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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;
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2. A bold housing located in new industrial estates;
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3. Essential infrastructure;
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4. A bold program of rural school building;
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5. A program of high school and vocational and academic courses at every municipality;
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6. A program of colleges and universities in every province;
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7. A bold program of hospital builsings using medicines from our flora and fauna along with western medicines, accessible to all families;
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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.
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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:
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*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.
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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)
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