REMEMBERING 2009

By Fuana Tmarsel

Let me begin by giving glory to God for the great and wonderful things He has done for us and through us, for it is in Him that we live, and move and have our being. For some the year may be memorable because some of life’s monumental events happened for them like marriage, giving birth, becoming a homeowner or even having achieved great accomplishments. Some of us perhaps look back with sorrow having missed opportunities or lost someone we held dear to our hearts to death or other adversity. Whatever it was, we can be grateful because we still have tomorrow to find new opportunities and to seek to open new doors.

Nobody’s Child

By Santy Asanuma

After receiving and talking with what seem to be an ocean of people all day long, the children all flocked to him with excitement. Of course they were all scolded and turned away considering that nobody after a full day’s work would like to be bothered by children. But the unexpected reprimand ensued against the grown ups for behaving this way. “Let the children come to me…for the kingdom of God is like these.” Wow we do not have to die to see heaven after all for all we have to do is look at the children. So let’s look at our children.

A Fisherman’s Story

By Jackson M. Henry

In 1938, Koror was a thriving metropolitan city boasting modern Japanese retail stores, theaters, bicycle shops, Geisha Houses and Sushi Bars. The proprietor of Koror’s most popular Sushi Bar, named Tanaka San, out sourced the supply of fresh fish to a Palauan fisherman named Ngirangol. Ngirangol provided steady supply of fish caught in the lagoon around Koror for the insatiable appetite of the local Japanese for fresh Sashimi. Everyone was happy.

‘TIS THE SEASON OF LOVE

By Fuana Tmarsel

Ever wonder why God started with the heavens and the earth before he created Adam and Eve. The Bible says that the earth was formless and empty and darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters and then he said, “Let there be light.” And there was light which separated it from darkness. And so he called light day, and darkness, he called night.

History’s Greatest Transformation

By Jackson M. Henry

It is fortunate that in our lifetime, many Palauans witnessed history’s greatest economic transformation occur before our eyes, thanks to CNN. Yes, just 30 years ago, Deng Xiaoping turned this backward state controlled peasant country into an open and market driven tiger economy. Its 8% annual growth has defied the gravity of global downturn and remains the forerunner of industrialization and wealth creation. Its economic engine has freed over 500 million people from the bondage of poverty. This turn of event is one of humanity’s most inspiring saga and a profound story of economic liberalization the mind finds bewildering.

DeWill (Jubilation Not Intoxication)

By Santy Asanuma

About this time of year for jubilation with only few days before Christmas in 2007 a boy in his innocence at a tender age of 14 and full of life’s promise was excited to ride his bicycle from downtown to his home in Ngesaol as the sun was setting to end another beautiful day. The joy of seeing the front lawn of the house he grew up in and seeing colorful Christmas bright lights inside the house and outside by the time he reached home. If only he was given a chance to reach this destination he thought was there all the time and easy to reach as he had always done before. And like all children, the sight and sound of a home beacon for the young to come to safety after sundown. And the voices of other siblings going about inside the house before dinner represent life as he knows it. And finally the call of his mother for him to leave his bicycle and come inside is a sound of love that cannot be mistaken. But this day was going to be different.

Is the Congress ready for Democracy?

By Fuana Tmarsel

It’s on the lips of our political leaders. Lips that quickly summon ideals of democracy, yet seemingly possessing minds devoid of its notion, indeed not the understanding to practice it.

Human Capital

By Jackson M. Henry

Of all the capital required for production, Human Capital (HC) stands out above the rest. For resource stricken countries like Palau, HC remains the strongest engine for economic growth. HC is defined as talent, skills and knowledge gained from education and experience that produces economic value. The higher the investment in HC equals the bigger the national economic output. Former Prime Minister Badawi brought this issue to President Toribiong during his visit to Palau, emphasizing the need for Palau to invest in its HC as the foundation for our economic development.

The rightful veto: a victory at home

By Kambes Kesolei

Last Monday, President Johnson Toribiong vetoed the bill designed to open Palau to gambling activities. A bill hailed by few in OEK as solution for jobs and increase of minimum wage. Yet, no one is willing to answer where did the bill come from or who drafted it.

Ongebitelulengall (At Sundown)

By Santy Asanuma

The notion that early Palauans had no sense of time before introduction of Seiko and Timex wrist watches goes to show our lack of appreciation and knowledge of how advanced and organized our society during pre-westerners era. “Ongebitelulengall” is about from 5:45 pm to 6:00 pm to mark the sun as it sinks on the surface of the ocean at the horizon. If you listen to our modern weather broadcast from National Weather Service, it announces the time for sunset in clock time but does not have a name for this particular occurrence.