Pag-asa Island visit shows stronger Philippines' position on sea disputes

'Pag-asa Island visit shows stronger PH position on sea disputes'

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Apr 24 2017 10:09 AM | Updated as of Apr 24 2017 11:47 AM

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A view of Philippine occupied (Pagasa) Thitu island in disputed South China Sea. Reuters

MANILA - A foreign affairs analyst believes Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana's visit to the Pag-asa Island signals a stronger position of the Philippines on the disputed seas.

• In shadow of China's reef city, Philippines seeks upgrade for Pag-asa

Professor Richard Heydarian said Lorenzana's visit to the island located in disputed South China Sea is a "major, major shift" in the administration's moves regarding the matter.

This is the reason, said Heydarian, why China was "gravely concerned" and "dissatisfied" with the incident, prompting it to issue a statement.

"Now, we suddenly have the Duterte administration trying to draw the line in the sand and sending clearer signal to the Chinese that we're going to stand our ground," he told ANC on Monday.

Heydarian said Lorenzana's visit to Pag-asa Island shows that resistance is an option for the Philippines when it comes to the disputed seas.

He believes the Duterte administration should also make it clear that despite pledges of investments, the Philippines is standing its ground on its claims and is not giving concessions to China on the matter.

"I think it's very important for the Duterte administration to make it clear that improvement of bilateral relations is by no means tantamount to the Philippines just giving up on its claims and relaxing its position on sensitive territorial and maritime issues.," he said.

The Philippines and China are set to hold bilateral talks on the dispute in May.

A Philippine flag flutters in Philippine occupied (Pagasa) Thitu island, in disputed South China Sea, as soldiers and civilians sing the country's national anthem. Reuters

Making the difference

SAT, APRIL 22, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

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 rest-less 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. 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.

However, a migrant bears a juxtaposition of optimism (even calculated optimism!), confused feelings, nostalgia, and home-sickness. Yes guys, during the first two 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. Already, during my first business meetings, I 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.

Russian Navy in Philippines for joint drills

Friday, 21 April 2017

Russian navy in Philippines for joint drills

Ahoy, there: The Russian missile cruiser Varyag arriving at the international port of Manila. — AFP

 

MANILA: Russian navy vessels have arrived in the Philippines for joint exercises as part of a drive for new security ties under President Rodrigo Duterte’s revamped foreign policy of courting the traditional foes of Manila’s top ally, Washington.

The guided missile cruiser Varyag, accompanied by the fuel tanker ship Pechenge, are on a four-day goodwill visit to the Philippines, the second port call by Russian warships in three months.

The move is part of what Duterte describes as a pursuit of a constitutionally mandated “independent foreign policy”.

He has made no secret of his grudge against the United States and has made befriending Russia and China the priority of his diversification drive.

Captain Lued Lincuna, director of the Philippine navy’s public affairs, said the Philippines hoped to learn from the Russians during training activities and a demonstration of advanced equipment and weapons systems.

The schedule included training and sports activities with the flagship vessel of the Russian Pacific fleet, plus a Russian concert in a park.

Russian commander Captain Alexsei Ulyanenko said the port call would make a “significant contribution” to strengthening relations and maintaining stability in the region.

Moscow wants to help Manila combat extremism and piracy, stepping up cooperation and training in areas where the Philippines has traditionally worked closely with its former colonial master, the United States.

The relationship is expected to develop further next month when Duterte and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin witness the signing of defence agreements in Moscow. — Reuters

COMVAL conducts Training for SBB Youth Volunteers

Comval conducts training for SBB youth volunteers

Compostela Valley Province---The provincial government of Compostela Valley led by Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy through the Bayanihan Para Sa Karunungan Program (BPSK) conducts training workshop for the youth volunteers for the Summer Big Brother (SBB), a reading comprehension program for Grade 2 and Grade 3 elementary pupils who are identified as non-readers. With the theme, “We are Love. We are Hope. We are Volunteers,” the event was held on April 7-9, at Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School (NNCHS) in Poblacion, Nabunturan Comval.

With a total of 404 youth volunteers of the province who already completed the slots. The volunteers were called as Big Ates andKuyas who are going to serve the total target students of 3,030 non-readers for 101 implementing schools of the entire province for 15-day remedial classes.

Gov. Uy expressed his gratitude and inspired the youth volunteers saying "I assure you, you will enjoy this program and you will have a sense of fulfillment after na makahelp ta sa mga bata."

Governor Uy recalled how the BPSK started with only three schools when he was still the Chairman of the Committee on Education and expressed his utmost gratitude to all the eager youth volunteers for their willingness to help of the young Comvaleños.

He assured the youth volunteers that he will give his full support especially during their deployment.

Meanwhile, SP Member and Committee Chair on Education Hon. Vivencia L. Secuya joined the youth volunteers on their last day of training at NNCHS on April 9 and thanked the young people in ComVal who expressed their desire to become part of the program with powerful words of encouragement and left a challenge to the youth volunteers to continue embracing and fostering the Spirit of Volunteerism.

The SBB Season 4 will start on April 24 for the 101 implementing schools of the province. (Rey Antibo, IDS Comval)

Money makes the world go round?

MON, APRIL 17, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

Some people have money to burn! Every time, I ob-serve them, I feel that their money is going down their drain. Yes, “money talks”. The more money you have, the more you might become avaricious. Every time, we have to dig deeper into our pockets, we might longing to be like those people, who don’t see the difference between a 500 or 1,000 bill.

I am really not rich! I also wouldn’t hesitate to say, that I would like to be so! Being rich means having wealth! Wealth is abundance, opulence and affluence. Affluence becomes quickly influence. Dyed-in-the-wool millionaires or even multi-millionaires over lose their view of reality many times. They can’t even see the horizon, which could be the demarcation of their real estate. They even don’t recognize the wonderful flowers growing and blooming in their gardens.

Money calms down! Sure. No doubts at all! We all need an income to survive for our daily needs – and, maybe, a little bit more. Many of us struggle through life and work like slaves for a pitiful daily minimum wage. If you’re rich, you might be on the top. But believe me, once you are on top, you will have some unwelcome, mostly acceptable companions such as loneliness, so-called friends (!), parasites and free-loaders.

These companions will let you scream in pain, because you will start missing things, you have expected from them: real friendship, love, care, comprehension, understanding, sympathy, appreciation…. Remember such things? Miss such things?

Yes, money can give you a wonderful sleep, and you might stay in one of the most luxurious beds – but being awake, while your poorest neighbor sleeps better and more peaceful on the floor. There are many sayings about money. I like this one: Money can buy books but not brains. You might study a lot and get a lot of experiences; it’s just a pity, if you don’t use them at the right time for the right people in your surroundings.

Money can buy food but no appetite. Who reaps the benefits of it? A full to overflowing store room will never be satisfying, if sour free-loaders join your table and push away your real friends.

Our last earthly dress has no more pockets. The remembrance on how we acted and lived together with our fellow creatures will remain forever. With money, we might be able to let the devil dance. But, money alone doesn’t make us happy. Money kills more people and friendships than a cudgel.

The more money, the more problems.

The more money, the more we have to pay and the higher our bills become….

Money makes the world go round, the world go round ….

Summer Adventure Awaits Tourists in Samal Island

By: Vina Araneta, ABS-CBN News

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DAVAO CITY - The Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte is known for its beautiful beach resorts, the main reason why tourists frequently visit the island.

However, there are other ways that tourists can enjoy Samal this summer. 

One is through an extreme water adventure. Visitors can try the giant water slide and water blob at Maxima Aqua Fun Resort in Barangay Peñaplata.

According to Erma Hagnaya, during her firsts attempts, she got scared. But eventually she found them quite funny and enjoyable. 

"Scared at first but if you have tried it, it's fun," says Erma.

You can also ride the banana boat, drive a jetski, and of course, go scuba diving. Samal has a rich marine life. There are different varieties of corals, colorful fish and giant clams.

Samal also has a new attraction: Johnny's ride, which is similar to an open cable car. 

A 30-foot high and 30-foot long canopy walk is also a must-try. At the finish line, you will have an adrenaline rush because of the super drop! 

But if you want to experience nature trip, trek and swim at Hagimit falls. Hagimit actually has nine falls. Tourists keep on coming back because of its clear and cold water, which is perfect for summer.

Your itinerary would not be complete if you will not visit the Monfort Bat sanctuary in Babak, Samal, which is home to more than 2.5 million bats.

In fact, it holds the title of the Guinness World Record of largest colony of Geoffroy's Rousette fruit bats.

Tourist guide Analyn Baldoza says the area used to be a hiding place for Samal residents during the World War 2.

There are about 70 bat caves in Samal. No wonder Samal is considered as the bat cave capital of the Philippines. 

Samal Island can be reached through a motorboat or a ferry at the Sta. Ana Wharf or at Km 11 and 12 in Sasa.