Supa Bliss Beneficiaries, very Fortunate

Mayor Ronnie Molina finally may have put an end to the problem of the Supa Bliss project. It's been there for so long (and rotting) and nobody wanted to touch it (except for those who have taken ownership!). Now the lots were "given" away. Some people just have all the "luck"! Those given titles to the property they "took" are just plain lucky! They're in the correct place at the correct time.

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Antique Politics

When will the Gov and the Rep ever come and work together? Maybe when they both understand the word "cooperation"?

Gulo sa Makati

People care. Everybody listen to the radio or watch the news in TV.

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There's Jueteng in Antique

If you want to see for yourself whether there is jueteng in Antique or not, go to the barbershops. Sit for some time, make small talk, ask for numbers tips and you'll see the numbers game is alive. I don't know how it is done; I just know it's happening.

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Blast in Batasan? So?

There was a bomb blast in Batasang Pambansa but here in San Jose, Antque people still trudge along as if nothing happened. Antiquenos still looking for food, clothing, and shelter: the three basic necessities of life hasn't changed a bit, has it?

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Will Muscovado Sugar Take Off?

I've seen this nicely packed sugar in several stores and it looks like it's getting some attention from consumers. The price is too high though.

I don't know why they've priced this product at this point but haven't really marketed it as something better (no chemicals, organic?, etc.). For ordinary people like me, picking up the regular repinado (refined sugar) will do.

Life Is Hard

An advantage of living in a province is the availability of root crops and leafy vegetables that you can have for free if you just work hard. That negates the difficulty of finding a regular good paying job.

My job now is finding a job. I'm sure something will come up soon.

Antique According to Lakbay.net

This is the original link to Lakbay.net.

Antique

The province of Antique is a long, sea-horsed shaped land along the west coast of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is San Jose de Buenavista. The province is ideal for shell hunting, snorkeling, scuba diving, and white water kayaking. It is also known for its loom-woven fabrics, pottery, and handicrafts. Cuyo East Pass is reportedly the richest fishing grounds in the country.

HOW TO GET THERE :

AIR (Manila-Iloilo) PAL, Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific SEA (Manila-Iloilo) WG& A Superferry LAND (Iloilo-San Jose de Buenavista) bus

WHAT TO SEE :

Old Hispano-Filipino Church (Anini-y)
A massive white coral building built by the Augustinian friars during the Spanish colonial period. It is one of the oldest landmarks in Antique.

EBJ Freedom Park
A park dedicated to slain governor Evelio Javier. There is a marker here which marks the spot where the late governor was first shot in February 1986.

Old Watchtower (Libertad)
Served as a lookout for natives of approaching pirates

Malandog Marker (Hamtic)
The landing site of the first Malayan settlers in 1212

Telegrafo Hill Boundary
A Japanese stronghold during World War II. It offers a commanding view of San Jose

Nogas Island (Anini-y)
A 26-hectare naval reservation island with a lighthouse and a white sand beach. It also has excellent diving areas.

Pula Waterfalls (San Remigio)
Has a red tinted cascade

Hurao-Hurao Island (Anini-y)
An island with an abundance of sea shells; Ideal for picnicking

Cresta De Gallo (Anini-y)
A denuded mountain of solid rock with three peaks resembling a cock's comb. This mountain is reportedly rich in mineral deposits. There are scenic beaches to be found at its foot.

Mt. Madia-As (Culasi)
You will find here rare orchids, wild deer and boar, an-almost extinct species of cloud rats, a bonsai forest, and a lagoon. It has 14 waterfalls around its base.

Kalamasag Falls
A 100-foot waterfall which is one of the most beautiful in Panay.

Sibaye Island (Caluya)
Where the first radar station in Panay was installed.

Igpasungaw Falls (Sebaste)
Has a natural swimming pool

Sira-An Hot Springs
A hot sulphur spring with nipa cottages in the area

Camp Autajay
A 10-hectare land located along the beach, where you will find a narra and mahogany orchard, nipa sheds, and cottages. The place is ideal for camping and swimming.

Estaca Hill (Bugasong)
Once used as a watchtower to warn the people of the Muslim pirates. It gives a commanding view of the sea and the hills.

Danao Lake (San Remigio)
A 1-hectare lake located in the high mountains of San Remigio. There is a jungle nearby with monkeys and wild chicken, making it an ideal place for hunters.

Bacalbag Waterfalls (Barbaza)
A waterfall 50 feet high, where you will find unexplored caves

Batabat Coral Reef (Barbaza)
A reef located 1-kilometer offshore with a 1 �-hectare coral of varied colors.

Bato Cueva (San Remigio)
Located on a hilltop, where you can see Mt. Madia-as on a clear day

Mararison Island (Culasi)
An inhabited island with a long stretch of white sand beach and two 100-foot long caves. You will find here the "pitcher plant," a rare species of plant shaped like a pitcher. The beach here is not suitable for swimming.

Batbatan Island (near Mararison Island)
An island with white sand beaches and ideal for scuba divers

Snow White Beach (Pandan)
A white sand beach with crystal clear water

Marble Mountain (Pandan)
The marble here is expected to last a thousand years

Duyong Beach
A white sand beach overlooking the Marble Mountains. Ideal for swimming

Sto. Ni�o Church (Hamtic)
A church atop an elevation, where you will find a convent and a bell tower above it.

Liberty Park (Mt. Agongon)
A camp area for boy and girl scouts that gives a view of Liberty town

La Granja Hill (San Jose)
A sports complex which is the site of the yearly Binirayan Festival.



MAJOR EVENTS :
Binirayan Festival (San Jose) - May 1
A celebration of the famous barter of Panay between the Bornean datus and the indigenous Negritos. It also commemorates the landing of the ten Malay datus in Malandag, Hamtic, Antique, in the middle of the 13th century to set up the first Malayan settlement or barangay in the country. The highlight of the event is the parade of boats from San Jose to Malandag, where the barter is re-enacted.

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Ro-Ro is a Boon to Antique

The Ro-ro (Roll-in Roll-out) mode of transportation serves Antique very well. It gives people in our province a cheap mode of transportation to almost anywhere in the Philippines and thus enables us to move people and goods efficiently.

I would prefer to have Trains and Planes ply Antique routes too but it looks like the consumer base for these modes of transportation is not yet big enough to support them. Maybe in 10 years time?

Antique Airport

I was proud when the Evelio Javier Airport of Antique was finally openned and the small airline Asian Spirit started to serve my town and all of the province. Now this very laudable project will once again go to disrepair and finally break down again as it is starting to happen. The Spirit has long been gone, business was never good.

Parts of the concrete wall has already gone down and serves townmates who want to cross the runway. It's to their advantage because they save time. Good for them there are no more flights and their pet goats, cows, and carabaos can again graze on the lush grass.

So what else is new in my hometown? None I guess, everything including the good ones (projects) manage to die.

A Recollection on Evelio Javier

Evelio Javier died a long time ago, gunned down with a hail of bullets while hiding in a small and smelly pissing room of a bus station. The case against the killers has whimpered I guess, and the masterminds are still scot free (or have been set free?). Who would know what really happened?

I grew up with Giddy (Gideon) as a friend, but of course we've gone on separate paths. David was so small he wasn't part of our small group. I can still remember how Giddy punched another neighbor friend in the solar plexus and how he turned white when the friend looked like he was going to die!

Precious Javier was a lovely lady who everybody in the neighborhood liked. I remember her as an ever-smiling woman. I have always wondered why she didn't look afraid looking at Giddy whizzing down the hill in a foot-pedaled scooter beside their house.

I'm getting sidetracked here though...

I was reading the suggestion of Exequiel Javier to the Rebels to take advantage of an amnesty offered (to be offered, as not yet approved by congress) by the government and I remembered a time when our carabao (water buffalo) got lost and we have to scour all the fields and hills in Bagumbayan, San Jose, Antique for it. I know we found the animal of burden but we also saw our well-loved governor then, Evelio Javier, talking with some people unfamiliar to us. The barangay was so small that everybody knew everybody, but those people he was with were not locals.

When we were moving away from the area somebody mentioned that the men were "taga-babaw" meaning from-above, a description for the NPA rebels. I didn't really think much of that encounter just that the governor was unafraid to deal with the rebels.

I can't remember now how long ago that was, and the problem still exists! What possible could solve a problem such as the NPA rebellion? I'm just an ordinary man and I can't offer solutions...

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White Water Rafting in Tibiao

I'm ashamed to say that I'm one of those Pinoys who have seen other countries already yet haven't seen my own. Of course there are some convenient reasons, like what is there to see?

In my own province, there is something very interesting and many say exciting place to see! That is Tibiao, now famous for white water rafting/kayaking. The Tibiao river they say is a good one.

Tick. One more place marked to go to when circumstances allow!

Unique weddings at Panglao Islet

Shamelessly picked without permission from www.panaynewsphilippines.com.

BITS, BITS AND PIECES
By VICKY S. PRIMERO

FRONTING the bungalow we chose at Panglao Nature Resort is the wedding site, the Panglao Islet, Bohol. It is a small island connected to Panglao Beach Resort and can be reached by a narrow cemented path during low tide (early mornings) but with a banca ride at high tide, usually after 5 p.m.

At night, multi-colored lights beautifully decorate the islet, perfectly fit for any fabulous wedding. For two nights' stay at our bungalow, I took pictures as I witnessed the wedding ceremonies even at a far distance. Melodious music could be heard. I talked with the hotel PIO manager trainee. He informed me that for a
formal wedding, if the bride and groom have 40 guests, they pay P40,000 - that excludes the priest's charges, etc.

How wonderful could it be to be wedded in this wedding islet. For Dad and me, we got no more chance. We had already reaffirmed our marriage during our 50th wedding anniversary at Punta Villa last March 31, 2007.

***

Ah, the Island Life! Panglao, though luxurious, is the best escape to a slice of paradise for one who would experience Bohol's celebrated sights and sounds. Here, one can invigorate his senses, what with lush tropical landscapes, embraced by clear, turquoise waters and dazzling white-sand beaches. Here, we are reminded of our Boracay. Guests and tourists could indulge themselves and relax in world-class amenities while they pamper themselves with a warmth that is classic Boholano.

Indeed, Bohol stands out as a tropical sanctuary of natural beauty. Here, one can experience all the beauty that the province can offer - from the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers (smallest monkey in the world), the fast-growing python, historical shrine depicting the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi; old churches, sun-kissed hills to underwater wonders to exotic wild life.

The fascinating boat rides along the palm-fringed banks of Lococ River (the setting of Cesar Montano's movie Panaghoy sa Suba) are best entertainment by themselves. Singers and local dancers along the river station themselves to entertain the tourists who voluntarily give their donations.

On the hired boats, there are blind pianists and singers to fill the hearts of their guests with native songs typically Filipino.

Two days before our trip to Panglao, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presided over a symbolic switch-on ceremony in a nipa hut in Purok 3, Brgy. Tawala, Panglao to give more light to Bohol as part of her energization target. Panglao, though, has been enjoying electricity since 2000.

Have money. Travel and be captivated by Bohol's natural wonders. See this tropical paradise, invigorate your senses while you enjoy your break from boredom.



I'm glad that Vicky; my father's elder sister, have money and can travel!

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Oil in Antique!

There's oil in Antique and the national government has already signed agreements with Petronas; the Malaysian oil company (owner of the world famous Petronas Towers), to explore for oil near the town of Culasi.

The hope is for a lot of the black gold underground. It can be that the oil deposit down there is not large enough for a commercial operation. It is encouraging though that a big oil company is willing to risk some money to do the exploration.

If the oil is good, then Culasi will be in for a huge windfall! Forty percent of the Philippine share goes to the local government (how much for each? I don't know. The Province, town and barangay will share.

The problem though is the risk of an environmental disaster. The local fishermen and seaweed farmers are also affected. Personally, I think that betting on the oil is better than not drilling at all! The benefit of oil is just better than seaweed farming and fishing, way lot better.

Here's to a good oil harvest in Culasi! (If I have money, I'll buy some big lots in that town...)

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Illegal Drugs Are Here Too

From rugby to shabu, San Jose, Antique have them too! Recently, police operatives caught Felipe Juala red handed. He sold a sachet of shabu to a police operative! Well, it was buybust operation. I just hope that it was done and documented properly because people like Felipe will try to wiggle out of this mess.

Juala's attorney, Arturo Pacificador, actually claimed that the sachet of shabu taken from Felipe was planted!

Shabu trade is quite lucrative. Pushers earn a lot of money quickly. Sometimes they themselves are users and need the extra income to support the habit. It is quite harmful to users though. This blight must be stopped. I commend the San Jose police for a job well done.

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Tricycles: Boon or Bane?

The streets of San Jose, Antique during rush hours on working days (yes it's in this town too!) look like a smoke-filled parking area. Not of cars, but of tricyles (a two-wheeled motorbike fitted with a contraption (called a sidecar) to ferry passengers. In Antique, the typical tricycle is the "duplex" type where up to three passengers can sit in front and another three at the back. It makes for a heavy ride, but more passengers mean more income!

The problem with tricycles though is the uncontrolled number of units that clog the streets and decrease the amount of income a tricycle driver can get due to stiff competition. No new roads are being added but how many new tricycles are born every week? I'll guess around five or ten. That's one tricycle born everyday!

There are not a lot of jobs created in a province and there's a lot of guys without jobs. Once a family member gets the opportunity to earn some money (mostly from abroad), the first business given to an unemployed male relative is, what else but a tricycle! The common reasoning is that the income earned comes in daily. So there, I guess there will be no end to new tricyles in my town.

Unless of course the town officials will learn how to control the number of these rigs. So how about it Mayor Molina? Why not lessen the number of tricycles in San Jose? Let's see what you can do...

Blogging

What can a provincial guy offer? Well, musings and ideas are not stuff for city guys only so I must have stuff to write and share too.

I am interested in my ideas, and ideas have a life of their own. I'll plant mine, and let them grow. My blogging is an exercise of experimentation!