THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES IN LIFE when you feel quite helpless or even hopeless. One such circumstance happens when you lose someone you love. You feel a sense of isolation even in the midst of friends who acknowledge your loss and try to touch your broken heart. The passing away to eternity of Jack Readshaw, also known as J.R., leaves a deep void in the hearts and minds of his friends, most especially to his beloved Boholana wife, Elizabeth Faelden Readshaw. Buried yesterday, March 10, in Valencia , J.R. who made this sleepy town his second home outside of Australia , will be surely missed by those who knew him and became his good friends.

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The accelerated pace of the concreting work in our city street and the covering of the open manholes alongside the roads are a welcome respite to the motorists, commuters and pedestrians alike. There was a time that work in the streets appeared slow and sluggish, but thank God everything now seems driven and determined. We believe that the presidential visit and also that of her "Team Unity" senatoriables has a lot to do with the fast-tracking of work in our roads. For a change, we find workers who are really working.

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Come April, the local IBP chapter is contemplating to sponsor a symposium where local or even national candidates can be invited to share their views on national and local issues. We are tickled pink in seeing the likes of congressionables Angelo Balili, Rene Relampagos, Dioning Balite, Adam Jala, Aleckoy Lim and Bicbic Abrenilla in one setting, with an open forum towards the end of the day. Its fun to be in the 3rd district where we have several aspirants who dream to be in Congress in July, this year. In the 1st and 2nd districts, there appear to be a lack of candidates to contest the seats of Reps. Edgar Chatto and Roberto Cajes. Sayang as if democracy has no more place in these areas. We can only lay the blame to the multi-party system that has laid to final rest the vibrancy of the two party system of the years gone by.

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By the way, the election surveys even those sanctioned by the administration appear to favor the GO senatoriables with the likes of Legarda, Escudero, Lacson, Cayetano, Aquino and Villar leading the pack. Even independents like Francis Pangilinan and Gringo Honasan are making a strong showing. Our very own Boholano, Cesar Montano, is so far, trailing behind. Maybe, just maybe, the Team Unity can still catch up in the long and last run. In the city, the latest HNU survey indicates that the present tenant at city hall, Mayor Dan Lim, is leading his opponents. How he will sustain the momentum will determine his chances against any challenger.

GOSPEL QUOTE: - “I will never leave you nor forsake you “Hebrews 13:5