Bright prospects for Kalinga geothermal project

TAUBK CITY, Kalinga, February 18 – Investors of a geothermal project covering three towns in upper Kalinga initially predicted bright prospects for the putting up of a renewable energy plant to help address the shortage of power in the Luzon grid as well as spur the development of rural areas.

Based on studies conducted by the Department of Energy (DOE) which is now being validated by the investors, the towns of Pasil, Tinglayan and some parts of Lubbuagan are capable of producing more or less 80 megawatts of geothermal power which could add up to the energy supply of the Luzon grid now slowly being overtaken by the rapidly growing demand.

Mitch Stark, project manager of the Kalinga geothermal project of Chevron Philippines, said validation work is now underway for the initial findings on the presence of sufficient supply of steam capable of producing geothermal power in the future. Read more, ZZW

‘Domog’ done in Kalinga astrodome rites

Tabuk, Kalinga - A ritual to drive away evil spirits was performed during the inauguration of the provincial astrodome in Tabuk, Kalinga on February 13, the opening day of the 16th Kalinga Foundation day.

The ‘domog’ is one of the ‘must-do’ rituals done in Kalinga. This is conducted before a family occupies a newly built house or a public structure is opened for public use to drive away or appease spirits who are believed to have dwelt in it during its construction stage.

An animal is usually sacrificed and blood is spilled on the four corners or pillars of the structure to appease the spirits.

Families who have more in life butcher carabaos, cow or pig with an indigenous spiritual leader doing the ritual. A celebration follows afterwards.

Old folks say that if the ‘domog’ is not performed, the spirits inflict harm or cause sickness on the members of the family. Or the spirits disturbs the tranquility of the home to the extent of demanding the family to perform other rituals.

In the case of the astrodome ‘domog’, a chicken was sacrificed. Elder Gummuwang of the Dacalan tribe interpreted the bile of the sacrificial animal to mean that the astrodome was clean of evil spirits.

Columbus Sallidao of the Madokayong tribe then pronounced a pact with the spirits that the ‘domog’ is about to commence for them to see the authenticity of the ritual.

Jose Pangsiw also of the Madokayong tribe chanted the words of the ‘domog’ and in a language understood by the spirits simultaneous with the beating of the gongs and the spilling of the chicken blood.

A group of old women in Kalinga costume did the patching of ground rice on the walls of the gymnasium for the spirits to see proof that ‘domog’ was indeed performed. They also spoke to the spirits in chant telling that the ‘domog’ is complied and appealed for them to move out from the building and go to where they belong.

Likewise, chanting, the old women appealed to the spirits not to come back and give the benefit and opportunity for the house or building occupants to live freely in peace and health.

Rice cakes were distributed for everyone to partake of the successful driving of the spirits signaling the safety of the occupants and a fulfillment of the ‘domog’ that everything eaten in the structure is safe. **by Peter Balocnit, ZZW

Cordi leaders boost campaign for autonomy

TABUK, Kalinga – Autonomy will not diminish the powers, functions and benefits already being exercised and enjoyed by the Cordillera region and its local government units under the present administrative set-up.

Instead, autonomy will give the Cordillera greater control of its remaining resources. It will give the national government legal basis to provide greater development support to a naturally rich yet poverty-stricken mountain region, the resources of which were exploited at its expense for the sake of national development. Read more

Oddities

"The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

OFWs through the years had become one of the growth drivers of our economy, and they have even been regarded as modern heroes. Yet we have this government the past weeks that says there is still no need to evacuate our nationals from the Arab countries were struggles for freedom are on the spotlight. After the unprecedented events in Tunisia and Egypt, events that occurred swiftly almost without interval, it might have miscalculated how things are unfolding in these Arab countries ruled by despotic regimes. Now when it started to make move it seems a little too late.

Let's hope for the best though and Let us all pray that the Lord Almighty will spare them from harm's way. Amen.

Credit: Photo from Yahoo.

SC upholds 16 new cities

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC), in a 7-6 vote with two abstentions, has reversed itself anew as it declared constitutional the laws that converted 16 municipalities into cities.

With the ruling, the SC granted the motion for reconsideration filed by the 16 municipalities whose laws had earlier been declared unconstitutional.

Declared as valid and constitutional are Republic Act No. 9389 (Baybay City in Leyte), RA 9390 (Bogo City in Cebu), RA 9391 (Catbalogan City in Samar), RA 9392 (Tandag City in Surigao del Sur), RA 9393 (Lamitan City in Basilan), RA 9394 (Borongan City in Samar), RA 9398 (Tayabas City in Quezon), RA 9404 (Tabuk City in Kalinga), RA 9405 (Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur), RA 9407 (Batac City in Ilocos Norte), RA 9408 (Mati City in Davao Oriental), RA 9409 (Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental), RA 9434 (Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte), RA 9435 (El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental), RA 9436 (Carcar City in Cebu), and RA 9491 (Naga City in Cebu). Read more

'Egypt if free'

The rag tag groups of mobs, protesters if you will, won in Egypt. The unprecedented events in Tunisia and Egypt will set a precedence in the Arab countries, which are mostly ruled by authoritarian regimes. Mubarak has resigned. Egypt will not be the same again. The political landscape has changed. Much less the geopolitical landscape in the Arab region has changed, especially in relation to Israel and the U.S. Better watch what will happen in the coming years.

Credit: Photo is from http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20110211/capt.photo_1297454088729-14-0.jpg

NPA rebels kill soldier in Kalinga clash

KALINGA, Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed a government soldier in a gunbattle in Lubuangan town, Kalinga province, the military said Wednesday.

Troops from the Army’s 21st Infantry Batallion engaged the rebels in an hour-long firefight, according to areport from Col. Loreto Magundayao.

The battle occurred Tuesday afternoon in Sitio Daldalig, Barangay Tanglag, Lubuagan, Magundayao said.

The fatality was identified as Corporal Noel Palliso.

The military has yet to determine if the rebels suffered casualties.

Soldiers have launched pursuit operations against the fleeing NPA guerrillas.

16th Ullalalim Festival Schedules

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