By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 17:37:00 03/26/2009
Filed Under: Politics, Accidents (general)
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines--The boy who was run over by horses in Masbate City last week is now stable and out of danger, but this time, he is being run over by different creatures: annoying politicians.
Russell, 11, a fifth-grade student of Jose Zurbito Elementary School, was wounded as Senator Manuel Villar’s helicopter was landing in the sports arena where the annual Rodeo Masbateño festival was opened.
The chopper’s landing stirred up dust on the ground and spooked five horses, which dashed around the stadium, running over Russell who sustained facial abrasions and contusions in the head.
“We were nervous when we heard about what happened to our son. First, because we weren’t there and we had no idea how serious it was,” Russell’s father, Roberto Bentor said in a phone interview.
Villar’s dramatic entrance, which cut a speech of a top local official, sparked criticism from some of the locals, saying it was improper.
Russell was rushed to the hospital semi-conscious and had to breathe through oxygen equipment. Doctors have also kept a dextrose plugged to his vein during his first day of stay in the hospital.
His classmates paid a visit until he regained consciousness.
His teacher Lovella Patricio claimed that Russell had a seizure right after his fall. He did not undergo a CT scan, which was not available in Masbate City.
Bentor said they only wanted a CT scan for his son to make sure he was completely safe after the head injury.
He added the hospital bills were covered by their PhilHealth insurance.
Salvador Belgica, Jose Zurbito Elementary School principal, who had a meeting with Russell’s parents Thursday, said the family was not interested in any financial help and would only want their lives back to normal.
Belgica said politicians wooing Russell’s family have been bothersome and annoying.
He said Russell was getting scared by the unusual attention he and his family have been getting.
Roberto said that, after the incident, at least four political camps, known to be Villar’s rivals in the 2010 presidential elections, had approached them.
He, however, refused to name who the politicians were.
“We did not entertain any of them and we have no plans of accepting any offer from them. We don’t want to get involved in politics,” Roberto said in Filipino.
There were also radio reports this week that Russell was still in serious condition but Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, Masbate provincial health officer, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he was discharged from the hospital a day after he was admitted.
Earlier, Villar said he had no intention of disrupting the event and apologized to those who felt offended.
“From what I know, there were some [safety] issues but the pilot was able to land without too much disruption. Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest,” he said.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Cowboy Manny spooks horses, guests in rodeo
By Ephraim Aguilar
INQUIRER.net
MASBATE CITY--Talk about a dramatic entrance.
A helicopter descended from the heavens, stirring up dust, while a political jingle played at full blast. Senator Manuel Villar, who came dressed as a cowboy, alighted from the chopper and was brought to the grandstand by a mob of aides and supporters.
This happened in the middle of the opening ceremonies of the annual Rodeo Masbateño festival here on Wednesday, disrupting a speech by a top local tourism official.
Five horses, spooked by the chopper’s landing, dashed around the stadium like mad creatures and ran over a boy who was injured and rushed to the hospital.
Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, provincial health officer, said the boy arrived at the hospital semiconscious and was found to have suffered abrasions on his face as well as cerebral contusions.
Meanwhile, the star-struck masses howled as cowboy Villar paced closer and started shaking everyone’s hand.
Villar, who is running for president in 2010, later delivered a speech.
Respect culture of place
For most people, the senator’s entrance was too grand to ignore.
But for education supervisor Erusita Rosero, cultural coordinator of the Department of Education in Masbate City, Villar’s behavior was not proper.
“No one should disrupt an activity like that. Visitors should properly respect the culture of a place,” Rosero said.
“Since he (Villar) was invited by politicians, there could also be something political behind his visit,” she added.
So sorry
Rosero said all guests were welcome to Masbate. She added there was nothing wrong with inviting Villar but his visit should not be used as an opportunity to campaign.
Throughout the opening rites, Villar was repeatedly referred to by emcees and other politicians as the “next president of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Asked for comment, Villar said he had no intention of disrupting the event and apologized to those who felt offended.
“From what I know, there were some [safety] issues but the pilot was able to land without too much disruption. Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest,” he said.
Not intentional
Masbate Governor Elisa Kho, who was with Villar during his late entrance, said the circumstances were not within the senator’s control.
She said they already apologized to Maria Ong-Ravanilla, regional director of the Department of Tourism, for unintentionally disrupting her speech.
“I think it was not being disrespectful,” Kho said in a phone interview.
She added that the 2010 elections were not that far off and politicians tend to grab every opportunity to introduce themselves to the public.
“It cannot be avoided,” Kho said.
She also said that Villar pledged support for the annual rodeo festival and to Masbate province once he was elected president.
Why not the airport?
Local trader Carmelito Fajara, 37, said there were varied reactions from Masbate residents. Some were offended, while others couldn’t care less.
“But since the city has an airport, I think it would have been wiser if [Villar] had landed there so he could quietly enter the stadium,” Fajara said.
“It’s only now, after many years, that I have witnessed such a scene during the rodeo festival!” he added.
“Dili pa ngani siya nagiging presidente (He is not even president yet),” was another comment from a local resident.
INQUIRER.net
MASBATE CITY--Talk about a dramatic entrance.
A helicopter descended from the heavens, stirring up dust, while a political jingle played at full blast. Senator Manuel Villar, who came dressed as a cowboy, alighted from the chopper and was brought to the grandstand by a mob of aides and supporters.
This happened in the middle of the opening ceremonies of the annual Rodeo Masbateño festival here on Wednesday, disrupting a speech by a top local tourism official.
Five horses, spooked by the chopper’s landing, dashed around the stadium like mad creatures and ran over a boy who was injured and rushed to the hospital.
Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, provincial health officer, said the boy arrived at the hospital semiconscious and was found to have suffered abrasions on his face as well as cerebral contusions.
Meanwhile, the star-struck masses howled as cowboy Villar paced closer and started shaking everyone’s hand.
Villar, who is running for president in 2010, later delivered a speech.
Respect culture of place
For most people, the senator’s entrance was too grand to ignore.
But for education supervisor Erusita Rosero, cultural coordinator of the Department of Education in Masbate City, Villar’s behavior was not proper.
“No one should disrupt an activity like that. Visitors should properly respect the culture of a place,” Rosero said.
“Since he (Villar) was invited by politicians, there could also be something political behind his visit,” she added.
So sorry
Rosero said all guests were welcome to Masbate. She added there was nothing wrong with inviting Villar but his visit should not be used as an opportunity to campaign.
Throughout the opening rites, Villar was repeatedly referred to by emcees and other politicians as the “next president of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Asked for comment, Villar said he had no intention of disrupting the event and apologized to those who felt offended.
“From what I know, there were some [safety] issues but the pilot was able to land without too much disruption. Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest,” he said.
Not intentional
Masbate Governor Elisa Kho, who was with Villar during his late entrance, said the circumstances were not within the senator’s control.
She said they already apologized to Maria Ong-Ravanilla, regional director of the Department of Tourism, for unintentionally disrupting her speech.
“I think it was not being disrespectful,” Kho said in a phone interview.
She added that the 2010 elections were not that far off and politicians tend to grab every opportunity to introduce themselves to the public.
“It cannot be avoided,” Kho said.
She also said that Villar pledged support for the annual rodeo festival and to Masbate province once he was elected president.
Why not the airport?
Local trader Carmelito Fajara, 37, said there were varied reactions from Masbate residents. Some were offended, while others couldn’t care less.
“But since the city has an airport, I think it would have been wiser if [Villar] had landed there so he could quietly enter the stadium,” Fajara said.
“It’s only now, after many years, that I have witnessed such a scene during the rodeo festival!” he added.
“Dili pa ngani siya nagiging presidente (He is not even president yet),” was another comment from a local resident.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Villar’s visit to Masbate spooks horses
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 18:13:00 03/21/2009
INQUIRER.net
MASBATE CITY, Masbate—(Update) A senator’s chopper descended from heaven, churning up clouds of dust from ground, and then a political jingle began to play loudly as he was ushered by a mob of aides and supporters to the grandstand.
This happened in the middle of the opening ceremonies of the Rodeo Masbateño festival here last Wednesday, disrupting the speech of a top local tourism official.
Five horses in one corner of the stadium were spooked by the helicopter’s landing and vaulted away, overrunning a boy who had to be rushed to a hospital.
Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, provincial health officer, said the boy, who was semi-conscious when brought to the hospital, suffered abrasions and cerebral contusions.
Probably star-struck, the masses howled as Senator Manuel Villar, who is running for president in 2010 and was dressed like a cowboy, paced closer to them and shook everyone’s hand.
The senator’s dramatic entrance was too grand to ignore, but for some it was a form of disrespect.
For education supervisor Erusita Rosero, cultural coordinator of the Department of Education in Masbate City, said Villar’s behavior was not proper.
“No one should disrupt an activity like that. Visitors should properly respect the culture of a place,” she said.
“Since he (Villar) was invited by politicians, there could also be something political behind his visit,” Rosero said.
She added that every guest was welcome to Masbate province and that there was nothing wrong with Villar being invited but she wished his arrival at the festival should not have been used for careless campaigning.
“Sa pagkaka-alam ko, although there were slight issues, the pilot was able to land safely without too much disruption,” Villar said in a statement e-mailed to the Inquire Saturday evening. “Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest. I thank them.”
Throughout the opening rites, Villar was repeatedly addressed by emcees and other politicians as the “next president of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Local trader Carmelito Lajara, 37, said there could be varying reactions from people; some might have been offended while others may have not.
“But since the city has an airport, I think it could have been wiser if [Villar] landed there instead so he could more quietly enter the venue. In that way, he wouldn’t get so much attention,” Fajara said.
“Only now, after many years that I have witnessed the Rodeo festival, did such a scene happen!” Fajara said.
“Dili pa ngani siya nagiging presidente, (He has not yet even become president)” was a common side comment from some Masbate residents.
Sought for comment, Masbate Governor Elisa Kho, who was with Villar during his late entrance, said the circumstances were not within Villar’s control.
She added that they apologized to Maria Ong-Ravanilla, regional director of the Department of Tourism, for disrupting her speech.
“I think it was not being disrespectful,” Kho said in a phone interview, explaining that the 2010 election were not so far off and politicians had to grab every opportunity to introduce themselves to the public. “It cannot be avoided.”
She added that Villar pledged support to the annual Rodeo festival and to Masbate province once he is elected as president.
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 18:13:00 03/21/2009
INQUIRER.net
MASBATE CITY, Masbate—(Update) A senator’s chopper descended from heaven, churning up clouds of dust from ground, and then a political jingle began to play loudly as he was ushered by a mob of aides and supporters to the grandstand.
This happened in the middle of the opening ceremonies of the Rodeo Masbateño festival here last Wednesday, disrupting the speech of a top local tourism official.
Five horses in one corner of the stadium were spooked by the helicopter’s landing and vaulted away, overrunning a boy who had to be rushed to a hospital.
Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, provincial health officer, said the boy, who was semi-conscious when brought to the hospital, suffered abrasions and cerebral contusions.
Probably star-struck, the masses howled as Senator Manuel Villar, who is running for president in 2010 and was dressed like a cowboy, paced closer to them and shook everyone’s hand.
The senator’s dramatic entrance was too grand to ignore, but for some it was a form of disrespect.
For education supervisor Erusita Rosero, cultural coordinator of the Department of Education in Masbate City, said Villar’s behavior was not proper.
“No one should disrupt an activity like that. Visitors should properly respect the culture of a place,” she said.
“Since he (Villar) was invited by politicians, there could also be something political behind his visit,” Rosero said.
She added that every guest was welcome to Masbate province and that there was nothing wrong with Villar being invited but she wished his arrival at the festival should not have been used for careless campaigning.
“Sa pagkaka-alam ko, although there were slight issues, the pilot was able to land safely without too much disruption,” Villar said in a statement e-mailed to the Inquire Saturday evening. “Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest. I thank them.”
Throughout the opening rites, Villar was repeatedly addressed by emcees and other politicians as the “next president of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Local trader Carmelito Lajara, 37, said there could be varying reactions from people; some might have been offended while others may have not.
“But since the city has an airport, I think it could have been wiser if [Villar] landed there instead so he could more quietly enter the venue. In that way, he wouldn’t get so much attention,” Fajara said.
“Only now, after many years that I have witnessed the Rodeo festival, did such a scene happen!” Fajara said.
“Dili pa ngani siya nagiging presidente, (He has not yet even become president)” was a common side comment from some Masbate residents.
Sought for comment, Masbate Governor Elisa Kho, who was with Villar during his late entrance, said the circumstances were not within Villar’s control.
She added that they apologized to Maria Ong-Ravanilla, regional director of the Department of Tourism, for disrupting her speech.
“I think it was not being disrespectful,” Kho said in a phone interview, explaining that the 2010 election were not so far off and politicians had to grab every opportunity to introduce themselves to the public. “It cannot be avoided.”
She added that Villar pledged support to the annual Rodeo festival and to Masbate province once he is elected as president.
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