Zamboanga News Forum

Tonight marks a history in the local media of Zamboanga City ? the 1st Zamboanga Press Club (ZPC) Mass Media Award. Spearheaded by ZPC committee chair Al Alhabshi, it will be held at Marcian Garden Hotel. Here are the nominees: The nominees for the best news writer are Nonong Santiago (Zamboanga Today) and Letty Militante or Lhesey Monroy (Zamboanga Peninsula). Presenters are Philippine Information Agency regional Director Noemi Edaga and former media man turned businessman Lope Iringan.Nominees for the best radio public affairs are Primer Ronda of RPN, Ora Arankada of DXVP, Kus-kus Batikus of RMN, Cuento de Pueblo of DXMR Radyo ng Bayan, and Legal Matters of DXVP. They will be presented by Zamboanga Water District Manager Chito Vasquez and Zamcelco Manager Reinerio Ramos. The winner will be announced by District 1 Congressman Erbie Fabian.The nominees for the best radio public affairs program host are Philip Abuy of Primer Ronda of RPN, Cora Bañez of Ora de Arankada of DXVP, Gil Climaco of Straight to the Point of RMN, Atty. Gian Paolo Enriquez of Legal Matters of DXVP, and Danny Macansantos of Cuento de Pueblo of DXMR Radyo ng Bayan. Presenter is District 2 Congressman Erbie Fabian.The nominees for the best radio newscast are Pila Balita of RMN, Chavacano News of DXVP, Arankada Chavacano of RPN, and DXMR News at Eight of Radyo ng Bayan. Prsaenter is Commanding General of the 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force Maj. Gen. Lino Horacio Lapinid.The nominees for the best radio newscaster are Ma. Ester Doroteo of Arankada Chavacano of RPN, Rhoderick Marcelino of Pila Balita of RMN, Cora Banez of Chavacano News of DXVP, and Lller Enriquez of DXMR News at Eight of Radyo ng Bayan. Presenter is Philippine National Police Chief Supt. Angelo Sunglao.The nominees for the best radio reporter are Richard Falcatan of RMN, Emil Tuban of RPN, Jayvee Francisco of DXVP, and Elsie Molina of Radyo ng Bayan. The presenters are Atty. Vicente Solis of the Kapisanan Ng Mga Brodkaster Sa Pilipinas and Zamboanga State College of Polytechnic Pres. Nora Ponce.The nominees for the best TV Newscast are Dateline Zamboanga of TV 11 and TV Patrol Chavacano of ABS CBN. Presenters are Naval Forces Wesertn Mindanao rear Admiral Alexander Pama and Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Cholo Soliven.The nominees for the Best TV Newscaster are Jewel Mendoza of the TV Patrol Chavacano of ABS CBN and Ronnie Lledo of Dateline Zamboanga of TV 11. Presenters are District 1 City Councilor Gerky valesco and City Tourism Officer Sarita Hernandez.The nominees for the Best TV Reporter are David Santos of ABS-CBN, Queenie Casimiro of ABS CBN, Leila Vicente of ABS CBN, RJ Rosalado of ABS CBN, Liza Jocson of TV 11, Teodiver Arquiza of TV11, and Joemelet Tabo-Tabo of TV 11. Presenters are District 2 City Councilor Rey Candido and Commission on Higher Education Regional Director Dr. Emmylou Yanga.The nominees for the best TV cameraman are Edward Borgonia of TV11, James Alameda of TV11, Edwin Delos Reyes TV11, Rudy Benasing of TV11, and Edgar Soberano of ABS CBN. Presenters are Lt. Col. Tracy Saiki, Chief of the Pulbic Affairs of the Joint Special Operation Task Force ?Zambonga and 2009 Miss Zamboanga Hayasin Lim.Sponsors are Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, District 2 Congressman Erbie Fabian, Western Mindanao Commander Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Naval Forces Western Mindanao Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, Pag-Ibig Fund headed by Manager Amorpatri Bajarla, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Lottery Operation Chief Raul Regondola, Philippine Long Distance Company Manager Edilberto Viray, Land Bank Manager Cesar Magalles, Metro Stonerich Corporation, Southway Mall, Unversidad de Zzambonga Pres. Arturo Eustaquio, Zamboanga Water District Manager Chito Vasquez, San Miguel Corporation, Medika, and Zamcelco.Congratulations to ZPC President Jerry Lacastesantos and his officers for this successful event!

Via Zamboanga Times

If you don?t know it yet, get a load of this: there are three scholarly Zamboangueños who belong to the inner circle of presidential candidate Senator Manny Villar ? Michael Regino, Rolly Macasaet and Guido Delgado. These three were honor students in high school and college. Regino belongs to the Bernardo-Natividad clan; Macasaet, who graduated valedictorian at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, is the grandson of former Mayor Gregorio Ledesma from Bolong; and Delgado graduated valedictorian in high school. He is the son of former Ateneo English professor Jesus ?Chu? Delgado. Regino is Villar?s real-estate think tank; Macasaet was former president of the Philippine National Construction Corporation; and Delgado was former president of Napocor. So, what?s at stake for Zamboanga when, not if, Villar becomes the next Philippine president? A whale of a lot, dear friends. We lost our label as the capital of Region 9 to Pagadian City, no thanks to Executive Order No. 429 signed by former President Corazon ?Cory? Aquino, the blessed mother of Noynoy Aquino, a did-nothing congressman and senator from Tarlac, who is riding on the popularity of his parents to become president. That?s all, nothing more!We lost our Malacanang connection when ERAP was booted out of office in disgrace and subsequently convicted of plunder. We were always at the opposite side of fence. We went for the re-election of Diosdado Macapagal against the formidable Ferdinand Marcos. We leaned towards the left when Marcos was in power. When Jose P. Dans was then minister of transportation and communications, we had our chance of having a new airport in Mercedes. But the great Cesar C. Climaco wanted it located at Masinloc Point (somewhere in Mariki).We lost our bargaining chip when GMA came to power because she got clobbered here by FPJ by almost 100,000 votes. That?s how we lost the capital (a woman?s wrath?). We stand to lose some more of our jewels if we don?t side with the right man. Remember, we almost lost Southcom to Pulacan, Zamboanga del Sur (where in heaven?s name is that?). If that had happened, we would have yielded our southern defenses to an external aggressor (like Malaysia, for example).Villar must win in Zamboanga. We shall have more to gain than lose another precious stone, like the Zamboecozone. That ambitious economic zone in San Ramon is about to crumble because of non-performance. Villar?s Three Wise Men can help make Zamboanga?s dream of becoming an economic hub in the south linked to the BIMP-EAGA envisioned by former President Fidel V. Ramos.It?s time to slay the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and live in better times.

Via Zamboanga Times

Dist. 1 Rep. Beng Climaco delivers her message during Universidad de Zamboanga?s 7th Student Leaders Convention with a theme "Developing Conscientious Leaders for Tomorrow. ? Ryan Sta Teresa.

Via Zamboanga Times

Former Sen. Franklin Drilon, guest of honor and speaker in the city?s 73rd Dia de Zamboanga celebration accepts a miniature City Hall as a token of appreciation from Mayor Celso Lobregat, District 1 Cong. Beng Climaco and District II Cong. Erbie A. Fabian. ?  Joey Bautista

Via Zamboanga Times

Mayor Celso Lobregat, Reps. Erbie A. Fabian and Beng Climaco receive a plaque of appreciation from BIR Deputy Commissioner Lucita Rodriguez for their support to the BIR?s tax campaign. ? Dan Toribio Jr.

Via Zamboanga Times

District 1 Education consultant Dr. Ibrahim Kenoh gives a message in behalf of Cong. Beng Climaco to the new scholars of Massage Therapy from Uwak, Barangay San Roque together with Captain Aline M. Feliciano, WMSU Social Work students and some TESDA representatives. ?  Ryan Sta. Teresa

Via Zamboanga Times

What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps? Headline: ?Elago says city should have own power plant?Councilor Kim Elago has a point that Zamboanga City should start looking for alternatives as power crisis is looming not only here but in Mindanao and the entire Philippines .For The Record raised this issue few weeks ago after learning from Zamcelco officials that the Mindanao power grid has started rationing scheme because of lesser power supplies generating from all the plants.It can be a costly activity but better than to do nothing to address the forthcoming power shortage crisis.We even challenged the other candidates to speak out their minds as to how do they intend to help resolve the situation before the full power shortage effects will affect us all.Unfortunately for La Bella ? there are candidates who cannot even make critical thinking or give a sound and sensible idea ? yet they expect us to elect them?One solid question that we should ask these candidates in the different candidates? forum nowadays is: What can you suggest to help solve or prevent power crisis in Zamboanga City ? We?re merely asking for suggestion or opinion so we can test how sensible and acceptable one, who is seeking public office, could be.Headline: ?Conserve water!?This headline came out in at least two national dailies last Sunday (Manila Bulletin and Tempo). The story is so timely that local groups in Zamboanga City are advocating against the operation of a mining company who wants to explore the Ayala-watershed area.FTR was invited last Friday in the launching of that ?informational book? about the facts and truth on the Ayala-watershed spearheaded by Silsilah Dialogue Movement founder Fr. Sebastiano D?Ambra.City Officials under the administration of Mayor Celso Lobregat can get the cue from those banner stories, telling us that sooner or later the country will be in great trouble if we don?t start conserving water. The answer is: RIVER And speaking of rivers ? Zamboanga City rivers will dry up if we don?t protect and preserve our source of water like what is happening in other places today.Zamboanga City is not an exemption! If our city leaders will insist in allowing this out-of-town mining company to explore our mountains particularly the areas covering the Ayala-watershed then we Zamboanguenos will be in great danger of suffering first from shortage of water.We don?t need to enumerate what can happen to our watershed and how water supply can greatly and adversely be affected once we allow poachers to set their feet in our main water source.That?s why we ask these groups of advocators to provide the public the names of these city officials and candidates who are for the operation of mining in the Ayala-watershed so that the voters can repudiate them this coming May 2010 elections.Why do we have to elect people who use their positions for personal interest instead of working for the preservation and protection of our natural resources?So far ? I?ve seen only the position paper of Congresswoman Beng Climaco ?Salazar who publicly announced that she is against the mining operation in the Ayala-watershed area. You?ll see it published in this litter corner later.The rest ? what?s your stand? For your comments and reactions, email us at fordrecord@yahoo.com or cow_boy1105@yahoo.com *THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: ?In a world full of speculation, only God?s Word is certain.?

Via Zamboanga Times

Dist. 2 Rep. Erbie A. Fabian congratulates the newly inducted officers of the Zamboanga Bowlers Association led by re-elected president Atty. Luis Climaco last Saturday at Tebi and Sean Recreation Center. ? Allen Abastillas

Via Zamboanga Times

Mayor Celso Lobregat, Reps. Beng Climaco of District 1 and Erbie A. Fabian of District 2 and members of the City Council during yesterday?s Council maiden session and Mayor?s SOCA. ? Jojo San Antonio

Via Zamboanga Times

City chair of the Liberal Party Rep. Beng Climaco calls a group of youth to join and participate in this coming May election. The lady solon promotes a spirit of volunteerism, party, vision, mission and clean government program that will inspire the youth. ? Ryan Sta.Teresa

Via Zamboanga Times