'Shoot to kill'

Mayor Rody, chair of the regional peace and order council, issued a 'shoot to kill' order to all bodyguards with criminal records in the province of Davao del Sur. This is after the commission on election implemented total gun ban again for the province in the wake of killing of the Sarmientos, a mayor candidate and his son in Malita, a town some 100 kms from Davao City. He further said that, '...for the politicians who bring with them these criminals, they must be apprehended for being accessory...'

This developed after the police regional office recalled gun ban exemptions earlier granted by the commission on election. 'This action was made to (defuse) intensifying tension in the province after the killings...allegedly perpetrated by congressman Bautista and his bodyguards,' the regional police said.

Mayor Rody said many politicians hired criminals and dubious men, 'on the mistaken notion that they will be protected.' 'In my city I don't do that. Huwag mo yang gawin dito, bibirahin kita (Don't do that here, I will hit you),' he said.

However, Mayor Rody assured law abiding residents, 'government will ensure that order is restored and the province will return to its normalcy and everyone is secured.' 'There is paralysis in governance... I don't want it to reflect in my leadership in regional peace and order council. Law and order must be re-established No one is allowed to brandish firearms in public places. Only government is authorized to provide security details. Order must be done,' he said.

For director Caro of the regional police, 'police and military personnel coming from other regions but are acting as bodyguards will be considered private armies because designation of bodyguards must be taken from the region where the requisitioning party comes from,' he said.

Meanwhile, the police filed a double murder case against congressman Bautista and his bodyguards for the death of the Sarmientos. Task Force Sarmiento was created by regional police to investigate the killings and composed of members of police and national bureau of investigation. The task force said the Sarmientos 'were gunned down by the group of congressman Baustista in the afternoon of May 16, 2007 near the victims' residence at the town center in Malita.'

The elder Sarmiento was a former mayor of Malita, and now running again for the post against incumbent governor Bautista, who is the elder brother of the congressman. The congressman for his part running for governor against congressman Cagas, of whom Sarmiento was allied.

The task force reported that the incident was triggered when congressman Bautista heard that election returns were alledgely taken purposely to boost chances of Sarmiento in the poll. Congressman Bautista and his men proceeded to the residence of the victims where the shooting took place. However, congressman Bautista admitted on live TV that it was his bodyguard who shot the Sarmientos. It was done in self-defense since the elder Sarmiento fired at them first.

The national bureau of investigation, however, said it had a witness who said it was congressman Bautista who fired first at the unarmed young Sarmiento. The witness said when the elder Sarmiento emerged from the house, the bodyguard shot him as well.

Moreover, the regional police added troops from the armed forces and the national police and established checkpoints and choke points to disband and disarm partisan armed groups in the area.

Director Caro said he is hopeful that the implementation of the total gun ban will ease the tension and ensure peace and order in Davao del Sur.

3. 'Nuts Going Bananas'

After the farmers help wrote their business plan and later the operating manual for the trading center. They are now ready to trade, and this time, bananas and other crops. These are based on their capability to produce and needed by the market. Still they use the center as their storage area and office. The trading is run by a manager that supervises a classifier, a scaler, and four packers. The sales are recorded by a cashier and a bookkeeper. They’re paid daily on the 40 percent of their net income.

To keep their business going, diversified farming is introduced. Later, they’re able to expand the farms and the nearby villages supported them by offering their nurseries. Also, the farmers are given technology packets inside the operating manual.

In the actual trading, the local government is tapped to give the farmers technical and funding support. They’re to provide a loan equal to the money raised by the farmers as starting capital.

There is a renewed interest of the farmers as the group grows from 70 to 200 plus members. They collect membership fees and monthly dues, and they now have P10,000 pesos. Some members that aren’t able have to put in their salaries from routine maintenance of the barangay roads.

The farmers are able to sell 300 kilos of the 3,000 kilos of bananas per week demanded by their buyers. This is due to higher cost of producing bananas, however, they are able to stabilize price. Their bananas are good quality and bought at P5.50 better than P3.00 per kilo in the past. They’ve agreed that any price differential from 50 centavos mark up ceiling would be given to them when sold higher than the prevailing market price.

The total purchases made for nine months was P103,000 pesos against sales of P120,000 pesos and total net income of P9,000 pesos. This isn’t good but they believe that ‘business is business.’

2. 'Nuts Going Bananas'

The first venture was a botch and the group failed to get back their capital. The rats continue destroying their peanuts. Too bad! The center stops loaning those seeds. There’s no solution to infestation. They’re faced with so many impossible problems that they decided to clamp down the center.

Two years later, my agency wanted to intervene again. I’ve told my bosses that the reason they aren’t able to meet the required volume is that they didn’t synchronized planting and harvesting. Also, obviously, the farmers are most familiar in trading individually than involving them is collective marketing.

My bosses agreed to hire consultants to assist these farmers. This time, I meet Agrifina, our consultant and later becomes one of my best friends in development work. I told her everything about the group in Palo 19.

We gathered the group in the center. I introduce them to Agrifina and her team. We talked lengthily with them about reviving the center. First, we tackled the issue on rats. Leo, a technologist in her team is there to help them solve rat infestation. Later, he teaches them synchronized farming. And then, we looked into their plans since we knew that they’ve formulated some in past. They’ve noticed that the center was originally intended to be a storage facility to all of their products and not limited to peanuts only.
After several meetings with them, we’ve observed their renewed sense of ownership to the center. We pushed them further to draft a business plan for the center, and later, a manual to operate. They find these documents very useful after realizing that we wouldn’t be there always. They would be the ones implementing their plans not us.

1. 'Nuts Going Bananas'

The story of Palo 19 is about a group of farmers operating a trading center. They’re neophytes in business that’s why I was sent by my agency to assist them, as specialist in marketing and developing enterprise. They failed (!) or we (?) since I was responsible for them.

Actually when I went to the place they already had a contract with a peanut buyer. The buyer wanted ten tons of peanuts at fifty pesos per kilo to be shipped to him in Manila. But, they weren’t able to produce what was demanded from them. Their reason was rats infested their peanuts. And, they decided to sell their remaining peanuts to local buyers at the town center at thirty pesos per kilo only. The ‘botched’ trade somehow dwindled their interest in planting peanuts. The center wasn’t able to recoup the capital and since then has difficulty in its operation, and eventually shutdown in 2002.

Two years later, my agency, a Philippine-European aid program, has been assisting Palo 19 since 1999, decided to intervene again.

Palo 19 is one of the smallest barangays in Tampakan, a town in South Cotabato. At the top, it has 1,111 hectares devoted widely to farming. They plant banana, corn, coconut, root crops, and vegetables. They’re mostly migrants who decided to settle in the place for lack of gainful opportunities in the lowlands.

In my report after my stint there I mentioned about the possibility of reviving the center. I said to my bosses that this could only happen if we hire business consultants to help them stabilize its business operation by finding new market for its bananas and other crops.

'He follows with an aiming eye, his bows full-drawn, and ready to let fly'

Nihonjin is home to us friends. I consider him the lens of our abilities, hopes and dreams. He is often capable of many ways, he has the faculty of concentrating upon the project of immediate importance. Add to that a cheerful, happy disposition, however, his gains could be wasted through over zeal or the feverish excitement that too often accompanies his work. He wears himself out in his anxiety to get things done. Being a worker, not seeker, he could accomplish twice as much as we did and would apply himself to charitable or helpful causes with the same energy that he devote to his aims.

'Go with the flow and don't make waves'

'Near my loved waves I will take my seat, with whoever joins, and make the round complete.'

I'm the ultimate finisher. Nothing can stand against my determination and willpower. Victory is mine! I'm the most modest and unassuming. I acquire knowledge, and then sometimes fail to show it, often regarding it of little consequence and believing that other people who brag about their ability must actually know more than I do. But, I'm most cautious of all, where my own efforts are concerned. I have a happy dispositions! I could ride over deep troubles almost as trifles.

I'm selfless, spiritual and very focused on my inner journey. I also place great weight on what I'm feeling. Yes, feelings define me, and it's not uncommon for me to feel my own burdens (and joys) as well as those of others. My intuition is highly-evolved. Many people associate me with dreams and secrets, and it's a fair association, since I feel comfortable in an illusory world.

I'm not quite a pushover, but I'm certainly sensitive. Even so, I revel in my compassionate and imaginative natures and love to cater to others. I could also be quite romantic, dreaming up delicious treats for my lover. Hopefully, any kindness would be reciprocated, because I could certainly turn blue if I'm not.

'And following Virgin calms his rage again'

Mega is the force of love expressed in human form. He is my best friend ever since. He is a convincing talker, though he is apt to spend too much time over trifling details and also talks a subject dry. Thankfully, though, Mega is also a studious lot and can temper his worst impulses with a bit of careful analysis. He enjoys studying a situation in great detail, whether it's a work project or a friendship.

'I'm not a perfectionist; I'm discriminating!' he would say, happy in the knowledge that his taste is unparalleld. Along those lines, he is also neat and clean. He is also reliable and practical and oh-so-useful to have around.

I remembered him when we escaped homes in summer of 1992...

'Next narrow horns the twisted Caper shows'

This is Doug, my significant other. I just bounced back from a broken relationship when I met him. I thought it was only a 'one night stand' but I was wrong. He moved into my life and open up a gateway to infinite possibilities. Our relationship is not normal but he is like a solid rock that stands firm in the storms that rage about us.

Doug is very hardworking. He is more than happy to put in a full day at the office, realizing that it will likely take a lot of those days to get to the top. Life is one big project for him, and he adapts to this by adopting a businesslike approach to most everything he does. That's no problem, he is practical as well, taking things one step at a time and being as realistic and pragmatic as possible.

I'm always there for him. At times, however, I tend to get caught up in his dream and views of how things should be. I fear that my pleas aren't being heard that I tend to lapse into melancholy and, worse, the kind of pessimism which leads to procrastination and lethargy. Thankfully, he is patient, too, and is happy to wait for me to come along...

Camiguin: 'Island Born of Fire'

Few of CAMIGUIN's rare and unique tourist attractions are:

Old Ruins of San Roque Church, Convent and Belfry in Gui-ob, Bonbon, Catarman. These are the testimonials and remnants of the eruption of Old Vulcan Daan in 1871 that wiped out the illustrious town of Catarman. It is a monument with thick century-old walls, belfry and convent which stand reminiscent of the second Spanish settlement established in 1697.

Sunken Cemetery. A large white cross marks a cemetery swept into the sea by Old Vulcan Daan's eruption in 1871. From here it is a perfect place to watch the glorious sunset over the ocean. It is also an ideal place for snorkeling and diving. An annual fluvial procession is held by townsfolk in honor of the sunken graves of their forefathers and as a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.

Via Cruzes - Old Volcano Slope. It is where life-size statues depicting the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ - the 14 Stations of the Cross that dot a trail to Old Volcano's peak are found. At the last station is a sepulcher carefully carved and chiseled out of volcanic rocks. The pilgrims congregate here to pray during Lenten Season.

Katibawasan Falls. A beautiful, clear stream of water cascading 70 meters into a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. Its cold water provides a refreshing summer splash to all bathers.

Ardent Hot Spring. In the heart of the island bubbles this mineral pool with water around 400C. Vapor rises from the heated waters that run down the vents of the dormant Hibok-Hibok volcano. The springs are ideal to bathe in at night surrounded by cool mountain air. It has therapeutic effects. Picnic huts and tables are available in the beautifully landscaped gardens and there is a restaurant on site. It is 6 kilometers southwest of Mambajao.

Mt. Hibok-Hibok. Its approach is via the base of Barangay Tagdo in Mambajao. It is a volcano 1250 meters high above sea level. Its slopes are challenges/barriers for professional climbers as they trek skillfully and maneuvers on loose rocks and boulders towards the peak. At the zenith, there is a crater like lake and steam outlets where one can have a clear panoramic view of the entire island and the Bohol Province during sunny clear days.

Old Volcano. A volcano located 13 kilometers away from Mambajao with stiff drop off measuring 7,080 meters high above sea level. It is the landmark for PANAAD.

White Island. An isolated white sandbar where the view of towering Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Old Volcan reflects the sumptuousness the Province of Camiguin has ever achieved. It is reached within 10 minutes through light water transport from anywhere in Yumbing, Mambajao area.

(Pictures in the Ruins of the Old Church and in the White Island are from the 'Charming Camiguin' of Bobby Wong, Jr.)

I'm Reading Bret Easton Ellis

Lunar Park is a combined semi-autobiographical novelization of the life of Bret Easton Ellis and is a ghost story. It was released by Knopf on August 16, 2005. It is notable for being the first book written by Ellis to use past tense narrative.

Plot summary:

The novel begins with an inflated and parodic but reasonably accurate portrayal of Ellis' early fame. It details incidents (probably exaggerated) of his wild drug use and his publicly humiliating book tours to promote Glamorama . The novel dissolves into fiction as Ellis describes a liaison with an actress named Jayne Dennis, whom he later marries, and with whom he conceives an (initially) illegitimate child. From this point the fictional Ellis' life reflects the real Ellis' only in some descriptions of the past and possibly in his general sentiments.

Ellis and Jayne move to Midland, a (fictional) affuent suburban town outside New York City, which they no longer consider safe due to pervasive terrorist acts in a post-9/11 America. Fictional incidents include suicide bombings in Wal-Marts and a dirty bomb detonated in Florida[1][2]. Strange incidents start happening on a Halloween night, some involving Sarah's (Ellis's fictional stepdaughter) Terby doll.

As the novel progresses, the haunting of Ellis' McMansion and questions over the death of his father become increasingly prominent. With his history of drug use and alcoholism, his wife, children, and housekeeper are understandably skeptical of his claims that the house is haunted.

Jayne Dennis is a fictional character created by Ellis, but aside from the novel itself, Ellis has taken several other steps to create verisimilitude for her character. Although she does have a website[3], the site consists entirely of obviously doctored images and a fictional filmography. Ellis links to her site from his, but it is suspected he created Dennis' site himself; some authentication pages even request the user register at the official Lunar Park site. There is no profile for an actress of this name on either the Internet Movie Database or eonline.com. It is noted in a disclaimer on the stills page that the site is a work of fiction.

Jacket Blurb:

Imagine becoming a best-selling novelist, and almost immediately famous and wealthy, while still in college, and before long seeing your insufferable father reduced to a bag of ashes in a safety-deposit box, while after American Psycho your celebrity drowns in a sea of vilification, booze, and drugs. Then imagine having a second chance ten years later, as the Bret Easton Ellis of this remarkable novel is given, with a wife, children, and suburban sobriety — only to watch this new life shatter beyond recognition in a matter of days. At a fateful Halloween party he glimpses a disturbing (fictional) character driving a car identical to his late father’s, his stepdaughter’s doll violently “malfunctions”, and their house undergoes bizarre transformations both within and without. Connecting these aberrations to graver events — a series of grotesque murders that no longer seem random and the epidemic disappearance of boys his son’s age — Ellis struggles to defend his family against this escalating menace even as his wife, their therapists, and the police insist that his apprehensions are rooted instead in substance abuse and egomania. Lunar Park confounds one expectation after another, passing through comedy and mounting horror, both psychological and supernatural, toward an astonishing resolution — about love and loss, fathers and sons — in what is surely the most powerfully original and deeply moving novel of an extraordinary career.

Losing Good by the Numbers

Daddy lost for the very first time! Who would have thought, he was mayor the whole time for us. Imagine this, he was mayor all of Martial Law years and undefeated for three terms during post-EDSA Cory. The whole family is devastated! The town we tirelessly served snubbed us. Some of us even think that public service is a thankless job!

This isn’t entirely the feeling! My sister mayor and I don’t agree with them. We warned them beforehand but they insisted. They didn’t include us in their meetings. The campaign is managed by them debunking what we have established. They decentralized giving autonomy to the barangays. This strategy is suspect now. The reports from the barangays are raw and unreliable.

We stay at home on the day of the election. We wait for feedbacks from our poll watchers but there aren’t coming until we decided to make our own monitoring. We call on other ‘stakeholders’ to gather information for us. Early as five pm after election based on the partial tally in four big barangays we know that Daddy would lose by a slim margin. We used statistics in predicting the result. We gathered that every time Daddy wins he would get 59% of the votes. But the closest opponent would get 64% of the votes in his turn.

Grace Under Pressure

Some months ago before the mid-term elections, my sister has appointed her slate already. She chose her ABC president to succeed her as mayor, and the administrator as the running mate. The resistance of some members of my family surprised me. They say that they are not consulted and they want Daddy to run instead. I have a hard time talking with them during the patronal fiesta since most of us are in the house. My sister is in China at that time. It was hard for me convincing them that, that was the decision of the party and not solely of our sister. At the end of the day, we agreed to wait for Daddy's decision when he returns from the States.

After Daddy heard the news from them, he conceded to our sister's earlier decision. But they never stop persuading him to reconsider, and went further by plotting a mini-coup within our sister's chosen slate. They succeeded in wrestling out the vice mayor and eight councilors to form a breakaway slate with Daddy running as mayor. With 65 days to go before election, we have no other recourse but to yield to their schemes. After all, 'blood is thicker than water' as the famous saying goes.

The House by Casilaran Bay

It was 1992 when we arrived in this bucolic town by Casilaran Bay. I was with my best friend Mega. We never thought that we could stay here for ten long years since we considered ourselves as city dwellers, and the city where we spend our youth is also known as 'the Pittsburgh of the South'. Until now, I'm still here and even opened a mini-grocery in the newly constructed public market. Mega went home to the city in 2002. I was so into rural life that I never felt Mega left me.

A local political family of the town adopted me. My second Daddy was the mayor since martial law years and even served three terms after EDSA revolt of 1986. He was succeeded by my sister thereafter and successfully held the mayoralty for another three terms. Through the years we never fatigued in serving the people.

The town was elected in the 'hall of fame' for excellence in local governance. We were among the few towns to creatively implement the local government code that is integrating area development. The town is fifth class during daddy's first term but he overturned it to 3rd class towards the end of his 2nd term, and is considered as the provincial agri-industrial center. On his 3rd and last term, he facilitated the turnover of an old wharf under the management of the town.

At my sister turn, she converted the old cemetery to a memorial park under local economic management. This at first courted adverse reaction from the people. She was never unfazed and later collected fees for health services that aggravated resentments. Her projects reaped awards nationally and abroad. She was running unopposed on her last bid for the mayoralty. During her last term in office she courted another problem. She wanted a new public market to be constructed on a hill some 500meters away from the center. She reasoned that the old market is prone to floods and the buildings are dilapidated.

The local business is up against her that they sued to restrain her from bulldozing the old market. Another problem is feudal; a private plantation estate is up for grabs between petitioners and ancestral claims of the natives. She is only pushed in the crossfire because she is the local chief executive. As if, she is 'against all odds.'

In the middle of all these, my second family is confronted with yet another problem, the 2007 election.