Joseph Calata: A Renowned Businessman

The largest distributor of agricultural chemicals, feeds, fertilizers and other agricultural products of the Philippines is Calata Corporation. Joseph Calata, took over the once mom-and-pop business and revolutionized it by tuning its operations automated. By being able to the much needed computer technology, the distributor reaped in a huge P1.8 billion revenue in 2009 and 2010.

This revenue is nine times more the year Joseph Calata took over management back in 2003 where revenue was seen at P200 million. During his earlier years, the young businessman was a clerk in his parents' company. He made it possible for himself to maneuver in to management and computerize their systems. By changing the management operations and tightening credit and collection, he was able to make greater sales.

This type of corporation is a proud part of the top one thousand of the country's companies and is part of the fastest network of distribution in the industry today. The large corporation, which was formerly known as Planters Choice Agro Products, is now the exclusive distributor of some world renowned chemicals, fertilizers and feeds in the Philippines. The company, which is based in Bulacan, still aims to expand its horizons and open up more opportunities for people across the nation.

With a more efficient system as well as better advertising and marketing campaigns, Calata Corporation was able to see better days. It is now the biggest agriculture product distributor in the Philippines and it is still widely growing. From starting with a small office staff to now employing over two hundred people, Calata Corporation is a company that is still definitely on the rise. The aim now is to expand and build more stores nationwide.

Not only helping the world of agriculture in the Philippines, Joseph Calata is able to fight the unemployment rates and open up jobs for a great number. This business savvy man is not afraid to get his hands dirty as he will readily visit fields to check up on farmers. He is always ready to grow his business in terms of sales and come up with ways to make these more sustainable.

Calata Corporation will soon see more stores nationwide and will cater to more farmers. These wholesome products are proudly preferred by farmers and breeders across the nation. Besides the sales in agriculture, the young businessman also takes part in growing and feeding which adds to the corporations overall revenue. The projects do not stop here for the Calatas as their business is still looking to a much better tomorrow.

Calata Corporation was once a mom-and-pop business which held a small office staff in Bulacan. After being revolutionized by son, Joseph Calata, the corporation took a turn for the better and started reaping in revenue and seeing numbers as high as P1.8 billion. Now, the family-run business is the largest distributor of agricultural products in the Philippines and is still vastly growing today.

-Alison Ward

Lito Atienza and Alfredo Lim Debate: What Went Wrong?

Mayoralty candidate Alfredo Lim was cornered at the Polo Club Mayoral debate hosted by the Rotary Club of Manila last April 22, 2010. The debate paved way for the candidates to tackle various social issues that concerns the city of Manila. The discussion went over the issue of drug trade and use, with Lim noting his continuous campaign in preventing the said activities. Yet, his opponent Lito Atienza was in doubt of Lim's statements due to the involvement of the mayor's son in selling drugs.

In 2008, the authorities apprehended Lim's son, Manuel Lim for selling illegal drugs, an offense that is nonbailable an carries with it life imprisonment. Lim, current Manila mayor, did admit that his son was caught by the PDEA, but claimed that he did not lift a finger to help his son. In order to divert the issue, Lim pointed the accusation of drug use towards Ali Atienza, the son of his opponent and a national and international taekwondo competitor. The young Atienza who was in the audience called Lim a liar, as it was impossible for a former athlete like him, who competed in international games, to be a drug addict.

Embarassed with his accusation, Lim tried to come out clean by saying that it was former vice mayor Lacuna who said that Ali was a drug addict. Ali defended himself by bespeaking to Lim about his accolades as an athlete.Lim spoke no more about his allegations against Atienza, while the moderators of the debate take over to calm down both parties. Amidst the heated situation, Lito Atienza managed to stay calm and shrug off the issue, and continued with the debate.

Manila mayor Alfredo Lim tried his best to redeem himself from the humiliating accusation he dropped; however, the program ended with antagonism in the air. Unfortunately, Lim must have forgotten that the audience was professional Rotarians. Usually Alfredo Lim can get away with lies when he is facing the city's customary street crowd of vendors, tricycle drivers and the likes; appearing in Tondo one and two with his usual mediocre style of campaigning. It is just disheartening to see how this form of unintelligent debate can take place. As the upcoming leaders of the city, the public expects more from these candidates than the senseless words coming from their mouths.

Soon after, Ali Atienza brought the incident to the media saying that he would be filing a libel case against Lim. The son of Lito Atienza noted that it pained him, as a former athlete, to be accused of being a drug addict. He also said that he worked hard to be on the top of his game, and it was really foul for a mayor to come into a ridiculous accusation against a former athlete, who before competing, needs to comply with strict drug testing procedures. Even after the election, Atienza is decided to file charges against Lim to protect his reputation.

With election 2010 nearing, it is normal to hear candidates speaking ill against their competitors. These ill comments is one way for the candidates to pull down their opponents. However, it should be realized that as public leaders, this practice clearly sends out the message to the voters that what candidates are capable of doing just to be in the position. The people wants to have a leader who knows how to walk the talk and not just to talk and talk.

The son of mayoralty candidate Lito Atienza is planning to press charges against his father's opponent Alfredo Lim after the current Manila mayor accused him of being a drug addict. The incident took place during the Mayoralty Debate last April 22, 2010 at the Manila Polo Club. Lim dropped the allegations when the topic of drug abuse was tackled. The young Atienza insisted that he would continue the charges even after election 2010 has ended.

-Joel Dumayog

Majority Of Barangay Chairmen, INC and Other Religious Groups Supports Lito Atienza

Various religious groups, including the influential Iglesia ni Cristo have endorsed the candidacy of comebacking Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

Apart from INC, Atienza is also being supported by Brother Mike Velarde of El Shaddai, Ustadz Ahmad Barcelom of the Manila Muslim community, Parish Councils of Manila as well as the majority of the city's barangay chairmen, barangay councilors and watchmen and the pro-poor organization People's Movement Against Poverty (PMAP).

It is widely known that the Iglesia ni Cristo has a huge following in the city. With the endorsement of the group, Atienza gains another 5 percent solid votes.

Based on the survey conducted last April 29, Atienza gained a 7 percentage lead against his toughest rival, incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim. With the INC votes, it can now be considered that Atienza is 12 percent leading against his opponent.

Meanwhile, El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde earlier said Manila needs a pro-life mayor.

“Lito Atienza is not only pro-life, but also pro-good government," he added.

According to Msgr. Mel David, one of Atienza's spiritual advisers, he knows the former Environment secretary too well. “He has a good heart and he is very sincere in wanting to uplift the lives of Manilans. He is pro-God and represents good governance.”

On the other hand, PMAP president Ronald Lumbao said he endorsed the candidacy of Atienza because apart from being a God-fearing person, he believes that the former Environment secretary has a genuine concern to help and improve the plight of the poor.

“His programs answer the needs of the poor community of Manila. He's very much unlike the incumbent mayor who doesn't care about the less fortunate," Lumbao said.

The Muslim community also back Atienza's candidacy, saying he maintains friendship and communication with them despite the difference in belief and religion.

Meanwhile, 650 out of the 897 barangay chairmen, and most of the barangay kagawads and tanods said that they witnessed how the former and present mayor managed the city. They claimed that they were able to prove that Atienza is the one who has a genuine heart to help the people, especially the poor.

Atienza said he is grateful for all the endorsements. He thanked all those who believe in him and his programs and vowed to do his best to improve the quality of life of the Manilans by creating jobs and provide livelihood and other opportunities for all.

Lito Atienza: A True Statesman And Dedicated Public Servant

Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza without any doubt is the best man to vote for mayor of the nation's capital in this coming election 2010. The former DENR secretary possess years of experience in public service, political will, wisdom, leadership stature and proven and unblemished track record which make him the most eligible person to win the much-coveted seat as the city mayor of this once glamorous and beautiful city.Atienza, the only leader elected for three consecutive three-year mandates, is revered by the entire city for being a true statesman and a father to all Manilenos, and for serving selflessly for the people of the city. One can just take a closer look at the former mayor's innumerable achievements and various completed projects during his leadership to be able to see a clear picture of how this man has completely dedicated himself in uplifting and changing the lives of the Manilenos particularly the impoverished.

We do not have to go that far to see how Lito Atienza performed during his tenure as city mayor. We just have to take a closer look at how Manila was and the living conditions of its residents were three years ago. The Atienza administration is best described by the drastic transformation of the lives and welfare of Manila's poorest residents. Atienza's pro-poor programs and priority projects have turned him into one of the most loved and respected leaders in the city's rich political history.

Lito Atienza has accomplished a lot of things than any other city mayors of Manila, and there is no doubt that he is indeed a true statesman and a dedicated public servant. During his stint as city mayor; Atienza has changed and improved the lives of the city's poorest residents. Atienza batted for the efficient extension of basic services as evident in the programs and priority projects that he started during his term as city mayor. He was able to address and include all of the social needs of his beloved Manilenos in his programs and priority projects including programs for housing, healthcare, peace and order, education, sports, arts and culture, nature and environment and welfare of senior citizens.

Atienza was able to build and provide housing projects and land acquisition programs for the city's homeless residents.The former Manila mayor also added more financial resources for the city's public hospitals and health centers, as part of his efforts in improving the city's healthcare services for its residents. This move has allowed public hospitals to purchase new medical equipment and medicines for enhanced healthcare services and to be able to provide free medicines to the city's impoverished residents. The city of Manila which is renowned for being a haven to the most notorious hold-up artists and pickpockets; has seen and witnessed the best peace and order situation under his leadership.During his administration, the city was able to experience its lowest crime levels in years due to Atienza's considerable effort in ridding the entire city of drug traffickers and syndicates, which he believed as the main roots of all crimes in the city.

Atienza also provided public school students with free education and school. It was also under his leadership that the city's universities and colleges were enhanced as part of his efforts in providing the city's residents with an affordable and quality college education. The former mayor of Manila during his tenure has also launched the Manila Youth games, which has benefited a lot of the city's budding and promising athletes. In addition, in support of the city's talented youth, Atienza provided free training of children who are talented in the fields of music and dance with the help of Manila's top dancers and singers. The city's senior residents were also able to enjoy greater benefits from the former mayor's program for the senior citizens which included special services, big discounts and other freebies.

Aside from the improved delivery of basic services which has transformed the lives of the poor, Atienza has also put the city of Manila back in the tourists' map and in the list of top tourists' destinations of the country. Atienza has also batted for the beautification and improvement of the city's old and deteriorating parks and other tourist attractions. One of the most remarkable projects of the former mayor is the upgrading of the city's bay area commonly known as the "Baywalk", which has allowed city residents, as well as local and foreign tourists to take pleasure in alfresco dining and listening to fine music while watching the world-renowned Manila Bay sunset.It was also during his tenure that the city's navigation and travel were improved due to the drastic improvements made in the city's infrastructure.

Former Mayor of Manila Lito Atienza is the most eligible man to vote for Manila mayor in this coming election 2010. Atienza deserves to win another term as city mayor due to his outstanding achievements as a public servant and his vast experience and knowledge on being a true statesman who works for the greater good of people. His achievements and countless completed projects and programs are testimonies to his dedication to serving the Manilenos at the best way possible.

-Joel Dumayog

Vote Lito Atienza: Why Should He Win Another Term

Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza is looking for another three-year mandate as city mayor of the nation's capital as part of his efforts in continuing his commitment in serving his beloved city and the Manilenos.Atienza, one of the most revered leaders of the city plans on continuing his flagship programs and priority projects which he was able to successfully start during his tenure. If all things turn out well and if the majority of the Manilenos are wise enough to Vote Lito Atienza, the former mayor has plans to continue pushing for the improvement and effective delivery of basic social services to the residents of the city.Moreover, Atienza has vowed to continue his fight against poverty and has promised to concentrate all of his efforts in uplifting and developing the lives of the city's impoverished residents.

If Manila residents would Vote Lito Atienza and would grant him another three-year term, Atienza plans to launch his platform dubbed as "Buhayin Nating Muli Ang Maynila" which is centered on sustaining what he has started during his tenure. In light of this, Atienza has outlined several programs and priority projects, all of which are dedicated for addressing all the basic social needs of the city and its residents. Atienza plans to continue his programs for livelihood and effective delivery of basic social services which has been beneficial to many of the city's impoverished residents during his tenure as city mayor.

To fulfill his vision of uplifting the lives of the city's poorest residents, Atienza plans to launch programs that would stimulate the city's once-vibrant economy. Atienza plans to attract investors into the city by enhancing the city's infrastructure and peace and order situation.In this way, economic activity in the city will be put back into life, which can result into job creation for the city's unemployed residents. Livelihood programs and skills trainings will also be provided to the city's unemployed and out of school youth to provide them with a decent livelihood and source of income.Moreover, Atienza will also create employment opportunities for the city's senior citizens who would still want to work.

Apart from creating jobs and employment opportunities, Atienza plans to continue addressing the needs of the residents by including almost all social aspects in his platform. Atienza will launch and continue programs and projects that will include a wide array of social areas including programs for housing, healthcare, peace and order, education, sports, culture and arts, nature and environment and welfare of senior citizens. If the Manilenos will Vote Lito Atienza, the benefits and the services they were able to avail during Atienza's term will be continued and sustained for good.

If given another three-year mandate as city mayor, Atienza will continue to build affordable housing programs and land acquisition programs both for the homeless impoverished residents and even to the middle class. As part of his efforts in improving the city's healthcare services, Atienza plans to provide more financial resources to the city's public hospitals and health centers.This will allow hospitals to acquire modern medical equipment and medicines to be able to provide the Manilenos with quality healthcare and free medicines.Healthcare services will be delivered to every barangay via the "Sama sa Masa", a priority project of Atienza where in doctors conduct free medicines and checkups to every barangay of the city. Atienza also plans to continue providing free education and school supplies to the city's public school students. In addition, as part of his efforts in providing quality and affordable college education, Manila's colleges and universities will also be enhanced. Livelihood programs and skills trainings like vocational courses will also be presented to Manila's unemployed and out of school youth.

Atienza will also continue to provide assistance to Manila's budding athletes and talents through the promotion of sports activities and free training and development programs. The city's peace and order situation will also be enhanced and perpetrators of crime and big time drug or crime syndicates will be put into justice.As a former environment czar, Atienza will be pushing for the removal of the oil depot in Pandacan, which he deem as a serious environmental and safety threat to the people residing in the area.Furthermore, Atienza is planning to move forward with his beautification projects to put Manila back into the tourists' maps and top destinations in the country.Atienza has promised to enhance and beautify the city's old and deteriorating parks and tourist attractions, just like what he did in Manila's bay area or commonly known as the baywalk.

Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza is seeking another three year mandate to continue his commitment in uplifting the lives of the city's impoverished residents. If Manila residents Vote Lito Atienza, he will continue improve the local government's delivery of basic services and creating livelihood and employment opportunities which he views as the solutions to the poverty incidence in the city. Atienza has vowed to continue his beautification projects just like what he did in he now infamous baywalk

-Francis Go