Goodbye’s the Saddest word – Celine Dion
the most kind and loving person in the world left…
saddest day of my life…
Though Gold Star Daily was established in 1989, I first took notice of the paper in 1993 when its circulation increased. I failed to notice that paper back then but I do notice that our newsman will peddle the paper at his newstand. When I read for the first time, I was interested since its treating the news for the entire Mindanao. No paper at that time was doing it. It was novel, bold and revolutionary.
Gold Star turns 20 with more commitment
Updated July 1, 2009 12:00 AMTHE Gold Star Daily celebrates its 20th anniversary today without much fanfare but with a renewed commitment to contribute in ensuring a well-informed citizenry.
The publication, the oldest and the premier daily in the region, has humble beginnings. It started as a six-page daily in the city with a small building on Pabayo St. as its center of operations.
It all started when businessman Ernesto Chu dared to defy the odds and prove that coming out with a daily newspaper for such a small market in Cagayan de Oro in the late ’80s can be viable.
The Gold Star Daily started with a lean pioneering staff with the then Philippine News Agency bureau chief Cris Diaz briefly serving as its first editor-in-chief. Bingo Alcordo, who was also manager of radio station DxCO then, wrote Gold Star’s first banner story. Diaz is now this paper’s business editor and Alcordo is still one of its columnists.
One of the Gold Star’s pioneering reporters, Herbie Gomez, is now the paper’s editor-in-chief.
In 1991, Gold Star Daily made the big move outside its home base, expanding its business first to Iligan City then to Malaybalay and Gingoog cities. Initial success encouraged Chu to venture further on to Caraga: Butuan City, and the two Surigao and Agusan provinces.
The growth of Gold Star Daily prompted it to move out of its original home in Pabayo Street to its present production and editorial offices in Gusa.
The paper is now being read daily in many cities and provinces in Mindanao. -MARK FRANCISCO
Honestly, Gold Star Daily was my inspiration in creating this blog. Big time news organization seldom make reports about our place here in Mindanao except for news about crimes, and wars. If there are other news most of it are confined to a specific area where there is a limited readership.
Thanks to Gold Star. The people of Mindanao became well informed not only of their respective localities but in other areas as well. They are now linked to each other.
Lastly, Gold Star contributes to the development and progress of Cagayan de Oro and its environs. Happy anniversary and more power!
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Misor’s ‘chicken man’ not bent on running for governor
By LITO RULONA and SUSAN PALMES – Correspondents
Updated June 30, 2009 12:00 AM
PROVINCIAL board member Peter Unabia is not bent on challenging the likely reelection bid of Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno in 2010 but he is preparing for a potential four-cornered fight for a congressional seat that could include the governor’s younger brother.The neophyte politician, who gained prominence because of his ‘‘Sr. Pedro’’ chickens, announced that he was preparing to run for congressman in the 1st District of Misamis Oriental and not for governor.
The announcement came after former governor and now Cagayan de Oro Vice Mayor Vicente Emano said he would support Unabia in his supposed bid to become the next governor of Misamis Oriental.
“To be honest, I am for the position of congressman. Being a neophyte in politics, I cannot stand alone and I need the support of members of the party,”
Unabia said.
He said he discussed his political plans with his family, associates and supporters, and the consensus was that his political machinery was only good for a campaign in the province’s 1st District. Unabia said a campaign for the highest position of the province would be too much for him to handle. He said he would listen to his political supporters even if his party, the Emano-led PaDayon Pilipino, insists that he launch a gubernatorial bid.
“Istoryahan kini ug mayo usab sa pamilya tungod kay dako ang resources nga magamit for the 2nd District, if ever,”
Unabia said.
Unabia is facing the prospects of fighting it out for the congressional seat of the province’s 1st District against former governor and now Gingoog Mayor Ruthie Guingona, lawyer Karen Lagbas and Gov. Moreno’s brother Emeterio Jr.. Lagbas served as chief of staff of her father Danilo whose death left Misamis Oriental’s 1st District without a representative. Guingona, considered the biggest name among the prospective aspirants for the House seat, has yet to make an official pronouncement about her plans but Vice Mayor Emano has claimed that she told him that she would run for congresswoman.
If he runs for congressman, Unabia would likely not get any help from Moreno unlike in the 2007 elections. The governor made it clear that his brother Emeterio Jr. would have his political support if the younger Moreno decides to seek the congressional seat.
‘‘I am proud of him (Emeterio) and I am going to support him if he decides to run,’’
Moreno told a local TV station.
He said he needs a partner in the capitol’s development efforts for the 1st District. Moreno said he does not consider it establishing a political dynasty since governors and congressmen have different functions.
‘‘Different functions in serving the people,’’
said Moreno.
Moreno defines political dynasty as a situation where there is no check and balance of powers. Moreno claimed that his brother, a lawyer who has been with the interior department for some 20 years, was asked to run for public office in the last elections but decided not to. He said some groups were convincing Emeterio to seek one of the province’s congressional seats next year.
‘‘I am not ashamed of my brother… he has all the qualifications to serve,’’
said Moreno.
No More Amante in Butuan politics
AgNor Governor says they learned lessons
Herne Bagaslao, Caraga Freelancer
Butuan City – To quell speculations that Rep. Edelmiro “Edel” Amante is seeking the mayoralty post in this city, his Governor son has recently declared that “no more members of Amante family would joine in the 2010 electoral battle in Caraga’s regional center.
“I think my sister had learned her lessons during the last elections.”
Governor Erlpe John Amante here said when asked if his younger sister, former Rep. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba or his father would join the electoral race in the city.
Amante-Matba, a former three term Agusan del Norte governor, ran but lost for the city’s mayoralty seat against Democrito Plaza II in 2007 polls.
Butuan, a former charter city of Agusan del Norte, became independent when it was reclassified as highly urbanized city in February 1995.
Amante told reporters that no more members of Amante’s immediate family wil be running in Butuan City in 2010 elections. He noted that theres a popular perception that the Plaza’s are strong and had done well in the city. The Governor even challenged the naysayers to see the records at the city’s Commission on Elections. if ever his father had transferred his residency on or before May 10, 2009, a deadline set for a six month residency requirement of those who wanted to file their candidacy in 2010.
“I hope the issue be put to rest,”
Amante said in a press conference held at the provincial capitol’s lobby here. He added that his father is now preparing for his return bid for the second congressional district come May elections. His sister, Amante-Matba is now a registered voter in Cabadbaran, the province new capital town. Amante however evaded the question if some members of their clan, some distant relatives perhaps, who are planning to run in Butuan have their “blessings.” He replied in jest saying “as far as he knew only God can give His blessings.”
The Governor said as far as his family members are concerned, no discussions with some relatives, distant or anybody concerning politics or the forthcoming elections in May. For his part, he said that he is also preparing for his return bid for the provincial office, saying that he is qualified until 2013.
A source on condition of anonymity however confided that the Amantes may field somebody to allegedly serve as their as a front and on the appropriate time may replace him with a family member when the filing time for candidacy comes. And he seems to imply Dr. Ferdinand Amante, a relative and a barangay captain of brgy Ampayon in the city’s Eastern Part
***
Balanghai Boat launching
Pics by Franz-Bxu of Butuan SSC forum
No suspension of Masses yet despite A(H1N1) widespread—bishop
MANILA, June 26, 2009—If A(H1N1) cases in the country turned to its worse, church authorities are bent on taking “drastic” measures to thwart its further spread. The flu pandemic has tapped the country’s deep religious sentiment, but to avoid spreading infection some dioceses had to ban close contacts among churchgoers.
At least four archdioceses—Manila, Jaro, Lingayen-Dagupan and Cebu—have already asked their priests to communion hosts by hand to parishioners. The restrictions are to stay in force until local church authorities advise otherwise. But if the public health situation deteriorated severely, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said the church might take steps other than just banning potentially infective precautions at Masses.
“If the situation is already very alarming and its nature could be determined, then we bishops have to do something about it,”
he said.
Iñiguez heads the Permanent Committee on Public Affairs of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). A(H1N1) cases in the country have already reached 861, but the bishop said that it was not enough ground to close the places of worship in an attempt to stop spread of the contagious disease.
In Mexico, the Catholic hierarchy had to suspend masses and discourage large gatherings of worshippers.But church leaders there have come up with several options to help arrest the spread of the virus. They distributed a prayer, which the faithful can recite at home, asking for divine relief from the influenza. They also called on the people to follow religious services on radio and television.
“It really depends on the kind of disease. If it’s really fatal and spreads so fast then we will have to take drastic steps also,”
said Iñiguez.
“But so far, we haven’t talked about it (closing places of worships) yet,” he also said. (Roy Lagarde)
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Pope opens Year for Priests, says they must witness God’s compassion
VATICAN, June 19, 2009– Formally opening the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict urged all priests to strive for holiness and said the ordained ministry was indispensable for the church and the world.
“The church needs priests who are holy, ministers who help the faithful experience the merciful love of the Lord and who are convinced witnesses of that love,” the pope said at a prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica June 19.
At the same time, in an apparent reference to cases of priestly sex abuse, he warned of the “terrible risk of damaging those we are obliged to save.”
“Nothing makes the church and the body of Christ suffer so much as the sins of its pastors, especially those who transform themselves into ‘robbers of sheep,’ either because they lead them astray with their private doctrines, or because they bind them in the snares of sin and death,” he said.
Thousands of priests packed the basilica for the evening prayer service, which was preceded by a procession of the relic of the heart of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. The pope proclaimed the yearlong focus on priestly ministry to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the saint’s death.
Pope Benedict stopped to pray before the saint’s heart, exposed in a glass and gold reliquary. In his homily, he said the French curate’s heart was “burning with divine love,” a love that priests today need to imitate if they are to be effective pastors.
The liturgy was celebrated on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a day of prayer for the sanctification of priests.
In his homily, the pope said the “essential nucleus of Christianity” is found in the heart of Jesus: the saving love of God that “invites us to step outside of ourselves” and “make ourselves a gift of love without reserve.”
“God’s heart throbs with compassion,” he said.
He said priests should never forget that that are consecrated to “serve, humbly and with authority, the common priesthood of the faithful.”
“Ours is an indispensable mission for the church and for the world, which demands full fidelity to Christ and unceasing union with him. It demands, therefore, that we tend constantly to sanctity, as St. John Vianney did,”
he said.
Vatican warns against Society of St. Pius X ordinations
VATICAN, June 17, 2009– News that the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) intends to ordain 23 priests in late June caused the Vatican to issue a statement on Wednesday saying that the ordinations will not be legitimate.
The statement from the Vatican made reference to the Holy Father’s “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church” from last March. The letter states, “As long as the Society (of St. Pius X) does not have a canonical status in the Church, its ministers do not exercise legitimate ministries in the Church.”
The status of the SSPX within the Catholic Church remains in question because it has previously rejected certain portions of some key Vatican II documents.
“Until the doctrinal questions are clarified,” the Holy See’s press office said, the Society has no canonical status in the Church, and its ministers … do not legitimately exercise any ministry in the Church.”
Created by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1969, the Society of St. Pius X has rejected the modern rites of the Mass, refused to accept portions of the Second Vatican Council and challenged papal authority on several occasions.
In 1988, Lefebvre consecrated four bishops against the will of Pope John Paul II, a move Rome declared to be “a schismatic act.” Archbishop Lefebvre and the four bishops were excommunicated by John Paul II in 1991.
In December of 2008, Pope Benedict lifted the excommunications in hopes of restoring “full communion with the Church on the part of the whole Society of St Pius X.”
In his “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church,” the Pope had also announced that he would make the ‘Ecclesia Dei’Commission, tasked with reconciling the Society to the Church, a part of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The change in the commission’s status is intended to foster dialogue with the leaders of the SSPX and to resolve questions and disagreements over doctrinal matters. (CNA)
St. Peter
FIRST POPE AND PRINCE OF THE APOSTLES
Feast: June 29
Information:
Feast Day: June 29
Died: 64, Rome, Italy
Major Shrine: St. Peter’s Basilica
Patron of: against frenzy, bakers, bridge builders, butchers, clock makers, cobblers, feet problems, fever, fishermen, foot problems, harvesters, locksmiths, longevity, masons, net makers, papacy, ship builders, shoemakers, Universal Church, many more…
St. Peter is mentioned so often in the New Testament—in the Gospels, in the Acts of the Apostles, and in the Epistles of St. Paul—that we feel we know him better than any other person who figured prominently in the life of the Saviour. In all, his name appears 182 times. We have no knowledge of him prior to his conversion, save that he was a Galilean fisherman, from the village of Bethsaida or Capernaum. There is some evidence for supposing that Peter’s brother Andrew and possibly Peter himself were followers of John the Baptist, and were therefore prepared for the appearance of the Messiah in their midst. We picture Peter as a shrewd and simple man, of great power for good, but now and again afflicted by sudden weakness and doubt, at least at the outset of his discipleship. After the death of the Saviour he manifested his primacy among the Apostles by his courage and strength. He was “the Rock” on which the Church was founded. It is perhaps Peter’s capacity for growth that makes his story so inspiring to other erring humans. He reached the lowest depths on the night when he denied the Lord, then began the climb upward, to become bishop of Rome, martyr, and, finally, “keeper of the keys of Heaven.”
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Fiestas on June 29, 2009
San Pedro Chaplaincy
Macabalan, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City
San Pedro Parish (F-1967)
Sugbong-cogon, 9009 Misamis Oriental
San Pablo Apostol Parish (F-1881)
Malitbog, 8704 Bukidnon
STS. PETER AND PAUL PARISH (F 1984)
Sison, 8404 Surigao del Norte
STS. PETER AND PAUL PARISH (F 1969)
Tubod, 8406 Surigao del Norte
STS. PETER AND PAUL PARISH (F 1981)
Cagdianao, 8411 Surigao del Norte
As early as 4:00 in the morning yesterday, I got the news of MJ’s sudden demise. I was tuning in to DZMM, when it was playing Jackson 5’s “Ben”. Then the radio anchor announced MJ is dead but that reports are sketchy.
Anyway, if you are a child of the 70’s or the 80’s, you wouldn’t miss MJ during his prime. It was in the early 80’s where Michael Jackson captured the admiration and adulation of the world with his smash hit album “Thriller.” In that album, tracks like Beat It and Billie Jean also crashed into the charts. I would say it was Michael Jackson’s crowning glory after he made his first album “Off the Wall” which featured the hip “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough. This song was later identified with Dolphy’s John en Marsha sitcom where the lyrics were modified to describe Dolphy’s character. Do you still remember that?
Jackson’s demise somehow made me feel the passing of an era. I cannot help but feel something was taken away from me. I grow up with Michael, his hit songs and his performance. It was during his heydays that I was in my adolescence period and his music excited and electrified me. Those were the times of rock bands but not one of them can top what Michael Jackson has done.
MJ tried to sustain his winning ways after Thriller. However, it seems that he can’t duplicate his success. After Thriller, it was Bad, then Dangerous and finally, before I lost track of the developments of his career, he unleashed HiStory album Past Present and Future. But still it failed expectations.
His star even more faded when he was involved in child molestation cases, first in 1991 and second in the 2000’s. Though he was found innocent of all these cases, still people, including myself already doubted his credibility. Pardon me, but for me, once you are an idol you have a responsibility to your fans to be upright both in your public and private life.
What made worse and bolstered the belief that he is into child molestation is the disturbing interview where he stated there is nothing wrong sleeping with young boys!
And there is also his face which changes from now and then until at one time it already looks spooky.
Anyway, when Michael’s death was announced yesterday, speculations that he is improperly using prescription drugs was mentioned, similar to what happened to Heath Ledger in 2008.
I am not specifically referring to MJ or Heath but its so sad that celebrities usually turned to medications to combat depression. Is there anyone out there, Hollywood superstars or celebrity, who are still practicing religion for spiritual upliftment? Does religious apathy accompany with rising fame and fortune?
Anyway, like most people today, I am paying my last salute to MJ for his performance and his achievement as an artist. Despite all the negative things about him, one cannot deny his enormous contributions to the entertainment industry which at one point of our lives influenced us and as a matter of fact, became soundtracks of our lives.
Farewell MJ.
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My Top 10 Michael Jackson song
10. The Way You Make me Feel
9. Man in the Mirror
8. Black or White
7. Earth Song
6. They Dont Care About Us
5. Beat It
4. Billie Jean
3. Dont Stop Til You Get Enough
2. Thriller
1. Heal the World
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My Top 5 Michael Jackson Music Videos
5. They Dont Care About Us
I like the dance and drums. Festive
4. Dont Stop Till You Get Enough
Very hip and nice to listen
3. Earth Song
Another emotional video.
2. Heal The World
Very emotional. Captured the turbulent 1990’s and the terrorism that followed in 2000’s
1. Black Or White
I like the concept and the changing of the faces at the end of the video. When the video came out, that technology was new.
Lakas-Kampi’s empty threats
Malaya editorial
Leaders of the Lakas-Kampi coalition have given presidential aspirants seeking the party’s nomination to join the party by July otherwise…
Otherwise what? Lose the chance to be nominated as the administration candidate?
The merged Lakas and Kampi was supposed to be a powerhouse that would deliver the votes for administration candidates in 2010. Now it’s almost begging Vice President Noli de Castro and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro of the National People’s Coalition, to validate its claim of being the party to beat by joining. How pathetic.
De Castro, an independent who ran as a guest candidate of Lakas, has a power base of his own, primarily the DE voters whose affection he won when he was the country’s highest rated radio and television host. While he was present at the recent launch of the Lakas-Kampi merger, it is said that he is wary of being too closely identified with Gloria Arroyo whose support is feared to be the kiss of death to anybody’s presidential ambition.
He needs the organizational reach and the logistical support of the administration to win. But he also believes Lakas-Kampi has no other viable candidate. He apparently believes, with good reason, he can set the terms for his joining Lakas-Kampi.
Teodoro, too, is not about to be stampeded into joining Lakas-Kampi. He said it’s the presidency or bust, and if he could not be assured of the presidential nomination he apparently thinks it is useless joining the new administration party.
Teodoro was only lately visible on the political radar screen. In fact, he is pulling low single digits in awareness ratings. But his strategists believe that in a wide-open field resulting from a fragmented opposition, he could nose out the rest on the back of the administration’s organization and logistics.
Organization and logistics are seen as the key. So why are De Castro and Teodoro rushing to join Lakas-Kampi?
It’s because Lakas-Kampi is hardly a political party. It’s just a collection of politicians bound by their bought loyalty to Arroyo. De Castro and Teodoro know this. If they would sell their body and soul in exchange for the presidency, then the devil to strike a deal with would be Gloria, not the nominal leaders of Lakas-Kampi (who they, by the way?).
The truth is ego-deflating for Lakas-Kampi leaders. But they could not deny they are just “mirons” in the unfolding game if they would be honest to themselves.
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Noli has the edge
Ratings give De Castro the edge – party exec
By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Noli de Castro has the edge in the race to be the ruling party’s standard bearer in 2010 because of his higher ratings, although the numbers could still change as the polling date nears, an official of the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD said.
Prospero Pichay, the party’s vice president for membership, said Lakas-Kampi-CMD would put a premium on “winnability” when choosing its candidate for president.
At present, De Castro has the highest rating among those reportedly being considered. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando are the other possible bets, but the two have so far registered low ratings.
“Any party is really looking for winnability; that’s number one. I’d be a hypocrite to say that we must have a qualified candidate. Let us look first for winnability and then we go to qualification. Those running believe they will win. But at the end of the day, the surveys are quite accurate,”
Pichay said at the Serye forum in Quezon City.
Even President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s anointment of a particular candidate may not ensure his selection as the standard bearer if there is another option who clearly has a better chance of winning, he said.
“Even if President Macapagal Arroyo likes a candidate but his rating is five percent, that would be nothing,” he said. “You cannot argue with the ratings.”
The party’s national executive committee would decide on the standard bearer, he added. The party officials would meet on July 31 to draw up its shortlist of candidates.
Asked if De Castro, who has been doing well in surveys, has the edge among potential bets, Pichay said, “Well at the moment, Noli is always ahead, so Noli has an edge but all these names can change.”
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DILG chief: Don’t underestimate De Castro
By Christian V. Esguerra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:12:00 06/25/2009
MANILA, Philippines — Who thinks Vice President Noli De Castro isn’t smart enough to be the next president?
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, himself a vice presidential hopeful, has come to De Castro’s defense saying the vice president was “not what people think he is.”
“Nag-iisip din yan [He thinks too],” he said in over dinner with editors and reporters of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net), noting he regularly spoke with De Castro since both of them belong to the Cabinet.
But between De Castro and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., he said he would be more comfortable serving as vice president under a Teodoro presidency, much like what United States Vice President Joe Biden now is to Barack Obama.
De Castro and Teodoro are the frontrunners in the shortlist for standard-bearer of the administration’s Lakas-Kampi-CMD party. Neither of them has yet to join the party, although Teodoro has said he is ready to sign up anytime.
By Puno’s assessment, Teodoro held an advantage over De Castro in the race for administration standard-bearer. He noted that many party members became friends of Teodoro during his nine years in the House of Representatives.
“He has not really bonded with the party,” Puno said of De Castro. “Although he’s with the administration, he maintains his independence. That will make it a little bit harder for him to get the party nomination.”
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Rushed
Butuan City Mayor Rushed to Davao City Hospital
by: striker_jem
Butuan – As early as past 6 o’clock in the morning, Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II was taken out from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Butuan Doctor’s Hospital and transported by an ambulance to Davao City for yet undisclosed hospital.
The Mayor was hospitalized since Sunday- June 21- accordingly due to hypertension. It is to be recalled that the Mayor was away for almost 3 months after long confinement at St. Lukes Hospital in Makati where he was diagnosed with aneurism and underwent angioplasty in January.
A physician in St. Luke’s who requested anonymity revealed, the Plaza family was able to find a kidney donor but after a series of evaluation and laboratory tests, Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II has been turned down for a kidney transplant due to complications. He has hypertension and diabetes.
Kidney Disease is on the Rise in Caraga Region
June 25, 2009 by MindanaoBob
Filed under NewsJune 25, 2009
by: striker_jemButuan – Kidney disease is on the rise here in Caraga Region based on the Department of Health Regional Office 2004 to 2008 statistics of patients who underwent dialysis treatment.
Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City posted the highest number at 36, followed by 31 from Miranda Hospital, 22 from Butuan Doctor’s Hospital and 21 in MJ Santos Hospital in Butuan.
Statistics showed that 63% are male patients, while 36% are female who are requiring dialysis for life in order to survive.
DOH said, often there are no symptoms until kidney disease reaches the later stages including kidney failure and as the country celebrates National Kidney Month this June with the theme “Kidneys are two — one to care, one to share,” health personnel intensified its campaign to create awareness among the populace through advocacy and networking to prevent the further rise in number.
DOH Regional Director Leonita Gorgolon said that early detection prevents chronic disease conditions and can be treated with medications and lifestyle changes.
“When the function of the kidney is compromised then it results in a variety of symptoms, particularly swelling of the hands and feet, frequent thirst, increased fatigue and sleepiness, decrease in appetite, poor growth, the passing of very small amounts of urine, unpleasant taste in the mouth and urine-like odor to the breath, pale skin, excessively dry, persistently itchy skin, shortness of breath, and a frequent urge to urinate”, added Dr. Gorgolon.
Kidney disease is the 10th leading cause of death in the Philippines.
Prior to his angioplasty, Mayor Plaza underwent kidney dialysis at Butuan Doctor’s Hospital thrice in a week.
It was also learned that just recently, a stem cell of Mayor Plaza was sent to the United States. The family hopes that through advanced medical technology, the bone marrow stem cells will result to renal regeneration.
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Dead
Farrah Fawcett dead at 62: reports
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 01:17:00 06/26/2009
LOS ANGELES — Actress Farrah Fawcett, best known for her role in television series “Charlie’s Angels,” has died, US media reports said Thursday. She was 62.Fawcett died in hospital in Los Angeles surrounded by friends and family shortly before 9:30 a.m. (1630 GMT) following a three-year battle with anal cancer, reports said.
Speculation that Fawcett’s death was close at hand had mounted earlier Thursday after veteran ABC television interviewer Barbara Walters said the actress had been given her last rites.Walters made the disclosure in comments to the “Good Morning America” breakfast television show.
“I’m not sure if she’s going to make it through the day,” Walters said. “She’s had her last rites.”
Walters said close family and friends including long-time companion Ryan O’Neal were gathering at Fawcett’s hospital bedside in Los Angeles.
“This is all he wants to do is be with her,”
Walters said of O’Neal.
Romualdo’s intellectual arrogance
Collateral Damage By BINGO ALCORDO
Updated June 25, 2009 12:00 AM
Almost in unison, anti-con-ass advocates in Cagayan de Oro reacted vehemently to accusations of dictatorship levelled against them by Rep. Pedro ‘‘Loloy’’ Romualdo of Camiguin.
Romualdo was quoted late last week during an interview aired over Radyo Bombo as having branded anti-con-ass supporters as dictators for exerting pressure on congressmen not to push through with a constituent assembly as a mode to charter change.
The purported statement attributed to Congressman Loloy came not a bit surprising to this writer having heard his views earlier during the press conference that folowed the public hearing on illegal gambling conducted by the House Committee of Public Order and Safety.
Aside from that issue on dictatorship, here are three other issues ventilated by Congressman Loloy during the press conference:
• that most pro-administration congressmen do not subscribe to publicized results of nationwide opinion surveys (SWS, Pilse Asia, etc.);
• that he does not believe in the perception that Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, dean emeritus of Ateneo University School of Law and a key framer of the 1987 Constitution, is an expert in constitutional law; and
• that the national broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer and the national TV network ABS-CBN are biased against the present administration and that most province-based journalists mouth or mimic the opinions or views of these two media giants.
On the issue about majority of pro-administration congressmen questioning the credibility of nationwide opinion survey results, Congressman Loloy cited his own personal experience on election results based on opinion surveys conducted in his province prior to a gubernatorial contest between him and former assemblyman Homobono Adaza. Accordingly, opinion polls predicted a big win for Adaza, but subsequent election results showed him clobbering Adaza by a mile.
I do remember this electoral fight between Loloy and Bono. I remember asking Bono about what happened to the opinion polls after he conceded defeat. Bono’s reply was a classic one. He said that his 80 percent against 20 percent advantage against Loloy in the opinion polls was dramatically reversed when Loloy allegedly finished distributing P1,000 bills per ‘‘bubong’’ or house at the last minute. That was Bono’s last attempt at politics.
Congressman Loloy’s (who was also a member of the 1987 Constitutional Commission) comment against Fr. Bernas’ expertise in constitutitonal law was quite interesting when the former downplayed the latter’s contribution in the final draft that led to the provision which provided the different modes to amend the constitution. According to Loloy, Fr. Bernas as a constitutionalist has never practiced law and was only sometimes referred to as a ‘‘friend of the Supreme Court’’ while he (Romualdo), during his time as a practicing lawyer, tackled issues on constitutional law almost on a daily basis. Well, no comment there, ’Loy. It’s between you and Fr. Bernas. Or the Jesuit community.
The third issue raised by Congressman Loloy was obviously disturbing for all of us community journalists who covered that presscon––particularly disturbing for our friend Art Bonjoc, head of ABS-CBN’s Regional News and Public Affairs who was present when the Camiguin representative branded his outfit as anti-administration. Art, ever the professional and gentleman, opted to be on the side of prudence. Instead of confronting the honorable congressman regarding his derogatory statements, he instead gently reminded the audience in the presscon on the necessity of a vibrant press for a true democratic government to succeed. It was then that I realized that Art was way above the honorables when we talk about being honorable.
My friend Loloy’s accusation that local community journalists are just mouthing and parroting the anti-administration issues being said and discussed in the national media was definitely below the belt and uncalled for. It just shows how Loloy has metarphosed from being a simple next-door-lawyer into a ‘‘national-figure-kuno’’ with a super bloated ego.
That our dear Loloy can afford to insult us, his friends in the local media––in-your-face style without hesitation and being, oh, so cool about it––is a perfect indicator of how the trappings of power can disembowel and emaciate the very soul of even an average human being into believing that he is intellectually superior than the rest of mankind.
That this so-called intellectual arrogance is the very reason why he has the tendency to lecture journalists during press conferences speaks of how deep-rooted his disrespect of mediamen is.
Of course, we could never force Loloy to like us for what we are. Taking all things into consideration, the feeling is mutual.
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Romualdo’s explanation
Life Goes On
from Mindanao.com
by Macky Macavinta
MAASIM, Sarangani (June 22, 2009) – In the aftermath of the June 20 twin grenade attacks in front of the town hall here, the people of Maasim and the local government leaders carried on Sunday (June 21) the celebration of their 37th Foundation Anniversary and Kestebeng Festival.
The foundation day activities kicked off with a repeat of the June 18 Walk for Peace attended by different tribal communities which converged at the municipal gym.
Maasim Mayor Aniceto Lopez Jr.’s and Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez’s speeches were nothing short of inspiring as they urged the people to stand strong in the face of adversity. Despite the grim incidents of the previous night, the people of Maasim will not stand down and cower in fear. “Even with what happened last night, we still continued with our search for the Mutya ng Maasim,” Mayor Lopez stated.
The atmosphere in the area was less than festive as the presentation of the winners of the previous night’s events was followed by the street dancing competition while a myriad of street vendors continued with their trade surrounding the event area. “Nahadlok gihapon mi, pero daghan pa man mi baligyaunon (Though there is still a feeling of fear, we continue to sell our wares),” said vendor Belen Gicali.
“Gatuo man mi na kaya mi protektahan sa military. Pero dapat magtinabangay sad mi ug magbantay-bantay sa daplin. Kung magpalabi ta ug kahadlok, wala tay mahimo ani, (We still believe that the military forces in the area can protect us. But we should also take it upon ourselves to help each other and remain vigilant. We will not prosper if we give in to fear),”
Gicali added.
Gicali is one of the many vendors who braved the aftermath of the grenade attacks and continued to sell her wares during the festival.
“This is a sign that the people are ready to stand up against the face of adversity, but we must double up our security measures,” Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said, when asked if the resolve of the people was enough to act as a deterrent to lawless individuals in the absence of military personnel.
“What is important is that the community provides us with the information of what is happening in the area which will help in the defense of their area. T he continuation of the festivities, in the midst of what happened yesterday, is a really good sign that the people of Maasim are ready to keep going,”
Solon concluded.
“The continuation of the festivities will help discourage those responsible for last night’s incident as it shows how the people of Maasim feel towards such acts,” noted Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion.
De Leon stated they added 150 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel to help secure the area during the Sunday festivities. “Though they will not remain here after the festivities, the active defense posture of the 73rd IB and the PNP will still continue in preserving the peace in the area,” De Leon added.
“We can see that even after the events of last night, we, as a community, still have the support of the people. The challenge to us, local executives, is to not lose hope.” Mayor Lopez stated.
“The events of last night did nothing but to strengthen our resolve when it comes to attaining peace.”
Authorities believe the people responsible for the June 20 bombing were remnants of Lawless MILF Groups.
Governor Dominguez confirmed that a high ranking official of the 107th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has been captured. “Hopefully this will be able to shed light on the incident in Maasim,” the governor said.
“The people of Maasim will not allow itself to be terrorized and I have faith in our armed forces in determining who is responsible and bringing them to justice.” Dominguez said. “Whoever is responsible for this, and if you are listening, your days are numbered.”
(Macky Macavinta/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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The Show Must Go On!
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Pacman’s Opponent?
