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where to stay in sabtang island

carol_carol70 — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 03:56:37 GMT

I have plan to go in batanes on dec. 26-30, 2008. Where i could stay in basco or sabtang island am on budget. thanks.

July 1, 1867 - Happy Birthday, Canada!

Vbyssey — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 11:47:51 GMT

July 1, 1867 - Happy Birthday, Canada!

Canada Day has been called a few names in the past. It used to be known as Dominion Day, the First of July, Confederation Day and July the First.

Canada wasn't born on July 1st, but the holiday celebrates the events that took place on this day.

On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act created the Dominion of Canada (federal government). This Act stated that Canada would become an independant dominion (territory) of England, which is why Canada Day was originally called Dominion Day.

The British North America Act (BNA Act) was passed by the British Parliament in 1867 and came into effect July 1 of that year, bringing together the colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Canada into a new political entity. The two divisions of the Province of Canada, formerly Upper and Lower Canada, became Ontario and Quebec, respectively.

The Act also made provision for the admission of additional provinces. Although it was a British statute, the BNA Act was drafted entirely by Canadians at the Quebec Conference of 1864 and passed without amendment. The preamble of the Act called for, a Constitution similar in Principle to that of the United Kingdom. The Act specified the composition of the Senate and House of Commons and the most important elements of the provincial constitutions.

The Act was superseded by the Canada Act, also called the Constitutional Act of 1982, which made Canada a fully sovereign state. The British Parliament approved it on Mar. 25, 1982, and Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed it on Apr. 17, 1982.

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June 12, 1898 - The Philippine Declaration of Independence

Vbyssey — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:12:34 GMT

June 12, 1898 - The Philippine Declaration of Independence

The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred on June 12, 1898 when Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain after the latter was defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United States or Spain, as the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris.

The Philippines celebrated its Independence Day on June 12, although its independence was only recognized on July 4, 1946 by the United States.

Forum: Welcome to the Board

D-Day, June 6, 1944 - The Valour of Friends and Foes alike!

Vbyssey — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 13:26:05 GMT

D-Day, June 6, 1944 - The Valour of Friends and Foes alike!

The Normandy Invasion (also called Operation Overlord) in WWII was launched on June 6, 1944 with the simultaneous landing of U.S., British, and Canadian forces on five separate beaches in Normandy, France.

Utah Beach

The westernmost beach of the five landing areas was assaulted by elements of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division and was taken with relatively few casualties. In the predawn hours of D-Day, units of the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions were airdropped inland from the landing beach. They suffered many casualties from drowning and enemy fire but succeeded in their aim of isolating the seaborne invasion force from defending German units.

Omaha Beach

The second beach from the west was assaulted by units of the U.S. 29th and 1st infantry divisions, many of whose soldiers were drowned during the approach from ships offshore or were killed by defending fire from German troops placed on heights surrounding the beach.

U.S. infantrymen wade from their landing craft toward Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

U.S. Coast Guard/National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Gold Beach

The centre beach of the five designated landing areas was assaulted and taken from defending German troops by units of the British 50th Infantry Division.

Special Service troops of 47 Royal Marine Commando land at Gold Beach near Le Hamel on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

The Trustees of the Imperial War Museum, London

Juno Beach

The second beach from the east was assaulted by units of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division, who took heavy casualties in the first wave but by the end of the day succeeded in wresting control of the area from defending German troops.

Reserve troops of the Canadian 3rd Division coming ashore at Bernires, Nan sector, Juno Beach, on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

National Archives of Canada, Ottawa

Sword Beach

The easternmost beach was assaulted by units of the British 3rd Division, with French and British commandos attached. Shortly after midnight on D-Day morning, elements of the 6th Airborne Division, in a daring glider-borne assault, seized bridges inland from the beach and also silenced artillery pieces that threatened the seaborne landing forces.

The Longest Day

Many men came here as soldiers

Many men will pass this way

Many men will count the hours

As they live the longest day

Many men are tired and weary

Many men are here to stay

Many men won't see the sunset

When it ends the longest day

The longest day the longest day

This will be the longest day

Filled with hopes and filled with fears

Filled with blood and sweat and tears

Many men the mighty thousands

Many men to victory

Marching on right into battle

In the longest day in history !

Forum: Welcome to the Board

To be governed

Vbyssey — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 14:25:17 GMT

To be governed

"To be governed is to be watched over, inspected, spied on, directed, legislated, regimented, closed in, indoctrinated, preached at, controlled, assessed, evaluated, censored, commanded; all by creatures that have neither the right, nor wisdom, nor virtue ...

To be governed means that at every move, operation, or transaction one is noted, registered, entered in a census, taxed, stamped, priced, assessed, patented, licensed, authorized, recommended, admonished, prevented, reformed, set right, corrected.

Government means to be subjected to tribute, trained, ransomed, exploited, monopolized, extorted, pressured, mystified, robbed; all in the name of public utility and the general good.

Then, at the first sign of resistance or word of complaint, one is repressed, fined, despised, vexed, pursued, hustled, beaten up, garroted, imprisoned, shot, machine-gunned, judged, sentenced, deported, sacrificed, sold, betrayed, and to cap all, ridiculed, mocked, outraged and dishonored.

That is government, that is its justice and its morality! ...

O human personality! How can it be that you have cowered in such subjection for ... centuries?"

- Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. - George Bernard Shaw

Forum: God Bless the Philippines

Sabtang

Vbyssey — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 10:25:06 GMT

BATANES: Nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List

Preserving the Batanes Archipelago and Ivatan Landscape

BATANES is an outstanding example of biodiversity and integration. Nature and culture have been

intertwined for many centuries in an effort to resist an incredibly harsh climate. The resilience and

adaptation of the inhabitants and of nature over time is absolutely remarkable and the site is certainly

worthy for inscription in the World Heritage List.

The sites -

Batan Island: Landscape, hedgerows (windbreakers), fauna and flora, archaeological sites

Itbayat: Coral outcrop and distinctive vernacular morphology

Sabtang: Coral reefs, architecture, hill fortresses (idjangs) and boat-shaped burial grounds.

Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

The Batanes cultural landscape in the Philippines represents a historical meeting point for several

simultaneous cultural transmissions across a significant portion of the world; the resilience of ecology

and civilisation in one of the worlds harshest natural environments; ecosystems and a culture under

significant threat from globalising influences; a laboratory of knowledge applicable to low-cost settlement

design, disaster mitigation, and site management; and finally, an unparalleled opportunity to continue

values useful to 21st century decision-making in all areas of life. Source: UNESCO

Forum: Preserving the Batanes Archipelago

Itbayat

Vbyssey — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 10:23:24 GMT

BATANES: Nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List

Preserving the Batanes Archipelago and Ivatan Landscape

BATANES is an outstanding example of biodiversity and integration. Nature and culture have been

intertwined for many centuries in an effort to resist an incredibly harsh climate. The resilience and

adaptation of the inhabitants and of nature over time is absolutely remarkable and the site is certainly

worthy for inscription in the World Heritage List.

The sites -

Batan Island: Landscape, hedgerows (windbreakers), fauna and flora, archaeological sites

Itbayat: Coral outcrop and distinctive vernacular morphology

Sabtang: Coral reefs, architecture, hill fortresses (idjangs) and boat-shaped burial grounds.

Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

The Batanes cultural landscape in the Philippines represents a historical meeting point for several

simultaneous cultural transmissions across a significant portion of the world; the resilience of ecology

and civilisation in one of the worlds harshest natural environments; ecosystems and a culture under

significant threat from globalising influences; a laboratory of knowledge applicable to low-cost settlement

design, disaster mitigation, and site management; and finally, an unparalleled opportunity to continue

values useful to 21st century decision-making in all areas of life. Source: UNESCO

Forum: Preserving the Batanes Archipelago

Mainland Batanes

Vbyssey — Thur, 20 Oct 2005 10:10:38 GMT

BATANES: Nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List

Preserving the Batanes Archipelago and Ivatan Landscape

BATANES is an outstanding example of biodiversity and integration. Nature and culture have been

intertwined for many centuries in an effort to resist an incredibly harsh climate. The resilience and

adaptation of the inhabitants and of nature over time is absolutely remarkable and the site is certainly

worthy for inscription in the World Heritage List.

The sites -

Batan Island: Landscape, hedgerows (windbreakers), fauna and flora, archaeological sites

Itbayat: Coral outcrop and distinctive vernacular morphology

Sabtang: Coral reefs, architecture, hill fortresses (idjangs) and boat-shaped burial grounds.

Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

The Batanes cultural landscape in the Philippines represents a historical meeting point for several

simultaneous cultural transmissions across a significant portion of the world; the resilience of ecology

and civilisation in one of the worlds harshest natural environments; ecosystems and a culture under

significant threat from globalising influences; a laboratory of knowledge applicable to low-cost settlement

design, disaster mitigation, and site management; and finally, an unparalleled opportunity to continue

values useful to 21st century decision-making in all areas of life. Source: UNESCO

Forum: Preserving the Batanes Archipelago

Scooby the Alaskan Husky

Vbyssey — Mon, 18 Jul 2005 15:55:51 GMT

Scooby the Alaskan Husky

Its with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Scooby, Roger and familys pet dog, due to inoperable illness, on July 14, 2005. The 9 years that he was with the family were one of the best times in their lives.

Scooby the Alaskan Husky was an extraordinary canine (smarter and more human than many homo sapiens), and it can be truly said, in all honesty and candour, and with all due respect to the human being, that pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, etc.) are in many ways, way much better than the so-called human being. If there is an afterlife, I know Im not alone when I say: Id rather meet my pets than meet some or many other people.

I know the passing of a much loved pet is not easy. We experienced the same sadness when Puffy Caballero, the smart Siberian cat, and one of the worlds biggest felines at 35 lbs. passed away on June 12, 2004 at age 14. Years before that, it was the same experience with Juniper the Netherland Rabbit.

Like Scooby, Puffy was cremated, after extensive medical tests, but Juniper was re-interred at our yard a few years after he passed away, and surprisingly, he was still in a non-decomposed state, which made us wonder: If thousands of years from now and a civilization after us discovers his body, then theyll wonder. They'll surely say: Look, see how the civilization before us preserved their pets.

Our pets are gone now, but memories of them will always be with us till the time when, like them before us, the end of life comes.

Forum: Scooby the Alaskan Husky

The Only Hope for the Philippines

FatherDamion — Tue, 05 Jul 2005 16:10:24 GMT

THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE PHILIPPINES

By Father James Reuter, S.J.

By her own admission, GMA rightfully assessed that "over the last decades, our republic has become one of the weakest, steadily left behind by its more progressive neighbors." Forty years ago, we were only second to Japan in economic stature, and way ahead of Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand. Today, at our present growth rate, it will take us 30 years to get to where Thailand is today.

1. A population of 160 Million;

2. Of those, 70 to 90 million (equivalent to our current population) will live below the

poverty line;

3. Our national debt is estimated to be at US$200B (compared to US$28B when

Marcos fled, and US$53B today);

4. We will be competing, not against Thailand or even Vietnam, but against

Bangladesh;

5. We will be the most corrupt nation in Asia, if not in the world (we're already ranked

11th most corrupt nation by Transparency International).

The signs are clear. Our nation is headed towards an irreversible path of economic decline and moral decadence. It is not for lack of effort.

We've seen many men and women of integrity in and out of government, NGOs, church groups & people's organization devote themselves to the task of nation-building, often times against insurmountable odds. But not even two people revolutions, bloodless as they may be, have made a dent in reversing this trend. At best, we have moved one step forward, but three steps backward.

We need a force far greater than our collective efforts, as a people, can ever hope to muster. It is time to move the battle to the spiritual realm. It's time to claim GOD's promise of healing of the land for His people. It's time to gather GOD's people on its knees to pray for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation.

Is prayer really the answer? Before you dismiss this as just another rambling of a religious fanatic, I'd like you to consider some lessons we can glean from history.

England's ascendancy to world power was preceded by the Reformation, a spiritual revival fuelled by intense prayers. The early American settlers built the foundation that would make it the most powerful nation today - a strong faith in GOD and a disciplined prayer life. Throughout its history, and especially at its major turning points, waves of revival and prayer movement swept across the land.

In recent times, we see Korea as a nation experiencing revival and in the process producing the largest Christian church in the world today, led by Rev. Paul Yongi Cho. No wonder it has emerged as a strong nation when other economies around it are faltering.

Even from a purely secular viewpoint, it makes a lot of sense. For here there is genuine humbling & seeking of GOD through prayer, moral reformation necessarily follows. And this, in turn, will lead to general prosperity. YES, we believe prayer can make a difference. It's our only hope.

Today, we launch this email brigade, to inform Filipinos from all over the world to pray, as a people, for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. We do not ask for much. We only ask for 5 minutes of your time in a day, to forward this email to your close friends and relatives.

This is the kind of unity which can make a big difference. Of course, if you feel strongly, as I do, about the power of prayer, you can be more involved by starting your own prayer group or prayer center.

We have tried people power twice; in both cases, it fell short. Maybe it's time to try prayer power. GOD never fails.

Is there hope? YES! We can rely on GOD's promise, but we have to do our part. If we humble ourselves and pray as a people, GOD will heal our land. By GOD's grace, we may yet see a better future for our children. GOD bless and GOD save our country (from stupid and corrupt politicians)!

"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Forum: God Bless the Philippines

Jaime Sin, Priest, Archbishop and Cardinal (1928-2005)

FatherDamion — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 16:19:27 GMT

Jaime Sin, Priest, Archbishop and Cardinal (1928-2005)

Outspoken advocate of democracy played a key role as an unseen general during a popular revolt that ousted a Philippine president

He was the powerful Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila who used his influence to champion the rights of the poor and rally the widespread popular resistance to bring down Ferdinand Marcos.

Jaime Lachica Sin was born on August 31, 1928 to Chinese parents on an island about 300 kilometres southeast of Manila. The 14^th of 16 children, he was sent away at a young age to become a priest.

Over his long career, he said his actions in the public sphere were not driven by politics but by a moral dimension. In 1986, he called on Filipinos to surround the police and military headquarters in Manila to protect the leaders who had broken with Mr. Marcos.

That led to the people power revolution, which ousted Mr. Marcos, and the largely peaceful revolt became a harbinger of change in authoritarian regimes worldwide.

Mr. Marcos died in exile in Hawaii in 1989, but the countrys problems continued, partly because of endemic corruption. We got rid of Ali Baba, but the 40 thieves remained, Cardinal Sin once quipped.

Cardinal Sin was buried in a crypt beneath the Manila Cathedral. New York Times News Service, Associated Press.

Forum: God Bless the Philippines

The board welcomes you!

Vbyssey — Sat, 11 Jun 2005 11:47:07 GMT

The Board welcomes you! We want to hear from you. We want to hear from people with many different viewpoints. We want to hear from Ivatans and/or non-Ivatans alike, from people in the Islands and/or from without the Islands. In other words, we want to hear from the good, the bad and the ugly! Just be reminded, however, that were what we write. Our writings mirror ourselves. They reveal more of ourselves than that of our subject.

No unIvatan statements, please!

CHEERS! - vbc

China Sea Coastline Batanes

Forum: Welcome to the Board