By Hrvoje Hranjski
Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines–A Filipino nationalist at the forefront of struggle for democracy during and after Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship, and a South Korean minister who dedicated his life to curing blindness are among the winners of the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize, organizers said Tuesday.

Jovito R. Salonga, 87, won the award for government service for tirelessly fighting for the rule of law, honest and competent government and showing compassion for the poor — democratic and social ideals that were not always easy to find in the Philippines under Marcos.

A law graduate and senator, he was crippled by a bomb blast at a political rally in 1971, a year before Marcos declared martial law. He fought Marcos’ iron-fisted rule by defending the president’s opponents and working for the release of political prisoners. He was briefly jailed in 1980 and spent four years in US exile.

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By Michael Tan
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–Is there any scientific basis for the belief that mushrooms emerge after thunderstorms? What about the belief that planting fruit crops at early dawn increases the chances for larger fruits?

A book published back in 1998 by the University of the Philippines (UP) Institute for Science and Mathematics Development (now Nismed, the “N” for “National”) reviews the empirical basis for such beliefs and practices from agriculture, fishing, food and nutrition and medicine. I’ll get back to the mushrooms and planting in a while, but let me first talk about the book’s focus, captured in its title: “Philippine Folk Science: A Sourcebook for Teachers.”

I bought the book many years back and remembered it recently while preparing a paper for a conference organized by the International Organization for Science and Technology Education (IOSTE). Appropriately, UP Nismed hosted the conference, which had sustainable development as its theme. I was requested to deliver a paper on the relationship of culture to science education and sustainable development.

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By Maria Congee S. Gomez
Inquirer

ZAADERA “DIDA” Basmala, 45, juggles her time tending to a “carinderia” or small canteen) and weaving on the side.

A widow for the past 10 years, Dida is raising her five children with ages ranging from 11 to 22 by herself. Her dream is to see them complete their studies, so that, in her words, “they can have better jobs in the future.”

The carinderia has been a big help despite the competition. Like Dida, most of the women in Barangay Amilo, Dayawan, Lanao del Sur, have no other means to augment the family income except tend a carinderia and, in their free time, engage in loom weaving.

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By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–Sleep-deprived, Filipino-American filmmaker Ramona Diaz’s mind was swirling with all sorts of “compelling” images: African-American girls dancing and chanting “Pen-pen de Sarapen.” An American school principal and janitress swaying to “Pinoy Ako [I'm Filipino],” the theme of the ABS-CBN reality show “Pinoy Big Brother.” And her film’s Caucasian cinematographer insisting on changing his citizenship to Filipino.

Diaz, whose 2004 documentary “Imelda” won Best Cinematography in the Sundance Film Festival, was in the country for almost a month, to shoot scenes for her latest documentary “The Learning.”

From controversial First Lady Imelda Marcos, Diaz is now training her camera on a group of Filipina schoolteachers who have migrated to Baltimore, Maryland, to teach in inner-city schools.

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By Emman Cena
Inquirer

HE could have stayed in the United States where his family is or in the burning deserts of Saudi Arabia to rake in more money. But Mike Bolos opts to stay home and walk the road less-traveled.

“I’ve had enough overseas. Life’s comfort is obviously there but I’d like to get old here,” Mike Bolos tells the Inquirer in an interview.

Turning 53, Bolos obviously had enjoyed the prime of his life toiling 25 years as an accountant and chief financial officer in several companies in Saudi.

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By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net

UPDATE: Editor’s note: Added link to winners’ page. Thanks to reader Lynn for the link.

ACTRESS Cherry Pie Picache has won the Best Actress award for her role in the Philippine entry “Summer Heat” in the recent 28th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) held from June 20 to July 1, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced on July 10.

Citing the report of Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Virgilio Reyes Jr., the DFA said in a press statement that Picache was cited “for her sustained and controlled performance of the character of the gay sister, Jess, who despite her apparent cultivated masculine exterior betrays a softness which can hardly be seen but can be felt by all.”

The DFA said the DIFF was organized by the Centre for Creative Arts and funded by the National Film and Video Foundation, National Lottery Distribution Fund, Hivos, Stichting Doen, City of Durban, Ethekwini Municipality, KwaZuluNatal Department of Economic Development, with support from the Royal Netherlands Embassy, French Embassy, Goethe Institute, and other partners.

The DIFF presented a selection of the best in cinema from South Africa, Africa, and around the world; some 300 screenings at 22 venues were organized across the Durban district during the festival period.

By Tarra Quismundo
Inquirer

LEGAZPI CITY–Many of them have been away from the Philippines for several years and most have never even seen the majestic Mayon Volcano. But on a trip to the homeland they so missed, they are foregoing vacations and sightseeing to instead extend a helping hand to their countrymen in dire need.

This is what Filipino-Americans serving in the United States Navy are currently doing as part of a humanitarian mission called Pacific Partnership.

The four-month mission is carried out by 1,000 American sailors aboard the USS Peleliu, which is currently anchored in the Philippine Sea off Albay.

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By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net

I BELIEVE Beatriz Saw emerged the big winner because of overseas Filipino workers around the world and their families throughout the country.

Despite having an absent dad, an OFW in Taiwan, Bea seems to have grown into a good person — something the eight million OFWs all desperately hope for their own children even in their absence.

Of course, she could have been just the lucky girl who scored from Wendy Valdez’s negative vibes.

By Kit Bagaipo
Visayas Bureau

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines–The tricycle driver who returned $17,000 left by a female passenger continues to reap rewards for his honesty from people and organizations here.

A business organization and Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim expressed appreciation to Iluminado Boc.

On June 23, Boc found the money, left in the passenger’s seat of his tricycle, sparking an outpouring of tribute.

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