MAHAPLAG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL - UPPERMahaplag, Leyte

A PROJECTIN

ENGLISH 8(Parts of a Newspaper)

3rd Prelims SY 2014-2015

Submitted To:

MS. NADIA SICOTeacher

Submitted By:

JESSI E. BERGADOStudent

EDITORIAL:

Pussyfooting on Edca

If the justices of the Supreme Court are minded to say that President Benigno Aquino shouldn’t have bypassed the Senate in signing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, they should come right out and say so. They owe us that candor. Otherwise, they should frankly uphold the Edca as a proper measure taken by Mr. Aquino as the country’s chief executive, commander in chief and principal voice in conducting our foreign relations, whether with our former colonizer, the United States, or the regional hegemon that is China.

But for the justices to say that the Edca opponents had merely chosen the “wrong forum,” that they should’ve presented their pleas to the sidestepped and presumably aggrieved senators rather than to the Supreme Court, they end up doing a Pontius Pilate on the Edca, and doing the Filipino people a disservice.

What the justices tried to do on Tuesday when it heard the Edca opponents would have been par for the course in the usual run of cases. It is called judicial avoidance, when unelected judges defer to the elected branches of government and leave them enough room to exercise discretion rather than straightjacket them with legal dogma.

But the battle lines had been drawn in the two petitions against the Edca, the first filed by the Bayan Muna party-list group and the second by former senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada. They invoked clear-cut constitutional requirements, especially two rules: that all foreign treaties must first be approved by two-thirds of the Senate, and that “foreign military bases, troops or facilities” may be allowed only through such a treaty signed by the Philippines and “recognized [likewise] as a treaty by the other contracting state.” They invoke the classic distinction between full-fledged treaties that require Senate approval as stated above, and “executive agreements” that merely implement existing laws or treaties and which the President can sign on his own without seeking prior Senate approval.

The Edca opponents remind us that the high court had long ago applied the more stringent “treaty” requirements on the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement even if the VFA deals merely with foreign troops and not actual foreign bases, and despite the fact that the United States did not sign it as a treaty but as a mere executive agreement.

On the other hand, the Edca merely implements our existing arrangements with America under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and the 1999 VFA, in which case the Edca is truly a proper executive agreement that did not require Senate approval.

It’s rather straightforward: Either the Edca is a valid executive agreement, in which case it should be upheld, or the Edca should have been presented to the Senate for ratification like the VFA, in which case it should be struck down as unconstitutional.

For the justices to suggest a middle ground, so to speak, bespeaks an attempt at prudence without supporting jurisprudence.

To start with, what would the high court order? A remand, and to whom? Perhaps to the President, but the high court itself has held that in foreign affairs matters, it had no power to compel the President to act! Perhaps to the Senate, but that would require first that they strike down the Edca as unconstitutional! That would be a resounding, though fleeting, victory for the Edca opponents, because none of the incumbent senators has signed either of the petitions presented to the high court. The signatures of Saguisag and Tañada may remind us of that glorious moment when we finally evicted the US military bases in 1992, but they also signal us that only two former senators and none of the incumbents join the cause today. If the Edca is later presented to the Senate, it would most probably pass muster.

Many Filipinos, including some on the bench today, have asked how “ironclad” indeed is the US commitment under the MDT. That is a legitimate question, but the real test is in the fighting rather than in the talking. The validity of the Edca should rise and fall not on the basis of speculation but on the basis of what it says on its face—that is, whether the Philippines thus commits itself to obligations compatible with our sovereignty and which the executive branch can carry out on its own without calling for legislation.

It is best to stick to the real justiciable issues presented to the Supreme Court today—namely, the constitutionality rather than the desirability of the Edca, and the real purpose of the hearings, which is to settle these issues rather than to save the President from embarrassment.

NEWS STORIES/ CURRENT NEWS:

Palace says Aquino gov’t desires speedy trial in massacre case

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Saturday assured families of the victims of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre it would not be a cause of any delay in the trial of the trial of the accused, but would work to “push the case forward.”

Palace spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Executive Department shared the families’ desire for a speedier trial and resolution of the case involving 58 victims, including 32 journalists and other media workers.

But Valte echoed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s statement that the case was complex since it involved 58 victims, 197 accused and 447 witnesses for both the prosecution and the defense.

“We’re one with your desire to speed up the pace of the case,’’ she said over government radio dzRB, addressing relatives of the victims who have been complaining of the slow process.

“You can hold on to the government’s commitment. We’re doing everything to prevent any delay in the case, and we will not be a source of delay,’’ she added.

Besides, President Benigno Aquino III, who met with them before and after he was elected President, was open to hearing their concerns, including security, Valte said.

“The President is open to granting any assistance, especially with regards to your security,’’ she said. She said they could relay their concerns to “point persons’’ assigned to deal with them.

The 58 people were waylaid on Nov. 23, 2009 allegedly by men of the then ruling Ampatuan clan in the town called Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. They were en route to file the certificate of candidacy of a municipal vice mayor who dared challenge the Ampatuans for the position of governor of Maguindanao, which the Ampatuans had ruled since the mid-1980s. They 58 were herded to a hilltop where they were shot dead and buried, along with the vehicles, in a massgrave excavated by a backhoe.

International media groups have twitted the government over the slow progress of the trial. De Lima responded by explaining that the case was complex, given the huge number of players involved, but otherwise the trial was moving.

“If you regard the overview of the case and know how many witnesses were presented, you’d know why it is taking a long time,’’ said De Lima, who vowed to meet with the families this Sunday.

Valte agreed with De Lima’s statement.“There are many complicated facets to the Maguindanao massacre case, as well as to the attendant attachments of witnesses that are under the witness protection program,’’ she said. The surfacing of witnesses that have yet to be admitted into the government’s witness protection program was another matter, she added. “But we assure you that the government is doing its best to push the interest of the state in this case,’’ she said. Responding to criticisms of the slow pace of the trial, Valte explained that the government prosecutes the case, but defers to the judiciary to try the case. “Again, the Executive Branch is not the only branch in play here, and we can assure you that our efforts have been concentrated on pushing the case forward,’’ she said.

Valte noted that the President has articulated his stand on proposals to compensate the families. “The assumption there is that the government gave its blessing to the crime, and that’s a different matter altogether. And I think the President was specifically clear on his position on that,’’ she said.

Valte declined comment on a plan by the victims’ families’ lawyer, Harry Roque, to file a complaint against the President in the International Criminal Court over his alleged inaction on media killings, including the massacre. “There are bigger things at stake here. It’s not about the President; it’s not about Attorney Roque. But it’s about getting justice for the victims,’’ she said.

FEATURE STORY:

Malls make Christmas a season of joy and giving

Robinsons malls are giving its patrons a variety of holiday treats, including “spectacular music and magic,” to help them enjoy a truly sparkling season.

Arlene Magtibay, Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) senior vice president and general manager for commercial centers division, said that for this holiday season, the chain planned activities and chose designs that met global standards.

The dazzling décor, including sparkling, towering trees, elegant Christmas lights and magical displays of fireworks, are expected to delight shoppers of all ages.

Holiday accents

At the recent media launch of Robinsons malls’ holiday lineup, several trees featuring unique designs were showcased “as a preview of what the season will be like at Robinsons,” said Roseann Villegas, RLC’s director for corporate public relations.

Aside from the sparkling trees, atriums of all Robinsons Malls will be adorned with elegant wreaths. And each mall will feature a different Christmas tree. Robinsons Magnolia, for instance, gets a tree befitting its name. The 35-foot tree, while decked in traditional red, green and gold, will also feature beautiful red magnolias.

It will be a white Christmas at Robinsons Place Manila. The 32-foot tree will be adorned with white, blue and purple poinsettias; beads, berries, balls and glittery ribbons.

Robinsons Starmills hosts for the sixth year the Giant Lantern Parol Festival, which will have its awarding ceremonies for the Best Giant Parol on Dec. 14,

But Robinsons malls are not just making Christmas a season for glitter and sparkle, but truly a time for giving and sharing. Christmas Trees of Hope stand in selected malls to give shoppers a chance to extend a little help to the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in Samar and Leyte.

Christmas Trees of Hope are in Robinsons Place Manila (Midtown entrance, beside the information booth), Robinsons Galleria (level 2, in front of The Face Shop), Robinsons Magnolia (level 2, in front of The Body Shop) and Robinsons Metro East (upper ground level, near the main entrance).

Season of song

Christmas will also be a musical season at Robinsons malls. Chorale music can also be enjoyed at Robinsons Galleria from Dec. 15 to 19; Robinsons Forum, Dec. 18 to 23; Robinsons Palawan, Dec. 16 to 22; Robinsons Dasmariñas, Dec. 15 and 21, and Robinsons Otis, Dec. 15, 21 and 22.

The Ryan Cayabyab singers will be at Robinsons Place Lipa on Dec. 15, Robinsons Starmills Pampanga on Dec. 21 and Robinsons Place Dasmariñas on Dec. 22.

Also on the holiday calendar is the Australian production of the fairy tale wedding of Cinderella and Price Charming. Photo booths will allow everyone to have souvenir photos with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. The show will be brought to different malls.

Also visiting the different malls is Santa Claus, who will hold meet-and-greet sessions.

COLUMNS:

Why wheels of justice grind ever so slowlyBy: Solita Collas-Monsod

“After 18 years, 9 found guilty in Ozone inferno.” That was the headline on the front page of this newspaper yesterday, exposing the shamefully slow dispensation of justice in the Philippines, in our antigraft court, the Sandiganbayan (SB). In the same issue, another headline, this time on page 4, “Dr. Binay buys time in cases against her” (a double entendre?), helps shed some light on why the wheels of justice grind so slowly.

With regard to the first headline, it turns out, reading the story, that it is not quite accurate. It isn’t 18 years, but 18 years and eight months, which may be rounded off to 19 years. Anyway, all my current students at the University of the Philippines were either unborn or babes in arms at the time of the Ozone Disco Club incident. But I still remember the horror I felt when I heard the news: 162 burned to death, another 93 injured, the majority of them young. As I recall, they were bunched up against the exit door of the club, because it opened inward rather than outward, and the press of panicked people trying to escape prevented the door from being opened. The other exit door was blocked by furniture. Senseless. Avoidable. The news reports at the time pointed out several other features of the club which were in direct violation of fire regulations and the national building code. And yet permits were given freely and rapidly by the concerned officials.

So the question is: Why did it take the SB 18 years and eight months to come to the same conclusion as the media did? I understand there is the right to due process, etc., etc., but this is obviously ridiculous. The building and fire code provisions are written down. A physical examination of the premises would have been sufficient to show where the violations occurred; an examination of the building and other permits issued, and the applications for them, would not have taken too long. Indeed, the SB decision talks about the “overwhelming” audacity of the owners, the officials’ “overlooking obvious violations of the National Building Code.” It took the justices 18 years and eight months to come to this conclusion? When everything was so obvious and overwhelming? How long will it take for other cases that may be more nuanced?

The Elenita Binay headline and story on page 4 of this newspaper gives us a hint about why cases take so long: She was supposed to have been arraigned on Thursday, Nov. 20, in regard to one of the four cases regarding the Ospital ng Makati equipment expenses (I think this case has been going on since 2007 or 2008). Heidi Mendoza was state auditor and she determined that the expenditures in all four cases were grossly overstated. Mrs. Binay was mayor at the time.

So what does it mean, “arraigned”? I looked it up. To arraign means to call or bring someone before a court to answer a criminal charge. That’s when he/she pleads guilty or not guilty, or does not enter a plea at all, at which point the court enters a plea of not guilty. So it is a very simple process, right? What happened in this case, though, is that Mrs. Binay’s lawyer said they received the notice only on Nov. 14 (meaning, six days before the hearing), and he asked the SB to cancel the arraignment because he planned to file a motion for reconsideration.

And the SB, after reportedly discussing the issue for 40 minutes (this is important, because a case hearing generally takes an hour or so, because there are other cases to be heard), resets the arraignment to Jan. 29, or two months and nine days later. Dilatory tactics on the part of the lawyer? Or excessive gentleness on the part of the court? Or a combination of both? I don’t know. But that’s how cases get delayed. Or at least, one of the reasons.

On the other hand, even with 15 justices now, the pace of decision-making should be faster. I went to the SB website to see what I could see. And what I saw was horrible.

In 2014, for the first eight months, the SB reports only 12 decisions and 14 resolutions. I looked at 2013, and for the whole year, 16 decisions and seven resolutions were promulgated, which means about one decision and 0.5 resolution per justice.

The year 2012 was not much better, with 19 decisions and three resolutions; 2011 and 2010 were significantly better, with 48 and 46 decisions, respectively. But even then, that means roughly three decisions on the average were rendered per justice for those years.

It seems we not only have to increase the quantity, but also the quality, of the justices.

BUSINESS NEWS:

Toyota to start sales of fuel cell car next month

TOKYO — There will only be a few hundred, and they won’t be cheap, but Toyota is about to take its first small step into the unproven market for emissions-free, hydrogen-powered vehicles. The world’s largest automaker announced Tuesday that it will begin selling fuel cell cars in Japan on Dec. 15 and in the U.S. and Europe in mid-2015. The sporty-looking, four-door Toyota Mirai will retail for 6.7 million yen ($57,600) before taxes. Toyota Motor Corp hopes to sell 400 in Japan and 300 in the rest of the world in the first year.

“In time, the fuel cell vehicle will become mainstream. We wanted to take the first step,” said Mitsuhisa Kato, a Toyota executive vice president, at the vehicle’s launch Tuesday. “We want to be at the leading edge.”

Fuel cell vehicles run on compressed hydrogen gas, which in the Mirai’s case is stored in two tanks mounted underneath the vehicle. They emit no exhaust, though fossil fuels are used in the production of hydrogen and to pressurize it. Both Honda and Hyundai are also experimenting with limited sales and leases of fuel cell cars. Honda showed a fuel cell concept car on Monday. Besides the relatively high cost, buyers will have to contend with finding fuel. Only a few dozen hydrogen filling stations have been built worldwide, though governments are subsidizing the construction of more.

It’s an uncertain future that depends both on whether makers can bring down the price, and a wide-enough network of filling stations is built. Yoshikazu Tanaka, deputy chief engineer for Toyota’s next generation vehicle development, said he expects it will take 10-20 years for the Mirai to reach sales in the tens of thousands of vehicles a year.

Asked if it’s a risk, he said yes, but Toyota views it as a challenge. Likening it to a chicken and egg situation, he said if you say it’s too risky and don’t move forward with production, the number of filling stations will never grow. Toyota faced a similar scenario with its gasoline-electric hybrid, the Prius, which now sells in big numbers.

“It was a big challenge when we first introduced the Prius, or hybrid car, in 1997,” he said in an interview in Tokyo. “And it’s an even bigger challenge this time because there is no infrastructure, and we’re trying to lead” the commercialization of fuel cell cars.

Hoping to offset the inconvenience of finding fuel, Toyota gave the car a futuristic look inside and out — Mirai means future in Japanese — and made it peppy to try to attract buyers. It accelerates particularly quickly from about 40 to 70 kilometers (25 to 45 miles) per hour, Tanaka said.

The Japanese government also plans to offer a 2 million yen subsidy to purchasers of fuel cell cars, reducing the effective price to 4.7 million yen.

Sales will be limited to the primarily urban areas that have fueling stations.

In Japan, with about 30 stations, that means the regions around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya cities in central and western Japan and the northern part of Kyushu island in the south. A few stations have opened in California in the United States, and there are plans to build some in the Northeast. Germany and the United Kingdom are among European countries that have or plan to build them. The company has about 200 pre-orders for the vehicle, mainly government agencies and companies that want to go green, the company said. Over time, Kato said, Toyota hopes to help build a “hydrogen society.”

The Mirai can travel 650 to 700 kilometers (400-435 miles) on its two tanks of hydrogen. In the US, its range is 300 miles because of different driving conditions.

Hydrogen may be more expensive than gas initially, because there are so few customers but, over time, Toyota expects it will be cheaper to run a car on hydrogen than with gas. “To rely less on oil is very important,” said Kato. “Japan has to spend its money to import fuel, so we should use it as carefully as possible.”

SPORTS NEWS:

House colleagues confident of Pacquiao winBy: DJ YAP

MANILA, Philippines—His colleagues in the House of Representatives are confident Manny Pacquiao, the congressman from Sarangani, will prevail over American boxer Chris Algieri in their match in Macau on Sunday (Manila time).

Six lawmakers expressed optimism about Pacquiao’s superior “speed, stamina, power, experience, mental strength and determination” against his younger opponent, according to a press release issued by the House media relations service.

Isabela Representative Giorgidi Aggabao, deputy House speaker, said Pacquiao was “very calculating and aggressive.”

“He is a very wise fighter. He analyzes well his opponent, thus he knows when and how to attack, and eventually subdue his foe using his dominant punches,” he said.

Aggabao said the Filipino nation would again be united in cheering and praying for Pacquiao, whose resilience and determination are worth emulating.

“We wish Manny good luck, and we are confident about his victory over a younger opponent. Manny has more experience, speed and stamina. We pray for his personal safety and his victory for our entire nation,” he said.

Isabela Representative Rodolfo Albano III said he entertained no doubt that Pacquiao would once again emerge the winner because of experience, rigid training, a well-prepared plan, and strong determination.

“Algieri may be younger and taller but Manny is stronger, faster and wiser. Even Manny’s past opponents attest to his greater powers,” he said.

Romblon Representative Eleandro Jesus Madrona said a knockout victory for the Filipino boxing icon was highly possible.

“Algieri’s overconfidence is a big mistake because Manny will surely defeat him. Manny has never underestimated any of his opponents, be his rival younger, older, taller or bigger than him. He always takes his rigid training seriously,” he said.

“No wonder his speed and stamina has been unmatched over the years. A knockout victory is very possible,” said Madrona.

Abakada Representative Jonathan A. Dela Cruz wished Pacquiao the best during his fight with Algieri.

“I can only wish Representative Pacquiao good luck. I am sure his [athleticism] and spirituality will carry him to victory. He deserves our best wishes. The entire nation will be praying for his victory,” said Dela Cruz, a member of the independent minority bloc.

Pasig Representative Roman Romulo said Pacquiao’s courage, strength and discipline were the key factors to his expected victory. “Manny is very disciplined in sticking to his training regimen. And when he is in the boxing ring, he executes well the game plan against his opponent,” Romulo said.

ACT CIS Representative Samuel Pagdilao said Pacquiao should once again become a symbol of unity among Filipinos on Sunday.

“We do that once more as he now faces a younger opponent and we are confident that with God’s grace, this bout will yet be another victory for Manny and the Filipino people,” he said.

READER’S OPINIONS (VIEWPOINTS):

Slavery by povertyBY: Jose Ma. Montelibano

“Power concedes nothing without a demand, it never did and never will.”

Few words can move me like these from Frederick Douglass, an African-American born a slave who became an abolitionist, orator, author and statesman.

I wish someone would translate these same words into the regional languages of the Philippines. Technically, we have no slavery here as what America had. In real life, however, poverty enslaves just as powerfully, and horribly. And our poverty has many slaves in the motherland.

Born a slave in the 1800’s in America, born a slave of poverty in the 21st century in the Philippines. What’s the difference? From the outside, plenty. From the inside, little. After two centuries and great leaps called modernization and globalization, there is little change for the enslaved.

Our slaves vote. That alone should qualify them to be deemed free, but it has not, it does not. Freedom is not about voting, it is about choices, various, accessible choices. Choices have to be a reality to the majority. And I speak here of the most fundamental, even elemental, of choices, like dignity, security, shelter, food, and mobility. Voting is not an adequate substitute for all these human needs. And voting by those greatly in need will go the way towards the satisfaction of those needs before anything else.

I have no experience whatsoever with a life with the elemental and fundamental choices. Unlike many, I was not born a slave of poverty. My parents were free, as their parents before them. I do not know at what point my ancestors found their freedom from the shackles of colonization, not even sure if one of them had been a soldier for the foreign masters. All I know is that by circumstance of birth, either one is free or one is a slave of poverty in our country.

By choice, though, I gave in to an attraction when I was in my mid-thirties, a sudden interest to know my people more – after realizing that the class I belonged to and family and friends from there in no way was representative of the Filipino. Yes, we are Filipino but so different from most Filipinos. And when I realized this in the 80’s, the poor were counted at 90% of the population, 55% from economic Class D, and 35% from Class E. I was Filipino but I did not know who the average, mainstream Filipino was.

When I embarked on that journey, what I thought would be a short period of time never ended. I am not a lover of the poor, although I now personally know and admire a few who really are. But I can say I am a lover of the Filipino people, most of whom just happen to be poor, and an abnormal percentage very poor. How truly unfair that slavery to poverty is attained by the simple circumstance of birth, not because they have failed, not because they are lazy, not because they are stupid.

“The less poor among the general poor, the upper portion of Class D, make up the bulk of what is now the OFW sector. What was once 55% is now down to about 25%, and Class E is estimated to be 30%. This corresponds to the percentage of self-rated poor, around 55%. In the estimated 30% very poor, or Class E, half to two-thirds of them experience hunger, from occasionally to frequently. When we talk about hunger, when we talk about being food poor, it is easy to understand why they are no better than slaves. There is no choice between this food or that food. There is only food or no food. “

Fortunately, and precisely because the poor struggle to be free, the need for good workers had become a demand in many countries whose domestic populations could not fill. Many say that Filipinos speak English and that is why great numbers have managed to find work abroad. That may be true. But what is more true is that Filipinos want freedom, have the courage and talent to chase that freedom, and needed only the opportunity to do it.

Many countries are poorer than the Philippines. But not many of their people sought their freedom from their own slavery to poverty in the way Filipinos did, and still do. Many poor countries do now have overseas workers in the volume and percentage

that the Philippines has because our people are simply different from them. Many countries experience the path of violence and have become even more enslaved, first to poverty, then to war. Their freedom will cost more, and too far in the horizon to be even felt.

Yet, it is just as true that the powerful in our country will concede nothing with a demand. But if our poor are not drawn to violence to break the powerful, our powerful, too, are not prone to violence to retain power. The blessing of our culture, despite a harsh and debilitating colonial history, is that it has deeper layers of spirituality and harmony that mitigate the anger against the horrible experience of the last 400 years.

The peacefulness of our people, though, may have lulled the powerful to believe that the thirst for freedom is a shallow one. That is not only a great disservice to the humanity of poor Filipinos but a dangerous assumption because it is false. Filipinos can rise in rage, Filipinos can kill in rage, and Filipinos can force radical change in rage. But recent history tells us that a Moro rebellion cannot do it, a communist insurgency cannot do it. The same recent history tells us that people power can.

How, then, can people power change the lives of our poor on a day-to-day basis, before its ultimate expression can only be in the streets? This is the challenge of the powerful who rule but are not tyrants. This is the question for all who are not poor, too. People power is not exclusive to the marginalized; it should be the path of all good people towards freedom, towards self-reliance, towards prosperity.

If power will not make freedom inclusive on its own, then the demand will come. That is the law.

LIFESTYLE:

How Nina Halley found Shangri-La on her 60th birthdayBy: Marge C. Enriquez

Breaking away from the glitzy Manila party scene, entrepreneur Nina Halley spent her 60th birthday in the Tibetan hinterlands in southwest China.

Halley’s businesses include real estate and the popular Love Garden, which services hotels and high-end clients.

This elegant lady is one of the best hostesses in town. But, instead of entertaining, she chose to mark her milestone quietly with her children Shavit and Rihannon in the Himalayan foothills in Yunnan province.

The first week was savored in Lijiang, a city situated beside a mountain valley shielded by revered snow-capped peaks. The place is often compared with James Hilton’s fabled utopia called Shangri-La in his novel “The Lost Horizon.”

Lijiang has become a popular destination for its preserved old quarter, called Shuhe, which is known for bubbling waterways, old stone bridges and ethnic women in their traditional costumes.

Historic town

The Halleys stayed at the Banyan Tree Resort. The windows offered a panorama of centuries-old trees and rooftops dotting the valley and peaks. Over breakfast in the main dining area, they welcomed the vista of a pagoda etched against the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang’s iconic landscape. Outside, the view opened up to mountains covered with barley fields.

The Old Town of Shuhe is a Unesco World Heritage Site, famous for its offering of nature, history and culture. Consisting of three major streets, this historic town is built with cobblestone lanes that were interlaced with willow-lined canals.

Visitors explore the winding alleys to appreciate how the locals preserved their homes that were built of wood, bricks, heavy wooden doors and shutters and curving gray-tiled roof.

Stone bridges bow over the tributaries of the Yuhe River that stream through Shuhe. The scene is made more picturesque by creepers on the old walls and the blossoming trees that shield kois in the water passages.

Shuhe is a walking town filled with many stores that sell silver jewelry and teas, occasional crafts, and traditional Chinese medicine. Later in the day, ethnic dancers assemble in the Square Market. The center of the town is the famous waterwheel where most tourists like to be photographed with the ethnic group Naxis.

Halley said tourists can enjoy a variety of restaurants that serve local cuisine, pasta and pizza; there are cafés and bars as well.

The family’s quieter moments were spent in Black Dragon Pool Park. Although its main attractions are ancient temples and pavilions, the Halleys loved the quietness of the pond and its pristine waters—one could see the pebbles lining its floor and the flourishing fish life.

Mountain paradise

The Halleys then drove up to Ringha, considered part of Shangri-La County. For tourism purposes, Chinese officials have clustered several towns and named them after the fabled mountain paradise.

Ringha is bordered by Tibet, Burma (Myanmar) and Sichuan province. The Halleys were taken by a culture that has remained largely untouched by consumerism and modernization.

They were captivated by the sight of Buddhist monasteries, yaks, horses and other farm animals on the road. Since it is situated at 3,300 meters above sea level, the place often left visitors panting as they climbed up to their lodges; they were provided with oxygen-filled canisters.

The Halleys were billeted at the Banyan Tree Ringha, whose villas took after the Tibetan farmhouses with their dark woods, latticed windows and quilted curtains. The second floor had a terrace that overlooked the river and the snow-capped mountain range. Every morning, they would be greeted by a yak or some farm animal wandering inside their lodging.

They had their meals at Banyan Tree’s Changsa restaurant which specializes in Tibetan hot pot of yak, juicy meats and condiments.

To acclimatize themselves, the Halleys took a two-hour trek along Shudugang, Ringha’s sacred river. This preparatory hike had a trail that took visitors to the pine forest and cherry trees and exposed them to indigenous plants.

A longer seven-hour trek included a 700-year-old hunting route, a picnic lunch along the tree grove by the river, and a hike to a hilltop pasture for a view of the surrounding villages.

A similar hike took them to a higher altitude of 3,360 meters. After passing through an awning of pine trees and rhododendron groves that spanned the precipitous part of the trek, they were greeted by the sight of mystical mountains.

Extraordinary hospitality

Sixteen kilometers from their hotel, the family felt the power of peace emanating from the chanting of 800 monks at the Songzanlin Lamasery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan. Their senses were further soothed by the walk along the valley of Shiga Mountain and lunch in the old town of Dukezhong.

The Halleys also enjoyed the tour to Tibetan villages where the locals wear native costume, and to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in the world with a 16-km drop.

The scenic nomad Alpine trek evoked the explorations of botanist Joseph Rock in “The Lost Horizon.” The route reached an altitude of 3,700 sqm where the mountain plateau seemed to kiss the sky and the landscape was littered with pine forests, snow-covered mountains, wild flowers, streams, and medicinal plants on forest paths.

The Shangri-La culture tour exposed them to the extraordinary hospitality of the Tibetans in their farmhouses. The family was touched by the simplicity of their lives, as they saw the locals make yak butter and cheese, take care of sheep and horses and wear fur for warm clothes.

But beyond the culture and nature trek, the deep conversations and the bonding with her children made Halley feel that she was truly in Shangri-La.

OBITUARY:

Teodoro Desepida Maiquez, 63

MANILA, Philippines— Teodoro Desepida Maiquez of Mandaluyong City and Calamba City, Laguna, died on October 9 from complications due to prostate cancer. He was 63 years old.

Maiquez was born on March 17, 1951.

He was a retired executive of the Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Company. He was also a lay minister at San Felipe Parish Church.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His beloved family wishes friends, relatives and colleagues to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

His remains lie in state at the Loyola Memorial Chapels, Guadalupe Edsa.

Interment will be held on October 12, 2014, at the Heritage Memorial Park, Taguig City.