Here is my one page of fame in Metro hiM under the feature Manila, Manila:
"On the occassion of the planned restoration of its iconic landmarks - the Luneta Hotel, the Museo ng Maynila, the Metropolitan Theater - METRO HIM puts the spotlight on 10 men who are making it not only cool but necessary to rediscover the city of our affections."
Now let's see how well you know Tagalog. What does hating-kapatid mean? I'll give the answer after everyone has commented.
Answer: There has been a misconception that hating-magkapatid means equal sharing. Dividing in equal portions actually refers to hating-magkalaban because enemies don't like the other to get more than what he or she gets. Walang lamangan in other words.
Hating-magkaibigan on the other hand denotes give and take. I give and you give in return. Finally, hating-magkapatid denotes a division based on age or seniority. While it is right to say that the kuya or ate gets more in this case, the better answer is that they decide who gets what. So the kuya can decide to give more to the younger siblings.
Ivan About Town and the SEAIR Adventure Club is giving away two round-trip SEAIR tickets to Basco, Batanes. All you have to do is leave a comment in SEAIR flies to Batanes telling us why you love Batanes by Sunday, 20 April 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
Make sure you place your full name in the name field since you will need a valid ID to claim the tickets if you win. The winner will be drawn at random and will be notified by e-mail so make sure you double check your e-mail address before submitting your comment. Finally, one entry per IP address so only the first entry from each IP address will be counted. Tickets will be valid from now until 15 October 2008. Good luck!
I was reading the story on Pacquiao's victory over Marquez. And these lines struck me:
The bloody ending was a sharp contrast to the festive atmosphere—characterized by chants of “Manny, Manny” and “Mexico, Mexico”—before the bout that drew 11,061 paying fans began.
If it does not affect you, then there may be something wrong.
In a previous column about the Pacquiao bout with Morales, Gemma Cruz-Araneta had already pointed this out. It just shows the love of country Mexicans have for Mexico. That they go beyond personalities and chant their country's name indicates their great love for their nation.
As Gemma wrote: "All through the fight they were shouting MANNY, MANNY, MANNY. The Mexicans (also with their share of elected officials) were rooting for Erik "El Terrible" Morales. They cheered wildly and passionately in true latino style. But, they were not hollering ERIK, ERIK, ERIK or MORALES, MORALES, MORALES. They were shouting MEXICO! MEXICO!! MEXICO!!!
It did not occur to any Filipino, not to a single congressman, not even to the husband of the Philippine president to cheer FILIPINAS! FILIPINAS!! FILIPINAS!!! My brother Ismael concluded that we Filipinos have no sense of country; sadly, I think he is right."
Tomorrow, the University of the Philippines will open festivities marking its centennial. I come from a family with a long UP tradition. Both my parents and my younger sister are UP graduates. So were two of my grandparents. On both sides, most of my uncles and aunts went to UP as well.
But the first of my forefathers to walk the hallowed halls of the University of the Philippines was my great-grandfather, Dr. Pedro G. Henares, UP Medicine Class of 1915. The photo above is from the 1915 Philippinensian. That makes me a fourth-generation UP graduate!
If all goes well, I hope to finish my third UP degree this year. So that makes me a centennial graduate too!
Special Cultural Tour! The ULTIMATE Kapampangan Show-off!
Journey to the central heartland as we immerse ourselves in things Kapampangan! From Baroque to Betute, its fun-filled day as we poke around and get intimate with the very best of Pampanga's cultural offerings. Gawk at the jewel-box of church in Betis while wading through the lahar-buried town of Bacolor. We'll stuff ourselves silly with the best Kapampangan fare by one of the country's best known Pampango chefs! To it cap-off, we'll have front-row view of the most dazzling display of Kapmpangan artistry- the Ligligan Parul Festival of San Fernando! A tour with nothing but Kapampangan cool!
The Tour Experience * Betis Church* Town of Bacolor * Claude Tayag's Bale Dutung * Pampanga Specialty Shops* Ligligan Parul (Giant Lantern Festival) in San Fernando
When: Saturday, December 15, 2007 (whole day)
Rate: P4500.00/head (full board, includes: transfers, meals, tour and the Giant Lantern Festival)
This tour is brought to you by Our Awesome Planet, Ivan About Town and Manila Boy and Old Manila Walks.
E-mail me at info@ivanhenares.com for reservations.
I just came from a trip around Eastern Visayas and I got to visit five of the six provinces there. I've already uploaded my pics in six albums. That should do for now since for some reason, I'm still too lazy to update my blog. Well, I should by today since I'm leaving for another week-long trip to Cebu and Panay on Sunday.
Hello everyone! You might be interested in these great summer programs! Please let me know if you need more information. Thanks!
Ivan (ifs@ivanhenares.com)
-- Dear Parents and Students,
Every summer, Institute for Foreign Study, Inc. (founded in 1991) invites students from ages 9 to 24 years old to participate in various cultural immersion and other programs in choice locations abroad. We would like you to be the first to know about our Summer 2008 Programs so you can plan your child's summer vacation way ahead of time. Slots on each program are limited and on a space-available basis to ensure ample supervision and monitoring.
ELEMENTARY & HIGH SCHOOL
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – Seacamp + Astrocamp (APRIL 2008) Catalina Island, California; 3 weeks; Ages 10 to 17/18 years old; Summer 2007 photos at http://magicalcoats.multiply.com To describe this program as exciting would be an understatement! An activity-based program with lots of confidence and team-building sessions, this two-week marine science camp plus one week astronomy/physics and other sciences will appeal to any student who prefers an active "hands on, minds on" type of program.
CANADA – Juniors and Teens (MAY 2008) Three weeks; Juniors, 10 to 15 years old Four weeks; Teens, 16 to 18 years old Vancouver, a beautiful, pleasant, multi-cultural city and gateway to British Columbia. A great place to learn and to discover.
GERMANY - (APRIL 2008) Three weeks language and cultural immersion; One week tour; Ages 15 to 18 years old Augsburg is our program location, situated 30 minutes away from Munich. Participants learn German with afternoon social and cultural activities giving them the opportunity to make new German friends and visit nearby places of interest. The last week is a tour covering some cities of Germany.
SPAIN – Salamanca and Seville (APRIL 2008) Five weeks; Ages 16 and above A comparative regional cultures of Spain program, participants have the unique opportunity to observe the many faces of Spain in two regionally important locations: Salamanca in the region of Castilla y Leon, and Seville in Andalusia!
COLLEGE
SPAIN – Salamanca and Seville (5 weeks) Salamanca, Spain's Golden City, home to the world's 5th oldest university was named "European Culture Capital" in 2002. It is a popular destination for students from all over the world. Sevilla, in Andalusia has seen the glory of the Roman Empire, the luxurious sophistication of the Moors and the Christian Reconquista.
This program is ideal for students currently taking up International or European Studies; Arts & Architecture; Languages, International Business or Consular and Diplomatic Affairs or anyone who is passionate about Spain and its culture.
ITALY – Florence (4 weeks) Florence: You must go! Florence still retains a resemblance to the small late-medieval center that contributed so much to artistic and political development of Europe. Participants learn Italian and Art History and visit places of cultural and touristic interest.
This program is ideal for students taking up European Studies/History; International Business, Fine Arts, Fashion, Tourism/Hospitality and interested in Italian cuisine.
INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS (College): Students can choose start dates in April or May JAPAN – Kanazawa. Three(3) Weeks. Slots available: 10. Culture beyond anime! PARIS – Four(4)Weeks. Option to do Three (3) Weeks only
An IFS Summer Program is an experiential learning program which provides participants with the unique opportunity to live with selected host families. This allows them a thorough understanding of the culture not from a tourist point of view but as a member of a host family. It is truly once-in-a-lifetime encouraging friendships across the seas and a wealth of academic and personal benefits!
For more information or if you have questions, we encourage you to contact our office. Simply fill up the appropriate reply slip attached with this e-mail and fax it to our office at 8132673 or e-mail it to our coordinator at ifs@ivanhenares.com.
REPLY SLIP
I am interested in: __ US __ Canada __ Germany __ Spain __ Italy __ Japan __ Paris
Please send me: __ more information __ a pre-application form __ I will complete the pre-application form online (www.ifsphil.net)
*Program fees generally cover the roundtrip airfare, program tuition and activities, meals and accommodation, and all in-program transportation. Payable in full or in installments. If paying in full, please check with our office for any on-going discount promo. If you pay by Monday, there's a 15% discount.
This is horrible news! Some Baguio City officials really do not know how to preserve the city's heritage and the little charm it has left. Let's keep Burnham Park an open space!
BAGUIO CITY (Sept. 26) — City Councilor Perlita Rondez recently disclosed a plan for a bus terminal cum multi-level vending station to rise at the site of the old city auditorium in Burnham Park.
Rondez said she has discussed the architect’s sketch with church and civic groups which seemed convinced at the put-up of a 2-storey 1,000 stall building to house ambulant vendors and tourist buses.
“It will also be converted into a night market to house more vendors,” according to Rondez.
Rondez is optimistic the city would earn some P50,000 a day from the stalls alone, or at least P1.5 million a month.
“Aside from the market fees, the city will solve vending and parking problems. It will also address traffic congestion,” she said.
The proposed market would cost about P12 million, according to Rondez but quipped the return of investment is fast.
In a separate interview, Councilor Elaine Sembrano, chairman of market, trade and commerce committee, said “vending in parks must not be encouraged.” She adds she noted that most vendors are not city residents and that if there are projects to improve the market it should prioritize residents.
Rondez heads the tourism committee of the city council.
“At present, the proposed site is an unregulated parking space for tourist buses. Vendors also peddle their goods in the area,” according to Rondez.
The distinct Baguio identity of mountainous terrain with green-and-white architecture nestled under pine trees is fast vanishing. The single largest remaining ensemble of that identity survives in Teachers Camp. Although no other city in Asia or in the Philippines has an identity like Baguio's, the identity today is vanishing rapidly.
Baguio in decay Unregulated development has caused Baguio to lose its luster as the Philippines' most popular mountain retreat. Nondescript concrete buildings and residences have replaced the traditional green-and-white architecture. Informal settlers' shanties now cover urban mountain vistas, once open green spaces, in sheets of rusted tin roofing.
Pine trees, once a familiar sight of Baguio landscape, have practically disappeared. Heritage, whether urban, architectural, or landscape, neither protected by legislation or by zoning, does not appear to be within the sphere of interest of most city authorities and residents, therefore urban and architectural heritage is going fast, and vanishing rapidly also is its landmark umbrella of pines and multicolored flowers.
Present-day Baguio is homogenizing into the generic, typical look of 21st-century Philippine cities. Only its mountainous terrain now reminds us that once this was the glorious Summer Capital of our Land and the only American Hill Station in Asia.
Since Baguio mystique and tradition are practically gone today, it is necessary to maintain whatever is left of its urban, architectural, and environmental traditions for the future.
By Eliza Victoria Inquirer Last updated 07:10pm (Mla time) 10/06/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Soon after Manny Pacquiao demolished Mexican legend Erik Morales in three rounds in their November 2006 fight in Las Vegas, councilors of Davao City raised a howl over Sarah Geronimo’s rendition of the National Anthem just before the fight began.
Councilor Nilo Abellera said Geronimo’s slow, “kundiman-like” interpretation was a bastardization of the national song. He filed a resolution reminding the people of Davao how the anthem should be sung.
What is the proper way of singing the anthem?
According to Ambeth Ocampo, chair of the National Historical Institute (NHI), guidelines on how the anthem should be sung are enshrined in the law.
Section 37 of Republic Act No. 8491 (An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat of Arms, and other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines) -- passed in 1998, the year of the Philippine centennia -- says the “rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.”
Felipe is the Cavite composer that President Emilio Aguinaldo commissioned on June 5, 1898 to prepare a composition which would be played during Independence ceremonies.
Originally titled Marcha Filipina Magdalo, the composition was adopted as the official march of the Philippines.
The anthem remained without words until August 1899, when a young poet-soldier named Jose Palma wrote the poem, Filipinas, which became the anthem’s lyrics.
Ocampo said that the anthem, when played, “must carry a brisk martial tone and tempo.”
Teodoro Atienza, heraldry section head of the NHI’s Research, Publications and Heraldry Division, said that when sung “at the proper pace,” the national anthem should last from only “53 seconds to less than a minute.”
But national anthem boo-boos still abound.
Aside from Geronimo, singers Lani Misalucha, who sang in the first Pacquiao-Morales bout on March 19, 2005, and Bituin Escalante (July 2, 2006, Pacquiao vs. Larios at the Araneta Coliseum), also took vocal liberties in their renditions of the National Anthem.
Jennifer Bautista, who sang in the Pacquiao-Morales rematch on Jan. 21, 2006, went off-key on the song’s last word.
At the Sept. 16, 2007 match between reigning world bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa and North American Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Bernabe Concepcion in Alabang, Christian Bautista delivered an abbreviated version of the song when he missed the lines, "Buhay ay langit sa piling mo / Aming ligaya na ’pag may mang-aapi. [In thine embrace ‘tis rapture to lie/But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged]"
Bautista apologized for the “memory lapse.”
Pacquiao has chosen Kyla to sing the national anthem in his Oct. 6 rematch with Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Atienza said the Institute had spoken to the GMA network to remind Kyla about the proper way of singing the national song.
Singers who do not follow the rules can be fined P50,000 or be imprisoned for a year, or both, he said.
“But our lawyer says we can’t go after the singers because they sing abroad,” Atienza said. “Of course, that doesn’t mean they should forget their obligation to their country and their people.”
Sibuyan Island in the province of Romblon stands out. It's called the Galapagos of Asia because of its high concentration of endemic species. One third of the 46,000-hectare island is a protected area. It's also home to heavily-forested Mt. Guiting-Guiting which has as much as 75 percent of its forest cover intact, and beautiful and clean rivers. Guess what? Mining is in! Now isn't that stupid? Before leaving the DENR, Sec. Angelo Reyes approved five special cutting permits to clear forest land for mining activity despite the strong opposition of the island's residents. That's an estimated 59,000 trees to be cut! All for nickel, the country is giving up a more precious treasure, the natural heritage of Sibuyan Island.
When governance fails: Murder in the island By Jose Ma. Lorenzo Inquirer Last updated 06:14am (Mla time) 10/05/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Town Councilor Armin Marin clearly understood how dependent Sibuyanons were on the exceptional ecology that characterized their island home.
For him, people came first. He understood that without people’s support, conservation would be a losing battle. He was a realist.
A civil engineer by training, Armin spent most of his adult life in the service of his island. His first brush with public service was as kagawad of his own barangay, Espana.
Then, from 1997 to 2002, he worked with the Philippine chapter of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as a community organizer and farm supervisor, overseeing livelihood projects for poor communities in Espana and other barangays in San Fernando’s northern sector.
After his exposure to WWF, Armin continued his service to his island, working with Fundacion Santiago on a project with the Department of Agrarian Reform, as a project supervisor for institutional development and cooperative formation.
He saw Sibuyan evolve, from the time its economy was almost entirely dependent on illegal logging, through the years of out-migration, through the introduction of a conservation ethic.
Marin understood that the solution was not simple. He also understood that unless Sibuyanons took it upon themselves to change things, his island home would vanish and everything he gave his life to, would be for nothing.
Island stands out
Among the 7,000-odd islands of the Philippines, Sibuyan Island stands out.
A 46,000-hectare island in the province of Romblon, one-third of Sibuyan is a protected area. Despite its proximity to Manila, it is one of the more difficult areas to access in the country.
Having been separated from the mainland as far back as the last Ice Age, Sibuyan boasts some of the highest endemicity among all the islands of the archipelago.
There are plants and animals that you find here, on the slopes of Mount Guiting-Guiting, that are found nowhere else in the world. In 1997, it still had as much as 75 percent forest cover, as well as the most beautiful and clean rivers.
As a key site of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), the mountain and its park enjoyed protection under a presidential proclamation.
Microcosm of the Philippines
Unfortunately, rare plants and animals do not often make a significant contribution to development in emerging economies.
Many traditional products of Sibuyan, e.g., copra, abaca, basketry and a natural varnish drawn from almaciga trees, were replaced by synthetic substitutes and lost their competitiveness, reducing the island to what was described as an economic backwater.
Out-migration began and the remittances of overseas workers became its main source of income.
A Dutch embassy officer once described Sibuyan as a microcosm of the Philippines. Everything you saw elsewhere in the country, both good and bad, was found here.
It was no surprise, therefore, to see mining land on its shores.
In July 2006, the Sangguniang Barangay of Taclobo approved the island’s first endorsement of a mining application.
Marin, together with many other Sibuyanons, drew a line in the sands. Mining debate started.
Through the last 12 months, many things transpired.
A consortium of mining companies, called Sibuyan Nickel Properties Development Corp. Ltd. (SNPDC), was formed. Among the applicants for mining activity in Sibuyan are Altai Mining, Sun Pacific, All Acacia, San Roque Mining, and Pelican Resources.
On the other side of the fence, the Sibuyanons against mining organized rally after rally on the island, feverishly lobbying at government offices and in Congress for support.
Local anti-mining groups revealed that mining activity on the island had grown exponentially to the point where, at present, there are 13 active mining sites surrounding the mountain and its national park.
The mining juggernaut churned on, fueling even greater local opposition. The mining debate rose in decibels.
Reyes’ clearance
On Aug. 24, 2007, shortly before Secretary Angelo Reyes left the DENR, he approved five special cutting permits to clear forest land for mining activity on Sibuyan. Clearance was given to cut down an estimated 59,000 trees, making up more or less 4 million board feet of timber from Sibuyan’s lowland dipterocarp natural forests.
Some areas approved for cutting sit barely 100 meters away from the core zone of the protected area.
These permits included areas around the headwaters of the Cantingas, Punong and Olango rivers, water sources of barangays Taclobo and Espana.
In a world facing climate change, where all remaining forest stands provide a major umbilical toward the future, an action as severe as this is simply dysfunctional.
Sense of betrayal
Everything many Sibuyanons had fought for were now going to officially disappear, through a clearance given by the very department whose mandate it is to sustainably manage this area.
The permit was reportedly issued to a consultant of Altai Mining. The proceeds from this sale would once again leave Sibuyan and bring greater wealth to the mainland.
The injustice was palpable, a sense of betrayal filled the air and the mining debate roared.
On Wednesday, an elected public servant was shot dead in broad daylight.
A line must, once again, be drawn in the sand.
Where is the limit?
If sustainable development remains a sincere objective, there is a limit to everything. In the case of mining, what is that limit? It must be defined.
And, if government does not have the will to make that definition, communities will.
Shall we allow it to get to that? Where are the standards? They must be made public.
And all who choose to venture into this business must be transparent, remain fully accountable and abide by these limits and standards. Companies that fail to comply, must be closed down. This is the rule of law.
Our country is a patchwork of land-use overlaps. Protected areas overlap ancestral domain titles that, in turn, overlap mining claims and watersheds. We have allocated more land than we actually have. This, by its very structure, is a patchwork of conflict.
Artifact of dictatorship
Seeing this, if a mining company does not demonstrate the sincerity and capability to deal equitably, amicably and productively with local communities, it should be closed down and all its permits withdrawn.
The promotion of a culture of violence is not in the strategic interest of this nation and goes against the public good.
As an artifact of the dictatorship and our recent political past, this is something we should get rid off. It is simply wrong and makes our country a pariah in the greater community of nations.
Lasting solutions are founded on fairness, true dialogue and the establishment of mutually beneficial relationships.
Consistent law enforcement and public compliance have been one of our greatest national weaknesses for decades now. Whether in logging, in fishing, in government contracts, tax collections or simple traffic rules -- the story is the same. This must stop.
We pay our taxes to ensure peace and order, a stable economy and a predictable future. This is our contract with government. It is the people’s right to demand good governance and full delivery.
When government calls the shots, government must make things work well. The best laws that are not enforced consistently are not good laws. They are a waste of public funds. They erode, rather than build, our nation.
In a government of the people, by the people and for the people, that is the least we deserve. And, when human life is taken, justice must be served.
(Jose Ma. Lorenzo is the vice chairman of WWF Philippines)
MANILA, Philippines -- City Mayor Alfredo Lim revived on Thursday the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission (MHHC) and the Museo ng Maynila that were in “hibernation” for several years.
Wanting to train the spotlight on Manila’s rich culture once again, Lim signed Executive Order No. 10, “Constituting the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission,” upon his return to office on July 7.
Writer Carmen Guerrero Nakpil was reinstalled as MHHC chair.
The commission that organized art exhibits and historical lectures at the former Army-Navy Club building on South Boulevard, Ermita, became inactive during the previous administration. The club building served as Museo ng Maynila and the office of the commission established by Lim in 1997.
Said the mayor, who said he wanted to raise interest in preserving the city’s lost heritage: “What we are now, what we are seeing, we owe to our ancestors. Unfortunately these values are now distorted. What seems to be precious before is no longer considered as such.”
At Thursday’s launch of the commission and the museum, the mayor directed the MHHC, which was in charge of Museo ng Maynila, to document the heritage resources of Manila. He also asked city district councils to identify and protect heritage areas.
The mayor revealed that during his term from 1992 1998 he declined an offer from persons he did not identify to build a high-rise condominium in place of the classic edifice, a city landmark.
The four-story building designed by the team of American architect Daniel Burnham deteriorated when it was turned into a “warehouse for lanterns and lampposts.”
Lim vowed on Thursday to restore the building to its former glory like the Metropolitan Theater, which is undergoing a major overhaul.
But MHHC Secretariat member Gemma Cruz Araneta said they were still sourcing funds for the numerous repairs needed.
At the moment, only the ground floor of the club is open to visitors.
This came from my Ateneo High School batchmate Dr. Chino Perez:
I don't really watch this show. Here's another reason why you shouldn't too!
BOYCOTT THIS SHOW!
[In the episode entitled. "Now You Know", Susan's character was questioning the credibility of a gynecologist and said, "Ok before we go any further, can I check those diplomas? Cause I would just like to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines."]
- just recently posted by another Filipino doctor who watched the show in the US
Many have been saying it was part of the humor. Here are my comments: 1. People can say that the French are rude or Ilocanos are kuripot and get away with it. But kuripot and rude are negative traits. The comment touched on credibility. That is totally different. DH maligned credibility. 2. So what if some Americans think lowly of Filipinos? It's not an excuse for the scriptwriter to include such a racist comment on a popular prime time television series in democratic America. 3. Although there may be some truth to it (no thanks to Recto), they should not have put it in the script. It was not necessary. 4. Besides, it's difficult for Recto fakes to pass through the detailed screening process for US medical professionals. Because if they do, then it's the US process which is faulty. In a way, the lines also malign the US screening process. Does that mean sobrang daming nakakalusot and there a lot of fake Filipino doctors in the US, enough for them to generalize? 5. We should not allow people to think lowly of us especially in this instance where Filipino medical professionals are among the best in the world! If we keep quiet and accept it, then it will continue.
What a pleasant surprise! I was searching through the DOT website's useful links (check out page 2) and saw a familar image in the lower left area of the page. Yup, it's a link to my blog! Hehe!
This website is brought to you by Gideon Lasco, founder of the UP Med Outdoor Society and Ivan Henares of Ivan About Town (http://www.ivanhenares.com), Best Philippine Travel Blog for 2007.
