Don’t Panic!

RICE SHORTAGE? A head of the rice traders association feared that the country will suffer a rice shortage very soon due to the depletion of the buffer stock in the “palengke” and in the warehouses of the National Food Authority. I personally met and talked with Dept of Agriculture Sec. Proceso ALCALA a few days ago in Manila. And he assured us that there is sufficient supply of rice to feed the nation. For those who can afford, no panic-buying just yet!

For those who CANNOT afford, they will merely panic, but not buy.

KAMOTE — Rice-eating Pinoys must start looking for good alternatives. Like the lowly “kamote”. We should stop using that “go home and plant kamote” admonition that used to mean “you good for nothing”! Kamote or sweet potatoes can be grown anywhere. It has low glycemic index so it’s good for diabetics. Unlike rice.

So next time you similarly admonish someone to go plant kamote, be sure to send him off with kamote tubers for planting.

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LEAVE EARTH — I read somewhere that thousands had enlisted to join the next rocket ship voyage to planet MARS within the next few years to leave Earth for good and take up residence there.

I am sure the Martians will not welcome us warmly there, especially them seeing us earthlings doing our own thing. They will put out a sign in the landing area proclaiming: ‘ALIENS NOT ALLOWED”.

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JITTERY —When I was in Manila last week, everyone was asking me: “Is it safe in Mindanao or Davao in particular?” No doubt the series of bombing incidents in some areas are dominating the news and the rumor mills. But with the recent carnage in Cagayan de Oro and Cotabato City, can we blame our jittery folks?

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BACK TO NORMAL –This week is the culminating celebration of “Kadayawan” festival. From all indications, foreign tourists may skip the Davao leg due to the bad news.Even the Pinoy local tourists ARE HESITANT to come.

We truly pity those prospective visitors for missing this annual event. As I always say: ‘LET’S NOT LET THE BAD GUYS WIN BY BEING THREATENED BY THEIR TERRORISTIC ACTS.” Normal life must go on!