Philippines News

Uyoan gidunggab sa pag-umangkon tungod sa giingong away sa yuta alas 2:30 sa hapon sa Martes, Hulyo 11, 2023 sa Brgy. Tañañas, lungsod sa San Fernando.

Ang suspek giilang si Danilo Taping Cajes, 44, mag-uuma, kinsa nasikop sa kapulisan samtang ang suspek giilang si Jacinto Paradero Taping, 59, minyo, kinsa nasamdan sa dughan.

Si Police Major Mark Anthony Villanueva, hepe sa San Fernando Police Station nga nahinabi sa Superbalita Cebu, nagkanayon hubog ang pag-umangkon sa wala pa mahitabo ang krimen.

Nagkalalis ang duha sa isyo sa yuta. Ang suspek nagdala og kutsilyo gihansakan ang biktima, kinsa gidali sa pagdala sa tambalanan.

Ang suspek nasikop sa follow operation sa kapulisan. Giandam na sa kapulisan ang tukmang kaso batok sa suspek. (GPL)

Two people were charged for the torture of 100 dogs. They were identified as Lorna Oberes and Edwin Casas.

Meanwhile, two other people were charged for the torture of a dentist inside his clinic. They were not identified. At least not in the news reports on the filing of the case for serious physical injuries.

Why the difference in treatment? None of the dogs died. Neither did the dentist. The couple did not physically harm the dogs; they just did not feed them. In the dentist’s case, the intent to harm was evident.

When a farmer stabbed his father in a southern Cebu town recently, the names of both the assailant and the victim were mentioned in the news reports on the incident.

The police volunteered the identities based on the statement of witnesses.

No such voluntary divulging of information took place in the dentist’s case. The Cebu City Police said nothing more than that they have identified the suspects, have already filed a case against them, and have strong evidence to hold them liable.

Maybe, the police acted with prudence or so thought (that they were acting with prudence) in refusing to give any names. They probably did not want to alert the suspects and drive them into fleeing.

But when you have just committed a crime and read that you have been identified, do you need any further prodding to decide to hide? In fact, isn’t it a natural human reaction for one who has committed a crime—and not any ordinary one—to immediately pack his bags and escape?

Besides, aren’t the police already monitoring the suspects closely to prevent them from fleeing? So why worry about alerting them?

By the way, it is a common practice by the police to arrest their suspect, invoking “hot pursuit” even if so much time has passed since the commission of the offense. I wonder why they have not done the same in this case.

In fairness to the police, they have already filed a case within days from the attack on the dentist. Surely, their complaint must have identified the respondents. Has anyone from the media requested the city prosecutor’s office to be shown a copy of the complaint and the supporting affidavits?

The dentist’s case has drawn immense public curiosity because of the daring and seeming passion that attended the attack. What event or events drove the perpetrators to blind rage?

It will probably be after a long trial that we will know the answer. Let’s make do with the identities of the parties in the meantime.

(Statement issued on July 11, 2023)

Today marks the seventh anniversary of an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention firmly rejecting the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) expansive South China Sea maritime claims, including any PRC claim to the area determined by the Arbitral Tribunal to be part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, as well as any resources therein. Under the terms of the Convention, this ruling is final and legally binding on the Philippines and the PRC.

The United States reaffirms its July 13, 2020, policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea. We continue to urge Beijing to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention; cease its routine harassment of claimant state vessels lawfully operating in their respective exclusive economic zones; halt its disruption to states’ sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources; and end its interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of states lawfully operating in the region.

We will continue working with allies and partners to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for international law.

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the extremely blasphemous and offensive video that has gone viral showing people in a club making a mockery of the Christian faith and disrespecting The Lord’s Prayer.

In my opinion, this is the height of the misuse and abuse of our freedom of expression that borders on criminal activity. It offends the sensibilities of our Christian brothers and sisters, deeply demeans the faith of millions of Filipinos, and dangerously scales the boundaries of protected speech and expression.

In this case, a criminal charge can be filed under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes those who “offend any race or religion in the performance of obscene or indecent plays, scenes, acts or shows in theaters, fairs, or any other place.” We urge the authorities to look into this matter.

Nevertheless, this act merits condemnation not only by Christians but people of all religions whose practice of their faith should not be mocked for private gain or for a few theatrical laughs.

Ang unang reaksyon ko sa video na ito ay matinding pagkadismaya at galit.

For billions of Christians, The Lord’s Prayer is one of our most solemn prayers during the Holy Eucharist, and to take it out of this context of worship, and use it as material for a comedy bar, is highly insensitive.

We are still tracing the venue. We are also studying the possible violations of law that were committed here.

As a devout Catholic, I have been taught to accord respect to all religions in a society that respects ecumenism.

I hope that this behavior will not be repeated in the future. Again, let us respect each other’s beliefs, religious or otherwise, because that is how we build a kinder and gentler society.

Inspired objects meet inspired living at The Residences at Sheraton Mactan Cebu this Saturday, July 15, 2023 in collaboration with Java Pavilion, Cebu-based curator of objets d’art, antiques and luxury home furnishings.

The exhibit will present a diverse range of products including fossilized stone, antique wood, vintage artefacts and modern works of art that will elevate your home style. It will showcase art from sleek minimalist pieces to bold and vibrant creations presented in a variety of styles and techniques that will leave you inspired.

Java Pavilion will showcase curated pieces of centuries old rock fossils known as petrified wood and crystallized volcanic rock, popularly referred to as obsidian. They are the centerpieces of the Exhibit while vintage driftwood, blackened lychee wood and carved teakwood will also be mainstays.

Obsidian

Obsidian is a rare volcanic crystal formed by the solidification of hot molten magma in ancient lakes and cold environments. This precious artefact is valued in human history because of its various uses.

It has been used since the Stone Age as a weapon, a cutting tool and a stone of special properties. In the recent television series, “Game of Thrones,” obsidian was known as Dragonglass and referred to as frozen fire, the only known weakness of the White Walkers.

The Children of the Forest shaped it into daggers and arrowheads.

In some circles, obsidian is believed to have metaphysical properties. Legend has it that the mystic crystal ball used by gypsies to tell one’s fortune was a round obsidian. Obsidian is also known as a Crystal of Protection and Gemstone of Prosperity. It is believed to absorb negativity and purify energy, thus bestowing peace, harmony, balance and prosperity wherever you place it.

Today, black obsidian is used in surgical tools. But the rare blue, green and golden sheen obsidian sculptures are displayed by connoisseurs as objets d’art that bring beauty, joy and love into their homes.

What is petrified wood?

Petrified wood is a rock fossil known to have been formed millions of years ago when a volcanic eruption buried trees under hot volcanic ash. The process prevented decay and oxygenation, thus, killing microorganisms but preserving the biological structure of the trees. Groundwater rich in silica, calcite, pyrite and other minerals seeped in and replaced the organic material. Over time, the minerals solidified into rock while keeping the shape of the tree—forming what is now called petrified wood.

How old is petrified wood from Indonesia?

According to www.naturalhistorycuriosities.com, Indonesian petrified wood originated from the Miocene Period which roughly places it between 20 to 25 million years of age.

Why is petrified wood multi-colored?

Different minerals in petrified wood cause the colors to vary. Here are the colors associated with the minerals:

Black - Carbon

Red/Brown - Iron Oxides

White/Grey - Silicon Dioxide

Pink - Manganese

Blue - Cobalt

Green - Copper

The residences at Sheraton Mactan is located along Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City which is fast becoming known as Cebu’s Billionaires’ Row. Punta Engaño is currently home to five-star hotels and luxury condominiums including The Sheraton, Shangri-La Mactan and Dusit Thani. Also rising in Punta Engaño are two highly respected and well-loved Filipino brands namely, Abaca Resort Mactan by Cebu Landmasters Inc. and Aruga Resort and Residences by Rockwell Land Inc.

THE Chery Tiggo Defenders took the fight out of Gerflor, winning in straight sets, 25-19, 25-20, 25-18, to bolster its semifinal bid in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Veteran Mylene Paat took over and gave Chery Tiggo the needed spark on offense and the leadership as the Crossovers re-asserted their might and finished off their foes in just one hour and 40 minutes.

Chery Tiggo improved to 2-1, a half-game behind the undefeated Creamline (2-0) in the five-team Pool A play although PLDT is right behind at 1-0.

“I’m very happy with how they played but definitely there’s still a lot of things that we need to improve on,” said Chery Tiggo coach Aaron Velez. “We need to start faster, so that’s one thing I think that we have to pick up. I also like the fact that everybody was able to step up.”

Paat fired 15 points to lead the Crossovers’ charge with Velez drawing seven-point outputs from Ponggay Gaston, EJ Laure and Cza Carandang. Rookies Imee Hernandez and Eya Laure added six and three markers, respectively.

“It’s not just about points off of spikes. We need to be better with other skills like blocking and serving. This is a huge help for my teammates and I’m happy I performed well,” said Paat, who added four blocks to clinch the game’s top honors. (JNP)

AEG kicked off its title defense with a resounding 67-61 win over Landlite in the Cebu Architects Basketball Club 5th Corporate Cup on July 9, 2023 at the Benedicto College Gym in Cebu City.

Athletic forward Dexsel Caadan shone for AEG with 15 points, five rebounds, and an incredible eight steals.

In other games of the quadruple-header, Diamond Built thrashed Cebu Home Builders, 58-35. Cynizar Esconde led the way for the winning side with 19 points, while Ryan Rizarri added 12 markers.

Modern Windows also eked out a 51-48 win over Boysen. Justin Aspacio scored 13 points to pace Modern Windows, while Ferdinand Tiro pitched in 12 points and five rebounds. Carlos Baltar finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Kirby’s outlasted Buildrite in overtime, 60-56. Socrates Nagel sparked Kirby’s to the win with his 11 points and 15 boards. Joseph Gerundio also had a solid outing with 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists. (JNP)

WORLD-RATED Joey Canoy dropped Clyde Azarcon four times and knocked him out in the fourth round of their scheduled 10-round contest on July 12, 2023 in Malungon, Sarangani Province.

It was a competitive opening round with both fighters trying to find their range. Azarcon, who fights out of the Big Yellow Boxing Gym in Cebu City, landed a solid right straight to the body that caught Canoy’s attention.

The 30-year-old Canoy started to gain momentum in the second round and landed some vicious shots to Azarcon’s head and body.

Azarcon was hurt and dropped to the canvas from an apparent accidental headbutt. The referee, however, called it a knockdown. Azarcon tasted the canvas again, this time, from a well-timed counter right uppercut.

Despite getting knocked down twice already, the 28-year-old Azarcon kept it competitive and traded blows with Canoy in the third.

In the fourth, Canoy connected with a solid right hook to the body that sent Azarcon down on one knee. Azarcon beat the referee’s 10-count and continued with the fight. Canoy sensed that the end was near and unleashed a barrage of punches to Azarcon’s body. Canoy landed a powerful left hook to the side of Azarcon’s body that dropped him for the fourth time. This time, the referee saw enough and stopped the fight.

Canoy continues his ascent in the light flyweight division, in which he’s currently ranked No. 8 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 9 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), No. 12 World Boxing Organization (WBO) and No. 15 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) in the light flyweight division. He could challenge for a world title anytime soon.

Canoy improved to 20-5-2 with 12 knockouts, while Azarcon dropped to 17-8-1 with six knockouts.

Former regional champion Ben Mananquil (19-4-3, 6 KOs) ended his two-bout slump with a third round stoppage of experienced Jenny Boy Boca (14-11, 12 KOs) in the main supporting bout.

In the undercard, French Guillaume Lorenzo (10-5, 6 KOs) outclassed Renan Portes (11-15, 6 KOs) by unanimous decision, Cebu-based Gabriel Santisima (2-0, 1 KO) ends Nathaniel Juan’s (0-5) night in the fourth round and Reymark Gayola (0-0-1) settled to a majority draw with Joy Ebcas (0-0-1). (EKA)

Thirty-two student-athletes from the University of Tennessee (UT) in the United States participated in sports games with members of Philippine Accessible Disability Services Inc. with the former making a visit to Cebu Doctors’ University located in North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City, Cebu on July 11, 2023.

The student-athletes are part of the university’s academic-based program dubbed VOLeaders Academy, which aims to “cultivate student-athlete leaders through sports to create positive social change.”

The student-athletes visited Cebu Doctors’ University in Mandaue City, and learned about wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball from the members of Philippine Accessible Disability Services Inc. (Pads)—a local, independent non-government organization, “working to enable the PWD (persons with disabilities) community to grow and develop as independent, integrated, fully human and empowered citizens in society,” according to its official profile.

“Our experience here is very unique because we are able to visit three places—Manila, Coron, and now here in Cebu. It’s so interesting to meet people of different ages, and we’ve also been able to teach what we know,” said Griffin Hadley, a member of the UT men’s swimming team.

“But I tell you, they taught us a lot about native Filipino games,” Hadley said.

The UT student-athletes play several sports which include soccer, volleyball, golf, softball, tennis, basketball, track and field, baseball, football, rowing, swimming and diving.

Eye-opening activities

Marshall Steward, UT senior associate athletics director and associate provost of the university, shared that the activities were eye-openers for them, adding that the experience made them connect with each other through sports.

During their visit in the country, the delegation toured the Philippine Sports Commission in Manila, learned about arnis—the national martial art of the Philippines, and toured different universities. In Cebu City, they had a courtesy visit to the office of the Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia.

The 10-day trip is part of the program’s International Service Immersion Experience.

John Paul Maunes, chief executive officer and founder of Pads, marked the significance of this event, which represented “a culmination of efforts,” and is a “testament to the transformative potential housed by every athlete.”

Maunes added in his Facebook post:

“We are so thrilled to receive the adaptive sports equipment donated by the University of Tennessee VOLeaders Academy for goalball, blind soccer, blind basketball, running and OCR to promote the development of blind and deaf sports here in Cebu.” (HIC)

MANILA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government has urged the people to store rainwater to mitigate the impact of the El Nino phenomenon on agriculture production, the Presidential Communications Office said Thursday.

With the latest advisory on the presence of El Nino in the Tropical Pacific, weather experts warn of unusual warming of sea surface temperatures, which may lead to below-normal rainfall, caus

MANILA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will convert penal properties across the country into farmlands and train prisoners to farm crops to boost food production, the government said Thursday.

The project, dubbed Reformation Initiative for Sustainable Environment for Food Security (RISE), aims to utilize and rehabilitate arable lands within the prison reservations and penal farms nationwide to boost food pr

French defense company Naval Group is eying to build a naval base handling submarine operations in the Philippines to safeguard its maritime territory, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.

THE Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) is grooming Moalboal town in southern Cebu to become one of the major tourism investment destinations in the country.

Lawyer Karen Mae Sarinas-Baydo, Tieza assistant chief operations officer for tourism enterprise zone, made this announcement during the first-ever VisMin Tourism Congress 2023 held at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino Cebu, Cebu City on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Baydo said Moalboal is part of their list of prime Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ) and Tieza is on track on collaborating with the private sector to implement its masterplan for development to the town with the support of the local government unit (LGU).

“Cebu is a popular diving spot, especially in Moalboal and we have more or less 11 hectares that is open for diving community or integrated resort that can be developed,” Baydo said in her speech.

As part of its masterplan, Tieza wanted to fortify the diving community of Moalboal through the development of on integrated tourism complex.

This tourism complex will be the first in southern Cebu and will also be geared primarily toward fulfilling the requirements of professional and leisure diving, and other coastal tourist activities.

This also includes hotel or accommodation facilities, retails outlets, leasable commercial and office spaces, dive schools. (EHP)

There has been no letup in the attacks to fundamental freedoms in the Philippines one year into Marcos’ term as president, a rights watchdog said.

THE Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7) held Thursday, July 13, 2023, the 2023 Health Promotion Summit, which gathered health speakers and a number of participants at Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu City.

With the theme “Strengthening Health System: Addressing Infodemic and Unifying Health Promotion Actions towards Universal Health Care in Central Visayas,” the event was initiated by the DOH Center for Health Development Central Visayas to strengthen capacities of the country’s health care system.

The Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act 11223) mandates that the Health Promotion Bureau must ensure appropriate and strategic work on developing and implementing healthy public policy, reorienting health systems to prioritize health promotion and prevention, and increasing health literacy.

Welcomed by the DOH Central Visayas for Health Development Regional Director Jaime Bernadas, the event had a series of keynote speakers and participants who talked about important issues and emerging health-related problems in the society.

In his opening remarks, Bernadas mentioned the unprecedented challenges that tested the resilience of the health care system.

“In recent times, we have witnessed the unprecedented challenges that have tested the resilience of our system,” he said.

He said the global Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for transformative measures and to ensure the provision of quality health care services to all.

He also stressed the significance of creating strong, long-lasting healthcare systems that can quickly adapt to changing conditions and successfully meet the requirements of the public.

Bernadas believes that collaboration and partnership are key factors to achieve a quality health care system.

“Collaboration and partnership are integral to achieving our goals. By forging strong partnerships and fostering cooperation among various stakeholders. We can leverage collective expertise and resources to build a resilient health care system,” he said.

Bernadas said the goal of the event is to ensure that “no one is left behind” in the pursuit of universal health care.

“We are confident that discussions and deliberations during this gathering will contribute significantly to shaping the future of our health system,” he said. (Claudine Flores, CNU intern)

The Skyway O&M Corp. expressed their apologies to motorists affected by the heavy flooding at Skyway At Grade (ground level) Bicutan in Parañaque City following moderate to heavy rains since Wednesday evening until today, resulting in heavy traffic on both directions of the expressway.

REPAIR of a septic tank on Plaridel Extension in Cebu City continued Thursday, July 13, 2023, almost a week after vendors at Carbon Market’s interim building complained about stench leaking from the tank.

The area in the market that has been affected by the foul odor since Saturday, July 8, 202, is called the United Vendors Organization of Carbon Market (UVOC), wherein several concerned market dwellers had to put towels under their face masks.

On Thursday, July 13, plumbers were seen in the area trying to solve the problem.

The vendors said immediate action is needed, as the area is no longer safe for their health and livelihood.

“Among problema kay among health ba pati among customers, kay sige mi og hingos diri sa baho. What about sa among madamtan kung magkinaunsa? Kay baho man gyud kaayo,” said a UVOC vendor.

(We are worried about our health and that of our customers, as we keep on inhaling the foul smell. The smell is severe.)

Carbon Market Cebu assured that it will release an audio-visual presentation in its official Facebook page that will address queries on what really transpired. (Denise Mae Codis and Miguel Angelu Lumen, CNU Interns)

CEBU Governor Gwendolyn Garcia requested the assistance of contractors and sand quarry permit holders in desilting the Buswang River in Barangay Cambang-ug, Toledo City to prevent it from spilling during heavy rains.

During this week's meeting with quarry permit holders and contractors, Garcia mentioned encroachment issues with those who were awarded industrial sand and gravel permits by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB 7)

The Cebu Provincial Information Office reported via Sugbo News that since Odette hit Cebu in December 2021, permit holders Lida Ruelo, Gimar Besaes, and Earl Daniel Dumadag had ceased mining sand and gravel in the river.

Garcia noted that even though the start of El Niño has been announced in the country, the rains are still occurring.

The governor asked the stakeholders to cooperate with the government after the desilting operations.

Desilting is a process of removing silt and sand from the river that causes the river to overflow especially when it rains heavily.

If the problem isn't fixed, the flood risk for the homes near the river may increase.

As a result, some private individuals have pledged to assist RCV Construction in completing the desilting activities.(ANV, TPT)

CEBU Governor Gwendolyn Garcia appealed for cooperation and support to further promote Cebu's tourism to the rest of the nation and the world.

This was her statement to the delegates of the first-ever VisMin Tourism Congress 2023, which was held on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.

Garcia underlined the need for unity and cooperation to fully realize the region's tourism potential, not just for Cebu but also for the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao.

According to Garcia, giving such a phenomenon structure is crucial so that “we can take stock of what we already know, our prior knowledge, our expectations for the future, and even our speculations about what might happen next. In doing so, we will be able to give the post-pandemic tourism industry the guidance it needs to increase both domestic and international tourism.”

In order to create sustainable tourism practices, promote cultural heritage, and improve the overall visitor experience, the governor invited tourism stakeholders to actively participate in determining the direction of the VisMin tourism industry.

Delegates to the VisMin Tourism Congress included representatives from the hotel, resort, and restaurant industry, airlines, and other tourism-related businesses.

The VisMin Hotel & Food Service Suppliers Show, VisMin Tourism Congress, VisMin Travel Sale, and VisMin Printing, Packaging & Plastics Show, are the four events that make up the Visayas and Mindanao Business and Tourism Sector Conference.

The invited speakers and specialists tackled on the latest business trends and development in the country's tourist industry, focusing on what the Visayas and Mindanao regions have in store.

The VisMin Tourism Congress strives to strengthen relationships and cooperation among stakeholders in addition to promoting sustainable tourism.

It provides tourism officials, governmental organizations, and regional communities a platform to collaborate on sustainable tourist development.

This entails exchanging best practices, discussing challenges, and identifying opportunities for collaboration.

The event includes speeches and presentations by well-known experts in the industry, offering participants valuable insights and motivation. (NWSSU Intern Juralyn Beso Baldomaro)

A 72-YEAR-OLD man graduated senior high school on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Daantabogon National High School, breaking stereotypes that age matters in education.

Carlos Saladaga, known as Tatay Carlos or “ALO,” took up General Academic Strand (GAS) under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) along with 44 others.

He is from Muabog, Tabogon, Cebu, father of one child and a grandfather of six.

Saladaga said that he received criticisms due to his age. But he did not let those words affect him because between them, he is the one who wants to achieve, firm in pursuing his studies despite having financial difficulties.

Inspirations

According to Saladaga, he was the only one among his friends who did not go to school.

"Sa una man gud, aduna ko'y mga barkada tapos sa among barkada ako ray wala ka eswela (I have peers before, and among them, I was the only one who didn't go to school)," he said.

"Og usa sad naka realize ko nga sa akong pag panarbaho mas nindot og nakuy ineskwelahan (One thing I also realized while working is that it would have been better if I had access to education)," he added.

Lymar Cueva, Saladaga’s former ALS teacher in junior high school, said Tatay Carlos is a hardworking learner.

"Usa siya ka kugihan nga learner ma’am. Eager gyud siya always nga makakat-on ug mapun-an ang iya mga nakat-onan. Active gyud siya always sa amoang mga class activities. Ug naa siyay gikalibugan sa among discussions, dili gyud na siya magpanuko og pangutana nako," he said.

(He is a hardworking learner, always eager to learn and expand his knowledge. He is always active during our class activities, and if he has any confusion about our discussions, he never hesitates to ask me.)

Cueva also highlighted an experience with Saladaga when he asked Tatay Carlos why he goes to school despite his age.

He said Saladaga replied that he wanted to be a good example, showing them that education is for everyone, regardless of age.

"Gusto nako nga makita sa mga kabatan-onan karon nga dili ulahi ang tanan sa pagskwela. Niskwela man gani ko nga tigulang na, sila pa kaha nga mga bata pa, ug pwede pa gyud nila magamit ang ilang gi-eskwelahan para sa ilang mga umaabot nga ugma," said Saladaga.

(I want the youth to see that it is never too late to educate ourselves. I even went to school even if I am old. The teens are even more capable because they are still young and can still work. Also they can use whatever they learned at school for their future.)

Future plans

Saladaga aspires to become an agriculturist.

"Gusto ko nga makatabang sa mga heroes of the land sama kanako mahiligon kaayo sa pananom ug organic ang mga pamaagi," Saladaga said.

(I want to help the heroes of the land who like me love organic farming.)

He also said that while studying as a senior high school student, he was also planting crops.

Now that he finished senior high school, he wants to immediately proceed to college. But he noted that it will still depend on their financial capacity.

Saladaga’s advice to those who stopped and did not return to school: "Kon unsa may goal nila sa ilang kinabuhi ipapadayon nila ang pagtu-on. Pag antusan gyud."

(Whatever goal they have in life, they should continue to study. They have to endure it.) (GK Marie Dejacto, CNU Intern)