A Pitiful Sight?

It's time to collect my dues. Speaker of the House Jose de Venecia is unkonwingly saying this when he ranted during yesterday's Congress about the many things he did for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo even before she became secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

De Venecia said he was behind Arroyo when she begged him to take her in as his vice presidential candidate during the 2008 elections. He begged former President Fidel V. Ramos to also endorse Arroyo during that time. He was also responsible for asking former President Joseph Estrada to make her DSWD secretary.

And now, de Venecia's days as Speaker of the House are numbered and Arroyo is not doing anything about it. De venecia is a master politician. He should know that in politics, there is no such thing as "utang na loob", only personal interests.

The Blue Jeans And The Rebel In Each One Of Us

Blue jeans might be your favorite clothing wear for its comfort and durability. However, do you know that it used to be a symbol of protest among American teenagers sometime in the 1950s?

We are living in a modern world but there are still some restriction due to society's norms and our very own culture. The next time you feel like being a non conformist, wear your blue jeans! Who knows, they might just get the message.

Will Nograles be The First Mindanaoan Speaker Of The House?

It's barely three hours before Monday, February 4, 2008---a day when Mindanao might finally be given the chance to boast of having its very first Speaker in the House of Congress.

Davao City 1st District Representative Prospero Nograles could be having sleepless nights trying to muster 120 votes to outseat Speaker Jose de Venecia.

While not all politicans like Nograles personally and professionally, he might be the only chance Mindanao has of getting that very important seat which can spell boom not only to Davao but to the whole island of Mindanao in terms of project and budget allocation. However, there is doubt as to the cohesiveness of the Mindanao bloc.

Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab said they have agreed to vote for a Mindanaon if the speakership post is declared vacant. The Lower House has 239 members so 120 votes would mean the Speakership. Rumors has it that Nograles has already gathered the support of a hundred people.

Nograles said he is not a traitor because he has supported de Venecia all the way. However, a lot of people have offered him the position if it is declared vacant and it would be stupid and impratical not to accept it. "It is something that needs to be done," he said.

Duterte To Adarna: Secure Place Or Close Shop

"Secure your area or close shop", was the message of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to Queensland owner and President Teodorico Adarna. Duterte was however referring to the construction of Queensland Davao Baywalk and not the motel itself.

The Baywalk got the ire of local councilors and even the Philippine Reclamation Authority for the latter's reclamation project along Matina Aplaya without the necessary permits. The area has been declared a reclamation area as early as 1950s. The councilors are also blaming Adarna for incidents of drowning and stabbing within the area.

However, Duterte said the city government is willing to help Adarna get the necessary permits since a lot of Dabawenyos are benefitting from the project. He said Baywalk has provided Dabawenyos a place to relax for free. Families have made Baywalk a favorite destination since it presents a great view of the coastline. The Baywalk's windy atmosphere aside, Dabawenyos frequent the area more often now after Adarna introduced other features like a small zoo and a mini pool with sharks.

Duterte said he will not present any objection if the national government asks him about the city's stand on giving a permit to Queensland's Baywalk. However, Adarna has to get the necessary permits as well as provide security to the area. Or else, it will be closed down, Duterte said.

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Disability Not A Deterrent To This 4th Asean ParaGames Winner

Physical disability may hinder one's moves but definitely not one's spirit.

This was proven by Smith Billy Cartera, a 29-year old table tennis player from Davao City who won three bronze medals (doubles -Table Tennis) during the 4th ASEAN PARA Games held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from January 20 to 26 this year.

The Asean ParaGames, which was patterned after the Paralympics, is a a biannual event which is held after the Southeast Asian Games. What makes it unique, aside from the fact that all players come from Southeast Asia, is that all the athletes have physical disabilities.

Cartera, who is a first year computer engineering student at the Holy Cross of Davao College, started as a "Basketball on Wheels" player. However, he started practising for the Para Games two years ago under the supervision and support of the Association of Differently Abled Persons (ADAP) Davao Chapter.

Cartera manipulated his wheelchair proudly as he went inside the SP Session Hall last Tuesday to present his medals to the councilors who were so proud of him they pooled P18,000 and gave it to Cartera there and then. Barangay Captain Paolo Duterte also gave P30,000 to Cartera .

He was not always on a wheelchair though. Cartera, who has a one-year old daughter, said he got operated for spinal tumor when he was just 18 years old. It resulted to the weakening of his knees until he could no longer walk and needed a wheelchair in his daily activites.

A lesser man would have given up hope. Not Smith Billy Cartera who has won and who continues to dream on...