Death comes for the revolutionary

Chin Peng, the former secretary general of the Communist Party of Malaya, died this week in Thailand on September 16 (read New York Times report here), which was coincidentally Malaysia Day. (That he died on that date is being disputed by some.) Chin Peng was Malaya's independence hero who fought the Japanese and then the British. He was the last of his kind that once included Ho Chi Minh, Norodom Sihanouk, Aung San and Sukarno. Chin Peng penned a final letter to his comrades which you can read here.

When an independence hero dies, one expects honors. But the Malaysian government decided to disallow the interment of Chin Peng's ashes in Malaysia. You see, Chin Peng was indeed a hero for fighting the Japanese and campaigning for independence from the British, but he committed the historical mistake of continuing the struggle (many times violent) against the newly independent Malaya. So there was therefore the debate whether he was an independence hero or a terrorist.

This was of  interest to me because I am currently reading Tan Twan Eng's Man Booker Prize-winning novel The Garden of Evening Mists, and that historical novel was set in the Cameron Highlands, where Chin Peng set up his base. The communist attacks in the area provide the atmospherics of the novel. One major incident in the novel was the ambush and murder of the British High Commissioner carried out by Chin Peng's communist guerrillas hiding out in the hills of the Cameron Highlands. It is  a very good novel. Look it up and read it. It will make you want to go to Malaysia and visit the Cameron Highlands. As I will soon.

Teresa Teng sings with Jay Chou

In a recent Taiwan concert, Teresa Teng (who used to be the most famous Chinese singer in the 1980s), makes a virual comeback to sing with Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou. The title of the song is Ni Zen Me Shou or What Do You have to Say.

Confessions at the Eiga Sai 2013

I strongly recommend the Japanese film Confessions (Aug 22, Thursday, UP Film Center, free admission). Compelling storytelling revolving around a revenge plot. It is for movies like this that we still go to the cinema. You might also want to check out the other movies showing at the Eiga Sai 2013 sponsored by the Japanese Embassy (see my earlier blog post below for the schedule).

EIGA SAI 2013 at UP Film Center

Here is the schedule. The films all look interesting and I've heard a lot of superlative things about the film Confessions so it's a must-see for me.

Online bookstore that delivers to Philippines for free

If a book you are looking for is not available locally and you can wait a little less than a month, I recommend you try BetterWorldBooks, a secondhand books online store. No extra shipping charge to deliver to the Philippines and the post office custom section didn't ask me for any tax. And for every book you buy, they match and donate one.

Suicide Prevention Infographics Contest

In commemoration of the World Suicide Prevention Month in September 2013, the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation is holding a Suicide Prevention Infographic Contest with the aim of increasing the public’s awareness on warning signs of suicide, available resources to help a person who is suicidal, and eventually preventing suicide. The suicide infographic to be produced is based on the Suicide First Aid Guidelines for the Philippines.

The Suicide First Aid Guidelines for the Philippines is a set of guidelines that was developed to help community members recognize the risk of suicide and how to respond to it before professional help can be sought. It has been disseminated primarily through lectures, trainings and workshops on suicide prevention. An information graphic or infographic, on the other hand, is a visual representation of information data, or knowledge to present complex information quickly and clearly.

The Contest 

Contest participants are asked to design an infographic to increase the public’s awareness about the warning signs of suicide and where to get help. The content must be based on the Suicide First Aid Guidelines for the Philippines (http://link.springer.com/content/esm/art:10.1186/1752-4458-4-32/file/MediaObjects/1752-4458-4-32-S2.PDF) or requested from NGF. Submissions must appeal to the general public particularly adolescents and young adults. The infographic must motivate others to take action to prevent suicide.

Eligibility

The Contest is open to both individuals and teams 18 years old and older, from any location. If a team entry is named a winner, the prize will be awarded to the individual who submitted the team’s entry. There is no entry fee.

Rules and Criteria
Entries can contain any form of visual media including digital art, graphs, photographs, illustrations, drawings and paintings, provided they are presented in one infographic image. The infographic must contain only original work and not be subject to any copyright restrictions. All Suicide Prevention Infographic Contest entries become the property of the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF) which retains the right to publish the infographics in all media formats including but not limited to print, digital and broadcast. Infographic creators and the NGF will be acknowledged in all published versions.
Infographics will be judged on visual appeal, innovative use of information and visual images and other criteria as determined by the judges. The decision of the judges is final and binding. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Details of the awarding will be announced later.

How to join the contest
Anyone who is interested to participate in the Contest must register online at Suicide Prevention Infographics Contest Entry Form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wnAA08mXzXgT2dWzsKiQowdPtjYn15HNLUl8Rq1RzfI/viewform). Registrants will receive a copy of the Suicide First Aid Guidelines and contest updates. Infographics can be created using any illustration software but must be submitted in jpeg format.

How to submit your entry
Entries must be submitted through email to ngfoundation@gmail.com with the contestant’s first and Last Name as the subject of the email. The content of the email must include the following information:
• name of the person entering the contest
• mailing address
• contact information.

If the entry is from a team, the subject of the email must state the First Name and the Last Name of the primary contact person. The content must include the following information: name of the team, members of the team, address and contact numbers of the primary contact person.
Only submissions that contain a single image in JPEG format will be accepted.
Important dates
August 10, 2013 – start of the Contest
September 7 - closing of the Contest
September 10 – announcement of winners

Prizes

First prize: 10,000.00 and gift items
Three consolation prizes of 5,000.00 each and gift items.

For more information, please email ngfoundation@gmail.com

Hanif Kureishi's Intimacy

With more free time now, I wanted to begin reading fiction again, and afraid of plowing into big works, decided to read Hanif Kureishi's slim Intimacy. The yellow cover is very attractive and the front blurb says it is Kureishi's best so far. And I am glad I took it up. 

Intimacy is about one man's thoughts, doubts and recollections the night he finally decided to leave his wife and children for another woman. The novel's first sentence will grip any reader: It is the saddest night, for I am leaving and not coming back. If you have seen The Bridges of Madison County, the general mood of Intimacy is comparable to that of the scene where Meryl Street was gripping the car knob, not sure whether to stay or take flight.

It is a painful book to read at times. I guess reading about people drifting apart always is, but Kureishi's prose is honest and beautiful. It is a book you can read at one sitting, or carry with you while waiting for your flight. 

Call for volunteers

The Municipality of Gubat is once again calling for volunteers for the Delfin Fresnosa Municipal Reading Recovery Program. Details can be found on the poster below.

Fellowships open for 16th Lopez Jaena Journalism Workshop in October

The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) will hold the 16th Graciano Lopez Jaena Journalism Workshop from October 21 to 27 at the UP College of Mass Communication, Diliman, Quezon City. Fellowship slots are available for this workshop. Applications are open to full-time print, broadcast and online journalists, as well as selected journalism educators and students. This year’s workshop will focus on “Media and Elections: Safety and Governance.” Resource persons from the academe, government and non-government organizations will speak on issues like election coverage, governance and safety tips for journalists. Since its first workshop in 1985, the Lopez Jaena Journalism Workshop has trained hundreds of community journalists. Among the past fellows are Froilan Gallardo, Frank Cimatu, Ilang-ilang Quijano, Jo Clemente, Diosa Labiste, Danny Calleja, Flor Abanto and Maurice Malanes. Applicants should be currently engaged in the journalism profession with at least two years’ working experience. They should also be below 45 years old. They must submit an application letter; resume; two published/broadcast news reports; a story plan for an investigative report on media and the elections; and an endorsement from their editor, local press club president or a Lopez Jaena Journalism Workshop alumnus. Limited slots may be given to senior journalism students. Student applicants are required to an application letter, resume, sample works and an endorsement from their professor, department chair or dean. The fellowship will cover board and lodging. Participants will be billeted inside the UP Diliman campus. Interested journalists, journalism educators and students may send their application papers to The Project Director, 16th Lopez Jaena Journalism Workshop on Justice and Human Rights, College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. The deadline for applications is on September 14. For more details, please call Alex NP Tamayo at 920-6864 or 981-8500 local 2668 or email at lopezjaenaworkshop@gmail.com or alexnptamayo@yahoo.com.

Satellite registration schedules

Para sa mga nais magparehistro bilang botante, pumunta sa mga barangay na ito na malapit sa inyong sariling barangay: BENTUCO, Aug 13-14; BULACAO, Aug 15-16; RIZAL Aug 30-31; BAGACAY, Sept 6-7; CARRIEDO, Sept 13-14; PAYAWIN, Sept 20-21; TIRIS, Sept 27-28.

Jupi road concreting

Concreting of road segment going to Jupi funded by the provincial development fund.

Yoga lessons for free

Ang Australian volunteer sa munisipyo na si Karen Taranto ay magtuturo ng yoga at meditation. Kung gusto nyong subukan ang yoga bago kayo mag sign up sa programa, pumunta sa come-and-try day sa June 16, OSCA Building, Highway 54 (malapit sa Gubat South Central School). Senior citizens can come to try yoga at 9 AM, all others at 10:30 AM. Please share this announcement.

Abaca integrated farming training sa Bentuco

Noong nakaraang linggo, nagtapos ang mga magsasaka ng abaka sa Bentuco sa kanilang training sa integrated farming. Kasama sa larawan ang ilang opisyal ng Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) sa pangunguna ni Dr. Editha Lomerio. Ang layunin ng training ay muling pasiglahin ang industriya ng abaka sa aming bayan matapos ang pinsalang dinulot ng peste.

New operating room and delivery room at Gubat District Hospital

Noong isang araw ay nasa Gubat District Hospital ako kasama si dating Gobernador Sally Lee para sa launching ng bagong delivery room at operating room sa Gubat District Hospital.

Job opening: Education Officer

the educational research and development assistance (erda) foundation, inc. is looking for an education officer for a child labor and education project. here are some of the qualifications: 1. graduate of bs in education, master's degree is an advantaged 2. with professional experience in leadership role and implementing education initiatives 3. with program experience in supervising/managing functions 4. knowledge of child labor issues and experience in development of non-formal, formal, and vocational education of children 5. above average skills in public relations and networking 6. proficient in oral and written communication, both filipino and english 7. skills in program management 8. requires high level of flexibility 9. can work under pressure in a spirit of teamwork and cooperation and commitment to child labor 10. ability to work long hours and in difficult conditions 11. above average skills in computer, can operate MS software application such as MS word, excel and powerpoint 12. with passion and commitment to the cause of child labor if interested, please call 7413014, 7110010, 7327815 and look for ms. judy segismundo-hr officer, ms. aurora quiambao-hr staff or ann f.p. tadeo, jvp b19/20

Computer Van Aralan graduation

Congratulations to the 300 new graduates of the Computer Van Aralan basic computer skills training program led by Mr Eliseo Fresnoza. The program is a partnership of the municipality, the Office of Congressman Ramos and the Ai-Hu Foundation. This is our second time to graduate students of the Computer Van Aralan, the previous one being in October of last year.

Free call center training

Job Opening

Project:

The Joint Learning Network (JLN) for Universal Health Coverage brings together countries from across the globe to share experiences and challenges in implementing reforms for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Currently, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Vietnam are part of the network.

JLN shares information and supports research required for design and implementation of reforms to achieve UHC through practitioner to practitioner learning exchanges. It also enriches the knowledge of its member countries through expert driven collaboratives on the following focus areas.  

• Expanding population coverag
• Provider Payment Mechanisms
• Quality Management 
• Technology to aid implementation and decision making

  Job Profile: 

• Reporting to the Director Philippines / Program Manager – JLF, India
• Works with designated staff, conducts and/or assume primary responsibility for specific tasks including, but not limited to, assisting in compiling various reports, collecting secondary data,  reviews, researches and integrates relevant information as required
• Assists in the development of reports, briefs, compiling and documentation and archiving of knowledge resources
• Communicating effectively with project teams and customers and partnering with JLN expert resource persons, organizational liaison officers, and internal JLN resources to achieve customer and JLN objectives.
• Assisting in scheduling and planning for events – meetings, conferences, presentations, staff trips, etc. – including coordinating arrangements for participants, handling logistics, preparing and disseminating materials, etc.
• Responsible for developing partner outreach strategy. Including development of material such as presentations, technical presentations, elevator pitches
• Performing other duties as assigned

Desired candidate profile:

The ideal JLN Research Associate will be a highly motivated individual with outstanding communication, documentation and presentation skills. The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following qualifications:  

• 3+ years relevant background and experience in Research/ Public Health/Health Financing, International Health or related field desired in an office setting
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills in English
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office software
• Excellent proofreading and editing skills
• E-communications skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Experience and/or demonstrated interest in global health and development preferred
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Additional relevant skills: Experience with data collection, management and analysis, including solid knowledge of excel and other relevant software,

Compensation and Benefits: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Please send your CV and 3 sample written works to elmer.soriano@accessh.org

Medical mission in June

There is going to be a medical mission on June 3-6 at the Gubat Distrcit Hospital. The surgical operations will be done by doctors from the UP Ugnayan ng Pahinungod  Corps of Volunteers. The mission is co-sponsored by UGAY,  Gubatnons of Australia, Rotary Australia World Community Services (RAWCS), Care and Share Army (CASA) and GNHS Class of 1992. The Municipality of Gubat and the Office of Congressman Ramos are supporting the medical mission.

Patients who are interested to avail of the free surgeries and free medication are advised to immediately contact Dra Carino of the Gubat District Hospital to sign up. There will be no circumcision and consultations. The medical mission will perform the following surgeries:

Major surgeries:
Hernia (Luslos)
Gallstones (Bato sa Apdo)
Goiter (Bukol sa Leeg)
Bukol sa Matris (Myoma)
and any other specific cases

Minor Surgeries:
Lumps and bumps (cysts)
Vasectomy

Dental Extraction (Bunot ng ngipin)

China in Ten Words

I am extremely fond of reading about China's Cultural Revolution. I think it is one of those rare episodes in human history when changes were of such speed, the break from the past so abrupt and dramatic, that human emotions and relationships were tested to their very limits. Hence, giving birth to many, many interesting stories of tragedy, inspiration, absurdity and comedy.

The stories of American-based exile Ha Jin are some of my favorites. Ha Jin presents his stories, funny and tragic at the same time, as works of fiction, but I suspect they were all loosely based on real people and events. Dai Sijie's Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, about two city boys sent for re-education to a remote mountain village and their discovery of forbidden French authors, is another book that comes to mind.

Now, if you are like me, I strongly recommend you read Hu Yua's China in Ten Words. Yu Hua discusses different aspects of China by using ten Chinese words as take-off points for his essays. There are amazing stories in this book, and the essay on how difficult it was to read books during the Cultural Revolution is heartbreaking to anyone who has fallen in love with reading. I wish I could tell some of the stories from the book here, but I fear I would do them no justice.