best, sa inyo tanan ...
dinggol a.divinagracia..
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DERAILING FEDERALISM WITH A KISS OF DEATH:
(Statement of the FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES-FFP)

The Administration recently placed Charter Change and Federalism proposals on the political radar screen. Timed contemporaneously when it was hard pressed to answer serious questions and allegations of corruption involving the National Broadband Network (NBN) Project and the alleged wholesale bribery of Congressmen and local Government Officials, the motive of the administration in doing so is highly suspect. Coming as it does from a 'Poisoned Tree', it can only bear expectedly rotten fruits afflicted with worms. Such was the fate of the Administration –created constitutional commission that lamentably mangled Federalism initiatives as it attempted to serve the selfish ends of several masters (The President, the Congressmen, the Local Officials) rather than the common good.

The administration as proponent of federalism is a Kiss of Death. It is a classic case of the right message delivered by the wrong messenger.

The FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES (FFP) therefore calls on theAdministration, specifically the president to desist, at this time, from initiating any study on a shift to federalism. Instead of prostituting a most noble pursuit, the Administration should just focus on putting its house in order by beginning to answer the never-ending scandalous charges against it.

While the FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES - FFP truly believes that only a Federal Philippines will unleash the potential of our composite "nations" that make up our country, the initiative to push it must come from a source without tainted motives. The federalism movement is too important to be perceived and used as a ploy for temporarily diverting national attention.

Sadly, the FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES – FFP notes that the very issues of grand-scale corruption and patronizing of congressmen and local executives are the very symptoms of a dysfunctional unitary system that contemptuously uses money to self-perpetuate the ruling elite. Development agendas so badly needed by our suffering countrymen who, by the millions, flock to foreign countries that are Federal, are poorly served by the elite politics of our over-centralized, patronage-based political system.

The FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES – FFP respectfully submits that the movement towards federalism must be inspired by a clear vision of a restructured power arrangement between and among central and local, federal and state organs of governance. It must be led by patriotic individuals and credible civil society groups who see the wisdom in the establishment of a Federal Republic of the Philippines that will open the broad pathway towards peace, prosperity, growth and development.

The FEDERAL FORUM OF THE PHILIPPINES – FFP slams any effort to use Federalism for short-term political maneuvering but welcomes sincere support from Political Parties, true statesmen and all Filipinos of goodwill who like our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal have prescient, presaged and predicted the future in the coming of age of Federalism.
(NOTE: INM Banwa_Mo is a member of Filipino Federalist Forum Network)
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MORE ON FEDERALISM
(By: Vincent `Bentong` S. Isles -INM Banwa_Mo: CebuCity-Phil.)

Federalism is much more than a political party or ideology. It is a philosophy of life, called by different names by different peoples: subsidiarity by the Catholic Church, autonomy by existing states, the separatist imperative for those who believe they cannot work within the existing system.

Understanding federalism this way gives us the hope that when and if federalism is implemented in the country, the role of the trapos will be minimized.

The people then need to be educated that they are responsible for their own destinies. That their lives are not be controlled by barong-ed politicians in big government edifices.

This is power-to-the- people in its truest form. Real democracy in a multicultural state IS federalism. You cannot have a true democracy if you do not have a federal form.

I have some reservations though as to the opinion of Dindo as to the stand of local trapos re federalism. In fact, currently the provincial politicians of Cebu is lamenting the fact that the creation of provinces can be orchestrated from Manila alone (the Cebuano chairman of the committee on local government opting to hold in Manila the "public consultation" re creation of three separate provinces out of Cebu).

We just need to reach out to them, lobby them, and at the same time gather enough political backbone to give them the element of incentive. After all no sane politician will not pay even lip service to the objectives of an organization if that organization has say 20% of the existing voters in his district. That should be our goal.

The fact is that we have not done enough to popularize, propagandize and publicize the issue on federalism. Although these we are doing here is a good start, we should never stop here. We should continue converting persons to our cause.

Rome wasn't built in a day, but I hope that I will see in my lifetime the flowering of the State of Central Visayas.
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According to Malcolm Gladwell, "... ideas and behavior and messages and products sometimes behave just like outbreaks of infectious disease. They are social epidemics."

What this means to us is that even if it looks nobody is interested in what we are doing, we'll continue doing it because a "tipping point" will come, when our ideas will be the norm.
--Bentong Isles

Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Vincent `Bentong` S. Isles is a patriotic young professional born in Sogod, Cebu --24 years ago.
He was on top of his class since elementary. In March 2005, he graduated Magda cum laude --B.S.E. with major in Physics
and Mathematics from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines.

He was a constant DOST Scholar in 2001-2005. At the same time, enjoys scholarship grants through the Netherlands Organization
for International Cooperation for Higher Education-Science & Technology Education Southern Philippines (NUFFIC-STEPS).

The multi-talented "Bentong" research interest includes: science education; natural language processing; translation
software; Philippine history and language policy.
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REACTIONS TO “ANG PUNGSOD ILONGGO” E-NEWSLETTER:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-42): Clirard Paul Castaneda (By Email)
Dear all,
Yes, I must agree to this. The history that has been taught to us is wanting. We, as Visayans, should be able to pass down the stories of our own heroes and heroines unto the next generation. I have been taught "Philippine" history but they are filled only with events that took place in the north.

The facts and figures seem so alien to me. I can't relate too much about it because I do not know where they really are. But if you tell me about what happened on Tres de Abril. Or about General Sanciangko, then I'd be more able to appreciate and be inspired by "Philippine" history because I can relate to it. I can really feel that it is my own people, my own blood who have fought for the independence of this island, of this region, of this nation.

Why can't I be taught of my own history in schools?
Clirard Paul
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-33): Ted Gonzaga (By Email)
This is very interesting! Up to the present no one can explain yet how the Aguinaldo group in Northern Luzon coordinated their efforts with the revolutionary leaders in Western Visayas .....Gen Martin Delgado, Quintin Salas, Teresa Magbanua, and many more .......

Those Tagalog patriots indeed are fighting against each other, each one tried to grab power for themselves....resulting in the assasinations of some of them. What happened to Graciano Lopez-Jaena's role?

The legend or historical saga of the ten Malayan datus who landed in San Joaquin, Iloilo that started the Malayan influence(hence civilization) in the Philippines could have been emphasized in our history. Is it reasonable for the Ilonggos to claim as the first civilized people in the Philippines. And.....by the way, the rest of the Malayan datus proceeded to the north.

Please expand some more this newsletter.
Thanks for remembering me.
Ted
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From (Group-34): Cyrus Natividad (By Email)
Dear Mr. Divinagracia,
We are pleased to be shared with ideas from your publication via internet. As a journalist,
can I possibly share my articles here.....but how?
Best Rgards,
Cyrus
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From (Group-51): Arnold G. Tanoy (By Email)
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:06:27 -0800 (PST)
Subject: I wish to Join INM Banwa_Mo
Hello.
I am an Ilonggo based here in India. With a growing confused loyalty due to assimilation of both Philippine and Indian cultures, I am trying to learn more on our Ilonggo heritage, culture and the Hiligaynon and I think that I can learn more by joining the group.

Hopefully, what I learn from you guys I can transfer to my family and friends there in Iloilo.
God speed!
It has been said that something as small as a flutter of a butterfly's wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world - THE CHAOS THEORY
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From (Group-62): Jose Abueva (By Email)
Date: Nov 22, 2007 9:31 PM
Subject: Fwd: [BALITA-USA] Readers' Comments on "The 'Cry of Sta. Barbara' in Iloilo"

Another insensitive Filipino commenting on Ilongo ethno-linguistic identity. Nong Pepe
Dr. Jose V. Abueva
President, Kalayaan College at Riverbanks, 1803 Marikina, Philippines
Telefax (632)934 4865 Website: http://www.kalayaan.edu.ph/
Email: joseabueva@yahoo.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-29): manuel faelnar (By Email)
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:08:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [DILFED] Re: [BALITA-USA] Readers' Comments on "The 'Cry of Sta. Barbara' in Iloilo"

Manoy Pepe,
Thank you for your email. I agree with you that the views of Oscar Apostol are insensitive. I might add they are not politically correct and smacks of the Marcosian "Isang Bansa Isang Diwa" concept.

This fascistic Marcosian concept would deny the non-Tagalog nations of the Philippines their identities and would disenfranchise and marginalize their non-Tagalog languages It goes without saying that Apostol's concept of Filipino identity is Tagalog identity and Tagalog language....(truncated)..
Manuel Lino G. Faelnar-Director
DILA Philippines Foundation, Inc.(Defenders of the Indigenous Languages of the Archipelago) "Without our language, we have no culture, we have no identity, we are nothing." Ornolfor Thorsson, adviser to President of Iceland.
"When you lose a language you lose a culture, intellectual wealth, a work of art." Kenneth Hale, who taught linguistics at MIT.
"Words, if powerful enough, can transport people into a journey, real or imagined, that either creates a fantasy or confirms reality." Rachelle Arlin Credo, poet and writer.
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From (Group-64): Lina Araneta Santiago (By Email)
Subject: Re: [federalist_forum] RE: [BALITA-USA] Readers' Comments on "The 'Cry of Sta. Barbara' in Iloilo"
Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2007 08:38:19 -0800

good news. thanks
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From (Group-29): "joseph vincent m libot" (By Email)
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:51:51 -0000
Subject: [DILFED] Re: [BALITA-USA] Readers' Comments on "The 'Cry of Sta. Barbara' in Iloilo"

The Americans call us Filipinos not Visayans, Ilongos, and Tagalogs - very much true, as true as they call all the native people in America Indians.

Unless we recognise that Filipinos are of different ethnolinguistic groups, there could be no unity without wiping out the other groups and favoring only one. There could only be one solution that will make everybody happy - that is stop all these hypocrisies of one Philippine nation with a common language, and accept the reality that Filipino identity is a conglomerate of different Austronesian nations some of which Europeanized, and some Islamized.

That kind of set up might not be as strong enough as Russia, Japan, and USA to invade another territory, but is effective enough in deffending its own as the Swiss Federation has proven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-16): Davy Animas-Malones (By Email)
Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:19:53 -0800 (PST)
Subject: RE: I WISH TO JOIN BANWA_MO EGROUP
kamusta,
gusto ko mag-intra sa inyo nga egroup, paano ako mangin member
ninyo? please advice. thank you …
davy animas-malones (Singapore)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-52): Placido Calderon
To: ilonggoNation Movement, naffaa_forum@yahoogroups.com,fwopinions@yahoogroups.com
From: Placido Calderon placido05@------
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 16:28:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [botomo] Re: -"Ang Pungsod Ilonggo" eNewsletter -Dec. 1, 2007 (GROUP-52)

Thanks for sending me your eNewsletter. It is a very interesting newsletter.
Eddie AAA Calderon, Ph.D.Mpls, Mn 55418USA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-37): Linda Nietes -Dec. 4, 2007(By Email)
Hello,I am more interested in the Province of Antique.Do you have anything relevant? Thanks,Linda Nietes
Philippine Expressions BookshopThe Mail Order Bookshop dedicated to Filipino Americans in search of their roots.
2114 Trudie DriveRancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-2006, USA
Tel (310) 514-9139 FAX (310) 514-3485
e.mail: linda_nietes@sbcglobal.net
We blazed the trail in promoting Philippinebooks in America. 2007 marks our 23rdyear of service to the Filipino American community. Thank you for your support. Mabuhay !

Linda Nietes, a cultural activist, also owned Casalinda, the first all-Filipiniana bookshop in the Philippines, (Metro Manila,1972-1983) and has provided a home for Philippine writings on both sides of the Pacific.
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave atrail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From (Group-66): Marvin A. Segura (By Email)
Date: Dec. 5, 2007
Thank you.
I was amazed by this one, because here in Beijing, the preservation of its rich cultural heritage has been a priority. I witnessed how they value their culture as seen in their highly protected museums and tourist spots. I guess your site is doing great in digging into the our Ilonggo heritage also.
More power!

MARVIN A. SEGURA
Beijing Language and Culture University
No. 15 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District
Beijing, China 100083
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From (Group-47): Dr. Bo (By Email)
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 19:30:40 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Time to Start
6th December 2007
Hi Dinggol,
Quite surprising that I am not communicating recently, but it does not mean that I am not reading and following the publications you sent to me all the time and I greatly appreciated that.

Since it is now December, i just would like to find out if you will be coming home to Iloilo for the season? and if yes, please provide me with your local phone or mobile number(s) so that I can personally introduce myself to you and we can have a good social reunion... much more with the intention of what we can do to initiate reform to correct what was done wrong to the Visayan Nation and to us as a people. Correcting the errors of history is a valuable educational upliftment for our country and its people and also to the whole world.

Madamu gid nga salamat.
Dr. Bo
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Dr. Lynn on the proposed coal-fired power plant in LaPaz, Iloilo City

We are forwarding the letter of Dr. Lynn R. Panganiban, an Ilongga who heads the National Poison Management and Control Center regarding the proposed coal-fired power plant in La Paz District, Iloilo City.

Dr. Lynn is a Professor of the UP College of Medicine Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, FPSCOT-Fellow of the Phil. Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology, and DPAFP-Diplomate of the Phil. Academy of Family Physicians.

Melvin B. Purzuelo -(INM Banwa_Mo: CityProper Iloilo-Phil.)
----------------------------
November 1, 2007

Dear Colleagues in the health profession and concerned Ilonggos / Ilonggas,

Greetings!
Two weeks ago, it was brought to my attention that there is a plan to set up a coal-fired power plant in the City of Iloilo. This news came as a surprise to me since I have the belief that this source of electrical power was no longer an option considering that a few years back, similar proposals were resisted and rejected by the Municipalities of Banate and Concepcion.

As an Ilongga who remains to be appreciative and proud of the City and as a physician-toxicologist who understands the impact of hazardous chemicals on health and environment, I am deeply concerned and saddened about the proposed setting up of the said coal-fired power plant. It is a general knowledge that coal-fired power plants have been the major source of air pollution all over the world. In fact, their emissions have been the major contributors to the global warming phenomenon we are currently experiencing.

Although there have been attempts in addressing the toxic discharges with introduction of new technologies, we are still in the stage of merely reducing these emissions and have no methods of totally eliminating them.
My concern and apprehension with the establishment of the coal-fired power plant is based on the following:

1. Emissions from coal-fired power plants are composed of pollutants such as oxides of sulfur, mainly sulfur dioxide; nitrogen oxides; polynuclear hydrocarbons; total gaseous hydrocarbons; solid particulates, especially PM 10; formaldehyde; carbon monoxide, metals such as mercury and arsenic.

2. The above substances carry with them intrinsic toxic effects. In combination, these effects can be magnified because of chemical-chemical interactions that produce synergistic effects . For instance, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and particulate matter have common target organs - the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The combined effects of these substances can be more than the sum of the individual effects on these organ systems.

3. These are members, in the community situated near coal-fired power plants, who are vulnerable to even low concentrations of the above substances. For instance, children may be exposed to more of these substances than adults because they breath more air for their size than adults do. For sulfur dioxide, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (1999) reports that "Long term studies surveying large numbers of children indicate that children who have breathed sulfur dioxide pollution may develop more breathing problems as they grow older, may make more emergency room visits for treatment of wheezing fits, and may get more respiratory illnesses than other children. Children with asthma may be especially sensitive even to low concentrations of sulfur dioxide." A recent study published in the Environmental Research in January 2007 showed that "air pollution from coal-fired power station, although not exceeding local pollution standards, had a negative effect in children's lung function development."

4. The presence of heavy metals in the emissions of coal fired power plant should be taken into consideration. Mercury has been identified as one of the metals released in coal combustion. Globally, this toxic metal has been caused significant adverse impacts such that in 2005, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Governing Council arrived at the decision that 'urges governments, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to develop and implement partnerships in a clear, transparent and accountable manner, as one approach to reducing the risk to human health and the environment the release of mercury and its compounds to the environment."

With regards the health effects, it has been found that organic mercury is a potent teratogen and reproductive poison. Its worst effects involve the central nervous system and the onset can be insidious and compose of dysarthria, ataxia, mental retardation, among others.

5. The establishment of the coal-fired power plant is not an economically-efficient way of sourcing energy if we include in the total cost operation the health and environmental impacts. The increased hospital visits, the prescribed medications, the man-hour productive losses because of sickness carry with them monetary equivalents. For an individual who develops mercury poisoning, the cost of the chelating agent alone for c 19-day course is P136, 095.00 The big question is: Who will shoulder these health costs? Have these been taken into consideration?

6. Establishment of a hazardous industry such as the coal-fired power generation, will require stringent and efficient monitoring of its impact on health and environment. Monitoring does not just mean merely using on health and environment. Monitoring does not just mean merely using our sense of smell or sight. This monitoring system means setting up of a scientifically sound technology for measuring pollutant levels in the environment and biologic fluids, their periodic evaluation and provision of appropriate interventions. This system entails money as well when done in an honest to goodness manner. Current cost for each environmental sample runs from P1, 200.00 - P5,000.00. This cost is also the same for biologic samples. Again, has this kind of monitoring system been considered and who will shoulder the cost?

In my 17 years of work as c toxicologist, I still have to see an efficiently operating monitoring system that seriously looks into health and environmental impacts of pollutants in the country.
In light of the above points,
- I urge each and every one of us to take a second look at the proposal of setting up c coal-fired power plant in the city.

- I pray that God will provide us the wisdom to clearly understand the adverse impacts the industry will bring to us and our environment.

- I encourage every one to be vigilant, oppose the setting up of the said plant and challenge our local government to look for safe alternatives to power generation other than coal-fired generated source.

- I enjoin everyone to be in the preventive rather than control mode, accept and promote the precautionary principle that "calls for preventive, anticipatory measures tobe taken when an activity raises threats of harm to environment, wildlife or human health, even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established."

Even the philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 put emphasis on the preventive aspect as what is embodied in its Declaration of Policies that states: 'c policy of the state is to focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than control…"

Galatians 6:9 says: "Let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time we will reap c harvest if we do not give up." Let us not give up the good fight.

Remember, that we are doing this for the future of the younger generation.

God bless you and our beloved City of Iloilo.

Very truly yours,
Lynn R. Panganiban, MD, FPSCOT, DPAFP Mandaluyong City-Philippines
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A N N O U N C E M E N T S ______ & ______ M E S S A G E S
Welcome! New INM Banwa_Mo Members:
----------------------------------
*Marvin A. Segura -Beijing, China
---------------------------------
Nota Bene: Easy access to Join! INM Banwa_Mo eGroup, was inadvertently "Closed Permanently"due to wrong key application.
-------------
Hence, to Join! kindly send email to: Banwa_Mo@yahoo.com with the SUBJECT:"I wish to join INM Banwa_Mo eGroup".
Salamat! --the Moderator
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Ready! AIM! File!
Association of Ilonggos of Metropolitan Washington D.C. (AIM) Inc.
(Website at: www.tabligan.org/AIM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I -Subject: Christmas Party
This is the time of the year when we should all be MERRY, JUBILANT, and EXCITED for the coming of OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!!!

Let's celebrate Christmas with camaraderie and merry-making! It's a wonderful time to see each other again, renew friendships and acquaintances, and enjoy each other's company!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR DECEMBER 30, 2007!!! The Association, through Lina Divinagracia, our Business Manager, has reserved the Social Hall of St Aloysius Church in Washington DC for our Christmas Party.

There will be a Mass at 1:30 PM and right after, WE WILL PARTY! Please bring your favorite covered dish, enough for 10 people.

THERE WILL BE A TALENT SHOW FOR THE KIDS (ages 3 - 10 years old) SO GET YOUR LITTLE ONES READY FOR THE COMPETITION!!!

They can showcase their talents in singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, karate... anything! WONDERFUL PRIZES AWAIT THE WINNERS!!!

For more information and to let us know that you are coming, and what particular dish you would like to bring, please contact the following:

Marilu-(301)987-2060/Lina-(202)265-1251/Les-(240)477-5500/Zeny-(202)409-8836

We look forward to seeing you there! St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church
900 NORTH CAPITOL St., NW. - WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001

II -Obituary:

Hello Everyone, It is with great sorrow that I inform you that a fellow Ilongga has recently passed away in a tragic car accident.

DR. MARLENE PICCIO AZARCON, formerly from Maasin, Iloilo, died in a car accident last Thursday, December 6, 2007. She was 53 years old. She was driving on her way to her Pediatric clinic when her Land Cruiser skidded on the icy road and crashed on a tree which resulted in the smashing of the driver's side of the vehicle. The accident claimed her life instantly.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Gary Azarcon, and her 17 month old daughter Ingrid Isabel in Lorton, Virginia.

Marlene was loved by everybody who knew her. She was such a compassionate, caring and sweet person with a vibrant personality and zest for life. We will surely miss her.

The Association has made arrangements to incorporate a special intention for the eternal repose of her soul at our Christmas Party Mass on December 30 at 1:30 PM at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church in Washington, DC.

Funeral services have not been announced yet as of this time.

Let's all join together in praying to the Lord to welcome His daughter Marlene into His heavenly kingdom and to bless her family with the comfort and hope of His grace.

God bless; Zeny

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Make My Day!

The Merciful Sheik & Da' Pinoy!

(Thanks! to Perry Diaz -INM Banwa_Mo: SacramentoCA-USA)

A Filipino, a German and a Pakistani got arrested consuming alcohol which is a severe offense in Saudi Arabia, so for the terrible crime they are all sentenced 20 lashes each of the whip.

As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheik announced: "It's my first wife's birthday today, and she has asked me to allow each of you one wish before your whipping."

The German was first in line, he thought for a while and then said: "Please tie a pillow to my back."

This was done, but the pillow only lasted 10 lashes & the German had to be carried away bleeding and crying with pain.

The Pakistani was next up. After watching the German in horror he said smugly: "Please fix two pillows to my back."

But even two pillows could only take 15 lashes & the Pakistani was also led away whimpering loudly.

The Filipino was the last one up, but before he could say anything, the Sheikh turned to him and said: "You are from one of most beautiful part of the world and your culture is one of the finest in the world. For this, you may have two wishes!"

"Thank you, your Most Royal and Merciful highness," the Filipino replied.

"In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100 lashes."

"Not only are you an honorable, handsome and powerful man, you are also very brave." The Sheik said with an admiring look on his face.

"If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. "And what is your second wish?" the Sheik asked.

The Filipino smiled and said, "Tie the Pakistani to my back" !!!

(Shared by Albert Abellanosa)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Partridge in a Pear Tree

++++++++++++++++++++++

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning:

The surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for religious reality which the children could remember.

-A partridge in the pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and the New testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

-Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament..

-Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the seven fold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Fait hfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

-Ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven disciples.

-Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostle's Creed.

And to one and all! -----"MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ======================== * Volume No. I * Issue No. 010 * Date: December 1, 2007 * ==========================================================================
CONTENTS:
*Federalism in the Philippines*Reaction to"Cry of Sta. Barbara"*Bayanikasan*Federation of Mindanao * Mindanao Economy * Announcements * Chickens & Egg. * Who's Colored?* ===========================================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today in History!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
FEDERALISM IN THE PHILIPPINES (Deciembre 2, 1898)
(By: dinggol araneta divinagracia -INM Banwa_Mo -December 2, 2007)
--
Federalism in the Philippines was first articulated by the ilonggos during the 1898 Revolution, one hundred nine years ago. The Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Visayas and Mindanao; proclaimed during the November 17th “Cry of Sta. Barbara” in Iloilo, was replaced by the revolutionary leaders on November 23, 1898 to a politico-military government composed only of the Visayas after the Spanish garrison in Salog (Jaro) capitulated comparable to the "Siege of Baler" in Tayabas (Quezon) after about a year later..!!!!!!!!!! 
 
They preferred instead a federal arrangement composed of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as a logical substitute because of its indigenous elements.

 On December 2, 1898, after series of serious discussions and thorough deliberations, with the merger of the Central and Western Visayas Cantonal Governments  --the Panay government, based in Iloilo was renamed "Estado Federal de Bisayas" or Federal Republic of the Visayas, patterned after the U.S. Federal and Cantonal government of the Swiss Confederation.

Earlier, Gen. Roque Lopez and Gen. Pablo Araneta of Iloilo secretly maintained liaison with their “Parientes“ and friends in Negros Island; Gen. Aniceto Lacson of Talisay, Gen. Juan “Tan Juan” Araneta of Bago, Gen. Marciano Araneta of La Carlota, Gen. Leandro Locsin of Silay and others to start the armed uprising against the Spanish forces in their areas.
--
Gen. Pablo Araneta, a Physician-Surgeon by profession, as Panay Island Commanding General and Chief-Expeditionary Forces for the Visayas under Martin Delgado (Gen-en-Gefe), commissioned Colonels Eduardo and Emilio Esteban to coordinate with other Visayan Revolucionarios. While the Negros revolutionary leadership also assigned Gen. Pantaleon “Leon Kilat“ Villegas of Bacong, Negros Oriental to organize the Cebuano patriots and join in the revolution.

It is worthy to note, that evidently --the Spanish Government in the Philippines, formally surrendered to both the Independent Negros Republic on November 6, 1898 and to the FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF THE VISAYAS on December 23rd of the same year.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is regrettable, however, that the heroic triumph of the Visayan Patriots who successfully established an independent and sovereign Nation, became a travesty of history --when modern imperialism substituted centuries of colonialism.
--
Adding insult to injury, minions and lackeys of the victors relegated this events to the dustbin of history; forgotten in the memories of the young; to be erased in the minds of future generations.
--
Hence, the Ilonggo Nation Movement's bold attempt to revive this glorious era of the yesteryears and commemorate --the birth of Federalism in the Philippines.

!Here's an anniversary comment taken from Manuel Luis Quezon-III(MLQ3) blogsite:
"Manolo, Resil Mojares’s paper delivered at the recent conference on Political Reform and Charter Change, says the Ilonggos (even before the birth of Salvador Araneta) first articulated the federalist dream. He says that in 1898, leaders in Iloilo formed the Federal State of the Visayas, anticipating that a Federal Republic of the Philippines, composed of three states — Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao — would be formed by the Aguinaldo government.

Mojares further points out that in 1899, some “eminent” Filipinos submitted to the Philippine Commission a draft for a Federal Republic of the Philippines with 11 states. The Ilocano intellectual Isabelo de los Reyes also proposed in 1900 a federal constitution with 7 states.

The Tagalogs, of course, were not dreaming of federalism but of a unitary state, with themselves at the helm.

(Sheila Coronel said this on July 29th, 2005 at 3:57 pm)
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reaction to previous article: “The Cry of Sta. Barbara” in Iloilo.
(From Mr. Oscar Apostol & also our highlighted italic remarks)
--
While we respect others opinion and admire the courage and patriotism displayed by the Tagalogs, albeit unsuccessful armed revolution that started with the "Cry of Pugad Lawin" in Balintawak; we are also proud of the ilonggo Revolucionarios who participated in the "Cry of Sta. Barbara" in Iloilo that culminated in victory against Spanish subjugation and gave birth to an independent and sovereign Nation --the Federal Republic of the Visayas.----------------------------------------------------
Mr. O.A.: I am somewhat perplexed as to the content and tone of this article. From historical perspective it is interesting to a point. However, I have a feeling the author has a hidden agenda.
----------------------------
Remarks: It's obviously clear, our detractor did not take initiative to view the source cited at the end of the article --everything is contained therein...for all to see at: (www.ilonggoNation.blogspot.com)----------------------
Mr. O.A.: There is an implicit message to endorse and inhance larger roles for the Ilongos in the fight for independence. It won't happen. They fought bravely and heroically I am sure but why is this surfacing now? It is late in the game. Next thing you know the author would cry foul for making Tagalog the national language of the Philippines.
----------------------
Remarks: Again, I say go to: www.ilonggoNation.blogspot.com . Gen. Aguinaldo's troops, won several battles --BUT NEVER THE WAR against Spain. While evidently, the duly constituted Spanish authorities formally surrendered to both the Negros Republic and the Federal Republic of the Visayas.
-----------------
"True Independence could never be just self-proclaimed (in Kawit, Cavite) nor bestowed upon (July 4, 1946), it has to be won and duly achieved" ----------------
Yes! we vehemently oppose a Filipino-coated "purely Tagalog" national language.
------------------------
Mr. O.A.: Did the Philippine history overlook many of these brave and heroic people mentioned in this article? Is the purpose of this article to correct the omissions? And why is there grandstanding demonstrated and at the same time belittling Aguinaldo? Is the author opposed to a united Philippines? If so, for God sake, the Philippines has enough problems to deal with for the next thousand years. What is the point? It is difficult to rewrite history, period.
---------------------
Remarks: AGAIN! I say, go to: www.ilonggoNation.blogspot.com . We agree, that the Philippines has more than enough problems brought about by the present system, a Manila-based unitarian centrist government. ----------------
It is, therefore, imperative for a paradigm shift to FEDERALISM!
------------------------------------
Mr. O.A.: Years ago, when I was an officer and quite active in the Jaycees in San Francisco, I strongly discouraged new recruits from identifying their provinces of birth. That way we would start thinking we are all Filipinos (as Jose Rizal much earlier urged for a Filipino identity).
----------------------------------
Remarks: It was Jose Rizal, I recall, who said: "Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa kanyang pinangalingan, ay............."-------------------------------
Mr. O.A.: Americans look at us as Filipinos, not Visayans or Ilocanos. I did not want to perpetuate discrimination among our people. We may have different social and political backgrounds, but hey we are one people. We have difficulty assimilating so why add another layer of problems among our on?
-------------------------------
Remarks: Americans themselves, are likewise, proud being Texans, Californians, New Yorkers, Virginians, etc..etc.. Why give importance, on how they look at us? ---------------
As Visayans, Mindanaonons, Ilocanos, Bicolanos, Tagalogs, etc., we sometimes do not see eye-to-eye, but as Filipinos, we can always go hand-in-hand.----------------------------
Mr. O.A.: If the intent is to educate or clarify so be it. It is not a unifying article and most non-Ilongos will ignore it for a good reason. It is not worth it to open a can of worms. Most people do not care.--Oscar Apostol.
------------------------------
Remarks: There was deliberate design by lackeys of the victors; to alter, omit and relegate to the dustbin of history, glorious events in the past. And this may be true not only in the Visayas and Mindanao, but maybe also in Ilocandia, Bicol and other Regions in Luzon. We read school books mostly depicting only the saga of Aguinaldo and company --glamorizing the losers of the Revolution.--------------
The Ilonggo Nation Movement, recently discovered and exposed this can of worms.
--------------
Perhaps, it is for this reason --that last NOVEMBER 6, 2007 --the long overdue historical marker to commemorate the formal Surrender of Spain to the Independent Negros Republic was inveiled by the National Historical Institute (NHI) in Bacolod City only after 109 years.~~~sa guihapon...dinggol a.divinagracia~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Bayanikasan Constitution-Effective Democracy For All
--The brainchild of Dr. Araneta was based on Philconsa studies (1968 to 1971). It called for a Federal Republic of the Philippines. Because it proposed many drastic reforms that would require time before people would accept the terms, Araneta envisioned this to be adopted in 10 to 20 years.--PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY; DEMOCRATIZATION OF WEALTH: A COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE TROIKA; MODERATING POWERS IN THE GOVERNMENT; A SEMI-UNITARY GOVERNMENT WITH LOCAL AUTONOMY, WERE ALL PART OF HIS VISION FOR THE FUTURE.
--
The Federal form of government would separate Muslim Mindanao from Christian Mindanao; for greater participation from Christian Mindanao; for greater participation in government, the state would promote the establishment of non profit institutions and foundations that would participate; in nation building with involvement in government affairs especially in legislation and socio economic development.
--
ARTICLE 83 – called for the termination of the treaty allowing the U.S. to maintain based in the Philippines and to work for the international neutralization of the republic of the Philippines.--ARTICLE 44 – to remedy the backlog of cases for “speedy and equal justice for all,” it was proposed that a constitutional and Special Courts of original jurisdiction under it, be created to handle all cases involving public law, so that the exixting Judiciary will only have jurisdiction over private law cases. It also urged the creation of temporary additional divisions in the Supreme Court and Court af Appeals and temporary courts of First Instance to exclusively hear and dispose of the backload of cases. Further to reduce the kinds of cases that may be appealed to the court of Appeals and to the Supreme Court.--ARTICLE 24 – the creation of the NEDA for achieving a sustainable economy to formulate, in consultation with the NACE (National Authority on Culture and Education) definite national economic and social policies, taking into account the limited fuel resources and foreign exchangae, the high cost of foreign fund, the need to return to a less sophisticated way of life and to nature and the simple way of life in the tropics, the evils of pollution, the need to provide proper balance of available physical and spiritual work to all, and in sum, the promotion of the Bayanikasan way of life and the national purpose. (See Section 4 of the proposed Ordinance)--ARTICLE 65 provides – to solve the problem of inflation exiting at the (then) rate of 15% to 20% a year an to simultaneously solve the problem of unemployment – a policy of full employment must be carried out.Unemployment which cannot be absorbed by normal work opportunities could be taken over by such projects, as follows:--1. A vast reforestation program program for flood control and tree fuel source;
-------------
2. A bold housing located in new industrial estates;
-------------
3. Essential infrastructure;
-------------
4. A bold program of rural school building;
-------------
5. A program of high school and vocational and academic courses at every municipality;
-------------
6. A program of colleges and universities in every province;
-------------
7. A bold program of hospital builsings using medicines from our flora and fauna along with western medicines, accessible to all families;
-------------
8. Rapid, efficient and maximum development of all new natural resources. Giving high priority to those that are inexhaustible such as the sun wind and the tide and the maximum attention to our water, mangrove, geothermal, petroleum, coal, lime and mineral resources.
-------------
9. Reclamation of our huge marshes leaving about one forth untouched to preserve the ecological balance, three – fourths thereof to be used to convert adjoining blocks: fishponds of about 2 hectares each, alternating with areas to be used for agricultural of urban purpose, of about one hectare each. The urban area shall not extend to one-tenth of the agricultural area which will be irrigated with excess water from the fishponds.
-------------
10. The use of water resources from all our rivers for mini or medium-sized hydroelectric power; also for irrigation and water conservation.
-------------
Editors Note:
The above item, is a capsulized presentation of the "Bayanikasan" concept --were secured,
thanks to Ma. Lina Araneta-Santiago, daughter of the late Dr. Salvador Z. Araneta and
Victoria Ledesma Lopez de Araneta. Salamat!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Federation of Mindanao?
(By: Nathanael"Nat" Gerochi Duenas -INM: BurlingameCA-USA)
-
The Federalization concept is the ultimate resolution to the Muslim conflict giving recognition for the rights of a group of people to govern themselves as provided for the UN Resolution on self-determination and the regional autonomy to our regional unique differences in language, culture and traditions.--The historical birth of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946 was a convenience for the America commonwealth system to relinquish its colonizing obligations and reparations of World War II 'granting independence' with 'strings attached' of economic exploitation with no social conscience.--The Bangsa Moro and its traditional social and political heirarchy had always been correct in their persistent demands of recognition, as ancestral indigeous peoples of the islands.--The Republic must embrace 'all our people' regardless of their regional differences in language, religious affiliations, culture and heritage. The 1997 Indigenous Peoples Act mandates this recognition and equitable acceptance in the same manner that the Federation of Malaysian States (1946) embraced the presence and significance of their unique societies within each Sultanates that presently comprises the 14 Autonomous States.
--
If the predominant 'Christian population' tolerates the various Christian sects to co-exist, other religious affiliations and beliefs guaranteed by the Constitution must co-exist too i.e. the Buddist, Taoist, Islam, Bahai, etc.
--
The Government of the People is required to accept all our people regardless of their religious inclinations or the absence of it. The primary function of government for which the Republic is tasked to provide public service must not selectively discriminate its own people that created government or has not participated in creating government by discriminating them.
--
A Federation shall include all the regional autonomy all over the 7101 islands - not Mindanao alone. The clamor for regional autonomy is not confined to Mindanao or to the Bangsa Moro alone. Other regions have signified the need for a regional autonomy to be able to address their regional concerns better than the present centralized system offered by Malacanyang.
--
The Republic is not MetroManila leadership. A Federation consist of varous State Leaderships emanating from the regional autonomous states sharing a common love for a Nation, a collective endeavor based on a solidarity for a common cause - a sharing of anguish and suffering, of rewards and resources, of success and happiness. This is seldom heard in the politics of a centralized MetroManila leadership - to provide a collective effort of improving a favored region because of a sincerity in seeing the regional citizenship the realization of their dreams and enjoy a better quality of life?
--
What happened to Mindanao and far flung communities from the MetroManila leadership has its historical roots from a centralized system introduced by the Spaniards and later on by the Americans. The centralized system never 'trusted' our regional leadership and capabilities despite the emergence of a new and modern society with technologies and the 85% literacy of our people.
--
To accept regional autonomy is to entrust once again to our people their rights to govern themselves and rely on their regional resources to collectively assist each other during times of need and a federated system that can extend an impounded resources of alleviating a regional cause or need. This is a better alternative than the present 'patronage politics' or dependence to the 'central Malacanyang Palace'.--The word 'palace' of the monarchy or the Sultan's palace of the traditional ancestral domain of the regional sultanate connotes the 'colonial' recognition of a 'Governor's Palace' as the seat of governance with its slave subjects. The semantics of a 'White House' as the 'home of the peoples ruler' has a tenure of office. The palace connotes permanence and lifetime tenure as the Monarchy of England, a titular recognition. The INK's palace or the Bishops' palace are nomenclature of respect for our religious belief and culture. We need to rely more in the system of governance, instead of looking up to the 'mansion or the palace' for leadership in public service.--Present modern public service management systems allow a 'City Manager or Administrator' to perform the duties of operating a governmental unit. In a Federated system like Malaysia, the autonomous States has a titular recognition of the Sultanate and the Sultan's traditional 'royal lineage' as inherent of their culture. The affairs of public service is provided by the Chief Minister (comparable to a US State Governor) for which the 14 Chief Ministers are under the Prime Minister which manages the whole nation.
--
If this system works for the Federated States of Malaysia and other similar federated systems, I do not see why it will not work for us. Eliminating the protracted war in Mindanao and giving responsibilities to our autonomous regions, the 'rebellions' and the 'unrest' or banditry will be confined at the regional level without disrupting the program of governance of the rest of the regions under the federation.--This will also make the Military under the Federation together with other 'federal agencies' responsible in over-seeing the autonomous regions compliance to 'national interest' and its constitutional duties of protecting the interest of the people and the sovereignity of the nation. The weaker regions will then be supported by the collective federated fund contribution of each, thereby eliminating the extreme poverty situation of the present day communities.--The OFW Remittance can further support the autonomous regions instead of just the urban centers.--Corruption will be minimized and readily monitored with swift action at the regional levels judicial courts.
--
Public Service quality will improve with 75% of the revenue share remaining in the region and the collective 25% (x 18 regions) of regional contribution to the national coffer will suffice to sustain federal operations.
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Nathanael"Nat"John Gerochi Duenas has a short stint in the
AFP as Special Task Force Supervisor in middle 1980's assigned to combat global fraud and
international money laundering. He was a former Technical Consultant to the late Sultan
Muhammad Mahakuttah Kiram - Sultanate of Sulu.
--
Architect "Nat" helped organized Katilingban sa Kaayuhan sang Komonidad (KKK) in Pavia,
Iloilo that greatly influenced the final decision making --this area the site of the Regional
Industrial Center in Western Visayas. Presently, he is very active in several Fil-Am eFora.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jump-Starting the Mindanao Economy
(By: Benjamin “Benjie” Estuche -INM: Ft.LauderdaleFlorida-USA)!!!!!!!!!!!It is interesting how well-meaninged Christians see that "the greatest asset we have in Mindanao is the Bangsa Moro, etecetera."
!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course, Filipino politicians see that long ago with the idea of an autonomous region in order to hide the fact that there is, in reality, buried under the ocean bed of the Mindanao Deep, the #2 energy source of the future, Deuterium.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
The #1 energy source is the inspiration behind Dan Brown's book overshadowed by the best-seller the Da Vinci Code, about Angels and Demons. In the book, Brown wrote about a clandestine laboratory, CERN, experimenting on producing energy through the synthesis of matter and anti-matter.
!!!!!!!!!
A few pages down this INM website is a posting about this water-based mineral called Deuterium, the exploration of which had been suggested by a group of OFWs experienced in oil-exploration and drilling.
!!!!!!!!!!
It is more interesting than the Dan Brown's best-seller to realize that the Philippine Government never entertained the idea seriously and well-meaninged Christians are now involved in placating the sensibilities of our Muslim Brothers of the Bangsa Moro Nations in presenting overtures of economic development spurred by the "exclusive trade to the Muslim Economy" using our backdoors in importing cheap OPEC oil and exporting agricultural products.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Five Decades ago, the great Filipino (and Ilonggo) Nationalist and Economists, Dr. Salvador Araneta wrote about Economic Nationalism based on the theory that economic development of a Third-World country such as ours could not rest mainly on agri-based trade but in the development of capital products which is, simply put, INDUSTRIALIZATION. Capital products are those that are used to produce other economic products. Dr. Araneta wrote this inspite of the fact that he owned and ran an agricultural school by that time.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Philippines is a consumer economy. Most of the people's expenditures are spent on consumer goods and they are, therefore, called, end-users.In other words, the money spent by end-users are called "patay nga parada'" because the buck that ends in Juan's pocket left him and the buck does not intend to return there but in the bank accounts of the middle-men and the mall-owners, three of which are not even real Filipinos (refer to 2006 1000 richest men of the world in fortune magazine).
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Durian, mangosteen, pineapples, bananas, etcetera, that are produced in Mindanao, are all exported abroad including sea and marine products and the poor end-users who have earned their purchasing peso by working abroad could wet their taste buds only with these agri products when they are outside of our country. And who gains in this scenario? Who owns the agri-corporations anyway? Who does the exportation? Of course, not our Muslim brothers of the Bangsa Moro nations! Which of our Muslim brothers own a share in Dole and Del Monte? Does the family of the Sultanate of Sulu own substantial investment in these agri-based multi-national corporations?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An agri-based and consumer economy will always remain a third-world economy. Free enterprise or free trade between a third-world country and a highly developed one will always be detrimental to the former. dr. Araneta saw this 50 years ago.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who says we can produce cheap energy by expanding our geothermal facilities? Aren't they those who have interests in selling capital goods such as machineries that will make these geothermal facilities ran? Ran-down machineries and plants that are decades old from the Americas and Europe? Remember the Bataan Nuclear Plant? In Iloilo, they are ramming coal-fired plants into the throats of the people there!
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scroll down on the mineral DEUTERIUM posted a few months ago and have the vision of Dr. Salvador Araneta and we can see that we can bake our economic cake and eat it too!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A group of OFWs say they have the technology to do the exploration. What prevents them from doing so? It is because of the wild-card rantings of people who have pretensions for economic greatness from their swivel chairs perched on their ivory towers?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We wish that the article on Deuterium be posted again and let us start planning on a liquidation squad to kill (joke lang!) all those power hungry politicians who have enriched themselves and their families through the years since Magellan set foot on Cebu in 1521.

Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Benjamin "Benjie" Estuche y Evicner -a Political
Commentator, was the former Editor/Publisher of the Iloilo's Truth Forum and
fearless Radio Broadcaster of DYRI Radio Agong in Iloilo. He was also a member
of the Panay Peace Monitoring Council right after EDSA-I to oversee the truce between GRP and NDF armed components;the AFP and the NPA respectively.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*ANNOUNCEMENTS ______&________MESSAGES*
Welcome! New INM Banwa_Mo Members:
----------------------------------
*Mark Anthony Onayan
*Davy Animas-Malones
---------------------------------
Nota Bene:
Easy access to Join! INM Banwa_Mo eGroup, was inadvertently "Closed Permanently"due to wrong key application.
-------------
Hence, to Join! kindly send email to: Banwa_Mo@yahoo.com with the SUBJECT:"I wish to join INM Banwa_Mo eGroup".
Salamat! --the Moderator
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Chickens and the Egg
--
Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle's nest rested. The eagle's nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle's egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.--One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh," the eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds." The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar."--The eagle continued staring at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told that it couldn't be done. That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life as a chicken. Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.
--
The moral of the story: You become what you believe you are.--Shared by: Mon jocson (INM Banwa_Mo: WoodbridgeVA.-USA)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who's Colored?
(A poem purportedly written by an African kid):
--
wen i born, i black---wen i grow up, i black.---wen i go in the sun, i black.---wen i scared, i black.
wen i sick, i black. and when i die, i still black.--and u white fella, wen u born, u pink.---wen u grow up, u white.---wen u go in the sun, u red.
wen u cold, u blue.---wen u scared, u yellow.---wen u sick, u green. and wen u die, u gray. ---
and u calling me colored?!
--
(Thanks! to witty corner)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

============================================================
* Volume No. I * Issue No. 009 * Date: November 16, 2007 * ============================================================
CONTENTS:
*The Cry of Sta. Barbara *The Filipino Perspective *I Am Bisaya *The Ylongo Composo*
Philippine Society & The Christian Church *Announcements & Messages * PerryScope *
============================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today in History!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The “Cry of Sta. Barbara” in Iloilo (Noviembre 17, 1898)
(By: dinggol a.divinagracia-INM Banwa_Mo -November 16, 2007)
----
In November 17, 1898, one hundred nine years ago --a brave ilongga patriot Patrocinio Gamboa, with a concealed weapon and a flag inside her “patadyong” diverted attention and successfully avoided thorough inspection by “guardia civil” at checkpoints; by acting as the bickering and nagging wife to her meek and supposedly henpecked husband Honorio Solinap on their way to Sta. Barbara some 16 kms. away from Iloilo City riding on a horse-drawn buggy.
--
Upon her arrival, “Tia Patro” handed to Gen. Martin Delgado, a replica of the flag made in Hong Kong by Marcella Agoncillo prepared by the women of Jaro and a saber; a gift from his erstwhile adversary -Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo who had earlier in Luzon, already declared the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines a.k.a. the "Katagalogan Republic". -

Thereafter, Gen-en-Gefe Martin Delgado also declared the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Visayas and Mindanao in Sta. Barbara plaza after the Philippine Flag was hoisted amidst a joyous crowd.
--
This was later replaced by a Politico-Military Government on November 23, 1898, composed only of the Visayas, because the leaders finally preferred instead, a federal arrangement composed of --Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, as a logical substitute because of its indigenous elements.
--
Moreover, since the Visayans did not want to recognize the supremacy of Aguinaldo and the tagalogs.
--
With the merger on December 2, 1898 of the Independent Republic of Negros and the Cantonal Government of Bohol (established in August-1898); the Panay government that included Romblon (part of Capiz), based in Iloilo was renamed Federal Republic of the Visayas, patterned after the U.S. Federal and Cantonal government of the Swiss Confederation.
--
Earlier, Capitan Martin Delgado of Sta. Barbara --together with Quintin Salas of Dumangas, Pedro Monteclaro of Miag-ao and Adriano Hernandez of Dingle in Iloilo --led the Volunteer Battalion of ilonggo contingents under the Spaniards who fought against the army of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite and Pampanga. These military expeditions were mostly financed by ilonggo industrialist Don Eugenio Jalandoni Lopez of “Salog” (Jaro) and shipping magnate Don Felix de la Rama of “Parian“ (Molo) in Iloilo.
--
This was before the "Comite Conspirador" was formed in Molo, Iloilo on March 18, 1898 that served as the nucleus of the Ilonggo Revolutionary Movement who fought against Spain and later versus the United States of America under the Federal Republic of the Visayas with a tri-star emblem banner; symbolizing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
--
Don Martin T. Delgado secretly worked for the Visayan instead of the Spanish cause and later organized for an open armed rebellion against the Spanish. Several Visayan Generals conferred (among them Don Raymundo Melliza and Dr. Pablo Araneta of "Parian" Molo; Soldier-Farmer Adriano Hernandez of Dingle, Pascual Magbanua of Pototan, and Angel Corteza of Villa de Arevalo), and chose Delgado as “General en Jefe de los Tropas del Ejercito Libertador de Visayas y Governador Politico-Militar” who led the “Cry of Freedom” in Sta. Barbara-Iloilo ---one hundred nine years ago.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OO0OO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Response from:
(Nestor Ortiz Sulpico -INM Banwa_Mo: NYCNewYork-USA)
--
"Today we reap the blessings of freedom that our forebears in Panay and in the rest of the country bitterly fought and died for.There are no more colonizers. We face new battles – for nation building, for the progress of our communities, for the advancement of our families.These are no less tough battles, for which we draw inspiration from our Ilonggo heroes......"
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Nestor Ortiz Sulpico of Leganes-Iloilo; the humble ilonggo
who gained international fame by returning rare black pearls worth about $70,000 left
by a passenger in his taxi cab in New York City a few years ago..
--
Dubbed by the American mainstrean media as the "Honest Cab Driver of New York" and
in the Philippines as "Bagong Bayani ng Pilipinas", Nestor made all Filipinos proud and
"Taas nuo" to the whole world at the time when we needed it most.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FILIPINO PERSPECTIVE:
(by: Felimon "Monching" Jocson -INM Banwa_Mo: WoodbridgeVa-USA)
--
After 330 years of subjugation by the sword and the cross, the Philippines developed to the brink of nationhood under Spanish nurture and oppression and with immoral and abusive theocracy.
--
Unfortunately, the Americans intervened in the Filipino Revolution with their typical mixture of savagery and idealism. After a successful policy of subjugation by massacre, starvation and co-option, the Americans set out to be the world's best loved imperialists that succeeded the Spanish colonialists. Filipino national pride was thwarted and has never recovered.
--
Since the so-called EDSA-I and EDSA "Dos" Revolution and/or Coup-de-etat in Metro Manila, which restored the oligarchy and old time politics, and which democratized corruption, the well-being of the people has continued to decline. What government we have since then is not only corrupt but incredibly inept.
--
Meaningful land reform is democratically impossible as modern illustrados who controls the political landscape circumvents the law and blatantly maneuvers the legal system to satisfy their greed and selfishness at the expense of the poor peasants. The past and current political crisis in the country should be blamed on the corruptions that start during elections when mighty and dynastic local politicians who ruled their political "kingdoms" for decades systematically "spread the sunshine" with the intention of R.O.I. plus interest by cornering juicy government contracts to the detriment of their constituents.
--
Since Philippine Independence "kuno" was given to us by the Americans on a silver platter on July 4,1946; record show that there was no sense of permanency nor substantial impovement in the national condition as national leadership changed hands every presidential election --that was always attended by corruption and massive frauds.
--
Today the Philippines is a backwater of Asia; although not many years ago we were among the best off in the whole continent. The prevailing condition of the country has become so precarious and shaky that another blow against it, might cause a devastation so difficult to cope, and would place to kingdom come, the very roots of our existence as a free and sovereign nation.

Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Felimon ”Mon” Jocson, is a sportman-
businessman; a sugar cane planter and fishpond operator in Negros
Occidental. Presently, he is the Chairman: Membership Committee of
the Association of Ilonggos-Metropolitan Washington D.C. (AIM) Inc.
and is engaged in automotive parts supply in Northern Virginia, USA.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I AM BISAYA
(Ni Rex "Akoy" Rocamora -INM Banwa_Mo-China)
--
May I say, that the present person, that I am has multiple identities. This person has the capacity to choose or to prioritize, which identity is more important. Me, I chose bisaya as my base. My first choice. My first preference among different other identities. The person that I am now, at present, is a Subject....not an object. I am a Subject that acts, not an object which is acted upon.
--
Now, as Bisaya person ...I must choose to act ...by bisayanizing hispanic and american influence and all the rest.
--
The action is mine being a subject...I am the one to assimilate all foreign influences in my own land to be rightly and properly part of me, of my own bisaya cultural system. Figuratively, eating and digesting are what I do 'para dili ko mabutdan'. Ug para mabusog ang akong kultura. In terms of foreign ideas and languages, by digesting them means...translating them into bisaya. Translation is important. It's making foreign ideas and influences become truly our own.. It digesting and make part of us what is good and flush down to the toilet that which is not suitable.
--
We just don't copy or imitate completely. Worse, we don't let ours be replaced by theirs. Or let not be the Bisaya in his rightful place be replaced by a foreigner, Tagalog, European or American. Let the Bisaya act as the Subject and Master of his own destiny and territory. Let him welcome with open arms the spanish and american influences and then assimilate these influences, make it his own. Welcoming and yet assimilating.
--
This is the way, the sea welcomes the rivers flowing into it, but then turning the river water into sea water, and make it part of the sea. Thus, writing/translating into bisaya the foreign ideas, good foreign books, etc. is the responsibility of the Bisaya. This is the main one, taking responsibility of one's own language and culture for the benefit of ourselves. Hopefully, it become mutually beneficial, we have done our contribution as Bisayans to the the country, to the world and to the whole humanity. That which, only a Bisayan can do is sharing the bisayan perspective, world view...the bisayan language and culture.
--
Meanwhile I'm acting as a Bisaya.(I may be using English now as a tool to communicate to you. I don't deny it's usefulness. But it would defeat my ultimate purpose....because, the more time I use in writing English, the less time I have for writing binisaya. Imagine. Same goes for my time in writing Spanish.)
--
Now, finally as a Subject of my destiny. I'm still in the process of recovering the 'words' that have been replaced by Spanish and American words. I'm recalling the bisayan words, relearning them, owning them, creating new ones for words are creations or translations. But wait, adding up new languages is okey, but never replacing bisaya with other language. So, what can help me...recover bisaya....but by acting/thinking in the perspective of a Bisaya.....writing in binisaya.
--
This is not purism. Bisayanizing foreign influences is not purism. It is just natural as eating and digesting. So, that our ownbody and soul will grow robust. Let us not be Tagalized, Hispanized or Americanized. ...that's their job for the benefit and growth of their culture. Our job is to bisayanized, to make what's on offer become our own. This the way the bisaya language and culture can grow.
--
The worst is when the reverse happens. When the bisaya or austronesian is being hispanized, an object, acted upon. Same as the Bisaya being americanized. Slowly, gradually... ..the bisaya is eaten up...assimilated by either hispanics or american culture into becoming hispanized and americanized. Later on, you won't recognize the bisaya...In terms of language.... bisaya becomes bislis(bisaya english), just as many words in bisaya are being replaced by spanish and english words....then more and more bisayan words will be forgotten. The language goes extinct. This happens when the Bisaya doesn't act as a Subject, or when he doesn't take responsibility of his own language.
--
Now, taking responsibility of our own language and culture is first and foremost. But secondly, we are encourage to learn and make use of foreign languages and culure. We will add up. We have in our history the spanish language and cultural influence. We also have the american language and cultural influences. We can make use of it for our own advantage. We can make use of their languages for commerce etc. They have already become very much part of our culture, by virtue of colonialization. Then, the rule of the game is forced on us. Now, let us be free, we are free. Let us be the subject and master of our destiny. No forcing. No mandatory thing. As free person, we do have now the capacity to choose and prioritize.
--
I have just shown my priority. Bisaya priority. Bisayanizing all for the benefit and growth of Bisaya. It is like eating all, including foreign things, for the benefit of my Bisayan cultural body.
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Rex "Akoy" Rocamora, is a Bisaya who grew up in Mindanao.
He is an expert in indigenious peoples and has been staying in China in furtherance of his
research and studies on this subject, among others.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE YLONGO COMPOSO: SINGING THE NEWS
(By: Guillermo Gomez Rivera -INM Banwa_Mo: HispanoFilipino eGroup)
--
A stronger Spanish influence brought the composo into the scene as a literary medium. It was a stronger medium – a decidedly more powerful instrument for oral mass communication – than the newspaper which was then, as now, not a very effective vehicle of communication among the Filipino masses. Every town and barrio had two or three manog-composo.
--
The composo singer, for a small fee, would sing out to the people in minstrel fashion, the latest "news." In the other Philippines regions a sort of a town crier was employed – perhaps for lack of composo singers.
--
The composo is superior to the hurubaton in music, or tono. In a flamenco-like manner, Spanish guitar lends color to the narration. While the hurubaton is ad-libbed at the climax of the story, the composo is sung from start to finish. The melody is either a pasacalle, a pasadoble lento or a seguidilla rendered in the mounting style of Ravel’s Bolero. When the narrative nears the decisive part the voice range of the singer, together with his strumming, gets tighter and faster in crescendo until the climax is reached. After a postclimatic pause the epílogo begins. This is where the listeners get the moral of the story. After that comes the usual despedida.
--
O, mañga señores
akon na tapuson
ining diutay nakon
nga composó.
---
Pañanglit may sayop,
inyong dispensaron,
bag-o lang mag-alam
sining verso nakon.
---
(Oh gentlemen,
I am now going to end
this small
composition of mine.
If there be any mistake,
kindly pardon me,
I have just learned
this verse of mine.)
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Guillermo Gómez Rivera, whose roots are "tumandok" of Dingle,
Passi and Calinog in Iloilo --is also related to the old Sino-Hispano families of Molo-Iloilo and
Negros Island. He is the author of HILIGAYNON HARVEST (Filipino Heritage Encyclopedia,
Vol. 6). This former member of the 1971-73 Philippine Constitutional Convention -- National
Language Committee was acclaimed --Laureled Prince of Ylongo Poetry in 1977.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Philippine Society and the Christian Church
(By Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on -INM Banwa_Mo: JaroIloilo-Phil)

(5th Convention Baptist Youth Fellowship of the Philippines Spiritual and Ecumenical Formation Seminar - October 28, 2005, Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches Headquarters)

First, we will discuss the Philippine national situation. Second, we will discuss Biblical justifications why the Christian Church should get involve in societal issues.
---------
Philippine National Situation:
-
National Government Outstanding Debt
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During Erap’s time, our foreign debt amounted to P1.5 trillion. When GMA took over, the debt ballooned:
2003: Domestic – 1,708,781 Foreign – 1,651,327 Total: 3,355,108
2004: Domestic – 2,001,220 Foreign – 1,810,734 Total: 3,811,954
2005: Domestic – 2,034,992 Foreign – 1,856,040 Total: 3,891,032
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This year we will be paying 1.48 billion pesos a day, or 62 million pesos an hour, 1.03 million pesos a minute.[1] If you divide this to 85 million Filipinos, each of us has a foreign debt of about P50,000 pesos.
--
The bulk of the P1.05-trillion proposed national budget for 2006 are earmarked for debt service payments. "Thirty-three percent (33%) of our budget this year went to debt servicing and a measly one percent allocated for health services," said Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on finance. "In the proposed budget for next year, such is the case again, P340 billion will go straight to interest payments. Such disparity has become the norm rather than the exception," he said.[2] The amount is P38.3 billion higher than interest payments for 2005. Next year (2006), foreign debt interest payments will amount to at least P931 million daily or will likely exceed to P1 billion a day.
--
This means that the Philippines is caught in a “debt trap.” The debt trap “remains a major reason why poor countries remain poor and are unable to make progress…In a shameful, persistent, and systematic global injustice, debt servicing continues to drain resources away from the poor to the rich of the world on a grand scale.” [3]
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We cannot even lower down the principal amount. No wonder why we are in deep financial crises. The consequence of automatic debt servicing is that only a small percentage of our national budget is allocated to the basic social services of the people. For example, last year, the military and police received P90 billion which was equivalent to budget given to the Department of Education. Meanwhile, the budget given to the agriculture and social security sectors was P60 billion each. Worst, the Department of Health received P9 billion only.
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"Debt servicing continues to corner the bulk of the country’s yearly budget and revenues to the detriment of allotment for social services for the people. The health, education and social welfare sectors have to take a backseat to interest payments. This vicious cycle has got to stop once and for all," Senator Villar said.[4]
-
This shows that our government spends more money in paying the interests of debt, buying bullets and guns than in buying medicines, textbooks and improving the agriculture sector. This is the grim reality of the pro-poor policy of our present government.
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The basic question is: why do we borrow? It is because domestic income (tax collections and revenues from government controlled corporations) is not sufficient to finance the projects needed by the government for the growth and development of the country. In short, we have a budget deficit. Borrowing is the simplest way to address this problem. Why in the first place do we have a budget deficit? It is because of graft and corruption, tax evasion and mismanagement of Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs).
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Graft and Corruption, Mismanagement and Tax Evasion
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Morgan Stanley, a respected financial institution reported that the money lost in graft and corruption in the Philippines from 1965 to 2001 amounts to $204 billion or about P12 trillion. Last year (2004), Teodoro Benigno reported that we lose P230 billion each year to government graft and corruption.[5] The P12 trillion pesos loses to graft and corruption is more than enough to pay the almost P4 trillion outstanding debt.
-
Last year (2004), Transparency International reported that we are the 3rd most corrupt country in Asia and number 11 in the world. Last January (2005), we got a higher rating. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Standard and Poor agency reported that the Philippines is the number 2 most corrupt country in the whole world, second only to Bangladesh. With this kind of development, our country may become the number 1 most corrupt country by next year.
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It was also reported that the projected losses to be incurred by 25 Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) this 2005 will be P105 billion. One prime example is NAPOCOR. Because of heavy losses, the Government borrowed for the rehabilitation of NAPOCOR. Thus, NAPOCOR’s share on the debt is P1.3 trillion.
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On the issue of tax evasion, the government of Ramos (1993) slapped a P26-billion tax evasion case against Lucio Tan because Tan did not support the candidacy of Ramos. Tan is chairman of Philippine Airlines with interests in banking (Allied bank), beer (Asia Brewery) and tobacco (Fortune). Forbes magazine lists him among the world's billionaires, with assets of up to US$1.5 billion (euro1.14 billion) as of last February 2004. As one of the country's richest men, his case was put into suspension and later dismissed by the BIR because of the political compromises done by the Estrada and lately, the GMA governments.
---
Tan’s tax evasion case is just one example on how the “elite” of this country are avoiding taxes and on how also the government is making a decision based on political compromises.
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Thus, these are the main reasons (graft and corruption, tax evasion and mismanagement of Government Owned and Controlled Corporations) why the vicious cycle of “utang” continues.
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Poverty, Unemployment and Underemployment
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This is the reason why 88% of Filipinos are living below the poverty line. The poverty threshold is estimated at about P12,500.00. This means that 88% of Filipinos have an income below P12,500.00. What is more alarming is that 50% of the 85 million Filipinos are living below the subsistence or survival level of income which is estimated by the government for a family of five to be more than P5,000.00 a month. 1/3 or 28 million Filipinos are living on less than P33 pesos a day.[6]
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The unemployment rate as of October 2004 was 11% while the underemployment rate was 17%. This means that about 9 million Filipinos have no jobs and about 14 million Filipinos have jobs not related to the degree which they graduated from.
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The reasons for these realities are the unequal distribution of wealth, unequal distribution of land, government failure to generate income opportunities or jobs, the maintenance of the status quo through bureaucrat capitalism, foreign domination of the economy, and feudal backwardness.[7]
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The Exodus of OFWs
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Because of these realities, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported that last year (2004), 4,000 Filipinos are leaving the Philippines daily to seek “greener pastures” abroad. In 2003, it was only 3,500 while in 2002 it was only about 1,500 people. Soon, thousands of nursing students now will join with other Filipinos in going out of our country. SOME ten percent of the country's more than 80 million people or 8.08 million Filipinos have left the Philippines as of December 2004, said the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO).[8] Some estimates the number of Filipinos living in abroad to 10 million.
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One sad consequence of the flight of our OFWs is the so-called “brain drain.” No competent skilled workers will soon be left in our country. Thus, we will soon suffer or is now suffering the effects of “brain drain.” Just imagine also the multiplication of family problems because of absentee parents, and the problem of sexual immorality of our OFWs.
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The Philippine government is promoting the flight of OFWs rather than making industries and opportunities for the people to stay here. Nobody wants to leave his/her country if the situation is not bad here. But why does the government continue to export our workers? It is because the dollar remittances of these OFWs are the only thing that makes the Philippine economy afloat. If these remittances will stop, the Philippine economy will collapse.
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Last year (2004), close to 10 million Filipinos overseas remitted a total of US$8.5 billion or P467.5 billion to the Philippines . This is 9.2% higher than the US$7.6 billion total of 2003. This is aided by the government pursuit of its labor export program that targets 1 million Filipinos deployed annually. For the first half of this year, 502,772 OFWs were deployed abroad compared to the 483,496 OFWs deployed in the same period in 2004.[9]
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From 1990 to 2001, Filipino migrants remitted a total of $50 billion through the formal banking system. Between 1990 and 2000, remittances made up 5.2 percent of the country’s gross national product.[10] In 2004, almost 10 percent of the Gross National Product is composed of OFW remittances. The amount P467.5 billion is more than half of the 2005 national budget (P907 billion). Now why you see why the Philippine government is so dependent by these remittances.
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We are a nation that is export oriented and import dependent. We do not cultivate our own land and resources for our own but we are dependent to the dole-outs of foreigners. This is our colonial mentality.
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Free Trade and Globalization
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It is sad to say that after the so called ‘liberation’ on World War II by the Americans they introduced into us forcefully its own policies and objectives that transformed us into a ‘neocolony.’ It was a new kind of colonization in which extended the old colonial pattern.
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The financial crisis faced by the Philippines was partly caused by the Bell Trade Relations Act. The Philippine economy started to go down when the Act was accepted in 1946. It was a free trade act that meant unlimited entry of American goods to the Philippines and restricted entry of Philippine goods to the United States . It also deprived the Philippines of its currency sovereignty by fixing the rate of dollar-peso exchange and provided that the rate of exchange could not be changed without the U.S. approval. Agoncillo lamented that “the bad feature of the law, in so far as the Filipinos were concerned, was the provision giving ‘parity’ (equal) rights to Americans in the Philippines, according to which they would have the right to dispose, exploit, develop and utilize all ‘agricultural, timber and mineral lands’ of the Philippines , together with the operation of public utilities and the exploitation of the ‘waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and mineral resources of the Philippines .’”[11]
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America left the Philippines with no choice but to accept the Bell Trade Act because if the Philippines had decided not to embrace it, the Filipino people will not be able to receive war damage payments. The unfair condition led to the amendment of the Philippine Constitution in order to give “parity” rights to the Americans and granted the retention of American bases in Subic and Clark for a period of ninety-nine years.[12] “As a result, American goods swamped the country so that by 1948, imports had increased substantially. The imports drained the Philippines ’ dollar reserves.”[13]
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Bishop Camba, former Dean of the School of Divinity, Silliman University, has this to say about our hope and struggle to free ourselves from foreign domination, “There is a new religion in our midst now. Its name is Globalization. The gods of this religion are the members of the G-7. Their prophets are the economists and their temples are the megamalls.” This type of domination is very subtle and cannot be understood by most of us but it is very much true. Because of globalization our economy becomes an ‘import dependent, export oriented’ type of economy. Addition to this misery is the GATT or the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade in which the main sponsor of this bill was no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, while she was still a senator. We opened our doors to the World Trade Organization that resulted to big disasters than gains. Just take a look of our rice and sugar industry, we are now importing rice and sugar from countries all over the world and in order for our local goods to compete in the market our farmers lowered down the prices resulting to big losses. Another addition to the pain in our necks is the OPEC or the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that control the number of barrels of oil pump everyday and the prices in the world market.
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This is our national situation today in a summarized and comprehensive form. Now, let us go to second part, the Biblical justifications why the Christian Church should get involve in societal issues.
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Biblical/Theological Reasons why the Church should get involve in contemporary and social issues
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1. God is the Creator of everything. Meaning, our mission is not limited in the four corners of the church and other “churchy” affairs but anywhere and for everyone.
Genesis 1:1
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2. God is interested in the affairs of His people. Thus, as Christians, we must involve ourselves in the affairs of the people of God.
Exodus experience. Exodus 3:7-10
Not a distant God. Exodus 13: 21-22
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3. God appointed Prophets to remind the people what kind of society God wants. Meaning, we have a prophetic ministry. We are modern day prophets and prophetess. Throughout the Bible, prophets do not concern themselves in predicting the future but on preaching on an impending disaster if the people will not repent and turn away from their wicked ways.
Rebellious nation. Isaiah 1:2-23
Authority to rebuke. Jeremiah 1:10
Warning to people. Ezekiel 3:17-21; Amos 5:11-15
God does not want worship without action. Micah 6:6-8; Amos 5:21-24
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4. God has given His people the responsibility to be the stewards of His creation. Meaning, we have the mission of restoring the “image of God” - integrity of creation. Restoration of the dignity of people (from death nekros to life kabuhi nga may ginhawa). As God’s stewards, we are “in-charge.” Let us not abuse our “home” – the oikos. The oikomene (whole inhabited world) is where we should practice our ecumenical spirituality.
Genesis 1:26-30
Psalm 8:3-9
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5. God sent Jesus Christ to teach us how we ought to live. Thus, as Christians, we ought to live up to the name “Christian.” If we cannot, then it is better not to call ourselves as such because it will only ruin the name of Jesus Christ.
Salt and light of the world. Matthew 5:13-16
Love God and Neighbor (Good Samaritan). Luke 10:25-29
Mission of Jesus. Luke 4:18-19.
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6. God’s message through the Epistles.
Overcome evil with Good. Romans 12:9-21
Reconciling the world back to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
Fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:13-26
Faith and Works. James 2:14-16
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7. God has envisioned a kind of world which we will live in. We should practice “proleptic anticipation.” Meaning, we must be active in doing what God has envisioned this world to be.
No more violence. Micah 4:1-5
Peace. Isaiah 11:6-9
New heaven and earth. Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-4
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It is hoped that this analysis of Philippine society and theological reflection will help us in continuing the mission of HOPE started by our Lord Jesus Christ. By doing HOPE (Healing, Organizing, Preaching, and Educating), we are instilling hope in the hearts of all people. A Hope that will ignite the Filipino spirit in saying, “TAMA NA! SOBRA NA! PALITAN NA!”
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May the Father’s Love, the Peace in Jesus Christ and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all as we continue to live out our FAITH in the SERVICE of the people of God. Amen.
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References:
[1] http://freedomfromd/ ebtcoalition. org/[2] http://www.newsflas/ h.org/2004/ 02/be/be003209. htm[3] South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in, Noreena Hertz, The Debt Trap, in, Boo Chanco, “Demand and Supply,” The Philippine Star, September 2, 2005. [4] http://www.malaya/. com.ph/aug26/ news9.htm[5] Teodoro C. Benigno, “Here’s the Score,” in, The Philippine Star, March 10, 2004.[6] http://qc.indymedia/ .org/news/ 2005/07/4026. php[7] Jose Maria Sison, “CHRONIC FINANCIAL CRISIS AND THE WAY OUT”, in, http://bulatlat/. com[8] http://www.sunstar/. com.ph/static/ dum/2005/ 08/30/news/ 10.of.filipinos. left.rp.as. of.04.html[9] Lualhati Roque, International Migrant Resource Center, in, http://qc.indymedia/ .org/news/ 2005/07/4026. php[10] http://bulatlat/. com/news/ 2-50/2-50- braindrain2. html[11] T. Agoncillo, 1990, 433.[12] T. Agoncillo, 1990, 522.[13] H. L. Funtecha and M.J. Padilla, 2000, 148.
---------------------------------------------------
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, is the
Assistant Director, Office for External Affairs and Public Relations of the
Central Philippine University (CPU) -Jaro, Iloilo City. He is also the Host
of "Angtanay sa Katin-aran" CPU Alumni TV Channel-8 in Iloilo City.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*ANNOUNCEMENTS ______&________MESSAGES*
--
Welcome! New INM Banwa_Mo Members:
--
*Arnold Geronilla Tanoy -India
*Jard Ryan -Tarawa, Kiribati
*Laura Diago -Ferndale, Mi-USA
--
Nota Bene:
Easy access to Join! INM Banwa_Mo eGroup, was inadvertently "Closed Permanently"
due to wrong key application.
--
Hence, to Join! kindly send email to: Banwa_Mo@yahoo.com with the SUBJECT:
"I wish to join INM Banwa_Mo eGroup".
--
Salamat! --the Moderator
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ready! AIM! File!
Association of Ilonggos of Metropolitan Washington D.C. (AIM) Inc.
(Website: www.tabligan.org/AIM)

OBITUARIES:
Dear Everyone;
--
*Betty Magalona Gomez, mother of Marylou Gomez, one of AIM, Inc's pioneer
members died last month in the Philippines.
--
*Last October 29, 2007, Eulogio (Oloy) Garganera, Jr., brother of Pearl Gauzon
(AIM, Inc's past President and presently Vice President for External Affairs died
also in Iloilo City, Philippines.
--
I am asking everyone to please remember to include Betty and Oloy in your prayers.
Let us all pray and ask the Lord to grant them eternal rest.
--
"Although we pass through the valley of the shadow of death,
God is with us all the way (Ps. 23:4). His hands are on the helm
as He guides us to the heavenly haven He has prepared for us
(John 14: 1-3).
--
"Say not it's a dreadful journey, when the Savior leads the way;
It's but passing through the shadows, to the land of endless day!
- Bosch
--
The Magalona-Gomez' and Garganera-Gauzon families are in need of our comfort and
compassion. May they find peace, grace and faith with the thought that we are all with
them in their hour of bereavement.
--
GOD BLESS!
--
For AIM, Inc.,
Zeny A. Tabligan-President
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PerryScope!
(By: Perry Diaz -INM Banwa_Mo: SacramentoCA-USA)
--
BILL GATE RECRUITS A NEW CHAIRMAN
--
Bill Gates organized an enormous session to recruit a new Chairman for Microsoft Europe.
5000 candidates assembled in a large room. One candidate is MARIO DIMACULANGAN.
--
Bill Gates: Thank you for coming. Those who do not know JAVA may leave.
--
2000 people leave the room.
--
MARIO says to himself, 'I do not know JAVA but I have nothing to lose if I stay.
I'll give it a try'
--
Bill Gates: Candidates who never had experience of managing more than 100
people may leave.
--
2000 people leave the room.
--
Mario says to himself ' I never managed anybody by myself but I have nothing
to lose if I stay. What can happen to me?' So he stays.
--
Bill Gates: Candidates who do not have management diplomas may leave.
--
500 people leave the room.
--
Mario says to himself, 'I left school at 15 but what have I got to lose?' So he stays
in the room.
--
Lastly, Bill Gates asked the candidates who do not speak Serbo-Croat to leave.
--
498 people leave the room.
--
Mario says to himself, ' I do not speak one word of Serbo-Croat but what do I have
to lose?' So he stays and finds himself with one other candidate.
--
Everyone else has gone.
--
Bill Gates joined them and said 'Apparently you are the only two candidates who
speak Serbo-Croat, so I'd now like to hear you have a conversation together in
that language.'
--
Calmly, Mario turns to the other candidate and says 'Ano ba yun, pare?'
--
The other candidate answers 'Ewan ko ba pare....'
--
Editors Note:
INM Banwa_Mo Member Perry Diaz, a successful Realtor, Businessman and
Columnist, served as Commissioner of the Sacramento Human Rights and Fair
Housing Commission in California. He is presently the Publisher and Editor of
BALITA-USA an eNews Bulletin with over 3000 subscribers worldwide.
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