First biotech rice variety in RP released

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

The first biotech rice variety in the Philippines, released only recently by the National Seed Industry Council [NSIC] for commercial production, is now being produced in a large scale.

Called NSIC Rc142 or more popularly as Tubigan 7, the new rice variety is the country’s first product of a mid-level biotech technique called marker-aided selection.  It is resistant to the dreaded bacterial leaf blight (BLB) disease, which is serious during the wet season.

Tubigan 7 is one of the offsprings produced in almost 10 years of rigorous breeding work initiated in 1995 by Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, PhilRice executive director, through a research grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.  It is the first variety produced by the project, but it is hoped that more will be released soon.

Subsequent breeding works were handled by Dr. Rodante E. Tabien, MC Abalos, MP Fernando, Emily C. Abrogena, Yolanda A. Dimaano, GM Osoteo, Rolly C. San Gabriel, DA Tabanao, Thelma F. Padolina, Herminia Rapusas and Genero P. Rillon.
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Déjà vu
(PART 2)

By Emmanuelle

II. The soul mirrored in your eyes,
it is one the same.
To continue where we left off the last time . . . when Bien and Aimee were eleven, they were parted. Lighten up, people. These were kids, little kids! No romance here yet, just unexplained fondness for, and closeness with each other.
In fifth grade, Aimee was diagnosed with the possibility of developing a rheumatic heart. At the time, except for a very few exceptional cases, children afflicted with the disease usually do not survive beyond their twentieth year. Aimee was bundled off to a place where there was less chance of exposure to infections.
Their early friendship would freeze on hold until they will be in their early twenties. By that time, Bien would go through a long list of light and serious relationships. Aimee went through none, though a lot of crushes crashed her way.
When Aimee was in medical proper at UP-PGH, she happened to hear Bien’s full name mentioned by a friend. That friend had just retrieved a package sent through him. She snapped up from her nap. It was a sign . . . the beginning of their second wind.
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Bracing up for the May polls

By Gerry Garcia

EVEN if extreme political violence is seen to be seething in the provinces of Abra, Batangas, Iloilo, also in Pasay City in Metro Manila, including nearby Muntinlupa, it probably will not spill over to Pangasinan, despite Provincial Elections Officer Reddy Balarbar’s tagging of six towns and one city as “possible” hot spots in the incoming May elections like San Nicolas in the sixth district where a former mayor was slain after the ‘04 polls, including a militant farmer leader. In the same elections too, some leaders and followers of then protagonists Mayor Leoncio Saldivar and former Mayor Christopher Rodrigo were killed.

Balarbar now sees Binmaley, San Fabian and San Carlos City as having “hot spot” potentials. Why?

Well, he says, in Binmaley there’s expected clash between incumbent Mayor Sammy Rosario and former 3-term Mayor Roland Domalanta who lost when he ran for vice-mayor in the last elections.
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Dr. Ado’s counsel to journalists

By Jun Velasco

THE eldest of the Duque brothers, Dr. Salvador, or fondly called “Kuya Ado,” never fails to counsel journalists who regularly visit him at his Lyceum Northwestern University office to “go slow in hurting people.”

Because, he says, it might hurt the “hurter.”

The elder one who just relinquished the Metro Dagupan Chamber of Commerce presidency to former Sta. Barbara Vice Mayor Jun Calaguio after serving it  for quite a  time  says there’s so much pain and sadness in the world and ask those who are in a position not to make  matters worse.

 “Consider life as a temporary provision from the Lord, the Divine Creator.” To hurt people who are in pain is abjectly inhuman, he says.

 There’s a tinge of humane love in Kuya Ado’s words.
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Brian Lim for city mayor

By Gonzalo Duque

THIS is unsolicited: I am committing my vote to Ms. Gina Perez de Venecia if reports are true that she is running for senator.

She is Haven-sent!

In case you don’t know, Gina, the beautiful wife of Speaker Joe de Venecia, has thousands of friends and admirers all over the world by virtue of her family’s achievements in the movie world.

With her marriage to the Speaker, you can imagine what that means in her vast network of friends and campaigners.

And my, she is vivacious, vibrant and warm, not to mention intelligent. Gina, I can campaign hard for you, and one sure vote is my vote.
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Balikbayan season is the longest season

By Al S. Mendoza

WHO SAID the longest season of festivity for the Filipino is the Christmas holidays?

Think again, fellers.

The longest season is the balikbayan season.

Since early December, our balikbayans have continuously come almost in droves.  That had been the case since the word “balikbayan” was coined.

Was it in the Seventies?

The undying Three Kings feast has come and gone (Jan. 6) but still, the balikbayan season has yet to end.

They are still flying in.  And many intend to celebrate the day of hearts here-that’s on Valentine’s Day of course on Feb. 14.  You know how incurably romantic Filipinos are.
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Manay Gina for senator?

By Eva C. Visperas

      I’ve heard that clamor in 2004. It did not prosper. Reason was the husband did not give his green light. This May mid-term elections, talks and clamor are growing again for Manay Gina de Venecia to run for senator under the administration ticket, of course.

      I last saw Manay Gina, together with her loyal friend, Gypsy, during the wake of Margarita Ocampo, dear mom of Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan Mayor Vivien Ocampo-Villar, in Parañaque City Tuesday night.

      At the lobby, Gypsy and I initially reminisced our happy days as reporters in Pangasinan, then turned to rumors about Manay running for senator in May. “Many really want her to run,” Gypsy said. (If Manay decides so, that means Gypsy’s beauty will also be seen all over the country to campaign).

      But it was only last Thursday morning when I finally caught up with Manay on the phone and talked about her possible candidacy.
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Trading partners

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

It was with great pride and sheer pleasure that the present Administration announced that the Philippines and China are henceforth trading partners. In a moment of glory, one is much impressed and elated. It is like a huge giant conceding to be an equal of a tiny dwarf. What an amazing grace!

After such fleeting glorious feeling, doubt begins to gradually creep in. How could such a magnanimous concession come about? Where would such a super generosity be an actuality? It’s too good to be true, too neat to be real.

Then a disturbing question starts to form. China is such a vast land having massive production at minimal cost and a pursuant enormous export. Practically all big malls and markets in the country carry predictable Chinese products selling at strangely low prices.
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