Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
A call for urgency:
Bulakenyo college students ask gov’t to act fast on Angat Dam issue
ANGAT DAM. A landscape photo of the Angat Dam reservoir. |
Immediate action – this is
what 10 out of 10 Bulakenyo college students asks the government towards the
Angat Dam.
Though differing in
expression and suggestions on possible solutions, the answers of the survey
respondents boils down to a call for the government to act upon the issue
involving the dam located at Norzagaray, Bulacan.
“Gawan na agad ng paraan.
Hindi ‘yung kung kailan malala na at wala ng magagawang paraan tsaka sila
kikilos,” said Patricia Delos Reyes, a junior BS Pharmacy student at Centro
Escolar University (CEU) - Malolos.
“Dapat paglaanan ng malaking
budget... ‘di dapat kurakutin ang ibibigay na pondo,” stated Mare Nella
Bautista, junior Psychology student at Bulacan State University (BulSU).
“Dapat ibaba sa barangay
level ‘yung mga anunsyo, even sa TV pwede,” deemed Maria Marienela Cruz, senior
Psychology major at BulSU.
Cedrick Ramos, a third year
BS Mathematics major in Computer Science at BulSU, believes that the national,
provincial and local government, and the Bulakenyos as well, must help one
another.
“’Di ko man alam ang
pinakamagandang paraan para hindi maging mapaminsala ang dam break... malaki
ang tulong na magagawa nito,” Ramos stated.
However, being asked for their
own preparations for a possible dam break, four among the 10 Bulakenyo college
students have done no preparations yet.
Jayson Dela Cruz, a third
Information Technology major at BulSU explained “Wala naman. Hindi naman daw
apektado ang Bulakan, Bulacan,” as he resides in the said town.
Meanwhile, the four other
rely on prayers to do the work for them while the other two Bulakenyo college
studes just constantly keeps up with the news for updates.
“Panalangin. For us po kasi,
‘yun ang pinakamabisang paghahanda para sa mga ganitong sitwasyon,” said Neil
Roque, sophomore Broadcasting major at BulSU.
“Ano’t ano man kasi ang
mangyari, mahalaga pa rin na unahin si God,” reasoned junior BulSUan Hotel and
Restaurant Management major Amiel Balite.
But then, probing deeper
into the respondents’ knowledge on the issue regarding the Angat Dam resulted
to notably different answers.
“Nabalitaan ko na meron daw
crack ang dam. Sinabi ‘yun ng guro ng kapatid ko,” stated Pauline Alvarado,
another third year Information Technology student at BulSU.
“Nabalitaan ko po na ‘pag
lumindol ay maaari itong bumigay at masira,” explained Roque.
“May ginawang drill... Paghahanda raw kung
sakaling mabiyak ang Angat Dam,” said BS Mathematics major in Computer Science
freshman Lester Dillena from BulSU.
Moreover, wanting to know
more about the circumstance, Ramos stated “Marami sa nabalitaan ko ay haka-haka
lang. May crack na daw. Pinapagawa daw. Nawalan daw ng pondo. Ang gusto ko
malaman ngayon kung ano ang ginagawa talaga ng gobyerno.”
Albert Ariola, a junior
BulSUan Computer Engineering major expressed, “Gusto ko malaman kung paano
maaagapan ng gobyerno natin ang malaking problema na ito.”
Through the former
statements, it is clear that not all Bulakenyos have fully understood the
condition of the Angat Dam, though nine out of 10 Bulakenyo college studes
believe in the possibility of a dam break.
“’Di naman gagawa ng ganoong
usapan ‘yung mga may katungkulan para lang takutin ‘yung mga tao,” deemed Delos
Reyes.
Though a bit unsure, Balite
said “Mas mabuti na maging handa... totoo man o hindi, kailangan talaga
maghanda.”
The spread of news regarding
the possible dam break reached its peak when the Bulacan provincial government
conducted the “Angat Dam Break Drill” on December 13, 2013.
The drill participants
walked along the McArthur Highway from their respective schools (BulSU, CEU, La
Consolacion College of the Philippines and Bulacan Polytechnic College) and
government offices to the Bulacan Sports Complex which served as the augmented
evacuation center.
A dam break is believed to
happen which will flood the province of Bulacan and neighboring places when a
7.2 magnitude earthquake hits the Marikina West Valley Faultline (MWVF) which
runs from Norzagaray, Bulacan, where the Angat Dam is located, up to Rizal.
This was assessed in 2009 by
Dr. Renato Solidum of the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology who warned the
province to prepare for the worst case scenario as a branch of the MWVF lies
200 meters from the one of the dam’s dikes.
It was then confirmed by a
study conducted by the Tonkin & Taylor International and Engineering
Development Corporation of the Philippines that there is actually a branch of
the MWVF underneath one of the dikes of the Angat Dam.
No preparations yet:
Barangay Bambang residents have no plans yet for worst case scenario
ANGAT DAM. A landscape photo taken from the Angat Dam view deck. |
Five out of 10 residents of
Barangay Bambang, Bulakan have no preparations yet towards a possible dam
break.
“Napag-uusapan pa lang, wala
pang kongkretong gagawin,” said Feliciano Carreon, acting parish secretary of
San Isidro Labrador Parish in the said barangay.
However, two among 10
respondents chose prayers as the best way to prepare while the three others
answered seeking for higher places to evacuate and storing food in advance.
“We pray so that it won’t
affect us and bring us to catastrophe,” stated Ricci Martinez, a teacher at
Doña Candelaria Meneses Duque High School, also in Barangay Bambang.
“Alamin ang pinakamalapit na
evacuation center, preferably building with second floor or third floor.
Prepare first aid kit and early preparation of foods,” stated businessman Rowel
Alcaraz.
These preparations can be
rooted from their knowledge towards the problem.
“Hindi ko po alam,” answered
Mylin Veron, a plain resident.
“Malapit na daw masira,”
said Emily Lacsamana, another resident.
Teresa Rodriguez, a resident
and teacher at Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Elementary School, said “Nabalitaan ko
na may mga bitak na ito.”
“Kapag nagkaroon ng 7.2 na
lindol mabe-break po ang dike ng dam,” stated Jorell Meneses, a tricycle
driver.
Four out of 10 residents
learned the condition of the Angat Dam through the news from TV, radio and
newspaper.
“Oo, dahil malaki ang
nagiging impluwensya ng television,” answered Gerlie Rivera, a teacher at St.
Stephen School of Bulakan if she believes about what she heard about the dam.
However, “Kadalasan kasi
totoo ang mga balitang napapanood [sa TV],” Rivera added, expressing a tinge of
doubt towards the mass media.
“Partly, dahil may mga
nagbabalita na masyadong sensationalized ang balita,” stated Alcaraz.
“Bagamat sometimes, they
exaggerate, it but still it is true,” deemed Martinez who shared the same
thinking.
However, while the other
nine respondents believe the possibility of a dam break, Reggie Lazaro who
found out about the issue through social media said “Hindi, parang imposible.”
Moreover, wanting the
government to act upon the situation of the 47 year-old dam, “Sa lalong
madaling panahon ay isaayos na nila ito, bago magkaroon ng malubhang pangyayari
na sisira sa buhay at kabuhayan ng maraming mamamayan,” said Carreon.
“Hangga’t maaga, i-repair na
[nila] ‘yung dam,” stated Neil Roque, a second year Broadcasting major at
Bulacan State University.
According to Rodriguez, the
national, provincial and local government should help one another in solving
the circumstance.
“Iwasan ang graft and
corruption at isaayos ang dapat isaayos,” added Martinez.
Roque expressed his desire
to know more about the issue, “Gusto ko po malaman kung ano-anong mga lugar ang
maaaring masyadong maapektuhan nito at… saan maaaring ligtas para sa lahat.”
Also, Carreon stated “Ano ba
talaga ang kalalagayan nito sa kasalukuyan?”
The Angat Dam which is
located at Norzagaray, Bulacan is believed to break down if a 7.2 magnitude
earthquake hits the Marikina West Valley Faultline (MWVF) as a branch of the
MWVF lies underneath one of the dam’s dikes.
This was confirmed by
studies conducted by Tonkin & Taylor International and Engineering Development
Corporation of the Philippines (Edcop).
Back in 2009, Philippine
Volcanology and Seismology director Renato Solidum revealed that a branch of
that the Bulacan province must prepare for the worst case scenario being the
dam break for a branch of the MWVF lies 200 meters from one of the dikes of the
dam.
Last December 13, 2013, the
provincial government of Bulacan conducted a dam break drill along the McArthur
Highway to the Bulacan Sports Complex, which was then participated by Bulacan
State University (BulSU), Centro Escolar University (CEU), Bulacan Polytechnic
College (BPC), La Consolacion University of the Philippines (LCUP) and various
offices and response teams from the government.
A Day of Prayer:
Bulakenyos ask for protection against Angat Dam break
PRAYER. Bulakenyos prayed to God to protect them from any calamity, especially from a dam break. |
Through the Day of Prayer
conducted by the Provincial Government of Bulacan, Bulakenyos of different
religions and sects united to pray for their province, January 20, 2014.
“This is just a start-up
para mapagbuklod-buklod… ang mga parties, mga taong bayan, mga segment ng
society,” said Atty. Pastor Elmo Duque, the guest speaker of the program.
Bulakenyos implored God’s
protection from any calamity, most especially from an earthquake that may cause
the destruction of the province’s 47-year old Angat Dam.
“’Yun ang konting lambing
natin sa Panginoon,” stated Duque who have emphasized that Bulakenyos must open
their small hearts to let the giant God who in.
“That giant God will protect
you… from any destruction, from any calamity,” added the pastor.
Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino
Sy-Alvarado also believes that if God is with the Bulakenyos, nothing will be
against them in achieving the progress of their province and of the nation as
well.
“This is just a prelude to a
bigger rally,” stated the governor, viewing this as a way to call the attention
of the people concerned in the retrofitting of the Angat Dam.
If a 7.2 magnitude
earthquake hits the Marikina West Valley Faultline (MWVF) which passes under
one of the Angat Dam’s dikes, a dam break is believed to occur that will
submerge the whole province of Bulacan and affect 70% of Manila.
With regards to urging the
national government for immediate action towards the Angat Dam repair, the
province conducted an Angat Dam Break Drill last month involving around 12,000
students, provincial government officials and response teams from the different
municipalities of Bulacan.
A monster in disguise: She who has been underrated
MONSTER. Jasmin Lorraine Tan answers questions about her success in the recent RHEPC in a mini press conference. |
For someone who
is not involved in sports and yet won a gold medal in Sports Writing, she is a
monster.
For someone who
had been rejected to be part of a school paper three times in high school and
yet recognized as the Individual Highest Pointer in a regional press conference
after dominating in three categories, she is a monster.
For someone who
edits articles until she loses her time to rest and sleep and yet manages to
study until the sun sets making her a candidate for a Cum Laude award, she is a
monster.
For someone who
has been underrated, she continues to prove that she could be a monster
achiever.
She was called
a ‘monster’ by one of the judges in the 13th Regional Higher
Education Press Conference (RHEPC) organized by the Association of Tertiary
School Paper Advisers in Region III (Atspar-III) after topping in DevComm
Writing (English), Opinion Writing (English) and Sports Writing (English).
In fact, she
was just a late replacement in two of the categories, DevComm Writing and
Opinion Writing, because of a conflict in schedule and yet she still managed to
make her way to victory.
She loves Sports
Writing the most. For her, it is the action in sports that makes it her
favourite because she can easily find good angles for her story.
Though she is
not an athlete, reading is her way to gain understanding of sports. For her,
knowledge comes before skill as an excellent writer cannot write anything when
he knows nothing.
Also, she
believes that what makes a story stand out over others is a unique angle. She
shared that during the Sports Writing contest in the RHEPC, she sought for
details which could form a different angle from the other competitors and that
is the losses of some teams of BulSU despite being held as overall champion for
the 17th consecutive year in the recent State Colleges and
Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA).
However, it was
not all victory for her, she also experienced rejections. Back in high school,
she tried to be part of their school paper three times and she was turned down
thrice. She almost gave up her drive for writing until one of her teachers
encouraged her to join a Speech Writing contest which fuelled up her desire
again.
Also, during
her first year in college and in the university publication, she said her
articles for SCUAA which was then held in Bulacan State University (BulSU) were
almost unrecognizable because of too much edits but she made this a motivation
to double her efforts so that such experience will not happen again.
Nevertheless,
the challenges did not stop there. She took charge of the highest post in the
Pacesetter, the first editor-in-chief from her major, albeit she and her
colleagues were collectively called “the weakest batch”.
For her, a person
can cry any time he feels like giving up because of stress to relieve it. Also,
she deems that one should always trust in God in times of trials because God
will not give a person an obstacle he will not be able to surpass.
The university
publication had been ranking second in the RHEPC for the last three years. They
need the championship back; she had it in her mind since the start and they did
it. She then believes that they have already redeemed themselves.
Being in her
last year in college and yet, her success as a campus journalist and an
editor-in-chief are not the only things to be admired because she is also
running for the Cum Laude honor.
Though
seemingly impossible for many students, she prioritizes her studies through
working on it until the sun sets because that is when she does her
editor-in-chief duties.
She also
believes that being a journalism major gave her an advantage because she is
always out to cover events and there she learned to be independent, to do
things on her own way. Though things were rough and difficult at times, she
said she was able to endure it because she likes what she does.
With that, she
advises that a student should not stick with a course that he does not like, instead
go for what he loves doing so he will not regret no matter how difficult it is.
As she is set
to graduate this year, she plans to rest first before working for what she
hopes a broadsheet or a sports magazine.
This monster is
Jasmin Lorraine Tan, a 20-year old senior Journalism student in BulSU, editor-in-chief
of the Pacesetter, despite the trials has kept viewing life optimistically as
she never thought that God’s delays are God’s denials.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Visual Art Museum of Bulacan prepares for public viewing
The
Visual Art Museum of Bulacan in Ciudad Clemente, in San Isidro I, Paombong,
Bulacan is set to showcase more than a thousand of Bulakenyo artworks in two
years.
According
to Joe Clemente, owner of the museum, he is hoping to open his collection to
the public as soon as he finishes documenting all the artworks and after
putting up all the necessary security facilities in the museum.
Though
many students have expressed their desire to visit his place, Clemente does not
want to offer his collected works yet.
“Talagang
ang fino-foresee ko d’yan, I want to document all these I have into a book…”
explained Clemente because he believes this how people will remember him in the
future.
“Because
I want it to be a repository of art and culture,” said Clemente, pertaining to
his collection of creations of “Bulakan artists – the seniors, the
award-winners and the so-so.”
“It
is something na you as a Bulakenyo would be very proud of,” added Clemente.
Part
of his precious collection is the work of Teodoro Buenaventura, teacher of
Fernando Amorsolo, who hailed from Paombong, Bulacan.
With
regards to buying artworks, Clemente said “You’ve got to have a taste, you have
to be prolific in the art of architecture.”
Clemente
emphasized that buying antiques must fit in the era or year of the house’s
concept.
Some
materials used in the architecture of Ciudad Clemente are knickknacks from other
ancestral houses like mahogany, narra, molave and other types of wood.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)