A Journey to Recovery

“At one point of my life, I was completely hopeless, out of control and missing”, Emily said.

When a person is suffering from drug addiction, it seems a long journey for him to recover and straighten his life. For all the tragic cases we hear about these struggles, there are inspirational stories about drug addicts who turned their lives into the right path.

The story of a woman named Emily was the best example of survival from the miserable effect of drug addiction. From her young age, she was pulled down by a devastating hole of self-harm and addiction to crystal meth and Oxycontin. She developed a habit that only few can stay long and survive.

Emily allowed strange men to use her body in order to finance her substance abuse. She admits and said “my body had just become a thing to me”.

She was suffering various mental illnesses, became strange to her family and come to the point of suicidal misery.

Because of those acts, she did not not know what are happening and just fund herself siting in the hospital covered in her own blood while wondering hoe she had gotten there. The doctor then told her that her last episode of drug use killed her unborn child. It horrified her because she did not even realized that she was pregnant.

After the incident, she realized that she must turn her life around.

Emily begged for help to her mother and took her first shaky steps to path of recovery. She  allowed her family to bring her into a rehab center in order to have a good and proper treatment for her faster recovery.

It has been a several years from now and Emily never looked back from her past. She was now happy, confident, and healthy and no longer running of herself .

Now, she is a responsible mother of her 18-month-old son whom she shows and give all her love and care. Emily also runs a blog about Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment, and assists other as a drug addiction counselor.

These story remind us the hope, hardwork and trust that can overcome any struggles about addiction and offer addicts a positive outlook for recovery.

How the Internet Made a Fool Out of Me

Humans created technologies, but sometimes humans cannot control what may technology do.

Today we are dependent to technology especially with the internet. We make it a habit where we can learn new things as well as experience the unexpected things.

As a student, using internet as a source for my school requirements can cause online troubles which really make me think why did it happen.

This experience happened while I’m using my Facebook account to see if there are some group announcements. Suddenly, an online advertisement appeared. I accidentally clicked it and the message was unexpectedly sent to my online Facebook friends.

The message says ” I found it very funny video on You Tube. This attachment may have been removed or the person who shared it may have no permission to share it with you”.

It take me a couple of seconds to reread and analyze what does the message really meant. It is quite funny. Others who received it just replied a like icon which make me smile because I did not really send it to them. I just apologized for what had happen.

This online experience of mine taught me that even though humans are the master of technologies, they cannot control it the way they wanted.

It also leave me a lesson not to view any advertisements or online message without reading it properly  because it can sometimes ruin your positive day.

Writer in Mind and Heart

Angelica Tapalla wearing her toga
Photo by Angelica Tapalla

” I want to create a name in this industry first, as anyone in this field striving to” Angelica Tapalla said.

Being a journalism graduate, it led her name to the media industry.

Angelica Tapalla finished her Bachelor in Journalism at West Visayas State University, College of Communication. She is recently working with The Daily Guardian Iloilo as news writer.

Journalism is her chosen field because she was nosy, loved to write and had an intense interest in everything and everyone around her. At the same time, she thought of enhancing and improving her English and learn how to produce news, witness something, documenting it and share it to the world.

Her interest in journalism started in her high school years where she was taught about basic writing from simple sentences to trying on the hands-on approach. She learned news writing, feature writing, essay, and editorial.

Through her teachers in mid-school who inspired and influenced her, Angelica learned that the intention of writing is more valuable than the act of just doing it.

Angelica knew that she will be working in the media after she graduated because she liked working in the field where she have a flexible time.

She dream to work on an International publication to which she would like to work with people from Japan, India, Thailand, and America; and one day to find herself having lunch with people from Poland and Norway.

Although she is still on the adjusting level in working under pressure, she believes that she can manage herself in the grind already.

Every journalists tend to encounter some problems in their work. As Angelica continue fighting every day for her battle as a journalist, there is no time that she could never encounter any circumstances.

She even have a miscommunication with her editor that he misunderstood the news she had sent. Another instance is that she forgot to credit the information she got which is very important.

Nobody’s perfect, she thought, it was all a  lesson learned.

As of now, Angelica wants to enjoy her work, the pressure, the fun, the perks, and the challenges five years from now.

Typhoon Ompong Leaves Landslide in Alimodian

The Lagunday’s house affected by the landslide.
Photo by Brad Nelson Pendioday Tagabi

ILOILO- Massive rainfall brought by Typhoon Ompong leaves landslide in Ulumpajo, Brgy. Pajo Alimodian, Iloilo last October 11.

The said landslide damage the property owned by the family of Eddie Lagunday, a resident of the said place.

Famiy Lagunday was in need of assessment and proper assistance for the faster recovery.

On the other hand, the vital road of Brgy. Cagay-Tabug portion of Brgy. Cunsad Alimodian were uneven due to the massive rainfall.

Four wheeled vehicles are also affected to which they cannot cross to the neighboring places.

Source:Brad Nelson Pendioday Tagabi and Kalay Alonsabe

Ileco I Sets Deadline

ILOILO- General Manager of Iloilo Electric Cooperative I or Ileco I, Engineer Wilfred Billena announced  to the consumer of Deca I subdivision in Brgy. Pandak Pavia, Iloilo that they must not wait for the deadline before paying their bills.

Billena said that all other ways are being made by Ileco I for their consumers but there are really hard minded  in Deca subdivision.

According to Engineer Billena, the notice was delayed due to misconduct of the residents to avoid the notice connections.

Billena cleared base on Magna Carta IV Residential Consumers, two days after the notice of disconnection where residents could not still pay their bills, the connections will be cut.

It was known that September 30 is really the day of connection cutting but the residents exceeded the deadline.

Source: Bombo Radyo News

Drainage System Worsen Instead of Helping

ILOILO- Instead of helping, the effect of drainage system had worsen in Brgy. Airport Madurriao, Iloilo.

According to Brgy. Captain Manuel Sulinap, despite of the bigger drainage system in their Brgy. but due to the massive rainfall last week, flooding still arises.

It was allege that the reason of flooding was the defective service of the contractor which is the Gorrea Construction. The plywood which is used as a framework was not remove inside the drainage.

The project was allotted an 18 Million budget, hence the service never worth it.

Source: Bombo Radyo News

Miriam urges Aquino: ‘Kick Purisima upstairs’

MANILA — President Benigno Aquino III should “kick” Alan Purisima out as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Sen. Miriam Defensor–Santiago yesterday said.

The President should appoint the embattled PNP director general as assistant secretary of either the Department of Interior and Local Government or the Department of Defense, the Ilongga senator said.

“President Aquino, please kick Purisima upstairs so that he will leave the PNP alone,” said Santiago.

Purisima may also be placed as member of the National Police Commission, she said in her speech during the annual convention of the Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards in Muntinlupa City.

According to the senator, these positions are “incompatible with his (Purisima) present (position) as PNP chief.”

If Purisima is transferred to an “incompatible” office, he will automatically vacate his first position and his title will be terminated without any other act or proceeding, she said.

This is the best way to “get rid of a suspicious character” in PNP, Santiago said.

“He refuses to go on leave, igniting suspicions that he will use all the powers and prerogatives of a PNP chief to silence his critics,” said the former regional trial court judge.

Purisima is facing plunder and corruption cases over his alleged involvement in a license delivery deal worth P100 million.

His other alleged offenses, according to Santiago, were accepting donations to build the “White House,” the official residence of the PNP chief in Camp Crame, buying a SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE worth P3 million for only P1.5 million, engaging in a trucking business and poultry farm that are worth P90 million, and using a bulletproof Land Cruiser vehicle that is not registered in his name.

The PNP chief reportedly owns a five-hectare property in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, including a two-story house with a separate guest house and a GAZEBO.

Panay News

Is PH ready vs Ebola?

MANILA — President Benigno Aquino III is expected to discuss the Ebola crisis today amid fears the Philippines may have its first case “in just a matter of time.”

Aquino will attend today’s 65th session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Western Pacific at the Philippine International Convention Center.

“Let’s just wait for what the President will say tomorrow,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said yesterday.

While the issue has been hogging headlines the past months, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) last week noted that it is “just a matter of time when the Philippines reports its first Ebola case.”

Present measures to counter Ebola are not enough, said DOH National Epidemiology Center chief Eric Tayag.

Malacañang assured, however, that the government continues to strengthen a multi-sectoral plan to address the risks.

“Right now, we are still Ebola-free. The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine has tested 18 suspected cases, and all turned out negative,” Coloma said.

Malacañang was also weighing its options on whether or not the government will send medical workers to West Africa to help care for Ebola patients amid a call from the international community.

On Saturday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said this would need “serious consideration and discussion.”

-ABS-CBN News and Panay News

Heavy Rains Harm 2,114 iloilo Families

ILOILO City – A total of 2,114 or 10,278 individuals from 14 municipalities in the province of Iloilo were affected by heavy rains due to the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) intensified by typhoon “Ompong” (international name: Vongfong) over the weekend.

In the consolidated report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), the affected families were from towns of Guimbal, Tubungan, Oton, San Joaquin, Igbaras, Alimodian, San Miguel, Leganes, Leon, Pototan, Lambunao, Dumangas, and Banate.

The report also showed that 12 houses were totally damaged and 17 partially damaged.

In the towns of Tubungan, Igbaras, Alimodian, and Leon, landslides were recorded.

Meanwhile, a 35-year-old family man from Leganes was the sole casualty of the bad

weather

in Iloilo province. He was electrocuted.

Adan Anaca was from Sitio Bungsuan, Barangay Nabitasan, Leganes.

The heavy rains and flashflood on Friday until Saturday caused families to evacuate to higher grounds and at various evacuation centers.

By 4 p.m. on Saturday, according to the PDRRMC, some of the families had gone back to their respective houses.

Total damages of caused by the inclement weather to properties, livelihood and agriculture could not yet be determined at press time.

-Panay News

Anchorman’s slay suspect nabbed in Iloilo

The suspect of killing in South Cotabato’s radio broadcaster was arrested in Iloilo City last Friday.

Members of the Criminal Investigation and detection Group (CIDG), together with Jaro Police Station, Collared Servando Servano, Jr., 62, while he was about to ride a jeepney at the terminal at Brgy. Ungka, Jaro district.

A resident of Poblacion, Polomoloc. South Cotabato, named Servano is wanted for Criminal Case No. 1948-05 pending with the Regional Trial Court Branch 39 in South Cotabato.

The said suspect is the number 5 most wanted person in Region 12 with a monetary reward of P140,000.

Servano was charge with several other John Doesfor the death of the radio blocktimer Rolando Morales of DWMD Radio Mindanao Network in South Cotabato, said Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, chief of the CIDG investigation division.

In May 2012, he sought shelter from his “brothers” in Catholic sect Knight of the Holy Cross of Jesus based in Brgy. Balabago, Jaro.

“Servano had been staying with Roy Lopez in Maribong Village of Lambunao, Iloilo.. Lopez is the president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in Lambunao, Tayaba added.

Servano allegedly used the aliases Federico Sarifa, Roy Lopez, Severino Soldevilla, Tatang and father Jun while hiding.

Morales, 43, was gunned down on July 3, 2005.

He is the sixth journalist killed in 2005 and the 69th since the democracy was supposedly restored in 1986.

Source: http://www.thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news/46214-suspect-in-anchormans-slay-nabbed-in-iloilo