Prof Baltimore Talk in Davao Cancelled

In an email received this week, Prof. Baltimore postponed his trip to the Davao City, Philippines after he made this comment recently (see news below). So with Prof. Ramos-Horta still in Australian hospital and Prof. Baltimore cancelling his talk in the University, we hope to have another Nobel Laureate coming late this year.

I will keep you posted.

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HIV vaccine research hits impasse

By Helen Briggs Science reporter, BBC News, Boston

HIV has evolved to protect itself from the human immune system

Scientists are no further forward in developing a vaccine against HIV after more than 20 years of research, a Nobel Prize-winning biologist has said.

Professor David Baltimore, president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), said there was little hope among scientists.

But he said that they were continuing efforts to develop a vaccine.

"Our lack of success may be understandable but it is not acceptable," he said.

"Some years ago I came to the conclusion that our community had to seriously undertake new approaches or we might find ourselves with a worldwide epidemic and no effective response," Prof Baltimore told the annual meeting of the AAAS in Boston.

"That is just where we are today."

I believe that HIV has found ways to totally fool the immune system - so we have to do one better than nature Professor David Baltimore Is HIV beating the scientists?

HIV had evolved a way to protect itself from the human immune system, he said.

"This is a huge challenge because to control HIV immunologically the scientific community has to beat out nature, do something that nature, with its advantage of four billion years of evolution, has not been able to do," Prof Baltimore said.

"I believe that HIV has found ways to totally fool the immune system.

"So we have to do one better than nature."

'One shot'

Attempts to control the virus through antibodies or by boosting the body's immune system have ended in failure.

This has left the vaccine community depressed because they can see no hopeful way of success, Prof Baltimore said.

Guide: The biology of Aids

Among the novel techniques that scientists are turning to are gene and stem cell therapy, although these are still in their infancy.

"In the human you really only have one shot which is to try to change genes in stem cells," said Prof Baltimore, one of the leading experts on the HIV virus.

"So we're trying to do that, to design vectors that can carry genes that will be of therapeutic advantage."

Prof Baltimore won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1975 for the co-discovery of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that was later found to be used by HIV to replicate in human cells.

He now leads the Baltimore laboratory at Caltech, with support from the Gates Foundation, to look for ways to genetically boost the immune system against infectious agents, particularly HIV.

Tell the Truth! Now!

More photo at Prayer Rally at ADDU

Ateneo de Davao University Community Statement

Ateneo de Davao University Community Statement
22 February 2008, Davao City

The Scandal of Corruption

Our country today is in a very deep political and moral crisis. We see its impact on the face of Jun Lozada, the reluctant star witness. He fears for his life and for his family’s safety, as he struggles to speak out what he knows about the NBN-ZTE deal. This $329-million controversial deal apparently has a built-in $130-million kickback. This is very disturbing! Whoever has the key to the solution to this problem, speak! We want to know the truth!

Whistleblower Lozada, of course, is not a saint. He himself confesses his previous wrongdoi8ng. But his bold witnessing overcomes the tricks some authorities employ to avoid saying what they know and to prevent those who know from speaking out. The greatest casualty here is the truth. So tell us the truth, now!

For if all this is true, then it will confirm the grand scale corruption that the Philippine bishops have relentlessly been preaching against. According to the Editorial of the official publication of the Philippine Bishops, “Graft and corruption in the government are so endemic and extensive that socio-political integrity in governance has seemingly become a moral impossibility to achieve during the remaining three-year tenure of the present national leadership” (CBCP Monitor June 25-July 8, 2007, p. A4). This is a heavy statement.

We would be hypocritical, however, if we blame only the government. At the moment, no social institution in Philippine society seems immune to corruption. So, like Lozada, the media must also say “Mea culpa” for some distorted reporting. Like Lozada, the Church must also admit its lack of transparency in its institutions, and should also say “Mea culpa”. Like Lozada, the private sector must stop bribery and not yield to extortion, and say, “Mea culpa”. This collective admission of guilt is part of our communal cleansing. And this Lenten Season should be a good time to confess the sad truth of our participation in corruption.

The Blessing of Integrity

Thank God, there is another truth to be told. The probinsyanong Intsik is not alone. There are many more whistleblowers, who, in less sensational ways, live up to the demands of living a life of integrity. We witness the heroic citizenship of ordinary employees who continue, despite low salaries, to pour their energies into their public service. We know of judges who retire with peace of mind because they have held fast to their principles. All this is also true!

We bless the dynamic leaders who literally walk the streets in delivering basic services to their people. We affirm the achievements of conscientious individuals in the corporate world and the religious groups who combine professional competence with social conscience. All this must also be hailed for they are true!

We celebrate, with both sacred rage and serene faith, the death of our contemporary martyrs who have sacrificed life, job, and family for the sake of justice. They lived in the joy and consolation of the truth!

Communal Action for Truth

Now, in response to the call of Philippine bishops and various vigilant groups, the Ateneo de Davao University students, faculty, administration, staff, and other concerned citizens here in Davao City join together in “communal action,” to pray hard and work even harder for enlightenment, cleansing, and the courage to live by the “truth that sets us free” (John 8:32). We commit ourselves to continuous struggle—within our own selves, our families and institutions—to abhor lies and to uphold truth.

At the same time, we challenge those who hold positions of public trust—please check and recheck your values. We call on their relatives to interrogate the acts of their fathers or mothers or sons or daughters in positions of power. Do not be the cause of their downfall.

We call on the students and alumni—you are the best contribution of schools to society. Remember the values that your school stands for. Do not bring shame to your Alma Mater.

We call on the religious communities and members of civil society. Support the authentic whistleblowers. Give them shelter. Help them discern. Take care of their families. More importantly, do not leave individual whistleblowers to carry the burden of shaking the conscience of society. Let us transform our groups into prophetic communities and communal whistleblowers.

We call everyone to tell your stories of pain and anger, your dreams and energies. In homes and classrooms, talk about Filipinos who tell the truth. Tell children not to cheat their way to success. Teach them hard and honest work. Tell them to respect the real value of words—and numbers. Remind them of the dignity of our people.

We believe that the present crisis is not in our genes. Even our seemingly immovable social structure and incorrigible culture of corruption cannot be our eternal destiny. If we dare to change, things will change. So let us change!

What we now see as an apparent dead-end may yet turn out to be the threshold of a new creation. In the “darkness that covered the abyss” in the beginning of creation, God’s “mighty wind swept over the waters. God said, ‘Let there be light. And there was light’” (Genesis 1:2-3). In the seemingly desperate situation our country is in today, let the mighty wind of God’s spirit move us. Let there be movement! And there shall be change! But first, give us no less than the truth, and the faith to face it—now!

Contact information:

Social Involvement Coordinating Office
Ateneo de Davao University
E. Jacinto St., 8016 Davao City
Tel. No. (82) 221.2411 local 8329
Fax (82) 226.4116

Fr. Albert E. Alejo S.J.
Ehem! Coordinator
Jesuit Residence
Ateneo de Davao University
E. Jacinto St., 8016 Davao City
Tel. No. (82) 221.2411 local 8716
Fax (82) 226.4116

Essay Writing Competition: US$5,000

I urge those who are writers in the University to join this essays competition. Sayang din, US$5,000.

LENTE: Short Film Premiere

I would like to invite my students, friends and other film buffs in Davao City to see the short films done by Mass Communication Majors last Summer 2007. It will be done this afternoon, 4:30 PM - 8:00PM at F213, 2nd Level, Finster Hall - Jacinto Campus. Awarding of prizes will be done after the preview.

This is managed and coordinated by Chameleon Co., a public relations agency in the campus. The following are the entries:

KAGATapusan: a documentary on rabies incidents and treatment in Davao City
Kolono: features the life of an inmate at the Davao Penal Colony
Bayani Sa Lansangan: a short film on menial work of informal sectors in Davao City
Pork on Your Fork: tackles the city abattoir and the methods of slaughtering pigs
Life Down Under: discusses the informal sector living at Generoso Bridge, Bankerohan
Striped: previews the life & lifestyle of tisays/tisoys/ amboys in Davao

Congratulations to the organizers and the filmmakers?

MGS Photoshoot

Model: Mary Grace
Venue: Malagos Garden Resort, Calina, Davao City

More photos of Mary Grace at flickr.com/photos/banyuhay

If You Forget Me

Kung Kalimutan Mo Ako
Pablo Neruda
(Salin ni Bong Eliab)

Alam mo kung papaano ito:
Kung masulyapan ko
ang malakristal na buwan,
ang mapupulang sanga ng taglagas sa aking durungawan,
Kung dumampi sa akin
malapit sa apoy
ang malamultong abo
o ang kulubot na katawan na kahoy,
dinadala ako, lahat patungo sa 'yo
kung baga lahat ng bagay,
bango, ilaw, metal,
mga bangkang maliliit
naglalayag
tungo sa mga isla mong naghihintay sa akin.

Kung sakali ngayon
unti-unting ayaw mo na akong mahalin
`Di na rin kita mamahalin dahan-dahan.

Kung sakaling
bigla mo akong kinalimutan.
Huwag mo na akong hanapin,
Sapagkat matagal na kitang kinalimutan.

Kung pagnilayan mo ng matagal,
ang ihip ng mga bandilang
dumadaan sa buhay ko,
at nagpasya kang lisanin
ang dalampasigan ng aking puso
na aking kinaugatan,
alalahanin
sa araw ding iyon,
sa sandaling yaon,
Bibitaw ang aking mga kamay
at hahayo ang aking mga ugat
maghanap ng lupang madapuan.

Ngunit
kung sakaling sa bawat araw,
sa bawat sandali,
nararanasan mong ikaw ang aking kapalaran
ng may katamisang dumadaloy,
kung sakaling sa bawat araw
umaakyat ang isang bulaklak
sa iyong mga labi
tungo sa akin
Ah, irog ko, ah akin lamang,
sa loob ko bumabalik ang apoy,
sa loob ko walang nanamlay o nakalimutan,
buhay ng aking pag-ibig ang iyong pag-ibig, irog,
at habang buhay, iyong haplos
mananatili sa aking haplos. 

Pagbabago@Pilipinas Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PLEASE

We at Pagbabago@Pilipinas, together with the rest of the nation believe that the truth about the ZTE project must be allowed to surface that justice may be served. For too long and too often, the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been contemptuous of any attempts at arriving at the truth on important matters that have robbed the nation of its wealth and wounded its spirit. The latest kidnapping attempt of witness Jun Lozada is another blatant attempt at truth suppression, among many other actions that have attempted to muddle every investigation dating all the way back to the Jose Pidal scandal and including the Hello Garci scandal, the Fertilizer scam, the Southrail projects, the Macapagal highway among many others.

We stand steadfast behind all efforts to arrive at the truth about the ZTE kickback scandal. Let everyone involved testify freely and let justice move swiftly and charge the guilty regardless of who they are.

We say with one voice that anyone who stands in the way of the quest for truth, including GMA and members of her administration, should immediately resign. Politicians who lie, cheat and thwart justice should have no place in the governance of this nation. Enough is enough. The Philippines deserves better-- and our people should settle for nothing less.


pagbabago@pilipinas Foundation
pagbabago.tripod.com

Invitation to a Nobel Peace Laureate Lecture

On behalf of Fr. Antonio S. Samson S.J., President of Ateneo de Davao University, we kindly invite you to participate in the March 2008 "Bridges" event and dialogue with the following keynote speaker: Prof. David Baltimore, Nobel Laureate for Medicine and President Emeritus of the California Institute of Technology.

Awarded the Nobel Prize at the age of 37 for research in virology, Professor Baltimore has profoundly influenced national science policy on such issues as recombinant DNA research and the AIDS epidemic. He is an accomplished researcher, educator, administrator and public advocate for science and engineering and is considered one of the world's most influential biologists.

Professor Baltimore will speak on "The role of science in fostering global health and development" on Friday, March 28 at 2 pm at Finster Auditorium, Ateneo de Davao University on E. Jacinto Street in Davao City (further information and free seats via phone (082) 227-8771 or 221-2411, fax (082) 226-4116 or email jse@addu.edu.ph, asamsonsj@gmail.com). Admission is free.

We hope you could join Professor Baltimore's event in March 2008 or the remaining "Bridges" event in April 2008 with Nobel Peace Laureate President Prof. Jose Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste. The detailed schedule of all "Bridges" events and further information is available on the website

www.peace-foundation.net

We thank you for your kind attention and consideration and would be delighted to personally welcome you at some of the upcoming "Bridges" events in March or April 2008.

With best regards,


JEREMY S. ELIAB
Assistant to the President
Ateneo de Davao University
Roxas Avenue, Davao City
8016 Philippines
Tel. +63 (82) 221.2411 local 8253
Fax +63 (82) 226.4116