Three Strong Years of the City’s Magazine!

THE CITY’S WARDEN:RECREATINg lIfE IN jAIl

APRIL 2012

P50

APRIL 2012

2 The Quezon CiTy

When the idea to join The Quezon City Times as its Editor-in-Chief was broached to me, I wasn’t sure what lay ahead of me. The

compensation of running a community magazine is not half as glorious as that of fashion magazines or a daily newspaper. In addition, I have always been prudent with accepting other work aside from my main bread and butter as a development professional because any added work eats up time, away from my family. I was raised by two journalists and I can remember how my parents would commune with their typewriters and scattered news clippings and books around them. “Ssshhh. I am writing. Please go back to play.”

But I gave it a second thought. It has always been my commitment to raise my child in a community of service, vision and dialogue. I figured out that even if I devote my entire life in sharing him my thoughts

without also shaping the governance, educational system, discourse and culture that he lives in, he would just be another frustrated man in a fast-changing and disinterested world.

Hence, dear readers, in the same tradition of balanced news-casting and developmental documentary, I am privileged to bring you, on behalf of The Quezon City Times, the first edition that carries a stronger mission of “Promoting Cooperative Communities”. We hope to bring you not only stories that answer the whos, whats, whens and wheres, but more important, questions of why and how. Only when we position our articles in this way can we drive our readers into reflection and action.

We have improved our contents to inform you on what your local government is and is not doing to better serve our readers. We also want to share real stories of people of good intentions so that we may be inspired from their vision. We also desire to show different learning venues for the family which may be a new course, free yoga sessions, new vocational courses or an active book readers’ association. A new and fresh look complements these improvements.

To contribute to our local economy, we are devoting pages for small local enterprises. In 2010, Quezon City had 58,133 registered businesses of which more than half are thriving locally. They provide jobs and self-worth to individuals, build local pride for communities, and stimulate economic activity. They provide tremendous benefits but due to the problems that they face, the challenge to innovate is more pressing for this sector.

To improve our collective minds and spirit, we are inviting thought-movers whose work has contributed to the improvement of people’s lives in Quezon City. They will be sharing incisive articles on politics, culture and governance. In this issue, famous and respected artist Leonilo Doloricon posits the need to develop a nationalist culture in local economic development.

We hope that these new changes will make your reading experience more fun, enlightening and reflective one.

Miriam Azurin

editor’snote

P u b l i s h e rBayan dela Cruz

E d i to r - i n - C h i E fMiriam Azurin

M a r k E t i n g d i r E C to rPio Granada

g r a p h i C E d i to rAlvin Villamor

t E C h n i C a l E d i to rAgadel Guerrero

C o n s u lta n t sAldwin Requejo

Brian Lu

The Quezon CiTy TiMeS magazine is published by

Gorilla TradingGround Floor, Francesca Towers Sct. Borromeo St. corner EDSA,Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City

Email: thequezoncitytimes@yahoo.com

tel.: 355-9811

for suggestions, comments, and contributions, please write to the

Editor-in-Chief via thequezoncitytimes@yahoo.com

APRIL 2012

3The Quezon CiTy

inside

YES! I Want to Subscribe to

UniT 6, FRAnCESCA TowER, SCT. BoRRoMEo ST., SoUTh TRiAnGLE, QUEzon CiTy 1103

NameAddress

Tel./Mobile Email

6 issues for PhP300.0012 issues for PhP600.00Cheque* enclosedBill me

SElEct SubScrIptIon pErSonal InformatIon

please send this coupon to our address or fax this form along with payment information to 355-9891

inside

inside

4 the city’s warden: recreating life in jail

8 where’s the vigor? 11 alliance pushes

for social enterprise bill 14 honing young

artists 16 people or park? 18 will our

businesses thrive beyond the next decade?

22 conspiracy bar means freedom 24

development news 26 qc to bring home

tandang sora remains 27 we are the 99.6%

- mdp 29 parenting the community 31

escape from poverty

COVER STORYTHE CITY’S WARDEN: recreating life in jail

Cover photo by Jimmy Domingo

APRIL 2012

4 The Quezon CiTy

It was a job he will never let his son keep.

J/Superintendent Joseph Vela is an unassuming man with big dreams for a small patch of land called Quezon City Jail.

When he assumed office in April 2011, he found Quezon City Jail in the way others before him have found it – con-gested, infested, teeming with almost 3,000 inmates that are squeezed inside a facility built for 800.

“This is my most difficult assignment,” Vela said, between smiles and handshakes with the Quezon City Times. And sure enough, in the middle of the interview, a noise bar-rage by agitated inmates exploded.

The man behind the desk

It was destiny that brought the young Vela to the chaotic world of jail management.

“This is the only job offer that I got,” he said, and related how hospitals did not accept him for different reasons. And from there, began his journey that landed him “in jail.”

The son of Dorcy, a government employee, and Luis, a law-yer, lives off with what he makes--a tenet he learned from his father, whom he idolizes.

Born in Naga City in Bicol Province, studied in Manila, Vela is a registered nurse with Master in Management post-grad-uate degree from the Philippine Christian University.

the city’s warden:recreating life in jail

cover storyArticle by Angelica CarballoPhotography by Jimmy Domingo

APRIL 2012

5The Quezon CiTy

“We are not rich, my father never enriched himself and always reminded us to be righteous and honest,” Vela re-members with a smile as he talked about the strict but lov-ing father who raised him.

“Hindi kami mayaman pero nagpunyagi ang tatay ko.”

He appreciates the fact that his parents gave him and his siblings good and quality education, and instilled in them

the value of learning and being honest. He said that his fa-ther always remind-ed all of them that their surname “was not theirs, it was their father’s, and they should not taint it nor in any way put it in a bad light.”

“It is the same phi-losophy that I will teach my kids,” said Vela, who is now a father to a two- year old boy and another baby boy on the way.

As a manager, he makes sure that the morale and esteem of his men are at the optimal.

“I am only as good as my men,” Vela said.

He keeps the jail corruption-free by “taking away the temptation” by transferring the rich and influential pris-oners to another fa-cility in Bicutan.

This registered nurse has sure gone a long way. He attended various career cours-es, seminars and trainings, local and abroad, to improve and enhance his skills and knowledge in jail and penology system. Among them includes: Public Safety Officers Senior Executive Course; New York Office Police Training Program (FBI, New York, USA); American Jail Association 19th An-nual Training Conference (Sacramento, California, USA); Supreme Court Anti-Illegal Drugs Forum; Management of TB in Jails and Smoke-Free Jails Seminars; Values Formation; Parole and Probation; Strategic Negotiation and Conflict Management; Intelligence; Leadership and Procurement Seminar and Training, among others.

Quezon City Jail is his fourth assignment since he was as-signed as a jail warden in 2004. He has served the city jails

of Malabon, Marikina and Mandaluyong before his current post.

It is also worth mentioning that Vela was the youngest su-perintendent at 32. He became a Chief Inspector at 30, Senior Inspector at 26, and Inspector at 21.

A hole in hell

At present, Quezon City Jail houses 2, 954 prisoners, al-though the facility was built with only a capacity of 800. The prison is situated in a 3,800- square meters property at Bernardo Park in Kamuning prefecture, which also houses the administration offices, and leaves only around 1,000 square meters for the prisoners to occupy. In other words, the facility is overcrowded, almost four times its original capacity, the most densely populated jail in the Philippines and second most populated, next to Manila City Jail.

The jail serves as a confinement to detainees awaiting trial, who were convicted for a crime whose penalty does not exceed three years, and those who are for safekeeping. It houses detainees who are charged with simple jaywalking to murder and drug-related cases.

The jail, which is managed by the Bureau of Jail Manage-ment and Penology, also houses five gangs namely: Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Sigue Sigue Commando, Batang City Jail, Bahala Na Gang, and a bunch of gangless prisoners called Querna.

With five gangs and thousands of prisoners under one’s ba-ton, it sure can bring one to the end of his wits.

“Even at home all I can think about is the jail and the pris-oners and the work that needs to be done,” Vela said.

“A commotion or a riot can explode anytime, in the middle of the night. We are busiest when people should be spend-ing their holidays,”

“I can’t even treat my family to a vacation,” but he’s not complaining, On the contrary, he is a very hands-on warden who calls his men in the middle of the night just to check on the facility and its inhabitants.

He related that to decrease the number of inmates, he himself has been following up on cases, writing letters of recommendation to free those who have served more than their maximum penalty period, and of course, the dreaded transfer of prisoners to Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) in Bicutan, Taguig.

The MMDJ jail now houses the infamous Dominguez brothers of the carnapping group, the Ampatuan clan members and their co-accused, and road rage suspect Jason Ivler, among others.

“They do not like to be transferred, why? Most of the in-mates here live in nearby communities and visiting them cost little. But once they are transferred to Bicutan, which is a stricter prison, they would need a valid ID, which most

APRIL 2012

6 The Quezon CiTy

of the visitors here don’t have. Longer travel time and more transportation rides, all of which involves money,” the warden relates.

This method has put Vela in many unfriendly situations, from an “extremely angry” mother to the recent noise bar-rage.

The noise barrage was initiated by members of the Sigue Sigue Sputnik gang who want their leaders back. Vela or-dered 21 of their leaders to be transferred to Bicutan fol-lowing a surprise inspection that yielded a number of blad-ed weapons. The unexpected probe served as a preventive measure following an attempted riot that commenced a week before.

The situation ended peacefully with Vela explaining to the gang members why he needs their leaders to be trans-ferred. Eventually, the gang elected a new set of officers and all the gang leaders forged a new practice of having breakfast once in a week “to bond”.

Reforms

The prison envisions itself to provide “humane safekeeping and development of inmates” in Quezon City, but with the present situation, this is easier said than done.

As said, with the jail’s omnipresent congestion, the best reform would be to decongest.

It was under Vela’s leadership that the QC Jail was able to secure a promise from Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista that the local government will secure a two- hectare land in Payatas, enough to secure at least 4,500 inmates. Bau-tista said this will be done before the year is over.

The fund for the construction will be allocated by the De-partment of Budget and Management, and Speaker Sonny Belmonte promised to intercede to expedite its release.

Under Vela’s stewardship, the jail experienced reforms that many have thought to be impossible to reach. The jail is now a non-smoking facility, a policy that is very difficult to implement because 90 per cent of the prisoners are smok-ers.

“This wasn’t done overnight and I did not ask them to quit in cold feet,” he said.

Visitors were also inspected to make sure they do not bring cigarettes to their loved ones.

It was due to the rise of the number of tuberculosis cases that pushed Vela to implement the “no smoking” policy. Also, through the help of the local government, a sputum laboratory was constructed and is operational inside the jail.

A 40-bed hospital is also being constructed with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and will be operational within the year.

The most notable reform, however, is the E-Dalaw.

The first of its kind in the Philippines, E-Dalaw allows in-mates to talk and communicate with their families through Skype. The computers were donated by the Office of the Solicitor General.

Relatives from far flung places may e-mail a request to sky-pemeinjailqcj@yahoo.com and indicate the time and date of their E-dalaw.

“If there are no queues, the inmates can talk to their fami-lies for a considerable amount of time. But during peak seasons like Christmas, each inmate is allowed 10 minutes, “ he said. At present, there are 84 inmates who avail of this service.

The jail also has 24 service providers that assist the inmates in value formation, paralegal services, sports, health, and security.

“But much as we want to welcome all of those who want to help, we are restrained physically, masyado na tayong masikip,” Vela said.

Surely, it has been a long and embattled journey from be-ing the fresh graduate who tested the waters. His achieve-ments show how he loves every challenge thrown at him, be it a riot or an overcrowded jail.

“Maybe I am still a warden, maybe not, who knows? A riot might happen tomorrow and I can be thrown out in a mat-ter of seconds,” he answered when QC Times asked him if he envisions himself a few years from now.

“I just live my life one day at a time, I can never be sure.”

“My mission in doing something that will make people move forward positively will continue, even beyond my time as public servant and sentinel,” Vela ended.

APRIL 2012

7The Quezon CiTy

APRIL 2012

8 The Quezon CiTy

insights

As a cultural activist, I find the February art and culture month more of an afterthought and tokenism celebration. Politicians do not give due respect to the spirit of our cul-ture and art, these are not their priority. I remember a politician who once said in a radio program that we don’t take pride in winning dance contests abroad because what the country needs, according to him, is expertise, science and technology. We do not need many cultural dancers. Despite such talk, politicians like him hardly allo-cate enough support to our scientists and inventors that’s why we have brain drain in the country for lack of opportunity. This politician probably equates Filipino tal-ents in dance to cultural dancers working in Japan as front for prostitution. We are constrained to say that artists and design-ers are also much used in the ICT industry and everywhere where creative talents are required to exemplify humanistic side of scientific and technological production.

I remember a fellow faculty member who was once a scholar who had to take lan-

Government offices are therefore mandated to follow the lead and the month-long celebration out-lasts the week-university and col-

lege fairs honoring the lovers’ saint. The 2012 Philippine Arts Festival led by the NCCA carried the theme “Tradition and In-novation”. This year, the word “Taboan” or “marketplace” heralded the lectures of literary giants in the country. The Janu-ary events relating to the blessed Sto. Nino that closed major thoroughfares in Manila, Kalibo, Cebu, Iloilo to the festive and color-ful and drumbeating parades make way for February.

At the University of the Philippines’ College of Fine Arts, art exhibits of the works of students and faculty from the different dis-ciplines brightened up the gallery and the entire place although no fireworks were lit during the week- long celebration.

Even as the university was basically a bas-tion of protest during the martial law pe-riod under Marcos, no less than the deposed president’s daughter, Irene Marcos Araneta, graced the opening of the exhibits. And that was on the very day for commemorat-ing the triumph of people power in EDSA 1986.

We were also invited to the Philippine Vi-sual Art Festival held in the Rizal province organized by the NCCA committee on the visual arts. The week- long celebration was highlighted by the painting contest, photo exhibit, mural making, and an art confer-ence. In each of these, a number of local politicians recited their achievements and political agenda, turning the art activities into pre-election campaign, and stretching the patience and kindness of the audience.

where’s the vigor?The late President Cory Aquino’s Presidential Proclamation 683 has made February the “National Arts Month” since1991. Nine-teen years hence, and with her own son Noynoy at the country’s helm, Pinoys are still celebrating the country’s artistic and cul-tural legacy with the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) as the lead agency.

As a cultural activist, I find the February art and culture month more of an afterthought and tokenism celebration.

Professor Leonilo Doloricon is a respected and awarded artist, a cultural activist and former dean of the College of Fine Arts at the UP Diliman. He currently serves in the Board of Trustees of the Concerned Artist of the Philippines.

APRIL 2012

9The Quezon CiTy

guage course in Japan, an encounter that challenged his patriotic pride. In one of their programs, they were asked to make a cultural presentation. He panicked because he could not remember by heart any Filipino song while oth-er nationalities easily belted out their own popular native songs. This Filipino scholar ended up singing our national anthem. That’s the only time, he said, that he realized that he is Filipino and indeed we don’t give much time to learn and develop our art and culture.

We don’t even give priority to our national language and we only celebrate our national language during the “Linggo ng Wika” in August. During the time of UP President Jose Abue-va, he made mandatory the use of the Filipino language in transacting official business in the academic community, although there were resistance from some sectors. The use of the Filipino language, however, prevailed and even be-came a medium of instruction. But during the presidency of a noted nationalist advocate in the academe, he relaxed the use of Filipino language in transacting business in the academe. In one occasion, he asked a writer in Filipino to make a speech for him to be delivered before an audience. When he tried to read the speech in Filipino it was really an agonizing experience because of his Visayan accent. He had his speech finalized in English.

Our political leaders may be too old to learn new tricks. So, we need to focus on the students in primary schools, on introducing art and culture appreciation. Art is not only for decorating our living rooms with paintings, but it is the pride of our cultural heritage and the soul of our country. It is an expression of our aspiration and hope. We cannot fulfil this endeavour if the problem of illiteracy still prevails especially in the countryside.

We must also realize that culture is dynamic and we want to develop a liberating kind of culture that will set us free from the ignorance and superstitious beliefs that are preva-lent, brought about by a feudalistic patronage culture in society.

Nationalism in culture should be a paramount undertaking of our people. We cannot develop a culture truly reflective of people’s aspirations if we don’t struggle for our national identity. A nationalist consciousness in culture is important in consolidating the significant influences of foreign culture while discarding its idiocy and meaningless aspects that drive us to patronize or even worship advanced countries’ junks. We should start patronizing our local talents and even the products that our local manufacturers produce in order to bring about local economic development.

There is no way that we can develop our culture and the arts than by making it an everyday affair advocacy. We should ceaselessly support creative endeavours by various artists in different disciplines to make the best of our talents. Cel-ebrating February as Art Month is a simple reminder. Let’s make art and culture of the Filipino a living and liberating everyday practice.

Nationalism in culture should be a paramount undertaking of our people. We cannot develop a culture truly reflective of people’s aspirations if we don’t struggle for our national identity. A nationalist consciousness in culture is important in consolidating the significant influences of foreign culture while discarding its idiocy and meaningless aspects that drive us to patronize or even worship advanced countries’ junks. We should start patronizing our local talents and even the products that our local manufacturers produce in order to bring about local economic development.

APRIL 2012

10 The Quezon CiTy

APRIL 2012

11The Quezon CiTy

LegisLative news

Diliman, Quezon City - An alliance of farmers, workers, community enterprises, business associations and fair trade groups is pushing for the approval of a measure

designed to institutionalize social entrepreneurship (SE) nationwide.

“It is about time that we push for a bill that deals with pov-erty on a sustainable approach,’’ Dean Tony La Vina of the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) said during a stake-holders’ meeting to launch the campaign.

The participants organized the Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Coalition after tackling the proposed Social Enterprise Bill that they want President Aquino to support.

ASOG co-convened the PRESENT Coalition with the Founda-tion for a Sustainable Society (FSSI.)

Social Entrepreneurship covers social mission-driven wealth creating organizations that serve the poor as primary stake-holders with at least double or triple bottom lines.

Bottom lines refer to other missions, other than profits, that respond to social and ecological values that benefit society.

Italy, United Kingdom and South Korea have legislated mea-sures on SE.

SE began in the US in the 1970s as a response to economic downturns and cutbacks in federal funding.

On the other hand, Europe has turned to SE as a major mea-sure in reaction to the welfare states crisis in the 1980s.

“As a field of study, SE had been studied for 20 years. SE entails innovations designed to explicitly improve societal well-being,’’ Lisa Dacanay of the Institute for Social Entrepre-neurship in Asia (ISEA) said.

SEs in the country are comprised of about 30,000 people involved in cooperatives, com-munity-based enterprises, microfinance insti-tutions, small- and medium-scale industries.

They range from industries that promote or-ganic products and agriculture-based com-modities like coffee, peanuts, rice, muscova-do sugar and innovative products as bamboo delicacies, specially-made furnitures and handwoven products, citronella oil, geo-textiles, charcoal briquettes (from coconut shells), herbal medicines and other products.

“We are proposing an agenda for change through SE and we call on the state to play a major role in providing the necessary support to make Social Enterprise sector succeed to benefit the poor in a sustainable manner,’’ stressed Jay Bertram Lacsamana, FSSI executive director and co-conve-nor of the PRESENT Coalition.

Lacsamana explained that the Social Enterprise Bill will provide existing and potential SEs all the social rights as a legal brand and to make government play a strategic role on redistribution of wealth that the market could not play because of its own limitations.

‘’The capitalist drive of profit is what drives markets. If we let market economy rule the day, government cannot do its social role to ensure that the poor are economically productive,’’ he said.

Around 50 SE practitioners from all over the country, mem-bers of the academe and civil society organizations have united to push for the Social Enterprise Bill in a gathering at the University Hotel of the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

The PRESENT Coalition, La Vina and Lacsamana explained, is supporting the Social Enterprise Bill as it aims to create a vibrant SE sector.

They added the localized economy will be vastly different from what we have now since it is a socialized economy for the poor that is characterized by sustainable employ-ment, opportunities and other transformational changes that markets alone could not provide.

alliance Pushes for social enterPrise Bill

APRIL 2012

12 The Quezon CiTy

events

1 The Tao of Tai Chi

Event Description: The 2012 Philippine Celebration of the World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society celebrates this annual world-wide event with “THE TAO OF TAI CHI”, an original stage production that showcases the origin and selected routines of the gentle art of tai chi chuan.

Date: April 28, 2012 Venue: Bulwagang Tandang Sora, 3rd Floor UP Col-

lege of Social Work and Community Developmet Magsaysay Avenue, UP Diliman

Organizer: Borne from Spring of Harmony Internal Arts Club International (January 8, 2008 - Febru-ary 6, 2010), Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society is a recreational club with the mission of promoting peace and harmony through internal arts, primarily Tai Chi and Qigong, in achieving holistic health for the self and the community.

2 Libraries, Archives and Museums : Com-mon Challenges, Unique Approaches

Event Description: This conference aims to show-case how libraries, archives, museums, and/or mergers of these three form strategies and develop best practices on the following sub-themes

Date: October 25-26, 2012 Venue: Leong Hall Auditorium, Ateneo de Manila

UniversityOrganizer: The Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University

APRIL 2012

13The Quezon CiTy

3 How to Build a Progressive Preschool Seminar

Event Description: Teacher Tina Zamora, directress and founder of Nest School, will share all her exper-tise and experiences regarding progressive educa-tion and progressive program practices in a 3-day seminar. If you’re a teacher, school owner or parent, learn the answers to the key approaches from the leading progressive school in the country.

Date: April 12-14, 2012 (9:00 am to 4:00 pm) Venue: Institute of Social Order, Ateneo de Manila,

Quezon City Organizer: Nest School

4 12th National Conference and 2nd South-east Asian Conference on Autism

Event Description: The 12th National Conference and 2nd Southeast Asian Conference on Autism with theme “LIVING WITH AUTISM: Hope@Home” aims to promote, first and foremost, acceptance of autism within the family. It seeks to empower families to make informed decisions and to take bolder steps to ensure quality life for their member with autism.

It will also provide a fresh perspective to profes-sionals as collaborative and supportive partners of families in the management of autism.

Date: April 28 and 29, 2012 Saturday and Sunday Venue: Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ortigas Ave.

corner ADB Avenue, Quezon City Organizer: Autism Society of the Philippines

5 Fiesta Pasiklab

Event Description: It is a multi-lateral Trade Exposi-tion highlighting 12 renowned provincial festivals: Ati-Atihan of Aklan, Higantes of Angono, Iloilo’’s Dinagyang Festival, Lucban’’s Pahiyas, Davao’’s Ka-dayawan, Ilocos Sur’’s Viva Vigan, Bacolod’’s Mass-kara, Zamboanga’’s Hermosa, Naga’’s Peñafrancia, Batangas’’ Parada ng Lechon, Tacloban’’s Pintados, and Cebu’’s Sinulog.

Date: April 1- May 31 Venue: Commonwealth Ave., Diliman, Quezon City

APRIL 2012

14 The Quezon CiTy

honing young artists

No doubt about it. You gave birth to an art-ist. With this realiza-

tion, you now begin to ask -- where can you hone your child’s mind and hands to help develop his artistic po-tential?

The Young Artists’ Studio (YAS) believe that each in-dividual has an in-born cre-ativity and artistic skill. All you have to do is fuel the artist in you through proper and person-specific pro-grams.

But parents who are just av-erage-income earners may ask what would taking their young Da Vinci to an art school really mean to their child? Are the expenses, the sweat and tears all worth it?

YAS owners Crown Dolot and Avie Felix believe that art is never a season trend. It is not an activity; it is life.

Your child ends each day with a clutter of pencils, crayons, colored pa-pers, wet paint brushes, a roomful of drawings and an installation of toys. Each morning your angel hurries to tell you stories she /he makes up from last night’s dream or the last story book read. Upon checking your child’s school stuff you see the blank pages of each textbook filled with doodles, colors, figures and shapes.

Because of this YAS offers art programs year-long , so you’re sure that art teachers are always available to help children render their con-cepts easily and with proper techniques.

The Studio

YAS is managed by art prac-titioners with a vision to de-velop young artists who will contribute to the art com-munity in the near future. YAS believes that art is a powerful tool to influence communities, improve lives, and transform the society.

Since the early years in art history, the ‘studio’ has been the primary venue for brew-ing young artists. In fact, most famous artists have apprenticed in the studios of the prime artists before them. ‘Studio work’ is one important tradition that any young artist should be accus-tomed with.

Art production is a process of recreation that requires application of scientific and mathematical knowledge to render visual versions of con-cepts about one’s self, envi-ronment and history. One of the major misconceptions about art is its “triviality”; people often think that art is not academic and artists are not thinkers. Remember that most thinkers are art-ists themselves from Greco-Roman philosophers to key movers of the Renaissance up to the present.

YAS programs help beginning artists to produce visual im-ages based on the accuracy that only applied knowledge can achieve.

Programs

YAS Programs are based on intensive and expansive combination of research and practice. Different meth-ods are applied depending on specific media, student’s needs and class composi-tion but employ a common student-oriented teaching philosophy.

Exposure to art forms is proven to promote develop-ment of values, creativity and attitude that can help individuals maintain compe-tencies in any field. Children perform better in school and interact well with oth-ers when they realize their strengths and abilities.

In YAS, a child is required to discover his/her self, aspi-rations and dreams. While learning techniques, YAS students are also engaged in discussions about the “self”, people, culture, humanity and society. This way, young and aspiring artists develop creativity, because any act of creation is of no worth without critical thinking.

Thus, enrolling your stu-dents in YAS will give your child the benefit of a holistic development he is fully en-titled to receive.

communit y enterprises

APRIL 2012

15The Quezon CiTy

Programs No. of Session No. of Hours

Art ‘N Play 1 session 1.5 hrs

Art for Beginners 10 sessions 2 hrs

Storytelling & Puppetry 10 sessions 2 hrs

Basic Intermediate 10 sessions /program

2 hrs

Basic Intermediate / Advanced Drawing

10 sessions/pro-gram

2 hrs

Mastering Portraiture 10 sessions 2 hrs

Fashion Design & Illustration 10 sessions 2 hrs

Digital/Film Photography 6 sessions 2 hrs

Video Production for the Young 4 sessions 4 hrs

Basic Animation (traditional) 10 sessions 2 hrs

Culinary Arts/Edible Art 6 sessions 2 hrs

Origami & Functional Art 10 sessions 2 hrs

Sculpture 10 sessions 2 hrs

*One-on-one programs and home classes are also offered for more intensive classes, specialized curriculum and individual schedule

YAS students are a mix of different age groups from toddlers to young kids (4-10 years old), teens and adults.

Landline: 964-5951 / 975-0052Mobile: 0917 - 5685939 / 0917-8378897

Email: youngartistsstudio@gmail.com

APRIL 2012

16 The Quezon CiTy

neighborhoods

A petition to establish a community market in the community of vasra has gained support from various sectors and local residents. The proposed community market would house around 40 vendors that are going to lose their stalls when the City

Government’s plan to develop a park pushes through.

After the violent dispersals on Nov. 26 and 29, 2011, the vedors organized a barricade to protect their stalls but this was also brought down by the local government. An illegal demolition and injuction case in the MTC Branch 100 and 104 agains QC COPRISS, MDAD, QC Police and Secretary to the Mayor Tadeo Palma was brought to court.

Vendors say that apart from the longtime market services, local jobs generated by the public market will also disappear. The members have formed a barricade with support from individuals and groups under the slogan, “Kabuhayan Muna Bago Parke!”.

Public markets have been the primary source of affordable food for the community, acts as the seedbed of urban entrepreneurship and a generator of jobs as vendors, food carriers, cashiers, cooks, among others.

PeoPle or Park?

APRIL 2012

17The Quezon CiTy

APRIL 2012

18 The Quezon CiTy

studies

will our Businesses thrive Beyond the next decade?a study on the city’s Business innovation activities

APRIL 2012

19The Quezon CiTy

In biology, we were taught of the survival of the fittest. Those who are weaker and not able to adapt to their environment are struck out from the competition.

The same holds true in the world of business.

Those who fail to “innovate”, cop out of the financial race either by choice or by circumstance.

The term innovation, traditionally associated with research and development (R&D), has evolved to mean the implementation of new or significantly improved goods and services, production processes, and marketing organizational methods in a firm. It is about yielding higher productivity and economic growth.

To study the behavior of businesses towards innovation, the government conducted a study on innovation activities called the Philippines Survey on Innovation Activities (SIA) 2009 that surveyed 500 establishments across four study areas: Quezon City, Metro Cebu (Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City), Davao City, and the Peza areas in Cavite and Laguna. It covered three major industries: electronics manufacturing, food manufacturing, and information and communications technology (ICT).

The SIA was spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Aimed at describing the types of innovations engaged in by the firms, providing information regarding the environment in which the innovative activities are conducted, and determining the factors that drive their innovative performance, as well as the barriers and the effects of innovation on the firms, the SIA has yielded important inputs for development planning.

QC Profile

Being the City in the region with the largest local government income and a comprehensive expenditure plan, the local government was able to improve a number of services and infrastructure facilities in order to attract businesses and private investors in the area.

APRIL 2012

20 The Quezon CiTy

The number of establishments in the city has consistently been rising from about 56, 753 firms in 2006 to 59,712 in 2011. This increasing trend can be attributed to the fast pace of infrastructure development as evidenced by the creation of new public areas and the completion of a number of shopping malls, business centers and ICT parks. There are about 17 PEZA accredited IT parks in the city including the UP Ayala Technology Business Incubator (TBI) and the Technohub-Ayala TBI. Apart from these, the City houses about 60 business process outsourcing companies and around 3000 ICT and ICT-related businesses.

While the performance of the City has been laudable in terms of attracting new businesses and industries, it is also important to see how the metropolis can support these incumbent businesses especially in terms of innovation activity. The results of the SIA 2009 may help in identifying issues specific to it that need to be addressed.

Who is an innovator?

The SIA defines different types of innovators. Any firm that is a product innovator, process innovator, attempts to innovate, has on-going innovation activities or has innovation spending may be called an innovation active firm. An establishment is considered a product innovator if it has introduced to the market a new product or a significantly improved product which may include improvements in user-friendliness, ingredients or components.

The new or improved product need not be new to the market but it has to be new to the establishment for it to be considered a product innovation.

A process innovator is an establishment that has implemented a new or significantly upgraded manufacturing process, distribution system or in other activities undertaken for the over-all operations of the establishment but excluding organizational and marketing innovations. Organizational and marketing innovations fall into the wider-forms of innovation that are considered as a separate category.

Results

In general, the SIA revealed that the practice of knowledge management proved to be a major determinant of innovation. Employment size also mattered since the larger the firm, the more likely it would be a process innovator.

Of the 163 firms that were surveyed in QC, 42 percent were identified to be an innovation active firm which is quite lower than the national average of 57.

Just as with the rest of the country, large firms (57 percent) tend to be more innovative than micro, small and medium firms (37 percent). This observation is applicable for all types of innovation activity: product, process, abandoned or on-going.

Of the 163 firms, 43 firms (26.4 percent) are identified as product innovator while 50 firms are identified (30.7 percent) as process innovators. The results of QC indicate that firms are prone to be process innovators than product innovators. Respondents in the survey were also asked if they have any innovation activity to develop product or process innovations that have been ongoing since end of 2009.

For QC, 43 percent of the large firms have responded in the affirmative for this question while for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), the proportion is only about 24 percent. Similarly, a question for abandoned innovation activities was also asked wherein 11 percent of large firms and 7 percent of MSMEs have responded in the affirmative.

The discrepancy of innovation activity by major industry indicates that some sectors tend to be more innovative than others. Also, the City’s Electronics (57 percent) and information technology (IT) sectors appear to be more innovation active than food manufacturing (36 percent) or publishing (38 percent). This observation is consistent with the national picture.

In general, The SIA revealed that the practice of knowledge management proved to be a major determinant of innovation. Employment size also mattered since the larger the firm, the more likely it would be a process innovator.

APRIL 2012

21The Quezon CiTy

The most commonly reported innovation activities for establishments in QC were training (26 percent), in-house R&D (17 percent) and other preparations (16 percent).

Second from the lowest would be the acquisition of other external knowledge (7 percent). The low percentage for activities involving outsourced R&D and acquiring other external knowledge may indicate some difficulty in the experiences of firms relating to innovation activities that are beyond the internal resources of the establishment.

Compared with other areas, QC and Davao firms have the least innovation activities, with average innovation expenses at 5.7 million pesos and 47 thousand pesos, respectively. But one of the most striking finding is that none of the establishments in QC are provided public financial support in innovation, although one out of ten received government support or assistance to wider forms of innovation.

Challenge

In a report, University of Asia and the Pacific Senior Economist Cid L. Terosa said innovations add value to existing resources and make firms competitive and raises global standing in terms of the index of doing business and the competitiveness index. He also said business innovations are supposed to make firms nimble and flexible in times of crisis.

Recently, the local government has been aggressive in easing the

issuance of business permits but now we know that there is more to that. A program to push businesses towards innovation, particularly for homegrown, small local enterprises has yet to be seen.

Sources: Results of the Survey of Innovation Activities for Establishments in Quezon City Francis Mark A. QuimbaTowards an Innovation-led Development Path in the Philippines. Powerpoint presentation by IDRC and DOST.

But one of the most striking finding is that none of the establishments in QC are provided public financial support in innovation, although one out of ten received government support or assistance to wider forms of innovation.

APRIL 2012

22 The Quezon CiTy

You just had beaten your deadline. It’s the best time to share a bottle of beer, good music with some nice folks out there. But you don’t want to get your wallet robbed or worry about your

attire for a night of relaxation. If you just want a place where you could be your own self, discuss your own stuff, and stay for some re-laxing mode without being swallowed by the sound of throbbing disco beat , the place occupying the ground floor of a 2-storey Spanish-themed house in Visayas Avenue called “Conspiracy Bar” is absolutely perfect for you.

The façade leading to a long entrance will keep you wondering if there is life inside the bar. “But that mystic look is really part of the package,” says Tita de Quiros, manager and co-owner of Conspiracy Bar.

“We don’t really want to have a screaming a marketing campaign. We want to attract people who are attracted to adventure and mys-tery themselves”. That target market is expected for a bar owned by at least 100 writers, musicians, activists, and performers.

Consistent with the artistic composition of its owners, Conspiracy Bar is a haven for good music and good food. You can either stay in the air-conditioned Music Room where the night’s featured singer or band plays from 10 pm til 12 nn or 1am, or dine al fresco in the gar-den. Yes, you heard it right -- there is a garden where you can have your ice cold beer, catch up on the latest news, or just enjoy a night of music with friends. Regular performers include Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, Gary Granada, Cynthia Alexander, Bayang Barrios, Cookie Chua, Heber Bartolome, Paolo Santos, Jimmy Bondoc, to name a few.

This space is more than just a restaurant but has been a living mu-seum for both striving and accomplished artists. Its walls are exhibit spaces where artists can freely hang their works without being con-fined by the market’s tastes or museum policies. Whether you have photography, nude sketches, children’s work, indie comics and per-formance art, poetry reading or protest music -- they can occupy the stage or its walls.

The Music Room has also served as an agora where free discussions on politics, women’s rights, food security, mining among others have been held by groups from various shades of politics.

Whether you come with or without friends -- Conspiracy Bar is for everyone who wants a space for the mind and soul. And hey, you don’t need to utter any “isms” or philosophers’ quotes that you have heard from a friend...just come as you are and enjoy!

Regular performers include Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, Gary Granada, Cynthia Alexander, Bayang Barrios, Cookie Chua, Heber Bartolome, Paolo Santos, Jimmy Bondoc, to name a few.

consPiracy Bar Means freedoM

Leisure

Photos by Dario Noche

APRIL 2012

23The Quezon CiTy

DRESS CODE: Casual. Sneakers, jeans, slippers are allowed as long as you look decent. :-)

ADDRESS: Visayas Avenue, Quezon City

DIRECTIONS: Coming from the Elliptical Road, take the exit to Visayas Avenue. Conspiracy is on the left side, across the Shell Gas Station in Project 6. Make a U-turn at 7-11.

THEME: Live Music

APRIL 2012

24 The Quezon CiTy

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has allotted around P8.4 billion this year to improve and expand

its water and wastewater services for its customers. According to Maynilad President and CEO Ricky P. Vargas, when Metro Pacific and DMCI took over Maynilad in 2007, they were committed to infusing the necessary funds to make the company viable and responsive to the needs of our customers. Maynilad’s P8.4 billion capital expenditure (capex) budget will be funded by a combination of corporate loans and internally generated funds. Some P2.7 billion will go to boosting Maynilad’s sewerage and sanitation drive while P1.9 billion will be used to upgrade key facilities including its pumping stations, water reservoirs, primary lines, among others. Meanwhile, over P1.6 billion will be spent to lay new pipelines in unserved areas and nearly P1.8 billion will be used for the company’s aggressive Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction program. The rest of the 2012 capex budget will be used for the development of water sources, building and warehouse facilities, natural calamity mitigation and other projects.

Maynilad allots P8.4B for

water service improvement

in 2012

More brightly –lit roads in Que-zon City at lesser costs. That’s a bright idea from the Quezon

City government which will install 10,000 new LED (Light Emitting Diodes) streetlights this year to

increase by more than 80 percent the rate of illumi-nation in the city, especially along major city roads and

densely populated communities but at much less expense. Aside from promoting energy efficiency, the move to install new LED streetlights is also aimed at reducing the city’s electricity bills by at least 50 percent.

The 10,000 new LED bulbs will be part of the 22,000 street-lights to be installed by the city government in a five--year period beginning 2012.

To date, electricity for streetlights using the existing High Pressure Sodium (HPS) streetlights account for 64.6 percent of the total electrical consumption of QC.

Katipunan Avenue, Aurora Boulevard, Visayas Avenue, West Avenue, Timog Avenue, IBP Road long Commonwealth Av-enue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, SB Road along Gen. Luis and Litex Road along Common-wealth Avenue are among the major city roads covered by the project. Also getting a share of the new streetlights are the densely populated communities of Bagong Silangan, Batasan Hills, Commonwealth, Holy Spirit, Payatas, Novaliches Proper, Gulod, Bahay-Toro and Ramon Magsaysay. Mayor Herbert Bautista cited the need for QC to imple-ment an energy- efficient streetlighting program not only to reduce carbon greenhouse emissions but also to augment safety and security. To date, QC has already adopted the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria in the evaluation of green infrastructure in a conscious effort to protect and conserve the environment.

LED bulbs for streetlights

APRIL 2012

25The Quezon CiTy

QUEZON City gears up in taking its business-friendly position to the higher level as it aims for interna-tional supremacy.

In an exclusive interview with Business Permits and Licens-ing Office (BPLO) chief Garry C. Domingo, he said, Depart-ment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory Do-mingo picked up QC to be the Philippine representative in the “Ease of Doing Business Countries” competition being conducted by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and World Bank (WB). “May sinalihan tayong world ranking competition. QC was chosen to be the Philippine representative ang pamagat ay ‘Ease of Doing Business’,” the BPLO chief told QC Times. Through the “Ease of Doing Business” program, IFC and WB observes the regulatory environment of a particular coun-try to determine if it is more conducive to start and operate a local firm. Last year, 30 countries were included in the list where it is easiest to do business for 2012 which includes Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand on the top three. At present, the Philippines aspires to be included in the said list through QC’s simple but efficient business policies and transaction processing. “Last December 2011 nagsimula ang observation ng Inter-national Finance Corporation at World Bank, matatapos ito sa March 31, 2012,” Garry added. However, the BPLO chief admitted he don’t have any idea on the selection process of the countries which will be in-cluded in the list as the two international finance institu-tions refused to reveal it. “Hindi natin malalaman ang pinagbabasehan nila, paglabas ng resulta, saka lang din nila sasabihin kung papaano napili ang isang bansa,” he explained. In spite of this, to be on the abovementioned list is one of the top priorities of the BPLO. “That’s the only project na inaasikaso namin sa Quezon City at present,” Garry said.

On the other hand, the BPLO continues to get rid of fixers roaming around City Hall by fast-tracking the process of releasing business permits and licenses. He said, in accor-dance to Mayor Herbert Bautista’s directive, they made the process more simple but efficient and less prone to corrup-tion. First, they reduced the requirements. Second, the city gov-ernment pushes the passage of the Investment Code in Que-zon City.

“The way to address fixers ay kauntian ang requirements. Marami kasi (sa mga negosyante) ang nagsasabi na ayaw pumila. Siyempre, kapag maraming requirements mas prone sa corruption at ang dami nilang pipilahan kaya lala-pit sila sa fixers para yun ang maglakad ng papel nila. Kapag simple ang proseso, hindi kailangan ng fixers. Yan ang dapat nating gawin,” he emphasized. When the QC Times asked his reaction on reports that many businessmen are complaining about their very expensive tax rates, even questions the basis for the assessments of their taxes, Garry said that his office is open for queries. “Kapag ganyan ang reklamo nila, pumunta sila rito sa opi-sina ko. Ipaliliwanag at idedetalye natin ang pinagbasehan ng babayaran nilang buwis,” he said. He further explained that their collection process is only limited to the provisions stated in the Quezon City Revenue Code. “Nobody, no city, can collect any amount (from the taxpay-ers) without the support of a city ordinance,” he added. Yet, despite the said issues and concerns about the high tax rates, QC continues to enjoy a P248-million increase in business tax collections as of March 5, 2012 compared to the same date of last year. This is due to the increasing number of business establish-ments in the city which is now estimated between 58,000 to 60,000. “May bagong mga negosyo ang pumapasok. Mas marami ang nagbubukas na business establishments kaysa sa lumilipat ng ibang siyudad o nagsasara,” Garry proudly told the QC Times. RJHAY E. LAUREA

City licensing office aiming for international supremacy

APRIL 2012

26 The Quezon CiTy

After 42 years, the remains of the Grand Old Lady of the Katipunan, Melchora Aquino, more popularly known as Tandang Sora, will be finally home.

Mayor Herbert Bautista has announced that on the eve of the celebration of her bicentennial year on January 6 next year, Tandang Sora’s remains will be officially transferred to the Tandang Sora shrine at Banlat Road. The Mayor said Himlayang Pilipino has finally acceded to the request of the Quezon City government and the family of Tandang Sora to have the heroine’s remains exhumed for permanent burial in her birthplace.

Once exhumed, Tandang Sora’s remains will be placed in a flag-draped casket that will be carried by a horse-drawn carriage during a funeral procession from the Himlayang Pilipino to Quezon City Hall.

Military and police personnel will provide escort assistance during the funeral procession.

At QC Hall, there will be a funeral ceremony where people will have the opportunity to offer their final respects to Tandang Sora, who has been recognized for her exceptional heroic contributions in the struggle for Philippine Indepen-dence and Liberation despite her advanced age.

City hall officials will be joined by descendants of Tandang Sora, especially officers and members of the “Mga Apo ni Melchora (Tandang Sora) Aquino Association Inc., in wel-coming the heroine’s remains.

An overnight vigil will also be held at QC Hall hosted by the cultural and tourism affairs office, office for senior citi-zens affairs, scholarship and youth development program,

Qc to Bring hoMe tandang sora reMains

general services depart-ment and the Liga ng mga Barangay.

On January 6, the 200th birthday of Tandang Sora, a memorial mass in honor of heroine will be held at the QC Hall before her re-mains will be finally trans-ferred to the Tandang Sora shrine for re-interment.

Tandang Sora’s remains will also be carried by a horse-drawn carriage dur-ing a funeral procession, this time, from QC Hall to the Tandang Sora shrine.

Vice Mayor and Task Force Tandang Sora chairperson

Joy Belmonte designated senior adviser to the Mayor, Dr. Manuel Alba, to handle the negotiations for the transfer of the remains of Tandang Sora from Himlayang Pilipino to the Tandang Sora shrine at Banlat Road.

“We express our appreciation to Himlayang Pilipino. This is a genuine act of graciousness,” Alba said.

The year 2012 has been declared as Tandang Sora Year by the QC government through Ordinance No. SP-2092, S-2011.

On orders of the Mayor, a task force was formed to over-see the development of historical and economic activities in the area, especially the expansion of the Tandang Sora Shrine, which was restored by the city government in 2005 as a fitting tribute to Tandang Sora.

Development plans include the establishment of a museum dedicated to preserve the ideals and good deeds of Tandang Sora, particularly her quest for women empowerment.

The Mayor is eyeing the purchase of properties located be-side and behind the shrine for the proposed construction of the Tandang Sora museum.

According to the mayor, part of the expansion program for the shrine will also include the clearing of sidewalks along the Tandang Sora area which include the removal of all ille-gal structures. The Mayor has already instructed concerned city government officials to conduct a series of dialogues with establishment owners in the area on the city’s plan to recover the sidewalks along Tandang Sora leading to Visayas Avenue.

APRIL 2012

27The Quezon CiTy

Most of us are not aware that 99.6% of all Filipino businesses that actually dominate our economy are considered micro, small and medium enterprises

(MSMEs). These range from the street vendors we encoun-ter everyday to the businessmen and women having less than P3 million capitalization.

The acronym MSMEs are rightly pronounced as they are re-ally “missed me” in representation in Congress. The inter-ests of this very important segment of Philippine economy remain largely under-represented.

The party list election in 2013 gives us another opportunity to push more able representation for the MSMEs.

One attempt is that of the revival of the Malay Democrats of the Philippines or MDP. MDP is a political party of the Philippines. It was first registered as Lakas ng Pilipino party in 1986 and was renamed as Malay Democrats of the Philip-pines.

The MDP is considered the political arm of the National Eco-nomic Protectionism Association (NEPA), the oldest local non-government organization in the Philippines established since 1934.

In 1995, the MDP running then as the Lakas ng Pilipino, par-ticipated in elections in Quezon City garnered the second most number of votes. Since 2010, the party has undergone

revitalization. In 2011, through the efforts of the National Executive Committee, chapters were formed in several provinces among them Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Rizal, Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Lanao Del Sur and in several cities in Metro Manila like Caloocan, Manila etc. The Malay Demo-crats of the Philippines are led by former Secretary Salva-dor M. Enriquez, Jr. as Chairman Emeritus and Bayan De La Cruz as President. De la Cruz is also the president of NEPA.

Only recently, the party has decided to participate in the 2013 Party List elections and renamed itself aptly as the “NEPA PARTY LIST”. In explaining the reason for the change of name; NEPA and MDP President de la Cruz explained: “Given the long history of NEPA as an NGO, we hope this change of name of the MDP will facilitate easy recall. In the future, it can also provide a call for a national campaign and movement for nationalist development, as espoused by NEPA.”

we are the 99.6% - MdP Written by Roy Cabonegro

“Malay Democrats of the Philippines & NEPA President Bayan de la Cruz and campaign manager Rey Ramirez meets with Obet Posadas, founder and Chairperson of the National Supreme Board and Jojo del Rosario, National Grand Skeptron of Alpha Kappa Rho (AKHRO) Fraternity and Sorrority to discuss possible political alliance to seek representation for micro, small and medium enterprises at the house of Congress through the 2013 party list elections”

APRIL 2012

28 The Quezon CiTy

cit y in frames

“there is a blanket of peace and a natural space for intimate

conversations under a tree.”Luz Villegas

Submit your photos to thequezoncitytimes@yahoo.com and have the chance to have your photo published! Send us a hi-res file of your photo, your full name and a brief explanation of what your shot is all about.

APRIL 2012

29The Quezon CiTy

for the common good

In 1984, the women leaders of the SAMA-SAMA explored the possibility of finding an alternative to unaffordable pre-school education centers in the communities, at

first these women leaders are found very busy, struggling for the issue of security of tenure, most of the time they had problem about their children left in their home, while their husband are working for their needs. Taking up the issue for the organization to tackle, these women leaders researched, trained and mobilized for the installation of Early Childhood Education programs in four initial sites in Barangay Commonwealth and Batasan Hills.

These local initiatives found to be very responsive to the needs of the community women and easily duplicated in 13 other communities, extending to the neighboring barangays of Holy Spirit and Payatas.

Thus, in 1986 these early childhood education program (also referred to as day care) conceptualized, managed and partially funded by the local parent organization were formally federated into PINASAMA. Since then, the federation provided its service to an average estimate of 800 to 1,000 children yearly.

Since 2001, PINASAMA is also mainstreaming of differently abled children in most of its facilities. It believed that no child should be refused admission due to its cognitive, sensory or physical disability.

Apart from ECCD, PINASAMA is also active in implementing the community based approached to combat domestic violence and other forms of violence against women. The organization’s daycare educators were trained in gender sensitivity, para legal to support victims of violence, counseling, organizing and implementing community based education sessions on gender and VAW.

The PINASAMA, rallies urban poor women around issues of early childhood education and issues on VAW and coordinates the activities, programs and resources of the parent organization.

Because of their immense contribution to the society, PINASAMA was able to get more financial support for their programs from CARITAS, DIWATA Foundation and Oxfam. PINASAMA has also won the first Panibagong Paraan World Bank competition.

Parenting the coMMunity

The PINASAMA ( Parent Initiative for Social Awareness Mainstreaming Advocacy) is a federation of 22 local parents organization undertaking Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) an alternative education for children age 3-6 years old. Its history traces back to the early organizing efforts of an urban poor organization in Barangay Commonwealth called SAMA-SAMA or the Samahang Maralita para sa Makatao at Makatarungang paninirahan.

PROGRAMS

Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) children with 3-6 years old are provided with stimulating environment for their early physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development utilizing an experimental and developmental approach and promoting values of equality, non-sexism, environmental concern, respect and love of country.

Organizing- community interested in setting their own programs for children are rendered assistance in the process of issue identification, needs and resource inventory, program planning, management and evaluation.

Training- developing a trainers pool of childcare educators on running their daycare. Another module is on Community Based Training On Violence Against Women And Their Children (COMBAT-VAW) designed for the women of the community, to raised their awareness in women’s and children’s issues.

Quick Reaction Team (QRT)- was formed from the daycare educators and staff of PINASAMA this team was trained as the PARALEGAL ADVOCATES, who help and assist the VAW survivors. This team was trained by HASIK and the SALIGAN.

Consciousness Raising- integral to these programs is the continuing development of awareness of women through which they are given the opportunities for self-knowledge, self-definition and empowerment as they come to confront the gender issues such as sexuality, reproduction, domestic violence among others.

APRIL 2012

30 The Quezon CiTy

The classic and highly be-loved Baliwag Lechon Manok and Liempo (roasted chicken and roasted pork) are getting some very tough competition from the recent additions of new items sold in their outlets. The Crispy Pata (deep fried pork leg) has been traditionally reserved by the family for special occasions such as anniversaries or wed-dings. Now, in a matter of a few minutes and at the most afford-able price available, Mom or Dad can conveniently buy hot, fresh, and juicy Crispy Pata for them to share with their kids at home any day of the week.

Also, the Regular and Spicy Chicharon (deep fried pork skin) has immediately gained popu-larity from the first time it was

From its first outlet in Project 8, Quezon City which opened in November 1985, the number of Baliwag Lechon Manok outlets has grown to nearly 200 to this

date. These outlets are strategically located to be easily avail-able to all consumers, from those living in rural provinces to those working in the most highly developed cities.

introduced in 2006. It has been enjoyed either as a complement to the Lechon Manok and Liempo, or as a filling snack to be dipped in Baliwag’s special vinegar. Other popular additions include the pork bar-beque, siopao, and bottled atchara. n

Quezon City’s

Lechon Manok

APRIL 2012

31The Quezon CiTy

As correctly pointed out, Aquino’s executive order opens the country’s skies without any measure of reciprocal gesture from foreign countries.

nePA had long advocated for the protection and promo-tion of local industries so that they can compete within and out of the country.

unfortunately, neo-liberal

Aquino’s open skies policy

The national economic Protectionism Association (nePA) welcomes Lance Gokongwei’s position on the Aquino’s administration’s open skies policy by the

Aquino Administration.

policies had already virtually wiped out the country’s industri-al, manufacturing and agricultur-al sector. The Aquino administra-tion’s open skies policies policy, among other ill-advised programs will severely damage what re-mains of the service sector.

Gokongwei stressed that what they are seeking is equal, and not favorable, treatment. nePA, too do not advocate protectionism if it means protection of monopolies

like the Philippine Airlines during the Marcos years.

it must be pointed out, how-ever, that a level playing field is il-lusory in the airline business if one takes into consideration that the united States (and France ) have a virtual monopoly in the produc-tion, sales and rental of aircrafts in this part of the world.

Moreover, the uS and French government extend strong support for their airline and aircraft business - cajoling and bullying other countries to expand and develop their world monopoly. This contrasts sharply to the support our gov-ernment had show its ours.

An Open Invitation to the Destructionof the Local Airline Industry

Dindo Enriquez The reality of globalization is an inescapable fact of our eco-nomic and business life. howev-er, globalization does not mean the lack of protection of local in-dustries. up till now, the present administration has shown a re-markable penchant in promoting foreign interests to the detriment of our own.

We need more Gokongwei’s speaking out in behalf of Filipino businessmen and genuine Fili-pino interests. Most other business groups and businessmen sound and act like lobbyists for foreign inter-est. Kudos Lance! n

APRIL 2012

32 The Quezon CiTynickyloh.com

APRIL 2012

33The Quezon CiTy

Carlos V. CabochanLecturerDepartment of Leadership and StrategyJohn Gokongwei School of ManagementAteneo de Manila University

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) mission states “Ours is the task to formulate development plans and ensure that the plan implementation achieves the goals of national develop-

ment”. Hence, the role of NEDA translated is to provide our country with a roadmap to achieve certain established goals on national economic and gross domestic product growth rates, country competitiveness, overseas Filipino remittances, employment, wealth distribution, and poverty rates among others. The ultimate objective is what NEDA refers to as inclusive growth.

Inclusive growth means, first of all, growth that is rapid enough to mat-ter, given the country’s large population, geographical differences, and social complexity. It is sustained growth that creates jobs, draws the majority into the economic and social mainstream, and continuously re-duces mass poverty. This is an ideal which the country has perennially fallen short of, and this failure has had the most far-reaching conse-quences, from mass misery and marginalization, to an overseas exodus of skill and talent, to political disaffection and alienation, leading finally to threats to the constitution of the state itself.

To achieve inclusive growth, NEDA has adopted two major programs. The first is on fiscal spending supported by better managed revenue gen-erating activities primarily through tax collection. Higher collections will support higher government spending. This action by government, according to theory, will stimulate economic activity and eventually, economic growth. The second is on monetary policy. Low and stable in-flation will create a positive economic and business environment that will encourage more economic activity. Hence, both fiscal and monetary strategies as presented will lead to inclusive growth.

Underlying the NEDA development plan is the notion that the Philippine economy has not been opened enough to provide for a seamless integra-tion with the global economy and an uninterrupted interplay between global and local economic forces that will bring out the best in the Phil-ippines in terms of competitive advantage and eventually prosperity. Hence, NEDA prescribes that the Philippines should go for an even more extensive economic liberalization program and one that is anchored on the pillars of trade liberalization, investment liberalization, deregula-tion and privatization, until today..What is the NEDA scorecard in the last 25 years? A study shows that in 1985, the top 1% of the population controlled 32% of national income. In 2009, the top 1% continues to control 30% of national income. In 1985, the share of the bottom 50% of the population was 20% of national in-come. In 2009, the bottom 50% continued to be left with this share. In

escaPe froM Poverty

APRIL 2012

34 The Quezon CiTy

2006, the poverty incidence stood at 33%. And accord-ing to the Social Weather Station ( SWS ), 11 million continue to be unemployed in 2011. In 2010, the nomi-nal gross domestic product per capita of Indonesia in US$ at 3,015 has overtaken the Philippine gross domes-tic product per capita at US$ 2,123. Vietnam with a nomi-nal domestic product per capita of US$ 1,174 is ex-pected to move ahead of the Philippines in ten to fifteen years. It is time to overhaul NEDA’s planning concepts and models.

With trade liberalization, tariff on imported products were reduced. This move was expected to make local producers more efficient and com-petitive. But given the more favourable business climate, lower production costs, and strong government support in competing countries, local producers were at the losing end. With trade liberalization, Philippine companies found it more efficient to import and even set up their production facilities outside the country. Recently, even Philippine ex-porters have expressed their intention to move their produc-tion facilities to China or Vietnam. Now the country has ended up importing more and more consumer goods.

One consequence of the lowering of tariff on imported products that has never been closely examined is the loss of revenue on the part of government. To make up for this loss, the government has resorted to other revenue gener-ating activities such as the expanded value added tax on electricity, gasoline, and now toll fees. The burden has shifted to local businesses. Revenue collection from local business will have to take account of revenue losses due to tariff reduction and one that will go down to zero in the coming years. This development has made local companies even more uncompetitive from a global economic perspec-tive.

Investment liberalization as a way to lift the Philippine economy has not materialized. Except for investments in local consumer goods production, most investments are in assembly were value added is low. Others are in services such as call centers where again value contribution is low. Investments are not in production facilities that can equip the country with resources and capabilities to compete in the global arena for manufactured products. Investment in mining is being pushed by the government but the net ben-efit to the intended beneficiaries are unclear and even the revenue generated seems to be disproportionate to what the country is giving up to investors.

Deregulation, the third pillar of the extensive economic lib-eralization thrust, covers foreign exchange trading. It also deregulated the importation of agricultural and livestock products. The country now imports more agricultural and

livestock products to sup-port its fast growing popula-tion but at the same time, dampening local interest in farming, fisheries, and live-stock production. Even the children of farmers dream of landing a job in a foreign country. This is a vital issue when it comes to food se-curity – food availability at stable prices. Privatization, the sale of government assets to the private sector, was believed to be key to promoting eco-nomic efficiency. Govern-ment assets in government hands were not managed well. Hence, when brought

outside the sphere of government control, the assets will become productive and this will in turn lead to lower prices for Filipino consumers. Unfortunately, there is much de-bate in this area as prices have gone up substantially in-stead of decreasing. Today, the Philippine government has no power to interfere in price setting of these companies now privatized. But these are vital inputs to competitive-ness and viability of local companies. Critical factors of production is best left in the hands of government and if not, government must continue price setting activities based on normal economic returns.

Another economic thrust today is to redirect local produc-tion to the export market with the objective of increas-ing total export value and improving the balance of trade performance of the country. Again, this fails to take into account of the need to increase local food production and as a means to keeping prices within the reach of the major-ity of the Philippine population. The country’s reliance on imported food including agricultural products and livestock will have to be contained. The country has land in abun-dance and must take food production for local consumption seriously.

A country can only move forward if it is able to put in place programs that will promote country competitiveness not in manpower export or assembly but in the high value creat-ing economic activities. Filipinos must find it worthwhile to engage in business. Filipinos must find it fruitful to become entrepreneurs. While employment in large indus-tries account for almost forty percent of employment, the prospects of having more large corporations operate in the country is dim. The country must look at its Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises ( MSMEs ) to generate the balance of employment net of those who are able to seek work outside the country. To push the concept further, farmers, fisher-men, and even sidewalk vendors will have to be seen as micro entrepreneurs. Hence, the government will have to see Filipino entrepreneurs as partners in growth and not merely a source of revenue for government spending. The Filipino entrepreneurial spirit is dampened by the high cost of doing business in the country.

nuwireinvestor.com

APRIL 2012

35The Quezon CiTy

While one understands the pressure on government to move fast and the fastest is by supporting the biggest, raising taxes, and increasing government borrowing and spending to support infrastructure and social services, the need to go back to basics will always be present and one that will always be critical from a longer development perspective. The government must create a business environment that supports local entrepreneurship. If farmers are to stay in their farms because their farms yield the incomes they need to support their families, the same is true for all types of enterprises. Business ventures will have to be profitable and one that is not burdened with various national and lo-cal charges, high power and water rates, and high minimum wages arising from the high cost of living.

When discussing MSMEs, it is a must to look at two econo-mies operating not only side by side but even competing with each other such as in food production and retail. These are the formal and informal economies. Perhaps, there are less MSMEs in the formal sector than in the informal sector. And the government must address this dichotomy. Those in the formal sector are covered by regulation and government revenue generating activities. Those in the informal are beyond the reach of government. Hence, the tax collection effort of the government must be measured based on what is in the formal sector and not based on both formal and informal sectors. This becomes a disincentive to MSMEs in the formal sector and will likewise discourage those in the informal sector from moving to the formal sector.

From a broader perspective, the task of government is to be able to integrate the informal with the formal economy. The big question is how? For as long as there is a large in-formal sector, income opportunities and poverty incidence

will remain high. For as long as farmers, fishermen, and livestock producers remain unable to access enterprises in the formal sector due to the absence of a formal medium, they will remain dependent on middlemen and they will continue to remain in the informal sector.

There is one model that must be tried in every corner of the country. This is what is called “Tangkilikan”, a sustainable development model that addresses widespread poverty. This is a community based economic development program and anchored on self reliance within communities. Farmers will supply the need of processors. The processors will sup-ply the need of consumers. Financing will come from local community sources such as cooperatives or the processors themselves. The consumers will purchase production for their household requirements. Members of the household are working in the farms or are employed by processors. In this model, substantial wealth will remain in the com-munity and is used to fuel economic activities. Presently, a structure to support this model is the cooperative. The government must encourage the formation of cooperatives in the entire country.

And so the cycle continues – a wealthy few at one percent of the population and in control of vital economic resourc-es, a struggling middle, and a vast majority of the income deprived will continue to be for as long as national eco-nomic development policies are not re-examined, revised, and national economic development planning remains in the hands of a few. The economic future of the Philippines is of a national concern and should only be democratized. It is time for the government, both local and national, to enable the Filipino entrepreneur to shape the future direc-tion of the country.

portstrategy.com

APRIL 2012

36 The Quezon CiTy

APRIL 2012

37The Quezon CiTy

The 2011 Ford Escape is an at-tractive model, with exterior and interior design features that make the entire SUV appealing to the eye. Originally, the Escape was considered the must have SUV, but with increase in the competi-tion it’s hard to say exactly where the Escape fits now. One of the cooler, more appealing features isn’t found under the hood, but it is found in your voice. Ford has created a Sync system that pro-motes hands free operation of everything that tends to be most distracting to drivers on the road. Cell phones, navigation systems, and MP3 players can be linked to the Sync system and voice con-trolled when driving, making be-ing behind the wheel and doing the everyday things drivers tend to so a much safer prospect. The system even allows the driver to have weather and traffic reports

The 2011 Ford Escape is considered to be a middle of the road value. While some changes for the season’s model have increased its quality there are some issues that are still prevalent and could use some attention from the designers. For consumers

looking for a reasonably priced SUV without a lot of bells and whistles, the 2011 Ford Escape is a good deal.

delivered on voice command. You can even check the time for the movie and sports scores.

The MyKey feature is one that is definitely keeping Ford in the competition. Parents can create limits for speeds as well as preset the volume for the stereo to help make teen driving a much safer event as well. If you are one of the millions who barely passed the parallel parking portion of the driving test, you’ll love the Auto Park availability. This is a feature that controls the wheel during a parallel parking session while the only thing the driver has to take care of is the gas pedal and the braking pedal.

The biggest disappointment with the 2011 Ford Escape isn’t in its technology but in its prac-ticality. Without reclining or fold-ing rear seats the Ford Escape requires the owner to physically

remove the seat. The drum brakes are not going to provide the same stopping stability that disc brakes offer, and the lack of a telescoping steering column means that the Ford Escape isn’t going to provide the same level of driving comfort that other SUV and crossover de-signers have considered.

The 2.5 liter 171 horsepower engine can come with a manual transmission, which is a huge bo-nus for many. This is only avail-able on certain models, howev-er, and you need the 3.0 liter 240 horsepower engine in order to tow the full 3500 pound capac-ity that the Ford Escape is known for. Fuel efficien-cy starts at 20 city miles per

gallon and 28 highway miles per gallon. With all wheel drive, full towing capacity, or a bigger en-gine the efficiency drops to about 18 city miles and 25 highway miles per gallon.

Overall, the 2011 Ford Escape provides a lot of technological features that will keep it popular among some consumers while it lacks the less technical features that would make it popular across the board. Whether or not you find the Ford Escape a good value will depend on what you’re really looking for in an SUV. n

Ford ESCAPEDriving the

APRIL 2012

38 The Quezon CiTy

Inidiepinoy is a music company in the Philippines fo-cused in providing tools for independent filipino artists in marketing their music in various forms from mobile

content, digital/web content, cds and other alternative means. Indiepinoy started in early 2008 with a handful of Filipino independent artists from metro manila cover-ing different genres in music. With extensive efforts of it artist and repertoire department, the company raised its network of talents to almost 1000 artists from all over the globe in the mid 2009. Indiepinoy has already developed coordinators in strategic regions including Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Southern Mindanao.

CONTACT:

Nolit Abanilla, PresidentTel no. 632-334-7953Tel no. 632-505-3218Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IndiepinoyCompany website: www.indiepinoy.comMusic portal: www.indiepinoymusic.com

PROGRAMS:

4 Marketing independent Filipino music thru mobile content and other alternative mediums.

4 Distribution of indie Filipino albums thru existing dis-tribution chains and alternative venues.

4 Networking of people involved in music productions from bar owners, show organizers, and support groups for consolidating marketing tools.

4 Support and further develop the technology for quality independent Filipino music.

4 Promoting independent Filipino music using tradional and non-traditional mediums.

4 Bridging the gap between independent Filipino artists and the corporate world.

4 Providing income for the Filipino artists, protecting their rights and developing their welfare.

Sining Kabataan Alay sa Pamayanan (SIKAP) is a group of dedicated urban poor community youth volunteers whose age ranges from 12 up to 21. They are residents

of Miriam College’s partner communities in Park 7, Daan Tubo and Marytown, Barangay Loyola Heights; Kaingin 1, Barangay Pansol; and Pook Libis, Barangay UP Campus, Quezon City. SIKAP hopes to engage as many youth as possible in various initiatives towards community develop-ment. The group undergoes a formation program, which include education and mobilization, in order to ensure the development of each individual member and facilitate the empowerment of the group. SIKAP was able to per-form several plays in Miriam College, like Edsapanataym, Leksyon sa Eleksyon, Y-Space, among others.

CONTACT:

Malu Turalde, Executive DirectorINSA, Miriam College

eMPowering indePendent filiPino artists

sining kaBataan alay sa PaMayanan (sikaP)

APRIL 2012

39The Quezon CiTy

WOMENS ORGANIZATION FOR DEVELOPING AREAS (WODA) (Livelihood Training Program na nilulunsad ng WODA)

The Women’s Organization for Developing Areas (WODA) is an organization of women in Brgy. UP Campus and Brgy Loyola Heights. It is composed of individual women in the community. It aims to coordinate the promotion of wom-en’s rights and welfare, consolidate the ranks of women, and organize them to run livelihood programs and proj-ects.

woMens organiZation for develoPing areas (woda)(Livelihood Training Program na nilulunsad ng WODA)

CONTACT:

Ma. Teresa Pacetes, ChairwomanBlock 5, Daang Tubo, Brgy. UP Campus

ACTIVITIES:

4 Conduct of discussions on women’s issues4 Awareness-raising on women’s rights and welfare4 Conduct of different training and livelihood programs

of women

APRIL 2012

40 The Quezon CiTy