iBOONDOCK

We got to give props to Baguio Senior Fire Officer John Ullibac who wore his bahag and played the role of a disaster victim during this disaster consciousness training held last year. We give props too to Paeng Valencia who is “rescuing” Officer Ullibac because he looks much smaller than the “victim” and yet he was able to do his job. By the way, the officer must be the happiest “victim” ever. But then again, you should be happy when you are rescued from a burning building. :-)

You can find more photos of this event at Baguiogallery.com. Photo courtesy of Art Tibaldo.

“It is ironic that this administration is asking the governors to declare support yet it could not act on simple requests like the tax my province is entitled to. This administration appears to have a selective amnesia.”

“My support for [Ms Arroyo] is conditional. For the moment, I am for the rule of law. I, too, would like to know the truth. For most Ifugaos, the issue of supporting [Ms Arroyo] in this troubled times depended on Malacañang’s willingness to address my constituents’ concerns.”

– Ifugao Governor Teddy Baguilat. Read the Inquirer report here.

This is how you play the game, folks. If you support a president who never received the mandate of the people, at the very least, you should demand something in return that redounds to the benefit of your constituents. Hindi yung blind support lang na wala kang mapapala.

It’s a good thing that the Ifugao governor is using his support for Gloria as a card to ask for the taxes that should rightfully go to Ifugao. In an ideal world however, those taxes should have been given to Ifugao from the very beginning. And in an ideal world, Gloria should not be sitting in Malacañang.

PHOTO CREDIT: alsmarine.com.ph

In our first blog, we did some write-ups on the search keywords of visitors who found us via search engines. In case you missed them, here’s the links to said posts: Part I and Part II. Now, here’s the third installment of our attempt to elaborate on the keywords/questions of blog visitors.

1. “What is bubod”: Bubod is the yeast that you add to the sticky rice to produce rice wine. Kumbaga, it is the fermenting agent. I think it’s made from sugarcane but I’m not 100% sure. Do you also call this fermenting agent “bubod” in your language?

2. “Most richest man in Benguet”: I’ve no idea. Maybe Nashman, Lovelyn, Page 101, and FBI know the answer. Sino sa tingin ninyo ang pinakamayaman sa Benguet? If by “richest” we mean both rich in terms of material wealth and good reputation, maybe Congressman Dangwa?
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* Three killed, 26 hurt in Kalinga bus crash. [GMA News]

* It’s still cold in Baguio and the rest of the highlands. Don’t put away those thick jackets just yet. [Inquirer]

* “You ignored us,” barangay officers tell Panagbenga organizers. [Sunstar]

* Abra Gov. Eustaquio “Kit” Bersamin elated over the filing of two counts of murder against former Gov. Vicente “Vicsyd” Valera for the killing of his brother Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin last December 2006. [GMA]

* Let’s give a shout out to the Anao Farmers Association (AFA), an Ifugao farmer’s group which will be competing in the nationwide Gawad Saka Search 2008. [Sunstar]

*Arcelie Loagan, the OFW murdered in Calgary, wrote an article about her faith in God two years ago. Read it here.

Note: This is a “sticky” post. You will find new posts below. Thanks.

Just to be clear, I am not against mining. If it will help to improve the lives of our people, then I am for it. However, I believe that our mining laws give too much power to mining companies at the expense of people who live in remote communities. More often than not, those people are our indigenous brothers and sisters. So, as in the past, we are the sacrificial lambs that the powers-that-be offer before their ill conceived altar “development”.
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So we’re not the only ones who believe that appointing a “caretaker” (or undertaker as one of you wittily stated in the comments) has no basis in law. Read the write-up of Greg Taguiba below which also makes the same argument. (By the way, thanks to our tipster who alerted us about Greg’s article.)

As we said earlier, instead of proposing this caretaker nonsense, our officials should be working to ensure that a special election is held. Para naman marinig ang boses ng tao kung sino ang gusto nila.

Currently, we have some politicians pushing for the appointment of Baguio Rep. Domogan as the Mt. Province caretaker. Then, according to Greg’s article, “the camp of the late congressman is pushing for the appointment of Kalinga Rep. Manuel Agyao”. One of you also wrote here that Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa suggested Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao as the caretaker. As things go, I think the only “non-biased, no hidden agenda” suggestion is the one that comes from the Benguet Congressman.

Still, the best thing to do really is to get the will of the people. Who do they want as their Congressional representative? Only an election will determine this. The problem with this “caretaker” nonsense is that once a “caretaker” is appointed, those who lobbied for his/her appointment will be less inclined to work for the holding of a special election.

So no to caretakers. Yes to a special election. Masapol adi ay boses nan ipugao nan madnge. Cha, owen man.
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