Friday, September 30, 2011

ANL September Issue

Editorial

“Advisement”

WE are using herein the term “advisement”  for an editorial title in conveying to our valued readers a minor change on our newsletter—“Asingan Online”— switching from this original name to one closely similar, “Asingan NewsLine”.

Advisement as in “caring to consider” a minor switch. So why the change?

  No fuss, dear readers.  Our admin-publisher have gone on furlough to unload some work from a tight-heavy one. He needs to switch some time for travel in shuttling back and forth Canada and the Philippines now as a retiree. Writing, editing and lay-outing all rolled into one is quite time-consuming and physically strenuous for him now that he is more mobile. And yes, the good guy is aiming to age more lightly like his favorite “San Mig Light”!  He professes though to write as passionately as ever.

Moreover, Asingan NewsLine is intended to sound more of a regular newsletter funneling news and events to Asinganians here and across the globe.

As one member of the editorial board quips: “Rock-n-roll it, and buckle down to work!”  Big, bold proposal indeed.

Let’s write to serve, serve for a change.  rmb


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PER COLUMN INCH
[ “Per column inch” in journalist’s parlance is a “costly space” measured and paid for “per column inch” where an idea or event is written or printed on. This “Column” is therefore the domain for dedicated writers with incisive and/or factual knowledge on the topic at bay. A guest writer or a regular contributor may be accommodated one at a time for a particular issue. In cases where no articles fits in for an issue, one from ANL’s editorial board shall tackle the chore of filling in the void. ]

Our patrimony, our pride!
by: ruben m. balino

PALAWAN is distinctly an “elongated”  island province in west-central Philippines.  Puerto Princesa City charms the island as its provincial capital. The enchanting Puerto Princesa Underground River lies 50 kilometers north of  “Puerto” [as the beauteous city is fondly known]. The equally fascinating Coron group of  islets crowns the northern tip of the province. A string of other scenic and serene spots prides Palawan as a priceless gem of the national patrimony.
Currently at stake in the search for the 7New Wonders of Nature is our very own Puerto Princesa Underground River [PPUR] competing against 27 finalists worldwide. Featuring a limestone karst mountain landscape  with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river, it winds through a cave  flowing direct to the South China Sea. In it are major formations of stalactites and stalagmites with several large chambers along the stretch. Reputed to be the world's longest, the underground river has a clear lagoon at its mouth framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Varieties of wild animal and bird species thrive well and frolic right near the cave.

With the Filipino nation’s unique artistic precepts of nature and her patriotic spirit to stand out and prevail under stress or pressure, the Asingan NewsLine rallies all Asinganians and Filipinos into voting solid for PPUR to let land within the Top 7 our most enchanting entry that is distinctly competitive than the rest.  Indeed looms the Pearl of the Orient! 

[To Vote: Text PPUR15 to 2861; or vote online for PPUR via www.new7wonders.com. The sooner we vote, the soonest we land at the top!  Voting ends Nov 8/’11].

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News Feature

“Wirewolves”: A rejoinder

None of the broadsheets of national circulation had taken seriously much less took notice of what is now notoriously known as “wirewolves” preying on cable TV wires and phone lines. Even local Asinganians thought it to be a simple case—at first—of theft or robbery committed simply by vandals-next-door perpetrated in limited confines of the town reportedly since a year ago.

The now looming shadow of these plunderers discomforts the public no end.

Word-of-mouth passed on at times via the grapevine probed true the magnitude of this crime gaining foothold in all four provinces of the Ilocos region including Pangasinan. A native of La Union province recently interviewed by ANL says that similar cases are prevalent in his home province and added same is true further north in some Ilocos towns where the terror of “guns-for-hire” seems like a “fair trade” for a time.

Horrendous crimes such as robbery-theft of this nature signals the erosion of the moral fiber of people in provinces known to be the bastion of conservative Filipino traits of the clan like neighborliness, generosity, polity, humility and the likes. Still, the typical “tobacco-chewing” Ilocano elders insist that “where thrift, industry and modesty reign, crimes of this kind are remote if not unimaginable”. They call “ganggannaet” or “dayo” [intruders from other provinces] of these “wirewolves” and all.

The impact of this relatively new modus operandi in the region is even more disturbing. It allows no sound sleep at night, or the luxury of a nap on daytime as audacious criminals cut, fold and walk off with the wires even in broad day light at isolated places but still seen by not a few passersby. Secondly, affected areas come suddenly into a halt and virtually isolated with TV’s, computers and telephones altogether going off-line/off-the-air comparable to olden times when none of these gadgets exist. Third, it brings people asking: “Where are ‘our’ knights [barangay tanods and policemen] in shining armor?”
 
Yes, Juan dela Cruz, what’s the next burden on your poor shoulder? You  still have on your back a flourishing “jueteng-gate” in the region!

“God forgive, I don’t!” jdc

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“Batu-bato sa langit…”
[rage…rains…winds,  onli en pinas!]


Batu-bato sa langit..,
pustahan mo’t walang sabit!

Dilang talulot,
ibinubuga’y pulot.
Sundot-kalikot,
lingkis-bangungot.

Batu-bato sa langit,
buhol-buhol na trapik.
Pesteng brown-out, ‘kandapusikit.
Tubig-basura-baha, ‘kandalintik-lintik!

Sa tronong bulok,
nakaupo’y bugok.
Sa dayuha’y yukod-himod,
karangala’y ipinamudmod.

Batu-bato sa langit,
magalit na ang magagalit.
Ang taong ginigipit,
sa patalim kumakapit!


habi ni:  ruben m. balino