By Saleh Ampaso Bucay  (26-Oct-2009)

Long long time ago, I had watched a movie entitled “AGUILA NG MAYNILA” with which the late FERNANDO POE JR. starred. In that movie there was a boy living with his blind grandfather. That boy earns money by selling some useable things he picks from the dumped waste materials at the Smokey Mountain. And I could still remember when he said to his grandfather prior to his death and I quote “Lo, Hangga’t may basura may pag-asa” (Grandpa as long as there is waste, there is a hope).

As human beings, it is by instinct that when we have problems we are depressed. When we failed to achieve something we get frustrated and discouraged. Sometimes, we feel as if it is the end of the World. However, brothers and sisters, if that poor boy in the movie did not lose his hope, how much more for a more fortunate fellow like you?

By Arab News  (25-Oct-09)
 
RIYADH: People awaiting their fate on death row in the Kingdom have a saying — waiting for death is worse than death itself.

A reporter from a Riyadh newspaper entered a local prison and spoke to a number of killers who are waiting either for their sentence of death by sword to be carried out, or the miracle of a pardon from their victims’ families.

The first prisoner the journalist met was a Saudi man in his cell reading the Qur’an and looking remorseful. He said he had murdered his neighbor.

“I had a nice neighbor living in front of my house. We met everyday on my way to and from work. We used to visit each other all the time. But he had bad children who abused my kids and beat them up all the time. I complained to him many times and he promised to do something about it.”

By Samira Gutoc , YMPN (16-Oct-2009) 

Why do kidnappers of  missionaries and priests serving the Southern islands take those who are SO OLD  they can barely keep up with the escaping criminals? The latest victim, Fr. Michael Sinnott of the Missionary Society of Saint Columban in Pagadian (held last Sunday) is close to 80 years of age and has had major heart surgery. Because of this , his fellow Irish people have been touched by his “courage and generosity” leading his Parliament opposition spokesperson to call for his release and have immediate access to the medical support that he requires (Star).
 
The HAJJ, Islamic pilgrimage season, is up as first flights to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are set on the last week of October .
 
We will stay. Fellow Columban priest Indonesian Pamungkas says the missionary work will continue. There are roughly 40 foreign and Filipino  missionaries in the South (Star).
 
Why call us (SULU) the backdoor? asks Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, who reminds of the entry of foreigners centuries back via SULU. Weren’t we kingdoms that ruled the South centuries back? He calls for more reportage of the positive development stories in his island.