From Rusty Balderian
Last week while it was still raining, the farm workers in my town (TabonTabon, Leyte) couldn't work in the fields to harvest the palay. Due to the extended rainy season, a kilo of rice jumped from 20 pesos to 30 pesos per kilo. With this sudden increase most of them would eat only one full meal a day. They had to eat giant gabi or casava in the morning, rice at lunch and banana in the evening.
I went to visit a family of 6 children between the ages of 4 to 12 years old. The father, a 30 year old pedicab driver could afford only to buy one kilo of rice (and 2 pcs of salted fish) so he had to equally distribute the rice between his children. The mother and father did not eat, they only watched their children. Since the rice was not enough, the father had to watch them eat with a stick in his hand to swat any hand that would cross to another plate. It was not a pretty site to watch knowing that the parents were hungry but had to sacrifice the food to their children and the children inspite of the rice that they had, their share was not enough.
Today, the landscape has changed because it has been sunny for almost a week. The farmworkers are busy now in the farm, harvesting palay. However, this is temporary because the yeild is only half of what they used to harvest due to the heavy rains. The abundance of rice in our locality is only good for a month. After the harvest season, I'm very sure that there will be trouble in our community. Palay traders are buying almost all the harvest in our town. They are going to hoard these and will sell at a very high price once the harvest season is finnished.
The same scenario of the family that I visited will be common. I am bracing myself for robberies in the community in order for their families to survive. This has started already during our calamity period where several sari-sari stores were robbed, carabaos were butchered and celfons in the homes were stolen. I have sent several request to the good senators for funding of livelihood projects to cushion the hardships but no one has responded yet except for a promise to help.
MANILA, 27 March 2008 (IRIN) - Like many poor Filipino families, Boyet and Milagros Navarro and their five children get by on just over US$2 a day. Boyet works as a welder in Baguio City on the northern island of Luzon and his wife is a part-time farm helper. According to the 2006 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, the latest conducted by the country's National Statistics Office, 68 million of the country's 90 million inhabitants live on or under US$2 a day. The same survey shows that for every $2.40 in daily earnings, more than a third goes towards food expenses, while the rest is spent on medicine, clothing, education and other expenditures. The Navarro family told IRIN they spend roughly US$1 a day on food, mostly rice, vegetables, some fish and occasionally meat, and because of their lean budget, they often skip a meal. Hunger may become a regular fixture in their lives as rice prices continue to rise - this year alone, the average price of rice has increased by up to 17 US cents and Filipino families are bracing themselves for more belt-tightening measures. "No more fish and meat" "We're reduced to eating rice and vegetables. No more fish and meat," Milagros said. "My husband and I can survive on that, but what about the children?" Already, the average retail price of rice is 72 US cents a kilo, from 60 US cents in 2007. And there is no sign that prices are going to stabilise soon, as global prices continue to soar. The Navarros' dilemma is common to many other families in the Philippines. On the southern part of Luzon, in the Albay province of Bicol region, Mayor Noel Rosal of Legazpi City said many families there could no longer take regular meals because of high prices and the lack of supplies. "This is not a joke. At 30 pesos per kilo (72 US cents), numerous families suffer from starvation," Rosal said. The staple food for the majority of Filipinos, rice, is considered a political commodity and the looming shortage and price increases could spell trouble for the government, some critics have said. "The government has been hounded by political uncertainty, from allegations of graft and corruption, and a food crisis could stoke further unrest," said Rafael Mariano, chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), a militant peasant group. Social unrest looming? Opposition senator Loren Legarda, chair of the senate economic affairs committee, warned that a big surge in the staple's price "is bound to spur social unrest and political instability going forward". Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has called on Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to guarantee some 1.5 million metric tons of rice this year. Arroyo has also approved a US$68.5 million incremental budget to boost rice production, according to agriculture secretary Arthur Yap. On 25 March, the president ordered a crackdown on rice hoarders, calling on Yap to ensure that cheap government rice would reach those who needed it most. Other measures are also being proposed to address the problem, including an appeal to fast-food outlets throughout the country to offer half-portions of rice to patrons to prevent wastage, with fast-food owners agreeing to the proposal. The social welfare and development department said it is preparing to issue rice coupons to poor families to cushion the impact of increasing prices. The National Food Authority (NFA), which sells subsidised rice in some 22,000 selected outlets nationwide, has downplayed a food crisis and made assurances that there will be a steady supply of cheap rice in the market. Worldwide rice shortage A worldwide rice shortage has also affected the prices of NFA subsidised rice, up from 38 to 41 US cents last year to 43 to 48 US cents a kilo this year. NFA public information director Rez Estoperez said the adjustment was necessary because the purchase price of imported rice had been increasing steadily. Estoperez said the NFA had also initiated a clampdown on outlets suspected to be colluding with private traders to hoard rice and create an artificial shortage. According to World Food Programme (WFP) country director Valerie Guarnieri, rising rice prices are putting pressure on the agency's budget and could affect food assistance to about 1.1 million Filipinos in the conflict-affected areas on the southern island of Mindanao. "It is straining our budget. In the medium term, we may reach less people as a result. As it is, we are already under funded," Guarnieri said. She estimates that WFP's commodity cost has already swelled by 40 percent since rice prices began this increase, and WFP is appealing for at least US$500 million from donor countries to help fill the funding gap.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Misamis learns from worst floods
Misamis Occidental recovers, learns from worst disaster
Floods came rushing down towns because Mt. Malindang's forest cover had been denuded--no thanks to locals' irresponsible economic activities
SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental
--Houses are rising in Barangay Kagay-anon here, the worst damaged by the January 16 typhoon that destroyed 207 houses in the towns of Tudela, Sinacaban, and Jimenez in Misamis Occidental. It was the biggest natural disaster to hit this Northern Mindanao province in a decade, and it may have just given the locals a most crucial realization about ecological balance in their area. So along with building houses for 254 families, and trying to recover the P12-million worth of properties, crops, and livestock that the typhoon destroyed, there's another kind of reconstruction going on. Local officials are working to get more support from residents and national agencies to save the denuded forest cover of Mt. Malindang to prevent massive floods similar to what destroyed about a dozen barangays more than two months ago. Successive days of heavy rains caused the January 16 floods.
Lifeblood of a million people
With its highest peak at about 2,400 meters and spanning over 53,000 hectares, the Malindang mountain range straddles across the 17 localities of Misamis Occidental and several towns in nearby Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. Malindang has an estimated forest cover of about 33,000 hectares; 18,000 hectares of this are mostly mossy forest. The mountain's remaining forest serves as water catchment, which in turn drains into more than a dozen major river systems in Misamis Occidental. The water supply from Malindang is enjoyed by about a million people around the Zamboanga Peninsula for agricultural, domestic, and industrial purposes. In the 1970s, three logging concessions were granted in the mountain range. Migrants started settling in the downhill areas. The Malindang Protected Area Office (PAO) said that before logging came, there used to be only 1,000 families, mostly indigenous Subanen people, in the area. Today, there are about 4,000 families.
Armed timber poachers
The increase in the number of mountain dwellers in Malindang is threatening its ecological health. These settlers live off cultivating the slopes both for cash and subsistence crops. Many of them practice of slash-and-burn farming. They also gather wood for fuel and construction of houses. The gravest threat comes from armed timber poachers, who cut trees for lumber. Poaching activities by upland residents are also done for making fishing boats and sold to fishers around the Panguil Bay area. Protected area superintendent Rolando Dingal estimates that around 15 hectares of forests are lost annually due to a combination of these activities. Environment advocate Andrew Bascon of the mountaineering group Malindang Explorers Tribe said the rate of forest loss could even be higher. He said that timber poaching activities in remotely accessible areas between Tambulig and Bonifacio towns may not have been monitored by the authorities. Dingal admitted having difficulties in law enforcement drives in these areas because Tambulig, which is part of Zamboanga del Sur, is no longer within the PAO's jurisdiction.
Annual allocation
Dingal is not complaining, however, noting that Malindang has received initial assistance from the national government. It may not be enough, he said, but it is a good start.In September 2005, President Arroyo signed Republic Act 9304, which declared Malindang as a natural park, delineating its expanse primarily into protected area covering 34,694 hectares, and buffer zone covering 18,334 hectares. The protected area is off-limits to human activity in order to preserve and develop its remaining flora and fauna. The law provides an annual allocation of P7.6 million for the management of the mountain range under the supervision of PAO. However, appropriation only started in 2007 at P4 million. Dingal noted that among more than 200 protected areas throughout the country, only Malindang has an annual allocation for protection, conservation, and development activities. He stressed, however, that the sustainability of these activities should be underpinned by local initiatives.
Foreign aid has stopped
For about a decade beginning in the 1990s, environmental management measures for Malindang were largely supported by external resources, usually development assistance from foreign governments. Notable among these were the European Union-funded National Integrated Protected Areas Program, and a Dutch-funded project aimed to strengthen the capacity of local groups to undertake sustained measures for promoting Malindang's environmental health. These projects used to shoulder a big part in the cost of maintaining a host of forest guards employed by PAO. When these initiatives phased out, local responses failed to fill in the role. This was seen in the dismal turnout of support for the "Piso-Piso Para sa Malindang" campaign that raised only more than P2,000 pesos in five years. But there were encouraging developments gained through PAO's campaign: four of 17 local government units in Misamis Occidental have financed forest guards since 2004. These are the towns of Don Victoriano, Jimenez, and Tudela, and Oroquieta City. Dingal hopes that other localities will follow the example. He also eyes soliciting the support of government agencies involved in water use, like the National Irrigation Administration and the Misamis Occidental Water District, to help raise protection and development funds for Malindang. Dingal explained that law enforcement will be a key factor in stemming the tide of timber poaching and other ecologically destructive activities in the immediate to medium term. But he stressed the more important role of securing the economic survival of hinterland dwellers in the longer-term protection of Malindang's forest resources.
Floods came rushing down towns because Mt. Malindang's forest cover had been denuded--no thanks to locals' irresponsible economic activities
SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental
--Houses are rising in Barangay Kagay-anon here, the worst damaged by the January 16 typhoon that destroyed 207 houses in the towns of Tudela, Sinacaban, and Jimenez in Misamis Occidental. It was the biggest natural disaster to hit this Northern Mindanao province in a decade, and it may have just given the locals a most crucial realization about ecological balance in their area. So along with building houses for 254 families, and trying to recover the P12-million worth of properties, crops, and livestock that the typhoon destroyed, there's another kind of reconstruction going on. Local officials are working to get more support from residents and national agencies to save the denuded forest cover of Mt. Malindang to prevent massive floods similar to what destroyed about a dozen barangays more than two months ago. Successive days of heavy rains caused the January 16 floods.
Lifeblood of a million people
With its highest peak at about 2,400 meters and spanning over 53,000 hectares, the Malindang mountain range straddles across the 17 localities of Misamis Occidental and several towns in nearby Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. Malindang has an estimated forest cover of about 33,000 hectares; 18,000 hectares of this are mostly mossy forest. The mountain's remaining forest serves as water catchment, which in turn drains into more than a dozen major river systems in Misamis Occidental. The water supply from Malindang is enjoyed by about a million people around the Zamboanga Peninsula for agricultural, domestic, and industrial purposes. In the 1970s, three logging concessions were granted in the mountain range. Migrants started settling in the downhill areas. The Malindang Protected Area Office (PAO) said that before logging came, there used to be only 1,000 families, mostly indigenous Subanen people, in the area. Today, there are about 4,000 families.
Armed timber poachers
The increase in the number of mountain dwellers in Malindang is threatening its ecological health. These settlers live off cultivating the slopes both for cash and subsistence crops. Many of them practice of slash-and-burn farming. They also gather wood for fuel and construction of houses. The gravest threat comes from armed timber poachers, who cut trees for lumber. Poaching activities by upland residents are also done for making fishing boats and sold to fishers around the Panguil Bay area. Protected area superintendent Rolando Dingal estimates that around 15 hectares of forests are lost annually due to a combination of these activities. Environment advocate Andrew Bascon of the mountaineering group Malindang Explorers Tribe said the rate of forest loss could even be higher. He said that timber poaching activities in remotely accessible areas between Tambulig and Bonifacio towns may not have been monitored by the authorities. Dingal admitted having difficulties in law enforcement drives in these areas because Tambulig, which is part of Zamboanga del Sur, is no longer within the PAO's jurisdiction.
Annual allocation
Dingal is not complaining, however, noting that Malindang has received initial assistance from the national government. It may not be enough, he said, but it is a good start.In September 2005, President Arroyo signed Republic Act 9304, which declared Malindang as a natural park, delineating its expanse primarily into protected area covering 34,694 hectares, and buffer zone covering 18,334 hectares. The protected area is off-limits to human activity in order to preserve and develop its remaining flora and fauna. The law provides an annual allocation of P7.6 million for the management of the mountain range under the supervision of PAO. However, appropriation only started in 2007 at P4 million. Dingal noted that among more than 200 protected areas throughout the country, only Malindang has an annual allocation for protection, conservation, and development activities. He stressed, however, that the sustainability of these activities should be underpinned by local initiatives.
Foreign aid has stopped
For about a decade beginning in the 1990s, environmental management measures for Malindang were largely supported by external resources, usually development assistance from foreign governments. Notable among these were the European Union-funded National Integrated Protected Areas Program, and a Dutch-funded project aimed to strengthen the capacity of local groups to undertake sustained measures for promoting Malindang's environmental health. These projects used to shoulder a big part in the cost of maintaining a host of forest guards employed by PAO. When these initiatives phased out, local responses failed to fill in the role. This was seen in the dismal turnout of support for the "Piso-Piso Para sa Malindang" campaign that raised only more than P2,000 pesos in five years. But there were encouraging developments gained through PAO's campaign: four of 17 local government units in Misamis Occidental have financed forest guards since 2004. These are the towns of Don Victoriano, Jimenez, and Tudela, and Oroquieta City. Dingal hopes that other localities will follow the example. He also eyes soliciting the support of government agencies involved in water use, like the National Irrigation Administration and the Misamis Occidental Water District, to help raise protection and development funds for Malindang. Dingal explained that law enforcement will be a key factor in stemming the tide of timber poaching and other ecologically destructive activities in the immediate to medium term. But he stressed the more important role of securing the economic survival of hinterland dwellers in the longer-term protection of Malindang's forest resources.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Philippines joins in with earth hour
Manila - Lights in public places and around commercial establishments in at least four cities in the Philippines will be turned off for an hour later on Saturday to mark Earth Hour 2008 in a bid to raise awareness about climate change. Department of Secretary Angelo Reyes and non-governmental groups participating in the event will converge at an open park in downtown Manila for the countdown and a short programme.
Aside from Manila, other Philippine cities participating in the event are Makati, where the country's financial district is located, Paranaque and Pasay.
The influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines also enjoins churches throughout the predominantly Catholic country to participate in the event.
At least 50 cities around the world are expected to participate in the initiative which began in Sydney last year but has quickly turned into a global event covering 35 countries.
Organizers hope to raise the awareness of the people about their energy usage, since producing electricity through the burning of fossil fuels pollutes the air and contributes to global warming.
Tarsier.. lets all join in save electric, save money, help save the planet
Aside from Manila, other Philippine cities participating in the event are Makati, where the country's financial district is located, Paranaque and Pasay.
The influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines also enjoins churches throughout the predominantly Catholic country to participate in the event.
At least 50 cities around the world are expected to participate in the initiative which began in Sydney last year but has quickly turned into a global event covering 35 countries.
Organizers hope to raise the awareness of the people about their energy usage, since producing electricity through the burning of fossil fuels pollutes the air and contributes to global warming.
Tarsier.. lets all join in save electric, save money, help save the planet
the picture is of Anda Beach in the Philippines.. a bit of poetical licence, as i love this place.. unpoilt beauty, clear waters, white sand, wonderful sunsets, and peace and quiet......a paradise on earth
Thi might just save a life... YOURS
WARN YOUR SPOUSES/FRIENDS/RELATIVES
Bottled water in your car.....very dangerous, woman! This is how Sheryl Crow got breast cancer. She was on the Ellen show and said this same exact thing. This has been identified as the most common Cause of the high levels in breast cancer, especially in Australia ..
A friend whose mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. was told by the Doctor : women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.
The doctor said that the heat and the plastic of the bottle have certain chemicals that can lead to breast cancer. So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car, and, pass this on to all the women in your life. This information is the kind we need to know and be aware and just might save us!!!! The heat causes toxins from the plastic to leak into the water and they have found these toxins in breast tissue. Use a stainless steel Canteen or a glass bottle when you can!!!
Bottled water in your car.....very dangerous, woman! This is how Sheryl Crow got breast cancer. She was on the Ellen show and said this same exact thing. This has been identified as the most common Cause of the high levels in breast cancer, especially in Australia ..
A friend whose mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. was told by the Doctor : women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.
The doctor said that the heat and the plastic of the bottle have certain chemicals that can lead to breast cancer. So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car, and, pass this on to all the women in your life. This information is the kind we need to know and be aware and just might save us!!!! The heat causes toxins from the plastic to leak into the water and they have found these toxins in breast tissue. Use a stainless steel Canteen or a glass bottle when you can!!!
Monday, March 24, 2008
She Walks in Beauty...Lord Byron
Most things about Byron are fabulously romantic, including the story that he met a lovely cousin by marriage at a ball and wrote" she walks in beauty" the very next morning
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all thats best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the namless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens oer her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place
And on that cheek, and oer that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smile that win, the tint that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Byron was around thirty years old when he wrote this, he had scarcely seven more years to live
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all thats best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the namless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens oer her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place
And on that cheek, and oer that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smile that win, the tint that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Byron was around thirty years old when he wrote this, he had scarcely seven more years to live
Saturday, March 22, 2008
"CHARICE" inspirational
Easter is the time for families to get together to celebrate the death of our Lord, a time of hope and inspiration for a brighter and better life, the video above inbodies this hope, and when im felling a little weary and down i often go listen to this song.......it still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and i have listened to it so many times.....The young lady singer is 16 years old and of course she comes from the Philippines, and am i proud of her talent.. something great thats from the Philippines, thats getting harder to find these days
Friday, March 21, 2008
MOCHA..wow beautiful, sexy, talented and clever
Mocha...A group consisting of Mocha,Hershey,Bambie,Grace and Bez, great dancing and singing
Formidable for us mere men, talented, brainy and beautiful, i hear they are looking for a new singer/dancer.. could be just a dancer.. erhh!ladies i look great in tights, but im a little bit short only 5" tall, but i am really cuddly, and my fur is soft.. would i do.. i can dance, talaga???
contact their website:- MOCHA
photo by JOBBIT MATA
Listen out for their song GILING MO...
Crucifixions in Cutud
The voluntary crucifixions in the northern Philippines were the most extreme displays of religious devotion in this mainly Catholic country, where millions are praying and fasting ahead of the Easter weekend.
In the small village of Cutud, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Manila, men cried out as nails the size of pencils were driven into their hands and feet before they were hoisted up in the scorching heat. Eight went through the process. Eleven backed out, organizers said.
"The poor are getting poorer. They are the focus of my penance and my petitions. I pray there's equality in the society," said Ruben Inaje, showing his bandaged hands after his crucifixion.
In the neighboring province of Bulacan, five people were nailed to wooden crosses, including a 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl.
Thousands watched the spectacle in Cutud, which has grown from a village production started in 1962 to a media and tourist attraction copied in other parts of the country.
For hours before the crucifixions lines of men, hooded and half naked, flayed their backs with bamboo whips and paddles tipped with broken glass. Blood splattered over the road.
The atmosphere was festive, with hawkers selling beer, ice-cream and souvenir whips. VIPs watched from a specially elevated "viewing platform."
The country's dominant Catholic Church disapproves of the crucifixions and flagellations as a misrepresentation of the faith.
"The spiritual dimension is totally lost, and it's entered into only because of some shows, some manifestations for other people to be satisfied with or to see," said Bishop Deogracias Iniguez.
"Many of these penitents, those who are practicing these physical afflictions have a meager, have a shallow understanding of these practices."
Tarsiers comment:-
For me this is a mockery of why Jesus died, he died so we can avail of everlasting life, Jesus died to free us from our sins and the law code.. the 10 commandments, (over 600 rules), that Paul called a curse.... it was given by God to the Jewish nation it was never given to the Christians.. we are under only two... to love God with all our hearts and soul and too love our neighbour as ourselves, yes we can be declared righteous by the law code but that would be saying we do not believe in why Jesus died.Do you want to follow 600 rules?.. no one ever has managed to do that
This display means nothing, it could get the people involved blood poisoning and a lot of discomfort.. do you really think your Jesus.. you presume so much and lower the meaning of his death.We have the life as Chritians today because Gods son gave his life to save us all......
In the small village of Cutud, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Manila, men cried out as nails the size of pencils were driven into their hands and feet before they were hoisted up in the scorching heat. Eight went through the process. Eleven backed out, organizers said.
"The poor are getting poorer. They are the focus of my penance and my petitions. I pray there's equality in the society," said Ruben Inaje, showing his bandaged hands after his crucifixion.
In the neighboring province of Bulacan, five people were nailed to wooden crosses, including a 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl.
Thousands watched the spectacle in Cutud, which has grown from a village production started in 1962 to a media and tourist attraction copied in other parts of the country.
For hours before the crucifixions lines of men, hooded and half naked, flayed their backs with bamboo whips and paddles tipped with broken glass. Blood splattered over the road.
The atmosphere was festive, with hawkers selling beer, ice-cream and souvenir whips. VIPs watched from a specially elevated "viewing platform."
The country's dominant Catholic Church disapproves of the crucifixions and flagellations as a misrepresentation of the faith.
"The spiritual dimension is totally lost, and it's entered into only because of some shows, some manifestations for other people to be satisfied with or to see," said Bishop Deogracias Iniguez.
"Many of these penitents, those who are practicing these physical afflictions have a meager, have a shallow understanding of these practices."
Tarsiers comment:-
For me this is a mockery of why Jesus died, he died so we can avail of everlasting life, Jesus died to free us from our sins and the law code.. the 10 commandments, (over 600 rules), that Paul called a curse.... it was given by God to the Jewish nation it was never given to the Christians.. we are under only two... to love God with all our hearts and soul and too love our neighbour as ourselves, yes we can be declared righteous by the law code but that would be saying we do not believe in why Jesus died.Do you want to follow 600 rules?.. no one ever has managed to do that
This display means nothing, it could get the people involved blood poisoning and a lot of discomfort.. do you really think your Jesus.. you presume so much and lower the meaning of his death.We have the life as Chritians today because Gods son gave his life to save us all......
Monday, March 17, 2008
Philippines To Go 'Hand-To-Hand' If Forced To War
Philippines To Go 'Hand-To-Hand' If Forced To War
March 17, 208
Preciosa Dumlao - AHN News Writer
Manila, Philippines (AHN) - The Philippines will defend its territory and its military is "ready to go to war" anytime even to do "hand-to-hand" combat because of its limited firepower.
Speaking to reporters in the Philippine summer capital of Baguio City, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., said the country's military is ready to defend Manila's claim on the disputed Spratly Islands despite its limited military hardware.
The Spratly Islands, comprised of 100 islets, shoals and islands, is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas and is claimed by six nations, including China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam.
Esperon said the country's security forces will defend its territory when all diplomatic efforts fail to resolve any conflict with a foreign nation.
"While your soldiers are ready to go to war anytime, as in other wars, there are of course efforts to settle the differences through diplomatic channels. We can go to war, we can still go to war. But the next question is, can we win? That's the question, do we have the capabilities?" he said.
However, he acknowledged defending the country's territory would be very difficult and will require fighter jets which, the Philippine Air Force do not have. Its last F5 fighter planes was decommissioned several years ago.
"We may not have the chance, but that does not mean that soldiers are not willing to fight for the country," he said
Oh!.. TALAGA...There is an island in the Philippines thats occupied by Vietnamese forces, around 50 Vietnamese combatants took control whilst the Philippines army was celebrating a birthday party... no what.. they are still there, controlling part of Philippines territory.. can you tell me why??..the Philippines cant defend itself as there is no air cover, perhaps Philippines Airlines would like to lend the armed forces an airplane?.. when was the last fighter plane de-commisioned?,was it not in 2005... tarsier
March 17, 208
Preciosa Dumlao - AHN News Writer
Manila, Philippines (AHN) - The Philippines will defend its territory and its military is "ready to go to war" anytime even to do "hand-to-hand" combat because of its limited firepower.
Speaking to reporters in the Philippine summer capital of Baguio City, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., said the country's military is ready to defend Manila's claim on the disputed Spratly Islands despite its limited military hardware.
The Spratly Islands, comprised of 100 islets, shoals and islands, is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas and is claimed by six nations, including China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam.
Esperon said the country's security forces will defend its territory when all diplomatic efforts fail to resolve any conflict with a foreign nation.
"While your soldiers are ready to go to war anytime, as in other wars, there are of course efforts to settle the differences through diplomatic channels. We can go to war, we can still go to war. But the next question is, can we win? That's the question, do we have the capabilities?" he said.
However, he acknowledged defending the country's territory would be very difficult and will require fighter jets which, the Philippine Air Force do not have. Its last F5 fighter planes was decommissioned several years ago.
"We may not have the chance, but that does not mean that soldiers are not willing to fight for the country," he said
Oh!.. TALAGA...There is an island in the Philippines thats occupied by Vietnamese forces, around 50 Vietnamese combatants took control whilst the Philippines army was celebrating a birthday party... no what.. they are still there, controlling part of Philippines territory.. can you tell me why??..the Philippines cant defend itself as there is no air cover, perhaps Philippines Airlines would like to lend the armed forces an airplane?.. when was the last fighter plane de-commisioned?,was it not in 2005... tarsier
Sunday, March 16, 2008
“Heartthrobs Live on Guam.”
10:15 a.m., March 16 — Metro Pacific Productions Inc., in partnership with ABS-CBN Star Magic, will sponsor the musical event, “Heartthrobs Live on Guam.”
The live performance will star some of the Philippines biggest male performers, including Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and Sam Milby. There also will be an appearance by comedian Pokwang.
The one-night performance will be held March 19 at the Father Duenas Memorial School’s Phoenix Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m.
VIP reserved tickets range from $150, $100, $75 and $50. Bleacher tickets are $40, General admission is $30 and balcony seats are $25.
They can be purchased at National Office Supply stores, Metro Pacific Productions Inc., Bench, Government of Guam Federal Credit Union, Ben and Yan, Josie’s Batchoy, Seaside Fish Mart, Gudtaym Lounge, Laguna Kitchenette, John B’s Mart, Joys Restaurant.
The live performance will star some of the Philippines biggest male performers, including Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and Sam Milby. There also will be an appearance by comedian Pokwang.
The one-night performance will be held March 19 at the Father Duenas Memorial School’s Phoenix Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m.
VIP reserved tickets range from $150, $100, $75 and $50. Bleacher tickets are $40, General admission is $30 and balcony seats are $25.
They can be purchased at National Office Supply stores, Metro Pacific Productions Inc., Bench, Government of Guam Federal Credit Union, Ben and Yan, Josie’s Batchoy, Seaside Fish Mart, Gudtaym Lounge, Laguna Kitchenette, John B’s Mart, Joys Restaurant.
Manny wins it... but only just
MANILA, March 16 -- Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao captured the World Boxing Council super-featherweight title Sunday after defeating Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez Sunday in Las Vegas, the United States.
The match, broadcast live here and watched by millions of Filipinos, saw Pacquiao knocking down Marquez with solid left to the face in the third round.
The three judges saw it 115-112; 112-115; and 114-113 in favor of Pacquiao.
This is the seventh win consecutive for the 29-year-old boxer, now in his prime, against Mexican boxers in two years. He now has a record to 46 wins, three defeats and two losses with 35 via stoppages.
The right eye of Marquez bled after having a head butt with Pacquiao in the seventh round, but the 34-year-old Mexican fought on and made Pacquiao's right eyebrow bleed with a left straight to the face in the eighth round.
The intensive and tight fight was the rematch of their first encounter in 2004 which ended with a draw.
The match, broadcast live here and watched by millions of Filipinos, saw Pacquiao knocking down Marquez with solid left to the face in the third round.
The three judges saw it 115-112; 112-115; and 114-113 in favor of Pacquiao.
This is the seventh win consecutive for the 29-year-old boxer, now in his prime, against Mexican boxers in two years. He now has a record to 46 wins, three defeats and two losses with 35 via stoppages.
The right eye of Marquez bled after having a head butt with Pacquiao in the seventh round, but the 34-year-old Mexican fought on and made Pacquiao's right eyebrow bleed with a left straight to the face in the eighth round.
The intensive and tight fight was the rematch of their first encounter in 2004 which ended with a draw.
Friday, March 14, 2008
BOHOL.. a paradise on Earth
...there is a story about a visiting Spanish prime minister who asked a Filipino senator is there!...
Bohol: For its relatively small size Bohol Island has much to offer in its history and natural attractions. Miguel Lopez de Lagazpi (c.1510-72), the Spanish conqueror and colonizer of the Philippines, anchored on the island in 1563 and is said to have sealed a blood packed with a chieftain named Sikatuna.
Boholanos are known to be an extremely industrious lot. The province is one of the largest coconut-growing areas in the country, while cottage industries continue their impressive production of delicasies and various handcrafts, which flood the Manila markets.
Notable among the Boholanos weavers products are mats and sacks made from saguran fibers, antequera baskets combining bamboo and nito, and items woven out of local grasses and reeds.
Tagbilaran is the capital of Bohol, and apart from here and Panglao Island where there is some activity, the rest of the island is an attractive slow sort of place, where life in the barrios goes on the same way it has always done. Bohol is on Philippines time and runs at strictly Filipino pace. Even the Carabao chew slowly.
There is a story about a visiting Spanish prime minister who when on a visit to the Philippines, asked a Filipino senator if there was a Tagalog equivalent of Manana, their is replied the senator, but it does not convey the same sense of urgency.
There are not many sights to see in Tabilaran, there is Tagbilaran Cathedral(6am-9pm),situated in Sarmiento Street, opposite the plaza, rebuilt in the nineteenth century, from the original that was destroyed by fire in 1789. The **Bohol Museum** (Mon- Fri 10am-4.30pm), cost a few peso for entrance, last i heard it was 10 peso, in Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, inside the former home of the, fourth President of the Philippines,contains various presidential memorabilia, and a shell collection.
The Tagbilaran City Fiesta is on May 1st
Finding COURAGE, in times of need
Obstacles to Becoming Braver
Fear of change. Learning how to be less controlled by your fears is one key to becoming more courageous.
Either-or-thinking. You may think of yourself as a wimp and others as courageous, but there has to be a middle ground. You can live in a comfort zone, but you have to be willing to be courageous when it counts.
Fear of failure. Failure is an important part of success, and being courageous involves being willing to fail at times.
Lack of faith. Identify your self doubt so that you can act more courageously.
Personal fears. These are fears such as fear of taking responsibility for your life; fear of self-discovery; fear of losing control; fear of moving forward; and fear of making the wrong decision.
Know that you are bigger than your fears. Follow your instincts, and if doubts emerge, shove them aside.
Finding Courage in Times of Need
Stoltz says you draw courage from what matters to you. "The changes you're willing to make are the ones that have the greatest significance," he says. For example, if you've been offered a job that will force you to move across the country but you don't care about the job, you'll have a hard time finding courage to make the move.
Once you've decided what matters, then follow these suggestions for becoming more courageous.
Recall previous times when you acted courageously. Did you move as a child and have to make new friends? Did you go away to college? "Focusing on times when you acted courageously will instill more courage in you," Larsen says, adding that you should also applaud yourself for showing courage.
Shift your focus. Don't worry about failing or disappointing other people, Larsen says. Worry instead about failing yourself.
Eliminate the words "wish," "hope" and "maybe" from your vocabulary. "These words erode your courage by filling you with doubt, fear or hesitation," says Dr. Bloomfield.
Do your homework. If appropriate, know the obstacles you might encounter. Talk with other people who were once in your shoes. But remember that no matter how much you analyze the situation, you'll still have unknown answers. "Courage doesn't mean waiting to act until you have no fear," explains Dr. Bloomfield. "Courage means living with heart and doing what you want when you're scared."
Surround yourself with courageous people, Larsen says. There will always be people who say never. Find people who support and believe in you.
Imagine what life will be like when your challenge has passed. "Courage can come from seeing past adversity and knowing that although it may be horrible now, it'll get better sometime," Stoltz says.
Give it your all but don't expect perfection, says Dr. Bloomfield. Don't give only 50%; then you can say later that you didn't succeed because you weren't trying that hard. To find courage, you must be willing to give 100%.
Once you've acted with courage, assess your response, Larsen says. Did acting with courage move you forward? If not, figure out how you would behave differently next time. If so, then bottle that courage, reward yourself, and always remember this time when you acted with courage in spite of your fears.
Fear of change. Learning how to be less controlled by your fears is one key to becoming more courageous.
Either-or-thinking. You may think of yourself as a wimp and others as courageous, but there has to be a middle ground. You can live in a comfort zone, but you have to be willing to be courageous when it counts.
Fear of failure. Failure is an important part of success, and being courageous involves being willing to fail at times.
Lack of faith. Identify your self doubt so that you can act more courageously.
Personal fears. These are fears such as fear of taking responsibility for your life; fear of self-discovery; fear of losing control; fear of moving forward; and fear of making the wrong decision.
Know that you are bigger than your fears. Follow your instincts, and if doubts emerge, shove them aside.
Finding Courage in Times of Need
Stoltz says you draw courage from what matters to you. "The changes you're willing to make are the ones that have the greatest significance," he says. For example, if you've been offered a job that will force you to move across the country but you don't care about the job, you'll have a hard time finding courage to make the move.
Once you've decided what matters, then follow these suggestions for becoming more courageous.
Recall previous times when you acted courageously. Did you move as a child and have to make new friends? Did you go away to college? "Focusing on times when you acted courageously will instill more courage in you," Larsen says, adding that you should also applaud yourself for showing courage.
Shift your focus. Don't worry about failing or disappointing other people, Larsen says. Worry instead about failing yourself.
Eliminate the words "wish," "hope" and "maybe" from your vocabulary. "These words erode your courage by filling you with doubt, fear or hesitation," says Dr. Bloomfield.
Do your homework. If appropriate, know the obstacles you might encounter. Talk with other people who were once in your shoes. But remember that no matter how much you analyze the situation, you'll still have unknown answers. "Courage doesn't mean waiting to act until you have no fear," explains Dr. Bloomfield. "Courage means living with heart and doing what you want when you're scared."
Surround yourself with courageous people, Larsen says. There will always be people who say never. Find people who support and believe in you.
Imagine what life will be like when your challenge has passed. "Courage can come from seeing past adversity and knowing that although it may be horrible now, it'll get better sometime," Stoltz says.
Give it your all but don't expect perfection, says Dr. Bloomfield. Don't give only 50%; then you can say later that you didn't succeed because you weren't trying that hard. To find courage, you must be willing to give 100%.
Once you've acted with courage, assess your response, Larsen says. Did acting with courage move you forward? If not, figure out how you would behave differently next time. If so, then bottle that courage, reward yourself, and always remember this time when you acted with courage in spite of your fears.
Man says to God!!
Man says to God:
"God, why did you make woman so beautiful?"
God says: "So you would love her."
"But God," the man says, "why did you make her so dumb?"
God says: "So she would love you."
"God, why did you make woman so beautiful?"
God says: "So you would love her."
"But God," the man says, "why did you make her so dumb?"
God says: "So she would love you."
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Watch out for bogus B.I.A. agents..Filipinos beware!!
Prospective Filipino migrant workers to the United Kingdom (UK) will be the target of internet scams operated from that country, the Department of Foreign Affairs quoted Philippine Embassy in London as saying on Sunday.
Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Edgardo Espiritu said criminal syndicates normally claim to be officials from the British Border and Immigration Agency (BIA), a unit of the British Home Office that oversees the management of migration to the UK.
The criminal syndicates carry the official address of the BIA in their internal communications but use email addresses obtained from commercial internet and email service providers, Espiritu said.
Payment for their service is then required to be coursed through legitimate commercial money remittance service providers which operate from many cities in the Philippines.
He also said that other criminal syndicates use the names of other British or Filipino government agencies in their fraudulent activities.
"Filipino workers who have received invitation to work in the United Kingdom through the internet are advised to consult with POEA (Philippine overseas employment authorities) to verify if the recruitment agency is licensed to deploy workers to the UK," Espiritu said.
"If payment is being required before deployment, the public is advised to consider the transaction as suspicious and discontinue dealing with the recruiter," her added.
There is an estimated 200,000 Filipinos in the United Kingdom, many of whom are employed as nurses or care givers in the British national health system.
The UK adopted last month its new Point-Based System of managed migration which makes entry into the British workforce by non-European Union workers more closely monitored by the authorities
Saturday, March 8, 2008
24,000 SQ KM..R.P.TERRITORY SOLD
From the Malaya
Sold: 24,000 sq. km.RP territory in GMA deal delineated
THE joint seismic study agreement the Philippines struck with China in 2004 preparatory to oil exploration in the disputed Spratlys covers an area that laps the western shores of Philippines, Malaya was able to establish yesterday.
The agreement has been kept secret by the Philippine government, but Malaya was able to secure a copy of Annex "A" which delineates the boundaries of the area covered.
At its farthermost eastern edge, the area is around 25 kilometers from the southern tip of Palawan. At its northern boundary, the area abuts the Malampaya oil field and includes an area the Philippines had long awarded to a British company for oil exploration.
Of the total 142,886 kilometers, around 24,000 square kilometers clearly belong to the Philippines and fall outside the areas in the Spratlys which are claimed either in whole or in part by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia and Brunei.
The area also swallows almost 80 percent of the Kalayaan Group which the Philippines claims.
The Spratly island itself, which serves as the reference when referring to the Spratly Group, is at the westernmost edge area covered by the agreement. The island is about 700 kilometers from Palawan.
Malaya publisher Amado Macasaet, in an article, has said that President Arroyo and then Speaker Jose de Venecia might be held liable for treason for signing the agreement in exchange for loans "attended by bribery and corruption."
Resolutions have been filed at both the Senate and the House calling for an inquiry into the "sellout" of Philippine territory.
Cabinet secretary Ricardo Saludo dared critics to question the Spratly deal before the Supreme Court instead of citing what he called hearsay.
"Why does the opposition keep resorting to press statements and partisan hearings? Is it afraid of impartial due process?" he said.
He said former Senate President Franklin Drilon, being a topnotch lawyer and former justice secretary, should "know how to test the validity of any agreement."
Drilon, in a television interview, has said he was formally informed that the approval of the Chinese loan for the $500 million NorthRail project was tied to the Spratly deal.
Vice President Noli de Castro said he wants to hear the side of Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs, adding that all he knows about the deal is based on media reports.
The Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) was signed on Sept. 1, 2004 between the China National Offshore Oil Corp. and the Philippine National Oil Corp., reportedly in exchange for billions worth of soft loans for projects like the national broadband network project, the cyber education project, and the North and South Rail projects.
Vietnam initially denounced the agreement, but came on board in March 2005.
The DFA has explained that the JMSU, which includes conduct of joint explorations and similar activities among the three Spratly claimants (China, Vietnam and the Philippines), does not impinge on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines.
It said JMSU is "a landmark agreement that affirms the political commitment of three claimant states to approach their disputes in the South China Sea in a peaceful and constructive manner." The Philippines and China were the first signatories to the JMSU. Vietnam later joined in the agreement.
Rep. Roilo Golez (Ind. Parañaque) said De Venecia must come out and tell everything he knows about the "origins and background" of the Spratly deal.
Golez and detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV have filed separate resolutions calling for a probe.
Golez said De Venecia should explain whether there is truth to the insinuation that there is a link between this agreement and China’s soft loan facility of $2 billion a year for controversial and allegedly overpriced projects like NorthRail, SouthRail, NBN-ZTE, among others."
"The former Speaker must also clarify if there were other top officials who intervened in the signing of the deal. Knowing the decision-making process for deals of this nature, I cannot believe that the Speaker alone can swing this without Malacañang’s approval," he said.
De Venecia has denied that the deal was forged in exchange for loans. He added the deal would even avert a potential conflict that may arise in the Spratlys.
De Venecia said that after the seismic data-gathering, it would only be logical to begin exploratory oil drilling which he said is very much needed in the face of the sky-rocketing prices of oil products.
Golez said the Spratlys is believed to contain oil reserves of around 200 billion barrels which at present oil price level would translate to around $20 trillion.
Rep. Orlando Fua (Lakas, Siquijor), senior vice chair of the committee on foreign affairs, on Wednesday night said in the plenary that the DFA has been lobbying against the passage of House Bill 3216 which defines the Philippines’ archipelagic baseline, including the Kalayaan Group of Islands and the Scarborough Shoal in the Spratlys.
Fua said this is the reason the House has not approved the bill on final reading despite its inclusion in the agenda.
Sources said the DFA does not want the House version because this would antagonize the Chinese who have been providing loans to the Philippines.
ALARMING
Senate majority leader Francis Pangilinan said if the Spratly deal is indeed tainted by anomaly, "then we must all be alarmed because then we will find that the Filipino people need to protect themselves from their very own government."
Pangilinan said the Philippines entered into 31 agreements with China last year to promote bilateral trade and development in the next 10 years. These include the agreement to jointly undertake seismic studies of the Spratlys and explore the territory for oil and natural gas.
According to reports, the Chinese government committed $2 billion in official development assistance every year to the Republic of the Philippines until 2010 after the deal was signed.
Senators have said that the 67 bilateral agreements which the Arroyo administration signed with China seem to be a "precondition to the bilateral loan agreements granted by China to the Philippines to finance the government’s overpriced and anomalous projects such as the NBN-ZTE contract and the North Rail project.
Of the 67 bilateral agreements, 57 were signed after Aug. 31, 2003 or after talks were opened relative to China’s oil and gas exploration of Spratly Islands.
OF NO VALUE
The National Union of People’s Lawyers said Malacañang’s challenge to bring the Spratly deal before the courts is meaningless and "of no value."
Neri Javier Colmenares, the group’s secretary general, said no suit against the JMSU can be filed "unless President Arroyo allows officials, including Chairman Romulo Neri, to testify, and the negotiations leading to the JMSU, including the Agreement itself, are made transparent and publicly submitted to the Senate investigation."
Colmenares nevertheless said the JMSU is "void if signed by President Arroyo and the Chinese government in consideration of fraudulent transactions in the various projects and loan agreements involving Chinese companies."
"In fact, due to the fraudulent transactions accompanying the loan agreements, the Philippine has every right to demand the voidance of the loans should fraud be proved between the two parties," he said.
– Jocelyn Montemayor, Wendell Vigilia, JP Lopez and Anthony Ian Cruz
Sold: 24,000 sq. km.RP territory in GMA deal delineated
THE joint seismic study agreement the Philippines struck with China in 2004 preparatory to oil exploration in the disputed Spratlys covers an area that laps the western shores of Philippines, Malaya was able to establish yesterday.
The agreement has been kept secret by the Philippine government, but Malaya was able to secure a copy of Annex "A" which delineates the boundaries of the area covered.
At its farthermost eastern edge, the area is around 25 kilometers from the southern tip of Palawan. At its northern boundary, the area abuts the Malampaya oil field and includes an area the Philippines had long awarded to a British company for oil exploration.
Of the total 142,886 kilometers, around 24,000 square kilometers clearly belong to the Philippines and fall outside the areas in the Spratlys which are claimed either in whole or in part by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia and Brunei.
The area also swallows almost 80 percent of the Kalayaan Group which the Philippines claims.
The Spratly island itself, which serves as the reference when referring to the Spratly Group, is at the westernmost edge area covered by the agreement. The island is about 700 kilometers from Palawan.
Malaya publisher Amado Macasaet, in an article, has said that President Arroyo and then Speaker Jose de Venecia might be held liable for treason for signing the agreement in exchange for loans "attended by bribery and corruption."
Resolutions have been filed at both the Senate and the House calling for an inquiry into the "sellout" of Philippine territory.
Cabinet secretary Ricardo Saludo dared critics to question the Spratly deal before the Supreme Court instead of citing what he called hearsay.
"Why does the opposition keep resorting to press statements and partisan hearings? Is it afraid of impartial due process?" he said.
He said former Senate President Franklin Drilon, being a topnotch lawyer and former justice secretary, should "know how to test the validity of any agreement."
Drilon, in a television interview, has said he was formally informed that the approval of the Chinese loan for the $500 million NorthRail project was tied to the Spratly deal.
Vice President Noli de Castro said he wants to hear the side of Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs, adding that all he knows about the deal is based on media reports.
The Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) was signed on Sept. 1, 2004 between the China National Offshore Oil Corp. and the Philippine National Oil Corp., reportedly in exchange for billions worth of soft loans for projects like the national broadband network project, the cyber education project, and the North and South Rail projects.
Vietnam initially denounced the agreement, but came on board in March 2005.
The DFA has explained that the JMSU, which includes conduct of joint explorations and similar activities among the three Spratly claimants (China, Vietnam and the Philippines), does not impinge on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines.
It said JMSU is "a landmark agreement that affirms the political commitment of three claimant states to approach their disputes in the South China Sea in a peaceful and constructive manner." The Philippines and China were the first signatories to the JMSU. Vietnam later joined in the agreement.
Rep. Roilo Golez (Ind. Parañaque) said De Venecia must come out and tell everything he knows about the "origins and background" of the Spratly deal.
Golez and detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV have filed separate resolutions calling for a probe.
Golez said De Venecia should explain whether there is truth to the insinuation that there is a link between this agreement and China’s soft loan facility of $2 billion a year for controversial and allegedly overpriced projects like NorthRail, SouthRail, NBN-ZTE, among others."
"The former Speaker must also clarify if there were other top officials who intervened in the signing of the deal. Knowing the decision-making process for deals of this nature, I cannot believe that the Speaker alone can swing this without Malacañang’s approval," he said.
De Venecia has denied that the deal was forged in exchange for loans. He added the deal would even avert a potential conflict that may arise in the Spratlys.
De Venecia said that after the seismic data-gathering, it would only be logical to begin exploratory oil drilling which he said is very much needed in the face of the sky-rocketing prices of oil products.
Golez said the Spratlys is believed to contain oil reserves of around 200 billion barrels which at present oil price level would translate to around $20 trillion.
Rep. Orlando Fua (Lakas, Siquijor), senior vice chair of the committee on foreign affairs, on Wednesday night said in the plenary that the DFA has been lobbying against the passage of House Bill 3216 which defines the Philippines’ archipelagic baseline, including the Kalayaan Group of Islands and the Scarborough Shoal in the Spratlys.
Fua said this is the reason the House has not approved the bill on final reading despite its inclusion in the agenda.
Sources said the DFA does not want the House version because this would antagonize the Chinese who have been providing loans to the Philippines.
ALARMING
Senate majority leader Francis Pangilinan said if the Spratly deal is indeed tainted by anomaly, "then we must all be alarmed because then we will find that the Filipino people need to protect themselves from their very own government."
Pangilinan said the Philippines entered into 31 agreements with China last year to promote bilateral trade and development in the next 10 years. These include the agreement to jointly undertake seismic studies of the Spratlys and explore the territory for oil and natural gas.
According to reports, the Chinese government committed $2 billion in official development assistance every year to the Republic of the Philippines until 2010 after the deal was signed.
Senators have said that the 67 bilateral agreements which the Arroyo administration signed with China seem to be a "precondition to the bilateral loan agreements granted by China to the Philippines to finance the government’s overpriced and anomalous projects such as the NBN-ZTE contract and the North Rail project.
Of the 67 bilateral agreements, 57 were signed after Aug. 31, 2003 or after talks were opened relative to China’s oil and gas exploration of Spratly Islands.
OF NO VALUE
The National Union of People’s Lawyers said Malacañang’s challenge to bring the Spratly deal before the courts is meaningless and "of no value."
Neri Javier Colmenares, the group’s secretary general, said no suit against the JMSU can be filed "unless President Arroyo allows officials, including Chairman Romulo Neri, to testify, and the negotiations leading to the JMSU, including the Agreement itself, are made transparent and publicly submitted to the Senate investigation."
Colmenares nevertheless said the JMSU is "void if signed by President Arroyo and the Chinese government in consideration of fraudulent transactions in the various projects and loan agreements involving Chinese companies."
"In fact, due to the fraudulent transactions accompanying the loan agreements, the Philippine has every right to demand the voidance of the loans should fraud be proved between the two parties," he said.
– Jocelyn Montemayor, Wendell Vigilia, JP Lopez and Anthony Ian Cruz
Friday, March 7, 2008
TROPICAL RAINFORESTS.. a global warning
Tropical rainforests..GLOBAL WARNING
Vast amounts of greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide - are released into the atmosphere as a result of clearing and burning rainforests. In recent years, deforestation has contributed as much as 30 percent of all anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Vast amounts of greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide - are released into the atmosphere as a result of clearing and burning rainforests. In recent years, deforestation has contributed as much as 30 percent of all anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Tropical deforestation therefore contributes significantly to global warming both through the release of stored carbon and through the destruction of one of the Earth’s prime ways of absorbing excess atmospheric carbon.
Moreover, by acting as a ‘heat pump’ that redistributes the energy of sunlight from the equator to the temperate regions, tropical rainforests have another vitally important role that has been largely ignored by climatologists.
Tropical rainforests, and particularly those of the Amazon Basin, warm the temperate zones while cooling the tropics, and in the process, regulate the flow of freshwater through the ecosystem, determining local and regional rainfall patterns.
Destroying the tropical rain forests will perturb climate in ways every bit as powerfully as the addition of greenhouse gases.
Whilst the Philippines goverment on one hand plants 500,000 saplings along the green highway, very commendable on its own, it also allows licences to cut down 36,000 hectres of forests.The Sierra Madre is not for sale, even if TFPI HAS AN IFMA, cutting it down is against the Philippines Presidents own moritorium. NO MORE LOGGING, the granting of the ifma is therefore illegal
SPOKEN FROM THE HEART
To all Filipinos Everywhere:
I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behaviour?
And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country.
Can it get any worse than this?
Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my TV to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these "honourable" crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and appalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!
I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like "Honourable", "Senator", "Justice", "General" and worse, "President". Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do!
These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation – Robin Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? "Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich."
It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for the entire world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures that can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience.
Heaven forbid!
I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything.. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.
And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own "pag bad ka, lagot ka!" slogan. Defensor rendered defenceless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?
And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship. "Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.
They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it.
But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.
Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion - right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honour.
I call on educators and teachers - we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instil in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mould our children into honourable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.
I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders. YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your heritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.
Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. We are tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. I voted for Atty. Martin Bautista and his team and I sure hope they will run again. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.
For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.
ROLE OF HONOUR...People who have spoken out
I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behaviour?
And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country.
Can it get any worse than this?
Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my TV to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these "honourable" crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and appalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!
I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like "Honourable", "Senator", "Justice", "General" and worse, "President". Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do!
These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation – Robin Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? "Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich."
It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for the entire world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures that can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience.
Heaven forbid!
I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything.. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.
And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own "pag bad ka, lagot ka!" slogan. Defensor rendered defenceless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?
And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship. "Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.
They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it.
But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.
Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion - right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honour.
I call on educators and teachers - we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instil in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mould our children into honourable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.
I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders. YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your heritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.
Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. We are tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. I voted for Atty. Martin Bautista and his team and I sure hope they will run again. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.
For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.
ROLE OF HONOUR...People who have spoken out
SANDRA CAM..VIDAL DOBLE..DAVOTE MADRIAGA..JOSE BARREDO..NOEL BAVIERA
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Philippine military officials say they have uncovered a plot by Islamic militants linked to al-Qaida to assassinate President Gloria Arroyo.
The officials say the plot was hatched by members of the Philippine-based Abu Sayyaf group and the Indonesian-based Jemaah Islamiyah.
Brigadier General Romeo Prestoza, the chief of Mrs. Arroyo's security detail, told reporters Thursday that other high-profile targets were included in the plot on the president's life. He says the discovery of the plot forced Mrs. Arroyo to cancel an upcoming trip to the northern resort city of Baguio.
The Philippine military has been put on full alert after officials revealed that a protest rally calling for the president's resignation may be infiltrated by rebels.
Mrs. Arroyo's critics plan to stage a demonstration Friday in Manila's business district, Makati, over allegations that her husband accepted bribes and kickbacks in relation to a $330 million telecommunications deal with a Chinese firm.
Mrs. Arroyo has since canceled the contract.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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