He lived to uphold the rights, especially of the weak, corrupted by the abusive rule

He lived to opposed oppression as caused by development aggression

He lived as an intelligent critic to all wicked

He lived to protect the environment

He lived to stand for what is right

He lived to value life

He lived

He was killed

— Lui –

WHEN I came home this afternoon the news on TVPatrol SocSKSarGen mentioned the name, Eliezer “Boy” Billanes and I my attention was glued on the report.

LAST NIGHT, in this same internet shop, I happened to sit beside a middle-aged woman and a little boy. I figured they were chatting with somebody. I thought they were talking to the woman’s husband who might be working abroad. But I was wrong.

It was the child, about 12 years old, who was typing the messages for the woman. There were some English words that they couldn’t understand, which I volunteered to translate for them.

Later on, they received a message from the person on the other end of the line that said: “Show me your ass.”

Ms. Gupana flanked by Sarangani officials and representatives of various sectors

THE WOMAN behind the huge flag project, Grace Galindez-Gupana, was called to deliver a speech. She wasn’t introduced properly, so we didn’t know who she is except that she has something to do with ABS Herbs and a certain HalleluYAH Prophetic Global Tower Foundation. More about her feats here.

Her speech made me dizzy. She failed to establish the purpose of creating such a huge replica of the Philippine flag and bringing it to various provinces in the Philippines. She didn’t even give us the dimensions of the flag, the persons she commissioned to sew it, or the details of her effort of coming up with such an ambitious project. Moreover, it was the most culture- and gender-insensitive speech I have ever heard.

WHEN I first joined a national event, not so long ago, I have always been intimidated by participants from other regions, especially those from Luzon or those from big cities. That is but natural for a boy from a small and almost unknown province.

Later on, as we do tasks together, I realized that there wasn’t much difference. In fact, I felt like we from the provinces have richer experience.

ONE OF my only two classmates in the graduate school told us this morning that we’ll probably not meet tomorrow because of the Pacquiao-dela Hoya Fight. Well, you know, it seems like the world stops when Manny Pacquiao step on the boxing ring. And it has always been like that.

The more will it be like that tomorrow as he faces the Golden Boy of boxing, Oscar dela Hoya. I’m sure, it will be one momentuous event in history. I am not really a boxing fan though I’ve tried it when I was kid, having lived beside a family of boxers. I have even worn the boxing gloves that Manny once used when he was still beginning his boxing career. No kidding. My cousins were Manny’s sparring mates then and they often trained near our house while we watched.

SWEET SIXTEEN.

That was how Vice President Noli de Castro described Sarangani as he graced the opening ceremonies of the 16th Foundation Anniversary and 6th MunaTo Festival.

De Castro told the crowd that despite being young, Sarangani is already comparable to other provinces in the country, citing the different achievements of the province.

He congratulated Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez for the housing project being put up in Alabel and also appreciated the various projects to be launched such the the Justice on Wheels.

The Vice President also visited the Fabli Gu Ni, a trade fair that showcases the different wordl-class products of the seven towns of Sarangani.

TEACHERS IN the country may enjoy treats from any Jollibee stores nationwide starting today, October 5, 2008 until October 10th as Jollibee takes part in the celebration of World Teachers’ Day.

However, it is public knowledge that teachers do not need a treat from Jollibee because they need more than that. Nevertheless, we say thanks to Jollibee for thinking about the teachers. I wonder what is GSIS’ participation in this year’s celebration — setting us free, maybe, from all the anomalies some people in the agancy are allegedly doing.

There are some good news for teachers, though, like the 6-hour teaching load, setting the maximum number of classroom teaching to only six hours, and the proposed staggered salary increases. The government must be afraid that our good teachers will all fly to where milk and honey flows.

By the way, October 5 is set by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a day to honor our teachers who are the ones who help shape the future of the world. Support must be given to the teachers to help them perform their duties well.