con't... (message board 30)

Name:    Tonyboy Morales
Email:
Date:  26 May 2006

It is good to hear that An Waray Party-list is sponsoring a basketball tournament in the region. It is, however, sad to hear that it is the only thing that it could do to alleviate the conditions of the Waray-warays in the Philippines whether those stucked in Leyte and Samar or those suffering along the piles of garbage in Payatas or those lowly working men and women serving fellow Filipinos to earn a living.

The party-list system is supposed to address the marginalized sectors in our society. And, it is true that region 8, the habitat of most waray-waray, is the poorest region next to the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao).

To have a party-list that would carry the cause of the Waray-waray would have been a great opportunity but the representatives of this party-list group just enjoyed the privileges of being called "represent-ta-thieves" of the people and forgot their sworn duty to fight for the Waray-waray.

Name:   Anna Maria Lopez
Address:  No. 4 Garten St., Kiel, NRW 38391, Germany
Email:  AML@yahoo.com
Date:   May 26, 2006

Ano po ang high school subject na TLHGP?

Name:    Basilia Bartolome Boliche
Address:   San Andres, Manila
Email:    bbbconst@yahoo.com
Date:   MAY 24, 2006

Hi, Mr. Ray, an Catbalogan basketball Team got Third place, AN WARAY Basketball Tournament last April and May, sponsor ni congressman Bem Noel, han "AN WARAY Party List" held in Rizal Stadium.

CONGRATULATIONS!! HAN MGA PLAYERS han Catbalogan esp. an aton magaling nga coach Arnold Davantes ngan an iya bro. Ariel Davantes. Suportahan ta hira next year. An adi ha Manila pagkita gad kita para naman hira ma insipired. Salamat nga damo...

Name:   Basilia Bartolome Boliche
Address:   San Andres, Manila
Email:   bbbconst@yahoo.com
Date:   May 22, 2006

Hi, Mr. Ray. Karuyag ko gadla ipaabot han akon mga ka batch ha SSU Batch ‘87 hin CONGRATULATIONS!!! Kay damo an ira nakuha nga awards han amon alumni homecoming last April, esp. Ms. Carina delgra Marco and Mr. Roy Pabilona. For the host batch CONGRATULATIONS TOO. HIGUGMAON KO KAMO BATCH 87.

Name:   E. Peron
Address:   Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines
Email:
Date:   20 May 2006

Your point is well taken Ivy.

At the time of Rizal, Bonifacio and Malvar, the Filipino people were united on the call for independence. They were called "illustrados" by the Spaniards but was later regarded as heroes by the Filipinos. In those times, there was no other government playing the role of the global police.

The world had changed since then. Worst when the USA deployed a global policy on "War on Terror" indirectly declaring itself as the global police where the communists and Muslims were considered the "bad boys".

Eyeing for more Military Aid and other possible reward as a vivid supporter of the US War on Terror policy, the Philippine Government sent the late Blas Ople to the USA and the UN to put on its lists of terrorists the Communists insurgents of the Philippines. To justify the Philippine Government's commitment to the War on Terror, it has to start eliminating the terrorists. People were murdered in Mindoro, in Samar with Palparan's promise to eliminate the communists in six months, in Central Luzon and now the murder wave is getting closer to the Metropolitan Manila. If all these happened during the time of Rizal and Bonifacio, they should had been guaranteed the foremost space on the "hit-list" as "commies". They never could be considered by our government as heroes but mere "destabilizers".

In our country, it does not matter anymore how you win the game. What matters is that you are the winner. Today, winning on a governmental elective post is power. It is easier to cover up things when you are in power than going around as the accuser. A sad situation but the reality. What bothers me is the fact that we, the people itself, embraces corrupt political figures in every election in exchange for some "Judas coins".

Perhaps we have seen too much movie that we have adopted to ourselves the famous silver screen line saying, "Enjoy today for tomorrow we will die."

Name:   Da Vinci K.O.'D
Address:   San Bartolome St., Catbalogan
Email:
Date:  19 May 2006

Here we are again, with these two political would be dynasties aspiring to control the whole Samar district (news). These political families are creating an early atmosphere of election although most of our provincemates are wallowing in dire poverty.

The wife of the congressman is boasting of her achievements in Zumarraga. What achievements? I am a Zumarraganhon and I haven't seen any tangible economic benefits to us. People's livelihood are mostly fishing but we can't catch any more fish and there's no alternative souces to feed our family, and yet she's trumpeting her "success". Mila Tan purported comeback in the political arena come next election is just wishful thinking! Maghunos dili sana siya! She should answer all the charges first leveled against her before daring to think about re election. Hino man an maupay! An masisiring ko, puro kita yana maghuna huna kun ano iton maupay nga kauswagan hiton Samar, diri kay hin-o, kun diri ano? Kun maaram na kita hiton baton asya na iton aton pagpili kun hino nga tawo an eksakto nga angay butosan.

Name:   Rosalinda
Address:   Borrweg 65, Zuerich, 8055, Switzerland
Email:   rosalindasauter@gmx.ch
Date:  May 19, 2006

Ha iyo ngatanan nga mga Taclobanon ug taga Dampigan Sta.Rita, Western Samar. I'm based here in Zürich-Marketing Representative of Pag-Ibig Overseas Program and trying hard to promote my own Realestate business...those Kabababayans leaving abroad that would like to buy and invest back home you can contact me thru e-mails ! I'm sure Pag-Ibig is next option for Filipinos to have a HOME-Sweet-HOME !

Name:   Antonio Morales
Address:   Catbalogan, Samar
Email:
Date:  19 May 2006

The possible clash between two titans of Samar's political arena next year is quite interesting (news). Two incompetent incumbents are fielding their relatives to challenge each other in a proxy political war. Gov. Tan is fielding her own daughter to run against Cong. Figueroa. In the same token, Cong. Figueroa is fielding his own wife to run against Gov. Tan. Only gold (or money), guns, and goons will decide these unfolding clash of the giants.

Is it good for Samar? Maybe. A darkhorse can eventually win when giants quarrel. I hope that a third party, belonging to the idealist breed of Samar's politicos, who'll truly represent the sentiment of Samar will come out victorious since these giants would be more interested in cutting each other's throat. Sometimes, nature has a way to eliminate the incompetents.

Name:   Jing Aragon-Villarin
Address:   Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Email:   javillarin@yahoo.com
Date:  May 18, 2006

Does anybody know Jose Asoque?  Please feel free to send an email to: javillarin@yahoo.com. Thanks a lot for your help.

Name:   Ivy K. Lingaton
Address:   National Road, Calbayog City
Email:
Date:  May 16, 2006

T'was about a month since I last read and posted some observations here that, as I learned today, created a bit of exchange of sound ideas that are worth pondering on, whether you are an old or new politico or just a Samarnon, dreamer or not.

I respect the ideas advanced by Mr. Morales, Mr. Bystander and Jossete.

Recently we have read and heard again and again little known modern leaders of Bayan Muna systematically neutralized, well that's the word for liquidated, killed, murdered, mercilessly butchered. . . These leaders who insist on government transparency, decency, accountability, not only of the present regime but as far back as we can remember, are to me modern knights in shining armour! And I don't believe that crap that they are reds or communists. . . Whoever brought up that sick idea that people who love their country are insurgents or communists? There is plainly no logic in that!

From insurgents Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Miguel Malvar, the pulahanes of Samar, to nationalist Claro Recto and then Ninoy Aquino, but before Ninoy, our own Padre Rudy Romano. . . they are not commies my friends nor are they insurgents. . . they just loved our country and us by insisting on good and responsible administration, honesty, transparency et cetera just like the Bayan Muna Heroes and others who have searched for the truth but fell on the way . . .

Under the present regime we are even censured and censored to air our ideas and if these don't get a positive effect, some violence definitely are used. Lying, cheating and stealing in this administration is the standard operating procedure. Ate Glo carries precisely a big stick to silence her critics but let us nir be wary of these things because we know that the hottest place in hell is reserved for those who are complacent 'bout the things and issues which we could have spoused for the betterment of man, not to repress Almighty Father's creation.

Para han mga nagkamatay para han aton tuna nga natawhan yana nga henerasyon you will not be forgotten by our Father in heaven, even though  the most talked people here are not the Bayan Muna but the Bulsa Muna kind. We need not look far to see their kind.

There was cheating in the Palarong Pambansa by declaring the over-aged as of-age hence qualified to play. What else is new? Pupils, students and teachers got their cue from where else but Malacanan Pigsty! Follow the leader. . .  a good leader is a good follower.

Meanwhile in Samar, the provincial government is hesitant to declare a state of calamity since the government has been running calmitously already in the last five years. Malooy kunta ha aton an Baraan nga Bongoton kay wara man kita Kaloy-i ni Kaloy!

Name:   Gilda Cabrales-del Pilar
Address:   San Francisco, California
Email:
Date:  15 May 2006

During the novena in the residence of Engineer Charlie Benigno and Mrs. Ester Ocenada-Benigno in Daly City, California, in preparation for the celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation in San Francisco this May, the Calbiganons agreed to donate to the Calbiga Elementary School as requested by Antonia Dabuet Zartiga, Principal, the following:

Name:   Ruel Picardo Madeja
Address:   Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), Jubail, Eastern Province 31961, Saudi Arabia
Email:    Madejarp@sabic.com
Date: 13th May 2006

I would like to convey my appreciation to those who has attended the recently Madeja Clan reunion held at Barangay Cadian, Oras Eastern Samar specially those who come from different towns particularly from Jipapad where their deligations has double its number.

Name:   Bystander
Email:
Date:   5/11/06

Amen to that, Josette.  Can you imagine the energy and manhours wasted on all the blaming and whining that's going on?  I guess it has become a national pastime, from the halls of congress down to the smallest barangay.  Oops, I better stop now or I might get another violent reaction.

Name:   Amy
Address:  Oslo, Norway
Email:
Date:  10.05.06

Hi, Oscar Garcia kumosta na? It is been a long time that I did not hear from you. Hope you are OK and your family. Hope to hear from you. Regards

Name:   Josette
Address:   Pinabacdao, Samar
Email:
Date:   5/9/06

Each and everyone of us is responsible for the tribulations in our lives, rather stop blaming those politicians being the culprit cause it is not worth it, just a waste of time and energy. Life must go on, we have to move on in anyways. Being a good citizen and a good role model, we must do our part to show to our friends and others that we must always be productive and help those who need if we can (good intention or good deeds). You are right, sometimes we have to remind (politicians) their responsibilities but we can't afford spending most of our time pointing on them (tired and sick of hearing those). We should be efficient and productive in order to move on and be progressive. Resources will follow.

Name:   Raleigh Maza
Address:   Blk 13 Lot 12, Woodrow Hills Subd., Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines
Email:   raleigh_maza@yahoo.com
Date:   May 9, 2006

Hi! To Mr. Bernard Chua, thanks for inviting me here... I'll wait you here in Manila this Nov. 12. Just call me at my number and I will come as fast as I could. Thank you for being my chat mate. Is this people here in group is your friend?  Take care always!!!

Name:   Bonifacio Obrador
Address:   San Bartolome St., Catbalogan, Samar
Date:  05/May 2006

Cata one of the top achievers in Congress? You’re kidding me? Tell it to the marines!

Name:   Girlie Grimaldi
Address:   New York, New York, USA
Email:
Date:   May 4, 2006

I was happy to read about Congressman Catalino Figueroa's honor of being chosen one of the Philippines' outstanding congressmen. It's a wonderful piece of news on Samar and it warms my heart to know that Congressman Figueroa is doing something good to uplift the lives of Filipinos in general and the people of Samar in particular. Kudos Congressman Figueroa and keep up the good work.

Name:   Rey Misterio
Address:   Bgy. 10 Patag Dist., Catbalogan, Samar
Email:
Date:   04/May/06

It seems that the problem in Samar is not about practical and workable livelihood programs for our provincemates because we have had hundreds of them in the past. What we lack is the Implementation of this projects, there seems to be no political will or the lack of it to implement them to reach the desired target clientele.

Institutional corruption, "white elephants", cosmetic solutions to problems to name a few seem to be the culprit of these implementors. It's high time that we make these "trapos" accountable for all the troubles that we're in, and it's got to start from ourselves.

Name:   Gerry Brennan
Address:   London, United Kingdom
Email:  corjo.corjo@virgin.net
Date:   4 May 2006

I have visited your home province many times over the past 15 years, The Waray people have much to be proud of although perhaps this would not include your politicians.

Having had to make use of the hospital in Catbalogan I am left wondering how many of the local people survive illness. Wonderful staff struggling with a lack of facilities and equipment. This seems to be the experience in all areas of life in your province, which seems to run spite of your local government and not because of it.

Name:   Alma Villannueva
Address:  Detriot, Michigan, USA
Email:  alma08_2003@yahoo.com
Date:   5/03/06

HI Monet and Lerma i'll see you soon in the few days..:)

Name:   Rowena Svensson
Address:   Sweden
Email:   amicable_dauntless_mom@yahoo.com
Date:  May 3, 2006

Hello Mr Ray Gaspay,

Kumusta haiyo ngatanan. Napakiana gadla ako kon waray kamo mga pictures nga kuha han Alumni Homecoming ha SNS han yana nga year 2006, kon may-da man puwede niyo ma post denhi ha samarnews.com usa ako nga malilipay. By the way I am from San Roque St too. I lived behind the previous Estherlanes Bowling center seguro magharani kita, am not sure. Anyway damo nala nga salamat and more power to you & the rest of the people who created this website, naibanan akon kamingaw ha Catbalogan. Thanks again and God Bless

Name:   Katherine Borromeo
Address:  Calbayog City, Samar, Philippines
Email:  kathborro@yahoo.com
Date:  May 2, 2006

My fellow Samareños:  When are we going to wake up and see what's happening to our dear Samar?  We have a sleeping government in our province that does not seem to care about the plight of every poor Samareño.  We have government officials who just can afford to receive salaries without performing their tasks to the best of their abilities, and are not mindful of the oath they have swore before God and their people.  We have an Office of the Governor that is empty almost all throughout the term of the present administration with employees not reporting to their work and with an office that does not seem to be the seat of governance in the Province.  And what has happened to the rest of the legislative body in Samar?  Don't they have the initiative to propose development undertakings when they are supposed to be the people's representative to the government?

Name:   Antonio "Noynie" Casurao
Address:   United Arab Emirates
Email:    casantone@gmail.com
Date:    01/05/2006

SUBJECT:  LET US HELP SAMAR!

Samar, for non-Samarnons, is associated to the adjective "poor".  When they hear "Samar": Immediately, we could hear comments as "poor province", "many poor people", "poor living condition", etc. etc., and even tagged as the origin of criminals.

I am kind of "shy" about it.  But what can I do?  I cannot deny that fact.  And I cannot also deny that I came from this place, that once in the first 14 years of my life, I was in Samar. My parents are both from Samar. To these days, I cannot afford to talk in tagalog when I know I am talking to a waray.  A true blooded waray, will always be a waray.  But sometimes, when you hear such adjective, "poor" being hurled at Samar, I cannot help but to have a mixed emotion of shame about it, and compassion for this place. Sometimes we can hear the dialogues of tagalog movies such as, "nagpunta ng Samar, sumapi sa NPA" or "Si Inday na ating mutsatsa ay galing ng Samar".  Why Samar, among provinces is very much associated with such negative connotations?

Who can deny the fact that Samar is poor?  When I travel along South Road (Maharlika Highway) from Manila, I can see majority of houses from Batangas to Matnog are concrete.  But the moment we get across Matnog to Allen, suddenly, we will see nipa huts up to the other end of Samar.  (Well, of course, I don't look down upon these houses cause we used to live in a house made of bamboo and nipa in our place).  That is why, we cannot blame people to have that notion that Samar is poor.

What is the problem?  Why is is that there were NO changes NOR improvements in more than 20 years since we went to live in Manila?  What went wrong?

Mga igkasi Samarnon, ano ba ang problema nga nakikita niyo kun nano nga dire pa naasenso an Samar.

PLEASE POST YOUR OPINION PARTICULARLY ON THE PROBLEMS OR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WHY SAMAR REMAINS TO BE POOR.

DON'T FORGET TO INDICATE THE SUBJECT LINE:  LET US HELP SAMAR!

THE RATIONALE IS TO COME UP WITH POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION/SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS IN SAMAR THAT HINDER ITS PROGRESS, ESPECIALLY TO THE LIVING CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.

SALAMAT.  HUHULATON KO AN IYO PARTISIPASYON.

Name:   Chzarl 2 in USA
Email:    tikangan_naton@samarnews.com
Date:  May 1, 2006

Recently, Samareños who are active in the discussion forum of Samarnews.com formed a group named Tikangan Naton!  The group has one simple philosophy: create or make a project/s in any barangay in Samar solely for the purpose of improvement/development, away from the influence of politics, local or national.

The group has now (PHP)65,000.00 in pledges, with most of the pledges coming from Samareños working or living abroad.  The new group is now at the stage of formalizing the fundamentals and guidelines of how to implement this cause.

As the group is now working in the policy, we are calling to our fellow Samareños for financial support through pledges, especially those living or working abroad to join forces with us in this cause.  The pledges campaign will run up to December 2006 and the start of the project/s will be in 2007, culminating with the inauguration at the same time meeting in person those Samareños living or working abroad who get involved in this cause.

A lot has been said in this site-discussion forum, feedback, message board-about the political, economics, social and other issues affecting Samar.  The group Tikangan Naton! was in fact, the result of that active discussion of arguing and debating about the lack of attention of the local, provincial, or even national government to the people of Samar, especially the plight and conditions of those fellow Samareños in the barrios and remote barangays.  Tikangan Naton! has one simple intent and motive: a change to that plight and conditions that has been suffered for years and still continue to suffer by our fellow Samareños in the barrios and remote barangays.

Please send your pledges and your personal comments, ideas, insights or inputs about the fundamentals and guidelines of how to implement this cause in this email address: tikangan_naton@samarnews.com.

Mabuhay an Samar! Mabuhay an mga Samareño! Tikangan Naton!

Name:    Genno P. Ballon
Address:    Saudi Arabia
Email:    genno.palejaro@aramco.com
Date:    April 30, 2006

I would like to extend my greetings to all San Josenhon of Dulag Leyte especially to the Ballon's Family (Herminia, Primitivo, Rommel & Family, Raquel, Solema, Jun2x & Family, and Edwin). Kumusta na kamo dida nga tanan labis kay nag sasaurog kamo yana nga May 01, 2006 hit fiesta ni Señor San Jose. Ha bug-os nga mga taga San Jose, Dulag, Leyte HAPPY FIESTA ngan ig inum nala ako niyo hin TUBA.

Name:   Tonyboy Morales
Address:   Catbalogan, Samar
Date:   30 Apr 2006

I need not answer the last posting of Mr. Bystander which I guess is bereft of any merit. I would say thank you to Mr. Bystander for now shifting to the side of the poor and for being philantrophic for causes that would redound to the benefit of our poor kababayans in Samar. My suggestion to the readers is to just follow the exchange of ideas between me and Mr. Bystander and the original articles posted by Ivy K. Lingaton and Abaigar-Jaboli. The readers are better judges for this debate. I have said my points quite strongly and so did Mr. Bystander.

I don't want to dominate the landscape of Samarnews' message board unless of course Mr. Bystander will pick a new topic other than those we've exhaustively discussed. As always, I am here to defend what is right and what is noble.

God bless Samar! 

Name:   Jocelyn
Address:   Texas, USA
Email:  asiantique2002@yahoo.com
Date:   04/29/2006

Hello I just want to say that it is so good to finally found website from the place where I was born. I actually was looking for one for a long time. Anyway thank goodness I found one. And I want to say "hi" to all of my old classmate. Raquel Serdina, and many more. I hope you get my message and please keep in touch. Please email I know it's been a long time I would like to hear from all of you. Or anyone that knows in Calbayog City. My name is Jocelyn Baldomaro, if you know email me.  Please....