31 August 2008 (page A17)
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
GUINOBATAN, ALBAY—BRYLE NAPAY’S mind is etched with memories of rainy days when he would set aside his black leather shoes and wade to school on slippers as floods would rise fast in their village in Camalig town.
These memories were what inspired Bryle, now 16, to join the Shoot Nations 2008 contest, where his drawing bested 1,676 entries from all over the world.
Shoot Nations, organized by Plan International and London-based Shoot Experience, is an annual photography and drawing contest, which encourages young people to express their thoughts on global issues.
It aims to use these art forms as tools for cross-cultural, language-free communication. Entries are sent online.
This year’s theme revolved around climate change, a global menace that has prompted advocates to launch worldwide campaigns on awareness and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
But Bryle’s drawing, which he finished in just a day using paint and oil pastel, conveyed a simple message out of “a hand holding a seedling.”
It was captioned, “Reminds me that we can still do small things before it’s too late.”
A newbie in outside-the-school drawing contests, Bryle, senior high school student at the Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School here, said he never thought his drawing would win as “Best Overall Drawing” in the all-age category.
Bryle’s winning entry will be printed for exhibition at the World Youth Congress in Quebec, Canada, for the United Nations International Youth Day 2008.
It is also posted on www.shootnations.org and was exhibited at the OXO Tower Gallery in London last Aug. 12 to 17.
Bryle said his awareness of the ill-effects of environmental degradation as experienced by his community vividly showed him the impacts of a changing climate.
“Since [my] kindergarten [days], our village had always been flooded,” he recalled.
This reality, Bryle said, made him easily understand that deeds as small as littering trash have greater effects on a larger population.
He said that as thousands of young people view his drawings, he wants to send a message of unity.
“If every one would contribute in small ways and with all our efforts, we can save mother earth,” he said.
He lamented that most of the so-called “wired generation,” or those born in the advent of mobile technology, have become passive of environmental issues.
“Even if there are environmental laws and education in schools, some young people would not really care. But this can change if the youth are properly educated,” he said.
Dream
Given the chance, he said, he would love to create cartoons, whose content advocates environmental protection.
“I want to make animé about climate change so the youth will be aware of this issue,” he said.
After winning the contest, Bryle said he was motivated to learn more about environmental issues.
Because of his Shoot Nations stint, Bryle received an invitation to become a young ambassador for climate change in the YouthXchange, a international campaign initiative on sustainable consumption and production.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Gov orders police to shut down STL in Albay
22 August 2008
Across the Nation, A19
LEGAZPI CITY—ALBAY GOV. Joey Salceda wants the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to halt small-town lottery (STL) operations in the province following allegations it is being used as a cover for the illegal numbers game “jueteng.”
In a statement, Salceda said he instructed Senior Supt. Joel Baloro, Albay police director, to immediately convey to the PCSO his directive to shut down STL operations in the province.
Salceda also cited persistent media reports about the alleged underdeclaration of STL bet collections.
Baloro, in a mobile phone interview, confirmed having received a directive from Salceda but claimed no knowledge of the reasons behind it.
However, he said he believed it had something to do with the attacks made by antigambling witness Sandra Cam against four Bicol governors last week, which got published in some tabloids.
Cam accused Salceda and three other Bicol governors—Sally Lee of Sorsogon, Jesus Typoco Jr. of Camarines Norte and Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur—of being responsible for the revival of jueteng in the region.
She also said these governors were being protected by “high-ranking officials of the Philippine National Police and the Department of Interior and Local Government.”
She said other politicians were banking on jueteng money to fund their campaign in the 2010 elections.
‘Guerrilla-type’
Salceda did not address Cam’s accusation in the statement and refused to grant further interviews.
Baloro denied the existence of organized jueteng in Albay but said there could be “guerrilla-type” operations in remote villages, where people think they could not be monitored by authorities.
He added that they were validating reports that STL operations were being used as a front of jueteng.
“There are reports of ‘bookies,’ a scheme where bets below P10 are not being remitted to STL and are instead being drawn outside,” Baloro said.
He said they had arrested some people claiming to be legitimate STL bet collectors but lacked proper IDs.
Lawyer Joel Descallar, president of the Pilipinas Pacific Rim Corp. (PPRC), which mans STL operations in Albay, said they thank Salceda for recognizing it is the PCSO’s discretion to shut down STL operations.
“STL is a national project and it would take only a (national-level intervention) to stop it,” Descallar said in a mobile phone interview.
No benefits
He denied allegations that the PPRC was being used in illegal gambling.
“There is no economic benefit (if we involve in jueteng). We are the legal operators of STL. We operate in the open. We are in the mainstream. We are legitimate business people,” he said.
“Also, there are big risks. Our license could be revoked and that does not commensurate any gain if there is,” Descallar said.
Nelly Loyola, PCSO-Albay lottery operations chief, said they respected Salceda’s directive but the PSCO has yet to receive an official, black-and-white copy of it. Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon
Across the Nation, A19
LEGAZPI CITY—ALBAY GOV. Joey Salceda wants the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to halt small-town lottery (STL) operations in the province following allegations it is being used as a cover for the illegal numbers game “jueteng.”
In a statement, Salceda said he instructed Senior Supt. Joel Baloro, Albay police director, to immediately convey to the PCSO his directive to shut down STL operations in the province.
Salceda also cited persistent media reports about the alleged underdeclaration of STL bet collections.
Baloro, in a mobile phone interview, confirmed having received a directive from Salceda but claimed no knowledge of the reasons behind it.
However, he said he believed it had something to do with the attacks made by antigambling witness Sandra Cam against four Bicol governors last week, which got published in some tabloids.
Cam accused Salceda and three other Bicol governors—Sally Lee of Sorsogon, Jesus Typoco Jr. of Camarines Norte and Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur—of being responsible for the revival of jueteng in the region.
She also said these governors were being protected by “high-ranking officials of the Philippine National Police and the Department of Interior and Local Government.”
She said other politicians were banking on jueteng money to fund their campaign in the 2010 elections.
‘Guerrilla-type’
Salceda did not address Cam’s accusation in the statement and refused to grant further interviews.
Baloro denied the existence of organized jueteng in Albay but said there could be “guerrilla-type” operations in remote villages, where people think they could not be monitored by authorities.
He added that they were validating reports that STL operations were being used as a front of jueteng.
“There are reports of ‘bookies,’ a scheme where bets below P10 are not being remitted to STL and are instead being drawn outside,” Baloro said.
He said they had arrested some people claiming to be legitimate STL bet collectors but lacked proper IDs.
Lawyer Joel Descallar, president of the Pilipinas Pacific Rim Corp. (PPRC), which mans STL operations in Albay, said they thank Salceda for recognizing it is the PCSO’s discretion to shut down STL operations.
“STL is a national project and it would take only a (national-level intervention) to stop it,” Descallar said in a mobile phone interview.
No benefits
He denied allegations that the PPRC was being used in illegal gambling.
“There is no economic benefit (if we involve in jueteng). We are the legal operators of STL. We operate in the open. We are in the mainstream. We are legitimate business people,” he said.
“Also, there are big risks. Our license could be revoked and that does not commensurate any gain if there is,” Descallar said.
Nelly Loyola, PCSO-Albay lottery operations chief, said they respected Salceda’s directive but the PSCO has yet to receive an official, black-and-white copy of it. Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon
Monday, August 18, 2008
Another aftershock rocks Bicol
By Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 13:23:00 08/18/2008
Inquirer.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines--Another aftershock rocked areas of the Bicol region early Monday morning, following Friday evening’s earthquake and the first aftershock on Sunday afternoon.
The 5.2-magnitude earthquake, at 4:46 a.m., was felt at Intensity 4 in Virac, Catanduanes, Intensity 3 in Sorsogon City and Legazpi City, and Intensity 2 at the Mayon Volcano Observatory on Ligñon Hill in Daraga, Albay, reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
State seismologists plotted the earthquake at around 34 kilometers north and 69 degrees east of Sorsogon province.
On Friday, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur provinces and was felt strongest in Legazpi City at Intensity 6.
An aftershock was also felt 2:28 p.m. Sunday in Sorsogon and Albay provinces.
Alex Baloloy, senior science research analyst of Phivolcs-Bicol explained that the earthquakes were tectonic in origin.
Magnitude measures the seismic energy unleashed by the earthquake. An earthquake with a magnitude 5.1 is moderate, while that with a magnitude 3.9 or 3.2 is considered minor.
Intensity describes the strength of the quake based on observable effects on the ground.
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 13:23:00 08/18/2008
Inquirer.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines--Another aftershock rocked areas of the Bicol region early Monday morning, following Friday evening’s earthquake and the first aftershock on Sunday afternoon.
The 5.2-magnitude earthquake, at 4:46 a.m., was felt at Intensity 4 in Virac, Catanduanes, Intensity 3 in Sorsogon City and Legazpi City, and Intensity 2 at the Mayon Volcano Observatory on Ligñon Hill in Daraga, Albay, reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
State seismologists plotted the earthquake at around 34 kilometers north and 69 degrees east of Sorsogon province.
On Friday, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur provinces and was felt strongest in Legazpi City at Intensity 6.
An aftershock was also felt 2:28 p.m. Sunday in Sorsogon and Albay provinces.
Alex Baloloy, senior science research analyst of Phivolcs-Bicol explained that the earthquakes were tectonic in origin.
Magnitude measures the seismic energy unleashed by the earthquake. An earthquake with a magnitude 5.1 is moderate, while that with a magnitude 3.9 or 3.2 is considered minor.
Intensity describes the strength of the quake based on observable effects on the ground.
Quake jolts Bicol areas
16 August 2008
LEGAZPI CITY—A 5.1-MAGNITUDE EARTHquake strong enough to prompt people to go out of their houses rocked Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur provinces, at 6:25 p.m. yesterday.
The earthquake’s epicenter was plotted 42 km. north and 69 degrees east of Sorsogon province, said a report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Manila.
Intensity 6 was recorded in Legazpi City; 5 in Sorsogon City and Irosin, Sorsogon; and 3 in Naga City and Bulan, Sorsogon.
Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said he was not expecting damage but there could be aftershocks. He advised people to be alert.
He added that the earthquake was not strong enough to cause sea level rise but warned coastal villagers to be watchful.
The earthquake was of tectonic origin and not related to the increased abnormal behavior of Mayon Volcano, which spewed a 200-meter-high ash column Sunday. Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY—A 5.1-MAGNITUDE EARTHquake strong enough to prompt people to go out of their houses rocked Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur provinces, at 6:25 p.m. yesterday.
The earthquake’s epicenter was plotted 42 km. north and 69 degrees east of Sorsogon province, said a report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Manila.
Intensity 6 was recorded in Legazpi City; 5 in Sorsogon City and Irosin, Sorsogon; and 3 in Naga City and Bulan, Sorsogon.
Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said he was not expecting damage but there could be aftershocks. He advised people to be alert.
He added that the earthquake was not strong enough to cause sea level rise but warned coastal villagers to be watchful.
The earthquake was of tectonic origin and not related to the increased abnormal behavior of Mayon Volcano, which spewed a 200-meter-high ash column Sunday. Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon
Friday, August 15, 2008
Mt. Mayon shows more quakes, swelling--Phivolcs
Two-man team to set up watch
By Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 15:25:00 08/15/2008
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY--The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in Manila sent a two-man team to Albay province Friday to measure the swelling of Mayon Volcano's slopes following observations of increased abnormal activity succeeded by a mild ash explosion Sunday, an official said here.
Alex Baloloy, senior science research analyst at the Phivolcs Mayon Observatory in Daraga, Albay, said the engineering team would monitor changes in the volcano's ground deformation.
He said Mt. Mayon's volcanic edifice has been showing swelling by up to 12 millimeters since May, which indicated magma movement inside.
"The team is here to monitor changes in ground deformation, which is a key parameter in explaining the volcano's ongoing abnormal behavior," Baloloy said in a mobile phone interview.
Baloloy added that there were not much significant changes after the Sunday explosion except for an increase in the number of volcanic earthquakes daily.
Latest bulletin from Phivolcs-Manila showed that there were 11 volcanic earthquakes over the past 24 hours with moderate steam emission from the summit and crater glow at night.
After Mt. Mayon, the team will also monitor Mt. Bulusan, another active volcano in Sorsogon province.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda has ordered a stop to all human tourism and farming activities within the six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone.
Mt. Mayon is an attraction to mountain climbers and orchid collectors.
The public is advised to keep off active river channels and lahar zones.
In the southeast quadrant where the crater rim is lowest, the danger zone had been extended to 7 kilometers following the Typhoon “Reming” lahar tragedy which killed almost a thousand in 2006.
Alert Level No. 1 remains hoisted over the 2,463-meter volcano, which is vying for a spot in the Seven Wonders of Nature online search.
By Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 15:25:00 08/15/2008
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY--The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in Manila sent a two-man team to Albay province Friday to measure the swelling of Mayon Volcano's slopes following observations of increased abnormal activity succeeded by a mild ash explosion Sunday, an official said here.
Alex Baloloy, senior science research analyst at the Phivolcs Mayon Observatory in Daraga, Albay, said the engineering team would monitor changes in the volcano's ground deformation.
He said Mt. Mayon's volcanic edifice has been showing swelling by up to 12 millimeters since May, which indicated magma movement inside.
"The team is here to monitor changes in ground deformation, which is a key parameter in explaining the volcano's ongoing abnormal behavior," Baloloy said in a mobile phone interview.
Baloloy added that there were not much significant changes after the Sunday explosion except for an increase in the number of volcanic earthquakes daily.
Latest bulletin from Phivolcs-Manila showed that there were 11 volcanic earthquakes over the past 24 hours with moderate steam emission from the summit and crater glow at night.
After Mt. Mayon, the team will also monitor Mt. Bulusan, another active volcano in Sorsogon province.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda has ordered a stop to all human tourism and farming activities within the six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone.
Mt. Mayon is an attraction to mountain climbers and orchid collectors.
The public is advised to keep off active river channels and lahar zones.
In the southeast quadrant where the crater rim is lowest, the danger zone had been extended to 7 kilometers following the Typhoon “Reming” lahar tragedy which killed almost a thousand in 2006.
Alert Level No. 1 remains hoisted over the 2,463-meter volcano, which is vying for a spot in the Seven Wonders of Nature online search.
Mayon bid for ‘7 wonders’ gets full Bicol support
LEGAZPI CITY—MAYON VOLcano’s mild ash explosion Sunday could be an alert signal for its supporters to cast more votes as it slid down by more than 10 notches this week in the New Seven Wonders of Nature online search.
All Philippine candidates—including Palawan’s Tubbataha Reef, Bohol’s Chocolate Hills and Puerto Princesa’s Subterranean River National Park—fell from the top seven list yesterday in live rankings on www.n7w.com.
In the Bicol region, posters campaigning for Mt. Mayon are starting to proliferate everywhere—on streets, airports, Internet cafes, campuses, offices and stores.
Radio advertisements, which are mostly pro bono, have been aired in local stations here.
Albay provincial board member Glenda Bongao, chair of the committee on tourism, said the provincial government is mounting a plan to enlarge the campaign into a national advocacy.
“Here in Bicol, we have encouraged provinces other than Albay to support Mt. Mayon. Even other regions can vote for all Philippine nominees,” Bongao said.
Nini Ravanilla, director of the Department of Tourism in Bicol, said it is time for the government and the private sector to join hands.
She said the tourism department had already launched campaigns in Australia, Canada and the United States to draw support from Filipino expatriates and overseas workers there.
Ravanilla said they are banking on the youth, who are more technologically savvy, not just to vote but to start an online campaign.
The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education in Bicol have released memorandum circulars instructing schools to campaign for Mayon volcano.
“We can even create multiple e-mail addresses every week so we could vote as many times as we can,” Ravanilla said.
The results of the seven wonders online search are determined through the number of votes cast on www.n7w.com. Voting is on until Dec. 31.
Kristina Uy Gadaingan, a young professional from Legazpi City, would send text messages and e-mails to friends and post a bulletin on social networking sites such as Friendster and Multiply to campaign for Mt. Mayon.
She said since voters are required to vote for seven candidates, Filipinos should vote for those at the very bottom to push the Philippine nominees up the ranks. Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon
All Philippine candidates—including Palawan’s Tubbataha Reef, Bohol’s Chocolate Hills and Puerto Princesa’s Subterranean River National Park—fell from the top seven list yesterday in live rankings on www.n7w.com.
In the Bicol region, posters campaigning for Mt. Mayon are starting to proliferate everywhere—on streets, airports, Internet cafes, campuses, offices and stores.
Radio advertisements, which are mostly pro bono, have been aired in local stations here.
Albay provincial board member Glenda Bongao, chair of the committee on tourism, said the provincial government is mounting a plan to enlarge the campaign into a national advocacy.
“Here in Bicol, we have encouraged provinces other than Albay to support Mt. Mayon. Even other regions can vote for all Philippine nominees,” Bongao said.
Nini Ravanilla, director of the Department of Tourism in Bicol, said it is time for the government and the private sector to join hands.
She said the tourism department had already launched campaigns in Australia, Canada and the United States to draw support from Filipino expatriates and overseas workers there.
Ravanilla said they are banking on the youth, who are more technologically savvy, not just to vote but to start an online campaign.
The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education in Bicol have released memorandum circulars instructing schools to campaign for Mayon volcano.
“We can even create multiple e-mail addresses every week so we could vote as many times as we can,” Ravanilla said.
The results of the seven wonders online search are determined through the number of votes cast on www.n7w.com. Voting is on until Dec. 31.
Kristina Uy Gadaingan, a young professional from Legazpi City, would send text messages and e-mails to friends and post a bulletin on social networking sites such as Friendster and Multiply to campaign for Mt. Mayon.
She said since voters are required to vote for seven candidates, Filipinos should vote for those at the very bottom to push the Philippine nominees up the ranks. Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Mt. Mayon 'abnormal' but no eruption imminent--Phivolcs
First posted 15:35:14 (Mla time) August 11, 2008
Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
Read from the INQUIRER website.
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Bicol allayed fears of a major explosion after Mayon Volcano in Albay province spewed ash Sunday morning, following two years of inactivity.
Over the past 24 hours, volcanologists detected an explosion-type earthquake with no visual observation of ash-ejection, six low-frequency earthquakes and 12 harmonic tremors, the latest Phivolcs bulletin on Monday said.
Alex Baloloy, senior science research analyst at the Phivolcs Mayon observatory in Daraga, Albay, said the volcano had been showing "abnormal" or "increased" activity indicating the ascent of "magma" inside the volcano.
Phivolcs said steam and ash explosions may occur in the following days.
Baloloy added that precise leveling surveys conducted on Mt. Mayon's slopes showed swelling of up to 12 millimeters on its edifice.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda ordered Monday all human activity, such as mountain climbing and farming, stopped within the six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone.
Salceda said that as of 2006, when Mt. Mayon last erupted, there were 1,400 farmers within the permanent danger zone.
The governor alerted municipal disaster coordinating councils to take precautionary measures to avoid any casualties should the volcano act up.
The dried-up lava front in gullies at the foot of the volcano became tourist attractions early this year. But disaster officials warned the public to keep out.
Baloloy said people should avoid gullies and lahar paths while the volcano shows abnormal behavior.
The ash column of Sunday’s explosion, which lasted for about one minute, reached an estimate of 200 meters above the summit crater before drifting east-northeast of the volcano.
Alert level No. 1 remains hoisted over the 2,462-meter-high Mt. Mayon, which is vying for a spot in the New Seven Wonders of Nature online search.
Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
Read from the INQUIRER website.
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Bicol allayed fears of a major explosion after Mayon Volcano in Albay province spewed ash Sunday morning, following two years of inactivity.
Over the past 24 hours, volcanologists detected an explosion-type earthquake with no visual observation of ash-ejection, six low-frequency earthquakes and 12 harmonic tremors, the latest Phivolcs bulletin on Monday said.
Alex Baloloy, senior science research analyst at the Phivolcs Mayon observatory in Daraga, Albay, said the volcano had been showing "abnormal" or "increased" activity indicating the ascent of "magma" inside the volcano.
Phivolcs said steam and ash explosions may occur in the following days.
Baloloy added that precise leveling surveys conducted on Mt. Mayon's slopes showed swelling of up to 12 millimeters on its edifice.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda ordered Monday all human activity, such as mountain climbing and farming, stopped within the six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone.
Salceda said that as of 2006, when Mt. Mayon last erupted, there were 1,400 farmers within the permanent danger zone.
The governor alerted municipal disaster coordinating councils to take precautionary measures to avoid any casualties should the volcano act up.
The dried-up lava front in gullies at the foot of the volcano became tourist attractions early this year. But disaster officials warned the public to keep out.
Baloloy said people should avoid gullies and lahar paths while the volcano shows abnormal behavior.
The ash column of Sunday’s explosion, which lasted for about one minute, reached an estimate of 200 meters above the summit crater before drifting east-northeast of the volcano.
Alert level No. 1 remains hoisted over the 2,462-meter-high Mt. Mayon, which is vying for a spot in the New Seven Wonders of Nature online search.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)