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esteE A S T E R N S A M A R N E W S S E R V I C E VOL 5 NO 2APRIL 2017
“COMMUNICATING HOPE AND TRUST IN OUR TIME.” - POPE FRANCIS
Fight fake news, spread truth in social media
– Bishop VarquezBy Medora NB Quirante
BORONGAN Bishop Crispin Varquez told priests and church workers to beat fake news by bringing out the truth.
In a seminar attended by more than 100 on April 18, the bishop expressed concern over the spread of fake news and how it has impacted on the church and the community.
With the help from the Diocesan Commission on Mass Media and Social Communications, attendees were given tips in detecting fake news on social media as well as creating content for Facebook accounts and pages for the parishes.
Msgr. Pepe Quitorio, head of the commission, impressed on the attendees the urgency of using social media in spreading the good news.
“By being an alternative source of information, we empower the people and help shape public opinion,” Quitorio said.
The Catholic Church leader Pope Francis has, as of press time, 10.6M followers on Twitter and 3.8M followers on Instagram. Vasquez challenged the church workers to use social media in “bringing out the real good news.”
“The church is not just an observer—we need to actively work for the kingdom of God, in many different forms,” Vasquez said.
US soldiers arriving Guiuan for BalikatanGUIUAN, Eastern Samar, April 21, 2017—American soldiers have started to arrive in Guiuan for the RP-US joint military exercise or Balikatan.
This year’s Balikatan will have no actual military exercises after the Visiting Forces Commission scrapped the war games.
According to Guiuan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales, the joint exercise will focus on infrastructure, humanitarian works, and exchange of knowledge and skills between the US and Philippine troops.
Elements from the Philippine Army’s 564th Engineering Battalion have already started the construction work and will be joined by the Americans.
“They will be building classrooms at the Surok Elementary School, and will be reach-ing out to students through empowerment seminars and disaster response trainings”, said Mayor Gonzales.
A medical support team of the US troops will be conducting medical missions, and medical seminars together with the doc-tors and staff of the Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital (FAMH).
Meanwhile, security is tight in Guiuan. According to Guiuan police chief PCI Cirilo Nicart, they are joining forces with the Phil-ippine Army to provide security for the vis-iting troops.
US soldiers will stay inside their camps after the daily activities. Aside from Guiuan, another Balikatan will also be held in Or-moc City. (Eden Cidro/Este News)
PAGE 7
After a year, Senior High still wanting in infra, teachersBORONGAN CITY, April 24, 2017–After a year of offering senior high school, Eastern Sa-mar National Comprehensive High School has not received a single additional school chair, an official of the Department of Education said.
Borongan City Division su-pervisor for English Lorie Em-manuel Arago, in the media fo-rum Hirohimangraw ha Rawis Resort, said basic requisites for offering two more years in high school have yet to be fulfilled.
“School administrators have to really be creative in managing the lack infrastructure,” Arago said.
The official said all high schools suffer the same shortage but not only in infrastructure.
Before the implementation of senior high school, the city divi-sion requested 65 teachers but only received an allocation of 36, more than 40% short.
“This has forced the division to hire job order teachers,” Ara-go said.
The division supervisor, who also works as focal person for senior high school, said schools in the city offering Information and Communications Technology (ICT) track have not even received additional computer sets for in-struction.
“We’re forced to cut the hours for lower years because senior high students require more time with the computers,” Arago said.
According to the official, bidding
for the school equipment is done in the department’s central office and “bidding has failed” multiple times during the first year of the senior high school implementa-tion.
For the coming school year, ES-NCHS administrators plan to in-crease class sizes in lower years to facilitate grade 12 students whose classrooms have yet to be con-structed. (Medora NB Quirante / Este News)
Maydolong – Basey road up for biddingBORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, April 4 2017–Travel time from East-ern Samar to other parts of the re-gion will soon be cut shorter as the construction of the Basey-Maydo-long road starts.
The Department of Public Works and Highways has set April 6 as the deadline for bids submission and has earmarked P135M for the project.
DPWH documents show that the total project cost includes the con-
struction and opening of by-passes, diversion roads, a bridge and right of way.
The proposed road network will pass through Brgys Lapgap, San Gabriel, Tagaslian and del Pilar in the town of Maydolong in Eastern Samar.
According to DPWH, the pro-ject is expected to be completed in 420 calendar days. (Medora NB Quirante / Este News)
RAWIS RESORT HOTELBORONGAN CITY
Tel No. 0906 287 4719 / 0908 584 1076
fb.com/RawisResortOfficial
Bishop Crispin Varquez is surrounded by some of the delegates of the Diocese of Borongan to the 5th Regional Youth Day held in Naval, Biliran on April 20-21, 2017; during his homily the Borongan bishop exhorted the youth to “dominate the social media with your stories of how God deeply loves you.” (Edmel Raagas / Este News)
At the first episode of “Hirohimangraw ha Rawis Resort” Mr. Lorie Emmanuel Arago pointed out the shortage of teachers and infrastructure for Senior High School at the ESNCHS. (Alren Beronio/Este News)
este VOL 5 NO 1 MARCH 20172 WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS
Pope Francis among Time Magazine’s 100 most influential peopleVATICAN, April 24, 2017—Time Magazine has released its 2017 list of the world’s 100 most influential people, and Pope Francis is among the leaders highlighted by the pub-lication.
The nomination included a brief reflection on Pope Fran-cis, written by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago, who re-flected on the Pope’s humility, saying that his powerful wit-ness is what attracts so many people to his message.
Cardinal Cupich recalled that in his first interview after being elected to the pontificate, Pope Francis acknowledged himself as a sinner, and that when he hears confessions in St. Peter’s Basilica, he also goes to confession himself, “be-cause one cannot accompany a suffering world without ac-knowledging one’s own faults.”
“The same goes for the church Francis leads,” the cardinal reflected. “Before being elected Pope, Francis gave a speech to his fellow Cardinals warning against becoming a ‘self-ref-erential’ church, rather than one that goes out of itself to the margins of society to be with those who suffer.”
“That is where God is working in the world and where he calls us to be. This has rung especially true this year, as Francis has spoken out on the need to welcome refugees amid a global crisis,” he continued.
Other people on the Time Magazine list include U.S. President Donald Trump, actress Viola Davis, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, NBA star LeBron James, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (CAN)
Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Oct. 5, 2016. DANIEL IBANEZ/CNA~
Cardinal Tagle hits ‘culture of death’MANILA, April 15, 2017— Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has challenged the faithful to resist the “culture of death” which, he said, nowadays risk becoming passively accepted.
Speaking in front of the Manila Cathedral after the “Penitential Walk for Life” in Manila on Good Friday, he said that the spate of killings in the country today should “shock and sadden all of us”.
“Let us not allow a culture, where killing is normal, to spread because we might get used to it and be unaware that we are already propagating a mentality, a way of life that brings death,” Tagle said.
The cardinal also called on the faithful to be proactive in the fight against the culture of death, saying that people “should never be just spectators”.
“We can’t just shake our heads or simply complain. Each one of us should act in our own little ways to strengthen and spread a culture of love, compassion, and respect
Catholic devotees walk along Roxas Boulevard during the “Penitential Walk for Life” on Good Friday, April 14, 2017. MARIA TAN
which are the foundations of life,” he said.The Manila archbishop also called on the
faithful to spread love to fight the death culture that is creeping the country.
“Life is founded on love. That is the culture that we are going to use against the culture of death,” he added.
As early as 4:30am, more than 2,000 Catholics walked from the Malate Church to the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros as they prayed the Way of the Cross.
The procession took around four hours
wherein at each station, devotees prayed for peace, for the poor, environment, and the victims of injustices and extrajudicial killings.
It may be recalled that the cardinal has strongly denounced the culture of death at the Quirino Grandstand during the February Walk for Life that was organized by the Council of the Laity of the Philippines to campaign against drug-related killings and the reimposition of the death penalty. (Roy Lagarde / CBCPNews)
Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie S. Campomanes &
children
Lucila G. Condrada
esteVOL 5 NO 1 MARCH 2017 3NEWS FEATURE
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Will tuition be free at ESSU next school yr?
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, April 9, 2017 –- There is a good chance students en-rolled and will enroll in the Eastern Samar State University system will have free tuition come August 2017.
Eastern Samar lone district Representa-tive Ben P. Evardone shared the news to the board of regents, professors and graduates of ESSU in Maypangdan, Borongan City.
During the university’s commencement exercises on April 8, the congressman said lawmakers have allocated P8.3B in the 2017 budget so Filipino students can enjoy tuition-free education in state universities and col-leges (SUCs).
In March 13, the senate passed the bill that allows for government’s full tuition subsidy to SUCs provided students meet admission requirements set by the SUCs.
In his speech, Evardone mentioned that the mechanism will also allow payment of miscellaneous and other fees in installment thereby making education more accessible.
Under the passed bill, the Commission on Higher Education will manage and adminis-ter the fund and pay SUCs based on lists sub-mitted to the commission provided certain conditions are met.
Due to a shift in the university’s academic calendar, registration for the first semester of the academic year will start in August. (Me-dora NB Quirante / Este News)
LGUs urged to put up tech training centersBORONGAN CITY, April 5, 2017– Local gov-ernment units in the province should put up technical training centers, TESDA provincial director Engr. Enrico C. Banario urged.
In an interview, Banario said the Baran-gay Skills Need Survey conducted by TESDA, found more than 6,000 persons in the prov-ince need technical training.
“TESDA has the funds to sponsor training but there are only 10 institutions in the prov-ince accredited to facilitate the trainings,” Ba-nario said.
According to the provincial director, train-ing centers in the municipalities will help government close the gap as it is TESDA’s goal to ensure all those who register will be given scholarships.
“TESDA-accredited institutions cannot take in all 6,000 would-be scholars immedi-ately so we ask for your understanding,” Ba-nario said.
The survey, which as of press time has only covered 372 out of 597 barangays in the province, reveals majority of those profiled desire to be trained and given certification in cookery, driving and computer system servic-ing. (Medora NB Quirante / Este News)
Gov Nicart seeks 5M LGU support fundBORONGAN CITY, April 13, 2017—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has endorsed a request of Governor Con-rado Nicart Jr to the Depart-ment of Budget and Man-agement, for the release of a P5M financial assistance from the Local Government Support fund.
The money will be used as additional fund for social services.
In the resolution, the SP said that “Eastern Samar belongs to the so-called club 20 poorest provinces in the country, with its constitu-ents mostly fishermen and farm workers constantly struggling from poverty, ex-
acerbated by periodic natu-ral calamities, and national government intervention re-mains a necessary element in addressing the needs of the people”.
Two decades of imple-menting the Local Govern-ment Code, LGUs still face the challenges in the exer-cise of their devolved func-tions, most of all in raising funds for local development, hence the LGSF was created and included in the yearly General Appropriations Act.
A province, city and mu-nicipality can access the fund by writing a request for financial assistance to the DBM secretary, including a
list of programs to be imple-mented and a Sanggunian resolution endorsing the re-quest.
According to Franklin Robedizo, SP secretary, un-der the proposal submitted by the governor, the project list for funding are medical, transportation, and educa-tion assistance and for fu-neral/burial services.
Medical aid will get the bulk of the budget, with P3M.
The DBM reminds LGUs that the funds must be used only for projects in the list. The LGSF will be released di-rectly to the LGU beneficiary. (Eden Cidro/Este News)
ESSU students. (Alren Beronio / Este News)
este VOL 5 NO 1 MARCH 20174 EDITORIAL
Editorial
K to 12 is good if done wellSCHOOL year 2016-2017 ended with some frustrations. Well, at least for parents whose child or children were supposed to be in the honor roll. They complained why those who achieved the highest weighted rank were lumped into one category and called up to receive the academic award not by numerical rating but by the alphabetical sequencing of their family names.
The parents may be right—or wrong. The point, however, is they should have been informed by the school beforehand about the K to 12 awards and recognition guidelines. One parent reportedly was told by a teacher that they cannot do anything about it because the school was just following “orders from above.” The parent was saying this new awards system will destroy the child’s passion for excellence and competitiveness.
A cursory check with DepEd’s “Policy Guidelines on Awards and Recognition for the K to 12 Basic Education Program” tells differently. In its DO 36, s. 2016, it states: “These awards have been designed to formally recognize the outstanding performance and
achievement of learners in academics, leadership, and social responsibility, among other aspects of student progress and development. These awards are given to encourage learners to strive for excellence and to become proactive members of the school and community.” Did the local school heads interpret the Department’s order differently or some parents just failed to grasp why their children did not make it to the top?
The concept of the K to 12 Program that covers 13 years of basic education is basically good. But 13 years is too long a burden for middle-class parents to be sending their children to basic education. It seems that even free education is merely palliative because while children are in school still parents spend for their sundry needs and, more importantly, they do not become available for the daily chores at home, which is a cultural Filipino value.
The Senior High School, which is Grades 11 and 12, should be commendable in the sense that, in concept, students are supposed to go through a core curriculum and subjects
track of their choice. The tracks are supposed to equip them ready for employment, entrepreneurship, vocational training and college. In implementation, however, these targets are hardly achievable—at least, on its first year of operation.
At the Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School (ESNCHS) in Borongan, for instance, the Senior High School program is far from ideal. One teacher was bewailing the fact that while Senior High School opened last school year, DepEd has not yet provided ESNCHS with even a single chair, much more a classroom. Some classes had to be shortened to give way to Senior High Student. This urgency for classrooms and chairs is still bearable. What is not is the scarcity of Senior High teachers. This school needs 65 qualified Senior High teachers. What the school got was only 36.
Word is going around that not all 36 Senior High teachers have the needed academic credentials so that students are bored because, reportedly, what they were teaching was a rerun of what they got in lower years.
Simple and humble thoughts
Bishop Crispin B. Varquez, D.D.
When God is ignored“THE deepest root of human suffering is the ab-
sence of God”—Cardinal Sarah. But God is present everywhere, He is omnipresent. How can He be ab-sent? Absence of God means that God is ignored, He is forgotten by the people. There is a kind of God-amnesia. When people ignore and forget God, they ignore and forget the Source of true joy. People are so preoccupied with the pursuit of happiness but if they don’t look for it in God, they end up in suffer-ing and, unwittingly, make others also suffer.
According to St. Theresa of Calcuta, “…there are many people in the world today who are dying for a piece of bread but many more are dying for a lit-tle love. The only cure for loneliness, despair and hopelessness is LOVE. There is a hunger for love as there is a hunger for God.” God is love.
The presence of a loving God can be recognized and experienced through:
1. God’s CreationThe beauty of creation reflects the love, wisdom
and goodness of the Creator, God Himself. Take time to reflect on the grandeur of the ocean, the beauty of sunrise, the soothing gentleness of the breeze, the good that the rain brings forth.
2. Our ‘Kapwa Tao’Ang bawat isa ay nilikha na KAWANGIS ng Diyos.
We see and experience the goodness of God as we connect and relate with each other, as we commune with each other. This year, we are celebrating the Year of the Parish. The Parish is a Communion of Communities. Get actively involved in your parish and experience the goodness of God in the commu-nity of persons who truly believe and love Him as you share your life with them.
3. PrayerIn our personal and communitarian prayer, we
encounter God. We connect ourselves to God so that He can let His consoling and purifying spirit flow in us. Give time to listen to God in prayer so that He may open the fountains of love and good-ness in your heart.
4. ScripturesWhen we read, reflect on and pray with the Word
of God, we are enlightened and we learn to discern the will of God to each one of us. God continues to be present and communicate His love through the written words He has inspired. Meditate on the Word of God and participate in the study of Holy Scriptures facilitated by those who have the right authority.
5. Celebration of the Sacraments especially the Holy sacrifice of the Mass
The greatest act of love that God has shown is the sacrifice of His Son on the Cross. The saving love revealed in Christ’s passion, death and resurrection is celebrated and is effective in every Sacrament es-pecially in the Holy Eucharist. Go to Confession of-ten and fervently join in the celebration of the Holy Mass whenever you can.
Antigo
Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, VG
Errors in the writing of Dolores HistoryDID the people of Paric transfer to Bacod?
[A] WRONG ACCOUNT. In the 2008 Dolores Town Fiesta Souvenir Program, the writer of “Dolores Your Home in Eastern Samar,” claims that Paric (a town on the bank of Can-avid river) was the first settlement of Doloresnons, but because the town was being eroded, the people transferred to a new town site called Bacod (pp. 30-31) on the bank of Dolores river. According to this account, Bacod was a second settlement, Paric being the first (pp. 30-31). This theory was also propounded in “A Portrait of Dolores” in the 1977 Dolores Town Fiesta Souvenir Program, and in
“That You May Know about Dolores” in the 1966 Dolores Town Fiesta Souvenir Program. Is this opinion correct? No, it is not correct.
[B] CORRECT ACCOUNT. [1] Paric was founded from a barrio named Bacod which in ancient times was a town. In other words, it is the other way around. Instead of Bacod created from Paric, it is Paric that was founded from Bacod. [2] When we read further the Spanish document in the photo, we are told that, in the ancient town of Bacod, one can find remains (restos) of a stone church and a convento. (This Spanish book was originally published in 1855, when Paric was not even yet created as
a pueblo; that came 11 years later; a revision was published later in 1865.) While the stone church of Paric was probably barely finished, that of Bacod was already in ruins. This clearly indicates that Bacod is much, much older than Paric, as the Spanish source indicates. [3] In fact, there are several documents showing that Paric came from Bacod, but there is not a single ancient document that can back up the claim that the people of Paric transferred to Bacod. Some Jesuit annual reports to Rome mention the bungto of Bacod as one of their missions in the early 1600s, but one cannot find any single mention of the name Paric.
esteE A S T E R N S A M A R N E W S S E R V I C E
Editor: Pepe Quitorio
Associate Editor: Neil Tenefrancia
Managing Editor : Anna Luz Castaños, LGC
NEWS Writers:RJ Abonal Eden CidroRoy Lagarde Medora QuiranteEdmel Raagas
Photographer: Alren Jerome Beronio
Layout Artist: Sky Ortigas
Wed Admin: Nani Ramos
Account Executive : Pem Castaños
ESTE is published monthly by the Diocesan Commission on Mass Media and Social Communications, with editorial and business offices at the 2nd floor, Bishop’s Residence, Borongan City.
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esteVOL 5 NO 1 MARCH 2017 5OPINION
Points to Ponder
Atty. Ceferino Baquilod, Jr.
Leadership and SuccessionRECENTLY, for the first time in the history of Borongan, both its Mayor and Vice Mayor were suspended and ordered arrested, respectively and almost simultaneously. While acting as city mayor, due to the suspension of the incumbent mayor, Vice Mayor Fidel Anacta, Jr. voluntarily surrendered to the authorities on March 31, 2017 in view of an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan.
Mayor Fe Abunda was suspended for 3 months without pay, effective March 1, 2017, for neglect of duty, in connection with the procurement of a garbage compactor, trash receptacle and a multi-purpose truck, totaling P13.03M. On the other hand, Anacta was found guilty and sentenced to serve imprisonment up to 10 years by the Sandiganbayan for an unauthorized and overpriced purchase of a cemetery lot amounting to P8.21M.
It goes without saying that these verdicts are reflective of the kind of leadership we have in our local government. Netizens had a feast on these news items and flooded social media with ruthless comments. They attribute the neglect, dishonesty and corruption on the part of our leaders as the main causes why our province has remained among the most impoverished in the entire country.
Because of the leadership crisis
created, Victor Franco being the highest ranking Sangguning Panglungsod member, became the Acting Mayor pursuant to the order of succession under the Local Government Code of 1991. Franco’s assumption of office was however short-lived because Anacta was back in office a few days later after he successfully extended the pendency of his case.
Truly a real sorry state of affairs we got here. Aside from the Mayor’s and Vice Mayor’s woes, our governor too is allegedly too sick to effectively run his office.
Some are asking why Governor Conrado Nicart, Jr. is still sitting as governor when it is publicly known that he had been suffering from a long lingering serious illness, for years. They think it is time for the vice governor to take over.
Let us peruse the applicable provisions of law so we can get some enlightenment. The Local Government Code of 1991 provides for the rules on succession. Section 44 reads as follows:
a) If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the governor or Mayor, the vice-governor or vice-mayor concerned shall become the governor or Mayor. If a permanent vacancy occurs in the offices of the governor, vice-governor, Mayor, or vice-mayor, the highest ranking sanggunian
member or, in case of his permanent inability, the second highest ranking sanggunian member, shall become the governor, vice-governor, Mayor or vice-mayor, as the case may be. Subsequent vacancies in the said office shall be filled automatically by the other sanggunian members according to their ranking as defined herein.
xxx(d) The successors as defined
herein shall serve only the unexpired terms of their predecessors. For purposes of this Chapter, a permanent vacancy arises when an elective local official fills a higher vacant office, refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, dies, is removed from office, voluntarily resigns, or is otherwise permanently incapacitated to discharge the functions of his office.
The situation of our current provincial leadership may fall under the last of the scenarios enumerated above, namely, a permanent vacancy arising when the elected local official ‘is otherwise permanently incapacitated to discharge the functions of his office’. Pursuant to par. g of section 44 of the LGC, our current vice governor can assume the office of the governor if, for health reasons, the incumbent is no longer capable of discharging his functions, permanently. If he is still capable, then he should
Balik BalaySarah Mabansag Puno
Easter family blessingALL lines of communication are open for the planning, preparations, provisions and prayers, all for the yearly family reunion!
Tickets are booked early, calendars are marked for leave, money is saved and hearts are excited to see and be with everyone again.
Some arrived days earlier to attend the church activities prior to the reunion. Others came just on time but all arrived with excitement back again to their respective rooms as they joyfully share in their ancestral home, being always prepared for the grand celebration.
All coming from the Eucharistic Celebration in the Cathedral gather in the venue wearing the assigned color of the family with food they generously share with everyone.
Dr. Monica, the oldest member shares to a visitor, “We celebrate with colors. We celebrate with songs and dances. We celebrate with our favorite food that we share to everyone. We celebrate with games, with prizes and with laughter. We celebrate appreciating and enjoying the beauty of nature. But we don’t celebrate without prayers and love in our hearts.”
“How long has this been going?” Asked the visitor. “It has been going on many, many years back every year since I could remember. The
tradition was started by my maternal grandparents, celebrating joyfully the resurrection of our Lord.” The old doctor replied.
“Why the choice of red, white, blue and yellow for your shirts?
Asked again the visitor.“That colors are representing the families of my mother and her three siblings using the colors of our national flag being a distant relative of a national hero and in memory of my great grandfather who served our country during the war but wasn’t recognized. But he died peacefully with a smile.” Dr. Monica shared.
What makes these family members gather together every Easter with so much zeal and enthusiasm?
It is the blessing of Easter, the mercy of the Risen Lord that keeps the flame of love continue to glow in their hearts. The love that accepts every family member the good and the bad in him and helping the bad to be better or to be the best. The love with overflowing forgiveness giving never ending second chances to those who err, love that gives strength to those who are weak and hope to the hopeless.
The greatest reason to celebrate as one family reminds them all that they are journeying all together as one.
After the yearly grand celebration, they go back to their own homes
Voice of the Voiceless
Fr. Andiy Navidad Egargo
The Christian Way of Using Social Media (Part 1)
CREATING Community through Communication
Man was never created to be alone. The Creator intended man to be a relational being — a person capable of relating with nature, with his fellow men, with His God. For a relationship to happen, it must begin, progress and continue through the process of communication. Communication is the process of bonding, a process of gathering together, a process of realizing God’s intention for man. Communioet Progresso teaches that “communication is more than the expression of ideas and the indication of emotion…It is the giving of self in love.” When man communicates, he opens up himself in love in order to understand and be understood. Communication, then, should help create a community through dialogue and “giving of self in love”.
To communicate is to recognize the “other” as a person worthy of attention. This, in an imperative way, sets the tone of what all types of Christian communication should be — from the level of the personal, family, community, society, and so on. It excludes, from this understanding, all other types of interaction which is selfish, unjust, dehumanizing, enslaving and manipulative. To define communication as a gift of self in love situates communication as a process of a humanizing interaction.
Communication takes in different forms. Social media is just one among so many. Vatican II (Inter Mirifica #1,3)affirms the
contribution of the means of mass media in “(touching) man’s spirit and (opening) up new avenues of easy communication of news, of ideas and orientations” so that it sees in it the reason of “employing (it) to announce the good news of salvation.” Communio et Progressio, moreover, situates the means of social communication as the instrument for the “unity and advancement of men.” In the 1991 World Communication Day, Pope John Paul II reiterated this opinion by saying that “the chief aims of social communications and all the means it uses is the unity and progress of human family.”
The globalization of media, especially with the growing popularity and usage of social media, has created more transmitters and receivers than people in dialogue and interaction. Being wired to the global media does not mean being a participant. The information superhighway, to a large extent, demonstrates the growing anonymity of a one-way communication process. This, unfortunately, has also created a venue for “trolls” and “fake news agencies” to flourish.
There is, therefore, a need to recover back the true nature of communication where two or more persons cooperate to create understanding which did not exist before their interaction. We must all work hand-in-hand not only in providing an alternative to the centralized, vertical mass media, but also in combating an alarming trend in social media that seeks to divide and destroy rather than unite.
AningalFr. Cyrain Cabuenas
The untouchablesASIDE from reveling in their flam-boyant lifestyle and the coercive control they have on people, in-cluding law enforcement, Don Vito Corleone, Mario Puzo’s fictional character in The Godfather and Al Capone, real life mafia boss, in-dulged in an inevitable perk–fe-male companionship. Whether for short trysts or clandestine jobs, alluring women in dazzling jewel-ries and fancy furs were constant features in their private trains and luxurious hotel suites. Maybe it was part of the package of being a mafia honcho. And fittingly so, the word mafioso is synonymous with swag-ger, bravado, aggressive boasting, and pride. And it is almost a given that a mafioso is foul-mouthed and has a fiery temperament. And yes, mafia members call themselves “men of honor.”
Now comes the honorable Speak-er of the House of Representatives openly boasting of his extra marital affairs and claiming “who doesn’t have a girlfriend?” Of course eve-rybody knows that a girlfriend is a euphemism for mistress. Then the person who sits in Malacañang, publicly known as having two wives and mistresses, came to the Speaker’s defense saying it is a non-issue since almost all government officials have mistresses. And since we live in a world of hypocrisy no-body has moral authority and no-body should be denied happiness. The statement, broadcast time and again, coming from the highest offi-cial of the land, are always met with cheers and applause.
Hopefully the accolade is fake. North Korea is like that. Clap or have your fingers chopped. But if it is genuine, then we are in big trou-ble. Marital infidelity is the new normal to the powers that be. It is rarely discussed but widely accept-ed. But then again who really does not belong to the infidelity ladder? Famous US leaders like Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Lyndon John-son, and JFK had mistresses too. One affair almost cost Bill Clinton the presidency. Of course the Phil-ippines will not be outdone. Erap’s numerous partners are already for the books. Even the old school gen-tleman Manuel Quezon had an af-fair with the daughter of a Catholic priest. As Digong puts it: “Even the poor have illicit affairs how much more the government leaders who can afford to support. Even priests have mistresses.”
Interestingly, if we turn the pages of the 8th, 9th, and 10th centuries, polygamy and concubinage was common among catholic priests, bishops, and even popes. In 1022 AD Pope Benedict VIII officially banned priests from taking wives or mistresses for financial security. Thus clerical celibacy was in part shaped by fear that offspring would fight over church property.
Is this really the new normal in our society? Public figures’ private lives merit no investigation and none of our business, specially if their political color is not yellow? Have we lost the capacity to pro-duce good leaders or worse, our moral ascendancy?
PAGE 7
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1st NATIONAL SUMMIT OF ELECTRIC CONSUMERS
The electric consumers in the country through its lead convener, the National Center of Electric Cooperative Consumers (NCECCO) in close coordination with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) as co-convener in association also with Electric Cooperatives (ECs) shall be holding its 1st National Summit of Electric Consumers at theAtrium,Tagum City, Davao Del Norte on April 26, 2017.
The objectives of the National Summit is the mobilization of the Electric Cooperative –Member Consumers-Owner (EC-MCO) on a national scale towards movement building through a well informed and educated electric consumers and therefore strategically position the sector as an all-time player in the power industry.
The National Summit of Electric Consumers is the biggest gathering of the electric consumers nationwide specifically represented by the Member-Consumers-Owners of the Electric Cooperative (EC) in support to PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE stand on anti-oligarch and anti-elite control of the power industry.
The theme of the National Summit is NCECCO: An Electric Consumers Movement for Change
Participants are electricity consumers with special mention of the Member-Consumers-Owners, Board of Directors, General Managers/Officer in charge, Department Managers among others of the Electric Cooperative
We encourage all electric consumers, organizations, advocates of electric consumers to renew your commitment and our passion to pursue sustainable development through rural electrification and contribute in the improving the lives of the Filipino people. Let us continue to build and rebuild the ties that bind us as advocates of development in the rural communities.
esteVOL 5 NO 1 MARCH 2017 7
T h a n k s t o o u r D o n o r s / B e n e f a c t o r s f o r t h i s i s s u e
Donors: Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament of the Nativity of Our Lady AgnesiaDilaoRocesJayson Ryan FontonalgoJessemin PharmacySamuel & Melinda l. NebridaRuby Ann C. BalbinChona D. BaquilodMr. & Mrs. Virgilio Buna ( Nec: Ofelia Obon)Annie C. CaspeMr. & Mrs. Edgardo LaurestaDr. Lloyd Umil & Belen Umil
Benefactors: Rebecca A. PicardalMyrna P. Guasis- KAHLUCZI Convenient Store
BORONGAN
Donors: Mr. &Dra. Reynaldo MifloresProceso&AnastaciaBustilloRita Abuda-MarcelosRestotel
Benefactors: Amelia MagalonaAnonymousCesarioMagalona& FamilyElvis SingzonJuana MacawileLuz Perez TabernillaMary Grace Soraya DuranMrs. Alma MabansagMrs. Beatriz EgargoMrs. Concordia Luma-inMrs. Edgardo JuabanMrs. Epifania de VeraMrs. Eva DiazMrs. GregoriaCalumpianoMrs. Sharon AbreraNiloNaingRosalina AbogadieRosemarie AmistosoRufinoGarado
GUIUAN
Donors: Vice Mayor Joel Baldo& children
Benefactors: Alexius &RenzyAbellaAlyson StoreAnonymousFelisaMalindog& FamilyIsabel Ariaso, NovyNavares&children ,Abelyn, Vincent &KethJoaquin Lumagbas, Jr. & childrenKier Andrei GloriaMr. & Mrs. Randy Castillo & daughter Unah MaeMrs. Myrna Isaig& familyPatroceniaCanites
GENERAL MACARTHUR
FEATURE
remain in office. Otherwise, he should give way to the vice governor, his legal successor. Either way, in the spirit of transparency and fair play, it behooves upon the governor to inform the people of his medical condition, specially in the light of all the talk going around that he can no longer effectively perform his functions. He should take the cue from President Digong Duterte who publicly announces his health condition whenever he is asked by the people. After all, the president is his boss.
The vice governor may become Acting Governor in
situations indicated under section 46 of the LGC. When the governor is temporarily incapacitated to perform his duties for physical or legal reasons such as, but not limited to, leave of absence, travel abroad, and suspension from office, the vice-governor shall automatically exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the governor, except the power to appoint, suspend, or dismiss employees which can only be exercised if the period of temporary incapacity exceeds thirty (30) working days. When
the governor is traveling within the country but outside his territorial jurisdiction for a period not exceeding three (3) consecutive days, he may designate in writing the officer-in-charge of the said office.
In the event, however, that the governor fails or refuses to issue such authorization, the vice-governor shall have the right to assume the powers, duties, and functions of the governor on the fourth (4th) day of his absence, subject to limitations under the law.
Leadership... FROM PAGE 5
with hearts full of love, with renewed energy and inspiration, with courage and boldness to face life’s trials and challenges because of the joy of God’s greatest love, the joy of salvation.
They go home with Jesus in their hearts, with the unconditional love of their family and with a new excitement looking forward
for the next Easter family reunion. As they go back to their own world, they are proclaiming the Good News to all creation.
May families never forget where they came from and may have a vision where they are going to. All together we journey, for all of us are one! From God, to God we go!
Easter family... FROM PAGE 5
Address to the youth
At the 5th Regional Youth Day held in Naval, Biliran on April 20-23, 2017, Varquez told the youth to “dominate the social media with your stories of how God deeply loves you.”
The bishop strongly challenged the delegates “to use social media wisely and responsibly.”
“There are many ways that we can help others feel the presence of God in our world today. One
way is through reading the Sacred Scriptures,” the bishop told the nearly one thousand delegates coming from Central and Eastern Visayas.
“Upload bible verses instead? You must counterattack fake news and trolls with the Good news of God’s love and mercy,” Vasquez said.
“You can even use Facebook to spread the truth and be instruments of communion in a world that hungers for God,” he added. (With reports from Edmel Raagas)
Fake News... FROM PAGE 1
Donors: Ma.Nida L. Baldado& Children ( Rex Peter & Roselle Marvi)
Benefactors: Benilda A. OresteBlesila G. ParacaleCatalina J. OperarioClarissa P. DesolidadDr. Gerry P. PalileoEdel A. Aboga-aElizabeth Aclao- BalitaEvelyn A. OpimoHon. Jun M. GecomoJosephine C. LimboMa. Niña M. PunaMaria Bibian C. YaputMatilde C. PalileoMr. & Mrs. Danilo B. ApeladoMr. & Mrs. Teodulfo M. Lucana& childrenPacita A. AseritRoxanne D. SumbillaTeresita B. LuscicroWinefreda C. AcongZita D. Acampado
SULAT
Donors: Aida AnasariasBB HannahCandilariaBadilloCS Trading & General Mer-chandiseElena C. LobederioEster A. CabusJoshua Emmanuel & Ella Kristine CeladaMarlyn G. BingcoMulti LinkTracy Lou Obon
Benefactors: Adrian C. GayoEric BalleraKit Edgar BaleinMelchora A. BocoMr. & Mrs. Dario Wilmer B. Peñaranda& ChildrenPrincess Lexi P. AcalaTitaAnasariasBeatoYves A. Campomanes
SABANG
este VOL 5 NO 1 MARCH 20178 NEWS FEATURE
Vice Gov pushes for tourism master planBORONGAN CITY, April 8, 2017—To come up with a tourism master plan is necessary for the province to be able to fully utilize its tourism resources and boost our economy.
This, according to Vice Governor Marcelo Ferdinand Picardal, is one of his priorities.
While the province is rich in natural, historical and cultural bounty, tourism has really never taken off, he said.
In Samar Island, Eastern Samar is lagging behind the other provinces despite having the same, if not more tourism resources.
The province boasts of rivers, caves and pristine beaches.
“We cannot be an industrialized province, primarily because of the problem with power supply, so we can offer our natural resources through tourism”, said the vice governor.
Last week, Ms. Merliza Makinano, Managing Director of the Center for Institutional Marketing of the Development Academy of the Philippines was in town for the first of a series of consultations with the stakeholders in the industry, from both the government and
private sectors.They visited different tourist
destinations in the province and met with local tourism leaders to listen to their sentiments and opinions and to know the issues and gaps in the industry, and how they view the existing tourism program of the local government.
Some of the issues raised were the lack of tourism infrastructures, lack of promotions, and not enough government support among others.
Azat Walter, a Russian consultant helped facilitate the workshop. Mr Walter was with a Russian business delegation who visited the Philippines recently. He was invited by the DAP to come to Eastern Samar.
Ms Makinano said that the inputs they gathered would help them lay out a framework for development that will benefit everyone.
The consultations hope to come up with a consolidated information and data that will serve as the basis for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to come up with a Provincial Tourism Code that will apply to all municipalitites. (Eden Cidro/Este News)
Selected LGUs to get child-friendly nodBORONGAN CITY, April 7, 2017–Eleven (11) municipalities in Eastern Samar will receive the Seal of Child- Friendly Local governance from the Council for the Welfare of Children.
The seal is given to LGUs who implement programs that promote the rights of children, particularly the right to survival, development, protection and participation.
According to Engr. Nida de la Cruz, LGOO 6 of the DILG Eastern Samar the 11 LGUs are Maydolong, Maslog, Hernani, San Julian, Jipapad, Sulat, Taft, Lawaan, Oras, Mercedes and Quinapondan.
These municipalities met the criteria set by the council.
The assessment is done through a mandatory audit system called the Child-friendly Local
Governance audit.This is used to measure the LGUs
performance in the delivery of services on child and youth welfare.
The DILG said that this is in support with efforts to build child sensitive and child friendly society.
Engr. De la Cruz said that all cities and municipalities are assessed based on criteria that denote positive results for children, including reduction in under-five mortality rate, increase of completion rate for elementary school, absence of child labor cases, reduction in child exploitation cases, safety for children in the community and Philhealth accreditation of its main health facility. The chosen LGUs will receive a certificate from the CWC. (Eden Cidro/Este News)
Redemptorist Mission holds mass weddings
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 30, 2017–Some 200 cou-ples have tied the knot recently with the help of the Eastern Visayas Redemptorist Mission and Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Chaplaincy.
In a string of mass weddings, brides from barangays Surok, Pepelitan, Hindang, Maybacong, Canlaray, Lower San Andres, Up-per San Andres, Ando and San Mateo were joined in holy matri-mony with their grooms.
In Pepelitan, Joy Angeles mar-ried her partner of more than
three years and invited her sib-lings to witness their wedding.
The mother of two who tends a sari-sari store is one of 14 brides who were wed on March 18.
According to Fr. Neil Tenefran-cia, the Catholic Church continues to remind the faithful of the true meaning of the sacrament of mar-riage amid declining numbers of couples getting married in church.
The priest shared how many couples choose to marry in civil rites first, and then say they need to save for their church wedding.
“There’s a crisis in our under-
standing of the significance of marriage and its role in our Chris-tian life. We tend to focus on the socials, the clothes, food, flowers, and then we say getting married in the church is expensive,” Ten-efrancia told Este News.
Under the same program, some 30 couples from barangays Sa-bang North and Sabang South are set to be wed on April 8. In a separate interview, Bishop Crispin Varquez said “The sacrament of marriage is not expensive, extrav-agance is.” (Medora NB Quirante/Este News)
No catching of small crabs says prov’l gov’tBORONGAN CITY, April 3, 2017—Sangguniang Panlalawigan secretary Franklin Robedizo reminded local fisherfolks and traders in the province that catching, selling and transporting crablets is against the law.
In a Facebook post, the SP secretary said reports have reached his office about traders and fisherfolks selling young mud crab to aqua culture operators in the provinces of Samar and Northern Samar.
Provincial Ordinance No. 5 series of 2005 limits the harvesting, selling and transporting of mud crabs that measure less than 105 milimeter in width and 400 grams in weight.
Also included in the limitation are egg-bearing mud crab or those with “aligi.”
According to the law, mud ctabs may be cultured but only in limited quantity and within the province only.
In cases of trading of full-grown crabs outside the province, permit from the municipal local government must be sought first.
The local law penalizes those who are caught violating the law: first offense P2,500, second offense P3,500 and third offense P5,000 with revocation of permits and imprisonment of up to five years.
“Kon pasagdan la naton ini, hi kita la ngahaw it mawawarayan hin pagkaon ngan pakabuhian, samtang an mga traders/ operators magririko ha aton kapabayaan,” Robedizo said. (Medora NB Quirante / Este News)
Atty. Goldie Liza Cesista
A view of Canhugas Natural Park, Hernani, Eastern Samar. (Photo by Ejun Obon)
Mass wedding at the Chaplaincy of the Miraculous Medal. (Este News)
