By Kelvin S. Rodolfo

Since beginninig to study lahars at Mayon Volcano in the 1980’s, my data, if judged “inconvenient” by various governmental entities, have been trivialized, distorted or disregarded. The story of the corruption-ridden building of lahar dikes at Pinatubo in the 1990s is well known. More recently, Dr. Fernando Siringan of the Marine Science Institute and I continue to battle the life-threatening Kamanava flood-control project of the Department of Public Works and Highways. That 5 billion peso project either ignores or trivializes our data, confirmed by NAMRIA, that show Kamanava unevenly sinking several centimeters per year. The project also blatantly minimizes the heights of storm waves and surges that would obliterate the dikes and river walls during a major typhoon.

Now, a new problem. People who are eager to reactivate the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant are dangerously misrepresenting scientific data, including a paper published in 2005 by Ms. Joan Cabato, Dr. Siringan and myself on the geology of Subic Bay, which, of course is adjacent to the Bataan peninsula.

Our work took several years. From a slowly moving boat or ship, we gathered 125 kilometers of “seismic reflection” data, in collaboration with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the National Power Corporation. That method puts powerful pulses of low-frequency sound into the water. The sound passes down through the water and into the layers of sediment below the sea floor. Some of the sound is reflected back upwards from the different sediment layers, and is collected by phones trailing behind the boat. Electronic equipment automatically makes a detailed picture of the structure underlying the sea — in our case down to a depth of about 120 meters — much as if we took an X-ray of it.

After we processed the data and prepared the manuscript, it underwent rigorous scrutiny by our geological peers in the Philippines and abroad, before it was published in the international Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. I am proud to have been part of that effort, which earned a Masters degree for Joan Cabato, a very bright young woman who recently earned her doctorate from the University of Heidelberg in Germany .

Recently we learned that Hon. Congressman Mark Cojuangco [5th District of Pangasinan] has filed House Bill 4631 of the 14th Congress, “Mandating the immediate re-commissioning and commercial operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant”.

The Bataan nuclear plant is situated on Napot point, near the east coast of Subic Bay . We are dismayed to find that the Explanatory Note to the Bill cites our work as certifying the safety of the site:

“Top geologists have evaluated Bataan and, with the exception of Mt. Natib which is a dormant volcano whose last eruption was estimated to have been between 11.3 to 18 thousand years ago (Cabato et al. 2005) and which is ten kilometers (10 km) from the BNPP, could find no anomalies in locating the plant there.”

First, the BNPP is not 10 kilometers away from Natib, it is on Natib, which constitutes the entire northern half of the Bataan peninsula.

Second, none of the “top geologists” with an intimate knowledge of Bataan has called Napot Point “safe”. Dr. Ronnie Torres, now at the University of Hawaii , warned of volcanism and faulting at the site in 1992 while he was still at Phivolcs: “Natib volcano does not erupt very often but could still erupt.” As a rough rule of thumb, the longer a volcano is in repose, the more time it has to store eruptive energy.

 Third, Dr. Ernesto Sonido, formerly geophysics professor of the National Institute of Geological Sciences at UP Diliman, collaborated with Mr. Jesse Umbal to write an exhaustive, 38-page analysis for SBMA of the geology and geohazards of the Subic Bay area. Jess Umbal is one of the brightest, most competent volcanologists and geologists I have ever worked with. He earned his Masters degree at the University of Illinois with me during the Pinatubo eruption. Sonido and Umbal adjudged Natib as “potentially active”. It is important to recognize that Natib, like Pinatubo, is a “caldera-forming” volcano. Volcanoes of that type characteristically have very powerful eruptions separated by long repose periods. Sonido and Umbal have documented two Natib eruptions that formed large calderas. Sonido and Umbal also studied the system of faults exposed on land in the larger region. They estimated the recurrence period for earthquakes of Magnitude 6.4 to 7.0 at 22 years; of Magnitude 7.0 to 7.3 at 59 years; and of Magnitude 7.3 to 8.2 at 157 years.

Fourth, Drs. Cabato and Siringan and I did not estimate the age of Mt. Natib ’s last eruption in our own paper on Subic Bay . This is what we wrote:

“A breach in the caldera of Mt. Natib is the most likely source of a presumed pyroclastic deposit in the eastern bay that is associated with sediments about 11.3–18 ka [11,300 to 18,000 years ago], indicating that a Natib eruption occurred much more recently than previously documented for this volcano.”

The objective of our research had been to study the geologic history of Subic Bay . As is common in science, we discovered facts beyond that objective. By accident, we found evidence of a Natib eruption much younger than the 27,000 year old one previously recognized. To determine the latest activity of Natib would require a systematic study of the volcano. If we could cut the age of the youngest recognized eruption in half purely by accident, what are the chances of finding an even younger eruption?

But even a casual reading of our article reveals a much greater potential danger, one from earthquakes. We have documented numerous faults in Subic Bay , some very recently active, geologically speaking. Again quoting from our paper:

“…the youngest [faults] … show that movements occurred about every 2 ky [2,000 years], most recently about 3 ka [3,000 years ago].”

This means that, judging from the geologic evidence, Subic Bay is well overdue for an episode of faulting and earthquakes.

Vertical displacements on the faults in Subic Bay are up to 5 meters. In other words, when one of the faults is active, one side of it moves up or down vertically about 5 meters relative to the other side. We cannot say how much additional, horizontal motion would accompany the vertical drop during an earthquake.

In short, our science is being abused by a person in governmental authority, either deliberately or out of sheer geological ignorance.

During a discussion on nuclear power on Channel 4 last week, Congressman Cojuangco made many incorrect statements about how safe the Bataan nuclear plant is. I should not have to say this, but must, under the circumstances: Someone does not become a geological expert simply by being elected Congressman, or Senator, or even President. I would not presume to tell a Congressman how to legislate; a Congressman with no scientific or geological training whatsoever should not distort our science for his own purposes!

As I am fond of saying while lecturing on natural hazards, “Ang mga pamaraan ng kalikasan ay hindi mababago upang itugma lamang sa ninanais ng tao.”

I never ask anyone to take my scientific pronouncements on faith, but an act “Mandating the immediate re-commissioning and commercial operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant” is clearly premature. I would welcome, instead, legislation that properly funds a thorough, inter-agency evaluation of the site. The study would properly be led by Phivolcs and involve geologists of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the National Institute of Geological Sciences.

There are other very strong reasons why nuclear power is wrong for the Philippines .

We have no Uranium ore in the Philippines , and no hope of finding any. Reviving nuclear power here, in addition to putting many Filipinos in harm’s way, means that we would expend a huge amount of money to put ourselves at the mercies of countries that have Uranium, much as we have made ourselves utterly dependent on petroleum-exporting companies.

The very well-funded global nuclear lobby is fond of claiming that nuclear power generates no carbon dioxide to add to global warming. But much fossil fuel is spent to mine, mill and process Uranium before it reaches a reactor. Every watt of electricity generated by a nuclear plant thus indirectly makes about 30 percent as much CO2 as a watt generated by burning fossil fuel.

The Congressman says that government will have to subsidize nuclear power here. Instead of saying “government”, he should say “the Filipino taxpayer”.

The Filipino taxpayer has already paid US$ 2.3 billion for the plant, plus $460 million in interest, without receiving any benefit. Now it is proposed to spend another $1 billion to renovate it.

No less an expert on Philippine governmental corruption than President Joseph Estrada declared publicly in June 1999 that Philippine government project funds routinely lose 20% to graft and corruption.

Of course, the present administration is totally free of graft and corruption. But renovating BNPP would take at least a decade, and who can guarantee the honesty of administrations to come? After all, 20% of $1 billion is very tempting…

Given the potential burden of reviving BNPP, the government owes it to the Filipino taxpayer to vigorously, openly, and thoroughly explore all the ramifications. Dir. Carlo Arcilla of the National Institute of Geological Sciences at UP Diliman is organizing a symposium for that purpose.

Finally, beyond the issues of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, the nation must concern itself with the continuing abuse of science. Dr. Cabato, like many other highly trained scientists, could well be discouraged from returning to work here. Is it any wonder that Philippine science lags behind the rest of

Asia?

Kelvin S. Rodolfo

Adjunct Professor

National Institute of Geological Sciences

UP- Diliman

Professor Emeritus

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences

University of Illinois at Chicago

DOST Balik Scientist

By William M. Esposo – The support for Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) fluctuates from survey to survey between the low 20% to the last high of 29% in the SWS net satisfaction ratings released last December. Over 70% of Filipinos either rejected GMA or were wary of her in that last survey.

However, because of the multi-party system that is now in place, we have been getting a spate of presidents elected by a plurality. Unfortunately, we don’t have runoff elections to ensure that the winner is elected with a majority vote.

Even Joseph “Erap” Estrada who was considered to have been popularly elected in 1998 could only muster 38% of the total votes cast. Fidel V. Ramos was elected president with only 22% of the votes cast in 1992. In 2004, many of us even doubt that GMA really got the winning plurality.

It cannot be ruled out that, despite remaining extremely unpopular, GMA still has a good chance that her ‘clone’ could end up winning the 2010 presidential elections. Five Opposition presidential candidates running against one administration candidate could easily result in an administration victory — even without cheating.

The 70% anti-GMA voters divided by five Opposition candidates will average to a mere 14%. The average 25% pro-GMA voters will still win. Easily, there are Manny Villar, Mar Roxas, Loren Legarda, Panfilo Lacson, Joseph Estrada, Chiz Escudero and Jojo Binay from among the Opposition who are eyeing the 2010 presidency.

In fact, even if the Opposition miraculously manages to rally around one presidential candidate, people may not know it that the Opposition candidate could be a GMA ‘clone’ in sheep’s clothing! This Chair Wrecker thinks that there is one such ‘Opposition’ presidential candidate who perfectly fits the bill — Loren Legarda.

Why does this Chair Wrecker think that Senator Loren Legarda has the makings of a perfect GMA ‘clone’? Let me assure you that the coincidence that both Loren Legarda and GMA are women has not even been factored in that assessment.

First of all, let’s set the parameters for seeing a 2010 presidential candidate as a potential GMA ‘clone’. Won’t you agree with this Chair Wrecker that a person’s character and values form the best gauge for determining that?

Our actions are determined and influenced the most by our character and values. Compare, for instance, the character and values of Cory Aquino and GMA. Is it any wonder therefore that Cory Aquino spent her entire term stabilizing and preserving the institutions of our democracy while GMA spent hers eroding and destabilizing these democratic institutions?

Now what exactly has Loren shown us to be perceived by your Chair Wrecker as a potential GMA ‘clone’? Allow me please to explain.

A good gauge of character and a person’s values is that person’s loyalty to a cause. How do GMA and Loren rate in that department?

From LDP when GMA ran in 1995, she has since raised the political banner of Kampi and Lakas in 1998, the People Power Coalition in the 2001 elections, K4 in 2004 and Team Unity in 2007.
Who were with GMA when she came to power in 2001 and how many of those are still with her? She owed her ascendancy in 2001 to the civil society groups who clamored for REFORM AND JUSTICE. Well, did we get reform and justice?

Loren Legarda was with Lakas and actively prosecuted Joseph Estrada during his impeachment hearing in the Senate. She even did the ‘crying lady’ bit when the pro-Estrada Senators killed the opening of the Jose Velarde envelop.

From Lakas, she jumped to the Estrada-associated Opposition and ran as Fernando Poe’s Vice President in 2004. To do that, she had to eat humble pie and eat her own words. Loren renounced her role as an EDSA II player in order to be accepted by the Estrada forces and have a shot at being Fernando Poe’s Vice President.

After having lost the 2004 elections for Vice President to Noli de Castro and after winning in the 2007 midterm elections as an Opposition candidate, she did another GMA ‘jump ship’ stunt and joined the NPC (Nationalist People’s Coalition) of Danding Cojuangco — a no ifs and buts GMA supporter.

In the recent Senate coup, Loren Legarda was among the four chief plotters from the Opposition bloc (Panfilo Lacson, Mar Roxas and Jamby Madrigal are the other three) who allowed an administration man — Senator Juan Ponce Enrile — to sit as Senate President. The coup plotters did this in order to unseat Manny Villar who leads in the 2010 presidential polls.
Are you surprised that when Cory Aquino made that ill-timed joke last December 22, Loren Legarda was quick to support the so-called apology to Estrada whose endorsement she seeks in 2010?

Legarda was quoted as saying that Aquino did the right thing. “There is nothing wrong in saying sorry. In fact it shows your humility, it shows your humanity,” she added.

GMA and Loren, Loren and GMA — tell me just what exactly the difference is! Is it not obvious that they share the same values? I called the years of GMA in Malacañang Palace as the era of Harlot Politics, the era when allies and causes were scandalously traded for political gain. Tell me why we should not extend the era of Harlot Politics if and when Loren Legarda occupies Malacañang Palace?

If you were driven to cynicism by GMA, just why will you think that Loren will bring you and our country any hope?

* * *

Chair Wrecker website: www.chairwrecker.com

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By Edward Lao
Excitement, surprise and disbelief filled the Rizal room of the Philippine embassy in London last January 17. On that day, Pinoy football received a boost when the embassy pledged to support Philippine United, the first ever Filipino football team in the UK.

More than 50 people attended the groundbreaking event, which was attended by current members of the Philippine national football squad, hopefuls, supporters, press and enthusiasts.

The architect of Philippine United is Leo Jensen, a self-confessed Danish football fanatic whose aim is to promote and improve the level of football in the Philippines. Leo, who runs PFAUK or Philippine Football Agency UK, lives in Bolton with his Filipina wife. He has been pursuing the chance to create a British-based team for over eight years.

He said he came up with the idea during a trip to the Philippines, where he was saddened to find the national team underperforming in competitions. Rather than a shortage of ability, he attributed it to lack of unity, good training facilities and investment.

Back in the UK, Leo found it tough organizing a team without any financial support. Coupled with that, he had problems locating and mobilizing British born Pinoys with a passion for football. Then, things changed. They found him.

Philippine Generations, a charity run by second generation British Filipinos, discovered what Leo was trying to achieve and linked him to a network of football mad British Filipinos, including members of a Facebook group that brings Pinoys together for an occasional kick-about in Regents Park, London. From that, the foundations of Philippine United were formed.

Helping national team

Philippine United aims to provide Pinoys the opportunity to train and play competitive matches in a UK league. If things go to plan, the UK-based footballers would get the chance to go to the Philippines and play against teams there, while players from the Philippines could, in turn, come to the UK and train with their British-born counterparts.

Other than providing a venue where Filipino footballers can hone their skills, Philippine United would also function as a feeder club to the national side. Anyone in the team who excels could get the chance to try out for the Philippine national team, also known as the Azkals, which is a Tagalog colloquial term for street dogs.

There was a general feeling of shock among the players that attended the meeting at the embassy. After the team’s first trial held in Manchester last summer, none of them expected Leo’s vision to develop so soon. But half a year later, the players are once again dreaming of playing alongside other Filipinos in the national team.

Renee Banao, a defender, is one of those who attended the trial and is raring to go.

He said: “I’ve been playing football all my life. It’s a dream to play for my country, and today, you can see it’s getting somewhere. And hopefully, we can gather the guys up, play for the national team, and win some trophies”.

Long overdue

Many of the players feel the creation of a British-based Filipino football team was long overdue. When the current captain of Philippine United was asked what he thought, Renan Ramos said:

“Surprised is the right word. Football has never been a big sport in the Philippines, and it’s about time it’s recognized. It’s a major sport everywhere else in the world, why can’t it be in the Philippines? And the fact that everyone is surprised [about Philippine United] is because of that reason.

He added: “If you were at the trial, you’d see how passionate some of the players were, how hungry they are to succeed. At the moment, that’s what we’re lacking, a bit of hunger for success, and I think we’ve got the right ingredients here by moving forward with Philippine United.”

The Philippines has one of the oldest histories when it comes to football in Asia, but despite that it has not enjoyed any significant success on the international stage. However, things are changing with the national team taking huge strides in recent years.

FULL STORY

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The camp of Britain’s Ricky Hatton is set to formally accept the challenge to face Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in a May 2 “superfight” in Las Vegas, Nevada, a sports website reported Tuesday.

According to a report posted on SportingLife.com, Hatton lawyer Gareth Williams already has in his possession the contract signed by Pacquiao.

“We have got the contract signed by Manny,” said Williams.

Williams admitted that Hatton has yet to sign the contract, but they are ready to ink the deal and announce the fight at a press conference on Thursday (Wednesday in Manila).

“All the pressure is off now,” he said.

Pacquiao signed the fight contract last Friday.

ABS-CBN correspondent Dyan Castillejo quoted the Filipino boxer as saying, “The fight is on!”

The negotiations between the two camps were long and arduous as both parties haggled over the share of the fight revenue.

The Hattons initially demanded a 50-50 split of the earnings while Pacquiao made a counter-offer of 60-40.

Pacquiao’s camp later lowered the demand to 55-45 after Hatton’s party offered a 52-48 split.

The Filipino boxer eventually signed the contract with a 52-48 sharing of the revenues. Pacquiao handler Bob Arum of Top Rank reportedly “sweetened” the deal to convince the Filipino.

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The Department of Education on Monday said it will start the teaching of Spanish in selected public high schools to better prepare Filipino students in communicating a widely-used second language.

Dubbed a “Special Program in Foreign Language”, the program is for schools whose students have demonstrated competence in English and are also capable of learning another foreign language.

The program aims to develop students’ skills in listening, reading, writing, speaking and viewing, which are necessary for the students to acquire communication skills using a second foreign language.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said the language program will “prepare the students for meaningful interaction in a linguistically diverse global workplace.” “It will also develop understanding and appreciation of other people’s culture” he added.

The program shall initially offer Spanish in one school per region. There will be two classes of 35 students each per school.

The pilot schools and their teachers shall be selected by the DepEd Regional Office based on the criteria for selection.

In the selection of the pilot schools, only secondary schools with the highest Mean Percentage Score (MPS) in English in the whole region will be selected.

The school should also be able to provide substitute teachers who will take over the classes of the foreign language teachers while on training.

Lapus added that the pilot schools will also be selected based on the availability of classrooms and support facilities and equipment like computer laboratory with at least ten computers and headsets to support speech lessons.

“One of the criteria in selecting the teachers who will handle the teaching of the foreign language is that they must be willing to finish the crash course and participate in teaching Spanish,” Lapus stressed.

The teachers who will be selected to undergo the three-months training will earn units under the continuing education program. The department wants to make sure that when the teaching of foreign language starts in June 2009, there will be enough teachers who will handle the subjects in the selected pilot schools.

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By Lala Rimando – The Philippine assembly plant of the world’s biggest chip maker, Intel, will be shut down by the second half of 2009.

In a press briefing Friday, Arlita Narag, Intel Technology Phils. Inc.’s corporate affairs manager, said the Cavite assembly plant will be closed by the second half of the year.

The world’s biggest chip maker decided to close the Philippine factory, two more assembly plants in Penang, Malaysia, and a wafer fabrication facility in Oregon as part of its efforts to cut costs in its global manufacturing network.

The Cavite factory makes chip sets that end up in personal computers (PCs) and mobile internet devices that, because of the slowdown, have seen consumer demand plummet in recent months.

In December 2008 alone, chips exported from the 12-year-old Cavite plant plunged to US$250 million from $444 million in December 2007.

“The decision to close plants was not site- or country-specific but part of an analysis of our global capacity,” Narag said.

“There was nothing the Philippine government could have done to reverse that decision,” she added.

The Cavite plant imports all its raw materials and depends on services provided by its several host communities.

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Barack Obama has been sworn in as the 44th US president. Here is his inauguration speech in full.

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and co-operation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

Serious challenges

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
Nation of ‘risk-takers’

We remain a young nation, but in the words of scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labour, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and ploughed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

‘Remaking America’

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.

Restoring trust

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - that a nation cannot prosper long when it favours only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

‘Ready to lead’

As for our common defence, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the spectre of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defence, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

‘Era of peace’

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

‘Duties’

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honour them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

‘Gift of freedom’

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have travelled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

“Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.

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By Sophia Dedace, Ted Reyes and Mark Joseph Ubalde
More than two million tourists, including Filipinos, have flocked to Washington DC in the wake of preparations for the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.

With temperatures dipping between -3 to -5 degrees Celsius in the US capital, several tourists came to witness a historical event unfold even as only those with tickets are allowed to grace the event at the Capitol Hill.

“Alam namin itong inauguration is very historic [We know that this inauguration is very historic] and Obama was born and raised in Hawaii where we live now,” a Filipina tourist said in an interview with GMA News’ Raffy Tima over QTV Balitanghali on Tuesday.

Obama was born in Honolulu in 1961, two years after Hawaii became a state. He lived in Indonesia for four years when he moved there with his mother and stepfather, but he spent 14 of his first 18 years as an islander.

“I know there is no getting around the fact that for a first African-American male to be President is a historic moment never to be duplicated and to be part of that is really beyond excitement. It’s really great to come down here and do it,” said another tourist from Connecticut.

Filipino exchange student Luisa Kristabel “Abbey” Manliclic won’t watch the inauguration on television. Unlike most of her peers, she has the rare chance to see the swearing-in of the first Black-American president right in the US capital.

While thousands of Americans, including Hollywood’s A-listers, scramble to get hold of the coveted inaugural invitation, Manliclic would personally witness Obama taking his oath from Chief Justice John Roberts on the steps of the Capitol.

“I feel great, it’s like a chance of a lifetime,” the 16-year-old said in an interview with GMANews.TV. “He’s the first Black-American president so the event would be nothing short of great.”

Two other Filipino students - college freshmen Paul Michael Thomas Cruz and Anna Marie Liwanag - have been invited to the inauguration and have reportedly flown to Washington.

Back in Manila, Abbey’s father confessed he was more excited for her daughter. “I told her it might be impossible to take a picture with her and Obama,” Abel, Abbey’s father told GMANews.TV, “So she should take a picture with his wife, Michelle instead.”

FULL STORY

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By Jose Katigbak
Filipino-American political and community leaders from across the United States are taking advantage of their visit to Washington for the historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama to discuss new opportunities for political and civic engagement under his new administration.

Filipinos are pulling together a slate of events for their friends and kababayan in conjunction with the activities of the Asian Americans Pacific Islanders to celebrate the inauguration on Jan. 20 of the first black man as the 44th US president.

Bill Hanbury, head of Destination DC, which is responsible for promoting the capital region as a premier tourism and convention destination, estimates about two million people will attend the inauguration provided the weather doesn’t deteriorate.

Clear weather is forecast in the Washington DC area on inauguration day with temperatures likely to hover between 30F (-1C) and 24F (-4.4C). Light snow flurries are expected before the noon swearing-in.

“Last year in Phoenix when they did the Super Bowl, they estimated that the Super Bowl was worth about $300 million to the city. Well, this is, you know, 10 to 20 Super Bowls wrapped up into one,” Hanbury told reporters when asked how much money business establishments in Washington could expect from the inauguration.

“There’s no estimate on what the final economic impact will be… but it’s deep into the hundreds of millions of dollars. There’s just no question about it. I know,” he added.

In the US alone, tens of millions of viewers are expected to watch the event. The potential audience worldwide is mind-boggling.

The Filipino American National Historical Society was scheduled to host a “rare gathering of Filipino American intelligencia” yesterday for lively discussions on the American dream for Pinoys, organizers said.

On the same day the Asia Society is holding an inaugural reception expected to be attended by Steven Chu, Obama’s energy secretary, and Maya Soetoro-Ng, Obama’s half-sister.

There will be a Filipino-American caucus meeting today and a reception the following day at the Philippine Embassy hosted by Ambassador Willy Gaa.

On inauguration day itself among the throng at Capitol Hill will be about six representatives of Filipino veterans of World War II.

The veterans themselves are too old to brave the cold and the crowd but their sons and daughters will be there “to show the flag,” to remind Americans of the need to correct the injustice of denying these old soldiers their war pensions, said Eric Lachica, head of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans.

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This year marks the 40th founding anniversary of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The year-round celebration kicks off at the CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival on Feb. 1, which coincides with National Arts Month.

A special presentation to the press took place last Jan. 14, at the CCP Main Theater. The Center’s calendar of events for 2009 and its new logo with the slogan “Life Begins Anew” were launched during the event.

“The CCP for the last four decades has helped discover, nurture and support Filipino artists. I think that’s one of the major achievements of the CCP,” president and artistic director Nestor Jardin proudly said during the launching.

He pointed out that the institution’s various projects through the years have “helped create an outstanding body of original Filipino work that speak of us as a nation and has helped define our national identity.”

FULL STORY

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