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PHoTo: JoEL NoorA

NAGA CITY (14 SEPT) -- THE highest
political power in the land has declared
during the Peñafrancia Novena Week
Naga City and the province of Camarines
Sur as ‘pilgrimage capitals’ of the Bikol
region.
In his Executive Order (EO) #33
dated September 10, President Benigno
Aquino III, took cognizance of the annual
celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of
Peñafrancia as an “epic historical event
that [had] become part of our cultural
heritage,” and that Naga City “where
the 300-year old image is enshrined, has
long been recognized and considered as
PILGrIm CITY / PAGE 5

Albay public 10th Ateneo National Writers Workshop

protests power hike
LEGAZPI City, Sept. 15, 2010—Militant
groups have staged mass protests here op-
posing the power rate increase imposed by
Albay Gov. Joey S. Salceda to consumers
of Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO).
Bayan Muna, Gabriela and Albay
Consumers Watch (ACW) staged a picket
at Peñaranda Park fronting Albay Capitol
in protest of the P1.66 per kilowatt hour
power hike which the power coopera-
ALBAY / PAGE 5
Only 3.9 kilograms of
to be held in Naga, fellows named
LOYOLA HEIGHTS, QC—THE 10TH
Ateneo National Writers Workshop, orga-
nized by the Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts
and Practices (AILAP) with the support of
the National Commission for Culture and the
Arts (NCCA) and the Office of the President,
Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU), will be
held on October 24-28, 2010 at the AdNU
Campus, Naga City.
Twelve fellowships were awarded, with
six going to writers from the Bicol Region
who write in the Bikol languages. Covered
by the fellowships are their board and lodg-
ing, a modest stipend, and the opportunity
to learn from an esteemed panel of Atenean
writers and critics.
The fellows for this year’s workshop
are: For poetry in English: Alyza May
Timbol Taguilaso (Quezon City); For poetry
in Filipino: Noel T. Fortun (Las Piñas City),
Maureen Gaddi dela Cruz (San Pedro,
Laguna); For fiction in English: Glenn Diaz
(Manila City), Michelle Abigail Tiu Tan
(Quezon City); For fiction in Filipino: Arnold
Matencio Valledor (Panganiban, Catand-
uanes); For poetry in Bikol: Gerry Rubio
(Virac, Catanduanes), Adrian Remodo (Naga
City, Camarines Sur), Eduardo Uy (Gubat,
Sorsogon), Richard Madrilejos (Tabaco,
Albay), Rodel Añosa (Ticao, Masbate); For
fiction in Bikol: Jimple Borlagdan (Tabaco,
Albay).
Panelists for this year’s workshop
include prize-winning writers like Benilda S.
Santos, Alvin B. Yapan, Marco AV. Lopez,
Michael M. Coroza, Frank Peñones and
Carlo Arejola to name a few. This year’s
workshop is co-directed by Kristian Cordero
and Yolando Jamendang, Jr. (V. Nierva)

shabu seized in
Masbate port - PDEA
LEGAZPI CITY (14 SEPTEMBER) --
LABORATORY experts of the Philippine
National Police (PNP) and the Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Bikol
said that only 3.98 kilograms of metham-
phetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” were
seized on Wednesday by anti-drug opera-
tives in Masbate and not 5.28 kilograms as
earlier reported.
In a joint PNP-PDEA press conference
mASBATE / PAGE 8
2 Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69|
Pilgrims’ city
PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER #33 AND
Naga City Resolution No. 2010-280 had declared the
city on which INA’s image is enshrined as a “pilgrim-
age capital/city.” The EO was issued on September 10
or the day of the Traslacion while the city resolution—
despite its terseness and otioseness in comparison with
the President’s declaration—was issued three days
later.
These official government acts, one from the
national and the other from the local, were unexpected
but well-received developments during the 300th year
celebration of the devotion to INA. They formally
established Naga City as a pilgrimage site in which
INA’s devotees from all over would be welcomed. The
government’s EO and city
Editorial
resolution instituted Naga
as “pilgrims’ city.”
WE thus laud that the
President directed that
“[T]he programs and activities instituted during the Pe-
ñafrancia Festival must be conducted in an atmosphere
of peace and order that must be assisted and maintained
by the government, and that the solemnity and sensitiv-
ity of the nature and character of the festivities must be
preserved.” For this, in fact, had been the plea of the
local church and many sectors of the community to the
Naga City government in recent years: that of preserv-
ing the solemnity of INA’s fiesta while at the same
time, securing the numerous pilgrims from both here
and abroad who call themselves devotees of Our Lady
of Peñafrancia.
This newspaper had earlier expressed its opposi-
tion to the commercialization and prostitution of INA’s
feast through the staging of street parties and public
drinking sprees which exploited the fiesta celebration.
Malacañang’s further prescription in the EO is thus
certainly most welcome. It stated “the government shall
ensure that the conduct of the observances essential
to the feast, which include but are not limited to the
Traslacion, the Fluvial and Dawn Processions and other
cultural and historical remembrance activities, shall
be respected, and that commercial exploitation during
the pilgrimage period such as street parties that may
become rambunctious, drinking sprees in plazas, street
vending that obstruct passages towards the pilgrimage
sites, and other similar activities, shall be discouraged.”
The institution of Naga City as a “city of pilgrim-
age” has long been hoped for our community, toward
which end the Council of the Laity of the Archdio-
cese of Caceres had sought to petition then Naga City
Mayor Jesse Robredo to consider enacting an ordinance
which would declare the city precisely as a pilgrimage
city. Alas, Robredo and his City Legal Officer, Angel
Ojastro, hid behind the excuse that such an ordinance
might violate the Constitutional provision on the sepa-
ration of the Church and State.
Robredo and Ojastro believed that an ordinance
which established Naga City as a “pilgrims’ city” in
which devotees would be provided the necessary basic
services and facilities when they make their pilgrim-
age here; and that which protected and preserved the
solemnity of the Peñafrancia Fiesta celebration; might
be contrary to the Philippine Constitution and thus ef-
fectively rejected the idea.
Fortunately for us, the President of the Philippines
and his team of legal advisers, and the new Naga City
Mayor John Bongat and the City Council, thought
otherwise.
Vox Bikol ViewPoiNts
Notes on the Pilgrim City and the Pilgrim Province
THE CELEBRATION DOES NOT END with the 300
years. As the fiesta was winding up, an EO or Executive Or-
der from the highest office in the land was released declaring
Naga City and the province of Camarines Sur as the Pilgrim
Capital of the Philippines.
Last night, as if to confirm the magnificence of the ritu-
als held to honor the Virgin of Peña-
francia, the pagoda carrying the Icon
blazed through the dark waters of the
Naga River, the votive candles on the
river banks never ever more incandes-
cent, and the devotees humbled by the
sheer power of this Faith that travelled
through continents and dreams. A TV
network has confirmed that some 2
million people have descended upon
this small city of Naga. Maybe, it did not reach that number
but the fact is there were just too many people in the small
space of this pilgrim city that anyone estimating the multi-
tude is bound to exaggerate and be convincing.
The possibility of millions coming to Naga is always
there from now on. The declaration has me counting both
the privileges and the problems – what business people call
the strengths and weaknesses, the threats and opportunities –
in this city and the neighboring towns of the province.
First of all, it is a smart move to expand the pilgrimage
territory into the other towns around the city. For around
Naga are sites that have links with colonial history and ar-
rival of the new faith. Immediately, places like Canaman,
Magarao, Quipayo and Milaor come to mind. I do not count
out the other provinces of Albay and Sorsogon that will
become the other entry points for the pilgrim.
The declaration is an urgent call for us to prepare even
more. The 301st anniversary is even a more auspicious year.
If the 300th enabled people to look back and do the reck-
oning, next year is the time to look forward in the future,
marking time and, who knows, initiating the first step into
the next hundreds of years of devotion.
The city and the province have to do many things. More
than ever, the Church and the State (the local government
units) have to try to work together. The citizens have to be
Babaye
Babaye, ipinagboot
kan karpinterong aki mo
an samong pagkakan saiya.
Sa saiyang mga ngimot man
nagluwas an kahurutan
na inomon siya kan gabos.
Aram niyamong ini makulog
asin matarom sa saimong daghan.
Alagad, ika man nagpahunod.
Babaye, tadaw ta pirmi
ika na sana an minapahunod?
Tadaw ta ika na sana
an minasapo kan kulog?
Tadaw ta ika an sa daghan
may nakatadok na punyal?
Ay, abaa nang kasakitan!
Gospel...
quickly and write there fifty.’ To the second he
put the same question: ‘How much do you
owe?’ The answer was: ‘A hundred measures
of wheat.’ Then he said: ‘Take your bill and write
eight hundred.’
“The master commended the dishonest
steward for his astuteness. For the people of
this world are more astute in dealing with their
own kind than are the people of light. And so
I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for
yourselves, so that when it fails, these people
may welcome you into the eternal homes.
“Whoever can be trusted in little things
can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is
dishonest in slight matters will also be dishon-
est in greater ones. So if you have not been
trustworthy in handling filthy money, who could
entrust you with true wealth? And if you have
not been trustworthy with things which are not
really yours, who will give you the wealth which
is your own?
“No servant can serve two masters. Either
he does not like the one and is fond of the other,
or he regards one highly and the other with
contempt. You cannot give yourself both to God
and to Money.”
13 - 19 september 2010
brought on board and be directly part of the reinvention of
the city and the province.
This year, the carrying capacity of the city was tested
to the limits. The number of taxis dwindled, with drivers
unable to bear the rush. Those cabs that continued to operate
were interested only in long-distance destinations. The tri-
mobiles became even more unfriendly:
all trips were “espasyal.”
Tourism and trash go well hand
in hand when certain places become
popular. The city will earn and the
institutional Church will also get some
revenues. There is nothing wrong with
this. The old issue, however, about
commercialization of an otherwise
religious activity, will rear up its ugly
and divisive head. The crucial task is maintaining a healthy
and optimum ratio between pilgrimage and politics.
There is enough wealth, both spiritual and material, in
being a pilgrim capital. In the absence of hotels, the city
can engage homes to offer Bed-and-Breakfast services. This
is done in other places that are noted for big tourist influx.
These homes should be accredited and their owner/operators
asked to undergo orientation. We do not need homes exploit-
ing tourists/pilgrims.
We need markers and maps are significant. They should
not only guide the stranger to the city; these markers should
inform the tourist/pilgrims about the many sites related to
their pilgrimage. We have to work on humble sites and grand
symbols. The old San Francisco Church and the Lady of the
Porteria will gain their prominence. The Colgante Bridge
must be properly designated. Where the old settlement of
Naga was located should be identified.
We should rework a history from below: people desig-
nating sites and explaining them. Already, in one of the inte-
rior streets near Mabini a banner hangs which says the street
was where the bodies recovered from the Colgante incident
were taken. They call it a hallowed street.
Then the most difficult part comes: the cleaning of the
river. For the river represents what the Church and the State
should commonly hallow.
Tibaad, ini man an dahilan
kun tadaw sa pagpintakasi
niyamo ngunyan, an inaagod
mi babaye man. Labi-labi
an samong kamawotan
na makiparte sa gabat kan
saiyang andas. Mala ta minsan
nakakaagid kami sa mga kapay,
daing kabaing an pag-otob kan panata.
Tibaad iyo ini an samong maldisyon
huli ta kami mga sumbikalan.
Kami na sana man an pagabat
sa maninigo kutang kagianan.
Pagiana man an samong mga daghan.
***
Maogmang fiesta sa saindo gabos!
13 - 19 september 2010
Ang Mahal na Birhen ng Pagsalat
Isang kabalintunaang kailangang tingnan sa debosyong Penafrancia ang matinding pangangailangang masalat ang imahen ng Birhen. Kailangang may panghawakan dahil umiinog lamang ang buong
selebrasyon sa Ina sa dalawang mahalagang pagdaloy: ang paglipat at ang pagbabalik, ang Traslacion at ang Sakay sa ilog. Mayaman sa simbolohikal na pagpakahulugan ang nasabing debosyon sa Ina na
kung matutukoy lamang ng mga Bikolnon, maaninag nila ang kanilang nakaraan at ang mga di-mawaring hamon ng hinaharap. Kung matuklasan at maunawaan na ito ng marami sa mga deboto, higit
nilang makikita na ang tunay na kahulugan ng debosyon sa Ina ay paggawad ng tingin sa iprinuprusisyon ding Divino Rostro.
BATA PA AKO NOON NANG una kong masaksihan ang
prusisyon sa ilog. Maaga pa lamang ay lumisan na kami sa
aming bahay, upang maglakbay ng isang oras patungo sa
Naga. Sakay kami ng inupahang dyip, kaming magkakamag-
anak at ilan pang mga kinumbidang kapitbahay. Tamang-tama
ang dating namin, nagsisimula pa lamang ang misa at may
garahe pa kaming nakuha sa loob ng seminaryong malapit sa
katedral. May bayad ang parking lot dahil nakita kong nag-
abot ang tiyo ko ng pera sa security guard. Mula sa katedral,
kahit hindi pa naigagawad ang huling basbas ng pari ay
nagsimula na kaming bagtasin ang daan patungo sa malapit
na tulay, sa may Colgante, kung saan nangyari ang malagim
na trahedya noong 1972, ilang araw bago tuluyang ideklara
ang Batas Militar. Ilang oras ang ginawa naming paghihintay
sa pagdaan ng pagoda ni Inâ. Habang naghihintay, nang-
aakit naman ang mga kalembang ng mga sorbetero sa paligid
habang may isang booth ng Pepsi ang may napakamalaking
megaphone kung saan lumalabas ang mga dasal: ang mga
misteryo ng santo rosaryo. May mga lobong napakawalan
kung kaya paminsan-minsan may umiiyak na bata at may
nagmumurang matanda. May naglalako ng panyo, pamaypay
at may mga naka-unipormeng nagroronda sa Colgante,
samantalang nakahanda naman ang isang ambulansya.
Matapos ang ilang oras na paghihintay sa ilalim ng
araw ay nagsimula ng magsigawan ang mga tao na parang
may parating na artista, parang dumalaw si Nora Aunor,
paglalarawan ng isa kong tiya. Inilabas ng mga taong
naghihintay sa tulay ang kanilang mga puting panyo.
Iwinagayway, parang akto ng pagsuko. Habang nag-ayos
ng kanilang puwesto ang mga nasa tulay at ang mga nasa
pampang ng ilog. Naglabas ng mga sagradong bagay na
pinaniniwaalang magkakaroon ng pagbasbas sa pagdaan
ng birhen. Sa may pampang at sa tulay, nakahilera ang mga
pula at puting kandilang may sindi, paminsan-minsan, sa
isang nagmamadaling sandali, maaninag ang kanilang mga
liyab sa rabaw ng malabnaw na tubig ng ilog. Nakapuwesto
ako noon sa isang bahagi ng tulay kung saan tila binigyan
ako ng pagkakataong makita at marinig ang lahat sa aking
paligid. Ilang minuto pa’y mas lalong lumakas ang hiyaw,
iba’t ibang tinig subalit tila iisa ang sinisigaw, Viva La Virgen!
Viva Patrona kan Kabikolan! Pagbubunyi sa birheng ina
na napapalibutan pa rin ng mga boyadores at saserdotes sa
kanyang pagodang hila-hila ng mga bangkeros. Kinakanta
ang himno opiysal—ang Resuene Vibrante, sa Kastila ang
koro samantalang ang mga berso ay sa Bikol.
Lumakas nang lumakas ang hiyaw habang papalapit na
ang birhen sa aming kinalalagyan. Sa pagdaan ng pagoda,
isang pambihirang eksena ang kumintal sa aking alaala:
Nakita ko na may mga batang inilublob ng mga matatanda
sa ilog habang ang iba namang di-hamak na marunong ng
lumangoy ay lumukso din sa tubig. Tila pagbibinyag, isang
inisasyon upang kamtin muli ang identidad, sariwain ang
kaakuhan, gunitain ang mga pangyayari katulad nito, ang
pagbabalik na muli sa sinapupunan ng buhay—ang tubig.
Ngayon ko nauunawan kung bakit kahit na marumi na rin
ang agwa bendita sa mga simbahan, kahit na pinamumugaran
na ito ng mga kiti-kiti ay nagagawa pa rin nating idutdotang
mga daliri at mag-antada, katulad ng kung paano
nakikipagsapalaran ang buong katawan sa maruming tubig ng
ilog kapalit ng ginhawa o lunas na inihahandog ng patrona.
Pagkatapos na makadaan ng pagoda, dahan-dahan
naming tinahak kasabay ng marami pang daluyong ng tao
Vox Bikol ViewPoiNts
KRISTIAN SENDON CORDERO
Huling Bahagi
ang daan patungo Basilika kung saan tuwinang ginaganap
ang misang pamumunuan ng mga obispo ng Bikol. Patuloy
ang paglakas ng mga sigaw ng pagbubunyi samantalang
tila bumagsak ang mga bituin sa kalupaan sa dami ng mga
kandilang nakapalibot sa harapan ng altar. Umaawit ang koro
at nag- aamoy insenso ang paligid. Sa sanaysay ni Ross Poole
na Memory, History and Claims of the Past, tinukoy niya na
maliban sa pagpapakahulugan sa nakalipas, ang kolektibong
alaala ay hindi lamang tagapag-ugnay o tagapagpa-kahulugan
ng kung ano ang nakaraan, kundi ito rin ay bukal ng
kolektibong identidad. Ang identidad na ito ay nakita kong
itinatanghal sa buong espektakulo ng Peñafrancia. Ayon kay
Poole: “ It (Collective Memory) is also a source of group
identity: it provides an account of group’s existence up to—
and even beyond the present moment. It provides a narrative
of struggle and achievement, victory and defeat, in which
members of the group can find their present identity.”
Sa isang rehiyon katulad ng Bikol kung saan
namamayani pa rin ang Katolisismo, hindi mapapasubalian na
ang kasaysayan man o ang gunita ng nakakaraming Bikolnon
ay may pagdulog sa imahe ng Inâ bilang isang di-mahawakan
na handuman. Maaaring ito ang malalim na dahilan ng
pagnanais na makasalat ng mga deboto at boyadores sa
imahe. Ngunit kailangang mabatid na hindi lamang sa imahe
natatapos ang karanasan ng pagsalat. Ang buong proseso ng
pagpapakita ng debosyon kay Ina ay tinitingnan ko bilang
primodyal na pagpapakahulugan ng mga Bikolnon sa buhay
sa anyo ng tubig, sa ilog at dagat, kung saan umiinog ang
nagbabagong kultura, kung saan unang hinubog ang mga
bagyong sa kalauna’y humubog rin sa mga taong sinubok
ng kalikasan. Ang mga ilog at dagat na ito ang nagsilbi
ring lagusan at tagpuan ng mga katutubo at dayo, ng mga
nananahan at nagkikipagsapalaran. Ang konstelasyon ng
kanilang (Bikolnon) na kamalayan ay konektado sa tubig, sa
agwa, na maging ang pinakamatayog na bundok sa Naga, ang
Isarog ay tinatawag na Vulcan de la Agua.
Kapansin-pansin na sa pagtukoy sa imaheng ito ng birhen
hindi siya tinatawag na reyna o senyora o birhen ng mga
Bikolnon, siya ay tinatawag na Inâ, ang umaangkin sa atin na
atin rin. Ang pagpapangalang ito bilang ina ang kagampan
na tinitingnan ko na patuloy na tinatangka ng maraming
Bikolnon, na bagamat namamayani ang mga ‘kasalatan’
itinatawid pa rin ng mga Bikolnon ang kanilang mga buhay na
tila nasa pagitan ng tunggalian ng kosmolohikal at temporal
na kaasyusan.
Sa pamamagitan marahil ng patuloy na pagturing
sa Penafrancia bilang isang Ina/ tao/ semi-divine/ o
kapangyarihan na tumatalab sa kanyang mga deboto,
Bikolnon man ito o iba, mananatiling mas higit siyang
gunita sa halip na isang tuldok o muhon lamang sa akdang-
kasaysayan ng Bikol. Sa sanaysay ni Poole, binaggit niya na
ang histograpiya ay nanatili lamang sa ikatlong panauhan,
samantalang ang gunita ay isinasalaysay sa unang panauhan.
Hindi rin nakakapagtaka para sa akin na sabihin na ang gunita
ay higit na pinapatalas ng mga ‘personal na engkwentro
sa kapwa o ang pagbibigay mukha sa mismong karanasan,
absurdo man o abstraktong pagpapakita o rebelasyon katulad
ng banal o sagrado.
Kakambal ng debosyon sa Inâ, na hindi masydaong
napaglalaanan ng kritikal na pagtingin ay ang Divino Rostro.
Sa sanaysay na ito, tinutukoy ko ang kaugnayan ng debosyon
sa banal na mukha sa Ina, sa kung paanong paraan nagiging
Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| 3
lunsaran ng ating mga etikal o moral na pananaw ang ating
alaala. Maaari bang tukuyin na ang Ina ang nagpapatalas sa
gunita samantalang ang mukha ng kanyang anak ang moral
na sandigan na nag-uudyok para gawin ng tao ang angkop at
wasto sa kanyang kapwa? Maaari.
Kung gayon ang handumanan ng Peñafrancia ay hindi
lamang natatapos sa mga ritwal ng pagsalat dahil mananatili
itong salat kung hindi nito magagawang tingnan ang mukha
ng banal sa kapwa. Sa pamamagitan ng pagluluwal sa
tunay na pagpapakahulugan ng debosyon sa Peñafrancia,
maitatampok ng mga Bikolnon, hindi lamang ang kanilang
identidad o ang kanilang mga ritwal, kundi ang partikularidad
ng kanilang mga pagsakit at tagumpay, ng kahirapan at
ginhawa na kinukundisyon pa rin ng mga makapangyarihang
institusyong itinataguyod ang pyudal na sistema ng pulitika,
turismong walang pakundangan sa kapakanan ng kapalibutan
at samu’t sari pang mga trahedyang madalas ay isinisi na
lamang nila sa langit, mga pangyayari na dumarating o
nagsasalitan lamang sa dalumat ng kasaysayan at biyaya ng
gunita.
Totoong isang historikal na imahe ang birhen, antigo at
minsan na rin itong ninakaw9 at patuloy ang banta na ito’y
mawala uli dahil na rin sa nakapatong nitong korona sa ulo.
Ngunit sa tingin ko, kinakailangang hindi lamang manatili
sa lebel ng historikal na pagpapahalaga sa imahe man ito
o sa kasaysayan ng tatlong daang taon ng debosyon kundi
kailangang ipagpatuloy ang pagsasalaysay at ang pagtatagpo
nito sa mga “saysay” na umiinog at tumatatak sa mga
personal na karanasang naitatala sa gunita ng kanyang mga
deboto upang patuloy nitong taglayin ang lakas at bisa ng
pananampalataya sa ating mga buhay.
Matapos ang misa sa Basilika, bumalik uli kami sa
aming dyip at bumiyahe pauwi ng Iriga. Tila hinihele ng
buong kalangitan ang dyip namin, pinapatulog ang lahat sa
loob—mga hapong peregrino. Ngunit alam kong may kanya-
kanyang kuwentong nakalaang pag-usapan sa mga darating na
araw: mga alaala ng pagbisita sa Naga. May mga inaasahang
sagot sa mga dasal marahil ang mga matatanda, mga lumang
dasal na nangangailangan ng panibagong artikulasyon at
kasagutan. At dahil ito ang piyesta ng mga bagsak-presyo,
may mga bagong nabiling gamit ang ilang kapit-bahay namin
habang may dalang mga kinulayang sisiw ang dalawa kong
pinsan. Samantalang ako naman ay ibinili ng Nanay ng isang
larawan ni Inâ, sa larawang ito nakasulat: “Siisay ini na
nagbabanaag siring sa kaagahan? Magayon siring sa bulan,
maliwanag siring sa saldang asin mangirhat siring sa hukbo
na andam sa pakilaban?” Tinangka kong basahin ang mga
nakasulat at marahang sinalat ang larawan ng Peñafrancia,
ni Inâ, nagdasal yata ako noon, bago ko ito isinilid sa aking
bulsang puno ng barya.
Mga Tala
Poole, Ross. Memory, History And Claims of the Past.
(Photocopied Material) 21 pahina.
Tolentino, Roland. Ang Birhen ng Peñafrancia at South
Border sa Sa Loob at Labas ng Mall Kong Sawi/Kaliluha’y
Siyang Nangyayaring Hari:
Ang Pagkatuto at Pagtatanghal sa Kulturang Popular.
Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 2001.
Aureus, Carlos O. Nagueños. Quezon City: University of
the Philippines Press, 1997.
4 Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69|
DOH-DepEd-LGU forge UNEP Chorale sings praises
to Ina in Cine-Musical
partnership vs. Dengue
SORSOGON CITY- EDUCA-
TION, HEALTH AND city
government officials of Sorsogon
forged a partnership as govern-
ment intensified its campaign
against dengue which continues to
rise in the Bikol region.
DOH officials led by As-
sistant Regional Director Virgilio
Ludovice turned over Olyset
Net worth P1.5 million to the
City Schools Division led by Dr.
Virgilio Real, Schools Division
Superintendent, and the city
government represented by City
Health Officer Dr. Larry Garrido,
City Coun. Mike Go, chair of
the city council’s health commit-
tee, and City Legal Officer Atty.
Glenn Olbes.
In a simple turn-over program
held here Tuesday, Ludovice said
the DOH is distributing nets to
various DepEd divisions in the
region as part of its campaign to
establish dengue-free schools and
to arrest the increasing number of
dengue victims.
He described as alarming the
current situation of dengue cases
in the region where most provinc-
es registered triple-digit increases
to as much as 700 per cent.
Ludovice stressed that the
trend was opposite to the national
trend where a decrease is now
being noted.
AdNU Hosts Dolot Ki Ina 2010
NAGA CITY (9 SEPTEMBER) -
JUST a day before the Traslacion,
the Ateneo de Naga University was
once again packed with students
and faculty members from various
Catholic schools all over the Bikol
Region to celebrate Dolot Ki Ina
2010.
The annual event is a col-
laborative project from the Bicol
Based on the statistics pre-
sented by Camilo Aquino, DOH
mosquito-borne disease coordina-
tor, the highest increase of 700 per
cent in dengue cases was regis-
tered in Catanduanes wherein 192
victims have been confirmed for
the period January-September 10
this year compared to only 24 dur-
ing the same period last year.
Albay registered 406 cases
with one death, up by 389 per cent
from 83 cases registered last year,
Sorsogon came in third with 210
cases with three deaths up by 262
per cent from 58 cases in 2009
and Masbate up by 28 per cent
from 38 cases last year to just 49
this year.
Of the six provinces only
Camarines Sur registered a de-
crease in dengue cases although
still big in number with 562 cases
down from 842 but chalked up
five fatalities compared to just one
death in 2009. Camarines Norte
maintained its record of cases at 17
for 2009 and 2010.
Aquino said that over-all
statistics for Bicol showed an in-
crease of 35 per cent in confirmed
cases and 125 per cent in deaths.
Ludovice said the net given to
DepEd is pre-treated with perme-
trine, a chemical that is proven
effective in repelling mosquitoes
and other insects and could last for
Association of Catholic Schools
(BACS). Participants coming from
the Catholic Educational Asso-
ciation of Caceres and Libmanan
(CEACAL), Catholic Educational
Association of Daet (CEAD),
Catholic Educational Association
of Legazpi (CEAL), Catholic Edu-
cational Association of Sorsogon
(CEAS), Catholic Educational As-
Vox Bikol BiKoL News
seven years.
He said the net may be used as
screen for windows and doors of
school buildings to protect children
from mosquitoes.
Real expressed gratitude for
the donation saying it would im-
mensely help them in their own
school-based campaign against
dengue.
He said they would seek the
help of the Parent-Teachers As-
sociations in installing the nets
but would await the information
from the City Health Office which
barangay should be prioritized.
Olbes, meanwhile, said the
city government is willing to assist
the DepeEd as he urged all sectors
to lend a hand in the campaign.
The fight against the disease
is not the sole responsibility of
the government but should be a
shared undertaking of all sectors,
he pointed out.
Dr. Edgar Garcia, provincial
health officer, meanwhile, assured
the public that health workers are
exerting efforts to assist the com-
munity in combating the recurring
menace.
Garcia also thanked the DOH,
DepEd and the local government
units for their help in the campaign
noting that an increase in number
of cases has been recorded in the
province.
sociation of Virac (CEAV), and the
Masbate Catholic Educational As-
sociation (MACEA) all gathered in
the university from the afternoon
of 9 September to the early morn-
ing of 10 September.
Over 2,500 representatives
coming from 23 schools partici-
pated in the special event.
SADI BALOY AD
This year`s theme is Balaog
1/8 page,
Inaako, b &Itatao
Balaog w, 3.8”
(Gift xto 5.14” affirmation that Ina is God`s gift to students participated in various
Position
receive, GiftRequest:
to Share), aon Page 4. Bikolanos. The nature and devo-
variation
Note/Instructions:
of bottom
the theme for the celebration
the Tercentenary of our Devotion
to Our Lady of Peñafrancia which
Barlin St., Sta. Curz, Naga City (formerly Oasis) Tel. 478-46-93
NAGA CITY --- UNDOUBT-
EDLY ONE OF the University of
Northeastern Philippines’ (UNEP)
best performers, the UNEP Cho-
rale sings its heart out once again
in a loving tribute to the Bikol
Patroness, Our Lady of Peñafran-
cia, held September 13, 2010 at
this city.
Dubbed as “Simon’s Way- A
Cine Musical,” the event carried
its audience to a stream of beauti-
ful music and adoring melody
of praises offered to no less than
our “Ina” in line with the celebra-
tion of the three hundred years
of her devotees’ unceasing faith.
Ferdinand Dimadura, the maestro
behind the successful musicale,
expressed his gratitude to everyone
who poured out their support for
the success of the said event.
“I would like to thank, of
course the UNEP Chorale for
being one of our performers, for
showcasing once again their out-
standing calibre when it comes to
their craft. I am happy that they are
continuously widening their turf
in the music industry, not just here
in the Bikol Region but also in the
International scene.”
“Cine Musical” is Dima-
dura’s magnum opus to describe
the new form of art that he wants
to convey to his fellow Bikolanos.
“Simon’s Way” is a result of his
stunning love for arts and his thirst
to prove his craft as one of the best
composers and film director in his
genre.
During the said event, the
UNEP Chorale belted out amaz-
ing pieces of its various rendi-
is Balaog Inako, Balaog Itao.
The theme is BACS` collec-
tive answer, especially the youth
who are the present and future
caretakers of this great devotion
and tradition.
Balaog Inaako pertains to
the positive response to the gift
that is the devotion and also an
of right
tionposition
is initiatedon
bytop
God.“Buy
We haveMe Ad”.
received Ina from God. Balaog
Itatao means that the gift received
Restaurant-Bar
13 - 19 september 2010
tions along with the Musicians of
the Manila Symphony Orchestra
(MSO), one of the oldest orches-
tras in Asia founded by Dr. Alex-
ander Lippay in 1926.
They also performed with
other celebrated performers which
includes the Ambassadors of Cul-
ture and Arts Troupe, one of the
pride of Universidad de Sta. Isabel;
Musicians from St. Scholastica’s
College of Music and Kwerdas De
Naga, with the special participa-
tion of Ms. Jeline Oliva, one of
ABS CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent
Grand Finalists.
UNEP Executive Vice Presi-
dent and VP for Finance, Miss Deli
Alfelor-Tibi was also pleased with
the Chorale’s performance during
the musicale. “They never stopped
amazing me. Every performance
is a new experience, making them
better and better each time they go
up on stage.”
Miss Deli, also UNEP’s Cho-
rale energetic Manager said that
the chorale have already created
its niche in the international scene,
proven by various international
awards it has reaped during the
past years.
In 2006, the chorale gave one
of its biggest achievements, not
just to the university but also to all
Bikolanos, when it won the highest
Silver Diploma Award in the 4th
World Choir Games in Xiamen,
China . The chorale bagged anoth-
er victorious feat in 2008 during
the Hongkong International Youth
and Children’s Festival held at the
former’s Crown Colony’s Cultural
Center. (Lizel Macatangay)
initiates a corresponding responsi-
bility. It is not just for the Bikola-
nos but also for others. It must be
nourished, protected, and shared.
Dolot Ki Ina 2010 officially
started at 4:30 PM with an opening
program in front of the Ateneo de
Naga’s Four Pillars.
From 7:30 - 10:00 PM, the
parallel activities on different loca-
tions within the campus. At 10:30
PM
Afterwards, the students
proceeded to
the front of the
Christ the King
Church for the
Living Rosary; a
Midnight Mass
was then held
at the Univer-
sity Gym with
Fr. Wilmer
Tria serving as
the main cel-
ebrant.
After two
hours of rest,
the participants
went to the
Basilica Minore
at 3:00AM and
joined the Dawn
Procession.
13 - 19 september 2010 Vox Bikol BiKoL News Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| 5

Happy Tercentenary Fiesta to All! Greetings From:

FACIAL ● MASSAGE ● SPA

FREE CONSULTATION

Unit D, A r istocr a t Hotel Bldg ., Elia s A ng eles St., N a ga C ity Tel.N os.: ( 054) 811. 5471/ 4 73.4822

Pilgrim City... From PAGE 1

the pilgrimage capital of the Bikol Exec. Secretary Fr. Andrew age City This September 2010 PETITION The petition, moreover,
region.” Recepcion said that it “[was] a And Every Year Thereafter” had Two years ago, the Council asked that the city government
The President’s EO stated gift from INA. It will preserve the reportedly undergone “styling” of the Laity of Caceres (CLAC) ban “civic activities that are
that programs and activities held religious nature of devotion and from Vice-Mayor Gabriel Bor- filed a petition with the Naga offensive and scandalous to
as part of the Peñafrancia Fiesta the continuity of the changes in- dado before reaching the desk of City government who was then pilgrims, and are not in harmony
NAGA: G/F Aristocrat Hotelstituted Bldg., Elias Angeless St., Naga the
during the tercentenary.”
City Tel#:
Mayor. (054) 811-5471 / 473-4822
headed by Mayor Jesse Robredo or congruence with the religious
“must be assisted and main-
tained by the government, and But unlike the President’s EO to enact an ordinance which nature and character of the Peña-
that the solemnity and sensitivity NAGA SP RESOLUTION which contained directives and declared Naga City as a “pilgrim francia Fiesta.”
to the nature and character of the An earlier resolution by the guidelines pertaining to the sta- city.” Robredo, who had been
festivities must be preserved.” Naga City Sanggunian Panglung- tus of Naga City and Camarines The said petition urged the severely criticized by the local
Moreover, the EO stipulated sod (SP) declaring the City as a Sur as “pilgrimage capitals,” the city government pass an or- church in previous years for
that government must ensure that “Pilgrimage City” had been spon- Perez resolution merely declared dinance which would provide abetting the “commercializa-
aside from respecting the essen- sored and subsequently adopted Naga City as a pilgrimage city basic services and facilities such tion” of the Peñafrancia celebra-
tial activities of the feast, “com- last August 24. owing to the annual Peñafrancia as shelters and parking places tion, sent the petition to City
mercial exploitation during the However, Resolution No. Fiesta celebration and to the to the huge number of pilgrims Legal Officer Angel Ojastro who
pilgrimage period such as street 2010-280 received approval from significance of 300th year com- who visit the city during the stated that such an ordinance
parties that may become ram- Naga City Mayor John Bongat memoration of the devotion to feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia “may violate certain legal te-
bunctious, drinking sprees in pla- only on September 13, three days Our Lady of Peñafrancia. every September. nets” found in the Constitution.
zas, street vending that obstruct after the President’s EO had been Unmentioned in the Perez The ordinance, the petition Ojastro alleged that an
passages towards the pilgrimage issued. resolution were possible func- indicated, would also identify ordinance declaring Naga City a
sites, and other similar activities, Sponsored by Hon. Joaquin tions or tasks of the City govern- “religious zones” that would ‘pilgrim city’ might violate the
shall be discouraged.” Perez and co-sponsored by Hon. ment in view of its declaration be free from commercial and legal doctrine on “the separation
Remarking on the President’s Cecilia de Asis, the resolution of Naga as “pilgrimage city.” “distracting” activities inimical of the Church and State.” (F.J.
EO, Tercentenary Celebration “Declaring Naga City As Pilgrim- to the religious celebration. Lagdameo)

Albay... From PAGE 1

tive has passed on to more than The ACW has documented

200,000 member-consumers.
The groups bearing streamers
and placards sounded the liberty
bell to warn consumers that the
power cut threat to ALECO was
made to condition the minds of
Albayanos to justify the power
rate hike and the privatization of
the cooperative.
After the picket, the protest-
ers motored to the public mar-
kets of Daraga and Legazpi City
sounding empty plastic bottles
with stones to get sympathy for
ALECO consumers. With the
battle cry “Albayano ka, konsu-
midor ka, kaentra ka!” ACW un-
derscored that even the governor
and businessmen were consumers
themselves.
the fiscal position of ALECO as
well as the shenanigans com-
mitted inside during the past ten
years to manifest their stand that
a rate increase will not save the
ailing cooperative but to design
austerity measures and prosecute
those involved in plunder.
In support to mass protest
against the rate hike, Fr. Ramon-
chito Segubiense has called for
an assembly of consumers on
Sept. 14, 2010 to firm up resolu-
tions also on how to go against
the impending private takeover
of ALECO by synthesizing the
sentiments and concerns of the
different sectors against Salceda’s
move. (Elmer James Bandol)

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please call or text

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0910.930.5022 or 0922.658.3861

(054) 473.4234 / 473.2530

6 Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| Vox Bikol 13 - 19 september 2010
13 - 19 september 2010 Vox Bikol Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| 7
8 Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| Vox Bikol BiKoL News 13 - 19 september 2010

Masbate... From PAGE 1

on Thursday, Pedrito Magsino, gon and Masbate are being used by

PDEA regional director, corrected
the report concerning the right
weight measurement of the seized
illegal drugs, noting that when the
shabu materials were weighed ex-
cluding the plastic packages at the
agency electronic weighing scale,
it yielded only 3.98 kilograms.
Magsino allayed reports and
speculations that the miscalcula-
tion of the correct weight of the
illegal drugs might be the handi-
work of unscrupulous anti-drug
operatives.
He said “our operative used
the standard weighing scale to
determine the correct quantity
of the illegal drugs including its
packaging.”
Asked of the street value of
the shabu, Magsino replied that
with the present street value of
shabu in Bikol ranging from P10
million to P15 million per kilo-
gram, the value of the confiscated
illegal drugs was estimated at P48
million.
The PNP and PDEA were one
in saying that the 3.98 kilograms
of shabu was the biggest seizure
made by anti-drug operative so far
in the past two years in Bikol.
Chief Supt. Cecilio Calleja,
Bicol police director said police
intelligence operatives based in
Manila said that the two arrested
female drug courier were mem-
bers of a drug group operating in
Manila under a drug lord who is
presently languishing in jail for
illegal drug trafficking.
When pressed to name the
jailed drug lord, Calleja refused to
name names because according to
him it may jeopardize an on-going
investigation.
At the press conference held at
Camp Simeon Ola the PNP and the
PDEA confirmed that Bikol region
specifically the provinces of Sorso-
DECLARING THE CITY OF NAGA AND THE
PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR AS PILGRIMAGE
CAPITALS OF THE BICOL REGION AND
RECOGNIZED TOP TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF
THE PHILIPPINES
PROCLAMATION NO. 33
drug syndicates as transshipment
points for illegal drugs to and from
Manila and the Visayas regions.
Earlier, a joint anti-drug police
and military operatives collared
on Wednesday two female drug
traders and seized from them five
kilograms of methamphetamine
hydrochloride popularly known
as “shabu” at the port of Masbate
City.
Arrested were Faith Gadiane
y Enolba, 25 and Hope Sasan y
Floreta both natives of Cebu City;
the suspects were in possession of
a large quantity of shabu stored
in boxes hidden in the suspects’
personal belongings.
Anti-drug operatives nabbed
the suspects while they were about
to embark a roro sea vessel at
about 9:00 a.m. Wednesday at the
Masbate port; the sea vessel was
bound for Cebu.
Initial investigation indicates
that the suspects came from Manila
and they were bound for Cebu via
the nautical highway from Pilar,
Sorsogon to Masbate.
Magsino said they have a
strong case against the suspects
as the arrests were witnessed by
members of the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA),
Department of Justice (DOJ), a
village chief and the media.
He said the arrest of the
two female drug peddlers came
after their intelligence operatives
informed them about a drug ship-
ment to Cebu to be hand -arried by
two suspects.
The suspects are now in the
custody of the Philippine National
Police (PNP) provincial office,
charges of violation of the Com-
prehensive Anti-drug Act have
been filed in a local court here
against the two suspects. (PNA
Bicol /PIA/mal)
PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK, PHILHEALTH SIGN AGREEMENT
FOR REGION 3 PHILHEALTH EMPLOYEES

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
DECLARING THE CITY OF
NAGA AND THE PROVINCE OF
CAMARINES SUR AS PILGRIM-
AGE CAPITALS OF THE BICOL
REGION AND RECOGNIZED TOP
TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF
THE PHILIPPINES
WHEREAS, Section 15, Article
14 of the 1987 Constitution de-
clares that the State shall conserve,
promote, and popularize the nation’s
historical and cultural heritage;
WHEREAS, the Feast of Our
Lady of Peñafrancia is the only
regional feast in the country and,
for the past three (3) centuries, has
become an epic historical event
that has become part of our cultural
heritage. Beginning every September
of every year until mid-October, the
City of Naga and the Province of
Camarines Sur welcome millions of
pilgrims from different parts of the
country and the world who partici-
pate in the celebration of the Feast of
Our Lady of Peñafrancia;
WHEREAS, the City of Naga,
the Heart of Bicol, where the 300-
year old image is enshrined, has long
been recognized and considered as
the pilgrimage capital of the Bicol
region;
WHEREAS, the State, pursuant
to the Philippine Constitution and
recognizing its duties and responsi-
bilities, as expressly prescribed in
Section 15, Article 14 thereof, and
cognizant of the contributions of the
Peñafrancia festivities to the local
economy, regardless of religion, pro-
motes peace and order, provide an
environment conducive to tourism,
a venue for appreciation of Bicol
arts and culture, its indigenous and
culinary arts, natural wonders and
archaeological treasures.
NOW THEREFORE, I, BENI-
GNO S. AQUINO III, President of
the Republic of the Philippines, by
virtue of the powers vested in me by
law, do hereby declare and proclaim
the City of Naga and the Province of
Camarines Sur as pilgrimage capitals
of the Bicol region and recognized
top tourist destinations of the Philip-
pines.
The programs and activities
instituted during the Peñafrancia
Festival must be conducted in an
atmosphere of peace and order that
must be assisted and maintained
by the government, and that the
solemnity and sensitivity of the
nature and character of the festivities
Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and long-time partner, PhilHealth, recently signed a
memorandum of agreement whereby PVB will be providing PhilHealth Region 3
employees ATM and payroll services including PVB’s unique “5-in-1” card that works
as a company ID, ATM, timekeeping card, debit card, and discount card . The MOA
was signed by PVB President and CEO Ricardo Balbido Jr. (2nd from left) and
PhilHealth President Dr. Rey Aquino (3rd from left) during the inauguration of PVB’s
San Fernando, Pampanga branch. Witnessing the event were PhilHealth Area Vice
President for NCR and North Luzon Tito Mendiola (leftmost), and key local officials
from Pampanga including (from left) Vice-Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, San
Fernando City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, and Governor Eduardo Panlilio.
must be preserved. Towards this end, to disturb and disrupt the activities, ticipate in the conduct of trade fairs,
the government shall ensure that the but shall be confined to enclosed job fairs, skills training and seminars
conduct of the observances essential places such as in malls, supermar- on agriculture, aquaculture and crafts
to the feast, which include but are kets, hotels, restaurants, theatres, during the months of September and
not limited to the Traslacion, the Flu- assembly halls and the like. October, and the Philippine National
vial and Dawn Processions and other Consistent with the foregoing Police is hereby mandated to provide
cultural and historical remembrance premises, and in recognition of the security assistance to the pilgrims
activities, shall be respected, and that feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia to and maintain peace and order during
commercial exploitation during the the local economy and to our na- the period of celebrations and festivi-
pilgrimage period such as street par- tion’s cultural heritage, the govern- ties.
ties that may become rambunctious, ment agencies in the City of Naga, IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
drinking sprees in plazas, street vend- in the Province of Camarines Sur I have hereunto set my hand and
ing that obstruct passages towards and in the Bicol Region, such as the caused the seal of the Republic of the
the pilgrimage sites, and other similar Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines to be affixed.
activities, shall be discouraged. Ac- Department of Tourism, Technical
cordingly, the local government units Education and Skills Development DONE in the City of Manila,
within the areas are thereby enjoined Authority, Department of Agricul- this 10th day of September, in the
to ensure that the nature and charac- ture, and the Department of Labor year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
ter of the Peñafrancia Festival shall and Employment, among others, in and Ten.
not be unduly breached and that such partnership with the Archdiocese of
commercial undertakings shall not be Caceres, shall put together their tech- (SGD) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
conducted in public places so as not nical and financial resources and par-
13 - 19 september 2010
Bikolano...
Bastes said he was truly over-
whelmed to see the fluvial proces-
sion and hear the Bikolanos’ shouts
of joy and victory
For his part, Virac Bishop
Manolo Delos Santos said his
province of Catanduanes has its
share of significant number of
Peñafrancia devotees.
Asked of ways to further
deepen the faith, Bishop Delos
Santos said there should be renew-
al, education and evangelization.
Former Senator Francisco S.
Tatad said that while the Biko-
lanos’ devotion to our Lady of
Peñafrancia has reached various
parts of the world, it has remained
“basically identified with Bikol,
(the Archdiocese of) Caceres as
we sing in the hymn Patrona del
Bicol.”
“On the 300th year anniver-
sary of the Bikolanos’ devotion to
Our Lady of Peñafrancia, we’re
seeing the arrival of pilgrims from
all over the world,” Senator Tatad
said.
The presence of overseas
Filipinos who participated in the
International Pilgrims Congress
Devotees of Ina along the riverbanks.
Ethics...
world.”
“So too in the political field,”
he added, “the ethical dimension
of policy has far-reaching conse-
quences that no government can
afford to ignore.”
Benedict XVI stated that the
central question at issue, then, is
this: where is the ethical founda-
tion for political choices to be
found?”
The Pope highlighted the
example of St. Thomas More, “the
great English scholar and states-
man, who is admired by believers
and non-believers alike for the
integrity with which he followed
his conscience, even at the cost of
displeasing the sovereign whose
‘good servant’ he was, because he
chose to serve God first.”
The Pontiff continued, “The
dilemma which faced More in
those difficult times, the peren-
nial question of the relationship
between what is owed to Caesar
and what is owed to God, allows
me the opportunity to reflect with
you briefly on the proper place of
religious belief within the political
process.”
“Britain has emerged as a
pluralist democracy which places
from September 16-17 showed that
the devotion has spread across the
world, he added.
He said the solemn Mass
presided by Archbishop Leonardo
Z. Legaspi, OP with several arch-
bishops from various places even
outside the country showed the
“great fervor, which you don’t see
in other places.”
The former lawmaker said a
foreign bishop who saw the mul-
titudes shouting ‘Viva La Virgen!’
almost broke down to tears be-
cause it was a moving experience.
Filipinos look at Our Lady of
Peñafrancia as a source of hope,
the former senator said.
“Inspite of all our problems,
the moral difficulties of the times,
marked by secularism and relativ-
ism spreading around the world,
the faith seems to be strong,” he
explained.
Legazpi City-based busi-
nessman Romeo Tan said he is a
staunch devotee of Our Lady of
Peñafrancia. Interviewed after
the briefing for the voyadores and
other passengers of the barge bear-
ing the region’s icon, Tan said he
great value on freedom of speech,
freedom of political affiliation and
respect for the rule of law, with
a strong sense of the individual’s
rights and duties, and of the equal-
ity of all citizens before the law,”
he observed.
“Catholic social teaching
has much in common with this
approach,” the Holy Father noted,
“in its overriding concern to
safeguard the unique dignity of
every human person, created in the
image and likeness of God, and in
its emphasis on the duty of civil
authority to foster the common
good.”
He continued: “Each gen-
eration, as it seeks to advance the
common good, must ask anew:
what are the requirements that
governments may reasonably
impose upon citizens, and how far
do they extend?
“By appeal to what authority
can moral dilemmas be resolved?”
“These questions take us
directly to the ethical foundations
of civil discourse,” Benedict XVI
stated.
“If the moral principles under-
pinning the democratic process are
themselves determined by nothing
Vox Bikol Church News Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| 9
From PAGE 12 Thousands... From PAGE 12
attributed his being able to over- from the archdiocese. tion of the participants,” he added.
come trials through Mama Mary’s “The traslacion was a success, Cultural Presentations
intercession. from the procession from the Peña- “All the activities were done
“I believe in her intercession francia Shrine to the Metropolitan by the Church with the exception
and as a businessman that I am, Cathedral to the security and the of the traditional Civic-Military
I am calling on my colleagues to traffic,” Msgr. Vergara said. Parade, which was supervised by
seriously consider becoming devo- He acknowledged the close the city government,” Msgr. Ver-
tees in the near future,” Tan said. coordination between the archdio- gara further said.
Police Chief Supt. Cecilio cese and the city government and He said this year’s theme
Calleja said he appreciates the other agencies including the mili- “Growing in Holiness with Ina”
preparation and cooperation of tary and the medical professionals. is more than appropriate because
Church leaders and local govern- “The procession which usually it emphasizes the devotion should
ment units and national govern- last for four hours, has been sig- not end with Ina but rather on God
ment agencies in keeping the nificantly reduced to an hour and a as the Blessed Mother is just an
Peñafrancia celebration peaceful half, through the spiritual forma- instrument, a way to God. (CBCP-
and orderly. News)
Interviewed by CBCPNews,
the Bicol police director said they
have not monitored any untow-
ard incident despite the influx of
hundreds of thousands of devotees
from all walks of life, the country
and various parts of the world.
The Papal Nuncio to the Phil-
ippines Archbishop Edward Joseph
Adams led the Catholic Church
officials from other diocese and
countries. He presided the concele-
brated Mass at the Basilica Minore
del Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia.
(Melo M. Acuna)
JOEL NOORA
VIC NIERVA
From PAGE 12
Jueteng... From PAGE 12
these prelates are that also receive, aid for the repair of their seminary
more solid than social consensus,
not just jueteng money, but also which was heavily damaged by a
then the fragility of the process
from the Philippine Amusement storm.
becomes all too evident,” he said.
and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), a Cruz said he immediately re-
“Herein lies the real challenge for
state-run agency which is in charge jected the offer which was amount-
democracy.”
of casinos around the country. ing to P3 million.
“The Catholic tradition
“These people (jueteng lords) “My point exactly is that we
maintains that the objective norms
would like to earn or have good- don’t need money from jueteng for
governing right action are acces-
will of Church people and they our projects… that you don’t need
sible to reason, prescinding from
would like to save their souls so these people to be able to build
the content of revelation,” the
they are willing to pay for it,” he churches, etc,” he said.
Pope affirmed.
said. Asked whether he would bring
“According to this under-
“Of course if you are a big fel- the issue to the leadership of the
standing,” he continued, “the role
low you have to pay more. It you Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
of religion in political debate is not
are a smalltime operator you have the Philippines, Cruz said it never
so much to supply these norms,
to pay less. That is buying your crossed his mind as yet.
as if they could not be known
salvation through jueteng payola.” “Frankly, I can’t say that be-
by non-believers -- still less to pro-
When he was still archbishop cause I’m no longer active (mem-
pose concrete political solutions,
of Lingayen-Dagupan, he admit- ber of the CBCP). That is there
which would lie altogether outside
ted he himself was offered by a command and responsibility,” he
the competence of religion -- but
jueteng lord of a hefty financial said. (Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)
rather to help purify and shed light
upon the application of reason to
the discovery of objective moral
principles.”
Vox Bikol is now accepting short stories,
The Pontiff said, “This is why poems and photo contributions.
I would suggest that the world of
Please submit your work to
reason and the world of faith -- the
world of secular rationality and the
voxbikol.ibfi@gmail.com
world of religious belief -- need
one another and should not be
afraid to enter into a profound and
ongoing dialogue, for the good of Don’t forget to include your name, age and occupation.
our civilization.” (Zenit)
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Healthy Miniralized Water, Uragon Mobile Servicing Center, , HAPPY
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Side Apartment Homes, ink ALL-YOU-CAN, ALCAZAR Color Supply,
University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP), MASTER SQUARE
Supermart-Dept. Store-Fastfood, STI College, PRU LIFE U.K.–Franz P.
Canlas Gen. Agency, K SERVICO, S.O.L Broadcasting Station of Aling
Sonia-DWOS 103.1 fm Naga, RGMA 101.5 fm Campus Radio-Ayos,
COCOLIFE, FACIAL Plus, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS),
24 K Pawnshop, Jewelry & Money Changer, New Sinulog Grill Restaurant,
Didith Beauty Parlor, Aristocrat Barber Shop, BESCOM Trading, Sadi Baloy
Restaurant-Bar, VSR Copy Centers, RUSTIA Medical & Dental Clinic, Dr. &
Mrs. Doroteo E. Federis, Jr. & Family, Aldrtz Corp., Consuelo “Chito
Madrigal Foundation-Bikol, The Bishop Gainza Trade Fair Committee and
Participants, Ina nin Bikol Foundation, Inc. (IBFI) and Vox Bikol.
13 - 19 september 2010
NOTICE OF SALE ON
EXECUTION OF REAL
PROPERTY
WHEREAS, by virtue of the
Writ of Execution issued on
Civil Case No. 2008-0124
entitled Lolita Almine vs.
Cipriano Motos III by Atty.
Jesusa I. Mampo, Branch
Clerk of Court, Regional
Trial
Court, Branch 19, Naga City,
dated April 13, 2010 for the
of the sum of P697,757.12
exclusive of attorney’s ap-
pearance fee and expenses of
execution; on levy was made
by the sheriff herein upon
the IDEAL SHARE on the
rights and participation
which
the defendants have in the
real properties herein-below
described, to wit:
TRANSFER CERTIFICATE
OF TITLE NO. RT-
9605(6263)
Location: Palestina, Pili,
Camarines Sur
Area: 1,677 square meters
In the name of Cipriano A.
Motos, Jr.”
“TRANSFER CERTIFI-
CATE
OF TITLE NO. RT-
173(21847)
Location: Palestina, Pili,
Camarines Sur
Area: 28,815 square meters
In the name of Cipriano A.
Motos, Jr.”
NOW, THEREFORE, by
virtue of said Writ of Execu-
tion
and in the accordance
with Rule 39, Section 19,
of the Rules of Court, the
undersigned will sell at
public
auction to the highest bidder,
for CASH in Philippine Cur-
rency,
on September 27, 2010
at 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the
Municipal Hall of PIli, Ca-
marines
Sur that IDEAL SHARE
of defendant Cipriano Mo-
tors
III in the above described
properties in their satisfy said
Writ of Execution.
In the event that the auction
sale should not take place on
the said date due to lawful
cause/s such as typhoon. It
shall be held on October 4,
2010 SAME TIME WITH-
OUT FURTHER NOTICE.
August 25, 2010 at Naga
City, Philippines
(Sgd.) PELAGIO J. PAPA,
JR/
Sheriff IV
Vox Bikol: August 30, Sept.
6 and 13, 2010
Republic of the Philippines
REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT
5th Judicial Region
Branch 57
Libmanan, Camarines Sur
PETITION FOR CORREC-
TION OF ENTRY UNDE
RULE 108 OF THE RE-
VISED RULES OF
COURT
SHYRINE E. ADONES,
Petitioner,
Spec. Proc. No. L 1675
Versus-
THE LOCAL CIVIL REGIS-
TRAR
OF LIBMANAN, CAMA-
RINES
SUR,
Respondent.
x----------------------------x
ORDER
In this verified petition, peti-
tioner seeks the correction of
the clerical error in her
Certificate of Live Birth as
appearing in the Office of
the Local Civil Registrar of
Libmanan, Camarines Sur,
by correcting her date of
birth from February 27, 1997
to February 27, 1988 and
the date of marriage of her
parents from July 24,
1993 to July 28, 1983.
Finding the petition to be
sufficient in form and in
substance,let the same be
set for initial hearing on
SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 at
8:30 am. All interested per-
sons may appear and show
cause if any, why the petition
should not be granted.
Notify the petitioner, her
counsel, the Court Prosecu-
tor,
the Solicitor General, and
the Local Civil Registrar of
Libmanan, Camarines Sur.
The petitioner is directed to
cause the publication of this
order for three (3) consecu-
tive
weeks in a newspaper of
general circulation chosen
by raffle, before the date of
hearing.
SO ORDERED.
Given this 9th day of August
2010 in Libmanan, Cama-
rines
Sur, Philippines
(Sgd.) LORE R. VALEN-
CIA- BAGALACSA
Pairing Judge
Vox Bikol
Aug. 30, Sept. 6 and 13,
2010
EXTRAJUDICIAL SET-
TLEMENT OF ESTATE
WITH ABSOLUTEB
SALE
Notice is hereby given that
the late Sps. PEDRO and
MAGDALENA BARRIEN-
TOS, died intestate on Nov.
5,
1988 and March 2004 both at
Sta. Elena, CNorte. That the
deceased Sps. Left a parcel
of
land situated at Manlubang,
Sipocot, CSur with an area of
40,691 sqm., under ARP No.
97-029-00010. This deed
was a subject of Extrajudicial
Settlement of Estate with
Absolute Sale in favor unto
Nolimie B. Lacibal. Ac-
knowledged before public
Atty. Florencio R. Rosales,
per doc no. 827, page no.
166,
book no. 22, Series of 2010.
Vox Bikol: Aug. 30, Sept. 6
and 13, 2010
Vox Bikol Notices
DEED OF
EXTRAJUDICIAL
SETTLEMENT
OF ESTATE WITH
ABSOLUTE SALE
Notice is hereby given that
the late MARIANO POR-
MENTO died intestate on
March 28, 1998 at Manila.
That the said deceased left
10 parcels of agricultural
land situated at Salvacion,
Ragay, CSur with an area of
40,691 sqm., under ARP No.
97-029-00010. This Deed
was a subject of Extrajudicial
Settlement of Estate with
Absolute Sale in favor unto
Barangay Salvacion, Munici-
pality of Ragay, Province of
Camarines Sur, represented
by Brgy. Captain Raul L.
Roma. Acknowledged before
public Atty Tirso Mariano, as
per doc. No. 2188, page no.
39, book no. xxxx, series of
2010.
Vox Bikol
Aug. 30, Sept. 6 and 13,
2010
Republic of the Philippines
REGIONAL TIRAL COURT
5th Judicial Region
Branch 31, Pili, Camarines
Sur
BANCO FILIPINO SAV-
INGS
AND MORTGAGE BANK,
NAGA BRANCH.
Mortgagee,
SPEC. PROCS. NO. P-1883
For: Extra-Judicial Foreclo-
sure of Real Estate Mortgage
under Act No.
3135 as Amended.
-versus-
SPS. EDWIN AND JULI-
ANA VELORIA Prospective buyers are
Mortgagor
x-------------------------x
NOTICE OF EXTRA JU-
DICIAL FORECLOSURE
SALE
Upon extra-judicial peti-
tion for sale under Act No.
3135, as amended by Act No.
4118, filed by the BANCO
FILIPINO SAVINGS AND
MORTGAGE BANK,
NAGA BRANCH thru its 4th
AVP and Branch Manager
JESSIE F. SAVILLA, as
mortgagee, against Spouses
EDWIN and JULIANA
VELORIA, mortgagor, with
residence and post office
address at Block 28, Lot
22, St. Paul Subdivision,
Palestina, Pili, Camarines
Sur, the registered owner of
the mortgaged property, to
satisfy the mortgagee indebt-
edness, which as of August
31, 2010, amounts to EIGHT
HUNDRED FORTY THOU-
SAND FOUR HUNDRED
THIRTY SIX and 92/100
( P840,438.92). PESOS,
representing the unpaid prin-
cipal and accrued interests,
penalty and other charges as
of said date excluding the
expenses for the foreclosure,
the undersigned Sheriff
IV will SELL at PUBLIC
AUCTION on OCTOBER 6,
2010 at 9:00 o’clock in the
morning to 4:00 o’clock in
the afternoon at the Office of
the Clerk of Court VI & Ex-
Officio Sheriff, RTC, Cadlan,
Pili, Camarines Sur to the
highest bidder for CASH or
MANAGER’S CHECK, the
property described herein
with all the improvements
now existing thereon, to wit:
LOT 8, BLOCK 9
A parcel of land (Lot 24,
Block 28) of the subdivi-
sion plan, (LRC) Psd-69523
(Sheet 3) being a portion
of lot 1-B-2-B-1, described
on plan (LRC) Psd- 67228,
LRC (GLRO) Record No.
19719, situated in the Barrio
of Palestina, Municipality of
Pili, Province of Camarines
Sur, bounded on the NE.,
points 2 to 3, by Road Lot
35; on the SE., points 3 to
5, by Road Lot 16; on the
SW., points 5 to 1, Lot 22;
and on the NW., points 1 to
1 by lot 23, both of Block
28, all of the Subdivision
Plan. Beginning at a point
marked “1” on plan, being
S. 0 deg, 26’W., 1046.85
from B.L.B.M. No. 1., Bo
of Palestina, Mun. of Pili,
Camarines Sur; thence N. 66
deg. 04’E., 12.59 m to point
2; thence S. 21 deg. 35’E.,
14.40 m. to point 3; S. 22
deg. 09’W., 4.01m to point
4; thence S. 66 deg. 11’W.,
9.06m. to point 5; thence
N. 24deg. 06’W., 17.15m.
to the point of beginning;
containing an area of TWO
HUNDRED AND SIX (206)
SQUARE METERS, more
or less. All points referred
to are indicated on the plan
and marked on the ground by
P.S. Cyl. Conc.Mons. 15x 60
cms.; bearings true; date of
the original survey Decem-
ber 1-8, 1919, and the of the
Subdivision Survey, January
10-31, 1967.
hereby enjoined to inves-
tigate for themselves the
aforementioned descrip-
tion of the property and the
encumbrances thereon, if any
there be.
Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur,
September 6, 2010
For the Clerk of Court VI
and Ex-Officio Sheriff:
By:
(SGD.) FELIX F. GUMBA
Sheriff IV
Copy furnished:
Banco Flipino Savings and
Mortgage
Bank, Naga City, Naga City
Thru: Mr. Jessie F. Savilla
4th AVP & Branch Manager
Sps. Edwin and Juliana
Veloria
Blk. 28, Lot 22 St. Paul
Subdivision,
Palestina, Pili, Camarines
Sur
WARNING:
It is absolutely prohibited
to remove deface or destroy
this Notice of Sale on or
before the date of sale, under
penalty of law.
Vox Bikol:
Sep. 13, 20 and 27, 2010
Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69|
Republic of the Philippines
REGIONAL TIRAL COURT
5th Judicial Region
Naga City
NOTICE OF
EXTRA JUDICIAL SALE
UPON EXTRA JUDICIAL
PETITION FOR SALE UN-
DER act 3135 as amended,
filed by the GOVERNMENT
SERVICE INSURANCE
SYSTEM (GSIS) against
Sps. Alex A. Arejola and Ar-
nelfa P. Arejola with postal
address at Lot 8, Block 13,
Gimenez Park Subd., Con-
cepcion Pequena, Naga City
or NIA Compound, Pan-
ganiban Drive, Naga City, to
satisfy the mortgage indebt-
edness in the amounts of PE-
SOS: ONE MILLION FOUR
HUNDRED TWENTY TWO
THOUSAND TWO HUN-
DRED SEVEN & 10/100
(P1,422,207.10), inclusive
of interests and penalties
and other charges as of April
30, 2006, plus expenses of
foreclosure, the undersigned
WILL SELL at public auc-
tion on NOVEMBER 10,
2010 at 10:00 o’clock a.m. or
soon thereafter at the lobby
of the City Hall of Naga, to
the highest bidder, for CASH
and in the Philippine Curren-
cy, the following properties
with all the improvements
thereon, to wit:
TRANSFER CERTIFICATE
OF TITLE NO. 43273
“A PARCEL OF LAND( Lot
8, Block 13, Sheet 1, of the
consolidation-subdivision
plan (LRC) Pcs-12176, being
a portion of the consolidation
of Lot 4, Pcs-4257, Lots 2
and 6, (LRC) Pcs-5847, and
Lot 2-B, (LRC) Psd-99309,
L.R.C. rec. Nos. 19719,
20599, 33067 & 51543),
situated in the Barrio of
Concepcion Pequena, City
of Naga, Island of Luzon.
Bounded on the North.,
points 2 to 3 by Lot 10,
Block 13; on the E., points 3
to 4 by Road Lot 6; on the
S., points 4 to 1 by Lot 6, and
on the W., points 1 to 2 Lot
7, both of Block 13; all of
the consolidation-subdivision
plan. Beginning at a point
marked x x x containing an
area of TWO HUNDRED
FORTY ( 240) SQUARE
METERS, and ARNELFA P.
AREJOLA.” Declared under
Tax Declaration No. 01-009-
2611.
Prospective buyers may in-
vestigate for themselves the
title herein above-described
and encumbrances thereon, if
any there be.
In the even that the auction
should not take place on the
said date, it shall be held on
November 22, 2010, without
further notice.
Naga City, September 3,
2010
(SGD.) EDGAR A. HU-
FANCIA
Sheriff IV
Copy furnished:
Sps. Alex A. Arejola
And Arnelfa P. Arejola
Naga City
11
GSIS, Naga City
Vox Bikol:
Sep. 13, 20 and 27, 2010
EXTRA JUDICIAL SET-
TLEMENT OF ESTATE
WITH SALE
This is hereby given that the
estate of the late PASCUAL
MUCEROS died on Febru-
ary 20, 1986 at Malansad,
Viejo, Libmanan, Cam. Sur
left a parcel of land contain-
ing an area of 2,738 sqm.,
That in consideration of the
amounts paid do hereby sell,
transfer and convey by way
of Extra Judicial Settlement
with Absolute Sale unto
Leonardo Espanol.. Ac-
knowledged before notary
public Leoncio M. Clemente,
doc. No. 81, page no. 18,
book no. 193, series of 2010.
Vox Bikol:
Sep. 13, 20 and 27, 2010
DEED OF EXTRA JUDI-
CIAL SETTLEMENT OF
ESTATE
WITH ABSOLUTE SALE
This is hereby given that the
estate of the late PIO COR-
NELIO died on November
19, 2009 at San Felipe, Naga
City, left a parcel of agricul-
tural land containing an area
of 18,780 sqm.,, with TD No.
01-022-4737, and embraced
by TCT No. 273. That in
consideration of the amount
paid do hereby sell, transfer
and convey by way of Extra
Judicial Settlement with
Absolute Sale unto Edu-
ardo Preconcillo Froyalde,
a parcel of land with an area
200 sqm., of. Acknowledged
before notary public Tirso
P. Mariano, doc. No. 2423,
page no. 86, book no. xxxx,
series of 2010.
Vox Bikol:
Sep. 13, 20 and 27, 2010
DEED OF EXTRA JUDI-
CIAL SETTLEMENT OF
ESTATE
WITH ABSOLUTE SALE
This is hereby given that the
estate of the late LEONCIO
ALBO died on March 27,
1993 at San Antonio, Milaor,
CSur, left a parcel of agri-
cultural land containing an
area of 6,445 sqm.,, with TD
No. 97-14-00883, OCT No.
RP-4674 (29421). That in
consideration of the amount
paid do hereby sell, transfer
and convey by way of Abso-
lute Sale the 2 parcels to wit:
Parcel I-Julieta Silvestre-
Tamora, 644 sqm., portion of
OCT No. RP-4674 (29421)
and Parcel II- Dunn Jeffrie
Silvestre Austria, 363 sqm.,
portion of OCT No. RP-4674
(29421). Acknowledged
before notary public Tirso
P. Mariano, doc. No. 2361,
page no. 74, book no. xxxx,
series of 2010.
Vox Bikol:
Sep. 13, 20 and 27, 2010
 GOSPEL (SEPTEMBER 19, 2010)
Jesus told his disciples, “There was a rich man whose steward was
reported to him for fraudulent service. He summoned the steward and
asked him: ‘What is this I hear about you? I want you to render an ac-
count of your service for it is about to be terminated.’
“The steward thought to himself: ‘What am I to do now? My
master will surely dismiss me. I am not strong enough to do hard work,
Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| 13 - 19 SEPTEmBEr 2010
LK 16:1–13 (OR LK 16:10–13)
and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I will do: I must make sure that
when I am dismissed, there will be some people to welcome me into
their house.’
“So he called his master’s debtors one by one. He asked the
first who came: ‘How much do you owe my master?’ The reply was:
‘A hundred jars of oil.’ The steward said: ‘Here is your bill. Sit down
CoNTINUED oN PAGE 3

Thousands of devotees to flock Peñafrancia Tercentenary

NAGA CITY, SEPT. 18, 2010—
Thousands flocked the Bikol
region’s commercial center as the
Archdiocese of Caceres rolls out
the red carpet to the faithful devo-
He added they begun the
month of September with the
Harubay announcing the coming
novena masses and coming fiesta
of Ina involving various organiza-

Dr. BoB mENDoZA

tees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in
celebration of the three hundredth
year of devotion to the revered
icon.
Msgr. Romulo Vergara, Rector
of the Basilica Minore de Nuestra
Señora de Peñafrancia told CBCP-
News their preparations paid off as
everything has gone smoothly well
according to plans.
“The lay faithful and the reli-
gious had their different commit-
tees from the spiritual and physi-
cal preparations and all the other
activities we had,” Msgr. Vergara
said.
tions with the appropriate recollec-
tions.
A trade fair in honor of Bishop
Francisco Gainza y Escobas, a
former prelate of Caceres who
passed away in 1863, will end on
Monday, September 20 at the SM
Naga grounds.
Bishop Gainza is being
acknowledged as responsible for
bringing new farm equipment to
the rich farming community in the
Camarines provinces during his
time. The fair showcases the prod-
ucts of farmers and entrepreneurs
SImVALE SAYAT
THoUSANDS / PAGE 9

Pope stresses Devotion to Peñafrancia is

ethics in distinctively Bikolano—bishop
politics
“THE MAKER OF PREMIUM & QUALITY PRODUCTS FOR BETTER LIFE”

NAGA CITY, SEPT. 19, 2010—The Bikolanos’ deep devo-

LONDON, SEPT. 17, 2010--
BENEDICT XVI is underlining
the need to base political decisions
in ethical foundations and objec-
tive moral principles, without
which democracy is threatened.
Today in London, the Pope
addressed representatives of civil
society, the academic, cultural and
entrepreneurial world, the diplo-
matic corps and religious leaders
at Westminster Hall. The meeting
took place on the second day of
the Pontiff’s four-day state visit to
the United Kingdom.
The Holy Father affirmed,
“There is widespread agreement
that the lack of a solid ethical
foundation for economic activity
has contributed to the grave dif-
ficulties now being experienced by
millions of people throughout the
ETHICS / PAGE 9
tion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia is what makes the region’s
faithful different and distinct from other devotees.
This was the impression shared by Sorsogon Bishop
Arturo Bastes, SVD in an interview with CBCPNews at the
Archbishop’s Chapel, a couple of hours before the traditional
fluvial procession along the Bikol River yesterday.
“(The devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia) is something
different and very unique,” he said.
Recalling his first visit to Naga City eight years ago
while preparing for his assumption as co-adjutor bishop of the
Diocese of Sorsogon, Bastes said Caceres Archbishop Leon-
ardo Z. Legaspi, OP insisted then that he spent his first days
in the Bikol region “to pay homage to Ina” before assuming
his new appointment in Sorsogon.
BIKoLANo / PAGE 9

8 bishops get
jueteng payola
too—Cruz
MANILA, SEPT. 14, 2010—
NOT just government officials but
even some Catholic bishops are
receiving payola from the illegal
numbers game called jueteng.
Retired Archbishop Oscar
Cruz admitted he is saddened with
what is happening but these church
officials are getting jueteng money
as donations from the illegal gam-
bling operators.
“There are about 12 dioceses
that we are looking into but we are
most certain of the eight (dioceses
that are getting jueteng money),”
he said.
Cruz revealed there were cer-
tain changes in the payola system
for Church officials because of the
new government.
In the past administration, he
said, they know very well who
JUETENG / PAGE 9