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Performing artists express desire to help typhoon victims

Published by Ellen on November 13, 2013

By Pablo A. Tariman,VERA Files

The typhoon that killed hundreds in the Visayan region elicited shock and an outpouring of sympathy from the country’s leading performing artists.

“It is horribly sad,” said pianist Cecile Licad who expressed willingness to participate in any fundraising concert. The pianist once again received standing ovations for her performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Hawaii Symphony and the San Antonio Symphony in Texas.

Another artist who wanted to cheer typhoon victims is violinist Cho Liang Lin who has forthcoming engagements with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan and the symphony orchestras of Detroit, San Antonio, and Shanghai. He wrote to Licad saying how deeply he was touched by the plight of typhoon victims. “If there are events that I can help to cheer the victims, please let me know. I am in!” the noted violinist said.

Guiuan: first hit, almost leveled, late aid

Published by Ellen on November 13, 2013

Text and photos by Jose Bayani D. Baylon Immediately upon landing it became obvious to me that while there was a semblance of order, this…

The tenor and the ballerina pitch in for Yolanda victims

Published by Ellen on November 12, 2013

Update: Press briefing of Secretary Rene Almendras and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa on efforts for Yolanda victims. http://www.gov.ph/2013/11/13/summary-of-the-press-briefing-of-secretaries-almendras-ochoa-and-ndrrmc-on-relief-operations-for-typhoon-yolanda-november-13-2013/ Artists are also doing their share. World…

Looking for the Fuenteses

Published by Ellen on November 12, 2013

I got a letter from Rosauro Fuentes who is currently in Mogadishu, Somalia asking help to locate members of his family in Tolosa, Leyte.

‘Wala akong ibang paraan na makontak ang aming pamilya. Sana po matulongan nyo kami,” he pleaded for help.

He forwarded to me the following letter of his brother, Armando, who is based in Texas, U.S.A, addressed to the Philippine Red Cross.

We will overcome

Published by Ellen on November 10, 2013

Update: Sheila Pino Ylagan informed me in Facebook that Richard Gappi and family are okay.

Does anybody know of the whereabouts of writer/editor Richard Gappi, community assistant officer of the municipality of Angono?

A Facebook post said on Nov. 5, he went to Tacloban for the birthday of his son, Intoy. His family in Angono lost communication with him during the typhoon.

Those who have access to him, please let us know. We pray he is safe.

***
When we saw the devastation in Leyte, we felt awkward about being engrossed about the damage wrought by typhoon Yolanda in our place in Guisijan, Laua-an, Antique.

The sight of the dead all over – on the street and underneath fallen structures – was simply heartbreaking.

Lawyer says Napoles as state witness will benefit country

Published by Ellen on November 7, 2013

Santiago questioning Napoles. Photo by Voltaire Domingo NPPA Image. From Yahoo.

The quote of the day from Thursday’s Senate Blue Ribbon hearing was Sen. Miriam Santiago’s “Ignorance can be treated, but stupid is forever. ”

Santiago was spot on in her observation that Napoles could not be stupid considering the pork barrel operator’s rise from her humble beginnings in Basilan to her being filthy rich today. In a press conference, Santiago said she thinks Napoles’ gall diverting money intended for the poor to private pockets of lawmakers, government officials as well as hers comes from ignorance. She said Napoles is used to cutting deals and she thinks she will be able to get away with plunder, which could put her in prison for 20 to 40 years, by cutting another deal.

One of those who monitored the hearing, Ginny Fabie, a member of the Concerned Citizens Movement, observed that Santiago used military interrogation tactics. Scaring her one moment (“Gusto nilang patayin ka, andiyan sa utak mong ‘yan ang pagkakasira ng, di lamang kayaman, pati buhay nila. Importante malagyan duct tape ang mukha mo” ) and giving her advice to turn state witness another moment after she got the businesswoman to admit that she is not the most guilty (“Gantihan mo na habang buhay ka pa.”)

Who’s maneuvering for Gazmin’s post and why

Published by Ellen on November 5, 2013

Amid rumors that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin would be replaced next year, President Aquino heaped him praises during ceremonies to honor those who have battled with members of Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front in Zamboanga last month. He called Gazmin the “timon ng ating mga kawal sa tuwid na daan (the rudder that will steer the soldiers to stay in the right path). “

Aquino said when the Zamboanga siege happened, Gazmin immediately reported to him and did not hesitate to be in the frontline. He asked: “Sinong hindi matutuwa sa tulad niyang walang pinipiling panahon sa paglilingkod? (Who would not be happy with someone like him who knows no time when it comes to service?)

As he reminded soldiers of the supremacy of civilian authority over the military, Aquino recalled again (as he has recalled in past occasions) his traumatic experience during several coup attempts against his mother, Cory Aquino.

Aquino and the beetle experiment

Published by Ellen on November 3, 2013

"Hindi tayo pareho. Hindi kami nagnakaw, at hindi kami magnanakaw." — “Hindi tayo pareho. Hindi kami nagnakaw, at hindi kami magnanakaw.”

President Aquino wants the public to believe that he and his team are God’s gift to democracy. That they can do no wrong. Corruption in government is confined to some members of the political opposition. His men are like him : upright, honest and candidates for sainthood.

That’s the essense of Aquino’s televised ranting last Wednesday.

Apparently, Aquino and his team have sensed the public indignation over misuse of pork barrel funds, intended in principle for the poor but ended up in public officials pockets. If everything is going well, why would he make changes in his communication setup. He enjoyed high approval ratings with the condescending Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda (aligned with Mar Roxas faction) assisted by Abigail Valte and Communications strategist Ricky Carandang as his mouthpieces. Why then the need to bring in the unassuming Press Secretary Sonny Coloma, aligned with the 2010 election Samar group that supported Vice President Jojo Binay?

Filipina wins Mignone International Human Rights Award

Published by Ellen on November 3, 2013

By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files

Human rights activist Mary Aileen D. Bacalso, secretary-general of the Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) is this year’s awardee of the Emilio Mignone International Human Rights Prize.

Bacalso said she was informed Thursday by the embassy of Argentina in the Philippines of the award “in recognition of her work against enforced disappearance in Asia and the world. “

Bacalso will travel to Buenos Aires on Dec. 10 to receive her award in a ceremony to be attended by Argentinian government officials. Aside from her funded travel to Argentina and a plaque, Aileen will also have speaking engagements in different organizations.

Bacalso said “I will be honored to receive this prestigious award soon which will be given not only to me but also to the disappeared and their loved ones and the rest among us in this bigger global movement against enforced disappearances. Let this be an important victory for the cause of the disappeared and their families in the Philippines, in Asia, in Latin America and in the rest of the world.”

Think about this when you go to the cemetery

Published by Ellen on November 1, 2013

A visit to the cemetery, which many of us will undertake starting tomorrow for our annual observance of All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2) should humble us.

As France Charles de Gaulle famously said, “The cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.”

Any sense of self-importance should be erased by De Gaulle’s reminder.

The much- respected Haydee Yorac, said the same when she was battling cancer and resigned to face her creator. She was confident that there will be no dearth of Filipinos who will continue her crusade for truth and justice. She consoled people,””No one is indispensable.”

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