September 1, 2010, 1:45am

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BANGUED, Abra – Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin led the people of Abra in honoring British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie during his visit in this province recently.

Foyer Honors by the military and a dinner show highlighted the province’s toast to the diplomat from the United Kingdom.

In his remarks during the testimonial dinner which he hosted, Bersamin expressed his gratitude for the opportunity of having the UK Ambassador in Abra.

He related how diplomatic and trade relations with the UK has been held in high esteem by the Philippines, and cited that his own sister works in the UK.

While the Capitol Chorale and the Capitol Ensemble took turns in performing their musical pieces, the governor offered a toast to the special visitor and gave him a token of products made in this province.

Lillie accepted the gifts and reciprocated by presenting Bersamin with his gift to the governor.

Ms. Veda Bañez, the musical producer, said it was difficult to organize the show because of brownouts that continue to occur in this capital town following the fire near the Capitol Building on the same day.

After the dinner show at the provincial capitol, a “Palanus/Pangili” a Tingguian ritual to welcome a special visitor, was held at the Social Development Center at the Galicia Farm of the Diocese in Pidigan town.

In his speech, Lillie conveyed the support of the UK government in providing roads and other vital infrastructures in order to provide access to business growth and delivery of basic social services like health and education with the focus on good governance and accountability.

During Lillie’s visit, he witnessed the culmination of a three-year project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the Cordillera Region which the UK government funded.

The project is dubbed “Reinforcing the Indigenous Peoples Organization and PARCOMs as Community-Based Program/Project Monitors.”

The UK tapped the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government (CCAGG) to provide capability-building to the Provincial Agrarian Reform Councils (PARCOMs) in all the six provinces of the Cordilleras.

The PARCOMs serve as partner people’s organizations of the DAR in their program/project implementation.

During the culmination program of the project held at the Diocesan pastoral Center on August 25, the PARCOMS took the opportunity to convene their regional assembly where they expressed their unity and concern as representatives of the Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) in the region.

August 31, 2010, 1:22am

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BANGUED, Abra – Some P13.38 million worth of marijuana plants were destroyed in a four-day eradication campaign launched by joint operatives from different law enforcement agencies in Cordillera which ended last Saturday.

Chief Inspector Edgar Apalla, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera (PDEA-Cordillera) officer-in-charge, said Monday that the operation raided 1.26 hectares of marijuana lantations in the boundary Kibungan and Bakun in Benguet.

“Based on the standard set by the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB), the estimated worth of the destroyed marijuana plants were the following – P11.44 million of fully-grown marijuana plants uprooted; and P1.94 million of the destroyed marijuana seedlings.”

After the operation, the bulk of the marijuna plants were burned at the plantation sites in the presence of local barangay officials.

Only bundles of uprooted fully-grown marijuana plants were taken back to the PDEA-Cordillera office for documentation and disposal.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/274874/p13m-marijuana-destroyed

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August 29, 2010, 7:24pm

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The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) assured Sunday that members and their legal dependents who would be confined due to dengue will receive hospitalization benefits, covering room and board and other medications.

“We are alarmed by the continuing rise in dengue cases from different parts of the country. We have to ensure that members and their legal dependents confined due to the said disease will be able to avail themselves of hospitalization benefits,” Dr. Rey B. Aquino, PhilHealth President and CEO said.

As such, patients diagnosed with stage 1 dengue fever and are confined in a tertiary or Level 3 hospital can avail themselves of up to P500 per day for hospital room and board fees and P4,200 for drugs and medicines that are included in the Philippine National Drug Formulary.

Aquino said a total of P3,200 will also be shouldered by PhilHealth for X-ray and other laboratory exams done during the period of confinement; while a maximum of P1,200 is available for the professional fee of the attending physician.

“These benefits may be availed of in any of the over 1,300 PhilHealth-accredited hospitals nationwide,” he said. “Members only need to ascertain that their member data records are updated, especially if the patient is their dependent; and that they have made sufficient premium contributions.”

In a statement, PhilHealth detailed their payments for dengue cases from January to June.

The national health insurance agency reported a total of P191 million for confinements due to dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever.

The agency said the amount represents payments for 24,583 claims received nationwide.

Aquino asked government hospitals to waive any amount in excess of what PhilHealth covers for members and their dependents admitted to ward-type accommodation.

“Let us exercise social responsibility, especially now that the dengue menace has reached alarming proportions, and hospitals are teeming with dengue patients,” he said.

Last week, the Department of Health (DoH) reported that dengue cases in the country have reached 54,659 cases from January 1 to August 14 which is 75 percent higher than the same period last year.

The National Epidemiology Center (NEC) reports that dengue cases are high in National Capital Region, Western Visayas, SOCCSKARGEN, CALABARZON, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region.

SOUTHWESTERN MINDANAO REGISTERS 34 DEATHS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The regional office of the DoH has monitored at least 6,500 cases of dengue, of which 34 patients, mostly children, died from January to August this year.

Dr. Abdullah Dumama, DoH regional chief for Southwestern Mindanao reported that North Cotabato province posted the highest incidence of dengue with 3,301 cases and 14 deaths; South Cotabato with 1,583 cases and four deaths; General Santos City with 676 cases and five deaths; Sarangani with 345 cases and 7 deaths, and Sultan Kudarat province with 305 cases and three deaths.
He said there was an increase of 169 percent of dengue cases compared to cases monitored in the same period last year.

“The youngest among the dengue fatalities was a 10-month old infant from North Cotabato,” Dumama said.

The ratio had been placed at 0.53 percent case fatality or one death per 200 dengue-afflicted patients, Dumama said. “If the case reaches the ratio of one fatality every 100 patients that will be considered a very alarming level,” the regional health director said.

HEALTH BRIGADES

In Quezon City, the local government will launch a project dubbed “Health Brigades,” with the aim of raising public awareness on the cause, prevention and effect of dengue through the city’s 142 public elementary and high schools.

Mayor Herbert Bautista said children as young as seven will be trained as “dengue busters” for a city-wide drive against the dreaded mosquito-killer disease as he will personally witness the ceremony for the students’ oath of commitment set on September 2.

He said that the project is vital as there are already 950 dengue cases with eight deaths reported in the city 69 of which reportedly inflicted children from the public schools.

Under the system, Division of City Schools officer-in-charge (OIC) Dr. Corazon Rubio said that health brigades in the city’s public schools will be composed of five pupils or student leaders for each school.

As dengue busters, the pupils will assist their teachers and medical officers in the search-and-destroy activities to pinpoint the breeding areas of mosquitos, which are mostly in damp areas of their respective schools.

The students will also be asked to participate in the advocacy of Tutok Linis Program of the City’s Health Department headed by Dr. Antonietta Inumerable where the value of proper sanitation of school premises will be emphasized.

“It is our belief that young children have open minds and a natural curiosity, as well as tendency to share school projects and information with adult members of their families,” Rubio added.

Bautista also directed the City Health Department and other agencies concerned to closely coordinate with Department of Science and Technology (DoST) on the possibility of using new inventions available like new vaccines or medicines to combat dengue.

Inumerable said dengue cases in QC had tremendously declined by 14 percent this year compared to 2009, where 61 deaths had been reported adding that in 2010 only 0.85 percent is the fatality rate of dengue cases in the city.

DENGUE CLAIMS 3 MORE IN ABRA

BANGUED, Abra – At least three more dengue patients died at the Abra Provincial Hospital in the past weeks, Provincial Health Officer Godofredo Gasa said Sunday.

The recent deaths have prompted local health officials here to urge people to observe cleanliness in all places especially in houses, schools as well as offices and all other establishments to insure that breeding places for dengue biting mosquitoes are eliminated.

Catherine Cabunoc, head nurse at the Abra Provincial Hospital, said that the most effective way to controll the spread of dengue virus is the religious implementation of the 4S approach which means search and destroy; seek early consultation, self- protective measure and “say no” to indiscriminate fogging.

She advised the Abra residents that if they have fever, it is better for them to seek immediate consultation to a physician to further monitor their health status.

Meanwhile, the all-out campaign on dengue prevention is already on-going in the province with barangay folk highly involved in the massive cleaning of the environment.

Health personnel are also advocating for the 4 o’clock habit, that is the replacement of water in flower vases and emptying all water containers that are potential habitat of dengue mosquitoes.

They also advised the people to cover containers of clean water to prevent the mosquitoes from breeding there since dengue mosquitoes thrive in clean water. (With reports from Chito A. Chavez, Dexter A. See and Freddie G. Lazaro)

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/274762/philhealth-covers-dengue-hospitalization

BANGUED, Abra, Philippines -- British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie on Wednesday said his country has not imposed a ban on travel to the Philippines following Monday's bloody hostage-taking drama at the Luneta Park.

But he said the embassy has issued a travel advisory providing British citizens information on the hostage taking where eight Hong Kong tourists were killed.

 

“We have expressed shock and sadness through the British Council in Hong Kong. The travel advisory only provides information regarding the situation that has happened,” said Lillie, who graced the closing program of a community monitoring project of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee here on Wednesday.

Hong Kong was a British colony until 1997.

Lillie said the advisory did not discourage British citizens from traveling to the Philippines .

 

The United Kingdom has been one of the Philippines' top European investors and that it looks forward to better business relations with the Philippine government because President Aquino has promised good governance.

“In the future, the relationship between the Philippines and the United Kingdom will continue to spread,” he said.

He said the Aquino administration should continue fulfilling its commitment to end corruption because of its impact on foreign businesses.

In his speech, Lillie praised Mr. Aquino’s emphasis on volunteerism.

“As you may recall, in his inauguration address, the President vowed to always encourage people’s participation in governance,” he said.

“And I must say that I think, the political backdrop at present, should encourage you to do this with President Aquino’s unmistakable emphasis on good governance and social justice and his determination to tackle corruption,” Lillie said.

MANILA, Philippines—Seemingly overlooked in the face of Miss Philippines Venus Raj’s “major, major” answer during the interview portion in the Miss Universe 2010 pageant in Las Vegas is the fact that her top-five finish was the country’s first since 1999 when Miriam Quiambao placed second.

Also, that traditional beauty contest powerhouses Venezuela and USA were shut out as early as the semifinals for the first time in many years. Raj was also the only Asian candidate to make it to the top 15 this year.

To think that this young woman from Bato, Camarines Sur, was dethroned briefly, and the Philippines almost lost the chance to be represented by the determined candidate.

Some post-pageant comments by Filipinos on Facebook and Twitter stressed that Raj’s fourth runner-up showing was a welcome, if temporary, diversion from Monday’s grim hostage-taking incident in Manila and its aftermath. Malacañang’s statement was appropriately upbeat: “[Venus’] success ... is a bright spot in an otherwise sad day for our country.”

For hundreds of Filipinos who came from all over the world to cheer the Bicolana bet, waving Philippine flags expressing support for her evoked priceless camaraderie and patriotism.

Crazy experience

“The fact that Venus was called last [when the top 15 were named] was a crazy experience,” said Yari Paris, an LA-based Fil-Am beauty pageant expert.

“We all wished she’d be called first, to confirm right away our earlier assessment that she deserved one of the top slots. Having watched the candidate for a good part of the last 12 days, I could tell she would make it, but her being called last was a scare. The floor director approached to remind me not to raise my flag because it covered the Teleprompter. That, to me, was a hint that Venus name was about to be called out.”

Paris continued: “You should have seen the Mandalay Bay Events Center—Philippine flags all over, like it was President Noynoy’s inauguration. I jumped from my seat when Venus’ name was called. I lost my Swarovski necklace but who cares?”

Maxi Tone (Antonio Guino Maxino), an A-list Pinoy makeup artist in Los Angeles, said he and his friends “cried tears of joy” when Raj got a slot in the top 15. “When she made it to the top 5,” Tone recounted, “we all thought, here it comes again, our biggest oversight—not having an interpreter, so every Miss Philippines could answer in the language she’s most comfortable in.”

Make or break

It turned out that Miss Mexico, who prevailed over 82 competitors from six continents to win the title, was fluent in English, but still opted for an interpreter.

The question-and-answer segment—rocker Bret Michaels and fellow emcee Natalie Morales, an NBC correspondent, repeatedly pointed out during the program—was a make-or-break portion of the tilt.

Jimena Navarrete, 22, from Guadalajara, was crowned Miss Universe 2010 after telling the audience it was important to teach children family values.

Navarrete was first to answer a question from the panel of judges. Asked by Olympic gold-medal figure skater Evan Lysacek how she felt about unsupervised Internet use, Navarrete said parents need to watch over their kids.

“I do believe that the Internet is an indispensable, necessary tool for the present time,” she said through an interpreter. “[But] we must be sure to teach children the values that we learned as a family.”

Proclaimed first runner-up was Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps; second runner-up was Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell.

Navarrete, who’s been modeling since she was 15, is Mexico’s second Miss Universe. Compatriot Lupita Jones won in 1991.

Replacing Miss Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela, Navarrete thwarted this year’s Miss Venezuela, Marelisa Gibson, from giving the South American country a third consecutive victory (2008 title holder was Venezuelan Dayana Mendoza). Neither Gibson nor Miss USA Rima Fakih was in the top 15.

Undisclosed salary

Navarrete was immediately congratulated on Twitter by Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala.

“Congratulations to Jimena Navarrete for her deserved victory as Miss Universe,” Calderon said. “This will serve Mexico, (and) our image as a country.”

Navarrete was crowned in a flowing, single-strap red gown. Earlier, she strutted across the stage in a purple bikini, and then in a flowing, single-strap red gown.

Still earlier, with fans in some 190 countries watching on television and keeping tabs on social networks, all 83 competitors introduced themselves while wearing over-the-top national costumes. They then danced in silver and black dresses for the show’s opening number.

The final 15 walked in swimsuits while Cirque du Soleil musicians played Elvis Presley songs including “Viva Las Vegas.” The last 10 beauties paraded in their gowns while John Legend and The Roots performed a medley of the Grammy winner’s hit songs.

Navarrete won a package of prizes including an undisclosed salary, a luxury New York apartment with living expenses, a one-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy with housing after her reign, plus jewelry, clothes and shoes fit for a beauty champion.

Campbell won the Miss Congeniality Universe award. Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul won two—Miss Photogenic Universe Best National Costume.

Trending thrills

By the end of the snappy two-hour show, 7 of the top 10 trending topics on Twitter had to do with the pageant, its contestants, its judges or owner Donald Trump. The mogul co-owns the pageant with TV network NBC.

Before the pageant, Venus Raj was a strong favorite in an online poll on the pageant’s website. During the program, for many Internet devotees, Facebook updates on the progress of Raj from top 15 to top 5 were sometimes more thrilling than watching the televised show. The virtual cheering was simultaneous as Raj made each cut.

In the end, many who watched at the Mandalay venue still came away impressed by Raj. Jb Adkins, US franchise holder of the Miss Philippines Earth pageant, said: “I have been watching beauty pageants for many years. I have been here in Las Vegas for two weeks. I [witnessed] how Venus stood out from the pack. She carried herself well, lit up the room with her mere presence. She is this year’s Miss Universe in my book.”

Miss U for life

In Bato, Camarinees Sur, Venus Raj will be Miss Universe for life.

Tuesday morning in Raj’s hometown of San Vicente, her family’s simple wooden house—roofed with dried palm anahaw leaves and walled with woven bamboo—in the middle of a rice field, was covered with tarpaulins of all sizes and colors.

“We love you Venus,” said one. And another: “Ika ang Miss Universe kan buhay mi,” (You are the Miss Universe of our lives). The tarps were from the local government and other organizations that supported the beauty queen.

Her fourth runner-up finish was cause for widespread celebration, even in the nearby villages, reported Bato Vice Mayor Ruben C. Pili. The day had been declared a special holiday so the townsfolk could watch the pageant on television.

Pili said big plans were afoot for the homecoming of their homegrown beauty queen.

Meanwhile, nearly the whole of San Vicente gathered at Raj’s home, around a huge TV set provided by Rep. Luis Villafuerte.

One resident likened the event to a Manny Pacquiao fight, with people glued to the screen.

Raj’s mother, Ester Bayonito, was supposed to be at the pageant in Las Vegas, but ran into problems with her travel documents . She watched the pageant from Antipolo, Rizal.

 

She was seen on television earlier—on ABS-CBN’s “Simply KC”—proud, hopeful and tearful. “You are always a winner for me, nene (child), Bayonito said, recalling the time when she was offered $60,000 for her newborn Venus (youngest of five children).

“I did not even think about it,” Bayonito said. “I was sure I wanted to raise her myself, and I never regretted that decision.” With reports from AP; Shiena Barrameda, Paul John Barrosa; and Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100825-288635/A-major-major-win-nonetheless