Technological Wickedness

                 “Bullying is an attitude hard to control but it can be stopped by discipline.”

             Republic Act 10175 also known as the cybercrime prevention act of 2012 is oppressive and dangerous. It demonizes the computer user and extends its tentacles to a computer user’s freedom of expression and speech. In an age when criminalization of libel is the trend, this law makes a fatal step back, towards the volt of archaic policies that cannot be made to apply to the modern man operating on in a modern world.

The Act is divided into 31 sections split. A chapter criminalizes several types of offenses, including illegal axis (hacking), data interference, device misuse cyber squatting, computer prod, content related offenses such as cybersex, spam, and other offenses. The law also reaffirms existing laws against child pornography, an offense under Republic Act 9779 also known as the Anti-child Pornography Act of 2009 and libel, an offense under section 355 of the revise penal code of the Philippines.

               The new act received many reactions from several sectors upon enactment, particularly with how its provisions could potentially affect freedom of expression, freedom of speech and date security in the Philippines.

              The provisions on libel in the cybercrime prevention act are dangerous expressions of our archaic policies. As a result, the computer user will now live in fear knowing that there fair but critical comment, will publish online and might expose them to a charge of libel.

For a state truly gag a citizen, it is not necessary that we convict for expressing their thought. It is enough that we scare them from speaking up. We feel that a democratic government flour recess when its citizens are not less to cower in the sidelines because of fear, afraid to speak, and later, afraid to even think against its own government.

Surely this is not a vision of a free and democratic environment. These provisions on cyber-libel will just curtail a fundamental principle of good governance. We want empowered citizens, not scared and passive one.

By: Honey Pearl Reyes

Dinagat Islands: A Slice Paradise

Beautiful!            Wonderful!        Amazing!

                Those were the words uttered amongst the mouths of people who praise Dinagat. “Korosho!”, the shout for amazement of a Korean volunteer as he witnessed its beauty.

                Among the many islands of the earth, one attracts every soul most, which lies beyond the eastern horizon and where the sun beams brightly - Dinagat Islands!

                It is known for its beauty and bountiful resources in the country. Its beauty embodied the wonderful attractions that you can’t resist but to step into it and feel like you’re in a “Paradise Island”. Dinagat Islands has so many hidden wonders that you may not have seen yet.

                The different rock formations surrounded by the sparkling, crystal, blue waters teeming with various kinds of fishes and natural resources will surely capture your heart upon seeing them. The Bat Sanctuary in Tubajon will definitely mesmerize one’s eye because of how nature warmly gathered them, and if you’ll reach the Bonsai Forest in Cambinliw, Loreto, you would surely say, “Wow!”.

                Looking at the near north, the astonishing Lake Bababu in Basilisa which is a mountain-lake surrounded by colossal walls of granite will surely amaze you. With its high coast to the lake that adds thrill and excitement to avid adventures offers fine views to numerous small caves in great wildness. Settled between Puerto Princesa and Melgar in Basilisa, this mountain lake is a sight to behold. The lifted vertical inclines add thrill to an avid adventurer while the greenish vegetation dominates the virginal boundary.

                The Suy-ang cave in the east! Just hike through the jungle to discover this cool-cave, while in the near West, you can reach the Hagakhak Islet by just taking a boat to this uninhabited island to witness above-water and underwater rock formations and to scuba dive in the waters around the island.

                You can also see Bitaug Beach located in Puerto Princesa. It’s well formed blue-colored water that you can’t even resist to dive in. Bitaug Beach is one of the many white sandy beaches in the islands that got high thumbs up from every tourists who visited the place.

                Dinagat is best reached from city of Surigao as there are regular flights to Surigao from Manila, as well as buses from all the surroundings towns and cities. From Surigao to Dinagat Island is just a one-hour ferry ride. It is also the site of the greatest and historic Battle of Surigao Strait during World War II. It is divided into 7 municipalities namely, Basilisa, Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo, San Jose, Tubajon, and Loreto.

                This islands composed of mushrooms islets offersa perfect heaven for adventurers. The caves, nature made rock formations, fantastic waterfalls, flourishing bonsai forests, sandy white beaches, and hidden mountain lakes provide a perfect ambiance for the thrill seekers and nature-loving individuals.. Dinagat Islands has so many beautiful spots that you weren’t be able to see yet. It has so many astonishing, marvelous sights that will surely capture your heart and mind!

                Come and witness Dinagat Islands’ enchanting beauty!

by: Juana Andrea M. Olaco