Ms. Yoko Ramos

Filipino Expatriates.  This is the new term for our Overseas Filipino Workers, also formerly known as Ang Bagong Bayani, according to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.  The President made this announcement at the media campaign launch for the Global Forum for Migration and Development.   (Global Forum is an international migration forum of which about a 1,000 participants from around 150 countries are expected.  This will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila)

Their stories never cease to fascinate me. Each story has its own character and personality.   I am constantly awed and amazed by their dedication and resilience given the personal struggles and other factors involved relating to work; yet they still bring inspiration to many.

Greece
Greece is the latest post of my husband, Consul General Constancio R. Vingno.   He says that about 30,000 Filipinos are in Greece and estimates 10,000 Pinoys are in Athens.  It was mid-autumn when we arrive and the weather was manageable to a bit cold.   

Greece is the land of great men and philosopher. It is the cradle of civilization – and home to the Greek gods — Zeus, Hera, Athena, Aphrodite and the others.  

Today, Greece has been featured in several movies – like in the latest films I was able to watch — Mamma Mia (Meryl Streep), Sisterhood of the traveling pants (America Ferrera) – locally, there was For the first time (KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez), shot in Santorini, Greece.

Philippine Embassy
On our first meeting with Ambassador Rigoberto D. Tiglao, he told us that there are a lot of different Filipino organizations active in Greece.  

Pinoy Expat couple in Athens
Recently, I met a jolly and friendly couple in Athens.  They are Ramoncito and Adelle Caldino.  Husband and wife are living and working in Athens going 6 years now.  Yearly, they go back to the Philippines to visit their relatives.  

They say that they really work hard to live comfortably here in Athens and at the same time to be able to save some money, to send back home and for their future.  But in general, one has to work hard to survive wherever he may be, Mang Ramon said.  

Life of a Pinoy Expat
Ramon is in his mid-50s with a visage cut from the old 70s movies.  At his age, he says he can easily earn a minimum of 50 to 75 euros depending on what is to be repaired or fixed. His other skills are: cooking, gardening and carpentry.  Hard work and good pr (public relations) are his edge among other nationalities, in the same line of service.

Adelle, 48, the affable wife of Ramon, works in the house of a Greek diplomat.  She is well loved by her bosses.  She is like a family to them that the Greek couple even adopted Ramon to be their household member from Israel to Greece so they can be together, too.  Ramon was working in another country at that time.

Those were the difficult times, both declared.  They would spend so much money on telephone cards.  That was the only means of communication they had and the snail-mail.  Their life is better now because they have each other, physically near.    

The couple was able to buy a house and lot in Laguna last year.  They have two children – both are grown up.  The daughter is in the United States and their son, the youngest, has just graduated from Nursing.  

Retirement
The couple says that they are saving for their retirement.  They want to retire in the Philippines, according to Ramon.  He wants to put up a small business in their house.  A contractor/builder type of business is what he has in mind.   He is planning to make their house a “showcase” of his skills in carpentry, design and style.

Adelle, on the other hand, want to put up a flower or catering business.  Having learned and adopted different kinds of cuisine techniques and flavors, she will surely be able to win the Filipino palate.

But there is no definite plan of when to retire.  Greece has so many islands to explore that they will stay here as long as they can, the couple quipped.

Greece, known as the bastion of philosophers and great men, gifted by the gods with every possible — beautiful things.  The cradle of civilization — .

Moving to Athens for me is like reliving the old ancient Greek mythology life of the god.  In my High School English class, where we had Greek mythology (still stuck in my memory bubble), I had been fascinated by these timeless tales.

Hmmm, I figured it must be exciting and will be quite an experience — to actually be where the great philosophers and men once lived. I wanted to go to Mt. Olympus to meet the Olympians — Zeus, Hera, Athena, Aphrodite and the others.  To like breathe the same air they have inhaled a long –very long, time ago.  To walk the steps they took.

I researched very little about the place having studied it in HS and College, I thought I have enough knowledge stored and will be given a short briefing by the husband in relation to his work there.

It was mid-autumn when we arrived. The place was extremely lovely. Out of excitement, I had a severe bout of jet lag. I had forgotten about my wild thoughts about Greece.

Consul General Vingno, the hubby, said that about 30,000 Filipinos are in Greece and that an estimate of 10,000 are in Athens.

His Excellency Rigoberto D. Tiglao, our Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Cyprus, was known to be the spunky Spokesperson of PGMA before this appointment.  Amb. Tiglao had been appointed as Press Secretary, Chief of Staff and as PMS Head.   

The Ambassador is with his lovely and chic wife, Getsy.  Both are veteran journalists.

I met several Filipinos living in Athens.  Some say they have considered Greece as their home while others are still planning to come back and retire in the Philippines.

I am a globelines subscriber.

I had been loyal to Globe since 1999. I love Globe.

So, when Globe branched out and created globelines as their sister company (a competition to PLDT) — I thought I was going to have a good deal of service.

I am a Globe Platinum member — which I earned — I am really happy or should I say contented with their prompt and service oriented style of handling my account. But I was wrong.

My monthly bill is about 996 pesos for a broadband connection. It’s internet connection plus a telephone line.

How many times do I have to call the customer hotline to report a problem?

Your conversation with the customer service officer is recorded, they say, so as to protect I guess both parties. Okay, that is fine. But what happens after that? Do the managers or supervisors listen to the recorded conversations and make a report about it or plan an action to address the concerns of their irate costumers?

I have called so many times which was recorded. I have paid my bills on time — but up to this day, 01 October 2008 — my concern had not been addressed or attended to. It has fallen on deaf ears.

Poor me.

It has been 10 months since I made my first report but the problem has been there for a year now! I cannot change or terminate my subscription because I had signed up with their lock-in period of 24 months condition.

Imagine that!

I still have to endure this poor service for another year– another 12 months of bad connection and poor service of Globelines!

Dr. Renato Sagun Velasco, Ph. D.

Dr. Velasco is a professor at the University of the Philippines.  He is a political scientist, a strategist, and head speechwriter of the President.  He was a former cabinet member.  Now, he is the chairman of the Alternative Fuels Corporation of the Philippine National Oil Corporation.

He has so many feathers in his cap.  One can say that he is a very successful man.  He had been with and was sought after by the powerful political people in this country.  Yet – he has remained humble and simple.

He is a loving husband to Mrs. Eva and a caring father to his sons. 

He has shared his time and wisdom to his people – and I was lucky to be one of them.  He was well loved in PIA and PMS.  He walked the talk and lives by example.  He did not have any bodyguards – only his loyal driver, Buen.  If Buen would be indisposed – he would drive himself.  He is no power tripper.

Doc, as he is known in GMA’s circle, is my mentor.  I am not one of his protégés or his bright students from UP but he gave me a chance to work with him and encouraged me to write.

I miss my life in the Vice President’s office.  There, I was in charge of her schedule and it was not just listing or making schedules of people to meet or appointments to keep.  It was a complete package.  Aside from the list there is another part that I love to make.  It is the part where I am free to tell her or inform her of what to expect to every meeting or appointment she has to make. This process can be tedious at times but I love it (even if she would call late at night to reprimand me about something that went awry or due to typographical errors).  She was a perfectionist with a heart to me, then.  

Given that, I still have not earned my confidence in writing.

It was Doc who made me go out of my comfort zones and told me to explore and be the best that I can be.  He is the perfect boss.  He asked me to contribute an article and so did.  I wrote an article about the President’s pet project – Jatropha.  That was my first ever-published article — and he told me to just keep writing.  And I did — and loved it!

Aside from writing, I was able to join the Philippine Army.  It was hard.  Having to be in so many places at the same time.  I would be late in meetings because I was had to take all sorts of medical exams and the battery of psychological tests.  Whew.  It was an experience.

All these, I owe to Doc.  Thanks for everything, Sir. 

For understanding me despite my stubbornness, and for the wisdom you have taught me.  Life is indeed beautiful and God is great and Love your family.

Salamat po.

We were taught to live and follow the Ten Commandments.

But of the ten, the greatest and most important of all — Matthew 22:36 — is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

and the second is “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”

Matthew 22:40 “On these two commandments hang all the Laws and the Prophets”

So, why are all these things happening –

Sometime last month, I read in the newspaper that some people are living at the expense of others –
Mr. Neil Cruz of the Philippine Daily Inquirer wrote about people capitalizing and using their situation in order to win sympathy and thus live a better life than the law-abiding neighbor/citizen.

Mr Cruz has been a victim of illegal settlers in the property that his father bought for them — . His father had long since joined the Father in heaven — and Mr Cruz has (I suppose) grandkids by this time — so — I am thinking out loud — will he or can he solve this — problem (if problem is the right word for this). I wish he can have justice.

It is also in the Commandment not to:
steal.
bear false witness against your neighbor.
covet your neighbor’s wife, servant or anything that he owns.

This is just a small part of a BIG picture, which I cannot fathom anymore.

A girl committed suicide — out of poverty. A mother killed her kids and took her own life — out of poverty. Even if the Governor of that Province was in denial — she kept saying that it is not out of poverty in her interviews — that such a thing happened to her area of jurisdiction. A week later, in the same town of Laguna, another housewife killed herself — because of poverty!

Mr. Cruz is not alone.

I have my own problems. My father died and we were not able to grieve. I am still feeling lost about this. After losing a father and having to face this despicable situation, my feeling is just indescribable. He left his property and other worldly/material things unsettled. His two common law wives fought hard for it — they even fought over for my Dad’s dead body which they have no legal right. They have no shame. I wish they could sleep soundly after having done what they did.

My mother and my aunt (my Dad’s sister) told me to let it be — give in and understand. After all he is dead and be respectful.

A person supposed to be a family has hurt me — only to be told by the husband to understand and let it pass. I have been criticized — to my face– about my cooking, my life, my finances, my children and my marriage! Why can I not scream at her and tell her all the nasty things about her — how cruel she can be. Hmmmm. How I wish I can but — It’s not is me. I keep everything to myself. And then I explode.

I already have grandchildren from my nieces — but I feel like a child deep inside. Afraid to hurt somebody’s feeling — even if they have hurt mine.

I am tough on my kids — because I do not want them to be like me. And i am blessed — thank God — for the wonderful and good kids and for a loving and great husband.

I had been living all my life — giving and understanding families, friends, neighbors and people. But why do I feel like bleeding —

We all have our own share of trials and crosses. Life on earth is difficult.

But — If we can all live by the Ten Commandments then I guess — we will be living Heaven on Earth

So many whys and whats inside my head

I have tons of them

should you care to look

Will I get an answer … if so, when?

Ahhhh, such is a cycle

When is the time to give?

When should giving stop?

When is giving bad?

When is giving abused?

Giving.

Do you give only to someone in need ….

Love is happy.

Love is giving.

Love is sharing.

Love is receiving.

Love is true ….

But where are you?

Is love waiting …..

I see dark sky.
Black clouds over me.
Heavy rain I feel.

All these will pass.

There is another sunrise.
Spring follows

Hope floats

Like a new book.
I am starting a new chapter.

By:  Maj. Yoko Ramos-Vingno
Our worst nightmare is here – and it does not have any plans of leaving – looks like it is here to stay until such time that we get our acts together, which should be real quick – I mean, FAST! Prices of everything have extremely doubled – some tripled in the last six months.  All the experts, scientists and everyone in the position had predicted that THIS thing is coming.  Do we have a backup plan?
In my debut article here in BizNews Asia, which was June 2007, the price of crude oil was shockingly $73 a barrel.  It was just last year and looking back it was not that shocking anymore!  My suave and gentleman editor, Mr. Antonio Lopez, has been gracious and opened another window of opportunity for me — a second career (fall back option, perhaps) which is writing – and so, I resumed my writing May 2008.  It was just last month.  And in my come back article – Biofuels: Culprit for global hunger, the price of crude oil was an astounding $126 per barrel.  It’s that crazy!  My second article is yet to come out and now, as of this writing – the price of oil is incredulously $135 a barrel, at its highest before falling to $130 a barrel on 01 June 2008 (from time magazine on line)! 
The National Biofuels Board (NBB) of the Philippines, which was created under Section 8 of the Biofuels Law of 2006 or RA 9367, is responsible for the alternative fuels program of the government. This remarkable law was authored by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.  He is clearly passionately into the future of Biofuels in the Philippines.  He had solely defended his cause in the Senate — having been attacked left and right in both Houses. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Congressman Roilo Golez had both aired their concerns over the implementation of the Biofuels Law which they say will affect production of our food and the negative effects in the atmosphere adding to the global warming.
The National Biofuels Board has a tough job ahead.  It has to face a lot of bumps and obstacles like the never ending debate on food vs. fuel and the escalating oil price dilemma.  NBB can be likened to a newborn; it has to be nurtured until it can be left alone.  Our officials are doing their share in forming and guiding this baby.
Now we can see a bright future for this new baby courtesy of DOE Secretary Angelo Reyes.  Secretary Reyes appointed his most trusted and able man, his undersecretary — Mr. Ramon Santos, as the Executive Director of NBB.
Former Presidential Management Staff Secretary Renato S. Velasco, now chair of Philippine National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC), staunch adviser and unfaltering friend of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, stands as Godfather to NBB. He took the first step and moved his magic wand in convincing all the members of this board to convene.  He has taken an active role in pursuing the creation of the National Biofuels Board.  Secretary Velasco is so enamored and driven by passion to make biofuels a success and as a model biofuels program — in Asia. As well as to attain the President’s vision of making Philippines 60% energy independent from traditional fuel by 2010. 
The NBB Executive Director
The current head of NBB is Mr. Ramon Santos, as its Executive Director.  Mr. Santos is also concurrently an Undersecretary at the Department of Energy (DOE).  DOE has been identified to lead and have supervision over the National Biofuels Board.  Having two hats to wear and without any confusion, Usec Ramon Santos should not have a problem running this new agency –  he can even cut the chase of the so called going through the bureaucracy — IF he has the right people to work for him double time to rescue us in this dreadful situation. 
NBB’s first meeting
The first meeting of the National Biofuels Board was held at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City last May 2008.  Those who attended the meeting were:
Ø  Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri
Ø  Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap,
Ø  DA Undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat,
Ø  Sugar Regulatory Commission (SRA) Administrator Rafael Coscuella,
Ø  PAFC Chair Renato Velasco,
Ø  and a team of experts from the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) headed by Dean of Economics and Management, Dean Cabanilla. 
The UPLB experts were sent by UPLB Chancellor Rey Velasco, also a leading supporter of Biofuels program.
The first road map was discussed and outlined.  As well as the establishment of guidelines/safeguards to protect the food security program and to ensure the ample supply of food to the people through the following:
v  First, banning biofuels feedstock planting in all irrigated and highly productive arable lands.
v  Second, limiting the production of bioethanol gasoline replacement to sugar producing districts, i.e. utilizing only the excess production of sugar on which is almost 300,000 tons that will roughly translate to 400 million liters of bioethanol. 
v  Third, utilizing the almost 4M hectares of idle cogonal denuded mountain land to plant jatropha or malunggay to solve the biodiesel needs since the lands are not suitable for rice and corn due to the marginal sloping nature of the land.
2^nd meeting at the DOE
The second meeting was chaired by the DOE Secretary Angelo Reyes.  Picking up from the first meeting chaired by Senator Zubiri, Secretary Reyes instructed the NBB secretariat to go on full speed with implementation of the Biofuels Law.
The DOE, aside from recommending energy conservation i.e. shifting to compact fluorescent lamps and the use of alternative fuels to our engines, has also proposed to revive the National Government Energy Management Program.
Roadmap of Biofuels Development Master Plan
NBB Executive Director and DOE Undersecretary Ramon Santos stressed that “amidst food crisis issues, the Biofuel Development Master Plan will ensure that food security will be given primordial attention – Philippines is abundant in biofuel crops and its sustainable production which will not affect food production and food security”.
The National Biofuel Board (NBB) is now preparing the Philippines Biofuel Development Master plan as a roadmap for strategic development and production of biofuel crops towards energy self sufficiency, agribusiness development and creation of wealth in the countryside.
NBB sought the expertise of the South East Asian Research Center in Agriculture (SEARCA) for the conduct of Assessment and Preparation of Philippines Biofuel Development Master plan. SEARCA, a Philippine based regional inter-government body, is also coordinating technical assistance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in conducting Biofuel Country Assessments of Lao PDR, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and China.
So what is the program of NBB then?
The National Biofuels Board under the law states that it should have the following functions:
ü  Monitor the National Biofuels Program (NBP) prepared by the Department of Energy (DOE);
ü  Monitor the supply and utilization of Biofuels and biofuel-blends and recommend measures in cases of shortage of feedstock supply for approval of the DOE Secretary;
ü  Determine the availability of locally sourced Biofuels and recommend to DOE the appropriate level or percentage of locally sourced Biofuels to the annual volume of gasoline and diesel sold and distributed in the country;
ü  Review and recommend to DOE the adjustment in the minimum mandated biofuel blends subject to the availability of locally sourced biofuels;
ü  Recommend to DOE program that will ensure the availability of the alternative fuel technology for vehicles, engine and parts in consonance with the mandated minimum biofuel-blends;
ü  Recommend to DOE the use of biofuels in air transport taking into account the safety and technical viability and craft specific actions to be executed by the DOE and other appropriate government agencies concerning the implementation of the NBP, including its economic, technical, environment, and social impact.
Policy Declaration
Section 2 is the Declaration of Policy that the State is to reduce dependence on imported fuels with due regard to the protection of public health, the environment and natural ecosystem consistent with the country’s sustainable economic growth that would expand opportunities for livelihood mandating the use of biofuels as a measure to:
§  Develop and utilize indigenous renewable and sustainably-sourced clean energy sources to reduce independence on imported oil;
§  Mitigate toxic and green house gas emission;
§  Increase rural employment and income; and
§  Ensure the availability of alternative and renewable clean energy without detriment to the natural ecosystem, biodiversity and food reserves of the country.
In the Biofuels Law of 2006, Section 8:  Creation and Organization of the National Biofuels Board:
Department of Energy: Chairperson
DOE is the lead department and shall work/coordinate with the different departments and agencies pursuant to section 7 of the Act.
Department of Finance
The DOF shall monitor the production and importation of biofuels through the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC)
Department of Trade
DTI shall formulate and implement, in coordination with DOTC and DENR, a national motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program as a measure to substantially to reduce emission from the motor vehicles pursuant to Art 4, Section 21(d) of RA 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.
Department of Agriculture
DA has to work/coordinate with DOST in identifying and developing viable feedstock for the production of biofuels.  Other function is to develop a national program for the production of crops use as feedstock supply.  DA has to ensure increased productivity and sustainable supply of biofuels feedstock and shall institute program that would guarantee that a sufficient and reliable supply of feedstock is allocated for biofuels production.
Department of Labor and Employment
DOLE shall promote gainful livelihood opportunities and facilitate productive employment through effective employment service and regulation.  Tariff Commission shall create and classify a tariff line for biofuels and biofuels-blends in consideration of World Trade Organization and Asean Free Trade Agreements
Department of Science and Technology
DOST shall work/coordinate with DA in identifying and developing viable feedstock for the production of biofuels.  Through the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD), shall develop and implement a research and development program supporting a sustainable improvement in biofuel production and utilization technology.
Sugar Regulatory Administration
SRA shall at all times ensure that the supply of sugar is sufficient to meet the domestic demand and that the price of sugar is stable and to develop and implement policies supporting the national biofuels program (NBP).
Philippine Coconut Authority
PCA shall develop and adapt a general program of development for the coconut and other palm oil industry in support of the NBP.
The law further states that a cooperative effort among the various government agencies are needed to ensure the effective implementation of the National Biofuels Program (NBP). 
After assessing the prospects for biofuel of each crop, priorities will be set in terms of non-interference to food security, land use, global competitiveness, employment generation and wealth creation for farm smallholders.  The Local Government Units (LGUs) shall assist the DOE in monitoring the distribution sale in use of biofuels and biofuel-blends.
PGMA’s legacy
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s government has included a P90M budget for the staffing and operations of this new agency, the NBB.  With such an enormous budget, the NBB is expected to effectively perform its tasks to ensure the successful implementation of the Biofuels Law.
President GMA may be unpopular to the people especially the masa and in the ratings but she will soon be remembered in history as the woman president who brought us – Biofuels!