Joseph Calata Takes Over

Today, the largest distributor of agricultural chemicals, feeds, fertilizers and other agricultural products of the Philippines is Calata Corporation. The business, which was once mom-andpop run, was taken over by son, Joseph Calata, who revolutionized the business by turning its operations automated. By utilizing the much needed computer technology available at that time, 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 making it possible to change the management and operations, as well as tighten credit and collection he was able to make greater sales.

The corporation is part of the top one thousand of the country's companies and is part of the fastest networks of distribution in the industry today. The 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 greater and 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. Starting from a small office staff to now employing over two hundred people, Calata Corporation is definitely a company which is still on the rise. The aim now is to expand and build more stores across the nation.

Not only is he helping the world of agriculture in the Philippines, but Joseph Calata is able to fight the unemployment rates and open up jobs for a great number. The young businessman 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. Farmers and breeders across the nation proudy prefer these products over any other. Besides the sales in agriculture from the feeds and other products, 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.

The company known as Calata Corporation was once a mom-and-pop business which held a small office staff in Bulacan. After being taken over and 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 once family-run business is the largest distributor of agricultural products in the Philippines and is still vastly growing today.

-Alison Ward

Various Religious Groups Vowed To Support 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.

Vote Lito Atienza: These Are The Things He Will Do If He Wins

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 give him another three-year mandate, Atienza will launch his platform dubbed as "Buhayin Nating Muli Ang Maynila" which is centered on continuing 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 sustain his livelihood programs and effective delivery of basic social services which has benefited much of the city's impoverished residents during his tenure as city mayor.

To achieve his goal of uplifting the living conditions of the city's poorest residents, Atienza will be launching 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 revived, which can result into job generation 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 provide employment opportunities for the city's senior citizens who would still want to be employed.

Apart from jobs and employment opportunities creation, Atienza will also continue to address 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, they will continue to enjoy all the benefits and the services they were able to avail during Atienza's tenure.

If granted another three-year term as city mayor, Atienza hopes to continue providing 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 upgrading the city's healthcare services, Atienza has vowed to enrich the coffers of the city's public hospitals and health centers. This will allow hospitals to purchase new medical equipment and medicines to be able to provide the Manilenos with quality healthcare and free medicines. Healthcare services will also be delivered to every barangay via the "Sama sa Masa", a major project of Atienza where in doctors conduct free medicines and checkups to every barangay of the city. Atienza has also vowed 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 further improved.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 continue to push 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 vowed to transform 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

Mayor Alfredo Lim Accused Ali Atienza As Drug Addict

The Rotary Club of Manila held a Polo Club Mayoral Debate last April 22, 2010, participated by mayoralty candidates Lim and Atienza. The debate was a heated one, with both candidates exchanging ideas on various social issues. When the discussion went to the issue of drugs, Lim noted his accomplishments against drug trade and use during his tenure as the city mayor. However, Lim's opponent, Lito Atienza doubted his authenticity due to the fact that Lim's son was arrested for drug pushing.

It could be recalled that the son of Lim, Manuel Lim was apprehended in 2008 for selling illicit drugs, a nonbailable offense that also carries life imprisonment. Manila mayor Alfredo Lim conceded that his son was arrested by authorities, but claimed that he did not, in anyway, helped his son with his case. As Lim was placed in the hot seat, he strained the topic by accusing the son of Atienza, Ali Atienza, a national athlete and a gold medalist of the taekwondo Asian games, of being a drug addict himself. Ali Atienza who was in the audience cried foul and called Lim a liar, saying that how can a national athlete, who competes in international games with strict drug testing procedures, be a drug addict?

Turning red with embarrassment, Alfredo Lim who had no proof about his accusation, tried to cover his statement by pointing to former Vice Mayor Lacuna as the one who stated it. Ali then went on the stage and lectured Alfredo Lim about his track record as a national athlete.Lim spoke no more about his allegations against Atienza, while the moderators of the debate take over to calm down both parties. Lito Atienza on the other hand, kept his cool and went on with the debate despite his son being accused by his competitor as a drug user.

The debate ended in a detached manner, with Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim trying to redeem himself from the embarrassing accusation he dropped against Ali Atienza. As hard as he might have tried though, Lim have already left an impression toward the thinking crowd of 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 sad to see how a low and unintelligent debate like this can go. Considering that these candidates are educated, people were expecting an intellectual discussion from them to prove their capabilities to lead.

Ali Atienza will not easily let go of Lim's allegations, stating that he would be filing a libel case against the mayor. 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. He also added that he will push the charges even after the election.

As election 2010 is just around the corner, it has been a norm for candidates to speak something negative 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. This is because the public has already given up with the ongoing political drama, and prefer leaders who knows how to walk the talk over those who talks and talks.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim is caught under public scrutiny after he accused the son of Lito Atienza for being a drug addict. The incident took place during the Mayoralty Debate arranged by the Rotary Club of Manila last April 22 2010. The allegation dropped by Lim angered Ali Atienza, and told the media after the debate that he is ready to press charges against the Mayor even after election 2010 is over. This event could seriously affect Lim's candidacy.

-Joel Dumayog

Lito Atienza And What He Has Done

Actions echoes louder than words. In the case of former Manila mayor Lito Atienza he had succeeded in doing both.One of the well-loved leaders of the nation's capital, the former mayor was successful in backing up his strong words with actions.Staying true to his words and fulfilling his promise of providing his beloved Manilenos with a city that they can truly call their own and which they will care for, Lito Atienza has accomplished more things than any of his immediate predecessors.

One of the most accomplished mayors in Manila's rich political history, Lito Atienza's profile as city mayor is decorated with numerous completed projects and other countless achievements no other city mayor of Manila has accomplished. No one needs to go the distance in grading Atienza's performance as the city mayor of Manila for an unprecedented three consecutive three-year term, we just have to look back at how Manila looked and the living of conditions its residents were three years ago.The Atienza administration is characterized by the dramatic improvements in the city's economy, tourism, peace and order and education.Moreover, it was during Atienza's stint when thousands of poor families were removed from poverty and benefited from improved living conditions.

Being a real statesman and public servant serving selflessly for the good of many, Atienza provided almost everything what was needed by many of his impoverished city folks. It was during his mayoralty stint that the city's delivery of social services was at its best.Atienza launched pro-poor programs and priority projects which have benefited and improved the lives of thousands of impoverished Manilenos. He was able to address almost all the social needs of his people through the creation of programs for housing, healthcare, peace and order, education, sports, arts and culture, nature and environment and welfare of senior citizens.

Atienza provided livelihood programs and employment opportunities for the unemployed by reviving the city's economy. He launched training programs and vocational courses for the out of school youth and unemployed to provide them with a decent livelihood and a stable source of income. Atienza along with other non-government organizations have created affordable housing and land acquisition programs for the homeless, which benefited many of the city's poor residents and even the middle class.

The city's healthcare services and public hospitals were also improved during his term. Atienza enriched the coffers of the city's public hospitals and health centers which allowed them 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. Atienza was able to bring free medical services and medicines to far-flung areas and barangays.

Manila during the Atienza administration has experienced the best peace and order situation in many years.In support of Manila's budding athletes and promising talents, Atienza promoted sports-culminating activities and free training and development programs to harness their skills and talents. In addition, Atienza has launched programs for the free access to education and school supplies of Manila's public school students. Manila's colleges and universities were also refurbished during his leadership, as part of his efforts in providing quality and affordable college education to Manilenos.Furthermore, many of the city's senior residents were also able to enjoy greater benefits under the former mayor's program for the senior citizens which included special services, big discounts and other freebies.

The former environment secretary also voted for the relocation of the oil depot in Pandacan which he believes is a serious environmental and safety threat.Manila was also able to enjoy a major facelift as Atienza pushed forward for the beautification and enhancement of the city's old and deteriorating parks and other tourist attractions. One of the most remarkable projects of the former mayor is the improvement of the city's bay area commonly known as the "Baywalk", which has allowed city residents, as well as local and foreign tourists to enjoy alfresco dining and listening to fine music while watching the world-renowned Manila Bay sunset.

Atienza's unrivaled accomplishments during his term make him as the best person to vote for mayor in this coming Manila elections. If he is able to secure another three-year term in this coming Manila elections, Manila along with its residents are set to enjoy another three glorious years under the leadership of Lito Atienza.

The most eligible person to vote for mayor in this coming Manila election, Lito Atienza is one of the most accomplished mayors in Manila's rich political history. The Atienza administration is characterized by the dramatic improvements in the city's economy, tourism, peace and order and education. He succeeded in addressing almost all the social needs of his people by creating programs for housing, healthcare, peace and order, education, sports, arts and culture, nature and environment and welfare of senior citizens.

-Jimmy Reyes