Feet and feat: Mangyan parent leader moves mountain for her community

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


With courage and determination, a Mangyan Parent Leader from Bansud, Oriental Mindoro showed that no mountain is higher than her desire to help her people. For her, poverty cannot dishearten a woman filled with passion and commitment to serve even in the midst of a pandemic.
Haydilyn “Haydi” Dimaano, 37, belongs to the Bangon Mangyan tribe who lives in the mountains of Brgy. Rosacara, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro. Before becoming a Parent Leader, she has been serving the Uyugan Bangon (Group of Bangon Tribe) — a group organized through the Pamayanang Mangyan Ugnayan, Inc. (PMUI). As the secretary, Haydi leads different development sessions that aim to empower Indigenous Peoples (IPs). Her fellow Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries have seen her passion to help. Hence in 2018, she was chosen by the beneficiaries to lead their cluster in Bansud.

Moving Mountains

Even before the pandemic, Haydi is already known in their tribe for being resourceful. She can quickly think of solutions to the challenges her community faces. In September 2019, she initiated the cooperative called Ufudan Mangyan 4Ps (Ufudan is a Buhid word that means group). It was initially formed to address their problem with expensive and low-quality rice. Thus to answer the call, Haydi helped the Mangyans to access good quality and cheaper rice.

Months after, the transaction between the rice supplier and the Mangyans went well. In return, the supplier has offered Haydi`s tribe a discount on every sack of rice her fellow beneficiaries will purchase. “May ibinigay po sakin na Php 2,000.00, pero sabi ko po, sa grupo ito [money]”. Instead of taking this as an advantage, the Mangyan parent leader has seen this as an opportunity for Ufudan Mangyan 4Ps to generate savings for their group. Haydi informed her fellow beneficiaries about the discount they will get which will directly go to the fund of their group. “Ngayon po nasa Php 41,000.00 na ‘yung pondo namin. Sabi ko po sa kanila, dapat magkaroon kami ng mapagkakakitaan kahit wala na kami sa 4Ps. Pag-uusapan pa po namin pero balak po naming magtayo ng tindahan para mapalago pa ito.”

When the pandemic came, this mother of two became an instrument of change and a channel of blessing to the Bangon tribe as well as to the Buhi (tribe that also lives in Bansud). “Nakita ko po sila [fellow 4Ps beneficiaries] na labis na naapektuhan ng pandemya. Madami po ang nawalan ng trabaho. Ipinagbawal po ang pagpunta sa ibang lugar kaya po naapektuhan ang hanapbuhay nila.” Different challenges came along their way that has greatly affected their livelihood and source of income. This includes limitations on mobilization because of the community quarantines and increased transportation costs as protocols in physical distancing have to be followed.

Haydi knew that she must remain steadfast for the tribe. Thus to address these problems, she lobbied and sought help from different partners. One of those who heard her was the Soro-Soro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC). The cooperative has traversed the mountains and brought a rolling store to the Mangyans. “Naging mahal po kasi ang pamasahe pa-bayan. Nasa Php 60.00 po hanggang Php 100.00 balikan. Pang-ulam na po ‘yun sa maghapon. Kaya nakiusap po talaga ako sa kanila na akyatin kami dito”. Because of Haydi, the rolling store has benefitted not only her fellow IP beneficiaries but as well as non-IPs and non-beneficiaries. Aside from saving from the transportation cost going to the town proper, market prices of the goods remained the same.

Feet and Feat

The heart for public service of the IP parent leader has been also seemingly inherited by her children. “Pinalaki ko po silang mababait at matulungin sa kapwa. Sabi ko po sa kanila, kahit maliit na pagtulong, nabibilang. Wala po sa maliit o malaki”. Together with their mother, Derwin, 13 years old (Grade 7), and Trisha, 11 years old (Grade 5), they take turns in helping their neighbors to answer their school modules.

For Haydi, no initiative is small as long as it is from the heart. She said that everyone can start with baby steps. Those baby steps count as long as you keep on moving forward. “Likas po sa aming mga Mangyan ang pagiging matulungin. Kahit maliit pong pagtulong, nabibilang. Wala po sa maliit o malaki”. She believes that compassion and benevolence are innate to everyone. “Ang tao po, likas na matulungin. Iba po kasi ang pakiramdam ng nakakatulong sa kapwa. ‘Yung nakikita ko pong saya sa mga ka-tribo ko, doble po ang sayang naidudulot sa akin. Kumabaga, mas masaya pa po ako sa kanila.”

The 37-year-old Mangyan parent leader also acknowledges that it is not just her who moved the mountains. It is a collective effort of all the people, fellow IP beneficiaries and partners, who want the same for the Mangyans – a community where no one is left behind. She firmly believes that no culture, gender, race nor poverty or even a virus can divide the IPs and non-IPs, rather it unites us.

As of this moment, Haydi’s tribe is planning to officially register the Ufudan Mangayan 4Ps as an organization. She also plans to submit project proposals on livelihood to different government agencies and private organizations. In fact, she will meet her fellow beneficiaries this coming Sunday to convene them and decide on how to grow their funds.

Eduard Folayang Determined to Power Himself Out of Slump Against Veteran Yoshihiro Akiyama

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang is coming into his next bout full of motivation, after witnessing his Team Lakay teammates claim victories early into the year.

The 37-year-old ONE Championship veteran is in the most difficult stretch of his 14 year professional career, as “Landslide” has dropped four of his last five. Folayang, however, remains full of hope, and is determined to power himself out of his most recent slump.

ONE Championship recently confirmed Folayang’s highly anticipated return to action. The Team Lakay senior will take on Korean-Japanese superstar Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama at “ONE on TNT IV,” scheduled for Wednesday 28 April (Thursday, 29 April PH time) at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.

It’s the fourth installment in the “ONE on TNT” event series, which is broadcast to American audiences on US prime time via B/R Live and TNT.

Folayang is excited to face the 45-year-old Akiyama, and is currently deep in training, looking for his first victory in nearly two years.

“This will be a great fight for me. I’m working hard with the team right now, and I’m definitely up for the challenge. Everyone is gearing up,” said Folayang.

“Our victories in the first half of the year have boosted our morale. I, myself, have been inspired by my team’s victories. With our hard work, and discipline, and by the grace of God, 2021 will be a good year for Team Lakay.”

Folayang’s last victory in the Circle came against tough Mongolian Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu in November 2019. Prior to that, he dropped submission losses to Japanese rival Shinya Aoki and former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez. Most recently, Folayang experienced decision losses to highly-regarded lightweights Pieter Buist and Antonio Caruso.

It has certainly been a rough stretch for the Filipino star, to say the least. But Folayang remains confident he can still put together a run back to the top, beginning with a solid performance against Akiyama.

“It is always an honor to share the Circle with legends. It gives me added motivation. Yoshihiro Akiyama is a legend and a veteran of the cage. His name is known throughout the world. This fight excites me because I know I’m going up against a great fighter. I’m working hard to come into the Circle well-conditioned with my mind and body,” said Folayang.


“This is a very important battle for me. I didn’t get the results that I wanted in my previous fights, and I wasn’t able to perform the way I wanted. The key to this fight is going to be the preparation. We’re coming up with a solid game plan. He’s not going to be an easy opponent. But at the same time, I’m confident in my skills. This time, I will aim for a steadfast victory.”

To resolve the hampered shipping operations along the Matnog-Allen route

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Due to the perennial traffic congestion along the road leading to Matnog Port, our agencies, namely: the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), in an inter-agency meeting, have laid out measures to address causes of congestion.

The inter-agency investigation revealed that the port is suffering from a lack of roro vessels to ferry the trucks across San Bernardino Strait to Samar. Only nine (9) vessels with Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) were servicing the route from 01 January to 17 March 2021. Under normal conditions, at least twelve (12) vessels should be operating in the area. Non-operating vessels were reported to be either under repair or are incapable of sailing as they are not equipped for harsh sea conditions.

To encourage more shipping companies to operate in the said route, the MARINA and PPA will initiate a program to provide financial assistance under Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2).

Meanwhile, MARINA is reviewing the shipping company’s schedule and the number of trips per vessel as provided under their respective Certificates of Public Convenience (CPCs).

MARINA has advised these shipping companies to increase the frequency of their trips to compensate for the shortage of vessels, and replace dry-docked vessels to ensure the stable operations of the route.

As a result, ten (10) vessels are now operating at the Matnog-Samar route.

Further, GT Express Shipping has conveyed its willingness to resume the operations of its LCT (landing craft tank) Star Asia with a capacity to carry 20 cargo trucks.

It is with confidence that the deployment of the vessels will be enough to make sure that cargo trucks can smoothly unload their cargo at the port and resolve the issue of queueing.

For its part, to address the lack of infrastructure and to increase safety at the port, PPA has recently opened two (2) additional roro ramps, to increase the number from the current six (6) to eight (8) ramps.

To increase the efficiency in Matnog Port, the MARINA, PPA and PCG will immediately implement the following:

1. PPA shall implement a maximum of three hours of port stay rule (including maneuvering time).

This helps define the average turnaround time of vessels, which is at least eight (8) hours during normal sea and weather conditions;

2. MARINA shall advise ships to complete three (3) ships calls per day;

3. The PPA will open all ramps. There are seven (7) ramps for regular vessels and one (1) specialized ramp for Fast Cat; and

4. PCG to be the last to board for the conduct of clearance of vessel prior to scheduled departure. This will also help enforce 3-hour maximum stay rule.

Aside from the above actions currently being undertaken by the maritime agencies, the following are also proposed for the approval of DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade:

1. Ship calls shall be increased based on the maximum shipping capacity in Matnog Port. If maximum 3 hours is implemented, one (1) regular ramp can accommodate eight (8) ship calls within 24 hours. Meanwhile, one (1) specialized ramp for the Fast Cat ship will be accommodating three (3) ship calls per day. Hence, the agencies can enforce 59 ship calls per day at normal sea and weather
conditions;

2. MARINA must provide at least 18 ships to maximize the shipping capacity of Matnog Port, with due consideration to the safety of navigation along the route;

3. Alternate ports shall be opened to divert other rolling cargoes. The PPA has initially identified Bulan and Castilla Ports as possible alternate ports;

4. The PPA shall implement the Terminal Appointment Booking System;

5. PPA to study the construction of a dry port/truck holding facility to decongest the highway; and

6. PPA to study the expansion of the port through reclamation.

On the issue of “fixing” and corruption that has also compounded the problem of cargo truck queuing, it must be emphasized that this involves queuing of cargo trucks outside the port premises. The Sorsogon Provincial Police is tasked to implement the First In, First Out (FIFO) policy and to maintain orderly and efficient queuing of rolling cargoes along the highway. Hence, the policy and occurrences outside the port premises are beyond the control of the DOTr maritime sector agencies.

It must be noted that queuing of vehicles does not occur inside the port. All rolling cargoes allowed entry to the port have already secured slots on board vessels prior to entry.

To prevent corruption, in addition to introducing the procedure of issuing priority numbers to maintain orderly queuing, the PPA has deployed additional operations personnel and deployed additional Port Police Officers.

As an additional precautionary measure, the PPA has been engaging the public through an active information dissemination campaign on the process flow, as well as the applicable fees of the PPA and the shipping lines. Notices to the Public have been posted along the highway, within the Matnog Terminal Complex, and the port premises.

Port Police personnel have been directed to remove unauthorized persons from the port premises.

With these measures, and the intensified cooperation between the port users, trucking companies, shipping companies, the PPA, PCG, and MARINA, we are confident that congestion along the highway to Port of Matnog will be alleviated, if not finally be resolved.