VOLUME 5,
ISSUE No.2
MAY 11-20, 2015
Boracay tourism remains
high despite APEC hosting
T
By Karen Bermejo | Photo by Alex Carlo Magno
he number of tourist arrivals in
Boracay increased despite the tight
security being implemented in the
resort-island due to the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings
here.
During a press briefing, Foreign Affairs
Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, also the
spokesperson for APEC said meetings here is
not driving away tourist but in fact promotes
the island.
“We are on track of meeting the usual
number of tourists,” he said.
In the first 15 days of this month, Jose
cited that about 94,000 tourists visited the
island.
“If the trend continues, we may be
exceeding the number of tourist arrivals last
year,” he added.
According to Jose, about 163,000
tourists visited the island for the month of
May last year.
He also noted that hosting APEC is a
good promotion for the island, known for
its White Beach.
“We specifically selected Boracay as
one of the venues for this hosting of APEC
because we would like to promote tourism RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
of Boracay, as well as other major cities
As one of the country’s top destination,
and tourist attractions in the Philippines,” Jose said the APEC National Organizing
he said.
Council also promotes on responsible
Jose also noted that some APEC tourism during the duration of the meetings.
delegates “are even excited to visit Boarcay
“We are still conscious of our
since many of them have heard Boracay as responsibility towards our environment,”
a famous tourism destination.”
he said.
Around 1,500 delegates from the 21
Jose said cleanups along the shorelines
APEC economies are here for the second of Boracay’s White Beach were conducted
round of the Senior Officials Meeting and since the start of the meetings here.
other related meetings, which began on
Aside from tourism, Jose said Boracay
May 10 and would culminate in the proper benefited in the APEC hosting for the
meeting on May 21.
investments on infrastructure that have
It will be followed by the Ministerial been implemented here.*
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
5-7AM : TODO KOMENTARYO
Jujet Reyes
7-10:0AM : TODO LATIGO
Jonathan Cabrera
9:30-12:00PM : MORNING MUSIC
Meeting Responsible for Trade on May 23
to 24.
Meanwhile, Malay Councilor Rowen
Aguirre, local focal person for the APEC said
the meetings here did not affect the tourism
activities of the island.
“There are no suspensions of any
activities,” he said.
12:00PM-2PM : TODO AKSYON
Che Indelible
2-3PM : PALAUTWASAN MO
Jess Salonzo
3-5PM : TODO MUSIKAHAN
Dj Daxie
For more information visit us at www.boracayinformer.com
like and follow us on
5-6PM : TODO SERBISYO PUBLIKO
Jerome Vega
6-6:30PM : TODO BALITA
Jess Salonzo
6:30-8:30PM : HALO-HALO NIGHT
Dj Callie
8:30PM-10:30PM : TODO LABUGAY
Dj Daxie
10PM-5AM : MUSIC
/boracayinformer
/RadyoTodo885Fm
BORACAY INFORMER | 1
SUMMARY OF MEETINGS
SECOND SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING AND RELATED MEETINGS
9 – 24 May 2015
Boracay, Philippines
DATE
MEETING
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Oceans and Fisheries Working Group
(OFWG)
Workshop on Climate Change
Sunday, 10 May 2015
Oceans and Fisheries Working Group
(OFWG)
Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG)
Monday, 11 May 2015
Telecommunications and Information
Working Group (TELWG)
Oceans and Fisheries Working Group
(OFWG)
Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG)
Workshop on Green Supply Chain
APMEN joint Ad-Hoc Group
TiVA Technical Group
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Telecommunications and Information
Working Group (TELWG)
Oceans and Fisheries Working Group
(OFWG)
APEC Study Centers Consortium (ASCC)
Conference 2015
Project Management Training
Public-Private Partnership on
Environmental Goods and Services
(PPEGS)
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Telecommunications and Information
Working Group (TELWG)
Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS)
APEC Study Centers Consortium (ASCC)
Conference 2015
– PASCN Member Institution
Business Meeting
Project Management Training
CTI FoTC on Environmental Goods and
Services (EGS)
– CTI Friends of the Chair (FoTC) on Global
Value Chains (GVCs)
-CTI FoTC on Next Generation Trade and
Investment Issues (NGETI)
Emergency Preparedness Working Group
(EPWG)
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Telecommunications and Information
Working Group (TELWG)
Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS)
Project Management Training
– Trade Policy Dialogue (TPD) on RTAsFTAs
– Task Force on FTAAP Collective Strategic
Study
– FoTC on Strengthening REI and Advancing
the FTAAP
37th Human Resources Development
Working Group (HRDWG)
Emergency Preparedness Working Group
(EPWG)
2 | BORACAY INFORMER
DATE
MEETING
Friday, 15 May 2015
Telecommunications and Information
Working Group (TELWG)
Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS)
Management Council Meeting
Seminar on the Middle Income Trap
Committee on Trade and Investment
(CTI) Plenary
37th Human Resources Development
Working Group (HRDWG)
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Telecommunications and Information
Working Group (TELWG)
Policy Partnership on Science,
Technology and Innovation (PPSTI)
Tourism Working Group (TWG) Executive
Committee Meeting
EC Preparatory Meeting on the SRMM
Committee on Trade and Investment
(CTI) Plenary
37th Human Resources Development
Working Group (HRDWG)
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) on Services
EC Private Sector Dialogue on Structural
Reform
Policy Partnership on Science, Technology
and Innovation (PPSTI)
Tourism Working Group (TWG)
37th Human Resources Development
Working Group (HRDWG)
Monday, 18 May 2015
Symposium on the Internet Economy
SOM Friends of The Chair on Connectivity
Policy Partnership on Science, Technology
and Innovation (PPSTI)
Tourism Working Group (TWG)
Tuesday, 19 May 2015
SOM Committee on ECOTECH (SCE)
Policy Support Unit (PSU) Board Meeting
Tourism Working Group (TWG) APEC and
WTTC Conference on Tourism and Taxation
APEC Alliance for Supply Chain
Connectivity (A2C2)
Preparatory meeting on HLPD on Science
and Technology in Higher Education (STHE)
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Saturday, 23 May 2015
Sunday, 24 May 2015
Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)
Tourism Working Group (TWG) Technical Tour
Preparatory meeting on HLPD on Science
and Technology in Higher Education (STHE)
Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)
Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT)
Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT)
SOURCE: APEC2015.ph
BORACAY INFORMER | 3
Aklan CICL to have
rehab home
By Venus Villanueva
A
few years ago, the province of
Aklan was jolted with a police
report that a ten-year old
girl, struck in the head with a heavy
object, was found dead in a hinterland
municipality here. The male suspect, it
turned out, was also a minor who just
struck dead the girl in a wooded area,
confident that as a minor, he will not go
to jail.
There were also reports of a series
of robberies in public markets, shopping
centers, and dormitories here, allegedly
committed by minors with the stolen
commodities sold by the perpetrators
themselves.
There was even a radio report years
back that when a young boy was caught
red-handed doing a crime in Boracay
Island, his mother came prepared to
the station to claim him, bringing along
his birth certificate to show that he is a
minor and thus could not be detained or
be charged with the crime.
“
Children have to have a chance
at rehabilitation – this is one way
of showing our commitment to
protect our children – with some
of them forced to commit crimes
due to circumstances” -Miraflores
4 | BORACAY INFORMER
Alarmed by these scenarios and with
the belief that given a chance, these young
perpetrators can still redeem themselves
and be useful Filipino citizens, the
provincial government, in 2011, decided to
build a facility for these so-called Children
In Conflict with the Law (CICL).
The construction of the building was
considered then by erstwhile provincial
government officials as consistent with
the provision of Republic Act 9344, RA
7610 (Child Abuse Law), PD 603 (The Child
and Youth Welfare Code), Aklan Children’s
Code and other international and national
policies for the welfare of children.
The building, now fully completed,
stands on a 500 square-meter lot owned
by the Provincial Government in Nalook,
Kalibo, and had been recently inaugurated
a day before the province of Aklan turned
59 years old when it separated from Capiz
on April 25, 1956 through Republic Act
1414.
Provincial Social Welfare and
Development Officer (PSWDO) Evangelina
Gallega, during the blessing and
inauguration of the AYC, said its operation
will be a milestone for Aklan children who
are harassed, “blottered” and forced to
commit crimes.
Gallega said “blottered” because
children are also subject of PNP blotter
reports whenever they commit offenses,
which could be traumatic for them.
“The AYC will operate 24/7 which
will serve as a residential center for the
rehabilitation of CICL aged 15 years old and
below 18 years old who have court orders.
This is the first of its kind in Region 6 to
be owned and operated by a provincial
government”, Gallega said.
Gallega explained that there are indeed
structures in other provinces in Region 6
catering to minor offenders and abused
children, but these are funded by the
national government, unlike this one in
Aklan where the local government provides
funds for its establishment and operations.
For his part, Aklan Governor Florencio
T. Miraflores expressed amazement when
he entered the AYC for the first time for
the inauguration and blessing, thinking that
the building he saw few months ago before
its completion is intended to be a nursery
of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist
(OPA).
When he saw it to its entirety, Governor
Miraflores said it should not be treated as
a prison for youth offenders but as a home.
“Children have to have a chance at
rehabilitation – this is one way of showing
our commitment to protect our children
– with some of them forced to commit
crimes due to circumstances”, Miraflores
said.
He, however stressed that while
the CICLs are provided with a beautiful
home, some important factors must be
considered by the PSWDO in operating it
– one is the selection of the right staff or
“house parents”, who have the right attitude
and ability to encourage the children to be
productive and renewed.
“Let us not just hire the needed staff
because they are available,” he told Gallega.
Miraflores also expressed the hope
that the center will be a model of other
local government units to replicate. He
also acknowledged his predecessor, former
Governor Carlito S. Marquez, for initiating
the establishment of the center.
The center, targeted to operate June
2015, can accommodate 40 residents at a
time, both boys and girls.
Among the gender-responsive
programs and services at AYC identified
by the PSWDO include Capability Building
Training for Personal Enhancement, Skills
Development Especially on Entrepreneurial
Skills; Livelihood Assistance for Small Scale
Enterprises, Legal Services, Recreational
and socio-Cultural Development Services,
Life Skills Training and Peer Group
Counselling, Positive Lifestyle Promotion,
Values Formation and Population
Awareness, Educational Assistance, Health
Services (medical and psychiatric); Social
Services, Referral Services, Provision of
Basic Needs, Community Participation,
Spiritual Enrichment, Judicial Liaison, and
After:Care Community-Based Treatment.
According to the PSWDO, after-care
service is included in the treatment plan
of the CICL to ensure that those discharged
from the center can reclaim their part and
role in society, seeing the need to assist
them in their reunification with their
families and reentry in their respective
communities.
The AYC is considered the third unique
milestone the province has established
to show that it cares for its women and
children – after the establishment of
Aklan Comprehensive Center for Women
(ACCW) in Kalibo to cater to abused and
disadvantaged women, and the Social
Welfare Desk at Caticlan Jetty Port to check
against women and child trafficking. (PIA6Aklan)
Visayas power
until 2018 only
E
Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla
nergy Secretary Jericho Petilla
revealed that power supply
sufficiency in Visayas may be until
2018 only.
This is base on a committed power at
this time in Visayas region wherein power
plant mobilizations and construction are
already on going, according to Petilla.
“There is only 70MW power excess in
Visayas but we still have a shortfall on
reserves. We are now on yellow alert,”
Petilla said.
But he clarified that the Department
of Energy is not worried due to power
companies in the Visayas that showed
Photo by Alex Carlo Magno
interest to commit 600-800 MW power.
Petilla added that DOE is now confident
to address supply insufficiency through
the augmentation of power from Luzon
because the grid is already connected to
Visayas.
Petilla also encouraged all sectors to
push that power plants be constructed in
the locality to ensure supply availability
particularly during calamities.
Petilla is in Aklan for a tour on the 18
newly installed wind power owned by
PetroWind Energy Inc. (PWEI) with 36MW dependable capacity.
LOWER THE POWER RATES
Petilla also encouraged distribution
utilities to buy directly to power producers
or through the Wholesale Electricity Spot
Market (WESM), in a bid to reduce power
rates.
Lower
Akelco
bills in
May
6 | BORACAY INFORMER
“It is okay for now that you purchase a
cheapest power price like in a coal plant
in Concepcion (Iloilo) but we are confident
that sooner WESM will be much cheaper,”
he said.
Akelco recently signed a power
purchase agreement with Palm
C
ustomers of the Aklan Electric
Cooperative (Akelco) will see
their bills go down this month.
Akelco said power rates
for May will decrease by P0.8480 per
kilowatt hour (kwh) for residential
consumers and P0.8517 per kilowatt hour
for commercial consumers.
For residential consumers, rates
will go down to P10.1481/kwh from
P10.9961/kwh last month.
From P9.2020/kwh last month,
rates for commercial consumers will
meanwhile decrease to P10.0537/kwh.
Akelco said the reduction in rate
Concepcion Power Corporation at a
current rate of around P5.00 per kwh.
He added that power will become
cheaper if distribution utilities in the
region will aggregate their power
demands and present it for bidding of all
suppliers.*
is due to the drop in generation and
transmission charges, and system losses.
Power consumers are meanwhile
reminded that monthly electricity rate
may vary and that monthly rate might
increase or decrease depending on
the underlying factors like generation
charges or cost of power, market prices,
system loss and other reasons.
Akelco also encouraged the public
to always conserve electricity and to
be responsible in their electric power
consumption, especially this summer
season.* (Informer)
BORACAY INFORMER | 7
Nationwide
Education Outreach
Program set T
in Kalibo
he youth volunteer group LIRA, led
by its president and Aklanon youth
leader Phillip Yerro Kimpo Jr., will
hold the 35th edition of its nationwide
seminar-workshop series, the “Pambansang
Edukasyong Pampanitikan” (National
Literary Education) at the Northwestern
Visayan Colleges Gym, Capitol Site, Kalibo,
Aklan on May 30 – June 1, 2015.
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
- No registration fee.
- First 200 registrants only, with priority being
given to teachers in Kalibo and
adjacent towns.
- Please text your name & school to Simon
Pamati-an (09126694102) or Aissa
Amerila (036-2683332), or
- Visit the Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes
Memorial Foundation office, 2nd
Floor, Mijares-Reyes Bldg. beside
the Museo it Akean.
- Deadline of registration: May 25, 2015.
SPEAKERS/FACILITATORS:
- Dr. Michael M. Coroza, Ateneo de Manila
University
- Prof. Louie Jon A. Sanchez, LIRA - Mr. Phillip
Yerro Kimpo, former Editor-in-Chief
of ABS-CBN Choose Philippines
BENEFITS:
- 3-day certificate of attendance &
participation; - free training for
educators, campus journalists,
budding writers;
- free handbook/teaching module.
Titled “PEP 35: Kalibo,” the project is
sponsored by the Komisyon sa Wikang
Filipino (KWF), Department of Education
– Division of Aklan, Northwestern Visayan
Colleges, Hotel Carmen, Archbishop Gabriel
M. Reyes Memorial Foundation, Kimpo
Family of Aklan, and the Pulong ng Kabataan.
Started in 2008, the PEP project has
8 | BORACAY INFORMER
benefited more than 3,000 teachers and
students from more than 300 public and
private schools and other institutions in 30+
towns all over the country. It aims to help
advance literature, language, patriotism,
and the beneficiaries’ communication skills
through the teaching of native literary
works.
Founded in 1985, the Linangan sa
Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) is a
nationally recognized, volunteer-run,
education NGO; the oldest organization of
poets in Filipino; and one of the country’s
premier literary groups. The organization
holds a yearly five-month-long poetry clinic
held for the most part in the University of
the Philippines - Diliman. The PEP project is
an effort to bring part of this clinic outside
of Metro Manila.
In 2011, Kalibonhon youth leader Phillip
Yerro Kimpo led LIRA to being declared
as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth
Organizations (TAYO) in Malacañang Palace
by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III,
making LIRA the first literary group in the
TAYO Awards’ nine-year history.
In 2012, LIRA was named by the
national government as the National
Capital Region’s outstanding volunteer
organization. It was a twin award, as Kimpo
was also recognized as the NCR’s most
outstanding youth volunteer.
Esteemed Aklanon writers and scholars
Melchor Cichon and John Barrios are
the program’s guests of honor. Helping
the team as workshop mentors are UST
professor Mariane Abuan and up-andcoming LIRA poets Mark Joseph Arisgado
and Aldrin Pentero.
Parties interested in helping or
participating in the nationwide seminarworkshop series can contact program
director Phillip Yerro Kimpo at pykimpo@
gmail.com.
For more information, visit LIRA on
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/
PalihangLIRA) and Twitter (https://twitter.
com/makatangLIRA).
BORACAY INFORMER | 9
FEATURE
The artist, Erlinda Quimpo Fernandez
with her summer class students
during their workshop at STUDIO Q.
Aklanon painter trains kids on
En Plein Air Impressionism
Text by Erlinda Quimpo-Fernandez
Photos by Alex Carlo Magno
T
he artist, ERLINDA QUIMPO FERNANDEZ
is an En Plein Air Impressionist, inspired
by the famous impressionists as Monet,
Van Gogh, Renoir, Georgia O’Keefe. She
paints landscapes, seascapes, floral still life,
from local Philippine locations and themes.
She works mostly as her favorite media Oil on
Canvas, and some Watercolors and acrylics. She
also does sculpture and Raku ceramics.
BORACAYINFORMER
INFORMER
10| |BORACAY
10
While having her fine arts education in
the United States of America, she joined art
associations in the area, namely the Diamond
Valley Arts Council and the Hemet Valley Arts
Association, joined a number of art exhibitions
where she garnered some awards for her
artworks.
Now back in her native hometown, she is
happy to share her artworks and her talents.
She has had continually joined art exhibitions
both in Manila and in Aklan. She has actively
organized a local group of Aklanon artists,
the Lakbay Kulay, Aklan Chapter. She has also
reactivated the Arts Council of Aklan.
She now has her works displayed for sale
at her Studio Q and Gallery located at SalasQuimpo (SQ) Plaza, at XIX Martyrs St., Kalibo,
Aklan. In addition, she offers art classes for all
ages.
Her artist’s statement is: “Working with
my canvas is to be part of the Greatest Artist
of all, and His magnificent creations. Sharing
my talent through my artworks is sharing His
creations.”
Artist E. QUIMPO F., who is referred to by
some as “the Monet of Aklan”, also hopes to
someday paint as many Aklan sceneries with
her en plein air impressionism style.*
BORACAYINFORMER
INFORMER| |11
BORACAY
11
OPINION
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FIND, FOLLOW, AND CONNECT WITH US
Boracay Informer is published by
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Inc. with main business office
at Manggayad Main Road, Brgy.
Manoc-manoc, Boracay Island,
Malay, Aklan, Philippines.
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I
B
General Manager
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Operations Manager
Lilia dela Cruz
Editor-in-Chief
Karen Bermejo
Layout & Graphics
Kent Jufre Taborda
Online Administrator
Bryan Gonzales
Columnists & Contributors:
Megs Lunn
Atty. Ronquillo Tolentino
Odon Bandiola
Narciso Dionson
Maria Solita Zaldivar-Guzman
Michel van der Kleij
Central Office :
Manggayad Main Road,
Manoc-manoc, Boracay Island,
Malay, Aklan
Tel. No.
(036) 288-2418
(Operations & Marketing)
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and Promotions
Email:
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12| BORACAY INFORMER
A call to Roxas,
Jimenez & Domingo
ECHOES FROM
Johnny Dayang
T
his is an urgent matter DILG
Secretary Mar Roxas, Tourism
Secretary Ramon Jimenez and Trade
Secretary Gregory Domingo should
jointly look into and address immediately.
In Buruanga, Aklan, now an emerging
tourism destination, the mayor is
reportedly abusing his powers to harass
a local investor who owns a resort that is
already attracting local and foreign tourists.
The resort has been featured in several
online sites.
Reports said businessman Ariel
Abriam, past Aklan chapter president of
the Philippines Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (PCCI), was compelled to
petition the Kalibo Regional Trial Court to
get Buruanga Mayor Quezon Labindao off
his back.
Abriam alleged Labindao has been
harassing him since 2004 to force him to
give up a beach-front property where he
legally operates Ariel’s Point Resort since
2009. The alleged harassment turned
disastrous when Labindao ordered Abriam’s
resort padlocked and permanently closed
on March 3, 2015.
Abriam said his family acquired the
property in 2009. The resort has obtained
the necessary permits and licenses
from Labindao’s office and the national
government since then up to 2014 without
any hitch, proof that its operation is aboveboard.
To counteract the closure order,
Abriam, through his counsel MarienneI
Badlit, petitioned the Kalibo RTC for a
certiorari prohibition and mandamus with
urgent appeal for temporary restraining
order (TRO), and/or writ of preliminary
prohibition/mandatory injunction.
Abriam revealed that in a hearing called
by the municipal government on Ariel’s
Point Resort’s alleged violations, Labindao
mentioned his desire to have the property
acquired by Oceanpark, which already has
a facility nearby. “He (Labindao) explained
that it would be more beneficial to the
Municipality of Buruanga if the property is
sold to Oceanpark as it is a bigger investor,”
he disclosed.
Abriam said the municipal government
merely concocted grounds to close his
resort. He asked the court to issue a 72hour ex-parte TRO; upon summary hearing,
and extend the TRO for another 20 days,
and subsequently stop permanently the
implementation of the mayor’s closure
order. He also asked the court to order
Labindao and his fellow respondents to
pay P4.7 million in indemnity, damages
and litigation fees.
With the reported wanton disregard of
due process in the mayor’s handling of the
case, a cloud of fear has now reportedly
enveloped the business community in
Buruanga.
This matter deserves the prompt
attention of Roxas, Jimenez and Domingo.*
“
He (Labindao)
explained that it would
be more beneficial to the
Municipality of Buruanga
if the property is sold to
Oceanpark as it is a bigger
investor,” he disclosed.
BORACAY INFORMER | 13
COLUMN
COLUMN
Pay forward
BORACAY FURRY TAILS
T
Michael van der Kleij
he other day a very interesting post
on Facebook (incidentally, just search for
“Aklan Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation
Center” if you’d like to see our page)
caught my eye. It was about the beautiful
concept of “Paying Forward”. The idea is that
the more fortunate among us, buy those less
fortunate something nice, like a cup of coffee,
without even knowing who that less fortunate
person is or him/her even being present. It
doesn’t have to be a major investment, just
some small gesture will do. Apparently, a well
known US based coffee shop offers this facility
for the homeless people in larger cities, like
New York. You just order two coffees, one for
yourself and the other as “pay forward”.
The 2nd cup of coffee will be ready and
waiting whenever a homeless person checks
in to see if there’s one available. In connection
with this fabulous concept, I was also reminded
of the notion that you are only doing good if the
receiver of your benevolence can’t repay you.
I guess there are even biblical parallels to that
idea and of course Gandhi has many quotes to
his name like this.
Don’t you agree that this concept translates
very well to animal welfare and animal rescue
in particular? Let’s face it, the puppy that you
pick up from the filthy road and bathe and find
a good home for, will never repay you other
than by showing genuine happiness, loyalty
and gratitude.
In a way, the (temporary) shelter that you
offer that needy animal is like “paying forward”
for a homeless and destitute person that is
forced to roam the city streets. What I truly love
about this concept is that you don’t need to be
wealthy or powerful to participate. Just a small
gesture makes all the difference. It is way better
than just giving money to a beggar: remember I
wrote about the begging syndicate a few weeks
ago that were using kids and puppies to make
you part with your money? Well, buying dog
food for the puppy and some healthy food for
the child most certainly will do both of them
good without playing into the hands of the
syndicate. A small gesture, but nonetheless:
we all win!
A number of animals that we care for in
our center came to us through others. Some
THE GOOD LIFE
of them were rescued by tourists staying in
Boracay, others by local residents and still
others arrived from Manila where they were
rescued from a tough life by loving people.
There is a rescuer in every caring person I’ve
noticed, so please don’t be shy and let the
rescuer in you make that kind gesture. When
you do run into a needy kitten or puppy, or
the adult versions of those of course, then
please don’t turn away. Instead, remember this
beautiful concept of “pay forward” and make a
difference in a fellow creature’s life. I guarantee
you that you won’t be sorry!
Would you like me to write about a particular
subject or give feedback, please contact me at
[email protected]
Megs Lunn
T
“
You educate
a man, you
educate a
man. You
educate a
woman, you
educate a
generation.
“
14 | BORACAY INFORMER
Woman
his week was so overwhelming. I
thought I could go back to a counseling
school or a crash course and learn more
about a lot of things. Because when a
person comes for help, I do not pretend to know
everything. I need to learn more in order to
help more. The situation is so alarming, though
we live a good life, others are suffering from
family problem like violence at home between
husband and wife, between parents and his
child, fighting with the neighborhood because
of right of way or a piece of land, couple fighting
over jealousy of a husband or even vice versa,
etc. An emotionally and physically battered
wife is a not, ever a good sight to behold. It
is disturbing and a woman like her do not
deserved to be treated this way.
A ver y ac tive non - governmental
organization, for one, in the province of
Aklan – Men Opposed to VAW Everywhere
(MOVE)- Aklan Chapter vow to end VIOLENCE
AGAINST WOMEN. Surely, in other provinces
in the country is the same. We are protected
by Republic Act 9262, otherwise known as
the “Anti-Violence Against Women and Their
Children Act of 2004” which was enacted by
the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress on March 8, 2004. But
mind you, not all women are aware of this law.
They do not know that there is MOVE they can
run to for help and protection. Worst, if they
knew it, they are afraid to speak because of
fear, pride and embarrassment. This is the real
culprit. The fear and pride!
A woman is to be empowered. A woman’s
face is hope and courage. A woman might not
be perfect, but she deserves all the best in life.
The true beauty of a woman resides in her heart.
Look at her eyes as she lovingly care and gives
passion in all that she does. Her voice is the
sweetest, her action is the strongest and her
love is the most pure.
A woman no matter what she does is still
a woman. Being a woman is a terrible task,
they usually deal with a difficult man. As the
saying goes, “You educate a man, you educate
a man. You educate a woman, you educate a
generation.”
The Philippine Commission on Women on
gender’s equality and women’s empowerment
said that violence against women is one of the
pervasive social problems. About between
15-49 years old are experiencing violence
since age 15. The society dictates that men
are leaders, providers and the most dominant.
And this perception makes men think that they
are, indeed. While the woman is put at home,
for a man and his children, to serve, care and
love them. I may add, to sacrifice quietly when
trouble comes.
A woman may not know that she is already
harassed. The impact is not just physical, it
also affects mentally and emotionally. It can
threaten not only your security, but your future,
you may not know it. A woman feels the hurt
inside and she is very quiet and pretends
nothing happened. Until some day she woke
up and say, “this is not what I deserved.” Then
a woman runs for help. What comfort can we
give?
The government and some NGO’s are
actively taking part to help them. There are
many mechanisms and crusade that we can
take part and help. Know your right. Know the
law and get courage to get help. Let us sustain
VAW (Violence Against Women). Let us be
persuasive and vigilant to help take out violence
at home, in the office, and in the community. It
starts from a – woman.
As the saying goes, “You can break down
a woman physically, but you can’t break her
soul.” So woman, I tell you, be like a woman
and walk like a woman with a purpose. For a
woman who walks with God will always reach
her destination right.
But then again, “Do not underestimate the
power of an extremely pissed woman.”
BORACAY INFORMER | 15
COLUMN
To go by 2go
B
y the time my wife and I finally
decided on our trip to Manila, the
flights out of Caticlan and Kalibo
were full. We had nightmares about
our previous trip by RoRo. The only option
remaining was by ship to Batangas.
2Go was scheduled to sail at nine in the
evening and we were told to be at the Caticlan
jetty port by seven. We were there a quarter
before and went to the 2Go office. We were
perfunctorily advised to wait as the boat had
not yet docked. We dragged our luggage to a
queue. There were no signs or directions to
guide us what to do. We had to ask several
times to be assured if this was the line for
2Go. It was a full thirty minutes when we
heard through the grapevine that the boat
was due to arrive at 8 p.m. I had a sinking
feeling that our previous experience in taking
the RoRo from Manila to Caticlan would be
repeated. No definite schedules. Standing in
line. Staying in line or others would take your
place. Interminable waiting.
A rumor went up that we had to pay the
terminal fee. At last the line moved. Another
thirty minutes and we were at a booth for
paying the terminal fee. To my chagrin I saw
a sign that residents of Aklanneed not have
to pay a terminal fee. An hour of waiting for
nothing! We could have been seated in the
boarding area in air-conditioned comfort rather
than sweating it out in a queue that barely
moved for an hour.
It was not until 9:30, or a full two hours
and a half of waiting, when the first official
announcement came that our boat was sailing
at eleven. More waiting. At last at about a
quarter past ten, the gate opened and we lined
up again to board the ship. A guard at the gate
advised us to get seated as the line was rather
slow in moving. His well-intentioned advice
was met by plenty of grumbling that after
FOOTSTEPS
Narciso Dionson
waiting for over three hours, people were in
no mood to sit.
To my surprise the ship was quite new and
squeaky clean. There were stewardesses to
help us find our berths. Our cabin for four
was well furnished. The toilet was clean but
you provide your own soap and towel. I can
understand about the towels!
Another surprise! Cabin passengers were
entitled to a free dinner. The portions were
small but we already had supper. And you
did not want to go to bed on a ship after a full
dinner anyway. The air-conditioning system
was set to very cold. But the ship provided a
thick blanket. By the time I settled for the night
I forgot about the hassle that happened at the
terminal.
***
Baguio by bus
The last bus ride I took out of Baguio
was in 1990, three months after a horrifying
earthquake that snuffed the lives of thousands
in Luzon and demolished some of the most
familiar landmarks of the summer capital.
Surviving the earthquake left us shaken. My
wife and I decided that for the good of the
family we were better off in Cebu. She and the
children left after a couple of weeks but I stayed
to finish my teaching term. In September I
resigned my teaching job at an international
seminary and rejoined my family in Cebu.
It was an agonizingly slow trip. The Victory
Liner Bus went down by way of Naguilian
because Marcos Highway was foggy and
landslides made Kennon Road impassable.
Bridges were destroyed along the MacArthur
Highway in Pangasinan so we had to go by way
of Dagupan and thenTarlac. Both sides of the
road were still blocked with debris, especially in
Dagupan where traffic virtually came to a halt.
It took nearly all the daylight hours for me to
reach theMalinta interchange where I got off.
Twenty years later my son also graduated
from the same seminary and was invited to
join the faculty. He had been inviting me to
visit. My wife had visited him twice but I was
not as adventurous as she and I always found
an excuse not to go. However, after making it
to Manila by ship to Batangas and then by bus
to Cubao, the lure of the City of Pines became
irresistible. To seal my determination, my son
got us tickets with Joy Bus, a deluxe bus of
Genesis Bus Lines.
I entered a bus like I had not seen anywhere
in the Philippines. The reclining seats were
wide, and even had pull out leg rests. There
were only three seats to a row. The bus could
accommodate less than 30 passengers. The
bus pulled out of the Cubao terminal at ten in
the morning. A stewardess announced the trip
would take four or five hours.
The onboard toilet made it possible for the
bus to travel without taking stops along the
way. I visited the toilet and although cramped
I found it quite clean. The stewardess handed
out mineral water and biscuits. She pointed
to blankets to use in case the temperature
dropped too low upon climbing the higher
elevations.
The North Luzon Expressway I knew used to
end at Dao, in Pampanga. Not anymore. The
bus barreled through the provinces of Bulacan,
Pampanga and Tarlac and exited at Urdaneta
in Pangasinan, just minutes from the bridge in
Sison that connected to La Union and Benguet.
Cutting down on travel time had its
downside, though. The trip was extremely
boring. The expressway bypassed towns and
cities along the way. All we saw were farmlands.
Many passengers passed the time by sleeping
and making trips to the toilet.
We turned left at Rosario in La Union. It
meant that we would miss the more scenic
KennonRoad. So, passing along the Marcos
Highway, in just an hour we were in Baguio.*
Beth Shalom Academy
Wins DepEd Most Beautiful Award
F
The Aviary
Container Gardening
Logo & Graphic Designs T-shirt Printing Brochures
Wedding Invitation Birthday Cards
Crazy
Graphics
/knjcrazygraphics
16 | BORACAY INFORMER
[email protected] mobile: +63 918 693 6577
BSA Campus
or the second time, Beth Shalom
Academy won the DepEd Search
for the Most Beautiful School
Award in the Preschool Category.
The Award was at the District Level and
was signed April 15, 2015 by District
Supervisor Jessie S. Flores and Schools
Division Superintendent Jesse M. Gomez.
The Most Beautiful School Award is
given not only because the school looks
pretty but also includes all that makes
the school a place where children are
safe and healthy and comfortable. Very
young children need plenty of space to
exercise growing bones and muscles. So
space is an important consideration of
Beth Shalom Academy campus design.
Parents helped to draw up a landscaping
design that added more space for play
on campus. This area has a play house,
swings, see-saw, slide, and other outdoor
play equipment.
Beth Shalom Academy has long been
an advocate of a child-friendly school in a
natural setting. Thus early on Beth Shalom
Academy preserved a significant portion
of its campus for a woodland garden
with old-growth trees like Amogis, Bita,
Molave and other unknown tree species.
Children are free to roam around a trail
surrounding their “mini-forest.”
As an advocate of environmental
conservation, Beth Shalom Academy
practices waste segregation, composting
and recycling. Plastic containers are
recycled to make plant containers. Much
of the topsoil has washed away so gallon
size plant containers are used effectively
to plant vegetables like arugula, lettuce,
and tomatoes. Old tires are recycled
to make play equipment and outdoor
furniture.
Already effective in its emphasis on
Reading, this school year 2015-2016 Beth
Shalom Academy turns its attention to
enhancing student skills in Mathematics
and Science. Beth Shalom Academy
is setting up a Weather Observatory
complete with daily temperature,
humidity and barometric readings, a wind
vane and a rain-gauge. The school will
also set up a Deep Sky Observation Deck
with a planetary telescope.
Play Area
BSA woodland
The Forest Trail
BORACAY INFORMER | 17
Boracay Kitchen
Mainroad Station 1, Boracay Island
Malay, Aklan
Tel No. (036) 288-2410
iBoracay
I Boracay
D’mall de Boracay, Boracay Island
Malay Aklan
09053460464
White House Resort
Station 1, Boracay Island Malay Aklan
Tel No. 036-288-3675
ASYA PREMIER SUITES BORACAY
Sitio Cagban, Brgy. Manoc-Manoc,
Boracay Island Malay, Aklan Philippines 5608
Tel: (6336) 288.1790 Fax: (6336) 288.1789
TILAPIA N' CHIPS
G/F Kamayan Bldg. Station 2, Balabag, Boracay Island,
Malay
Phone:(036) 288 2283
BANS RESORT
Station 1, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Tel. Nos.: (036) 288-3156 / (036) 288-3837
Fax No.: (036) 288-4510
Mobile No.: (0909) 691-1038
CROWN REGENCY & CONVENTION CENTER
Boat Station 2, Main Road
Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island
Malay, Aklan 5608, Philippines
Phone number: (+6336) 506 3111
Fax number: (+6336) 506 3131
E-mail: [email protected]
CANYON DE BORACAY
Station 2 Alice in Wonderland, St. Boracay Island, Malay,
Borocay Island, Philippines
OLE Spanish Tapas Bar & Restaurant
D’Mall Phase 4 -#1, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines
Phone number: (036) 288-5940
Email: [email protected]
Website:www.oleinboracay.com
The Orient Sun Travel and Tours
Across E'Mall, Zone 7 Manggayad Highway, Manoc-Manoc,
Boracay Island Malay Aklan,
(036) 288-2789/09278220727
Email:[email protected]/[email protected]
EMERGENCY HOT LINES
Municipal Tourism Office Department of Tourism - D’Mall
Boracay Tourist Assistant Center/PNP
Boracay Action Group
Red Cross
Phil. Coast Guard
Boracay Hospital
Bureau of Fire Protection
Municipal Health Office
Mayor’s Office
Malay Auxiliary Police
PNP Cagban
(036) 288-7108
(036) 288-3689
(036) 288-3066
(036) 288-2338
(036) 288-2068
(036) 288-6150
(036) 288- 3041
(036) 288-4198
(036) 288-5624
(036) 288-8772
(036) 288-5269
(036) 288-4392
For iMap inclusion, just contact:
(036) 288-2418
www.boracayinformer.com