November 24 to December 5, 2012

‘Pablo’spares San Carlos

But leaves Mindanao devastated

Typhoon Pablo left 274 dead, based on initial reports, but spared San Carlos City from damages and casualties. Countless others are missing in Compostela Valley. 

Pablo vs Etha

After the nervous anticipation for 'Pablo,' people of San Carlos can't help but sigh and say, "Pablo couldn't do much in San Carlos but cover his nose. The stink sent him flying off to Palawan where it doesn't smell."
Right, right, we are one lucky people for another typhoon has come and gone and left us unscathed. But as a friend said, "We won't die of typhoons. We'll die of the illnesses that the pollution from the ethanol 'contributes' (err…) to our community."

Balak Korner

Ni Roger Mar Lasco

Panganti

Mitukas tabil-

Langit sa kasakit

Mi buhagay'ng kalipay;

Gibanlas sa pagmahay,

Lawon hinuktok

Gitarok damgong gabok

Ibabaw batong bantilis,

Pero tanan nahilis-

Damgo lang ang tanan

Gipugas ibabaw's parnaso

Sa Utopyang metriko

Lohikong de kalkulo!

o0o

Molupad ko's panimpalad-

Tadlas sa kapunawpunawan

Pangitaon ang giingong bathala,

Tadhang Agila aron makigtagay

Sa alak ni Bachos ang demonyo

Sa mga palahubog pamasin 

Ang kapait sa iyang katam-is 

Maoy mopasulbong kanako

Sa kalibotan sa pantasya

Dili na unya ako tawgon

Ug tamsing pisot

Kon dili higanting banog

Kusog modagit sa kuyabog,

Mitago ilawom sa pako

Sa himunga-an.

o0o

Apan anus-a pa mahitsas ang dagang-

Unya nabag mangaputi ang mga uwak

Sa akongalimpulo?

Usa lang kini ka panganti

Dili matuman kay pulos lang lamlam

Way pagsulay aron masukod

Ang kalig-on sa sungkod ni Moises

Nga makalabang sa dakong lawod sa 

Tintirohan. 

Ang sukdanan sa mga magdadagang

Ang hurado sa imo kunohay'ng

Gipagarpar nga obra maestro

Makalabang kaha sa lawod sa panganti?

Student’s Short Fiction

When a girl just wants to have fun...

What could possibly go wrong?

Shot Glass

By Charmaine Sanchez

I never went out with them anymore. I worked hard on patching my grades up. I knew my friends weren't happy with how I suddenly ignored them so much, but I had to do what was right for me. I realized all the other girls didn't really care about their academics-grades, quizzes, recitation, projects, papers, and the stuff. But the rest of them were filthy rich and no matter what happened to their grades, their parents' money could handle their future. I was different. If I didn't study hard, I would end up in our barrio forever. 

Friendly Observer
By Arthur Keefe

The state of education 

in San Carlos

I was pleased to read my co-journalist advocating the creation of a state university here in San Carlos. The overwhelming arguments in favor of such a move do not need repeating. There is strong public and professional support in the city, despite rumored unscrupulous objections from the existing private colleges. Perhaps the next phase of political leadership can also promote this or at least declare their position during the election campaign. We will see.

Linked to this is the issue of the quality of education in the city, a subject on which I have often commented. My own family experience of elementary schooling has been quite positive. The teachers seem committed and the school organization seems sound. The curriculum could be much improved, but that is a national issue. I also believe that state education should be entirely secular and the religious indoctrination in the schools should cease. 
My main criticism of the local schools is the appalling communication with parents. The latest example is the closure of Ramon Magsaysay Elementary School for two weeks with no advance notice. As a result, my annual trip to relatives in Palawan will take place during school time, whereas if I had known in advance of the school closure, I would have arranged the trip during this period. 

Pik-pik sa Abaga
Ni Henry Sandoval

Akong tubag sa PR

Ang sulat nga gikan sa San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. kon ethanol nga nangayo ug pasensya sa katawhan sa San Carlos mahitungod sa usa ka insidente nga nahitabo, ang pag-awas sa tubig sa ilahang punong sa hugaw diha sa sulod kaniadtong Nobyembre 13. 

Bantay Banat
Ni Rics Cañisarez

Bodyguards sa kampanya

Unsa na man ni? Mura na man ug campaign period na kay, ang uban nga mga kandidato nagpakita na man sa 'show of force' atol sa ilang kampanya sa mga barangay ug dinhi sa siyudad. Ang balibad paila-ila kunohay pero, baya dala ang lamano, pik-pik sa abaga, ug hung-hong nga, "Basi baya ug malimot mo kanamo karong umaabot nga eleksyon…"