RETORS TO THE ACCUSATIONS BY CONGRESSMAN RAYMOND DEMOCRITO T. MENDOZA
(Accusations based on published news articles, in print, TV, and social media, i.e. facebook, blogs, etc.)

1. A desperate and discredited minority of the General Council of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)…
“Desperate and discredited minority” is more appropriate to the Mendoza camp (or probably, only Atty. Mendoza and his two sons), for trying to grab back power, after the elder Mendoza voluntarily tendered his resignation on 19 October 2011.

2. …tried but failed to grab power…forcibly enter the TUCP premises last night (25 Jan.)
TUCP President Herrera’s group has legitimacy over the TUCP Headquarters. Not those hooligans who have been ordered by a resigned president, with the prodding of his two sons, to illegally occupy the property, “in desperation.”
Senator Herrera, as TUCP President has the responsibility to make sure that TUCP properties are not ransacked, abused, and disrespected.
President Herrera was with only 7 other individuals when he went to TUCP.
To “forcibly enter” is a lie. The Senator is not crazy to storm the office with 25 hooligans waiting, probably with arms, with only seven individuals.
The police would not intervene on either side, but only tried to keep the peace.
The resigned president ceased to have authority over TUCP, the building, and properties. It is they who forcibly took over and occupied the building, preventing legitimate officials and staff from performing their legal duties and functions.

3. … General Council formally voted him out as TUCP Secretary-General
The General Council meeting organized on 24 January by Atty. Mendoza was illegal and nothing but a meeting of associates.
a) The meeting is not valid. Atty. Mendoza, having resigned as President effective 01 November 2011, had no authority to call a meeting;
b) The election/selection on a General Secretary was not in the agenda;
c) If Atty. Mendoza were still President, the GS position would not have been vacant;
d) There was no quorum. The election/selection of GS is not valid.
(Published news article says only 11 members of the General Council, mostly ALU, were present. There should be at least 16 General Council Members present to constitute a quorum).
The TUCP Constitution has specific provisions for expulsion or replacement of an elected officer. Except Atty. Mendoza who had resigned, no TUCP elected officers have been expelled or replaced legally.

4. financial anomalies, loss of confidence and gross mismanagement of TUCP affairs during his tenure.
“Financial anomalies, loss of confidence, gross mismanagement” …these are serious, intellectually dishonest, allegations. Former President Mendoza should reminded that all these happened (if at all), during his time as president. He was responsible for these anomalies. He was the competent authority of TUCP until 01 November 2012. His accusations should have been written and the accused given due process. True to form, he did neither.
The external audit could not have been done, as he himself said: “Since there were adverse findings in the external financial audit and the refusal of the former finance officer to turn over finance documents, President Mendoza has ordered to secure official financial documents. The TUCP bldg and compound are locked. Some personalities are not allowed to come in.”

5. …TUCP condemns the series of illegitimate acts and overt attempts of Mr. Herrera to grab power and arrogantly impose himself as the President of the TUCP.
The position of TUCP President was handed over to Senator Herrera through Atty. Mendoza’s voluntary resignation, stupid! His succession is legal based on the TUCP Constitution, period.

6. His (Herrera) irrational behaviour last night (25 January 2012) magnified his embarrassing fall from grace. His actions show a reckless disregard in upholding the interest of the TUCP as he attempts to drag the entire organization into the mud with him.
“TUCP being dragged into mud” started long ago when the TUCP people/workers couldn’t see the possibility of change in the organization’s undemocratic leadership. It will be dragged deeper into mud with another Mendoza, a son being groomed, to be the next TUCP President.
The root of all these problems is the cunning attempt to install a Mendoza sibling ALU President and a another Mendoza sibling TUCP President.

7. …I would like to apologize to our social partners and supporters for the confusion as a result of his misrepresentation; and, to our brothers and sisters for the pain and anguish that Mr. Herrera has caused.
Our social partners, local and international know the real score. Our brothers and sisters in the TUCP have been hurt more with the continuing attempts of the former president and his cohorts to cling to power, only for family interest and aggrandizement.
Our brothers and sisters, our socials partners, know when enough is enough.

8. I tendered a letter of resignation as TUCP President on October 19, 2011 effective November 1, 2012 to bring up discussions on major transparency and accountability issues in TUCP. I later, retracted my resignation after the General Council refused to act on the letter and even as they pleaded for me to remain and continue as TUCP President.
Tendering one’s resignation to bring up discussion on transparency and accountability is incompetence. He was the president then, with all the powers to ensure transparency and accountability.
He is retracting his resignation because his sons and advisers needed him to continue as president to ensure they take over the TUCP Presidency.
Insisting to remain president after resigning, even with advanced age and difficulty managing simple meetings is disservice to TUCP, to members, and workers.
No leader is indispensable. Even a congressman is not indispensable.

9. …he also set up a rump group of minority members of the TUCP General Council to inflate his ego. Let me reiterate that of 25 affiliates, 18 remain under our leadership in the TUCP.
He claims 18 affiliates are with Atty. Mendoza, and he can’t muster a quorum? Seven (7) ALU federations and four federations is the support he has.

10. The General Council has deemed these acts as illegitimate and acts of disloyalty inimical to the interest and earned reputation of TUCP.
Bro. Herrera is the legitimate President, under the TUCP Constitution, upon Atty. Mendoza’s resignation. It is he who does not respect the Constitution. His group says it’s only a scrap of paper, technicalities, etc.

11. …On that regard, I wish to assure our supporters, partners, and affiliates that I am in control and in command of all the federations, offices and continue to enjoy the recognition and support of local and international organizations and governments. This is because of the trust reposed upon me by the majority of TUCP General Council, whom I will serve as President until December 2012.
When one says that, it usually is more of assuring one’s self. He feels that his control and command of his domain, and recognition and support of others are fading. He has no majority in the Executive Board and in the General Council. Good luck Mr. Former TUCP President!

12. I also wish to convey to the public that the good men and women in TUCP are doing their best in dealing with this issue for the sake of the highest best interest of the trade union movement in the Philippines.
The Mendoza’s are not the only good men and women in TUCP. Although I highly doubt if they indeed, are.

13. HERRERA NO LONGER TUCP GENERAL SECRETARY; GOOD RIDDANCE TO THE FATHER OF LABOR CONTRACTUALIZATION- TUCP
There is nothing in the Herrera Law that authorizes contractualization.The fault lies with the martial-law PD 442 Labor Code Article 106, which was used by DOLE to allow job contracting. Senator Herrera had no hand in this Presidential Decree.
DOLE Department Order No. 10 allowed contractualization. It cannot be blamed on Senator Herrera. TUCP vigorously objected to the Order through the prodding of Senator Herrera.
In fact, the Herrera law RA 6715 passed in 1989 provides eligibility for union membership for workers from the first day of employment.
The Congressman probably has not read, or worse does not understand the law, or relied on people who know no better. Things like this are the ones which drove us to lose confidence in his faulty representation of workers.

14. “Herrera and his ilk like Alejandro Villaviza of Philippine Federation of Labor do not have any unions and members to speak of…”
Alejandro Villaviza is a self-made man. He has served with distinction in TUCP and in Congress.
A former congressman and main author of bill on labor relations which eventually became a law; a successful lawyer; workers’ delegate or adviser to the International Labor Conference for a number of years; workers’ representative to various tripartite bodies, including the TIPC, the DOLE National Efficiency and Integrity Board; etc.
He is a better man than many I know, congressmen and ordinary people alike who have never authored a bill that was passed into law; a bully because he hides behind numbers; behind an ageing father; behind a controlling wife; or even a scheming adviser.

15. “Herrera mismanaged the TUCP as General Secretary and mishandled the funds…. An ongoing external audit conducted has initially surfaced unliquidated advances of 2.5 million pesos
They say they took over the TUCP building because a TUCP official refused to …” turn over finance documents.” So where did the basis of an external audit (done by ALU persons) come from? Lies used to be supported by more lies!
Take away Mendoza’s millions, and what do you have?

16. “His departure opens up a new chapter in history for the TUCP. “We are happy to begin anew in TUCP without Herrera, Villaviza and other supposedly labor leaders who do not actually have followers…”
Congressman Mendoza is not a TUCP Official. Despite his resources, their group cannot muster a quorum.
It is actually Atty. Mendoza’s departure which prompted federations like NUBE, NLU, PAFLU and others to reactivate their membership in TUCP.

In response to Rex B Cool. The source of the Joma to return to the Philippines article lies solely with the ANAD Party List. There are no recent news items of the supposed 26 Dec 2011 event. As of this posting there is nothing about Joma being en route via any form of transportation either. I will believe that Joma is here or has returned when we see the current news coverage of his arrival without suffering the same fate as Ninoy Aquino under Marcos.

The signing of any form of agreement that makes reference to a shift in CPP NDFP social and political influence most likely will not happen. If it does happen that Joma makes it back to Philippine soil; rest assured his coming days are most likely numbered for a plethora of reasons to include personal health and well being.

ANAD warns vs Joma’s return within the month?

It's quite difficult to conceive this report on the Communist leader stepping on Philippine soil to sign MOA with Pnoy.

Firstly, the Peace Talks has been stalled. Both side cast the blame to each other on the failure of the talks.

Secondly, Sison is not dumb to set his foot in Philippine soil knowing he will be arrested right from the tarmac.

On the other hand, if there is truth on this report, then Peace might as well be attained by the Filipino people through this visit.

What's going on in the Philippines?

Malacanan vs. Supreme Court !
Malacanan vs. CGMA !
AFP vs. MILF/MNLF !
AFP vs. CPP/NDF !
Election Recall !
Killing here and there !
Mining and earth devastation !

When will all these end?

When will they realize that all these can be resolved without grandstanding? Diplomacy and honest talk on the table can save the economy and the pride of all Filipinos.

If it is war and destruction that is needed to save the ire of our country, so let there be war and destruction. Do it fast to minimize the losses. Make it less painful so that people can rise to a new beginning.

KANANGA, Leyte --- “It was a joint declaration. The Leyte Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) affirmed Leyte as “Manageable Conflict-Affected and Development Ready” province. Salas was not there (was hiding) when the ‘lawful’ declaration was signed by members of the PPOC.”

These were the few comments of the Commanding Officer of the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion in connection with the statement of the deposed priest and NDF-EV chairman, Mr. Santiago Salas published by an NPA affiliated media website on December 12. As expected, Salas (in his own) refuted Leyte PPOC in proclaiming the province as “Manageable Conflict-Affected and Development Ready” on December 8.

Accordingly, Salas statement was plainly opposing the proclamation which was strongly believed by local chief executives to open doors for more investors to come and do business in Leyte and its towns. He wants the public to ride on his defunct issues. He even ironically cited that the people are living better with the New Peoples Army than the duly constituted authority itself.

Mr. Salas, as he used to be, was completely daydreaming; threatening and even agitating the public when he said that Leyte was a social volcano waiting to explode. Recycling his issues, Salas simply revealed the National Democratic Front’s anti-peace and development agenda while continuously shielding the Communist Party of the Philippines’ ultimate objective in turning the republic into a communist and ‘godless’ society.

Lt. Col. Cabugon, Commanding Officer of 19th IB urges the local chief executives and stakeholders not to be caught with Salas’ fascinating allegations. Salas’ desperation and disagreement on the PPOC’s decision was a clear manifestation of his disrespect to the duly constituted government.

“I am confident that the Leyte PPOC chaired by Gov. Jericho Petilla can sustain peace in the province. Leyte is no place for insurgency. Never will it be a lair of NPA’s again.” Cabugon deliberately stressed.

Cabugon is challenging Salas to spend some of his good times to visit the towns of Carigara and Jaro and see for himself if there has been any abuse committed by the military. He said that militarization will never be an issue again since the PPOC itself demanded no pull out of troops in Leyte.

Victoria Jadaone Viojan
Palai St., Brgy Poblacion,
Alaminos City, Pangasinan

Dear Marivic Viojan,

I have to be honest with you, I wanted to personally come with you. I intimated to you in my private communication that I sent you through your email address that I am one of the student that your father mentored. I may not have reached my peak had it not been for your father, he basically touched my life. He was responsible in molding me.

I am however flattered to be referred to by somebody in the stature of a Tonyboy Morales, (thank you Tonyboy).

Frankly speaking in my itinerary seeing Sir Anling in person is my 1st priority, the reason why I told you that I may come with you. When I was in Singapore I even sent him a letter. Had I not read the posting of Mr. Tonyboy Morales I wouldn't know that he is already dead.

I gave you my address in Laguna including my landline. Should you still decide to visit his graveyard I will go with you.

According to the news Quedancor hits 90% loan repayment, that is true because in our school we are almost 100% paying our previous obligation with Quedancor. Only that when we ask a print out of our payments we noticed that we are paying interest for the present amortization and other interest on previous loans, this loan we are paying was our previous loan which Quedancor offered loan condonation or what they call remediation.

Dear Marivic Viojan,

Your biological father, Mr. Alejandro Cananua, was a professor at the old Trade School, now Samar State University. He is a contemporary of another old man of that school, Dr. Dominador Cabanganan. I heard that he passed away several years back, around 2008, but I may be wrong. He was married (well, officially) to another teacher who eventually became a Division School Supervisor in the 90's. Mr. & Mrs. Cananua are educators who are well known in the Catbalogan area. I am sure some other people in this forum can say a thing or two about them.

If my memory serves me right, Mr. Alejandro Cananua was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He is usually seen parading during town fiestas and other church-sponsored processions with a full regalia of a Columban Knight.

I am not familiar about his children who may have just remained residents of Catbalogan. The Cananuas in Burak for instance are related to Senyor Alejandro.

Mr. Basilio Balasbas may have some inputs to share. Most likely, he was one of the thousand students who were mentored by the dashing Alejandro Cananua.

Dear Editor of Samar News.Com

I need your help to find my biological father named Mr. Alejandro Cananua of Catbalogan, Samar. Although I have not seen him since birth but this pieces of information was relayed to me by my mother, Fe Viojan.

I am Victoria Jadaone Viojan, 39 years of age with four kids and presently residing in Alaminos City, Pangasinan. I was told by my mother, Mrs. Fe Viojan who was their housemate and the daughter of late Roman Viojan of Basey, Samar that my father is Mr. Alejandro Cananua, a public school teacher. I was born in 1972 and later my mother brought me to Tarlac where I grew up. I am his daughter and I want to let him know that for 39 years I have been longing to see him personally. My mother is still alive and lives with me.

I am so thankful to find this Samar News.com because I believe it will pave the way for me and my father to see each other. I missed him so much.

Please help me to link to my father, Mr. Alejandro Cananua. I can be reached through my mobile phone 09483307073 or email ad: marivicviojan@yahoo.com.

I would be very, very grateful if you can connect me to him.

Yellow Wish

The daughter of the slain Calbayor Mayor Ining Uy together with Board Member Eunice Babalcon launched the Yellow Ladies Movement. The movement is a stepping stone to jumpstart her bid to become governor of Samar. The COMELEC has already instructed its provincial office to verify the signatures of the petitioners for the recall of both the governor and the vice governor. Aica Uy-Delgado is hoping that she will have a crack of chance to avenge the death of her beloved father.

To ride the memory of Cory Aquino through the Yellow Ladies Movement is undoubtedly a cheap shot on her part. We all know about the sad plight of our impoverished Samarenyas but organizing them with the cloak of protecting their rights and advancing their skills simply speak volumes of how politics can cheapen any legitimate advocacy. My question is why only now? Where were you Aica when your dad was lording it over in the first district when it would have been easy to organize such kind of an advocacy? Where were you Aica when your dad was being accused of orchestrating the assassination of his political opponents including innocent women?

Women in Powder Form

I am not a fan of Sharee Ann Tan (codenamed, S.A.TAN) either. Mila and Sharee Ann together with some prostituted women leaders of Samar are equally responsible for the degradation of the standing of women in our society. We thought that Mila and Sharee Ann would be different from the previous male governors. We were all proven wrong. Mas masahol pa!

Third Force Needed

see this link for pictures
http://freeacosta.blogspot.com/2011/10/artists-to-doj-free-ericson-acosta-now.html

ARTISTS TO DOJ: FREE ERICSON ACOSTA NOW!
Oct. 14, 2011 Press Release, Free Ericson Acosta Campaign

Artists led by the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) gathered at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) building in Intramuros today to call for the release of poet and cultural worker Ericson Acosta.

In an event dubbed “Kumustahan mula sa Piitan,” National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, painter Neil Doloricon, TV and stage actor Nanding Josef, screenwriter and actress Bibeth Orteza, film director Joel Lamangan and other supporters from the artist community reiterated their appeal to DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima to review Acosta’s case and to immediately withdraw the fabricated complaint against the detained artist.

Actor and former CCP Vice President Nanding Josef

Says Josef: “I know him (Acosta) personally as a cultural worker. I am humbled by his sacrifices and his commitment to the poor. This new administration is challenged to be different from its predecessors. Free those whose only ‘crime’ is genuinely serving the least served, and jail without delay those who have greedily taken away food on the table of the poor.”

NCCA officials; visual artists Karen Ocampo-Flores and Egai Talusan Fernandez; writers Jun Cruz Reyes and Pablo Tariman; musicians Karl Ramirez, Tony Palis and guitarists from the Quezon City Performing Arts group, and members of the Filipino Freethinkers, Kilometer64 Poetry Collective, Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan, Tudla Multi-media Productions, human rights advocates and other artist groups and individuals were also in attendance.

Acclaimed film director and former political detainee Joel Lamangan

Lamangan and Lumbera were also detained during the Marcos dictatorship. Angelina Ipong of the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) who was imprisoned by the Arroyo administration for six years gave a brief account of her ordeal and incarceration as documented in "Garden Behind Bars," a collection of Ipong's prison writing.

SELDA Secretary General Angie Ipong

Acosta, who is a poet, thespian, songwriter and former editor of the University of the Philippines’ student publication Philippine Collegian, was arrested by the military while conducting human rights research in Brgy. Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar, last February 13. He is currently detained at the Calbayog sub-provincial jail.

A review petition was filed by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) September 1 at the DOJ, where National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Executive Director Malou Jacob personally appeared to lend her support to the campaign to free Acosta. The petition states that the evidence against Acosta was planted and cited the military’s admission of human rights violations in the conduct of Acosta’s arrest and detention.

Acosta was brought to court for a scheduled arraignment last September 21 in Calbayog City. His legal counsel led by Atty. Jun Oliva of the (NUPL) moved to defer arraignment and proceedings pending the DOJ’s decision on the review petition.

Acosta is among the country’s political prisoners, numbering 354 as of August 2011. Human rights groups led by KARAPATAN and SELDA appeal to President Aquino to free all political prisoners through a general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty declaration.

National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera

National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera leads call to free Ericson Acosta
Concerned Artists of the Philippines, October 14, 2011

On the 8th month of Ericson Acosta's incarceration, a gathering of artists and cultural workers, led by National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) was held today, October 14 at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts lobby, to press for Acosta's immediate release.

"Ericson should be granted freedom immediately so he can continue his work as an artist and as a cultural worker, " said Renan Ortiz, CAP spokesperson.

Acosta is a poet, songwriter, thespian, journalist and cultural worker. He was a former editor of the Philippine Collegian and culture writer of the Manila Times. As an artist and activist, he chose to work with the poor and the oppressed. On February 13, 2011, he was arrested while conducting human rights research. He was accompanied by a barangay official and was carrying only a laptop and some personal belongigs at the time of his arrest. He was detained in a military camp and subjected to 44- hours of interrogation with only two hours of sleep. He was levied with a trumped-up charge of illegal possession of explosive to justify his arrest and continued detention.

Actress Bibeth Orteza read her letter to Ericson Acosta

According to CAP Secretary-General and painter Neil Doloricon: "Even behind bars, Ericson surmounts the prison walls that try to curtail the creative prowess in him. A determined and committed artist, in pursuing one’s dream of a meaningful change in society, will try to survive the challenges in life that get in the way . The prison cell for Ericson has become a virtual studio for his literary and musical undertakings and he even shares his talent to his cellmates and wardens."

"Ang sining ni Ericson Acosta ay matatag na nakatuntong sa lipunan natin at ang liwanag na dulot nito ay dapat lamang suportahan ng pamahalaan na naglalayon unawain ang mga problema ng sambayanan," said Lumbera.

Ericson is among the 360 political prisoners in the country today, 77 of whom, including Ericson were arrested and detained under the new administration. Cases of illegal detention continue to increase under the younger Aquino's administration. This has been the situation even with the past administration of Corazon Aquino's granting of unconditional amnesty to political prisoners after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship, and P-Noy's approval of conditional amnesty to 400 alleged rebel soldiers.

TV actor and CAP board member Nanding Josef expressed: There are two things P-Noy and this present administration can do to improve the Filipino people's trust in them and prove that they're different from all the past national leaders: one, to immediately put behind bars all the shameless, greedy, corrupt, self-serving leaders who committed crimes against the poor by stealing everything that rightfully belongs to people; and two, to free all political prisoners, like Ericson Acosta, whose only crime is to side with the poor, to fight for their rights, to protect them from the abuses of the criminals who pass off as public servants, and to educate them on how to liberate themselves from the long years of deprivation and exploitation by a society that has continuously allowed big time thieves to get away with their crimes, but allows self-sacrificing people's heroes to rot in jail."

"P-Noy and his men and women can choose to be remembered in Philippine history as the just and fearless leaders who put the true criminals in jail, and set the real heroes free. We the people, will wait and see," said Josef.

Painter Egai Fernandez

To show their solidarity with the campaign to free Ericson Acosta and all political prisoners, artists and cultural workers, tore down symbolic iron bars to reveal a huge banner with the calls "Free the Artist! Free Ericson Acosta! Free All Political Prisoners!" Artists affixed their names and signatures on the banner to signify their support.

Today (October 14, 2011), Mount Danglay will serve as a subject for documentation and a documentary to be undertaken by a joint group of first-time Danglay climbers mostly coming from Basey, Samar. The group will be led by Pastor Guillermo Gacutan of Basey Baptist Church, who is president and convenor of the COrBa (Consortium of Community Organizers of Basey) and Teodorico D. Porbus, president of the four-year old Baktas Kabub’wason Rural Workers Association. If plans don’t miscarry, a delegation from Tacloban-based CAT8 (a cable television network) will join in, producing a documentary for its own audiences.

Among the fresh climbers are agrarian reform beneficiaries who agreed at the conclusion of their training on community organizing (with regional coordinator Judy Torres of KAISAMPALAD Inc. as principal lecturer) to climb Danglay as part of their preparations for a planned hike to the interior northern mountains of Basey which are inside the agrarian-covered Samar Settlement Project (SSP). The visit will enable them to measure their hiking and climbing paces and to estimate how much time they’ll be spending during their first exploratory trip to the SSP mountains.

Last Sunday afternoon, they met for their final preparations for Danglay at the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Mission at Loyo, Basey, with pastor Douglas Dela Torre, who is also an ARB, playing host even as he celebrated his 55th birthday. Douglas said CAT8 television crew will join the climbs, first to Danglay, and a week later, to the northern mountains of Basey, Samar. The Basaynon Danglay hikers also intend to plant souvenir banners to convey the message that they "captured" this mountain whose legend remains fresh in the hearts of many Basaynons.

Danglay is that imposing mountain on the side of Basey, that overlooks the 1.2-kilometer San Juanico Bridge and provides a good cloud-level standpoint for surveying the skyline of Tacloban, Basey, and the part of the town of Sta. Rita.

Ptr. Gacutan is optimistic that while taking a breather atop Danglay, he perhaps might be able to compose a Waray song which he could share with the agrarian reform beneficiaries during their upcoming tour of Basey’s northern mountains. The COrBa convenor is himself a guitarist and former combo lead guitarist in Manila, a singer, a self-made poet and playwright and stage drama director.

This schedule can change only when weather won’t warrant it, says Baktas prexy Dioring.

ALL please be reminded to switch off our home electric lights, for one hour, from 7:30 p.m. tonight, October 11, 2011 in protest to all attempts to increase power consumption rates. Please also pray that the present dispensation of PNoy will heed our nationwide demand-protest and that all those in the business of providing electricity will, starting at 9 p.m. tonight, also stop henceforth corruption, graft and theft inside their own companies/cooperatives/offices.

Sir / Ma’am,

Usa ako san mga kag-anak san Oquendo Central school, nga kon diin karuyag ko la maipaabot san iyo opisina nga an nasabi nga skwelahan in sigi naman la an paamot haros kada simana kantidad P15, P10, P5 para san iba-iba nga mga parks labot pa san homeroom project, test papers pa nga kada subject may P10. Paanano naman la kami nga may 4 o 5 nga mga anak.

Ginpaeskwela ngani namon sa publiko para menos gastos peru mas masahol pa ini nga amon ginaaragmutan. Pag-abot san pan-enrol balik-balik kami kay di karawton kay kinahanglan gud bayaran an tanan nga kabaraydan. Magreklamo kami san magturutdo batonon la kami nga nagpinanganak kami amon iton obligasyon, dudumtan pa an mga kabataan pinaagi san grado hamubuan. Ada na gad kami siton nga obligasyon peru kaangayan pa man ba ini nga sigi la aragmot. Haros tanan nga kamaistrahan an naghihimo sini ug pati pa an principal may kacorrupt bisan an 137 makuri ireles kay ginpapabaydan, pabalik-balik kay di napirma. Ginpapahamtang voluntary peru ginpapabaydan gud pag-abot san panguha kard. Napipiritan kami pagbayad nangungutang kami para la makabayad para la ka-enrol amon kabataan.

Sadto una nga tuig an mga magradweyt gin-aruan donasyon P100 o P50 para sumpay nga Covered walk kantidad P15,000 peru pira na kabulan sa high school amon mga anak wa la gihapon iton kaimplementar. Amon iton ginpakiana ginbaton la kami nga di pa tanan nagbayad, nga di man nira ginhahatag an kard og 137 kon di magbayad.

An gintatawag nga moe ba iton di kami sayod kon nano an kagarimitan ug an kantidad siton kay kon mayda ngani kinahanglanon bisita kon may okasyon pareho gradwasyon sa amon man nga kag-anak. Masiring ngani kami nga sa moe masiring la kulang panbayad sa tubig o kuryente kay gutiay man la an kantidad nga kaihaan pa nga tuig mga naglabay tubtub sadton una tuig GPTA man an nabayad tubig o kuryente.

Sir/maam sugad sini amon pamaagi san pagpadangat tungod kay naglilikay la kami kay ada gud sira san ira posisyon. Para san iyo kasayuran pwede man kam mag-imbestigar san mga kag-anak.

Ginlalaoman namon in iyo paghatag aksyon san sini nga amon ginpadangat sa iyo.

To All Samarnon based locally or abroad

It is through this forum painstakingly watched and nurtured by Mr. Gaspay, so that we can dish out our position on issues of national interest.

I unabashedly imparted the condition of my father and my mother who both perished because our provincial hospital cannot attend, even the most simple assistance of transporting patients. Namatay ang Nanay ko, namatay ang Tatay ko na hindi man lamang nalalapatan ng kaukulong pansin ng Doctor. Not once had I seen a Doctor visiting my mother who was in coma while confined at our Monalisa Hospital (our provincial hospital). She was really neglected by the hospital. I saw somebody putting something to clear the throat of my mother before she died. I was so distressed and I pity the condition of my mother. I was helpless. I knew that my mother knew that the mass was being heard inside her room, I held her hand tightly and I whispered to her to join her creator and I promised her that I will look after her possessions including those who borrowed money from her and further promised that her siblings will be well, after which she departed peacefully.

A lot of misfits, undesirables, corrupt officials, nincompoops, shenanigans are divesting the hospital funds for their personal gains. I have personal knowledge on this as I experienced it first hand when my parents were hospitalized. Samarnon who are based abroad you can help in changing the destiny of our paisanos, we are already on the threshold or the last leg of our journey in life and before we bid goodbye, let us help our distressed kababayan by reforming the political system in Samar. Others tried but failed, take the case of Doming Cabanganan. We have to pull our resources together and filled an upright person in the mold of P-Noy who will spearhead a no non sense corruptless governance locally.

If we continue to pay no attention to the political spectrum in our impoverished province, our children, grandchildren and the generation to come will say that their forebears had the chance to reform Samar but did not hence, their continued misery, my father died, mother died without being attended to by a physician in our MOnalisa Hospital, would you want this to happen to your siblings?

I have been away for such a long time from my beloved Pinabacdao, I attended elementary school from 1st grade to 6th grade with all the same classmates and I wonder where are they now?

I have been married for 31 years with 4 sons and have not been back to visit for 32 years. I want to say hello to my friend and cousin Leah Abinguna, Nenita Abainza, Flor Acaba.

To all my relatives, the Acbo's and Abinguna's, miss you all.

Hi everyone!

I needed your help in finding my long lost father and his relatives. My only knowledge is that they live at Catbalogan, near the market place. My father's name is Manuel "Manny" dela Cruz and I can only remember his sister's name that sounds like Vedic or Bedic, something like that who might have married a Chinese.

I suppose he doesn't know me, only my brother Emmanuel because he had seen him, while I was then conceived by my mother. My mom's maiden name is Sobrepena. Probably, my grandparents will know and my aunt, but am not sure. If I remember right, my father's middle name is Monteves.

Am now 33yrs old and have never seen my father, but I'm doing this for my brother who longs to meet him. For me, I really don't know. I have lived well enough to care. But please help me...for my brother's sake.

Now is the time to ask yourself: "Am I better off now than before the last election?

More questions to ponder.

1. Are elected/ appointed officials any less corrupt? Same? Better Worse?

2. Are the roads in and around my Barangay the Same? Better? or Worse?

3. Is medical care or treatment for the poor the Same? Better? or Worse?

4. Is the local school performing the Same? Better or Worse?

5. Is the material condition of the school buildings Same? Better? Worse?

6. Is my Barangay the same, safer, or more dangerous?

7. Are more people employed now than before elections?

8. Is my formerly unsafe water now safe to drink? Same? Better? Worse?

9. Is my LGU supporting the needs of the community? Same? Better? Worse?

10. Is the Provincal Government supporting the needs of the LGUs and Municipalities. Same? Better? Wores?

I would bet that 70 percent of the above questions would either be the same or worse than before.

I am not talking about National Government at all. From what I can see... not much has changed in most areas. So my opinion is that the election process has done very little to enhance the human capital so that fewer people were Dependents of Government. I.e. no one has won anything while we lose another 3 year voting investment locally.

To: Mr. Anonymous II

I do not use pen name, you see what I say, you know where I am, because I mean what I say, for the furtherance of the province of Samar. Come out in the open introduce yourself and let’s help one another. You can rest assure that I am doing this because I do not want that what happened to my parents will also happen to your siblings. My parents were not given the care and the protection that they are suppose to get in our provincial hospital in Catbalogan, they both perished without being attended properly by a registered physician. What is disheartening is the fact that no medicine was ever provided to them by the province, why?. When I arrived they were already dying, they were brought to the hospital and nothing came out, no bedding, no ventilation, no medicine, may I ask why? despite the millions of pesos for the purpose, come on Mr. Anonymous II. Aren't you the medical representative who delivered the medicines for the purpose?, aren't you the official who is In-charge to pay for this medicines? come to the open Mr. Anonymous II. You may not feel what I've been through since the death of my parents in the hospital they called Monalisa.

You do not want upright people to manage the province?, you want the thieves, now that the recall election is approved ready to be contested by the same corrupt politicians, you can make my day. I am not saying that you are a thief, I am not saying that you are corrupt unless you identify yourself I can say you are.

To all the people behind the recall of Governor Sharee Ann Tan Delos Santos and Vice Gov. Tan.

I would like to appeal to you that, if you want to push-thru this recall kindly include those board members on the first district.

The Governor and the Vice Governor is doing there duties and responsibilities..anot rason nga egrerecall... kay ano nga dere nala hulaton it 2013 election...masyado man ini ka immature nga ira rason nga lack of confidence nga waray paman ngani adto kaproprobari hi Governor Sharee Ann Tan-Delos Santos...Kinikita man it trabaho yana hit governor...damo man it proyekto...Ngan myda man hiya plano hit Samar... It ak pakiana, ano man it nahimo na hini nga mga board member ha 1st district dinhi ha aton? pamati ko ngan obserbasyon waray kay dere naatend hit session.

Name:   Edralyn Dabaja
Address:   Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
Email:   juelle_akp@yahoo.com
Date:  august 15, 2011

To Mr. Basilio B.

If you really, I mean really (pardon my redundance), want to help Catbalogan and Samar change from its present condition, then come over and live here. Help with the leaders during or not during election time...help to change for the better and not to be elected to the office and become a politician...and eventually be one and among them.

Para kan Mr. Basilio Balasbas,

Sano ka paman pag kakandidato para maiboto ka na namon, hadto han hirayo pa an election nag pasangyaw ka na nga makandidato ka bisan waray kuwarta kay siring mo pa an tawo na an bahala pumili kon hain hira, han hirani na an election waray ka na, waray kana ngani magpasabot kon hain kana...kon ako ha imo, ayaw nala anay pag yinakan dinhi o pagsinurat nga subra an imo malasakit han aton higugmaon nga samar kay an ginagawasan nag bibinowa ka la....

Kunta tumanon mo an ngatanan nga imo karuyag mahitabu dinhi ha aton ha Samar...so pagkandidato yana nga sunod nga election.... mag daog ka ngani bangin dida na mawawara an mga corrupt dinhi ha Samar.

During my younger days in Guinsorongan, I use to catch fish even at the shallow waters. I use hook line and sinker and I could catch a variety of fish and I was so happy as a kid, but now that my days in this world are numbered, I cannot even catch a single sea creature using the same instrument. What I can catch are waste of varied plastics and the like. What happened?

I can still remember that big fishing boats were anchored in Guinsorongan, it hauls expensive sea foods in banyeras. With the hauls also are coral reefs of varied sizes, small corals, big coral reefs, they were uprooted that after years of exploitation, after years of abuse what are left in our shores are wastes, plastics and disposables. When you take your vacation and take a dive and swim at the resort of Guinsorongan you will encounter floating "T". I once invited a friend from Manila I was so ashamed because when she emerged after her dive she was carrying the floating "T" on her head. I promised not to come back but I cannot disregard the cries of the folks back home. Who will help them if I wont. Actually I can already sit back and relax, but how can I relax when my siblings are suffering from gross neglect. If I wont help them who will? If not now, when?

The very people who are responsible in destroying the seas of Samar are now lording it over in the province as politicians, very corrupt politicians that even medicines for the poor are not spared. Let us now wake up from the long slumber. Help us reform the system. Lets install non politicians who will work for the poor. We just have to have a political well to do it. We can do it. Let us all work together to attain our objective of transforming Samar.

Wanted: All religions, churches to arrive at points of agreement on biblical claims

Some querulous individuals these past two weeks who had become interested in the worldwide tales or claims about the end of the world had been asking whether the twin biblical predictions about the “return of Jesus Christ” and the “end of world” are one and the same thing.

To them, if both can happen then both have no sense at all. What will Jesus “return” mean if upon the event of His coming will also mean the annihilation of human population and the world in which humanity dwells?, they asked.

A few of them had forwarded their suspicion of absurdity in the fact that up to now not a single intelligent person is so credible and infallible as to be regarded as a final authority on the determination of as to which comes first: the “return” or the “end”.

Filtered into this seeming absurdity, as they said, had been the argument that if the “end” is to come before, then the “return” will be meaningless: what will Jesus return for when there will be no humans in sight anymore; what will Jesus see on His return?

Thus, the conclusion of these independent, rather, “illiterate” (because, if they could read, they had not read the bible, or they finished only Grade V but forgot the letters of the Filipino and English alphabets since reaching age 14 because the government’s education program only succeeded to that far among those who decided they could not continue being educated), opinion makers: all bible-based religions, religious sects, churches and missions should now come together to arrive at common conclusions from common interpretations based on commonly agreed biblical citations, on both the “return” and the “end”. Just which among them will call the shot doesn’t matter. If it will be the Catholic community, so be it, since in fact, in the Philippines, it has the most number of followers. Or anybody. Will the leaders of the other groups respond to the call?

Of course, the clearinghouse envisioned by that ideal social structure would not be able to achieve its desired goal or direction. Thus, there will be days set aside during which each group will need to make decisions for its own selected discussants (or however they may be called, presenters or delegates, perhaps, or maybe simply scholars [ahem!]), plus preliminary days at which to meet with their counterparts from all the participating groups to compare their respective group’s decisions and then to arrive at common rules, and finally days for deliberation and final agreements. The final conclusions arrived at should be signed by them and then made public – via the media (radio, television, newspapers, magazines and other forms of printed media, or electronic [telephone, cellular phone, email/internet]) and public forums.

This has to be so, so that all those who wish to be guided can make their own intelligent conclusions and decisions. After all, every population is a community of humans who are said to be creatures created by God Who has only one set of messages for His own creations, which must be understood, for everyone’s own salvation, according to only one interpretation. Without this event, the social blunder will continue, misguiding more and more people and dividing believers, and the senseless debate on points that are not even debatable will continue to hurt beliefs and faiths, to the heart’s contentment of the Luciferous Satan the Devil. This is their challenge, which I hereby adopt and push for wide and popular acceptance.

The absence of common interpretations, thus the absence of a common understanding, is as real as to apply to even almost convincing claims that the signs of Jesus’s return or of the world’s end had begun unfolding already many, many years ago. Since there are no common agreements among all churches and religions, interpretations and predictions always tended to be false and to fail. And for as long as this culture of disagreement continues, there will be more and more failures to come and happen. Divisive Faith in progress, that is. This is not unlike how leaders behave so as to make peace and order evasive. But there has to be road to agreement. There must be a final call.

Any taker? Who will start calling?

Kudos to Daram: From Chismis to Business!
http://samarnews.com/news2011/jul/b221.htm

It is wonderful to see initiatives from local government units such as the one pursued by the municipal government of Daram. It is true that Samar has a very high unemployment rate especially the women. However, it is equally true that we have vast unproductive land. Initiatives that try to use what is locally available is laudable.

Instead of just doing chismis the whole day, women with no source of income should be encouraged to do small-scale farming. The first step out of poverty is food sufficiency. It is sad to say that Samar still has to import from other provinces vegetables that could have easily been grown locally. Teaching our unemployed provincemates the art and science of farming is one way to making them productive members of our society. Not only will they be able to feed their families with nutritious food, they could earn a little more.

The baby steps to economic progress is slow but if done right and everybody does the same thing it will uplift the conditions of thousands of Samarenyos who are living in poverty.

Fight the good fight of faith, [CFC-FFL SAMAR] people of God! Run the good race your sons of the Most High, and inherit the Crown of Life from our Lord Jesus Christ!

CONGRATULATIONS and God bless! on your CFC-FFL PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY on Sunday July 17, 2011; VENUE: Fame Hotel. Address: 6th St. Brgy. Muñoz, Catbalogan City, Samar.

LET US COME TOGETHER, WITH ONE HEART AND MIND; LET US WORSHIP OUR GOD, OUR MAKER.

WORSHIP is the vocation of every Christian. It is the core of our relationship with God. It is indispensable to one who professes to live a life for God.

Now worship is such an amazing privilege, which many Christians are not fully aware of. As such, they are missing out on much of what God has in store for them.

Do you know that when we worship...
- we come into the very presence of the King of kings?
- we attend a lavish banquet?
- we can bless God?
- we are practicing for when we go to heaven?

Find out more. Enter into a lifestyle of worship.

Inday Inday ni Sara
http://samarnews.com/news2011/jul/b206.htm

The Dutertes of Davao are known to be tough or to say the least they want to be perceived as tough. Dad Rody, former mayor and now vice mayor, has been dubbed the "punisher" by Time Magazine for the numerous cases of extra-judicial killings he alledgedly orchestrated. He is suspected as the brains behind the Davao Death Squad (DDS), a vigilante-type organization that kills lawless criminals. There are numerous claims however that there were innocent civilians killed due to mistake of identity or as a collateral damage. The Commission on Human Rights have been trying to pin down Rody Duterte but no one is brave enough to stand up as a witness. It is true that Davao is one of the safest places in the country but you just have to pray that you will not be at the receiving end of the Duterte's wrath or you may be "silenced" next.

Sara Duterte is merely showing her being the daughter of Rody. Being tough in Davao city politics is important. She was merely playing a toughie role to please the crowd when she punched the sheriff who was ordering a demolition.

Was it justified?

Tanggol Bayi says it is! I think, it is not! The greatest test of one's quality is not on how you can control others but on how you can control your self. Anger Management is one thing that she has to take. Of course she did punch the sheriff knowing fully well that she got a bus-load of bodyguards. In this country of ours, showmanship is a political tool. As you can see, people are divided whether what she did is right or wrong. In civilized societies, what she did is wrong. Decency requires settling differences in amicable and civil manners.

For the poor!

I am always astonished how politicians, press people, and even bishops use the excuse that whatever they did, even if patently wrong, is justified when they do it for the poor. The end still does not justify the means. So many times we invoke the name of the poor to justify grossly wrong actions. So many times we use the name of the poor people to justify illegal transactions.

For Inday Sara, Mayor of Davao City: Punching another person whether he is a court official or not is wrong unless you are defending your own life of course. In the Youtube video, she was merely trying to put her anger in the proper face (should have been a proper place, it landed on a face). No amount of justification especially if the name of the poor is invoked will ever suffice.

For the Samar Island Press Club: Compromising the independence of the press especially towards the politicos is wrong. No amount of justifications that the medicines are for the poor will make the ugly marriage of the press and the politicos look good.

For the Bishops who got luxury SUVs and payolas from the PCSO: You always say it is for the poor. The poor's name are always dragged as if it justifies everything. It's okay if it is for the poor but the source of it all is from the government that is corrupt and trying to influence the stand of the CBCP on certain issues in the land. Plus, how could you preach that you are against gambling when you profit from the biggest gambling operator of the land, the PCSO?

Bishop De Dios: A Rotten Tomato
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/21579/bishop-juan-de-dios-pueblos-asked-gloria-arroyo-for-a-car-as-b%e2%80%99day-gift

Butuan Bishop Juan De Dios's was caught with his pants down. His letter to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) asking for a birthday gift was the biggest evidence of how he used his influence as a prelate to seek favors from the former president. GMA should have discouraged the release of the SUV to the bishop but since she owes a lot from De Dios for saving her ass during several impeachment moves, she has allowed herself to be corrupted. Well, she already is. She was just trying her best to be consistent.

Who should be criminally charged? Well, GMA broke the doctrine of the separation of the church and the state. In the guise of helping the poor, she has released millions of government money to favored bishops so she could be protected during several attempts to unseat her. GMA and her appointed apologists in the former PCSO board should rot in jail for scandalous transactions that are grossly disadvantageous to the government.

Is Bishop De Dios liable too? Oh yes, if not legally, he is morally liable. He should be sent to Timbuktu for some soul searching. I wish Pope Benedict should know this so he can do some corrective action to spare the entire catholic church from shame.

As a rotten tomato, Bishop De Dios should be taken off from the basket lest the entire catholic hierarchy be chastised for cuddling grafters and corrupters.

I was very pleased to read from the Philippine Star, July 1, 2011 edition, about the Supreme Court's decision with finality concerning the constitutionality of Catbalogan's cityhood and 15 others. In the end, justice and fairness prevailed, as the article correctly noted.

Many thanks to the countless people who worked hard and spearheaded this worthwhile endeavor. Kudos to you all for your unwavering faith and perseverance despite vehement opposition from the League of Cities of the Philippines and selfish politicians whose motion for reconsideration was junked by the Supreme Court.

Balita Pinoy Launches Its News Agency To Cater For Citizen Journalists
http://www.balitapinoy.net/images/citizen_journalism_image.jpg

Balita Pinoy is launching its news agency, which is essentially for 'Citizen Journalism' - the news service where you tell the stories. Send us your news stories, images and video.

These will then be placed up in Balita Pinoy, and also where newsworthy on a wider scale, will be offered to other agencies, newspapers and magazines for sale. The fees from such sales will be split 50:50.

There are many times every minute of every day when something happens and news reporters from the major agencies are not there on the scene to record it. Or in fact the big boys may be there but miss something newsworthy while you get it recorded on camera or video.

Nearly everyone now has a cellphone with a camera/video facility in it. Put it to use.

You may also have a story of your own local community or group you wish to get more exposure, send it to BPNA to get it aired.

You could also be an established journalist who wants to get more exposure, or have a story their editor will not publish. This type of freedom of speech gives the man or woman on the street a voice and a platform.

Baton kan President Rommel Rutor han Samar Island Press Club

Salamat El Presidente Rutor hit imo baton hit akon komento.

Kun baga nahilalambigit an ngaran han Samar Island Press Club hine nga aton kurakayakan, ito tungod kay mayda kamo suro-sarabot (read M.O.A.) hit An Waray Partylist mahitungod hiton iyo programa pan-distribute hin medisina ngadto ha mga maysakit. Dire ako sayod kun ano it terms and conditions hit iyo MOA pero yana baga tagilid it iyo kahimtang tungod nga waray mag-tuman an iyo kunuhay kaagbay hini nga programa.

Mahatag o dire mahatag hin bulong?

Kun karuyag niyo manhataga hin bulong, kay damo an nangangaro ha iyo, ok la ito pero ayaw kamo paglaum hit mga pulitiko. Kay sugad han akon ginsaysay han akon komento, an press mayda espesyal nga responsibilidad ha sosyodad nga dapat independent kamo hit mga pulitiko. Otherwise, dire na kamo makabulyo hin pagbatikos kun an iyo kamot hinuktan na. Sayod ka man Mr. Rutor nga mayda mga-igkasi nimo press people nga mga manok hit mga pulitiko. Tungod hito, nawawara an "check and balance" hiton aton sosyodad.

Duha an klase nga independence an iyo dapat ipakita ha mga tawo Mr. Rutor: Independence in Fact and Independence in Appearance. With those two elements, I can assure you that you will become better journalists/broadcasters.

Ikaw na mismo nagsiring nga dire man kamo doktor ngan dire man liwat kamo tag-iya hin hospital, so ayaw niyo i-usurp an trabaho hit doktor ngan hospital. Lugod, hangyo ko ha imo nga ig-bandilyo niyo ha bug-os nga Pilipinas nga it aton "Samar Provincial Hospital" balyuan na hin ngaran nga "Samar Provincial Morgue" kay segurado patay it mga nadangop didto kay ginpasagdan na ito han mga pulitiko. Hindaw, mayda man kamo koneksyon didto hit mga national press people, ABS-CBN, GMA pero baga waray pa man mahibabatii ini nga problema ha national scene.

Do what you do best. Do what you are called to do as journalists and stop pretending to be doing things other people are supposed to do.

Kun mababag-o it serbisyo hiton aton provincial hospital, dire na kamo magpipinanhatag hin bulong. Siring pa, solve the root cause of the problem and not merely the symptoms of the problem. Yana nga baga botica pa it pagkita hit mga tawo hit estasyon hit radyo, waray la gihap mahitatabo hiton aton probinsiya. An mahitatabo hini, Mr. Rutor, an iyo press club makiki-kompetensya hiton gobyerno panhatag hin basic health services ngadto ha katawhan.

Dire "bato" o "puthaw" pero dire man liwat "bulawan"

Nakakasabot ako nga dire masayon pag-atubang hiton may mga panginahanglunon labi na kun maydara-dara nga bata nga maysakit, dire iton masayon. Pero, parte hit iyo programa dapat an i-educate iton katawhan kun ano it trabaho hit press, ano it function hit gobyerno, ano it responsibilidad hit katawhan, ano it kinahanglan buhaton para mabag-o iton hibang nga pamaagi. Pero kun karuyag niyo magin tulay para panhatag hin solusyon hiton mga immediate needs hiton katawhan, then paano na niyo matitindugan iton iyo pinaka-importante nga role ha society---an magin watchdog para ha katawhan.

Kun pirme la symptom hiton problema an aton gin-sosolusyonan, most likely an problema balik-balik la iton. Whereas, kun solusyonan gud naton iton root cause hiton problema, mas mauro-upayda. I would like to emphasize that the press has a pivotal role in solving societal problems. Pero kun it press mapabilin nga puro-pareho la liwat hit gobyerno, I can honestly tell you Mr. Rutor that you are merely scratching the surface of the problem.

I know sometimes kinahanglan an solusyon hiton problema dapat immediate pero natuo ako nga usahay the long way is the shorter way. An band aid nga solusyon ok man pero mas maupay gud kun holistic nga solusyon mahikabtangan naton.

No doubt that you are all human beings easily able to feel the suffering of fellow human beings but there is a greater way to uplift not merely the life of one person right in front of you but also for others similarly situated.

Mas bulawon kit-on kun an aton sistema ha Samar Provincial Hospital mauro-upayda tungod han iyo adbokasiya nga bantaron iton mga kalag ha kapitolyo nga ira tutukan an problema ha provincial hospital.

"Dole Out" Policy or "Del Monte" Policy

Dire ako makikipag-debate ha imo what is dole out or what is not. But sad to say, you are practicing it. Nababasahan ko ha imo mga pulong na just because aada man an PDAF or CDF hit mga kongresista, ma-avail gud kita hiton. Wrong! Dapat magpasi-ugda kamo hin pag-oppose hiton PDAF ngan CDF kay amo iton an source hin korapsyon ha Pilipinas. Seguro maaram ka na nga iton nga mga bulong nga iyo pinanngangaro tikang hit mga congressional offices source liwat ini hin korapsyon. Bangin ngani gawgaw la it sulod hiton. Ngaran ngaran nga medisina pero tungod kay gingagamit pangawat, ano an sulod? Gawgaw!

There is a better way, Mr. Rutor. Do the "Del Monte" policy. I am not promoting Del Monte products but I am merely using it for the sake of over-emphasizing my thoughts. Del Monte means mountain so I hope that Mr. Rutor and his colleagues at SIPC will go the higher route or the "Del Monte" policy. Always look at the bigger picture and not to be too focused on the myopic view of things. Tackle issues that would have greater impact. Oftentimes, we are so focused on the minute details forgetting that our mandate is to solve greater problems.

In Closing

Mr. Rutor, I may sound antagonistic, but this is nothing personal about you or your group. I appreciate that even how difficult it is, there is still a fledgling press in an inhospitable place like Samar. I salute your advocacy of providing healthcare services to the most disadvantageous. BUT, please know that you are so powerful despite your doubts. You have the power to change the political dynamics in Samar. You should educate our people, you should open their eyes that they deserve better from their government officials, you should inculcate in them the importance of their voting power to be an invaluable right that should not be sold for "short-term gains" but should be used as a leverage for "greater long-term gains," and that the press is the vanguard of their rights against the government and not merely a botica or farmacia.

From Donkey to Pajero

I am always fascinated how Christianity has been twisted and turned into a religion totally alien to the core values espoused by Christ. Mahatma Gandhi once said, "I love your Christ but I do not love your Christianity."

One time while visiting a diocesan office, I saw on the parking lot reserved parking spaces for the bishop and some clergy. One sign says "Reserved for the Bishop. Others will be towed at their expense." It says a lot about how some supposedly vicars of Christ have been so interested more on the privileges and fringe benefits of being a religious leader rather than the responsibilities and the burdens of Christ's ambassadors to the world.

Fr. Robert Reyes opened a can of worms when he denounced some bishops who received pajeros and payolas from former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA). It's not that bishops should not drive a pajero and instead ride a donkey. It's a testament to the corrupting power of goodies from Malacanang.  The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) only slapped the wrist of GMA when she was accused of massive cheating during her re-election. The CBCP only pinched her when her administration was orchestrating scams after scams.  Why? The answer is clear, some bishops (the corrupted ones, there are some who are clean) could no longer denounce what is wrong and what is immoral because they have already partaken the bread and wine from Malacanang.

Do you now know why our nation is lagging behind other nations? Our government is corrupt, our church is corrupt, our press is corrupt. We are proud to be called the only christian nation (it's no longer true because East Timor is also a christian nation though only recently) in Asia. I doubt if Christ will be proud to associate His holy name to be the Lord and Master of the most corrupt nation in Southeast Asia.

Para kan Tony Boy Morales (SIPC @ Gina Dean Ragudo)

Damo nga salamat han komento... An ngatanan nga mga miyembros han Samar Island Press Club (SIPC) sugad manta ha imo an panlantaw, kay ha kamaturan waray naruruyag nga mga Mamamahayag nga kaapi han SIPC nga magpinanginano hin mga magsakit labi na gud iton mga naghihimatay na, ngan komo mamamahayag, an kunta angay nga panlantaw hine in mao la an paghatag han ungod nga mga susumaton o impormasyon ngadto ha publiko agud magin tul-id an mga hiwi nga aspeto han aton sosyodad.

Usa hine nga mga nahihiwi nga butang in waray iba kundi iton problema ha panlawas, ilabi na gud hadton mga kablas nga naglalaum hiton tul-id kunta nga serbisyo han gobyerno.

Dire ikakalirong hin bisan hino nga Samarnon (nga aadi mismo ha Samar) Mr. Morales nga tungod han dire pakahatag hin angay nga serbisyo medikal han aton mga lokal nga gobyerno (bisan paman ngani an Nasyunal) nadangop ngadi hiton mga estasyon han radyo ngan tv o ha mga mamamahayag iton katawhan nga aada ha krisis panlawas ha duha nga rason: Una, agud magsumat han kawaray tama nga serbisyo medikal ngan Ikaduha, agud mag-aro hin bulig nga masolusyunan iton ira gin-aabat nga krisis ha panlawas.

An una nga rason, sulod na iton dayon ha adbokasiya han aton mga mamamahayag nga kaapi han SIPC, kundi an ika-duha nga rason, dire ito kaya pagtagdon han aton mga mamamahayag kay sering mo pa ngani ha imo komento - dire man ito trabaho han Media nga magpinanhatag medisina (tama daman ito).

Kundi, kun ikaw Mr. Morales iton aadi mismo ha libong han aton mga mamamahayag, dire ako maaram kun ano iton imo aabaton nga ha kada adlaw, mayda maabot ha estasyon han radyo o bisan paman ngani ha panimalay hiton aton mga mamamahayag nga mga kinarga nga bata o lagas man nga nagkikisi-kisi, ginkukumbulsiyon, ngan danay ngani nag-aawas pa ito dugo ha ira mga lawas, ngan madaop kay waray nira ipapalit hin medisina o waray panpa-opera ngan kun ano-ano la nga DAGMITAY nga panginahanlan, nga dire la ito, aada liwat iton mga kaso hin pulitika ha paghatag hin serbisyo panlawas nga agsub amo iton nagigin sulod nga unod han mga komentaryo han aton mga mamamahayag (ha akon nga bahin, may-ada na ako tulo nga sugad nga kaso, kun diin nagpatay nala ito nga mga kabataan tungod nga kontra-partido man an nalingkod nga Mayor han ira lugar, yukat nala kay napirde ito nga Mayor).

Dire doktor iton aton mga mamamahayag, ngan mas labi nga dire hospital iton mga estasyon han radyo ngan tv, pero dako an paglaum hine nga mga tawo nga mabubuligan hira ha krisis nga ira inaabat hito nga mga takna. Dire man mga "bato" o "puthaw" iton mga kasing-kasing hine nga aton mga mamamahayag, dire man puwede nga ha mga sugad hine nga sitwasyon, matalikod nala ine nga aton mga mamamahayag ngan masering "sige, kay e-raradyo ko nala ito niyan"... ngan aada ha iya atubang in usa nga kinarga nga bata nga nakikig-agaw han iya kinabuhi.... Tawo ine hira nga mga Media Mr. Morales, segurado nga nababantad ha mga sugad nga sitwasyon...

An resulta... mayda kita mga kasagabay nga mamamahayag nga napipiritan nga gamiton an ira mga impluwensiya agud la makadugtong hin kinabuhi, kundi tungod hine nga mga sitwasyon - tama kamo Mr. Morales - nga posible ma-apektuhan an integridad han usa nga mamamahayag kabalyo hin usa nga naghihimatay nga kinabuhi, ngan dire ine iginkakalirong han SIPC kay ha kamatuuran la, usa ine han mga dako nga problema nga gintratar han grupo agud dire ine maka-apekto ha kabug-usan han propesyon han mga mamamahayag ha tibuok nga Isla han Samar...

Para mapugngan iton mga mamamahayag nga kaapi han SIPC nga magdinaop-daop ha iba-iba nga mga politiko nga kunta amo an nanginginano hine nga mga sugad nga problema, iginlansar han SIPC an Bulig nga Bulong Paglaum han Samarnon nga proyekto, dire ine masesering nga kaapi han trabaho han mga Media kundi tungod nga amo la iton hapagkayana nakikita naton nga solusyon (short term) agud ma-tratar iton duha nga problema: Una, agud dire dumaop ha bisan hino nga politiko ito usa nga Mamamahayag para la hin medisina ngan ikaduha, agud masolbar iton emergency nga kahimtang hin usa nga nadangop hin bulig panlawas ha bisan hino mga mamamahayag.

Ha pagkalansar hine nga plano han SIPC, usa nga dako namon nga nagin problema amo na an suplay han Bulong, kundi hito nga mga panahon nga naghuhulat an SIPC hin igkakabulig, nahikit-an han grupo an programa panlawas han An Waray ngadto han mga lokal nga gobyerno kundi nakikita han grupo nga dire man nakaka-abot ngadto han ngatanan tungod gihap han kolor han politika nga na-iral ha mga bungto, ngan nakita ine nga higayon han grupo nga bangin manla puwede nga usa nga Neutral nga grupo in makabulig agud makadangat ine nga programa panlawas ngadto han nga tanan nga nagkikinahanlan - waray labot an politika.

Tungod hine, nakig-estorya an SIPC ha An Waray nga makasugbong hine ha programa medikal hine agud manta pagpuslan han nga tanan - waray pili - iton PDAF hine... tama man liwat kamo Mr. Morales nga dapat an trabaho han Kongreso paghimo la balaud, pero aada na ito gidaan nga ira PDAF, nga aada manta ine nga mga nagkikinahanlan hin tambulig, ngan aada manta ine nga makusog nga politika ha haros tanan nga mga LGU, ngan aada iton mga mamamahayag han Samar nga nakikit-an ine nga mga sitwasyon...

Pero agud ma-protehiran an SIPC, iginlaygay na ine Mr. Morales ha nga tanan nga miymebros sugad man ha An Waray kun ano la iton mga angay nga parte han kada-tagsa ha nasabi nga plano... pinaagi hin usa nga Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) nga ginpirmahan han duha nga grupo...

Kundi mayda sayop an tagsurat han iyo ginbaton nga artikulo, ngan pinaagi manta hine nga pahayag in karuyag namon nga itama... kay waray dida han MOA nga pagpipinahamuton han SIPC an An Waray. Kun mahikikilal-an man han mga nakakabenepisyo hito nga mga medisina iton An Waray, ine in mahitungod nga dire gin-aangkon han SIPC an kredito han suplay han mga medisina.

An nasabi nga MOA mismo in usa nga proteksiyon nga gin himo han SIPC, nga bisan paman ano an mahitabo, waray obligasyon an SIPC ha An Waray para han mga panmulitika nga ahenda hine... kundi dire ginbabalewaray han SIPC an obligasyon hine nga ipahibaro ha tanan nga nakakabenipisyo han programa nga iton nga medisina in nagtikang ha An Waray nga kaparte han ira buhis nga iginbabayad ha gobyerno.

Ha amon pagkita Mr. Morales, an artikulo ni Ms. Ragudo in dire literal nga tungod han mga medisina o programa panlawas han SIPC ngan An Waray, kundi tungod han klase han pakighampang nga iya na-ekperyensiyahan didto hito nga opisina, ngan kun aton man ngani ito pagkikitaon hin maupay, nagpapamatuod la ito nga dire kapot han An Waray an mga leog han mga miyembros han SIPC, kay apisar nga ka-partner han mga mamamahayag ha Samar an An Waray, dire hine ginkakalimtan an obligasyon hine nga punahon iton dire maupay nga nakikita hine....

Labot la Mr. Morales, ha akon personal nga opinyon makuri ko e-konsiderar nga "dole-out" iton medisina para han mga may-da nanginginahanlan hine, KAY WARAY TAWO NGA KARUYAG MAGKA-SINAKIT...

Parte naman ha imo punto parte han presensiya han Partylist System ha nasud Pilipinas, ha amon pagkita - personal ito nimo nga adbokasiya... ngan itatama ko la nga an Programa Medikal han SIPC in waray labot kun angay ba tanggalon o dire an partylist system han Nasud, kundi in nagpapahimulos la nga maipadangat ha nga tanan - waray pili - iton buhis han katawhan... (nga dire nakakaya buhaton han mga de-politika nga sistema han iba nga mga lokal nga pamunuan).

Waray namon malain nga tema o tono hine nga amon pahayag Mr. Morales, kay una, maaram kami nga dire kita magkiriglala-ay personal, nakabase la iton aton mga ideya o opinyon ha aton mga nababasahan nga binabati, ngan dire gud kita sayod ha kada tagsa inaabat... Pero usa iton amon iginpapa-angbit nga kamatuuran, magpapadayon iton SIPC komo usa nga grupo nga magin kasugbong han mga Samarnon ha tibuok nga Isla han Samar ha ungara han nga tanan nga matagamtaman iton mga angay nga serbisyo han gobyerno... naglalaum kami ha SIPC nga maabot manta iton takna, nga dire na namon kinahanlan pa magbuhat hin sugad hine nga buruhaton, mahitungod nga nagigin tuhay na an dalagan han mga programa han gobyerno.

Damo nga Salamat.

Bless the Lord, my soul, all my being, bless His Holy Name! Bless the Lord, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God, who pardons all your sins, heals all your ills,

Delivers your life from the pit, surrounds you with love and compassion, fills your days with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL), a people of God "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own, so that you may announce the praises" of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were "no people" but now you are God's people; you "had not received mercy" but now you have received mercy.

Rise up in splendor CFC-FFL! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears His glory.

CFC-FFL, you are my witnesses, says the LORD, my servants whom I have chosen to know and believe in me and understand that it is I. Before me no god was formed, and after me there shall be none.

"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

"Go into the whole world and proclaim the GOSPEL to every creature..."

CONGRATULATIONS CFC-FFL on your 30th Anniversary June 26, 2011! They, the bud of my planting, my handiwork to show my glory. I, the LORD, will swiftly accomplish these things when their time comes.

Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life CORE VALUES

Our Core Values describe who we are and what we are called to do in the world. They provide parameters and constant guideposts in our moving on in our life and mission.

1. Centered on Christ. In everything that we are and do, we look to Jesus, who is our Savior and Lord. Jesus is our model in our obedience to the Father, in our faithfulness to His call, and to total submission to His divine will. And as He who called us is holy, we ourselves will strive for holiness of life (1 Pt 1:15-16), and look to exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit in our day-to-day lives (Gal 5:22-23).

2. Evangelistic and missionary. We are called to proclaim the good news of Jesus to the whole world (Mk 16:15). We are his witnesses (Lk 24:48). Every CFC-FFL member is an evangelizer, in the normal day-to-day environments of our lives. We look to doing mission beyond our own environments to the very ends of the earth.

3. Focused on the family. Our life and mission is founded on strong families in Christ. We recognize that the future of humanity passes by way of the family. We defend and strengthen Christian marriage, we raise our children to be the next generation of God’s people, we establish our homes as pieces of Kingdom ground. In our defense of the family, we are called to a strong advocacy and defense of the culture of life.

4. Being community. We are part of the larger family of CFC-FFL, a global family of many different nationalities and cultures but all sharing brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ. We desire to move forward together in our life in the Lord, providing love, affirmation, friendship, support and healing. We are committed to the good of our brethren, always living the truth in love (Eph 4:15).

5. Living a preferential option for the poor. We recognize Jesus’ mission to bring glad tidings to the poor (Lk 4:18). We look to both the spiritual and material upliftment of the least among our brethren. In doing so, we will be in solidarity with the poor by striving to live a simple lifestyle, to share our resources, and to fight for social justice in the world.

6. Exercising servant leadership. We are privileged to serve God and His people, both in and out of CFC-FFL. We serve with the mind and heart of Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served (Mt 20:28). Leaders are to serve with humility, self-sacrifice and submission to the Chief Shepherd, to whom we will render an account (Hb 13:17). He who wishes to be great shall be the least of all (Mt 20:26-27).

7. Being a servant to the Church. We in CFC-FFL are an integral part of the Catholic Church. We are submitted to our bishops and to the pope. Our life, formation and service will conform to Catholic values and ideals. We make ourselves available to be of service in the parishes and dioceses, especially in the areas of family and life. We look to Mary, the mother of the Church, as our inspiration and help. (Oct 2, 2007)

On Gina Dean-Ragudo's South Wing Hoopla and a Challenge to An Waray

Let me start by saying that I am not an apologist for the An Waray Partylist. In fact, as a policy I abhor the partylist system in the Philippines because it does not truly capture the very essence of the constitutional mandate to represent marginalized sectors of our society. Rather, it has become merely an extension of the rotten system of politics in our land.

Having said that, I am appaled at the way Samar Island Press Club, as represented by Ms. Dean-Ragudo, would think of Congress as a botica or a pharmacy and a scholarship office. The very press that should have stood its ground as the one that should educate the people that the job of a congressman is not to dole out medicines and offer scholarships. Congress is mandated to create laws that would make medicines affordable and accessible and make sure that students who are willing are able to go to college to improve their lives.

Dole out politics represents the very same old politics that should have been abolished. And, I was expecting that Samar Island Press Club should have been at the forefront of informing the people that dole out politics corrupts and makes the worst out of politicians.

Since Ms. Dean-Ragudo mentioned the press being the fourth estate (read Carlyle & Burke) of the state, then act as one. Do not do "politics" with the established estate (with An Waray & Cong. Emil Ong) by doling out medicines as if you are a botica or doling out scholarships as if you are a scholarship office of a university. Do what it is to be "press." Announce what is right, denounce what is wrong. That's the essence of being a press. And to add more teeth to being a press, be a "free press!" A free press is one that is not beholden to the politicos. A free press is one that is able to announce what is right and good not because somebody pays them to do it but because it is the right thing to do. A free press is one that is able to denounce what is wrong and bad not because somebody did not do his part of the deal (like supplying medicines and offering scholarships) but because it is the right thing to do.

If the fourth estate of the state colludes with the ruling estate, then you will find that the country goes on a downward spiral. It is better for the fourth estate to be independent and not be subservient to the whims and caprices of the established estate.

Please Ms. Dean-Ragudo, start to shift your paradigm of the critical relationship of the most powerful institutions of our nation. Otherwise, we will all end up singing in one chorus asking our congressmen for medicines when we need them to legislate laws. And, making as a criteria for good public servant the one who treats us better when we visit their offices to have "good interviews."

Let us start in abolishing the AC/DC (Attack and Collect, Defend and Collect) conduct of press in our land.

Challenge to An Waray Partylist

And to Cong. Noel and the entire An Waray Partylist, what major legislations have you introduced to pluck region 8 from wallowing in the pits of poverty and underdevelopment? What have you done through legislations to push for the preservation of our cultural heritage as a Waray-waray people?

I believe that a tuba festival is not enough, giving out medicines is not enough, giving out scholarships is not enough, represent our region in congress so that the flaura and fauna of Samar Island is protected for generations to come, that we should benefit from the abundance of geothermal power in Leyte through lower power rates, that we harness the potential of eco-tourism in our region, that we create an atmosphere of economic development in our region so our poor people don't have to go to Manila and other metropolitan areas to serve as cargadors, labanderas, maidservants, and the like.

For so long a time I've heard about the cries of the people of Samar to unite, to wake up from long slumber, to help eradicate hunger, for so long a time Samarenos were hoodwinked every single time. Tonyboy is telling us that this is the right time to change the political vacuum with the right reason but with the wrong people? Kaibigan kailan na ba naging with the right people ang naghihikahos nating probinsiya. Sino-sino na ba ang kumilos na baguhin ang politika sa atin. Puro salita, ninanakaw na't lahat-lahat sa atin but we are not doing enough to safeguard our kaban ng bayan. Kailan, when are we going to change the political spectrum of the province of Samar.

Right Time, Right Reason, Wrong People

The death of Ining Uy, erstwhile mayor of Calbayog and political kingpin of the first district of Samar, ignited a new hope for change in Samar. The recall election against the sibling Sharee Ann and Jimboy are said to be in the pipeline. The Liberal Party machinery is said to have assured the local leaders of the elections.

Is this the right time to remove the Tans from power? Yes. Is there a legitimate reason to remove them from power? Yes. Are those planning to replace them the right people? A big NO!

The recent 40th day observance of Mayor Uy's death turned out to become a political rally. In the stage were former protagonists for the cityhood of Catbalogan: Mel and Tekwa. It can be recalled that former Calbayog Mayor and now Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento was one of the petitioners who challenged the legality of the cityhood of Catbalogan. Tekwa was of course the "headless horseman," the titular head, of the cityhood movement of Catbalogan. Also, Mel and Ining tried to carve out the first district of the province to become another province hoping that the two of them can lord over a newly-created Northwestern Samar province. Time and resources failed their desire but deep inside, they wanted to divide and conquer what they cannot conquer as a whole. The Tans have remained the lords over the second district and to some extent to the whole province as both Sharee Ann and Jimboy are at the helm of the old capitolyo.

Are they the right people? NO! NO! NO! The province needs a third force that should represent the true desire of the people not the political posturings of politicos.

I am ERLINDA GALERO-TEJERO, a graduate of the Samar High School in 1960. I am from Northern Samar and a retired college professor from the University of Eastern Philippines, University Town, Catarman, Northern Samar.

Through your web site I was able to access information about SHS, my beloved alma mater. I was able to access information about one of my classmates, GILDA CABRALES DEL PILAR. For so long, I have been wanting to make contact with my classmates from Samar High School, Batch 60. Now I am very very happy I found GILDA CABRALES DEL PILAR.

In this regard, I would like to request you to please connect me to GILDA, my classmate. I am interested to become a member of their group internet cyberspace. Perhaps, I can be the group's contact in Northern Samar.

Another thing, I am a book writer. My books have been published by National Book Store and are being sold in all NBS throughout the country. As an alumna of Samar High School, I would love to reciprocate to my alma mater the knowledge and skills instilled in me during my high school days, by donating my books to the SHS Library.

I would love to hear from you, soonest.

Thank you and more power to you!

Very truly yours,

Happy Father's Day

One of the beautiful memories during my childhood was before I started accompanying my father to Guinkoroban a Sitio located in between Saugan and Dao a Barangay of Oras Eastern Samar, Philippines is crossing the Dao river when we had to walk on the beach side. From our farm my father and I had to go home to the town usually late in the afternoon. We had to walk more than two miles. When we reach the river, we would cross it and sometimes I would compete with my father to reach the other bank first. During rainy season and high tide, the river swells up overflows, but we had to cross it. And my father would carry me on his shoulder. As long as I held the hands of my father I felt safe. Sometimes he would stagger when the current pushed him but quickly would regain his balance. The water was up his shoulders and would tickle my body with its splashes. Yet, I was not afraid because my father was holding me more tightly than I was holding his hands. I was not afraid of high tide nor flooded river. My mind raced back to half a century ago when my father carried me on his shoulder while crossing that river. But now hearing of what had happened on several occasions children swimming was washed away and died fears shivered down my spine.

Indeed a father is like a shepherd to whom the flock of his family is entrusted. He would not allow one child to perish. Indeed, when a child finds something of God in his father it is likely that he finds a father in God. And when a child feels that his father also loves his mother, a child will grow loving others. She or he will cross the rivers and the sea of difficulties of life with more courage and serenity.

Every one of us has his or her own voyage to make. We all have to cross the sea of life and hope to see great things and events beyond. This may mean moving from fear to courage, from resentment to forgiveness of oneself and others, from self-centeredness to selflessness, from what St. Paul says: "from old things to new thing." Some could not cross but stay in the middle of the sea of life, swallowing in self pity, anger, and egoism. They make their life darker and so feel more fears. They just want to remain where they are, indifferent and critical. But the calming of the squall by Jesus assures us that fear that erodes faith has no place in our life, that all these negatives can be transformed into positives, and into moments of love. Jesus is with us. We have to go on sailing with great confidence in the midst of overwhelming adverse events or circumstances of our life. They are all means to grow and to glow in our Christian living.

I have been organizing the Warak, Waray Rocks!, Waray Music Fest for 8 years now. This year, the gig will be on Saturday June 17 at the RTR Plaza, Tacloban. The 2011 edition features Samar bands like FingerWorkz and another from Calbayog. I would like to have more Samarnon on the line up.