Sharing Time with La Salle Dasma Broad-Comm students

A journalist is always as good as his/her last story. But while that maybe true. There are stories that leave a mark. There are stories that define a career.

In my case, it would be the stories that I covered from the area of Moslem Mindanao.

Last weekend, I was invited to share my story as a journalist covering the so called conflict areas in Southern Philippines before an audience of Broadcast-Communications students of De La Salle Dasmariñas in Cavite. It was the class handled by Jun del Rosario, a former colleague from the ABS-CBN news and current affairs department. Jun right now is a board member of the Provincial Government of Cavite, one of those that got the highest votes in the last May 2007 elections but he still makes sure that he has time to teach.

Noon pa naman—desk officer pa lang namin siya sa ABS-CBN—-isa na sa mga pinagkakaabalahan ni Jun ay ang magturo sa mga aspiring journalist at media practitioners. Kahit gaano karami ang assignment niyan, hindi iiwan ang pagtuturo. Siguro bukod sa enriching—tingin ko—sikreto ni Jun sa pagpapanatili ng kanyang youthful looks! (Bolahin ba ang deskman!)

Pero bago ako nagsalita—si Mandy Francisco muna. You remember him? Sa mga kabataan ngayon–medyo mukhang hindi na—pero guys–orig TV Patrol Reporter yan after 1986 EDSA. Ang ganda ng boses at batikan sa police reports at naging desk officer din namin.

Hay naku—ang original plan was for me to speak first before Mandy F. kaso po—may isang emergency ever na dapat akong asikasuhin very early in the morning ha kaya hindi muna ako nakapunta sa Dasmariñas, Cavite.

So mabuti na lamang—hindi masyadong mahilig magsalita si Mandy F.—kinaya niya ang 3 hours straight lecture! Bitin pa yun ha! (Joke lang Mandy –muah!)

At ang isa sa tinalakay niya ay tungkol sa epekto sa pamamahayag ngayon ng isa nang ganap na batas na Human Security Act of 2007 na kilala rin sa tawag na Anti-Terrorism Law. At isa sa mga sinabi ni Mandy F.—-kung hihimayin ang bagong batas—hindi na basta na lamang makakapanayam ng isang reporter ang sinumang rebelde—at binigay niyang halimbawa si Ka Roger Rosal! (Hi Tang! –miss you po! —naku arlyn–pa-hi-hi ka pa kay Ka Roger—eh may Anti-Terror Law na nga!!!—ano ka ba?-he-he!)

Anyways—so ang next question—-sa tila poster girl ngayon ng pagsasalita sa kung may chilling effect ba o wala sa media ang batas na ito sa terorismo—-ang tulad ko bang ang hilig lang naman mamasyal sa mga rebel camps, left, right o left o kahit ano pa—-eh maglalakas loob pang pumunta sa mga ganoong lugar?

Yes. Bakit naman hindi. Tunay naman akong malakas ang loob. Hindi merch plug lang ng isang network! he-he!

But–may isang big BUT po ito.

Bago pa ang Human Security Act na yan na naisabatas—may isa akong bagong desisyon sa aking karera.

Kahit po mukhang 20 something pa lang ang feeling ko—he-he—ang totoo ay magdadalawang dekada na ako sa industriya ng pamamahayag.

A redirection, not a reinvention is in order.

Gusto ko nang magsaliksik ng balita na hindi lang basta iskup ang marka. Paumanhin po—malakas lang ang bagyo—done that—many times! I have nothing to prove in that department. Wala naman sigurong papalag kung iskup lang naman ang paguusapan. But as a journalist—I reached a point of my career that I wanted to do more. (Teka—parang commercial ng Centrum yun ah–)

Maraming mga istorya na nagdaan na basta na lamang natapos—–dahil nakikipaghabulan sa isa na namang malaking istorya. I am referring to the deadline orientation of the daily news grind.

Ang totoo — maraming mga kuwento na hindi naman talaga nahihimay. Nahahalukay lamang kapag may gusto ng live coverage halimbawa sa senado o sa kongreso in aid of whatever chuba—-pero—yung talagang babalatan mo ang kuwento—-yung lahat ng anggulo—minus the motives, the plots, the tempo set by spin masters, —-hindi naman talaga nahahalukay.

The reality is—-mabilis ang salansan ng mga balita. At hindi naman ito sinasadya sa kadalasang pagkakataon. Ito lang talaga ang kalakaran. Karera nga eh. Nagmamadaling mga balita!

Bumalik man ako sa lugar na tulad ng Sulu—na sa katunayan ay nagawa ko na last August 29 ng taong kasalukuyan—-may iba na akong gustong gawing balita. Ayaw ko nang magbilang ng kung ilan ang namatay na sundalo o kung ilan ang napugutan ng ulo o kung may bago na namang kidnap victim etcetera, etcereta.

I want to look for other stories. Those that inspire. Those that motivate. Those that would facilitate a different sense of pride to the people in the so called conflict areas.

Hindi dahil sa may Human Security Act of 2007 na umiiral sa ngayon. Ito ay dahil sa nakita ko na—matagal na ang lahat ng dapat kong makita. Sa katunayan—hindi lang basta nakita—naranasan ko pa!

If there will be a chance to interview a new rebel figure again—as a journalist who is known for chasing stories like this one—-my heart will race, my pulse will explode in anticipation—-dugong-dugo lang po eh. Noon nga–pati sa panaginip—-naghahabol pa rin ako ng balita—ganun ako ka-in sa aking gawain bilang mamamahayag.

But journalism is not just about scoops and exclusives. It's also more about stories that speak of the entire story.

Hindi lang yung marahas. Hindi lang yung sensational. Hindi lang yung matapang. Hindi lang yung giyera.

It's a choice.

Pero alam ninyo—sa tingin ko ay alam ninyo rin. Hindi rin ako makakatiis kung sakaling nandiyan na talaga ang pagkakataon at wala nang ibang kukuha pa—–someone has to do it.

But for now—my — baka may gusto munang iba na gumawa. Pahinga muna ang lolah. Kasi busy sa mga anakis! Super demanding po kasi—he-he—di ako takot sa Human Security Act—ang totoo—takot ako sa mga anak ko.

I made a promise. Hindi na mauulit na malagay sa alanganin ang buhay ko dahil lamang sa paghahabol ng balita at pangigigil na mauna sa pagkuha ng balitang iyon.

Sorry—-it's not the Anti-Terror Law—but the promise I gave to two precious angels here on earth. (end)

Instead of malls, why not museums?

 Who says museums are not cool and fun places for kids to go these days?

During my visit to Berlin last year, I was amazed at how kids there, even toddlers, are exposed to museums of all kids which is actually one of the many attractions of Germany.

Kids who are at the museums go there not on a field trip or tours as part of their class extra-curricular activities but as a regular activity between parents and kids.

Last week–my kids and I had a grand time bonding in a museum in Dasamariñas, Cavite inside the De La Salle College after my brief  talk before the broadcast-journalism students of Cavite Board Member Jun del Rosario who happens to be a former colleague at the ABS-CBN News, one of the really seasoned journalists that made ABS-CBN what it is today. (OO-Jun del–kailangang isulat iyon–ha-ha!)

That museum in Cavite took us back in time of the Spanish presence in the country.

Bahay Kastila ang pinasok namin at ito ay isang malaking bahay, mansiyon na nga kung tutuusin na sa luwang ay puwede nang maging mini-mall!

But before this museum in Dasamariñas, my eldest daugther, Katrina Greta, along with other Grade V and Grade IV pupils of the Diliman Preparatory School in Quezon City had their annual field trip that took them to many places that included the Philippine Air Force Museum in Pasay City. Included in this entry is a picture of my Katrina posing besides vintage bombs!

I thought she would not enjoy the idea of going to another museum, two days in a row but boy did she enjoy it with her sister Dominique who really asked a lot of questions from the student tour guide.

Kasama siyempre sa mga pagtatanong ay mga side comments like this one: "Sana mabuhay yung mga manikin dito at kausapin tayo," referring to the mannequins wearing ternos and baro't saya from the Spanish era.

"Naku—sa gabi–may mga nagiingay dito–baka gusto mong pumunta?" comments the tour guide insinuating stories of hunted houses usually associated to old houses like the one inside De La Salle Dasma.

Ang tanong ay kung natakot ba ang anak ko? Ang sagot ba naman—"Sige-sige!" Hmmm..matapang! Kanino kaya nagmana?

The bonding we had in the Dasma museum led to a plan to go to another museum here in Metro Manila or in any nearby province. My youngest wants to go to Calamba, Laguna to see the house of Jose Rizal while my eldest is requesting to visit a science museum. Hmm….I read in the Inquirer a feature article about a science museum in Marikina—yes–that would be interesting to visit.  But maybe, one after the other and not in one day!

Well—super proud mom naman ako na instead of malls, my kids want to spend weekend in some other way, an extension of their classroom education really, but something that they enjoy discovering for themselves, allowing moms like me to also share in the journey of learning. (end)

Ang Nagiisang Ka Totoy Talastas

Ka Totoy Talastas is a class and a legend of his own. He may not have been associated with the major AM radio stations but through the years he developed a loyal following of his own making him one of the most respected and listened to radio brodcaster in the history of AM radio.

Liwanagin Natin sa istasyong DZEC ng Eagle Broadcasting Company ang programang naging tatak ng kanyang karera sa daigdig ng radyo na markado ng intro song na "Hello Dolly." Parang walang kuneksiyon—"Hello Dolly" at Liwanagin Natin na kalimitan ay pulitika ang tema ng pagpapaliwanag at talakayang ibinibigay ni Ka Totoy. Ang totoo—personal ang dahilan para kay Ka Totoy kung bakit "Hello Dolly" ang theme song ng kanyang programa.

May anak si Ka Totoy na Dolly ang pangalan—at sa lahat ng mga anak nito–ito aniya ang pinakamalapit sa kanya at siya ring nanirahan sa ibang bansa sa bahagi ng Yuropa kaya upang laging maalala ang anak ay ito ang napili niyang theme song ng kanyang programang Liwanagin Natin.

Sa kabila ng idad niyang 70-plus—yes—-hindi sigurado—basta 70-plus—dahil ayaw sabihin ang tunay na idad–he-he—-ang Ka Totoy ay may magaling at napakatalas na memorya. 

He reads a lot!

Lalo na yung mga court cases, decisions of the Supreme Court na kapag naihalo na niya ang isang paliwanag na legal sa isang usapin—-ang dating ay tila isa siyang abogado na alam na alam ang pasikot-sikot ng batas. Yung retentive memory niya ay isa sa plus factor ng kanyang pagiging komentarista.

But more than his commentaries on the air—-Ka Totoy's life is filled with stories that when told would definitely create probably a rewriting or maybe just a reinterpretation of some of the pages of the country's recent history.

Narinig na namin ang mga kuwentong ito. Kami nina Shay, Lhet, Ning-Ning, B-2, Onin, Weng, May, Mavic—marami pang iba na nagkaroon ng priblehiyong mabahaginan ng mga kuwentong ito. 

Puwede kong ikuwento kung tutuusin, ngunit ang karapatan ay tanging na kay Ka Totoy lamang.

Lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin kapag iminumungkahi ko sa kanya na magsulat siya ng libro: 'Darating tayo diyan, darating tayo diyan."

Maghihintay ang inyong mga tagasubaybay Ka Totoy—dahil alam naming kayo lamang ang tanging makapaglalahad ng mga kuwentong ito. (wakas) 

A SYMBOLIC POLITICAL INVESTMENT FROM CHINA

        Coming after the suspension of the $329-million National Broadband Network deal between the Philippine Government through the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and ZTE Corporation of China is another initiative that would have the mark of China in one of the projected legacy project of the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

         The project: the development of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) inside the Clark Economic Zone in Pampanga.

        The amount projected as a direct investment from China: a whooping $1.6-billion!

        This time though, every document is being exposed to the public by the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) for this one is not a government to government loan but a direct investment from China through a  Chinese-Filipino consortium responsible for the unsolicited proposal for this project using the Build-Operate-Transfer  (BOT) scheme.

         "We want everything to be transparent and we went on a mission to Beijing with a direct instruction from the President that we should ensure that this will not bring any cost to the government," Nestor Mangio, CIAC Chairman told me in an exclusive interview.

        The truth is—I was actually allowed access to the meeting between the Philippine delegation led by Mangio with one of the top officials of the China Development Bank (CDB) held in Beijing last September 14, a Friday. CDB is one of the biggest state-owned banks of China which handles overseas or foreign investments.

        Articulating the stand and interest of CDB to fund the development and expansion of DMIA as a premier gateway and logistics hub in the Asia Pacific Region, Zhao Jianping, Vice Governor of the state-owned bank told the Philippine delegation, " We are a bank that honors our word."

        What he meant by honoring their word is the fact that this is actually the second meeting between him and Mangio. The first meeting took place last March of 2007.

        Zhao also emphatically mentioned throughout the meeting with Philippine officials from Clark that what they are about to do is not "help", not even an "assistance" but a form of "cooperation".  In my interview with Zhao after the meeting, I asked him if China is playing the role of a "big brother" to the Philippines. His response, "No, it's not a case of somebody helping somebody. We are facilitators. We try to see the overall situation and work on a condition that would be mutually and bilaterally beneficial for the two countries. It's cooperation."

        I am actually surprised when Zhao agreed to be interviewed on-camera because I was told earlier that I cannot do an ambush interview and that will have to be arranged first with questions forwarded before the interview. But I took my chance—and he gave me 5-minutes of on-cam interview to supplement the meeting that took place that was recorded on a personally owned digital camera.

        But reading between the lines, if I may, the enormous amount of $1.6-billion may just be a small amount of investment for the government of China for the more permanent and historic effect that investment will give them.

        Clark as we all know is the former home of the biggest Military Air Facility of the United States outside in the Asia Pacific Region. The location of Clark, needless to say, is strategic, both from a security, political and yes—economic perspective.

         Should this investment push through—it will be noted in the pages of history, that China spent billions of dollars in transforming a former US-military base as a competitive international airport and logistics hub in the Asia Pacific Region.

        Related article is also the banner of today's issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, where I contribute exclusive stories. (end)

NOT ALL "BIKO" ARE CREATED EQUAL…

It looks like any ordinary "biko"–yes that rice cake with brown sugar and coconut milk with a generous amount of "latik"—the coconut meat stirred and almost fried with a savory smell that would surely leave a craving on your tounge.

Kanina—nakita ko na naman ang eksenang ito sa bahay ni Nanay Paz—ni Esperanza Dayao Collantes—ang may kakaibang mahika yata sa paggawa ng biko.

At ano ang eksenang tinutukoy ko?

Well—sa Kingspoint kasi—doon sa bahay na yun na isa sa pinakanaunang itayo sa naturang subdivision—-pagtabihin mo ang isang cake sa isang sikat nang cake store ha–at biko ni Nanay Paz—-yung biko ang lalagyan nila ng kandila at yun ang magiging cake ng mga bata doon—mga apo—na napakarami na at mga anak na parang mga bata pa rin sa pakikipag-agawan sa bikong luto ni Nanay Paz.

Nasa halo siguro?

Nasa amount of sugar?

Nasa bigas o malagkit na ginamit kaya?

Nasa dami ng pinigang katas ng niyog kaya?

Whatever it is—secret formula or not—it never fails to amaze me how they all line up for this biko of Nanay Paz.

Kasama na rin siyempre ako sa nakikipila. Mainit pa—kahahango pa lang—pinagaagawan na hanggang sa tutong!

Too bad this biko of Nanay Paz is not for sale. Exclusive lang sa mga salin ng pamilya na walang umay sa pagkain nito.

There was a time I tried my hands in cooking my own version of "biko". Masarap naman—objectively speaking dahil naubos din naman. Hindi nga lang pinilahan at pinag-agawan. Maybe my kids would just love to please me–he-he!

But there's really no competition—kakaiba ang timpla at lasa ng bikong si Nanay Paz ang gumawa, naghalo, naghain at naghati-hati nito para sa lahat ng mga nakapilang nag-aabang na ito ay matikman. (wakas)

FIRST TIME IN BEIJING…

 YES—-I JUST ARRIVED FROM A VERY SHORT TRIP FROM BEIJING, CHINA. MY FIRST.

Ang daming puwedeng pagkuhanan ng picture pero hindi na nagawa iyon dahil I was not there on a pleasure trip po kundi work and I guess you guys have an idea what I discovered related to the recent headlines here in the Philippines involving the controversial National Broadband Deal with ZTE Corporation.

Nope–I was not really there to probe the NBN story. I was there for another business story but the exclusive opportunity to hear and interview the Vice Governor of the China Development Bank, more like an equivalent of our Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas here led me to probable answers as to what could have happened and if there was indeed an anomaly, a kickback as reported, why and how?

But I will have to suspence the details muna. He-he.

Kasi ayoko namang i-pre-empt ang isusulat kong article related to that na read between the lines—yun ang sagot kung bakit gusto nila ang ZTE. It's not that it's illegal. That much I find out. But why through that process? Why through a loan grant? Naroon ang sagot.

Eto munang picture ko sa isang streets nila doon near the hotel where I stayed ang pagtiyagaan ninyo.He-he. Di rin ako nakapag-shopping….kahit last minute. Yang supot na hawak ko—-damit na pang-Chinese for my two angels. Kasi kung wala yan—naku—-baka awayin ako ng dalawang tunay kong pinakamamahal-My Katrina and my Dominique.

Suspense muna ha…patience is a virtue..he-he…(wakas)

COPA STARTED IT ALL…

The guilty verdict on the plunder case against former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada should be taken as a sweet and even a moral victory for the Council of Philippine Affairs or COPA.

But it did not totally feel that way according to key personalities of COPA.

It was COPA who started it all–all the troubles of Erap, I mean former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson did—but it was COPA's initial and strong backing that spelled the difference in his whistle blower role in the recent history of Philippine politics.

It was COPA who pulled together all the forces that eventually led to the downfall of the Estrada administration and the swearing in of a new President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last January 20, 2001 at the Edsa Shrine in Pasig. 

COPA expected and welcomed the conviction handed down by the Sandiganbayan Anti-Graft Court

But Billy Esposo, COPA Chairman told me that based on merits of the case—"justice was served."

Pastor "Boy" Saycon, COPA Secretary-General puts it this way: "How can we say we are rejoicing if we knew for a fact that nothing has really changed and the problem of poverty remains?"

Saycon's question: "Are we any better?"
As the core group that supported Singson in his jueteng and TObacco Excise Tax Expose beginning on the last quarter of 2000, Esposo said, they do not regret the role they played in the downfall of Estrada.
 
"We had to do what was called for and what was for the best interest of the people at that time."
 
Six years ago. COPA was the force behind the ouster of of the most popular president elected in the history of the Philippine-polls.
 
Saycon's recalls the key dates and narrates the crucial development leading to January 20, 2001: 
 
>September 21, 2000-Chavit talked to former congressman Jose "Peping" Cojuangco.
 
>On the same date, later in the evening, another meeting took place at the EDSA Shrine in Ortigas, Pasig.
 
>It was on this meeting that Chavit according to Saycon said these lines:" BABALIKTAD NA AKO, PAPATAYIN NILA AKO."
>Five days after, September 26, COPA accompanied Chavit to the residence of then Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin in Villa San Miguel in Mandaluyong.
 
>"We areanged for that meeting between the cardinal and Chavit. Doon ibinigay niya ang lahat ng ebiensiya, tapes, documents, yung blue book niya,cheques,log-sheets, withdrawal slips, lahat—ipinasa ni Chavit kay Cardinal Sin" Saycon recalled.
 
>October 3, according to Saycon, Chavit was able to confirm the threat on his life. "May attempted ambush na sa kanya, yung sa Manila." 
 
The alleged attempted ambush jolted Chavit according to Saycon, "kaya lalong nagmadaling magsalita."
 

>October 6, 2000—Chavit's Presscon at the Club Filipino where he played the tape recording of his phone conversation with Estrada.
>October 29, 2000-Cardinal Sin backed up Chavit by issuing a pastoral letter that carried the message:" ERAP RESIGN, CONSTITUTIONAL SUCCESSION."

…AND THE VERDICT ON ERAP: GUILTY OF PLUNDER!

After six years and four months, the Sandiganbayan Special Anti-Graft Division hands down a verdict on the Philippines' most popularly elected president in the country's history.

9:07 am: the country awaits and braces for the official reading of the sentence on the plunder and other graft case faced by Joseph Ejercito "ERAP" Estrada.

Identified Erap groups like the OUST Gloria Movement led by Linggoy Alcuaz is somewhere near the Sandiganbayan and so is the other group led by Rez Cortez and another, that of Ronald Lumbao of PMAP. Not far behind is the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino. 

 The police are on alert and on anti-riot gears, ready for anything—all 6,000 of them.

The palace guards are on alert — the Presidential Security Group in full battle gears with tanks positioned in strategic locations in Malacanan palace.

No—there's no official engagement for the President today. The President declares this day by virtue of an Administrative Order as a Day for National Prayer and Reconciliation but her scheduled participation in the official ceremony in Batangas was cancelled. Mrs. Arroyo will have to stay in Malacanang especially during these critical hours.

Like the rest of the nation…the sitting president awaits the actual reading of the verdict.

9:23 in the morning, the three presiding justices led by Justice Teresita DeCastro asked the former President and the two other accused, Atty. Edward Serafio and Senator Jinggoy Estrada to stand as the reading of the sentence is about to begin.

The clerk of court reads: CRIMINAL CASE # 26905, PERJURY CASE—-the Court finds former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada–NOT GUILTY!

But that was not all…the bigger case is next.

The clerk of court continues her reading of the dispositive portion of the sentence, reportedly upon the request of Estrada himself. CRIMINAL CASE # 26558, PLUNDER CASE—the Court finds former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada–GUILTY!

But wait—this is an act of conspiracy—-but the Court finds his co-accused Jinggoy and Ed Serafio—NOT GUILTY of the same plunder case.

Erap gets a life sentence but was not committed directly to the National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinglupa — the place for convicted criminals. For now—the Ant-Graft Court says—the former President will continue to be detained in his Tanay Rest House where he was being held in house arrest for years now.

Atty. Rene Saguisag, a former Philippine senator told the court, his client and friend expects no special treatment and is ready to go to Muntinglupa if the court so orders.

There is still a legal remedy here for Erap. There's still the Supreme Court—-and his panel of lawyers are expected to do their legal moves in the next few days—-15 days to appeal—according to court procedures.

But in his media statement a day before today's promulgation, Erap made it clear—he do not plan to make any appel if sentenced guilty of the cases filed against him.

In Filipino Erap addressed his mass supporters, "Sa aking pananaw—matagal na akong napawalang sala ng taong bayan." Guilty in the court trial, but not guilty in the hearts of the Filipino people, that's how Erap sums up the verdict handed down on him which really comes not as a surprise anymore.

The history of recent past from January of 2001 woud have to be rewritten if the verdict stamps the words, not guilty.

On the radio, television, picked up by the official audio and visual transmittal from the courtroom through the facilities of the Supreme Court's technical crew—there was an unmistakable tension in the voice of presiding justice De Castro, the only justice that spoke on the verdict day, a voice that is low, even sad, and she appears to be in a hurry to get this done and over with.

One radio reporter inside the court room described De Castro as on fighting back her tears…and in Filipino, the reporter said, "halos nangilid ang luha."

A few minutes break—a few last words from De Castro—and the most awaited reading of the verdict  was over—-in less than 30-minutes, the sentencing was over.

No emotional images transmitted from the court, not even any audio of the crying of former Senator Loi Estrada, the wife of the former President, and members of their families, even some of the panel of lawyers—everthing according to plan—so as not to stir emotions from Erap supporters.

The police forces deployed were clearly disptached to prevent what was referred to in recent history as EDSA TRES of 2001. But while it is a possibility, it is very unlikely to happen. The number of policemen deployed is overwhelming, there's no really no chance for any mass based group to create havoc—and if there is indeed any plan as intelligence reports prior to this day suggest—not on this day when the authorities are ready.

Malacañan says—what the Sandiganbayan did was a clear manifestation of the rule of law. It was Secretary Ignacio Bunye speaking to the media, the President has yet to give an official reaction—that is if there's any plan for her to make a statement addressed to the nation.

As he was escorted back to Tanay Rizal, Erap walked in total bewilderment, a reminder of the same image the nation saw on the day he and his family left Malacañan Palace. 

Hours after the verdict, President Arroyo according to a palace beat reporter, was seen laughing her heart out during a short talk with a foreign diplomat, but the reporter said—it was a short laugh—and what follows was also a look that relays a seeming feeling of confusion and of uncertainty of what lies ahead after this day.

Erap, the most popularly elected president of the Republic once again made history today—the first Philippine president to be sentenced guilty of a plunder case.

If  there's any consolation to those who support Erap and those who believe he is innocent of the charges—the sentence handed down by the Sandiganbayan Anti-Graft Court if made final by the Supreme Court will definitely set a precedent.

The same fate could happen to the next– or any president after Joseph Ejercito "Erap" Estrada. (end)

Straight from the "warzone", durian, mangoosten and lanzones, anyone?

I have a confession to make. I have been going in and out of Sulu for almost two decades now but I have yet to taste what they refer to as the ultimate passion fruit, DURIAN.

All of my cameramen from various networks that joined me in many of my coverages in Moslem Mindanao, particularly in Sulu swear that I will never regret tasting it and that I would crave for more after the first bite.

I have nothing against the smell or the taste which I have yet to try, I am simply hooked on other fruit produce from Sulu that is one of the many reasons why I feel in love with the place.

Confession No. 2:  I am a big eater of mangoosten and lanzones from Sulu. ANG TAMIS!!! As in! kahit siguro isang basket na punong-puno ay kaya kong ubusin. Matakaw po ako at huwag ninyo akong kakausapin kapag kumakain na ako ng lanzones. At promise–hindi pa nangingitim ang dulo ng daliri ko sa kababalat kasi hindi pilit sa pagkakahinog. Tamang-tama lang.

The other thing is—-the price is super low, you will not believe it! Ni hindi magtatampo ang isang daang piso mo, ang dami mo nang mabibili–tiyak may ilang basket ka na na punong-puno ng mangoosten, durian at lanzones.

This coming September 10, a C-130 plane from the Philippine Air Force will arrive at the Jolo Airport. (Please see related article at the Philippine Daily Inquirer or Inquirer.net dated 5 September 2007) to embark on a mission that has never before seen in this part of the country, considered, one of the most troubled and among the poorest of the provinces.

Hindi po karagdagang tropa ng pamahalaan ang dala ng C-130 kundi lalapag ito ng walang laman dahil ikakarga doon ang mga prutas na inani mula sa kabukiran at kabundukan ng Sulu–oo doon din sa mga bahagi na tila normal at ordinaryo na ang bakbakan sa pagitan ng tropa ng pamahalaan at mga rebeldeng grupo.

"It's a first for Sulu," yan ang sabi ni Governor Abdursakur Tan nang makapanayam ko siya kamakailan. Opo—-after 5-years ay tumapak muli ako sa Sulu. But can I suspend the story on that? Later, later I promise.

Sana hindi lang ito basta "symbolic act" na bahagi ng sabi ng pamahalaan ay Humanitarian Intervention sa mga conflict areas tulad ng Sulu na kung saan may aktibong opensibang militar ang pamahalaan na isinusulong.

Sana—maging simula talaga ng isang pang-matagalang ayuda sa mga magsasaka ng Sulu.

Back to the passion fruit—durian….hmmm….baka nga kulang na ako sa passion….sige na nga—-after avoiding it for many years….I will taste it na. Say ko kung may added charge nga ng passion! he-he! (wakas) 

Paano nga ba babaguhin ang imahe ng Sulu?

Kamu kabataan, ayaw mapapatuhan

Misan mabinsana, Inginhawa baran

Hangad sin Maksud, Subay baugbugan

Dumawhat Kamahardikaan!

—ANG MGA LINYANG NASA UNAHAN AY CHORUS NG ISANG AWITING TAUSUG NA NATUTUNAN KO. It's a song about the search and the struggle for self-determination, freedom and independence.

It was a song composed at the height of the seccessionist rebellion in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi including Central Mindanao.

Kuwento ng taong nagturo sa akin noon, ang mga bata noong early 70s, sila yun noon, tinuruan na ng kantang ito. Una kong narinig ang kanta nang i-play ang isang old footage ng isang pagtitipon ng mga miyebro ng Bangsamor Army ng Moro National Liberation Front o MNLF.

More than 30-years after that song was first heard in the jungles of Indanan, Sulu—the meaning of the song still holds true for many Taosugs, MNLF or not.

Pero alam ninyo bang outside of the Peace Agreement na inaasahan nilang sana ay lulutas ng kanilang mga socio-economic and political problems, may mga inisyatiba ngayong puwedeng ituring na kakaiba sa lugar na tulad ng Sulu?

Like—the idea of finding a new inspiration, something to believe on, something to follow, something to move them–something to cheer them on and make them believe that they can still turn this war-torn province into a progressive and developed Islamic community in Southern Philippines.

Hindi ko pa masabi kung may kahihinatnan ang biglang paglalapit ng ideya ng isang kilala kong magaling magbigay ng inspirasyon bilang leader, dahil minsan ay naging cheerleader, at ng isang may kakaibang pagnanasa ngayon na magbago ang imahe ng Sulu na lugar ng digmaan, kaligaligan at kahirapan. I am referring to the meeting and constant communication now of Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon and Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan.

Kung inspiration factor lang—-puwedeng matulungan ni Senator Dick si Gov. Sakur. Ang AIM HIGH OLONGAPO KAYA, puwedeng maging slogan din ng Sulu, AIM HIGH LUPAHSUG—-puwede kaya? Umubra kaya?

But is it just a mere problem of redirecting or putting a different image of Sulu? Ganun lang ba ang problemang ito?

HINDI ang madaling sagot sa tanong na ito. Pero ika nga, malay natin—sa tagal na parang wala nang puwede pang magbago o makatulong sa kalagayan ng Sulu at sa mamamayan nito—baka nga ang susi nasa bagong inspirasyon? Nasa bagong paniniwalaan?

Inspirasyon para sa isang bagong direksiyon na puwedeng magsimula sa isa o dalawang SLOGAN na magpapaalala sa mga Taosug kung sino at ano sila.

Hihimayin ko ito sa mga susunod na araw.

Oo–ngapala—-nakabalik na ako sa Sulu–limang taon mula noong 2002, mula noong araw na tumalilis ako paalis ng paliparan ng Jolo. But that is another story…(wakas)