Spain: Europe's top donor to RP

When agriculture officials signed last Dec. a three-year rice-import pact with Vietnam, they claimed they got a bargain. Supposedly Vietnam was exporting then at only $456-$459 per MT after a bumper harvest. So they negotiated a final price of $554, including freight and other costs.

Not only did they lie about the Dec. price, but also tied RP to costly rice imports till 2011, way beyond the end of their term in June 2010.

As I pointed out last week, Vietnam’s $459-per-MT quote was only in the first week of Dec., and the $456 in the third week. The agri-liars omitted to say that the open rate was only $447 per MT in the second week.

There’s more. Vietnam’s export price has since dropped. No less than the head of its rice association, Truong Thanh Phong, was reported trading with Singapore in July at only $430 per MT. Competitors were miffed that at one point he even undercut them at $406 per MT.

Prices in Thailand, the world’s biggest rice exporter, fell even lower with its Sept.-Oct. harvest. When news spread that RP might reorder in the aftermath of Ondoy-Pepeng, the Thais sought to outsell Vietnam. As a result, the latter dropped prices further: $395-$400 per MT free-on-board for 5-percent broken grain; $340-$350 per MT for 25-percent broken.

*      *      *

Former colonizers and colonized can have sweet ties. This letter from Philippine envoy to Spain Ana Ines de Sequera-Ugarte is a prime example:

“My dearest Kababayans,

“I arrived in Spain to assume my position as Ambassador of the Philippines last July 23, 2009. Technically I could perform my duties, but wasn’t a full-fledged ambassador until I had presented my credentials to the King. The big day was scheduled for Sept. 28, 2009. The activities I attended during the weeks leading up to that day had been significant. These included my courtesy calls to the Spanish Ministers of Foreign Affairs; visits to the Feria de Madrid for the gifts fair, the Madrid Stock Exchange, and the Museo Naval of San Sebastian where I was the VIP visitor of their ongoing exhibit of the Basques in the Pacific; and attendance of a Filipina nun receiving her temporal vows in Burgos. In such short time I realized how genuinely the Spanish love the Filipinos. They have a sincere cariño for our country and people that is indescribable, and I have received nothing but praises. Our OFWs are treated with respect and, in altercations with Spanish authorities, are always given the benefit of the doubt. Their childlike enthusiasm for our country and people is fascinating and most heart-warming.

“The concern and expression of sadness they conveyed for victims of Storm Ondoy is beyond belief. The embassy continuously received calls from people asking where to send donations. One morning I was called by the Directora de la Agencia de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo to officially give notice that Spain will be sending one million euros worth of aid to the Philippines. A cargo plane was to depart the next day from the military base at Torrejon. I asked if I could attend to witness the departure and to personally thank the many NGOs involved in the operation.

“Our kababayan do not know this. Spain is the biggest donor of development and emergency aid to the Philippines in all of Europe. Ambassador Luis Arias doesn’t go kissing babies or handing out emergency kits to the needy. Spain prefers to stay under the radar and not seek publicity, so all her goodwill go unnoticed and sometimes even become the butt of criticism by our politicians.

“My day with the King was one of the most exciting days of my life. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. Viva España.”

*      *      *

What’s going on at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute? Reportedly the state hospital is buying — without benefit of public bidding — P750 million worth of specialized medical equipment in a new building for women. Negotiations were held for a Dutch firm to supply everything. This, on the pretext that the women’s ward is funded by Dutch aid that never came. Work is being rushed so that Gloria Arroyo can inaugurate the facility in March.

*      *      *

Asked how many productions he directs in a year, stage veteran Floy Quintos quipped, “Too much.” An accurate statement actually, for one who enjoys sapping himself with one big show per quarter. Plays just energize Floy. After last week’s CCP run of the Tennessee Williams classic A Streetcar Named Desire, he directs these two weekends Orlando Nadres’ Filipino translation Flores Para Los Muertos. A must-see for everybody, Flores features Eula Valdes, Meryll Soriano, Neil Ryan Sese, and Jonathan Tadioa.

Showtime at the CCP Little Theater: 8 p.m. on Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24, with 3 p.m. matinees on Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25. For inquiries: Tanghalang Pilipino, (02) 8321125 locals 1620 or 1621.

*      *      *

“The world becomes darker when people have dark hearts. Light up the world; set your heart on fire.” Shafts of Light, Fr. Guido Arguelles, SJ

*      *      *

E-mail: [email protected]