EPSA “Revolt”

 

Last April, many local politicians in Occidental Mindoro and the populace in general, hailed the move of National Electrification Administration chief Antonio Mariano Almeda consulting with the Occidental Mindoro Consolidated Power Corporation (OMCPC), the province’s sole power distributor, which consequently ended the 20-hour rotational brownout in the province.

Everybody praised Almeda and even thanked the OMCPC owner Manuel Luis Banson for agreeing to run their power plants. A local legislative council even issued a resolution along this line. We are generous enough to thank the same entity that mainly caused the crisis.

We proudly and happily declared then: “Hindi baleng mahal (ang kuryente), basta walang brownout.” Those who were with him on that occasion praised the administrator to the high heavens.

Clouded with our political biases, we succumbed to a propaganda blitz and we excessively believed those. We fed their egos and bred the messianic complex deep inside their very bones. Except for one, our representatives to the OMECO Board threw us into this monetary mess.

We are like oysters stuck to a rotting pole in a murky river as we believe that “Hindi baleng mahal (ang kuryente), basta walang brownout.” But such a frame of mind is not acceptable to me as an electric consumer, who counts to nearly 87,000 province-wide, I cannot afford to pay unjust power rates. Not only because of the prevailing prices of basic commodities and a very high standard of living but because such a situation is full of greed. This will have a domino effect on our local economy. Believe me. All of the small and middle-income families will be affected by this.

On July 13, 2023, Almeda issued a directive to OMECO BOD to withdraw its Joint Application with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the approval of the SAMARICA Power Supply Agreement (PSA) and instead enter into a negotiated Emergency Power Supply Agreement (EPSA). The order is an insult to me as OMECO MCO.

The EPSA becomes a silver platter bestowing undeserved financial advantage to OMCPC through the full instant payment of the unreasonably ridiculous True Cost Generation Rate (TCGR) without going into regulatory processes approved both by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the National Power Commission (NPC).

Under EPSA, the electricity coming from OMCPC's SAMARICA plant will be paid by MCOs at its total cost or TCGR, since EPSA is not covered by government subsidies. This will reach P16.67 to P20.70 per kilowatt hour (kWh) based on the P53.57 cost of crude oil. The EPSA in SAMARICA is an additional nail on the consumer’s cross as it gives a great advantage to OMCPC as I have said.

Still, we are fooling ourselves by adhering to this mindset: “Hindi baleng mahal (ang kuryente), basta walang brownout,” just to defend those people on top of the pedestal sponsoring or supporting and mum on the EPSA and giving the power provider a VIP treatment.

Even if the order is instantaneously deprived, we are denied the UCME Subsidy that we are entitled by law to enjoy, just to please and defend your political patron you keep on believing this foolish phrase you erroneously planted in your predisposed mind: “Hindi baleng mahal (ang kuryente), basta walang brownout.” Yes, the EPSA trampled our rights to enjoy our UCME Subsidy by requiring us to pay the OMCPC the full cost for the power supplied from the 20mw bunker-fired power plant per 12 January 2022 EPSA for the municipalities of San Jose, Magsaysay, Rizal, and Calintaan. This EPSA might also be proposed in other service areas of EC and that would spell further disaster.

Even those who are declaring then that, “Hindi baleng mahal (ang kuryente), basta walang brownout,” are now ranting over social media. They result in sarcasm and other gestures of anger. Only now they separate their principles from being a MCO and a political partisan. Having such a point or mindset, we all become part of the debacle we are in. Too late the hero.

All we must do is actively appeal to the national government to continue to include us and other off-grid island provinces in getting the subsidy even if we enter any emergency supply deal. Moreover, we also must assert the termination of the 24-MW SAMARICA PSA and immediately go on with the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) adjusted for the recent power demand. For the concerned power regulators to investigate or look into the alleged violations our sole power provider for the reportedly non-delivery of contracted capacities, among other issues.

Power and electricity must be available and affordable. Everything and anything in the middle is revolting.

We need a sustained supply of electricity, the same way we need it at affordable and reasonable prices.

One should not be sacrificed for the other.

------

(Photo: OMECO IEC)

 

 

A Filipina Peacebuilder

  

A friend, Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer or Iye, is the only female of the four 2023 Ramon Magsaysay awardees for her peace-building contributions. This year marks the 65^th anniversary of the so-called Nobel Prize of Asia.

Iye, whom I first met in 2005, is a Political Science Professor at the University of the Philippines (UP), where she has also served as the Director of the UP Third World Studies Centre, and Convener of the Program on Peace, Democratization, and Human Rights under the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies.

In 2015, she was the Chief Negotiator of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) in talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the Mindanao peace process.

Prof. Iye, helped us, while I was still a program coordinator for the Social Action Center of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose, coordinating the documentation and facilitation of a series of dialogues between the Mangyan leaders and Army Officers operating at that time here in Occidental Mindoro. We escorted Ms. Ferrer to visit the far-flung IC/ICCs and military camps for interviews to develop a Peace Manifesto between the Mangyan leaders, elders, and the Philippine Army Officers. It was in her capacity as the main convenor of the Sulong Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or Sulong CARHRIHL Network.

Finally, in 2005, a Covenant Between the 203^rd Brigade of the Philippine Army and the Pantribung Samahan sa Kanlurang Mindoro was signed by 203^rd Brigade Commander Col. Fernando Mesa and PASAKAMI Chairman Juanito Lumawig. It was held at the Chancery Building of the St. Joseph Seminary in San Jose.

The Covenant was an offshoot of a bloody incident we call the Talayob Massacre where the entire Mangyan family was fired upon by army soldiers from the 16th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines last July 21, 2003, in So. Talayob, Brgy. Nicolas, Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro. The victims who died from the indiscriminate firing were Roger Blanco who expired on the way to the hospital, his wife Oliva, who was then eight months pregnant, and their two sons John Kevin, 3, and Dexter, 2.

This tragic incident opened the fortunate partnership between PASAKAMI/AVSJ and the Sulong CARHRIHL Partner organizations in Manila where Mangyan leaders are always invited to various conferences on peace-building and other human rights-related activities and events in the national capital.

The Sulong CARHRIHL Network was instrumental in facilitating the drafting of the National Action Plan on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security that was subsequently adopted by the Philippine Government in 2010.

To my knowledge, even now, PASAKAMI is still a member of the network (now Sulong PEACE), where our IPs contribute to peace-building and constantly share their indigenous ways of peace-making on the center stage, so to speak.

I believe that Prof. Iye has an instinctual understanding that injustice is not an ally to peacebuilders.

This is what I learned from her: Peacebuilders are everywhere, and anyone can be one. Regardless of our differences. Regardless of gender.

--------

(Photo: Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Kuryenteng Abot-Kaya

Ipinabatid ni NEA Administrator Antonio Almeda noong ika-13 ng Hulyo, 2023 sa Board of Director ng OMECO na ayon umano kay ERC Chairperson Atty. Monalisa Dimalanta na hindi nito mabibigyan ang SAMARICA PSA ng Provisional Authority to Operate (PAO) dahil sa hindi pa umano nakukumpleto ng OMCPC ang dalawa sa tatlong component ng PSA, ang Diesel at Solar. Pabor na pabor ito sa OMCPC na sa kasalukuyan ay wala pang linaw kung kailan makukumpleto ang mga natitirang component ng kasunduan.

Kung walang PAO, brown out na naman ang aabutin ng mga bayan ng San Jose, Calintaan, Magsaysay at Rizal. Para maiwasan ang kawalan na naman ng kuryente sa mga nabanggit, iniutos ni Almeda sa OMECO BOD na hugutin ang naunang aplikasyon para dito at umpisahan nang makapasok sa EPSA o Emergency Power Supply Agreement (EPSA) ang OMECO. Tumalima naman agad sa atas ng pinuno ng NEA ang OMECO, siyempre dahil ito ang “mother agency” nila.  Noong ika-18 ng Hulyo, 2023, nagpalabas ang BOD ng isang Resolusyon nag-wi-withdraw sa aplikasyon ng PSA sa SAMARICA na nakahain sa ERC.

Papaano kaya tatanggapin ng mga lokal na lider natin ang hakbang na ito ni Administrator Almeda? Ganito ba talaga ang ibig nilang mangyari?

Ang tanging tumutol sa Resolusyon ay si BOD President Dr. Eleanor Sy- Costibolo sa paniniwalang hindi makatwiran na ipasa ito sa mga konsumidor at maging dagdag na pasakit-pinansiyal ito sa mga mamamayan sa mga nabanggit na bayan.

Sa kakapalabas na dissenting opinion sa kanyang objection sa pagpasok sa EPSA sa OMCPC, iginiit ni Sy-Costibolo na malinaw na paglabag ito sa sariling polisiya ng Energy Regulatory Board (ERC) na "One Plant, One Power Supply Contract". Papaano nga naman nagkaroon ng dalawang kasunduan sa ilalim ng iisang power plant? 

Ayon pa rin sa kanya, hindi makatarungan para sa mga konsumidor ang magbayad ng True Cost Generation Rate (TCRG) na walang competition, transparency at malinaw na accountability ng mga regulatory officials. Sasagka pa umano ito sa pagkamit ng ating pinakalalayon na mababang presyo at sustinableng serbisyo ng kuryente.

 Malinaw at tiyak na sa oras na tayo ay pumailalim sa EPSA, matapos ang mga dadaanang proseso, ang babayaran na natin ay TCGR. Meaning, ipapasa na sa ating mga konsumidor ang pabigat na patong na hindi bababa sa P5 kada kilowatt ng kuryenteng ating makukunsumo. Ito ay dahil sa ilalim ng EPSA, hindi na entitled ito sa subsidy mula sa gobyerno at hindi na rin mamumroblema gaano ang OMCPC sa pagsingil sa usapin ng subsidiya.

Nasa kritikal na tagpo tayo ngayon sa gitna ng dalawang nag-uumpugang bato. May isang paksyon sa ating lipunan na nagsasabing, “Hindi baleng mahal, basta walang brown out.” Sa isang panig ay may nagsasabing ang halagang ito ay hindi makatwiran at dagdag na pahirap sa mamamayan.

Nasa gitna tayo ng nag-uumpugang “Murang Dilim” at “Mahal na Liwanag”.

Saang panig kayo dito?

Noong nakaraang AGMA sa San Jose noong Mayo 28, na malaking porsyento ng mga dumalo ay taga-Sablayan, isinulong at pinagtibay, maliban sa ibang bagay, ang pagkakaroon ng espesyal na AGMA sa usapin ng EPSA at mga kaugnay na bagay upang kasapian ang magpasya.

Aming ipinamamanhik na sana, bago tuluyang pumasok sa EPSA, marinig muna ang hinaing at pagsang-ayon dito ng kasapian. Kung kaya, panawagan po na ilunsad kagyat ang espesyal na AGMA sa lalong madaling panahon, at tutulan ang anumang hakbang na lalong magpapahirap sa mga mamamayan. Kasihan nawa tayo ng BOD sa layong ito.

Noon ko pa sinasabi, mga 2002 pa, na ang puno at dulo ng ating nararanasan ngayon sa off grid system ay ang maka-korporasyong Electric Power Industry Reform Act o EPIRA. Noon pa man, ipinagmamalaki ng mga nagsusulong ng EPIRA na sa ilalim umano nito ay magkakaroon na ng ganap sa solusyon sa kawalan ng kuryente at ang mataas na halaga nito. Pabababain daw umano nito ang presyo ng kuryente. Ngayon, 20 percent lang ang demand ng off grid sa more or less 20,000MW sa buong bansa. Mumo lang ang natatanggap ng 38 off grid provinces tulad natin kasi nga ay 20 percent lang ang contribution natin. 

Kaya tama lang na isilong ang malawakang pagbusisi sa EPIRA at amyendahan kung kinakailangan kung hindi man tuwirang ibasura na!

Kaya hanggang ngayon ay nasa kumunoy pa rin tayo ng batayang mga probema ng suplay at mataas na bayarin. Habang sa ibang mga bansa sa Asya tumutugon na sa teknolohikal na pagpapataas ng antas at pagpapataas ng kalidad ng serbisyo, naka-bagak pa rin tayo dito sa Pilipinas sa usapin ng presyo at kawalang katiyakan sa power situation natin.

Muli, walang sawa na maglunsad tayo ng mga talakayan at kilos-bayan para sa pagsusuri sa usapin. Kung krisis ang dulot ng brown out, krisis din ang dulot ng pagkakaroon nito sa ‘di makatarungang halaga.

Sa mga katulad namin, hindi lang kuryente ang mahalaga, kundi liwanag na abot-kaya.

Hindi namin alam sa inyo…

------

(OMECO IEC)

Farewell, Councilor Obet

 

We laid to rest today, July 14, 2023, the remains of Hon. Roberto “Obet” C. Lim and this is the elegy written and delivered by his niece, Bernadette D. Ordenes during the necrological service at the Main Municipal Building, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro I am posting here in verbatim:

Dear Friends and family,

We are gathered here today in memory of our dear Hon. Roberto Cruz Lim who passed away on the 5th of July 2023. When we heard that he was no more we were shocked and saddened. Death has taken away a genuinely warm individual, more importantly, a loving husband and father, and deprived so many others, including us all, of a good friend. While we all mourn, we pay tribute and celebrate a life that was well lived. A life committed to public service with dedication, passion, and engagement as ever — working long hours, going the extra mile, and showing a level of caring for those that he served.  Not many leave behind a legacy of such dedication and accomplishment.

Roberto Cruz Lim was the youngest among 5 siblings namely: Conchita Villarama, Baby Vicente, Rogelio Lim, Elisa Hizon of Sixta Cruz, and Juanito Lim. He was born on February 15, 1955 in Sta. Cruz Manila, and spent his early life in the province of Angat, Bulacan. He acquired his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of the East Manila. He landed Sablayan Occidental Mindoro when his work was contracted to build the then Municipal Health Center in Buenavista. This is where he met and married his loving wife Mrs. Emma Dimayacyac Lim in 1987 and they were blessed with 3 children, Kristoffer Ian Lim, Karl Mikail Lim, and Kaori Mae Lim- Alvarez. He served as:

Barangay Treasurer of Barangay Buenavista from 1994 to 2000

Sangguniang Bayan Member from 2001-2004 – 3 years

Sangguniang Bayan Member from 2007-2016 – 9 years

Sangguniang Bayan Member from 2019-2023 – more than 4  years

He was also a member of:

Kappa Epsilon Fraternity from 1970 to present

Rotary Club of Sablayan President from 2005-2006

To his wife, he was a backbone and moral support. Even though, like every human, he erred once in a while, he always ensured he settled any differences they had in due time. He never drove her out nor considered leaving the marriage when they had misunderstandings, instead, he showed love and brought an aura of peace into the marriage. He supported her business drives and in return, she supported his political career. He created an environment where both were working together in family growth and proper upbringing of the children.

His consistent triumph in becoming a public official is a manifestation of how the people of Sablayan showed love and respect to Hon. Lim. He enjoyed the company of friends in the community, where he was respected as a leader and a reputable public servant.

Roberto fought till the last. His determination to carry on despite trying personal circumstances demonstrated his commitment to duties and responsibilities. In his own quiet and calm manner, he showed how to work through challenging times and to carry everyone along. 

Life can be fleeting. But a life lived to the fullest stays in fond memories. Roberto through his decorum and grace endeared himself to many. This is particularly a difficult and painful time for his family. In extending to them our heartfelt condolences, we wish them courage and strength to bear this irreparable loss.

Dear Tito Obet, you were a husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend to many, before death plucked you from our midst. Even though we are saddened by losing you, we take solace in the Word of God which says:

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies” – John 11:25

And we believe that you are living and resting in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

You will be missed by many!

------

(Photo: Jasper Francisco)

Ludy's Beauty (Parlor)

She was the town’s best hairdresser for decades but due to the silent outrage of COVID-19, her business perished. The pandemic is so devastating for those like her who make a living by touching people, literally speaking.

“At my age, I can still work but my passion and livelihood were lost as quick as a wink of an eye,” she says. In late 2019, Ludy’s Beauty Parlor was then transferred to Chua Commercial Complex which is adjacent to the Municipal Public Market from its former location for almost half a century along Rajah Soliman Street fronting Michael Shopping Center. At her age, this petite granny (she didn’t even reach 5 feet, I think.) is one of the towering figures in the business in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, this scribe’s place of birth.

Her parents, Pedro Reotan of Naga City and Marcela Razon of Manila, migrated to Pandurucan (San Jose’s name of yore) in the early 50s. Ludy was born in Manila on June 3, 1943. Her old man, from being a Malacañang Palace employee during the Philippine Commonwealth period, was assigned to Occidental Mindoro as part of the Philippine-American Program for Malaria Control in the Philippines. He was a Bicolano.

I was able to bump into her while attending the 70^th birth anniversary of Mrs. Liwayway Viaña Delas Alas, mother of Ma’am Roselle (Santos), my wife’s principal, last Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Grandiya Venue and Restaurant along the famous nighttime destination in town, the Aroma Beach Baywalk.

This historic beach is usually where Ludy brisk walks every morning. The place is very accessible to her for she and her husband Romy, a retired police officer, live in Nolasco Subdivision in the nearby Barangay Bubog. Romy and Ludy’s marriage produced three children: Ed, Julius or Jojo, and Ginalyn (now Santos). “I keep myself physically and mentally in top shape,” she says. Though she occasionally visits the doctor, unlike those seniors of her age, she was not prescribed any maintenance medicine.

With all her antics and as a frivolous, flighty person who can't keep still, she came to the birthday party donning Adidas rubber shoes, a neatly ironed checkered light brown polo, and black short pants. She danced around like a child to every music aired in that ship-shaped venue that afternoon.

Lourdes “Ludy” Reotan Villaflores, now 80 years of age, started putting up her parlor in the mid-70s. She took a Bachelor of Science in Education at the National Teachers College (NTC) upon the assertion of her parents to become a teacher, she enrolled at NTC which was opened to the student public on June 10, 1929, and was granted government recognition on February 17, 1930. But her true passion is fashion and not teaching. She opted for this vocational course than any academic one.

Against the will of her parents, the young lady in Ludy dropped her course at NTC and went to Samson Fashion School and took up Hairdressing, a vocational course and after two years, she got her diploma.

Ludy worked with the legendary Dory Acuña who was, in the late ’50s and early ’60s, the counterpart of today’s Ricky Reyes. She worked with Acuña who is considered during her time "the beautician of the stars". Ludy’s stint with the known beautician opened the opportunity for her to meet movie stars. She was frequently sitting on the set of movie director Pablo Santiago where she rubbed elbows with her favorite silver screen idols in the 60s, I was told.

“I love dressing somebody’s hair. Even today, when I go out for a walk or hear mass, I always bring along my comb and scissors with me. I hair-style my friends for free,” she said between laughs.  “To see someone look at themselves and smile gives me the most satisfaction imaginable,” says she.

In many of her Career Week speeches in different schools, she keeps on emphasizing the importance of doing what you love. There is dignity even in taking up vocational courses and that is what she always imparts to her young audiences.

“I could no longer cite the names of my customer-friends. They are too many to mention,” she said. “All I can say is that I am forever honored that they let me accentuate their beauty,” she said with her face aglow.

My short chat with her made me understand more these words from Kahlil Gibran: "Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart."

And there lies Aling Ludy’s true beauty.

Who Has the Say?

On classes’ suspension and cancellation when there is no TCWS, who has the say? Is it the DepEd or the LGU?

On May 30-31, 2023, there is a social media exchange about why a certain mayor not declaring suspension or cancellation of work on classes last May 30 to 31, 2023. Note that no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is issued by the Weather Bureau, including other related agencies on such dates.

On October 28, 2022, The Department of Education (DepEd) through spokesperson Michael Poa reminded the Local Government Units (LGUs) that they must implement the latest class suspension guidelines in times of typhoons and other calamities issued in September of that year, following Department Order 37 or the Guidelines on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Schools in the Event of Natural Disasters, Power Outages/Power Interruptions, and other calamities.

“DepEd is against the unnecessary cancellation of classes and the use of our schools as billeting areas for events that are not related to the curriculum,” Poa said in the statement. “Your [LGU’s] support affords uninterrupted class sessions for our learners, and helps our teachers avoid unnecessary make-up classes, which pose an additional burden to their teaching load.” It is perhaps in this context that Sablayan Mayor Bong Marquez refused to issue an order of cancellation of classes in his area of jurisdiction on said dates. The letter and intent of such a directive are to give the education department an order to guard against unnecessary abruption of classes.

The DepEd Guidelines state that "If heavy rainfall warning is issued at the time when classes have already begun, the SCHOOL shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home if it is safe to do so. However, SCHOOLS are obliged to keep the students and personnel safe in school if traveling has become unsafe. " (Capitalization, mine) "SCHOOL" here refers to the school administrator.

The decision of that Local Government to suspend or cancel classes must be based on the assessment of its local DRRMO anchored on the weather bulletin issued on a particular period. Without such scientific input, a decision is yet to arrive. The LGU should not prioritize the online noise and social media pressure from the public in their decision-making.

But many LGUs tend to give in to the social media pressure that arises when one LGU decides to suspend classes. This should not be the case considering the different hazards present in each locality or area of a municipality. The push should come from the respective DRRM councils based on scientific data and not from the rantings of netizens or social media personalities and influencers. 

Therefore, the suspension of classes cannot be solely based on the declaration of other LGUs. It cannot be the basis for it’s no longer based on scientific data provided, for instance, by the DRRMO of a municipality. The declaration by any LCE cannot be driven by social media pressure, by allies or foes, or even by assertions or ranting from teachers and parents. As I have said, there should have a factual and scientific basis for doing such.

We are imparting bad values to children that when it rains coupled with strong winds on a particular morning, the classes must be outrightly suspended. There are even adults, government employees included, that are wishing to suspend work just because there is bad weather or because it is raining hard. It even teaches the youth to easily submit to hardships later in life as an individual and as a citizen.

The respective mayors or officials from other LGUs have all the rights to declare any executive orders on their respective jurisdictions independently as an autonomous entity as provided by the Local Government Code and other existing laws.

Each LGU has its independent executive issuances to follow by its constituency. Each LCE has its wisdom in governance and decisions on certain concerns. Therefore, going with the bandwagon is a no-no in governance as well as in life.

Regardless of such an order whether from the school officials or the mayor, it is the parents or guardians who are primarily responsible for the safety of their children. 

In fairness to DepEd, there are a lot of school heads who do not wait for the issuance of the LGU or the weather bureau but already decided on their own to suspend classes considering their community’s vulnerability and other factors. There as many school heads that I know already issued a cancellation of classes on the night of May 29. Those are the responsible and learned school administrators that take the cudgels and took responsibility for not waiting for the decision of any other higher authority. They are worth commending and considered climate-change resilient educator heroes.

Even with the absence of such order, in whatever weather we are experiencing, it is our prime duty as parents or guardians to decide if we will allow our children to go to school or not, thinking primordially of their safety. It is our freedom of choice as parents or guardians, first and foremost to spare them from danger brought about by inclement weather.

It is not fair to say that those who do not issue such an order in this particular situation do not care for the school children. And in some instances, inclement weather can be politicized too.

Those who are lambasting the local official for not issuing or issuing such an order do not trust their safety officers or the DRRs most especially the mayor deciding this way. By the way, every LCE also sits as chair of the LGU’s DRRMO and there are also representatives from DepEd like principals and district superintendents.

Or it is more to our tendency of relying too much on politicians which is not always good.

--------

(Photo: Biennard Capiral)

Luningning De Jesus: Shining for Jesus

Down in History

She was born two years ahead when President Manuel L. Quezon was elected to the presidency. Quezon, as history taught us, became the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth, the administrative body that governed the country from 1935-1936.

Luningning De Jesus first unleashed her baby yelp when the Philippines was still under the Insular Government under US Governor-General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr and the Pope was Pius XI the pontiff who issued numerous encyclicals, including Quadragesimo anno.

Everybody’s Tia Ning was born on May 27, 1933, here in Sablayan, and is 90 years old now, alive, blabbing, and still hearing mass unaccompanied and receiving the Holy Eucharist. The Sablayan’s most adored nonagenarian was already 11 or so when World War II broke out and outlived 15 out of 17 presidents this country has.

She was by then 7 when the people of Sablayan elected their first-ever municipal mayor Pedro Gonzales.

This woman touched many lives, including mine. How do you remember Tia Ning?

Town’s Echo

Medel Bundang recalled Tia Ning as his religion teacher way back in his elementary days in the late 60s. “To her, from my point of view as a child, I think her way of teaching the subject is more than forming our faith but an invitation to a way of life,” says Bundang, 59, the town’s Human Resource Officer. Tia Ning started to work under Fr. Father Ludwig (Luis) Halász, SVD, the missionary who first came to Sablayan in 1958. Tia Ning spent almost all her life as a catechist together with the late Minerva “Tia Meny” Gallardo. 

Father Ronald Panganiban, present parish priest of Sablayan said that despite her age, though she is already retired, she is still active in various religious organizations like the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI), Catholic Women’s League (CWL) and Mother Butlers League (MBL), among others. The clergy said that she even received the Gawad San Sebastian, Huwarang Lingkod ng Simbahan bestowed by the parish on January 17 this year.

The word catechist comes from a Greek word meaning "to echo". True enough, this curly-haired little woman who has a stature like Mother Teresa of Calcutta echoed the Word of God to the children of the town whose patron saint is Sebastian. She was a full-grown lass of 20 when San Sebastian Parish church was canonically erected. From there she became every catechumen’s catechist in this Christian community in Occidental Mindoro.

Almost every prominent settler and resident in the town proper considered Tia Ning as one of their main travel companions in faith, keeping alive the memory of Jesus. As Pope Francis aptly puts it, "Catechists are people who keep the memory of God alive; they keep it alive in themselves and can revive it in others." The numerous priests who hailed from the place called Dongon of yore could very well attest to that.

Exemplary Spirituality

“She is my idol when it comes to spirituality,” narrates Flordeliza Paz or Tita Flor, who came to work as a government employee in Sablayan from Agkawayan, Looc in Lubang Island in 1973.

Tita Flor reiterates that Tia Ning’s devotion to Mary is worth emulating for she learned many examples from Mary, as a teacher and “model of catechists.” “Tia Ning’s ministry is especially enriched by her prayerful devotion to the Blessed Mother,” concludes Tita Flor who is also a member of the parish’s Lectorate Ministry. Like the Blessed Virgin, she is faithful to Jesus, the Light of the World.

Her fellow parish server, Sheryll Kenept (Naning), cannot forget how Tia Ning asserts herself to lead prayers before a dining table on every occasion. Her prayers are very long and religiously follow the sequence of Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. “Pero mahaba talaga. Gutom na gutom na ang mga kakain, hindi pa siya tapos magdasal. Grace before meals pa lang, parang rollo na sa Cursillo,” narrates Naning in jest. What is her membership in Cursillo (Spanish for “Short Course”) in Christianity and Apostolada ng Panalangin for? But Naning believes that her main secret to staying alive is her every day going to the Holy Mass, her devotion and everything follows like a stress-free mind and healthy lifestyle and all.

Naning is the daughter of equally illustrious Dr. Susana Diaz, the town's longtime physician, and past councilor.

Luningning Daprosa Orlina De Jesus’s spirituality defines who she is and what her life is all about.

Couple Shirts

Councilor Clarinda Lorenzo (nee Alvarez), 56, can still vividly remember Tia Ning and her late husband Leopoldo De Jesus, known in the neighborhood as Tio Polding, attending the mass donning clothes with identical color and design. She was so aristocratic with her elegant dress, complete with her signature handbag and lady shoes. Those were the days when couple shirts are still things of the future.

Like the lady councilor, our birthday granny also dived into politics. She was voted kagawad (councilor) of Barangay Poblacion and served her full term from 1998 to 2002 with Amable Urieta as the Punong Barangay, because, understandably, she is everybody’s Tia Ning.

“She sings like nightingale be it with the regular choir or during processions where she leads the singing,” recalls the local lady lawmaker who was once a teacher and a police officer. In SB Clarinda’s mind, such matching or complementary clothing of Polding and Ning gives a strong message: belonging, unity, and togetherness. Death did not separate Ning and Polding for in her heart, he lives eternally.

Though they are not used to wearing couple shirts, though a dozen of them were kept in their closet, Clarinda and her husband Edmon are trying to live up to such an example of being in love together, belonging in each other’s arms, and united by the bond of marriage, forever.

Birthday Bash

It started with a challenge or provocation, you may say. Mylen Lontoc, proprietor of the town’s famous Mylits Restobar along Medalla Boulevard told this scribe that when Tia Ning reached her 85^th birth anniversary in 2018, the retired catechist is very sickly. Her weight dropped and was not in the pink of health.

“Sinabi ko kanya, kapag umabot ka ng 90, libre venue mo sa Mylits. Basta magpalakas kayo at kumain ng mabuti,” (I told her, when you reach 90, you will have a free venue at Mylits. Just get strong and eat well.) the restaurateur assures her. 

Lo and behold, at 90, Tia Ning is very much alive to date, still praying and kicking!

Her Wishes

This is how she wants to be remembered, especially by the young generation:

“Gusto kong maalala ng mga kabataan ng Sablayan na minsan ay may taong kalakbay nila sa pananampalataya, namuhay nang simple at inilaan ang buhay sa paglilingkod sa Diyos at kapwa.” (I want the young people of Sablayan to remember that there was once a person who joined them in their journey of faith, who lived a simple life and devoted her life to serving God and others.) 

She fervently wished she will live long and continue to accumulate not earthly treasures but heavenly ones.  

It is a sure ball that many were invited to Mylits tomorrow and greet her and share this momentous moment with her. Wishing her good tidings and may she reach the century mark of life or even beyond.

Truly, Jesus loves those who make His light shine for the world.

------

(Photo: Mrs. Tina Paz)

Nuclear Energy from Occidental Mindoro?

Is Nuclear Energy a long-term solution to Occidental Mindoro Power Crisis? Is this technology safe?

In a Press Conference with the officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in San Jose last May 6, 2023, Congressman Leody “Odie” Tarriela announced that on May 18, 2023, Congressman Mark Cojuanco of Pangasinan, Chairman of the Special Committee on Nuclear Energy in the Lower House will be coming to the province to discuss the possibility of putting up a power plant in Sablayan. Tarriela even informed the attending municipal mayors that there is a possibility Occidental Mindoro would supply the remaining energy requirement of the entire Philippines.

The press conference is launched by the Occidental Mindoro Print and Broadcast Media chaired by Daisy Del Valle Leano who also acted as moderator at Season’s Hotel sponsored by Tarriela himself graced by Governor Eduardo B. Gadiano, Vice Governor Diana Apigo-Tayag, DILG Regional Director Karl Caesar R. Rimando and PD Juanito D. Olave, Jr., among many others.

Please take note that I am writing this piece as a social communicator, which I have been doing for around 20 years or so, and not in my capacity as an office-holder in the local government unit where I am presently employed.

By the way, DILG Usec. Marlo L. Iringan, CESO III was there for the launching of the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program in this western part of the island. It is an intensified and more holistic campaign against illegal drugs to reduce drug demand in the communities. The BIDA program’s main character is its adherence to existing laws, with high value for human rights and anchored on individuals' and communities' rehabilitation and socioeconomic development. The announcement of Tarriela on nuclear energy has nothing to do with BIDA but just conveys the consideration of the meeting on the schedules of the municipal chief executives present at the conference.

The country’s interest in nuclear power as an alternative source of energy started far back in 1973 but it was stopped before even it could take off. The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was the first and only nuclear power plant in Southeast Asia then was deferred due to safety issues. But on February 28, 2022, some four decades later, Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Executive Order No. 164 calling for the revival of the expedition of nuclear power sources as a national position.

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI), to mention just two, under Duterte, strongly supported the program. They believe that with the recent moratorium on establishing new coal-powered power plants, and the scarcity of renewable sources as the main source, there is a dire need for a reliable, base-load power source. It is expected to end the prevailing power shortage and meet the strong demand for clean energy. Director Carlo A. Arcilla of PNRI, along with Cong. Cojuanco, continues to push for nuclear projects in the land.

The strong support for nuclear energy is getting momentum. Many policy-makers in the power industry, under Duterte and even today under Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. believes that it can cheapen the high cost of growing energy in the country. As Duterte’s successor, the sitting president is bent on building new power plants in the next six years of his administration. “In the area of nuclear power, there have been new technologies developed that allow smaller scale modular nuclear plants and other derivations thereof,” the president said in his latest SONA.

Duterte’s EO 162 cites that 65% of Filipinos are in favor of building new nuclear power plants (NPPs). The Philippines, in this regard, is considering advanced small modular reactors (SMRs), including floating SMRs, from the United States, South Korea, and Russia, given the archipelagic nature of the country. DOE predicts that SMR deployment could come as early as 2027-2028, according to this report.

Reportedly, a certain company called NuScale Power Corporation already expressed its interest in investing in Occidental Mindoro and in Palawan. The company claims that they are the global leader in SMR technology.

During the forum or consultation come May 18, addressing the critical and crucial hazard and safety issues is essential. We all know nuclear waste will be generated by these SMRs, if ever. Also, there must be a clear-cut answer on how the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Occidental Mindoro, or Sablayan in particular, could affect our being a periodic host to typhoons and other climate-related incidents. We must also consider the presence of the Aglubang River Fault traversing our island.

Hence, there must be an assurance from the national government that the host province or municipality must be spared from disaster brought about by the NPP through an implementable geologic disposal scheme. 

There are still things to be done on the part of Cong. Tarriela and the rest of the members of Congress, especially the members of said special committee, if in case. They need to legislate a comprehensive nuclear law that will replace the outdated nuclear regulatory laws which in existence a long-time ago when "Sabel was still young", so to speak.

Both sources, solar and nuclear, are clean energy for they do not emit carbon dioxide, but nuclear energy might come with human and environmental dangers that cannot be rewarded by the electricity it can generate. Including the assurance of free electricity for the host LGU. Neither did the ending of a power crisis that its proponent promised. The non-existent geothermal plant of Emerging Power Inc. (EPI) assured us of the same some years back. Which in reality became a broken promise.

This signals the beginning of the democratic discourse on whether Occidental Mindoro or the country, in general, will finally go thread the path to nuclear power. Discourses and debates on hosting NPP would get Occidental Mindoro again in newspaper headlines and television coverages, for sure. 

Meanwhile, the issue at hand is the total overhaul of the prevailing power play in the local power sector that causes us decades-long of deprivations which is not yet over until it is over.

---------

(Photo: MIO-San Jose)

Of Sex Reveal, Aroma del Sol, and Anti-Brownout Rally

 

I was with my whole family, together with my sister-in-law, at Aroma Beach when the Oksi Walang Power Movement holds a rally at the San Jose Municipal Plaza last Saturday, April 15, 2023. We gathered for the sex reveal of my first-ever grandchild who is still in the tummy of my daughter.

Our venue is called Aroma Del Sol Café and it's the coziest watering hole in that area today. They offer delicious food, music, and spirit. It’s a perfect venue for any rendezvous. My son-in-law, who came from a family of food entrepreneurs in Carmona is very much impressed with the menu including the ambiance. True to their catchphrase, Aroma Del Sol Café is truly “your relaxing place under the sun with captivating seascape caressed by the sea breeze.” It is fronting the Tamaraw Sculpture Fountain at the Aroma Board Walk here in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. I guarantee you, their servings are all mouth-watering.

Take note, I call it “sex-reveal” and not the usual “gender reveal”. Those who are familiar with Gender and Development (GAD) need not be explained why. Well, as we have studied, sex refers to “the different biological and physiological characteristics of males and females, such as reproductive organs, chromosomes, hormones, etc.” In short, sex is permanent.

Gender on the other hand refers to "the socially constructed characteristics of women and men – such as norms, roles and relationships of and between groups of women and men. Not even the most advanced CT scanning machine nor MRI technology could reveal or tell the gender of the child in his or her mother’s womb. If it is socially constructed, gender, therefore, is not permanent.

Ergo, sex, and gender are not interchangeable. They are not the same. But “gender” or “sex”, all we want is to have the baby arrive safely and our beloved Anawim in good health.

The day when the vice governor is being interviewed by broadcast journalist Mariboy A. Ysibido over 102.5 Care FM and reacting to the previous interview with the president of the OMECO Board, the expectant mother, my middle child, went to E. Asuncion Medical and Diagnostic Center for an ultra-sound scan. That was only last week.

While the anti-brownout mass action at the plaza is unfolding, we sat in the pre-baby celebration like what the Americans do. The little cake takes the invisible center stage and limelight on the café’s dining table surrounded by different drinks and dishes. The feeling of surprise dwells in our hearts

My youngest told me that such a reveal is a trend in pre-baby parties today even in our country. It’s a sensational hit for every “my day” on social media. She pointed to me that the cake contains a blue or pink filling or icing inside which will reveal the sex (or gender if you truly wish) of the baby.

Immediately after my wife said graces, Aldie, the future father, called the waitress and asked for a knife. He sliced the little mocha-colored cake from its red box. The moment he drew the knife from the pastry, a tint of pink stained the blade.

It’s a girl!

At that little corner of the Aroma Del Sol Café, we cheered and grin at each other. We celebrated because just four months from now, a darling baby girl will add life and meaning to each of our lives as a family.

“Can I suggest a name?” I broke the merriment. Suddenly, a group of youngsters entered the café. They are wearing white T-shirts. I assume that they came from the anti-brownout rally held at the town proper that night.

Thinking of combining the charm and beauty of Lady Di and the wit and wisdom of Mrs. Roosevelt, the First Lady, I jokingly blurted out, “How about Diana Eleanor?”

They all yowled in disagreement and threw angry stares at me.

Whatever will be her name, I might lovingly call her Gagay.

Oratio Voluntarium Against Brownout in Occidental Mindoro

 

I will compose a prayer for the very first time in my life today.

The Latin oratio imperata means “obligatory prayer” and on several occasions, especially during impending natural disasters or calamities, the Catholic church comes up with this prayer to be recited in every religious gathering. On January 2020, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) sought divine protection “against the COVID-19 virus that has disturbed and claimed many lives.”

The prayer was recited in English and many Filipino languages and it became part of the Eucharistic Celebration (online and on-site) and was nearly memorized, if not learned, by most of us, Catholics. In February 2023, the prayer was lifted since the height of the pandemic is gradually declining.

Here is a little catechesis on the subject: oratio imperata are short prayers that church authorities may ask the faithful to recite publicly, especially in times of grave danger and calamities, in the hope that God would stoop to listen and prevent potential harm to the community. I am of opinion that the massive power outage that we are experiencing brings harm to the people of Occidental Mindoro. Pardon me but I consider this a corporate-driven superstorm caused by the inutility of the power utilities involved, from top to bottom, that equally deserves an oratio imperata.

The power crisis issue had already been muddled. It became an interplay of theatrics coming from all ends,- the political fences, the corporate hocus-pocus, the arrogance of those who are well-versed in the issue, the indifference and the unwillingness of the consumers to objectively study the issue, et cetera. But very glaring is the silence of our local church.

Are man-made calamities not qualified for an oratio imperata? Why? Reverends, please educate me on this. 

With the absence of an oratio imperata on brownouts, I will be writing and reciting my prayer for deliverance in these darkest hours of our province and I will call this oratio voluntarium, as against oratio imperata. It is voluntary rather than obligatory. Who I am to obligate someone to recite a prayer in the first place? Only church officials can do that. I will write my oratio voluntarium below hoping that somebody would voluntarily recite it also for the intention.

If this situation of incessant power outages in our province is considered a tempest or a superstorm, we can always turn to Jesus who calmed the storm at sea while His disciples were screaming to death in dismay, fear, and anxiety. Just like us today.

The brownout that we are experiencing is considered a perfect storm. It devastates our lives and livelihood. It has socio-psychological evil effects on our people especially those who are members of the vulnerable sectors including children and seniors. It became a threat to both our physical and mental health as it greatly impedes development and progress and it’s a great shame to us as human beings with dignity, and having God’s image. It broke us as a people of God and as citizens. It divides us to no end like the doomed flock of Zechariah. We are living in the darkest era in our local history where people are captive by either inutility or corruption of all those in the power industry sector, both local and national.

I already wrote volumes and wasted gallons of my saliva opposing and exposing this power crisis in my late 20s since the early 90s as a young lay worker and social advocate, and social communicator of our local church. Now that I am old, I will just resort mainly to prayers. I cannot be an instigator of protest actions anymore unlike before. I will just work on the sideline. There are things that I cannot understand anymore. I surrender this problem to the Lord as I plan to buy a power generator set in the next few days, finally. It has already become an eternal legal and technical roaming around the bush. The resource speakers in legislative hearings and fora become like dogs chasing in circles their own tails!

This coming April 15, there will be a protest action in San Jose initiated by the Oksi Walang Power Movement, I pray and morally support its young organizers from a distance in this struggle. 

This hellish situation is bigger than me and all of us. All I can do actively now is recite my oratio voluntarium which reads as follows:

“Almighty Father, we adore You in gratitude for the gift of electricity, for its discovery and creation. We thank You for Your providence in filling us with our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

We turn to You, our Loving Father and beg for forgiveness for our sins, especially our greed, indifference, arrogance, and pride. May all those from the energy sector prioritize service over profit and may they experience a metanoia.

We pray to You for protection from the ill effects of brownouts and the reformation of those in power utilities and agencies to think first of the people’s welfare rather than laws and policies that are trampling the electric consumers’ lives and livelihood, personhood, and dignity. May we enjoy all the energy coming from You that You entrusted to them by their agencies and sectors.

Give us light and keep us all safe and far from harm these risky and darkest days and always. Please give us the light of the spirit and our physical lives. May the forces of darkness vanish from the face of the earth.

We ask this through Your Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.”

When we pray as a community, obligatory or voluntary, we become children of Light. That is the pastoral and prophetic challenge to the church. That is what Jesus taught us. The same Jesus who cleansed the temple and angrily drove the greedy and unscrupulous business people away!

-----

(Photo: Pamibi.com)

 

Dear Batch '78

Allow me to begin with these words from H. Jackson Brown, Jr.: “Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends.”

After 45 years, we remain the same, valuable antiques. We, individually, are antiques who has varied past or historical significance, which can sometimes add to our overall value as human being, in our different capacities,- work, family, beliefs, persuasions, both political and religious, and so on. But three major things would define who we are. We are all survivors, of sickness and turmoil. We are all achievers in the eyes of those who love us, and we are the Batch 1978. (Regardless if you are around at Cunanan's  or Tamisan from March 4 to 5 or not.)

We parted ways and lived our own lives after high school, but this occasion streamed us together. At this very moment.

After 45 years, we are now different people. We no longer smell the same as before. Girls no longer smell like inexpensive perfume but like liniment. You do not carry slambook in your bags but maintenance medicines.

That boy thing no longer stands tall when we comb our hair but keenly observes when we tie our shoes. At this age when the only hardest thing in the morning is standing up from bed.

We were taught by the same teachers. We all bivouacked in Tugtugin, We all watched Bruce Lee films at Golden Gate Theater, Charles Bronson movies in Levi Rama, and "bomba" films in Gem or Guy and Pip flicks in El Mundo. Those were the days, unlike today in the day of cellphones with cameras when we queue at Sam-Pris, La Guardia, V-Art Studio, or Nelen’s Art for a groupie or a selfie.

We are very lucky that we reached the year 2023 and this era of advanced or modern technology that we experience today as senior citizens. But let us pray to those souls, teachers, and classmates, who have not reached this far. I would not mention them here. Just say their names in our prayers.

We all sing to the tunes of The Carpenters and Freddie Aguilar. We enjoyed Lipps candy, Timbura, and Banana Cue, and swigging gin at Monien during our school days, but when we separated after leaving the "original" San Jose High School, each one went his or his way.

We spread throughout the province, the rest of the Philippines, or the world and invaded other places in the country. Some preferred to stay here but our commonality hinges on the fate that we were gratefully accommodated by the fullness of life and the grace of God.

Volcanic eruptions, the proliferation of heinous crimes both of lawless elements and the law enforcers themselves, the earthquakes, floods, internal conflicts, and COVID-19, and our individual medical, familial, or personal issues. All the tragedies, natural or otherwise, that occurred in the long 45 years of our existence and all humanity in general, were not able to stop us from the coming of the old friends here today celebrating and sharing life with all memories and giving thanks.

We graduated high school in the year when the boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and vice-president and education secretary Sara Z. Duterte was born. We even graduated high school two years before Eat Bulaga was first put on the air.

Abroad, the now familiar rainbow flag as a symbol of LGBTQ+ was first flown in San Francisco in 1978. But it was also the year when my namesake, the great illustrator Norman Rockwell passed away. As a boxing fan, let me include that Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks fought twice in 1978 and they won apiece. Ali regained his lost greatness after that shameful upset from Spinks.

The memories of our past encourage us to succeed in the respective lines which we had chosen. To continue to live life. But as we travel longer in life, there are times when we, as individual pieces of artifacts in an archive of life and humanity, meet momentarily somewhere, sometimes face to face, sometimes virtual, sometimes together, and sometimes converge upon the same museum, so to speak, as we create power in our own way. A power in friendship.

We are each other’s and the world’s most valuable antiques. Because we are friends.

Forever.

------

(Photo: Dr. Marilyn S. Pille, D.Ed.)