November | 2007 | Northern Dispatch (nordis) Weekly

Weekly Reflections: Wisdom

November 26, 2007 in columns, general, opinion

By REV. LUNA L. DINGAYAN

“Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; Wisdom offers you long life; Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it.” — Proverbs 3:15-18

Month of the Elderly

I planned to write reflections on the elderly last month, but this was overtaken by other pressing concerns. Since October has been designated as the month of the elderly, I would not like to let it pass without having written something on this matter. Of course, this does not mean that we only remember the elderly in October. Genuine concern for them should be shown everyday. It should be done not only by giving discounts in terms of transportation and medical care. But more importantly by restoring the kind of respect and recognition traditionally accorded to them by our society.

It is important to note that traditionally the elderly are consulted whenever decisions are made affecting one¡¦s life, family or society. Traditionally, the advice of the elderly are seriously considered whenever major decisions in life are made simply because of the assumption that they have already been there, and they already know better how life should be. Read the rest of this entry →

Women's Front: Time to act on the root cause of violence against women

November 26, 2007 in columns, general, opinion

By INNABUYOG-GABRIELA

November 25 is international day to end violence against women. It was first declared by women of Latin America in their gathering in 1981 to commemorate the death of the three Mirabal sisters (The Butterfiles) who were killed for opposing the dictatorship of Gen. Trujillo in the Dominican Republic on November 25, 1960. The declaration made by women from Latin America spread throughout the world and as such November 25 became an international day of action for the elimination of violence against women.

In 1991, through the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, women from 23 organizations gathered to declare November 25 to December 10 as 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The UN General Assembly on December 17, 1999 designated November 25 as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW). Read the rest of this entry →

Sagawisiw: 25 Nov. 2007

November 26, 2007 in general

By TITO SANQUI

Read the rest of this entry →

Burburtia Krokis: 25 Nov. 2007 (Puzzle)

November 26, 2007 in general

By ART B. BELISARIO

ACROSS:
1 ______ ng lumipas (Tag);
6 itim (Ilok);
12 babae (Ilok);
14 Ono No _____: kilalang lider ng Hapon noong ika-6 na siglo; Read the rest of this entry →

Burburtia Krokis: 18 Nov. 2007 (Solution)

November 26, 2007 in general

By ART B. BELISARIO

Geting Lost: Gazing into Kapangan

November 26, 2007 in general, tourism

By GLORIA A. TUAZON

The first time I set foot in Kapangan, I never thought there was much to this hidden remote village other than the all-too familiar rice paddies and the lurid news of cannabis plantations. Like an unfairly judged person, Kapangan proved me wrong. Hidden behind Tublay, Kapangan sits silently in the more humid area of Benguet, already being a neighbor to La Union.

ROCK OF AGES. It stood there like the Rock of Ages. This fascinating natural carving across the face of the mountain outlines the face of St. Nick. With December and Christmas looming ahead visit Mt. Santa. Claus in Kapangan, Benguet. Photo courtesy of Gloria Tuazon Read the rest of this entry →

Balancing Wheel: Starting them early

November 26, 2007 in columns, general

By JOHN MARASIGAN

Bon Voyage to our fellow Sayote rider Mr. Ferdie Villanueva, who will be leaving the country on Wednesday after a two-month vacation (half of it spent riding his bike). Another tough and sturdy rider will be missed a lot. Thanks for the acquaintance, bro. My foot size is 9 inches and I prefer the new Adidas Minrett. Hek! hek!. See you soon.

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To assemble a bike takes time, energy and most specially money. Reycar can attest to that, and perhaps grieving for his lost Hussar Amoeba Mountain Bike. So if someone approaches you and offers a dark colored mountain bike bearing the same tag, or was able to spot one we would appreciate if you call this number 442-8086. There are only two mountain bikes of this brand name here in Baguio, Billy, a young Sayote rider owns the other. Read the rest of this entry →

Makan a la Pinoy: Kape, binubudan ken dadduma pay

November 26, 2007 in food, general

Ni BRENDA S. DACPANO

Naaddaanak ti gundaway a dimmar-ay iti Adivay idiay kapitolyo ti Benguet idi naminsan nga aldaw. Apagsagpat ko pay laeng iti ngato ti agdan ti kapitolyo simmabat kaniak ti ayamuom ti kinirog a kape. Hmmm… nagbanglo.

COFFEE ROASTING. Maysa kadagiti nakisalip iti panagkirog ti kape iti selebrasyon ti Adivay iti Benguet. Photo by Cye Reyes/NORDIS Read the rest of this entry →

Gabriela urges impartial probe on Batasan blast

November 19, 2007 in Cordillera, general, national

Bombing, a diversionary tactic

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 15) — While condemning the Batasan bombing Tuesday night, a Cordilleran sought an urgent and impartial investigation saying the blast might be a tactic to divert public attention from issues involving the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) administration.

Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) Flora Baniaga-Belinan, 3rd nominee in the last party list elections, said the bombing could be intended to divert the people’s attention on hot issues including the impeachment moves, the alleged cash-giving at Malacañang, the Glorieta bombing and extra-judicial killings. Read the rest of this entry →

Batasan bombing triggers national outrage

November 19, 2007 in general, national

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 16) — The Batasan complex bombing that killed four and wounded 13 others was condemned by various sectors all over the country.

In Baguio City, a candle-lighting was launched Wednesday to dramatize Baguio groups’ indignation over the bombing. Read the rest of this entry →

Baguio constituents question Council’s P20M car budget

November 19, 2007 in Baguio City, general

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 16) — An urban peoples’ organization here criticized the city council for its extravagance when it reportedly hastily allocated almost P20 million from the P25.2 million surplus from the city’s internal revenue allotment (IRA) for the purchase of new cars for city officials amid opposition and criticism of various sectors.

Read the rest of this entry →

MP mine applications may lead to tribal war

November 19, 2007 in Cordillera, general, land rights, mining

SAGADA, Mountain Province (Nov. 13) — An application by two elders from Bontoc to mine mineral rich areas in the towns of Sagada, Bontoc, and Sadanga in Mountain Province with the regional office of the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) may invite a tribal conflict, according to sources.

Residents said the mine application would only invite tribal conflict as they resolved to oppose the said application. Read the rest of this entry →

Kalinga farmers hit spread of hybrid seeds

November 19, 2007 in agriculture, Cordillera, general

TABUK CITY, Kalinga (Nov. 6) — Farmers in this rice-producing province hit the introduction of hybrid varieties of rice here, saying the rise in genetically modified organism (GMO’s) has been taking its toll on them and their families.

Particularly addressing their question to the Department of Agriculture, the farmers said the agency has been promoting hybrid seeds, instead of traditional varieties, at the expense of the farmers and the environment. Read the rest of this entry →

Gloria Step Down petition gathers 4,000 signatures on first day

November 19, 2007 in general, international

HONG KONG (Nov. 16) — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) want Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo out as shown in the recently started signature campaign calling for her resignation.

On its kickoff November 11, the signature campaign drew more than 4,000 signatures from OFWs in Hong Kong alone. Read the rest of this entry →

Typhoon Kabayan kills one, destroys over P114M in Kalinga

November 19, 2007 in Cordillera, general

TABUK CITY, Kalinga (Nov. 16) — A local resident drowned and over P114 million worth of crops, infrastructure and private properties were destroyed when typhoon Kabayan whipped Kalinga with storm signal number 3 November 4, which prompted the provincial board to put the province under a state of calamity.

The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) identified the lone casualty as Elpidio Balawag, 47, of Malin-awa, Tabuk, Kalinga. According to reports, he drowned while crossing the river after closing the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) irrigation gate to prevent water from overflowing to adjacent villages. Read the rest of this entry →

Ifugao governor attends reproductive health conference in India

November 19, 2007 in Cordillera, general

LAGAWE, Ifugao (Nov. 13) — Ifugao Governor, Teodoro Baguilat Jr. was among those who represented the country to 4th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund Association (UNFPA) at Hyderabad, India recently.

The conference provided a venue for various stakeholders to share best practices. Baguilat was among the facilitators of the said conference and was also tasked to report health updates specifically on reproductive health in the province. Read the rest of this entry →

CIDG cracks down on illegal gambling in Ilocos Region

November 19, 2007 in general, Ilocos

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (Nov. 13) — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in an eight-day operation last week cracked down on illegal gambling in the four provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.

Even during All Souls Day, CIDG operatives with local policemen in different towns in the four provinces where illegal gambling operations were monitored, conducted raids and arrested 22 persons who are now mostly facing charges. Read the rest of this entry →

DSWD, Baguio gov’t launch singing project for kids

November 19, 2007 in Cordillera, general

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 16) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development- Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR), the local government of Baguio City and the Baguio Roman Catholic Diocese, launched the “Sing For Me: For the Benefit of Disadvantaged Children” Project last November 5 at the City Hall lobby.

The project involves the nationwide simultaneous community singing of Christmas carols on December 9, the SM Baguio will feature chorale groups of the various local government units, the private sector, church groups, government and non-government organizations. Read the rest of this entry →

Baguio Roundup: 18 Nov. 2007

November 19, 2007 in Baguio City, general

New set of BCFCCI officers takes oath

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 15) — The Baguio City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (BCFCCCII) new set of officers took oath November 9 at Diamond Grand Ballroom, Hotel Supreme Convention Plaza

Led by incoming President Jose Tajan and outgoing President Dennis Sy.Other newly elected officers of the BCFCCCII are Co An (1st Vice Rresident); Paul Go (2nd VP); Ong Ka Heng (3rd VP); Alex Sia (4th VP); Kane Chambonpin (Secretary); Benito Pua (Asst. Secretary); William Ang (Treasurer); and Anson Tiu (Asst. Treas.).

The BCFCCII directors include James Ang, Ramon Ang, Tony Ang, Joe Chang, Dionisio Co, Lucio De Ayre, Peter Go, Thomas Kho, Tony Lee, Simeon Neria,George Ong, Lorenzo Ong, Jolly Rillera and Fernando Tiong. Baguio Fil-Chinese old timer Gonzalo Ong sits as honorary president while Sy Piao, Johnny Tan Heng and Pepito Tiong are the group’s advisers. # Bong Cayabyab/PIO

Public hearings on crucial ordinances set

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 15) — The city council has scheduled public hearings on three crucial proposed ordinances dealing on smoking, liquor establishment operations and vehicle number coding on November 20 at the city council session hall here. Read the rest of this entry →

Cordillera This Week: 18 Nov. 2007

November 19, 2007 in Cordillera, general

SLU stude wins in Regional Statistics Quiz

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 16) — Cesar Higoy Jr., an Electronics and Communication Engineering student of Saint Louis University won the 16th Philippine Statistics Quiz regional elimination held last November 13 and would represent the Cordillera at the nationals.

Runners up are Sybel Ngaseo, BS nursing student of Benguet State University at second and Alexis Massagan, a BS Education freshman of Kalinga-Apayao State College, Bulanao campus, at third.

The PSQ board of judges include statistician Ma. Angeles De Guzman of Department of Health-CAR, Luke Aquino of National Statistical Coordination Board, and Adrian Cerezo of NSO-CAR. Regional Director Helen Tibaldo of the Philippine Information Agency served as the quiz master. # Alf Tulagan/PIA-CAR

Lepanto Mines launches mine rehab plan

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Nov. 16) — In support to the government’s call for a sustainable and responsible mining, the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation has launched an information-education campaign for the formulation of a final mine rehabilitation-decommissioning plan (FMR-DP). Read the rest of this entry →