OMBUDSMAN MORALES PENALIZES 21 PNP OFFICERS OVER DAVAO DEATH SQUAD

OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio Morales has penalized 21 high-ranking officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) arising from the unabated killings in Davao City in the recent years attributed to the “Davao Death Squad (DDS)”.

          Found guilty of Simple Neglect of Duty, for which they were meted the penalty of fine equivalent to one month salary, were P/SSUPT Catalino Cuy, P/SSUPT Jaime Morente, P/CINSP Matthew Baccay, P/CINSP Filmore Escobal, P/CINSP Leandro Felonia, P/CINSP Marvin Manuel Pepino, P/CINSP Ranulfo Cabanog, P/CINSP Vicente Danao, P/SUPT Harry Espela, P/SUPT Michael John Dubria, P/SUPT Rommil Mitra, P/SINSP Maximiano Atuel and P/SINSP Arnulfo Mahinay, both of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).

          Also fined were P/CINSP Alden Delvo, P/INSP Rolly Tropico, P/INSP Dionisio Abude, P/SINSP Antonio Alberio Jr., P/CINSP Juel Neil Salcedo, P/CINSP Joselito Loriza, P/CINSP Joel Neil Rojo and P/CINSP Napoleon Eguia.

          Ombudsman Morales approved the Decision with modification as to penalty from one (1) month suspension to fine equivalent to one (1) month salary.

          The case stemmed from a Letter-Complaint addressed to the Office of the Ombudsman sent by a person purporting to represent a group named Davao City Deserves Good Government Movement, claiming that a certain group known as the DDS was “responsible for the unsolved killings of more than 800 persons.”

          The same complaint alleged that high-ranking officers of the PNP were directly involved in the murders.

          Records showed that from 2005 to 2008, the Davao City Police Office registered an unusually high number of unsolved killings.

          The perpetrators of these executions were usually 2 motorcycle-riding gunmen and the killings were mostly drug-related.

          The OMB-MOLEO fact-finding team reported that in 4 years, there were 720 persons murdered; 97 in 2005; 165 in 2006; 199 in 2007 and 259 in 2008.

          A mere 321 or less than 50% of the cases, however, were solved.

          The killings were repeatedly committed within the areas of jurisdiction of respondents’ precincts where they were assigned.

          “From the foregoing figures, it is evident that respondents were remiss in their duty to significantly reduce the number of killings,” the Anti-Graft Office pointed out in its ruling.

          “Also, the same shows that respondents failed to solve a substantial number, if not all, of the killings.”

          The Decision added: “Under Executive Order No. 226 dated 17 February 1995, an officer of the Philippine National Police or that of any other law enforcement agency is held accountable for “Neglect of Duty”  under the doctrine of “command responsibility” if he has knowledge that a crime or offense shall be committed, is being committed, or has been committed by his subordinates, or by others within his area of responsibility and, despite such knowledge, he did not take preventive or corrective action either before during, or immediately after its commission.” ##

Reference:

DIR. EDGARDO C. DIANSUY

Media Affairs Bureau (MAB)

On March 29, 1994 the Philippines, including U.P. Diliman was first connected to the internet.

As of March 29,1994 at 1:15 am Philippine time, unfortunately 2 days late due to slight technical difficulties, the Philippines was FINALLY connected to the Internet via SprintLink. The Philippine router, a Cisco 7000 router was attached via the services of PLDT and Sprint communications to SprintLink's router at Stockton CA. The gateway to the world for the Philippines will be via NASA Ames Research Center. For now, a 64K serial link is the information highway to the rest of the Internet world.

As to domestic connections, the following institutions will be the initial points of regional presence within the archipelago:

• Ateneo de Manila University 
• Advanced Science and Technology Institute 
• De La Salle University 
• UP Diliman 
• UP Los Banos 
• UP Manila 
• University of San Carlos, Cebu 
• University of Sto. Tomas 
• St. Louis University, Baguio 
• Xavier University, Cagayan 

Read the rest here.

Sunflower Season in UP Diliman

Photo via interaksyon.com

It’s sunflower season in UP Diliman yet again and for many of the students who were around during Dr. Nemenzo’s time, it means graduation is near. The growth of sunflowers along the University Avenue is something that many of the younger alumni, UP students and a horde of local tourists look forward to all because they want to take photos of the sunflowers and of themselves with the sunflowers.

Much like many of UP Diliman’s traditions, sunflower season is a campus hallmark and has somehow become a way for the campus to attract those in private vehicles to stop by and take a few photos.

Sunflowers somehow bring smiles to the usual glum faces one can see on campus, one student says.

Friday Nights At Spazzio

Partying at Spazzio on Maginhawa Street may not be as great as dancing in one of the most posh bars in Makati but it's already a good place for drinks and a bite to eat for many UP Diliman students. Sisig is Spazzio’s specialty but their lechon kawali is quite good too.

In one table, a few graduating students were celebrating a friend's acceptance to Law School while other tables were just out for drinks. Everyone was minding their own business until the Eraserheads started crooning over the sound system. Everyone started singing –quite impressive actually that most if not all still recognize songs made popular by the group decades later.

Ombudsman Resolves 1st Batch Of “Tax Credit Scam” Cases DOF OFFICIALS FACE RAPS, DISMISSAL

Ombusman Conchita Carpio Morales dismissed from the service 13 officials of the Deparment of Finance (DOF) for defrauding the government of  a total of more than P82M arising from a series of “tax credit scam” from 1994 to 1998.

       In the Decision, Ombudsman Morales found former Finance Undersecretary  and Center OIC-Administrator Antonio Belicena, former Deputy Administrator Uldarico Andutan, Jr., Reviewers Rowena Malonzo and Asuncion Magdaet, Evaluators Gemma Ortiz-Abarra, Annabelle Diño, Emelita Tizon, Purita Napenas, Charmelle Recoter, Melrose Tordesillas, Gregoria Cuento-Evangelio, Mark Binsol, Cherry Gomez and Sylviana Daguimol guilty of Grave Misconduct and meted the penalty of dismissal from the service, with accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from re-employment in the government service.

       Since Belicena had already retired from the government service, he was meted the accessory penalties.

       The decision stemmed from the complaint of Special Presidential Task Force 156 alleging anomalous issuances of 110 Tax Credit Certificates (TCC’s) to Integrated Multi Cotton Mills, Inc. (IMCMI)  by the DOF amounting to P82,519,235. The said TCC’s which were obtained by IMCMI using fake documents were subsequently transferred to the following corporations: Wise & Co., Bush Boake Allen Phils., Filsyn Corporation, Hi-Lon Manufacturing Co., Canlubang Spinning Mills, Pacific Mills, Inc., Golden Dragon Textile Mills, Inc., First Unity Textile, Padoson Stainless Steel, Pacific Mills and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation.

       At the same time, Ombudsman Morales ordered the filing of criminal charges before the Sandiganbayan against former officials of the One-Stop Shop Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center (Center) for the anomalous issuance of TCC’s amounting to a total of P74.84M.

       In separate Resolutions, the Ombudsman ordered the filing of 20 counts of Violation of Sec. 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and 20 counts of Estafa thru Falsification of Official/Public Documents (Art. 315 in rel. to Art. 171 of the Revised Penal Code) against former Belicena and Andutan.

       Former OIC-Net Local Content/ Net Value Equivalent and Domestic Capital Equipment Raul de Vera was ordered charged with 19 counts each of the said offenses; Former Senior Tax Specialist Brandy Marzan, four counts each; Senior Tax Specialist Rosanna Diala, 14 counts each; Tax Specialist/ Evaluator Gregoria Cuento-Evangelio, one count each; comptroller Reynaldo Maghirang, three counts each; Reviewer Asuncion Magdaet, one count each; and Evaluator Purita Napenas, one count each.

       Also ordered charged were private respondents Honorato Lacsina (President, Liberty Transport Inc.), three counts each;  Joseph Cabotaje, 16 counts each; Ramon Rodriguez (President, R.A. Rodriguez Bus Line), seven counts each; Candido Potenciano (President, Batangas Laguna Tayabas Bus Company), three counts each; Joselito Tengco (Manager,Baliwag Transit, Inc), three counts each; Henry Tumala, (President, Lamborghini Transit, Inc), three counts each; Charles Uy, Ma Uy Yu, Yu Chin Tong and Emerito Guballa (all officers/ employees of Nikko Textile Mills, Inc.), one count each.

       The said respondents were ordered charged with the said offenses for the issuance of 20 TCCs amounting to P74.84M using spurious documents: P17.3M to the BLTB; P9.4M to Baliwag Transit; P19.092 to Rodriguez Bus Line; P12.05M to Liberty Transport; P14.6M to Lamborghini Transit; and P2.4M to Nikko Textile.

       The Center was created under Administrative Order No. 226 dated February 7, 1992 primarily to process tax credit and duty drawback applications as incentives to BOI-registered enterprises. The said incentives consist of government refund payments on the duties and taxes.

       Meanwhile, the Ombudsman referred to the Office of the Special Prosecutor  for its appropriate action the motion to include private respondent Felix Chingkoe, President of Diamond Knitting Corporation,  in the plunder charges  filed against several DOF officials and other officials of the Chingkoe group of companies. The case has been undergoing trial before the Sandiganbayan. The Ombudsman stated “this Office is no longer in a position to act on the aforesaid motion given the fact that the Sandiganbayan has already acquired jurisdiction over the said cases 

UPAA to accept nominees for Distinguished Alumni Awards 2012 until March 31

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) has announced that it will accept nominations for the UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards 2012 until March 31 only.

The award ceremonies will be held during the U.P. General Alumni-Faculty Homecoming & Reunion on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Luciano E. Salazar Hall, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, U.P. Diliman Campus, Quezon City.

The categories for the UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards are delineated in thematic terms rather than along professional lines, and may include, but are not limited to, the following: good governance, public service, poverty alleviation and human development, peace and social cohesion, gender equality or women empowerment, community empowerment, environmental conservation and sustainable development, entrepreneurship and employment creation, corporate social responsibility, culture and the arts, science and technology, educational innovation, and public health promotion.

The evaluation of nominees for the Awards will be based on the following general criteria: service orientation, leadership, impact and, and integrity

For inquiries, please contact the UPAA Secretariat at 920-6868, 920-6871, 920-6875 or email upalum.awards2012@yahoo.com. Visit the UPAA website http://www.upalumni.ph for complete details and to download forms.

Taas Pasahe sa UP Diliman

Inanunsyo ng Opisina ng Bise Chanselor Para Sa Usaping Pangkomunidad ang P0.50 taas pasahe ng mga jeepney sa loob ng UP Diliman simula ngayong araw ika-22 ng Marso, 2012. Ito ay alinsunod sa pambansang kautusan ng pagtaas ng pamasahe sa mga public utility vehicles.

Doctor Love: Erectile Dysfunction

By Sigrid Salucop

For many Filipino men, having erectile dysfunction (ED) is an embarrassing problem. Although most men who have ED do not talk about it, an earlier study on erectile dysfunction in Filipino men, much like other races, affect 60% of those who suffer from diabetes or heart ailments.

How do you deal with ED?

Although the initial reaction is to find a solution on your own given the macho air most Filipino men have, self-diagnosis and self-medication are not really advisable because for you to be treated successfully, a medical professional must pinpoint the cause or causes of the ailment first.

ED Causes

This can be classified under two categories – physical or psychological. If the root of the problem is physical i.e. caused by a certain disease or a habit such as smoking or not eating the right kinds of food, the solution is pretty straightforward. If it’s roots are psychological however you may need to go through therapy. Determining what is causing sexual dysfunction is 50% of the solution that is why those who suspect that they have ED should contact a doctor as soon as possible.

ED Prevention and Treatment

There are a number of drugs advertised to help men with ED but medications such as Sildenafil and Tadalafil cannot treat erectile dysfunction and only aid in increasing blood flow into the penis or the penile region before sexual intercourse. It is important to note though that before you take any type of drugs or supplements that will help you maintain an erection, it is  imperative to consult with an expert. Men with conditions such as heart disease, history of stroke, heart attacks and the like are advised not to take drugs such as Sildenafil or Taladafil. Sildenafil is popularly known as Viagra and Taladafil is its arch rival in the industry more popularly known as Cialis.

Natural Treatments

We’ve heard this a dozen times before, you must eat right and get enough exercise to keep your body functioning like a well-oiled machine. A protein-rich diet is advisable for men suffering from sexual dysnfunction. This means that you should exercise regularly and include the following in your daily nutrition:

Cheese (parmesan, gruyere, traditional cheddar, feta, camembert, processed cheddar, ricotta)

Chicken Egg

Cow Milk

Soy Milk

Beef

Fish

Nori Seaweed

Green Vegetables

Potatoes

Soybeans

Peanuts

Whole Wheat

There are also a number of herbs and minerals that can help you get rid of ED or for those who are afraid of getting it to prevent it from happening to them. This includes Gingko, Horny Goat Weed (no pun intended), Folic Acid, Vitamin E, Ginseng, Yohimbe and Zinc.

Other Notes

Smoking also causes ED. If you are a chain smoker, it may be time to stop.

Disclaimer

This article was written as a response to an inquiry to the Doctor Love Column. The writer however is not a medical doctor. If you think you may be suffering from erectile dysfunction, you should consult with a physician immediately.

Here is a list of hospitals that provide erectile dysfunction treatments in Metro Manila, Philippines.

ASIAN HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER

This private hospital located in Muntinlupa City offers a range of medical services to both local and international patients. The hospital is the Department of Health’s and the Department of Tourism’s medical tourism partner.

ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER

A JCI accredited private hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center is one of the most well-known multi-specialty medical institutes in the country. The hospital has been serving Filipinos for over a century. It has 1, 7000 affiliated medical consultants as well as over 600 inpatient beds.

THE MEDICAL CITY

This is a private, tertiary care hospital also accredited by the JCI. The Medical City serves 40, 000 inpatients annually making it one of the biggest health care facilities in the country.

WARNING!

Do not buy herbal Viagra. There are those who sell what they call "natural" Viagra but these pills are relatively unsafe and may cause complications.

Photos via beyondvitality.com

OMBUDSMAN DISMISSES “DepED Noodles Case” vs LAPUS

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales dismissed the administrative and criminal charges against former Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) Jesli Lapus, five other DepED officials, and the President of Jeverps Manufacturing Corporation, Alex Billan, relative to the allegedly rigged biddings that DepEd conducted in 2007 for fortified instant noodles “with fresh eggs” and in 2009 for fortified noodles “with fresh eggs and malunggay”  that allegedly resulted to million peso losses by the government due to overpricing.

In an 18-page Joint Resolution approved on March 6, 2012, Ombudsman Morales dismissed the complaints against Lapus, Assistant Secretary for Special Concern Thelma Santos, Bid Awards Committee (BAC) Chairman Teodosio Sangil, BAC Vice Chairman Macur Marohombsar, and BAC Members Demetria Manuel and Nanette Mamoransing, after finding no sufficient evidence to hold respondents either administratively or criminally liable.  

The cases stemmed from separate complaints filed by Prudencio Quido, Jr. and Myrna Gonzales for Misconduct and violation of Sec. 3 (e), (f), and (g) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

In the Resolution, the Ombudsman stated that ”The charge that the biddings were rigged and favorably awarded to one and the same winning bidder was negated by the following undisputed facts: the biddings were posted and published in a newspaper of general circulation; on account of such publication, several public bidders including the complainant’s corporation, Kolonwel Trading, actually bought bid documents in 2007; the required pre-bid conferences for the biddings were duly conducted by the BAC in order to clarify and explain the requirements, terms, conditions and specifications stipulated in the bidding documents; and Jeverps successfully passed the eligibility check and its bids were declared the single calculated and responsive bids for the procurement of noodles in 2007 and 2009, after the other participating bidders either failed the eligibility check or voluntarily withdrew their bids.”

The Resolution pointed out that during the pre-procurement conference, the end-user Health and Nutrition Center of the DepEd was the one which recommended to the BAC that the noodles to be procured should be packed at 100 grams per pack to save on packaging cost, and that the required phrase “with fresh eggs,” instead of merely “eggs,” to be added to the title of the product, was to emphasize the actual use of fresh eggs in the preparation of the noodle dough, and not merely egg powder.

It further stated that that the complainant has not shown “a palpably fraudulent and dishonest purpose to do moral obliquity or conscious wrong doing for some perverse motive or ill-will” on the part of the respondents, nor that the respondents were actuated by evident bad faith, manifest partiality or gross inexcusable negligence during the assailed procurement process.

The Office of the Ombudsman found no substantial evidence to fault the respondents for Misconduct. “In the absence of the actual canvass sheets and/or price quotations from identified suppliers as a valid basis for comparing the prices to the winning bidder, the respondents cannot be held liable for the alleged overpricing of the noodles.” The Resolution stated that the claim of overpricing was not substantiated. The Review Committee headed by then Undersecretary Ramon Bacani found that the price paid by the DepED to the winning bidder was reasonable.

“It appearing that the complainants’ letter of protest and opposition to the awarding of the biddings to Jeverps were seasonably acted upon by the respondents in their reply letter dated 23 February 2009 denying the same for having filed out of time, the respondents cannot be faulted therefor.”

The Certification from Uni-Vietnam Co. Ltd that the noodles do not contain fresh eggs cannot be considered conclusive as the said company is not officially accredited by the Philippine Government to conduct such analysis. Moreover, the test report made by BFAD confirmed the quality and contents of the noodles.

Records also showed that the DepEd conducted a Nutritional Status Report on the Food for School Program, contrary to the complainant’s claim that the DepEd did not conduct “check ups” with students covered by the DepEd feeding project. The complainant did not assail the validity of the said Status Report.

In the Resolution, the Ombudsman stated that the complainants failed to overturn the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties stands.

         

Reference:

DIR. EDGARDO C. DIANSUY

Media Affairs Bureau

Photo via depedteacher.blogspot.com 

OMB EMPLOYEES PASS CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINERS (CFE) EXAM

       SEVEN employees of the Office of the Ombudsman have passed the screening process to undergo the Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE) training and certification examination sponsored by the Philippines Integrity Project (iPro) of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).


       The project is under the USAID being implemented by the Management Systems International (MSI), a contractor of USAID.


       Out of 49 individuals who have applied and undergone the screening, those who have successfully qualified to undertake the training course and examination are the following: Atty. Francis Euston Acero, Preliminary Investigation and Administrative Bureau (PARB); Graft Prevention and Corruption Officer (GPCO) Czarina May Altez, Public Assistant and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO); Associate Graft Investigation Officer (AGIO) Alfredo Bentulan, Jr., Office of Legal Affairs (OLA); Atty. John B. Felix, OMB-Luzon; Atty. Emerita Francia, Preliminary Investigation, Administrative Adjudication and Monitoring Bureau (PAMB); Associate Graft Investigation Officer (AGIO) Cecile Jacqueline Larena, OMB-Mindanao, and Associate Graft Investigation Officer (AGIO)  Armel Rodrigueza, Field Investigation Office (FIO).

       The training ran from January 24 to February 3, 2012 with a break on Sunday, January 29, 2012. A certification exam was conducted on March 1 and 2, 2012.

       The training fee in the amount of U$2,000 each was paid by the MSI, while the membership fee for the first year in the amount of P1,000 each was shouldered by the Office.

       According to Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan, “taking the steps to become a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) will position them as specialists in the prevention and detection of fraud.”

       “Becoming a CFE requires specific trainings and qualifications and is achieved by passing the CFE training and certification exam,” he said.

       AO Rafanan said the program which aimed at strengthening the conduct of investigation and prosecution through skills enhancement in specialized techniques supports the thrust of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to improve the survival rate of fact-finding.

Animal Cruelty Announcement from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

CRUELTY REPORT - DOG TIED TO NISSAN SAFARI SUV (Plate number BDK 617) EN ROUTE TO BAGUIO. Just to inform everyone that PAWS already got copies of the photos, links to the Facebook post of this cruelty report, and that we are trying to track down the owner of the vehicle. Please refrain from sending additional emails on this topic unless it is to send additional information regarding the identity of the owner - which is important in the filing of criminal charges. Thank you to all those who are helping us with this

Climate change: What more can science organizations do?

By Flor Lacanilao

From global terrorism and the spread of disease to the dangers of global warming, we are increasingly facing the sorts of threats for which governments everywhere will need to turn to their scientists. (“The scientific impact of nations,” Nature, 15 July 2004.)

Perhaps no other problems in this century threaten us more, in magnitude of destruction and death. From impacts of climate change alone -- e.g., typhoons, floods, landslides -- we have seen samples of their increasing frequency and damages, with the government still unprepared. And to think that yet to come are impacts on food production systems (agriculture and fisheries), communicable diseases, displacement, migration, etc. Our underdevelopment, persistent poverty, and archipelagic conditions make the Philippines more vulnerable.

The scientists referred to are the researchers -- in natural and social sciences, engineering, technology, and math -- who produce information, which can be useful information -- knowledge -- if research is done properly. Hence, the importance of doing research properly (see Fig. 1 in Doing research for development)

In addition to producing information/knowledge, scientists also have the social responsibility to disseminate useful information (through community service), and to use it for development programs, education, policy-making, etc. Together with research, they are what we call R&D (Fig. 2 in Doing research for development).

An important role of science organizations is promoting R&D. Consider research first. In their annual scientific meetings or conferences, most of our science organizations are unaware that study results are presented for two reasons: to inform the audience and to invite respected scientists in the audience to comment on the presented paper (preliminary peer review). Comments improve the manuscript before submission to a chosen primary journal. This crucial step -- submitting research manuscript to peer-reviewed international journal -- insures proper publication. Such journals have two important features: adequate peer review of the manuscript and wide accessibility for peer verification of published results.

Otherwise, research is not completed; or if published elsewhere -- e.g., conference proceedings, Philippine journals, institutional reports, or newsletters -- which are not adequately peer reviewed, the research output is just a gray literature (as seen in Fig.1). This is the kind of research papers largely published in the country (see Continuing problems with gray literature).

Science or professional organizations have also an important role in disseminating and using scientific information, the second part of R&D or development phase (seen in Fig.2). An example is promoting public understanding of science or climate change. Program success will be easier the better the research track record of the organization's membership; that is, whether the majority of the members are properly published.

Recently, concerned members of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) have launched an “information caravan” on climate change to deliver relevant scientific information to local government units. Among our top scientists in the group are Helen Yap of UP Diliman Marine Science Institute and Jurgenne Primavera of SEAFDEC in Iloilo. Full text appears below and at,
http://opinion.inquirer.net/24423/a-compact-for-growth (Inquirer, March 7, 2012)

My only concern is that in many group activities in the country, a common practice is making group decision, majority rules, to settle opposing views (Democratic governance impedes academic reform).
A likely problem arises on how to agree with research and science issues, when the properly published scientists in the group are a minority. But confronted with the increasing threats of devastation from changing climate, I think it is possible for such a group discussing such issues to come to a useful conclusion. And insure program success. I trust Jurgenne, Helen, and the rest of TOWNS will see this through. And show the government leaders and media people the need to turn to scientists when dealing with important national problems.

(Dr. Flor Lacanilao is the former Chancellor of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas)

Why are these trees being cut down on Maginhawa Street?

TREES ALONG MAGINHAWA AVENUE BEING CUT: Photos taken from the Sterten Place area, moving down the street in the direction of Philcoa. As of this afternoon, clearing and construction is ongoing, ending just short of the Roberta's cluster of food joints. - photo courtesy of Dara Redulla.

Local furniture shop near Diliman, popular among the rich

In one of the seediest roads in Quezon City lies a furniture shop that uses local materials. Although the shop at NIA Road is usually not given any importance by passers by except maybe for an occasional question of “Magkano po?”, it showcases Filipino craftsmanship and design and to those who would like to explore what the Philippines can offer, it could be a connection to a very rich heritage even before the Spanish came to the country.

The owner, Imelda Molina started her business at the age of 17 when she moved to the capital from Urdaneta, Pangasinan. While showing pamphlets to prospect buyers, Ate Imelda said, “Dito ko na rin kinuha yung pag-aaral ng mga anak ko.” Mrs. Molina has five children –two daughters and three sons.

Her shop is very busy. While Weng, one of the people who man the shop when Mrs. Molina is not there is taking care of deliveries the two other men who work there prepare items to be delivered –applying varnish on abaca products and making sure that everything is delivered in good condition.

While many buy imported goods for their homes, a number of people who live in  posh subdivisions in Quezon City and Makati drop by the shop to order items for their homes.Mrs. Molina said, "Nagdeliver ako sa isang bahay, hindi ko akalain, artista pala yung nag-order."

If you are interested in going to Molina’s to take a look at the abaca furniture, you can contact Mrs. Molina herself at 0910-683-3257.

Transgender officers in the USC, LGBT community celebrates

Based on USC election results, UP Diliman students are now considered by many as very mature voters. In a historic poll, two members of UP Babaylan won posts in the council –giving the LGBT students and non-LGBT ones hope that there is a great possibility for change in terms of the university’s political atmosphere.

There have been countless candidates from UP Babaylan in the past including one who ran for USC chairperson in the early 2000s when the group wore butterfly wings to promote their candidate. It was a bit sad that their candidate at the time did not win but things have changed and the UP community is embracing this change through the installation of the new USC Chairperson.

Photo via GMA News

Police faces trouble, UP LB student killed

The police department of Los Banos are facing one of the most trying times in their history as Senior Supt. Gilbert Cruz fired a number of policemen due to the increasing crime rate in the area.

According to reports, this does not only include the rape case that happened last year but also a more recent one that happened on Wednesday, February 29. A high school freshman was tortured on that date, sources say. Just yesterday, another unfortunate event happened in Laguna and this involves a UP LB student. Ray Bernard Penaranda was held up and killed. Peneranda, who hails from Tanay, Rizal was taking up BS Agriculture in the university.