Choosing candidates

May 13  is just four days away  and last-minute wooing  of  votes is at fever pitch.

As a reproductive health advocate, I will vote for senatorial candidates who recognize the value of the RH Law.

Members of the Purple Heart Movement are endorsing candidates who are for reproductive health. Dr. Rowena Burden says they have put out their own t-shirt, with the label in front that says, ”Conscience Vote, Team Buhay, Pro-RH.”  Their candidates: Independent Teddy Casiño and LP bets — Senators Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero,  Alan Peter Cayetano and Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara.

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I hasten to correct a mistake in my last column.  The Abante Ka Party-list number is 73, not 3.  The party-list’s major concern is the 10 million Indigenous Peoples who are in dire need of assistance so they can be lifted up and out of poverty.

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Seeking reelection to Congress is Paranaque representative Dr. Eduardo Zialcita. He was elected three-term representative of the First District of the city of Parañaque (2001-2010). He was consistently voted as one of the most outstanding legislators of the 12th, 13th, and 14th Congress. He was the principal author of acts dividing Parañaque City into two legislative districts , and creating five additional trial courts. A prolific legislator, he authored or sponsored several bills, notable of which are the Expanded Senior Citizens’ Act; Rent Control Act,  Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, Anti-Red Tape Act; the UP Charter’ s Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Act; Biofuels Act, and the Amending the Election Modernization Act.

EDZA, as he is popularly called, finished AB at the UP Institute of Mass Communications, cum laude, his master in economics at the University of Asia Pacific,  and doctor of philosophy and management at 1-AIM.

He is an outstanding debater and orator, speaker and lecturer, conducting hundreds of presentations as JCI International trainor. He hosted the long-running television show “The Young Once” at PTV4, and  hosted the long-running radio show “Si Lolo at Lola . . . Ang Bida” at DZRB 738 khz. He is a great singer and percussionist, with three “Edza Kanta” music Cds to his name. He is the great grandson of Agapito Zialcita,  an original signatory to the Declaration of Philippine Independence of 1898. He is married to Claudine  de Castro Zialcita of Bulan, Sorsogon, by whom he has four children: Jean Paul, Carla, Nicole and Tanya.

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There is a saying that a fruit does not fall far from a tree. This may best describe Dr. Jason Roland Valdez, a political neophyte in the 6th District of Manila. Young and charismatic,  JR as he  is fondly called by his family and acquaintances, is now making waves in the district with his political slogan “Gusto Ko, Healthy Ka!” which includes projects like health mapping, and organizing a white arm of volunteer civilians trained to deal with emergencies, etc. Political surveys both in the Lim and Estrada camps showed that JR has a substantial lead among the candidates for councilor in the district.

This writer vouches for him,  knowing his parents, Dean Amado Valdez and his charming wife Nellie, who raised him to be a fine gentleman and dedicated professional. Dr. J.R. is an official candidate of UNA.

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My friend since  the olden days, Joey Ortiz, reminds me not to forget to vote for Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay. How can I forget?  Jun is in my list of senatorial candidates. Joey tells me while other candidates are buying t-shirts by the thousands, Jun, son of the late, most popular President of the land,  hardly has funds to purchase giveaways.

Jun first joined politics when he was elected  representative of the lone district of Zambales in 1966. He ran and won in the senatorial elections in 1995 and reelection in 2001. In the Senate, says his official website,  he worked “for legislation that [helped] improve the living conditions of the majority of the Filipino people. His programs and policies for the development of cooperatives and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are geared toward encouraging ordinary Filipinos to make use of their individual capabilities as they strive to attain their socio-economic goals and uplift their standard of living to a more decent and humane condition.” He is seeking another stint in the upper house of Congress under the administration Liberal Party alliance.

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My contacts in Dumaguete are optimistic that Josy Sy Limkaichong, will be the next governor of the province of Negros Oriental. The Liberal Party candidate topped an independent trust rating survey.  As a House representative of the 15th Congress, she worked hard and long, authored important bills. As what happens in the political landscape, Josy has been the subject of black propaganda, including handing out counterfeit money, and the Catholic church continues to tell lies about the evils of the reproductive health law which Josy signed.  My contacts say Josy has responded to the lies flung at her face and behind her back, with dignity. The province, they say, will be the better for electing her as governor.

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Banker/gardener Flor G. Tarriela calls this three-day event “revolutionary.” Find out what she means when you attend the Natural Farming, Gardening and Livestock seminar/workshop to be held at Flor’s Garden May 16, 17 and 18.

On Day 1, the session will be on natural farming inputs and techniques. Day 2 will have hands-on demo and application of natural farming methods. Day 3 will be on natural livestock farming.

An attraction  will be the speaker, Davao-based Andry K. Lim, the Secretary of Agriculture’s 2009 Organic Farming Awardee.

The live-in three-day package rate is P7,000 per head; for stay outs, it’s P2,000 per day.

Work shoppers will have fun touring the garden’s nooks and corners and stopping at a Jardin ng Buhay, which has basic nutritious trees and plants like malunggay, kamote, okra, kangkong, etc., a  â€œGod’s pharmacy”  of  medicinal and edible weeds, a  kids’ garden, a bamboo tree house,  and vermiculture pens (find out why Flor’s pigs don’t smell).

Flor’s Garden is  located at Sitio Tanza 2, Barangay San Jose, Antipolo.

For registration,  call Fely  G. Sadio, at 01915567121 or 6356092 to 94.

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Another organic farm that I enjoy visiting is that of Gil Carandang, at Km. 59, Barangay Burol, Calamba, Laguna. Gil demonstrates how garden plots produce healthy vegetables and herbs, how to make fish ponds, grow chicken and swine, and build greenhouses.

Gil and his wife Monina has a stall at the Saturday Salcedo market in Makati where they sell their organically-raised crops, including Domini’s Kitchen’s refreshing wholesome Guyabano Tea which is also sold at Flor’s Garden.

Gil has started hosting an advocacy show on food, health and environment titled “Kalikasan, Kalusugan, Kabuhayan” on TV5 every Sunday, 6-7 a.m. The show covers episodes on organic farming, illegal logging, alternative medicine, natural piggery and free-range chicken, carbon sequestration alternative energy, sustainable mine-farm, and an eco-village.

Its segment, “Sagot Ka Ni Kabayang Gill’s answers questions on the above topics and more.

Gil can be contacted through [email protected].

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My email: [email protected]