U.S. Envoy Wowed by Flower Festival

By Dexter A. See 

Manila Standard Today

The magnitude of the Panagbenga, popularly known as the Baguio flower festival, which is the longest running festival in the country today will help attract more American tourists to visit the Summer Capital.

This was the assessment made by US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Golberg on Saturday at the sidelines of the street dancing parade, one of the highlights of Panagbenga.

DANCING IN THE STREETS. Student- participants in the Panagbenga

street dancing  competition  make their moves on Saturday, 

celebrating  the  20th  anniversary of the Baguio  flower festival. 

DAVID CHAN

Goldberg, who spoke in front of a mammoth crowd gathered at the Baguio Athletic Bowl for the grand street dancing parade, said Filipinos and Americans have a long history to speak of ranging from struggles during the World War II and eventual successful suppression of the Japanese forces and eventually to being robust partners in trade and commerce.

He said Baguio City has always been a home for the Americans outside Metro Manila because of the existence of the Ambassador’s Residence within the Camp John Hay which was the former American military base and a historical site. It  was the venue where Gen. Tomoyoki Yamashita, leader of the Japanese Imperial Army, signed his surrender paper to the allied forces on September 3, 1945, Goldberg added.

“We are awed by the active participation of the people in the flower festival and the resourcefulness in making the flowers a true representation of friendship, unity, team works and solidarity among the local residents and visitors,” Goldberg said.

The US envoy pointed out that with the city’s cool and romantic weather, pine-scented air and scenic spots coupled with the annual conduct of the flower festival, foreign tourists especially the Americans will be enticed to visit and contribute in improving the growth of the local tourism industry.

He said because of the city’s “natural air conditioning,” he might be spending more time in  Baguio attending to important concerns rather than in the US embassy in Metro Manila.

The grand street dancing parade Saturday is one of the major highlights of the annual Panagbenga which is now on its 20 year. Several contingents from the elementary, secondary, college and open categories will compete by showcasing their dance steps with the inter-play of flowers and recyclable materials to remind the people of their individual responsibility to preserve and protect the environment.

Some nine elementary, four high school and three open category contingents joined this year’s finals for the grand street dancing competition that lasted for around three hours along the 7-kilometer parade route from Upper Session Road with its junction with South Drive, Loakan Road and Military Cut-off up to the Baguio Athletic Bowl.

The US ambassador expressed his gratitude to the people, officials and visitors   for their warm welcome that contributed in making his stay in the city over the past several days a wonderful and fruitful.

PNoy Believes Purisima Lied to Him During Mamasapano Operations

By XIANNE ARCANGEL, GMA News

President Benigno Aquino III felt he had been lied to by then-suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director-General Alan Purisima during the police operation to arrest two high-value terrorists in what is believed to be Moro Islamic Liberation Front territory in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

 

Two lawmakers who were present at the meeting Aquino held Monday in Malacañang confirmed the President believed he was told lies when he received inaccurate information from Purisima that help was on the way for the beleaguered SAF troopers trapped in a gunfight with Moro rebels in Mamasapano.

 

In an interview over dZBB Tuesday, House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora recalled Aquino was asked by a lawmaker who used to be in the uniformed services if he felt he had been misled by the information he received regarding “Oplan Exodus,” the police operation to arrest Malaysian bomb making expert Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino terrorist Abdul Basit Usman. 

 

“Ang sagot ng Pangulo, tingin ko hindi lang [ako] na-misled. I had been told lies,” Zamora recalled Aquino as saying.

 

“I still remember the word [the President used]: ‘I had been lied to,’” the lawmaker added.

 

'They were lies'

Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop said he was the lawmaker who asked Aquino if he felt he had been misled by the information Purisima relayed to him regarding “Oplan Exodus.”

 

“I asked him: Do you think you were fed inaccurate information regarding this police operation? The President was candid enough to respond: I think they were lies,” Acop, a former police director, said.

 

In a transcript of text messages that he read before a Senate inquiry Monday, it was revealed that Purisima had told Aquino the military was already providing mechanized and artillery support even though they have not yet been deployed at that time. 

 

Purisima was already suspended as PNP chief when the SAF commandos carried out the operation to nab Marwan and Usman. According to Zamora, Purisima updated Aquino about the “Oplan Exodus” from Nueva Ecija. 

 

Aquino met with House leaders and select lawmakers later that day to explain how much he knew about the SAF operation in Mamasapano. Aquino recollection of his actions that day was accompanied by a Powerpoint presentation containing the text messages he received from Purisima.

 

Aquino is commander-in-chief

 

While Aquino did not specifically mention Purisima as the person who lied to him, Acop believes the President could have only been talking about him since the text messages the lawmakers saw came from the now-resigned PNP chief.

 

Zamora, for his part, said: “Hindi niya (Aquino) sinabing sinungaling si Purisima, but he felt he deserves to be told the truth.”

 

Acop said Aquino deserved to know the whole truth about the Mamasapano operation because he is the police and military’s Commander in Chief.

 

“The President should have been given all the true information regarding the operation, kasi if the information given to him were not true or relevant, he couldn’t make a good decision,” he said.

 

Acop said it was clear from the President’s presentation to them that he gave specific instructions to Purisima to inform PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas about “Oplan Exodus,” and to then- SAF director Getulio Napeñas to coordinate with the AFP but these were not followed.

 

“The burden of the operational lapse on communication on the ground now falls on Purisima and Napeñas since they had failed to coordinate and even when the President specifically instructed them to,” he said. 

—NB, GMA News

Right-of-way Issues Hamper Davao City's Road Projects for Tourist Sites

By Carmelito Q. Francisco, Correspondent, BusinessWorld Online

DAVAO CITY -- Expropriation proceedings are now under way in some parts of Davao Region to resolve right-of-way issues that have been hampering several road projects leading to tourist destinations.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Mariano R. Alquiza said some segments of the DPWH’s tourism infrastructure program, covering 15 projects with an allocated budget of P1.19 billion last year, could not be implemented due to the refusal of some land owners to accept the government’s offer for their property.

As of end-January 2015, overall construction work under the 2014 Department of Tourism (DoT)-DPWH Convergence Program was about 80% complete, Mr. Alquiza said.

The DPWH official declined to identify which projects are now under litigation through expropriation cases filed by the local government units concerned.

Most of the projects are secondary road networks that provide access to previously hard-to-reach tourism spots. The DPWH program list includes the following:

• Davao City -- Davao-Cotabato road leading to Eden Nature’s Park, Lacson-Megkawayan road leading to Megkawayan Park, Barrio Obrero roads leading to People’s Park;

• Davao del Norte -- Western and eastern sides of the circumferential road in the Island Garden City of Samal, coastal road from Panabo City to La Paz, Carmen leading to Mariculture Park, Baywalk, Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Mangrove Sanctuary;

• Davao Oriental -- La Union-Mt. Hamiguitan road leading to Mt. Hamiguitan

• Davao del Sur -- Road leading to Megkawayan Peak, and Kapatagan road leading to Mt. Apo Camp Sabros, Mt. Apo Highland Resort, and Tadaya Falls.

The DoT-DPWH program was established to facilitate a more efficient and coordinated effort between the two agencies for developing access to tourism destinations as identified in the National Tourism Development Plan.

2015 BUDGET

This year, the DPWH Region 11’s budget for tourism-related roads has been almost doubled to P2.2 billion with 30 projects lined up.

Davao del Norte is getting the biggest chunk at about P810 million; Davao City, P456 million; Compostela Valley, P330 million; Davao del Sur, P274 million; and Davao Oriental, P153 million.

Christine T. Dompor, tourism officer of Compostela Valley, said this is the first time that the province is getting road projects specifically supporting the local tourism industry and the provincial government is optimistic that there will be continuing infrastructure initiatives to help them attract more visitors.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Arturo P. Boncato, Jr. earlier said these proposed roads “are essential components and are needed infrastructure facilities in promoting the tourist spots of each province.”

Immigraton Issues New Guidelines on Visa Re-stamping

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will enforce its new rules on re-stamping  of visas for foreigners with permanent residents status in the Philippines.

Under Immigration Administrative Circular No. SBM-2015-001, the BI requires all foreign nationals covered by Republic Act (R.A.), otherwise known as the Alien Social Integration Act of 1995, to have the new security visa stamp implemented in their passports as a requirement for reneal of their Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) - I-Card.

According to BI Spokesperson Elaine Tan, the new rules were part of the effort to upgrade the bureau's database on visa holders.

"The new guidelines intend to update the bureau's database on holders of the visa," she said in a statement.

With this, the B.I. official said that for the re-stamping of passport, visa holders are required to submit the following documents:

1. Duly accomplished RA 7919 re-stamping form;

2. Photocopy of passport pages showing: a) Bio-data page, b) Latest admission as 7919 visa holder; c) New/amended name of the applicant, if any; and

3.) Photocopy of ACR I-Card (front and back).

Tan also said that the new guidelines will be effected next month - so to say March 2015! The new rules will take effect around the second week of March, or 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.

RA 7919 granted permanent residency to illegal aliens upon compliance with certain conditions provided in the law.

(C) PNA

News From The Philippines

NEWS FROM THE PHILIPPINES Enlarge Photo 6th SUBIC BAY TO BORACAY RACE and BORACAY CUP REGATTA Yacht racing is recognized as a gentlemanly sport, rich in tradition, passion and strong sense of community. The rousing success of acclaimed past racing events in the Philippines has brought the country and its sailing community great pride. Such an event is the upcoming Standard Insurance 6th Subic Bay to Boracay Race (SBBR) from February 27 to March 2, followed immediately by the Boracay Cup Regatta (BCR) on March 2-6, 2015. “Over the years, we work tirelessly with our sailing partners toward opening more doors for occasions in spreading the spark of sailing and enliven big boat racing pursuits in the Philippines,” so said the SAGS Co-Chairman and The Lighthouse Marina Resort President, Jun Avecilla. Sailing enthusiasts and Grand Prix race boats have been attracted to the challenges that these races bring. The shifting winds that sailors encounter in Subic Bay, as well as en route to the beautiful island of Boracay cause headaches for the unwary, opportunities for the observant and hard work for the crews. Nevertheless, challengers anticipate the excitement and uncertainty towards the finish line and reap the rewards from their two to three days of gruelling racing. Cebu Pacific Air (CEB), the official airline partner, is working hand in hand with the organizers to bring in international competitors, to make this regatta an even more thrilling one. “International events like this can put the Philippines on the map for sailors and sailing enthusiasts in the region. CEB welcomes the racers to fun Philippines,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog. Stakes are high as Capt. Marty Rijkuris, organizer of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit (asianyachting.com) keeps score of the regattas that count towards the much coveted AY Skipper and Yacht of the Year. The race to Boracay and the Boracay Cup are two out of the twelve races which are conducted across South East Asia, in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong that award points to the winners. The accolades are given at the end of the racing season in Koh Samui. Jelik (title holder of 2013 Yacht of the Year) owned by Asian Yachting Grand Prix Skipper of 2013, Frank Pong, snatched the combined Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race and Boracay Cup Regatta 2014 title from two-year consecutive champion Karakoa skippered by Ray Ordoveza in the IRC Racing Class. One of the best race management teams in Asia will be led by renowned International Race Officer Jerry Rollin for both events, ensuring a high standard and world class race conduct. Starting the race in Subic Bay provides the advantages of safe marina facilities and the wide expanse of Subic Bay for the start and this is more than matched by the windy conditions in Boracay that makes for an exceptional racing experience. Truly, sailing is more fun in the Philippines. The Standard Insurance 6th Subic Bay to Boracay Race & Boracay Cup Regatta is spearheaded by Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing, (also known as SAGS), Asian Yachting Grand Prix and Philippine Sailing Association, co-presented by PLDT Alpha, in conjunction with Resorts World Manila, Watercraft Venture Corporation and The Lighthouse Marina Resort. In cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Subic Bay HATS & Visitors Board, Olongapo City, Department of Tourism, Province of Aklan, Municipality of Malay, Philippine Coast Guard and the Regatta’s Official Airline Partner, Cebu Pacific. Major Sponsors include PLDT SME Nation, North Philippines Visitors Bureau, North Luzon Expressway, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Harbor Point Ayala Mall, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Tanduay, ICTSI-Subic, Allphones, Ruckus Wireless, Pepsi Cola Inc. and Tourism Promotions Board Official Media Partners Manila Bulletin, Wondertower Creative, Asia Pacific Boating Hotel Partners are Sea Wind Resort, Boracay Beach Resort, Boracay Regency Beach and Spa, Discovery Shores, Terrace Hotel and Bayfront Hotel. Minor Sponsors Smart Satellite, Sand Bar Beach Club, Quiksilver, Autohub, Petron, Jack Daniels, PLDT Subictel, Broadwater Marine, International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, Phinsaf, Papaya Yacht Charter and Services, and San Miguel Brewery. Media Partners Speed Magazine, C! Magazine, Calibre, Business Mirror, La Isla Magazine, Freeport Cable Inc., Batang Gapo News TV, Subic Times, Fragrant Harbo

Philippinisches Kulinarisches in Deutsch und Tagalog (Teil V)

- TINAPA: Ob zum Abendessen oder zum Mittagessen - diesen delikaten speziell aufbereiteten Raeucherfisch sollte man unbedingt einmal probiert haben.

- TALABA: Austern habe ich fuer mein Leben gern genossen. Auch hier auf den Philippinen. Allerdings gibt es nur einen Marktstand auf dem Public Market Davao Agdao, wo ich die wirklich frischen Austern kaufe. Guten Appetit!

(Fortsetzung folgt!)