Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2007 14:20:24 GMT 8
By the way, Middleside Barracks still looks better to me with all those trees surrounding it. AMEN aprilthunder! anyone who appreciates natural beauty, serenity, symmetry, charm and mystery surely can and will recognize the stark difference. they volunteered a "before and after" presentation and I'd be scared to death if I suddenly found myself appreciating the "after" (after trees and vegetation have been stripped). Enough said, elucidated on this already several posts ago. Now on another note ... why did they post those drawings and pictures and Matibag's letter at the Hellships Memorial? Isn't that addressing the wrong crowd? Isn't CORREGIDOR the subject here and not the Hellships?" Or assuming that some of those who visit the Hellships Memorial website also visit the Corregidor website, isn't it elementary that there would be more people who are interested in Corregidor visiting the Corregidor website than the other one? Tsk, tsk, tsk. I have an interesting analogy on this: Retail tycoon Henry Sy's SM wants to sell their delicious privately-branded SM Bonus Peanut Butter around the Ortigas Center area. The logical thing to do is to make it available at the SM Supermarket inside SM Megamall, right? But what have they done instead? They opened an SM Supermarket inside the nearby EDSA Shangrila Mall where competitor Rustan's is, then posted a sign inside SM Megamall telling people to go get your SM Bonus Peanut Butter at the other mall. Whew, isn't that kinda circuitous or convoluted? EXO has already offered them the largest online resource on Corregidor, and that's here .... and yet they insist on talking by themselves, among themselves, somewhere else. Shy?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2007 21:23:41 GMT 8
Just today, we received a forwarded email that originated from Ms. Leslie Murray of FAME and AMCHAM.
To afford our forum members and readers a glimpse of "the other side", we have taken it upon ourselves to post her letter at this forum.
Here then are the exact contents of that letter:First let me say to anyone concerned - is there is no "secrecy" in FAME! -- our books are open to anyone who wishes to examine them. And you can pass this message to whomever you choose.
FAME (which is under the auspices of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) and which has its nominal secretariat within its offices) is TOTALLY a "pro bono" operation.
“Staff” consists of one AmCham employee - assigned to assist in clerical work part-time - and myself – with other priority duties on Publications and other projects as determined by the Exec. Director. (As a former child civilian prisoner of war (STIC- 1942-1945) my work with FAME is my personal contribution to the remembrance of WWII.)
FAME basically consists of a Board of Trustees and an RP Advisory Council (made up of RP residents with an interest and dedication to WWII preservation and promotion/dissemination of the history of same, as related to the Philippines) and a US Advisory Council (made up of former residents of RP, including some who could be considered “founding members”).
Our members include the Exec. Director of American Chamber, the Director of the American Desk at the Dept. of Trade and Industry, a member of the U.S. Embassy staff, several business men who run their own large companies, Mrs. Beth Day Romulo (widow of General Carlos P. Romulo – who is also the President of the CFI - and who continues her journalistic work), as well as members of the VFW Post 2485 who work to preserve the U.S. military cemetery at Clark – abandoned by the US when the forces pulled out in 1992.
Thus the priorities of all of the above are focused on their respective “jobs” – advocacy and working for US interest here (in the case of the AmCham and the AmDesk) and the creation of employment, creation of more trade, etc. and in keeping the wheels of commerce turning - in a country that needs all the help it can get in these quarters.
None – except perhaps the VFW men - could be considered “retired” – with time to dedicate FULLY to FAME, but they too have other charity projects they handle. Further, unlike some who are now showing “concern” – we have no vested commercial interest in the island; do not run tours nor concessions, etc.
Therefore there is little “spare” time for any of us to dedicate to coming up with "publicity releases" and a much needed "publicity campaign", etc. – we get on with whatever we can do for FAME/CFI without fanfare. However, Beth Day Romulo writes on Corregidor matters several times a year and most recently wrote a column for Manila Bulletin on the current work that is being done – entitled “Corregidor Ruins are being Saved not Desecrated” – 12-28-06. This is available on the Bulletin website: . mb.com.ph. Other articles on FAME and need for financial assist for Corregidor have appeared in local press over the years.
For me - I am a member of the American Chamber Publications Dept. - getting out a monthly magazine and all that goes with the co-ordination of this, as well as being called upon to assist with other Chamber matters as they arise - help with our Foundation that supports the education of poor but deserving students; the holding of the recent Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers conference with over 200 delegates - all of which takes up a good 8 + hr working day. (Many days I remain in the office until 7:00 p.m. or later – to do FAME work – or to make up for the time spent on it’s work done during working hours.)
But frankly - the current need to "put out fires" over all this is really taking up too much time....
FAME has - since 1986 – done its work without fanfare and so far has been able to achieve much...though all our work to upgrade certain sites (install solar lighting), re-habilitate the museum (installed air-con, new display cases, etc.) – which took many man hours and time away from family and other pursuits over the years - is trivialized by our current critics--- despite the fact it has been done with the end to ENHANCE tourism and visitor enjoyment and edification.
There is a plaque on the wall of the museum attesting to some of the work FAME has done and its efforts contributed on CI -- though it is quite small and easily overlooked by visitors so no wonder Mr. Whitman and others have "never heard of" us.
Well - one good thing will come of all this – I have had to set aside (MAKE the time, that is) to get a web page set up to counteract all the negative and critical comments….
I regret it appears that we have resorted to "attacking the man" as it were - but it was an individual (not an organization) who "fired the first shot" - without coming to CFI or FAME for some details before spreading info and subsequently forming a “save Corregidor” website – But neither "man" nor "organization" has made any effort in subsequent writings to recognize any “good” or to support any fund raising efforts for real efforts to “save Corregidor” to date.
As said, FAME does not have the time or resources to go "public" with our work as much as we may need it ...the money we receive for what work we do goes to that work – not to publicity, etc.
And the money for the work currently being done was hard won… and work is being done under the auspices of the government and the National Historical Institute.
Again the whole episode begs the question, “Where was all this concern when the need for the preservation of the buildings appears to have been a matter of concern to all for some time?
A pity that serious efforts and expressions of concern had not been made earlier by those who now express concern. However, FAME will continue to support CFI and hope there will be true understanding that the preservation of the island - not "desecration" - is our mutual concern.
Leslie Ann Murray, on behalf of FAME
|
|
|
Post by wandel cross on Feb 2, 2007 11:39:09 GMT 8
I have followed the discussions here with great interest AND CONCERN as I am not only a big fan and lover of Corregidor Island but a proud Filipino patriot and nationalist, as well. After having received quite a number of email updates, including the one above from Leslie Murray, I just can't keep my sentiments bottled up anymore. So here goes:
1. Leslie Ann Murray of FAME/AMCham didn't have to go through all that trouble to explain who or what FAME is, what she does, what she doesn't do, how overworked she is or how late she gets to go home if only she had resisted the urge to do all the talking for the Corregidor Foundation (CFI) in this controversy, as if CFI's life depended on her and FAME. FAME/AmCham ain't CFI and CFI ain't FAME/Amcham, right?
The issues raised by Quo Vadis Corregidor are not about FAME or any of their sleek marble-clad solar-powered memorials. Neither is it about the museum (although it is Paul Whitman's opinion that the Museum building's architecture is inconsistent with the landscape).
Leslie, it's not you they're talking about. What you're doing is like wearing the enemy's uniform and getting in the line of fire of friendly troops.
2. She says, “Where was all this concern when the need for the preservation of the buildings appears to have been a matter of concern to all for some time?"
why, does Leslie's preferred brand of "concern" have an expiry date, or a time stamp? Valid only 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago? Not valid now? Does that mean my son can't express concern or take action when he grows up?
And now that people are expressing concern, why not welcome it and build consensus instead of turning away these people with their patented arrogance? Leslie and FAME and even CFI don't own Corregidor, they don't have exclusive rights or access to the island just because they built a couple of memorials there, any more than the descendants of the Filipino and American heroes who carry the same blood that got spilt and splashed on the ruins they are trying to preserve.
3. Leslie Murray must realize once and for all that the Quo Vadis Corregidor web campaign is a 4x4, and not a Ferrari to be driven to her awards ceremonies. But maybe to satiate this seemingly severe craving for recognition that they have, may I suggest that the website owner put up a special page dedicated to Murray and FAME for their work ... "from a truly grateful nation."
Then maybe, just maybe, Murray and FAME will start recognizing the need for their conservation programs to face the "chipping" and metal scrapping problem squarely and install measures to monitor and ensure that these are stopped completely. Most of all, identify who the thieves are, that is if they can or are willing to. Now that will be the day.
|
|
|
Post by EXO on Feb 4, 2007 21:10:40 GMT 8
If FAME wants to contribute content to the website, all they need to do is ask.
Ditto CFI.
Ditto anyone.
The CT&N website has printed both sides of the debate, particularly so two of Beth D. Romulo's articles. Their links are on the Quo Vadis Corregidor page.
If this board doesn't reflect both sides of the argument, that's not the fault of this board.
This board accepts all posts...though strangely this topic has been the only one on the board which has attracted bogus nonsense posts. These, of course, have been deleted.
eXo
|
|
|
Post by Karl Welteke on Feb 10, 2007 13:37:55 GMT 8
Not really a reply, but here are more recent pictures. A good friend of mine, Tom Aring from Texas, visited Corregidor two times recently; Dec 2006 and Jan 2007, each time for 10 days. He took only a few pictures and asked me to share them. This album is exclusively for pictures from the Middleside Barracks. They are of interest to the present discussion about the restoration project by the authorities. app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/f1f2de3a-6bf1-4093-a954-3c31651d22dd
|
|
|
Post by EXO on Feb 11, 2007 13:55:13 GMT 8
I have just visited Corregidor on my (hopefully) annual trip there.
What's been going on there would take me hours to type. (I'm still only a two finger scribe.) I'll keep it brief.
I was astounded at the typhoon damage to the island. Much vegetation was damaged, and much still needs to be cleared. One hardly needs an environmental study to recognize what needs to be done in this regard.
I have inspected Middleside. I have no problem with the work being done there. It is a necessary work, and appears competently done. Sure, I am sad about it - but that is a selfish sort of sadness, the sad recognition that things cannot always remain "virginal" - the way that they were when you first set eyes on the place.
Though I agree with the content of their work at Middleside, I do not agree with the style in which the CFI had approached it, and I have told them so directly. Whether they take my submissions on board, it's for them to decide. I do hope that CFI will move to a more "transparent" style of management in their stewardship of the island, as that will surely benefit all stakeholders.
Nonetheless, as moderator of this forum, I shall continue to attempt to keep the cyber-debate civil and fair.
|
|
|
Post by Karl Welteke on Feb 13, 2007 0:22:27 GMT 8
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2007 21:38:38 GMT 8
Posting below a scanned image of the Memorandum Order by the Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordering the Director of its Forest Management Bureau to "take appropriate action on the matter" as we had reported in a letter addressed to a local newspaper editor. We didn't catch the actual publication of our letter, if ever it was published (it may have been just "relayed" to the DENR), that's why the copy of the M.O. that was mailed to the office early this week came as a pleasant surprise. We commend Usec. Manuel Gerochi for picking up the report and issuing the order to the Forest Management Bureau in what can be considered as "record time." Whatever the outcome of the investigation, we stand by what we personally saw at the project site and the photographs that we took of the aftermath of the clearing operation. We also stand by our position regarding the wholesale cutting of the trees --- that prior consultations should have been made with Corregidor's various stakeholder groups; less drastic measures could have been taken like pruning and/or transplantation; and, if complete removal of the trees was unavoidable, reforestation at a ratio of at least 20:1 should be undertaken at an alternative site. Any reforestation or tree planting project already in place in Corregidor before the destruction of said trees should not in any way be considered as "prior replacements" to conform with the "additionality" concept of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). We trust that the DENR shall remain steadfast and true to its mandate as we are committed to remain vigilant partners, volunteer monitors and stewards of our natural environment ... in and outside Corregidor Island. Note: Apparently, the DENR has imposed a ban on cutting of trees in the island pending an inventory scheduled to be undertaken within this month.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2007 10:43:17 GMT 8
For years, we've taken for granted that the visible damage on Corregidor Island's structures was caused by World War II bombing or shelling. Aside from these two reasons, frequently-touted explanations have centered on ashfall from Mt. Pinatubo, acid rain, moisture, and falling trees, typhoons, and even the salty sea air. The big question is: How could these factors conspire in such a way that a building deteriorates only in specific sections, while other portions remain relatively untouched? How could these factors possibly inflict heavy damage in a specific portion of a building, and allow the facade of next building (approximately 53 meters away) to remain relatively unscathed? Of course, by now you probably know I'm talking about the Middleside Barracks. See for yourself if these reasons are valid. In this example we'll compare the northern tip of the southern building of the Middleside Barracks with the southern tip of its northern building. To see what the northern tip of the southern building used to look like, click on this link: geocities.com/savecorregidor/shrinkingweb.htm
|
|
|
Post by wandel cross on Feb 16, 2007 23:00:33 GMT 8
Ashfall? Acid rain? Salty sea air? falling trees? typhoons? Sure sounds like that Adevoso guy, doesn't it? Yeah, got another copy of an email he sent via an email blast. That explanation is so ridiculous ... didn't know precision, laser-guided ash, acid rain, salty sea air, trees and "smart" typhoons had been invented as early back as the 60s. Jeeeez , where do I call these guys if I'd want to slice off my balcony (just my balcony, not an inch more) to give way to room expansion? They work clean, obviously.
|
|