Tonight, we will bade goodbye to 2005. A year that was full of controversies, bombings, calamities, killings, political bickerings, and a lot of negative events. But we should not forget at the good things that happened to us during the year (for me, the arrival of my first baby Marcelle last June).
Yesterday, after a year of working on the field, I had the quality time with my family. We went to the different tourist spots in Cebu, including the Taoist Temple, Family Park, and the Tops. My wife, mother in law, sister in law, and a lot of nephews and nieces, enjoyed the breathtaking view of the tops - which showcases a magnificent view of the entire Cebu City and neighboring towns.
Although our travel was short, I could say that it was memorable and enjoyable - the best gift that I gave to my family for this year.
Tonight, my baby Marcelle will be spending his first new year (he's still 6 months old) in this world. I just hope that he will not get scared by the firecrackers and the noise that come with our welcoming of the New Year.
Happy New Year everyone and here's wishing you all good health and prosperity!
Friday, December 30, 2005
Sunday, December 18, 2005
13,108 Pass Philippine Licensure Exam for Nurses by PRC
13,108 Pass Philippine Licensure Exam for Nurses by PRC
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) headed by Commissioner Leonor T. Rocero announced that 13,108 out of 24,287 passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga this December 2005.
The results of the examination with respect to 604 examinees were withheld pending the final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examinations.
The results were released in 11 working days from the last day of examination.
Registration for the issuance of professional identification card and certificate of registration for surnames A-C will be on Jan. 9, 2006; D-F on Jan. 10; G-J on Jan. 11; K-M on Jan. 12; N-P on Jan. 13; Q-S on Jan. 15; T-V on Jan. 16; and XYZ on Jan. 17. Those who cannot register on the scheduled date will only be registered starting Jan. 18, 2006.
The oathtaking ceremony of the successful examinees in the examination as well as the previous ones who have not taken their oath of professional will be held before the Board on Monday, Jan. 23, 2006 at 8 a.m. at the Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City; in Cebu and Iloilo Cities on Jan. 25; in Davao City on Jan. 27; in Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, and Legazpi City on Jan. 30; in Baguio City on Feb. 2, 2006.
No oathtaking will be allowed before the Jan. 23 schedule in Manila. Oathtaking will be administered by the Board of Nursing as per Republic Act 9173.
The top performing schools in the December 2005 Nurse Licensure Examination are the following:
A. With 100 and more examinees:
Silliman University, Cebu Normal University (formerly Cebu State College), Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao, Cebu Doctors University, Ateneo de Davao University, University of La Sallete-Santiago, and Mariano Marcos State University.
B. With 60-99 examinees:
Saint Louis University, Notre Dame of Dadiangas College, and San Beda College.
C. With 30-59 examinees:
Mindanao State University-Marawi City, St. Scholastica's College of Health Sciences-Tacloban, De La Salle University-Damariñas Health Science Campus, and Saint Mary's University-Bayombong.
Leading the successful examinees witht the Regular BSN degree are the following:
Yvette Pauline Sales Paragua, Ateneo de Davao University, 85.20; Bernard Ian Baldonado Sotelo, Cotabato Medical Foundation College, 85.20; Leila Ragudo pante, Mariano Marcos State University-Batac, 84.60.
Sari Suzuki Aguilar, Immaculate Conception College-Albay, 84.40; Maria Angela Aves Daub, San Pedro College-Davao City, 84.40; Mary Ann Fara-on Engracia, Misamis University-Ozamis City, 84.40; Catherine Biblanias Sison, Saint Michael's College of Laguna, 84.40; Karen Mae Pacol Ulep, Mariano Marcos State University-Batac, 84.40; Angelica June Pascual Cruz, San Pedro College-Davao City, 84.20;
Sarah Jane Emata Lagamon, Capitol University (Cagayan), 84.20; Remareen Castro Orro, Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao, 84.20; James Arthur Pajes Rivero, University of San Agustin, 84.20; Jane Reboredo Siuagan, Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao, 84.20; Marizel Asa Velasquez, Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Inc., 84.20; Rita Silo Buenafe, Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation, 84.00;
Liezl de Jesus Romero, Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela, 84.00; Karen Rose Ramacho Yocor, Silliman University, 84.00; Christine Lane Yanguas Yu, Saint Gabriel College-Kalibo, 84.00;
Joy Barby Llesol Alota, University of San Carlod, 83.80; and Leslie Evangelista Guerra, Naga College Foundation, 83.80.
The leading successful examinees with other degress are:
Charissa Joy Bueno Estrada, Brokenshire College, 85.80; Dihann Salvador Dy, Cebu Normal University, 85.40; Irwin Causing Isip, Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College-QC, 85.20;
Margret Lee Cajita Licup, Saint Gabriel College-Kalibo, Aklan, 85.20; Ma. Brenda Carbonilla Pancho, University of La Salle-Santiago, 85.20; Rowell Tantiado Nava, University of San Agustin, 85.00;
Wymie Casimiro Pamienta, Philippine College of Health & Sciences, 85.00; Ma Purita Labayen Castro, Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College, 84.80; Allan Tadili Santos, Our Lady of Fatima College, 84.80;
Jacqueline Amon Nuere, Brokenshire College, 84.60; Ma Filipina Mendoza Rimas, Saint Dominic Savio College, 84.60; Judith Lim Tan, Cebu Normal University, 84.60.
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The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) headed by Commissioner Leonor T. Rocero announced that 13,108 out of 24,287 passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga this December 2005.
The results of the examination with respect to 604 examinees were withheld pending the final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examinations.
The results were released in 11 working days from the last day of examination.
Registration for the issuance of professional identification card and certificate of registration for surnames A-C will be on Jan. 9, 2006; D-F on Jan. 10; G-J on Jan. 11; K-M on Jan. 12; N-P on Jan. 13; Q-S on Jan. 15; T-V on Jan. 16; and XYZ on Jan. 17. Those who cannot register on the scheduled date will only be registered starting Jan. 18, 2006.
The oathtaking ceremony of the successful examinees in the examination as well as the previous ones who have not taken their oath of professional will be held before the Board on Monday, Jan. 23, 2006 at 8 a.m. at the Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City; in Cebu and Iloilo Cities on Jan. 25; in Davao City on Jan. 27; in Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, and Legazpi City on Jan. 30; in Baguio City on Feb. 2, 2006.
No oathtaking will be allowed before the Jan. 23 schedule in Manila. Oathtaking will be administered by the Board of Nursing as per Republic Act 9173.
The top performing schools in the December 2005 Nurse Licensure Examination are the following:
A. With 100 and more examinees:
Silliman University, Cebu Normal University (formerly Cebu State College), Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao, Cebu Doctors University, Ateneo de Davao University, University of La Sallete-Santiago, and Mariano Marcos State University.
B. With 60-99 examinees:
Saint Louis University, Notre Dame of Dadiangas College, and San Beda College.
C. With 30-59 examinees:
Mindanao State University-Marawi City, St. Scholastica's College of Health Sciences-Tacloban, De La Salle University-Damariñas Health Science Campus, and Saint Mary's University-Bayombong.
Leading the successful examinees witht the Regular BSN degree are the following:
Yvette Pauline Sales Paragua, Ateneo de Davao University, 85.20; Bernard Ian Baldonado Sotelo, Cotabato Medical Foundation College, 85.20; Leila Ragudo pante, Mariano Marcos State University-Batac, 84.60.
Sari Suzuki Aguilar, Immaculate Conception College-Albay, 84.40; Maria Angela Aves Daub, San Pedro College-Davao City, 84.40; Mary Ann Fara-on Engracia, Misamis University-Ozamis City, 84.40; Catherine Biblanias Sison, Saint Michael's College of Laguna, 84.40; Karen Mae Pacol Ulep, Mariano Marcos State University-Batac, 84.40; Angelica June Pascual Cruz, San Pedro College-Davao City, 84.20;
Sarah Jane Emata Lagamon, Capitol University (Cagayan), 84.20; Remareen Castro Orro, Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao, 84.20; James Arthur Pajes Rivero, University of San Agustin, 84.20; Jane Reboredo Siuagan, Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao, 84.20; Marizel Asa Velasquez, Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Inc., 84.20; Rita Silo Buenafe, Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation, 84.00;
Liezl de Jesus Romero, Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela, 84.00; Karen Rose Ramacho Yocor, Silliman University, 84.00; Christine Lane Yanguas Yu, Saint Gabriel College-Kalibo, 84.00;
Joy Barby Llesol Alota, University of San Carlod, 83.80; and Leslie Evangelista Guerra, Naga College Foundation, 83.80.
The leading successful examinees with other degress are:
Charissa Joy Bueno Estrada, Brokenshire College, 85.80; Dihann Salvador Dy, Cebu Normal University, 85.40; Irwin Causing Isip, Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College-QC, 85.20;
Margret Lee Cajita Licup, Saint Gabriel College-Kalibo, Aklan, 85.20; Ma. Brenda Carbonilla Pancho, University of La Salle-Santiago, 85.20; Rowell Tantiado Nava, University of San Agustin, 85.00;
Wymie Casimiro Pamienta, Philippine College of Health & Sciences, 85.00; Ma Purita Labayen Castro, Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College, 84.80; Allan Tadili Santos, Our Lady of Fatima College, 84.80;
Jacqueline Amon Nuere, Brokenshire College, 84.60; Ma Filipina Mendoza Rimas, Saint Dominic Savio College, 84.60; Judith Lim Tan, Cebu Normal University, 84.60.
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Thursday, December 15, 2005
Some Pictures I took...
A tiny bird locally known as 'sayaw' stands on top of a cut malunggay tree outside my house one morning. I had just finished taking a bath when I saw the bird so I immediately grabbed my digital camera and took the picture.
Nestor Benaojan holds a picture of his younger brother George, 27, whose death provoked media colleagues to hold a prayer-rally at the Capitol grounds last Friday night. George, a radio reporter - commentator, was shot dead near his stall in Talisay City.
photo by mars mosqueda jr. @ 2005
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Gloria and Bush
What do GMA and Bush have in common?
They both had a lapse in judgement that produced catastrophic results.
GMA apologized for her lapse of judgement on a national television, telling the entire nation that she indeed called up then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano at the height of the presidential election.
GMA, however, denied asking Garcillano to rig the result of the poll so she could remain seated at the much-coveted throne in Malacañang. She didn't know Garci's phone was wiretapped and her entire conversation with Garci was then exposed to the public.
Her approval rating plummeted. The public clamors for her resignation. Political and economic crisis resulted to millions of starving Filipinos. Hello Garci ringtone took the number one spot at the Music Billboard.
Bush, in a televised speech, admitted he had lapse of judgement when he ordered the war in Iraq, saying he immediately acted on an unconfirmed intelligence report about the presence of weapons of mass destruction in the oil-rich arab country.
The intelligence report turned out to be wrong as no weapons of mass destruction has been recovered after fierce fighting that resulted to the death of thousands of American troops and Iraqi resistants.
As if offering candy to a crying child, Bush said the war has a positive result - the arrest of Saddam Hussein, whom he considered a threat the world is better off without.
Now, what do GMA and Bush have in common?
They both had a lapse in judgement that produced catastrophic results. For GMA, political and economic crisis that resulted to the starvation of millions of Filipinos. For Bush, the lives of thousands of American troops, Iraqi resistants, and civilians in exchange of the arrest of just one man, no weapons of mass destruction.
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They both had a lapse in judgement that produced catastrophic results.
GMA apologized for her lapse of judgement on a national television, telling the entire nation that she indeed called up then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano at the height of the presidential election.
GMA, however, denied asking Garcillano to rig the result of the poll so she could remain seated at the much-coveted throne in Malacañang. She didn't know Garci's phone was wiretapped and her entire conversation with Garci was then exposed to the public.
Her approval rating plummeted. The public clamors for her resignation. Political and economic crisis resulted to millions of starving Filipinos. Hello Garci ringtone took the number one spot at the Music Billboard.
Bush, in a televised speech, admitted he had lapse of judgement when he ordered the war in Iraq, saying he immediately acted on an unconfirmed intelligence report about the presence of weapons of mass destruction in the oil-rich arab country.
The intelligence report turned out to be wrong as no weapons of mass destruction has been recovered after fierce fighting that resulted to the death of thousands of American troops and Iraqi resistants.
As if offering candy to a crying child, Bush said the war has a positive result - the arrest of Saddam Hussein, whom he considered a threat the world is better off without.
Now, what do GMA and Bush have in common?
They both had a lapse in judgement that produced catastrophic results. For GMA, political and economic crisis that resulted to the starvation of millions of Filipinos. For Bush, the lives of thousands of American troops, Iraqi resistants, and civilians in exchange of the arrest of just one man, no weapons of mass destruction.
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Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Hopes dim for rescue of 6 miners trapped in tunnel
DALAGUETE, Cebu — Authorities shifted yesterday their operation to mere retrieval work, dimming the hopes for the rescue of miners trapped in a coal tunnel at Sitio Maantod Canlawilao, Barangay Dumalan, this town.
But Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Sesante said yesterday he and many residents could not consider dead the six miners, who were entombed in the coal mine after a methane gas explosion last Saturday, unless their bodies are recovered.
Relatives of the six trapped miners, however, believed that it was impossible for the victims to be still alive, considering that three days have already passed.
Experts have also claimed that the explosion was so powerful that the miners would not have survived it, and even if the tunnel did not collapse, they would have suffered carbon-monoxide poisoning.
Mayor Sesante was hopeful that the rescuers would finally reach the site where the six miners had been trapped. He said that minus the glitches, the rescuers would be able to retrieve the bodies.
Eight miners were on their way out of the 490-meter tunnel in Barangay Dumalan, a mountain village about 25 kilometers from the town proper, when an explosion occurred at about 7 p.m. last Saturday. The miners immediately retrieved the bodies of two fellow miners shortly after the explosion because the fatalities were near the entrance of the tunnel.
The six miners, however, were trapped deep in the tunnel.
They were identified as Francisco Ybañez, 43, and Jaime Sanchez, 42, both of Dumalan, Dalaguete; Nelson Villacis, 39, of Negros Oriental; Manuel Lanogan, 45, of Canlawilao, Dalaguete; Antonio Jose, 37, and Gregorio Amad, 35, both of Ablayan, Dalaguete.
"I am now praying for a miracle so I can see my husband walking out of the mine alive," said Thelma Villacis, whose husband Nelson was among the six miners.
Police said the hammering and chiseling of the miners could have produced sparks and ignited the methane gas, causing the explosion inside the mine owned by Ibalong Resources, a Taiwanese-owned company.
Rescue teams of the Philippine National Oil Corp. based in Tongonan, Leyte and Zamboanga arrived yesterday to reenforce local rescuers. The Bureau of Fire Protection will also be sending its rescue personnel.
It was gathered that the operations will continue until the rescuers reach the place where the six miners were entombed. This may take a few days, one rescuer said.
Mayor Sesante, said the coal mine in Dalaguete produces about 3,000 to 3,500 tons of coal every month, supplying local cement manufacturers and the National Power Corp.
The Department of Energy (DoE) has launched an investigation into the explosion, which is the second fatal accident involving Ibalong Resources this year.
Last July 27, a miner was killed and three of his companions were hurt after a portion of a mine site at Sitio Maangtud, Barangay Dumalan collapsed. #
by mars mosqueda jr.
But Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Sesante said yesterday he and many residents could not consider dead the six miners, who were entombed in the coal mine after a methane gas explosion last Saturday, unless their bodies are recovered.
Relatives of the six trapped miners, however, believed that it was impossible for the victims to be still alive, considering that three days have already passed.
Experts have also claimed that the explosion was so powerful that the miners would not have survived it, and even if the tunnel did not collapse, they would have suffered carbon-monoxide poisoning.
Mayor Sesante was hopeful that the rescuers would finally reach the site where the six miners had been trapped. He said that minus the glitches, the rescuers would be able to retrieve the bodies.
Eight miners were on their way out of the 490-meter tunnel in Barangay Dumalan, a mountain village about 25 kilometers from the town proper, when an explosion occurred at about 7 p.m. last Saturday. The miners immediately retrieved the bodies of two fellow miners shortly after the explosion because the fatalities were near the entrance of the tunnel.
The six miners, however, were trapped deep in the tunnel.
They were identified as Francisco Ybañez, 43, and Jaime Sanchez, 42, both of Dumalan, Dalaguete; Nelson Villacis, 39, of Negros Oriental; Manuel Lanogan, 45, of Canlawilao, Dalaguete; Antonio Jose, 37, and Gregorio Amad, 35, both of Ablayan, Dalaguete.
"I am now praying for a miracle so I can see my husband walking out of the mine alive," said Thelma Villacis, whose husband Nelson was among the six miners.
Police said the hammering and chiseling of the miners could have produced sparks and ignited the methane gas, causing the explosion inside the mine owned by Ibalong Resources, a Taiwanese-owned company.
Rescue teams of the Philippine National Oil Corp. based in Tongonan, Leyte and Zamboanga arrived yesterday to reenforce local rescuers. The Bureau of Fire Protection will also be sending its rescue personnel.
It was gathered that the operations will continue until the rescuers reach the place where the six miners were entombed. This may take a few days, one rescuer said.
Mayor Sesante, said the coal mine in Dalaguete produces about 3,000 to 3,500 tons of coal every month, supplying local cement manufacturers and the National Power Corp.
The Department of Energy (DoE) has launched an investigation into the explosion, which is the second fatal accident involving Ibalong Resources this year.
Last July 27, a miner was killed and three of his companions were hurt after a portion of a mine site at Sitio Maangtud, Barangay Dumalan collapsed. #
by mars mosqueda jr.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
UNESCO denounces killing of journalist George Benaojan
UNESCO denounces killing of George Benaojan
CEBU CITY – The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has strongly denounced the killing of Cebuano radio reporter-commentator George Benaojan and said that violence against journalists in the Philippines has reached “alarming proportions”.
“This is yet another attack on freedom of the press, and therefore on democracy and rule of law,” said UNESCO Director- General Koïchiro Matsuura in a statement published at the website of the UN News Center yesterday.
Matsuura’s statement was the latest in a long series of condemnations he has issued recently over attacks on journalists around the world. UNESCO’s mandate includes the defense of freedom of expression and press freedom.
“Violence against the profession has reached alarming proportions in the Philippines and I wish, once again, to pay tribute to the courage of journalists who continue exercising their profession in a particularly violent environment, despite the threats they receive,” he added.
Benaojan, 27, a reporter-commentator for Bantay Radyo and wrote a column in the newspaper that circulates at the Bureau of Customs, was shot while, was the 10th journalist to have been killed in the country this year and the 73rd since the return of democracy in 1986, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
As this developed, the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists will hold an indignation rally this afternoon (Friday) to condemn the killing of Benaojan and to pressure the police to act collectively to expedite the resolution of the case.
This, as the police yesterday remained mum and refused to speculate on the possible motive of Benaojan’s murder even if local reports revealed that the motive of the killing leans toward his personal and business dealings.
Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Vicente Loot yesterday refused to comment when asked on what the police know about the motive of the killing of the Cebuano reporter, saying investigators are still piecing together evidences and testimonies to charge the mastermind.
Loot is planning to request the National Bureau of Investigation 7, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 and other national support agencies to help arrest the suspected gunman and the mastermind.
He, however, declined to reveal details on the identity of the suspected mastermind.
Meanwhile, the prime witness in the murder of Benaojan yesterday urged the police to provide him and his family a safe house after he received threats to his life following his positive identification of the gunman.
Jammy Llanos, who was talking with Benaojan when the gunman appeared and fired at the reporter, said he could not go back to his house because he had noticed suspicious persons roaming near his house.
The threat to his life, however, will not stop him from testifying in the court, said Llanos. But he was hopeful that the authorities will provide him and his family with protection now that the gunman has already been identified.
CPPO Chief Loot meanwhile said that he will assign policemen to keep a close watch at Llanos and his family to make sure that the witness will be safe. #
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CEBU CITY – The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has strongly denounced the killing of Cebuano radio reporter-commentator George Benaojan and said that violence against journalists in the Philippines has reached “alarming proportions”.
“This is yet another attack on freedom of the press, and therefore on democracy and rule of law,” said UNESCO Director- General Koïchiro Matsuura in a statement published at the website of the UN News Center yesterday.
Matsuura’s statement was the latest in a long series of condemnations he has issued recently over attacks on journalists around the world. UNESCO’s mandate includes the defense of freedom of expression and press freedom.
“Violence against the profession has reached alarming proportions in the Philippines and I wish, once again, to pay tribute to the courage of journalists who continue exercising their profession in a particularly violent environment, despite the threats they receive,” he added.
Benaojan, 27, a reporter-commentator for Bantay Radyo and wrote a column in the newspaper that circulates at the Bureau of Customs, was shot while, was the 10th journalist to have been killed in the country this year and the 73rd since the return of democracy in 1986, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
As this developed, the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists will hold an indignation rally this afternoon (Friday) to condemn the killing of Benaojan and to pressure the police to act collectively to expedite the resolution of the case.
This, as the police yesterday remained mum and refused to speculate on the possible motive of Benaojan’s murder even if local reports revealed that the motive of the killing leans toward his personal and business dealings.
Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Vicente Loot yesterday refused to comment when asked on what the police know about the motive of the killing of the Cebuano reporter, saying investigators are still piecing together evidences and testimonies to charge the mastermind.
Loot is planning to request the National Bureau of Investigation 7, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 and other national support agencies to help arrest the suspected gunman and the mastermind.
He, however, declined to reveal details on the identity of the suspected mastermind.
Meanwhile, the prime witness in the murder of Benaojan yesterday urged the police to provide him and his family a safe house after he received threats to his life following his positive identification of the gunman.
Jammy Llanos, who was talking with Benaojan when the gunman appeared and fired at the reporter, said he could not go back to his house because he had noticed suspicious persons roaming near his house.
The threat to his life, however, will not stop him from testifying in the court, said Llanos. But he was hopeful that the authorities will provide him and his family with protection now that the gunman has already been identified.
CPPO Chief Loot meanwhile said that he will assign policemen to keep a close watch at Llanos and his family to make sure that the witness will be safe. #
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Thursday, December 01, 2005
George is dead
George is dead.
George arrived later than the rest of the Cebu media at the Hilton Resort in Mactan. We were waiting for the arrival of President Arroyo when George approached me and started a conversation about writing for newspaper.
George had a personality that earned him many friends from the media, the government, police, and the public. He always joked around about just anything. He wore a happy face despite the problems he was facing. And most of all, he was always willing to help.
George wanted to write in the newspaper where I am currently working. He was a broadcaster at a local radio station and wrote column at a local newspaper. Most of his commentaries were directed to Customs officials who were allegedly involved in smuggling. His hard-hitting words earned him the ire of officials who are into illegal activities.
George had two luxury cars. A beautiful house in a posh subdivision. A beach resort in Southern Cebu. Several small business and various stores. Although a lot of people were also questioning how George, a mere reporter, managed to get all of the good things he had, George’s didn’t mind the criticisms.
George also confided about him wanting to marry his long time girlfriend next year. I should be invited, I said. George returned a smile and answered positively.
I never thought my conversation with George on that morning in Hilton would be my last.
Last night, a gunman waited for George in one of his stores in Talisay City. When George arrived at the area at past 9 p.m., the gunman suddenly approached him and poked a .45 caliber gun on his head. The gun jammed. George didn’t run. He grappled with the gun but the gunman overpowered him. When George fell to the ground, the gunman pounced three bullets into his body.
It was a common knowledge among his friends in the Cebu Media that George had two guns, a .45 caliber and an Ingram, but fate had it that George must left his weapons in the vehicle.
George, my friend who wanted to work with me in the same newspaper that I am currently working, died in the hospital. On the way to the hospital, George kept saying that he didn’t know the gunman. He was brave enough to keep saying that he will survive. But the operation to remove the bullets from his neck and shoulder proved to be fatal.
George’s effort to rid government offices, especially the Bureau of Customs, cost him his life. He had been receiving death threats before and, in fact, he survived an attempt to his life early this year. But George didn’t stop his commentaries. His columns even got more bitter for the officials concerned. And he was always not afraid to face death as he always told his friends.
George died with his cause. Another media man, a good man, is now added in the list of journalists killed in this country. Freedom of expression is once again shattered as people hit by George’s commentaries resort to holding justice in their hands instead of bringing the issue to the court in the form of a libel case.
This country is becoming a very dangerous place for journalists. Tell the truth and you will die. Do nothing and the public, those affected by corruption and illegal activities, will die of hunger and poverty. When you become a media man, you are burying one of your feet in the ground.
George Benaojan, who had a personality that earned him many friends from the media, the government, police, and the public, who always joked around about just anything, who wore a happy face despite the problems he was facing, who was always willing to help, is dead.
Another page in the book of Press Freedom is torn. Only a few leaves are left.
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George arrived later than the rest of the Cebu media at the Hilton Resort in Mactan. We were waiting for the arrival of President Arroyo when George approached me and started a conversation about writing for newspaper.
George had a personality that earned him many friends from the media, the government, police, and the public. He always joked around about just anything. He wore a happy face despite the problems he was facing. And most of all, he was always willing to help.
George wanted to write in the newspaper where I am currently working. He was a broadcaster at a local radio station and wrote column at a local newspaper. Most of his commentaries were directed to Customs officials who were allegedly involved in smuggling. His hard-hitting words earned him the ire of officials who are into illegal activities.
George had two luxury cars. A beautiful house in a posh subdivision. A beach resort in Southern Cebu. Several small business and various stores. Although a lot of people were also questioning how George, a mere reporter, managed to get all of the good things he had, George’s didn’t mind the criticisms.
George also confided about him wanting to marry his long time girlfriend next year. I should be invited, I said. George returned a smile and answered positively.
I never thought my conversation with George on that morning in Hilton would be my last.
Last night, a gunman waited for George in one of his stores in Talisay City. When George arrived at the area at past 9 p.m., the gunman suddenly approached him and poked a .45 caliber gun on his head. The gun jammed. George didn’t run. He grappled with the gun but the gunman overpowered him. When George fell to the ground, the gunman pounced three bullets into his body.
It was a common knowledge among his friends in the Cebu Media that George had two guns, a .45 caliber and an Ingram, but fate had it that George must left his weapons in the vehicle.
George, my friend who wanted to work with me in the same newspaper that I am currently working, died in the hospital. On the way to the hospital, George kept saying that he didn’t know the gunman. He was brave enough to keep saying that he will survive. But the operation to remove the bullets from his neck and shoulder proved to be fatal.
George’s effort to rid government offices, especially the Bureau of Customs, cost him his life. He had been receiving death threats before and, in fact, he survived an attempt to his life early this year. But George didn’t stop his commentaries. His columns even got more bitter for the officials concerned. And he was always not afraid to face death as he always told his friends.
George died with his cause. Another media man, a good man, is now added in the list of journalists killed in this country. Freedom of expression is once again shattered as people hit by George’s commentaries resort to holding justice in their hands instead of bringing the issue to the court in the form of a libel case.
This country is becoming a very dangerous place for journalists. Tell the truth and you will die. Do nothing and the public, those affected by corruption and illegal activities, will die of hunger and poverty. When you become a media man, you are burying one of your feet in the ground.
George Benaojan, who had a personality that earned him many friends from the media, the government, police, and the public, who always joked around about just anything, who wore a happy face despite the problems he was facing, who was always willing to help, is dead.
Another page in the book of Press Freedom is torn. Only a few leaves are left.
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