The Philippine Magazine Volume I (Issue No. 4) March 31, 1969

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Title: The Philippine Magazine Volume I (Issue No. 4) March 31, 1969
Issue Date: Volume I (Issue No. 4) March 31, 1969
Year: 1969
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extracted text: THE IN THE MIDDLE By MARIO PATRICIO M ORE orthodox than the Vatican" is a typical and often-heard estimate of Catholicism in the Philir,pines. The description is probably false or merely ironic, but it is certainly characteristic of its conservation that the local Catholic heirarchy should look at this charge as though it were a badge of virtue, and the Filipino Catholic as though it were just a matter of course. Even so, Filipino Catholicism has not remained exactly untouched by the wave of renewal that has possessed the Roman Catholic Church ever since the ascendancv of Pope John XXIII. As would Catholicism as a whole has been drawn into the arena of modern life (confronting not just questions of faith but those of politics, economics, society and individual freedom), there has gradually emerged within both the Catholic heirarchy and the laity a small and growing minority addressed to the questions of change and renewal. Their work may be mainly quiet and unobtrusiv.e, but there is no question that their outlook is closely allied to the new radicalism of many of the world's Catholics. By themselves, they have created a problem of synthesis - the synthesis of what is new and old within their Church. Monsignor Mariano Gaviola, secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops Conference, is neither an arch-conservative nor a radical. In outlook, age and style, he seems to embody in his person the present polarity of inclinations within the Church. On the one hand, he has often seemed to demand strict orthodoxy and obedience from his flock; on the other, he has identified himself with the social and other contemporary ccncerns of the new Catholic intellectuals. One might best describe him as a bridge between these outlooks. Sometime in late February, he made the front pages of newspapers in the course of giving testimony at a Congressional hearing on the proposal to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 years. At the hearing, he expressed misgivings saying that "18 year-old youths do not enjoy enough independence from the their parents and are not educated enough to participate actively in partisan politics." He observed, however, that the Catholic heirarchy might be inclined to favor the proposal. What was singularly interesting about this was not so much what he said, but his very presence in Congress. For it curtly reveals a new and real interest in public issues within the Church - something unheard of ever since anticlerical uproar defined the separate realms of the state and fh<! Church. When asked whether this, indeed, indicates a new tone in Church position, Bishop Gaviola says: "Ever since the 2nd Vatican Ecumenical C o u n c i l , the Church has taken a renewed sense of interest in secular matters. This is based on the view that man is not merely spiritual, that he has a definite :r.-ole to play in this world. "It is wrong to describe this change as the emergence of a New Church; it would be more accurate to see this as a renewal in the Church. In earlier centuries, the Church played a critical role in public issues, but there ensued after the 18th century a rigid separation of Church and State relations." One of the current projects of the Church which Monsignor Gaviola considers as evidence of its greater participation in society is a resettlement project being undertaken with the Marcos Administration in Rizal. The objective of the project is to resettle some 1,500 families wifh the govern.ment providing the land and the Catholic heirarchy covering the overhead expenses. It may be for this reason that the President had chosen Monsignor Ga viola to head the current observation of Social Action Year. At 46, the Bishop is decidely more than an able spokel'lman of the Catholic heirarchv. As a secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops conference, he has sought not only strict adherence to heirarchv decisions, but also Church institutions and the lavman, between the Church and the government. It may be around this kind of anproach, where the Catholic Church will find finally the enduring synthesis of its diverse interest and outlooks. PM 2 THE PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE / MARCH 31, 1969 PILI IS A NUT IS A DOT IN THE MAP PILI, March 16-The public schools interscholastic athletic meet which opened here today brought so many things to the parched province of Camarines Sur, including a little shower that wasn't good enough to wet the sports grounds. At opening ceremonies, the 7-hectare village was covered with dust from the dry earth and the sun was as bright as last summer's. But the scorching heat notwithstanding, eight regional athletic associations from all over the public schools in the country came trumpeting their colors and their chosen athletes. President Marcos and his charming First Lady, Imelda, had c:ome to lend prestige and importance to the sportsfest. Both have just been from the opening of a historical museum in Bulacan province the previous day and the prospect of another hectic day was nowhere near their faces. They were, in fact, smiling with satisfaction at the huge, huge crowd that milled in and out of the grounds and then stood to listen to a tired but inspired President. In Camarines Sur, where the men are hardy and the women pretty, even the unfinished sports village was something to boast about. The governor, Armando Cledera, once a politically unknown quantity before pulling a surprise victory over an old pro in local politics two years back, had said that the fact that the sports village was there was accomplishment enough. After eight months of work, his engineers and diggers had built with P900,000.00 a fair sized dome, tracks, a swimming pool, several ballparks, and a complex of grandstands that could seat near half-a-million spectators. On the whole, the hastily-built sports village seemed sufficiently bulldozed on opening day for the week-long competition. That t~e grass was not green at all was no longer of moment. The makeshift gates made of chicken wire, were not enough to keep out non-ticket holders. The lack of proper accommodations for the athletes and visiting school officials was overlooked in the contagious enthusiasm at opening day. But, as we said, the interscholastic meet had brought many things to Pili. The President had come bearing checks to help build the barrios of the province. The barrio captains and council men gave him a warm Bicol applause. He had also come with a bagful of checks to pay the salary differentials of public school teachers in the province, and the teachers applauded him for this, hard and long. In the evening, at a gridiron program by the local press and radio, the President spoke of a Bicol community booming with industries and industrial estates and linked with concrete highways to southern Tagalog and Manila, and the gridiron audience applauded sincerely; everybody forgot the skit that was to lampoon him. But not before the chief executive, in biting humor, had wondered aloud what the country would be like were the newsmakers to run the government and the politicians to perform the role of newspapermen. No one dared an answer. And, of course, the interscholastic meet had brought Pili something else. It put this town on the map. Not that the town is totally unknown. Obviously named after a popular Bicol fruit tree that bears the nut that is made into a delicacy, Pili had invariably been referred to as an airstrip to Naga City. Thus, a national map prepared by one of the leading oil companies in Manila, missed this town complet~ly, although a barrio called Palestina, a few kilometers away, is indicated on the map. But now Pili was more than just a town. Today, and for one whole week, it would be the melting pot of the entire nation. An unassuming town, Pili would have to play the role of a cataly the building of the new generation of Filipinos - healthy, fri competitive. achieving and, for the mo nt, law-abidipg. " said Secretary of Education 0. D. Corpu ho was among the taries at the meet's opening, "perhaps ·1 n ve be mis Philippine map again." ' THE PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE I MARCH 31, 1969 PrVlAIL Profitable partnership We appreciate the opportunity of co-partnership with The Philippine Magazine in the dessimination of news of local and national interest to readers in the southern Luzon provinces. This partnership certainly could boost our circulation along with The Philippine Magazine. Could you devote some pages for seJ.ected editorial comments or news briefs from other community newspapers carrying The Philippine Magazine? This feature of your publication could serve to call attention to pressing problems of the different communties in the country. SERVILLANO C. ABRIL, SB.T The Barangay San Pablo City Orchids for PM Orchids to your bold and enterprising venture. We look forward to working side by side with you in strengthening not only community journalism in this country but giving prestige to the craft as well. We wish you success and more power to you and your staffers. RODOLFO ~ GUMABONG The Philippine Observer lloilo City Elegant, Attractive We find The Philippine Magazine lay-out simple, elegant and attractive. The articles are concise and written in a language readily understood by the ordinary reader. ARMANDO CUNANAN Olongapo City PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE is published twice a month by The SPBA and sold as supplement lo provincial newspapers throughout the country. Address all aommunications, manuscripts and phofos to The Editor, PM, CCP Building, Magallanes Drive, lntramuros. Telephone 40-81-01. PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE assumes no res!)Onsibility for loss or damage to unsolicited contributions. Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editors of PM. Registered with the Bureau of Commerce 8 January 1969. Reproductions in part or in full allowed provided proper credits are given. Postal permit second class mail still pending. S. P. Bigay, editor & publisher / Nonilon P. So, business & circulation manager. 3 COVER STORY A T the Marikina Shoe Trade Fair, a foreign visitor had gon:e through most of the stores. He was about to leave the fair groundl'I when the display of J em Brothers and J emellee shoes caught his attention. He entered the store and examined the array of shoes for men, women and children made by the Sta. Ana & Sons Company, Inc. (SASCO). DOLLAR-EARNER A few days later, the same foreign visitor called at the SASCO factory on Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City. This visitor turned out to be the managing director of a company with home offices in the United States which specializes in the distribution of highquality shoes on a world-wide scale. Mr. Jose P. Sta. Ana, president of SASCO and acting president of the Marikina Shoe Marketing Corporation, gave the visitor a tour of the factory. Soon the Marikina shoemaker and the American shoe dealer became close business associates. This closeness is manifested in a news item that appeared in the December 15, 1968 issue of the Los Angeles Times which reported Jose P. Sta. Ana of the Philippines as having "concluded a $12 milion export contract with an American shoe dealer.'' BIGGEST EXPORT ORDER At this time of writing, the SASCO factories are in full gear to beat the deadline for its initial delivery next month of the biggest export order ever received by any single shoe manufacturer in the Philippines. If SASCO can fulfill its delivery commitments by the middle of this year, the Philippines shall have attained a formal breakthrough in the exnortation of quality shoes. BID FROM OTHER NATIONS Through an international pr motions system, samnles of SA'SCO shoes including the halves of 300 selected pairs have been displa:ved throu~hout the United States. HundrPds of color photographs of SASCO shoes have bf>en released to different shoes distributors all over the world. The resoonse to this promotional camoahrn from bi~-name shoe chains in the United States and in Europe has been encouraging. 4 SASCO project study being submitted to the Board of Investments. Shown from left: Jose P. Sta. Ana, president of SASCO; Dr. Antonio Ayala, governor of BOI; Director of Printing Manuel L. Agustin, SASCO consultant; G. Virata, chairman, board of governors ol BOI and Mariano P. Sta. Ana, vice-president of SASCO. DOLLAR IN YOUR HOE By A. R. NAVARRO The SASCO lines for export will be prominently stamped "Made in the Philippines" under the trademark Pepe Sta. Ana Originals and three other trade names being registered with the Philippine patent office. These brands will be contained in specially-designed iP.dividual boxes with PhiliPpine motif. Sta. Ana and Sons. Inc. has an application in the Board of Investments. When this is approved, SASCO's production will increase. The SASCO expansion scheme as presented to the B.0.I. calls for the investment of some U.S. $3 million or about Pll,550,000 to cover construction of a new company building and factory with a complete set of machinel'y and equioment including auxiliary machines. SASCO intends to establish the first integrated, ful1ymechanized shoe factory in the Philippines. For its financing and caoital ir.vestment resources, S A S C 0 bared its present assets of close to P'2 million and the standing off~ ers of several foreign financing institutions. Once this is realized, SASCO can produce approximately 4,032,000 pairs of shoes for men, women ,and children annually. Its present production capacity of 500 pairs a day is expected to increase to 14,000 pairs a day. Until our leather industry can improve its products to meet international quality standards, SASCO and other shoe manufacturers will be forced to depend on foreign suppliers for their raw materials. Meanwhile, SASCO has passed on to local tannery officials the results of its research and experience in the use of leather materials so that they can improve the quality of local leather. SUCCESS OF SASCO The success of SASCO as a producer of quality shoes can be traced to the dedication and ima~ination of its founder, Francisco T. Sta. Ana, who established his first shoe shop at R. Hidalgo Street in Manila in 1914. The Sta. Ana brothers (Jose, Mariano and Francisco Jr.) who have carried on the tradition expressed faith in the administration. of President Marcos who has done a great deal to promote the ~rowth of the Philippine shoe industry and to help it make its bid in the international shoe market. Th!! shoe manufacturers of Marikina are among the most enthusiastic supporters of President Marcos's export drive. PM THE PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE I MARCH 31, 1969 FOR BARRIO CAPTAINS HOW TO GET AND TO CASH BARRIO AID CHECK As of last week, more than 15,600 barrios in 590 towns have received from President Marcos their share of P2,000 each from the PIOO-million Rural Improvement and Community Development Project. P ACD Secretary Ernesto Maceda and Assistant Executive Secretary Flores Bay·ot have requested The Philippine Magazi11e to publish the following guide for barrio captains regarding the P2,000 FM checks: STEP ONE: Know what your barrio needs most in the following areas of development: roads and bridges, waterworks, communications, health and sanitation, and food production. STEP TWO: Sit down with the barrio council and determine priorities of development - doing first things first. officer that the P2,000 will be used for the approved project. STEP THREE: Prepare a program of work including a bill of materials. Consult with government technical agencies or P ACD representatives in your area. STEP SIX: As an alternate step, the barrio treasurer may deposit the check with the PNB branch in the province or with the provincial or city development officer as a trust account. STEP SEVEN: Disburse the amount according to the approved budget and upon resolution of the barrio council, following applicable auditing-accounting rules. STEP FOUR: Upon approval of your program, you will receive your P2,000 check personally from President Marcos. STEP FIVE: As custodian of barrio funds, the barrio treasurer (duly bonded) may encash the P2,000 check. He must have with him a written certification from the assistant provincial development Remember to keep a record of your disbursement. TWO OF A KIND If you have any question, ask a PACD representative or write The Philippine Magazine; we shall be happy to find the answer for you. Pl\JI Philippine politiC81 year begins Can Marcos Beat the Reelection Jinx? By Lorenzo J. Cna .......... 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"_,. ~ ...,,_ ....,,_.. .. ..,._,., ..... -------~-............ .... . .. ~..,. .... . .........,,._..._ __ __ ..... ............. "'""" ... By a very happy coincidence, The Philippine Magcmne, which has been patterned and conceived along the concepts of The Asia Magazine, have in the space of four weeks (P.M. Feb. 15) came out with identical prog-' nostications (see above) on Philippine political development beamed to the forthcoming presidential elections in November. Both maqazines have essqyecl realistic appraisal of the local situation and asked "Can Marcos Break the Reelection lime?" As we go to press with this issue, the Liberal Party was enmeshed in an· expensive 5day-long survey (the LP hierarchy calls it a consensus) to find the man likely to tangle with Marcos. Our guess is that it will be the tycoon from Cebu: Sergio Osmeiia, Jr. Right photo, A.M. Mar. 9. THE PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE I MARCH 31, 1969 5 National Solidarity Through Social Action THE Filipinos have long suffered under a social order which has yet to shed its colonial past, and emerge from the repressive pressures of vested interests. Thus in recognition of this Social disparity, President Marcos declared the period from May 1, 1968 to April 30, 1969 as "Social Action Year." ' Chairmanned jointly by Labor Secretary Blas F. Opie and Bishop Mariano G. Gaviola, "Social Action Year" offers the country a new appreciation of the Filipino common man and a greater reevaluation of his needs. The involvement of citizens, including special sectors like the different Christian Churches and the business community, in response to President Marcos's challenge to participate creatively in the task of nation-building is. of course, the focal point in the observance of social action year. The partnership with the Churches heralded what the !'resident had earlier called the "new ecumenism" in this country. For centuries, the Church and the State have existed in a state of mutual distrust. Today, however, the Church has steadily shown a growing enthusiasm for combatting the threats of economic underdevelopment and disorder, and has opted for cooperation with the government, arising from the realization that the material needs of man need not be irreconcilable with the needs of the spirit. Today, the Church is getting more and more involved in the development process. There are no less than 2,000 projects being undertaken by bishops, priests and ministers of religious orders. More than 500 Church-sponsored credit unions are in operation. There are farmers' associations, piggeries, poultries and youth centers', housing projects have been set up in Cotabato, Sorsogon, Manila and Lipa. Irrigation projects have been carried out in Cotabato and Infanta. The Church is also helping in problems of land tenure in Davao and Tagum, Surigao, Iligan, Cotabato. N egros Occidental, Antique and in Southern Cotabato. More than 10,000 volunteer work programs have been undertaken with the help of Catholic Relief Services such as the construction of air strips, bridges, feeder roads, school buildings, and clinics. Meanwhile, the Philippine Protestant Church, in the first seven President Marcos signs proclamation declaring the period May l, 1968 to April 30, 1969 "National Social and Economic Development year." Among those who witness signing are Labor Secretary Blas P. Ople and Bishop Mariano Gaviola. months of the social action year, completed 133 community development projects on a self-help basis in forty-five provinces. Earlier, from July 1, 1967 to June 30, 1968. it distributed more than seven million pesos worth of food, used clothing, hospital supplies and equipment, agricultural equipment and machinery for community projects. It is also operating twenty-two general hospitals and fifty-six clinics with a total bed capacity of over 2,000, treating more th a million patients annually, The Iglesia Ni Kristo, on the other hand, has launched a comm unity development program in Nueva Ecija. The Philippine Independent Church and the Episcopalian Church are jointly initiating an urban renewal program in pilot areas, while the Muslims are similarly launching development projects of their own. Thus, we see today members of religious organizations working in close harmony with government in various phases of development. All these activities are generating- national change, a change for progress - a result of which the forging of national solidarity and fraternity in social action is now a realizable dream. PIVI 6 THE PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE / MARCH 31. 1969 <Conclusion) The main principle which governs the Board of Investments' selection of the areas of economic activity that will be declared preferred areas of investment, rests on the concept of industrialization discussed earlier. The main approach is to- harness the healthy interplay of the raw material producing sector and the sector that processes these raw materials. Using this principle as springboard for its economic plans the Board of Investments has given emphasis on an agro-industrial type of development based oa indigenous raw materials, whose processed and manufactured goods are better earners of foreign exchange in the export market than the traditional products. Of the 93 industries, for instance, that were proposed to be declared as pref erred areas of investment in 1969, 59 are major users of indigenous raw materials. Examples of these industries are: corn and its related industries, wood industries, livestock production, processing of marine products, food processing, etc. The very fact that these industries will be using extensively indigenous raw materials means an upward thrust on the incomes of the provinces where the raw materials usually come from. Furthermore, since these industries are raw material oriented they can be expected to locate their operaTHE B.0.1. AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT By G. AVILA where the agro-industries will establish their operations will now have a better chance of getting employed. The magnitude of this emphasis on agro-industries may be appreciated more if we look at the estimated labor generation in these industries as compared to those expected to be generated in other areas. Table 2 Estimated Employment Generation of the Second IPP (For three years, 1970-72) Agro-industries 177,000 Mining & Mineral proceesing Manufacturing Others 18,000 41,000 36,000 T o t a 1 ........................ 272,000 If we consider that the mineral processing industries, like the agro-industries, must also be located near the sources of raw materials, then the impact on employment opportunities in the provinces becomes even greater. The extent of the actual labor Table 1 Some Approved Projects To be Located In The Provinces Firm Industry M & S Company Plaridel Lumber Co. Paper Industries Corp. Plywood manufacturing Plywood manufacturing Newsprint, Liner board Location Cotabato Cotabato Surigao del Sur of the Phil. Resins, Inc. Methanol F. C. Ordoveza, Inc. Peroxide Philippines International Chemical Grain Dryers Hydrogen Peroxide Ammonium Chloride Misamis Oriental Laguna Bulacan Bulacan Industries Inc. tions near the sources of raw materials in the provinces. The physical presence of processing operations in the provinces will surely bring about still another benefit, i.e., increased employment opportunity in these areas. It is reasonable to expect that the manpower formerly unemployed or underemployed and who are available near the areas generation, however, will depend on how much of the measured capacities have been filled up. Since one of the criteria used in the selection of preferred areas of investment is the extent of the forward and backward linkages of the industries, the establishment of preferred agro-industries and mineral processing industries in the provinces can be expected to THE PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE / MARCH 31, 1969 spawn a host of other intermediate industries. In the Priorities proposed for 1969 for example, the industries that have high linkage effects are integrated pulp and paper, wood processing, coconut oil, integrated ramie, copper smelting, steel, ferro-alloys, aluminum smelting, coal, and many others. Small scale industries that can supply specialized inputs to operation of these industries will become viable if they locate close to these new markets. The small tool industry is a good example of an industry that may be established owing to the emergence of these new markets. In a country which has minerals and trained manpower in sufficient supply, the adequacy of the infrastructure facilities to support the establishment of industrial projects is essential in order to form a viable base for industrialization. Recognizing this necessity the Board of Investments has recommended specific infrastructure projects that should be undertaken in various provinces to make the dispersal of these industries feasible. The recommended infrastructure projects cover the entire country. Among others, it includes the building of 32 kilometers of additional highways, 1 river control project, portworks, more than 300 irrigation systems, improvement of airports, etc. Should these projects be completed they can lead to other economic benefits for the areas where they are built. One thing that is sure to happen is that there will be increased volume of inter-island trade as it will now be possible to transport products to otherwise unaccessible areas. Increased trade will in turn increase the incomes of the people in the provinces and will, therefore, enable them to enjoy more of the fruits of balanced geographical economic progress. The domestic market for the products of not only of agro-industries but also all the other industries will, therefore, become wider as the purchasing power of the rural population increase. Rv1 7 By A. R. NAVARRO C 0 N S T A N T exposurP. to people and events fills a cartoonist's mental reservoir with fresh ideas. The idea is the soul of the cartoon and how a cartoonist puts this idea across makes all the difference. When I sit at my drawing board, I imagine myself creating for a major art contest and when I sign the final stroke - GAT - that work becomes my best and I take pride in it." This is the key to successful cartooning as described by Liborio T. "GAT" Gatbonton, editorial cartoonist and art director of the Manila Chronicle. WHAT HAS "GAT" GOT To prove his point, Gat h-as won the following: 1) Seven-time first prize winner of the ST ANV AC (later ESSO-NPC) Journalism Award for editorial cartooning, 2) First Filipino winner in an international cartooning contest, 3) Participated in several international exhibition of cartoons, 4) Chosen Art Director of 1966 bv the Art Directors Club of the Philippines and ADCP's awardee for 1963-64, 5) SPIC-NPC awardee for 1964-65 and MOPC-SPIC 8 Cartoons and Characters GAT awardee for 1960, 6) First prize winner in the Art Association of the Philippines' exhibition in the art of cartooning. He has also been a university professor for the past 10 years and he has published two books of car.toons titled "Jappy Days" and "Chroniclaff Parade." CARTOONS FOR PEACE Gat's winning entry in the "Cartoons For Peace" international contest was considered a standout by a panel of judges composed of, among others, President Eisenhower as honorary chairman, John F. Kennedy, Gardner Cowles of Look, William Randolph Hearst. .Tr., Hubert H. Humphrev, and Norman Rockwell. In this contest, Gat won a silver medallion and a cash award. Some of Gat's cartoons are also included in a collection called "Verdicts on Vietnam" which was publishe<l in London rece'ltly. CREATOR OF HENRY For their daily dose of laughs, Chronicle readers used to turn to "Henr:v" (see illustrations). Selections from Gat's "Henry" series were featured in a brochure published by the Diners Club International. Gat is also the first Filipino to prick the balloon (a device used by cartoonists to denote speech or dialogue) and to introduce the one-line caption. E. Aguilar Cruz writes, "It was L. T. "GAT" Gatbonton who drew the first such cartoon by a Filipino for the Tribune in the 30's." Generally conceded as the country's leading caricaturist, Gat has caricatured practically every leading personality in the country and international figures includin~ Richard Nixon, Joe Louis, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Marlon Brando, Benny Goodman, Xavier Cugat, Tyrone Power and Nikita Khrushchev, Charles de Gaulle, Ike Eisenhower and Pablo Picasso. Born in Candaba, Pampan~a. Gat left school at 17 to help his widowed mother send his younger brothers and sisters to school. And to help the boys and girls of his town, he worked for the construction of two barrio schools in Candaba. Gat has also lent his talents to the fund-raising drives of charitahle or~anizations such ~s the Red Cross and the Blood Bank. Gat is married to the former PACITA PARCON. He has four kids, two boys and two girls. ™ THE PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE / MARCH 31, 1969 M OVIEGOERS are fickle and no one knows this better, or feels this more intensely, than the fallen object of their idolatry. It takes a little word, a chance happening to catapult one into the big-time; it takes also verv little to lose all of it. The career of Maggie de la Riva seems almost a perfect example of this kind of rise and fall. Overnight, she became a star - on the basis of a personal act of courage and with the dubious hel1J of journalists, for news and sensation. Overnight, she seems to have spent it all on two or three pictures, and she wa8 anonymous again. She appeared briefly, after her flash-in-the-pan in films, in a stage production of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Cast in the role of Maggie the Cat, she was attractive, sexy. even moving in her performance, but it was bad production and theate1· in an.'· case is no life for a working- girl. What theater audienees (who do not see Filipino films) hooed to see again in a bette1· production with a better director disaopea1·ed from the theater - apparently forever. Where is she now? If you are the sort who drive along Dewey Boulenlrd at night, you must have seen this huge billboard on the facade of a nightclub of a girl in sequined dress. It is she, as the lights loudly proclaim. Nightly, she sings there - at the D'Wave nightclub - and the pleasure-seekers seem to love her llo her things. Go back to the movies? Perhaps, but not to stay. Singing? It's a living. Rv1 THE PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE MARCH 31, 1969 9 tips for the homemaker Buy vegetables by the kilo. Choose the pieces carefully. When you buy a kilo of onions get them in assorted sizes, a few large ones and many small ones. When you use only half of an onion the unused half often goes to waste. • • • Test the freshness of eggs with the "sink or swim test." Place the egg in a pan of cold water. A fresh egg will lie nearly ftat at the bottom. If the egg stands at an angle, it is about three to four days old. If it ftoats, it is rotten. • • • Keep salt dry by putting about half a teaspoonful of rice in the container. • • • Cubes of ice instead of plain tap water harden the gelatin faster. • :;.: Keep your corn on the cob fresh and juicy by cutting the end of the cob and letting it stand on a pan of water. Keep corn husks on. • • * Never make the mistake of pouring hot water on dishes when washing them. Put the hot water in a basin with soap suds, before putting the dirty dishes in. PM 10 The New North Harbor "A MIRACLE IN 20 YEARS" T UGBO.f\TS blew their whistles; ships sounded their foghorns as the Manila North Harbor celebrated its 32nd year of existence. No less than President Marcos himself was the guest of honor, and he came with compliments for the builders of the port and also with stern warning for those who have made North Harbor notorious as a thugs' paradise, or, to change the metaphor, a gate of hell particularly for provincianos coming to th~ cih· for the first time. North Harbor virtually grew out of marshland west of Tondo. The early traders plied their commerce at the mouth of the Pasig River in what was known in PreSpanish days as Daungang Hilaga, made famous by Rajah Lakanclula, Soliman and others. During the Commonwealth, interisland shipping was generally confined at the Pasig but the more luxurious passenger vessels like "SS Mavon" and "SS Corregidor" used the facilities of Pier 3 at the South Harbor. Work on the present site of Barrio Bangkusay began on March 7, 1937; four piers, 2, 4, 6, and 8, were completed until the outbreak of the war. The warehouse was destroyed but otherwise the port structures remained intact to be used by the U.S. army with the liberation of Manila. The rebuilding of North Harbor when it was finally turned over to the Philippine government was a difficult one. The whole North Harbor was a mess; it was dirty, unS'afe, run-down. Efforts were made to improve the facilities but somehow North Harbor developed a notoriety that somehow linO'PTS on today. With the change of administration in 1966 North Harbor saw new life, and in the words of Manila columnist Teodoro F. Valencia, "what has been done in the North Harbor is a miracle of 20 vears." Besides new facilities there is better cooperation between Harbor authorities and shipping companies in certain areas of port improvement. President Marcos paid tribute to the builders of the new North Harbor which now has six operational piers, one is being paved, and another is still being built. Actually it was under the administration's infrastructure program that North Harbor has developed into a modern, multi-million pier complex. President Marcos was gracious in giving awards & citations during the March 7, 1969 celebration to both Harbor personnel, shipping companies and some of theii· officers. At the same time the President saw to it that the audience did not forget that North Harbor still has a reputation it need not deserve. He said : "The Manila North Harbor is the gateway to the cit~· as far as manv of our colmtr:vmen are concerned. Many people from all over the islands come to Manila by ships that dock in these piers. To them Manila is a kind of promised land, and they come with all kinds of hopes and expectations." Marcos said he was "distressed to know that many of them, uninitiated in the ways of the city . have been victimized by thieYe,.; and criminals some of whom are involved in the services of loading and unloading, in transportation from the piers to city destinations of these hapless passengers." "This situation must be changed," the President said. He called upon the authorities of North Harbor to see to it that every passenger and every cargo is safe. He also called upon the shipping companies to follow rigidly all regulations for the protection and 8afety of passengers. Supported by the Manila press in this regard, the President may well have begun clean-up drive. in his words, "to restore to interisland travel the glamor and the pleasantness it used to have." Av1 THE PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE I MARCH 31, 1969 EMPLOYEES SUSPENDED Twenty-five postal employees were recommended suspended by Postmaster General Enrico Palomar for alleged smuggling and other acts of dishonesty. Palomar said he has the confidential testimonies of certain I employees who have direct knowledge of the activities of a - those being charged. The Postmaster Gen----- / eral also announced the relief of seven regular employees and the separation of 17 casual workers. SOCIAL ACTION Eight religious denominations in the country are set to launch a massive social action drive, according to a report of the Church World Service of the Philippines, a division of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines. The drive, which will emphasize on economic and community develOpment, aims to undertake a minimum of 250 projects. These will include food distribution to rural areas, building of irrigation systems. school houses and centers, construction and repair of roads, vocational education, maternal-child welfare, feeding and nutrition program. FLOATING MUSEUM "Kasaysayan," a floating museum of Philippine history has been launched by the Historical Commission. On the ship "RPS PILIPINAS," "Kasaysayan" will call on several ports of the country where lectures on various aspects of Philippine history will be given by prominent historians. Historical books, principally Rizal's works, will be sold at popular prices. Important public documents, pamphlets, and other publications will be given away as gifts and souvenirs to visitors. MARCOS SURE OF RE-ELECTION President Marcos is sure of being re-elected in the elections next November. Basing his claim on the result of a recent survey, he said his national popularity is still running strong everywhere. Even in Manila, a traditional oppositionist area to incumbent presidents, he said he is rated as a 2-1 favorite. Marcos also revealed that in other provinces outside of his political homebase in the nocos region, he is favored with a 6-1 lead over his closest expected opponent. BARRIO FUND LEGAZPI CITY, March 25, P ACD Secretary of Community Development Ernesto M. Maceda announced the other day that checks of P2,000 per barrio under the PlOO Million Rural Development Fund are to be released soon. All eligible barrios will receive their share of P2,000 without consideration of political affiliation. All checks are covered by adequate funds. The P ACD chief al3o said that the release of P2,000 checks cannot be made simultaneously to all barrios throughout the country because of the time required in proceesing, complying with auditing rules and regulations and necessity of fiscal programming. VILLAREAL HITS OSME~A Former Speaker Cornelio Villareal recently asked Liberal leaders to "condemn the malicious conduct" of Senator Sergio Osmeiia, Jr. in the current presidential nomination c amp a i g n. Villareal raked up charges previously aired by President Osmefta against his then congressman son to bolster his (Villareal) charge of young Osmefta's "dispicable behaviour" in the present LP fight. THE PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE / MARCH 31, 1969 HIKED COCONUT EXPORT Coconut production this year is estimated to hit 1.55 to J .575 million ton mark in copra terms, according to a report from the United Coconut Association of the Philippines. This is expected to generate an increase of about $20.24 million over last year's total foreign exchange earnings of the industry which amounted to $253,033,339.60. OIL REFINERY FOR RP The National Economic Council is set to approve the setting up of a petroleum refinery by a Filipino-owned corporation to put an end to the monopoly of alien oil firms on the national economy, according to H o u s e Assistant Majority Leader RO-: g a c i a n o Mercado who is also a member of the NEC. The NEC decision is interpreted by some quarters as a punitive action on the foreign oil firms in the country who have decided to increase the prices of premium gasoline and other petroleum products. AGUINALDO CENTENNIAL The lOOth birth anniversary of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the Repu_plic's first president, was marked last March 22. Led by the Aguinaldo National Centennial Commission, the center of the nationwide celebration was in Kawit, Cavite, birth place of the late president. President Marcos had earlier signed into law declaring the period January 1 to December 31, 1969, as the "Gen. E m i 1 i o Aguinaldo Centennial Year." ICE FOR FISHERMEN Another ice plant that will exclusively supply ice to fishermen has started full operation in Barugo, Leyte. The Pl00,000 plant is the fifth in a nationwide program of providing cheap ice to fishermen. The plant in Barugo will produce 10 tons daily and will supply fishermen operating in Visayas Sea, San Pedro Bay, Biliran Island, Carigara Bay, Samar Sea, Leyte Gulf, Carnotes Sea, and other fishing grounds in Eastern Visayas. 11