BUWAYA !

T’was ten years since the devastating terror attack in New York city’s Twin towers, ..9/11.
IN MEMORIAM.We pause and remember this sad day in modern history.
We pray for and remember the victims and their families, just as we condemn this most evil act against mankind .
The inscription in ground zero says : ‘MAY WE NEVER FORGET “
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CROC-ZILLA? So they caught the world’s biggest crocodile on record last September 3 in the Philippines, in the town of Bunawan , Agusan del sur some 900 kilometers southeast of Manila.
Named “Lolong “, the 21 ft. reptile behemoth weigh more than a ton (2,370 lbs.) and became an instant international hit after its surpassed the Guinness world record of another croc named “Cassius “who measures only 18ft.long and is located in Australia.
It got its name after the famous Filipino counterpart of “ Crocodile Dundee “, hunter Ernesto “Lolong “ Conate of the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRC)who led the three week hunt for the creature but who died of a heart attack during the search.
Just how big is “Lolong “? Bunawan mayor Edward Cox Elorde said it took at least 100 people to pull him after it broke several cable wire traps . He said the croc’s jaw is big enough to swallow three men at once !
The hunt for Lolong begun after a carabao (water buffalo) was attacked and eaten alive, a small girl also reported missing and a farmer disappeared in the Agusan marsh where the reptile was known to roam around.
The townsfolk then decided to entrap the reptile using a chicken, a carabao and other meat to lure it.
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MORE CROCS: They said “Lolong” has a partner, probably a female and much bigger and larger. And the hunt continues.
Mayor Elorde said there are still some 5,000 crocs lurking in the waters of the Agusan marsh.
But wait, there are more crocs in the Philippines, they are found in Metro Manila and they are the two-legged kind.
These are big-time “buwayas “. Three of them used to roam near the Pasig river, in a big palatial house known as Malacanang which used to be their habitat. One is female, the other is male known to be the “father of all buwayas “ because of his insatiable appetite for anything with a peso or dollar sign while the younger one is equally voracious, an alligator but with a more greedy outlook
that would shame a full size croc. The female croc maybe Lilliputian but is elusive, known as the “Teflon queen“ for her
ability to ward off pursuers and hunters . She is also known for her alias “Bonsai”.
But of course, the entire Philippines is endemic to such swamp creatures..they are found in what we call tongress er..I mean congress, they are disguised in immaculate barongs or business- suits..then there are crocs in uniforms of the military and the police, whose specialty is “kotongs” foraging for bribes and anything “basta pagkakaperahan“ or even kidnappings or holdups.
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IMPORTED CROCODILES: Some of these swamp creatures have also crossed oceans. Matter of fact, they are also found here in the Filipino community. These “buwayas“ are either disguised as community leaders, fund raisers, promoters, and all sorts of
self-proclaimed do-gooders.
“Naglipana sila “ (they abound) as we say in Pilipino. Some of these crocodiles always covet titles, positions and any
lofty nomenclatures that would boost their curriculum vitae or resume and of course their wallets. They prefer to be addressed as President, chairman of the board, secretary general or even coordinator for as long as it massages their fat ego.
You can see them always jockeying for vantage positions in every photo ops whenever VIPs are present. In fact you won’t miss their faces in every community newspapers. Ah Buwaya, you are omnipresent !
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HONOURED: Balita publisher Ruben Cusipag and wife Tess Cusipag were cited by the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC)-Canada chapter and the Filipino Making Waves (FMW) during simple recognition and thank you rites last Sept.3.
The occasion coincided with the visit of 3-time NPC President Antonio Antonio to Canada.
Antonio known as “Tony Tony “is a longtime friend and associate of Ruben Cusipag during the pre-martial law days.
Ruben was honored with a ceremonial mug which cited him as “an activist, book author, community leader and a pioneering Fil-Canadian journalist “.
Tess on the other hand was cited for being “ a lover of the performing arts , community service advocate and a model of patience and perseverance in continuing the legacy of Balita “.
Antonio was also bestowed a similar ceremonial mug for his service to the NPC during his three-term presidency and as a veteran journalist .
Those who presented the citations include Mon and Teresa Torralba of the Filipino making Waves (FMW) and NPC Canada chapter representatives Butch Galicia and this writer.
The NPC Canadian chapter is composed of former Manila-based newsmen, many of whom are lifetime members of the prestigious
and oldest media organization in the Philippines. Among those are
Jojo Taduran, veteran radio host and columnist, Tony Sicat, former editor of the Pilipino Star, Willie Jose, former section editor of the Times Journal, Mon Datol, former sportswriter and radio host, and Romy Sison, of DZRH among others.
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RUTH’s “ MY WORLD “ CONCERT: On October 2, 2011, Saturday, Ruth Morales will launch her first ever solo concert under Studio six. Titled “My World “it will be held at the Tropicana Ballroom and banquet hall in 5599 Amber drive Missassauga.
curtain rises at 6:00pm and will have as guests Alvin Alba and Mon De Leon and featuring Nicole Ramos.
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MILESTONES: Our felicitations to birthday celebrants Mon Datol, Sept.13, publisher of the Philippine Courier, Mike Caducio, Sept.4, associate editor of the Philippine Courier.