Reckless Abandon

By Fuana Tmarsel —-

At this age, I find myself frequently taking a stroll down the memory lane; stopping to enjoy little exchanges with mom during my teens. I was 17 and she was 56 and would ask me to fetch her eye glasses so she can read. I would think to myself, “gosh, how can she not see the letters, she is really old! I was too young to apprehend the hardships of old age. Never even thinking that someday, I too would walk the same road. And today, here I am unable to read without the aid of eye-glasses.

Conceptually Shocking, But Economically Stimulating

Tia Belau Editorial, June 27, 2013 —-

“It’s conceptually shocking, but economically stimulating,” said Del. Lee after the conclusion of the 2-and-half day tobacco taxation workshop that ended yesterday.

The Courage To Change Is A Virtue

By Jackson M. Henry

My wise Ruback buddy said that, ”courage is a virtue that bolsters all other virtues”. He continued on to say that in ancient Palau, fortitude was noble thing and a unique characteristic that villagers revered with the highest regards.

It’s a sign…

By Gaafar J. Uherbelau —-  

Have you ever parked in front of an office or the hospital and then a car pulls up next to you in the designated handicap parking and the driver gets out and walks perfectly normal? Has that driver ever been you?

Morikawa-san: a savior or a myth?

Words from Orakidorm —-  

Growing up in the village, I often heard stories about Mr. Morikawa, a Japanese soldier who was spying for the United States during the WWII. According to these stories, if it wasn’t for Morikawa-san, the war in Palau would not have ended and all the Palauans would have died in some electronically wired cave somewhere in Ngatpang. Perhaps, the tragedy of war, the horror stories of the process of “in-doctorinating” Palauans to Emperorolism, the “brainwashing” toward Japanalism led to the story of Morikawa, as Palauans were looking for a “savior” out of the tragedies of WWII.

Cell Call How Important Is It?

By Santy Asanuma —-

I thought I had heard them all. Recently, I was astounded (ng mlo mechas a renguk) of a cell phone ring like one of those self customized ring tones. It was a voice of a young girl saying, “Karrrinnng karrrinng karrinng” with such a strong intonation for the sound of each letter to literally stand out. I had not heard anything so irritatingly piercing the ear. I guess that was the whole point for the owner to quickly answer every incoming call. But he forgot that this annoying ring travels through the space around him and affected other innocent ears within an earshot. I wondered why anyone would make such a nerve shattering noise like that for a ringer just to get his attention.

List of Palau’s International Organization Participation

Tia Belau Editorial, June 12, 2013 —- 

There are 28 total of regional and international organization that Palau participates in.

The first 6 RPPLs of the 9th Republic Government in summary

Tia Belau Editorial, June 9, 2013 —-

RPPL No. 9-1: To amend 30 PNC §125 to increase the minimum wage in the Republic of Palau, to modify the exemption to the minimum wage law, and for other related purposes.

Faith Journey

By Fuana Tmarsel —-

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Faith is action, not inaction. It is believing in something or someone, even when it does not make sense to those around us.

Pride beriou

By Gaafar Uherbelau —-

As you may know or have studied in history, many developed nations around the world had experienced civil wars or conflicts in their early days. These wars ultimately led to their formal establishment as world nations and the creation of their constitutions and national laws. Even in the Pacific in recent years we’ve seen ethnic tensions and rebellion in Fiji and the Solomon Islands where violence and suffering had traumatized many people.

Palau Needs To Address Its Low Total Fertility Rate

Tia Belau Editorial, June 17, 2013 —- 

Palau population has been shrinking from its high of 19,907 in 2005. As a matter of fact, the number of people living in Palau today – 17,445 – nearly matches the numbers recorded almost two decades ago in 1995, which was 17,225.

Blessed Are The Innovators

By Jackson M. Henry —-

Innovators are history’s greatest change agents. Without their creativity and courage to try something new, mankind would have been condemned to life in caves where survival is dependent on hunting and gathering. History would remain in perpetual stagnation.

Johnny B

By Santy Asanuma —-

Palau in the 1970’s was truly lively. I was in my adolescent (teenage) years and was impressionable with what life in Koror had to offer. Though there was less in those days, it seemed that life had so much promise and excitement. The road was paved for the first time since after the Second War. Flush toilet became a luxury that took many years to replace the outhouses called benjo or orchortoll where outdated Sears Roebuck thick picture catalogs or cardboard boxes were the common toiletries of those days. Though organized entertainments were far and wide in availability, sources of awe and excitement were plenty. Johnny B was greater than life itself for a teenage boy like me then. It was sensational to see him sing for the first time.

Shuffling for influence in the Pacific- colonialism, a matter of perspective

Words from Orakidorm —-  

The shuffling for influence in the Pacific whether it would be political, economics, military or social influence is actively taking place. The main players are obviously the United States and China dictating the dynamics of East Asia and the western bayou of the Pacific. The stresses along the corridors of this region including North and South Korea, the Taiwan Strait, ownership disputes between Japan and China, between the Philippines and China are all intertwined in this mesh of shuffling for influence.

As the world turns.

By Gaafar Uherbelau —-

While growing up I don’t ever recall having read about or even hearing it from elders the concept of “Palauan Time” – this habit that we’ve adapted as a “culture” of being late for everything and accepting it because it’s socially expected. Similarly, I don’t ever recall a time when my parents or grandparents allowed me to curse in the house or in public as if it were perfectly normal.

The Big Question

By Fuana Tmarsel —-

Life is hard. Then you die. Then they’ll put you in the morgue for a few weeks while they discuss your funeral. Then they take your frozen body out and put you inside a coffin. Then your relatives, including those you had not known, come together to contribute money for the lunch etc… Then they nail the coffin shut, put you down in the 6ft foot hole they’ve dug; then throw dirt at your face and body. Then the worms eat you, till there’s nothing left, but bones.

N.E.D.A.

By Jackson M. Henry —-

“As you rack our brains in finding solutions to the various problems in Palau, all roads leads to money”, said Liu Tai Wu, a prominent Hong Kong banker. Hence, generating more money to circulate in Palau’s economy is one of our government’s top priorities, as we continue to push forth our nation building efforts. One solution is the creation an investment and economic regulatory and advisory arm of the government whose goal is to develop the economy by empowering Palau’s private sector to grow.

An recommendation?

I have been using PNCC internet services since the internet age came to Palau in 1997. And any thoughts of changing to another service provider is not entertained or quickly brushed aside. That’s how loyal I am to a brand. 

Meringel A Rengul A Beluu

By Santy Asanuma —-

What a wasted land? This is the closest interpretation of this Palauan statement. When someone says something to this effect, it implies that one values communal care (cherrungel el uldekial a ulekerruir a rechad ra beluu) and the intent for preservation of what are considered important in a society. So what are important in Palauan society?

Singing Waves and Chanting Fishes

From the “Words from Orakidorm” —- 

It was 4:13 am on May 26, 2013 when we converged at the dock excited about joining the Fishing Derby. “We need is only one day, after all who needs 2 days of Fishing Derby?” As we got on the boat, we could hear the various murmurings from different folks getting on their boats as they discussed what would take place that day. After picking up our flag at the Drop Off and after my fishing buddy burnt his hand on hot morning coffee we headed west with a plan to start fishing once we reached Ngaremlengui Channel. We passed Desomel outlet (just beyond PPR), Ngerchebal (small rock island between Koror and Aimeliik) and Bkulrengel outlet (west of Aimeliik) toward Ngaremlengui. The sea was calm and the sun was peaking over Ngeruach (rock shaped like a heel in Ngaremlengui) with golden rays fanning the eastern skies. And to the west, a full moon was setting circumscribed by purple haze and pinkish rays rising to meet the golden sunrays emanating from the east. This was going to be a special day as the sun and the moon seemed to be in constant conversation. I could almost hear the waves singing and as matter of fact, they did.