Jack says no Filipino should go hungry

Despite the recent stinging barbs hurled at his father, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, and himself, Jack Enrile is undaunted, and sure about his winning a seat in the Senate in the coming national elections. His supporters are convinced he’s got it made, his slogan being, “Gusto ko may pagkain kayo” (I want food for the table for everyone). That seems asking for the moon, but it can be made to happen, says Jack.

Since 2010, Jack has gone to more than 72 provinces consulting with various sectoral groups for his advocacy on food sovereignty, telling his audiences: “No Filipino should go hungry in his own country. Food prices should be within reach of everyone.”

Representative of the province of Cagayan for three terms, Jack Enrile defines food sovereignty as “the right of peoples, communities and countries to define their own agricultural, fishing, food, labor and land policies which are ecologically, socially, economically and culturally appropriate to their unique circumstances.”

Jack is the author of House Bill 4626, which seeks to accelerate agricultural development and secure food for all based on a national food requirement plan anchored on a food requirement assessment in all the regions.

Under the bill, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in collaboration with the National Food Requirement Plan (NFRP), are tasked to identify the food requirements of Filipinos and pinpoint the regions that should produce specific types of food.

The bill also wants to draw up an agricultural infrastructure support map to determine the various programs that every province can undertake in pursuit of agricultural development goals.

Jack laments that the government does not prioritize agriculture. “I want to remove politics from agricultural development in every province. We should give every province, regardless of the votes they can deliver to national leaders, the opportunity to attain genuine agricultural development.”

Jack is a co-author of House Bill No. 6144 which seeks to promote the welfare of household helpers and their families. Also known as the Magna Carta of Household Helpers or Batas Kasambahay, it was recently signed into law by President Aquino.

House Bill No. 4835, on the other hand, seeks to prohibit monopolies, while House Bill No. 0551 seeks to reduce the income tax rates of individual taxpayers.

Jack first ran for a congressional seat in 1998 at the age of 40, under the banner of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). He was reelected twice — in 2007 and 2010.

 He has an AB English degree from Christian Heritage College in California and a master of administration degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Prior to acquiring his MBA, he was employed as a purchasing manager in the JAKA Group of Companies. At 36, he became president and chief executive officer of the family-owned corporation which serves as the holding company for 22 subsidiary companies. These companies employ about 3,000 persons.

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The La Consolacion College Manila Family Council presents for its Compostela typhoon victims fund-raising event the famous 1950s rock ‘n roll musicale, “Grease” tomorrow, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 28, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. (gala performance) at the Mother Consuelo Barcelo Theatre, La Consolacion College, Mendiola, Manila.

 This high school musicale, with book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, was also adapted for film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. It comes to life on the LCCM stage and features some of LCCM’s brightest homegrown talents as well as imports from Brent International, UST College of Music, the legitimate stage, TV and film.

“Grease” is all about Rydell High’s spirited class of ’59-gum-chewing, hub-cap-stealing, hotrod-loving boys with D.A.s and leatherjackets and their wise-cracking girls in teased curls, bobby sox, and pedal pushers. The gang sings and dances its way through such nostalgic scenes as the pajama party, the prom, the burger palace, and the drive-in movie.

Directed by Palanca Awardee Lito Casaje, LCCM’s chair of the department of communication and director for digital cinema and the performing arts, the musical stars Allessa Faustino, Pio Bagnol, Joel Caballero, Andy Fojas, Raymond de Leon, Jonathan Montes, Christian Moreno, Hyacinth Moreno, Jonathan Cristobal, Bea Robles, Necole Almerekhi, Alyssa Virgo, Roxanne Lucero, Benielyn Topinio, Mikaela Ruiz, Chelsea Habal, Eugene Zipagon, Aika Malabanan, Charlene Chuaquico, Jeremy Malcampo, Khaycee Abalos, Angel Salditos, Samuel Cometa, Francline Pascua, Atif Hassan, Christian Baloso, with stage management by Mondrian Sampang, Lourdes Isip, Charlotte Barcelona, choreography by Arvey Lopena, light design by Christian Bautista, and musical direction by Dino Alvarez and Raymond Muyot.

“Grease” is LCCM’s Sister president Ma. Luz Mijares’ call to empower the youth through cultural and artistic engagements, a kind of out-of-classroom learning experience where students mingle with practicing theatre, TV and film artists,” director Casaje says.

Proceeds of the musicale will go to LCC’s outreach advocacy, such as helping Compostela typhoon victims and the illegal mining and logging practices in Mindanao.

LCCM Family Council president and Usec Atty. Lynn Danao-Moreno says, “Even we, from the Office of the President in Malacanang are still inundated by please and requests to continue extending our help to our marginalized brothers and sisters in Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

Sponsored by LCCM’s Barcelo Café, Lito Perez’ Camp Suki, and the LCCM School of Culinary Arts, Grease is open for school and university tours and fund-raising projects by socio-civic, government and non-government organizations. For discounted group sales and ticket reservations, call the LCCM Admissions Office at 3130522 or