Remembering 9/11 Attack in New York

Three reasons why I want to travel the United States are Chicago, New Jersey, and of course New York. As I always say, if ever I'll be given the chance in the United States, I'll set foot in New York's JFK International Airport. It has always been a dream even though New York had been a big victim of terrorism in Sept. 11, 2001.

It was sayang that I can't be able to visit the World Trade Center which was the center of the attack in 2001. However, it is unbelievable that the city recovered too fast as compared when we are hit by storm signal #3. I have always been amazed by the architecture of the city and I was in a way, affected by the victims' clamor during the attack. In this post, I want to commemorate the attack by way of compiling some photos.

PHOTO 1. This photo had been the most essential effect of terrorism in the United States particularly in New York--one which we can consider a powerful city in the world.PHOTO 2. Another photo of the Twin Towers being hit by two American planes suspected to be loaded by suicide bombers. They were successful in putting terror in the US making the New York Stock Market closed after the attack.
PHOTO 3. A lot of volunteers have been considered heroes in this attack of terrorism in New York. Many people died as WTC collapsed. PHOTO 4. Several hours passed, the Twin Towers were destroyed and was gone in the map of Manhattan, New York.
PHOTO 5. This has been the project in New York to replace the Twin Towers with two beams of light, as also their tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attack.

Now, I am glad that I still have the reasons of visiting New York. There is still the Statue of Liberty, Guggenheim Museum, and Broadway. Hope we can have a city like New York.

UP Baguio Condemns DOJ Secretary's Statement

Department of Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez did not know what he was talking about because does not know the real motives of UP students in criticizing the government.

The University of the Philippines Baguio condemns the statement of DOJ Sec. Raul Gonzalez, published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer last Aug. 27, stating that the “UP System breeds destabilizers and naked runners.” The said article further attacked the culture of APO fraternity “running naked” in the campus. Gonzalez, in the article, lamented that “UP was the site of protest rallies and movements to destabilize the government. This is not the way UP students should repay the government for giving them subsidized education.”

According to UP Baguio student council chair Ben Fernandez, “Gonzalez made a statement that people will talk about using the term 'destabilization' wrongly.” He stressed that the students of the said university is just calling for what they think is the problem in the society as guaranteed by the Constitution exercising freedom of expression. Fernandez feared that the society might perceive UP negatively. The importance of these actions of the university is to establish and defend the interests and rights of the people. On the issue that the students must repay the government, Fernandez iterated that “the government is not providing the funds for the university because it must be clear that the funds are coming from the people and not the government or the state itself.”

The Alpha Phi Omega fraternity based in UP Baguio said that the statement was very mediocre. The tradition of running naked is rooted from socially relevant reasons of doing so. This symbolizes that they are offering their service for the welfare of the community. “We do not run 'naked' without any reasons,” one APO member stressed.

Prof. Mae P. Barros, department chair of College of Arts and Communication said that the statement can be analyzed in two ways. Barros stated that Gonzalez might be provoked by the current political situation in the country, so anybody can say that especially that UP has long history of struggle criticizing the wrong doings of the government. However, “Gonzalez did not know what the real culture of the university is. He was too ignorant to say that because he did not come from the university.”

*Published at Baguio MIdland Courier (Sept. 3, 2006, page 38)

Prof. Fernandez: "Blogging is Journalism"

Professor Rolando B. Fernandez of College of Arts and Communication stressed that blogging is a kind of journalism based on his principles as head of the Philippine Daily Inquirer-Northern Bureau.

According to him, blogging however would need a competitive market to boost this new form of journalism. He said that the economic condition of our country at present would be a hindrance for aspiring journalists who wish to use the Internet in delivering the news.

In his lecture, he also said that the use of Internet is also covered by the laws regarding mass media. Though, it is not stated in the constitution that the Internet is free from censorship, one must be responsible enough to deliver the news using the Internet.

Now, it gives me three important lessons from Sir Rolly, that aside from ACCURACY, ACCURACY, ACCURACY, these three lessons are beneficial for me in this age of technology.

DOJ Secretary: "I am well-behaved" than UP students...is he?

Yesterday, one of the news published at the Philippine Daily Inquirer was all about Sec. Raul Gonzalez's statement that the UP System "is breeding destabilizers and naked runners"--that the university just mainly produces militant protesters and fraternity men and women who run around the campus naked. THE STATEMENT

This statement would really affect every student or has affected us who are part of the population this cabinet secretary is attacking. In this article, Gonzalez further said that we should not always fight the state, we should not bring it down and some degree of gratitude whould be also considered by us.

Analysing this pathetic statement, he was really emphasizing the fact of his strong alliance with the 'despotic midget' in Malacañang. We are thankful, yes, but not because the state is paying our education but because the education we have in UP provides us critical thinking. The funds given to UP is not coming from his personal funds, or coming from Malacañang per se. I think he does not have the right to say this.

He said he came from another school that is why he is 'well-behaved.' Is he? after all his statements attacking various people, and now attacking the entire UP system. I guess it figures--he came from another school, he is not equipped with critical thinking, just look at his leadership. Look at the leadership we have now in the country.

Come on Mr. Gonzalez...think again. Let that brain work!

Photo and Film Exhibit about IPs Held

Several IP advocacy groups held last August 13-15, 2006 a photo and film exhibit on indigenous people at Malcolm Square in line with the celebration of the 2nd International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples as declared by the United Nations.

This occasion, with the theme “Strengthen the Unity among Indigenous Youth in Opposing Economic and Political Repression—Protect Rights and Dignity of Indigenous Peoples,” was sponsored by Progressive Igorots for Progressive Action. It was attended by a number of youth groups and IP organizations.

The exhibit featured numerous photographs that dealt with the struggle of indigenous people specifically in the Cordillera. On the presentation, they defined IP’s as “ancestors which has lived in their homelands through generations.” The display of photos also derived and defined how the concepts of IP change through time. During the Spanish era, no concept of “minorities” was applied to indigenous people. As time passed until the post war era, concepts changed that IP’s are now called “national minorities.”

Because of this concept, national oppression has become prevalent toward IP’s which was brought about by the ruling class, the dominant social groups that control the nation’s state and wealth. They presented three bases of national oppression. First, the political base is attributed to the pseudo-democratic position in the society wherein ruling class dominate. Second is the economic base where they compared self-sufficiency economy of indigenous people and the impact brought by market or cash-based economies to them. The last one is the cultural base which is interrelated with the impacts of colonialism, feudalism, and globalization to the unique cultures of indigenous people.

In the Cordillera, national oppression is distinguished through the denial of IP’s ancestral lands, imposition of destructive socio-economic system, commercialization, and “development aggression”—mega dams and other infrastructure projects that negatively affects the lifeways of IP’s.

One of the films they presented was all about the life of Rafael Markus Bangit who was a victim of political killing. Bangit was remembered through his efforts on Cordillera mass movements. He was the Vice-Chairman of Bayan Muna-Kalinga when died. According to John Panem, leader of the National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP) Baguio-Benguet Chapter, “Bangit’s death imposed fear among indigenous people. However, it also proved a more cohesive strength among Cordilleran people to fight for justice and liberation.” Panem believed that political killings only exposed the current system that rules the society which affected many lives for years.

One of the goals of this exhibit is to address the importance of Genuine Regional Identity (GRA) of the Cordillera. This genuine autonomy aims to the right of Cordillerans to self-determination—“the right of each people to determine its destiny and arrange its life based on its own wishes free from forcible interference by other people.” In general, Cordillera demands for GRA to obtain again their sole right to their ancestral lands. This will also bring a genuine socio-economic development with long term benefits to the people. This would also gain respect and develop socio-political system of indigenous people and would develop more the cultures of the region.

“There should be awareness among the Cordilleran people about their right to self-determination, unity, and knowledge on issues that affect them to be able to attain GRA, because this genuine autonomy will liberate them and will give respect to the indigenous people and their rich cultural heritage,” Panem lamented.

*published at Baguio Midland Courier (August 20, 2006, The Life Section)

DENR-CAR: "Most Filipinos are apathetic about the environment."

The recent press conference about the Green Philippine Highways of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in CAR, a flagship project of Sec. Angelo T. Reyes which aimed to beautify and clean the landscape of major highways in the country by planting trees along the side of the Pan Philippine Highway also revealed an intriguing issue that most Filipinos do not care for the environment.

According to DENR-CAR Regional Executive Director Samuel Peñafiel, there have been yearly programs conducted by the department to improve the quality of environment in the whole country, yet it continues to deteriorate over time. This is because Filipinos are apathetic when it comes in taking care of the environment.

Based on the press release of the Regional Public Affairs Office of DENR-CAR, “recently conducted survey showed that the Philippines have the second most polluted air among the eight ASEAN countries.” 70% of air pollution is caused by vehicular combustions and 30% comes from fuel burning fixed facilities.

Meanwhile, it also stated that Time Magazine recognized initiatives of some major Asian cities in fighting against pollution; however, no Philippine city was included. Baguio City was reported by World Bank last 2003 as one of the polluted city in the country. Although Peñafiel said that the air quality of the city has improved, he mentioned that 20% of the total land of the city is forest cover and 80% is for agricultural, residential, commercial, and other land uses.

Just recently, some Cultural Communication students of the University of the Philippines Baguio conducted a minor study on the perception of Filipinos about taking care of the environment entitled “Filipinos’ General Perception of the Environment.” Based on the study, Filipinos do not care much about the environment because of lack of education and awareness programs regarding the present situation of our environment.

Further, the study showed that primary institutions in our community—family, religion, media, and government do not proliferate much awareness among people the importance of environment to them. As exemplified, the slogan “Tapat Ko, Linis Ko” or with the local Ibaloi term, “Dugad Mo, Shalosim” only gives the idea that one’s environment can only be defined by territoriality. The research somehow revealed that policies of the government evidently portray our environment for present and future consumptions. This has also been iterated by Peñafiel on his presentation—the Department is doing necessary actions to make the environment clean and nice place to live in.

Christian Fajardo, one of the researchers of “Filipinos’ General Perception of the Environment,” suggested that education is very important in making the people environmentally aware. “The education sector must allot sufficient time in the curriculum to teach the students on how to value environment.” Shekinah Queri, co-researcher lamented that “the people’s perception to environment could also be reflected on the government’s programs regarding the matter. There should really be a participatory move among stakeholders to save our endangered state of the Mother Nature.”

According to Liezel Astudillo, assistant professor of Psychology in UP Baguio, “lack of accountability of the people can be attributed to the perception of Filipinos regarding the environment.” She mentioned that Filipinos pass the responsibility on the government. “Some Filipinos would take advantage on the matter because they know that an agency is in-charge on the matter,” Astudillo said.

She stated that the concept of pagbabalikatan and pagbabayanihan as cultural ideals continue to get lost and that make us to have shallow concepts of what the environment is. “Because also of technology, we are less concerned with parks and the nature,” she lamented. Astudillo also observed when conducting activities on intelligences that most of her students have low naturalist intelligence, which means that they are not so much concerned in the environment. She suggested that environmental issues and awareness “should be mainstreamed to the education.”

“This recent project of the DENR-CAR is admirable because it is a concrete scheme to improve the quality of environment. Rather than focusing on ideal concepts, let us act and move so the people will be persuaded to participate in the project. There must also be integration among the people so the project would not just end after planting trees.” she affirmed.

Peñafiel said that issues about the environment is not the domain of the DENR only, rather it is a shared responsibility among the people and the community.

*published at Baguio Midland Courier (Aug. 13, 2006, Environment Section)

Investments Raise Big Income for Benguet

The Department of Trade and Industry Baguio-Benguet showed that the amount of domestic investments accumulated during the first half of the year reached 597.42 million pesos.

Based on the recent record of DTI-Baguio-Benguet, Business Name Registration (BNR) has the highest amount of investment which amounted to 413.85 million pesos in Baguio alone. Benguet has 171.689 million pesos BNR investments on one hand. According to Mr. Jerry Caday of the Programs Management Division of DTI, BNR has always been the major source of investments in the province. This aspect includes all the registered businesses in the city and in the province--retail stores, hotels, taxi lines, etc.

The programs for loan facilitation for Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program has amounted to a total of 5.475 million pesos in Baguio and Benguet. OTOP or the One Town One Product program of the agency also become a major instrument of investment in the province that raises 2.82 million pesos from January to June. Based on earlier reports, OTOP is now being enhanced in the city by putting up pasalubong center to boost products not just from Baguio but from other provinces in the region.

Meanwhile, Business Matchings or the process when firms look for raw materials for production, products to sell or business partners in the province has not yet created any amount of investment for the past six months. Mr. Caday iterated that there are ongoing business mathcings but have not yet generated income in the province. Investments from this program are expected to generate next semester or early months of 2007.

Mr. Caday also mentioned that this flow of investments is just 5-10% of the total amount of investments in the province. The primary clients here are Business Name Registrants. This has not yet included investments from agriculture, tourism, and other industries that the province acquire income.

Based on NEDA, the total amount of investments accumulated last 2005 amounted to 1.937 billion pesos in Baguio while Benguet raised 340.655 million pesos. Seventy percent of the total amount in the whole CAR came from investments in Baguio. According to Mylene Baldazo of the Economic Division in NEDA, Baguio brings big income and investment in the whole region. This is because of the tourism industry in the city.

Under the industry classifications, investments from trade and personal goods amounted to 853.265 million pesos. This included investments from BNRs. Hotel and Restaurant classification raised 213.450 million pesos while investments from Agriculture, Forestry, and Hunting was 30.4 million pesos.

*published at Baguio Midland Courier (Aug. 6, 2006, Business Section)

Applauding her "Wildest Dreams"

I wasn’t able to watch GMA’s 6th State of the Nation Address or SONA last July 24, 2006 because I was on my internship duties with the Baguio Midland Courier. Nevertheless, it was never a hindrance for me to put remarks on her way of delivering to the Filipino people the present situation of the country. I got a copy of her speech and I also watched the news just after the SONA.

Everything that she said was more or less far from the country’s reality. Everything was the contrary. Every detail was not the state of our nation. As she mentioned in her speech, she was not to talk about politics, rather what the government was doing to make progress in the Philippines. However, she began to get into detail by enumerating all her projects for the next years of her term in the office. Of course, constitutional amendment or charter change is still in the list of her action toward a progressive society. She divided the country into 5 “super regions” which she taught is a competitive advantage of the country’s development and progress.

She then presented several infrastructure projects in the provinces and how she thinks it help the people for better access to places like roads, bridges and railroads, even seaports and airports. These major developments in the transportation as she related, provided and would still provide higher incomes in the tourism industry of the country.

All in all, as I suggested, these circumstances presented and discussed by GMA in her SONA was but a retrospective of her “wildest dreams” for the country. For me, even though she asserted that everything is working well, there can’t be seen any change—drastic change that would prove the development she is referring to, that every Filipino is wishing for. With all her concerns, these could probably give the country positive outcomes in terms of the economic, social, cultural, and political aspects of the nation. Nothing has changed. There are still a lot of people suffering poverty, deprivation, unemployment, illiteracy, low quality of life and education, price hikes and low wages, and a lot more. These should have been the content of her recent SONA. She should admit and humbly explained that these facets are still prevalent. This was the real state of our nation. Further, there was a pressing problem on her future projects—where shall she get the funds? It is very evident that she cannot guarantee the people the fulfillment of her dreams. We need funds to create such big projects for development. Somehow, she did not talk about politics—she talked about HER own politics.

The speech was simultaneously delivered with a multimedia and visual presentation that could make it believable for some. Another noticeable strategy of her SONA was to call each individual who gained international recognition—from SEAG athletes to Mt. Everest climbers, up to beauty pageant winners to the most sick of all, ill-fated Manny Pacquiao. They were recognized. What a waste of time. What about the reality? When can GMA be awakened and realize that everything she said was her ‘wildest dreams?’ What about us?