The days of June

Before we leave the subject of “Negros Rising”, permit me to note with satisfaction the announcement of Gov. Marañon that our province will soon be sufficient in rice-production. We add the announcement that a million trees will be planted in the Talisay City area and beyond. And maybe the mining industry and the “Greenies” could come to a mutually beneficial position in that the mining industry could help in the generation of jobs.

We understand that Philex Mining is conducting additional explorations in Sipalay City prior to the re-opening of the moth-balled Bulawan Gold Mine. The company says it has spent P271 M on environmental stewardship. Is this true? If so, this is a substantial amount to promote sound ecology. How many jobs will be created by the re-opening of the Bulawan Gold mine? These questions have to be threshed out with the ecologist groups. Is it true that the Sanguniang Panlalawigan (SP) passed a resolution opposing existing and future exploration permits, lease contracts and agreements in our province?

As long as the mind frame of our leaders is suffused with a desire to improve efficiency, production, minimize waste, etc. we can rest assured that the island of Negros in on course.

DOLPHY. The whole country appears to be involved in the health crisis of the Pinoy King of comedy, Dolphy. Dolphy has been with us for so long that he has become a cultural fixture. His image has become encompassing because of a big number of children, some of whom got into trouble while most enjoy their own

careers. Dolphy is not only a comedian-actor of the screen --- he is one of our “great” lovers, a generous one, they say. A basically humble man, he was once asked to run for senator (he could have won). He declined, saying, what do I know of politics?

As the public follows up the situation of Dolphy, we join their best wishes and prayers for his speedy recovery.

THE MONTH OF JUNE. Looking back to the days of June that is about to expire, I find myself wondering about the many pleasant mornings with cloudless skies that it had. I am glad that the afternoon showers were not so heavy and only brief. My past image of June was more gloomy and wet.

Next week will find us in July and maybe there will be less sunshine. But

we know that June and July are really twins.

So what are the big events that happened in the month of June?

Definitely the biggest happening in June was the Pacquiao-Bradley fight. That Pacquiao (according to the referees) lost to Bradley was an absolute shock to the nation.

Another persistent head-line was the kidnapping of a Jordanian journalist Baker Adyani who is allegedly here to interview some Abu Sayaff elements in Jolo. Was he really kidnapped or is he busy interviewing elements of the MNLF and the Abu Sayaff . Nobody seems to know.

AGAIN, THE PANATAG SHOAL. Another event which is threatening to be not only a monthly happening but even a yearly or more in future months. The clash of claims between China now known as the “Big Bully and the Philippines over the sea.

Yesterday headline says 28 Chinese boats are parading in Panatag Shoals. Some fishing boats are described as frisking in the waters of the Panatag “lagoon”. Apparently, the outcrop of rocks in the shoal form a ring that could qualify it to be called a lagoon.

Whatever it is the fish is unimportant to the Chinese. What they want is to flex their muscles and beat their breast for the whole world to see.

I’m not surprised at the actuations of China. As written in an editorial in Forbes (Nov. 1992):

“China has never hesitated to flex it military muscle. In 1950 intervened in the Korean war. In 1959, China conquered Tibet and humiliated India in 1962, repeatedly skirmished with Russia border troops in 1969 and briefly, invaded Vietnam in 1979.”

And so it goes.*

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