Comval: Classroom Building and Governor's Birthday

Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy celebrates his 34^th birthday at the IP community with the Matigsalob Tribe in a far flung area in Sitio Side 4, Barangay Mangayon, Compostela, Comval on May 8, 2019. This is also the opportune time of the governor for the battlecry of ‘Walang Iwanan’ (No one is left behind) has been heard loud and clear by the recipients during the Social Preparation stage of building a 1-unit 2-classroom school building in the area.(Photo by M. Lasaca, PS Comval)

Social preparation for building of 1-unit 2-classroom building in a GK way held in Comval

Compostela Valley Province--- The provincial government of Compostela Valley in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Gawad Kalinga (GK) and the Tindog Comval Foundation hold a social preparation which is organized into two cluster teams to build one-unit two classroom school buildings in the IP and conflict areas in Sitio Side 4, Barangay Mangayon and Sitio Puting Bato, Barangay Ngan in the municipality of Compostela on May 8, 2019.

Attending the social preparation were the provincial and local officials led by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, DepEd officials led by Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Reynante Solitario, Mayor Lema P. Bolo, Provincial Government Heads, and the Barangay Officials of the said Barangays.

The identified areas for the building of school classrooms were being run before by the revolutionary New Peoples Army (NPA) and even have their Salugpungan schools built to influence the mindset of the local kids.

During the program, kids of the Matigsalob tribe in Sitio Side 4 gathered for the discussion of the plan for the ‘Bayanihan sa Paaralan’ which will commence on May 15 as it also requires the help of the community in building a classroom in bayanihan-way for 15-days with the help also of the capitol employees.

According to Solitario, “usa kini ka tubag nato sa panginahanglan sa katawhan labi na sa mga nagpuyo sa mga Sitios nga matagaan gyud sila ug building para sa mga kabataan. Tungod kay layo gyud ang next school ani makita nato nga dunay mga kabataan diri nga wala gyud maka skwela sa mga tulunghaan. In fact naay uban nag-undang nalang ug nay uban nga nag skwela pero kailangan pa mubaktas ug layo. Tungod sa panginahanglan nga mag put-up ug school building na tubag gyud nga butangan ug school building ang maong mga lugar.

“As of the moment on our mapping, we have a total of 28 students nga masulod ani nga tulunghaan and as of now continue atong mapping with the help of our learning teachers and mobile teachers and hopefully naa pa gyud lain mga kabataan nga masulod sa tulunghaan,” Solitario added.

“Next year we have allocation for this school from DepEd para permanent gyud unya maningkamot pud ta nga himoon nato ning integrated school in the future para atong mga studyante dili lamang ma cater ang Grade 1 hangtud Grade 6 pati na ang Grade 7 – 12. Maningkamot ta nga ma budgetan ni puhon ug national paid teacher unya gikan pud sa ilahang tribu ang mutudlo para sa contextualize nga ginasunod nato sa pagtudlo,” said Solitario.

The said school building is for the school children who were deprived of education due to distance. Part of the budget that will be used are the proceeds from the Fun Run which the province regularly undertake every year during the opening of the Bulawan Festival celebration.

On the other hand right after the program Governor Uy celebrates his 34th birthday at the IP community in a far flung area in Sitio Side 4. This is also the opportune time of the governor for the battlecry of ‘Walang Iwanan’ (No one is left behind) has been heard loud and clear by the recipients during the Social Preparation stage.

Governor Uy also expressed his gratitude to all the partners and the members of the different community for making it possible. “Bisag unsa kalayo sa lugar kung tuyuan gyud nato sa paghatod ug serbisyo ug programa sa gobyerno nga makatabang sa atong katawhan sama niani wala gayuy imposible kung naa ang pag tinabangay.”

“As much as possible we want to reach those un-reached children and bring them to school for them to really learn because this is one of the advocacy of DepEd,” Solitario ended. (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

It's always a big IF...

Mindanao Daily News

OPINION

By Klaus Doring

 

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If I see or read this little word "if", my first thought is about the nice song by Bread. Nice lyrics. But, if Ifs and Ans were Pots and Pans ... there would be no need for tinkers! An old proverbs, which hits the nail on its head even much better.

Life doesn't only consists of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Life has ups and downs, and everyone tries to survive in his own clock-shell surrounded by a dangerous  ocean. Life is stuffed with plenty of excuses. Sometimes,  we are even unable to apologize and say a meaningful "sorry" at the right moment to the person we just treated wrong.

Excuses don't know the question of age. I still have two significant examples to share:

The church was crowded. Confirmation. A woman came too late. Traffic jam. In need of help, the woman looked to the left and then to the right. It looked like a young man planned to help her. He murmured, "Show up a bit, the LOLA likes to sit down". The situation looked problem-free at that moment. But after taking first a deep breath, the LOLA realized the young man's comment. She was just only 38 years "young"! With uneasiness she looked at the youngster, who started smiling at her. How old could he be? 14 or 15? A very big difference already to her age. Then suddenly, the young man realized his inappropriate remark and stuttered, "Sorry Ma-am, please excuse me!"

Choked with emotions, I also listened the story of my former editor colleague in Germany several decades ago. Her mother had expelled her from life. Only while laying on her deathbed, the mother did offer a plea in extenuation because of her lifelong fault. 

Excuses, because one is embarrassed or with a simple alibi can be  found at every corner. Did you, my dear readers, count already, how many times you used the term "IF"?

Just to mention this example: If I could pass my German language exam with distinction, my partner in Germany  would be very proud of me!" Sure, not only he, also me, as your German language professor in USEP - University of Southeastern Philippines, Institute of Languages and Creative Arts. "If my fiancee and I get married, where will I live, one of my students asked me yesterday.

I let you know, IF and when I come to a decision. If only I had known ... .

"If there would be a God, there wouldn't be so much misery, poverty, and war on earth!"

"If there wouldn't be the little world IF, how could we still express our not necessary excuses? 

Maybe, you still remember Elton John's song from 1976: "Sorry (in the right moments!) seems to be the hardest word" ... . That depends!

Groundbreaking ceremony for "Capital Employees Village"

Compostela Valley Province — The province of Compostela Valley congregates the construction of the “Comval Capitol Employees Village” through a groundbreaking ceremony led by Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, through Assistant Provincial Administrators Fernando Juab and Placido Alcomendras Jr.

Held last May 2, 2019, Provincial Employees Union of Compostela Valley (PEUCV) President Lino Salarda gave his gratitude through his opening remarks for Senior Board Member Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy and Gov. Uy for the progress of planning and development of the area for the employees.

The groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by Citiland and LM Construction officials, who are also the site developers, PG Department Heads PSWDO Chief Josephine Frasco, PACCO Chief Leonora Melendres, and PHRMDO Chief Lara Zaphire Cristy Bermejo.

The PLGU Comval, as mentioned by Salarda, bought two hectares worth of land for the project site that cost an estimate of over P10 Million in total, given to the Employees Union to create the village as part of the employee benefits in plan of the province with the PEUCV under the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA).

Currently, "Provincial Employees Union of Compostela Valley (PEUCV)" is governed by the following officers; Lino Salarda as the President of PEUCV,  Genes Miñosa as Vice President, Jomar Palma as Secretary,  Estrella Juab as Treasurer, Allan Calcaben as Auditor, Analyn Vigilia as PIO, and Board of Directors  Clarita Reterba, Dennie Polistico, Engr. Sammy Pacatang, Architech Oliver Abatol, and Preciosa Toledo from PSWDO. (Sean Seismundo, ID Comval) 

Problems make me always grow

My column in Mindanao Daily News, Businessweek Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro Times.

Got problems? Feel hurt? Are you discouraged? Do you think, the whole world is against you?

I suppose everyone of us would have answered "yes" to at least one of the above questions at some times in our lives. At least once ... !

Nobody needs a smooth road all life through. There are just some potholes once in a while. That's what life is all about.

I often met people telling me that God does not love them any more. I would ask them then what makes them say that. Most of the time the answer comes back to me sounds something like that: I"ve got so many problems. Not only one.

W believe that God love us. He will spare us from the sufferings, the trials and tribulations of life. Really? How childish! What an immature thinking, that if our parents love us, they won't scold us!

Somebody in my surroundings once said, "Only those who have already experienced a resolution within themselves can each out and help other". In other words, unless you have learned to deal with your own inner crisis and problems, you will never learn the meaning of real maturity.

He who has no problems does never grow. It's as simple as that. You have to experience an inner turmoil and deal with it effectively before you can grown strong enough to help others.

As long as you never have a problem, you might remain child emotionally. The hardship of basic training are what make a soldier ready to stand his ground and fight bravely. Problems - and allow me to say ALL sorts of problems - cause us to be and become mature people who are capable of handling the tension and stress that male up the everyday fabric of life.

My dear reader, I really don't know about you, but I never ask God to take away my problems. I asked and still asking Him, rather, to help me work them out. In other words, I don't ask WHY, when I have to face a problem. I ask WHAT. What is it Lord, that you want to teach me? What is it that you want me to learn from this cross you are sending me right now? What are the new directions in life do you want me to take? I know that if I can work it all, I will be a more solid individual, capable of handling future crisis more readily.

I learned this only now - or maybe several years ago. I am 65 now.

So, the next time a problem arises in your life, don't gripe and complain. Look at it in an adut manner and see it an as opportunity to grow.

May this beautiful prayer help you to grow:

"Lord, please give me the serenity to accept the things that cannot be changed; the courage to change what can be changed; and the wisdom to know the difference! Amen."

Nothing comes from anything

My column in Mindanao Daily News, Cagayan de Oro Times and Businessweek Mindanao

Our globe and its population bear innumerable strange facts. Following many people's opinion, this world shows mostly worried characteristics and symptoms nowadays. No wonder. Just try to consume and digest today's headlines and news from all around the globe.

It is a world with quickly bridged distances -  our Mother Earth is becoming smaller and smaller. Any tourist, even with little time and with only a small budget, can travel to other faraway cultures. But joining them as well as different races and religious communities requires first of all, great care, tact, instinctive feelings, empathy, and logical ideas.

The stranger whom we meet for the first time during a business meeting, for example, maybe an uncommon, odd and extraordinary guy. He may be someone from a foreign country, who speaks another language and whose skin is of another color. He may be a migrant, a restless hiker or the expatriate in our neighborhood.

The foreigner beside you and me can become a provocation or a challenge. Strangeness can become exoticism. Maybe, that's why my family and I decided to move to the Philippines already in 1998. On the other hand - going abroad can open other and even better horizons. We must not feel as "a stranger in paradise". By the way, I never did since touring around the globe many times. On the other hand, I am not putting my country of birth into the trash. Heaven forbid, no!

However, a migrant bears a juxtaposition of optimism (even calculated optimism!), confused feelings, nostalgia, and homesickness. Yes guys, during the first years of my expat's life in the Philippines, the round trip ticket was always in my mind, because no one among us can escape his native roots.

But, I am really a lucky guy. I experienced an amazing tolerance in the Philippines. A real practicing tolerance. I am blessed living in and with a wonderful Philippine family. If you check my Facebook accounts, you might believe me. Already, during my first business meetings, I also met supportive, forbearing and  broad minded people. A wonderful mix of different cultures without giving up the own identity... .

Every new challenge in a strange country means a change. Changes in life are necessary and important. Let's alter or make a difference; let's put one thing for another; let's shift; let's quit one state for another; let's take fresh clothing. Let's burn the "lock fat" away. And remember: nothing comes from anything.

Respectfully yours ...

RESPECTFULLY YOURS

When letters were the only form of written correspondence, signing off was obvious. Actually I am still  adopting that old tradition. No matter, if it comes to letters or emails. It's just a matter of respect and education. Actually, I tackled this topic already at this corner several times ago. But it seems to be good to refresh it somehow here.

If addressing a sir or madam, it was unambiguous. You concluded with "yours faithfully". When writing to a specific person – for example, a Mr or Mrs. (hey, ladies first!) – it was simple, your letter would always be signed off "yours sincerely". Only missives to family or close friends would ever finish with a "love from" or "with much love, yours".

For many people, there's a weird status thing when it comes to the more blunt you are in emails. I'm asking myself, why? An email is just a letter - an online one ... .

Sad to say,  the arrival of email has disrupted this etiquette, making the rules far less obvious. Indeed, for many of us there are no rules. A whole subculture of personalized email sign-offs has emerged everything from "TTFN" to "peace out". And of course, it’s not just what we say but why we say it. Neither in English nor in any other language. I get the same stuff in German written emails and even letters or text messages.

"Emails have become the medium of business, leisure, family, love and everything,” says children’s author Michael Rosen. When we sign off emails, we try to give off the "right vibe", he adds. He says it’s all about how we want to come across to the recipient. "Thoughtful, grateful or just very, very busy?" Oh sure, we are all so very, very busy... .

Some of the most successful business people are notoriously blunt in email communication – if they even bother with a sign-off at all.

"There's a weird status thing when it comes to the more blunt you are in emails, the more you can be (blunt) because you're senior in the company," says author Emma Gannon, recalling the editor of a famous newspaper whose response to pitches was often just a curt "yep" or "nope".

Although being succinct can convey a certain authority and status, it also communicates a dose of self-importance or arrogance. And we’ve all dealt with bosses who fire off email edicts of "is this done?" or "update me on that".

Even if they are not so direct, many email senders like to convey a sense of being busy by using or adapting abbreviations. So "kind regards" becomes "KR", or "yours" may do away with pesky vowels to leave "yrs". Heaven forbid!

"When someone signed off 'BR' for 'best regards', I just thought they were cold, brrr," says Gannon. And, in my opinion, sorry to say, I even don't reply anymore after receiving such correspondence. Oh sure, we are all busy, but there should be just a minimum of respect, if I communicate with someone. In business or personal. By letter, email or text message. 

Many times, there are those who pare it down to the absolute minimum, signing off with simply their name or even just the initial letter of their forename. Others might omit a sign off altogether. While this may come across as peremptory or rude, at least it avoids misinterpretation.

Nearly formal but not totally formal, but they're not as informal as 'CU in a MNT on bus OMW'. 

Some people swing the other way and end their emails with an altogether friendlier tone. While most would consider that kisses have no place in a business environment, they often creep into emails – and sometimes from people the recipient has never even met. For some, an "x" at the end of an email is a friendly endnote; for others it is totally inappropriate.

Even just calling someone by first name, is not the way how it should be in business if you haven't meet each other personally.

What’s clear is that some British terms used to end emails just do not translate well. A casual "cheers" is frequently used as a sign off on UK emails, but can be utterly perplexing for other nationalities. Not surprising when a hearty "cheers" also can be used for clinking glasses at the pub, or to thank a checkout person at the supermarket. Here we have to deal with British and American English.

For author Michael Rosen, emails now occupy a halfway house between texts and letters.

"The key thing is that emails aren't the same as letters. I position them in my mind as a sort of halfway place between texts and hard copy letters: nearly formal but not totally formal, but they're not as informal as 'CU in a MNT on bus OMW'," says Rosen. I strongly agree with him.

And, he adds given their place in this ambiguous no-man’s land of communication, it follows that there will continue to be a whole raft of ways to say "goodbye".

Best wishes and goodbye. Respectfully, yours ... .

Massive 6.6 magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines ...

...days after tremor killed 11

ANOTHER massive earthquake as struck the Philippines days after a fatal tremor killed 11 in the island nation.

By Henry Holloway 

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The Philippines was hit by the latest quake at a depth of 10km close to the island of Samar, the third largest in the archipelago, at around 1.30pm local time.

Pictures show roads have cracked and there some damage to building following the tremor.

Witnesses have reported feeling “violent shaking” and suffering power outages in the quake.

It comes little over 24 hours after a 6.1 tremor struck the main Philippines island of Luzon.

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At least 11 people were killed and dozens remain missing as the tremor collapsed buildings.

CRACKED: Roads have been broken in the latest quake in the Samar (Pic: TWITTER/@PhresEvardone)

COLLAPSED: Rubble tumbles from buildings in the Philippines (Pic: TWITTER/THE ROYAL FAMILY)

“We suddenly felt a strong shake almost making us dizzy”

Witness

Pictures shared on social media shows sprawling cracks going across roads on Samar.

And videos reveal people fleeing buildings in panic following the quake.

Other pictures show rubble tumbled from the top buildings, and ceramics in people’s homes shattered. 

There is no tsunami warning in place, with the epicentre of the quake being inland. 

EARTHQUAKE: It is the second quake to strike the Philippines (Pic: USGS)

Other pictures show the windows have exploded on a McDonalds and tiling has fallen off walls in an apartment block.

One witness said: "I just got inside our car in the parking area of the university when it started shaking. I thought somebody was making fun of me by shaking my car."

Another added: "Me and my boyfriend were standing inside the mall grounds when we suddenly felt a strong shake almost making us dizzy."

Others went on "woke up as whole of building bending, I ran outside and everyone was already out" and "it was so scary, we thought this is the big one". 

SHATTERED: Windows exploded on a McDonalds in the Philippines (Pic: TWITTER)

SMASHED: Tiles fall off the wall following the earthquake in the Philippines (Pic: TWITTER)

Philippine rescuers are continuing to search of survivors in the wreckages of buildings which collapsed during the previous quake near Manila. 

The worst of the damage was in the province of Pampanga, where most the 11 deaths happened.

Emergency services are now working to contact isolated villages which have been cut-off from contact due to power outages.

Over 400 aftershocks have been registered since the initial quake.

Bela Padilla stuns in Maldives

‘Haven’t been more at peace with myself’

ABS-CBN News

After shooting down the crazy fan speculation that she looked like the alleged naked woman in Cesar Montano's viral video, Bela Padilla was free to enjoy the rest of her dream Maldives vacation without worry. 

And she did, as seen in the photos she shared on Instagram of her frolicking around the island. 

The actress arrived in the Maldives last Thursday solo, but was soon met by one of her friends from Paris. 

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

She took full advantage of the break she had, and she looked refreshed when she returned to work this Tuesday, hosting an event with Donny Pangilinan, her Instagram Stories showed.