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Saturday, November 1, 2008
Jollibee, McDonalds management not affected over use of their company names for Cemeteries
SAN PABLO CITY – The two giant Fast food companies here namely Jollibee and McDonalds are not affected negatively by the common practice of people in this city to call two “rival” cemeteries as “Jollibee” and “McDonalds.”
A Crew Officer of Jollibee who identified himself as “Jes Rain” told the Barangay Newsweekly Wednesday that their company remains very productive in terms of customers and there was no indication that business slowed down.
“What I know is that the use of our company’s name is for people to locate without difficulty the said memorials. Our crews are also benefited because when somebody orders food products from those areas, customers would just say: ‘our house is few meters away from or before “Jollibee” (San Pablo Memorial Park).’”
The other memorial just opposite “Jollibee” is called “McDonalds” (or San Gabriel Memorial Garden).
“If the use of our company’s name is to help people facilitate their smooth and easy identification of the place and not any way violating or intended to malign our company’s identity, then it would just be alright,” a McDonalds’ San Pablo Branch officer who requested anonymity told the Barangay Newsweekly by phone.
The McDonald spokesman admitted that he did not even know that such practice is happening in San Pablo City. “Our food business remains strong since its establishment in the city. Sa palagay ko okay lang yan kung nakakatulong naman sa mga tao (I guess it’s just okay if it (use of McDo) would be at the service of the people.”
Jes Rain said, this practice of the San Pablenos is just a testimony that we are very popular in the consciousness of the people. And we are happy to know that we are being treated as “co-equal” or one which can be competitive of the food chain giant Mc Donalds.
The San Pablo Memorial Park and San Gabriel Memorial Garden are both located just after Teomora Village, Brgy. San Gabriel, which is about one kilometer away from the city proper.
There are two other cemeteries in the city which are also being named after two popular restaurants/food chains in the locality. One is “Prosperity Restaurants” in reference to the centuries-old San Pablo City Public Cemetery located along M. Leonor St. Cor. Maharlika Highway. The other one is the Himlayang San Pableno cemetery located at Brgy Wawa (Del Remedio), near the railroad area. It is called “Welcome” in reference to Welcome Restaurant located at the heart of the city.
Residents said, most of those who can’t afford the high cost of burial in the other three cemeteries are usually buried here.
The practice of naming the cemeteries with aliases, according to residents, started with the PSAF (Police Special Assistance Force) who made it easier for them to assign escorts to funeral processions by using short names of popular food chains rather than the cemeteries’ lengthy names.
The PSAF had noticed that San Gabriel Memorial Garden’s main gate is an Arc shape resembling the famous McDonald’s Arch symbol, this gave them the idea to use McDo as its name. What followed was the assigning of names for the rest of the cemeteries.
Meanwhile, the Parish of St. Gabriel Archangel, in Brgy. San Gabriel has announced its schedule of Masses in the parish Church and in the cemeteries and subsequent simultaneous blessings of all the tombs right after each Mass in the cemetery on All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
On All Saints Day, November 1, the First Mass is at 7:45 am at the Parish Church; Second Mass at 2:00 pm at the San Pablo Memorial Park (Jollibee); and Third Mass at 3:00 pm at San Gabriel Memorial Garden (McDo). On All Souls Day, the First Mass is at 7:45 am and second Mass at 6:30 pm both at the parish Church in San Gabriel.
FR. ROMULO PONTE
A Crew Officer of Jollibee who identified himself as “Jes Rain” told the Barangay Newsweekly Wednesday that their company remains very productive in terms of customers and there was no indication that business slowed down.
“What I know is that the use of our company’s name is for people to locate without difficulty the said memorials. Our crews are also benefited because when somebody orders food products from those areas, customers would just say: ‘our house is few meters away from or before “Jollibee” (San Pablo Memorial Park).’”
The other memorial just opposite “Jollibee” is called “McDonalds” (or San Gabriel Memorial Garden).
“If the use of our company’s name is to help people facilitate their smooth and easy identification of the place and not any way violating or intended to malign our company’s identity, then it would just be alright,” a McDonalds’ San Pablo Branch officer who requested anonymity told the Barangay Newsweekly by phone.
The McDonald spokesman admitted that he did not even know that such practice is happening in San Pablo City. “Our food business remains strong since its establishment in the city. Sa palagay ko okay lang yan kung nakakatulong naman sa mga tao (I guess it’s just okay if it (use of McDo) would be at the service of the people.”
Jes Rain said, this practice of the San Pablenos is just a testimony that we are very popular in the consciousness of the people. And we are happy to know that we are being treated as “co-equal” or one which can be competitive of the food chain giant Mc Donalds.
The San Pablo Memorial Park and San Gabriel Memorial Garden are both located just after Teomora Village, Brgy. San Gabriel, which is about one kilometer away from the city proper.
There are two other cemeteries in the city which are also being named after two popular restaurants/food chains in the locality. One is “Prosperity Restaurants” in reference to the centuries-old San Pablo City Public Cemetery located along M. Leonor St. Cor. Maharlika Highway. The other one is the Himlayang San Pableno cemetery located at Brgy Wawa (Del Remedio), near the railroad area. It is called “Welcome” in reference to Welcome Restaurant located at the heart of the city.
Residents said, most of those who can’t afford the high cost of burial in the other three cemeteries are usually buried here.
The practice of naming the cemeteries with aliases, according to residents, started with the PSAF (Police Special Assistance Force) who made it easier for them to assign escorts to funeral processions by using short names of popular food chains rather than the cemeteries’ lengthy names.
The PSAF had noticed that San Gabriel Memorial Garden’s main gate is an Arc shape resembling the famous McDonald’s Arch symbol, this gave them the idea to use McDo as its name. What followed was the assigning of names for the rest of the cemeteries.
Meanwhile, the Parish of St. Gabriel Archangel, in Brgy. San Gabriel has announced its schedule of Masses in the parish Church and in the cemeteries and subsequent simultaneous blessings of all the tombs right after each Mass in the cemetery on All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
On All Saints Day, November 1, the First Mass is at 7:45 am at the Parish Church; Second Mass at 2:00 pm at the San Pablo Memorial Park (Jollibee); and Third Mass at 3:00 pm at San Gabriel Memorial Garden (McDo). On All Souls Day, the First Mass is at 7:45 am and second Mass at 6:30 pm both at the parish Church in San Gabriel.
FR. ROMULO PONTE
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Jubilee Celebration of the San Pablo Catechists
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Bishop-Peasant Forum 2008
Hacienda Yulo Farmers Alliance (HYFA) leader Romeo Olaez speaking during the Bishop-Peasants Forum led by Laguna Bishop Leo M. Drona, DD, the Diocesan Social Action Center, peasant leaders & members with the presence of some government representatives including officers and elements of the Philippine Army on Friday (October 24) in Sta. Cruz town. Olaez expounded in detail during the assembly, among others, issues involving Laguna farmers particularly those tilling inside Hacienda Yulo. He also expressed group demands for the extension of CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program), violence inflected against farmers struggling for land reform the failure of the the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Arroyo Government to help solve their land problems. The bishop and the Social Action director in their turn reminded the about 1000 farmers and multisectoral group members to always apply the peaceful means in seeking redress for their various predicaments and promised that more dialogues and consultations would be conducted in the future for more and various other sectors to give them venue to communicate their difficulties to the proper authorities. Video shot by FR. ROMULO O. PONTE
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tatlong Obispo, 32 mga pari, mahigit 1124 katekista,mga madre sa Ruby Jubilee ng mga katekista
CALAMBA CITY – Ang Diosesis ng San Pablo, Laguna ay nagdiriwang ng ika-Apat na pong taong (40) selebrasyon or Ruby Jubilee ng Catechetical ministry na maghapong dinaluhan ng tatlong Obispo, tatlong po’t dalawa (32) ka mga pari, at mga isang libo’t isang daan at dalawampu’t apat na mga katekista na ginanap kahapon Lunes sa Montevista Hotspring Resort sa Pansol, lungsod ng Calamba.
Ang mga Obispong dumalo ay Kinabilangan nina Kagalanggalang Obispo Leo M. Drona, Obispo retirado Pedro N. Bantigue at Obispo Bernardino C. Cortez, Auxiliary Bishop ng Manila Arsidiosesis.
Sinimulan ang maghapon hanggang hatinggabing selebrasyon kahapon (Lunes, Oktubre 27, 2008) sa motorkada ng mga katekista sa mga alas siyete ng umaga mula sa mga bayan ng San Pedro at Santa Maria patungo sa pinagdausang lugar sa Montevista, Calamba City.
Sinundan ito ng Misa Konselebrada sa pamumuno ni Obispo Drona kabilang ang dalawang Obispo at mga miyembro ng San Pablo Clergy.
Tampok sa pagabihang Ruby Jubilee Celebration ang panayam ni Obispo Cortez na tumalakay ng “Retrospect and Prospects in Catechetical Ministry and Life” at ang panayam ni Msgr. Gerry Santos na masiglang tumalakay ng “Updates on Catechesis and Commitment.”
Sangayon kay Padre Totsie C. Ubarco, ang Diocesan Catechetical Director at pinakapinunong abala sa buong selebrasyon, ang pinakamabigat na hamon ng mga katekista sa kasalukuyan ay kung paano nila maituro sa mga batang estudyante ang mga pangaral ng simbahan at maisagawa ito sa konkretong buhay.
Sa mahalagang Jubilee Celebration na ito minabuti ring isinagawa ang pagbigay parangal sa pinakamatiyaga, pinakamatanda at pinakamahabang nagturo bilang katekista sa buong diosesis na nagsimulang nagturo nuong katorse anyos pa lamang siya bago ang Second World War.
Siya’y si Lola Cesaria o’ “Nanay Saria” Tetular, otsenta y siyete anyos (87), balo, na nakatira sa brgy Bautista sa Parokya ng San Gabriel Arkanghel, Lungsod ng San Pablo. At sinabi niya na wala pa siyang balak magretiro sa pagkakatekista.
Sa programang umabot ng halos hating gabi na ng umaga naaliw ang lahat nang sumayaw ang pari at mga madre ng Missionary Catechists of St. Therese (MCST) ng modernong sayaw sa bulwagang pinagdausan.
Itinampok din bilang panghuling pasiklab ang Raffle Draw at pagkorona ng Ginoo at Ginang Katekista na kung saan nanalo ang candidate ng District IV sa Baybay Area ng Laguna. FR. ROMULO O. PONTE
Monday, October 27, 2008
Good Governance Movement Refused to Support any candidate for 2010
San Pablo City—Maintaining its position to remain as a tool for awareness and a movement to raise consciousness among voter citizens in the coming national elections in 2010, the Movement for Goood Governance (MGG) convenors refused to support any candidate for the coming elections despite proddings from participants and media personnel for the group to be truthful and transparent. Celia Conducto-Lopez, national coordinator of the Movement, told reporters on Monday’s press conference here that the MGG would not fill any candidate for any political positions but it supports candidates who may have the potentials of promoting good leadership and governance. Lopez mentioned some few Political leaders worth emulating namely: Governor Fr. Among Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, Governor Grace Padaca of Nueva Ecija and the like. Dr. Tomas Meneses, educator and businessman and spokesperson of the MGG on his part admitted that Makati City mayor Jejomar Binay was an old friend being a fellow former street parliamentarian and has good qualities as a leader, he did not categorically state that the movement supports him as candidate for any political position. Lopez, clarified that as a Movement, there is no official declaration that any candidate is being groomed for 2010. Romulo Ponte |
MOVEMENT FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE, LAUNCHED
San Pablo City, Laguna/October 27, 2008- The Movement for Good Governance was launched here today by a group of Filipinos most of whom were veteran street parliaments of the 80’s.
In a press conference held at Max’s Restaurant along Maharlika Hiway, Brgy. San Francisco, Mrs. Celia Conducto-Lopez, a businesswoman from this city and the national coordinator of the Movement said “Good governance leads to good management in the delivery of basic social services.”
Aside from Lopez, others who belong to the movement’s convenor group and acting as coordinators are Philip Araneta of Batangas; Roy Cervantes for Region 5; Rey Lacunas for Albay; Abner Lim for Quezon; Atty. Alvin Arevalo for Region 4B; Atty. Gil Sotto for Laguna; Bro. Criz Bagsic for Religious group; Evangeline Mendoza, deputy national coordinator of UNORKA (Ugnayan ng mga Nagsasariling Organisasyon sa Kanayunan) for People’s Organization; and Tom Meneses , spokesman for the Movement.
Also present as convenors include Mr. Eve Jalos of UNORKA member.
“Good governance also means good stewardship of public money and good public engagement which ultimately results to good outcomes for all the stakeholders,” said Lopez.
According to Lopez, the Filipinos has to act now saying in vernacular, “Dapat makialam ka na!”
“For more than twenty years after Edsa I, we’ve been dreaming for a good governance. But all we got is unstoppable graft and corruption by the men and women we call mga utusan ng bayan in almost all government offices,” Lopez said.
“Bad governance is being increasingly regarded as one of the root causes of all evil within our societies,” Lopez added.
Lopez said, good governance in some cities of the country are no longer a dream. She cited some of the few local government executives she believes practices good governance in their area-Fr. Ed Panlilio, governor of Pampanga and Grace Padaca of Nueva Ecija.
Future plans activities of the Movement includes holding of seminars and forums advocating good governance to different schools, colleges and universities.
Meanwhile, TAMA NA! SOBRA NA! MAKIALAM KA NA! according to MGG serves as the battlecry of the Movement for Good Governance during the press conference on its launching here.
Lopez said , the Filipinos have been wanting for the realization of good governance in the country after Edsa I.
" Good governance leads to good management in the delivery of basic social services . It’s the under priviledge who needs to be cared by the government because the haves can take care of themselves,” Lopez said.
The convenor group encouraged the media present on the said event to join the Movement since , The voices of the Filipino people must be heard-Yes to good governance! No corruption!”
Romulo Ponte
Peasants appealed for government and Church's help during the Bishop-Peasants Forum
STA. CRUZ, LAGUNA --- Farmers, industrial workers, fishermen, women who expressed various problems subjected to their respective sectors have appealed for help from the government and the Church for the solution if not the end of their long-time struggle against poverty and social injustice during the church-initiated Bishop-Peasant Forum on Friday here.
The forum initiated by the Diocesan Social Action Center of the Diocese of San Pablo facilitated the dialogue and exchange of views, grievances, proposals between leaders of the multi-sectoral groups, namely farmers, industrial workers, fishermen, women and the government represented by the Office of the President (Malacanang), Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Church represented by Don Bosco Bishop Leo M. Drona and Social Action Director Fr. Rene B. Eriga.
Among most thought provoking discourses during the Forum was the one rendered by Romeo "Ka Romy" Olaez of the Hacienda Yulo Farmers Alliance (HYFA) of Canlubang , Calamba City where he revealed and presented statistics of rich people using their influences and power to manipulate the lands they and ancestors had been tilling for decades and the government's failure to protect them from being harassed and exploited.
Olaez said, the land they and their forefathers had been farming since 1905 actually involved 8,000 hectares which their ancestors had been paying taxes to the Americans during the US-controlled government in the country. It was in 1948 that the land suddenly became the property of the Madrigal Family and eventually became the property of the Yulo family.
The Yulo patriarch who became Mayor and Administrator of Calamba City had successfully applied for the re-classification of the "Yulo Lands" in 1993 from being Agricultural into Industrial, Commercial and Residential.
Today, said property or parts of it is now being claimed by another owner since the land became converted into Industrial, Commercial and Residential in 1993.
From that year on, farmers and their families had been subjected to various forms of harassments and violence. They also read in the papers and heard in different news that "NUVALI Project, Aurora, Eton City" will soon be established in the area to dabbed as "New Makati in the South".
Prior to the talk of Olaez, his fellow farmers including women and youths presented in artistic display their sad and bitter ordeal as people being forced to vacate their farms of about 100 years in the "name of progress."
The farmer leader also aired complaints that they have no assurance for CARP extension from the house bill 4077 which is supposed to be benefiting the farmers.
He also aired farmers' continued problem with DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform) and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo they seemed not to be addressing the Farmers concerns. "We have lots of unused land areas which we can use but there has been no permission for us to work since there is no law that will support our claim."
"We are thankful for the support given by the Diocese of Laguna and local officials supporting us in our rights and claims. Special thanks to Bishop Leo Drona and Fr. Rene Eriga [SAC] director and all the priests involved in this endeavour."
Another provocative discourse was the one delivered by Labor Union Leader Noel Alemania who expressed how the Government contradicts itself from the Constitution in dealing with workers in the country. He cited an example of workers' harassment by those in power like the big companies, his colleague and former president of their Union at Nestle Philippine in Cabuyao town (Diosdado Fortuna) was shot to death.
He also expressed workers fears and disappointments as their ranks have been subjected to all kinds of repressions and violence each time they went to the streets for their legitimate demands.
He also expressed dismay that as though companies and government institutions at present have connived to enforce contractualization policy and prohibited their rights to create a labor Union that will be against the Company's interest.
He said that government are even protecting the companies against the workers suffering from companies injustices. Nestle for example was given protection by the government by putting a police detachment at the company's site. Such practices are also the same at Toyata wherein a Police detachment was placed inside the company's compound for the company's protection against the mal-treated workers.
Many of the workers as are suffering from forced labor rendering work beyond 8 hours. There were also cases wherein Leaders of Labor Unions were brutally killed for fighting for the workers' rights and welfare.
The labor leader appealed to the Bishop, the Social Action Center, government personnel (represented by under-secretary Seguerra) and the military present (202nd Brigade Commander Col. Tristan Kison and Col. Ricardo Visaya based in Laguna) during the forum to organize regular dialogues/consultations like this one so that they would be given venues for mutual understanding with authorities and to give them opportunities to ventilate their problems.
Another farmer leader from Pila, Laguna Jojo Gonzales Province of Laguna in his talk, revealed that the province which used to be abundant of its natural resources has now been reduced into a place where farmers have limited areas to cultivate or to apply agriculture due to the conversion of agricultural lands into industrial, commercial, residential lands. "There is lack of government support for the farmers of Laguna, who are now bracing with economic difficulties."
Representing the Women Sector, Sis. Bombet Malinao of Calamba City expounded on the role of women in society. She said, the women in the society have shared their husbands responsibility in supporting the family and children. Hence, said most of the private and public offices including businesses have been ruled by women. She also presented the women sector's concern in the society particularly concerns like the lack of education, poverty, unemployment, peace and order situation and the like.
The forum which started at past 9:00 am on Friday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Sta. Cruz, Laguna and ended at about 3:00 pm, was also participated in by students from the Laguna State Polytechnic University, Sta. Cruz Campus who performed cultural presentations during an intermission portion of the day. The total number of participants is estimated at about 1,000.
The nuns of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus and the host parish of the Immaculate Conception led by Fr. Ricardo De Luna and parish personnel were also on hand to support the half-day activity.
The women also presented their all-female dance numbers prior to the talk delivered by the women leader Ms. Malinao.
The Hacienda Yulo farmers who came in full force presented the most heart-stunning number that portrayed their ordeal of being threatened at losing their lands which they have allegedly inhabited since 1905 into the hands of the rich and powerful who just appeared in the scene later in 1948.
Their drama presentation consisted of men and women Yulo farmers bringing placards, streamers, banana leaves where all their grievances were written in bold letters to reveal their plight as farmers living and tilling their lands for decades and being suddenly told to vacate and leave because those lands have new owners.
The forum initiated by the Diocesan Social Action Center of the Diocese of San Pablo facilitated the dialogue and exchange of views, grievances, proposals between leaders of the multi-sectoral groups, namely farmers, industrial workers, fishermen, women and the government represented by the Office of the President (Malacanang), Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Church represented by Don Bosco Bishop Leo M. Drona and Social Action Director Fr. Rene B. Eriga.
Among most thought provoking discourses during the Forum was the one rendered by Romeo "Ka Romy" Olaez of the Hacienda Yulo Farmers Alliance (HYFA) of Canlubang , Calamba City where he revealed and presented statistics of rich people using their influences and power to manipulate the lands they and ancestors had been tilling for decades and the government's failure to protect them from being harassed and exploited.
Olaez said, the land they and their forefathers had been farming since 1905 actually involved 8,000 hectares which their ancestors had been paying taxes to the Americans during the US-controlled government in the country. It was in 1948 that the land suddenly became the property of the Madrigal Family and eventually became the property of the Yulo family.
The Yulo patriarch who became Mayor and Administrator of Calamba City had successfully applied for the re-classification of the "Yulo Lands" in 1993 from being Agricultural into Industrial, Commercial and Residential.
Today, said property or parts of it is now being claimed by another owner since the land became converted into Industrial, Commercial and Residential in 1993.
From that year on, farmers and their families had been subjected to various forms of harassments and violence. They also read in the papers and heard in different news that "NUVALI Project, Aurora, Eton City" will soon be established in the area to dabbed as "New Makati in the South".
Prior to the talk of Olaez, his fellow farmers including women and youths presented in artistic display their sad and bitter ordeal as people being forced to vacate their farms of about 100 years in the "name of progress."
The farmer leader also aired complaints that they have no assurance for CARP extension from the house bill 4077 which is supposed to be benefiting the farmers.
He also aired farmers' continued problem with DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform) and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo they seemed not to be addressing the Farmers concerns. "We have lots of unused land areas which we can use but there has been no permission for us to work since there is no law that will support our claim."
"We are thankful for the support given by the Diocese of Laguna and local officials supporting us in our rights and claims. Special thanks to Bishop Leo Drona and Fr. Rene Eriga [SAC] director and all the priests involved in this endeavour."
Another provocative discourse was the one delivered by Labor Union Leader Noel Alemania who expressed how the Government contradicts itself from the Constitution in dealing with workers in the country. He cited an example of workers' harassment by those in power like the big companies, his colleague and former president of their Union at Nestle Philippine in Cabuyao town (Diosdado Fortuna) was shot to death.
He also expressed workers fears and disappointments as their ranks have been subjected to all kinds of repressions and violence each time they went to the streets for their legitimate demands.
He also expressed dismay that as though companies and government institutions at present have connived to enforce contractualization policy and prohibited their rights to create a labor Union that will be against the Company's interest.
He said that government are even protecting the companies against the workers suffering from companies injustices. Nestle for example was given protection by the government by putting a police detachment at the company's site. Such practices are also the same at Toyata wherein a Police detachment was placed inside the company's compound for the company's protection against the mal-treated workers.
Many of the workers as are suffering from forced labor rendering work beyond 8 hours. There were also cases wherein Leaders of Labor Unions were brutally killed for fighting for the workers' rights and welfare.
The labor leader appealed to the Bishop, the Social Action Center, government personnel (represented by under-secretary Seguerra) and the military present (202nd Brigade Commander Col. Tristan Kison and Col. Ricardo Visaya based in Laguna) during the forum to organize regular dialogues/consultations like this one so that they would be given venues for mutual understanding with authorities and to give them opportunities to ventilate their problems.
Another farmer leader from Pila, Laguna Jojo Gonzales Province of Laguna in his talk, revealed that the province which used to be abundant of its natural resources has now been reduced into a place where farmers have limited areas to cultivate or to apply agriculture due to the conversion of agricultural lands into industrial, commercial, residential lands. "There is lack of government support for the farmers of Laguna, who are now bracing with economic difficulties."
Representing the Women Sector, Sis. Bombet Malinao of Calamba City expounded on the role of women in society. She said, the women in the society have shared their husbands responsibility in supporting the family and children. Hence, said most of the private and public offices including businesses have been ruled by women. She also presented the women sector's concern in the society particularly concerns like the lack of education, poverty, unemployment, peace and order situation and the like.
The forum which started at past 9:00 am on Friday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Sta. Cruz, Laguna and ended at about 3:00 pm, was also participated in by students from the Laguna State Polytechnic University, Sta. Cruz Campus who performed cultural presentations during an intermission portion of the day. The total number of participants is estimated at about 1,000.
The nuns of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus and the host parish of the Immaculate Conception led by Fr. Ricardo De Luna and parish personnel were also on hand to support the half-day activity.
The women also presented their all-female dance numbers prior to the talk delivered by the women leader Ms. Malinao.
The Hacienda Yulo farmers who came in full force presented the most heart-stunning number that portrayed their ordeal of being threatened at losing their lands which they have allegedly inhabited since 1905 into the hands of the rich and powerful who just appeared in the scene later in 1948.
Their drama presentation consisted of men and women Yulo farmers bringing placards, streamers, banana leaves where all their grievances were written in bold letters to reveal their plight as farmers living and tilling their lands for decades and being suddenly told to vacate and leave because those lands have new owners.
2 Million worth commercial building gutted by fire
SAN PABLO CITY – Calamba City public market’s commercial building worth about two million pesos was gutted by fire close to midnight on Thursday, said the city’s fire department.
Deputy Fire Marshall Nestor Gorio, identified over the phone the owner of the ill-fated two-storey “RC Grocery” building located at the Trade Center along Calamba Crossing as one Raquel Clara of Calamba City.
Nobody was injured during the fire, he said.
Gorio said authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire which reached up to 3rd Alarm level that needed fire fighters from seven municipalities and three cities to control the conflagration in four hours.
Fire fighter assistance came from as far as Tanauan City and Sto. Tomas both in Batangas; and nearby towns of Bay, Los Banos, Calauan, Pila, Binan, Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa City, San Pedro and local Calamba city fighters.
ROMULO O. PONTE
Deputy Fire Marshall Nestor Gorio, identified over the phone the owner of the ill-fated two-storey “RC Grocery” building located at the Trade Center along Calamba Crossing as one Raquel Clara of Calamba City.
Nobody was injured during the fire, he said.
Gorio said authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire which reached up to 3rd Alarm level that needed fire fighters from seven municipalities and three cities to control the conflagration in four hours.
Fire fighter assistance came from as far as Tanauan City and Sto. Tomas both in Batangas; and nearby towns of Bay, Los Banos, Calauan, Pila, Binan, Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa City, San Pedro and local Calamba city fighters.
ROMULO O. PONTE
Priest brother killed in an accident
SAN PABLO CITY – The elder brother of the newly appointed priest-secretary of the San Pablo Bishop Leo M. Drona was killed in a motorcycle accident in the early morning on Friday at the national highway near his residence, said the parish secretary of St. James parish in Paete town.
Michael Cadapan, assistant secretary of Paete parish identified the victim as Leo Fadul, 34, single and the elder brother of newly ordained priest Fr. Francis Eugene A. Fadul, a native of Paete.
Fadul was appointed by the Bishop as his personal secretary just about two weeks ago.
Cadapan said there were two versions circulating about the victim's death.
One is that, at about 6:00 to 7:00 am, the victim mounted his motorcycle and was leading into the municipal market. But few meters away, along Barangay 7, Bagumbayan, the motor suddenly experienced trouble causing the motor and the victim to crush into the road sustaining severe head injuries which resulted to his fatal killing.
Another version was that, the motorcycle –riding victim was bumped from behind by a speeding vehicle that sent him and motor crushing into the concrete road that caused the victim's instant death.
Due to his severe head injury, the victim expired before he was being brought into the nearby hospital for treatment, said Cadapan.
It was noted that the Fadul family's patriarch had just died of natural causes about five years ago.
Meanwhile, two more separate motorcycle accidents had caused the deaths recently of the Bishop's kin in Pangil town and the demise of the parish secretary of Our Lady's Nativity Parish in Pangil.
Killed in the motorcycle accident last July 25, 2008 was a former Overseas Filipino Worker and husband of the Pangil Church choir member, the late Toyti Drona, a relative of the prelate.
Reports said, that Drona was then heading home early in the evening of July 25, after attending the Fiesta Celebration in Paete when he and his motor had crushed into the national road in an accident. He went on coma right after the accident and died a week later in a hospital.
The parish secretary of Pangil Parish named Benilda "Nhyl" Baybay, 30, had died when her newly bought motorcycle which she was driving together with a passenger friend had cause some imbalance while in motion, that suddenly sent the victims crushing against a concrete cement inflicting Baybay severe head and body injuries which caused her eventual death, later during the day in the hospital.
Her passenger who sustained some fractures in her legs had luckily survived the fatal accident.
ROMULO O. PONTE
Michael Cadapan, assistant secretary of Paete parish identified the victim as Leo Fadul, 34, single and the elder brother of newly ordained priest Fr. Francis Eugene A. Fadul, a native of Paete.
Fadul was appointed by the Bishop as his personal secretary just about two weeks ago.
Cadapan said there were two versions circulating about the victim's death.
One is that, at about 6:00 to 7:00 am, the victim mounted his motorcycle and was leading into the municipal market. But few meters away, along Barangay 7, Bagumbayan, the motor suddenly experienced trouble causing the motor and the victim to crush into the road sustaining severe head injuries which resulted to his fatal killing.
Another version was that, the motorcycle –riding victim was bumped from behind by a speeding vehicle that sent him and motor crushing into the concrete road that caused the victim's instant death.
Due to his severe head injury, the victim expired before he was being brought into the nearby hospital for treatment, said Cadapan.
It was noted that the Fadul family's patriarch had just died of natural causes about five years ago.
Meanwhile, two more separate motorcycle accidents had caused the deaths recently of the Bishop's kin in Pangil town and the demise of the parish secretary of Our Lady's Nativity Parish in Pangil.
Killed in the motorcycle accident last July 25, 2008 was a former Overseas Filipino Worker and husband of the Pangil Church choir member, the late Toyti Drona, a relative of the prelate.
Reports said, that Drona was then heading home early in the evening of July 25, after attending the Fiesta Celebration in Paete when he and his motor had crushed into the national road in an accident. He went on coma right after the accident and died a week later in a hospital.
The parish secretary of Pangil Parish named Benilda "Nhyl" Baybay, 30, had died when her newly bought motorcycle which she was driving together with a passenger friend had cause some imbalance while in motion, that suddenly sent the victims crushing against a concrete cement inflicting Baybay severe head and body injuries which caused her eventual death, later during the day in the hospital.
Her passenger who sustained some fractures in her legs had luckily survived the fatal accident.
ROMULO O. PONTE
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
67th Birthday Celebration of Bishop Leo M. Drona
Pictures during the 67th Birthday Celebration of Bishop LeoM. Drona, SDV, DD last Monday with the San Pablo Clergy and Religious in the Diocese of San Pablo. The Concelebrated Mass was presided by the prelate at the San Pablo Cathedral (October 20 at 10 am) and then followed by a sumptuous banquet at the Bishop's Residence.
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