"Don't be dismayed by goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."
-- Richard Bach
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- The first editor of News Express, a bi-weekly community paper in Western Visayas, Philippines, has joined our media colleagues who recently departed.
The death of Ben Palma in his hospital bed on May 27 in Iloilo City came two weeks after Antique journalist Rey Alcalde died also in the hospital.
They thus joined our colleagues Lydia Pendon, Marcos Villalon, Teddy Sumaray, Bob Bacaling, Atty. Rex Salvilla, Dra. Vicky Primero, Ivan Suansing, Rowena Barte-Zulueta, Joe Sepulvida, Tony Laniog, Eddie Laczi, German Gonzales, Boy Pablo, Sol Genson, Mark Sumagaysay, Rene Porras, Alex Sumagaysay, Tony Masculino, Nap Nava, Lito Jimena, Edwin Alcozero, Atty. Fraulin Penasales, Atty. Frermin Sornito, and Suzanne Pastrana, to name only a few, who passed away in recent memory.
We were with Ben Palma, columnist and "editor" since the first issue of New Express, "the best alternative", rolled off the press in March 1988.
OFFICE
Our first office was at the mezzanine floor inside the St. Elizabeth Billiard and Bowling Alleys (SEBBA).
After two issues, we transferred to the Immaculate Concepcion Bldg. on Ledesma St., Iloilo City in the Fortune Printing Press office before we found a new home on Guanco St. in 1992 (News Express is now located in Jaro district).
The late and well-loved Inocencio "Pops" Malones, who owned the Fortune Printing Press, was the publisher. Managing editor Agnes Espano-Dimzun was the de facto editor-in-chief. Jing Torres, Atty. Teopisto "Pet" Melliza, Femia Pedregosa and yours truly were members of the editorial staff. I was also the paper's sports editor. Jessie Terre and the late Hiligaynon professor Santiago Alv. Mulato were contributors in Hiligaynon page. Now Journal Visayas publisher Giovannie Vaay was circulation manager assisted by Jessie "Onyok" Laranja.
Mariano Malones, now mayor of Maasin, Iloilo, was our business manager assisted by Ramon Vego.
In 1990 or two years after News Express was born, Palma, backed up by his late buddy, Numeriano Cajilig, Jr., staged a "coup d'etat" and asked the court to stop Publisher Pops Malones from using the name of News Express.
VERSION
Palma went on to publish his own version of "News Express", a low-quality four-paged tabloid to sustain and justify his rebellion.
Pops and the original News Express team remained intact. For a while, we were compelled to use the name "Fortune News" to sustain and justify our existence, business, and public identification.
Palma was a virtual one-man army in his "News Express", which relied entirely on dubious Land Transportation Office (LTO) advertisements for survival.
After a brief court battle, Palma lost not only the right to use the name of New Express; he lost his position and regular column, The Square One (in the aftermath of Palma's defeat, he resumed column-writing in The Sentinel together with editor-in-chief Manuel "Boy" Mejorada, Dean Art Jimenez, photojournalist Alan Fajardo, and chess buddy Romeo "Butch" Paloma).
ASSUME
Full-time community journalist Melliza wasn't yet a lawyer when he assumed as News Express editor. Aside from writing for The Sentinel, Palma became a hard-hitting commentator when he joined the broadcast industry in dySI in the early 90's, where he earned the monicker as "Boyong" (tenacious).
He disappeared from media works for some time and became a part-time contractor.
A former chess champion and contemporary of the first Asian grand master Eugene Torre, Palma tried to revive in mid-90's a glorious chess career that made him famous in the 70s and 80s, but was dejected badly when he was foiled by an unheralded Bacolod youngster, Trinie Olmedo, in a title match of a regional chess championship held at the Sarabia Manor Hotel in Iloilo City.
Despite his notoriety as Boyong, Palma was a favorite drinking buddy of who's who both in the political and media mainstream.
He was sometimes referred to as the "father rock", a tag known only to some enterprising media characters.
Farewell, Boyong. Rest and peace, Mr. Father Rock!
Monday, May 29, 2017
Sunday, May 28, 2017
EXCLUSIVE: DOT Secretary Teo 'backs out' from New York City parade
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Dr. Prospero Lim, president of the New York-based Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), confirmed in an exclusive phone interview on May 28 that Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo "has backed out" from the 119th Philippine Independence 27th Annual Parade here on June 4, 2017.
Lim said, "I did not exactly know what happened, but there was an official invitation given to the secretary of the Department of Tourism which was officially received (by the DOT)."
"But she is always welcome to attend on June 4," Lim added. "What I can assure you is that Cesar Montano and the three beauty queens--Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa--are coming."
Montano is the chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board, an agency under the DOT.
SUBORDINATE
"If Montano who is only Teo's subordinate is coming, how come the secretary, who is head of the DOT will not?" asked a parade organizer, who refused to be named because she was not authorized to talk about the parade's details.
Teo, who had earlier reportedly expressed "excitement" to attend the biggest parade of Filipino Americans in the United States held every first week of June, could not be reached for comment.
Lim, who is on his second term as PIDCI president, said "I am not aware" if DOT has made any financial commitment to support the parade on Madison Street in Manhattan organized jointly by PIDCI and the Philippine Consulate General in New York headed by Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega.
He admitted that "money has always been difficult no matter what we do but the Consulate has been very supportive and helpful and they have been with us."
Dizon-De Vega was expected to come back from the Philippines, where she reportedly met incoming Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.
ON LEAVE
Lim said PIDCI treasurer, Nora Galeros, was "on leave."
He confirmed there was an ongoing auditing of PIDCI funds saying "it's natural".
PIDCI officer Joecelyn Aligarbes had earlier disclosed the auditing "is still ongoing."
Lim denied they are having financial problems.
PIDCI is an umbrella organization of Filipino American associationns based on the East Coast.
"It is principally dedicated to promoting history, the cultural heritage and traditions of the Filipino people through the celebration of Philippine Independence Day, hence, the name," its website declared.
Lim said: "We are hoping for the best (parade) and I hope it will not rain. Somebody up there has been good to us."
NEW YORK CITY -- Dr. Prospero Lim, president of the New York-based Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), confirmed in an exclusive phone interview on May 28 that Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo "has backed out" from the 119th Philippine Independence 27th Annual Parade here on June 4, 2017.
Lim said, "I did not exactly know what happened, but there was an official invitation given to the secretary of the Department of Tourism which was officially received (by the DOT)."
"But she is always welcome to attend on June 4," Lim added. "What I can assure you is that Cesar Montano and the three beauty queens--Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa--are coming."
Montano is the chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board, an agency under the DOT.
SUBORDINATE
"If Montano who is only Teo's subordinate is coming, how come the secretary, who is head of the DOT will not?" asked a parade organizer, who refused to be named because she was not authorized to talk about the parade's details.
Teo, who had earlier reportedly expressed "excitement" to attend the biggest parade of Filipino Americans in the United States held every first week of June, could not be reached for comment.
Lim, who is on his second term as PIDCI president, said "I am not aware" if DOT has made any financial commitment to support the parade on Madison Street in Manhattan organized jointly by PIDCI and the Philippine Consulate General in New York headed by Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega.
He admitted that "money has always been difficult no matter what we do but the Consulate has been very supportive and helpful and they have been with us."
Dizon-De Vega was expected to come back from the Philippines, where she reportedly met incoming Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.
ON LEAVE
Lim said PIDCI treasurer, Nora Galeros, was "on leave."
He confirmed there was an ongoing auditing of PIDCI funds saying "it's natural".
PIDCI officer Joecelyn Aligarbes had earlier disclosed the auditing "is still ongoing."
Lim denied they are having financial problems.
PIDCI is an umbrella organization of Filipino American associationns based on the East Coast.
"It is principally dedicated to promoting history, the cultural heritage and traditions of the Filipino people through the celebration of Philippine Independence Day, hence, the name," its website declared.
Lim said: "We are hoping for the best (parade) and I hope it will not rain. Somebody up there has been good to us."
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Senior Fil-Am chesser eyes World Open Under1800 title anew
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- "Gusto kong manalo ulit eh (Because I want to win again)," shot Normando “Andy” Bragat Punzalan, a Fil-Am winner of the 7th Annual World Open Chess Under1800, explaining why he kept himself busy practicing in Elmhurst every day since April.
Punzalan, 73, targets the 45th Annual World Open in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 29-July 4, 2017 where he will play again in Under1800.
If he wins, Punzalan will become the first senior Fil-Am to win four times in different years and categories.
"This is what motivates me," he added. "I want to establish another record."
To rev up for the Philadelphia chessfest, Punzalan has tapped former De La Salle University coach and blitz king Rainer Labay, veteran of the 44th Annual World Open.
He also plans to collaborate with New Jersey-based National Master Mario Rebano and outstanding chess trainer and Mindanao champion Vincent Umayan.
CONFIDENCE
"I have confidence with Labay, Rebano, and Umayan. I have played together with them in strong tournaments in the US," Punzalan explained.
Labay has started revitalizing Punzalan's speed by asking chess players in their watering hole at the "Mansion" on Britton Street in Elmhurst, Queen to spar with the senior chess champion in blitz matches.
"So far so good," enthused Labay, who aired the matches "live" on Facebook. "He beat us all in 5-1 (five minutes for Punzalan and one minute for the Britton players composed of top-rated woodpushers)."
Punzalan plays long game with fellow senior chess players at Elmhurst Park for three hours everyday.
He has tangled with highly-touted Gilbert Gonzales and Bein Villanueva, Camelo "Jun" Galinea, among other park aficionados.
He is also coordinating with fellow Commercial League Chess campaigner Nonoy Rafael.
"Kailangan ko pa more games and more practice mahaba kasi ang tournament sa World Open (I need to log more games and more practice sessions because the tournament in the World Open is long)," Punzalan stressed. "I am more comfortable training in Labay's camp because they are really good and sincere (to help me in my preparations)."
NEW YORK CITY -- "Gusto kong manalo ulit eh (Because I want to win again)," shot Normando “Andy” Bragat Punzalan, a Fil-Am winner of the 7th Annual World Open Chess Under1800, explaining why he kept himself busy practicing in Elmhurst every day since April.
 |
| PUNZALAN AND LABAY May 26, 2017 at Elmhurst Park |
If he wins, Punzalan will become the first senior Fil-Am to win four times in different years and categories.
"This is what motivates me," he added. "I want to establish another record."
To rev up for the Philadelphia chessfest, Punzalan has tapped former De La Salle University coach and blitz king Rainer Labay, veteran of the 44th Annual World Open.
He also plans to collaborate with New Jersey-based National Master Mario Rebano and outstanding chess trainer and Mindanao champion Vincent Umayan.
CONFIDENCE
"I have confidence with Labay, Rebano, and Umayan. I have played together with them in strong tournaments in the US," Punzalan explained.
Labay has started revitalizing Punzalan's speed by asking chess players in their watering hole at the "Mansion" on Britton Street in Elmhurst, Queen to spar with the senior chess champion in blitz matches.
"So far so good," enthused Labay, who aired the matches "live" on Facebook. "He beat us all in 5-1 (five minutes for Punzalan and one minute for the Britton players composed of top-rated woodpushers)."
Punzalan plays long game with fellow senior chess players at Elmhurst Park for three hours everyday.
He has tangled with highly-touted Gilbert Gonzales and Bein Villanueva, Camelo "Jun" Galinea, among other park aficionados.
He is also coordinating with fellow Commercial League Chess campaigner Nonoy Rafael.
"Kailangan ko pa more games and more practice mahaba kasi ang tournament sa World Open (I need to log more games and more practice sessions because the tournament in the World Open is long)," Punzalan stressed. "I am more comfortable training in Labay's camp because they are really good and sincere (to help me in my preparations)."
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Caesar and Christ
He said to them, "Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
-- LUKE 20:25
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- “Caesar and Christ” is Part III of Dr. Will Durant’s monumental survey of world history.
The work on “The Story of Civilization” originated in 1914 w1hen Dr. Durant first began to collect material. Fame–with “The Story of Philosophy” -- lay a dozen years ahead.
MASSIVE
In this massive book, whose scope and wit recall the golden days of historical writing, Dr. Durant recounts the flaming pageant of the rise of Rome from a crossroads town to world mastery.
He tells of its achievements through two centuries of security and peace, from the Crimea to Gibraltar and from the Euphrates to Hadrian’s Wall, of its spread of classic civilization over the Mediterranean and western European world.
CULTURAL
Primarily a cultural history, Caesar and Christ lavishly discusses government, industry, manners, morals, the status of women, law , philosophy, science, literature, religion, and art.
Besides the varied pageant of the Catos, the Scipios, and the Gracchi, of Hannibal, Marius, Sulla, Catiline, Pompey, Caesar, Antony, Cleopatra, and the Emperors, good, bad, and indifferent, we view Cicero (busy in all departments of life), Lucretius, Catullus, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Tacitus, Juvenal, and such cultivators of latterday Hellenism as Plutarch, Lucian, and Marcus Aurelius.
Dr. Durants accompanies us to watch the rise of temples, basilicas, and forums pass a day of games and spectacles at the Flavian amphitheater (correctly nicknamed the Colosseum). Turning to the eastern Mediterrarian, Dr. Durant’s book will make us accompany Christ on his ministry, witness the tragic scenes of the Passion, and sail and walk with Paul on his missionary labors.
RISES AND FALLS
The colors darken, Palmyra rises and falls. The Empire attains a new–and spurious–invincibility under Aurelian, declines, and finally stiffens into a bureaucratic mold.
He reminds us that dictators have ever used the same methods. He tells us that the dole was restored to more than a century before Christ and that the first Roman labor union was established about 600 B.C.
We hear of bank failures, pork barrels, depressions, governmental projects and regulations, State Socialism, war-time priority plans, electoral corruption, pressure groups, trade associations, and other phenomena of anciet Rome that might easily fit into front-pages headlines of our own era.
No to Martial Law in Visayas
"It is impossible for us to break a law. We can only break ourselves against the law."
--Cecile B. DeMille
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Please spare the Visayas.
In his arrival speech in Manila from Russia May 24, President Rodrigo Duterte hinted he might also declare Martial Law in Visayas if the situation warrants.
Duterte's statement came hours after he signed a document in Russia placing the entire Mindanao under Martial Law after a band of terrorists belonging to the Maute Group rolled over Marawi City and killed scores of unarmed civilians and cops and damaged government properties on May 23.
They also hostaged a priest and several others while fleeing from scene of the carnage.
The blitzkrieg caught both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) by surprise.
While many groups, experts, military and civilian leaders supported Mr. Duterte's order in Mindanao, we doubt if he can gather the same sentiments once he includes the Visayas if the Maute Group is not annihilated in Mindanao.
ENTER
The only time that a terrorist group entered the Visayas area was during the Holy Week in April this year when Abu Sayyaf bandits sneaked into Bohol only to be demolished by the government's superior forces before they could inflict mayhem on civilians and government properties.
There was no need for the President to declare Martial Law to nip Abu Sayyaf in the bud in that bloody raid.
Tourism and economy will be badly affected if Visayas is placed under Martial Law.
All the efforts and sacrifices undertaken by our tourism and economic officials these past months will go to waste once military rule is established in the Visayas albeit temporarily.
The Martial Law in Mindanao is only for 60 days, Mr. Duterte asserted, but it could last until the end of his term as president.
MILITARY
Investors are not comfortable with a military rule. Tourists will shy away from our country in general.
In a language understood by ordinary civilians, Martial Law is synonymous to violence. It also means curtailment of their basic rights.
Authorities will, of course, argue that Martial Law is necessary in order to protect the state; or, the interest of the state will always be paramount over the interest of individuals residing in the state.
If Martial Law is "good" for Mindanao in order to restore peace and order and put to total stop all potential terroristic activities by Maute or any Islamic rebellious group, it may be a bane for Visayas, Luzon and the entire country in general.
Mr. Duterte's national security advisers must evaluate and reevaluate the situation thoroughly before making drastic military decisions for Visayas and Luzon.
Congress must also do its share and utilize its constitutionally-mandated powers to help guide the President on this crucial matter.
--Cecile B. DeMille
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Please spare the Visayas.
In his arrival speech in Manila from Russia May 24, President Rodrigo Duterte hinted he might also declare Martial Law in Visayas if the situation warrants.
Duterte's statement came hours after he signed a document in Russia placing the entire Mindanao under Martial Law after a band of terrorists belonging to the Maute Group rolled over Marawi City and killed scores of unarmed civilians and cops and damaged government properties on May 23.
They also hostaged a priest and several others while fleeing from scene of the carnage.
The blitzkrieg caught both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) by surprise.
While many groups, experts, military and civilian leaders supported Mr. Duterte's order in Mindanao, we doubt if he can gather the same sentiments once he includes the Visayas if the Maute Group is not annihilated in Mindanao.
ENTER
The only time that a terrorist group entered the Visayas area was during the Holy Week in April this year when Abu Sayyaf bandits sneaked into Bohol only to be demolished by the government's superior forces before they could inflict mayhem on civilians and government properties.
There was no need for the President to declare Martial Law to nip Abu Sayyaf in the bud in that bloody raid.
Tourism and economy will be badly affected if Visayas is placed under Martial Law.
All the efforts and sacrifices undertaken by our tourism and economic officials these past months will go to waste once military rule is established in the Visayas albeit temporarily.
The Martial Law in Mindanao is only for 60 days, Mr. Duterte asserted, but it could last until the end of his term as president.
MILITARY
Investors are not comfortable with a military rule. Tourists will shy away from our country in general.
In a language understood by ordinary civilians, Martial Law is synonymous to violence. It also means curtailment of their basic rights.
Authorities will, of course, argue that Martial Law is necessary in order to protect the state; or, the interest of the state will always be paramount over the interest of individuals residing in the state.
If Martial Law is "good" for Mindanao in order to restore peace and order and put to total stop all potential terroristic activities by Maute or any Islamic rebellious group, it may be a bane for Visayas, Luzon and the entire country in general.
Mr. Duterte's national security advisers must evaluate and reevaluate the situation thoroughly before making drastic military decisions for Visayas and Luzon.
Congress must also do its share and utilize its constitutionally-mandated powers to help guide the President on this crucial matter.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
A cultured person
The highest possible stage in moral culture
is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.
- Charles Darwin
NEW YORK CITY -- A cultured, truly educated person is not one who knows as much as is in the encyclopedia, but is one whose knowledge -- great or small -- is in order.
The man with the most efficient education is not the one who knows things; he is the one who knows where to go to find out about them.
I am proud to state that I do not know what selenium is and I do not know the names of the bones of the human body.
MESS
Why should I mess my intellect up with this knowledge for which I have no use?
My fight is to keep books out of my library, to keep papers off my desk, to keep new furniture from being brought into the house, and to keep from eating what I cannot digest.
The eternal struggle is against the superfluous. For superfluity kills more people than poverty.
is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.
- Charles Darwin
NEW YORK CITY -- A cultured, truly educated person is not one who knows as much as is in the encyclopedia, but is one whose knowledge -- great or small -- is in order.
The man with the most efficient education is not the one who knows things; he is the one who knows where to go to find out about them.
I am proud to state that I do not know what selenium is and I do not know the names of the bones of the human body.
MESS
Why should I mess my intellect up with this knowledge for which I have no use?
My fight is to keep books out of my library, to keep papers off my desk, to keep new furniture from being brought into the house, and to keep from eating what I cannot digest.
The eternal struggle is against the superfluous. For superfluity kills more people than poverty.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Kindness)
Kindness and a generous spirit go a long way. And a sense of humor. It's like medicine-very healing.
-- MAX IRONS :
It's not enough that we are kind. Kindness is good but we need to also laugh from time to tome. We must possess a sense of humor so that our partners will not have to talk to the lizards and spiders if we say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing because we are "kind."
--ALEX P. VIDAL
-- MAX IRONS :
It's not enough that we are kind. Kindness is good but we need to also laugh from time to tome. We must possess a sense of humor so that our partners will not have to talk to the lizards and spiders if we say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing because we are "kind."
--ALEX P. VIDAL
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