My Dream Beach Destinations in the Philippines

The following are the beaches in the Philippines that I want to visit before I die:

1. Motyong Beach in Casiguran, Aurora (Luzon)
2. Gota Beach in Caramoan, Camarines Sur (Luzon)
3. San Vicente Beach in San Vicente, Palawan (Visayas or Luzon?)
4. Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan, Cebu (Visayas)
5. Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol (Visayas)
6. Caliocan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Leyte (Visayas)
7. Dakak Beach in Dapitan City, Zamboanga Del Norte (Mindanao)
8. Dahican Beach in Mati City, Davao Oriental (Mindanao)

If only I were a rich man like Manny Villar or Henry Sy, I would invest a lot to develop these beaches and make it as popular as Phuket in Thailand or Hawaii and thus creating thousands of jobs. In this way, there would be less Filipinos "na naliligo sa gitna ng basura!"

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4th Gawad Haydee Yorac Awardee

When many Filipino doctors and nurses choose to leave the country for that proverbial greener pasture abroad, a distinguished physician have chosen to stay and serve the rural folks. His name is DR. KADIL M. SINOLINDING, JR. of Kabacan, North Cotabato.

Dr. Sinolinding is the 2009 winner of the 4th Gawad Haydee Yorac Award. He is a well-known eye specialist whose "Vision 20/20 Cataract Charities Project" has helped thousands of people in Mindanao. He was a graduate of West Visayas State University in 1989. In 2000, he was chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines and in the following year, he received the award as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the world. Later on, he was selected as one of the five heroes for Pfizer Philippines.

He has children – Josh, Thianne and Khalil with his wife, Ma. Elena Paz Unson. Recently he was appointed Regional Secretary of the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). For more informantion, see http://www.meralco.com.ph/gawadhaydeeyorac/home.htm

Congratulations Dr. Sinolinding and may you become an inspiration of selfless service to all Filipinos in general and to more medical practitioners in particular.

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Destination: Subic

Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining the kids and parents from Sunshine Learning Center in their field trip to Subic Freeport in Zambales Province. The trip was serviced by Island Discovery Tours. Aside from the driver, three other personnel from the travel agency joined us in the bus. These were the trip supervisor, the storyteller/entertainer, and the "historian" whom I would learn later to be actually an engineer by profession.

It was not my first time to travel to Subic Freeport but my previous itinerary was limited to the commercial part of the former American navy base. This time I got to see Ocean Adventure and Zoobic Zafari and of course the much-talked-about tropical rainforest where monkeys, bats, and other forest animals abound.

While on the way, Paul, the entertainer, did not fail to amused me and the other passengers, I guessed. A sample of his joke was when he asked the children to mention what they saw on their left side and on their right side. Farms, houses, buildings, trees, street light, sky were all mentioned except one. When the children could not answer, he asked the parents who can't guess either. Then he shouted the "bus window" followed by a loud laugh! (Corny).

Then it was the turn of the "historian". He explained the basis of the number of kilometers which one sees on signposts beside any road. He also informed us about the different places that were being passed by such as Candaba Swamp which is frequented by birds from other countries, the city of San Fernando, how the province of Pampanga got its name, famous places, persons, and cuisine from pampanga. Sensing that he would fail to mention Mt. Arayat, I pointed out to him the famous mountain. (Ay may naitulong din pala ako.)

And then, while we were leaving San Fernando City, I waited for him to mention it as the capital of Pampanga but in vain so I uttered to him in a small voice as I was seated near him. He thanked me. Well, I just can't help but that I felt it was very important for the children to know more about Philippine Geography. Actually he was having fun communicating to the children about a television show which is being shot in Pampanga.


(Photo above shows rice farms in Pampanga which is part of Central Luzon Region, considered as the Rice Granary of the Philippines.


(This photo shows the Tipo Tollgate, the entrance to Subic Freeport Zone which is now connected to the new Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. Tipo Expressway is a short tollway built during the Ramos Administration. It was built in time for the holding of the APEC Summit which was erroneously mentioned by the entertainer from the travel agency as ASEAN Summit.)

By and large, the bus trip was enjoyable as I was also seated with a very shy four-year old kid. From time to time I would strike a conversation with him.

(To be continued...)

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8,000,000 Witnesses?

There is this news item in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (January 18, 2010, page A17)where reporters Jhunnex Napallacan and Chito Aragon quoted the police who said that the grand parade during the Sinulog Festival was witnessed by an estimated six to eight million people despite the incessant rain.

Six to Eight million? Even if it is just an estimate, the number is too big as to reflect an iota of truth. Consider the following: The whole of Cebu Province had a population of a little over 3.8 million in 2007, according to the National Statiscal Coordinating Board. Since this is 2010, perhaps the total population has already breached the 4 million mark.

Okay, let us take the lower estimate of 6 million. If this figure is to reflect reality, all the people of Cebu must have gone to watch the parade - that is including non-catholics, babies and old people from the remotest barangays (IMPOSSIBILITY NO. 1). Then another two million tourists must have travelled to Cebu from other provinces and countries. Aha, imagine how many ships, boats, and airplanes used to ferry these number of people. Imagine also how many rooms (hotel or otherwise) were used by 2,000,000 bodies? (IMPOSSIBILITY NO. 2).

Sabihin natin, hindi naman lahat naghotel eh. Mayroon dyan dumating umaga tapos umuwi pagkatapos ng parade. Eh mayroong bang enough hotel rooms within Metro Cebu for 500,000 people? Masyadong Malaki pa rin.

You see 6 million doesn't hold water. How much more for 8 million?

So what if the estimate is bloated? Anong issue? Well the proper question should be: Why can't the police give a better estimate? Also, why did the journalists who are supposed to give us balanced news did not bother to question or correct the police estimate?

Why is there a need to exaggerate? Just asking...

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Carabao Vs. Boracay Islands

The Philippines is truly blessed with many beautiful places particularly stunning beaches. Who have not heard of world-famous Boracay Island? This so-called crown jewel of Philippine tourist spots is considered one of the best beaches in the world today. What about Carabao Island? An interesting article in the Panorama Magazine proclaimed this island as the next Boracay.

In the article, it claimed that Carabao Island has a longer and more beautiful beach. Moreover, it is unspoiled unlike Boracay where it is now congested. An international airport is now being constructed by private investors.

In the map above, you will see the location of Carabao Island which is very near Boracay Island. Carabao Island is part of Romblon Province while Boracay belongs to Aklan Province. You will also see the location of Caticlan, the jump-off point to Boracay. Further down to the southeast is Kalibo, the capital of Aklan.

Just for your information, there is already an existing international airport in Kalibo. According to newspaper reports, another international airport will start construction this January in Caticlan. My concern is, Why build three (3) international airports near each other? Caticlan is less than an hour drive from Kalibo and Carabao Island is only 30 minutes boatride from Boracay. If a superhighway will be built between Kalibo and Caticlan, travel time will be cut into 30 minutes or less.

If there is so much money to be spent in building 3 international airports, why not construct only one but make sure it will be as great as Changi Airport in Singapore or that of Hongkong?

Anyway, I am sure there are many places in the country with good tourism potential but with no airport yet. Consider Caramoan Peninsula in Camarines Sur, Bicol. Or Calicoan Island in Eastern Samar Province.

What I see here is a mad rush by politicians to have projects built in their home turf without considering the feasibility of these projects and their implication to the over all national development of the country.

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The Heart

What is the color of your heart? The photo below was taken at the War Memorial Park in Kiangan, Ifugao.

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Bignay Tea Vs. Viagra

Ever heard of agaricus, charantia, ganoderma, goji, or taheebo? I bet you do because these are some of the most advertised exotic ingredients of some health drinks or coffee. But what about bignay tea?

Well, from the resort town of Nasugbu in the province of Batangas, 43 year-old Clarito A. Caisip has discovered what could save some men from embarrassment due to "junior's refusal to rise to the ocassion". This farmer was able to produce a herbal tea from the barks, leaves, and stems of the bignay tree which grows in the nearby mountains.

In an article which purportedly appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and written by Mel Magsino and which was reproduced in a brochure, some testimonials, including that of Carlito's wife, attested to the efficacy of the bignay tea in renewing sexual vitality and in curing arthritis. Not only that, the same brochure claims that the tea can:

1. stregnthen immune system
2. prevent camcer and premature aging
3. stimulate natural weight loss without exercising
4. and normalizes blood pressure.

The tea is now registered with BFAD and DTI. Its preparation is also patented. It comes in pack of 50 and 100 grams. The product is available in some selected distributors in Metro Manila and in the discoverer's home in Batangas.

Like other herbal teas, this bignay tea is stamped with "No Approved Therapeutic Claims" (NATC). Yet the producer claims it to be a powerful health drink that can cure many ailments. It may not be popular nowadays but if it is true that it can cure erectile dysfunction, it will soon, oh my Lord, become a big money maker. Then it will give the producer of the Viagra a run for their dollar.

Oh ano mga readers gusto nyo bang itry? But I would hasten to advice you that "if symptom persists, consult your doctor" and of course, to be always responsible with your decision. Lalo na ngayon nagkalat ang iba-ibang produkto with inflated miraculous claims.

P.S. Googling Bignay tea as of today yields 6,830 results.

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Galit Ako!!!

Galit! iyon ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Galit ako dahil sa mga nangyayaring hindi ko maintindihan. Nagsusumiklab ang aking galit!

More than 50 people (read Filipinos) have died in the Maguindanao Massacre and I am afraid the number may still go up. Para ano? Para sa kapangyarihan? Para sa ambisyon ng isang tao? Para sa kapakanan ng isang pamilya o angkan? Ano ulit? papatay ka ng mahigit 50 tao - lalaki, babae, politiko, at journalists? para saan? Hello...

The killing or mass murder or massacre or whatever name you will use is really shocking, outrageous, barbaric, gruesome, unacceptable, unimaginable, inhuman, distressing, disturbing, senseless, pointless, uncalled for, unprecedented, objectionable, unnerving, upsetting, immoral, and what else. In Filipino, it is nakakakilabot, karumaldumal, nakakasindak, nakakatakot, napakarahas, makahayop, at anong ginagawa ng inutil na gobyernong ito para sa peace and order ng bansa? pasensya na. My stomach is revolting.

Biruin nyo pagkatapos ng tatlong araw, wala ni isang naaresto? Hello PNP? Hello Versoza? Hello GMA? O baka naman isang pakunwari na naman ito para sa isang malawakang kaguluhan na may kaugnayan sa eleksyon? Sana, sana hindi. Sana imahinasyon ko lang ito.

Pero kung sakali na tama ang hinala ko, panahon na para lumabas ang pagka-hero ng taumbayan. Sure ako na marami dyan sa tabi-tabi ang tulad ni Efren Penaflorida.

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Poverty Reduction Award for Ilocos Sur

For the third time, the province of Ilocos Sur received the 2008 Outstanding Local Government Poverty Reduction Program Implementer for Region I. Previously, it won the award in 2004 and 2007. It was noted the number of families living below the poverty level was reduced from 8,250 to 7,095 based on the Minimum Basic Needs survey conducted on fourth- to sixth-class municipalities of Ilocos Sur.

The Award was personally given to Governor Deogracias Victor Savellano by National Anti-Poverty Commission Assistant Secretary Catherine Mae Santos. In receiving the award, the governor said that the provincial government is committed to continue poverty reduction efforts such as the Prosperity, Kabsat, Kalahi, and Siglat to which he attributed the success of the campaign to eradicate the scourge of poverty.

Ilocos Sur Province is located in the northwestern part of Luzon Island specifically in Region I. It is composed of 32 towns and 2 cities namely Vigan and Candon. The province is the hometown of former President Elpidio Quirino. At present, one of the most noted personalities from this province is Chavit Singson who was a long time governor of Ilocos Sur.

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Wow Paquaio, Namakyaw

Here are the headlines of Philippine broadsheets:

Philippine Daily Inquirer : Greatest Fighter in his era is a Filipino

Philippine Star : Pacman's Magnificent Seventh

Manila Bulletin : Last Man Standing

Malaya : Pacquaio Wins by KTO in 12th

Manila Standard Today : Pacquiao Philippine Rockets to 7th Heaven

Oh Ah this is one of the greatest moments of Filipinos. We can not be more proud of our race.

Pero alam nyo ba kung ano ang susunod na laban nya? Balita ko, lalaban sya sa election 2010 sa pagkakongresista ng Sarangani Province. Payag ba kayo?

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