High Hopes for the Philippine Internet Connectivity as the Government Launches Common Tower Policy

The Department of Information and communication Technology, DICT, latter announced that it has the solution for Philippines` turtle speed internet connections at hand. It is through a program called Common Tower Policy. The government aims to put up Fifty Thousand (50,000) additional telecommunication towers all over the country.

By the name, we can say that the program is so promising. It will lessen up the tediousness of putting up telecommunication towers and facilities because Telco Companies would only have to share one tower to spread their bandwidth in an area. It means that there would be one paper and legal works for acquiring properties and right of ways on places where towers and facilities are to be built. As to construction, it would be a lot cheaper because companies would share expenses.

For the Filipinos, it means faster internet connectivity. A thing the Pinoys has been craving for since 4G network has been known. Companies are claiming that it has made LTE network available but the internet connectivity is still at 3G speed.

If the program became successful, it would greatly affect Philippine economy since the younger population of entrepreneur relies on the internet to sell their products and services. Government services would be greatly affected too since some of its services can now be accessed online. Faster internet connectivity would also encourage foreign business entities to invest in the country.

The government also asserts that it would not spend a single  Peso on the Common Tower Policy Program. It is still the Telecommunication companies who would have to pay for the acquisition of properties and construction of towers. The Government will only serve as a helping hand on the resolution of legal matters.

Kahalagahang Kultural ng Malong

Ang "Malong" ay bahagi na ng kulturang Pilipino,  partikular ng mga Muslim. Sa lathalaing ito, tatalakayin natin ang ilang katanungan patungkol sa Malong.

Ano ang kahulugan ng salitang Malong?

Ang salitang "Malong", katulad ng "Patajong" ng mga Bisaya at Tagalog at "Tajong" ng mga Samal, ay nangangahulugang "Mainam na Kasuotan". Katulad din ng "Sarong" ng Malaysia at "Ponong" ng Thailand.

Ano ang Malong?

Ang malong ay isang mahabang tela na may kaakit-akit na mga kulay. Ito ay may disenyong "abstract"na tila alon, mga bulak-lak at dahon at iba pang disenyong base sa Okir at Sari-Manok. Hinabi ito mula sa seda o bulak. May  itong 166cm at 170cm naman ang lapad.

Anu-ano ang Uri ng Malong?

May limang uri ng Malong, ito ay ang;

1. Landap - Ang pinakakilala sa lahat ng uri ng malong. Ito ay hinabi gamit ang tradisyunal na pamamaraan ng paghahabi at may dekorasyong "Langket". 
2. Ampik- Ito ay karaniwang malong. Ang kahulugan ng "Ampik" ay kaakit-akit
3. Andi- isang uri ng malong na ginagamit bilang flag o banner
4. Bagadat - isang uri ng malong na may disenyong guhit-guhit (stripe)
5. Bagadon - ang pinakamahalagang uri ng Malong. Nangangahulugan itong "Ibuhol o ibalot" na tumutukoy sa proseso ng paghahabi nito

Ang Malong Bilang Sining

Ang paghahabi ng Malong ay isang sining partikular sa mga T'boli at Maranao. Sa paghahabi ng malong ay napagsasanib ang mga disenyong may malalim na kaugnayan sa kanilang kultura tulad ng Okir at Sari-manok. Ang disenyong Okir ay tumutukoy sa disenyong nagpapakita ng ibat-ibang hugis na ipinakikita ng kalikasan. May dalwang uri ng disenyong Okir;

1. Ang "Okir a Dato"ay disenyo para sa mga lalaki
2. Ang "Okir a Bay" ay disenyo para sa mga babae.

Ano ang gamit ng Malong?

Ang malong ay ginagamit bilang (bahagi) ng kasuotan sa araw-araw. May mga uri ng malong na ginagamit bilang kasuotang pormal. Ginagamit din ito bilang sapin sa pananalangin.

Paano isinusuot ang Malong?

Ayon sa nakasanayan, isinusuot ng mga kababaihan ang Malong sa ibabaw ng kanilang blusa na pinapalamutian ng ginto at iba pang ornamento. Nakabalabal naman ito sa baywang ng lalaki. Ginagamit rin ito sa ulo o di kaya`y ipinapandong paminsan.

Kung isusuot ito ng babae kailangang pinapatangan nito ang blusa. 

Anu-ano ang Implikasyong Kultural ng Malong

Ang bagong silang na sanggol ng mga Maranao ay karaniwang ibinabalot sa pinaka magandang  Malong ng pamilya o kaya naman ay ginagamit ang malong bilang duyan ng sanggol.

Angmga namatay ay ibinabalot din sa malong na pinalamutian ng ginto at mga disenyong alon. Pinapabangohan ang  Malong gamit ang tradisyonal na pamamaraan bilang paggalang sa kaluluwa ng namayapa

Ang mga mamahalin o di kaya naman ay na manang malong ay pinapahalagahan at maingat na itinatabi ng mga maranao. Upang maiwasan ang pagkasira ginagamitan ito ng wax at pinapabangohan gamit ang dalawang pamamaraan:

1. pagpapabango gamit ang mga katas mula sa mga ugat at dahon ng mga halamang tinatawag na “Towa”, “Salapiin” at “Sabi”
2. paglalagay ay tinatawag na “BOROK”, kung saan ipinapatong ang malong sa ibabaw ng basket na tinatawag na “baloyan” at pinauusukan gamit ang uling at abo mula tuyong dahon at ugat ng halamang “Salapiin”

Lawrence Avillano

Recently Enacted Laws in the Philippines that are of Interest to the Public

New laws were passed in the Philippines just recently and Filipinos must be aware of these newly signed laws for it greatly affect their daily lives.  These laws cover issues on driving, dating, employment, and businesses. 

IRR of Republic Act 10909 - No Shortchanging Act of 201

 REPUBLIC ACT 10909 – NO SHORTCHANGING ACT OF 2016

An act prohibiting business establishments from giving insufficient or no change to consumers and providing penalties therefore.

This law ensures that business establishments will give the exact amount of changes to consumer without waiting for the consumer to ask for the same. The cashier or the staff clerk, or their equivalent, of business establishments shall count the change in front of the consumer and place the same in the hand of the consumer, or on the change tray, whichever is applicable. The use of price tags, issuing an official receipt or sales invoice, and posting notices that will reminds consumers of the said law is also mandated.

The law prohibits business establishments to shortchange a consumer, even if such change is a very small amount, changing in any form, other than the present currencies and ASKING THE CONSUMER FOR PERMISSION TO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT FOR ANY REASON.

Violators, on the first offense, will be fined Php. 500 or 3% of the gross sales of the business in the day of violation, Php. 5000 or 5% during the second offense, Php. 15,000 or 7% on the third offense with 3 month suspension, and Php. 25, 000 or 10% of the gross sales during the day of violation and the license to operate shall be revoked by the appropriate government agency.

REPUBLIC ACT 10906 ANTI-MAIL ORDER SPOUSE ACT

An Act Providing Stronger Measures against Unlawful Practices, Businesses, and Schemes of Matching and Offering Filipinos to Foreign Nationals for Purposes of Marriage or Common Law Partnership.

This law prohibits the act of matching Filipinos and Filipinas, for the purpose of marriage or common law partnership, to foreign nationals.

Any person found to be violating this law by engaging in any business or profitable schemes shall be penalized 15 years of imprisonment and a fine of, not lesser than Php. 500,000. Stiffer penalties are provided if found to be committed in a larger scale.

            Prohibited acts include, but not limited to, matching Filipinos to foreign nationals via mail-order basis, personal introduction, email or websites in the internet, exhibiting, printing, or distributing materials, which promote the mail-order spouse industry.

REPUBLIC ACT 10905 THE CLOSED CAPTION BROADCASTING TELEVISION PROGRAMS ACT

An act requiring all franchise holders or operators of television stations and producers of television programs to broadcast or present their programs with closed caption options.

This law is very important because it will give Filipinos with hearing impairment access to information from television through closed captioning, wherein television operators and program producers are mandated to provide subtitles that mostly appear at the bottom of the television screen.

Violators shall be fined, not more than,  Php. 50,000 but not less than Php. 100,000 or 6 months to 1 year imprisonment.

However, programs shown from 1:00 am to 6:00 am, public service announcement shorter than 10 minutes, programs that are textual in nature are exempted.  The law also provides exemptions when compliance would be economically burdensome.

The law shall be implemented through Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the National Telecommunications Commission.

REPUBLIC ACT 10913 – THE ANTI-DISTRACTED DRIVING ACT

This law prohibits drivers from using any devices for communication, computing and entertainment while driving or temporarily stopped on traffic lights, intersections, or for any other reasons. It covers all vehicles as long as it is operated by human and are driven in public highways, streets and other public thoroughfares.

The Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Office are the main implementer of the said law. Violators will be penalized with a fine of Php. 5000 for the first  offense, Php. 10,000 for the second, Php. 15,000 for the third offense and with a three-month suspension of driver`s license. Anyone found to be violating this law beyond third offense will be fined Php. 20,000 and shall be penalized with a revocation of driver`s license.

Drivers are still allowed to use traffic navigational apps provided that it is installed in an area that cant obstruct the driver`s view of the road. Drivers are also allowed to make and receive calls in case of emergencies.

References:

SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES PORTAL: Republic Act 10905 The “Closed Caption Broadcasting of Television Programs Act” http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%2010905.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRADES AND INDUSTRIES: IRR of Republic Act 10909 “No Short Changing act of 2016”.  http://www.dti.gov.ph/media/advisories/10040-irr-of-republic-act-no-10909-no-shortchanging-act-of-2016

SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES PORTAL: Republic Act No. 10906 - Senate of the Philippines. https://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%2010906.pdf

LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE: Republic  Act 10903 – the anti-distracted driving act.  http://www.lto.gov.ph/latest-advisory/317-republic-act-10913-or-the-anti-distracted-driving-act.html

Places Where Filipinos Can Find Jobs Online

Are you a fresh graduate, caught in the middle of graduation to employment transition, looking for a job? Are you looking for a new job near your place? Or you are simply looking for a job that offers higher salary.

Well you have to visits these websites to find jobs. These websites contains list of job openings and employers that offer jobs for Filipinos alone.

JOBTENSOR

If you have a degree in IT, Computer Science, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Mathematics and the likes, Jobtensor is the best place for you to find a job.

Jobtensor is a platform that seeks to attract employers to offer jobs truncated for the field of sciences, IT and engineering that makes job search an easy task for applicants. As a result, the job advertisements on the platform is relevant and really connected to what a job seekers on the said fields are looking for. That means you don`t have to read through a long list of job postings to find an offer that fits you.

JOBOPENINGS.PH

Is a Philippine job site that offers great benefits for job seekers and employers. Filipino job seekers can search and apply to job openings by creating an online resume. Filipino job seekers can search  jobs relevant to their skills and education. They can also search companies and mode of employment either part time or full time. It also features jobs by province, meaning you can search job openings near your location.

 WORKABROAD.PH

Is an online career resource for Filipinos who wants to work abroad. The job openings offered are legit because it passed a thorough  process and scrutiny by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), foreign employers and licensed recruitment agencies sending Filipino Workers Abroad.



TRABAHO.COM

Trabaho.com is founded in 1996 through the efforts of Web Phil Info Comm. Inc. as they sought to improve its services as one of Philippine`s premiere Internet Business Solution Provider. Since then, Trabaho.com became the Filipino Job Seekers` partner in finding legit job openings across the country. The job portal have a wide list of local employer and companies in need of capable and skilled employer as it aims to provide Filipinos with access to limitless job opportunities.


ONLINEJOBS.PH

If you would like to work at the comfort of your own home controlling 95% of your time, then OnlineJobs,Ph is the place for you to find your dream job. This job portal is created to outsource Filipino Talents. If you are looking for a legit online job then create an account with OnlineJobs.Ph. The Job Portal offers Online Job Openings for Filipino Online Job Seekers only. Positions include Virtual Assistants, Data Entry Specialist, Online Researcher, Writer, Blogger, Social Media Marketing Specialist, Lead Generation, etc, in part time, full time, freelance or project based.

So, here it is. The places where Filipinos can find legit jobs online. What are you waiting for sign up for an account now and create your resume online. Employers are waiting for  you. Get your dream job now!

Key Terms For Understanding the Root of Conflicts in Muslim Mindanao

These are the terms that are pertinent for understanding the Conflict in Muslim Mindanao

Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) - a terrorist group, or criminal organisation founded by Abdurajak Janjalani, which largely operates in the     province of Basilan where it has its strongholds.

Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) - a breakaway faction of the MILF  opposing the peace process between the MILF and the Philippine government for it  as it seeks full independence for Muslim Mindanao rather than autonomy

Din wa Dawla - No separation of religion and state, Islam must be the holistic system of life.

Hakimiyya -  ultimate aim where Shari’ah (Islamic law) is supreme and should replace Westernized law.

Informal Land Markets - informal land markets enable land to be transferred, mortgaged, traded or sold without the monitoring or regulation of the government’s land agencies.

Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)  or Ansar Khalifah Sarangani - is a radical Islamist terrorist group operating in Southeast Asia lead by Basit Usman in the Philippines.

Lumad -  a Cebuano-Visayan   term meaning native or indigenous. Lumadas are neither Muslims nor  Christians.
Moro - a political identity distinct to the Islamised people of Mindanao and Sulu

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) - secularist-nationalist-modernist, founded by Prof. Nur  Misuari. It aspires for the integration into the Philippine political and economic mainstream, with some access and power-sharing. Latter it split into four groups, the Council of 15 (Anti -Misuari), The Misuary Group (Break Away Group), The Islamic Command Council (ICC)

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) - founded by Ustadz Salamat Hashim. It aims to be separated from the Philippine System and demands for a Independent Islamic State

Muslim - refers to a universal religious identity

Pagsanda - an informal credit system used by the Tausug, the largest ethnic group in Sulu, involves  the offering of collateral to a traditional 18 money lender in exchange for a loan which are not documented and regulated by the state

Rido - a Maranao term commonly used in Mindanao to refer to clan feuds. 

Shadow Economies -  illicit drug economy, illicit weapons, informal land markets, cross-border trade,   informal credit provision, and kidnapping for ransom

The Sulu Sultanate - holds jurisdiction over the areas of Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Palawan, Basilan and Zamboanga

Ummah - The Ummah refers to the community of believers who are bound solely by spiritual ties regardless of sex, status, color or residence.



These may be the key term to understanding the root conflict in Muslim Mindanao.

The Significance of Mathematics in the 21st Century Philippines

Lawrence Avillano 

2/19/17 6:46 Pm

              Philippines --------- one of Asia`s  fastest-growing economy of the 21^st century. With its rising GDP (Gross Domestic Product) as of 2015, its boosting import and export capability and its huge manpower capacity serving the country and overseas, it is not refutable that it owns the right to be called as such. The question now is, what must its people do to remain firm and have a strong hold of the claim in the fast-changing world of the 21^st century?  During the time of inconsistency when no one can clearly predict what would happen the next day.  Would it remain as such during the time where markets can be easily shaken by unpredictable events both political and natural dilemmas that can bring even the strongest economy down to the ground?

The answer is to equip its people with skills that will not let them lag behind the rapid changes and development. One vital skill and competence they must be equipped with is of mathematics.

Math skills and competence will aid its people on analyzing finance related data, which is the salt to the bread of every trade. With that, they can respond quickly and positively to major information from sources such as the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSEi) and other financial authorities and establishment. With the ability to analyze graphs, tables and other non-prose form of information and the knowledge of probability, they can make conclusions leading to better decisions on where to put their hard-earned money. As a result, investing will surely become a profitable endeavor.

That is the importance of mathematics on the higher level of the caste. Looking on everyday lives of the common Filipino people, knowledge of mathematics is even more significant. It will enable them to utilize financial resources wisely. One good example is the understanding of percentage, base and rate. Comprehension of those three elements will allow them to look keenly on values, compare selling price, and calculate interest, tax, discounts and of course determining if a product is being sold over price. That is just a flake from the gold bar. Mathematics can offer so much more to the 21^st century Filipinos.

Despite the fact that mathematics is of significance to the 21^st century Filipinos, sad truth has been slapping us. Surveys on numeracy, conducted by research firms both of governments and of NGOs, bear unpalatable results. Some would surely hurt our Filipino pride, stating that the numeracy skills of Filipino adults can be compared to the numeracy of grade-schoolers from other countries.

In a global survey of perceived quality of science and mathematics education which was conducted by World Economic Forum (http://www3.weforum.org/docs/gcr/2015-2016/Global_Competitiveness_Report_2015-2016.pdf), they asked business executives from each countries surveyed to rate the quality of education as they perceived. Our neighbors such as Taiwan ranked 5th, Hong Kong 11th, South Korea 12th and Singapore tops the list. Sadly, Philippines ranked 115 out of 142 countries that participated in the survey. 

Data on fourth year high school students` achievement rate in mathematics released by Dep. Ed shows a decline on achievement rate from 50.70 in 2005 to  horrifying 47.82 in 2006. The decline is consistent until it reached a pitiful 46.30% in SY 2009-2010.

Report No. 50096-PH “PHILIPPINES SKILLS REPORT (March 2010) -   Skills for the Labor Market in the Philippines by Human Development Department East Asia and Pacific Region which focus on “functional” skills that workers need to be equipped with to be employable and support firms’ competitiveness and productivity, and to the role of the education and training system in providing them, shows a considerable gap between core skills and occupations. It includes  gap in academic skills associated with subject areas such as mathematics, which is one of the skill requirements for new hires.

Standard and Poor`s  (S&P) Financial Literacy Survey Result is alarming. It shows that only 25 percent of Filipinos surveyed are financially literate. Being financially literate means that a person knows the basics of financial decision-making, including concepts such as interest compounding, inflation and risk diversification. To be able to do so one needs Mathematics.

These only show that there are existing problems on mathematics education in the country. If not mended, it will surely obstruct our country`s growth and development and of course our claim of being one of the fastest-growing economy in the region. It is because without the necessary skills, such as of Mathematics, these will surely not last in the fast-changing world of the 21^st century.

These serves as a call to arms to our general public, specially the so called Pagasa ng Bayan, the government officials and those serving the education sectors. It is the time to develop our peoples` competence and skills on Mathematics. Develop program for the common people and strengthen mathematics curriculum from elementary level up to the colleges.

It is Mathematics that will surely enable us, Filipinos, to have a strong hold on almost every fertile ground of the 21^st century.

Reaction To President Benigno Simeon Aquino III`s Sixth State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2015

I am partly impressed and disappointed after reading the full transcript of PNoy`s SONA 2015. Disappointed, because, I was expecting that it was something different from his previous SONAs. To my dismay, it was on its usual 2P`s (Panunumbat and Pagyayabang) format with a touch of sarcasm. And he tried to justify that by quoting George Santayana; “Those who forget the mistakes of the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I think it is not necessary to mention the failures of the past administration of GMA to show and prove how far his administration has attained. He already spent five years on running this country, why not compare the nation`s current state to his first three years of administration. His speech may sound better that way.

Despite that, the achievements of his “daang matuwid” impressed me. Appointing tough leaders into position, (General Ricardo Marquez for example) who really worth it, the all-time-high P1.3 billion tax collection of BIR, the rising trust from foreign investors and boosting the manufacturing industry, newly acquired military assets etc. For me one of his salient achievement (for it is one of my concern) is the implementation of K-12 curriculum that will surely keep our educational system at par with the global education standard. It amplified the number of enrollees and the needs for teachers, textbooks, classroom and other facilities. He said that 33,608 classrooms have already been constructed and are planning to construct 41,000 more. I fear that would never be complete before his term come to its end.

However, it looks like he forgot to mention some important things like salary increase for government employees, his action for the controversial six-month contractual employment scheme, the agriculture industry, Freedom of Information bill, the amendment on Cybercrime Law, and last but not the least, the progress of justice for the victims of Mamasapano massacre.

No one is perfect, “tao lang `ika nga”. Still, our president deserves more than 146 round of applause for the achievements of his administration.

- Lawrence Avillano 7/28/2015

May Pope Man o Wala

“We are all God`s Children

   We are all the same”

   Yan ang dalawa sa mga linya ng awiting naging tema sa pagdalaw ni Pope Francis sa Pilipinas. Ngunit ano nga ba ang nais iparating nito? Ano ang layunin ng Santo Papa sa pagdalaw niya sa bansa? At ano ang naging epekto nito sa bayan at sa mga mamamayan?

    Kung ating pakalilimiing mabuti ang mensahe ng awitin, simple lang naman ang nais iparating nito sa sino mang taong nakikikinig. Nais nitong ipabatid na ang lahat ng tao ay pantay-pantay. Ano man ang iyong lahi, relihiyon, kulay ng balat, lenguwahe at katatayuan sa buhay, isa ka rin sa mga anak ng diyos. Kaya naman hindi dapat magkaroon ng puwang ang diskriminasyon sa ating lipunan. Walang karapatan ang sinuman na maliitin at apihin ang kanyang kapuwa tao dahil lamang sa inaakala niyang nakatataas at nakalalamang siya dito sa ilang aspeto.

    Ihinahatid din ng awiting ito ang diwa ng pagbibigayan. Ayon nga sa Santo Papa “We must learn how to give even in our own poverty”.  Sa mga salita niyang ito, mapagtatanto natin ang katotohanan na hindi lang ang mga mayayaman ang may kakayahang magbigay at tumulong sa mga naghihikahos at nangangailangan. Maging ang mga wala rin o ang tinaguriang mahihirap ay may kakayahan ding makatulong sa kanyang kapuwa kapus-palad. Sapagka`t ibat-iba ang paraan ng pagbabahagi, may ilang paraan ng pagtulong na kayang ibigay ang isang mahirap sa kapuwa niya kulang-palad. Ayon nga sa kasabihan ng matatanda “Ang tubig sa batis ay madaling salukin kumpara sa tubig ng ilog na malalim”.

  

     Ang pagbisita ni Pope Francis sa Pilipinas ay tila ba isang muling pagkabuhay sa simbahang Katoliko Romano. Kung ating aalalahanin, matatandaang ilang ulit nang ibinalita ang resulta ng ilang servey kung saan lumalabas na kakaunti na lamang ang bilang ng mga Katoliko na aktibo sa pagsisimba. Sa kanyang pagdating ay tila ba nadiligan ang isang halaman na unti-unti nang dinadaig ng mga damo at tinutuyo ng mabagsik na araw. Ang halamang tinutukoy ko ay walang iba kundi ang pananampalataya at simbahang Katoliko Romano.

    Para naman sa bayang nananahan sa silong ng mapagpalang langit ng silanganan. Ang pagbisita ni Lolo Kiko bilang haligi ng simbahang Katoliko at itinuturing ng ilan bilang isa sa kahalili ng diyos sa balat ng lupa ay isang matagumpay na araw.  Napagtagumpayan ng bayan na ipakita sa pagkakataong ito ang kanyang hindi matatawarang kakayahan na mabuklod at magkaisa para sa isang natatanging layunin.

   Bilang isang kabataang sinibulan ng damdaming makabayan, bagaman hindi isang katoliko, ay nagpapasalamat ako sa Santo Papa. Sa aking diwa ay sumibol ang isang hiling-panalangin, na sana, ay manatili sa puso ng bawat Pilipino ang naging mensahe ng pagpagdiriwang na ito. Tayong lahat ay anak ng diyos at yan ay totoo may Pope man o wala.

Pope Francis sa Pilipinas: Ano Ang Dapat Asahan

Ang katatapos lamang na pista ng Poong Nazareno ay isang kaganapan na nagpapatunay sa pagiging isang bansang Kristiyano ng Pilipinas. Libo-libong deboto ang dumayo sa Quiapo at Pumila sa Grand Stand para humalik sa paa ng itim na Nazareno. Isang gawing nagpapakita ng malalim na pananampalataya sa poong manunubos.

Nitong mga nakaraang araw naging maingay sa midya ang nalalapit na pagbisita ng Papa ng Katoliko Romano sa bansa na si Pope Francis. Naging usap-usapan din ito maging sa sosiyal midya. Ngunit ano nga ba ang inaasahan natin sa pagdating ng kataas-taasang taga-pangulo ng simbahang katolika? May maitutulong ba ito sa bansa? Ano ang magagawa ng pagdalaw na ito para sa mga mamamayan? Narito ang aking palagay

Ang pagbisita ni Pope Francis, bilang pinakamataas na opisyal ng simbahang katolika at simbolo ng kabanalan, ay inaasahang aakit ng ng milyon-milyong kristiyano mula sa ibat-ibang sulok ng bansa at maging ng mga dayuhan mula sa Asya. Kaya naman naging maagap at mahigpit ang paghahanda para dito. Asahan na nating magmimistulang malaking parking lot ang mga pangunahing kalsada sa Maynila. Sa kabila nito ang pagbuhos ng mga tao ay isang malaking oportunidad para sa mga maliliit at big time na negosyante.

Si Pope Francis bilang isang tagapag-dala ng mabuting balita ng Diyos ay may kakayahang makapagtatak ng isang inspirasyon sa mga mamamayang Pilipino. Ang kanyang mensahe ay maaaring bumuhay ng mga kaluluwa ng mga Pilipinong lugmok sa pagkatigatig mula sa samu`t-saring iskandalo ng gobyerno. Mayroon itong hindi matatawarang kakayahan upang maiangat mula sa pagkalugmok ang mga pusong naghihikahos at nababagabag mula sa mga pagdurusa at kasalanang hindi maisiwalat kanino man.

May maitutulong ba ito sa bansa? Mayroon, sapagkat ang banal na mensahe ni Pope Francis bilang kahilili ng diyos sa lupa ay may kakayahang magdala ng diwa ng pagbabago. Isang pagbabago sa kaisipan ng bawat Pilipino.

Sa pagbisita ni Pope Francis, inaasahan kong bibigyang diin niya na hindi kailanman magiging sapat ang panalangin gaano man ito kataimtim. Nais kong ipaliwanag niya sa mga minamahal kong kababayan na mahalaga ang pagkilos upang maisakatuparan ang bawat kahilingang isinasangkap natin sa bawat panalangin. Inaasahan kong ipararating niya na ang bawat tao ay pantay-pantay, ano man ang anyo, salita, kulay, at katatayuan sa buhay. Hinihiling ko rin na sana`y bigyang diin niya ang diwa ng pagkakaisa at ang kahalagahan nito para sa isang bansang nananahan sa silong ng isang mapagpalang langit.

Golden Tara: The Agusan Image

In the country that has to be the Philippines, the statues of Hindu Gods were hidden to prevent their destruction by a religion which destroyed all cult images.

One statue, a "Golden Tara", A 4-pound twenty-one carat gold statue of a Hindu-Malayan Goddess, was discovered in 1918 in Ezperanza,Agusan Phlippines by Bilay Campos ( A Manobo Tribeswoman).

The image is that of a Hindu-malayan female deity, seated cross-legged. It has a richly ornamented Headress and many ornaments in armas and other parts of its body.

Scholars date it to the late 13th 0r 14th century. It was made by a local artist, perhaps ciopying from an imported Javanese model. The gold that was used was from this area, since Javanese miners were known to have been engaged in mining in Butuan at this time.

The statue, denoted the Agusan Image, was eventually brought to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago by Louise Adriana Wood ( whose husband Leonard Wood, was Military Governor of the Moro Province in 1903-1906 and Governor General in 1921-1927)

The Compania de los Tranvias de Filipinas

The Compania De  Los Tranvias de Filipinas was established in 1885 by Jacobo Zobel y Zangronis (the first Filipino Zobel and Freemason) and Adolfo Bayo. It is a 5 street car services (four horse drawn and one steam powered) connecting Intramuros, Malate, Sampaloc, and Tondo. The steam powered street car serves between Binondo and Malabon only since 1888. A carriage has the capacity transport of 12 passengers.

The steam operated tranvia began operation in 1888

MERALCO Acquired the company in 1903 which inaugurated an electric railway system in 1905

A passenger ticket for the third-class section of the tranvia (not the actual size).

Can you add something about this? Do the same system existed in your own country before? I would love to hear from you.

You might be also interested in; The other mode of transportation during the Spanish Colonization Period

Image Source: http://www.ayala.com.ph/uploads/pdfs/2015/INSIDE%20180years%20Magazine%20-%20lowres.pdf

Transportations During The Spanish Colonization Period : Ferrocarril de Manila - Dagupan

Ferrocarril de Manila - Dagupan

Extended 120 miles long from Manila up to Dagupan Pangasinan, it was the only railway line in the archipelago during the Spanish period. It was constructed using mainly Filipino labor (Polo y Servicio Personal) 

It began operations on November 24, 1892 as the Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan, during the Spanish colonial period, and later becoming the Manila Railroad Company (MRR) during the American colonial period. It became the Philippine National Railways on June 20, 1946 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4156. The PNR is an agency of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Brief History of Municipality of Gumaca

Gumaca is one of the oldest town in Quezon Province and only several years younger than the City of Manila was already a well-established community even before the Spaniards came. 

According to oral tarditions, the community has a barangay government as early as the 14th century with Lakan Bugtali as the first and Lakan Gitingan being the last.

The barangay had for its territory much of the area now under the jurisdictions of the municipalities of Atimonan, Plaridel, Lopez, Alabat, Calauag, Perez, Atimonan, Quezon,Unisan, Pitogo and Macalelon.

Located at the mouth of what is now known as Ppisik river and nestling at the foot of Sierra Madre range, it was - as it is now - also the center of local trade and commerce.

It was perhaps because of this,  that the Franciscan Friar, Fray Diego de Oropesa, first set foot in the community and introduced Christianity  to the people with St. Diego de Alcala being proclaimed as the pueblo`s patron saint. In 1582, the first "vista" was erected and 1686 marked the establishment of a full-pledged town with in dependent (civil) government, the earlier ones being headed by the ever-present Spanish Friars (The municipality of Gumaca boasts of a still complete liine-up of chief executives from 1574 down to the present)

The center of the local governance, built in 1921 on the grounds where the Tribunal and the Casa Real once stood.

Approximately 200 Kilometers south of Manila, Gumaca is a four-parts leisurely drive trough rice fields, coconut plantations, picturesque towns, and scenic resorts.......truly a prelude to the wonder that is Gumaca.

Source: Gumaca Municipal Library

Philippine Folk Dances: Tinikling

Ang #Tinikling ang itinuturing na pambansang sayaw ng Pilipinas ay nagmula sa Kabisayaan sa Lalawigan ng #Leyte. Iniuugnay ito sa pagdiriwang na may kinalaman sa agrikultura.

Ang pangalang Tinikling ay hango sa pangalan ng Tikling ( isang ibon na may mahabang leeg, tuka at paa) sapagkat ginagaya nito ang galaw ng nasabing ibon na kadalasang makikitang palunda-lundag at patakbo-takbo sa mga damuhan

Isinasagawa ito sa saliw ng isang makalumang tugtugin.Gamit ang dalawang piraso ng mahabang kawayan, ginagaya ng mga mananayaw ang mayumi ngunit mabilis na kilos ng ibong Tikling sa tuwing binibitag ito ng mga magsasaka.

Ang Pandesal o Spanish Salt-bread

Naimbento ito noong panahon ng Kastila at naging popular bilang isang pagkaing sa agahan o almusal.

Sinasabing ang kakulangan sa mga sangkap noong panahong `yon ang dahilan kung bakit mga payak na sangkap lang ang ginamit sa pandesal. Ito ay ang harina, itlog, mantika ng gulay, asin at kaunting asukal.

Payak din ang pamamaraan ng pag-gawa nito.Pagkatapos maiwasto ang masa, irorolyo ito sa hugis baston (babastonin) bago gagayatin sa tama at pare-parehong sukat. Ang bawat piraso ay isasawsaw o di kaya naman ay pagugulungin sa mumot ng tinapay o bread crumbs. Hahantayin muna itong umalsa bago ipasok sa pugon.

Hanggang sa ngayon popular pa rin ang pandesal sapagkat isa ito sa pinaka affordable na pagkain para sa almusal

Malaki ang ginagampanan ng pandesal sa hapag kainan ng bawat pinoy. Tila hindi kumpleto ang almusal kung sa hapag ay walang pandesal. Masarap itong kainin kasabay ng mainit na kape o gatas. Bagaman malambot, hindi maipaliwanag kung bakit gustong-gusto natin itong isawsaw sa kape.

Philippine Antiquities: Manunggul Jar

Manunggul jar (Item 64-MO-74 of National Museum of the Philippines) is a secondary burial jar dating back to the Neolithic period (890 - 710 B.C).

It was discovered by Dr. Robert Foxel and Miguel Antonio in 1962 together with the Tabon man in Manunggul Cave of Tabon caves at Lipuun Point, Palawan, thus it was given the name Manunggul Jar