Toni Gonzaga to sing national anthem in BBM's inauguration

 MARCOS SUPPORTER Actress-host Toni Gonzaga (second from left) will sing the National Anthem at the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the National Museum. With Gonzaga in this photo are Marcos, Vice President Sara Duterte and husband and director Paul Soriano. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/CELESTINEGONZAGA

By Iza Iglesias

(UPDATE) ACTRESS-HOST Toni Gonzaga will sing the Philippine national anthem in the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. or BBM on June 30, 2022 at the National Museum in Manila.

The news was confirmed on Tuesday by Franz Imperial, a member of the preparation committee.

Gonzaga was among the prominent personalities who campaigned for the UniTeam led by Marcos and running mate and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio.

She has joined and performed in the tandem's nationwide campaign rallies while her husband, award-winning director Paul Soriano, directed the political advertisements of Marcos.

The president-elect, who happens to be their wedding godfather, earlier applauded Gonzaga and Soriano despite being criticized by netizens on social media platforms.

"We should congratulate them for the fine work that they did. In front of me is Miss Toni Gonzaga. Sabi ko nga kanina na siya ang nag-start ng kampanya na ito. Noong pumutok 'yung interview sa akin at kriniticize siya, ang tapang-tapang nito. I didn't expect that this elegant lady would be able to withstand these criticisms (As I had said, she started the campaign, When her interview with me came out, and she was criticized for it, she stood her ground, she was brave)," Marcos said, referring to Gonzaga's one-on-one YouTube interview with him, in a Facebook video shared by director Darryl Yap on May 15.

"Sinundan pa ni Paul (Paul followed suit), who did our ads. Sa aking palagay (In my opinion), nobody can contest at malayung-malayo (the ads and they were exceptional). Ginagaya nga, eh (They were being imitated). 'Di ba 'yung isa o dalawang ads natin ginagaya (Isn't it that one or two of our ads were being copied)? They were that good, and we kept the momentum going and the message alive," he added.

Movie and TV actress Cris Villonco will sing the inauguration song titled "Pilipinas Kong Mahal" with the Young Voices of the Philippines choir.

Meanwhile, National Commission for Culture and the Arts head Nick Lizaso confirmed that the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, pianist Cecille Licad, and singers Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez have been tapped to perform at the reception dinner in Malacañang.

'Odette' claims 375 lives, 56 other people still missing– PNP

 

The devastation wrought by typhoon “Odette” to human lives has started to have a clear picture as more ground reports started to reach the Philippine National Police (PNP) when its communication lines were restored starting Sunday, Dec. 19.

Based on the latest data of the PNP from the reports filed by police units in areas affected by “Odette”, the death toll already reached 375 as of 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 20.

by Aaron Recuenco , Manila Bulletin

The devastation wrought by typhoon “Odette” to human lives has started to have a clear picture as more ground reports started to reach the Philippine National Police (PNP) when its communication lines were restored starting Sunday, Dec. 19.

Based on the latest data of the PNP from the reports filed by police units in areas affected by “Odette”, the death toll already reached 375 as of 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 20.

Photo: Keith Bacongco

Central Visayas has the most number of reported fatalities with 170, followed by the CARAGA region with 167. A total of 24 individuals were reported to have died in Western Visayas, seven in Northern Mindanao, six in Eastern Visayas and one from Zamboanga region.

On the other hand, a total of 56 individuals were reported missing, 47 of them are from Central Visayas, eight in CARAGA region and one in Eastern Visayas. A total of 500 people were also reported injured.

The PNP death toll is way higher than the fatality figure of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) with 54 reported deaths only four of them were confirmed to be typhoon-related.

PNP spokesperson Col. Rhoderick Alba said the fatality figure is still for validation.

Field reports have started to flood the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame when the Information Technology experts from the police were able to restore the communication lines in areas affected by “Odette” on Sunday.

Based on the latest PNP data, the number of individuals still staying in various evacuation centers were 99,568 from some 30,000 families. Most of them lost their homes to the typhoon while some could not still go home due to flooding.

Most of the evacuees are from Central Visayas, CARAGA region and Western Visayas.

 

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XXVI): "Who dares wins" and Philippine Family Life

Tom Anthony and I met again and again. For lunch, for dinner, just for a talk between very close friends. He really had written this great story entitled "Sabine". I was amazed being with him and with the script writer of a movie,  shot in the Philippines especially in Davao City. Who dares wins! Yes, and everyone was ready. At the moment, his book has been published. During that time, as columnist of Mindanao Daily Mirror, I wrote: "Emotional and breathtaking. Heartily told and with unlimited elbow room. A novel about misery, poverty, distress, love and forgiveness".

The premiere night was getting closer and closer. Something was clear. It was originally planned that I would appear in this movie as well. It was eliminated by a sore throat infection. Well ... .

Rossana was thrilled being in another world while meeting actor James Monson from the U.S.

SABINE - as a movie and as a book became an awesome success. I was overwhelmed being a closed friend of Tom and being introduced to the international film economy.

It was time for me to learn that a life in the movie world is different from a real original family world. My radio fans kept on waiting for me every time I left the studio after my show.

"Sabine" became an awesome success. Even without me. But with an outstanding cast - especially with Davao Celebrity Bangs Garcia  in her main role "Sabine". And well, yes with Felix Roco, James Monson, VIVA hot babe Gwen Garci and many more. The unique and awesome movie director was friend Ian del Carmen. 

Did I forget my own family? No.

I learned within the following years that happiness in Filipino culture is habitual and a trait most of them possess. If you have visited the Philippines, whether it’s for travel or business, you can tell that Filipinos are amazing people. The way they politely greet, smile, and interact with others shows the lightheartedness in them despite the chaos and difficulty of life.

Over the years, the Philippines ranked as one of the top happiest countries in the world, making the Filipinos become a trademark in fulfilling happiness. While they are naturally drawn happy, some say the vitamins from the sun brings them more joy every day. Wonder why? Because sunlight triggers the release of a hormone in the brain called serotonin that boosts people’s mood and promotes happiness.

Happiness in Filipino culture is habitual and a trait most of them possess. If you have visited the Philippines, whether it’s for travel or business, you can tell that Filipinos are amazing people. The way they politely greet, smile, and interact with others shows the lightheartedness in them despite the chaos and difficulty of life. Being from a country with being more sad and lonely or self-reliant people, the Filipinos surprised me. 

Many beliefs and studies on why Filipinos are naturally happy but listed below are the main reasons for it. Number 1 is  love of food and eating. Oh yes, I strongly agree.

Close family ties are another very important reason. As a German expat in the Philippines, I do experience it really daily. Despite the differences in religions and beliefs in the Philippines, the Filipino people are truly religious and spiritual. You can see it by how they value Sunday as a day of praising the Lord and going to church. One of the most significant religious traditions in the Philippines is the parade of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo church, where many Filipinos devoted their vows every year. This tradition showcases the high place of religion for most Filipinos, and they believe that spirituality develops positive emotions and feelings to make them happier in life.

Of course, I felt much at home as member of a Philippine family. I forgot more and more Germany. Really sad to say.

(To be continued!)

Typical Filipino (XV) - Typisch Philippinisch (XV) - "Bahala Na" - Fatalismus oder Resignation

 

“Bahala na” is a philosophical expression Filipinos used when they are confronted with problems. They will say “Bahala Na”, meaning “come what may,” “whatever will be, will be,” 'leave it to God', like the Spanish word “que sera, sera”. ... So it can literally be translated as God already or God will take care already.

Is it correct to say "Bahala na" is a Filipino negative trait?  Yes, it is tantamount to leaving one's fate to another.

Manche halten diesen Wesenszug für Fatalismus. Wörtlich bedeutet der Ausdruck, die Dinge (Bathala) Gott anzuvertrauen oder einfach sich selbst zu überlassen. Da Filipinos auf das Wohlwollen anderer Leute bauen, zum Beispiel ihrer Vorgesetzten und ihnen möglichst alles recht machen wollen, kann man BAHALA NA  gut verstehen. Man will einfach hoffnungslos langwierige und verstrickte Entscheidungsprozesse vermeiden. BAHALA NA ist die Schublade, in der alles verschwindet, was "zu schwierig" ist, weil letztendlich alles doch von vielen anderen Menschen, ihren Wünschen, Meinungen und Launen abhängt.

Some consider this trait to be fatalism. The expression literally means to entrust things to God or simply to leave them to themselves. Since Filipinos rely on the goodwill of other people, BAHALA NA can be understood very well e.g. with their superiors trying to please them as much as possible. One just want to avoid hopeless drawn out and entangled decision-making processes. BAHALA NA is the drawer, in which everything disappears, which is "too difficult", because ultimately everything depends on many other people's opinions and moods.

Philippinen rufen wegen Dengue den Gesundheitsnotstand aus

Auf den Philippinen hat die Regierung nach mehr als 600 Toten durch das Dengue-Fieber seit Jahresbeginn den Notstand erklärt. Besonders betroffen ist die Hauptstadtregion rund um Manila. Den Behörden zufolge könnte der Anstieg daran liegen, dass aktuell ein besonders aggressiver Virustyp unterwegs sei. Insgesamt wurden auf den Philippinen 2019 bereits mehr als 146.000 Dengue-Fälle registriert. Mit der Erklärung von Dengue zu einer landesweiten Epidemie soll es den Behörden leichter gemacht werden, Maßnahmen gegen die Ausbreitung der Krankheit einzuleiten. Das Virus wird von Mücken übertragen.

(C) Deutsche Welle 2019

Zumba, Durian and the Magsaysay Park in Davao City

Zumba, durian and the Magsaysay Park in Davao

CITY SENSE By Paulo Alcazaren (The Philippine Star) | Updated October 15, 2016 - 12:00am

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Magsaysay Park is a landmark site on Davao City’s waterfront.

This week we continue with our series on Philippine plazas and parks with a return to Mindanao. We previously featured plazas in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and General Santos. For this and next Saturday we visit Davao City, home of the current President of the Philippines.

I’ve been to Davao a number of times, the first time in 1999, to attend its famous Kadayawan Festival. Each visit since, I’ve noted the rapid urban growth of the city.  It is now the anchor of a huge metropolitan agglomeration called Metro Davao that includes Digos, Tagum, Panabo, Samal, Carmen and Santa Cruz.

Metro Davao is huge, about eight times the size of Metro Manila. It has a waterfront like Manila and a resort island like Metro Cebu. Both Metro Davao’s waterside and the island of Samal have yet to get anywhere near their full potential, though plans are afoot for ambitious projects in both areas.

That said, Davao does have plazas and parks in much better proportion to its urban population compared to that of Metro Manila or Metro Cebu. We look at the first park that caught my attention because of the 25-meter tall landmark that is a memorial to President Ramon Magsaysay.

Magsaysay Park sits off its eponymous avenue at the edge of the city’s Chinatown. It is a green oasis fronting the water between Davao and Samal, right beside the Santa Ana Wharf. The three-hectare site appears to be reclaimed land, probably for a port area project in the late 1950s. Similar projects were being planned or constructed in Manila and Cebu in the ‘50s to the ‘70s.

When Ramon Magsaysay died in a plane crash in 1957, the whole nation mourned. Many memorials to the beloved president were built afterwards. Davao’s local chapter of the Philippine Veterans Legion raised funds for its own memorial. It was finished in July of 1960. The local government of Davao has managed the three-hectare site from that point on.

Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

The central core of the park is the memorial to President Ramon Magsaysay. It was designed in a style typical of the late 1950s, influenced by a “sputnik” futurist bent. The memorial consists of a trylon, a tapering obelisk on a tripod containing a life-size statue of President Magsaysay below the apex.

The memorial’s obelisk is reminiscent of the ill-fated addition to the Rizal Monument designed by National Artist for Architecture Juan Nakpil about the same time. Nakpil’s tower was of steel but the Magsaysay memorial is in reinforced concrete. The steel extension to the Rizal monument was removed shortly after completion after public outcry. The Magsaysay monument’s design did not compromise any existing memorial so it has endured. I can find no attribution for the design of the memorial.

The memorial stands in a large rotunda elevated from the rest of the park.

 

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Davao’s waterside is lovely but underappreciated.

Fronting the memorial is a 1,000-sq. meter paved area ending in another rotunda, which used to be a skating rink (when the sport was popular). The paved area is popular among locals for morning Zumba class.

In the upper eastern corner of the park is an open amphitheater similar to the one at Rizal Park. A five-meter wide esplanade links this amphitheater to the other end of the park. The esplanade apparently ran much longer, to the edge of the site, or about 250-meters, but half of it seems to have been appropriated for several government offices related to tourism.

In front of these offices is a large children’s playground, a restaurant, parking area and a site for fruit kiosks, famous for durian, that line the outside of the western perimeter of the part. The park also hosts a small open-air chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Pilar beside the esplanade. In one corner of the park is an Abueva sculture, a relief called the Pamathalaan Marker, “a symbol of the Mindanaoans commitment to Pamathalaan or God-centered Governance.”

The park is defined on its north side by the historic Sta. Ana Wharf, where Japanese migrant workers first landed in 1903. The Japanese helped develop the abaca industry in the region. The wharf has been expanded and improved several times since. There is a standing proposal for an even bigger expansion and extension for the facility, which involves the construction of mixed-use waterside development.

South of the park is a large informal settlement district that reaches down to the mouth of the Davao River. There appear to be some projects planned for urban redevelopment, relocation of informals and improvements under a PPP arrangement, but this will take a decade or so to come to fruition.

In the meanwhile Magsaysay Park is well used by the public and is a tourism draw. I would rate the park a 6.5 out of 10. The monument and the park facilities could use a makeover. While on my visit I had to use the public comfort rooms, which were less than comfortable. There is a good nursery on site but the general landscape of the park is a tad messy and worn out. The playground has also seen better days and the fruit kiosks could be better integrated with the park.

Finally, the esplanade, or sea wall as the locals call it, is a lost opportunity. This could be extended and improved with the relocation of those government offices. This is a problem nationwide with local or national governments erecting structures on parkland or plazas, which by definition should be green or open.

Overall, Magsaysay Park is still worth a visit if you’re a lover of Durian, a fan of Magsaysay, mid-century memorials, or Zumba early in the morning. Next week we look at Davao’s central civic space and the much larger People’s Park.

 * * *

Feedback is welcome. Please email the writer at paulo.alcazaren@gmail.com.

Die Deutsche Botschaft Manila gibt bekannt:

Sicherheitshinweis für deutsche Staatsbürger auf den Philippinen:

Die deutsche Botschaft weist darauf hin, dass am 09. Mai 2016  in den Philippinen nationale, regionale und lokale Wahlen durchgeführt werden. Seitens der philippinischen Behörden sind bereits Maßnahmen ergriffen worden, damit die Wahl ohne Störungen durchgeführt werden  kann. Zu diesem Maßnahmen gehören unter anderem die Einrichtung von Check-points in der Nähe von Wahllokalen und das Verbot des Tragens von Waffen im öffentlichen Raum, welches für die Zeit vom 10. Januar 2016 bis 8. Juni 2016 angeordnet wurde. Verstöße gegen das Waffenverbot können mit Haftstrafen bis zu 6 Jahren geahndet warden, Ausländern droht zusätzlich noch die Deportation nach Verbüßung der Haftstrafe.

Bei früheren Präsidentschaftswahlen kam es im Kontext von Wahlkampf und Wahlen immer wieder zu Anschlägen und Ausschreitungen. Die Botschaft rät daher allen deutschen Staatsangehörigen,  während des jetzigen Wahlkampfes, am Wahltag und an den nächsten Tagen nach der Wahl  Menschenansammlungen und politische Versammlungen zu meiden und sich in den Medien aktuell über jeweiligen Entwicklungen vor Ort, inclusive zusätzlicher Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zu informieren.“

No Longer Worst Airport?

By: ABS-CBNnews.com

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Mania will be upgraded with better comfort room facilities and new air-conditioning units before the year ends.

An estimated P32.6 million will be spent by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) for the rehabilitation of 121 toilets in Terminals 2, 3, and 4.

The project also includes the installation of major fixtures such as water closets, sensor-type urinals, lavatories, tiles, ceilings, and waterproofing works in comfort rooms.

Airport authorities said that as of August, around 15 percent of civil works had been completed.


A total of 26 toilet facilities will be fixed in Terminal 2. MIAA said 16 comfort rooms located in the passenger movement area are now undergoing repairs.

Out of 85 toilets in Terminal 3, 26 are being rehabilitated. The rehabilitation of 10 toilets in Terminal 4, on the other hand, will begin this month.

In Terminal 1, 54 toilets had been rehabilitated as early as 2010.

NEW COOLERS TOO 

The MIAA will also replace 36 air-handling units (AHUs) in Terminal 1 with newly procured units, 17 of which have been received by the airport authority for full installation by November this year.

The remaining 19 units will be installed and fully functional by March 2015.

In Terminal 2, 21 new air-conditioning units will be installed, 9 of which will already be in place within the month.

Structural retrofitting and other engineering works are also ongoing in Terminal 1. Operations are expected to normalize by March 2015.

100 millionth Filipino due Early Sunday

By Tina G. Santos

AFP FILE PHOTO

By the reckoning of a population expert, the Philippine population will hit 100 million at 12:06 a.m. or thereabouts on Sunday. Be happy if your baby is born around that time because you will earn P5,000.

The P5,000 will be given  in kind—not in cash—and will include basic provisions for  babies, such as  cloth diapers.

The prize will go to each of the 100 babies born in local government units (LGUs) nationwide to be chosen by the Commission on Population (Popcom).

The figure of 100 million was based on population projections by the Philippine Statistics Authority, which says three babies are born in the Philippines every minute.

With this trend, the country’s population is expected to hit 100 million on July 27 at 12:06 a.m., according to Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III, executive director of Popcom.
“Only babies born at 12:06 a.m. and beyond, meaning at 12:06 a.m. or seconds/minutes later, will be chosen to be part of the 100 symbolic babies because it’s the time projected when the 100-millionth baby will be born based on the mathematical analysis we conducted,” Perez said.

A blessing
 
Perez said the event would bring hope and challenges to the country as it struggles to give its people a better quality of life.

For Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, reaching the 100-million figure is actually good news and a blessing.

“It’s good for the economy … it’s good news, not bad news,” Castro said over Church-run Radio Veritas.

He said having more Filipinos would mean more human resources to advance the economy.

“We need enough young population to sustain the economy. Because of a young population, we can actually be economically strong,” Castro said.

He said having such a big population should not be seen as a problem.

“Unfortunately, we have been brainwashed [to think] that a bigger population is equated with poverty, which is [not true],” Castro said.

He cited India as an example, saying it had already overtaken Japan as the third-largest economy in the world, with Japan already experiencing a “demographic winter,” or aging population.

Solving poverty
 
“India became the third-largest economy in the world precisely because of its robust, young population,” Castro said.

He urged the government to work on finding real solutions to poverty and use the high number of Filipinos to advantage, instead of looking at it as a problem.
“As long as you can provide them with the opportunity for education, for work, for employment, a young population can help make the country an economic powerhouse,” Castro said.

To celebrate the milestone, it will be choosing 100 babies in the LGUs nationwide, Popcom said.

“These babies will symbolically usher hope for a better quality of life as they epitomize the challenge to make every Filipino count in the country’s development,” Perez said in a phone interview.

“The LGUs will ensure that these  babies will have all the population development support and services they need—that they are able to go to school, they are healthy, they have livelihood opportunities,” he said.

“If they get all these, then it means the other people in that LGU are getting the same support and services. It means that the government is doing a good job,” he said.
Perez said Popcom had a set of criteria in choosing the 100 babies.

The major criteria are that the baby must be born at 12:06 a.m. or seconds/minutes later; must be born in a government-licensed health facility; the facility must be certified as observing the Philippine Standard Time; and the birth must be certified by the attending birth attendant/doctor.

Only babies born through normal, spontaneous delivery are qualified to vie for the recognition. The parents should also be a resident of the provinces in the region.

Populous countries 
 
Countries with a population of 100 million or more are:

– Mexico – 122.3 million
– Japan – 127.1 million
– Russian Federation – 142.8 million
– Bangladesh – 156.6 million
– Nigeria – 173.6 million
– Pakistan – 182.1 million
– Brazil – 200.4 million
– Indonesia – 249.9 million
– United States of America – 320.1 million
– India – 1.252 billion
– China – 1.385 billion

With Philippine Daily Inquirer
(C) 2014

Happy Kadayawan Festival in Davao City

Tight security and the last day of this great festival in Davao City.

Marian Voted Sexiest Woman

GMA Network congratulates primetime queen Marian Rivera for being named as FHM's Sexiest Woman in the Philippines this year, Five years after she won the most coveted title in 2008, the star reclaimed the number one spot after she garnered a total of 890,490 votes via online, text and print ballots making her the Philippines' Finest.

Congratulations Marian and more power!

Flugzeugunglueck in Davao City

Aquaplaning: A320 schiesst über Landebahn hinaus

DAVAO CITY (PHILIPPINEN) - Ein Airbus A320 der Fluggesellschaft Cebu Pacific legt bei strömendem Regen eine Bruchlandung hin. Die 165 Passagiere bleiben unverletzt. 

Bruchlandung in Davao City.

 

Sonntagabend am Flughafen von Davao City: Eine Maschine mit 165 Passagieren an Bord setzt zur Landung an. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt regnet es heftig auf den Philippinen. Der A320 schiesst über die Landebahn hinaus und landet im Rasen.
Ein Passagier, Jun Narciso, erzählt dem philippinischen Portal «Rappler»: «Der Pilot bremste abrupt. Danach stellte er sofort die Triebwerke ab.» Er behauptet, eines sei bereits vor der Landung in Brand gewesen. Ein anderer Passagier widerspricht: «Wir konnten zwar Rauch riechen, aber gebrannt hat nichts.»
Bei der Bruchlandung wird niemand verletzt. Die Fluggesellschaft erwähnt nichts von einem defekten Triebwerk, sondern schiebt die Schuld auf den «heftigen» Regen. «Alle 165 Passagiere wurden sicher zum Terminal gebracht.»  
Die Passagiere rügen das Verhalten der Crew. Nach der Bruchlandung seien die Türen verschlossen geblieben, die Passagiere seien nicht über das Vorgefallene informiert worden.

Alle Kommentare (3)

• Hans  Leemann
  

  • Melden

  In Kloten wäre das Flugzeug bei einer Landung auf der Westpiste in der Glatt.

  • gestern, 11:19 Uhr
  • 1
  • 4
• Haerdi  Roger , via Facebook
  

  • Melden

  Der Pilot hat sicher den Reverse nicht eingeleitet. Könnte ich mir vorstellen.

  • gestern, 11:17 Uhr
  • 2
  • 6
• Werner  Rüttimann , Emmenbrücke 2
  

  • Melden

  Was wollt ihr noch mehr - es hat keine Toten gegeben, in einer solchen Situation hat ein Kapitän eine grosse Verantwortung auf sich und er hat gut reagiert! Dankt ihm, er hat es verdient

  • gestern, 10:37 Uhr

Professional Ethics

Re-published Editorial in MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR with friendly permission of the Publisher Marietta Siongco - May 25, 2013

As early as 7 a.m. last Wednesday, several Davao City journalists trooped to the burning Department of Psychiatry of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), also referred as the Mental Hospital in Davao City, for coverage. It was certainly a newsworthy incident, not least because the facility is 95 years old and is the only public mental hospital in Mindanao. However, it also turned out to be a most unfortunate for two photo journalists and a television cameraman who were blatantly harassed by hospital personnel as they were performing their jobs.

The hospital men, including a nurse, doctor, clinical Lebbe, and a security guard heaped verbal and physical assault on the three journalists yelling at them, grabbing their cameras and holding their arms as they ordered them to forcibly delete all the photos and videos they took.

Aside from undermining the right of freedom of expression and editorial independence of the journalists, the hospital men deliberately deprived the journalists  of respect as persons of self-esteem and pride.

...

The basic value of respect was obviously not of importance for the ill-mannered hospital men as as well as Chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega quickly apologizing for his men's behavior. Journalism is regulated solely by the criteria of professional ethics, a basic journalism, a basic journalism principle that makes the journalists undeserving of such harassment. Those who elbow their way into the journalists' rights should be slapped with appropriate administrative and legal and sanctions.

Tour Guides Recount Escape from Volcano

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By CRIS LARANO and JOSEPHINE CUNETA

Rescuers on Thursday carry down the remains of one of the climbers.

Five European tourists and their three Filipino guides were a few hundred yards from the crater of Mount Mayon in the Philippines when they decided to turn back because thick fog had made it difficult to keep climbing. But their decision didn't come soon enough.

Mount Mayon, one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, spewed hot ash and rocks on Tuesday, killing four climbers—three Germans and one Spaniard—and one of the tour guides.

Eighteen-year-old Nicanor Mabao was one of the three who survived what scientists call a phreatic, or steam-driven, explosion. He told The Wall Street Journal that the blast happened quickly and without warning.

Mayon volcano, one of the Philippines' most active volcanoes, spewed huge rocks and ash after daybreak Tuesday.

"I heard a loud explosion, louder than thunder," said Mr. Mabao as he prepared to leave the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, where he and fellow guide Kenneth Jesalva were treated for burns and other injuries.

Mr. Mabao was 16 when he started guiding tourists up Mount Mayon and is a member of the Panaway Mountaineer Group, which usually climbs the 2,440-metervolcano three to four times a week.

Mr. Jesalva, 21 years old, who sustained a broken shoulder due to falling rocks, also recalled a loud explosion.

"It sounded like thunder. It was very loud. Then, I heard the noise of cascading rocks. But we couldn't see the rocks, the thick fog blinded us from seeing the falling debris," Mr. Jesalva said.

Then the rocks started landing on them.

"We were moving very slowly due to the thick fog. Burning rocks as big as our backpacks hit us. Because of my small frame, I was able to hide from the rocks but was still hit on my back and left foot," he said.

Despite being pelted by hot rocks, Mr. Mabao said he remembers looking after Sabine Strohberger, who nearly fell after stepping on a loose rock. He grabbed her backpack and lifted her to safety. Ms. Strohberger, an Austrian, was the only climber in the group to survive.

The shock of the deadly episode will change their lives forever, the guides said.

"I curse Mayon. I won't set foot on it again," said Mr. Jesalva, who is working part-time as a tour guide to support his studies. He is in the third year of a criminology course and wants to become a law-enforcement officer. He said he would still climb mountains, but not Mount Mayon.

Mr. Mabao vowed not to climb again.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army Lt. Col. Raul Farnacio said the bodies of the five who died have been retrieved and are awaiting autopsy.

Another Thai survivor stuck on the "critical side" of the volcano awaits rescue, he said, because the steep slope and high elevation prevents a helicopter landing.

Twenty-seven people, including tour guides, were hiking up to the summit when the explosion occurred, according to Gov. Joey Salceda of the Philippine province of Albay.

Write to Cris Larano at cris.larano@dowjones.com and Josephine Cuneta at josephine cuneta@wsj.com

PhilPop Enriches Filipino Music

Filipino music is indeed a genuine expression of Filipinos not only as a unified group, but also as unique individuals. The PhilPOP MusicFest Foundation, Inc. is an advocate of this notion, which is it established the Philippine Popular Music Festival (PhilPOP) early this year. Now, it is already setting the stage for 2013.

PhilPOP is a search for Filipino musical composers, whether residing here or abroad, who can showcase musical ingenuity and passion. Songwriters can start sending their entries by January 1, 2013 till the end of February through www.philpop.com.ph .

The PhilPOP competition has generated excitement since it kicked off earlier this year because of Filipinos' love for music. The spotlight being given to singwriters now is an undertaking of national identity.

The PhilPOP Foundation sees Filipino music as a cultural treasure and an indication of national identity. The foundation is again giving Filipinos the opportunity to become their own inspiration. Then, it cam be cascaded to future generations, which in turn can make their own music.

By the way, PhilPOP is also presented by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts Word Manila, TV 5, Metro Pacific Investment Corp., NLEX, PICC, Sun Cellular, KBP and Philex.

The foundation also preserves the vanishing musical germs and empowers Filipino songwriters whose music can inspire and motivate a nation. Kudos to PhilPOP.

A New Beginning - The Edge Radio Davao 104.3 FM

Compact For Peace Formed

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have forged an agreement to mutually cooperate in addressing local peace and security issues in Southern Philippines.

Lawyer Anwar Malang, ARMM chief of staff and currently Interior and Local Governments Secretary, met with Lawyer Randolp Parcasio, legal adviser of Nur Misuari, chair of a faction of the MNLF, in a Makati hotel last Friday.

The MNLF move came as a total turn around from Misuari's earlier provocative statements undermining the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro signed by the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

ARMM is composed of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi areas covered by the September 2, 1996 GOH-MNLF peace agreement.

Parcasio and Malang signed the ARMM-MNLF Peace and Development Compact.

Under the Compact, the group of Misuari is encouraged to cooperate with the ARMM leadership in addressing peace and order problems that have been causing poverty and underdevelopment in Muslim region. 

Misuari had been publicly rejecting the Framework Agreement calling it a product of conspiracy between the Malaysian government, Aquino government and the MILF.

Under the Compact, both the MNLF and ARMM leadership will cooperate "to protect life, liberty and poverty of all the people of ARMM. Both the ARMM and the MNLF also vowed to jointly resolve family feud and clan wars in the autonomous region. (PNA)