24 August 2007

Philippine Media Attacked!

The day I learned about Malu Fernandez’ article From Boracay to Greece was the day I heard about former basketball player Paul ‘Bong’ Alvarez beat ABS-CBN television reporter Gretchen Malalad. Oh, such attacks by and to some of the members of the Philippine media!

Good thing that Malalad holds a black belt in karate and had even won gold medals in Southeast Asian Games. Good thing too that some Filipinos would take time to stand for their kababayans who were carelessly written about in a lifestyle article.

Fernandez’s acerbic wit does not come to me. I would rather read Sir Rome Jorge’s writings. Hers was an insensitive ridicule of the OFWs who deserves none of that. So what if they use a perfume brand cheaper than hers? So what if they excitedly greet a fellow domestic helper who had about the same experiences as them in a land far away from their families, far away from their own? So what if they sell mobile phones and cigarettes in an airport lobby? So what if they sleep side by side at night? Is that what she has to say?

If there is one thing I would admire about OFWs is that they are doing something. They are keen on improving their lives that they may have little chance of doing if they did not go for a fresh start. Fernandez’ article could have been worth reading if she can say that the OFWs are contented on staying mediocre, thus needing her bitching.

“A column is not a public diary. Starting with personal anecdotes most vividly illustrates one’s point. But you have to relate it to your audience. And you have to have a point… Candor is no excuse; we all have to take responsibility for what we say, even if it is written in the first person and is stated as an opinion,” wrote Sir Rome in his blog.

In the case of Malalad, her colleagues may say that she is just getting the facts straight. I would not excuse Alvarez’ misdemeanor and I would not fault Malalad for insisting her right. But if I were in her shoes then, I would not have fought back.


References:

Alave, K. "TV reporter, cabbie file assault raps vs. ex-cager." www.inquirer.net. 21 Aug 2007.
Jorge, R. "The postmodern column." http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-OvqIBFQ5eqjRLpknBTwnExL_Zt4-?cq=1&p=640. 13 Dec 2004.


19 August 2007

Ambassador Satch... and all that jazz

June 30 - July 13, 2007
Issue 26
www.alaintimesuae.com


They came here – for the first time in the Middle East – not only to change the image America has through one man’s life and music. But more so, to become Ambassadors of Goodwill like Louis Armstrong had been. “Louis Armstrong, as an individual, influenced the world in the name of America more than any individual in the history of entertainment,” said Andre De Shields, main actor and co-author of the two-hour musicale, Ambassador Satch, which was performed at Sheikh Khalifa Auditorium at the UAE University Medical School, June 27.

“There are many other people who contributed to the gift of music from America to the world, but none of them lived as long as Louis Armstrong, none of them has a reputation that lasted like Louis Armstrong’s, no one has influenced generations of younger musicians as Louis Armstrong did, and no other name is indelibly associated with the creation of jazz than Louis Armstrong,” he added.

The play also starred Harriet Foy who portrayed all four of Armstrong’s wives, Terry Waldo who is the Musical Director, Mercedes Ellington who is the Director, and Stanton Davis who plays the trumpet like Armstrong would have. James P. Mirrione co-wrote the play.

“Louis Armstrong’s music makes people happy, and that’s what the world needs. It’s a bomb. It’s an elixir. It’s a magical potion [that] when you hear a Louis Armstrong, you smile,” he added. “And Louis Armstrong’s greatest effect was achieved like this, in the presence of another live human being. He’s no longer with us - his flesh and body is no longer with us. But his spirit is. His music is. And the joy that it generates is. All you need is a channel for it to be brought to the people who want to live in the period where he lived. We serve as that channel.”

“The show is called Ambassador Satch because Louis Armstrong was an Ambassador of Goodwill. Wherever he went, he left goodwill. [And] that is so important for the world when there is so much intolerance, when there is so much hate, when there is so much war, when there is so much bad activity, when there is so much bad feeling, and when there is so much hostility. We are waging peace and goodwill through his acts.”

But what they are doing is not easy and what they are trying to achieve is hard to attain. “Portraying him and presenting his whole life in a play is difficult because the man’s life is so expansive and so extravagant, and he continues to influence generations of other musicians. So it is very important that when telling his story, which is so wide, that you narrow the focus to a theme that includes most people.”

“Most people know about his music such as What A Wonderful World. But his discography is 71 years long. He was born at the turn of the century, and for his entire life, he was the greatest symbol of American jazz. Our purpose is to select the highlights of his life that most people can relate to so that the story that we tell resonates in everybody’s heart. But you cannot please everybody.”

There is also a struggle when the actors took part in Ambassador Satch. “Certainly the actors should have great affinity for the character. Although it is not our goal to mimic Louis Armstrong, one has to appreciate the symbol he was for America along with having a love of music since he was the innovator of jazz, which is America’s version of classical music.”

“Also, Louis Armstrong was not formally trained as a musician and he was not formally educated. His genius is spontaneous, a gift, while most of us in this industry have trained in order to acquire our craft. So one has to be able to know him from the inside, intuitively. One has to be a channel for his spirit, and not worry too much of the actor’s personality to the play. Otherwise, you will be just editorializing what you should be doing in representing his generosity of spirit.”

Sometimes, they also need to change the flow of Armstrong’s story. “Every audience displays a different personality. The response of a mature audience will be different from the response of high school students. Sometimes, the audience is Armstrong’s contemporaries so they have higher expectations. In this case, we will have an Arab audience so there are certain issues that we are not going to deal with so that we do not offend the people here who are more conservative and more cautious.”

But of all the challenges the artists face in carrying out the play is to make their audience believe that what they are saying is true and that what they are acting actually took place. “The audience will know if you are telling the truth or not. Their hearts will tell them that… So I researched. And then I test if the audience will respond to us lovingly, and they do, because that is what we are giving away to them. If we were giving away hypocrisy or falsehoods, then they would respond to us negatively. That is how I know we are giving joy and we are in the right track of how we present his life.”

“We will not be leaving a false impression of Louis Armstrong. We will only peak the interest, the curiosity. If we can just open up the flower of curiosity, and then people can find out about him on their own and take in the information, so that the next time they have an opportunity to be exposed to him as a piece of entertainment, then they can take it in larger doses. You see, we’re following the Mary Poppin’s Approach, which is a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. And there is a lot of medicine here. We would just add a little sugar coating to it.”

But even though their task is demanding, De Shields still enjoys it. “I like singing What A Wonderful World because that is the culmination of his life. Now, certainly, the four wives are important, because in each of the four wives, he became a different man. He matures, he grows, and he expands. He reveals a new skill. But the anthem, the statement, the message that he was sending is in that one song. And that brings me more satisfaction everytime that we do it.”

“I don’t need to be like Louis Armstrong. I don’t need to be the man. I don’t need to have his talent, but I would like to learn his gift of bringing light to where there was once darkness. I want to be able to come into a situation where there is hate and leave love, where there is injury and leave healing, where there is despair and leave hope, where there is darkness and leave light, where there is doubt and leave faith. That’s genius. That’s being great. That’s being useful and having a purpose.”

“Louis Armstrong wants to teach us that we have to surrender to our destiny and not resist the lessons that result from our mistakes. You see, mistakes are not to be regretted. Problems are not to be regretted. Hard times, difficulties are not to be regretted. They have to be experienced and lived through because no problem comes without a gift. If we can learn that, then we would learn the greatest lesson in life.”

His dream of turning Ambassador Satch into a commercial product in Broadway and a piece under the Cannon of Musical Literature keeps De Shields going. “I have great expectations. This is a huge event, and I had only the most wonderful of expectations because at the very least, we are going to come away from this with our horizon broadened, with a mind open because we are here for the first time. You know, it’s a different thing to immerse yourself in a culture and discover for yourself, ‘Oh, this is the way it is and not the way we are used to having it represented.’”

Ambassador Satch consists of individual artists and independent contractors that were together since 1992. They had already performed in Criterion Theatre in London; Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia; Helen Hayes Playhouse in Nyack; City College of Manhattan and Lance Theatre in Manhattan; National Black Theatre Festival in Winston Salem, North Carolina; Dennis Playhouse in Cape Cod, Massachusetts; and in three theatres in New York namely the Queens Theatre in the Park, White Plains Performing Arts Centre and Emlan Theatre in Rye, New York.

Gliding in the ice

In some countries, summer could mean swimming. But in the UAE, summer could mean ice skating.

For this, the Al Ain Mall has launched an ice-skating course that is accredited by the Ice Skating Institute of Asia (ISIA). Entitled “Frost Yourself,” the program includes 5-level skating courses for beginners, and a multi-level freestyle skating program for those skaters who are already in their advanced levels.

“Only the Al Ain Mall offers this kind of course. And the advantage here is that the parents can come, leave their children [in the rink] who want to learn how to skate, and go up and do their shopping. It is very convenient – Al Ain Mall is in the center of Al Ain, and we offer competitive prices. They would all be having a quality time,” said Maha Abusamra, Public Relations Officer of the Al Ain Mall.

The other thing that could encourage the children and the old alike to enroll for this class is that ice skating is now an international sport. “Skating became more enjoyable. Aside from that it is a good exercise from head to toe, it is now an international sport,” said Joseph Lee, Ice Skating Trainer of the Ice Skating Rink at the Al Ain Mall.

Lee who is also a karate and swimming coach is the trainer of Michael Novales, the seventh placer in the 2003 United States Figure Skating Championships, when the trainee was still in the Philippines. Novales was the first skater of that country who participated in the 2006 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.

“Ice skating was just a hobby to me. When my father and grandfather died, I pursued this hobby. My first job was in Japan as a roller skate dancer and then I became an ice hockey player to one of their teams. In 1989, I came back to the Philippines. That same year, they put up an ice skating rink but nobody knows how to ice skate during that time. So I became the first Filipino who has stepped in the ice in the Philippines.”

Lee has also worked in Hong Kong, Sharjah and in Dubai after he achieved a certification in Seattle, United States. “Not all coaches can be good at skating. What is good about my experience is that I know how to skate and I know how to teach.”

“First, when you teach the young children, you should have a lot of patience. Some kids, especially those who were only forced by their parents to learn ice-skating, would not heed you. The old is also hard to teach because they do not listen and are afraid to fall. Some locals would not listen to me because they know that most Filipinos are only nannies. Some Europeans, on the other hand, are determined, and they listened to me very well. Asians are good listeners too.”

“Learning how to skate and how long it would take would depend on a trainee. If he or she is willing to learn, he or she will learn as soon as possible. But if the trainee were scared, it would take time.”

“Beginners are afraid to fall, so I teach them how to fall, which is either falling on the left butt or on the right butt. Also, they should not waggle their hands on their back because that could throw them off balance. Instead, they should just touch their knees so that when they fall, it will be on either one of their butts. But if they wave their hands, they will fall on their head or back… That is actually the secret in learning how to skate: learn how to fall down.”

“But to be a good skater, a person must have discipline. They should listen to their coach and refrain from thinking negatively; what the coach says, that is what is right and that is what they should do. If they do not follow it, then that is not the fault of the coach.”

“Skating could sharpen a person’s physical and mental ability. It can also make a person look forward to something. It can make a coach proud. Through the years, I have learned that money is not important, but for my trainee to learn well.”

J for Jojoba, J for Oil

Jojoba is often used for lotions and creams. Other times, it is applied as a lubricant. But for oil? Dr. Selim just ascertained it now.

"We have been studying the feasibility of the jojoba plant to produce a renewable fuel for almost 10 years now. Earlier than that, it was studied only for its agricultural potentials. But we found out that it can be used in diesel engines," he said. "Actually, we first published the results in 2003 in a scientific magazine after we had succeeded in 1997. We produced a version that would improve the process of producing fuel, and limit its viscosity, ignition temperature, density, and other physical and chemical properties within a certain range."

"With the natural gas as the main fuel, we tried using jojoba fuel in diesel engines during our experiment at the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory in the UAE University. And it had worked smoothly. It has even improved the performance of the engine. In this trial, I had ruled out the usage of diesel fuel because it only pollutes the air. Aside from the natural gas, the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can also be an alternative."

"Jojoba has better properties than diesel fuel. Even when the engines are cold – a condition that could enfeeble an engine's function – it would still work with jojoba fuel. This fuel also produces less noise and less emissions of dangerous exhaustive gas. Also, from our experimental measurements, we found out that jojoba fuel is easier and faster to ignite than diesel, while its physical and chemical properties are comparable to the latter."

"The only drawback jojoba fuel has is that it could cost more than diesel. It really would require a large investment. But a good thing about this oil, about this plant is that it can be grown in a desert land. It doesn't require a special land or a special care. It can resist salinity and can thrive without much water. The plant, which has a life span of for 100 to 200 years, can also grow underground. Each jojoba seed or nut can contain about 50% of pure oil in terms of volume."

Last July 8-12, at the Summer Heat Transfer Conference in Vancouver, Canada organized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Japanese Society of Mechanical Engineers, Dr. Selim will be presenting the other results that came from this research. "I looked at the exhaust emissions of the engines that used jojoba and natural gas, and jojoba and LPG. Then I looked at the performance of the engine, and I found out that jojoba would work more smoothly with natural gas and LPG than with diesel paired with the said components."

"My objective is to produce a renewable source of energy, reduce air pollution and put more demand to agriculture. I hope businessmen would recognize it soon because other than the fact that it needs a large investment, it is also good for engines and promising for the environment and economy."

Pillow lavas deepen undertanding of UAE history

July 28 - August 10, 2007
Issue 28
www.alaintimesuae.com

Pillow lavas are the most common rocks on earth – you just do not see them because they form underwater, appearing only on the surface of the sediments. But when Dr. Benjamin R. Jordan, Assistant Professor at the Department of Geology of the College of Science explored the east side of Al Ain, he found out something that could re-shape the country's history.

"The rocks east of Al Ain are a unique geologic feature. There are only three areas in the world where the type of pillow lava found here has been identified. What is unusual about the ones here is that they formed within the sediments themselves, rather than on the surface of the sediments. Geologically, it is interesting and it is unique, for it was not known before, or had not been studied in detail," he explained.

"Some of the pillows formed within the sediments and some formed below and they overlap. Usually molten rock on the surface of the Earth is called lava and when it is below the surface it is called magma. Here we have an underground feature formed by magma that looks like a surface feature formed by lava."

But if this occurs, does that mean that there are still eruptions underground? "Not here. Maybe in [other] areas of the ocean today, but these probably formed in a usual situation or environment. It appears that the eruption was a small one, with just enough magma to make a few pillow lavas and then stop. If it had been a big eruption, the sediments would have been completely overwhelmed by the magma and lava and we would not have any evidence of the pillow structures that formed underground. They would have been obliterated. The eruption had to be small and the sediments would have had to have been very, very wet so that the magma cooled quickly and behaved like lava does that erupts into open water."

"There is evidence that there were seamounts or underwater volcanoes in this area. It is likely that this eruption was from a larger underwater volcano. Part of the evidence for that is that, in some cases, there are blocks of intact limestone that are also within the same layers of sediments as the pillow lavas. Limestone is formed in shallow water. Coral reefs are an example of one way they form."

"Some researchers theorize that there were seamounts that built up a structure that reached close to the surface where limestone could form and coral could grow. From time to time, blocks of limestone or reef would break off in an underwater landslide and sink into deep water where they would be buried by the same sediments that the pillow lavas formed in. These blocks indicate that there were seamounts in the area near where the pillow lavas formed and are probably associated with them."

"From all of this we can see that there was a lot going on in the geologic past in this area. The main benefit of this research is that we can add to the history of what was happening in this area in the past. We can answer questions such as why are the mountains here, why is there limestone here, and how did the pillow lavas form. By doing this we can know what was happening millions of years ago to make the land of the UAE what it is today."

Employment problems in Al Ain

May 5 - May 18, 2007
Issue 22
www.alaintimesuae.com

When James Barratt of the film Marked for Life arrived in Al Ain to work as an English teacher, his employer told him about a joke of a teacher applicant who had asked for 50,000 pounds a year and benefits for his starting salary. The human resources manager told him that he will even be given a 5-week paid vacation, 14 paid holidays, medical benefits, retirement plan and a leased car every two years. The applicant, astounded, asked the interviewer if he is joking, and the human resources manager answered yes.

Things like that happened in real life, even in the Garden City of Al Ain. The employer promises, the employee hopes. “Based on our contract, the company would increase our salary after six months. But until now, even though the government has already called for it, they are not giving to us what we deserve. They would not even give us our whole basic salary. They would pay our overtime after a year, and that is after we ask and complain. We would like them to follow what the government intended for us, follow how the labour system here works, but they have their way most of the time,” cried a warehouse personnel who asked not to be named.

A worker from a car company also experiences the same dilemma. “We are asked to work overtime, but we are not getting paid for all of it. For instance, if we have worked for almost 70 hours in a month, they would just pay us 30 hours. Everything that is indicated on our contract, that we signed, was not followed. But we can’t refuse to stop working because that is what our employers want. We know that if we would not follow them, they could terminate us, and we do not want that. We want to complain but we are afraid of them. My other co-workers are afraid too, although some of them do not seem to mind that we are underpaid.”

There are also some employers who would take advantage of their applicants who are only on a visit visa. “I was about to ‘exit’ when my employer asked me to extend my stay and wait until they arranged my visa and contract. Now, they are deducting from my salary what they paid for the days that I overstayed. I don’t think that is right, but how can I complain?” said a worker from a furniture company.

Not all employers are unfair and abusive though. There are others who treat their workers as if they are the company’s stockholders. Unfortunately, office politics haunt them. “My boss was nice to me. But when my fellow accountants left the company, all of their tasks were given to me. Our head officer was doing nothing. He is not even a good one. I wanted to complain, but everytime I wanted to speak to my employer who is often out of the country, the administration department would stop me from doing so, telling me that they do not know how to contact him,” disclosed an accountant for a shoe manufacturing company.

A writer from Al Ain who used to work in Sharjah packed his bags and left after his employer paid him irregularly for four times ever since he got in the company back in August last year. “At first, I tried to understand because I worked for a publication too in my home country and I know, money is not always good there. But seven months passed and it is still the same. They even managed to make it worse by demanding more work from me, and telling me that I am not working enough even if I really am. You see, a worker needs money, because after all, what have I gone here for? But they seem to use that in their advantage. So I resigned last week from them before they succeeded in lowering my self-esteem and abusing my intentions of trying to help the publication.”

Working on a solution

The UAE has a Labour Law, which is a federal law applicable in all the emirates of the country and to all staff and employees, may they be nationals or expatriates, except for those that are employed by the federal government, armed forces, police and security units, agricultural workers and domestic workers.

The Labour Ministry, on its part, is preparing to set a mandatory minimum wage in the country.

Minister of Labour Dr. Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi has started on identifying programmes, initially applying to the members of the construction sector then to the entire workforce, which he would recommend to the Council of Ministers. There would also be campaigns that would seek improvement to the conditions of expatriate workforce.

Aside from these, the Ministry has also held consultations and signed Memoranda of Understanding with the labour departments from the countries the expatriates working here are from in order to facilitate a greater regulation of labour recruitment and supply from these countries. Any breach of local regulations will be on the responsibility of the recruitment and labour supply companies.

The UAE-based recruitment agencies, on the other hand, will have more exacting regulations, while an introduction of government-run recruitment agencies that would regularise and rationalise the procedures for recruitment, and eliminate irregularities within the process is being analysed.

House of Arts pays tribute to Europe

Part of being a musician is to make their audience listen to what they sing. If they could not do this, then they are just singing for profit. They themselves should be able to understand what it is they are singing, why do they want to sing it, and how are they going to perform it to give justice to the pieces composed long ago by our great musical fathers, and also be able to convey effectively the pieces’ messages to their audience so that they in turn would also appreciate and respect the music they are not fond of before.

Elizabeth Printy, a soprano; Gabriele Malzahn, a mezzosoprano; and pianists Stephen Aston and Conny Cornelia Mulawarma did those during the Music Across Borders, a musical offering held at the House of Arts, March 29. As a closing tribute to the European Culture Month in the UAE, they sang the songs of Rosa, Paisiello, Tosti, Ravel, Chausson, Massenet, Schumann, Wolf, Schubert, Strauss, Brahms and Mozart, explaining before each performance what the song is about, why the composer wrote it, and what was transpiring in the country and in the century to where the pieces came from.

You sing when Printy sings. It’s as if the air she uses to fuel her powerful voice is from your lungs. You can understand German even though you do not speak the language when Malzahn sang the songs that originated from that country. Her interpretations of the pieces allows you to sense the sadness in Tosti’s eyes or feel the pride in Massenet’s heart. You would want to master the keys of a piano when Aston plays. Mulawarma admitted that music allowed her to express her emotions, communicate to other people without words, and pray to God.

“Music opens completely a part of your life. You can escape into music. It enriches your life because it is a completely different level. It opens an aspect of your life that you cannot really say with words, [that] you cannot write down, [that] you can only feel. The more you listen to music, the deeper you would feel what is behind it that is why it is also important to grow with the music. It can take you away from your daily life. It can give you comfort. It can give you calmness. It can help you master your life, and overcome your troubles and frustrations, the daily things that bother you. It’s like a therapy. It gives you so much. It is also wonderful to give the children opportunities to express themselves and let them grow with it,” said Malzahn.

Music Across Borders happened with the cooperation of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Hilton Al Ain. Embassies and consulates of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden as well as the Alliance Francaise in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Goethe Institut Liaison Office Gulf Region and the German Academic Exchange Service Information Centre Gulf Region also contributed for the occurrence of the event.

Hearing Voices

January 13 - January 26, 2007
Issue 14
www.alaintimesuae.com

Woman. For a while, she was totally revered, respected, admired. But time came that she was shattered, ignored, ripped and left blind. Domestic abuses, war conflicts, cultural annihilations, struggle for her own individuality left her lost. But these incidences, no matter how unfortunate, have not defeated her completely, for in one way or another, she still manages to stand up and stand proud. How? They use their voices.

Voices is a neat suite of ten diverse yet thematically-linked works, all giving voice to different phases in women’s lives,” said Ann Sandin, Director of Al Ain Theatre Society (AATS). "But it is not a night of heavy theatre and yawns, rather, it has plenty humor and absurdity as characters work through situations the audience is sure to find familiar in some way. There’s nothing objectionable in the show but it really isn’t for children. I don’t think that kids would be terribly entertained. It really is for teenagers and adults," she added.

“Most of the scripts are by Western playwrights, including the award winning Wendy Wasserstein, but we have tried to stretch ourselves a bit and have incorporated some contemporary Arab drama as well. A recently translated selection by Palestinian playwright Samia Qazmouz Bakri makes an intriguing addition to the evening.”

For the women, by the women, from the women

Proceeds from the production will be donated to the Women for Women International, an organization headquartered in Washington D.C. helping women in war-torn countries rebuild their lives. "Women for Women International works in many countries and help women rebuild their lives. Our ticket sales money will go to them, and we are hoping to earmark our donations for the programs in Lebanon, as well as to Iraq, and to Afghanistan."

"What we would like to happen is to sell out those two nights and we’ll be forced to perform it again and raise more money for Women for Women. I’ve been in contact with their headquarters in Washington D.C. and they are interested with what we are doing."

Rehearsals for the play have been in the works since October, but the concept of Voices started last spring during the inaugural meeting of the Al Ain Theatre Society. Dale Taylor, co-founder and AATS Secretary, suggested an "evening of voices" exploring a common theme.

"The idea appealed to me for a couple of reasons. First, from a creative perspective, I liked the idea of combining, mixing and matching multiple short plays into a whole; Second, from a practical perspective, given everyone’s busy schedule, a collection of short plays containing 1-2 cast members seemed easier to compartmentalize and rehearse than a full-cast conventional play. So Dale and I went on to compile a list of appropriate, accessible and affordable short plays. The theme we had in mind at the start was quite broad – relationships– but that was eventually narrowed down to women’s relationships. Since then, through the course of auditions and the rehearsal process, the collection has evolved into its final form, a neat suite of ten diverse yet thematically-linked works, all giving voice to different phases in women’s lives."

Aside from being an amateur director, Sandin is also an English Lecturer at UAE University. She became hooked on theatre when she was 16, spending half of the day in a repertory theatre company. Her first play was on a lark, 'not knowing what to expect, and was surprised at how fun, challenging and addictive the rehearsal process could be.' After graduating from a theatre arts university, she went to Palestine to teach English and Drama in a girls’ school and had opportunity to design the theatre program there.

“In Palestine I directed student and community productions. My proudest achievement was a collaborative project – a commedia style fable in Arabic – that earned us an invitation to perform at a professional theatre, the El-Hakawati, in Jerusalem.”

Voices would be the first production Ann has been involved in since moving to the Emirates in 2004. "One encouraging thing about several of these titles is that the playwrights and/or publishers waived the usual royalty fees associated with performances. They were very supportive of our project, especially given the fundraising aspect."

The pieces are Arms and the Mom by Annie Enscoe, Hey Boss? by Dianne Luby, Meanwhile, Goodbye by Marianne Ackerman, Their Only Child by Laura M. Williams, Workout by Wendy Wasserstein, and The Bathhouse (From The Alley) by Samia Qazmouz Bakri, translated from Arabic to English by L. El Khalidi & C. Tingley.

Passion makes Perfect

Lebanese florist conquers Al Ain
December 30 - January 12, 2007
Issue 13

For 22 years, Ellie Hani, has been living with flowers. I like to live with flowers. Flowers can make people happy, a sick person well, a person from the overseas feel welcome and a bride beautiful. A big story of love can start with one red rose. For these reasons, I came to respect flowers. I believe they are also humans that has to be taken care of,” the designer of the Si Beau Si Chic, a flower shop located at the Intercontinental Al Ain Resort.

“My family and friends seldom see me because I am always in my shop, which is always open even during the holidays. I am not married until now because I am too busy with my flowers,” he added. Hani had also owned a flower shop in Lebanon and had worked at Four Seasons Hotel and at Arc En Ciel in Saudi as a florist too. “But I am happy with my life. I am happy with my flowers, and they understand that.”

His passion with flowers, which was inspired by a nun in his school at Lebanon, and running a business for it did not leave any chances. “Flower business is a very good business because there are always occasions everyday and everywhere. People always get married, for instance. But being a florist is hard because it takes all of your time,” shared Hani.

But although already an experienced florist and a recipient of the Flower Art Certificate from Sydney, Australia, Hani does not stop enriching his knowledge on flowers. “I am always looking for ideas, asking about the fashion in other regions from the world. I always liked the fresh flowers of Holland and Singapore and Ecuador; the flower accessories of Paris and Holland; and the artificial flowers of China,” Hani, a lover of yellow rose, said.

Badly behaved customers do not discouraged Hani from being the best flower designer he can be. “When you start to love the flowers, you cannot leave them behind,” he said.

A Filipino journalist once said “Every passion has its consequences. If you can get along with it, you are fine.” Hani has proved that he can live with his, helped by the flowers he has around.

Eating South African

The European navigators discovered a land that became the gateway towards the Far East, a former Dutch settlement now known as South Africa. Slaves from Indonesia, Madagascar and India toiled in the country while battles are won and loss between the Dutch, Britons, Khoikhois, Xhosas and other indigenous South African tribes. Eventually, the Union of South Africa was established from the Cape and Natal colonies on May 31, 1910. It entered World War II as an ally of the United Kingdom, sympathized with Nazi Germany during the war, and sought racial segregation, or apartheid. Due to this, millions of South Africans, especially the black ones, continue to live in poverty even after the legacy of the apartheid regime ended.

But wait. This is not about the history of South Africa. This is about South African Cuisine.

“Our cuisine is representative of various cultures. It was first influenced by the Dutch who brought slaves from Java who in turn added spice to the bland European cuisine, then by the French Huguenots who fled France in fear of prosecution and death who shared their knowledge and skills in wine- and jam-making. Under the British rule, hot puddings and roasted meats were introduced. Thirty years later, German peasants and soldiers who fought in the Crimea War brought with them the art of sausage making and meat-curing. The discovery of gold deposits in Witwatersrand cause more people from America, Britain, Italy and Germany to settle at the north of our country and this added more to the diversity [of] our culture. All of these combined with the original ethnic group’s cooking results to the ever-evolving South African cuisine,” explained Christiaan Campbell, Group Executive Chef of the three five star Relais et Chateau hotels of The Collection.

For three days, Al Ain Rotana lets its guests experience dining in the South African way while watching some of the country’s art and culture in their pool garden area.

“Some of the dishes that, I can say, really reflects our diverse cultures are the salads typically enjoyed with an outdoor barbecue or the ‘braai’ as South Africans call it; the spiced foods developed by the Cape Malays and Indians; the use of pulses, root vegetables and corn by the indigenous tribes; and the seafood dishes influenced by the fishermen on our country’s west coast,” Campbell added.

Naturally Christiaan

Campbell was known throughout Cape Town and in all of the countries he had been to such as Ireland, Malaysia and Japan, aside from his accomplishments, with his “Sunshine Cuisine,” a style of cuisine that radiates vitality that is so much a part of South African way of living. “I developed my creative skills based on what can I do with the ingredients rather than what they can do for me. The dishes should not only rely in obtaining the best quality ingredients in the world but rather through the way I worked and interacted with them.”

Likes and Dislikes of Al Ain residents

November 18 - November 24, 2006
Issue 10
www.alaintimesuae.com

Just what makes Al Ain residents outlast the extreme heat of the city and, for expatriates, the unhappiness of being away from their loved ones back home? Al Ain Times went to find out.

Al Ain is a big, little city. You know, it’s a city of its own standards, but compared to Dubai and to other cities of the world, it still has to grow. But it is very beautiful. The people here are very friendly, warm and receptive,” said Michael Heindel, Chief Executive Officer of Tawam Hospital, who has been living in the city for almost three months.

Dubai resident Nidal Abou Zaki agrees. “I like the atmosphere here in Al Ain. It’s very green and quite relaxing. The climate is very dry and not humid…the place is also filled with history. Al Ain is, indeed, unique in all elements. When people hear of Al Ain, they think of resorts and beaches where they could relax and enjoy.” As a Managing Director of Orient pearl, Zaki goes to Al Ain only whenever he has business transactions here.

The inexpensive lifestyle here in Al Ain makes it an ideal dwelling place also. “The cost of living here is cheaper as compared with the other emirates,” commented Rose Dreu, a hospital employee and an Al Ain resident for six years. She also pointed out the opportunities Al Ain can offer. Working in Dubai for almost four years, Dreu moved to Al Ain for a promise of a better job, better working environment and better salary. “I prefer living here. My friends and colleagues from Saudi were also here and that makes me more comfortable with the place.”

But as always, there are two sides of a coin. Not everything in Al Ain is good, at least, as far as our respondents are concerned. “Some people here do not live for today. They instead live for tomorrow. They are always dreaming about their lives. They do not live in reality,” said Miriana Lazaroba, a schoolteacher who resides in Al Ain for 15 years. “But I still like Al Ain because this is where I lived. I like my friends and my lovely pupils who are also living here.”

Hospital employee and Al Ain resident for 16 years Lynn Petrie shares her frustration on the lack of good shops, good parks and good amount of information about the city. “Al Ain’s a nice place to be but it needs more shops, shoe stores, clothe boutiques and book stores. It will also be nice to have a music shop and an electronic store. I also wish to have a park that really has something in it. More information about the city is also needed. Big newspapers do not contain useful information about Al Ain. I have visitors coming over but I cannot tell them much about Al Ain because I myself do not know much about it.”

Public Relations Account Executive Rendala Majdalani of Orient Pearl also complains the same thing. “The city is familiar and friendly to me. [But] There’s nothing much to do here. It’s a good place for people with families but it’s not ideal for single persons like me.”

There are other problems existing in almost every corner of the city such as the rising costs of houses and the traffic one experiences when one travels to and fro the city. Ironically, two-year old resident Praseeta Prakash does not notice it much. “I am always working and I cannot really see around.” Working overtime also hinders Mujeebrahman Rakman, a fish vendor, from touring the city no matter how much he likes it. “I am oftentimes tasked to worked passed my 8-hour shift. I don’t like that.” Syed Eliyaz, a salesman, has the same concern. “We have no holidays and offs. And we’re only given DH600!”

Another work-related problem involves the attitude of some Al Ain workers. “Some of my co-employees do not show their love for work and are lazy instead. All they care are the personal gains they would get from the hospital,” said Dreu. “Before, I used to mind them. But now, I just tell myself to be thankful that I still have a job and I still can do it.”

Through Karima's Art

October 21 – November 3, 2006

Issue 8
www.alaintimesuae.com

A business can be successful only with one’s hard work and dedication. Add to that the diversity it can offer and you would get a 17-year-old business, patronized by a whole city and recognized for its service.

“Our first saloon was in Sharjah. My auntie and uncle, Rachna Thakker and Rasik Thakker, set it up. They were the ones who taught me how to create henna designs. I was 18 then and I worked in their saloon for two years,” shared Karima Tharani, Manager of Brides Beauty Saloon for Henna-Al Ain Branch, widely known as Saloon Al Aroosa. “After two years, I returned to India and stayed there for the next six years. There, I got married and have two kids, a son and a daughter named Anis and Karishma. In 1989, my auntie and uncle thought of opening a branch in Al Ain, so I went back here,” she added.

Her husband’s support for her makes running the saloon easier for Karima. “My husband is supportive of my business. He has his own in India. I also have a very good experience with the customers. They are very cooperative and loving,” Karima commented. Brides Saloon’s customers are mostly locals, of all ages. “During the Eid, we open the saloon for 24 hours and we accommodate almost 200 customers. We also serve the members of the royal family,” she disclosed.

The other thing that makes Brides Beauty Saloon unique is that its henna designs are all original. “All of our designs are our creation. They come from our minds. It is widely known that Indians are very creative; our craftsmanship is our greatest strength. We give a lot of time to create a design because we also need to consider latest trends and style to serve our customers with only the best,” said Karima.

Every month, Brides Beauty Saloon offers a new set of henna design to their customers. “We are aware that people’s tastes are changing that is why we always try to keep up with latest fad. We have Indian, Arabic and Indian-Arabic designs,” Karima said. They have special designs for brides, where price ranges varies on the quality and length of the design a customer may order.

Nearly six years ago, Karima used to work and do henna application for 15 hours a day. But at the moment, she just manages the saloon. Brides Beauty Saloon may also be found in Deira, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Kaimah, Fujairah, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait.

“I am very lucky to have this business. I am grateful to my aunt and uncle, who supported me all the way, and had enough faith in me to give me this wonderful opportunity. My work has been this successful because of all our commitment, dedication and diversity,” Karima said.

15 August 2007

A life of blamelessness

Seeing the round between WBO Asia-Pacific Bantamweight Champion Ray “Boom-Boom” Bautista and WBO Super Bantamweight Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon distresses me. I was greatly troubled that within only two and a half minutes of a first round will a boxer fall like Boom-Boom had. I thought he was prepared. I thought his trainers and managers believed so too. Maybe, his opponent’s punches have just taken away his senses that he forgot protecting his 21-year old face.

And I think that is it. His age and ring immaturity are not really a factor, because a boxer is a boxer. It would not help if his fans or even Boom-Boom himself will sugarcoat his defeat. As Atty. Ed Tolentino puts it, “The key for Bautista is to admit that he erred. By coming into grip with this reality, he can move on. Admitting the mistake one committed is the first step to correcting it… The key is not to dwell on the loss; dwelling is like a termite that can only weaken further whatever solid foundation Bautista has left.”

What happened to the Boholano pugilist should be a lesson not just for the other boxers who can still be cocky after they have lost a fight but for us too (Boom-Boom claimed that his hands were throbbing days before the match). I observed that most Filipinos would not accept a fault if it can be veered to another direction, and that is not good. We would not go too far if we would continue doing that.

13 August 2007

Al Ain Tourism

Where is it now
July 28 - August 10, 2007
Issue 28

Three years ago, the Al Ain Economic Development and Tourism Promotion Authority (AAEDTPA) has drawn plans and implemented strategies to turn the Garden City to what it is now, and etch it on the global tourism map. That was three years ago, and it has passed. Were the visions realised?

At first, they had thought of marketing Al Ain first to the country and then to the rest of the Middle Eastern region. They believed that that would eventually turn the international onlookers on. “In order to appeal internationally, Al Ain has to market itself in the UAE and regionally. There is no point trying to attract large numbers of tourists if you are not equipped to handle them,” said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of AAEDTPA, during a press conference last 2004.

Their second tactic was to employ what the other emirates does not have and of course cannot offer – the thousand of years worth of heritage that started since the Stone Age, the largest animal sanctuary that homes several endangered animals, the tallest mountain in UAE that provides a picturesque view of the sun rising and setting down, the state university that educates its national citizens, the healthy dry desert climate that makes the summer cool, and the untouched desert sands that is only waiting to be crossed.

Then they unveiled an icon, a brand identity ‘created to mark a new wave of tourism growth in Abu Dhabi's oasis city.’ The image is taken from a 3,000 BC year-old building at the Hili Archaeological Park depicting gazelle-like animals framing two human outlines. “The brand identity fits totally with our commitment to heritage and cultural tourism, and the icon sums up Al Ain's appeal with a powerful international image.”

“Moreover, the image is intriguing and begs people to ask the story behind it. When the icon is rolled out through the infinite areas of application, it is powerful. Yet we believe it is a clever and courageous move in terms of branding. It is instantly recognisable… we expect it to become a symbol of Al Ain in much the way the pyramids are associated with Egypt,” His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon al Nahyan, Chairman of AAEDTPA was noted saying.

But their efforts to promote Al Ain as a tourist destination did not stop there. Campaigns through a number of Arab, Asian and European tourism and travel fairs were conducted. There were also agreements with regional and international travel operators who Al Muhairi said were ‘keen to put Al Ain in their brochures.’

The Authority also formed a joint committee spearheaded by Ibrahim Ahli, Director of the Tourism Promotion Department of the AAEDTPA, with the Al Ain-based tourism and travel agents to helped them boost internal and inbound tourism, and categorise tourism organisations and services in the region.

From these foundations, the AAEDTPA went on expanding its own international airport; developing its agriculture, education and science; transforming its 42 forts, museums, craft centres and archaeological sites; and organising seminars and workshops for the secondary school and university students. They also held cultural events such as the International Flower Show, Al Ain Festival and Al Ain Aerobatic Show.

The city also maintained 70 public parks and gardens. And for its title to remain, they plotted an Afforestation Programme that would keep Al Ain green. More than 150 million trees were planted in the city’s fertile ground, and more are planted everyday. Its highest summit was adorned by a golf course and a clubhouse that was designed in association with the International Management Group, Inc (IMG).

A multi-million redevelopment plan was also schemed that included 10 new garden projects worth Dh95 million, a 8.7 hectare family garden in Al Salamat district, parks and landscape work for roads and roundabouts, and the development of the Zoological Park and Jebel Hafeet Spa & Resort, which would amount to Dh87 million.

Together with the Landor Associates, the AAEDTPA worked on a three-phase project, which aimed to create a strong destination brand that will build sustainable development not just in tourism but also in trade and investment. The first phase focused on re-establishing the Al Ain brand while the second phase called for the launching of exhibition stands and information booths that will be situated at key locations around the city. The final phase will be the production of a promotional video to be used as tourism materials.

But among of the ploys the department had applied, it was the ‘twin-centre trip’ that was the most appealing. Residents from the other emirates as well as foreign tourists can visit Abu Dhabi or Dubai and Al Ain in the same day as the city is only 140-150 kilometres away from the other two emirates.

Ongoing Projects

There were other projects that followed. But this time, it was not the government who initiated them but the private sectors. Although the city literally sits on water where three-storey buildings are the standard, real estate companies still considered Al Ain as a dreamland. Al Qudra Real Estate has already launched a sale in the first residential phase of the Ain Al Emarat, a 200-villa community with 40,000-seat sports stadium, leisure complex, business district and residential units. It will also have a 7-kilometre canal system integrated into the residential community and an 18-hole golf course.

ALDAR Properties, meanwhile, planned a $544.8 million mixed-use complex and multi-function shopping areas designed like the Darling Harbour at Sydney and the South Bank at Brisbane. The Noor Al Ain will consist of 1.8 million square feet land, which would be erected between Bin Hamdan and Mubarak Streets (beside Al Jimi Mall). It will feature a 300-room business hotel, department stores, cinemas, family entertainment facilities, luxury offices, terraced gardens, fine and family dining, a health and fitness club, waterpark and an indoor beach. It will also include seven towers (six of it would be residential towers with about 1300 apartments, while the remaining one would be a hotel), 8000 car-parking areas and 160,000 square metres of retail entertainment space.

Sorouh Real Estate will also be constructing a shopping and leisure destination in Al Ain. The Al Nagfa Hotel will be built atop the Al Nagfa Hill and will have 160 rooms ranging from standard to executive and ambassador suites. The site, which will be designed by the EWAN Architectural & Engineering Consultancy, will have a half a million square-feet of retail and entertainment space spread across four levels, 70 chalets, indoor and outdoor spa, gym, infinity pool, a kids club, tennis courts and a restaurant.

But the burnt of it all is to know if there had been a change since the plans were carried out. If they were seen and felt, were they that significant? Is it enough to claim that Al Ain has made it? Or the government needs to draft new laws on investment protection, encourage more participation of the private sector or broaden its regulations for foreign ownership? What would be the answers for these will not only not only tell whether Al Ain will be flooded by people with authentic tourist visas but also how it will be in general.


Going on
August 11 - August 24, 2007
Issue 29
www.alaintimesuae.com

More participation of the private sectors and foreign ownership will boost the tourism of Al Ain to greater heights, Pierre Zayoun, General Manager of Al Ain Rotana Hotel, and Guzman Muela, General Manager of Intercontinental Al Ain Resort said. Both of them also think that nothing cannot be done for this city, which can be a host to everyone and everything else.

But of course, putting Al Ain in the international travel map would take time. “It is not a short term process. We have to continue investing in the city and its attractions so that more investors would come and more events and activities would happen. It is fundamental that the private and the public sector work together in the same direction. Creating some new laws to benefit both the private sector and the city will also help,” said Muela. “At this moment, Al Ain is a baby in the process of growing as tourist destination. I am really looking forward to see Al Ain become one.”

Foreign ownership can also assist the growth of Al Ain like it has contributed to the progress of Dubai. “If it is successful in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, why not here in Al Ain? It is a nice place to live,” Zayoun said. “There are a lot of projects coming up, a lot of construction – there is demand. The Abu Dhabi Government, meanwhile, is working really hard, for tourism is not just for leisure; there is something for business too. We are very fortunate to have the Abu Dhabi Government working for us.”

There is another thing though that Muela has in mind to increase the chances of the city to a tourist’s eye, and that is to literally advertise. “We should also advertise this destination in international tourism forums and create awareness about all the tourist places [we have in the city]. Some of the things in Al Ain are really unique; a demand can be created around these things. Al Ain [also] has very good infrastructure and more hotel rooms are being build to accommodate international tourists. Developing the Al Ain Airport and extending its services can also be fruitful.”

Currently, tourism in Al Ain is transforming. “It is definitely changing. From 1999 to 2001, I remember that I used to go to Dubai with my wife twice a week to watch a movie or have a dinner, then come back, for there was nothing in Al Ain then. The guests we received were from corporations that are still booming. We did not have many tourists. Business started to pick up in 2003 and it is budding till now,” Zayoun recalled.

Muela has about the same experiences as Zayoun. “The occupancy of the hotel during the 90’s was for an average of 46.88%. From the beginning of the 90’s until 1996 the occupancy was below 40% and the lowest years were 1995 and 1996. It started to become better in 1997 and the best year was 1999.”

But last September 2004, a statutory body responsible for the promotion and development of the emirate’s international tourism industry was established. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has worked in cooperation of different hotels, airlines, destination management companies and other travel-related organisations to raise its profile, drive and coordinate facilities and services, regulate the industry itself, ascertain the consistency of the indigenous cultural and social values of UAE society, preserve the environment, and encourage the participation of the private sector in the development process, among others. Al Ain began to improve.

At present, the UAE has crafted laws for foreign ownership and investment protection. Law No. 19 stipulates that GCC nationals and foreigners can own the surface rights – not the underlying land on which the building is situated – apartment units or entire floors in the designated investment zones. To own a land outside an investment zone though, a special dispensation from the Abu Dhabi Executive Council would be required from the non-UAE nationals. The proposal that allows companies in the financial sector to possess 100% foreign ownership, on the other hand, is still being studied.

Abu Dhabi works for falconry preservation

August 11- August 24, 2007
Issue 29
www.alaintimesuae.com

When some political organisations are working to ban falconry and some people would not mind wiping out traditions for the sake of economic development, the Abu Dhabi meanwhile has donated about Dh7.5 million to the Falconry Heritage Trust (FHT), an international body that ensures the protection of falconry across the globe.

“Our country is changing and growing at an incredible rate. In these times, we must work extra hard to keep the links to our past alive. Falconry is a perfect example of a living link to our past, one that we are very proud of, and one that is still practiced by many. By protecting falconry we are ensuring that future generations understand where we and our values have came from,” said the spokesman of Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon al Nahyan, Chairman Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) gave the amount to the FHT during the International Falconry Festival held at Englefield, Berkshire, United Kingdom. He was joined in by the Emirates Falconers Club and a VIP delegation from the Abu Dhabi Government and its Environment Agency (EAD).

The money will be invested as an endowment fund to assist the falconers, conservationists and researchers that shares their aim. Information relating to the heritage of falconry as well as about the function of the FHT will be presented in an electronic form on a web-based archive.

Around 30 countries participated in the falconry festival including Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkmenistan, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Libya, Macedonia, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Tunisia, USA and UAE.


Aside from Abu Dhabi’s recent contribution, the UAE has conducted local, regional and international projects for the cause. “Locally we have created many nature reserves and put strict controls on Hunting. In 1993, we opened the National Avian Research Centre, which works on many national and international projects including captive breeding of Houbara bustards, conservation of Houbara in Yemen and Kazakhstan, medical rehabilitation of confiscated birds and monitoring of the Houbara population in UAE.”

“Internationally the UAE is working towards having falconry registered as ‘intangible cultural heritage’ by UNESCO, which, if successful, will have a global benefit for all falconry nations and contribute massively to the protection of falconry across the globe. The International Festival of Falconry was a key part of the UNESCO bid process, and it was also an opportunity to demonstrate the substantial contribution falconers have made to local culture and conservation worldwide.”

Falconry is at risk nowadays ‘due to a lack of understanding of the correct practices of falconry, the occupation of the wilderness on which falcons rely, and the unethical falconers.’ “As a result of this, many organizations are calling for falconry to be banned in some countries. It is the job of the EAD to take a global lead, promote the correct practice of falconry and educate ‘new falconers.’ We are raising awareness of these issues and creating nature reserves to ensure [that] the falcons and other wildlife has a protected environment for breeding.”

Contrary to the news of excessive hunting for falconry, illegal trapping to supply birds for falcon training and hunting pressure in Central Asia – all of which has hastened the drop of the Houbara population to 40% in 2005 and endanger its presence within the next 15 to 25 years – the EAD claims that it is not disregarding the welfare of the Houbara.

“By practicing falconry, we are actually ensuring [that] the Houbara Bustard population is not depleted. Captive breeding of Houbara is undertaken at the National Avian Research Centre (NARC), which is responsible of reconciling the tradition of Arab falconry with sustainable management of the Houbara population. NARC started breeding attempts in 1993 with donated birds. Local re-introduction and re-stocking depleted populations for hunting or for falcon training are among the activities carried out by NARC.”


Those who are seized by poachers from the cities in UAE are given to NARC in order to be quarantined and then released back into the wild. Hunting can be done only in the triangle between Al Ain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi during the winter.


“Preserving falconry and protecting its heritage also ensures biodiversity for the planet by closely monitoring falcon and Houbara population levels. It [also] allows us to work on many international wildlife projects. Most important of all is that falconry helps us to ‘put something back’ by supporting local economies and environments where falconry is practiced, which is often in very poor areas.”

08 August 2007

Rain gently falls whenever we say goodnight

Sometime last month, the country's highlanders began to pray for rain. They cast a dry spell on their fields that's denying them of the name Rice Granary of the Philippines. Northern Luzon is responsible for the food supply of 46% of the region. Without rain, these people would hunger.

But between Juban and Irosin in Sorsogon, Bicolanos are prthaaying not to rain. A light rain could cause the ash falls Mt. Bulusan had shot up to turn into lava and surge inland. The volcano is one of the 22 active volcanoes in the Philippines. Its explosion is the 25th time a country's volcano threatened the safety of some people.

“The lack of rains in what is already the rainy season of the country calls for divine intervention," believes Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales . "Our relief will come from nature. And so we implore the Master of all creation, God, our Father, at whose command the winds and the seas obey, to send us rain."

And so, an Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam (Obligatory Prayer to Request for Rain) and Intercessory Prayers for Rain were ordered. They are to be offered during Masses in the Archdiocese of Manila 'until the rains come.'

Days passed and currently, a number of heavy rains had brought landslides and floods, killing 11 people in Compostela Valley and one boy in Baguio. It also led to the cancellation of classes in Metro Manila. But still, the rains were not enough in the highlands. "We need a total of 5,000 liters or eight drums of water in order to produce a kilo of rice," said Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap. He also means to say that at least 5 to 6 hours of continuous rains daily for two to three weeks are the frequency needed so that rice fields could be prepared for planting. "The three days of rains had only helped bring down the temperature in Metro Manila. They were not able to irrigate the rice lands in such provinces as Isabela, La Union, Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija which were experiencing little rainfall." It even has not brought the Angat Dam to its normal operating level of 188.47 meters.

Was the secretary subtly condemning God for his inadequate action? Were the people blaming nature for its sweet revenge? Or is it just time for the environmental violators to come to their senses? Putting a spa close to the mouth of a dormant volcano is only one of the violations some of the authorities are letting investors do at the risk of infuriating Mother Nature and disturbing us. Pilipina Ako wishes that Environment Secretary Lito Atienza can do something.

References

06 August 2007

Between rock and a hard place

Graduating finally from college has been my dream when I was in high school just as it was when I was in grade school. It seemed to me then that finishing a level would automatically bring me to another phase where I can have a freedom greater than what I used to have (or what I think to have, or what I was made to believe to have). But after almost a year and three months outside some school grounds, I still haven't enjoyed the freedom I have long aspired. I am still knocked between living for others and being what I am supposed to become. I am in a place away from my home, striving to still do and be good, making the most of the opportunities I have and hoping, hoping and not lose sight of the freedom I am eyeing for.

Making that decision was not easy. I just thought that between being a call center agent and working overseas, the latter would make much more sense in my case. I can start my career here. Pursue my other dreams. There are many things that I still have to learn that I think I would not manage to learn if I stayed. I would have more chances if I go here.

But still, life is not that simple C:


-Written on July 31, 2007

01 August 2007

REFERENCE LIST

08 August 2007
Rain gently falls whenever we say goodnight
Dizon, N. et al. "Pray for rain, faithful urged." www.inquirer.net. 02 Aug 2007
PNA. T.C. "Chedeng seems to answer prayers for rain." www.manilatimes.net. 02 Aug 2007
Vargas, A. et al. "Slides, floods kill 11."
www.manilatimes.net. 09 Aug 2007
Leyco, S. et al. "
3 days of rain cooled Metro, but still not enough." www.manilatimes.net. 09 Aug 2007