One thing that I have read in the old Plain Truth Magazine was a quote of that American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman and he said Its only those who neither fired a shot nor hear the groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood. more vengeance …War is hell! And looking at the reality now, this quote resonates louder and more relevant than ever.
From the 1980s I have seen footages and read stories of War. Then, it was simply depiction via Radio Broadcasts and colored pictures from Newsweek, Time, Asiaweek and Life Magazine. Up to this very day it seem that Man has not lost appetite for wars and it had grown in intensity in exponential degrees.The said deadly conflicts are mostly unfolding in foreign soil, most of whom are deadly and at times long drawn . The wars of our time of the Latin translation says , Bella Nostri Temporis ,had been quite a regretful thing.
The failure of countries to resolve conflict and religious intolerance, to me, had been the primal war-starter.
They are not just battles between armies; they are ruptures in the lives of ordinary people—families torn apart, children growing up in fear, and communities erased in the name of power or ideology. This time around it’s also about OIL.
Yet, its true, Wars are sad realities . Why are we sad? The human lives lost in the crossfire as combatants and innocent bystanders weigh heavy in my heart. And that economic devastations are true, even then.
When Man allows its beastly nature rule over reason, it creates a regrettable decision, it sheds off its humanity and become a violent animal, unbridled by morality, willing to kill and annihilate its fellow humanity. And that my friend is the reason that Wars create, losers, because a killer is cursed and that in one way or another, the leader of the war must deal with a reckoning of sorts, it is really, really sad!
TACLOBAN CITY — A proposed measure aims to establish a state-run maritime college in Eastern Samar to expand access to seafaring education for students in coastal communities.
House Bill No. 7693 seeks to create a College of Maritime Studies at the Eastern Samar State University campus in Guiuan, offering Bachelor of Science in Maritime Transportation and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering programs aligned with global standards.
The bill was filed by Reps. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and Marcelino Libanan of the 4Ps party-list group, who said the proposal would allow more high school graduates to pursue maritime careers without leaving the province.
Gonzales, the lone congressional district representative of Eastern Samar, noted that many aspiring seafarers currently have to study outside Eastern Samar, increasing costs and limiting access. The planned college aims to address these barriers by providing affordable, state-subsidized education closer to home.
The Philippines remains one of the world’s top sources of seafarers, with hundreds of thousands deployed annually in international shipping.
The measure is now up for deliberation in Congress.
TACLOBAN CITY — A bill seeking to eliminate reconnection fees for basic utilities has been filed in the House of Representatives amid rising costs of electricity, water, and internet services.
House Bill No. 8706, or the proposed “No Reconnection Fee Act,” aims to prohibit charges for restoring services once consumers have fully paid their outstanding balances.
The measure was principally authored by Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, along with Reps.Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Jude Acidre.
Acidre said the proposal is meant to ease the burden on households already affected by rising fuel prices, which continue to drive up the cost of essential services.
Under the bill, reconnection fees for accounts cut due to nonpayment will be banned, provided all dues have been settled. Cases involving fraud, illegal connections, and safety concerns will remain covered by existing rules.
The measure will be referred to the appropriate House committee for deliberation.
TACLOBAN CITY — A 12-year-old boy died after drowning while swimming in a river in Palo, Leyte on Sunday morning, March 22.
The victim, identified only as “Gino,” a Grade 5 student from Barangay Arado, was reported missing around 10 a.m. while swimming with two companions at the Bangon River.
Police said the children had come from fishing before deciding to swim, but the victim suddenly failed to resurface, prompting his companions to seek help from nearby residents.
A joint search and rescue operation by the police, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and local residents led to the boy’s recovery more than two hours later. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Authorities are also verifying reports that the victim may have tied a nylon rope around his body before entering the water. Investigation is ongoing.
FUEL CRISIS. Motorists queue for fuel at a gasoline station in Tacloban City as fears of supply shortages grow amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. In Eastern Samar, several gasoline stations have reportedly halted operations due to lack of supply, triggering long lines and precautionary buying.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
FUEL CRISIS. Motorists queue for fuel at a gasoline station in Tacloban City as fears of supply shortages grow amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. In Eastern Samar, several gasoline stations have reportedly halted operations due to lack of supply, triggering long lines and precautionary buying. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Compounded by bridge restrictions
TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar is grappling with a growing fuel crisis as delivery disruptions and rising pump prices threaten essential services across the province.
Several gasoline stations have run out of stock, while others have hiked prices sharply, prompting provincial officials to call for immediate action to secure supply and protect residents.
During the first quarter meeting of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) on March 16, Governor Ralph Vincent ‘RV’ Evardone reported that nine fuel stations in the province have already exhausted their supply, while 57 others raised their prices due to tighter deliveries.
“We cannot afford for our frontline services to stop,” Evardone said, stressing the need to ensure uninterrupted operations for government offices, emergency responders, and other critical services.
The crisis has been worsened by logistical constraints. A bridge in Barangay Coticot, Giporlos, is now under a five-ton weight restriction imposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways on March 11 after structural damage was detected from overloading.
The restriction prevents fuel tankers from reaching several municipalities, creating a major bottleneck for deliveries.
Eastern Samar relies heavily on fuel transported by land from Tacloban City, making the bridge limitation a critical hurdle. Prices in some areas have surged to between ₱80 and ₱100 per liter, up sharply from the previous average of around ₱60 per liter.
Evardone urged local government units (LGUs) to maintain sufficient fuel reserves to ensure uninterrupted operations of essential services. He also called on national agencies to monitor fuel prices and prevent hoarding or unjustified price hikes.
Representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines clarified that military operations are covered by their own fuel depots, but the Philippine Coast Guard still depends on commercial stations.
Evardone noted that the country currently maintains an estimated 33-day fuel reserve if national demand remains stable, based on discussions at Malacañang.
Local governments are taking contingency measures to mitigate the impact.
In Borongan City, Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda partnered with a local fuel station to prioritize government operations and ensure frontline services continue without interruption.
Provincial authorities said they will continue coordinating with national agencies and LGUs to monitor the fuel situation and implement measures that cushion the effects on residents and essential services.
This situation highlights the vulnerability of Eastern Samar’s supply chain and the need for infrastructure improvements to prevent similar crises in the future.
HOMEMADE, HANDMADE ORMOC. Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez engages with the audience inside SM Cinema during the official launch of the short film “Homemade, Handmade Ormoc” on March 16. The 25-minute feature highlights Ormoc City’s natural attractions, daily life, and growing investment potential, aiming to showcase the city’s heritage while promoting tourism and sustainable development.(CITY GOVERNMENT OF ORMOC)
HOMEMADE, HANDMADE ORMOC. Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez engages with the audience inside SM Cinema during the official launch of the short film “Homemade, Handmade Ormoc” on March 16. The 25-minute feature highlights Ormoc City’s natural attractions, daily life, and growing investment potential, aiming to showcase the city’s heritage while promoting tourism and sustainable development.(CITY GOVERNMENT OF ORMOC)
ORMOC CITY — Ormoc City is taking a fresh approach to promote tourism and investment while celebrating its culture and daily life through a new short film titled “Homemade, Handmade Ormoc.”
The 25-minute film highlights the city’s natural attractions, such as Lake Danao and lush forest landscapes, while capturing the simple, everyday experiences that define the lives of over 200,000 residents across 81 barangays.
Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez said the film was created to answer a frequent question from outsiders: what makes Ormoc worth visiting or investing in.
“This is for both Ormocanons and non-Ormocanons. We are often asked what can be seen in Ormoc, so this is our way of showing what makes our city special,” she said.
The film not only promotes Ormoc to visitors and investors but also reminds residents of the city’s quiet beauty and unique character amid rapid development. Torres-Gomez noted that what locals may consider ordinary—daily routines, familiar places, and simple experiences—can feel extraordinary to outsiders.
Situated on the western side of Leyte, Ormoc has emerged as one of Eastern Visayas’ fastest-growing urban centers, complementing the region’s main hub, Tacloban City. While portraying the city as a place of “slow living,” the film also reflects Ormoc’s vision of balancing growth with preservation.
“Progress and tradition can coexist,” the mayor said.
“Homemade, Handmade Ormoc” was officially launched on March 16 at SM Cinema and is now part of the city’s promotional efforts to attract tourists and investors while giving non-residents a closer look at Ormoc’s charm.
Why wars are sad
One thing that I have read in the old Plain Truth Magazine was a quote of that American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman and he said Its only those who neither fired a shot nor hear the groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood. more vengeance …War is hell! And looking at the reality now, this quote resonates louder and more relevant than ever.
From the 1980s I have seen footages and read stories of War. Then, it was simply depiction via Radio Broadcasts and colored pictures from Newsweek, Time, Asiaweek and Life Magazine. Up to this very day it seem that Man has not lost appetite for wars and it had grown in intensity in exponential degrees.The said deadly conflicts are mostly unfolding in foreign soil, most of whom are deadly and at times long drawn . The wars of our time of the Latin translation says , Bella Nostri Temporis ,had been quite a regretful thing.
The failure of countries to resolve conflict and religious intolerance, to me, had been the primal war-starter.
They are not just battles between armies; they are ruptures in the lives of ordinary people—families torn apart, children growing up in fear, and communities erased in the name of power or ideology. This time around it’s also about OIL.
Yet, its true, Wars are sad realities . Why are we sad? The human lives lost in the crossfire as combatants and innocent bystanders weigh heavy in my heart. And that economic devastations are true, even then.
When Man allows its beastly nature rule over reason, it creates a regrettable decision, it sheds off its humanity and become a violent animal, unbridled by morality, willing to kill and annihilate its fellow humanity. And that my friend is the reason that Wars create, losers, because a killer is cursed and that in one way or another, the leader of the war must deal with a reckoning of sorts, it is really, really sad!